Title & Chapter Number: An Unexpected Love 11-12/26
Author(s): - Author's Index
Website: Éowyn's Musings
Fandom: Middle Earth
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: All characters are J.R.R. Tolkien's, well; I'm playing with their feelings a bit :) I'm not writing to make any profit but for writing's sake, and because I love the world of Middle-Earth.
Warnings: Angst (I guess).
Betas: Undomiel ... you're a gem :)
Cast: Haldir/Éowyn
Timeline: TTT Movieverse AU
Spoilers: Some for Books & Movies
Summary: After loosing Aragorn to Legolas a broken and angry Éowyn finds love where she least expected it...
Notes: Haldir did not die at Helm's Deep, or did you see a grave? Basically I'm following the books and the movies. However I made some "slight" alterations :) Aragorn isn't in love with Arwen but with Legolas and they are already bound. Also, Éomer wasn't exiled but went to Helm's Deep with the rest of Théoden's army.
Chapter 11 – Cover of Darkness
Translation of Elvish: Nín anoriel – my sun-maiden. Meleth nín – my love.
They had rested shortly around mid-day. Now the host of Rohan was once again moving in the darkness of Sauron. Only the torches they bore lit the path. Silence had fallen once they had left Edoras behind, everyone was thinking of what they had just parted with, what they might never see again. Everyone except for one person. The young warrior who now rode with the elves of Lothlórien and Rivendell, Dernhelm.
Éowyn was still relieved that so far her charade had passed unnoticed, especially by her brother and the King. Just when she was about to mount her steed again after the small pause, Elfhelm had approached her. Her heart had sunken, had she been found out? No, that could not be for the Marshal was smiling and said, "The captain of the elves has been to me ... he's wondering if someone would be so kind and tell him a bit more about Rohan and the area we're in currently. He's mentioned you as he already knows you." Éowyn bowed, fighting hard to keep back the laughter that was filling her heart. 'Haldir, if you continue like this, my true identity will be revealed in no time at all.'
Still, she had gladly joined the elves. Their soft voices were like music in her ears, and then she was with her love. Haldir was once again in the armour he had worn at Helm's Deep. The skilled armourers of Edoras had restored it to its former glory. His long hair was falling about his shoulders like a river of liquid silver. It became more and more unbearable not to be able to reach out to him.
Haldir felt the same way. He tried to fix his mind on the words he heard from her sweet lips, tried to concentrate on the nature around him. But her mere presence was touching his very soul. He knew that his comrades felt the change in him; they kept smiling at each other when they thought that he was not looking. And clearly they had also perceived who the person behind Dernhelm was. But he also knew that their secret was save, still.
He disapproved of Éowyn's decision to take the hobbit with her. There was nothing he could do to assist them in battle, and the chances that he was found out were quite high. And if Meriadoc's presence was revealed, how long would it take for Éowyn's mask to fall as well? And if she was found, what would then happen to her? Would she be send back to Edoras? He glanced at her; her shining eyes mirrored the light of the torches.
Éowyn caught Haldir's eye, seeing distress in them. She smiled while talking of the history of the Eastfold, the area of Rohan they were currently passing through. And yet her mind was pondering over the expression upon her beloved's face. What troubled him so? She longed to touch him, comfort him. 'Meleth nín', she thought to herself, 'what disturbs you so?'
~*~*~*~
The host was moving at a moderate speed, to save the horses for the last part of their journey. But still they had put quite some distance between them and Edoras when at last they stopped for the night. Éowyn had brought Meriadoc some of her own food and was now sitting among the elves again. Their glances at her told her that they knew exactly who she was. But they smiled, and looked from her to their captain and back. She needed to speak with him freely, longed to feel his arms around her, her lips aching to meet his. But how could she get him away from the main body of the troop. Then she finally remembered a small spring that was not far from their camp. And summoning all her courage she spoke out her thought, “My Lord Haldir, there is a place not far from here that you might enjoy to see.” His eyes were unreadable; still he nodded and got to his feet.
Silently they walked side by side. The only source of light was the soft gleaming of Haldir’s elven skin and his silver hair. When they had left the last sentry behind them Haldir turned abruptly and took Éowyn in his arms. Her helmet fell from her head; her hair fell freely again, framing her face. She titled her face upwards to meet his. When their lips met finally all the tension of the day was falling off Éowyn as in an explosion. She moved her arms upwards, closing them around the elf’s neck. She felt the tip of his tongue trailing her lips and when she opened them slightly he entered her mouth and sought out her own tongue. She was clinging to him, nothing was important anymore, just this kiss.
Suddenly his lips left hers and moved down to touch the soft skin of her throat. Éowyn could feel the heat of his hands when he reached up to caress her face. His kisses became frantic, she felt heat build up within her, the longing to be with him would soon be too strong to fight it. ‘No, not here’ a voice at the back of her head said to her, ‘You could be seen.’ Softly she pushed him away a bit, “Haldir,” almost chocking, her voice betraying her own desire. “Not with all the guards around.” Her fingers caressed the smooth skin of his cheeks, and she pulled his face down to kiss his lips again swiftly. “You are killing me,” he whispered hoarsely.
She couldn’t help but pull him into her embrace. “Why would I do that? Why would I kill myself?” and softly she added, “Haldir, meleth nín. I love you.” She heard him whisper soft elvish words into her ear, words of love she knew even though she couldn’t understand them. Reluctantly Haldir eased his hold of Éowyn, now looking down at her, her eye meeting his.
“There is something I need to talk to you about,” he began, “Why did you take the halfling with you? He is putting you in danger as well as himself. Do you not see?” His voice was almost as it had been those days ago when he had lectured her about Legolas and Aragorn. Still, it was different. Something new was in it, his love and concern for her. She couldn’t help but smile at him. “Why does Meriadoc put me in danger, pray tell?”
How could she tease him now, did she not see the seriousness of the situation? “What do you think how long it will be until he is found out? And then, they will ask who it was that took him with him. Your brother will only need to take one look upon you and know you for who you are. What will then become of you?” Éowyn smiled, “Why should they find out about either of us? No one is paying attention to anything but his own thoughts currently. And even though my brother would be furious, he wouldn’t send me back home, isn’t that what you fear?” Her hand reached up to touch his face, “And he couldn’t part me from you anyway.” These words, no matter how plain they might be, reached Haldir’s heart. She was right; his greatest fear was no longer to die, but to be without her.
“Nín anoriel, meleth nín. Do not leave me.” His strong voice now almost breaking. Pulling her back into his arms, he covered her face with kisses. More and more passion built up in both of them, seeking for release. They sank to the ground, not letting go of each other’s lips. They struggled out of their armours, and the voice of reason within Éowyn was getting smaller and smaller. Too great was her need to be with the one she loved.
“Éowyn,” Haldir finally managed to say, “my life.” Then both were consumed by their own desire. Forgetting all around them they lay together in the cover of darkness.
~*~*~*~
Chapter 12 – Journey under the Shadow
Three days had passed since the host had set out from Edoras. Three days in utter darkness, hearts getting heavier with every mile they put between them and their beloved home. But Éowyn was glowing, her heart almost bursting with happiness. She still rode with the elves, always by her lover’s side. Upon the second night Meriadoc had witnessed her helmet falling from her head, revealing her golden hair. “Éowyn,” he had whispered in awe. Haldir had almost strangled him when he pressed the promise out of him not to reveal Dernhelm’s true self. Éowyn could only laugh at this. After all, should the hobbit wish to give her away, he'd also have to reveal his presence, his presence against the order of the King, which was close to treason. Haldir had glared at her, unable to understand her reaction.
With Meriadoc knowing the truth, the journey became almost pleasant. Even though they were riding in an éored with many riders of Rohan, the group of elves kept to themselves. The men stayed some way off, half-fearing, half-admiring the proud warriors of Lórien and Imladris. So no one noticed the swift meetings of their hands or the glances that the two exchanged. No one except the rider who followed them like a shadow.
After the first night, they now stayed with the other elves. They had never seen their captain like this. He was changed, at least as long as they did not say anything negative about her ... Haldir would hold Éowyn in his arms, watch her in her sleep. He still could hardly believe that this was truly happening. That she was here, with him ... his love, his life. The only one who could touch his heart. To think that she was mortal, that she would leave him forever one day ... the feeling was overwhelming. He pulled her closer to him, unwilling to ever let her go.
~*~*~*~
That day they had heard drums all around them. They were now moving through Anórien, last day they had passed the border to Gondor. Wild men lived in these parts it was said, and the proud horsemen were ever watchful. “The Woses,” Éowyn told the elves, “they’ve been living in these parts for ages. They don’t hunt us, and this is lucky. For they use poisoned arrows. But I feel that they want something with us. Can you hear; the drums are getting ever closer to us?” And so it was. When they stopped for the night, they were surrounded by the sound of drums.
Fear and worry grew in Éowyn’s mind; she needed to know what was going on. She turned to the hobbit. “Meriadoc, would you do me a great favour? I need to know what these drums mean. I myself can’t go; the danger that someone could recognize me is too huge. But you, with your elven cloak...” The hobbit bowed, “I will always be grateful to you, my fair Lady. It’ll be an honour to do what you wish of me.” With that he vanished into the darkness.
Haldir could see the unrest of Éowyn, unable to help her. Inwardly he cursed himself. Why did this have to happen now? War was upon them, maybe the last war ever. And only now did he have to find her. He felt helpless, unable to take the agony off her beautiful face. If anyone were to look at her right now, they would see right away who Dernhelm really was. No longer caring if they were found out about he reached his arms around Éowyn’s waist. She leaned against him, resting her weary head against his cheek. “Everything will be alright. You said yourself; these men do not hunt us. They have a different reason for closing in...”
A shadow appeared next to them. A shriek of pain and then something falling to the ground. Éowyn’s head spun around. Meriadoc lay at her feet; she herself stared into the flaring eyes of her brother. “Éomer,” she whispered. Quickly she withdrew from Haldir’s arms, eyes lowered. “I have found your little sentry, sister.” Her head snapped up, he knew! “He was unfortunate enough to collide with me as he was crawling back here.”
“Let me explain...” Éomer’s hand closed around her chin and she gasped in pain. “I don’t want to hear your explanations. It’s clear that you decided not to be left behind for once. Sister, do you really think we did this because we think you’re too weak to fight? We love you! This was done for your safety!” Éowyn’s eyes shot bolts of fire at him, “My safety, how dare you talk of my safety! If you’d fail in this battle, what safety could there be for me? None, and you know that. Don’t you dare to use it as an excuse, brother!”
Elfhelm had joined them, “My Lord, is everything alright?” Éomer just nodded, “Yes, leave us ... and inform your people that we will leave the road. We will make our path through the hills.” The Marshal looked at him puzzled. “The road is held by orcs. Not many, but they would delay us. Minas Tirith is besieged; we need to get there as soon as possible. The leader of the Wild Men is going to lead us.” Elfhelm looked startled at the news, but bowed to Éomer and turned on his heels.
Éomer now turned to Haldir, “You, you and your people will leave us here. I don’t care where you go, but you’ll leave! I thought you were a friend of Rohan, but you really are a thief and a traitor. You should have told me of Éowyn’s plan, but instead you seduced her!” He drew his sword, “Go or I will kill you myself. I warned you...” Haldir’s hand moved to the hilt of his own sword and only stopped when he felt Éowyn’s small hand on his.
“I remember, but you said you would kill him who hurt her. If ever I did I would kill myself before you could even reach me.” His voice was filled with anger, Éomer had challenged him, his pride was screaming for revenge. But then he looked into Éowyn’s eyes, no; he could not raise his sword against her brother. It would destroy her if he, the one she loved, hurt or even killed Éomer, her beloved brother.
“Éomer, you couldn’t have stopped me. Only had you chained me in the prisons of Edoras would I have stayed behind. Haldir knew that it was hopeless to try to talk me out of my plan. But he had one condition, that he would get the horses he had asked for and would be able to ride with me.” Éomer was not finished yet, “He seduced you didn’t he?” – “I love him,” she screamed at him.
By now everyone around them knew who she was. Lady Éowyn, she had come with them. It filled their heart with joy that their proud Shield-maiden was amongst them. They all would willingly give their lives defending her.
“You what? And what of Aragorn? I remember very clearly your tears over the ranger.” How could she love the elf, she had told him again and again how arrogant and terrible Haldir was. “I was meant to meet Aragorn as only through him could I recognize the one that was meant for me. The only one who could fill my heart with all the love that is in this world.” She reached out for his face, stroking his cheek, “Brother, my feelings for Aragorn were nothing compared to what I feel for Haldir. I have tried to fight my love, but it was stronger. I love him; he’s everything to me. Please ... don’t hate me for not telling you. But I was so afraid of your reaction.”
Slowly Éomer cupped his sister’s hand in his, pulling it down to his lips, kissing her fingers softly. “Beloved Éowyn. If this indeed is your destiny who am I to stand in your path. The King must not know of this of course. He’d send you back to Edoras.” He swallowed hard and turned to Haldir, eyes still filled with rage. “You will be responsible for her safety. I put her into your hands; she’s most precious to me. If anything should happen to her, you will have to answer to me.”
For a last time he looked into Éowyn’s eyes again, “I have to return now. Make ready to move out. Sister, be careful ... we are less than a day from the outer wall of the Fields of the Pelennor.” He drew her into a tight embrace and then quickly broke it and left.
Éowyn stared after him. She could feel Haldir’s arms close around her. She sighed, leaning back against his strong body, heard him whisper to her, “Meleth nín. I will hold to what your brother asked of me. Not because of him, but because I could not live without you.” She turned around in his arms, her lips meeting his in a passionate kiss. “I will remind you of that, my Lord of Night and Silver,” she whispered when she finally broke away. “You shan’t forget these words, ever.”
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