The Shores of Aman
Chapter Two - One Last Time
I stood silently in the silver shadow of a mallorn.
I could feel my heart sinking.
The company to leave for Rohan was assembled in the glade beyond the shadows hiding me, helms glowing in the light of the setting sun. Their faces were expressionless, betraying neither fear nor anxiety, though the sense of dread was everywhere.
And at the head of our guard stood Haldir.
A dark red cloak was about his shoulders, his hair glimmered as paled washed gold upon the red. He was facing away from where I stood, though I could feel that he searched quietly - searching for me.
I hid in the shadows, leaning for support against the mallorn.
He was marching into a massacre.
I stood silently in the silver shadow of a mallorn.
I could feel my heart sinking.
The company to leave for Rohan was assembled in the glade beyond the shadows hiding me, helms glowing in the light of the setting sun. Their faces were expressionless, betraying neither fear nor anxiety, though the sense of dread was everywhere.
And at the head of our guard stood Haldir.
A dark red cloak was about his shoulders, his hair glimmered as paled washed gold upon the red. He was facing away from where I stood, though I could feel that he searched quietly - searching for me.
I hid in the shadows, leaning for support against the mallorn.
He was marching into a massacre.
This was most likely to the last chance to see him in Arda.
Yet I hid in the shadows, unable to bring myself to face him. I knew I would break down again. I could not...
His words still echoed in my mind.
"Ce melithon anuir, Licuma."
And suddenly, they gave me strength and resolve. I had to see him again.
This one last time.
Arien spread piercing fingers of light into the darkening sky as she rode down to Aman in the West. It was at this time yester day that he had told me.
"Ce melithon anuir..."
I stepped from the shadows with his words filling my heart.
Haldir waited with the others, for Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn to send them off. Tension was thick in the air as they waited, each elf fidgeting uncomfortably and trying not to let it show. Haldir continuously looked about, as if waiting for an unseen and nonexistent enemy to approach suddenly from the gathering dusk.
He turned and saw me.
I walked closer, willing none other to notice me.
He came over to stand before me, his face smiling.
"I had feared you would not come," he said.
"I closed my eyes and took a breath to calm myself.
"I would not have sent you off like that melith," I whispered in reply.
He gazed at me for a long moment.
"Do you still wish to stop me from Licuma?" His voice suggested this a jest, but I heard a touch of sorrow and sincerity.
I hesitated a brief moment. Yes, of course I wished to stay him...
But I knew I should not, could not.
I shook my head numbly, and reverted to the formal speech without knowing why.
"No, I cannot stop thee, though knowst I cannot." I swallowed and tried to keep my voice calm. "Therefore know this Haldir of Lórien; thou art all that I have in this world. And with that I charge thee - go you safely, keep you safely, and return you home safely to me." My voice quavered, but I kept a firm hold upon it. "Ce melith Haldir, thou knowst this to be truth."
Haldir knelt and kissed my hand. His eyes were unusually bright. "Have trust that I shall return, my lady," he said softly. I thought I felt a tear drop onto my hand, but when he looked up next there was no trace of weeping on his face.
Then, the Lord and Lady arrived.
"Go with my love and blessings Haldir," I said, hard pressed to keep my tears confined.
His gaze met mine, and our eyes locked. Eternity died then, as the single immortal moment froze between us.
Then he turned away, and it was as though ages had passed me by, leaving an old elf, burdened with deep memory.
I shook myself, trying to rid my head of the feelings.
The Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn stood before the assembled warriors, their faces as expressionless as those they had come to address. Her eyes traveled over the faces of every elf before her. I shrank back to the shadows again.
I did not hear a single word the Lady said. I only saw her lips moving, forming words that did not reach my ears. An ominous silence stretched through my mind, obliterating all else. Dimly I saw Haldir bow to the Lady and Lord, then turn to address the company himself.
Then with a final salute to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, the company prepared to march.
A sudden jolt lanced through my heart, forcing me down on my knees. I gasped at the unexpected shock, and looked up to see if anything had occurred that would give me a hint as to what it had been. I only saw Haldir as he walked past.
The sight of him sent another lash through me, making me collapse against the mallorn trunk. Then he was gone as the company set off swiftly and silently for Rohan.
I covered my face with the thick sleeve of my robe, muffling a whimper.
It was a pain of loss.
Even though my mind would not fully acknowledge it, my heart knew the truth.
I would never see him alive in Arda again.
Note that this chapter was entirely in flashback format, just to help with any confusion that might arise. Also note that this chapter was very short because nothing else really fit here... So, yeah...
Sindarin translations - same as last chapter
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