New Life

Bleh, I don't own anything! Nothing, do you hear!?!?!?! I don't even own the character I created. She broke away, and started her own company, got an agent, and is living the high life. I hear she's dating one of those hot male stars now. Pfft, grateful little wench! But don't steal my writing though, kay? Not that anyone would want to. I suck afterall!
I really do, I mean really. I'm considdering things I shouldn't considder. I'm wanting something I shouldn't want, and it's really starting to annoy me. If anyone wants to, feel free to come b**** slap some sense into me.


Chapter 4

When three days had passed and Lorelie had yet to return to the forest, nor even come within sight of his Elven eyes Haldir grew angry.

Angry with himself, and angry with her. That anger he vented well in passing Orcs. His work became once more his only passion. He did not leave the border and stayed mostly high in his talan, eyes ever watchful when not on the ground killing.

His brothers, who were both now on the border began to grow worried. Rumil had come at Orophin's request, and Haldir did not notice, else he did not seem to care.

”He had changed much these last few days Rumil. I do not understand where this change comes from.” Orophin said, shaking his head sadly at his brothers back.

”I believe I may know where this change comes from, but as well do not understand it. If I did not know better I would think our brother in love.”

Orophin’s eyes widened and he spun around to face his brother.

“In love?” He cried. “Surely not! This is Haldir you speak of. He loves naught but the forest and on good days his brothers.”

Rumil nodded his head. “As I said, if I did not know better that is what I would think brother.”

Some time passed in silence, with Haldir staring out at the vast expanse of land that surrounds the border of Lorien, and his brothers sitting quietly behind him in contemplation.

***

Rana sighed sadly, shaking her head.

”Lorelie, surely you wish to visit your dear friends on the border today. You cannot avoid them forever.” She pleaded with the desolate youth sitting before her in the grass.

Her eyes the only acknowledgment that she had heard Rana, tears fell from her eyes once more.

”Please love. You must recover from this dreary attitude. It does not become you.” Rana pleaded.

The girls shoulders slumped and she stood from the grass. Silently she padded away over the grass, heedless of her direction.

Only when she saw two booted feet before her on the ground did she look up. An elf stood before her, his eyes curious, and wary.

”You near the border of Lorien Human. You must turn back.” She gasped.

How had she come this way, come this far? She chided herself for paying no heed to her direction.

Tears fell from her eyes again to be so close to the one she loved.

”What border is this?” She asked, hoping to have come to another side of the woods.

”Northern milady.” The Elf replied. “You must turn back.” He warned again, his body before her as if to block her entrance.

She nodded sadly, and turned to the direction of her home again.

”Wait!” She heard a shout behind her.

She knew that voice, but she did not show her recognition of it. Only continued on, her eyes to the ground.

Only when feet again appeared before her eyes did she stop her walk. She did not look up this time, she did not have to. She knew who would stand before her eyes should she only look.

”Lorelie.” His voice breathed.

A shudder ran through her body to hear him say her name again. She could not do this, could not bear the pain to be so near him again. She turned to the side, and began to walk around him, but he placed a hand on her shoulder, spinning her around to face him again.

”Look at me.” He commanded, his voice toneless as she knew was his way when angry.

She turned her gaze to the side, eyes still on the ground as to defy his command.

He sighed, she heard it. Imagined him slumping his shoulders, closing his eyes, and shaking his head.

”Please..saes.” He whispered. She had learned the Elvish word for please many years ago when she had first come to the woods, and used it often.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly moved her eyes upwards, glancing at him as she often did in an appreciative way. But now it only pained her to do so.

When her eyes finally fell on his face, they were glistening with tears.

”Thank you.” He said, obviously relieved.

She nodded, still silent.

”Will you not speak? I wish to speak to you Lorelie.” He asked, reaching for one of her hands.

She pulled away, and he sighed, hurt.

”I do not know what there is to speak of Haldir.” She whispered, turning as if to make sure none stood near listening.

He shook his head. “There is much to speak of. You have not entered Lorien for days. I have much news to share, as well I wish to speak on the reason for your avoidance of me.”

”Haldir, I don’t wish to. It has haunted me these days I have stayed away. I should never have spoken it to you. It was a mistake.”

Haldir shut his eyes then and looked to the sky, unseeing. “I do not think it was a mistake Lorelie.” He whispered.

”How can you not?” She asked, curious now.

”You are an Elf, you cannot possibly ever return my love. All this revelation does is haunt me, for I feel I must avoid you as the pain is too great to even lay eyes upon your face. How can it not be a mistake?” She asked, folding her arms across her uncomfortably.

He looked down from the sky now, a smile on his face. He locked eyes with her.

”I do not think it is a mistake Lorelie. You do not need to avoid me.” He offered her his arm.

”Come, you must walk with me so I may explain to you my reasoning.”

Tentatively she took his arm and they walked slowly into the woods, her eyes straying everywhere but to the Elf next to her, and his upon her always.

***

”Perhaps brother, it is as you suggested. She is mortal though, and our brother always logical in his decisions. I do not see how it could be so.” Orophin whispered as the two sat on low branches staring down at their brother walking arm in arm with the young human.

”You are right, but when love is in play logic flees the mind, even in our brother Haldir perhaps. I do not wish to lose him to such a fate though.” He said, sadly shaking his head.

”And neither do I Rumil. What must we do?” He asked, an eyebrow raised at the relieved smile upon his brothers face.

”We must consider if we must do anything at all Orophin. Haldir has not truly been happy in many long years. Always has he dedicated himself solely to the protection of the woods, and our Lord and Lady. Perhaps the time has come for him to feel joy, even if only for a short time?”

***

Slowly they strolled through the trees, with Lorelie now distancing herself slowly from Haldir. The gap between them now noticeable, and hurtful to Haldir.

He stopped when they reached a hill with flowers scattered all about. She recognized this place as the one she had lost her flower several years ago.

”Please, sit.” Haldir gestured to a fallen log on the hilltop.

She stared at him, then around at the landscape that spread out all around them. Sighing, she took a seat. It was too beautiful a place to tarnish with bad memories.

He smiled, and took a seat near her in the grass, careful not to sit on any flowers. For several moments the two just sat, Lorelie taking in the blue sky, and the rolling grassy plains and the mountains in the distance a ways. Haldir with his eyes on the grass, stealing short glances at Lorelie.

”This place holds fond memories Haldir.” She whispered, her eyes still on the horizon.

”Aye, it does.” He replied, turning to stare openly at Lorelie. “Face me Lorelie.” He asked, reaching to take her hand in his.

She turned and looked down at him with a small forced smile.

He stared, she stared. Silence between them. A butterfly fluttered by under their clasped hands. Lorelie’s eyes lit up, and their gaze was broken, now focused on the beautiful butterfly.

Haldir smiled fondly. Always had such simple, innocent things brightened her moods, chased her frowns away.

“Lorelie, I must tell you that I was surprised by your admission. I believe you witnessed the shock on my face and I am sorry that it hurt you. I have thought on this situation during your avoidance of me and I will admit that confusion, and trepidation still fills my heart, but also something else that I have not identified fully yet, nor do I wish to for it would frighten me to do so.

”I cannot allow my heart to rule my actions in this now. My mind tells me that it would be foolish to forsake who I am for a mortal. Never before has an Ellon done such a thing. Only before have the female of my kind loved a mortal.

”Long has my mind led me in all that I do, and I do not think it would be wise to falter in that now. I cannot let my heart be the victor in this battle Lorelie. But truly I believe it will break my heart if you allow this to come between us. You have been a very dear friend to me for 10 years now. Please don’t let that change.”

His eyes bore into hers, silently pleading her to accept what he had said. Her eyes filled with tears, and she averted her eyes with much difficulty. Haldir watched as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

Her voice was low, and raspy from straining to keep her sobs in when she finally spoke. Her heart broke with every word spoken.

”I don’t know Haldir. I just don’t know if I could do it. See your face every day, continue on as if this never happened, and forget the feelings I hold for you. Surely you must understand that being an Immortal.

”Is it not difficult to suppress the love you hold for someone? Tell me that you would do that which you ask of me if you were in my place. I do not think so. It would be too painful for you, and more so I imagine being an Elf.

”But I suppose it is well our situation is not reversed. You would die of the heartbreak. While I simply must endure it. Alone.”