Thorn Among the Roses
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Lord of the Rings characters, the only original things are my characters, exe. Phoenix Star, Laurinnia, Natalia.
Chapter 3: Unexpected feelings
"A thorn among the roses you say my dear?" Haldir smiled his brilliant smile at her, "I have seen no elfin maiden that could compare to your beauty."
"No I am but a thorn," Phoenix shook her head, "you will realize this eventually."
"If you say it is so Lady Star," Haldir laughed, "Shall we go to our seats?"
"Oh yes, please," Phoenix smiled, "for I am sure there are hungry lords and ladies behind us waiting for us to move."
Haldir laughed and navigated her to their seats at the main table beside Galadriel and Celeborn. Galadriel smiled and greeted them warmly, seeing they together warmed her heart. Phoenix had been a great joy, raising her was an adventure but a pleasant diversion since her own daughter was attacked by Orcs and has never fully recovered. She started to frown thinking about poor Celebran who was sent across the seas to the Undying Lands many years ago. Her frown quickly faded when her husband touched her hand and looked troubled by her melancholy. Smiling again she watched her ward and the captain of her guard discuss archery training.
"I do not see what is wrong with stepping the training up a notch," Phoenix debated, "An Orc or Goblin is simply not going to stand still and let you shoot it, we need to devise a way to practice with a moving target."
"Surely you do not mean a living target," Haldir frowned slightly, "that would be cruel and no better than the Orcs."
"No not a living target, but merely create a target to shoot that moves," she shook her head in exasperation, "if you were to rig a target with a form of pulley system you could easily have the targets move from side to side or even forwards and backwards as well."
"You design this target system that you speak of and show me," he paused, "and if it works we will try it in our training."
"Really?" Phoenix was slightly shocked, "than I shall begin designing it tomorrow than."
"Good I cannot wait to see it," he smiled and winked, "now would you care to dance with me?"
"I must admit I am not that good at it," she blushed, "I never really learned."
"Nonsense, I am confidant that you will be just as graceful as you are on the training fields," He smiled as she blushed again, "besides I can teach you."
"Then lead on good sir," Phoenix nodded, "I hope I do not trip anyone."
"What was that my dear?" Haldir questioned over his shoulder, "Did you mention tripping someone?"
"No, do not worry," she shuddered, "please lead on."
It seemed as if every elf in the hall watched as Haldir led Phoenix to the dance floor. The band started playing a lively tune and Haldir twirled Phoenix around the dance floor. She was enjoying herself amazed that she hadn't hurt anyone yet when the song ended and a slower one began. They were about to start again when someone tapped her on her shoulder. Looking over she found herself face to face with the young elf she defeated earlier that day in practice.
"My lady, my Lord, would you mind if I had this dance?" Milacron stammered nervously.
"If the lady does not object," Haldir gestured, "Phoenix?"
"I do not object," Phoenix smiled, "but only one dance."
"As you wish," Milacron grinned broadly, "my lady."
'I wonder what he is up to.' Phoenix pondered silently, 'is he trying to pull a joke on me, I never receive any attention from any of the guards at these things.'
"Will you be on the training field in the morning my lady?" Milacron asked nonchalantly, "now that you will be departing soon and have to prepare for things, like your wedding?"
"Wedding…" Phoenix was stunned, "what wedding sir, who am I supposed to wed, and who informed you of this?"
"Well we all have seen you tonight with the captain," Milacron began, "and we have never seen you dressed as such, and of course the captain has had his eye on you for the past thousand years, or so I am told, I have only seen this for myself for only six hundred being so young."
"Who is we and why do you care how I dress," Phoenix felt herself redden with anger, "and for a thousand years? No, it can not be true, why would he, would he not of said something before?"
"No, he would never say anything," Milacron shook his head slightly, "have you ever noticed most elves are afraid to approach you, between your prowess on the battlefield and also you are very, very, much against being tied down, we all know this."
"We again," Phoenix was tempted to trip him, "is we the other members of the guard?"
Milacron nodded as the dance ended, "yes it is, and well it has been pleasant dancing with you my lady."
"Yes, pleasant," she nodded, "and very informing, you have my thanks."
Phoenix returned to the table where Haldir awaited her. He rose and helped her sit down properly. The guards watching them nodded when she looked over, Milacron raising his goblet towards her. Phoenix nodded and raised her own goblet back in return and continued her conversation with Haldir and Galadriel. An hour passed and Galadriel retired, soon many others departed as well.
"Will you walk with me in the gardens for a while?" Phoenix asked Haldir as they were leaving the hall, "I wish to speak with you about some things that have been brought to my attention."
"But of course," Haldir nodded, "lead the way my elen."
They strolled out the hall and down the corridor leading down to the ground below. The moonlight showing through the trees in silvery rays made the garden glow in a urethral light. They slowly made their way to the lilies that Phoenix favored.
"You wish to speak about something venimaer?" Haldir sat down on a stone bench, "something of great importance I gather?"
"Yes, I have learned something that is very interesting if true," Phoenix blushed at the term beautiful one, for only Celeborn and Galadriel used that word, "have you truly watched me for a thousand years?"
"Well it is true," he nodded, "For a thousand years I have watched you and loved you, you are a free spirit, not afraid to fight for what you believe in and you are the Queens ward, I was not sure how to approach you until Galadriel told me she knew and approved of me."
Phoenix was taken back by his confession, not knowing what to do she sat next to him and looked down. Her heart was racing, true she felt something for him, but she was not sure if it was love. She looked up to find him staring at her contently, she closed her eyes and reopened them, his eyes staring deep into hers, and they were like staring into the deep ocean at night.
"Haldir, I am slightly overwhelmed by all of this," She stammered, "I have never known that anyone was interested in me, I am too short, my hair is odd, not the golden color of everyone else, and I spend more time fighting than doing things a proper lady should, I love the freedom that Galadriel has given me, I do not know how to act or what to say to you."
"You are everything I have ever wanted in a wife my carnifinda warrior," He took her face in his hands, "your strength and spirit are what caught my eye, you are beautiful and unique, don't you see, I could never be content with an average maid, all I need for you to say is that you feel the same about me."
"I do have feelings for you in my elwen," she sobbed as a tear slipped down, he wiped it away, "I am just confused by them, I do not let many people in my heart and I am afraid to let you in."
"I know this aier," he wiped another tear, "will you not let me in as well, I will not leave you, I love you, stubbornness and all I truly love you and would be the happiest elf in Lorien if you would be my wife, I will not make you give up anything,"
"You wouldn't," she asked quietly, "than I will marry you, and you will be the happiest elf in all of Lorien."
"You will?" he smiled, "truly? Than will you marry me before we depart for Rivendell?"
"Yes," Phoenix shed another tear, "you have waited a thousand years for this, and I will not make you wait longer."
She smiled and covered his hands with her own. He leaned forward and kissed her trembling lips, softly at first and then more urgently as he felt her respond exploring his mouth as he explored hers. The kiss was so sweet it felt like she was going to melt; it awakened things in her she did not know existed. His hands left her face and drifted lower to skim the tops of her breasts, then suddenly he broke apart from her without so much of a warning.
"Did I do something wrong?" Phoenix gasped, "What did I do?"
"You did nothing wrong," he shook his head, "I fear I almost went too far here in this moonlight garden, I almost ravished you."
"Nay, it is not so," Phoenix blushed, "you did nothing I did not permit, besides I enjoyed it, can we not continue?"
"You are very brave my Venimaer, and very direct," he smiled, "but we really should not continue until we are wed, and certainly not here in this garden, but in my bed."
"I have made you wait with my ignorance for a long time," she began, "will you now make me wait when I do not wish to? You make me feel alive inside and I felt that there was something missing until now, please do not stop now."
"You are sure of this?" he asked, "I do not wish you to regret this later."
"I am very sure my lirimaer," she whispered and kissed him again pulling him close, "very sure."
"Lovely one?" Haldir smiled, "I am a man and men are not lovely, men are rugged and handsome."
They laughed as he led the way up to the treetops to his chamber door. Once inside she kissed him and started to undo his belt but he pushed her hands aside. Undoing his belt himself and quickly disrobing he helped her out of her gown, the velvet and satin pooling at her feet. She reached up and released his hair so that it flowed to his waist in a golden cascade. Doing the same to her long locks, letting the barrettes and ribbons fall to the floor, her hair curling from the braids. They laughed and kissed all the way to the bed before tumbling onto it. She marveled at how broad his shoulders were, thousand of years of training and battle left him well muscled and a perfect specimen of male beauty. She ran her hands over his chiseled abs marveling at his quick intake of breath.
He in turn ran his hands over her body, exploring her feminine beauty well endowed where it counted but firm and sleekly muscular from training. Every dip, every curve, every scar seemed to fascinate them, she could scarcely believe what she was doing, then as she begged, not thinking that she could bear it any longer she felt him thrust into her and past the barrier of her innocence. The feeling of pain was brief and was replaced by wave after wave of pleasure as they moved to a rhythm older than time itself. They climaxed together and he rolled to one side and pulled her close, breathing heavily, they fell asleep cuddled together in his bed.
Phoenix woke with a start unsure of where she was until she felt Haldir's arm tighten around her waist when she sat up. He opened his eyes and smiled at her, pulling her back down to him and snuggling close. She could feel him harden behind her and blushed at the thought. Then she sat up again and realized that it was well past dawn.
"We must rise my warrior," Phoenix shook her head, "it is day and we were supposed to be down on the field at dawn."
"How could I forget?" he moaned and ran a hand over her hip, "Oh, yes I remember now, your luscious curves."
"No more love play," she swatted his hands away, "we must rise and face the day, come now, how am I going to get to my chamber without being seen by someone?"
"I have a tunic and leggings that you could wear," he smiled, "they are my brothers, but he will not know, now lets bathe and get to the field."
"Yes, lets," she nodded.
They got out of the bed and walked to his bathing chamber hand in hand. Instead of walking to the tub he walked her to an area of the room that had a drain in the middle of the floor. Turning the leaf shaped knob on the wall water poured from a fish shaped object from above. He laughed at her expression and explained that it was quicker than a bath. They quickly showered and dressed, then made their way to the field. The guard was waiting for them with grins and whooped when they came onto the field.
"I have been waiting for you to make a move brother," Rumil smacked Haldir's back and laughed, "So when is the wedding?"
"We will wed before we depart for Rivendell," Phoenix smiled and hugged Haldir to hide the redness of her face, "can we talk to Galadriel after this?"
"Of course my Venimaer," he smiled, "now what are we standing around for shouldn't you all be doing something?"
"Yes sir," the guards replied.
"You too Phoenix," he smiled, "I believe Milacron is waiting for a rematch."
"Alright, I shall see you anon," she smiled, "but you are still my Lirimaer!"
With that she ran over the field to where Milacron waited for her, he was smiling smugly as she bowed and began circling him.
"Lirimaer?" Milacron questioned, "So he is your lovely one? That is amusing; do you realize that that is an endearment used for women?"
"That is what he said," She smiled, "but you see a man can be lovely too, and he is very lovely in my eyes."
"Oh, I see just as you are his Venimaer?" he asked laughing as he swung his blade across missing her chest by mere inches, "you certainly are beautiful but it is still funny to hear our captain say such things."
"You were not supposed to be listening," she smiled and circled him until he stood right where she wanted him to, "you were supposed to be warming up."
"True but I could not resist," he shrugged, "would you not of found it interesting?"
"I would find it very interesting," she nodded and struck out, her sword stopping just short of this neck, "you lose again my dear boy."
"So it seems," he laughed, "you must teach me that sometime."
"I will but now I wish to find the captain," Phoenix smiled and bowed, "I shall see you at dinner."
"Farewell my lady," Milacron laughed and bowed.
Phoenix shook her head and went in search of Haldir; she looked all over the field and could not find him. Then when she was close to despair someone wrapped his or her arms around her. Jumping to a fighting stance and breaking away she turned around only to see the smiling face of her betrothed. Smiling at him she hugged him fiercely and kissed him in greeting.
"Nay, my love," he shook his head, "we should not do this in plain sight of anyone, we are not officially betrothed, shall we go and freshen up before we see Galadriel?"
"Yes I much desire a bath and to change into my own clothes," she smiled, "will you escort me to my chambers?"
"But of course," he winked, "I would much desire to see your chambers and share your bath; shall we get my things before we go to your chambers?"
"You cannot be serious?" she looked around nervously, "Celeborn would have your head if we were discovered!"
"I do not fear that," he chuckled, "do not fret, now let's go."
They made their way back up to Haldir's rooms where he grabbed more suitable attire for meeting with the Queen and put them in a discreet sack. They then went up to her chambers, just doors away from the Queen's herself. Phoenix went straight for her wardrobe to pick out a gown, finally choosing a white silk that was decorated with embroidered gold flowers at the ends of the sleeves and neckline. Haldir chuckled his approval as they disrobed and headed for her bathing chamber. She quickly filled up the tub and almost poured in her favorite jasmine oil and then stopped remembering they would be sharing it.
"Do you mind if I fragrance the water?" she hesitated, "it is jasmine."
"No, I do not mind," he smiled and signaled for her to continue, "I like jasmine."
She poured some oil in the water starting to rise in her tub, she had just put a stopper in the top and placed it with her other oils when there was a knock on her door and a voice belonging to Laurinnia begging her to let her in. Phoenix looked at Haldir and paled, he pushed her out to answer the door as he grabbed his clothes and shut the bathing chamber door. Donning a robe Phoenix opened the door to her best friend.
"What took you so long?" Laurinnia asked as she walked into the room, "did I interrupt your bath?"
"I was only filling the tub, you interrupted nothing," Phoenix shook her head, "is there something you wanted?"
"Not really," Laurinnia smiled, "why were you not at breakfast? I waited for you but you never came and then I watched you spar with Milacron again and you kissed the captain of the guard, I was just wondering what happened last night."
"I am allowed to do as I please and I do not think I should tell you before I speak with Galadriel," Phoenix frowned.
"Fine if that's what you think is right," Laurinnia nodded a tear slipped down her cheek; "I will just be off."
"No, wait, do not go like this," Phoenix reached out to stop her, "I do not mean to sound cruel, it is just that I need her guidance, I will tell you everything you want to know after,"
"Alright, I understand," Laurinnia smiled and hugged her friend looking to the floor she noticed something out of place, "Phoenix, who's sword is that?"
"What?" she said looking down at where her friend pointed to, "Uh, what do you mean?"
"This is not your sword," Laurinnia tilted her head and picked it up to show Phoenix, "this is a male's sword, not one of yours."
Phoenix raised a hand to her forehead, and then they heard a curse come from the bathing area. Laurinnia's eyes narrowed and she pushed past Phoenix to open the door only to find the captain of the guard standing there naked in the bathing chamber. She almost screamed but laughed instead. Phoenix shook her head and walked over to Haldir, standing in front of his nudity.
"So this is what you were doing when I came to the door," Laurinnia laughed again, "do not worry, your secret is safe with me, I will leave so you can finish bathing."
She left the room still laughing at her friend and the captain; Phoenix locked the door behind Laurinnia and then turned and stormed into her bath to confront Haldir.
"You could not hide?" she asked tapping her foot, "You know this is bad."
"Relax, she is your friend," he smiled and disrobed her, "she will not betray you, trust your friend."
"Fine," she shook her head, "but I am still mad at you for cursing, what happened?"
"I almost fell into the tub," he looked down, "I was caught off guard when she came in the room."
"Well that is not good," she smiled and lowered herself into the tub and pulled him in, he came up sputtering; "now you did fall in."
"You little minx," he laughed and splashed her before pulling her on top of him, "now show me how sorry you are for doing that."
She laughed and showed him just how sorry when she straddled him as if he was her horse and rode him hard and fast. After while they were lying in the cooling water Haldir spoke of his brothers and the adventures they used to go on before they were members of the guard. Phoenix laughed and smiled wishing she had siblings too. He kissed her softly and rose out of the tub carrying her with him. She laughed and demanded that he put her down. They dressed and he helped her tame her hair into a braid, then she put his hair in the traditional half braid with the two braids on the sides going around his ears. They departed for the throne room laughing and hand in hand.
Galadriel seemed to be waiting for them on the throne; they bowed and waited for her to tell them to rise.
"So it seems that we are in need to celebrate?" Galadriel spoke, "please rise my dears, and tell me all."
"My lady, I wish to marry the lady Star before we depart to Rivendell," Haldir started, "she has agreed to my proposal and wishes to wed soon as well."
"Is this true my daughter?" Galadriel smiled, "you may be my ward but you are my daughter in my heart and I wish to adopt you officially, I wish you to be my heir and I would love for you to be happy, and please call me mother."
"I love you mother," Phoenix smiled tears dripping down her face, "and I wish to marry Haldir, for I love him."
"You do?" Haldir whispered to her pulling her close, "Oh my Venimaer, I love you too."
"Well, I guess we should prepare for the ceremony," Galadriel smiled and motioned for Phoenix to come to her, embracing her adopted daughter a tear slipped, "you shall be married within a fortnight."
"Thank you," Phoenix cried, "'I love you."
"Then it is settled, we have preparations to see to, you must go down to the tailors and get your dress made," Galadriel smiled, "Haldir I believe you have things you must attend to as well before then, I will go with thee Phoenix to the dressmaker."
They smiled at each other as Galadriel led Phoenix down to the dressmakers and Haldir left to see to his own clothes. The whole of Caras Galadhon seemed to be busy getting ready. Galadriel picked out the finest silks and satins for Phoenix's dress. The poor dressmaker had her assistants running around the place. It was going to be a lovely gown. From there they went to the cooks to instruct what to cook and then to invite people, the invitations were sent out before the sunset. Phoenix bid a good night to Galadriel and went to her chambers to sleep only to find Laurinnia waiting for her. After filling her in she slipped into her bed to try and get some sleep knowing the days to come would be just as hectic.
Authors note: okay I know I changed some major stuff but trust me it will flow better!