Part: 15
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 15
Early in the morning Celeborn sat in his study looking at the messages that he received over the past week. Ever since the festival many residents wanted Arianel to come and sing at their private celebrations. This was good news, but the unknown factor was how she was going to react to it. There was also the matter of Círdan's letter. Soon after Arianel's arrival in Lórien he had sent Círdan a message telling him of her whereabouts. The answering letter informed him that he would arrive sometime this year.
Picking up other papers, he went over the names of the wardens that were scheduled to guard the fences for the next month. His sons were part of that group. Those three never wanted or tried to be parted from one another, then again, with what they went through when they were young it was not that surprising. Placing the papers back down he rose from his seat and moved into the more accommodating parts of the talan. He could feel Lórien begin to stir. This was always his favorite time of the day, when it was not quite night, but not quite day.
Herven, Galadriel's voice whispered in his mind.
Letting a smile play across his face, he moved back to their private chambers. He could tell she was not awake yet. Coming into the darkened room he quietly went over to the bed and sat down. Yes?
Haldir will be here.
"That is a surprise," Celeborn answered.
"He has been avoiding her," Galadriel whispered as she sat up.
"Aye, he has."
"There is something else." She shook her head.
"It concerns Sydia. She is starting to show interest in Rúmil," Celeborn answered.
"I keep forgetting about your powers of perception." Galadriel placed a hand on his shoulder while rewarding him with a small smile.
He brushed her mind, I do not need those powers to talk to you.
"Nay, you do not." She rose from their bed and went over to the wardrobe so she could get dressed.
"I do not know how, indeed if Rúmil will reciprocate her interest and undertake such an endeavor. 'Tis something new for him." Celeborn rose and moved to stand behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"It is difficult for both of them."
"Aye." With her sleeping clothes removed Celeborn helped her get into her clothes for the day. It was a simple process they enjoyed doing every morning. Soon they emerged from their room and headed in the direction of the dining room so their fast could be broken.
True to Galadriel's earlier prediction, Haldir had come for breakfast, and tagging along behind was Rúmil. The youngest brother's arrival was a little bit of a surprise since he had not been seen for several days. Other than the family no one else had come.
Afterwards Celeborn brought Arianel into his study. "You have become quite popular among the residents here." He smiled as he sat down in his chair. She sat across from him.
"Why?" Arianel lowered her head to look at her hands in her lap.
"Because they loved your voice at the festival. Arianel, I have received many messages asking for you to come and sing at several private celebrations. I will not force you to go, it is your decision." The elder elf held up several smallish pieces of paper so she could see what he was talking about.
"Can I?" she asked as she raised a hand and started to reach over the desk.
"Of course." Celeborn placed all but one back on the desk then handed the last one to Arianel.
She spoke quietly after examining the note for a short time. "If I do go, I do not want to be alone."
"Do you have someone in mind to go with you?" Celeborn leaned back.
Arianel shook her head. "I do not know, maybe Sydia?"
"If her duties do not interfere with this, she is welcome to come with you."
"I will have to think about it." Arianel placed the note back on the desk and rose to her feet. She turned to move towards the door.
"Do not wait too long to make your decision, young one."
Arianel turned around and found Celeborn nodding his head seriously.
"Aye, I will try not to."
"Then that is all we can ask of you." Celeborn let a smile grace his features for a moment, watching her as she moved out of the room. Some time later Galadriel joined him.
"How did it go?" she asked as she found her normal seat near him. When settled she picked up the book she had been reading the last time she was there.
"As well as to be expected. Have you heard from Círdan yet?" Celeborn turned to look at her.
She shook her head. "Nay. When did he say he would be coming?" Her eyes met Celeborn's.
"The message I received stated it would be sometime this year." He handed the parchment to her.
Putting her book in her lap, Galadriel took the note from Celeborn.
"How well do you think it will go?"
Galadriel looked up from the note and shook her head. "I do not know."
The ancient Sindar nodded while taking the letter back and placing it back on the desk then began the daily task of running Lothlórien.
"There you are," Sydia's voice came from the doorway.
Arianel looked up, she was sitting at the table, thinking. "What do you mean?"
"I have been looking all over for you. I am planning on going to the Gardens. Do you want to come?"
Arianel sighed. "I don't know." She shook her head then covered her face with her hands.
"What's wrong?" Sydia moved to her friend's side and sat down.
"I should never had sung," Arianel mumbled.
"Now why is that?"
"Because now, there are a lot of people that want me to sing for them." Her voice was muffled.
"But that's wonderful! Are you going to say yes? If you do, I do not mind going with you." Sydia leaned forward eagerly.
"How would you answer if it was Rúmil?"
"That was not nice." Sydia sat back with a stunned look on her face.
Arianel looked up and realized what she said. She looked down to her hands then looked back up again. "I am sorry. It is just that I don't know what to do, and I do not want to go alone."
"Everything will be all right. Do not worry." Sydia was never able to stay angry for very long with Arianel.
"But I do not know whom to ask." Arianel's voice turned mournful.
"I told you I would go with you, but I do not know if the Lord or Lady will give me the free time." Sydia shook her head. "Um, how did you know about Rúmil?"
Arianel turned her brown eyes back to her friend. A small smile played across her face. "I do have eyes." Seeing the need to clarify her remark, she continued, "It is mainly at the breakfast table. I do see how you react when Rúmil is there and when he is not."
"I thought I hid it fairly well." Sydia shook her head in dismay.
"Sydia, I would think if the Lord and Lady did not approve of it, you would not have the privilege of coming to the breakfast table."
"And you know, Lord Celeborn will approve whomever you decide to accompany you." Sydia placed a hand on Arianel's shoulder.
Arianel shook her head and looked down to her hands again.
"Well if you feel that way about it." Sydia stood up. "You can stay here as long as you wish, in your somewhat sour mood. I am going to the gardens." The older elleth turned on her heel and headed out of the large flet and down to the gardens.
For a time Arianel did not move from her seat. When she finally did stir, she rose from her position and slowly moved towards the wraparound stairway. "But, I do not know whom to ask," she mumbled to herself as she moved down the stairs. She passed a few residents on her way down and nodded to him or her, but her thoughts were far away.
The gardens were somewhat empty at this time of the morning. Most people were either cleaning up from the morning meal, or already performing their appointed tasks of the day. There would be more people at the noon hour and at dusk, when the lights would wink on, because it was a popular time and place. Sometimes couples would have a nice meal on the grass, then slip off into the denser parts of the garden for some private times between themselves. None seem to be there that morning.
Wandering around towards one of the more secluded sections, Arianel found Sydia doing something very curious. The older elleth had her hands against one of the great mallorn trees, almost as if she were caressing it, and she was mumbling. Her voice was to quiet for her too hear from her distance. What on Arda is she doing? Arianel asked herself. In the three years she had known Sydia, she never really asked why she was in the Lord and Lady's talan, she just assumed she was a paid servant to the Lady. Now seeing this, it confused her very much.
From her position she turned and saw with some surprise Rúmil moving towards Sydia. He looked unsure of himself, which was a surprise to Arianel. Not wanting to intrude, Arianel backed up. . .and bumped into something. Before losing her balance, she felt hands reach out and grasp her shoulders, holding her steady.
"I'm sorry," she said as she began to turn around to see who it was she accidentally bumped into. To her surprise, she found out it was Haldir.
"Apologies are not needed, Arianel." He gave her a ghost of a smile as he lowered his hands.
"I guess so." She was unsure of herself for a moment, then turned to look back to Sydia. "I was going to join Sydia, but. . ." she shrugged her shoulders. Arianel turned back to Haldir. "Why are you here?"
A slightly guilty look crossed the warden's face. "Orophin told me what happened at the festival. I wanted to see if he was going to do anything about it."
Arianel was now truly confused. "Who are you taking about, and do about what?"
Haldir shrugged his shoulders. "It concerns Rúmil and what happened when Sydia approached him."
Arianel's eyes widened slightly, "You mean to tell me, she actually went up to Rúmil and talked to him?"
"Well, I am not sure. Orophin saw everything. He seemed inordinately pleased with himself." Haldir shook his head ruefully.
Not wanting to disturb them, Arianel turned and started moving towards another part of the gardens. Looking back, she was surprised to find that Haldir was following her. "You do not need to follow me," she commented while looking over her shoulder, for she had begun to move again.
"You are right about that, but, like you said, I do not want to disturb them." Or embarrass Rúmil. Plus, I like being with you.
Arianel looked over her shoulder to him for a moment, then continued on towards her favorite spot. I wonder, she thought. No, he would never agree, she answered herself mentally.
She could feel Haldir's eyes on her when she stopped at one of the benches. When settled, she saw he had an odd look on his face.
"I did not know you could sing."
Arianel looked down. "And now everyone knows. People are already sending messages to Lord Celeborn, asking if I can come and sing at their personal celebrations."
"Have you made a decision about that yet?" Haldir leaned up against a nearby tree.
She shook her head. "I do not want to discuss that right now."
"Then, I will take my leave of you." He gave a short nod then headed back in the direction they had come. Those events were turning out to be much more interesting.
Arianel looked up and watched him go, angry with herself and wondering what she had done to push him away.
Nearing the clearing Haldir found that Rúmil and Sydia were not where they were before. They were nowhere to be found. Looking around for a few moments, he went back towards his talan. After taking a few steps, he hesitated then turned quickly and found his way to the Lord and Lady's flet. He had no idea what was going on with Arianel. He felt that nanneth would know, or explain the situation in such a way that would make him understand better. She always seems to be able to do that.
He found her alone in Celeborn's study, reading a book. "What plagues your thoughts, ion nin?" she asked as she turned a page.
Haldir shook his head then moved over to an empty chair. "I do not know." Looking up, he found the book now in her lap and her eyes on him.
"Be patient. All will be well." She gave him a small smile.
"How can I when. . ." he shook his head and sighed.
Putting the book on the desk, Galadriel rose and walked across the room to the elf she raised. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I may not have bore you, but I have raised you. Give her time. She has been through very difficult times."
"Then why did she distance herself from me?"
Galadriel closed her eyes and searched. After a moment she opened them. "Because she is scared. Everything is new and different for her."
"She seemed angry about how everyone now knows that she can sing, and that people are asking her to come and sing for them."
"No one did, except Sydia. It took a lot of courage for her to sing at the festival." She looked at him closely. "I do hope you will not avoid her?"
"Nay, I do not plan on doing that anymore." Haldir shook his head.
"Just remember, give her time."
Haldir nodded then rose from his chair. He was about to give her a bow, but decided on giving her a hug instead.
Make her feel safe, and all will be fine.
Haldir turned and moved towards the door. Looking back, he found her sitting in her chair again with her feet drawn up and reading her book.
She needs to feel safe, Haldir. You are the only one she accepts for that.
TBC.............