Title & Chapter Number: The Sundering 14/25
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
~ 14 ~
The villagers had not taken long to set up their tents along the edge of the wood, but raising the walls around the village took longer. Andarion, Lord Celeborn and Haldir walked along the perimeter of the village as they discussed the village's protection. Raven watched them from a distance. Lady Galadriel had returned to their city, but Lord Celeborn had stayed with Haldir. The elves were concerned; they could feel something coming, but did not know what it was. She turned to stare out through the trees at the brightness that glimmered beyond them. What was out there?
She walked along the path to the border, feeling the eyes that guarded the forest following her. She had become used to knowing they were about, but she never saw the elves unless they chose to reveal themselves to her. She stood on the edge of the tree line, watching the horizon.
"What are you thinking?" Haldir asked, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
She turned to face him, taking in the gray tunic he wore once more and the bow and quiver strapped to his back. "I thought perhaps a scouting party might be wise, instead of waiting for whatever is out there."
Haldir nodded. "That would be a wise action. Andarion has suggested it as well. But I have already sent one."
"You sent elves out into the desert?"
"Aye, I have, and several of your men as well. They left the day after you arrived. They do not go far."
Raven frowned, pouting as Haldir laughed. "You are upset that I did not ask you?"
Raven turned back to stare at the desert. "No, I am not upset."
He leaned toward her. "I did not because the Lady Galadriel asked me not to."
Raven turned to him.
"And why would she ask that? I have not talked with her since we came."
Haldir shrugged. "Her reasons are her own, but I obey when given a direct order." He turned as someone called for him in the forest. He nodded to her and strode quickly back into the shadows.
Raven scowled, turning back into the forest as well. She felt pretty useless since they had arrived. What was she to do now? She walked to her tent, roughly throwing the flap aside in frustration as she entered. She stopped abruptly when Lady Galadriel rose from a chair where she had been sitting with Indirion.
"Here she is, my lady," Indirion chirped, rising to hug Raven. "I have been telling the Lady all the Elvish words I know. She has been very kind to listen."
Raven smiled as Galadriel glided to her. "I came to speak with you, Raven. Can we walk outside?"
Raven pushed open the tent again, and Galadriel ducked out. "I am honored you would come to see me, my lady," Raven said as they began to walk through the village.
Galadriel smiled gently at her, taking her hand. "I wanted to see how you are progressing. Lord Celeborn has not returned to Caras Galadhon and I missed him as well."
Raven stared at the ground as they walked. "You have been together for a very long time," she remarked, and Galadriel laughed.
"Longer than you can imagine, young Raven." She squeezed Raven's hand.
"But don't you get tired of each other? Angry?"
"There are times we all need our own space," Galadriel replied. "It is a strong love that can withstand those times and yet be true. We are each our own person, yet we are one when we are together. I could not be who I am without Lord Celeborn beside me. And even now I miss him when he is gone for more than a day or two."
Raven sighed. "You are very lucky then. Haldir said you did not want me to go on the scouting mission. Why?"
Galadriel paused beneath a large tree. "Because of what I saw in my mirror."
Raven stopped, looking at her in confusion. "Your mirror, my lady?" she asked as Galadriel continued walking. She hurried to catch up.
"Yes, Raven. I will show it to you someday. Many things I can command the mirror to reveal," she said, "and to some I can show what they desire to see. But alas the mirror will also show things unbidden. For it shows things that were, and things that are, and things that may yet be. But what it is the mirror is telling us even the wisest cannot say."
"So what have you seen in your mirror?" Raven asked, looking at Galadriel.
They had reached a narrow path in the forest. Raven looked around, aware that Haldir's wardens would not be far. She had not been in this area before. Galadriel smiled, as they reached a small clearing. The sunlight slanted through the trees, and Raven could hear the bees buzzing as they flew among the large white flowers that littered the meadow. Galadriel sank down in the middle of the meadow, plucking several of the flowers.
"I have seen many things, Raven. Most important is the shadow that is looming near."
Raven nodded.
"Yes, even I can feel something now, an uneasiness. Haldir said he sent out scouts."
Galadriel looked at her curiously. "Haldir will do what he must. I know he has the borders well guarded. I have seen some of what happened to you in the desert, although at the time I did not know if had happened or was something that might happen in the future."
Raven frowned, hoping that what she had seen was not during the sandstorms. She glanced up at Galadriel who was smiling in amusement.
"I am concerned for you, Raven. My mirror tells me you are in grave danger."
Raven laid back among the flowers, staring at the blue sky above her.
"I always seem to be in danger. My whole life I have felt like I was being watched. But I never knew if I was just being silly."
Galadriel brushed a lock of hair from Raven's forehead. "You were not being silly, Raven. You have been watched."
Raven sat up, her face pale as she stared at Galadriel.
"Your mirror told you this?" she asked.
Galadriel nodded. "Long ago we fought an evil spirit that took the shape of human kind. His name was Sauron. He was evil, and tried to consume Middle Earth in darkness. He was defeated, and we thought him gone forever. The elves left Middle Earth to return to our ancestral home called Valinor. The Valar sent us back here now in this age with a new mission. But I fear the Valar also have one who rules the shadow. He is called Morgoth."
Raven folded her hands, resting them on her knees. "That is why you came here to this meadow. These thoughts are shadows in your mind and you hoped to dispel them with the brightness of the sun here."
Galadriel smiled. "You are very perceptive. Yes I like this meadow, although I do not come here often."
Raven rested her chin on her hands. "Morgoth is one of the Valar?"
"Yes. Sauron was but a part of his spirit. I fear Morgoth thinks to spread his darkness over the earth once again."
Raven stood up. "Well, so what do we do, then? How can we fight this?"
Galadriel rose gracefully. "At this time, we can only protect our lands from the Orcs that will soon fall upon us. But I fear they are drawn to us by one thing."
Raven stepped back as Galadriel looked at her.
"They are drawn to me?" Raven asked, startled.
Galadriel nodded. "Although I do not know why yet. But that is why I asked Haldir not to send you on the scouting mission. You must be wary."
~*~*~*~
Haldir stood on one of the flets overlooking the forest border. Two weeks since they had returned and still no sign. His scouts had come and gone again. Nothing. His uneasiness was increasing and he had not felt this strongly in a long age. He rose as one of his elves climbed into the flet.
"The remaining rear guard have arrived. They are in position as you commanded, March Warden." The elf placed his hand over his heart in salute.
Haldir nodded, looking out over the desert as he gripped his bow. "Alert the guard. The battle will commence today. Make certain all in the village are ready."
The elf nodded and quickly descended the tree, melting into the forest. Haldir folded his arms, staring out beyond the tree line.
Rúmil swung down from the tree he had hidden in, nodding to Orophin who was waiting on the ground. "Haldir thinks they are close? But where are the scouts?" he asked as he adjusted his bow.
"He is worried they may be in trouble. We are to go into the desert a short ways," Orophin said as they began to walk quickly along the tree line.
Rúmil sighed. "I thought I would not have to brave the sun for a long while yet."
They ran into the edge of the desert as Haldir approached them. He nodded but did not stop, heading for the hill that stretched along the border. They climbed to the crest, and Haldir cursed as he turned, waving a signal to the elves in the trees. The scouting party had just crested the next hill at a mad run, and Haldir could already hear the sounds of the army behind them. The elves ran down the hill toward the scouts, dragging them along as they retreated back to the forest.
"It was all we could do to stay ahead of them, Master Haldir. They run like the wind. We won't be ready!" one of the men gasped.
Haldir grimaced and pulled the man along, urging him to greater speed. "We are ready. The women and children have been sent inside the forest."
They reached the woods and the men shook off the elves to run to the village. Haldir turned back to his brothers.
"It has been a long time since we've fought the shadow. We do not know if they remain the same or have changed in this age. So be wary."
The brothers nodded, their gazes meeting Haldir's for a moment. Haldir pulled himself back into the trees as the sound of jangling metal and leather reached him. He stood, pulling his bow from his back as a long line of Orcs swarmed over the hill. Haldir gripped his bow and waited as the Orcs stopped on the crest of the sand hill, staring eagerly at the forest and its coolness.
Haldir scanned the long line of the enemy. They had not changed in appearance, and still stood dark and dirty in their armor. He loosened his grip on the bow as the Orcs began to roar, banging their swords on their shields, their eyes glowing red with blood lust. It had been a long time since they had tasted elf flesh.
Haldir raised his fist, waiting as the Orcs began to stream down the hill, then lowered it quickly, signaling them to fire. He pulled an arrow from his back, nocking his bow, his eyes narrowed in concentration. His fingers released the string, launching the arrow into the hoard of Orcs, killing its target. Hundreds more flew from the trees as the Orcs screamed in pain and rage, falling onto the sand, turning it black with their blood.
Haldir shouldered his bow as the Orcs that had not fallen began to close in on the wood. He dropped out of the tree; pulling his sword free as the first Orcs breached the tree line. His eyes glittered icily as he ran forward.
The Orcs raced into the wood, fully aware the elves would be waiting, but their lust for blood consumed them. The two sides clashed as the elves stepped out from behind trees, arrows still lancing through the Orcs as they fought on the ground.
Haldir held his ground as the Orcs raced toward him, using the trees for cover as he could. The Orcs fell, their numbers dwindling, as the day grew long. He scanned the trees, hearing the sounds of fighting toward the village. Shouldering his bow, he raced toward the sounds.
The men of the village were tenacious as they fought the Orcs who had managed to get through the line of elves. Haldir frowned, making note to check on the elves who had guarded the village. He pushed his way past a huge Orc, his sword slicing the creature's throat as it roared its fury. The village was barren except for the men and he was thankful they had moved the women and children earlier. Right now he refused to dwell on Raven and where she must be.
Andarion leaned heavily on his sword as Haldir stepped beside him. Rúmil and Orophin had ran into the village, slashing their way toward them. The Orcs, seeing the elves appearing, began to retreat. The men cursed them, chasing them as they fled back into the desert.
"What in the heavens were those creatures? I have never seen the like!" Andarion gasped as he watched them retreat.
Haldir glanced at him. "They were once elves, long ago, until the shadow cursed them." He turned as Orophin and Rúmil approached.
"Did you mean for Raven to become a warden, Haldir?" Orophin asked.
Haldir turned to him abruptly. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, his face becoming pale with anger.
"She ran up and climbed into the trees just as the Orcs swarmed over the hill. She uses her bow well, but if it were not for Rúmil, I fear what might have happened."
Haldir turned to Rúmil, who was frowning as well.
"I did not think you knew she had come. I had to drag her into the flet." Rúmil rubbed his jaw. "For a woman, she has quite a punch."
Andarion smiled, shaking his head. "She thinks not of herself as always." He looked startled as Haldir turned and strode rapidly back along the tree line.
Rúmil and Orophin looked at each other.
~*~*~*~
Haldir found Raven stepping among the bodies of Orcs, her expression filled with loathing and disgust. When she saw Haldir striding toward her, she stopped, the color fading from her face as she straightened, her chin rising defiantly.
He halted before her, staring at her for a moment, his expression forbidding as he fought back the tide of his anger. "You will go to the city of Caras Galadhon," he said in a dangerous tone. "I will not have you endanger those around you with your foolish actions."
"I do not need to go there! I can help!" she said mutinously.
"You have never fought creatures such as these. And you will do as I say."
She frowned. "I will not leave my family behind while I go hide in the city," she countered, pushing past him.
Haldir gritted his teeth, fighting to control the fury sweeping through him. "You will do as I say," he snarled. He gripped her arm, ignoring the surprised looks of the other elves nearby. "I am responsible for your people as well as mine. You will obey me without question, or I will toss you over my shoulder and have you tied and dragged there."
Raven gazed at him as he glared at her, his gray eyes narrowed in anger and blistering in their intensity. "You would not dare!"
Yet she did not like the look he gave her and tried to pull away.
"Indeed I will." He released her arm. "It is up to you. Already you have drawn concern from my wardens. They do not need you to distract them from their duty."
"It seems that is all I am good for," she said bitterly. "A distraction from their duty, and yours." She turned to leave when Haldir spoke.
"You will give me your bow," he said quietly.
She froze, then slowly turned back to him. She opened her mouth to refuse, then snapped it shut as she recognized the steel in his eyes. His expression brooked no disobedience, telling her that the threat of being tossed over his shoulder loomed very real. With angry resignation, she tossed him the bow, turning on her heel to stalk angrily down the path.
~*~*~*~
Raven followed the elf assigned to lead her into the city of Caras Galadhon, unable to ignore the beauty of the city as they entered the south gate. She gazed around as they made their way through the city to the base of the great Mallyrn tree which housed the Lady and Lord's talan.
The elf turned to look at her as she hesitated at the base of the stairs. "We must not keep the Lady of Light waiting," he said.
She nodded, following behind him as they rose through the trees and arrived at audience chamber. The elf bowed briefly and left. Raven gazed up the remaining stairs, noting the wardens who stood guard at the top of the rise. They glanced at her briefly before resuming their blank expressions.
Raven folded her hands behind her back as Celeborn glided down the stairs and took her arm, saying, "Haldir is concerned for your safety."
"Nay, he is concerned I will be in the way," she murmured.
Celeborn looked at her in amusement. "You are upset that he sent you back to the city. Do not be. Come, Galadriel has gone to her bower, and wishes us to meet her there." He pulled her back to the steps.
Raven sighed. "Do you not tire of all these steps?"
Celeborn only laughed.
~*~*~*~
They reached the base of the tree and Celeborn guided her along the paths to an open area. Stone steps led into a hollow at the base of one of the large Mallyrn trees and Celeborn directed her down those steps. Galadriel rose from a small stone bench where she had been sitting. Raven nodded in greeting, noticing that Galadriel seemed paler than usual. She glided over to them, her long white dress trailing the ground behind her.
"Will you look into my mirror, Raven?" she asked slowly. "I have commanded the mirror to show me answers to my questions, but I fear it has not revealed much. Perhaps you can awaken it."
She picked up a silver pitcher, drawing water from a small nearby pool, then poured the water into a silver basin that sat atop a carved stone pedestal.
"You told me I may see many things," Raven said. "Perhaps they are things I do not want to see?"
"That is the chance you take, Raven. Are you strong enough?" Galadriel stepped back, her gaze fixed steadily on Raven's face.
"Has Lord Celeborn looked into the mirror?" Raven asked.
"Yes, Celeborn has looked, but what he saw I will not tell at this time. We wait to see what your vision may show." Galadriel gestured Raven toward the mirror.
Raven surveyed the elven couple who stood, waiting patiently for her to move forward. Squaring her shoulders, she stepped up to the basin and leaned over it. It lay dark, and she could see her reflection clearly. It took her a moment to realize it was not her reflection, but herself at a younger age, caught in a sandstorm. Gripping the edges of the bowl, she watched herself struggling with Rorik, fighting his advances as he trapped her in the small cave. She gasped, instinctively leaning away from the water.
The mirror blurred and changed its scene. Raven's eyes widened as she saw Haldir, leaning against a tree, high among the branches. He turned to gaze directly at her, as if he could see her, his gray eyes penetrating and shrewd. Before she could fully take this in, the mirror shifted once more and she stared into darkness as icy cold wafted up to chill her. Then the darkness stirred, changing into shades of swirling black and gray barely discernable, yet drawing her gaze forward into the shadowy waters. Her eyes widened as she finally made out a wavering figure, the head and shoulders of some creature, his eyes gradually becoming distinct.
It smiled at her as she gasped, feeling frozen in place as it held out a hand, beckoning her toward him. She swallowed as a horrible feeling of revulsion washed over her, and she closed her eyes, trying to control the terror that was sweeping over her.
When she reopened her eyes, the water was once more calm and clear, her true reflection gazing back at her. Appalled by her vision, Raven stepped back, raising a trembling gaze to meet Galadriel's.
"What was that?" she whispered hoarsely.
"That was Morgoth," Galadriel answered.
Celeborn bowed his head.
"What did he want of me?" Raven eyes widened with horror as she pushed away from the stone pedestal. "What is all of this about? I don't understand!"
Galadriel looked at Celeborn, gripping his hand as she moved to draw Raven back to the stone bench. "I saw what you saw, Raven. You must answer me honestly. Who was the man in the beginning of your vision? The one you fought with in the cave during the sandstorm?"
Raven grimaced. "It was Rorik. Haldir killed him before we left."
Galadriel nodded. "Yes, I saw that in the mirror. Did he rape you, Raven?"
Raven glanced uncomfortably at Celeborn. "No. But he tried." She wrapped her arms around herself, closing her eyes as she tried to force the memories away. "He was right there. He had me pinned underneath him in the cave. I was struggling, and we must have stirred up a nest of scorpions. He was stung, and I escaped into the sandstorm. It almost killed me."
Galadriel sighed in relief and Raven stared at her in surprise.
"All the visions you have are tied together, Raven. My vision was of you, and of Morgoth. I fear Rorik may have been tied to him in someway."
Raven frowned. "When he died he said that this wasn't over."
Celeborn frowned and seated himself beside Raven on the bench.. "What we know is that Morgoth as Valar can not inhabit Middle Earth, but he wants to control it. But he is not of Middle Earth and cannot as yet take physical form."
Raven's head jerked up. "No physical form yet?" She looked at Galadriel.
Galadriel rose to pace in front of them. "No, and if I correctly read what my mirror has shown, he needs someone to anchor his form here. But why has he focused on you, Raven?" She turned back and sat beside Raven again. "This water seeker ability you have, is it inherited?" When Raven nodded, Galadriel continued, "I have watched you since you came to us. You have this ability. You even said once the water speaks to you. You have also felt the uneasiness of the danger approaching. Celeborn and I feel that these are signs that you may have some elven blood in your line from long ago."
Raven stared at them in astonishment. "Elven blood? But blessed light! It would have been weakened into almost nothing by now."
Galadriel laughed. "Oh, our blood is strong, Raven. I think it is what gives you your psychic abilities. And I think it is also one of the reasons Morgoth has fixed his eye upon you."
Raven shuddered. "I still don't understand."
Galadriel took her hand. "You are tied to this world. You have blood from the beginning of ages, and your line has continued on from that age. Morgoth needs someone to bridge the dimensions. He needs someone like you."
Raven stood up, backing away from the elven couple. "Someone like me!" she gasped, horrified. She bumped into the pedestal and spun around to stare at the dark, still waters of the mirror.
~*~*~*~
Raven stared moodily at the flowing water of the stream, tossing a handful of rocks into the water to watch them sink quickly to the bottom. Galadriel's revelation still horrified her and she had not been able to sleep at all. The sky was gray this morning, she noticed in surprise. In Lothlórien, it seemed the sun was always shining, but today's gray skies matched her somber mood.
She tossed the remainder of her pebbles into the stream, flinching when Celeborn suddenly touched her elbow. She had not heard him come up behind her.
"You must not despair, Raven," he murmured. "Your vision may have answers you have not touched upon."
She turned back to the railing to watch the water. "My vision was horrifying, my lord. And I know I cannot hide here in Caras Galadhon forever. Besides it puts you in danger as well." She rested her chin on her hands.
"You think of others first. That is an honorable trait. But perhaps you have not remembered all of your vision." He leaned against the railing as well.
Raven frowned in remembrance. "The only other person in it was Haldir. He just looked at me like he could see me."
Celeborn said nothing, only glanced at her from the corner of his eye, then stared up at the gray sky above him.
Raven turned to look at him, her eyes narrowed. "So you think Haldir has something to do with my answer?" She laughed sourly. "I think he wishes he had never met me."
Celeborn chuckled. "Nay, dear Raven, I do not think Haldir wishes that at all. But you will have to ask him sometime. And to answer your question, yes, we do think Haldir has something to do with your visions. Perhaps if you dwell on it, you will understand what the vision of him meant." He squeezed her shoulder and turned away, leaving as silently as he had approached.
Raven leaned against the railing, resting her face in her hands. Heaving a sigh of frustration, she straightened and stared in wonder at the small drops of water beginning to sprinkle her skin. She lifted her hand and tasted the drops, gazing at the stream in confusion. Seeing the drops hit the water as well, she raised her eyes to the skies to watch the light mist that had begun to fall.
It was the first time she had ever seen rain.
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