Part: 17
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 17
Arianel stayed where she was for what seemed like an hour. Finally rousing herself, she slowly went back towards the Lord and Lady's talan. "Nothing ever seems to go right," she mumbled while shaking her head. "What's wrong with me?" No one stopped her on her way back to the flet.
Once inside the talan her direction took her past Celeborn's office. It was still mid morning, but she thought it odd that she heard voices coming through the closed door. They were not raised in anger, but it roused her curiosity about what they were talking about.
Shaking her head she moved back towards her room and closed the door.
"Young one, why do you hide?"
Arianel was sitting in a chair looking out the window. She turned around to look at the one that intruded her solitude. Galadriel was standing just inside the door.
The young elleth shook her head and turned to look back out the window. "Why is it everything I do turns out wrong?" she said quietly.
Galadriel took another step into the room. "Because that is what you want to see. He worries about you."
"Why would he? I'm nothing."
Galadriel moved to stand beside Arianel. "You are not 'nothing'. You have a great deal of strength and courage." She placed her hand on Arianel's shoulder. "You are not the only one that suffered through a traumatic experience. Do not let that control your life."
Arianel ducked her head. "I still don't remember what happened. I feel as if I will never quite remember."
"Maybe that is a blessing from the Valar. Do not lock yourself in from everything and everyone."
Arianel's head moved turned quickly. Realizing that Galadriel was gone, she rose and went over to the door, but hesitated before moving into the hall. Looking around, Arianel decided to head towards the study. Opening the door she poked her head in. Seeing that Galadriel was there she opened the door further and let herself in. For a moment she felt a twinge of danger seeing that Celeborn was not there, but decided to swallow that for now. The Lady was there. "My Lady?"
Galadriel turned with a smile.
"I -" Arianel looked to the door for a moment, then back to Galadriel. "What am I to do?" she asked suddenly.
"That is for you to decide, young one, I cannot do that for you. What I can tell you is to try not to push him away."
Arianel nodded while trying to think of what she could do. "Excuse me, I need to think about some things."
"Of course, young one." Galadriel turned back to her inspection of the books available for reading.
Arianel backed away and stopped when she felt the door behind her. Turning, she opened it quietly and slipped out. She did have some thinking to do. Soon she found herself back in her room and looking out her window again. "What am I to do?" she asked herself quietly. Hearing faint singing, coming from one of the talans on the outskirts of the city made her stop for a moment. She still had to decide on whom she would ask to go with her to the celebrations.
"I could ask him," she mumbled. Arianel leaned over to look out the window. "I wonder where he is?" Not seeing him she rose again and this time left the talan for the gardens below. Reaching the ground below, she moved silently towards the lush growth. Not knowing where to look, she went over to her favorite spot. Turning a corner she found the bench empty. Reaching it she sank down and listened to the life around her.
"Have you not moved since I left?"
Arianel's back stiffened. She was not expecting company, especially not Haldir. She stood and folded her arms. "Yes, I have."
Haldir's eyebrow raised in slight amusement and backed up a few steps.
"I, I'm sorry," she lowered her arms and bowed her head while sitting down again.
"There is no need for apologies, Arianel." He paused before continuing, "Is there something you wanted to say?"
The most he can say is 'no'. "I was thinking, or hoping you could help?" Arianel kept her head down, not daring to look up at him.
Haldir sat down beside her, not too close. "What would that be?"
"I don't want to go alone." Arianel shook her head.
"Alone?" Haldir shook his head in confusion. "I don't understand."
Her voice was quiet when she answered, "The celebrations. I do not wish to go alone."
Haldir was quiet for a moment. "If you are asking me to go with you," he raised his hand to keep her from interrupting him. "I would be honored. I do warn you though. I am scheduled to return to the fences in a few days. Do you have someone in mind when I am not here?"
"I don't know." Arianel shook her head.
"Thriniel will not mind coming if you ask her."
"I don't know her that well. I don't know."
Haldir nodded as he looked over to her again.
"I do thank you." She had reached out a hand and tentatively touched his arm. Before she could remove her hand he placed one of his over her, holding it there. "Like I said before, I believe I am the one that has been honored." Releasing her hand he reached over and tucked a few strands of her dark hair behind her ear. For a moment his fingers lingered there, wanting to caress the delicate skin just within his reach. You have no idea how beautiful you are, Arianel. For a few moments he had to fight the urge to take her in his arms and rain kisses all over her face and neck.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Leaning over, he kissed her gently on the forehead and let his hands move gently down the side of her face. For a moment he stayed there then released her. Standing up, he reached out a hand. "Come."
"Where are we going?" she asked as he placed her hand around his arm.
"Anywhere you wish."
Rúmil checked his bag one last time. He had to make sure he had packed enough parchment to last for the full cycle. He was not looking forward to this coming month. It was hard enough being in his own talan with her not there. "I will be miserable," he mumbled as he checked for his quill and ink. Finding those, he rummaged again and made sure he had some lembas packed.
All was packed and ready to go. He had already bade Sydia farewell. His only consolation was that she was going to miss him just as much. Knowing he had put it off long enough, Rúmil slung his bag over his shoulder, along with his quiver and reached for his bow. Stepping out of his talan he quickly wound his way down to the forest floor. Haldir might be his brother, but he was his captain as well. He did not approve of tardiness. Haldir gave him an odd look when he joined the gathering wardens. Shrugging his shoulders, the elder of the brothers went back to his inspection of his own weapons.
When all were gathered they turned and moved out of the city and towards the western boarders. It would take them two days to reach it by foot.
Finding a flet that was easily guardable, Rúmil claimed it for the time he would spend on the borders. When he had everything set, he looked around for a moment to make sure there was nothing to worry about.
Late in the afternoon he pulled out a sheet of parchment and his pen and ink. Looking with unseeing eyes, he finally looked down and started writing. Within the hour he had some semblance of a poem written. Rúmil knew he would work on it off and on the rest of the day.
"What are you doing?" Amolith's voice came from somewhere above him.
Rúmil looked up slowly. "Nothing," he grumbled.
"Come on." The elf jumped down from the branches above to land lightly on the flet.
"I said, nothing. Do not bother me."
Amolith took a step back, surprised at the normally jovial elf's mood. Rúmil was never like this. "All right." He shook his head as he reached for one of the branches overhead.
For a week nothing disturbed his solitude until Haldir jumped easily onto the flet. "Rúmil."
"Go away, can't you see I'm busy?"
"Have you even been keeping watch?"
"Of course I have," Rúmil answered with a huff.
Haldir signed and shook his head. "Rúmil, what's wrong? The other wardens have come to me because they are concerned about your moods."
Rúmil looked up. "I just want to be alone." In my misery.
Haldir took a step towards his brother then sat down beside him. "Can you tell me what wears at your feä?"
Rúmil looked out over the forest for a moment. Finally coming to a decision he reached over to his bag. Opening it, he pulled out one of his completed poems for Sydia. Thank the Valar he had not put her name on it, and handed it to his brother.
"Who is this for?" Haldir furrowed his brow as he grasped the parchment.
"Just read it."
He was looking away when he felt Haldir's eyes on him again. Looking over he saw a big smile on his older brothers face. "Who is it?"
"If I tell you, you will not make mention of who it is, all right?" Rúmil's eyes were hard and serious.
Haldir nodded, "Aye, you have my word."
"Sydia."
"Does she know?"
"Aye."
"Feels the same way?"
"Aye."
"The wardens will understand."
"We will tell Elaldur together, Sydia and I."
"All I will say is that you have fallen in love, but have not mentioned who the maiden is."
"Thank you brother."
Haldir smiled as he gave the parchment back to Rúmil. Standing up, he quickly jumped up and grasped one of the branches above him and started to climb. When he was far enough away some of the wardens gathered around him, wanting to know why Rúmil was acting the way he was.
"It is quite simple, and something I never expected from him."
"What is it?" a voice came from the back of the small group.
"Be easy with him. He knows he is in a foul mood, and it will not end until he is back in the city. He has fallen in love with someone, though he has not mentioned who she is."
Understanding filled the eyes of the wardens before him.
When the group dispersed, Haldir looked back toward the flet Rúmil was on. He was happy for his youngest brother, but relieved at the same time. Turning back around, he saw Orophin leaning up against a nearby tree with a smile on his face. "So, are you pleased with yourself?"
Orophin gave a snort, but smiled at the same time. "But of course, brother. He's been ignoring the fairer ones of our race for too long. I just thought, they both needed a little nudge in the right direction." I just need to work on you now.
"Rúmil is about as bad as you were." Haldir shook his head.
"And that's why I've been careful not to disturb him." Orophin paused before continuing, "So, did he tell you who she is?"
Haldir narrowed his eyes. "I will not answer that question. Like I told the other wardens, it is for him to say who it is."
"Ha! That means he did tell you!" Orophin smiled.
"Maybe he did, and maybe he did not. Either way I will not divulge information that I might have. And you will not either."
Orophin shook his head. He knew Haldir would not tell him who it was. He just had to wait, though he did know who she was. Bowing his head slightly the younger elf looked up and jumped up to reach a high branch overhead.
When Haldir was once again alone, he went towards the flet Rúmil was on. Landing lightly he looked over his brother. "Rúmil."
The elf turned quickly. "What?"
Haldir looked around to make sure he wasn't followed then walked around and sat in front of the elf. "Does she know you are writing these poems?"
A slight gleam showed in the younger warden's eyes. "Yes."
"Will she have to wait for them when you get back, or do you want me to send the ones that are ready by courier?"
Rúmil sat back, surprised at his brother's gracious offering. "Could you?"
Haldir nodded. "I will have to send them through Adar, though."
Rúmil nodded. "That is all right."
"Good." Haldir placed his hand on his brother's shoulder then stood up.
"I will have them ready next time you are here." He paused, "And, brother? Thank you."
"Just make sure you're paying attention to what needs to be."
TBC..................