A Half Elf's Love

A Familial Reunion

Hours passed by as we walked again. Delia was unconscious and her breathing was ragged. The moment of her kissing me seemed lost in my worry. Aragorn's nerves were identical to mine, in the fact that both of us snapped at anyone who tried to speak to us. Gimli chose to speak to the hobbits instead, and he decided to insult my mam (grandmother).

"Stay close, young Hobbits! They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods, an Elf-witch, of terrible power. All who look upon her, fall under her spell...and are never seen again.Well, here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"

"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." I knew that voice. I saw Haldir. I smiled a little, relief flooding my mind just a little. He refused to say a word, but we were made to climb into the trees. Aragorn and I juggled Delia between us, and it felt rather inappropriate, but Haldir was being a bit unreasonable. By the time we made it into the trees it was nightfall. Deliadis was pale, her unconscious breaths merely gasps. Rúmil had taken pity on Delia, and being a healer in his spare time did what he could to treat her. I sat beside him, muttering softly in Sindarin as he examined her.

"Rúmil please, please convince Haldir to let us pass. She is dying. Deliadis is dying and I cannot bear to lose her." He let out a sigh, rubbing his head as he gently rolled her over to be on her stomach.

"Am I allowed to lift her shirt?" I nodded, wanting him to save her by convincing his brother to let us pass. "I cannot do anything Elladan. You know this. Haldir is very stubborn. I can do very little." Orophin came over to join us. He was the louder of the two younger brothers, so I tried to plead my case to him, still speaking in Sindarin.

"Orophin please, Haldir has to let us pass." He was about to say something but his eyes fell on Delia's back. Mine did too. I nearly choked. It was as if ink had been spilled along her body. There was hardly a patch of unpoisoned skin on her back. I could feel vomit rising in the back of my throat. I swallowed it down. Rúmil hurriedly began doing something with Athelas, while Orophin stood shakily, walking across the platform. I joined him, and found Haldir arguing back and forth with Aragorn in Sindarin as well. Our conversation continued in our native tongue, so the others could not hear. Orophin spoke softly, his voice a clear warning that if he was not listened to, he would begin to shout.

"Haldir, the woman is dying. It is a miracle she is still breathing now. We have to take them to the capital." Haldir let out a groan, rubbing his head.

"Orophin, they carry the One Ring. I cannot simply let them pass." Orophin rubbed his head, raising his voice.

"A woman is dying! You know, I will not listen! Not this time! Not when death is coming for an innocent soul!" I spoke up, wanting to state my piece.

"Please Haldir, I will return you a favor when needed. Please just this once Haldir. Break the rules, I beg of you." He finally caved. I ran to Delia and Rúmil, who looked panicked.

"Please tell me you convinced my brother. She will not last much longer if you did not. I have done all I can." I lifted Deliadis from the ground, holding her tight to my chest. Aragorn stood beside me, placing a hand on his sister's head.

"Can I hold onto her? Please? I don't want her to die." I nodded, gently passing her off. Aragorn practically cradled her in his arms like an infant. "Delia please, please pull through. You have to fight with everything you have. Like you're fighting two mating trolls and trying not to die. Please Deliadis, please..."

(Deliadis POV)

I opened my eyes to a field. I pushed myself up, looking at my surroundings. All I could remember was the feel of Elladan's lips on mine.

"Deliadis?" I looked for the source of the voice. It was an elf in front of me. He had long brown hair, held back in a braid. He had blue eyes like mine. I gazed at him curiously. I began to take a step forward. "Do not. You should not make your choice yet."

"Who are you?" He gave a lopsided half smile.

"I believe...that I am your father." I just stood and stared. "I know that this is a bit of a shock and I wish I could take more time to speak with you, but I have to hurry. We may or may not have plenty of time later, depending on your choice." I started spewing out any words I had.

"What...who...how...choice? Wait am I having to choose now? But I-I'm not ready!" The elf claiming to be my father scanned me up and down.

"My child, we do not have enough time to fret. Elf or man?" I paused for a moment. There was one question in the front of my mind.

"Am I dying?" I watched as my father I nodded. I gulped a little. "I...I can't do this." Suddenly an orb appeared in front of my face. It split in two. I saw Aragorn in one, Elladan in the other. "What are these..." I looked for my father but he was gone. I watched as my brother grew old in the orb, dying of old age, but with a smile on his face. I looked in the other orb. Elladan was weeping while standing, clutching his chest. I watched as he swayed and fell. He hit stones, his eyes shut. His chest wasn't moving. I wanted to reach him. I had to reach him. My brother was dead and at peace, but I had to reach Elladan. I grabbed at the orb, only for it to move backwards. I ran after it, calling for Elladan. I kept being led through forests and fields. I was taken to a ledge. The orb hovered just over it. I reached out for it, only to fall over the edge. I let out a scream, feeling my head and chest pounding in pain. I crashed into water, sinking deeper, the orb landing on me now. I watched as it floated up to my chest. It suddenly disappeared and the pounding pain seemed to triple. I let out a gargled scream, flailing about to try and reach to surface. Something kept pulling me down till I ran out of oxygen. The world around me began to blur and blacken. I was going to die.