Take My Hand

Take my Hand
Author: Noelwing
Pairing: Legolas/Haldir
Genre: AU
Rating: R
Warnings: None for this chapter
Disclaimer: Everything in the realm of middle-earth belongs to Tolkien and are only being borrowed for this fic-any other characters are property of the author. /Words/ denotes thoughts.
Author’s notes: Ok, I know I said in the last chapter that this part would be the one that would end this story. But as it turns out, there will be another chapter after this one. Until that chapter is written please enjoy this latest installment and please don’t forget to review-thank you ^_^

Part 10: Safety at Last

Turin didn’t know what he was seeing, he thought himself in a dream. But what he saw, he beheld with waking eyes. Warriors more magnificent than the greatest heroes of legend clashed swords with the fell Easterlings. It was they who had unleashed the arrows he had heard before. Every arrow hit its target with deadly accuracy. Turin stood spell bound as the Easterlings began to flee and the warriors stood triumphant.

Celeborn sheathed is sword as the man he had been fighting fled from him. He would let the man flee; Celeborn wasn’t the kind to stoop so low as to strike some one in the back. Galadriel surveyed her surroundings one last time before sheathing her own sword, it was clear that victory belonged to the elves.

“Galadriel are you alright?” Celeborn asked.

“I am alright Celeborn,” She said taking in her surroundings. “But these people, we have got to get them out of here.”

All around, people young and old alike were cowering wherever they could. It was clear that these people were in some kind of forced labor here. Galadriel held her breath as she approached two people; a woman with her arms around a boy: her son maybe?

“Peace dear woman, I mean no harm,” Said the lady of light as gently as possible. But it made no difference; the woman shrieked, raised her self and the boy to their feet and dashed away. Both Celeborn and Galadriel felt their hearts sink as the woman disappeared with her child; what have these people been through to make them fear so? If Legolas and Haldir were truly within these tunnels somewhere then had they too succumbed to such fear?

Rumil and Orophin appeared as well as the rest of the elves including Thranduil. Some of the people were beginning to come out of hiding. Thranduil surveyed the humans. All around him he saw faces covered in dirt and worn by going too long without hope. Thranduil dreaded the moment when he would learn what kind of toll this place had taken on his son.

“We are of the elven kind.” Galadriel exclaimed in a loud voice. “I do not know what torment you have been through but I promise you that it is over. As of now you are all free people.”

Free. It was something Turin never thought he would ever be again. But now this woman, this woman who personified grace and strength was declaring that freedom was his for the taking.

“Who do you think she is?” Spoke a gruff voice. Turin Looked to see Gimli at his side with Namel hovering over the dwarf’s shoulders.

“I don’t know, she says she is of the elf kindred.”

“Do you think they have come for Legolas?” Gimli exclaimed suddenly.

“One way to find out,” Said Turin as he stepped out from their hiding place.

The sound of approaching footsteps put the elves back on guard but when they saw that it was not an Easterling who approached them, they stood down. It was a man who looked to be about middle aged. His clothes were worn and tattered; obviously one of the now liberated prisoners.

“Do you speak the truth; do you really mean to free us?” The man said, all the while maintaining a safe distance.

“We come looking for two of our own actually,” Said Celeborn, hoping to put the man at ease. “But yes, you have your freedom and our aid if you so wish it.” By this time, a dwarf, with a young girl close behind, appeared at the man’s side.

“Two of your own you say. Do you mean Haldir and his companion?” The man asked.

Galadriel felt as though she could not breathe; her worst fear had been confirmed that Legolas and Haldir too were being held captive here.

“By the Valar Haldir, where is he, do you know?” Galadriel nearly charged the man. Her nerves frayed more than ever now that she was so close to rescuing Haldir. Thranduil was not too far behind her; his heart shattered in discovering that his son was imprisoned in such a foul place.

“I’m sorry my lady…” Turin could not believe the irony of the situation. “You may be too late.”

“What do you mean? What has happened to Legolas? Where is my son?” Thranduil was on the brink of panic. Elgalad clung to his father to prevent the elf king from doing anything rash.

“Please tell us what you mean?” Galadriel pleaded.

“I think you had better calm yourselves,” Gimli said. “There is much we have to tell you.” Even though the sight of the woman Galadriel made every fiber of Gimli’s being sing with joy; his heart ached over how alarmed she would be at hearing the tale that had to be told. He could only pray that once the tale was over that Galadriel and her kin would set out to search again. Only this time they would find Legolas and Haldir somewhere on the outside safe and waiting for them.

********

Haldir found himself in familiar darkness. He didn’t even want to come out because he knew that even with his eyes open, he would still be in darkness. Yet, on there own accord, his eyes cracked open and sure enough, there was darkness. But then he looked again; there was darkness yet color as well. Thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him, Haldir blinked his eyes again and again. But the color did not go away. His eyes came into focus; Haldir was looking up at the sky. It was twilight.

Haldir sat up way too fast and was hit by a wave of dizziness that threatened to topple him. When the dizziness subsided he found himself half in and half out of the water. For a moment, he was confused as to how he had ended up like this but then his memory returned. He was standing over the churning river ready to jump. He had sent a prayer to the Valar of water before him and Legolas…

“Oh…Legolas…” Haldir cried, his voice was ragged and his throat hurt but he cried out anyway. Haldir turned his head this way and that until his eyes landed on a dark mass only several yards away form him-it was Legolas.

Paying no heed to the protests of his aching body, Haldir forced himself up and stumbled over to Legolas. He was lying face down and just like Haldir, with half of his body in the water and the other half out. Haldir knelt beside Legolas and lifted his upper torso into his arms.

“Legolas can you hear me?” Haldir shook Legolas trying to wake him. Almost instantly, Legolas’ body convulsed and he began to cough.

“That’s good. Come on back to me.” Haldir used his fingers to pull several strands of hair out of Legolas’ face. Legolas blinked his eyes and for a moment, the two elves just stared at each other.

“Good, you didn’t swallow too much water.” Haldir said after a minute. With a gentle stroke of his hand, Haldir brushed the last strands of soggy hair behind Legolas’ ears.

Legolas, in response to the comforting touch, shut his eyes and the faintest moan of contentment emanated from his lips.

Feeling confident that Legolas was alright, Haldir began to survey there surrounding. To his left, the river continued onwards into what looked like to be an open grass land. But to his right were a series of water falls both great and small. At the very top of those falls, Haldir could just barely see a black, cavernous hole; it had to be where the water exited the mine cavern.

Haldir wondered just how far the river had carried them. How long had he and Legolas had been out cold and were they completely safe? What if the Easterlings were looking for them at this very moment?

Whatever be the answers to his questions, Haldir knew it was best not to wait around and find out; he and Legolas had to get moving.

“Legolas, we can’t stay here. I need you to move.” Haldir was able to raise himself to his feet but the dizziness that assaulted him earlier made a comeback. Haldir shut his eyes tightly and rubbed his temples until the dizziness went away. As much as his body wanted to give out, Haldir couldn’t give in.

/You can pass out later/ He told himself. /I have to get Legolas somewhere safe first/

Legolas felt numb; the scent of fresh air or the sight of the sky had no effect on him. All his energy was focused on Haldir and the fact that he was alive and here with him. Haldir’s lips were moving but Legolas could not hear his words. /What is it/ His tired mind whispered. /what are you trying to tell me/ Legolas wondered.

“Legolas, take my hand.”

Those words alone made Legolas’ heart skip a beat and oh how he wanted to get up and place his hand in Haldir’s. But his body was still so weak.

“Hal…dir I…need help.” Legolas whimpered while his hand twitched with the effort to raise it.

Haldir immediately leaned down and grasped Legolas’ twitching hand and pulled him up. The exertion caused Haldir’s muscles to cramp painfully. So painfully that he almost let Legolas drop back to the ground. But Haldir pleaded with his body to not give up, not just yet.

Legolas was pulled up against Haldir’s body and he draped his left arm over Haldir’s shoulders while Haldir’s right arm made its way around Legolas’ waist. “Let’s go,” Said Haldir as he made sure Legolas was secure in his grip. He then chose a direction and hurried them along. Haldir wanted to put as much distance between themselves and the place that had been their prison.

As the time went by, the sky grew darker and darker which meant the twilight the elves had awoken to was the veil before night. The land changed as well. What had once been soggy river territory had now become open grassland. The night was cold but at least Haldir and Legolas had the light of a very full moon to guide them.

Legolas had tried to keep up in the beginning but his feet dragged more and more. At first he distracted his mind from his fatigue by staring at Haldir’s feet and trying to mimic their movements and speed but it did not last long. Legolas could feel his legs cramp up more and more; his body was telling him that it could not take much more. Legolas really didn’t know how much longer it would be before he collapsed to the ground.

What had been a small weight on Haldir’s body was now becoming a heavy burden. Legolas was dragging and stumbling more and more. Haldir adjusted his grip around the prince’s body again. If he let Legolas drop he was not sure if he would be able to pick him up again. Haldir knew he was pushing his body beyond its limits but they could not stop; not until they had found some kind of cover anyway.

As if an answer to his thoughts, several dark shapes appeared a short distance away. In the light of the moon, Haldir could see that the shapes were large clusters of boulders. As they got closer Haldir could see that not only did the boulders look like adequate shelter but that they were near a small lake. Shelter and water, the two things that two tired elves could do with.

“Legolas, I only need you to hold out a little longer. We have to find shelter among those boulders. Then you can rest.” Haldir could feel the weight of Legolas’ body lighten by just a little. It would have to be enough.

By the time Haldir made it with his charge to the first cluster of boulders he became convinced that the Valar were watching over them. The first place they had come upon was absolutely perfect to take shelter in. The rocks formed a horseshoe shape. The part that was open led a short distance to the shore of the lake; this also meant easy access to the water.

Haldir wondered if it was too much to hope that there might be fish in the small lake; they would need food. But Haldir decided to worry about that later. Right now he was struggling to get Legolas and himself to the safety of the boulders.

By the time they made it into the nook that the boulders formed, Haldir’s Muscles were burning. Then, without warning, Haldir’s legs gave out. Haldir, taking Legolas with him, went down and his back landed hard against one of the rocks that formed there shelter. He fell into a sitting position with Legolas between his stretched legs.

Legolas could feel his upper body resting against Haldir’s chest and felt the arms of the march-warden surround his body. It was real yet to Legolas it felt like a dream. He and Haldir had escaped their captors, they were back out in the open and Haldir was holding him tight.

Haldir could feel Legolas relax against him and quite unexpectedly, a blush crossed Haldir’s face. His heart sped up and he suddenly remembered that he needed to investigate the area. But first things first-he had to get up off the ground.

Legolas could feel Haldir start to squirm. What was he doing Legolas wondered. Then he realized that Haldir was trying to move away from him.

“No!” Legolas suddenly cried.

“Legolas, I have to look around…” But Legolas only gripped him tighter. “I will be gone only for a short while-“

“No, don’t leave me…” Legolas began to sob.

“Oh Legolas please don’t cry,” Haldir gently placed his hands on Legolas’ face and coached Legolas to look at him.

“I have to see if there is anything around here that can help us.” When Legolas shook his head, Haldir gripped just a little tighter. “I won’t go far, I promise.”

Haldir lightly stroked the left side of Legolas’ face. “I need you to be strong for me. Can you do that?” Legolas inhaled several deep breaths before nodding his head. Though Legolas relinquished his hold on him, Haldir could tell that it was with great reluctance. But there was little time to waste. Haldir knew that he and Legolas could only rest here for a short time before they needed to start moving again. If the Easterlings were following them then the best strategy was to try and stay ahead.

As Haldir made his way to the water’s edge Legolas dragged himself to the spot that Haldir had just vacated. When his hands touched the grass he could still feel the remnants of Haldir’s body warmth. Legolas leaned up against the rocks and hugged his knees to his chest. The black garment he wore was still damp and did nothing to fend off the chill in the air. Cold was something that elves did not feel easily yet Legolas’ body was being assaulted by spasms of shivering. Legolas curled into an even tighter ball trying to preserve his own body heat but without much luck.

Legolas had no other way to distract him from his discomfort other than to watch Haldir as he prattled about. Haldir was standing knee deep in the water examining the reeds that grew there. Legolas was choked by a sob almost instantly as the state of Haldir’ body that became more apparent as his eyes focused in the moon light.

His clothes were almost unrecognizable, his hair was a tangled mess and there was not one inch of exposed skin that was not colored by a bruise or marred with a scratch. On top of that, Haldir’s once strong and muscled frame was now thin and frail; a far cry from the health that it once radiated.

Legolas turned his scrutiny onto his own body. His weeks of forced labor had left his hands scratched and worn. When he lifted his hands to examine them further the sleeves of the garment he was wearing fell back. His revealed wrists were circled by black, angry bruises; evidence of the use of cruel restraint.

Legolas brought his right hand to the right side of his face. The touch was light but he still flinched. The area of his face where Nanook had kicked him was painfully sensitive and Legolas could only imagine the nasty bruise he was sure was there.

Legolas didn’t want them to but the memories of how he had received these bruises assaulted his mind.

/No, don’t remember/ His mind chanted like a mantra trying to suppress the memories from surfacing any further.

/Don’t remember, I don’t want to remember…/

Haldir plucked one of the water reeds to examine it closer. He smelled the reed before taking a bite. The reed was crunchy and had a bland taste but it did not burn his tongue nor did the juices make him ill. Confirming that the plant was indeed edible, Haldir plucked several more from the water and began to make his way back to Legolas.

But Haldir took a moment to look at the sky, to really look at it. The stars twinkled in the velvet sky and a white, foggy halo surrounded the moon. Haldir blinked his eyes once, than again, it wasn’t a dream yet the night sky felt surreal. It was so beautiful. Haldir’s eyes watered at seeing something that, up until now he had taken for granted.

“Legolas look,” Haldir sang out. “The stars; do you see-“Haldir looked to Legolas and any joy he did feel melted away.

Legolas was still where he had left him but he was curled in a tight ball. His face was curtained by his blonde hair. Haldir’s protective instincts flared and he made his way back to Legolas’ side.

“Legolas, what is it?” Haldir knelt down and tried to angle his head so he could look at Legolas’ face.

“Legolas are you in pain?” Legolas still gave no answer. Haldir began to stroke Legolas’ back.

Legolas’ head came up and for a moment, the two elves made eye contact. Haldir tried to touch the prince’s face but Legolas turned away suddenly.

“Legolas, please tell me what ails you?” Haldir asked in earnest. But Legolas remained quiet.

Haldir sighed; Legolas didn’t seem to want to tell him what was wrong. “Maybe you should eat something,” Haldir said, completely at a loss for anything better to do. He did not mean to disregard Legolas’ state of mind it was just that now was not the time for such things. The two of them had to get rested and then move on as soon as they could.

Haldir presented one of the water reeds to Legolas and broke it in half. “This won’t taste very good but it will boost your strength.” Haldir was relieved when Legolas took the plant from him, put it to his mouth and begin to nibble on it.

Realizing his own hunger, Haldir took a reed for himself and took a bite. The reed crunched in his mouth and the juices left a bland taste upon his tongue but at least it was better than the moldy bread he had been living on before. Haldir made short work of the reeds he had collected for himself.

It wasn’t until he had finished that Haldir realized that Legolas had not even taken a full bite out of his own reed yet. All he had done was nibble on the end. Haldir new the plant had a foul taste but this was no time to pick and choose.

“Legolas,” Haldir said gently,” You need to eat that as fast as you can. We cannot afford to waste time.”

The reed suddenly dropped form Legolas’ hands.

“Legolas, what is it?” Haldir picked up the reed and tried to hand it back to Legolas. “Legolas, you need to eat.”

“I…c…can’t…hurts too much.”

“Is it your jaw?” Haldir asked reaching for Legolas’ face. “Here, let me see.” Haldir tipped Legolas’ chin up and tried to examine the bruised area. It was a nasty looking injury. Haldir pressed the areas where he only needed to and found that, thankfully, the jaw was not broken. But despite that, the injury was considerable and it was too painful for Legolas to speak any louder or clearer than the mumbles he had been using. Also, there was no way he would be able to bite into and chew something as tough and crunchy as the reeds that Haldir had fetched for him. But he needed to eat something.

Legolas watched as Haldir reached down and picked up the reed that he had discarded. Haldir took a bite off of the end of the reed and began to chew it

“Open your mouth,” Haldir said.

Legolas complied without knowing what Haldir planned to do. Suddenly Haldir covered Legolas’ mouth with his own. Legolas gasped, what was Haldir trying to do? Then, he felt the matter that had once been the reed enter his mouth. Automatically, Legolas swallowed the chewed plant and it went down easily.

“I used to do this for my brothers when they were small and not yet able to swallow some solid foods. Just let me know when you can’t eat anymore alright.”

Legolas deftly nodded his head and waited for the next mouthful. Haldir was so gentle. Every time Haldir pressed his mouth to his, Legolas could sense that Haldir was being as careful as possible as to not cause any unnecessary pain. But it was the contact of their lips that held Legolas. The prince vaguely remembered a time when he had wondered what it be like to feel Haldir’s lips upon his own.

Haldir was pleased with the progress they were making. Legolas had been able to not just eat the first reed but also a second and now it looked as though he might be able to eat a third. Haldir was ready to begin chewing the third reed when he looked at Legolas’ face and saw the tears that were there.

Legolas felt something brush against his cheeks, something that felt like a piece of cloth. Haldir was wiping the tears away with a torn and dirty piece of fabric. Out of the corner of his eye Legolas could see that the fabric was frayed at the edges and stained with blood.

Legolas reached out and grasped Haldir’s hand and with a gasp, recognized the piece of fabric. “But this…you saved it.”

“Yes, it’s the piece of your tunic that you tore away to make a bandage for my wound.” Haldir dabbed the last of Legolas’ tears away.

“Why…did you keep it?”

Haldir was a bit taken by surprise. All this time he had held onto the piece of cloth without ever really thinking as to why.

“I really don’t know,” He said. “I suppose it was because it reminded me of you. No matter how bad things became I knew I couldn’t give up. I had to protect you.”

In a surreal moment, Legolas floated forward and Leaned against Haldir’s chest. “I was worried about you too. I wanted to be the one to look after you.”

Legolas’ head came to rest on Haldir’s shoulder where it rested comfortably. Haldir could feel Legolas’ arms come around him and cling tightly. Haldir let Legolas come into his arms and in the moment Legolas embraced him, Haldir realized something. In the beginning, it was his conviction as a guardian and his dedication to Galadriel that had obligated Haldir to Legolas’ safety. But somewhere along the way that had changed. No longer did failure mean having Thranduil, Celeborn or even Galadriel being unable to forgive him. Haldir knew now that if he failed he would never be able to forgive himself.

Legolas could feel the warmth of Haldir’s arms around him and, for the first time in what felt like centuries, Legolas felt as though everything would be all right.

The moment of peace shared by the two elves was suddenly interrupted by a slow and steady sound. Haldir inhaled sharply as his protective instincts flared; someone was approaching them. The sound was not lost on Legolas and he moved closer to Haldir who, in turn, tightened his grip on the prince.

Haldir’s instincts were to take Legolas and run away form the approaching presence but the moment Haldir tried to stand his legs gave out. His muscles burned and he groaned in agony. His body could take no more; he was in no condition for fight or flight.

Legolas could feel Haldir’s fatigue and smell his fear and desperation. He wished to run from whatever was approaching but like Haldir, he too had no strength left. Legolas’ heart stopped when his ears detected the hiss of a sword being pulled from a sheath. /No, not one of them…no/ Cried Legolas’ thoughts as he feared that the one approaching was one of the Easterlings.

Whoever it was that approached was making its way over the rocks that had served as their shelter. Legolas shivered with fright as the moment of their possible recapture approached. In that instant, Legolas felt Haldir’s arms pull him into a protective embrace.

Legolas looked to see Haldir’s eyes. They were filled with a fierce light and Legolas was moved. Even in his weekend state Haldir was still trying to protect him and Legolas felt comforted. Whether the one approaching meant harm or help would be known in a second but whatever the outcome, Legolas knew that he and Haldir would still be together.

Legolas clung to that hope as the approaching presence finally made itself known to them. A tall, lithe figure appeared atop one of the large boulders. The figure was carrying a sword in one hand and a torch in the other. In the light of the flames; Haldir realized that the one who had found them was an elf.

The elf extended the arm that carried the torch and squinted his eyes. He could have sworn he heard voices coming from somewhere around this area. He scanned the area with his eyes and at the edge of the torch light, he could make out the shapes of two huddled figures on the ground. Cautiously, the scout sheathed his sword and leapt off the boulder and to the ground. He did not wish to frighten whoever it was hiding but he had to investigate. Finally, the forms of two people, elves no less, came into view.

“Haldir…of Lorien…” The scout asked quizzically.

“Yes.” Haldir answered. His voice was shaking with disbelief.

The scout then turned his gaze to the elf cradled in Haldir’s arms. “By the Valar,” He gasped. “Prince Legolas.”

“There is no time to waste,” Haldir interjected. “If there is haven near by then we must see to it that Legolas gets there.”

Without having to be told twice the scout was off climbing back over the boulders. Once on top he let out a shrill whistle and began waving his torch in the air.

“OVER HERE, I HAVE FOUND THEM!” He cried at the top of his lungs.

While the scout was calling to a yet unknown search party, Haldir dragged himself and Legolas to their feet. His heart was racing with relief. They had been found by their elven kin. No longer need they fear recapture by their Easterling tormentors. “Legolas, we have been found,” He whispered. “We’re going to be alright.”

When they cleared the rocks the elven search party came into view. They were Mirkwood elves on horseback and quickly closing the distance between them and their prince. One in particular was closing in very fast. His frame was stern yet his face was that of one captivated in disbelief. Haldir suddenly realized that he knew who this elf was-it was Thranduil.

Legolas felt his legs turn to jelly and he crumbled to the ground. “Ada?” He spoke as though trapped in a dream. A dream he did not wish to wake from.

Thranduil leapt form his horse and ran the last few yards to his stricken son. Haldir stepped out of the way as the woodland king practically crashed to his knees before enveloping his son in a massive hug. “Yes, my son, it’s your ada.” Thranduil said before kissing his son’s brow.

Legolas looked up to see the face, though tired and dirt stained from travel, of his ada. Legolas’ whole chest constricted and his vision blurred with unshed tears. “Ada, ada is it really you?”

Thranduil felt as though he might cry at any minute. His son his poor son, what had happened to him? He was so thin, pale and the bruise on his face broke the king’s heart. Thranduil gathered his son in his arms. “Oh my little one,” Thranduil brushed Legolas’ tears away with his thumb. “I’m really here. By the Valar I missed you; I was so worried about you.”

Legolas flung himself into his father’s arms and cried with abandon. He had no idea how much he had missed these arms and everything they offered. Care, safety and above all, love.

“Ada,” Legolas choked.

“Yes, what is it my son?” Thranduil looked at the tired face of his son.

“I want to go home.”

A sob escaped Thranduil’s lips and he pressed his brow to that of his son’s. “That’s where I’ve come to take you to.” Ever so gently, Thranduil slipped one arm under his son’s legs and the other around his shoulders and lifted Legolas from the ground.

Elgalad, who was equally happy to see his little brother, brought his father’s horse and held it while Thranduil helped Legolas into the saddle. Once Legolas was comfortable, Thranduil too, mounted the horse and took hold of the reigns. Legolas leaned up against his father, inhaled deeply the scent of the Mirkwood that clung to his clothes and felt the warmth of his body. Every muscle in his body began to relax and sleep pulled ever more on him.

Thranduil could feel the weight of his son’s body and could tell that he was dozing off. “Tis all right my son, sleep. Ada has you.” Thranduil whispered into Legolas’ ear. The words of comfort eroded away every last bit of alertness Legolas had and he surrendered to sleep. Sensing that his son was at rest, Thranduil gave the signal for the Mirkwood elves to head out. It was time that Legolas be returned home.

Haldir watched as father and son were reunited. Legolas was with his kin now; they could take him the rest of the way. A great sense of relief rushed through Haldir’s veins; he had delivered Legolas into safety, his purpose as a guardian had been fulfilled. Now he could rest.

Already Haldir’s heart was set on returning to Lothlorien once he recovered. Images of the golden wood filled his mind. He could already see the giant mellyrn trees with their leaves dancing in the wind. Oh how his heart ached for his home in the golden wood and for the comfort of his brothers, Lord Celeborn and of course Lady Galadriel.

“Haldir,” Said a melodic voice. Haldir shook his head; his homesickness was making him delusional. Surely the voice he heard was not that of Galadriel. Then a hand as warm as it was soft brushed the side of his face; Haldir had only ever allowed one person to touch him so intimately. Still in disbelief, Haldir turned into the touch and with his eyes he beheld her.

“Haldir,” Said the lady of light. The stars in her eyes rippled with welling tears.

Haldir felt as though all time had stopped and the only presence he registered was that of his Lady. “How…how did you come to be here?” Haldir’s voice shook and his eyes were wide with disbelief.

Galadriel cupped Haldir’s face with her hands. “I told you that I would always be able to find you didn’t I.” Though still glazed with tears, Galadriel’s eyes sparkled and she smiled that radiant smile that inspired songs among Middle-earth.

Haldir’s chest began to ache and his vision began to water. “Yes, you did and you have found me.” Silvery tears there way down Haldir’s face and with a loud sigh, he fell to his knees. Galadriel went with him and let him rest his head against her chest. She embraced him and rubbed his back as his body was racked with sobs.

“Oh, Haldir, do not worry, all is well now.” She said trying to soothe her charge. But Haldir continued to cry. All his fear and frustration left with his tears. Galadriel was not alone in her attempt to console Haldir. Just as quickly, Rumil and Orophin and even Celeborn joined her.

Haldir could feel himself being surrounded by the ones who were most precious to him. Haldir was overcome by the power of the comfort they gave him and let him self fall into a healing slumber.

“Sleep Haldir,” Galadriel lovingly whispered lovingly. “Your family is here to protect you.”


To be continued in part 11

Until then, please review.