Fated to Love

Chapter 16: Letter from Lorien and Preparations To leave

March 26th , Two days before Battle of Dol Guldor

Cassie had been sitting under the Great large oak tree talking to Bilbo Baggins. Over the past weeks she had become quite good friends with him. He had told her all the stories of the Shire and also of Frodo. She had even listened to him as he read from his book. He was a kindly old hobbit with a flair for reading his own work. Arwen had joined them often while he read. Cassie enjoyed his company immensely. Today was also a truly busy day.

Cassie had left Bilbo and was walking back to the Last Homely house when Arwen came up running to her.

“Cassie, we are late, the dress fitting! Come on!” Arwen said grabbing her friend's hand. Arwen had asked her a week prior to be her maid of honor at her wedding. Cassie had accepted with no questions about it. The dresses were being made. Today was the final fitting before their departure to Lorien. The servants had began packing all their belongings so they could be ready, because two days from now they would leave. Arwen said that it would take a little longer then three days to get there due to the High Pass still had bad weather. Cassie did not care as she could not wait to see Haldir and his brothers. It had been days, since the letter had been sent and still there was no word or answer. She hoped that Haldir and his brothers were okay.

“Okay, mellon. I am coming!” she said as she was drug into the direction of Arwen's rooms.

“The dress maker is already waiting. Father received word from Elladan and Elrohir; they made it to Gondor safely. The battle of the Black Gate was successful and the ring has been destroyed. So they are safe as is Aragorn. This I am thankful for. Soon we will leave for Lorien and meet up with my grandparents. All things had been readied and are waiting for our departure in two days. I bet you cannot wait to see Haldir!” she stated. She looked like a little girl with the excitement behind her eyes.

“Yes, I am quite excited. I bet you are more so considering you get to see and marry Aragorn. I cannot wait to see him, Legolas, and Gimli again. I miss them,” Cassie said happily.

They reached the rooms and the seamstresses, where they were ready to make the final alterations. Arwen was going to be beautiful in her gown. It was a light green that reminded, Cassie of a green apple. It was trimmed in gold and silver. The material Arwen had chosen for Cassie was the color of pale lavender trimmed in silver ribbons. The headpieces Elrond had made were beautiful. Elrond insisted on having one made for Cassie as well. Arwen told her that it was a gift that Elrond saw her like a daughter. Cassie cried when she found out about it. It was the nicest thing anyone had done for her. It matched her gown perfectly. Arwen kept telling her that Haldir was going to love her in that gown. But Cassie just blushed at the compliment.

After the seamstresses left to finish the alterations. Arwen and Cassie stayed in Arwen's rooms and read books and sewed. A messenger came to the room to give a letter to Cassie.

Cassie took the letter and her heart skipped several beats. It was from Haldir. Arwen was just as excited as her to see. Cassie sat there and read the letter.

My dearest love, Cassie.

My heart sung with joy when I read your letter. I was saddened to hear that you had not been eating and that you were attacked again. I am glad that Elrond and the others had been there to save you. The news of hearing your blood had finished its transformation was also a load off my mind. Thank the Valar that it had done so, or my beautiful, wonderful, Cassie would not be the same. Your endearing words touched me to my very soul. My heart is also yours and belongs to no one else but you.

I found the fact that Elladan and Elrond forcing you to the dining hall quite humorous. I knew that would happen. I have heard the Elladan and Elrohir went to Gondor to assist Aragorn. I hope they are well, for I have not heard.

As for Orophin and Rúmil. They have been injured, but I have been assured that they will recover. Orophin has suffered a broken leg and arm, not to mention a nasty gash on his chest. Rúmil on the other hand has a nasty cut on the leg and has lost a lot of blood. Both of them are now with a fever, but are being treated as if they have been poison; just as a precaution. The healers and the Lady are confident they will be up and about in no time. I will tell them your well wishes and love, once they wake up from their healing sleep. The attack has left Lorien scarred some, but is coming back together fast. By the time I see you again it will be completely restored.

Cassie stopped reading and her hand shot her hand to her mouth and began to cry. Her vision had come to pass. Arwen who had been sitting beside her placed her arm around Cassie's shoulder. Cassie began to cry harder.

“Mellon what is it?” she asked quietly.

“Orophin and Rúmil have been badly injured just like I dreamed. Haldir said that they should recover,” Cassie said quickly.

“Oh no! Well we shall hope. Now finish the letter,” she said simply.

Cassie looked down and began to read more.

The lady has revealed some things to me about you. I am happy to hear that I will see you soon. I MISS you terribly, Lirimaer. In the days to come I hope you will stay safe and come to me unscathed. Do stay close to Lord Elrond and Lord Glorfindel. I shall wish to see you well and safe. By the time this letter reaches you, I will be preparing to leave for Dol Guldor. I am assured that this battle will be won quickly. I will take the trinket you gave me into battle so it will help me to focus on what is important. It will keep me alive to see you.

I have to go now for it is late and tomorrow I have to prepare my regiment for departure.

I Love you. If you do not hear from me, do not worry. I shall see you soon.

Love,

Haldir

Cassie looked up from the letter. She cried silent tears. Arwen sat there rubbing her back. Cassie remembered the dream. In the latter part, she recalled that Haldir would be wounded. This saddened her.

“Cassie, what is it?” Arwen asked.

“He said he loves me Arwen. He loves me!” she said unbelieving, “But I am frightened for him. In my dream I saw Haldir wounded in the arm badly. I know that soon after Celeborn and Thranduil will negotiate the lands. I think by the time we get there your grandfather will not have made it back yet. Upon the readings in my time, that will take place around April 6,” she said looking at her.

“I figured as much. We are to take our time getting there. The High Pass as I have told you can be treacherous this time of year. We may make it back before or after he returns. It depends on the weather. Did you tell Haldir of his injuries or of his brother's?” she asked.

“No I did not. I felt that if I did, Haldir would have tried to prevent it and got hurt or worse. Your grandmother needs him. So I said nothing. I feel sorry for it,” she said. “I feel like I need to go there and help with Orophin and Rúmil.”

Arwen sat there a moment and thought. “Shall we go and speak to father?” Arwen said.

“What will that do?” Cassie asked.

“Well they said it was possible that Rúmil and Orophin may have been poisoned. What if they had been poisoned with the same way as you were?” she said raising a brow. Arwen was a genius.

“Are you thinking that maybe Elrond will allow me to travel there with a guide to take medicine to them?” Cassie asked. Arwen nodded.

~~~~~~

Meanwhile in Lorien.........

The Healers stood over the beds that Orophin and Rúmil occupied. The Lord and Lady had been called to the healing houses to make a decision. Both brothers had begun to exhibit the same symptoms as Cassie had. The Lady recognized it and knew that if Haldir knew he would refuse to leave them. Celeborn agreed on not telling it to him. Galadriel told the healers she knew where she could get the medicine to cure them.

“The medicine helped the young lady that was afflicted by the same poison. It is the only way to save them. I will contact Elrond and tell him I need it here as soon as he could get it here. I think that this could be the best course of action.” She looked at the Healers. “I will place them under an ancient deep sleeping spell. I believe Elrond used it on the girl to get her stabilized until the medicine got to them.”

She walked over to them and sat in the chair in between them. Placing her hands on each of their foreheads she closed her eyes and began to chant the ancient words. It was in the language only few knew how to speak. Once she was done she turned to healers. “Make sure they are kept comfortable and if they wake send for me as soon as you can. I will go to my mirror and contact Elrond. If Haldir arrives say nothing to him. Let him in but explain they are just sleeping. Understood?” The healers nodded and turned to change bandages.

She walked from the room as quickly as she could with Celeborn behind her. At the mirror, Galadriel made the connection over the distances to reach Elrond. She spoke to him telling him of the situation and told him that she needed what medicine he had. Elrond agreed and said he would send some to her also he told her that the weather over the high pass was stable and he could have someone there within two days if needed. The Lady told him that she had stabilized the brothers and they would last three if needed. She broke the connection and told Celeborn what had been said.

Celeborn said that was good and asked the particular. All they had to do now was wait.

~~~~~~

Back in Rivendell.........

Arwen and Cassie entered Elrond's study. Elrond was speaking with a member of his guards telling him to ready the fasted horses. Cassie looked at him in horror as did Arwen.

“Adar, what is it?” she asked.

“I just received some bad news from your grandmother. It seems that Orophin and Rúmil have in fact been poisoned,” he said looking at Cassie.

Cassie's hand shot to her mouth and she began to tear up. She was overcome with grief. She should have told Haldir about it and this would not have happened.

Elrond looked at her. “Cassie I know what you are thinking and this is not your fault. The brothers have been poisoned with the same poison as you were and I am sending the medicine to help them. I know why you have come here. I am glad I did not have to send for you. There is no time to waste. I am sending you with the guard you just saw. I know you want to help. You can help educate the healers on the effects since you experienced them first hand. This journey is not going to be an easy one. You will have to ride hard and fast. When we leave in a few days Arwen will bring your things with her. Go and prepare enough clothing for the journey. The lady is expecting you so anything else you need will be provided. If anything happens, I will speak to you. I know you are open to it because the lady has done it before. Now go!” he said looking at her.

Cassie ran from the study to her chambers, she changed and packed what she could. Most likely she would not see Haldir when she got there. This she was glad for because if Haldir knew she was there he would not want to leave. She gathered her pack and made her way to the stables where Elrond and Arwen were waiting.

She went to her horse and the guard helped her to mount. Elrond held her hand in his and handing the medium pouch into her other hand. “Now Cassie, I am also sending one of my most trusted healers with you all in case. He knows how to mix the potion and how to distribute it. He will instruct the other healers in its properties just as the Lady will. Now it is important you follow the orders of my captain, Callain. You will be well guarded. That is why there is a small regiment going with you. It is possible that you may be attacked. I have not seen one, but it is just as a precaution. Here is a sword put onto your saddle. Use it if needed. Now you must ride. Go all of you, quickly!” he said stepping back from the horses.

The others had mounted and were ready to leave. Cassie looked at Arwen and Lord Elrond. “I shall miss you all. I will not fail in this task, this I promise. I shall see you all in a week,” she said turning her horse. The party took off as fast as they could.

~~~~~~~
(Evening of March 26th and Day of 27th midway to Lorien)

They rode hard and fast through the night. Callain wanted to get them over the pass before the night was through, the weather was not a problem and they found them selves starting down the other side of mountainside in the middle of the night. They stopped only for a few hours to rest the horses and to get some sleep and food. Callain said that they would be in Lorien on the morning of the 29th if they kept up this pace. This was fine by her. At least Haldir would not be there. She was worried that if he was he would not do what he was bid to do.

They rode all the next day stopping only twice. Once to eat and rest the horses, the second for the night. It was in the night that lord Elrond contacted her.

“Cassie, I see where you are in the journey. How are you holding up, little one?” he asked.

“I am well my Lord. Any news of Orophin and Rúmil?” she asked.

“Yes, they are still stable but are fitful. The lady has them under the same deep sleeping spell I used. She had to put them under a second time. They will only allowed to be put under this spell one more time. If they do it more than that, they will sleep forever. You will have to hurry. I know you were supposed to arrive on the morning of the 29th but you are needed sooner. The army will leave at first light from Lorien with Celeborn. You will be met by the wardens on the Northwestern border around noon tomorrow. Then it is another five hour journey to the city. The lady knows you are coming,” Elrond said.

“Do you think that we should leave out again now to get there sooner?” she asked. The guards and the healer sat there staring at her. She looked at them.

“Instruct Callain that you all rest for another hour and then leave. He knows you will be spoken to so he will listen. Stay safe and be careful,” he said quickly.

He left her mind and she looked at the captain. “Captain, Elrond just spoke to me and said that we are to rest one more hour and then make haste to Lorien. He also said we will be met by the wardens who will take us straight to the city. We will arrive in Lorien around the sixth hour in the evening,” she said looking at the elf. He nodded and immediately told the other guards to start to break camp.

He turned to her and spoke. “Maybe this would be a good thing. The weather looks as if it will turn bad.” He looked up. The moonlit sky revealed storm clouds moving in. She gathered her pack and was helped up onto her horse.

After the party was mounted they took off. The weather started to get bad. Snow was mixed in with rain. Cassie hugged her cloak tighter to her. The morning of the 28th was dreary and colder then she had ever known. Being out on the plain made the air and winds blow fiercer.

Midday came upon them quicker then they had thought. It was about the tenth hour of the morning. They were two hours earlier. Upon the borders of Lorien, they all sighed with relief. Soon their journey would end.

Entering the woods, the air grew warmer. Cassie had heard that the Golden Woods were kept warm and without the fierce weather by the ring Nenya, that Galadriel wore. This, Cassie was glad for. She was frozen to the bone. They were soon met by the wardens on the border. Callain said that he and the party of guards would not be going to the city. That she and the healer would be going with the wardens. Meeting the wardens was quite an experience, upon finding out her identity they began to treat her as if she was royalty. They had all heard of her, The Savior of Their March Warden. Cassie was not used to all the attention.

After saying goodbye, she wished Callain a safe journey. Cassie and the healer were led off in the direction of the city. Cassie reveled in the beauty that was Lorien. The trees were massive, the leaves were golden and the bark was almost silver. Flowers grew everywhere, some of which were absolutely strange but beautiful. The glades all around were unique.

About four in the afternoon they had reached the gates to the city. The trees were old and so tall, they looked as if they were apart of the sky. Talans lined the branches which were connected by bridges and stairs. Cassie reveled in the beauty of the city. The leaves were so dense that light barely came through the canopy. The ground was covered in a blanket of moss that looked so plush and comfortable. Being tired, Cassie wished she could just lie down and sleep there.

Thinking it strange that the guides had not taken them to the lady like in the books, she spoke to the warden. “Warden, I thought it customary for you to take me to the Lady. Why have we not? I saw the largest of the talans, the palace,” she said questioning.

“The lady left word to escort you directly to the healing halls. She will be waiting there,” he said simply. They stopped the horses in front of a ground floor building that looked very similar to the ones in Rivendell but with a style she guessed was only of Lorien. The building was made from the wood of the mallorn trees with them shining like silver. The design was very unique and reminded her of the images of Lorien from the movies. She dismounted, followed the healer and the warden deep within the halls. It looked a little like a hospital of modern times but was definitely different. The walls were more open though and the floor was covered in carpets. It was all very clean but smelt of flowers and herbs. She hugged the healing bag Elrond gave to her close. They came to the room at the end of the long hallway and the warden opened it wide.

Stepping through the door the healer rushed in to immediately check the patients inside. The Lady was standing in the room looking on as the other healers greeted the one from Rivendell. The Lady turned to her and walked to her side. She smiled.

“Lady Cassie. It is a pleasure to finally get to see you in person. How was your journey?” she asked. She took Cassie's hand in greeting. The light surrounding the lady was bright and warm. Cassie felt like she was home. Galadriel was as beautiful in her vision but more so in person. Cassie bowed to her.

“It was fine until early this morning. The weather turned bad on us. Here are the plants that you requested.” Cassie handed the bag to her. Galadriel called to one of the healers to come get the bag. One came and motioned for the one that came with her to help him prepare the potion. The healers were many in the room. Cassie had not seen Orophin and Rúmil, yet they were in the way. Galadriel took Cassie's hand and wrapped it around her arm to escort her over to the bed. What Cassie saw made her gasp in horror.

There was Orophin and Rúmil lying on cots near each other. Both pale blue in color and looking rather dead like. Cassie began to cry. Each one you could see the infection was a nasty purple in color. It was spread worse then hers had been. She walked over to the bed and knelt in between them. Looking from one to the other, she sobbed as guilt gripped her. She felt bad knowing that she saw them wounded and had said nothing. She felt the Lady kneel beside her to comfort her. Cassie spoke through her tears, “Ru, Phin I am so sorry that I said nothing. This could have been prevented. I am so sorry.” She reached out and held each of their hands. They were burning to the touch. She was shocked as to how hot they were.

“Cassie this is no fault of your own. The enemy's one thought is to destroy everything and everyone in their path. Rúmil and Orophin fought gallantly to protect their home. This is a risk they had accepted when they became wardens. You are here now with the medicine they need. Dry your tears now. They will live,” she said trying to comfort Cassie.

Cassie dried her tears and held her head high. “I will help care for them. This I owe them. They are like brothers to me and I love them,” she said confidently, she looked at the lady. “Haldir, does he know how bad they are?”

“No, this I have kept a secret. Haldir would not been able to function in the task that was given to him. By the time he comes back they will be better,” the lady said.

“Good. I just hope he does not hate me for this,” Cassie said.

“Enough of that, now child. This is no fault but Sauron's. Haldir will not hate you. His heart is full of love for you. To him you have no faults. Now the healers need to know of the effects so they know what to expect. After you have informed them, the guard outside will escort you to your home.” The lady stood up and helped Cassie to her feet.

The lady left and Cassie began to tell the healers of all the effects of the medicine. The healers listened to her words and took mental notes. One said that it was a pleasure to meet the lady who saved the march warden. She only smiled at him and then walked over to Rúmil and hugged him. “Rúmil, come back to the light, my brother. I miss you. The medicine is horrible but will save you. Haldir needs you and so do I.” She bent and kissed his forehead. Then went to Orophin and did the same. She walked to the door and looked back as the healers started to give them the potion. She walked out the door to the guard. She needed get her away from them. She did not want to hear them screaming. The guard led her through the city and up some stairs to a talan.

Outside the door, she looked around and noticed that this talan was on the same tree as the palace. Near it was two other talans. She looked at he guard questioningly. The Warden opened the door and allowed her to enter first. He stepped in after her. The talan was exquisite. It was decorated with weapons hanging on the walls, some appearing to be older then others. Books lined the other wall. The rugs in the talan were done in rich deep colors. The furniture was stained with white wash. Off to the side was an area that looked like a small kitchen and a table near a set of double doors going out onto a balcony. Near the talan door was a small hallway that at the end was a room that looked like a bathroom and on the sides of it looked like two doors. Those must be the bedrooms. She looked around and then back to the warden.

“Whose talan is this?” she asked him with a raised brow.

“It is the home of Haldir, March Warden of Lorien. It was the Lady's request you stay here. Considering that once the March Warden returns he will want his Savior and love near him.” The warden smiled telling her this. “A maid has been employed to help you with the cooking and cleaning. Also, the lady has had clothing made and sent here for you. If you need anything, your maid, Janiel will make sure you get it.”

Cassie was stunned. Haldir had spoken to the lady she was sure and insisted on having her here. She watched as the warden left and closed the door behind him. She walked around looking at everything. She made it to the bathing room. It was quite advanced considering she was in an age where plumbing was something not heard of . There was a toilet that actually flushed; a small basin that had running water and a sunken tub that had water in it with a faucet of sorts. A mirror hung over the basin. The walls were thin and made of an unusual material that allowed light in but no one could see out. Cassie was amazed. She went to the one door outside the bathroom door.

It must have been a guest room. It was done up in a flower theme. The coverlet was made of silk but when Cassie lifted it slightly she found that underneath was lined with a wool lining. The window into the room was actually a door that lead out onto the balcony. There was a wardrobe and a vanity. She turned from the room and went across the hall to the other door. She opened and gasped.

Inside she found his room. There were weapons lining the wall and a door that led out onto the balcony. Apparently, the balcony wrapped around the three sides of the talan. She stepped into the room further and saw a huge four poster bed with a dark red coverlet. There was a mirror hanging over the dresser and a wardrobe in the corner. The room screamed male. She walked over to the wardrobe and opened the door. Inside were five sets of his wardens uniform, two pairs of boots, several finely made, what Cassie thought, were court attire, all made in dark colors. But one was white with silver accents. Cassie wondered what he would look like in it. She found his wardens cloak and grabbed it out. She put it up to her nose and breathed in his scent. Walking over to his bed she took off her shoes and laid down holding the cloak around her. She felt tired and found that sleep soon took her.