It has been too long...I know. But we did have our Exams, Precious! Nasty they were! Yes!! It was like a trip to Thangorodhrim!!!! (shudders)
A.N: I would like to thank the following reviewers…
Ariendar: Oh I am really touched that people are taking such pains to read and tell me what they think. Thank you. And I feel double happy because I have two of your reviews…I think. But Thanks anyway. And I am happy to know that Síladiel is liked. Poor kid.
Sarobando: Umm…Sorry? I mean I had my semester exams and they are like a trip to Angband and back. So kindly reconcile and here is another chapter in the way of making up. Okay?
Elven Script: Glad you liked Síladiel. And yes. You shall see a lot more of her. And more of Séregon too. I kinda liked him. And not to mention a lot more of Haldir!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: Hear! Hear! . Maybe…I can drag him here. We shall see. And thanks a bunch for the review! Love you!
Tamuril Felagund: Thank you for your glowing and detailed review. I found it really nice. Hope you'd read further chapters…and thanks again.
Arwenamin: Hmm…I see that another person agrees with me! It's my lecturers that I fear. They seem…what's that word? Oh right…Childish. >)
A Crazy Elephant: And here's you next chappie! I love Elephants. Intelligent and loving creatures…well most of the time.
I have also uploaded a one-chapter Glorfindel fic, under the name, Dannen Aglar Fallen Glory. If my dear readers would be kind enough to check it out and tell me how it is, I would find that very 'very' helpful.
Now that all is settled, let the story begin!
Disclaimer:
Okay, the guys you know are not mine and the guys you don't are…and if anybody tries stealing them, they shall have my nasty Professor to face. Mwahahaha! )
Thoughts or dreams are in Italics
- Anarya of Lorien
CRYSTAL DREAMSChapter – 19 (Tinges of Green)
Anya's Point of view:
His tall frame seemed to tower over me as he stood there, his hands folded over his broad chest. His eyes seemed impassive. But when he saw the little girl run and hide behind me, something flickered in his eyes, was it anticipation? I gathered all the strength and courage I possessed.
"Mae govannen, March Warden." he shifted his piercing gaze from Síladiel and laid it on me.
"Mae govannen, Lady Anya." He seemed to match my coldness. His gaze then returned to Síladiel who seemed scared being in his presence. Something I could understand only too well.
" And who is this, milady?" to anyone outside, and unaware of the conflict between us, his queries would seem polite. But not for me. I could sense each and every note dripping with sarcasm.
"She is-"
"Lady Anya?" Haldir turned as a voice sounded behind him. In stepped Séregon. He smiled at me and then turned to stare at Haldir who was surveying him as closely as possible. Séregon seemed to ignore this as Haldir turned to look at me,
"Lady Anya, you never informed me you had guests." He then turned to Séregon who was staring at him as though he seemed to resemble some alien species.
"Mae Govannen, my name is Haldir. I am the March Warden of Lothlorien." Séregon's eyes flickered in recognition.
"Oh. I see." He again chose to ignore the stress that Haldir laid on the word 'March Warden' I turned to look at Séregon.
"I was wondering if Síladiel was here." The little girl stepped away from me and ran as fast as she could towards her father. There went my friend. Thanks to Haldir of course! Séregon gathered his daughter in his arms and then lifting her up, turned towards me.
"It has been a pleasure knowing you Lady Anya. I do hope we shall meet again." he then turned to look at Haldir who was very nearly glaring at him.
"And a farewell to you too March Warden." Haldir smiled a little but it seemed to resemble a smirk more than a smile. Oh didn't he know how to be nice for a change? I turned to look at Séregon whose back was now retreating from the room. Suddenly I surprised even myself by calling aloud,
"Lord Séregon," he stopped and turned back to gaze at me. His golden brown globes gazing at me in such a way, that it made me wonder if there could be any other who could be this gentle. His wife was a lucky woman.
"It was a real pleasure meeting you. I hope you shall come here with Síladiel more often. And kindly call me Anya. I declare we are friends now." he smiled. His face seemed a million times more beautiful when he did that. He slowly nodded his head. Síladiel smiled at me as she waved her hand and with another wish of farewell and good health, Séregon left the talan. It was then that I knew I stood there, alone with Haldir. I slowly turned to face him.
Haldir's Point of view:
Who was this new elf? I tensed as I saw him gaze at Anya. It was not that I felt possessive about her… but then she was carrying my child. I turned to look at her when he had left the talan and was far away.
"Your friend?" I asked her, unable to keep the cool out of my voice. She turned to look at me impassively before moving away towards the terrace. If there was one thing that she could do well without, it was this stubbornness. I soon caught up with her as she closed the door to the terrace and walked back now to leave for her room.
"Anya, will you not even greet me for the simplest of civilities?" she turned to look at me.
"Civilities, you say, March Warden?" her voice seemed to seep with venom as she treaded back towards me.
"Mayhap, your code of civility deems you fit to see me and my child as some filth the cat brought in and to regard us with respect and dignity when you need it."
I lowered my eyes. Had I come before I went to the lady, to take her back…I had come, but I had blundered! It would have been natural for any woman to cry in her position, had it not been for my impatience…
I looked up when I heard no more. She was still standing there looking at me satirically. Her eyes shining with a mixture of cruel mirth and anger, all that I deserved. But I was still too fool hardy that day. I still did not understand.
"Why are you here, March Warden? It would not be to level new accusations against me, would it?" I looked up at her with a scowl. How in the name of Eru was I to beg pardon, when she wouldn't let me speak. Her eyes had gone soft. She turned away and walked towards the kitchen. And I like an idiot, followed her. It would have been better had I left her then and there.
"Lady, I have stated my purpose before and I see that I shall have to state it again. You carry my child and as an obligatory and honourable father, I intend to look after the child and have him grow as my son." She turned around, an unpeeled potato in one hand and a knife in the other.
"Oh indeed! Then let me state my purpose again, my lord, as it seems necessary at the moment," I tensed.
"I do not think your honourable actions are needed. And I do not think I shall have my child here, where she is surrounded by such a character for a father." She pointed at me with her knife as she placed the potato and the knife on the table and seated herself on the chair by the kitchen table. The grey curtain over the open window fluttered in the gentle yet strong breeze that blew into the room where we were. I sighed. What more was I to do?
"Anya," she cut me again,
"Haldir." This was the first time that she had used my name. I looked at her; her eyes seemed to plead to me.
"I do not want to be your wife. Nor shall my child be a burden. Let us just leave it at that, shall we?" I looked at her incredulously.
"So you think that my view on my son will be that of a burden?" Was she insane? How could she think of me as such demonic a person?
I seated myself by her and turned my chair to face her. She got up to go, when I pulled her down. I placed my hands on the armrests of the chair, imprisoning her there. She looked at me with fear clearly etched in her eyes. Her brown orbs seemed to dart over me towards the door.
"Anya," she turned to look at me, and some of her fear left her as surprise took its place.
"I know it is hard for you. I know it is hard for the both of us. But-"
"-Níriniel?" I turned back, releasing my hold over the armrests. She shoved my hand away and fled towards the hall. I sighed as I shook my head. There went my futile attempt to get her to listen to me. I got up wearily from my chair and followed Anya back to the hall. There stood the intruder,
"Mae govannen, Haldir." She greeted me. I smiled back.
"Mae govannen, Olwen." She then turned to Anya, her face filled with excitement.
"Níriniel! Did you meet my friend? Séregon!" at the mention of that name, I turned abruptly to look at Olwen. But she seemed oblivious of my stare as she continued,
"He seemed quite impressed by you. He was telling me." she then turned to me. I managed to smile at the last minute.
"He is a very dear friend of mine, Haldir. It would not be an exaggeration if I call him my brother." I nodded smiling a little, though I felt nothing like smiling. I then turned to Anya who was looking at Olwen with surprise probably from the sudden entrance that Olwen made and probably more so from my action.
"Yes. I did meet him. He had his daughter. Síladiel. She was a wonderful child." Olwen nodded her head.
"Someday, I shall want a child like that. But I could do without the tragedy though!" Anya turned abruptly towards Olwen as she heard the last sentence.
"Tragedy?" she repeated. Olwen nodded her head earnestly but then she turned back towards the door. I followed her gaze as she turned towards the door. There stood my brother Orophin, the betrothed of Olwen. She then turned towards Anya and smiled apologetically.
"I am sure we shall find time when we shall meet again Níriniel. As you can see, I have to go." I turned to Anya. She was smiling at her friend as she nodded her head. She then turned to me. I tensed as I saw the mirth leave her eyes,
"And I presume the March Warden would also like to leave, now that his brother is here." It shocked me as to how final her voice sounded. I turned to look at Orophin standing there, waving at me like an idiot. At that moment I wanted to kill my brother. I closed my eyes as I turned towards Anya.
"I shall be leaving now, Lady Anya." She nodded coldly though I was the only person to sense it.
With a final bow, I turned and left.
Anya's Point of view:
I sat there; his hands imprisoning me to the chair, his eyes – those gray pools boring into me. I was scared. Here I was all alone with this man.
"Anya" I was looking at the door, hoping for a miracle, which would extricate me from this position when I heard him call my name. His voice seemed softer. I turned to look at him. His eyes seemed different. It surprised me; unconsciously I relaxed. If only he could be like this…
"I know it is hard for you. I know it is hard for the both of us. But-"
It was then that the door creaked open. The cold and hostile Haldir was back as I saw his eyes change, in a matter of minutes. As soon as I saw that his hold over the arms of my chair had loosened, I sprang forth from the chair and walked hastily back into the hall. There stood, ever my rescuer –
"Olwen?" I asked. She smiled.
"-Níriniel?" it was then that Haldir stood behind me. I knew that by the way Olwen shifted her gaze towards him.
"Mae govannen, Haldir." I heard his voice again… but this was in the tone of the March Warden.
"Mae govannen, Olwen." She then turned towards me, her face flowing with eagerness and excitement.
"Níriniel! Did you meet my friend? Séregon!" I could almost tell without turning back that Haldir's attention was now completely on me – awaiting my reply. Ha! So you are jealous, are you not, March Warden? I smiled a little as I nodded my head affirmatively. She then continued,
"He seemed quite impressed by you. He was telling me." Indeed! Just what I wanted…a very constipated March Warden and my friend who did not know when to shut up! She then turned to Haldir, as though there wasn't enough trouble already…I could almost feel the tinge of green in his eyes…That cold stare that was boring into me from behind.
"He is a very dear friend of mine, Haldir. It would not be an exaggeration if I call him my brother." Haldir seemed silent. But I was in no condition to turn back so I replied to Olwen,
"Yes. I did meet him. He had his daughter. Síladiel. She was a wonderful child." Olwen nodded her head. I slowly moved my gaze towards my side, trying to see Haldir's reaction without much of conspicuousness
"Someday, I shall want a child like that. But I could do without the tragedy though!" I turned back abruptly towards Olwen. Did I just hear what I thought I heard?
"Tragedy?" I repeated. There was an air of gloom and sadness about Séregon but I had dismissed it as a figment of my imagination. Elves were immortal. They had no worries…then? But before she could reply, there was some movement down below my talan and Olwen turned towards it to see Orophin wave at her. Didn't Orophin hear of the word 'subtlety'? I chuckled a little as Olwen turned back towards me, her cheeks pink with embarrassment.
"I am sure we shall find time when we shall meet again Níriniel. As you can see, I have to go." I smiled and nodded my head. It was then that a very brilliant idea made its presence in my mind. I turned towards Haldir. He seemed surprised by this for some reason. What did he expect? That I would entertain him like a welcome guest? Tough chance March Warden!
"And I presume the March Warden would also like to leave, now that his brother is here." There was some surprise mingled with shock as he turned towards Orophin who was now waving like mad at Haldir, urging him to come with Olwen. It was funny. I turned to look at him to find him close his eyes and turn towards me, as though praying the heavens for patience.
"I shall be leaving now, Lady Anya." He replied, as cold as he could muster. I nodded with as much frigidity I could muster.
He then followed Olwen and with a swish in his grey cloak, he had vanished.
It was then that I realized that there was indeed something missing and solemn in the air around me, when Haldir had left the talan. I sank into the couch and covering my eyes with my trembling hands, took a deep breath. Was it an interesting day or what!
Okay! End of chapter and it's that time of the chapter again! Time to read and review! I shall be posting chapters sooner now that exams are all over! Yes! I am free!!!!! Mwahahaha!
- Anarya of Lorien
