Thanks as always to my beta reader Dee – and my additional beta reader Kat
– who's just joined the team! Now Dee gave me a hard time on two particular
points in this one – which I'll mention at the end – but that's her job and
I'll leave it up to you to decide.
Many thanks for the continuing reviews – they're really encouraging – keep
'em coming please!
Dazzler420 – Galadriel says "Patience, my child. All will become clear when
it is mean to." LOL
CHAPTER FOUR
Haldir stared in surprise at his brother, a slight frown wrinkling his forehead. "I am to return? Already?"
Rumil shrugged. "Those were my instructions – from Lord Celeborn himself. When these travellers arrive from Rivendell you are to escort them to the Lord and Lady."
Haldir's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "The elleth from Rivendell. Did she complain to the Lord of my treatment of her?"
"Not in my hearing, brother."
Haldir walked away, head bowed, deep in thought. The only reason he could think of for the summons was that the elleth had complained and he was returning as some kind of punishment.
Any of the elves under his command could have led this company to the City, his place was here - guarding the borders. He felt a deep annoyance, he had only done his duty and that is what he would tell Lord Celeborn. The border lands were no place for elleths. In truth he had been lenient with her - he could have ordered her to be blindfolded for the way to the city.
He packed his belongings hurriedly, preparing to take his leave of the other elves, relying on Rumil to take over while he was away.
88888888
The healer who had visited Tala's quarters had left her shoulder feeling much less painful but had exclaimed when she had related how it came to be damaged. The elf had nodded as she continued.
"Haldir? Ah yes, he has some healing power. It is useful on the border – so far from the healers in the city. He would be well used to dealing with this sort of injury."
Tala had pondered on this further information about the March Warden later as she sat alone by a window, enjoying the warm breeze and sunshine. A healer. It was a pity he was so arrogant and cold. He was so different to the other elves she had known in Rivendell. She found herself remembering those steady gray eyes and strong, smooth features and shook herself mentally. It would do her no good to form any sort of attachment to that elf. She tried to put him from her mind, instead trying to calculate how far behind her the Fellowship might now be. Once they had left Lothlorien she could return to Rivendell. The March Warden would then be merely a memory. She ignored the flip of her stomach that this thought produced.
Tala had not left her room to explore the city though she wished she could.
After the incident in the flet her fear of heights had returned stronger than ever – as she discovered the morning after her arrival when she stepped out onto the landing outside her door and felt her knees weaken at the height of the tree. The walkway leading away from her quarters seemed to narrow and the guardrails lower. She had berated herself at her weakness but it had not solved the problem and she had remained in her rooms ever since, visited only by the healer.
She was frustrated by her failing - from what she had seen Lothlorien was indeed as beautiful and idyllic as she had been told and she longed to explore further, to walk out in the sunshine under the mallorn trees. Her own quarters were well-appointed, she had everything she could desire, the furnishings were not as sumptuous as they were at Rivendell but then these were only guest quarters.
The city was a busy place, it seemed, from the numbers of elves passing her door, some carrying bows which Tala noted with interest. Her shoulder had improved immeasurably and she had hoped to go out onto the practise fields that she had noticed on her arrival and build the strength back up in her bow arm, but if she could not leave her room... Neither had her bow yet been returned to her. The sooner she could practise, the sooner she would be happy. There was no point starting out on such a journey if she could not protect herself. The bands of orcs roaming the country could easily come across her and if she could not use her bow then she would die. It was as simple as that.
8888888888
As he guided the blind-folded company to Lothlorien, Orophin bringing up the rear, Haldir pondered on what task had brought them so far from home.
Here was a strange band of travellers as ever he had seen. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, of the Dunedain, beloved of the Undomiel, and Legolas Thrandullion, Prince of Mirkwood - travelling with four Halflings, a dwarf, and a man – of Gondor - unless he was much mistaken. The shadow that was the reason for the journey was not yet felt in the heart of the Lady of Light's realm, though he feared it soon would be. And then would come the time for him to leave his beloved Lothlorien and pass over the sea, into the West.
Haldir usually found the walk back to the city a time to relax and collect his thoughts, to contemplate what incidents had occurred on his watch and what needed to be improved upon, but on this journey he found no such contentment. He remained puzzled as to why he had been called back.
At Cerin Amroth a host of elves came marching out from the city to defend the border and he unbound the eyes of the group on the orders of the Lady, and led them into the City - to their audience with Celeborn and Galadriel.
88888888
After speaking to the assembled Fellowship, the Lady had taken Legolas and Haldir aside.
"I am concerned about Lady Eruna'antale. We have not seen her around the City since she arrived. I am told by the healer that she stays in her room and does not leave it."
"Healer?" Legolas glanced across at Haldir, worriedly. "Is there something wrong with Tala?"
The Lady was quick to reassure him. "A slight physical hurt only, Legolas. She is well."
Legolas nodded, calmed. "You have put her in a flet, Lady? Then that is the problem – she is terrified of heights."
Haldir's eyebrows rose in surprise, which did not pass unnoticed by Galadriel.
Legolas continued "Ever since a childhood incident when her cousin – "he seemed to pause for a moment, "er, encouraged her to climb a large tree which she fell from and was badly injured."
The Lady smiled slightly at him and turned to Haldir, saying simply
"Then she must be moved. Haldir, take Legolas to Tala's flet and organise her move to quarters more suited to her."
888888888888
Haldir escorted the Mirkwood elf to the flet that Tala had been given for her stay and knocked the door. It flew open as if they had been expected.
"Legolas!" Tala exclaimed with joy and threw herself into his arms, he laughing at her exuberance, holding her tightly to him for a moment.
"How are you, Tala?" he said warmly, kissing her on both cheeks and taking her hands in his, obviously delighted to see her. He stood for a moment, gazing into her eyes.
The March Warden stood back, his face expressionless but inside feeling an irrational anger towards the young prince. Jealousy. It was not a feeling he had had for many years.
He stared at the elleth blatantly. What was it about her that interested him so, when he barely knew her? She was pretty enough, though with her dark hair she did stand out in the fair city of Lothlorien. She had an elf's usual grace and poise.
He remembered how she had hung over the side of the flet, gripping his arm and now knew how much courage that must have taken, given her fear of heights. He admired her for it. Perhaps that was what drew him.
He looked at her now as she spoke with Legolas, looking down for a moment as she listened intently, long, dark lashes hiding her eyes. Suddenly as if becoming aware of his attention, she looked up and caught his eye. It was then he rather thought it might be her eyes that had first caught his attention, almond-shaped, dark and alluring, deep and mysterious. It was of no consequence now – she obviously belonged to the Mirkwood elf.
She had not noticed him until now and he merely bowed, turned and walked away.
8888888888
Tala had recognised those cold gray eyes instantly. So the March Warden had brought the Fellowship to Caras Galadhon. No doubt he would soon be returning to the borders and with this thought she watched him stalk away until he had passed from her sight. Legolas caught her stare and turned to see her concentration fixed upon the retreating figure of the Lorien elf. He puzzled for a moment at her expression and then raised his eyebrows, slightly intrigued.
Haldir shouldered his bow and left the practise ground. He had been shooting for hours and the daylight had finally faded, making it difficult to see the target.
He had been in the City for several days now and had still not received orders from Lord Celeborn as to when he was to return to the borders. He was feeling increasingly annoyed and restless, and working hard on the practise ground to try and curb the feelings.
Haldir returned to his talen each evening worn out but still his mind would not rest. He wondered why he was still here but had given up trying to think of a reason. There was none – unless this was some kind of continuing reprimand for his treatment of the Rivendell elleth but neither the Lord nor Lady had mentioned her to him.
As the March Warden walked back to his talen, his thoughts busy with how Rumil would be coping without him, he came across the Fellowship. The travellers sat in a circle at the base of one of the great mallorn trees, eating and talking, stretched out on the lush grass.
"Haldir!" Legolas beckoned him across. "Join us!"
Haldir hesitated, seeing Tala as one of their company, and was about to decline. He had not seen Tala since he had taken Legolas to her talen but knew that she had been moved to quarters on one of the bottom levels of the city.
"Come," said Aragorn, with a smile, "will the March Warden of Lorien not join us?"
Haldir bowed in acceptance and sat on the ground beside the hobbit called Merry, placing his bow beside him and taking the opportunity to stretch his long legs. He let his head drop back and gazed up at the intertwining branches of the trees above him, filled with their star-like lanterns of gold and silver. A deep sense of peace overcame him and he allowed himself to relax for the first time since he had returned.
Aragorn was discussing something animatedly with Legolas and Boromir, and the hobbits laughing between themselves and occasionally bursting into song. Tala studiously ignored him, strumming quietly on a small harp, silver chords rippling out from her fingers. She was sitting close, Haldir observed, to Legolas, who occasionally leant over and spoke softly to her.
After a time, the company became quieter and called for a song. Aragorn obliged and again began to sing the tale of Tinuviel. The company clapped and congratulated him when he had finished, and Legolas turned to the elleth who had been silent so far.
"Come, Tala, will you not honour us with a song?"
She glanced across at Legolas, smiling, and shook her head, but Aragorn and Sam added their voices to his and she finally acquiesced, though Haldir was sure it was more at Legolas' initial request than anything else however.
Tala paused for a moment in thought and then began to sing. Although her voice was gentle and low, it easily carried in the small clearing. She did not look at anyone but instead seemed to focus inward, wrapt in a memory, her brow wrinkled. Haldir had never heard the song before and she sung it in the language of men.
"Who would sell their soul for love?,
Or waste one tear on compromise,
Should be easy enough,
To know a heartache in disguise,
But the heart rules the mind,
And the going gets rough,
Pride takes the fall,
When you find that kind of love
I can't help feeling like a fool,
Since I lost that place inside,
Where my heart knew its way,
And my soul was ever wise,
Once innocence was lost,
There was not faith enough,
Still my heart held on,
When it found that kind of love
Though beauty is rare enough,
Still we trust,
Somehow we'll find it there,
With no guarantee,
It seems to me,
At least it should be fair
But if it's only tears and pain,
Isn't it still worth the cost?
Like some sweet saving grace,
Or a river we must cross,
If we don't understand,
What this life is made of,
We learn the truth,
When we find that kind of love
Because when innocence is lost,
There is not faith enough,
We learn the truth,
When we find that kind of love."
The company was silent for a moment when she finished and before any of them could speak, Tala stood abruptly and, without a word, walked quickly away.
Legolas looked after her thoughtfully but made no move to follow which Haldir found slightly puzzling. If she had been his, he would have gone after her. He stared after Tala, walking back to her talen, shoulders held stiffly, back rigid. He did not notice that Legolas' attention had now turned to him.
Not long after Tala had left, the company decided that it was time to retire for the night and Legolas indicated that he would walk back among the mallorn trees with Haldir as their talens were close.
"May I offer my congratulations, Legolas?" Haldir said stiffly, after a few moments of silence.
Legolas looked puzzled. "For what, mellon nin?"
"You and the Lady Tala seem very well suited."
Legolas paused for a moment in thought and then burst into laughter. "You think that – Tala and – and I? No, no." he shook his head in merriment. "Tala is my cousin. I have known her since she was a tiny elleth. Her mother and my mother are sisters. You thought we were betrothed?"
Haldir nodded blankly, his mind racing. So they were cousins. Cousins...
"So you were the cousin that – ?"
"Yes." Legolas said sheepishly. "I was the cousin that caused her to fall almost to her death." He seemed to look inward and smiled to himself. "She has never held me responsible for her hurt and I love her all the more for that."
Legolas paused for a moment and his face became serious.
"That is the reason why I would ask just one thing of you, Haldir. I do not presume that it is any of my concern but I have seen the way that you look at her. Do not play with her affections. Her heart is - delicate." But he would say nothing more.
( That Kind of Love – Pat Bergeson and Michael Donald)
OK. So the two points Dee had trouble with were :- she thought Galadriel should have known about Tala's fear of heights. My take on that is that Galadriel – and Tala – had more important things on their mind at the time of their meeting and I'm sure Galadriel has better things to do than going rummaging around in elves' minds for tiny details of their life and psyche – you may disagree. Dee also felt that perhaps my song was a little modern, and to be honest, that was my fear too. However, the song said such a lot that I wanted Tala to say and Tolkien's elves are actually quite modern in their speech and ways – it is the films which have made them more – medieval shall we say?
CHAPTER FOUR
Haldir stared in surprise at his brother, a slight frown wrinkling his forehead. "I am to return? Already?"
Rumil shrugged. "Those were my instructions – from Lord Celeborn himself. When these travellers arrive from Rivendell you are to escort them to the Lord and Lady."
Haldir's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "The elleth from Rivendell. Did she complain to the Lord of my treatment of her?"
"Not in my hearing, brother."
Haldir walked away, head bowed, deep in thought. The only reason he could think of for the summons was that the elleth had complained and he was returning as some kind of punishment.
Any of the elves under his command could have led this company to the City, his place was here - guarding the borders. He felt a deep annoyance, he had only done his duty and that is what he would tell Lord Celeborn. The border lands were no place for elleths. In truth he had been lenient with her - he could have ordered her to be blindfolded for the way to the city.
He packed his belongings hurriedly, preparing to take his leave of the other elves, relying on Rumil to take over while he was away.
88888888
The healer who had visited Tala's quarters had left her shoulder feeling much less painful but had exclaimed when she had related how it came to be damaged. The elf had nodded as she continued.
"Haldir? Ah yes, he has some healing power. It is useful on the border – so far from the healers in the city. He would be well used to dealing with this sort of injury."
Tala had pondered on this further information about the March Warden later as she sat alone by a window, enjoying the warm breeze and sunshine. A healer. It was a pity he was so arrogant and cold. He was so different to the other elves she had known in Rivendell. She found herself remembering those steady gray eyes and strong, smooth features and shook herself mentally. It would do her no good to form any sort of attachment to that elf. She tried to put him from her mind, instead trying to calculate how far behind her the Fellowship might now be. Once they had left Lothlorien she could return to Rivendell. The March Warden would then be merely a memory. She ignored the flip of her stomach that this thought produced.
Tala had not left her room to explore the city though she wished she could.
After the incident in the flet her fear of heights had returned stronger than ever – as she discovered the morning after her arrival when she stepped out onto the landing outside her door and felt her knees weaken at the height of the tree. The walkway leading away from her quarters seemed to narrow and the guardrails lower. She had berated herself at her weakness but it had not solved the problem and she had remained in her rooms ever since, visited only by the healer.
She was frustrated by her failing - from what she had seen Lothlorien was indeed as beautiful and idyllic as she had been told and she longed to explore further, to walk out in the sunshine under the mallorn trees. Her own quarters were well-appointed, she had everything she could desire, the furnishings were not as sumptuous as they were at Rivendell but then these were only guest quarters.
The city was a busy place, it seemed, from the numbers of elves passing her door, some carrying bows which Tala noted with interest. Her shoulder had improved immeasurably and she had hoped to go out onto the practise fields that she had noticed on her arrival and build the strength back up in her bow arm, but if she could not leave her room... Neither had her bow yet been returned to her. The sooner she could practise, the sooner she would be happy. There was no point starting out on such a journey if she could not protect herself. The bands of orcs roaming the country could easily come across her and if she could not use her bow then she would die. It was as simple as that.
8888888888
As he guided the blind-folded company to Lothlorien, Orophin bringing up the rear, Haldir pondered on what task had brought them so far from home.
Here was a strange band of travellers as ever he had seen. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, of the Dunedain, beloved of the Undomiel, and Legolas Thrandullion, Prince of Mirkwood - travelling with four Halflings, a dwarf, and a man – of Gondor - unless he was much mistaken. The shadow that was the reason for the journey was not yet felt in the heart of the Lady of Light's realm, though he feared it soon would be. And then would come the time for him to leave his beloved Lothlorien and pass over the sea, into the West.
Haldir usually found the walk back to the city a time to relax and collect his thoughts, to contemplate what incidents had occurred on his watch and what needed to be improved upon, but on this journey he found no such contentment. He remained puzzled as to why he had been called back.
At Cerin Amroth a host of elves came marching out from the city to defend the border and he unbound the eyes of the group on the orders of the Lady, and led them into the City - to their audience with Celeborn and Galadriel.
88888888
After speaking to the assembled Fellowship, the Lady had taken Legolas and Haldir aside.
"I am concerned about Lady Eruna'antale. We have not seen her around the City since she arrived. I am told by the healer that she stays in her room and does not leave it."
"Healer?" Legolas glanced across at Haldir, worriedly. "Is there something wrong with Tala?"
The Lady was quick to reassure him. "A slight physical hurt only, Legolas. She is well."
Legolas nodded, calmed. "You have put her in a flet, Lady? Then that is the problem – she is terrified of heights."
Haldir's eyebrows rose in surprise, which did not pass unnoticed by Galadriel.
Legolas continued "Ever since a childhood incident when her cousin – "he seemed to pause for a moment, "er, encouraged her to climb a large tree which she fell from and was badly injured."
The Lady smiled slightly at him and turned to Haldir, saying simply
"Then she must be moved. Haldir, take Legolas to Tala's flet and organise her move to quarters more suited to her."
888888888888
Haldir escorted the Mirkwood elf to the flet that Tala had been given for her stay and knocked the door. It flew open as if they had been expected.
"Legolas!" Tala exclaimed with joy and threw herself into his arms, he laughing at her exuberance, holding her tightly to him for a moment.
"How are you, Tala?" he said warmly, kissing her on both cheeks and taking her hands in his, obviously delighted to see her. He stood for a moment, gazing into her eyes.
The March Warden stood back, his face expressionless but inside feeling an irrational anger towards the young prince. Jealousy. It was not a feeling he had had for many years.
He stared at the elleth blatantly. What was it about her that interested him so, when he barely knew her? She was pretty enough, though with her dark hair she did stand out in the fair city of Lothlorien. She had an elf's usual grace and poise.
He remembered how she had hung over the side of the flet, gripping his arm and now knew how much courage that must have taken, given her fear of heights. He admired her for it. Perhaps that was what drew him.
He looked at her now as she spoke with Legolas, looking down for a moment as she listened intently, long, dark lashes hiding her eyes. Suddenly as if becoming aware of his attention, she looked up and caught his eye. It was then he rather thought it might be her eyes that had first caught his attention, almond-shaped, dark and alluring, deep and mysterious. It was of no consequence now – she obviously belonged to the Mirkwood elf.
She had not noticed him until now and he merely bowed, turned and walked away.
8888888888
Tala had recognised those cold gray eyes instantly. So the March Warden had brought the Fellowship to Caras Galadhon. No doubt he would soon be returning to the borders and with this thought she watched him stalk away until he had passed from her sight. Legolas caught her stare and turned to see her concentration fixed upon the retreating figure of the Lorien elf. He puzzled for a moment at her expression and then raised his eyebrows, slightly intrigued.
Haldir shouldered his bow and left the practise ground. He had been shooting for hours and the daylight had finally faded, making it difficult to see the target.
He had been in the City for several days now and had still not received orders from Lord Celeborn as to when he was to return to the borders. He was feeling increasingly annoyed and restless, and working hard on the practise ground to try and curb the feelings.
Haldir returned to his talen each evening worn out but still his mind would not rest. He wondered why he was still here but had given up trying to think of a reason. There was none – unless this was some kind of continuing reprimand for his treatment of the Rivendell elleth but neither the Lord nor Lady had mentioned her to him.
As the March Warden walked back to his talen, his thoughts busy with how Rumil would be coping without him, he came across the Fellowship. The travellers sat in a circle at the base of one of the great mallorn trees, eating and talking, stretched out on the lush grass.
"Haldir!" Legolas beckoned him across. "Join us!"
Haldir hesitated, seeing Tala as one of their company, and was about to decline. He had not seen Tala since he had taken Legolas to her talen but knew that she had been moved to quarters on one of the bottom levels of the city.
"Come," said Aragorn, with a smile, "will the March Warden of Lorien not join us?"
Haldir bowed in acceptance and sat on the ground beside the hobbit called Merry, placing his bow beside him and taking the opportunity to stretch his long legs. He let his head drop back and gazed up at the intertwining branches of the trees above him, filled with their star-like lanterns of gold and silver. A deep sense of peace overcame him and he allowed himself to relax for the first time since he had returned.
Aragorn was discussing something animatedly with Legolas and Boromir, and the hobbits laughing between themselves and occasionally bursting into song. Tala studiously ignored him, strumming quietly on a small harp, silver chords rippling out from her fingers. She was sitting close, Haldir observed, to Legolas, who occasionally leant over and spoke softly to her.
After a time, the company became quieter and called for a song. Aragorn obliged and again began to sing the tale of Tinuviel. The company clapped and congratulated him when he had finished, and Legolas turned to the elleth who had been silent so far.
"Come, Tala, will you not honour us with a song?"
She glanced across at Legolas, smiling, and shook her head, but Aragorn and Sam added their voices to his and she finally acquiesced, though Haldir was sure it was more at Legolas' initial request than anything else however.
Tala paused for a moment in thought and then began to sing. Although her voice was gentle and low, it easily carried in the small clearing. She did not look at anyone but instead seemed to focus inward, wrapt in a memory, her brow wrinkled. Haldir had never heard the song before and she sung it in the language of men.
"Who would sell their soul for love?,
Or waste one tear on compromise,
Should be easy enough,
To know a heartache in disguise,
But the heart rules the mind,
And the going gets rough,
Pride takes the fall,
When you find that kind of love
I can't help feeling like a fool,
Since I lost that place inside,
Where my heart knew its way,
And my soul was ever wise,
Once innocence was lost,
There was not faith enough,
Still my heart held on,
When it found that kind of love
Though beauty is rare enough,
Still we trust,
Somehow we'll find it there,
With no guarantee,
It seems to me,
At least it should be fair
But if it's only tears and pain,
Isn't it still worth the cost?
Like some sweet saving grace,
Or a river we must cross,
If we don't understand,
What this life is made of,
We learn the truth,
When we find that kind of love
Because when innocence is lost,
There is not faith enough,
We learn the truth,
When we find that kind of love."
The company was silent for a moment when she finished and before any of them could speak, Tala stood abruptly and, without a word, walked quickly away.
Legolas looked after her thoughtfully but made no move to follow which Haldir found slightly puzzling. If she had been his, he would have gone after her. He stared after Tala, walking back to her talen, shoulders held stiffly, back rigid. He did not notice that Legolas' attention had now turned to him.
Not long after Tala had left, the company decided that it was time to retire for the night and Legolas indicated that he would walk back among the mallorn trees with Haldir as their talens were close.
"May I offer my congratulations, Legolas?" Haldir said stiffly, after a few moments of silence.
Legolas looked puzzled. "For what, mellon nin?"
"You and the Lady Tala seem very well suited."
Legolas paused for a moment in thought and then burst into laughter. "You think that – Tala and – and I? No, no." he shook his head in merriment. "Tala is my cousin. I have known her since she was a tiny elleth. Her mother and my mother are sisters. You thought we were betrothed?"
Haldir nodded blankly, his mind racing. So they were cousins. Cousins...
"So you were the cousin that – ?"
"Yes." Legolas said sheepishly. "I was the cousin that caused her to fall almost to her death." He seemed to look inward and smiled to himself. "She has never held me responsible for her hurt and I love her all the more for that."
Legolas paused for a moment and his face became serious.
"That is the reason why I would ask just one thing of you, Haldir. I do not presume that it is any of my concern but I have seen the way that you look at her. Do not play with her affections. Her heart is - delicate." But he would say nothing more.
( That Kind of Love – Pat Bergeson and Michael Donald)
OK. So the two points Dee had trouble with were :- she thought Galadriel should have known about Tala's fear of heights. My take on that is that Galadriel – and Tala – had more important things on their mind at the time of their meeting and I'm sure Galadriel has better things to do than going rummaging around in elves' minds for tiny details of their life and psyche – you may disagree. Dee also felt that perhaps my song was a little modern, and to be honest, that was my fear too. However, the song said such a lot that I wanted Tala to say and Tolkien's elves are actually quite modern in their speech and ways – it is the films which have made them more – medieval shall we say?