Title & Chapter Number: Guarded 6/?
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: Lord of the Rings
Rating: PG-13 (Will be rated higher in later chapters)
Disclaimer: J.R.R Tolkien and his heirs own Lord of the Rings and the characters he created. I have made no profit from this story.
Warnings: Het fic
Betas: Fianna & Julie
Cast: Haldir/OFC, Orophin, Rúmil, Galadriel, Celeborn, Aragorn, Elrond, Elrohir, Elladan, Arwen
Timeline: Pre-Fellowship to Fourth Age, 3001- 100
Spoilers: Haldir doesn't die.
Summary: Haldir of Lórien has protected the borders of Lothlórien and those of his heart for three thousand years with the utmost vigilance. Indil has learned from bitter experience to protect herself, but also to live as thought the sun will never rise again. Can he remain so well guarded against one who is determined to claim him for herself?
Notes: I loved Haldir when I read the Fellowship of the Ring and I thought that his death in the movie was unjust. This Haldir is a blend of the book and movie character and hopefully it works. There is a listing at the end of this chapter of Sindarin words and phrases.
Chapter 6: Separate Paths
The first soft, featherings of lavender smudging the sky had caused Haldir to stop short. He turned and regarded the group behind him with glowing eyes. Though he dearly wished for a few days of relaxation, it was not in his nature to shirk his duties and he was needed to patrol the border.
"I believe that I shall return to my post," he gazed evenly at Rúmil. "Would you take my place and lead our guests to Caras Galadon? The Lady is waiting for them."
Rúmil raised one dark eyebrow. "I can watch the border for a few days, my brother. It is not often that you have the opportunity to seek rest in the city."
The Twins seemed highly amused at the exchange and wore matching smirks. It was Elrohir who spoke first and with great relish as he gazed down from his horse at the renowned Lothlórien Captain.
"You seem reluctant to continue in our company, Haldir. Do you find us offensive?"
Elladan had a twinkle in his eye. "Yes, I think he does, my dear Elrohir." Grinning broadly, the dark-haired Elf laid a hand over his heart. "The fact that he attempts to escape our presence whenever we arrive leads me to the sad conclusion that we are disliked."
Elrohir looked stricken and laid a hand over his forehead. "Ai! Will my heart ever recover?"
Rúmil frowned at the jesting pair as he noticed Haldir's brow wrinkle with irritation. The sound of a few snickering wardens, including Orophin, made his temper rise several notches. He found the company of the twins highly irritating at times. "I think that will..."
Haldir held up his hand and smiled at his brother. "No need, Rúmil, it would appear that these two have misunderstood me all these years."
Orophin abruptly stopped laughing upon seeing the gleam in his brother's dark gray eyes. It was a look he had seen many times and it never boded well. "They have?"
Haldir nodded and smiled widely as he neared the twins astride their horses. The two troublemakers were still smirking and not paying him any heed. "Indeed," he murmured as he gently rubbed the muzzle of one horse while staring the other in the eye. "I am considered of ill humor and that is not so."
With no warning, the March Warden snapped his fingers and the noise carried sharply in the evening air. "Noro lim, roch bain!"
Elladan nearly fell to the ground as his horse let out a loud whinny before pounding away up the dirt path leading to Caras Galadon. The other horse rose up on his hind legs as Elrohir desperately attempted to keep control over him.
"You will pay for this, Haldir!" Elrohir shouted as his horse spun and raced up the trail as though he had a burr beneath his saddle.
The March Warden merely raised one eyebrow. "I will meet you in the city!" Haldir called out after the twins. More quietly he added, "You will have to rise early in the morning and think long to gain your revenge on me, young one."
Few knew that Haldir was exceptionally gifted with animals. It was a talent he had fostered in his youth, but one that he rarely used. He much preferred the use of his own two feet to burdening a horse unless the trip was to be along one - such as Mirkwood, Rivendell, or the Grey Havens. He held all creatures in great esteem, but horses and deer were his favorites.
Rúmil slapped him on the shoulder with a grin. "I was wondering what you were up to. You should have done that centuries ago."
"Aye," Haldir agreed softly. "But then I would have been denied the pleasure of seeing them harass you."
It was a well known fact that once the twins received a dose of their own medicine they were often cured of their ill habits. He knew that had he given them their comeuppance long ago, they would have ceased teasing Rúmil and Orophin as well as himself. Haldir had been reluctant to do so because Elladan and Elrohir were the only two beings who had been able to ruffle Rúmil's feathers.
Orophin chuckled, but immediately stopped upon seeing his eldest brother's eyes narrowing as they took him in. "What? Why do you look at me in that manner?"
"Traitor," Rúmil accused pleasantly. "You should know better than to honor the sons of Elrond with your laughter."
"I..." Orophin blushed.
Haldir shook his head. "I know you were looking forward to spending a little time with Almiel, but I think your presence is needed on the border. What do you think, Rúmil?"
Orophin turned pleading eyes on the most elegant of the three. "Muindor?"
"Oh, I agree," Rúmil said with a barely disguised grin. "However, had I a differing opinion it would be set aside out of respect for you, my Captain." He rubbed his chin and his words were laced with obvious delight. "I think a fortnight would be most agreeable."
Haldir leaned against a nearby tree. Though he did not relish leaving his post, he realized Galadriel would wish for his presence and any news he might have of Orc movements. "You are ever wise, my brother, and so I leave the border in your capable hands for the next two days." He pushed himself up straight and smiled. "I will deliver greetings on your behalf to dearest Almiel, Orophin."
Rúmil watched Haldir blend into the dark woods effortlessly and the sound of his happy whistling echoed behind long after his presence faded. With a sigh, he steered Orophin back toward the flets bordering the Nimrodel.
~*~*~*~
The stairs had seemed overwhelming on this night and Haldir was glad that he had seen no one as he ascended them. He was tired and yearned for nothing more than a bath. The scent of his own skin was foul and he grimaced as he walked into his talan.
Galadriel and Celeborn had gifted him with the most elegant and largest talan on the far side of Caras Galadon. There were few distractions for him here as these particular mellyrn trees held only the telain of the wardens who patrolled the borders of Lórien. His was at the very top of this mallorn and on a cloudless day he could see for many miles.
He pulled off his cloak and set it carefully on a nearby chair before removing his belt. The breeze pleased him and he smiled as he removed his sweaty tunic and tossed it across the chair as well. A tune came to him and he began to chant softly as the wind caressed him.
Haldir had finished unbraiding his hair when a low, husky female voice touched his ears.
"I could have done that for you, nín Mell."
A very amused laugh greeted him from the doorway leading to his bathing room. There stood the one creature that Haldir most wanted to avoid. She was smiling at him as her flaxen hair gleamed in the moonlight.
He froze and became very aware of his state of undress. "Mairen," he greeted with a nod. Careful to keep his voice neutral, Haldir tried to ignore the fact that the beautiful Elf maiden wore only the thinnest of chemises over her lithe form. "I prefer to look after myself, but your offer is flattering. What brings you so far from your talan at such a late hour?"
Mairen glided into the room and her frosty blue eyes glittered with hunger as her gaze slid over his muscular torso. "I had heard a rumor that you were coming tonight so that you may see the mortal children off in the morning. It had occurred to me that you might well be weary after all of your many deeds." She stopped before him and the pair stared into one another's eyes. "I thought I might bring you a bit of comfort."
"Comfort?" Haldir echoed in a sardonic voice. "Should you not say that you thought to seduce me?"
Instead of being insulted, Mairen laughed as she allowed her long, elegant fingers to glide over his shoulder. "Aye, I thought that I might be able to persuade you to see my point of view." She licked her lips in blatant invitation as her nails teased his chest before resting over his heart. "Would taking me to your bed be such a crime? Neither of us have mates and I remember a time that you found my kisses to your liking."
The feel of her hand teasing his flesh had almost wrested a moan from Haldir's lips. His leggings now felt uncomfortably tight as he gazed at her near naked form. He remembered very well the feel and taste of her lips as they had embraced beneath the mellyrn trees one night after a festival. The memory of her hands teasing his manhood through his breeches and of her small, pert breasts resting in the palm of his hands had fired erotic fantasies in his mind for decades.
He knew instinctively that he could rip the chemise from her body and take her against the rough tree bark. The fact that she would allow it did not diminish her in his eyes, but the fact that she would also want him to proclaim her as his wife kept him sane as his body throbbed with desire.
Haldir knew with every fiber of his being that the lovely creature before him was like a deadly nightshade flower; beautiful, but full of poison. He had discovered over the years, though Mairen was ignorant of this, that she had told many that she would be the female to bag him and teach the arrogant March Warden to grovel at her feet. That she could be so childish and calculating had sickened him; the mere thought of it made him angry still. He had no intention of binding himself or even taking his pleasure with one like her.
"Aye," he replied as he took her hand and pressed a soft kiss on her delicate knuckles. "I remember that time as well, but it was long ago, Mairen. As tempted as I am by your offer, I fear I must decline as the result of such a union would be utter folly."
Mairen's self-confident smile faltered. "Folly? How so? I could bring you much pleasure if you would only let me."
Haldir pulled back as she leaned in to press her lips against his chest. "Nay, Mairen, I do not desire to argue with you or prolong this discussion for I am tired and wish to seek my bed."
Her pretty face hardened and she lost much of her beauty in that moment as anger overwhelmed her. "I demand a reason for your dismissal. I will not leave until you give me one as I can plainly see that your body betrays your words."
Anger flowed through Haldir's blood with every heartbeat and it took every ounce of his control to keep from tossing her over his shoulder and setting her on his doorstep. He had never treated a female with anything but respect and he had no intention of changing that. "I love another and that is all I will tell you for it is not your concern."
Mairen's eyes narrowed until they were slits, but she crossed her arms over her chest and stepped back from him. "I leave you to your solitude then."
He watched her go with relief, but it was short-lived as she stopped in the doorway and regarded him with a countenance filled with disgust. "I hope that one day you will learn what it feels like to be on the receiving end of such coldness."
Once she had disappeared from his doorstep, Haldir felt a sense of peace, as well as exhaustion, descend over him. Though he was in desperate need of a bath, Haldir desired rest above all things. He paused but an instant before removing his boots and leggings. Once nude, he climbed onto his bed and within moments was lost in the dream world that only the Elves knew.
~*~*~*~
The view from Celeborn and Galadriel's talan was the most prized in all of Caras Galadon and few were favored enough to be invited into their private living quarters far above the main reception room. The sunrise was beautiful and Haldir cherished the sky streaked with a palette of rose, gold, and a burnished orange that tinged the horizon. He stared out across the lush forest of Lothlórien to the deep sapphire waters of the Anduin glowing gold in the light of the rising sun.
As always a sense of awe came over him at the thought of their trust in him.
"Of course you are trusted," Galadriel murmured from behind him. "You are much beloved to Celeborn and me. Why do I sense grief in your heart, March Warden?"
He turned and bowed before gazing upon his ruler. "I feel as though the world has passed me by, nín Brennil."
Galadriel gazed at him with compassion simmering in the depths of her star-like eyes. "Why do you feel this way, Haldir? Do you still mourn for Celebrían?"
Haldir was stunned and felt as though he were frozen beneath her keen, perceptive gaze. No secrets could be kept from the Lady of Light and he was surprised that his had remained undisturbed for so long. "I... I am no longer sure, Brennil."
"Do not look so surprised, Warden," Galadriel said with a small, tinkling laugh. "There are few things that escape my notice and your love for my daughter was known to me long ago. She did not reveal it, but the love in your eyes when she was present betrayed you."
She glided across the polished wood floor and gazed out upon the west with a heavy sigh. "The world changes and we do not, but yet there is hope that some of our kind can accept this before they go to Aman." There was a pause before she continued speaking. "You should not see love as a frailty, Haldir. It lends strength where there is weakness and it ennobles all. Celebrían made her choice and it was her fate to love Elrond as she did; just as it was her fate to take the Redhorn Pass."
He swallowed tightly. "You see much."
"Too much at times, I fear," Galadriel whispered. "And too little when it counts the most." She straightened and turned away from the magnificent view. "You are afraid that if you give your heart to another that you would fail to protect her, but that is not true. I have foreseen that you will rally forth and that you will find your greatest strength in love."
"Truly?" Haldir questioned softly. "I do not see how this can be."
She smiled and touched his shoulder with gentleness. "There is one who will one day fill your heart with great joy and you will forget the pain that my daughter caused you." There was a hint of playfulness in her voice as her eyes gleamed. "You were wise to send Mairen on her way last night for she is much like a spoiled child and seeks her own way in all things... including the hearts of males."
Haldir tried not to smile, but failed dreadfully. "She thought to conquer me as a trophy to lord over her friends. You would think that a six thousand year old Elf would behave with more decorum." He grew serious and felt a desire to know more about this Eldarin lady that Galadriel had mentioned. Could it be that he was close to finding the one whom he was destined for? A life mate? Haldir fought down the excitement that bubbled in his heart. Celebrían entered his mind, but he did not cling to her image for he realized that his love had dimmed to guilt over the years.
Galadriel looped her arm through his and led him from the room with a soft laugh. "Ah, but often the eldest are the worst for they are ever set in their ways." She locked gazes with him for a moment."You must be patient, Haldir, for she will come to you in her own good time." A chuckle escaped her. "I heard a rumor that you, my staid warden, did intentionally send my grandsons on the ride of their lives."
"A grievous slander," Haldir replied with a straight face.
She shook her head and smiled. "So, I thought myself, but I caution you against my grandchildren as they are ever mischievous sprites."
He laughed. "I will consider myself well warned, nín Brennil."
~*~*~*~
The soft grass smelled sweet in Indil's nose as she gripped the saddle horn and leaned forward to see who was coming. She spied Falathar sitting behind Elladan on the Elf's horse sucking his thumb as he napped. It was still early in the morning and the two children were tired.
Elrohir placed his hand on the little girl's shoulder and forced her to sit up straighter. "That will be enough, Indil. I do not want you to fall off and break anything for Aragorn would have my hide."
"Who is coming?" Indil questioned impatiently. "I cannot see."
He raised one dark eyebrow. "Queen Galadriel and her March Warden. Stop wiggling around like a fish or we shall have a poor journey indeed. Are you used to horses?"
She shrugged and played with the mane of the animal she was seated on. "A little, I guess. My Ada had one in our barn, but I never rode him."
The sadness he sensed in the child spurred Elrohir to action. He smiled broadly and his blue eyes twinkled in the morning light. "Well, we shall change that, Indil. Will we not, Elladan?"
Elladan nodded with a grin. "Aye, we shall turn you into a fine horsewoman, Indil. I expect that you will be a riding expert within a year or two. Do you think Falathar would enjoy learning as well?"
Indil smiled as Falathar snored and tried to burrow under Elladan's cloak for warmth. "I know not. He seems content to remain a slug."
The Twins laughed at this so loudly that Falathar awoke completely and began to wipe the sleep from his eyes. "What are you laughing at?"
Elladan shook his head before reaching around and gently maneuvering until the small boy sat in front of him. "A private joke, young master. Now, let us situate you more comfortably so that I need not worry about losing you along the way. I doubt my father would find that amusing."
"Neither would I," Haldir commented from beside Galadriel. "My scouts have sent messages that the passage north is still heavily plagued with Orcs so I suggest you backtrack through the Redhorn Pass."
Elrohir nodded politely. "I thank you for the news, March Warden."
Haldir smiled and approached as Indil waved frantically at him. "I see you, Indil. Do not fall off your mount, child, for my sake." He stood close and met the little girl's stormy eyes. "What is it, tithen aras?"
She stared down at him with uncertainly shining in the depths of her gaze. "I am afraid I won't see you again, Haldir. Can I not stay here and live in a tree with you?"
Elrohir laughed until he found a pair of piercing mist-colored eyes upon him.
Haldir shook his head. "I wish that could be, but you belong with your people. I promise you that should I ever cross the Misty Mountains that I will seek you out."
Indil felt a little of her sadness disappear. "May I touch your hair again?"
He felt his cheeks grow heated at her request as Elrohir and Elladan both chuckled behind pursed lips. The seconds seemed to stretch out into years as he tried to think of a way to avoid her appeal, but in the end he nodded. "You may, Indil."
She reached down and laid her hand on the crown of his head. Her small fingers feeling each individual strand of the hair that so fascinated her. Finally, when she felt satisfied, Indil pulled her hand away. "I will always think of you as Haldir Gilfinnel," she pronounced with a smile.
"Star-hair?" Elladan quipped. "How droll."
Elrohir stifled a laugh. "I think that we should be on our way."
"The road is long and dangerous," Galadriel stated gently. "May the blessings of the Valar be visited upon you all."
Elladan smiled at the beautiful Elf. "Namárie, nín Brennil."
"Namárie," she answered quietly as they began to trot away.
Indil smiled when she saw that Falathar had fallen asleep once more against the strong chest of Elladan. She turned and peeked around Elrohir's arm to see Haldir still watching her as he stood beside Galadriel. "Farewell, Gilfinnel! Peace upon you!"
Haldir watched with a straight face that belied the laughter in his heart. It took a great effort on Elrohir's part to control his horse and make Indil face forward at the same time. He knew without a doubt that she would cause the two brothers no end of grief and it gave him great delight.
His Elven eyes tracked them for a long time until they broke into a cantor and disappeared over the small hill that led to the main gate of Caras Galadon. It was only then that he touched his hair discreetly while following Galadriel back to her talan and wondered what the child's obsession was with his hair.
~*~*~*~
Noro lim, roch bain - ride fast, fair horse
muindor - brother
nín mell - my dear
brennil - lady
tithen aras - little deer
Namárie - farewell~*~*~*~
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