Forever Yours

Chapter Two

The Marchwarden looked down at Arien and she felt an immediate sense of panic. He appeared more frightening close up and for a moment she forgot her manners and simply stared at him. Haldir, sensed her discomfort, smiled gently and bowed to her:

" Mae govannen, Arien, he said. " Legolas has told me much about you on his all-too-infrequent visits to Lothlorien",

M..mae govannen, My Lord" Arien managed to stammer.

She looked to her brother pleadingly but he seemed not to notice her apparent discomfort. He attributed her nervousness to shyness and simply smiled in return.

"Why, I do believe you frighten her Haldir!" a voice said from behind Legolas and Haldir.

Turning they found Galadriel, who had a look of amusement on her face.

"It was not my intention to do so, my lady," replied Haldir.

"Perhaps we should take our leave, suggested Legolas, and he led Haldir away.

Arien released a deep breath that she had been unaware of holding. She looked at the Lady with an expression of embarrassment and relief.

"I understand your feelings Arien," said Galadrial, "But your fear of my Marchwarden is quite unfounded. I admit he can look quite stern but what sort of captain would he be if he constantly wore a smile?"

Arien considered this and understood the Lady's comment but she remained ill at ease. She would be glad when the time came for her to leave. She did not have long to wait. Her nurse came into view slipped nimbley through the groups of Elves gathered randomly throughout the hall, clearly intent on collecting Arien and removing her from the gathering.

Later that night, as Arien lay in her bed, she thought about the events of the day. Some she remembered as exciting and others, such as her first sight of the Lord and Lady she remembered with wonder. However, whenever her thoughts turned to her meeting with the Marchwarden she felt a sense of unease, despite Galadriels kind words in his defence, and she quickly pushed all thoughts of him from her mind.

The following day dawned warm and sunny. Arien stopped as she made her way from the palace to the formal gardens, and felt the heat from the sun's rays warm her upturned face. She loved the early morning. Everything felt new and fresh. Arien loved to feel the cool dew on her bare feet, and did not hesitate in throwing off her shoes and running as fast as she could through the lush wet grass. She spied a butterfly close by and decided to indulge her whimsy. She began to chase after it, her chubby little arms outstretched in a futile attempt to catch it. The game continued for a few minutes when a voice interrupted her play.

"What will you do with it if you catch it?" the voice asked.

Arien came to an abrupt halt and turned in the direction of the enquirer. She knew who it would be even before she saw him for she recognised the cool, rather aloof tone of his voice and she clenched her little fists into tights balls. She felt a sense of apprehension and also anger that he had dared to intrude on her merriment. He regarded her inquisitively, and a slight smirk played at the corners of his mouth. She did not approach him but stood her ground, hoping that if she said nothing, he would think better of his attempt to speak with her and go on his way. Instead he began to slowly walk towards her, and stopped only a few feet away. This caused her to take a cautionary step backwards. He regarded her thoughtfully and his smile grew wider.

"Why do you back away, Arien?" he asked. "I assure you I mean you no harm. I was merely curious as to what you would do in the unlikely event that you caught the butterfly."

Arien was amazed to hear him call her by name. Then she remembered he had called her brother by name also. She wondered how it could it be this arrogant Elf cared little for propriety. She took a deep breath in an attempt to imbibe herself with courage and managed to utter a single word:

"Why?"

"Because little one, we oft take action, only later to reflect and regret the event. Have you thought of the consequence to the creature if it were captured. It is most delicate and would surely be injured. Better perhaps to enjoy its beauty in flight than to risk such an outcome!"

Arien reflected for a moment. If this Marchwarden were truly as fierce as she had imagined, why would he care about something as insignificant as the well-being of a tiny butterfly. She lowered her guard a little as her curiosity at his comment overcame her fear.

"It is unlikely that I would catch it, but I would feel very sad if I hurt it."

"Of course you would," replied Haldir.

He made no attempt to move closer to her but moved slightly further away to sit on a low wall.

"There is much beauty in nature, Arien," he continued, "and we must all learn how to respect it and do all we can to protect it. As Elves, it is our duty to do so."

Arien began to feel a little braver and took a few steps in his direction. She looked at him closely. He had kind eyes and a warm, gentle smile, much like her brother.

"Do you like to watch the creatures of the forest?" she asked, her voice less fearful.

" I spend many long hours guarding the borders of my land and in those moments when I allow my mind to wander, I enjoy watching the other inhabitants of the Golden Wood. They bring me great pleasure and help to calm me in times of stress."

Arien thought on his words for a moment and said:

"I too like to watch the creatures of the forest but seldom am I allowed to go into the woods. I am always accompanied by my nurse, my tutor or my brother. My nurse does not care for the outdoors. She always complains that the forest floor will soil my dresses and that it is not ladylike to run around like something wild. My tutor only concentrates on facts and says I am too fanciful. The only one who really understands and loves the forest as I do is Legolas. But he is able to spend less and less time with me now and I fear soon he will not be able to take me at all. He should have met with me this morning but sent a messenger to say he was delayed."

She looked very sad at having to put her disappointment at her brother's inability to join her into words, and Haldir felt he wanted to somehow make her happy again. He thought for a moment and said:

"I am a poor substitute for your brother, but perhaps we could venture into the forest together. I had intended to do so alone, but I would be most grateful for a little company? If I inform your nurse of our intention, would you agree to accompany me?"

Arien immediately forgot all thoughts of fear or suspicion of the Marchwarden. Instead she could think only of running through the forest, the breeze on her face and the crisp leaves crunching beneath her feet.

"Oh, yes please!" she replied, enthusiastically.

Haldir suggested she retrieved her shoes whilst he sought out her nurse which he promptly did, and soon they made their way through the great gates of the palace into the surrounding woods. Haldir noticed that the further they went from the palace, the brighter and more animated Arien became. She began to tell him about the places Legolas would take her in the forest she appeared intent on showing him every beauty spot in Eryn Lasgalen in the course of one morning. Haldir for his part said little. He was content to enjoy the ever increasing buoyancy of spirit exhibited by the child. They came soon to a small brook and he helped her to cross. On the other side of the brook was a small glade, surrounded by tall trees and shaded from the direct sun. There were many wild flowers and the shaded grass smelled sweet. Arien began gathering some of the plentiful blooms and Haldir sat upon the grass, watching her. Legolas had told him on many occasions of the sheer joy his little sister imbued in him with her enthusiasm for the simple things in life. She took pleasure from the things many took for granted and Haldir felt a small place in his heart warm towards this dear little elleth. He spent much of his time in the company of his guards and there were few elflings being born in the Golden Wood now. He thought back to the days when one could scarcely walk down a forest path without almost being bowled over by the dear little things. The sound of their voices rang out merrily and had always brought feelings of contentment and joy to the Elves. Now the woods were silent save the quiet murmurings heard here and there of discreet conversations or the odd raised voice due to a rare altercation.

He had oft thought of settling down himself and indulged himself with thoughts of children, but he knew it was merely a flight of fancy for his work as Marchwarden kept him too busy for such things. And besides, there was no-one of whom he felt fondly enough to embark on such a commitment as marriage.

Arien stopped in her play and regarded him thoughtfully. She moved toward him until she was only a few paces away and announced with an openness only visible in children:

"I was afraid of you when I first saw you. I thought you looked quite angry but now you are smiling a lot. I like you better now!"

Haldir was taken aback by her bluntness but quickly recognised it as the simple point of view of a child. For some reason it meant a great deal to him that he should gain the approval of this little one and the warm place in his heart got larger.