Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net)

Title: The Lost One (#1068)
Author: Lailonniel
Chapters: 17

Archive: Tolkien
Category: Lord of the Rings
Description: A reluctant Elf must journey into her past to find her future. Will Haldir be able to help her, or will the pain from her past consume her? *COMPLETE* Nominated for best het in the MPA fanfiction awards.
Published: 03 Jul 2004
Updated: 19 Aug 2004
Warnings:
Type: Romance
Characters: Haldir; Glorfindel; OC


Chapter 1 - The Huntress

The Lost One

By Lailonniel



Chapter I: The Huntress


Seemingly hidden by the early morning mist, a doe drank from a small stream that ran through the Dunharrow Valley, completely unaware of the danger that approached. Watching the deer closely, the huntress crept from behind a large oak tree and drew her bow. As an Elf, the huntress made no sound and disturbed nothing in her path. As she loosed the arrow, a mighty clap of thunder spooked the deer, causing her to barely miss the shot.

“Drat!” Alexa muttered, as she watched the arrow fly harmlessly into the woods. “That is the first sign of game I have seen in two weeks, and I missed!” A light rain began to fall, effectively dampening her clothes, but she could only think of how her day could possibly get any worse.

As she trudged back to her camp on the outskirts of the woods, the rain began to recede. She walked up and stroked her horse, Spitfire, who nuzzled her affectionately in return. Alexa removed the leather cord that held her waist-length golden hair, and shook it out, hoping that it would dry quickly. She opened her pack and removed her last piece of bread. Tearing off a piece, she fed it to Spitfire, who ate it quickly from her hand. Setting the rest of the bread on a log near the fire pit, she picked up her waterskin and took a long drink. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she hooked her waterskin onto Spitfire’s saddle and sat down. As she reached for the bread, an enormous black raven swooped down and snatched up the bread, returning to a nearby tree. Jumping to her feet, Alexa grabbed a rock and hurled it at the bird, which just proceeded to flap angrily and finish off her bread.

“I hope you are enjoying my breakfast, you rotten bird! Consider yourself fortunate that I do not make you my breakfast instead!” she yelled.

Alexa sat down angrily and looked at Spitfire. “Lovely. Now we are going to have to head for a town,” she muttered. “A raven. Ravens are bad omens, are they not, Spitfire?” She sighed. “I was wrong. Apparently, this day can get worse.”

She shook her head and rose. Her hair had dried enough for her to retie it. She did so, taking care to tie it so that it concealed her Elf ears. She did not dress in the attire of the Elves; rather, she wore clothing more befitting of a ranger. Her tunic was a dark green and her fitted leather pants were brown. Her intense bright blue eyes made her all the more beautiful… and intimidating. She secured her slender sword and scabbard to her leather belt, and checked the dagger that rested in the top of her worn leather boots. Lastly, she tied her black cloak around her neck and pulled up the hood. She snatched up her bow and quiver, and attached them securely to Spitfire’s saddle. Mounting Spitfire, she rode towards Edoras.

The two of them rode hard for some time, then slowed when they were a few miles out from Edoras. Dismounting, she patted Spitfire’s side. “Rest, my friend. You have carried me long enough. Let us enjoy the day.” Taking Spitfire’s reins, she led him down the road. She breathed deeply, taking in the crisp, cool air. As she neared the city gate of Edoras, she noticed a tall, hooded man leading a large brown horse along the road. As they passed one another, she could feel the stranger’s eyes upon her. She tried to make out his features beneath the hood of his cloak, but was unable to. Her uneasiness grew with each step, for even though she was unable to see his eyes, she felt his intense gaze following her every movement. When she reached the gate, she glanced back and saw that the stranger had stopped and was still staring after her. She gave him a dark look and continued through the gates, heading for the stables. As she passed through the gates, the watchman stopped her.

“What business have you in Edoras, my lady?” the guard questioned.

“Only to gather supplies and get a hot meal. Then I will be on my way,” she answered.

“Very well, but I advise you not to enter the Red Dragon Inn. It is no place for a lady,” he said.

A wicked smile crossed her face. “Hmm. Red Dragon, eh? Thank you, sir.” Leaving the guard, she walked to the stables. She paid the stable hand and began making her way to the Red Dragon Inn.

The inn grew silent as she entered. All eyes were upon her. She looked around at the various patrons, if one could call them that. All were rough-looking men who were more befitting of the king’s dungeon, than of an inn. She chose a table near the back, and sat down. Several bold men began to approach her, but her icy gaze drove them away. She looked up as the innkeeper approached.

“Well,” the innkeeper said. “We don’t get many like you in here.”

She tensed. “What do you mean by that?” she asked tersely.

“I only meant that we do not often get beautiful women in here.” She nodded slightly and relaxed. The innkeeper continued, “What can I get for you, lass?”

“A hot meal and a pint of ale.”

“Coming right up, lass,” he said and walked off.

As she waited, she looked around the room and saw several mangy dogs lying beside their masters. She shuddered. Oh, how she hated dogs. She had hated them since she was a small child, though she knew not why. Every time one was near, her heart began pounding and an unwelcome, but all too familiar, fear gripped her soul. A simple bark or howl from one of the beasts was enough to make her want to reach for her sword in defense. She wished she knew what it was about them that terrified her so. She looked up and saw the innkeeper returning with her food, and more importantly, her ale. He approached the table and set the meal in front of her.

“There you are, lass,” he said and walked over to one of the other tables.

Alexa eyed the food suspiciously and took a cautious bite. It was not the best food in the world, but at least it was hot. She took a long drink of her ale. Not bad, she thought silently. Her thoughts then turned to the hooded man from the road. Who was he? A loud noise suddenly broke into her thoughts. She looked up and watched as a drunk and filthy man approached her table and sat down.

“Come on, lassie,” he slurred. “I could use a roll in the hay.”

She stared at him in silence, until her hand suddenly darted out and grabbed the man by the throat.

“Go,” she ordered darkly.

She released the man, and he scurried off to another corner of the room. She shook her head. Probably to drink more ale and pass out. She finished her meal and paid the innkeeper. As she went out into the street, the inn behind her erupted into loud conversation.

She turned down a street that was lined with various merchant shops and carts. She purchased vegetables, cheese, dried salted meat, and two apples for Spitfire as a treat. Lastly, she stopped at a bread cart that was near the stables.

“What can I get for you, my lady?” the vendor asked.

“Three loaves of bread, please.”

“That will be five coppers, my lady.”

She paid the vendor, and as he was getting her bread, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck raise. She turned and saw the hooded stranger from the road watching her from the shadows of a nearby shop. She returned his stare, and turned back to the vendor.

“Sir, do you know who that man is standing over there by that shop?”

“No, my lady. Never seen him before.”

She sighed heavily, her annoyance evident. Movement from behind the counter suddenly caught her eye. A small boy sat behind the counter hugging his knees. Grinning wickedly, she got the boy’s attention.

“Young man, how would you like to earn yourself a few coppers?”

* * *

Haldir stood in the shadows of the shop and watched the woman as she bought bread from the vendor. Who was she? She had the appearance of an Elf, yet her ears were hidden beneath her hair, and she dressed in the attire of a ranger. He watched as the wind caught her hair, and blew it away from her ear for just a moment. His keen eyes saw the Elf ears she tried to hide. So she is an Elf, he mused. But why does she conceal it? The woman turned and calmly, and rather coldly, returned his gaze. He could sense her annoyance, as she turned back and said something to the vendor. He continued to watch her until he felt something tug at his cloak. He looked down and saw a small boy cowering beside him.

“Can you spare a few coins for a starving family, my lord?” the boy begged.

Haldir reached into his money pouch and handed the boy a few coins.

“Thank you, my lord.”

Haldir smiled at the boy and turned back to the woman, but she was gone. He glanced around, but saw no sign of her. He looked back at the vendor and saw the little boy crawling behind the counter. Haldir’s mouth curved into a wry smile. “Clever. Very clever.” As Haldir approached the bread cart, the vendor turned and heartily greeted him.

“What can I do for you, my lord?” the man asked.

“That woman, who was she?”

“I know not, my lord. It is the first time I have seen her in Edoras.”

“Where did she go?”

“I do not know, sir. Could I interest you in some bread?”

Haldir shook his head slightly. “Do not try and change the subject. Your boy distracted me while she left. Now, which way did she go?”

“I am sorry, my lord. She paid me well not to tell anyone where she was headed.”

“I will give you double what she paid you… if you tell me where she was heading.”

The man’s mouth curved into a greedy smile. “North, my lord. She said she was heading north. That is all I know. Pay me what you have promised.”

After paying the vendor, Haldir mounted his horse and rode hard north. He found himself strangely drawn to this woman, and he had to know, if for nothing more than his own curiosity, who she was.


Chapter 2 - Haldir

Chapter II: Haldir


Alexa rode Spitfire hard for most of the day. As night fell, they finally stopped to make camp. She figured she had ridden far enough to avoid seeing that hooded stranger again. Why was he staring at me so intensely? she thought angrily. Why did he follow me back into the town, when he had obviously been leaving? She sighed. It does not matter, for he is probably long gone by now. Alexa leaned back against a log near the fire, and finally allowed herself to relax. Her rest, however, was short lived, for a dark shape suddenly appeared at the edge of the fire. Alexa stood quickly, grabbed her sword, and pointed it at the figure.

“Who are you, and why have you entered my camp?” she asked, a warning in her voice.

The figure approached, revealing the face of the hooded stranger from town. Her eyes widened in surprise. How was this man able to find me and approach my camp without me hearing him?

“I apologize for alarming you, my lady,” the stranger said. “The night is cold. Might I warm myself by your fire?”

Eyes narrowing, she studied him. “Very well,” she said, slowly lowering her sword, “but do so quickly, for I relish my solitude.”

Haldir sat on a log near the fire, and studied the woman. He watched as she sat down slowly on the log opposite him, hand still gripping the hilt of her sword. She sat rigidly, her suspicion evident.

“Kindly remove your hood, for I wish to look upon the face of my companion,” the woman said.

Haldir, thinking it best to honor her request, reached up and removed his hood.

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise, and she stood up and again pointed her sword at him. “Warm yourself quickly, Elf, and leave,” she said coldly.

Perplexed, Haldir tried to reassure her. “I mean you no harm, my lady.” The acid-like expression reflecting in her eyes made his blood run cold.

“I know your kind, and I have no trust in them… or in you!” she said vehemently.

“Then you must not trust yourself, my lady, seeing that you are an Elf as well.”

“Unfortunately, one cannot choose what they are born as,” she said cynically. “Now, leave!”

Reluctantly, Haldir rose to leave, for he did not wish to further upset her. “As you wish, my lady. Man du hiril.” He looked at her and saw that she showed no understanding of what he had said in Elvish. He left the fire and went off into the woods.

Alexa glared after him for a long while, sword still pointing at where he had stood. At last, she lowered her sword and sat down heavily. She shook her head angrily. She had spent her entire life avoiding Elves, and now, one had just stood a few feet away from her! How dare he enter my camp! she thought angrily. She stared into the fire, and like a bad dream, memories of her youth flooded her mind.

* * *

Alexa scrubbed the floor of the great hall as quickly as possible, knowing that it would still not be good enough. She jumped as she heard heavy footsteps approaching. She could feel fear’s icy talons grasp her heart, as a dark presence appeared behind her. She turned and glanced timidly at Dargon, her master. He was a tall, muscular man with long black hair and an even blacker soul. The long, jagged scar along the left side of his face made him even more frightening. He glared at her, his dark eyes reflecting the evil within him.

“What is taking you so long, you stupid Elf?” he asked coldly. He drew his whip. “I am going to teach you how to do things properly from now on.” Raising his whip into the air, he brought it down with unfailing accuracy.

* * *

Starting, Alexa looked around the camp, and realized that she was alone. She began to shake from the darkness of the memory that had chosen to plague her. Standing, she grabbed her sword and threw it into a nearby tree in rage. Walking over, she pulled her sword free, but before she could resheathe it, she felt a nudge at her back. Turning sharply to deliver a blow, she froze when she saw Spitfire standing in front of her. Trembling, she dropped her sword, and put her hand against her face. Leaning against Spitfire, she tried to breathe.

* * *

Haldir walked a fair distance from the elleth’s camp and prepared a fire. Sitting down, he attempted to understand her anger, but was unable to fathom a reason for it. Why does she hate her own kind so intensely? What happened to her to make her so bitter towards Elves? He sighed. He did not understand why he felt drawn to this woman, or why he had such a strong desire to speak with her. Perhaps Lady Galadriel will know. He stared up at the sky. He would attempt to speak to her, one last time, when morning came.

* * *

As the sun rose, Haldir proceeded to make his way back to the elleth’s camp, hoping she would be more willing to speak with him. When he arrived, he saw that her horse was packed, but she was no where to be found. He approached the horse, who, in turn, began walking to him. Haldir studied the animal with fascination. The horse was a large and powerful animal, with an intelligent, fiery spirit glittering in his eyes. Haldir could see that this horse could not be mastered; rather, he would only remain with someone he loved. Haldir stroked the animal’s black, velvet neck.

“Hello, magnificent one. Where has your master gone to?”

Suddenly, a strong arm grabbed him quickly from behind, and he felt the sharp edge of a blade against his throat.

“Why will you not leave me alone, Elf? Did I not make myself clear to you?”

“My lady, I mean you no harm. I am Haldir of Lothlorien, and I only wish to speak with you.”

“I told you last night. I want nothing to do with you, Elf, or your kind!”

“Will you not at least hear what I have to say?”

“No, Elf! I trust you not!”

“I do not understand. Why do you hate your own kind so intensely?”

“That is not your business, Elf!”

“I only wish to speak with you, my lady,” he said gently.

“Well, I do not wish to speak with you! Now, leave, Elf, or I will kill you!”

She removed the dagger from his throat and pushed him hard away. Haldir turned and looked at her. “My lady,” he implored. He drew back as she unsheathed her sword and swung once at him in warning.

“Leave, now! I will not ask again,” she said, enraged.

Haldir looked at her and could see the fierce hatred burning in her eyes. He knew he must leave.

“Very well, my lady. As you wish.” He turned and began to walk away. Stopping, he turned back. “Perhaps, someday you will have a desire to learn more about your people. Come to Lothlorien if you do.”

“I will never willingly enter an Elven land,” she replied coldly.

Alexa watched him as he walked away. “Do not return again,” she yelled after him. He paused for a moment, and then continued walking off into the woods. Sheathing her sword, she walked over to Spitfire and quickly mounted. Grabbing the reins, she rode hard East, intent on never seeing that Elf again.

* * *

Haldir walked away from the elleth’s camp and back to his own. I do not understand her hatred of Elves. It is as if some dark force has hold of her and has poisoned her against her people. He sighed. Fare thee well, Lady. I hope you may find peace. Mounting his horse, he began riding home to Lorien. Perhaps Lady Galadriel will be able to tell me more.


Chapter 3 - The Highwaymen

Chapter III: The Highwaymen


Alexa rode hard east for many miles, and then changed her course northward, hoping to throw that Elf off her trail if he did decide to follow. She was still furious from the last time she had seen the Elf. How dare he follow me like that! If he values his life, he will leave me alone! She began to slow when she could no longer feel the Elf’s presence. She rode on, at a slower pace, but stopped when she heard a twig snap. She glanced around in alarm. No animal had made that sound. It was far too heavy. She studied the surrounding woods, but did not see anything. However, her other senses warned her that something was near.

“It cannot be that blasted Elf again,” she said in frustration. “I am going to make him regret following me this time!”

Another twig snapped. Her heart began to pound. That Elf would not have made this noise! Her alarm grew further when Spitfire’s head came up sharply. She tightened her grip on the reins and spurred Spitfire on. “Run, Spitfire! We must leave now!”

But it was too late. The arrow flew through the air and pierced her left shoulder, causing her to lose her balance and fall off her horse. She cried out in pain. As she tried to stand to her feet, a large group of highwaymen came out of the woods and surrounded her. The leader, a tall and burly man, stepped forward.

“Give us your money, woman, and everything else we want, or we will finish you off,” he said, giving her an evil smile.

She regained her balance, and glared at the thieves. She quickly turned to Spitfire.

“Get out of here, boy!” she cried, slapping him hard on the hindquarters. Several men lunged at the horse as it flew by, but missed and fell facedown in the dirt. Swearing at his comrades, the leader turned back to her.

“That was a fatal mistake,” he said, advancing towards her.

Alexa grimaced as she reached up and snapped off the tip of the arrow protruding from her shoulder. Drawing her sword, she pointed it at the advancing men.

“The fatal mistake was yours,” she retorted. “You will not find me easy.”

“We shall see,” the leader taunted, and attacked her without warning.

He fought fiercely, like a vicious animal, while his men cheered him on. Alexa defended herself as best as possible, but the wound in her shoulder was causing her great pain, and she was beginning to feel faint from blood loss. She gave an ungainly swing and managed to leave a deep gash in the leader’s leg, causing him to stumble back. He stared at her in shock for a moment, but then his eyes filled with a wild rage.

“Get her!” he shouted.

Alexa looked around as the large group of men advanced upon her from all directions. She was afraid, for she knew that she was greatly outnumbered, but she refused to let her enemies see her fear. Surrender was not an option. A whip cracked from behind, sending a shiver through her. She spun around quickly, but as she did, the whip snaked around her arm and tore her flesh, causing her to drop her sword. She grabbed the dagger from her boot and threw it at the man, hitting him squarely in the heart. Dropping to one knee, she regained her sword just as another highwayman attacked her. She thrust her sword upward, running him through. Yanking her sword free, she rose as the remaining men attacked her.

* * *

Haldir stopped by a stream to fill his waterskin and cool his horse. As he filled the waterskin, his keen ears heard something in the distance. Something that sounded like a battle. Mounting his horse, he rode quickly in the direction of the sounds. Stopping on a small hill overlooking the battle, he saw the elleth, an arrow protruding from her shoulder, fighting a large group of men. Several lay dead around her. She is going to have my help now, whether she wants it or not, he thought fiercely. Drawing his bow, he quickly dispatched three of the men that were attacking her. He unsheathed his sword and charged into the fray. As he neared, several of the men turned from the elleth and advanced upon him. He leapt from his horse and quickly stabbed one of the men. The man gave a guttural cry and fell back.

* * *

Alexa glanced sharply in the direction of the cry. Seeing the Elf, her eyes widened in surprise, but before she could respond, three men advanced upon her. She fought the men, but with the blood loss she had suffered, she was quickly overtaken. As she blocked the blow from one man, another stabbed her deeply in the abdomen. She groaned in pain and stumbled back, clutching her stomach. The man prepared to deliver the final blow, but as he neared, Alexa glanced up, eyes blazing, and delivered a blow that decapitated her assailant. The other two men froze momentarily, and looked between her and the Elf. They knew they were going to die if they continued to fight both the Elf and the woman. Therefore, they did the only thing they could think of: they ran.

Caught up in the heat of battle, Haldir did not see the men running away from the elleth, until those he was fighting began to follow suit. Haldir began pursuing the men, until his eyes caught sight of the maiden leaning heavily against a tree. He ran to her, but as he neared, she raised her sword to him.

“You have continued to follow me, even after I have repeatedly told you to leave me alone. If not for the fact that you have helped me this day, I would gladly kill you.”

“I have not followed you anywhere. I am on my way home to Lothlorien, and if you did not know, this is the way to Lothlorien. I only stopped to fill my waterskin, when I heard the battle in the distance. As I neared, I saw that you were surrounded and came to help. Next time, I will not be so kind.”

“Suits me fine,” she said coldly, and pulled the arrow shaft from her shoulder. Throwing it at the Elf’s feet, she whistled for Spitfire. Spitfire neighed wildly as he galloped over from a nearby ridge. He slowed as he neared her. She took a step, but the intense pain in her abdomen caused her to gasp and fall to one knee. She groaned in pain as she clutched her abdomen.

Haldir quickly knelt in front of her. “My lady,” he said, filled with concern. She ignored him and stared at her blood-covered hand. She swore. Haldir raised his brows in surprise. He could not remember the last time he had heard an Elf swear, let alone an Elven maiden. She began to try to push herself up with her sword, but Haldir placed a firm hand on her uninjured shoulder. She glanced at his hand sharply.

“Get your hand off of me!” she said forcefully.

He removed his hand quickly. “You are in no condition to ride,” he told her.

“So, now I suppose you are going to tell me that you are a great Elven Healer, eh?”

“No, but I know a serious wound when I see one.”

“I have healed myself many a time before, and I can do it again.”

“Do not try to get up,” he told her as she started to try to rise. “You have lost far too much blood. Let me help you lie back.”

“No, I am leaving.” Alexa pushed herself up with her sword and stood, her body shaking uncontrollably. As she stepped forward, the world around her began to spin and her vision began to darken. A deep blackness took hold of her… and then there was nothing.

Alarmed, Haldir caught her as she fell. He carried her over to the stream he had come from earlier, both horses following closely behind him. He set her gently on the ground and untied the blanket from his horse. He laid it on the ground and lifted the maiden gently onto it. Unsheathing his dagger, he slit the bottom of her tunic and examined the wound. It was deep into her abdomen, and bleeding profusely. He was able to temporarily staunch the blood flow with a thick piece of cloth. He opened his saddlebag and removed a small pouch of herbs. Pouring them onto another piece of cloth, he applied them to the wound. After several moments, the blood flow began to recede, but the loss had already been great. Adding more herbs to the cloth, he bandaged the wound.

He cut open her shirt, so he could better tend to her shoulder wound. As he was cleaning her wound, he noticed several scars below her collarbone. He studied them. They were deep and looked like they were the work of some vicious animal. He frowned. Where would she have gotten such scars? He finished cleaning the wound and bandaged it. Covering her with another blanket, he built a fire and sat beside the elleth. He looked at her pale face and sighed heavily. She is strong. She will survive this wound, he thought, trying to convince himself of it. Brushing the tendrils of tangled blond hair away from her face, he touched her brow. She is feverish. He walked to the stream and moistened a rag. Sitting beside her once again, he applied the damp cloth to her forehead. Taking up his bow, he began to watch the countryside, determined to protect her from any more harm. As an Elf, it was in his nature to be a protector and a healer, and this elleth desperately needed both. He would not abandon her.


Chapter 4 - The Fight for Life

Chapter IV: The Fight for Life


Two days had passed, and the elleth had not awakened. Haldir’s concern grew with each passing hour. He had done all he could for her, and he was beginning to believe that she might need more healing than he could provide.

He touched her brow again. The fever was still heavily upon her. Moistening the rag, her reapplied it to her forehead. He examined her bandages and sighed deeply, filled with worry. She has bled through them again. Reaching into his pack, he removed another pouch of herbs and prepared fresh bandages. Kneeling down, he changed the dressing on her stomach wound first. He cleaned the wound thoroughly and applied fresh bandages. As he went to change the bandage on her shoulder, he saw a silver chain around her neck that he had not noticed before. He frowned. How did I miss this? Gently lifting the chain with his fingers, he studied the medallion on the end of it. It was made of silver and looked like an Elven house symbol, but it seemed broken, like it was missing a piece of some sort. He gazed at the ill maiden.

Who are you?

Taking up his bow, he continued his watch.

* * *

Alexa roused slightly, and tried to focus, but was unable to. The world around her seemed so dark, and everything was blurred. She tried to move her limbs, but they felt as heavy as iron, and she was unable to move them. She heard a gentle voice above her.

“It is all right. You are safe here,” the voice said soothingly. The voice seemed so familiar, but the name of its owner eluded her, and she was unable to make out his face. She felt a cool hand on her forehead. “Rest, now,” the voice said.

Alexa felt the blackness come upon her again, and, unable to resist, she fell back into nothingness.

* * *

Haldir checked the traps he had set on the outskirts of camp. He had caught rabbits in two of them. Taking the rabbits, he reset the traps and walked back to camp. Setting a pot of water over the fire to boil, he prepared the rabbits into a stew. As the stew simmered, he looked at the elleth. She had not yet awakened, and he knew that the longer she was unconscious, the smaller the chance was that she would awaken.

Her medallion caught his eye. He studied the piece of the Elven symbol engraved on the medallion. This symbol is so familiar to me. I feel like I have seen it before, yet too much of it is missing to be sure of its origin. All he could be sure of was that it was a very old Elven symbol, probably from before his time. If only there was more of it. Then perhaps I would have an idea of who you are and where you have come from. He touched her brow and found her to be perspiring. A small flicker of hope coursed through him. Perhaps the fever is breaking. He placed another damp cloth on her forehead. He ladled himself a bowl of stew and ate in silence, ever watchful of the countryside around him.

* * *

Alexa awakened and put a trembling hand to her throbbing head. Where was she? What had happened? The last thing she remembered was calling her horse, and… oh, no. Slowly turning her head, she saw the Elf sitting a few feet away, his back to her. Groaning, she tried to sit up, but was quickly overcome by an intense, sharp pain in her stomach, which caused her to fall back.

Haldir turned sharply, when he heard her groan. She was awake! Rushing to her, he knelt and gently, but firmly forced her to stay down. “Stay down. You are too ill and too weak, and your wound is far too severe for you to get up.”

She looked up at him, pain etched on her face. “What happened? How did I get here?” she asked weakly.

“Do not move, my lady; you have been gravely injured from your battle against that group of thieves.” He could see her confusion and tried to reassure her, “You are safe here.”

Perplexed, Alexa stared at him. Why did he help her? She had told him to leave her alone, and yet he came back and saved her life. What does he want? Why is he helping me?

“Do you want some water, my lady?”

She looked up at him and nodded. He brought her his waterskin, but she was severely weakened from blood loss and her arms could not lift it. She looked at the Elf in surprise as he placed his hand behind her neck and gently lifted her head slightly. He pressed the waterskin to her lips, and watched her as she drank. “Thank you,” she said softly, embarrassed by her own helplessness.

He smiled at her. “You are welcome.”

“I shall be well in a few days, and I will be able to take care of myself. I will not need your help any longer.” As soon as the words had left her throat, she cringed inwardly, for she knew that she was being cruel. It did not matter though, for she would not apologize to an Elf, even if this one had helped her.

“With grace you shall, but we shall see.” Haldir glanced at her. Her rather cold comment had stung a little, but he chose to ignore it. Perhaps her manners would improve when her condition did. He thought back to their previous meetings and smiled slightly. Doubtful. He set the waterskin down beside her. “My lady, I must ask you something.” He saw her body tense slightly. “What is your name?”

She relaxed a little. “Alexa. What is yours? In the midst of all this excitement, I have forgotten.”

“Haldir of Lothlorien.” He looked at her. “What of your Elven name?”

Her eyes darkened. “Elven name? I have no Elven name, nor do I want one. Alexa is the only name I have ever known.”

Haldir saw her agitation and quickly apologized. He knew the last thing she needed at this time was to get upset. “I apologize. I did not mean to upset you. Please try to relax.”

She relaxed slightly, but was still angry. Why does he have to ask me about my past? Can’t he just leave it be?

Haldir looked at her. “Lady Alexa,” he said, using her name for the first time. “I need to change the bandages on your wounds.”

She eyed him suspiciously. She did not want him to touch her wounds, for they hurt terribly, and she did not trust him. However, she could see the blood seeping through her tunic, and she realized that it was necessary for him to do so. She sighed heavily and nodded.

Getting fresh herbs and bandages, he tended her shoulder wound first. Alexa watched him as he cleaned her wound, noticing how he tended her with great care and gentleness. The wound hurt, but the pain was bearable. However, her abdomen wound was another matter. She gasped and gritted her teeth, trying to steel herself against the pain. Haldir was as gentle as possible, but she was in terrible pain by the time he was finished. She was deathly pale, and breathing heavily. He was deeply concerned for her.

“Do you want some more water, Lady Alexa?” With her last ounce of strength, she shook her head no and passed out. Haldir covered her with the blanket. “Rest now,” he whispered. “I will watch over you.”

Haldir stoked the fire and listened to the soft sound of her breathing. He watched her and studied her face. She was beautiful, yet there was a hardness in her features, a cold emptiness in her eyes. Even while resting, she seemed troubled. He touched her hair, smiling slightly. She had looked like a hurt child when he had helped her with the waterskin, so upset that she could not do it for herself. He frowned slightly. He had such a desire to protect her… and there was something else. Something deep inside him that he could not explain. He felt… different when he was with her. She stirred slightly, and he touched her brow. The fever had returned. He sighed heavily in frustration. Despite all his efforts, her condition had not improved. He knew she needed more intense healing if she was to survive the wound and the great blood loss she had suffered. If she did not improve soon, he would have no choice but to take her to Lorien.


Chapter 5 - The Long Journey

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed me. I really appreciate it. For those of you who have asked about Alexa's name, I assure you that it is completely intentional that she does not initially have an Elven name. Her true Elven name will be revealed in later chapters. Thanks and Enjoy!



Chapter V: The Long Journey


Alexa had not awakened in two days, and her fever steadily increased with each passing hour. Haldir knew it was time to take her to Lorien. He made a litter for her, and attached it to her horse, in a way that the litter would be on a slight incline and drag behind the animal. He then laid the blankets on the litter to make it softer for her. He walked over to Alexa, and gently lifted her into his arms. As he carried her to the litter, she roused.

“What? What are you doing?” she asked weakly.

“Your fever worsens by the hour, Alexa,” he told her as he set her on the litter. “I am taking you to Lothlorien, for I can do no more to help you.”

“No! I do not want to go there!”

“Lothlorien is your only chance. I must take you there.”

“No! Leave me behind. I will take care of myself.”

“You stubborn elleth! I will not leave you here to die!” he said angrily. “If you are well enough to take care of yourself, get up and walk away.”

Her blue eyes flashed. “All right then!” Gritting her teeth, she tried to push herself into a sitting position. The pain in her abdomen screamed at her to stop, but she continued to push herself until she could move no further. Falling back, she passed out from the pain.

Haldir knelt down to check her wound. He was so worried about her, but at the moment he wanted to throttle her! She is the most impossible elleth I have ever met! he muttered to himself. She would rather be left here to die, than to be taken to her own people, who are her only hope of survival. Why will she not let me aid her? He removed the bandage, and noticed that the skin around the wound was discolored, and the wound itself was festering. He knew that only could mean one thing: infection. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. Despite all of his efforts, the wound had worsened. He put a fresh bandage on the wound and covered her with the blanket. Grabbing both horses’ reins, he began walking. He was taking her to Lorien whether she liked it or not.

* * *

The journey was a difficult one. Haldir took them along smooth roads, but he still had to stop several times a day to change Alexa’s bandages and give her water. Her condition seemed to worsen with each mile, and he knew that she was running out of time. He traveled with as much speed as possible, but he was still unsure if he would get her to Lorien in time to save her, and that thought sickened him. Every time he looked at her deathly pale face, his worry grew. The thought of losing her was unbearable. He looked at her and sighed. She seemed so young and vulnerable sometimes that it made him ignore her coldness, and made him try to do whatever he could to ease her pain. He wanted her to realize that he was only trying to help her, and that he did not want anything in return. He wanted her to see him as someone that she could trust.

* * *

Dreams of the past haunted Alexa as she slept. She dreamed of Alora, her adoptive mother, often.

* * *

“You are worthless, Alexa!” Dargon screamed as he struck her, sending her reeling to the floor. Putting a trembling hand to her bleeding lip, she scrambled to her feet.

“Your own kind did not even want you,” Dargon hissed. “Your own father sold you to me for twenty pieces of gold! He said you were nothing but a mistake, and he wanted nothing more to do with you!” He laughed coldly. “Looks like he was right. Get out of my sight!”

She ran from the great hall and into the kitchen. Alora grabbed her arm as she ran by. “Alexa? What is wrong? What has happened?” Alexa turned and Alora grimaced as she saw Alexa’s swollen, bleeding lip. “Did Dargon do that to you?” That monster. Alexa nodded. “Come over here and sit down,” Alora said, guiding her over to a stool in the corner. “You sit here, dear heart, and I am going to find something for your lip,” Alora told her.

Alexa sat and watched Alora as she searched the kitchen. Alora was a small, thin woman of forty, with her long, black hair graying at the roots. Her face was hardened and the beauty of her youth was gone, but to Alexa, she was the most beautiful woman in all of Middle Earth. Alora grabbed a rag from the counter and handed it to Alexa. Alexa winced as she pressed it to her bleeding lip. Her mind was reeling from what Dargon had said.

“What is troubling you, child?” Alora asked.

Alexa immediately told her of what Dargon had said, for she loved and trusted Alora and sought her wisdom. “Is it true, Alora? Did my father really sell me to him and say all those things?”

Alora looked at her sadly. “I was there the night he brought you here. A tall, dark-haired Elf he was, an air of malice about him. He told Dargon that you were his child, and that he wanted nothing more to do with you. Dargon gave him a bag of gold, and I have never seen him since.” She saw the tears in the girl’s eyes. Reaching out, she tipped Alexa’s chin and looked into her eyes. “Then Dargon gave you to me to care for. And you, my darling, are the most precious gift I have ever received.”

“Oh, Alora,” she said brokenly.

Alora reached out and held Alexa tightly, letting the girl cry. She loved this girl more than anything, even more than her own life. After she had lost her own daughter in childbirth many years ago, she was never able to bear another child because of the complications resulting from that pregnancy. Because of this, her husband had deemed her worthless to him, and gave her to Dargon to pay off the debt that he owed him. She had thought that she would never again have anyone to love or have anyone who would love her, until the day that Alexa was given to her. She smiled. Although Alexa was not a child of her flesh, she was the daughter of her heart. She gently kissed Alexa’s forehead. “You will always be my little girl,” Alora told her. “Always.”

* * *

The dream then changed, reminding her of one of the darkest days of her life. The day started out as beautiful with the sun shining brightly. It was a day that most would believe impossible of having any darkness in it. However, Alexa could not ignore the horrible sense of foreboding that gripped her soul.

Alexa looked around the dining room and shuddered. She hated Dargon’s home, for it was so large and cold inside. Even the radiant sun could not penetrate this place. The rooms were enormous, and the ceilings were so high that it made even the largest person feel small and insignificant.

“Come here, you little wench! Bring me that tray of meat,” Dargon commanded her. Alexa grabbed the tray and rushed it over to him. Setting it before him, she stepped back. Dargon glared at her as she moved away. She began to tremble, for she knew that look all too well.

“You are too slow!” An evil smile crossed his face. “Maybe a good beating will quicken your pace.” He raised his whip and brought it down hard against her back. She cried out in pain and tried to scramble away. Grabbing her by the hair, he spun her around and struck her hard against the face. She fell to the ground, and he began unleashing his fury upon her, all the while calling her a worthless Elf. Dargon despised Elves. If only she was a human instead of an Elf, maybe he would not beat her so. She cried out in pain as the whip once again tore her flesh.

“Stop it!” a voice screamed from the doorway. Dargon spun around and saw Alora standing in the doorway.

“You dare challenge me, Alora?”

“Leave her alone, Dargon! She has done nothing wrong!”

“No, Alora,” Alexa said weakly, trying to get up. “Do not get involved in this.”

But it was too late. Dargon had already unsheathed his sword. He had no tolerance for insubordination, and the price of it was high. “Your service is finished, Alora! I have no more use for you.”

“No!” Alexa screamed as Dargon stabbed her. Kicking Alora back, Dargon freed his sword and left the room. Alexa ran over and cradled Alora in her arms. She placed her hand over Alora’s wound, trying to stop the bleeding, but it was no use. The blood flowed out of Alora like a river, a fatal river that could not be stopped.

“Hold on,” Alexa said desperately. “I will go find help.”

“No, my child,” she rasped weakly. She seemed to grow paler as she continued. “It is too late. I am dying and nothing can change that.”

“Why, Alora? Why did you intervene?” Alexa asked brokenly, tears streaming down her face. How could she live without Alora? How would she survive without her? She held Alora’s ice-cold hand against her face.

“I could not let him beat you anymore. I could not stand by and let him hurt you again.”

“I would have been all right. I always am.”

“Nevertheless, you are my child, and I had to protect you.”

“Shhh. Do not speak anymore. Save your strength. I am going to go find help.” She began to rise, but Alora took her hand and forced her to stay still.

“No. There is not much time.” Reaching into her apron pocket, she removed a broken, silver medallion and handed it to Alexa. Alexa stared at it in confusion.

“What is this?”

“This was around your neck when Dargon gave you to me. I kept it so that he would not take it from you.” She reached up and touched Alexa’s cheek. “I love you, Alexa. I will always be with you.”

“Alora, do not leave me. Please.” Alora’s hand slid from her cheek, and she closed her eyes. Alexa felt Alora’s body go limp in her arms. She held Alora close and sobbed. Looking up, she saw a knife left carelessly on the table. Setting Alora down gently, she went to the table and picked up the knife. She stared at it, and felt something within her change. Hate consumed her, and she began to shake with rage. She would make him pay for what he had done.

* * *

Haldir heard Alexa call out in her sleep. Leaning down, he touched her shoulder. “Alexa? Alexa, it is Haldir. Are you all right?”

Alexa awakened abruptly. She was breathing heavily. “What? What happened?” she asked, her voice shaking.

“You were calling out for someone in your sleep. ‘Alora’ was the name.”

“Alora? She has been dead for many years. She….” Alexa stopped. Why was she telling him anything?

“Please continue, Alexa.”

“No. I do not want to talk about it.”

Haldir sighed. “Very well, my lady. Will you try and eat something?” She nodded. He ladled her some broth into a bowl and brought it over to her. Alexa reached out, determined to feed herself, but she was too weak to hold the bowl. It fell, the broth spilling on the ground. She put a hand to her head.

“I am sorry,” she said, wanting to scream. She felt so helpless, and she hated it.

“It is all right,” he told her with a gentle smile. He ladled out another bowl and fed it to her. She took a bite, but drew back, overcome by nausea. Holding up her hand, she looked at him. “No more. I cannot eat,” she said weakly.

Haldir picked up the waterskin and helped her drink. She looked up at him, confusion in her eyes. She was not accustomed to receiving such kind treatment from a man, and an Elf besides. “Just rest,” he said. “We will travel more tomorrow.” Nodding, she relaxed, and drifted back into nothingness.

Haldir sat and watched her as she rested, his emotions in turmoil. He did not know what to make of her. She baffled him. Sometimes she was cold and hard as stone, her walls like those of an impenetrable fortress; yet at other times, she was incredibly vulnerable, like a lost and hurting child. And that stubbornness! Sometimes it was so incredibly frustrating, and at other times, completely adorable. He sighed and shook his head. How was it possible to want to throttle her one moment and want to kiss her the next? He pushed the thoughts away. She had made it perfectly clear that she did not trust him and that she disliked him. But maybe her feelings were changing…. He stopped himself. No, I am not even going to allow myself to think of such things. He picked up his bow and looked at the sky. Dawn would be coming in a few hours.


Chapter 6 - Small Revelations

Chapter VI: Small Revelations


At first light, Haldir continued on. After several hours, he stopped by the stream to cool the horses and give Alexa some water. Leaning down, he helped her drink from the waterskin. He studied her. She was pale, and obviously in pain, but she was fighting to stay conscious. “Would you like me to tell you a story, Alexa?”

“Depends what it is.”

He began to tell her of the Elves and how they woke the Trees. She stopped him. “No. I do not want to hear about Elves.”

Haldir sighed in frustration. “Alexa, why do you hate us so much? We are your people.”

“I do not hate you, Haldir. But I do hate your race.”

A strange feeling ran through him when she said she did not hate him, but he was not going to let this go. “Why do you hate other Elves?”

“I do not want to talk about it, Haldir.”

“Please, Alexa. Please tell me.”

She began to get angry. I will tell him what he wants, but he is going to have to answer something for me first. “All right, Haldir. But tell me something first. What is so noble about Elves?”

The question threw him off guard. “We are an honorable people, my lady. We honor the land, and we care for our own.”

“You care for your own. What of your children?”

“We love and care for them,” he said, surprised by her question.

“What of those children who are unwanted?”

“Unwanted? There are no unwanted Elven children. We love and care for all of them, even the ones who are orphaned.”

“Ha! Like they cared for me?”

“What do you mean?” he asked, confused.

“My own father did not even want me. He sold me to a brutal slave trader. How is that for Elven caring?”

He could not keep the shock from his face. How could this be true? It was a moment before he could find his voice. “But….” he stammered.

“But nothing! That is all I am going to tell you. Do not ask me again.”

Haldir stared at her, dumbfounded. “As you wish, my lady. I will not ask you any more. Rest now. I will return in a few moments.”

Alexa watched him walk away. She frowned slightly. She had not wanted to hurt him, but perhaps now, he would not ask her anymore questions. A disturbing sense of foreboding weighed heavily upon her as she drifted off. She did not understand what made her feel this way, but she was certain of one thing: something was different.

* * *

Haldir walked a short distance from the camp. Sitting down, he held his hand in his hands. I cannot believe that an Elven father or any Elf would sell a child into slavery. I cannot blame her now for her distrust of Elves. I would feel the same if it had happened to me. He sighed. I wish I knew more, but in her condition, I cannot upset her anymore. I hate that she is so closed off to me though. He sat for a little while longer, and then walked back to camp. Alexa was resting. He gazed at her pale face. She had shown him a glimpse of her tortured soul, and now his desire to protect her was even stronger than before. He touched her hair. “I will protect you, little one,” he whispered. Taking the horses’ reins, he continued on.

* * *

At the end of the second day, Haldir stopped, and prepared to make camp. Kneeling down, he checked Alexa’s wounds. He closed his eyes when he saw her abdomen wound. It was worse, much worse. The infection was spreading, and had undoubtedly entered her blood by now. He touched her brow. The fever had returned and was higher than ever. He tried to awaken her, but she would not rouse. He knew she was out of time. Afraid for her, Haldir grabbed the horses’ reins and continued on. He was going to have to travel throughout the night, and that concerned him. Orcs were rampant, and although his night eyesight was good, they could still be attacked before he could avoid it. It would also be far more difficult to protect Alexa in the dark. They would have to travel with great haste and with great caution.


Chapter 7 - The Healing

Chapter VII: The Healing


At midday, Haldir stopped by a stream to try and cool Alexa’s fever, which had steadily increased throughout the night. He heard her murmur something in her sleep. She was dreaming again. He leaned down and gently touched her shoulder and attempted to rouse her.

“Alexa. Awaken.”

But she would not rouse. He felt her brow. She was deathly pale and her fever was dangerously high. He filled a bowl with water from the stream, and began to wash her face and neck, hoping to cool her down. He stopped when he heard riders in the distance heading towards them. Drawing his sword, he turned sharply, prepared to defend himself and Alexa. Seeing him, the riders removed their hoods, revealing long, golden hair that flowed behind them as they rode. Elves! Haldir sheathed his sword, and went to meet them. As they neared, he recognized his two friends, Calatar and Macilon, advanced scouts of the Galadhrim.

“Haldir!” they called to him. Dismounting, they walked over and clasped arms with him.

“It is good to see you, my lord,” Macilon said. “What news of Rohan?”

“I have no time for that now,” Haldir told them. “I have brought a gravely wounded Elven woman with me. She was attacked three days ride from here.”

Calatar, a skilled healer, walked forward to check the elleth. He knelt beside her and carefully examined her wound. He gently placed his hand on her brow and was surprised by the intensity of the raging fever. Calatar rose and looked at Haldir solemnly. “Her wound is severe and heavily infected. I am surprised that she has survived this long.”

“I know,” Haldir told him. “I have tried everything I know to help her, and yet she worsens by the hour. She has not awakened for a day now. I had no choice but to bring her here.”

Calatar’s face was grave. “We are going to have to take her on horseback.”

“I do not believe she can suffer the ride,” Haldir said.

“No, she cannot. I will have to close the wound before we can attempt it.”

Haldir turned to Macilon. “Ride to Caras Galadhorn with great haste, and tell the healers I am bringing in a gravely wounded elleth in desperate need of healing. Tell them to be ready, and I will bring her in by tonight.”

Macilon nodded and quickly mounted. “Good luck, Haldir,” he said and rode quickly towards Lorien.

Calatar carefully cleaned the wound. He sighed heavily. The infection was far worse than he had initially thought. He closed the wound, realizing that doing so was probably causing the elleth a great deal of pain. However, she did not so much as stir during the ordeal, which caused him even greater concern. Calatar gently lifted the maiden and gave her to Haldir, who had already mounted Spitfire. “Ride with haste, Haldir. Do not stop. She does not have much time left.”

“I know,” Haldir said softly. Holding Alexa against him, he rode swiftly towards Lorien. As they rode, she roused slightly.

“Haldir?” she asked faintly. “What is happening?”

“I am riding you into Lorien, Alexa. We are out of time.”

“I am not afraid to die, Haldir,” she said softly, having sensed his meaning.

“I am not ready to let you die. There is still much I have to show you.”

She fainted again. Sensing his master’s danger, Spitfire quickened his pace. Haldir glanced down at her. Her breathing had become labored and shallow, and the pallor of her skin had turned gray. Death was in the air. He could feel it. It surrounded them.

“No! Do not give up! Do you hear me? Not after all of this,” he said desperately, his voice breaking. “Stay with me,” he begged. He looked around at the countryside flying by them. “You cannot have her!” he shouted into the air around them. “It is not her time!” He began to panic, for he could feel the life slowly leaving her.

The forest of Lothlorien loomed before them. He dug his heels into the animal, who quickened its pace until it could go no faster. He knew this animal would die before it would slow its pace. It loved Alexa too much. He saw the Elves of the Galadhrim in the trees as he galloped by. Flying into the city, he rode to the healers. Dismounting, he carried her inside.

“Lay her here,” one healer instructed him, pointing to a bed in the center area.

Haldir laid her on the bed, and moved back quickly, as many healers surrounded her. One healer, Failon, took his arm and led him outside.

“We will inform you as soon as we are finished,” Failon told him.

Haldir sank onto the ground as Failon went back inside. Haldir held his head in his hands, his heart breaking. He was utterly spent and consumed with worry. He did not know if he had gotten her to the healers in time to save her. When he had left her, she had appeared to be dead. He sighed heavily. I must go and seek Lady Galadriel’s counsel. Perhaps she can tell me more. Rising, he proceeded to seek out Galadriel.

As he entered the hall, he heard Galadriel’s voice. “I know what counsel you seek, Haldir, but I may not have all the answers you desire.” He stopped and bowed respectfully before her. He rose slowly and stared at her in reverent awe. After all these years, her beauty still surprised him. Her long, golden hair flowed about her, and the light from her being radiated throughout the room. Her mouth curved into a gentle smile that lit her wise blue eyes. She motioned for him to sit in the chair opposite her. Sitting down, he began to tell her all he knew of Alexa.

“Her name is Alexa. She conceals the fact that she is an Elf, my Lady, and she wants nothing to do with her people. She has told me of being sold into slavery by her father. I do not understand why a father, an Elven father, would sell his own child into slavery.”

“All things shall come to light, Haldir. I will speak with her when her condition has improved.”

Hope filled Haldir. “Does that mean she will live, my Lady?”

Galadriel looked at him and smiled gently. “She is strong.”


Chapter 8 - The Lady of the Golden Wood

Chapter VIII: The Lady of the Golden Wood


Haldir kept constant vigil over Alexa for the next several days. He sat by her and held her hand, waiting for her to awaken. On the third day after her arrival in Lothlorien, Alexa roused. Her eyes scanned the room in confusion. Where was she? She started slightly when she felt someone take her hand. Turning her head, she saw Haldir sitting beside her.

“Welcome back,” he said, smiling at her. “You gave us quite a scare.”

She looked at him and was surprised. For some strange reason, she felt somewhat comforted by his being here. “What happened, Haldir? I do not remember much.”

“I brought you here to the healers in Lothlorien. They took you from me, and worked to heal you. I have been watching over you for the past three days.” He helped her sit up.

She looked into his blue eyes. “Thank you, Haldir. I would not have survived long without you. You never gave up on me.” She stared at him in confusion. Why had he remained with her? It would have been easier for him to leave her, yet he stayed with her and saved her life. Why? She looked at him, and he smiled.

“No, my lady. I always knew you were too stubborn to die,” he gently teased.

She smiled. “True.”

Haldir looked at her then, a faint smile on his face. She shifted uncomfortably under his perusal. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

“That is the first time I have ever seen you smile. You should do it more often,” he said, softly touching her cheek.

Her look grew serious. “How can I ever repay you for all you have done for me, Haldir?”

“Stay awhile. At least give your people a chance.”

She looked him in the eye. “I make no promises, Haldir.”

“Fair enough.” At least she had not said no. He handed her a bowl of broth. “You need to try and eat something.”

She accepted the bowl from him and took a small sip of the warm broth. He smiled at her. She was going to be all right.

* * *

The following day, Alexa heard a soft knock at her door. “Come in,” she called.

A lovely Elven woman entered her room. Alexa stared at her in surprise. She had never seen another Elven woman before. This “elleth”, as Haldir called them, was very beautiful, with long, golden hair and gentle green eyes. The Elf maid smiled warmly at her.

“Good day, my lady. I am Lalaith. I have brought you some clothes.” She laid the clothing on the bed.

“Where are my clothes?” Alexa asked.

“My lady, they are blood-soaked and torn. I have brought you some new clothing.”

“Oh. Thank you.” Alexa walked over and picked up the clothing. Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the light blue gown. “It is a dress.”

Lalaith looked at her in surprise. “Yes, my lady. Is it not to your liking?”

“It is lovely, but I do not wear dresses. Could you please bring me a shirt and a pair of pants, and see if you can find my boots?”

“Yes, my lady,” Lalaith said and left the room. She returned shortly with a pair of black pants and a silvery-gray shirt. She also had Alexa’s boots. “Here you are, my lady,” Lalaith said, and handed her the clothes. “I hope these are more to your liking.”

“They are perfect. Thank you,” Alexa replied.

Lalaith nodded and left the room. Alexa removed the nightclothes she had been wearing and put on the new clothing. She fingered the silky fabric. She had never worn anything so fine before. She frowned slightly. Something about this clothing felt familiar. But how could that be? She shrugged and brushed the thoughts away.

Alexa walked over to the window and looked out over Lothlorien. It was beautiful, she had to admit. Those magnificent golden trees comprised the majority of the forest. The feet of the trees were studded with golden, white, and pale green flowers. Several crystalline streams flowed throughout the land, and the city itself glowed with a radiant light. She continued in her reverie until she heard a voice behind her.

“How do you fare, my dear?”

Alexa spun around and saw a golden-haired Elven woman, clad in white, standing before her. She stared at the Elven woman in confusion. This strange Elf had just called her “my dear”! Do I know this Elven woman? Alexa studied her, searching for anything familiar, but found nothing. “Who are you?” she asked the Elven lady.

“I am Galadriel, Lady of Lothlorien. Are you faring better this morn?”

“Yes,” she told her.

“That is well. We were concerned about you. Haldir has been in almost constant vigil by your side, since he brought you here.”

“I know. I owe him much for all he has done for me. I do not know how I will ever repay him for his kindness to me.”

“He seeks not payment, other than to know that you are well.” She watched the young elleth nod in understanding. “Come walk with me.”

Alexa looked at Galadriel. What did she want? “All right.”

The two of them walked a short distance from Alexa’s room and sat on a bench in an enclosed garden. Alexa noticed that no trees grew in this garden. It lay open to the sky. How odd, she mused. What is this place?

“I know your heart is heavy with burden, child,” Galadriel said.

Alexa glanced at her sharply. “How could you possibly know that?”

“I know many things. Tell me of yourself, Alexa.”

She looked at Galadriel. For some reason, unbeknownst to her, she felt comfortable with this Elven lady. “How could my heart not be heavy with burden? My father sold me into slavery when I was a child. I was brutally beaten by my captor, who also killed the only mother I had ever known because she tried to protect me. So that is my life, such as it is.” She wrung her hands in anguish, for these memories were deep wounds that had never healed.

Galadriel looked at her with intense, clear eyes. “These things have haunted you for many years. Sometimes they consume you.”

“Yes.”

“And sometimes you wish for death to rid yourself of the pain they bring.”

“Yes. Sometimes it seems the only way I will ever be truly free.”

“Come with me, Alexa.” Galadriel led her over to a low pedestal that had a silver basin resting on top. Galadriel filled the basin with water from the stream, and looked at Alexa. “This is the Mirror of Galadriel. It will reveal things you do and do not want to see. Will you look into it?”

Alexa eyed the basin warily. What secrets did this “mirror” contain, and more importantly, did she desire to know them? She glanced at Galadriel, who was watching her expectantly. Alexa nodded hesitantly and walked over to the pedestal. She took a deep breath and looked into the basin. At first, all she saw was the sky, but then the water changed and images began to appear. Alexa saw a dark-haired Elf carrying a baby to a doorway. He knocked on the door and was admitted by a butler. Another man entered the room, and Alexa recognized Dargon as a young man. Her eyes widened as she saw Dargon give the Elf a bag of money, and call for someone. A young Alora entered the room. Dargon gave the baby to her and as she left, the Elf departed.

“That is him! That is my father, the man that sold me to Dargon!”

The images changed. She saw herself leaning over Alora’s body, and then rising and picking up a knife from the table. Her heart began to beat faster as the images changed again, and she saw herself in a room alone with Dargon, who was sitting at a table. She watched as he reached for his whip, and saw herself come up behind him and slit his throat with the knife she had taken earlier. She watched as she took his house keys and ran out of the room. The images faded then, and the mirror reflected nothing more than the sky.

She looked up at Galadriel, who was watching her intently. “Why did you show me all of this?” she rasped. “I already know these things.” Alexa numbly stared at her trembling hands, and then back at the Mirror. How was this small pool of water able to show her all these images from her past?

Galadriel walked over to her. “Things are not always what they seem, Alexa. Do not forget all that you saw, for it is important.” Galadriel studied Alexa. “My child, have you ever wondered about your medallion?”

Alexa glanced at her sharply in surprise. How could she possibly know about her medallion? She always kept it hidden beneath her clothes! She stared at Galadriel in astonishment, but Galadriel merely smiled at her. She was thoroughly confused, but something within her compelled her to answer Galadriel.

“Yes,” Alexa replied as she fingered the medallion. “The only reason I have kept it all these years, is that I hoped it would one day lead me to my father.”

“And what will you do once you find him?”

Alexa looked into Galadriel’s eyes. “Kill him.”

“I can tell you of this medallion, Alexa. It is a symbol of a house of Rivendell.”

“How can you tell? So much of it is missing.”

“I know many things, my child. Perhaps your true freedom lies in Rivendell.”

Alexa’s hand tightened around the medallion. Perhaps Rivendell is where my answers lie. Perhaps it will lead me to my father. Her heart began to pound, and she could feel the hatred begin to course through her veins like wildfire. Rivendell.


Chapter 9 - Fear

Chapter IX: Fear


Haldir had looked everywhere for Alexa, and no one had seen her. He had searched the stables, the healer’s ward, and the gardens, but to no avail. He wanted to find her to see how she was faring. He sighed, for he knew that was not his true purpose in searching for her. He really just wanted to be near her. He was about to give up when he saw her, sitting on a bench, her blonde hair flowing freely down her back. He smiled. He walked up and stood beside her. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked.

“Yes. It is beautiful here. I have never seen anything like these golden trees. What are they?”

He sat beside her. “They are Mallorn trees. Lorien is the only place in Middle-Earth that they grow.”

They sat quietly for a few moments, staring out over Lorien. “Haldir, how can the Lady Galadriel know the things she does? It is as if she can see into my very soul.”

“She has the gift of foresight, Alexa. She knows the hearts of the people around her.”

“Yes, that she does.” She looked at him. “Haldir, what is your position here in Lorien?”

He looked at her, surprised. He realized he had never told her much of himself either. “I am the March Warden of the Galadhrim, the wardens of Lothlorien.”

She looked at him, her blue eyes twinkling with amusement. “So, I was not rescued by an ordinary Elf, but by the captain of a powerful army. I am a lucky girl.” She lowered her head in a little bow. “Thank you, my lord,” she teased.

He laughed. “You are a lucky elleth. I do not leave my pedestal for just anyone.”

She laughed then, and the musical sound seemed to fill the air around him. He looked at her. He loved to see her smile. Until now, she had always been so cold and hard, so fiercely guarding her heart. Her smile showed a gentler side to her soul, one that she did not show very often.

She looked at him then, her mood serious. “I really do want to thank you, Haldir. If not for you, I would be lying dead along the road somewhere. How can I ever repay you?”

“Knowing that you are safe and healing well is payment enough for me, Alexa.”

“Still—”

He cut her off. “No payment is necessary, my lady. I am just glad you are safe.”

She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Rising, she looked into his eyes. “Thank you, Haldir,” she said, and walked away.

He stared after her. She walked slowly, slightly hunched over. She is still in pain. He touched his cheek where she had kissed him. He did not realize until that moment that his heart was pounding. He shook his head. He had tried to ignore the feelings he had for her, and yet they had still grown. He sighed. He had gone and fallen in love with this elleth, and there was nothing he could do about it. One look into her beautiful, fire-blue eyes, and his mouth went dry. He smiled slightly. He had always thought he would fall in love with a sweet, gentle Elven maiden. But he had gone and fallen in love with the most stubborn, spirited, beautiful Elf he had ever met, one who had walls harder than stone sometimes. Yet, he knew he had seen in her a softness and vulnerability that she had allowed few others to see. He sighed, his heart still pounding.

My lady, what are you doing to me?

* * *

Alexa walked away, feeling Haldir’s eyes upon her. She could not believe she had kissed him, even if it was only on the cheek. She never did that sort of thing. She sighed, annoyed with herself. This place, that Elf, was getting to her. She winced as she walked up the stairs to her room. It still hurt terribly to walk, and stairs made it all the worse. She sat down on the edge of the bed and poured herself a glass of water. She sighed. She knew what she had to do. She had to leave. She was starting to care too much for this place and its people. I do not know how far I can get, but I must try. Only pain will come from staying here. She sighed heavily, for she had learned well from the experiences in her past. Pain always comes when I begin to care for something or… someone.

Rising, she picked up her cloak and fastened it around her neck. Taking up her weapons, she left the room and headed for the stables. It was a long walk, and she had to stop several times along the way, for the muscles in her abdomen were aching terribly from strain. She was panting heavily by the time she arrived at the stables. She looked over the various horses, until she saw Spitfire. She walked over to his stall and opened the gate. The horse whinnied in delight, for she had not seen him since Haldir had brought her here. Haldir. She shook off the feelings his name brought, and walked over to her horse.

“Hello, my friend. I have missed you terribly.” She smiled as the horse nuzzled her hair, and she hugged his neck in return. She sighed. “We have got to leave, boy.” Spitfire snorted and stamped his hoof defiantly, obviously not wanting to leave. She stroked his neck. “Yes. We are leaving. I cannot stay here anymore.” She put his bridle on. “We will be all right,” she said, trying to reassure herself as much as the horse, for she was having doubts as to how far she could travel. She sighed heavily. Her ability to travel was not the only thing troubling her. She scratched Spitfire’s ears, and he whinnied softly. “It will just be the two of us again,” she said gently. “It will be better this way.”

She saddled Spitfire and mounted, wincing in pain as she did so. Taking in a deep breath, she rode out of the city and into the countryside. When she was a short distance away from Lothlorien, a cloaked rider appeared before her, startling her. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the furious look on the rider’s face. She moved her hand to the hilt of her sword and gripped it lightly. As she neared him, the rider’s knuckles whitened as he tightened his grip on his horse’s reins. He threw back his hood, and she halted as she recognized Haldir. He dismounted and stormed over to her.

“Where are you going?” he asked angrily as he caught her horse’s reins. “You are in no condition to ride anywhere yet.” He looked up at her, his eyes full of hurt. “Were you really going to leave like this? Without saying goodbye?”

Her heart ached with pain at the look in his eyes. “I thought it would be easier this way,” she said, dismounting. “How did you know I had left?”

Graceful change of subject, Haldir thought in annoyance. “I am the March Warden of the Galadhrim. I know all that goes on in Lorien.” He looked into her eyes. “Why are you leaving?”

“I have things I need to do,” she said, lowering her eyes.

He tipped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “What are you afraid of, Alexa?”

She pulled away from him. “Afraid? I am not afraid of anything. It is just time for me to leave. I have business to attend to in Rivendell.”

So her walls are back in place. Undaunted, he pressed her. “Yes, you are. I can see it in your eyes.”

She looked at him then, her eyes cold and hard. “I am not afraid,” she repeated and turned back to her horse.

Haldir caught her arm and turned her around gently. He searched her eyes. “You are right. You are not afraid. You are terrified. You are beginning to like it here, and this frightens you even more than Mordor itself.”

She lowered her head. He tipped her chin and gazed into her eyes. “You are afraid of what could happen,” he said softly.

Alexa’s heart fluttered as she looked into his eyes. She pulled away from him, her emotions in turmoil. She was surprised, for she knew that he was right. She was afraid. She sighed and looked at him. “You are right. I am afraid. And that is why I have to leave.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I am starting to hope, Haldir. To feel… things. I cannot allow myself to do that. Every time I have, I have suffered greatly for it.”

Haldir saw the haunted look in her eyes. “How so, Alexa?” he asked gently.

“Everyone and everything I have ever cared for has been taken from me.” She shook her head. “I cannot go through that again. So I am leaving before it can happen.”

He saw the pain in her eyes. “I will not stop you when you are ready to leave, Alexa. You have my word. But you are not well enough to leave yet. Stay until your wound is fully healed. Please.”

Alexa saw the determination in his eyes. He was not going to give up. She sighed, resigned, for she knew he was right. She was still in too much pain to leave. She looked up at him. “Very well, Haldir. I will stay until my wound is healed. But then I am leaving.”

He nodded and took the horses’ reins. Her heart jumped as he took her hand. She looked at him as they began walking back to Lorien. It would only be a few more days.


Chapter 10 - Farewell to Lothlorien

Chapter X: Farewell to Lothlorien


Over the next several days, Alexa rested and allowed her body to heal. She saw Haldir daily, and could not have gotten rid of him, even if she had wanted to. On the day she was to leave Lorien, she went in search of Haldir to say goodbye. It was a difficult search, for he was the one that usually sought her out, and for that reason, she did not know where to look for him. She began at his talan, and then moved to the gardens and the stables, but all were to no avail. She finally found him near the entrance to the city, standing beside his horse, ready to ride out.

“Haldir? I have come to say goodbye, for I am leaving today.” She noticed that he was heavily armed. Worry spread through her. “Where are you going?”

“I am going into battle. There are a large number of orcs passing through our lands, and I and my wardens are going to defend our borders.”

She looked at him, determination shining in her eyes. “Then I shall go with you and help, to repay you and the people of Lothlorien for all your kindness to me.” And to protect you, Haldir, for I cannot bear the thought of any harm coming to you, she added silently. Surprise ran through her at that thought. What is wrong with me? Why does this Elf make me feel so... strange?

“No. I will not allow it,” Haldir said.

Her blue eyes flashed with anger. He tried to explain. “It is not because you are an elleth, for in Lothlorien, elleths are allowed to choose their own paths. It is because this is not your fight, Alexa.” He looked into her eyes. “And because I do not want anything to happen to you,” he added softly.

“It was not your fight when you helped me either, Haldir.”

She is so relentless! He shook his head. “This is my position in life: to defend the people of Lothlorien. You must go on your journey to Rivendell now.”

She sighed, resigned. She was far too tired to argue her point further at the moment, and she knew that he would win this argument anyway. “Very well, Haldir. I came here to say goodbye and to thank you for your kindness to me.”

“You are welcome, Alexa.” He ran his knuckles lightly along her cheek. “I will miss you,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

She looked into his eyes and smiled gently. “And I you, Haldir,” she said softly. “Goodbye.” She turned to leave, but he caught her arm. She turned back and looked into his eyes. What she saw there excited… and frightened her. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. As she returned his kiss, the small flicker of emotion that she had been feeling ignited into a blazing flame. An intense longing awakened within her, and she knew that she could no longer deny herself the ability to feel. After a long, heady moment, he released her. Touching her hair, he looked into her eyes, all the love he felt for her evident.

“Come back to Lorien once you find what you are looking for. I will be here waiting for you.”

She nodded and touched his cheek. “Goodbye, Haldir.” She smiled and turned away, walking towards the stables. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to stay, but she knew that she had to leave. She had business to attend to.

Haldir watched her walk away, his heart heavy. He was still reeling from that kiss. Kissing her was a heady experience. He sighed. He hoped her journey would be swift, for he loved her and would miss her terribly. He smiled slightly. Alexa was so different from anyone he had ever known. She had seen and experienced things that would have destroyed most people, yet she had survived. He loved her fiery, independent spirit, and the stubbornness that he had once found annoying, was now something that made him cherish her all the more. He mounted his horse. “Goodbye, Alexa.” He turned and rode to join the Galadhrim.

* * *

Alexa left Lorien and headed west towards the Misty Mountains. As she crossed the mountains, thoughts of Lorien and Haldir faded, and a deep loneliness overtook her. Her mind became consumed by thoughts of her father, the Elf that she held responsible for all of her suffering. The love that had begun to awaken in her heart vanished as hatred once again consumed her. She hoped that killing her father, an Elf she now hated with every fiber of her being, would bring to right the darkness of her past and at last, give her peace.

The mountain weather was intense and slowed her pace, but she pressed on, determined. After several weeks, she made it through the Mountains and turned North, heading for Rivendell. The night before she would reach Rivendell, she sat beside the campfire, thinking about how she would accomplish her task. I must look like an Elf, if I am to appear to belong among these people and not arouse suspicion. She reached up and loosened her hair, which spilled down her back in long, golden waves. Combing it out, she tucked it behind her ears, making sure that her Elven ears could be seen. She looked at her clothes. Although they were a man’s riding attire, she believed they would suffice. She leaned back against a log and stared up at the stars. She needed little sleep now that she was well, so she was content to spend the night watching the sky and thinking about her entrance into Rivendell tomorrow. She sighed. This was not going to be easy.


Chapter 11 - Rivendell

Chapter XI: Rivendell


At first light, Alexa rode out from her camp and headed for Rivendell. She was tired and glad that she was almost to her destination. Her mouth curved into a wry smile. She also did not want to ride a horse for a few days, for she was sore from the weeks of endless riding. She urged Spitfire on, for she was anxious to reach the city. Rivendell was well hidden, but Alexa managed to locate it after heeding Galadriel’s instructions.

As she neared the city, she stopped and dismounted, deciding it best to walk the rest of the way. The outskirts of Rivendell were comprised of a large forest. This forest was far different from Lothlorien though, for Lothlorien was golden with tall Mallorn trees, while the forest of Rivendell was greener and the trees more diverse. As she approached the city gates, she was stopped by several Elven sentinels.

“Good day, my lady,” one said. “Who are you and from whence do you hail?”

“I am Alexa,” she replied. “I have journeyed here from Lothlorien.”

“What brings you to our fair city, my lady?” the sentinel asked.

“Lady Galadriel has told me of the great beauty of Rivendell, and I have traveled here to see it.”

The sentinel nodded. “I do hope you enjoy your visit, my lady.”

Alexa nodded, and passed through the gates. She looked around in awe, for the city was beautiful. There were many flowering trees scattered throughout the city, as well as several crystalline streams. Marble balconies and walkways were everywhere, as were many exquisite fountains.

She walked further into Rivendell and stopped when she came upon an Elven maiden, sitting on the edge of a fountain. Alexa looked at the maiden in awe, for she had never seen anyone quite like her. The elleth was very beautiful, with long, flowing raven-colored hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was clad in a dark blue gown and an exquisite jewel hung from her neck. The very air around the elleth seemed to glow with warmth and light. The maiden approached Alexa and greeted her warmly.

“Hello. I am Arwen. Have you just arrived in Rivendell?”

Alexa smiled at her, determined to be as sweet as possible. “Yes. I am Alexa, my lady. I have journeyed here from Lothlorien.”

Arwen’s eyes brightened in recognition. “Oh, yes. Lady Galadriel told my father, Lord Elrond, of your coming.”

Alexa suddenly could not breathe. Had she been found out? Had Galadriel betrayed her? An intense anger intermingled with a disturbing unsettledness overcame her. She was angry because of the possible betrayal and the diminishing chance that she would have to kill her father, and unsettled because the Elves had prior knowledge of her and possibly of her motives.

Arwen seemed to sense her tension and smiled at her warmly. “He told me to welcome you when you arrived. How was your journey, Lady Alexa?”

Alexa let out her breath, looking at Arwen in surprise. “Uneventful,” she said carefully. She was cautious, for she did not trust these people and knew not of their true intentions.

“That is good. Come. Let me show you to your room.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Alexa replied. Arwen placed her arm around Alexa and began leading her into a large palace. Alexa stiffened slightly at the gesture, but forced herself to relax, so as not to offend Arwen. Why are they being so hospitable to me? Alexa wondered. I was not expecting to stay in Rivendell, and I certainly was not expecting to be treated as a guest. Alexa looked around the large palace in awe. It was immense and mainly composed of fine marble and stone. Lavish tapestries were hung throughout, and many exquisite murals and paintings decorated the walls of the palace. Arwen led her down a long corridor and into a lavishly furnished chamber.

“Please make yourself comfortable, Alexa.”

“Thank you, Lady Arwen.”

Arwen smiled at her and left the room, closing the door behind her. Alexa looked around the elegant room in shock. Just what had Galadriel told them?

* * *

The following morning, she received a summons from Lord Elrond. As the guard led her down the corridor, her concern grew. What did Galadriel tell him? That I was merely coming for a social visit? What is going on here? As she entered the great hall, she saw a regal, dark-haired Elf sitting on a dais, and a golden-haired Elf standing on his right. The dark-haired Elf rose as she entered. He was tall and clad in silver robes, and his brown eyes held great wisdom and power.

“Hello, Lady Alexa,” he greeted. “I am Lord Elrond. Lady Galadriel informed me of your coming.”

“Yes, my lord. Your daughter told me of this,” she replied. “Thank you for your gracious hospitality to me. I was not expecting such a welcome, for I did not know Lady Galadriel had sent word ahead.”

Elrond nodded. “You are welcome, my dear. We are always pleased to host our kindred from Lothlorien.” He motioned to the Elf beside him. “This is Glorfindel, a lord of my house. I have asked him to escort you and to show you our fair city.”

She looked at Glorfindel, who smiled at her. He was clad in dark blue robes and was tall and powerfully built. His blue eyes resembled Lord Elrond’s, in that they possessed a similar wisdom and power, but there was something else in Glorfindel’s eyes that Elrond’s did not possess: a deep sadness. Alexa returned her attention to Lord Elrond. “Thank you, my lord. I have greatly desired to see the sights of Rivendell.” And to find my father, she added silently. Glorfindel looked at her.

“Shall we go, my lady?” he asked, motioning towards the door.

“Yes, of course. Thank you again, Lord Elrond. Farewell.” She turned and followed Glorfindel from the room.

Elrond watched them as they left. She is a troubled young elleth. So full of pain, though she tries to conceal it behind a mask of propriety. He sighed. He hoped Galadriel was right. He hoped everything could be made right.

* * *

Alexa followed Glorfindel as he showed her the various sights of Rivendell. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before. The city was wondrous and the waterfalls were breathtakingly beautiful. The homes of Rivendell were stunning, all composed of fine white marble and stone. Many lush gardens surrounded the homes, and several Elven children were playing about. Alexa sat on a bench near a lovely fountain. “This is a beautiful city,” she told him.

“I am glad you are enjoying it, my lady,” he replied, sitting beside her.

Alexa studied Lord Glorfindel. He was kind and welcoming, and was graciously willing to answer her many questions about the city. She felt herself begin to relax as she listened to him speak of the many splendid horses of Rivendell. I wonder why I feel so at ease around this Elf? she mused.

A sudden breeze came upon them, blowing Alexa’s hair around her. She glanced at Glorfindel as the breeze blew his shirt slightly open, revealing a silver medallion. Her heart stopped when she saw it. She blinked. No, it cannot be! It is just not possible! But there it was, the other piece of her medallion, hanging around Lord Glorfindel’s neck!

“Your medallion,” she asked with a calm she far from felt. “What does that symbol represent?”

“It is the symbol of my house, my lady.”

Her pulse quickened and a powerful excitement began to course through her. “Are there many like it?” she asked evenly.

“No. This one belonged to my daughter, but she is gone from me. I would prefer not to discuss it further.”

Alexa studied him as he answered her. His face was completely devoid of emotion as he spoke of his daughter! How dare he speak of me as if I mattered not! She began to seethe with anger, but she quickly calmed herself. Now was not the time for her revenge. “Of course. My apologies,” she told him.

Glorfindel nodded. He hoped he had not offended her, but it hurt to speak of his daughter. He studied the elleth. Her face was youthful, as was the normal for Elves, but her eyes spoke of an age he could not believe she had reached. He imagined her to be around the age his daughter would have been. She even had eyes like his daughter had had: intense, fiery blue, and beautiful. He looked at her and frowned. Something was different. Her manner towards him had changed dramatically. She had been relaxed, but now she sat stiffly, back rigid, eyes staring at nothing. He did not understand her sudden change in manner. Had he offended her? She rose suddenly.

“I must go. Thank you for escorting me around the city,” she said, her voice a little too sweet.

“You are welcome, Lady Alexa.”

She turned and walked away quickly. He stared after her. Something was definitely wrong.

* * *

Alexa walked away quickly, heading straight for her room. Glorfindel had to be her father! He had to be the man who sold her into slavery! His appearance was different, but it had to be him. Who else would have the other piece of her medallion? By the time she reached her room, she was shaking uncontrollably. She paced the floor, trying to rein in her emotions. Oh, how she hated him. She hated him so much, she could taste it. It was like ash in her mouth. She could feel the rage coursing through her veins like wildfire. She was going to make him pay for all the pain he had caused her. She needed to watch him first, though. She needed to learn his movements and find her best opportunity to strike. But soon, she would kill him. She fingered her dagger. Very soon.


Chapter 12 - A Broken Family

Chapter XII: A Broken Family

When Haldir arrived back in Lorien, his thoughts were once again consumed of Alexa. The battle on the borders had been fierce and violent, and the orcs had been more numerous than they had originally thought. Two of his wardens, his friends, were lost in the attack. In the end, they had been victorious and succeeded in slaughtering the orcs. He sighed. During the entire time, he had been constantly distracted because he was so worried about Alexa. Something was wrong. He could feel it. But what? He decided to go speak with Lady Galadriel about it. Perhaps, she could advise him. He began slowly walking up the stairs to the Lord and Lady’s dwelling. As he entered the hall, he encountered the wise eyes and gentle smile of Lady Galadriel.

“Good day, my Lady,” he greeted.

“Good day, Haldir.” She looked into his eyes and knew what his heart desired to know. “She is in Rivendell, Haldir. She arrived there safely.”

Relief flooded him, but then disappeared as quickly as it had come. “I am relieved to hear that she arrived safely, my Lady, but I still feel that she is in danger. Why did she journey to Rivendell?”

“She seeks her father, Haldir.”

He looked at her in surprise. “Her father? But why? She…” He stopped. Hates him. His breath left him as he stared at Galadriel. Her look confirmed his fears: Alexa was going to try to kill her father. “No! She could be killed for even attempting it!” The very thought of any harm coming to Alexa made his blood run cold. He had to protect her! He left the room quickly, heading for the stables, but stopped when he heard Lady Galadriel’s voice speaking to his mind.

“I know your heart, Haldir. You cannot go after her. You cannot save her this time. Only she can do that. I believe, in my heart, that she will not kill her father; else I would not have sent her to Rivendell. You must have faith in her, Haldir. She has changed since you first met her. You helped her speak of her past. Now she must face it. Have faith in her now, Haldir.”

He sighed. He knew she was right. He must have faith in the elleth he loved. Faith that she would not kill her father; not for her father’s sake, but for her own. He returned to the trees, and continued to guard Lorien, his heart praying unceasingly for Alexa.

* * *

Alexa watched Glorfindel closely over the next several days, learning his every movement. She secretly followed him to his home one evening, and studied the house and surrounding grounds. The house was made of fine marble and had three levels. It was large and spacious, and looked like it belonged to someone of great authority and power. The gardens were lavish as well, possessing many flowering trees and an elaborate fountain. She shook her head in disgust. A rich and powerful father. Just like Dargon.

She thoroughly examined the exterior of the house and determined that the easiest way to slip in undetected would be to climb up to the second floor balcony and enter the house through there. She yearned to spill his blood and, in so doing, somehow bring to right the darkness of her past. She sat in her room and tried to calm her racing heart. Tomorrow night. Tomorrow night it will all be finished, one way or another.

* * *

The following evening, Alexa crept silently to Glorfindel’s home and climbed up to the second floor balcony. She made no sound as she landed on the marble balcony floor. She removed the dagger from her boot and silently entered the house. The house was dimly lit, and shadows were everywhere. Walking slowly, she grasped her dagger tightly, watching for any sign of movement. A small flicker of doubt entered her mind. Could she kill him? She angrily pushed the thought away. After all he has done to me, he deserves to die! She turned sharply as Glorfindel moved from the shadows, his sword drawn. His eyes glittered angrily in the dim light, and his mouth was set in a firm line. A slight nervousness began to settle over her, but she paid it no heed. If she could kill Dargon, she could kill him. A new feeling of malicious excitement ran through her as she eyed his sword. She tucked her dagger into her boot and quickly drew her own sword.

So it is to be a fight, eh? All the better.

“Lord Elrond told me that my life was in danger, but I never expected the cause of it to be you,” he said angrily, his eyes narrowing. “Why?”

She glared at him, hatred burning in her eyes. How dare he show anger towards me! I am the only one who has the right to be angry! “My life has been nothing but pain because of you!” she said acidly. “I am here to repay the debt I owe you!”

He could not keep the shock from his face. He had never seen her before a few days ago. What could she possibly mean? She lunged at him before he could ask. He blocked her blow, and returned with one of his own, which she steadily blocked. The fight intensified, both delivering and blocking blows. Glorfindel was surprised by her fighting style. She fought with the skill and speed of an Elf, yet there was an almost animalistic brutality in her fighting, that most Elves did not possess. He attacked and grazed her arm with his sword, leaving a gash in its place. She drew back slightly and glanced at her arm. She looked back up at him, an evil smile on her face, and attacked him once again. The fight raged on, each attacking the other, until everything suddenly changed. Alexa lunged at him, but as she did, her medallion slipped out of her shirt. Glorfindel froze when he saw it.

“Where did you get that?” he asked in shock. “It was my daughter’s.” How had this elleth come into possession of his daughter’s medallion? He had been searching for countless years, but had never found a trace of it, nor of his daughter. He blocked her as she lunged at him again.

“Yes, I know!” Alexa said coldly. “That is the reason I am here!” She glared at him in disgust. She was beyond angry now; rather, she was absolutely livid with rage. He had the gall to play the innocent with her! She scowled fiercely at him. She was not going to tolerate any more of his insolent cruelty. She attacked again, and he blocked her blow.

Glorfindel studied the elleth in open shock. Visions of his beloved wife, Elerrina, began to flash before him. He could see her face so clearly. He stared at Alexa, and saw in her face the same full mouth that his wife had had. He could also see his wife’s high cheekbones and delicate nose. He thought of the last time he had seen his baby daughter. He remembered every detail of his baby’s beautiful blue eyes. He looked at Alexa and saw those same blue eyes glaring fiercely back at him. He felt his heart stop as complete realization came upon him. How could I have not seen this before?

“Elyndiriel,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

“What? I do not speak Elvish! Speak the Common Tongue!” She continued to attack him, but now he only blocked her blows. He no longer attacked her in return.

“Where have you been?” he asked, his eyes full of pain.

“You sold me into slavery! Have you forgotten?”

“Sold you! I would never have sold you. I loved you! I thought you were dead!”

“Oh, really. You did not sell me? Then I must have imagined all those years of pain and torture.”

He winced at her coldness. “No! I did not sell you! You meant everything to me! For all accounts, you were dead. But deep in my heart, I always hoped you were alive and would come home someday.”

“And here I am,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and hatred. She swung her sword at him again, but he merely blocked her blow and did not attack in return.

“You seek not to return my attacks?” she asked angrily.

“No. I will not harm you.”

She glared at him. “So be it then,” she said and attacked again. The fight continued on in this way, her attacking, him blocking, until a strong voice stopped them.

“That is enough,” the voice commanded. They both turned sharply as Lord Elrond appeared. Alexa held her breath, expecting a battalion of armed guards to come rushing in… but none came. She stared at Elrond. She did not understand these people. They were all completely mad!

“There will be no more fighting. I will not allow it to go any further,” Elrond said, his expression grim and full of authority.

She glanced at him sharply. Her eyes narrowed. Who does he think he is? This is my affair. I do not care if Glorfindel is a lord of his house; he still deserves to die for what he did to me. “I owe this Elf for what he has done to me,” she told Elrond coldly.

Elrond looked at her, his eyes full of pity and compassion. “He did not sell you, Alexa.”

“Oh, really. Well, who did then?” she asked sardonically.

“An enemy of your father’s. A dark-haired Elf named Nenthalion.”

Alexa saw Glorfindel’s eyes darken as Elrond spoke that name. She drew in a sharp breath as she felt her mind flash back to the vision of the Elf she had seen in Galadriel’s mirror. The dark-haired Elf. Suddenly, she could not breathe. She glanced between Elrond and Glorfindel in disbelief. Could it be true? Could Elrond be right? The image of the Elf in the mirror, an image that would be forever burned into her mind, appeared to her once again, and she knew that what Elrond had said was true. Her body went numb, and it was a moment before she could move again. A horrible sense of panic overcame her, and her heart began to pound heavily. She began to tremble, and knew that she had to leave this house… now. Her sword clanged onto the floor as she ran from the room. Glorfindel started after her, but Elrond stopped him.

“No, my friend. Give her time.”

Glorfindel bent down and picked up Alexa’s sword from the floor. He looked at Elrond, still reeling from shock. “Is that really her, Elrond? Is she truly my daughter?”

Elrond nodded. “Yes. Galadriel knew, and so she sent her here.”

Glorfindel was overcome with anger. “Why did you never foresee of this, Elrond? Why did you not know she was alive?”

Elrond looked at his friend, his heart sympathetic to his pain. “She was always surrounded by darkness, until she had an unlikely meeting with a Lothlorien Elf. Galadriel sent me word of her.”

“Then why did you not tell me when you received word of her?”

“Had I told you, the things I had foreseen would have turned out very differently. And not for the better, my friend.”

Glorfindel lowered his head. “I have to speak with her, Elrond.”

“Not yet, my friend. She is not ready to speak with you, for she still does not understand the truth. Allow me to go speak with her.”

Glorfindel nodded and watched Elrond leave the room. Elyndiriel, my beloved daughter, alive. I have prayed unceasingly for this moment since the day I lost her. He fell to his knees. Overcome by joy and pain, he wept. Elyndiriel.


Chapter 13 - Heavy Thoughts

Chapter XIII: Heavy Thoughts


Alexa ran into a nearby garden and collapsed onto a bench. She felt weak and consumed with pain. She was so terribly confused; it felt like she was losing what little control she had left over her life. What disturbed her even further was that she was surprisingly embarrassed. She reached up and felt the heat in her cheeks. She shook her head and sighed bleakly. How long had it been since she had felt the harsh sting of embarrassment? She looked around cautiously. What would they do to her now that she had attempted to kill a high lord of Rivendell? Her own father, nonetheless? Her heart began to pound so intensely that she thought it might leap out of her chest and shatter into many tiny pieces. She was trying to calm herself, when Lord Elrond appeared before her.

“What do you want?” she asked weakly.

“To tell you of the day you were taken,” he told her as he sat beside her. She looked up at him in painful expectation. “Nenthalion sent beasts to attack your parents while they were out of the city with you. Your father was wounded and your mother killed in the attack. You were dragged off by one of the beasts. Riders were sent out to search for you, but all that was ever found was a piece of your clothing, a large amount of blood, and the other piece of your medallion.”

“Where is this Elf now?” she asked coldly.

“Your father hunted him down and killed him.” Elrond looked at her. She seemed mildly surprised. “He was so completely consumed with grief that he would not stop searching until he found Nenthalion, even though all traces of him had vanished. It took your father months to find him, and when he did, he killed him.” Elrond looked at Alexa, whose eyes were downcast. “So you see, my dear. Your father did not sell you. He loved you and the grief of losing you and your mother nearly killed him.”

She nodded and looked up at him. “Thank you for telling me this, Lord Elrond, but I need to be alone for awhile.”

He nodded and watched her as she walked away. He sighed. He hoped now this broken family could at last be mended.

* * *

Alexa walked to the stables, her emotions in turmoil. All these years, she had believed a lie! She opened the gate to Spitfire’s stall and began stroking the animal’s neck. “Can you believe it, Spitfire? All of these years. All of these years I have believed a lie. All of these years I have hated the wrong person and the wrong people. What do I do, Spitfire? What do I do now?” The horse nuzzled her hair, and she leaned against him. She sighed bleakly. I now know the truth about my father, yet the hate remains so deeply embedded within my heart that I do not know if I shall ever be free of it. I do not know what to feel towards him now.

“Hello, Elyndiriel,” a soft voice said.

She spun around quickly and saw Glorfindel standing by the stall gate, uncertainty in his eyes. As she stared at him, she was overcome by a frightening shyness and nervousness that terrified her in a way that she had not thought possible. The feelings shook her down to the very core of her being and into the depths of her troubled soul.

Glorfindel studied his daughter. She looked like a wounded child. Her eyes were huge, and she hugged her arms protectively around herself. He only remembered her as a child, so at first sight she was still his little girl. He studied her eyes closely. Their blue depths were full of so much suffering and… age. It was then that he knew she was no longer his little baby, but rather, a grown elleth who possessed knowledge of things that most could not, nor would not wish to fathom. What has my baby been through? He handed her her sword, which she took and slid into her scabbard.

“We need to talk, Elyndiriel,” he implored.

“We will talk, but not now,” she said as she mounted Spitfire.

Panic spread through him. “Do not leave,” he begged. “I have just found you.”

She looked at him. “I am not leaving. I just need to go for a ride and think awhile. I need to be alone right now.”

“Very well,” he said, moving from the gate so that she could ride out. He watched her as she rode from the stable, heading for the city gates. His heart yearned to speak with her. He sighed. Hopefully, this ride would help her sort out her feelings and help her be more ready to speak with him.

* * *

Alexa rode for several hours, then dismounted and made a fire. She could not think clearly in Rivendell, not with so many watching her and expecting. She sat back and gazed at the stars. “Oh, Alora. I need you so much right now. I am so confused. My world has just fallen apart.”

She sighed. She had so many questions, and knew only one Elf had the answers. But can I face him? A few hours ago I tried to kill him because I thought he was the monster who sold me. Now, he is an Elf who claims to love me. What do I do? She looked at the sky. Dawn was coming, and with it, a new day. A day that would perhaps hold the answers that she so desperately sought. She rose and put out the fire. Mounting Spitfire, she headed back to Rivendell.

* * *

Glorfindel paced back and forth on the balcony. He was terribly worried. The sun had risen over two hours ago, and Elyndiriel had not yet returned. He wondered if all fathers suffered the torture of incessant worrying when their daughters went missing. He was about to go after her when he saw her ride in the city gates. He sighed in relief. He watched her as she dismounted and began leading her horse to the stables. He wanted to go speak with her, but decided it best to let her come to him when she was ready. He sighed. I hope that will be soon.


Chapter 14 - The Truth Revealed

Chapter XIV: The Truth Revealed


Alexa stabled Spitfire and went in search of Glorfindel. She had many questions that desperately needed answering. Her search was brief, however, for she soon found him on a balcony overlooking Rivendell. She nervously approached him, her heart pounding. For the first time in a very long time, she wanted to run away from a confrontation, but her pride prevented her from doing so. She sighed. They had to talk sometime.

“Hello,” she said softly.

Glorfindel turned and saw Alexa standing a few feet away from him, her eyes huge. “Hello,” he replied, his expression veiled.

Alexa shifted her weight nervously. She did not like being unable to read his expression, for it made her uneasy and unsure of herself. “I…I do not know what to say,” she stammered. She paused for a moment before continuing. “I have spent my entire life wrongly hating you and my people. I am so confused. I do not know what to feel anymore.”

His heart ached for her. He knew so little of her life, but what he did know told him that his baby had suffered so much pain. “I am so sorry, my child. If I had known where you were, I would have come and gotten you the moment I found out.” He lowered his head. “I thought you were dead, but deep down, I always hoped you were alive and would come home someday.”

Alexa looked at him, and knew that she could not contain her questions any longer. They were weighing too heavily on her mind and heart. “Who was this Elf? What happened to my mother? What happened to me?”

He sat down on a bench and motioned for her to sit beside him. She walked over and sat down warily, for she still did not know nor trust this Elf.

Glorfindel watched her sit and was troubled by her unease, although he understood it. However, it still hurt that his daughter was so distrustful of him. He took a deep breath, hoping he would have the strength to get through this tale.

“Nenthalion and I were both in love with your mother, Elerrina, but she loved me and chose me over him. Nenthalion went mad with hatred and jealousy. Your mother and I were married, and we heard nothing of Nenthalion for several years. The day Nenthalion reappeared, I was meeting with the High Council. Nenthalion went to our home and tried to convince your mother to leave Rivendell with him. When she refused, he attacked her. One of our maids saw this, and ran to the Council to tell me. I ran home, four guards accompanying me. When I burst through the door and saw him trying to force your mother to leave with him, I seized him and threw him back against the wall. I wanted to kill him and would have, but two of the guards held me back and prevented me from doing so. The other two grabbed Nenthalion and took him to the dungeon. Later that evening, Nenthalion killed the dungeon guards and managed to escape.”

He paused for a moment and looked at Alexa, who was listening intently. “Three years later, we had you. We named you ‘Elyndiriel’.”

“That is my name?” Alexa asked. He had called her it before, but she had not realized that it was her Elven name. The name sounded so strange, so… unfamiliar. It did not feel like it belonged to her, but rather, to someone who had lived and died long ago. Someone who may never live again. “What does it mean?”

He smiled at her. “It means ‘Star Gazer.’ We loved you so much. You were our entire world. When you were six months old, your mother and I took you for a walk around the countryside….”

* * *

“Please, Glorfindel,” Elerrina begged. “Let us keep walking. It is such a beautiful day, and the baby loves the walk.”

Glorfindel looked at his wife with a tender fondness. He could never refuse her anything, especially when she begged. She would look up at him with huge green eyes, and she would stick out her bottom lip in a slight pout. He always found it too adorable to resist. He smiled at her in surrender. “All right, my love. We cannot go too far away from the city though, for it is not safe.”

She smiled at him brightly. “Yes, my love. We will not go much further.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and looked into her eyes. “You always know how to get what you want, do you not?” he asked in mock annoyance.

She ran her hand through his golden hair, and kissed the special sensitive place on his neck, smiling wickedly as he shuddered. “Yes… I do,” she teased.

“You are ruthless, you know,” he said, trying to sound stern.

She smiled slyly. “I know.”

He grinned and kissed her lightly. A small, frustrated cry startled him, and he released her. He looked down and smiled at the baby in Elerrina’s arms.

“Are you feeling neglected, little one?” he asked as he leaned down and kissed his baby’s soft cheek. The baby smiled and put her hands on his face. He growled playfully and gently nipped at her fingers, making her squeal with delight.

Elerrina grinned at them. “She wanted a kiss from her ada too.”

He smiled. “She can have as many kisses as she wants, for as long as she wants. And so can you.” He gave Elerrina a quick kiss. “We had better keep walking, or we are going to be here all day,” he said and growled playfully in her ear.

She laughed and tapped his arm. “Let us keep walking, love.”

“Oh, very well,” he replied, trying to sound hurt.

She grinned and whispered in his ear, “Later.”

“Yes. Later, my love,” he said huskily and kissed her sensitive ear. He grinned as she shuddered. “Tonight.”

She looked at him and touched her ear. “And you say I am ruthless!”

Glorfindel grinned at her. He put his arm around his wife and daughter, and they continued on. They walked for awhile longer, then stopped to rest near a placid lake on the outskirts of the woods. Many large trees grew around the lake and seemed to form a protective, loving canopy around them. Various blossoms grew at the bases of the trees and throughout the meadow. This was a place that seemed unable to harbor any evil, but rather, security and peace. Elerrina sat down and set the baby in front of her. Glorfindel watched them lovingly.

“Is she not the most beautiful baby you have ever seen, Glorfindel?”

“That she is, my love.” He sat down beside her and began to play with his daughter. He smiled when her little baby hand grasped his finger. She had quite a grip for a little one.

Elerrina watched Glorfindel play with Elyndiriel. She had never loved him more than she did at this moment. He was a wonderful father. He sensed her staring and smiled at her.

“What is it, my love?” he asked tenderly.

She smiled at him. “I love you, Glorfindel.”

“And I you, beloved.” He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. They remained in each other’s embrace until a strange noise startled them. Glorfindel glanced around sharply. The noise was coming from the woods and heading straight for them. Elerrina grabbed the baby and rose swiftly. Glorfindel stood protectively in front of them and drew his bow. They looked on in horror as a pack of draug-like creatures ran from the woods, heading straight for them.

* * *

“What is a draug?” Alexa interrupted.

He looked at her, remembering that she did not speak Elvish. “It is a wolf. I had never seen beasts like these before. They were like wolves, only larger and more vicious. They seemed to be bred for the single purpose of destroying everything in their path. I killed three with my bow, before they were upon us….”

* * *

“Get out of here, Elerrina!” Glorfindel shouted as he stabbed one of the beasts. “Now!”

Elerrina tried to run, but was quickly surrounded by several of the beasts. Glorfindel tried to get to her, but four of the beasts attacked him at once, knocking him to the ground. He fought to free himself as more of the beasts leapt upon him.

“Elerrina!” he cried as one of the beasts attacked her. She dropped the baby as she fell. “No!” he cried and kicked one of the beasts off of him. As he struggled to free himself, one of the beasts bit deeply into his leg, causing him to yell out in pain. Using his other leg, he kicked the beast between the eyes, which caused it to release his leg. He frantically looked at his wife, and saw one of the beasts dragging off his baby. “No!” Using every ounce of strength he had, he somehow managed to throw off the beasts. Stabbing two, he went for his baby, but froze in horror as he realized that the baby and the beast were gone. He spun around, hearing another sound coming towards him. He froze in shock as he saw Nenthalion approaching.

“You!” Glorfindel cried fiercely.

“I have waited a long time for this day, Glorfindel,” he said, giving Glorfindel an evil smile. “How do you like my beasts?”

“How could you do this, Nenthalion?” Glorfindel asked, enraged.

“You stole everything I loved from me! Now I have done the same to you!” Nenthalion drew his sword. “Now I shall destroy what is left of you!”

“I will kill you for this!” Glorfindel hissed.

The two Elves fought, both equally matched in skill. After several heated moments, Nenthalion began to gain the upper hand, for Glorfindel could not move as quickly with his injured leg. The fight raged on, but as Nenthalion was about to deliver a deadly blow, a noise caused him to stop. Glorfindel turned and saw three Rivendell scouts riding towards them. Cursing, Nenthalion retreated.

“This is not done yet, Glorfindel!” he shouted as he ran into the forest. The three riders halted before Glorfindel.

“Lord Glorfindel, are you all right?” one of the riders asked.

“Never mind me!”

“We will go after him, my lord!”

“No! One of the beasts has taken my daughter.” He pointed at two of them. “You two, go find my daughter!” he commanded. He pointed at the other Elf. “You, help my wife!”

The two Elves rode off in search of his daughter, and the remaining Elf went to Elerrina. Glorfindel limped over to them, and knelt down. The Elf looked at him, and then at the wound on his leg.

“Let me tend to that wound, my lord.”

“No! Help my wife!”

The Elf looked at him. “I can do nothing for her, my lord. You, I can help.”

Glorfindel felt his heart stop. “No,” he said, his voice breaking. He leaned down and cradled Elerrina in his arms. Signs of death that he had not noticed before became vividly clear in that moment. Elerrina’s skin was so cold and white. Her eyes were glassy and fixed on some distant place. He began to tremble, for he could no longer feel the life within her. She was gone. Closing his eyes, he wept.

* * *

“So that would explain where the scars on my shoulder came from,” Alexa said softly.

Glorfindel looked at his daughter, and saw that her eyes were downcast. “Later that day, the two riders returned to Rivendell. All they had found of you was a torn piece of your dress and the other piece of your medallion. Both were covered in blood. But, I could not give up on you. I sent more riders out to search for you. They returned a few days later, empty-handed. I had just buried your mother when they arrived. I was so consumed by hate; I went after Nenthalion. Elrond tried to stop me, saying that the riders had found no trace of him. But I did not care. I was going to hunt him down until I found him, no matter how long it took. It took me months, but I eventually found him….”

* * *

After many grueling months of searching, Glorfindel finally found Nenthalion. Glorfindel approached him, sword drawn, the single purpose of killing Nenthalion controlling him.

“I have finally found you, Nenthalion!” Glorfindel said coldly.

Nenthalion looked at him in mild surprise. “I can hardly contain my joy.”

Glorfindel glared at him, the hatred burning in his eyes. “Where is my daughter?”

Nenthalion gave him an evil smile. “I found her in the clutches of my beast. She made a nice meal for him.”

Glorfindel felt like he had been kicked low and hard. The last flicker of hope he had of finding his daughter faded. He glared at Nenthalion, eyes burning with murderous rage. “I am going to kill you for this!”

Nenthalion drew his sword. “I doubt that.”

Glorfindel attacked him with all the rage and hatred that had been eating him alive for months. It felt as though some darkness had taken hold of him, and had now escaped with a vengeance. He wounded Nenthalion, who fell to the ground. Glorfindel closed in on him, as Nenthalion scrambled to his knees.

“Please don’t kill me,” Nenthalion begged, his eyes full of fear. “Have mercy upon me.”

“Like the mercy you showed my wife and daughter?” Glorfindel sneered. “I do not think so!” He rammed his sword into Nenthalion’s heart. He glared into Nenthalion’s eyes as he wrenched his sword free. Nenthalion fell to the ground, dead.

Falling to his knees, Glorfindel stared at the blood covering his hands. At last, the beast was dead and his family could finally have peace.


Chapter 15 - The Tale of a Slave

Chapter XV: The Tale of a Slave


Glorfindel looked at Elyndiriel and saw a single tear roll down her cheek. She reached up with her hand and touched the teardrop. Alexa stared at in surprise and rubbed it between her fingers. She shook her head and sighed in annoyance. “I have not cried since the day Alora died.”

“It is all right to cry, little one. You do not always have to be so strong.”

She lowered her eyes. “Yes, I do. I do not know how to be any other way.”

He reached out and took her hand. “You are safe here. You have nothing to fear anymore. Your people will always be here to protect you. I will always be here to protect you.”

Alexa looked up at him and frowned slightly. She did not know how to respond to this. It had been so long since she had had someone who cared about her, so long since she had been part of a family. She felt odd and somewhat unnerved by the thought. She flinched slightly as he brushed the hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear.

“Tell me what happened to you, my child. “Where have you been all this time?” he asked.

Alexa cringed inwardly at the thought of telling him of her life. Most of her tale was so dark and disturbing. Will he be ashamed of me? she wondered. She did not know this Elf, but the thought of him being ashamed of her made her wince. She sighed heavily. He told me what I desired to know; now I must do the same for him. She drew a ragged breath and began.

“I was sold to a man named Dargon. He gave me to one of his house slaves, Alora, who named me and raised me until I was old enough to work. Alora was like a mother to me. She loved me and took care of me from the day I was given to her.” She paused for a moment as a mixture of joyous and sad memories washed over her.

Glorfindel looked at her. She looked so lost, and he could hear the pain in her voice. He squeezed her hand, encouraging her to continue.

“She was the only person to ever show me love and kindness. When I was very young, we used to sing together. It is the only time I have ever sung in my life.” Her voice became colder as she continued.

“When I was old enough, I became a house slave as well. I did all that was asked of me, but it was never good enough. Dargon loved to beat his slaves, even though they rarely deserved it. And they were hard, brutal beatings. If I escaped a day without getting beaten, I was very fortunate. Every time he beat me, he would tell me how worthless I was, and how my father had wanted nothing to do with me.” She paused for a moment and looked at him.

“I am glad to know that it is not true. Alora would have been glad to know that as well. She would always tend to me after a beating… until the day everything changed.” Hot tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to succumb to her grief.

“Dargon was beating me, and she stopped him. He killed her for trying to protect me. She returned my medallion to me, right before she died.” Alexa removed the medallion from her shirt and tenderly traced its carvings.

“Alora had taken it from around my neck when I was given to her, and kept it so that Dargon would not take it from me. She died in my arms, and it shattered me. But from my pain came rage. I took a knife from the table and went after him. I found him in the great hall, sitting at a table. He ordered me to bring him a scroll that was sitting on a small stand across the room. I brought it to him, and came up behind him. He reached for his whip, and then I killed him. I slit his throat.” She shuddered at the memory.

“He was the first person that I ever killed, and it changed me,” she said bleakly. “Growing up in that place did not allow most of the slave children to retain their innocence. Nor did it me, for I lost what remained of mine in that moment. I no longer felt alive; rather, I was empty and cold, consumed by pain, and wishing for oblivion. Whatever love and sweetness I had left in me died along with Alora, and remained dead for a very long time.” She sighed heavily. Even though Dargon had been a horrible Man, she still felt a small twinge of remorse at her first kill. She frowned and shrugged it off. He felt no remorse at what he did and neither will I.

“After I killed Dargon, I took his keys and gave them to the house master. No one cared that he was dead. All of the slaves hated him. I left without any of them trying to stop me. From there I have traveled all over Middle-Earth. I have been to Gondor, Rohan, and numerous other places. The only places that I avoided were the Elven lands. I met my horse several years ago. We saved each other, you could say. I saved him from the men who were trying to capture him, and he saved me from a lonely life. He gave me someone to love. Spitfire was the only friend I had for a long time.” She stopped.

“How did you end up in Lothlorien?” Glorfindel asked.

She looked up at him with a slight smile. “If not for Haldir—”

“Haldir?” Glorfindel asked in surprise.

“Yes. He is the March Warden of the Galadhrim.”

He smiled at her. “Yes, Elyndiriel. I know of him. I have met him before during my travels.”

“Then you need to know that he saved my life.” Glorfindel stared at her in surprise. She began to tell him of how she had met Haldir and of how he had saved her life. She smiled at the many emotions that crossed Glorfindel’s face: amusement, shock, fear, and gratitude.

“If you know Haldir, you know that he is a very persistent Elf. Even though I threatened him many times, he still refused to give up on me. I owe him much.”

“As do I, little one. As do I,” Glorfindel replied and tenderly touched her hair.

That loving gesture broke down the remainder of her defenses, and she lowered her head, trying to fight the tears that were so dangerously close to the surface.

“I am sorry I tried to kill you. I just…,” her voice broke. “I am sorry,” she whispered.

Glorfindel put his arm around her. He felt her body tense slightly, but she did not resist.

“It is all right,” he said softly. “I understand why it happened. It is all right.” He knew she was trying to fight her tears. “Go ahead and cry, little one. Do not fight it anymore.”

Alexa could not fight her emotions and grief any longer. She broke down and allowed her tears to fall. Glorfindel felt the gentle shaking of her shoulders and knew she was crying.

“My little girl,” he whispered and held her close. “My sweet little girl.”

They remained this way for a few moments, until Alexa drew back. She reached up and brushed the tears from her eyes. He looked at her. She looked completely exhausted.

“Go and rest, Elyndiriel. I will be here when you want to talk again.”

She nodded and rose. Glorfindel watched her as she walked away. He knew they had made progress today, but they still had a long way to go before she would completely trust him. He smiled. It was a start.


Chapter 16 - The Portrait

Chapter XVI: The Portrait


The following day, Alexa decided to take a walk around Rivendell. Walking always seemed to help her think more clearly. Nature soothed her spirit, and helped her see what was truly important. She walked aimlessly, just enjoying the sights, but stopped as she saw Glorfindel just ahead. She had not been expecting to come across him.

“Oh, hello,” she said in surprise.

“Hello,” he replied and smiled at her.

She returned his smile. “I was not expecting to see you. How are you?”

“I am well. And you?”

“I am well also.”

They were both silent for a moment, unsure of what to say next. Glorfindel looked at her. The awkwardness between them had eased somewhat, but he still felt a wall between them. He was about to say something to ease the tension, but she spoke first.

“Glorfindel, what was my mother like?”

Glorfindel looked at her in surprise. He smiled sadly as memories of Elerrina began to wash over him. Oh, how he missed her. He had not spoken of his beloved in so long, for it had always been too painful. But now that he had Elyndiriel back, the pain had somehow begun to ease. It was easier to speak of Elerrina when he was with her.

“She was beautiful, kind, and full of life. She was wild and spirited, and probably one of the most stubborn people I have ever known.” He smiled slightly. “You remind me of her.”

Alexa studied Glorfindel and frowned slightly. He seemed so sad and in such pain. She could see that he still loved her mother deeply. She bit her lip in hesitation, unsure if she should press him further. I do not wish to cause him more pain, but I want to know about my mother. I need to know about her. She sighed.

“What did she look like?” she asked softly.

He smiled at her. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

She followed him as he led her into his house. He led her into an elegant chamber and pointed to a portrait on the wall.

“That is you and your mother. You were three months old at the time.”

Alexa studied the beautiful Elven woman in the portrait. She had long, flowing golden hair and bright emerald-colored eyes that shone with fire. A sweet, yet mischievous smile graced her lips. What struck Alexa the most was the love the woman had for the blue-eyed baby in her arms. She glowed with it.

“She is beautiful,” she said softly.

“Yes, she was. You bear a remarkable resemblance to her.”

Alexa looked at the portrait sadly. “Yes, except her eyes do not contain the hardness that mine possess.” She sighed heavily. “Perhaps I would have been like her if things had not turned out the way that they did. If only that dark day had never happened. If only my soul was not… ruined.”

He turned her face to him. “You soul is not ruined!” he said roughly. His voice softened as he continued, “Your soul is beautiful… and in pain. But now it can begin to heal, Elyndiriel.” He smiled. “I believe it already has, for I do not see the hardness in your eyes anymore.”

She lowered her head. He tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes.

“I see a change in you, my daughter. The hardness has left you. You seem more alive and at peace.” He smiled gently. “You are beginning to heal, little one.”

She smiled slightly. “I hope so.”

“Do not worry. Your fire and stubbornness still remain,” he teased.

She laughed. “I cannot seem to get rid of them.”

He laughed. “Do not. It is who you are. You are my beautiful, stubborn, spirited little girl and nothing will ever change that.”

She smiled. “I was going for a walk. Would you like to join me?”

He smiled at her in return. “Yes, I would like that very much.”

* * *

Elrond watched Glorfindel and Alexa, from the balcony above. They seemed to be more at ease with each other. He had not seen Glorfindel this happy since before Elerrina had died and Elyndiriel had disappeared. He smiled as he saw them laugh.

“Good. Very good indeed.”

* * *

Alexa remained in Rivendell for several months, and spent time with Glorfindel daily. It still surprised her how at ease she had become with him. Having a father had somehow filled a missing part of her heart, a part that she had not even realized that she was lacking. She had grown to love Rivendell, but she was missing someone terribly and wanted to see him. The day she chose to leave was a difficult one….

* * *

“At least let me send someone with you!” Glorfindel said in exasperation.

Alexa suppressed a smile. She was still not accustomed to having someone worry about her.

“No, I will be fine. I have made the journey before.” She paused. “And do not send word ahead either,” she said, having anticipated his next thought. “I want it to be a surprise.”

She looked at Glorfindel. He looked like he was about to go mad; he was so frustrated with her. She bit her lip to keep from laughing. But when he started muttering about stubborn daughters, she could no longer contain her laughter. He glared at her.

“Is something amusing?” he asked dryly.

“Stop worrying, Father! I will be fine,” she said, grinning.

Glorfindel stared at her, a huge smile on his face.

“What is it?” she asked. “What did I say?”

“That is the first time you have ever called me ‘Father’.”

She looked at him in surprise. “I do believe it was.”

“It was wonderful to hear.” He paused for a moment. “I do not want you to leave. I have only just found you.”

She looked at him. “I promise you. I will return, but I have something I must do now.”

He nodded, his heart heavy. “Very well. I will miss you,” he said softly and touched her arm.

“I will miss you too,” she replied and embraced him.

Glorfindel held her, not wanting to let her go, but he knew he must. He released her and helped her mount her horse. He took her hand and looked into her eyes.

“Return soon, my daughter.”

She smiled at him. “I will, Father. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Elyndiriel.”

He watched her as she rode out of the city. He sighed. Goodbye, Elyndiriel. I love you, my daughter, and will count the moments until your return. Turning, he walked away and headed for his home. He hoped her journey would be safe.


Chapter 17 - A Hooded Messenger

Chapter XVII: A Hooded Messenger


Orophin watched the forests of Lothlorien closely, looking for any sign of movement. His keen eyes saw a rider in the distance. The rider was clad in a hooded black cloak and rode upon a powerful black horse. Who is this? he wondered suspiciously. A servant of the enemy? If so, they will regret ever entering these woods!

“Rumil, a rider approaches,” he warned his brother.

The brothers waited until the rider neared, then approached, bows drawn. The rider halted in front of them.

“Who are you, and what is your business in Lothlorien?” Orophin demanded.

“I am Lady Elyndiriel of Rivendell,” the woman said. “I come with a message for the March Warden.”

Orophin and Rumil studied the woman for a moment, and slowly lowered their bows. Though they did not know the woman’s intentions concerning their brother, they did not think that she was a danger to him. They would not let her be a danger to him, for they would keep her under guard until instructed otherwise.

“Come with me,” Orophin said.

The woman dismounted and Rumil took her horse’s reins. “I will take care of him,” he told her.

Alexa nodded and followed Orophin deeper into the forest, Rumil following closely behind. After a time, they stopped and Haldir appeared before them. Alexa’s heart began to pound as she looked at Haldir. How she had missed him. But now that he was before her once again, surprising warmth came over her and made her smile.

“Haldir,” Orophin said. “This is Lady Elyndiriel of Rivendell. She has come with a message for you.”

Haldir nodded and motioned for his brothers to depart. Rumil started to protest, for he was concerned for his brother, but Haldir held up his hand for silence.

“I will be fine. Return to your posts.”

Orophin gave a slight nod to the woman and he and an annoyed Rumil departed.

Haldir looked at the hooded woman, his heart pounding. What is her message? She has come from Rivendell, so it must be of Alexa. He was somewhat nervous, for he had not heard from Alexa since she had left Lothlorien; but, conversely, he was glad to receive any news of her.

“What message have you, my lady?” he asked.

“This,” the woman said and removed her hood.

Haldir barely had time to recognize Alexa before she was in his arms, kissing him. He drew back after a moment and stared at her. He touched her face, and stared at her with a mixture of surprise and wonder.

“Oh, my,” he said, trying to get his breath.

She smiled at him. “Hello, Haldir. I hope my message pleased you.”

“Very much,” he said as he ran his fingers through her hair. She was wearing it loose, and he thought she looked lovely. “Why did you not send word ahead?” he asked.

“And miss the look of surprise on your face? Never,” she replied, grinning.

He smiled and studied her. She seemed different somehow. He could not determine why, but then it struck him. The hardness was gone. Oh, the fire and stubbornness remained, but the hardness in her eyes was gone. She seemed more at peace. He smiled into her eyes.

“You seem different. Your eyes do not carry the hardness they once did. What has caused this change? What happened in Rivendell?”

She smiled shyly and looked upward. Haldir looked up and saw his brothers and the other members of the Galadhrim grinning down at them. Haldir scowled at them, but they only grinned more.

“Let’s go somewhere private and talk,” he said loudly.

She grinned and he took her hand. They walked on into Lorien until they reached a bench overlooking a lovely fountain. They sat down, and Haldir gazed into her eyes.

“Tell me what happened in Rivendell, Alexa.”

She looked at him. “I found my father, Haldir.”

His heart pounded. “And what happened?”

She lowered her head. “I tried to kill him.”

Oh, no. “Did you succeed?”

She looked at him. “No. Thankfully, Lord Elrond ended the fight before it got to that point.”

“Who is your father, Alexa?”

“Lord Glorfindel.”

He stared at her, stunned. Lord Glorfindel! “Lord Glorfindel?” he asked, still in shock.

“Yes. I learned many things while in Rivendell, including my Elven name, ‘Elyndiriel’.”

“Elyndiriel. A beautiful name,” Haldir said, smiling gently. “It suits you.”

She glanced at him shyly. “Thank you.”

“Tell me what happened, Alexa. How did you find out that Lord Glorfindel was your father?” Haldir asked.

She took a deep breath and began to tell him of what had happened in Rivendell. She told him about her father and the dark day that her mother died. She told him of Nenthalion, and how her father had killed him for what he had done to them. She then shared with him the story of how she had begun to trust her father.

She smiled slightly. “We have spent a great amount of time getting to know each other.” She sighed. “It is strange, yet wonderful, to have a father, Haldir.”

Haldir touched her face. “I am glad that you found your father, and that he was not the one who sold you.” He smiled slightly. “I spoke with Lady Galadriel, and when I realized what you were intending to do, she had to order me not to come after you. I knew you could be killed for even attempting it, and I just could not bear the thought of anything happening to you.”

Alexa could feel the heat rise into her face at his confession. He was going to come after me. He wanted to protect me. She smiled at him, deeply touched. “Thank you for worrying about me, Haldir.”

He returned her smile. “Of course, it was not hard to do at all.”

She laughed. He looked at her, his heart pounding. He knew he had to tell her what was in his heart, whether she returned his feelings or not. He took a deep breath and began.

“Alexa,” he said softly. “I have to tell you something.”

She looked at him. He looked terribly nervous. “What is it, Haldir?” she asked, concerned.

“I…,” he stammered.

“What?” she asked gently.

“I love you.” He saw the surprise cross her face. He knew he had to continue, before his courage failed him. “I know you might not feel the same….”

“Haldir….”

“And that is all right…,” he continued as if he had not heard her.

“Haldir….”

“I just wanted you to know how I felt.”

“Haldir!”

He blinked and looked at her, as if just realizing that she was speaking.

“Haldir, how can I tell you that I love you too if you will not let me speak!”

His eyes widened. “What did you say?”

She smiled. “I love you, Haldir. It took me awhile before I could admit it to myself, that I really did love you, but I do.” She shook her head. “I did not even think I was capable of it, but you proved me wrong, Haldir.”

He touched her hair, a huge smile on his face. “I never knew that three little words could bring me so much joy.”

“Nor did I, Haldir.” She gave him a wry smile. “So, are you going to kiss me now or not?”

He smiled. “Yes, I am.”

And he did just that. They remained in each other’s embrace for a long while. He still could not believe that this special elleth loved him, but she did. And he loved her. He wanted to hold and kiss her forever. And that was exactly what he planned to do.


Fin


Author's Note: Well, "The Lost One" is now finished, but the sequel, "Found", will be up soon. I hope you all enjoy "Found." Thank you for all of your great reviews!
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Printed from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net) on Sat Nov 14, 2026 10:18 pm