Fated to Love

Chapter Five: Request and Departure

Cassie sat in her tiny room eating and dressing for the day. It was the first time in two days she was able to move around. Thank the Valar with her new self she was feeling the healing properties of being an elf. This she was happy for. Though still not fully healed and still not completely out of danger, she was allowed a little movement about the room and down the hall. Elladan and Elrohir, as with the other elven healer, insisted that she do the movements a little at a time to keep her from stiffening.

Haldir had finally left her side to bid his brothers as well as the others good bye on their journey to Isengard.

Earlier Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli and the Mithrandir had come in to bid their farewell and well wishes. Orophin and Rumil had promised that they would see her later. This gladdened her heart.

After cleaning up with the help of Éowyn and dressing, Lord Glorfindel and Haldir returned with Elrond's sons. She sat up on the bed as the healer rechecked her wounds. Satisfied, the healer turned to the Lords and spoke happily with what his assessment was.

“All should be well enough for travel, but while on the journey we must rest often. For she is not fully healed and neither is most of the other injured,” the healer said looking at Haldir and Glorfindel. The healer turned to leave.

Cassie did not quite catch what had been said but when it donned on her, she looked at the visitors with questioning eyes. Her mouth dropped open.

“Um, what did he mean by that?” she asked confused.

“What do you mean little one?” Glorfindel said.

“He spoke about me traveling. Am I supposed to be going somewhere?” she asked.

“Well, Cassie, we have spoken to King Théoden and to Mithrandir about you and it is felt that you would fare better amongst the elves,” Elladan said looking at her.

“You decided my fate without asking me?” she said. How could they do that to her? she thought.

“Cassie, you are not from this world you know this but the Valar has seen fit to place you with Elven blood. It is only befitting that you come with us,” Elrohir said looking at Haldir and Lord Glorfindel.

Cassie looked down a little hurt by them not asking her what she wanted. She knew she was in a world that was full of chaos and felt the fear of not knowing what her future was but relented on their assessment with truth in her heart. She always lived with the love of Tolkien's stories, of the elves and wanted to see what they were like, but still even though she could not return to her world, she was happy with the decision made for her. But a stubbornness that she had never known crept up on her.

“What would make you think that I would want to be amongst the elves? I never thought that I would be allowed to enter the realms of elves. After all I am human,” she said forgetting that she now possessed a new body that spoke otherwise.

“You would be most welcomed there, little one, for you are no longer the human you were. The lady of Lothlorien and our Lord Elrond would deem you an elf,” Glorfindel said making his argument.

Cassie looked at him then to the others. Haldir sat there with hope in his eyes. Her heart had always belonged to this elf ever since his presence was made in the books and made his debut on screen. She felt strangely out of place.

Haldir saw the confusion in her eyes and asked the others to leave them for a moment. The other three left the room.

“Little one, I told you that the Lady spoke of you to me before leaving Lorien. When I saw you upon the stairs I knew that you were the one of whom she spoke. You have been given a choice and as I was told by Mithrandir, you made it. Why do you suddenly have this feeling?” Haldir asked wondering.

“I do not know, Haldir. I must not have thought it through thoroughly. I feel a sudden fear of this world. What I know of this world is only from books and movies. Never had I thought I would actually be here. I mean this world was supposed to only be a myth, a story, not for real. I mean what I saw three nights ago scared me. Can I really live in this world?” she asked him.

“Cassie, when you were in your reverie, what were you shown?” Haldir asked already knowing. He was making an attempt on easing her mind of her decision.

“I was shown things that I wish not to speak of,” she said in disgust. She did not want to relive it.

“Cassie, please share it with me. After all you saved me and that would make you a dear friend to me. Elves do not forget the good that one does for them. Please tell me,” Haldir begged.

Cassie considered what he had said. He was right, she did take it upon herself to save him, someone that she admired from the books and the movies. She was glad he thought of her so highly.

“Haldir, it was awful. I don’t know if I can,” she said still doubting.

Haldir reached for her hand and lightly squeezed it. “Please tell me, mellon,” he said pleading with her.

Cassie relented. She sighed deeply and decided to give in.

“In my world, Haldir, I died. I watched as my own body died. Your lady visited me and told me that the Valar had given me a second chance of another life. She showed me what the choices were. One of my lives, if I survived in my world, would not have been much. I would have been broken and battered. Never would I be married or even have children, no use of my legs, no life of use at all,” she said as a tear formed. Haldir reached and lightly brushed that tear away.

“That sounds like no life at all, lirimaer. But what of the other choice?” he asked.

“The other was a life here that showed joy and love. A beauty that I could only dream; peace and happiness,” she said leaving out details.

“That sounds like a better choice. So why do you hesitate on the future here?” he asked.

“I do not know. I did not give much thought to it. I would rather have the only life I could have, that was here for me. I looked at my broken, dying body and realized I truly had no choice other than to live. I watched myself die,” she said sadly.

Haldir felt her pain of the memory of what she saw. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into a tight protective embrace. Cassie clutched his under tunic. She looked up at him, he only looked down and smiled.

She finally she felt safe.

“If you wish me to go with you and the others I will do so. But I still have so many things to work out, okay?” she said looking at him. He smiled happily.

“This I vow to you Cassie. I know that this world is chaotic for you but know that I will always protect you and keep you from harm. Is that alright?” he said stroking her hair.

“Yes. So when do we leave?” she asked him pulling away to look at his face.

“We leave tomorrow morning. By this time, those that went to Isengard, will start back. It is only a day’s ride from here. By the time we leave in the morning, Orophin and Rumil will be on their way to the meeting place where we discussed at the Gap of Rohan,” Haldir said standing up and readying to leave the room. “Now I bid you, my lady, to rest and be ready.” Haldir turned to her and bent to help her lie down.

After covering her with a blanket he lightly placed a linger kiss to her forehead. Cassie looked up at him. He was so tall and illuminating, he was a vision of elven beauty. With him she knew she would be safe. Suddenly her doubts faded and a new excitement rose up in her. She should have expected them to ask her to go. She knew that they would leave sooner or later. Why she had this wash of doubt to come upon her, she did not know.

Soon sleep took her.

~~~~

The Following Morning

Cassie awoke the next morning feeling stiff and sore. The sun had not yet risen in the sky. Haldir came into her tiny room to make sure she had awakened.

“Haldir how can it be that your arm is almost completely healed and I am still not there yet?” she asked smiling at him with pain in her eyes.

Haldir smiled at her question. “Because, lirimaer, I have been an elf longer,” he said with a jesting smile.

“Oh really, well that explains a lot. You do not have to be so smug about it. Man, I am hurting this morning,” she said making a simple statement.

Haldir's joking manner quickly left as soon as he heard of her admission. Concern crossed his face. “Cassie, do you need me to find a healer?” he asked worried.

“No, I am just sore and stiff. I need help getting myself ready, I think,” she said trying to shrug off the pain.

“Éowyn will be here shortly. Elladan and Elrohir, I believe, went to find her for us,” he said sitting down on the bed beside her.

“So, how does your arm fare, Haldir, for real?” she asked curiously.

“A few more days, it will be like I was never injured. I just pray to the Valar that your healing abilities will come alive quickly. We have a long journey before we reach Imladris,” he said looking at her smiling.

“How long will it take us to get there? What path are we taking?” she asked curious. She remembered the maps she had studied of the terrains of Middle Earth.

“Well, like I said yesterday, we will meet Orophin and Rumil at the Gap of Rohan. Then from there we will travel North following the foot of the Misty Mountains to Rivendell. It will take seven days if we take it easy on the stops. But since there are injured elves with us, we will have to stop frequently,” he said looking at her hair. He reached up and pushed a dark wisp of hair and placed it behind her ear.

His touching her ear slightly sending a shiver down her spine. She blushed and looked him in the eyes. He smiled knowing what he had done. “So why such a long road, Haldir?” she asked trying not to notice that he was staring at her ears. The look on his face revealed that he was not too interested in the question.

“Your ears are so beautiful. I cannot believe that they were once round like humans. What were they like before?” he asked with an amused look on his face.

“Haldir, you act like that you have never seen pointed ears before,” she said a little annoyed by his fascination. “Why are you so interested in them?” He was about to reach out and touch them again and she pulled away. She smiled at him and asked, “What has gotten into you this morning? Why are we taking such a long road?”

Haldir snapped out of his demeanor for a moment to answer her. “We are taking the long road because it is safer for one and two, it is the most direct. As for my fascination, I do not know, forgive me. I was just curious?” he said smiling.

“Oh, I see. No need for forgiveness. As for the answer to your question, they felt like ears would normally feel. Only I have to say that hearing with these is now keener then with rounder ones,” she said smiling at him. A small giggle escaped her lips but was stopped when a sharp pain hit her. Haldir sat at attention of this and a look of worry hit him.

“That is it, I am looking for the healer to come look at you and give you something for the pain,” he said not asking, but insisting.

Haldir left her for the moment. She decided she would gather what little of her things she had. Standing, a wave of dizziness hit her hard and she nearly fell onto the bed. She had not felt this way before and could not understand why. She sat on the bed patiently waiting for Haldir to return to her.

A few moments only passed. Through the door came the healer with Haldir and the twins following. The twins had trays with food on it.

“My lady, the Captain told me you were feeling poorly. May I take a look at your wound, please?” the healer said kindly. Cassie sat on the bed and gently raised the night shirt she was wearing. Haldir and the twins turned to give her some privacy by leaving the room.

“Yes, I am feeling some pain, some slight dizziness as well. Not bad though,” she said honestly.

The healer took a look at the wound. His expression changed to that of concern. “My lady, it seems there is some infection. Nothing I would think serious, but I will make a blend of herbs in some tea for pain and an antiseptic, but I will keep a close eye on you while we journey,” he said pulling her shirt down.

“Okay, but please do not alarm Haldir. He will worry too much and is still healing himself,” she said looking at the healer pleadingly.

He nodded and soon left to prepare the draught. Haldir and the twins returned to her room.

“Éowyn is on her way and will be here shortly. The healer did not look too pleased. What did he tell you?” Elladan said looking curiously at her.

“I told him I was in pain and said nothing more than he was going to keep a close eye on me,” she said honestly but leaving out the part where she mentioned to him of the dizziness and the infection.

“That is all?” Elrohir asked raising a brow.

“Yes, Elrohir that is all. I promise. He is making me something for pain. I will be fine,” she said assuring him. Haldir looked at her closely. He sensed deep down that she was hiding something but he did not make mention of it.

“Well anyway, we will pack up your things and then make sure we take them down to the stables. The Rohirrim are allowing us a small party of their men to help get the injured to Imladris. Lord Glorfindel is making preparations now to leave. Haldir and you should eat and ready yourselves,” Elladan said as he and his brother made their way to gather up her pack and head for the door.

Haldir and Cassie sat quietly eating together. She noticed in the corner that Haldir had at some point brought in his armor and cloak. She looked around the tiny room that had been hers over the past two days and decided she would miss its safety. Haldir occasionally would look at her in wonderment. She blushed at his glances. No one had ever looked at her like he did.

Haldir reached her chin to wipe away remnant of fruit juices from her. His touch, although was innocent, sent shock waves down her spine and through her body. He was protective of her and this she felt was a good thing. She knew that he would never let her befall to harm again. She looked up at him once their breakfast was done.

“I wonder where Éowyn is?” she asked curious.

“I do not know. But I must get ready. I hope you do not mind while I put on my armor?” he said innocently.

“No, I do not mind. But will you wearing it not hinder your healing?” she asked concerned.

“No. I am almost back to normal. Besides, it is best that I wear it just in case,” he said smiling at her.

She watched in amazement as he began to strap on the pieces of it with ease, noticing how efficiently he moved. She stood when she noticed he had a little trouble with the left arm of it. She walked over to him even though her pain was evident. He looked at her in shock as he watched her began to fiddle with the straps. His gaze never left her face. She looked up at him and smiled. Now that the armor was on, she reached over to the chair and placed the cloak around his neck. He held the broach that fastened it to him. Handing it to her, their fingers touched and for a brief moment it warmed her heart to help him.
Haldir just stood there staring at her for a moment. His eyes never leaving hers. She blushed at this wildly. To be in his presence was radiant and gave her peace of mind. The moment soon ended as there was a knock on the door. Haldir quickly grabbed his weapons and moved to open the door. On the other side stood Éowyn with fresh clothes for Cassie.

“Captain, how fare you this morning?” she said.

“My lady, I am faring well, thank you.” He turned to Cassie and said, “Cassie, I will leave you to prepare for the journey and see you at the gates.” Cassie nodded and smiled at him.

“Hello, Lady Cassie, I trust you are well this morning?” she asked cheerfully. The healer approached them with the draught. He handed it to Cassie.

“My lady, I do not mean to interrupt, but you must drink this all down,” he said hand her the tea.

“Yes, thank you,” she said drinking it in one swig. The healer smiled and then turned to leave.

Éowyn turned to her. “I heard you were in some pain. I am sorry. I found some clothes for your trip. I am truly sad to see you go,” she said with a smiled that showed her sadness.

“I will miss you too, Lady Éowyn but the next time I see you, you will be a lady of great standing,” Cassie said knowing what would happen.

“My uncle was sad at the decision for you to go but thought it best. He is most gracious at your show of courage in battle,” she said laying out the clothing. Soon another knock sounded and two male elves came in with a tub of steaming water.

“Thank you, put it there,” the Lady said pointing to the foot of the bed. They left the room.

“Thank you my lady, for all your kindness,” Cassie said smiling at her.

“Now let us get you ready for your journey,” she said smiling.