Okay, I promised a long chapter. Here it is. Major turning point in this chappie. Read, review, suggest ideas, I am open to all options. JUST DO SOMETHING! Thank you :) !
Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR. I do not own LOTR. I do not own LOTR. I do not own LOTR. I do not own...
Chapter/Capitulo/Chapitre/Kapitel/Capitolo------------------------------------------------------Twelve/Doce/Douze/Zwolfe/Dodici
"Keep your sword lower," Haldir shouted from across the training area. The hopeful youngling looked up and nodded in respect. He was currently sparring with Daeron, an experienced guard member who actually enjoyed recruiting season. Walking over to where the archers were set up, Haldir gave the nervous hopefuls tips and help when needed. They were progressing normally and would probably not be ready for the borders until the next year.
"Well, they tell me you had quite the excitement without me," Haldir turned to see Feredir entering the training grounds. By his state of dress and the look of his companions, he had most likely just arrived back from border duty. Haldir gave him a dark look.
"We could have done well without it."
"I saw the humans being exiled, but I was told six had entered our wood. Did not five only leave?" His eyes held a curious gleam.
"One is being held in the cell blocks. He is the reason for his companions' swift departure. The mortal, Terrin, is being held at trial in eight days," Haldir said.
"For what? Men have not troubled us before," Feredir questioned.
"He attempted to force himself upon one of our ellith." He stopped himself from saying 'my elleth'. Feredir's eyes widened.
"Who? Which one? Is she okay?" Haldir suspected that the deluge of questions came from his concern for his own maid.
"Well, it was not someone you would know. However, I believe she has made a friendship with your maid Minaethiel," he answered. "And she is fine," he added.
"Lord Celeborn will not let this human get off easy. The Lady may have kindness and pity to spare, but rape is a forbidden crime! This mortal will be executed, I have no doubt," Feredir said.
"That's exactly what I'm thinking. I'll need your help in an hour, we are going to be sparring with some recruits," Haldir said.
"That is one thing I despise about being a high ranked warden. Let me clean up first, and I'll meet you back here," Feredir said.
The door to Feredir's talan swept open. Minaethiel went over to greet him.
"Back already? Did you hear what happened?" She stood as tall as him, maybe an inch shorter, and looked him straight in the eye.
"Yes I did. And I was relieved to find that the victim was not you. Do you know the elleth that was attacked? Haldir hinted that you did," Feredir questioned.
"Yes, she is Haldir's maid herself. Anira, she is from Mirkwood," Minaethiel answered.
"He did not tell me that," Feredir pondered the new information. He wrapped his arms around Minaethiel's waist and laid his head on her shoulder.
"You missed me that much? I thought you liked the borders. Peaceful, quiet, calm..." he broke her off with a kiss.
"How can I enjoy the borders if I worry about you every second? You haunt my thoughts every waking moment," he said, quite poetically.
She giggled and threw her head back. "You may be a tough warrior on the outside, but deep inside you are a hopeless romantic!"
"I need to clean up. Haldir and I have to train the younglings." He walked to his room while Minaethiel prepared his weapons and cleaned the ones he had used on the border.
Anira collapsed into a chair in the main room. Putting her chin in the palm of her hand, she leaned on the armrest and thought about Haldir. She did not want to admit it, but there was a chance for a relationship. They both could not deny that there was a mutual attraction between them. The only question that lingered, would one of them persue a relationship?
"Left! Step left!" The trainee barely missed Haldir's sword as it swung down. He dodged it, beads of sweat roling down his face. Haldir saw his exhaustedness and stopped the fighting.
"Why don't we stop for now? We can continue this after you've had a break," Haldir said. The young ellon nodded in relief.
"Thank you milord." He practically fell over a large log trying to sit on it. Haldir chuckled and walked over to where Feredir was lecturing another trainee on how to not notch his arrow on backwards. Feredir finished and looked up to see Haldir.
"Ah! Just the person I wanted to talk to. Minaethiel told me some very interesting things," Feredir said suspiciously.
"Oh? Well, I was going to tell you those things when I met up with you here," Haldir said.
Feredir shot him a sideways, and somewhat unbelievable,glance. "What do you think of the new recruits?"
"They're getting along. They might need a little work, but most show some promise," Haldir said.
"True. Remember when we were training?"
"I don't remember us making so many mistakes."
"No one ever does."
"Three more hours and we should be done. I'm not sure they will be able to last much more anyways," Haldir said.
Feredir laughed with him and they continued to train.
Anira jumped from her mending when a knock sounded at the door. She set it down and walked hesistantly to open it. Fears from the other night came rushing back to her. She opened it quickly, to find Minaethiel standing with an everpresent smile on her face.
"Doing anything?" She asked.
"Not...not really," she answered.
"I was wondering if you wanted to take a walk by the Nimrodel. In the late afternoon the sun makes the water look brilliant," Minaethiel said.
"Sure. Let me grab my cloak. The only thing...Haldir will be back soon. He might get worried..."
"If he does, we won't be too far behind. Feredir will know you're with me when I'm gone. We will be back before darkness falls."
They set off,conversing happily, in the same route that Haldir and Feredir were taking back. The two talked of the flowers and the coming autumn, when the leaves would shower the forest floor of the Golden Wood. Indeed the river was a magnificent sight at the hour of the day. The slowly setting sun cast rays of what looked like pure gold across the clear, untainted water. Anira knelt at the riverside and Minaethiel sat beside her.
"Never before have I seen beauty such as this. Mirkwood holds a dark eloquence, but the nature here is clean and bright," she said.
"I am sure the Lord and Lady would have loved to hear you say that, they take pride in these wholesome woods," Minaethiel answered.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps on the path. The two ellith turned, curious as to who it was. Anira felt her chest tighten up, the man's face burned in her mind. The image of him and the look in his eyes made her want to scream.
"Anira? Are you alright?" Minaethiel's concerned voice broke through her state of sheer terror.
"Y-yes," she stuttered, "just overreacting." It was highly unlikely that they would even let any more humans in this wood for quite some time.
The two ellyn appeared on the path. They clearly looked like wardens because of their state of dress. As they neared, Anira let out a sigh that she did not know she had even been holding. Haldir stopped, as did Feredir, when they caught site of them.
"Where did you come from?" Feredir asked, the confused look on his face utterly priceless.
"We should ask the same of you," Minaethiel replied. "We aren't doing anything wrong, just taking a walk."
"Would you allow an escort?" Feredir countered. Haldir and Anira gave each other equally perplexed looks. The way the other twostared into each other's eyes, it was as if they were in their own world. Minaethiel stood, her eyes not leaving his as she did so.
"Yes. Anira, if you'll excuse me," she walked calmly over to Feredir and excepted his arm, leaving Haldir and Anira alone by the Nimrodel. Silence ensued.
"Well, if its any surprise to you, I had no idea either," Haldir said. Anira laughed and Haldir looked on with an amused smile.
"Might we be getting back soon? Before long the sun will set," Anira said, once she had gotten over her mirth. Haldir walked quietly over and seated himself next to her. He tucked a strand of her hair that had fallen loose from her braid behind her ear. His hand trailed to caress her cheek, turning her head towards him. His eyes searched hers for any apprehensiveness. She stared back at him, blue eyes meeting his silver ones with a primal gleam.
"You're nervous, scared. Is it the mortal?" Haldir asked, trepidation etching his voice. She nodded slightly. He gently cupped her face, bringing her closer to him.
"I would never hurt you," he said.
She leaned in boldly and he took her lips. His tenderness surpassed any she had ever eperienced, and Anira closed her eyes and enjoyed the kiss. She put her arms around his neck and Haldir deepened the embrace. Then, he stopped. She looked at him quizzically.
"What?" She asked, afraid that she had done something wrong.
"Rumil. And another captain. Probably looking for me," he said, sounding perturbed. They both stood up. Haldir brushed himself off and straightened to full height. Rumil anda warden namedSaeldur appeared on the path.
"Haldir! We've been looking for you. We have an orc skirmish at the east borders. It was small at first, but more are arriving. If we do not get more soldiers out there, some will leak into the wood," Rumil stopped abruptly when he caught sight of Anira. "Ah, hello Anira. What brings you out to the Nimrodel...with Haldir?"
She furiously tried to stop the vicious blush rising in her face. One of the Lorien brothers, however, took notice of it immediately.
"Anira traveled out here with a friend, who left with Feredir. I am simply escorting my maid back to the city," Haldir said, trying to save them both from nothing short of flat out humiliation.
"How many troops will they be needing? Assuming they already have 100 orcs approaching the borders, it is inevitable to stop some from entering the Golden Wood," Haldir said, trying to steer the conversation back to the security problem occuring at the fences.
"At least a group or two," Rumil leaned closer and spoke lower, intending to only speak toHaldir. "Why don't you and Saeldur run back to the city and take care of the situation? I'll make sure she gets back safely."
Haldir nodded briskly, hesitation showing in his eyes. Anira noticed that it was with great reluctance he bid her farewell, and set off with Saeldur.
"So, were you really out here with a friend? Before Haldir and Feredir ran into you?"
"Yes! Why would we lie to you?" Anira said indignantly. Rumil gave her a skeptical look.
"Very well, milady. Shall we continue on?" He offered her his arm and she accepted it. He stood, like Haldir, a good many inches taller than Anira, which caused the reason for him to have to look down at her to speak with her. They talked of small things and soon arrived at the city. Upon reaching Haldir's talan, Rumil said goodbye and left her climbing to the top of the great mallorn.
Anira stepped into the talan and hung her cloak up. She froze when she saw all of Haldir's weapons laid out on the main room's floor.
"Careful, I am organizing them. It seems the small skirmish at the borders has turned into an all out assault. I have been called to lead my unit," Haldir said, stepping out of his room attired in nothing but leggings used under armor.
"Is there anything I can do? Or shall I just sit myself in my room?" He looked up from examning his quiver at her statement.
"You can promise me something," he said. "Promise me you will stay in this talan and not leave until my return. If the orcs enter the city, highly unlikely, they will head straight for the people. Extinguish all the lights, close the shutters, and lock the door. Go to my room and lock that door as well. The bell at the city gates will sound if some manage to make it that far. Do you promise?"
"Yes, yes of course. Is there a chance you will come back to me? In one piece?"
He looked at her teasingly. "I am an experienced guard member. They are just orcs. No need to worry yourself for me. It is you that should be worried about."
"Glad you're taking this seriously..." she trailed off and walked over to sit in a chair. From her view, she was able to see all of the weapons spread out. He looked at her one more time, she thought she saw a longing resting in those silver eyes, and continued to prepare the weaponry.
"How long will you be gone?"
"Two days at most."
"You will not get hurt?"
"I promise you, most sincerely, to return safely," Feredir tried uselessly to calm Minaethiel's fears of battle. Her uncle had died from wounds at another orc conflict years before, and the memory of her aunt's wailing mournful cries still echoed in her mind when she thought of battles.
He finished preparing and clasped his cloak around him. Turning to bade her farewell, he was met with a face full of soft, silver hair as she threw her arms around his neck.
"I don't want you to leave," her voice was muffled by his cloak. He soothed her by smoothing her hair.
"I will be back before you know it. But stay in the talan. Do not leave for any reason," he said. She nodded quietly. He tilted her chin up.
"Do not despair." He kissed her gently and left moments after. She shrunk into a chair with tears running down her face.
Haldir completed his preparation and turned to face Anira. She looked back at him, her hesitance to let him leave showing clearly in her facial features.
"Remember what I said."
"I will."
Awkward stillness settled over them both until Haldir stepped closer and kissed her passionately. She felt her knees go weak and clutched his shoulders for support. He pulled away, taking in her breathless and heaving form. Her eyes, as well as his, blazed with desire.
"Namarie."
So, longer than last time eh? Opinions and feedback welcomed. Tell me how I am doing! Thank you to any who have reviewed thus far, you are a major part of this story. I could not have gone on without you.
-ElfLuver13
