Lorien, T.A. ; the past
Her footsteps dance up the stairs of the flet in a dizzying circle; no matter how long she has been in Lorien, Mallossel swore that being high up in the trees was something she would never grow accustomed to. The elven wood creaks beneath her feet as she slows her steps. Upon the landing, she could see Haldir awaiting her.
“You called for me, hír?”
The Marchwarden turns to face her with a nod, his shoulders falling ever slightly so as he sighs. “Yes, hiril, I have something to share with you,” he says, gesturing for her to step closer. Mallossel does so, and he looks out over the flet to a young elleth upon the far edge of it. “She,” he begins, “is Lothuialwen, daughter of Malleth, a young marchwarden of my company.”
“Are we not all marchwardens of your company, hir?” She counters quickly, earning a raised eyebrow from Haldir. She fell quiet to let him continue speaking.
“Lothuialwen is a good warrior, and she has a keen mind.”
“But?”
“But she is insubordinate and reckless. She does not listen to orders,” Haldir explains with a hint of frustration in his tone. “I thought solitary assignments would curb the behavior, but…” he trails off as he notices an inkling of a smile on the Noldo’s face. “What is it, hiril? Speak freely.”
“I simply find it… amusing,” Mallossel begins, choosing her words very wisely, “that your answer to an elleth who listens to no one is to… put her in a situation where she has to listen to no one.”
There were several beats of silence.
Haldir sighs.
“She is your responsibility now, Mallossel. I know you have much experience,” the elf says, also carefully choosing his words. “I think she will listen to you.”
“You want me to train her,” the elleth corrects. “Or mentor her, whatever you shall call it.”
“I do not know why you are speaking to me as if this is some sort of punishment,” Haldir rebukes. “I think you will be a good influence on her, regardless if it comes through mentoring or simply being in your presence.”
“My training differed greatly from that of Lothlorien,” Mallossel reminds him in a grave tone.
“And yet you still serve as one of us.”
Another beat of silence.
Another sigh.
“Very well,” Mallossel says in a sharp tone, edged with finality as she stands herself up properly. “I will bring her along on my assignments.”
Haldir relaxes as well. “Thank you, hiril. That is all that I ask.”
