The Journey
Part: 5
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 stood in one of the upper levels of the gardens looking at the lush vegetation below. He had finished his daily weapons practice a little over an hour earlier and was now enjoying the garden's life. Imladris was truly a sanctuary. Looking over into another area he saw Elrohir, who appeared to be on his way to the main house. Seeing the peredhil alone got the warden to thinking. His eyes twinkled mischief as he quickly wound his way down to the lower levels.

Catching up to the twin, Haldir spoke, getting his attention. "Elrohir?"

Elrohir turned to look at the elf with a question in his eyes.

"I was hoping you could help me with something."

Elrohir looked confused for a moment, "What could I possibly help you with?"

"A small thing that concerns my brothers." A flicker of mischief crossed the older elf's gray eyes.

That flicker was all Elrohir needed to realize what Haldir was requesting. "What do you have in mind?" the dark-hair elf's voice lowered conspiratorially.

"It shan't take too much to get everything prepared. It's been long enough for them to have forgotten what I told them when we arrived here."

"Those are the best, when they don't realize what it is connected with, and do not see it coming." Elrohir's mind was full of possibilities.

Haldir put a hand on the peredhil's shoulder. "This is mine. I just need some help in getting things set up."

Elrohir nodded. "Where too first?"

"They normally practice archery in the early afternoon. I want to go to Orophin's rooms first."

Elrohir nodded as the two elves worked their way back to the house talking in quiet voices. Even though Haldir and his brothers were guests, they were given rooms in the family wing of the house.

"I know Rúmil will want to bathe after his time at the archery and practice field," Haldir said offhandedly as they went into Orophin's and then Rúmil's room. The two worked quickly and silently. Once finished they left and then waited for the two to return and then head to their hiding place. As expected the two brothers gathered their weapons and headed out to the practice fields.

They didn't have to wait too long before Rúmil and Orophin retured from their practice. Orophin seemed very annoyed at something which made Haldir smile. "Why didn't you practice, Haldir?" Elrohir asked quietly. "And why weren't you there?"

"I did practice today, but it was much earlier in the day. I think Rúmil was with Arianel at the time." Haldir smiled. "And if I were at the practice field, then they would think it was me automatically."

Elrohir nodded while giving the older elf a slightly evil grin. "You can be really sneaky sometimes."

Haldir's face did not change, but his eyes twinkled.

When the two brothers reached the hall, Orophin had a disgusted look on his face. "My bow string should not have snapped."

"How long have you had it?" Rúmil asked.

"Not very long," the older elf grumbled. "Now I have to use my spare until we get back to Lórien."

"I'm going to bathe," Rúmil commented to no on in particular as he reached for a bundle of clothing in his room. Actually he wanted to get away from Orophin's bad mood. With his weapons placed off to the side the elf headed in the direction of the bathing rooms, a bundle of clothing in his hands.

When everything was safe, Elrohir quietly slipped out of Haldir's room and into his own while Haldir went towards Arianel's room. She still jumped when the door opened, but it was not accompanied by uncontrollable shivering.

"I did not see you practice today." She turned to look back out into the gardens.

"I did, Arianel." The side of his mouth quirked up.

"You were not with Orophin or Rúmil."

Haldir shook his head. "Nay, I practiced with Elladan this morning."

Arianel nodded. "Rúmil was here this morning. He's sweet."

Haldir's eyes darkened for a moment. He wasn't sure how he should take her last comment. He shook his head mentally. She was her own person. Just because she said that about his youngest brother did not mean anything. She had commented that she thought Orophin had been nice. Even in her current mental state she had shown signs that she knew Orophin was bound. "It depends on who you talk to. He can be quite infuriating sometimes."

Arianel turned back to look at Haldir and smiled when she realized he was teasing her about his brother.

"In some ways he is very innocent, like a child. But he is also a very capable warden." Haldir could not hide the pride he felt in what his youngest brother had accomplished. "Why don't you go out, Arianel?" Haldir brought the subject around to what really bothered him. "If you do, it will make it easier for the time to journey to Lórien."

He turned to look to Arianel and found her shaking her head. "I do not want to go out. You have no idea what it is like!"

Haldir sighed, "You are right about that, but Elrond understands better than any other that can help you here."

Arianel shook her head again. "I don't believe you."

"If you will not go outside, will you come to the study with me? I would like to show you something."

Arianel seemed undecided for a moment. "What about Lord Elrond?"

"I do not think he will mind."

"Are you sure?"

"Arianel, he is bound to my family. I have known him my whole life. Do not worry, it will be all right."

Arianel still did not seem convinced at Haldir's words.

"I promise I will not tell Elrond that you went out of your rooms." This time Haldir tried to appease her. It seemed strange to the warden that she was wanting approval of her actions.

She finally nodded and stood slowly. Ever since she had been healed Elrond had the tailor create clothing for her to wear. The colors complimented her pale but dark complexion. She was gaining strength daily, which was very encouraging to everyone involved in her healing. The trip to the study went slow, but steady.

"Glénduil, where is Lord Elrond?" Haldir asked quietly as they reached the room. The dark-haired servant was coming out, carrying a tray.

"He is with Estel. He wanted to see the young master's progress in tracking. Excuse me." Glénduil bowed his head and walked in the direction of the kitchens.

"Who is that?" Arianel's eyes followed the servant.

"Elrond's personal servant. Come, there is something I want you to see."

Arianel hesitated for a moment then took an unsure step into the room.

Only with my permission will you be allowed to come here. Now leave.

"Arianel?"

She snapped back and swayed slightly on her feet.

"Here, let me help you."

Arianel looked to Haldir, "I am all right." She hesitated, "Are you sure we are allowed here?"

"This is Elrond's formal study and library. Anyone that wishes to come here, can. Especially if they want to do some reading."

No matter what Haldir said, she still did not seem convinced that it was all right. "What is it you're wanting to show me?"

"This," Haldir indicated a portrait. The subject was a silver elven lady. "Her name is Celebrían. She endured something that was very traumatic. This is how Elrond knows how to help you."

"Where is she now?"

"Valinor," Elrond's voice came from the door.

Arianel froze, again scared.

Haldir turned to the voice and found Elrond standing just inside the study holding Estel's hand.

"Ada?"

"Stay here," the elf-lord said quietly as he released the child's hand and quickly moved to Arianel's side. He remembered how controlling Donathorn could be, and realized that his child had been on the receiving end of that control.

"Arianel," he watched as Haldir helped her to sit down on the couch. "As long as you are in my house, you are welcome to all but my personal rooms." And Valar help me to not do anything wrong.

"I am?" she asked, almost childlike in her fear. "I though I wasn't allowed into the study."

Elrond gave her a kind smile, "This study is a place of learning for all of the residents of Imladris. Everyone is welcome here, especially you."

Arianel nodded slowly. "I am tired."

"Haldir." Elrond looked at the warden who nodded in answer.

Turning, Elrond called to Estel, "Estel, come away from the door. Arianel will be leaving."

The child nodded, but watched with wide eyes the elleth he had been restricted to see in the Halls of Healing. When they were gone he walked over to the desk and climbed into the chair.

"After we finish with your lesson I will take you to meet her."

Estel's face broke out into a wide grin of excitement.

Even though the trip was short, it was still exhausting for Arianel. Her strength had improved immensely, but she still tired easily. Haldir knew the trip to Lórien would test everyone's strength and endurance easily.

"I am tired," she whispered as she wearily sat down on the bed.

Haldir nodded. "I will get Tiniwen," and moved towards the door.

"Haldir?"

"Yes?" He turned to look at her.

"Thank you."

Haldir nodded and left the room with a smile and in search for Tiniwen. When he found the elleth he had sent her to Arianel then headed back towards his rooms.

"Haldir, what is this!" Rúmil's angry voice came from behind. He had managed to reach the family wing without much trouble.

Haldir turned and gave him a confused look. The younger elf was clad only in leggings and held a garment out in front of him. It looked suspiciously feminine even at a distance, "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about!"

Haldir backed up a step while crossing his hands in front of him back and forth, "Rúmil, where would I get something like that here? You obviously have the wrong elf."

"I don't think so," Orophin's voice came from behind Haldir.

Haldir turned to look at Orophin and then back to Rúmil. The senior warden's eyes were unreadable before he let a slight twinkle show in them. "I told you it wasn't over with. I just bided my time." And with that he brushed by Orophin and into his rooms.

The two elves that were left in the hall shook their heads, now realizing that they were had.

"You know, he's good at waiting until we forget," Rúmil spoke wryly.

"Which is exactly what he did. Come brother, what did he do to you?" Orophin placed a hand on the younger elf's shoulder as they moved into Orophin's rooms.

"This," Rúmil commented morosely while handing him the garment. "What, pray tell me, is it?"

Orophin held it up then laughed. "You would not know, would you? It is an elleth's underpinnings."

Rúmil's eyes went wide while he blushed at the thought of handling something an elleth would wear.

"You know, he would not do this to me because I know what it is." Orophin's eyes danced with mischief.

"Are we going to get him back?"

"I'm not, we were asking for it from the very beginning. You know Haldir is very patient with this sort of thing."

Rúmil nodded while crossing his arms, "I know. And he can scheme with the best of us. It's just that I never saw this coming."

"Because he didn't want you to. That's why he can get away with things like this better than we can."

"What did he do to you?" Rúmil asked.

Orophin walked over to his bow and picked it up. "I looked at the string closely and could tell it had been replaced with one that would break easily."

Rúmil shook his head at Haldir's audaciousness.

TBC.................