The Journey
Part: 2c
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 devastating attack, is brought to Rivendell. This is her story.
Elrond appeared back in the elleth's room with Tiniwen following him. This time the young apprentice remembered to get another gown before having to retrieve it after the bandages were changed.
"Haldir, please wait outside," Elrond said. It was more of a command than request. He was somewhat surprised that Haldir was still here.
Haldir knew that tone of voice and nodded, it was one not to be argued with. "Yes, my lord."
"I will have Tiniwen get you when we are finished in here." Elrond answered while closing the door.
"I think she is awake, my Lord," Tiniwen spoke softly.
"Maybe she will let me check her wounds. Little one?" he asked gently as he moved to the side of the bed she was facing. Her eyes were open, but he could not tell if she was in reverie or not.
"Who am I?" she whispered hoarsely.
Elrond looked quickly to Tiniwen, this was not expected at all. Celebrían remembered, but she was much older. This elleth seemed to be around the same age as Tiniwen, but he wasn't sure. He looked back down, "May I change your bandages first? I will try to help you afterwards."
She turned and looked at Elrond, remembering that hellish nightmare he had pulled her out of. Safety was associated with him.
"My Lord, everything is ready." Tiniwen's voice was quiet.
The elleth froze; that was a voice she did not recognize.
"Do not worry, little one, I am training her to become a healer," Elrond spoke softly.
She did not know who to trust, but she knew she was safe with him. She slowly nodded her head letting him know that she would let him change the bandages.
Elrond placed a hand on her forehead. "This might hurt a little. If that happens I can get you something that will ease your discomfort, but you must let me know."
Removing his hand he went to work unwinding her bandages. The lacerations and puncture wounds were healing nicely, though they still bled from her earlier erratic movements. With gentle hands he checked her fractured arm. It was mending, and should be strong enough in about a week for him to remove the splint permanently. She let out a soft moan when he reached the fractured part of bone.
"Please," she whispered, her eyes closed.
"I am almost done. I know it hurts. Do you want me to get you something for it?" Elrond looked up to Tiniwen and glanced to the bandages.
Moments later Tiniwen returned with the clean bandages, and with a damp cloth she dabbed the elleth's forehead.
"No," she whispered, but her eyes said something completely different.
Elrond nodded then let his hand hover over the fractured arm bone. If she did not want to ingest the pain reliever, then he would work on alleviating some of her obvious pain. He did not want to heal her bone outright, it needed to mend on itself. With a few words spoken softly in Quenya, Elrond was able to reduce the intensity of the pain, but not completely. "Better?"
"Yes," she whispered while nodding.
"Good." He hesitated before continuing, "You have several wounds in this area," Elrond hovered his hand over her chest. "I have cleaned the cuts, but I am now going to heal them, including the ones on your arms. I will leave your arm bone to heal on its own. All right?"
The elleth shivered, but nodded, unsure of what was going to take place.
Elrond placed his hand on her forehead again. "Do not worry, little one. You have nothing to fear while you are here. Imladris is a place of healing for all who come." Closing his eyes he became very still and focused his energies on healing what could and could not be seen because of the material. After a few minutes he let his breath out slowly while reaching a hand out to steady himself. Healing on this level always took a great amount of energy out of him.
For a moment, he stood there very unsteady on his feet. He would not have made it to the door if Tiniwen had not been present. Giving him support, she opened the door and let Haldir take over from there.
"Make sure she is comfortable, Tiniwen," Elrond's voice was weak.
"Yes, my Lord. I will." Tiniwen nodded in respect and went back to the elleth to finish what needed to be done until his return.
"Haldir, I just need to rest." Elrond was leaning heavily against the warden.
"All right. How is she doing?" Haldir asked as they moved into one of the halls and toward the family wing of the house.
Elrond didn't answer until he was sitting on his bed. He looked up at Haldir with intense scrutiny. When he seemed satisfied he answered, "Haldir, as of right now, she does not remember who she is. When I have recovered I will go back and try to help her. I wish to be alone now."
Haldir nodded and turned to leave. Before the door was closed completely, he caught a glimpse of Elrond settling down on the bed and quickly descending into reverie.
The warden wandered through the halls until he ended up in the gardens. There he could hear his brother's voices. Pausing for a moment Haldir seemed undecided. When he stepped forward again it was with a new sense of purpose.
Catching up with his brothers he found them on their way to the training grounds. "Why are you here? Were you not with the elleth?" Orophin asked as he drew next to them.
"I was, brother. She had a nightmare and Elrond was able to bring her out of it."
His brothers winced at the thought of the nightmares, but they knew it was to be expected with what she went through.
"He eventually returned with Tiniwen, and healed her. I think he kept her arm in a splint." Haldir paused, not sure how he should continue.
"Well, it sounds like she will be all right," Rúmil smiled as he stopped.
They reached at the archery field. Targets were set up at the other end for practice.
"And her nightmares will lessen in time," Orophin commented while preparing his bow. Standing at the ready position, Orophin released an arrow. A resounding 'thunk' could be heard seconds after it had hit its target. Casting his glance to the side Orophin could tell something was wrong. "What is it?" he asked as he lowered the bow.
Haldir glanced from one brother to the other, debating whether or not to voice his concerns.
"Well, out with it. I know something is wrong," Rúmil folded his arms.
Haldir finally answered with a grim look, "Elrond told me that she does not remember who she is."
"You surely jest," Orophin widened his eyes.
"Would I about this?" Haldir spoke harshly as he turned his back on them, pinching the bridge of his nose. He continued softly, "When she is ready, Elrond wants her to be under the Lady's care. I will stay until that time and bring her back."
"Haldir," Rúmil reached out a hand. "You know Orophin didn't mean it that way. You are not going to do this alone."
Haldir turned back around to look at his brothers. "I. . ." He shook his head and walked quickly away, leaving two stunned wardens behind.
Haldir eventually found himself in one of the more secluded parts of the gardens sitting on a stone bench. "Why does her welfare bother me so much," he asked himself, picking at the dead twigs and throwing into one of the pools.
"Because you do not want her to go through what Celebrían endured."
Haldir stood up quickly, only to find Erestor standing on the other side of one of the smaller ponds.
"I have heard from Master Elrond that she was not captured by orcs," Erestor continued as he made his way around to Haldir's position. "Nevertheless, her trauma is still as great."
Haldir threw another twig into the water. "Elrond wants her to be under the Lady's care."
"Haldir, she may never recover even with the Lady's help. You must understand that."
Why is he telling me this, Haldir wondered.
Erestor stopped at the stone bench. "Master Elrond will do what he can for her. It is up to the Valar whether or not how much of her memories she recovers."
"Do you know why she was traveling?" Haldir asked.
Erestor shook his head. "No, it does not matter now. What matters is that we focus on that she is alive."
Haldir nodded as he sat down.
"Brother, are you here?" Orophin's voice came from the pathway.
"Be patient with her, Haldir," Erestor's voice was soft as he placed a hand on the younger elf's shoulder. Giving him a nod the senior counselor passed through to the pathway meeting up with Orophin. Giving the warden a slight smile he continued towards the garden's winding pathways.
"Brother. Saes," Orophin pushed the brush aside, finding Haldir sitting on a bench beside several still pools of water. He seemed deep in thought. Sunlight coming through the trees danced on the water, making it shimmer.
"Will you forgive me?"
"Nay, Orophin, I believe I am the one that should ask for forgiveness. My concern for the elleth has made me short of temper lately."
Orophin let a small smile cross his face at Haldir's admission. "I think we are even then, brother."
Haldir stood up and started moving in the younger elf's direction.
The brothers were silent for a while. "I think she is completely aware of her surroundings now." Haldir pushed some of the branches out of the way of the path, back towards the archery field.
"We know she is in the best care. Elrond will know what to do."
"What will he know to do?" Rúmil asked as the two neared the youngest brother.
"Master Elrond will know how to care for the elleth, he's been through this before," Orophin spoke with confidence.
"His knowledge has come with a terrible price, Orophin," Haldir spoke softly.
The two brothers nodded somberly. "Haldir, you're not the only one that misses Celebrían. She was my sister, too," Orophin spoke.
"I just don't want her to go through what Celebrían endured, and I don't think I can stop it." Haldir sighed while looking off towards the main house complex.
"Estel! Don't!" a voice could be heard off in the distance.
"I wanna see who's there!" The child's voice sounded strident compared to the older one.
The three brothers turned towards the voices. One of Elrond's sons, at this distance it was impossible to tell which one, was behind Estel, and trying to keep him from running out onto the archery field.
Rúmil smiled, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "It has been a long time since I have been with a child."
"Valar help us," Haldir mumbled while shaking his head.
"Why not, Elladan?" Estel whined.
"You could get skewered with an arrow, Estel. And Ada would not be happy if he found you wounded."
"Elladan!" Orophin called out. "'Tis all right. We've stopped for now."
Taking it as an invitation, the child rushed out to the three elves. "I'm Estel," he announced breathlessly after he stopped.
"Hello, Estel," Orophin answered first while nodding. "My name is Orophin. These are my brothers, Rúmil and Haldir."
Elladan reached the group while Orophin was speaking.
"You're not from here," Estel announced rather loudly.
Rúmil hid his laugh behind his smile. "No, Estel. We are not from here. We," he indicated the other two elves, "are from Lórien."
"Is that far away?"
"Yes, it is, Estel. It is a long way away from here."
"Estel, you've met them. It's time to start work on your tracking," Elladan interrupted before Estel could say anything more. At the thought of tracking again, the child's eyes lit up.
"Bye!" the child cried as Elladan took Estel's hand and led him in another direction, leaving the brothers with smiles on their faces. Children were refreshing to be around with their innocent exuberance.
TBC.................