Title & Chapter Number: The Sundering 20/25
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
~ 20 ~
Raven had just leaned over Haldir as he lay unconscious on the floor of the bathing room, when the door burst open and Rumil and Orophin tumbled through the opening. The boom of thunder still echoed across the forest and the elves were beside themselves.
Rumil knelt down beside Haldir, one eyebrow rising as he noted Haldir had nothing on. He stared at Raven as she clutched the wet nightgown in front of her as Orophin grinned.
"I woke, and he was unconscious. What has happened Rumil?" Raven gasped as Rumil felt along Haldir's body. Orophin knelt down, lifting one of Haldir's eyelids.
"We don't know, there was a great flash of light inside the talan, and we tried to get inside but the door would not open, even after we hacked at it with our swords." Orophin said as Orvith ran inside.
"The Lady of Light has collapsed and lies unconscious," He began, breathless from the run up the stairs. He stopped staring in horror at Haldir. "What evil befalls us, Lord Celeborn sits dazed along his love and the wardens guarding them lie unconscious as well."
Orophin shook his head. "I fear only Haldir and perhaps the Lady knows. He is not hurt only unconscious." They lifted Haldir, placing him on his bed.
Raven climbed onto the bed beside him, as Rumil stared pointedly at her gown. Raven looked down, blushing as he smiled.
"It looks like you were interrupted." He grinned.
Raven scowled as Haldir took a deep breath. He lifted his hand to his head, sighing. "I fear my head is going to explode, Rumil you must heal me." He said as Rumil frowned reaching to place his hands on Haldir's forehead.
"The lady lies unconscious like you. What evil has befallen you, Haldir?" he said as Haldir pushed his hands away.
He opened his eyes to stare at Raven. He sat up rubbing his forehead. "My head still aches." He complained as Rumil shrugged.
"I don't know what happened to you, Haldir. You will need the Lady's power to heal that headache." Rumil frowned. "You have not said what beset you and the Lady."
Haldir frowned. "Something has beset Galadriel?" he asked as Rumil explained Orvith's message. Haldir began to slide from the bed, but both brothers stepped in front of him.
"Raven may have already seen all there is to see of you, brother, but I fear you must lie yet in your bed until we know what happened. The lady is being tended to by Celeborn."
Haldir had smiled, his lips curving slightly as Raven had snorted at Rumil's comment. "I was visited by the Valar," He said as Rumil and Orophin both stared at him in astonishment. Haldir turned to Raven. "Do you remember anything once the room darkened?"
Raven shook her head. "I remember seeing the black shadow flowing toward me but nothing else."
Haldir leaned back against the headboard. He closed his eyes for a moment. "I fear your life is still in danger, Raven, as we all are. But I must speak with Galadriel." He glared at his brothers until they both sighed and stepped back. He slid from the bed walking over to his chest as Raven hid her face in her knees.
Rumil and Orophin looked at each other in amusement. "Alas the world is ending and Raven still blushes. Did you not just take a bath with Haldir?" Rumil asked boldly as Haldir glanced at Raven.
Raven glared at him. "I don't think it's any of your business," she retorted as Orophin laughed.
"Come we must see to Galadriel." He picked up his bow and quiver sliding them over his back. "I will be back, Raven. Do not stray from my talan. We have things I must discuss with you." He reached out buckling his sword to his side. He stared at Raven again for a moment before he turned and hurried quickly down the stair.
~*~*~*~
Celeborn rose as Haldir and his brothers hurried into his talan. His face was paler than normal and he had bruise along side of his brow. He gripped Haldir's arms. "She is sleeping only, a bad headache which I have healed." He frowned as Haldir grimaced.
"You as well, I thought so." He said as he laid his fingers on Haldir's temple.
Haldir sighed as the pain lessened under Celeborn's touch. "The Lady is unharmed?" he asked as he stood along side her.
"I am fine, Haldir." Galadriel murmured as she opened her eyes to look at him. "It has been a long since I have conversed with the Valar. It is different here on Middle Earth than in Valinor." She sat up with Celeborn's help, rubbing her temples. She stared at Haldir, "You were visited by two, that is highly unusual." She said as she sat on the edge of the bed.
Celeborn brushed back Galadriel's hair as he glanced at Haldir. "So Raven carries the blood of the Valar. The pieces begin to fall into place," he said as Galadriel sighed.
"It answers our questions as to why Morgoth favors her. If he were to bind with her he may have access to the powers of another Valar. That would be most unfortunate. Ulmo is second only to Iluvatar. Think of the devastation he could wreak with the additional strength he might gain," she said as she drew Haldir to sit beside her.
"Ulmo has spoken of this to me, but would not reveal what he has said to you, other than you must now make a journey in order to save both yourself and Raven."
Haldir frowned rising from the bed. "I fear I may have asked for more than I should have." He said as he turned back to Galadriel and Celeborn. "Ulmo has chosen my as his champion to fight Morgoth. I feel they're disagreement goes back to the beginning of time. I have agreed under one condition." He said as he stared at Galadriel.
Galadriel smiled, as she rose. "I have read the thoughts you do not speak Haldir. You will not harm her if you bind her to you. But she must do it willingly."
Celeborn grinned. "I do not think Raven will disagree. She has tried many times to tempt our sober March Warden and he has shown considerable restraint."
Galadriel reached out to touch Haldir's cheek. "This is a new age, Haldir. Perhaps our very survival will depend on how we can tie our world to theirs. As Morgoth attempts to bridge the dimension in which he resides, we must also."
Haldir turned back to his brothers who had waited beside the door. Their expressions were impassive but their eyes belied their curiosity He bowed to Galadriel and departed with Rumil and Orophin.
Galadriel reached up to smooth her fingers over Celeborn's brow. She smiled as he closed his eyes with a sigh. "The Valar told you of his bargain?" he asked as she removed her fingers.
"No, but I read it in his mind. If he binds her to him, she will live as long as he, whether he dies in battle or in ages to come. As will he if she dies. It is his own life now that he fights for, as well as hers." She crossed the room to stand on the balcony overlooking the city. "Ulmo was never one to speak to the elves nor humankind. I find it astonishing that he came to Haldir. He must have high regard for our March Warden or fears the strength of Morgoth to interfere in his plans."
Celeborn nodded, rubbing his temple where the bruise had been. "I just wish they would not announce themselves quite so brutally." He laughed as Galadriel smiled.
~*~*~*~
Haldir strode down the steps rapidly as Rumil and Orophin kept pace.
"So when did you intend on telling us you had thoughts this serious about this girl?" Rumil growled as he stared at Haldir.
Haldir grinned. "If I had told you, you would have announced it to every elf that you passed by now." Rumil snorted in disagreement.
"You cannot bind her to you, she is mortal!" Orophin said as he gripped Haldir's arm. "I fear you have lost your mind Haldir." He stopped in front of Haldir, concern etched in his features. "Her lifetime is just a moment in yours."
Haldir sighed. "There is much you do not know yet, I have been given a task for the Valar. If I fail in that, then Raven will be drawn into the world of shadow and I fear what she would endure there."
Rumil frowned. "Celeborn said she is of the Valar, how can this be?"
Haldir closed his eyes for a moment. "She has the blood of Ulmo, from the days of our beginning, it gave her family the abilities with seeking water. He looks upon her fondly."
Rumil and Orophin looked at each other. "So what is this task he has set you to?" Orophin asked uneasily.
Haldir scowled. "I must find Morgoth's champion in the land where the Orcs have hidden. What or who he is I do not know, but Raven must go as well. I know my binding her may protect her from Morgoth's advances."
Rumil stepped back. "You do not bind her just for this reason." He said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Haldir stared at his brother frankly. "Would you stop me if it were?" he asked as Rumil eyes narrowed.
"I would, as much as I have come to like the girl, I would not have you throw your life away just to save hers."
Orophin smiled slowly. "But that is not why he wishes to bind himself to her, is it not, Haldir?" he grinned as Haldir's dark brow rose and his lips curled slightly at the corners of his mouth.
"Nay, Orophin it is not." Haldir smiled. "But I fear I will not have you both to protect me as I need you to take Willow and the twins back to the village."
Rumil frowned, but his eyes twinkled mischievously. "But Haldir! We cannot leave you alone on this important occasion… it will be the first binding since our return!" he grinned. "We should have a celebration."
Haldir sighed. "Nay, that is exactly why I send you away, the fewer who know of this, the more advantage we may have on our journey. Morgoth must not be aware his attempt to bind her first has been prevented."
Rumil's eyes widened. "Morgoth! He will destroy you if you attempt to prevent that which he wants. You have lost your mind!"
Haldir smiled. "I have not, Rumil. I believe we were led to this path, and now that we have crossed it, must continue to its end. I fear not Morgoth's anger, I have already felt his wrath. We have some protection from those higher than he."
"So when do you plan on this… binding?" Orophin asked as Haldir frowned.
"I do not know, I must discuss certain things with her first." Orophin nodded and then suddenly looked back to Haldir.
"She does not know you plan to do this!" he said as Haldir's eyes narrowed. He laughed as another thought came to him. "You say you have protection from other Valar! You have asked them to allow this binding." He said as Haldir's chin rose. "And you have asked them to grace her with immortality! Do you think she will want this?" he asked as Haldir scowled. He grinned, "I do not doubt the girl loves you , Haldir. I hope you make her understand she will be tied to your forever, and the way you two argue!" he laughed stepping away from Haldir's reach as he swatted at him. "Your life may become very interesting I fear, brother." Orophin said as he ran swiftly down the stairs.
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