Title & Chapter Number: The Sundering 1-3/25
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: Middle Earth
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: LOTR characters are not mine and I write only for non-monetary reasons.
Warnings: None
Betas: Julie
Cast: Haldir, Orophin, Rumil, other character's I have created
Timeline: Future AU
Spoilers: None
Summary: The world is reborn and Haldir returns to Middle Earth from Valinor.
Notes: none
The ages of men had almost ended, only small groups of human kind remained after the Sundering. War had come as it always did, with flared tempers, words said but not meant, anger overcoming peace. Men had died for causes they did not support. In the end, women and children died, those that survived burrowed deep within the earth, while the snows of nuclear winter and desert overtook the earth. Years passed and the stories of past lives became history, and then became tales, then legend. Children grew up never knowing the sight of green.
Iluvatar saw this and took pity of the world of mortals; long ago he had called his firstborn children to reside with him, before the world of their birth had become a wasteland. The music of the world had gone awry, discordant in its singing. He felt sadness, how his second born had almost destroyed themselves. But they were not finished. He led them back to the surface, leading them in their dreams. But the world was forever changed.
Desert covered lands once green and fertile. Those that survived had learned arts so ancient they could not remember whence they had come. The people grew into clans, living in small villages where water was found deep within the earth and kept in strict confidence for men had not changed. Violence and anger still ruled their hearts. Iluvatar watched the world, seeing the land as it lay dying.
He knew he could change the music. Once before he had played the song of birth, and renewal. Would he allow it to sing once more? Did he dare release his children once more to populate the earth; to mold and reshape it in their song? Would they be able to exist once more with his second born?
Iluvatar opened the doors, once more he sent forth his children into the lands of earth. A new age began, and the firstborn once more spread throughout the lands. Green and fertile lands were born again, the music of the elves calling the earth to be reborn. But the lands of men remained barren and desolate. Their people spread out, those that saw the verdant lands of the elves wept, for they were afraid to enter. And so, the music continued.
~*~*~*~
~ 1 ~
Raven Windswept pulled the khaki colored scarf away from her face, the final breath of the sandstorm still sweeping the grains of sand into tiny tornadoes of whirling sand as it sighed over the waves of shimmering gold. Hazy, wavering bands of light reflected instantly off the desert sands once the wind died down, the welcome breath of air gone. She shook out the scarf that had covered her nose and eyes as she had burrowed down into the sand to escape the oncoming storm.
Men had died trying to outrun a sandstorm, only those who prepared for the worst lived through them. Raven had survived many. Her scouting had taken her days from their village; this trip had taken her farthest she'd been yet. She looked around her at the heat shimmering sands. Four days past her village and still no sign of water. Each trip drew them closer and closer to the Elven lands.
She shook her head, shouldering the bow she carried. No game, not even a desert rat. The sandstorm would have had any burrowing deep for cover. She'd not see anything for days now. She stared at the horizon, rubbing her eyes as it shimmered in the distance. Was there a dark line there? Or was it the desert heat hallucination.
She reached for her water bag, and stared at it in horror. It was empty. She spun around, but any moisture there may have been was instantly evaporated in the desert heat. She felt the cloth, searching for dampness. The seam had split, only a minute tear, but enough as she laid on it during the sandstorm it had forced the water through it.
Raven sank to her knees. Four days home with no water, she wouldn't make it. She threw the bag in frustration. How could she have been so stupid? She prided herself on her survival instincts. Were the gods angry with her?
She turned to look again at the horizon. The dark line was still there, shimmering in the heat. Four days home, how many there? She wondered. But if she did make it, what then? Raven sat back on her heels. Great Grandfather had told stories of the elves, his eyes misty with wonderment, his father's father one of the first to see the firstborn when they arrived. His stories of legends, of ages past had entertained all the children on those dark nights. Tales of lands so beautiful, with water that flowed in streams, deep enough to stand in! The children had laughed, but she did not. Something in the ancient tales resonated with truth. Something her family had held true over the years, legends sometimes were once fact, or at least, a small part once had been truth.
She reached out, gathering the empty water bottle. She ripped it open with her belt knife, searching for dampness inside. It would not help for long, but anything was better than nothing. She ripped a piece of cloth that still held some fragment of moisture, stuffing it in her mouth. She chewed it, staring at the horizon still. There were those of the clan who had hoped one day they could live in harmony once again with the Elves. But they were afraid, the Elves guarded their lands fiercely; none had dared to pass that way afraid they would never be seen again.
Raven stood, shouldering the bow, stuffing the water bag inside her belt, careful to wrap the cloth to preserve what moisture she could. She had no choice; it might mean death either way, but perhaps a quicker one with the elves. Would they shoot first, seeing her as human? She didn't know, or really care. At least she would see what a tree really was, perhaps for only a few minutes, but it would be enough.
~*~*~*~
~ 2 ~
Haldir watched the figure as it staggered in the shimmering heat waves, from the dark confines of the tree line bordering the lands of Lothlorien. A new Lothlorien in this age. Renewed by the grace of the Valar, their home of verdant green trees and cool bowers under the canopies of young Mallyrn trees grew sweeter as each day passed. Outside, the desert sands blew, shifting from one day to the next, blistering sun burnishing the sand golden.
Rumil had nocked an arrow, gazing down the shaft as the wood creaked from the tension on the bowstring. He paused as Haldir raised his hand, blocking his release.
"No." he said as he gazed into the shimmering waves of heat. Rumil stared at his brother, grinning and lowered the bow.
"For the first time since we returned, a human with courage." Rumil laughed as Haldir continued to watch, his face expressionless.
"It's human, whether male or female." Another elf growled as he smoothed the fletching on his arrow, his fingers gripping the bow tightly. He stared at the figure, but turned to look at Haldir when he heard no response. He frowned as he stared at the March Warden.
Haldir ignored him as he continued to watch the figure stumble. Finally Haldir spoke. "Would you shoot a female, Orvith?" he asked as Orvith turned to stare at the approaching figure.
"Does it matter?" Orvith snarled, pulling back his bow. He jerked in surprise when Haldir gripped his arm, his brows arched in disdain as he stared at his young warden.
"Have you no compassion, Orvith?" Haldir growled, his grey eyes icy as he stared the elf.
Orvith swallowed, lowering his bow. He bowed slightly, his face paling under the direct stare. "Forgive me, Haldir. I should not be so offensive. It was unwarranted."
Haldir frowned, but turned back to the desert border. He watched as the figure dropped to its knees. It was a woman, he wasn't sure how he knew it, for she was clothed in several layers of tunic, leggings and her head and face were wrapped in a cowling of fabric. He watched as she unwound the fabric from her face, his elven eyesight allowing him to see her clearly even at this distance. She began to unwrap the cowling from her head, and he frowned as waves of auburn hair tumbled about her shoulders. Did she think revealing herself as female would gain her entrance to their lands? His eyes narrowed as she continued to kneel, finally sitting back on her heels. She seemed comfortable in that position, but still she wavered slightly, and he could see she was very ill. Heat sickness killed many, even elves when they ventured too far into the desert.
Raven unwrapped the rough veiling, allowing her hair to tumble about her shoulders. She could feel the sun beat down on her scalp as she dropped the covering to the sand. Sitting back on her heels as they usually did, she tried to keep her balance. Her vision was narrowing, and perhaps she'd been foolish unwrapping the choufa covering, but she thought her slim chance at not being killed immediately was the hope that the elves were old fashioned enough not to shoot a woman on site.
She hoped it was so. Perhaps she was still out of bow range. Perhaps not. Her thoughts seemed to stray, as black dots began to dance in front of her vision. She stared at the line of trees.
Blessed light, she thought, staring at the immense trees as they faced her, the dark line of their trunks towering in the shimmering waves of heat. Never in her life had she imagined anything so beautiful. She rubbed her eyes, ignoring the sand that caked her fingers, and stuck to her eyelids. She swallowed, difficult with her throat so parched from thirst. She would have cried at the sight if she had any tears to cry.
Raven wavered, her sense of balance shifting as a gusset of wind buffeted her. She turned her eyes to the sky. Another storm was coming. She would not live through another as she was. She stared again at the tree line, as it shimmered in the heat, staring, then rubbing her eyes again. Something seemed to detach itself from the tree line, and her eyes widened as she tried to swallow. She struggled to her feet, the wind tossing her hair into her eyes. She pulled it aside with one hand as she covered her eyes with the other, blocking out the sun.
The hazy figure split into three, the bands of heat radiating off the desert blurring them as they approached. Raven gasped as she stared in apprehension and excitement. Elves! Three of them, one in front with two behind him. Her legs trembled as she continued to watch them approach, slowly becoming more distinct as they came closer.
They were alike, in that they all had silvery blond hair that hung down their backs. Dressed in grey tunics and leggings they had blended into the tree line until only moments ago. Quivers of arrows were strapped to their backs and they carried long bows almost as long as they were tall. Long swords hung from their hips and their faces were expressionless, with dark high arching brows, the tips of their ears peeking from the sides of their hair. She shivered uncontrollably as a wave of icy fear crept down her spine. Would they kill her now, maybe they liked to do it at close range. She knew some men who were like that. The spots began to thicken in her vision.
They continued to approach her and Raven's legs decided to give out and she fell onto her knees, scrambling to keep her balance. She shoved her hands into the hot sand, trying to shake off the dots blurring her vision when the elves stopped in front of her. The first one knelt down on one knee in front of her. She looked up, the spots dancing across her vision. She could see he was speaking to her, but the wind was roaring in her ears and she could not hear him. He frowned, gripping her chin, his grey eyes searching hers for a moment. The roaring subsided as she watched him murmur something then suddenly she could understand.
"How long has it been since you've had water?" he asked. His voice was like music and it made her breath quicken. She shook her head, pulling away from his grip.
"Three days." She rasped, clutching her throat. His eyebrows rose in amazement, and he frowned. One of the elves behind him gave him a water bag and Raven stared at it.
He handed the bag to her and she swallowed some of the water, forcing herself not to drink it too fast.
Haldir stared at the woman in amazement. Three days without water. The woman had courage to push herself this far. He stared at the sky recognizing the signs of another storm, and soon.
He looked back to the woman, she was trying hard not to drink too fast but he could see the water was not going to help. Her color was fading quickly, and he reached out as she dropped the bag, swaying to one side. He tossed the bag to Rumil and reached out to the woman.
She stared at him in fear for a moment, before she controlled her features. Yes, she had courage. He smiled to himself as he stood, pulling her to her feet. He could feel her tremble, and the heat radiating from her hand shocked him. She'd die of heat sickness if he didn't get her cooled off quickly. She stared at him, her eyes glazing as he stepped forward, lifting her into his arms.
She struggled weakly, trying to speak. "Quiet, I will not harm you." He said as she tried to break free of his grip. He tightened his hold on her, she was very light. Turning and nodding to his brothers they strode back into the darkness of the forest.
Rumil and Orophin followed Haldir back into the forest, sighing as they reached the cool confines of the trees. Even a few minutes in the baking sun was too long.
"Our brother has lost his mind. The first human to reach our borders and he has to play the hero." Rumil whispered as they walked a few paces behind Haldir. The woman was still struggling weakly.
Orophin nodded in agreement. "I fear he has stood watch on the border too long."
Haldir looked back over his shoulder, scowling at the two brothers as he squeezed the woman tighter to his chest.
"Would you rather I left her to die in the desert?" Haldir growled as he turned away.
Rumil grinned, unconcerned by the scowl. Haldir was usually so predictable in his behavior. Since returning to Middle Earth he had taken even less pleasure in day-to-day life and for the first time in a long while he had opened himself to their teasing. Rumil was not about to let the chance pass.
Orophin smiled as the other elves stepped back in surprise. Haldir was countermanding his own orders. Humans had not stepped foot in Lothlorien since their return. This was going to cause quite a commotion if the woman survived the heat sickness. He grinned at Rumil as their eyes met. This was going to be an interesting day.
Haldir stared down at the woman as her eyelids fluttered, she was very pale. Her body was radiating heat like a fire. Moving quickly he strode through the forest. He needed to cool her down. Reaching the small stream that flowed not far from the border, he laid her down gently in the cool waters. He was unprepared for her gasp of shock and horror.
Raven was jolted from her bleary haze by the icy water soaking into her tunic and leggings. Blessed light! How dare he waste water by putting her in it? She fought to free herself from his grip, and heard him exclaim something she could not understand. She felt him grip her shoulders, pulling her deeper into the water and Raven screamed with fright. Her feet were swept from out beneath her in the swift water, and she flayed about in shock and horror. Her head went under the water as she struggled and she felt herself pulled roughly back out as she coughed violently. The elf shook her violently and she stared at him. He gripped her arms, forcing her to remain still, and she realized she could stand, the water flowing around her chest.
The icy chill of the water sent shivers through her as she dazedly noticed he was as wet as she was, and not happy about it at all.
Rumil and Orophin squatted on the bank of the stream, grinning in amusement as they watched Haldir struggle with the frightened woman.
He stood chest deep in the water, his bow tossed on the bank as the woman had struggled wildly. He pulled her to him as her eyes rolled up and she sagged into the water. Rumil stood leaning over the water as he held onto an overhanging branch.
"Do you need some assistance with the woman, brother?" Rumil asked with a grin as Haldir glared at him. He lifted the woman into his arms and carried her out of the stream. Haldir set her down gently, then straightened turning to Rumil.
"If you find my wetness so amusing, brother, allow me to share!" Haldir growled as he reached up, snapping the thin branch Rumil was still using to balance himself with. Rumil gasped in surprise, his arms flaying wide and he fell back with a loud splash into the stream. Orophin hooted with laughter as Rumil stood up, water sluicing down his head as he grinned. Haldir lips twitched as he unbuckled his sword, tossing it to Rumil.
"For your amusement, you can dry my sword and scabbard, Warden." Haldir said as Orophin knelt next to the woman, feeling her brow as she lay on the bank.
"She is close to death, Haldir. In her fright she expended what energy she had remaining."
Haldir knelt down, pushing his wet hair back over his shoulder as he quickly felt her cheek. He looked up at his brother. "I will keep her alive and take her to Galadriel and Celeborn. They will decide her fate. I have already prolonged her life by allowing her into Lothlorien."
Orophin nodded. "Why did you allow her entry, Haldir?" he asked with a smile, his brow arching in question as Haldir met his gaze.
Haldir frowned; looking at his brother he could not say what stayed his hand. "I honestly do not know, perhaps it is the will of the Valar." He shrugged his shoulders. He scooped up the woman, her head rolling back as he carried her further into the wood.
~*~*~*~
~ 3 ~
Galadriel stepped back from her mirror, all things had been reborn when they returned, and her mirror served her still. She had smiled as she stared into the waters of the bowl, reflecting the scene at the stream. The Valar often played with fate, had they decided her March Warden needed awakening?
She glided up the steps into the city. They would arrive soon. Lothlorien had been rebuilt. Its glory was young now, and she smiled as she touched the young bark of the tree as she ascended into the canopy. It was good to be home.
Celeborn was waiting for her when she stepped into the talan. He smiled as she swept up to him, taking her hand in his.
"I feel change has come once again." He drawled as Galadriel smiled at him. She kissed his cheek as he led her to the balcony overlooking the city.
"It is time to learn lessons we have forgotten in our rebirth." Galadriel murmured as she turned to watch the stairs leading to the talan. "Our March Warden had countermanded his own order, and is bringing to us a human female."
Celeborn tilted his head as he looked at her in surprise. "It would take much for Haldir to break his own rules. He has become resolute in his defense of our borders. Many years have passed since we returned. But none have passed by our borders to enter. Perhaps it is time."
Galadriel smiled dryly. "Our people have tried to forget the humans inhabit this world still. We must learn to live together once more. It is the will of the Valar."
They turned, gliding down the steps to the lower talan, as Haldir reached it, carrying the unconscious woman, Orophin and Rumil a step behind. Haldir nodded as Galadriel motioned him into the talan. He laid the girl gently on the bed, and then bowing, strode from the room. Galadriel watched him leave, her lips curving with amusement, and then turned back to the girl as Celeborn leaned over her.
"She is very ill." He said as his hands brushed lightly over her. "But the water has cooled her body temperature." He smiled as his eyes met Galadriel's.
"But I fear perhaps Haldir's has risen!" Galadriel laughed softly, her eyes crinkling in amusement.
Haldir strode into his talan, pulling the damp tunic over his head. He frowned as he turned to find Rumil and Orophin standing at his door.
"I fear I was remiss in laughing at you brother." Rumil smiled in mock apology as Haldir scowled at him, removing his under tunic as well. Rumil walked into the room, taking a cloth from the table, he pulled out Haldir's sword from the wet scabbard, and began to wipe the sword dry.
"It has been a long time since we have seen the imperious March Warden brought down by a mere woman." Rumil grinned at his joke.
"Nay, I do not think he has been brought low, Rumil brother," Orophin snickered, "I fear the cold waters of the Nimrodel did not cool the fires that the woman has awoke in our sober March Warden!"
Haldir ignored them, and sat in a chair to pull off his boots. Orophin walked over to help, grinning when one slid off with a splash of water. Haldir's eyes narrowed, as he pulled off the other, narrowly missing Rumil as he leaned back to avoid the boot Haldir tossed at him.
Orophin stepped behind another chair warily. It had been a long time since Haldir had been this amusing. "Perhaps you need another swim, brother? It seems your temper has gotten the better of you."
Haldir stood up, his wet hair clinging to the muscles of his arms as he stared at his brothers. He scowled as he turned away, grabbing a soft towel that hung over the chair.
"I hope you have gotten your fill of humor at my expense." His growl muffled by the wet towel he was rubbing over his head. Rumil and Orophin looked at each other, grinning.
Haldir pulled the towel from his head, staring at the two as they looked at him innocently. "I have broken my own decree, and have had a woman drag me into the Nimrodel, and find my own wardens laughing at me. I find this amusing no longer." He grumbled as he threw the towel onto the chair.
Orophin stepped back around the chair, grasping Haldir's shoulder. "We have not seen you this disconcerted in a long while, Haldir. You are ever so sober in your demeanor. It is good to see you still have some humor in that muscled chest of yours."
Haldir pushed him away, but fondly, as he took the sword from Rumil, examining it. "I fear it has been a long while since I had to use this. The world is changing again brothers, let us hope that in this age this weapon will not be necessary. Perhaps this woman will give us information we need to insure that we can live peacefully. But my instincts tell me men have not changed enough."
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