A/N: Chapter 11! Aren't you guys lucky, 2 chapters in one day! The story is building now and I hope you stick with it as the action is only just beginning. Hope you guys enjoy, and please don't forget to review!
I do not own Tolkien's work or characters, only those I have created.
Haldir led his group towards the gate of Caras Galadhon, Eärendur was still carrying the green bundle that was now asleep in his arms.
"For one who has been through an ordeal at such a young age she is rather…" Haldir thought of the best word to describe her, "…..energetic".
"I suppose you could say that" Eärendur replied.
"What do you plan on doing with her?" Haldir asked him.
"I will look after her. She was found in an abandoned village as I was. It seems as though the Valar have given me a task." He replied looking at the bundle in his arms.
They made their way through the gate towards the centre of the city. They needed to speak with the Lord and Lady. After walking for a while in silence a voice broke the silence.
"The trees are sparkly" the little bundle said as she started amazingly at the tree tops and the talans above. "Do fairies live in the trees?".
"Yes we do, Penig. But I keep telling you, we are elves not fairies" Eärendur replied.
"No you are fairies, you are magic. My daddy told me about it." She said.
"What did he tell you?" Haldir spoke up.
"That you all lived in the forest and had a really beautiful queen" she said, again stroking his hair.
"You really do like my hair, don't you?" Haldir asked.
"It's really, really soft." She said now pulling her hand back, getting shy.
"How would you like to meet our beautiful queen?" Eärendur asked the little girl. Laessiel gasped and seemed very excited. She nodded her head, very enthusiastically.
Eärendur, Haldir and the small bundle made their way into the great hall where they awaited Galadriel's presence along with Lord Celeborn's. After a short wait they arrived.
"Ah, March Warden it is good to see you back in one piece, and you too Eärendur" the lady said. She then noticed the small girl wrapped in a green cloak staring at her.
"And who is this lovely little creature" she added looking at Laessiel.
"My name is Laessiel. Pleased to meet you, fairy queen" she said. Galadriel immediately laughed at the comment.
"I have never been given such a lovely title before, my child." She approached more closely to talk with Eärendur and Laessiel while Lord Celeborn heard the report of what happened from Haldir.
"My lord something didn't seem right with this. The village seems to have been dispatched the night before we reached it. There was a trail laid for us to follow where they were waiting for us." Haldir described.
"It seems orchestrated to me. I didn't believe the Orcs to be this organised still. I will have to send word to Gondor about their trade settlement." Celeborn replied.
"If that is all, my Lord. May I be excused?" asked Haldir. The lord nodded. As they left to leave Celeborn spoke again.
"Eärendur would it be ok if we spoke to Laessiel briefly. Being the only survivor she may have heard something about where the attack came from". Eärendur looked down at Laessiel.
"Is that ok with you, Penig?" he asked the bundle in his arms.
"Yes that's ok. As long as I can keep your cloak, it makes me feel safe" she replied before Eärendur lowered her to the floor where she walked over to the Lord and Lady with the oversized cloak dragging behind her.
Haldir gestured for Eärendur to leave with him so they could go and meet with Lillieth and Nienna.
They were approaching Lillieth's talan. Eärendur noticed a disturbing detail, the door was open.
"Why would the door be open?" Eärendur questioned before they both bolted towards the talan.
When they arrived, in a heap near the door, was Nienna unconscious on the floor. Eärendur rushed to her side.
"Nienna, Nienna. Meleth nîn, please wake up" panic seeped into his voice as he tried to bring her round he then noticed the red mark upon her cheek and anger filled him. Haldir was then storming through the talan to find Lillieth, there was no sign of her.
"Who did this to you?" Eärendur said with anger in his voice, he would kill anyone who could do this to an elleth, let alone his beloved Nienna. Nienna stirred and realised she was being held, she opened her eyes to see Eärendur looking down at her.
"Eärendur" she said as she flung her arms around him, she was so glad he was here.
A loud crash came from the kitchen where Haldir had thrown a bowl against the wall, he did this in anger before making his way over to Eärendur and Nienna.
"She has gone Eärendur, Lillieth isn't here!" he shouted.
"Oh Valar, Lillieth!" Nienna exclaimed realising what must have happened "He was here" she shouted.
"Who?" Haldir snapped.
"Lillieth called him Galdrith. It must have been her betrothed from Mirkwood. She seemed terrified of him" she said.
"Galdrith. Haldir we need to go speak to Galadriel now!" he snapped. Haldir fell to his knees with tears falling form his eyes.
"I will kill him if he lays one finger upon her. Even that is too good for him" he hissed, the sadness quickly being replaced by anger. He then felt Eärendur shaking him.
"Haldir, Now! We cannot waste any time!" he snapped. Haldir nodded and they all made their way back to Galadriel and Celeborn's quarters. Haldir stormed in, his mind clouded by anger. Laessiel was happily sat with Celeborn and Galadriel when Haldir approached. The way he stormed towards them, intimidated her and she quickly hid behind Galadriel.
"Haldir, what is the problem?" Lord Celeborn asked as he stood up and placed his hands on Haldir's shoulders.
"Someone has taken Lillieth my lord. They struck lady Nienna and took Lillieth. The ambush must have been a diversion to lead us away. If this person is indeed in league with the Orcs I need to assemble the troops and track her down." Haldir pleaded.
"I cannot allow that. If indeed these Orcs are being led, we have no idea how many there are, where they are coming from or if this is another rouse to lead our army away from Lórien. I know what she means to you but I cannot put our home at risk. We need people to defend here as well" Lord Celeborn suggested.
"Then I will go alone. I don't care what it takes, I will get her back" Haldir snapped forgetting who he was talking to.
"You will not do this alone." Said Eärendur placing a hand upon his shoulder.
"I will allow you to take a few men with you, I cannot allow any more than 30. I will put your outburst down to your emotional state, just remember who you are speaking to in future" said Lord Celeborn. Haldir bowed and apologised.
"I am sorry, my lord. I love her dearly and I am clouded by rage. Thank you" he said.
Laessiel peered around from behind Galadriel's dress and was happy to see Eärendur. She then ran towards him where he picked her up.
"Eärendur" the little girl shouted as she hugged him. "The soft haired fairy scareded me".
Haldir heard and felt sorrow. Nienna was shocked, who was this small child and why was she so attached to Eärendur.
"Who is this Eärendur?" Nienna questioned.
"I eneth nîn Laessiel [My name is Laessiel]" the small child grinned happily. "The queen taught me some fairy language".
"I found her in a house in a village we found which was destroyed by Orcs. She is the only survivor. I'm going to take care of her" Eärendur said, apprehensive to what Nienna's reply would be.
She stood there shocked for a moment but then realised this is how he found. He must feel a connection to the girl. She took a step towards them.
"Hello Laessiel, I am Nienna." Nienna introduced herself to the little girl.
"You're really pretty. Are you Eärendur's wife?" she asked Nienna.
"No, not wife. We are courting" Nienna replied.
Laessiel reached up to grab Eärendur's hair tugging slightly so he would look at her. He then leant up and whispered in his ear, "You should marry her, she is really pretty".
"Between you and me, I wish for that." He whispered back. The little girl smiled.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but we really need to get organised to get going. I can't stand around waiting" Haldir insisted. They nodded.
"I will look after the child while you are away. Would you like to learn how to speak more fairy, Laessiel?" Galadriel asked the small child. She nodded in reply and Eärendur hugged her to say goodbye before placing her on the ground where she quickly gave Nienna a hug before she ran over to the elven queen.
"I advise you to take Nienna with you in case of injury. Also Teren would be a great asset to you" The lady suggested to them. They exited the hall to prepare and Haldir and Eärendur looked at each other, knowing they were thinking the same thing.
"As you March Warden, I insist that you do not come with us, it will be dangerous. We can take another healer instead. You will stay with Rumil, I assume he too is back in Caras Galadhon" Haldir ordered.
"I must come, I cannot let you go alone, it is my fault she was taken" she pleaded.
"It is not your fault. He hit you, he is a dog and he will die like one for his actions" Eärendur fumed. He was mad himself but had no idea how Haldir must be feeling, he was in love with her after all.
They arrived at Teren's workshop where he was forging more blades. He quickly noticed the March Warden and stood to attention with a salute.
"March Warden, what may I do for you?" he asked.
"I require your assistance. Someone has kidnapped the lady Lillieth, I must get her back. But I am limited with the number of troops I can take. You were one of the finest warriors I have met, will you join us" Haldir pleaded with the blacksmith. Teren pondered for a while before noticing the mark on Nienna's face.
"Was that mark of his doing, my lady?" He asked Nienna. She nodded in reply before he gave his answer. "This scum needs to die. I am with you" he replied. He didn't agree with this kind of behaviour. He turned to Eärendur and said "I have your weapons ready they are hanging over on that wall. I designed them the way you wanted. Your sword, Leberio [the protector] and the dagger Dolengûr [hidden death]. Take them and go prepare with the others" . Eärendur looked at the blades which were presented before him. The sword was long, engraved with its name in elvish, inscribed onto the blade which was straight with a curve on the opposite side. ( A/N: I think of this like Orcrist, Thorin Oakenshield's blade). The handle was black with golden leaves engraved into it. The dagger was similar to the design of the sword, but the blade was curved (A/N: like a small scimitar). Teren then turned to Haldir and continued "I will meet you after by the gate when I too, are prepared". Haldir nodded in reply before he suggested they leave.
Eärendur was standing by the gate near Haldir, there were at least 30 elves there all in full armour, that of Lórien. Amongst them was Orophin and Rumil. Haldir had not worn this armour since the battle of Helms deep. He stood out from the rest with his red cloak. Eärendur was dressed similarly except he decided to wear a blue cloak since Laessiel still had in her possession his green cloak. Haldir turned to see both his brothers stood there, he looked in Rumil's direction.
"I thought I had told you to keep an eye on Nienna?" he asked.
"I am brother she is right there, pointing behind him" he replied. Haldir looked in her direction, she was wearing the grey cloak and tunic that he had worn not long before when he went on patrol. She had a bag of healing supplies strapped to her back. A quiver of arrows and a bow were over her shoulder.
"I thought I ordered you to stay here" he asked her.
"I am the best healer, I challenge you to find anyone better. You need me, March Warden. I will follow you even if you order me not to" she replied.
"Fine, just don't get yourself killed" he snarled.
"Why are you insistent on coming with us, Meleth nîn?" Eärendur asked Nienna who was now stood by him.
"I wish to protect you, also Lillieth is my friend and may need me. We don't know what condition she will be in when we find her" she explained. He pulled her close to him and put his arm around her.
"I can't lose you. I've seen how Haldir is now. I don't wish to be like that." He said to her.
"You won't be. I can protect myself" she replied. Teren then came into view in armour which appeared to be the same design as the other elves but the plates were of pure white and his cloak was of the darkest blue and he wore no helmet. He carried with him a quiver of arrows and his bow along with his custom sword , it seemed in the design of the swords of the men of the west but with a light blue hilt and elven script along the blade that read Celeghathol [swift blade]. He approached Eärendur and Nienna.
"I thought Haldir stood out with his red cloak Teren you seem to have bested him" Eärendur joked
"I used to be a bit of a show men in my youth when I designed this armour, I wanted to make sure everyone on the field knew who I was when I was in battle". Teren said with a slight grin.
"Well that is a certainty" Eärendur joked, "I am looking forward to seeing what you can do old man".
"I am certainly looking forward to showing you young one" Teren said clapping Eärendur's shoulder.
Haldir was now giving out orders to his troops and trying to keep his thoughts on the job at hand. But only one thought kept replaying through his mind. 'Hold on, I am coming for you, Meleth nîn'. He just wanted her back in his arms so she would be safe. Galdrith had no idea what would be coming for him, Haldir was clouded by pure rage, he would not escape and if he did, Haldir would hunt him to the ends of Middle Earth. A scout he had sent out earlier came into view and reported to Haldir. He told him he had found a trail leading form her talan and it seemed like she was being carried.
"Right, move out" Haldir ordered to the elves stood before him. They all followed Haldir's lead in their pursuit of finding Lillieth.