A note to my readers: I will be on vacation from August 12th to August 23rd, so this will likely be the last update until then, I've got tons to do to be ready. So enjoy, and I'll write for you al when I get back.
The next morning dawned clear, and Alanya woke reluctantly from a restless sleep to find herself alone in bed. Her head ached faintly from what little sleep she had gotten. The empty silence that greeted her informed her that the elf had already left for the day. Bleary eyed, she made her way to the sitting room and collapsed on a couch, shielding her eyes from the merciless sun that streamed cheerily through the windows despite her feelings on the matter. She sighed and looked around the room, deciding that she had best clean up from last night. A wave of the hand dismissed the bath, and a few whispered words placed the towels in a small stack of laundry waiting to be washed.
As she picked up her hairbrush from where she had left it last night, she felt last night's melancholy return to wash over her. She eyed the bruise on her wrist, a remnant of last night's childish spat with Boromir. Asking Haldir to fix it was not an option, she had the notion that if Haldir knew Boromir had hurt her, the elf would kill him, fellowship member or no. She would just have to do her best to keep it out of sight, as her knowledge of healing spells was somewhat limited. Unfortunately her main area was in offensive and defensive magics, leaving not much room for anything else. She had managed once through sheer desperation to heal a fellow traveling companion of a mortal wound received when bandits thought that a traveling party of two would be an easy mark, but only that once. Her healing ability was spotty at best.
She dressed slowly; making certain that the sleeves of her robe came down over her wrist. Her fingers halted over some of the jewelry she had left here after that first passion filled night with Haldir. She wanted to keep her wrist out of the sight of Haldir's eyes until it had a chance to heal, and if they sparred today as usual there would be no chance he would miss it. If she dressed up to the nines claiming she wanted to spend her time with either Galadriel or Celeborn, she could plead off of the session. She debated the circlet from Galadriel, but decided that a woman could never have too much jewelry and settled it on her hair. Not to mention, she was touched by the gift, knowing it was a tangible sign of the ruling pair's regard for her.
As soon as she left the shelter of the talan she was spotted by Orophin who was casually lounging against a tree by the base of the stairs. His eyes widened to see her coming from Haldir's talan so obviously having stayed there the night.
"Hello lirimaer!" Orophin said cheerfully. He took in her subdued response, cocking his head and studying her face. "You seem upset Alanya, what is wrong?" he asked in a quieter voice.
"It's nothing," she said quietly. "I wouldn't worry about it." She looked away as her heart constricted in her chest, her throat suddenly tight with unshed tears. Orophin's hand on her face urged hers towards him and he frowned at the shimmer of tears in her eyes.
"Haldir has not said something inane, has he?" he demanded, his face cross. "Aii! If he has hurt your feelings he'll answer to both Rumil and I!" Through her tears Alanya gave him a wavering smile, grabbing onto Orophin's arm when he started off intending to beat his older brother senseless.
"No, it's not that," Alanya said, wiping her eyes. "It's just that I was feeling, for lack of a better term, homesick." She accepted the square of linen Orophin handed her and dried her eyes as he led her to a convenient perch on a mallorn root.
"You do not wish to be here?" He asked softly, looking at her with intensity.
"No! No it's not that!" she protested, trying to find the right words to describe her feelings. She sat for a moment and then looked back up at Orophin. "It's not that I don't love it here. I do, very much so. I will be quite happy to live here the rest of my days, no matter how many of those there are. It's just that for all I know, my friends are mourning my death. The friends and what little family I have back in my old life think I'm dead. Imagine the pain they must feel. And here I am, for all intents and purposes gallivanting around with nary a care in the world." Orophin sighed and sat in front of her, kneeling down to take her hands.
"Listen to me thus, little mage. You are not simply gallivanting around. We know that, the Valar know that, and in your heart you know that." He waited for her reluctant nod of agreement before continuing. "You are needed here, most desperately, for I have no wish to see this world fall to Sauron, and if winning at Helm's Deep is what is necessary then we must do it. You are not simply being frivolous and idle. I have seen you learning to defend yourself, helping our soldiers with your addition of magical tactics."
"The joy you bring to Galadriel and Celeborn as well. Those of us who serve them more directly have seen for ourselves how you lighten their burden of ruling and we love you for this. Galadriel and Celeborn hold you in the highest regard or she would not have gifted you with this mithril circlet you now where. A gift that the Lady herself once wore on a regular occasion is valuable indeed, more for what it means then how much it costs in gold or jewels. And you are worth far more then mere jewels or gold to the Lady and the Lord.
"But most importantly Rumil and I have seen for ourselves how you love our brother. Until you arrived he has been so single minded, we feared he would forever be alone. He is lighter hearted now, and quicker to laugh. These are good things. I know that he was lonely, no matter how he may have pretended otherwise. You have gained the respect of all of Lorien, the love of its leaders, and the love of myself, Rumil, and more importantly my taciturn elder brother. I am certain that if your friends and family in your old world knew the great things you would gain, they would not begrudge the pain they may feel at being apart from you."
He gently reached out and wiped away a stray tear, that motion being enough to undo Alanya and send her into another bout of tears. She felt herself pulled against him and collapsed weeping her tears into his comforting arms. An eternity later she calmed, having cried herself out in Orophin's patient embrace, while he simply held her and rocked her against him as if she were a child.
"I've dampened your tunic all to hell," she ventured once she was settled. Orophin gave a soft laugh.
"I think it has seen much worse then the tears of a pretty woman," he teased gently. He smiled more broadly when she half-heartedly made a motion to hit him. "Now I know you are feeling better, you are attempting to abuse me."
"Somehow I think you've been the target of a female's wrath before," Alanya said with a sniffle, wiping her nose with the handkerchief. Orophin acted hurt and Alanya just smiled, leaning forward to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you very much, dear one. I had better go find Haldir now, I'm sure he's wondering if I was ever going to wake." Orophin leapt to his feet, extending his hand to help her rise. They headed towards the archery fields, the elf beside her keeping up a merry stream of chatter as they went. Well, Alanya thought, I may have been separated from my old friends but at least I've found some new ones.
They were greeted by the sight of Haldir sparring against the Prince of Mirkwood, and Alanya could not deny it was an astounding sight. Haldir had the advantage of a greater strength and reach, but apparently Legolas was speed incarnate against him. Their blades clashed and retreated, a pattern repeated as the pair circled each other in the vain attempt to find an opening. Haldir appeared to be weakening as Legolas drove him back across the field, but Alanya watched with bated breath as Haldir executed a complicated feint and strike, knocking the Prince to the ground. Before the Prince could rise Haldir's blade was lightening fast at his throat, his speed matching that of the Prince.
"Now dear Prince, who is old and slow." Haldir said lightly, barely winded. The beaten Prince took his fall with dignity, laughing as he rose to his feet.
"I knew that if I said that it would be an excellent fight." He grinned with mischief, completely seeming carefree. Alanya could still read the marks of old tension not yet released in the feel of his aura. She hoped she might be able to guard at least the elf from the ring, the brief moments she had talked with him had shown him a pleasant and sweet companion. The remnants of her melancholy drifted away with the breeze as she approached the two elves. Slipping up to Haldir she grabbed him by the arms and pulled him to her, giving him a lingering kiss that he returned with equal fervor. It was with great reluctance that she released him, letting her hands slowly side through his hair as he smiled down at her.
"But where is my kiss?" asked the Prince from behind her. She turned to find him smiling puckishly. Acting on impulse she leaned in and gave him a fiery kiss. The surprised Mirkwood elf stumbled back, blushing furiously. Haldir in turn looked like a storm cloud, seeming like he might decide to pick up his sword against Legolas again. Alanya laughed, going back to holding onto Haldir.
"Don't ask unless you are prepared for the consequences. And that's the only one of those kind of kisses you are likely to get." Alanya replied tartly, eyes gleaming with good humor. "And you!" She lightly pushed Haldir, causing him to look down at her with indignation. "You should know that I love only you," she whispered into his ear. His face softened and he smiled lazily at her.
"This I do know. But should the Prince here attempt to gather another such kiss he may find himself peppered with arrows, or worse, serving under my command for a season on the borders of Lothlorien by means of reparation." Legolas blanched and stammered fervent apologies, until Haldir dropped his affronted look and laughed. "You would play havoc with my wardens," Haldir said dryly. "Both sexes would be more interested in bedding you then performing their duties." This caused the Prince to turn scarlet once more, and all parties around laughed.
"Remind me not to bandy words about with you again, Haldir." Legolas replied once his blushes had cooled. Haldir only smirked in response. The few elves standing by laughed and drifted back to other things, leaving Haldir and Alanya standing alone, a quiet island in a sea of carefully controlled chaos.
"I might not mind another one of those kisses." Haldir leaned over and purred in her ear, his melodic voice sending a shiver down her spine. Alanya closed her eyes briefly, fighting the urge to drag him away from the practice field then and there. "The thought of taking you in my arms back to my talan and kissing every inch of your sweet form is a strong one. Memories of our evening together linger in my mind."
"Tsk tsk Haldir," she replied once she had found her voice. "You can find me later today I am certain you are needed here." Haldir sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Pull the reminder of duty on me, why don't you." His smile took the sting from the words as he leaned in and whispering in her ear, "I will find you later my little mage, and you will not be able to avoid me then." The promise implicit in that sentence brought a flush of heat to her cheeks, and elsewhere and she quickly decided that there really was nothing keeping her this moment.
"Maybe you should follow me now, then." She leaned in and unseen, nipped him on the ear and darted off, looking over her shoulder at the elf. She saw disbelief on his face, and then determination as he followed her like a shot. Taking a little used path through the underbrush, she had not made it very far before she found herself pinned against a tree by a pair of strong arms.
"Be careful who you tease little mage…sometimes you might find yourself the hunted." His lips descended on hers, and she moaned, holding onto him for dear life. Not wanting to make things to easy on him she kissed him back, getting him to loosen his hold. A heart beat later Alanya again attempted to flee from Haldir, getting no more then ten yards before he caught her by the wrist. Unfortunately, it was her bruised one, and she cried out in pain as his grap tightened over the tender flesh. In a flash Haldir was by her side, cradling her wrist in your hand.
"Lirimaer, I am so sorry!" He hastened to apolgize, contrition written all over his face. She attempted to yank her wrist out of his hand but he stopped her, frowning and looking over it. "Alanya, let me look." He said sternly.
"I'm fine," she replied, but still not winning the struggle to pull her wrist from his hand. He took a closer look and frowned, examining the bruise.
"Alanya, this is…" his voice trailed off as he saw the much darkened bruise, clear in the shape of a hand that did not match his grip. "This is too dark to have occurred just this moment." He spoke evenly an quietly, looking her right in the eye.
"It's nothing Haldir." She tried to sooth him, unable to come up with anything to dismiss this.
"Perhaps. Who did this?" He asked, his voice rising slightly. Alanya's heart plummeted. This was not a good sign.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it. Just the result of a slight misunderstanding." She knew she had said the wrong thing when the wrath contained in his eyes flashed into being.
"Nothing? Nothing! Who in the Valar's name touched you! If someone has tried to hurt you I'll damn well kill them! No one touches what is mine to protect!" He glared at her, obviously wanting an answer. Alanya's own ire was starting to rise. His to protect? How dare he!
"For your information, I have been protecting myself perfectly fine since before you came along." Her voice raised an octave as she shot back at him.
"Obviously not!" He half shouted at her "Who was it?!"
"Forget it! It isn't worth fighting about." Her actions did not match her words as she shrieked at him at the top of her lungs.
"Who!" he bellowed, causing Alanya to finally loose her patience.
"Lord Boromir of the fellowship!" She shouted at him. Haldir stood calm for a moment and then took off in a steady, purposeful walk towards where the fellowship was residing. Alanya had a split second to stare after him before running to catch up with him.
"Haldir…."
No response. The elf continued to walk steadily towards the fellowship area.
"Haldir," she said desperately. "Please…it's not worth it." At this he halted, looking down at her with disbelief.
"What?! Not worth…" he trailed off, taking Alanya by the shoulders. "You are my love, my everything!" he said fiercely. "Without you I would fade into the Halls of Mandos! And I will have no one hurt you!" He turned swiftly and Alanya grabbed onto his arm, his haste pulling her along.
"Haldir don't kill him it was a misunderstanding." She talked fast, as she could now hear the fellowship members chatting at their pavilion. "Boromir is being influenced by the ring! He was not in control of his own actions! He misunderstood my watching the fellowship on a late night walk when I couldn't sleep last night! Haldir!" This last was said in a plea as Haldir extricated himself from her grasp and strode into the clearing.
The fellowship looked up, their looks changing from welcoming to alarm as they saw the implacable elf and the mage frantically pulling at his sleeve trying to halt him. Haldir resolutely walked over to Boromir and slammed the Gondorian man into a tree, driving the breath from him. When the man attempted to defend himself Haldir slammed him up against the tree again.
"She is mine!" He said deadly and coldly. "If every member of the fellowship was not needed your body would be gasping your last breath and your soul on the way to the halls of your forefathers!" Alanya is graciously attempting to help, and if you so much as sneer in her direction I will see you decorated with arrows!" He gave one last shake to the man and then grabbed Alanya by the arm, pulling her with him. She attempted to give apologies to the dumbfounded members gathered there as Haldir hauled her away protesting. He apparently grew irritated at her struggles and ceased for a moment, grabbing her and tossing her over his shoulder, striding away for some point unknown Several moments later he ceased, placing her gently but firmly down.
"You wretch!" Alanya shrieked. "You have completely destroyed any chance that I may have had in letting the fellowship trust me and letting them be convinced that I can shield them against the ring."
"And your willingness to help them should not be an open invitation for you to be manhandled!" Haldir replied, fury radiating off his being. "I will not have someone treat you as such! You are my heart and I will not see you hurt!" He shouted. Alanya's anger quickly drained out of her as she realized Haldir was truly afraid at the thought of not being able to protect her. She leaned forward, taking his face in her hands.
"I love you more then anything. You need not fear for me. There is nothing that can truly harm me here. Aragorn stepped in as I was ready to defend myself with my abilities. Boromir is well and truly chastened now. Here in these woods nothing will harm me. It was a small spat and misunderstanding, nothing more. In truth, if Aragorn had not come along when he did Boromir would probably be sporting one hell of a black eye. You know me, you know what I speak is true." She looked up at him with pleading eyes, begging for him to listen to her.
Haldir gave one long sigh, taking her hands in his. A surge of healing energy rushed through her wrist.
"There, it should be healed now. But I do not wish you trying anything strenuous with it these next few days." Haldir spoke quietly. He gave her one measured look. "I do not think anyone in my guard is brave enough to face me down in a fury." His lips turned up faintly at the corners and Alanya gave a sigh of relief, sagging against him and holding herself against him. In turn Haldir held her equally close, one hand buried in her hair. He tilted her head up, his lips brushing hers gently once, twice, and the third time staying there for some time, gently kissing her so that her senses became enflamed once more.
"So am I still the hunted and you still the hunter?" She looked up at him, eyes dilated with passion and leaned in to lay kisses on his neck. He let out a small sound of passion and pulled her off of him.
"I will even be generous." His eyes were like a sky filled with storm clouds. "I will give you until the count of five," he said quietly, "and then I will make certain that when I catch you, you will not be able to think beyond the passion I am giving you for the rest of the evening." Alanya stood dazed and he smiled, releasing his hold on her.
"One…"
Alanya moved in and kissed him once more fiercely and he responded with equal fervor until the two were gasping. He smiled at her wickedly.
"Two…."
The mage realized Haldir was completely serious and sprang away, the elf in hot pursuit several heartbeats later. Lorien was again greeted with the sight of Haldir carrying the mage over his shoulder back to his talan, laughingly ignoring her half-hearted protests.
Two elves watching them stood off to the side.
"It's a good thing she calmed him down," ventured Rumil. Orophin nodded.
"I thought we would have to intervene to keep him from killing the Gondorian." Orophin said, eyes narrowed with anger at the thought of the man bothering someone his brother loved. He looked over at Rumil. "Say…do you still have that itching powder the twins of Imladris gave us to put in Haldir's leggings?" Rumil nodded absently. "We never used it on Haldir, but what about…" he trailed off as his brother slowly looked over at him and they smiled equally wicked smiles.
"Payback." They both said in unison and left to go balance the scales as they saw fit, unbeknownst to their brother, who was by now well and truly occupied with Alanya, and who to anyone's surprise would most certainly have allowed his brothers to continue with their way of gaining satisfaction.