The Black Gate

I rubbed my sore wrist through the bandages. The sun was setting, casting golden red rays over the encampment. What was left of our army had set up a few tents (mostly for healers) about a mile from the ruins of the Black Gate. Mithrandir had taken Frodo and Sam to Rivendell, but we needed time to assess the damage and help those who needed it. Like myself. And Haldir. I frowned into a small fire in front of my feet. The flames ate away at the dry wood, crackling cheerfully.

"Elenweth, are you alright?" Legolas sat next to me. "You look worried."

I sighed and picked at the grass. "Remember the bolt in Haldir's shoulder? He tried to pull it out by himself."

Legolas winced. "Why would he do that?"

"He did not want to bother the healers with something as trivial as a crossbow bolt in his shoulder." I sighed and plucked more grass. "Of course, he is now taking up their time as they stitch him up to keep him from bleeding to death." I dropped the grass and buried my head in my arms. "Tevenyel, Haldir, tevenyel."

Legolas gave a snort of laughter. "I'm sure he will be fine. What about you? How is your wrist?"

I lifted my head and unwrapped the bandages to show him. The dirty white strips fell away to reveal the gash. Before I had the healers stitch it up, you could see bone. Sewn up, the gash ran from midway up the outside of my forearm to the underside of my wrist. Blood oozed out of it.

"Beautiful," Legolas commented. He took my arm gently and examined it, turning it over. "It does not look very good."

I shrugged. "It will not kill me."

"I believe that is what you said when that Orc cut your arm open last time," drawled Haldir as he walked over. "And now you have a scar to show for it." He gestured to the faint line above the new gash.

"I was worried about you. Its not everyday you have a spear in your shoulder."

Haldir sat on my other side. "And if I remember correctly, you did not care for that wound correctly either."

"I am not a healer," I said simply. "How is your shoulder?"

He rolled it. "Sore, but fine. And the cut on my back in minor. Long, but shallow." Haldir looked at Legolas. "You are in one piece?"

The Mirkwood elf nodded.

I rewrapped my arm and leaned against Haldir. "We survived, meleth nin."

"We did." Haldir smiled. "All of us."

Aragorn strode over. "Legolas, Haldir, Elenweth, come. We must ride north, following Mithrandir. King Eomer has things well in hand. I wish to be with Frodo when he awakens."

From Domelain's back, I gazed tiredly at Imladris. We had been riding hard for nearly two week s to reach my home, and we did not know if we had reached it in time to be here when Frodo and Sam recovered. Guards shouted our arrival to each other and opened the gates. We trotted into the haven.

As I dismounted and handed my tired horse off to a groom, I heard my name being called. "Elenweth, Elenweth!" Frowning slightly, I peered around the gathered crowd of elves. Suddenly, I spotted who was calling me.

"Ada!" I shouted and ran into his arms. He hugged me tightly, as if he was afraid I would vanish if he didn't hold me close.

"Elenweth, my dear. I thought you were in Lothlorien!"

I smiled up at him. "I was planning to stay there, but then the war started. Haldir had to lead a small army to Helm's Deep, so I went with him."

"Hmmm.. You could have been killed."

I felt my smile grow wider. "Ada, that happens almost every day."

"Hmmm..." For a minute, he fell silent. "Elenweth, my Ada tells me that you and Haldir..." He trailed off.

I looked around for Haldir. He stood a few feet away, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. I gestured for him to come over. "Ada."

He looked up at Haldir. "Congratulations. You are a lucky elf."

"Thank you, Elrohir. And yes, yes I am."

"Take good care of her." Slowly, Ada released me.

"I will." Haldir promised. He gathered me into his own arms.

One month later, I stood in Minas Tirith once more. Around were elves of Imladris and Mirkwood. And one of Lorien. I smiled at Haldir. He glanced down and returned the smile, but then focused his attention on the front of the crowd. Aragorn, or King Elessar, made his way down the great marble steps in front of the throne room. I could not help but smile. He strode down the center aisle. As each person bowed, I noticed Eowyn standing next to a man I did not recognize. I would have to talk to her later about that. When Aragorn reached the elves, he nodded to Haldir and I. Then he spoke quickly and quietly with Legolas. Finally, he noticed my aunt Arwen. Everyone cheered and clapped for them.

When the formalities were over, I pushed my way through the crowd, trying to find Eowyn. The blonde was standing with her back to me, speaking to her brother. "Eowyn!"

She turned. "Elenweth!" We hugged.

"I could not help but notice that you were standing rather close to man during the coronation?"

"Oh, that was Faramir." Eowyn blushed. "We have been courting over the last few weeks."

I smiled at her. "I am very happy for you."

Eowyn smiled back. "Come, there is a feast in the main hall. All are invited. Even elves."

I chuckled and followed after the young woman. Inside the hall, ten minutes later, it was pandemonium. We sat at one of the long tables, trading tales of the last month or so. A goblet of red wine sat in front of each of us, untouched for the most part. I looked up at the sound of Gimli laughing. With a smirk, I took a drink of my wine.

"What is it?" Eowyn asked.

"Legolas got into another drinking competition with the dwarf." Eowyn giggled. I took another sip. "And Haldir is drinking as well." I noticed.

"Are you alright, Elenweth? You seem to have acquired a strange expression."

"I am fine, Eowyn. I just can not decide whether to be angry or happy that Haldir is drinking. He has had tendencies in the past to get a little... loose with alcohol in his system."

Eowyn burst out laughing. "An elf? Get drunk?"

I took a long swallow. "Mhmmm... Legolas gets drunk too, you know. Quite often."

"No, I didn't."

She gazed at the blonde elf. Legolas was starting to sway a little. I glanced at the number of empty mugs in front of him. It was an alarmingly larger pile than last time. I shifted my gaze to Haldir. He finished his mug and grabbed another. I sighed. He was going to be intolerable if he kept that up. I took a long pull from my goblet of wine and stared forlornly at the dry bottom.

"Have you ever gotten drunk?" She asked innocently.

For a long minute, I continued to stare at the empty cup. Then I shook myself. "No, and I do not drink that much." I pushed the wine goblet away.

Suddenly, a man with gold hair appeared in front of me. "There you are, Eowyn." He smiled at her.

"Hello, Faramir. I was not aware that you were looking for me. This is Elenweth, granddaughter of Elrond. She's my friend. We have been speaking about the past month."

I glanced at Eowyn's wine goblet. Empty. "It is an honor to meet the man who has stolen Eowyn's heart, although I did not realize that she counted me as one of her friends." I winked at her.

Faramir laughed. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Elenweth. Now, Eowyn, would you come with me?" He offered her his hand and led her away. I watched them go, then turned back to the drinking contest. Gimli was puking on the floor while Legolas leaned against a pillar, his face very green. Haldir was nowhere to be seen. I stood up.

"Where is he?" I muttered. I was a only a little concerned. Maybe he had gotten sick. With that thought in mind, I made my way through the crowd, looking for him. After about ten minutes, I was forced to conclude that he was not in the party. Now worried, I wandered to the edges of the room, making my way behind the columns. I couldn't find him.

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around me from behind. A hand covered my mouth. I threw my elbows back, hitting my attacker. He let out an grunt, but pulled me back against his chest. I struggled, but he held tight.

"Valar, Elenweth. It appears I succeed in scaring you."

I pulled away from the suddenly slack arms and whirled to face Haldir. "That you did." I said dryly. "Thank you."

He grinned. "My pleasure."

"Where did you go?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Outside for some fresh air." Haldir cocked his head to one side as he looked at me. "Were you worried?"

"Yes. You were drinking."

"I was..." Haldir moved closer, resting his hands on my hips and pushing me gently back against the wall. "Do you mind?" He bent and kissed me slowly.

When he pulled away, I brushed my lips across his cheek. "Not exceedingly. I just wanted to make sure that you did not end up on the floor like Gimli."

"Do I look like a dwarf to you?" Haldir growled.

"Not at all, meleth." I kissed him again, wrapping my arms around his back. He growled again and threaded his fingers through my hair. "I do like the after effects of when you drink," I commented when we broke apart again.

"Then perhaps I should do it more often?" Haldir raised an eyebrow at me.

"Hmmm..." I went back to kissing him.

Right. Two more chapters and an epilogue left :`( I love my reviewers!