New Life

Here's chapter 3, not beta'd cause uh...just cause. Bleh, anyway hope someone enjoys. I don't own anyone you know. Right? chorus of elves begin to harmonize "She owns nothing, nothing, nothiiiiiiiiiiiing." elf in hat turned sideways, and aviator sunglasses comes out "She don't own me, no no no, she don't own you elf points to another elf she don't own nothing don't you hear!" audience goes wild, fangirls flail about, reaching for rapping elf "Down ladies" he grins, taking off his sunglasses, and hat revealing his identity to be the marchwarden
I do NOT know where that came from...

Lorelie breathed a sigh of relief once she and Haldir were far from his brothers talan. What had he been thinking she asked herself, shock and confusion clouding her mind. What had I been thinking? She almost shouted at herself, recalling how close she had come to giving in to Rumil’s advances.

She stopped at the foot of the winding stairs, and leaned against the tree for support. Looking to Haldir she frowned. She could never have forgiven herself had she betrayed him in such a way with his own brother.

’But,’ She thought again. ‘Haldir does not see me in that way, so it would not be a betrayal.’

She shook her head to clear her thoughts and smiled weakly at Haldir who stood staring down at her with a worried expression.

He moved closer to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

”Would you like to sit?” He asked, guesturing to a knee height to Haldir wall surrounding a small garden of vegetables.

She nodded meekly and took the arm he offered to walk only a few steps to the wall. She smiled, and shook her head amused. ‘Always the honorable dutiful elf he is.’ She thought to herself.

They took seats next to one another on the wall and stared forward, observing the other elves that strolled about, some arm in arm with their mate. She sighed whisfully and glanced over at Haldir out of the corner of her eye.

He sat, back straight, head held high also observing those about him. A small odd smile graced his features.

”Haldir,” She began, crossing her arms in front of her uncomfortably.

”Aye?” He asked, turning to look at her.

”there is something that I wish to tell you.” She offered, her face scrunched, eyes wide with worry.

He frowned. “It is not about my brother is it? Has he dishonored you in any way? I will have his hide if he has.” He began, eyes angry. “Always must he chase the elleth, but you.” He reached for her hand, taking it in his and pulling it close to him.

”Sweet Lorelie. You he cannot, nay will not dishonor.”

Confusion filled her at his simple action and his outburst of anger at the posibility she had been flirted with by his brother. ‘Perhaps he does care for me in another way.’ She thought, hope creeping into her heart.

”Nay Haldir.” She shook her head. “That is not what I wish to tell you.”

His shoulders relaxed immediately and his face appeared relieved straight away. “That is well, for I do not wish to murder my own kin.” He grinned and squeezed her hand before placing it in her lap.

”What is it then Lorelie, that you wish to tell me?”

She turned from his beautiful face then, her eyes down cast, worrying her hands over the skirt of her dress. “It is difficult to say Haldir.” She sighed.

She turned to meet his eyes, this time hers filled with tears. He immediately pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her.

”Tell me.” He commanded, stroking her hair.

She shook her head where it rest on his shoulder.

”You will not approve.” She cried, her voice strained.

Haldir sighed. “It matters not if I approve dear one, only that you have said it so I do not have to worry over you so.”

She sniffled and pulled away from him, placing her palms gently on his chest, her eyes locked then with his.

”I love you.” She whispered.

The sharp intake of breath and the wide eyed appearance of the Elf before her was all she needed. She stood from the bench and ran.

Where she ran to she did not know. She knew not where she was, nor the way back to the borders that her home rest near but she had to have a moment to herself. She would search Haldir out to take her home when the hurt resided some.

Finding a shaded alcove near the border of the city she fell to her knees and crawled under the low hanging shrubbery where she cried, free from the worry of curious eyes.

Haldir stared in confusion as Lorelie ran from him. Shock too deeply in him that the thought to give chase had not occurred to him until she was long out of sight, hidden away somewhere, hopefully safe.

He searched the surrounding area only to find no sign of her. Anger welled in him as it at last occurred to him that she might have run back to Rumil and he stalked back to his brothers talan, fists clenched at his sides.

A hard knocking sounded at the door to his talan. With a shrug, he crawled from his bed, leaving the beautiful creature beneath him writhing with need, and whimpered for him to return.

”I shall return to you soon, do not despair.” He chuckled at her need.

Opening the door to an angry superior, and older brother had not been what he expected and he started slightly at the intensity of his brothers glare.

”Dear brother, what may I do for you? A rather lovely lady awaits my return, so if you may, please make this swift.” He joked, attempting to placate his brother. But he only succeeded in further angering his brother.

”Rumil,” He growled. “how could you do such a thing?” He forced his way past his brother, and stalked into his brothers bed chamber.

At the high pitched eep that met his ears upon his entrance to the room, he found his ears turning red.

”Marchwarden?” The figure upon the bed asked in confusion.

Turning, he fled the room, passing his brother standing in the doorway an eyebrow raised, scratching the top of his head.

The female on the bed looked at her lover, question written on her face. He only shrugged, and joined her once more in the bed.

Haldir flew down the stairs, his head a flurry of questions, and confusion. Had he been jealous? Had he gone to his brothers, angry at the possibility she might have lay in his bed when he arrived? Surely that cannot be so.

She had just told him that she loved him, that is true. But never has the thought occurred to him that he held similar feelings towards her. She was mortal after all. He was not one to have fanciful ideals of tragic love, and jump into things he did not first consider long and hard.

His life was ruled by logic, and strategy. This was of course completely illogical, and would no doubt cause naught but pain for all involved. He shook his head sadly. Perhaps he should not allow her to come to the woods any longer.

Straightening his previously slumped shoulders, he decided first he must find her. Things must be discussed with her before he could, or would make any decisions.

He searched the gardens, the paths leading from the forest, and even asked passing elves if any had seen a young Human girl anywhere in the city.

All had shaken their heads, and apologized saying they hadn’t seen any Humans in many years. Sighing, Haldir started towards the border, thinking that if she found her way home she would have to pass by him first.

That’s when he heard sniffling from a low hanging of branches from bush, and tree. Listening he determined that someone hid under the branches, and cried. He took a deep breath, and prepared himself for what lay ahead thinking that it could only be her.

”Lorelie?” He whispered, as he got down to his hands and knees. He heard a gasp, and crawled forward, under the branches.

He poked his head in to a small space under the bush where the branches were high leaving a clear space for her to lay in. She was curled up on herself as far from the place he entered as was possible.

”Haldir.” She gasped, and turned her head searching for an escape.

He shook his head, and came fully into the bushed. Sitting, his head bent slightly to avoid the branches.

”Do not flee from me Lorelie. Many hours have I spent searching for you. I wish to speak with you concerning..” He paused, and looked to her. She shied away, her cheeks reddening.

”Lorelie, please.” He began, reaching forward to take her hand in his.

”We have been friends for ten years now. Surely you and I can speak openly concerning this.” He pleaded.

She turned, and looked up at him now her eyes filled with tears.

”Alright Haldir.” She whispered.

He smiled, and squeezed her hand gently.

”Now Lorelie, what you said before by the fountain.” He began, and she frowned, shutting her eyes to hear the tone of his voice.

”No Lorelie, look at me please.” He put a hand to her chin tipping her face up to look at him again.

She blinked opened her eyes, blinking causing tears to streak down her cheeks. Haldir shut his eyes, and sighed to see her in such pain.

Her eyes looked to him pleadingly, wide and bright with tears.

”I am sorry Haldir. I do not wish to trouble you.” She started, pulling her hand free from his, and crawling around him to the place he entered.

”Lorelie,” He warned. “where are you going?”

”Home Haldir. If it would not trouble you, perhaps you could show me to the border.” She offered, her voice icy causing Haldir to wince as if it wounded him.

”Very well Lorelie.” He crawled out after her, thinking there would be time to speak during the trek back to the border.

That was not to be however. The two were met by a group of wardens on their way to the border. Lorelie fell to the back of the group of wardens while Haldir was forced by his position to stand at the front.

She seemed to have attached herself to one of the young wardens in training. Every time he would turn, he would find her with flushed cheeks, and to be giggling.

’She has certainly recovered quickly.’ He thought to himself bitterly. ‘As I expect. She is mortal, life fleeting, and love is no exception to that rule.’

The remainder of the journey was spent in deep thought for Haldir, often distracting him from conversation with other wardens until they at last left him to his thoughts.

Upon reaching the border, the warden that had been walking with Lorelie bowed low, taking her hand in his and placing a kiss on it. She smiled, and then headed in the direction Haldir stood waiting.

He placed his fists upon his hips, and awaited her presence before him. But as she neared him, she adjusted her direction slightly so she would not pass by him so closely. With a curt nod she had headed past him and in the direction of her village.

He frowned, angry at himself for this situation, and angry at her for her behavior. Following swiftly, he reached her with only but a few long strides.

”Lorelie, do you not wish me to escort you to your home?” He asked, assuming that would not change, as it had been that way for the 10 years of their friendship.

She turned to look at him, eyes cold and angry but her face did not betray the emotion within.

”Do not trouble yourself Marchwarden. I am capable of returning to my home safely.”
He nodded. “Very well. Perhaps tomorrow you will have recovered from this foul demeanor and we can discuss this as adults. I wish you a safe journey lady.” With that said, he walked quickly from her side to the border once more.

Tears again came to her eyes, unwished for, and annoying to Lorelie. She stalked home, as quickly as her feet would take her, anger, hurt, and frustration filling her heart.

The door opened, then slammed shut in the small cabin in which she lived. Looking up from her sewing, Rana saw her dear Lorelie stalk into her room, where the door was also slammed shut.

A frown creased her brow, and standing, she placed her sewing on the chair she had just vacated.

She knocked upon the door to Lorelie’s room, and waited.

Silence from inside, but the door was soon opened a crack. Entering Rana found Lorelie lying on her bed, her face buried in a pillow.

”Dear one, what is it?” She asked, coming to sit beside Lorelie on the bed.

She looked up from the pillow, tears falling down her face quicker than Rana could count.

”I told him.” She whispered, and sniffled.

Rana gasped. “The Elf?” She asked, worried for her foster daughter.

”Haldir, yes. I have told him, it was a disaster.” She cried.

”Oh Lorelie.” Rana sighed, pulling the other into a tight embrace.

The young woman cried into her shoulder, no longer restraining her emotions at all. Rana stroked her back, whispering comforting words to her.

When she at last ceased her wails, she sat up, sniffling, and rubbing at her nose, a bitter smile on her face.

”Well, at least I finally had the courage to tell him.” She shrugged.

”Oh dear heart, tell me what happened if you may.” Rana pleaded.

She told Rana of the expression on his face when she told him, and of how she had run from him not allowing him the chance to reject her. She told her she could not have borne the knowledge that he did not want her, thought her a fanciful youth, attracted to naught but his beauty. Told her that it was more than that, so much more. That she had never in her life felt what she did for him, that it could not have been as she thought he would say.

Tears were shed between them, and in the end Rana and Lorelie lie in bed together comforting one another through the night.

Morning came, and Rana awoke to find Lorelie staring out the window, tears falling from her face again eyes caught up in the beautiful sunrise.

”He is much like the sun. Strong, beautiful, able to protect, yet also able to scorch, and burn.” She sighed, turning to face Rana.

”Come Lorelie, you must eat something. We shall prepare our breakfast.” She asked, pulling her from the seat by the window.

”This is the first morning in ten long years I will not go to him, to the forest.” Lorelie whispered at the table, as she sat not eating her breakfast, but poking at it.

”Shh,” Rana begged. “eat Lorelie.”

”I cannot.” She sighed. “May I go? I wish only to be alone Rana.”

Shutting her eyes, a frown on her face Rana nodded. “Go, but take care Lorelie not to stray far. I do not wish for harm to befall you.”

Lorelie smiled weakly, and took Rana’s hand. “Thank you.” She whispered.

Haldir frowned, not for the first time that day. Long hours had passed, and the day was coming to an end. Still she did not come. He had not expected her to avoid him completely. Had thought that she would come, and they would discuss the situation now that she had been allowed time to think.

Surely she must know that it could not be between them. How could she not? She knew everything he knew of Elves, and should understand that he could not love her.

”Haldir,” His brother Orophin interrupted his thoughts. “are you well brother? You have done naught but stare longingly at the horizon all day.”

Haldir frowned, shook his head, and turned to his brother. “Longingly? Surely not brother!” He snapped at him.

Orophin nodded, knowing his brother well enough to know when he was in a foul mood, and should be left to simmer in it.

”Very well brother, I will leave you to the thoughts that burden you so. If you wish my advice..” He raised an eyebrow hoping to hear his brothers laughter mocking him. “then you know where to find me.” He frowned, hearing nothing from him. Silently he slipped from the talan, and Haldir did not notice.