Well, hi there!

I can't believe I'm updating again so quickly but I was really inspired to write this chapter (which is probably my favorite so far). Thanks to my reviewer and the couple new subscribers I got since my last update. Keep them comin'!

Let me know if there's any direction you'd like to see this story go or if there's anything I've been hinting at that you're looking forward to! I'm genuinely curious as to what my readers think of the story.

Thanks for reading.

Once again, I don't own anything.

-ChoupetteLagerfeld

—

Kerrianne was in a whirlwind as she entered the tiny bedroom of her talan. Was this…. her first date with Haldir? It had to be, she couldn't imagine what else elves would do on a date than go trudging through the woods. Although, to be fair, she'd yet to see an elf trudge anywhere. They tended to glide or float around like the ethereal creatures they were. It was infuriatingly magical.

She paused to look at her reflection in the small mirror, taking in her features. She wondered what Haldir saw when he looked at her. Her eyes were a deep, dark brown, set wide with long lashes. She had a spattering of freckles on her perpetually tan skin. Her nose upturned slightly above her mouth, which was naturally set in a slight frown. Kerrianne decided she was fairly happy with her face. She had no choice but to be, she supposed. After all, its not like she could just go out and get plastic surgery now that she lived in Middle Earth. She would just have to learn to deal with the fact that the elves would always be lovelier and more graceful than her.

Still gazing at her reflection, she focused on the main source of her frustration (at least, when it came to her insecurities). Really, though, would it kill the elves to develop a decent shampoo and conditioner? Her hair was definitely suffering since she'd left home. It was normally mildly difficult but with the right products was manageable. Now that she just had soap to use for all bathing duties, her hair was downright wild. It erupted from her scalp in brown ringlets in every direction with no hope of control. Some days Kerrianne was able to coax it into staying back with a ribbon but it generally took so much effort that she just let it go free. Her hair was probably her most distinguishing feature and was definitely the thing the elves commented on the most. Most of the comments weren't meant to be unkind but their wonder with her hair only served to remind Kerrianne of how different she was here.

Kerrianne stopped staring at herself and tore her wrinkled dress over her head as she stepped into a pair of leggings and found her bra. If she was going to be spending the day with Haldir, she definitely wanted the garment. Next she put on a pretty dusty pink tunic that had a deep v-neck but laced up with a thin suede strap. It showed enough cleavage to tease but not enough that it would scandalize the elves. She pulled on the brown leather boots over the leggings and finally stopped in the mirror again to run her fingers through her hair. It was the only thing she could do to tame it on such short notice. Kerrianne wished she had a little make up to put on but she didn't have so much as lip balm. She'd have to remember to ask Ferruel later if such a thing existed here. Kerrianne gave herself a cursory once over and decided that this was as good as she was gonna get for the time being.

"I'm ready," Kerrianne announced as she came out of the bedroom. Haldir had taken a seat at her small table and was examining some sketches Kerrianne had done over the weeks she'd been in Caras Galadhon. Thankfully charcoal and parchment seemed to be plentiful among the elves so she'd had something to occupy her downtime.

"These are quite good. You are an accomplished artist," Haldir stated as he examined a sketch Kerrianne had done of Ferruel. Of course, the elves made for beautiful subjects and she briefly entertained the idea of asking Haldir to model for her. Her cheeks burned as she pictured him in different artists poses, completely nude. It was a fascinating idea for sure. Haldir quirked an eye brow at her.

"Why do you blush?" He asked, standing from the table and coming to rest in front of her. Kerrianne was beginning to feel more comfortable around him but he was still so intimidating.

"No reason," She answered quickly. "Shouldn't we get a move on? We're wasting daylight," Kerrianne motioned to the door and Haldir gave her one more funny glance before shaking his head with a small smile.

"If you insist," Haldir led the way out of the talan and Kerrianne trailed behind slightly, excited about their outing.

—-

The first part of their walk into the forest was a little awkward but eventually they settled into a comfortable companionship. Haldir quietly pointed out different things like a type of flower that only grew in Lothlorien or an animal track that only the keen eyes of an elf would spot. Kerrianne took in every detail in wonder. While she had grown up in a fairly small town and was familiar with the woods, Lothlorien was like nothing she'd ever seen before. The woods were at once peaceful but seemed hum with an undercurrent of energy. And she had arguably the best guide there was for her outing.

Haldir clearly knew the forest like the back of his hand. He seemed to know instinctually where to place each step and never once faltered. Kerrianne, conversely, seemed to trip over every possible tree root and rock. She would have fallen flat on her face if Haldir hadn't reached out a hand to catch her on several occasions. She felt stupid each time, like a clumsy kid, but Haldir never teased her about it. Plus, Kerrianne was beginning to suspect that he used every time she tripped as an excuse to move a little closer and hold her a little longer. It was almost like a game they played. Just as she was thinking this thought with a little grin, her foot slipped on a slick, moss-covered rock and she fell face first towards the ground.

Quicker than she could call out, Haldir was there hauling her back to her feet and drawing her towards him at the same time. He pulled her against his chest, the top her head barely reaching his shoulder. She glanced up at him, and he down at her as his fingers brushed her unruly hair away from her face.

"I'm beginning to wonder if you are doing this on purpose. No human could possibly be so clumsy," He chuckled softly as Kerrianne's jaw dropped open in shock.

"I am not!" She insisted. "Besides, not every one can be damn light on their feet!," She grumbled.

"If you say so," Haldir acquiesced, a smile on his beautiful face. "Come, there is a river nearby where we can rest and you won't have to worry about disgracing yourself," He told her, playfully.

"Hmmph," Kerrianne allowed herself to be led through the trees and down a small hill to a riverbank. It was a slow-moving river and they sat down at the water's edge. Haldir took off his pack and laid his bow aside but Kerrianne noticed that he kept it within reach and still wore his quiver full of arrows.

"So what is your impression of Lothlorien?" He asked, dipping the water skein they'd depleted into the clear water to refill it. Kerrianne watched him, admiring how the muscles in his arms and back moved under his tunic. Now she couldn't get the thought of him modeling for her out of her head.

"It's beautiful. And very different from my home," She replied, lounging back in the grass on the bank.

"How so?" Haldir asked, coming to recline next to her. Kerrianne closed her eyes and laid back, enjoying the shaft of sunlight that beamed down on her through the trees. She thought she could lay there with Haldir all day.

"Well, it's so untouched, for one. Even in parts of the world where there aren't so many people, there are still signs of civilizations and pollution nearly everywhere. Here it's just so clean and pure and relaxing," She explained.

"Yes, Lothlorien is the most beautiful place on Middle Earth, but not all of Middle Earth is this way," Haldir stated. Kerrianne reopened her eyes and looked at Haldir. He was half-lying on his side with his head propped up in his hand. His clear blue eyes were gazing at her so intently.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Well, there are places in Middle Earth that have become dark and corrupted over time. They are far from here but they exist," He explained.

"What do you mean corrupted? Like with pollution?" She asked, and from his quizzical look, she assumed the elves had no word like 'pollution.' "Pollution is like destroying the earth with trash. It ruins the soil and just generally looks bad and kills the animals and habitats. It's a huge problem where I'm from,"

"Hmm, no not like that. Though I have seen the dead earth and it is a terrible thing to witness. No, I mean like it's been corrupted by evil slowly over many, many years. It blackens the earth and kills all the living things. It is an awful thing to behold," Haldir told her, a hush to his voice that she'd never heard before.

"And you've been to these places?" Kerrianne asked, almost afraid of the answer. She somehow was disquieted by the idea of Haldir witnessing such a thing. She wished she could shield him from something so obviously upsetting to him.

"Once, long ago, before I was March Warden. I rode to one of these places for war. I cannot describe what it felt like to be in a place devoid of life and happiness," He answered her and the look on his face just about broke her heart. She reached out a hand and laid it upon his cheek, his sun-warmed skin soft under her fingers.

"I'm sorry," She whispered, not knowing what else she could say. She couldn't imagine such a thing, much less Haldir riding to war. Just the thought was like a vice grip to her heart. She didn't want to think him as a soldier.

"It is nothing you need to apologize for. It was long ago and I put it out of my head most times. Let us discuss something happier, like how lovely you look today," Haldir smiled gently as Kerrianne found herself blushing.

"Stop. I do not. You didn't give me very much time to get ready and I couldn't fix my hair at all," She stated, nervously reaching her hands up to smooth down her curls. All that did was add more frizz.

"You do. Do not argue with the March Warden," He mock scolded her. "Besides your hair is one of my favorite things about you," Kerrianne blushed even deeper but didn't say anything. "As well as your dark eyes and your small hands. In fact I find every part of you agreeable," Haldir rained compliments down on her as Kerrianne let out a laugh.

"You better stop before I get a big head!" She joked. At his confused look, she explained what she meant. "Like my ego will get out of control?" More blank looks from him. "Okay… um, my opinion of myself will increase too much if you keep saying such nice things about me," A look of understanding came over his face.

"Ah, so that is what you meant that one say in the seamstress' talan. I had always wondered," Kerrianne was puzzled for a moment before she remembered the snide remark she'd made about Haldir getting a big head. She put her hands over her face as she groaned.

"That was not my finest moment! If it's any consolation, I think your head is great. Lovely, even," She offered, embarrassed at her previous actions. Her friends had always warned her about putting her foot in her mouth.

"And what other parts of me do you find lovely?" Haldir asked, his tone teasing. Kerrianne blushed but boldly decided to follow through.

"Well, your eyes are the most captivating I've ever seen. And I've fantasized about running my fingers through your hair. I've never seen hair so soft and smooth before. Generally speaking, I think all of you is pretty fantastic," Her face was positively burning but Haldir's reaction was worth it. There was the tiniest hint of a blush on his cheeks but he was smiling at her.

"Do go on," He motioned, clearly expecting her to stop out of embarrassment.

"Well, from what I saw and felt that night, I don't think I'd be disappointed with a single inch of you," Kerrianne whispered huskily, figuring she may as well go big or go home. "In fact, I was hoping…" At this point she reached up to trail her fingers delicately across Haldir's chest. "That maybe you might model for me sometime. I think you'd make a very compelling subject," She finished, glancing at him coyly through her lashes.

"Is that so?" Haldir whispered back, leaning down ever closer. Kerrianne was struck speechless at this point and could only nod as he drew her into a light kiss. She groaned lightly as he cupped the back of her head in his hand and rolled his body so it was hovering over hers. The only thing she could think was how right he felt and how comfortable she was in that moment. Slowly, Haldir kissed her, resting his one hand behind her head while the other trailed into her hair, down her neck, and skimmed her shoulders in a caress. It was entirely innocent as far as kisses went but the excitement came from being with Haldir. He was attentive, respectful, and in control but still managed get her motor runnin'.

"I think that could be arranged," Haldir's voice broke into her thoughts as he whispered heavily into her ear while placing small kisses on the side of her neck.

"What could be arranged?" Kerrianne asked, shoving her hands into his hair and marveling once more at the smooth texture. She could feel him smile against her neck before he spoke again.

"Modeling for you. I imagine you could convince me," He stated playfully before biting her skin lightly, making Kerrianne moan. She ran her hands down his back before lightly slapping his behind. His head jerked up in surprise and he looked at her with one eyebrow raised.

"Really? No joke?" Kerrianne asked.

"Yes, really. I have never been an artists' model before and I am always open to new experiences," He replied. Kerrianne couldn't tell if he was purposely speaking in innuendos or not, but at that point she didn't care. She'd basically gotten him to agree to being naked around her for an extended period of time. If that wasn't a cause for celebration, she didn't know what was.

"You've got yourself a deal, mister," She smiled and kissed him again.

"You have to do something for me in return," He said and she wondered what it could possibly be.

"What?"

"Don't take any other ellyn as models," He said and she could tell he was serious.

"Only if you don't model nude for anyone else," She replied, cheekily. His eyebrows rose at the statement but his face relaxed into a smile a second later.

"I promise," His tone was solemn and Kerrianne knew deep down that he was promising more than just not modeling for anyone else. They'd just taken a serious step together and the fluttering in her tummy made her think she wouldn't regret it.