Disclaimer: Tolkien's - not mine; Not recognized from the book - mine. Peachy!
James is beta-ing for me. I hope you enjoy, I hope to update sooner.
Chapter 13
The storm had abated several days ago and the manor servants were opening the windows just a bit to allow fresh air to move throughout the enclosed manor. Elle and Valandil had spent more time together within the last couple of days than anyone had ever seen. No one knew what was going on between the two of them and they weren't telling. Haldir looked out his window one morning and could see them sparing in the snow covered garden. They worked out almost every day, ate breakfast in the study, would go riding when the weather permitted and no one saw them until dinner, which Elle had kept formal in the dining room each night. The only times they were apart was when they bathed after workouts and sleep. Haldir knew they were taking his words to heart.
Haldir was readying most of his guards to return to Lorien when Valandil and Elle joined the group preparing to leave. He watched as Elle and Valandil embraced and spoke quietly to each other. He tuned out what was being said to give them privacy.
"Lord Haldir." Haldir turned back to look at Valandil. "I need to return to Lorien for a time."
Haldir nodded giving his consent, "The guards are leaving in a few minutes. Say your goodbyes."
Valandil turned back to Elle and chastely kissed her. "I'm ready." He called for his mount and leapt onto his back. Elle grasped his hand once more before returning to the manor stairs.
"Ride safe guards of Lorien." Elle was able to say. "You will always be welcome back." She felt tears begin to slide their way down her face. Valandil gave her a last look before leaving with the other guards.
Haldir stood next to her as they watched them leave.
XxXxX
Elle continued with her daily duties of caring for the horses and making decisions about the ruling of Limduin. Haldir noticed a big difference in her since Valandil's departure. She still had not talked to any one about her relationship with Valandil and had drawn into herself speaking rarely to anyone. He was beginning to worry more. To make things worse, orcs had been spotted throughout the mountains surrounding Limduin valley. There were changes in the air, and Haldir could feel it. The guards of Limduin had had a run in with a small band and had come out with few injuries. Elle and the council had met and decided to tighten security. Rumil and Orophin, who had stayed with Haldir, had begun working with the small army of Limduin to improve their fighting skills. Men and women were allowed to take lessons, and even some of the children were taking an interest. Riding abilities had always been very good, and the people were beginning to put the two together.
Haldir crossed the square in front of the manor and called for Nimrohspell. The elven stallion trotted up and Haldir leapt onto his back. "Let us go to the field and see how the people are doing today." The horse picked up a trot and they moved away from the manor. Haldir could hear the people cheering for each other as they raced around the practice field. As they neared the field Haldir could see Rumil working with the people practicing their bow and arrow techniques. Further off, Orophin was divided between watching the sparring and the riders. "How are they faring today brothers?"
The elves called for a rest break before speaking with Haldir. "They are doing well. They know what they are doing, just need to be refined a bit. I feel they are ready to take on a small battle." Rumil nodded his head in agreement of Orophin's assessment.
"How are the patrols?"
"They are better than before. Elves would notice them, but other people and certainly orcs would never know they were there." Orophin was proud at how quickly the people of Limduin learned from the elves.
Elle moved into the clearing on Pharaohirrim at a steady canter.
"Its Lady Gaealis!" Someone in the crowd called out suddenly. People turned around to look as their young leader joined them on the field. She rode through the people waving to people as she went.
"I never know how to feel when they act so happy to see me." Elle was smiling at the elves as she pulled up. It was the first time in months she had initiated the conversation.
"Lady, you are their leader and have proven yourself as such to them." Haldir explained to her. "They do not act happy to see you, they are happy to see you."
"I thought it was time I begin to come to the practice field as well." Elle tightened the belt around her waist and looked around. "How are the people doing?"
"We were just talking about that lady. Orophin and Rumil feel the people are ready in case the orcs do attack." Haldir informed her.
"They have been working very hard, I wish to do something for them." Elle looked thoughtfully at Haldir, "I was thinking a feast in the great hall in a few days time. It would be just in time for Christmas. What do you think?"
"I'm sure the people would be pleased." Haldir agreed.
"I will begin preparations this evening." Elle looked around, "I think I will join the riders today for practice."
XxXxX
The preparations for the feast had been completed days ago and all of Limduin went home early from the practice field to prepare for a night of food, dancing, and entertainment. Inside the Gaealis manor, Elle was still supervising the final fixings of the feast.
"Lady Gaealis, if you do not get ready, you won't make it to the beginning of dinner."
Elle turned to look at Haldir, "I won't be late. I just need to change clothes." Haldir looked at her skeptically. "I bathed this afternoon so I just need to wash up quick and put on something a little more proper than leggings." Elle gave him a smirk. "Really Haldir, the better I get to know you the more you sound like my father!"
Haldir straightened more, "Then that is a compliment lady."
"It won't be if you keep nagging me!" She laughed at his expression. "Fine, I will go change. That means you have to finish and be on time."
"It will be done." Haldir pulled the last ribbons from her hands.
Elle moved hastily to her room to change. She splashed water on her face and quickly dried off. I don't want to wear a dress. She looked into her closet and thumbed through the many dresses hanging there. She pulled a white dress from its hanger and held it up to herself in front of the mirror. Nah, too easy to get stuff on. She replaced it and pulled a deep blue dress from its hanger. Before even looking at herself, she replaced it. It's a good thing Haldir did send me up here to change, I don't know what to wear. Her thoughts drifted. This is a special occasion, I should wear something… Elle pulled the elven dress from its hanger and laid it gently on the bed. Perfect. She brushed out her hair and pulled part of it into a knot. She changed into the supple material and added the Gaealis silver circlet into her hair.
A loud horn coming from the direction of the woods brought Elle out of her thoughts. She moved to her balcony and threw open the doors. She could see dots of fire moving swiftly through the woods and cries of battle. She ran back into her room and changed back into her leggings. There was a knock on the door at the same time.
"Lady Gaealis!" Haldir pushed open the door.
"What is happening?"
"Riders are under attack. Orophin has already rounded up the people here to head out to the woods. They are retrieving their horses now." Haldir watched her throw a cloak around her shoulders covering her sword. "Lady, you should stay here."
Elle gave him a look and moved past him through the door. "Who is being attacked?"
Haldir followed her down the main stairway fastening his cloak as he went, there was no use arguing with the girl. "The elves returning from Lorien."
Elle stopped just outside the doorway. "The Lorien elves… returning?" Anger filled her eyes and she turned to the twenty or so people in the square waiting. "Pharaohirrim!" The colt galloped to the bottom of the stairs and waited patiently for her. She pulled herself onto his back then turned to look at the people of Limduin. "Orcs attack our borders and are hurting our Lorien friends. We must stop them here or they will forever ignore our borders!" The people yelled angrily in agreement. Haldir leapt onto Nimrohspell's back and followed closely behind Elle. "Let us rid ourselves of these menace!" Elle turned towards the woods and pushed Pharaohirrim into a strong gallop. The people followed her eagerly, swords drawn and arrows ready. Haldir heard Elle yell back to the people, "Be careful of our friends, we do not want to hurt them." Haldir pulled his sword from its sheath and followed Elle.
In the waning light of evening, Haldir could see the elves running at breakneck speeds through the forest and out into the field. Thirty orcs with torches followed seconds later, many of them on wargs. Elle pulled an arrow from her quiver, fitted it quickly, aimed and let it fly. She hit an orc riding a warg, though it was not a killing shot. He watched as the Limduin people set arrows in their bows, took careful aim, and let loose the arrows. More orcs were hit, several falling to the ground. The orcs returned fire, but aimed at the elves who were fleeing before them. The elven horses, after clearing the forest, had increased their speed double now that there were no trees to maneuver around, and raced across the field. The people watched helplessly as the arrows rained down on the escaping elves. An elf warrior fell from his horse when an arrow buried itself deep in the horse's haunch. Another elf was hit in the shoulder, but he was able to stay astride his horse.
"Fire at will!" Elle cried over the noise of the running horses. The people closing the gap between the groups of riders loosed more arrows into the sky. More orcs fell to the ground as the groups meet. Elle loosed an arrow at an orc riding a warg killing him instantly. The warg she dispatched with a quick thrust into its neck and chest. The orcs seemed to have the upper hand at first, but the Limduin people worked together and swiftly gained control over the field. Elle searched for Valandil through the mist of the battle and found him standing his ground as he was attacked. He was further away from the middle of the battle and Elle realized he must have been the elf whose horse had fallen after being struck with an arrow. She moved Pharaohirrim though the battle to reach him.
Elle screamed. She looked to her left shoulder and saw an arrow protruding through her shoulder. Pharaohirrim lunged at the orc who stood in front of them with a bow savagely trampling it under his feet. Elle slumped against his neck, fighting to keep away the darkness that threatened her vision. Valandil, hearing her scream, began to slaughter any orc standing between him and Pharaohirrim. He watched as her horse fought against any orc that came too close as well.
"Pharaohirrim!" Valandil called from where he fought ruthlessly with an orc on a warg. Pharaohirrim turned his head in the direction of the elf that called him and began to fight his way towards the elf warrior. The young stallion knew the elf well. They reached each other in seconds and Valandil leapt up behind Elle to support her. Valandil looked around, what was left of the orcs were retreating. The people still on horses pursued aggressively and the last orc was finished off before it ever crossed into the woods. "Elle… Elegain… Lady Gaealis!" Valandil was trying to keep his voice steady while controlling Pharaohirrim. Haldir rode up beside them to assess the damage to her shoulder. To his surprise, Elle was smiling through her pain.
"People of Limduin!" The people returning from the edge of the woods and the surrounding people looked in shock at Elle's wound. Elle raised her sword high, "We have forced the enemy from our borders! Let us celebrate the evening!" There were loud cheers from the people as they helped their wounded onto horses and moved back to the manor. Elle looked around, "Haldir."
"Yes lady." He rode close to Pharaohirrim so they could talk softly.
"Could you make sure the wounded are taken care of, including the horses? And have guards posted around the manor's towers so the woods can be watched from a height they can see across the distances." Elle relaxed into Valandil's embrace.
"Of course Lady Gaealis, I will see to it immediately." Haldir was proud Elle had assessed the situation so quickly. "I will have Rumil see to your wound as soon as we return to the manor."
Elle began to speak, but was cut off by Valandil. "No Elle. You must be looked after immediately, you are the leader of Limduin. To wait with your wound could be dangerous to your health." She gave him a mock glare and then smiled.
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