Summary: A time of change can come upon one whether one wants it to or not. 

I feel it in the water.

I feel it in the earth.

I smell it in the air.

Much that once was is lost,

for none now live who remember it.

–LOTR Fellowship of the Ring

 

oOoOo

 

Desperately, Haldir sprinted through the forest. Ducking branches, dodging trees, his strong agile legs ate up the distance back to the safety of Caras Galadhon. Desperately, he looked about for aid, for reinforcements, for anyone who could help him. But to his great dismay, no one answered his call. There simply was no one there.

He was alone.

Clutching the burden tighter against him, he felt wetness against his hand as it seeped through his tunic. He swore under his breath as fear and anger clenched violently in the pit of his stomach.

He had to make it! He just had to! There was so little time now. So very little time… and he knew what was coming next.

Screaming for aide, he soon picked up the scent and knew to his horror it may be too late.

As he cleared the open gates, the child in his arms screamed aloud, wailing furiously. Haldir looked down at his hand pressed up against the child and thought he might be sick.

He had to press on. Had to reach the healers. Nearly doubled over from the shear brutal torture, revulsion roiled through him as he took the last few steps, arriving at the healers’ tent and Lord Elrond, master healer of Imladris.

Mustering his remaining strength, Haldir thrust the screaming child into its adar’s arms.

“Sweet Eru, what has this child been eating?”  Elrond wondered aloud, pure disgust written all over his fair face as he took his wailing son, leaky diaper and all from the March Warden.

Scowling menacingly as he peeled his stinking commander’s uniform from his body, Haldir knew not nor cared.

 

oOoOo

Written for the ALEC Changing Seasons contest. No one ever specifed to me what kind of change it had to be, so...blame my muse.

Now go back and reread the quote and find a whole new meaning in the words. Especially the evidence of change and “what once was is lost”…LOL!!!!!