Back again? Have fun with this chapter; it's longer than the others. It seems the plot bunnies have decided to be good to me. Thanks to my reviewers and everyone else who has taken the time to read this. Well, read on and please leave a review! I LIVE ON THESE!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Tolkien estate or anything related to it. I am only borrowing Tolkien's characters and places for my fictional use.
Chapter Six—
Haldir stepped hesitantly into the talan and looked over to the kitchen where she was setting a plate down. Her smile seemed…mischievous. He took off his quiver and laid his bow in its spot by his other weapons. Lastly, he removed his sword and scabbard from his belt and placed it on a hook.
Anira watched him doing this from the corner of her eye. It was only then that she realized she would have to speak to him if he asked yes or no questions, if she didn't she would look like a fool. Her main goal was to discourage lengthy conversations until she decided what to do with him.
After he had dropped his cloak in a chair, he walked over and sat down somewhat undecidedly at the table. It appeared that she had already eaten.
"Did you meet anybody new while I was gone?" He asked to break the silence and see if they were on even footing.
"No milord." She answered. She knew that was the one word that drove him to the edge. He had made it known in the past that he preferred to be called Haldir only.
With a perturbed glance at her he asked, "Is there something wrong?"
"No milord." She replied again with the hated term. She refused to wilt like dead flower under his intimidating gaze. Again he gave her a look that clearly was warning her, to which she paid no heed of course. He sat down in front of the plate.
"Will you be wanting to bathe, milord?" She asked. He closed his eyes briefly to retain composure before he lost his temper. She stood behind him taking full delight in what was happening.
"Yes, I would…appreciate that." He struggled to get the words out. His head looked up when she walked from behind him over to the chair where he had deposited his cloak. Eyes following her like a cat and its prey, he watched her saunter her way over to the chair. When she turned around, cloak in hand, he saw the remnants of a smile leave her face. All right then, two could play this game.
After briefly meeting her eyes with what he hoped was a stern glance, he lowered his head and continued eating.
His ears picked up the sounds of her drawing water for his bath. A few minutes later he had finished and was about to get up when he felt her presence behind him.
"Finished, milord?" She almost forgot this time when she saw him again. Anira was too used to being genial and polite. He gave a slight nod.
"Your water is drawn, do any of your weapons need polishing?" She didn't push her luck and say it again. That would most likely put her at a place where she did not want to be.
"Not at the moment." He answered. She could feel his tension when he walked past her, brushing against her slightly. She suppressed a shudder at the sheer male strength in him. He was definitely a liable threat.
She smiled to herself as she cleaned up knowing that he was to honorable to do anything…rash. But even he had his limits.
The next day, Haldir came upon his brothers as he was walking to the training fields.
"Good day, brother." Rumil called out from across the way.
"Have you just returned from the fields?" Haldir replied to him, walking over to where Rumil sat. As was to be expected, Orophin was seated on a bench right across from him.
"Yes. We return to the borders not two days from now. You seem out of sorts, Haldir. Something bothering you?" Orophin spoke for both when he said this.
Haldir gave him an agitated look. "Why do I seem different?"
"You clearly look troubled, it shows through your eyes." Rumil told him.
Haldir gave a sigh of defeat. "I believe I may have taken the wrong route in dealing with my maid." He leaned forward on his hand.
"Ah, yes. The sweet elleth, what was her name again? Anira I believe?" Orophin said.
"Yes. She has been with me long enough to know what pleases me and what disconcerts me." Haldir replied.
"I am guessing then that you have lost your place of dominance over her? She sees you as someone she can toy with." Rumil asked.
"A grave mistake to be sure. I'm not sure there are many out there who would see the daunting March Warden as a plaything." Orophin added.
"I left her to making arrows. I lost quite a few at the borders." Haldir said.
"Are the orc attacks more frequent?" Rumil inquired.
"Yes, but they come in packs of less than six. They only mean to ambush us. The outer edges of the forest are not the safest places to be, unless you are well armed of course." Haldir said.
"That reminds me, I believe you have a long knife that I lent you a while ago." Orophin said.
"Yes, I believe I do. I can get it back to you today if you like, I'll send Anira over with it. I also have a few things that need to be looked over, plans and such."
"Good. Does she know where my talan is?" He asked.
"She can find it easily enough." Haldir replied.
"Orophin's talan is four more down than the tailor's shop. You'll find it." Haldir stated. He had…some trust in her. He knew she'd find it one way or another.
"Shall I prepare the noon meal when I return?" She asked, her tone polite and obeying.
"Yes, that will be fine. Here is the knife," he handed her a brown leather sheath embroidered with white threaded leaves. The handle showed fine craftsmanship with its black grip surrounding the handle. "This is a letter for the warden who is stationed at Orophin's soon to be post, make sure he knows the warden is to get it immediately." He said in a commanding tone.
She gave an obedient nod and clutched the knife to her. Her dress was a dull blue and seemed to be made of a linen material. The only fanciful addition was the silver embossed neckline. He bade her well and she started her errand.
After walking the distance to the familiar tailoring shop, she counted the four houses down and from where she was standing, could see a figure on the porch that looked closer to Haldir than any other elf in Lothlórien.
Orophin continued scanning the ground below until he caught site of an elleth that was unmistakably Anira.
She continued walking towards his talan and that confirmed his assumptions.
"Mae Govannen!" She called up to him as she neared the base steps of his talan.
"Welcome! You seem to have found me alright then." He answered her. She ascended the steps quickly and soon met him at the top.
"It wasn't that hard, Haldir's directions were somewhat useful." She said, stepping onto the flet.
"Come in, please." He asked.
"Oh really I…" She began, he cut her off.
"I insist. There was something I wished to talk about." He took the items from her arms and led her in.
He motioned for her to sit in a chair by an ornately carved desk. She sat down carefully, curiosity emanating off of her. She looked around the talan, so different compared to Haldir's.
"So… I spoke with my brother this morning." He said, sitting in a chair opposite her. "He seemed disturbed. He hasn't been like this at all for as long as I can remember."
She smiled sweetly. "That, Orophin, is something I am very proud of." Certainly not what he thought would come out of her mouth. "You see, Haldir seems to think he has control over every living thing that walks the earth. I am lower than him, so he thinks."
Orophin watched her with a very interested face. This maiden was treading on shaky ground.
"He has managed thus far to irritate and annoy me. I simply turned the tables, only for a bit mind you, to show him what it was like." She said.
"I congratulate you, as it seems my brother has fallen under your command. You must keep in mind however that he is a seasoned warrior that can overpower the strongest maidens. Not that he would for any logical reason, but it could happen." Orophin warned her.
"I assure you, I am not afraid of your brother. However I will take your advice as I do live with him. He seems like someone who could be quite…unpredictable at times." She replied.
"That's a good elleth. I am sure he's waiting for your return?" He asked.
"Of course. Eru forbid he could go and make his noon meal himself if I did not arrive on time." Orophin laughed with her as he showed her out.
"Until we speak again, fair Anira!" He shouted to her from his flet's porch. She waved and continued her journey.
While walking back, she considered Orophin's advice about Haldir. True he was strong, overbearing, and…dare she say it…masculine, but he wouldn't really hurt her. Would he?
With these new thoughts about Haldir, she arrived back at his talan and ascended the steps.
She walked into the main living room and caught no sight of him. Perhaps he had left…no, he had plans to look over. He must be in her quarters.
As she started the noon meal, she lost all sense of her surroundings. So absorbed in her thoughts, she most likely would not hear anyone approaching her.
Ah, she must be home. Haldir lifted his head up slightly to hear her in the kitchen. A smile spread across his face as he quietly stood up. Stepping out into the hallway, he could see her back to him. Clearly she was being inattentive at the moment. Creeping up slowly behind her, he watched her for any sign that she had heard him. No, nothing.
He neared her every step that he took. Finally, he swept up right behind her and waited. She had not heard him. His body was an inch from hers and she stood continually dicing the tomatoes. He could not imagine what the elleth was thinking about…
On an impulse, he ran his hand lightly down her right arm. She shivered, then immediately started and turned around. Watching her stare into his cold gray eyes, he sensed fear and uncertainty. Maybe he would once again gain the upper hand.
"You're back, I see." He said.
"Y-yes." She stuttered an answer. She could sense his presence so close to her, it wiped out any thoughts and left her mind blank. His features remained unmoving, there was no way she could tell what he was thinking.
"You found Orophin, I presume?" His eyes lowered and he tilted his head a bit.
"I found him well."
"Good." His eyes met hers again. To her complete and utter surprise, he once again ran his hand up the length of her arm. Reaching her shoulder, he gently turned her back around to her chore and walked over to the common room. Picking a book from the shelf, he sat down in a chair and read, eyes occasionally flickering above the book to glance at what she was doing.
He had definitely regained his position of complete control.
Reviews please! They are greatly appreciated and read over and over again. I will most likely update again next Friday but I make no promises. Thank you to anyone who does review or has in the past! Isusarad 'elir!
-ElfLuver13
