Strange Allies

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Disclaimer - I don't own any of this apart from Annowe and I have not made any money from this tale.

A/N: It is good to be back again! Mr. Wicked is still a bit miffed that I ran off leaving him here again so soon but he’s coming around a bit I think.

MarzBar - oh, indeed he did! But nothing ever goes as planned! There are a few things he's got to come to terms with yet but that doesn't mean there won't be plenty of "hawt" sex in the meantime! Just to keep him in a turmoil! ;-)

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However, it was not long before her thoughts began to return to the war going on around them. At the break of dawn one misty morning as they were making their way north, they heard a terrible horn blast.

Immediately they both stopped on the road and turned toward the southeast where the sound seemed to come from. Annowe shivered and instinctively moved closer to Haldir who protectively wrapped his arm around her.

“What a terrible noise that was,” he muttered, listening intently.

“It was a war horn of men,” she replied softly. “It has begun. The beginning of the end.”

He looked at her anxiously, wondering if she would leave him for Legolas now that she was certain the end was near.

She sighed sadly, her eyes gazing into the distance. “I cannot betray Galadriel,” she whispered as if reading his thoughts. “I cannot go to him.”

Oddly, she no longer felt the desperate need to reach Legolas at all costs. Perhaps she had come to terms with her predicament and no longer could waste the energy fighting against it. The quicker they made it to the Havens, the quicker she would be free to return to the south.

But what if there was nothing left? What if that was Galadriel’s warning to her? Did the White Lady demand she accompany Haldir for her own safety instead of his? She shivered and pressed closer to Haldir. That was a chilling thought. She had not considered her own danger, only that to Legolas and Haldir.

“What is it?” He questioned softly.

“Nothing,” she murmured and shook her head. “Let us go.” She patted him gently on the rump and turned north.

He watched her curiously for a few moments before glancing to the southeast again. A pang of guilt struck him when he realized that she would know most of the combatants. She had fought the corsairs many years before and could have been a valuable asset against them. Of course she would feel the urge to return and fight. It was her instinct.

Instead, she was with him. Babysitting him like a wayward elfling. He snorted in disgust and followed her with the horse. But Galadriel had ordered her to take him and she said she would not betray the White Lady. As much as he enjoyed her company, he could not blame her for feeling that she was more needed elsewhere. He understood that now.

“Annowe,” he said as he caught up to her. “If you would like to go I will not stop you.”

She looked at him steadily but did not answer nor slacken her pace.

“I can find the Havens myself,” he admitted. He knew her sister would find him once he reached the Barrow Downs. There was no reason for her to stay with him.

“I know,” she admitted softly but said no more, her eyes on the road.

They walked in silence for the rest of that day and into the night, both lost in their own thoughts. As much as Annowe desired to go south and fight against Sauron she knew Galadriel would never forgive her for abandoning Haldir. And she had said that Haldir needed her so there must be more danger to him, right? Why would she say something like that if he were not in peril?

No, she must stay with him. Perhaps once he was safely in the care of Goldberry she would go to fight if there was anyone left to help. She sighed. Why did everything have to happen all at once?

Haldir reached out and ran his fingers down her spine soothingly when he heard her deep sigh. Was she considering his offer? Would she leave him? He trusted her enough to know that she would tell him and not just run away but it was a bit odd for her to be so troubled.

“I would like to stop for a bit,” she said after walking a while longer.

He nodded and they located a suitable place off the road. Annowe felt that they were in no danger from any of the Dark Forces heading south as most of them were massed on the other side of the Misty Mountains but Galadriel’s warning still bothered her.

After hobbling and brushing the horse, she rummaged through her pack for her hairbrush then sat behind Haldir.

He turned slightly to look at her then smiled when he realized she was going to brush his hair. There was something troubling her and she obviously needed to think.

Thoughtfully, she removed his braids running her fingers through his silken hair before following with the brush. Haldir sighed and closed his eyes. That simple gesture made him feel so warm inside and even though it was for her benefit he enjoyed it greatly.

Annowe watched his luminous hair twinkle in the firelight, her thoughts drifting back to his earlier words. Yes, she knew he could find the Havens himself but she had given Galadriel her word that she would take him. She snorted softly to herself. Hadn’t she made some sort of promise to Legolas to wait for him? She was waiting, wasn’t she?

“Would you like to tell me about it?” Haldir finally asked her.

“No,” she sighed and tossed the brush aside. What was the use? How could she put it all into words?

Slowly, he reached around to take her wrist and pull her forward to sit in his lap. Once she was comfortably situated, he began to stroke her hair and she leaned her head on his shoulder relaxing slightly.

They sat in silence for a while, watching the fire as Haldir absently ran his hand along her thigh. He did not want her to leave but he could not ask her to stay.

Very quietly, so low that he almost did not hear her, she voiced her fears.

“What if Sauron wins?” She swallowed hard at the thought and closed her eyes. She had said it. What if saying it made it happen? She shivered and Haldir squeezed her reassuringly.

“That is what troubles you,” he murmured. Yes, it was a troubling thought. What to tell her? It was not a foolish fear; in fact, it was very close to becoming a reality.

He sighed. Now he would make his offer. “You could come to Valinor,” he suggested softly.

“No! You don’t understand!” She grumbled. “It’s not me I’m worried about!”

Of course – she would still be concerned for Legolas. Always thinking of Legolas no matter how far away he was! He was insulted at the thought but could not begrudge her the concern.

“Most of the elves will flee to Valinor,” he reasoned. “You and your sisters would be welcome, I am certain.” As long as he was there she would be if she chose to come.

She raised her head to look at him and he could clearly see the pain in her eyes. “Why do you only think of yourself?” She sighed in frustration. Why did she have to spell it out for him? “What about the dwarves, men, ents, Mearas? What of the other creatures that cannot flee to safety? What will become of them?” She bit her lip, determined not to cry but a tear spilled down her cheek.

Gently, he placed his hand on her head and pushed her back against his shoulder, hugging her tightly and murmuring softly to her. He closed his eyes when he felt her begin to tremble in his arms, her tears wetting his palm. He felt like a complete fool! It wasn’t just Legolas she was concerned for!

And suddenly he understood that part of her. Her mind loved Legolas for he embodied that noble spirit that she so admired. Instead of fleeing, he was fighting. The valiant Prince of Mirkwood was fighting to save the world from the forces of evil! It was so obvious to him now! It was admiration for Legolas’ choice! She loved Legolas for doing the same thing she would do – that she had done in the past!

Indeed, it was very noble of the young prince and he could not fault her for admiring such conviction. She and Legolas shared the same lofty goals and desires – it was no wonder she loved him so fiercely! But what if it were only her mind that loved Legolas? That loved his noble causes and selfless behavior? Did her heart follow?

No! He was certain of it. She was a creature too much like himself. Her heart would follow it’s own path and take the rest of her with it. But where did it lie? Did he even want to know?

“I do not know, Annowe,” he answered truthfully. “If the past is any indication, there will always be resisters to Sauron’s power. But I do not have a better answer for you than that.”

She sniffed against his shoulder. “I know,” she said softly. “But I’m still afraid.”

“I understand,” he soothed, stroking her hair. “And I wish I could tell you something to ease your fears but I cannot.”

He was surprised by his own honesty for he truly did wish he could put her mind at rest. He could not even say he was doing his part to keep that from happening. No, Legolas was, though. The Prince of Mirkwood was nobly fighting for the future of their world while the March Warden ran away to Valinor!

He gritted his teeth in disgust at himself. But would he care about Legolas or middle earth if Annowe had not been so upset? He closed his eyes and nuzzled her hair. Somehow he doubted it – it just had never mattered much to him until now.

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