The Journey
Part: 27
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 27

Haldir could feel his senses struggle to return to him one by one. He knew he was somewhat aware, but his eyes were closed. He gasped when he felt a sharp deep stab of pain in his back. The darkness that had surrounded him earlier was deep enough to make him feel he would suffocate. What seemed like moments before that, the great doors into the Halls of Mandos were standing before him, beckoning him to enter and to rest. There was no denying it, the desire to enter had been strong, but the words and also the thought of Arianel fading because of his death changed his resolve. It was then he remembered his promise. He would come back to her arms.

With each passing minute sounds came back stronger than before. The pain in his back seemed to lessen somewhat, but he was not sure if it was from his simple acknowledgment or that it was lessening.

Haldir didn't know how long he stayed in that state of semi-awareness. It was a place where the pain was bearable. He knew the pain would intensify greatly once he woke all the way. The first time that happened, all he could remember was a haze of almost excruciating pain, then blessed darkness.

With Mandos now truly at his back, Haldir resolved to move forward, wherever that might take him. He now found himself on the brink of full consciousness and with the return of the pain came his recent memories of the battle and the awareness of death and despair all around him. He only prayed to the Valar he was not in the hands of the orcs.

"Haldir. . ." came the whispered call. The voice was comfortingly familiar, but he was too wary to answer it.

"Brother, saes. Wake up." The new words slowly registered in his muddled brain. The words along with the voice drew him back towards consciousness.

He was almost there, wherever 'there' was. His hearing continued to sharpen by the minute and he eventually recognized the voice as being Orophin's. It was his brother who was calling to him out of the darkness and back into the light. He managed to part his lips slightly and let a soft moan escape from his throat. That took all the strength he possessed at the moment.

"You can do better than that, my dear brother," he heard Orophin comment somewhat wryly, but softly.

For a minute Haldir gathered his strength before he could answer. "Daro," came the elf's whispered plea. There was one thing, he did not want to be left alone.

"I will stay," Orophin answered with a smile in his voice. Haldir did not hear the words, for he had slipped back into a deep sleep.

Haldir had come back around again, but because of his drug induced stupor his senses were still dull. He had no idea how long he had been out, but he could vaguely remember hearing Orophin's voice earlier and that he was not alone.

"Haldir. . ." the voice sounded different, but was still familiar to the elf.

The groan that escaped him was loud, but at the moment he did not care if any heard him.

"Haldir, open your eyes."

Slowly the march warden complied. His vision was blurry and eventually cleared enough to make out who was speaking. It was Aragorn kneeling beside the pallet. "We are leaving in a short time. I was relieved when I found you had survived."

Haldir slowly focused his eyes on the adan. So much had changed in such a short period of time. Aragorn looked tired and battered from the battle they had recently fought. When it looked like he was about to leave, Haldir forced his voice to work. "Saes," he whispered.

"What is it, mellon?" Aragorn placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Pouch."

Aragorn gave him a questioning glance until he understood. Nodding, the Dúnedain reached down and found the pouch. Opening it up, he found a family crest. "There is a crest here, mellon."

Haldir was too weary to answer, but he did open his hand that was close to his face.

Aragorn smiled at what was requested. He placed the round crest in the warden's hand and closed the fingers gently over it.

"Hannon lle," Haldir managed to whisper before exhaustion took over once again.

"Rest, mellon. I want to see you alive and well when this war is over."

Haldir never heard Aragorn's comment for he was already asleep.

Aragorn placed his hand on Haldir's shoulder again then leaned back. The whole thing was odd. He could have sworn Haldir had traveled all the way to the Halls of Mandos, yet here he was, alive and fighting for survival. Something brought him back. Standing up he let his eyes roam over the wounded. The healers were doing everything they could to make sure all lived, though some did not. Aragorn let a smile flit across his face when he saw Tiniwen was back, and moving around the wounded. Her movements were not as fast as before, but she was up. Healing Orophin had taken a lot of strength out of her, and he knew she would not be fully recovered until she got a decent nights rest. That was not going to happen any time soon, and they all knew it.

Emerging into Helm's Deep's great hall then out the front doors, Aragorn found Theoden discussing with some of his lords their next moves. With Saruman defeated, the Rohan king was wanting to go to Orthanc to talk to the once powerful maia while others were wanting to make the long journey back to Edoras. It was finally decided that Theoden, accompanied by a select few, would go to Orthanc while the rest of the people head back to their homes.

'The elves will be leaving as soon as they are able,' Aragorn commented.

Theoden nodded while turning to look at the entrance into the caves. He seemed to ponder his next words, 'I will thank them personally. They were the ones that kept us from being totally destroyed. We owe them much.'

The side of Aragorn's mouth quirked up slightly while he nodded. As he moved away a hand shot out stopping him. He turned and found it to be Theoden's. 'How fares Haldir?'

Aragorn shook his head before answering, 'I do not know. I do know he is fighting.'

'What is it?'

The Ranger sighed before answering. 'I could have sworn he had traveled to Mandos in my arms.'

It was Theoden's turn to shake his head. 'The gods work in strange ways.'

'That you can be sure of!' Gimli's voice interjected suddenly.

Aragorn gave a short laugh and placed a hand on Gimli's shoulder. The dwarf had recently come in from being outside. 'We have been very lucky, Gimli.'

The dwarf's jovial face turned serious. 'Aye, that we have.'

Looking around Aragorn asked, 'Have you seen Legolas?'

'The elf?' Gimli shook his head. 'After we settled our wager I though I saw him wander off, I think, towards the healers area.'

'Thank you.' Aragorn nodded and then gave a short bow to Theoden before moving again in the direction of the caves.

Legolas knew Aragorn had come to see the wounded Lórien elf earlier. He was stopped by the ranger as he began to move deeper into the healer's area. 'If you are going to see Haldir, he is exhausted. Let him rest, mellon.'

Legolas nodded, acquiescing for the time being. 'I wish see him before we leave for Orthanc.'

'Do not wait too long then.'

Which is where Legolas was now, standing in the middle of the place where the wounded were taken from the battlefield.

"Haldir," he said softly as he knelt down beside the bed.

The Lórien elf's eyes were glazed over, but cleared slowly. Pain was etched in the gray orbs, but he was alert.

"We journey to Orthanc shortly. I wanted to thank you for your sacrifice."

"Rohan needed to hold," Haldir's voice was barely a whisper.

"Shh. Save your strength, mellon."

Haldir let a slight smile cross his face as his hand tightened around the crest. The action caught Legolas's attention. The color was familiar to the wood-elf. Furrowing his brow, Legolas slowly pulled the fingers away, giving him a clear view. He instantly recognized what family it had once belonged to. He still carried it with him as a memory to what could have been.

"Mellon, how did you come by this?"

Haldir focused his eyes on the crest. In his mind Arianel was still there, but strangely distant, almost like it was a memory of her presence. "My hervess," he whispered.

"What is her name?" Legolas's chest seemed oddly tight, as if he already knew the answer. Arianel

"Arianel."

Legolas sat back on his heels. How could this be possible, he asked himself. She was killed eighty years ago, and now he found her alive and bound to his friend.

'Laddie,' Gimli's voice came from behind him. 'Everyone is waiting for you.'

Legolas turned to look at the dwarf then back to Haldir. "We can talk later, mellon. I have to leave."

Haldir barely nodded then closed his eyes.

The small group that traveled from Helm's Deep seemed more pensive than quiet. The rest of the populace had already begun the long trek back to their homes. Within the next day or so the surviving elves, wounded or otherwise, would be escorted back to the borders of Lórien out of great respect. From there they would go where they needed. Aragorn glanced over to Legolas. The elf seemed deep in thought.

"Have you met Haldir's hervess?"

Legolas's question was not what Aragorn expected. "Yes, I have."

"Is she content?"

Aragorn turned to look at his friend. The dwarf that sat behind the elf was shaking his head, no doubt because they were speaking in Sindarin. Legolas was using the elvish tongue for some reason, and he went along with it for now. "Yes, she is. They are both content and very much in love."

"She is the one that sang, is she not?"

Aragorn glanced towards Gandalf before setting his eyes back on Legolas. "You recognized her voice?"

Legolas shook his head. "Not really. I never met her in person, but I did know of her ability to easily carry a song."

At that moment Aragorn realized what Legolas was talking about. "Are you angry with the events that took her somewhere else, mellon?" Aragorn asked.

Legolas shook his head again. "Nay, more surprised than anything else. I am very glad she did live."

"She was the one, was she?"

Legolas was quite for a moment. "Yes."

"There is something else that is bothering you." Aragorn didn't even bother looking at his long time friend for the answer he really didn't expect to hear.

Legolas looked as if he were to answer, then turned away. How could he tell Estel that every time he thought of Arianel all he could see was Tiniwen's face.

oOoOo

There was little fanfare with their arrival at Edoras, the real celebrations would start when the sun set over the mountains to the west. They would celebrate their sweet victory, but also mourn the loss of so many warriors and innocents alike.

Many people that lived in and around Edoras had joined Theoden in Meduseld that evening and toasted the fallen. In the center of the ensuing chaotic celebrations were two hobbits. They seemed to be enjoying themselves more than anyone else, if their dancing on the table seemed to be any indications.

That night the ale flowed as easily as water. The result of the overindulging was the drunkenness it caused. Tiniwen had followed the Rohan population back to Edoras rather than heading back to Lórien. She had a mug of ale in her hand, it was the same she was given when she first sat down. When Aragorn passed by her position off to the side he raised an eyebrow in some surprise. Slowing, he moved back over to her and sat down.

"Theoden had a group of his men escort the wardens back to Lórien." She took a sip of her ale.

"He is grateful for the help they provided." Aragorn let his gaze pass over the men before him. "How is Haldir?"

Tiniwen sighed. "Much better, though he tires easily. It will take some time before he completely heals from his wounds."

The ranger nodded and placed a hand on the elleth's shoulder, then stood up and moved back into the celebrating Rohirrim.

Once the ranger was out of sight Tiniwen turned her attention back to the scene forming before her and commented wryly to herself, "Gimli has no chance against a wood-elf, or any elf for that matter." True to her prediction all the ale that Legolas imbibed had no effect on him, while Gimli was passed out on the floor.

Seeing the amusement of the evening over with, Tiniwen rose and wandered out of the Golden Hall. On the way out, she found a spot to set her now empty mug down. The land surrounding Edoras was very different compared to Imladris. Here, everything was open. Their only saving grace was that they were in an easily defensible position. Whoever it was that had decided on this particular place was smart. Soft footfalls alerted her to the fact that someone had exited the Rohirrim hall. If it were not for her elven hearing she would not have even noticed it.

"Why did you stay?" Legolas's voice drifted quietly from behind her.

Tiniwen turned and looked at the wood-elf then turned back around to look at the mountains. Much earlier in the evening he had removed his green outer tunic, revealing his inner one of light-colored material. "I felt I would be needed."

Legolas was quiet for a moment. "Does your family or Lord Elrond know that you are still here?"

Tiniwen smiled to herself before deciding to answer, 'My parents traveled West many years ago, though it was soon after I was apprenticed to Master Elrond. He made sure I could speak Westron fluently, and also how to heal any Adan that has been wounded or sick.' She turned and gave him a smile that easily lit up her eyes. Her hair was pulled back with a leather thong, but some strands had pulled free and blew across her face. Hesitantly he reached up and tucked the loose strands back behind her ear, careful not to touch the sensitive tip.

Closing her eyes she shivered slightly. She knew he had not touched her, but the thought of his fingers being as close as they were made her react in ways she never thought of before. She felt something wake deep inside her. There were other elves she had been close to over the years, but this was different.

Legolas pulled his hand back, now concerned for what he saw. "Are you all right?"

Tiniwen opened her eyes and found him in front of her, concern clearly etched on his face.

"I think so." She felt and sounded somewhat confused, then turned to look away.

Not fully believing her, Legolas gently turned her face back to him. The odd look in her eyes unnerved him more than anything else. He had no idea what it meant.

Backing away he turned to look out across the land. "There was a reason why I followed you out here." His voice was quiet. When she did not answer he risked a glance in her direction. She still wasn't quite watching him, but he could tell she wanted to know what his reasons were.

He looked down for a moment then continued before he lost his nerve, "Ever since Helm's Deep I cannot stop thinking about you." He looked back to her, not sure of what he was going to get. The tears in her eyes surprised him. Reaching over he brushed one that splashed onto her cheek. "Do not cry, lirimaer."

Tiniwen shook her head and closed her eyes.

Not knowing what to do, Legolas wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. His hands rubbed up and down her back gently.

That simple touch seemed to elicit small ripples of excitement throughout her body and into her soul. "Please." Her voice was muffled against his shoulder.

"What is it?"

She shook her head. "Nothing."

Bringing his hands up, he cupped her face. "I think it is a little more than that." Without a word they reached for each other. Too fast, this is going too fast, he though almost desperately, but he didn't want it to stop.

Releasing her mouth Legolas reached down for her hand and lead her back into the noisy hall. He was about to pull her into one of the rooms when she stopped him. Tiniwen shook her head and lead him to another room further down. Once inside he placed his finger against her mouth and closed the door softly. By this time he didn't care how fast this was progressing, all he knew was that he found he needed her. The moment the door was closed Legolas turned and pulled her against him, hands and mouth wandering desperately.

"Legolas," she moaned into his mouth as he kissed her hungrily.

He pulled away, his eyes dark with intense desire. Soon they were pulling each other's clothing off.

Once on the bed she opened herself wide, wanting to feel him completely. "Please, I need you inside me," she mumbled.

Not wasting any time, Legolas found her opening and plunged inside.

Tiniwen let out a quiet moan, feeling his sudden invasion. They both knew it would be best if they did not boisterously vocalize their mutual desire for each other. "Harder," she mumbled as she wrapped her legs around him, trying to make him go deeper.

He gave a grunt as he tried to go as hard as he could against her. "Yes," she started moaning over and over.

Without notice she threw him off her and quickly straddled him, and began to ride him as hard as he had her just minutes ago. Legolas sat up and found her mouth to silence her increasingly louder cries. Soon their mouths started fighting for dominance as they ground faster and faster against each other. Their need for each other was so intense that she came up as quickly as he did and convulsed as she peaked, then collapsed on top of him. He erupted moments after and let the wave of intense pleasure wash over him. It had been some time since he had a joining this intense.

Reaching over he nuzzled her neck.

"You are good," Tiniwen mumbled.

Legolas's fingers rubbed her lower back gently. "I aim to please," he said lightly. "Whom do I have to thank?"

"What do you mean?" Tiniwen's fingers in answer drew abstract patterns on his shoulder.

Tipping her face up to his, he gave her a quick searing kiss. "I think you know." Rolling over, he pinned her down and started working on her neck.

She moaned as she let her hands roam up and down his back lightly. Wrapping her legs around him she finally whispered in his ear, "Elladan."

Legolas smiled, he would have to talk to the elf and thank him personally. Their joining had been quite satisfying. Rising up slightly, he turned back over and watched as she drifted into a deep reverie. Eventually, he slowly untangled their arms and legs, trying not to bring her out from her rest. Sitting up, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips then slid out of the bed. Pulling on his clothes, he wrapped his Lórien cloak around him and he moved silently out of the room and eventually outside the hall itself.

TBC...