Warning...Foul Language, crude behavior, disrespect, and much later graphic sex.
Disclaimer- I do not own any characters native to LOTR, those belong solely to Tolkien. I do own the plots, not related to LOTR, but from my own imagination, and all OCs.
Note: This chapter is not as entertaining as the first. But has a little drama in it, some somber moments as you find more out. Mandi will begin to grow soon and there will be a little entertainment there, but not as much as in the first...I am attempting to make her not a Mary sue,
Chapter Six: "Why me?"
Haldir stood there, staring about the Main hall, still reeling from the words and display that he had just witnessed. He said not a word, but wondered why the Lady had put him in charge of the atrocious monstrosity of a girl, Mandi.
The Lord and Lady sat in their thrones, and looked up at him.
"Haldir. There is no need to shield your feelings on this matter. I fully understand your confusion on the matter. But trust when I say, I know that you can overcome this obstacle. It is you and you alone that will help cure Mandella of this affliction she carries." the lady said confidently.
Haldir did not feel any better about it. How was he supposed to help her? What affliction did she suffer? He clasped his hands behind his back and looked up. "My lady, with all due respects. How am I to help her? I have no experience in this matter. What is it that you want me to do about her?" he asked his eyes falling to the floor.
"You, of all people knows what it was like. Growing up, being teased and tortured for being different. It was only one person, who was able to help you overcome. Saralonde. She befriended you, taught you to trust, and believe in yourself. Mandi is a lost soul, who is deeply pained by her past." The Lady stood, walked over to him, taking his arms, she pulled them forward to come and sit with her, in the bench near the thrones. She bid him to sit.
Stiffly, he did what she silently requested. "What I want you to do is simple. Befriend her, protect her, earn her trust Haldir. Put yourself, back into her shoes, and understand her feelings. This task I give to you with great confidence. I know you, your drive to succeed, your loyalty, your honesty. You can reach her Haldir." she said edging him toward understanding.
"How is my past to aid her? I buried those things many centuries ago. Moved on, adapted to it. Why am I the one to help her in this?" he asked truly not wanting to hear the answer, but still curious.
"Haldir, what my lady wife is suggesting, is for you to be the girl's counsel. Due to your past of ridicule, and hatred. You will understand where the girl comes from." Celeborn said stepping down from the throne and coming to stand in front of his wife and his marchwarden.
"I will do as you ask of me. I will do it fully, but what if she rejects my help? What can I do to suede her? I am only one elf, and at this point, the girl hates me. Defies me even." he said looking from the Lord to his Lady.
Galadriel smiled softly and spoke, "Haldir, this task will not be easy, I promise that. She will fight you, kick at your ideas, and butt-heads on your ways, but you have never given up on any task we have ever sat before you. Your stubbornness, arrogance, and your aloofness will help aid you. But take care, you must also be sensitive to her feelings. She guards them harsh and fierce, just as you do our borders. All she needs is understanding."
"I am unused to the ways of females and their sensitivities. How am I to deal with it?" he asked, now feeling uneasy.
"That is where Saralonde comes in. It was her that was able to help you when you were a child. We have asked her to assist you in the helping of young Mandella." The lady squeezed his hands in assurance. "You will not be completely alone in this task. Feel assured of that. I will help and I am sure your brothers, and My beloved will also." she sighed and looked up at him. "Haldir you are still young, and have so much to offer a person in need. Tap into those things and employ them."
"You are requesting I use military tactics?" he asked. The lady smiled warmly. He looked to Celeborn who only looked a little worried.
"No. Just good judgment." The lady looked as if she was debating on what to say next. "You are still a little confused. Let me elaborate something. Mandella, has a tortured soul, Haldir. One that runs deep, like a wound that will not close and heal. It is our task to help that healing. There are reasons she was sent here, of what those are I am still unaware, but it is imperative, that we do something and soon. Deep down, Mandella, Mandi, is a wonderful person, who feels deeply for those around her, but chooses not to show it for fear of ridicule and rejection. There is more to her than even I know. But if we do this for her, her purpose here will be great. I feel that. I tell you this only to help aide you in how to go about doing this task. Trust me." She said patting his hand with her. Standing the Lady took her husband's arm, then turned back to Haldir as he spoke.
"What are my other orders, my lady? Exactly what is expected and how far should I go with this?" Haldir asked standing.
The lady came forward and smiled warmly at him. "Whatever it takes to reach her wounded heart and soul. Whatever lengths. She will try and run, but that cannot happen. Our world is much different than her own. That is why you are to protect her." The Lady said as a caution.
"I will do it. Though I am reluctant, I will do it." Haldir said still unsure of himself.
"And do it well, I know. It is not in you to fail, Haldir. You may have endured ridicule and torture as a child, but look at you now. A vision of success. You have honor, trust, loyalty, friends and most of respect of all. You will do this, I am confident. Now go, for you are weary and need your rest." she said as she leaned in and kissed his forehead. "Should you need me, you know where I will be. Now I must attend to my mirror and see what I can on this lost girl.'
Haldir bowed his respects, and left the main hall, his heart and mind still full of questions. All right so the girl has been teased and torture, but why does she act so?
Conversation between rulers...
Celeborn walked with his love, arm in arm to her mirror glade. Silence at first but then broke it with his looming concerns for the girl and for Haldir.
"My Love, I do not believe I have ever seen Haldir so distressed. Do you really think he can do this task?" he asked worried.
"Oh, most assuredly. His arrogance and stubbornness is just what she needs to reach her. She is like a dying flower not yet gone. A little attention, sweet words, and some watering. The flower will begin to flourish." the lady was silent moment, her voice came out as remorseful and somber. "I feel sorry for her. What little I saw of her past, makes my soul want to scream. She has suffered so badly. Time with the elves is just what she needs. To be accepted, to have the attention she has craved and been deprived. She is in the best place she can be. The Valar made it for her to be here, I am just not sure what it is yet. Perhaps in time."
Celeborn thought for a moment. If the girl is in need of guidance, then yes, she is better off here. But her behavior was atrocious, horrid. He had to ask. "Why is it you think she acts so? I have never seen an elf nor human or any other people act like that. It appalled me." He commented.
"Ti is because of her past that she does. She has locked up her true emotions behind a veil of sarcasm, and hatefulness. It is a defensive mechanism for her, a way to cope with her past. Haldir will break that soon. I feel it. Considering she cannot go home." She said looking at her husband.
He looked up hearing that. "Why can she not go home?" he asked curiously.
The shadow of pain crossed his wife's face, so dark it pained even him. "Celeborn, I will only say this, the torture and rejection in her life led her here. She does not know how it is possible she got here, but I know, and what I know, pains me greatly. Torture got the best of her." She said wiping a tear threatening to fall.
"You mean?" he said stunned, his face paled more, then forced him speechless.
"Yes, the worst thing I have ever witnessed in my mirror. She will know in time, when she looks into my mirror. It will be the final blow to her spirit, break her down, so she can rebuild herself again. There is so much to this girl, good things, we just have to reach it." She said looking forward.
They entered the glad of her mirror in silence, both anticipating what they would find out next.
Battling of wills...
Haldir reached the talan across from his, just in time to hear an argument between Mandi, and Saralonde. Well it was mostly coming from Mandi. Protests over something, what he did not know.
Before knocking he pressed his ear to the door to hear.
"I told you, No!" Mandi shouted.
"Why not? I am only here to assist you. Not to force you. Now please, allow me to help." Saralonde spoke sweetly.
"I said No! Now go away!" Mandi loudly demanded.
"I will not. I have been given a task, and I shall perform it, whether you like it or not!" Saralond said sternly.
"I don't need a bath! I don't intend on staying. Now if you will, Leave!" Mandi commanded.
This would not do. Haldir hated the fighting, actually was down right sick of it. To have Mandi speak to such a sweet person as Saralonde is, was the last straw. He took the door knob in his hand and turned it. Slammed the door open, shocking both females with the bang it rang out.
With a growl he spoke. "I have enough! I can hear the yelling down the walkway. What is the problem here?"
Saralonde spoke. "I am to assist, Lady Mandi in bathing, and to have her eat. The lady wishes it, and I intend to do it."
Haldir looked at the tall elven beauty, his breath hitched as it always had. Her long flowing pale blond hair, her grass-green eyes, her beautifully curved body. They had not only been friends, but lovers at one point. He had loved her, but once she found her true mate, he realized that his love for her was that of a dear friend.
Haldir looked at Mandi. "Would you like to tell me, why it is you are so angry?" he asked.
"I don't need any help with anything. I do not plan on staying here." She said lifting her chin.
Haldir cocked his head to he side and looked at her. "And why is that? How will you go? Steal a horse, I should say not. They will not go with you or carry you. On Foot? No, you will be captured before you even leave the city gates." he said contempt dripping from him.
"I am smart. I can make myself unseen if I want." she said her chin lifted higher.
"How is that possible, when you, yourself say you are too fat for anything. Take a look around, sweetling, you are the only fat person in Lorien. Do you truly think you can fool anyone?" he asked, trying to calm himself.
Mandi's mouth dropped in shock. "How dare you speak to me like that!" she said loudly.
"Oh, I dare alright, considering you are now my charge. While in my care, you will learn respect. Accept help when offer, conform to our ways and by the gods live a peaceful life. I cannot fail in my task, it is not in me to fail. So deal with it." he said. Saralonde looked at him in shock. She had known he was stubborn, but this was beyond what she had ever seen. "Furthermore, if you do happen to manage to get past the city guards, which you will not, I will come and get you and bring you right back. Understood?"
"You just wait a cotton pickin' minute. I am not a slave, nor am I a prisoner here. Who are you idiot people to think it is alright to hold one here against their will. Huh? Tell me. I rreeaallyy want to know. I will come and go as I want to. I will leave this place should I choose. Now bugger the fuck off and leave me alone! Both of you." she said in a huff, crossing her arms over her chest in an act of stubborn protest.
Haldir took what she said in stride but did not back down. Saralonde stood there looking to the floor in silence. Which was her way, meek and mild she was, but also insistent. Haldir admired that about her. "Mandi you will bathe, eat, then retire. You need rest. How is your feet?"
"What the hell do you care about my feet, you slave driving mule!" She spat out, her scowl spoke a million words of her feelings.
Haldir smiled warmly, and spoke with such a flare that appalled even Saralonde. "I do not care. Least of all for a sharp-tongued, disrespectful hen like yourself. You are nothing more than a thorn in my side and pain in my arse. Now do as you are told, and stop arguing. Things will go smoothly here, if you would just Shut UP!" His chest was heaving from the confrontation. He strode to the door and turned. "Now Saralonde will assist you in whatever you need done." he opened the door and strode from the room.
Mandi stood there silently with her mouth gaping wide open. "You do not care about me. Why should you, no one else does. I do not need help, I am find on my own." she insisted, her voice shaking.
Haldir heard her, and re-entered the talan. "You right, you won't let anyone do anything to help you. By the way, I saw how well you had taken care of yourself while on the plains. Your feet, the way you came to the borders, in shambles, and the fact your clothes were barely even there. Yes, you take care of yourself very well. Perhaps it would have been better for all if the Orcs had gotten a hold of you and done something to you. Oh wait, that would have been a blessing beyond all measure." Haldir was seriously angry now, his temper taking hold of him fully. He snarled, flared his nostrils and left the room, this time slamming the door.
The loud bang startled both women, and they flinched in unison. Mandi did not know what to say. She shrugged and looked to Saralonde, "What's his problem?"
Saralonde just stared at her in disbelief at her words. Then watched as Mandi left to walk into the bedchamber. After a moment she followed.
"Lady Mandi. I should like to help if I can. Please. I am a good listener should you choose to speak to me. I only want to help. Will you allow me?" Saralonde asked kindly.
Mandi saw the elleth was only trying to be nice. She calmed herself and looked to her. "Look, thanks and all, but really I can do this. I do not need help to bathe." She said as nicely as she could. The elleth looked a little out of sorts there, and Mandi spoke again. "Look, if I need anything, I will yell for you."
"Very well. While you bathe, I will go check on something and be back in a few moments." Saralonde said laying down a towel she had been holding during the scene in the sitting room.
"Okay. Now go away!" Mandi said smugly.
Pep talk with the marchwarden...
Saralonde left Mandi and walked over to the talan across the walkway. Haldir's home. Knocking on the door, she waited.
Haldir having removed his outer tunic was in the under tunic and leggins, and no boots. He opened the door, surprised to see her there so soon.
"Saralonde!" he said his voice showing all the surprise. His brows furrowed in question. "Where is Mandi? Is something wrong?"
Saralonde smiled at him and hugged him. "NO. Nothing is wrong, she is bathing, like a good little girl. Even agreed to let me help her if she needed."
He was taken aback. "Well, that is a shock. Come in mellon nin." he said standing aside.
"Haldir, I came to speak with you. I know this is hard for you to relive, but I understand why the lady chose you, and asked me to help." Saralonde said sitting upon the sofa across from Haldir's favorite chair.
"Yes. She told me too. I am still at a loss as to what to do and how to go about it." Haldir said looking quite perplexed. "I think this is the hardest thing they have asked me to do."
"I know. You see, she gave the opportunity to decline helping, the Lady did, but when she told me of the child, it reminded me of you so much, I had to help. I think what you did over there, a short while ago, may have been a little harsh." Saralonde sighed, "But even though it was, it may be the best way to approach her. She needs structure, but the Lady has spoken, she needs understanding as well. I feel she is only covering up how she truly feels. I just now noticed something when you left."
Haldir sat forward, his elbows on his knees. "I am listening." he told her.
"She calmed a little. Even wanted to know what your problem was. That stunned me cause it was clearly there before her. But she changed. I asked her kindly if she would allow me to assist her, and she seemed to recognized it as that, and told me that if she needed anything she would call for me. I think, that is the way to go." Saralonde said looking at him for reaction.
"Aye the lady said the girl needs understanding, and consideration for her feeling. But she infuriates me, and I her. I will try to be kinder, but the lady assured me, Mandi will fight me on all things." He said.
"I just thought you should know what I saw in her. I had best return to her in case." Saralonde stood and looked down at him. Then turned.
"Saralonde, tell me, how is that old mate of yours anyway? Does he still surpass me in all things?" Haldir asked on a lighter note.
She laughed out loud. "He still thinks he can. He claims if you would fight him, he would definitely best you. I just let him think that way, for his ego's sake." she smiled.
Haldir chuckled. "Well, tell him whenever he is ready, I still want to fight for your hand."
"Oh, Haldir stop it. You will not do that to me. You know I love him and.. you. Both of you are greatly important to me." she assured him, as she walked over to him and kissed his cheek. "Always, the both of you are my champions. Now I best be going."
"How is my little godson doing? I have not seen him lately." Haldir asked standing and holding the door open for her.
"He is well. A warrior he says he wants to be, just like his godfather. Strong, to fight orcs and kick anyone's backside who crosses him. Tanthion, says you spoil him and has almost stolen his own son's affections from him." She said laughing, "But I know that Airon loves his ada very much."
"Aye, he does. Tell Tanthion, that he has no worries. I will not steal his ion from him. The Lad just loves me is all. Tell him, that his old friend Haldir will call upon him and Airon and perhaps go fishing soon." Haldir said hugging her one last time before she walked out to the walk way. "Oh, I would like Mandi up early in the morning. I want to take her on a tour of the city."
"I will try my best, Haldir.' Saralonde said walking across the walkway and entered the talan.
Please Review...thanks to all who have reviewed and love the story..I love ya all...
Pronounciations:
Tanthion: (Tan-tha-eye-on)
Airon: (Air-on)