Strange Allies

~~~

Heaving a grateful sigh, Annowe slipped into the dark depths of the river, letting the cool water claim her. She was free of Haldir now. Free! She smiled and turned over in the water, enjoying the tranquility that surrounded her.

A strange repetitive sound caught her attention and she strained her ears to hear it. It was a very odd noise and she could not place it. It sounded like a forest groaning in a high wind. What could it be? She wondered. Following the sound, she swam a bit upriver but still could not quite figure out what was making such an odd racket.

Now more alert she began to look closely about the river. She knew immediately it was the Isen yet it was filthy even for early spring. Mud, chunks of trees and rocks flowed by arousing Annowe’s suspicions. What was going on? Her father would know. She must get to him quickly.

Turning, she swam south and began calling for Ulmo. It did not take him long to answer her and she suddenly found herself transported into his warm embrace.

“Annowe,” he patted her fondly on the back before releasing her. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

She laughed. He knew her all too well. “Well, first I must ask you where they Gray Havens are and how can I get there from here?”

Ulmo’s bushy brows shot up in surprise and he lowered himself into a comfortable chair to consider her request.

“Why are you going to the Gray Havens?” He asked curiously.

She sighed heavily and decided to completely entrust her dilemma to him. If she could not trust her own father whom could she trust?

“This must be serious,” he murmured seeing her reaction to his question.

“Yes, it is,” she admitted. “It is a rather long story and I need some advice as well.”

Her father nodded. “Go on, then,” he encouraged her and leaned back in his chair. Of all his children, Annowe could find herself in the strangest situations.

“Haldir, Galadriel’s March Warden, has heard The Call and I have agreed to take him to the Gray Havens. That is why I need to know where it is,” she began.

“I thought you hated him?” Ulmo asked in confusion. Who could keep these things straight between the young ones?

“I do. I mean I did,” she frowned. “I still do sometimes. But that is not the point. He needs to go and I am the only on to take him.”

Ulmo nodded. “Where is he?”

“We were near the Isen on the Old South Road heading north. By the by, what has happened in that river? It is quite dirty and there is an odd noise from upriver,” she recalled.

“I would not concern yourself with the Isen nor any of the happenings there. You have more important matters to attend to and all is as it should be,” her father soothed. No need to upset her further by telling her of the Ent attack on Isengard. She was likely to abandon Haldir or drag him to Isengard to see the damage for herself.

“Now, about the Havens,” he continued before she could interrupt with more questions. “Continue north on the Old South Road. When you come to a fork in the road you will be near the Barrow Downs,” he said.

“Goldberry!” Annowe cried with delight. She had not seen her older sister in many snows and would enjoy the opportunity to see her again no matter what the circumstances.

Ulmo smiled. “Yes, Goldberry. She will be able to lead you the rest of the way. It should only take you a week or less to reach the Havens from there.”

“That is the first good news I have heard in a very long time. Thank you!” She grinned. Now she was even more eager to quickly head north. Haldir would just have to increase his pace.

“You also needed some advice?” Her father gently reminded her.

Annowe sighed heavily, her mind turning back to Haldir and Legolas. “Yes,” she admitted, lowering her gaze. How could she ask her father such a thing? He was the only one she trusted to give her solid advice aside from Goldberry and Holly, neither of which she could speak to immediately.

“It concerns Legolas and Haldir,” she began lamely. It was going to sound so dumb to put it into words.

Ulmo bit back a smile. “Elfling trouble. I see,” he murmured sympathetically.

She couldn’t help but giggle as his assessment of it. “Yes, ‘elfling trouble’ indeed!” She agreed heartily.

“Out with it, child,” he encouraged her. “What have these two been up to and do I need to speak with Thranduil and Galadriel about them?”

“Oh no! No!” Annowe cried in horror, clutching at his arm. That was the last thing she wanted! The mere thought of her father speaking to Thranduil and Galadriel regarding the situation sent a bolt of terror through her.

Seeing her distress, Ulmo patted her had reassuringly. “Then I will not speak to them,” he soothed.

She was not convinced. “Even after I tell you, will you promise me not to mention it to either of them or Haldir or Legolas ever?” She begged, squeezing his arm.

“Ever?” His bushy eyebrows rose again questioningly. “That is a very long time.”

“Don’t I know it,” she mumbled ruefully. “Do you promise?”

“Very well, Annowe,” he agreed.

“You know that I love Legolas,” she began, removing her hand from his arm so she could pace in front of him to help her think. “And I have finally admitted it to him and he returns my affections.”

“Indeed, that comes as no surprise to me,” Ulmo replied. Annowe scowled at him. He had probably known all along how the two of them felt about each other. He chuckled at her dark look. “You would not have believed me had I told you,” he pointed out. She grunted. That much was certain but it did not make her feel any better.

“So where does the notorious March Warden come into this?” He asked curiously. Knowing Haldir, he was trying to bed both of them. Ulmo sighed. Some things never changed. Well, Haldir would meet his thick-headed match in Annowe.

“He won’t leave me alone,” she pouted irritably.

“’He won’t leave me alone’,” Ulmo repeated. “In what way?”

“He just keeps bothering me. Trying to make me love him or something. I don’t know what he wants but he won’t leave me alone,” she scowled darkly.

“’Trying to make me love him or something’,” Ulmo mused, considering her words.

“I already said that! Stop repeating everything!” She frowned. It was bad enough that she had to deal with Haldir’s constant tormenting. Now her own father was teasing her!

“I am merely trying to understand what you are saying,” he soothed. “Do you love Haldir?” He asked curiously.

Annowe snorted indignantly. “No! Of course not!”

“Are you certain?” Her father questioned gently, studying her reaction.

“I love Legolas, not Haldir. I cannot love them both!” She was horrified at the thought.

Ulmo chuckled warmly at her innocence. “You’ve been amongst the humans too long, I think. Where is it written that you can only love one creature? How many children do I have? Do you doubt that I have loved all of their mothers or that I continue to love them even now?”

Annowe frowned trying to digest this information. True, her father had many mates over the years and she did not doubt that he had loved them all and most likely still loved them.

But did she love Haldir? No, the emotion she most associated with him was hatred. She giggled in spite of herself at the thought.

“But I don’t love Haldir,” she protested. “I don’t want to love him, either. He’s wicked and notorious.”

“Indeed he is,” Ulmo admitted. “I cannot deny your accurate description of his character. But there must be some reason why you have not abandoned him outright. I know you, daughter, I know there must be some feeling there for you to stay with him and to guide him to the Gray Havens.”

“I don’t love him,” she repeated. “I don’t.”

“I believe you,” he assured her. “Perhaps you need him just as much as he needs you.”

She snorted derisively. “I don’t ‘need’ him for anything! He does nothing but torment me endlessly while I’m trying to help him!”

Obviously his subtle suggestions were not working so he would have to put it a little more bluntly for her.

“Annowe, my dear,” he began slowly, sitting up in his chair to look her in the eye. “Why do you believe that one being should fulfill all of your desires and needs? Needs and desires are usually two very different things. Perhaps you desire Legolas but you need Haldir.”

Stunned silence. Annowe stood stock still as her mind tried to wrap around what her own father had just told her. Did she need Haldir? True, she did not particularly like him but did she need him? The very thought sent a chill through her.

“But . . .” she stuttered lamely. “Legolas would never . . .” What? Understand? Share? Care?

“Do you believe that Legolas will have no other friends but you? That he will not need or desire any other creature for the rest of his life? No. So why should you? Only immortals understand how long forever truly is,” Ulmo reminded her gently. “But it is, of course, your choice.”

For some reason his last words made her shiver. Yes, it was her choice. What would be the consequences for her if she made the “wrong choice”?

~~~