Part: 24
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 24
Celeborn knew they had the One Ring in their midst. He didn't need a Ring of power himself to know that. The whole forest echoed both the seduction and the resistance against the tainted power, or maybe it was just him. Lórien had accepted the ring Galadriel wore because it had not been touched. Looking up into the branches he could feel the mallorn trees groan from its presence. He placed a hand against the tree and rubbed it with his palm. There were too few elves that still had the ability to communicate directly to these forest sentinels.
"My Lord, the trees are stressed."
Celeborn turned to look at Sydia. "There is great evil among us." He turned and looked in the direction of the Mirror. He knew what was going on, and could feel that Galadriel was drawn to the Ring as a moth was to flame.
It will consume you, he called out to her.
I cannot stop.
You can and you will. If need be, you can draw on my strength.
"My Lord?" Sydia asked with concern.
Celeborn came back suddenly and told her in a dangerously low voice to leave. Giving him a quick nod, that almost seemed frightened, she turned around and took off towards her talan at a run.
When she was out of sight and he by himself again, Celeborn dropped to his knees. He could feel his energy being drained out of him. Only one person had that ability, and she would not do it unless she needed his strength. The outpouring stopped as suddenly as it started, leaving him as weak as an elfling.
Herven, her voice was timid sounding. It is done. I will travel West when the time comes.
The Ring?
Stays with the periannath. It is prophesied that he will carry it.
Celeborn placed a hand against the mallorn, using its solid form to help him stand up. It was still stressed, but he could feel its strength. He would not ask for that. He had other ways of restoring himself. He wearily climbed the steps to the high talan and stepped inside the living area. A short time later he felt Galadriel come up behind him.
"It was too strong for me," she quietly whispered. "You have become my strength, my anchor."
Celeborn turned around and gathered her in his arms.
"The Valar accepted me back." Her voice was muffled against his shoulder.
"The Ring must leave as soon as possible. The trees are crying out in anguish at its presence here." And you cannot resist another confrontation with it.
Galadriel raised her head up and looked at him, not knowing what he meant. "What about the one I bear?"
"Hervess, that one has not been tainted. That is why Lórien accepted it. The Ring the periannath bears is evil."
"I know." She hesitated, "But I wanted it."
oOoOo
Early the next morning Haldir entered the High Talan. He was not there for breakfast, but for the travelers, though there was something he wanted to talk to Galadriel about.
"They are leaving soon." Celeborn's voice came from inside the study. Out of curiosity Haldir stopped and looked inside the room. He was surprised to find that Galadriel was not there. "Yes, I am talking to you, Haldir." Celeborn gave an enigmatic smile.
Haldir stepped inside the room. "What needs to be done?"
"You are to lead them to the banks of the Silverlode. Your nanneth and I will meet you there."
Haldir nodded and backed out of the room. He would not eat until after the travelers had left. The trip down to the forest floor seemed to take longer than before, though he knew it always took the same amount of time. Reaching the pavilions he could tell they had just finished up with their breakfast and were packing their belongings.
When you are finished I want you to follow me. One young periannath looked up at him with curiosity now, not the fear from yesterday.
'Pippin!'
The young periannath cringed with guilt then turned and scooted back towards his belongings, he had yet to finish packing.
When all was ready Haldir led them through the trees to the Gates. Once past the impressive structures, he quickened the pace and they moved to the west. Less than an hour later the group reached the banks of the river. The morning sun heated the water so that wisps of steam rose from the glassy surface.
Haldir never asked how they got there before he did, but they did. There were several wardens there also, and each elf gave one of their treasured cloaks to the travelers. Celeborn made mention that it was unusual indeed, but needed. Right as everything was being finished, Celeborn drew Aragorn aside and gave him, what looked like, some advice for the coming days.
The boats were loaded up with provisions they would need on their journey, and then Galadriel gave a gift to each of the travelers. Each one was different, for each traveler needed something different to get them through the dark days before them.
When all was done the group pushed off from the bank and moved into the current of the fast moving Silverlode. They would reach the Falls of Rauros by the second eventide, if all went smoothly.
Haldir watched until the travelers disappeared into the mist. When they were finally out of sight he could feel a great weight being lifted off him, though he was still bothered by what happened on the fences on the previous day. When they were completely out of sight he followed Celeborn and Galadriel back to the City.
"Something troubles you." Galadriel's soft voice came from up ahead.
Haldir stayed quiet for a moment or two, debating on just how he should tell her his feelings about what he had experienced with the evil that had been in their midst. "I could feel it."
Galadriel stopped and turned to look at him. Haldir looked down, not wanting to watch her face. "It offered me untold power. I wanted it, yearned for it, but the evil made me sick. I could not take it because of that."
She reached out a hand and placed it on his shoulder. "I am proud of you, ion nin. For you did something I had no strength of my own to overcome."
Haldir tentatively looked up, only to find her smiling at him.
When they had finished their breakfast, Haldir followed Celeborn into his study. A map of Arda was stretched out over the desk, in the middle sat Lórien. "Haldir, we will need to work on strengthening our defenses.
The warden furrowed his brow in confusion for a moment. Pushing it to the side he moved to the other side of the desk and studied the map for a moment. "Do you have anything in mind?"
Celeborn shook his head. "Not yet. The strange creatures, you and other wardens have reported, could easily attack us from the southeast, while we have Dol Guldur to the north to worry about. So far, the west seems to be the side we do not have to be overly concerned about."
"If we get a message to Thranduil, we could possibly take Dol Guldur from both sides."
"That is the problem, ion nin. Getting word to Thranduil."
Haldir shook his head and took a few steps back. "Do you think he knows where Legolas is right now?"
Celeborn turned around for a moment, "Of that, I am not sure. And I cannot take the chance of sending a messenger to Thranduil, he or she could get caught."
Haldir nodded while still looking at the map.
"And Thranduil is wary about receiving a message from your nanneth."
Haldir looked up quickly only to find Celeborn had gone back to studying the map. "I feel we are going to have to focus our attention on the north and northeast."
"Why do you say that?" Celeborn looked up.
Haldir shook his head. "I know not why, but I think the southeast is the lesser of the two."
Celeborn shook his head. "You forget, the creatures bearing the white hand can move in daylight as easily as an orc can travel at night. We have to watch both. I fear we might not have enough elves for the task of defending Lórien."
Haldir left the study, worried as much as Celeborn was. The events surrounding them were moving faster and faster to. . .something. His mind was so preoccupied that he reached his talan without even thinking.
"What is wrong?" Arianel put down the book she was reading to look at him.
Haldir shook his head pushing his worry out of his thoughts for the time being. "Something you need not worry about."
Arianel looked down and back to the book she had been reading, really attempting to read. "I can recall more memories." There was a slight hitch in her voice.
Haldir looked at her with interest as he walked over to her. "When did this start?"
With tears in her eyes she went over to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Please do not be angry with me."
Haldir closed his eyes. "How could I ever be angry with you?"
"Because it started with our binding. Something happened to trigger them." She could feel Haldir sigh.
"What do you remember?" Haldir's voice had the barest hint of an edge to it.
"Images of traveling have been coming back with more frequency. With that, also the reason why we were traveling."
Haldir pulled away from her and looked at her. "Which is?"
Arianel pulled away from him and looked out the window. "Adar did not like the Silvan people. If it was his decision, he would have them stay in Arda and never travel West. Because I was of age, he started looking around for someone he thought suitable."
Haldir's eyes widened in astonishment at the implications of her words. "Did he not realize that does not work with us?"
"It did not bother him at all. He would have me wed a Sinda or not at all."
Haldir came up behind her and placed his hands on her upper arms. "That is the reason why you were traveling, was it not?"
Arianel nodded. "We, we were traveling to Mirkwood."
Haldir turned her around. "It was Legolas?"
Arianel looked down, but nodded. "I feel so sorry for him."
"He was here."
Arianel's head snapped up. "How did he look?"
The side of Haldir's mouth quirked up slightly. "If you are wondering, he seemed all right. He has yet to bind."
"I wonder if it is because of me?"
"Melith, do not dwell on those thoughts. They are in the past." Haldir cupped her face in his hand.
"I still wonder - -" she was cut off by his lips.
Before he could pull her closer, the door flew open and Rúmil came bounding in with a piece of parchment in hand. He skid to a stop at the sight in front of him. "Haldir!"
Arianel placed her head against his shoulder, laughing quietly. She could feel Haldir's own silent laughter through their clothing.
"What is it, Rúmil?" Haldir turned his head to look at his younger brother.
"Oh, did I interrupt something?" Rúmil let a large innocent looking grin spread across his face. He knew he had.
Haldir rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Obviously. What is so important that it could not wait until the morn?"
Rúmil shrugged his shoulders.
"Honestly, brother. You are going to drive me to distraction one of these days." Releasing Arianel he went over to his brother, who was now backing up against the wall next to the door.
"I thought I already had." Rúmil flashed his best innocent look. Before his escape was blocked, the younger warden ducked out of the talan leaving Haldir standing there shaking his head.
"What is wrong with him, herven?"
Haldir looked around to Arianel. "I have no idea. I have never understood him." He went back over to her and pulled her close again. He commented with a somewhat roguish grin, "Now, where were we."
You are not angry with me?
Haldir pulled away slightly. "I could never stay angry with you for any length of time."
She smiled as she tilted her neck to the side, easily giving him access to the soft skin located there. He quickly responded to the invitation and started nuzzling and kissing on the soft skin. Working his way up, Haldir started nibbling on her ear. Reaching the tip he felt her legs sag. He tightened his arms around her, holding her upright while he continued his ministrations. Eventually he stopped and pulled away while commenting, "I will be back. I do want to know why Rúmil came in unannounced."
Nodding, Arianel let him be the one that drew away first.
"I should be back soon," he said as he turned towards the door.
"And I will be here." Arianel smiled as she sat back down and reached for the book once more.
Stepping outside, Haldir looked up to the treetops and the light streaming through the leaves. It left a dappled effect on everything around him. He found Rúmil not too far away. The younger elf seemed to have been waiting for him. "All right, brother. What is it?" Haldir crossed his arms.
"This," Rúmil answered with a large grin as he pressed a piece of parchment into Haldir's hand.
Haldir frowned at what he saw. The picture was crude and letters were even more crudely formed, but he could tell it was their Tengwar script.
"Maris wrote it and gave it to me."
Haldir gave Rúmil a grin. "The thing is, can you read it?"
"This?" Rúmil gave a short laugh as his hand waved in Haldir's direction. "Not at all, well, not yet. You do know her writing abilities will increase as she grows older. She is only ten. I do not expect her to be able to copy perfectly the Ley of Luthien at her age. Still, this is something she wrote and gave to me."
Haldir shook his head at the change Rúmil had undergone. He was definitely different, matured is more like it, though Haldir would never tell him. He turned around to leave when Rúmil snatched the parchment out of his hand.
"That is not yours, brother. It is mine."
"Possessive, are we not?"
Rúmil crossed his arms. "Well if you had any children, you would know my reasoning. Now go." He made shooing motions.
Haldir let a small smile cross his face as he finished turning around and took his time walking back to his talan.
Galadriel wound her way through the forest city. It seemed as if she had no particular place to go, and maybe so. She eventually found herself in the vicinity of the Mirror. With the thoughts of the Mirror, images from last night came quickly to the forefront of her mind. Even though she did not want to admit it, Celeborn was right. She would not be able to resist another confrontation with the One Ring. Even if she had Celeborn's full strength to draw upon, she would fall as easily as the nine mortal men.
She hesitated while standing on the edge of the glade. Her Noldor blood now drove her to the Mirror. Wanting to know. Wanting to see. Wanting to. . .control. Galadriel knew, and finally accepted, that there were some things and people she could not control. All she could do was to try to persuade.
With the decision made, she walked with silent grace over to the pool of clear water and filled the mithril pitcher. After Frodo left she had emptied the water from the bowl. No one dared look without her there, but she could not take any chances.
Taking a deep breath, she filled the bowl then stepped back to replace the pitcher. It gleamed dully in the dappled sunlight streaming through the branches high above. With some trepidation she stepped over to the mirror and looked down.
Her reflection dissolved slowly to form a fortress set inside the cleft of a mountain. It was completely overrun by orcs. A green banner with white markings was held aloft then pulled down and ripped apart. The image changed to that of the White City in ruins and what looked like great birds circling it. The one thing missing were her own people. They were nowhere to be found. What she did eventually see is that they retreated deep into their forests but even then they were overrun by orcs.
Galadriel took a quick step back. Too much destruction, flitted through her mind. The images presented to her through the Mirror, though, would not leave her alone. They brought to mind another time and another place. "Dagor Bragollach,"1 she said softly. She had lost many family member in that long ago battle.
Picking up the bowl, she poured the water back into the pool while vowing to herself that it would not happen again as long as she had breath in Arda. Placing the bowl back in place she looked up into the trees. Even though her mind was made up, she still had to convince Celeborn. Elrond might be more receptive because of the Ring he bore.
Pausing, she gathered her strength and called to the father of her grandchildren. He was wary at first of her message, but quickly grew concerned when she told him her reasons.
Feeling his agreement, they broke the connection. Taking a deep breath, Galadriel began moving to the High Talan. Celeborn would not be easily persuaded. He fiercely protected Lórien. He would spare a few if he saw the dire need. That is all she knew she could hope for.
Celeborn looked around the room, empty now save for himself. It had been hard to admit to Haldir that they might not have enough wardens to organize a proper defense for Lórien. Being who he was, Haldir needed to know. He was his oldest son. It was years ago when their relationship went beyond the traditional fostering one to a true father/son relationship. And because of his rank, it was even more important that Haldir knew what was going on beyond their borders.
Letting his eyes wander again, Celeborn found himself looking out into the forest. The trees were at rest again since the One Ring left the city. He placed a hand on the wall and leaned into it. They were at peace, yes. But for how long? He had lived long enough to know the signs, and they were strong. War was coming, he just did not know when the tide would turn causing everything to erupt like Orodruin on the plains of Gorgoroth. He only hoped he had enough elves trained for the tasks set before them.
Feeling he could do no more, Celeborn left the private library and wound his way through the talan to Galadriel's presence. She had come back to the talan earlier when he was with Haldir.
Stepping into the room he saw his lady standing beside their bed, wearing only a translucent gown. Her natural glow shown through the material making it even more transparent. Just the sight of her alone would always make his blood stir, along with other parts of his body.
Galadriel held out her hand, "Come and rest herven, it has been a long day."
He wanted to rest, but his body had other designs.
They had been together so long that she knew what worked best, and how to get him to change his mind. The Mirror had told her that Rohan was in peril, and she knew Rohan had to survive.
A short time later Celeborn staggered away, vainly trying to control the desire that coursed full force through his body and the images in his mind. He grabbed the back of a nearby chair and clung to it. He would not release, he commanded his body. After what seemed like an eternity had passed, Celeborn turned slowly around. He felt he had enough control over his body to do this. "I know the reason behind your actions, hervess. I will not leave Lórien defenseless. Yes, you have a Ring, but we need elves out there on the fences. Do you understand? We need to guard against both Dol Guldur and the southeast. You know what could easily happen with the Ring. You must take that into consideration." The elf-lord had approached the bed and grasped her shoulders gently. "It is easier to defend a valley than a forest."
Galadriel looked down. "You know, the edain will not survive without our help. Sarumon is attempting to destroy Rohan. I asked Elrond and he is sending what he can."
Celeborn's eyes defocused for a moment then snapped back, this changed everything. They now had a much better chance of survival if they only had to go against Dol Guldur. "I will send a token amount. Does that please you, my Sweet?"
Galadriel looked down and nodded. "Will you forgive me for my actions?"
"My dear, you can seduce me any time you want as long as there is no motive behind it, other than you wanting me to take you." A hungry gleam appeared in his silver eyes as he pushed her down onto the bed and proceeded to finished what she started.
TBC...
1 Battle of Sudden Flame or Battle of Unnumbered Tears.