Change of Heart

Part fourteen

A/N

Thanks for all the reviews, you're the best. I will look over all the chapters this weekend and look for mistakes. If I find them I will correct them. Thanks for pointing them out and it does not make me mad an any way. You're trying to help. Those who come along and bash you, or flame you for this are the ones who make me mad. Thanks for the help and the great reviews.

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Dinenwen stirred slowly that morning. She would groan and her eyes would flutter open and then close. Haldir watched her and knew she was lost in a dream of some kind. He saw a wave of pain and fear flash across her face. He pulled her close and closed his eyes as he held her. He ran his hand gently through her hair. She turned into the simple touch and he could tell she enjoyed it. He repeated the same thing over and over. Each time he would do it slowly, and he would place a small kiss on the top of her head.

She was lost in some dark place, a place she knew but had forgotten so long ago. The darkness filled her to the point of insanity. Then the pain came, pain all over and in everyplace. She wanted it to go away. Wanted to escape the darkness, but could not. She shivered and gasped at the pain. She sat down and just cried, cried for her freedom from the suffering she felt. She felt cold and alone lost in the endless darkness. It was then she felt a gentle touch and saw a beautiful light. The light encircled her and the warmth grew. She felt the pain fade and the darkness flee. She knew she was not alone. Softness and gentleness is all she felt.

It took all bad thoughts away and gave her a strength she did not know she had. She stood and looked around but saw nothing, just the white light. She felt a soft tough and then an embrace. Caring arms were around her and she fell back into its kindness. She turned her head to the side and saw him. He was their holding her with in his arms.

They were strong and powerful, yet gentle and kind. His embrace felt so right. Suddenly the light faded and the darkness overcame them. His grip tightened and she felt safe. Safe from the darkness, safe from the world. She could feel the vibrations from his chest and his breath on her neck. She knew he was saying something but could not hear. Suddenly the light reappeared and it was all around her once more. He took her hand and walked her away from the darkness and into the light. No matter where he went the light followed.

She felt a strong urge to close her eyes and she did. He led her along and she willing followed him. They walked through the darkness and into a clearing of light and mist. He stopped and smiled as he turned and faced her. She smiled at him and he gently cupped her face in his hands.

"Dinenwen." He whispered her eyes opened wide and she stared at him blankly. He smiled and rubbed his thumb across her cheek. "Yes you can hear me, and I you if you so desire it. Think Dinenwen and your thoughts will come to me."

She stared at him and gazed into his eyes. Those eyes were like no eyes she knew of. She loved his eyes and she could loose her self forever with in them. She closed her eyes and tried to think of what to say to him. She started to shake scared he would disappear.

"How is this happening?" Haldir smiled as he heard her sweet soft voice.

"Here in this place with in your mind, I can do many things. We have made a connection you and I. Your voice is beautiful so soft, and sweet."

"Yours is to. What does Dinenwen mean?"

"It means silent one, my brothers and I thought it fit you. What is your name?"

"Nia"

"Nia, would you like us to call you that?"

"No, it reminds me of so many bad things, Dinenwen is better. You're an Elf. How is it I can understand you?"

"I speak the same language as you, I learned to speak it long ago. But here in this place you can understand many things. Though you lost your hearing at an early age, you can speak with me and understand me as though it never happened. It is a link we now share and it can grow stronger."

"How?"

"Through love."

She looked at him and watched a smile grow across his face as he cupped her face once more.

"I see your feelings for me with in your eyes. Know my feelings for you are the same. I am sorry Dinenwen that I distanced my self from you. For I was afraid to fall in love with you."

"Why?"

"My kind may only love once in a life time, I can only take one mate. For unlike your kind my heart cannot bear the loss of a mate. For once we bond we are bound tougher. You are a mortal and one day your time will be over in this world, while mine goes on. I was afraid of loosing you and the grief that will come with it. I now know my heart loved you the first time I saw you. Knowing that I want to love you for the time you have left in this world."

"You will risk all this for me?"

"Yes"

"I thought you were mad at me, I thought if I went away it would make things better."

"Forgive me."

"How will our bond grow stronger?"

"Love, true love is known within ones heart. If we truly love one another it will be shown in a kiss.

"I have never kissed before."

"That is all the better for your kiss will be pure like you heart. If it is a kiss of true love your heart will lead you in the right direction."

He leaned in close to her and she closed her eyes. She felt the softness of his lips against hers. It was so soft and so gentle. She loved that one simple thing. He took his finger and parted her lips slightly and then kissed her once more. Gently he swept his tong into her mouth. She felt a wave of desire wash over her. She let his kiss consume her. She wrapped her arms around him, and returned his kiss with her own. Her heart took over and so did his. Soon they were lost in the mist shearing a kiss of pure passion and love.

It was a moment like no other in their lives.

Haldir deepened the kiss and soon the two were overwhelmed with pure joy. They were lost in each other's arms and Haldir could feel the pureness of her kiss, a kiss of true love. A kiss she had never shared with another living soul. Her passion and love came through to him in waves and nearly overtook him. It took all he had in strength to resist the urge he now felt. An urge he had never felt in all his long years. He now knew she was the one. He felt wave of desire wash over him that he did not know existed.

Dinenwen never knew such love could be real. He father had been just like her stepfather cruel, and lifeless. Love in her eyes was harsh treatment, and degrading words. Never had she felt such tenderness. His kiss was full of a desire she never knew. She wanted to loose her self in this kiss and see were it could go. She wanted to never have this moment end. She could feel his heart and hers beat as one. It was as though in that moment the two became one.

Haldir felt the connection of their hearts and souls, they were now one. He pulled her close and gently ended their kiss. He rested her head against his chest. And held her close.

"I love you Dinenwen, now we are part of one another and our bound by this kiss. A kiss of true love, you've given your heart to me and I have give mine to you. By the laws of my people we are now what your people call husband and wife, you are now my mate."

Dinenwen stared into his eyes and the joy was written on her face. She felt a single tear fall from her eye and felt his touch on her face. Gently he wiped it away.

"Dinenwen, tell me who hurt you. Tell me what it is you saw for I know what you have seen causes you great pain."

"They killed him Haldir."

"Who Dinenwen who did you see killed?"

"One of the Kings men, he comes to the village with the other rides to check on us. The one who looks like him killed him and took his place."

"Looks like him, do you mean a twin."

"Yes, yes. The men looked alike. The bad man was with my stepfather Denton. They stabbed the man who comes to the village and took him away. I was in the barn and I hid but when I tried to leave the bad man saw me. I ran and hid but these men found me. They took me and tied me up and placed me on a horse and rode away with me. They hurt me and tried to tie me to a tree, but I got away and ran into the forest. They saw me go in but would not follow. She stopped and started to cry. "I am scared"

"You are protected here and now you are my mate. You will not need fear them ever again."

He took her into his arms and pulled them out of the mist. Dinenwen opened her eyes and feared this had all been a dream. She looked at Haldir who was holding her close to him. He smiled ar her and she smiled back.

"It was no dream."

"I can still hear you."

"Yes, this is our bond Dinenwen this is my gift to you."

She nuzzled into him and he kissed her on the top of her head. She felt such joy and love.

"It is near dawn, come let us watch the sun rise on the dawn of our first day and life together."

He pulled her up and steadied her helping her along and out onto the balcony. He held her close and pointed to a spot through the trees. She watched as the sun rose and peaked through the trees. He turned her to face him and gently kissed her once more.