Hark in the Wind
Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR, etc, etc.
It was the most exhilarating feeling, almost like I was flying. The wind was blowing the hair back from my face.
Come catch me if you canI reached out my arm and sought my hand as the air rushed through my fingers.
"Stop playing games with me, show yourself!" I demanded out loud.
We are right in front of you"It would help if I could see," I muttered to myself.
I fell deeper and deeper within the mines. I had no idea if Gandalf was nearby. We had only jumped within a few minutes, but I could already feel that his presence was gone. Time was drawing near and I had to get that stone.
"Give me a clue, something," I pleaded. The power of the water stone was now singing in my ears. I was drawing near water.
Use your stones
My stones. I had once told Gimli that the stones were bound to me because of my blood. I touched my hands to the two stones on my wrist and neck. If I only knew the words.
"Mother, help me!" I shouted out loud.
Somewhere in the back of my head, a voice perhaps my mother's called out to me. It was so long ago that I had thought of my mother. My lips now spoke the last words she said to me before she passed away.
Thy elements bind. Earth is to Water is to Wind and in all three come forth Fire.
I reached out my hand once more, but this time I felt a tingling feeling in my arm. I enclosed my hand into a fist and plunged into the icy water.
"Such a beauty, it would be such a shame to waste you."
"No one can force you to look into the mirror but if you don't wish to see, then you will not be able to see at all"
"Their blood is split on my hands, there is no redemption."
Haldir
"You breathe so loud, we could have shot you in the dark," I sneered stepping forward from my hidden spot among the trees.
I studied the group before me. There were two humans, an elf, a dwarf and four strange looking childlike men.
"We seek refuge in Lorien. Orcs are pursuing us," one of the men spoke holding his hands up. Underneath the ragged clothing and dirty appearances, Aragorn was speaking in front of me.
I signalled for the archers to lower their bows and gestured for the group to climb up the ladder that had fallen down at my whistle.
"It has been long since one of our kin journeyed to Lorien, mae govannen Legolas Thraunduilion," I welcomed him.
"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien," he replied back.
"A Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen." I welcomed.
"Speak in a language that we know of," the dwarf protested. He had been placed in between Legolas and Aragorn. The others were behind.
"We have not had dealings with dwarfs since the Dark Ages," I sneered.
"Well you know what this dwarf says…" he began to speak in another language.
"That was most rude," Aragorn said to the dwarf clapping a hand on his shoulder. I didn't pay attention to that for another presence, which I had already sensed before their arrival, was closer than ever. I stepped forward so that the hobbit that bore the presence could see me.
"You bring great evil here, you cannot go any further," I stated to Aragorn and walked away from their party. Aragorn quickly followed me while Legolas chose to stay back away from the others. It seemed he had other things on his mind.
"I ask you to reconsider Haldir. We both know that we cannot go back. Will you keep us here forever?" Aragorn asked.
"I will not allow such evil to pass into Lorien," I firmly stated.
"I cannot think of where else we can venture. It was Melethril that suggested it."
"Melethril? She was with you? You did not mention her earlier." I said irritated and eager at the same time. Many years since she had dwelled in Lorien and the Lady had not mentioned anything of Melethril, perhaps she didn't know. No, the Lady sees all. My mind was swarmed with questions but Aragorn interrupted my thoughts.
"She had to remain behind but before we left she told me to go to Lorien. Will you help us?"
I nodded and went over to the party.
"You shall follow me," I commanded. They all stood up and I began to lead them into the city with my archers.
"Haldir, you two spoke of Melethril. Why did the Lady not mention her to us?" Orophin questioned coming up beside me.
"I don't know." It was my only reply.
I had led the fellowship to my Lady and Lord. I had listened in horror as Legolas' recounted Gandalf's death and I had watched, as the fellowship was led to their sleeping quarters. Now I was riding towards Moria with my brothers.
Haldir you have many questions, but now is not the time. You must go and find Melethril for she has finished her task
Where would she be?
I have sent Gwahir to fetch her. Ride out to the direction in which the fellowship came and you shall find her
Two days I have been riding out and no sign of her. Where was she? Was she hurt? Finally at the urge of my brothers we decided to venture to the borders of our woods hoping she might be among the trees.
I heard a whistle and immediately rushed over to the sound. I emerged through the trees to find Rumil and Orophin standing in front a large mellyrn tree.
"Have you found her?" I asked taking a step forward.
They took a step apart and I saw a body slumped against the base of the tree. I crouched down and lifted the hood of the cloak. I inhaled.
"She does not seem to be asleep but in a daze, brother. We tried to talk to her but maybe you can." Orophin said.
"Nin mell muinthel"She did not reply but she was mumbling something under her breath. Suddenly she began to convulse violently.
"Melethril!" I called out gripping her shoulders tightly with my hands.
Her body stopped squirming. She raised her head a little and softly said, "Haldir?"
"Yes it is I"
My voice seemed to calm her but then suddenly she tensed.
"Haldir…make them stop. I can't… make them stop!" she cried out burying her face into my tunic.
"Make who stop? Melethril!" I place my hand against her forehead.
"She is with fever," I looked up at Rumil and Orophin.
"We must take to the Lady now," Rumil replied.
"Haldir!" Orophin yelled.
I immediately looked down at Melethril. Her eyes seemed dim, her body felt limp.
"She's fading. There's no time to take her back," I panicked.
"Help her Haldir," Orophin urged.
"How?" I growled.
"Remember that time when she healed one of the archers, she touched his mind and brought him back into the light. You have to call her back."
I brushed her bangs away from her face. I held her closer so that our foreheads were touching.
Lasto beth nîn Melethril, tolo dan nan galad
I dreamed of my parents. My mother's golden hair and blue eyes were such contrast to my father's pale silver hair and peridot eyes. He whispered something in her ear and from the look in her eyes I knew what he had said. They then kissed under the moonlight. Suddenly they broke apart. My mother was holding her abdomen with one hand and the other grasping my father's arm. This was before I was born when I was still in my mother's womb. I watched on as my father placed his hands on my mother's stomach. The image began to disappear.
"No don't go!" I pleaded.
"Melethril, come to me. Come back into the light."
Galadriel's voice was strong and demanding.
"No, I want to stay with my parents!"
"Your parents would not wish for you to choose death for them. Think of the people who will grieve your death."
I immediately thought of Legolas. What would happen to him? Would he slip into oblivion like my mother and eventually let himself be killed carelessly?
"I do not want this burden!" I despaired.
"And who else would you want to entrust this task? Only you will be able to control the elements, for within you have your parent's blood. They are bound to you as you are to them." I bowed my head.
"There is no other way, child," she spoke.
"I know," I regretted and then let the light draw me in.
Galadriel appeared as beautiful and serene as she was always. She took me in her arms and her light infused into my body. She began to sing softly and slowly I drifted to sleep.
My ears were keen and sharp. I could now hear the padding of feet across the floor and quiet whispers. I groaned and shifted between the covers.
"How long?" I asked.
"You have been with fever for three days. If it weren't for Haldir I would not have reached you in time."
"Haldir? What happened? Did something happen to him?" I asked in alarm.
I felt a cool hand on my forehead. "Do not worry Melethril, all is well. You need your rest now. Go to sleep."
I awoke again, but Galadriel was not with me. There was someone else in the room, a familiar presence.
"Niphredil?" I called out.
Niphredil was my close friend who upon her first glance disregarded my disability. I admit I am even the matchmaker of Rumil and her.
"Melethril, you are awake!" she rushed over and clasped my hand.
I smiled weakly at her and attempted to sit up.
"Here, I'll help you," she guided me with her hands and I was now sitting comfortable against the headboard surrounded by pillows.
"I would hug you my friend, but I am too tired and sore," I pondered the last thought. How my body felt like it was prickled with a dozen needles.
"You gave us quite a scare! Haldir came running into the Lady's room with you in his arms. You were so pale and your eyes…" she trailed.
"Hush, I'm alright" I soothed her holding her hand.
"I've missed you Melethril. You never came to visit ever since we journeyed to Rivendell together."
"I wrote you letters, well I got Arwen to write them for me," I defended.
"It still wasn't the same."
"I'm sorry. There were some things that I just had to deal with alone."
"And did you happen to cut your hair alone as well?"
"No, Arwen helped me cut it. At least your reaction was better than the twins; they were in shock for days. Every time they saw me, they kept repeating 'she cut her hair'!" I exclaimed.
She giggled and impulsively hugged me.
"I forgive you. You are back, that is what's important."
"Now how about a nice hot bath?"
I felt refreshed after the long bath. My hair was washed and brushed out; Niphredil scrubbed off every dirt speck from my body. We were chatting when there was knock at the door. She got up and answered it. There were some whispers and then Niphredil came back in.
"Melethril, you have visitors,"
Before I could guess hands and arms bombarded me.
"Rumil! Orophin!" I exclaimed happy to meet them again.
"Welcome back!"
Someone cleared their throat and the brothers detached themselves from me.
"Haldir, why do you always spoil the moment?"
"You would choke your mell muinthel to death?"
I laughed heartily. "I see you three haven't lost your touch at all. Niphredil how do you stand them?"
"Oh, you just don't. You smack them instead."
"I resent that, meleth-nin!" Rumil proclaimed and he swooped her in his arms.
"What Rumil is trying to say is that you gave us quite a fright Melethril," Orophin explained.
"I don't remember much except hearing you three for a second and then I saw…" I hesitated. Did I want to force myself to remember the horrors of my past?
"You were feverish when I found you, Melethril," Haldir spoke up. I inwardly sighed with relief for his interruption.
"If it weren't for Haldir, you might have not made it," Rumil replied releasing Niphredil.
"What do you mean?" I shot a look at Haldir. He was standing away from us, in the shadows.
"He touched his mind to yours keeping you in the light until we could get to the Lady."
"Thank you," I whispered. There was silence.
Niphredil cleared her throat. "Well I suppose we should leave you two to talk."
With that she shooed the brothers away and gave me one more hug. "I am glad you are back."
"Me too." I answered.
Finally we are alone. We said nothing. We did not need words to understand each other.
I patted my hand on the edge of my bed indicating that he should sit. He walked over slowly and pressed his weight onto the side.
"You are thinking of the past again."
Haldir
Flashback
She was sitting across a stone bench with her arms circled her knees. I hesitated when I was within distance.
"You don't take no for an answer do you?" she asked as I approached.
"You seemed disturbed," I sat down at the edge. "What ails you?"
Her back was turned to me but I could tell that she was trying to control herself from breaking down.
"I hate how people presume that I'm surrounded by glass so I can't hear what they are saying," she said shaking. I walked closer.
"Why do the tears never stop?" she whispered. Water glistened from her eyes. I laid my hands on her shoulders.
"Melethril, look at me," She kept her head down. I lifted her chin with my hand and training my eyes on hers.
"It's hard for you, I know. Everyday is like a challenge for you, but don't take for granted when someone offers help because chances are they care deeply for you."
"Sometimes it's just so frustrating. I want to heal," she choked out.
"You will heal," I said strongly. "Shedding tears is a way for your body to heal. Gradually the pain will diminish so let them out. I just want you to know that I am here for you."
She looked down and when she raised her head again tears were streaking down her face. She buried her face into my tunic. I held her while she cried. Eventually she stopped and withdrew. I wiped her wet cheeks.
"Only you would have the nerve to approach me, thank you."
"You are very dear to my heart, I couldn't stand there and let you fall into grief."
I took her face into my hands and placed a light kiss on her forehead. When I pulled back I found her staring at me, her eyes expressionless.
"Is the Lady enough for you, Haldir?"
I paused only for moment before I replied.
"Yes, it is enough."
"Then it gladdens my heart to know."
End of flashback
I felt something cold against my face. I looked over to Melethril who was sitting up against the bedpost.
"You are thinking of the past again."
I took her hand and wrapped her long slender fingers around mine.
"It has been too long since you have come to Lorien," I replied.
"I regret I could not come earlier, but I feared at that time I journeyed to Rivendell, my heart was not completely healed. I have changed." She sighed wistfully detaching her hand from mine and running them through her hair.
"So I have noticed, when did you cut your hair," I extended my hand to tuck in one of her loose strands.
"A while back, it was easier this way. I could take care of myself." She shrugged.
"The fellowship left the day I was sent to find you," I brought up.
"Then Aragorn took my word. How are they?" she inquired.
"They are all fine." I reassured.
"That is good," she simply stated.
"Melethril…" I started to speak.
I was silenced by the touch of her hand on my face again. She did not speak as she began to trace the side of my face with her fingertips.
"Sometimes I fear I will forget what my loved ones look like,"
"You won't forget what I look like, the memory is already in your heart,"
"Yes," she answered looking distantly past me.
She reverted her eyes back onto me.
"Is the Lady enough for you, Haldir?" she asked again.
"Yes." I simply said.
"Then we shall speak no more of this matter. Now, take me outside for I wish to be among the trees again."
Sindarin translation
mell muinthel Dear sister
Nin mell muinthel My dear sister
nin meleth My love
mae govannen Legolas Thraunduilion- welcome Legolas son of Thraunduil
Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien- Our fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lorien
A Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le amen- Aragorn of Dunedain, you are known to us
Lasto beth nîn Melethril, tolo dan nan galad- Hear my voice Melethril, come back to the light
The last four lines I got from councilofelrond.com
Author's Note: A bit of information that you might find interesting is that Middle-Earth was the home of the humans in the Norse creation myth.