Hey, hey, hey! Thanks for checking out chapter 4!
A giant, heart-felt thank you to everyone who read, reviewed, favorited, and followed this story! Each one of you brought a smile to my face and warmed my cold, black heart! Everyone seems to think we need more Haldir fics, and I could not agree more! Hopefully this story is living up to everyone's expectations.
Once again, I don't own a darn thing (except for Kerrianne).
Thanks again and enjoy this chapter.
-ChoupetteLagerfeld
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The next morning saw Kerrianne in a dark mood. She'd tossed and turned, despite the comfort of the bed she'd been provided with by the elves. There was just no way for her to truly relax. She kept going over all of the questions in her head. How did she get here? Why? Would she ever go home? Why did Haldir hate her? Kerrianne found that despite her predicament, the most pressing question on her mind was that of Haldir's attitude towards her. She just couldn't get the aggravating elf's handsome, stupid face out of her head. That haughty expression had haunted her thoughts all night.
Kerrianne finally rolled out of bed and walked out of the small bedroom and into the living area of the talan. She'd been dismayed to discover the night before that there was not a bathroom, merely a chamberpot behind a privacy screen in the bedroom. She'd not anticipated that living without electricity or modern electronics would be so difficult. It appeared that these elves lived in a medieval society; a fact that Kerrianne was not overly thrilled about. She already missed overhead lighting, her MacBook, and her crappy old microwave. Just as she was ripping off a hunk of the bread that'd been left for her the night before, there was a knock at the door. Her heart pounding a little faster, Kerrianne strode over to the door and swung it open to reveal the rosy visage of a smiling elf maiden.
"Hello!" The elf beamed at Kerrianne, her pretty face lighting up. Kerrianne gave her a weak smile in reply, not wanting to be rude but really not feeling up to being so bright and cheery this early. It was unnatural. "You must be Lady Kerrianne! I've been sent by Lady Galadriel to assist you with anything you may need and to give your a tour of our city," The elf talked a mile a minute and Kerrianne had the suspicion that this particular elf was one of those perpetually happy-go-lucky people. She generally hated those people but since the elves were being so accommodating, she swallowed her bad mood and pasted a bigger smile on her face. It felt forced and awkward but the elf didn't seem to notice.
"Yes, uh, thanks. Whats your name?" Kerrianne asked, following the elf out onto the platform and taking in the morning sunshine. As much as Kerrianne was definitely not a morning person, she had to admit that Caras Galadhon was just as breathtaking in the bright sunlight as it was in the waning light of the night before.
"My name is Ferruel," The elf stated as she led Kerrianne down the winding stairs and along one of the wider paths that cut through the center of the city. They eventually came upon a large wooden building and Kerrianne could hear running water. "These are the bath houses. Ellith on the left and ellyn on the right," The pretty Ferruel waved her hand towards the structure. Kerrianne could make out some sort of symbols on the two separate doors but obviously had no idea what they meant.
"What are ellith and ellyn?" She asked, feeling distinctly out of place.
"Ellith are female elves and ellyn are male," Ferruel explained, an understanding look on her face. "We'd better start you learning Sindarin or there could be a serious mishap in your future, when it comes to the bathhouses!" Ferruel giggled. Kerrianne could guess that Sindarin must be the elven language.
"Don't most elves speak English anyway? I don't see why I'd need to learn Sindarin, especially since I don't plan on being here long anyway," Kerrianne muttered, wondering just how true that statement was. She had no idea how to get home and from her audience with Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel the night before, it didn't seem like the elves knew either. She let the idea leave her head as quickly as it entered it. There was no use in worrying about things she had no control over. At least, not yet.
"English? You mean Westron? Most elves don't speak it, actually. Only high-ranking elves and those schooled in the tongue, such as myself. You'll be better off learning Sindarin, should you spend any length of time here," Ferruel shrugged, a small smile still on her lips. Kerrianne sighed. She let Ferruel lead her around the city, showing her various buildings and places before leading her into a large outdoor pavilion, obviously used for group meals and gatherings.
"This is where most elves take their meals if they aren't eating in their own talans," Ferruel lead Kerrianne to a long banquet-style table and showed her the various foods and drinks. They weren't much different from the food on Earth, just simpler. They definitely didn't have refined sugars and processed foods here. Together they each filled a bowl and took a seat at the end of a long table. It seemed early still and many of the elves present seemed to be in a hurry and didn't spare them a glance. That was alright with Kerrianne; she wasn't quite up to inquisitive looks and questions just yet. At least not until she had breakfast. Sadly, it appeared there was no coffee in this world and Kerrianne found herself heartbroken at the realization. It seemed she'd have to made do with tea, like some sort of heathen, she thought to herself sarcastically.
She and Ferruel conversed easily and Kerrianne could see why the sweet "elleth" had been appointed to help her. Ferruel was kind, soft-spoken but not quite shy, and willing to answer the many questions Kerrianne had. Kerrianne was not surprised at all to learn that Ferruel was Galadriel's personal lady's maid; she was the most helpful and patient person she'd ever met and Kerrianne felt a little guilty about her initial annoyance with the pretty elf. Eventually the pavilion started to fill with more elves and she was noticing more than a few glances her way. Most of the elves thankfully seemed too polite to stare, but Kerrianne felt herself blush as she met the gaze of many an elf before hurriedly glancing away. It seemed like every single elf was young and gorgeous. Were there no elderly people here? Or children? It seemed strange and Kerrianne asked Ferruel about it.
"Well, of course there are old elves, Lady Kerrianne, but we will never appear old such as mortals do. Elves are immortal and shall ever appear young and vivacious, for we are. As far as young ones, elven children are few and far between, at least compared to the race of men, since our lives are so long and we can afford to wait to procreate" Ferruel said, to Kerrianne's astonishment.
"Immortal? How old are you?" She asked before she could stop herself. "Sorry! I don't know if that's rude," She apologized, feeling out of place once more.
"It is no matter," Ferruel waved her hand in a dismissive manner. "I am quite young for an elf, merely 500 or so years," Kerrianne's eyes widened.
"500 is young? No wonder everyone's so damn good looking," She muttered. She could never fit in here.
"But you are lovely, yourself, Lady Kerrianne," Ferruel stated, as if it were the most obvious thing on Earth, well Middle Earth, Kerrianne supposed. She blushed deeper and shook her head. She might not be ugly, but she could never compare to the tall, slender gods and goddesses that were the elves. She hadn't seen a plain elf yet; each were beautiful and captivating in their own way.
"Please, I am not. And call me Kerrianne, enough of this 'Lady' business," Kerrianne muttered, swishing her water around in her cup. Ferruel seemed to take pity on her.
"Very well, though I must disagree with you. But enough of this talk, let us get you further acquainted with the city!" Ferruel and Kerrianne stood, bringing their used dishes to a table where a group of ellith were washing and drying. They all stopped their chatter and watched as Kerrianne deposited her bowl and cup on the table. She offered a weak smile and stated a quick thank you, though it was obvious none of them understood her. She avoided meeting their eyes and quickly followed Ferruel back out onto the paths of the city. Being a stranger in this world would most definitely take some getting used to.
Eventually Ferruel left Kerrianne at the bath houses after showing her around some more and getting her some clothing to wear, since all she had were her tank top and cut-offs. Kerrianne had blushed deeply when Ferruel had explained that her attire was considered fairly scandalous by the elves. Kerrianne was surprised, since no had mentioned it aside from Haldir, but she supposed that it was just like the elves to be polite to a fault.
Kerrianne sighed as she eased her body into the natural hot spring of the bath house (another absolute feat of engineering that seemed to prove the elves were meant to harness nature). She submerged her body and let her head rest on the edge of the pool, enjoying the fact that she was alone in the water. Ferrule had explained that most elves bathed in the morning and that higher ranking elves had bathing chambers in their talans, so Kerrianne would most likely be able to use the bath house in private later in the day.
Her thoughts were a jumble a she soaked in the water and slowly lathered herself using some handmade soap Ferruel had gotten her. So far the elves were nothing but congenial, even if they did stare at her when she wasn't looking and converse in Sindarin around her. Kerrianne supposed she couldn't blame them; she was an outsider after all. She was grateful for Ferruel and for Lady Galadriel. Though Galadriel hadn't had any answers for her today, Kerrianne found that she liked being in the ethereal lady's company (even though she was unsettling to a point).
Eventually Kerrianne's thoughts turned to Haldir, the stoic March Warden. Ferruel had explained that Haldir was the highest ranking member of the elves' military, a general of sorts, and that he was very well respected in their society. He was known for his staunch morals and dedication to his position, which he'd held for over 600 years. Kerrianne wasn't surprised at all to hear that he'd held his position for so long; he had the air of someone used to having his orders followed at once and without question. It figured he was basically an old man used to getting his way (though Kerrianne hadn't mentioned that last bit to Ferruel. Haldir could apparently do no wrong in anyone's eyes and she wasn't about to badmouth him to her only friend here).
But he was an infuriating elf! Kerrianne's cheeks heated once more as she mused on their one and only interaction that day. She and Ferruel had been to see a seamstress about some clothing for Kerrianne when Haldir had walked in with some tunics that needed repair. The way his eyes had traversed her figure as the seamstress took her measurements almost made Kerrianne think Haldir was checking her out… But almost immediately after, he'd raised his eyebrow and with a smirk commented that Kerrianne would no doubt be needing some custom garments, for her figure was so much different from the elves'.
It had been humiliating, having her body scrutinized already in front of Ferruel and the seamstress, who were unnaturally beautiful and perfect. But then to have Haldir, who was the seeming model of male perfection, point out her shortcomings was beyond mortifying. Kerrianne had reacted in anger, of course, and told Haldir that he must be visiting the seamstress in order to have the necklines of his tunics increased, for there was no way his stupid, giant head could fit through them as is! The way his eyes widened and nostrils flared in anger almost had Kerrianne forgetting her own anger. His beautiful face was painfully more masculine and elegant when he was angry. She'd been disappointed when he merely turned around sharply and left without comment, his hair swishing behind him.
Kerrianne hoped that if she was to spend any amount of time with the elves that there were some ellyn more agreeable than the March Warden. She was a hot-blooded woman, as they say, and she wasn't about to be celibate just because she was lost in a supernatural, medieval society. Kerrianne stood and slowly dressed, immediately longing for her own clothes, which were dirty and would need to be washed. Kerrianne especially missed her undergarments and considered putting on her dirty bra and underwear but couldn't bring herself to. It just seemed wrong to wear dirty clothes after bathing in such beautiful, clear water. Besides, it seemed that the elves didn't wear underwear at all, from what she could tell. Especially since all of the ellith she'd seen had been virtually flat-chested, she supposed they had no need for bras. But Kerrianne definitely did, and she felt strange and naked without one.
She supposed she'd ask the seamstress if it was at all possible to have another one made, if she could. Hers wouldn't last forever and if she was stuck here for any amount of time she sure as hell wasn't going braless just because her lone bra was dirty! Kerrianne gathered her clothes, towel, and toiletries to her chest and exited the bath house through the back door to a narrow path that would eventually lead back to her talan. It would be the long way through the city, but she relished the idea of a solitary walk. Just as she was closing the door behind her and turning around, Kerrianne walked right into a broad chest.
Stumbling and dropping all of her items, Kerrianne groaned and stooped to collect them, blushing as whoever she'd ran into also crouched down to help her, their hands collecting her clothes, including her aforementioned bra and underwear. She could feel her face heat as she glanced up and realized it was none other than Haldir with her Wonder Woman thong in his hand, his face quizzical as he examined the garment. As it dawned on it what the garment must be, his face also colored and he thrust it at Kerrianne along with her bra as the stood. She took back her clothes and quickly clutched them back to her chest as she noticed Haldir's gaze fixed somewhere below her chin. The cool air and her damp skin were doing her no favors in the nipple department and of course, that fact had not escaped the March Warden. His clear blue eyes were definitely trained on her breasts, which filled Kerrianne both with a sense of feminine pride and absolute embarrassment.
"Thanks!," Kerrianne squeaked after a pause and quickly skirted around Haldir and hurried down the path. If she'd glanced behind her as she rushed away, she'd have noticed the way Haldir's eyes followed her movements until she was out of sight. He'd never met a stranger, more compelling individual.