Fated to Love

Chapter Nineteen: Get over it, Haldir! And the Girl Who woke up pissed
April 4th two days before the negotiation of land.


Haldir's POV

Haldir sat in his healing room with a look of pure disgust, the scar on his arm was nasty. The Lady explained that the touch earlier was only the first of many. He had feeling in his arm and could now move his fingers but the strength was going to be a long time coming but the next healing would restore some of it. Haldir felt ashamed knowing that he had turned her away. Lord Elrond had been in the room only briefly while Galadriel worked on his arm but left to tend others.

Haldir felt the sudden need to send for Cassie to have her near him and to hold her in her arms, but his pride just would not allow that. Elrond came through the door just after dark.

“Haldir, it is good to see you in one piece.” Elrond said giving him the famous lift of the brow. “How does the arm feel?”

“Tingly. I can move my fingers which is good, but I cannot lift the arm yet.” Haldir said looking at the Elf lord.

“The Lady will continue to help in the healing of your arm, but there will be some work for you to do as well. You will have to take the initiative and began to move it and build the strength up. I will be here until we leave for Gondor. I will help you. Soon you will be able to lift your bow.” Elrond said. He lifted Haldir's arm to look at the wounds. Haldir hissed at the pain.

“Lord Elrond.” Haldir said calmly, he was feeling a bit concerned, “Have you heard how Cassie is?”

Elrond looked down at him and then sat on the bed. “Well, I spoke to Arwen and Glorfindel earlier. She is a little better when they left her. The girl was in a terrible state when they arrived at her talan.”

Haldir looked away from him for a moment. 'Her talan' he thought. The Lady must have given her one of her own. Haldir looked back at him. “You understand why I cannot allow her to see me like this do you not?” Haldir said.

Elrond huffed a sigh and said, “Mellon, your pride will one day cause you to lose the very things you desire, but in the case of Cassie, she will understand in her own way. Haldir, that girl is the very breath you breathe and yet you sell her short. She is strong and good natured. Do you honestly think she would judge you for your injury?” He said looking a little irritated. “She worries for you Haldir, even now and wants you to let her help you. You stuck by her when she was ill and now she just wants to do the same. “ Elrond said patting his shoulder.

“I just do not want her to see me as weak.” Haldir said closing his eyes. He felt the elf lord's eyes on him.

“She does not see you as this. You know that,” he said. “Haldir, I am going to tell you something that maybe I ought not.” He said watching the March warden look at him interested. “A few days before you left, The Lady contacted me and informed me that your brothers had been poisoned. The same poison Cassie had been given.” Haldir's eyes grew wide, he was stunned. “Yes Haldir, you were not told for many reasons. It was Cassie that brought the medicines here to help save their life. It was quite amazing, that she came into the room just as I was having a guard to prepare the horses. She accepted the challenge without question. She made it on the afternoon after you left for battle. She stayed with your brothers and helped them. “

Haldir could not believe it. “She did?” he said stunned.

“Yes, The Lady told Celeborn and me, that she picked up on her distress over the battle and Cassie stayed with her at the mirror. Cassie watched the battle through the mirror. She even saw you get injured and watched as Celeborn protected you. Cassie is a brave young lady with a lot of courage. Haldir, she endured watching the wrath of Galadriel bringing down the walls of Dol Guldor. That takes a lot of courage. The Lady even said that Cassie stuck by her as she collapsed after what she had done. Cassie did not look down on her or think her weak. Cassie can see what is in the people around her. That is part of her purity, her life force. That is one of the things Sauron sent the meldors to take from her: that ability to see what truly lies in their heart. You need to let go of this prideful nature and let her make her own judgments. “ Elrond said.

Haldir sat there taking in what the Elf lord was saying. More than ever, he wanted to go to her, take her into his arms and hold her. Tell her he was sorry for not seeing her. This feeling was causing him to ache. “My Cassie, did that?” he asked still stunned.

“Yes. But do not worry, mellon. You will get to see her soon enough. I am deeming you able to go to your talan and recover. Galadriel and I will come there and check on you there. Outside is two healing assistants who will help you there. I am sending some instructions and some herbs with them to have Cassie care for you if you need it. Oh and Haldir, when I said 'her talan' I meant yours.” Elrond looked down at Haldir with seriousness on his face.

Elrond stood to leave he stopped when Haldir spoke. “Thank you my lord. I will try to do better. I just hope she will forgive me.” Haldir smiled knowing that his wishes for her to reside with him was granted.

“She will, but remember Haldir you wounded her by not letting her be here for you. So for your sake and for hers, take the pride and get over it.” Elrond opened the door and motioned for the assistants to help Haldir home.

~~~~~~

The assistants helped Haldir up the winding stairs to his talan. His heart began to pound knowing that he would be able to see his beloved Cassie. Reaching the door, Haldir spoke to them with him. “I can see myself in.” The two assistants looked at him questioning him.

“March warden, we were charged with seeing you safely settled and to give the instructions to your lady. Please do not send us away without doing our task fully,” one of the assistants implored.

Haldir did not argue and opened the door to his talan. He was stunned when he entered.

Sitting at the dining table was a mass of dark hair on a head lying down on the table. In one hand was his cloak and the other was a needle and thread. The room was lit by a lone lamp burning. He stopped and took in the sight. He slowly walked to stand beside her. Bending down beside her he looked into her face. It was tear stained and looked of pure sadness. This tore at his heart knowing that he had caused her this pain. He looked onto the other end of the table at his sword and knives, he noticed that they were cleaned. He looked down at her again. She must have worked on them for hours trying to feel helpful. A wave of utter guilt washed over him. He reached out and brushed a stray hair from her face and gently placed a kiss to her left brow. He stood up and motioned for one of the assistants. “Would you help to get her to bed, my bed. I want her beside me tonight. I have caused her enough pain.” he said whispering.

The assistant came over to the table and removed the cloak and needle with thread from the sleeping woman's hands. He then proceeded to lean down and pick her up and carry her to the March warden’s bed. Inside the room, he removed the lady's shoes and laid her gently onto the bed. Haldir dismissed him and said he will cover her. The assistants left the herbs and instructions on the counter in the kitchen.

Haldir removed his tunics and his boots. Which was hard considering that he only had one working arm. He looked down at Cassie and slowly covered her up. He climbed into the bed and turned to face her with his good arm under her head. Cassie then stirred a little and snuggled into his chest taking one lock of his silvery hair into her small hand and wrapping it around her fingers. This little gesture put a smile to his face. He realized that in the morning she will wake and then a battle would occur. Sleep took him.


~~~~~~~~~

Cassie's POV

Cassie was awakened by the early rays of morning. She found herself in a bed that was not her own. 'Where am I' she thought, ‘I was sitting at the table when I fell asleep.' She caught a scent that was familiar, sandalwood and the smell of the forest after a rain. Him. Her eyes shot open fully and was greeted by a sleeping Haldir. She shot up quickly, feeling both happy and still hurt. The quickness of her movements alerted him to wake.

“Lirimaer,” he said looking alarmed, “what is it?”

“Y-you! You are here! What are you doing here?” she stammered stunned.

“I live here,” he said smiling at her.

“You were in the healing house, you refused to see me,” she said like she just realized it.

“I was and Elrond deemed me fit to come home.” He said reaching out to brush a stray hair from her face.

She pulled away and looked at him like he had some sort of plague. “You refused to see me last night!” she said again.

“Yes, and you said that already, lirimaer,” he said letting his good hand fall to the bed.

“How could you do that after you claimed you loved me?” she asked standing and then stared at him disbelieving.

“Cassie, pl-” he started but was stopped when she held up a hand to halt him.

“Save it, Mr. Arrogant, Pompous Elf! Mr. Prideful Aloof Jerk!” she said. Her nose flared with anger. She began to pace the floor. Haldir braced himself for what he deserved. “Why did you do that, Haldir? I mean to me, the one you claim to love. I was worried sick for you, you made me cry, hurt. I felt useless and unwanted. How could you?” She stopped and looked down at him with eyes that threatened to tear up. She waited for an answer that did not come. She huffed and threw her hands into the air. She turned away from him and faced the door. Haldir sat there like a whipped pup. He knew he deserved this. He stood up and walked over to stand behind her. Silence came like a thick blanket between them.

“Cassie, can I please explain and maybe apologize?” He asked quietly.

No answer came. He reached out and touched her arm, but was shrugged off.

“Cassie, please face me. I cannot stand this. Turn around,” he said reaching for her again. He succeeded and turned her to face him. He was stunned to find her crying huge tears in silence. His heart was stricken with grief once more. He pulled her into his half embrace, she did not fight him, but held onto him tighter.

“All I wanted to do was care for you, be there for you and you rejected me,” she said sobbing into his shoulder.

“I know that now. I am sorry, truly I am. I was arrogant, and stubborn. I hurt you and I am so sorry. I shall not do it again,” he said taking his good hand and stroking her hair lovingly.

Cassie looked up at him with tears streaming down her face. Haldir reached up and gently brushed them away. “Why?” she asked simply.

Haldir ushered her to sit back onto the bed. Haldir took her hand in his. “Cassie, I have always prided myself on being strong. I did not want you to see me so weak. My pride got the best of me. I regret what I did and when I found you sitting at my table, holding my half mended cloak, looking hurt and tear stained, I realized what I had done even more. Believe me when I say, that I am truly sorry. I spoke to Elrond last night and he made me see what I had done was wrong. I should have never shut you away from me. Will you ever forgive me?” He asked looking pitifully sorry. Cassie looked at him and sighed heavily.

“Yes, I guess I will. Besides seeing you like this and asking so sweetly, I will. Just do not ever do it again,” she said looking at him sadly.

Haldir looked at her and smiled. “Thank you. I will prove to you how sorry I am, if it takes me the rest of my life and yours,” he said bringing her hand up to his lips to kiss it.

“How is your arm really?” she finally asked.

“I feel tingles in them but cannot lift it fully. I will need some exercising to get it strong again. But Elrond and the lady both has assured me that it will be strong in no time,” he said pulling her close to him. She snuggled against his neck. “Now, what is this I hear about my brothers being sick and you nursing them back to health.”

“I had to do it. They are the closest things to brothers to me. When I received the letter from you telling me of their injuries, I went straight to Elrond who had received word that they were poisoned. I wanted to come. I was told you did not know of their true injuries. This I was thankful for. You were needed.” She said looking up at him and wiping away the remnants of her tears.

“No, I was not aware and no, I would not have went if I had known. I am glad they had you here though. I also heard you watched the battle in the mirror.” He said hugging her tighter.

“Yes. It was awful and I nearly fainted when you were injured. The Lady needed me. I was glad to be there for her,” she said honestly.

“I heard of that as well. I am proud of you,” he said. He looked down at her and smiled a sly smile. “You know I did not get to properly say 'hello',” he said honestly.

“Oh, and how will you say it?” she asked smiling up at him.

A broad smile played across his features. Holding her closer to him, he slowly bent down. “Like this,” he whispered. He closed the distance between them and brushed his lips fully on her. Cassie snaked her arms around his neck and settled into the kiss. At first is was a light, exploring kiss but got deeper when he felt her arms come around his neck. He gently and timidly ran his tongue along her bottom lip asking for entrance which she granted. Once opened his tongue sought hers and began to dance in time with her. Cassie was inexperienced this he knew but that was what he found so intoxicating about her. They kissed until nothing else seemed to matter in the world. The kiss would have lasted longer if a twinge of pain had not hit him. “Ouch. It seems my medication is wearing off.” he said curing under his breath.

Cassie quickly pulled back from him and looked down at his arm. It was bandaged from the elbow up to his shoulder. She rubbed it gently and made a face poking her bottom lip out. “I am sorry did I hurt you?” she asked in a baby voice. Haldir looked at her and then laughed out heartily. She bent down and kissed the bandaged arm. “There all better.” she said looking up at him.

“What was that?” Haldir giggled at her.

“A boo boo kiss. Didn't your mother ever do that for you?” she asked innocently.

“No,” he giggled. “There are some herbs on the counter in the kitchen. The healing assistants brought it and the instructions on how to fix it.” He stood and placed an arm around her waist.

They walked into the kitchen and Cassie picked up the paper to read it. Who ever wrote it forgot she could not read elvish nor could she speak it. She made a decision right then that she needed to learn the language if she was going to live amongst the elves. “Haldir, I cannot read this. Could you-?” she started but was cut off.

“Let me guess it is written in my language. Alright, Lirimaer, hand it here,” he said smiling almost as if he was laughing at her.

He read the instruction and showed her how to use the stove. She made the draught, gave it to him and then proceeded to make him breakfast. By the time she was done, she was able to use the stove really well. Haldir ate and then sat on the sofa with Cassie waiting for the lady and Lord Elrond to show up and instruct them on how to do the exercises for his arm. He made his mind up that he would include Cassie on his healing.

Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel showed up and showed the easy exercises to them telling them the particulars. While there the lady did another healing session on Haldir's arm. More feeling and little strength was present. Once the visit was finished, Haldir decided to take Cassie on a tour of the city showing her everything he could. Occasionally, they stopped to speak with some of the elves Haldir knew. which Cassie believed that he made a point to do because some looked at him like they were shocked that he would make time to speak. She decided that it was probably because he wanted to show her off. But she did not say so out loud.

The day was wonderful. The fight of that morning was long forgotten and spending time with her was all he wanted to do.


tbc