Faithful
By: Cri du Coer
Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.R.R. Tolkien's work. Nor will I ever claim to.
Author's Note: I don't know ANYTHING about Elvish weddings, won't you be a kind soul and enlighten me? I know a little from Morgoth's Ring, but not really enough to be confident in what I write… - Cri du Coer
Chapter Nine – A Maiden's First Kiss
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Mallwen sat at her stool, admiring Arphendess's handiwork. Arphendess had done a spectacular job with her hair; it had been braided and woven into an intricate pattern that Mallwen dared not touch. Her stomach tightened with excitement at the prospect of spending a whole day with Haldir. She gazed at herself in the mirror and touched her lips briefly.
Her first kiss. Her father had always told her that nothing was more valuable and special to give to her lover than her first kiss (later, her best friend, Sindenis, informed her on the real most valuable and special gift given shared between lovers). He always warned her to make sure the person who received her first kiss was one she knew would be a worthy mate for the rest of her life. Mallwen, a mere child of four at the time, had not heeded his words, but now, as the event was looming over her head like a gray shroud, Mallwen knew, in her heart, that her first kiss was meant for Haldir.
She glanced outside. The sun had not yet risen, the dew was still fresh on the grass. She smiled and muttered a quick prayer under her breath. Today was the day.
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Mallwen smiled when she saw Haldir walking towards her. She curtsied as he bowed, and they stood there, for an uncomfortable moment, not sure on what to do. Haldir's eyes were serene and patient as they gazed at her. Mallwen felt her cheeks turn pink as she looked away. It was a strange four months after their confessions of love, and for all of winter they had danced around the delicate line of friendship and romance. Some days, they were more like friends; other days, they were lovers.
Haldir took her hand in his and kissed it, sending a shiver down Mallwen's spine. She smiled and pulled her hand back, unsure of what would happen next. She was scared to show too much affection, or to show too little affection. Haldir cocked his head at her as his lips slowly turned upwards into a small smile. "Elleth, you have no reason to feel the need to put an act on around me."
Mallwen smiled and accepted Haldir's protective arm over her shoulder. As they walked down the path to their favorite field, a million things rushed through her head. Why hadn't he kissed her yet? In all the stories she had read from her father's library, the man always sealed his love for the woman with a kiss. But Haldir had yet to show any desire to kiss her on the lips. She blushed and forced these strange thoughts out of her head. For now, I'll just enjoy his company. Who knows how much longer I will be allowed to be see him, or how long it is until he is called to protect the northern boundaries, and a rogue orc finds him, and… Mallwen let out a small breath, and squeezed the hand around her shoulder tightly.
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"Haldir, sir, you are not much at dancing." Mallwen chuckled as she twirled around a dizzy Haldir, her hair shining in the warm spring sun and her laughter radiating in the woods. She gathered up her yellow skirts and plopped herself down next to him. A moment passed as they both allowed the springtime to soak into their skin. Mallwen relaxed and lay down on the grassy turf, and Haldir soon followed suit.
The golden sun cast bright rays across the periwinkle blue sky. White fluffy clouds floated lazily around, making shapes for Mallwen and Haldir to point out and delight in. The trees swayed with the wind, the rustling in time with Mallwen's and Haldir's heartbeats. Bright green was all around them; flowers bloomed with vibrant reds, purples, pinks, blues, and yellows. Mallwen's favorite flower had regained its glory, its luscious white petals gleaming with the morning dew. Haldir plucked one from its fragile green stem and tickled Mallwen's nose with it. Giggling, she swatted the plant away. Haldir tickled her, making her scream with laughter as she fought to escape his grasp.
Mallwen rolled over, and was intercepted by Haldir, who was now almost directly on top of her. Mallwen's laughter faded into her throat as her heart beat inside of her ears. All the noise of the world was gone as she saw Haldir's calm gray eyes looking deeply into her own. And suddenly she knew.
This is it, she thought to herself, dumbstruck as Haldir's lips moved closer to hers. He is going to kiss me, right here, right now…
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Haldir knew that if he did not kiss her then, he would never have such an opportune moment to do so. He had kissed many maidens before, but he knew that this would be Mallwen's first. A maiden's first kiss, Orophin used to tease him, was rarer and far more precious than a friendship between an elf and a dwarf. But as he saw the naïve fear and innocent trust in Mallwen's eyes, he knew that it was not the kiss that was precious, but the maiden herself. Haldir smiled to himself before he finally closed the distance between their lips.
When they finally pulled apart, Haldir, for one, was a little lost for words. Dazed by her rosy cheeks and beautiful eyes, Haldir let her sit up and they stared at one another for a moment. Somewhere in the forest, a bird chirped gaily, and another flower bloomed. A fish finally made its way upstream, and a bear came across a plentiful honeysuckle bush.
And the love of a marchwarden and an elf-maiden was finally sealed with a kiss.
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