Title & Chapter Number: The Sundering 18/25
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
~ 18 ~
Haldir strode wearily into the city, scanning the path before him. He stopped as Willow ran toward him down the path, his eyebrows rising as he noted the elven tunic she now wore. It was a soft pink and set off the blush that stained her cheeks as she hurried toward him. He turned to the elf at his side with a grin as Orvith coughed, trying to regain the breath that he had just swallowed.
"Master Haldir, you have returned." She said coming to a flying halt in front of him. He reached out to steady her as she glanced over to Orvith.
"I fear I could not spend another day on the border, young Willow, having to listen to this elf's extremely loud vocalization of his umm… respect for you." He said as Orvith's pale face began to flood with color. Haldir rolled his eyes as Willow smiled broadly.
"You were discussing me?… Loudly?" she asked Orvith as he smiled, her eyes brightening with excitement.
Haldir sighed, gripping Orvith's shoulder in farewell he moved to continue down the path.
"Haldir, wait!" Willow called. Flying to his side she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him soundly on the cheek. Haldir stepped back, as one dark brow arched in amusement. "Thank you for allowing him to come back." She said as he nodded, trying to control the amusement that made the corners of his mouth curl slightly. Willow gazed at him for a moment. "She has missed you, don't let her tell you otherwise." She said as Haldir looked down at her curiously. She grinned and turned, running back to Orvith as he smiled at Haldir.
Haldir opened the door of his talan, glancing back as he heard his brother's voices rising from below him on the stair. He pulled his quiver from his back and set it against the wall, noticing his tunic was no longer on his bed. He unbuckled his sword, and opened the door to the bathing chamber seeing the bath was ready as usual. He smiled as he remembered his last bath.
Rumil's voice carried to him as he sat on the bed to pull off his boots.
"I am sure he will not explain what happened, but every time I even look at her she turns red and walks away. She hasn't spoken to me for days."
"If you would not continue teasing her she would have been fine, she is not like Haldir, she is not used to us yet." Haldir heard Orophin retort as the door handle turned and they entered the talan, unannounced as usual.
"And who have you been teasing unmercifully now?" Haldir asked as he set his boots against the wall next to his quiver.
The brothers looked at each other for a moment as Haldir frowned. "You have not been teasing Raven?" he asked as they looked at him sheepishly. Haldir straightened, his eyes narrowing as his brothers both smiled slyly.
"We did not mean to tease her, she is just very sensitive when ever your name comes up." Orophin said as he pushed Rumil away from him. He frowned, glaring at Rumil.
Rumil shrugged his shoulders. " She can't help it if she blushes whenever we talk about taking a bath!" he said as Haldir stood up from where he had sat on the bed.
He stared at Rumil, "What about taking baths, what has she told you." He said frostily as he looked from one to the other.
Rumil held up his hands in defense. "She has not said anything, that is the problem. So we have had to conjecture what must have happened." He grinned as Haldir frowned, folding his arms over his chest.
Orophin sat on the bed. "Rumil has not been too hard on her, she is feisty enough he's almost felt her fist on his jaw once more." He laughed at the sour look Rumil gave him. "But no, he has been much more sentimental in his gifts to her."
Haldir tilted his head, "This is getting quite interesting." He said as he stepped toward Rumil with an air of intimidation.
"I only tried to relieve the terror she felt from her dreams. They have been very dark of late." He said as Haldir stopped abruptly.
"What do you mean, Rumil?" Haldir said slowly as Rumil frowned.
"When you left she began to have dreams. She will not explain, even to the Lady of what they are. But she was not well. I gave her something I thought perhaps might give her comfort." He said as Haldir stared frostily at him again. He grinned, seeing he had irritated Haldir more.
"And what was this gift to comfort her, brother." Haldir asked stiffly, surprised at the feeling of jealousy that flooded his mind.
Rumil grinned as Orophin chuckled. "Only a picture of you." He said as Haldir opened his mouth to speak but shut it slowly.
"You gave her mother's locket?" Haldir said as he sat down.
"You are not angry are you?" Rumil asked suddenly. " I did not think you would mind. I think for some reason it may have helped."
Haldir shook his head, smiling. "No, Rumil. I do not mind." He rose pulling off his cloak and tunic. He strode into the bath and they heard a surprised exclamation.
Haldir walked out, dressed only in his leggings carrying his once mud stained tunic. "How did this come so clean, I thought for sure it was ruined." He said as he eyed both his brothers.
"I fear it not for us to tell," Orophin laughed as he strode over to inspect the tunic.
Haldir stared at him arching one brow and laid it on his bed. He returned to the bath and removing the rest of his clothes stepped into the tub with a sigh.
Rumil moved to sit near the door, sliding down to lean against the wall, as Orophin sat in the only chair.
"So about this bath business." Rumil began as Haldir frowned at him.
"It is none of your business, Rumil." Haldir said as he leaned against the back of the tub.
"But Haldir! The talk of the city is that you dragged the poor girl all the way up here to your room, even so much as to toss her over your shoulder!" Rumil laughed as he looked out of the doorway his eyebrows arching in horrified amusement. "I hear she tumbled you very ungracefully into the mud."
Haldir sighed as he closed his eyes, listening to the laughter of his brothers. He rested his hand over his eyes as Orophin suddenly coughed violently. He frowned as a sudden perfume wafted to his nose and sat up only to find an icy bucket of water poured directly over his head. He started to rise, but hearing the feminine laughter that was rapidly retreating outside he gave up with an aggravated sigh and slid down under the water.
Raven pulled Willow along the stairs dragging the wooden bucket with her. She grinned as she glanced back, hoping that Haldir would not follow them directly.
"He will make you pay for that, Raven." Willow laughed, pulling her to a stop beside Rumil's talan.
"Yes, I know. You will not say a word to Indirion and Sareth. Sareth already thinks he owes Haldir a talking to. Hopefully he will keep that to himself." Raven said, but gasped as Haldir walked out onto the stairs. She pulled Willow around the corner.
"Haldir has an excellent view from his talan , he should be able to see where you should be. He will know we have not descended any further." Willow gasped.
Raven frowned seeing Haldir turn back into the talan. "Hurry, he is inside once again." They hurried down the stairs as they heard Rumil laugh above them. Raven pushed her sister ahead of her and glanced back to gasp in surprise.
Haldir smiled roguishly as he raised his bow, nocking the arrow and sighting along its length to the stairs below. He waited for a moment, calculating her forward motion , and released the arrow as Rumil grinned.
Raven heard the bowstring snap and she hesitated, gasping as the arrow thudded into the stairs behind her and she came to an abrupt halt as the arrow embedded the train of her dress into the wood of the stairs. If she had not known Haldir's skill with his bow she would have been frightened but as it was she only grew nervous as she shuddered trying to rip the skirt free. Haldir grinned wickedly, shouldering the bow to start down the steps. Willow turned and gasped realizing Raven was not behind her and hurried back.
"Go on , Willow." Raven hissed as she yanked on the material as she glanced apprehensively up, watching as Haldir descended slowly. She tore the material free and turned to flee only to hear Haldir chuckle.
"I will only pin you once again, do we carry this down the full stair?" he asked as she turned back to him slowly, raising her chin in defiance. Her eyes widened as she realized he had only put on his leggings and stood bare-chested with his hair dripping down his chest. Rumil stood behind a few steps carrying Haldir's quiver and Raven knew he did not jest.
Haldir stepped down to her, frowning as he stared at her, his irritation forgotten as he looked at her face. He gripped her chin lifting her eyes to his gaze. She refused to look at him and he gripped her chin tighter.
"You are not well, Raven." He murmured as he saw the dark circles that ringed her eyes and her pale complexion. She pulled away from his grip and he released her.
"I just haven't been sleeping well." She said as she stepped back. Haldir reached out pulling his mother's locket out from under her tunic where it had lain hidden.
"This was my mothers." He said as she stared at him. "I think she would have been happy to see you wear it." He smiled as Raven stared at him nervously. Haldir looked down as one of his wardens ascended the stairs toward them.
He looked at them curiously, as Raven turned around, yanking the arrow out of the stair. His eyebrows rose in amusement as he noted Haldir's state of undress, glancing at Rumil as he winked and grinned.
The warden bowed, touching his heart, still grinning as Haldir stared down arrogantly. "My Lord Celeborn has requested your presence, March Warden. Shall I tell him you may be delayed?" he said as he took in the puddle that had dripped off from Haldir's hair. Haldir frowned.
"No, you will tell him I will be there shortly, and no more." Haldir said as his eyes narrowed.
The elf lowered his eyes bowing, fighting to control the smile on his lips. "By your command, March Warden." He said turning on his heel to hurry silently back down the stair.
Haldir sighed, turning to go back to his talan. He looked back at Raven as she stared at the retreating elf.
"I will speak with you later, Raven. Do not avoid me." He said as she whirled, hurrying down the stair.
Celeborn rose from his chair as Haldir announced himself outside the door to his study. He smiled as Haldir entered, bowing briefly.
"Mae Govannen, My Lord Celeborn." Haldir murmured as Celeborn nodded.
"Good Eve to you March Warden, I see you have taken your bath." He said, his expression blander than usual. Haldir frowned knowing Celeborn was fully aware of his last bath.
"A cold one at that, My Lord." He said as Celeborn smiled in amusement.
"It seems you have no peace. You will have to place a guard on your door." He grinned as Haldir sighed.
"I am sure someone would manage to gain access even then, My Lord." He said as he smiled.
Celeborn laughed sitting back into his chair. He waved to another and Haldir sat down, eyeing the stack of books Celeborn had lying on his table.
Celeborn touched the books, "I brought these back with me from the Undying Lands. I have been studying our history, Haldir. Or should I say that of the Gods before us. As it was told to the first elves and written in the annals I have here." He leaned forward to light the lantern, and its glow spread softly over the books. "I thought perhaps to find some answers to our questions Haldir."
Haldir picked up the top book, glancing at the pages of elvish text. "And what has this to do with me? " he asked as Celeborn smiled.
"Galadriel and I have felt for some time that you are tied to Raven in some way and I have been searching the old texts, perhaps for some clue. I think I may have found it but I cannot say as yet. I asked you to come to me as Galadriel is very concerned for Raven. She sleeps not, but dreams of things so dark that Galadriel has not been able to breach it. We fear perhaps Morgoth is speaking to her in her dreams."
Haldir frowned. "I see she has become very pale, she is not eating well." He said as Celeborn nodded.
"No, and nothing we seem to do helps. Today is the first day she has shown such spirit, unfortunately for you." He grinned as Haldir smiled.
"Perhaps then I cannot be angry with her." Haldir said as Celeborn sighed.
"No, you must not be angry with her. She seems to need you. Trust your instincts."
Willow sat up in the bed as she peered through the murky darkness surrounding her. Something had woken her and she rubbed her eyes as she listened for the sound of the twins breathing. They slept fitfully across the room. She reached over to check on Raven and gasped as she realized she was not there.
Willow slid quickly from the bed, hurrying to the door. She looked out to see a brief flash of Raven's nightgown as she descended the steps below their talan. Willow ran down to reach her, pulling Raven around to face her.
"Raven, what are you doing, you will trip and fall." She gasped as Raven stared at her, but her face was pale and her eyes stared at her blankly. Raven pulled away from Willow and began to walk slowly down the stairs once more.
Willow reached out as Raven slipped from her grasp once again. Not knowing what to do she whirled around to race back up the stairs. She ran past their talan, running up the stairs to fly across the small bridge that led to the next stair rising into the trees. She gasped in terror as an arm reached out grasping her waist.
"Where do you go in such a hurry Willow?" Haldir asked as he lifted her off her feet to set her in front of him. He had stood in the shadow of the tree speaking softly with Rumil and Orophin and she had not seen any of them.
"It is Raven, Haldir. She walks in a trance and I could not stop her!" she cried as Haldir frowned, releasing her to stride rapidly back across the bridge.
Haldir caught up to Raven, gripping her arm turning her toward him. She stared at him blankly as he gripped her shoulder. "Raven," he said as he gazed at her. She did not respond, but twisted to break free from his grip. Her face was gray and Haldir gripped her arms tighter. He frowned as she shuddered, lifting her into his arms as she suddenly sagged against him. He carried her back to her talan, laying her gently on her bed. He leaned over her, speaking softly in elvish as Rumil and Orophin stepped in beside him.
Willow hugged Indirion and Sareth to her as the elves surrounded Raven. Haldir looked up at his brothers, his brow creasing with worry as he knelt on the bed.
"I cannot reach her." He whispered, frowning.
"If you cannot reach her then we must take her to Galadriel." Rumil said as he leaned over her. He brushed back her hair. "Her locket is gone." He said as Haldir searched near her. Sareth ran over beside the bed.
"Here it is, Haldir. The chain is broken.. She must've torn it off in her dreams." He handed the locket to Haldir. Haldir turned as Galadriel swept through the door, Celeborn right behind her. She crossed to the bed,, her face concerned as she leaned over her.
"I felt her drawn into the shadow, you cannot reach her?" she asked as she looked at Haldir.
"Nay she has not even fluttered an eyelash since I carried her back, she was walking as if in sleep." He said as Galadriel frowned.
She leaned over Raven, brushing her fingers lightly over her eyes, closing them. "Come back to the light, Raven, break free of the shadows that control you." She murmured as soft light began to glow around her. She continued to speak to her as Celeborn leaned next to Haldir.
"We fear she is caught in between our world and the shadow world, if we cannot bring her back she may be lost to us. Galadriel heard her cry out in her dream. I fear Morgoth has used your image to draw her deeper into his shadow. In her dream she may not have known the difference between you and Morgoth." He murmured softly.
Galadriel sighed as Raven took a deep breath, but nothing more. She leaned closer calling to her softly. "Can you hear me? Raven?" Galadriel murmured as Raven eye's fluttered slightly.
"It is so dark, I cannot see." Raven whispered. Galadriel looked at Haldir.
"She is trapped, but I cannot see how to draw her back. We must be careful Haldir; it is as Celeborn has said. Morgoth has deceived her in her dreams I saw this. She cannot tell if it you who call to her or he. She must be drawn back but by some way she will know it is you only." Galadriel said as she rested her hand on his.
"I do not know what I can do, your powers are much stronger than mine." He said as Galadriel shook her head.
"Not in this Haldir. You are tied together, as I have told you. It is this thread that you must use to draw her back." She said softly as he sighed.
He rose, gathering Raven into his arms as Galadriel stepped back. "I will take her to my talan." He said striding silently up the stair.
Haldir pushed open the door to his talan as Rumil and Orophin sat on the top of the stair.
"Do you think he will reach her?" Orophin murmured as he stared at the city below him.
"I fear for him if he cannot. But I think his will is stronger. He will know what he must do, I think he has thought of it already." Rumil said smiling. "He did not seem so worried as we reached the top of the stair."
Orophin looked at Rumil, "Yes he did smile as he entered the door, I wonder what it is he has thought to do?"
Rumil shrugged, "I can only hope it will work."
~ Next Chapter ~
~ Previous Chapter ~
~ Library Main ~
~ Author Index ~ Character Index ~ Title Index ~
~ Hall Of Fire ~ Gallery ~
~ Links ~ Shops ~ Map ~ News ~ Rules ~ Lists ~ ~
This page is in no way affiliated with New Line Cinema or Tolkien Enterprises, and no profit is being made.
The information contained herein is NOT to be used to spam or in any other way harrass its members. Be advised that abuse of this site will not be tolerated, and the appropriate legal action will be taken.
Hall-Of-Fire.Com v.4.0, Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 by Cristine Cook-Fireheart. All rights reserved. This web site may not be reproduced in any form, except as occurs in normal browser caching, without express written permission from the author.
Website by Infinite Connections Design.
