Strange Allies

~~~

A/N: Well, it looks like things are going to get a bit dicey around here for a while with everyone putting their disclaimers on. We might end up getting bumped into oblivion so keep an eye out!

Disclaimer – I don’t own any of this and I haven’t made one red cent from it. So there.

Sandra – LOL! I’m glad you enjoy reading about my adventures. That sailor jerry is bad news. He and that infernal Captain Morgan think they can just attack us any old time and sail away unscathed! HA! We showed them! (LOL at the Chippendales dancer! I can only imagine! LOL!)

You know – I hadn’t noticed the total hit count but you are correct. Wow! I’m impressed with that! You all are great! I love that urbandictionary site. It’s hilarious! And I wouldn’t worry too much about him. He has a plan in mind. And there’s plenty of “hawt” sex. As if there could be anything else when HE is involved. ~dramatic sigh~

Naira – yes, sometimes he can surprise us, can’t he?

Phairesse – things are always darkest before the dawn! Soon Annowe will have to make a sacrifice for him. Heh.

~~~~

The distraught naiad burst into tears and flung herself into his arms, clinging to him tightly as she buried her face in his chest. His scent only reminded her of what she had to lose. She felt his graceful hands stroke her back soothingly and she wanted to scream at the futility of it all. Silently she cursed The Ring and Sauron and the men who could not bear to destroy the evil thing in the first place!

Because of their stubbornness and pride she could very well lose the one being who she desired the most. The thought made her hug Haldir tighter and he grunted at her strength.

She could not allow him to stay here! He could go mad or worse! What if his refusal to leave when he was called meant that he could never go to Valinor? Did he only have this one chance to go to his true home or be cast adrift forever? She squeezed her eyes shut in a futile effort to stop that line of thinking. What if he could never go home?

She could not ask that from him. It was not her right. And yet she felt that could not leave her world behind without a second thought. There was still too much danger to her family and friends. And if they tarried too long he might go mad!

What good would it do him to go to Valinor if he went mad first? She shivered at the thought. He would be lost to her forever then! She could remain in Middle Earth but he could not. But could she go to Valinor with him? If not, what could they do?

“Haldir,” she sniffed. “I’m scared.”

A faint smile twisted the corner of his lips. “I am too, little one,” he admitted quietly.

Slowly she raised her tear stained face to him. She looked so small and frightened that he wanted to promise her that nothing would ever happen to him, that she need not fear and yet he knew that would be less than the truth. He was well aware of the consequences of not answering the call. But he was not about to leave her behind. It was unthinkable to him.

“Goldberry,” she asked softly, wiping her eyes and turning to her sister. “Can I go to Valinor? Is it possible?”

Goldberry tilted her head slightly. “I believe so. But I am not certain. If any of our sisters have gone to Valinor, none have ever returned to speak of it,” she answered thoughtfully.

“There are few who have been allowed to return once they arrive in Valinor,” Tom said sagely. “Not many would voluntarily leave such a splendid place!”

Annowe smiled faintly at his attempt at humor. “How long before. . .?” She could not bring herself to finish the question; it would be like asking the madness to come.

Tom sighed and shrugged. “I do not know for certain,” he admitted slowly. “It rather depends on Haldir.” He paused thoughtfully before adding, “and you.”

“What can I do?” She asked miserably.

What could she do aside from leave with him? And would he even leave now not knowing what might happen to his brothers? It was all just too much! How could she do anything? She hated this feeling of helplessness and vulnerability.

“I wish I could just make time stop,” she wailed in frustration. It just wasn’t right! How could she stay here and yet leave with him? There simply was not enough time! There had to be a way! There had to be some way to protect Haldir from the madness!

Goldberry’s eyes suddenly lit up and reached out to squeeze Tom’s arm confidingly. Annowe’s anguished outburst had reminded her of something from long ago. But would it work now? Would it work for him?

When she was younger she could remember her sisters luring unsuspecting men into the river to have their pleasure with him only to release him later. The poor creature would return to his kin only to find that many years had passed since he was last seen although he himself had not aged a day. Could it work now with Haldir?

Reluctant to give either one false hope, she decided to discuss the matter with Tom first. Only after she had his thoughts would she mention it to Annowe. And the March Warden would just have to find out on his own. She had a suspicion that if he knew what she had mind he would flatly refuse. But once the deed had been done, his protests would be futile.

“Tom, I need to speak to you outside,” the older naiad murmured.

With a slow nod, he stood up from the table. He could see the gleam in her eye and wondered what she was about. Ah, well, he would find out soon enough! She could never keep anything from him for long!

“Perhaps the two of you should be alone,” Tom said gently. “Goldberry and I have other matters to attend and the two of you need to discuss your future.”

At Annowe’s anxious frown, he said soothingly, “Fear not! We will return for supper.”

With that the two slipped from the house leaving a curious Annowe and Haldir alone.

“That was odd,” Haldir mused. What were they up to? Goldberry had thought of something, he was certain of it. But why was she being so secretive? And why wouldn’t she want to discuss the matter with Annowe?

“Yes,” she agreed softly, resting her head against his chest. He was so strong and beautiful and perfect. How could she ever consider sacrificing him for her own conscious?

He sighed and held her. He did not want to force her to leave with him. That was not his goal. He simply refused to be parted from her – he was not about to lose her as he had lost Glorfindel. Not that he believed for one moment that Legolas could break their bond. But if she perished trying to find the young prince he would never forgive himself for allowing her to remain behind as he fled to safety.

It was absurd that she would even consider such a notion! Did she think that he could simply walk away knowing the danger that awaited her? He snorted softly and clenched his hand in her hair. Sometimes he just wanted to turn her over his knee and give her a sound spanking for being so foolish!

~~~~

Quickly, Tom and Goldberry rounded the house out of sight and spoke in hushed voices as Goldberry voiced her thoughts. Annowe could not make time stop but perhaps they could make it seem that way for Haldir. She knew of such things happening to men but would it work for an elf? What did Tom think of this?

He had to cover his mouth with a gnarly hand in order to keep from laughing out loud when he realized what she was suggesting. Yes, it would likely work, he agreed. How long it would last he wasn’t certain. Elves had no real sense of time like men had so there was no way to tell how it would affect Haldir. But it just might be enough so Annowe could find Legolas.

Goldberry nodded in understanding. She was not certain, either, but it was worth a try for Annowe’s sake.

It had been a game of the naiads when they had been young and she wondered if they would be eager to play it again with an elf. She giggled. Several of her sisters would relish the thought of having the March Warden of Lorien in their clutches. But would Annowe agree to it? How certain was she of his affections? Goldberry did not doubt his feelings for her sister. He was prepared to ignore Valinor for her. What was Annowe prepared to do for him?

That must be her choice. She would have to trust Haldir and trust her sisters. It would be her test for him.

“Do you think he will resist?” Goldberry asked anxiously. If Haldir did not co-operate or if he understood what they were up to, he would be likely to struggle that much more against them. That would ruin the entire endeavor. No, he must go willingly into their clutches and stay with the daughters of Ulmo for a while.

Tom thoughtfully considered this for a moment. “Not likely. Not if I know your sisters,” he grinned wickedly. “They can be quite,” he paused and raised his eyebrows suggestively. “Persuasive.”

Goldberry laughed delightedly. Yes, they could be very persuasive. Especially when they were determined to help one of their own!

~~~