Part: 10
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.
Sinda speach is shown with ""
Westron speach is show with
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.
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 less than a day once we pass the mountains."
Arianel gave a slight nod then watched as Rúmil stepped away and to his own horse. She looked to Haldir and Orophin, hoping everything was all right now. The two seemed completely calm, but she was not sure. Looking to the edge, she felt the familiar sensation of a shiver travel up her back. Turning, she saw Rúmil give her a smile and then nod of encouragement. It helped somewhat, but she did not know how much it was going to calm her fears.
When they stopped for the night the sound of the wind whistling through the rocks made her shiver even more. Sitting down, she crossed her arms in front of her and huddled close to the fire, ignoring what was going on around her. The desolate landscape around her seemed to add to her mood.
"Are you all right?"
Arianel felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to look up to Haldir who was standing just behind her. She shook her head slightly then bowed her head. Drawing up her knees she placed her forehead on her knees while wrapping her arms around her legs. How could she tell him that nothing was all right. Her world had been turned upside down when Elrond had her travel to Lórien, and then the events from earlier in the day only made everything worse in her view.
"I know to you it seems like everything is getting worse, but it is not." Haldir spoke with compassion.
"Why should I believe you?"
Haldir closed his eyes, trying to get her to see that it really was not as bad as she thought it was. "Because, sometimes that is all we have left. I promise you, you will be safe. I will make sure."
"I. . .I don't know." Arianel shook her head as another shiver went up her spine.
Haldir knelt down and reached out to draw her in his arms but stopped suddenly. He started to pull away, but a look from Rúmil stopped him. He started to pull away, but the look on his younger brother's face told him he'd better finish what he'd started. She needed the physical touch.
Haldir closed his eyes for a moment and struggled with what he knew he had to do. Without a word he opened them and turned back to Arianel and drew her into his arms. "I know you are scared," he started softly. "But all will be well."
Arianel nodded slightly then instinctively burrowed deeper into his arms seeking some semblance of safety.
Settling back against the cliff side, Haldir smiled gently down at her as she slowly stopped shivering and drifted into reverie. "Rest, I will be here when you wake."
It was only the next morning when Haldir realized that he had not been roused from his reverie to keep watch. "Why didn't you wake me?" he asked Orophin quietly for Arianel was still in reverie..
Orophin smiled while shrugging his shoulders. "Would you have? I did not see any reason not to wake you."
Haldir was about to answer, but stopped when he felt Arianel stir. "Please don't argue," she mumbled, her voice muffled against Haldir's chest.
Haldir looked to Orophin and then back to Arianel before answering, "We were not."
"It sounded like it," she answered while sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"My lady, Haldir is cross because we did not wake him for guard duty." Orophin spoke with a slight smile on his face. Haldir favored his brother with a dark look.
When they were finished with their quick meal, everything was packed up and they were on the trail before the sun had a chance to clear the mountaintops. It was a few hours later when the trail turned one last time and they were able to see the land beyond the mountains. They were high enough to not really see the undulations the land made. The horses, sensing the journey almost over, shifted more than usual. They were ready to be home.
It took several more days before they were able to leave the mountains behind them. They were now in a grassy area. The change in the terrain seemed to energize the horses. When they finally entered the forest before them the trees stood like sentinels surrounding them.
"Is this Lórien?" Arianel asked as she looked at the surroundings. The trees seemed different somehow.
Orophin answered her, "We are at the edge. The Lady knows we have arrived."
Arianel paused, realizing the constant fear she had felt the entire journey had been replaced with a strong presence that wrapped around her like a warm blanket. For a moment she fought the smothering sensation until a gentle voice whispered in her mind. Welcome, child. You are safe here.
For a moment she froze then looked around her, seeking the owner of the voice. Her voice was small when she finally found it, "We are being watched."
"The wardens are commanded to," Orophin said.
"Will they stop us?" Arianel couldn't help but watch their surroundings.
"Not unless there is something important we need to know."
Arianel nodded, still not sure of what was happening. She let out a short shriek when the trees seemed to burst forth and shadows jump to the ground all around them. The elf that now stood in front of them had long blond straight hair, its length was only rivaled by the length of Lord Celeborn's silver hair.
That elf now addressed them. "Welcome, Haldir."
"Eladur," Haldir nodded in answer. He then made the mistake, in his mind, of turning back to look at Arianel. She was hunched over, not wanting to look at what was going on around her and shivering again. Haldir suppressed the sudden urge to take her in his arms and comfort her, thinking that it would not be appropriate in the presence of the wardens.
"Eladur," Rúmil spoke up. "Please be careful, our companion here does not take suddenness very easily."
The warden looked at the elleth then apologized, "I am sorry. I did not know."
"You couldn't have, there is nothing to apologize for." Haldir shook his head.
"Come then." Eladur nodded. "You still have a journey before you reach the city."
Haldir nodded then followed the warden to one of the trees that held a guard flet. After taking care of the horses the wardens and Haldir's brothers easily climbed the tree. Haldir stayed below with Arianel waiting for the makeshift litter to be lowered for Arianel. Soon it was lowered down and Haldir helped to get Arianel positioned correctly. Before the wardens started pulling her up, he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do not worry."
She gave him a tremulous smile. "I know, because you are here."
Haldir backed up while giving the rope a tug, letting the wardens know she was ready. When she was about five meters up he turned to the trunk and started his climb. He concentrated on being careful, but his mind was somewhere else entirely. He wondered if her statement meant anything. He easily reached the flet long before Arianel did. Rúmil was talking with another elf, Amolith, about what had happened once they reached Imladris, and why she was being escorted to Lothlórien.
TBC...............