A Visit From Haldir

“Pap pap,” yelled Gretchen as she ran down the stairs.

“There’s my girl,” said Haldir as he opened his arms.

Gretchen threw herself into Haldir’s waiting arms and kissed his cheek. He lifted Gretchen off the ground and ran his hand over the back of her head.

“I’m so sorry,Gretch, I didn't see it coming,” said Haldir as his voice faltered.

“It’s ok pap. It’s not your fault. How are my parents? Are they ok? And my brothers?” asked Gretchen as she pulled away from Haldir.

“Well, they’re kind of a mess. I promised them I’d come find you. How are you getting along here?” asked Haldir as he brought her into his side and walked with her back to Tessa’s home. He noticed Agamori was following along the hill above them. Haldir raised his chin to acknowledge him and Agamori raised his brow then gave a side smile.

“It’s different. Thank God I found Tessa, Logan and Jacob. I don’t know how I would’ve made it without them,” said Gretchen.

“Was it a difficult journey?” he asked.

“Ugh! You have no idea,” said Gretchen.

“Tell me all about it Gretchen,” said Haldir.

“I was doing great until I passed into the Darke Kingdom,” said Gretchen. Haldir looked back to his friend and the pieces began to fall in place.

“Say no more,” said Haldir. “They’re… interesting people. Did they bother you much?”

“Just the son, Damien. He and his cousins or whatever they are took me prisoner, even threatened to throw me in the dungeons,” said Gretchen.

Haldir’s heart sank as he feared the worst. The Darke’s weren’t the kind of people who just forgave their grudges. “Jesus, I’m so sorry. How’d you get away?”

“I ran away one night and he followed me all the way here. I had to literally beg him to leave me alone, and then his mother came to visit me,” said Gretchen. “I mean, look at that prick up the hill. They’re all crazy, Haldir.”

“What did Rosemary say to you?” he asked.

“She asked me to come stay with them for awhile. Told me that I misinterpreted Damien’s behavior and blah, blah, blah,” she explained.

“Are you? Going to visit them, I mean,” he asked.

“No, absolutely not. I’ve heard all the stories about these people and you know me, I can’t keep my mouth shut. Daniel would burn me alive,” she said.

Haldir laughed and said, “Yes, you’re probably better off staying away from the Darke’s.”

When they got back to Tessa’s, Gretchen went to help her with the housework as Haldir went to the kitchen with Logan and Jacob.

Haldir sat a bottle of whiskey on the table and said, “There you go boys,” then he went to the cabinet and pulled out three glasses.

“Funny how I used to hate seeing your fucking face but now I can’t wait for your visits,” said Logan as he opened the bottle.

“Yeah, same,” said Haldir as he handed him a glass.

“How’s my sister holding up?” asked Jacob.

Hadlir sighed and said, “A big fucking disaster. It’s just gut wrenching.”

“Shit,” said Jacob as he ran his hand through his hair.

“Did they get the people who did it?” asked Logan.

Haldir nodded, “They’re still working it out. Teddy, he...he’s gone on a killing spree that makes you and Tessa look like amateurs. You know, the world is just different. I don’t know...I think it’s time that Teddy and Stella came here before anyone else gets hurt.”

“Who was it?” asked Logan.

“The Order,” said Haldir then he took a sip. “They killed Billy then the new leadership decided to cleanse the species of all half bloods and lower. Gretchen...she was at the top of their fucking list. The new warlock in charge is a man called Nieves, he’s Jakeys first mate's father. Jake, he doesn’t ever need to know that little piece of information, but that’s what happened. It was personal against your family, boys. Shit’s just going to get worse, I’m afraid.”

“Yeah, Yeah...we got another problem Haldir,” said Logan as he sipped from his glass.

“What’s that?” he asked.

Jacob said, “Gretchen. Damien Darke is her mate.”

Hadlir set his cup down and said, “Oh fuck! Does she know? She didn’t tell me.”

“No, no. She’s still in a weird place. She didn’t feel it, but he sure as shit did,” said Logan.

“I guess that explains why Agi’s been following her around. Well, she seems to hate Damien’s guts, so I’d say this IS a problem,” said Haldir.

Logan took a sip and said, “ For once you and I agree, old man. I know when I found Tessa, no fucking living soul would’ve kept me from her. I’d say this is going to get pretty fucking ugly anytime now.”

“Dammit. I got to get back and get word to Teddy and Stella. When I come back, I’ll go see Rosemary and Daniel and try to smooth this whole thing out. I can’t believe this shit though. I think this family of ours was born under a bad fucking sign or something,” said Haldir.

Jacob laughed and said, “So what do we do in the meantime? We just keep this from her? I mean, we can’t keep them apart forever. Fate will just keep throwing them back together. Why don’t we just tell her and let her decide for herself?”

Haldir said, “For now, I think it’s best to bury this. If it comes out, then it does, but I don’t want to fuck up Gretchen’s life anymore than it already has been. It can wait. Gretchen just needs to heal now.”

“But what if she never does? What if Damien is the cure?” said Jacob.

Haldir blew out through his mouth and said, “Well, then, I’d say we’re all in a world of shit. Daniel would do anything for his family. Anything. Don’t think he’s not going to come here and press the issue boys.” Haldir blew a frustrated breath out through his mouth and said, “We’ll figure it out when I get back.”

Gretchen and Tessa came back to the kitchen and Gretchen wrapped her arms around Haldir’s neck from behind. “I’m going to write my parents a letter. You tell them I’m happy. Ok? I don’t want them to worry.”

“I will, Gretch,” he said as he rubbed her arm.

As Haldir left the cottage and started down the narrow path, he saw a Raven sitting on the branch before him and he said, “Hello your Majesty.”

The Raven dropped from the tree and Daniel Darke stood from the spot it landed on.

“Haldir,” said Daniel. “It seems like we need to have a talk about that granddaughter of yours.”

“Agreed, but it’s going to have to wait. I need to get word back to her parents that she’s here and that she’s alright. When I get back, I’ll come to the castle and we can hammer all this out,” said Haldir.

“And is she doing alright?” asked Daniel.

Haldir shrugged and said, “As well as can be expected for someone who was just murdered. And Damien? How’s he holding up?”

“As well as can be expected for a man who just had his heart shattered into a million pieces,” said Daniel.

Haldir said, “We’ll get them sorted out Daniel. Gretchen she’s...she’s angry.”

Daniel nodded and clasped his hands behind his back. “You know, seeing my wife and children in pain, it makes me very angry too.”

Haldir’s heart sank to his stomach. He wasn’t afraid of many men, but Daniel wasn’t your ordinary man. “She just lost everything Daniel. Everything. She needs time,” said Haldir.

Daniel smirked and said, “That’s what people used to say to me when I met Rosemary. It was ridiculous advice then and it hasn’t gotten any better with age.”

“Daniel, she doesn’t even realize he’s her mate. She wouldn’t think twice about rejecting him outright. Neither of us wants that. When I get back, we’ll deal with all this together. Her family back on Earth is dealing with her death and there's a whole goddamn war going on because of it. They need me and I need to know that Gretchen will be safe here until I get back,” said Haldir.

A smirk curled up on Daniel's lips and he said, “There's no safer person in all the North Woods, I promise you. I’ll see you when you return, old friend.” Then, Daniel misted away into the darkness.

Haldir blew out though his mouth then looked up to the sky and said, “Really? Why can’t you just cut this family a fucking break?”