Title & Chapter Number: An Unexpected Love 15-16/26
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 15 - Sweet Revenge
Éowyn was asleep, her head resting against Haldir's chest. He had taken off his armour and was once again dressed in the garb of Lothlórien. Her small right hand lay in his; the warmth that he now felt returning to it filled his heart with so much joy that he feared it might burst. His left arm was lying over her waist, careful not to touch her broken arm. 'She is alive,' he kept repeating to himself, still hardly able to believe it.
The first rays of the rising sun entered the chamber and touched Éowyn's face. A smile appeared on her features, and with a loud sigh she opened her eyes. "Haldir," she whispered while turning in his embrace until she gasped with pain. "Your left arm, it is broken. Do you not remember?" Slowly she nodded, tears filling her eyes. "I do remember. The King, he is dead, isn't he? What of Meriadoc?"
Haldir leaned down and kissed his beloved's brow. "He is safe, he will live. Aragorn has healed you both." She could see uneasiness in his eyes when he mentioned the ranger's name. She took Haldir's hand in hers and raised it to her lips, kissing it softly. "Don't fear him, Haldir. I love you, I always will."
Slowly Haldir withdrew his hand from her grasp and she let it go reluctantly. He raised himself from the bed, carefully laying her back onto the cushions. All night he had been pondering over one thing. Aragorn had been able to heal her, while he, Haldir, had not been able to help her in any way. He knew it was folly, the ranger was happy with Legolas. Slowly he turned back to the bed, "Nín anoriel, I better go and ask one of the healers to look at you."
When he opened the door he almost collided with the Prince of Mirkwood. Legolas' blue eyes looked at him in question, and Haldir nodded. "She is awake, I am on my way to seek for one of the healers. Her broken arm gives her pain..." Legolas smiled at his friend, "Haldir of Lórien, she really changed you."
Éowyn's face seemed to glow when Legolas looked at her, no wonder why his friend loved her. "How fare you, my lady?" The woman sighed deeply before answering, "What do you think, with your friend around me?" She raised her eyes to the heavens in mockery. "Really, you must be the most evil elf that ever roamed this earth. You could have warned me." The Prince smiled and replied, "Well, at least I had something good to think of while," his face darkened as he continued, "while we ventured upon the road Aragorn had chosen for us."
She nodded and reached out for his hand, squeezing it lightly. "I have thought of you as well. And since the day I finally allowed my own feelings ... well, I know how much you mean to Haldir. It would have been very hard on him if he had lost you." Legolas sat down by Éowyn's side. "Not as much as your death, fair Éowyn. He was mad with grief and almost challenged Aragorn." She looked at the elf in doubt, "What do you mean? Not because he still thinks..." - "No, Aragorn was unsure of his healing powers, as he is unsure of everything except for one..." Éowyn could hardly believe her eyes but the elf actually blushed.
Teasingly she said, "Well, I wonder what that might be..." Then she continued solemnly, "I thought that I would be the reason for Haldir's death once, I still do. But he won't let me fight him any longer. And I've not the strength to fight both him and my own heart... You were right, my feelings for Aragorn were nothing compared to this. It's as if I had not really lived before he entered my life. Though at first..." Legolas continued for her, "Though at first you would have preferred to kill him. Yes, he has this effect on people."
Éowyn looked at the elf in surprise. He was Haldir's friend; he was supposed to point out Haldir's virtues to her. "If you keep telling me what a terrible person he is I might have to reconsider my feelings for him," she suggested with a wicked grin. "It is not as if you did not know this already." But then he clasped her hand in his and stared at her in earnest. "This battle that raged within you is nothing compared to what must have gone on within him. The fact that you are mortal..." Tears started to appear in Éowyn's eyes, she couldn't speak and so she only nodded.
"But then, it is his destiny to be with you. And who knows, there might be a way that you can be together, forever." Forcing herself to stop crying she was able to ask, "What way?" Legolas smiled knowingly, "That I cannot tell you, not now. But one day you will be standing at a crossroad. The path that you will chose then might change your life, for all times." Before Éowyn could say anything in reply the door opened and Haldir returned with a healer. Legolas rose and bowed to Éowyn, kissing her small hand. "Namarie." And with a nod to Haldir he left the room.
"I hope he did not speak too badly of me," Haldir asked half joking, half concerned. "He didn't say anything I didn't know already ... except perhaps..." The elf read his love's mind and answered the question before it had been asked, "Farewell, he only bid you farewell. I think someone should teach you a bit about our language, though of course I will never be tired of explaining everything to you. Lord Elrond perhaps, one day..." Éowyn smiled, "I would love that."
The healer just shook his head, `Elves, you can't understand them. The poor woman...' A genuine smile appeared on his face as he looked at Éowyn's right arm. "That ranger really knows how to heal someone..." Éowyn almost blurted out Aragorn's true identity, only in time did she saw the warning on Haldir's face. The man now continued with Éowyn's left arm, "It'll take time to mend, but it shouldn't hurt anymore as of tomorrow. But that ranger, Aragorn was his name, yes, Aragorn said that you should remain in bed for at least ten days."
Hearing this, a broad smile formed on Haldir's features and Éowyn couldn't help asking herself why he was grinning. Then understanding dawned on her, now she would be the patient and he would be able to repay her for the kindness she had shown to him. Involuntarily she shivered at the thought, remembering her own beastly behaviour.
The healer turned to Haldir and handed him a small bag. "I found a some more athe... ehm, Kingsfoil. I thought you could bathe her hand again." He hated all these elvish words. Why couldn't people just stick with their own language? Nodding to Éowyn he swept out of the room.
"How on earth could this creature become a healer? He does not even know athelas." His arrogance had been something she first thought appalling, now she loved it as much as everything about the elf before her. "Ten days he said? Well, I for one will surely enjoy these ten days." Now the teasing tone in his voice was unmistakable. He would make her pay for her behaviour.
"You know of course that I'm supposed to rest these ten days. Undisturbed." Pride filled her eyes, unwillingness to be subdued. "Well, I think Legolas told you of my flaws ... I tend to forget the needs of others over my own." He smiled at her while stepping up to her bed. "Aren't you forgetting something, meleth nín? My arm is broken, and I really should not..." her remarks were stopped by Haldir's lips that brushed over hers.
A moan escaped her throat as she pulled Haldir's head down towards her. Too soon the elf broke the kiss, eyes filled with concern. "No we should not ... you are right ... you should rest. We have all this time ahead of us. Forgive me, nín anoriel, cuiamin." As he saw Éowyn's raised eyebrow he added with a chuckle, "my life."
~*~*~*~
Chapter 16 - Joy and Sorrow
The scent of athelas once more filled the room. But instead of her right hand, Haldir bathed her left in the healing water. If athelas could safe her from gliding into the shadow-world, maybe it could also speed up the mending of her broken bones.
He had almost lost his self-control earlier that day. It filled him with shame how close he had been to taking her. Not against her will that had been obvious, but she was hurt, had barely survived. And he could only think of lying with her, and by doing so driving the threat of Aragorn from his mind forever.
Why was he feeling this way? Aragorn was bound to Legolas, the love they shared apparent whenever they were together. And still. Haldir knew that the future king of Gondor would not turn Éowyn down if she pursued him seriously. He would share his body with her but never the depth of his heart. Or would he? He forced himself to concentrate on tending Éowyn's hand. There was no reason for all these thoughts after all. She was here, with him. Had told him time and time again that she loved him, wanted to be with no one but him.
Yes, ever since she had been woken to new life by Aragorn, she had only tried to console him. When would she break down herself? Théoden was dead, her beloved uncle had left her for all eternity and she had not yet shed even one tear over it. Only on the battlefield, when she was lying in Haldir's arms had she cried out in pain. But he feared that this grief would consume her sooner or later, and he prayed that he would be there to hold her when that time would come.
Éowyn watched her love through half-opened eyes. His face was solemn, a mask of concentration. But she also felt a battle raging through him. Was it still the one Legolas had told her about? Had he finally seen how fragile she, a mortal, really was? She longed to tell him that they would always be together, but they both would know it for a lie. What of that way Legolas had mentioned? Why hadn't the Elven Prince told her more about it? All she longed for was to be with the one before her, for as long as possible. Her heart was filled with a love she never knew existed.
The pain in her broken arm slowly subsided, warmth spread over her whole body like a soft blanket. She smiled and caught the elf's eyes. "Meleth nín, who said that you were no healer? I feel no more pain, thanks to you." Haldir smiled weakly, "All I can do is copy things others did before me. Aragorn is the true healer; I owe my life to him. Had he not been able to heal you..." - "... you would have killed him?" Éowyn suggested and, seeing the astonished look upon the elf's face, she added, "Legolas told me of your outburst."
Haldir turned away before he replied, "Had he failed, my life would have been undone. You are everything to me, cuiamin. Amin mela le, I love you." Softly she touched his chin, turning his head back to face her. "What has brought you into my life, my Lord of Night and Silver? What did I ever do to deserve this? You might not be a healer of the body, but you are a healer nevertheless. You healed my soul." And trying hard to remember all the beautiful elvish words she had heard from her beloved's lips, she repeated them, needing to show him how deep her feelings ran. "Meleth nín, cuiamin. Amin mela le."
Those words reached his soul. Never had he thought he would hear them from anyone. How could anyone truly love him, the proud and arrogant Chief Guardian of the Golden Wood? And he had not longed for it either. He had not missed these words, but now they were all that mattered in his world. This woman, this frail mortal, whom he had hated at first, had become his world. His soul screamed, `My Lady, show me that way you told me about. For I cannot be without her.'
And inside his head a voice answered; the low voice of Galadriel, `When you return, Haldir, when you return with her. Bring your sun to Lórien and your questions shall be answered. Do not be afraid to reveal yourself to her, your soul. For she is your true love. Elbereth herself smiles upon you... Namarie.'
Éowyn looked at him baffled. His eyes had suddenly seemed so distant even though they were still fixed upon her. As if he didn't see her but something far away. "Haldir?" The elf smiled, cupping her face in his hands. "Nín anoriel, if we live still when the last battle has been fought, will you come with me to Lórien? Will you see the Golden Wood with me?"
Her heart answered before she could even think about her reply, "Yes, yes. Oh Haldir, I will. But..." finally the things that had come to pass the previous day flashed back into her mind, "But first I have to go home, to Edoras. If we survive this, I first have to see my Uncle put to rest. Only then will I be free to do what you ask of me..." Tears welled from her eyes and Haldir took her into his arms.
~*~*~*~
So Éomer found them an hour later. When he heard the King of Rohan enter, Haldir turned his head towards him and he inclined his head in greeting. Slowly he let go of Éowyn, who was looking so forlorn that it almost broke his heart to move away from her. He kissed her softly on the forehead and left the siblings alone.
Now Éomer sat by his sister's side, holding her in his arms. "Why Éomer, why did he have to leave us so soon? Why couldn't he stay? First Theódred and now..." she whispered between sobs. "Beloved sister, he is with his forefathers now, his wife, his son. He died nobly on the battlefield. We should honour him for what he has done for Rohan in his long years. Let's forget about the days of Gríma, remember how proudly he rode into the final battle. I only wish he had known that you were there..."
She clung to him, her beloved brother who now was the King of the Riddermark. And as king he would surely... "Éomer, what are you going to do now? This was the first battle with Sauron, how many will follow?" Once again he marvelled at how quick her mind worked. "The Captains of the West, including me, will set out the day after tomorrow again. We will lead our troops to the Black Gate. Gandalf says that we have to keep the Eye of Sauron from his own country... I believe this has something to do with Isildur's Bane, but what it is, he would not tell. You know the wizard." Both of them smiled at these last words.
"Promise me to return," before Éomer could reply anything she added, "Just promise it. Let me have this promise to hold on to while you walk a road that might lead to the end for all of us." Slowly he nodded, "I promise." Éowyn now forced herself to think of something but the perilous future that lay before her brother. "How is the halfling, Meriadoc?" Only now had she remembered her companion and brother in arms.
"Aragorn healed him, as he healed you and the new Stewart of Gondor, Faramir. Denethor apparently lost the little bit of mind that he had and burned himself, trying to take his son with him. But Gandalf and yet another halfling by the name of Peregrin saved Faramir in the nick of time. I believe that both halflings will pay you a visit very soon. They are eager to see both you and Haldir. And I believe that this time the elf will prefer to stay behind, with you." She could hear a low chuckle come from her brother's throat.
"Hmm, can I choose?" she teased. "No, I think I've had enough bloodshed for a while. I will stay were I am, and I believe that Haldir will do so, too." Éomer smiled. "I thought as much." Then he became stern again, "Are you sure that he's good for you. All the things that have happened to you of late, you could be mistaken..." She silenced him with a finger on his mouth. "I love him, and he loves me. Brother, please ... try to understand. And if you can't, at least accept it. I couldn't choose between you two. It would tear me apart."
He grasped her hand and withdrew it from his lips. "Éowyn, I'm not saying that I approve of it. But then, I've never seen you like this before. A light is shining from within you, a light that I have not seen before. And I know he's the reason for it. But be warned, if ever he hurts you..." A voice from the door finished for him, "... you will make me pay for it. Yes, I know that Éomer. And I give you my word that I would rather die than cause your sister pain." Éomer glared at the elf and for a moment Éowyn feared that he might forget his words.
But then she saw a smile appear on his face. "I think this might interest you Master Elf. Your Lord and Lady are sending a small host of archers to join us in our final battle. A messenger has brought the news this morning. They will arrive the day after tomorrow. And I guess you'll be even more interested in the two warriors that will lead them here. Two elves by the names of Rúmil and Orophin..."
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