As usual, I don't own them, I just wish I did!
The unusual sensation of sleeping next to someone gradually invaded Alanya's consciousness the next morning. She was enveloped in warmth and contentment, and at first her sleepy mind didn't register that it was the strange otherworldly creature from her dreams that was holding her. As she began to slowly awake she realized exactly where she was and more importantly whom she was snuggling next to. Her face flushed while she attempted to extricate herself without waking him. She almost started upon seeing his open eyes, but realized he was deep in sleep despite that.
Of all the ways to introduce one's self, she thought. Gods I hope I didn't talk in my sleep or drool on him. Not that the second doesn't happen often, I'm sure, as she eyed her sleeping companion with a critical eye. He had a strong, lean form that was definitely pleasing to the eye. His long hair gleamed like a fall of bright golden coins in the morning's light. His shirtsleeves were pushed slightly back in sleep to reveal heavily muscled arms that made her mouth go dry. Looking closely, she saw the weapon calluses on his hands, the true sign of a warrior. He must be a guardian of his homeland, Alanya mused. Perhaps that's why he was so touchy about me entering into its territory. She sighed quietly and moved to check on her horse.
Tam whuffled into her hand as she stood by him, stroking his nose. Sooooo, she thought to herself, her eyes drifting back to Haldir, he was in my dreams and I was in his. I think that's far too much in this situation to be coincidence. She remembered seeing him fall in her dream, and shuddered. Could that be why I'm here? Shaking her head, she gave one final tap to Tam and moved to sit by the ashes of the night's fire.
She settled in cross-legged, brushing her hair out of her face where it had come loose from yesterday's braid. Her eyes closed and she sank into a light trance. Now, let's see the magical lay of the land, shall we? She sank her mind into a line of magical energy flowing nearby. It felt bright and clean to her, like a clear stream in mountain territory. From there she could sense all the local lines and networks of magical energy that flowed over any living world. She opened up her mage channels and let the power flow into her, recharging her system after being abducted into this world.
To a mage of her caliber, it was pure ecstasy. Like riding a river, some currents were slow and deep, some rapid and rippling. Here and there she would mend little eddies that were interfering with the ebb and flow. It was a song in her blood, a symphony in her mind. As she listened she began to hear discordant notes. Curious, she changed her perspective to analyze it more closely. There was a strange energy sink off in the distance that was causing the discord. Sending out a careful tendril of mage energy Alanya was unprepared for the strength of the pull.
Fire laced her veins and scorched her mind as she felt something surge and hold her in a vise like grip. The image of a single eye, wrapped in flames, filled her mind to overflowing. She could do nothing but shake as it tried to batter her into submission. For a brief moment her mind quailed fear until the image of Haldir flashed into her mind. The pull on her loosened and she fell to the ground with a cry.
She instinctively erected a shield encompassing the whole of their encampment. As quick as the speed of a transmitted thought the very air around them arced with a bright white light. Energies coalesced to form an impenetrable barrier between her party and the rest of the world. A remnant of flames burned the grass around the edges of the shielding sphere. Once she felt the shields snap the connection from whatever had had her in its grip, she sagged to the ground.
Haldir reacted to all of this in a typical warrior fashion, starting to his feet with blade clutched in hand. His eyes grew wide at the shield surrounding them. In her haste, Alanya had thrown enough power into the shield to cause it to flare into the visible spectrum. Light played off it in jewel colored tones, giving off the feeling of being hidden inside a colored crystal. The shock at this grew cold, however, when he saw Alanya sitting on the ground with her head in her hands.
"Are you all right?" He asked as he took two large steps to her side. Standing beside her he could see she shook like a mallorn leaf in the wind. When she didn't answer immediately he crouched down beside her and pulled her hands away from her face. She looked at him with haunted eyes.
"I-I-t n-nearly had m-me," she stuttered, eyes closed against the memory. "T-t-there was an, an eye," she managed to get out. "Fire...it was enveloped in flame." Shaking her head, she held tight to him. "I've never felt such evil."
Haldir stiffened, his blood going cold. Sauron. His eyes narrowed at the thought of the evil one. He had obviously tried to ensnare Alanya in some fashion to leave her in such a state. They could waste no more time here, they needed to get inside the borders of Lorien where the power of Galadriel would protect them. He tried to rise to gather their things but Alanya wouldn't let go of his tunic.
"Here now, let us go, the sooner we are back behind the fences of Lorien, the better. His power does not yet hold sway there." And will not, Haldir thought fiercely. He picked up the blankets and packed into the bags next to Alanya's saddle. After readying both horses, he strode back to Alanya. She was sitting with her head in her hands. She looked up at his approach and her eyes were haunted, much like in his dreams. "Can you ride?" He sighed in relief when she nodded. "Good, we must make haste."
He mounted quickly, and noted with approval that she swung herself up in the saddle with all the grace of an Eldar. Her face lost some of its fear and she began to take on a more determined countenance. "Lead the way, Tam may not be as young as he used to be, but he can still run with the wind if he has to." She replied.
The two took off, taking a much more direct route to Lorien then Haldir was able to take in his initial search. Haldir alternated between all-out gallops and slower canters, to spare Alanya's horse from foundering. Still, she kept up with no complaint, her hair flying in the wind behind her. They reached Lorien in due time, relief washing over Haldir as they were once again within its protective borders. Looking back at Alanya he saw the lines of strain ease from her face. Wonder and awe were written all over her as she stared at the trees. She nudged her mount over to one, standing up in the stirrups to lay one hand delicately on the trunk of a mallorn. A small smile graced her face, as she appeared to be listening to something he could not hear.
"Come, we cannot linger. We are still too close to the border for my comfort, and I would have you speak to the Lady regarding what has occurred this morn." A twinge of something passed through Haldir as he saw the smile pass into a frown. If he did not know better he would have identified it as remorse for upsetting her. Foolishness, he thought to himself as the pair moved their mounts into a lope. She is only a mortal. Even now though, his thoughts turned back to last night. In that brief moment before sleep claimed him he had known a moment off true contentment holding her close. He shook his head and frowned. No. There can be nothing between us. My brothers were right; I have been alone too long.
Still, he did think she was lovely when she smiled. One couldn't be faulted for thinking that, could he? Aai! Enough already, he thought. Shift rotations...yes...plan who serves on the border for the next month that should divert his thoughts. Haldir managed to turn his mind from contemplation of the woman beside him to the guard roster. He pondered who would be serving where until Alanya's voice broke into his thoughts.
"Where are we headed?"
He sighed mentally. So much for ignoring her. "At this pace it will take some time, but we are headed for Caras Galadhon, home of the Lady Galadriel, and Lord Celeborn. It is the grandest Elvin city in all of Middle Earth."
"And these are the rulers of your people? By the way, what are the Elvin?"
"I am an Elf, as are all who reside in these woods. We are also known as the firstborn, beloved of the Valar. We have been here as guides and teachers to those races who came after us." He halted before telling her of Valinor, not really knowing how much he should reveal before this stranger, lovely though she was. She is not even of our world.
He took another moment to study her out of the corner of his eye. She was indeed passing strange. Her clothing was of an unfamiliar cut, as was everything about her. He had never seen a human woman attired as such, in the array of a man. Elvin woman often did wear tunics and leggings when they held a warrior's position, but in his little experience with humans he had never heard of one who did so.
Alanya was irritated. There had been no chance to learn anything from Haldir this morning as to what that eye she had seen was. She was totally unfamiliar with this world, and as such it put her off. She realized that she knew nothing about even what kind of being her companion was. Beauty, that's what he is, her mind whispered to her. He was every bit as lovely as her dreams, even more so when he was not in the midst of a battle. She had been hoping he would be forthcoming about himself and his people, but so far he had said few words. Figuring it was safe to do so, she eased her shielding slightly and invoked her mage sight. A gasp of incredulity escaped her lips as she looked at the trees around her. As they trotted along she listened to the song of the land around her. The golden trees sounded majestic in her mind, embracing her in a welcoming song. What she saw when she looked at Haldir though nearly made her fall off her horse. His spirit shone a pure blinding white so strong she reflexively shielded her physical eyes from its light. I've never seen anyone like that, she thought bemusedly. Her irritation slipped away, lost in the majestic forest around her.
She came back to herself when their horses stopped after coming over a rise. Looking over at Haldir, she followed his gesture to look before her.
"Caras Galadhon, Lady Alanya."
"By all the gods," Alanya said softly. "It is truly a wonder." She could do nothing but stare and try to keep her mouth from hanging open
"No place on middle earth is more lovely. It shines with the light of Galadriel, the Lady of Light." Haldir replied. "You will meet her shortly, as I have been instructed to bring her to you."
Alanya nodded distractedly as they headed for the city. Another elf met them inside the boundaries and took their horses for them, and she could hardly spare him a glance for trying to see everything around her. Lights glowed in the trees, highlighting tree homes far above. She grinned at the thought of being able to stay in one, some of her fondest memories involving tree climbing with her friend Korry when they were both young.
Glancing over at her, Haldir couldn't help but smile at the joy that was radiating off the human. Few mortals had trod this ground, and most were so awed as to be somewhat fearful. Indeed Alanya appeared to be more exuberated then anything. The palatable air of excitement pleased him, and he found himself looking forward to showing her the wonders of Lorien. They headed for the talan of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, Haldir knowing that the Lady would wish to see Alanya as soon as she arrived. They arrived at the Lady's talan, and Haldir paused to speak with one of the Lady's attendants.
"We will be hosting the Lady Alanya Mystewalker as a guest," he said as he gestured to Alanya. "Please arrange a talan for her." The elleth nodded and bowed before heading off to take care of Haldir's request. "Come with me, my lady." He offered her his arm, which she took hesitantly. Haldir decided that it was no bad thing to have her close; her touch was pleasant and not grasping as some elleths were. As he raised his hand to tap on the door to Galadriel's talan, he felt her powerful presence in his mind.
Enter, my marchwarden, I have been waiting for you.
Alanya gave him an odd look as he halted his action and simply opened the door, but she said nothing. Ushering her in and closing the door, Haldir turned to introduce her to the Lady Galadriel.
"Hello Lady Alanya, I welcome you to our wood." Galadriel said in a calm tone. "Far have you traveled, in being brought to this realm. I am the Lady Galadriel." She sat, gesturing for Alanya to do likewise.
"How is it you know my name yet I know I have never been to this place," Alanya asked, sitting down. Inwardly she winced at her dusty travel clothes sitting on such fine furniture, but if Galadriel was not concerned neither would she be. Taking in the visage of this elf, she suddenly was reminded of feeling like a school age child in the presence of the headmaster.
"There is much I have seen in my mirror this morn, and more has been revealed by the Valar. Edges of your purpose you have glimpsed in your dreams, but revealed in its entirety it has not been. Indeed, your part in what is to come in our land is still being written."
"Then why am I here? And why does he haunt my dreams?" Alanya asked, gesturing to Haldir, who had taken a seat on the other side of the room.
"At the present moment I will only say that even a single person at the right moment can turn the tide. But now you are weary with the transition of being brought to this world, and should rest. I place you under the care of our marchwarden Haldir. He will be your guide in Lorien." The Lady rose to rest her hand on Alanya's cheek. "Rest, and you will have your answers."
Alanya rose and bowed to the Lady, her questions not yet answered, like, How was I brought here? Why was I brought here? And more importantly, How will I get home? No, the Lady had answered one of the questions, that she was brought here by the Valar. Now, she only had to find out who they were. A powerful set of mages, she thought as Haldir led her to her accommodations. She was even more confused, and her head ached in reaction to it all.
Walking up the steps to a talan sitting slightly off by itself, Haldir opened the door for her. She didn't spare much attention for her surroundings, only headed to a comfortable looking chair she saw placed in the corner of what appeared to be a sitting room.
"Thank you Haldir, for seeing me settled," Alanya said as she rubbed her temples in an attempt to ease the ache.
Haldir noticed her distress and frowned. "You are in distress?"
She nodded carefully so as not to aggravate the pounding behind her eyes. "You could say that. The transition from my world to yours drained all the energy reserves I normally have, leaving me barely enough to remain alive. That's why you found me in shock yesterday eve. Normally a good sleep can replenish a mage enough that there are no physical side effects, but whatever force I stumbled onto this morning, that shielding I took me back to not much better then I was last night."
Haldir came over to her, grasping her lightly by the chin and raising her head to look into her eyes. Alanya felt a thrill go down her at the touch of his strong hand. He placed his hand on her head for a moment and whispered a quiet phrase in elvish. She felt a surge of warmth flow through her and the pain in her head ebbed to a more manageable level.
"That should help in some small fashion. You should rest, as the Lady says. I will arrange for dinner to be brought to you, and I will look in on you in the evening. Until dinner arrives, I strongly suggest you spend that time in bed."
Alanya's mind flashed on waking up in his arms. Pushing that image aside, she stood up. "I think I will. Haldir," she said as he turned back, a questioning look on his face, "thank you for helping with the headache." He nodded gravely and left, closing the door behind him silently.
Sighing, Alanya spared a moment to remove her boots. Locating the bedroom was the work of a moment, and she tumbled into the soft bed, loosing herself in sleep within a heartbeat. Her last rational thought was of Haldir, and the warmth of his touch.
Thanks for reading! Sorry this chapter took so long to get up. Next one, hopefully is due by Friday, 6-18-04