Bet you didn't think I'd update this fast did you? Thank you to my returning reviewers of the last chapter (and a few new ones)!
Elfinabottle, Nelarun, walkure13Brynhild, ladyiceangel, Sir Fuzzalot, lovenhope, eyes of sky, Elwen of Lorien, sweetblonde14, A Vermillion Memory, Skaoi, Shary, UnlimitedShadow, Rin, luvthefluf, Lady Anck-su-namun, tyger cub, and jovianrular56114
Chapter dedication: To luvthefluf! Hope everything went well, and that you feel better soon! Also to the reviewers who never gave up on me, even when I was missing in action (for about three months).
-Chapter Twenty Two-
Anira looked at the mess lying around her. Streaks of flour ran through her hair and covered her dress in some areas. A forgotten (and now empty) bowl sat upside down on the table. With a heavy sigh, she began to clean up, hoping Haldir would return soon. She fervently hoped they were not sending him somewhere far away, for a lengthy bit of time. She knew it was selfish of her to be hoping so, but she couldn't help herself.
Picking up a rag lying on the counter, she attempted to remove some of the flour. She knew the dress would have to be washed, thoroughly, and made a mental note to do it the next day.
She heard knocking at the door and quickly ran to open it. It could not be Haldir, he would not have knocked. She opened the door to find the same warden who called upon them earlier staring back at her with a blank look on his face.
"I have come to retrieve the March warden's weapons," he said. Anira felt her stomach flip and felt as though she had been punched in the gut.
She invited him in and he stepped into the talan hesitantly.
"May I ask why the March warden cannot be here himself to retrieve his weapons?" She asked as she gathered his things, afraid of the answer.
"He is to leave for Imladris immediately, for a reason I was not told," he replied, anxiousness etching his voice. Anira nearly dropped the quiver she was carrying to him.
"And he is to return when?"
"I do not know, my lady," he answered sadly. She handed him the weapons one by one, making sure she did not forget anything.
"Is there any way I can see him, for just a moment, before he leaves?" She was desperate, and the warden could tell. She could see him beginning to pity her.
"If you can follow me and keep up, you might be able to have a small word with him," he said. She thanked him profusely and pulled her cloak on quickly, running to keep up with his large strides.
"They will be expecting your arrival, a troop of wardens has already been prepared to accompany you," Celeborn said. Haldir followed closely behind him, his mind not totally immersed in the present topic.
A warden entered the bustling clearing laden with weapons and with a distraught elleth trailing him. He strode purposefully towards where the March warden stood talking with Lord Celeborn. They looked up to see them approaching, Haldir hastily excusing himself.
"Anira, I am sorry," he said, kissing her softly on the cheek. He pulled her aside, away from the hurrying elves around them.
"Do not apologize, I'll still be here when you return, whenever that may be," she assured him.
"My brothers will remain here, do not hesitate to go to them if you are in trouble. I'll send word to you as soon as I can, I promise," he was being called away, the group of wardens were impatient to leave. He kissed her roughly, their lips touching briefly before he pulled away and mounted his horse. He set off at a gallop with the others behind him.
Balefully, she turned and fought viciously against the tears threatening to fall. Her pride refused to let her break down in front of the many elves present. With one last look at the clearing and where he had stood only seconds before, she turned swiftly and walked back to the talan.
The empty rooms seemed to mock her. She felt increasingly lonely, and felt herself wishing to be back in his arms once again. Remembering the flour-stained dress, she picked it up from where it was laid across the back of a chair and headed down to the stream.
Life in Lorien went on normally around her, it was as if nothing had changed. The sun was half hidden by the light grey clouds, allowing even less sunlight to stream through the towering mellryn.
Anira was pleased to find Minaethiel already airing her laundry and lazily stretched out like a cat in the meager sunlight. She set to work on the dress silently, finding that Minaethiel had drifted off.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Minaethiel said, opening one eye and grinning. "What happened to that dress?" Her eyes widened as she caught sight of the white-lined garment.
A slight smile spread across Anira's face.
"I was cooking, can you not tell?" She answered humorously. Despite the morose mood she was in, Anira could not help herself from feeling at least a little better in the company of Minaethiel.
"The thought never crossed my mind," she replied sarcastically. Leaning on one elbow, she stared off into the distance at an approaching figure.
"Anira, do you know that elleth?" Minaethiel furrowed her brows, trying to remember a name. Anira never looked up.
"Probably not, why do you ask?"
"She does not look pleased, a pity since her delicate features are ruined by that miserable frown," Minaethiel observed.
Anira knew instantly who it was, and did not desire an encounter with said elleth. Hanging the soaked dress on a branch to dry, Anira stood up and caught the elleth's eyes. The cold glare of Arasinya stared defiantly back at her.
"Doing a bit of laundry? Perhaps you'd like to do mine," her tone implied superiority, the voice of an elleth who clearly was rarely refused anything. Anira could think of one instance, however, that she was refused.
"I am sorry, I happen to be a bit busy, perhaps I could-"
"Go back to Mirkwood? I would be happy if you would. Commoners should not interfere in the affairs of noble elves," Arasinya interrupted. Minaethiel was utterly shocked at this rude outburst, opening her mouth to retaliate before Anira laid a hand on her arm to stop her.
"Arasinya, I apologize for any offense I seem to have comitted against you," Anira said calmy. Arasinya's eyes flashed murderously.
"Playing nicely, Anira? Well that never got anyone anything and it most certainly will not get you the March warden," she said icily. Narrowing her green eyes, she stomped off, leaving a confused Minaethiel and a fuming Anira in her wake.
"You are going to let her treat you like that?" Minaethiel's usually joyful demeanor was clouded with anger as she walked next to Anira.
"I would not stoop to her level, Minaethiel. I do not like her one bit, but I cannot help but feel an ounce of pity for her," Anira explained.
"She is disrespectful, and Haldir would never stand for it," Minaethiel regretted her mention of Haldir instantly as she saw Anira flinch. "I am sorry."
Anira shook her head, dismissing it quickly.
"She is blinded by a lust for power and high placement, and she will do anything at this point to get it," Anira said.
"But does that excuse her from her remarks?" Minaethiel asked incredulously.
"No, I am not suggesting she is acting without recognition of her mistakes. She is only providing her mission as justification for her actions."
They continued walking in silence, Minaethiel muttering to herself. Anira had found that Minaethiel was usually in a cheerful mood, but at the rare times when she was not, it was best that one not raise too much of an arguement with her. Her friend suddenly looked up and Anira followed her gaze to a fast approaching Feredir.
"It looks like rain," he commented to them, joining them in their walk.
"Indeed," Minaethiel replied curtly. Feredir raised an eyebrow at her unwelcoming tone.
"Is there something wrong?" He asked. Minaethiel gave a huff of indignation, throwing up her hands in exasperation.
"I shall see you tomorrow, Minaethiel?" Anira asked, stopping at the steps to her talan. Minaethiel nodded before talking Feredir's offered arm and walking off with him, a most annoyed expression on her face.
Haldir's departure was a bit short, and I know it seemed as though Anira was a pushover, but it'll get better. Reviews! Critiscism is welcomed on this chapter. Happy Thanksgiving! I posted this chapter on Thanksgiving, but I think fanfiction is a bit backed up, so it might be a few days later until you find out I've updated. Special thanks to jovianrular56114 for the 300th review!!
-ElfLuver13
