Aragorn knew they were coming; he had known about it for a week. He and Legolas had kept watch on the Osgilith Road from the highest battlements for several nights now, because they only rode at night likes ghosts from another time and place.
"I see them," Legolas announced anxiously and pointed to a group of horsemen riding slowly towards the city. The animals moved slowly as if tired, and the cloaks the riders wore hid their faces and bodies from any prying eyes.
"Go get Lady Arwen," Aragorn told one of the man with him. "Tell her he's here."
Three abreast with one riding alone at the rear, the ten horsemen passed through the gate of Minis Tirith. Celeborn, his eyes ever alert, rode between his grandsons. He alone had been unable to leave them when the elves left Middle Earth. Glorfindel rode directly behind him between two of the Galadhrim, and behind him the brothers and the third of the Galadhrim. Brooding Haldir brought up the rear.
Aragorn and Legolas stepped off the battlement and strode briskly towards the road to intercept them. The King of Gondor stood tall as he waited for his wife's grandfather and brothers to reach the highest point in his city. He had heard the strange tale of how Celeborn was now joining his grandsons in tracking down the last of the dark creatures of Arda. Were there enough orcs and wargs and goblins left to keep them busy?
They look grim, Aragorn thought at the horses finished their ascent and stopped. Celeborn removed his hood and said, "Ellasar, it is good to see you."
"My Lord," Aragorn greeted warmly and respectfully touched his hand to his heart and lowered his head.
"Where is Arwen?" the great elven lord asked as he dismounted. He longed to see the last bright light in his world.
"I sent for her," Aragorn explained as the other elves dismounted. "Elrohir, Elladan," he greeted his adopted brothers. Their smiles were genuine, but they looked tired. "Glorfindel."
"Ellasar," the handsome golden elf lord replied and accepted his clasp. "It is good to see you again."
Aragorn turned to the Galadhrim bowmen. Haldir had his horse between them. "Aragorn," he said softly, an edge in his voice that sent a chill up the king's spine. "And Legolas." The name rolled seductively off his tongue, but the eyes were dead. So it was true. Too much pain and fear had driven Haldir insane. If Aragorn had known that he had survived the battle of Helms Deep before riding off to Isengard, he would have helped him right then and there rather than upon his return. Too much pain and too much fear. Why was he still here?
"Rumil, Orophin, gentlemen," Aragorn said to the other elves. "Please, accept my hospitality." He extended his hand towards the Gondorian keep. He could see Faramir and Arwen hurrying towards them.
"Grandfather!" she exclaimed and threw her arms around his neck. Celeborn held her like a man clinging to life. "It is so good to see you!" she cried and kissed his cheek. Reaching for her brothers, she said, "I have missed you!" She even had a hug for Glorfindel. When she turned her attentions towards the Galadhrim, they all accepted her greetings except Haldir. He could not stand to be touched by her.
"Can I not steal a kiss?" she asked her old friend from the Golden Wood. She knew Aragorn would not object in such a public place.
"Ever the flirt," her brother Elrohir suddenly laughed and led her away from the Galadhrim bowman. "Come Ellasar, we are hungry."
Orophin slapped his oldest brother on the shoulder and said, "Come let us go get something to drink. I know the wine of Gondor is almost as good as that of Mirkwood."
Legolas smiled and fell in step beside Orophin. They are all dressed in colors of the night, he thought to himself. Even in the bright light of the keep, they seemed enveloped in darkness. Celeborn's riding clothes were a midnight blue, black and the darkest of greens. Even his cloak was black as were the others. How could creatures of light become creatures of the night?
Although it was very late, Aragorn had an excellent meal prepared for them with his best wine to wash it down. Haldir only drank the wine. Arwen thought he was as beautiful as ever, although there was a heavy melancholy about him. He never once looked at her.
"Haldir, how have you been?" she finally asked and poured her grandfather another glass of wine from the kafter in front of them. Haldir slowly turned his eyes towards her, and she could sense an unease among the other elves. There was no light in his eyes.
He sniffed softly and said, "I'm fine, thank-you." He drained the goblet and held it up for a refill. The young man making the rounds with the bottle stopped and filled it for him. His eyes met Haldir's. Haldir saw the lust in his eyes and hated him.
After the meal, Aragorn and Arwen showed their guests to their rooms. Orophin insisted that he and his brothers share a room. Save work for the maids he mused. Aragorn returned the smile. Haldir, spurred on by whatever personal demons that now haunted him, turned to Aragorn.
"Do you still want to embrace me, King of Gondor?" he asked, his voice soft and seductive.
Orophin wrapped his arm around Haldir's neck and said, "Come brother. We're tired."
Aragorn did not know what to say. How could Elrond have left with Haldir in such a state of mind? How could Galadriel? He had suffered terribly for them, for the people of Rohan. Now that pain was festering in his mind. Rumil and Orophin were protecting him, although Aragorn had heard that the only time the light burned in Haldir's eyes was when his sword was taking revenge on the creatures that had hurt him. Haldir of Lorien was still a great warrior, he just wasn't good at anything else.