I take no creadit for the prayer in this, I lifted that from the most excelelnt movie Boondock Saints. I highly recommend it!
As always, I only wish I owned the Tolkein chracters therein.
Alanya struggled to gain control of herself. I can't help him if I can't work, she thought as she wrestled all her feelings aside. Her breath slowed as she counted backwards from ten, breathing deeply each time, an old exercise she had used to calm herself during tense times of study and practice. The ring she wore sparkled and shone as it her hand rested over his heart. The visible symbol of their troth residing on her right hand steadied her, and she used the deep grounding properties of the stone to act as an anchor for what she was about to accomplish.
Her eyes closed shut, but her sight did not dim. Instead her mind operated as her eyes, displaying the ethereal plane before her. Looking downward at Haldir she saw a dim silver cord stretch from his physical form to...somewhere else. Alanya stepped to follow, her spirit shining brightly in the energy plane. A like cord stretched from her body to her astral form, hers shining strong and bright. Bright light sparkled from her fingertips, pouring into the Haldir's lifeline. Take me to him, she whispered to the power, and it obliged with an almost sentient glee. A shifting of energy flows blinded her senses, and when they cleared she found herself standing in front of...a set of...doors?
They stood open, and Haldir's spirit self stood before her, his eyes far away in thought.
"Haldir!" she cried out, rushing to him. He started and looked at her, seemingly confused. "Please, come back with me, you've gone to far from your physical form. Please..." she trailed off when he pulled away.
"I do not remember you." He said softly, his voice echoing in the empty hall.
"He does not know you, here, in this place." A smoothly beautiful voice came from before her, and she turned to the head of the hall to see a being of light before her, as like to an elf as an elf was to a mortal. White light eminated from him, nearly blinding her in its intensity. "When souls first come to this hall, they do not remember. A time of peace is granted to them thus, and then slowly the memories of their physical life come back, allowing them a time to deal with them bit by bit." He cocked his head, golden hair trailing gracefully across his shoulders as he took in the appearance of the mage before him.
"Who, who are you?" Alanya asked shakily. "If you are Death you cannot have him!" Her voice echoed eerily. "I have a claim on him!" The elf stood by her side, watching her with vaguely curious eyes, yet saying nothing. The being at the front of the hall smiled and sat on a throne that appeared from the air.
"I am Mandos, and this is my hall. Those Eldar who have passed their physical form through foul bloodshed find tranquility within these walls. If they so choose, once they have dealt with the memories of their existence, they may be granted a return to the physical realm."
If an astral form could pale, hers did.
"You cannot have him." She strode forward, her hands clenched, silver threads of power sparking off of them. "He is not yet done on Middle Earth." A sparkle of power ghosted out from her, anchoring her into place so that she might not be dismissed without a warning.
"He is here in my realm, whether his time is done or no." Mandos spoke, his eyes full of gentle regret. "But you speak of a claim upon him?" His tone was quietly curious, giving Alanya some strange hope that he might yet hear her.
"I speak of the troth that has been plighted between Haldir of Lorien and myself, Alanya Mystewalker. He owes me a life together. You would stand in the way of him fulfilling a promise?" Alanya asked, her eyes glittering. "He owes me forever. That was our promise." Her voice fell to a whisper. "And you see there exists a bond between us, that led us together and allows me here." She gestured to the faint thread that existed between she and Haldir, one yet so faint it could barely be seen. Mandos sat on his throne, his fingers tapping against the arm of the chair. He appeared to be silently communing with another mind, for his eyes were far away in thought.
"There may be something to what you say. And the decision to allow the two of you forever was made. However," he held up one slim hand as Alanya begun to speak, cutting her off I mid word. "However, that promise was only to be fulfilled should the two of you survive that battle. That Haldir of Lorien stands before me indicates that that is not so."
"His body lives, yet standing on the edge between life and death. It lacks the return of his spirit." She gestured behind, pouring yet more energy into the lifeline stretching between Haldir's spirit and his physical form. Her sight begun to dim, indicating that she was expending large amounts of energy to remain where she was for so long, and her emotions nearly overcame her. Calling on little used reserves of energy, she strengthened her own lifeline, not wanting to let her spirit drift from her physical form and die out of sheer stupidity.
"You risk your own life to claim his?" Mandos shifted in his throne. His face was unreadable as Alanya nodded.
"I will not leave without him." Her voice was steel in the hall, cold as the ice from a glacier. "And even if you attempted to push me out, I would return."
"You say you have a claim upon the life of this Eldar, but I may not act in this case to return him. Certain laws bind even me . He must reside here yet, until he has reckoned his life." He sat and gave Alanya a measuring look, yet there was still some thing in his eyes that urged her on.
"And have you forgotten what I am, Valar!" she cried. "Through accident or fate, I am mageborn, and not of this world. I am not subject to its restrictions." She tapped one of the last reserves of power she held, grabbing onto a fiery river of energy.
I hope this works....
Stepping her spirit form over to Haldir, she raised her hands and called to her magic. It responded to her call, wrapping around her and swirling in more colors then there were names for them. She threw all of this into the bond between she and Haldir, tightening them together and merging their lifelines. At the same time she cut her anchor to the Hall, and the snapping of that bond pushed her back along her lifeline. Her spirit returned to her body in a rush, powering power over her that seared all of her senses, sending her reeling from Haldir's body with a scream that echoed in the empty stone chamber.
Uncontrollable trembling spread over all her limbs as she fought to open her eyes. Fighting back the darkness, she forced them open and found herself sprawled in a heap some distance from her lover. Her head was splitting and her vision doubled, but she drug herself back to his side.
"Haldir, Haldir wake!" Her voice shook as she barely had the power to speak.
Nothing.
"Haldir, wake!" In anguish she reached for him, sending a surge of power through the bond between them.
Nothing.
A wordless shriek of emotion left her, and she grabbed the small dagger at her belt. Pulling it out, she laid the blade across her palm and tightened her hand around it, gashing her hand near to the bone.
"By blood I call you, come back to me." She kissed her lacerated palm, laying her palm to his heart. "By spirit I call you back." Every memory of them together flowed through her mind and she poured every last bit of power she had, draining herself down to the dregs, collapsing across his chest.
"Love..." Haldir's weak voice broke through the haze that was rapidly claiming her.
"I'm here. I've got you." Was all she managed to say before she fell into the darkness that claimed her and she passed into unknowing.
"Alanya, Alanya please ! You must wake."
Alanya moaned, pain wracking her entire body. She was currently floating in darkness, and the voice wished to pull her into waking. The closer she swam to the surface of the light, the more painful it became. Yet the voice was insistent.
"Wake!"
With a weak cry she opened her eyes, the dim light filtering in through the windows enough to hurt. Her head fell to the side and her eyes closed again in a final attempt to slide back into the dark. She pried her eyes back open, but did not yet have the strength to raise her head. She found herself collapsed across Haldir's chest, and one of his arms weakly around her. It had not been thus when she passed out, and she wept in relief.
"You brought me back." Haldir said in an exhausted voice. "I, I recall it all."
"I could not leave you." She cried, tears dropping from her eyes to fall upon his chest.
"Alanya, how do you fare?" Orophin's voice broke through her mental fog and she swiveled her eyes and attempted to raise her head. The pain convinced her to lay it back down, but this time she kept her eyes open. A moan was her only response.
"You must flee through the caves. The orcs are at the final door." Rumil said, his voice tight. His whole being was tense and radiating determination. "We ride out to meet them."
"I cannot move yet, and neither is she in a condition to move." Even that small bit whisper seemed to cost Haldir, for his eyes closed. Alanya tried to rise and could not.
"Can't get up." Tears leaked out as she tried. "Couldn't make tha' far." Exhaustion dulled any fear she felt and turned it into resignation. "See you b'fore Mandos." A wan attempt at a smile was met with fierce cries of resistance from the brothers.
"Do you have enough magic left to pull the door down behind you?" Rumil asked after a moment. "If the way were blocked the women and children could escape into the mountains. If they have to drag you on a cloak, I am certain they could. The people of Rohan are strong, their women no exception."
Alanya managed a faint shake of her head.
"If you will not for yourself, then for the women and children!" Orophin replied fiercely, with what looked like tears glittering in his eyes. "Buy them time to escape!"
"Got n'thing left." She whispered, new tears falling. "Final strike. Burn everythin' touching me." She felt Haldir's arm tighten slightly against her, and felt him drop a kiss on her head. Rumil and Orophin stood for one long moment, looking at each other and then back to Haldir.
"Then we will stay here." Rumil said quietly. "If I go to Mandos I do so with my family beside me. Brothers and a sister." He planted his sword before them.
"We will fight as many as we are able, giving the women time to flee, and when we are cut down, that is your moment to act." Orophin said, also planting himself before Haldir and Alanya.
"I am sorry Alanya. You should not have tried to come after me before." Haldir said.
"I'll always come after you when needful." She forced out before she could say no more, reciting in the depths of her mind an ancient prayer of war to a long forgotten deity.
And when I vest my flashing sword and my hand takes hold in judgment, I will pay those who haze me.
The sound of hoof beats and battle echoed through the chamber. Sword rang on Sword
Oh Lord, raise me to thy right hand and count me among thy saints!
The two brothers left standing raised their heads high, their eyes glittering in the dawn light coming in the windows. They stood as two still statues, an unshakable presence.
Whosoever sheds last blood; by man shall his blood be shed. For immunity of god make he the man. Destroy all that which is evil. So that which is good shall flourish. And I shall count thee among my favored ones and you shall have the protection of all the angels in heaven."
Haldir gently moved Alanya aside, dropping his cloak and pillowing her head upon it. He gave one last quiet kiss to her forehead, to which she smiled as best she could. The elf struggled to his feet, propping himself up partially with his sword at first to haul himself into full battle ready stance along side his brothers.
Never shall innocent blood be shed, yet the blood of the wicked shall flow like a river. The three shall raise their bloodied swords and be the vengeful striking hammer of god.
The noise of chaos increased to a pitch, and then shifted, moving away from the chamber. Cries began to filter into the chamber.
"Gandulf! Gandulf has come!"
"Rohirrim!"
"Forth Eorlingas!"
Rumil looked over at Orophin and Haldir, the latter who was barely staying on his feet.
"Stay here, I will go look. Do not follow." Alanya could do nothing but laugh weakly. Haldir looked back.
"You have an odd time for humor, we may yet perish." He said with as much crispness as he could manage.
"He sounds like you..." she said faintly before managing to haul herself up slightly. Rumil burst back into the chamber, startling Orophin into raising his sword into a guard position. Haldir begun to raise his sword but lowered it when he saw the relief on Rumil's face.
"Mithrandir! Mithrandir and the Rohirrim have come! The Uruk-Hai are being destroyed!" He gasped out. Haldir's sword clattered from his hand and he staggered back to brace himself against the wall. Orophin sagged, passing one hand over his face.
Alanya let out the breath she had been holding and weakly fell back to the cloak. Her world tilted alarmingly and she closed her eyes, the whirling motion making her ill. The faint sounds of the two brothers withdrawing to help in the cleanup barely registered as Haldir slid down the wall to join her.
"Thank Ilúvatar. You are safe." Haldir said faintly. Alanya could only smile as she felt his hand on her hair. "Rest love, someone will find us shortly." She sighed with relief and dropped back into the blissfulness of unconsciousness. Unbeknownst to her, Haldir shortly followed and so the two were found wrapped together in healing sleep.
Alanya drifted in unconsciousness for she knew not how long. Even the most reluctant sleeper must awaken at some point, and so it was that eventually the mage began to wake. Awareness returned and she lay briefly with closed eyes, feeling much like she was floating. Perhaps I have died, she wondered fleetingly, opening her eyes to find herself lying on a bed in a small windowless chamber. Candles lightened the atmosphere, changing it from cold darkness to a warm and comforting obscurity.
"I see you are with us again!" Orophin's cheerful voice was welcoming and relieved.
"Orophin? Where's Haldir?" She whispered in a dry voice.
"Shh penneth, Haldir is fine." Orophin reached beside him on a table to fetch a goblet. Carefully inserting his arm behind her he held her up and urged her to drink. The cool wine tasted faintly of herbs and was soothing to her. She wondered briefly what it might contain but was too weary to care if it was drugged with medicine. "In answer to your question Rumil has forcibly dragged Haldir off to take some air and to eat something." He helped her back to the pillows and she closed her eyes in relief, as the smallest motion caused her head to hurt. "He has not left your side the entire time." Orophin said in a more somber tone. Something about it alerted Alanya and she opened her eyes again.
"What do mean the entire time? How long have I been out?" Orophin hesitated, taking her hand.
"It was some time. A full seven days has passed. There was a question as to whether you would wake at all." He looked at her somberly. "We were all concerned, Haldir more so then any other." Orophin shook his head, his hair falling forward. "I believe he was afraid that you had saved him only to your detriment."
"Dear gods..." she said faintly. She struggled to rise and Orophin gently held her down, by the merest press of his hand against her shoulder.
"No dear sister, you are in no condition to rise." He stroked her brow lightly as tears leaked out from anguished eyes. "Shhh penneth..." Orophin caressed her hair lightly, holding onto her hand, concern in his eyes. "What is it penneth?"
"Haldir. He, he must have been so worried." Her throat tightened on this but she managed to wrestle down her tears. Orophin looked at her for a minute before breaking into a light laugh, his eyes shimmering with what looked like tears of his own.
"Oh, penneth. Only someone of very great heart would be concerned for another when told they very nearly died." He let out one long breath, blinking quickly. He gave her a measuring look. "I will go fetch Haldir for you but you must promise me to not move from that spot."
"I promise Orophin." Alanya whispered, to overwrought to say aught else. He left, closing the door noiselessly behind him. She closed her eyes, gods she was so tired. And it all hurt. The channels that ran through her enabling her to wield power were scorched and bruised in a manner of speaking and there was little to do for that but wait for the feeling to subside. Seven days...apparently she had nearly drained herself to the point of death. I have never been so close to death. She shivered in reaction.
"Alanya..." A rustle at her side and her eyes opened to behold Haldir. Her eyes opened to behold Haldir at her side, who let out a great sigh as he saw her eyes open. "Oh thank the Valar." His voice cracked on the last note, looking down.
"Haldir I'm so sorry." Tears began and she was unable to stop them, sobbing helplessly as Haldir took her in his arms. Neither knew when Orophin withdrew, shutting the door with a distinct click. She cried out every last bit of fear into his tunic, and all the despair that threatened when she thought she had nearly lost him. Her unacknowledged fear when she had seen the orc army. The terror she felt when she saw the first blow of the orc sword penetrate his armor. Throughout it all Haldir merely kept her clasped tightly to him, having joined her on the narrow bed. Eventually her storm of tears passed and she lay there in Haldir's arms, exhausted in mind and body.
"There is nothing to apologize for love. We have weathered this storm against all expectations, and have come out of it together yet. So whatever may have occurred, I have you and that is all that matters to me." One lone crystal tear fell on Alanya's hand and she looked up to see his eyes shining bright.
"Haldir, I want to go home." A new set of tears had leapt into her eyes when she saw the remnants of pain and his fear for her life. Her words though caused him to draw back in shock.
"Alanya, I thought that you were happy here with the life you had made..."
She looked at him in confusion for a moment before breaking into weak laughter. Her hair fell into her face as she shook her head.
"No...I want to get out of this fortress." She laid her head back down. "I want to go back home to Lorien." His arms tightened around her.
"Soon penneth." His voice was rough as he held her tightly. "I will take you home soon and never let you in such danger again."
Orophin was sitting outside the door listening to the two and let a deep breath of relief out and rested his head against the stonewall next to the door. The younger elf also had shed his own tears, much to the surprise of the healers passing by. Fortunately they chose to respect his privacy and did not enquire beyond sympathetic glances. While Haldir and nearly lost a lover and soon to be wife, Orophin and Rumil had nearly lost a sister and a friend and their pain had not yet been acknowledged.
The near silent tread of a fellow elf stopped next to him and he looked up to see Rumil before him, offering him a hand up. Orophin accepted it, and the two brothers turned it into an embrace, offering silent support to each other.
"Come brother, let us go search out a bottle of wine. Now that we know our brother and our penneth will be well, I think we should relax." Orophin said. Rumil gave a great sigh.
"Truer words have never been spoken brother, I follow you." Rumil nodded, pausing to say a brief prayer of thanksgiving before turning to follow Orophin back to where the remainder of the elves resided.