Part: 13
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, Kika 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.
Chapter 14
"I missed the feeling of your arms," she whispered.
Haldir's eyes widened slightly. Avoiding her comment he said, "I am pleased that you did come, and I am glad that I did not miss it. I know how hard it was for you."
Arianel smiled into his chest, forgetting for the moment that he had evaded her question. Without realizing it, Haldir had either by accident or intentionally, freed her hair from its restraints, allowing it to spill free down her back.
"Come, I believe Adar and Nanneth are waiting for us." Arianel had learned early on that Haldir and his brothers had been raised by the Lord and Lady, but not the circumstances that brought them to the elder couple. Haldir reluctantly loosened his hold and tipped her face up so he could look at her. For a moment he felt a desire to reach out to her again, but he stopped it before going any further.
Standing up, he reached down and raised her to her feet. They were silent as they wound their way back to the lower part of the city and then to the tree that held the Lord and Lady's talan.
"I thank you for being here for me." Arianel said shyly as they reached the end of the stairway. Still standing in the reception area she reached up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek then rushed up the final set of stairs and into the living area.
Haldir's eyes widened slightly as he touched his cheek. He wondered what her motivation was as he headed in the direction of his own talan. One thing he did know, he was not going to purposely avoid her anymore.
Sydia had come down from her talan to join the festival. She always attended because of how enjoyable it was for her. She only wished that Arianel would come. Her friend was clearly missing the fun that they always had.
Reaching the outer clusters of elves she looked around, hoping she would recognize anyone. Actually, she had lived in Lórien long enough that she knew most of the residents by face, although she did not know their names yet.
"Sydia!"
Sydia turned and looked in the direction the voice came from. For a moment she couldn't tell who it was, until she saw Elaldur waving to her. He obviously wanted her to join the group he was with. There were a few other wardens with him, ones she recognized by association with him.
Reaching Elaldur's side she let him introduce her to the wardens gathered.
Amolith bowed while taking her hand, "My lady."
"Stop doing that." Sydia drew her hand back then hit him on the side of the head.
"What was that for?" Amolith let mock hurt show on his face as he reached up to rub where her hand had touched.
"Just because." She favored him with a smirk while crossing her arms.
"Play nice, sister." Elaldur commented while rolling his eyes.
"I do not have to do what you tell me, I am older than you." She winked at him. Movement off to the side caught her attention. "I am sorry, but I do see someone I wanted to talk to. Bye now." She waved her hand as she moved away from them. She had seen Rúmil talking with someone she did not know. Reaching the spot she found the two to be gone. Sydia turned around in confusion for a moment. Eventually she spotted Orophin. Making sure she did not lose site of him in the crowd of elves, she moved in a direct line to his position. "Orophin?" she called when she neared him.
The warden looked around for a moment, not sure at first who it was that called him. When his eyes lighted on her, he favored her with one of his smiles. "What is it?" he asked when she reached his side. Before she answered they moved off to the side so they would not be interrupted by the festivities.
"I, I am looking for Rúmil. Have you seen him yet? I saw him earlier and wanted to tell him hello, but he disappeared before I could reach him." Oh dear, I'm babbling, she thought to herself.
Orophin shook his head. "Rúmil moves around in a group this large, never staying in one place for more than a few minutes."
"Then how am I to find him?" Sydia looked around. Her voice sounded almost mournful.
Orophin shrugged his shoulders. "That, I do not know. You will have to find him yourself." I will keep an eye on you though, he finished to himself.
Sydia nodded, clearly distracted again. "I guess I will spend the entire evening looking for him," she mumbled to herself.
Several long minutes later Sydia finally found Rúmil by himself. He had been distracted by something and was looking out into the forest.
"There you are," Sydia spoke a little bit louder than she intended to.
"W-what?" Rúmil whirled around. When he saw who it was his eyes widened suddenly then went back to normal, he had clearly not expected her to show up.
The elleth had not realized how close she had come to him. For a moment she couldn't speak or move. "I, I was looking for you." She lowered her head feeling suddenly very shy. Looking back up she saw him looking around, somewhat uncomfortable himself. "I was hoping - -" Her statement was cut off with the start of elven voices raised in joyous song. She turned to look at the ones singing and then back to Rúmil. The warden was watching the small group intently.
"The tune is all right, but I have always enjoyed the words themselves."
"Not everyone sings. Some are in such a form that people beg them not to sing."
Rúmil looked to Sydia, her eyes had lightened up a little bit.
"And I think I am one of those." He gave her a somewhat rogue grin. "But I think I can tell a good voice when I hear one, especially now." His full attention was back to the group singing. "It cannot be," he murmured.
"What?" Sydia turned back around and found it to be Arianel.
"I did not know she could sing." Rúmil shook his head.
"She is shy about it, but I have known for a while." Sydia nodded while innocently touching his arm. She just as quickly jerked it away, acting like she had been burned. "I, I am sorry," she said in a rush then quickly fled back towards her talan.
Rúmil stood in surprise, forgetting to go after her when she left quickly. When he came back to his senses he reached a hand over to where she had touched him, it still tingled slightly. This was something he did not know what to do about. Feeling eyes on him, Rúmil turned quickly to see who it was. Orophin was standing about 10 feet behind him, eyes merrily twinkling with a large grin on his face.
"What are you laughing about?" Rúmil asked disgustedly as he turned around. He really wanted to see if he could still see Sydia and where she had gone to.
"Nothing, brother."
Rúmil risked a glance back, only to find his elder brother now laughing at him. "You know, you are being most helpful." Rúmil stormed off to his talan, the festival now completely forgotten.
"You have no idea, my dear brother. It has only just begun." Orophin spoke softly.
"What has begun?" Thriniel asked from behind him. She had been visiting with some of her friends and had only now returned.
Orophin turned, eyes still twinkling merrily. "I think someone likes my brother."
"And which brother would that be?" she asked as she brought her arms around his neck.
"What do you mean?"
Thriniel smiled while placing her head on his shoulder. He can be clueless at times, she thought to herself. "Rúmil, of course." Then there's Haldir, too. "Haven't you ever noticed how Sydia has acted when Rúmil has come to any of the meals, and when he does not show?"
"Aye, that I have. She came to me, asking if I knew where he was."
"Did you tell her?"
Orophin moved his hands to now cup her face. He spoke after giving her a light kiss, "I did not, though in a way I wanted to."
"Good." Her voice was becoming muffled as their kisses quickly grew more intimate. "Herven, I know this is somewhat secluded, but. . ." she spoke between now deep heated kisses.
"Come," his voice had lowered to almost a growl. He took one of her hands and led her deeper into the forest and to a small glade. With their blood running hot their clothes were quickly shed, and beneath the starlight they intimately shared their deep love for one another.
TBC.............