Part: 25
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 25
Late in the morning, Celeborn heard a sound outside his study. He had sent for Haldir a short time before and knew the younger Elf had answered his summons. He walked to his chair and sat down to wait for his oldest son to join him.
Haldir stepped inside and moved quickly to another chair. "Is this meeting something about Lórien's defense?"
"Nay," Celeborn shook his head. "This concerns the future for all of Arda, and not just Lórien."
Haldir's eyes narrowed slightly. "ALL of Arda? But. . .how?" Then understanding dawned and he gazed steadly at the elf he loved and respected the most. "What needs to be done?"
Celeborn placed his hand on the ever present map and drew his finger down towards Rohan. "Saruman attacks Rohan from Orthanc. Through treachery, he has drawn the Rohirrim away from Edoras leaving them completely defenseless. The people left will retreat to Helm's Deep."
"And you would have the Galadhrim go?"
"I will not order any of you to go. I am asking if you would be willing to. . ." Celeborn hesitated.
"So there will be elves heading to Helm's Deep?" Haldir sat back and studied Celeborn for a moment.
"Yes, but not by my command. Most of the elves will come from Imladris and Elrond's wardens, but there are too few that can speak Westron." Celeborn shook his head. "I warn you, should you decide to go it will be very dangerous and chances of survival are close to impossible. The fences are nothing compared to this."
Haldir closed his eyes. "If this is for Arda's survival, then not only the Edain, but we will have to fight."
"Yes. The first time the Edain joined us and by doing that helped greatly. We will help them one last time."
Haldir stood up and moved toward the door. Before he reached the threshold he stopped. "They need our help."
"Desperately. If the Edain are to have any chance, Rohan has to hold."
"I will go and lead the wardens."
"Haldir, I do not order you to do this." Celeborn stood up.
"I know you do not, but it is something that needs to be done." Haldir hesitated before continuing, "When am I to leave, and do any other wardens know about this yet?"
Celeborn sat down, contemplating his answer. "I have already talked to several wardens I thought capable. Some refused, and I am not angry with them, while others decided to go. You are the last one I have asked."
Haldir nodded. "But, when are we to leave?"
"In two days time, at the latest."
Haldir looked around the room, almost as if he were imprinting the images of the room inside his mind. After a few moments he turned back around and left.
When Celeborn was alone again. his shoulders sagged. This is it, he thought to himself. He knew few, if any, of his wardens will come back alive. Without any of them knowing, Rúmil and Orophin had decided on going. They had all made their decisions independently of each other, and in the end would probably all die together.
oOoOo
Two days later Haldir stood in the common room of his talan as a warden came up to him with one of his pieces of armor. Sitting at the table off to the side, Arianel watched the whole process, her sense of doom growing with each passing minute. Eventually she could not bear to watch any more, and turned away.
"That will be all for now," She heard Haldir dismiss the elf.
Arianel looked up from her seat at the table and saw her herven standing there in burnished, gleaming armor and placing something in one of the pouches he had attached to his belt.
"Lirimaer?" he crossed quickly to her position and raised her to her feet. "Why do you weep so?"
"Saes, do not go," she whispered while slipping her arms around his neck and laying her head on his shoulder. "All I feel is doom. Do not leave me."
Haldir sighed, "Melith, I promise you I will return to your arms." How could he tell her that even they were not sure of their survival from the coming battle, he did not have the heart to tell her. He kissed her forehead then slid his hands down her arms.
"Promise?"
Haldir nodded, "I promise. Nothing will stop me from coming back to you."
Arianel was calmed somewhat by the words. She stepped back. "Your cloak," she whispered as she turned around and went back to the table. The material was blood read. "Why this color?" she asked as she picked up the folds.
"The wardens will have to be able to see me, and I will have to hear everything. Therefore, I will not be wearing a helmet."
Arianel's eyes widened, "That will make you vulnerable, please do not do that."
"It will be all right, Arianel."
She closed her eyes tightly, squeezing more tears out of them and onto her cheeks. Nodding slowly she moved behind him and positioned the cloak. With the material in place she kissed his neck gently. "Something to remember me by," she whispered then pushed the cloak aside and kissed in such a way to bring the blood to the surface.
"My elves will laugh," he said with humor.
"Forget them and stay here."
"I cannot," he answered softly as he pinned the cloak together, making sure the mark she just made was covered. Turning around he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. Pulling away from her Haldir looked towards the Lord and Lady's talan. "It is time. Come," he spoke gently as he reached down to grasp her hand. The two emerged from their talan and joined the gathering wardens assembling in the glade. All were in armor and bore deadly weapons, but also cloaked. Haldir immediately noticed that his brothers were coming. It made him glad, but sad at the same time.
Giving Arianel a nod, Haldir stepped over to the wardens by himself. "If any of you have second thoughts about going, we will not be angry with you if you decide to remain to possibly defend Lórien and fight against Dol Guldur."
"Are we the only ones?" Elaldur asked as he arrived.
"Nay." Haldir shook his head. "We will be meeting up with the wardens Master Elrond is sending, east of here."
Sydia, who had been standing next to Rúmil, looked in surprise toward her brother. Her brother had made no mention that he had decided to go. Leaving Rúmil's side, she went over to him and gave him a hug.
"Do not worry, sister. I will come back and continue to tease you and spoil my little niece."
"Do you not know you already have?" She sniffed and wiped her face. She had already grieved at the though that Rúmil was going. She knew him too well to know he would not wish to stay to defend Lórien when all of Arda could be defended.
Looking around, Arianel moved towards the Lord and Lady. Thriniel was already there, the older elleth had already given her own tearful good-by to Orophin in their talan. Sydia joined her soon after. She was glad her friend was there. They could give each other moral support in the coming days.
With no words being said, the group turned as one and left the small glade and exited the city gates. In two days they reached the outer fences and moved into the meadows southeast of Lórien. Within the day they reached the wardens from Imladris. The much larger group was dressed in the same fashion, armor, and gray cloaks covering everything. Their elected leader came over to Haldir and bowed his head in respect. "Master Elrond stated we would know who would be leading us."
Haldir nodded.
"We were also given no further instructions after we arrived here."
The side of Haldir's mouth quirked up slightly. "We head to Rohan; not to Edoras, but to Helm's Deep. I only pray to the Valar we reach them in time."
"We are well rested, March Warden."
Haldir looked around then towards the south. "Then we must leave and travel with haste." And with that, the augmented group left the forested region of Lórien behind them and headed deep into the grasslands of Rohan.
Reaching the valley, Haldir could hear just barely, the sound of the orcs behind them. They made it, he had no idea how, but they made it in time.
"Sound the horn," Haldir commanded as they neared the entrance to the ancient Rohan fortress.
They had not needed to stop and wait, for the gates into the fortress were opened before them. Their expressions were serious. They knew how important it was to hold this defensive fort. Haldir came in beside the elves and stopped to the side where a staircase wound up into the keep. There were many edain there, but he could distinguish who their king was easily. The older man, in full armor, stepped down with a look of shock on his face. He seemed to think that no one was going to come to help.
'How is this possible?'
Haldir bowed his head in respect to the mortal king, and formulated his answer. He thought it would be better to mention it was Elrond since the bulk of the wardens came from the elven sanctuary. 'I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together. Movement up above the Rohan king caught his attention. It was Aragorn, and he was coming down the steps fairly quickly. We come to honor that allegiance.'
"Mae govannan, Haldir!" Aragorn called out while rushing to the bottom. He didn't stop until he was in front of Haldir and embraced him in the edain fashion. The embrace was surprise, and one that he was not expecting. Eventually he accepted the greeting.
'You are most welcome!' Aragorn stepped away, giving Haldir the chance to recover from the surprise. Moments later he found Legolas standing before him. This time they greeted each other in the way they would greet another warrior.
Finally, more for his own sake, he addressed the king once again. He was still slightly wary of the dwarf among the group, but he could also tell that the these three had become friends through their adversity. He knew that battle could make people forget their differences, he had seen it often enough while on the fences.
'We are proud to fight alongside men once more.' The statement was true, for they were all there together, fighting against the great tide of evil that was just starting to sweep across Arda again.
When the greetings were completed Haldir turned to Aragorn and then the Rohan king. 'I bring more than wardens, we have healers among the ranks.'
Aragorn nodded. 'I would like to introduce you to Rohan's king, Theoden.'
Turning back to Theoden he introduced Haldir. 'This is Haldir ó Lórien, Senior March Warden of Lothlórien.'
Theoden looked at Aragorn and then Haldir. 'You two know each other?'
Haldir nodded, 'From many years back. Is there somewhere we can store some of our traveling provisions?'
Theoden nodded. 'Gamling!' he called back into the keep.
'Yes, Sire.' The Horse Lord came swiftly down the stairs.
'The elves need a place to store some of their traveling things.'
Gamling nodded and turned around as if to head back into the keep. He stopped when he realized that the elves had not followed him just yet.
Haldir turned back to his elves and pointed to Gamling. "He will show you where you can put some of your traveling items. When you return I should know the best area for us to be placed."
As the last group of wardens passed by one stopped and turned to Haldir. "Haldir, where are we going to have the healer's area?"
Haldir narrowed his eyes slightly before he recognized the voice. "Tiniwen, it is good to see you again."
A hand reached up and pushed back the hood to the elf's cloak, revealing her feminine features and brown hair. She spoke softly, 'You do know, Master Elrond made sure I could speak Westron.'
Haldir let a slight smile cross his face. 'That will be very important in the coming battle. Have the rest of the healers stay here while I find out where you will be.'
She nodded and turned around and spoke to the handful of healers that had come. "Haldir is finding out where we are to set up the healers area."
Haldir turned back around and addressed Theoden, 'Where would the best place for the healers to assemble?'
Theoden seemed to ponder it a moment. 'Our healers are setting up just inside the caves. The women and children will be further inside.'
Haldir nodded and turned back to Tiniwen.
'Haldir, you do know that will not be necessary,' she said, her tone showing her exasperation towards the elf.
Theoden looked to the elleth with some confusion. 'You can speak Westron?'
'Of course.' She smiled graciously. 'Master Elrond bade me learn the language while under his instruction.'
Theoden let a smile cross his face, this was a rare treat and one they were lucky to have. 'We are honored to have one here that was trained by Master Elrond himself.'
Tiniwen blushed at the accolade. 'I am just a simple healer.' She attempted to brush it off. 'I will let the rest of them know. I am the most fluent in Westron. Others have varying degrees of ability to communicate in this language.'
Theoden nodded and turned to another of his Horse Lords, 'Have Healer Garuth come up.'
'Yes, Sire.' He nodded and turned to head back up into the keep.
'Healer,' Theoden addressed her. 'I am bringing up our chief healer. He will be able to direct your group to the correct place.'
Tiniwen nodded in respect and turned to look at the ones gathered behind her. "It will not be long now."
"Where will we be?" One elf spoke up. He had long, light auburn straight hair.
"Elréril, I think just inside the caves down below." She looked around the fortress before continuing, but not before noticing the elf blanch slightly at the prospect of going underground, "That seems to be the best place so far."
'Healer. . .'
Tiniwen turned around and then realized she had not introduced herself. 'I am sorry lord. I am called Tiniwen.'
Theoden nodded and continued, 'Healer Tiniwen. Garuth will show you where our healers have set up.'
Tiniwen looked to the one that arrived and then to Haldir. Technically she was under Haldir's orders. "Do what needs to be done, Tiniwen."
"Thank you, Celebornion," she answered softly. Turning, she addressed the other healers, "Come."
Haldir watched as the healers followed Garuth up and into the keep. Looking to another area he could see the wardens coming back in small groups, their traveling things put away and their cloaks pushed back revealing their gleaming armor and deadly weapons strapped to their backs. They gathered in small groups and talked quietly as Haldir followed Aragorn and Theoden up to the higher areas of the keep. This high up he could see the best places for their highly trained archers.
'What do you think?' Aragorn asked as they looked over the walls.
'I think it would be good to have some of them there, meaning the long wall across the entrance into the valley, and the wall above the gate.'
Aragorn nodded then turned to Theoden who spoke up, 'If your archers are as good as it is said they are, then why not have some down below in reserve?'
Haldir looked in the direction Theoden was indicating. 'That would work.' He looked around again then let his eyes settle on Legolas. The young elf was looking in the direction of where the healers traveled. Thinking nothing of it, Haldir shrugged it off and turned his attention back on the pressing matter at hand.
Tiniwen looked to the elf that had asked where they were going earlier and then back to Garuth. 'Elréril has always been slightly uneasy inside caves.'
'What about you?'
Tiniwen was silent for a moment. She reasoned to herself that almost all elves were uncomfortable within caves, that is except the wood-elves of Mirkwood. 'I think most elves are uncomfortable being underground. We prefer the outside.'
Garuth looked to her then to the elves following them. He was glad of their help, but wary at the same time. Even though the elves following him had masks of calm, he could tell something was bothering them.
'Have you ever been in contact with our kind before?' Tiniwen asked softly.
Garuth looked at her a moment without answering.
'It is all right if you are nervous. Most of the elves behind me feel the same way about meeting with members of the edain.'
'What about you?' he asked somewhat gruffly.
Tiniwen was silent for a moment before answering. 'Many edain travel through Rivendell. Master Elrond's house is open to all who may seek sanctuary. While under his tutelage I came into contact with many of our kind and edain.'
Garuth stopped suddenly. 'Elrond the Healer trained you?' His eyes were wide with surprise.
Tiniwen gave him a small smile. 'Yes, but we do not call him 'the healer', we call him Peredhel, for that is what he is.'
'Still, I am very glad that we have someone trained by him.'
Tiniwen shook her head, wondering what the fuss was all about. Garuth had turned around again and was now leading the small group through the Great Hall and to a small door off to the side with no markings on it. 'This is it,' he told her.
Tiniwen looked at it in curiosity, the door was in such a way that it would seem it was not that important, but was in fact, the most important of all the doors. Stepping through, the area opened up revealing a spacious cavern that was already set up for the healers. Deeper in the cave Tiniwen could see movements of the women and children huddled together. Her sensitive hearing easily picked up the sound of the women and children huddled much deeper in the cave. Looking around, sconces held lit torches, providing for some semblance of light. The flicker of the fire cast odd shadows against the damp walls of the cave.
In front of them the Rohan healers were getting ready for the grim task of taking care of the wounded. Tiniwen knew it was going to be a long night before it was all over.
oOoOo
"Haldir!"
The elf looked around in search of the voice's owner. Looking down he spied Aragorn frantically pointing to the keep. "Na barad!" The Adan called over the sound of the battle.
Nodding in understanding, Haldir called to his elves and directed them towards the inner keep. "Na barad! Na barad!"
Sensing danger, he turned to face the coming Uruk-hai, blocking the coming orc from the retreating elves. With Haldir focused on getting the elves to a safer position and him now having to deal with the orc before him, he never sensed the one that came crawling over the side. In shock he felt the orc blade cut through his armor and into his arm, rendering it useless.
He never felt the ax as it cut through his armor, but he felt the aftereffects almost immediately. Quickly his vision began to swim as the sound of the battle faded from his hearing.
"Haldir!" he heard Aragorn's cry as if from a great distance. After that all he could hear was the sound of his own beating heart and labored breathing.
So much death, the idle thought went through his mind as he looked at the lifeless bodies before him. How could anyone survive being surrounded with such hopelessness? At that moment he could feel the process of his body beginning to shut down. Oddly enough though, he felt no fear at his body's death. The last thing he felt was Aragorn's arms behind him, supporting him.
Suddenly, he was rushing through time and space, though far behind him he could hear Arianel's cry of pain as they were being torn from one another. When everything stopped moving, he found himself standing before huge ornate doors, beckoning him to enter.
Haldir. . .
Haldir pulled his hand back and turned around to search the darkness for the voice's owner. "Who are you?"
You have a decision to make, Haldir o Lórien.
"Why? All there was, was death."
Your choice here will seal the fate of another.
Arianel, he thought.
You know of whom I refer too. She is fading right now.
"There is no hope," Haldir shook his head sadly.
You must find hope before it is too late.
oOoOo
Galadriel stood at the edge of the talan looking in the direction where their wardens had traveled. Arianel had told her the night before that she felt doom. Galadriel's own sense of doom was magnified with the power that the she had at her disposal with the Ring.
"They will do what they can to help, hervess," Celeborn's voice whispered behind her. "And they knew the odds." I have sent them to their deaths, Celeborn thought.
They went willingly, herven. Do not forget that. They knew what they were getting into.
"That does not make it any easier," Celeborn spoke sadly.
Galadriel paused before speaking, eyes defocused, "It has begun." She never felt his arms slide around her, pulling her against his chest.
It had to happen, Galadriel thought as she sensed the first of her wardens fall. She would hold this lonely vigil for them. What she feared the most happened much later though, and at the same time she could hear Arianel cry out.
"She has already lost much. I will go to her," Galadriel gently pulled Celeborn's arms from her and stepped away. She could feel his eyes on her as she moved to the living areas of the talan. The room Arianel stayed in was the same one she always did.
The much younger elleth's eyes were defocused, but full of tears. "Shh, child." Galadriel pulled her into a motherly hug, which woke up the elleth.
"He's gone. . ." Arianel cried through sobs, now clinging to the elleth that raised her herven.
Galadriel looked up when Celeborn entered the room. "Rest, little one," Galadriel spoke quietly as she settled Arianel back on the bed. It was only then that both Celeborn and Galadriel saw the red mark on her arm. When Arianel turned over they both could see the angry mark on her back that was the size of an ax.
"I did not know their bond was this deep. This is not expected," Celeborn shook his head sadly.
"She will fade quickly. I do not know how long it will be before we lose her."
TBC...