Title & Chapter Number: Clash of Wills 1/3
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: Middle Earth
Rating: PG13 +
Disclaimer: LOTR characters are not mine and I write only for non-monetary reasons
Warnings: Some violence
Betas: Julie
Cast: Haldir, Orophin, Rumil, other character's I have created…
Timeline: Sometime before Helms Deep
Spoilers: None
Summary: Haldir meets feisty half elf - lots of Haldir interaction!
Notes: Haldir lives/ alternate ending to Helm's Deep
Ananynse shifted to her side, the sharp stones beneath her poking through her cloak as she tried to find a somewhat comfortable position on the granite rock she lay across. The wind rustled the leaves of the birch tree above her as she slid over a couple more feet. The snoring lumps of her men across from the glowing coals of the banked fire flickered against the darker backdrop of the forest edge a hundred yards behind them. This close to a more comfortable bed, and yet she dared not lead them into even a few feet of the forest.
Their way through this land of rock and more rock at the foot of the mountains was dangerous enough with the bands of patrolling Orcs from the Mines of Moria to their west and from Mordor to the southeast, but the rumors of the elves within the Golden Wood and their protection of their borders she knew were not exaggerated. There was more chance of being shot on site first, and questions asked later that she dared not take any chance there.
She sighed as the rocks beneath her seemed to dig in further and finally sat up, rubbing her hip as she leaned over her knees. The fire barely gave out much light, banked as it was and shielded from view by the overhang of rock. The lone tree she sat beneath brushed it branches on the overhang and enclosed the area fairly well for them to be hidden enough to get some quick rest.
She pulled her heavy braid of copper hair to hang over her shoulder and adjusted the band that held it tightly braided. It's silkiness was always a problem and she usually pulled it as tight as possible, or else seemed to have a mind of it's own. But her hair was her one concession as otherwise from a distance, she looked like one of her men. The tunic and leggings were loose enough that they did not reveal her thin figure, not that there was much there to begin with, and with her cloak and helmet, most could not tell she was female even at close range. Until they saw the braid, and then her dark eyes. Try as she might she could not change the long lashes that framed the dark brown of her eyes, and the high arching brows that spoke of her Elvish heritage. The hair was pulled tightly back over the tips of her ears, then braided, falling to her waist when free, but hanging to the middle of her back while braided. Giving the band a final twist she rubbed her hands to warm them as she stared into the glowing coals.
Was it only a year ago that she'd left home? It seemed like a lifetime. Home, she laughed to herself, was it really that? Grimacing she reached into her belt pouch pulling out a small piece of dried fruit and began to slowly chew. They had followed the Old Forest Road through the forests of Rhovanion, fighting several patrols of Orcs there, the darkness creeping ever further toward her lands. Her home in the Erid Mithrin, the Grey Mountains, had been harsh. It was a land that was not forgiving, but she now was the Oracle of Mithrin, now that her mother was dead. Dead, and why was she here, on the borders of Lothlorien, Moria and the light knows what sorts of dangers, on a quest to find answers.
She scratched the back of her head, the last couple weeks of travel had not given them any time to stop long, and too far from the Anduin to take a least a quick dip. Light! She'd lay down in even a few inches of water if it meant she could be clean again. But the last bath, she had to laugh at that, the last bath had been the fall into the stream as they had passed through Rhovanion, the forests of Mirkwood were dark, but not as dark as her visions. Her latest vision completely overtook her, and if it hadn't been for Delvan, she'd be lying there still. She laid her forehead on her knees as she rubbed her arms. The wind seemed to swirl about the small cavern, and the coals of the fire burned a bit brighter with the gust of air.
Dead, just over a year ago. Still she could hardly believe it, her mother, gone into the shadow. She betrayed you, betrayed your people. How could she do it? Because she didn't consider them her people, Ananynse grimaced. They only tolerated her mother over the years, first because of her marriage to King Thodren, and then because of her visions. They had protected the Mithrin for over two hundred years, long enough for her daughter to grow up, and begin to see visions of her own. But Ananynse's visions were different. They always had been, so dark, so despairing. She grew afraid to touch anyone, so many deaths she saw. Only the barest touch would send her reeling, and of late, unconscious. What did it all mean? She looked up as the sky began to lighten slightly, and stood, stretching the tight muscles. Walking over to where the sentry stood she knelt beside him as he sat looking toward the wood.
"You've been thinking of your mother again." Delvan whispered, turning his head toward her with a frown.
Ananynse grinned, her teeth a white flash in the darkness, "You know me too well I'm afraid, Delvan."
"You have to let it go, it was not your fault, Deyanan did what she had to do, she wanted more power. You know this. She wanted revenge, Ananynse. For all the supposed wrongs we did to her, after all these years. Why didn't she just leave after Thodren's death? She could have gone back to her people, she was fully Elven."
Ananynse frowned, "She couldn't bear the thought that she might be disgraced, living with a mortal and bearing him a child. I don't understand why she felt that way; Elrond himself is half Noldor, half human, yet he leads the Rivendell Elves as always." She shook her head. "I think she was taken by the shadow long ago, I just couldn't see it. It was only realizing her "visions" were not really anything but pure fiction anymore made me suspicious." Ananynse stood, "It's time to get moving, with luck we'll be out of these lands by nightfall and mayhap even get close to the river to camp by." She grinned at the sour look Delvan gave her."I fear we will not leave the Golden wood behind just yet, The river Anduin splits as it heads south along the eastern borders of Lothlorien and is where I thought we'd make camp before nightfall." He looked over to the wood again, the trees starting to become more distinct as the light brightened in the sky overhead. "I fear we may catch their attention, skirting their borders as we are, but who knows. If they were watching us now, we'd not know it."
~*~*~*~
The splash of water against her boots was welcome as they crossed a narrow span of tumbled rocks, the water flowing strongly here but not too deep. They spread out as they reached the bank, and ran quickly along the rivers edge. Ananynse looked at it longingly as they ran, the river to the left side and the Golden wood to their right. A shiver ran up her spine as the men behind her loped easily along. She glanced at the wood, but only the trees looked back. She'd felt an uneasiness all day, since leaving the rocky ledge this morning. Glancing back at the trees there was only one reason why. She raised a hand and they stopped, gathering about her as she whistled a piercing note in the air. In moments Delvan ran up to them, breathing hard.
"An Orc patrol a couple leagues back, didn't seem to be on our trail, maybe just using the same path, although I'm surprised they'd get this close to the wood." He looked behind him." I suggest we keep on till nightfall and hopefully we can find a place away from the trail."
Ananynse nodded and Delvan turned back. A couple leagues more they slowed, the trail veered off to the left crossing the river again. They left the trail to follow the riverbank further south until finally stopping at a small grove of trees on the rivers edge. The Golden wood sat back away from the river here as it branched off into a smaller stream that flowed into the forest. Slipping her quiver and sword from her back she sat down, stretching the tired muscles in her legs. A few moments and Delvan reached them, squatting down beside her.
"The Orcs turned off a few leagues back. But I don't trust them."
"Double the guard tonight, but we all need a rest. No fires. I've felt uneasy all day today, I have a feeling we've had more company than the Orcs behind us."
Haldir stood in the cleft of the branches of the tree, watching the group of men make camp near the edge of the river. The Elves had tracked them for days now, waiting to see if they would turn into the Wood, but they only skirted the forest. The Orc patrol stayed a few miles behind them, unaware of a quarry just ahead. They could thank the wind for that, blowing continuously from the north these last few days, but their luck would more likely change soon, he felt the wind shifting slightly. He could leave them to their fate, but something about the men in the group didn't seem right. With a slight motion another elf lowered himself quickly to the ground, creeping silently to the edge of the forest. Even here, where the trees thinned, the elves melted into the trees. Settling himself into the branches of the tree, he adjusted the bow on his back, and leaned against the trunk of the tree. The other elves settled in for the night, two heading north to watch the Orc patrol. The light deepened to it's purple twilight as the Evening star rose, the sky clear. Haldir's vision did not dim in the darkness and he made out the shapes of the men as they settled down easily. Rumil had moved close to the group, his shadow blurring the trunk of the tree he knelt behind. The men talked softly, and as he watched, the smaller one that led them, rose to walk along the bank of the river. Haldir leaned forward, as he watched, another one broke from the group, following. Whistling almost soundlessly, Rumil turned, and with a wave disappeared into the trees behind them.Ananynse knelt along the bank, and pulled the helmet from her head, reaching down to splash water on her face. Delvan sat down next to her.
"I have double guards set, and will relieve them in a few hours." She smiled and sat back, "I'll be glad to leave this land behind. Once we reach Gondor, we shall be able to relax for once. You think the Orcs have gone? We have been lucky with the wind at our backs, were it to change they would catch our scent and be on us."
Standing up she pulled the quiver from her back, and removed her scabbard. She pulled out the sword slightly, checking the edge, then slid it back into place. Nodding to Delvan she walked back to the edge of clearing, and pulled her cloak tight about her as she laid down, laying the quiver and scabbard next to her. She checked the knives she carried in her boots, then laid down, staring at the stars above her. The wind shifted slightly and she turned her head to stare at the trees that stood only a few feet away. The shadows danced as the breezes whispered through the branches. She looked back up at the sky, then glanced quickly out of the corner of her eyes and yes, the shadows did not lie. Not only did she have her own guard this night, but an Elvish one as well. What did they want? They had not crossed into their territory except for this night. If they thought she was a threat, they'd be dead now. No, something had caught their interest, and she smiled. In the morning, she'd give them a reason. Laughing to herself she closed her eyes and slept.
~*~*~*~
Rumil knelt next to the tree and pulled an arrow from his quiver, running his fingers through the fletching, smoothing them. The woman had lain down again, near the others, the one she had called Delvan still sat by the river. He shook his head. Haldir would be most interested to know the leader of this band was a woman. He smiled as he watched her shift to get more comfortable. Why they were headed to Gondor , he did not know, but her weapons and the dress of her men told him she was of the Mithrin. Only one was known for the flaming copper hair that this one had. Galadriel, the lady of the wood might like to know her kin was traveling but a few miles from her. But that was for Haldir to decide. He settled down to wait for the morning.
~*~*~*~
Ananynse sat up as the wind picked up, blowing bits of sand in her face waking her. The moon was setting and the air was crisp with a bite of a cold damp breeze from the south. The wind had changed, but hopefully the Orc Patrol was far enough away to not notice them. At any rate, morning would break soon and if she wanted to take advantage of the river, the time was now. She rose silently, striding back along the bank, out of sight of the men behind her. Delvan stirred as she passed him, rising quickly as she slipped by him.
"You not thinking what I think you are." He whispered as he reached her, grabbing her arm.
"Yes I am, it's been almost a month, and I can't stand it anymore."
He growled low in his throat, "And if you are right about the elves?"
"Then they'll get a nice show, won't they."
She smiled as she stopped. Delvan groaned.
"Ananynse, this is madness, it's too damn cold, for one thing…" he stopped as she turned toward him, one long eyebrow raised in question as she dropped her quiver and scabbard on the bank. Seeing she was not going to give in he turned stiffly about, "I'll be back here, call if you need me."
Ananynse grinned as he walked back, then turned toward the riverbank as a shiver ran up her spine. Behind her the trees rustled in the wind, and she turned her head quickly as a quiet bird call sounded on the wind. Quickly she pulled off her outer tunic, then sat down to pull off the soft boots, tucking their knives back inside as she slid them off.
Rumil groaned silently as he looked back toward the forest. Had Haldir heard his call? The woman was undressing quickly, and watching her do so was making him extremely uneasy. What was he to do? He sighed in relief as he felt Haldir touch his arm, and turned away quickly, as Haldir looked toward the river bank, his brows raised suddenly in surprise. Turning back to Rumil, he frowned as Rumil smiled and spun, running silently back into the forest.
The sky was turning a bright pink as he turned back toward the river. A Mithrin, as he had thought, or should he say The Mithrin. The Oracle of their sect was well known for her visions. He had heard rumors that she had left her city. Galadriel, the lady of the wood, would be interested to know she was so close, but as yet she had not approached the Golden Wood. The woman stood on the bank, now, and Haldir's eyes narrowed as her shirt slid down her back, as she struggled with the ties that bound it tightly to her wrists. Her back was smooth in the dim light, but even so, Haldir could see the scars that crisscrossed it. Turning his head he waited until he heard the splash from her entering the water, and then strode quickly to the edge of the bank. He sat down on a rock, knowing he was in full sight once she broke back through the water, and he turned his back to her, glancing back from the corner of his eye as she came up for air. He heard her gasp, but whether from his presence or the cold of the water he was not sure. She stood in the water, her arms creating small waves about her shoulders, the light of the coming dawn reflecting in the surface before her.
"So I do have an Elven escort, how nice of you to drop by." Ananynse grinned, gritting her teeth to stop them from chattering. The elf turned his head slightly, and the early morning light wreathed his head in gold as it came up behind him. He had a strong profile and the long silvery blond hair was pulled back at the sides into a small braid. A long sword rose from his side as he shifted slightly,
"You take many chances, my lady, bathing in a cold stream with an Orc Patrol only few leagues distant."
Ananynse dipped herself further down into the water, swirling it about her. She knew the elves had excellent vision, but she hoped in the dim light that they couldn't see through the water. She really didn't want to have to put on a show, but she would not call for Delvan.
"And who do I have to thank for my guard this night. You've been following us."
Haldir glanced again out of the corner of his eye, turning his head slightly he could see the bank behind her, he scanned it quickly, as the wind had changed in the night and now blew from the south. It did not bode well. "I am Haldir."
"Haldir? I have the March warden of Lothlorien to guard my bath?" Ananynse laughed, then sank back under the water.
Haldir stared at the water in consternation, then shifted quickly as she rose thru the water again, plastering her hair to her head and revealing the slim pointed ears, and the high arching brows. She stood once again with the water lapping about her shoulders.
"I should think the Oracle of the Mithrin might know better than to endanger her men."
Ananynse slapped the water, snorting, "Endanger? What with my guards and yours, I should think we were quite secure."
Haldir turned to face her fully, and she sank rapidly back into the water. The light glinted off his blond hair as he looked down at her sternly. "And do you think we would raise a hand to save you if the Orcs attacked?"
Ananynse gritted her teeth harder as she shivered, "Then why are you here, other than to annoy me."
Haldir turned away again, but not before she saw the slight quirk of his lips. "I suggest you remove from the water, you lips are turning blue. The wind has changed and comes from the south, taking your scent directly to the Orc patrol on the other side of the river. I fear you may not have much time."
Ananynse sighed and then waded out from the water, staring at the elf as he turned away. She grabbed her tunic, wiping the water off the knife she'd held, then sliding it over her damp shoulders. Her fingers shook, she had stayed in the water much longer than she planned. Sliding her breeches up and knotting them quickly she gathered the over tunic and was sliding it over her shoulders when he turned around. She slid the knife into her boots and rose quickly, just as he stepped near her. Reaching up to his neck he unfastened the clip that held his cloak and with a quick movement had it thrown around her shoulders. He turned suddenly as she heard Delvan shout behind her. With a quick nod, Haldir turned and as she watched strode into the forest, in moments lost to sight, even without the cloak she now wore about her shoulders. Fingering the light weave she stared as Delvan gripped her arm.
"Was that an Elf I saw, or do my eyes deceive me?"
Ananynse smiled, as Delvan stared at the cloak. "Yes, Delvan, that was an Elf. The March Warden Haldir himself."
"Haldir? Of Lothlorien? I have heard much of him, why did you not call?"
Ananynse shrugged her shoulders, slipping the scabbard and quiver back over her shoulders. "I was in no danger, Delvan. Rather, he was quite courteous. I think they were curious as to who we were, and why we are here on their borders. I did not give him any answers," she said as she took her bow and helmet from Delvan. "Come, we head for Minis Tirith and The Great Library there."
~*~*~*~
Haldir watched the men as they broke camp, and turned as his scouts ran to him.
"The Orcs have gone back into Moria."
Haldir turned back, watching the river. The men had gathered together and he could see her speaking to them. Quickly they began to disperse, lining in single file as she stood and turned to face where he stood. He stepped back deeper into the shadows of the forest, certain she could not see them, but she had unerringly looked directly in his direction. She wore his cloak still, a long sword and scabbard hanging down her back. Gripping her helmet she walked toward the trees, and behind him the elves drew their bows. He motioned to them and stood as she continued to walk toward the wood, stopping only a few feet from entering the forest itself, waving her men to wait. Turning back she continued the few steps into the forest then stopped, hands on her hips as she looked about. Haldir smiled as he saw the elf perched directly above her look in his direction in question, his bow held ready. Shaking his head he stepped out of the shadow, his brothers stepping behind him.
She raised her eyes to him, tall for a human, she still had to look up at him, and he could see her jaw clench as he looked down at her. "Your cloak, my Lord Haldir?" she said reaching up to remove the quiver.
He shook his head and reached out to stop her, but she stepped back quickly before he could touch her. The sounds of leather and wood creaked loudly as the elves shifted position imperceptibly, and she bowed her head to him briefly.
"I thank you for the loan of your cloak then, someday I will return it to you." She studied the elves behind him for a moment, "I go on to Minis Tirith, to the great library. I may not be able to pass this way again for sometime, and I would appreciate it if you would send greetings to the lady Galadriel. I would come to speak with her, but other things must be done before I can."
Haldir nodded, "I will do so. Perhaps the answers you seek at Minus Tirith could yet be answered by the lady of the wood."
Ananynse looked away for a moment, "There are many things I have yet to seek, My Lord Haldir. Galadriel would answer many, but there are some she may not yet understand. I am led to the White City, and so my fate I must follow. May the light be with you and yours." She bowed once more and turned, looking up into the tree above her. Rumil and Orophin stepped up from behind Haldir.
"She sees much." Orophin murmured in Elvish. Rumil laughed softly, "Nay, I think perhaps it is Haldir who saw too much," as Haldir turned toward them, scowling. "I saw nothing, Rumil, that I have not seen before." Rumil grinned as Haldir brushed by him, winking at Orophin.
"I am not the one who ran at any point," Haldir spoke a moment later and Orophin laughed at Rumil's expression of disgust, slapping him on the back as they slipped into the forest.
~*~*~*~
Ananynse shifted the large scroll from in front of her, the dust floating in the thick smoky air. The candles lit the parchment in front of her, but she still had to squint to read the faded lettering. Her Elven gift from her mother had not been their keen eyesight, but her visions. She had not had one of late, and she began to worry. They had come on so strong before her mother's death. A warning she now knew.
Her mother had betrayed them, seeking power over others she had bargained with the lord of the shadow, and had stood on the crest of the hill, waiting in glee as the Orcs swarmed over the city, only to find her own head one of their trophies.
Ananynse shook her head sadly. She had tried to warn the elders, but they had not believed her, her own mother calling her false! She clenched her teeth in anger and grief. She couldn't let her emotions >control her. She took several deep breaths, fighting the tide of emotion that threatened to engulf her, forcing it back down to where it huddled in the pit of her stomach.
here were the parchments? She only wanted to trace her lineage, but could not find the one she wanted that was written in the common tongue. Of her father's line she knew much, but her mother had refused to tell her of her own. She had never spoken of where she was from, and even her father would not tell. So she could not enter the Golden Wood of Lady Galadriel until she knew for sure whether her history lie. She hoped it was not of the Mirkwood Elves as she had heard since the death of her mother, their leader Thranduil's s opinion of her was not good. It seemed he had much misgivings on a half breed elf. She pulled out another dusty parchment and sighed as it crumbled slightly in her hands. Leaning closer to the candle she paused as she caught the sight of her mother's name. Excitement crept over her as she read, the long list of names leaping out at her. The parchment trembled as her fingers shook, and she carefully laid it on the table. With a deep sigh she pushed the emotions back, her face becoming impassive. So many new questions raced through her mind.
~*~*~*~
Galadriel glided to where Celeborn stood, looking down over the City of Caras Galadon. "She did not come?" he said as she touched his hand, glancing at her. Galadriel stood silent for a moment, then shook her head. "She may come as yet."
Galadriel slowly smiled, her eyes full of sadness. "My mirror shows me many things, and Deyanan's betrayal of the people of Mithrin was a sad day for us." Celeborn sighed as well.
"It was a dark day the moment Deyanan's eyes met those of Thodren. All of her life she wished for something more, how could we have known? She was never happy here, here in the heart of Elevendom, the most beautiful city, and even she could not foresee what the future would bring to her."
"Nay, Celeborn," Galadriel whispered as she turned away, "I think perhaps she did foresee that her life with Thodren would bring much in the way of power. She used her Elven vision, her foresight, to help win him over, but bitterness overcame her when he died. She was never fully accepted by the Mithrin."
"We tried to call her back," Celeborn reached out resting his hand on Galadriel's shoulder, "But she would not come."
Galadriel closed her eyes in sorrow, "And now even her daughter avoids me, what have I done that would bring on this grief." Her shoulder's shook as Celeborn gathered her into his arms.
"No, my love, 'tis not your actions that keep away the daughter of Deyanan. But I think more that she does not know of us, of our kinship. Haldir spoke of her and her wariness to him, I do not think she thought she could come to you, and would be welcome."
"Celeborn, you must try to reach her, speak to her in your mind, she must come back to us." Galadriel cried.
"I will try, my love, but what Elvish traits she has inherited I do not know. Her human blood may be too strong, the emotions interfering with my thoughts."
Galadriel frowned, "Her heart is human, in the mirror I could see, she struggles with the strength of her emotions always, but if she does not let them free, they will destroy her. I feel it strongly, Celeborn. As such, her looks with her fathers hair, sets her apart from all other elves. I fear even here she may feel apart." She turned back toward the city. "I can only hope she will come, and we can speak our hearts to her."
Celeborn nodded, taking her hand, they walked slowly down the steps. "I will have the scouts look for her, we will know if she comes near, and bring her by force, if I must."
~*~*~*~
Ananynse yawned, her jaw cracking, as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, weariness seeping through her bones as she pushed herself up from the ground. So tired, of late. Did the men see it? They were loyal to her, Delvan and his kin. His father's father class=SpellE>father had become her guardian when she was just a child. Unloved by her mother and outcast by the human children, she often was alone. His children had carried on as she lived, and now Delvan stood by her side, his sons ready to take his place when he was gone.
She smiled, and picked up a small stone. Tossing it none too gently, it landed squarely on Delvan's nose as he snored, he sat up abruptly, coughing, and turned toward her scowling.
"Ow, what was that for?" he snorted as he rose, scowling again as she laughed. Pulling the lanky gray hair from his face, he scanned the trees around them. "We travel nearer to Lothlorien," he said as he pulled her to her feet, frowning as she winced slightly. "Do you still insist we must go there? These elves make me uncomfortable, their reputation as fighters are renownd, even to us. This Haldir has quite a reputation of his own. I fear for your safety there, Ananynse. The closer we come to the Anduin, the closer we are also to Mordor. So far we have been lucky, only twice have we encountered the Orc patrols. You fight well, but if we are outnumbered, your life would surely be a great gift to the Lord Sauron. I would rather we keep to the mountain passes and head back to the Grey Mountains. Our city shall be rebuilt, and we can go home."
"Nay, Delvan. You can go home, but my life there is done. I cannot go back. And I do not know where to go forward. I am lost. I have been dreaming much again, I fear the darkness is coming once again. Be on your guard, as I have felt a great uneasiness come upon me this night."
"Then we must hurry, Lothlorien stands another day's march yet." He reached down to gather his weapons when Ananynse froze.
He turned slowly to stare at her, and as her eyes widened in horror he grasped her arms. She fell limp for a moment, struggling to control her breathing as she shook. She stepped back quickly, reaching trembling hands quickly for her bow.
"We are under attack!" she shouted just as the roar of the Orc patrol broke through the trees. He tossed her quiver to her and turned pulling his sword from its sheath, and ran as her arrow plunged into the Orc before him.
He gripped the weapon in both hands, thanking the Elvish traits Ananynse had inherited, and her own skill with the bow. He was good with his swords, but she had surpassed even their best bowmen, and with her knives, he grunted as his sword shuddered against the shield of another Orc, he laughed to himself, with all her knives, she was very deadly. He glanced out of the corner of his eye and could see she still held her ground, the arrows coming from her bow a blur as she fired repeatedly.
A roar behind him made him turn rapidly, swinging the sword around him, he blocked the blow of a huge creature, it's black face engulfed by the helmet it wore. It's huge arm swept him aside as it approached, and Delvan groaned as he hit the ground hard, rolling quickly up behind the Orc as it stalked toward Ananynse. She turned toward him, firing an arrow, and the Orc screeched in anger as the arrow buried itself into its arm. Yanking it out easily the Orc swung his huge blade toward her, but she ducked quickly, spinning around him, as the motion of his blade spun him back toward Delvan. Another arrow lurched him forward toward Delvan and he swung his blade to his right, slicing a deep gash in the Orc's sword hand. It's eyes glowed red madly and it roared, the sound sending chills down Delvan's spine as he leaped back away from the Orc's thrust.
Another arrow from Ananynse as she circled beside Delvan knocked the Orc back a few steps. It broke the arrow that now lodged in its thigh, and came toward them with a speed that surprised him. He leaped forward toward the Orc as it hurled itself toward them, only to find Ananynse slim form between them. She twisted quickly and the Orc's sword sailed harmlessly over her head, but only inches from Delvan's nose as he leaned quickly back away from its path.
The Orc howled its rage and with a motion that was quicker than thought, backhanded Ananynse throwing her several feet into the copse of trees. Delvan glanced toward where she lay, and swung his sword, slicing the ties on the Orcs chest armor. They circled one another and Delvan spun under the Orcs arms as he lunged forward. Their swords clashed with a ring of steel, and Delvan struggled with the Orc as their swords locked momentarily, its deep set red eyes glaring at him in hate. Using it's size the Orc shoved Delvan away, swinging his sword and Delvan gasped as the blade bit into his side. Only a small wound, but Delvan sank momentarily onto one knee as he struggled to regain his breath. He looked up in horror as the Orc swung his blade toward him, and Ananynse leaped before him. The blade caught her fully along one side, and he cringed as he heard it snap, and Ananynse fell, with a loud gasp. He was not yet on his feet when she rolled toward the Orc, her left hand twisting to bring the knife strapped to her wrist into her hand and she plunged it quickly into the Orc's stomach. Grasping her side, she rose to one knee as the Orc roared in pain, and her right hand with its knife flew, slashing at the beast's throat. It staggered back, clutching its throat, the hate emanating from its eyes as it smashed its fist along side of her head. She landed heavily and rolled again, pulling a knife from her boot as Delvan circled behind the Orc, blood running freely from a gash in her head. The knife flew from her hand just a Delvan thrust his sword into the Orc's back and the knife buried itself into the Orc's forehead. Its eyes went dark as it fell heavily to the ground and Ananynse collapsed slowly to the ground. Delvan ran toward her, limping heavily.
"Ananynse, light." He cried as he reached her. Blood ran in small rivulets from the wound in her head, but it was her side that he reached for, the tunic soaked with too much blood. She lay in a daze and he could see her struggling to fight off the pain. Her eyes were bleary as she struggled to sit up, fighting his efforts to keep her still.
"We must go, Delvan. We cannot stay here, you must take me to Lothlorien," she coughed and a small trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth. He grasped her waist as she struggled to stand, his men gathering around them. Bracing her with his arm he pulled her along as they straggled in a weary line.
Ananynse dropped wearily to her knees into the shallow water as they tried to cross the narrow band of water here, her blood spreading out in a watered streak as the river's current washed it down river. Delvan's grip pulled her back onto her feet and they staggered onto the bank. The trees loomed over head as the band entered the shadows of the forest. The men weaved slowly past them into the darkness as Ananynse stopped to catch her breath, the pain in her side engulfing her. She gasped, struggling to gain more air, and leaned over onto her knees as Delvan held her up.
"Come on, Ananynse. By the Gods, these elves better be close by, or I'm afraid you'll not make it much further." He pulled her upright, wrapping his arm around her waist.
Ananynse gasped as the pain swept thru her, and reached up to pull her helmet off with shaking hands. Delvan stopped abruptly as the men in front halted. Heated words trickled into Ananynse head as she shook of the blackness that was threatening to engulf her. "Take me to the front," she gasped as Delvan pulled, half carried her toward the front of the column. Delvan's son Eoin stood nose to nose with an elf, his bloodstained hands gripping his sword, but not drawing it. The others stood warily as Delvan pushed his way forward, reaching Eoin as Ananynse finally pulled off her helmet throwing it to the ground. Staggering slightly when Delvan released her to draw his sword, she pushed past him, halting him as her hand left a bloody imprint on the already filthy sleeve. Looking up through the haze of pain, she straightened slowly as she looked up at the elf.
"I come to seek Galadriel," she coughed, the blood trickling again from her lip, bending slightly as she clutched her side.
Haldir stared at her in amazement, not believing she was even standing, as the woman gasped for breath.
"I shall bring you to Galadriel, but your men must go no further." He said as he stepped forward. The sound of her hand hitting his face was like the crack of a whip as with a blur she swung at him in fury, her eyes blazing through the haze of pain. Haldir looked at her for a second in astonishment, touching the bloody imprint her hand had left behind on his cheek. He looked at the blood on his fingertips, and looked down at her, outraged, when he saw her eyes widen in horror, and she fell forward into his arms. He lowered her quickly to the ground and began to pull away the tunic when Delvan's hand clenched his shoulder. Kneeling over her, Delvan gripped the elf's tunic, pulling him inches from his face.
"If she dies, I kill you." Delvan snarled as he looked into the impassive eyes of the elf.
"She will not die." Haldir said as he pushed him away. He reached into his belt pulling out a small pouch and leaned back over Ananynse. He pulled away part of the tunic, and frowned, motioning to the elves behind him. They quickly disappeared. He lowered his head as he knelt beside her, a soft murmur of Elvish coming from his lips as he whispered into her ear. Delvan leaned forward, their eyes meeting again, his full of fury, Haldir's impassive.
"What are you saying? I want to know what you do, you will not cast a spell over her."
Haldir smiled sardonically, as he sprinkled a small powder into the wound as much he could.
"He only speaks words of healing," Rumil spoke from behind Haldir as he handed him some green leaves. "Haldir is well versed in those arts," he said as Haldir gently laid the leaves over the wound and ripping off a strip of cloth from her tunic hem, bound them around her a best he could. "The powder slows the blood, and the leaves are only to cover the wound." Haldir lifted Ananynse into his arms as Delvan stood also. She curled into a ball of pain as she moaned, and her arm gripped his shoulder as she laid her head on his chest. Her eyes misted with tears that would not fall as she stared up at him, not really seeing him as he strode quickly through the forest. Delvan only a step behind, the men following warily.
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