Mschief & Elves

[marchwarden]

Characters: Haldir (marchwarden) & OPEN
Setting: The meadow (Floor Twenty-Five)
Format: Beginning with "Action" tags, but prose is always welcomed
Summary: After causing a bit of a ruckus for all to see, the march warden decides to take refuge within the meadow to avoid trouble.


[ After successfully making his way towards the meadow unnoticed by Legolas and his party, Haldir finally breathes a sigh of relief. A faint smirk lingered on his lips as he admired the chaos he caused earlier. It seems that his little ruckus definitely stirred some interesting debate amongst others. Many laughed and many more gossiped about the possible liaisons between the fair Princess of Hyrule and the even fairer Prince of Mirkwood. While he was certain that both knew such talk was made in mere jest, Haldir couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered how flushed with anger Legolas' face became when he tossed these wild allegations around.

Knowing sooner or later he'll have to face the younger elf for his wicked deeds, Haldir decided he'll enjoy a momentary reprieve from the chaos here within this beautiful meadow. The meadow was perhaps the only place here in all of Animus that somewhat reminded the march warden of home. As bold and arrogant as Haldir may seem, the elf certainly pines for home. He's done much to keep such melancholy at bay but nothing here in this tower could recreate the beauty that is Lothlórien.

Now sitting down upon a peaceful hill, Haldir simply closes his eyes and listens to the sweet silence. ]

Comments

[and in this thread you get a Taiki and a Gyousou in one]

[notagiraffe]

"It was even warm in Winter! Everywhere else was really cold but it was warm here." Taiki was perched on Gyousou's shoulder, where he had mostly been since his King had appeared. He was a little worried Gyousou would find him to be a nuisance but he had been trying to be helpful by explaining things about the tower.

He spotted his roommate, one he hadn't really spoken to properly because he had been in his dead world when he had appeared and Taiki had been too nervous, with Ventus temporarily gone and Eridan gone forever, to introduce himself. He smiled nervously at him.

[lucky lucky]

[eyeslikeblood]

"It sounds like quite the haven," Gyousou murmured, having glanced over at Haldir as he listened to the tiny minister using him as a perch. There were any number of golden-haired people in this tower, most with the long, pointed ears this man possessed. It was bizarre, truthfully, since he was used to even pale, wan gold being the sign of a kirin.

"Good day," he added, to complement Taiki's smile. "We had intended to stay here awhile. Are we disturbing you?"

Splendid!

[marchwarden]

As often than not, Haldir honestly spends far too many days on his own here in Animus. If he wasn't exploring the depths of the tower beside Legolas or joining Gandalf and others in conversation, the elf was typically alone within the meadow. It was out of bad habit that Haldir distance himself from his roommates, one being that he dislikes to share his quarters with those he doesn't know. In the fair forests of the Lothlórien, the elf shared nothing with even his siblings and preferred to live alone in his talan. While he was still quite sociable with others, Haldir always seemed to prefer solitude and privacy above all things else. The others always thought of him as odd for that, but Haldir cared not for what they thought.

Idly resting his gaze upon the distant horizon, Haldir almost didn't acknowledge the newcomers until they were already upon him. "Vedui'." He welcomed them with the faintest makings of a smile upon his lips. While the elf certainly seen Taiki before, although not often, he couldn't quite figure out who this regally tall gentleman was. Giving the tall man a wayward glance, Haldir's smile grew a little more once Gyousou announced their purpose here. With a small shrug, Haldir nods and permits them to stay.

"Feel free to stay as long as you desire, for neither of you shall disturb me."

[notagiraffe]

"Hello," Taiki said in response to the greeting smiling again, he felt a little bad for not knowing his roommate very well. The last week he had spent most his time with Gyousou.

"Thank you..."

[eyeslikeblood]

He didn't feel the need to echo a thanks, but he nodded in the slight bow yet permitted a king when meeting someone of unknown rank but obvious worth. He set Taiki down in the grass, cloak and all, a short way away. Close enough for conversation, should it be wanted, but a distance both courteous and guarded.

Primarily for the reason of what he was about to permit Taiki to call.

"Kouri, you may summon your shirei."

[marchwarden]

Allowing his indigo gaze to linger upon the nobleman for a moment longer than necessary, Haldir soon turned away and let his eyes rest elsewhere. He could hear them talking but he couldn't make out what a "kouri" or a "shirei" was. It was then that the elf glanced towards them again with a hint of confusion in his glance. While he desperately didn't wish to interrupt them with needless questions, Haldir's curiosity as of late seemed to always get the better of him. This was to be expected since even in his young elfling days, he always possessed a healthy dose of curiosity.

Haldir was the only elf in all of Lothlorien who could speak the Common Tongue as well as any man. And if given another century, he would've mastered the dwarf's Khuzdul as well. While the elf was honestly not very good with "Quenya", the true language of his people, he certainly did plan to conquer that tongue as well. The keyword here being "did".

Giving both Taiki and his friend a questioning stare, Haldir decides to ask at last. "What are you two doing?"

[notagiraffe]

Haldir asked a moment too late because all of a sudden two creatures appeared beside them in the meadow, one seemed innocent enough: a small dog but the other was strange creature. Taiki smiled at them both before his eyes flickered nervously to Haldir.

"Sorry... they are my shirei... my friends. But we don't want to scare anybody..." He glanced at Gyousou before looking back to Haldir.

[fatherssins]

The nightmares still haunted Alucard, days had passed and yet he could not forget the fire, the burning, even the smell had stayed with him. But in the blackness of these horrors he had found something, someone, who had been a beacon of hope and comfort. A lighthouse in the night. How he had not expected the Elf to stand by him, to hold him in his hour of need. Now the dhampir found himself confused, had Haldir truly visited him in his dreams? Had he simply lain some strange desire for comfort on a mirage of the Elf? So many unanswered questions were open to him and, had he been a braver man, he would have met Haldir to ask him those questions.

However, as fierce a warrior as Alucard could be, and as physically strong as he was, there were times when he too would submit to cowardice. But it was the threat of emotional pain that stopped him from committing to anything, not the worry of his body being broken.

Now he stood in the same spot he had been in days ago, the same spot he had slept in. Standing, staring out into the meadow with a blank expression on his features, lost in thought. What was he to do with these strange, alien feelings.

[marchwarden]

In his daydream of the golden leaves and sunny skies, Haldir noticed the silhouette of a man nearby. At first, he assumed that figure to be none other than Legolas himself since he knew the young prince would be in search for him now. While he may have meant such crude jokes to be taken in jest, the march warden knew that Legolas' pride wouldn't stand for such tomfoolery to go unpunished. About to take his leave of this sanctuary, Haldir stopped suddenly once he realized those blond locks looked more white than blond within the light. It was then that he realized it was Alucard who stood before him and not Legolas.

Deciding to go and greet the other, Haldir stood from the grass and hurried down the hill stealthily. Not even the dhampir could hear his approach until it was too late. By the time Alucard turned to greet him, a gentle hand clasped the dhampir's shoulder. "Mellonamin?" Haldir whispered in Elvish as he stared up at Alucard's gloomy features. "Are you well?" he asked out of concern. "I haven't seen you in some days."

[fatherssins]

Alucard had been so lost in his thought that it took him a moment to recognise who was now standing beside him and when he did he could have pinched himself. At first he wondered if this was another dream he had locked himself into but the embarrassment was too acute for it to be anything but reality.

Alucard felt himself locked in Haldir's gaze, there was something so pure and so alluring about the Elf's eyes that he found himself unable to look away. But in time, he knew he had to, with no desire to make his new companion feel awkward he turned away. Had Alucard the blood to spare, he would probably be blushing.

Finally he spoke, with the hint of hesitance:

"Haldir..."

Alucard looked about himself, almost nervously, as if trying to remember what to say. Did Haldir remember the dreams? Was he even there?

"Ah, sorry, yes. I'm quite all right. Thank you for asking, just a little fatigued from the other day. Nothing to worry about though."

[marchwarden]

Grief stricken with naught else but worry for the dhampir before him, Haldir forgets himself as he leans up to leave a chaste kiss on Alucard's brow. The last he seen of him was in that awful dream. He watched as the dhampir struggled against the roaring crowd in hopes of saving his mother from the flames. While the scene before him wasn't real at all, the heat of the flames still terrified Haldir greatly as he recalled Lisa's agonized screams. Unable to confess that such a terror now haunts him as well, Haldir offers Alucard a kind smile before he reached up and lured him down for a quick embrace.

"There's no need to apologize, my friend." he muttered softly against Alucard's ear. "I'm merely thankful that you're well." Remembering there was once a time he would forbid such shows of affections, Haldir couldn't help but see some lovely irony in his situation.

The last time he hugged anyone so affectionately was right before the battle at Helm's Deep. During then, he mentally scoffed at Aragon for grasping him in a bear-like hug, finding the touch to be barbaric and silly at best. Yet, here he's offering a similar show of affection but in a far greater manner. The elf nearly swore under his breath but he kept such foul words and thoughts at bay. Instead, he pulled away slightly and reached up to brush back one of Alucard's ivory curls.

[fatherssins]

What was this.

What was this.

Floods of emotion from a man he did not even know would recall their shared nightmare, kisses and embraces. Alucard had never received such kindness from anyone bar his own mother.

What to do, what should he do. The words did not come, the affection was overwhelming him in mind and body, a feeble stammer quivered past his lips but it was only when the Elf embraced him was he able to speak, the distinct lack of eye contact made it easier for him.

"You were there then?"

The dhampir's voice little above a whisper, tender and broken in disbelief. How could someone who had only met him mere days ago display such love? How was it that someone so full of life and vigour was not frightened by him? He, the Prince of Darkness, the son of the Demon.

"For you to see such things, experience something so dreadful.

I'm so sorry."

Once again the half-breed found himself apologising, his eyes wide and confused as he watched Haldir part his hair. God, now he felt his emotions racing.

[marchwarden]

Obviously forgetting himself around the dhampir, Haldir paused suddenly once he realized just how intimate the two of them appeared. Suddenly feeling a tad self-conscious now, the elf allowed his hand to fall from Alucard's hair. "There's no need to apologize." He replied quietly as he released the dhampir from his embrace. In a vain attempt not to seem flustered, Haldir glanced away quickly and placed some much needed distance between them. While it's true that they barely knew each other, Haldir couldn't help but feel otherwise. There's something about this man that calls to him, something that the march warden couldn't possibly explain with words.

Almost wishing he hadn't felt so odd now, Haldir forces himself to speak as he keeps his gaze away from Alucard. "You shouldn't have to apologize for your nightmares, mellonamin." he replied with a polite smile. "Dreams are dreams and I'm merely glad that I was there to assist you while I could."

[keeps_count]

[Oh Haldir, did you really think the meadow would be a safe haven for you? You'll have to be much faster and cleverer to hide from the prince now. So don't be surprised when a certain elven prince sneaks up and tackles you into a headlock.

Really though, Legolas isn't angry. Just supremely embarrassed. So that obviously meant that he had to go and take care of the cause of that embarrassment.]

[marchwarden]

[ Long before he knew of the evil that would soon fall upon him, Haldir let out a loud shriek of a scream once Legolas tackled him. ]

Get off me!

[ He yelled as loudly as he could while trying to fight the other elf off him. ]

Tampa tanya!

[keeps_count]

[The laugh he's probably hearing right now is probably familiar but Legolas holds on as tightly as he dares, not wanting to actually hurt the marchwarden.]

I think not, my friend. You caused me a bit of trouble with Lady Zelda! I think this is only fair!

[marchwarden]

[ In truth, all of Haldir's thrashing and flailing was bound to do more injury to him than Legolas' hold over him. The march warden lets out a fierce growl as he tries to dislodge himself from the prince's grip around his neck. ]

Fair? Fair!? How is this even remotely fair is beyond me!

[ He pulls again at Legolas' arm, this time actually thinking about biting him for the sake of dignity and freedom. ]

[keeps_count]

[Well, Legolas was a bit concerned for Haldir with all his thrashing and released his hold. Had he known that the possibility of biting had existed, he'd have let go already.]

It seemed fair to me. You were able to sneak in an insinuation regarding Zelda and I, and so I decided to sneak up on you.

[Ah, but Legolas still chuckled. He was maybe a bit too pleased with himself for being able to surprise the older elf.]

[marchwarden]

[ An indignant huff came from Haldir as he tried for the umpteenth time to free himself from Legolas' iron-like grasp. While he's certainly in no pain, being held in a headlock for a few minutes becomes rather uncomfortable fast. ]

Not hardly fair!

[ Haldir declared in raw dismay. ]

You're supposed to respect your elders, mellonamin. Not humiliate them!

[ Oh, the irony that passed through his lips will be surely scoffed at by Legolas. ]

Besides, all I did was state an obvious truth that should be true! The Princess of Hyrule is quite a catch, Legolas. She would make a worthy wife for you.

[ A hint of playfulness edged it's way back into Haldir's tone. ]

[warriorscribe]

*This is one of the few floors that gives him a sense of freedom. Enoch occasionally spends time just wandering here. He's humming to himself quietly as he walks. It's a tune that, from its quick pace, is meant to be lively, but the idle, time-killing nature of the diversion leaves it with remarkably less of that liveliness than it should have.

Sorry to break the silence, Haldir.*

[marchwarden]

[ The loud humming certainly wins the elf's attention, especially since he's rather fond of the silence here. Giving the passing scribe a wayward glance, a hint of mischief lingered on his lips in the form of a smile. Taking his leave from the hill, Haldir soundlessly wanders down and strolls up right behind the blond.

Elves were typically light on their feet, many of them forsaking the usual cumbersome boots for something lightweight and airy. Haldir was no different. He could easily sneak up behind anyone who wasn't a fellow elf, especially since he spent most of his life patrolling through the forests of Lórien in search of intruders and beasts.

Inching closer to Enoch now, Haldir reached out to tap the man upon his shoulder. ]

Ahem! You should be more attentive of your surroundings.

[warriorscribe]

*Sneaking up behind Enoch generally isn't a good idea - his first instinct is to whirl to push him away, get some distance.*

[marchwarden]

[ Not a wise idea, was it? Haldir honestly didn't expect such a violent reaction and was almost knocked to the ground. ]

Ah, wait! [ He held up his hands to prove he's unarmed. ] I mean you no malice.

[warriorscribe]

*Sorry, that kind of thing happens, especially in a place like this. Spending three centuries watching the shadows for Azazel's Ramps didn't help matters.

Enoch lowers his hands and steps back.* I'm sorry. This tower can be dangerous...

[marchwarden]

Indeed, it certainly be rather dangerous at times.

[ He replied with a light smile etched upon his lips. ]

Although, I'm quite curious as to what one would have to fear here in this meadow.

[ Out of all the rooms here in this tower, the meadow was typically the safest one. Usually one would only have to fear the skittish wrath of a fox or hedgehog and nothing else while wandering through these parts. ]