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Chapter 31: There and Back Again
Haldir sat for the remainder of his day in the garden at the very spot where Galadriel had left him. Her frightening words revolved in his ears and mind. Haldir growled in frustration. The lady had basically told him to go back to the princess, which for all he knew may have another love. The idea was preposterous. But, then again his own heart lingered and lay in that blasted child's hands.
A soft whimpering brought Haldir out of his thoughts. Turning his blue gaze to the green gate, he saw Areanil sticking her white snout through the bars and passing back and forth. Heaving a large sigh, the wolf glared at the now smiling March Warden and laid her nose through the gate and fixed him with a stare.
"Areanil, truly you are more trouble than you are worth." Haldir sighed to the tail wagging wolf. At this Areanil barked and then softly howled.
"I am coming." Haldir barked in enjoyment as he reached the gate. Opening it, all Haldir saw was a patch of white fur as he was jumped on. Haldir pushed the wolf off of himself and glared down, the wolf stared up with an expression that simply said: 'what?'
"You know, I should have let that crazy she elf turn you into a cloak. It would have been so simple, but no I had to save you." Haldir grumbled as he walked with the wolf at his heels towards his talan.
As Haldir reached his room the wolf pushed past him into his home.
"Oh yes, after you." Haldir muttered as he glanced to the door opposite his. Haldir walked into the study and glared at the wolf that lay stretched out on his black leather sofa.
"I do believe …" Haldir said with a hiss "… that the wolf belongs on the FLOOR!" he bellowed playfully as the wolf simply stared.
To counter Haldir's yell, the wolf looked at him and yawned stretching all the farther. Rolling over onto its other side so that it faced away from him, the wolf heaved a sigh. Haldir rubbed his temples and went to sit next to the white fluff ball. Haldir stared out at his home, the furniture built for one, the disheveled things everywhere. Dirty clothes piled in a corner. All his life he had been alone. It was in that solitary moment Haldir realized what the lord and lady had been trying to tell him.
Naomie stood on her balcony, her cold silver eyes scanning the mountains. The snow had gone from Imladris, but now rain replaced it. Naomie drifted to the railing and looked down into the waterfall that fell just next to her room. Her mind had dwelt on the March Warden ever since she received her aunt's letter. Moving away, Naomie took the door handle and opened it, and walked into her room. Picking up one of the letters on her desk, the princess moved back outside.
Rain pored down but a veranda on the balcony rose above her draped with ivy and moss. Naomie sat on her upholstered sofa and unwrapped the letter. Reading it for what seems close to the hundredth time:
My Dearest Child:
I hope this note finds you well. Nothing since my last letter has changed here in Lorien. How do you fare, my dear? Your uncle and I are fine. As are the two brothers you asked about. But I cannot help but wonder why you did not inquire on the third brother? If you wish to know, he fares fine as well. He was stabbed and slashed a fare few times by Vanity, but fares none the less well. He still keeps you in his heart; do you do the same for him? I believe he may come to you again. His heart hurts, as I am shore yours does as well. Naomie, do not make the same mistake you have in past. He loves you; anyone can see this, as you do him. Swallow your pride, my dear. Haldir may swallow his as well. One of you must make the first step. If you do not wish to then allow him to make it. Think of him softly until you may be rejoined again.
Warm wishes, as always,
Galadriel.
Naomie read the letter and looked up. The rain had gotten harder and her words were lost in loud thunder.
"We seem to be oceans apart, getting farther day after day. Am I slowly going insane? I can hear your voice drift softly on the wind and to my ear, but it does not stop the pain, no on the contrary, it hurts even more. Wherever you go whatever you do, I will be right here waiting for you. Whatever it takes or how my heart breaks, I will remain waiting right at this very spot for you…" at this Naomie smiled.
"I am going insane! Talking to the wind. Or someone who does not even care for you must be the definition of crazy. But all in the same … why did you have to be such … the way you were? Haldir? No …. The more proper question is why did I push you away?" Naomie asked to herself. The she elf slowly stood and walked over to the railing of the balcony.
Haldir knew what he must do as he quickly packed a traveling bag. He threw in a tunic and pants but just as he went to close the bag, Areanil jumped into it.
"You can not go." Haldir said simply. The two glared at each other for a moment but then the door opening brought them out of there staring contest.
"Haldir! There you are!" Rumil's voice was very cheerful.
"Where do you go?" Orphin asked with a raised eyebrow.
"To do something I should have a long time ago." Haldir answered.
Orphin glared and placed a hand on the bag; "do not put this on yourself!" he barked.
"No I must. Brother, although you may not like the idea, I must." Haldir said putting his hand on Orphin's shoulder.
"Good luck." Rumil said quite happily as he closed the bag and slung it into Haldir's arms, receiving a nasty glare from Orphin.
"Tell the lord and lady. I leave you two in charge, don't burn Lorien to the ground while I am gone." Haldir said quickly while fastening his red cloak over his shoulders. He took the saddle bag and nodded to his brothers.
By the time Haldir had reached the stable he was soaking wet, the rain poured down hard and his horse, Windswept, looked up annoyed at seeing his saddle ready.
"I know you don't like the rain, but you must be swift and get me to Imladris, old fried." Haldir said patting the horse on the nose and strapping the saddle on.
"I have no room! Stay here." Haldir said to the hopeful Areanil.
The horse and rider quickly flew through the stables and out into the rain, Areanil dashing behind. The moment the rain touched Windswept's skin, the horse slowed, and whinnied in annoyance.
"Hurry, stop being such a weak mule!" Haldir growled over the rain and thunder. With the last word said, Windswept snorted and charged off down the path towards the boarder. Areanil bounded behind.
By the time Haldir had reached the farthest gate of the city the rain had picked up and was now pouring down in sheets.
"Captain halt! I must know your business for leaving, and when to expect you back!" a young guard yelled down.
"Ask the lord and lady." Haldir hollered as he charged out of the gate.
The day had grown old and the last ray of sunlight hung lazily over the mountains as Haldir reached the back gate of Moria. The only question now was which path to take? He could go over the mountain, but he would run into snow and ice. But if he took the rout though the mountain he may run into something more horrid than orcs. Checking that he was fully armed, Haldir made his decision and entered the mountain, Areanil at his heels.
Haldir halted Windswept and searched around his bag. Finding what he was looking for Haldir pulled it out. A small vile filled with bright white light. The whole room was illuminated in marvelous light. Windswept snorted his distress in the room the horse found himself in.
"Aye, I agree, I am sorry old friend, let us hope we can go unnoticed down this path." Haldir whispered as he kicked Windswept forward. The two traveled faster through the echoing rooms. Haldir sat strait in the saddle as he held the rains tight in his hand. His other hand grasped the hilt of his sword. A soft whimper made both Windswept and Haldir jump. Haldir wheeled around in the saddle with his sword raised ready to strike.
Areanil stood as close to the horse's legs staring up at Haldir as if she thought he had made the wrong decision on which road to take.
"Areanil" Haldir sighed. The March Warden jumped down and pulled the wolf up into his arms, Windswept grumbled at the extra weight added to his saddle. "Are you happy?" Haldir growled as he kicked the horse into a canter.
The long journey through the dark took a full week, because the oh-so-wonderful fellowship and there great leader Gandalf had to tease the Barlog (spelling?) and break the Kazadu (Spelling?) bridge. It took Haldir a full day to find another bridge. Now he had finally gotten out and was able to look upon daylight once more. Areanil immediately jumped down and was off trampling thorough the forest. Haldir had not wanted to rest but when he had fallen asleep in the saddle, he knew it was time to. He had slept the first night in the pouring rain and now was ready to start his journey; it would only take a few hours to reach Imladris.
"Only a little further." He whispered to Windswept as they started off. The horse charged through the rain and soon came to a river. To Haldir's surprise the young princes of Imladris also stood looking for a path over the rushing waters.
"Greetings Haldir." The two yelled over the wind and rain as they met.
"Greetings, Elladan, Elrohir." Haldir said bowing his head.
"What brings you this way?" Elladan asked.
"Well is it not obvious? He comes for the lady!" Elrohir interjected before Haldir could answer.
"Is this true?" Elladan asked with his normal mischievous tone.
"Aye, it is." Haldir answered.
"Anything we can do to help you in your most noble of quests?" asked the two simultaneously.
"There is actually." Haldir said as a flash of lightning lit up the grey sky.
"What! Anything!" the two said in unison.
"This is what I need you two to do." Haldir began his last attempted plan, while handing over his horn. Nodding the three elves made there way to Imladris.
Ok, so one more chapter to go! Hope you will like the end! See you next time. Same time same place! Mwahahahahaha.
By the way, I used Richard Marx lyrics in this story, it's a bit that Naomie says on the balcony, just don't sew me, it's a pretty song.