Edlothiad - Blossoming

Throwing on her armor, she gathered her belongings and moved to the window, looking down the great tree to the ground below.

It wouldn't be a difficult climb, compared to scaling masts and securing sails in the middle of a tempest it would be nothing. There was no shortage of branches, ledges, and thickly rooted vines to cling to. She secured her pack and hoisted herself out of the window, then began a steady climb down the side of the talan.

She'd managed to descend almost halfway down before one of the vines she was supporting herself on gave way and she slipped. Scrambling, she reached for a thin branch, the leaves pulling off in her hands as she groped for purchase against the wall with her feet. Twisting the branch in her fist, she held fast. Steady for the moment, she took stock of her situation.

There was a window ledge just below her, and she winced when she realized she'd kicked at it in her moment of panic. After a nervous pause, she eased herself down to stand on it, her other hand finding a better grip against a knot in the great tree. She released the flimsy branch and it flew out of her hand, whipping her in the face and showering her in torn leaves.

She gripped the knot with both hands, looking around for a way to move further down the tree when she heard the sound of a sliding bolt, then the window opened at her knees. She sighed and dropped her head against the bark of the wall.

"My lady, we simply must stop meeting like this."

She looked down to see Prince Legolas looking up at her, an expression of sad amusement on his face. He reached up, holding a hand out to her.

She frowned.

"Maybe you should stop getting in my way, phazgân."

He said nothing, just blinked at her boredly whilst continuing to offer his hand in assistance. When Kalî realized he would not be frightened away by her scowling, she groaned and took his hand. With some effort and less grace, they managed to get her inside. Kalî dropped her pack to the floor and sat down beside it with a huff.

As she rubbed the grit from her hands, Legolas knelt across from her and looked at her closely, the distress she was in apparent.

"Hiril nín?" He said softly.

Her eyes were on him like lightning.

" You do not call me that."

Her tone was a blade and Legolas surrendered, nodding apologetically, a hand on his heart. He didn't understand how he had offended her, but it was certainly something he had no desire to repeat.

His immediate submission disarmed her, and after a long silence she spoke,

"I don't want to marry you."

She looked away from him, absently taking in the new room.

"That is the most honest thing I have heard in weeks," he laughed.

Kalî looked at him then, her brows knit in confusion.

He leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, "I do not want to marry you, either."

He sighed, sitting fully on the floor and leaning back on his hands, "I did not even know about this… arrangement until a month ago. My father assuming you were long dead, he never thought to prepare me for the possibility that I might wake up one morning expected to marry some stranger."

Kali listened attentively, studying him all the while. She supposed he was handsome in his own way, much more like most of the other elves she had met; tall, lean… pointy. But there was something different about his look that set him apart. She couldn't tell if it was his appearance or just how he held himself, but even looking as standard as he did, he would stand out in a crowd.

He was still talking.

"Fortunately for us, we have no obligation to marry."

She shot upright, eyeing him suspiciously. He started at her sudden movement and turned his head to face her.

"What?" Kali all but snapped. Legolas furrowed his brow in confusion, then his eyes widened with realization.

"Valar, did you think we were?" His eyes looked from her bag to the window and back to meet her piercing glare. He pushed himself up, moving closer to her.

"Is that why you were running? Lady, no. If it were as such, I would have been racing you down the tree!"

Legolas laughed, and Kalî could not help but snort in response. She rolled her eyes, feeling rash and foolish for having reacted so impulsively. She rubbed her eyes and groaned pathetically, thinking about how she would have to apologize to her dear uncle for abusing him.

He continued to chuckle at her as she huffed and whined, her embarrassment obvious.

"Lâ ha-na izinda." She muttered, grabbing her pack and rising to her feet.

"Am I really so hideous though?" He said, a bemused smile still gracing his lips. Kalî huffed, rolling her eyes again and extending a hand to help him to his feet. He looked oddly at the proffered hand before taking it. With surprising strength she pulled him to his feet and he yelped in alarm.

She slung the pack over her shoulder and gave him a blank look.

"Maybe."

His eyes seemed to sparkle with humor when his smile was full, and he stepped aside to allow her passage to the door. She nodded her thanks, almost shyly.

"I am sorry to have disturbed you, phazgân. And that you journeyed all this way for naught."

He shook his head.

"It is my pleasure to be here, regardless of the circumstances. We have met, that is all our fathers could have ever asked for. I have no desire to return to the Woodland Realm immediately. I do hope we can be friends, Lady Eressëaiel. Please do not hesitate to call on me should you have need."

Kalî considered him a moment, intrigued, then laughed, looking down at her hand on the door knob.

"I don't suppose you could help me get back into my room?"

Haldir approached Celeborn's study filled with apprehension. This was all very unusual. The last time he had been within the Lord and Lady's halls was when he was volunteering to go into the world of Men, hundreds of years ago. He was different then. For what purpose did Celeborn call him here? He could only assume it had to do with Kalî. Perhaps she had told Lord Celeborn about his atrocious behavior that night, or maybe he was still to receive some condemnation for failing to come to her aid on the bridge. His mind couldn't make itself up over all the possibilities and his gut twisted like the roots of a tree.

Haldir knocked gently on the door of the study, hoping that Celeborn wasn't within and he would be granted a temporary reprieve from whatever was in store for him.

" Enter. " Came a voice from within.

Haldir pushed open the door and walked inside, holding his head up high. Whatever punishment was in order for him, he would accept it graciously.

"Haldir! Thank you for coming. Please sit. " Celeborn said cheerfully, gesturing towards one of the chairs before his grand desk. Haldir did as he was told.

"I wanted to talk with you about the marchwardens. You are the one who has always spoken for them, ever since your return from Gondor, it felt right that I should bring this matter to your attention first." Celeborn said.

"Matter, my lord? " Haldir asked hesitantly.

" Yes." Celeborn continued, "The matter of the wardens being under the management of the council. Long has the order been neglected under this watchful peace, but no longer is that acceptable. I have addressed the issue with the council and we have agreed that there shall be a cordagar installed to manage the wardens directly."

Haldir blinked in surprise. This was far and away from anything his mind had conjured.

" Really, my lord? A cordagar? Are we in any danger from abroad?" Haldir asked.

" No, no. Nothing as such at the moment. But there is a darkness in the East, and the time may come when we will need to be prepared to defend ourselves. The state of the wardens is an unknown, that being the fault of the council entirely. " Celeborn added assuringly, "Investing a leader will give us a better perspective on the state of our borders, our military might, and will ensure the Wardens are at their best. It is long overdue." Celeborn went quiet for a moment, just looking intently at Haldir, who was desperately trying not to fidget under the gaze of his lord.

" How can I help in this matter, my lord? " Haldir finally said, his voice almost trembling.

Celeborn smiled, " To begin I should like to take a tour of the marches with Prince Legolas and a few of the council. Then a candidate will be selected from within the wardens themselves, and we shall have an Urdd Marchog to invest them."

" An Urdd Marchog? You intend to instate a Minyaheru as well? " Haldir choked in surprise.

" Yes. The cordagar will also serve as our first general and have a place on the council. I have already conferred with our eastern and western kin and they are in agreement. Haldir, what is your opinion on the state of the marches? How long would they need to prepare for a formal inspection?"

Haldir was beside himself. To have been asked here to represent the wardens was quite an honor in itself, but now his opinion was being requested. He took a deep breath.

" They are in good order, my lord. You could expect to tour them at any time, but perhaps a week's preparation would serve to better appease the council? " He offered.

" A week? Very good then. You may return to the march, Haldir. Please prepare the wardens for a formal inspection by next week. I should like for you to join us on the tour, please return here when everything is ordered to your satisfaction. " Celeborn stated, nodding to himself.

" Mine, my lord ?" Haldir asked, unsure.

" Yes, dear Haldir. You have always served to represent your fellow wardens whenever there has been a need these past few centuries. You have been an invaluable member of your order and I would greatly value your opinions in this endeavor. " Celeborn said earnestly. "Please enjoy the feast before your go. You and your brothers are welcome at our table. Navear." The lord said, before turning his eyes to the papers strewn about his desk. Haldir paused only a moment before standing and taking his leave. He bowed deeply, though Celeborn looked at him not, then left the room.

Haldir paused in the hall to catch his breath. A Minyaheru? Whom amongst the wardens was even qualified for such an honor? Haldir thought. Perhaps Celeborn's intention was to find eligible candidates upon inspection. He considered his brother Orophin would make a fine contestant, all things considered.

He was lost in his thoughts when he heard it. A small voice in the distance, crying out and increasingly panicked. Without hesitation, Haldir moved in the direction of the voice. Weaving down various halls be came upon the sight of Lady Arwen, banging helplessly against a door and pawing at the doorknob. She noticed him turn down the hall and she cried out beseechingly.

"Warden Haldir! Please! My cousin doesn't answer and the door is locked!"

Haldir's vision blurred and the next thing he knew he was at the door, throwing his weight against the wood, ramming his shoulder against it. The wood cracked and moaned against the abuse, Haldir barely heard himself crying out Kalî's name. What if she was hurt? What if she had done herself harm? What if she had left?

The door barked as the frame gave up the fight and Haldir powered into the room, his hip smashing against the chaise as it slid stubbornly out of the way.

"Aglâr anÊru!" Kalî cried out, walking towards the commotion from down the hallway, Legolas at her side.

Haldir and Arwen both turned in shock towards her voice, and Kalî's heart stopped at the terror in Haldir's eyes. A thin sheen of sweat glistened against his brow and splinters littered his right shoulder, but his eyes showed a fear she had never seen in them before.

When neither Haldir nor Arwen spoke, Kalî continued, "What is happening here? Izre, did you just break down my door?" Her voice was tinged with disbelief.

"Impressive. I am certain my method would have been less effective." Legolas chirped.

Haldir's eyes went from Kalî to Legolas then and she saw them shift. In an instant he was terrified, relieved, then cold. His face fell stoic and he straightened his back.

Arwen paid no mind to anyone but Kalî. She rushed to her cousin.

"I was so concerned when you didn't answer! You were so upset when last I saw you."

Kalî felt her heart sink, both from guilt over worrying Arwen, and the quickness with which Haldir's emotions had changed.

"My apologies." Haldir muttered tersely, "Please excuse me." And he hurried away down the hall.

Kalî turned to watch him leave, and her stomach twisted with the urge to run after him.