Well, the ninth chapter is here. Getting close to the tenth, a major milestone, for me at least. Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me on this story. Read on and enjoy.
NOTE: This story is by no means even close to ending! I can't give up on it! Oh, and my elvish may be a bit rusty, so tips and corrections are welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the Lord of the Rings, sadly.
0o0o0o0o---Chapter Nine---o0o0o0o0
He had to get away fast. Being that close to her was too tempting. He had a few hours before the sun would begin to set so he set off for the training fields. There, while he was praticing archery and the sword, he could think clearly.
Ha ran into Rumil on the way there who was apparently being followed by several maidens. Rumil gave him a smirk, glanced over his shoulder at the ellith, and continued after giving him a slight nod of greeting. Haldir smiled to himself as he arrived at the archery fields.
"Haldir! What are you doing here? You were just here yesterday, one would think you would have liked to rest sometime." It was Feredir, a good friend of his. He was popular with the elleth, as were most wardens of the Golden Wood, and also very well admired. He had known Haldir since they were but elflings.
"I needed to think. My mind seems restless at times." He said, turning to speak with him as he approached. They were the same in height, stature, and build. They both had silver hair that reached to at least the small of their back.
"About what? Something troubling you? Of course, I highly doubt that..." Haldir let him ramble on while he turned back to the targets and notched an arrow.
"Tell me Feredir," he let the arrow loose and it hit the target dead on, "do you happen to employ a maid?" Lowering his bow he turned back toward his curious friend.
"Yes. Why do you ask?" His eyes took on a gleam that Haldir had never seen before.
"How well do you get along with her?"
"Obeys my every command. Very charming, actually." He replied.
Haldir looked at him, staring him straight in the eye.
"You're hiding something." He said at last, he could always read his friend's eyes.
"Ah, but so are you mellon. You never did answer my question." Feredir countered.
"But you remeber the topic I brought up? You have one yourself, surely you must be in my predicament. I had not noticed at first because of your deftness at hiding your personal life." Haldir said.
"Fine. Admit it I will but if this gets out to anybody...well, we can discuss that later." He looked around nervously as if searching for spying elves behind every tree.
Haldir let out a laugh at his friend's discomfort.
"The same should go for you, my friend. My brothers are under oath as well seeing as they've tried to help me a bit."
"Bet that worked out real well." Feredir said.
"Oh it did." He answered sarcastically.
The friendly banter and jokes went on, followed by an archery contest between the two. Haldir winning by the slightest of moves. The loyal and vigilant Marchwarden soon lost track of the time.
Back at the talan, Anira woke feeling refreshed and peaceful, until she remembered what had happened previously in the day. With a groan she roused herself from her bed and tidied her braids, smoothing out the golden silky strands. Moving to the kitchen quite ungracefully for an elf, she started dinner curious as to why Haldir had not returned to wake her as promised.
With the finishing touches she placed the meal on the table. And then she waited. And waited. And waited.
Finally, getting distracted from the waiting, she wandered over to where Haldir's elaborate weapons were displayed on the wall and shelves. They were really quite breathtaking, the designs on some so intricate that was impossible to think any being could have etched them. Their sheathes and cases were the same in a sense that they almost mirrored the sword or long knife.
Looking to the door, she hesitantly picked one up to examine. The cold steel on her skin gave her an involuntary shudder. Sliding her hands down the blade, careful not to cut herself, she admired the black leather grip on the long knife and it's sheath decorated with gold flames running up the sides. So beautiful, but for a lethal and deadly purpose. Inscribed on the blade, elvish runes were embossed upon it. 'En-Din Lhach', The Silent Flame.
She hastily put it back next to it's similarly decorated sheath when she heard steps beginning to ascend the talan stairs. That was certain to be Haldir. How was she going to face him after what had happened?
As she was walking back to the kitchen, the door opened and Haldir stepped in. He looked as though he had practiced much seeing as his clothes were wrinkled and dirt streaked across in some areas. Even standing not only six feet away from her, she could smell his woodsy and somewhat sweaty scent.
"I apologize for my tardiness, I was enjoying an afternoon with my good friend, Feredir. You should meet him sometime." He said. She stepped forward to take his bow, quiver, and sword from him. He handed them over gratefully. This apparently was an esteemed honor because his brothers had mentioned that he did not let even them touch his weapons.
"I admit I was a bit surprised at your absence, but who am I to complain? I woke up alright by myself. You returned safely." The last part slipped out without Anira's notice, but it did not escape Haldir's hearing.
She moved behind him to remove his cloak, all the while not even noticing the torture it gave him by her touches. Of course, he could have removed his cloak himself and handed it to her, but she was trying to be helpful. In a different way...
"Your meal, Haldir." He was glad she had stopped the whole 'milord' thing for the time being, but the way his name rolled of her tongue almost seductively caused an even greater trifle. He fought unsuccessfully with himself to ignore her long plaited hair, which fell upon her shoulders and flowed down her back almost past her waist.
He thanked her and she smiled sweetly at him. Turning to put her back to him, she headed toward his quarters. No doubt she was running a bath for him. He couldn't deny that he needed one.
Once in his room, she closed the door quietly. As it clicked shut, she broke into delighted laughter leaning heavily against the door for support. She relished the fact that Haldir could not hear a thing and slid into his bathroom to prepare a bath. His scent may have ignited her feelings at first, but after awhile it lingered too heavily. After leaving out towels and pouring oils into the water, she headed back out to the kitchen. Most likely he would have finished by now.
Haldir placed the plate on the counter and approached his rooms. Little did he know Anira was doing the same thing.
He opened the door first, she had her eyes to the floor and did not notice him until it was too late. His scent hit her straight on and she no longer felt herself thinking it too annoying. Over the next few weeks she would be harboring a need and a longing for it. He put his arms around her to steady her and she felt their strength.
Likewise for Haldir, her soft body sent tremors of lust coursing through him. It was all he could do to not take her lips. He looked down at her, she looked up. He expected a stuttered answer, as always happened when he was this close to her.
"Sorry, I appear to have miscalculated my steps." Her voice was smooth and unwavering. Her eyes searched his and she found his eyes darkening. He seemed to be warning her of who she was talking to.
"No need. It was my fault entirely." He replied, trying to sound unaffected by her presence.
With a nod, she stood straighter, he released her and she went about her duties. This single event turned both their worlds upside down, it would never be the same.
Over the next few days they continually found themselves feeling a need for the other half. While in each other's company they found it hard to think of anything but the other person. Haldir had recieved word that he was due back at the fences in two days.
Coming back to his talan on a particularly taxing day, they were helping to train new recruits, he knew he would have to tell Anira.
She helped him with his weapons as usual. Right after she hung up his cloak, he told her.
"Anira," she turned from her mending work to look at him, "I go back to the borders in two days."
He knew she was trying not to betray her feelings, but her eyes betrayed her. The shine and happiness that had surely been there when he arrived back at the talan was gone.
"How long will you be gone?" Her voice was surprisingly steady and clear.
"No more than a week."
Two days went quickly enough. Soon it was back to where they were the last time he had to leave. Haldir didn't dare pull what he did last time, the feeble foundations of their relationship might not even last during his absence.
So, instead of a chaste, passionate kiss, he embraced her gently. No tears, no sad looks. The embrace was mutual, and had a caring feel. She once more breathed in his scent, before he had to pull away and prepare his weapons. Moments later he was out the door and headed toward the city gates.
Well, here is where I need the reader feedback greatly. I need your opinionson whether or not they should start a relationship or continue to decide.Reviews, reviews, reviews!
This update was a little later than a week, only because I had to get back into the swing of things after Christmas break. Regular updates expected throughout the month of January. Namarie!
-ElfLuver13
