Part: 21
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, Dorothy, and Rashida for their expertise. Without their input this story would not be what it is today.
Sindarian 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.
Chapter 21
Several days had passed since Arianel last saw Sydia. This was quite unusual, because they were always seen together. It did not matter though, Arianel did know how to prepare herself for the morning meal. When she was ready, she left her room and moved into the eating area. Most of the family had already shown up. This time both the Lord and Lady had chosen to break their fast in the informal study. It was rare, but not unheard of.
Hearing a door open, Arianel turned to look at the study. Rúmil was leaving with a dejected look on his face. She furrowed her brow in confusion as she caught sight of Sydia leaving the room. The two headed towards the sleeping area of the talan and into one of the rooms, not the one she slept in, but another one.
"What happened?" Arianel asked Arwen.
"Rúmil had a prank set up for Orophin last night. Problem is that the intended victim did not get it." Arwen looked to the study door for a moment.
"Who got it?"
A slight smile played across Arwen's. "I believe Lord Círdan was on the receiving end this time."
"Círdan?" Arianel's eyes widened.
Arwen nodded. "Did you not know who came?"
Arianel shook her head. "Nay." Suddenly deep inside she felt a sense of panic begin to develop. "Excuse me," she spoke hastily then retreated to her room.
Arwen looked at the retreating elleth in confusion before turning back to her meal.
center>oOoOoO /center>
"Where is Arianel?" Sydia asked as she looked around the talan. She felt decidedly different now, standing inside the rooms she did some of her work in. Even though she was there much earlier in the day she did not feel any different.
"I am not sure? I really was not looking for her." Rúmil shook his head.
"Well, I do hope she shows up. It should not be too bad." Sydia wandered into Celeborn's informal study.
"You know her better than I do." Rúmil shook his head as he followed her into the study. He slipped his arms around her from behind.
"Well, I should hope so!" Sydia turned and gave Rúmil a wink.
Rúmil turned Sydia around and pulled her against him, kissing her hungrily. Releasing her he backed away and let her leave the room, there would be time enough for them later.
Stopping at Arianel's room, Sydia knocked gently on the door.
"Go away," came the muffled reply.
Opening the door, Sydia stepped into the room. Arianel was curled up on the bed, facing the wall.
"What is wrong?" Sydia asked as she moved towards the bed.
Arianel turned over to look at her friend and gave her an appraising look. "You are bound. When?"
Sydia gave her a small smile. "A couple of days ago."
Arianel let the side of her mouth twitch upwards slightly before answering. "I am happy for you."
"Yes. You have no idea how much I love him." Sydia let a dreamy look cross her face. Her mind went in another direction and she blushed at its content.
"I think I can understand." Arianel turned her head back away from the door.
"Please, Arianel. Please come out."
Arianel shook her head. She just couldn't do it. "I'm sorry, I cannot."
Sydia nodded sadly and stood up. "If you change your mind, I will be there," she said hopefully. Not getting any reaction, Sydia shook her head and went out of the room.
Entering the great room Sydia found some had already gathered there. For a moment she looking around, searching for someone. Finding Haldir she went over to him. "Haldir, could you please talk to Arianel?"
The warden furrowed his brow for a moment in question.
"She is in her room. I cannot seem to get her to come out." Sydia knew she struck a cord with Rúmil's oldest brother when a concerned looked crossed the warden's face. He had been so busy the whole day that he did not have time to search her out. Even though he hid it, Haldir felt a stab of guilt suddenly remembering his words from yesterevening. Giving Sydia a nod he quietly left the room.
Opening up the door, he found her curled up on her side with her back facing the door. "Arianel?"
She stiffened for a moment then relaxed. "Please go away."
"You know I cannot," Haldir answered quietly as he moved towards the bed. "What is wrong?" He sat down gently.
Arianel turned over and looked at him for a moment before closing her eyes. She turned her head away.
Haldir gently brought it back. "What is it?"
"I was never allowed to attend any type of gatherings, whether formal or informal, even after I was of age."
Reaching down, he pulled her up and to him so he could wrap his arms around her. "That is something you need not worry about anymore, Arianel." He felt her nod in the crook of his neck. "Will you come out with me?" He felt her nod after a few moments. Dipping his head he looked down at the same time she looked up at him. Like a magnet they suddenly reached for each other. Haldir let his hand run through her silky dark hair, it was something he had always wanted to do and couldn't get enough of ever since he first saw it.
Releasing her mouth, he rained kisses across her cheek, eventually reached her neck, and then ear.
"Haldir," she whispered, then moaned when he caressed a particularly sensitive area.
"I have wanted to do this for the longest time," he whispered in her ear. Coming back to her face he cupped it in his hands and kissed her deeply. Releasing her face he brought his arms down and around her holding her closely against him.
"Please," she mumbled into his mouth.
"Yes?" he mumbled.
She managed to pull away slightly. "Do not stop."
He brushed his thumb across her kiss bruised lips. "I do not plan to."
Raising her hand, she grasped his and pulled it down to her lap and leaned over to kiss him. Several long minutes later, he stood up and pulled her to her feet. Pulling her close again he wrapped his arms around her. "Come out with me. Do not worry, all will be well." He rested his cheek against her forehead.
Arianel nodded her head then pulled away from him. Taking her hand, Haldir led her out of her room. She was still scared and tried to hide behind him, but at least she was out.
She emerged in the great room with little fanfare. It was something that she needed, not to be made note of, or fussed over. This is just like the festivals, she repeated over and over in her mind. It is no different, and Haldir is here with me.
Welcome, child, Galadriel's voice whispered in her mind. Arianel looked around and found Galadriel standing beside one she barely recognized. She had a feeling she should know him, but she had no idea who he was.
"Come." Haldir tugged on her hand and lead her over to the group.
"I am very glad you decided to grace ourselves with your presence."
"Thank you," Arianel murmured while looking down at her feet. She could just see the tips of her shoes peaking out from the bottom of her dress.
"I have been wanting to meet you for some time, Arianel."
The voice was different, but familiar at the same time. Arianel looked up at the unknown elf. "I am sorry, but I do not know you," she stumbled then flushed with embarrassment.
"'Tis all right. I am Círdan. Your adar did not allow many people to see you."
Arianel saw something akin to regret in his eyes then looked down again.
"Do you remember where you were born?" Círdan lifted her face with his hand.
"Mostly. There are still things I do not remember." Arianel shook her head. "Do you know why we were traveling? That is one thing that seems to be still blocked. I know it was something that Adar believed important."
Círdan dropped his hand before answering, "There are some things your adar did not want to discuss with any other." There was something that he remembered, but he did not want to mention it in front of her at the moment, especially with the way she was standing next to Haldir. Something had changed between the two of them from the last time he saw them, but he could not quite place it.
Arianel nodded. Before she left, Galadriel smiled and commented, "We would like to hear you sing something for us later."
Arianel nodded while letting Haldir lead her to another group.
"Arianel!" Sydia cried with delight and gave her a brief hug. "I am so glad you were able to leave your room."
"You need to thank Haldir for that." Arianel turned and gave the elf a smile.
"I definitely will." Sydia linked her arm in Arianel's and they went off into another corner, laughing lightly.
Rúmil raised an eyebrow at Haldir, "So, what do we need to thank you for?"
Haldir rolled his eyes then shrugged his shoulders. "I was able to get her to come out. Is that not enough?" Haldir looked closer at his youngest brother for a moment and crossed his arms, "Now tell me, when?"
It was Rúmil's turn to blush. "Well, uh, when you went out to the Fences. She is one of the most beautiful ellith in all of Lórien." Rúmil's blush turned into a happy grin.
Haldir shook his head. "You are as bad as Orophin." No, he is worse!
When they were alone again, Círdan turned to Galadriel. With an inclination of the head the two moved to the privacy of Celeborn's informal study. "He will be here momentarily." Galadriel gave him a knowing look.
Celeborn stepped into the room and looked at the two expectantly. Seeing the need for privacy, he shut the door and moved to stand beside his wife.
"I believe Círdan has something to tell us about Arianel," Galadriel commented.
Círdan nodded. "I only remember that some time before Donathorn left, and this tragedy happened, he mentioned Mirkwood."
Celeborn furrowed his brow. "Why Mirkwood?"
Círdan shook his head. "It is well known that Donathorn did not like any elves of the Sylvan Eldar, or any of the Edain. What I was able to gather is that he wanted Arianel to wed someone of pure Sindar blood."
"That is impossible. Of the Eldar that are not bound in Arda, there is no one left of pure lineage." Galadriel closed her eyes and shook her head.
Celeborn pressed his lips together. "Donathorn was not one to listen to reason."
"And he thought that Thranduilion was full," Círdan finished.
"Either that, or Thranduil made no mention who his hervess is. Thranduil may be stubborn, but he will not force Legolas into a situation that is a detriment to him."
"It makes me wonder if Legolas knew about Donathorn's intentions." Círdan looked to the door. Turning back he noticed that Galadriel's eyes had a far away look in them. "He would not hide something this important to his heir."
"If he thought her dead, it would be difficult for him to deal with it. He is too young." Celeborn shook his head.
"How old is Thranduilion?" Círdan asked.
"He is in his fifth century," Galadriel answered quietly.
Círdan nodded, "You are right, he is too young to have to deal with a situation such as this. Especially if he found the graves."
"Elrond would have no knowledge of the events. He was not sure who she was at first." Galadriel moved towards the desk and traced her fingers across the surface. "Although he did know about Donathorn and his controlling ways."
"No one knew of his full intentions."
"I think for her sanity the Valar are keeping her from remembering everything until she is strong enough. I know it seems unjust and cruel, but for her safety it was and still is needed."
Círdan gave them a slight smile. "They saw a need for her to feel safe. I see Haldir has taken on that job gladly."
Galadriel gave the ancient elf-lord a knowing smile. "It has begun."
Soon their discussion turned to matters of the correspondences that Elrond sent out. It was more of a way to keep in touch physically rather than using their mental abilities. After a short time the group moved out of Celeborn's study and into the great room again. Círdan had known from other members of the elven society in the Havens about Arianel's voice, but he was never able to hear her in person. This time he was finally able to find out what all the talk was about, and he was not at all disappointed.
Lasto beth nin. Tolo dan na galad.1 He looked around and found despair that melted away to reveal joy. "I felt you fall," her voice cracked from emotion.
Círdan came back suddenly and shook his head. When he was stable enough, he mentally went through each image that he saw, trying to come to terms with the strong emotions within it.
Shaking his head, Círdan decided to see if his hosts had any knowledge of this. He found Galadriel alone in the study. She gave him an appraising look and asked, "What did you see?"
Círdan sat down. "I really did not see anything, it was mainly emotional in content." He paused then continued, "I heard an elf calling an elleth back from the darkness. It worked and she mentioned that she felt him fall." Círdan shook his head.
"'Tis different. I have only had dark visions of them."
Círdan looked up and found Galadriel's eyes boring into him. "Who are you talking about?"
Galadriel's gaze broke and she looked off to the side. She stayed like that before answering quietly, "Haldir and Arianel."
Círdan looked around for a moment before voicing more of his thoughts, "Things are changing, moving." Unconsciously he rubbed the area where he once carried a Ring. It had been a long time since he felt it physically, but he could still feel it psychically.
Galadriel's voice was low, "It is only a matter of time before the One Ring is found."
Círdan glanced over to her position and nodded.
Círdan and his elves stayed in Lórien for over a month before returning to the Grey Havens.
Haldir was out on the fences when Círdan's group came out of the Forest. He was alert, but moody at the same time. He did a good job not pushing it on the other wardens. Just because he was pining did not mean that he could not guard the Lord and Lady's realm. It would be better the next time he was out on the fences.
TBC...
1 Hear my voice. Come back to the light.