Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's and the plot, everything else belongs to Tolkien and those who currently own the rights to his work.
Chapter 16 – First impressions
"Why is it the elves of Lórien feel the need to be so dramatic?" Elladan asked rather loudly and to no one in particular.
"I'm not sure," Elrohir answered in the same resounding tone, "though I suppose it would get rather boring just sitting up in a tree all day."
The leader of the Lorien wardens stepped forward, drawing back his hood as he did. "My Lords," The ellon bowed to the sons of Celebrían respectfully but as he rose he shot them an irritated look so similar to the one Glorfindel gave them earlier, that Eruanna had to restrain herself from laughing.
The warden then addressed the entire party, "I bid you welcome, elves of Imladris, from the Lord and Lady of Lórien."
Glorfindel stepped forward and placed a hand over his heart. "Mae govannen, Haldir of Lorien, it has been some time since last we met."
The warden mirrored the seneschal's gesture, "Lord Glorfindel, it is always an honor."
Arwen stepped forward then, and gave Haldir a friendly smile.
"Lady Arwen," Haldir bowed deeper than he had for Arwen's brothers and Lord Glorfindel and there was no displeasure in his eye upon seeing her.
"Mae govannen, Haldir," Arwen called joyfully, "It has been long since I've had the pleasure of such a welcome." Arwen turned her attention to the guards still surrounding her company.
Haldir gave a small, silent gesture and most of the wardens disappeared into the trees. "We have been counting the moments until your arrival, my Lady. Your grandmother asked that I see you safely to Caras Galadhon."
Eruanna watched these exchanges in silence, her eyes studying the strange garb the Lórien wardens wore, their elegantly crafted bows, and the rather imposing ellon that appeared to be their leader. Glorfindel had called him by name and the way in which they had greeted one another signified they were peers in rank and position (although Eruanna highly doubted the other ellon had ever slayed a Balrog). Arwen endeavored to lighten the mood and with formal introductions over the Imladris elves and the Lórien wardens proceeded to greet each other with warm hand shakes and light laughter, exchanging news from the two great realms.
Haldir and Glorfindel clasped arms. Both ellyn disliked ceremony and were grateful the formal greetings were done. The two old warriors spoke at length of orc raids, and intelligence reports, and the coming darkness until Haldir heard a strange sound coming from behind him…footsteps.
He spun around quickly and immediately identified the source of the noise, a small brown haired elleth walking beside the old Counselor. Haldir stared longer than was appropriate at the elleth; there was something strange about her that Haldir could not put his finger on. Glorfindel must have noticed the odd gaze he cast on her for the Seneschal spoke before Haldir could question him.
"That is Eruanna, Lady Arwen's ward. She is the granddaughter of Haldor of Mirkwood who passed into the west." These words did not seem to completely satisfy the Marchwarden. Glorfindel saw the nervous suspicion in Haldir's gaze and decided it best to answer the ellon's unspoken question. "Her father was human."
"She is peredhel?" His voice rose slightly and Haldir eyed the elleth warily.
"She is." Glorfindel answered. "Lord Elrond took her into his home when she was an elfling, Lady Arwen is her guardian." Glorfindel considered the Marchwarden carefully. The ellon had not yet taken his eyes off of Eruanna and it was making Glorfindel uncomfortable. "Is something wrong, Haldir?"
Haldir returned his attention swiftly to Glorfindel, "No." he stated firmly, his face returning to its former unreadable state. "I was simply unaware that anyone would be accompanying the Lady during this visit," Haldir answered the question smoothly knowing the Balrog Slayer's eyes were upon him. It was not quite a lie but nor was it the precise answer to Glorfindel's question.
"Lord Erestor and Eruanna will be accompanying her." Glorfindel stated, finding it strange the Lady had not informed her wardens of who they would be escorting.
Haldir nodded, "I will see them all safely to the great city."
"I thank you." Glorfindel remained ill at ease with regards to the Marchwarden and his scrutiny of Eruanna, but knowing him an ellon of his word, let the matter rest.
While the wardens of Lórien and Imladris exchanged tidings, Eruanna had a moment to retrieve her scarf from her pack. Unfortunately, her bag sat lashed upon her horse's saddle and at the angle it was positioned combined with her lack of height, untying the bundle was difficult. Eruanna stood on tip toe straining to reach the second buckle when an unfamiliar voice sounded in her ear.
"May I assist you?"
Eruanna spun around at the sound of the unknown voice to find a tall Lórien warden with light blond hair smiling down upon her.
"Oh," she rested herself back down on the soles of her feet feeling a bit foolish knowing he'd been watching her. "Yes, thank you," she said finally. The ellon easily undid the buckles that Eruanna had been unable to reach. She looked up at him sheepishly. "I'm afraid I don't have a very long reach."
"It is my pleasure. What else is a warden to do but help an elleth in distress?" His words made Eruanna laugh. He lowered her pack to the ground, "There you are, my Lady."
"Thank you again," Eruanna rummaged through her bag until she'd found what she'd been searching for and once retrieved, the ellon returned her bag to the saddle and redid the buckles.
When he finished with the pack, the ellon turned his attention back to Eruanna. "I am Rumil," he placed a hand over his heart, bowing slightly, "and what might your name be?"
Eruanna once again felt a flush of embarrassment for not having introduced herself when the warden first offered her assistance, but now that he'd asked, she was unsure if she wished to tell him her name. Eruanna did not often receive a favorable response from others with regards to its meaning, but the warden's blue eyes sparkled and his face held no hint of malice. "Eruanna, my name is Eruanna," she said softly, holding her breath in fear of what he might say. His response was not what she expected.
"The perfect name for such a lovely elleth!" Rumil proclaimed, his face holding nothing but sincerity.
Eruanna shook her head in disbelief, recalling hurtful words spoken long ago. You don't appear very graceful to me. She studied the ellon carefully. He appeared sincere, but never having met him before today, she could not be sure. "Few would say so," she replied flatly.
Rumil was surprised by the way Eruanna dismissed his ardent words. Does she think I mock her? He did not wish her to think so. "Then they would be fools."
The force behind that statement startled Eruanna…the power, the surety with which he spoke. If he lies, then he could deceive Annatar, himself. The warden's words reached out to the depths of Eruanna's soul; she wanted so much to believe he spoke true.
Rumil hoped the elleth would hear the sincerity in his voice. She blushed slightly, the coloring of her cheeks and the light that reached her eyes told him she had. Rumil took her hand and lifted it to his lips, placing a chaste kiss on the back of her hand, "I hope to see you again soon, Eruanna."
A shiver ran down Eruanna's spine as his lips made contact with her skin. It was as if the lightning that jumped from cloud to Earth lived inside her body. The warden gave her one last smile and bowed before turning away and disappearing into the trees.
Eruanna watched him go in a daze and stared long into the wood, thinking perhaps their conversation had been merely a dream- but it was not so, for four curious eyes had also marked the encounter.
"I see you've met Rumil." Elrohir's said with a healthy amount of amusement.
Eruanna turned to see Elrohir and his brother standing behind her. Elrohir's eyes were still focused on the spot where the warden had disappeared into the canopy.
"Yes," she said, "he helped me with my pack." Eruanna looked back and forth between the two brothers whose expressions were strangely unreadable. "Do you know him?"
"We have met many times when visiting Lothlórien." Elladan stated. "He is a good friend."
Elrohir nodded, motioning over to the ellon who had first addressed the company, "His brother is Haldir, the Marchwarden of Lórien."
"Oh," Eruanna once again turned her attention to the stern looking ellon. Rumil and his brother appeared in face and form to be close kin, but there was a gentleness in Rumil's eyes that was absent from the Marchwarden's.
"We hope you enjoy your time in the Golden Wood." Elrohir's words brought Eruanna's attention back to the brothers. Elrohir gave her a mischievous smile, the meaning of which went right over Eruanna's head.
Eruanna was about to agree with him, when the phrasing of his words struck her. "Are you not staying, even for a little while?" Eruanna found she'd become fond of Arwen's brothers; she did not wish to see them go.
"We cannot." Elrohir admitted, sadly.
"I'm afraid we have business to attend to in the North," Elladan added, his voice turning serious.
"I see." Eruanna's sighed, her eyes momentarily darkening. She did not know what business it was that called them away, but Eruanna knew better than to ask.
"Fear not, Eruanna." Elrohir pulled the elleth into his arms, placing a kiss on her head. "This is our grandparent's realm and it is protected by powerful magic. No darkness may enter these woods. You will be safe here."
Eruanna heard his words and sighed, "I shall miss your stories." She released her hold on Elrohir only to be taken up in Elladan's arms.
Elladan laughed lightly, hugging the small elleth warmly, "Then we shall have to come up with new ones before the next time we meet."
Eruanna laughed at that, "Just try to keep them realistic, Arwen gets riled up when you exaggerate." She gave the two brothers a not so stern look, wiping away a tear that threatened to fall.
"That's half the fun!" Elladan exclaimed, drawing smiles from both Eruanna and his brother. Elladan's expression became serious once more and his voice sounded much like his father's. "Take care of Arwen and Erestor."
"I will." Eruanna promised.
Elrohir took the elleth's hand in his, giving it a firm squeeze. "And take care of yourself, little sister."
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Glorfindel led the elves of Imladris back to the mountain pass, Elladan and Elrohir rode North on an errand only they (and perhaps their father) knew of, and the three remaining travelers followed Haldir along the hidden paths of Lothlórien to the great tree city. It was a pleasant journey through the wood and a safe one now that they were moving deep within its borders. Eruanna, however, could not help but feel a bit apprehensive. She did her best to put Glorfindel's training to good use, keeping her prints from the trail and the noise she made to a minimum. Still, whenever a twig snapped, the Marchwarden's cool eyes would be upon her in a flash. He made her feel guilty, though for what she could not say, and so by the end of the first day she'd determined to avoid drawing his attention as best she could. Arwen and Erestor noticed none of this or if they did, they no doubt thought it understandable that the Marchwarden would be keeping a close watch on the travelers in his care. It was two days before they arrived at the city gates.
Eruanna had never seen anything that came close to the beauty and splendor of Caras Galadhon. When they first looked upon the hill with its great soaring trees it seemed nothing out of the ordinary, but once they entered its gates…Eruanna found herself at a loss for words. This truly was the heart of Elvendom. Eruanna walked at Erestor's side as they made their way to the palace. There was no telling how far or how long the journey actually took for ellyn and ellith stopped them along the way to bid good day to Arwen, some with bows of respect others with friendly embraces. The light in Arwen's eyes shone more brightly then Eruanna had ever seen it and she knew now why the Lady had fought so hard to return to this place.
They ascended the stair that led to the Lord and Lady's palace. The climb was long and when they reached the top, Eruanna stood in awe. The Lord and Lady came down the stairs to greet them. The Lady glowed brighter than any elf Eruanna had ever seen, even Lord Glorfindel the great Balrog Slayer held no comparison. Her Lord was tall and grave, his silver hair stood out beside the golden tresses of the elves that surrounded him. They were a sight more great and terrible than any she'd ever seen. She lowered her eyes instinctively from the vision of them.
While Eruanna stood in awe of the elven couple, her guardian ran to them and threw her arms around the shining Lady. "Grandmother!" she exclaimed, joy emanating from the depths of her soul.
The Lady wrapped her arms around her granddaughter, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "Arwen." She drew back from the dark haired elleth and took her face in both hands. "Let me see you. It is so good to have you with us again."
Eruanna felt shyness come upon her at being witness to such a tender moment. It reminded her of how Ithilwen greeted her when last they'd met and her heart ached to once again be held in a loving mother's arms.
Lord Celeborn then wrapped Arwen in a powerful embrace, speaking softly into her hair, "Oh, child. We've missed you."
"Grandfather," Arwen held on to the silver ellon as if she was afraid to let go.
"Where are your brothers?" Celeborn asked his granddaughter, concern reaching his eyes.
Arwen let out a tired sigh, "They have business in the North but they promise to return and see you when it is done."
Celeborn frowned, pulling back from Arwen's embrace. "I am sorry they could not take the time now. It has been long since we've had all three of you under these trees."
"I know." Arwen's sadness could be heard in her voice, "They have spent much of the last two hundred years abroad."
Celeborn raised a hand to Arwen's face. His smile drew Arwen back to the present moment and the joy of their reunion. When his granddaughter's face brightened once again, he turned his attention to the other arrivals. "Lord Erestor," he raised a hand to his heart. "It has been too long since you last visited us."
"My Lord, my Lady." Erestor bowed, "With your permission, I should like to dwell once more in your fair land."
Galadriel smiled at the old counselor, an ellon she'd known for many ages. "We welcome you to stay as long as you wish."
"Thank you, my Lady." Erestor returned the Lady's smile easily.
Celeborn turned then to the elleth at Erestor's side. "And who might this be?" He gave Eruanna a kind smile.
"I...," Eruanna's nervousness paralyzed her and she found herself unable to answer Lord Celeborn's question.
"This is my ward, Eruanna." Arwen answered for her. Eruanna met Arwen's smiling eyes, silently thanking the Lady for her assistance.
"Ah, yes, from Mirkwood," the Lord nodded to Eruanna, "Welcome to Lothlórien."
"Thank you, my Lord." Eruanna answered, blushing slightly in her nervousness.
"Such a beautiful child." Galadriel stepped forward, lifting Eruanna's chin to see her eyes.
Eruanna trembled slightly at the intensity of Galadriel's gaze. Her heart wondered at why the Lady would say such a thing to her. Galadriel must have seen the doubt in Eruanna's eyes for Eruanna heard the Lady's voice echo inside her head.
Never doubt yourself, child, you are beautiful and there are others who see it, too.
The Lady released her hold on Eruanna leaving her with a smile. She turned then to Erestor, "I have had a talan prepared for you and Eruanna. I believe that will be acceptable to you both."
Erestor knew better than to wonder at how the Lady knew such arrangements would be satisfactory. "Yes, my Lady. Thank you."
Eruanna breathed a sigh of relief; she feared she'd be abandoned by Erestor and Arwen in this great city. That fear began to drain away with the Lady's words and Erestor's favorable response.
"Arwen and I have much to speak of now." Galadriel announced, her eyes catching Arwen's. She gestured to an elleth who stood in the far corner of the room. "I hope you will not mind if Marilla shows you the way."
Erestor took Eruanna's arm in his. "I think we could both use a bit of a rest."
"Then I hope you will dine with us this eve." Lord Celeborn said before Marilla led them from the room.
The counselor raised a hand over his heart, bowing slightly. "We would be honored, my Lord."
Celeborn smiled, "Marilla shall come for you, when the hour arrives."