Author's Note:
AHealingRenaissance - Haha good, you should be! Just kidding, I haven't put that much thought into what Calaereth could fail at yet, but thanks for the idea, LOL. Thanks for the wonderful review, I can't wait to hear from you again! :)
Lauren - Hahaha, thanks! I'm happy you love it! LOL, thats okay, I understand the need for an update. Thanks for the awesome review, I'm looking forward to your next review! :)
Fellowship of Avengers - Yes I know, it was horrible! And yes, they will be. ;) Thanks for another amazing review! Can't wait till your next review! :)
i am a Fire-jay - Awww good! I'm glad you loved it! Yes they both are so unlucky, LOL. Hopefully they will figure out that they love each other soon. Thanks for the fantastic review, I love hearing from you! Looking forward to your next review! :)
maegami - Thanks for following my story! :)
Your Perfect Nightmare - Thank you for following and favoriting my story! :)
The days were beginning to pass by way too quickly for Calaereth. She was surprised to see how well of a fighter she had become in just a few small weeks. She was gaining accuracy quickly with every day that passed. Her swordsmanship was improving drastically, she could fight Haldir for a few minutes now with daggers. Haldir decided to allow her to have them, after realizing she performed much better with the daggers than a sword. Calaereth knew how to fight off several enemies at the same time. Calaereth was becoming better with the bow and arrow, now making most of her shots near the center of the target. Calaereth found what she liked practicing the most with Haldir was hand-to-hand combat. There were no weapons involved, just using your experience against another. Calaereth's only disadvantage though, was that Haldir was strong. Even though Haldir often told her hand-to-hand was unimportant for the approaching battle, he still taught her because he knew she enjoyed it.
Calaereth aimed a hit at Haldir's gut, instead, Haldir blocked her hit, grabbing her wrist.
"Too slow." Haldir taunted, a smirk curving on his lips.
Calaereth's eyebrows raised in a challenge. "Oh really?" Calaereth grinned, her adrenaline racing through her veins at the excitement of the fight.
"Really."Haldir breathed. Without a warning Calaereth swept her leg forward to trip him. Haldir let go of her hand to avoid being tripped and falling over. Calaereth leaped forward once more going into an offensive attack.
From afar, Orophin and Rúmil, the two younger brothers of Haldir observed the fight. Both brothers had recently been introduced to the former mermaid. Both were impressed by her personality, manners, and fighting skills. They also managed to adopt Calaereth as the baby sister they never had, and maybe never wanted, within a week. She always seemed to have a way of goading Orophin or Rúmil into a spar that they had no chance of winning. Usually the spar consisted of only hand to hand combat, something elves rarely used in battle. Which gave a large advantage to Calaereth. This defeat always seemed to serve a blow to their egos every time they lost. Haldir was of no help either, as a matter of fact, he seemed to encourage her behavior. If anything, he was training Calaereth even better to insure better victories against his younger brothers.
"She's quite the fighter." Orophin observed, "A natural for sure." Just last week Elrond's twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir who were notorious rangers and pranksters, lost to Calaereth in a quick hand to hand spar before they headed back to Rivendell. The looks on their faces had been something to see.
"I heard that she is the daughter of the leader of the mermaids here in Lothlórien. You know, the ones guarding our borders from the waters?" Rúmil commented.
"It would make sense." Orophin spoke as he watched as Calaereth manage to jump onto Haldir's back and attach herself onto him like some monkey. A large grin was plastered on her face as she locked her arms around his neck. Haldir looked back at her with a grin of his own. "You know Rúmil, I don't think I have ever seen Haldir look so happy with a female as he is with Calaereth. It has only been weeks since their first meeting and they already seem to be the best of friends." Orophin said.
"If you want my opinion, I think they are connected in some special way. When you look at them together, you can just tell that something is right. One is usually with the other, now that they know each other. Well that and Calaereth needs the training." Rúmil stated, only looking away for a second from Haldir and Calaereth. When he glanced back, he saw both of them on the ground, laughing hard. Rúmil raised an eyebrow at the two, never had he seen Haldir look so stress free. The duty as Marchwarden usually made him stern and serious, laughter rarely came from Haldir, even when he was with his brothers. Calaereth was definitely bringing out a better side of Haldir. Something Rúmil and Orophin did not mind at all.
"In using weapons she still needs improvement but if it was a battle without weapons she would have no problem at all. She has proven that much already." Orophin muttered, rubbing at his arm where Calaereth had delivered a hard kick a few days ago. She was really good at using her legs to fight now, one would never had guessed that she had been a mermaid weeks prior. Well except for her still few awkward moments in elven society, there were still things she needed to work on in that department. She gave male elves either weird looks or glares when they went to kiss her hand in greeting, Orophin wondered why Haldir hadn't talked to her about that yet. Perhaps Haldir wanted Calaereth to glare at any possible suitors. A slight smirk appeared on Orophin's face at the thought of Haldir possibly being envious of other suitors looking at Calaereth.
Calaereth was pretty, that much was certain about her. She looked slightly similar to some of the female ellith with her golden hair, but she acted differently than the others, she had an appealing attitude that told you what she thought but was very polite about it, sometimes. Very few ellith were brave enough to speak so boldly as Calaereth, like addressing the Marchwarden as if he was just an elfling. A hilarious spectacle to witness when Calaereth did so since she was much more petite than Haldir. Haldir would attempt to use his height to his advantage, but Calaereth would remain undeterred. She would simply point her right index finger at him and have her left hand on her hip in a gesture. Not many would dare to put the Haldir in his place like Calaereth would. The most surprising part was when Haldir would back down and actually listen to her. Something he rarely seemed to do, Haldir was used to giving the orders and lectures, not receiving them.
A small shriek brought Orophin out of his thoughts, he looked over to find Calaereth with leaves in her hair and Haldir a few feet away a large smirk on his face as he looked at her. Haldir looked most likely guilty for the leaves in her hair. Calaereth reached up and plucked a leaf out of her hair, the she glared at Haldir.
"You messed up my hair!" Calaereth declared, angrily pointing at him.
"I decorated it." Haldir stated, grinning. "It looks much better than before."
Calaereth's mouth dropped slightly in surprise at that insult, "Thats it!" Calaereth warned, then she attacked him again. They looked quite silly now, Calaereth with leaves in her hair, causing her to look like a mad woman. Haldir was openly grinning now, something that the elves found strange, slowly, a crowd gather to watch. Eventually in the end, Haldir won, but in a very compromising situation. His arms were wrapped around her front, holding onto her arms to make sure no elbows would be sent towards his face. To many it may have looked to be a very warm embrace, instead of a way to hold one in place. Calaereth's face was turned towards his, watching him. Haldir watched her as well, a wary look of caution in his silver eyes.
Orophin grinned at the two then moved towards the crowd, "Let's go, nothing good to see here. The show is over." Surprisingly enough, the crowd followed Orophin who claimed the market in Lórien had just brought in fresh fruits.
Calaereth panted as she stared into Haldir's molten silver eyes. He had a firm grip on her arms, letting her know he was in control. Calaereth knew kicking him was also not an option any longer, he would easily avoid it. Haldir being pressed up against her back wasn't helping her situation either. She had trouble keeping her thoughts straight when she was around him, but in this position, she could hardly think at all. Her senses were in overdrive. Calaereth could smell him, oddly enough, he still smelled nice. She could feel the heat emitting from him, alerting her of his closeness. She could see him very clearly, his silver eyes were ablaze with passion. This was probably the closest Calaereth had ever been to Haldir. She couldn't help but admire his face for a brief moment. She could hear every breath he made. The only thing she couldn't do was taste him, but she was awfully close.
Calaereth's eyes lowered quickly, her dark eyelashes bating slightly as she glanced at his parted lips. If she leaned in just a little more, they would be kissing. As tempting as it was Calaereth knew she had to control herself or risk being embarrassed, or even worse, rejected. She looked back up at Haldir to find him staring at her lips as well. Instantly she felt her heart skip a beat at that thought. Then, Haldir looked back up into her eyes, nearly paralyzing her with his stare. Calaereth knew she was blushing, she had to be. She was close, way too close.
Haldir seemed to realize this as well after a long moment, his arms loosened around her and he let go, quickly looking away. Looking almost embarrassed. "My apologies." Haldir bowed briefly, then hurried off without another word leaving Calaereth puzzled and unsure of what to do next. Deciding that following him was not an option, Calaereth headed back to their shared talan, confused.
Haldir knew he had to hurry and get away from Calaereth quickly. If he had stayed close to her any longer he would cave in to his instincts. His self control nearly crumbled when she had glanced at his lips. He had nearly leaned in and kissed her there, in the middle of the training grounds, for anyone to see. It was bad enough a large crowd had witnessed him holding her so close. They would occasionally bump into each other sometimes in the kitchen or on the stairs. It seemed though, as if his feelings had only continued to grow and flourish for her. Every time he tried to find a fault or a flaw in her to convince himself she was no good for him, he only proved himself wrong. Haldir wanted Calaereth, and he knew it. But he knew better than to tell her so suddenly, he had no indication from her that the feeling was mutual.
Haldir leaped up onto a large branch of a mellorn tree, and sat down on the white bark, contemplating his actions even further. His eyes shut briefly, remember how beautiful her eyes had been, the memory fresh in his mind. Her brown eyes had seemed much lighter and prettier, he knew he had seen flecks of green in her brown eyes. Haldir let out a long, exasperated sigh. Training hadn't been so challenging until now. Haldir had been so focused on winning against her, he hadn't thought to keep some space between them. Haldir wanted to hit his head against the tree in his frustration at his situation, never had he thought it could be so hard to hide his admiration for Calaereth. Usually he was an expert at hiding his emotions and maintaining control, but when he held her he just couldn't bring himself to let go of her.
Hours later, Haldir left the tree at sunset. His mind still battling on what to say to her when he returned to the talan. He was halfway to the talan when he heard footsteps behind him, they were obviously in a rush.
"Lord Marchwarden!" A male voice yelled from behind him, quickly catching Haldir's attention. Haldir turned around surprised to see one of his wardens running towards him. It was one of his young wardens he had recently given the job as a messenger between the borders and Caras Galadhon. The elf was perfect for the job, he was young and fit for the job, the elf was very energetic.
"What is it, Lagordir?" Haldir asked, surprised to see that Lagordir looked very disturbed and frightened.
"There has been a large skirmish on our borders. We think it was an attempt to breach our Eastern borders. They happened to attack at a spot where there was a cluster of the merpeople in the waters of the Anduin. Many of them have been killed or injured badly. We were more lucky, we have suffered no casualties Marchwarden only small injuries, nothing fatal. Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn have ordered you to return to the borders immediately, in case of any future attacks." Lagordir spoke quickly, taking a deep breath after his report.
Inside, Haldir was worried, but he maintained a calm facade. He knew Calaereth's father had been assigned to that region. Haldir nodded quickly, "Thank you Lagordir, that will be enough for now." Haldir headed even faster for the talan now, he needed to get changed, grab his weapons, and head back to the Eastern borders as quickly as possible. He would not have time for a discussion with Calaereth right now, about what happened earlier.
Calaereth jumped slightly when the door to the talan opened and slammed shut. Calaereth peeked up from her place on the floor, where she had been attempting to read an Elvish picture book for young elflings. Calaereth noticed Haldir rush inside, he walked right past her not saying a word of acknowledgement at all. Calaereth frowned, if he was upset that he didn't get a kiss, it was his fault. Calaereth simply shrugged and went back to reading. She did take notice of the loud clattering noises upstairs as if Haldir was in a hurry. Slightly curious, Calaereth, climbed up the stairs, looking in Haldir's doorway to see him in his Marchwarden clothes that he always wore on the borders. She also noticed some of his weapons scattered on the floor. Swinging his cloak over his shoulders, he accidentally knocked over the quiver of arrows lying on his bed. They arrows fell out and made loud noises as the fell to the wooden floor. Haldir cursed loudly and turned towards the arrows when he noticed Calaereth standing in the doorway, watching. Calaereth had never seen Haldir in such a state of distress before.
"What?!" Haldir nearly snarled at her, a little flustered that she had seen his clumsy act.
"Nothing!" Calaereth raised her hands up in a sign of surrender, she quickly left him alone, snickering slightly when she was out of hearing range. Haldir was kind of cute when he was embarrassed.
Haldir glared at the doorway long after she left, then went back to grumbling as he picked up the arrows off of the floor. "That woman, she tests my limits." Haldir muttered grumpily.
In minutes Haldir ran down the stairs and past Calaereth who sat on the chair. She looked up at him, surprised to see him geared up for duty already. "Where are you going?" Calaereth asked as Haldir grabbed his sword and it's sheath that lay against the wall.
"The borders, there has been an attack." Haldir tried to speak very little of it as he headed for the door.
"An attack, where?" Calaereth stood up from her seat, interested.
"Look, Calaereth, I don't really have the time to-" Haldir started to make an excuse as he opened the door.
"Where?" Calaereth, the little monkey she really was, managed to block his path.
"Eastern border." Haldir stated, "Now move, or I will move you myself."
Calaereth moved to the side, and Haldir quickly headed down the stairs. If Calaereth knew her father could potentially be dead, there was no way she would be productive at all in training. "Near the Anduin?" Calaereth asked.
Haldir kept silent, and actually started running for the forest below. Silently answering Calaereth's question without words. Calaereth realized this, and suddenly felt much colder than before. There was a reason Haldir didn't want to talk about it.
Tadaaa that is chapter Twelve folks! I hope you liked it, this was my longest chapter so far, LOL. Anyway I'm going on vacation very soon, so I won't be able to update for a few weeks. Please accept this longer chapter as a peace-offering. Haha, just kidding. Please tell me what you guys thought of this chapter, I can't wait to hear from you! :)