Title & Chapter Number: Haldir's Therapy 31-33/?
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: LOTR
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I make no money from this. All characters apart from my own belong to Tolkien et all. I own nothing but my soul :-)
Warnings: Angst, H/C
Betas: Kissaki, Alex from Haldir Lives
Cast: Haldir, Rumil, Orophin, Galadriel, Celeborn, the Fellowship (briefly), Men of Rohan, Arvarno, Nerie... too many to mention...read the story :-)
Timeline: Just before the fellowship arrives at Lorien and after they leave
Spoilers: LOTR, Two Towers
Summary: Haldir saves a gypsy girl who's family have been decimated by raiding orcs on the borders of Lothlorien. She breaks the hard emotional shell that Haldir has and both heal each other, heart, body and soul.
Notes: Feedback always appreciated. This is an ongoing story.
Chapter 31 - Finding Lost Hope.
'Stay here. I will return shortly with help.' Arvarno ordered as he grabbed his belongings and turned to leave.
'What happens if he wakes?' Calenthon shouted as he watched Arvarno bend and turn to leave the crevice.
Arvano looked back over his shoulder.
'Keep him calm and tell him I live and that I will return.' Calenthon nodded mutely.
Satisfied that Haldir would be safe for a few minutes, Arvarno ran up to the nearest man he could find.
'Where is Aragorn?'
Enthusiasm and pure joy to be alive filled the man Arvarno stood next to and he laughed uncontrollably at Arvarno's question, as if seemingly mad.
Arvarno frowned. Now was not the time for rejoicing!
Grabbing the man hard by the arms, Arvarno's face drew in front of the man of Rohan and he growled.
'Where is Aragorn?' he repeated, his eyes hard as he stared at the human.
The man gulped back, terror suddenly in his eyes as he realised he was at the mercy of a very angry elf.
'Outside, my lord. Outside the walls!' The man wailed.
Satisfied, Arvarno let the man go and muttered, 'Thank you,' as he turned and ran to the doors that was the only way in and out of Helm's Deep. Once there, Arvarno saw Aragorn, atop a horse as he slew the last of the orcs who where not quick to follow or too injured to crawl away
'Aragorn!' Arvarno bellowed, his hands around his mouth to project his voice further. 'Aragorn!'
At the call of his name, Aragorn turned his horse around and looked back at Helm's Deep. There he saw one of the elves shouting his name and waving a hand to attract his attention. Curious, Aragorn rode back towards the castle entrance.
'You called me?' Aragorn asked, recognising Arvarno as Haldir's second in command.
Arvarno grabbed the horse's bridle. 'Yes, I did. Haldir lives! I need help and I need it now!' Arvarno shouted to make his voice heard above the shouting and the cheers.
Aragorn's eyes widened as his mouth gaped open in shock. Haldir lived? Was it possible? 'Where is he?' Aragorn asked, suddenly fully aware of the injury Haldir had sustained.
'Safe in one of the crevices but I need your help Aragorn. I have done what I can but I fear it is not enough,' Arvarno's voice sounded pitiful.
Aragorn nodded and turned his head. Noting a familiar head in the crowd, Aragorn shouted.
'You! Get clean hot water and cloths. Tell the women of Rohan their skills are needed now to help those who are injured. I will meet you in one of the guest rooms! Hurry!'
The dark-haired lad, no more than fourteen years, nodded and ran down the steps of the wall and into the throng of people. Aragorn turned to Arvarno and dismounted.
'Take me to him.'
Arvarno nodded and without a second glance, turned and ran through the people and upwards into the keep.
Chapter 32 - Deep seated pondering
Nerie twiddled a piece of grass between her fingers as she sat alongside the Lake of the Moon. Since Haldir's departure, Nerie often rode here on her free days. Her eyes blankly looked outward towards the falls as her inner memories replayed themselves, showing her how Haldir had loved her. The sun shone but the winter chill was in the air. Autumn was passing fast and furious now. Though the sun still shone its searing heat, making it a hot autumn, today had the first chilled wind.
Nerie absently placed a hand on her stomach as if to reassure the life she held that its father would return. Now four months into her pregnancy, the sickness had eased leaving Nerie with the increasing thrill of carrying a child. Haldir's child! Nerie smiled at that thought, then looked up as a jangle of metal brought her back to reality, wondering if her horse was getting spooked. Maybe Sulime had returned from hunting.
Rumil and Alasse sat on horseback a few feet away from where Nerie sat. In Alasse's arm was a basket. Rumil slid off the horse and helped Alasse down.
'We thought we might find you here. We have brought you lunch.'
Alasse smiled as she walked towards Nerie, then sat down next to her. Within a few seconds a blanket was laid and food set upon it.
Nerie smiled back and motioned Rumil to sit.
'You are a good friend Alasse. Thank you Rumil, for bringing her to me.'
Rumil smiled and bowed slightly.
'Haldir would kill me if he thought you were wasting away. Besides, my brother and I have been given a free day. Alasse thought it would be nice to spend some time with you.'
Rumil sat next to Alasse, who smiled at her husband and gave him some soda bread and soft cheese. Rumil grinned as he took the offered food and began to eat.
Alasse gave the same to Nerie, who took it and bit deeply into the bread. She
hadn't realised how hungry she was until the food was taken out of the basket and the aroma's hit her nostrils, making her mouth water.
Alasse took out a skin of chilled wine and placing some wooden goblets onto the blanket, poured the contents of the skin into the goblets. Then picking one up, she offered it to Nerie, who took it and sipped the clear liquid. Its sweet tart taste complimented the bread and cheese perfectly.
'I had hoped to see more of you Nerie,' Alasse began, insecurity in her voice, as she added, 'but you seem to spend more time away from the children and home.'
Nerie looked downward and placed her goblet next to her.
'I have been missing Haldir, Alasse, that is all,' Nerie whispered in reply.
Rumil glanced at Alasse, who nodded.
'Rumil and I, well, we have been thinking. We would be honoured if you would join us while Haldir is away. I have been worried about you Nerie. It is almost as if you are fading to us.' Alasse murmured, placing a hand on Nerie's.
Nerie chuckled slightly.
'I am not fading Alasse. I am not an elf but I will not deny I miss Haldir terribly.'
'So will you come and live with us for a while?' Alasse asked pensively.
Nerie shook her head, a gentle smile on her lips.
'Nay Alasse. Rumil. Thank you for the offer but I wish to stay in my own quarters. It holds good memories of Haldir. Besides, I would be under you feet and you would tire of me soon enough.'
'But . . .' Alasse began. Nerie squeezed her hand.
'Alasse. You and Rumil have not been long joined. You are carrying his child. Rumil does not need two pregnant females under his roof!'
At that, Rumil laughed loudly.
'There is that my love.' he said to Alasse. Alasse smiled and stuck her tongue out at him. Rumil laughed louder still. Nerie chuckled.
'You see. So it's settled but I promise I will not be away so much. I need to get back to normal and thanks to you, Alasse, I can see that now.' Nerie said.
Alasse shrugged but smiled all the same.
'Then I am happy. I would not want to lose a dear friend as you Nerie. Now, let us eat lunch and return home before this wind chills us to the spot.'
Nerie smiled and began to enjoy the picnic. Gladness filled her heart. Nerie could not deny Alasse's observation that she had been somewhat distant since Haldir had left. Her appetite had gone, both through sickness and through the absence of Haldir. This picnic had eased her soul a little and reminded her what good friends she had. Nerie smiled to herself as she listened to a tale Rumil told Alasse and her. Yes, she had good friends.
~*~*~*~
Chapter 33 - The Kings' Touch
As Aragorn peered into the gloom of the crevice, he saw two figures huddled together on the floor, one supporting the other. Arvarno stood behind him.
'We need to get him out so I can see. This crevice is barely big enough for me to get into.'
Arvarno nodded and placed a gentle hand on Aragorn's shoulder to move him out of the way.
'Please excuse me Estel. Calenthon and I will do as you bid.'
Aragorn stood back and watched as Arvarno eased himself into the crevice between the wall and the rock face. Then a few minutes passed as Aragorn could hear movement inside the crevice, then finally; Arvarno could be seen coming out backwards from the hole. Haldir was in his arms as Calenthon held his legs. Placing him gently on the ground, Arvarno looked upwards at Aragorn, fear in his heart for his friend who was so deeply injured.
Aragorn saw the fear in Arvarno's eyes and his heart lurched. Though pride had filled Haldir, Aragorn could see the elf that held the sanctity of life and the protection of all so deeply in his soul that it had fused together. Stepping forwards, Aragorn saw in the early morning light, the searing gash that was across Haldir's back and shoulder. Large clots of blood adhered to Haldir's clothing and hair. With the movement to remove him from the crevice, fresh bleeding had begun again. Aragorn hissed between his teeth as his fingers gently probed the deepness of the cut. Thanking the Valar for keeping Haldir unconscious so that he could not feel the pain, Aragorn looked upwards into the worried face of Calenthon and Arvarno.
'Let's get him to the Keep. We need to get him clean and comfortable. I will do what I can. Maybe Mithrandir can assist though, at the moment, I do not know where he is.'
Arvarno nodded.
Aragorn turned and looked around for something to lay Haldir on. He did not want to jolt the elf anymore than necessary. Aragorn's lips tightened, as he could see nothing that would do.
'We will have to use my horse. Help me.'
Arvarno stepped forward and assisted Aragorn into picking the limp form of Haldir upwards, then sliding him, face downwards, over the saddle. Once satisfied that Haldir would not slip, Aragorn began to lead the horse up to the Keep entrance. Arvarno and Calenthon followed silently behind. Most of the Rohan people stopped and stared to see Aragorn leading a horse with a fallen elf on its back. Most did not recognise Haldir as he went passed.
Outside the Keeps huge wooden doors, Aragorn and Arvarno slid Haldir downward into their waiting arms and carried him upwards and through the door. Torches lit their way as they found the guestrooms to one side of the main hall and carried was Haldir in. After gently placing Haldir, face down, onto the bed, Aragorn pushed his hands through his hair and sighed.
The boy, who Arvarno had seen earlier, arrived at the door with clean cloths and a large bowl of water which, steamed in the early morning air. Arvarno shivered deeply and suddenly felt exhausted. Sitting quickly on the side of the bed, he pushed Haldir's hair away from his face. With a small sharp hunting knife, Arvarno then began to cut the tunic away from Haldir. Soon enough the strips of fabric was removed and the wound all too blatant to see. Lips tightened, Arvarno then lifted Haldir's hair away from his back so that it did not stick to the gaping wound.
Mud and filth stuck to Haldir's back but Arvarno watched as the boy placed the bowl onto the table that sat next to the bed. Aragorn took one of the cloths from the boy and dipped it into the steaming water.
'I need to wash him. If he wakes, make him sleep. The less he is in pain, the better.' Aragorn ordered, his voice clipped as anger and terror dwelt in his soul.
Arvarno nodded and leant beside to Haldir, watching for signs of awakening from the unconscious elf. Haldir's eyes stayed motionless, seemingly staring into the abyss.
'Stay with me mellon. How shall I tell Nerie you have left us to go to Valar? Think of your child meleth. It grows and needs its father. Stay with us.' Avarvno whispered.
Aragorn's eyes widened as he listened to Arvarno whispering to Haldir as he began to clean the elf's' back. Haldir was a father?
Questioning eyes looked down to Arvarno who peered upward.
'He . . .?' Aragorn began.
'Yes. Nerie waits for him. From when you left Lorien to when Haldir arrived here, Haldir has joined to a mortal woman. She carries his child.' Arvarno replied, knowing this knowledge may make Aragorn take more seriously the well health of his friend.
Aragorn nodded, the explanation made the March Warden's behaviour obvious now. How well he remembered the arrogance and hautiness of the Haldir when he first met him so many months ago. And now, Haldir's persona had changed. It was obvious when Aragorn had hugged Haldir when he first arrived to Helms Deep. The old Haldir would have sneered in disgust at the apparent show of affection but the new Haldir did not. He had returned the hug with a smile.
Turning back to the work at hand, Aragorn dipped the muddy, bloody cloth back into the hot water bowl, then back out to squeeze the moisture.
'Then let us give Nerie her husband back. Let's get to work.' It was then that Aragorn realised the boy still stood in the room, watching.
'Go find Mithrandir. His skills are needed.'
The boy nodded and ran out of the room.
After several minutes, the back and hair was clean as best as Aragorn could make it. Stones imbedded into flesh had to be released from their hold and Aragorn hissed as he picked, with a grim line on his mouth.
Arvarno watched, forgetting totally of Calenthon, who stood beside Arvarno. He knew not where else to go for he felt totally at a loss to what to do. His blue eyes watched as tired fingers brushed hair out of his face. A deep sigh escaped his lips making Arvarno turn and look upwards into the lost expression of Calenthon.
'I am so sorry mellon. Go! Get some rest and food. There is nothing you can do here for the moment.' Arvarno said, a reassuring smile on his lips.
'Will you call for me when you need me. We have done so much and if there is anything I can do . . .' Calenthon left the sentence unfinished as Arvarno reached up and grabbed his hand with his own.
'I will call. I swear it. Now go.'
Calenthon nodded his allegiance and obedience to Arvarno and Aragorn, then turned and left the room silently.
Aragorn unhooked a pouch from his belt and emptied its contents into his hand. The familiar smell of Kingsweed filled the air. Aragorn then sprinkled the dried herb over the deepest parts of the wound until all had been placed.
Picking up the rest of the clean cloths, Aragorn placed them onto the wound, making a makeshift dressing.
Leaning back and pushing his hair out of his eyes, Aragorn looked at Arvarno, his face grim.
'I have done what I can at this time. Now it upto him.'
Arvarno gently stroked Haldir's face, pushing errant hairs away. Dirt still clung to Haldir's cheeks as his face and eyes remained unmoving.
'In that case Estel,' Arvarno whispered, 'I shall stay and pray to Valar that his skills are still needed here. I do not want to lose one of my closest friends.'
Aragorn smiled slightly and placed a reassuring hand on Arvarno's shoulder, who looked upward and nodded in acknowledgement.
'I shall leave you and try to find Mithrandir. I will send you food and drink mellon.'
Arvarno nodded his thanks and watched Aragorn, with one last glance at both elves, as he left the room.
'Come back to us Haldir. Come back to the light!'
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