Hi there! Since we're over half-way through (I think?) I wanted to say a few personal thank-yous to all who have been kind enough to post reviews for this story, so please excuse the rather long intro;
Miss Sofie -Thanks for all your support. I hope you're well soon. You've inspired me more than you realise.
RoxieRxChicargo – I was so thrilled by your very kind comments and so humbled to learn you joined FF in order to review this story. Thank you. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Brownie24 – Ooh – so you like your stories to be a bit bloody then – ROFL! Thanks for your review. It means a lot.
Haldir's Heart and Soul – I'm sorry you didn't like the way Illadris met her end. You are one of my most regular reviewers and I'm really sorry – I feel like I've let you down. Please stay with me and hopefully things will be more the way you like them in future chapters.
Crecy – Yep – you're mad (evil anvils?) He- he! I love a person with a sense of humour and you seen to be just that. Thanks for the reviews, please keep it up.
Mortal Evenstar – Mmmm – it was sad, but you know the old saying – 'when you've got to go, you've got to go!' Thanks for the review.
Evtany – I haven't a clue except to say it was dreamed up by Tolkien in his genius when he worked out the many languages of Middle Earth.
Seansbeanie – Many thanks. Glad you like the writing style.
Mortal Evenstar – 'Hell on a stick' eh? Hope you weren't too disappointed then. As for Haldir and Arien being happy – now that would be telling, wouldn't it?
Also many thanks to HyperSquishy, Dissolved Star, roguephantom, palepheonix, kwannom, and Loeke77. I hope you're all still here and enjoying it.
Thanks for that!
Now on we go – not much action but plenty of angst.
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Forever Yours
Chapter 17
So alarmed was Legolas at the news of Illadris' escape, he immediately sought to confirm the safety of his sister. He felt certain the elleth would seek only to depart the realm as quickly as possible, but feared instinctively for Arien's safety. He reached her apartments swiftly and was relieved to see her unharmed, if a little anxious;
"What has occurred, Legolas?" she asked, clearly concerned. "I overheard many voices edged with panic!"
Arien listened in disbelief as Legolas recounted all he had learned of Illadris's latest infamy. She bowed her head and wept with sorrow as she absorbed the news of Doriath's murder;
"Despite all I suffered at her hands, I cannot comprehend how any Elf could be so bereft of conscience."
"I fear it is a question to which there will never be an answer." he replied, softly.
He took Arien in a comforting embrace and thus the siblings sat, restlessly awaiting further news. Time passed slowly until a soft rap on the door announced the arrival of a messenger;
"My Lord, I have been charged with locating you in order to impart news of the return of the wardens. Lord Celeborn and King Thranduil request your presence at the guard-post adjacent to the city gate."
A look of apprehension passed between brother and sister before Legolas hastily took his leave.
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The battle with the Orcs had ended and Haldir watched solemnly as the wardens gathered the foul remains of the creatures into a pyre in preparation to be burned. The body of the fallen Galadhirim was respectfully wrapped in a blanket for transport to Caras Galadhon. Rumil toiled with a group near the outcrop and started as he rolled the corpse of an Orc to reveal the crumpled body of Illadris, Haldir's arrow still embedded in her back. Rumil knelt slowly and ran the white feathers between his fingers reflecting thoughtfully, finally requesting others to remove the dead Elf to lie beside their fallen comrade. He knew morality dictated she should be buried within the realm but was sure it would be a grave quickly forgotten; there would be none who would weep at her funeral or tend the burial place there-after.
Once all vestiges of the Orc attack were removed, the normal guard returned to their flets as Haldir led the remainder of the Galadhirim back to the city. As they entered the gates their path was lined by many Elves. Some looked anxious, some curious, but at the sight of the covered bodies, a hushed silence fell over all and a quiet lament began to fill the air. The guards carried the remains into the guard-house where Celeborn, Thranduil and Legolas awaited their arrival. They watched sadly as the bodies were placed on the floor and Celeborn stooped to remove the first blanket to reveal the fallen Galadhirim. He murmured a few comforting words and reverently replaced the blanket. Haldir removed the cover from the second body and all looked upon the pale corpse of Illadris with stern regard. Celeborn broke the silence;
"How did she meet her end?"
Haldir related the details to them without embellishment and blanched visibly as he recounted his part in her demise. Legolas clasped a hand to his shoulder;
"Do not reproach yourself, Haldir!" Your act was one of honour and true compassion. To have considered the horror Illadris would endure at the hands of those creatures and deliver a quick, merciful death, was far more than many of us would have found possible."
Thranduil did not speak but looked to the Marchwarden as though contemplating the words of his son. He turned abruptly and signalled to Legolas to accompany him as he left the guard-house. Haldir watched their departure dejectedly and turned to face the Lord. Above all others, he revered the approval and acceptance of his Lord and Lady.
"Your heart is heavy, Marchwarden," said Celeborn, sympathetically. "It is no easy task to carry the responsibility of the death of a fellow Elf. I feel you will perhaps only find peace in this matter if you discuss your discomfiture with Galadriel."
Haldir was uncertain whether he would find a meeting with the Lady either comforting or comfortable as she was known to lay bare one's most inner feelings and secrets that they may be confronted; he was not sure his sensibilities would be capable of surviving such an assault but nodded in acquiescence at his Lord's request;
"Complete the arrangements for the funerals tomorrow, take what nourishment you require and I shall inform my good wife to expect you at your earliest convenience."
Celeborn turned to leave and shook his head in disbelief as he looked upon the dead one last time;
"To lose three in one day! These are sad days indeed, Captain!"
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Haldir entered his rooms and cast his cloak carelessly over the back of a chair into which he sank heavily and placed his head in his hands. Meeting with the relatives and friends of his fallen colleagues had drained him of what little reserve remained and he realised dismally, he still had to meet with the Lady. He roused himself sufficiently to wash and change into a clean uniform before resignedly departing his home to face whatever Galadriel would have him confront. He walked slowly toward the audience chamber and paused momentarily beneath Arien's talan. He contemplated calling on her but dismissed the idea, resolving to address the matters at hand before pursuing more pleasant activity.
He entered the chamber and waited whilst his presence was made known to the Lady. As he looked about him, he realised he could not remember a time when he felt so disinclined to meet with Galadriel. So lost was he in his thoughts, he was unaware of her arrival until she addressed him;
"You do not wish to be here, Haldir! Why so? I wish only to soothe your worried mind and bring comfort to your being once more!"
"Forgive me, my Lady," he said, bowing in respect. "I was distracted by my reflections of recent events. So much has occurred, it is difficult to accept."
"All which has passed cannot be changed. You carry great feelings of guilt and self-doubt. Until you find satisfaction in your actions you will be unable to look to the future. You have been Captain of my Galadhirim for many years. Never in all that time had I cause to question your judgement or abilities. Do you seek to question my wisdom with your doubts?"
"Never, My Lady!" he replied, quickly. "Ever have I been humbled by the faith and trust you have accorded me. It is for that very reason I now query my judgment. I fear whether I acted out of a true desire for mercy, or revenge!"
"You know the truth in your heart, Haldir, of that I have no doubt." answered Galadriel. "However, I feel you have other concerns which serve to influence your discernment of events. There is a means to clear this confusion of which you know well but have never experienced."
Haldir looked to the Lady with alarm for her knew well that of which she spoke. Her mirror was powerful and in his perception, all knowing, but he had always feared awareness of what lay ahead. He stepped back and shook his head, hoping she would press her cause no further, but it was not to be. She beckoned him and made her way to her private glade, wherein lay the source of his fears. Resignedly, he followed, passing from the chamber to descend the stone steps into the court-yard. His gaze stopped at a pedestal on which stood a bowl. Galadriel approached and picked up a vase, slowly pouring its contents into the vessel. Once full, she held out her hand to him and said;
"Will you look into the mirror, Haldir?"
He stared at the object he had pointedly avoided during all his long years in Lothlorien. He had no wish to see what might be, preferring to submit his future to providence. He struggled to find any vestige of believable reason he might offer in avoidance of his situation but found none. Resignedly, he stepped up to the mirror and looked at Galadriel, trepidation showed clearly on his face. She smiled at him;
"Remember, Haldir, what you see is what has been, what is and what may be. The future is not set. Many proceedings may occur which can alter our destiny. You will only see things in relation to current circumstances."
Haldir nodded in reply and turned his gaze to the surface of the water. It became quite still then an image began to take form; he beheld Arien as a child. He watched as she ran through the woods of Eryn Lasgalen, her curls bouncing, a look of carefree delight upon her face. He smiled, but his joy was short-lived as the image was replaced with the furious gaze of Thranduil he had perceived at the trial. He starred in disbelief as the picture altered and he saw himself in the presence of a furious Thranduil who was thumping a table with his fist as Legolas hastily placed himself between his friend and his father. However, the image changed once more and he saw himself with Arien in a tight embrace. He was kissing her and as they parted he saw the look of complete adoration and happiness with which she regarded him. He could not help but smile and was about to admit he had been wrong to hold such suspicions when he saw in the mirror an image so horrific, he could scarce breathe. He threw himself away and dropped to his knees, clasped his head in his hands and openly sobbed;
"No more I beg you! No More!"
He could not look up at her, but if he had, he would have seen tears in her eyes and sorrow etched upon her face;
"The mirror is not always correct. Many times that which it has foretold has not come to pass." she said, consolingly.
He lifted his head and replied, his voice heavy with despondency;
"There is no hope. How can I follow my heart's desire knowing what has been revealed to me?"
The Lady was pained by the desolate tone of his voice;
"Listen now to my words and mark them well, Haldir. You must follow the course your heart leads, for you are destined to be with your love. Long have I felt a bond existed between you and this suspicion was confirmed when Arien was abducted. You knew in your heart she still lived for destiny has linked your souls. Do not let go such a great and wondrous gift. None of us know for how long happiness will last; forever or but a fleeting moment, but it is precious for whatever duration. Do not dwell on the dark revelation you have seen, but rather cling to the possibility of happiness."
Haldir allowed her words to wash over and through him and his expression changed from desolation to hope.
"Go from here and find Arien," she continued; "Tell her of your love and be led by her response alone. Commit all other concerns to providence."
Haldir arose and Galadriel was comforted to see the despondent Elf of a few moments previous replaced by the resolute figure of the Marchwarden of the Golden Wood.
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Tbc
Chapter 18 follows immediately!
Please R&R! You know I love it!
