Chapter Four

***

“And so it was that in the very hour that Varda, the Lady of the Heavens, rekindled the bright Stars above Middle-earth, the children of Eru awoke by the Mere of Cuiviènan, the ‘water of awakening.’ These people were the Quendil, the Elves, us. And when they came into being the first things they perceived was the light of new Stars. And that is why, of all things, Elves love starlight the best.”

Haldir groaned softly. Every part of him ached and he felt worse than he had in hundreds of years. He had no idea where he was, and didn’t feel he even had the strength to open his eyes. But that voice… a sweet, lilting voice that he had never heard before, it seemed to waft to his ears on the wind. A peaceful smile touched his face as the voice continued.

“And further, when the new light entered the eyes of Elves in that awakening moment, it was held there, so that ever after it shone in the eyes of all Elf-kind.”

Haldir tried to picture the face that might belong to the voice, but found he could not… he did not know any women. So he opened his eyes, squinting a bit in the sunlight that filtered in from a large window. He raised his head, which spun dizzily for a moment and looked around. He realized he was wearing only a clean pair of leggings, his chest bare. The bed he was lying on was large, with intricately carved wooden posts. There was a large bureau and mirror on the far wall, reflecting his image. Slowly, like a fish resurfacing from the bottom of a murky pond, Haldir found himself remembering the orc attack. But he wondered. His face was no longer broken and bruised, and his hair was clean. He threw off his covering and looked at his ankle. It no longer was twisted and he found he could rotate it without any pain at all. He looked at it disbelievingly. But he heard the voice speaking on, and stood, finding it a great relief to be able to do so without pain. He walked slowly and stiffly towards the doorway, and the next room over, where the voice was originating.

He stopped in the doorway and looked out into the room. A group of small elf children sat on the floor, gazing up a maiden who was sitting on a small stool, speaking to them. He could feel his eyes fix on her, as well. She looked to be about his age, with fair, freckled skin and light brown hair who’s sides had each been twisted back and affixed with a small clip in the shape of the green and gold mallorn tree leaves. Her eyes were a bright green, and danced merrily as she looked at the children before her. She was dressed in a simple pale-yellow dress that draped along the floor like the plains outside of Lorien. She was smiling, and perhaps that is what caught Haldir’s attentions the most. Her smile was large and true, complimented by dimples and slightly uneven teeth. It was a warm smile that Haldir could only remember seeing on the face of the Lady Galadriel, when she had appointed him as a sentinel. But strangely, although the face seemed to spark a memory, Haldir could not place her. She was an elf of Lorien, of that he had no doubts, but he no idea of her name.

“And so who can name some elf races?” the woman asked, looking down at the children with a tender expression.

“Silvan! Noldor! Sindar!” voices called out.

“Very good!” the woman said, smiling again. She looked up at that moment, and saw Haldir standing in the archway. Her eyes softened and she looked as though she were about to speak, but thought against it. She instead offered a smile, and made a small gesture with her hands, mouthing “I’ll be with you in a moment.”

But one of the children saw, and turned around. His mouth immediately dropped open and he gawked at Haldir.

The rest of the group quickly followed, most rushing to their feet and going over to Haldir, though staying a few feet away, not sure what to think of the Elf warrior before them.

“Alright, alright,” the woman called, rushing to the children and shooing them away. “That’s enough for today, good job everyone, I’ll see you tomorrow. I might even tell the story of how Lothlorien came to be, if you’re good. Now, go on, my patient shouldn’t be mobbed in his condition.”

The children made disappointed sounds, but did leave the room, though many turned and looked over their shoulders for one last glimpse of Haldir.

“Lady Corwyn,” one little girl said, before leaving, “can we hear his story instead?” she motioned at a bewildered Haldir.

Haldir watched as the lady, he now knew her name to be Corwyn, looked over at him. “First I must here his story, Amarië. Now, go on, and I’ll think about it.” The little girl offered a shy smile to Haldir before hurrying away, giggling.

Corwyn turned to face Haldir. She smiled tentatively, and offered a polite “Good morning, sorry about all that.”

Haldir bowed slightly, but only out of habit. He was much more interested in hearing where he was than exchanging pleasantries.

“Well, I suppose you might be hungry?” Corwyn offered, trying to be helpful. She wondered why this elf wasn’t speaking.

Haldir nodded. He hadn’t realized his hunger until this Corwyn mentioned it. But he could feel it now.

Corwyn smiled again. “Well, you head back to the bed, I’ll bring you in something. You really shouldn’t be up and about now, anyway. Not until I check you over.” She nodded towards the bed in the other room. “I’ll be back in a moment. And your cloak has been cleaned and is hanging next to the mirror, if you’d like.” She flashed a grin and disappeared, gliding softly out of the room and down a short hall.

***

Haldir pulled on his cloak. He still had no idea where he was; save that it was the home of his hostess, who was named Corwyn.
(And that she’s quite lovely)

Haldir frowned. Where had that come from? He shook his head. Must be messed up from the battle. That’s it, obviously.

But he couldn’t help thinking that he had seen her somewhere before, although even hearing her name didn’t help him any. With an exasperated sigh, he shook his head, his blonde hair swaying. He heard footsteps approaching and sat up, not wanting to be caught off guard.

***

“I’ve discovered it,” Corwyn said, entering the room and setting a platter down before Haldir. She handed him a plate, smiling widely.

Haldir raised an eyebrow. “What?” he asked coolly.

Corwyn laughed out loud. She reached out and put a hand on Haldir’s shoulder, but removed it when she saw him glance at her inhospitably. She laughed a bit more.

“Excuse me,” Haldir asked, a bit miffed, “but do you mind telling me what it was that you discovered?”

Corwyn’s laughter ebbed away, and when she could speak, she answered, “You’ll have to excuse my outburst, but you just ensured me that I was right about my guess of who you are.”

Haldir frowned. “Than who am I?” he asked.

“Haldir of Lorien, of course,” Corwyn replied. “And before you ask, dear marchwarden, just let me say that I knew this because your reputation precedes you.”

Haldir set down the slice of toast he had been holding. “My reputation? What reputation?”

Corwyn waved dismissively. “You know, that you’re sort of aloof, set apart.” She saw this troubled him and so she smiled. “Oh, but, you knew this already. It is simply who you are. Now eat.”

Haldir did so, but silently. He knew the woman would want to hear his story, but he didn’t find it hard at all to say nothing. He could play to her assumptions of him just fine, thank you very much.

“You are allowed to talk, Haldir.” Corwyn said, “And if you’ll just tell me about the orc attack, I’ll tell the Lady that you’re free to go, fully recovered. If you don’t, well, your ankle could always use some more time, in all truth.”

Blackmail! Haldir thought angrily. She’s blackmailing me. But after considering the options, he decided it would be better to just tell the story and get it over with. Earendil knows he how many times he’d have to repeat it over the next few days.

***

“…And so I cut him open.”

Haldir had to hide a smile upon seeing Corwyn’s expression of nausea, carefully hidden, mind you, but he could still see it.

“Then what happened?” she asked, both wanting to hear the rest and tired of the blood and gore that seemed to be populating the tale (as it does all stories of battles).

“I walked out into the clearing as Rumil and Orophin were slaying the last of the orcs. Orophin said something to me, I don’t remember what, and then I…” he trailed off and mumbled the last two words.

“What?” Corwyn asked, her interest mounting.

Haldir sighed. He really didn’t want to say it, but he knew she wouldn’t quit until he did. “I… passed out.” He muttered.

Corwyn bit her tongue to keep from laughing. Here was an elf that, after nearly dying, for heaven’s sakes, was embarrassed to say he fell unconscious.

“May I go now?” Haldir asked, trying to remain polite, but finding his voice had slight edge to it.

Corwyn shook her head. Haldir really wasn’t a very good elf to have around if you wanted someone to talk pleasantly with. But she had promised. “Yes, of course. You’ll have to try not to do heavy running on that ankle for a bit, and I’d also try to stay away from any more brawls with orcs.” She smiled.

“I can safely say that I’ll try,” Haldir said, amazing Corwyn that he even tried out a bit of humor, but quickly switching to himself. “The boundaries of the Wood do not protect themselves, however.” He rose and slipped on his foot coverings. “Thank you for your help,” he continued, the words coming a but uneasily, as though he wasn’t used to thanking anyone, “but I do have one question.”

“Of course,” Corwyn replied, nodding, “anything.”

“Earlier, before I had told you anything, you said something about the attack having been an orc attack. How did you know?”

Corwyn’s eyebrows crinkled. What kind of question was that? “Any elf would have known it was an orc attack,” she replied, “orcs are the only thing the marchwardens’ arrows are ever expended on. They’re the only things out there.”

Haldir frowned. “Then it’s as I feared. No one here even has any idea that there are worse things than orcs, do they? No one but the Lord and Lady.”

Haldir’s voice surprised Corwyn. It was full of anger, bitterness. “None of the other things can affect Lorien,” she said, trying to calm Haldir.

“Nothing but the Ring of Power back in Sauron’s hand,” Haldir muttered under his breath, making sure Corwyn couldn’t hear him.

“What?” she asked. She thought she had heard the name Sauron, but, no, it couldn’t be.

“I only said that perhaps you should not think of the Golden Wood as impenetrable. There are horrible things out there, things you can’t even imagine.” He looked at her with serious eyes. Corwyn didn’t like it.

She felt nervous for some reason, so she tried to turn the topic to a happier subject. “But somehow I believe you would be able to fight them all off,” she said, offering a slight smile.

Haldir averted his eyes. She did not understand. “I hope so,” he answered quietly. There was a moment of awkward silence, and then he bowed to her, and made his way out of the telain. He was at the bottom when he heard feet racing down the steps. He looked up and saw Corwyn rushing toward him, her arms full.

“Haldir, wait!” she called, panting when she reached the bottom. “Here.”

She held out his weaponry, his fine bow, a gift from the Lady many years ago, quiver, dagger, and even arrows. He took it carefully, noting the arrows were different from his own. He examined them without looking at Corwyn.

“They are some that were a gift to me from an archer at Imaldris. He sent them after my father fell. I have no use for them…” she said, trailing off.

Haldir was taken aback. Arrows from the House of Rivendell were indeed a gift of importance. He was at a loss for words, not used to having gifts bestowed upon him by total strangers… especially strangers he had been a bit less than nice to. He looked up, Corwyn shrugged.

“Use them well, Haldir,” she said. “Against any evil that may come to Lorien, or indeed, all of Middle-earth.”

Haldir bowed again. “Thank you, lady Corwyn.” With that, he walked away, and did not glance back over his shoulder, not even when his ears heard her whisper “Namarie, astalder.” Farewell, valiant one.

***

A/N – Yay! Another chapter! Thanks to everyone so far for reviewing!! It’s so nice to know that people are enjoying reading this as much as I am writing it! I have one important fact: This story is finished. That’s right! Done! I have written ahead so that you all won’t have to wait a long time for updates. Don’t you just love me?? ^_^ Anyway, fyi, there are thirteen chapters and an epilogue.

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think!!