A.N: I would like to thank the following reviewers…

Elven Script: Hmmm…my computer science teacher is a lady, so no comment there! But my chem., physics and math teachers were all men and none had beards. My chem. Teacher was bald and my math teacher and physics teacher both of them were Horrible! I don't know! And thanks for the review!

Anonymous: Thank you! I don't know where I'd be without people to encourage me!

Haldir's heart and soul: Your name has a lot to play with your reviews! I mean the mental fights that go between the two (his heart and his soul I mean. LOL)

Crecy: Yes. Getting him drunk was a bad idea! A very bad idea. But yay to Rumil and Orophin!

Anya7: the name was a mere coincidence and don't get your hopes high and thanks!

Disclaimer:

I don't own Hogwarts or Middle Earth.

Some themes in this chapter might bother some people. But please… I have tried to keep it as subtle as possible. If it disturbs you beyond thought, you can e-mail me. but I don't think it is that graphic. So…please!

Thoughts or dreams are in Italics

- Anarya of Lorien

CRYSTAL DREAMS


Chapter – 11 (Paths from memory)

Haldir's Point of view:

"Haldir…" I turned to see her smile at me as though treasuring some secret she couldn't wait to tell me. I smiled as I hugged her, entering into our home. There she stood, my Laurelin. Waiting for me everyday as I returned back home, from either a long day with the recruits or with Border posts. She placed a chaste kiss on my lips as I hugged her back.

"What is it, meleth nin?" I asked her, wondering what it was that excited my normally placid wife. She smiled as she pulled me towards the entrance and pushing me out.

"We shall go for a walk, Haldir." She said smiling. I looked at her mildly bemused.

"For a walk? What on Arda for, anyway?" I asked. Her smile grew.

"Ai Haldir! Please. Just a walk." She goaded. Then again, what was wrong with a walk? And I appreciated any excuse that would leave me with her. I smiled as I extended my hand towards her and she slipped her arm around mine. We descended the steps of our talan and were soon walking leisurely through the paths of the Golden Woods. But even before we realized, we had reached the borders. My hand stayed hers as she ventured out. She turned to look at me with her eyebrows raised.

"We cannot stray beyond the borders, Laurelin." She smiled as I said this and placed her hand over mine, as though assuring me.

"And why do I need to fear when you shall protect me?" she asked in a matter- of- factly tone. I sighed as I smiled and relented. After all this was a period of peace when no orcs attacked. We walked a little farther till we came to the last row of the majestic mallorn.

She turned and asked me to sit down. I smiled, as she blushed, unsure of what she was to say. I pulled her down with me. She yelped with surprise before quieting down beside me. I turned her to me.

"Man as?"(What is it?) I asked with as much care and concern as I could. She blushed and let her eyes go down to gaze at the ground. She then turned up to look at me. I sat there, knowing it was some great thing that she was to say and I waited. She said not a word but merely took my hand and placed it on her abdomen. I felt the heat travel through my palm as I felt her warm skin. But then I felt something else. A vibrant energy from deep within her. My eyes widened, as I finally understood what she had meant by that action. I was soon to father her child. I was to father our child. A soul for our own. My gaze questioned her that which my voice couldn't and a smile nod meant the world for me that day. I gave a loud shout of joy as I hugged her deeply. Not caring what happened next but something did happen that did matter a lot.

I felt some other presence around us as I hugged her and laughed with her about a funny future that awaited us. Orcs. My hand tightened its grip around my Laurelin as I slowly bade her stand. I silenced her from questioning me and one sight of my taut body, she comprehended my worst fear. I was armed only with my sword and Eru knew how many were there!

The attack began before I could keep Laurelin in a safe place. the numerous orcs that tried to kill us seemed to keep coming. Was killing the both of us in particular their supreme aim? I questioned myself. Then it happened…

"Run away, Laurelin! I bid you run." I shouted as I thrust my sword into another orc. His harsh cry sounding into the wind as he fell. But she stood there as though one made of stone. She was in danger. They were in danger. My family. I ran towards my love who stood there, a fair flower amidst the bloodied battleground.

"Run! Ego! Delio! No lagor, Melethen." I screamed. (Run! Go away! Hide! Hurry, my love.)

But she stood there and as though the trauma in her face was not enough, I saw from afar, a late observation. An orc rose from the ruin to smite her down. He plunged his iron sword through her abdomen. Through our future.

"NO!" I cried. She gasped as she felt the blade pass through her. Her white robe slowly staining red as her lifeblood flowed from her wounds onto the crushed Niphredil blossoms beneath her. She fell onto the ground as the orc behind her gave a harsh cry. A cry that enraged me to such an extent that my hands shivered as they held my blade. And I screamed. A warrior's scream as I rushed towards him. He turned to stare at me stupidly before I plunged my sword through him, thrusting it further and further causing him immense pain. His cry turned from one of victory to that of pain. As he fell, I sank into the ground, taking her head gently into my embrace. My bloodied hands caressing and stroking her fair face that had turned deadly pale.

"Laurelin." I whispered, holding her body close to me. She gently opened her eyes to look at me, though the light of joy and life that I had seen in them a countless times before was missing.

"Laurelin…" I whispered as tears fell down. She frowned weakly at me and slowly lifted her hands, which were, covered with red… the blood of my love as she slowly wiped my tears off. Her hands then stayed at my lips as she gently ran her hand over them, perhaps trying to etch them in her memory before I lost her forever.

"Haldir…" her voice was raspy as though each breath hurt a lot. My tears, which wouldn't stay, ran in rivulets again.

"Melin lle." She breathed as he hands fell limply to the ground. She was gone. She had left me. I was in a shock from which I didn't think I could come out of. I was aware of only one thing. She wouldn't be there anymore. I cried out as emotions coursed through my veins. Anger and sadness mixed in one overwhelming wave, hit my heart.

"LAURELIN!!" I cried, unaware of where I was or of anything around me… she had left me, forever.

I started as I rose up from bed. The sunlight that greeted me was cheerful but something was wrong somewhere. Or why else was I having a splitting headache? I looked down to see the white satiny sheet that was my coverlet lying pooled near my abdomen and I wasn't wearing anything, not my way of sleeping. I looked to my left and for another time that morning, I felt shocked beyond tale.

Anya was sleeping, curled as though she was a child and she seemed just that vulnerable. Eru! Let it not be true! I got up from my bed and got dressed. This was not happening. And if what if my fears were true? How would I face her? I shuddered at the thought. but just as I was about to step out of the room, I turned back to see her sleep ever so peacefully and for a moment, I saw her hair glimmer in the gentle sunlight as Anor climbed her way to the high mountains and for a moment, there lay my Laurelin. I did not know what drove me back to kneel next to her. She seemed sound asleep and one look at her face and anyone could have told, she had slept crying. I felt my heart prick uneasily with guilt as I noted the dried trails that her tears had taken down her cheeks.

I placed a small kiss on her forehead and stood up.

"Forgive me." I whispered and was about to turn when I saw her face smile. My heart stopped as I saw her do that. But then she turned around to show me her back. And I knew she was probably dreaming. I had to meet the Lady. She would know what was to be done and as of late, my entire world seemed to get even more complex and at the present, I had to stay away from her. I dreaded the time when she would wake up… I sighed as I walked out of my talan and descended the steps to walk straight into the Lord of the Golden Woods.


Celeborn's Point of view:

She was right. I could see my March Warden walk my way even before he had raised his head to know that I was there, waiting for him. His face held confusion and guilt and for what? I knew the answer and it was time I confronted him with it. It had been a very dreadful shock to everyone in Lothlorien to learn that Laurelin had died. But the shock what we felt seemed to be a mere echo of what Haldir held deep in his heart, hiding his feelings from all of us …from himself. I smiled benignly when Haldir looked up.

"Mae govannen, Haldir." I said smiling at this elf who seemed like an elfling trying to hide some great mischief. He was startled for a moment. But he did bow at last.

"Mae govannen, milord." He said, formally bowing down before me. I nodded my head and walked a little closer. He looked at me astonished but then smiled on seeing my face, like a countless times before. I placed my hand onto his shoulder. He looked at it. Was it yearning or happiness in his eyes, even I couldn't fathom.

"Haldir," I began. He nodded his head. Words seemed unnecessary when he talked to me. his every action seemed to convey a lot of things, a lot of emotions. All it took was a observing mind.

"Do you know, your father was a wonderful friend of mine." He looked up as I mentioned his father. The former March Warden. He who had died to save these woods that he loved. He nodded his head.

"He died when you brother Rumil was merely two years old, I presume?" he nodded his head again. Good he was with me. My hold on his shoulder tightened a little bit.

"And you mother," he closed his eyes. It was a strange fact that when elves could be so strong in all matters, they would easily falter when the heart is involved. He shook his head and turned away.

"She dwells happily in Aman. It is what she would desire. She was an elf. Her heart is not as strong as Mortals. Is it?" he asked me, trapping me between two people I admired the most. I smiled a little at how Haldir had grown accepting all that was offered to him.

"And you have no grudges?" I asked, knowing what answer I would get.

"If she were to stay here, then she would die of a broken heart. Then is it not better for her to stay near the halls of Mandos knowing that one day, father would come back?" I nodded my head. Sometimes, I forgot how wise my March Warden could become. Then I decided, it was time to move on to more pressing matters.

"Then, it would be a pity if the son of such illustrious a warrior was to fall into the ways of guilt and concealment." His eyes widened for a moment as he turned to look at me, surprised no doubt!

"Milord?" I smiled again. All right! Not that wise after all. I walked a little closer to him.

"I talk of yesterday night, Haldir." His eyes roved over mine as though asking for a clue. And who was I to deny my March Warden the clue he rightly deserves? After all! This was the play of The One.

"Galadriel and I, both of us know what happened last night." I said in a simple tone. But the message I required to convey was indeed conveyed.

"Even now, you hide from the truth, Haldir. I can see it." He looked up at me, guilt clearly etched in his features.

"I was drunk. I didn't know." He relied weakly. I smiled sadly as he shook my head.

"And does that change the outcome?" I asked, knowing I had him where I wanted him. He was silent for a while before shaking his head in answer to my question.

"Then, it is time you relieve yourself from this self-denial." He turned to look at me squarely. For a moment, I flustered. His gaze was intent. I pitied the mortal who was housed with this enigma of an elf. If his gaze was the same as he now had, then even the most bravest of souls would quail, for his gaze seemed to see through me – the great Lord of the Golden Woods. I laughed at myself.

"Have I ever shirked my duties, milord?" he asked.

"You are far too noble for such acts, Haldir." I replied. But he stopped me.

"Have I ever disrespected you or the Lady for that matter? Have I ever gone against your will and wish?" I was puzzled. I merely shook my head. He smiled a little at this.

"Then, please let me decide what I would do." His request was simple but it prevented me from saying anything more in that matter. Haldir was being stubborn. And I couldn't do anything.

"Fine. If that is what you want, then you shall get just that." I said with a resigned tone in my voice. I turned back to head back to Caras Galadhon, when he called me back.

"Milord?" I turned back and urged him to continue.

"I would like to do Border Duty this month." I sighed and nodded my head. If he was to do Border Duty, then he would be away from his home for three months at the least. It would mean that new plans ought to be charted out. I turned back to Caras Galadhon. Back to Galadriel.


Anya's Point of view:

Something pricked my eyelids…I opened one bleary eye to see the sunlight seam through the gauzy curtain. Was it morning already? Then it was time I dreaded the arrival of the sun. I turned to my right tentatively to see if he was still there. But all I saw was crumpled bed sheets. So, he had left. I felt tears sting my eyes again. After what had happened last night…I cried my heart out as I relived the way he had touched me, such force in the beginning but then, care and devotion and love… but it was not love was it? Had it been love, he wouldn't have left, leaving me here, alone with dreadful memories to haunt me. I slowly dragged myself away from the bed, with the bed sheet still wrapped around. Maybe, it still held his scent that had been so close to me last night. Tears were forming again. I let out a cry of frustration as I wiped them away. He had raped me and here I stood like one of these articles in this hall that he had used. I slumped down onto the floor and cried again. What else was I to do? As my tears slowly subsided, I got up and walked back towards the bedroom.

Walking to the cupboard by the door, I found what I was looking for. My old school robe and uniform. I quickly showered and changed into the black billowing robe of Hogwarts. I stepped out from behind the changing screen and saw the bed where I was sleeping but an hour ago. I slowly walked towards the side where Haldir had slept and knelt beside the bed and placed my hand over the mattress. The warmth was lingering as though he had left a long time ago. I sighed and got up. What was the use of me fretting and crying. I was not going to get back that I had lost… I ripped the bed sheet out from the mattress to see spots of blood here and there. My blood. Tears erupted again as thoughts flashed through my already broken mind.

"Haldir! Please!" I was almost screaming. I was devoid of clothing and so was he and I could see and feel his passion for this body of mine. But he did not listen. He placed his hands over my mouth, stopping my cries within my mouth.

"Why, meleth nin? What is it that troubles you? I will not hurt you." He said in a voice so low that it seemed like a growl to me. but it frightened me to newer heights.

"Haldir! Please stop." I whispered. My strength had left me and here I lay as weak as an autumn leaf before the mighty winds. He turned to look at me, the strong smell of mead prevailed from his mouth as he opened them slightly.

"Laurelin?" he called. I stared shocked. His eyes roved over mine as he slowly came closer, our lips meeting finally and to my surprise, I was kissing him back, I felt my hands roving through his hair as I felt him prepare himself to love me.

"Melin nin." He whispered. "Forgive me if I hurt you." I felt tears well up again as I saw him approach me, his passion waxing as the distance waned. The first thrust seemed too painful to be happening. I cried out and clawed into his shoulders. His cry echoing mine. He was hurting too. For how long I clung onto him, I did not know and for how many times – I had lost count. Soon, he collapsed on top of me, his hair tickling my neck, but I was in no mood to laugh. I felt pain and sadness at the loss of something. My innocence.

I started as I heard a knock on the front door. I dragged myself towards the door. I was far too tired to do anything that day and what did I have to do but to stay cooped up in this lofty talan? I sighed as I opened the door to see an elf lean across the railing of the talan.

He slowly turned and I felt my knees go weak as I saw who it was.


Tada! End of chapter 11. and I wont be in my place for another week or two so, please pretty please bear with me! I promise to come back and update properly. Blame it on college people! Blame it on college! But remember the two 'R's Read and Review…

- Anarya of Lorien