Life's Path

Title: Life’s Path
Author: Elfgirl69
Pairing: Haldir/OFC
Rating: R
Genre: romance
WARNING: Adult themes, sex
Disclaimer: I own no one from The Lord of the Rings. All the characters and place names displayed belong to JRR Tolkien. I do not intend to, nor am I making any financial gain from the writing of this story.
Feedback: Yes please!
Betas: Marcia and Kym
Timeline: A.U. Not following movie-verse.
Summary: Annis is drawn to Caras Galadhon to find her life’s path and love.

Chapter 16 – Missteps on the Path

Haldir slowly opened his eyes when he heard a horn blow in the distance. He was not sure how much time had passed for the thick canapé blocked the sky from view. He heard the reply horn emanating from the clearing behind him. He rose and made his way into the clearing.

He pushed Annis’ tunic back into his pack and sat down. Rumil walked over and sat by his brother offering a smile. Haldir smiled back letting him know all was well between them. Rumil nodded and offered a tight squeeze to Haldir’s wrist before leaning back and closing his eyes.

Some time passed before they heard the other group approaching. Haldir got up and looked to the side as the first of the new group entered. His eyes widened when he saw the Rivendell elves emerge led by Maresto. From his side he heard Rumil softly mutter
Maresto’s name.

Haldir’s mind started to spin. Why was he here? Why was he not with Annis? His eyes followed Maresto’s every move. He wanted to run over and shake him as he suddenly had the image of Annis beneath him in the clearing. He clinched a fist and started to stride over towards him. He felt a hand on his arm and did not need to turn to know Rumil was holding him.

“Nay, not now…wait until you have calmed.”

Haldir nodded and stepped back, keeping his distance from Maresto trying to act as if he were busy. Soon the mixed group sat around a small fire and discussed the possible courses of actions. Haldir could not help but to look at Maresto who seemed to not realize the anger and aggravation he was causing Haldir. He even offered a few smiles and nods when he listened to Haldir’s words. After talking late into the night, the group decided to rest. They broke into their small groups and prepared their areas to rest.

Maresto walked into the edge of the woods and Haldir followed him. Rumil was quick to follow behind worried Haldir was going to sort things out by challenging Maresto to a fight.

Haldir saw Maresto standing by a tree. He cleared his throat and Maresto looked over rather surprised to see Haldir looking at him so intently.

“Haldir is it not strange that such a dark forest is so quiet.”

“Aye, but sometimes the silence hides the worst of our fears and dark secrets.”

“Ah very true but if the secrets were in the clearing then they would no longer be secrets now would they.”

“Sometimes secrets enter clearings without even knowing that they are no longer hidden but displayed for all to see.”

Maresto shifted under the intense glare from Haldir and pushed of the tree trunk he was leaning on.

“For some reason Haldir, I feel as if you are alluding to other things which are on your mind, so why not just state what you mean for it is too late an hour to play word games.”

“Maresto, what are you doing here?”

“The same as you, to hunt that which is causing the orcs to attack us boldly. Surely you have not forgotten already?” Maresto eyed Haldir with a slight smirk.

“I mean why are you not with Annis in Minas Tirith. You should be binding with her. It is not customary to leave the one you bind with so quickly.”

“Bind? Annis?” Maresto let out a loud laugh and shook his head.

“What is so funny? Tell me?” Haldir stepped forward with his fists clinched tightly.

“Haldir, I am not to bind with Annis.”

“But I heard, I saw…that is why she went to Minas Tirith.”

“You saw what Haldir?” Maresto stopped laughing and stood straighter, then nodded his head. “The clearing, it was not an animal, it was you.”

“You were with her, Maresto, claiming her for your own. She lay with you willingly.” Haldir frowned at the image replaying in his mind.

“I will not deny that I was trying to take Annis for my own. However, I fear you may have only seen a part of what occurred in the clearing. She denied me Haldir, pushed me off and vowed her love for another.”

Haldir stood shocked as Maresto’s words sunk in, not able to move.

“Maresto you need not lie. At first I meant you harm but now I just want the truth that is all.”

“If you wanted the truth Haldir you would have listened when Annis tried to speak to you. You would have seen the pain she felt when you threw her from you life. It makes sense now, the anger you felt, but what you saw was not the entire truth.”

Haldir shook his head as it slowly crept in that maybe…just maybe he had been wrong.

“But I saw you on her, kissing her.”

“Aye I did kiss her, she did not kiss me back. Haldir, she had only love for you in her heart. I was wrong for even attempting to take her but I have loved her for a long time. But upon her denying me I could see the love she had for you and the determination to be yours, I knew it was unfair to pursue her anymore.”

“Oh, by the gods, what have I done?” Haldir dropped to his knees, crushed at the thought that he had thrown her from his life. He felt the hand of Maresto on his shoulder and looked at the other.

“Haldir, you crushed her when you threw her out of your life, she chose her path because you denied her.”

“But you said…I heard that you had Elrond’s blessing to bind with her.” He said as if the words would take back the thoughts of how he had treated Annis.

“Lord Elrond had hoped we would be together but it was based on something that past between us when she was younger. I am not the one to speak to about that. Only know that she loves you Haldir.”

Maresto looked up as a branch cracked and saw Rumil step out. He moved to the side of his brother and touched his other shoulder. Haldir looked at them both and closed his eyes slowly. He felt the weight of his actions crashing in on him. Suddenly he jumped up and spun back to look at the other two.

“So then if she was not to bind with you, then she returned to Minas Tirith why?”

“For the wedding of course…he father wanted her to come back…”

Maresto barely got the words out before Haldir had turned towards the clearing again with Rumil and Maresto following behind. They could hear Haldir saying something under his breath as he moved quickly to gather his pack up. Looking at Maresto, he spoke quickly as he moved towards his horse.

“So is a human the groom?”

“Of course who else would it be?” Maresto seemed to laugh at the question shaking his head.

Haldir saddled his horse and looked back at Rumil who was nodding. The others in the assembled group seemed to move closer watching the exchange. Haldir mounted his horse.

“I will meet up with you as soon as possible. Rumil, these are my plans and ideas I know you will be able to represent me until I am back.”

Haldir tossed his papers into the hands of Rumil and turned his horse to leave the clearing. Maresto stood for a moment, then as Haldir urged his horse onwards found his voice and stepped forward.

“Haldir, nay you can not go! I think….”

Haldir did not hear the last words for he had urged his horse into the forest. The poor creature struggled to maintain its footing but somehow managed the task. It was as if the horse could sense the urgency running through Haldir’s body. He had heard Maresto’s words and they seemed to repeat in his ears, “She had only love for you in her heart.” How could he have been so stubborn, so stupid? Now he had broken her heart, which drove her to the most drastic course to be an obeying daughter and marry another, a human. As he rode into the night, he barely thought of the task he was leaving behind. Never had he abandoned his post, in all his years he had been a faithful servant to his lord and lady.

He looked out onto the horizon turning the horse towards the mountains he would cross to get to the plains that led to Minas Tirith. His cloak flew out behind him as he spoke gentle elfish words asking the horse to be strong for him. He watched as the sun rose and caressed the mountains with soft light making it seems as if fire, instead of snow lay in his way. Even if it had been fire, he would have crossed without another thought. He could not let her throw her life away because of his hateful words. He pushed his own energy into the horse for he needed to get to Minas Tirith and stop Annis from making the mistake of her life.

******
Annis sat on a stonewall looking down on the grand city below. Her eyes able to see which parts had been rebuilt after the war of the ring. She idly watched as flowers and streamers that had been hung in celebration of her sister's impending marriage moved in the gentle breeze. She pushed her long unbraided hair back and allowed the bright sun to warm her skin. Things had happened quickly and her head still spun when she even tried to fathom the events of the past months. She looked back and saw her mother walking towards her, ageless and still as beautiful as she had been when Annis was but a small girl.

“I’ve found you. Your sisters are awaiting you in your room. They are convinced you have run away.” Arwen spoke lightly as she ran a hand down Annis’ hair.

“I just needed a moment to myself, that is all.”

“Mmm…I agree so much activity has been going on that one finds it hard to get a simple moment alone to reflect on things.”

Annis nodded but did not say anything. From the very moment she had reentered Minas Tirith she had been swept up in a whirlwind of activity. She thought to the discussion with her father and mother of the choice she made. On the ride back she had prepared so many arguments for her choice, sure her father would rant and try to talk her out of it. Instead, Aragorn had embraced her and her choice with open arms. He spoke of the pride he had for her. Annis felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart yet still felt an anchor tied tightly around it not allowing her to feel as happy and free as she should.

The last few days had seen her entire family hosting the groom’s family, making sure all remained well for the union to come later this day. A slight shudder ran down her spine as she thought of the groom. Betlic was a lord’s son from a small area in the north who her sisters had fawned over even as young children, declaring him the finest of all creatures in all of middle earth. Annis never saw or agreed with the assessment her sisters had declared. He was an attractive male she would give him that. Dark auburn hair fell to his shoulder in soft waves contrasting his ivory smooth face, which seemed to have been cut from stone by an artist who was a master in perfection. Unlike many males of his age, his chin was not covered by the hair of a beard but rather maintained a young pubescent look. His eyes were what made Annis shiver for they seemed cold and distant, strange grey color.

As children, they had spent time together, since Betlic’s father was one of Aragorn’s chief supports and lords. Even then, Annis attempted to always be away or too busy to play with him and her brother. However, she had failed most times as Betlic found her and trailed her around the narrow and winding streets of Minas Tirith. He had a tendency to
trip or push her when she was not looking and she still refused to forgive him though her mother said it was what many young boys did to young girls they liked. Even upon seeing him after so many years, she felt a reluctance to stay near him fearing he would push her down. She felt his reasons for being married so quickly where fueled with the knowledge he gained more land and respect upon marrying a daughter of Aragorn.

Annis had not vocalized any of her fears for she could not crush her Alodia’s spirit. Her sister seemed so happy and determined to be married; maybe the time away had made her realize not all things could be controlled by her. She needed to support those she loved and not fight with them. She came back to the present as she felt her mother’s finger touch her cheek gently.

“Miles away?”

“Aye, I am sorry just so much has happened in the past few months that I seem to still lose my breath when I get a moment to think about things.”

“You know it is never too late to change your mind on your path.”

“Nay I know now the path to walk and I am content with the choice I have made.”

“Why so easily swayed Annis? I would say your father and grandfather where behind this but yet I somehow think the root to all this is Haldir.”

Annis flinched slightly at the mention of his name. She had only mentioned Haldir briefly to her parents, leaving much out. However, she was sure Elrond and Eldarion must have filled them in. Annis had avoided Elrond most of the time only meeting him at family feasts and ensuring she was surrounded by people when he approached. She loved him but still felt betrayed for he was the one who had turned Haldir from her with his disapproval.

“How much do you know mother?”

“Enough to assume your choice to leave the wardens was supported by the fact Haldir no longer wanted to be your love.” Arwen stroked a stray hair behind Annis’ ear and continued. “You have done nothing but dream of being a warrior since you saw your father leave for battle those many years ago. I remember you raiding your brother’s room, stealing the small wooden sword he had given up playing with. You were given that chance, you lived it, and now you are handing it back.”

“I am not handing it back. I am choosing the path that makes sense, the path I was born to do. Haldir hurt me but he did not make me choose this path.” Annis spoke with a fierceness of one tired of being pushed around.

“Annis, I do not mean to upset you. I am just trying to gauge what you truly believe. I support you no matter what choices you make, you could have chosen to remain a princess of Minas Tirith or even become a pig farmer’s wife. Your happiness is all that concerns me.”

Annis shook her head and laughed lightly.

“Pig farmer’s wife? I am not too sure I would have done well. I am afraid the pigs would rule over me easily.”

Arwen laughed gently with her and turned Annis to look at her. Her eyes studied her face intently.

“One thing I never told you or your siblings is your father turned me away. He and my father had words and it was decided he would leave to go on his quest not to return to me, that I would sail for the undying lands never to see him again. I was riding to the undying lands when I saw Eldarion in a vision, I turned and rode back knowing then my future was with your father.”

Annis frowned for a moment listening. Never had her mother mentioned she was to go to the undying lands. Elrond, of course! He had tired to push her mother too. She snorted a little as she replied.

“Grandfather seems to be in the midst of many lives, trying to control them to his way.”

“Oh Annis I did not mean for you to take it like that. Father did what he thought was best for me and so did Aragorn. What I wanted to let you know is that only one individual can control your heart and that is you. You must follow what is in that and forget sometimes the disapproval of others.”

Annis stood and shook her head.

“I have made the choice which I know is best for me. Haldir has no more desire for me or the disapproval of father and grandfather.”

“Annis, that is unfair to mention your father like this. He had no knowledge of Haldir. He is not to blame. As far as you grandfather, he has stated to me he never spoke to Haldir to turn him from you.” Arwen’s words were strong and she looked intently at her daughter.

“All I know mother is Haldir turned me from his room as if I was leper.
He seemed to think I was lying, playing with him. Where could he have gotten that unless from grandfather?”

“Father does not lie. He was unhappy but not truly with Haldir. He was unhappy about your choice. He had had other plans in his mind and his love for you made him see only that.”

“It is done mother, my choice is made and Haldir is no longer a part of that. I have nothing more to say. Now we had better go to my room before Alodia and Ninde have hysterics thinking I have run away.”

Annis turned swiftly not wishing to be guided anymore or hear words trying to mend that which was broken. Her mind was set and it was as simple as that, she was not to be a warden. She felt Arwen take her hand as they walked to her room. Before even entering, they could hear the girlish screams of laughter coming from the room. Annis looked at
Arwen who was smiling and shaking her head.

“How you three can be so different is one mystery which will never be solved.”

They entered the room and quickly were pulled into the girlish giggles and soon all four were braiding hair and preparing for the wedding.