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The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar	By : Sienna Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 3295 -:- 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 Writin The The Watcher of Tol Eressea
Book 1: I Lurea Fanya
Chapter 4 - Confused and Forbidden

In all of the days that passed, Lisse told herself a thousand times that her infatuation with the tall, enigmatic elf, would bear no fruit. She told herself this and much more, argued with herself for hours on end, asking her heart to accept what her logic told her: he was beyond her reach and her feelings were only fueled by her solitude. Because of the remoteness of her home, she often had to invent places, events and even people. She did not know Haldir, and therefore, her mind conjured aspects of him that she thought he would possess. Her knowledge of ellon and their ways was so limited, for only those already bound or betrothed lived in these remotest of all parts of Eressea. The younger ellon had long departed for the shore towns and cities. Not once in her life had she known what a courtship was like, or how ellon displayed interest in an available elleth. Oh, stories aplenty she had from the fisher folk, her aunt and her books. But thesee noe no substitute for the real thing. And yet, for all of the wisdom her mind contained, her heart refused to listen and she felt compelled, once again, to seek Haldir.

Weeks passed and finally one day Lisse knew it was time for Haldir to come back to his traps.

Early that day, Lisse had washed her hair and scented the long tresses with a gentle aroma reminiscent of spring rains. Niel had watched her, shaking her head.

"And what do you think this will gain you, Lisse?" Niel's eyes worriedly gazed at her niece. "I don't know if this is proper or not."

Lisse had hugged the older female. "Aunt," she began, "I only want to meet him, ask him to tell me of my mother, and perhaps shed this silly longing." Knowing her well, Niel stared at Lisse.

"Oh, very well, " she admitted. "He intrigues me, that is all."

Niel was not convinced. "I am not so sure this is a good idea. He is, after all, a warrior at heart. You don't really know anything about him." Niel's voice sounded worried. "None of us do." she added.

Lisse sighed and gave her aunt a look of undisguised impatience, rolling her eyes for added dramatic effect.

This prompted Niel to further voice another complaint, "Beside all of this, you are setting your sights on someone who does not hold our family in good standing. You are nothing more than a child to him and you should remember your place." Niel watched Lisse with a practiced eye. "I know what I am about to say may anger you, Lisse, but it needs must be said." She saw Lisse turn and frown, so she plunged ahead. "For all of your learning and knowledge, your years upon the world, you are behaving more like an unripened youth than an elf befitting your age!" Niel crossed her arms and looked into Lisse's face.

Niel's light blue eyes bored into Lisse's gaze. Lisse had stopped moving about and stood rigidly still, watching her aunt. "And this," Niel pointed to the perfumes, "this is nonsense, Lisse. Think you that a few pretty words and some scented skin will gain you favors?"

Lisse finally spoke and she exclaimed in shock, "Really, aunt! You make it sound so...so..." she fought for the right word, "...so underhanded! "Tis nothing more than a bath and some good oils to keep my body cool. The sun is overhot these days."

Niel snorted her doubt and reached for the clothes on the bed, "And this? What is this for?"

Snatching the garment from her aunt's hands, Lisse dropped to the bed unwilling to meet the older female's eyes.

"Lisse," Niel began, but Lisse suddenly stood and cut her off.

"Oh Niel," exclaimed Lisse, "I know you speak truly! I am behaving foolishly. But can you not understand? I cannot stop thinking of him! I shall meet him, speak with him, discover what my mother saw in him. 'Tis all."

But Niel was still worried, "You are besotted by him, I know it!" She saw Lisse give her a soulful look, "Very well, pretend it is not so. Only, remember my words. This is not an elf to toy with. Trust my word in this, niece."

Nodding, Lisse kissed Niel. "I will be back by nightfall."

Niel smiled, still not certain this idea was a sound one. She had no quarrel with Haldir. Indeed, Min had always spoken highly of him. Lisse was a grown elf and one with peculiar ideas, no doubt. But Niel knew she could not stop Lisse from pursuing her heart. She already half suspected that whatever had drawn Min to the blonde elf, was also propelling her daughter. Silently, Niel asked the Valar to keep her beloved Lisse from meeting the same fate as Min.

Seeing the worry on her aunt's face, Lisse grew serious. "He will not hurt me."

Niel merely held her niece's gaze.

"I know it." Insisted Lisse.

But Niel only frowned and blinked.

~*~*~*~*~

Later, that same day, Lisse waited for Haldir and saw him pass. Swiftly, Lisse set off after him, knowing he had already spotted her.

Within the hour Lissed had reached the cliff's edge and saw his tunic and boots on the sand. Descending swiftly, she reached the beach, took off her sandals and sat aways from his belongings.

Hours later she saw him emerge from the water. Slowly, she stood and walked into the cool ocean and stopped when the water covered her ankles. Beneath her toes she could feel the tickling sensation of the sand as it dissolved beneath her weight. She watched Haldir's blonde head emerge from below the sea.

When Haldir broke water, he had an immediate feeling of being watched and he swiveled his gaze until he saw the young maid standing a few feet away from him. His eyes locked onto her gaze. But this time, she held Haldir's glare without fear or surprise.

Haldir arched an eyebrow as he left the water, knowing the maid followed him and stood some feet behind him while he unslung the heavy mithril container from his shoulder and dropped it on the sand. In moments he had removed his breathing gear and then sat with his back to Lisse, watching the ocean for a long moment. Saying nothing, he dressed and stood. Finally, he acknowledged the silent elf who stood behind him, and whose eyes he knew had not once left him.

Haldir took a deep breath and looked at Lisse. He noticed she waited with an impassive face.

"Are you going to do this every time I come here?" His voice was calm but firm.

Lisse shrugged, fighting the urge to argue the arrogant statement he had just made. Instead, she answered in a placid and bland tone, "I do not yet know."

He liked the sound of her voice. Unlike Mins which was deep, Lisse's voice was smooth, gentle. He decided he liked her voice, but only he was not so certain he liked her being here at all. She was a child, and a foolish one at that. He had too much work to do to keep track of foolish children.

Discomfitted by his own thoughts, he fixed her with a silver stare. "And what is it you are looking for by coming here?"

Lisse shrugged again, "I know not." she answered truthfully and Haldir saw that.

Lisse wanted to tell him that she felt drawn to him, that she had so many questions about her mother that she thought only he could answer. But she also feared his rejection if she voiced her questions too soon.

Pursing his lips, Haldir turned back to his equipment and began to collect it. " 'Tis rather late." He swiveled his head to gaze at her. "And 'tis a far walk from home."

He saw Lisse shrug again and he frowned. What was the matter with this child?

"Do you not have a nursemaid to escort you home? Some of these beaches are near treacherous and not fit for children alone." Haldir asked, one arm hooking around the holster that held the mithril container secured to his back. He had spoken good naturedly and had not been looking at Lisse when he spoke. Consequently, he missed the flash of fury that sparked in her eyes.

Lisse stared hard at Haldir. Children? Treacherous beaches? Nursemaids? Her blue eyes flashed with resentment. What did he think she was? Crossing her arms, Lisse straightened out her spine, giving her as much height as she could muster. He still towered above her, but she was not afraid of him. In her coldest voice, she answered Haldir. "I am in no need of a nursemaid, Sir. I am very familiar with the many coves and rocky beaches of this place for I was born on this land." Icily, she spat the words at him as she dusted the sand off her feet and put her sandals back on. She had decided she had been wasting her time after all.

Frowning at the controlled fury in her voice, Haldir looked at the young elleth standing before him. In her anger, she reminded him of a sputtering wet cat. Despite himself, he laughed.

"Aye, that may be, but still it is late for children to meander about lonely beaches." He spoke slowly, watching her facial expressions carefully, a smirk marking his striking features.

Lisse's eyes widened further in fury. Her thoughts escaped her lips uncensored and she threw them at Haldir, uncaring of their impact.

"You think I need a nursemaid? A nursemaid?" Her voice rose several decibels. She felt she was slowly losing her composure and it came to her that it was he who was manipulating their conversation. This realization served to further infuriate her.

Haldir watched the eruption with surprise. Min had never displayed a temper. In fact, Min had never displayed anger in any form.

"I do not need a nursemaid. And you are a very rude elf!" Regally, she threw the words at him and to her dismay saw Haldir burst out laughing.

"Aye, perhaps I am, but young elleths should not meander about dark stretches of beach for sudden squalls may come at any time and one might lose one's way home." His eyes sparkled with laughter and good will.

Lisse knew he had a point. The sudden storms off the beaches of Tol Eressea were legendary for their suddeness and ferocity. She knew he spoke but the truth. Yet, the mocking tone of his voice infuriated her and she wanted to throw sand in his smug face. Yet, just as suddenly she calmed and leveling him with her coldest stare, said frostily, "I do hope your fish rot."

Staring into Haldir's astonished face, Lisse winced at the realization that he was quite handsome and turned her back to him. Dismayed by her behavior, Lisse turned on her heel and stomped away, kicking up sand with each step.

Leaving Haldir behind her, Lisse began to climb the cliff away from the face he preferred. She realized the side she was using was rockier but she did not care.

She was not about to let him taunt her anymore and if she had stayed any closer to him, she would have kicked him out of sheer frustration.

As she climbed, she wondered what her mother had seen in this vain elf. Had it all been physical attraction? No, she argued to herself. There had to be more to him than sheer physical beauty. She realized Haldir was very intelligent, judging at how adeptly he had discovered her weakest point and then used it to quickly disarm her emotionally and mentally. She felt insignificant suddenly and thought back to Niel's words of warning.

The pain from the rocks scraping her hands broke into her thoughts, but Lisse pushed on until she came to the top of the cliff. Suddenly, saw a large hand reach down toward her face.

Looking up she saw it was Haldir's and she set her mouth into a firm line. She would not take his hand...would not...But, she was in pain. Looking at him once more saw saw the gleam of humor in his silver eyes and she growled.

Grabbing his hand she wondered briefly what would happen if she were to suddenly tug his hand with all her strength. But Haldir, seeing the thought cross Lisse's face, chuckled and gave her hand a hard tug and Lisse found herself flying well past the last few inches of the cliff's face and landing straight into the salty marshland.

Her rear end stinging from the impact of her landing, and suspecting she probably looked ridiculous sitting spread-eagled on the wet marsh, she looked at Haldir through narrowed slits, and gritted a dry, "Thank you."

Haldir bowed courteously and said, "You are welcome." He gave her a bright smile.

Lisse grunted and sat on the marshland collecting her thoughts for a moment.

Reaching to gather his gear again, Haldir noticed he had blood on his hand. Frowning, he checked quickly but saw no open wounds. Then he realized the blood came from the maid.

Walking over to Lisse, who was still sitting on the wet marsh, Haldir grabbed her not too gently by the wrists and hoisted her to her feet.

"What are you doing?" Lisse yelled at him, trying to pull free of the vice-like grip.

Ignoring her, Haldir held up her hands, palms toward him. Her hands were scraped raw and bleeding.

Looking into her eyes, he said nothing and released her. Lisse watched him take something out of the leather bag he always carried. As he approached her, Lisse saw Haldir held a small gold-colored jar.

Lisse took a few steps back. "What is that?"

" 'Tis salve for your wounds." Haldir answered, reaching out for her arm.

But Lisse stepped away from Haldir, tucking both arms behind her back. "Nay, I do not need salve. My hands will heal."

Haldir cocked his head and frowned. "No doubt, they will child, but the wounds are dirty and I cannot spare much of my drinking water to clean them for I have a two days' march across this salt marsh." He reached out for a forearm, but Lisse pulled away.

Haldir stopped and looked into her face, his eyes earnest, "Lisse, this will keep the infection from setting in until you arrive home and can clean out the wounds properly. Those cuts," he pointed with the jar, "need tending." He looked into her eyes and smiled kindly. "I promise, it will not hurt too much."

Lisse flinched at his tone of voice. He was talking to her as if she were a horse!

Furious with him, she did not want him to think she was a coward, so she stuck out her hands and closed her eyes.

Haldir smiled gently, wondering at how Min could have produced such a fire-cat as this, noticing his heart was warming toward this child.

Yet, he scolded himself mentally and glanced away from Lisse's face, now waiting expectantly with eyes closed and brought his attention to her bleeding hands.

Lisse felt Haldir's gentle touch as he placed her hand over his own larger one and gingerly applied the salve to the open cuts. In seconds, the unguent began to burn and itch on her hands and Lisse hissed from the strain of not crying out. She still had her eyes closed when Haldir finished.

Suddenly, she felt him raise her hand and then soft warm lips pressed onto the back of one hand. Opening her eyes, she gasped and pulled her hand away from Haldir's grasp.

His eyes had warmed to liquid silver and he smiled, "You are very brave, little one. I have seen grown warriors cry from the sting of this cream." His eyes held hers for a moment and then he turned away.

Lisse did not know which was worse, the pain in her hands or the sudden ache in her heart.

She was feeling confused, shocked and something else...something she wasn't certain of.

What had that one kiss done to her?

Staring soundlessly at Haldir's strong back, his words did not at first register, but in a moment she realized he had offered to accompany her back to the edge of the marshes from whence she could follow the path back to the House of the Elms.

Mutely she nodded her consent and together they set off across the windy marsh.

A long while later, they arrived at the edge of the marsh and Lisse turned to Haldir. She saw he watched her face with a gentle smile. Glancing into his eyes Lisse held his gaze and said, "Thank you," before turning away.

She heard him whisper, "My pleasure."

The unexpected warmth Lisse heard in Haldir's voice made her stop and turn to look back.

She saw he was still standing at the edge of the marsh, as night was beginning to descend. In the growing darkness, his golden hair glowed silver.

Impulsively, Lisse ran back to Haldir, threw her arms around him, and kissed him hard on the mouth.

She had a quick impression of softness but just as suddenly she broke the contact and turned away, avoiding his eyes and swiftly ran down the path, disappearing into the forest ahead.

Haldir stood for a few moments longer until his ears could no longer hear her thrashing about the forest. When he was certain she was no longer nearby, he began his long march back to his own grove. The fiery imprint of Lisse's kiss haunted him the entire trip home.

~*~*~*~*~

Later that night, long after Niel had cleaned out the scrapes and bandaged her hands, Lisse sat by her open chamber window and stared at the stars. She thought back to the gentle kiss Haldir had placed on the back of her hand and her own impulsive kiss to him.

His lips had been unexpectedly soft and she had felt the suddetaketake of his breath when she kissed him. Her own heart had throbbed almost painfully and she wondered if he had heard it beating below her flesh.

Closing her eyes, Lisse mused and wondered if Haldir had stopped to rest or was still pushing for his home. She remembered he had said he had a two day march back. She wondered where his home was. She thoughts flew to the Gwahaedir, but she decided against using it.

Looking at the stars, Lisse wondered what was happening to her. This rush of uncertain emotion was new and unknown to her. Was she coming to care for Haldir? She laughed at herself. She did not know him. Therefore, she could nare are for him. She could not deny he was terribly handsome and unlike any of the elves of Tol Eressea. Lisse sat back and gathered her knees beneath her chin. Was that the attraction he had held for her mother? That he was so different?

Thinking back, she played his voice in her mind. Melodic, deep, with a hint of command. She liked his voice. And she liked his eyes too...silver starlight she had once described them to herself. And his hair, which glittered from silver to gold...she liked that too.

Suddenly, Lisse caught herself and laughed. Niel had been right. She was besotted with Haldir, and it was a dangerous thing for her indeed. She knew, instinctively, that he was forbidden to her. She could not let her fanciful imagination get carried away by a glimmer of silver eyes and silver-blonde hair.

Shaking her head, Lisse closed her window and tried to rest her mind. Below her, she could her the laughter and talk of the boarders they had for the night.

Lisse tried concentrating on the noise below her to keep herself from thin of of Haldir. By dawn, she roused herself and went for a bath.

No use, Lisse thought as she stepped into the fragrant water.

She thought of Haldir all night long.

~*~*~*~*~

Not too many leagues away from Lisse, Haldir paused to eat a light supper and drink some water. As he lay down on his blanket, the sweetness of Lisse's lips came back once again. But, as he had done all night, he pushed the memory from his mind. He had meant to give her no more than a reassuring kiss one would give a good child, but her kiss to him had shocked him. Now he realized he had made a mistake in judgement.

Lisse was no child.

He frowned and stared at the stars as they began to dim beneath the lavender mantle of dawn's light.

But neither was she an adult fully grown.

Or was she?

Abruptly, Haldir sat up. How old was Lisse, after all? Swiftly he counted.

Sweet Elbereth! She was a maid full grown!

Suddenly, he did not feel so ashamed. Then again, he argued to himself, compared to him, she was a child in years and experience. Shame returned to his heart once more. She was an innocent, that he suspected. Her contact with the ellon that came andt int in the region was probably somewhat limited and, given her age, it was natural for her to be curious about the opposite gender. And, he reasoned, if Niel had told her about his past with Min...well, then, he thought, this would explain Lisse's abrupt interest.

Of course, he turned over as he silently argued with himself, she was an interesting child and he was glad to see her hale and somewhat happy. It pleased his heart and eased the guilt. Min's child had groafe afe and hale and for that he was thankful. He knew too that the young elleth was drawn to him, for he had not missed her glances. But why now, after all this time, he did not understand. He had been coming for his traps for many years and never had he run into Lisse. Why now, he pondered. Haldir sat up suddenly and frowned. Why was he thinking about her? What did it matter that he had not met her until now?

Shaking his head, he muttered to himself, "I am a fool!"

Trying to rest his mind, sleep eluded him, until he sat up in frustration and set out once more. Just then, in a soft dawn breeze, he heard the voice once more, "Stay with her."

~*~*~*~*~

Key:

ellon = male elf

elleth = female elf

~*~*~*~*~

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