The Tall Watcher
Aranel; 2005
Disclaimer: I do not own Haldir, Orophin, Rúmil, or any characters from the Lord of the Rings. All due credit to the mighty J.R.R. Tolkien. This is the Fellowship's journey to Lórien from Haldir's viewpoint. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. A special thanks to Calenlass Greenleaf, who did a fantastic job of betaing.
Chapter One—Meeting the Fellowship of the Ring
When the gray morning light broke upon the grass-clad knoll, it gradually revealed the elf standing motionlessly to greet the morning sun. His eyes were furtively scanning the surrounding land. They moved with such smooth flowing motions, it was almost unnoticeable. In the sleepy languor of the night, one might have mistaken the silhouette of the tall figure for a stump or a shrub. Then, none but birds could see him now; he was in the midst of a dense forest, though the steep incline of the hill he was atop rose slightly above the largely level extent of land that the trees rested thickly on.
"I Anor na vedui," whispered the fair-haired elf, his gaze drawn to the horizon that was seen on the far borders of the woods. The light of the sun was seen creeping steadily over the top of the craggy mountains.
The elf bore a long yew bow and a quiver of slender, white-feathered arrows upon his back. His garments were of a shadowy gray, and his flowing cloak was of green, woven material. What might this new day bring? It was often surprising, but Haldir, the Watcher of Lothlórien, had not seen a change for several years. Of course, now and again, a company of Orcs would enter the woods. However, that company of Orcs would never leave the woods either.
Galadriel had been strangely silent lately about the happenings outside of the Golden Wood, leaving Haldir to glean small bits of information from returning scouts and such. He knew that the Ring of Power had been discovered once more—brought back into knowledge. It could not remain hidden forever. It was ever seeking to return to its master.
Haldir shaded his eyes with a sturdy hand as the sun rose golden upon the land to reveal the vibrant green of the mystical trees that filled his sight everywhere he looked. This was a large forest, but he was near the edge. If he had been in the heart of the woods, he would not have seen the horizon. He was often near the edge; he had journeyed near and far from the borders of Lothlórien in his life. His duties often called him away from the city itself, and this is precisely what had taken place today. He was alone at the present, but further in his companions rested in the shade of the dense trees. He would soon join them in one of the many guard telain that dotted the treetops. They were especially watchful to-day on account of the company that had been seen near the edge of the forest. Haldir had not seen them himself, but his brother, Rúmil, had brought back word. He had said that the company had consisted of eight members of diverse races. He had mentioned an elf among them, but he could not place a few of the others. Interestingly enough, the elf was none other than Prince Legolas, of Mirkwood. When Haldir had been apprised of the eight walkers' presence, he thought it best not to disturb them as of yet, but only to monitor them until it proved more helpful to openly approach them and inquire as to their business.
Haldir sighed heavily, his joy of the morning pervaded by the everyday realization that evil had once again arisen in Mordor. The outlook was bleak, and the ominous clouds loomed ever darker on the horizon.
By the time his steady swift strides brought him down from the knoll, the sun was well up and the day had officially begun. Haldir scolded himself for standing idly for the length of time that he did. Now he would have to make up for lost time. He maneuvered skillfully through the lush trees, not a hint of hesitation in his steps. He knew the woods like the back of his hand and could find his way from one end to the other without any difficulty. Though it was thus easy for him, a stranger to the trees might be lost for weeks and perhaps never emerge at all.
Presently, Haldir came to a tree that would be indiscernible from the rest if beheld by any eyes but those of an elf. He stopped and whispered a password. Instantaneously, a sturdy rope ladder was tossed down to him. He swiftly scaled it and came to the top of the talan. Orophin and Rúmil, Haldir's two younger brothers, stood side by side to greet him.
"It is well that you arrived, o late one," chided Rúmil. "The strange company is nearly here. Orophin says they will be at this very spot within a small few minutes."
"They are making for the telain?" asked Haldir. "How odd."
"Yes," replied Orophin. "They were crossing the stream."
"Did you have a better look at them?" questioned Haldir.
"A better look, yes," responded Orophin. "There were two men I saw, Legolas of Mirkwood, and five small creatures I could not name. The fifth was far bigger than the five, and he had a beard."
"Strange indeed," remarked Haldir. "If they pass by, take care not to frighten them. Legolas has great skill and would most likely be a formidable enemy with which to contend if he believes us to be Orcs."
"'Tis true," agreed Rúmil. "Who can forget the valiant warrior he proved himself in the three battles with the Southrons?"
"It bequeaths me wonder to think of what business brings the travelers here," continued Haldir. "I cannot but think that it is somehow linked to the finding of the One Ring."
"Let us not speak of it openly," urged Orophin. "Even the naming of the Enemy's weapon wields some power, I guess."
"Silence now," bid Haldir. "We should not be discoursing at all. We should listen for their coming."
With the absence of voices, the three Elves tuned their ears to the sounds of the woods, eager to discern footsteps or speaking from the natural birdcalls or the rustling of the leaves. They had nothing to do but wait, and they did so with vigilance. It was shortly after that they heard something peculiar. They could not believe it at first; it was simply startling. They heard a clear elven voice singing! The melody rose above the trees, hauntingly clear and wondrous fair to hear. It continued for the space of a few minutes, joyful and pristine. The singing did not seem out of place by any means. It blended with the rustling grass and leaves and the pallid trickling of the brook in a distinctly elven way.
It had been long since any of the three of them had heard singing like that. The times had become evil and no one seemed to want to lift up his or her voice in song, so solemn was the mood of late. It once again reminded Haldir of a dark cloud of depression, foreboding, and strife that seemed to cast its sinister shadow over all that was fair. It vexed him gravely and he wished it would simply dissipate. However, it would not be that easy. It would take sacrifices from them all to drive the shadow away.
Nevertheless, for now, he listened to the reflection of the joy that once had been, expressed in the song of Nimrodel. Clearly, Legolas was singing, being the only elven member of the company. The voice sang stanza after stanza, until presently, the song was ended and mixed chatter was heard amongst the company. Haldir guessed they were still a good distance away, but they were coming closer.
It was mid afternoon by then, and the Elves were growing impatient of waiting. It would most likely be night by the time they arrived! The sun strained to reach through the branches and warm their backs, but it would not be out for long. The days were growing shorter. Haldir believed the sun was affected by the gathering evil as well.
"What was this about they will be here in no time?" asked Haldir.
"They must be wandering aimlessly is all I can say," responded Orophin, "to take them this amount of time to reach us."
Though it took thus long for the strange company to arrive, they were steadily approaching. Soon, it became apparent that the company might pass right under them, and Haldir took up wondering what would be done. He would have to decide whether to hinder them at once or attempt to approach them later. He finally resolved to call out a greeting to Legolas and see what transpired. He would have bid his comrades to get down, but the talan was so densely enclosed by boughs and leaves that it would be unnoticeable unless one was expecting it and looking in just the right places, and so, it was unnecessary.
The eight companions came into view sooner than Haldir predicted. They were all under the talan before he could decide what to do, so he resolved to stay with the plan. Then, they stopped suddenly. They were speaking in conversation tones of voice. Haldir decided to wait and hear of what they would speak.
"We should rest in the trees for the night," suggested a voice, Haldir took to be Legolas. He had met the Prince of Mirkwood numerous times, and counted him an old friend. A few other voices spoke in skepticism of this idea, but Legolas dispelled their concerns. Haldir moved silently to look through the round hole in the center of the platform through which the rope ladder had passed, but was now drawn up. He sensed movement. Legolas had just jumped up to grasp a branch.
"Daro!" Haldir ordered. He knew that the company was no threat. Little did they know who was listening to their conversation! He did it largely to frighten them, if not only. He also felt it was a good way to make himself known. He watched Legolas halt dead in his tracks and fall back to the ground.
"Stand still!" Haldir heard. "Do not move or speak!" Haldir wondered if he should have done that, but it was too late to go back.
"Agorel am man theled, Haldir (Why did you do that?)?" Legolas asked harshly. Ah, so he did recognize his old friend's voice.
"Echedo achas vi nín (You startled me)!" Legolas reprimanded.
"You weren't expecting me?" asked Haldir playfully, for a moment too caught up in the meeting of his old friend to ask what their business was.
"It appears you were," responded Legolas, pointing up at him with an arrow.
"Your company could never slip by unnoticed," stated Haldir. "Thuiar far-brui garannen dîn leithia philinn mîn vi i môr."
Legolas smiled sarcastically and waved him off.
"Who are they?" asked a timid voice. Haldir strained to see over a leafy branch. It was one of the odd little creatures of which Orophin had spoken.
"They are Elves," replied Legolas in the common tongue, "and they say that you breathe so loud they could have shot you in the dark."