Author's Note:
Fellowship of Avengers - Yes I know, Haldir has totally changed! They are cute together aren't they? ;) I know, I like Haldir more happy and nice than a serious and stoic Haldir. Yea, something wicked is coming Calaereth's way. Anyway, thanks for the wonderful review! I love your reviews! Can't wait to hear from you again! :)
Mockingtale Bright - I guess you're not the sweet romantic type, LOL, sorry that you found it a little predictable, I didn't think it was. I'm glad you like the portrayal of my OC. I do try to make the chapters as long as possible, but I like to update as often as possible. Thanks for the advice though, and thank you for reviewing! I look forward to your next review. :)
Katheryne B - Awww thank you! I'm glad you love it. Hahaha HaldirxOC fanfics are my favorites too, LOL. Heres the next chapter, thank you for your awesome review, and thank you for following my story. I'm looking forward to your next review! :)
elizabethtran12 - Thank you for following and favoriting my story! Thats so nice of you! :)
setsuna1415 - Thank you for favoriting my story and favoriting me as an author, I'm honored! :)
sleepyPrincess - Thank you for following my story! :)
i am a Fire-jay - Haha I know! They were so close! And you'll find out soon! Thanks for reviewing, I love hearing from you, can't wait till your next review! :)
dd - Awww thank ya! I'm glad you like it, here's the next chapter! :)
water goddess 19 - Thanks for following my story! :)
PandaChan915 - Thanks for favoriting my story! :)
lostin . dreamland - Thank you for following my story, and following me on tumblr, you're awesome! :)
"Boom!" The sound of thunder caused Calaereth to jump slightly from her spot on her bed. She then wrapped her arms around her knees, curling almost into a ball as she watched the rain fall outside and the lightning would occasionally pierce the darkness. Calaereth instantly wished Haldir was here, she simply craved someone to hold her and comfort her. She was becoming worried, she hadn't heard word from Haldir for days now. The skirmish at the Eastern borders must have been horrible, Calaereth realized. Haldir wouldn't be gone for so long if it wasn't so bad. It was horrible that she couldn't head to the Anduin herself and find out whether or not her father was dead. Actually, the suspense was killing her instead. Calaereth wanted to know if her father was okay, she knew her brother was fine, Hithaeron was luckily assigned to Nimrodel, not the Anduin.
Calaereth sighed, feeling depressed, and the weather outside was not helping her either. Calaereth slowly rose from the bed and closed the curtains to the windows, she jumped when another loud crash of thunder broke outside. Calaereth had to admit, storms were much more frightening on land than in water. Calaereth pulled a robe out of her closet and threw it on over her thin nightgown. After tying a small belt around her waist, Calaereth headed down the stairs occasionally flinching at the rumble of thunder.
Calaereth suddenly stopped outside Haldir's bedroom door. She couldn't help but just peek inside, the small glimmer of hope that he would be in the talan resting in his bed, safe and uninjured. She gave the door a small shove, she poked her head inside, only to find disappointment. Haldir, as she expected in the back of her mind, was not inside the room, or in the talan for that matter. Calaereth frowned as she looked at the bed, it was as usual, perfectly made. The bed was decorated in the same blue sheets as from the first day Calaereth had sneaked a small glimpse of his room. Her first day in Haldir's talan.
Calaereth frowned, closed the door and left Haldir's room. She stepped down the rest of the steps slowly, she saw no reason to hurry. Calaereth found herself analyzing everything in the talan now that she didn't have Haldir to provide some source of company. Calaereth glanced at every painting on the walls, she was surprised to find such beautiful artwork in Haldir's talan. She wasn't sure why though, maybe because she expected to see more weapons hanging up on the walls instead of paintings.
Another loud crack of thunder shattered through the air outside, causing Calaereth to stumble on the stairs. Calaereth managed to catch herself, she gripped the rail on the side of the stairs tightly, oh she definitely didn't like storms. Calaereth hurried off of the last step and went to sit on the chair facing the door. Haldir would return soon, well, Calaereth hoped he would. I will sit here, awake, until Haldir returns, Calaereth told herself. Soon enough though, Calaereth found her eyes drooping with sleepiness, "A small nap can't hurt anything." Calaereth mumbled, and fell into a peaceful rest.
Rain pounded loudly on the roof of the small talan that Haldir sat inside, the talan was on the borders. He had been at the borders for a full two days now, and he had found nothing but devastation at the battleground. All of the orcs had been cleared out of the surrounding forests and waters. Their disgusting bodies now burned in a large pile.
Haldir had found Calaereth's father Gaeralagos, yesterday, barely alive. Gaeralagos had been down river, nearly unconscious due to a large wound in his chest. The healers claim Gaeralagos was extremely luckily, the orc had barely missed his heart. Gaeralagos was still in extreme condition though, he stood on the very thin line between life and death, as the healers worked on him now, in the rain. There was a large chance Gaeralagos could sway and suddenly fade. Haldir remembered his encounter with the leader merman all too well.
"You must tell Calaereth that I love her dearly, and her brother too. Make sure Calaereth doesn't sneak down here, last thing I need is for my daughter to see me in such a horrible condition." Gaeralagos then grabbed a fistful of Haldir's tunic, surprising Haldir. Haldir had not expected the injured merman to still be so strong. "You will take care of her for me, won't you?" Gaeralagos asked.
Haldir stared at the merman for a long moment, in disbelief. The last time Haldir had been with Calaereth in Gaeralagos presence, Gaeralagos did not approve. Was Calaereth's father actually going to trust him to take care of her, once Gaeralagos is gone? Haldir wondered if Gaeralagos even knew that his daughter had been turned into an elf, and that she was currently living in his talan, probably safe and sound.
"Please, won't you grant a dying man's wish? Hithaeron will be strong without me, I know this. But Calaereth, she needs someone, won't you provide her some kind of company?" Gaeralagos nearly begged.
"Do not talk of such nonsense." Haldir helped the merman towards the healers, "You will be fine and gain your strength back. You will not have to worry about me taking care of her." Haldir stated, sternly.
"But if I do fade, Haldir. Can I trust you to help her?" Gaeralagos demanded an answer.
"Always." Haldir replied, and left him with the healers, Haldir headed back to the talan with a different view on the merman leader.
Haldir now stared at a blank piece of paper, unsure of what to say to Calaereth. He started with the easy parts, as in the address to whom the letter was to be sent. Haldir then wrote, Dear Calaereth, and then his mind went blank again on what to write. Never had Haldir been more confused as to what to write in a letter, this never happened to him. Haldir didn't want Calaereth to be exposed to the bloodied battle ground on the border. At the same time, Haldir wanted to tell Calaereth of her father's current condition. Haldir feared though, if she knew how bad her father was faring, she might go to the borders, even if he were to tell her not to. That, would be an entirely different situation that Haldir did not want to handle anytime soon. Haldir let out an irritated groan and put his head in his hands, maybe he just shouldn't write her a letter at all.
A loud knock on the door startled Haldir slightly, and Haldir straightened himself back up. Crumbling up his lousy attempt at a letter, Haldir put it to the side for now. Haldir planned to throw it away later.
"Enter!" Haldir commanded as he tried to look busy in some books. Once the door opened and shut, Haldir glanced up to see his younger brother Orophin standing straight. Haldir leaned back in his chair and stared at his brother, "What is it Orophin?" Haldir asked.
"Lagordir has just returned from Caras Galadhon. Galadriel has had another vision, the dangers at this border are currently nonexistent, and will be so for a good amount of time. She requests that you return back to Caras Galadhon quickly. The Battle of Helms Deep is less than a week away, and you will departure two days early with both the armies of Lothlórien and Rivendell. The Rivendell army is expected to arrive three to four days before, and Lady Galadriel would like you to be back a few days prior to their arrival." Orophin stated, remembering Lagordir's message very well.
"Is that all?" Haldir asked, closing the book.
"Yes." Orophin nodded.
Haldir stood up quickly, he would travel back to Caras Galadhon through the storm, hopefully he could be back to Caras Galadhon by morning. Haldir began to head for the door.
"Oh, Haldir, one more thing." Orophin blocked the door easily. "It's about Calaereth."
Haldir looked over at Orophin pausing, "Part of the message that you forgot to mention, or some elleth courting advice that you think I need."
"None of the above." Orophin grinned, "I would just like to know your-" Orophin never got to finish that comment, for Haldir pushed past him, and out the door. Whatever Orophin had to say, it was probably not anything Haldir desired to hear at the moment. No, Haldir desired to be back in his nice, warm, comfortable talan. Haldir desired to hold Calaereth in his arms without having to worry about the upcoming battle. Haldir should spending his time with her, because he knew very well that he may not survive the battle. This war may take his long life, just as it took his father's. Haldir just hoped that Calaereth was good enough, that she would not perish in this battle.
Haldir traveled quickly through the trees, the storm had calmed down for now, just leaving Haldir to the darkness.
By the time Haldir arrived back in Caras Galadhon, the sun was beginning to rise. Haldir hurried back to his talan, the few days that Haldir had been separated from Calaereth had seemed awfully long. Haldir couldn't wait to return to Calaereth, he had missed her company. Haldir also missed sleeping in his own bed at night, he couldn't sleep well anywhere else. Haldir still missed Calaereth more though, he wanted to see that large childish grin plastered on her face once more.
Haldir hurried up the steps to the door and then knocked on the the door three times loudly, knowing her, she could still be asleep.
Three loud knocks on the door, caused Calaereth to wake rather abruptly from her sleep. Calaereth jumped up from her seat eagerly, running to it, she opened the door to see Haldir looking down at her, his hand raised, ready to knock on the door once more. Haldir quickly dropped his hand back to his side and stared at her. Without a second thought, Calaereth opened the door further, than leaped forward and jumped into his arms.
Haldir laughed lightly, happy to see her personality had not changed at all. Haldir carried her inside and closed the door.
"Haldir, you silly elf, why didn't you write me?" Calaereth asked after untangling herself from his arms, so she could look into those silver eyes once more.
"I was busy." Haldir said quickly, it was true. Haldir had been busy, but he did have time to write her, he just couldn't figure out what to write her. Something that had completely puzzled Haldir, he wondered if it was because he had been exhausted yesterday. Calaereth seemed to accept his answer though, and she nodded in understanding. Causing a flood of relief over Haldir, perhaps she wouldn't question him about Gaeralagos.
"Haldir, now that you're back. How is my father?" Calaereth asked, feeling that it was a better time now, rather than asking him as soon as he came in the door. It was true, she missed Haldir, but she had been worried sick about her father.
Haldir nearly groaned, he had assumed wrong that she would simply forget about her father for a moment. "He is better." Haldir said truthfully, it wasn't a lie, Gaeralagos was probably much better now than he was in the river.
"He was injured?" Calaereth exclaimed, moving closer to Haldir. "How badly Haldir?"
Haldir looked away from those pleading brown eyes, if he looked at her any more he would most likely melt and tell her anything she wanted to know. Calaereth was too good at persuading him, the powers this woman had over him. Haldir wondered for a moment if she knew that she held so much power over him. Probably not, Haldir thought dryly.
Calaereth became even more worried when he didn't answer her for a few moments. A small little bit of strength overwhelmed her for a moment and Calaereth reached forward and grabbed Haldir's tunic, just as her father had done days ago. Haldir's eyes widened for a moment, surprised by her action.
"Sorry." Calaereth muttered, and let go of his tunic to touch his shoulder in a more pleading manner. She wasn't sure what had came over her in that small moment, but it sure didn't look good.
"Do you want the truth, or do you want me to tell you something else?" Haldir asked, looking into her eyes again.
"Of course I want the truth! What kind of stupid question is that?" Calaereth asked, her temper getting the better of her words. She felt a small sting of guilt when Haldir flinched slightly at her words.
"A silly question, you are right, forgive me." Haldir paused and folded her small hands in his large ones in a gesture that told Calaereth she was not going to like what she was going to hear next. "When I found your father two days ago, he was on the brink of death. A large wound in his chest barely missed his heart. He was lucky the orc was not a better shot." Haldir gently squeezed her hands in a comforting manner. "I am not sure if he will make it or not, but the healers are doing their best to save him. Last I was told, he is in stable condition, for now." Haldir finished, not really interested into going into more details.
Calaereth blinked as the corners of her eyes watered and her vision blurred. Calaereth tried to blink away the tears as the thought of her father dying overcame her. She wasn't sure what she would do without him, she may be independent, but she loved her father dearly. Besides, she wouldn't be here without him. "Sorry." Calaereth whispered, and looked down trying to hide her tears. What had made her so emotional that she wanted to cry? Calaereth did not want to cry in front of Haldir, she wanted to appear strong for him and her father. She felt like a baby, crying like this.
Haldir smiled sadly at her, and felt his heart break slightly at the sight of her tears. Haldir pulled her forward into a hug, and rested his head on top of hers, closing his eyes. "Everything will be fine." Haldir assured her. "Your father sends his love." Calaereth sobbed slightly at that message, of course even near death her father would worry about her. "He also said no sneaking to the border to see him as well." Haldir grinned down at Calaereth who let out a small choked laugh.
"Of course, it would kill him for me to see him in such a terrible condition. I bet it hurt his ego badly enough to have you help him." Calaereth remarked, smiling, despite her tears.
Haldir's grin expanded slightly at that though. Haldir patted her on the back, to reassure her. Then he broke away from the hug and looked down at her, "Wine?" Haldir asked.
Calaereth laughed at his idea of wine to make everything better. "Just a small glass." Calaereth requested, and Haldir nodded, heading into the kitchen as Calaereth slided into one of the chairs at the dining table. Haldir was more understanding then she thought. Haldir returned to the table with two glasses of wine and some bread and sliced cheese.
"If there is anything I learned in my long life, it is that you do not drink wine on an empty stomach." Haldir sat in front of her, and handed her the glass with less wine.
Calaereth smiled, she wasn't sure how he knew she hadn't eaten anything but she decided not to question it and accept his kindness. Calaereth nibbled on a piece of bread that Haldir had sliced for her. She looked up and met those silver eyes again, had Haldir been staring at her?
Haldir's eyes quickly flickered back to the piece of bread he was slicing at the moment. As creepy as it sounded, she was cute when she ate as well. She did need to eat more though, it looked as if she had lost a couple of pounds while he was gone. Haldir reckoned that she probably didn't eat when terribly stressed. Haldir felt slightly responsible for her stress, and he would make sure she would be healthy in time for the battle. A sudden cough from Calaereth interrupted his thoughts.
"Haldir, you do realize you have a leaf stuck in your hair right?" Calaereth looked at her food as she said that, a small grin on her face.
Haldir felt his face flush for a moment in embarrassment before he plucked a mellorn leaf out of his hair and put it aside. "Of course I did." Haldir lied, sipping at his wine.
Calaereth looked up at him, grinning, then she shook her head and returned to her food.
Haldir and Calaereth would cherish this moment for days to come, for they both knew the upcoming days may not be as cheerful as they were now.
Thats chapter thirteen everyone! I hope you all liked it, and I am looking forward to your reviews! Sorry for the long wait, not everything goes as planned with vacation, LOL. Check out Calaereth's tumblr on my profile page, Calaereth would LOVE to have any questions, and I can always have Calaereth reply to them herself! You can always follow her on tumblr as well, thats cool. :) Anyway, have an enjoyable weekend everyone, and don't forget to review!
-Garnette