The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar
A Posthumous Writing of The Watcher of Tol Eressea
Chapter 26: Book 5: 1 The Golden Years
by Sienna Dawn

Nearly three years from the date that Haldir was attacked by the shadow beast Orophin finally pledged his love for Niel and formally bade her be his spouse. In all of this time, the brothers had stealthily and in great secret worked to discover the whereabouts of the treacherous Eadendir. Orophin had been reassigned to assist Haldir and now made Tol Eressea his home. The House of the Elms was sealed, for no lodger had ever called upon it since the night Eadendir had released the shadow beast. Though there had been no word that the creature was ever sighted again, some said that this was the legendary beast of Tol Eressea, the one believed to haunt the salt marshes. The Guild too had sent various scouts to search the wildest and remotest regions of Tol Eressea, but to no avail. No matter how hard the search, the old elf elluded and evaded capture. Perhaps, as Korthin had written in a secret missive to the Lorien brothers, it was that Eadendir was no longer in Tol Eressea. No matter, lookouts and discreet Ranger scouts still quietly went about the business of locating not only the old elf, but most importantly the whereabouts of the palantir. Strangely, the years passed and no word of either. And it had come to Haldir one day that perhaps Eadendir had the long arm and reach of spies properly and carefully situated. He had confided this suspicion to Orophin, but naught had come of their cautious and discreet inquiries.

Though a steady and deep love had grown between Niel and Orophin, Haldir could not in all truth say that his marriage to Lisse was proving free of hardship. That they loved each other was not in doubt, but in the passing of time the unspoken doubt that had always lain before them had stretched into a nearly insurmountable wall. Sadly, neither Haldir or Lisse would acknowlege this or speak of it. Slowly they grew apart, though they still loved each other greatly. What it was that kept them apart neither could understand and so their grief and longing each for the other grew.

As the seasons melted one into the other, the joy and love of Niel and Orophin was finally celebrated on a clear and starlit winter night, when they plighted their troth within the scented groves of Guve's finest orchards. There, as the soft ocean breezes cooled their flushed faces, did Niel and Orophin exchanged thin gold bands, a token of their bond. Before the delighted guests they promised and declared their love, and as if in response to their joy, during the closing moments of the tender ceremony, a gentle mist dropped from a cloudless sky. Surprised, for rain was an uncommon thing during the winter months, did the lovers kiss and embrace, signaling the end of the ceremony. Afterward, they turned to their guests and began to accept the many heart-felt wishes of happiness and joy.

Lisse watched her aunt, her own heart constricting with pain and she stole a glance at Haldir, who stood beside her. A stoic expression was firmly fixed on his fair face. Whatever were his thoughts at that particular moment was anyone's guess. Lisse stirred as he suddenly looked down upon her.

" 'Twas an uncommonly unique ceremony, was it not, beloved?" His silver eyes smiled kindly.

Lisse winced inwardly, by now accustomed to his near-condescending tone. She had learned long ago how to mask her feelings from Haldir. "Aye," she replied stiffly, "most uncommonly unique."

Haldir frowned slightly, once again aware that something he had said had caused his beloved Lisse unwonted distress. But what was it? Turning his gaze away from his wife's face, he watched as Orophin and Niel gracefully saluted the many elves who had come to celebrate their marriage ceremony. He wondered if Lisse's discomfort was in memory of their own sudden bonding. For them there had been no star-kissed ceremony, beneath wide and fragrant boughs and groves. Surreptiously he sneaked a glance at Lisse and then looked away. She seemed distressed, something akin to anguish shadowing her lovely features. Haldir allowed himself a moment to think and then wound an arm around Lisse's waist, pulling her close to his side.

Surprised, Lisse looked up and was met with Haldir's bright gaze. His eyes were strangely lit, as if he struggled to keep their fires well banked. She frowned but waited.

"In memory of our own bonding, meleth," Haldir began, "memories of which I hold dear in my heart, let us also take time to ourselves, no?" His calm and loving glance sent a shiver down Lisse's spine. Despite the pain in her heart, Lisse nodded. The ever-constant ache and loneliness, a close friend all these years, were emotions she did not wish to feel, but realized were born of her insecurities. Why was she so afraid, she asked herself. Yet, sadly, she had no answers.

"Always you know how your speech enchants me, Haldir," she loved him so, she thought, as she reached up to caress his cheek. Dear Valar, how she loved him! "Naught would please me more, since you have but returned to this Hall after an absence of many weeks." Her tone was light but Haldir well knew how she hated to be left behind. He smiled then and closed his eyes, leaning into her caress, not caring how many watched them. They were, after all, husband to wife.

Haldir opened his eyes and met Lisse's gaze, "And always I promised to speak thus, for as long as you will have it." His voice was a low purr, one Lisse knew, was designed to seduce her. She laughed heartily.

"Aye, and well you know how to wield it!"

Lisse leaned closer to Haldir, turning her face upward, inviting a kiss, when a discreet cough interrupted them. It was Brieniel, Cook's wife. "Forgive me, my Lady," Briniel began and Lisse turned to the older elf.

"Is something amiss, Briniel?" Lisse asked, aware of Haldir's arm still tightly wrapped about her waist.

Briniel shook her head, "Nay, I am sent by Cook to bade you guide the guests within. Food and drink has been served in the Great Hall."

Lisse nodded, moving away from Haldir's warm embrace and announced that food and drink were ready.

Many hours later, when the guests were still at their merriment, Haldir cautiously signaled to his brother. Understanding passed between the two and Orophin gracefully excused himself from his wife's side. He saw that Haldir was moving away and out of the great dinning hall and to an indoor garden which was situated next to the eating area.

The garden was roofless and soft starlight glittered upon the many trees and flowering bushes. All was still and quiet, the long shadows of the night broken only by shafts of moonlight. The soft ocean breeze came and went, playing gently with the tops of the tallest trees. The fragrance of the flowers in the garden and from the fruit orchards beyond mixed and mingled to create a uniquely exotic scent. Into this enchantment Orophin strode and looked about him until he caught sight of Haldir, whom he saw leaned against the hidden moss-covered door that led to the outside of the house.

With purpose Orophin walked to Haldir.

"What news?" Orophin asked quietly.

Haldir stepped closer to Orophin and took his arm, leading the younger elf deeper into the labyrinthine garden. "I am of a mind to take a long leave from this place." His voice was steady and from its tone Orophin knew that Haldir had made a decision and was now acting upon it. He looked at his older brother.

"Have you knews from the Valar?"

Haldir shook his head and crossed his arms. The elves were now standing beneath a wide linden whose boughs draped toward the ground, forming a natural canopy which served the brothers well. They wished to remain hidden and away from eaves-dropping ears. Both were by now certain that Eadendir's spies operated with complete impunity in Guve Hall.

"Nay," Haldir explained. "I will return to my talan upon the banks of the River Gliding. I plan to take Lisse with me."

At once Orophin understood and nodded, a small smile playing about his face. "I see," was all he said.

"Should you have need of me, send word to Lothriel of Eressea, whose own lodge lays not twenty leagues south of this House. He shall know how to find me." Haldir's silver eyes gazed intently into Orophin's face.

"I will if I have need of you," Orophin laughed openly now, "though I would say you shall have no need of sentries whence you take your Lady!" Orophin's eyes, so much like Haldir's, sparkled with amusement.

Haldir grunted, "Aye," he agreed, though in good humor, "that chit will be the death of me, so shall you see." His words were light, as was his tone, but in his secret heart he wondered how true those words might be.

~*~*~*~*~

So it came to pass that days after the secret conversation between Haldir and Orophin, Lisse found herself enroute to Haldir's talan, where it lay deep in the forests of the Gliding River. She had been greatly surprised by Haldir's suggestion to take her there, especially since he was a solitary elf and not given to suffering travel companions lightly. Still, she had accepted, realizing this was Haldir's way of mending tensions between them and perhaps creating a deeper and more intimate bond. She hoped that whatever distance existed between them would melt and dissipate beneath the fragrant waters of the swift-moving Gliding.

Lisse sighed as her steed followed Haldir's. She looked at his strong back, the flowing golden hair which now hung loose past his waist. She sighed a second time, a sound full of anxiety and it was not lost upon Haldir, who suddenly reared his own steed back to Lisse.

"Are you not comfortable, meleth?" Haldir asked solicitously. His gray eyes sparkled with loving concern.

Lisse saw the gentle look her husband gave her, and it served to melt her defenses away but a small fraction. "Is it wise and just to leave Niel and Orophin so soon?" Her voice was strangely tired. She had no wish to quarrel with Haldir.

But instead, and to her great surprise, Lisse saw Haldir's youthful face break into a genuine smile and it transformed his usually stoic features. "Nay, it will do them both good to be left alone for a time. And, beside," here his voice dropped to a hushed whisper as he leaned across his steed and closer to Lisse, "Twill do us both good to be away from this place. Do you not think so?" His eyes burned into Lisse's face with barely-concealed meaning.

Lisse laughed, and the wind lifted her hair toward her eyes. Without thinking, she pushed it away from her face. When she looked at Haldir, she saw his eyes glow with the familiar glitter of a thousand stars, and she knew at once what was taking place.

"Nay, mighty lords!" Lisse exclaimed silently with dismay, "not now, I beg you!" Her words were a silent plea to the Valar, for she knew that they listened. They always listened. She watched Haldir, knowing a silent exchange was taking place between him and Varda. By now Lisse was familiar with the uncommon side effect that this contact brought. She watched Haldir for a moment longer, wondering once more, as she had hundreds of times before, how this had come to be. It was not an uncommon thing for a Vala to take a quendë as his or her own personal herald, but Lisse had always realized that Orophin, who served Nienna, did not display this strange phenomenom and she wondered why it was thus with Haldir. Lisse had questioned Haldir once, but he had adroitly evaded the matter, leaving Lisse burning with an even greater curiosity.

As Lisse looked upon the face of her husband, the dancing glow of starlight began to fade from his eyes. In a moment Haldir looked upon her. "Is it so distressing to you, even after all of this time?" He did not need to elaborate for he knew fully well how Lisse detested what he had become. It was this thing which served to keep them apart. With a sigh, Haldir turned his gaze away and contemplated the land before him.

Lisse did not know how to respond, for she feared what her words might be, and so she simply said instead, "Are we to change our plans?" She looked to him and studied his strong profile.

Haldir shook his head, aware his wife watched him, but did not turn to meet her gaze. "Nay, we proceed as planned."

The matter lay between them throughout the rest of the journey, which took two days' march. By the end of the second day, as Earëndil slowly climbed the starlit heavens, the terrain abruptly changed and Lisse saw the endless plains of salt marshes give way to a tall grassland. Beyond the thick, tall grass, there lay a massive forest of pines and evergreen. The trees had grown so close together, that their silhouette created a jagged sketch against the starlit skyline. The night was still, and now not even the gentle lapping of the ocean was heard. No birds called or hooted. The wind was calm, and scarcely touched upon them, as if in anticipation of their journey. Lisse strained her eyes about the forest, seeing the thickness of their trunks and their entwined branches and she doubted they could ford beyond it. But as she looked she saw a narrow opening, akin to an arched entrance, formed naturally at one side of the massive forest. Toward this opening Haldir steered his steed, Lisse's own following. Lisse looked at the looming green darkness, for a moment feeling a cloud of uncertainty pass her heart. Unlike Haldir, Lisse had grown beneath the bright blue skies and rushing seas of Tol Eressea. Yet Haldir welcomed the dark glens and forests of the remotest places of the island, and she knew this appeased his longing for the gardens and groves of his beloved Lothlorien. She started as his voice came to her unexpectedly, breaking into her thoughts.

"This is the Thon Fen'uin, the doorway to beyond." Haldir's voice sounded strange in the stillness. He turned back toward her, to make sure she followed, "This is ancient forest, Lisse, so ancient that even the trees no longer remember their birth upon this island." Haldir's eyes were luminous in the darkness, "Tread with care, Lisse, for here the trees lie awake and will watch 'pon our passing."

Lisse nodded silently, her eyes looking beyond Haldir's form, as they steadily approached the ancient forest. She realized the trees looked much larger and heavier upon closer inspection and in her heart there was fear and dread.

In a moment their steeds carried Lisse and Haldir beneath the doorway of the Thon Fen'uin and Lisse felt her back stiffen in fear. Yet, an enchantment seemed to come over her as they slowly rode beneath the wide arched canopy of trees that formed a natural doorway. Her eyes raised to the top of the canopy but all she saw were gnarled and twisted branches, embracing one another and blotting out the sky beyond. Despite her fear, she felt herself relax and then a gentle touch came into her mind and she whirled to look behind her.

Knowing what was occuring, Haldir smiled and nudged his steed to trot alongside Lisse's. The path was wide enough for both animals and their riders. Haldir saw the apprehension plainly etched upon Lisse's face. "Hush, meleth," he began soothingly, "you feel only the welcome of the trees, nothing more."

Lisse turned her blue eyes, wide with fear, onto Haldir's face. "Nothing more?" In her voice there was a great doubt.

"Nothing more, I swear it." Was Haldir's reassuring response.

Soon they had entered the deepest part of the forest and Lisse realized that it was darker here than she had believed possible. Though she could see in the dark, a natural ability of all the quendi, her eyesight was not as nearly acute as Haldir's and so she let him take the lead.

Several leagues later, when Haldir judged it to be well past midnight, Lisse heard the distinct rushing of running water and then her nostrils caught the sweet aroma of fresh, sweet-water. She was about to make comment, but Haldir answered her unspoken question.

"Beyond that growth of evergreen lies the Gliding River. My talan is a short distance away."

Not knowing what to expect, for the sudden sound of running water broke into the eerie stillness of the Thon Fen'uin, Lisse only nodded and made no comment. In a moment, she saw Haldir stop his steed and fluidly dismount, quickly coming to her side. Lisse dismounted her horse and allowed Haldir to pull her into the thick growth of pines and evergreen. With his free hand he pushed the wide fronds away from them as the sound of running water became louder, and the scent of fresh water ever more pungent.

In a moment, Haldir parted a long branch and let Lisse pass before him. She stopped abruptly and gaped at the sight before her eyes.

" 'Tis lovely," she murmured, feeling Haldir's warmth behind her.

"Aye," agreed Haldir quietly, "that it most certainly is."

The Gliding River rushed past them, swiftly moving silver water that was said to possess the power to heal all hurts, both physical and otherwise. It was not a very wide river, but it was deep, that much was known, and how deep went its roots none but the Valar knew. The river was banked on both sides by flowering bushes of all types and Lisse recognized a few. Here and there was the virginal white of the ninim, the many-hued alfirin, the dainty arien, the elegant golden and silver elanor. Lisse looked about her and was entranced. The heady scent of the romantic meril came to her just then and she saw them, dropping close to the water's edge where also the sun-kissed ninglor floated gracefully upon the rushing waters, unperturbed by the river's speed. She lifted her gaze and saw a tall tree glowing with mallos and she smiled. All of it, she realized, from the smallest frond to the largest branch, from silver elanor to rainbow-colored flowers, were tinged with a soft luminescence which Lisse quickly realized came from the glow of starlight. She also knew then, without knowing how she knew, that his place was full of magic, the kind of magic the quendi had long forgotten. Her eyes, wide with wonder, turned to Haldir.

"It is..." she began but was lost for the right words. How could mere words describe the beauty and enchantment of this place? She knew this land had been fashioned by the hand of the Valar. Sudden understanding for the power and majesty of the Lords of the West silenced her.

Haldir, knowing what was in Lisse's heart, for he too felt it, took her arm and made no comment. Instead he quietly led her along the river bank until they came to yet another marvel.

A sturdy bridge spanned the Gliding. When Lisse trained her eyes upon it, she saw the delicate workmanship, etchings of the elanor engraved upon the wide beams that supported it, the tall and graceful statues of elleths which guarded both sides. The bridge was of a work not known to her and she suspected it was fashioned by Haldir himself, during the long years he had dwelled within this wood. As she gazed upon it, she also saw that the bridge was held suspended by thin mithril ropes she had not seen before. Beneath the bridge Lisse saw a soft blue incandescence illuminate the planks of the bridge's wooden floor. She looked upon Haldir but saw that his eyes were also fixed upon the bridge.

Lisse allowed herself to be led toward the bridge and in a moment were crossing it, silence heavy upon them both, for the magic of the place was still deep within their hearts.

In swift seconds they had forded the river and Haldir led Lisse past the aromatic flowers and dipping boughs and parted a heavy, wide branch. Lisse, remembering the horses, turned to Haldir. "What of our steeds?"

Haldir looked down upon her, soft starlight illuminating his face, "They are well tended, meleth, worry not."

He urged Lisse forward and she stepped beyond the branches and suddenly gasped.

"Haldir!" She exclaimed, "what place is this?" She turned to him and saw that he passed her, begining the descent and offering his hand. What other wonders had Tol Eressea to offer, she thought.

Lisse took Haldir's hand and let herself be guided down the narrow footpath she realized had to have been fashioned with a purpose to enter the deep valley below.

As she felt Haldir's strong pull, she looked about her.

The Gliding River seemed to thrive aloft a high hill of Eressea, for beyond it and spread out before them was a great verdant valley, full of trees, bushes and which was intersected lengthwise by a silver stream which Lisse realized had to be a tributary of the Gliding itself. Beneath the glittering stars, and from their distance, the water of the river looked as if made of living, liquid silver.

Sure-footed, Haldir led Lisse downward and then angled toward his left. It was then that he heard Lisse's soft voice.

"What is this place called, Haldir?"

Without turning to her, Haldir answered, " 'Tis called Imrathuin Elanath."

Lisse thought it was a fitting name, for indeed this seemed to be the valley of stars.

They walked in silence until Lisse began to hear the distant rushing of many waters and realized they were very close to the waterfalls of the Gliding River. She felt excitement grow within her, for she knew that Haldir's talan lay close to the waterfalls itself.

She had not long to wait, as the sound of the cascading waters grew in intensity. Abruptly, the Imrathuin Elanath ended and there rose before them a mighty, though narrow, waterfall. A light mist soon encased them. The waterfalls, Lisse saw, was banked on both sides by a thick growth of evergreen and it seemed to her as if the very waters that rushed forth and cascaded down was born from the green heart of the ancient forest. She followed Haldir and as they approached the falls, Lisse saw the talan. It was fashioned high atop a wide canopy of evergreen directly aside the waterfalls. It was large, and once more she saw the soft blue incandescence emanate from below and atop the the talan. Not knowing the source of this form of light, she was about to ask when Haldir stopped and turned to her.

"This was my home for many years, Lisse, before I ventured to the House of the Elms, 'ere you were born."

Lisse turned her eyes to Haldir's face and saw a softness upon his features that she had not seen before. She pressed closer to him. "And 'tis a wonder you ever left at all." Her voice was soft and tinged with sadness that he had been forced to leave the wonder of this place. Slowly she was coming to see why he carried such sadness within his spirit. This realization caused her to ask him, "And was Lothlorien of greater beauty and enchantment?"

Haldir shook his head, "Nay, not greater, only different. Lothlorien was held by the power of the Lady Galadriel, and its magic came from the spirit of the elves that dwelled within. Now," his eyes grew sad, "it has faded and not even a memory in the lives of Men. Here," he looked upon Lisse with a slow smile, "here I see the hand of the Valar and its own beauty and enchantment. Nay," he concluded, "both places are lodged within my heart forever."

Lisse felt compelled to press herself against Haldir's side, in a show of support and understanding. This wood elf had not once, but twice, been forced to leave the groves and forests he so loved. Would she be able to withstand being parted from the seas and beaches of Tol Eressea for even a short span of days? She doubted it. Yet, Haldir had found the fortitude to twice withstand the sundering of his home. Here, she told herself, here lies the difference between the elves of Aman and those of Middle Earth. Abruptly, a new respect for Haldir was born within Lisse's heart.

As if he knew that Lisse so desired it, Haldir said, "Come, meleth, the talan awaits."

In a very short time, they reached the talan and Lisse, having never seen one until then, was fearful of climbing its sturdy ladder, until Haldir reassured her it was safe. With an uncertain sigh she began the long climb, her small feet finding the wide steps of the ladder which had been fashioned from the trunks of the trees that supported it. With a shock, Lisse realized that the wide stair wound about the trunks of the evergreen, leading steadily higher until at last they ended in a wide circular room, where a small glittering fountain delicately decorated with mithril elanor spouted fresh sweet water. The sounds of the waterfall were strangely muted, though they were very close to it but Lisse did not ask how this was possible. She now knew she had walked into an enchanted place and that Haldir obviously possessed some magic of his own. Once more she remembered Niel's warning of so many years before: he was different. Different yes, and she loved him.

"This is my home, meleth, and yours for as long as you will desire it." Haldir's voice was strangely soft.

Lisse turned to him then, a light within her eyes beginning to take shape. Haldir saw it but held himself in check. What was happening here?

"As long as I am with you, your home shall be mine, meleth." Lisse answered, for once uncharacteristically sentimental.

Just at that moment, Haldir felt the urge to take Lisse to his chamber, disrobe her and love her until she cried for rest, but he stayed himself, not certain why this moment of passion and desire was threatening to overwhelm him. He usually had control over his desires, even when it concerned Lisse, but for some unknown reason, the need to have her was becoming suddenly very difficult to control. He attempted to clear his mind and extended a hand to Lisse.

"Come and see your home, meleth, and tell me if it is to your liking. Naught do I desire save your comfort."

But too late Haldir realized his mistake, for when Lisse took his hand, the contact was thunderous and the moment stilled them both.

Lisse was struck speechless by Haldir's overwhelming virility, and how strangely seductive the place had become. He towered over her, his eyes gazing down into her own, his eyes fastening onto her mouth, which was slightly open, as in invitation to a kiss. The light mist from the waterfalls glistened upon her face, giving her a radiant aura. Lisse took a deep breath and brought her free hand to Haldir's chest. It was that single touch that finally crumbled Haldir's defenses.

With a low groan, Haldir pulled Lisse to his body, moulding himself into her, letting her feel the strength of his thighs. He loosed his hands into her hair, pulling the pins that held it in place, allowing the silken strands to cascade past his fingers. Looking into her eyes, dropping his gaze to her mouth and then back to her eyes, silently asking, he groaned once more as he heard Lisse's whispered, "Yes." Without hesitation, he took her mouth, hungrily sucking her lips, thrusting his tongue inside the velvet warmth of her, groaning against her lips, feeling himself harden as she responded and groaned in need.

They kissed languourously, lost in passsion. Lisse caressed Haldir's back, kissing his mouth and sucking his toungue with abandon, as her desire for him grew to a fevered pitch and she ground her hips into his. Neither was able to muster the strenght to break free, for the passion that held them bound had been banked for too long and was now spilling about them like a living mantle of desire.

How they ended upon the floor neither was ever able to recall, but in sudden burts of passion, kissing and suckling, they undressed each other, drinking in the sight of naked limbs, firm breasts and erect nipples.

Lisse stradled Haldir and leaned over him, rubbing her breasts and the erect coral tinged nipples into his chest, taking his mouth in a seductive and sultry kiss that made him buck his hips upward in the ancient invitation. But Lisse was savoring the taste of him, a thing so long denied her and she slid off Haldir, avoiding his grip, and began to lick his neck, down to his collarbone, suckling the nipples one at a time, licking and flicking with her tongue, as he groaned and moaned, twisting beneath her mouth, as the onslaught of desire and pleasure hardened him until it was near to painful. Still Lisse suckled and licked, carefully avoiding the golden triangle of hair which coiled about his erect manhood until at last she could no longer contain her own passion and she engulfed him completely in her mouth.

Haldir nearly lost his senses at the feeling of Lisse's moist heat, and willed himself to not roll her over and thrust deeply inside of her, as he had intially desired. The hot suckling pressure of Lisse's mouth was nearly too much for him and all he could do was hang on to his sanity by a sliver of passion's hot core, realizing his release was not far off. Yet, Haldir desired to have Lisse, recalling the delight of having her writhe beneath him, and so he pulled her away from him, dragging her up to his mouth and he took her lips, tasting himself in her. As he kissed her, Haldir slowly turned Lisse over and now it was he who straddled her, as her legs opened wide to allow him a greater access.

Haldir needed no further invitation and swiftly, deeply, he entered her, in one fluid thrust that buried him to her core. He dropped his head to one nipple, capturing its peak gently and then began to suck the tip, as her moans grew louder and her sheath contracted rhythmically about him. Deeper he thrust and in lust, without realizing it, Haldir draped Lisse's legs high and wide about his shoulders as he drove deeper into her. With a knowing hand, Haldir's fingers slipped between them, to the junction of their union and he began to stroke Lisse's sensitive nubbin, maddening her and causing her sheath to close about Haldir with an even greater force.

The pleasure mounted for both until at last the release came, both moaning loudly, Lisse's sheath contracting, pulling and releasing Haldir as his seed spilled deeply into her body. And as the last coils of passion withdrew from their minds, while still joined, Lisse opened her azure eyes and stared into Haldir's silver gaze.

"Tonight you have given me a child." Her voice was firm and sure, with the knowledge that this love would bear fruit.

Haldir smiled and caressed Lisse's forehead, "Aye, I know it too." He was still buried inside her body, but slowly easing out. "Are you sad for it?"

Lisse smiled and touched Haldir's cheek, "I love you." Was all she said.

Satisfied, they soon slept, and the mighty waterfalls of the Gliding continued its endless march to the sea.

~*~*~*~*~

Days passed, and for Haldir and Lisse the time spent upon the shores of the Gliding served to help them re-discover their love, and their need for each other. By day they combed the depths of the Thon Fen'uin, sometimes as far as the wild vasteness of the Imrathuin Elenath. They talked of things that lovers talk of, and their bonding inexorably deepened by the sure knowledge that Lisse was rich and ripe with the unborn babe she carried. How this event had come to be was not lost upon the pair, for they both had wished this though neither had ever voiced the words. Yet, somehow in their fevered first union after such a long time apart, they had made their desire into reality and both welcomed their child in love and joy.

Time passed and soon the seasons changed. If not for the counting of time, neither Haldir or Lisse would have been made aware as no frost of winter or heat of summer touched the silver glades and fragant paths of the Thon Fen'uin. And as Lisse grew heavy with her child, it was upon her fifth month that word from Haldir's well-placed spy, Lothriel of Eressea, arrived.

Curiously enough, it had been Lisse who first spotted the silver dove as it glided closer to their talan and had pointed this out to Haldir. Recognizing the bird at once, Haldir held out his arm and the bird swiftly settled upon it, intelligent black eyes surveying the room. Tucked within a silver band that encased its delicate leg was fastened a parchment of paper. Deftly, Haldir removed it and began to read. In moments a dark shadow was cast upon his fair face and Lisse grew alarmed.

"Ill news?" She asked quietly, caressing her swollen belly. They had long decided their child would be born within this magical place, but now judging from Haldir's scowl, that might not come to pass. Lisse eyed the bird which she discovered was watching her very intently.

Haldir looked at Lisse once before moving deeper into the talan and returning with a writing quill. Quickly and in silence Haldir wrote out a response and folded the slip of paper into a small roll which he fastened upon the silver band the bird wore. After a whispered word from Haldir, in a tongue Lisse did not understand, the dove took flight and was soon lost from view. Lisse watched it for a moment and then dropped her gaze to Haldir. She waited.

"It would seem we must make haste and leave this place, Lisse Nyere." His silver eyes held a note of concern and his eyes dropped to her swollen belly.

Lisse frowned, "Seldom do you use my full name and I have come to learn that when you do it is because a great burden troubles you. Come," she encouraged him and came to stand beside him, reaching for his hand. Their fingers entwined. "Share this burden with me, husband."

Haldir thought quickly, "Already you carry heavily, my love and I am not so certain I would further burden you." His eyes were troubled.

Lisse smiled, "This is a burden I gladly carry. Yet, you do me much discredit by not trusting me. I thought that was far behind us, Haldir." She chided him gently.

Haldir nodded, taking her other hand in his, "You speak truly." He took a deep breath and gazed intently into her face, "Lothriel of Eressea has long served me as my eyes and ears 'pon Tol Eressea, and now word comes that a swift storm has attacked the outlying shires and fishing villages."

Lisse listened and frowned. "Storms are not uncommon on Eressea, Haldir. Why would news of this cause you alarm?"

Haldir was already gathering a few things and Lisse realized he meant to return to Guve Hall!

" 'Tis not the storms, 'tis the ferocity of them, a thing not seen in Eressea for untold ages. Lothriel has come to suspect that Eadendir may be wielding the palantir to bring the storms and mayhap the shadow creature." He turned to Lisse, a sadness suddely covering his fair features. "I am saddened our child cannot be born in this place, as we had planned, meleth, but if Lothriel's suspicions are true, then we are in peril, for the Shadowy Sea lays a few leagues from this valley. I would not place your life or that of our son in peril."

Lisse was suddenly aware that Haldir had used the word 'son'. Did he already know what was kept from her? How much more did he know? Yet, she had come to trust him completely and for the first time in their relationship, did not question him further, but made ready to leave, her heart heavy.

By sunset they were ready to depart, and they bade goodbye to their home, the place where their child was conceived. Slowly, for Lisse tired easily now, they made their way across the fertile plains of the Imrathuin Elenath, their only light cast by the wide moon above them. Close to dawn they stopped and rested, the bridge that spanned the Gliding River still a league away. They drank and ate and during a moment of quiet conversation a distant rumble shook the ground. At once, Haldir leapt to his feet, his long sword drawn and ready. Looking about him, he saw no danger and in a moment had resheathed the sword that Lisse had not seen before. She wondered at this kind of magic but decided to not ask him. With Haldir the explanation would come sooner than expected.

"Lisse," Haldir suddenly said, breaking into her reverie, "we must move quickly, meleth, for a storm is a-brewing and swiftly moving against us."

Lisse stood heavily, taking Haldir's offered hand and again they began moving. By dawn they had come to the bridge across the Gliding and quickly crossed it. In the clearing Lisse was able to spot the black clouds now hanging low over the Imrathuin Elenath. She gasped and Haldir turned.

"It moves more swiftly than I had thought possible," he said grimly, taking her elbow, "hurry, meleth, we must be away from this wood 'ere the storm breaks."

Wondering why this was so, Lisse quickly followed Haldir's lead and crossed to the other side of the bridge.

~*~*~*~*~

Key:

Quendë - elf (singular; quendi is the plural form)

Earëndil - the morning and evening star of the elves; thought to be Venus.

Thon Fen'uin - Doorway of the Pines (my own invention based on Old Sindarin).

Ninim - Snowdrop (flower) translates to "white-tear".

Alfirin - bell-like flower, many hued.

Arien - daisy

Elanor - flower which blossomed in both a gold and silver color.

Meril - rose

Ninglor - a golden water-flower

Mallos - golden flower

Imrathuin Elenath - Valley of Stars. (my own invention based on Quenya and Old Sindarin)

~*~*~*~*~

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Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work.
Painting is taken from John William Waterhouse's "Miranda", 1875.

Graphics copyrighted Cari Buziak