Title & Chapter Number: Proud Papa? 1/1 [Daddy's Little Darling 1]
Author(s): - Author's Index
Website: Tortured Scribes
Fandom: Tolkien
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Anything Tolkien belongs to his estate; Anything Original belongs to me. I wrote this for my amusement and do not make a profit.
Warnings: Violence, Language
Betas: Alex, Hedda
Cast: Haldir, various other Tolkien Elves, and Original Characters
Timeline: AU / Pre-Fellowship of the Ring
Spoilers:None
Summary: Haldir becomes a father in the most unexpected way.
Notes: Haldir's personality is based more on the movie than the actual books. I've taken the liberty as a fan fiction author to expand his and other personalities from the books and the movies.
May 23 2320
The human woman stopped at the edge of a large glade near the edge of a vast forest. Her breath came in short gasps as she tried to feed her oxygen-starved lungs. Sweat covered her brow and she knew she had reached the limits of her endurance. The extra weight of the bundle clutched to her chest had sapped her reserves. She scanned the glade quickly until she found what she was searching for. Skirting the glade to the left, she stopped in front of an old tree. Bushes crowded its base, obscuring it. The woman dropped to her knees and parted the bushes back. Her eyes widened in surprise at the small hollow in the base of the tree that had been concealed by the brush. She silently thanked the gods for hearing her prayers. She gently pushed the bundle into the hollow, the cloth parting to reveal a small child with large brown eyes. The woman removed a small leather pouch from her belt and slipped the leather thong over the child's neck. She caressed her daughter's cheek and whispered, "Stay here Adargell. Do not make a sound no matter what you see or hear. Do you understand?"
The little girl squeezed the cloth dolly she was clutching tighter to her chest and nodded silently. The woman wrapped the gray cloth more securely over her daughter's honey brown curls to conceal them. Leaning back she let the brush fall back in place hiding the hollow once again from view. Fighting back tears, she turned and began to cross the glade. In her heart, she knew she would never see her daughter again. I think I shall soon join you Nárello, may Ilúvatar watch over our child. She thought silently to herself.
A sound not unlike thunder shattered the tranquil peace as a party of five human males astride horses burst into the glade. The woman knew she would not make the cover of the forest before they caught her.
"There she is. Don't let her get away!" A man shouted to his companions.
Within seconds, they had effectively blocked her escape. The woman turned wildly searching in vain for an escape route. One of the men dismounted and grabbed her arms, twisting them cruelly behind her back. She held back her cry of pain not wanting to give this filth the satisfaction of knowing he had hurt her.
A lone rider on a black steed entered the glade and dismounted. The man was tall, broadly built, and dressed as a common woodsman. But the quality of his leather hauberk marked him as a man of wealth. His weathered face was stern. Even to the casual observer this man was used to giving orders and having them followed without question. Blue eyes surveyed the glade coldly as he walked slowly towards the struggling woman.
"So, you thought to escape my wrath." His voice was a deep baritone devoid of any compassion.
"Father, please…" the woman began to plead with her sire.
"Silence!" He roared. He studied her for a moment before continuing. "Your mother was so beautiful that I didn't care she carried another man's child. You had the good fortune of being born female, so I let you live. This is how you pay me back for my generosity? Pity you proved to be your mother's daughter, spreading your legs for the first young stud to spout pretty words at you."
The woman knew better than to say anything more. The man before her was beyond bargaining with.
"You had one purpose. To ensure an alliance between Baron Thoradon and me, bringing me wealth and him a highborn wife on which to breed sons. Now I am the laughing stock of court, no thanks to your whoring ways. But all that will change.
He reached down and cruelly grabbed the woman by the chin, his fingers pressing deeply into the sides of her jaw. "Now tell me Adrianna, where is that half breed bitch you spawned?"
"She died three months ago of lung sickness." The lie slipped easily between her lips but her eyes marked her words as untrue.
The man dropped her chin and backhanded her with a gloved fist. Adrianna's head snapped back as blood flew from a split in her lip. "Do not lie to me. Where is the child?"
"What do you want with her? She is an innocent. Kill me if you want, I grow weary of this life without Nárello."
He slapped her again. "Do not mention that whoreson's name in my presence again." His complexion deepening to a ruddy color as rage overtook him. "It matters not. I will find the child."
He turned to three of the men who were standing to the side. "Search the surrounding area, she must have hidden the girl close by." They nodded and moved to search the edge of the glade.
The lord moved back to his mount followed by one of his men.
"My lord. What do you wish us to do with her?"
He mounted his horse and without second thought replied, "Kill her." He hesitated before continuing, "Captain."
"Sir?"
"Make it quick. I want the child found, which means the men will have no time to ride the bitch." He rode from the clearing with so much as a glance at the woman.
The captain turned and walked back to the young woman. Without hesitation, he pulled a knife and slit her throat. The guard holding her let her drop to the ground. It was the last thing he would ever do. Seconds later he fell to the ground, an arrowhead protruding from his throat.
Before the captain could call his men to retreat, two arrows impacted his chest dropping him instantly. Within thirty seconds, all five men littered the glade floor, dead.
From the woods stepped three archers dressed in woodland colors and gray cloaks. Two of the archers began to check the men, while the third rushed to the woman's body.
Adrianna looked into the eyes of the stranger who held her. They were kind and full of concern. Then she noted his pointed ears. Praise Ilúvatar, she thought as she desperately tried to tell him where Adargell was hidden.
Orophin watched as the dying woman struggled to speak, but only succeeded in emitting gurgles.
"Hush, you are safe now." He tried to comfort her but she was frantic. She pointed to a tree across the glade, eyes pleading with him. Trying to make him understand something.
"Haldir," he called to his older brother, "she seems desperate that we check yonder tree."
Adrianna watched as one of the other Elves searched the brush at the base of the tree. She heard his sharp intake of breath and knew that he had found Adargell. She smiled and let herself go to where she hoped Nárello awaited her.
Orophin gently closed the woman's sightless eyes and laid her on the glade floor. He stood and covered her body with his cloak. He walked to where his brothers had gathered at the base of a tree. "What have you found, Haldir?" He looked down in surprise at the child bundled in Haldir's arms.
Haldir stood, cradling the shivering girl. "Take care of the woman and the others. I will return to the talan and we will decide what to do next." The other two Elves nodded and turned to do his bidding.
~*~*~*~
Haldir unwrapped the child, noting with satisfaction that she was unharmed except for her catatonic state. The cloth she was bundled in turned out to be a cloak. The weave was Elven in origin. He removed the leather pouch from her neck and set it aside to examine later. Haldir guessed the child to be no more than two or three years old and definitely human. She was dressed in a linen shift covered by a light surcoat, which had once been white. The leather slippers that covered her feet were also Elven. Noting the chill in the air, Haldir bundled the child back into the cloak and settled her in his lap.
By the time Rúmil and Orophin had returned to the talan, the child was asleep. Haldir laid her on a pile of furs in the corner and reached for the leather pouch.
"We should probably take the girl to the nearest Man village. This is not an Elven problem." Rúmil said without preamble.
Haldir shook his head, "There is more to this child than appears. She is wrapped in a cloak of Elven weave and her shoes are Elvish also."
"What do you have there," Orophin eyed the pouch curiously.
"It was around the child's neck, no doubt placed there by the mother." Haldir opened the pouch and began to empty the contents. There was a small bound leather journal, a crystal inkwell topped with a silver cap, a small suede pouch with quills, and the fletched end of an arrow shaft.
"The woman was dressed as a peasant but the quality of these items suggest wealth. Rúmil, what do you make of the fletching?" Haldir passed the arrow piece to his brother.
Rúmil turned it over in his hands. "The fletching and staff markings are from Imladris. There is a name also, Nárello."
"What about the book?" Orophin asked Haldir who was flipping through the pages.
"It is written in the Westron tongue and I can only make out a word or two." Haldir returned the items to the pouch. "I think I should take child back to Caras Galadhon. The Lord and Lady can decide her fate."
Rúmil and Orophin agreed.
Early the next morning, Haldir began the daylong journey back to his city.
~*~*~*~
Haldir stood in the empty throne room outside the curtains that led to the Lord and Lady's inner sanctum. Two guards in golden armor stood as still as statues flanking the entryway. Before he could be announced, Haldir heard the Lady Galadriel bid him to enter.
She laid aside her embroidery and rose to greet him. "There has been a disturbance on the border." It was more a statement than question. Nothing happened in her realm that she was not aware of.
"Yes, my Lady. A group of men on horseback killed a young woman in a glade bordering the northern edge of the woods. We arrived to late to save her. But, we did find this child hidden among the brush. She had this pouch around her neck and in it is a arrow shaft from Imladris and a book."
Celeborn rose from his chair and took the offered pouch. Removing the book, he began to page through it.
Galadriel took the child from Haldir and studied the weave of the cloak she was wrapped in. "This cloth is also of Imladris make, I recognize Celebrían's design. What does the book say?"
"It is a journal; the woman's, I'm guessing. The beginning is mostly childish odds and ends but it gets more interesting towards the end."
He flipped to the rear of the book and began to read.
12 April 2317 "I can not believe my father plans to wed me to a man who is his senior. I shudder to think that I shall have to share a marriage bed with him. I will leave before I bow to his wishes. I do not know where I will go but anywhere is better than the horror my father has planned for me."
13 April 2317 I think I am in love. I met him in the forest today. He is the handsomest being I have ever met. I never thought to meet an Elf much less fall in love with one. We spent the day walking and talking. He wants to see me again tomorrow. His name is Nárello."
23 June 2317 We made love in the pond near the center of the wood. Nárello says that we are now married. It is strange the Elves have no ceremony other than the act itself. I shall leave tonight. We will travel far from here where my father will never find me.
2 September 2317 There is no denying it; I am pregnant with Nárello's child. He was so happy when I told him.
14 January 2318 We have finally settled in a little hamlet. Nárello has purchase a bit of land with a small cottage on it. We have none of the finery I grew up with but I have never been happier. He says that this spring he will plant crops to support us. My stomach grows large and I am happy we have finally found a home.
3 February 2318 Our daughter arrived yesterday with the dawn. Nárello has named her Adargell. It is a beautiful name. He says it means "father's joy" in Elvish. I am glad he was not disappointed that Adargell was not a son. He laughed when I told as much. He said Elven children are prized because they are so rare. I secretly thanked the gods that her ears are round. Nárello has hidden his ears but the villagers are suspicious. Perhaps Adargell will still their wagging tongues.
28 November 2319 My worst fears have been realized. Strangers stopped at the inn last night asking after a woman traveling with an Elf. Bless Lila for her speedy warning. We escaped into the countryside before they reached the cottage. Nárello says we will travel to his home in the Misty Mountains. He says my father will not be able to reach us there.
4 January 2320 My heart breaks, but for Adargell, I would lay down and die. My sweet Nárello has been taken from me. We sheltered in a little village called Bree until winter's hand had released its hold on the land. My father found us. Nárello held them off so that Adargell and I could make our escape. I can still hear his screams as they trampled him down with their steeds.
18 March 2320 I continue northwards towards the great forest. Nárello once told me he had kin there. I can only hope they will take us in. Will they except Adargell as one of their own? For the first time, I curse the gods for not giving her pointed ears.
22 May 2320 I see the woods in the distance. They have picked up our trail again. I grow weary of running. I stay strong for Adargell's sake. Ilúvatar I pray that you will take mercy on your child. I haven't much time.
Celeborn returned the journal to the pouch. "It would seem that the child is kin. I will send word to Elrond; perhaps she still has relatives at Imladris. Until then, we will have to see her settled temporarily."
Galadriel stood without a word and returned the bundle to Haldir. "You shall care for the child until such time as her fate can be decided."
Haldir stood in stunned silence, disbelief at what he had just heard. He could tell by Galadriel's look he would not be able to worm his way out of the unwanted duty of nursemaid.
Having no other choice, he turned and left with Adargell.
"Do you think that was wise? Perhaps the child would be better served if we placed her with Orophin's wife."
Galadriel looked fondly at her husband. "Trust me Celeborn, she is where she is meant to be."
Celeborn wasn't so sure but had long ago learned to trust his wife's judgment.
~*~*~*~
Haldir paced his talan as he silently argued with himself. I cannot believe she has chosen me to play nursemaid to a child. What do I know of children?
His agitation grew as he realized how little experience he had with children. His nephew Macilmo was the only child he had any contact with. There had been precious little of that. He couldn't even remember how old the boy was now.
He glanced briefly around the talan. It was of modest size, though sparsely furnished. A carved bed that resembled a swan was tucked in the corner. Silken sheer curtains hung from the roof draping the bed, which currently held the sleeping girl. To the side of the bed stood a wardrobe, which held his clothing and a few personal belongings. Arrows in various stages of completion lay neatly on a table set against the opposite wall. Near the door were several pegs from which were suspended quivers and a few bows. Several chairs were scattered around the talans balcony. His talan, like his life, was neat and orderly, without clutter or distractions. A child is a distraction, his inner voice warned.
How hard could watching one small child be, he mused. Have I naught spent the last 1,000 years as Watch Commander of the Northern Marchwardens. Three hundred soldiers stand at my call, ready to follow me to battle in defense of the Galadhrim.
He dropped onto a chair and slowly removed his boots. Besides, I have earned a little rest. All I have to do is feed the child; see that she is bathed daily. She seems quiet enough. I only have to wait a couple of weeks and then I can take her to Imladris. There I can deposit her into Lord Elrond's keeping and be done with the whole affair.
Satisfied that the order of his life would not be disturbed, he crossed to the bed and crawled in. Reverie came quickly.
~*~*~*~
Adargell woke with a small start. She looked around the darkened room, confusion marring her brow. The room lit up briefly and then returned to darkness. A low rumble broke the silence. At first, she thought a dragon was nearby, but quickly discarded that notion as the sound of rain began to beat on the roof. She tried to remember what had awakened her. She looked over at the body next to her. In the intermittent flashes, she could make out a strong face with long flowing blond hair tucked behind slender pointed ears. There was a familiarity to the figure but something was not right. A flash of another male flickered in her mind. Ebony hair capped a loving face. Her father? She shuddered the memory brought to mind images of monsters on great beasts. She pushed it back until it was hidden deep within her mind. No, her inner voice said calmly, her father was beside her. Forget the other. It was only a bad dream. She started to wonder where her mother was but stopped as fear snaked its way down her spine. Then she realized what had awakened her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she discovered she had had an accident.
Haldir's eyes cleared as he felt the small hand touch his shoulder. For a moment, he forgot that he had been given the responsibility of caring for the child. What was her name? Ah, yes, Adargell. That was it. He thought silently.
He turned to look at the child as she again shook his shoulder and called in the Westron tongue "Papa".
"What is it child? Why are you crying?" He responded in kind. The thought crossed his mind that he should begin to teach the child to speak proper Elvish.
Adargell responded by weeping harder. "I've had an accident, Papa."
Haldir was just about to ask her what kind of accident she had when he realized that his back was wet. He groaned aloud.
~*~*~*~
Haldir stared at the child before him. She was virtually swimming in the clean shirt he had provided her. He didn't understand why she continued to weep. He had cleaned them both and provided dry clothes. The soiled linen had been replaced with fresh sheets. He had flipped the mattress and if the rain stopped in the morning, he would set it in the sun to freshen it. There had been no permanent damage done. It wasn't as if she had done it on purpose. Sighing aloud in frustration, he sat down on the open edge of the bed and threaded his fingers through his hair. Adargell immediately rushed over and crawled into his lap. She pressed her tear stricken face into his chest as she wrapped her small arms around him.
She wishes comfort. The thought came to Haldir and he felt foolish for not thinking of it sooner. He wrapped his arms around her in an awkward manner and tried to ignore the not unpleasant constriction he felt in his chest. You will not get attached to the child, his inner voice insisted. Of course not, he reassured himself before lying back on the bed, Adargell nestled against his side. The rain beat a gently rhythm on the roof as they both drifted back to sleep.
~*~*~*~
The next morning dawned clear and bright. Haldir walked to the archery range on the eastern edge of the city. Outside the hedge that marked the boundary of the range, he stopped and sat Adargell on a small bench.
"Stay right here. I will return after a while." He handed her a small loaf of bread and a small waterskin. "Remember. Stay here."
Adargell nodded and began to munch contentedly on her breakfast.
Are you sure it is a good idea to just leave her there? Haldir ignored his inner voice and entered the range. She has been given an order. I have nothing to worry about, he thought with the confidence of one who was used to being obeyed.
Two hours later, Haldir raced frantically through Caras Galadhon. She had disobeyed him.
He was still reeling from the shock of finding the bench empty with the discarded waterskin lying next to it, the only evidence that he had left the child sitting there. He had told her to stay. Something must have happened to cause her to leave. She couldn't have disobeyed him; she was such a well-mannered child.
Haldir paused to ask one of the city guards if she had seen the girl. She nodded with a slight smirk on her face. "She is over by the pavilion making mud pies."
Haldir's beautiful face contorted as he realized that implications of what the guard had said. The child was wearing one of his new white shirts. He rushed towards the pavilion, the guard's laughter chasing after him.
Haldir stood and stared in disbelief. The wretched looking mud-covered imp sitting in the middle of the largest mud puddle Caras Galadhon had to offer could not possibly be the honey haired child he had left at the bench.
"Papa" She screamed in delight before jumping up and running towards him. Before he could react, she threw herself against his leg covering his leggings with mud splatters.
~*~*~*~
"But I don't want a bath!"
Haldir winced as the high pierced shriek assaulted his ears. He was currently engaged in a struggle with a naked mud-covered two-year-old, who miraculously seemed to have grown four extra limbs.
Haldir ignored the peals of laughter echoing in the bathhouse as he tried once again to lower Adargell into the water. So far he had only managed to cover himself with mud. The little hellion had a death grip on his hair and he feared she might actually rip out a handful.
"Perhaps the mighty Haldir should call upon his troops to help him defeat the mud demon." Laughter erupted once again as Haldir continued to struggle with the girl.
Ignoring his tormentors, he finally unwound his hair from Adargell's grasp and quickly plunged the screaming child into the small tub of water. He was rewarded for his efforts by a torrent of water, which overflowed the side of the tub, soaking his clothes.
Gritting his teeth, he picked up a washcloth and some soap and began to clean the mud from the girl.
~*~*~*~
Celeborn was shocked to see a disheveled Haldir leading Adargell naked from the bathhouse. The favored warrior looked as if he had fought a Balrog single-handedly. His clothing was streaked with mud. His hair hung in muddy clumps about his face, which was red and sweaty. What really disturbed Celeborn was seeing Haldir having an argument seemingly with himself. Perhaps Galadriel had misjudged the effect the girl would have on him. He would have to discuss this latest turn of events with her.
~*~*~*~
Haldir continued to mutter to himself all the way back to the talan. His normally ordered world had been turned upside down, and he wasn't dealing that well with the chaos. He entered his talan and stopped short at the sight of Galadriel sitting in a chair on the balcony.
He flushed as he realized how insane he must look talking to himself. "My Lady" he stuttered.
Galadriel noted his appearance but made no comment. "Haldir, you are well I hope."
He nodded still flustered from the morning's events. Adargell pressed her body into his leg and he subconsciously dropped a comforting hand to her head.
"And there is Adargell. Come here child. Let me have a look at you."
Adargell thought to refuse the lady but her father gave her a gentle push forward. He was pretty angry with her, and she didn't want to make things worse than they were.
The lady smiled and lifted Adargell onto her lap. She smelled faintly of flowers and her gown was very soft. Adargell snuggled closer to her.
"My what a pretty girl you are. Look here, I have brought you some gowns." The lady pointed to a stack of clothing on the chair next to her. Most of the gowns were earth tones but a few white ones were also present.
Haldir noted the gowns and was grateful for them. He only had a few shirts, and at the rate the little imp was going, he'd be naked before the week was out. Although he made a mental note to put the white ones out of Adargell's reach.
"Would you like to pick one out to wear?" Galadriel asked.
Adargell shrieked with glee, once again causing Haldir to wince. Silence had become a way of life since he spent most of it in dangerous situations. He watched as she dug through the pile and pulled out a light green gown.
Galadriel helped the child to dress before turning her attention back to Haldir. "You look a bit flustered."
Haldir stiffened. "I have things well under control, my Lady. You have placed the child in good hands." Damn your stubborn pride, he thought to himself. Tell her the truth, you are completely inapt were this child is concerned.
Galadriel laughed lightly as she watched Haldir struggle between admitting defeat or pressing on with the duty she had given him. "I have brought some other things you will need." She pointed to a large basket setting in the corner.
Haldir wondered why such a small creature should need such a large basket of things.
Adargell rushed to the basket and began to empty its contents. She gasped with delight at the dolls and toys she found. She pushed the rest of the contents to the side completely uninterested in them.
Sighing inwardly, Haldir began to put away the gowns, shoes and other assorted items in the wardrobe.
"Haldir. I will watch Adargell if you wish to refresh yourself. You seemed to have had an accident."
Haldir had forgotten about his muddy disheveled state. "Thank you, my Lady." He said and grabbing a change of clothes, he headed back to the bathhouse.
~*~*~*~
That evening, Haldir sat on his balcony, Adargell curled in his lap. He absentmindedly stroked her hair. After lunch and a short nap, Adargell had played contentedly in the corner. Haldir had worked most of the afternoon finishing the arrows on the worktable. He had also learned a valuable lesson – small children do not follow orders well.
What she needed was structure. That would teach her discipline. Haldir contentedly planed the next day in his mind. He would begin with Sindarin lessons. By the end of the week, Adargell would be a model example of discipline.
~*~*~*~
He was ready to drown the little imp in The Celebrant. In a week's time, she had pushed him to the limits. First she untied the rope ladder that connected their talan with the main tree. Then he caught her throwing his arrows out the window to see if they would fly. She had nearly impaled Celeborn who was walking in the gardens below. The final straw had come when she had thrown his favorite bow into the river to see if it would float.
Haldir entered the throne room dragging a wailing Adargell behind him. "I can not take any more of this child's antics. She is completely untrainable. I have tried to impress upon her the importance of order and discipline, but she refuses to listen to a word I say." Haldir stopped mid-rant when Galadriel raised her hand for silence.
"The child is not a soldier to be trained. She needs love, attention and most of all, patience from you." She sternly informed him. "Look at her Haldir, you are scaring the child."
Haldir looked down at the grief stricken child huddled at his feet. Guilt lanced through him at the harsh words he had spoken. He silently thanked Ilúvatar that he had spoken in Sindarin, which she didn't understand. Kneeling, he scooped her up and held her close.
"I'm sorry Papa. I didn't mean to make you angry. I will be a good girl. Please don't give me away. I promise I will be very good." She continued to sob in his arms.
"Take the child home. I will hear no more about what you can and cannot do. I have charged you with her care and well being and you will do your duty. Am I understood?" Galadriel's tone was harsh and Haldir knew she would hear no argument about her decision.
"Yes, my Lady."
Haldir left the throne room, Adargell sobbing and hiccupping in his arms.
"Galadriel, I do not think it is wise to continue with this course. Haldir obviously can not deal with the responsibility of a child." Celeborn began to plead Haldir's case.
Galadriel cut him off with an angry wave of her hand. "He will learn, Celeborn." She sighed, the years weighing heavily upon her. She continued in a softer tone, "One day, the memories of her mother and father will return. She will need a strong will to overcome them. She will also need to feel that she is loved. That she is safe. Haldir has a great capacity to love; he only needs to realize it. He is already bonded to the child, he is just refusing to admit it."
Celeborn wisely held his council on the matter. He would wait until word came from Imladris before he interfered again.
~*~*~*~
Haldir and Adargell settled into an easy routine. Adargell tried to keep out of trouble and Haldir learned to be patient where the girl was concerned. The weeks flew by as Haldir discovered the little things that made children so worthwhile. He marveled at how quickly she picked up Sindarin. Within a few weeks, she was mostly fluent, rarely needing to fall back on Westron terms. For her part, Adargell helped Haldir to relax and partake in the joy that life had to offer. Before long he could be seen, much to the disbelief of his brothers, sitting in a glade of flowers while Adargell wove blooms into his hair. Haldir soon forgot his desire to be rid of the girl.
So it was a dark day when Haldir watched the rider return from Imladris with a message from Lord Elrond. His heart sank as he realized he would soon be forced to give Adargell up. He would have order once again in his life and he would hate every minute of it.
He sat on a bench silently watching Adargell sing softly to her favorite doll. He stiffened as he heard his brother Rúmil approached.
"It is time Haldir. Lord Celeborn has asked that you attend him in the throne room." Rúmil said softly. He could feel his brother's pain yet could do nothing to ease it.
"Come, Adargell, we shall visit Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel."
Adargell stood and quietly took her father's hand. "Do not be sad, Papa. I promise I have not done anything to get you in trouble."
Haldir felt his heart rip in two. He smiled weakly at Adargell as he squeezed her hand gently. "I know. You have been a very good girl." He slowly led her towards the main stairway to the throne room.
Haldir stood before the Lord and Lady with the look of a man who has been condemned to the gallows, Adargell's hand gripped tightly in his.
"We have received a missive from Imladris. It seems that Lord Elrond knew Nárello, but unfortunately, he has no close kin left. He has agreed to take the child into his home," Galadriel paused before continuing. "Unless we have made suitable arrangements here. He has no wish to upset the child anymore than necessary for her well-being."
"Considering your previous objections to the child's living arrangements, I think it would be best if you took her to Imladris as soon as possible." Celeborn added.
"Papa?" Adargell wasn't sure what they were talking about but she didn't want to leave her home.
Haldir gave Adargell's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I would rather that she stay with me. It would be best, considering the child's attachment to me. It will not prove to be too great a burden, I assure you." He hoped that his previous objections would not cause them to insist that he take her to Elrond. It was a matter of pride. Besides, he did not think he could bear being separated from her.
Galadriel smiled and sent Celeborn a look that said `I told you so'.
Celeborn ignored his wife's look and said, "Very well, Haldir. You will take over as City Garrison Captain until Adargell is of an age that will allow you to resume command of the Marchwardens. You may go."
Haldir thanked them, scooped Adargell up into his arms and left before they could change their minds.
~*~*~*~
He sat on the balcony of the talan and gazed at the stars between the branches of the mellryn trees. His life had taken such a sudden turn, but he didn't think if was a bad thing. Adargell was becoming a model child. He didn't see why Orophin made such a fuss about his child; it really wasn't that hard being a parent. He settled down content with visions of his neat, orderly life continuing with minimal interruption from his small charge. The Lady was wrong about one thing, though, the child was just like a soldier and could be trained. Haldir would prove it.
The End
~ 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.
