A.N: I would like to thank the following reviewers…
There has been a severe problem with my connections lately…I mean I am online with a speed as fast as 4.8kbps. Beat that! Okay! Calm Anarya! So, you know what I am gonna say! I am sorry for the delay and here is a really tight teddy bear hug for all those who did not give up on me! YAY!
Group Huggles
Swiftly-gone: What more can I say! A nice encouraging review! Thank you!
Nexa: Hmmm…I presume Haldir would be jealous, and Séregon's feeling about Anya…I'll have to develop on that one here! And I mustn't spoil the surprise regarding the supposed "orc" attack.
Elven Script: Oh. I totally understand you, my friend! I used to feel dejected when I couldn't connect to the net as well! And even now, I trust it to chance for a long and uninterrupted connection. Hmmm…Hope the condition improves!
Aranya: Thanks for the review and here is the next chapter. Hope it is up to your expectations!
Lady Fae: Hmm…there seem to be such divided opinions about whether Haldir should get together with Anya or not! I wonder how this will turn out…each of you are really individualistic! I expected a clichéd response for the situation Anya finds herself to be in, but I find each review with a different opinion! I am touched! Thanks!
Soul In Stitches: I am sorry, I was neglecting that part of the story for so long! I guess I got carried away! But thanks a bunch for reminding me and I hope my story didn't sound awkward since I had ignored Hogwarts for so long! Oops! Anarya bad!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: I am not going to leave this baby hanging in the middle! And here's your update, mellon nin!
Crecy: yes. And that means she might get into the path to recovery! Recovery of her memories…perhaps. I am not assuring anything though!
A Crazy Elephant: The people in my school would have killed me had they known I was uploading stories into the net. They can be so stupid when it comes to lousy rules! I am so glad I am out of there! OH JOY!
Ariendar: I wanted to have a good holiday, but the grief of the people who died in the Tsunami disaster is still too near to get over with. But other than that, it was fine. I live near the coast, but with God's grace, we had no worries, though many places in my city were affected rather badly.
Arami: I am glad to hear about your trip to China. I mean, I really love China and their culture and stuff! And I must agree with you in certain terms regarding the stupidity of Rumil and Orophin. But Hmm…we cannot say that all of this does not happen without a reason! So we must be patient.
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 people! I own everything! Do you guys buy that! No? Oh well…I own nothing then! Anyway, I own some 'thing' don't I? MWAHAHAHA! Oh…er…on with the story people:Cough:
Thoughts or dreams are in Italics
- Anarya of Lorien
CRYSTAL DREAMS
Chapter – 21 (Changes…II)
Benedik's Point of view:
It had been a little over six months and yet she had not come back. It was not like I had expected her to, but things in the Golden Wood were not exactly like I wanted them to be. She was to find her true identity and then fall into a bond with him, knowing who she really was…but now, it all seemed to go awry. I sighed as I turned to look at the Headmaster of Hogwarts sit there, staring at me intently, trying to see through me. I had to admit, for the first time in my life, I was feeling intimidated.
Albus Dumbledore. A man who could very well be Mandos himself…no one would know the difference. He had a lot of insight.
"And if what I collect from you is right, Mr.Benedik, we shall not be expecting her to come back any time soon. I have wanted to discuss this with you for a long time. One cannot just apparate or disaparate into and from Hogwarts. So, her disappearance is causing a mighty stir if I might say so. Will she be returning back?"
I lowered my head. I did not know.
"Professor Dumbledore, you must believe me when I say that things are not going as I had expected them to go. She is connected with the fate of many people there…she can come back or she cannot. I am not the authority to say that with certainty."
"But you had the authority to send her there, didn't you Irmo?" I started as he called me by my real name. I looked up, my hands trembling as I held onto the armrests of the chair where I sat. He looked at me, his blue eyes boring into me.
"Headmaster!" he smiled. I would clearly have mistaken him for my brethren Namo had I not known him well.
"I might not be an Istari. But you must understand that I had passed through a lot of advanced study in Magic before I seated myself in this office and before the world proclaimed me the headmaster of Hogwarts. So, I might be given credit for recognizing a Vala when I see one."
"And for an Atani, you have a lot of insight Headmaster." I said smiling. He lowered his head humbly. I stood up from my seat.
"And to find that I have so much authority over a Vala! And that he should be a student of mine!" he chuckled. I smiled myself. I nodded my head.
"When it is time, even the great shall need the small." He nodded his head.
"I shall make sure that she is asked for no more." I bowed down a little expressing my gratitude.
"May Eru be with you." He smiled sadly as he nodded his head. "Yes. We might need him…we will." He sighed. He then looked up to me and smiled.
"May your venture find it's fulfillment. I shall pray for that." I smiled as I nodded my head.
"Thank you, headmaster. Good night to you."
"Good night to you too, Julius." I walked towards the door and soon, I stood outside the castle, gazing at the swirling snow…she was out there…she was.
Haldir's Point of view:
I was pacing in my talan, not knowing what to do? Anya…why did she have to affect me like this? Why was this happening? It was then that I heard it…a faint sound… that of a horn but surely that of some creature other than an elf. I sprang towards the entrance, slinging my bow over my shoulder only to find Ithilwen run towards my talan with the child I had seen earlier in Anya's place. I climbed down the steps taking two at a time before I reached an out-of-breath Ithilwen.
"Anya!" she breathed. I tensed involuntarily. What had happened to her? I clutched her shoulder as she steadied herself.
"What about Anya?" I asked, my nervousness clearly evident in my voice. She cast her grey eyes to the forest floor.
"She left for the Eastern Borders, but an hour ago."
"WHAT! In this time of the year! When Orcs roam freely! Were you out of your mind? Did you not know the eastern borders are not that well guarded?" she did not look up at me.
"Séregon was there with her. But now, I hear news of some legion marching towards the borders! It worries me, Haldir." I hardly heard what she said after that for I was running as fast as I could, towards the eastern Borders.
It was happening again…Laurelin! I ran faster if that was possible. I had to get to her! Fast!
Séregon's Point of view:
I knelt beside her fallen form. She felt so cold, as though she had been plunged into a frozen lake.
"Anya! Anya, can you hear me?" but she did not stir. It was then that I felt something staring at us…from afar, yet with its gaze fixed upon us. I unsheathed my sword and stood before Anya. I knew I would have little chance if a band of Orcs was to attack us, but I would fall protecting her. And they would take her only over my dead body.
"Séregon! Where is she?" I turned around to find Haldir stand there, his hand on his unsheathed sword. His face sweaty and his countenance out of breath. Had he felt what I had felt? Relief washed over me nonetheless. I dropped my sword at the sight of the March Warden and bending over Anya, I picked her up. She was neither light nor heavy. But I could lift her up with little difficulty. Haldir ran towards us and looked down at the unconscious girl in my arms.
"The scouts are coming. It would be unsafe for us to remain on the forest floor. Ah! Ithilwen!" I turned around to see the elleth who had been entertaining my daughter.
"Síladiel!" I asked, natural instincts of a father kicking up. It did not strike me that she was in Caras Galadhon – the safest place possible.
"She is sleeping in Olwen's talan. The scouts have arrived and await your orders, captain." Haldir nodded his head as he said,
"Let them mount the flets in the mellyrn lining the borders. Ask them to see if the legion approaching us is that of Orcs. And I give them orders to shoot them if they are. But I-" Ithilwen smiled wearily.
"Séregon will take her to a safer place. We shall have to go with our men, Haldir." He nodded his head. He turned to look at me. But I did not miss the look he gave me, an accusing glare. I lowered my eyes and turned to Ithilwen.
"I shall carry her to Caras Galadhon. She is not that heavy." I turned to Haldir who was staring at me coolly. I lowered my head a bit, as though bidding him a short farewell, and then carefully, carried Anya into the golden woods.
Haldir's Point of view:
I turned to look at Séregon carry Anya towards Caras Galadhon. I still did not know why, but I felt I could trust that elf very little. I turned around towards Ithilwen who was smiling at me knowingly. She shook her head as she made her way towards the flet I was to board.
I made no remarks as we stood there, observing the small party of orcs. They were unaware of our presence. If only such a band of soldiers had been stayed at this position before…I glared at the orc nearest to my bow and picking a grey-feathered arrow, fit it on my bow. Ithilwen, signaled to the other archers to ready their weapons as well. The enemy was getting closer…even closer…almost there…
TWANG!
The bows sang as the arrows sped towards the orcs, killing them quickly. In a matter of minutes, the entire band was dead. Had we not come at the right moment, then…Anya! I couldn't even dream of that possibility. And my child would have died as well! I smiled grimly as I got down from the flet and walked towards the carcass. I tossed over a dead orc with my feet as I signaled to my scouts to pile the carcass and dispose it off. Away from the borders.
I turned back and was about to go back when I saw something shine on the forest floor. I stopped and looked down to find a sword shine in the light of Anor (sun). It was Séregon's sword. I picked it up. I would give it to him personally. I walked silently towards the City.
Séregon's Point of view:
I held her hands in mine as I saw her sleep peacefully. A sigh escaped her lips as she slowly regained consciousness. Her hold onto my hand tightened as she slowly opened her eyes…those brown eyes that seemed to be too confused. I smiled as she turned towards me. A smile of recognition flickered in her face as she slowly tried to rise up from the couch where I had deposited her.
"No, Anya. You need to rest." She turned to look at me.
"How long has it been since I've lost my consciousness?" I smiled as I helped her sit back in a more comfortable position. Her stomach was getting bigger and bigger as days passed. When I had settled her, I sat on a footstool beside her, still holding her hand.
"It has been an hour, Anya. And I feel extremely guilty." I lowered my eyes trying to avoid her gaze. She smiled as she gently raised my head to meet my eyes.
"It is not, Séregon. I was the one who wanted to see your wife…I was the one who pestered you…and now, I – I am the one who should be feeling guilty." She lowered her eyes as she sighed, as though it hurt her.
"Anya! It is not your fault and neither is it mine. But I should have been more careful. You were with another soul and if something was to happen to your child, I would never be able to forgive myself." She looked up abruptly.
Now was the time to tell her. It had to be done. I moved a bit closer, but she did not flinch back, giving me more courage.
"Anya-" I held her hand in mine as I gently pressed her fingers in mine, as though assuring myself she would not throw me away. "-I have been wanting to tell you this for a long time…it would be the fact if I was to tell you that I had not the courage to tell you." I laughed as I looked down at the hand that I had encased in my own.
"Anya, I know you love my daughter like your own…and it pleases me to see her happy after a long time," I looked up at her. She was staring at me but there was only understanding in that gaze. She did not take her hand away. I felt bolder.
"Would you not take up that position for real?" I felt her start. She looked down as she closed her eyes. I moved closer. She looked up at me…her eyes roving over mine, searching for something, her lips parted slightly as though she wanted to say something but could not… I moved my hand towards her face…
"Séregon…"
"Do you not see what you do to me?" I asked her, my emotion thick in every word that I spoke. She seemed unable to answer.
"My daughter needs a mother…and I need a wife…and you…I love you." I moved closer as I pressed my lips to hers, kissing her gently before deepening the kiss, slowly coaxing her lips open.
But the kiss ended as soon as it had started for she had pushed me away and was now staring at the door with her eyes as wide as they could go.
"Anya? What is it?" she seemed too scared to answer so I turned around to see the March Warden of Lorien, Haldir himself stalk towards me, with what looked like my sword in his hands. His eyes looked like smoldering furnaces as he snarled, through his gritted teeth.
I got up instinctively to have him pull me up halfway through my effort, by my collar.
Haldir's Point of view:
I slowly walked up to her talan. His sword seemed lighter than the one I used. He must have been in the army of Gil-Galad. Only they had swords of the make I held in my hand now. I twirled it around to get a feel of it. I had to admit, that elf took great care of his sword. It turned as I commanded it to. Without the usual slag that rust or improper use sets in swords. I stood before her door, his sword in hand. I slowly tapped at the door.
There was no answer. Mayhap she had seen me come and was refusing to answer. I was yet to see another mortal who was as stubborn as her. I turned the knob to find the door unlocked. I stepped into the threshold to find a sight that caused my blood to boil.
There he sat, her hands imprisoned in his, as he held her face tenderly…then he slowly moved in to kiss her. I stood there for a minute, like a fool with my mouth a little open before I gained control of the senses that had bereft me for a while. I clenched my fist as I grit my teeth. She pushed him away as she turned to look at me. My eyes glared at her with anger that I knew I would find hard to control. My hands that held his sword tightened their grip as I walked in briskly to have him turn back to see me approach. He was about to stand up when I caught his collar and lifted him up.
I gave him a shake before releasing him.
"So, this is why you have been around her!" I turned to face Anya, she tried to retreat as much into the couch as she could. My hands almost gave way but I knew not from where I found the control to stop. I turned to face Séregon instead. He seemed shocked.
" So…you love her, don't you?" my voice was dripping with sarcasm. His gaze hardened as he faced me head on.
"And what if I did?" his voice seemed to have lost all its tenderness that it had when he had spoken with her.
"You know she carries the child of another?" she stood up at this. Trying to stop the fight that was surely going to come.
"Séregon, you had better leave." But Séregon was clearly ignoring her.
"And what if she did? Why does that bother the March Warden? It is not your child! Or have you the desire to claim her as well?"
"Séregon!" she yelled. He turned to face her. "What is it Anya? He speaks as though he has some right over you! As though you were his relation! I have noted this from the very beginning, March Warden-" he turned to face me. "-You seem to take unexceptional liberty in her life. You seem to dictate her more that it is good for you."
"And what if I did? Why do you bother?" I asked, my voice raising a bit. He turned to face me fully.
"I love her and shall wait for her to accept that fact and love me in return. And I do not see what you have to do about it!" Anya now stood between us both, her back facing me.
"Séregon! Can you not leave now? Please! We shall discuss it later! For the love of God, please leave now!" his gaze softened as he looked at Anya. He then turned to me…his gaze hardening again.
"Count it on your luck March Warden that she stands here now. For had it been otherwise, you would have paid dearly for the way you shook me." I scoffed.
"And count it on your luck, Lord Séregon that I was there to save your neck! For had it been other wise, you would have been dead." He glared at me and turned to leave. He had neared the doorway when I called him back.
"And take your sword as well! Mayhap you shall know to use it the next time we meet." He glared at me as though he longed to prove his worth in swordsmanship. But all he did now was catch his sword in midair as I threw it to him and whipped around and walked away.
It was then that I turned to look at her.
Anya's Point of view:
I slowly woke up to find myself back in my talan. Wasn't I unconscious near the borders? I turned to my left to find Séregon seated there, holding my hand in his. I placed my other hand on the backrest of the couch as I tried to sit up. I was way too uncomfortable on the couch. He stayed me as he said,
"No, Anya. You need to rest." I turned to look at him,
"How long has it been since I've lost my consciousness?" he smiled at me warmly before helping me into a half sitting position on the couch…this was more comfortable.
"It has been an hour, Anya. And I feel extremely guilty." He lowered his head. Now here was anti-Haldir, even if I said so…had it been Haldir who was by chance sitting here, he would have started on another lecture why I should stay with him. Why couldn't he learn a thing or two from Séregon! I slowly lifted his head, smiling at him, as though to assure him that it was not his fault.
"It is not, Séregon. I was the one who wanted to see your wife…I was the one who pestered you…and now, I – I am the one who should be feeling guilty." I lowered my eyes. I was right. Had it not been my curiosity, then I would…he would…I had been an instrument in triggering his painful memories.
"Anya! It is not your fault and neither is it mine. But I should have been more careful. You were with another soul and if something was to happen to your child, I would never be able to forgive myself." I looked up abruptly. I was shocked and surprised…he was worried about my child, as though he had responsibilities over that soul. it had been weeks since he had been my friend…yet now, somehow, we seemed closer…a bit too close.
I looked at him, his golden orbs looking into mine with what looked like anticipation and eagerness…I waited with bated breath. He moved a bit closer.
"Anya-" he held my hand in his as he gently pressed my fingers, "-I have been wanting to tell you this for a long time…it would be the fact if I was to tell you that I had not the courage to tell you." He laughed as he looked down to softly caress my hand as though it were a fragile thing.
"Anya, I know you love my daughter like your own…and it pleases me to see her happy after a long time," he looked up at me. I smiled back a little, it was understandable for the poor thing to feel dejected to have her mother dead in such young an age…he was getting closer.
"Would you not take up that position for real?" though I had expected him to carry some sort of feelings for me, I had not expected him to be so forthright. It startled me. I lowered my head as I closed them, suddenly weary of all the emotional clashes I was going through. Then suddenly his hand was cupping my face, as he slowly caressed my cheek.
"Séregon…" I tried to tell him that I could not return what he asked me of. But those eyes held such expectations that the words that I thought of died in my lips.
"Do you not see what you do to me?" I sighed a bit, I knew exactly what he was going through…only that it wouldn't be my love that would satisfy him…I did not feel the same way. I had a child in me…Haldir's child. Until I gave birth to that life, I couldn't possibly think of anything…maybe even after that!
"My daughter needs a mother…and I need a wife…and you…I love you." He moved closer as he crossed the gap between us and pressed his lips to mine in a tender kiss that soon deepened. I opened my eyes as I sat there shocked. I had not been expecting this from him…but then I had not been expecting Haldir to stand on my doorway looking as though he was ready to kill either!
I pushed Séregon away hastily. He turned towards me, his eyes searching my face, only that I had my eyes on the elf who stood there glaring at us.
"Anya? What is it?" he did get his answer, but not from me. he turned around following the direction where my eyes were fixed. On seeing the March Warden, he tried to stand up, only that the said March Warden was already making his way towards us, he caught Séregon by the collar and pulled him up. With a shake that would have ruffled anybody, he left him.
"So, this is why you have been around her!" he then turned to me. his glare seemed to kill me with fright. I retreated into the couch as farther away from Haldir as I could go. He almost lifted his hand. But then, dropped it as he turned to face Séregon.
" So…you love her, don't you?" his voice seemed impossibly caustic. Séregon turned to glare back. This was getting dangerous.
"And what if I did?" his voice was matching the demanding tone of the March Warden.
"You know she carries the child of another?" Oh no. Haldir was dragging the child into this! He would soon tell Séregon whose child I carried! I had to stop this!
"Séregon, you had better leave." But Séregon had to be the stupid male right about then. He completely ignored me as he turned to the March Warden.
"And what if she did? Why does that bother the March Warden? It is not your child! Or have you the desire to claim her as well?"
"Séregon!" I could not believe he was letting his temper get the better of him. he turned to look at me. At Last!
"What is it Anya? He speaks as though he has some right over you! As though you were his relation! I have noted this from the very beginning, March Warden-" I could have laughed. He then turned to Haldir who was looking like a boiler out of control. "-You seem to take unexceptional liberty in her life. You seem to dictate her more that it is good for you."
Uhoh!
"And what if I did? Why do you bother?" his voice was slowly rising.
"I love her and shall wait for her to accept that fact and love me in return. And I do not see what you have to do about it!" Séregon replied, his voice slowly raising too. I decided to take things into my hands. I stepped in between them, facing Séregon, for I knew I would rather face a Dementor than face Haldir right now.
"Séregon! Can you not leave now? Please! We shall discuss it later! For the love of God, please leave now!" he turned to look at me, surprised that I wasn't backing up. I felt guilty as I saw his surprised stare. But then his gaze hardened as he turned at Haldir.
"Count it on your luck March Warden that she stands here now. For had it been otherwise, you would have paid dearly for the way you shook me." I groaned inwardly. Now I was being dragged in! I did not even try to look at Haldir.
"And count it on your luck, Lord Séregon that I was there to save your neck! For had it been other wise, you would have been dead." Okay! The guy had some sense of humor even if it was satirical. Séregon glared at Haldir before turning to leave. Okay, now I was in big trouble! But it was when Séregon had reached the doorway when Haldir called him back.
He turned back, his glare intact. Haldir threw towards Séregon the sword that I had not noticed before…He was actually armed!
"And take your sword as well! Mayhap you shall know to use it the next time we meet." With a final glare that could have fried Haldir alive if it could, he turned around and left the talan. I waited with bated breath as he turned to look at me.
He slowly walked to the doorway and with a firm action, shut the door and locked it. I felt panic rise within me as I looked at all he did in a helpless state. He then walked towards me, his face unreadable. I was not his wife nor was I betrothed to him! So I had no reason to be afraid of him or feel guilty. And I had not asked Séregon to kiss me or tell me what he had felt! So if Haldir was feeling angry, he could very well kiss the devil!
"What did you think you were doing?" he asked, his face barely a centimeter away from mine…I could feel his breath on my lips.
"March Warden-"
"- Do you love him?" his face seemed to become almost like a mask, I was unable to see what lay beneath…I slowly shook my head. He closed his eyes as a sigh escaped him. He then looked up at me,
"Namarië, Anya."
He turned and as abruptly as he had entered, he left. He turned back to look at me for once, and the look he gave me…. But before I could do anything, he turned around and walked away while I stood inside my talan, watching him walk away.
To Be Continued….slowly as my computer is being a Prat and my connection server's being a really irritating git.
Please read and review!
- Anarya of Lorien
