AN: Welcome to chapter two of the tale of Ril and Haldir. Despite a few minor changes, this chapter appears exactly how it used to. But for those of you just joining this it won't matter, because it's better than it used to be. So enjoy!
Dearheart
Chapter Two: Love, Not So Secret
"Thank you, Elandor, for bringing Elril-Galia. It is of great importance that I speak with her."
Inwardly, Ril cringed at the sound of her full name. Outward however, she showed no emotion. Here she was, standing in front of the Lady of Lothlorien herself, where she'd never been before. She didn't know how to act. I'll just follow his lead, she thought, glancing at Elandor.
Elandor bowed. "I am honored you asked me my Lady. Now if you will kindly excuse me, Haldir has called a meeting of the Guard. I must go." With a nod of her head Galadriel dismissed the messenger. Turning to Ril, she motioned her forward. When she was standing just a few feet from the Lady, Ril gulped. I'm so nervous, she thought to herself.
"Do not be afraid," Galadriel said. "You have nothing to fear from me." She can read my mind! Ril thought. To this Galadriel only smiled. "Come child," she continued. " I wish to speak with you."
Haldir leaned against the trunk of one of the mellyrn trees, waiting for his western branch of border patrol to arrive. He had to tell them about the latest news. Orcs were never a pleasing topic, and now that they were nearing the Golden Wood, they had become an even less desirable subject. Something had to be done, and something would be. That is, if his scouts ever came. He'd sent the word out 37 minutes ago and still no one had shown up. He was getting impatient. I don't like to be kept waiting, he thought bitterly. Especially not now.
A sound off to his left caused him to turn his head. "About time you got here, Rumil," he said to his brother. "I was only waiting too long."
Rumil laughed. "Ah, I see the Marchwarden is displeased. I hope it is not too serious."
Haldir gave his brother an icy look. "Are you mocking me?"
"Not at all." With a genuine smile Rumil moved past Haldir to the clearing beyond. "Orophin should be arriving soon with the rest of the border patrol," he remarked, studying the trees above. Night was approaching quickly, coloring the leaves a brilliant silver. The remnants of the fading sun cast long shadows about the ground. Just perfect for Orcs to hide in, Haldir thought.
Rumil's voice broke the sudden chill that had come over his brother. "They arrive," he stated.
Haldir looked to the far side of the small clearing. He could barely make out the silhouette of his younger brother, Orophin, appearing through the twilight beneath the mellyrnbranches. Behind him followed the whole of the western patrol. He waited until they were all relatively within the clearing, then began to speak.
"It has come to my attention," he began. "That Orcs have been ravaging the lands to our south. I have been asked to reassign some of you there to strengthen the borderland. I want all of the senior wardens and a third of our best archers to meet me here tomorrow. We leave at dawn. Understood?"
The whole Company nodded in unison. "Understood."
"Good." Haldir turned and walked into the now pitch-black shadows.
"You never did go for the subtle way, did you?"
Haldir tensed. Then, after a few seconds, he began to see the outline of an Elf in front of him.
"Did I scare you?" the voice said again. Haldir quickly regained his composure and glared.
"No, but next time think about who you ambush, Elandor. I could have shot you. Now, what do you want?"
Elandor, now in clear focus, stepped forward. "I want you to explain to me why there have been so many threats lately," he said. Haldir raised an eyebrow. Surely Elandor did not expect an answer from him!
"You should be asking Rumil that question," he replied. "I am certain you would get a much more detailed account of what is going on from him."
"Oh but you're the Marchwarden," Elandor said. "Are you telling me you do not know?" Well, yes, in fact, thought Haldir. That is exactly what I'm telling you. But he wasn't going to say that.
"I am very tired, Elandor," Haldir stated. "I wish to take some rest before tomorrow. If you are really that curious go ask Rumil." With that said, he pushed past the somewhat angered Elf in front of him and walked off into the velvety darkness of the night, beyond the reaches of the light from Caras Galadhon.
"What do you wish of me, my Lady? Why have you brought me here?" Ril looked questioningly at Galadriel. She had let them to her fabled Mirror.
"It has come to my attention," the Lady began slowly, "that you are harboring feelings for a certain Marchwarden of Lorien."
Ril gasped in shock. She knew?! Oh, how did she find out? the younger Elf thought. "How do you know this?! Y-you won't tell anyone, will you?!"
"Relax, my child," Galadriel laughed. "I will not tell a soul."
"Good." Ril breathed a sigh of relief. If her thoughts were made public, the rest of her life would be torturous, and when you're immortal, that's saying something.
"I do have some advice for you." Galadriel's voice sounded, bringing Ril back from the nightmare of eternal torment.
"What is that, Lady?" Oh my. Galadriel was giving her, Elril-Galia, the Elf with the stupidest name and weirdest personality in all of Lothlorien, advice.
"Haldir is. . .well, Haldir is Haldir. He is deeply devoted to these woods. I doubt he cares about much else. He has never know love. I think it is high time that he did, and I believe you are the perfect one to show him. But it will be hard for you, my child. It will be hard indeed to get through to him. I will tell you this: do not give up. Even when all seems hopeless, do not despair. The brightest lights shine through in the darkest hours."
Ril was astonished. She was perfect for Haldir? She was perfect for Haldir! And the Lady of Light herself had said so! "Well, th-thank you," she stammered, reverting back to her nervous state. "That was very h-helpful. May I ask a question?"
Galadriel smiled. "You may."
"Why are we by the Mirror?"
"Oh." Galadriel paused before answering. "I simply find this setting relaxing for serious discussions."
She's right, Ril thought. It's beautiful here. I'm glad she chose this spot. Galadriel's face brightened even more.
"You're doing it again," Ril stated. "That mind reading thing."
"Think nothing of it Ril," the Lady replied. "In time you will come to learn it too. All Elves learn it in one form or another, if their feelings are strong enough."
"Can Haldir? Does he know how to do it?"
"Not in the way you are thinking of. As I said before, he is deeply devoted to this forest. He can almost sense what is going on in it. But he has never made that connection with another individual before. Does that answer your question, child?"
"Yes." Now Ril understood what everyone meant when they talked about communicating without speaking. But, back to Haldir. He was leaving! What was she going to do?! "I have one more question, Lady."
"Pray tell what is it?"
"Well. . .you know he's leaving tomorrow morning, right? What can I do about that? The border is too far away to travel back and forth from. How am I to see him?"
Galadriel stood for a moment in thought. Yes, how was this going to work out? Then an idea came to her.
"Go with them."
"What?!"
"Go with them as a Borderguard in training."
"Well, I would, but don't you think it would be a little suspicious if I just showed up one day and said 'Hey! Train me!'? "
"I will tell Haldir you wish to become part of his Company. You did want that, did you not?"
"How did you- oh."
"I will tell him, and he will have no choice but to take you on. Does that sound like a plan?"
"Well, yes, but-"
"Good. Not it is very late. I suggest you take some rest." Galadriel nodded her farewell and ushered Ril up the carved stone steps leading out of the hollow.
When Ril had gone, Galadriel walked back over to the Mirror. Its empty basin gleamed up at her in the soft light. She ran a finger along its edge. "I hope you are wrong," she whispered. "For her sake. For his sake. For all our sakes. I truly hope you are wrong."