Disclaimer: Dont Own Characters or LOTR...Only OWN OCS...
WARNING! Crude Humor, Foul Language...and later Graphic Sex..
Chapter Two: UH oh! Trouble!
Rumil and Mandi spoke some after she ate, waiting for who ever was to come. A knock on the door sounded and Rumil got up and walked to the door. Mandi looked toward the door and gasped.
Two of the most beautiful females she had ever seen came strolling into the talan. Both dressed in warden's garb carrying clothes, boots and baskets of soaps with them. Following them, two male wardens carrying a large tub, and behind them came two more with cauldrons of of water. One with hot water and the other cold. Seeing that she would be occupied for a while, Rumil took leave and followed the four wardens out the door.
Missing his kindness already, Mandi turned and looked at the table. Then it hit her, she was still not alone. She slowly turned to find the two beautiful females standing there looking at her. The look resembled that of someone shocked to see another with two head. She nervously smiled at them.
Both she elves had long flowing golden hair that shimmered like silk. The one on the right had blue-green eyes and the one on the left, storm gray eyes. Both had the kind of body that all women would kill for. A stab of jealousy and self-consciousness hit her.
"What?" she asked the staring elleths.
One of the ladies came forward with her hand outstretched. "Hello, I am Salinwe. This is Ellenia. Elle cannot speak the common tongue." she said.
'Okay, nice enough' Mandi thought to herself. "What are you two here for?" she asked furling a brow.
"The Marchwarden, Haldir, told us to assist in bathing you. He said you were weary from your journey." Salinwe said smiling lightly.
'To bathe me?' she thought to herself. 'Abso-fucking-lutely NOT!'. She smiled trying to be nice. "Look, ladies, this is not necessary. I am tired, but perfectly capable of bathing myself. I assure you." she insisted.
The two females, ignoring her, came at her slowly and began to pull at her clothes. Assuring her that it was not trouble. "I do not need any help!" she insisted. About that time, she heard her shirt rip. 'What the hell! These women are trying to Rape me!' she thought to herself. She smack the one, named Ellenia.
The elleth looked at her shocked holding a hand to her reddening cheek. Feeling a wave of regret, Mandi quickly apologized. "I am so sorry." she said putting a hand to her mouth.
Salinwe looked at the girl with a scowl. "What is your problem? We are only here at the Captain's orders to help you" she said sternly.
"I am unused to having help. I can do this on my own. Now leave me, and I will handle this." Mandi said trying still to dismiss them.
"Certainly not. We are here to perform the task given to us. Now allow us." Salinwe said reaching for Mandi's clothes.
"No I do not need your help!" she said trying to fight off the persistent female.
Ellenia joined in the little spat. Both elleth trying to bring Mandi to reason. "What is the hesitation in a little help?" Salinwe asked again.
"I do not want you looking at me!" Mandi said, her chest heaving from the fight.
"Why? You have nothing we do not." the elleth said.
Mandi looked at her shocked. "You...you...don't have nothing I do not! You...look at yourselves. I bet under that garb you have perfect bodies...me on the other hand...EWW..." She said disgusted, "Yuck! No, I will do this alone" she said adamantly.
"My lady, we will help you if it is the last thing we do. Now strip, so that we may help you!" she ordered.
"No." Mandi said. She ran to the other side of the bed to get away from them, but they followed, climbing over the mattress and jumping to the floor Mandi moved the small table she had eaten at, putting it between her and the two elleth.
Salinwe and Ellenia looked at each other and then back to Mandi. Both elf ladies began chanting in their native tongue.
"What on ear-?" Mandi started to ask but suddenly her world went black. She hit the floor.
Haldir made his way over the many bridges to the talan in which the girl had been placed. Passing many of his wardens in the process.
Just as he neared the talan. The elleths, Salinwe and Ellenia were coming out of the door. Both laughing wildly from something. He stopped and listened to what they were saying.
'No wonder she did not want our help. Did you see all that fat rolling on her body. Ghastly! Disgusting!" Ellenia said.
Salinwe laughed with her. 'Yes I saw it. She is definitely not built like elleths or other human females we have seen. She is probably still a virgin. No man would ever want her.'
'A girl like that, has a right to be teased. Does she not take care of herself? No for she would not be so large." Ellenia said her voice filled with laughter.
Haldir could not believe what they were saying, but stayed hidden and listened.
'But all jesting aside, she does have a fiery spirit. And though she is not physically fit, deep down she does have a good heart. If she would just shut up and let someone help her. I wonder what the lady will do with her?' Salinwe asked.
'You are right. She does have a good spirit, she just needs to lose the weight and shut up. But all in all, once we got her done, she did have a pretty color of hair.' Ellenia said.
'She, I fear, will never find a mate, that heart of hers makes her ugly.' Salinwe said.
Haldir had enough of this. He made his presence known to them. He stepped out into their path.
Both Elleths gasped knowing that the March Warden had heard their words. Seeing his glare they stared at their feet in shame.
'Hello ladies. I could not help but hear your conversation. Tell me, why is it that the two of you are casting stones about this girl?" he said with disappointment.
'March warden, we did not see you. We-"Salinwe started.
"Save it. I gave you a task to perform. I did not include the order of making fun of the girl." he said glaring at her.
'March warden, we should not have done it. It is just that...well we have never seen anything like her before. It shocked us." Ellenia said growing red from embarrassment.
'I do not want to hear it. Both of you are to be written up and punished for your disrespect. You know, that as servants to the Lady she requires us, to present ourselves as noble. You today have disgraced us all." he said, his voice dripping with venom.
"We shan't do it again, My lord."both said in unison.
Seeing that he reached them, he stood back up and changed the tone.
'Salinwe, give me a report on how the girl fares." he said.
'She is well, Captain. The task was done, though, not without a fight. We wound up having to forcefully assist her." Salinwe spoke.
"You what!" Haldir said shocked.
"She refused us. And Seeing how you ordered us to help her, we had to." Salinwe said.
"I did not say to force it on her. What did you have to do?" he said, his face growing red from anger.
"We cast a sleep spell on her." Ellenia said flinching knowing what they had done was wrong
"A sleep spell. What in Mordor told you that would be acceptable. The use of elven magic is not something we force upon people. That is another write up. Not only will I have to deal with an angry girl in the morning for you forcing help on her, but also about you putting her to sleep." he said rolling his eyes.. Both elleth went to protest, but he held up a hand to shush them. "Tell me was she injured badly?"
" No, not so much," Salinwe said sadly, knowing what they had done was wrong, "only some bruising, a few cuts, and of course..." her voice trailed off.
Haldir furled a brow at her in curiosity, "What?" he asked.
" Her feet, Captain. Are badly blistered. The healer came in just as we were leaving, we told him of our findings." Salinwe said looking at him.
Haldir looked sternly at them. " Very well. You may go, But I will find you soon and hand your write up slips to you." he said waving them away.
Both Elleth walked away in shame. Haldir nodded his head at what he had just witnessed. Sure the girl was different but she was a person and deserved respect. That is what the eldar was known for... their acceptance of others. They valued all life, not matter if it was friend or foe. He contemplated on the things the elleths said. Concern, ripped through him about the well-being of the girl. He opened the flap and found the healer, Tanthwiel.
"Tanthwiel, hello mellon. Tell me how the girl fares?" he asked.
The blond elf looked up at him. The elf showing his many years of ageless knowledge shining through his forever young face. "March Warden. She has some fairly deep lacerations to the face, deep bruises, and is slightly malnourished. Your brother, Rumil, said she ate all she could, but her diet will have to be upped. As for her feet-" he stopped and lifted the blanket to let Haldir see, "the blisters are as you can see pretty bad. I have applied a poultice and will bandage them. By morning, they will be on the mends."
Haldir winced upon seeing the blisters, reddened, bulging, some even oozing with pussy water. Some parts of her feet were blackened, and deep cuts had dried mud stuck to them. Those foot coverings had done nothing to help her. Haldir walked closer to get a good look, and scratched his head upon seeing paint, bright pink at that, upon her toe nails. He took the blanket from the healer and covered the girl's feet again.
"Has she awakened any?" Haldir asked a deep look of concern for the girl, plastered upon his face..
"No. Not since I arrived, but the two female wardens told me of what they had to do. In my honest opinion, she needs the sleep, so the spell was not such a bad thing." Tanthwiel said looking at him.
"That may be so, but you know our ways, not to force it on anyone." Haldir defended.
"I know, mellon nin, but once you told me of the girl earlier, I prepared myself for doing the same thing." the healer said.
"That would have been different. You are a healer." Haldir said simply.
"I guess I am. Can you stay with her a moment. I need to get more bandages. I shan't be too long" the healer said standing. Haldir nodded. He wanted to see what the elleth uncovered. He sat down in the chair.
Seeing the girl for the first time, clean, and unmarred by dirt, Haldir thought her lovely. Her skin a fair pale pink, her cheeks rosy. Her lips full the color of pink roses, that reminded him of the Lady's rose garden in early spring. Haldir allowed his gaze to roam over her form, now covered in a white shirt, her full bosom under the light material. Though she was fuller in figure, it did not undo the certain uncommon, beauty of her. She was young, maybe twenty-five summers in human years. Her eyes closed, the lashes laid heavy and thick on her high cheekbones. Her neck from what he could tell, was long and delicate. Haldir knew she was short, maybe a full head shorter than he, but most were, even the elleth of his land. He looked down at her hands lying across her stomach, so delicate, but had evidence of hard work. Her nails delicately painted with a pale pink stain that shimmered in the candle light. But what caught his attention and held it, was her hair. Flayed across the pillow in a delicate wave of a shiny reddish color. Not brightly red, but more brownish red. The color suited her fair skin. The urge to reach out and touch the hair, was too much. Taking a hand he ran the tresses framing her face between two fingers. It was smooth as silk. The scent of cherry blossom, permeated his senses and he sighed. It suited her as well. He looked down at her again, she was beautiful.
A wave of guilt hit him. He had treated her so poorly. This girl was indeed lost, her past unknown to him. Deep in his hard heart he hoped the lady could help her. His reverie and thoughts were broken when the healer came back into the talan.
"I am back March warden. I found an herb in my talan that I believe may work better on her feet than the poultice that I applied earlier. I shall use it, but the bandages will need to be tighter than normal." He said looking at the things in his hand. He looked up and noticed that Haldir said nothing. "Haldir, is something wrong?"
Haldir shook his head. "Oh that is wonderful, mellon. Shall you need assistance?"
The healer looked at him with a curious brow. "If you are willing, I shall." he said walking to the basin and pouring it full of hot water.
"Yes, I would be glad." Haldir looked up a moment then back to the girl. Thoughtfully he spoke, "Tanthwiel. I have a question. You have the ability to look into someone's soul, do you not?"
"Aye. I have." the healer said raising the blanket from the girl's feet.
"Tell me, can you see the girl's soul?" Haldir said taking the extra cloths and washing the girl's left foot as the healer was doing.
"The moment I touched her to see to her wounds, I could sense only a little. Which for me is unusual. She heavily guards herself."
"Tell me what you saw. Please." Haldir said lightly scrubbing her feet.
"I saw a girl, whose past overshadows her. She is lost, as you first stated upon telling me of her." Tanthwiel said looking up from his task.
"That is what I saw. I wonder if the lady will be able to help her?" Haldir said looking over his shoulder at the girl, who was still under the elven sleep spell.
"The lady can help any that will allow it. Has Orophin left for the city?" the healer asked.
"Yes, just moments after we left her with Rumil. He should arrive in the city, by nightfall." Haldir said drying the foot he was working on.
They said nothing else, but finished their task. They applied the herbs to her feet and then tightly bandaged the feet. Cleaning up their mess, Haldir relaxed and sat back in the chair and stared at the sleeping girl. Night had fallen and the candlelight was now brighter in the talan.
"In the morning, I will come and check her feet. Hopefully she will still be in a deep sleep. The herbs are a miracle, the properties will seep into the skin quickly and the blisters will be gone by first light, though her feet still may be sore some. She will be able to walk, but only carefully. I will take my leave. I suggest mellon that you take your rest. I have feeling your journey will take you to the city on the morrow." Tanthwiel said looking at his friend curiously.
Haldir was not listening to him fully, his gaze on the girl in front of him. He was broke from the reverie when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He sat up. "Ah, I hear what you are saying. I should. Good night my friend." Haldir said standing. Glancing at the sleeping girl once more he then turned back and exited the door. Two wardens stood watch at her door. He nodded to both and told them to allow no one but the healer, himself, or one of his brothers through it. They bowed at his command.
Night had fully fallen by the time, Orophin reached the city with the message for the Lady. He was hoping that the Lady would see him right away.
Galadriel stood there in her rooms, with Celeborn lying across the bed, his fine elven robe gathered around him. He was staring at his beloved as she went to her vanity and began combing her long silky tresses. In the middle of a pass, she stopped and looked up, in the mirror he saw her expression. It was not shock, but a look of concern.
Seeing this Celeborn sat up on the side of the bed. Stepping into his shoes he walked to her side. "My love, what is amiss?" he asked concern.
"Get a footelf here, now." she told him calmly.
Celeborn went to the door and asked for one of the sentinels to get the footelf to their chambers quickly. The sentinel left as swiftly as he could.
He turned and faced her. "My love, is something wrong?" he asked with worry in his voice.
"Orophin approaches. The child I saw in the mirror, has come and is now on the borders." She said standing just as the footelf came to the door, before he knocked both sensed him.
"Come in." Galadriel called.
"You wanted to see me, my lady?" he asked bowing.
"Yes, a messenger. Orophin, brother to Haldir is arriving to the city. He has urgent news for me. Bring him to us straight away. We will meet him in Celeborn's study." she said quickly.
"Yes My lady. Your will is my command." he bowed and left the room quickly.
Celeborn seeing the look on his wife's face grew more concerned. "Who is this child?" he asked. He placed his arms lovingly around her waist.
She looked at him, her expression full of concern. "She is a lost soul thrown into our world."
"Do you think we can help her?" Celeborn asked.
"Yes, but it will be a bit of a challenge for us." she said as they walked from the room.
Orophin stood by the open window in Celeborn's most private study, waiting for the Lady to arrive. He felt relief when he was met at the city gates by a foot elf who told him the lady knew of his arrival and bid him to come to the Lord's study.
He turned upon hearing the door open. The light emanating from the royal couple was enough to blind any man. He bowed in reverence to their presence.
"Orophin, foster son, welcome home." Celeborn said taking his hand in his own.
"My lord. My lady. It is always comforting to see you." Orophin said placing a hand to his chest.
The lady stood before him. "Orophin, I know why it is you have come. Your haste in this matter is greatly appreciated as always. Tell me, how is the girl?" she asked him warmly, but the concern in her voice evident.
"I know not of it now, my lady. I left the borders soon after her capture. She was starved, weary, and not to mention slightly injured." he said.
"Aye. She is and much more than you all know. What has Haldir done for her?" She asked.
"He had ordered a bath." he said, but was interrupted by a slight giggle. He looked at her strangely.
"I see that, that did not go as planned. What else?" she inquired.
"A meal, and the healer to look at her wounds." he said. The lady searched his mind and was amused.
"I see what is in your mind, Orophin." she said. Celeborn looked at her. "You think on her ill. Do not do so, for Haldir was right, she is a lost soul. Her pain, and suffering runs deep." She looked at Celeborn.
"My love, what is it with this girl?" he asked.
"She is sharp-tongued, and heavily guards her thoughts and her mind from those around her. She is also a little misunderstood." she looked back to Orophin. "Orophin, I send you back with you this message. Remember it." she started. Orophin stood at attention, "Tell Haldir to bring her to me on the morrow eve. You and Rumil are to accompany him with the girl. Three guards will go with you tonight to take your places. This girl is not the Trespasser that Haldir has dubbed her, but is now an official guest in our lands. Tell him to bring me the girl as soon as you four reach the city. Her well-being is key to this little journey for she is not like us and unused to our speed and agility. Her injuries though not great, are not to be ignored. Take care. Tell Haldir, that no matter what happens on this journey, patience is key and to keep his wits about him. Do not under any circumstances, lose his temper, he will hinder her healing. Also tell him, that the patience he has shown so far is duly noted and that I am proud of him for it." She stopped and Looked to Celeborn then back to Orophin. "The key to understanding this girl, lies in his own experiences, he will know what I speak of. Now go with haste, leaving now, you will reach the borders long before dawn and will be able to rest for your return journey. The wardens are waiting for you at the bottom of the stairs."
Orophin nodded then bowed. "Your wish, my lady, is my command. Thank you."
"Go now, I wish you great speed. It has been a while since the three of you have graced our fine city. Be prepared for a long visit." she said kissing his forehead.
Orophin left haste fully. Celeborn looked at his beloved confused by what was going on. "My love?" he asked.
She turned to him. "The child is in need of guidance, Celeborn. I know with a little time with the elves she will be able to cope and heal. Though she will resist, I feel that she will be well suited amongst us, eventually. Not only that, she is special. Her heart is pure, but wounded only."
Celeborn cocked a brow. "Why is it you are having our Marchwarden and his brothers stay for an indefinite amount of time?" he asked.
She looked at him and smiled. "For too long our foster sons have been gone. You complain all the time how you miss their presence. Besides, I think it wise to allow Haldir to help this girl, for they are more alike then even he knows." she said smiling.
Celeborn shook his head. Like he always did, knowing to ask her to reconsider, was out of the question, once she felt hospitable, there was not talking her out of it. What still confused him, was what role Haldir had to play in all this. Later he would find out, he was sure.
Pronunciations:
Salinwe-(Sal-en-way)
Ellenia- (El-len-yah)
Tanthwiel-(Tan-th-way-el)
Please Review...this is a trial run for this story...So hope you enjoyed.