Title & Chapter Number: Legends 9/16
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: Tolkien
Rating: NC17
Disclaimer: This world and its creatures belong to J.R.R Tolkien, New Line Cinema and Peter Jackson. I've just bullied my way in long enough to right a wrong. You know the one I mean. (Haldir deserves better…) I receive no financial compensation for the following tale. I "do this for love."
Warnings: Explicit het sex; a few slashy references
Betas: Telbeth the Indefatigable
Cast: Haldir/OCF (a Maia, no less!); Rumil, Orophin, Galadriel, Celeborn, Aragorn, and a few original critter characterizations
Timeline: 3rd Age of Middle Earth during the War of the Rings -After the visit of the Fellowship to Lothlorien through the Battle at Helm's Deep
Spoilers: None
Summary: During a border patrol, Haldir discovers a lone Nazgul horse and a strange visitor with an annoying attitude and some very spooky skills. Things unfold deliciously until a deception and a surfeit of pride cause them to separate. They are re-united at Helm's Deep with an entirely different outcome, of course. Horses and dragons and crows…oh, my!
Notes: Dedication - Hennaid to my friend Sulien for nagging me into this romp and forcing me to learn Sindarin (well, pidgin Sindarin); to Craig Parker for gifting us with his interpretation of Haldir, and to my amazing husband for being…well…amazing!
They arrived in Calas Galadon astride the black with the crow perched silently on Haldir's shoulder. It was as if the usually gregarious creature was suffering the same sense of foreboding that plagued Haldir. Even the horse's gait was less exuberant than usual. Thankfully, the presence of the two dark creatures in the heart of Lothlorien occasioned more notice among the residents than the strange female riding behind their Guardian - a situation much to Haldir's liking. His instinct to shelter Illume had grown ever stronger during their time together. And now that they were to face the Lady of Light, it was at its peak.
When they ascended to the receiving area, Haldir was surprised to see both Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn awaiting them. He bowed his head with one hand to his chest, anchoring Illume behind him with the other.
"Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn. I bring you the visitor."
"And long overdue," Galadriel smiled extending her hands to Illume. "I have sorely missed you these many, many years!"
Illume stepped from around her escort and advanced toward the Lady. She clasped the Elf queen's hands warmly but briefly.
"And I you, dear friend," Illume answered in the perfect Elvish of an era long past.
They were known to each other. More than known to each other, they were friends. For long years, it appeared. Haldir's chin rose slightly even as his heart shuddered in his chest. He neither moved nor, it seemed, breathed. He suspected he was about to find out his nogotheg's identity, and that this revelation would move things far beyond his control.
"Mae govannen, Illume," Celeborn stepped forward to greet the visitor. "We have much to speak of since last we met." They touched fingertips in an affectionate gesture that had Haldir forcibly willing himself to remain still. Celeborn cast a speculative glance toward the Guardian and then turned back to Illume with a proprietary smile. "I must be allowed to steal you from my Lady for at least a little while."
He inclined his head toward Galadriel, offering Illume his arm. She placed her hand lightly over his sleeve and the pair moved off, heads tilted together in conversation.
Galadriel observed Haldir's neutral expression and rigid posture. She lightly probed the turmoil beneath and stifled a sigh. This favorite of hers was very unhappy. She read lacerated pride. And ...fear of loss? This Elf, most unreachable of her people, had finally chosen, and now thought to lose his prize…
"She is much favored of Celeborn. And of other ancients, as well, "Galadriel began. "Her skills…"
"The ancients, Lady…?" Haldir interrupted."How can this be? She is a youngling…a brash little cat with a changeable skin, a talent for the sling and a collection of creatures stolen from the evils."
His speech began to quicken and the Lady could clearly read his resistance to the unwelcome truth that might spring from their conversation.
"She has tormented me and teased me. We have fought Orcs together. She has slept by my side. We have shared everything…" Haldir faltered to a stop.
Galadriel nodded. Her suspicions were confirmed.
"So, it is true. She has taken you to her completely. Not for the ages has this occurred. She does not long tolerate the touch of the people of this world."
Haldir's foreboding grew. "Lady...Who is she?"
"She is the Hand Healer. She comes from a time before time …a Maia. Sent to Arda by the Valar healer Este, fostered in Middle Earth to the Valar forest lord Orome…"
"The legend…"
"A true thing…Her touch can heal all but the dead. But with each healing there is great cost to her person."
Haldir's thoughts turned to the vast amount of sleep that Illume seemed to need.
"Just so," the Lady remarked, divining his thoughts. "Through the ages she has learned to avoid 'uprights' and their wars, woes and follies - especially the ancients. We carry too much sorrow and travail mingled with the joys and triumphs of our long lives. Her soul would crave to heal these sorrows, but her body would take great damage - damage from which even she might not recover...So she remains obscure and heals where she can, especially those creatures victimized by the evil ones. A champion for the unchampioned, one might say."
Haldir considered all of this silently. The Lady could feel him vacillating between denial and discovery. He did not want Illume to be this improbable creature…this treasure of the ages. He did not want to have to share her, and he did not want to lose her. He wanted his salty little she-warrior back.
"If she is as you say, then why has she gifted me with her touch?" he finally asked.
"You are young. You cannot…"
"Because I am young…?" Haldir's chin rose and his voice iced over. "Because I am young I have no sorrows or travails to pain her? A comfortable toy, am I?"
"Haldir…"
"Or does she think to heal me like a Nazgul horse or one of Sauruman's screeching birds? Just another animal for her collection, am I?"
"Haldir…"
"So flawed that she must heal me…but so shallow that it will not pain her to do so?"
Galadriel raised a willowy hand against the stinging hail of his questions. "Guardian, you forget yourself."
Haldir froze, then bowed stiffly and backed away a step.
"Yes. Your pardon Lady..." He touched curled fingers to his lowered forehead. "I have delivered the Healer to you rested. I will see to appropriate quarters for her and return to my duties."
"Your duty will be to escort her back to the forest. She is not long comfortable surrounded by the many."
"Yes, Lady," the Guardian executed another salute and turned to leave.
"Guardian," Galadriel said sharply.
Haldir turned back to her, head lowered respectfully.
"Haldir," her words softened. "Be at ease. This connection between you is a treasure unseen these many ages. Do not squander that mighty resolve of yours in battling over it…"
Again, Haldir bowed his head and, without speaking, strode from the Lady's presence.
~*~*~*~
Dialog translation from Sindarin:
Mae govannen – Well met~*~*~*~
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