Silent Angel
Epilogue
She ran. She ran as fast as she could have, her ruby red dress flowing behind her. Tears blurred her vision, as it also streaked her cheeks. Her heart pounds against her chest like a roaring storm in the summer. As soon as the elleth heard what has happened at the borders of Lorien, she left the talan as quickly as possible and just ran. She was alone in the hall. Not a single soul around but herself. Finally reaching a pair of white doors, the elleth burst through them, watching in horror at the sight before her.
Many Galadhrim soldiers were wounded badly, as others only had scratches on them. Many healers and assistance ran from one patient to another, trying to stop the bleeding and save their kin. Catching her breath, Naurrin scanned the room quickly and spotted those she was looking for. The fear that has risen inside her has vanished somewhat, but panic now moved it's way up. She quickly rushed over towards the back, moving out of anyone's way.
"Rumil! How are they?" Naurrin asked, running into Rumil's arms.
She looked down at the two occupied beds by each other. Haldir, whose shirt was stripped, looked sour. On the next bed was Orophin, his shirt stripped as will, but not looking as sour like his brother.
"I am doing just fine. Nothing but a scratch." Haldir replied, as the healer tending him placed a herb paste on to his stomach wound.
Haldir hissed in pain, arching his back a bit.
"Big baby. It's nothing but a scratch." Orophin teased him, a mock smile upon his lips.
"Orophin's right, you had worse brother." Rumil continued.
Naurrin shook her head, as Haldir glared at both his brothers.
"Oh for Eru's sake! How did you even get distracted, Haldir?" Naurrin asked. "You are the best March Warden I know. Yet Rumil does not even have a scratch on him."
"Hey!" Rumil whined.
The healer only shook her head, as she finished placing a bandage around Haldir's wound. Haldir nodded to the healer and tried to sit up. The healer's instinct kicked in, and she forcefully pushed him flat on his back.
"You try to sit up again, you'll regret it for a year." She snapped, pointing a finger at the oldest March Warden. "And you would not want that."
The healer walked around to tend to Orophin's shoulder wound. Rumil and Orophin snickered at what happened, as Naurrin sat on the side of the bed and hugged Haldir, lying down next to him, placing her head on his shoulder.
"You ever get hurt like you did, or like Rumil, I will hurt you badly! You are my brother, Haldir, all of you , and I would hate to see anything happen to any of you."
Haldir hugged Naurrin, kissing her forehead.
"Not seeing that lover Elf of yours for six months is making you softer than ever, Naurrin?" Rumil joked, getting hit in the face with Naurrin's slipper.
Orophin and Haldir laughed, Rumil glaring at Naurrin. But Orophin's laugh was cut off by his cry of pain as the healer adversely poked his wound during her inspections.
"Do not be dramatic, Lord March Warden. I barely touched you." She said in a almost teasing tone.
"I will get you back, Naurrin! Elrohir and Elladan did not leave here without any pranks left behind you know."
Naurrin glared at him. "You dare to prank me, I swear I will hurt you badly!"
"Sweet, and innocent Naurrin turn into a deadly, threatening elleth? Only Naurrin would have such a mood change." Orophin mused, than looked to the healer warily. He didn't like how she was washing her hands and flexing her fingers in such a manner. "What are you doing?"
"I am getting ready to pull the tip of the arrow out, what else would I be doing?" She pushed up the sleeves of her gown, and settled closer to Orophin's side. "And only elleths who have many secret identities of moods would have them change when the occasion asks for it."
"With your fingers?" Orophin asked, ignoring the last comment.
"What else would I use? My toes?" The healer asked in annoyed tone.
"No, no! I'd rather have it stuck in there than-"
"Quiet! You are disturbing the other patients!"
"Do not tell me to be qui-"
Orophin was cut off by a yelp of pain, as the healer had grown annoyed with the young March Warden's protest. She expertly stuck her thumb and index finger into the bloody wound, and pulled the arrow tip out, all in less than five seconds.
"Honestly." She murmured, dropping the tip into a discarded cup. "One would think I have pulled your hair or something."
"That hurt a lot worse than a hair pull, Balamrun! Sticking your fingers into my shoulder!" Orophin's eyes were thick with pain.
"No one likes a whiner, Lord March Warden." Balamrun answered. "I should think that you, being so important, would avoid an Orc's arrow."
"My thoughts exactly, especially with this one," Naurrin pointed to Haldir's face. "As he is the oldest and has more experience."
"Why don't you ladies try defending Lorien's borders to see how easy it is." Both Orophin and Haldir complained.
"Cannot be any worse than dealing with you, I suspect." Balamrun said, as she placed a herb paste on to his shoulder. "Leave that in the air to help cleanse the wound. I will return later to stitch it up. Hopefully, we both will be in a more pacifying mood."
And with that, Balamrun moved to the next patient. Naurrin sat up, and turned, so she was facing Haldir and the other two brothers.
"And I would go out and defend Lorien's borders, if three certain brothers do not hold me back!" Naurrin said, pointing-ly glaring at the three brothers.
"Only for your protection, Naurrin." Rumil told her.
Haldir, with both Rumil and Naurrin's help, sat up and placed an arm around Naurrin's shoulder, bringing her close to him.
"Yes. I would hate for anything to happen to you."
Naurrin smiled faintly, and hugged Haldir once more. "Do not worry. I do not wish to leave the safety of Lothlorien any time soon." Naurrin sat up and kissed Haldir's cheek once more. "I must be off. The bitter smelling of healing herbs is getting to me."
"And reminding you that you cannot do a simple herbal paste, sister." Orophin mused.
Naurrin turned her head, and stuck out her tongue.
"Oh yes, very lady like Naurrin." Haldir called after the elleth as she walked out the doors.
"I am grateful she would not leave these borders." Rumil told his brother's truthfully. "I would hate for anything to happen to her."
0-0-0
Lying on her back, watching the starry sky above her, Naurrin sighed, deep into her thoughts.
'Six months… six months since I have last seen you up close.' Naurrin smiled. 'My wizard.'
For the past six months, Naurrin has only gotten some double visits from Zefra, but that was all. Zefra couldn't really explain why, but only that her brother could not risk visiting her any more. Naurrin and Zefra have also become relatively close, and Naurrin was grateful as she hardly had any friends in Lorien. Though, she missed Zefron greatly. So she kept herself busy by helping servants she knew with their tasks, doing some requests from Galadriel, and trained in her archery (as she was a bit bad at it), non-weapon, and weapon combats.
Naurrin continued to look up, connecting the stars to make some sort of pattern. She closed her eyes, as a soft breeze blew from the east. She wasn't worried about Rumil coming to get her as she knew he would stay with Orophin and Haldir in the healing rooms. Naurrin didn't know how long she was there but before she knew it, it has started to rain.
As quickly as she could, the young elleth ran as fast as she could over to cover herself under the many trees in the garden. Unfortunately, her talan was too far for her liking. But even on that small run, Naurrin was soaked to the bone.
"I see you have been watching the stars again, my friend."
Naurrin looked up at the tree to see a black cloaked figure sitting on a branch, one leg over the edge. A light mist surrounded the figure.
"Well, hello to you to, Zef."
Naurrin smiled and looked over the raining curtain before her. The figure jumped off the branch and landed next to the elleth.
"What brings you here to Lorien tonight?"
"A quest."
Both the figure and Naurrin turned to see Galadriel walking towards them. The rain does not even touch the Lady, as though a force field surrounded her.
"A very dangerous quest."
Naurrin looked worriedly to the figure. "What kind of a quest?"
"You must return, a feel a slight change of wind, and a distrust mortal from Gondor."
The figure nodded and disappeared. Naurrin turned to the Lady of the Woods, showing her concern and worry.
"The quest is to destroy the One Ring. A fellowship was develop from Imladris; a mixture of Men, Dwarf, Elves, and Hobbits. They have been traveling with danger lurking behind them, and they are coming here. They will reach the borders in less than a month; enough time for Haldir to recover of his injury and meet the fellowship."
"And what of the danger they are brining? Will you let this group do such a thing?" Naurrin protested.
Galadriel smiled and pushed back a damp stray hair from the unique elleth. "If you were in my place, what would you have done?" Naurrin sighed in defeat. "I know you do not have the courage to turn away those in need, little one."
Galadriel turned as the rain has finally stopped. Everything sparkled from the moon's light, as it shown down upon Lorien's ground.
"Come, we must speak in private. I believe it is time for you to learn the truth of Zefron and Zefra."
As the lady walked, Naurrin fell into walking next to her.
"First, you must know that they are prince and princess to a kingdom that has long been forgotten and destroyed."
Naurrin paled, yet blushed at the same time. "Zefron is royalty?"
Galadriel smiled and touched Naurrin's shoulder; both elleth's stopping in the middle of a hallway. Naurrin turned to Galadriel.
"Yes, but that does not stop him from loving that which is below his status." Galadriel continued her walk, Naurrin following once more. "The group will be here in a month, as I have said before, and once Haldir brings the group to see me, I wish for you to escort that who comes with them until I summon them."
Naurrin frowned. "Why must you speak to this person alone, if I may be as bold to ask?"
Galadriel smiled and opened a door on their right. She beckoned for Naurrin to enter first, which she did. Naurrin's eyes widen and squealed in surprise and delight. She ran to the figure who smiled back.
"Zefron! What took you so long?" Naurrin asked, as Zefron hugged the elleth back.
"I will leave you two alone for a while. I will talk to you some more, Naurrin, later on." Galadriel said, walking out.
Zefron was about to answer Naurrin, but she let the wizard go and stepped back, bowing her head.
"I am sorry Prince Zefron, for my action." Naurrin said quietly.
The wizard visibly flinched at his title, and walked forward, rising Naurrin's chin.
"Please Naurrin, I distaste my title." Zefron stroked her cheek, making Naurrin sighed in content and rub her cheek against his hand. "I missed you so." He whispered.
"As did I, my wizard." Naurrin whispered back.
They both lean towards each other, both of their hearts thumping wildly against their rib cages. Their faces were inches apart, each of them feeling the other's breath upon them. Than, the door is opened, followed by a voice.
"Naurrin, Oro… phin…" Haldir trails off, stopping at the door.
Both Naurrin and Zefron jump from one another, blushing deeply. Haldir glares at Zefron, and takes out his sword with his left hand.
"You!"
"What are you doing out of the healing rooms Haldir?"
Zefron's eyes widen, and quickly looked to his right. "Naurrin, I will see you soon." And with that, Zefron dashed to the windows, jumped onto the ledge, and jumped on to the trees, running as fast as he could.
"You are coming with me back to the healing areas! Now, Orophin what, brother?" Naurrin asked as casual as she could, strolling past Haldir.
Haldir sheathes his sword and follows the young elleth. "Do not change the subject Naurrin! What were you and that Elf about to do? Do not ignore me! Stop walking away from me Naurrin! Hey! Do not run from - Naurrin!"
0-0-0
A month has past, and Naurrin was getting ready for the days event that was about to take place. She brushed her hair, than took half the top and begin to braid it half ways as Rumil entered her room.
"Haldir was spotted just ten leagues from the city."
Deciding to keep her hair down instead, Naurrin undid the braid, brushed it once with her fingers, and got up from her seat in front of the mirror.
"Thank you Rumil. Are you going to see Orophin today?"
Rumil nodded. "Yes. Balamrun has been complaining about a certain whiner trying to escape when he thinks she's not looking."
Naurrin laughed, putting on her slippers. "You know they care for each other deeply, secretly." Rumil nodded. "Will, tell him I said hi, and if he should try once more to leave, I will beat him. I must leave, see you soon." Naurrin kissed his cheek.
"Sure you will." Rumil teased.
Naurrin rolled her eyes, but made her way towards the lords and lady's talan.
0-0-0
Naurrin neared the talan, just as the group Haldir was leading stopped right at the stairs. Haldir saw Naurrin with a quick look, before turning his attention to a cloaked figure.
"You are to see her last and alone. "He said.
The cloaked figure looked at him curiously and nodded. But than, he spoke up, Naurrin recognizing the voice.
"Where am I to go while the rest are meeting her?" asked Zefron.
"You are to go with Naurrin." Replied Haldir. "She will tell you."
"I see, but who is Naurrin?" asked Zefron innocently, the rest of the Fellowship nodding in agreement.
"I am she." Naurrin whispered, walking over to them silently.
Her mid-back long brown hair with the caramel streaks glowing from the little light they had flowed behind her, along with her sapphire blue dress. Haldir smiled and motioned her to come over to them closer, which Naurrin obeyed instantly, smiling. She looked over the nine with her hazel/aqua eyes. Two Men, a Dwarf, an Elf, four Hobbits, and a cloaked figure. Naurrin also noticed a black leather like horse held by a stable Elf.
'If Zef is brave enough to go, than I shall go as well.' Naurrin thought, nodding slightly, but no one noticed.
"Naurrin, please see Zefron to his room. I must take the others to see Lady Galadriel." Haldir said, Naurrin nodding.
She waited for him to take the others up the tree, all the while she and Zefron standing silently. She than turned to the still cloaked wizard.
"Please come with me, Prince Zefron." Naurrin said, as she started walking down a path.
Zefron grabbed the horse reins from the nearby Elf and jogged over to catch up with Naurrin.
"Please, just call me Zefron. I do not like my title so much." Zefron said, as he reached into his saddlebag and pulling out a brooch, looking over it with sadness.
"We are here." Naurrin announced, stopping in front of a tree with a smalls table beside it.
"Thank you my friend." Zefron walked over to the stable, and untacking the horse while Naurrin watched him.
"Is it true?" Naurrin asked, before she could stop herself.
Zefron looked up at the elleth in wonder.
"About what Lady Galadriel has told me?"
"I will tell you that when you tell me why she told you the whole truth." Zefron replied, taking off his horse's saddle and setting it on the side of the stall.
He than walked over to Naurrin, holding his bow and saddlebag.
"I keep secrets for her. She is like a mother to me."
The two walked up the small stairs to enter the talan.
0-0-0
Later, when Zefron was visiting the Lady, Naurrin was in the kitchen preparing food.
"That is what I would like to see when I come home."
Naurrin rolled her eyes, and looked up from her salad. "Orophin, if you continue to be rude to me, I will be force to not feed you." Naurrin said sweetly, a teasing smile upon her lips. "Must I remind you that I was the one who asked Balamrun if you may come home, did I not?"
Orophin rolled his eyes. With the help of his brothers, he sat down at the table. Naurrin took the salad and walked to the table as Haldir and Rumil sat down.
"You could at least bring over the chicken, Rumil. You were not injured a month ago." Naurrin told him, sitting down the bowl of salad down.
Rumil grumbled, getting up.
"Do not grumble or I will not feed you as well." Naurrin said, walking after him.
She grabbed a long necked silver bottle, the bottom rounded and filled with liquid. Walking back with Rumil behind her, Naurrin sit the bottle in the middle of the table. The small family conversed, and laughed through dinner, not chicken nor salad left. Drinking the strong wine of the Elves, Naurrin looked to the three brothers who have also become her brothers, even if not by blood. She has been waiting for the opportunity to tell them her decsioion, and she believed now was that time.
"I am going on the quest with Zefron and the fellowship." The young elleth said quickly.
The brothers, who were talking of Lorien's borders, stopped and turned to Naurrin. Haldir spoke up before his two younger brothers.
"No." He said firmly, staring hard at Naurrin.
"But-"
"I said no, Naurrin, and that is final!"
Naurrin stood and stalked out of the talan. "I am to go see Zefron, do not wait up."
"Naurrin!" Haldir was cut-off by the door slamming. He sighed, rubbing his face. "I should kill that Elf! He only wants to take Naurrin from all that she knows."
"What if it is not the Elf?" Orophin asked, drinking the rest of his wine.
"What if," Rumil paused a bit, knowing what his brother was thinking, than continued. "What if it is Naurrin's choice to go?"
"Yes! To go after that Elf!" Haldir said hotly, gulping his drink before pouring more wine.
0-0-0
Naurrin sat with her friends, trying to think ways of convincing Haldir and his brothers. Singing could be heard all over Lothlorien, as it was about Gandalf who has fallen in Moria a week or so ago. She smiled to Zefra, as she continued to talk on. Naurrin heard light footsteps, and she stared to Zefra, who told her with her eyes she heard as will.
"You are absolutely no fun Zefron, live a little." Zefra said, smiling to her brother.
Even though Naurrin was not paying much attention, she knew what her friend was talking about and turned to Zefron.
"Zefra is right you know." She said, softly punching Zefron in his right shoulder.
"Of course I'm right, when am I not?" asked Zefra, walking to the side.
She wore a black tunic with sleeves that flared out slightly at the elbow with a single wrist band that covered her right wrist. Black leggings, and a long black scarf that went tightly around her neck. Naurrin admired Zefra's beauty. Of course, she herself is beautiful, but not as so as Zefra was. Her semi-long blonde hair was up in a half ponytail with a single chump of hair that was black tucked behind her pointed ear.
"You were never the smart one Zefra. You were always the cocky one when we were young. I thought that you would have grown out of it by now." Zefron told his sister, sitting up and brushing himself off.
"Now, what would give you that idea? Well, I don't know about you two, but I am going to walk around and visit the place and people." Zefra said, picking up her long black cloak.
She put it own, than walked out of the clearing, putting up her hood as will.
"Where do you wish to go Naurrin?"
Naurrin shrugged her shoulders, looking down. "I have seen all of Lorien, my lord." She said his title teasingly, looking up with a force smile.
Zefron smiled, but quickly frown as he saw pass her forced smile. He cupped Naurrin's face, rubbing her cheeks with his thumbs.
"What is wrong, Naurrin? Why do you look joyous, yet your eyes telling me you are sadden."
Naurrin turned her head, taking Zefron's hands. "Tis nothing."
Zefron let one of his hands go and took Naurrin's chin firmly.
"Please do not lie to me, my friend."
"You must leave soon, I presume?"
Zefron sighed, nodding sadly. He turned away from Naurrin, looking out the window. "Yes, I must go back to that place."
Naurrin walked up behind Zefron, and just wanted to wrap her arms around his midsection. But she only settled on to fisting a hand full of his tunic.
"I know you must because he would come for you, am I right?"
Zefron turned, Naurrin letting his tunic go. Zefron took her hands, and looked deep into her unique eyes.
"I am sorry to disappoint you, but tis the truth." Naurrin nodded.
As the day went on, Naurrin stayed with Zefron the whole time, which is until Zefra was needed. Once night approached, Naurrin had to say goodbye once more to Zefron. She entered the talan that was now her home, she went straight to her room, saying goodnight to the brothers in a monotone.
'Tomorrow will be a another day.' Naurrin thought, not bothering to change out of her dress but lie on her bed and quickly fall asleep.
0-0-0
The next day, after talking with Zefron, Naurrin went straight to Galadriel.
"So you have decided to go then?" Galadriel asked sadly.
"Yes my lady. I wish to help those have become close to me."
"And for revenge, I see."
Naurrin downcast her eyes down. With a knowing smile, Galadriel turned and took hold of twin daggers. She walked forward to the young elleth.
"I see. Than take these," Naurrin looked up, her eyes widening in joy and admiration. "Haldir's old daggers will not suit you for the war that is to come."
Naurrin smiled, as she took hold of her two new daggers. They were engraved in Elvish everywhere on the hilt and blade. They seemed to shine brightly as the light hit them just in the right spot. The elleth looked up to the Lady of Light.
"Thank you my lady. They are beautiful."
Galadriel smiled and kissed the young's elleth brow. "Go safely, Naurrin. May Eru protect you until you come home."
Naurrin's weld with tears, smiling up at the lady.
"I will convince your brothers, you will not have to worry and sneak your way into the boats."
"Thank you, my lady, for all that you have done."
0-0-0
After talking to Galadriel, Naurrin finished packing the little things she would be needing. She walked out to the main hall only to have the brothers walk in. They stood where they were, each looking at the other. Finally, Naurrin put down her pack and ran to Haldir, who hugged her tightly.
"I will miss you all greatly. Thank you for letting me go, but you must realize I must." Naurrin sobbed into Haldir's chest.
Haldir kissed Naurrin's hair and held her at arms length. "Just be careful, Naurrin. I do not wish to hear my sister has died."
Orophin hugged Naurrin, than Rumil. They said their goodbyes one last time before the brother's watched their sister walked out of their life for the time being. Not knowing when they will see her again…
The End…. Kinda…
A/N: Finished! Longest Epilogue, I know. Remember, you have to read (if you haven't yet) crazycatluver's story, Zefron and the Fellowship, to read what else happened to our favorite characters. As for a sequel, will, you might have to wait a while, because I wanted to do it AFTER the war, and since crazycatluver is still writing during the war, you guys might have to wait, or it will mess everything up. Please review one last time, and thank you all to those who reviewed to this story, and for sticking to it! Love you all! Bye for now!