Fated to Love

Chapter Seven: Hallucinating and Flight in the dead of night

Cassie continued her dark reverie for the remainder of the trip. Haldir never left her side. Two nights travel from Imladris the twins arrived back to escort them the rest of the way. The reports to Haldir was that Lord Elrond was in complete readiness for their arrival.

The twins were stunned to find out that Cassie's condition had deteriorated so quickly. Elladan had been a faithful student to his father's teachings and became intrigued by the symptoms she was having. He chose to speak to the healer.

The healer stood over Cassie after having just checked her wounds. “You say she was exhibiting violent behavior?” Elladan asked.

gYes, my Lord. There is something that is not quite right with her condition. This infection was slow at first and then sped up. It resulted in her having nightmares, not eating, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and then the other night she was asleep, she woke but yet not wake. She became defensive, yelling for what ever it was she saw to leave her alone then proceeded to attack us when we tried to get near her. If it had not been for Lord Glorfindel, Haldir and his brothers taking to knocking her down and disarming her, we would have not been able to look at the wound,” the healer said with concern.

Elladan thought on this and was fascinated with the information and thought on it with great care. He had spoken with his father the night that he and Elrohir arrived in Imladris. His father had been most interested in Cassie but had never spoken why. Elladan then realized that his father must have known something that he did not. The next line of questioning was meant to gather more information.

gTell me of the wound, the color, the odor, and the texture of it,” he asked the healer.

gWell at first it was only slightly reddened but then by the second day, it festered to the color of deep red with pustules. There were red streaks leading from the wound that grew across the abdomen. There was no odor and the texture was only slightly raised on the skin,” the healer said disgusted by the memory.

At that time, Cassie screamed out again. It was a painful, mournful sound. She had sat up under the outcropped rocks and was staring at something in pure horror. This time she was not so quick to attack anyone. Haldir was close to her trying to calm her but it was not working. The healers rushed to her side. She sat rocking back and forth. Then suddenly, she started to back away from the elves present. The Rohirrim men stood and watched in horror as this young girl grew violent. The men did not seem to bother her, but the elves were the ones that she feared the most.

Cassie leaped up backing away as Elladan and Elrohir approached her.

gGet away, you foul beast of Sauron! Leave me be!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. Cassie seemed to have gotten a world of strength in her, almost superhuman in nature. Just as Haldir reached for her, she grabbed him and threw him several feet away. Elladan and Elrohir, along with the other able bodied elves, stood in horror watching her throw the captain away from her like a rag doll. Elladan noticed that Cassie's eyes never flinched and that she seemed to be staring in space. This was a sign that she was doing these actions in her sleep.

gNo one touches her!” Elladan commanded.

gIf we do not, she will injure herself or one of us!” Haldir yelled back at him.

gHaldir, look at her. She is asleep and hallucinating at the same time. If you wake her she could go into a deep shock,” Elladan said hurriedly.

All those that stood, saw that he was right. Cassie began to calm. She blinked out of her violent reverie, looked around and then passed out. Haldir caught her before she fell. The healers along with Elladan and Elrohir rushed to her side. Elladan winced as her saw the wound. Elrohir gasped as did the others. None of them ever saw the wound they were looking at before. The wound was black and oozing a nasty purple and black fluid. The redness around the wound had turned a greenish color, reddened streaks now traveled further up her body. Her fever had reached an even higher level. Her skin burned like fire. Elladan shot to his feet alarmed.

gHaldir, we need to get her to my father now!” he said hastily.

gWhat is it, Elladan?” Glorfindel said shocked by his alarmed state. The Golden Lord looked at Haldir, who was standing with a panic stricken face.

gI do not believe that this is an infection. I believe she has been poisoned,” Elladan said openly.

gI was there; there was no discoloration on the blade that indicated a poison was on it,” Glorfindel said hurriedly.

gThat may be so, but considering that the enemy has been constantly developing ways to defeat the ones that fight against them, I think that they may have succeeded in something vile,” he said looking at them standing near.

Haldir stood there taking in what he had said. He nodded to acknowledge it. “What do you suggest we do, Lord Elladan?” he asked staring at Cassie's darkening features with utter worry.

gBreak camp, we must keep going quickly. If we travel through the night, we maybe able to get her there by late tomorrow night or the very next morning,” he said looking at the captain.

Haldir nodded to him. The healers agreed that may be the best course of action. Orophin and Rumil left their brother to inform the Rohirrim men to start readying the injured and getting the camp broken up immediately. Lord Glorfindel and Elrohir agreed to ride ahead and try to warn Lord Elrond of the events and the early arrival.

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The Flight to Rivendell
Approximately March 13th two days before the Battle of Pelennor Fields and Second attack on Lorien

Through the night the entourage traveled as fast as they could. Healers went from patient to patient checking them as they traveled. Haldir rode with Cassie in a wagon, held closely to him while one healer rode with them. Haldir worried even more as he held her. Her fever had not broken and she had not opened her eyes, not even in her reverie did she move. He sat there holding her and soothing her with words trying to bring her back to the light.

Elladan soon rode up beside the cart that carried Cassie, Haldir and the healer. “How is she faring?” he asked concerned.

Haldir looked up at him with worry on his face. “She has not stirred. How much longer do you think it will take to get there?” he asked.

gWe are moving faster than I thought we should. We have just entered the outer borders of Rivendell. We shall be there within the next few ours,” he said looking down at them.

The healer in the cart with them was called to the side of one of the other injured soldiers. Looking at Haldir for approval to leave, Haldir nodded and then looked down at the beautiful woman lying in his arms. He gently caressed her cheek and spoke to her softly,”Cassie, my sweet, did you hear Elladan? Soon you will be in the house of Elrond where I know you will find healing and comfort,” He stopped feeling a wave of relief hit him as if speaking in a soft whisper to his heart. Reassurance of this woman's deliverance at hand, he bent and gently brushed his lips on her forehead, “He will bring you back to me.”

Her eyes began to twitch, but she never opened them. This told Haldir that she was fighting something.

Cassie's Reverie

Tormented by unseen forces was what she experienced. Her tormentors were elves once. But now mutilated and tainted by evil. They grabbed her with a force left and right. In her mind, she screamed as they tortured her. Fogged with pain and utter blackness, she was forced to endure it. She searched her mind desperately to seek out some relief. Scenes of her life flashed before her eyes. The battle at the Helm replayed like a horror movie. The aftermath, she had seen the gore. Her mind saw no peace. She fought the unseen forces with a force she never knew existed. The purity of her mind was now tainted by evil, more like stripped and raped from her, touched by the enemy. But a sudden realization hit her while she was in this state of blackness. She could not escape. This is the panic she felt throughout her darkness.

She tried to find solace in the visions shown to her after she was injured; the vision of her new life and the excited feeling she got from seeing the flash before. She recalled the man she married in the vision, the pregnancy, the children, and the happiness. These things brought little hope to her, for her blackness seemed unending. She could no longer feel the light; no longer feel the comfort and the joys that waking up each morning brought to her. She was numb from the torture. Her physical body she knew was protected, but her mind was vulnerable.

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In the sky came a sight that none expected. Gwaihir, one of the Great Eagles, bounded over their heads, flying low in the sky. Upon its back was the Lord of Imladris, Elrond. Haldir breathed a sigh of relief knowing that soon, Cassie would be saved and hope restored.

Just as the great eagle landed, Cassie began to shudder violently. Haldir feeling her body moving, looked down at her. Panic ripped through his heart seeing her suddenly react to something. Haldir yelled for the healers to come that something was happening to her. Her breathing became more labored and her skin glowed red. Elrond dismounted off the massive eagle seeing that they rushed to where she was.

The Elf lord came through the crowd of elves and men, and climbed up beside the girl. Quickly he felt Cassie's forehead and then slowly lifted the tunic she wore to see the wound. Haldir watched as the Lord checked her. The Elf Lord looked up at Haldir, sensing the feelings that the Captain held for this little one. He understood the worry, the pain, and the anguish that laid there. Lord Elrond knew that he must act quickly, for Cassie was dying. If the bond Haldir had formed with the girl and if she died, so would he.

gHaldir, I must take her with me. Gwaihir and I will keep her safe till we make our way to the city. I believe there is hope,” Elrond said trying to ease the troubled mind of the elf.

gDo what must be done, my Lord. I only just found her,” Haldir said without hesitation.

Elrond looked down at the girl and placed a hand to her forehead. He began to speak an ancient spell in Quenyan, part of the language Haldir recognized but was never used anymore. The others standing there watched and wondered what the Lord had said. Haldir did not know this form of the language, but did know that it was a deep sleeping spell. Lord Elrond stood and climbed down out of the cart. Making his way to the side, he bid Haldir to hand Cassie to him gently. Carefully, Haldir shifted to lift Cassie up and place her in the Lord's arms. Elrond cradled the girl close to him. Haldir climbed down and stood facing him. He placed his hand on Cassie's forehead, brushing her hair from her face. The skin was slightly beginning to cool. This was a good sign. Haldir bent down and placed a tender kiss to her forehead.

Elrond looked around at the others in the group. “Continue on now, all of you. The other healers will be waiting at the gates for you when you arrive. Now you must move,” he said quickly turning to mount the massive eagle. After he mounted, he spoke, “Gwaihir, my friend. Fly with haste.” With that the Great Eagle began to run and then flap his wings. Soon they were soaring through the air making their way to Elrond's home.

Meanwhile, Haldir hastily made his way to the loaned steed. He mounted as Elrohir looked at him and said, “ Haldir, ride fast mellon nin. By the time you get there, father will be almost done looking after her.” Haldir turned hearing this and nodded.

gI will mellon. I will see you all soon,” Haldir said turning the horse toward the direction of the city.

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Haldir rode hard and fast to the Last Homely House. Entering the gates Haldir looked up to see that Gwaihir was flying high back toward his home. The Healers were gathering around the gates waiting to assist with the other wounded that was to arrive. Haldir rode up to the front steps of the palace. A stable elf came to take the horse to the stables.

Haldir bounded the stairs and saw Arwen coming toward him. She stopped in front of him.

gHaldir, my father told me to come and greet you,” she said hurriedly.

gHow are you my lady?” he said quickly.

gI am well. I know you are looking for her. She is this way,” Arwen said turning toward the second set of stairs leading to the next level of the halls.

gLady Arwen, how is she? Is she still alive?” Haldir asked panicked.

gYes, she is, but upon arrival she had another violent spell. We had a time getting her to calm down,” the lady said in a worried tone.

Arwen led Haldir through the halls leading to the Healing wing of Elrond's home. As they reached the door to the room, Arwen turned to Haldir and asked him to sit on one of the chairs on the other side of the hall while she goes and check on the progress. Haldir sat reluctantly.

Haldir sat there waiting with great worry in his heart for word on Cassie's condition. He prayed to the Valar for his lady's survival. No peace was left in his heart as he paced the hall wildly for several minutes. He sat quietly with his elbows on his knees and his face buried in his hands. Tears were threatening to fall. “Oh Valar, please spare her,” he pleaded softly. Soon he was brought out of his thoughts when he heard the door open and he stood seeing Elrond approaching.

gHaldir,” Elrond said putting his hand on Haldir's shoulder. His eyes filled with worry.

gMy lord, how is she?” Haldir finally asked sadly.

gIt is as my son feared. She has been poisoned. I have done what I can for now, but she will need time to heal,” Elrond said.

gMy Lord, Lord Glorfindel said that the blade was clean. How can this be?” Haldir said.

gBefore Elladan and Elrohir showed up, Galadriel contacted me about the girl. She knew that she would need help. I asked her what she saw was wrong and she told me that the enemy had developed a new poison with capabilities to mess with the mind and cause a great many symptoms. The Lady impressed what those symptoms were and Cassie is exhibiting all of them but the effects toke place immediately. The reason it reacted so slowly in Cassie is because of her heritage. She was human at first and when the Valar brought her here, the transformation was not complete. At the time she was stabbed, the elven blood had not fully taken affect yet,” Elrond said looking at Haldir who was trying to take in all that the Lord was saying.

gWhy does she look at elves like they will harm her?” Haldir said.

gCause she is hallucinating, and sees elves in the orcs she has encountered. These hallucinations are very real to her. The trauma she has endured is affecting her,” Elrond said.

gLord Elrond will she live?” Haldir said.

gThat is unsure. But the lady did give me hope to believe she will. She gave me a list of herbs that would be beneficial to heal her or stabilize her. But they are not native to here, but in Valinor. However, I sent two of my finest warriors to the Grey Havens. They are going to a healer there that has these herbs that were brought on the ship from the West,” Elrond said giving hope.

Haldir looked at him shocked. “How will they get here on time? I mean that is a long journey.”

gI sent them the night that the lady contacted me. It was the night of Cassie's first vision. These warriors will return very soon. They took two of Gwaihir's kin. The Great Eagles will bring them soon,” Elrond said patting Haldir's back reassuring

Haldir breathed a sigh of relief. His heart lightened some but not completely. Elrond looked at the captain and saw he still dispaired. Elrond decided to tell Haldir more of what he knew.

gHaldir, I know you still worry but I will tell you this. These herbs will not completely cure her, only aid in ridding her body of the toxins. The true healing will come when her body finishes its transformation in to elf kind. Does this comfort you?” Elrond said as Haldir's gaze met his.

gHow long till that happens?” Haldir asked.

gAs soon as the first doses are administered and the cleansing starts. The blood will finish the transformation which should take only a few days.” Elrond went to stand and leave.

gElrond when can I see her?” Haldir said wondering.

gSoon, Arwen is helping the other healers with bathing her. I suggest you do the same. Your room is right there,” Elrond said pointing to the door next to the one that led to Cassie‘s. She was in adjoining room. Haldir was relieved by this. “There is fresh clothing and a bath being drawn for you. Arwen will come and get you when they are done. A healer will come and check your wound to make sure it is well. Now I must go to the gates. The rest of the entourage is arriving in a few minutes,” Elrond said leaving Haldir's side.

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Haldir's Thoughts

Haldir made his way into his chambers. His heart filling with a glimmer of hope. Haldir found a bath drawn for him. He slowly undressed and then immersed himself in the hot water. He soon found himself in a deep reverie.

The reverie was a replay of the moment he saw her on the stairs of the Helm. She had been so beautiful then to him, a light in the midst of great darkness. Her hair flowed in the breeze. His heart soared with a feeling that, he in his long life, had never felt before. He was drawn to this woman for reasons that he could not understand. Seeing her in the days before her condition worsened. She fought for people she did not know, saving him, the loss of lives in battle, and then on the plains during the journey, helping with the wounded. She thought not of herself, but of others. The light he now realized was compassion and purity of the heart.

Haldir soon got out of the bath and dried himself and dressed, lying on his bed finally feeling relaxed. He soon drifted off to sweet reverie, dreaming of his beloved home of Lorien and of an elleth that seem to be more important to him.

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N/A: I would like to Thank My wonderful beta, Balrog, for her help on this chapter. This chapter could have gone so many different ways. She was the one that helped me figure out the right path to take. The Great Eagles was her idea. I wanted to add a little drama to this chapter. I hope you enjoy it and Please as Always Review , but be kind. Thank you.