Vaniel, My Heart

Vaniel, My Heart
Chapter 28: Chapter 28 - The Fire
by Sienna
Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work. Original characters are part of the story and owned by the author.


Vaniel, My Heart
by Sienna Dawn

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Chapter 28 - The Fire

Vaniel tensed as she realized she was being called back to wakefulness. That long ago voice she had heard once before had returned. The loving, but firm, voice that called her awake, refusing to be ignored when she languished in deep sleep between dark and light after she had been freed from the Wild Men.

Then she realized that voice was joined by a second voice which was closer, urgently calling her. Abruptly, Vaniel opened her eyes, her mind somewhat still clouded by the mists of sleep, but clearing by the second. Sittting upright, she turned her eyes toward the voice and saw Haldir kneeling by her side, his face grave, his eyes serious and very alarmed.

What had happened? She realized Haldir was fully dressed and accepted her garments as he silently handed them to her.

"Quickly!" His voice urged, "Dress for we must leave this area." His keen eyes scanned the tops of the woods.

Obeying him without wasting precious moments with questions, Vaniel dressed. She could tell from his voice that something was terribly wrong.

Once he saw that she was clothed, Haldir pulled Vaniel toward him, turning her toward the footpath they used to leave the area. She soon realized they were headed for the talans. Taking her hand, Haldir walked quickly past her to lead their way. But before she could ask why he was alarmed, she smelled it.

Smoke...faint, but on the wind...coming from...she sniffed the air as she let Haldir tug her hand and pull her out of the clearing. Smoke was fanning out in several directions. Then it dawned on her.

Fire! Lorien was on fire!

Grasping Haldir's wrist, she cried, "The woods are on fire!"

She saw him nod without turning, maintaining a steady pace on the footpath, Vaniel keeping up with his fast strides. But she heard his response.

"The smoke comes from three directions, though the wind blows and brings news of maybe fires nearer than safe."

Vaniel said nothing and followed her husband on the footpath until they came to a wide clearing, where a large number of elven archers were making ready to fight the fires.

Immediately, they acknowledged Haldir, and one approached him. Tersely, they conversed for a few seconds. Haldir still held on to Vaniel, and as she waited while Haldir was updated, her eyes caught Rumil. He gave her a light smile, reassurance in his eyes, but she feared her returning smile was not as confident as his. She remembered the nightmare while at Bree....it had foretold a great fire, doom and death.

Remembering it now, her body trembled and Haldir instantly was aware of it. Turning slightly to observe her, he still listened to his guard's reports.

Nodding, Haldir issued a few commands and as the elves dispersed to carry these out, he turned to Vaniel. Her eyes were large with trepidation.

Taking Vaniel by the shoulders, Haldir looked her squarely in the eye, "I will not lie to you. It is bad. Three fires have been set intentionally, all on the southern fences, only ten leagues from here. Thankfully, the rains of a week ago have left the trees still damp, and so the flames are not moving as quickly as they would have had they been dry. We have the Valar to thank for this grace. But the smoke can kill as easily as the flame. Winds are blowing toward us and with it come not only the acrid smoke, but live embers. We need to act before the entire wood is alight. But I must have you away from this place, Vaniel." He saw she was about to protest and he placed a silencing finger on her lips, "Do not fight me on this, wife. This is my duty, I am trained for it and so are all you see here. You can hold your own, this I know, but remember you the dream?" His eyes held hers.

Vaniel nodded, "Yes," she whispered, "I remember." She knew fear then, true and terrible fear. What did the dream portend, then, that Haldir had never forgotten it either? Suddenly she trembled at the thought she would lose him to a fiery death and she abruptly hugged him.

The elves, unaccustomed to seeing the Marchwarden display any affection, were startled and some exchanged glances. A few looked at Rumil, who watched the couple with a gentle smile and a sad expression. They all knew the Lady was more than a passing fancy to their captain, and this open show of their bond confirmed what they already suspected: that the couple had taken vows to each other. And so, out of respect, the elves slid into the shadows of the wood, giving Haldir and Vaniel privacy to say goodbye, for they realized the Marchwarden meant to send her away.

Vaniel held on to Haldir, fiercely hugging him as if he was the very air she breathed. She felt his strong arms encircle her and press her tightly to him, her head resting on his broad chest, while he placed light kisses on her right temple.

"Haldir, I am afraid," she whispered. He tightened the embrace.

"I know," he whispered. His eyes closing.

"I love you." she said softly.

"I love you also," he replied, his eyes still closed.

Holding her at arm's length, Haldir looked at her face, while her golden eyes studied his fair features. "I will send you toward the northern fences. Three of my best archers go with you. You must move quickly toward the edge of the woods and cross the Anduin if the fire reaches you. My heart tells me Eodwyn's hand is behind this and if I am correct, then he seeks you and the fires were set to divert us and divide our forces." His voice was hard and his eyes turned cold as he said the man's name, and Vaniel knew that he would spare no mercy for Eodwyn, so great was Haldir's anger at the destruction of his beloved home.

Their eyes met for a moment, and Haldir reached out his hand and Vaniel took it. Silently they said their goodbyes, and then the moment passed. Without breaking eye contact, Haldir called, "Rumil!"

In seconds his brother appeared out of the shadows, "I am here."

Still looking at Vaniel, Haldir spoke to Rumil, his eyes warm and loving on her face, "Take her, two more of your best archers. Make for the northern fences." He reached out and caressed Vaniel's face before dropping his hand and turning to his brother, "If the fires overtake us, cross the Anduin. Get to Thranduil and warn him." With his eyes he silently beseeched his brother to care for Vaniel, and Rumil, understanding, nodded silently.

"It shall be done as you say," was Rumil's response. Understanding the true meaning of the words, Haldir nodded in gratitude. Rumil then turned and approached two other elves, speaking quietly to them.

Haldir glanced back to Vaniel. He studied her face, the brown curls that framed it, the golden eyes where he could lose himself for eternity and knew he would die if she were taken from him. So swift and sure was this knowledge that he knew she too felt this and then he smiled at her. This was their bond, he realized. To know what the other felt, sensed,desired and feared. Suddenly fearing for Vaniel, Haldir brought her to his body, kissed her on the lips and broke away from her, lowering his head, refusing to meet her glance, for he knew her eyes were luminous with unshed tears.

Vaniel turned to leave and then stopped, her eyes misted with worry for Haldir. She turned to look at him one more time and found he was watching her still. Suddenly, a great chill came over her and she knew that they were all in great danger, and not all from the fires.

"Go!" He commanded, his eyes telling her what she already knew....that they would not be separated for long, to have hope, to wait for him, that he would come for her....

Turning from Haldir, Vaniel stepped into the dense wood and the darkness swallowed her, Rumil and the two elves following close behind.

Rounding about, Haldir made for the woods so to join the other elves who were already enroute to fight the fires. As he ran, the smell of burning wood became more intense, light embers and ash rained about him. He knew they needed to get as close to the fires as possible, dig a wide circular ditch within their parameters and there clear all debris from the ground. They also needed to work swiftly and strip any mallorn inside the fire parameters of branches and throw them into the circle, so as to starve the fire of its fuel. It was an ancient method, and as wood-dwelling elves, they well knew how to combat this deadly menace.

It would take time and hard work, but if the Valar guided them, they would be able to contain the fires with little damage.

Swiftly he ran, flanked by silent elves who also weaved within the darkness of the great wood, neither footstep or breath betraying their swift passing.

Abruptly, the wind shifted and they were slammed with a hot gust of smoke, ash and embers. Haldir knew they had come as close as they safely dared. He stopped and waved the others to do likewise. Sniffing the air carefully, he walked a few steps ahead of the others and in the thick white smoke he made out several silhouettes as they slowly approached. Waiting for a few moments, his eyes grew wide in recognition.

It was the troop he had sent out previously! Seeing them clearly now, the others approached to help their comrades. They were dirtied, scratched and wearied, but none had been lost. As they accepted clear water to drink and lembas to eat, Haldir listened to the weary elf who sat beside him.

"The fires were indeed set," he coughed, and Haldir waited, cold fury in his heart, but his eyes remained calm and concerned as he watched the young elf, handing him a moist cloth to wipe his face. "We were able to contain the main fires north of the Limlight and we held it as we could. We drew back and made two more firelines between that and us. This should give us time to clear out this area and let the fires meet and starve each other." His eyes met Haldir, who nodded in agreement.

"Well done. Rest and we will begin the work." He squeezed the younger elf's shoulder before rising. Walking toward the group of elves who had come with him, Haldir called out, "Those who have already rested, we must begin to make a fireline, half a league in diameter; choose amongst you who will strip the branches and who will clear the land. I will make for the southern borders and there see how far the fire has travelled." Reaching for a flask of water, he walked toward the direction of the fires and soon was swallowed by the thick smoke.

The rest of the troop, sixty four elves in total, divided themselves into groups of eight and thus began the laborous task of clearing the forest floor, stripping the trees and digging a trench half a league wide. They worked quickly, efficiently and silently while ahead of them angry flames steadfastly devoured the quiet wood.

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