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The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar	By : Sienna Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 3288 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar
A Posthumous Writing of The Watcher of Tol Eressea
Book 1: I Lurea Fanya
Chapter 3 - And So They Meet

It was Summer and time for Haldir to make the journey to the bustling capital of Valinor, Alqualonde.

Here he came every so often to visit with his brothers, but also to discover the latest news, establish new contacts and renew those he had already formed.

Alqualonde, or Swanhaven, was the pride of the Elves. Its tall Swan ships dotted the numerours harbors, its shops bustled with wares and customers. It was a busy city, and it was an ancient city.

In the ensuing ages, the elves of Aman had built up a civilization which drew its power from nature and its environment. Many were the skilled crafts of their arts, fs, from architects to the healing arts. And Alqualonde benefitted more than most. Here was a bustling port-city, where merchant ships brought goods from all towns and villages, even remotest Tol Eressea, and little was there that the city did not offer.

Haldir had never really adjusted to life in this sophisticated place and could tolerate it for only a few days, before his heart yearned for the solitude and peace of Eressea.

But he had no other choice. It was in Alqualonde where his busi was was centered and it was to Alqualonde that he came when he had no other choice.

Today, after learning his brothers, Rumil and Orophin, were still on patrol and would not return to the city for several weeks, he instead headed for the Guildhome of the Rangers. This was a tall, square brick building, situated close to the shores of the city's harbors. He had business to attend here and was eager to get it done and then take his leave of Alqualonde.

He approached the building and saw some Rangers loitering about the entrance. At the sight of Haldir, they called out a greeting, which Haldir returned without breaking stride.

In moments, he had entered the building. Cool marble walls and floors, with soft sunlight filtering past frosted windows gave the place an ethereal quality. Haldir, already familiar with the layout of the house, quickly located a small side stairway and climbed it two steps at a time.

Buforefore he could reach the top, his keen hearing caught the opening and closing of a door up ahead. Raising his eyes toward the sound, he saw it was Korthin, clad in the standard diving clothes all Rangers used when checking the area harbors. From his shoulders dangled the various tools used for this purpose.

"Hail, well met, Korthin of Alqualonde!" Haldir's strong voice carried in the hall.

Kin sin stopped and turned, his eyes warming at the sight of the unexpected visitor. "Hail and well met, Haldir of Eressea! What brings you to these ancient halls?" He walked toward Haldir, and extended his arm in the formal greeting.

Haldir grinned and shook his head, "Nothing of real import, save some news I would discuss with you."

But Korthin, who knew Haldir well, and was himself a keen observer of emotions, saw something else in the older elf's eyes and became concerned, despite Haldir's casual response.

"Come, my friend," Korthin offered, walking back to the same room from where he had exited, "I have some moments before the Calling commences," he said, referring to the roll call taken before the Rangers departed to their assigned duties. He opened the heavy wooden door and guided Haldir inside. "Whatever is on your mind, we can discuss it freely here."

Haldir nodded and stepped inside the large room, which he knew was used as the Council Chamber for the Rangers.

Once inside, Korthin motioned to Haldir to sit. The other elf did so and a few quiet moments ensued, as Korthin dropped the gear he had slung about his shoulders. Once the breathing mask, the torch and a few other tools were neatly placed on the floor beside him, did Korthin sit and face his old friend.

Brown eyes met deep silver ones. "So, Haldir, what concerns bring you here?"

Haldir leaned closer to Korthin, and began to speak.

Long moments later, Korthin sat back and crossed his arms, his eyes locked onto Haldir's eyes, each elf calculating the weight of their conversation. But it was Korthin who spoke first.

"I daresay, your brothers do not know of this, else their border reports would have made mention." Korthin stared hard at Haldir. "Are you certain, my friend?"

Haldir nodded and sat back, stretching out his long legs, wishing Korthin would offer him some wine. He was tired and thirsty. "Aye," he nodded. "I've seen it."

Korthin's eyebrows arched and his gaze dropped to the floor, gauging the information. He had to be sure, "How large was the creature?"

Haldir squinted his eyes, thinking back, "I've spotted it twice now, always on the Southern slopes of the Chalk Cliffs. It was large, I'd say perhaps forty meters, mayhap fifty, or more."

Korthin emitted a low whistle, "That much?" He had never heard of sea creatures growing to such a size.

"And remember that some of it was still under water." Haldir added.

Korthin nodded, "Yes, I understand." His brow was creased with worry, "I will make a full report of it." Korthin said, and then asked Haldir, "Have your traps been spoiled?"

Haldir shook his head, "Nay, they have not."

Korthin stared at Haldir, "Curious."

Haldir nodded in agreement, "Aye, I agree. Most curious."

Haldir stood and saw that Korthin did likewise. He much desired to make his leave of Alqualonde, and his business was now complete.

"Thank you, my friend, for these news. Worrisome it is, but at least we may have a clue as to what is occurring." He saw Haldir give a small smile and turn to the door. "Haldir," Korthin called out.

Haldir turned, waiting for his friend to speak.

"Have you news of the House of the Elms?" Korthin began carefully.

Haldir frowned, "I do not. What news would concern me from that place?" His gaze was veiled, making it difficult for Korthin to read the emotions playing in Haldir's heart.

"There have been...." Korthin searched for the right word, "...inquiries."

Haldir arched a single eyebrow and stared at the younger elf, despite himself interested. Who would want to inquire about him? He could only think of one person and even that was a remote possibility...still, he thought, it's best to know as much as possible when it came to that treacherous elf.

"Inquiries?" asked Haldir, his hand dropping away from the door latch and turning to face Korthin. "What inquiries?"

"Inquiries about you, your history with the Rangers, your reason for retiring from your command, your relationship with the folk of Tol Eressea. In short, inquiries about all aspects of your life." Korthin's voice was steady and he watched Haldir carefully. The older elf showed no reaction.

"Indeed?" Haldir observed dryly.

Korthin snorted. Not a ripple of emotion filtered past Haldir's face. Korthin admired this trait in Haldir: the complete control over his mind and emotions. A skill, Korthin knew, few ever mastered.

"Indeed." responded Korthin.

"And may I be told the identity of the person whose curiosity knows no bounds?" Haldir crossed his arms.

Korthin pursed his lips, "I think you can guess."

Haldir nodded, "Let me try." He cocked his head to one side, "One certain Eadendir o Eressea?" His eyebrows arched.

Korthin pointed at Haldir, laughing, "The very same."

Nodding, Haldir smiled and turned to reach for the door latch. "I do not waste my time with insignificant issues."

But Korthin stayed Haldir's hand, coming 'round to face him. "Insignificant?" His voice held a tone of disbelief. "Have you forgotten what that elf has done to your life?"

Haldir morthorthin's eyes, "Nay, I have not, but I will not live my life waiting for the sword to fall. If this elf has a quarrel with me, let him take it to the Tribunals." He stepped around Korthin, intent on leaving the building, feeling the old fury return like a hand of ice over his heart. He did not wish for Korthin to see just how much he was affected. Pulling open the door, Haldir stepped out into the hallway.

"But, Haldir!" Korthin exclaimed, following Haldir, "This elf hauseaused you griveous damage, will you not at least listen to what I have to say?!" Korthin's deep brown eyes gazed at the back of Haldir's head.

Haldir turned at the question, "Nay. I care not." But he saw Korthin's look of dismay and relented, "Korthin, he has already done me as much harm as he can. Nothing," his eyes softened in memory, "nothing can equal the loss of Min." At that he turned and looked at Korthin.

Seeing the anguish in Haldir's eyes, Korthin knew he had pushed too far. "Very well, my friend" He smiled.
ldirldir gave Korthin a wan smile, much to the relief of the younger elf.

Nodding curtly, Haldir quickly took his leave of Korthin. Swiftly, he descended the marble stairway that led from the Guild Meeting Room to the ground floor. Haldir waved to several Rangers as these were making their way toward the resting quarters, and pushing the ancient doors of the Guildhome open he stepped outside. The sun was setting and he was hungry. But, he desired to leave Alqualonde as quickly as possible and so his stomach would have to wait. Grim-faced, Haldir set out toward the lower quays of the city, and once there, he hired a ferry back to Eressea.

While the ferry sailed steadily toward Eressea, Haldir watched the lights of the island dot the landscape in the dark night. His face and body were calm, radiating his usual confidence, but inside a whirlpool of questions twirled about his mind and that night was the first of many nights he would know no rest or slumber.

~*~*~*~*~

Several weeks after his visit to Alqualonde, Haldir walked the marshes toward his traps, the wind slamming into his chest. The wind keened and he stopped. Silver eyes canvassed the horizon. Had he truly heard her?

Grief knotting into his heart, he trudged on toward the steep cliffs. He still thought of Min as alive. He sighed deeply. How long had it been now? Close to four hundred years.

When the marriage bans between Odomil and Min were announced on that long ago day, Haldir understood then Eadendir's motives for blocking his own courtship of Min. Odomil was well established in Eressea, possessed several fisheries, some large estates and was an aredhel, the only offspring of ancient high-born Eldar. It was also common knowledge in Eressea that Odomil was weak-minded and easily manipulated and so the events had not come as a surprise to Haldir. But that the Valar had not seen through the ruse disturbed him, and he recalled now Min's words to him in what was to be their last meeting, "I have hope for both of us."

His heart had never healed. Not really. And he had never stopped blaming himself. He knew it was guilt that kept him from finding healing peace. Hundreds of times Haldir had replayed the entire course of events. If he had only said something to Manwe; if he had only declared himself to Min sooner; If...if... His thoughts tortured him day and night, at times giving him no rest.

Rumil had been with Haldir the night Min was buried at sea, not a hundred leagues south from where Haldir laid his traps. Later that night, he had finally wept as Rumil silently kept vigil over Haldir, worried for his older brother's mental state. He had never known why Haldir had not claimed the maid he had so loved until that night, when Haldir, in a broken voice, told him everything. And as the tragedy was slowly revealed to Rumil, he had discovered for himself the qualities Galadriel and Celeborn discovered early in Haldir's youth: a resilience and strength of heart that was born of an inner fire and courage that few had. But no matter what Rumil said that night, Haldir had remained inconsolable.

Breaking out of his meditations, Haldir walked and neared the cliffs. The sea came into view. He stopped and pondered for a moment. Time was supposed to be the great healer and elves had time enough for many things. But was there really time to forget? Could he forget?

No, he told himself, he could never forget.

He reached the cliff's edge and looked out at the water, never failing to be impressed by its sheer vastness. As was his custom, he nodded silently to the sea, bidding a greeting to Min, knowing she did not hear him, but feeling the need to acknowledge her anyway.

Silently, he began the descent to the shore and suddenly was sto as as shouted screams and laughter rang in his ears.

Looking down he caught sight of two females, one dark-haired and the other blonde.

He stiffened at once, knowing full well the identity of the two. Taking a deep sigh and setting his lips in a firm line, he resumed his descent.

Minutes later, Haldir dropped to the sand. Ignoring the females, he made his way toward the shoreline, hoisting the equipment he carried off his broad shoulders and dropping them onto the ground.

As he worked, he was aware the sounds of laughter had died anspecspected the pair was most likely watching him.

Removing his tunic and boots, Haldir brought his bound hair around his shoulders and began to work it into a single braid, holding the end with a tight cord. Next, he adjusted the breathing gear around his lips and nose. Finally, he grabbed the pincers he'd use to open the traps, and the mithril container he used to hold the fish.

He worked silently, deliberately, almost by rote. But he was conscious of the pair somewhere behind him.

Slowly, Haldir stood and made his way toward the water, now totally focused on his work.

Several yards away two pair of eyes watched Haldir at work. Niel's light blue eyes turned to study the slender blonde elf by her side. A slow smile spread over her face.

"Yes, that's him." Niel answered her niece's unspoken question.

Lisse's blue eyes widened in embarrassment and she ed aed a non-chalant gaze to her aunt. "Nay, I did not say anything!" Her voice was low and deep, smooth and measured.

Niel chuckled and came out of her hiding place. "And he knows we were watching." She held out her hand to Lisse. "A most unmaidenly behavior."

Lisse grabbed Niel's hand and tugged hard, sending the older elf tumbling to the sand. Laughing merrily, Lisse's blue eyes sparkled. "And who said I care if he knows I am watching?" She sat on the soft sand next to her aunt.

Niel stood and shook her head. "I care, Lisse. He was your mother's lover." She admonished in a lower voice.

Lisse frowned, "But, you told me..." her blue eyes perplexed.

"I know what I told you." Niel hurriedly cut in. "They were not physically intimate, nor had Haldir asked Min to marry him, or else Min would have told me." Her eyes travelled to the water where Haldir had submerged. "But that they loved one another deeply, that is fertaertain." She turned to look at Lisse who had followed her gaze and was in turn silently frowning at the sea.

"Come, Lisse. We must make for home."

Taking her aunt's hand, Lisse rose and turned away from the sea, a nagging voice in her head saying, "Stay with him."

~*~*~*~*~

Ever since the day she had first seen him and heard the voice, Lisse was plagued with thoughts of Haldir. She had ceaselessly questioned Niel about him, until the older elf refused to say more.

Her mind brought her the image of his strong chest, muscled back, powerfully corded arms. The silver blonde hair so uncommon in Tol Eressea held her spellbound. In her mind she played with his hair, letting the tresses slip between her fingers, savoring their silkiness for she suspected his hair was soft and silken to the touch.

Lisse grew ashamed of her thoughts, feeling guilt at being attracted by an ellon who had once loved her mother, and she fought against his image as it came and tormented her each night. She also knew, wisely for her years, that her capricious fancies were simply fantasies. She did not know this elf, she did not even know the sound of his voice. He was different from the other ellon of Eressea, that much was obvious, but she also knew her fancies were just that: fancies. She was simply infatuated with the tall elf. But, the images continued to invade her mind, and soon her curiosity burned out of controle hae had to meet this strange elf, with the silver-blonde hair and strong body. There was no other recourse. She had to put an end to the insane attraction she felt for the tall elf, and give her fancies a rest. She knew that if she did not meet Haldir, that if she did not see for herself that he was simply an ordinary elf, she would not give herself, or Niel for that matter, a moment's peace.

~*~*~
~

It was on a peaceful starlit night that Lisse decided to consult the Unthel Gwahaedir. The ancient seeing stone had been in her family since the first Unthel had helped craft it. It was believed to have been a wedding gift from the great Feanor himself and with it nothing was hidden from those who knew how to wield its power.

The Gwahaedir was not a secret, for all in the family knew of its existance, but rarely was its magick consulted and its visions studied. All knew that the stone showhatwhat was past and what could be. And as it was with all seeing stones, its visions were never certain.

But the Gwahaedir did possess a singly unique gift: it could show one's heart's desire. And so, in secret, long after the House had shut down for the evening and everyone slumbered peacefully, did Lisse steal into her grandfather's private study and there find the silver box which housed the ancient stone.

With trembling fingers she opened the box and marveled at the simple elegance of the gray and pink stone. It was a single piece of smooth glass, carved from ancient quarries which were long lost to the Quendi. It shone with a metallic sheen and was about the size of Lisse's hand. It looked more like a seashell then a seeing stone.

Carefully, Lisse touched the stone and she frowned. She had expected it to feel cold but in fact it felt very warm, pleasantly so, to the touch. Removing it from the box, she held it in her open palm, staring at it, not certain how to proceed.

"Lisse Nyere!" Someone whispered her name and she started, hiding the stone in her closed hand and whirling about. A slender elf named Gilnorin, Briniel's and Cook's son, stood in the open doorway. Gilnorin was without doubt Lisse's closest friend and they were well matched in temperament, age and skill. Yet, Gilnorin was less impulsive than Lisse, a trait which had served them both well countless times in the past and saved them from many hacheaches and problems. Lisse pursed her lips in annoyance.

"What are you doing here?" She hissed at him.

"I could ask you the same question." Was Gilnorin's retort, his quick eyes taking in the opened silver box on a table nearby.

"Well, I couldn't sleep." Lisse explained, hoping he'd go away.

"What do you have in your hand, Lisse?" Gilnorin suddenly asked. He was frowning and watching Lisse's faery ery carefully. "I hope it is not what I think it is."

Lisse arched an eyebrow in frustration. "And since when do you tell me what I may or may not do?" She hissed and walked toward the slender elf, who was still standing with his hand on the latch of the open door.

Reaching around Gilnorin, Lisse gently closed the door. Silently she opened her hand and showed her friend the silent stone.

Gilnorin stared at the ancient artefact for a moment and then looked at Lisse, "What are you going to do with it?" He wasn't sure her using ancient Quendi magick was a good idea.

"I am going to observe someone." She answered lowering her gaze to the stone. "Once I solve the riddle of this stone."

Gilnorin knew at once who Lisse was referring to and he was somewhat shocked at her brazeness. "Lisse, using the stone for games is forbidden." He saw Lisse's doubtful look. "Well, not exactly forbidden, but frowned upon."

Lisse shrugged and walked away from Gilnorin, closer to the light of the single candle she had lit in the room. The flame's light cast long shadows upon the chamber and the two elves standing next to each other.

Abruptly, Gilnorin reached for the stone in Lisse's hand but she was too quick for him and backed away from her old friend. "I need to know about him, Gilnorin." Her eyes were luminous in the semi-darkness.

"You are obssessed with this elf as was your mother!" Gilnoexclexclaimed.

Lisse's eyes sparkled with anger, "You do not know anything about my mother!" She could feel the stone's warmth in the palm of her hand and she looked down at it.

"I know what my fr knr knows and you are not acting rationally." Gilnorin began, "Using a seeing stone to spy on that warrior is not a good idea. You do not know what magicks he possesses."

At this and seeing Gilnorin's worried frown, Lisse laughed, "Haldir possesses no magick of his own. And the seeing stone was a gift to our family, to be used in time of need. Well," she raised the stone to eye level, "I have need of it."

Lisse looked at the stone, in her mind conjuring the image of Haldir. Seconds passed and its surface remained blank.

Gilnorin sighed, "Here, give it to me." He reached for the stone in Lisse's hand. Lisse frowned, but allowed him to take it.

"The old tales say that a Gwahaedir must rest on a surface of glass." He looked around and walked toward a large tray upon which sat several drinkgoblgoblets. Lisse watched silently.

Gilnorin removed the goblets from the square serving tray and then lifted it to show Lisse what he meant, "This tray is coated with mithril, and serves as a looking glass. It should work." Coming back toward her, he placed the tray on the same table where the long candle burned. Upon the tray he delicately set the stone and then stepped back.

Lisse watched the stone for a few moments and then looked at Gilnorin. "Now what?"

Gilnorin frowned, "I do not know. I suppose you must desire to see Haldir before the stone shows you his image. Or mayhap one needs to ask a question."

Lisse frowned, beginning to agree that this ancient Quendi magick may be somewhat beyond their understanding. But she was not about to give up.

"I will close my eyes and think of his form." Lisse offered.

Gilnorin crossed his arms but did not reply.

Moments passed and Gilnorin looked at Lisse's face. He saw she was focusing and concentrating but he also saw that the stone remained impassively silent.

" 'Tis no use, Lisse." Gilnorin finally said.

Lisse opened her eyes and frowned, "I do not understand. Grandfather once said that all one need do is to call the image upon the stone and it would be revealed." She stared banefully at the pink and gray stone.

Gilnorin frowned, "Call upon the image?" He asked Lisse, staring hard at the Gwahaedin idn idea had occurred to him.

"Yes." Lisse replied, watching Gilnorin as he approached the stone and lightly touched it. She saw him close his eyes and mumble something but even her keen e ear ears could not make out what he said. She was about to ask when the incredible happened.

The stone began to stir to life!

Lisse watched, consciafteafter a moment, that she had been holding her breath. Fascinated, she released her breath and watched as the pink and gray stone turned into a translucent crystal, mists and swirls of color drifting inside of it. Slowly, the mists cleared and the colors began to take a shape. As Lisse looked, the shape solidified and she gasped.

"Haldir!" Her blue eyes widened and she watched, at once both terrified and enthralled. He was standing, his back to the bright sky, the expanse of the sea before him. Lisse could not see his face because it was turned away fror. Br. But then he turned, and Lisse saw his face, so beautiful to her eyes. She saw he was sad and in his eyes glittered unshed tears. Moved, Lissed stepped closer to the stone and placed her hand on Gilnorin's arm.

"Enough", she whispered, realizing she had spied upon a very private pai painful moment for Haldir. "I have seen enough." She dropped her eyes to the stone and saw the image begin to fade and then dpearpear until all that remained was a smooth pink and gray stone.

Reaching for it, Lisse placed it back in its silver box, all the while avoiding Gilnorin's eyes.

She replaced the box in her Grandfather's cabinet, snuffed out the candle and turned to leave. In the darkness she felt Gilnorin's hand reach out for hers and together they left the chamber, closing the door softly behind them.

In the days to come, never was the incident discussed between Lisse and Gilnorin, but often Lisse took to remembering the sadness of Haldir's face and the unshed tears of his great silver eyes and she wondered what it was that so tormented the elf.

Yet, although she was drawn to the Gwahaedir, she did not attempt to use it again. Instead, the vision she had been shown further heightened her attraction to Haldir, for now she carried a weakness toward him, one that was born on the night she saw his eyes glitter with heartache. Now, more than before, she wanted to know this elf, to know why her mr har had so loved him. And even beyond the protests of her family and the quiet Gilnorin, she determined to meet him, speak to him, put him behind her once that was done. For that was her plan -- to put Haldir far into the back of her mind once her curiosity was sated.

And so, one day, after many weeks had passed, Lisse resolved to confront the problem that so plagued her.

She waited for him by the edge of the marshlands, much like her mother had once. Finally, one day, she saw him passing and she set off after him.

Leagues later she saw him stop and turn.

The marshland offered no hiding places and so Lisse knew he had seen her. Holding her breath, she saw him turn back around and reach the cliff's edge. After a moment, he began the descent.

Quickening her pace, Lisse reached the edge of the cliffs a short while later and looked down. He was nowhere in sight, but on the sand she saw his tunic and boots. Suddenly deciding, she began to descend the cliffs until she reached the sand. Cautiously, Lisse walked closer to Haldir's things and sat down to wait.

Long after the sun had set and Lisse was ready to leave, she saw a wet silver-haired head emerge slowly from the water.

Slowly she stood, her heart pounding so hard in her chest she thought it would fly off into the night. Suddenly, she felt she was intruding, and felt foolish, deciding her being there was a mistake. Just as she made the decision to leave, he spotted her and their eyes met.

His were silver starlight, Lisse realized, her breath stopping in her chest, trapped for an endless moment.

Hers, thought Haldir, were deeper than the bluest sky he had ever seen.

Lisse thought back to the vision the Gwahaedir had shown her of Haldir, of the sadness reflected in his bright silver eyes. Yet, now, all she saw in his gaze was controlled curiosity.

For a long moment their gazes held and just as suddenly the moment was broken and Haldir stepped out of the water, carrying the mithril container now full of fish. Looking at the slender female, he walked past her and said nothing.

Lisse had opened her mouth to speak, but instead stared at the elf in front of her, for the first time in her life struck speechless.

He was unlike any ellon she had ever seen! So t so so muscular, such a radiant aura of confidence about him. No wonder her mother had loved him! No other ellon on the whole of Eressea looked like this, save perhaps the aredhel and of them she had only heard tales! She studied Haldir openly and frankly, her gaze guileless and trusting, unware that he was conscious of her every glasentsent in his direction.

Unaffected by the stare of the silent maid, Haldir worked gracefully, gathering his gear. But his patience had limits and after long moments of being studied as if he were a chicken on a spit, he turned a baneful gaze toward Lisse and grumbled, " 'Tis late for children to be abroad." He watched her carefully as he sat on the sand and pulled one boot on.

Lisse's eyes widened in response. Who did he think he was calling a child? Pulling herself to her tallest height she muttered, "I, sir, am no child. I can assure you." Her voice was deep but held a note of smugness which was not lost on Haldir.

Haldir grinned and lowered his gaze. Turning his back to Lisse, he pulled the other boot on and reached for his tunic.

His grin served only to infuriate Lisse, but she was held in thrall by him. She had come here to meet this elf, to speak to him, to try and understand why he so haunted her mind. And although she had prepared herself for rudeness, indifference and even mockery, she had not prepared herself, nor imagined, the impact his physicalsencsence would make on her. She was embarrassed at having openly stared at him, but she found that the more she looked, the more interesting he became.

Lisse watched the muscles of his back ripple as he moved, stunned by his physical beauty. She had heard that the elves who had sailed to Aman from Middle Earth were very physically different from her kindred. Now she understood what everyone meant. They were not only physically different, they talked differently, they felt differently, their energy was different. Studying Haldir, she was amazed at how uncommonly beautiful his hair was, neither golden or silver, but a perfect d ofd of both.

She realized even then, in her inexperience, that this was an elf who could easily break her heart. She knew it instinctively, and she did not know how she knew, nor why she knew. Perplexed, for she did not understand how it could be that a stranger could make such quick inroads into her heart, Lisse blinked and looked briefly away from Haldir, resting her gaze on the expanse of ocean before her. Then, as she fought for composure, forcing her heart to cease its thunderous beating, she heard the voice again, "Stay with him."

Haldir stood and interrupted Lisse's throughts. Hoisting his equipment over his shoulders, he turned back to look at her. He saw she watched the sea with a distressed look upon her face.

"Best you go home now, little Lisse, for your family will be worried." He deliberately lowered his voice.

At the sound of his voice, Lisse turned her eyes to him and frowned. He knew her name! She stared at him. How did he know her name?

Seeing the confusion cross her face, Haldir smiled and said in a kind voice, "Go home."

Lisse frowned and opened her mouth to tell him she was not little and to stop telling her what to do, but he turned away quickly and made his way toward the cliffs.

Watching him begin the long ascent, she heard his deep voice call out from the darkness, "Go home, little one."

Stomping her foot in frustration, Lisse crossed her arms and turned her back to Haldir, furiously looking out over the sea. He might be handsome, she thought angrily, but she also thought he was rude, and judging from the tone of voice he used when speaking to her, most likely overbearing and imposing. She was glad she had come here, after all. She could see now that Haldir was not the type of elf suited for her. Not at all. Looking back over her shoulder to the high cliffs behind her, she realized she could no longer see him.

But, from the stillness of the night, above the gentle lapping of the water upon the shore, came Haldir's quiet chuckle.

"Stubborn little Lisse."

Turning around, Lisse raised her eyes and saw he had already reached the top of the cliffs and stood looking down at her. Once more their eyes met and he gave her a slow courteous nod but she refused it and turned away in response. Soft laughter floated toward her.

Disturbed at her reaction to him and how easily he ellicited anger and frustration inside her spirit, Lisse sat on the beach and quietly contemplated the water. Shortly before sunrise, she stood and dusted off the sand from her leggings. As she watched the golden sun climb over the water's edge, she heard the voice again. "Stay with him."

~*~*~*~*~

Days later, Haldir was back at his flet, beginning the long process of cleaning out the fish, salting them and leaving them out to dry. He had had a good catch this time, and only two of the traps had been broken. He knew the Rangers still had no idea who or what was responsible for the broken traps and his Guild contact had told him that closer to Alaquonde things were getting serious. Andn thn though he had at first suspected that the large sea-creature he had spotted earlier was responsible for the spoiled traps, now he was not so certain. Whoever was behind the mystery showed a systematic intelligence for only certain areas were affected.

He hummed to himself as he worked and realized he was singing the Lay of Tinuviel. He had not sung in many long years. He thought for a moment and began to sing the song in a soft voice.

"The leaves were long, the grass was green,
The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,
And in the glade a light was seen
Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Tinúviel was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her raiment glimmering."

Stopping after the first verse, Haldir breathed deeply. Suddenly, his heart felt light and he smiled, feeling somewhat foolish.

Pausing a moment in his work, he let his eyes wonder about the grove, his ears catching the sound of the waterfalls nearby. He frowned as a soft voice came in the air. "Stay with her."

Haldir's eyes closed for a moment as he strained to hear the voice. Was it Min? "Stay with her", it said again.

Haldir dropped the knife he held. "Min?" He called softly into the wind. "Min?"

But the moment had passed.

Abruptly and with a great force, Lisse's face intruded into his mind and he faltered a few steps backward, the suddeness of the vision shocking him.

~*~*~*~*~

Key:

Lay of Tinuviel copyright JRR Tolkien

ellon = male elf

aredhel = royal/high born elves

~*~*~*~*~

The Pentanath:
Adventures in the Avathar
by Sienna Dawn

Rating: NC17

Pairing: Haldir/OFC

Legal disclaimer:
Characters, places, events from JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion used without permission, no attempt has been made, nor will be made, to copyright these characters and no profit is being made from this work. All other non-Tolkien characters are of my own invention.

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The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar