Part: 4
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.
Haldir pushed the door open to the elleth's room. It had become his norm to come by her room once a day. Since she awakened, she had not spoken or left the room except for the one venture into the gardens where the traumatic memory resurfaced. All she did now was gaze out over the open area and down into the gardens. See seemed so fragile and her continued silence was deafening. She had turned quickly to see who had opened the door. When she recognized him she visibly relaxed.
The silence of the room was broken by the sounds of laughter coming from the garden. Stepping over to the railing, Haldir could see his brothers, along with Elladan and Elrohir playing with Estel.
Casting a side long glance to the elleth told him that she was watching the same scene and with a slight smile on her face, all though he could not tell if the smile reached her eyes.
"Haldir?"
Haldir turned to look on her with surprise, she actually spoke instead of whispering. "Yes?"
She looked up to Haldir in wonder, "My. . .my name is Arianel." Her voice was rough from weeks of disuse, though to Haldir it was one of the best things he had heard in a long time. "Arianel," he acknowledged with a slight smile. And she seemed to act as if it were a gift given to her, and one to cherish.
Sensing her straying attention, Haldir decided to take his leave. He needed to find Elrond.
Standing outside Elrond's study, Haldir could hear Erestor's muffled voice then Elrond answer. They were discussing something at the moment. Stepping inside Haldir found Erestor standing several paces off to the side of Elrond's desk with a sheaf of papers in his hand.
"Elrond."
The elf-lord looked up from what he was working on, it was unusual for Haldir to address him with just his name when someone else was present. "Yes?"
"It concerns the elleth my brother, Rúmil, brought here. She seems to have remembered her name."
Elrond caught Erestor's eyes for a moment while placing the pen back on the desk. Giving a slight nod the counselor began gathering up some of the paperwork.
"No, Erestor. I will be back. The treaty needs to be finished so the riders can be sent out."
"Yes, my Lord," Erestor nodded while placing the gathered paperwork back on the desk.
"What did she tell you?" Elrond asked while they were alone in one of the halls.
"Arianel."
Elrond stopped suddenly and looked to the warden. "Is that what she told you?"
"Yes," Haldir nodded.
A slightly faraway look appeared in Elrond's eyes. He came back and moved quickly towards the healer's wing leaving Haldir in the hallway.
Elrond entered the room before remembering his promise to himself. Rúmil had come up from the gardens and was leaning against one of the walls, watching her. Seeing Haldir's younger brother relieved some of Elrond's anxieties. She was sitting on the balcony, but didn't jump like she previously would when someone would come visit her. It was a testament of how far she had come since arriving in Imladris, or maybe she was expecting others to come. Turning, she saw who it was that entered her room. "I, uh, remember my name, I think." Before she turned her attention back to the gardens she glanced at Rúmil.
Elrond did not move from his position at the door. He glanced to Rúmil for a minute then turned his attention back to the elleth. "What do you wish to be called?"
She turned hopeful eyes back to Elrond, "The name that I remember, and that seems right is 'Arianel'. Do you know who I am? I can't seem to remember why we were traveling."
Elrond approached the bed, "Arianel, if the Valar wish it, your memories will come eventually, do not worry." Looking at her closely, he had more than a good idea whose child she was. He was not sure, though, if he should tell her about her parents just yet, and he had no idea why they had been traveling in the first place. If he told her, he realized, he would be planting memories inside her head, memories that she might not have had in the first place.
"Why won't you tell me who I am?" Arianel asked. She was desperate to find out who she was.
Elrond shook his head, "Because I want you to remember on your own. I will not put memories into your mind." The elf-lord moved towards the railing, "When the time is right, you will travel to Lothlórien to be under the care of Galadriel."
"Why can I not stay here? This place feels like home to me."
"Only if it is the will of the Valar, little one," he said quietly and excused himself from the room heading back to his study.
Rúmil, with a slight smile on his face, watched Elrond leave.
"I think it is revealed who my patient is," Elrond said unannounced as he returned to the study.
"You do?" Erestor's curiosity was piqued at the oblique statement.
Elrond nodded as he sat down at his desk. "Does she not seem familiar to you, Erestor?"
"Somewhat, but I always thought it was because of her possible family connection.
Elrond leaned back in the chair a hand playing with his writing instrument. "It is not only possible, Erestor, but certain. I am sure she is Donathorn's daughter." As he spoke the Elrond's mind traveled back to the Grey Havens over 400 years ago when Celebrían traveled west for healing. Arianel may have only been a child of twenty, but even at a distance he could already tell she was beginning to show her future beauty. Elrond never met her formally, Donathorn would not allow such a meeting, but he did see glimpses of her from a window or in one of the gardens.
"Donathorn?" Erestor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yes."
"Where, then, could they have been traveling, and why did they not stop here for rest?"
Elrond shook his head as he put the pen down, "You know the answer to that, Erestor."
The counselor nodded while looking away.
"Erestor, we might never know the reason why they were traveling."
"Probably not," Erestor mumbled while shifting some of the papers in an attempt to do at least something with his hands.
"Probably not," Elrond echoed. "Does that bother you?"
Erestor looked to Elrond for a moment. "Somewhat," he finally answered. "She will need support."
Elrond had begun looking over the paperwork before him, "Which is why I want her to be under Galadriel's care."
"She might never be ready."
"That is the chance I have to take, Erestor. She does not belong here, that much I have garnered from the visions the Valar have sent me."
........
"He's gone. . ." her voice was an echoing sob. The images that came along with the voice were disjointed, dark, and confusing.
Elrond woke with a start in a cold sweat and heart pounding, but he could not remember what it was that terrified him so much. Because it was still dark outside he could not tell if it was close to morning, or late at night. Sitting up he looked towards the balcony. The breeze was light, which cooled his skin more than it already was. Turning back he put his face in his hands, trying to come to terms with the dream/vision he was given, his dark hair cocooning his face and hands. Thinking that he would be able to make some sense out of it with daylight, Elrond settled back down, only to be disturbed by the door creaking and the sound of small feet coming across the room.
"Ada?"
Elrond sat up while pulling his hair out of the way, the leather thong he used to secure his hair had come loose during the night. "What's wrong, ion nin?" he asked as he secured his hair.
Estel climbed up onto the bed, "I dreamed of mommy and daddy." He paused, bottom lip quivering slightly, "I miss them."
Elrond opened his arms to let Estel come close, then leaned back. "I know you do, Estel, and I know your mother misses you very much."
"Ada?"
"Yes?"
"Do you miss nanneth?"
Elrond froze in surprise at the innocent question. Did he miss Celebrían? of course he did, so much so that it still hurt. "Yes, Estel. I miss her very much."
"Maybe we can miss them together," Estel's now sleepy voice was muffled against the elf-lord's chest.
Estel, you are truly your namesake. You have given hope to all who meet you. "Thank you, Estel," Elrond's voice was quiet. Looking down, he found the child had already fallen asleep. "You are growing up too fast, Estel," he whispered. "Some days I wish you could stay a child forever."
Elrond stayed in that position, content to hold Estel for the moment. After a time he maneuvered the sleeping child so he could stand up. Once on his feet he quietly walked back to Estel's room.
After placing him on the bed, Elrond sat on the side and tucked the covers around Estel. "Never change, Estel," he whispered as he placed a hand on the side of the child's head. When a few moments had passed, Elrond stood up and quietly left the dark room and walked back to his own chamber to rest for the remaining dark hours.
TBC...............