Fated to Love

Chapter Fourteen: Missing the March Warden/ and Love Letters.

March 20th

The past few days Cassie found her days to consist of being in the library with Lord Elrond reading over the histories of elves and learning a bit of Elvish. It was harder than she thought with all the pronunciations. Often she would find herself to drift off into thoughts on how Haldir was doing. Haldir had promised that he would send word as soon as he reached Lorien and Cassie patiently waited to hear from him. The third and final battle would take place on the twenty-second. This she knew. He would arrive at least two days before, to help and prepare for the final attack and then the eventual trek to Dol Guldur.

“Cassie!” she heard her name being called. She looked up to find Elladan standing in the door of the library. She smiled up at him.

“Dan how are you this morning?” she asked sweetly.

“You were not at breakfast. Father sent me to fetch you to come,” he said walking over to her and sitting down on the window cushions with her.

“I am not hungry. Any word from Haldir?” she asked hoping.

“No, not yet but they should be there anytime now. Cassie you must eat. Come!” he urged her. He held out his hand for her take.

“Dan, I am not hungry!” she insisted.

“I will not take no for an answer. Adar sent me to fetch you and that is what I will do. Now if you do not come I will pick you up and throw you over my shoulder and force you,” he said. Cassie laughed but soon realized he was not joking.

“You would not dare!” she spat out. With that Elladan strode over to her and in one swift motion he gathered her up and put her over his shoulder. She squealed and kicked protesting what he was doing. “Elladan put me down this instant! Your Adar would not approve!” she shouted kicking him.

“I would not would I?” Cassie looked up to see Elrond coming toward them. “He is doing exactly what I would have done. You must eat. Elladan take her to the dining hall,” the elf lord said without so much as a smile. Cassie began to kick even harder.

“This is not necessary. Put me down!” she shouted.

“No I will not, my Adar gave me an order,” he said simply. “Now little one, stop kicking. I may want children some day.” He was smiling. Cassie could tell by the tone in his voice. He looked at his father who only shook his head.

Finally she surrendered to Elladan and his father’s relentless effort for her to eat. She stopped fighting Elladan. She was now looking at the hall peaceful. Elrond was behind Elladan and smiled at her as his son carried her. She had to hand it to the male elves. They sure did have nice butts. 'Oh poppycock! Now look at what I am doing admiring Dan's backside. Oooh' she thought irritated. She noticed that Elrond smiled at her mischievously.

“Lord Elrond will you please make him put me down. This is embarrassing,” she said sweetly.

“No I will not. I made a promise to Haldir to take good care of you and to make sure you were safe, not to mention healthier by the time he sees you again. Elladan is helping me to keep up that promise,” he said simply. She thought to herself 'God she was beginning to hate elves they were so...’. “Irritating?” Elrond said out loud finishing her thoughts.

Cassie's mouth dropped opened stunned. He read her mind. That was not fair. “Lord Elrond, I thought you would not read someone's mind unless they gave permission?” she asked stunned.

“I usually don't, but your mind was screaming so loud it was giving me a headache I had to shut you up somehow,” he said bluntly. He gave her a stern look, but Cassie could see some amusement behind them. Elrond finally broke out into a fatherly smile. 'Oh the audacity' she thought.

They made their way into the dining hall. All in the room turned and watched as Elladan walked into the room with the girl thrown onto his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. All were stunned but broke out into fits of laughter. Elrohir, who thought it side busting, laughed so hard that he fell out of his chair and rolled all over the floor laughing. Tears ran down his face and he grabbed his sides from the pain of the laughter. Cassie was put down to the floor and she stared at Elrohir in total shock. Her blood began to boil. She looked up and Elrond just sat in his chair acting as though nothing was wrong while Arwen looked at her brothers with eyes of pure disappointment. Cassie looked at them as well. “Will you stop rolling around like a dog rolling in mud, Elrohir. And you Elladan, I will get you back for this humiliation,” she said.

“Cassie, leave them be. They are just having a bit of fun, and besides it is nice to have a youngling amongst us once again. It does something to us elves having someone like you around. We all feel more youthful,” Elrond said smiling. He stood back up and walked over to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. He pointed to all those at the tables. “You see, Cassie, though all are smiling at the spectacle of you being carried like that has put happy smiles on their faces. That is joy and in these dark days this is a rarity.” Elrond made his case to her. Cassie relented and decided that he was right.

“You know Lord Elrond you are right. No harm was done and it was kind of funny being carried like that. Reminded me of a moving picture with the ogre and the princess in it. He carried her much the same way.” Cassie smiled at the thoughts. She looked up to find Elladan and a now standing Elrohir looking at her smiling. “I forgive you. Besides you guys are just so cute with your long hair, blue eyes and-” she started but was cut off by Elladan's recollection of what his Adar had heard in her mind.

“Cute butts?” he said simply.

Cassie turned a thousand shades of reds. His father apparently told him through mind speak of what she had been thinking. She smiled nervously and found a seat next to Elrond and took it. A servant brought her food and she ate.

Sitting at the table was odd. She had been used to being by herself most of the days since Haldir left. She enjoyed the merry conversations of those she dined with. After breakfast was over she decided that she would retire to her rooms for a nap. She walked to her bed and removed her shoes. She looked on the nightstand and found a letter with a red seal on it. On the front was her nickname that Haldir called her. Lirimear. Cassie's heart skipped a beat. It was from him. Cassie carefully broke the seal and opened it to read it.

My dearest Lirimear, March 19th

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. I know that your heart is breaking by my leaving but know that my heart is aching to be by your side. I have thought of nothing but you. I arrived just this morning in Lorien. We made record time and are here safe and sound. I have the most wonderful news. The Lady has spoken of you to me and wanted me to extend her invitation for you to dwell here in Lorien. This has gladdened my heart. I will write when I can. I am tediously working with Lord Celeborn making plans for the third attack and final battle at Dol Guldor.

Cassie, my love, do not cry for me. Our separation will be short, this I promise. You will come to me, I know this. We will be together again and I take this knowledge into the upcoming battles with me. I hope that you are safe and in good health. I worry for you. I know that Lord Elrond will not break his promise. He probably has his sons involved.

Cassie looked up from the letter and laughed out loud, if only he knew just how much they were involved. She looked down and continued to read the letter.

You need to watch out for them, sweetheart, those two can be ruthless. But I know that they will keep you safe for me. This makes my heart ache a little less knowing you are safe.

Rúmil and Orophin are beside themselves missing you. They say all the time that they miss their 'little sister'. You have really touched these two and they also cannot wait to see you. I need to mention that I also feel the same as they do.

Upon entering the borders here, I stopped at one of my favorite glades. This time of year it is abundant in the most beautiful wildflowers. Two of which are my favorites. I have enclosed one of each flower in this letter as my promise to take you there to see the glade. The white flower is the Elanor flower known to only grow here in Lorien and the other as you can tell is the lavender flower. I hope you like them. Please write and tell me how you are.

I did not get to say this before I left and I had hoped to tell you in person, but I feel I must say it. I love you, Cassie. You are the very air I breathe, the first rays of light in the morning, the dew in the morning, and the stars that shine at night. To me you are everything. Please my love, stay strong and think of me.

I love you and my heart will weep until we see each other again.

Haldir

Cassie looked from the letter. Tears streamed down her face. She did not realized just how much she missed him. He loved her and this revelation was a little bit of a shock to her. She knew he felt something but just didn't know how much. She took the two flowers in her fingers and brought them up to her nose. Their scent was divine. The Elanor flower was the most beautiful color of pure white. The Lavender flower was an odd shade for the flower. But this was middle earth. Things were different from her world. She smiled and decided she would write him later.

Cassie gathered her feet up onto the bed and held the letter close to her heart. She lied down and fell fast asleep remembering his words.

~~~~~~

While Cassie slept, Arwen decided she would check on her friend. She looked down at the sleeping girl and smiled. She saw the letter in her hands lying across her chest. Arwen looked down at the flowers in Cassie's hand. She decided she would show her how to dry and preserve the blossoms.

Cassie looked cold to Arwen, so she decided that she would cover her up. Her father sent her to check on Cassie. But saw the poor girl was out cold. Arwen turned and left the room.

~~~~~~~

Later Cassie awoke still holding Haldir's letter. She had so much to tell him and wanted to tell him. But some things she didn't know if she should like the incident near the Waterfall the night he left.

She would have to talk to Elrond. She had slept for a long time and from the look of the shadows outside it was close to dinner so she made her way to the wardrobe to pick something out for dinner. She then turned and ran her bath then got ready for dinner. She would think on what to write to him about.

Dinner was over too soon. Cassie found herself walking toward the library to look for Elrond. She was seeking counsel about the letter and what she should do. She knew he would be wise and tell her what to do.

~~~~~~~

Cassie knocked on the door. From within the room she heard someone call out “Enter.” It was Elrond. She slowly opened the door and popped her head into the room. Elrond looked up from the book he was reading and smiled. “Cassie. What brings you to my study?” he asked putting the book on the table beside him.

“I received a letter from Haldir this morning,” she said.

“Ah that is wonderful news, I take he made it safely.” Elrond put his hands together and brought his chin to rest on the tips of his two fore fingers. He looked at her like he was trying to read her thoughts. “Cassie, is something troubling you?” he finally said.

“Well yes and no. I mean I am going to write him back but I am unsure of what to say. I don't know whether to tell him of the attack or not. He told me something wonderful, Lord Elrond and I am unsure of what to say in return,” she said looking a little distressed.

“He has told you his feelings and told you that the Lady wishes you to come and dwell in Lorien, did he not?” he said looking at her intently.

“Yes, how did you know?” she asked.

“Cassie there is not much I do not know. Besides, Haldir wrote me as well and told me,” he said simply.


“What should I do and say?” she asked him

“What you heart tells you Cassie. This is something I cannot give you an answer to. You have to decide on your own,” he said leaning forward and patting her hand on her knee.

Cassie chewed on her bottom lip. 'What was she going to say about all this?' she thought. She felt perplexed. She looked up at the Elf lord and smiled. “I think I will retire and write then go to bed. Thank you Lord Elrond for your time,” she said sweetly.

Elrond stood and walked her over to the door. He opened it. She stepped out in to the hall with him beside her. “I will escort you to your rooms, mine is just down from yours. Come,” he said.

He walked her to her rooms and made sure she was safely inside. He turned and and continued to his.

~~~~~~~

Cassie stayed up for the better part of the night writing the letter. She told Haldir everything. Especially made some revelations come to light about her feelings. She knew Haldir would be pleased with them.

She was interrupted when Arwen came to her room.

“Cassie, I was just stopping in to say good night. How are you mellon?” she asked sweetly

“I am well. I was just writing a letter to Haldir. Told him everything down to the last detail,” she said.

“Speaking of letter, I came in to check on you earlier this afternoon and notice you had one and you were holding some flowers. I brought this for you to help preserve them,” Arwen said pulling out a small vile from her robe pocket. She handed it to Cassie. “All you do is pour a small amount of this oil lacquer solution and place the blossoms in it. Let them set over night and the hang them upside down to dry out for a day.”

“Oh thank you Arwen. I do want to keep them,” Cassie smiled down at the vile in her hand.

“Well I must be getting off to bed now. Good night mellon nín,” she said hugging her lightly. She turned and went to the door. “Oh, when you are ready to send the letter just ring the bell and have a messenger send it on.”

“Thank you and good night Arwen,” Cassie said as she watched Arwen shut the door behind her.

Cassie looked down at the letter and smiled. It was done and she wanted to do one more thing to it. She looked over at the vanity for her perfume which smelled of vanilla with a slight hint of green apples. She gently put some on a handkerchief and then placed it within the letter. She sealed the letter and wrote Haldir’s name on the front of it.

She stood up and rang the bell for a servant. The servant came and she asked of him to find the fastest messenger and the have it taken to Lorien. The servant said that it would be done. The messenger would arrive there in one and half days. She smiled and thanked him. The servant left and she turned in for the night..

Now all she had to do was wait on him to reply. She made her way to her bed and fell asleep knowing that soon she would hear from him again.