Disclaimer: LOTR is not mine therefore the characters you recognize from the books are NOT mine. The ones not in the book are mine. Have a peachy day!
James is still beta-ing for me so a big thanks to her. (James8 for her stories.)
I am sorry about the very long delay in updating. Personal problems, but I'm not boring you with the details. Feel free to yell at me, but do review!
Chapter 14The people of Limduin had gathered in the hall to await word on Elle's condition. She was currently upstairs with Haldir, Rumil, and Valandil. The orcs were slaughtered, though there were several guards, on four-hour rotations, on duty in the turrets in case of more. Elle did not want anyone to miss the entire feast and she felt new guards every few hours would be more alert. Several men and women were discussing the tactics used by the small Limduin army with the elves and how the fighting could be improved. The grooms and elves were caring for the horses in the barn. The elven horse that had been pierced with an arrow was now lying comfortably in a straw bed with a poultice covering the offending wound. There were scratches and some bruising among some of the other horses, but nothing too serious. The Limduin people had also faired better then expected for a first, and surprise, battle as well. There were injuries, but after inspection by the healers, Elle it seemed had sustained the worst injury. Elle had insisted the victory be added to the feast, but no one wanted to continue without Lady Gaealis, their leader, present.
-Upstairs-
"Lady Gaealis, you are lucky the arrow was not aimed well." Rumil had made a salve for her wound from his medicine bundle. He was applying it generously all around where the arrow had embedded itself in her shoulder. Removing the arrow had proven the tip had missed anything vulnerable though it had been painful. "You will have to take it easy for a few days, and keep the arm as immobile as possible, but I believe you will recover fully." Rumil looked at her with a serious look then noticed Valandil motion for him to join him.
"Lady, the horses are well." Haldir had seen the interaction and knew what Valandil was already thinking. He continued to keep Elle busy so the two elves could speak privately.
Valandil glanced over at Elle before speaking quietly to Rumil. "Is there any trace of poison?"
"No." Rumil shook his head confidently. "She was lucky. Are you wounded?" Valandil was looking at Elle again and didn't appear to hear him. Rumil felt exasperated from his friend ignoring him "Valandil, are you hurt?"
"No, no, just some normal bruising and aches after a bad fall." Valandil moved back beside Elle capturing her hand in his.
"Haldir." Rumil gathered his supplies and moved towards the door. He turned back after opening the door to address Elle. "Lady you should prepare to come back down to the hall in a few moments. The people will be asking for you, but try not to over-exert yourself."
Haldir followed his brother out through the bedroom door. "Yes?"
"I thought they should be alone for a few minutes before returning to the party." Rumil gave his brother a sheepish grin. "They have not seen each other in some months and tonight Elle will have many people around. They probably won't get to spend much time together."
Valandil came out of the bedroom and gently closed the door behind him. "Elle is getting ready." He smiled at them before moving to his room to change.
XxXxX
The crowd of people became silent when they saw the captain of Lorien move to the top of the stairs. Haldir walked down the staircase followed by Rumil. The elves moved to either side of the landing and turned to the top of the stairs. The people had been so busy looking at the elves no one had seen Elle and Valandil standing at the top until they started walking down. Elle had decided not to wear the elven made dress, but something less fancy. Why wear something elegant when I have my arm in a sling. She had giggled about how she must look. The sling, however, did not detract from the couple coming down the stairs.
Whispers could be heard through the crowd. The people were pleased to see their leader handling her position well even though she was seventeen. She had bravely ridden into battle with them and led the charge, destroying any more arguments about her leadership capabilities. Elle was also involved seriously with a Lorien elf even though she had not acknowledged the rumors. The council was pleased she had shown interest in a proper and well-educated being. She was her father's daughter and would have made Lord and Lady Gaealis proud. Just as they reached the bottom of the stairs the people let out loud applause and yells for their young leader.
Elle smiled warmly at the people and held out her good arm for silence. The people quieted immediately. "We have much to celebrate Limduin! Let's get back to the feast." Another loud cheer echoed off the walls of the manor. She and Valandil led the way to the great hall where dinner was served.
After everyone was seated Haldir rose to his feet and tapped his knuckles on the table to get everyone's attention. "The Loth Lorien elves have much to thank Limduin for." Haldir started looking around the hall. Every single person felt as though the elf lord was looking at him or her. "We owe you the lives of the elves that have joined us from Loth Lorien this eve." Haldir raised his goblet and the other elves stood as well. "We thank you with our deepest gratitude."
Elle rose to her feet quickly. "And we have the Loth Lorien elves to thank for teaching us the art of protection." The people also rose to their feet whispering agreements. The elves and people raised their goblets high and drank to friendship.
XxXxX
"Lady Gaealis, thank you for an eventful evening. Feel better soon." The last few people of the party were moving through the doors to head home. Elle was grateful the people went home early, but figured they were just as worn from the day and battle as she was. She had announced that combat practice would pick up again in a few days to give everyone a chance to rest and recuperate. The people would be on edge for the next few days.
Elle slipped out the door and walked along the balcony overlooking the town of Limduin not far in the distance. She was glad her father had built the manor some distance away, but that also worried her. After all, help had been unavailable when her parents had been attacked. Elle saw a slight glow to her right and smiled as she turned to look at the elf joining her. She didn't hesitate when Valandil opened his arms and walked into them. They held onto each other for a few moments before Valandil reached for her right hand and carefully pulled her into a waltz embrace. They danced across the balcony to music only they could hear.
Haldir had gone outside to check on Elle, but when he saw the couple he went back inside. He had the servants make a hot tea for when Elle and Valandil came in. He placed it next to the open fire with two candles so they could see the way up the stairs and to their separate rooms. Valandil would probably escort Elle to her room, but he would need a candle of his own to see to his room. Haldir glanced at the window and saw their silhouettes dance across the stained glass. He smiled at their behavior then stacked the fire so it would burn through the night for heat, then went down the hall to his room. Haldir grinned to himself. I hope for their sake Rumil does not catch them. He would not be happy that Lady Gaealis is outside in the cold and using her energy.
XxXxX
Elle was beginning to feel a bit annoyed with Rumil for restricting her activities and confining her to the manor for the past four days. Her arm had hurt the day following the attack and feast so she made no arguments about taking the day easy. When Rumil restricted her actions every day since her agreement, Elle had begun to think she should have argued at least a bit. He is taking this too far. I need something to do. In the last few days and with the help of the house servants, Elle had cleaned and rearranged the entire manor. The house servants are probably ready to kick Rumil in the butt for keeping me locked up in the manor too. She stifled a laugh in the hall way as she made her way down to breakfast. I am going out today even if I have to beg!
Haldir met Elle coming into the dining hall. "Lady Gaealis, would you like to accompany me on a short ride today?"
Elle could hardly contain her excitement. "Yes! I want out of the manor so bad I can't stand it anymore!"
Haldir nodded with a warm smile. "I thought you might be getting bored. I have already talked to Rumil about an outing and he thinks it's a good idea. Of course he doesn't want you to over do it so we'll have to keep it short. We could even stop for a light lunch along the river."
"Sounds good. Pharaohirrim will enjoy the attention. I'll meet you in the court yard in ten minutes." Elle rushed off before Haldir could say anything.
Haldir smiled and watched Elle run back up to her room to grab her cloak. He walked down the stairs towards the barn to prepare the horses.
XxXxX
Pharaohirrim pulled to a halt at the riverbank of the Anduin.
"Lady Gaealis, you will get me into trouble if anyone from Limduin sees us." Haldir cantered up behind her with an exasperated look on his elven features. "Rumil would have my head."
Elle giggled and slid down from her horse's broad back. "I believe you worry too much Lord Haldir." Elle grabbed the blanket thrown over Pharaohirrim's shoulders and spread it out over the sandy ground close to the river. She looked at him expectantly.
Haldir shook his head muttering under his breath, which sounded suspiciously like "young ones". He removed the pack from his shoulder and set out the lunch one of the servants had packed. Elle settled herself down on the edge of the blanket grateful for the chance to be out of the manor house. Valandil had tried his best to keep her company, but Rumil had restricted her actions so much she couldn't help but get agitated sometimes. Luckily for her, Valandil was an incredible storyteller. He had told her more stories in the last few days than the first three months they had been together. Haldir noticed the softened expression on Elle's face and easily guessed whom she was thinking about. He finished setting things up before entering her daydreams.
"Lady?" Haldir held out a wooden drinking cup.
"Oh, thank you." Elle smiled looking slightly embarrassed as though being caught at something she wasn't suppose to be doing.
They chatted easily over a light lunch watching the elven horses munch on the grass and splash around in the river. They laughed as Pharaohirrim pawed playfully at the water thoroughly soaking Nimrohspell. The elder horse looked reproachful at the young stallion and moved away. Pharaohirrim continued to splash away at the waterbed.
Haldir hesitated to broach the subject knew must be spoken about. He watched Elle beside him. She had grown considerable in the last year not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Elle had worked hard to develop her skills as a warrior. She could accurately shoot an arrow, battle with a sword on foot and on horse. She had become an excellent trainer of horses thanks to years of early experience with her father and then schooling with the elves. She had grown into a fine woman as well. Elle had become an accomplished leader with the help of the council and elven advice. The town of Limduin was comfortable with their young leader and very accepting. She was not above talking to elders for their advice which the council was pleased with.
"Lady Gaealis." Haldir decided to simply talk about what was on his mind. "What are the plans between you and Valandil?"
Elle looked away from the colt splashing in the river. "Lord Haldir, are you asking about my love life?"
Haldir heard the jest in her voice, but refused to allow her to push past his inquiries. "Lady Gaealis, this is a very serious matter. Elves die because of lost love."
"Yes, I know Haldir." It pained Elle to think of hurting Valandil in any way. "I spoke to Rumil about the legends I had heard as a child. I knew there was no way around him finding out when I did, but Valandil doesn't really seem to want to tell me a lot about it."
"Valandil does not want to change how you feel about him and telling you might make you weary of pursuing your choice. There is nothing wrong with an elf loving a human or vice versa. But, for an elf, it will mean death eventually."
"That's about all I got out of Rumil as well." Elle sighed irritably. "I trust you will tell me more."
"I will." Haldir nodded. "Elves love very deeply. It is the most precious feeling there is to our race. We have many tales of love and lost love, some of those legendary loves are between humans and elves." Haldir sat silently for a few minutes allowing her to think about this. He did not want to deter Elle, but he wanted her to understand. "Do you have any questions you want answered?"
Elle was trying to think out the few things she had learned. "Valandil always seems so sure about us. It scares me and yet at the same time it feels right. I don't doubt us, but…" Elle shrugged giving up her explanation. Haldir could see the unhappiness etched in her face. "No offense Haldir, but this is one of those times I really wish my mother was still here."
Haldir handed her one of the cloth napkins sitting in the pack. He didn't fail to notice the casual use of his name either. "Elle, we are going to see someone. We need to return to the manor and prepare to leave." Haldir packed things then called for the horses.
Elle looked at Haldir as if he was nuts. "What?"
"Let us leave." Haldir gave Elle a leg up onto Pharaohirrim.
"I can't just leave, I have a town to run, and people to look after." Elle kept pace with Haldir still unsure of his plans. "Do you really think Rumil will allow me to travel?"
Haldir turned to look at her. "He will. He's going with us as well as Valandil."
"Are you going to tell me what's going on at least?" The horses picked up speed as they entered the clearing heading in the direction of the manor.
"When we get to the manner." He said it so firmly Elle accepted the answer without further questions.
At the manor, Haldir dismounted and called for Rumil, Orophin, and Valandil. Elle followed silently feeling aggravated at not knowing what idea was running through Haldir's mind. The elves stood around a table placed on the terrace until Elle had taken the head seat as usual. Rumil, Orophin, and Valandil looked at her expectantly, but Elle simply pointed to Haldir who paced beside the low wall still deep in thought. The group sat silently several minutes before anyone spoke.
"Brother, would you mind telling us what has you so… fascinated?" Rumil choose his words carefully.
"I will be taking a trip with Elle and Valandil." Haldir finally turned his attention to the small group seated in front of him. "No." He waved his hand towards Rumil who had tried to interrupt. "With the choices they are making," Haldir gestured towards Elle and Valandil, "they will need the permission of the Lady of the Light."