Title & Chapter Number: The Sundering 25/25
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
~ 25 ~
Celeborn frowned glancing at the elf who still sat staring blankly at the open space across from him. His only movement in the last three days had been to fold himself onto the cliff edge, crossing his legs to lean silently on his folded hands while he stared at the gulf across from him. His bow lay forgotten beside him where he had dropped it. Celeborn and the others had followed the river, searching its bank for her body for the rest of that day, but had found nothing.
Lólindir knelt next to Celeborn. He stared at Haldir, concern crossing his features. "How long will he sit, My Lord. He will not eat nor move." The young warden whispered. Celeborn turned to him slowly.
"You must be patient Lólindir." He murmured, glancing back to Haldir. "What he seeks may come to him yet, through the grace of the Valar be not fickle in their agreements."
"She could not survive such a drop, he grieves. Shall we lose him as well?" the elf asked, the concern darkening the green-gray eyes.
Celeborn shook his head then turned when Haldir suddenly stood up.
Haldir's face was grave as he picked up his bow, shouldering it and turning toward the elves who waited for him patiently.
Haldir only glanced briefly at the elves who stared at him worriedly, but he could only follow the feelings that drew him along the edge of the chasm, its deep clefts drawing him away from the churning river in the gorge. He ran, leaping gracefully down the rocky hills, while the others followed him quickly.
Late afternoon passed. Haldir ran, the ache in his chest unbearable while he leaped from boulder to boulder, finally hearing the crash of the river as it tumbled through the gorge once he neared it again. He slid past the sheer wall of black crystal, gazing along its tall expanse where it towered over him. He leaped easily over the rocks that projected over the edge of the river, still thirty feet below him as it dropped quickly through the gorge.
His eyes scanned the river while he climbed from boulder to boulder, still clenching his bow. He leaped onto a large overhang of rock. Below him the river calmed where it flowed into a wide flat section of the canyon, the strong current hidden below the calm water that reflected the sunlight above him. He pulled off his quiver and turned when Celeborn leaped onto the rocky promontory beside him, looking down at the thirty foot drop. Celeborn turned to Haldir who stared at him with calm grey eyes. Haldir pointed to a small stretch of barren rock far below them where the river lapped gently
"Meet me there as soon as you can.' Haldir said, handing the quiver and bow to Celeborn. Determined grey eyes met the crystal blue of Celeborn's and Celeborn nodded quickly. Haldir leaned back over the lip of the ledge, turning to leap gracefully the drop to the river below.
Celeborn turned away to rush down the river, the other wardens hurrying to keep up, their eyes fraught with worry.
Haldir gasped when he broke back through the water, turning to put his feet in front of him as the river swept him down the gorge. He adjusted his bearings and quickly began to swim across the current until he was pulled more gently along the river's path.
He gritted his teeth, his vision blurred, three days of not eating weakening his body. He rubbed his eyes while the river swept him along, catching site of the object that had drawn his attention high on the rock. He began to swim, catching the edge of a rocky boulder when the river pushed him into a narrow crevice between two large boulders. The river had swept much of the debris from the falls here and he pushed away the branches and flotsam that floated in the gently churning waters, a large branched tree pinned in between. He reached the tree, pushing aside the branches that still held onto its leaves, and sighed in relief when he pulled himself over the wall of branches.
Raven lay pinned against the boulder, her face tinged with blue where she floated half in the water, buoyed by the branches of the tree. Her bright auburn hair glittered in the sunlight and it was this that he had caught high on the river above him.
Bracing himself against the boulder he pulled her to him, her limp form still in his arms as he released the branches that pinned her to the boulder and they were swept once more down the river's path.
Haldir grimaced when they were tossed over a small fall, disappearing into the foam of the boiling rapids, trying to gauge the distance while he struggled to gain control of his footing. The water rushed over his head, roaring in his ears. The moments seemed to take forever until he broke back through the water, still clutching a limp Raven in his arms. Finally he made contact with a shallow ledge and he used the current of the river to swing him and Raven around gaining his feet. He tossed his hair back out of his eyes and rose slowly out of the depths of the river with Raven's limp form in his arms.
Celeborn and Lólindir grasped his arms dragging the sodden couple out of the water and they fell back onto the barren rocky ledge of the bank.
Haldir rolled to his knees laying Raven gently on the stone, leaning over her to rest his head on her shoulder with a shudder. He remained there for a moment until Celeborn and Lólindir pulled him back. Celeborn leaned over her, but drew back staring at Haldir sadly.
"I can feel no life, Haldir, she is gone." Celeborn murmured quietly.
Haldir stared at his lord, all the color draining from his face as he struggled to control the fury that swept thru him. "No." he whispered. "No." he shouted, his voice echoing in the rocky gorge as the others drew back in concern.
Celeborn frowned when the air around them began to crackle with energy and shielded his eyes, leaning back. The bright flash of blue light knocked the other elves back and they turned away from the blinding glare.
Haldir leaned forward over Raven's body as the light receded and Ulmo stood once more before him. "You said she would be mine, are you so fickle in your agreement that you would not save her." Haldir snarled harshly when Ulmo smiled.
"Nay, Haldir. I only wait to see how strong this bond is." Ulmo folded his arms "She never doubted you on the cliff, even as she fell into that which she has feared all her life." Ulmo stared at the river, smiling. "I kept her for you, and now fulfill my end of our bargain." He turned to Celeborn who still shielded his eyes.
"Your dismay at my arrivals has been noted Lord Celeborn, your love waits for your thoughts, since she has been blocked by Morgoth. He controls that no longer." Ulmo spread his hands wide turning back to Haldir. Haldir frowned and the light diminished somewhat. "What you do from here on is your own choice, but be assured I look upon you often to see how you fare with her. Treat her well Haldir and you shall gain long life."
Haldir scowled, raising his eyes to those of the Valar. "I would not do otherwise, so do what you say and keep your end of the bargain."
Ulmo stared haughtily at the elf before him for a moment, considering him, then smiled in amusement. "For once you show impatience, elf. I wondered how strong your control could be." He grinned and the air misted, the light folding in upon itself gently, to burst and disappear in a quick flash of light.
Haldir turned to Raven when she coughed suddenly, and he leaned over her, gripping her shoulders as her eyelids fluttered. He froze when a voice he knew too well laughed in his head.
`I fear I have left you something to remember who gave you what you desire most, as not to forget me.'
Haldir shook his head, and leaned down, kissing Raven's forehead when she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. He looked down, her eyelids opening slowly and he stared at the turquoise eyes that stared at him thoughtfully.
"It took you long enough, March Warden." She whispered and Haldir laughed dragging her roughly into his arms while he kissed her hungrily.
Galadriel sat up abruptly, a wide smile erasing the worried frown that had creased her forehead for too many days. Elrond sat forward, taking the trembling hand in his while she leaned back, a flush of color spreading over her cheeks as she sent her thoughts afar. She sat up, opening her eyes and they sparkled brilliantly. Elrond smiled as well.
"He is well then." He asked when Galadriel sighed.
"He is well, as are Haldir, Raven and my four other wardens. They are coming home." Elrond's grin grew wider.
"Did he explain why you could not reach him?" Elrond asked and Galadriel laughed.
"Nay, Elrond, he said the details were quite boring and would hold until later, he spoke of ….other things."
Elrond laughed again, pulling her hand to kiss her fingers. "I fear your husband has been parted from you far too long, my dear. How far are they?" he asked and she rose to glide across the talan to the stairs. She spoke briefly to her guard and smiled when they grinned, one leaping swiftly down the stairs with his message.
"It has been a difficult separation, yes, but perhaps necessary every ten thousand years or so." She said, her laugh tinkling around the room, brightening the air, washing it clean of its darkness.
Elrond rose to stand behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders while they stared over the city. Galadriel patted his hand.
"It was a sad day for me to explain to both my elves and the elders of Raven's village just why Haldir had to make this journey. I have not been tempted so strongly to withhold such news in a long while, but knew there was too many things that happened that could not go unexplained." She turned when she spied a young woman flying rapidly up the stairs.
She stepped down off the last step of the short staircase to her talan when Willow arrived breathless on the audience level. She knelt quickly, her brown eyes sweeping over Elrond in respect, and then stared pleadingly at Galadriel for information.
Galadriel drew Willow to her feet, who trembled, her eyes wide with undisguised fear.
"She is well, Willow and returns." Galadriel said and Willow released the breath she had unconsciously held.
"Oh, My Lady, I feared for her for so long." She hung her head , tears of relief welling into her eyes.
Elrond descended the steps when Galadriel's warden returned, taking his place once more at the top of the stairs, followed closely by Orvith. The young warden bowed low before both his Lady and Elrond, and then stood behind Willow, his eyes grave.
Galadriel smiled at him, "Calm your heart, Orvith, she weeps only tears of happiness. Raven returns with the March Warden, and Lord Celeborn. Go take her, and return to the village with the news." He nodded, his eyes lighting up at the order, and pulled Willow along, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
Galadriel turned to Elrond. " I cannot thank you enough for your time you have spent here. I do not know if I could have dealt with all of this, had I known I would have Celeborn torn from my mind."
Elrond smiled, "I would do so again, Galadriel. So we have prevented Morgoth' s attempt to bridge into our dimension once again, but he still exists, as do his minions. I fear we shall continue to be hampered by the evils of this world."
Galadriel nodded but smiled, "Yes, but perhaps we have bridged our own dimensions, Elrond. I can feel this union between Haldir and Raven may be like our own, but the future union of elves like Orvith with Willow, those will create new lives and intertwine our destinies. He will wait, my young warden, for the mortal to be of the age to wed. Perhaps the Valar has more in store for us, I do not know, but I see happier times for all in the near future.
She turned to gaze at the tall dark haired elf. "They arrive shortly, their journey shortened by the grace of the Valar, it seems he looks upon us still fondly. I think my husband has become much to friendly with the Vala, for he grows bold to ask for such favors." She laughed, and they walked back up the steps into her talan.
Orophin grabbed the branch he had sat on, swinging down through the tree's canopy to land silently on his feet below. Rumil grinned seeing his brother and strode quickly to grasp his shoulders.
"They come, all of them." He said and Orophin breathed a sigh of relief. Both elves turned to run quickly through the forest, more of the elves dropping from the trees. The reached the border of the forest, to stare at the barren sands in front of them. Behind them, the elves gathered as well as villagers while news of Haldir's return grew. Rumil turned when he heard Indirion's voice demanding passage through the throng of bodies, and laughed seeing the small sprite push her way through, Sareth a step behind. She grinned at Rumil, and he turned back to the sands before him. Haldir figure appeared, cresting the rise of the sand, Raven and Celeborn behind him followed by the remaining elves.
Orophin met him at the edge of the forest, grinning broadly, staring at his brother. Haldir's grin slowly curved his lips, and he gripped Orophin's shoulders, hugging him tightly to Orophin's surprise. Rumil laughed, receiving a gut wrenching hug as well, and they drew aside, the three brothers, when Raven pushed them apart.
"You cannot have all the embraces, Haldir, for I too would like to hug my brothers." She laughed when Orophin grinned, picking her up and swinging her around to set her on her feet, staring in surprise at her eyes.
Rumil tilted his head bracing his hands on her face, gazing in wonder at the new color of her eyes.
"A remembrance gift from the Valar." Haldir murmured, stepping aside when Celeborn pushed past him, his eyes moving past the crowd to the trees behind them.
The crowd parted when Lord Celeborn moved forward quickly, and Raven smiled, hugging her brother and sister. The elf Lord reached the Lady of Light and she seemed to glow brighter, illuminating the shadows of the forest. She looked up into Celeborn's eyes, reaching up to place her hands softly on his cheeks and he smiled slowly, his gaze hidden from all but Galadriel. She smiled warmly, her face flushing with color when he bent down, kissing her deeply.
Haldir turned to his brothers and they turned around to face him, concern still creasing their features.
"Your trials you will have to tell us later." Rumil said, fingering Haldir's sleeve and the ragged cut that still bore traces of his blood. He stared at Haldir closely for a moment, before shaking his head disgustedly. " I see you have let her unbind your hair again." He said noting the missing braids on the side of Haldir's head.
Raven laughed, "I have done as well as I could, Rumil. As I said, you will have to teach me, for I fear that duty shall no longer fall to you. Unless of course you like my braids." Rumil wrinkled his nose in disgust at her efforts.
Haldir laughed, shaking his head in amusement, pulling her along the path into the village. Raven dragged both Sareth and Indirion along while they rattled off question after question. Haldir stopped suddenly when Willow ran up the path, followed slowly by Orvith. She ran to Raven, hugging her tightly and they spun about, crying and laughing at the same time. Haldir eyed Orvith when he moved forward to stand before him.
"As you are now the head of Raven's family, Haldir, I ask your permission to court Willow once she is old enough to wed." he said as he bowed low before Haldir, his hand over his heart.
Haldir frowned, his expression at his most haughty. Orvith straightened, his face going pale at Haldir's expression. "It will be long years yet before she will be ready, do you think to wait that long?" he asked frowning when Orvith opened his mouth to speak several times.
Orvith finally forced the words from his mouth, clenching his jaw. Raven slid under Haldir's arm. "I can and I will." He said forcefully and Raven smiled in amusement, feeling Haldir's concealed amusement in her head.
Haldir frowned, his brows furrowing over his forehead. "Do you think this is the opportune time to bring this up? We have only just returned."
Orvith paled even more, distressed . "I apologize for being so impatient, but I could not wait any longer." He bowed his head, but his gaze was firm when he met Haldir's steely grey.
Raven punched Haldir in the ribs, making him grunt softly. "Orvith, you have treated my sister with more respect and honor than any I have seen, Haldir and I would be proud for you to look so on my sister." She reached up to hug him and the young elf looked at her in surprise, noting the amused grin Haldir now wore. He sighed in relief when Raven released him, bowing low once more to run swiftly back into the woods, pulling a giggling Willow with him.
The villagers and elves gathered once more in the forest clearing, with twinkling lights, and food laden tables groaning under the weight of their burden. Haldir sat along the edge of the clearing, pulling Raven onto his lap when she attempted to brush past him, laughing with her sisters. She curled up into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, smoothing the now correctly plaited braids behind his ears. He smiled eyeing the two other girls and they giggled, watching Raven snuggle into Haldir's arms.
"I see we have lost her to someone much more interesting." Willow laughed, bending down to kiss Haldir's cheek to his surprise. They hurried off into the crowd. Haldir rubbed the wetness from his cheek.
"I see I must get used to your displays of affection, I have not had this many kisses since a millennium ago." He grinned. Raven slid her hands through his hair, feeling it slide silkily through her fingers, yanking the strands at his last comment and he laughed.
She traced the golden patterns of ivy on his tunic, admiring more than the stitching detail as her fingers sent quivers through him. "Yes, we mortals are a demonstrative lot, I fear you have much more in store for you than just mere kisses." Raven whispered.
Haldir squeezed her tighter his grin widening. "And just what is it that you have in store for me, Lirimaer." He whispered back gazing past her to watch the beginnings of a new dance.
Raven laughed softly, brushing her fingers along the back of his neck. "Oh but I cannot speak of it here, for shame Haldir, you are becoming so bold for one who was said to be so reserved."
Haldir smiled at a passing elven couple and they grinned at the two seated together. "I do not think most mind the fact that perhaps I am not so staid after all. Perhaps I will surprise them more." He laughed low in his throat and Raven shivered, the sound heating the fires that already were burning too warm.
"Ah , you but tease me, for I know you are not that bold. But perhaps a whisper of my intentions?" She wrapped her arm around the back of Haldir's shoulders to caress his ear. His subtle tremor made her giggle, and she ran her lips along his jaw to his earlobe while he sighed loudly.
"You have drawn many eyes, dear one, and they look upon us with much interest. How far do you intend to take this?" he asked feeling her trace the line of his jaw.
Raven could feel his passion rising in her mind. She laughed softly. "I can take it further than you, I think. Remember it was I who danced for you." She grinned seeing him frown.
Haldir turned to her, his eyes glinting with displeasure. "You will not dance that kind of dance again." He growled and Raven leaned back laughing. A few more eyes turned their way and Haldir scowled.
"Ah my dear elf, what the years have in store for you, you may live to regret your decision." She laughed sliding her arms around him again.
Haldir looked at her indirectly, his face a mask of indifference while his fingers slid along her back making her tremble. He smiled when she arched away slightly, resting her head on his shoulder. "Do you mean regret not allowing you to display yourself to all of Lothlorien again, or perhaps our binding, Raven?"
Raven shivered when his fingers caressed her lower back, "I meant our binding Haldir." she gasped, goose bumps rising over her arms at his caresses. "Stop that, you are giving me goose bumps." She whispered and he laughed.
"I know, " He glanced at her, his eyes dropping to her chest. Raven looked down to see her nipples were quite prominent and she laughed and pushed away from him abruptly to stand beside him, adjusting her dress when Rumil and Orophin crossed the clearing toward them.
"Your brothers are coming." She said and she looked down at him when he sighed, slouching slightly in his chair.
"Aye, I knew they could not resist sooner or later." He rose to stand in front of his brothers when the two reached them.
Rumil grinned handing a glass of wine to Raven, taking in her cream colored dress that set off the auburn hair that hung down her back. Her eyes still startled him when he looked into the turquoise depths. She smiled her thanks sipping it while Orophin handed a glass to Haldir.
"I must say we are both extremely happy that one, you both are back safe and sound, and two, are bound together. Already you have given us more than we could have hoped." Rumil said seriously, his blue gray eyes twinkling with delight. He leaned over kissing Raven's cheek and Haldir watched him, one brow rising while Rumil grinned wickedly. "I also think we should take on some of the habits of these mortals, their easy demonstrations of affections are quite nice, I should think we might offer many of them as well! Don't you agree, Orophin?" he asked, his brows rising in innocent question.
Orophin grinned, nodding. "Oh I quite agree, we must learn to be more affectionate, I think that's what Willow said." He agreed laughing when Haldir snorted.
Raven turned to Haldir, frowning, but her eyes were laughing. Haldir glared at her for a moment and she held her tongue.
"I fear you might find yourself guarding the northern fences dare you think to offer Raven tokens of your …affection… too often." Haldir growled and the two elves grinned, unperturbed by Haldir's threat.
"Well, a new dance is beginning, I thought perhaps I might dance with Raven." Rumil asked.
Haldir frowned. "No you may not." He growled but Rumil had already pulled her away, and Raven gazed at him smiling with a shrug.
Haldir folded his arms across his chest, glaring at his brother while he swept Raven around the clearing.
Orophin smiled, glancing at his brother. "Do not be so hard on Rumil, Haldir, he only wishes her to enjoy the evening. You cannot pull her away too soon."
Haldir glanced at Orophin, a slow smile curving his lips. "And what would make you think I plan on leaving soon?"
Orophin laughed. "Haldir, if she had not stood as we approached, I was certain you were about to carry her off to the nearest corner of the forest and care not who saw."
Haldir grinned, surprising his brother slightly. "Aye you were right, but alas she saw you coming and the moment was broken." He continued to glare at Rumil when he glanced their way, but Rumil only ignored him.
Rumil bowed when the music changed, and Raven smiled, a bit breathless. "Thank you, Rumil" she said loudly as Haldir slid in between them, grasping Raven's waist to whirl her around the clearing. She looked up into grey eyes that glittered with suppressed desire. Haldir pulled her closer, and she felt like she was hardly touching the ground while he swept her around.
"You should not be so hard on them." She said breathlessly, both from the dance and the heat that was suddenly flooding her head. Haldir glanced down at her with a grin.
"I was not hard on them, you have no idea what they can be like." He laughed and she giggled. The music began to slow and Haldir pulled her closer, slowing their steps to match.
"Besides they interrupted a very interesting conversation." He slid his hand up her back. He twirled her around, the ivory skirts flaring out around her.
"Ah." Raven smiled when he pulled her back against him. "Our conversation, last I knew we were talking about dancing." She said and he smiled, his steps becoming slower yet. Raven looked around as the other dancers continued the previous pace.
"I am more interested in the conversation before the dancing came up, I think I asked you how far you intended to take this and you never answered my question." Haldir murmured gripping her waist tighter, slowly threading through the faster dancers. They were not in time to the music at all.
Raven grinned when she caught the amused glances of the other dancers. They had pretty much come to a stand still in the middle of the clearing. "I can take it as far as you, but it's your reputation that is at risk here, your reputation as a reserved, staid, rather snobbish March Warden." She said and he grinned, sliding his hands up to her face.
"I think you forgot snotty, and arrogant, I believe that's what you said before." He grinned wickedly and she frowned trying to remember. They stood in the center of the clearing, close together as the music finally stopped.
"Alas, I fear my temper may have gotten the better of me there, you're going to have to learn to deal with that." She laughed breathlessly. His eyes had begun to glitter and he leaned over her, his hands cupping her face. "Are you going to kiss me or stare at me all night?" she asked when he smiled slowly, the corners of his lips curling in a way that made her heart flutter madly.
"You are so impatient, Lirimaer, I will have to teach you some things are much better when drawn out slowly." He said and she gasped, the searing heat that flashed into her head, flushing her cheeks.
"And how do you plan on teaching me this, elf, right now as we stand here being observed by everyone, or perhaps a more private lesson." She whispered and he chuckled again, the sound rumbling from his chest and he kissed her slowly.
Raven gasped for breath when his lips left hers, thankful that he still held her tightly. She didn't think her knees would hold her up and she swallowed when he smiled slightly, one corner of his mouth twitching in amusement "So about this lesson, Haldir."
Haldir grinned and bent quickly, lifting her into his arms. He turned to stride out of the clearing while Raven laughed, not daring to see who watched them leave. He walked for awhile, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling the flair of his passion in her head.
"Are you so sure you have the patience for such a lesson, Haldir?" she asked softly when he glanced down at her. The woods were dark, but he made his way through the trees easily. They came into the meadow where Raven had talked to Galadriel, only this time it was flooded with starlight. Haldir set her on her feet, cupping her face to kiss her again.
"I have plenty of patience, remember I have a lot of control." He whispered. Raven laughed and slid her arms around his waist.
"How much control do you have, Haldir, when I am in your head? We are not fighting Orcs here." She grinned when he scowled, pulling her down into the tall grasses of the meadow. She landed on top of him, and he pulled her face to him to kiss her softly.
"I have as much as I need." He murmured sliding his hands along her back. "It just depends on what I need." He growled. He rolled over, pulling her underneath him, staring down at her. She slid her fingers over his lips, shivered as he caught it with his teeth.
"Well, I need you." Raven whispered staring up into the gray eyes she had come to love so well. Haldir's lips brushed hers. He sighed and he lifted his head to look at her.
"I only hope, Raven, that I will never have to test my skill with my bow with you ever again" he said laying his head against her shoulder. Raven closed her eyes, the memory of his gaze on the cliff sweeping over her.
"I never doubted your skill, Haldir. Or that you knew what you were doing. I trusted you completely. And we are here today because of it." She caressed his cheek and he looked at her. He kissed her again, and she sighed dreamily. "I think I have had enough of patience."
The End
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