Hey, everyone! I hope you're all doing well. As promised, here's another chapter.
As always, a heartfelt thank you goes to all my readers, with a special shout-out going to my reviewers. Your feedback and words of encouragement have been the best reward I could ever hope for. Your insights have not only given me food for thought, but they often inspire me. Blue1258, Doria Nell, leelee202, twibe, MotherAiya, Auriene, Cricklewood16, durinsdaughter2469btw, AshleyLeigh, Gandalf007, Rogue's Queen, LadyConfidential, leward1992, Addicted-to-GazettE, and FriendlyNeighborhoodHufflepuff. THANK YOU!
Important side note about this story:
When I first started writing this fanfic, I really wanted to stay true to the general feel of Middle-earth and the beautiful cultures Tolkien created. But that being said, I'm not Tolkien. Some details differ—some by accident, others purposely. For those who are wondering whether or not I'm sticking to Tolkien's views on elven marriages and sexuality (which can be found in the essay, Laws and Customs among the Eldar, in the book Morgoth's Ring), the answer is yes. But at the same time, I'm also taking slight liberties in regards to certain things, including elven souls. I know I'm being rather vague here, but in order not to spoil the story, I will say little else for now. For those who wish to continue this journey, I promise all will be explained over the next few chapters.
Kindest regards,
CygnusRift
CHAPTER XL
GARDEN OF LIGHT
"Your songs truly are beautiful." Annalyn's eyes were closed, a peaceful smile gracing her lips as she stood by the rail and absorbed the music.
Presently, she and Haldir were in the middle tiers of a mallorn, on a footbridge from which they could see the feast, the minstrels, and all the guests down below. In order to accommodate the forty or so Elves, Haldir saw that a longer table had been set on the terrace. Amid the wine glasses and succulent dishes, candles flickered in their sconces, casting soft light on those seated around.
Even from afar, Haldir could see that Ithriel was there, along with Orophin and Rúmil. Contrary to last night, their faces were joyful, devoid of the worries they all shared these days. He was glad to see it.
"Would you not rather be down there?" Annalyn's words were softly spoken, and he found she was staring at him.
"Nay."
While he normally enjoyed such feasts, Haldir had but one wish tonight—to spend time with Annalyn, enjoying her company in a way he might never experience again.
"You?" he asked, turning the tables on her.
"Same." Her chest rose on a joyful sigh. "I am exactly where I wish to be."
With the breeze in her hair, Annalyn withdrew from the rail, and resumed their lazy stroll. As they turned aside onto another footbridge, one that led away from the feast, Haldir offered her his arm like earlier in the night, while his cloak and sword-belt remained draped over the other.
As Annalyn's other hand came to rest over his forearm, Haldir recalled the last time he had strolled the city in this fashion, with a woman on his arm. Many long years had passed since then, but he remembered it still, as well as the maid with whom he had walked. As fond memories replayed in his mind, long-contained sadness arose, then receded when Annalyn looked sidelong at him.
"The song," she began as the echoing melody was nearing its end. "Would you tell me of it?"
Acquiescing, Haldir answered that it was a hymn to the one whom they called Elbereth.
"Elbereth?"
"To some she is known by another name. Varda." Haldir thought Annalyn might know of her, but at the shake of her head, he explained, "She is a Vala. The Queen of the Stars, who along with her husband, Manwë, watches over us from the heights of Taniquetil, Mount Everwhite, over in Aman." With a subtle motion of his hand, Haldir indicated the shimmering gems in the inky blackness above. "According to the Eldar, it was she who kindled the stars prior to the awakening of the Elves, in a bygone age when there was neither sun nor moon in the skies."
Annalyn furrowed her brows, but then she laughed. "You cannot mean there was no sun? No moon?"
"It was well before my time, but indeed it was so," Haldir answered serenely. "For years unnumbered, the Elves lived and thrived in starlight. The stars… It is why we love them so, even to this day. As for the race of Men, they awoke but long after, with the coming of the sun."
"Is that why you call us the Afterborn?"
Haldir gave a nod.
"So these Vala," Annalyn started, as if trying to understand.
"Valar," he corrected softly. "One Vala. Two Valar."
"So these Valar," she emphasized, and seemed to be walking even closer. "Are they like Béma?"
"Béma." Haldir searched his memories but could not recall hearing the name.
She explained, "In Rohan, it is said that a great huntsman and horseman brought the ancestors of our great horses, the Mearas, out of the West. We call him Béma."
"Ah yes. I believe you speak of the one we call Oromë. He, too, is counted among the Valar. There are many."
Leisurely footsteps carried them past another mallorn, where Elves were dining on a high platform set amid a cluster of homes. Another community, comprised mostly of the Sindar. True to custom, there was music here, too. A pleasing blend of harps and flutes.
As Haldir and Annalyn strode by, some of the Elves looked their way. Curious they seemed, with speculative glances exchanged here and there.
Unbothered by their scrutiny, Haldir maintained his pace while Annalyn held to his arm. They walked onwards.
The two had just passed the empty gallery, and were headed for a sparsely settled area of Caras Galadhon when Annalyn said, "As a girl, I was always curious about the world. Ever eager to see and learn new things. Yet I never imagined all of this. These woods. Tarrying among the Elves." Her eyes swept the ancient city before locking onto his. "Meeting and befriending you."
Something passed between them then, a silent acknowledgement of the feelings they harboured for one another. But as they stepped into a swath of warm light, Annalyn took note of its source, and slowed. Fascinated, she released his arm, moved past him, and stopped by the rail.
Coming to stand beside her, Haldir turned his gaze onto the feature down below and, thinking she might enjoy it, suggested a detour.
Moments later, they were descending a tall staircase that led to a winding platform flanked by a wide assortment of trees. While these were dwarfed by the surrounding mallyrn, all manner of fruit grew upon their branches, red, yellow, and orange.
But unlike their golden neighbours, the foliage here was mostly green, with hundreds of tiny lanterns hanging amongst the leaves.
As Haldir halted at the base of the staircase, Annalyn moved to the center of the platform, spun around, and laughed in amazement. "A suspended garden."
"One of many in Caras Galadhon." Delighted by her excitement, Haldir watched as Annalyn meandered about the platform. Thanks to the golden lanterns, the light here was gentle and subdued. As Annalyn took it all in, the hilt of her sword reflected the ambient glow, the glint as soft as the wonderment in her eyes.
"I hold fond memories of this place, for I spent much time here as a child." With a motion of his hand, Haldir indicated the surrounding branches. "Please, help yourself if you wish."
"No one will mind?"
"They were sown here for the enjoyment of all."
With so many varieties to choose from, Annalyn could not seem to decide. As she hesitated, moving from one tree to the next, Haldir scanned the surrounding branches, looking past the first line of trees until he descried something she might like. "Wait here," he said and stepped out onto the delicate boughs.
"May I ask what are you doing?" Her laughter echoed throughout the empty garden. "Careful!"
While the chosen tree in question was too fragile to hold his weight, the neighbouring apple tree looked sturdy enough. Choosing a suitable perch, Haldir moved along the limb, and leaned out as far as he dared.
"Here we are," he said, weaving his way back. "I believe you will like this."
When he tossed the fruit, Annalyn caught it, and turned it over in her palm. Eyes on him, she arched an elegant brow, and smirked as he stepped onto the platform once more.
"What is it?" she asked as he neared.
"A peach." Haldir stepped up to her, watched as she took a bite. Since it was perfectly ripe, he thought she might like the sweetness and nod in approval, but when her teeth broke the delicate peel, her eyelids fell heavily, and a moan rose in her throat. The sound, coupled with the utter enjoyment on her face, did something to him. His heart sped up. Heat rose to his cheeks. Transfixed, Haldir tried to swallow, but the neckline of his tunic seemed tight all of a sudden.
Head angled to the side, Annalyn savoured the fruit for a beat longer. "You thought right. I love this." The little sigh she gave...
The Valar help me.
Her teeth sank into the peach once more, but when the peel broke, juice spurted out. Her eyes widened at once. Annalyn gasped and laughed at the same time. "Oh! Your face!"
Ere he could reply or do aught else, her fingers were on his cheek, wiping away the juice. There wasn't much of it, a droplet or two, just over his jaw. One more on—
"And your cheek." Though laughter laced her words, Annalyn seemed utterly mortified. Intent on erasing her mishap, she stepped even closer, dabbed his face with the end of her sleeve. "I am so sorry."
Amused but very much entranced, Haldir watched her until a falling leaf netted his gaze. As it fluttered down, it brushed then caught in Annalyn's hair. Before he knew it, he was removing the leaf, but once it was discarded, he did not lower his hand. Instead, the backs of his fingers skimmed her unbound locks, and lingered.
Annalyn was lovely, he thought. Lovely and full of light, of life. Perfect and imperfect. Her.
With a scant few inches separating them, a familiar tension asserted itself. Haldir grew still. Annalyn did, too. She was staring at his mouth, he realised and soon did the same. Her lips were slightly parted. He remembered how soft they were, how good she tasted.
He swallowed hard.
Haldir had courted danger and fought battles before, but never like this. As the leaves rustled around them, he much desired to pull her close and claim her mouth again. It was an effort not to.
As they lingered in this fashion, he was reminded not only of last night, but of the dream he'd had early this morning, how he had given in, kissing her deeply and without restraint before gathering her in his arms and carrying her up to his bed. Does she know, he wondered. Did she dream alongside me?
Given the link that had formed between them—the one that allowed him to sense her emotions while she dreamed—it seemed rather plausible.
Despite his numerous attempts at smothering his feelings, Haldir could not shake the yearning she often kindled in him. A yearning that went beyond desire, beyond the stirrings of his heart. A strong and powerful sensation, different from aught he had ever felt before. Something new.
Unable to define it, he searched her face for an answer.
"Should we head back?" Annalyn's cheeks had turned red. With a bashful gaze, she smiled and widened the gap between them.
Haldir should have been grateful for her strength of will, but as she turned, oblivious of his musings, all he could do was stare and wonder.
And so, as Annalyn scaled the steps, asking if he was coming, it took a moment before he could gather himself. When he finally caught up with her, the two walked long in silence. Only when they were nearing Orophin's dwelling did she speak. "Look. Over there. Is that for us?"
In their absence, a basket had been left on the outside table, along with a folded note.
"What does it say?" Annalyn asked as he reached for the message and started reading.
Haldir chuckled even as he shook his head. "It seems that our presence was noted earlier, when we stopped to observe the feast. It is a gift from Orophin." He lowered the note. "Food and wine."
"Oh! How thoughtful!" Moving past him, Annalyn uplifted the lid, and peered inside the basket. "It smells wonderful. And I am rather famished," she confessed.
Looking over her shoulder, Haldir saw that the food had been covered by silver lids. Doubtless the fare was still hot.
"What say you?" she asked. "Fancy a late dinner?"
Given his reaction in the garden, Haldir should have erred on the side of caution, and bid her good night. Instead, because he wished to comprehend what he had felt just now, and because he could not deny her, Haldir said, "I suppose it would be a shame to let this go to waste."
Her smile broadened at that. But as she reached into the basket, a thought suddenly came to him. "Besides we never did share that meal." The one they were supposed to share last night, when he had been called away. "If you're of a mind, I would like to honour my invitation."
"Your invitation," she echoed with sudden interest.
By way of answer, he swept his arm toward his home, his heart gladdening as her features brightened even more.
This was a short chapter, I know, with more questions than answers. But at least they'll finally have their dinner date now. No interruptions this time! Also, the next chapter will be longer. If all goes well, I will post it over the weekend.
