A work in Progress
Chapter 15
POV: Laingalad
By: Candyfloss
The three of us burst into laughter as the arrow swerved and embedded itself within the target to the right, taking along a bunch of Lord Glorfindel's hair.
"Haldir it seems as though you are not as good as my friends here say" I snickered as Haldir stood in shock horror. A moment later he jerked into motion and hurriedly ran over to where Lord Glorfindel was holding the arrow. I heard a few words that drifted with the wind into my ear. Glorfindel was saying something about the fletching, and that there was no problem. Just then Elladan shouted
"Haldir, shall we continue, or are you going to retreat? Surely the oh so excellent archer has not been defeated yet?"
Elrohir and I continued to giggle as Haldir departed with Glorfindel and returned to us stating.
"Unfortunately my fletchings have been tampered with, so I will have to withdraw-"
"We win!" Elladan exclaimed "We beat the so called 'best' archer in Middle Earth!"
"You did not 'beat' me, I withdrew" Haldir argued, eyeing us suspiciously
"Therefore by rule we win, so therefore we have beaten you!" Elrohir stated
"I will not hear the end of this will I?" Haldir muttered, causing the three of us to burst into fits of laughter once more.
"I doubt it very much" I replied "I wouldn't be surprised should word get to Lorien that their soon to be march warden can no longer shoot straight nor properly fletch his own arrows" He glared at me, a questioning look upon his face.
"I would have easily beaten them had my arrows not been tampered with"
"So you claim" Elladan interjected
"Remember Haldir it's not what actually happened that matters, but what people believed to have happened." I said
"Well then I trust that none will find out, for we are the only five here" That was true though I wondered if we would all keep this to ourselves
"Aye, but I'm sure Elladan and Elrohir would never pass the opportunity to gloat"
"But you...." Elladan trailed off, for a moment there if Haldir had been looking, he would have seen the distinct tell, tell sign on my face, which would have given me away.
"But I have to go now" I insisted and went to hug the twins good bye, and then headed for the kitchen.
After having snaked on some bread I was called home by my Ada.
Once again I entered my Ada's study, a feeling of nausea came over me. This place so far was a bad omen to me.
"You wished to speak with me?" I asked closing the door behind me
"I will reach straight to the point, iell daughter. It has been decided that you will be leaving your home here for Lothlorien in two weeks" The feeling of nausea from the pit of my stomach began making its way up as this fact was thrown at me. I knew I would be moving, but so soon! Too soon!!
"Two weeks? Why must I leave in 2 weeks? For what purpose is there to leave in two weeks?" I asked, racing to find the answers to so many questions that rushed through into my head.
"Haldir has responsibilities not to be delayed any further than necessary" adar replied, scratching something with his quill onto the parchment, laid out before him.
"Delayed? He has hardly been here for more then a month! And now suddenly I have to leave for the likes of him?" I said in an outrage. Once again I had spoken out of place.
"Get use to the idea of sacrificing to your husbands needs. You have your whole lifetime to perfect this" I could yell that at the current moment he was preoccupied, yet he had cast aside he's time for me. I was grateful for this, yet the whole marriage arrangement.......... that was just getting to my head. It had unbalanced my life; from the moment I was acknowledged, it had started to eat away at my usual way of living.
"Nay I refuse to leave" I replied, still standing in front of the door. I was being a stubborn brat now, but I was a desperate stubborn brat.
"Nay, I refuse to debate he issue anymore. You knew full well that your home in Lorien was soon to come, but still you show no effort or preparation for it. What holds you here so strong, but attracts you so little to a new life with Haldir?"
The only reason I hadn't prepared was because I didn't want to go, nor did I know I was to be going this early.
"I knew I would have to move, but this soon is a shock for me. Adar can't you see everything about Imladris olds me from moving on. Especially you and Nana, you are the last people I would wish to leave" I was moaning, you could tell how desperate I was getting. I really cannot put into words how much I wanted to stay.
"You speak as if you can never return. Our door is always open to you and always shall be. But understand your new home now lies in Lothlorien" He was right of course, he always was. Though I was determined to fight for what I felt was right.
"The doors may be open, but as what? I wish not to be a guest in my own home. For Imladris shall always be home to my heart, I know no other way of living"
"Fortunately for you, there is an opportunity to learn a new life right in front of you" Ada replied, folding the parchment up and sealing it within an envelope.
Spitefully I said "Let me guess, I have no choice on whether or not to take this path, just as you have forced marriage upon me, am I merely a puppet?"
"Call yourself what you will. I see this union as an advantage on both counts, in time you shall see it too"
"In time I have come to see nothing, bar how much you seem to want rid of me. Answer me this Adar, why are things so rushed? Should not a usual marriage take more then a year to organise? When do you plan to give me away? Next week perhaps?" I asked bitterly, it was all getting on top of me again.
"You immaturity grates my patience thin. This is no ordinary marriage proposal..." why? What was so special about it, bar it being arranged to an elf I've never met before till last month?
"...as you well know, but the casual life style you lead here lacks responsibilities that you are fully capable of carrying, with both arms." So I can cook, it's not like I liked it, nor was I all to good at it. I can clean, but can't anyone? What else lay ahead of me?
"Do you feel it so?" I asked, because at current moment I doubted myself.
"I fell it greatly" Ada replied in a much calmer tone. He felt I could do it.... So why can't I? These few words touched me greatly, and lit a little bit of confidence within me.
"Very well, I shall not question your judgement any further, good evening ada" I left the room, closing the door quietly behind me as if not to disturb my Ada working. The next few days' arrangements for moving my belongings ahead of me were decided upon. I brushed it aside and left my mother with the responsibility of moving my less personal belongings. No doubt she had packed useless things that I have no use for.
This particular morning I felt the urge to catch up with my reading, which I had badly neglected since the arrival of Haldir. Not only had I neglected my reading, but I had also put on hold my practice of self-defence, and flute lessons.
I randomly picked up a few books from the shelf ad started to read. Only after a few pages did I notice I was reading "Earendil: his rise and fall" Ignoring this fact I continued reading. This particular book was about how our brightest star Earendil came to be. I was a third of the way through when the book was snatched from my hands.
"Reading are we? Will wonders never cease!" The familiar voice of Elrohir said, as I turned round to be greeted by my best friends.
"Well she does have to catch up. Lothlorien being so full of contemplation and thinking" I sighed, propping my elbow upon the table I rested my head on my hand and listened to the twins jest.
Elrohir added, "What ever will she think of" He tapped my head gently, causing me to glance upwards "It's empty! And I fear that even the healers in Caras Galadhon can heal such an ailment"
"Very funny, now will you return my book?" I replied, glaring at the book still in Elrohir's hand.
"Nay, we have come to talk with you" Elladan stated.
For some reason I already knew what they wanted to talk to me about.
"If it is about my leaving then you might as well quit whilst you're ahead. I don't want to talk about the subject"
"Running away never solved anything," Elrohir said, placing the book back onto the table.
"And you're not one to run away when you encounter a problem you combat it head on" Elladan added
Well I'll take it he's forgotten I didn't always face my problems.
"Though I wouldn't suggest physical violence against Haldir" Elrohir warned with a tone of amusement in he's voice
"Physical violence?" I asked a grin formed upon my face at the thought, only to be wiped away be the fact he was much stronger then me "Me? Never, and who's running? Can't I enjoy a bit of light reading without being accused of running from my problems? I'm simply brushing them away for the time being" I finished, reaching across the table for my book.
"And I'm sure" Elrohir glanced at the book in my hand "Earendil his rise and fall is light reading"
Elladan then picked up the other book that I had chosen from the oak table.
"As is weapons of the first age. What are you doing? Planning an armed escape to Valinor?" He asked eyebrows raised. I suddenly realised that in my sub-conscious I had picked such books. This did not look quite amusing and the idea isn't such a bad one. Valinor would be the perfect place to go. And I could get away from Haldir and this marriage. Typical I did not know the way, nor do I think any escort of elves would take me.
"No, I'm being fascinated by history, nothing more, nothing less" I blurted in a desperate attempt for an excuse.
"Stop deluding yourself, as an elfling you ran from you tutor during history lessons..."Yeah and I wasn't the only one ".... escaping this 'problem' will by no means stop it from happening. You need to start packing, planning what you wish to leave behind"
I glared at them and replied, "Yes well top of my list will be you two. And as for the rest of my things they've already been packed, my naneth took the liberty of seeing to that" I opened my book and was just about to continue reading when Elladan interrupted me.
"And I'm sure you want to take trunks of dresses. We know you! You'll pine for some tunics or plain dresses as soon as you arrive. Go and pack some"
"We don't mean to order you around but while you're not thinking straight the least we can do is help until you get back on your feet and think straight" Me, not thinking straight? What was I drunk of something? Seeing that they would not leave me be till I went and packed I sighed in retreat, picked up the books and replaced them upon the wooden shelves.
"Very well" I answered and went in search of tunics.
I found three pairs of travelling tunics upon my search, all various shades of green. I decided that whilst I lived in Lorien I would just wear my plain comfortable dresses. Hopefully I wouldn't stand out too much.
~*~*~*~*^*~*~*~*~
With just over a week left in Rivendell, I was grateful for every second I had left. The wonderful sweet scent of flowers in the garden was more powerful then ever. Every place in the great hall brought back memories. From the lapping water of the lake upon my toes to a ride upon Celairclaur, Oh how I would come to miss this place. So many glorious memories. All flooding back. When would I return to these halls? Will I ever return? Or would I be walking out of the door never to look back? A sudden tap broke my trance. There, standing behind me in robes of deep purple was Lord Elrond. He's gentle face looking down upon mine.
"We need to talk, Laingalad" He said sitting himself down on the lush green grass
"A common phrase everyone seems to be saying to me this last week" I replied; little emotion in my voice, yet I knew Lord Elrond could sense my insecurity.
"You impending marriage is in need of much discussion, as everyone knows...How do you feel about becoming a wife?" becoming a wife? Me a wife? I never though it would happen yet here I am, to be married at whatever time that suited everyone.
"I shall fail miserably, I fear I am not ready for such responsibilities" I answered. Lord Elrond lifted a hand to my chin and turned my face to his
"It is not a natural thing, but a desire that must be present within each of the betrothed that will make a marriage last a life time" Lord Elrond said, searching with he's eyes deep into me. Feeling exposed I turned away and said
"A desire that I do not have"
"That was my fear, do you truly feel nothing for him?"
Good question...Did I really feel anything for him in the last month that I have known him? That spur of a moment within he's chamber for instant...NO that was just lust for something new. Nothing more, it had nothing to do with Haldir.
"Not an ounce, he has shown me no affection nor I him. I feel he has a heart of stone."
For some reason, Lord Elrond could always get every word out of me. It was as though my mouth was under his control.
"Then you do not know Haldir as well as you think. We, and I speak for all of us, could not trust you in the care of someone who we though was as incompetent as you feel Haldir is" Suddenly I felt like an elfling again. Lord Elrond being that fatherly figure that my own Ada refused to be; comforting me and telling me everything would be fine, and that I had nothing to be afraid off. This feeling warmed me greatly.
"I did not say he was incompetent, more on the terms of myself, though he is haughty, arrogant and egotistical from what I have heard and seen." There goes my mouth again, I swear it had a mind of it's own. I never did know when to shut up. Good thing Lord Elrond had a sense of humour, for he began to laugh.
"That can sometimes be very true. I am in complete understanding of your reservations and frustration, but have faith in our choice of suitor, if not, have faith in the hope you can be happy in you match" he chuckled. I glanced at the blue sky then back to the flowers and replied.
"Faith is something that I have ran low on, one can only hope" I sighed
"As I hope for you the happy future I know you can have" What was this? Lord Elrond has said he wished for me that happy future he 'Knows I will have? When most elves said this you would automatically dismiss it, yet with Lord Elrond you would have second thoughts upon the matter, for you see the Lord has second sight. Being the elf that I am, I had to be sure, accusations could lead too a big mess, which usually means trouble. With only a week left, I'd rather stay in Ada's good book
"Lord Elrond, what have you seen of my future?" I asked. He looked at me, a mischievous glint in he's eyes and answered "The answer to that question shall be told to you in time" I knew he would never tell me, conversation with the Lord were never straight forward.
"Ah...yes time is always of the essence. Stories it can tell and stories it has yet to tell. And I can dare say you know what is to become of me"
"I do, and have made an approval of your marriage. Does that not ease you?" For some reason it did, the thought that I would not spend and eternity miserably did lighten my heart.
"A little" I replied
"Go child, you will find no resolve here" Once again I was being moved from a place, where I had found solace and peaceful contemplation. For the second time this week, all I waned to do was appreciate it and keep the view memory locked forever. Was that so wrong?
"Very well good evening to you my Lord" I said standing up, and leaving Lord Elrond still sitting on the grass. I curtsied as taught by my parent's and turned to leave.
A talk with the Lord always did help; he held so much wisdom and knowledge.
~*~*~*~*^*~*~*~*~
In the many times I saw Haldir he was either flocked by maidens or locked in conversation. I did not stop to talk to him, nor did I wait for him to talk to me. I just carried about my business. Picking up a thing here and there, packing things I would suddenly have the urge to take. Many times did I go riding this afternoon Elladan and Elrohir had invited me to go on one last ride with them.
I pulled on my soft blue tunic, and headed towards their wing. The door was opened, and I was told to wait in the living room seeing as they had not returned from wherever they had gone. I was just sitting there, randomly staring out the window when lady Arwen came into the room. She was about to walk straight out until she saw it was I and turned back round.
"Laingalad, may I converse with you for a moment?" She asked sitting herself down upon the chair directly opposite me.
"Yes hiril nin my lady, it would be a pleasure to converse with you on such a splendid afternoon" I replied knowing that it would be extremely rude for me to decline
"I believe you are having problems
"I am?" I asked in surprise, since when did the lady care about my well-being? Hmm....she is up to something
"With Haldir. I know that you have not had a very good start but he's loyal, kind and noble, he will make a good husband" I knew it, it was too good to be true, she didn't care, she simply wanted to move me along as does everyone else.
"Not a very good start? There was hardly anything there to start with. I have not spoken to him since out betrothal ceremony. And as he is your friend I shall say no more of your opinions of him. For they are your own not mine"
Now that was a lie, I had spoken to him on the archery ranges, but well Arwen did not need to know that. She sighed in response and replied
"I know you do not like me...." Now there's an interesting point to observe "...No, do not deny it, you only put up with me because of my brothers..." Then why am I still here? Your brothers are definitely not going to turn up anytime soon ".... But Haldir is a good elf, he will make a good husband, he will look after you" So she keeps telling me. Why doesn't she marry him then! Would most certainly save me everyone a lot of trouble.
"I doubt he can look after himself let alone me" and as I expected she countered my response.
"He wouldn't be put in charge of a quarter of Lorien if he was incapable of looking after himself. If you just accept the situation everything would become so much easier" Well she had logics, I'd give her that...I wonder what she would have done in my position.... Then again she's not me.
"Looking after a quarter of Lorien guards, who are trained to obey and follow his orders is one thing. Looking after a solitary person who he has no control over is a different matter," I stated
"Then you have decided to be difficult. If you go into this marriage with that state of mind you have no hope of getting anything out of it" At this point I just wished the twins would come and end me of this torture, though it was not to be, so I replied
"What would I want from something that I have been forced into? I have everything I want here. Yet no one seems to care about what I want and Haldir is no different"
I was getting agitated now and so was she for she replied
"That is where you are terribly wrong! He is different, he is a gentle elf, he perceives pain and he will comfort you. He may have a facade of a hardened warrior but he has a heart of gold"
I raised my eyebrows automatically, for how much longer could she possibly g on about her version of Haldir? I was entitled to my own opinions as well, you know.
"Heart of gold?" I questioned breaking into laughter.
"More like a heart of stone from what I've heard and seen where was this heart of Gold when he was with all these other elleths. Look at the mess he's left Cerina in. What elf with a heart of gold could do that?" I asked she was clearly not amused for she wore this hideous expression on her face.
"You know little of what you presume to know much. Cerina is a parasite; she is lust driven and thinks neither of her actions nor their consequences. Haldir has tried to let her down gently with her dignity tack but by Eru! She will not have any of it. She continues her hopeless endeavour but nothing will come of it" At this reply my mind flashed back to the scene upon the stable floor, and what Haldir's idea of 'fun' was. What elf would say that? I was just about to tell Lady Arwen this, when I decided against it. I had offended her friend and it would be inappropriate of me to tell her this. I simply said, "I apologise my lady it was out of place for me to insult your companion in such a way" And with that I left for the stables; I decided it would be best to wait for them here.
~*~*~*~*^*~*~*~*~
It had come; my last night in what has been my home for the last 1200 years of my life. So here ends this stage. I had been sitting in a tree for the last three hours. A weeping willow to be precise. Pretty ironic when you think about it, seeing that it was exactly what I was doing. The tree stood at the edge of the lake where I had first dunked Haldir in. Now it was my turn to be dunked. I had sat there; tears silently rolling down my face half the time, glittering in the moonlight before it hit the lake below. My last night and here I was, spending it up a tree Staring at the elenath and Ithil. stars and moon
When I had stopped my flood of emotions I began to climb down, hopefully in the dark; especially at this hour; no one would have seen me.
Clearing my face with water from the still lake I headed for home. As I expected, everyone was asleep. I should be too, having an early morning tomorrow and all. I opened my bedroom door and was blinded from the light within; it took me a few seconds to adjust to it. It was then that I saw my nana, in her party dress. She was sitting there...smiling at me.
"Nana...is there something you wish to talk to me about?" I asked entering the room and closing the door behind me.
"Talk about? Nay! Celebrate! It has been long since I have had such happy news. I have been blessed with such a lucky offspring!"
By Eru she was full of enthusiasm tonight. I really was in no mood for this.
"Nana, I wish to retire for the evening, so I kindly ask you to spare me the celebration" I replied taking my cloak and hung it within the wardrobe.
"Spare you? But this is your time to feel the joys of becoming a wife and lover to one of the most sought after elves of your time"
I sighed and rolled my eyes, did I seriously look like I was up to celebrating?
"Yes nana, so you keep telling me, could we not do this in the morning? I asked pulling my travelling tunic from the wardrobe and hung it on a peg, ready for tomorrow
"You are luck I must admit, but your spirit lacks the thrust for life my child, you are young and should take hold upon every happy opportunity given. Especially when you are given praise and celebration" It was clear that she would not let me be till I joined this 'celebration' of hers so I replied dryly
"Very well, how do you wish to 'celebrate'?" You should have seen her face, it was lit up with joy and a certain glow emitted from her as she said
"I have already arranged a gathering in your honour. All the ladies of the court have been invited"
"What? I asked in horror looking around expecting them suddenly to appear "Where?"
"They are coming here, and hurry their arrival grows near. A new dress has been laid out for you on your bed"
For the first time that night I noticed the dress on my bed. In one last miserable attempt to back out of the occasion I said "nana, could I not retire and allow you and the ladies to f the court to celebrate in my honour?" I picked up the dress and winced, it was a light pink, with a terrible amount of lacing.
"I have not the time to listen to your incessant moaning, Laingalad dress you and do something with that hair of yours" and with that she left the room. I grudgingly slipped on the dress, and brushed down my hair. It was roughly under my shoulder blades now; I haven't yet decided how to do my hair this century. Perhaps I shall leave it to grow waist length then again perhaps not.
It was not way past midnight and I has lost track of time. After having many words with my nana's friends and perhaps a bit too much to drink I managed to slip into my room, resting before my big ordeal tomorrow.
A/n Well there you go all 4,633 words of that chapter, well you did say the last one was too short! So chapter 16 is the first day of their trip to Lorien, Haldir and Laingalad in the wild all on there own, what could possible happen?
Dakota: Me thinks you have an obsession with being the first reviewer it's worrying for your health, really! So was there enough Haldir bashing in this chapter? I personally thought she was being a bit harsh but then I'm never one to cross Lady Mo am I? (Was that a long enough reply m'dear Nico Ranger?)
Haldir's heart and soul: Yes poor, poor Glorfy, don't worry I'm kissing it and rubbing it better (no I don't have an obsession with a Balrog slayer *coughs*)
Sela: Thank you very much, we intend to keep this story going through the skin of ur teeth, don't you worry!
chibi: Yes we're back to uipdating weekly again (so she says) this week we are going to try and get ahead again rather then posting the newest chapter we have (does that made sense?) So…is this chapter long enough for you? I'm afraid we probably won't go any longer then this as I think Mo may have a nervous breakdown and oit's just taken 45 minutes for me to beta this chapter, which is how long I sometimes spend typing up a chapter so that's gotta be long…
PiXiE