Disclaimer: Not mine.
Reviews:
My Arwen: Yay, you reviewed this story too! Thanx for your review.
Jade Goddess: Galadriel thinks perhaps there is a reason for Celeborns decision and that there might actually be truth to it. Plus, Celeborn is supposed to be wise and all knowing and crap so yeah. She doesn't get pissy until later.
Aramer: Your just gonna have to read to find out.
Sofasoap: Naltariel has been sheltered from most of the world because Galadriel and Celeborn don't want her to suffer the same fate as their first daughter Celebrian. So she's basically been shut away in Lorien, not travelling anywhere without a well armed escort. That's why she seems so immature.
AN: There's an important note at the end of this chapter. Please read it and give me your thoughts.
She awoke suddenly, the tree was speaking urgently of foul elves and tree cutters. She froze and listened hard but could hear no sound. She thought of just ignoring the trees warning when she remembered their urgent calls last time.
She dropped silently to the ground and pressed her ear to the ground. Sure enough, heavy steps could be heard off to the West. She stood and looked around helplessly wondering what to do when a figure moved quietly in the dark not too far off from where she stood.
She froze, thinking for a moment that the Orcs had been closer than she had thought when he came cautiously towards her. "Are you alright? Did you fall from the tree?" It was a Man. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Orcs are moving silently through the night to the West. They are coming this way." She said quickly, her keen eyes looking off to the West to see if she could find the Orcs.
"How do you know?" He asked suspiciously.
"The trees and the earth told me. Now go! Sound an alarm or whatever your people must do. They seem to be maybe a twenty minute march away at the pace they were going." She pleaded.
The man ran off to the rest of the camp leaving her alone in the dark. She reached for the tree and leapt up into its branches, huddling silently in the warmth of her blanket. She shivered, but not from cold as she looked out to the West. She could see the slow moving masses of the Orcs. She could not tell their number in that light, but there seemed like many. The whinny of a horse at the foot of the tree startled her.
"Lady Naltariel? Are you up there." It was Eomer.
"Yes. I can see them now. It looks like a large number." She whispered.
"Come down. My men are prepared, now all we need to do is flee. I do not want you injured in this battle." Eomer whispered.
"Flee?" She asked, coming down onto the lower branches wrapped in her blanket.
"Me and you. I'm afraid I could not find your Vaiwa so we will have to ride double. Come quickly now. They are near." Eomer said, his arms reaching up to take her from the tree. He placed her gently int he saddle before her and they galloped away, both south and east of where the rest of his men were.
Naltariel shifted uncomfortably in the saddle, not used to it as they fled. "Should you not be fighting with your men?"
Eomer shook his head. "It wont be too hard of a battle. The Orcs are unmounted and weary and still only half our number."Naltariel nodded and leaned back against Eomers chest listening to the dull thud of the horses hoofs across the ground.
Haldir stood dumbfounded as he read the note over again and again. Do not despair, I ride not to Rivendell. I ride with the Men who rescued me, we have yet to work out further details. You must not show this to anyone. I will send you word when next I can. He read. Love Naltariel.
She rode with Men! His face paled and his heart was filled with worry and foreboding. Few Men could be trusted with the beauty of the Elves, Eomer was but one of a hundred Men she would be in the company of. They would not all be of the young lords valour.
Lorien was in an uproar again at the second disappearance of their princess. Many were cursing the Men, accusing them of kidnapping her from her home once more. Lord Celeborn had sent out all of his messengers, both eagles and deer, in all directions in search of her yet none had come back with any assertion of her whereabouts. Lady Galadriel had closed herself away in her chambers when she heard the news and she had not yet come out.
"Haldir!" Celeborns angry voice called from the other side of the door. He had yet to be punished for his "blatant advantage taking" of Naltariel. He stuffed the letter into his pocket and quickly went to open the door for the Lord of the Golden Wood.
"My Lord." Haldir said, bowing slightly.
"Gather our warriors. An eagle saw her riding with the Men of Rohan. I unname him Elf-friend and curse his name!" The Lord yelled. "The audacity they have to kidnap my daughter after returning her!"
Haldir stayed silent for a moment before carefully choosing his words. "My Lord . . . perhaps she wished to go with the Men of Rohan. She was . . . very upset when you announced her marriage."
"You say she would go with Men willingly?" Celeborn demanded. "We have taught her better than that!"
"She told me she mistook one of the Men, Eomer, as a Vala. She . . . she trusts him." Haldir said quietly.
"A Man for a Vala!" Celeborn cried in disbelief. "Then he is taking advantage over her even more than you! Gather the warriors."
"I wont." Haldir said bravely. Celeborn turned his cold grey eyes on him. "I believe she is seeking happiness, and I believe Eomer will protect her and let her go should she wish it. To raise arms against Rohan will do nothing but gain the mockery of Mordor. Which is more important, My Lord, the survival of all that is fair in Middle-Earth or binding your daughter unhappily to Lord Lathun?"
Celeborn glared at him and stormed from the room, leaving Haldir standing in silence. He let out a breath he had not realized he had been holding and plopped down onto his bed. Moments later a light knock sounded on his door.
"Who is it?" He asked tiredly.
"Your brothers." Two voices said in unison.
"It's unlocked." Haldir called and moments later both Orophin and Rumil stood before him with worried expressions.
"Elye yeta rucima." (You look terrible) Rumil said softly.
"You would too." Haldir muttered laying back on the bed.
"Has she sent you word?" Orophin asked, Haldir stayed silent. "What did she say?"
"Autas mas selmarya" (She left by her own will) He muttered. The two brothers sighed and leaned against the wall.
"Ar?" (And) Rumil asked. "Nar elye ana lelya anarya?" (Are you to go to her)
Haldir shook his head. The brothers looked sadly upon Haldir, they had known of his feelings for Naltariel for many years now. They had been the first he had told of it and had also suspected for many years before Haldir confessed. They had all grown up together as children, Haldir was older than her by some years, but Rumil and Orophin were the same age as she. Now they didn't know when she was to return or if she was alright and they all worried deeply for her.
Naltariel suddenly awoke, all was silent around her except for the soft sound of breathing close to her ear. She was laying in Eomer's arms and they had both apparently fallen asleep. She shifted slightly, they were in a cave and she could feel no life around her, it made her uncomfortable. She longed to get up but his arms were wrapped tight around her and she would not be able to without waking him.
She sighed and relaxed, she would have to wait to go look at the stars above. Though uncomfortable within the cave, she felt altogether safe in the arms of this Man. She mused silently on this when she suddenly she saw the angry grey eyes of her father in her mind.
"War will be upon them if they do not return you." He said angrily.
"War is upon them already. The forces of Lorien would be but a drop in a lake. Would you risk the lives of your soldiers to gain the laughter of Mordor? Or do you openly join the Dark Lords side?" She demanded. "I am staying where I am."
The voice of her father was silent after that and she smiled slightly. Perhaps that would be the worst she would have to face from him. She would not return to be sent away to Rivendell to wed Lathun.
An hour later Eomer awoke he smiled sleepily at her. "How did you sleep?" He asked, letting go of her.
"Not well." She answered. "No life filters through this rock, it makes me uneasy." He apologized quietly as he stretched. "My father knows where I am." She revealed.
He stared at her in shock for a moment. "And what are his plans? Is he sending an army to recapture you?" He asked quickly.
"I do not believe so." She answered."He is angry, but I don't think he will attack an enemy of the Dark Lord. Mordor would laugh and his allies would grow few."
The rest of the Men arrived an hour later, bringing Vaiwa with them, they were exhausted but they had lost none in the fray, though a few were injured. The slid from the back of their horses and rolled out their sleeping mats without even asking consent from Eomer. If he wished to ride on he could, but he would be alone.
Fortunately Eomer did not plan on riding on, he congratulated his men each personally. It took him quite some time for as he congratulated he also spoke with and listened to the tales of the battle.
Naltariel sat silently near a tree, her back resting against it and her eyes were closed, listening to the song of the gentle breeze. A bird chirped above her head and she looked up to see of what breed. It was a sparrow, her own favorite messengers. An idea came to her and she unclasped the pendant around her neck. Estelara glittered brightly in the light of the sun. The Evenstar was silver and diamond, Estelara was of the same design but of gold and amber.
The sparrow came and perched on the ground next to her without conflict and waited patiently. She carefully wrapped the chain around the birds neck, "Haldir o Lothlorien." She whispered. The bird cocked it's head to the side and gave a little chirp then lifted its small body into the air and flew away north.
"What was that?" She heard Eomer ask from behind her.
"A gift for Haldir." She said quietly.
"Will he wear it?" Eomer asked in doubt.
"You find it odd that Elven men wear jewels?" She asked.
"Well, it was a rather feminine jewel." He conceded.
Naltariel laughed lightly. "It is a token of love." She said. "There are only two jewels like the one have I sent to Haldir. The Evenstar is around Aragorn son of Arathorn's neck and the Estelara will soon be around Haldir's."
"What are they? And what does Estelara mean?" Eomer asked quietly, sitting down next to her.
"They are . . . perhaps enchanted jewels. No one truly knows what power they posses though. Arwen Undomiel is the Evenstar of our people, she gave the pendant to Aragorn when he set out from Rivendell. Estelara, means Morning Hope in my tongue. She is the evening and I am the morn, as my mother was before me." Naltariel explained slowly, her mind flowing back to the beauty of Lorien and Rivendell.
"Tis a romantic tale." Eomer nodded.
Naltariel laughed sadly, "Tis more of a tragic tale in the case of Arwen."
"Why?" He asked, looking at her with concern.
"The time of the Elves is long over. We are seeking the Grey Havens now to sail west across the Sea. She will have to decide whether to part with her people or with her lover. It will not be an easy choice." Naltariel said sadly.
"Could she not wait out his life then sail?" He asked.
"It is not that easy." Naltariel murmured. "Aragorn is of the blood of Numenor, he will live thrice the time of normal Men. By the time he passes the ships will all be gone and none will stay behind to bear her finally to the Elvenhome."
"It would be a arduous task indeed, to choose between love and family." Eomer replied.
TBC
AN: Okay, I am asking for your votes. I've run into a bit of writers block. But, I have a few more chapters already written which I could upload. But I don't want to just leave you where it is cause it's kinda like a huge cliffie where I'm stuck and even I don't know what's going to happen next. So heres the question, do you guys want me to upload until where I'm stuck or to leave is here until I've written more. Answer in your reviews!
Reviews:
My Arwen: Yay, you reviewed this story too! Thanx for your review.
Jade Goddess: Galadriel thinks perhaps there is a reason for Celeborns decision and that there might actually be truth to it. Plus, Celeborn is supposed to be wise and all knowing and crap so yeah. She doesn't get pissy until later.
Aramer: Your just gonna have to read to find out.
Sofasoap: Naltariel has been sheltered from most of the world because Galadriel and Celeborn don't want her to suffer the same fate as their first daughter Celebrian. So she's basically been shut away in Lorien, not travelling anywhere without a well armed escort. That's why she seems so immature.
AN: There's an important note at the end of this chapter. Please read it and give me your thoughts.
She awoke suddenly, the tree was speaking urgently of foul elves and tree cutters. She froze and listened hard but could hear no sound. She thought of just ignoring the trees warning when she remembered their urgent calls last time.
She dropped silently to the ground and pressed her ear to the ground. Sure enough, heavy steps could be heard off to the West. She stood and looked around helplessly wondering what to do when a figure moved quietly in the dark not too far off from where she stood.
She froze, thinking for a moment that the Orcs had been closer than she had thought when he came cautiously towards her. "Are you alright? Did you fall from the tree?" It was a Man. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Orcs are moving silently through the night to the West. They are coming this way." She said quickly, her keen eyes looking off to the West to see if she could find the Orcs.
"How do you know?" He asked suspiciously.
"The trees and the earth told me. Now go! Sound an alarm or whatever your people must do. They seem to be maybe a twenty minute march away at the pace they were going." She pleaded.
The man ran off to the rest of the camp leaving her alone in the dark. She reached for the tree and leapt up into its branches, huddling silently in the warmth of her blanket. She shivered, but not from cold as she looked out to the West. She could see the slow moving masses of the Orcs. She could not tell their number in that light, but there seemed like many. The whinny of a horse at the foot of the tree startled her.
"Lady Naltariel? Are you up there." It was Eomer.
"Yes. I can see them now. It looks like a large number." She whispered.
"Come down. My men are prepared, now all we need to do is flee. I do not want you injured in this battle." Eomer whispered.
"Flee?" She asked, coming down onto the lower branches wrapped in her blanket.
"Me and you. I'm afraid I could not find your Vaiwa so we will have to ride double. Come quickly now. They are near." Eomer said, his arms reaching up to take her from the tree. He placed her gently int he saddle before her and they galloped away, both south and east of where the rest of his men were.
Naltariel shifted uncomfortably in the saddle, not used to it as they fled. "Should you not be fighting with your men?"
Eomer shook his head. "It wont be too hard of a battle. The Orcs are unmounted and weary and still only half our number."Naltariel nodded and leaned back against Eomers chest listening to the dull thud of the horses hoofs across the ground.
Haldir stood dumbfounded as he read the note over again and again. Do not despair, I ride not to Rivendell. I ride with the Men who rescued me, we have yet to work out further details. You must not show this to anyone. I will send you word when next I can. He read. Love Naltariel.
She rode with Men! His face paled and his heart was filled with worry and foreboding. Few Men could be trusted with the beauty of the Elves, Eomer was but one of a hundred Men she would be in the company of. They would not all be of the young lords valour.
Lorien was in an uproar again at the second disappearance of their princess. Many were cursing the Men, accusing them of kidnapping her from her home once more. Lord Celeborn had sent out all of his messengers, both eagles and deer, in all directions in search of her yet none had come back with any assertion of her whereabouts. Lady Galadriel had closed herself away in her chambers when she heard the news and she had not yet come out.
"Haldir!" Celeborns angry voice called from the other side of the door. He had yet to be punished for his "blatant advantage taking" of Naltariel. He stuffed the letter into his pocket and quickly went to open the door for the Lord of the Golden Wood.
"My Lord." Haldir said, bowing slightly.
"Gather our warriors. An eagle saw her riding with the Men of Rohan. I unname him Elf-friend and curse his name!" The Lord yelled. "The audacity they have to kidnap my daughter after returning her!"
Haldir stayed silent for a moment before carefully choosing his words. "My Lord . . . perhaps she wished to go with the Men of Rohan. She was . . . very upset when you announced her marriage."
"You say she would go with Men willingly?" Celeborn demanded. "We have taught her better than that!"
"She told me she mistook one of the Men, Eomer, as a Vala. She . . . she trusts him." Haldir said quietly.
"A Man for a Vala!" Celeborn cried in disbelief. "Then he is taking advantage over her even more than you! Gather the warriors."
"I wont." Haldir said bravely. Celeborn turned his cold grey eyes on him. "I believe she is seeking happiness, and I believe Eomer will protect her and let her go should she wish it. To raise arms against Rohan will do nothing but gain the mockery of Mordor. Which is more important, My Lord, the survival of all that is fair in Middle-Earth or binding your daughter unhappily to Lord Lathun?"
Celeborn glared at him and stormed from the room, leaving Haldir standing in silence. He let out a breath he had not realized he had been holding and plopped down onto his bed. Moments later a light knock sounded on his door.
"Who is it?" He asked tiredly.
"Your brothers." Two voices said in unison.
"It's unlocked." Haldir called and moments later both Orophin and Rumil stood before him with worried expressions.
"Elye yeta rucima." (You look terrible) Rumil said softly.
"You would too." Haldir muttered laying back on the bed.
"Has she sent you word?" Orophin asked, Haldir stayed silent. "What did she say?"
"Autas mas selmarya" (She left by her own will) He muttered. The two brothers sighed and leaned against the wall.
"Ar?" (And) Rumil asked. "Nar elye ana lelya anarya?" (Are you to go to her)
Haldir shook his head. The brothers looked sadly upon Haldir, they had known of his feelings for Naltariel for many years now. They had been the first he had told of it and had also suspected for many years before Haldir confessed. They had all grown up together as children, Haldir was older than her by some years, but Rumil and Orophin were the same age as she. Now they didn't know when she was to return or if she was alright and they all worried deeply for her.
Naltariel suddenly awoke, all was silent around her except for the soft sound of breathing close to her ear. She was laying in Eomer's arms and they had both apparently fallen asleep. She shifted slightly, they were in a cave and she could feel no life around her, it made her uncomfortable. She longed to get up but his arms were wrapped tight around her and she would not be able to without waking him.
She sighed and relaxed, she would have to wait to go look at the stars above. Though uncomfortable within the cave, she felt altogether safe in the arms of this Man. She mused silently on this when she suddenly she saw the angry grey eyes of her father in her mind.
"War will be upon them if they do not return you." He said angrily.
"War is upon them already. The forces of Lorien would be but a drop in a lake. Would you risk the lives of your soldiers to gain the laughter of Mordor? Or do you openly join the Dark Lords side?" She demanded. "I am staying where I am."
The voice of her father was silent after that and she smiled slightly. Perhaps that would be the worst she would have to face from him. She would not return to be sent away to Rivendell to wed Lathun.
An hour later Eomer awoke he smiled sleepily at her. "How did you sleep?" He asked, letting go of her.
"Not well." She answered. "No life filters through this rock, it makes me uneasy." He apologized quietly as he stretched. "My father knows where I am." She revealed.
He stared at her in shock for a moment. "And what are his plans? Is he sending an army to recapture you?" He asked quickly.
"I do not believe so." She answered."He is angry, but I don't think he will attack an enemy of the Dark Lord. Mordor would laugh and his allies would grow few."
The rest of the Men arrived an hour later, bringing Vaiwa with them, they were exhausted but they had lost none in the fray, though a few were injured. The slid from the back of their horses and rolled out their sleeping mats without even asking consent from Eomer. If he wished to ride on he could, but he would be alone.
Fortunately Eomer did not plan on riding on, he congratulated his men each personally. It took him quite some time for as he congratulated he also spoke with and listened to the tales of the battle.
Naltariel sat silently near a tree, her back resting against it and her eyes were closed, listening to the song of the gentle breeze. A bird chirped above her head and she looked up to see of what breed. It was a sparrow, her own favorite messengers. An idea came to her and she unclasped the pendant around her neck. Estelara glittered brightly in the light of the sun. The Evenstar was silver and diamond, Estelara was of the same design but of gold and amber.
The sparrow came and perched on the ground next to her without conflict and waited patiently. She carefully wrapped the chain around the birds neck, "Haldir o Lothlorien." She whispered. The bird cocked it's head to the side and gave a little chirp then lifted its small body into the air and flew away north.
"What was that?" She heard Eomer ask from behind her.
"A gift for Haldir." She said quietly.
"Will he wear it?" Eomer asked in doubt.
"You find it odd that Elven men wear jewels?" She asked.
"Well, it was a rather feminine jewel." He conceded.
Naltariel laughed lightly. "It is a token of love." She said. "There are only two jewels like the one have I sent to Haldir. The Evenstar is around Aragorn son of Arathorn's neck and the Estelara will soon be around Haldir's."
"What are they? And what does Estelara mean?" Eomer asked quietly, sitting down next to her.
"They are . . . perhaps enchanted jewels. No one truly knows what power they posses though. Arwen Undomiel is the Evenstar of our people, she gave the pendant to Aragorn when he set out from Rivendell. Estelara, means Morning Hope in my tongue. She is the evening and I am the morn, as my mother was before me." Naltariel explained slowly, her mind flowing back to the beauty of Lorien and Rivendell.
"Tis a romantic tale." Eomer nodded.
Naltariel laughed sadly, "Tis more of a tragic tale in the case of Arwen."
"Why?" He asked, looking at her with concern.
"The time of the Elves is long over. We are seeking the Grey Havens now to sail west across the Sea. She will have to decide whether to part with her people or with her lover. It will not be an easy choice." Naltariel said sadly.
"Could she not wait out his life then sail?" He asked.
"It is not that easy." Naltariel murmured. "Aragorn is of the blood of Numenor, he will live thrice the time of normal Men. By the time he passes the ships will all be gone and none will stay behind to bear her finally to the Elvenhome."
"It would be a arduous task indeed, to choose between love and family." Eomer replied.
TBC
AN: Okay, I am asking for your votes. I've run into a bit of writers block. But, I have a few more chapters already written which I could upload. But I don't want to just leave you where it is cause it's kinda like a huge cliffie where I'm stuck and even I don't know what's going to happen next. So heres the question, do you guys want me to upload until where I'm stuck or to leave is here until I've written more. Answer in your reviews!