She Was So Normal
Meeting Haldir
Author's Note: Not much new to say. Still don't own Lord of the Rings. Still trying to balance letting the story breathe but not drag. Review and let me know what you think! Con-crit welcome, flames belong in Mount Doom. And remember- elvish in italics!
Renee saw the face of the elf in the door and wondered if that was the one she had seen before.
"Ah, Haldir. Are you to be her escort?" Aranor asked the elf in the doorway. It looked like this was the elf she saw when she awoke in the talan and she wondered how she could forget such a gorgeous face. Then again, all six elves she had seen so far had been stunning. She was feeling borderline inferior in looks at this point, but kept telling herself there was no way mere mortals can compete with elves in looks so to stop comparing herself.
Haldir nodded.
"Very good. I would release her into your charge, but it seems her shoes have not arrived yet," Aranor said.
"It may be that the cobbler is finishing them up as we speak. He was close to done when I passed by on my way over, but I did not tarry because I was told to report here immediately."
"I don't mind going barefoot for a while. I don't want to do it all day, but since there's no snow on the ground, at least none that I can see, I should be fine. Especially if they're almost done. Not that I don't like your company, Aranor, but I would like to get out into the city," Renee said.
"Very well, then. I shall be by to visit you tomorrow morning. Do not leave for the day until I have visited," Aranor said to her.
"Not a problem. I'll wait for you," Renee answered.
"Good. Then in that case, Haldir, I release Renee into your care. Do not let her stay out too late or get cold. And be certain she eats and drinks enough," Aranor instructed.
"Is she so ill or are you fussing?" Haldir asked with a grin.
"I am fussing. It is mine to fuss over whom I please and so I shall, oh Haldir. But not without cause. She awoke seemingly confused as to where she was and seems to think it possible this is all some sort of dream. She seemed to do better after some food, but I am not convinced she has wholly accepted that she is wide awake and this is no dream. Do keep an extra watchful eye on her and for that reason. In fact, I would be grateful if you stayed with her at least for tonight to make sure she is fine."
"I shall. It is a part of my orders to stay with her day and night lest she should be in need of something and have no means of obtaining it. Did you have her speak to the Lady Galadriel?" Haldir asked.
"Oh yes. I summoned her almost immediately. The Lady had expressed interest in speaking with her prior to her waking, but when the girl seemed so confused, I admit that hastened my summoning. I say girl, though she is in the full flower of womanhood."
Haldir nodded. "I was also told to give you a message – Lothril is awake and more than well. It seems there is a long story behind it. If you are curious, you can ask the Lady or Lothril herself."
"What? What do you mean she is awake? She was dead when I left her," Aranor said, looking more than sufficiently awestruck and puzzled.
"That is all I know," Haldir said. "Come, Aranor, you must introduce me to the lady I am to escort."
Arnor recovered himself and summoned Renee over. "Renee, this is Haldir, the one who caused you to sleep for three days," he said with a mirthful glance in Haldir's direction. "I think he was chosen so as to make amends for his necessary, but over-zealous actions. And Haldir, this is Renee."
"Nice to meet you," Renee said.
Haldir offered her his arm, which she accepted, and out of the house of healing they went. It wasn't until they began descending that Renee realized just how high up she was. The heights made her head swim a little, but she just clutched Haldir's arm a little tighter and said nothing. He noticed, but said no word.
He lead her down, over, and up again over stairs and bridges in the trees until they arrived at their first destination. Inside they went and were instantly greeted by the shop keeper.
"Greetings! Are the lady's shoes finished?" Haldir said.
"Yes, I finished them only a few minutes after you left. This is the guest?" the cobbler asked.
"Indeed. Her name is Renee. She does not speak elvish, so I must interpret for her." Haldir turned to Renee and said, "Your shoes are ready."
"Please, sit here while I bring them out for you to try on," the cobbler said to Renee, gesturing towards a chair.
Haldir repeated it to Renee who sat down. The cobbler disappeared into the back and returned a moment later carrying a pair of dark grey shoes. Renee thought they were very nearly ankle boots. The sides and back came up over her ankles, but the opening was tear drop shaped, exposing the front of her ankle the top third of her foot. The cobbler helped her slide them on her bare feet.
"You shall be wanting some stockings, I imagine, but until you get some, these shall keep your feet warm and comfortable," the cobbler said. "Please, get up and walk about the shop to make sure they fit you properly."
Haldir translated and Renee took the outstretched cobbler's hand and took a turn about the shop.
She grinned up at him. "They fit perfectly! I've never had a pair of shoes this comfortable!"
Haldir translated, and cobbler was very pleased to hear it. Haldir and the cobbler exchanged a few words as Renee wandered around the shop, trying out her new shoes and looking at what else he had. Most of what he had out front were things like brushes and leather laces, as well as jars that were all clearly labeled that she couldn't read. She picked one up. "I wonder what these are?" she said, more or less to herself.
"Tallow," came a reply from Haldir.
She looked up, startled. She hadn't thought they could hear her. "Oh, of course. That makes sense." She looked down at her new shoes. "Did he use any tallow on my shoes?"
Haldir translated, the cobbler answered, and Haldir translated again, "Yes. He uses it on all of his shoes. He said that's what took so long to finish yours, he was waiting for it to dry on the seams."
She nodded. "Well good. I do hate soggy feet."
"I do not think anyone enjoys them," Haldir replied with a grin. He continued his conversation with the cobbler, who laughed at something and then showed them to the door.
"Wait, don't I have to pay?" she said to Haldir. Though the moment she said it she realized that even if she did have her wallet, which she didn't, her money would have been useless anyway.
"Oh no. You are a guest of the city. The Lady understands your plight and has ordered all of your needs be met at her expense," Haldir answered.
"Oh," was all she could manage to say. A riot of emotions washed through her, ranging from shame faced humility to honored. But mostly humbled. Never had she been the recipient of such charity and now that she was, she wasn't sure how she felt about it. She needed it, without question, she had nothing in the world to call her own except a very dirty pair of jeans, a tank top, and a sweater all of which were in a laundry pile somewhere.
"Does this displease you?" Haldir asked as he led her away from the cobbler's shop.
"No, it's just that, well… I don't really know. I've never been in a position where I've had nothing before. I don't really know what to make of it."
"Hmm. It is a difficult thing," Haldir said.
"Well, I suppose all I can hope for is that I can go home before I go from being a charity case to a burden," Renee said.
"You would not be a burden. If nothing else, we could teach you a trade and you could earn your keep, if that was what you desired."
Renee smiled. He was trying to cheer her up. That was plain. And at least now she knew there was a contingency plan. She hoped it wouldn't come to that, but it was nice to know it was an option in any event. "What time is it?" she asked suddenly.
"It is afternoon, but since it is winter, night falls early."
"Oh. Where are we heading?" she asked, as they were halfway across a bridge. She suddenly noted there was the sound of voices and singing all about her, though she saw no one, and lights were twinkling amid the branches.
"We are heading in the general direction of where you shall be staying, but if you wish, I can lead you elsewhere."
"Well, I don't know where else to go. So I suppose where I'm staying is as good as anywhere. Though at some point I would like to properly meet the ones that brought me here. Not tonight though. I'm sure they're tired."
"I will be sure to arrange something. As for other places to go, there are many things to do and places to go. It is a very large city."
"That's what Aranor said. Is there a bakery between here and where I'll be staying? Or better yet, someplace to get something warm to drink?"
"Oh certainly," Haldir smiled as he lead her onward. Up, down, over, and around they went in what Renee realized was a specific direction, but since they were navigating through the tree tops, the route became somewhat circuitous. Eventually they found themselves at a place that smelled down right heavenly to Renee.
Inside it was a bakery if ever she saw one. Loaves of bread on a shelf, desserts on a counter, the smell of dough and baked goods – she almost cried, partially with joy at the familiarity of something as simple as a bakery in this exotic place, and partially because it all smelled like it was baked by angels. As she looked at the workers, she nearly thought it was.
"Are there no plain looking elves?" she thought to herself.
"Mae govannen!" An elf maid behind the counter greeted.
"Mae govannen," Haldir returned.
Somewhere in the dusty, nerdy recesses of Renee's mind she remembered that phrase and that it more or less meant welcome. So she chimed, "Mae govannen" also. Much to the delight and subtle surprise of Haldir.
"What can we get for you, both?" she asked.
"I would like a spice cake, but I do not know what the lady would like. This is Renee, by the way, the strange visitor Lady Galadriel is hosting. Pardon me while I ask her what she would like," he answered.
"Does she not speak any elvish? I'm a little out of practice with what our western kin speak, but I could get by if she knows any of that."
"No, I think she learned the greeting just now," Haldir answered. "Renee, do you know what you would like?"
"Hmm… it all looks and smells so-o-o good! How about - that one!" she said pointing to a small cake topped with nuts.
Haldir told the elf maid which one Renee wanted. "Would you like anything to drink, Renee?"
"Drink? I don't know. What are you getting?"
"I am getting their spiced honey mead. They have other meads as well as teas, if that is of any interest to you."
"Tea?" She said, perking up, "Anything sweet, spiced, and herbal?"
Haldir asked the elf maid and they had a brief conversation which resulted in Haldir looking back at Renee and saying, "They do, but she suggested with your cake that you go with their spiced cider."
"Well if you had said cider in the first place, I would have said that," Renee teased. "I'll take it."
Haldir told the elf that Renee would take the cider and then lead her over to one of the small tables.
"I feel kind of bad, you having to translate everything for me. It can't be much fun."
Haldir smiled, "I do not mind. I was just thinking how I feel badly for you, having no idea what anyone around you is saying and having to rely on someone else just to order a cider and cake."
"It's a drag," she said. Haldir looked a little confused, "I mean, it's, uh, hard but manageable. Especially since I don't have a choice in the matter. I'm sorry, I'm trying not to use too many idioms you won't understand."
"I thank you," Haldir said. "I struggle enough with this tongue as it is. I appreciate all efforts to make it easier."
"You're welcome," she said with a chuckle. They lapsed into silence for a moment. The elf maid came out with two mugs and two plates with two forks and set them down in front of them and left.
Renee cut into her nutty cake and took a bite. The second bite revealed that her cake something like a fruit and nut filling. After a few bites she took a sniff of her cider and then a very cautious sip. It was a hard cider, which generally she didn't care for, but the spices and the sweetness of whatever apples they made it out of did wonders to reduce what was in her opinion, the vinegary taste hard cider has.
"Do you like your cake and cider?" Haldir asked. He was mostly done with his spice cake.
"I do! The cake is lovely, and the cider is nice," she replied. She had another bite and sip then said, "Would you mind if I tried some of your mead? I've never had mead, and I'm very curious to know what it tastes like."
"No, but I could have ordered you one as well. You had only to ask."
"Well I don't want to waste a whole cup of it, if it turns out I don't like it."
"No trouble, if you do not like it, I will finish it for you," he said.
Her eyes narrowed. "If you do, do you promise you'll be sober enough to walk me home down all these perilously winding stairs?"
He laughed. "Certainly! They do not make their mead so strong as all that!"
"Alright then, order me some mead."
Haldir went to the counter and ordered her some mead. A moment later the elf returned and set it in front of her.
She took the cup, looked at the golden liquid inside and very slowly put it to her lips and tipped it back. She had the smallest sip, made a face that Haldir thought looked rather comical, and then took a slightly larger sip.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"It's nice! I won't be able to finish it, but it's nice," she answered.
She finished her cake, took a couple more sips of mead and then slid the cup over to Haldir who finished it off in two draughts. "I'm ready whenever you are," she said, then took a last sip of cider.
"Then let us go," he said, offering his arm to her.
The sun was gone now and Renee could better see the myriad of lights that were in the trees. They walked for a ways down stairs and across bridges, eventually crossing a very small bridge that stopped at a flet on a branch, on which stood a small structure.
It almost reminded Renee of a tree house, but far more – elegant? Sophisticated? She couldn't find the word she wanted. Elvish was closest, but not specific enough. It looked like it had no door, only an arched doorway painted white. The walls were grey and the large windows were also white trimmed and had green curtains. Lights could be seen through the curtains and the doorway. The roof reminded her of gothic architecture with its sharp arches over each of the four walls and the tall, and the high peak in the middle.
They crossed the bridge and inside Renee saw that it did have a door after all, and that there were several lanterns lit along with a small, cheery fire in a small hearth. The house was mostly the main room which contained a snug kitchen area, a table with chairs, and a couch, a bench, and two armchairs. The walls were all a soft white with hangings of various shades of green, broken up by wall mounted lamps. The floor was grey wood with rugs of various colors under the couch, chairs, and table. Off to her right was a very short hall off of which were three doors. One lead to a bedroom, the same colors as the main room, but the bed was clothed in a soft blue, and the curtains on the window were also a soft blue. Next to that was a bathroom which Renee found to be surprisingly modern. Amongst the amenities was a sink with a hand pump and a tub also furnished with a hand pump. She wondered at how this could be, and then how very long it would undoubtedly take to get water all the up from the ground at that height. Inside the third door she discovered was a very nice linen closet.
While she explored the house, Haldir had gone outside to bring more firewood inside for her, from a stack along the outside back wall of the house.
"How do you like it?" Haldir asked.
"Very well. It's a very cute little cottage!" she answered. It was about the same size as her apartment, but she would have traded her apartment for this cottage in a heartbeat.
Haldir smiled, "Very good. I do not know if you looked in the closet in your room, but inside you shall find a change of clothes and extra blankets, should you need them."
Renee thanked him and sat down on the couch and watched as he stoked the fire. He brushed off his hands and sat down in an arm chair and they watched the fire in silence for a while. Occasionally Haldir would glance at her. Her face was blank. She was thinking over the day and everything that had happened. She absentmindedly fingered the hem of her large sleeves. How long would she be here? When would she return? The idea of this being some sort of dream was fading. And in a way, it didn't matter.
As she pondered, Haldir began singing softly to himself. It was his singing that slowly drew Renee out of her thoughts and back to the present. She didn't understand what he was singing, but she found as he sang, images began forming themselves in her mind.
Suddenly her head snapped up as she realized she had been drifting off to sleep. She yawned then said, "I believe I shall go to bed now. Good night, Haldir. Shall I see you in the morning?"
He stopped his singing and said, "You shall," and then continued on with his song. She went into her room and shut the door. She opened her closet and saw another under dress and two other outer dresses, a robe or perhaps a house coat, along with (what Renee referred to as) leggings, thick stockings, and a cloak and hood. She finagled her way out of the grey outer dress and hung it in the closet. She was hoping she would somehow be able to slip it back on the next morning without having to have someone help her with it. She remained in her white under dress, put on the thick stockings, and then crawled into bed and fell almost immediately asleep with the song of Haldir in her ears.