Hello! ::frantic waving::

 this is my first Haldir fiction, but I always felt like he was pushed out of the way quite a bit from Legolas, so I though I'd give him a try. I'm also a Legolas fan, so there will be a lot of him also, and some Aragorn and Gimli, with occasional appearances from the rest of the fellowship and a few other of our favorite elves. Depending on the response I get, I'll keep it going.  Please give me your feedback; I'd love to hear what you think about it!  I think this plot's been done before, but I'll try to put some original twists.  NOTE: THIS IS BOOK-VERSE.  Haldir doesn't die at Helm's deep and the fellowship stays in Lorien for several months.  Also, my elvish is pretty awful, but I'll try my best…..

Rating: PG-13 for a little cursing and some dark themes

Summary:  Haldir is delighted to see his friend, Legolas when the fellowship comes to Lorien.  However seeing his old friend pushes him into darkness when memories come back to him; sinister memories that he had tried to forget by throwing himself into his duties.  Now they are assaulting him right and left, and may do what no earthly weapon could: destroy him.

Disclaimer: If I owned anything from Lord of the Rings, I wouldn't be typing this, but would probably be on a beach somewhere basking in the sun….  I do however, own the character of Lűïnelothiel, so please don't take her from me. 

Italics indicates a dream

:: Double colons represent flashbacks

This starts with the fellowship entering Lorien after Moria.  This fiction is kind of AU, but I'm not sure... There's a few things added... well, you'll see.

So, without further ado,

Halo of Tears

By Lady-Daine

            Haldir of Lorien looked back at the wretched group behind him as they stumbled along, attempting to move forward without falling.  Though some of the March Warden's guards guided them, the forest path was not an easy one, and the group was unused to him.  He himself could have easily walked this path blindfolded with his arms tied behind his back; he had taken it all his life.  The only one of the eight figures, an odd assortment of men, Halflings, a dwarf, and an elf that did not stumble was Prince Legolas as he too had taken this path more then once.  Haldir smirked slightly, secretly pleased when the dwarf took another fall down, cursing as he was coated in dust.  The elf was not immune to the natural rivalry between elves and dwarves, and Gimli, son of Gloin seemed to be a particularly disagreeable dwarf.

            The group continued along a path lined with gorgeous trees of Lorien as they came closer and closer to the heart of the elven country. A slight breeze made the spring night pleasant and birds sang in the trees around them.  The sun had just started to set, and darkness would soon be on the party.

            The tall, lithe archer suddenly jumped into a tree in front of him and quickly leapt to the top.  The elf had midnight blue eyes with specks of silver in them that glinted in the dying sun.  Long, silvery-blond hair fell down past his shoulders as he let himself slide back down the tree to the ground, silently landing back down ground.

            "We will stop here tonight" The Guard called out to the party.  Haldir could hear several of the Halflings sigh in relief as their blindfolds were removed and they were allowed to sit down.  Camp was quickly made and most of the ragged fellowship huddled around a fire, as though the heat from it could melt the ice that had settled on their hearts, for they were weary with grief for their fallen comrade.  Haldir had heard about Mithrandir's fate, and had been distressed, for the wizard was truly a wise man and a friend to all.  Somehow the feeling had been slightly numb, as though only the shadow of the emotion rather then the full force. 

            Feelings such as this were commonplace for him.  Very rarely did he ever have strong emotion, and when he did, he did no show it.  He had cut himself off from emotion, thinking it a weak and useless thing to have... Ever since-… NO!   Why was he thinking of that?  Was it the mere sight of Legolas?  No!  It couldn't be.  Could it? Certainly he'd seen the younger elf many times before.  Why was the memory coming back now?   The elf shook himself out of his reverie and went to assist in the making of camp.

            When everything was settled, Haldir sat with his friend and comrade, Legolas, slightly away from the fire.

            "How do you fair, Mellon?" The Mirkwood elf addressed Haldir.

            "I am well." Haldir replied simply. "But I see that your own heart is filled with grief, for you were a good friend of Mithrandir's, were you not?"  At this, Legolas's eyes shined with grief, but he only nodded.  Haldir mentally cursed himself for bringing up this subject, for it was obviously not a good one.

            "I am sad for Mithrandir's passing" Legolas said at length.  "But what of Lorien?  Are there many here leaving for the havens?"

            "They leave in larger and larger groups each day." Haldir replied, frowning.  "These woods are no longer safe.  I rarely go out without seeing some combat.  Orcs are coming closer and closer to this country.  It is something that has been expected, yet it troubles me."

            "That is indeed troubling, for as I left Mirkwood, there were many arriving there as well." Legolas said, deeply troubled.  "But come; let us talk of other things.  This is no time to fall into despair, for it is only hope that keeps us going.  Elladen of Rivendell told me that he visited Lorien not long ago, and that your hair had mysteriously taken on streaks of lavender."  Haldir frowned again, but this time good naturedly.  "A childish prank not worthy of remembrance!" he said.  "I do not suppose that the Elladen also mentioned the fact that his dress tunic took on a similar color?"  At this, Legolas laughed, and Haldir was happy to be once again around friends.  But a feeling began to creep up on him.  Something was not right.  The elf shrugged it off and continued his conversations, ignoring whatever was seeping back into his mind.

~*~*~*~

Haldir Tossed and turned uncomfortably, murmuring to himself in quenya.

The elf had another enveloped in his arms.  Lűïnelothiel of Mirkwood had her head on his shoulder, and was absentmindedly playing with his hair.  Haldir smiled slowly, for the first time in a long while being truly happy.  The she elf had long, blond hair, and beautiful sky-blue eyes that shone, even in the darkness.  Perfect was the only way to describe her.  His one and only love.  And though their love was tainted, it was so easy to forget it, forget everything.  Though she had had to relive awful news to him earlier that day, it didn't matter right now.  What mattered was them, and their love, theirs, and only theirs.  The last thing he did was dose off, comfortable and safe, wrapped in a blanked of peace as the couple sat in the sun-set. 

 He woke up to darkness all around him, complete, frigid coldness that was nothing.  The elf tried to focus, but there was nothing to see, nothing to here, nothing to feel. Suddenly, a shrill scream pierced the darkness, followed by another.  Haldir blinked and abruptly everything was all too bright, all too clear.  A band of 10 Orcs, in all their ugliness poured into the clearing, tainting the previously beautiful sunset, Putrid smiles set on Haldir and the she-elf in his arms.  She was screaming uncontrollably, and the other elf, with a sinking feeling knew why. 

           

            A huge, black arrow protruded from her shoulder.  By the look of it, it was poisoned. Haldir was torn between defending himself from the Orcs, and seeing to his love that was in dire need of assistance.  Since Orcs were not common in Lorien at this time, the only weapon that the elf carried was a small dagger. 

           

            Haldir looked at his doomed beloved and a rage rose in him like no other, and without hesitating he leapt at the group of monsters, ducking a swing that one of them sent at him, then kicking its feet out from under it and slitting its throat.  Another one bore down on him, but the warrior simply slung his knife over his shoulder.  It pierced the Orc between the eyes, killing it instantly.  Before it could fall, Haldir grabbed the knife out and started towards another.  Another arrow came flying toward him, but he dodged it and killed the one who shot it.

            Very soon all the Orcs were gone, and all that was left was Haldir, his bloody dagger, and his dieing love.  Quickly, he rushed to her side, but it had been too late the moment that the arrow had touched her.  The March Warden began to sob uncontrollably, screaming her name in vain, thinking it a connotation that might bring her back.

"Lűïnelothiel!!!  Lűïnelothiel!!"

"Lűïnelothiel, Lűïnelothiel"  Haldir woke up, still screaming the name of his dream, and wondering franticly why he had suddenly been attacked by the nightmare he had tried to forget so long ago.  Looking around he saw that everyone was still asleep, and sighed in relief at that.  If someone had seen or heard him…

But no one had, or so he thought.  A voice startled Haldir as two; all too familiar blue eyes bore into him from behind.

"Haldir," Legolas asked confusedly, "Why are you screaming my mother's name?"

Alrighty, that's it for now.  What do you think?? I would like feedback if you have a chance:: begs::

I'll update depending on the response from this... if people like it…

Thankee!!

Lady-Daine