Fated to Love

Chapter Eight: Healing in Rivendell.
Approximate date is March 13th and 14th 3019

Later on Haldir was awakened by a light knocking on the door of his chambers. He rose slowly still half asleep and went to answer it. Arwen and another elleth stood on the other side in the hall. Arwen smiled.

gHaldir this is Linde, she is a healing assistant. My father insisted that she check out your arm to make sure it is healed properly,” Arwen said. Haldir nodded and opened the door further to allow the two elleths to enter. He turned on his heels and went to sit on the bed. The healer told him to take off his tunic. Haldir looked a little uncomfortable about Arwen being there.

gWhat is the matter, Haldir? I have seen males without their tunics before. I have assisted my father many times. There is no shame in it,” she said with a slight giggle.

The healing assistant grasped his arm and looked at it. She touched the wound lightly and Haldir winced. She stood back up and looked down at the Captain. “Well it seems this wound is well healed. However, it will remain tender for a while, but please do go easy on it,” she said helping him to put his tunic on. Arwen looked down happy to see her old friend healed well.

Haldir looked up at her. “Tell me Arwen, when can I see Cassie?” he asked quietly.

gSoon, father is with her again. The warriors arrived a short while ago with the herbs. He is administering the first dose now. I will tell you this, while bathing her; she stirred on her own a little,” Arwen said offering hope to her friend. A sigh of relief came from Haldir's soul. Arwen reached out and brushed his good arm with her hand. “Worry not Haldir, my grandmother and my father know what they are doing. Before we know it, she will be whole again.”

gThank you my lady. Please inform me when I can go and see her. My heart aches to see her again,” Haldir admitted. Arwen smiled and went to leave the room, but before leaving she stopped at the door and looked at him.

gHaldir, mellon, try and rest. I will come get you myself. I worry for your heart, you look very tired,” she said watching him a moment.

gI will my lady,” Haldir said compliantly.

Arwen and the assistant left the room. Haldir found himself alone yet again. He laid back on the bed and soon found himself in a peaceful reverie. The first time since leaving his beloved Lorien.

~~~~~~~

Short time later, Haldir decided that he would check on the other injured elves in his company. There was chaos in the halls of the healing wings as healers and assistants rushed around getting the bandages and the baths ready for the new arrivals.

He came upon Elladan and Elrohir in the halls. Both stopped their tasks to converse with him.

gHaldir, you are looking better. Any news of Cassie's condition?” Elladan asked.

gThe only thing I know is that she stirred a little. Elrond is with her still I think. How are the others?” Haldir asked.

gThey are faring well. All has been put to bed, and the ones that recovered the minor injuries, are being checked out,” Elrohir said.

gThat is well. I am glad to hear it. Elladan, you were right. She was poisoned by some new kind. My Lady had told Elrond what was needed to cure it,” Haldir said.

gI figured as much. Did father happened to say why she was so combative against the elves in our party?” Elladan said curious.

gHe said she was hallucinating and that she saw elves in the orcs. He said that the hallucinations were very real to her,” Haldir said answering it the best he could.

Soon after his statement, a scream rang out and echoed in the halls. Elladan, Haldir and Elrohir stopped the conversation, all their eyes shooting in the direction of the screaming. Elladan and Elrohir dropped what they were doing and ran in the direction of Cassie's room with Haldir close behind them. They burst into the room and what they saw struck them hard. Cassie was violently thrashing and convulsing on the bed. Elrond and two healers were trying to hold her down, blood was pouring from the wound on her side and a purple substance was coming from her mouth. A long line of cursing came from Cassie that was heard throughout the room and down the halls. Arwen stood there in horror watching the scene play out before her. Haldir went to rush to Cassie's side but was stopped by Elladan and Elrohir. “Let me go!” he yelled. Elrond heard Haldir's voice and turned.

Elrond's brow was furled into an arch of venom. “Get him out of here!! Now!” Elrond spat.

Arwen went up to Haldir and looked at him concerned. “Come now, mellon. Let them do their work,” she spoke sweetly.

gNo, I have to stay with her!” Haldir spat out. Elladan and Elrohir could hardly contain him as he fought hard to get away from them. Soon Haldir's brothers and Lord Glorfindel joined in the fight to get Haldir from the room. The five elves pulled with everything in them and finally prevailed. Arwen shut the door once he was out. Haldir broke away from them and he stalked over to the other side of the hall, leaning his head against the wall. Arwen's heart was stricken with grief for her friend. She knew his pain, and what it felt like to want to be with the one you are meant for. She slowly walked up behind him and timidly touched his shoulder. Haldir shrugged off her hand.

gMellon, please do not push me away. I have known you all my life. I hate to see you like this, please!” she pleaded with him.

Haldir's mind became clouded as tears filled his eyes. He wanted to keep the promise he had made to Cassie. He wanted to hold her, protect her, and make her pain go away but was not allowed. His brothers stood near watching their eldest brother slowly breaking. The twins decided to allow the Captain some time alone in his hurt. As they turned to leave so did Glorfindel. Haldir turned his back to the wall, trying to catch his reserve and compose himself. Slowly he sank to the floor. Bringing his knees up to circle them with his arms. His head bent so no one would see his face. Arwen knelt in front of him and his brothers, one on each side. His brothers placed their hands on his shoulders. They watched as the infamous Captain broke into a million pieces. He was weeping.

gHaldir, mellon,” Arwen said as tears filled her eyes. She immediately reached out and hugged him. The arrogant, aloof, and noble elf she had always known, was now a shattered and broken mess. Love had truly gripped him. This they all knew. For a moment Haldir just sat there weeping. Arwen began to rub his back in a comforting manner. Suddenly, Haldir, an elf that was so used to not being comforted, reached out and hugged the elleth to him. He buried his head into her should and wept openly. Arwen looked up at his brothers. “Please will you leave us for a few moments,” she softly to them. They both nodded and stood to leave. They looked back at their brother once more before leaving. They whispered to one another.
gI knew it, Orophin,” Rumil started, “He is in love with her.”

gI know my brother. I cannot believe that after all these years he finally found her, the one,” Orophin said looking at his eldest brother then looking sadly to the door leading to Cassie. “I just pray that the Valar will intervene soon. He will fade if she does not survive.”

Both brothers left the hall to find the twins and assist with the injured.

~~~~~~

Arwen sat there with Haldir as he openly wept. She moved to sit next to him and pulled him to lay his head on her shoulder. Haldir sat there quietly, listening as the yelling and screaming continued. With every cry that came from the room, Haldir jolted. Arwen stroked his hair and whispered quiet comforting words to soothe him. For a couple hours Arwen held onto him as the cries and screaming continued.

Suddenly the noises stopped and the silence in the halls became deafening. Haldir sat up and his heart began racing. Fear for the first time in a millennia, gripped his heart. 'Has she died?' he thought. Arwen sat silently. She sensed his thoughts. “Haldir, fear not. She has not had a second chance for nothing. Think of that. I will go and check on her.” Arwen stood and then walked to the door and opened it.

Haldir sat there holding his breath for a few minutes, waiting for the Evenstar to come back out. His brothers made their way back toward him with the twins behind them. The four elves sat on the floor waiting with him.

gHaldir, my brother, are you alright?” Orophin asked putting a hand on his brother's shoulder.

Haldir just sat there looking at him, he did not answer. All five elves attention shot to the door, when they heard it open. Lord Elrond approached them and looked down with a pensive look on his face. He was not please with how Haldir had acted, this Haldir knew. But his face softened a bit seeing that Haldir had been weeping for the girl. A slight smile on his face formed. “She will live,” he said softly. Haldir had gripped for the worse news of his life and did not hear what the Elf Lord said. His brothers and the twins sighed in relief. Sensing Haldir had not heard him, Elrond spoke up, “Haldir, did you hear me? SHE will live.”

Haldir's eyes shot up realizing what he had said. Joy filled his heart knowing that she would soon be well. Haldir gathered himself and stood in front of the Lord. “When may I see her?” Haldir asked hurriedly.

gShortly. The effects of the first doses are being cleaned away from her but I will tell you she is not completely out of the woods. The poison has affected her mind some. It will take a while to get completely out of her system. Fear not, I will continue administering the potion to her once a day until she is better,” Elrond said wiping his hand with a towel.

gWill it affect her like the first doses did?” Orophin asked.

gNo, I was told that the first dose would do this but it will not happen like this anymore, this I promise. The affect of the poison on her mind will leave her confused and a little alienated, that I do know,” Elrond said, looking at Haldir who was now greatly relieved by the news.

gWhat is the next order of action we must take, My Lord?” Haldir asked.

gOnce she has gained her strength back, we must try and get her to talk about what she saw during the darkness of her mind. Once she begins to talk about it, she will begin to heal,” Elrond said. “Now I must go and check on the other patients. Arwen will tell you when she is done with Cassie.” Elrond turned and left, taking his sons with him. Haldir's brothers stayed behind.

~~~~~

It was now midnight, and Arwen opened the door and looked into the hall. She smiled at the sight of the three brothers sitting on the floor of the hallway asleep. She quietly walked over and bent to wake them all up. Haldir jolted and looked up at her sleepily. She smiled down at him sweetly. “Haldir, I am done with her. You may go in if you like,” she said. Haldir wasted no time to go to her. His brothers called to him that they would let him be alone with her.

Arwen led Haldir to the room and opened the door. Candles were lit all over the room. He saw Cassie lying there on the bed. She was sleeping peacefully. The sight of her face in the soft glow of the candles made her look beautiful. His breath caught in his throat. Arwen smiled.

gShe only sleeps, Haldir, calmly I should say. While cleaning her, the healers and I heard her mumble your name. Does that comfort you, mellon?” she said whispering.

gShe is a sight for sore eyes. She is so beautiful to me. Yes I am comforted. Thank you, my lady,” he said looking at her. Arwen smiled and turned to leave the room.

Haldir walked over to the bed and gently scooted the chair beside it. He reached out and grabbed her hand in his and gently stroked it with his thumb. He loved the feel of her hands in his. Looking down at her, he noticed that her color was slowly returning but the dark circles under her eyes were still there. A breeze gently blew through the window with a slight chill to it. He shivered slightly and noticed that her hair had blown into her face. He gently reached up and brushed the lock behind her ear, accidentally touching the tip. The gentle touch was enough to cause Cassie to stir a little. Haldir immediately pulled his hand back. He did not want to wake her, she needed her rest. She fidgeted in her sleep. Haldir sensing her distress, slowly took off his boots and climbed up into the bed beside her.

He laid there for quite sometime watching her sleep, reveling in how good it felt to hold her in his arms again. He whispered soothing words into her ears and gently rubbed her arm with his hand. She slightly turned her head towards him in response to his touches. He bent and lightly brushed his lips across hers. The kiss was tender and soothing. He backed up and looked down on the beauty in his arms, careful not to hurt her side. “Please come back to me, lirimaer,” he said softly. Soon, his heart filled with joy and contentment. Haldir found his sleep.

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N/A: Sorry this chapter is so short. But I felt it needed to end right here. The next chapter is going to be even better. I hope you are enjoying this story. Please review and let me know what you think. I thrive on reviews.