CHAPTER THREE
Tala came to slowly, her eyelids flickering against the early morning light, which although filtering down through the leaves of the mallorn trees, was still bright. She stirred and felt the breeze gently lift her hair. She was gradually aware of birdsong and the faint sound of elven voices a little way off.
She was lying on a cloak on the ground - one of the Galadrhim's cloaks and as she glanced awkwardly around from her position under the tree she could see Rumil and Haldir in discussion a short distance away. Haldir was cloak-less and standing with his back to her, his pale hair immaculately braided and falling down his back. The other elf, Rumil's brother, was nowhere to be seen and she could only assume he was watching the border.
The searing pain in her shoulder has lessened somewhat but Tala found that she could not move her arm and looking down, saw that it had been bound to her body with strips of thick gray cloth, obviously torn hastily from some garment, immobilising it.
She lay back unmoving, just staring up at the leaves, still feeling slightly nauseous, until the breeze carried words of the discussion to her.
Rumil was speaking. "But I do not understand, why did she say nothing of her injury - we could have done something about it before?"
Haldir made a dismissive noise. "Like all ellith she is stubborn. When have you known them to be anything else? She does not know when to keep quiet and when to speak."
Tala flushed angrily at his unreasonable words and began to struggle to her feet defiantly.
Rumil saw her rise and touched the Warden's arm to alert him. Haldir turned and, seeing her standing, strode over to her with a scowl. He halted in front of her, every limb poised and alert, dominating her in every sense.
"You should be resting your arm." His tone was terse.
She did not meet his eyes but looked around for her bags and horse, ignoring him.
"Where is my horse? Where is Nahar?" she did not even glance at him as she spoke but stared across at Rumil, who came closer, looking awkwardly at Haldir as he answered.
"I am sorry, lady, but he bolted during the orc attack. Have no fear, he will not have gone far and we will soon recover him for you. Orophin is following his tracks even now."
Tala was dismayed. Nahar gone? They had been together now for many years. The white stallion was all that she had left. She was slightly comforted by the fact that he had been trained well and he would undoubtedly return to the place he had bolted from, even if Orophin did not track him down before.
Haldir spoke again, his voice imperious, breaking her reverie. "Lady Eruna'antale, you should be resting. Your arm was dislocated and I had to put it back into the socket. You should not move it."
Tala shook her head, still feeling slightly faint but not about to admit it. He was still standing near to her and she moved away slightly, distancing herself from her acute awareness of him. Without his cloak, the fine fabric of his tunic stretched across the muscles of his arms and chest, and his eyes were fixed on her face. He made her feel oddly nervous and unsure of herself, feelings she was not used to.
"No. I must get to Caras Galadhon. I have to deliver my message. I have already wasted too much time." She glared at Haldir, her face set stubbornly, as if to give proof to his earlier dismissive words, and he sighed.
"Very well. Rumil." Haldir concluded with a nod of his head and Rumil picked up Tala's small bag. Haldir moved behind Tala and bending smoothly, picked his cloak up from the ground and placed it surprisingly gently around her shoulders. She accepted the gesture without a word and put her hand up to adjust it over her shoulders. Her fingers brushed his, causing her to jerk them hastily away from the warmth of his skin. He showed no sign of having felt her touch but stepped back, saying nothing.
As they walked away from the clearing, Tala stole a glance back to see the March Warden standing unmoving, staring after them, and she quickly looked away, her breath caught in her throat, her cheeks suddenly pink. His eyes had fixed absolutely on hers, his face set, completely impassive.
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The walk was a long one and the strapping to her arm made travelling awkward but not impossible and they had made good time. Rumil had been attentive, answering her various questions about Lothlorien and had stopped several times for her to rest briefly. He had checked with her each time that she felt able to continue and she appreciated his concern for her.
Tala wondered if this was his own doing or whether the March Warden had given him instructions. She berated herself. Why think about that elf – she would probably never see him again. She would go to Lothlorien, complete her task, and return to Rivendell without their paths ever crossing. It was probably just the silvery cloak wrapped around her that was making her think of him. It had a faint masculine smell of sandalwood and she fingered the butter-soft cloth between her fingers, admiring it. It was warm yet light and she admitted reluctantly she was grateful to have it.
Tala also found herself thinking about Nahar and wondering whether he had yet been found. She would not be able to leave Lothlorien without him, she smiled wryly to herself. Now her initial worry had passed, she was certain he would be found.
The day passed quickly. After some distance they came to the brow of a hill and Rumil paused, allowing her to catch up to him, as she had fallen behind him on the steep ascent.
She came alongside him and stopped, glad of the chance to catch her breath for a moment.
The elf pointed ahead and finally spoke. "Behold. You are come to Caras Galadhon." His voice was gentle and low, and filled with pride and affection.
Tala followed the direction of his finger keenly - for as long as she could remember she had longed to see the city of Lorien.
She was not disappointed. Ahead stood a green mound, covered in many mallorn trees stretching upwards to the sky. Dusk had fallen and in the branches, numerous gold and silver lights were shining. The lights came from numerous flets and talans perched high among the branches. The city sparkled.
Stars had begun to appear faintly in the darkening sky and the sight rendered her speechless.
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Rumil led her westward, on a white stone road, around the base of the wall surrounding the city.
As they came closer, Tala gazed upwards and noted the flets and talans in the branches. It was obvious that she would have to conquer her fear of heights while she was in Lothlorien. It was something that she was definitely not looking forward to.
The City of Trees was even more beautiful than she had imagined and wonder had meant that she had not spoken to her escort since he had pointed the hill out to her, and he had relapsed into his customary silence. But it was not an uncomfortable silence and she had enjoyed the elf's company. He was knowledgeable of the forest and obviously loved it deeply. He had never been to Rivendell and she had enjoyed telling him of the splendour of the Last Homely House and its surrounding valley. The one subject he had not spoken of in any detail was the March Warden and she had not asked.
At last they came to a white bridge which Rumil led her over, and they halted at the gates on the far side. The large white gates swung open slowly and they entered Caras Galadhon. Rumil indicated that she should wait, as he spoke to the captain of the elves guarding the gate. She was weary again now and her shoulder was troubling her slightly so she was glad of the rest, no matter how short.
Tala stood, still looking about her in awe. The mallorn trees stretched upwards as far as her neck would stretch backwards. No elves moved around the area of the gate except for those of the guard, as it had drawn late, but in the distance she could hear faint elven voices laughing, carrying clearly on the warm night air.
Suddenly, an elf guard raced off up the slope and she assumed that he was going ahead to warn of her arrival. She grew suddenly nervous at the prospect of meeting the Lady of the Galadhrim of whom she had heard so much and appealed to Rumil, who was now leading her into the trees.
"Will you not allow me to at least change my clothes before I see the Lord and Lady?" indicating her muddy garments underneath the March Warden's cloak, which at least hid the strapping around her arm.
Rumil shook his head and, although glancing at her sympathetically, merely stated that his orders were to take her straight to them.
Tala grew angry again at the arrogant March Warden who had obviously given these orders with no other thought than to disgrace her, but she said nothing. She would give that elf a piece of her mind if she ever saw him again. How dare he treat her so, she had done no hurt to him – indeed she had saved his life! She remembered how coldly his gray eyes had looked at her as they left and shivered involuntarily, all gratitude for the loan of his cloak pushed from her mind.
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In a few minutes she was standing before the Lord and Lady of Lorien.
If possible, they were even more magnificent than Lord Elrond and his beautiful daughter. The Lady was truly as glorious as all the tales she had ever heard.
She bowed her head in reverence while Rumil announced her.
The Lady gazed serenely at her, her face glowing with a soft golden light, her eyes holding the knowledge of the ages, but it was Lord Celeborn who spoke.
"Lady Tala, you are welcome in our city. You bring news from Rivendell?"
Tala inclined her head. "Yes, my Lord. I bring a private message from Lord Elrond. He thought that I would attract less attention than an elven warrior might at such a time."
She glanced across at Rumil who waited discreetly in the background. Lord Celeborn smiled at her concern.
"You may speak before any here."
Tala nodded and continued.
"I have been sent to tell you that the Fellowship that has been spoken of arrived at Rivendell, and a Council was held. The Ringbearer and his companions will, by now, have left Rivendell and are making their way to Lothlorien."
Celeborn nodded in understanding, and pondered on the information for a moment. He turned to the Lady Galadriel.
"They will cross Caradhras?"
The Lady seemed to look inward for a time and then said slowly "No. Moria will be their path." Her melodic voice was like a flowing stream to Tala, like a soft summer breeze in trees, and she immediately felt at peace.
The Lord looked startled "Moria?"
The Lady inclined her head.
"Very well. Rumil." The elf stepped forward. "Return to the borders and tell the March Warden to expect this company."
Lord Celeborn returned his attention to Tala just in time to see her wince of pain as her shoulder was now troubling her after the long journey.
"But wait – Lady Tala – you are injured?"
Tala blushed as his obvious concern for her and said awkwardly
"It is nothing, my Lord. I damaged my shoulder and your March Warden was kind enough to bind it for me."
Celeborn frowned. "Rumil will escort you to the guest quarters and we will send a healer to attend on you there." Tala bowed her head in gratitude but paused, before stepping forward.
"There was something else?" The Lady's soft voice sounded in her head although she had not spoken. Tala was startled and opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted.
"You also bring a message from Arwen?"
"I do, my Lady. The Lady Undomiel asks that you will allow me to remain until the departure of the Fellowship from this place. So I may return to her with news of…" Tala hesitated, not knowing how much to say.
"Lord Aragorn." Galadriel finished. "Very well. You shall remain." Her voice was amused and Tala assumed that she was now to leave them.
Rumil escorted her from the Lord and Lady's talen and led her through the maze of paths and bridges to the guest quarters. The night was dark and tiny lamps lit the branches, glowing among the leaves.
Tala tried to concentrate on Rumil's figure striding ahead of her and not on the drop from the path, suspended as it was, high in the branches. It took all her focus to do so. Other elves passing glanced at her curiously, obviously recognising her to be a stranger to the city. They finally reached the guest talen where she was to stay and Rumil bade her farewell, with a courteous nod, and was gone.
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"She is the one?" It was Lord Celeborn's voice that was now amused.
"She will be. He will mend her heart and then it will be his." The Lady mused.
"And his heart? Our March Warden - with the reputation of being as cold as the stars themselves? What of Haldir's heart?" Celeborn raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"He resists but it is almost already hers. They are bound together." Galadriel smiled serenely.
"I will give instructions that he will bring the travellers to the City."
Celeborn called an elf to him. "Instruct Rumil that Haldir is to return with this Fellowship. Rumil can take his brother's place for a time."
"Then you will need some way to make him stay. You know he longs only to return to the borders whenever he is here." The Lady of Light turned to her husband and put her head on one side, her eyes lit playfully.
Celeborn smiled. "He cannot return until I order him to do so. I will merely – omit to order him."
And with that he took Galadriel's hand and led her away up the steps.