Title & Chapter Number: Clash of Wills 2.5/3
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
"Haldir," Galadriel said as she glided up behind him. "I need to speak with you." Haldir turned toward her. Resting a hand on his arm she walked with him through the trees, leading him to her small bower. Gliding down the steps she turned as he reached the bottom, staring at the small mirrored pool. "I see many things in my mirror, as you know." Haldir nodded, as she stopped near the mirror. Looking back at him she frowned.
"I cannot let you return just yet to the borders, you must send Rumil and Orophin out on their own. I know it is your watch tomorrow, but I will need you here." Haldir began to disagree, but stopped at the look Galadriel gave him. "You have a connection with Ananynse, whether she will admit it or not. I have seen you look at her. I had thought once she was here she would be more comfortable, but she is not. She is in great danger, Haldir."
Galadriel turned around towards the mirror. " A great darkness is descending upon Middle Earth, Haldir. We have spoken of this before. Mordor grows in strength and Sauron is gathering his armies to him. Our time is coming to a close here." She turned her head toward him. "We have a choice, to stay or not. But does she? Ananynse is half elven, and I cannot say whether the Valar will allow her to come to the Grey Havens or no, but she has some part to play in this future here, I have seen something of it, but not all. But she will not live to play that part if I can not heal her spirit. It grows dark, and despairing, and she will suffer greatly if we cannot force her to release her emotions. I need you, Haldir, to help me."
Haldir stood, "I do not know what I can do, My lady."
Galadriel smiled, walking up to him, she put her hand on his sleeve.
"Don't you? Of anyone here, you make her feel more emotions than anyone, whether it is anger or anything else, it is at least some emotion." She smiled as his eyes narrowed, "You also pride yourself on keeping your emotions buried deep. Maybe you will learn something from her as well." She touched his cheek, and he flinched slightly. "You will stay near her, and I will speak with her to let her know I requested this."
Ananynse sat on the bed, wrapped in only the thin sheet. Haldir sat outside the flet, refusing to come any closer as she taunted him.
" I swear I will run about the city in nothing if you don't bring me back my clothes, and my weapons. I am not an elf and I want my things."
Haldir groaned, shaking his head. "I will speak with Galadriel." He heard the rustle of the sheet and gritted his teeth.
"Well, I am not waiting, I have waited long enough. I hate those dresses." He heard her steps nearer the door and rose, turning as she gripped the sheet to take it off. He caught the sheet as she turned rapidly away and wrapped it back around her, closing his eyes as he did so, but somehow managing not to touch her. Pulling the ends together, he pulled her toward him, "I will speak with Galadriel, but you must be patient." He growled, anger glinting in his eyes. 'I have been forced to keep you safe, but I can not protect you if you run about the city like a, like a "
"Strumpet?" she said as she stared at him. He released her, and stepped back, scornfully.
"I did not say that. I would not insult you so. I will see what I can do." He bowed to her and turned quickly, but stopped at the doorway. "You will stay here. Otherwise I will return with your clothes, but your weapons I will keep."
Ananynse opened her mouth to protest, but snapped it shut at the look he gave her. Striding off down thru the city she could hear him muttering to himself, and grinned.
A few moments later she heard the sound of running feet and stood, as two young elven women hurried into the room. They bowed to her and laid a small pile of clothing on the bed.
"Galadriel said we must help you change, she fears you are going to drive our March Warden insane." They giggled, "Here, it is not all what you brought, but we have tried to replace what you had."
She sorted through the clothing, seeing her breeches, but a new shirt and tunic, in the grey silk that the Galadrim wore. Tossing off the sheet she began to dress, the women helping with the unfamiliar shirt and tunic. She had put on the belt when Haldir strode through the door, carrying her sword, and a bundle, which she hoped had her knives, and also her pack. He eyed her carefully as she took the sword from him, and laid it on the bed. Holding out her hand, he gave her the pack. Frowning, she took it, looked at it for a moment, then grinned suddenly.
"Oh, I almost forgot." She opened the pack and sorted through it, finally pulling out an elven cloak. "I told you I would return it." She said as she handed it back to him. He fingered the wool, then thrust it back to her. "No you keep it, you may have need of it."
She stood staring at him for a moment, then reached for the bundle he still held. He did not release it, but flipped the bundle over, opening it. She frowned as he held up one of her knives, one brow raised as he looked at her. She grabbed the bundle from him hugging it to her.
"They are mine, given to me by my father. It is all I have left of him."
"Do you need so many?" he asked as she turned toward the bed, rolling the bundle back up.
She turned to frown at him, when Rumil ran into the room. Haldir turned quickly as he motioned to him, and they left the room, as Ananynse hurried to the door. Rumil whispered, gesturing with quick motions as he spoke, and Haldir frowned. Ananynse frowned when Haldir glanced in her direction, and Rumil did as well, still arguing fiercely.
"It's my men, isn't it?" she said as they both turned toward her. "I am leaving then."
She turned but stopped at Haldir's hand on her arm. She shuddered at the shock of electricity that swept through her but he did not even blink. His eyes narrowed, and he pulled her about, "the lady of the wood will decide when you are able to leave." His eyes glinted and Ananynse swallowed, at this moment, she thought he would do whatever it took to make her obey Galadriel's wishes.
"I will not leave my men any longer. What has happened."
Rumil shrugged as Haldir pulled her into her room. "I will not discuss it, but I must leave."
"Haldir, I am going with you, I will not be left behind this time." She shouted as he let her go, rubbing the arm where he had gripped it. He scowled but turned as Galadriel swept through the door.
"The men are just within the wood, Haldir, but they are trapped. The Orcs have them cornered and Rumil says only the small band of Galadrim keep them from slaughtering them all. You must hurry." She turned toward Ananynse.
"I do not wish you to go," but she turned toward Haldir. "But if she wishes it, I will not stop her, but only to the borders, Haldir." She turned back to Ananynse, "I am sorry, but I cannot allow you leave Lothlorien as of yet."
Ananynse smiled grimly, gathering her bundle, hurrying to catch up to Haldir. He looked at her angrily. "I cannot watch you, you must keep up."
Ananynse scowled, but kept to their pace easily as they ran through the forest. As she ran she unrolled the bundle and replaced the knives that she kept in her boots. They had hurried through the forest down paths she would have never noticed for several hours until finally coming to a small stream. As Haldir and Rumil whispered, Ananynse rolled out the last of her knives strapping two to her wrists and tucking the final one inside her tunic. The Elves glanced back at her as she strode up beside them.
"The Orcs are on the other side of the river, the men are trapped in a small cave that sits a little above the Orcs, in the hillside." Haldir said as he scanned the woods in front of them. They crouched down behind the line of trees as he drew a map in the soft soil. "We can attack them from behind, but Orophin says he doesn't think they have many arrows left. We will try to reach them but it will be difficult as there is no other access to this cave and the Orcs are spread out in front."
Ananynse nodded, pulling her bow from her back. " I will try to reach them, We have our ways of communicating, and I will let them know we are here. " Haldir stood and she strapped another quiver of arrows onto her back. He looked at her for a moment as Rumil and the others slid silently into the forest. "Don't worry about me, Haldir." She grinned as she hurried toward the stream.
The water was cold as she crossed it, but slowly she made her way thru the bank of trees until she could see the Orcs as they hid behind a large set of boulders, protected from the trees behind them and the elves there. None seemed to worry about the men above them. Dimly she could see the men as they hovered near the entrance to the cave. Why did the Orcs not attack? What were they waiting for? She could not see any of the other elves, even though she knew they were only steps away from her. Pulling up her bow, she pulled it back, squinting in the mottled sunlight as she aimed.
It seemed like the forest was suddenly quiet as she waited for the signal to fire, and the sounds of arrows being released broke the stillness amid the roars of the Orcs as they leaped for cover. She squinted at the Orcs, then lowered her bow as she slid it back behind her. Leaping from behind the trees she ran into the brush, leaping past the smaller boulders as she ran into the Orc patrol. They looked at her in astonishment, even while they leaped toward her as she twisted among them.
Elven arrows flew around her in greater number and she knew that Haldir was going to throttle her if she got herself out of this one. Leaping away from an Orc as he staggered back, an arrow embedded in his chest, she hacked her way through the sea of filthy black bodies towering over her. Only the confusion of the arrows flying at them from all directions, kept the Orcs from slicing her in two, as she finally reached the hillside. Delvan and Eoin had scrambled down from the cave and with a oath grabbed her arms tossing her above them into the front of the cave. Moments later a shower of arrows showered down on the Orcs from the cave side as well, and then the Elves were there, arrows shot at close range, even more deadly than from afar.
Ananynse sat against the wall of the cave for a moment to catch her breath, trying not to remember the murderous look Delvan had given her. Breathing deeply, she stood up, and scrambled out of the cave, sliding down the mossy bank, brandishing her sword. She froze as she heard a deathly roar from behind her and turned so quickly that her braid swung out from behind. The Uruk behind her reached out in that instant and grasped the end of the braid, yanking her head back, and Ananynse was thrown backwards. Using the momentum of her fall, she twisted, and pulling the knife from her wrist cut the end of the braid free, cutting through the braid easily, and she rolled over quickly as she hit the ground, her hair uncoiling to hang like a heavy curtain across her face. Brushing it back away from her face she gasped as the Uruk swung his heavy sword toward her only to find the stroke blocked by Haldir.
They struggled for a moment and the Uruk howled in pain and frustration as he was hit with several arrows, staggering back. Haldir sheathed his sword quickly and in only the barest moment of time had his bow in hand and another arrow launched. The Uruk twisted as the arrow hit him at such close range forcing him sideways.
Haldir turned to Ananynse at that moment, and with a furious look, yanked her to her feet by her tunic, and threw her back behind him. She staggered and was caught by the shoulders as he shouted in Elvish, turning back and aiming his bow, launching yet another arrow into the Orc. She gasped as she was lifted quickly up into the tree behind her, and Orophin motioned to her to climb, his eyes glinting like ice.
She climbed quickly and found a flet had been built into the tree high above the fighting and Orophin pushed her onto it, giving her a scowl and then disappeared back down the tree. Ananynse trembled as she scrambled over to the edge. Below her she could see the elves move from tree to tree, using them as shields as they grimly cut down the Orcs around them.
She could see the basis for their reputation as she watched Haldir fight, his brothers only feet from him. His cloak barely moved as he pulled the arrows from his quiver, and calmly aimed at each of his targets. The elves were grim even as the Orcs fought back, and only the shouts of her men and the dying Orcs pierced the air as they fought below. She rolled on her back, placing her shaking hands over her eyes and the sounds of the arrows whistling then striking their target continued. Finally she heard no more. Sucking in a shaky breath she rolled back over and looked down. Haldir stood below her as Delvan and several Elves walked up to him.
"Take half of our band and find the remaining Orcs and kill them. Do not leave any alive," he snarled. "Follow them into the Mountains if you must."
Turning toward Delvan as he shouldered his bow, he looked up at the tree top as Ananynse sat back quickly. She could hear him speaking quietly to Delvan and hugged her knees. For once maybe she had gone too far, she could have been killed easily, and worse yet, may have cost the lives of some of her men, and elves. She trembled as she remembered the icy glare Haldir had given her, as well as Orophin, and even Delvan. She pushed the heavy weight of hair from her face as she heard the branches rustle slightly behind her. Turning slightly she looked back to the center of the Flet to see Haldir climb easily into the flet from the hole in the center. His face was grim as he stood up and held out a hand to Ananynse.
"We must go on, we will make camp a few miles from here, but it is not an easy walk as the way is very rocky and hilly here. Come."
Ananynse stood up without his help, and brushed past him to climb down the tree. He grasped her arm as she slipped by him, halting her. His face was hard as he looked down at her, his eyes glinting with fury.
"You will never do that again, and be so foolish. I expected more of you, you are of the Mithrin and they are not fools."
Ananynse pulled away from him, clenching her teeth and climbed down, trying not to glance back at the elf who followed her so closely. Her reception once she got to the base of the tree, dropping from the lowest branches, was not any better. Delvan scowled at her as she turned away, and they gathered their weapons as Haldir strode off along the bank of the river. They had reached a small clearing beside the stream when Haldir motioned for them to halt. Immediately several Elves melted back into the trees, and several others began to gather wood for a fire. Haldir turned back her.
"We will make camp here. There are no Flets built in the trees here, as I would prefer to be off the ground, but your men would not be comfortable there, so we will make camp here." He strode away, and Ananynse sat on a small rock overlooking the stream.
She pulled her cloak around her as the wind picked up, feeling the spray from the water as it bubbled over the rocks in front of her. She turned as Delvan touched her shoulder, handing her some food, but she did not speak as she turned back, chewing the bread he had given her. Delvan squatted beside her for a moment, and she could sense he was trying to decide how to speak to her, but she gave him no opening as she ignored him, staring at the river. Finally he sighed and straightened, walking back toward the men behind her. She finished the bread, and turned back toward the fire that now was burning merrily in front of her. Pulling out her whetstone she pulled one of the knives from her boot and began to sharpen the knife in short angry strokes.
Delvan sat a few feet away from Ananynse, watching her sharpen her knife angrily. He sighed as Eoin sat down next to him.
"The storm is going to break soon, I fear." Eoin murmured as he chewed on his bread, watching her. Delvan nodded in agreement as several of the elves returned speaking with Haldir. He nodded and they walked back toward the fire. Squatting down beside Delvan and Eoin, they held their hands to the fire. Haldir sat down opposite them, staring at Ananynse as he did.
The elf Delvan heard was called Rumil, turned toward them. "The tension is like thick rope tonight. Soon it will fray, no? " He said slowly, speaking in elvish again to his brother who nodded. "The woman carries many knives."
Eoin grinned at the elf, "I would approach with much caution if I were interested. I think it's about time those two got on with what's bothering them. Unless your brother likes his company a little more manly."
Rumil grinned then laughed quietly, translating Eoin's words to Orophin, who winked. "Nay, as much as some of our friends would wish it, our brother has never gone down that path."
Eoin snorted with laughter, eyeing Haldir as he stood up, "Maybe he just doesn't see that she is interested in him." He grinned as Haldir turned toward him scowling. He began to speak when Rumil stood up quickly,
"Haldir!" he said as he pointed at Ananynse. Haldir turned and leaped toward Ananynse as she sat frozen in place, her knife dropping from her limp hand, a look of anguished horror on her face as slowly her eyes rolled up, and she fell forward.
Haldir caught her as he leaped across the fire, the smell of her hair burning slightly filling the air. He laid her down as she stirred with a moan, her eyes glassy and unseeing. The blood drained from her face, leaving it white as the Elves, when she began to gasp. Her eyes closed as Delvan, Eoin and the Elves surrounded her, and she began to tremble violently.
She shuddered, her eyes flying open, and they were bright with unshed tears. Realizing where she was, she struggled violently from Haldir's grasp. Scrambling to her feet, she backed away, still seeing something from her vision, and she stumbled as she staggered away from them, crying out. They rose as she faced them again, struggling to control the emotions the vision had wrought, and Haldir stepped toward her.
"Do not touch me" she cried as he reached out. She backed away from him further and then turned and fled into the trees as they watched. Haldir frowned and with a glance at his brothers, strode after her. Eoin growled under his breath and made to follow but stopped as Delvan grasped his arm.
"No, I think we must stay out of this one, Eoin." He sat back down, pulling Eoin with him. "I think we had better sit quietly for awhile, or we may end up dead." He nodded toward Rumil and Orophin who had come to attention and were slipping through the trees after Haldir, bows drawn. Around them the other elves had stepped into view, and were leaning not so casually on their bows, their attention focused directly on Delvan and the men.
~*~*~*~
Haldir followed Ananynse easily through the trees as she fled, he could hear her weeping as she stumbled through the trees. He drew closer to her as she turned suddenly, and stopped, her chest heaving with the heavy breaths she took, her eyes wide with pain. She took a deep shuddering breath as he stepped closer, holding her hand out to stop him.
"Don't come near me," she gasped.
"You can go no further, Ananynse."
"Who are you to tell me where I may go!" she cried out as she backed up a step, anger flooding her pale face with spots of color.
"I am the March Warden of Lothlorien and if the Lady Galadriel says you are not to leave, then you will not leave." He said firmly as he stepped closer.
"Galadriel," she hissed as he watched in interest the range of emotions that played across her face, as she struggled to control them. "Galadriel! How dare she, how dare she think she can choose what I am to remember or no!"
Haldir circled around her as she turned to face him.
"Nay, it was not Galadriel that made you forget what you saw, Ananynse."
She stared at him in horror, then fury sparkled in her eyes as she swung to hit him again. He caught her wrist and pulled her toward him, his own eyes full of fury. "You will not hit me again. Once only will I allow it." He snarled as she struggled to free her wrist.
"Let me go, I hate all of you." She cried out as she struggled with the iron grip he had on her wrist. He could feel the straps that had held her knife to her wrist, and reached out as she twisted her other hand, grabbing that wrist as well, forcing her arm back away from him as she tried to swing the knife. She hissed in pain as he forced her to drop the knife, and he kicked it away from them into the moss of the forest floor. He twisted her hard against him, knocking her knees out from under her, and they fell to the forest floor with a grunt as he twisted landing first with a grunt as she fell on top. Rolling over quickly he pinned her down, throwing his leg over hers and grasping both wrists above her head in one hand. He reached down and jerked out the knives she carried in her boots, throwing all four into the bushes. He sensed a movement behind them, and knew his brothers had slipped away, knowing they had stayed near until they were sure he would not come to any harm. He turned back to Ananynse as she struggled underneath him, her eyes narrowed in frustration.
"How dare you," she hissed, as he leaned over her. He looked at her for a moment,
"Where is the other one."
Her eyes widened then narrowed quickly as she clenched her teeth. "What do you mean."
His eyes narrowed as he stared at her, "You have one more knife, and I will have it now. Where do you keep it."
"You can go to the Shadow," she snarled as he sighed, gripping her wrists tighter in his hand, he reached out and slid his hand into her tunic as she gasped in outrage. She saw his eyes flicker for a moment as he pulled out the dagger, tossing it behind him.
"You must not fight it anymore." He said as he held her pinned beneath him.
"Fight, how can I not fight it. You have no idea of what it is like. And you had no right to remove those memories from me."
"You talk in riddles, you are angry I made you forget the vision you saw when you came to me injured? Your mind could not deal with both, and it gave you some peace for awhile, yet you fight those same emotions." He said as she shook her head in denial.
"You still had no right," she cried out as tears began to slip down her cheeks.
Haldir, stared at her for a moment, reaching out to touch the wetness. "Do you shed tears in anger, or is it that you weep for me?"
Her eyes flew open, and she stared at him in surprise as the tears continued to slip down her face. "You have no idea what I see." She whispered. He shook his head.
"You see death, and despair, a great darkness threatening the world. I have seen it as well, Ananynse."
She turned her head away as her lips trembled. She shuddered as he traced the line of tears over her cheek, and they flowed even heavier as she began to shake. He whispered something she could not understand and rolled pulling her into his arms as he sat up leaning against the tree beside them. She hid her face in his shoulder as she shook with force of her weeping, and he stroked the strands of her hair as she wept, watching them slide through his fingertips. Cupping her cheek he forced her to look at him as he bent down, brushing his lips lightly across hers. Ananynse trembled as a warmth began to spread through her. Haldir slid his hand to the back of her neck and pressed her back against the moss as he traced the lines of her face.
"I put the spell upon you to help you heal, I am sorry if you are angry."
Ananynse sat up, her hair sliding over her shoulder hiding her face from him, "You only make it more difficult to bear."
He sat up as well, pulling her hair back to see her expression. "Why? Because it concerned me? I am not afraid to die, Ananynse, you do not know our ways."
Ananynse looked at him, her eyes full of pain. He set his fingers on her lips as she began to speak. Brushing her lips again he pushed her back, leaning over her, his long blond hair curling over his shoulders to settle on her tunic as he kissed her again. Ananynse sighed as she slid her fingers through the strands as she pulled him closer.
~*~*~*~
"You will not tell me of your vision this night?" Haldir asked as he pulled his tunic back on, belting the buckle of his sword belt. Ananynse sat facing the trees away from him as she braided her hair. He watched her shoulders twitch as a shudder went through her. She turned to face him, her eyes full of sadness.
"The men of Rohan are going to be trapped at their fortress of Helm's Deep. Galadriel has been aware and is sending a messenger to you, he will be here soon. You are called to council, they will send you and your elves to Helm's Deep." She closed her eyes for a moment, as he knelt next to her. "And you will not come back."
He pulled her to stand next to him as Rumil broke through the trees.
"A messenger from Galadriel, we are called back to Caras Galadron." He said as he looked curiously between the two of them.
Haldir turned to Ananynse as she bent to pick up her knives. Grasping her wrists, he twisted them from her grip as she glared at him. He grinned as he slid them through his belt. "Your knives are mine until I decide to return them, I will not have you lose your temper and try to use them on someone else." Ananynse stared at him as he turned back to Rumil.
"Ready everyone to leave, we go this night."
Delvan stood up as Rumil walked back through the trees, speaking quickly with Orophin. Haldir followed, and Delvan's eyes narrowed as he waited for Ananynse. She stepped out a moment later and he frowned as she stopped for a moment to watch Haldir as he spoke to his brothers, then turned back toward them. She crossed over the fire, bending to pick up her knife, then knelt next to Delvan as he sat, sliding the knife into her boot. "where are your other knives?" he asked as he noticed the other sheaths were empty. She lifted her sleeve revealing it's empty sheath, and grimaced.
"Haldir has them, I'm afraid I threatened him with them and he has confiscated them"
"If he has hurt you in any way?" Delvan began as she shook her head.
"No, he did not hurt me, I made my choices, Delvan." She said, sighing, and he groaned.
She stood up as Haldir turned to them.
"Come, we return to Caras Galadhon, and you must come back as well."
~*~*~*~
Galadriel and Celeborn were waiting at the gates of the city when they arrived. Haldir bowed to them as they gathered around him, speaking quickly in elvish.
"I wish you knew how to speak their language," Delvan growled as they stood back waiting. "It puts us at a distinct disadvantage when they can talk around us and we know nothing of what they say. Friends or no, we wouldn't know until it was too late if they change their minds."
"Be at ease, Delvan." Ananynse said "The elves go to council on one thing, do they renew their ancient allegiance with men and send their own to fight, or do they ignore our fate and take their grey ships back to the havens. I see only that some will go."
Delvan looked at her slowly, realization dawning. "Including Haldir?"
Ananynse looked at him sadly. "Including Haldir." Delvan's hand braced her shoulder as Haldir approached.
"You are requested to attend the council meeting, Ananynse and you Delvan as her second. Your visions may be of some use, if you speak of them."
Ananynse nodded as they followed Haldir up into the city. The council chamber sat high in the largest Mallyrn tree, directly below Galadriel's Talan. They walked up the last of the steps into the chamber, the light drifting thru the tree branches above making the air a bit hazy in their shadows. Haldir stopped a few paces from Galadriel as she sat down next to Celeborn. A few moments later Ananynse turned to see Elrond, from the Rivendell Elves step into the chamber, his dark hair and complexion a startling contrast to Galadriel's and Celeborn's silvery blondness. He kissed Galadriel, speaking softly to Celeborn then sat next to them as another elf entered the chamber. Ananynse frowned as Thrandruil, of the Mirkwood Elves strode into the chamber, head held high as he greeted Galadriel. He too was blond, but not the silver tones of the Lothlorien Elves, and his expression was haughty as he turned to stare at Ananynse.
"Why do you allow her to attend this council, Galadriel, she is not of the high elves." Thranduil said stiffly as he stood staring at her.
Galadriel rose, motioning Elrond back into his seat as she glided to Thranduil, leading him to a seat. "I ask her to attend, as she is of my kin, as you know, Thranduil. I would like to hear of her visions regarding this matter."
Thranduil snorted, his eyes narrowed as he sneered. "Visions? She is a farce as was her mother, we cannot trust anything she says."
Galadriel frowned as she turned to face Thranduil, glancing back at Haldir as he stiffened.
"You will not speak of her thus, Thranduil. Your bitterness when Deyanan chose another has poisoned your mind all these years."
Ananynse stood up, staring in surprise at Thranduil, "You do not trust my visions? And if they concern your son, who fate stands upon your decision here?"
Thranduil looked at her sharply, " What do you know of my son, Legolas? I have not heard from him for many months."
Galadriel laid her hand on Thranduil's shoulder. "He is of the fellowship, Thranduil. I sent messengers to you, did you not receive them?" she turned back to her seat and sat down.
"Enough of this, Ananynse, you will speak of your vision."
Ananynse stared at Haldir for a moment, then looked to Thranduil.
"I saw that the Rohirron fall back to their stronghold of Helm's Deep. They are few and many are wounded. Of the ones to fight, many are old or young children." She closed her eyes as she forced the scenes of her visions into words.
"I see them fighting, it is dark and there are thousands of the enemy outside the walls. Their cause is hopeless. I see the despair in Legolas's eyes as he looks over the walls. Aragorn, son of Arathorn is there, he also looks wounded, but is able to fight. Only ," she faltered for a moment, only I see a column of elves arriving and it is because they do so that I see the fight will become a victory, if that is what you could call it, for many lives will be lost." She sat down abruptly, as Haldir turned toward her, waving him back.
Elrond frowned, looking back to Galadriel. "it is many ages since we have allied ourselves with men."
Galadriel looked at him and then Thranduil. "Can we stand aside and leave them to their fate, for if they fail, this world will fall into the shadow, and we may find our paths to the west blocked as well Do we dare leave this to the men of this world?"
Elrond sat for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. "Even if the men of Rohan win this fight, it is only the beginning of the end, whether the shadow will rule or not, our time here is at an end. This age is finished. Do we send out our people, most to certain death, when they may still have a chance to live, if only to sail to the west?"
Haldir shook his head "There will be those of us who wish to fight, My Lord Elrond, your sons have spoken of it to me before."
Elrond sighed, having had this conversation too many times before. "I do not understand your attachment to the lives of men, they have only brought us misfortune. We cannot change what has happened before, and how do we know that men will be strong enough to win this fight, now."
Galadriel smiled, "You must trust in those men you know, Elrond. You have raised Elessar, you know what he is capable of. I know in my heart he is true, the blood of Isildur runs heavy in his heart, but he will prevail, I feel this. I feel we must send what aide we can."
Thranduil stood up, "I cannot. My own borders are fraught with skirmishes even as we speak, and I will not send my elves to fight, when they are needed in the Mirkwood."
Galadriel nodded . "It is as you say, then you must do what you will, Thranduil. I will send Haldir, if he chooses to go, as he is the Captain of the Galadrim, to lead those of us who will fight, to lead them to Helm's Deep."
Haldir glanced back at Ananynse who had stiffened, "I will lead them, My Lady. For I must do what I can to help Aragorn, who is a friend, as well as Legolas of the Mirkwood. Perhaps, I can prevail so that they may continue their paths of the fellowship."
Elrond stood also, as Galadriel and Celeborn rose. "So be it then, as I have sent on the fellowship, so shall I send what elves may wish to go with you, Haldir." Thranduil frowned and strode out of the room, as Elrond stopped in front of Ananynse.
"Your path is not an easy one, as you well know, but you are welcome in Rivendell, ere you pass through or near her valleys. Not long will we stay there, but until the end of this age. Your mother I knew not well, she leaned more to Thranduil's likeness than I. But of your struggles with your blood I know well. Take comfort in the kin you have, they will help you if but let them."
Ananynse smiled sadly as he left her, then hurried from the chamber as Haldir turned, Delvan striding behind her. She ran down the steps, leaving him behind as she fled. Reaching the bottom of the first flight she turned to look back up the stairs. Delvan was striding down them, frowning, but behind him she could see Haldir as he stopped at the top of the rise. Fighting to control the anguish that was threatening to overcome her she turned, but found her way blocked by Rumil and Orophin. They both smiled, and grasped her arms as she began to step back. Rumil smiled at Delvan as he reached them, eyes narrowing as his hand went to his sword.
"Do not interfere, time is short and things must be said that one would try to avoid. We will not harm her." Rumil said as they pulled her along with them. She struggled but they gripped her arms tightly, pulling her along as elves around them looked on in amusement. They finally pulled into a small talon and released her as she folded her arms, staring at them in frustration.
"Where have you led me?" Ananynse as they stepped back to the door.
"To my home," Haldir said as he brushed between them, and Ananynse stepped back. He murmured to his brothers in elvish and they turned and left, glancing at Ananynse as they did so. She looked around the chamber, avoiding Haldir as she walked around the room. It was very neat and only small touches, his sword and bow leaning against the wall, a small set of books lying on the table near the bed, revealed Haldir's personality. Picking up one of the books she looked at it, but it was written in elvish and she could not read it. She really was going to have to learn it soon.
"You are avoiding me," Haldir said as he walked up behind her, pulling the tie off her braid. She spun around, grabbing at the uncoiling hair, and frowned as he smiled down at her. Taking a deep breath she stepped back to find her way blocked by the bed. He stepped closer and Ananynse had to lean back to look at him. He gripped her arm as she pushed him away. "Why?" he frowned
She tried to push past him, away from the bed behind her, but he didn't move. Instead, he pushed her back and she fell back, as he knelt on the bed, arms braced on either side of her. "Are you now afraid to speak what is in your mind?" he said as he settled beside her, pulling the long strands of her hair across the coverlet.
Ananynse closed her eyes, his nearness sending waves of warmth through her, but knowing he would soon be lost caused her breath to quicken in anguish as he whispered to her in elvish. Taking another deep breath to settle the quailing of her stomach, she opened her eyes to see him staring at her. "I will not speak any more of it," she said as she turned her head away.
"So you will leave me with this vision of you, refusing to meet my eyes, afraid to be strong?" he said as he pulled on a strand a little harder, causing her to turn her head. She looked up at him as her eyes misted, but she sighed, reaching up to pull him toward her. She kissed him, as he leaned over her, his weight pushing her into the bed.
~*~*~*~
Ananynse sighed as she closed her eyes, the feel of Haldir's warmth seeping into her as he lay beside her. He traced the line of her hip as she turned on her side, sending tremors along her skin. She sat up, pulling her tunic on over her head as he lay back. She brushed the hair out of her eyes as she walked over to the window, looking out over the trees below. She heard him move in the bed and she turned back to see him smile, as his eyes traveling over her.
"I think I would like to see you dressed thus all day." He grinned as she looked down at her bare legs. "But I do not think I would appreciate others looking as well."
She turned back to the window as she heard him get up, and when she turned back he had pulled on a new silver tunic and black breeches.
"You might want to dress, as my brothers will be here soon with my mail."
She hurried to the bed donning the remainder of her clothes and had just belted her sword to her back when the two returned, carrying golden hued mail and a velvet red cloak. They proceeded to apply to pieces of mail to Haldir as he spoke to them quietly in elvish. And soon he was fully dressed. Rumil turned toward her, the velvet cloak in his hand, and pausing for a moment, reached out, offering it to Ananynse. She took it, feeling the weight of the velvet, it's smoothness and her hands shook as she placed it around Haldir's shoulders. He rested his hands on her shoulders briefly as she watched him turn toward the door, but as he reached it he stopped, turning back to her.
"Are you coming?" Ananynse closed her eyes for a moment, then reached out, placing her hand on his arm as they turned to leave.
They reached the base of the Mallyrn trees and Haldir stopped in front of Galadriel and Celeborn as they watched the elves gather, forming their lines of companies. The Rivendell and Lothlorien elves blending into one whole cohesive unit, their battle mail, and cloaks pulled from ancient use, to once more march to war.
They stood waiting, impassive as Haldir turned to Galadriel. She reached up to place her hands on his shoulders, kissing each cheek in turn. And Celeborn grasped his shoulder firmly, looking into each others eyes for a moment.
Ananynse stood back, a few steps behind, feeling humbled at the magnificence of the elves. Their beauty and gracefulness was amplified by the trappings of war, and the low lament that was beginning electrified the air. Haldir knelt in front of Galadriel and then stood, turning toward the procession but then he stopped for a moment, looking back at Galadriel.
Turning abruptly he strode back to where Ananynse stood, lost in thought, and wrapped his hands on either side of her face, kissed her slowly. Ananynse rose on her toes as he kissed her, finally gasping for breath when he released her.
He smiled. "I will come back." Then he turned and walked to the front of the elves and they began to march, his red cloak a beacon in the dimness of the wood, and she stood there until she could see him no more.
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