The Long and Winding Road

Disclaimer: I seek only to borrow from Tolkien's genius, and do not seek to profit from this writing in any way.

Chapter 14

Haldir stood in the bedchamber of Celeborn and Galadriel, unable to keep his eyes from darting to the corner of the room where Galadriel had had Calla bound and gagged. He was still furious with the Lady of the Wood, even though he knew and was grateful that Celeborn haken ken care of the problem. His Lordship was currently sitting at the small table, drinking a cup of wine and picking at a platter of fruit sent up from the kitchen.

Celeborn studied his March Warden, who stood rigidly at attention, only his eyes moving. He noticed that they kept darting to a particular corner of the room, and knew very well what Haldir was thinking about.



"Haldir, you've been my March Warden for centuries…we practically raised you and your brothers…you have my affection, my trust, my respectd myd my gratitude, and I feel it my duty to tell you that you must let this go."

"Let what go, My Lord?"

"This fixation you seemed to have developed for the human."

"You'll pardon my impudence, My Lord, but what relationships I may develop have never been a factor in the performance of my duties."

"I have no doubt of that, Haldir, and you know it. Your performance as March Warden is not in question here." Celeborn put down his cup, fixing Haldir with a stern look. "I speak out of concern, nothing more. You know that this relationship can be nothing more than a dalliance, do you not? Do you believe this to be fair to the human? Have you explained fully the ramifications of this relationship to her? I doubt that the Mirkwood Prince has…and I can see in your face that you haven't either." Sighing, Celeborn's face showed his concern. "Haldir…she will die. That fact is inescapable. You will not. That is also an unavoidable truth. She will grow old. You will not. She will grow feeble. You will not. She…"

"I know all of this My Lord, yet my decision stands."

"You know all of this, I have no doubt…but does she?"

"She will."

"When? When she has fallen so deeply in love with the two of you that it will destroy her to move on? When the two of you begin to notice the changes age will wreak on her, and lose interest in favor of some young, healthy Elleth? Where will she be then?"

"I will not lose interest."

"You will. I have seen it before. You trade bed partners as quickly as you shoot arrows from your bow. No one has a more demanding libido, Haldir…not even I. You will lose interest."

"She understands and accepts that I may seek pleasures elsewhere, as may she. Our relationship is separate from that."

"But Haldir, eventually you will cease seeking pleasures with her at all. That will devastate her. It has been my experience that humans tend to believe that relationships should be lifelong events. You must fully explain to her that this particular relationship between the three of you can be nothing but temporary - for her own good, Haldir."

Haldir remained silent, the impact of Celeborn's word's wreaking havoc in his mind. His face showed the play of emotions he was feeling, and Celeborn felt badly for him…his erstwhile son.

Sighing, Celeborn said patiently, "I realize this is not something you have contemplated fully, Haldir. You have some time before you must make your decision to either leave her now, or later. But, make no mistake…you will leave her. To do otherwise would be tantamount to murder. You would kill her very spirit." Celeborn rose from his chair, and walked to place his hand on Haldir's shoulder. "The entire purpose for bringing her here has nearly been forgotten in the events of the past three days. Take her to Imaldris, Haldir. Erestor will record her translations of the books for us, and she will enjoy seeing The Last Homely House. After your visit there, you must make your decision."

"Yes, My Lord," Haldir said dutifully, ever the servant of the Silver Lord. He bowed stiffly, before leaving Celeborn's chambers, his mind still in tumult, his heart aching with the knowledge that Celeborn was correct in his assessment of the situation. His footsteps were as heavy as his t ast as he made his way back to his talan.

Legolas looked up from between Calla's legs as Haldir entered the talan. Smirking, even though his heart felt heavy, Haldir shook his head at his blond friend. He could see that Legolas' libido was nothing to sneeze at - Calla hadn't been back for more than an hour, and already Legolas had succeeded in seducing her.

Calla place her hand on the top of the Mirkwood Prince's fair head, forcing it back down to finish what he had started. She smiled at Haldir, sighing and closing her eyes, but reaching out a hand to welcome him back.

"When you two are through, we have something to discuss," Haldir informed them, kissing Calla's hand, but gently declining her unspoken invitation to join them. He was too unsettled at the moment to participate - he needed some time to think things through.

Legolas mumbled something that may have been an agreement, although the current position of his tongue made diction impossible.

Haldir left the talan, leaving the two of them to enjoy each other. He strolled down the walkways, heading for his brother Rumil's talan. He hadn't forgotten about Orophin, although, to his knowledge his brother hadn't yet been found. Rumil and his wardens had scoured the forest looking for him, but he appeared to have vanished without a trace. Eventually, Haldir knew, he would be found and held accountable. Right now, Haldir needed to speak with Rumil.

He knocked at the talan's door, entering without waiting for permission. This had been his home for years as well, until his promotion to March Warden made it unseemly for him to share a talan with guards…even if they were his brothers.

Rumil was seated at a small table, a map of Lorien spread out before him. Concentrating on the map, he didn't even look up as Haldir entered.

"We have searched each quadrant three times, Haldir…there is no sign of him. The city has also been searched - talan by talan, might I add, to no avail. He must have fled Lorien. I have no idea in which direction he may have gone."

" Eventually, he will be found, Rumil. He will not be able to stay away from the Golden Wood forever, and I have a very long memory. That is not why I have come, however. I have been instructed to take Calla to Imaldris. You will continue to act as March Warden in my absence."

Rumil nodded his head in assent, a small glow of pride flushing his features. He was always proud of the fact that his elder brother, who he admired, respected, and loved, thought highly enough of his abilities to bestow this responsibility on him. Rumil knew Haldir well enough to understand that he would never allow Rumil to assume his title if he did not fully believe Rumil was up to the challenge.

Smiling, Rumil said, "I suppose you'll be leaving at dawn. I don't suppose I can talk you into delaying a few days…I have been wanting to seduce your human. After twisting my ear the way she did over a simple kiss, I thought it might be interesting."

Haldir laughed, "We will leave on the morrow. You have the rest of tonight, although you will have to elbow Legolas out of the way to get to her!"

Saying farewell to his brother, Haldir made his way to the stables to arrange for their transportation to Rivendell.