Part: 9
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 and sexual situations
Disclaimer: All known characters are owned by the great Tolkien, all others
are of my own creation.
Beta(s): Marta, Novedhelion, 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 looked around the somewhat familiar rolling grasslands on the edge of the mountains as the trees thinned out. Normally they would have taken a quicker route, avoiding Moria, but this route was easier for all involved.
Looking up ahead, Haldir saw that Orophin and Rúmil were discussing something quietly. Orophin was shaking his head in confusion while Rúmil was shrugging his shoulders. He rode up beside Orophin while Rúmil dropped back to the back of the group. "What bothers you?"
Orophin glanced towards Haldir. "I know I have never been this way before, but I know this place somehow. I know I have been here but Rúmil keeps saying I am imagining it."
A slight smile crossed Haldir's face. "I am surprised that you remember even that much, brother. You were only three when we left."
Orophin's brows furrowed. "You jest?"
Haldir shook his head, "Not about what happened here. That is the reason why the Lord and Lady took us in."
"Is. . .is Rúmil our. . ."
Haldir nodded, "Yes, he is our brother."
Orophin sighed in relief. "I sometimes wondered if he was since he does not remember anything but the Lord and Lady."
"He was too young." Haldir's voice was soft as he shook his head.
"I do not sense it now," Orophin changed the subject suddenly.
Haldir glanced to Orophin, not sure what he was talking about. Seeing Orophin scan the horizon made him realize what he was referring too. "Land is too open to follow effectively. We need to be very careful once we reach the mountains."
Orophin nodded. "I will drop back." The younger elf slowed his horse so Arianel could catch up with him.
"It is lonely here." Arianel spoke softly when Orophin reached her side.
"Elves lived here a long time ago, not anymore." Orophin looked around.
"Do you know what happened?"
"No, I am sorry."
Arianel nodded, the lapsed into silence.
They traveled the grasslands for several days, slowly working back towards the mountains. Once those were crossed they would be less than a day away from the edge of Lothlórien by horse.
"We have to go there?" Arianel asked as she looked up to the mountains before them.
"Yes. We will not travel through Moria, for evil lurks in its depths," Orophin said quietly. The horses shifted, they could sense their riders' caution and slight nervousness.
Arianel nodded while grasping the reins tighter. Turning, she saw Haldir approaching them, returning from scouting the area. The slight nod in the direction they had come from had no meaning for her. Orophin, on the other hand, knew what was being communicated.
Our follower had returned, Orophin thought.
The horses slowly picked their way through the increasingly rugged terrain. "Let the horse find her footing, don't distract her right now," Orophin softly instructed Arianel.
Arianel nodded, loosening the tension on the reins, giving the horse her head. Because of the nature of the land the horses were given short breaks much sooner than when they were in the forest or grassland.
The cliffs rose on either side of them higher and higher until they blocked out most of the sun, leaving the increasingly narrow trail in shadows. The wardens had to be doubly cautious because it had become a canyon and they were currently on the floor. Eventually the trail slowly started winding up one of the sides. Remembering what Orophin said about the horse needing her head for her footing, she loosely tied the ends into a knot and let them go while grasping her horse's mane. She dared not look down, the trip was frightening enough, but this made it even worse.
The sudden whistling sound startled Arianel. Looking up, she gave a short cry at the sight of two arrows flying through the air. She closed her eyes and bowed her head to her hands, desiring to hide from what was going on around her.
"My lady, do not worry," Rúmil called out from behind her. "There is a clearing just up ahead. We will stop there."
Arianel didn't answer, she only knew that she needed to hang onto the horse. She had enough sense to remember not to grasp the reins as she hunched over.
A few steps later they arrived at the clearing. It was very wide and had an overhang, sheltering them from the elements. She released what amounted to a death grip on the horse's mane then slid out of the saddle. Before she touched the ground strong arms wrapped around her, steadying her before helping her to sit down on the ground. Looking up, Arianel found it to be Rúmil that was holding her.
"Are you all right?" he asked with concern.
"W-what happened?" she shivered almost uncontrollably.
Rúmil tried to recall what Haldir did that first night to help calm her down then tried to copy what he remembered. "Do not worry. All is well," he spoke softly while tightening his arms around her. It was a completely foreign gesture on his part, and one that he did not know if he wanted to repeat or not.
Arianel nodded then lay her head against his shoulder, now completely spent.
Orophin climbed up to the top of the ledge on the other side to look at the shots he fired. The two arrows had effectively pinned their follower against the rocks, leaving him immobile. He immediately took out some rope and bound their follower, not bothering to pull cloak or hood off the stranger.
Haldir followed a few minutes later and moved cautiously towards the bound stranger. Danger was what he sensed greater then anything else. The captive was either very stupid or knew what he was doing by following them. The hood he still wore effectively concealed his features.
With one swift moved Haldir removed the cloak and hood, and stood back in shock at the obvious elven features on the stranger.
"Who are you?"
For a moment the elf's brow creased in confusion before gray eyes turned sullen.
When there was no answer Haldir switched into Westron, I ask you again; who are you?
Still no answer. Shaking his head Haldir turned to Orophin and spoke softly, "Brother, how fares Arianel? I did not stop to make sure she was well."
"Scared, as usual, though not as much as I thought she would be with what just happened."
"She has. . ." Haldir started while placing a hand on the younger elf's shoulder. Movement across the narrow canyon caught his eye, and also the elf that had been caught. The warden's eyes narrowed as he watched the strangers subtle movement.
Haldir moved quickly over to the elf and leaned over him, "She is not something to be owned." The words were spoken softly, but danger lurked beneath the surface. So much so that the apparent mute elf flinched slightly. He closed his eyes and turned his head as if making himself vulnerable to a death blow to the neck.
Pulling back, Haldir contemplated the elf. Being followed by one of their own was not what he expected at all. Once the bound elf was on his feet, Orophin came up beside Haldir and they flanked the elf on either side as they wound their way to the other side of the canyon. Turning, the trail narrowed drastically as it reached the edge, with one of the many rivers far below. Without warning, the elf jumped off the side, with his hands still bound before him.
Haldir stopped quickly and turned to look over the cliff side down to the rushing water below. He looked to Orophin now beside him, "Did you. . ."
Orophin shook his head in disbelief. "He'll never survive that, brother."
"Aye," Haldir nodded while answering. Not being able to do anything because of his surprise. Pulling out of his thoughts Haldir turned and followed Orophin back to the small clearing. Seeing Rúmil hold Arianel triggered a surge of jealously through Haldir. Quickly clamping down on it, he went over to his horse to see if it was all right. Their leaving was very unexpected, and the animal could have been startled.
"Orophin?" Rúmil asked as he looked to Orophin.
"We will not be followed anymore. Do not worry." Orophin smiled slightly.
Rúmil nodded. "Come, Arianel." Rúmil stood then helped her to her feet. "'Tis not long before we reach Lothlórien."
"Are you sure?" she asked as she reached the side of her horse. With Rúmil's help she was able to get into the saddle.
"Yes." He smiled as he patted the horse's neck. "'Tis only a day away once we pass the mountains."
TBC..................