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Chapter 18: Gone?

Ana rode with her arms wrapped around Rumil slightly frightened of the horses' movements under her. The night before she had failed to tell him, or even think, that she didn't know how to ride. "We're nearly there," he said gently over his shoulder and she nodded.

Once they stopped Rumil dismounted and helped Ana down from the horse. She adjusted her tunic and her cloak as she followed Rumil. He whistled up a tall tree and Ana watched as the horse trotted away and a ladder fell from the tree. They climbed up it and Rumil helped Ana up the last few steps of the ladder and onto the tall flet.

"Rumil, what are you doing here?" asked a familiar voice and Ana looked up. She sighed in relief and threw back the hood of her cloak. Haldir looked at her with wide eyes and slowly stood. Ana scanned him and saw his right sleeve was rolled up and a bandage applied firmly to his forearm. Ana rushed over to him and threw her arms around him. Haldir stiffened and the guards looked on with great curiosity. The feel of his Elvin armor wasn't that comfortable but right then she needed him. "Ana?" he asked and she pulled back.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm not supposed to be here, but . . ." she trailed off and gently touched the bandage on his arm as her eyes looked at it. She then turned her eyes to his and his eyebrows were scrunched and looked at her confused. "I felt this," she whispered in Westron. Haldir's frown left his face and his eyes went wide once more. "I could even feel your blood trickle from your arm." He put his left hand on her upper arm.

"What?" he asked quietly back in Westron.

"I could feel it, the burn, the blood, everything but the true pain of it."

"Did you speak with Lady Galadriel about it?" he asked and she shook her head.

"No, I asked Rumil to bring me out here, to check and make sure you were alright. I couldn't rest and ended up pacing the floor all night waiting for the sun to rise because he wouldn't bring me here until the morning." Haldir sighed and looked up at Rumil who was looking sheepish under his brother's glare.

"It is too dangerous for you to be here. There was an orc attack last eve," Haldir said switching back to Elvish and looked down at Ana. "Rumil should have known better than to bring you. It is not safe." Ana took his hands into hers.

"I would have killed him and tried to find you myself if he refused me, Haldir. I can't explain it, but I just had to see you . . . I had to touch you for myself," she said in Westron knowing full well the only guard on the border that knew Westron well enough was Haldir. He gave her a small smile and removed his left hand from hers and held her face gently.

"I am fine," he said softly and for some reason Ana felt tears come to her eyes as she nodded. He could see the weariness in her eyes and the tears that had come to them. He led her into the small room on the upper level of the flet, away from the prying eyes of the guards and his brother. Once the cloth had fallen over the doorway Ana launched herself in his arms once more. "Ana, I promise you I am fine," he said as he ran his hand through her unbound hair.

"I know, but I don't understand this," she whispered. Haldir kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes as he rested his head on hers as he held her gently.

"Nor do I, but I am certain that Lady Galadriel may have some insight into this . . . bond we seem to have." Ana nodded. "I do not think it is wise for you to terry here much longer," he said after a moment. Ana pulled back and looked up at him.

"I know, but . . ." she trailed off and Haldir ran his fingers down her cheek. "But I do not want to go. What if you get hurt again?" she asked. Haldir sighed as he pushed her hair from her face.

"I promise I will be careful." He smirked and Ana frowned causing his smile to slowly leave his face. "Ana, do not worry so much. Go back to the city and speak with Lady Galadriel. She is wiser than any other." She nodded slowly. The images from her dream all those nights ago still plagued her. She could still see the life leaving his eyes and for some unknown reason, fear filled her every time and she did not want to leave him but he was right.

"We'll g-," a guard walked into the cabin and Ana stopped and turned to look at the guard as Haldir did the same.

"Marchwarden, another smaller band of orcs approaches," he said quickly. Haldir cursed quietly and nodded.

"Take positions," Haldir said. The guard nodded and left quickly. Haldir put his hands on Ana's shoulders.

"Do not leave this room, do you hear me?" he asked her. Ana nodded and Haldir let go of her and made to step from the room. However, before he left Ana grabbed his hand and stopped him. He looked down at her and she kissed him soundly. Haldir stiffened and slowly closed his eyes after a moment and she pulled away.

"Be careful," she whispered. Haldir opened his eyes and looked down at her.

"Always," he said quietly before he pecked her lips and left the room. Ana wrapped her arms around her middle and looked around the small room. There was a cot, a chair, and a small table where a wash basin sat as well as a larger table with several papers spread out across it. Ana sighed and sat down on the chair. She closed her eyes tightly and sent up a silent prayer that all of them would be alright.

One of the orcs sniffed into the air and a smirk made its way across his slimy face. "She's close, I can smell her," he said slowly and they picked up their pace one to come under a shower of white feather arrows.

Rumil moved into the cabin and Ana stood. "The orcs have been defeated, but we must go now. Haldir is livid enough with me for bringing you here in the first place," he said as he took her hand and led her from the room. She followed him but before he could take her down the ladder she turned to look at Haldir who was looking at several other ellons who were nodding. "Come on Ana," Rumil said. Haldir looked at her then and she gave him a long look. He smiled at her and she returned it before she followed Rumil down the ladder, however, the guards failed in one way.

Rumil no more planted his feet when something struck his head and he crumpled to the floor. Ana put her feet on the ground and turned around and expected to see Rumil only to come face to face with a dirty man with missing teeth and two others behind him. Ana made to scream until she too was knocked unconscious.

Haldir felt a sting to his head and winced slightly. "Marchwarden, are you well?" Morcion asked. Haldir nodded and looked down at the forest floor and frowned. Rumil's horse was still in the distance. He quickly descended the ladder and found his brother laying unconscious. He moved quickly and kneeled next to him. He tapped his cheeks and shook his shoulder.

"Rumil?" he asked. "Rumil!" he yelled and the ellon slowly opened his eyes.

"Wh-what happened?" he asked dazed. Haldir looked around and looked at the tracks that rested in the dirt. Something was dragged away and at the falling of his heart and the pure rage that filled its place, he knew exactly what it was. It was Ana.