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The Forsaken

By: Shanastay
folder -Multi-Age › General
Rating: Adult ++
Chapters: 9
Views: 3,617
Reviews: 85
Recommended: 0
Currently Reading: 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
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The Arrival

Disclaimer: (In the spirit of Crimson Starlight)

Shana: Kudos to Tal for birthing yet ANOTHER plot bunny. As if I don't have enough to deal with already.

Tal: HEY!

Haldir: *smug grin*

Tal: *blinks* Why's HE so happy?

Shana: He got some.

Tal: *frowns* Some what?

Shana: I am NOT answering that.

Haldir: Shanastay owns nothing and blames Tal for the basic premise of this fic as well as co-author credits somewhere down the line.

Tal: *looks at Hal* You got some what?

Haldir: *just smirks*

Chapter 1: The Arrival

Haldir awoke to pounding on the front door. Looking down at the short redhead in his arms he realized she slept on, exhausted from an emotional evening. The Marchwarden carefully disengaged himself from Shar, tucking the covers back around her before grabbing his robe off the stand by the door.

Glancing at the digital clock as he passed it he registered the time as 3:30am. Who could be at the door at this hour? He snagged a hair-tie off the sink as he swept past pulling his hair back and over his ears, just in case the person at the door was a human unaware of his presence in Shar's home.

Only her closest friends new of his true nature, everyone else they kept ignorant of his heritage fearful of the stir and unwanted attention that would result. Amazingly enough, her friends had accepted him no questions asked. Strangers, mostly women, however often questioned why he chose to be with the vertically-challenged, opinionated woman. Let them wonder. I am content with my choice.

Haldir stood before the front door, looking through the peep-hole. He threw the door open wide at what he saw, quickly pulling the form before him inside, closing and locking the door behind him.

The figure before the guardian trembled, looking much smaller than it actually was, dripping wet from the pouring rain that had started a few hours prior. Its clothes, what there was of them, were torn and Haldir could see faint pink lines on the exposed skin where previous wounds had almost finished healing.

Haldir caught the figure as it released a barely audible sob and its legs gave out. Its hands came up to clutch at the collar of the Marchwarden's robe as it lifted its face for the first time. Tears streamed down the fine-boned face, emerald eyes bloodshot from crying. Its raven tresses were matted to its head and falling into its face, the pointed ears clearly exposed. Its lips moved but nothing came out.

Haldir perceived the silent plea for help. The guardian swept the figure into his arms, carrying it to the bathroom. He sat the still-shaking form on the toilet lid while he drew a hot bath. The Marchwarden observed the hunched-over form realizing he'd never get him out of those clothes.

Haldir placed his hand under its chin, raising its face. Haldir looked into his eyes reassuring, "I will be right back." It nodded, watching as the Marchwarden moved away.

Haldir quickly and quietly stole into the bedroom he shared with Shar. He pulled a long-sleeved t-shirt and sueded jeans out of the dresser that Legolas had left behind after his last visit before rummaging aroun thn the pocket of the leather coat Shar had given him. He found the pocket knife and returned to the bathroom where the tub had filled.

The guardian turned off the water and placed the clothing on the back of the toilet tank. Haldir knelt before the figure, making sure his robe remained closed. "Your clothes are too mangled; I'm going to have to cut them off, ok?"

The trembling form nodded, trying to hold still as the larger elf carefully cut and peeled away the shredded material. Once it was divested of the ruined fabric, Haldir helped it step into the steaming water. A sigh escaped its lips as it dropped into the water and settled back against the porcelain.

Haldir hesitantly asked, "Can you do this yourself or do you want me to stay? Otherwise I will make up a place for you to sleep." The form nodded that it could bathe itself and the guardian pointed out the various toiletries, taking the ruined clothing with him to discard, closing the door behind him as he left.

The slight form slid down in the tub, bringing its knees up, dropping its head back in the water. The steaming bath quickly chased the chill from its body. I came to the right place, thank the Valar. But where is the human Haldir lives here with? Realizing how late it must be, she is probably asleep and Haldir chose not to wake her. Will she be as welcoming as he when she does awaken?

The raven-haired elf knew little of the human Haldir had bonded to, having only met her once before entering into the captivity he had just been released from. That one time she had made clear to him an open invitation to her home at any time. What he did know was that she had to have tremendous patience to put up with the notoriously arrogant and demanding Marchwarden. Haldir was fiercely loyal once you won his respect, but it took a great deal to do that.

The elf sighed. I wish I had made as wise a choice as he. Instead I allowed my judgment to be clouded and was mislead. I have paid dearly for that mistake. He shuddered, thinking back on the abuse he had suffered, new tears finding their way down his face. He slowly sat up, reaching for the soap and shampoo, mechanically cleansingselfself.

***************

Haldir closed the bathroom door behind him, quickly moving away. What happened to you my friend? How did you come to be in such a state? Pushing the thoughts away, the tall elf silently stole back into the bedroom, going through the closet until he found the flannel comforter and pillows he was looking for.

He heard movemerom rom the bed and turned to see Shar turn in her sleep, obviously reaching for his missing form, brow creased until her hand fell upon the large teddy-bear pushed against the wall. She pulled the bear to her and relaxed back into sleep.

Please don't let her have a flashback while I am tending to my friend. This night has already been too much for her without that too. They both had had a bad time of it lately, each battling their own specters of the past, but they were dealing, especially now that they knew the source of their demons. Talking is highly underrated sometimes. Not talking was what caused us problems in the past, but no more. Haldir smiled at how the woman had so gently gotten him to open up about the most traumatic events of his life.

The blonde elf retrieved the items he needed and ratedated to the living room, making up the larger couch. Finished with that he returned to the bathroom, knocking softly, once again thanking the Valar Shar's roommate was out of town for the week.

Hearing a muffled reply Haldir cracked the door, poking his head inside. The pale elf looked up at the Marchwarden with a small smile from the water. Haldir noted he was no longer shaking.

The raven-haired elf spoke quietly, his words barely audible, "I think I need help getting out."

Haldir's head disappeared for a moment as he grabbed a large towel from the cabinet and returned, closing the door behind him. He placed the towel on the toilet lid, turning and leaning down to place his hands under the other elf's arms. Haldir marveled that the already slim elf had apparently lost more weight.

The dark elf grasped the Marchwarden's forearms, helping as much as he could. The guardian helped him step from the water and encouraged the other to lean into him as he was dried off. Once dry Haldir helped him dress and walked him out to the couch which the other sank gratefully onto, quietly murmuring his thanks.

Haldir bade him sit up for a moment more as he moved to the kitchen. He clearly has not eaten in who knows how long. Solid food would be bad right away. Best bet would be something liquid.

Haldir rummaged around in the fridge until he came up with one of Shar's Slim-Fast shakes she would drink when she was rushed and didn't have time to eat a full meal. Perfect. He picked a fruit-flavored one he knew tasted good and returned to the dark-haired elf, handing it to him.

The smaller elf nodded his thanks, starting to inhale the liquid. Haldir caught the other's hand, murmuring, "Slowly." The other nodded and slowed himself, handing the can back when he finished. Haldir placed it aside and helped settle the elf into the large, cushy couch, wrapped up in the warm comforter.

"I will be right in there if you need anything," he said pointing to Shar's bedroom door. "Do not hesitate to call for me. Don't worry about Shar, she will understand if she awakens." Haldir smiled down at his dear friend as he turned to return to the spirited female's side. As he reached the bedroom door he called out quietly, "Sleep well Erestor, you are safe here."

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Woo-hoo! Starting a new fic. I credit Tal with the inspiration and some of the dialogue that will appear in later chapters.

Like it? Want more? Want to know what happened? All will be revealed soon. Drop me a review please tho. Always looking for feedback.

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