Forever Yours

Chapter Three

The days that followed passed quickly for Arien. She was able to spend far more time than usual in her beloved woods due to the newly evolved friendship between herself and Haldir. Everyday they could be found in each others company whenever the Marchwarden could excuse himself from duty. Occasionally, Legolas or Haldir's brothers would accompany them. Arien had quite taken to Haldir's younger brothers, Rumil and Orophin. They were of a lighter heart than Haldir and were never happier than at those times when they could teach Arien 'essential' skills such as tree swinging. At these times, Haldir was content to sit and watch the scene unfold before him. Arien thought Haldir was the most wonderful Elf in Middle Earth, excepting only her brother and father. She hated it when, in a moment of jest, Legolas reminded her of her initial fear of Haldir.

Arien had shown Haldir all of her favourite places and learned a great deal about the woods without even knowing she was learning. Haldir had infinite patience and each day looked forward each day with enthusiasm for the time he would spend in the presence of the little elleth.

He especially liked the times in the afternoon when, if out walking alone, they would come upon an inviting spot and take time to sit for a while, usually in the shade of a great tree. For Arien had soon realised that Haldir had that wonderful ability of many Elves. He was an excellent story-teller and like all children, Arien adored stories. At these times she would wait for Haldir to sit comfortably relaxed beneath a tree. Then she would crawl onto his lap and sit, enraptured by his tales of heroes and heroines, monstrous beasts and magic. More often than not the combination of fresh air, walking and warm sun made Arien sleepy and Haldir would stroke her head gently as she leant her head contentedly against his chest whilst the low sound of his voice lulled her into pleasant dreams. At these times, Haldir would carry Arien back to the palace and she would awaken safe in her bed.

On the fifth day, Arien was delighted to hear from Legolas that he had planned a full day out for all three. Food had been ordered from the kitchens and before the sun was high in the sky they set out on their trip. Legolas took them to a part of the forest that Arien had never been in before. It was incredibly beautiful, but it also bordered a darker part of Eryn Lasgalen seldom frequented. He told Arien to stay close and since she was an obedient child, he felt there would be no danger involved. Shortly after midday they arrived at the spot Legolas had chosen for their picnic. To Arien it seemed it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. The trees were taller and it was vey peaceful. The three sat on the soft grass and ate their lunch almost in silence. It seemed each wanted to enjoy the quiet which surrounded them.

Much to Arien's chagrin, following the meal Legolas and Haldir seemed disinclined to move. They were content to lie on the grass and relax in the midday sun. They chatted about adventures they had had together when younger and criticised the unadventurous spirit of the younger male Elves in their realms. Unable to contain her energy any longer, Arien began exploring the perimeter of the glade. Legolas looked up only once :

"Remember Arien, do not stray dear heart, for there are things in the darker parts of the wood which do not like to be disturbed. Stay close where I may hear you."

Arien nodded to show she had heard and Legolas returned to the conversation with Haldir. Shortly after, Arien caught sight of a quick movement in the bushes. She stood quite still and sure enough, once more the bushes trembled with movement. Looking quickly in the direction of her brother, she noted that he was still in deep conversation with his friend. Conveniently forgetting her brother's words said only minutes before, she slipped into the bushes, intent on satisfying her curiosity as to the identity of the animal responsible for the intriguing movement in the undergrowth. She felt sure it was something she would be able to play with and was soon in pursuit of her quarry. The animal sensed her presence and darted from the brush. It was a small deer that had clearly been separated from its mother and simple curiosity soon changed to a quest as Arien was determined that she would not let the poor creature wander the forest alone.

For long minutes the pair darted through the trees and bushes. The deer changed direction with lightening speed but was unable to shake the determined little elleth.

Suddenly, the pursuit was ended, as the deer ran into an area from which it could not escape without first running passed Arien. The two locked eyes and in that moment the deer recognised a calm kindness. With the ability known only to the Elves, Arien approached the deer with one arm outstretched. The deer did not move. Soon she was close enough to touch it and gently stroked the soft pelt of the animal, calming it.

All at once the deer stiffened and shivered with fear. Something had scared it so much that it darted passed Arien and back into the forest. Until this point, Arien had been blind to her surroundings, captivated as she had been by the closeness of the deer. Now though, she looked around her and realised she was in a place far different to the one she had left. This place was dark. The trees were gnarled and their branches hung low, as if the trees were too weak to lift them higher. She felt an ominous presence surrounded this place and wanted nothing more than to leave it. It was then that she heard a strange, scuttling sound which she could not identify but which stopped as soon as she turned. She stood still and listened. Sure enough, there it was again, but closer this time. Just as the deer had trapped itself so had Arien and she shivered with fear as she realised that the only way out was the way she had come and that would take her closer to the unknown sound.

She backed up as far as she could until she was pressing against the hard trunk of one of the trees. Slowly, through the dimness she saw a shape emerging. It was much bigger than her and it seemed to scurry rather than walk. The closer it came, the clearer its outline could be seen until it stood in the middle of the small clearing. Although she had never seen one of the giant spiders of Eryn Lasgalen, Arien had heard enough about them to know immediately that it was just that which loomed over her. It was huge. Its body was covered in coarse black hairs and its fangs dripped with venom. She had never known such terror and could not even scream. She uttered one solitary word, scarcely more than a whisper:

"Legolas!"

Shortly after Arien's disappearance Legolas realised he was no longer aware of her presence. He leapt quickly to his feet, closely followed by Haldir. They both strained their ears for any sound and heard none.

"Where can she be?" asked Haldir. "She was just here!"

"She cannot be far. I told her not to wander. She has never disobeyed before. I do not understand but I will make sure she never disobeys again……."

Legolas was beside himself with worry as he grabbed his bow and quiver which had lain on the ground beside him. Haldir grasped his own weapons and the two began to check the area for any signs which might show them which way she had gone. It did not take them long to find a bush with broken branches and the recent paw prints of an animal. They found also, tiny imprints from Arien's shoes and they quickly headed in the same direction.

Arien stood starring into the many small, cold, black orbs of the spider's eyes. She could almost reach out and touch it, it was so close. She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer to the Valar to help her. Then, a wave of despair and resignation to her fate overcame her and she said quietly,

"Please let my Nana be waiting for me!"

Suddenly, the spider let out a high pitched shriek of pain and turned its attention from Arien to the cause of its discomfort. As it turned, Arien could see three arrows protruding from its hide, two with brown feathers and one with white. Another white feathered arrow thudded into the creature and black blood began to ooze from its wounds. It was then she saw Legolas and Haldir as they fired arrow after arrow into the creature. Finally, Haldir withdrew his sword and advanced on the spider. He slashed at it twice and when he was close enough, thrust his blade up into the under-belly of the beast. The foul creature let out a tortured scream and fell at his feet, its limbs still writhed in its death-throes. Legolas ran past it to the sobbing child and scooped her up into his arms. All worry and threats of punishment disappeared as he beheld the terrified child, her face streaked with tears, her whole body shaking with her heaving sobs.

"Hush, Arien, hush now! He could think of little else to say.

Haldir moved to Legolas' side and stroked Arien's head in an effort to convince her she was safe.

"I am sorry Legolas, I am sorry" she gasped out through her tears.

Legolas simply held her tighter and buried his head in her hair. He whispered a prayer of thanks that the Valar had spared Arien and not taken her from him.

Later that night, Legolas sat beside Arien as she lay in her bed. She was still very quiet after her ordeal and he would not leave her for fear that her dreams would be filled with the memory of the day. He held her tiny hand in his and gave a small smile as he heard her say his name:

"Legolas," she said, barely above a whisper." I was sure today that I was going to see Nana."

Legolas was horrified as he realised what her words had meant, that she had been sure she would die.

He shook his head and looked deep into her blue eyes, eyes so like his own.

"It was not your time today little one," he said simply. "Anyway, you cannot die."

"How do you know that?" she asked.

"Because I will never allow you to leave me", he said.