As usual, many thanks to my reviewers. Your comments are all carefully considered, cogitated and digested - lol. Please keep them coming though, cos' they keep me going (and updating regularly)!
Anyhoo, on with the story. It's slowed down a bit in the last few chapters but that was necessary evil. Got to set up the plot y'know. It picks up the pace at the end of this one. Hope you enjoy!
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Forever Yours Chapter 6
That evening, after having partaken of dinner with the Lord and Lady, Legolas became deeply engrossed in conversation with Lord Celeborn. Galadriel had noted that Arien had appeared subdued since her arrival. She felt it was perhaps an appropriate moment with which to speak with her and led Arien outside into the garden.
"Your thoughts are plentiful and troubled, Arien!" she stated. "Would you care to share them with a friend?"
"Forgive me, My Lady," replied Arien. "I have for so long dreamed of coming here but I fear those dreams have broken into a thousand pieces since first I set foot in Lothlorien".
Galadriel smiled knowingly and took Arien's hand gently in her own. She led her to a low, moss-covered wall and both sat upon it. The heady perfume of the many and varied blooms which grew in the garden hung heavy in the air and Arien breathed in the calming scents. Galadriel turned to Arien and spoke softly,
"Oft are thoughts and memories held close in the hope that they may be experienced again, just as they were. However, with the passing of time, all things change. You are of a royal bloodline, Arien and acquaintances of your youth will behave towards you as your birthright dictates."
Arien had looked down at her hands throughout the conversation. She suspected the Lady knew of her concerns regarding Haldir's coolness towards her. Arien thought back to her arrival at the borders of the Golden Wood and remembered the formal greeting afforded them. She thought also of the deference shown towards Haldir by the other wardens. No-one would ever have cause to question the identity of the Captain of the Galahadrim. It was apparent from his bearing and speech. Formality and protocol were obviously of great importance to the Elves of Lothlorien, even more so than in her own realm. There her people behaved with a high degree of deference within the royal chambers but were at other times much more informal. Arien thought longingly to the time when she had penetrated Haldir's shell of aloofness. She knew that inside was a warm, caring Elf who delighted in so many of the simple things life. She reflected on the Lady's words and slowly her disappointment began to ebb. Turning to face the Lady, Arien smiled gently and said,
"I believe I have been most naïve in my expectations. I should also have known you would be aware of my feelings for nought passes the fair Lady of the Golden Wood, be it spoken openly or inwardly thought."
Galadriel smiled indulgently at Arien;
"Perhaps at your next meeting with my Marchwarden you may remind him of the past and in so doing let it be known to him that you still hold the memory of him close to your heart?"
"I will indeed, my lady!" replied Arien, happily.
The following morning, Arien awoke in her quarters and stretched her limbs languorously, ready to face the coming day in the hope it would bring a meeting with the Marchwarden. She had already prepared her words in anticipation of their meeting.
No sooner had she completed her preparation when she heard a soft knock on her door. Arien was expecting her brother as they had arranged the previous night to meet for breakfast. Joining Legolas, the two headed toward the dining hall.
On their arrival, Arien immediately recognised Rumil, who was seated with several other wardens. Smiling, she nodded to him and he arose to greet her.
"Good morning, my lady!" he said, bowing formally but Arien did not miss the slight smile on his face and laughed.
"I am happy to finally see you here in fair Lothlorien. Too long has it taken for you to finally visit with us!"
"Good morning to you, Rumil. My heart gladdens to speak with you at last and to see not all my Lothlorien friends have forgotten the times we once shared." said Arien.
Straightening, Rumil regarded her with a look of concern. He knew to whom she was alluding and shook his head sadly.
"Ahh, I can only assume it is my wonderfully pompous brother, Haldir, of whom you speak. He does not lightly put aside those formalities he perceives his position as Marchwarden demands," stated Rumil.
"Perhaps the fault is mine. I have not sought him out and have been unfair in my presumptions. It is my intention this day to speak with him and reminisce on times passed. I hope I can reassure him that he is still dear to me and regardless of position and status, his friendship is as important to me now as it was when I was young," replied Arien
"Then you are in luck!" answered Rumil. "Haldir is seated at the far side of the hall."
Smiling, Arien thanked him and disengaging her arm from that of her brother's she headed in the direction Rumil had indicated. She soon spotted him seated at a table. He was not, however, alone but was in the company of another warden. As Arien neared, she observed the warden to be an elleth. Arien wondered at the freedom extended to females in the realm of Lothlorien. Females in Eryn Lasgalen were not permitted to join the guards.
Arien approached the table and both Elves stood to acknowledge her. Both bowed and yet again Arien wanted to tell Haldir how unhappy she was with this formality. She realised, however, that she would have to wait until they were alone.
"Good morning, my lady! I trust you are well and that your visit to our fair realm is proving to be most pleasant?" enquired Haldir.
The warden with him said nothing but straightened and looked directly at Arien. There was no warmth in the look and Arien felt she was not welcome. However, putting her discomfort aside, she spoke to Haldir.
"I am most happy to see you, Haldir. Too long have I waited to meet with you again. Forgive me that I have not sought you out earlier. I had hoped to find you alone that we might relive some of our memories together and renew our friendship," she said, smiling warmly.
Arien's had intended her familiar use of Haldir's name and was not dissatisfied to note it had not gone unnoticed by the elleth, as her stare intensified to the point of malevolence. Haldir appeared ignorant to the tension building between both females as he assumed a less formal attitude and spoke to Arien;
"It was remiss of me to think you would no longer wish to continue our past friendship, Arien. Forgive me. I assumed it would was merely an interlude in your childhood which you had, by this time, outgrown. I am pleased you still consider me your friend and would be delighted to reminisce those times with you soon."
Haldir's face broke into a smile and Arien regarded him for the first time, not with the eyes of a child, but with those of a grown elleth. The realisation swept over her with an unexpected heat which reached deep into the very core of her being. She looked into his face and saw so much more than she ever imagined she would. His eyes were as blue as the deepest lake; his hair was like molten silver and she longed to run it between her fingers; his lips were full and she wondered if they were as soft as they appeared. Arien struggled to reign in her thoughts before they carried her away completely.
As if suddenly remembering he was in the company of another, Haldir turned to the warden and said;
"It appears I am also remiss in my manners. Arien, may I introduce my warden, Illadris?"
Illadris nodded in response to the introduction, as did Arien, but no warmth was forthcoming from either, indeed, the atmosphere surrounding them bristled with tacit dislike.
Tbc.
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Well, it's going to get a bit darker now, quite a bit, actually. So don't say you weren't warned. As ususal, please R&R. It keeps me going – lol.
