Through the Window

Chapter fifteen

“I am well enough, brother, to walk of my own!” Rumil laughed as Orophin pulled him to his feet. “I do not require the use of another’s arms to move me.”

But even as he said this and Orophin removed his arms to the plea of his youngest brother, Rumil stood fully to his stance and it was only a moment before he was flat upon the floor, his feet given way to his weight.

Orophin laughed and joined his brother as he lay upon the floor, and as he knelt, he offered him a hand to steady himself. Rumil looked up upon him with eyes that were mistaken and took the hand he was given so generously and he was raised to his feet.

“You need not the aid of another’s hand to move you?” Orophin chuckled, “Dolla naa lost...!” and at his last words, Rumil started and frowned, thinking it upright for his elder brother to say that his head was empty.... when really it was simply that his elvish pride was great and he would not quench it only to walk.

Rumil said nothing as Orophin led him onward to the edge of the flet, and he climbed down onto the ladder, being far more capable of climbing as was natural to elves than he was able to walk. Orophin followed after him down the ladder when he had reached the grasses below, and, finding Rumil was now steady on his feet well enough to walk, passed him by, beckoning him to follow.

“Come,” He said, “we shall visit our dear brother and speak with him of his marriage to Niamh.” and he looked cunningly over his shoulder to his brother, “We will take secrets from him as to what he shall do when he is wed! And we shall tell them to the lady and she will be a merrier mortal on her wedding night!” and the two elves laughed at these words, finding great mirth in them.

Rumil chuckled and looked to Orophin with a sly grin as his eyes lit with what he would ask his elder brother. “What do you think our brother will do with her?” He asked, and Orophin started and laughed once more, thinking this a very odd question.

“I do not rightly know...” Orophin chuckled, “...perhaps....A! Fie! Do not speak of such things now! She will not be OUR wife to speak of such things without her own consent. It is dishonorable and I am not such nor will I become such!” but still he chuckled and glanced to his brother with laughing eyes.

Orophin and Rumil walked beneath the trees toward their brothers’ flet, where there they would greet his beloved and himself and where they would speak with them of such things as marriage and parties.

The brothers were merry as they made their way through the Mallorn golden, but soon their merriment was quenched as they saw approaching them a cloaked figure.

The figure was tall and elven, though when they saw his face, they did not know as to whom it was.

“Mae govannen.” The elf said and Orophin and Rumil bowed slightly before him. “I am a guardian of the far southern border of this forest and I have been told by the lord Celeborn that he requests your presence. Why he has instructed me to tell you this I do not know, for I am a lowly guard and no marchwarden.”

“What does the lord request our presence over?” Rumil asked, as the elf who hailed them removed the hood from his cloak, “We would know this before we went to the lord and his lady fair.” but the elf shook his head.

“I do not know this.” He said, “I was told by another to send for you and I was not told of my message in any detail more than what I have spoken unto you. Forgive me his.
However, I was told that the lady, when her lord husband sent for a messenger, was in great distress and would see no comfort in any form. The lord was greatly troubled and he would not smile. I fear there is some great evil arousing somewhere to the south... I think that it would be where Mordor lies.”

“You truly know nothing more, soldier?” Orophin asked and the soldier nodded vigorously. Orophin sighed and turned to Rumil who was troubled and nodded slowly that they should fetch their brother and go to their summons.

The soldier who had hailed them bowed low before them and with a final farewell he leapt into the trees, his only mission had been to give to the brothers-his message and this he had done and he would do no more.

Orophin sighed and hung his head. Rumil chuckled and sighed saying that their merriment had been well when it was with them, and that now they must face trials more. Orophin laughed and raised his head.

The two brothers went quickly thereafter to their third brother’s flet, but when it was that they arrived, they found that he was missing. Nothing had been disturbed and all was peaceful, only Hldir was no where to be seen.

“Perhaps he is on duty.” Rumil shrugged, but Orophin shook his head.

“He would have said that he would have been so... had he been so.” He said, “Halide has gone wandering the wood once more and we shall be forced to search for him.” and the eldest of the three brothers glanced to the youngest with mock irritation and sighed.

Rumil wondered what a glance such as the one his brother had given him was for, for he had done nothing, but he dismissed the thought. Orophin stepped beside him and looked about through the trees. Elven eyes are keener than aught and they can see far even in the deep trees of forests, but now, Orophin could not see his brother anywhere.

“I do not see him.” He sighed and looked to Rumil. “Perhaps we should go ahead of him and then tell him-of the-news when we meet him next.”

“Would it be wise?” Rumil asked with his brow raised, “I think that we should find our brother.” but Orophin shook his head.

“We cannot know where he is.” He replied.

“He is with the lady Niamh, his lover.” Rumil said.

“But where, I do not know!”Orophin chuckled, “Come, we shall go alone and then we shall take our lord’s message to Haldir when we meet his next. We must leave for Caras Galadhon promptly and we have little time to search for him. Come let us go.” and he leapt into the trees.

Rumil sighed and shook his head, but he followed his brother obediently and said nothing in protest, for one should never question one’s elders.. or this is what elflings are taught.
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Haldir sat at Niamh’s bedside, his head in his hands as he closed his eyes for but a moment, for, oddly, he was weary and wished to sleep.

And he dreamed while he slept, though what it was that he dreamed he wished he did not, for it was horrible and he could not wake himself. He sighed and turned as he fell to lay his head upon Niamh’s bed sheets, his hands falling at his sides.

Niamh stood before him and he-saw her as he slept, for she was in his dreams. Her eyes were turned downward to the stones at her feet and stones were in her hands. Her face flitted from smile to frown every which way she turned and her eyes opened and closed as if they could not be controlled.

A voice that was not her own came from her ghostly lips and when it spoke, her head slowly turned to face him, so that he saw she was white and pale as death, her cheeks bearing no life within them, and so the same were her lips.

“Amin mela lle....” Came the voice and this was strange, for Niamh could not speak the elvish tongue, but then, this voice that spoke was not her own.

‘I love you’ She had said and Haldir smiled to hear her speak such words. But as he relished the feeling of joy she sent through him, Niamh stood no more before him, but she lay upon his bed, Rumil and Orophin standing beside her and their faces were stricken with greif. Niamh lay shrouded in white, her lips and her cheeks as pale as death and her hands were lain over her breast, crossed.

Flowers were in her hair and about her neck there was a silver chain that bore a golden leaf hanging from its beauty. In the center of the leaf there was a single jewel, though it sparkled like none ever crafted.

Her eyes were closed, as if she slept and a small smile rested upon her lips.

As Haldir looked upon her in a state of such beauty, he smiled and reached forth to touch her upon her cheek, but found that he could not, for he was not there to touch her, only he saw her as if he were there.

Then, from the blackness of his dream beyond, he saw to his horror himself being lain upon a silken bed much like the one upon which Niamh lay, and upon his breast his hands were lain crossed as hers were. beneath them there was a gaping wound that was bound and treated, though fatal none the less.

Haldir gasped at the sight, for he found that both he and his lady lay dead and his brothers mourned both their passing. Then flowers began to fall as Haldir began to wake from his dream with a sweat upon his brow.

Haldir woke and raised his head, his eyes heavy with sleep. Firstly, he could not remember what he had dreamed, but soon it began to toll upon-him and he remembered it unwillingly. the image of his lady lying dead never to wake from an eternal sleep pervaded his mind and wiped his brow with he sweat that had gathered upon it as he shook her slightly to see that his dream had been only such... a dream.

To his relief, he found that she stirred beneath his touch and that she smiled in her sleep. He sighed and lay his head in his hands, massaging his brow for what sudden fear he had felt. He raised his eyes and looked upon his lady as she lay sleeping, her lips parted as if she spoke in her dreams.

Haldir softly touched her lips, but quickly drew his fingers away when she stirred beneath them and turned her head away. The wounds upon her cheeks healed slowly but surely and Haldir knew that the wound leave no scars in the wake of their passing.

Haldir reached into the silver basin of water from the Nimrodel and drank from his own hand, for he thirsted greatly for the clearness of the elvish waters. He dipped his fingers into the water a second time and softly wiped the water over Niamh’s dry lips.

But as he did this, she woke, though she thought that she would not open her eyes for him to see. He was beautiful as he leaned near to her, his golden hair falling about his shoulders and his silver eyes shining as only the eyes of elves can shine. She gazed upon him for a moment, and slowly she began to smile, for soon he would be her own to have.

Haldir pulled her sheets away and studied the greatest wound of all that she bore. Upon her side it healed quickly. The waters of the Nimrodel bore such healing powers, simply for their cleanliness and purity.

Haldir removed the dirtied bandage from the wound and washed it with water before replacing it with a second, cleaner, bandage.

Then, he heard her small voice come to him in only but a whisper, saying: “Love, let me stand.”

Haldir looked to her face and smiled faintly to hear her speak. “Hello, arwenamin.” he whispered and kissed her gently upon her bruised cheek.
But Niamh persisted that he raise her to her feet and let her walk.

“Let me walk, love.” She said. Haldir looked upon her with question, but she said to him in reply to his questioning look: “I wish to stand,” (She laughs)”So that we may wed this day!”

Haldir chuckled and shook his head. “You are not well enough” He said and stroked her brow.

She sighed and rose to her elbows. “Do you see?” She said, “I can raise myself thus far, will you aid me the rest of the way, elf?” and Haldir sighed. Thinking that no good could come of this, still, though, he placed his hands upon her back and upon her shoulder and lifted her from her bed and to her feet.

Niamh steadied herself and slowly lifted Haldir’s hands away from her. She sighed in relief and joy as she stood on her own two feet and she held her hands out, taking Haldir’s into them.

“Now dance with me.” She said and pulled Haldir to follow her as she gingerly stepped to the rhythm of some tune inside of her head. She stumbled, but Haldir caught her in his arms, he lifted her high into the air and made her fly higher than anything. She loved him so!

Niamh reached down to him and held his face in her hands and he set her upon her feet, gazing into her eyes. “I wish to be wed this day.” She said quietly. Haldir’s face was solemn as he looked upon her and he took her hand in his and lifted it to his breast. He did not know as to why he hesitated to give her answer, when this was what he had waited for. Perhaps he feared for the well-being of the lady? He did so, for what of her family? What of her father? She had not his consent nor that of her mother’s and so perhaps this is what Haldir feared, that she would be cast away from her family for marrying and elf.... an immortal being.

Haldir said nothing of this thought, but he tilted his head and held her face in his hands. “Mankoi?” He whispered, “Mankoi lle uma-- Why do you wish to marry?”

Niamh fell back a bit and looked to the ground. “I love you, elf, and I wish to forever be yours.”

Haldir chuckled and lifted her chin. He had known the answer she had given and he loved her for it. “And I am yours forever, and you are mine. We shall wed this day, or else upon the morrow morning.” And Niamh cried out in joy and leapt into his arms as if she weighed nothing, kissing and caressing him as he held her. Haldir laughed and kissed her brow as he set her upon her feet.
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“Marchwardens of the northern and eastern borders, where is your brother?”

“We know not, lord, forgive us this. We searched for him, but could find him no where near. “

Celeborn was not pleased, but he sat at his seat, nonetheless, and began what it was he had called the marchwardens to him to hear. His eyes were grave and his hand upon the hilt of his sword always.

With a sigh he began and his voice came slow but steady as he spoke to the two brothers: “The powers of the Dark Lord have grown in strength, you know this as do all of the elves. The men of Gondor and of Rohan in the Rhovanion have seen the mountains of Mordor growing ever darker and the skies above them blacker. This darkness has spread over Gondor and Rohan and nearly to Mirkwood can its foulness and disparity be seen... Sauron has risen in power.

Lord Elrond of Rivendell sends us this message as I have received it mere moments before: That he sends an army of his own elves and that we send an army of our own to stand against the forces of Mordor. An alliance once stood between elves and Men, and we must march to their aid to honor that allegiance. Sauron grows in power and evil, and the elves must stand against it.”

And inwardly he smiled, for he was happy that he had taken care of the bothersome girl, for now surely Haldir would focus simply and only upon the matters of war. With a woman at hand, he could not do so.

Orophin laid his head in his hands and sighed heavily. Celeborn rose from his seat. “You have seen this evil?” He said, knowingly, “You have seen it and you have long known that the elves of Lorien would soon ride against it.”

“My lord,” Rumil said as Orophin slowly shook his head and yet would not speak. “we have not the forces to inflict greatly the forces of Mordor! We have only two hundred soldiers and that is all! We--”

“Silence!” Celeborn said firmly, “If we ride to battle, ride to Rohan, then the elves of other lands will follow us, I know this for I have spoken with them.”

Orophin raised his head and sighed heavily, rising to his feet to stand tall before his lord. “I will tell this to our brother Haldir, for it is that he has our soldiers that would to ride to Rohan.” But Orophin’s voice was short and heavy and his brother and thelord Celeborn knew that he did not wish to fulfill the command of the king of the elves.

Without the leave of Celeborn and leaving his younger brother behind, Orophin then left the talan of the noble lord and lady of the Golden Wood, shaking his head slowly, for he knew that even if the elves of Lorien did ride to war then the elves of other lands would not follow, for to great was the fear in their hearts.

“You must ride to war upon the morrow, weather by your will or no.” Cleeborn hissed, his eyes menacing as he looked to Rumil with steady eyes. Rumil did not think his lord’s commands wise in the least bit and it would indeed seem that he had lost his sense of reasoning, for never had he been so very rash and sudden, he had, before, prepared and he had not obeyed the commands nor messages of others. But whatever the reason for his lord’s strange behavior, it did not matter and could not be helped.

Rumil sighed and with a low bow before the lord Celeborn, he followed his brother.

“Orophin!” He called after the dark and slowly fading figure in the distance that was his elder brother, “Orophin, where do you go now?!” and he saw the figure stop in its tracks and Orophin’s voice replied to him: “To find our brother.”

Rumil neared his brother and Orophin continued, his speech low and down: “I will search the trees, but I wish for you to search his talan and his last post where last he kept guard over this a cursed forest.”

And orophin leapt into the trees and with no final word was gone from even Rumil’s keen elven sight. Rumil turned and slowly walked through the trees, slowly he went, for his heart was heavy with what must be done. He thought of the girl his brother was to marry and his heart became even heavier than ever it had been, for now they would be separated.... perhaps for eternity.

There was no certainty that when one rides to battle, one comes out of it alive. Rumil knew this and he also knew that as the Captain of the Galadhrim, Haldir would be quickly sought after by the enemy, for to weaken an army is to slay the leader.
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The night grew older and Niamh had fallen to sleep as the moon lifted upon its silver wings into the midnight sky. She lay to rest upon the bed of elven silks and her head was cushioned by the hand of her lover as he leaned over her. He needed no rest nor sleep, for he only wished to sit and to gaze upon her fair countenance for all the night long.

He sighed in happiness as he removed his hand from her head and lay it upon her brow. She stirred but did not wake beneath his touch. Haldir knew that he must tell no one of his marriage to the lady, save for his brothers, for they had long known of it. If it were known to the lord and to the lady of Lothlorien, then only ill this would come, for he had sworn his utter life to the Galadhrim, unknowing of his later love that would come.

He bore beneath him nigh on 200 soldiers at his command, a small number, but not always do larger numbers count. He knew that his soldiers were important to the elven race, for they were many amid the scattering of the elves as they came to defy their allegiance toward the race of men, as they scattered over Middle Earth, their numbers dwindling as they went over the seas to the Undying Lands and to the Grey Havens.

Haldir knew that it was not wise to love the human girl, but it mattered not to him, for when was it said that love was a wise thing? He cared only for her own safety and well-being, and he would do aught for her, he would die for her, he would ride to war if only to save her and there he would willingly be slain if it would save her.

It mattered not to him that Celeborn would surely find of their marriage and would punish him. Perhaps, he would even be exiled for the defiance of his oath of allegiance to Lorien the Golden Wood, for taking another over the safety of his land to which he was sworn to protect. He sighed once more and lay his head upon Niamh’s belly.
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With a start, Niamh awoke and looked about her, not raising her head from her pillow as she slowly opened her eyes. She saw a silver cloak hanging at her bed side, and she looked to see Haldir asleep with his head resting upon her belly, his sweet face peaceful and as beautiful as the night she had first seen him asleep. She had kissed him then.

She lay her hand upon his head and stroked his pointed ear, so fair was the elfin captain that she could not restrain herself and softly called out his name: “Haldir.” But he did not wake.

Then, quite suddenly, there came a rough tap upon the door and Haldir started awake with a soft cry of surprise. He looked to Niamh and she smiled softly to see him awake, but e rose to his feet and went to the door, opening it to see who it was that knocked upon it.

When he saw that it was his brother Rumil, he stepped outside to join him. “Mae govannen.” Haldir said warmly, glad at heart that his brother was now well enough to walk with ease. Rumil smiled and embraced his brother, but there was a strange sadness in his eyes that Haldir saw and it troubled him.

“Rumil?” Haldir asked as he pulled away slightly form his young brother, and Rumil would not meet his gaze.

“I am happy that you are well, elder brother,” Rumil sighed, “but I think that your wellness will soon be dashed.”

“Speak.” HAdlir commanded as he peered within Niamh’s door, and he saw that-she was sleeping once more. Rumil looked as well, but then turned to his brother with a look of great disapproval.

“I slept at her bedside!” Haldir said with a chuckle that his brother should think that he had done so dishonorable a thing as to take a mortal woman when they were not wed. And Haldir fell then silent, remembering with an unwelcome feeling, why Niamh was in his bed and why wounds were upon her flesh.

Elves are keen to sense another’s feelings and thoughts ( as you may have guessed yet!) and Rumil could hear what his brother thought and his heart was pained.

“Ill has befallen the girl?” He asked and Haldir nodded, though he was hesitant to say precisely what illness had befallen her or had been done to her.

“It was the faerie.” He said solemnly, his breath hitching as he heard her stir in her sleep, speaking names he did not know. Rumil said that the faerie could have done her no wrong nor illness, for he had been bound within the Lone Flet, his hands and feet in elven rope tied together.

“The faerie is cunning and his voice was not taken, and so I think that he was unleashed by some sad fool who listened to his calling.” Haldir said when Rumil had denied his words before. “He was unleashed and I was not beside her to protect her as she slept and so finally, the faerie had taken her away.... or someone had taken her to the faerie.” He did not speak for a moment, “Niamh, I found lying broken upon the ground, naked and bare. When she rose to come to me, for she was greatly frightened, she fell to the earth in a faint, though she seemed dead.

The faerie I pierced with two arrows in his vile flesh, and when I left him lying cold upon the grass that he so fouled with his blood, he seemed dead.”

Rumil’s eyes were wide as he spoke, though his voice was not clear and his gaze did not falter from his brother’s aching eyes: “Was the poor young girl... violated, brother?”

Haldir said nothing, but quietly nodded his golden head. Rumil gasped and fell away, looking in through the door that was held slightly ajar by Haldir’s fingertips. Rumil could see Niamh lying asleep and it was then that he noticed the wounds and bruises upon her. He saw then that she had been beaten like a dog.

Rumil sighed heavily and shook his head. “Oh, that a woman was not so small, then Niamh would be unscathed.”

“No giant could come from the clutches of such evil as the dark faerie unscathed nor harmed in any way. His powers are great.”

“Does she sleep in peace this night, or does she turn as she dreams?”

“She has slept in peace, but I fear that when I leave her in the morning time---”

But he stopped, for Rumil began to fiddle uneasily where he stood, and his face bore a grim secret, for his eyes showed it; the eyes of elves show everything to any other standing by.

“What do you hide from me, Rumil?” Haldir asked, glad to dismiss the dark thoughts of earlier in the evening time.

“I fear that it will not be long after you leave your lady in the morning time that you will have to leave her next for far longer than the time your watch of this wood requires.” Rumil said as he bowed his head. “The elves of Lorien have been called to war and you must lead them into battle, for they are your soldiers.”

Haldir was silent for a moment and he said nothing, nor did his face change. BUt he slowly backed away from his brother and held his hand to his brow, leaning against the silver wood of the flet in weariness.
He shook his head and he spoke in a cracked, unearthly tone that Rumil was nigh frightened of as he said: “I will not go to war.”

“You must go, brother, for I cannot lead YOUR army, nor can Orophin!” Rumil said, “You must go for you have been called.”

Haldir looked to him with eyes that were venomous in rage. “I cannot go to war when the one I love is in peril at my leaving!” and his voice awoke Niamh, though he did not know this, and she sat upright in her bed, her eyes wide in fear.

“I cannot go to war,” Haldir said, quieter now, though his rage that burned within him was no less than it had been. But it was not against his brother, for his brother had no part in the bringing of war. “I cannot go to war or Niamh will die. I will not let that be.”

“Then you would sit here with her alone as the evil of Mordor spreads and Orophin and I, your brothers, fall to death?”Rumil said in a whisper that was firm and commanding, “You would sit here and do nothing while the races of both Men and Elves fall to destruction?” but Haldir shook his head violently.

“No!” He said, “For greatly I do not wish to remain here, but only for to save my love would I! War is a noble thing and I would happ’ly fight at the head of my army, but happier would I be by far if I had no young woman waiting here for certain death that would be brought about by my very leaving!” and he struck the side of the flet in his anger.

He knew that he could not possibly take Niamh with him on the march to Rohan, for it was not well for a woman to ride with soldiers; she would be merely a distraction. But, then, he could not leave her alone in Lorien or in any other place that was known to the faerie as her hiding place.

He knew that she longed to be with him, and so he longed to be with her, but it could not be.... not until the war was through. “Perhaps,” Said Rumil in thought, “We could send her away to a place that only is known to the elves and to no other?”

“She would never do such a thing.” Haldir replied, “She would never go to a place that she has never seen alone,for she is a frightened young woman, and has no means to protect herself from anything. And, i know that even still the faerie would find her, for he has....” but here he stopped and shuddered in disgust and a newly arisen anger, “....b-bonded w-w-with her.... he can sense her easily now, for in that way he is similar to the elves.”

“A soldier came to me in my search for you and said that he had found the faerie lying seemingly dead on the grass befouled by his blood,” Rumil said as if he had only just remembered, “and that soldier with others had taken-him once more to the Lone Flet and he is now bound once more.” he smiled. “We will keep him bound as he is and lock him tight in a steel cage to be brought along with us to Rohan. There, we will take his cage to the river Snowbourn and in the-waters leave him. He could die, but then he could not, and if he does not, then he will be to the sea before he is released from his cage.... if ever he is released.”

And Rumil smiled in the knowledge that his plan was devious and grim, but aright in every manner. Haldir smiled. He was at ease, more-so, now that he knew what would become of his lady.

“I will send her over the Misty Mountains and to Imladris.” He said, and though he was far more at ease now that he knew his love would be safe with the Rivendell elves, his face was solemn and thoughtful still. “In Imladris she will be safe and treated with kindness, if she has the blessing of the Lorien elves from whence she was sent.”

“Then you will ride to war?” Rumil asked, and Haldir nodded, though he was reluctant to do so. Rumil sighed and bowed low before him and with a brotherly embrace, he left Haldir with only few words.

“We leave soon, brother, possibly upon the night of the morrow.” and then he was there no more, for so swiftly did he leap to the ground and run into the trees.

Haldir watched him leave with a heavy heart that longed to hide from his lady the news that he must give to her. With a heavy, saddened sigh, he opened the door to his lady chamber flet and went slowly, quietly to her bedside.
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Niamh shot upright in her bed at the sound of raised voices; she had heard the mentioning of ‘war’ as she slept and it pierced her dreams that she was happy to be awakened from, for she felt that they meant no good. But as she sat there in her bed awake, she soon began to forget her dream that she had had. The faces and images faded away as quickly as they had come, their shadows were their efigies. Only one face remained, and it was Haldir’s and it was sad, grieved by something that she had forgotten.

Dismissing the thought of him, she shook her head faintly and lay her head down once more, listening to the voices that argued outside of her chamber flet, their tones harsh and sharp.

She heard Haldir’s voice, and, oddly, she thought that she heard Rumil’s along with his. She thought it strange that he should so soon be up and about, but perhaps he could do this because he was elfin blood and not a mortal. She heard a loud strike upon her wall and this frightened her so that she hid beneath her blankets.

But then, suddenly it seemed, the voices of her lover and his brother ceased their quarrel and spoke in low tones to one another. She listened intently, though could not hear what they were saying. Then, all was quiet for a moment and she heard the landing of soft feet upon the grass far below. Her door creaked open and she heard footsteps slowly walking toward her, and they stopped beside her bed.

Soft breath caressed her as she felt Haldir’s lingering kisses upon her neck, for he had pulled the blankets away form her face and shoulders. She did not look upon him as he lay his hand on the far side of her. He leaned far over her, twisted where he sat into an elegant form, his golden hair that she loved so dearly hanging about his face from when he had been sleeping.

“Niamh...” He whispered and she turned to look upon him. His eyes that were silver she could see as they shone, reflecting the light of the stars.
“Niamh, I have ill news and forgive me that to you I must give it.”

Niamh’s heart quickened its pace, for she had heard the mentioning of war as she had slept, this I had told you, but she had thought that it was only in her dream. She looked to Haldir with pleading eyes and bowed her head.

“I dreamed that you, my love,” She said, “looked about you with sad eyes, grieved by something that I had forgotten.... it had faded away into nothingness.” and she looked to him once more and buried her head in his bosom. “I know what it is you will tell me.”

Haldir sighed. “Then you have heard?” He asked, and she nodded slowly. “That I must go to war upon the morrow?”

Niamh sobbed that she had heard, and that the word had pierced her dreams. “Oh, love,” She wept, “pray you do not leave me here alone! I do not wish to be selfish, nor do I wish to be a bother to you, my soul, but I am frightened always when you are not at my side.” Haldir lifted her chin and looked within her eyes, and when she looked away from him, he pulled her face to his once more and brought his lips close to her own, whispering in elvish what she did not know were words of comfort and love.

“You will be safe.” He said finally to her, and she wiped tears from her eyes. “For I will send you away to Imladris, to Rivendell, far from here where Donnaghue cannot find you! You will be safe there, where the elves are kind and will show you grace and hospitality as if their city was your own. Do not fear, love.”

“But the faerie will find me, Haldir, he will!” Niamh sobbed, “Do you not remember that he has---” but here, Haldir silenced her, holding his long hand over her lips so that she would speak no more.

“The faerie has been once more bound and in a cage will he be brought along the side of the army going to Edoras in Rohan.” Haldir said quickly, “Then, when we come to the river Snowbourn, he will be cast away. Only when he is far out to sea will the gulls peck open the lock of his captivity. You will no longer have need to fear him.”

Niamh’s eyes grew wide in delight, and though she opened her mouth to speak, no words came to her. Haldir smiled faintly and took her in his arms, laying her head upon his bosom and wrapping his arms-about her waist.

But though Niamh was indeed very happy and relieved beyond the knowing of any other, still she was sad that her lover would be leaving her, and upon the day that they were said to marry. She ran her fingers through his golden head and sighed.

“Still,” She said, “I do not wish for you to--”

“Still, is what I wish of you.” Haldir interrupted her quietly, his eyes half closed as he looked upon her. “To be still and to not fret over me.”

Haldir closed his eyes and nuzzled her fiery hair, taking in her sent as he sighed deeply. When she asked him what he was doing, he smiled broadly and said: “You smell sweet!” He chuckled, and she smiled upon him.

“But I do not want you to away from me.” She said. He tilted his head with sadness in his eye, his mouth open only slightly. He held his finger to her lips and lay her head upon her pillow, never taking from her soft lips his finger.

“Shhsleeph....” He said, his silver eyes seeming to glow for all she knew as the moonlight struck them with a fury she had not known so soft the moon could hold.

He leaned over her, his head tilted to the side as if he were listening to the beat of her pounding heart. He smiled and brought his face nearer her own. He said nothing, nor did he kiss her, but his sweet breath cascaded over her eager face and seemed to make better the bruises and wounds upon her flesh there.

“Go you now to sleep....” He whispered and sighed, his voice low and sultry as summer winds, “....sleep, sleep.” And he kissed her lips once, though his kiss that he gave to her was long and it lingered like a leaf upon the waters of a pond until it is swept away by faster currents. For then he kissed her a second time, deep and passionate now.

“Go you now to sleep....” He whispered and sighed once more. “.... go to sleep and do not wake more this night, and when you wake in the morning time, I will no longer be at your side. When you wake in the morning time, I will be gone from you. But I will see you again.”

Niamh felt a sudden weariness overcome her and her eyes grew heavier and heavier until she knew that they would drop for a long and desired sleep. But she did not wish to sleep, lest her lover be gone when she awoke at long last. Who would send her away to a haven of safety, or so Haldir’s words made the city of Imladris sound, and who would wake her?
Not her lord, her lover true.

For this reason she shed tears as her eyes finally dropped and her mind fell into darkness. As she fell to sleep, she whispered only once her young elf’s name and then she was silent, her breath soft and so he knew that she slept.

“Come and find me....” Haldir whispered and kissed her brow, “Come and find me and I will marry you then, young woman.” and he rose to his feet. Going to the door of the flet, he looked over his shoulder at his sleeping lady, her face so soft and peaceful and he sighed. “Run away to find me.”
So thus he was gone.

Niamh slept all the night long and Haldir did not once return to her. Though he would not say farewell to her, for he did not wish tot think of ‘farewell’ to his lady, he wished to think upon it as ‘I will see you again.’