Title & Chapter Number: The Sundering 22/25
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
~ 22 ~
Haldir sighed as he felt the suns rays warm his chest as they glanced thru his window. It was late and he should rise but the warm body that was curled into his side stayed his movement. He smiled as he sensed her in his mind, her sleep dreamless for now. Perhaps he would learn more of Morgoth by perceiving her dreams. He smiled as she sighed, curling tighter into his side. He opened his eyes staring at the carved beams overhead as they intertwined with the branches of the Mallryn tree and froze as voices grew nearer.
Haldir leaped out of the bed with a oath as the voices grew loader, pulling on his leggings as he glanced over to Raven as she rubbed her eyes in confusion. He frowned as she lay covered by only a corner of his sheet and he reached down tossing the coverlet over her as he searched for the laces to his leggings.
"Haldir what is going on?" Raven asked as she shoved the folds of the coverlet off of her head.
"My brothers are coming." He growled as he began to thread the laces into his leggings.
Raven frowned. "I thought you sent them off yesterday?" she said as he scowled.
"I did, it seems they have ignored my orders." He fumbled under the clothes for another lace as Raven giggled.
"But they will not come in without your permission." she said as he rolled his eyes.
"I fear they never knock Raven," he began as the door to the talan flew open and Rumil and Orophin stepped inside.
Rumil held a small cloth covered tray as he turned toward Haldir. "It is overly late brother and the lady…" his eyes widened as he stared at Haldir as he continued to thread the laces into his leggings, staring at Rumil through the long strands of unbound hair that hung over his eyes.
"You let her unbind your hair!" Rumil gasped, shifting the tray to his hip as Orophin grinned behind him. Rumil gazed crossly at Raven as she peeked over the edge of the coverlet. "It takes hours to plait his hair, and he has to leave today!" Rumil rolled his eyes in disgust as Haldir grinned as he pulled the lacing tight.
" Perhaps you can teach me how to plait his hair then, Rumil" Raven smiled as Rumil frowned.
"There is no time now. The lady expects you before the noon rise, and it will take me an hour to plait his hair." He set the tray on the edge of the bed, poking Haldir in his chest. "You have only a few moments to break your fast with yon fetching maiden, and unless you want the Lady and Lord to see you so disheveled you might want to hurry." He scowled at Raven, seeing her frown then winked striding out of the talan.
Haldir grinned leaning back on the bed as he handed a soft roll to Raven. "And what may I ask do you want?" Haldir asked as Orophin laughed.
`I only wish to offer my congratulations, brother." He said as he gazed at Haldir. "I have something I made long ago for you, in hopes that one day you would need them." He smiled as Haldir's brows rose in surprise. "We spoke once long ago and you described something to me that you probably do not remember. I knew if the time came you would probably not have the thought to think ahead." He reached into his belt drawing forth a small velvet pouch which he handed to Haldir.
Haldir stared at the cloth with a frown and gently opened it, shaking the contents into his palm. His surprise echoed in Raven's head along with flashes of memory as he lifted the small object in his fingers. He stared at Orophin in amazement. "We spoke of this in jest one day before I left for Helms Deep." Haldir said as he scowled. Flashes of pain burst in Raven's head and she clutched her forehead. Orophin nodded somberly.
"Perhaps by creating the object of which we spoke, it allowed you to return, wounded but alive." He said as he frowned. He glanced at Raven as she stared up at him with one eye. "We almost lost him at the battle of Helms Deep, for he should have been wounded fatally but the Lady was able to bring him back." He shrugged. "But that age is past, and here is the time in which you have need of such a piece." Orophin grimaced. "I had doubts that this day would come to pass, but thank the Valar they did not listen to me." He laughed as Raven stared Haldir.
He smiled, turning the tiny carved silver ring in his fingers. It caught the light of the sun's rays and flashed a rainbow of colors onto the wall. The ring was carved in tiny delicate leaves that intertwined into a narrower band inside of the larger. Haldir gently pressed the inner band and Raven's eyes widened in surprise as it separated into two identical rings, one small enough to fit inside the other. Haldir reached under the coverlet and pulled Raven's hand free, sliding the ring over her finger where it settled as if it were made for her. she stared at it as Orophin smiled broadly.
"It is a binding ring, Raven, as Haldir once described to me in jest, not knowing I would take him seriously." Raven watched as Haldir slid the other onto his hand. He stared at it for a moment and Raven smiled at the struggle of emotions she felt in Haldir. He rose as Orophin bowed stepping out the door. She could hear them speaking softly in elvish as she rolled over staring at the silver pattern on her hand.
Haldir closed the door as she sat up, still staring at the ring on her hand. He smiled as he pulled out one of his tunics, sliding it over his head.
"You should dress. I will be with Rumil less than the hour he predicts." Haldir grinned as Raven frowned. "Your tunic and leggings are in my chest." He said as he opened the door and she felt his amusement as she threw a pillow at the door.
She climbed off the bed opening the chest and sorted through until she found her things folded neatly at the bottom of his chest. She straightened in indignation. He'd had them all this time and not told her. She felt a sense of amusement flash through her head and she scowled.
Haldir stretched his legs out before him as Rumil none too gently pulled his hair back to plait it. His lips curled in amusement as he felt Raven's annoyance. He was going to have to adjust having her volatile emotions dancing through his head. He scowled as Rumil pulled the braid tighter.
`You don't have to rip the hair from my head Rumil." He growled as Rumil snorted.
"How else do I get your attention, you've ignored the last two things I have asked you." Rumil grumbled as his fingers gracefully plaited the silver strands of Haldir's hair. "I do not agree with your decision to leave Orophin and I behind. You cannot go alone." He said as Haldir sighed.
"My decision stands, Rumil. If anything happens to me, I fear what powers Morgoth gains and The Lady must be protected. You and Orophin are highest among the Galadhrim, and must honor this duty"
Rumil frowned. "I cannot argue, but I still do not have to like it."
"Orophin will return to the village with Orvith and you will stay here in Caras Galadhon with the Lady and Lord." Haldir said as Rumil moved to braid the side of his hair.
"Who then shall you take, you cannot go alone." Rumil murmured as he moved to the other side.
Haldir frowned. "I will take four, I have already sent word to them." He rose as Rumil stepped back to survey his handiwork. Haldir smiled. "Do I pass inspection?" he asked as Rumil smiled and nodded. Haldir grinned striding from the talan.
Raven quickened her pace to step in front of Haldir as they descended the stairs through the city. She frowned as he stopped. "Why do the elves stare at you so, Haldir? That is the fifth elf we have passed that has turned around to stare at you in shock. Can they tell what we have done?" she asked as he smiled.
"An elf can always tell when another has been bound, Raven. It shows in the eyes." He said as he rested his hands on her shoulders. He pulled her closer brushing his lips over her ear. "Does it bother you that they stare so?"
Raven pushed him away, "I do not know if they like the idea of your bond to me, it is I who gets the frowns." She said as he laughed.
"They will find out the rest soon enough. What reception do you think I will have in your village." He asked as she smiled wickedly.
"They were shown quite distinctly who I had set my gaze upon, Haldir if you remember." She murmured as his brows furrowed in remembrance of her dance. Haldir pulled her against him.
"Aye, perhaps, but you will never dance that dance again." He growled as Raven laughed.
"Not even for you, Haldir? They all knew who it was I wanted." She grinned as his eyes glittered A soft cough behind him made him release her and he turned.
"Forgive me my intrusion, March Warden." Lólindir said as he saluted Haldir. "I tried to speak with you last night but was informed by Rumil the information could wait." He said as he looked up to meet Haldir's steely grey gaze. "I…" he opened his mouth to speak and stared, snapping it shut suddenly. His eyes widened and he looked at Raven as she sighed.
"I will leave you to seek my sisters, Haldir." Raven murmured as Haldir grinned. He turned back to Lólindir.
Lólindir smiled. "I fear perhaps I am interrupting once again." He said as Haldir motioned for him to continue with him down the stairs.
"Nay Lólindir, what news do you speak?" Haldir asked. Lólindir frowned. "Only that Lord Elrond had crossed the Northern Border late last eve, he should arrive shortly."
Haldir frowned. "Elrond? I know of no reason he would brave the deserts to come into Lothlorien." He shifted his quiver as they reached the last landing.
"I fear I am overstepping my bounds, Haldir, but you journey into the desert again. And I see by your eyes you have bound yourself to the mortal. I fear I do not understand? Events of late have put great fear into our hearts, we must have some explanation of what is happening ."
Haldir gripped Lólindir's shoulder. "You will know more than most, but will have to be patient. I will explain more later. But fear not," he said as Lólindir sighed.
"As you command. We will meet you at the south gate." Lólindir bowed, stepping back to hurry silently back into the city.
Haldir nodded to a couple of elves as they greeted him, their smiles faltering as they met his gaze. He grinned as he left them staring at him in surprise. He pushed his way through the assembled elves in front of him as he reached the base of the great Mallyrn that led the Lord and Lady's talan. He stopped abruptly in the throng of softly murmuring voices as his gaze met that of Celeborn's.
Celeborn's blue eyes narrowed in amusement at Haldir's sudden halt. Haldir frowned slipping through the remaining elves to stand by Celeborn's side.
"I fear it has been long ages since I have seen you dressed as one of the Galadhrim , My Lord." Haldir murmured as he bowed before Celeborn. Celeborn smiled, looking down at the grayish green tunic and black leggings that matched Haldir's own.
"I am coming with you, Haldir. I have foreseen that perhaps my knowledge will be of great use, and I can still wield my sword as well as I did," he said as Haldir sighed.
"You risk too much, Celeborn, I fear I cannot allow it." Haldir said softly as Celeborn laughed.
"You will not allow it? You have no choice in this matter. I am your lord and you will do as I command," he chided Haldir gently.
Haldir clenched his teeth. "Your skills are greatly needed here, who will protect the Lady should I fail?" he asked as Celeborn frowned.
"You will not fail, Haldir. You have placed those who skills will equal mine in her protection. This is something I must do," he said as he turned to gaze up the stair.
Galadriel glided down slowly, her expression resigned as she descended to stand next to Celeborn. She carried his bow and quiver.
"Long has it been since I have sent you on such a journey, my love." She murmured as she gazed into Celeborn's eyes. "My heart weeps at our parting, yet is angered that you would speak to another of this and not to me," she said as she handed the bow and quiver to Haldir.
Celeborn lifted Galadriel's hand to kiss her fingers." We have spoken of this before, my decision stands. Elrond will arrive shortly as I have requested."
Galadriel frowned as she sighed. "It is a grave matter to draw the Rivendell Lord from his haven across the sands. I fear his journey will not have been easy. But we shall speak of it no more." She smiled at him as he gazed at her, kissing her fingers once more. They turned as Elrond strode through the crowd of elves.
"It is not often my presence has been requested so insistently." Elrond said as they faced him as he approached through the parted elves. His cloak and boots bore the tale of his journey through the sands between their lands, as did his retainers and he smiled as a glass of wine was brought to him.
"Celeborn, I fear I was intrigued that you are drawn on this journey and must agree with Galadriel that your are putting yourself in grave danger, but you have made your decision," Elrond grinned as he shook Celeborn's outstretched hand. He turned to Haldir. "You leave on a dangerous journey, Haldir, more so since your Lord accompanies you." He said as Haldir frowned his gaze rising to meet Elrond's. Elrond began to take a sip of his wine and froze as his gaze met Haldir's.
"I see interesting events have happened that I have not been made aware of." Elrond murmured as he drank the wine. His dark brows furrowed over his eyes as he studied the march warden.
Celeborn gripped Haldir's shoulder. "I fear my March Warden had less notice of my intent than you." He frowned. "Your powers here will help protect the Lady of the Light should events darken further, but I fear at the moment she will have need only of your sympathy at our separation." Elrond smiled as Celeborn shouldered his bow. "Come we will partake of a meal before we travel to the village. Where is Raven, Haldir?"
Haldir smiled. "She comes, My Lord." He said as Raven slipped through the crowd of elves. She bowed to Celeborn and Galadriel, her eyes flying to Haldir as she noticed Celeborn's mode of dress. She frowned as Haldir stepped beside her, gripping her arm.
"I must present you to Lord Elrond, Raven. He is of the Rivendell Elves." Raven bowed her head , and then straightened to find herself looking into a riveting set of dark brown eyes. A slow smile spread over Elrond's face as he looked between Haldir and Raven.
"Indeed, I thought I was informed of much of what goes on but surprises await me at every turn." Elrond frowned. He reached out taking Raven's hand inspecting the tiny ring on her finger. "Tis a beautiful design, my dear. A binding ring is always most unique as it speaks of the hearts of its owners. I have heard much of you, and am intrigued." He turned to gaze at Haldir. "I only hope that what you have done will keep her protected as you hope." He smiled as Raven frowned, releasing her hand as she glanced back to Haldir.
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