Chapter 8: The Lord of the Forest

Caladhel was relaxing with a book in the library when her peace was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Lady Caladhel."

Caladhel's attention was drawn swiftly to the warden. "Haldor!" She rose from her seat and met him as he crossed the hall. "What news of Haldir?"

"We saw him to the border. I feared he might try to return for you but he had enough sense to turn south. He rode hard, my lady. I do not think he will stop before he reaches Lórien except to feed and rest his horse. He wanted me to assure you that it was not his wish to abandon you."

Caladhel shook her head and smiled. "He worries so much about honor. I am glad he had enough sense to act with his head, not his heart."

"He is a warden of Lórien, my lady," Haldor replied. "If he could not free you, then his duty was to deliver word to your lord and uncle. He will do so, and swiftly."

"I know."

A shadow fell across her face again, the same shadow he observed as she sat reading. Haldor wished to lift it. He had been informed by his father of all that transpired since he escorted Haldir from Limrond. It had been a good four days since he departed and the marks on the Lady's face were fading fast. Like his father, Haldor hoped the situation would be resolved quickly and the Lady would be allowed to depart. In the mean time, there was little he could do to lighten her spirits, but he resolved to do what he could.

"I see you are enjoying the library, but would you care to walk outside with me? The sun will do you good and we can visit your horse."

Caladhel had not realized how much she missed the sky until Haldor's offer. She was certain Sídhel was well cared for by Greenwood's guardians, but desired to check on her nonetheless. "I would like that very much," she said, "thank you."

Haldor addressed Cendil who sat in a far corner of the room watching them. "Report to my father. I will keep an eye on our guest."

Haldor offered Caladhel his arm. "Shall we?"

Caladhel took his arm and they spoke of unimportant things as he led her from the palace. There was a clearing in the wood at the base of the mountain. The far end was reserved for bow lessons and she saw a handful of guards practicing with blades. At the edge of the field Sídhel stood munching lazily on some tufts of grass.

Caladhel released her hold on Haldor's arm and stepped forward to call the animal to her. "Sídhel!"

Caladhel's mare lifted her head at the familiar voice and cantered across the field. Sídhel tossed her head and whinnied in excitement when she came to a halt before her mistress. She was clearly ready to depart. Caladhel held out her hand to Sídhel. The horse lowered her head and Caladhel patted her muzzle.

"You wish to go home. I know. We will, soon, I promise." Caladhel pulled an apple from the pocket of her dress and held it out to Sídhel. The horse was pleased with the gift and munched it happily.

Their reunion was interrupted by the sound of hooves approaching through the wood. A moment later four ellyn dressed in warden's clothes burst into the field, riding beasts the likes of which Caladhel had never seen. They looked somewhat like the white-tailed deer that roamed the woods of Lothlórien only much, much bigger.

"What are they?" Caladhel asked.

"They are the Giant Deer of the north," Haldor replied. "Their numbers are great in the northern stretches of the Greenwood, but they roam not so far south as Lothlórien.

"They let you ride them?"

"Of course," he replied. "Horses were made for the open field. Only those who travel afar have need of them. The deer love the forest, as we do. They are sure footed, too. Where a horse might stumble, a deer will not." Haldor patted Sídhel kindly when he spoke the last. He did not wish her to take offense, but the horse merely nodded her head in agreement.

One of the wardens waved to Haldor as he dismounted and the others nodded in his direction before departing. The deer, having delivered the elves home safely, began feeding on the grass.

"I have seen deer before," she said, "but never their like."

A rustle sounded in the wood nearby and moments later ten more deer joined their companions. They were all incredible to behold but the hart that entered last drew Caladhel's eye. He was easily three times the size of the greatest stag she had ever seen and the antlers he bore were larger than those above Thranduil's throne.

Haldor saw where Caladhel's eyes led her. "He is Taurhîn, their lord."

"He is magnificent."

Taurhîn must have known she spoke of him, for the hart turned toward her and approached. Caladhel thought him even more impressive up close. He stood seven feet at the shoulder and his antlers were even larger across. Taurhîn. She thought it a fitting name for the great beast.

Caladhel held her hand out to him and he allowed her to pet his muzzle. "Your crown is mighty indeed, Lord of the Forest."

The hart snorted in thanks before moving to greet her horse. The animals touched noses briefly. The gesture surprised Caladhel for she knew her horse was not overly fond of strangers. "I see you have already met Sídhel."

The animals clearly liked one another and Caladhel was glad Sídhel had made a friend, for she knew not how much longer they would be held captive. Taurhîn made an odd vocalization before he walked away to rejoin his herd. Sídhel followed him. The horse and deer grazed together upon leaves and grass. As Caladhel watched them an idea formed in her mind, followed swiftly by a question.

She turned to Haldor. "Are there horses, too, here in the woods?"

"No," he replied. "There are herds friendly to our realm beyond the borders of Greenwood when we have need of them. They rule the fields, and the deer, the trees."

"I see," said Caladhel. She smiled a small, secret smile meant only for her and once again took hold of Haldor's arm. "Shall we return to Limrond? I think Sídhel and Lord Taurhîn have dismissed us for the day."

Haldor laughed and nodded. "Then we had better obey. None would dare cross the Lord of the Forest, not even our king."


Caladhel was not surprised when the King walked through the door, but she was impressed he came himself. He could easily have sent a message to the librarian banning her from the premises. The ellon in charge of the books had tried to be discreet when he sent the messenger off to report on her, but Caladhel knew her choice of reading material would arouse suspicion. She had realized days ago that the elf in charge had been instructed to monitor what she removed from the shelves.

"My lord," Caladhel said in greeting when he approached, though she did not stand. It was disrespectful, they both knew it, but Caladhel did not care. At the moment it appeared neither did the King.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

Caladhel knew what he meant by his question but was not inclined to answer. She closed the book on the table in front of her. "Why?" she asked. "Is reading forbidden to me now?"

"Reading, no." Thranduil reached out his hand and opened the book, revealing its contents. "But you are not reading. You are studying maps."

"Your maps of Greenwood and the lands east are more detailed than ours," said Caladhel. "I was but curious."

"I do not believe you."

Caladhel flipped the cover of the book closed once more. "That is your right, my lord."

Caladhel rose from her chair and took up the book. She intended to return it to the shelf but was thwarted by the King's hand. As she turned away he took hold of her upper arm and turned her back toward him.

Thranduil would not allow Caladhel to so casually dismiss him. He knew what she wanted. She had made her intentions clear days ago. Only now he had reason to think she might actually consider an attempt. "If you run," he said, "we will track you. If you ride off, we will ride you down."

Caladhel did not address his warning immediately. Instead, she pulled against his hand. He released her the moment he felt resistance and Caladhel wondered briefly if he had, in fact, learned from his previous mistake.

"Indeed," she replied, once her arm was again her own. "I have met the Lord of the Forest. I have no doubt he could catch Sídhel under the trees."

Thranduil's eyes narrowed. "If you believe that, then what are you doing?"

"I am plotting my escape," she answered and watched as Thranduil's expression hardened. A fire lit his eyes, but Caladhel could not help but find his anger amusing. "What? Is that not what you wished me to tell you?"

"I wish for you to tell me the truth."

Caladhel had grown weary of these arguments with the King. She came to the conclusion days ago that Thranduil did not want the truth. He wanted his truths confirmed. "I told you the truth before and you did not believe me. And I tell you the truth now … I am plotting."

Thranduil looked upon her with an odd expression. Caladhel was unsure how to interpret it, but thought, perhaps, that Thranduil might finally believe her.

"I thought you to be unlike your cousin."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Caladhel snapped, for she was in no mood for more insults to her kin.

"It means you do not strike me as a fool!"

The anger in his eyes reached his voice that time, and there was something else in its timbre. If Caladhel had heard that particular emotion behind another's words, she might have named it concern.

"The forest is dangerous beyond our borders," he continued. "Fell things lurk beneath the trees. We have not rooted them out completely."

"Is that right?" she asked, uncaring.

"It is."

"Then you would do well to provide me an escort."

If Caladhel had hoped to provoke Thranduil into losing his temper a second time, she very nearly succeeded. His hands clenched into fists but she watched as he slowly mastered his rage. She thought he might continue the argument, but instead he turned and strode to the door.

Before he could reach it Caladhel spoke again. "It is curious that you call me spy and yet permit me to wander freely in your halls."

Thranduil halted in his tracks but did not turn back when he addressed her. "You have my aunt to thank for your freedom."

"Oh, I know," Caladhel replied, "but I have thought long on your decision to accede and I have come to but one conclusion." She watched as Thranduil struggled over whether to ignore her opinion or face it. The battle did not last long.

He turned around. "And that is?"

The look in Thranduil's eyes was hard and cold but Caladhel met his gaze evenly. That same look in another ellon's eyes might have caused her to tremble. In Thranduil's eyes, it was a gauntlet thrown, challenging her to press on.

"I have concluded that if there is some dark secret you fear I might discover, it is not your walls or your people who hide it."

Thranduil's only response to her declaration was a slight narrowing of his eyes before he turned and walked out the door.


Caladhel's life in Limrond quickly fell into a daily routine. She spent the morning with Beleth and the court ladies sewing, after lunch she visited Sídhel and fed her a treat and when she returned to Limrond she spent the remainder of the day in the library. Haldor spent his days guarding her and Cendil his nights. They were fine companions all around. It took a few days, but Caladhel had even managed to get Cendil to talk a bit. Haldor warned Caladhel that the young guard was not a particularly loquacious ellon, but she managed to drawn him out of his shell. She learned soon enough of his love for a certain cook in the kitchens. Afterward, Caladhel included a nightly detour for a snack so Cendil might see his ladylove before escorting Caladhel to bed.

The afternoon was a sunny and warm one for autumn. Caladhel was feeding Sídhel a carrot and watching Haldor practice with his bow at the far end of the field. She had taken to bringing more than one carrot when she visited Sídhel, for the deer grazing beside her appreciated the tasty gifts as well. She fed the two hinds sharing the corner of the field with Sídhel a carrot, too.

When the second was nearly finished eating the Lord of the Forest appeared. Caladhel wondered if he knew she brought carrots, for he seemed to prefer them to other items she offered. He came to her side and pressed his nose to the bag.

"It is good to see you, too, Taurhîn," she said, laughing. "Would you like one?" She pulled a carrot out of the bag and held it out for him. She patted his muzzle while he devoured the treat in a few quick bites.

Caladhel looked over to Sídhel briefly before returning her attention to the hart. "Sídhel and I have a favor to ask of you." She leaned in closer and whispered into Taurhîn's ear. When she finished, she moved away. The hart lifted his head. "Will you help us?"

Taurhîn snorted once and pawed the ground before her. He let loose a cry, high pitched, like the sounding of a horn. His cry echoed through the field and the surrounding wood. All the deer that had been grazing lifted their heads and looked at him. He snorted again, bowed his head and returned to the forest.

Caladhel's gaze swept over the field. She watched the deer return to their grazing and found Haldor staring at her from across the field. Taurhîn's cry had startled him, too. She walked over to him and Sídhel followed behind.

"Did you upset him?" Haldor asked when she drew near.

Caladhel shook her head. "I don't believe so." She gestured towards his bow. "May I shoot a few?"

"You don't strike me as an archer," said Haldor.

"I prefer the sword, if you must know," Caladhel replied, "but the King saw fit to hide mine."

Haldor smiled at her kindly. "I am sure he will return it before you leave. It is dangerous to travel abroad unarmed."

"I heartily agree," Caladhel replied. She fixed Haldor with a stare for he had not responded to her request. "Well?"

"Not worried you'll ruin your dress?"

Caladhel looked down at the white gown she wore decorated with delicately beaded embroidery. It was not the usual attire for archery practice, but Caladhel did not care. "You think me unable to fire an arrow in a dress?"

Haldor crossed his arms with his bow in hand. "I'm sure you can manage, but what will I do while you practice?"

"You can retrieve the arrows," she offered.

"Of course," Haldor said, and laughed. "Remind me to thank my father for assigning me to you. To think, I could be at the borders frightening men or slaying orcs. Instead, I am here retrieving arrows." He stepped forward and handed her the bow.

Caladhel took the proffered bow but her earlier lighthearted expression fell. "Thank you."

Haldor instantly noted her change in tone. He suspected she did not thank him for the bow. "For what?"

Caladhel took up a full quiver of arrows resting in the supply rack and slung it over her shoulder. "You have been a friend to me, as has Lady Beleth, and I am grateful. I want you both to know."

"Well now I know." Haldor smiled and shook a finger at her jokingly. "But don't ask me to run and tell the Lady for you. I have enough to do retrieving your arrows."

Caladhel returned his smile and watched him head to the far end of the field.

When he was near enough to the target she drew back her bow. Her aim needed to be perfect, and truth was, the loose sleeves of the dress were a mild hindrance. She released the arrow. It hit the edge of the target and ricocheted off the side, striking a tree fifty paces behind.

"Your aim is terrible!"

"It's the dress," she replied.

"Of course it is." Haldor winked at her before turning to the wood to retrieve the arrow.

"Offer the tree my apologies, will you," Caladhel shouted.

Haldor waved to note he heard her, but did not turn. Caladhel stowed the bow on her back and waited for the moment Haldor put his hand on the arrow's shaft before she turned and ran. Sídhel was waiting less than twenty paces away and in seconds she had mounted.

"Run, Sídhel," she cried, but the horse was already moving. She took off south across the field and down the Elven Path as fast as her legs would carry them.

Caladhel was already riding away across the field by the time Haldor realized what was happening. He dropped the arrow he had pulled from the tree and sprinted towards the nearest deer. He leapt onto the hind's back and spurred her forward but the beast had different plans. The hind bucked and threw him, a response Haldor had not expected. He landed hard on his back. The impact forced the wind right out of him and for a minute he struggled for breath. The hind made a soft vocalization akin to a snigger. She lowered her head and continued to munch upon the grass.