DISCLAIMER AND NOTES: There are references to events that can be found in the appendices of RotK. This chapter has been modified from its original content to suit the new direction of the story. Chapter re-uploaded 9/3/11.I own nothing of this save my own characters: Arquen, Amorith (Vanimë), Forfirith (Vanië), Olwen, and random Elves. In other words, if you recognize something, it belongs to Tolkien. Míriel's name changed to Celemirë.

Poolside Problem, Talan Trouble

The surface of the pool broke violently as a head shot out cleanly through. There was a moment's pause before a startled scream escaped the lips of the woman.

"Haldir!" she exclaimed.

Haldir the Marchwarden absently glanced at the form of Amorith from the flet far above her, only her dark head visible above the water. His brothers, Rúmil and Orophin, had seized the neat pile that Haldir assumed to be Amorith's clothing. They both had impish smiles on their faces and their eyes glittered.

"Did not Haldir tell you I was here?" she asked them.

"I regret to say that he did not, as we did not give him the opportunity to do so." Orophin said.

She eyed them heatedly.

"Have you no regards for the personal decency of a lady? May I remind you that I am not only a lady, but a very skilled warrior as well," she said. "But if that does not suit you, then perhaps once I call Haldir he can see that this nuisance of a problem is sorted out."

Orophin continued to smirk at her.

"If you continue standing there, I shall come after you myself," she added.

"Without clothing? I do not think that is highly proper of one in your place," he told her.

And Rúmil held out her clothes, an innocent smile in his blue eyes.

"Do not lecture me on what is proper and what is not," Amorith said.

Haldir turned away from the scene below him. He knew he ought to reprimand his brothers, but he would not let this opportunity slip from Amorith's grasp. He felt that whatever punishment he gave them she would find something better suited to their needs. Their voices faded as he let his mind rove elsewhere, to a similar time, one as full of innocence and mischief as was now occurring at the pool.

It had been many centuries ago. The world then was not as it was now, so full of evil and uncertainty openly. Though the Dark Lord was hidden then in his fortress of Dol Guldur, of which no one knew until much later, there was much strife present for the Free People of Middle-earth. His fell Darkness, which had spread northward into Eryn Galen, caused the woodland realm of Thranduil to be known as Mirkwood. Even the Elves of Lórien felt the darkness, and receded further into the shelter of Caras Galadhon and their Lord and Lady's protection. While there was so much grief and hopelessness, for Haldir, it was a time of joy and love. He was not deaf to the burdens of the world, for his duties as a border guard taught him that there were indeed evil creatures at work in the night. But he did not allow his heart to solely dwell on these troubles; for in Lórien there was a reason for him to have a lighter heart than those around him. Because of this he managed to find light where there was dark, to fight courageously and with passion when there was despair, and to tread lightly on the ground where others stumbled. He had first seen her on the eve of midsummer, returning from a journey to Imladris, having been part of an escort for the Lady Arwen. After her mother, Celebrían, daughter of the Lord and Lady of Lórien, was injured by a poisonous Orc arrow, Elrond did not wish to take any risks and implemented all precautions necessary. The path from Imladris to Lórien was no longer safe through the Misty Mountains.

Haldir had arrived, his body exhausted from travel and constant vigilance the entire way after escorting Lady Arwen safely to her father's house, and there Haldir had spent the night, before leaving early the following morning with his company. Though this was not necessary, and after refuting Lord Elrond's countless attempts to prolong his stay and rest, Haldir had nonetheless started his travel homeward. He did not enjoy being away from his brothers, despite that Imladris refreshed his spirits in such a manner. His men did not relinquish their complaints at having been ushered out of Imladris in such a hurry, but he had not relented, and they had soon given up, knowing their efforts would be fruitless.

"Brothers, how I have missed you," he said, embracing them.

It was during this embrace that he noticed her. She was dancing upon the green lawn, eyes closed, arms outstretched above her. The stars sparkled upon the gems she wore on her brow and neck, and her hair was like a river cascading down her back. She was clad in blue, with a delicate silver filigree belt about her waist. Never in his life had he seen such spirit, and he was in awe. He released himself from the embrace, sitting on the grass, enthralled by the scene before him. What he felt, however, he hid deep within, so that when his brothers joined him, they did not know what seed had been planted in their brother's heart. He appeared as any other, enjoying the festivities of the night.

It took much stealth to keep the matter of the lady hidden from his brothers. He was not ashamed of what he felt, or afraid of what they would think, he only wanted to keep her safe. She seemed not to be troubled by anything, innocent, pure. Though she had beauty, it was her spirit and energy that he had found most desirable. There were many other maidens he had seen with thrice her beauty, but they did not possess the qualities she had. Over the course of several months, Haldir was able to keep watch over this maiden, never straying into her path, but looking after her from afar, careful to not disturb her. He was content in the knowledge that she would not know him even if they met. So it happened that one day, taking a swim in the very same pool Amorith was in, she cornered him.

"Haldir…"

The border guard turned to see the maiden standing opposite him, a smile on her face, his clothing in her hands. He treaded water, unsure of what to do.

"I asked myself why the trees around my flet were sparse in certain areas of their leaves. I thought them to be diseased, still when I took it upon myself to examine them I found no signs of disease. This was puzzling to me exceedingly, so I examined the branches, yet still there was nothing."

She spoke in a soft voice, like that of a small warbling bird.

"It was not until I searched the ground below the trees that I was rewarded," she said, holding up his belt, turning it over so his name shown clearly to him. "I learned that it belonged to one of the most esteemed border guards, yet why would it be in such a place?"

Haldir was silent.

"Perhaps the border guard found inspiration to observe the borders within?" she jested.

Haldir felt her eyes staring intently at him. He was ensnared fully now.

"Are you always so silent? No matter, since you enjoy yourself in the trees…"

She retreated silently. When he could no longer hear her soft footsteps, he emerged from the pool, heading towards the spot she had disappeared. He found his clothing high above in the branches, strewn about. It took him some time to retrieve his clothing, as she had chosen branches that posed a slight problem to his lack of decency. As he climbed, he smiled. This maiden had sought to teach him a lesson, which she had. She had proved more cunning than him. He was no longer the hunter, but rather the prey. Finally, he reached for his belt, but a flash of light caught his attention. There, on the end, she had secured a single curly lock of hair from her fair head.

The sound of approaching footsteps ended his reverie.

"I have been so kindly relieved of my watch duties tonight by your brothers."

Amorith stood on the flet, eyes dancing with delight. Haldir stifled the laugh, knowing that his brothers had truly paid for their small mischief earlier.

"If you do not mind, I wish to take my leave for the night. Depend upon my return the next morning."

Haldir glanced at her, noting the way she spoke now, quietly.

"You know the laws laid by the Lord and Lady, that no one is to travel alone, specifically this close to the borders," he said, turning so that she did not see him tuck something into his belt.

"You cannot stop me, Haldir. And I do not fear the Lord or Lady," she replied.

They were interrupted by shouts from below. Amorith left before he could protest anymore. Haldir saw in which direction she was headed before going down to his brothers.

"Lord Celeborn indicated that we should head east, across the river from where the border of Dol Guldur lies. There are increasingly worryingly reports about strange movements there. He asked we remain there for this night at least and see what we can learn." Orophin said.

Haldir nodded.

"Very well, then. You head east with Rúmil. I will remain here for tonight." he said.

"And Amorith?" Orophin asked, to which Haldir nodded.

He watched as his brothers moved swiftly over the ground, racing one another. They were so close to each other, he envied them at times. After offering a silent prayer of protection for his brothers, Haldir turned away. His thoughts went back to Amorith. No matter what she had said, he could not abandon so lightly the laws of his Lord and Lady. Although he felt that Amorith would unlikely come to harm, there was something else that pulled him to follow her tonight. Since her arrival in the Golden Wood, Haldir had observed her. She was silent and withdrawn, taking little pleasure in the company of others save that of the Lady. Lord Celeborn had introduced her as kinswoman to Galadriel, and her history was brief and concise: she had dwelled with them in Doriath, and since its ruin has been travelling throughout the lands. Rumors soon followed her arrival, and there were some who were uneasy about her presence. Yet she remained silent when questioned, repeating that she had come from Mirkwood.

Her tracks proved not at all difficult to find, as if she suspected none to follow her. There seemed to be a little path winding through the trees, skirting close to the river, but never fully visible. He caught sight of her after travelling an hour, the gleam of her brown hair dark against the gold of the mallorn. Amorith moved slowly, arms outstretched on either side of her, head cocked to one side, as if held in rapture. Haldir felt vulnerable suddenly, and began to backtrack, but the sound of a snapping twig beneath his feet gave him away. Amorith's head snapped around, and her eyes locked onto his.

"I find myself wondering what a border guard such as yourself can find so threatening from a lady's desire for solitude," she said, unpleased with having been followed.

"And I find myself wondering why a border guard such as yourself dares to defy the laws of the Lord and Lady, indeed appears so careless and rash." Haldir replied evenly.

"I have business here, and I ask you to kindly leave me alone. I do not wish for interference in my personal affairs," Amorith said, turning to leave, but Haldir caught hold of her arm.

"These woods are not safe anymore. My duty is to carry out the wishes of my Lord and Lady."

They stared at each other, Amorith with such vehemence and Haldir with firmness and unyielding. She hated these Silvans; if it was not for Galadriel they would not be as carefree as they were now. The Lady had made their home one of the fairest and most formidable of all the elven realms. As she continued her glare, she felt the gaze of Haldir pierce through her, diminishing her. She knew then he would not relent, and as she withdrew her arm from his grasp, she bowed.

"If you insist, my one request is that you tell no one of this, not even the Lord and Lady," she said.

Haldir nodded, and the feeling he had earlier returned, and in her gray eyes there was something he could not fathom. His free hand grasped the lock of hair entwined in his belt, and with the other he placed over his heart, promising her that whatever would happen remained a secret between them. Slightly satisfied, but dissuaded at being followed, Amorith continued on the path, Haldir following a few steps behind her. He had neither been this close to Amorith before nor alone with her, having only seen her from afar, or when they were among the other guards. She was as ethereal as Lady Galadriel was, but in her countenance there was a masked pride, and in her eyes he had read pain. The rumors he had heard concerning her told of a terrible curse and some had felt she could not be trusted. But the Lady Galadriel neither refuted nor affirmed these accusations, and so the Silvans had regarded her with a kind of distant mystery. Only a few of the advisors seemed to know her true story, but whether under orders from the Lord and Lady, or of their own will, no one spoke a word.

"I know of the rumors surrounding me, Haldir, and I beg you not to trust everything you hear. If the Lady felt I posed a danger, she would not have allowed me to make abode here." Amorith spoke, and Haldir knew she had read the workings of his thoughts.

They were stopped now, face to face once more. Amorith pointed above, where he could discern the outline of a talan. She made her way to the tree, moving her fingers deftly until she pulled down a rope, which brought into view a hithlain woven staircase encircling the tree's girth. Amorith led the way again. Higher and higher they climbed, until at last the path through the trees was hidden from view. They had entered the talan now, and Haldir took everything in. It was decorated in green and brown furnishings, and seemed fit for a king. It appeared that whoever used this talan used it as a retreat. His attention was drawn to Amorith, who stood by the richly carved wardrobe and seemed entranced by the robes that hung within it. She fingered the material gently.

"This talan once belonged to King Thranduil, gifted to him by the Lord and Lady. He would come here with his lady when they had the luxury of time to spend away from the palace. This was before the silence fell between the two kingdoms," she said. "Here they knew only peace and comfort."

Haldir felt his chest constrict. So much time he had spent traversing across the expanses of the Golden Wood, and never had he found this place. Although he had reserved opinions about the King, his concern was whether or not this talan had been used by others, more prone to evil than good.

"I can still feel the presence here, the scent still lingers…" she was whispering, completely oblivious to the fact that Haldir was watching her.

The Noldo left the wardrobe and walked over to the bed stand, where a brush lay. She brushed the thick layer of dust that covered the handle and turned it over. She plucked at the few strands of golden hair that were entrapped in the bristles.

"Have you ever seen him, Haldir, in the fall, with the crown of red berries atop his great golden head? And his robes of deep green, with those wonderful sapphire eyes of his?" she asked. "Have you ever seen him? Have you, Haldir? Oh, such a glorious sight he is to behold then!"

Haldir shook his head slowly, feeling bemused. The Noldo's gray eyes were glazed as her mind took her over entirely.

"He said he loved me, he promised to wed me, did you know that?" Amorith continued.

And then Haldir knew. Amorith was the one who had spent time here with the King; this talan held memories of Thranduil for her. That explained why everything was green and brown, why she buried her head in the robes and inhaled deeply. This talan once belonged to Thranduil, and it had belonged to her as well.

The Silvan Elf was suddenly aware that the Noldo princess was on her feet, that the comb lay beneath her feet, and that she was crushing it, as she screamed madly into the night:

"And he lied to me! Everything he told me was a lie!"

Haldir had never seen Amorith without control like this before. He watched wordlessly as she slammed her fist into the mirror, causing the glass to shatter into numerous pieces and cut her. But she ignored her wounded fists and continued on her path of destruction. Nothing escaped her fury: the wardrobe was thrust onto its side, the table overturned, the bed was flung aside. Haldir finally managed to summon enough courage to hasten to Amorith and pin her arms behind her.

"Amorith, you must stop." he told her.

Amorith's breathing was labored and came in heavy gasps as she looked at Haldir.

"Will he wed me? He does love me, does he not?" Amorith wept, losing her strength.

"I do not know," Haldir answered, and he felt within him a vile hatred.

Amorith's eyes glazed over and she slid to the talan floor. Haldir knelt beside her, stroking her hand. The Noldo was resting, and only the Valar knew how much she needed it.

Haldir sat beside her, resting his weary head in his hands. The feeling that made him follow her he now knew its cause: guilt. He had thought of his maiden earlier in the day. He removed the lock of hair from his belt, its golden hue shining in the moonlight. His tears came thickly, dampening Amorith's brow. Their fates were now entwined in a manner that could be called coincidental to an outside observer, but for Haldir it meant something deeply emotional and fulfilling, almost as if it was a sign from the Valar. Long had he prayed to them fervently to show him an answer, to rid him of the pain he carried, the fire within that refused to cool. How he had loved her, even after she had accepted the King's offer, and left him suffering silently. How often his gaze would linger towards Mirkwood, and feeling the anger rise in him, quell himself by wishing her and her King nothing but happiness. But he felt robbed, cheated, knowing that she knew of his desires, accepting his attentions while entertaining the King's offers. In time, he came to think of her less and less, until he desired another, someone as equal to the King. Amorith had filled the space in his heart left behind by his maiden. Bearing in mind the warnings of Lady Galadriel, Haldir again prayed to the Valar for the strength he needed. Amorith would prove to be a challenge, but once again, he was the silent deadly hunter. With a sigh, he let go of the golden lock, allowing the cool night breeze to wash over him.