Set in Stone - Haldir's Story -

Chapter 4 - Daëra

*Hi guys, I know the story is developing slowly, but as the title of the chapter already reveals you'll be meeting Daera now so finally things get rolling! Please comment and vote so I know what you think! Jazzlinxxx*

Haldir was on his way back to Caras Galadhon – he couldn't quite say how long he had been staying outside and he felt it was time to check on his brothers: the sun was shining high, so it had to be something about mid-day. His feet were carrying him back on the way he had come without his mind having to pay too much attention to where they went: his orientation was excellent, it had to be if one wanted to survive in a forest. He was hoping that when he got back, the Lord and Lady might already have decided on an answer and he and his brothers would be able to return to Mirkwood. Haldir stepped onto a little clearing and knew he was not far from the city now, he could almost hear the soft rustle of the elves' everyday business – when he felt a presence behind him. Before he could even think any further, Haldir had whirled around, drawn his sword and was piercing whoever was sneaking up on him with cold eyes.

The female elf who had just walked onto the clearing behind him had frozen on the spot. Later Haldir realised that he should have heard from the sound of her movement that she wasn't an attacker, but he wasn't used to that – in Mirkwood any sound meant danger. That was why he just didn't fit this place. He would grow soft and unprepared if he stayed here for much longer and the first day back in Mirkwood would kill him. No, the sooner he got back home the better. Haldir straightened up from his defence-position and eyed up the elf in front of him. She was dressed in white like most of the Lórien elves, but her hair was dark-blond, almost brown, which was unusual for Silvan Elves. She wore a grey cloak on top; her arms were wrapped around a big, heavy-looking book.

"I have to apologise." Haldir sheathed his sword and greeted her, she returned the greeting. "The trees and creatures of Lothlórien are a lot nicer in their nature than you will be used to from your home, Haldir of Mirkwood. You need not fear an attacker from behind in here – at least as deep in the Woods as we are now." – Haldir frowned. "How do you know who I am?" He was aware his Mirkwood uniform was giving his origin away, yet he did not know how the woman could possibly know his name. She smiled, almost shyly. "New people in Lórien are never a secret for long." – "If you know my name, I think I should be allowed learn yours," he demanded. – The woman just shrugged, as if her name was nothing special. "It is Daëra. – Are you on your way back to Caras Galadhon?" – "Yes. I have not seen much of the city yet." – "So am I." They turned towards the city and started walking together. Daëra held on tight to her book, but her eyes were directed onto the trees in front, as if she didn't want to miss when the city would be visible for the first time.

"It is amazing, do you not think? Caras Galadhon? It seems to be part of the forest. I have never seen anything like it." – Haldir looked at her in an attempt to read her expression. "You talk as if you had not been living here all your life." – "Oh, I haven't!" she exclaimed. Haldir was rather taken aback at that - elves didn't exclaim -  but he didn't show it. "Have you not? Then where are you coming from?" – "Many places," she answered with a melancholic air and he could see that her eyes weren't seeing the trees around them, but memories inside her mind. – "I grew up at Mithlond, the Grey Havens, and have lived there for a long while. Then I started travelling. But Lothlórien is the most beautiful place by far. Have you seen much of Middle-Earth, Haldir?" – "No, I have lived in Mirkwood all my life." – "Oh," she looked sad. Haldir – not wanting to be pitied – quickly added: "People paint it blacker than it is. It is dangerous for sure, but it could be worse." – She looked at him, but her eyes went right through. "Do you think so?" Her voice was more of a mumble. "I thought it was a dark place, sad and full of treacherous creatures. Not the elves of course, but everything else. Even the trees." – "Certainly, one must never trust the trees..." Haldir paused when he realised what the actual meaning of her words was. "Have you ever been to Mirkwood?" – "Oh yes." – "At our castle? Where did you go?" Haldir could not remember to have seen her there and the guards pretty much knew who was staying at the castle. It was their job to keep an eye on the guests, also because they didn't want their visitors – who didn't know the forest –  to get killed. He had the feeling he would have noticed her, had she ever been at the castle. – "We never saw the castle, I'm afraid. Elladan had had some business to do, he was talking to the people of the Long Lake and had a look at the Lonely Mountain – from afar. I had meant to see the elves of Mirkwood, but I could not bring myself to enter the forest all on my own. It is... I mean, I can swordfight. I just..." She let the sentence fade out. – "Elladan, son of Elrond? Have you been to Imladris as well?" – "No, not yet. I met Elladan when I was still living in Mithlond – his father had sent him to arrange for his mother a passage to the Undying Lands. He has been all over the world and has taken me with him on some of his travels. We were near the River Isen when I decided to visit Lórien again, so I went up North." – "On your own?" – "Yes. My horse and my sword have never failed me – but even more than that I am quite talented at not being seen or heard. I can fool most eyes and ears – not yours, of course," she added with a slight nod and smile in Haldir's direction.