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: WARNING: Vague sexual references (again!) Enjoy! – Cri du Coer
Chapter Thirteen: Reunion
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The two camps had finally met at the very borders of Lorien. The elves mingled amongst one another, chatting and keeping the mood light, although a terrible fate hung over their heads. Mallwen, exhausted, had sat down for a breather before she began her epic quest to find Haldir in the midst of the camp. She blew her locks out of her hair and readjusted her helmet. She had trained with Orophin to hone her sword skills, and after the careful guidance of Haldir, she was able to hold her own with the bow. She smiled at her accomplishments over the past months, and stood up, determined to find her husband.
When she saw his cloak, Mallwen felt her heartbeat quicken. She jogged over to him and touched his shoulder. He turned, his eyes blurring with the effort of trying to recognize the figure in front of him. When he did, his eyes grew dark as he pulled her aside.
"Mallwen, what are you doing here?" his voice was dangerously low, and Mallwen, too stunned from his reaction, had no answer for him. He sighed and pulled her helmet off. "You shouldn't be here. You should be at home, not getting ready to fight in a battle."
Mallwen found her voice. "I should be next to you, wherever that may be."
Haldir sighed and touched her cheek. "Melan nin. You were always headstrong," he smiled.
They sat down on a nearby stone, watching the business of camp from afar. "I remember the first day I met you, you seemed so angry," he laughed as he held Mallwen's hand tightly. "I thought you would poison in my sleep."
Mallwen chuckled, remembering all-too well her initial feelings of Haldir. "Well, I assumed too much about you, Haldir," she mumbled, leaning against his arm. "You were better than me at a lot of things, and it drove me crazy." She sighed as the memories flooded to her. "When did you first love me, Haldir?" She mumbled, as they both watched the twinkling of the stars in the inky blue sky.
Haldir sighed. "Well, I don't know if you know, but I thought I loved your maidservant, Lothwen." Mallwen's head jerked up from his shoulder and she pulled her hand away from him. "What's wrong, Mallwen?" Haldir's eyes searched her own.
It pained her to remember her own selfishness, and how her own love had gotten in the way of Lothwen's joy.
"Mallwen, it isn't your fault." Haldir turned her cheek to face him. "If anything, it is my fault for not realizing my love for you sooner."
"And when did you realize it?" Mallwen mumbled, unable to tear away from his touch.
"I realized it that morning when I confronted you, and I saw the terror in your eyes. I thought I would be even angrier that you ignored me, but I just felt heartbroken." Haldir brushed the hair from Mallwen's eyes and he smiled at her. "Elleth, I loved you all along. But I was stubborn and refused to acknowledge my feelings for such a clumsy elf."
"Take it back!" Mallwen laughed, punching Haldir's chest with her small fists. Haldir enclosed her with his arms and held her close to his own body.
"Let us remember this moment forever," Haldir whispered in her ear. "For I fear 'twill not last for long."
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They had made love that night, a strange and exhilarating experience for Mallwen. She had felt shy when she first realized where their kissing was leading, but when Haldir's protective arm wrapped around her waist, she knew that she would not regret it.
Pink-cheeked at the thought of it, Mallwen smiled to herself and kissed Haldir's nose as he lay next to her. He smiled and brushed her hair from her eyes. "My beautiful Mallwen," he whispered, and he rose and put his cloak around her shoulders. "Let us return to camp. I think they will fear that we had been killed."
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After a long and grueling march, they had finally reached Helm's Deep. Mallwen saw the proud fortress in the distance, and she and her comrades marched up. Orophin blew the horn, and the doors were quickly open and the elves ushered in. Haldir spoke to Théoden, and Mallwen saw the hope in the men's eyes. Once the formalities were over, Mallwen quickly rushed to Haldir's side, and, to her surprise, saw Aragorn. She curtseyed to him immediately. Aragorn smiled at her and his eyes wandered to his left as he tilted his head to the left. Mallwen's gaze followed his motion, and she let out a small gasp as she recognized a smiling Legolas.
"Legolas!" she exclaimed, rushing to hug him. "Im gelir ceni ad lín. I am happy to see you again." Legolas kissed her cheek and they wandered off together, to share their stories.
After Mallwen had explained why she was there to a silent Legolas, she finally uttered the question she had been dying to know the answer to. "Legolas, what has happened to the hobbits? And Boromir?" Legolas's smile faded from his lips as he looked away. They let a woman pass them, and they continued down the stone paths of Helm's Deep.
"Frodo and Sam have left, Merry and Pippin were kidnapped by orcs, and Boromir…" He touched Mallwen's arm, for he knew this would grieve her much, "…has passed."
"Passed…surely you don't mean…" Mallwen's lower lip trembled, all joy of seeing her friend gone. "He's…d-dead?"
Legolas sighed and brushed the tear from her cheek. "Do not grieve, Mallwen. He did a hero's death, a death that will be honored in legends for all eternity."
Mallwen's hand shook as the very real possibility of death suddenly crashed down onto her shoulders. Until now, she had been sheltered by the mallorn trees of Lorien. But now, as she sat next to her friend on the very day of battle, Mallwen felt the cold slap of mortality sting her face.
"Mallwen." Legolas's arm touched hers briefly, and he searched her eyes. "Keep faith. You must always keep faith."
Mallwen nodded, and Legolas left her to counsel with Aragorn. But Mallwen could not help but feel hopeless. How could she remain happy and cling to a dream, when everything she knew was crashing down around her?
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