Author's note:
Well here is a new chapter. Hope you enjoy ... I think that the spelling should be a little bit better. I had to go in for an MRI and CAT scan yesterday so depending on the test results a new chapter may be added sooner or later.
Disclaimer:
Yea .... I own .... Nothing.
Reviewers:
Haldir's Heart and Soul: Cute? Was it disappointing? It's been so long since I have written anything. I hope you weren't too disappointed. Keep reading and thanks.
Legolasndcolorblueinterestsme: Yea spelling was created by the devil to torment me, and my readers for that matter! I am so sorry I lost your interest. There had just been so much stuff going on. I hope you continue to read. I plan to keep up the work and update on a regular dating schedule.
Nevvy: LOL. I am so glad to hear back from you. Yea I like to see him in frustration mode too! Well both types of sparks will fly but mostly the 'I hate you' type. XOXO right back at ya! Well I am trying to get better. Spelling is the devil! See you next chapter!
Chapter 18: These tears we cry.
Haldir road none stop through wind and rain. He had cut the journey down to only two weeks. Soon, just as dawn was breaking, Haldir arrived at the gates of Rivendell.
"Halt." A guard's voice drifted like a whisper over the rain.
"What business do you have in Imladris?" a brown haired elf questioned as he reviled his cloaked figure.
"To see the Lady Naomie, who was brought here in need of healing." Haldir called out clearly.
The elves spoke to each other in hushed whispers then turned to the March Warden.
"We must ask your name, sir." The first elf said suspiciously.
"Haldir, March Warden of 'Lorien and Captain of Lady Galadriel's army." Haldir said assertively.
"You may pass. The Lady takes residence in the palace. You shall have to speak to Lord Elrond on the whereabouts of her." The seconded spoke.
Nodding Haldir pushed his horse towards the city. Haldir moved silently towards the council room. Elrond sat on the throne reading a book. Haldir cleared his throat making the elf lord start and look up.
"Haldir! This is a most unexpected pleasure. Come to see me or the Lady Naomie? No need to answer that for I know it..." Elrond said with a grin "... she is in the northern hall in her rooms." Elrond informed as he rose to bow to Haldir.
"How does she?" Haldir asked.
"Poor. The child has not regained any of her past strength. She can barely walk. Her heart has fallen into a deep hidden place." Elrond said in a hushed voice. Haldir looked down.
"It has been my entire fault. I should have come when I had wished." Haldir whispered.
"Indeed. I will not lie to you. If you would have come only a month ago she would ... perhaps ... be a little bit better. Not by much though." Elrond said with the raise of his eyebrow.
"Truly? I must go to her!" Haldir said overly enthusiastic.
"Yes, you must. She is in her room, in the north halls as I said. The room at the end and to the left of the first corridor." Elrond instructed.
Nodding Haldir headed down the hall. The doors to Naomie's room were massive and foreboding but Haldir did not stop to think twice as he quickly knocked on the door.
"Enter." Came a sickly soft voice.
Haldir winced at the voice, if he had not heard strait from Elrond that she was in this room, he would not believe that the voice was hers. Taking the door handle in his hands Haldir stepped into the room. His eyes searched the room and found the princess standing, with crutches (A/N I don't know if they had crutches but obviously she does.) propped up against the wall near to the window. She was looking away as Haldir stepped a little closer. Haldir stared at the lady's back. Her brown hair did not have its normal soft curl to it but hung limply down her back. She wore long robes that hung off of her figure about three sizes too big. Haldir cautiously stepped closer still to her.
"Naomie?" Haldir breathed, half afraid to see Naomie's face, knowing that it could not be as vibrant as it once was.
"You." Naomie hissed turning slowly around.
Haldir gasped and found himself stepping back as he looked on the once beautiful she elf. Now her form was almost nothing but bone. Her flawless skin was yellowed and waxy. Her bright eyes were now grey and dull; they were sunken and had great rings around them. But even in all the shambles of the princess's face ... Haldir still found himself loving her ... there was a strange beauty even now to her.
Haldir raised his hands. "I whish to speak with you." He quietly whispered stepping closer. The she elf quickly stepped away, crutches rocking dangerously.
"Don't come near me." She whispered coldly.
"I just wish to speak." Haldir said stepping back.
"You have come to speak? Now at this time? Where were you months ago? I needed you the most then! Where were you in my time of need? Where were you Haldir? Where!?" she cried with hysteria. "I died back in those woods when I realized that you were not coming to save me. I loved you and you forsake me ... and for what? Vanity"
Haldir felt sick. Her words were true.
"No. I cold not come. I was delayed." Haldir stammered.
"Be silent!" Naomie hissed.
Haldir stopped and stared at her, stunned.
"Naomie ... I ...." Haldir began but Naomie cut him off.
"Do you not understand? I don't want to listen to your lies!" Naomie snapped.
"Please. Just allow me to speak." Haldir pleaded.
She slowly nodded but added "speak quickly."
Haldir explained everything from why he could not come to her and how he had been delayed, to how he had broken orders to see her. Once he finished he looked up hopefully at her. His heart fell when he saw the look in her cold eyes.
"You lie." She whispered. "Once a deceiver at the heart ... forever may you be thought as such..." she said quietly.
"No! I would never lie to you. Naomie you know I would not. I have no reason to. I have come now. Come to say that I am so sorry." Haldir practically broke down. Not believing how the conversation was happening. This was not how it was supposed to be.
"Yes ... better late than never, as they say." Naomie whispered, a malicious sarcasm in her voice.
"Please ..." Haldir cried.
"Save your breath March Warden." She said turning.
Haldir withdrew. Using his last ditch attempt, he pulled out a small ring. It was a tiny band with one green methril (spelling?) leaf on it. Before Naomie could move any farther, Haldir grabbed her hand. Laying the ring in her palm he closed her fingers around it.
"I trust you with this. Hold on to it for me. Keep it. It is a symbol of my everlasting pleads for forgiveness."
Naomie stared at him blankly. They gazed at each other for a moment, Haldir's eyes showing pleading, Naomie's contempt. Then she slowly looked down and opened her hand. The small ring glittered. She then looked back to Haldir. She pushed her hand back to his. When Haldir would not take the ring back the she elf slowly opened her palm and turned it towards the ground. The ring slid slowly off her hand, as she spoke the ring fell to the floor with a soft tinkling of sound.
"I am sorry. I do not want it. A gift from my hearts deceiver is more of a burden than I wish to bear. Goodbye March warden." Naomie said softly as she fully turned from him.
Haldir through his arm out and clasped her shoulder, turning her with force.
"No! I have come here to say sorry. And by my life you will forgive me." Haldir growled, allowing his temper to rise.
"You can not order me. Haldir release me this instant. Go home. Go back to your whore. You seem to prefer vanity's company to mine any way." Naomie said struggling against him as she tried to maintain her balance with one of the crutches. Haldir pulled her close to himself, making the crutches clamber to the floor.
"You disgust me. How dare you. I can and will order you. You are the inferior to me. You should be thanking the heavens that I do not hit you right here and now. You push me too far my lady. I have come here to be forgiven." Haldir hissed into her shelled ear.
Haldir watched as Naomie laid her head down on his chest. There was a soft sob from her. Then without warning she hit Haldir, hard ... very hard, across the jaw, making the taller elf fall back. Naomie had no idea where she had mastered her strength to get Haldir off her but as fast as it had appeared it was gone, and she realized with a gut wrenching velocity that she had no muscle to keep herself up. She too tumbled to the floor with a crash. Haldir looked over at where she had fallen. The crumbled princess lay staring down at the wood floor trying not to scream out in pain.
"Naomie ..." Haldir whispered, moving to help her. What had he done?
"Leave Haldir. Just go." Naomie whispered still staring at the floor; her voice was haunted, quiet.
Haldir swallowed and went to say something, but turned and walked towards the doors.
"Farewell. My heart shall weep until the next I see you again, my beloved." Haldir said as he opened the doors and left.
"I am sorry Haldir. But how can I ever trust you again?" Naomie whispered with tears stinging her eyes as the doors shut with a final creak.
So was that good? I hope so. Review but no flames.