Author: bbatmyte
Part 1a/?
Rating: Strong R
Pairing: Haldir/OFC
Characters: Just about every other elf that Tolkien created that's in the LoTR books and movies.
Warning: descriptions of wounds
Disclaimer: All known characters are owned by the great Tolkien, all others are of my own creation.
Beta(s): Marta, Kazzy, and Vi
Timeline: 80 years before LoTR and extends to post RoTK events
Notes: I want to thank Marta, Zee, Mal, Kay, Suse, Phyllis, Vi, Novedhelion, and Dorothy for their expertise. Without their input this story would not be what it is today. This story follows the movieverse.
Summary: With no memory of a possible alliance with Mirkwood, an elleth, lone survivor of a devistating attack, is brought to Rivendell. This is her story.
Seven Weeks earlier
"Lord Elrond!" a voice called with great haste. An elf with long brown straight stepped into the ornately decorated study.
The regally dressed lone figure in the room could easily intimidate the most stalwart of the household, not to mention others that would visit on occasion. Raven black hair hung below his shoulders to the middle of his back while the sides were knotted casually keeping the long dark strands out of the way. Though he was of mixed heritage, his obvious height only accentuated his Eldar features. Setting down the book, the imposing figure gazed steadily on the one that intruded the quiet chamber.
"Be at peace, Glénduil," the elf-lord replied.
Glénduil was still out of breath when he continued, "I am sorry, my Lord, but a rider from Lórien has come. He states your services as a healer are in need."
Elrond was already on his way out the door before the servant had finished his statement.
"My Lord, he is heading towards the Halls of Healing and will meet you there," Glénduil hurried to keep up with his lord.
When Elrond stepped inside the Halls of Healing it calmed the anxieties of the elves and elleths already gathered. If their lord was there, then everything would work out in the end. Not a step behind the tall lord was another elf. This one's skin coloring was naturally pale with a crown of pale blond hair. The newcomer was dressed in the colors and symbols of a warden of Lothlórien and carried his burden with gentle ease.
Moving to the side, Elrond allowed the newcomer to place his burden gently down on the bed. "My lord," the elf from Lórien spoke as he rose, "My brothers are following. They should be no more than a day behind."
Elrond nodded while removing the wine-dark heavy outer cloak he wore. After handing it to a servant, he turned his attention to the obviously wounded one. Unwrapping the bloodstained elven gray cloak revealed a badly injured elleth. The light coming from a nearby window caught her thick black tresses and made them shimmer with a slight bluish glow, though her skin was pale. Her pallor was a mixture of her natural coloring and the blood loss she received from her injuries.
Raising up, Elrond gave a few quick commands for the things he needed to the healers present, then turned to the Lórien elf. Placing a hand on his shoulder Elrond continued, "Rúmil, go wait outside."
Rúmil nodded while backing up, though he wanted to make sure she would be taken care of. He and his brothers had done all they could after they found her, and he had tried to keep that up during the desperate trip to Imladris. Since he was the one that found her, it was natural that he was chosen to bring her for healing.
"She is not so far gone that I cannot help her," Elrond's voice broke through his thoughts. Seeing the elf-lord's expression, Rúmil realized his desire to stay in the room was a loosing battle, and grudgingly left the room. Elrond was giving her the dignity she deserved, though most of her clothing had to be removed so he could heal her.
Turning back to the patient, Elrond began the examination to see what he could do initially to help the elleth. Before he did anything else, he bound his hair in a strip of leather, effectively pulling it out of the way. Placing a cool hand on her forehead told him she had developed a fever. At the gentle touch she let out a quiet moan that quickly increased into cries of pain while she started writhing.
"Get me some of the sleeping draught, quickly," Elrond ordered his newest apprentice healer.
Bringing a cup over, Tiniwen helped the elleth to drink the mixture while Elrond tried to keep her from hurting herself more than she already was. Her thrashing movements only made her wounds bleed again.
It took a little time, but the draught finally began to work. When she had calmed down, Elrond started his examination by checking to see if she had any broken bones. One of the long bones in her right lower arm had been fractured. It would have to be set to heal correctly, but until then Elrond had to make sure her other injuries were first taken care of. She was covered in laceration and puncture wounds, though her arms took the blunt of whatever it was that had attacked her. Those lacerations were deep enough for him to see muscle tendons and parts of her arm bones. She had attempted to protect herself with her arms and paid a hefty price for her actions. Rúmil and his brothers had cleaned her wounds as best they could with what they had on hand.
When he finished, Elrond bound up all her wounds and placed her right arm in a splint so the bone would have a chance to mend properly. He then had her dressed in an extra soft sleeping gown, taken from his daughter Arwen's chambers.
It was about an hour later when Elrond reappeared in the outer chambers. His tunic was stained, but that was to be expected with his healing gifts, and his heavy outer-cloak was thrown over an arm. "Rúmil, I do not want her disturbed." Elrond stopped the warden from entering the room with a hand.
"I'll just sit with her, my lord."
"How long has it been since you had decent rest?" Elrond looked the warden over with a critical eye.
Rúmil sounded a little put out when he answered, "I rested while you were taking care of her."
"That is not enough, Rúmil. Do not worry, she will live." Taking the warden's arm Elrond quickly guided him out of the hall and into the guest area of the Last Homely House. "You are weary and travel-stained. You may join us for dinner after you have rested and cleaned yourself. You can tell us what happened then."
Rúmil could do nothing but nod in assent as he entered one of the many guest chambers. Elrond was lord in this realm, and his word was law. The room was already laid out for his visit. Looking around he smiled slightly; Elrond always gave him this room every time he was sent to Imladris by his Lord and Lady. Removing all if his clothing, except his black inner-shirt and leggings, he sighed and stretched out on the bed. He had not rested the balance of the long trip after the elleth was found, and quickly slipped into the realm of dreams.
After escorting Rúmil to his room, Elrond returned to his private chambers and changed into a fresh tunic. Reemerging, he went back to the study. The previous events were not expected, which bothered him. Why, he wondered, did Celeborn and Galadriel send some of the Galadhon's guards in his direction? He obviously did not ask for them, and he had received no indication that Galadriel or Celeborn were wanting to discuss anything with him. The only viable option was that they were sending a message to him by courier. Elrond sighed as he reached for the book he had been reading earlier.
Picking it up, he ran his fingers over the leather that encased the pages. The book was something he had written a long time ago; why he was reading it again, he did not know. Events were moving, pushing him, in a direction he did not want to go. Setting the book down, Elrond moved to a small side table that held a half-filled glass decanter and several goblets. Uncapping the decanter, he poured some of the miruvor into one of the small goblets. Putting everything back in its place, he picked up the goblet and sipped at the sweet wine.
"My Lord?"
Elrond placed the goblet down and turned. Glénduil stood in the doorway, tray of food in hand. "I have brought you lunch, my Lord."
Elrond picked up the goblet, then moved over to another small table and sat down. Glénduil followed. "Thank you, Glénduil."
The elf placed the tray down and placed the dishes on the table. He then lifted the tray and stepped back several paces.
"That will be all." Elrond gave the servant a slight smile and dismissed him. The meal would give him time to think more about the previous events of the day.
Glénduil bowed and left the study.
Silence reigned in the study for several minutes while he ate until the door burst open revealing his youngest son. "Ada!"
The 7-year-old adan launched himself towards Elrond and landed in a heap on the elf-lord's lap. Not very dignified, considering the child was the last of the line of the Númenórean kings, but he was only seven.
"Ada?"
Elrond looked up. Elladan, one of his twin sons was standing just inside the door.
"If he's bothering you, I can take him for a while."
"He is not bothering me at all. You should know that I always have time for my children." Elrond looked down at the child in his lap, "Estel, why don't you go play in the gardens? I need to talk to Elladan for a moment. He can join you later when we've finished."
Estel nodded eagerly while climbing off Elrond's lap. In a flash he was out the door and running towards the gardens.
"Estel, no running in the house!" Elrond called after Estel.
"Yes, Ada!" came the echoing answer, though Elrond could still hear Estel running. The elf-lord closed his eyes and shook his head.
Elladan grinned while looking towards the garden. Turning back the twin had a serious look on his face. "What were you wanting to tell me, Ada?"
Scooting back from the table, Elrond rose and moved towards the fireplace. Turning he started, "A rider from Lórien arrived today. He carried with him an injured elleth."
"Yrchs!" Elladan hissed while turning around to leave.
"Elladan, we do not know for sure. Until there is confirmation, I do not want you and your brother out hunting."
Elladan stopped then turned around, "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because her injuries seemed consistent with wargs."
"Where wargs are, normally orcs are not far behind."
"True, but there will be two more riders from Lórien coming. Celeborn and Galadriel sent them here for some reason. We will find out more information when they've arrived."
"Who did she send?" Elladan perked up.
"Rúmil arrived with the elleth; his brothers should be here by tomorrow at the latest. And do not pester him for any information; he had not rested for most of the journey here."
Elladan's face fell. "All right, Ada." The younger elf sighed. "Are you still wanting me to start showing Estel how to track?"
Elrond let a slight smile cross his features, "Yes, I do believe it is time for him to start learning the ways of the Rangers."
Elladan nodded and excused himself from the study. When the door closed Elrond sighed and sank down on the couch near the fireplace, lunch forgotten.
"My Lord?"
Elrond looked up and found Erestor standing beside the table that contained his forgotten lunch.
"I am sorry, my mind was occupied." Elrond shook his head.
"You know it is not good to go without lunch. You need to keep your mind sharp."
The words were the same that Celebrían often told him when she was still in Imladris. The old pain of grief over losing her bloomed fresh in his heart once again. Without realizing it he bowed his head and curled his fingers around his tunic over his heart.
"My Lord?" Erestor asked with concern, moving swiftly over to the couch.
"It still pains me greatly, Erestor, though I know I cannot give myself permission to fade," Elrond whispered with his head still bowed. "Too many things need to be done before I can rest."
"Then you can rest in the Undying Lands, my Lord."
"It has been five hundred years, Erestor. Five hundred long years since I gazed upon her face."
"My Lord, you must hold out until everything is finished." Erestor grasped one of Elrond's arms and drew the elf-lord to his feet. He easily lead him over to the small table. "You do need to eat, my Lord. All will be well in the end."
Elrond shook his head while he sat down, "What would I do without you, Erestor?"
"Most likely starve," the counselor answered while handing Elrond a fork.
Elrond looked up after he finished his lunch, "Erestor, I wish to be alone for a while."
Erestor nodded. "I'll send Glénduil to clean the table." The counselor really didn't want Elrond to be alone with his current mindset, but he was his lord. Erestor only wished Elrond truly knew what he was doing.
"As you wish, my Lord." Erestor bowed his head and left the room quietly. Finding Glénduil standing just outside he addressed the servant. "Please keep an eye on Master Elrond. He still suffers over his loss."
"Yes, Counselor." Glénduil bowed his head.