Fated to Love

Chapter 13: Night of Fitful sleep, and a Morning of Departure

Cassie made ready for bed. Haldir had just left her moments before in the garden and she now stood in her room, pulling on her nightdress. A horrible feeling struck her heart, knowing that Haldir would have to leave the next morning. She would miss him terribly and did not know how she would cope with him gone. The call for him to leave was sooner than expected. He would have to fight in the third battle in Lorien and then at Dol Guldor. She knew that the lady was wise, and would not bring on false hopes, but she could not help to feel fear for him.

They had become closer but still questions reigned in her mind as to what they were to each other. Her heart told her that she loved him, but did he love her? How would the distance and the upcoming battles affect them? These questions bore heavy on her mind. She lay on her bed, wishing that he would come to her and help her to ease her mind. Her side still ached from the wound, but was healed enough to need no more healing.

Soon sleep took her but it was fitful. Or should it be said, frightful.

~~~~
Haldir's POV

Haldir stood there listening to Elrond. He had received word that the lady was calling them early. His heart was heavy. The Captain had hoped that he would have time to tell her how he truly felt but the Lady needed him and his men. His loyalty to the lady of Lorien had always been his top priority so having to leave was necessary. It was decided that they would leave at first light the next morning. Elrond dismissed him and his brothers so they could go to their men and make them ready to leave the next morning.

After meeting with the regiment, Haldir lazily made his way to his rooms. He was passing Cassie's room but stopped when he heard her crying in her sleep. This concerned him. He listened for a moment longer then decided not to bother her. Just as he was getting ready to continue on, he heard her whimper out in her sleep.

Haldir opened the door to find Cassie clutching at the edges of her blankets and turning her head from side to side. He quickly closed the door and went to her bedside. He bent down to hold her head still.

“Cassie, wake up. Cassie, love can you hear me?” he asked in a panic.

Cassie's eyes didn't open and Haldir was at a loss as to what to do. He sat down on her bed and pulled her into is arms. Tears streamed down her face and the sobbing continued. Haldir held her tighter hoping that his strength and his warmth would comfort her. Something was tormenting her while she slept. But as suddenly as he found her in this state, she quieted and mumbled his name, “Haldir.”
~~~~~~

Cassie's Dream

Darkness sounded the woods with a thickness she could never have fathomed. Cassie could hear the sounds of a battle that was raging near by: elves stood with bows knocked and ready, orcs and wild men filled the woods like a blanket and elves on the ground were fighting with swords, being defeated.

The elves were of fairness that resembled the ones from Lorien at Helm's Deep. Cassie looked around and found none she recognized. She looked on as the orcs advanced further into the woods, fast approaching a city in the trees. She was in the midst of this battle, war all around her. She watched as one by one the elves fell to their deaths from the blows dealt by the orcs. Cassie caught a sight that she did not want to see.

Both of Haldir's brothers were lying on the ground wounded and bleeding. Haldir was not far away fighting with every ounce of skill he possessed. His hair matted and sweaty, black sticky blood covered his fine elven features. He was outnumbered and she could tell he was growing tired. She watched in horror as he was nearly slain. After the last of his attacking orcs was slaughtered, he looked around for something or someone. He caught sight of his brothers and his scream of fear pained her ears. He knelt between them working fervently to save them. She watched as the other elves came to assistance.

The dream changed to another battle scene at the base of a mountain and a tower that protruded from the top. It was Dol Guldur, the final battle. Orcs and wild men wandered aimlessly around fighting and killing everything they came into contact with. Spiders of every shape and form also came into view, biting and knocking away the elves that fought them. Cassie felt the overwhelming urge to vomit at the sight of the massive beasts, some as big as elephants. A massive elven battalion consisting of the Mirkwood and the Lorien elves stood side by side fighting and slaughtering the enemy. Cassie saw two elves in command. One was Celeborn and the other was the king of Mirkwood, Thranduil. Haldir was fighting along side them but there was no sign of Orophin or Rúmil. Had they died? Or just injured and safe in Lorien? The battle had been raging for quite some time and the enemy was slowly dwindling.

Cassie watched as the tower and the entire enemy collapsed and fell. The ground shook with a mighty quake. The evil now vanquished, the lands turned to lush and green. The remaining elves stood in awe as the land changed and became cleansed. Haldir was grasping his arm, blood was running from a gaping wound, the same arm he injured at Helm's Deep. His arm was nearly severed. Cassie looked on as he seemed to lose his bearings. The blood poured more profusely than it did the first time. Haldir was fading. He collapsed to the ground holding the arm, his breathing labored. Lord Celeborn knelt beside him trying to heal the gaping wound. Cassie made her way closer and knelt with him. She touched his shoulder as if to bring him comfort. Haldir slowly opened his eyes and whispered her name, “Cassandra, my heart and love. I am sorry.”

Cassie began to cry feeling hopeless. She whispered his name as a peace came from deep within her, “Haldir.”

But in her dreaming, Cassie felt a peace, calm unlike anything she had ever known. She slowly regained consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open to a sight that warmed her. Haldir holding her to him. She was safe and so was he.

~~~~

Cassie looked up into Haldir's beautiful blue grey eyes. Behind them she picked up on the desires in his heart. He brought his hand to her face and gently wiped away her remaining tears. Tenderness played out in his touch, he just sat there looking down at her face. No words were spoken. Cassie clutched to his tunic tighter and buried her face in his shoulder. She still felt the unease of her dream in her soul, but knowing he was near only helped to ease it better.

"Lirimear, are you alright?” he asked quietly, stroking her hair and then kissing the top of her forehead.

"Nothing, Haldir, just a bad dream is all,” she said sniffing. She laid there in his arms and playing with his hair.

"It certainly, did not seem that there was nothing. Something must have disturbed your slumber,” he said.

"Haldir, I do not want to speak of it,” she said taking her hand and wiping away a tear.

"You know, Cassie, it is alright to open up to me,” he said.

"I know,” she said simply. “How did your meeting with Elrond go?” she asked looking up at him.

"It went well, but the news is not good. I am leaving in the morning,” he said a look of sadness crossing his face.

"I know, Lady Galadriel spoke to me after you left. No reason for the early departure was given, other than she needed you,” Cassie said.

“Apparently small skirmishes are happening daily. More and more attacks happen on the borders at different times. They are not much but enough to do slight damage to the Galadhrim. It is evident that the orcs and enemy armies are roaming the land aimlessly not knowing what to do so they are attacking at random. Intelligence has indicated that the final battle will happen and that the army is massive. Once it is destroyed, their will be no more. Galadriel feels that I, along with the others, are needed to prepare,” he said, but stopped when Cassie held a finger to his mouth.

"I know, no need to explain to me. Just quiet your mind Haldir and rest, you will need it,” she said laying her head on his chest.

Haldir was stunned that she had shushed him but felt she was right. He wrapped his arm around her and stroked her hair. Soon both had drifted to sleep.

~~~~


The next morning, was dreary and filled with sorrow. Haldir and the company of elves were waiting outside the Last Homely house. Cassie had not made it to the courtyard yet. She was dreading this moment. She made her way to the front courtyard to say good bye to Haldir and the others. She had not even made it out of her woolen robes. All of Imladris was asleep still and only the family of Lord Elrond and a few servants were awake.

Haldir stood speaking to Elrond when Cassie arrived at the departure point. She had left her beautiful long brown hair down and pulled the robes closer to her. Arwen approached and stood next to her. Cassie's eyes began to fill with tears as she watched the company prepare. Soon Haldir noticed her as did his brothers. They made their way to the top of the stairs.

"Good morning, Lady Arwen, Haldir said smiling at her.

"Good Morning, Haldir. I hope you rested well,” she said.

"Ay, I did,” he answered and looked over to Cassie. His brothers was saying good bye to her. Both kissed her cheeks and hugged her. She was crying and this filled Haldir's heart with grief. He looked back to Arwen. “My Lady, will you stay close to her?” he asked.

"Do not worry for her, Haldir. She is strong spirited. But I will help her however I can,” she assured him. Haldir smiled at her.

"I know you will my lady. Farewell,” Haldir said bowing and then turning to Cassie's direction. Rúmil and Orophin made their way to Arwen to say their goodbyes. Cassie stood there with her head bowed low and a handkerchief in her hand. Haldir looked down at her.

"Cassie,” he spoke in almost a whisper. His heart cried out with grief for the pain she was feeling. Tears were falling from those beautiful brown eyes of her. Haldir's heart melted at the sight of them. He was drawn to her, but felt he must resist. “Lirimaer, do not cry, this is not forever only temporary,” he said to her reaching up to wipe her tears away. Cassie looked up at him and smiled.

“I know, I cannot help it. I will miss you all. I am afraid that I will not see any of you again,” she said sobbing harder.

"Nonsense. This war will be completely over and I will see you again and when that happens you will dwell in Lorien with us all. You will see,” he said pulling her to him in a tight embrace. Cassie's tears did not stop, but her heart knew he was truthful.

"Haldir, you must stay safe. Please be careful,” she said looking up at him.

Haldir looked down at her. He smiled and wiped away her tears. So many things he wanted to say to her at this moment, but silence reigned between them.

"I will,” he said simply. He bent down and light brushed a kiss to her cheek. The touch of his lips to her cheek burned her. She did not accept that kiss. She grabbed him fully and pulled him to her. Her lips touched his lightly. Haldir was stunned, but before he could react, she let go and ran from him.

Orophin and Rúmil stood watching in silence at the spectacle. Both knew their brother would be suffering in the weeks and months following. They watch as Haldir stood there stunned with no words watching his love run from him. Lord Elrond approached Haldir at this time.

"Haldir, do not worry for her, mellon. She will be fine. Cassie, in her heart, is dealing with your departure. It causes her pain and she does not understand the true feelings in her heart. Her affection for you was there before she ever met you, but has grown deeper the last weeks. I believe she loves you. Take that with you in your coming trials,” Elrond said placing a hand on Haldir's shoulder.

Haldir looked at the Elf lord. “My Lord, I only wish I could take her with me so that I may protect her on my own. Please keep her safe,” he asked looking back into the direction Cassie ran to.

"I will. You will see her soon enough, Haldir. Now comes it is time for you all to depart,” Elrond said with his arm around Haldir's shoulders.

~~~~~~~~

Cassie ran hard and fast. Where she was heading she did not know. She stopped and looked around her and found she was on a path she did not know. She panicked knowing she was lost. Walking a little more she found herself at the base of a beautiful waterfall. She sat on the bench and began to cry. She was alone and that feeling consumed her.

~~~~
Toward the evening hours, Arwen approached her father's study worried and upset.

"Adar,” she said sweetly with a look of worry, “Adar, I am worried for Cassie. She has not returned to the house and has been missing all day. We need to find her.”

"Cassie has not returned? Why has no one come to me sooner?” Elrond said standing from his desk and began to pace.

"We all thought it best to give her some time. Thinking that surely she would return on her own. I have a feeling she is in need of counsel Adar. She grieves,” Arwen said.

"I feel that too,” he said. He reached for the bell and rang it. A servant came to the study. “Berdan, ready find my sons and Lord Glorfindel. Then ready my horse. We are going to find Lady Cassie.” The servant nodded and walked from the room hurriedly.

"Adar, I cannot stand by idly. What shall I do?” Arwen said with a tear.

"Stay here and wait to see if she returns. If she does send me word,” Elrond said. He looked up to see his sons entering the room with Glorfindel behind them. They were in readiness, their weapons to their sides.

"Adar, you sent for us?” Elladan said.

"Yes, us four are going to search for Cassie. The horses shall be ready momentarily,” Elrond said. He hurriedly left the room to change into his riding clothes.

Few moments later they were all mounted and Elrond began telling them to split up. They took off in the early evening light to look for her.

~~~~~

Cassie sat there staring at the waterfall, tears still raining from her eyes. She felt numb as the air began to chill her. Her elven blood had still not fully taken hold and the elements still effected her.

"Haldir, my love, be safe. I miss you and my heart will grieve until I see you again,” she said through the tears. She felt as wave of fear of being never found hit her. Off to her left she heard a noise and was stunned to see the sight before her.

The hideous man stood there with a wicked glare in his eyes. Eyes that were black as midnight and held not emotion. Cassie gasped at the sight of him. The man came toward her, the only feeling Cassie could register was the same sickening feeling that the wild man had when he tried to meld her mind. Cassie went to run from him and found that there were orcs there. They grabbed her and she began to scream.

"Do not fret little one, this will only hurt a moment. No one can hear you here,” the man said. Cassie began to struggle against those holding her.

"Why can you not just leave me alone. I have not powers for you to have. I am no one!” she cried out.

"You have more power than you know. My lord Sauron, saw you coming. He knew you would be here in this world. He saw his destruction and knew you would aid in the rebuilding of his evil plans,” he said in a sinister voice walking closer to her. His hands stretched out to touch the sides of her face. He was planning to suck out all of her goodness and purity. Cassie whimpered.

~~~~~
Elrond and the other met back up with each other.

"Adar, we searched and searched. There is no sign of her anywhere,” Elrohir said hurriedly.

"Nor could I find her My lord,” Glorfindel said.

Elrond closed his eyes. He was trying to find her telepathically. His eyes shot open in horror. He sensed the second melder. It has found her this he knew.

Elrond, the child is the valley near the waterfall of light. The enemy is upon her. Go quickly!

Elrond recognized the inner voice as the Lady of Light, Galadriel. Elrond's heart quickened and he turned his horse in the direction of the Waterfall. The others quickly followed.

"Adar, grandmother spoke to you did she not?” Elladan said, riding hard beside him.

"Yes, there is a second melder, he has her by the Waterfall of Light. Be in readiness of battle, my sons.”

They rode hard through the woods. They came upon a sight that made them all enraged. Cassie was being held down by the orcs to the ground. The Wild man was straddling her trying to take her life force from her. Cassie was struggling but weakly.

Elrond quickly dispatched the orcs holding her while his sons fought the others in the clearing. Cassie cried out in pain and bucked the man off her. She was bleeding from her eyes and crying at the same time. Elrond jumped from his horse and began fighting the wretched man. Cassie crawled away from the fighting, the orcs had been slain, and the only two left fighting were Elrond and the man. Elladan saw her and went to her aid. He knelt down beside her. “Are you alright, sweetling?” he asked worried.

Cassie was still shaken and cried out as she wiped her tears. She saw the blood and became hysterical. Elladan pulled her to him as she shook from fear. She clutched to him and watched the fighting. Elrond fought gallantly, the wild man soon succumbed to the Elf lord's sword. When the sword struck the man, a blinding light came from him and the body disappeared. With that Cassie fainted.

Elrond ran over to her and his son. He knelt down checking Cassie for injuries noticing that blood poured from her eyes like tears. This made Elrond angry. “How did they get through the guards? I stepped up security, how could this happen?” he said.

Elrond picked Cassie up into his arms and held her tight. He mounted the horse as did the others and ran off in the direction of the Last Homely House. Only questions remained.

Arwen met them at the gates.

Looking down at her friend. Arwen gasped in horror at the blood. “Adar what happened?” she asked.

"Somehow there was a second melder. I had not sensed it until right before your grandmother contacted me and told me where she was. I want someone to send for the commander of the border guards now!” Elrond said angrily.

~~~~~

Soon after their arrival, Elrond finished taking care of Cassie. She laid on the bed resting with Arwen by her side. Elrond looked down at his daughter worried for her. Cassie was a true friend to her. He knew his own daughter had been worried for her own love, Aragorn, but to have her friend in such a state. Elrond knew what had to be done.

"My daughter, I need to speak with the commander. Please let me know if her condition changes,” he said placing a light kiss on his daughter's forehead.

“I will Adar. Do not worry,” she said smiling sweetly up at him.

“I am placing guards at the door for her safety. If you should need me tell them and they will fetch me,” he said standing at the door.

Arwen nodded and resettled her self next to the candle to read a book.
~~~~~
Elrond reached his study and sat at his desk. He penned a note to Legolas telling of all the events of what had happened in the previous weeks. Also an important piece of news that would bring Aragorn and Arwen great happiness. His consent for them to wed. But it was to not be told until the day he and his children would arrive in Gondor. All particulars were to be lain out in the letter. Elrond sat there looking at the parchment with both joy and sadness in his heart. He wanted to see his daughter in Valinor, but also he did not want to see her grieve for all eternity.

After looking over the letter one last time, he rang the bell for a servant. The servant soon arrived. He commissioned him to fetch a messenger to leave straight away. With that task done, he waited to for the border guard.

~~~~~
March 17th

Cassie roused the next morning feeling revitalized. Arwen was in the room with her. Cassie slowly adjusted in the light ,feeling as though the night before was only a nightmare. Her blood pulsed through her body like a burst of energy. She sat up and Arwen smiled down at her.

"Good morning, Lady Arwen,” she said.

"Good morning, mellon nín,” she said sweetly. “How did you sleep?”

"Surprisingly well. After that nightmare of last night. Did I dream that or did it actually happen?” Cassie asked pulling her knees to her chest.

"I am afraid that it actually happened. Are you feeling any pain, Cassie?” Arwen asked sitting on the bed beside her.

"No actually I feel like it never happened. My body feels strangely energized. Should I not be feeling a little pain?” Cassie asked looking at the Imladris princess.

"We hope not. Adar said that he believed your transformation was complete. It appears that it has taken full hold,” Arwen said smiling.

"Well about time,” Cassie said with a small laugh. She looked up at her friend and noticed that she was smiling more than she had in the days prior. “Arwen, you seem happier today. What is the good news?” Cassie asked.

"Well today is cause for great joy in many ways,” she said bubbling with joy.

"Oh, what has happened?” Cassie asked feeling quite nosy.

"Adar has finally consented for me and Aragorn to wed. But Aragorn is not to know until we arrive there. Also a messenger from Gondor arrived with news that Sauron' armies has been destroyed on Plennor Fields and that Aragorn has started his reign on the throne. He has his coronation on Midsummer's Eve. Adar said that is the day we are to arrive. Once the danger to Lorien is over, we will travel to meet with my grandparents who will accompany us to my wedding. I am so excited!” Arwen said like a little girl. Cassie smiled.

"That is wonderful news, my friend. Today's date is not far from the time of the final battle. What day are we to leave from here?” Cassie asked.

"Adar said we shall leave on the day of the last battle which my grandmother said should be on the March 28th, “ Arwen said.

"I will get to see him if he is still alive,” Cassie said sadly thinking on the dream of two nights before.

"Mellon, you will see Haldir again. That is for sure. I know it. However, in the final battle against Sauron, father is sending my brothers to Gondor,” Arwen said.

"Oh, I forgot of that,” Cassie said. She shook off the realization and looked up at Arwen smiling. “So what shall I do today?” she asked.

"Anything you want, mellon. Adar is coming to check on you. I will help you dress for the day and escort you to breakfast,” Arwen said standing and went to the wardrobe.