Strange Allies

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Disclaimer - I own none of this apart from Annowe and I have made no money from this story.

A/N:
Naira - satisfy him? HIM? Geez - I don't think I can take much more of his preening and gloating. He's had enough satisfaction, I think, the big old meanie! *laugh* I did not chose him to be my muse (I'm crazy but not THAT far gone!). He chose ME. Just appeared one day while I was finishing "Between Friends" and started haunting me. I didn't know we had a choice! (And Rumil sounds like a sweetie - I guess someone in the family had to get it - Mr. Wicked is entirely lacking in that area!)

Michelle - yes, it was rather sad wasn't it? So we can add "brave" to his list of qualities? Why is my list of his qualities and your list so different? LOL! I do have to admit, tho, it took guts for him to go. I don't know if I would have all things considered. Sorry to leave you hanging like that - it was sort of his idea. He wanted to see how much pity he could evoke, I think. I swear he's out of control sometimes! Awww - I wouldn't worry too much about him. I have a feeling he's too mean to perish (but that's just me!)

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Annowe swam desperately to Pelargir. It would not take her long to size up the corsairs, of that she was certain. They were creatures of habit, going to the highest bidder and she would make short time of her work there. She knew exactly where to look for confirmation of Elrond’s suspicions.

She was determined to think of only her task at hand. She could not afford the luxury of fretting over Legolas or Haldir. Oddly, she feared more for Haldir than she did Legolas. Neither she nor Galadriel had seen danger for the Prince of Mirkwood, only the March Warden. She fervently hoped he would swallow his pride and stay off the battlements at Helm’s Deep. She had grown strangely fond of him over the time they had spent together and would miss his tormenting and wicked ways more than she cared to admit if he were to perish.

A few nights of covertly hiding in the shadows of various taverns in Pelargir were enough to find out what she needed to know. The cutthroats became quite loose-tongued after a few rounds of the foul ale and all Annowe had to do was wait, watch and listen as the pirates fell deeper into their cups and bragged of their “good fortune”.

Galadriel had warned Haldir that danger awaited her in her old haunt and she was not in a mind to meet it. No, she had more important matters to attend to than settling some old scores. Those would have to wait. So she sat quietly, patiently nursing her one mug of ale as the vile mercenaries spoke freely of Sauron. Indeed, they were in his pay and awaiting his orders to sail to Osgiliath soon. She did not have much time to return to Rivendell with the news.

However, she had not found out anything more than Elrond had already guessed. Did he send her south to keep her away from Legolas? Her eyes narrowed at the thought. It would be just like him to do something like that. He was a wily one, that Elrond. The more she thought about it the more she believed that was his purpose. Perhaps not overtly but it served him well to have her in Pelargir while Legolas trekked to Mount Doom.

She grunted. She had enough information – it was time to take her leave of this foul place and return to Legolas. Perhaps Arwen or the twins would tell her where Helm’s Deep lie. She did not believe Elrond would, no matter how she begged.

Slipping stealthily into the night, she made toward the river. She would waste no more time here when she was needed elsewhere. If Elrond wanted more information, he would have to send someone else. She was going after Legolas, to Mordor with the consequences!

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Heavy loud breathing in his ear and bright light near his eyes caused him to moan softly. What was that incessant pounding, for the love of Eru? He had never heard anything quite like it – thump, thump, thump – on and on it went. And the pain! Sweet Varda it was nearly enough to make him weep!

“Make it stop,” he groaned weakly.

Relieved gentle laughter made his head ache even worse.

Something pressing firmly against his lips. A cup. “This will make it stop,” a soft voice offered. He opened his lips and took the bitter liquid in, grimacing at the pain and the taste. Then blissful nothingness enveloped him.

“I tried, lad,” Gimli began to apologize. Legolas waved him off.

“I know how he is, Gimli. There is no need for you to apologize. You did what you could,” Legolas acknowledged, squeezing the fretting dwarf’s shoulder reassuringly.

“We must leave him here,” Aragorn observed. “He is too badly wounded to travel.”

Legolas nearly laughed out loud at the thought. “He will hate it worse than death,” he observed wryly. The insufferably proud March Warden of Lothlorien left amongst the humans to be nursed like a babe.

“Eh! We could send him to my home!” Gimli offered. “Some time among the dwarves would do him good, I think!”

Legolas giggled and Aragorn smiled. “You are probably right, master dwarf but I cannot be too cruel to him. He did come to our aid in our darkest hour,” the ranger admitted.

Gimli snorted. “Aye,” he agreed reluctantly. But he certainly did desire to see the haughty elf brought down a peg or two from his lofty airs.

“She will come,” Legolas said softly after a few moments of reflection.

Aragorn considered this. “You believe so?” He asked. “It is a long way from Pelargir and back again.”

Legolas nodded. “Yes. This is our last known location to her and she will come looking for me. When I am not sure but she will come.”

The ranger sighed deeply. “We cannot remain here but a few days. Theoden wants to return to Edoras,” he pointed out. “And Gandalf wishes to visit his ‘old friend’ in Isengard.”

“Yes,” Legolas mused, his mind a jumble of thoughts. They would have to leave Haldir here with the others that were too wounded to travel. And he could not remain behind to wait for her. His first duty was to see the quest through and that meant doing everything he could to keep Frodo and Sam safely out of Sauron’s clutches.

“Let us go,” Aragorn said quietly. “There is no need for us to discuss the future here.”

Casting one last concerned look at Haldir, Legolas followed the others outside. Aragorn was right of course they could not remain here with so much work yet to be done.

After a long debate they finally decided to send word to Minas Tirith via messenger regarding the fate of Helm’s Deep as they traveled to Isengard. Those who could would return to Edoras to await Theoden’s return to the city. Those who were too sick or hurt to travel would remain in Helm’s Deep until they recovered. Several of the shield maidens remained behind to tend them.

Legolas was reluctant to leave although he knew he had to. Annowe would come to Helm’s Deep in search of him and would find Haldir instead. Selfishly, Legolas wanted to see her himself. He sighed dejectedly.

A firm hand on his shoulder interrupted his thoughts.

“You should tell him, perhaps they can join us in Edoras,” Aragorn said softly.

“Yes, I will do that,” Legolas agreed.

Later that evening, Legolas slipped off to pay Haldir one last visit before they departed for Isengard. He hoped the March Warden was awake enough to understand what he would tell him. He was Legolas’ only connection to Annowe now.

Carefully he approached the dozing elf, not wanting to disturb Haldir. His eyes were half open and he seemed to be resting peacefully in the dim candlelight. Someone had changed the dressing on his wound and Legolas stepped forward to check it.

“How much longer must I suffer these humans?” Haldir’s rough whisper greeted him.

Legolas smiled slightly. “Until Annowe comes for you or you recover enough to leave on your own,” he answered, leaning over so he could hear the weak voice.

The March Warden’s gray eyes focused on him and Legolas could clearly see the pain there. The wound had nearly been fatal. If Gimli had not been there as Legolas had requested . . . he shuddered and smoothed a stray lock of hair from Haldir’s damp forehead.

“I do not wish to stay here,” Haldir hissed and closed his eyes. “Their hands are rough and they do more harm than good.”

“Yes, I know,” Legolas soothed. “But you are alive.”

Haldir grunted. “Barely. I may not survive much longer under these deplorable conditions.”

Legolas tried not to giggle at that. For some reason he found Haldir’s crankiness rather welcome. Perhaps because the three of them were still alive and he held out the slim hope that they would somehow manage to continue surviving despite the odds.

“You will recover, I am certain,” Legolas murmured. “And Annowe will come. Soon, I think.” He felt a pang of jealousy at that. She would come for him but she would find Haldir – who had also seen her last. The two of them would be together again – without him. He sighed. He must not start thinking of that again.

When Haldir did not reply, Legolas thought he had fallen back asleep and stood up to leave.

“When?” Came a faint question from the bed.

“When what?” Legolas asked softly, leaning back over the March Warden.

Haldir’s eyes opened part way. “When will you go?” He questioned.

“At first light,” Legolas answered. “We are riding to Isengard then to Edoras.”

Haldir sighed heavily. He knew they would never allow him to go with them. His wound was far too dreadful for him to travel. He did not want to stay here but he seemed to have no choice.

“Do you think she will come?” He murmured hopefully.

Legolas snorted. What a foolish question! Of course she would come! “This is Annowe we are speaking of, Haldir. Not some elleth. Remember?” He was insulted that the March Warden could doubt her determination. He obviously did not understand her at all.

A faint smile flickered over Haldir’s face and he closed his eyes as another wave of pain hit him. He groaned. She could not get there fast enough for him. He would send all the humans away once she arrived so she could tend him again.

“Be careful, Legolas,” the March Warden whispered, keeping his eyes shut. “I have kept my promise now you must keep yours and return to claim her.”

Legolas nodded. He would keep his promise to both of them. He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Haldir’s cheek. “I will,” he answered softly and then he was gone.

Haldir lay in the dark for a while, letting his mind dwell on his time with Annowe. It helped to keep the pain at bay. He hoped she would arrive quickly. He could not bear much more of the rough treatment by the humans. They meant well and were in complete awe of him but they grated on his nerves. Gradually, his thoughts began to drift back to a happier time and he fell into an uneasy sleep.

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