New Life

This is my first chapter of a story I just started working on. I hope that someone reads and likes it. Haldir is always an inspiration. I don't own anything you'd recognize, nor do I make anything from this fanfic, so don't sue me, kay?

I've taken down the original version of the first chapter, and replaced it with a beta'd chapter. Thank you to this stories beta Enelya Lindë, or I guess Mail Order Beta? There was one bit however that she thought was unnecessary, but I thought too cute to cut out. So here it is, beta'd but some advice not taken.


Love truly can--and--does often change ones life. Sometimes for the better, and equally often for the worse. Someone's love changed my life for the better, and I thank her for it every day of my life.

The woman was my guardian, and her name is Rana. She was a middle aged woman of late 30’s when I first met her and lived in the small village In which I spent the first five years of my life. She was a lovely woman and had many animals as she held a great love for them.

That was what drew me to her as a young child, and kept me coming to her home as often as my dear mother would allow it. She always worried for me; always thought I was going to run off and unknowingly put myself in danger.

I don’t recall the day my life changed so drastically but I was told about it any time I would feel like I needed a connection to my old life, and family. Rana was always very understanding and gentle.

She told me that I had run after a favorite goat kid of hers that had strayed too far from it’s mother while out grazing in a field. My mother, who was near by speaking with Rana over a recipe, noticed me straying too far from her and called to me, inadvertently alerting a party of Orcs that were hiding in a small cluster of trees that was normally protected and watched over by the wood elves that lived near us.

I never saw them coming, but my mother did, and she ran. Rana said she’d never seen such speed before. ‘It was as if your mother had wings upon her feet,’ She said. I’m told that she reached me, and turned quickly, with me in her arms for the village as a group of men that had been alerted of the Orcs' presence came forward with their weapons drawn, bows firing into the air.

Mother was shot down by an poisoned arrow. She reached the men, and Rana rushed her to the healers. They removed the arrow, but the poison overtook her in several days and she passed.

As I never knew my father, Rana took me into her home and raised me for several months in the small town until it was later burned to the ground by Orcs. Fleeing the area, Rana, myself and several other surviving villagers took refuge in a small town near the Anduin and the forest of Lorien.

I recall fearing it as a child, having heard stories of a great and powerful Elf-witch but with time, that fear passed, as the elves were rarely spotted, and only were seen protecting their home. I could respect that, and began to take a deep interest in the Elves.

When I was 8 years old, I had my first encounter with an Elf. I often found myself wandering the border of their great woods, and I believe they could see I meant no harm to them, only wishing to see the mallyrn that I could never seem to find in the village, so they left me alone. That was also the day on which I encountered Orcs, for the third time in my life.

I smelled them first, and then I heard them. They were staring at me, and I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I slowly backed away. I did not know it, but I was backing my way into the woods.

When they began to run towards me, I turned, and promptly fell to the ground. I’d run straight into one of the tall great elf guards of the forest. He looked down to me, and frowned. “Come,” he said, his voice low, and obviously angry.

He plucked me from my place on the ground and thrown me over his shoulder. He then proceeded to jump into the nearest tree. When he put me down again, I was surrounded by Elves, all looking at me like they had never seen a human in their lives.

I shrank away from them, and cowered by the tree as they turned, bows in hand, and took out all of the orcs that had come to the forest border in pursuit of me. When all were dead, the Elf who had carried me up into the trees said something I didn't understand, and many others jumped down from the trees.

His attention was then turned to me, and I shrank further into the tree behind me, hoping it would hide me from his cold, ice blue eyes. He came forward and crouched down in front of me.

“You need not fear me child. I will bring you no harm.”

When I did not reply he continued.

“It is unsafe for you to linger at our border as you so often do. You should remain within your village.”

He reached his hand out for me to take, and again, I shrank away from him, looking to the tree behind me. He pulled his hand away, and sighed.

“What is your name, young one?” he asked, trying to get me to feel more comfortable.

I sniffled, and looked at him again.

“Lorelie.” He smiled.

“That is a lovely name for a truly lovely young lady. Would you like to go home, Lorelie?”

I shook my head with a smile now, and he frowned.

“The orcs are gone, little one,” he tried to explain. I shook my head again.

“I want to see the forest!” I exclaimed. “I’ve been wanting to for so long. It’s so wonderful, but I never feel brave enough to enter. What is your name?” I asked him.
He stood now, and reached his hand out again.

“Come Lorelie, you may see some of the woods, but I can not let you go far. My name is Haldir, and I am captain of the wardens that guard these lands.”

He showed me the woods that surrounded the border that day, and pointed out that, in the distance, north of where we stood was the heart of his home, and the home of both the Lady of Light and her husband Lord Celeborn.

“Why can’t I go there, Haldir?” I’d asked with my best pleading eyes.

He was obviously immune to my tried-and-true methods to get what I wanted.

“Those lands are for Elves only, little one. Perhaps one day, when your ears grow points,” He teased, pulling my ear gently.
“But…but...” I whined. “I want to know everything about Elves, I want to see all the Elves, and talk to them. I want to see the Lady of Light. Is she beautiful?” I cried, jumping up and down in front of him.

“She is, Lorelie, she’s the single most beautiful Elf I’ve ever known. I am sorry; I cannot allow you deeper in the forest. However, if it would please you, and to keep you from wandering the border, and safe you may come to me and I will tell you all I now of Elves.”

Lorelie considered this a moment.

“You would let me come here every day, and you would talk to me about Elves?” She asked eagerly.

He smiled and nodded.

“Aye, if your mother would allow you to. I will return with you to your home and speak with her concerning this if you wish to.”

I nodded eagerly and he smiled, took my hand and we started back to the border. Once there, he spoke to his wardens again, and then we left for my village.

As we neared the village I noticed that people there began to stop and stare at us, and some even went into their homes as if they were avoiding us. This caused me to frown, and look up to Haldir, and ask him why they were doing that.

“They are not accustomed to Elves in their village, little one. Do not think on it, I do not mind it.”

I smiled then, and squeezed his hand a little tighter. That day I think my 8 year old heart developed it’s first crush, which only intensified throughout the years.

”Haldir!”

She called up into the trees, spinning around, eyes searching in a useless attempt to catch a glimpse of an Elf, any Elf.

“HALDIR!” She called again, slightly annoyed.

He’d never not been here for her. For the last ten years he would always be here, and they would walk through the trees, talking. Or she would sit with him in a talan as he searched the vast lands for threats to his home as was his duty.

She sighed and slowly began to walk away when no reply was given. She thought it strange that there were no Elves on the border to reply, or that they would ignore her calls if they were there.

Then she had her sixth encounter with Orcs. It may have been normal for someone who left the safety of their village regularly, but it still got to her.

She heard a growl, and some foot falls coming her way. Turning to the east, she saw a huge band of dirty, foul-smelling creatures running towards her. Beginning to shake, she took several small steps backwards until the reality of her situation took hold, and she turned to the trees and ran.

She did not know what she was hoping to accomplish by running to trees that were not guarded, but still she ran. She neared the trees, the sound of many feet pounding the ground behind her.

She turned to see there were a few that were faster than the rest, and gaining on her swiftly. She frowned and wondered again where Haldir was, slowly resigning herself to the fact she would likely not be getting out of this one.

That’s when she was yanked back hard by her hair, falling to the ground, an orc falling under her. The smell was horrible, and it’s skin rough; hard. She screamed, trying to roll away from it, but the creature put it’s arm around her waist and stood, pulling her up with it.

Suddenly there were arrows flying past her, and over her, and she heard the thud of the falling of many bodies. The one holding her remained, however, and she could sense him growing nervous.

He pulled a dagger from his thigh and held it to her throat, emitting a low growl. That’s when she saw him.

Haldir fell gracefully from a branch in the tree, and slowly made his way towards the two. The creature took a step back, pressing the dagger to her throat a little harder causing blood to trickle down her throat.

Haldir readied his bow, an arrow notched, and slowly made his way closer.

“Lorelie, are you well?” he called across the distance.

“Yes,” she managed to squeak.

“I want you to struggle against the creature when I say to, do you understand? Fall to the ground if you can.”

She frowned.

“But the dagger..so tight...”

He shook his head.

“When I say to, struggle. Trust me.”

She closed her eyes, and managed a nod.

He smiled and drew closer to the them. Panicking, the orc stepped further back, tripping over a rock and losing his balance for a moment. That was all Haldir needed; he rushed forward, firing an arrow into the creatures now exposed leg.

It fell to it’s knees, crying out; a guttural, harsh sound. Lorelie was dragged down with it, and Haldir rushed the creature, wrestling the dagger arm away from Lorelie.

“Now Lorelie, go!” He shouted.

She wriggled in the creatures grasp, finding it’s arm tight around her waist. She scratched at it’s arm, and hit it with all her might until it released its grip for a moment and swung it’s arm out, hitting her on the side of the head.

She fell to the ground, no longer restrained by the beast and Haldir had his chance. He pulled a dagger of his own from his boot, and plunged it deep in the Orc's chest. It cried out, and spluttered out its own blood before dying. Haldir growled low under his breath, and pulled his dagger from the beast.

Then he turned his attention to Lorelie who lay unconscious on the ground, blood seeping from a gash across her temple. He shook his head sadly and gathered her up in his arms, careful to rest her head on his shoulder.

When he returned to the border, he barked orders to his wardens before demanding the warden that was left in charge on his leave be sent to his talan.


There he took Lorelie and lay her on the soft blankets that he normally slept in during long stays on the border. He took a small pitcher of water and brought it to her side. He took a cloth and dipped it in the water, placin it lightly over her wound, then took another to clean the blood from her throat.

“Lorelie... wake, aewnin.”(my little bird) He whispered near her ear, causing her to groan and shift slightly.

When he was satisfied that her wounds were cleaned and had done all that he could, he placed the cloths in the water and turned back to her. He stroked her hair, whispering softly in Elvish to her. When she finally began to stir he smiled, grateful for her health.

Humans were different; they were fragile, but he loved this one dearly and worried greatly for her.

His smile was broken however, as the warden he’d sent to retrieve the acting captain returned.

“Sir, your brother Rumil was acting in your stead while you were away. I have asked he come to your talan immediately.”

Haldir nodded.

“Thank you, Telandrir. You are dismissed. Help the others with the disposal of the Orcs.”

The warden bowed his head, his fist over his heart, and left the talan. Soon his brother entered the talan, taking a seat near his small table and placing his feet upon it.

“You sent for me, brother?” he asked.

“I did; I summoned the warden that was acting in my stead. I have some questions.”

Rumil smiled. “Ask away, brother.”

"Why was Lorelie not safely within the forest when the Orcs attacked? You should have seen them coming long before they had time to approach her.”

Rumil shrugged.

“I though that, since she was coming that way, we could use her to lure them in. Kill them all when they came close enough.”

At that, Haldir stood leaving Lorelie’s side and coming over to Rumil.

“You thought to use my dear friend of several years as BAIT Rumil?!” he thundered, furious.

Rumil shrunk away slightly at the tone and level of his brother's voice.

“It was a good plan; she is uninjured and the Orcs are destroyed. She is only human, Haldir; her life is naturally short.”

Haldir had to compose himself after that remark, and took a deep breath.

“Rumil, you are suspended from duty until I say you may return. If this is how you treat life, mortal or not, I do not think the Galadhrim guard is the place for you.”

His brother's shoulders slumped immediately and he frowned.

“But Haldir...you--you can’t! Being a warden has been my life since I was a child!”

Haldir sighed.

“You should have considered that before you used such poor judgment, brother. Now return to the city; I will call for you when I require your return.”

He paused and looked to Lorelie.

“If I wish your return.”

Rumil looked to the human and shook his head sadly, quickly taking his leave.

Haldir turned, watching his brother's retreating back, saddened that he had had to discipline his own brother, when he heard a low groan.

Turning, he found Lorelie was now awake, with a hand to her head.

“No, little one, do not touch it,” he said, tugging her hand away from the gash.

“What happened? Why were you angry with your brother?”

Haldir’s posture stiffened, and a frown appeared on his face.

“The Orc struck you, aewnin, but you will heal; I have cleaned the wound. Rumil…” He paused. He has made a poor decision, and I will not tolerate such when the risks are high on the border guard.”

Lorelie frowned. “What decision did he make, Haldir? Where were you? I called for you and no one answered. I was leaving when the Orcs came.”

His fury grew at that admission and he shook his head sadly, taking her hand in his.

“I was away from the border. The Lady summoned me to the city for several hours. I returned as swiftly as was possible. I’m sorry I was not here.”

She blinked up at him.

“Where were the others? Surely, you would not leave the border unguarded in your absence.”

He reached out his other hand and softly stroked her hair.

“They have made poor decisions as well. They will be spoken to concerning it. Now rest; you are injured.”

She smiled and shook her head.

“It just hurts a little here. I’ll be fine.”

She pointed to the gash on her temple, but he quickly swiped her hand, away worried she would touch it. She shook her head, amused.

“Silly Elf.” He smiled at her in turn.

“I was greatly worried for you, Lorelie. Do not so concern me again.”

She squeezed his hand a little tighter, as she had done all those years ago.

“I will try. Why did the Lady summon you, Haldir?”

His smile immediately changed, and his face became a mask, no emotion visible upon it.

“It was a matter of great importance. A party will be coming through our woods; she wished me to meet them in a days time. I am told that with the party are creatures that have never been allowed within our borders. Would you like to join me in meeting them, Lorelie? ...If you are feeling well enough, that is” he added.

Her eyes went wide immediately, giving off the desired effect of his offer. He often went out of his way to see that look. The shock, the huge grin, the bubbly questions.

“You mean I can come see the city with the party!?!” She asked, sitting up.

He pushed her down again with a shake of his head.

“Aye, I believe that you who have been a dear friend to me for years are worthy of entering the city if they who are strangers to us are to be granted entrance.”

The grin on her face was contagious, and suddenly Haldir found himself smiling, helpless to stop.

She squeaked, and, against his wishes, sat up to wrap her arms around him in a hug.

“I LOVE YOU!” she cried, placing kisses all over his face.

She felt Haldir tense under her embrace, so she pulled back reluctantly.

“Sorry, I just meant..” She tried to explain. “Sorry,” she ended, unsure how to explain what she had said.

Haldir smiled warmly.

“Do not be sorry, I took your meaning correctly. You must rest now, Lorelie; I must attend to my wardens.”

She smiled, nodding. “Be gentle with them.”

He bent and placed a kiss upon her head. Standing, he took his leave of the maid.

*****
”Life, human or not, is precious. In the future, I expect all of you to protect each innocent life that comes near the border as if it was Elf. Lorelei may be human, but she has been my friend for ten years now. Most of you have seen her here on the border every day for that time. I expect you to treat her with the same respect she bestows upon you all.”

Haldir continued to rant, pacing the ground before his assembled Elves.

“Is this understood?” he asked, stopping and turning to look into the faces of all that stood before him.

They all nodded in understanding and placed their fists over their hearts.

“Good; I have sent Rumil back to the city for an undetermined period of time. I will send for him again when I feel he has paid for his actions. Do not think I will not show the same courtesy to all before me should any of you make such poor judgment in the future.”

Again, they all nodded in understanding.
“Good. Dismissed.”

Haldir watched as they dispersed, and he quickly made his way back to his own talan.


He found Lorelie still laying on the blankets, eyes shut, fast asleep. He smiled, took a seat by her side, and tenderly stroked her hair.

“I don't know what I would have done had anything happened to you, little one,” he whispered, delayed emotion from the incident finally catching up with him.

”Come, Lorelie... if you wish to see the city, we must leave now,” Haldir sighed.

*****
Lorelie stood chest deep in a small bathing pool in the woods. Haldir stood on the edge, his back turned, eyes watchful for danger.

”I’m almost done, Haldir, don’t worry.”

Haldir heard a splash, then the sound of her wading out of the pool.
For a few minutes there was silence, and then she told him he could turn around. When he did, she stood there fully dressed in a gray wardens outfit loaned to her with her long brown hair spread out over her shoulders and down her back.

Haldir smiled and moving closer put a hand to her cheek.

”Come, we must go. Soon your eyes will behold the beauty of Caras Galadhon.” She looked up and grinned.

***

”The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark.”
Lorelie held back a giggle, recalling all the times Haldir had spoken of his great distaste for dwarf kind.

At the look on the dwarf's face, Lorelie found herself snorting to hold back the laughter she could not suppress. This alerted the small party to her presence. She smiled apologetically at Haldir who only shook his head in what she guessed was exasperation.

”Come. She is waiting,” he announced to the group. Lorelie fell into step behind Haldir, who led the way to the city. She soon noticed, however, that one of the young humans was walking beside her.

”Hello,” she said, looking down at him with a smile, only to be shocked. He was not young at all!

”Hello!” the short fellow beamed, a grin on his face. ”My name's Pippin; what’s yours? What are you doing in the Elf forest?” he questioned, his eyes widewith curiousity.

”Pippin? That's an interesting name. My name is Lorelie, and I have been allowed entrance to the city today as I have long desired to see it.” She gratefully looked to Haldir with a warm smile.
Pippin saw this and grinned more, if that seemed possible.

”He’s a crabby elf; he doesn’t like Gimli.”

”Is Gimli the Dwarf?” she asked.

”Yes. The Elf is Legolas, the disheveled Human is Aragorn, and the other one is Boromir. Then there’s us Hobbits... There’s me, Pippin, there’s Merry, my cousin; Frodo is my second cousin, and Sam's his gardener.”

”Hobbits? Is that your race? I wondered. I thought you were children upon first glance.”

”Yes,” he exclaimed, seemingly shocked that one would not know them as Hobbits. “Of course we're hobbits; what else would we be?”

She smiled and shook her head, shrugging. “I don't know. I have not had much opportunity to travel.”

”Do you come to the Elf-witch's realm often?” he asked as if he were inquiring as to the weather.

”Elf-witch?! I have not paid mind to that myth for years. There is no Elf-witch within these woods. Only a wonderfully beautiful lady Elf and her mate,” she explained, her voice light with laughter.

Soon Pippin retreated again to the middle of the queue and she was left alone to her thoughts. She found they centered on the Elf in front of her. Haldir, the Elf she’d known since childhood, and the one with whom she spent so much of her time.

She giggled to herself as she recalled times past, such as the time she’d tried to kiss him on her 10th birthday after he’d asked her what she wanted for her birthday.

”Hal! Guess what today is?! MY BIRTHDAY! I’m ten today!” A small girl exclaimed, bouncing around the tall Elf excitedly.

He smiled down at her and knelt before her, taking her shoulders in his hands to stop her exuberant bouncing.

”Are you now? Well, what do you normally do on your birthday little one?”

The small girl stopped and considered it a moment.

”Well, mom used to give me a treat, or toy she made. But Rana just asks me what I want, or want to do.”

Haldir raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Well, what do you want today Lor? Ask it.”

She grinned and he could see her eyes darting back and forth in her head and he groaned silently at what she could be thinking up.

”Take me to the city?” She asked, knowing however he would say no.

”That is not a fair request Lorelie and you know I cannot comply.”

”Hmm,” She began, taping her chin with her index finger.

”A kiss.”

Both of his eyebrows rose at that and he looked at her with a crooked smile and questioning gaze.

”A kiss?” He asked, removing a hand from her shoulder to place it on her forehead. “Are you well?”

She shooed his hand away and frowned. “You said anything, I want a kiss. A kiss from you. A real kiss, not just a kiss on my forehead. You’ve done that before.”

He frowned. “You are young Lorelie, you do not want to kiss an old Elf like me.” He tried to reason with her.

She shook her head and frowned. “You said ask what I wanted. I want a kiss from YOU.” She emphasized you by poking him in the chest with a finger.

”I wont tell anyone if you are worried it would get out that you kissed a human.” She grinned, an eyebrow raised. Haldir frowned, that raised eyebrow frightened him, for it reminded him too much of himself.

”I would not be ashamed to kiss you little one. Are you certain that is what you truly want? Would you not prefer I carve you an animal of some sort?”

She frowned and shook her head in frustration. “A kiss Hal.”

He smiled and shook his head. “Very well.” Plucking her from the ground, he took her to a nearby branch, sitting her upon it.

”Ready?” He asked, his face close to hers.

She nodded her head slowly and swallowed hard. “Ready.”

He moved in closer, his lips mere inches from hers and looked to her eyes finding fear in them. He chuckled to himself and placed his lips upon hers, soft and gentle. The kiss lasted only a moment and when he pulled away she had her eyes closed tightly.

Minutes passed as she sat there with her eyes shut. He coughed when he thought she would stay there forever.

“Well?” He asked, folding his arms in front of him, a grin on his face and an eyebrow raised.

“Like it?”

She opened her eyes, her cheeks immediately becoming red and nodded slowly.

She felt her cheeks become hot at the memory. That had been an embarrassing moment for her, even eight years later. She was certainly grateful Haldir never mentioned it. She feared she would die if ever he did.

"Caras Galadhon. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."

Lorelie was startled out of her thoughts by the sudden stopping and Haldir’s voice. She was in awe of what lay before her.

A grouping of trees so tall she had to crane her neck to see the tops from the height they stood upon the slope. Her eyes found Elves scattered among the trees, going about their lives. She had to rest her back against a nearby tree to keep from falling over in shock. The great silver trunks stretched onward, and the golden leaves shone in the sunlight.

She did not notice when the group began to move again, so Pippin tugged at the skirt of her dress.

”Miss Lorelie, we are moving again.”

She tore her gaze away from the sight of the city, and looked down at Pippin, a euphoric smile plastered across her face. “Thank you Pippin.”

He nodded, obviously pleased with himself, and bounded down the hill after the group.

Lorelie shrugged, searched the heads for Haldir, and, once she found him, did the same.

The group came to a winding stair under a great tree, taller than the rest of them. Haldir broke from the front of the group, asking them to wait there a moment. Coming to Lorelie’s side, he pulled her away to speak with her.

”I must bring them to take counsel with the Lord and Lady. I do not think that you should join them as the Lord does not yet know I have allowed you entrance. Do you mind awaiting my return here? Should anyone ask on your presence here, tell them that you are a dear friend of mine and that it was my choice to bring you here. Should they have a problem with it, send them to speak with me.”

Lorelie nodded and looked around her.

”I do hope you are long. I do not know how long I can prevent my curiosity from forcing me to wander your city, Haldir.”

Haldir smiled and took her hand in his. “Fear not, little one; I shall return to your side with great speed. Do not wander; I wish to show you everything there is to see.”