Fated to Love

Chapter Fifteen: Aftermath of Attack in Lorien and a letter arrives

Early Morning of March 23rd, Morning following the Third Attack.

Haldir looked out upon his beloved city. Cleanup of the previous day's attack was still noticeable. Luckily very little death amongst the elves had occurred but the enemy was completely wiped out. The attack was a failure to the foes. Haldir stood in his talan. He had worked through the night as did all the wardens to clean up the bodies and restore some of the damage incurred.

The lord and lady both were assisting the healers in the healing house for the number of wounded were too many for their liking. Both his brothers were included in the wounded, cut down by blades outside the gates while the three of them fought off the advancing orcs. He let out a deep breath and then ran a hand through his now unbound hair thinking about Orophin and Rúmil. He was worried for them. Both had been badly injured but not enough to kill them. Thank the Valar. He came to get some rest before meeting with Lord Celeborn and the other officials on the next course of action. He turned and sat in his chair by the window and decided to pour himself some wine and think on a brighter subject. Since leaving Cassie his mind strayed more often then he meant to. He could not get her face out of his mind.

He had sent the letter upon his arrival several days before and had not received word from her. The only images he thought on were the sadness in her eyes and then her retreating figure as she ran from him. His heart had broken to see her like that. He worried for her. He loved her maybe even more than he could possibly fathom. No elleth or human female had ever touched his heart the way she had.

On the day of his return the lady and he had taken a long stroll speaking of all the things that had occurred, especially of Cassie. The lady had told him to extend an invitation to Cassie from her and Celeborn to come and dwell in Lorien. This had gladdened his heart beyond all other things. Haldir was told of the importance that Cassie was to Sauron, but was assured that the Dark Lord would never prevail. This calmed Haldir's nerves. He had come back here to his talan and penned the best letter he could. Still he was unsure of her true feelings for him. The Lady had told him of Cassie's great affection for the character of Haldir she had read about and saw in the motion portraits. She explained to him about Cassie's world and that Cassie at times felt at a loss of the new world in which she had come. Haldir decided then to help Cassie to acclimate herself to this world by any means he could.

Haldir recalled how Galadriel had responded when he asked about the image he saw in the mirror before going to Helm's Deep. Galadriel told him that Cassie's true place is here in Middle Earth. That she was meant for him. This Haldir already knew in his heart when he first saw the girl on the stairs that night of the battle. It also explained why he became so attached to her so quickly. The Lady had also explained that if the Valar had not sent her, that his fate would have occurred and he would now be standing in the Halls of Mandos. The lady also said that indeed Cassie had been tied to the fate of the battle in many ways, but as always she was vague on what those ties were.

Haldir was taken from his reverie when a knock sounded on the door. Haldir in a panic thinking that it was something to do with his brothers so he ran to the door and opened it quickly. The young warden on the other side looked tired and had smudges of black blood on his face and clothes. His tunic was torn at the sleeve and Haldir saw it was bandaged.

“Yes, warden what is it?” he said calmly. “Is it my brothers?”

The warden looked at him. “No March warden, they are fine. I saw them only an hour ago. The Lord and Lady are with them. I have a message for you. It just came to the gates by a messenger from the border. A Rivendell courier brought it very early this morning,” he said holding out the letter.

Haldir looked at the warden and smiled. “How is your arm warden?” he said.

“It is only a scratch, I will be good as new in a couple of days,” he said in reply.

“That is good news, we will need you in the days to come I am sure. Go and get some rest. Take care of yourself.” Haldir said looking down at the letter.

“Thank you March Warden,” The warden said as he turned and flew down the stairs.

Haldir held the letter in his hand. On the front was the delicate handwriting of a female. He put the letter to his nose and breathed in perfume. Vanilla with a hint of green apples. It was from Cassie. He took the letter and sat down at the window to read it. He had butterflies, a feeling he was not used to. He broke the seal and opened it. Inside was a handkerchief that she had with the perfume on it. He brought it to his nose and inhaled it sweet aroma.

My Dearest Haldir, March 20th

By the time this letter reaches you, the third attack will have already occurred. I hope you are well. I received the letter and the flowers. They are beautiful and I cannot wait until I can see the same flowers in their natural environment. I bet they are beautiful.

There is so much I want to say to you, so much needed to be brought out. I am glad the lady has invited me to live there. I have always wanted to see a place of such beauty. This is something I am eager to do. So much has happened since you left me, some good and some not so pleasant. But like in my world, the worst of the things should be revealed to get the ugliness out in the open so that the good things will make you feel better.

The night you left, I had strayed into a part of the forest by myself. I was overwhelmed by grief and pain that I had not meant to stray so far. Without Elrond's knowledge, I got lost. I was at the Waterfall of Light and was attacked by a second melder. This one had slipped through the borders undetected. The attack rendered me unconscious. I will tell you when I see you all the details, but be assured that within minutes Elrond, his sons and Lord Glorfindel found me before any permanent damage was done. I will tell you the melder was able to steal what he came for, but upon his demise it was released back to me. I spent the night in my room with Arwen by my side.

A lighter note to this, my elven blood has completely come upon me. If it had not, Elrond said I would have never been the same. He has placed guards on the outside of my chamber doors and all throughout the palace also around the perimeter of the grounds. This place is like Fort Knox, which in my world is a very fortified military base. Well anyway on with more of what I have to say.

Haldir braced himself for what she had to say next. The thought of another attack on her unnerved him but found no fault with anyone. It was bound to happen sooner or later. He looked down at the letter and continued to read.

First off I want to know how Orophin and Rúmil are. Remember the night before you left how I had been sleeping fitfully. I had a dream of what was to come. In that dream, your brothers were fighting not far from you. You three were in the woods near a clearing of some kind. Orophin and Rúmil had been struck down by enemy blades. You were horrified to find them there badly wounded. I did not tell you because at the time I did not want to relive it. Please forgive me for not telling you. If the vision has come to pass, I fear that you will be angry because you could have tried to prevent it and would have been hurt or worse. The Lady will need you and that is one of the reasons for not telling you. I am sorry.

The last several days I have found myself feeling no need to eat. You were right about Elrond incorporating the help of his sons in my care and protection. Just this morning I found myself being hoisted onto Elladan's shoulder and carried to the dining hall kicking and screaming. Elrond was involved in that. He teased me as he walked behind Elladan and laughing at the fact I was fighting. He read my mind on something that I did not think he should know. You will find this humorous. The whole time of being carried I had to look at 'the butt' of the situation. The thoughts that were in my mind, Elrond decided to bring out in light of the situation. My thought was this, Wow elves have nice butts. I laughed but felt extremely exposed. Everyone that heard this laughed at me. I do not care because my heart only belongs to only one: YOU. So you have no worries of me looking at others in that way, this I promise. I would be glad to come and be with you in Lorien.

Haldir stopped reading what she had said. Her heart belonged to him. It concerned him that she had not been eating but was glad that Elrond was seeing to her health. He smiled and chuckled at what Elladan had done to her that morning. Sounds so typical of the twins. He looked down and read on wanting to know more.

My sleep is haunted by the things I wanted to say but could not. My feelings for you I found runs deeper than I thought. Arwen has been spending much time comforting me and me her. I finally decided this evening to reveal to you exactly how I feel.

You are my very breath, my every thought, my heart sings at the memory of your face. I am nothing without you, Haldir of Lorien. I cannot wait to see you again and your fair Lorien. I want you to take with you, into the coming battle the knowledge that my thoughts, prayers to the Valar and my love are with you always. I LOVE YOU.

Truly and forever yours,

Cassie

P.S. Please give my love to Rúmil and Orophin

Haldir looked up from the letter feeling at peace of finally knowing how she felt. He closed his eyes and brought the handkerchief to his nose and took in the scent then caressed it to his cheek. He wanted to hold her and to show her how he felt and one day, he would be able to. The wait he knew would be torturous. He folded the letter and placed it in his tunic close to his heart and the handkerchief in the sleeve. He wanted her as close to him as possible. He would write her a letter later that evening.

~~~~~~~

Haldir arrived at Celeborn's study an hour later. Galadriel was there as were several other commanders. He entered and the meeting was about to start. Taking a seat, he listened as Galadriel stood and began to speak.

“The mirror has shone me many things. In five days time we will lead a force to the ancient stronghold of Dol Guldor. Messengers have been sent to King Thranduil with this information. They will arrive there and then return with an attack plan to take the fortress back. However, we shall begin to round up the forces and leave five days hence. Celeborn himself will lead this attack with Haldir as his second in command. Capturing the fortress will not be an easy task. The final blow to Sauron is taking place as we speak in Mordor. Lord Aragorn is now leading an army of men to attack the Black gate with Mithrandir and Frodo is now on the doorstep of Mount Doom. The mission given to this Hobbit is nearly in completion. Sauron will fall. The forces at Dol Guldor will weaken and this will give us an advantage. The battle of Dol Guldor will be victorious. The Valar has given me the power to destroy them. Once the battle is one, division of the land will occur and the land will be renamed.”

All in the room sat there listening to what she had to say. Celeborn asked the commanders to gather around the map table for instruction on how they would take the land. Haldir saw the instruction and knew they would be successful.

The meeting concluded a short time later. All the commanders had their instructions and immediately they went into action on preparing their regiments. Lady Galadriel stopped Haldir as he went to leave the room.

“Haldir, may I talk with you before you leave?” she asked.

“Yes, My lady. I was just going to see my brothers,” he said in reply.

“I will not keep you long. I sensed you have had news from Cassie. How is she?” she asked.

“I received a letter from her a short while ago. She seems well but has had some things happen to her.” Haldir felt a little apprehensive.

“I know she has. I am glad to hear she is alright. She is worried for Orophin and Rúmil is she not?” she asked.

“Yes, she told me she had seen them hurt in a vision and was afraid to tell me. I am not angry but I wished she had told me,” he said honestly.

“She gave you a reason and for that she is right. I will need you for the next wave to destroy evil. Deep down I know she knew that your brothers are alright. I know that the second melder had come. I was the one that told Elrond where to find her that night,” she admitted.

“You knew?” Haldir said a little shocked. He knew the lady was connected to happenings of Middle Earth and had at times spoken to Elrond. He was relieved to have learned the lady was also protecting her.

“Yes, Haldir, there is not much that happens that I do not see. I felt the melder and not to mention I had felt the first one as well. How do you think Elrond was able to get there in time in the first attack on her?” she said

“I see now. Thank you My lady. This means much to me,” he said.

“Haldir, did Cassie give you an answer on our invitation to her?” she asked. Haldir knew she knew that answer but wanted to hear it from him.

“Yes, amongst other things. She has accepted and expressed she cannot wait to get here. Also she has admitted her feelings to me. She says she loves me.” Haldir said smiling happily.

Galadriel smiled warmly and reached out take his hand in hers. “This I knew. I am happy for you. Now I have something to tell you that will please you. On the day that you leave for Dol Guldor, a party from Rivendell will arrive here. They are all traveling here to meet with me and Celeborn. Elrond has finally consented to allow Arwen to wed Aragorn. The wedding party will come here with Cassie along side of them. She is to be in the wedding party. Does this please you?” she asked looking at him for a response.

“Oh, my lady, it does indeed. I cannot wait.” Haldir was excited.

“I knew it would. But their journey will be longer than the usual three days. The party consists of all the court. So they will be stopping regularly to rest. It will take them five to six days to travel. The weather on the High Pass is still treacherous as you know. By the time the final battle takes place they will be on their way and you along with the army will have returned,” she said.

“I understand. I take it that I will be sent to the border straight after the battle to guide them in?” Haldir said.

The lady just nodded and smiled. “Yes, I will let you go and see your brothers. But when you write her say nothing of you knowing of her coming. It was meant as a surprise,” she said smiling.

Haldir chuckled. He got it the lady was telling him to help ease him. He bowed to the lady and turned to leave the study.


~~~~

Haldir reached the healing halls to find it a hustle and bustle of activity. You could hear the cries of patients being worked on who were in pain. The wives and some of the husbands, were tending to their spouses and others tending to the wounded soldiers. Healers were going from room to room tending the patients.

Haldir found a young elleth and asked where his brothers had been placed. The elleth led him to a single room where they both were. She left him to go in by himself. Haldir walked in and found that a healer was working on changing the bandages. Both his brothers were still unconscious. The healer looked up as he entered the room.

“March Warden, I am glad to see you not amongst the injured,” he said bluntly.

“Aye. Tell me, how are they?” he asked looking at the elf.

“I am sorry to say, but both are still knocked unconscious. A fever has come upon them. We are starting treatment in case they have been poisoned. Rúmil has a severed artery in his leg and has lost a lot of blood. We have repaired the vessel but the blood loss is great. The lady has brought some herbs that will help aid in the restoration of the blood,” he said sounding like there was hope.

“What of Orophin?” Haldir said looking from Rúmil to Orophin.

“Orophin has a broken arm and leg. The slice across his chest was not as deep as we thought. But is healing slowly. The fever started on them both early this morning. These two are the worst off then the other wounded. But their life forces are strong. The Lady and I both feel that they will survive. It will take a long time for them to both heal. Fear not March warden, we will look after them well and with intensive care, they will be good as new before you know it.” The healer said coming past Haldir. He patted his arm in assurance. He moved from Rúmil to Orophin and changed the bandages.

Haldir sat down on the chair in between them and looked upon them both. His brothers were two of the most important people in his life. He had raised them from the time they were small elflings, being almost a millennia older then Rúmil and five hundred years older then Orophin, when their parents were killed all those years ago, he had taken on task of raising them. In essence he was like a father to them. However, he had not been alone in their raising. The Lord and Lady were a lot like being parents. They had helped in their raising as Haldir did not know what he would do without them. Haldir closed his eyes and said a prayer to the Valar for their survival and for their recovery. He watched them for the longest time. When it was time to bathe them he assisted the healers in the task gladly. It was the least he could do.

A few hours later, nearing dark, he decided to go back to his talan and clean up for the night.

~~~~~~

After a bath and light meal, he settled down at his desk and wrote to Cassie. He thought on her words and how they made him feel and expressed those feelings to her. He smiled as he wrote the letter.

When he was done, he called for a messenger to be sent immediately. He knew the letter would reach her within a couple of days before he left for battle. And would not hear from her until after that.

He lay down for the night and thought on her and his brothers. He felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. Finally pushing those thoughts from his mind, he fell fast asleep.

~~~~~~~~~

N/A: Wow this chapter is long. Sorry but I had to. How do you like it so far? Like I had stated before, I am trying to keep up with the major events of the book. What I s funny, I have never read them but am making a point to do so. I had copied the chronology of the events from the TuckBourough site to help aid me. However it stated that Arwen arrives in Lorien in May I am make that happen sooner. So TOLK Fans, that are sticklers for details, This is MY story and I don't care what you think. If you like the story I am glad. If not don't read.