Title & Chapter Number: Nienna 7/?
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: Tolkien
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, places, plots, etc., created by the masterful J.R.R. Tolkien in book-land or movie-verse... they're just too wonderful for words. Those that I make up, however, are my own.
Warnings: None
Betas: None
Cast: Haldir/OC
Timeline: TA AU
Spoilers: None
Summary: An A/U… She was said to be one of the greatest beauties on Middle Earth, or so he had heard. Haldir will soon discover for himself what awaits him by the sea...
Notes: I do love feedback and suggestions, so if anyone has anything to say, please feel free to say it, via the board, or by email. Constructive criticism is most welcome…it's how we improve ourselves after all, but flamers, please beware, I can get pretty mean when riled!
Thank You: And definitely not to be forgotten, are the wonderful people who strive to make your story as wonderful as you want it to be. A big thank you to these two people, my beta pals, Mo and Julie!!! You're the absolute best, for without your inspiration and encouragement, this story might never have taken its wings and flown!!!
Chapter 7 - How Fragile Thy Heart Is…
With the evening festivities in full swing in the music hall, a cool breeze swept in from the open terrace, casting tiny, flickering candlelight caresses about the huge oval room.
Underneath the vast glistening flames, several couples had taken the floor, their bodies swaying seductively to the hypnotic music; perfect steps of an age-old ritual, strangely erotic and sensual to the observant eye.
From his vantage point near the entrance of the grand room, Haldir stood alone, quietly watching as a few of the couples disappeared discreetly off the floor. Moving into the deserted corridors and crannies of the large citadel, the heated pairs held each other intimately, perhaps anticipating, Haldir assumed, to end the evening in passion filled embraces.
As one couple approached, the dark-haired maiden slid her arm possessively about the waist of her partner, yet stopped to regard Haldir for a moment, her eyes raking his tall, broad form. The beautiful elleth then tilted her head toward Haldir, silkily inviting him to join them in one of the guest chambers. With a polite smile that belied his dark mood, Haldir declined the invitation, for he did not share his partners, lest it be with his brothers, and then only on rare occasions. To his relief, the maiden's eager partner gave her no further opportunity to speak, as without a word, he quickly ushered her out the door and down the corridor.
Turning his attention back to the festivities, Haldir crossed his arms, standing rigid and ominous. A scowl on his face warned others to keep their distance, and those who might have dared to entertain an audience with him were quickly encouraged to head in the other direction. Some, however, were not as easily dissuaded as others, and several of the courtly ladies began to mill about, mingling near him.
Ordinarily, Haldir would have selected one of the Ciranian maidens to share his company, their dark features an unusual delicacy. With dance and sweet conversation, and perhaps a moonlit stroll in the gardens, he would have squired her. Under the cloaked darkness of night, he would have kissed her, many times in fact, and if enticed enough, he would have invited her back to his quarters to warm his bed. Strangely though, he felt no inclination for any of them, nor did he know why he maintained his cool façade - only that his sudden, unexpected desire for solitude puzzled him greatly.
A familiar peal of laughter suddenly rose up through the crowded hall, causing Haldir to cringe; on more than one occasion this eve, Lady Valkana had approached him. In fact, even now could feel her eyes burning into him. Annoyed, he turned to glare at her, only to find Valkana nestled among a small group of maidens on the opposite side of the great room. In the midst of the elleths was none other than a smiling Varyar, conversing freely with the pretty feminine assortment.
Curious, Haldir focused his attention on the Harbor Master, then quickly glanced about the hall in search of Princess Nienna.
The whiny quality of Valkana's voice rose up and mixed with the deep, authoritive tenor of Varyar, and Haldir glanced back to find the trollop pressed against the Harbor Master in a vulgar display. Haldir felt a quick rush of anger at the mere thought of Varyar's open betrayal of the princess' affections. . . and with the likes of her own father's mistress!
Again, he used his tall vantage to look about the room in search of the princess, and found her sitting upon the royal dais with King Cirdani, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. Nienna seemed uninterested and bored, sitting quietly beside her boisterous father, absentmindedly fingering the sagging petals of the violet flower she held. Confused, Haldir wondered why was she not with the Harbor Master. Were her far away thoughts of Varyar, and did she, too, see his shameful cavorting with Valkana?
. . .Or, was it possible that her thoughts lingered on the near kiss she had shared with him? Was she angry? Relieved? Or perhaps she did not think of him at all. At dinner, she had avoided any eye contact or conversation with him, only to acknowledge him once when he offered to refill her goblet, their fingers touching for a brief moment. . .
To Haldir's surprise, Varyar soon appeared at the royal dais. Bowing to Nienna, he took her hand in greeting and kissed it, but she pulled away with a laugh. Haldir saw Varyar wink and offer his arm in invitation to dance. It seemed there was some kind of understanding between the princess and the Harbor Master, which told Haldir that he had indeed done the right thing in not kissing her. Clearly, she was not pining for him when her heart so obviously belonged to another.
Everyone parted way when the princess allowed the Harbor Master to lead her toward the dance floor. It was the first dance Haldir had ever seen her share with anyone thus far.
Haldir felt a strange pang of anger. . . or was it jealousy? Certainly not the latter, he assured himself. He was never jealous. But why would he feel anger? He had no claim on the princess. In truth, they barely knew each other. Yes, they had shared a brief encounter in the woods. A moment that would be forever etched in his memory, something to keep him company for many years to come, but it was just that - a fleeting moment in the vast lifespan of an elf. Any anger he felt stemmed from Varyar's blatant disrespect for Nienna, plainly playing both her and Lady Valkana on the same string.
With graceful steps, the Harbor Master led the princess across the floor, stopping underneath a radiant shaft of moonlight spilling in through one of the room's many arched windows. There, away from the other couples, he circled her with one arm behind his back, while the other rested across his chest, over his heart. Stopping before her, he bowed low from the waist then straightened to offer his hand once more. Their bodies met a second time, finally starting the slow courtship of the unique island dance.
Varyar steadied her against him, his arm resting in the crook of her lower back while he guided her across the floor.
As she neared where Haldir stood, his breath hitched.
The simple silk gown she wore shimmered in the softness of the room's warm candlelight with a specter glow. The sleek material, haltered around her neck, hung snugly against the feminine curves of her body well past her hips, with generous folds of gossamer puddled at her feet.
Nienna turned, and she and Varyar began to once more glide away from Haldir, he had an unobstructed view of her backside. The simplicity of her gown suddenly became revealing, and Haldir straightened, again, his breath stolen in one fleeting moment.
Completely bare from her milky shoulders to the gentle rise of her behind, a dainty mithril chain hung from the nape of her neck; from its end dangled a teardrop emerald nestled near the delicate curve of her back. The creaminess of the gown shone against the warm hue of her skin, contrasting sharply with the darkness of her hair; its long, black tendrils swept away from her face by a cluster of sparking diamonds, mixed amongst loose, cascading curls.
With a flourish, Varyar spun the princess around, her cheeks rosy and her mouth pulled into a warm smile as he led her across the floor. Her soft eyes sparkling in the firelight, Nienna giggled when he nearly stepped on the toe of an unsuspecting maiden.
Her sweet melodious voice reached Haldir, and suddenly, his focus honed in on the delicate upturn of her full lips. . .
In his mind's eye, Haldir recalled how she had looked earlier that day in woods, her face flushed with excitement, her chest rising and falling with anticipation as he drew near. The faint breeze had picked up the long strands of her dark hair, fanning it about her face, carrying the exotic smell of her with it. All rational thought had flown from his mind.
Assailed by the perfect vision of her, and by the rich feminine scent wafting about him, spellbound and intoxicated, he had found himself irresistibly drawn to the fullness of those parted lips. They had beckoned him to taste of their forbidden fruit, and he had been helplessly drawn, like a moth to a flame. So close he had been that he could feel the soft tremble of her body. . .
He had actually intended to kiss her - well and thoroughly. His mouth had opened slightly to cover hers, and his hands had reached for her, to draw her to him. His mind had been closed off to his surroundings. He had scarcely noticed the soft gurgle of the stream rushing into the still body of water, the cheerful chatter of the wood-song birds, or the gentle sway of the tall grasses as they strummed against each other.
Then, as starkly as night to day, he had come to his senses and pulled back, realizing how quickly his control could falter in her presence. Haldir had forced himself to leave her without word - the kiss left dangling into thin air. He had dared not risk one caress from her sweet lips, for if he did, the temptation would have been too great to feast of her wholly.
And so the kiss had been only a near kiss. Nothing more than two lonesome souls almost uniting, almost sharing one small space in time, almost savoring the blissful closeness and warmth of the other. Yet, as he watched her on the dance floor with the Harbor Master, Haldir wondered if their brief encounter had been more. He could not deny that she had captivated him from the moment he laid eyes on her, and that he yearned to know more of her. To know her thoughts, her wants and desires, her most guarded secrets. To know why her heart held no joy, why her eyes misted and grew dim, and why she so rarely smiled.
He wanted to know all of her.
Yes, he had wanted to kiss her more than he had ever wanted anything, and yet his instincts had told him to walk away from her. To abandon that which he craved.
Finally, as the music died away and the room fell silent, Haldir noticed that he was not the only one watching the princess and the harbor master with heightened interest. King Cirdani, who had been leaning close to Lady Galadriel, now sat trailing his daughter's every move. Cirdani turned to catch Rana's attention, gesturing discreetly with his hand to where his daughter stood laughing with Varyar. With a single nod, the king's second charge swept onto the dance floor to take the princess' hand, leading her in the final dance of the eve.
With the same graceful steps, Nienna complemented Rana as they danced, though her smile seemed to have lost its sparkle. She turned away from Haldir once again, and the gem nestled low on her backside caught the light. His eyes drawn to it, Haldir found himself mesmerized by its odd, yet enticing location, just as he had been by the mithril band on her toe. Without warning, Haldir felt the stirrings of male desire. He shook his head slightly, using his control to push it aside as best he could.
To his relief, King Cirdani soon rose and stepped from the dais, taking Nienna's hand to indicate the close of the evening's festivities. Bidding his noble guests good night, the king led his daughter from the room.
Grateful for a respite from such a trying day, Haldir assumed his customary position flanking Lady Galadriel as she and Lord Celeborn followed closely behind the king and princess. He was becoming increasingly restless in the midst of all this idleness and cursed pomp and pageantry. Life in the royal citadel seemed to be an ever-growing source of agitation, stifling to his free spirit, and he greatly wished to return to his beloved home and to his dear brothers. No matter that the fortress was beautiful, almost beyond compare, its blanched walls were cold and lifeless - a gilded cage, as someone had said.
Finally, they reached the halls of the royal residence and the royal guest quarters, where they would depart for the night. A few brief tidings and the king and princess retired to their apartments, she so small beside one so mighty.
As he watched her go, still the question lingered in Haldir's mind -on his lips, was it truly any wonder Nienna so rarely smiled?
~*~*~*~
Underneath my feet, I can feel the grains of powdery sand collapse and shift, though behind me lies no evidence of my wake. Around me, fresh sea air caresses my skin and fills my lungs, calling me forward to some unknown, yet familiar source.
Through the thick foliage, the barrier between the forest and shore is broken. A hunting party approaches me. I place my hand over my brow to shield my eyes from the sun's bright reflection against the rippled watery surface. I narrow my gaze as each hazy silhouette draws near until I am, at last, able to see their faces. My kingly father leads his proud warriors in a sea of vibrant blues and silvers, the colors blending against their surroundings.
To my father's left rides another commander. A tall, regal elf in celestial creams; his silver hair glinting against the sun's rays, casting him in a heavenly halo. He nears me, and his eyes lock with my own. A nod of recognition and respect he affords me, and in return, the corners of my mouth crook only slightly, as I immediately avert my stare downward to my bare feet. After he has passed, I look at him. A handsome lord he is, proud and masterful, yet he smiles warmly at my father.
With heightened interest, I watch the two interact, my father's ease foreign to me. The elven lord suddenly turns to his own company of warriors, and he quickly motions one forward. As my eyes search for this someone to come forth, I brush away the soft tendrils of hair reaching to caress my cheeks. Many faces cross by me, each show me the respect of my high station, but I do not see them. It is the single rider who has extracted himself from the pack that holds me. . .
In a plume of sand, a tall, powerful form rides forward. Flying grit from the rush of horses' hooves penetrates my sensitive eyes, and I shield my eyes and turn away. When I look back, he has passed me by.
Astride a powerful stallion I recognize to be of Ciranian breeding, the rider is handsome and gallant, large and muscular, with an authoritative presence; my eyes are drawn to his long silver hair, so different from my own. A warrior he must be, his body taut and rippling with muscles beneath his gray tunic, his legs strong and tightly defined.
The hunt's spoils are tied across the rump of his steed, and I stare after him in wonderment, the killing of any animal normally paining me, but the thought of this elf's obvious prowess intriguing me even more.
He suddenly turns, and I can feel his eyes on me, but strangely, I am unable to see his face. Embarrassed, my cheeks become heated, and I want to turn away and flee from him, yet I am unable, deeply rooted in place. Instead, I stand as if frozen.
He seems unaffected by me, reaching up to shift his bow farther back on his shoulder, placing it flush against his quiver. My eyes following his every movement.
A bright glint sweeps across my way suddenly, and I look away from him. Across the broad expanse of his shoulder he carries at great bow. It is blackened as the darkest of night, its fine wood polished to a deep luster with intricate gold inlayed designs. Its exquisite beauty leaves me in awe, a status symbol of the warrior's rank, perhaps.
My eyes are drawn to the corded muscles of his strong body, to the hunt's kill, and back to his weapon. . . How many has he killed with that bow?
"Nienna. . ." I hear a low, breathy utterance, and look back to the featureless face of the warrior, but he is now gone. My thoughts shatter, and I know not what has happened, only that I am alone, and day has turned to night.
"Nienna," he calls to me again, and I can feel his very essence sweep across my skin in a wispy, heated murmur. I open my mouth to answer him, but I cannot force one utterance, or one breath from my burning lungs.
A flush of wind teases me, shifting around my body - He is near. I can sense him. "No longer let your heart be troubled," he whispers, his voice a wet tingle caressing my skin, lingering on the pulse points of my neck until I feel as though I will lose consciousness. He is willing me into blissful submission, and I gladly oblige Him.
"Feel my arms hold you, my love. Wrap yourself in my embrace. Feel me," he commands, "Feel me as I feel you."
Deep in my feminine recesses, I feel the beginnings of true ecstasy, filling my trembling body, quenching my lustful needs. I can sense Him, sense his own desire, a desire that only I can satisfy. On my lips, my breasts, my thighs. . . my center. . . I pulsate and tingle, the feeling growing and becoming so intense I find myself crying out, writhing with a wanting that I cannot yet understand. "Feel me as I feel you. . ."
~*~*~*~
Under the late-day sun, Nienna walked to her favorite glade, only a short distance from the palace, yet well hidden from the constant barrage of curious courtiers. Her need to be alone had kept her locked away in her room well past breakfast and even the mid-day meal.
Her elven warrior had visited her once again, and her thoughts were frazzled and confused, centered on her dream.
That morning, she had awakened in a trembling sweat, her body unsure and burning on the edge of new and rapturous sensations. Her lips had felt swollen and bruised, while her breasts and feminine center had pulsated with desire, warm and longing of the warrior's unseen touch.
She had paced her room in rapt concentration for hours trying to recall every detail to her conscious mind, each time the dream occurred, it was more powerful and real than the last.
As she neared the treasured sanctuary of her glade, Nienna heard the sweet voices and gentle laughter of young elflings. She smiled, realizing how fortunate those of her realm truly were. The increasing dangers of Middle Earth had caused many elven couples to curtail their desires to have little ones until they crossed the seas to the safety of Valinor. The elves of Cirana however, still brought forth offspring and reared them with much love and devotion in the impenetrable fortress her father had created and ruled.
Smiling, she sidled to the edge of the small hill overlooking the flat to spy on the unaware younglings. Instantly, she honed in on a mangled twist of small arms and legs, dark hair against. . . silvery hair? Her interest caught, she crept closer, careful to remain hidden in the thick foliage of the trees lining the edges of the glade.
Her hand flew to her mouth to stifle a giggle, her heart quickening at the precious scene before her.
Earrindo and Airemir, the offspring of the royal seamstress, had managed to effectively pummel Haldir into the ground in a jumble of royal blue, sky blue and crimson cloaks. Earrindo sat astride the tall elf's powerful legs, while Airemir hovered overhead, tickling his ribs mercilessly.
"Let us play warrior!" Earrindo cried, rolling off Haldir's thigh, bouncing with an abundance of youthful exuberance. "Come, Airemir, leave Haldir be!"
"But I do not wish to play warrior, brother," the small elleth grumbled, looking back at the Lórien elf, her sparkling eyes dreamy. "I would rather play house."
Nienna turned her head away, fighting the urge to burst out laughing.
Airemir paid her older brother no heed, perhaps realizing that the tall elf captain would allow no harm to befall her. Nienna watched as the small she-elf crooked her finger at Haldir, beckoning him closer. To Nienna's amusement, the mighty March Warden did as he was bade, lowering himself on bended knee until he was almost eye level with the young sprite.
From behind her back, the little one produced a crown of daisies of the prettiest pinks, blues, whites, lavenders and yellows. Haldir's eyes widened, though he appeared beguiled, as Airemir set the crown atop his head and smoothed his silvery locks. "There Haldeeer," she said, admiring her handy work, "you look lovely."
"Milady, Airemir," Haldir said quickly, "would this crown not look better sitting atop your own pretty head?" He reached up to remove the twist of dainty flowers, but the youngling swatted his hands away.
"Nooooo, Haldeeer!" she pouted. "All kings must wear a crown!"
"Awww, Airemir, that is for baby elleths!" Earrindo protested, stomping his foot. "Come, Haldir, pay her no heed! Let us pretend we are warriors fighting a whole slew of orc! Little sister may sit here with her crown of daisies and her doll, and watch us if she is so inclined." Glancing at his sister, his eyes narrowed. "But she cannot play! Maidens are not supposed to be warriors!"
"They may be warriors, Earrindo, if they so desire!" she cried, her tiny hand balled into a tight fist, ready to light into her brother as the two scrambled to face one another.
"Who says?" Earrindo challenged, towering over his small sister menacingly. "No great war was fought with silly elleths! They are good for naught but whining and crying!"
The elleth's bottom lip jutted out, quivering as tears suddenly pooled in her eyes. Having seen enough, Nienna made to approach, but stilled when Haldir quickly stood and moved between the younglings, separating them.
"There now, we must have none of this bickering!" he said sternly. "We have been playing warrior for a while, and I dare say, I am quite tired of being the orc," he said to Earrindo. He bent to look them both in the eye, reaching out to wipe the young maiden's watery eyes with his thumb while glancing at Earrindo disdainfully, shaming the young elf. "What do you say we sit for a while by the brook, and stick our feet in the water?"
"Haldeeer, I wish to play house." A sullen Airemir picked up her doll and handed it to Haldir, crossing her arms expectantly.
The princess chewed her lip, waiting to see what he would do, her heart warmed in a way that she could not explain, nor fathom. Perhaps it was her own longing for a little one, for she so loved the elflings of her realm. Or mayhap, it was that two small elflings could reduce such a powerful, arrogant warrior to a gentle, clueless giant. Whichever it might be, she had often imagined children with her elf warrior. . .
"You have to rock the babe, husband Haldeeer. She cries!" Airemir smoothed the cloth doll's small dress and black yarn hair, completely oblivious to her brother's overly exaggerated sighs of exasperated disgust. "No, no! Haldeeer, you must hold her like this." She positioned his powerful arm underneath the doll's neck, supporting its head.
Haldir looked at a loss as he stared down at the doll. He stood nearly three times the size of the small elleth youngling, and yet at the moment he seemed as helpless as the doll he held in his arms. Nienna could see his eyes turn and lock with the small one, questioning what he should do next.
"Airemir, Haldir does not wish to play with your doll! Leave him be!" Earrindo argued, reaching to snatch the rag baby from the March Warden's arms when smaller hands fiercely smacked him away.
"Stop it, Earrindo! We played your game, now it is my turn!" She looked back at Haldir, "Haldeeer wishes to be my husband, and that," she gestured to the doll, "is our elfling!"
"He does not wish to be married to a foolish maiden! He is a captain and march warden, Airemir! What use would he have for a sniveling elleth who cannot hunt, fish, swing a sword, shoot a bow, or even hold a dagger!"
Quite used to the siblings' antics, Nienna decided it was time to intervene, and slipped from her hiding place to find the elflings facing each other in a battle of the wills. Between them stood one much larger, flowery elf looking very out of place, still clasping the doll in his arms.
"Well now, what do we have here?" Nienna teased. Her mouth twitched when Haldir sent her a lopsided grin, as though playing house with a crown of flowers on his head was a most natural thing for him. She turned to the younglings, almost laughing when two pairs of large, guilty eyes bored into her. "Do you realize the day grows late? Your mother will be looking for you."
"But, Nienna, we were going to play house!" Airemir protested, stomping her small foot.
"So I saw," the princess replied, glancing with amusement at Haldir and the doll. "But it will soon be time for your dinner." Nienna reached to smooth the little elleth's dark hair before turning to the older sibling. "Now do as I say, Earrindo, and take your sister back to the palace."
"Yes, Nienna," he said begrudgingly, taking his small sister by the hand to lead her away. Unlike his sister, he was no longer innocent to Nienna's true rank and his own position on the social chain.
Haldir looked down and realized that he was still holding the little one's doll. "Airemir," he called, bending on one knee when the child turned to face him, "I believe you forgot Holle. It will soon be her bedtime."
The younger elfling took the proffered doll in one arm, while wrapping her other tiny arm around the Lórien elf's neck, standing on tiptoe, kissing his cheek. "Thank you, Haldeeer," she said, her small voice laced with disappointment and still a bit of awe.
Haldir glanced at Nienna before turning back to the youngling. Bending close, he smiled a smile that sent shivers down Nienna's spine. "I will see you again, my sweet blossom, before I go."
The little one seemed satisfied with his answer, and turned back to grasp her brother's hand, and together, they skipped back in the direction of the palace.
For a long moment, Nienna and Haldir regarded them until they disappeared from sight. This was certainly a new side of the imposing March Warden that she had never seen, and it pleased her.
"Haldir, March Warden of Lórien, you never cease to amaze me," she said, smiling at the handsome elf. "Are you going to stand there until eve, or will you grace me with your presence?" She smoothed her gown to sit, when she felt a hand on her arm, staying her.
"Please allow me," Haldir said, unclasping his cloak from his shoulders, spreading it on the grass before gesturing for her to sit.
She smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Haldir," she said, waiting for him to join her.
As soon as the March Warden seated himself beside her, Nienna's mind went blank. Glancing at him from the corner of her eye, she noticed that Haldir sat twisting a blade of grass between his fingers, his mind also elsewhere, it seemed. Would there be only awkwardness between them?
One brief minute soon stretched into two, then two to three, and yet he still made no move to speak to her. Perhaps she displeased him? Mayhap he did not like her? Nienna shifted uncomfortably, her mind racing from one horrible thought to another, and just when she was ready to make an excuse to return to the palace, Haldir turned to her.
"The little ones said that you liked to visit this glade often," he remarked.
Nienna nodded, smiling with relief. "When you live at the palace, you learn to find solace in other places if you wish any privacy," she said. "Few know of this glade."
He seemed to ponder this for a moment. "I hope you are not upset that I am here," he finally said, his gray eyes searching hers.
"Of course not," she smiled. "It is nice to share such peace and serenity. And, in truth, I had been hoping for the opportunity to speak informally with one of my far reaching kin about the lands beyond these shores."
"What would the princess like to know?" he asked, holding her gaze with his rapt attention. "Many journeys I have taken and a great distance I have covered in my duties to my Lord and Lady, I have seen much of the mainland and its peoples."
Suddenly forgetting about the awkwardness between them, the near kiss now a distant memory. Again, Nienna smiled, excitement coursed through her veins; she was finally going to learn of the world beyond her own! "As you I am certain you are aware, my father no longer travels, but in his stead, Rana still goes to the main shore and gathers news and such, and it is he who has told me much of the mainland and its extraordinary beauty."
"He has said that there are great mountain chains and valleys for as far as the eye can see, with lakes and streams of the bluest, coldest waters. And its peoples, who live in dwellings of stone, wood, and even caverns, from the greatest of human cities to the little folk's most humble villages," she said.
"Yet by contrast, he tells me there are long flat plains of naught but dust and sand with not a drop of water to sustain life; desolate of warm-blooded beings, he has said that to merely gaze upon it is heartrending to one's very soul."
Haldir nodded. "There are many mountain ranges; some lush and green, with snow-capped peaks and watery valleys, while others are rugged and barren, with sharp, jagged rocks that could easy tear flesh and split bone. The farther south, the taller the mountains, imposing and fierce, yet quite beautiful to behold."
"It is beyond the tallest that you will find the small foothills and rolling plains, and there, the fairest of cities and smallest of villages. The flat dry land he speaks of," Haldir said, "endless desert plains, wherein there lies no water to quench one's thirst, yet, there is life that dwells in such places; mostly small wondrous creatures, but living nevertheless."
"Oh, but a dream it would be to see such lands," Nienna said wistfully, turning her face skyward, "for I have long desired to climb tall mountain peaks just to see what might be on the other side. Or to stand in a gentle flowing current of a great, wild river, and allow the water to wash away my worry and toil."
Her smile bittersweet, she turned to Haldir, finding him watching her intently; his eyes, shaded underneath long lashes, appeared sympathetic and saddened. "I know every valley and peak of this land - every small stream that feeds into every brook, every brook that feeds into every pond, and every pond that feeds into the sea," she said. " If my sense of sight were to fail me tomorrow, from memory alone, I would know the way to every glade, every field, every meadow, every patch of land that lies on this island. My sense of direction would lead me to every dwelling, every tree, every rock. . . every grain of sand upon my beaches."
"Is it true that you have never been off your own island?"
Nienna could not help the melancholy that shadowed her heart, invoked by his vivid descriptions and the wonders of her imagination. "Aye, `tis true. My father wishes to keep me hidden away from others."
"In dire times, it is said that many hide their chief treasure, but surely the king does not keep his daughter locked in his hoard?"
Nienna laughed, bitterly and biting; she knew her father's reasons for keeping her sheltered away were less born of love, than of his desire for absolute control over her. Reflecting, she was quiet, and for a moment, she could sense the March Warden's burning gaze and perhaps, his concern as well. . . then he turned away.
After a bit, Haldir began to softly hum.
"What is it that you sing, Captain? For it is haunting, yet very beautiful."
"It is a song my youngest brother, Rumil, often sings," he replied. "He and Orophin are both younger than I, and we are close. I find myself greatly longing to see their faces when I am away from them," he confessed.
She smiled sympathetically, reaching out to lightly pat his hand, then pulled away when his eyes met hers. Perhaps she ought not have touched him. Had she been too forward with him? "Do you miss the Wood as well?" she quickly said, smoothing the folds of her gown to hide her sudden confusion.
"Alas, almost as much as my brothers," his voice rising almost in song, his mood seemed to brighten before her very eyes.
"Tell me. What is your home like? Is it as magical as I have heard?"
"The woods of Lórien are the fairest of all elven dwellings. . . even that of Cirana," Haldir added. "There are no trees like the trees of the Golden Wood. In the autumn, their leaves turn to gold, but do not fall. There they remain until the spring comes when the new green opens and the boughs are laden with yellow flowers. Only then, by the Lady's sway, do the old leaves fall."
Haldir suddenly grasped her hand in his, and pulled her to her feet, leading her to the edge of the glade. "Feel," he urged, placing her palm against the rough bark of a tall, majestic tree. "Its surface is coarse and grabbing."
Nienna nodded, her attention held rapt, almost unable to distinguish his words from the warmth of his hand and his presence so close to her.
"The bark of the Golden Wood's trees is smooth and gray, almost silver in hue," he said, leading her to the small babbling brook, carefully choosing a place for them to sit. "Have you heard of the Nimrodel? Its water is healing to the weary soul, cold and clean. At one time, the bridge of the Nimrodel welcomed many visitors to the Wood, but as times grew dark and my people sought shelter deeper in the forest, the bridge was taken down."
And so, Haldir once again began his song. . .
"An Elven-maid there was of old,
A shining star by day:
Her mantle white was hemmed with gold,
Her shoes of silver-grey.""A star was bound upon her brows,
A light was on her hair
As sun upon the golden boughs
In Lórien the fair.""Her hair was long, her limbs were white
And fair she was and free;
And in the wind she went as light
As leaf of linden-tree.""Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell
Into the shining pool."Haldir's voice faltered, and he ceased.
"Why do you stop?" Nienna asked, her eyes searching his. She squeezed his hand gently, encouragingly.
The March Warden was quiet for a moment, as if gathering himself. "It is long and sad, Princess. It tells how sorrow came upon Lothlórien, Lórien of the Blossom, when the dwarves awakened evil in the mountains."
"And evil came?" she queried sadly, for her heart already knew the answer.
Haldir nodded. "Yes, evil came."
They sat for a moment in silence, listening to the low gurgle of the water, when finally Haldir said, "Deep in the forest of Lórien, the trees are great, and it is in those trees that my kindred dwell. Mellyrn, they are called. Bearers of the yellow blossom." He then turned to her and smiled, his eyes the most beautiful shade of deep blue, and she felt her insides pool and warm. "Lothlórien is the heart of Elvendom, and it is there that my heart dwells. For, the world is full of peril and many shadows, but still my lands are fair."
Nienna felt a sense of wonderment, almost as if his description brought the elven haven to life before her very eyes. "My own heart shall weep that I shall never see it for myself," she said sadly. Looking away, unwilling to allow him to see her longing, only when she had composed herself, did she meet his gaze once more. "But alas, Cirana is a paradise in itself."
"Indeed," Haldir agreed. "Though I find myself wishing that you could behold the Golden Wood with your own eyes." He smiled, and she knew his words to be true and heartfelt.
Nienna looked down, a new longing replacing the old. She wished the moment never to end, but the sun had now moved to its western-most point, indicating that evening loomed. "Well, the day is nearly finished, and there is much to do before dinner," she said with disappointment.
Haldir helped her to her feet, and then retrieved his cloak, fastening it around his neck. "Are you ready, Milady?"
Nienna could hardly keep from laughing. "Almost," she said.
He gazed down at her. "Is something wrong?"
She reached up to remove the forgotten crown of daisies from his head. "You might want to remove this if you wish to maintain your air of authority, Captain." She giggled, and though she knew not why, she leaned up and placed a light kiss upon his cheek.
She saw his eyes widen as he realized what he had nearly done.
In her hand, she held the crown, see-sawing it back and forth on her forefinger, smiling up at him, enjoying his momentary lack of composure. However, it did not last long, for he took the flowery adornment away, gazing down at her.
"I think this would look much nicer on you," he said, carefully placing the crown on her head, smoothing the dark strands away from her brow and cheeks, grazing the sensitive shell of her ears as he did so. Her body shuddered at his light touch.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Haldir's hands were now on her shoulders, his eyes locked with hers and his expression unfathomable.
His hands slid down the length of her arms until his fingers intertwined with hers. He leaned toward her, his mouth full and inviting, parted slightly, as though this time he was really preparing to kiss her.
Nienna tried to quell the rush of excitement, and her near panic at the possibility that once again he might change his mind. She desperately wanted to feel his lips upon hers, to experience such intimacy with one who filled her with fire.
His scent wafted about, reminding her of a fresh spring day, tinged with a bit of maleness.
Butterflies suddenly hatched in her stomach, and fluttered madly about, as if seeking release from their confines. Nienna swallowed, her anticipation growing.
Against her better judgment, her eyes slid shut in preparation for his kiss.
His thumbs caressed the soft undersides of her hands, his touch feather-light, sending chills up her arms and straight to her brain. Without thought, she wet her lips with her tongue, and heard the slight intake of his breath, an unmistakable response to her action.
He gave a soft, low groan, and then his mouth covered hers more suddenly than she had anticipated, its force slamming her, yet somehow restrained so as not to overpower her.
At first she did not respond, whether from her surprise or from his expertise, but when his touch lessened as if he were pulling away, only to cover her mouth once more in a firmer, open stroke, she eagerly captured him.
Haldir released her hands and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her even closer as she melted against him. In the foggy throes of her mind, she could feel the power that encased her in his embrace, his practiced, yet restrained strength.
She sighed, though for a flitting second, she wondered if it sounded more like a moan; the betraying voice of her desire. Tangling her hands in his hair in an almost desperate attempt to feel even more of him, she opened her mouth, and felt his tongue glide inside and wrap around her own. He explored the hot cavern depths, sending her into a maddened frenzy.
He shifted his weight, leaning his tall frame more flush with hers, his hands digging into the soft flesh of her back, cradling her against him.
Suddenly, he moved from her mouth, his lips emblazoning a trail down her chin, to the sensitive center of her neck, his teeth teasingly nipping her tender flesh.
Nienna leaned back to accommodation him, his hot breaths flitting across the heave of her breasts. Her hands tangled and pulled his hair, nudging him closer, encouraging him forward.
All at once, he pulled away, his breaths ragged and urgent, his eyes still dark with desire. Her head dizzy, she nearly toppled backwards, but his strong embrace held her upright.
Without a word, his eyes seemed to soften, and he cupped her cheek. His expression unreadable as always, though his gaze seemed to linger on her as if considering.
"Nienna," he murmured softly. And said nothing after.
He slid her hand into his, and wrapped it securely about his arm. Still flustered by the moment of intimacy, she allowed him to lead her toward the palace, her head swimming in her newfound ecstasy, and with her new closeness to such an amazing creature as the March Warden of Lothlórien.
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