Title: Lillah's Story

Author: Fianna Leighton LeGrey

Disclaimer: Rating R, for general adult themes… and yes, I write this for my own satisfaction in seeing Haldir do what he does best, whether in Tokien's writings or my own. Tolkien may have created Haldir, but we have made him the elf he is here.

Chapter 6:

Haldir watched Lillah, keeping a few steps from her as she walked around the farm. She touched things with a gentle hand - a broken wall, the well - always silent, her expression filled with sorrow. Legolas and the twins had moved beyond the walls, searching for any tracks that might have been Rinethel's, for surely the elf had reached the farm in search of his sister.

The rest of the Lorién wardens stood guard around the perimeter of the small meadow where the farm sat. Hills surrounded the stone buildings, rocky ground interspersed with small trees and bushes, a land that had hidden their danger well.

Lillah stopped and folded her arms over her chest. "Did you ever go back?"

Haldir took a moment to answer. "No, I have not had the opportunity."

She did not look at him. "Will you go?"

"Yes, when I can, if only to exorcize the demons that haunt me still."

She reached out to place her hands on his chest. "And will that help? Will it clear your mind of the horrors?"

Haldir shook his head. "Nay, but it is something I must do. You have faced your demons, have they fled?"

She looked down. He could feel her trembling. "They are still there," she whispered, her voice thin. "I do not think I have the strength you do, Haldir."

He closed his eyes for a moment and then gently rested his hands on her shoulders. "You are far stronger than you think. I will do what I can to help you."

She shivered beneath his hands. "You have already done so much. Why?"

He smiled, wondering the same. "Perhaps it is the Valar's way of helping us both to heal."

Her lips curved briefly, and then formed into a small pout. He nearly laughed. "Is that all?"

"Do you want it to be more than that?" he replied, arching a brow. Did the attraction he felt come only from a need to help her heal, or was it more? There was only one way to find out.

She blushed, her gaze hidden suddenly by her lowered lashes. "Perhaps, but only if the feeling is shared."

Amused, he caught one of her hands and brought it to his lips. "It is shared, Lillah." He kissed her palm and then moved away, leaving her standing alone amid the ruins.

~*~

Legolas sank down on one knee, fingers probing the ground at his feet. The tracks were minute, most of them brushed away, intentionally he was sure, by the one who had made them. He glanced around him, noting the twins stood a few feet further up the hill, arguing quietly.

"What have you found?" Legolas asked. The two elves turned their heads to look at him.

"We are not sure."

Legolas rose to his feet. He climbed toward them, and then stopped to look at the valley below. Haldir was further down, no longer hovering near Lillah. She seemed better, her tears no longer flowing. Whatever had passed between them had settled her emotions somewhat, for which Legolas was thankful. Dealing with weeping elleths was not something he was used to. Haldir seemed to have things well in hand, as if it were nothing unusual.

Legolas bent down beside the twins, noting the same kind of trail he had just seen. The two stared at each other, no doubt in a more silent communication at his arrival. "There are more such tracks further down. Whoever made them did not want them seen."

Elladan nodded in agreement, while Elrohir frowned.

"Why hide the tracks?" Elrohir demanded, waving his hand at the sparse growth around him. "It was merely luck that we found them. A rain would have washed any sign away quickly enough."

"But it has not, and we have found them," Elladan argued. "The orcs are not stupid."

Elrohir scowled. "No?" he said testily.

Legolas rested a hand on the elf's shoulder. The two would argue just for the sake of arguing. "By hiding the tracks, if not completely, then it signals something else. Someone wanted to hide them, yet…" He scanned the area carefully.

Elladan pointed toward the hill. "Wiped away, but not so well that I cannot see the path they took. It is as if they still wanted to be followed."

"Indeed," Legolas agreed. "And just who would want that?"

"Orcs," Elrohir declared, but he rose to his feet, moving up the hill to follow the tracks.

Elladan grinned. "Either way, we have a quarry to seek. Orc or Rin, each would be a welcome sight."

Legolas agreed, but hoped it would be the elf, for Lillah's sake. Another fight with the nemesis of her memories would only make it harder for her to move on. Yet, such things were part of their lives. The enemy would always be present, even in this new age. They would all have to move on, not knowing just what this new life would bring.

~*~

Haldir moved away from the buildings, hidden from those on the hill above by the remains of the outer wall. He could see the proof of Lillah's tale - the scuffling footprints of the orcs, the mark of a sword slashed across the dirt. There was still the faint discoloration of blood, the track of the bodies dragged by an elleth who should not have had to do so. He knelt down, tracing the line of one of the tracks, gripping the bow in his hand with a deep sense of injustice.

The war had been won.

The victors had returned to homes left unattended for months, with the hardship of winter to face and worse, had they but known it.

Had his elves known they would not return? He knew they understood the odds they faced, and yet they had followed him. Followed him – for it was by choice that he had led them, accepting both Elrond and Galadriel's offer to go, if done reluctantly by both.

He had known the odds just as well, and had chosen to aid Rohan anyways, just as Lillah had chosen a life that would only lead to heartache for her, just as Arwen had only recently done as well.

Why? Why would they desire to face such things? For glory? For love? Were they similar, or was it as he had explained to Galadriel when he had said yes. It was something he had to do, a destiny he could not avoid. The Lady of Light had accepted his explanation, but with a sad smile that made him wonder if she had seen his end.

Had she seen this day as well?

It did not really matter, for he, as agreed, was here searching for something more than just a lost elven ranger. He was searching for his soul, his sanity – attached at times only by a thread when the dreams overtook him, when all he could see was death and destruction. He clenched his fist, forcing his thoughts back to the task at hand, and then pushed himself to his feet.

He turned away from the tracks leading into the small compound and wished then he had not.

Another set of tracks led away from the farm, a set clearly marked on the dry soil, prints made by a struggling set of feet, their owner unable to break free of the creatures that had held him so securely. Haldir followed the trail slowly, his gaze searching for clues and finding them unerringly, with a sinking heart.

The trail led him into a sparse set of trees set at what had been the edge of a field still in the midst of planting. The implements of the farm lay scattered where they had been dropped, left behind as the family had run for safety. He left the field behind, entering the wood, his nerves taut as he continued to follow the trail.

What he found at the end was not pleasant and he could only thank the Valar that Lillah had not been with him. He crouched down, carefully reaching out to dislodge the pendent still visible beneath the torn tunic stiff with dried blood.

A scatter of rocks made him sigh, knowing who had come to an abrupt halt behind him.

"A ranger," the elf said. "Rinethel?"

"I do not know," Haldir replied. "You will not mention this to Lillah until I can speak to Elrohir and Elladan."

Haldir turned to look at his warden, who nodded, touching his heart. "As you command. Shall I bury him?"

"Nay, we shall burn him as Lillah did the others. Search the vicinity for anyone else."

The elf bowed and then moved further into the wood.

Haldir gently pulled the pendant free, gripping it tightly inside his fist and then rose to find the twins.

He found them - but not where he would have liked.

Lillah stood beside them, along with Legolas, as the three elves argued.

They all turned when Haldir approached.

"Have you found something," Elrohir demanded.

Haldir looked at Lillah for a moment, and then answered Elrohir with a question. "Why do you argue?'

Elrohir frowned and glanced at his brother. "There are tracks that may be Orcs, they are too muddled to tell, and Elladan does not want to follow them."

Haldir could only grimace. "It is possible."

Elladan snorted. "We cannot risk following when there are so few of us. Besides, we have not found any other signs that point to Rinethel even being here."

Haldir held out his hand to Elladan, aware of Lillah's interest in what he held. He placed the pendent into the ranger's hand without speaking.

The color drained from Lillah's face, but she reached out, placing her hand over Elladan's, forcing him to turn it to reveal the pendent Haldir had given him.

Elrohir covered his eyes for a moment, while Elladan only blinked slowly. Lillah, however, only breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"It is not Rin's."

"Nay," Elrohir agreed. "It is Tindel's. He and Rinethel traveled much together."

"He is dead," Haldir said quietly. "They were here, and may still be, somewhere."

They all turned to look at the faint trail. Lillah stepped forward, hand gripping her cloak tightly. "The ridge runs that way, riddled with caves and the like, until it falls sharply into a small glacial lake."

"It is possible then that Rinethel and his companions are still alive, perhaps hidden," Legolas suggested.

"There were only three," Elladan said, nodding at Haldir. "And now we search for only two."

"Then we must follow the tracks, to whatever they lead," Elrohir insisted. He pushed past Legolas and made his way up the ridge.

~*~

Elrohir left the others behind, knowing they would follow. The trail was faint, forcing him to move slowly. The clues were scattered, with much of the tracks swept away, done well enough to defy even his tracking skills.

Yet clues were left so openly at times, it made him feel certain that it was done to lead them along, too well done to be the work of any orc. He knew Rinethel and recognized the trail for what it was, a game played by all rangers in training, a game to teach them both to track and to hide their passage as well.

Even Lillah had played the game.

Haldir moved past him, pausing in front of a set of trees twisted so tightly together it was hard to see where one trunk began and the others ended. Set within the intertwined branches was an odd collection of leaves and sticks.

He reached out to touch them curiously, but found a hand on his arm.

"It is a hint," Lillah said, her eyes suddenly bright.

Haldir looked at her curiously, while Elrohir studied the trees. "Aye, she is right. Can you understand it?"

Lillah grinned, pointing to the leaves lying on top. "Most would not see the pattern, thinking the sticks and leaves blown there by the wind."

Haldir agreed with a nod. "But you see what they want you to see."

Lillah turned to face Haldir. "I am not a ranger, Haldir. But I did play with my brother enough to know him intimately."

Elrohir shrugged when Haldir looked at him. "She knows him well, I see nothing but sticks – if ones set purposely."

Lillah shoved her way through them, looking up at the rising hill beside them. "He is up there somewhere, not far. I know it."

Elrohir hoped he was still alive.

~* ~

They moved up the hill, a row of careful steps looking for the next clue, with Legolas finding it first, a bent branch pointing further up the ridge. Elrohir found the next, scratched on the base of a branch. Haldir hid his concern, but kept Lillah within reach.

Elladan found the cave.

Haldir caught Lillah's waist as she lunged forward, holding her back as the others surged up the hill. Elladan pushed aside the bushes that had hidden the opening and ducked inside. He returned in a moment, expression grim, but with good news.

"We have found him – alive."

Lillah broke free, climbing up to the cave quickly, shoving her way past Elladan. Haldir followed her inside the cave. Rinethel lay on the floor near the door, pale but alive, struggling to sit up as the others joined them. Lillah flew to his side, kneeling beside him to wrap his cold hands in hers.

"Rin," she cried, holding his hand to her cheek.

Haldir crouched beside her, brushing his fingers over the elf's brow. "He is feverish," Haldir said. Rinethel coughed weakly, lying back on the floor, while Haldir shifted, moving his hands down the elf, eyes closed. "He has a few ribs broken, and his left leg, but he is alive, Lillah."

She bent over her brother, weeping, as he stirred beneath her. Elladan lifted the ranger up to give him some water, while Elrohir continued further into the cave.

Rinethel coughed again, gasping as the fluid ran down his chin. "I cannot believe it. Elves!"

Lillah sat up, holding his hand against her chest. "It is me, Rin, Lalaith!"

The elf blinked blearily, sagging back against Elladan. "How can you be alive, I thought you dead."

She shook her head, unable to speak. Haldir helped Elladan lay the elf back, hand pressed to his brow. "She is well. What happened to you?"

Rinethel grimaced weakly, his face pale. "Ambushed. The orcs watch this place closely, we thought all dead, forced into the buildings to be burned." He coughed, gasping as he crossed his arms over his ribs. Elladan gave him more water. After a moment, he seemed better. Haldir removed his hand from Rinethel's brow, the flow of energy already brightening the elf's cheeks.

"We fought the first group, and thought it done, only another came from over the ridge. We defeated them as well, but in the process I was wounded, attacked by three, my leg broken." He gripped Elladan's tunic, pulling the elf closer. "We were only three, Elladan, but we survived the second assault, if barely. I could not travel, it was too dangerous, I …" He dropped his hand, lying back against Elladan's arms. "I could not fight, nor could Larion. He fell to the blade of one of the orcs, wounded gravely, yet alive."

Elladan frowned, looking up as Elrohir reappeared, his brother's face pale. Elrohir shook his head.

Haldir scowled, and stood up, shoving a hand into his hair as the ranger continued to speak.

"Tindel went for help," Rinethel continued hoarsely. "But he has not returned; I think him dead."

"He is gone," Haldir said. "We have, at least, found you."

Rinethel nodded faintly, his gaze on his sister, but then it shifted to Haldir, eyes narrowed as he tried to sit up. Elladan gripped his shoulder gently.

"You know of Haldir," Elladan said softly.

Rinethel's eyes widened. "My sister brings a surprising escort." He coughed again, gasping as Elladan forced him to be still. "Lorien elves and the twins of Rivendell. Who else has she managed to bewitch this day."

Elrohir chuckled, crouching on one knee beside the ranger. "Legolas rounds out our list, Rin. She has excellent taste in guardians."

"Indeed," Rinethel choked, laughing weakly. "I am in excellent company."

"You are sick," Lillah chided, brushing a hand over his brow. "Haldir can heal you well enough to travel to get you home."

"Ah," Rinethel replied, blinking wearily. "You speak of him as if you know this well."

Haldir bent over him, touching the elf's brow with his fingers. "She does, now relax, you are very weak."

Rinethel nodded faintly and settled back against Elladan's knees. A faint chirping drew Haldir's head up sharply.

Elladan grunted, sliding out from beneath Rinethel, while Elrohir rushed toward the cave's opening. Legolas beat him outside, leaping down the hillside nimbly, bow drawn from his shoulder, an arrow nocked before he took three steps.

Haldir turned to face Lillah from the doorway. "Orcs, Lillah."

She gasped, clutching Rinethel's hand tightly. "What must I do?"

Haldir glanced outside and then back at Lillah.

"She can use my bow," Rinethel said, struggling to sit up. "Nay, mine is gone, left on my horse. Take Larion's, it lies there," he said, pointing to a shadowy corner of the cave.

"You can shoot?" Haldir asked, scanning the hillside outside again.

"I have not in years," Lillah began, but Rinethel waved his hand impatiently.

"You can well enough," he said. "I will remind you of what you need to do."

Lillah snorted, startled when Haldir handed her a slim dagger he pulled from his boot. "Use this if necessary, and the bow. Shoot well, focus on the neck, between the eyes."

Lillah stared at him in shock as he crossed back to the doorway.

"You are not going to stay?"

Haldir smiled grimly. "Someone has to protect the horses." He moved outside, with Lillah following quickly. The twins were gone, but he could see Legolas in the distance, standing on a jagged part of the wall, bow drawn. Haldir touched Lillah's chin briefly. "Aim true. You will not get many chances if they get past us. Remember, these are the creatures that killed your husband."

He turned away, moving swiftly down the hill, unwilling to look back.

~*~

"Keep your arm up," Rinethel hissed weakly from behind her. Lillah scowled at him and then faced the hillside, searching the wood for the elves. She could not see the twins, or any of the Lorién wardens, but Legolas was still on his perch in the village, and Haldir was gathering the horses who were decidedly nervous.

She pulled the arrows from the quiver, poking them into the ground at her feet. The bow was longer than hers was, matched to the elf's height, but not so long that she could not draw it back. She caressed the wood absently, nervously watching for signs of the orcs. Perhaps Haldir was mistaken, she thought. She had not seen any the last time they had fought, and had since wondered if they had said there were some to frighten her into submitting to their decisions.

She gritted her teeth, annoyed at the thought.

Below her, the bushes shivered and a flock of birds rose from the trees, wings beating in a loud rush as they screeched angrily at being disturbed.

Lillah gripped the bow tightly, nocking an arrow just in case.

"You haven't practiced have you?"

"I had no need, Rin. There were plenty to stand guard. Few bothered us here."

"Yet you had training, and being alone in a small holding in the mountains, you did not see the need to keep up your skills."

Lillah turned to face her brother only to find him smiling, blue eyes lit with amusement. "You are wretched, Rinethel, to tease so at a time like this."

"When you are wishing you had taken up your bow?" he asked, only to cough violently for several minutes. Lillah nearly set the weapon down to go to him, but he held up a hand, rolling to lie on his side. "I am fine," he said hoarsely. "You must pay attention, Haldir was not joking."

Lillah turned back to the woods. "I am sorry."

"For what, sister?"

"For making you come for me."

"I would have done so no matter. I have missed you and the thought that you had perished, burned…." He groaned loudly. "I have lain here for days with such thoughts that I nearly went mad. And now I cannot aid you should an orc defeat the elves below."

Lillah sniffed. "If they do I will be terribly disappointed."

Rinethel chuckled softly. "You have high expectations of your escort."

"And you do not?"

Rinethel only snorted, whatever more he might have said lost to Lillah as her eyes widened at the creature appearing below her on the hill. He saw her just as she spotted him, the orc's gaze narrowing as he quickly lifted his bow.

The arrow skipped off the rocks beside Lillah. She ducked a second volley and then pulled back Larion's bow.

"Keep your elbow up, you always drop your elbow," Rinethel complained.

Lillah ignored him and let loose her arrow. The shaft arched gracefully down the hill, while the orc straightened only to fly backwards as the arrow struck him hard in the chest, through the thin leather jerkin he wore to leave him lying still in the leaves.

Lillah breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze searching for the other elves and unable to find them.

Another orc appeared beside the other, head lifted to gaze up the hill.

Lillah squeaked in alarm and drew another arrow from the group at her feet. She drew back quickly, aiming down the shaft and let go, but the arrow streaked off to the left, while the orc laughed, scrambling up hill.

Rinethel pulled himself across the floor of the cave, dragging his leg until he could see the edge of the hillside. Lillah had nocked another arrow, her hands shaking as the orc drew closer. That too went astray and she nearly wept.

"You dropped your elbow," Rinethel declared, handing her another arrow. "Pull back, elbow up…"

Lillah drew the bow back but her hands were shaking and the arrow went high.

"I cannot do this," she cried. "We are lost, just as we were before."

Rinethel struggled to sit, catching the hem of her tunic. "Nay, you have the best of elves down there. Draw Lillah, and concentrate."

She knew she didn't have much more time, the orc was sliding closer, hiding behind the rocks just below the cave opening.

She nocked another arrow, waiting for the orc to pop up again.

He did, but the arrow impaling him came from behind, and below. Legolas lowered his bow, fair hair tangled in his quiver. The orc lay sprawled over the rocks.

Rinethel grinned weakly. "See, you had nothing to worry about."

Lillah could only sigh, sitting abruptly on the ground beside him.

Rinethel rolled onto his back with a groan. "So, tell me about how you managed to gather the premier elves of Arda to come search for me, a simple ranger."

Lillah laughed, shoving a length of hair from her face with a shaking hand. "That, my brother, is a long tale."

TBC