LILLAH' S STORY:
CHAPTER FOUR:
They did not leave as quickly as Lillah would have liked, details had to be decided, horses gathered, supplies and then there was the fact that Haldir had made the decision to go, bringing the Lady and Lord of Lorién to Elrond's tent in concern at this unusual change of plans.
Their return to Lothlorien imminent, Galadriel's surprise was unmistakable as she glided into the tent, followed closely by her husband, Celeborn, both dressed luminously in white. Lillah moved out of the way as the two entered behind the sentinel announcing their arrival, while another set of elves followed directly behind the tall elven couple to stand beside the tent door in silence.
The Galadhrim were frightening elves, stern, soft spoken, their warriors renowned throughout Arda for their intense fighting abilities, for the distances their famous bows could launch an arrow few could match.
Led by the Lady of Light, Lillah could only wonder at the life the elves must lead, living only a short distance from the fires of Mount Doom and Sauron's evil. Defeated now as he was had made peace within reach, yet still, having fought so often for their lands had made the elves of Lorién harder and far more powerful than any others she knew.
Not even Legolas, nor even Elrohir and Elladan, could match the fierce gleam in the eyes of the elves standing at attention beside the door.
Lillah shifted her gaze to Haldir, who was just lifting his head from a bowed greeting to his Lady, his expression full of stubborn determination. She sensed the elleth had already spoken to her captain, her arrival more one of curiosity than necessity in speaking with the March Warden.
Her eyes were full of concern, however, depths of blue brilliance that glittered just as fiercely when the gaze settled on Lillah briefly, then moved to the Master of Rivendell. "My warden has deserted me in favor of you?" Galadriel declared sternly, but her eyes twinkled as she looked once more at Lillah, an elegant brow lifted in question.
Lillah lowered her gaze, unable to meet the piercing sharpness of the Lady of Light's focus, yet felt the thrum of her thoughts clearly in her mind, the questions she sought answered, and her acceptance of Lillah's answers.
Haldir cleared his throat softly. "The need is one we must act upon, my Lady."
"Indeed," Galadriel agreed, smoothing the heavy length of fabric over her wrists, her sleeves draping nearly to the ground. "I do not question the need," she continued, shifting her gaze between her captain and Elrond. "I simply am surprised by the fact my March Warden has volunteered to go, when he has responsibilities to attend to elsewhere."
Haldir did not seem perturbed by the rebuke, rather he smiled faintly, a lift of the corner of his mouth, whereas Elrond frowned severely, his brows furrowed over his aquiline nose.
"If you prefer I can refuse him the journey, Galadriel," Elrond declared softly, but Celeborn moved forward, past his wife and Haldir with a nod in his direction.
"Nay, Elrond." The Lord of Lorién turned to face Lillah and her father, who had risen to stand behind her, gripping her shoulders tightly. "I am well aware of the dangers facing whoever travels to Lillah's home, once held by you, Raen, years ago. A gift, if I remember, from Cirdan for duties served well?"
"Indeed," Raen agreed. "I held the land for so long I'd nearly forgotten it existed." He sighed faintly. "I told Lillah the area was dangerous before the war."
Lillah abruptly rose to her feet. "We were well aware of the costs of living as we did," she said fiercely, sending her father a brief glare. "We were willing to face them and did, for many years. It was only when we thought it safe that we were caught unawares…" Lillah stopped, pressing a hand to her lips, holding in the grief that suddenly took her breath and her words.
Elrond held up a hand. "The issue is simply this, we need to find Rinethel . If Haldir's duties must be met elsewhere . . ."
Celeborn shook his head, as did Galadriel. "His mind is set," she said quietly. "I give him leave to go, for we must protect those of us still alive in this world." Her gaze fixed intently on Haldir as he frowned. "Or save those that can be saved. We have lost too many."
Elrond agreed, as did his sons. Lillah heaved a silent sigh of relief, for somehow, knowing Haldir would travel with them set her mind at ease. They would find Rin, and find him alive.
When all was said and done, their company numbered ten. Haldir, Elrohir and Elladan, Legolas as well as Lillah, and five more wardens from Lorién who had volunteered as quickly as Haldir had, their eyes bright with interest. Fighting orcs had become a way of life for many of Haldir's people, and with the advent of peace –and the lack of such a pastime found them more than willing to accept yet another challenge.
Lillah patted her horse gently, aware of the animal's impatience to be off, as well as his dislike of Haldir's elegant stallion. The horse jerked sharply on the reins, stretching his neck maliciously toward the black but instead found Haldir in his way. The elf cuffed her grey gently under the chin with a sharp command, and to Lillah's surprise, the horse pulled back meekly with a snort.
Legolas grinned beside her, his horse one of the famed Mearas. "Haldir has many talents it seems," the Prince noted with a nod at the March Warden. "Perhaps he will tame you as well," he said teasingly.
Lillah sniffed faintly. "I have no need of taming, by Haldir or anyone else," she scoffed, jerking the reins a bit harder than necessary. Her grey snorted again, dancing sideways into Legolas before leaping forward. The horse's intention to bolt was obvious, but the animal was once again halted from its desires by an elf.
Elrohir hooked his fingers into the horse's halter just as it leaped, bringing the animal's head down to his level. "Patience, my friend. We shall be off soon enough." The ranger looked up at Lillah in concern. "It is one thing to ride the animal wounded and ill, but he senses now that you are well. Are you up to the task of controlling him?"
Lillah had to wonder, yet refused to concede that the animal might be more than she could handle. He did like her after all, and she was sure they would be fine once they were off. "He will be fine," she declared stubbornly. "He just wants to go."
"Indeed," Haldir agreed dryly, riding past her, his cloak draped over the rear of his horse, quiver and bow tied securely to his back. A long curved blade hung at his hip, a weapon she knew that had served him well. He did not wait for them to follow.
Elrohir watched him for a moment in amusement. "He takes the lead wherever he goes, it is in his blood."
Lillah could only agree, urging her horse forward with a tight grip on the reins when Elrohir released him, followed closely by Legolas. The twins mounted behind them on matching ebony mares and then the rest of the elves followed suit, a sizeable group, one well able to defeat any adversary they should meet. She could only hope to find her brother well, avoiding the necessity to fight once more.
She didn't know if she could bear the loss of yet another, especially the elves that surrounded her so tightly. She could only pray that they would remain safe, for their loss to the elven world would be far more terrible than she could imagine.
Haldir rode easily, back straight, relaxed yet distinctly aware of his surroundings. The land was thick with woods, a comfort even though he did not know them well, the trees a shield from a bright sun, the shadows cool and inviting.
He saw much as they passed through the forest: the spirited scrambling of the squirrels over their heads, the brief startled gaze of several deer, as well as the numerous bright eyes that watched them pass with interest. What was missing was the dark shadows of evil that once had been Sauron's mark, the crows and darker minions that had watched for him and passed word of unwary travelers. Nay, that kind was gone, flown to the far corners of the world to, hopefully, pass their days in confusion and disarray.
There were some, however, that remained, the orcs left to prey on the unwary and vulnerable. Left without guidance or leadership, they had become like packs of wild dogs, roaming the wilds, never staying long in one area.
That Lillah's family had been overwhelmed so easily did not set well, his memory of the evil creatures still profoundly unpleasant, the pain of losing his elves to their hatred difficult to bear even this long after the battle of Helm's Deep. But those thoughts and emotions were pushed back, buried deep inside his heart for to dwell on them too long brought a rage he was afraid he could not control, an anger so deep he would lose himself in it and never come back.
It was better to keep those feelings buried, but doing so was getting more difficult the more he stayed near Lillah. Her fear for her brother made him grit his teeth, his jaw aching with tension as he considered just what might have happened to him.
Revenge would not give him any satisfaction, but he could accept the idea that the elf needed to be found and brought back, and accept that he wanted to help do this more than anything else.
A shadow caught his gaze and he turned as Elrohir moved up beside him, the elven ranger smiling as he usually did, all manner of seriousness hidden beneath a façade of humor. That the elf was an exceptional tracker was not readily evident, his gaze rarely on the ground at his feet, but yet the elf could have followed the trail of an ant. Elrohir nodded a greeting, his blue eyes twinkling at some inner amusement, more than likely something regarding Haldir that he found funny.
"So," Elrohir began, shifting on his mount to face Haldir. "Explain how you found our lovely Lalaith among a thousand refugees and decided to save her?"
Haldir glanced blandly at the elf. "She was not difficult to note for she rode while most walked."
"But it was not evident at first that she was ill," Elrohir replied with a lift of his brow.
Haldir shrugged elegantly, shifting his hair from his face as the wind brought several strands across his mouth. "I could see she was in pain, and felt it necessary to go to her. Other than that I cannot, nor intend to explain."
Elrohir grunted softly. "I know that we will get nothing more from you then." He grinned, sending a brief glance back at Lillah behind them. "She is quite tough for an elleth. I have always thought she should have become a ranger, but she met that man and he swept her from us in such a short time we were simply in shock." The elf sighed. "I thought perhaps, one day, I might court her." This brought another inquisitive glance Haldir's way.
Haldir did not respond in any way.
"You are such a trial, Haldir," Elrohir chuckled. "But you see, we have learned enough from Rumil and Orophin to know your silence speaks volumes. Keep your thoughts to yourself as you will, but at some point it will be evident just to whom your eyes are drawn." He nodded sagely, turning his head toward the forest trail again, and then stiffened even as Haldir cursed eloquently, wheeling his horse around to face the elves behind him.
"Orc!" Haldir hissed fiercely.
Lillah stared at him in terror, her eyes wide.
Behind her the Lorien elves had already drawn bows, dismounting at a brief signal from Haldir to fade swiftly into the trees. Elladan caught Lillah's arm as Haldir slid from his horse, gathering the reins of the remaining riderless horses.
Elladan took the reins from Haldir, handing them to Lillah before he too, dismounted. "Get down and stay within the horses, keep them together." The ranger helped Lillah down, catching her briefly as she stumbled.
"Courage, little one, we wouldn't want the March Warden to think you are frightened."
Lillah blinked, biting her lip, her fear evident in every bone of her body, yet she nodded stiffly at Elladan, taking the reins he held out without comment.
Haldir smiled faintly, moving away from the horses into the wood, drawing the attackers from the elves more precious member, knowing the horses would protect Lillah more than she would know. Stalking further into shadows of the wood, he noted the forest had grown quiet, the animals burrowed deep for safety, for even they were not foolish enough to show themselves to creatures to whom dinner was whatever came to hand.
Animals, elves . . . it did not matter to those who were hungry.
Haldir slid up to the edge of a tall oak, fingers brushing the rough reddish bark as he looked carefully around the bole of the tree. Ahead of him, partially hidden by another thick tree sat the brutish form of the orc, hunched over in an attempt to blend into the wood, its head swiveling slowly left to right, nostrils flared as he sniffed the air.
Haldir glanced back to where they had left Lillah, wondering how far Elladan had left her, or as he expected, had only stepped out of her sight, close enough to protect her, but far enough to show her how foolish her choice to join them may have been.
Or perhaps, he mused in amusement, she would face her fear and be stronger for it.
He had a feeling the latter would be the final result.
As long as they took care of the danger facing her first.
A whip'o'whill chirped merrily over his head and Haldir drew his bow, nocking an arrow drawn from his quiver just as smoothly, without notice from the orc just ahead.
An answering call from another bird had him lifting the bow, accepting the lead from the ranger, slowly stretching the finely stretched string between his fingers until his bow creaked from the pressure.
The orc sat up, ears flickering as he looked around warily.
Haldir smiled grimly, focused now on a much better target, and let loose his arrow.
The creature did not even cry out, but tumbled from his perch to land face down in the leaves at his feet.
Haldir grinned at a snort from above him, looking up to find Elrohir sitting on a branch just above his head. "Drawn any slower I might have had time for a nap."
Haldir only shrugged, propping his bow on his shoulder to make his way further into the woods.
*~*
Lillah gripped the reins of ten horses, doubting that she would be able to hold them should they bolt, fear making her sweat in the most uncomfortable places. She ran the back of her hand over her brow, eyes wide to see more than the horses surrounding her, shoving her Grey out of her way to peer into the woods.
It was too quiet, there was not sound to let her know what was happening, just an unnerving silence that told her nothing.
At least they could have made some noise, she thought anxiously, her heart pattering painfully in her chest. She didn't know if she could wait much longer, yet what was she to do? She couldn't go into the wood and to try to drag all those horses . . .
Several of the horses whickered suddenly, shifting to surround Lillah, leaving her blind again, facing only the thick hides of both elven and one princely stallion, who blue eyes watched her intently.
"What? What am supposed to do" she muttered, pushing them away from her, feeling far too confined, yet the horses did not move far, only a step, stubbornly holding their place.
"You would think the elves told you to guard me," she complained further, lifting the heavy tunic she wore away from her chest to cool herself, her nerves so taut she felt brittle.
The Mearas stallion snorted.
"Legolas should send you back to your herd," she declared, staring dismally at the blue-eyed horse. The stallion shook his head, sending silky strands of pale white and yellow dancing over his back.
"Nay," Legolas said, shoving his way through the animals to Lillah's side. "He refuses to go back, now that he has seen what exciting things can happen with me." The prince grinned, lifting Lillah up onto her horse. "The danger has passed."
Lillah blinked down at the handsome elf. "But I heard nothing."
Legolas shrugged, turning as Elladan appeared out of the woods, followed by two of the Lorien elves who carried a set of quivers she recognized as Rinethel's. Lillah gasped, her blood running cold, but Legolas caught her knee in a tight grip, drawing her attention.
"They are only his weapons, nothing more. Have faith they only found them and he is well."
Lillah stared at the arrows, wanting to weep.
A moment later Haldir appeared, along with Elrohir and the remaining elves. They gathered around Lillah, a ring of handsome if stern warriors. Elladan inspected the quivers, brows furrowed much like his father's, his fine features set in a grim expression.
"There is little damage, no mark or blood of any kind."
"There is a chance they may have stolen them," Elrohir suggested, but he did not seem too sure of this at all.
Haldir only frowned, glancing up at Lillah. His gaze held hers, his grey eyes searching , asking questions. Lillah shook her head faintly.
"It is proof only that the two crossed paths at some point, in some way," Haldir stated firmly. "How much farther must we go?"
Elrohir looked at the sky, and then at Lillah. "We have two days yet, at the pace we ride."
Lillah knew then that they had accommodated her. She glared at them all, shifting to gather the reins to her horse from where they lay on his neck. "Then we must ride faster," she declared, jerking her husband's stallion around so sharply the horse sidestepped nearly onto Elladan's foot, and then the horse leaped forward, sensing her impatience, as well as a loosening of his mistress's control.
Lillah gasped, hunched over the stallion's neck as he launched himself over a fallen tree, and then all thought of anything but hanging on blew away on the wind, her hair unfurling behind her as the animal decided it was time to run.
*~*
It took them some time to catch up, Legolas caught her first, the Meara's speed exceptional even after they had all stood for the longest moment in surprise and horror at Lillah's sudden departure. He thundered by Lillah, leaning precariously over the side of his horse to leap onto Lillah's stallion, his arms wrapped around her waist, capturing the reins from her hands.
He jerked hard on the reins, an imperious command to halt the horse could not deny. But the stallion reared in denial of the attempt to control him, but found a firm hand once again on his halter, dragging him down to stand quivering, eyes rolling, in front of Haldir.
The March Warden stared at the animal intently, grey eyes to slowly focusing brown. "Enough."
Lillah blew a deep sigh as the twins rode up, stopping beside her to eye her critically.
"Another stunt like that and you are going back," Elrohir declared sternly.
"Nay, I would say we can just tie her to the horse and send her as a gift to the orcs," Elladan concluded, chin high as Haldir pulled Lillah off her horse.
"We shall do neither," he said. "We will make camp and spend the night at rest. Tomorrow we will move quickly and safely," he continued firmly, "to find Lillah's brother. Until then, I suggest we find a suitable place to defend, for I fear there are yet more orcs roaming the wilds here, and at night, they have the advantage."