Fated to Love

Chapter 4: The Healing

Haldir's POV

Haldir sat by Cassie's side watching her sleep. He felt guilty for her injuries and responsible for her. He sat silently vigil watching to see if her condition changed. It had been twelve hours since the battle ended and the sun was hanging low in the sky outside the keep. Gandalf and the Rohirrm arrived that morning at sunrise to aid the battle. Haldir had been able and ready to see King Theoden after the battle had ended. He only left her for a short while with the healers while they bathed and changed her bandages. His brothers had aided in his walking to the main hall. He was hurting and feeling weak from the bloodloss. So his stay in the main hall was short lived.

He had stayed long enough to hear them planning to go to Isengard on the first light of the morrow to see to he task of taking care of Saruman. The remaining elves that had survived the night would be leaving once the task of burying the dead was done and some of the wounded well enough to endure the trip. They would travel to Rivendell to the healing halls of Elrond. The Lord and Lady of Lothlorien would soon travel there to help in aiding them. The remaining elves equaled to about half of what had came with him, they were working along side the rohirrm in the task of taking care of the dead and burning the orc bodies. So there was a hustle and bustle on the walls outside the Keep.

Haldir was brought from his thoughts when Cassie began to fidget and move her head from side to side. Her breathing became labored. She was dreaming something. He became alarmed and sat a little closer to her and grabbed her hand and brought it to his chest with his good hand. He shushed her to try and calm her. He brought his hand on his bad arm, as badly as it hurt to do so, and calmly caressed her cheek. This action seemed to help her calm slightly.

“Shh, little one. I am here. You are safe.” he said in a deep calming voice. Cassie soon calmed. Haldir leaned down and lightly kissed her forehead. Haldir's head shot up when he heard someone enter the small room. It was the Mithrandir and his brothers. Lord Glorfindel and Elrond's sons were behind them.

Cassie's POV
(Her Dream)

Cassie stood looking at the scene before her. There were Ambulances, Fire trucks and police cruisers covering the area of the road. She walked closer to see what was going on. She saw the road sign indicating that they were in the national forest. The name was of the one that she was traveling to for her job. She walked over to the police man standing by the Firemarshal talking to him.

“Officer?” she said. He never even looked at her or even notice she was there. She reached over to brush his shoulder with her hand. Her hand went through him. She looked at her hand in horror. 'How can that be?' she thought.

“They will not hear or see you little one.”a female voice quietly and smoothly said behind her. Cassie swung around to see who was talking to her. She was greeted by the sight that took her breath away. It was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She glowed with a bright light and her voice was like the most beautiful of melodies. Her eyes shone bright like the blue sky. Her hair was the most beautiful shining of blond that reminded Cassie of silk. Her gown was the purest of white with diamond all over. Cassie then realized who she was, only one in the book and the movies looked like that.

“You are-” she said shocked.

“Yes, Cassandra I am Galadriel.” the lady said holding out her hand to her.”Come and see.”

Cassie, could not refuse. The light around her was made of pure love and made Cassie feel warm. “My lady, have I died?”

She did not answer her and led her to the edge of the forest and pointed for Cassie to look. Cassie slowly looked in the direction that the lady pointed. She gasped at the sight before her.

Around a large oak tree was her mangled car that was flipped upside down on its top. The rescuers were kneeling beside it working on her. They slowly stood and walked over to the police officer. With her new elven ears she heard them talking what they said shocked her.

“Just as we feared the girl is too far gone. She will only last a few more minutes.” the one paramedic said sadly.

The policeman looked down at the ground and said quietly.”Make her comfortable.”

Galadriel sadly looked over at Cassie, whose eyes started to tear up. Cassie looked at the car and tears started to fall like rain. Galadrie left her side and walked over to the car, she knelt beside it and gently touched the hair on the form in it. Cassie walked over to her and knelt beside her.

Cassie said sadly, “I never got to do anything here. Never found me a husband or have children. There were so many things I wanted to do or try. Places I wanted to go, people I wanted to meet. I never thought that this would happen. Now that is gone.” she stopped talking and reached out and touched her other self's head. Then she thought to herself 'if this had not happened I would not have saved his life'. ”How could this happen and why?” she said.

The lady looked at her and said, “Cassie in this life, you will not survive. Even if you did, it would not be much. You have another choice. Come I will show you a glimpse.” She stood and held out her hand to Cassie. Galadriel waved her hand and a haze formed.

The next thing Cassie saw looked like a hazy dream that played in the woods in mid air.

Cassie saw herself in the arms of a man that was dressed in fine robes. His golden hair was intrcately braided. She was wearing a beautiful gown with a circlet of flowers around her head. They were kissing. Then the vision changed and she saw herself standing with the same man kneeling before her his hands on her rounded belly talking to it and kissing it. She had a smile playing on her face. Then she was on a sailing ship with the two people she felt was her children and the same man. They were all happy.

Then the vision ended.

Cassie turned to the lady. The lady smiled. “You see Cassie, you do have a future if you choose it. This-” she turned and pointed, “Does not have to be. You were sent to Middle Earth for a reason. Through time and distance, you had a love of something you did not know. You kept that close to your heart. The Valar saw fit to bring you to our world. Now the choice is your to make. The bonds to our world has already begun to take shape. I will leave you to make your choice. I hope to see you once again.” Then Cassie looked at the wreckage and was wanting to say something and saw she was gone. She looked around and did not see her anywhere. Cassie returned to wreckage and knelt down beside it.

Cassie sat there staring at herself in the mangled car. She was bad. Her face was torn and bruised. Bleeding and beyond recognition. She was unconscuious. She could tell the way she was laying that her back may have been broken, more than likely if she did survive she would be paralyzed. That meant she would be a burden to everyone she knew. The Cassie thought of him. He was worth all of what she endured in the battle. She did not regret saving him. She looked at herself one more time. Then the decision came easy. “I choose a new life” she said quietly. At that same moment she saw her dying self take its last breath.

She closed her eyes and felt peace overtake her. She was still asleep but felt the pain in her side and the sweet caress on her cheek. She in her sleep heard his voice telling her she was safe.

Haldir's POV

Cassie was calmed and the Mithrandir came and sat on the other side of her bed.

“Haldir, has she wakened yet?” he asked.

“No mithrandir, she stirred just now and seemed troubled in her sleep. It seemed to calm her when I spoke to her.” Haldir looked down at the now peacefully sleeping girl.

The Mithrandir looked at the others in the room. They all seemed a little relieved that the girl still lived. She had fought bravely and they were concerned for her. “ Will you all leave Haldir and me for a while. I need to speak to him.” the wizard said smiling at them. They all turned and left.

“Haldir,” he started once the others were gone,”The lady spoke of something before you left Lorien, did she not?”

“Yes she told me that when I arrive here that I would find someone that would have an inner light brighter than any others present.” he said still holding the girl's hand to his chest.

“Do you know what she meant?” The Mithrandir said looking at the infamous March Warden.

“I believed her to say that the person I would find was to be tied to the fate of the battle. But now I am not sure.” Haldir said looking up at the old maian man.

“Actually, your assumptions are both correct and not. You see this girl was sent to save only one. She is meant for him that she would save. She is given a choice.” he said looking down at the girl. He reached down to the girl. He placed his hand on her forehead and then closed his eyes. Haldir watched as the wizard smiled slightly.

Gandalf POV

Gandalf reached out into her mind. She was standing in the dark recesses of her own mind. Looking for a way out.

“Cassie?” he spoke with his most soft voice.

Cassie turned to him. A look of both shock and relief on her face. She realized who he was.

“Mithrandir. I know who you are. I cannot find my way back. Is the battle over?” she said coming and standing in front of him.

“Yes little one, has been for a little while. I heard of you and came to see if I can help you.” he said smiling at her warmly.

“Is Haldir okay? I am worried for him.”she said looking concerned.

“He is well, but is more worried for you. I fear he feels guilty for your injuries. He is sitting with you now. Have you seen anyone while in your sleep?” he asked as if he already knew.

“Yes the lady of Lorien did. Galadriel. Gandalf she has shone me several things. I cannot return to my world. I made the choice to come and live in this world. “ she said a little sad. He knew her feelings.

“Then why are you sad? Are you regretting your decision?” he said curious.

“Well, I am a little unsure of what I am going to do here. It is so different than where I am from. I do not regret it though. I saw myself and watched as I died there. It was an easy decision.” she said confidently.

“Well little one, then, if you want me to I can help you back. Haldir would be most glad to see you return.” He smiled and held out his hand. Cassie took it gladly.

Gandalf opened his eyes and took his hand from the girl's forehead.

He looked up at the March Warden and smiled. “She will awaken soon.”

“You spoke to her?” Haldir said a little shocked at the declaration

“Yes. She has chosen her path. She will come through soon. She is just resting now.” the wizard said watching the Captain of the Galadhrim. The demeanor in him changed to releif. “I will leave now and will return before I live in the morning with the others. I believe Rumil and Orophin are riding with us and will return here on the way to Edoras, to help you to get to Rivendell with the other elves.”

Haldir shook his head in agreement. “They told me earlier they were going to volunteer to help out.”

Gandalf stood and went to leave. “Have word sent to me when she wakes. I would like to speak to her further. She seems most interesting and sweet.” he smiled then walked from the room. Haldir nodded then looked back down at her.

~~~~~~~~~~

A couple hours after the Mithrandir, Haldir was still sitting by the bed. He was so exhausted that he fell asleep. His head laid on the bed beside her still holding her hand. Haldir did not know it, but his brothers, the twins, Glorfindel, Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli, all had came into the room and had made beds for themselves to help watch over her. This child was a rare gift and all knew that. She had almost given her life for people she did not even know and saved their captain. Word of where she had came from had reached most of the Keep. The elves that came with Haldir had decided they would not leave the Helm till she was okay. They believed that she was sent by the Valar. She was special.

Glorfindel, took the first watch over her. Since Haldir was asleep. He sat beside the bed pouring her a glass of water for when she awoke. He knew she would need it. He looked about the room at each of them that had gathered there. He heard a small noise that came from the direction of the bed. The child was stirring. He quickly shook Orophin who was by him on the floor. Orophin shook awake and looked at the Golden Lord. He pointed to the bed, the girl was moving some trying to rouse. He went to work to wake the others.

Cassie's eyes began to flutter open. She felt presences in the room with her. Her head moved from side to side as if trying to shake off the remaining reverie. Finally her eyes completely opened and she weakly looked to her left and saw an elf she did not recognize looking at her. He was smiling down at her. The others stood behind him looking down at her. She smiled weakly at them all. Looking at each she tried to say hello but found her throat was very dry. Glorfindel saw her wanting to speak and knew she needed to drink. He picked up the cup and put is hand under her head to support it. He was careful not to bring her up to much, her side was still open and did not want to cause her pain.

After she drank she spoke weakly “Hello.”

All smiled at her she looked back at glorfindel. “You. You were the one on the wall that saved me. Thank you, My lord. Now I know your name. You are Glorfindel, are you not?” He smiled at her.

“Yes My lady, I am.” he said.

“I knew it. The Golden Lord. The only one that lived twice. The balrog slayer.” she said smiling. She tried to sit up.

Glorfindel seemed a little taken aback by her knowledge of who he was.”How did you know that lady?”

“From the books. They described your life and your acheivements. I hope I did not embarrass you.” she said still speaking weakly. Her voice was scratchy.

“No not at all. We are all glad you are well, Haldir there has been the most worried for you. So much so, that he fell asleep sitting up.” he said pointing to her right. She glanced over and saw the sleeping captain, he was holding her hand. She smiled.

“We will all leave you, and come back later once you are a little better. Some are leaving in the morning to travel to Isengard. I think the Mithrandir and King Theoden will be in later to see you.

Elladan walked over to the bed. Careful not to wake Haldir, he lifted her blanket and saw that there was alittle blood that had seeped through the bandages. He looked up at her said concerned, “How are you little one? Are you in pain?” She nodded yes. “Okay, Elrohir and I will fetch the healers. We will see you later okay?”

“Thank you.” she said smiling.

She looked at Legolas and Aragorn.”How fare both of you?” she said.

“We are fine. Relieved you are okay.” Legolas said.

“You gave us a scare for a while.” Aragorn said looking down at her smiling.

Cassie looked up as tears welled up. “I am sorry, I did not mean to. I got distracted.” she said remorsefully.

Glorfindel reached for a cloth to wipe her tears from her eyes. “Shhh now little one. There is nothing to feel bad about.” he said calming her down,” If you had not done so, then I would not have gotten to rescue the damsel in distress.” he was jesting with her to try and get her to smile. It did not work.

“Why would you feel that way?” Aragorn asked walking over closer to the bed and sitting on the side close to her feet.”Tell us.”

“I was not watching and got separated. My thoughts and sights were on something else.” she said still nursing escaping tears.

“There was so much chaos going on that distractions happen, little one,” Legolas said.

“I know. I was watching Aragorn take Haldir in to the keep with his brothers.” she said. Rumil sat back looking at her quietly with Orophin beside him.

“You were worried for him. That does not happen much. No one blames you.” Orophine said quietly.

“You saved him. Everyone is more thankful for that. You showed a courage that no one thought possible in a young elleth.” Rumil said. “You kept us from losing our brother. Never blame yourself.”

Cassie saw where this was going. Feeling sorry was not the way to go. She took her untaken hand and wiped her tears away. She looked up and smiled at them all. About that time Haldir began to stir. She looked up at him as he raised his head. He looked tired. She squeezed his hand. At the action his head shot in her direction. He smiled brightly. His smile alone made her heart leap with joy.

“Hello there, lirimaer. When did you awaken?” he said then looked around. “Oh I did not know all of you were here why did no one wake me?”

“You were resting. Elladan and Elrohir a few moments ago, they went to fetch the healers and Gimli went to get the king and the Mithrandir.” Glorfindel said. “We will all leave and allow you to talk. Cassie, We will see you again soon.”

“Thank you all for being here. I will see you later.” she said smiling.

“We will stop in in the morning and see you before we leave, we will be riding with the Mithrandir and King Theoden to Isengard. We will return in a few days.” Orophin said. Rumil and him bowed in respect then left followed by Aragorn and Legolas. Then Glorfindel.

She turned to Haldir who was looking at her with utter relief sadness started to cloud his eyes. “I was worried about you. I am sorry for failing to protect you.,” he said looking down sadly.

“Haldir, you did not fail. I should not have stopped and got distracted. Thank the valar that Glorfindel was there to help.” she said looking at Haldir.

“You got distracted, why?” he asked simply.

“I was watching to make sure you were safely in the Keep when I got attacked.” she said.

“Thank you for saving my life.” He said raising her hand and kissing it. She blushed and looked away from him.

“I had to Haldir. I L-” she started to say it, but stopped herself. She blushed a little more.

“What? Tell me. Why did you have to?” he asked her raising an eyebrow. He caught on to what she was about to say, but wanted to hear it.

She sat trying to figure out how to cover this one. The truth had almost slipped up. “You are loved by your people. They need you in the time to come very soon. “She said telling him nothing of the battle of Dol Guldor the months to come. Haldir looked at her and knew she was holding something back but chose not to pursue it furhter.

They were interrupted when the healers entered the room to take care of her.