Restoration II: The Story Continues ...

by Fianna Leighton

Chapter Fourteen

Haldir rubbed a finger over the leaf of the plant in front of him and then smiled as the leaf shivered at his touch. Another life in the forest, another to replace those that still littered the forest floor, a sad reminder of the destruction not so long ago. But he could not remain sad, for the trees he'd brought from Mirkwood were thriving, growing almost so fast one could stand and watch the leaves unfurl - great mallyrns to replace those now gone.

He allowed a sigh to release the sadness the memories always brought, reminding himself there was good things to think of. It was a hard choice, for it was too easy to fall into a deeper melancholy when the memories invaded his thoughts, the sight of that destruction still visible, if slowly fading by the new trees as they grew.

But the dead would remain, many harboring the new baby trees, providing life with their death.

It was only nature's way.

Except for the destruction itself, that was not natural, but one...

"Haldir?"

He paused in his thought, shifted features to his normal bland expression and turned to face his brother.

"You can't hide your feelings from me."

Haldir smiled in amusement. "I can try."

Rumil snorted faintly. "You should not be out here alone."

Haldir lifted a brow. "I should not be out alone?"

Rumil settled on an old log, propping up a knee. "Aye, you, former March Warden. Would you have wanted Galadriel to wander the woods alone..."

"I am quite sure she would have been fine."

"But yet, in your concern and duty, you would not have wanted her alone."

"Indeed not."

"My point," Rumil finished, folding his arms over his chest.

"It rankles that I have not the freedom I once had."

"I am sure it does, but the choice has been made. You are tied to the wood, Haldir, always have been."

"I know. I do not complain, truly." He shrugged and then offered Rumil a sheepish smile. "It is a role I still struggle with. I did not wish to become Galadriel."

"No, and you are not. You are still Haldir." Rumil shifted, poking into the pouch at his waist. He handed Haldir a bit of bread. "I must say I miss our Baker. Things have not been quite the same without her concoctions. Do you know if Orophin has reached Mirkwood?"

"I am sure they have, I sense nothing amiss..." Haldir paused, brows drawn tight for a moment.

Rumil stood up, his gaze distant. "There is trouble."

"He is not in danger, but there is something wrong." Haldir pressed his fingers to his brow, wishing he had more skill in mind-speak. "All I sense is there was trouble, but not so much now. But Orophin is concerned."

"He will send word if he needs us."

"I think you should make preparations," Haldir frowned and scanned the forest around him. "For all the wardens except the current group guarding the fences. They will remain."

"And you?" Rumil asked with a faint smile.

"I am going with you."

OoO

Esteri ducked the arms reaching for her, shoving off from Sweeney to leap onto the dock. The boat rocked at her exit, Sweeney's grin annoying her once more. What was she to do now? The men blocked the path down the dock, the half dwarf standing in front with arms crossed.

"Ain't no place to go, lass."

Esteri glared at Sweeney for good measure and then lifted her chin toward the men. "You think so, but I don't agree."

Durbin spat a gob of tobacco, head turned slightly away. Esteri used the moment to leap forward, then down, sliding past his reach to the men behind him. She rolled, slamming into several pairs of legs, knocking the men off balance. Rose to her knees and kicked out to take another man down.

A hand in her hair made her gasp, suddenly caught sharply by the firm grip that tightened as she was pulled to her feet.

"Nice try," Durbin growled in her ear. "But we was expecting something of the sort. Sweeney likes his entertainments too."

She was pushed around to face the half-elf who stood as yet in the boat, one arm braced on a piling.

"I told you she wouldn't make it easy. Costs more now, you've damaged her."

Durbin's grip in her hair made Esteri gasp as he twisted it tighter. "Nay, I think less, Sweeney. She's damaged a couple of my men, two are in the water now, don't know that they can swim that well."

Sweeney shrugged, the smile still curving his mouth, but Esteri noted the expression did not reach his eyes. She shifted her feet to ease the hold on her hair.

"If you don't pull them out, it's not my concern. My trouble is with you, Durbin. See, I figured once I saw you were here that you'd try to negotiate things in your favor. But I'm the one who kidnapped her from under Thranduil's nose. That counts for a lot, not to mention the troubles I've had keeping her captive." Sweeney drew a knife, running his thumb along the blade. "I don't negotiate, man. My price or none at all."

"Seems to me ye got no room to complain," Durbin growled. "I've got the wench already."

A whistle made Esteri flinch even knowing the knife would be thrown. Durbin grunted, then suddenly loosened his grip on her hair, tumbling with a sigh into the dark waters of the lake.

Esteri spun to face the other men, taking several steps back, rubbing her head.

Sweeney leaped onto the dock to stand in front of her. "Now that I've dispatched Durbin. Who's next?"

OoO

Eria shivered as she walked beside Thranduil, his touch on her arm sending spirals of heat down to her fingers, and upwards until she could hardly breathe. She wanted to pinch herself to really know that she was here, in Mirkwood, walking beside the elf who had taken her heart.

Was it too easy? Shouldn't he have been more difficult?

Or did he really miss her? Love her?

She didn't want to think too far ahead. Take it a step at a time, a day, an hour, a minute.

He stopped at a tall door, heavy oak panels with carved images of the forest. Pressed a hand to the wood but did not open it. "You have doubts."

She shook her head, speech suddenly gone, her throat thick with panic.

Thranduil slid his hand down the wood. Turned slightly to look at her, blue eyes searching, lips a touch too flat. What was he thinking? She wished she had Rowen's ability to sense emotions.

He reached out to grip her chin, moving closer until they were nearly touching. "And if I choose only this night, Eria, would that suit?"

She found her voice, cursed the tremble, the stutter to speak her heart. "I said I would take whatever you offer, my lord. Should it be one night, then I must cherish those moments."

"So you would not complain? Would you stay? Or Would you return to Lorien?"

Eria looked at him, licked her dry lips. "I would not know till that day is here."

"My questions are my own thoughts and concerns, Eria. What if I cannot please you?" He smiled faintly as he rubbed a thumb over her lower lip. "What if you find me distasteful after a day or so, your imaginings of me, of us together not what you wished it to be."

"Would you let me go?" Eria whispered.

"If I had to."

"But you are King."

"To all those but you, it seems." Thranduil leaned closer, his breath warm on her cheek. "It would not be pleasant, I assure you."

"So we speak of nothing, then, Thranduil. Concerns to be put aside."

He opened the door, swinging it wide. An elf stood waiting, face carefully expressionless. "Then enter my abode if you dare, Eria."

OoO

Haldir paced the shadows of his home, no longer a talan, but a simple house of stone, sticks and mud, much like a hobbit's, if taller to allow room for an elf. He could still sense Orophin's unease. Knew at this time he was not needed, but also knew it could grow into something that did. Years of experience taught him to be prepared, perhaps even to leave before...

But no, it was Orophin's choice to send for him. Haldir could not undermine Orophin's determination, just as Galadriel had trusted Haldir, even on those occasions Haldir might have had doubts himself. It was startling to think in those terms, always he had assumed he knew what to do, but yet did he? Or had he been led subtly by the Lady of the Wood. Would he mind if she had?

All too much to think about, he had to simply trust his instincts, those around him and especially Orophin. He was the March Warden, he knew what to do.

Haldir sighed and pushed his brother from his mind. Sat and pulled a small earthenware jug toward him to pour a glass of wine. The door opened before he could, hand paused in mid-air at the tension coming from the visitor.

"Haldir, ah, I did not think you were here." Radagast's face was shadowed, his hat slightly askew, shifting on its own.

"No? So you come in uninvited? Was there something here you wanted, Wizard?" Haldir put the decanter back on the table, his back to Radagast.

"You think me skulking about like a thief, March Warden?"

Haldir moved to the fireplace to stoke the wood into flames, taking a moment to answer. "Never, Radagast, I simply ask a question."

The wizard shut the door with a sniff. "So you say..." The animal that was Radagast's hat sat up, proving to be a red squirrel. It chirped a question to the wizard. "Red seems to think you are on edge. Is something amiss?

Haldir smiled at the sudden change of subject. "You have not answered my questions, should I yours?"

Radagast huffed, then sent him a narrowed gaze. He was not to be underestimated, Haldir knew this.

"All right, Haldir. Something changes yet again in this world, something that is not good, swept into being by forces needed to be balanced. Light, dark, good and bad, Radagast sat at the table and set his chin onto his hands to look at Haldir calmly.

"As always," Haldir agreed, setting aside the poker next to the fireplace. "That is nothing new."

"But this entity is..."

"Scary, mystifying..." Haldir lifted a brow,

"All that and more," Radagast admitted. "And something that is connected to you, or someone close to you, here in your small island of elves."

Haldir sat across from the wizard. "What do you know?"

Radagast shrugged. "Not much yet, just sense... as you do if you would stop dwelling on the forest's misfortune. You are alive, Galadriel is home and the mallyrn return. There is no time for depression at what happened." Radagast waved away Haldir's attempt to rebuke him. "I know! Elves have long memories. Such a moody lot, I tell you. Give it time, and appreciate what you have while you have it, elf." Radagast stood up to point a finger at Haldir. "It comes and it's part of your world. It will be up to you to stop this, before harm is done." The wizard whirled toward the door, ragtag and looking little like the powerful being he was.

Haldir waited until the door was shut. "Why is it always the elves to stop this? Will there not be a time when someone else steps up?" He stood up then paused. "Ah, Valar forgive me, that was uncalled for." He thought of the hobbit, shook his head. "I have indeed fallen into melancholy." He smiled faintly, sensing a stern thought from Rowen, even at her distance.

0o0

"That was far too easy," one of Durbin's men growled fiercely, yet he did not advance as Sweeney folded his arms over his chest.

"Durbin was always too cocky. He thought me cowed by your presence, thinking I was outnumbered."

"Ye still are outnumbered."

"Indeed I might be," Sweeney agreed with a sly smile.

Esteri shifted behind him, a faint growl, ropes making a soft thud as she untied her hands.''

The men glanced at the elf, at each other and then stepped back, moving to converse in hoarse whispers.

"So you have frightened them, killed their leader, and all for what, Sweeney?"

He liked the soft growl to her voice, her annoyance. "We are not done yet. Durbin was only a test."

"A test?" She moved beside him and he caught her arm before she could move further.

"Aye, we are being watched, and as such, you are still my captive."

She snorted faintly, but could not get him to release her arm.

The men turned toward Sweeney. "Ye are as hard as he said," the one man who had spoken before stepped forward. "I thought Durbin would make the deal. He said Durbin would try." The man held out a hand. "I am Hart. I work for a very interested party. How much for the elleth?"

The elvish term made Sweeney smile. "Too much to talk about here. She is well able to slip away if we stand here all night discussing details that I won't agree to. If your man's interested, then take me to him. Or not, I don't have all night."

Hart chuckled faintly, waved the other men away. "All right. She said you'd get your way."

Sweeney felt the surprise wash over his expression, startled by the admission.

Hart grinned. "She also said ye'd never suspect it'd be a woman. Male cockiness – a la Durbin."

Esteri looked at him, scowled at Hart. "So a woman intends to buy me? I might not mind that."

Hart sniffed. Turned and started to walk down the dock. "Ye'll change yer mind on that. Come along. She hasn't got all night."

0o0

Thranduil's chamber was deceptively simple. Walls melted into stone ceilings that were etched with detail but subtly. Long curtains of blue silk hung beside an arched opening into a bedchamber. Thick fur rugs covered much of the floor, a fire burned merrily in a fireplace as tall as the elf.

Eria stared about, fascinated, fingers linked together in front of her. Thranduil left her standing and staring, moving to a table with wine and glasses. He poured a small amount into one glass and held it out to her.

"Come, take a drink and settle your mind. I can sense your disquiet."

She stepped forward, taking the small glass carefully, her fingers trembling. "I am unsettled. Indeed, I expected fully to be on the road back to the river to go back."

"Giving in that soon?" He poured another glass and lifted the wine to drink. "I'm disappointed."

"Not by my choice, I assure you," Eria admitted. "Fully expected you to refuse to see me."

"Have you so little faith?"

She smiled into her glass. "I didn't know what to think. I thought it perhaps a dream."

He moved toward her, a fluid grace that set her heart to pounding. Traced the line of her chin with a jeweled finger. "I thought it a dream, my feelings surprisingly stronger that I thought. My return here dull and ..." He dropped his hand with a frown and turned away to walk toward the fire. "I refused to admit anything had changed since my return." He glanced at her, hair shifting to shield part of his face. "But again I was wrong."

"So you do care for me," Eria breathed in the heady aroma of her wine with closed eyes. "And now what?"

She didn't hear him return, jumped a bit when he slid a hand behind her back to pull her against him. She opened her eyes, found his very close."

"I think we get to know one another better. But not more, not yet." He sipped his wine, took her glass and set it aside. "I do want one thing."

Eria shivered at the long length of him pressed against her. Felt the strength hidden by long robes and distance, the power in the hand at her back. "And what's that?"

"For you to call me King."

She stared at him, at the amusement in his eyes. Shoved him back a step. "Not on your life, Thranduil. If we are to be together, it will be on equal terms." She sniffed, drawing her arms around her, missing the heat of his body.

He laughed, a quiet dangerous sound. "Equal?"

Eria didn't like his tone, but sensed she needed to not quail at the sound of his voice, at the attempt to intimidate her. "In as much as two people can be equal. I'm not saying I don't respect your rank, but in our affair..."

She stepped back, unable to stop the movement when he walked toward her.

"Are we having an affair, my love?"

Was his term mocking? Was he playing games once again? Eria forced her chin up, stared at him crossly. "Stop being the King of Mirkwood and talk to me, as Thranduil. Be careful, elf. Or I may just return to Lorien. I am sure Haldir will be most happy to have me returned."

"Threats now?" He caught her arm, pulled her close once again. She couldn't help but tremble at the grip on her arm.

"Of course not."

"Good, I would hate to have to lock you up for treason, my dear."

She could only stare in shock for a second before his hand pressed once more against her back, the other grasping the back of her neck as he lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss sent all senses reeling, the feel of him against her wiping out her thoughts. She wasn't sure how long it lasted, a minute? Seconds? Long enough she had difficulty breathing, would have sank to the floor but for his hand at her back. His blue eyes glinted with amusement and something more.

"As I thought." Thranduil smiled. "You are now mine. You will definitely not be returning to Lothlorien anytime soon."