Title & Chapter Number: The Sundering 4-6/25
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
~ 4 ~
Raven woke up groggily, she felt like she was lying on the soft sand, but it was cool. She turned her head, and sat up. She was lying in a large room, on a bed that was a big as her bedroom at home. She gasped in surprise when she realized that someone had taken her clothes, she wore a long white gown instead. She fingered the thin material. She slid from the bed to walk unsteadily to the window, clutching the frame as her knees gave out. She stared out the window in shock as she looked over a city built into the trees. Blessed light, she never seen trees let alone a city that was built in them. Her village would fit into just two or three of the houses or whatever they were called.
She slid away from the window as she saw several elves stare up at her. She could not read their expressions, but she probably wasn't too welcome. They hadn't put her under guard it seemed.
She scrambled back to the bed when she heard voices approaching the room, sliding under the blanket as the door opened. She leaned back against the headboard, clutching the thin blanket to her chest as she stared at the elves staring at her in amusement.
They entered the room, and Raven stared at them in wonder. A woman stepped forward, or glided- she didn't seem to walk rather floated toward her. Her waist length blond hair was slightly crimped, and she had the bluest eyes Raven had ever seen. They seemed to pierce her heart as the elf smiled at her. Behind her another elf stepped forward, he too had long silvery blond hair, older than the three in the forest. He seemed older, wiser than the others. He looked on her with blue eyes that were curious, but comforting at the same time. Suddenly she knew he had been the one who had healed her. She should have been dead from the heat sickness.
The elf woman stepped forward, sitting on the edge of the bed, yet not quite touching Raven. "It is good to see you awake, although you should remain in bed a little while longer yet." She smiled as Raven flushed. She did not think they had seen her.
"I am Galadriel." She said, her voice flowed over Raven's ears like honey, silky, melodic music. Her laugh was a tinkling of chimes moving in a breeze. "And this is my husband Celeborn." She said again as Raven nodded.
Celeborn stepped closer, resting his hand on her cheek. "You are healing quickly, I am surprised." He said as he smiled. Raven gripped the blanket tighter, trying to remain calm as they surrounded her bed. She looked past them to see the elf from the forest. Galadriel turned to him, and then looked back to Raven.
"You have not properly met my March Warden. This is Haldir." She said, her lips twitching in amusement as he nodded to Raven. She could not remember much of their meeting, only the shock of him immersing her in the water and seeing his angry expression as he carried her out of the water.
Haldir nodded, staring at the girl as she curled slowly in a tight ball, unaware that she did so. Galadriel had moved a little further away, seeing the girl grow uncomfortable with their nearness. Celeborn's touch had caused the color to drain from her face. He frowned, as she met his eyes. He watched as she inhaled deeply, as Galadriel leaned forward.
"Why have you come to us?" she asked as the girl stared at her. Her auburn hair had been brushed and hung over her shoulders. Her eyes Haldir realized with a start were as grey as his. They narrowed as she tried to form her answer.
"I had no choice." She said, her voice still a bit hoarse. She clutched the blankets a bit tighter, her knuckles whitening as she looked up at him.
"My name is Raven, I am a water seeker. She said as she held out her wrist. A vessel with water pouring from it was tattooed onto her wrist. I was four days from my village and my water ran out." She said as she continued to stare at him.
Haldir's eyes narrowed. They had found her water bag, or what was left of it. She should have had enough for her journey. She stared at him, noticing his frown, and her chin rose a fraction. He fought back a smile.
"I would have been fine except for the sandstorm. My bag was damaged and I lost the water I carried." She said as she frowned. Galadriel nodded.
"The sandstorms are very dangerous. You are lucky to survive." Galadriel said. She smiled rising from the bed. "We will leave you now, you must rest."
Celeborn nodded, and took Galadriel's hand. Raven watched them leave, but Haldir stayed, standing by the door.
"Are you my guard now?" Raven asked as he turned his head to look at her. His eyebrows rose at her in surprise.
"Do I need to guard against you?" he asked. He had changed, and wore a grayish green tunic. He had removed his bow and quiver, and the sword. But she could see a belt knife at his side. Even without that she knew he was dangerous. The look in the elves eyes when she first saw them told her that.
"I have no weapons, I am sure you took what I had." She said as he leaned against the door.
Haldir smiled, indeed her small belt knife was tucked in his boot. Her bow he had left in his room. He frowned. "I fear you are causing great consternation in my city."
Raven narrowed her eyes. "I did not ask you to allow me entry, you could have left me in the sandstorm."
Haldir frowned. "Nay, I could not." He said as he pushed himself away from the doorframe.
Raven stared at him for a moment. "Why did you not." She asked.
Haldir stared back. "Why did you come?" he asked instead, avoiding the question he could not yet answer.
"I told you, I had no choice. You seemed closer." She said as she looked away.
"Did you not fear what would happen if you tried to enter our lands?" he asked, stepping toward her. Raven pulled the blanket tighter to her chin. Her eyes widened as he stepped closer. His eyes were hooded as he approached her. Raven swallowed, she had not thought further than getting here.
"I only hoped to reach here, preferring a quick death by arrow than a slow one by dehydration." She snapped, moving across to the far side of the bed.
Haldir smiled at her discomfort. "So you thought we would kill you as soon as we saw you? Why would you think that?" He smiled but the smile did not reach his eyes, as they grew cold and grey.
Raven slid out of the bed, opposite him. Her knees trembled. "I fear what I do not know. I have been told stories of how fiercely the elves defend their borders. We are raised on those stories, so much that most fear to even come close." He was intimidating her and doing it well, but she wasn't going to let him know that. She stared at him, looking down her nose at him, although that was difficult as he was so tall. His eyebrows rose in amusement.
"I only thought to reach here, I had not considered any further." She answered honestly. It would do no good to lie. "If you plan on killing me I'd rather not wait." She snapped as he stopped at the end of the bed.
Haldir fought back a laugh. She had spirit. "We don't plan on killing you, there may be other uses for you here." He said as he stepped around the other side of the bed.
Raven backed up, feeling the table behind her. Blessed light, she had never considered she have to worry about anything other than being shot on site. She swallowed as he came closer.
Haldir frowned, knowing he was making her nervous. He gripped her wrist as her eyes widened, unable to control her fear. He did not want to frighten her.
"I will not harm you." He said as she stared up at him, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "But you may not be welcomed by everyone here. I cannot tell you why I allowed you to enter Lothlorien. Perhaps it was the will of the gods. But until the Lady of the Wood and Lord Celeborn decide your fate, you will not leave this room unless I, or my brothers escort you." He released her wrist and turned and strode to the door, glancing back at her as she stood staring at him. He nodded, and left closing the door behind him.
Raven sighed in relief. The elves were intriguing and she didn't feel in peril. Yet this Haldir had an aura of danger that seemed to surround him. He seemed like a sand cat, coiled and ready to strike at the slightest hint of danger.
Was he dangerous? She wondered. His eyes seemed to drill through her when he looked at her. She slid back under the thin blanket, and then stopped as the blood rushed to her face, aghast, as she stared at the fabric of the gown over her legs. She could almost see right through it. She gasped yanking the blanket up to her chin. She had gotten out of the bed, in front of him. Blessed Light! She squeezed her eyes shut in mortification; he must have been able to see right through it.
Haldir leaned against the door, hearing her gasp when she must have realized just how sheer the gown was she wore. He had thought at first she knew this, having pulled the blanket over her chest. But she had gotten out of the bed, in her defiance of him and he knew then she did not know.
He forced back the grin that wanted to curve the corners of his mouth. In the time since they had returned, no one had interested him. His duties as March Warden had kept him busy enough and just walking into the forest and seeing the land renewed had given him much pleasure.
But not like the fires that she had suddenly brought to life. And a mortal at that. He shook his head in exasperation. He needed to control the heated thoughts that were flooding his mind. He sighed in frustration. He did not need to get involved with anyone, let alone a homeless mortal. Pushing away the thoughts, he strode down the stairs, heading for Rumil and Orophin's talan. They could stand watch over her; he had other things to do.
~*~*~*~
~ 5 ~
Orophin knocked lightly on the door, as Rumil ran up the remaining stairs behind him. Haldir had been quite brusque yesterday when he had ordered them to attend the girl. He grinned as he heard movement inside, but composed his expression when the door opened, and Raven peeked around the door. She sighed in relief when she saw who it was. Orophin grinned again.
Rumil stepped forward, pushing his brother aside. "Since my brother still cannot speak the common tongue well, we have both come to assist you." Orophin scowled as he folded his arms over his chest. "I could have spoken well enough." He grumbled to Rumil in Elvish. Raven looked at them curiously.
"The Lady of the Wood asks for you to attend her if you feel well enough." Rumil said as he gestured to the stairs.
Raven opened her mouth to refuse, but suddenly felt compelled to go. "I am well enough, but I do not know the way."
Orophin grinned. "We can show you, and tell you of our city if you like." Raven looked at him in surprise.
"I thought you could not speak." She said as Orophin scowled at Rumil. "I fear my brother forgets that I have learned the common tongue well enough." Orophin growled.
Rumil laughed. "Come, Galadriel waits, but her patience may wear thin while Orophin thinks of what to say next."
Raven smiled at the banter between the two. They led her along the myriad of walkways that wound through the city, slowly ascending higher and higher into the canopy of the forest.
"I have never seen trees, let alone any this large. I would not have believed a city could be built in the branches of trees." She said as they stepped onto a balcony high above the city.
"That is why my people are called the Galadhrim, the tree people." Galadriel said as she glided down the final set of stairs leading away from the balcony. Orophin and Rumil both bowed, stepping back as Raven turned slowly to face her. She bowed her head as Galadriel stepped beside her.
"I like to see my city below me. This is a young city to us." She said as she waved her hand encompassing the city below. Raven leaned over the railing, looking at the many levels below her. "These are young trees? To grow so tall!" she exclaimed as Galadriel laughed.
"Yes, but remember the Elves have powers over nature, it is why we have returned. Slowly we hope to help all the earth be reborn." Galadriel took Raven's hand, pulling her away from the balcony. "Tell me why you were so far from your village. I do not understand your reference to the mark on your wrist." She said as she led her to a low chaise where they sat. Rumil brought them a glass of wine, then bowed and left with Orophin.
Raven sniffed the wine, and took a small sip. It was sweet. "I am a water seeker. We have the ability to locate water, even deep underground. Our village has to move when our water supply dries up. We have moved five times in the last four seasons, and soon our water will be gone again. I had not yet found water when the sandstorm came."
Galadriel sat back, running her fingers around the rim of her glass as she considered Raven. "So you are sent to find a new location for your village. And if you do not find water?"
Raven scowled. "Then my people will die."
Galadriel frowned. "You are the only water seeker?" she asked as Raven's lips tightened. She watched her curiously.
"I was not, my brother was one as well. But he is dead now." Raven grimaced, trying to push back the grief that threatened to overcome her.
Galadriel laid her hand on Raven's knee. "I am sorry, child. It is difficult to lose one you love. It was a violent death."
Raven stared at her in surprise. "Yes, how did you know?"
Galadriel smiled sadly. "I know many things. Your feelings on this show clearly on your face. How can we help you?"
Raven stood up, pacing in front of Galadriel. "I do not know what you can do, My Lady. You have healed me from the heat sickness, and I thank you for that. I must go back, they will be worried for me. If I do not return soon, they will assume I have perished and will seek another. They have no choice."
Galadriel stood as well as Celeborn glided down the stairs to them. "And if they chose another, you cannot return?" He asked as Raven turned to him in surprise.
"I can, but I will have lost my status among the elders. And I will not be able to provide for my younger sisters and brother. I am all they have left." She said turning back to the railing.
Celeborn looked at Galadriel in surprise. He moved to stand beside Raven. " We do not wish to hold you here against your will. You are the first to have the courage to come to us. We wish to help you if you will accept it."
Raven stepped back, to stare at both of them. They stood there, calmly waiting her answer. She was amazed at their generosity; she had only been here two days. What could she say? What could they do? Galadriel smiled. "You can bring the village near the border, Raven. We can arrange an agreement for water rights."
Raven walked back to the chaise sitting heavily as her knees were suddenly trembling. An agreement for water rights! They would be able to stay forever in one place! She flushed as she remembered the stream. Pushing the thought away, she frowned.
"Most of my village will be ecstatic, My Lady. But there are those who will take advantage of your kindness. I fear what you may have to face if I were to bring my people here. Word will spread." Celeborn grinned. "Do not be concerned, we have had dealings of this sort before. Do not be misled by our generosity. We can and will negotiate an agreement fair to all."
Raven shook her head. "No you don't understand. Some of my people are violent, angry. If they decide they want your land, they will fight to take it."
Celeborn smiled. "My dear child, we have lived ages longer than you can even comprehend, and faced evils far worse. We can defend our borders well. Haldir is most proficient as our Guardian." Raven frowned, still not understanding him. "Haldir cannot be everywhere. These men are not like you."
Celeborn sighed. "I see we must show you to convince you we are able to defend ourselves. Do you remember when Haldir and his wardens first found you?"
Raven nodded, "I do not remember all, but most." Celeborn nodded. "What did you feel when you first saw them?" Raven sat down, remembering the hazy figures as they approached her, and suddenly her fear. They had looked dangerous. She had not seen them like that since coming here to the city.
Celeborn sat down next to her. "I will take you to the training grounds, you can see how we train. Our people are warriors first, Raven." He smiled as Galadriel turned from the railing. "What must we do to help you?" she asked.
Raven sat back, thoughts whirling about her head. She shook it slightly. "They will not believe me when I tell them about you." She said sadly. Perhaps it was only a dream.
Galadriel frowned, "It is not a dream, young Raven. I will send my emissary, my guardian with some of his wardens back with you." Raven looked up in shock. "You would send Elves back with me?" she laughed suddenly thinking of their pale skin and the sun. "I fear you would not last long in the desert."
Celeborn stood, "You underestimate us, Raven. We have survived long, but we can still learn. You will tell us what we will need to survive the heat of the desert. I can see in your mind there are plants that will help us?'
Raven gasped, "You can read my mind?"
Galadriel laughed, "Only if you allow it. You have a natural shield, and we have not tried to push past it, only just now did we see into your thoughts. We do not pry."
Raven blushed. "I shall have to be aware of that in the future." She smiled. "Your clothing will be acceptable with additional layers, but you will need a head covering and the plant which we make into a balm to shield the skin somewhat from the suns rays. I cannot guarantee you will not burn some still."
Galadriel nodded. "You will meet with my seamstresses, and describe this covering. We shall be ready in a few days. I will send Haldir to you, so he can prepare."
Raven stood up, the color draining from her face. "Haldir?" she said as Celeborn smiled.
"He is our emissary, Raven, as well as March Warden, Guardian of Lorien, among others as well. He is the most logical choice. He is well versed in negotiations, and is the best of our Galadhrim." "Best of your Galadhrim?" Raven repeated tonelessly.
Galadriel laughed, hugging her. "He is the best choice to defend you as well as our reputation, and my wood. Come, Celeborn is right, we must show you."
~*~*~*~
~ 6 ~
Raven stared about her as Celeborn and Galadriel led her down the flights of stairs into the city. Their people, with smiles of welcome and respect greeted the two elves. Raven watched this in awe, her people fought over who would rule and animosity sometimes ran high. She could not remember a time when they had such a peace.
They descended the last stair, coming to a broad stream that ran through the center of the city. Raven stared at it in consternation. So much water. She reached down hesitantly to touch the flowing water. So much when they had so little.
Galadriel pulled her back to her feet. "Come, it is only a little further. My Galadhrim wardens like to practice at sunset, especially Haldir. I often come to watch." She pulled Raven along, following Celeborn as they entered a large clearing.
Raven stared about her. The area was quite large and at one end she could see an archery range was set up, but the targets were an impossible distance to hit.
"How can you see such targets?" she asked as Celeborn grinned.
"We can see much farther than you, young Raven. See, here is Rumil, Haldir's youngest brother. They are by far the best of our bowmen. Rumil is in charge of training the wardens in archery."
Raven watched as the familiar elf strode forward, the target set as far distant as the arena would allow. He pulled up the bow, almost as tall as he, and pulled it back gracefully. Raven held her breath as she watched him release the arrow he'd nocked, the bowstring singing as the arrow flew smoothly, thudding into the target dead center.
Raven sat back, her eyes wide in surprise. Rumil turned to another elf, demonstrating some technique and the elf drew, releasing the arrow to embed next to Rumil's arrow, but not quite center. The elf shook his head in disgust as Rumil laughed.
Raven stiffened as she heard Haldir's voice behind her. She turned looking across the arena to see him enter with Orophin. Raven shrank back, not wanting him to know she was there. Celeborn smiled as he looked down at her.
"He does not know you are here, and we will not garner his attention. When he is here to practice, he ignores all else."
Raven sat forward, as she watched Haldir and Orophin face each other. They had drawn their long swords and were circling each other warily. They taunted each other verbally although Raven could not understand what they said. She gasped as Orophin lunged first, his sword slicing near enough to Haldir's head that it fluttered the strands of hair that hung along his cheek as Haldir leaned back. Haldir laughed, bringing his sword up to parry Orophin's next charge, twisting around so that he stepped under Orophin's outstretched arm and slammed the flat part of his blade against Orophin's side.
Orophin gasped, doubling over for only a moment, twisting to parry Haldir's next swing. They both laughed stepping back, eyeing each other warily. Haldir gripped his sword with both hands loosely, and she could see him flex the muscles in his shoulders as he rose up slightly on his toes. Orophin lunged forward, and Haldir's blade met his, the blades connecting with a crisp metallic resonance. They circled, their blades flashing faster than Raven could follow. She stared open mouthed at their dance. They flowed elegantly from one stance to another, their expressions becoming focused as they continued to parry. She stared at them in wonder, seeing the beauty of their movements but aware that this was no game. These elves would kill, and watching them fight, would outmatch any of the men she knew.
She rose to stand beside Celeborn and Galadriel, watching as Haldir twisted, his hair flying out with the speed of his turn, and slam his shoulder into Orophin's side. Orophin grunted, staggering back from the blow, and scowled. He leaped toward Haldir, and Haldir brought up his sword, slamming it into Orophin's stomach with the flat side of his blade. Turned, as it should have been, he would have sliced Orophin in two. But Orophin only gasped, trying to twist away from Haldir. Haldir smiled and Raven shuddered at the coldness of that look. He slammed his sword into Orophin's, blocking his swing, and twisted to pull Orophin's sword from his grip. The sword flew end over end, to land several feet from them as Haldir turned back to his brother.
Orophin scowled, and when Haldir looked up to see Celeborn and Galadriel, took advantage of his distraction, , tackling Haldir into the dirt. They rolled around, as Galadriel laughed, Haldir's sword sliding across the ground. Long blond hair hid faces as they wrestled. Raven frowned as Celeborn folded his arms, hiding a smile behind his fingers as they continued to watch the two brothers scuffle.
Haldir rolled over top of Orophin, pinning him to the ground. Raven saw him murmur something to Orophin who stared at him for a moment, before he laughed. The two stood, brushing off the bits of dirt that clung to their tunics, eyeing each other warily.
Galadriel smiled, stepping into the arena, and Celeborn pulled Raven along behind her. "Well done, as usual Orophin, Haldir has won the match. But you are getting better, soon he will find himself at your mercy."
Haldir snorted as Orophin grinned. "I did not want to embarrass my brother in front of our company." He laughed as Haldir glared at him.
"I fear my blows must have addled your brain, Orophin, if you think you can best me." Haldir growled as he picked up his sword from the ground. He slid it into the scabbard at his side, eyeing Raven as she tried not to stare at him.
Raven swallowed, she had not seen him since the day in her bedroom and had not looked closely at him in her nervousness. Galadriel and Celeborn stepped away with Orophin to talk with Rumil and Haldir stood waiting for her to speak.
"So you come to watch, what did you think?" He asked instead, as Raven avoided his gaze. His eyes were threatening to melt her if she dared to look at him. He stepped closer and Raven shivered. He smelled earthy, and Raven stepped back smiling nervously.
"You are a master of the sword. I have underestimated you, forgive me." She caught her breath as he smiled, his lips curving as one dark brow rose in amusement.
"I am not offended, you have only seen a small part of our world. This is peaceful compared to ages past." He looked back toward Galadriel as they turned toward them. "Perhaps we will get to see more of you and your world." He murmured as Raven blushed furiously.
"I think you have seen enough of me." Raven hissed as a smile curled around his mouth. His eyes narrowed as she stared at him, angry that he brought it up. She clenched her jaw, as she tried to meet his gaze. Galadriel's arrival gave her the chance to look away and she stepped back with a sigh of relief. Haldir smiled, his eyes twinkling in humor as Celeborn gripped his shoulder.
Raven smiled at Celeborn, ignoring Haldir as they moved to the side of the arena to watch Rumil again. Celeborn turned to Haldir.
"We have offered our assistance to Raven's village, Haldir. I would send you as Emissary, to negotiate with her clan on water privileges if they move near our borders. We would send you and your brothers and any others you feel you will need."
Haldir looked at Raven who stared at him defiantly. "I assume Raven will provide us with the necessary tools to survive the desert heat?" he said as she frowned.
Celeborn nodded, ignoring the heated looks between the two. "She will give our seamstresses the design for her head covering, and anything else you will need. Come to me after training and we will discuss it further." He clasped Galadriel's hand and they rose to leave. Galadriel motioned for Raven to follow.
Haldir continued to watch Rumil train, his thoughts dwelling on Celeborn's request. He rose finally, and turned to leave, striding out of the arena. Rumil fell into step beside him.
"Celeborn is sending us out into the desert?" he asked.
"Aye, we will be emissary to Raven's village, but I think he wishes more than that. It will be a prime opportunity to observe the mortals once again. I must go to Celeborn, gather Orophin and two others and meet me in my talan tonight." Rumil nodded heading off into another direction and Haldir began to ascend the many stairs to Celeborn and Galadriel's talan.
It was not often he was directed to meet them there. Only the most private of conversations took place in the lord and lady's own talan. He quickened his pace, it would not be good to keep them waiting long.
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