Part: 16
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, Becky, 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 16
Rúmil strode towards the practice fields, his emotions churning inside him. He hid the conflict well, though. The warden was actually looking forward to breakfast this time, but she wasn't there. In fact, he had not seen her since the festival. Because of that he was now beginning to doubt himself.
Stopping at the trail that separated the archery field from the area for practicing swordplay, Rúmil looked around. He eventually spotted Celeborn off to the side inspecting some of the newest elves to join the ranks of the wardens. Hesitating for a moment, Rúmil eventually moved towards the group. Standing off to the side, Rúmil waited patiently until Celeborn was finished.
"Yes, ion nin." Celeborn turned and looked at the elf.
"Do you know where Sydia is?" Rúmil blurted out.
Celeborn's eyes twinkled for a moment while a smiled graced his face. "You can find her down in the gardens, though I do not know where she will be."
Rúmil nodded quickly. "Thank you." The warden bowed while turning on his heels and moved quickly in the direction of the gardens.
Celeborn shook his head and smiled at Rúmil's retreating form.
Sydia stood before the giant mallryn tree with her hands flat against the gray bark. There was so much life here that she delighted in it. She could feel the pulsing life under her fingertips. The tree knew she was there, content that she would do no harm. Celeborn had taught her well in the ways of the wood. Her world was just beginnng to focus on that place in time.
The hand that touched her shoulder interrupted her private communion. One had on her pounding heart, Sydia whirled around, then relaxed slowly. "W-what is it, Rúmil?"
The warden backed up a few steps, suddenly unsure of his actions.
"Rúmil?"
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out. Finally in desperation, he pushed a piece of parchment into her hands then turned and fled.
"Rúmil, wait!" she called after his retreating form.
Hearing her voice, he stopped.
"Please don't go." She slowly came towards him. The warden always seemed so joyful and full of life so much so that his current actions were bothering her. She glanced at the piece of parchment and found it to be a poem. Moving around him, she asked, "Is this for me?"
Rúmil shifted uncomfortably and looked down at his feet. "Yes."
His voice was so quiet that she barely caught his answer. He looked up with a hopeful expression on his face.
"Thank you for this gift." Sydia gave him a brilliant smile. For a second a confused look crossed his features, but quickly melted away revealing a somewhat goofy grin.
"Did you work on this long?"
"Yes," Rúmil nodded vigorously. "Almost all night. I wasn't going to come to breakfast, but Haldir drug me there. He said I needed something to eat." He shrugged his shoulders. "I really didn't realize it had been all night."
"The creation of your poetry is something that takes over your entire world, like the trees do for me." Sydia indicated the large trunks nearby.
"Aye." He looked down at his feet again. "Can I ask you something?"
Sydia was unsure of how to answer him, she had no idea. Maybe he doesn't want me to talk to him anymore, the thought went through her head suddenly. No, she would find out what his question was, and then make a decision based on it. She nodded her head slowly.
"Can we go somewhere. . .to talk?"
The request surprised her. "Why?"
"Well, I think Haldir followed me." He flushed slightly with embarrassment.
Sydia grinned, realizing how Rúmil felt about this. "I think I can do that."
Rúmil looked around for a moment, suddenly unsure of himself again.
"I know of a perfect place."
Rúmil turned to look at Sydia again. She was turning to move in another direction. For a moment he stood there, lost in thought.
"Rúmil? Are you coming?"
The warden shook his head, as if to clear it. "Sorry." Rúmil gave her a somewhat depreciating grin and moved a few steps toward her.
She nodded, slightly confused, then turned again. He followed her through the narrow trail to a secluded part of the gardens. In a small clearing there was an ornate stone bench off to the side. Reaching it, she sat down leaving enough room should he decide to join her. Looking down, she looked at the parchment in her hands and read the words he wrote for her.
"Where were you this morning?"
Sydia looked up and found Rúmil sitting somewhat close beside her. "I, uh. . ." she stuttered while beginning to get lost in his eyes. For a moment neither moved, then without warning they reached for each other. She let the piece of paper slip from her fingers unaware then brought her hands up his arms and around his neck as she turned to face him.
What seemed like an eternity later, Sydia was nestled against him, with her head tucked under his chin. "Rúmil, I never thought this would happen."
"What happen?" His arm tightened slightly around her.
Reaching up, she slipped her hand around his neck and pulled him closer. "This." This time neither hesitated. Their kiss started out gentle, almost hesitant but heated up quickly again.
"I wasn't looking for this either," he answered, slightly out of breath when the finally released each other.
Sydia stiffened then pulled away suddenly. She stood and moved a few feet away from the bench. Rúmil watched her for a moment, not sure of what just happened.
Standing up, he moved behind her. Placing his hands of her shoulders, he could feel her tension. "Then this has all been a lie?" she whispered.
"Sydia." Rúmil slowly turned her around so he could see her eyes. He found it hurt to see tears in them. "No." He shook his head. "Of all the things a warden, or anyone else, controls, the heart is not one of them." Rúmil quickly wrapped her up in his arms and held her close. It was some time before she stopped trembling.
"Please, don't let go," her voice muffled against his chest.
"I do not plan on letting you go, my lovely one." Tipping his head down he raised her chin to look at her face. The tears that had threatened to fall earlier had spilled out onto her cheeks. Using his thumb, he gently wiped them away. Reaching down he let his lips brush gently against hers. Not wanting it to end, Sydia wrapped her arms around his neck and crushed her lips against his in a demanding kiss while pressing her body against his. Their mouths quickly began battling for dominance.
Finally pulling away Rúmil saw a slightly disappointed look form in her eyes. "'Tis not the right time." He kissed her nose.
Taking a deep breath, Sydia nodded slowly. They moved back to the bench and sat down keeping their arms around each other. "When do you head back to the fences?"
Rúmil sighed. He knew this coming month on the fences would be tough. "The next cycle. We take one cycle off between our time on the fences." For a moment he thought back when Orophin had just found Thriniel. That first month on the fences he had made everyone miserable who worked with him. Rúmil only hoped the coming month wouldn't be as bad.
Sydia nodded absently while playing with his hair. "Rúmil, how do you know when you love someone?"
The warden's eyes widened in surprise. "You're asking the wrong person."
"Are you sure?" She tensed up again.
"Well, I know I love my brothers. I do care for Arianel, but with you, it is different. I feel different with you." His thoughts went down a path suddenly that he had not gone before. Rúmil found he wanted to be even closer to her than before. He wanted to be as close as physically possible. This was something that he never expected. It all seemed to start at the festival, but somehow he knew it had been there all along.
Nodding, Sydia slowly released her grip on him and reached down for the poem. Picking it up she turned back to Rúmil. "You do know, I expect more of these from you." Her blue eyes sparkled with love.
"Do not worry," he leaned closer and placed a finger under her chin. Somehow he knew his eyes had the same look as hers. "I shall write one a day for you while on the fences."
"Good," Sydia smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck again, pulling him close while kissing again.
TBC........