Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, save the plot.
Rating: PG 13 for scenes of battle violence and adolescent angst.
Summary: To all, the prince of Mirkwood was Beloved. But to the lone Warden of Lorien, he was a nightmare incarnate.
Author's Note: Finally, a story of Legolas and Haldir – a standalone, yes, but a backdrop to my ongoing Road to Redemption series. Thank you in advance for reviews. Wink.
SHAMELESS PLUG: The Strength of One Green Leaf has been submitted to Inkitt's Fandom contest. If you liked the story and would like to help it see more light, please head over to vote!
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By Kasmi Kassim
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Golden Sun, Silver Moon
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Chapter 9: All Right in the End
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Legolas was screaming, and Haldir couldn't figure out why.
The ground was falling on them. He tried to grab at Legolas's jerkin, to tell him to stay quiet, but his hand threaded trembling fingers instead, and Legolas bent over to start babbling in Quenya – some healing chant, probably.
"Shh, little leaf," Haldir breathed. "Don't do that. I am all right."
It was a lie, but he had told worse lies to his baby brothers. Haldir tried to smile. "Tell Thranduil…that I'm sorry," he rasped.
"Tell him yourself!" Legolas was shrieking again, pounding on the slab of wood above; dust rained down, and Haldir realized he was wrapped in Legolas's jerkin. Foolish child was ruining everything. Haldir surely hadn't done well, but he had done his best, and everything would be all right – if only Legolas stopped screaming ad drawing attention –
Legolas jerked him awake. "Wake up!" The ground was shaking. "You are not going to die like this," Legolas was saying, "you're not going to die for me too."
And then, darkness burst into light.
Haldir blinked. Legolas was standing, speaking – but it was so distant, Haldir could no longer make out the words.
"– will go with – but – leave him, or – kill myself at the – and you will lose –"
"How do we – what if –"
"– can see – royal crest – am the prince of Greenwood."
And then there was a warmth, a light, and a whisper.
"You will live, Haldir. You will get out, and reach a mightier healer in time."
And then, everything was gone, and quiet. Haldir blinked, searching for a trace of the slender youth that stood tall against the cavern, dark against the blinding light.
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The guards were severe. War-torn and ragged, they smelled of dirt and blood, and marched stiff and proud. Under the morose Greenwood banner, the land they stood on seemed to wail of grief. Haldir clutched Sister's hand tightly as she picked her way into the camp.
Guards got in their way. They pointed without a word. They eyed him with dark, blank eyes.
In the center of the camp stood a larger tent than others, surrounded by guards. One of them stood in Sister's way. She tightened her hold on Haldir's hand.
"I beg audience with Lord Prince Thranduil."
"His Royal Highness rests," said the guard without a beat. "He is not to be disturbed."
It took a moment for Sister to recollect her courage. "When may I seek his audience? I am of his court."
"Seek your chances back at court. The Great King Oropher has fallen. The prince leads us home in grief. The might of Greenwood has been greatly struck." He looked down at Haldir. "His Royal Highness has no time for personal grievances."
Sister flinched with each word. Haldir watched her in amazement. Faced with death, protecting him and his brothers, she had seemed invincible. Here, among her own people, she seemed to grow smaller each moment.
The guard stood a moment, considering. "Are you a healer?"
"No." Even her voice seemed to shrink.
"A war advisor?"
"No, my lord."
"What is your intent of audience with His Royal Highness, then?" The guard narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
Sister's hand trembled in his. "I," she faltered, and held her breath. Haldir looked up, and was stunned to see silent tears.
"I am no one," she whispered.
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Haldir panted, fell forward onto the grass, and struggled back onto his feet. The seal that Legolas had made was falling apart with each movement.
He had to go to his squadron. Check to see if they were all right. Get medical supplies. Send someone healthy to go hunt for the orcs. Send word. He had to –
He fell again, and wanted to cry. His voice seemed to have emptied from his body.
Haldir.
She was smiling, reaching. Oh, the Valar were truly cruel. He looked up in despair. Don't take him, he whispered. She only smiled.
I was wrong. I do not deserve forgiveness. I do not need it. But don't take him. Please –
"Haldir!"
Strong arms encircled his head. Haldir knew that grip anywhere.
"Orophin," he nearly wept.
Orophin was producing an emergency kit, ridiculously small against Haldir's seeping wound. "Stay still, Haldir."
"Legolas." Haldir reached for Orophin's sleeve, but his fingers fell away. "Legolas – "
"I know. I saw."
"Get him," Haldir rasped, and convulsed with nausea. "Get him -"
"I can't leave you here."
"Orophin - "
"He's royalty, and they will keep him alive for their own sake. We have some time."
"Orophin - "
"Dammit, Haldir!" Orophin shouted. "Stop talking!"
Was Orophin crying? Haldir could no longer turn his head. He was tired, and Orophin's hands were bloody, and he was getting too old for this.
"Orophin…"
"You'll be all right, Haldir." Orophin was pushing at him. "You'll be all right."
The pain was unbearable. Orophin's face was contorted, jaw clenched in a bitter way, and his eyes were glassy, like his face was frozen into a permanent cry-frown. Haldir did not like it. It made his chest also hurt. "I'm sorry, Orophin."
"Shut up."
"My talan…under the…mat…"
"Shut up!"
Orophin's jerkin was wound around Haldir's wound, but the blood kept falling. Legolas must not have had enough time. "We never had a proper dinner with the princeling." Orophin's hands were shaking against his wound. "We never got to feed him your cooking."
Haldir tried to smile, and wheezed instead.
Orophin pulled him close, cheek to cheek. "I never made amends with him," he murmured, tears hot against his face. "I swear if you are not there to watch, I will never make amends with him."
Everything was blurring.
"Elf!"
Orophin looked up, and his eyes shifted. Panic, and then something else, grim. Haldir's stomach sank. No, he tried to say, but his word was buried in Orophin's tunic as Orophin pulled him tight, and curled himself around Haldir.
Arrows began to rain.
Orophin's body jerked. Haldir cried out, tried to cover Orophin's shoulder blades with his fingers, and choked as another arrow grazed his finger. Orophin tightened his hold and braced them against the ground.
Haldir was clawing at Orophin, to turn them around, when the arrows stopped.
The trees were moving. Green and gray, fresh scent of mallorn. A cry, and a forest rose of glinting blades.
"Formation, Galadhrim!"
Rumil.
Arrows flew, screeches rose. Hadir watched, dazed, as the guard moved in a spinning circle, a beautiful dance that trapped and lured. Amongst the blur was a single flash, and Rumil leaped forward, raising his longsword.
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The children wailed as the women held them, screaming. The wooden gates shook as shouts and banging grew louder outside. Holding Rumil tight, Haldir looked up to Sister with a sick dread while she clutched a wailing Orophin. After trekking for days for sanctuary following his parents' death, he had never imagined that he would die hiding in a cave.
"It will be all right," Sister said, and Haldir wanted to believe. "It will be all right."
"But who will help us?" Rumil cried. "All of Lorien's warriors have gone marching! You said everyone has scattered!"
"The Lord and Lady will return in no time. The warriors of Greenwood are still nearby." She pulled Haldir close, trying to hold all three children in her arms. "They will come to help us in time."
"Will they?" Rumil's lips trembled.
"Of course, Rumil." Without loosening her grip, Sis bent forward to kiss the child's forehead.
"Naaaa!" wailed the infant, and Haldir shut his eyes.
"Haldir." He opened his eyes. Sister was locking eyes with his, deep azure blue glinting in the dark. "It's going to be all right."
"Haldir!"
Haldir opened his eyes. Legolas's face broke, and he pulled away. "He's all right," he breathed.
"Haldir!" Orophin appeared into view, wrapped in bandages.
Haldir was being cradled in Legolas's arms. He looked between Orophin and Legolas, at a loss for words.
"He's all right, Haldir." Legolas was pushing at his side again, healing whispers at his lips. "The arrows were blunt. Nothing critical."
Haldir pulled both youngsters into his weak arms. The both of them buried their heads against his shoulder, and Haldir closed his eyes with a breath like a thousand sighs.
"We're all right, Haldir," whispered Legolas. "We're all safe."
It was a long time until Haldir dared to stop whispering fervent prayers. Holding the youths' heads against him, he raised his eyes, and saw Rumil blocking a narrow morning sun. Rumil looked down without a word, blood streaking down his hair, grime on his sword. He smiled, pale eyes trembling, and Haldir held out his hand.
Rumil sank to his knees, and bowed his head. Haldir reached out to stroke his blood-streaked hair.
"You did well, Rumil," Haldir murmured. "You did well."
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To be Continued
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