Vaniel, My Heart

Vaniel, My Heart
Chapter 34: Chapter 34 - Surprised
by Sienna
Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work.

Vaniel, My Heart
by Sienna Dawn

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Chapter 34 - Surprised

It was mid-morning in Eryn Lasgalen and Vaniel hurried to the Healers' talan for she had been summoned from her transcription. Since arriving in the woodland realm, Vaniel had single handedly begun to transcribe all the lore and legends she'd been taught as a child now that Elrond had taken his great library with him to the West. Her goal was to keep alive the great tales of men, elves and even of the hardy dwarves and halflings, and toward that end she toiled diligently.

Several weeks had passed since Haldir and she had reunited, spending the first of many nights of passion under the stars. Haldir regularly visited the Healers and continued his regimen of exercise, so she was surprised when the summons had come.

Worriedly, she quickly walked toward the Healers' talans and ascended, and in a few moments she had entered their chambers, noting that Haldir stood in deep conversation with an older female elf.

Umoviel, the chief healer, turned at Vaniel's arrival and held out his hands, a wise and gentle smile on his face. Seeing the concern in Vaniel's golden eyes, as they flickered to her husband and back to him, Umoviel took Vaniel's hands and squeezed them gently, reassurance in his eyes.

Frowning, confused, Vaniel spoke, "I was summoned here, Umoviel."

Haldir turned at the sound of his wife's voice, and a little smile touched the corners of his lips.

"Come," said Umoviel, "sit beside your husband." The older elf indicated a wide seat where Haldir already waited.

Uncertain, Vaniel obeyed, sitting next to Haldir and taking one of his hands in hers. Vaniel looked once at Haldir, who had his face turned toward the healer and then fixed her gaze on the elf as Umoviel began.

"I am not certain of this, Vaniel, and I have so told Haldir," Umoviel moved closer to the couple and regarded them with affection. All of Eryn Lasgalen was familiar with the former Marchwarden's tragedy, his care for Athryn and of her death and his love and marriage to Vaniel. Although the couple was not aware of it, the entire realm anxiously desired their happiness for many had been Haldir's sacrifices and long his suffering.

Vaniel studied Umoviel's face, beginning to suspect something, but terrified of it at the same time. She looked at Haldir again.

The healer continued, "Haldir's fall was severe, and if not for the grace of the Valar, he would have died. The wounds inflicted on his eyes by Athryn's attack were simply superficial and we know those healed. It was the injury to the back of the head, as it impacted on the ground after the fall, that caused bleeding behind the eyes. Herbs and remedies merely soothed the headaches and blurred vision that Haldir suffered for many months," he saw Vaniel nod, remembering those first terrible days. He continued, "But the body is a wonderful and mysterious thing and we cannot know for certain if these kinds of injuries will be permanent."

Vaniel looked back at Haldir once more and then at Umoviel, and she interrupted, "Are you saying that Haldir will regain his sight?" Her voice was soft but anxious, worried.

Haldir squeezed her hand, but Vaniel continued to stare at the Healer before her.

"I do not know Vaniel, how much of his sight will return, but there is improvement."

Vaniel gasped and turned fully to face Haldir. She looked into his eyes as he turned toward her, feeling her warm gaze on his face. Tears welled in her eyes and Vaniel reached for his beloved face, noticing how some of the fierce light of his sapphire eyes seemed to have made a comeback. "Can you see me?" She whispered, tears dropping onto her face.

Haldir smiled, "I can see colors and images. I cannot see detail, but I can see your form, wife."

Vaniel closed her eyes, tears coursing down her face, and she pressed her head against Haldir's chest, sobbing in happiness and relief. Smiling in quiet contentment, Haldir caressed the back of his wife's head, his own eyes filling with tears.

Moved by the open display of affection between them, a thing elves did not usually do, both Healers retired from the room and gave the couple a few moments of privacy.

Several weeks later.......

It was joyous news for the couple and Haldir's sight returned slowly but steadily. Within months he was back at the archery fields, testing his visual acuity and found to his delight that except for some minor readjustments, his aim was as good as before.

Several months after the Healers declared Haldir fully healed, Orophin sought his brother. Approaching Haldir's flet, Orophin climbed toward his brother's chamber.

Haldir's eyes raised to his younger brother, but he said nothing. He could see Orophin's discomfort and Haldir was not about to make things easier for Orophin. He thought he knew what the visit was all about, so he crossed his arms and waited, his face impassive.

"Brother," Orophin began, " 'Tis time you returned to your former duties."

Haldir cocked an eyebrow. "Indeed, Orophin?" Haldir's voice was as smooth as silk.

Orophin winced at the tone of his brother's voice. Haldir's anger was well banked and well concealed, but it was still very alive. "Haldir," Orophin attempted again, frustration openly showing on his fair face. "It was not my intent to offend you. I followed Thranduil's command, as you would have done, would things have been turned."

Haldir was about to say that he would not have done the same, but instead remained silent. The truth of Orophin's words hit him suddenly. Aye, he thought, I would have done the same.

In that moment of clarity, Haldir understood many things and the anger he had held in his heart toward his brother melted, never to return. Seeing the distress on Orophin's face, Haldir smiled and admitted, "Indeed, brother, I would have done the same." Reaching his arm toward Orophin, Haldir's smiled widened.

Relieved that the days of tension were beginning to mend, Orophin grasped his brother's arm and smiled.

As the days passed and Haldir returned to his former life, many things changed for the couple. Yet the one thing most expected of Haldir never came to pass, for he relinquished his duties as Marchwarden, turning down Thranduil's offer to post him to the nothern fences of Eryn Lasgalen.

Instead, Haldir fulfilled his earlier promise to Vaniel, and showed his wife as much of Middle Earth as he knew, for this had been a dream long kept deep within her heart.

And so, one day, nearly five years after they had fled Gondor, did Haldir and Vaniel return to Dol Amroth. Imrahil's promise to Vaniel was honored and she was welcomed warmly in the great city which was south of Edhellond at the inlet of Cobas Haven. Here she and Haldir were treated as honored guests, later visiting the many places there, such as the Sea-Tower of Tirith Aear. From there they explored the Bay of Belfalas, sailing upon the Blackroot, Ciril and Ringló rivers the last of which took them to the small Gondorian town of Calembel where years before Aragorn, know King Elessar, had camped with the Host of the Dead during the War of the Ring. Then they moved on toward. Then they took their time moving across the fields and meadows of Lamedon, the region at the souther slopes of the White Mountains, steadily making their way toward the fief of Lebennin and from there aiming for the lands of Ithilien, Cair Andors and many other places. Nearly three years passed as Vaniel and Haldir explored the world of Men and their cities and towns. Many natural wonders they found and the beauty of Middle Earth captivated them yet again.

Often they camped away from cities, under the blanket of skies, their passion for the other often overwhelming them with its intensity. They made love in lakes and rivers, hidden deep within the old woods, or cozy inside a warm cave. Taking the time they had never had before, Haldir and Vaniel lovingly nurtured their bond and love, never travelling one without the other, finding new ways to delight one another, fulfilled and happy.

'Twas one such night that they laid under the stars, whispering idle conversation and plans for the coming months.

The breeze was cool and it caressed their nude bodies, spent as they were from their delicious lovemaking.

Vaniel leaned on an elbow and contemplated her husband, her eyes coursing appreciatively over his form. She never ceased being amazed over Haldir's physical beauty and the attraction he held over her. She smiled as she saw he watched her as she appraised him. He smiled in return, his eyes suggestive and seductive. "Do you approve?" His voice was sweet and melodic.

Vaniel watched Haldir with languid eyes, passion stirring in her loins once more. She knew Haldir did not refer to their plans for the morrow. Instead, she dipped her eyes toward his manhood and she saw it was ready.

Smiling, she leaned toward Haldir and captured his mouth as she reached for him and encircled him with sure and gentle fingers. At her touch, Haldir bucked and moaned against her open mouth.

Writhing from her passionate kisses and bold touch, Haldir knew Vaniel indeed approved.

By dawn, the couple rested before the call of the meadowlark called them to wakefulness.

In this fashion, did Haldir and Vaniel travel throughout Middle Earth, and Vaniel came to see the world of men as she had dreamed of doing since childhood. Still, her heart was bound to Haldir and to the elves. She knew without a doubt that when the time came, she would have no regret in her decision to follow the Straight Road and whatever the fate of elves would be.

And so, the years passed in peace and happiness for the couple, while still the elves continued their route to the West, leaving Middle Earth until there were only a few of the Eldalie left in the world.

When Vaniel learned she was going to have a child, her joy was unmatched. Haldir, at first stunned into silence, wept for joy as he held his wife tenderly, thanking the Valar for the grace they had bestowed upon him. By the time that Vaniel was heavy in her seventh month, the couple had already returned to East Lorien and there was their first child born, a son they called Myrddin.

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