Behold! An update! Ahrhî and Haldir are finally speaking to me again.

In case anyone was curious about which scene I kept in the Helm's Deep battle that I mentioned in the previous chapter, it was Haldir hauling Ahrhî to safety over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, while she tries to do her best to fight in spite of hanging upside down.

I've finally made it through the part of this tale I was blocked on and I'm already 4 pages into Chapter 22, so hopefully the time between updates will be shorter, and we are getting fairly close to the end of this story now, I think. Thanks for following along and to those of you who've taken time to review.

Chapter 21

The day after the battle dawned in a mix of cloud and sun that bathed the landscape in alternating shades of gold and gray. The clean-up continued apace, although the keep and battlefield beyond still boldly proclaimed the death and struggle that had taken place there.

All the elves were making ready to depart, Artaril and his warriors back to Mithlond, and those with Haldir back to their respective realms of Imladris and Lórien. In gratitude for the great assistance rendered by the elves in the battle, King Théoden had offered the lending of mounts to allow a swift return to their home kingdoms, and Haldir had accepted.

His wound was still healing, and with Ahrhî, Rúmil, and many others sporting various similar injuries, the use of mounts would ease some of the discomfort of their journey. He had a pressing feeling of urgency that they were needed in Lórien, and wished to fly as quickly as they were able. The goodbyes with Ahrhî's uncle were subdued, but hopeful.

"Thank you for everything, uncle. I will look forward to the day I am reunited with you, Naneth-nana and Naneth-ada."

He pulled her into a gentle hug, then kissed her forehead. "May the Valar watch over your path as you travel, Gwaloth. We shall also look to the day of your coming again to Mithlond." He turned to Haldir and clasped him on the shoulder. "I entrust Ahrhî to your care, Marchwarden, and that of your brothers," he said, his gaze sweeping Rúmil as well.

Haldir met Artaril's eyes with firm resolve. "Her happiness and well-being is of utmost importance to us." Rúmil nodded in silent agreement, and Haldir continued. "And I swear to cherish and protect her with my life, always." After another moment, Artaril smiled and released his grip on Haldir.

Ahrhî sighed in quiet exasperation but refrained from comment, long used to the innate need the males in her life seemed to have to coddle and protect anything female around them. She had finally learned to appreciate the deep feelings underlying such actions, but a tiny part of her still resented the implication she couldn't truly look out for herself.

After Artaril and his warriors galloped away, it was not long before Ahrhî, Haldir, and the other remaining elves did the same. Haldir hoped to cover as much ground as possible, and they even rode well into the night before stopping for rest.

Ahrhî finished attending to Breitha and setting her picket line for the night, then half walked, half hobbled her way to sit beside the fire that Sîrion, one of the Imladris elves, had started. The night was bright with stars, but the wind still blew crisp and cool. She pulled her cloak tight about her, glancing up with a smile when Haldir came and knelt in front of her.

"If you remove your boot, I will attempt to further the mending that the last healer began on the arrow wound that still plagues you."

She frowned. "You need not trouble yourself on my account, Haldir. My wound does not bother me and can finish healing on its own."

He raised his brows, clearly not about to be put off. Pulling the boot from her injured leg and well on his way to unwrapping the bandage, he finally glanced up.

"If it does not bother you, pray explain why you are limping about since we stopped for rest?"

She leaned nearer him and lowered her voice to a whisper so none of the other elves would hear. "That would be due to the discomfort in my backside from riding. If you would care to lay hands on me there for the purpose of healing, I shall gladly accept your attentions."

Haldir raised his head and met her eyes for a long moment, then bent once more over her leg, a bright glow coming from his hands as he set to healing her leg. He finally lowered his hands when her skin was smooth again and no longer marred.

"There is no more need to wrap it, as the wound is closed now and the surrounding flesh mostly returned to normal."

"Thank you, Haldir." She finished righting her leggings and replaced her boot while he came and settled beside her, leaning close and dropping his voice to a low whisper.

"I notice your magic no longer escapes you at my touch. No lightning, no wind..."

Ahrhî lifted a brow and smiled with a shrug. "I have much better control, after both Lady Galadriel and my Naneth-nana's lessons. I daresay nothing can force any of my elemental powers from me now, only if I will it."

"Hmm." He sat back with a musing expression. "More control where your powers are concerned can only be a positive thing."

Rúmil came and sat near them, sharing out portions of food, then they all ate together. "I saw you speaking with Legolas before we departed, Ahrhî. I was not aware you were acquainted with the prince."

She dusted off her hands and shot Rúmil a curious look. "Legolas is a prince? I only met him and the dwarf, Gimli, on the day of the battle, through Aragorn, who I was previously acquainted with during my time in Bree."

Haldir nodded. "His father is King Thranduil, who rules the many Silvans of Greenwood the Great, now known as Mirkwood."

Leaning forward, she wrapped her arms around her knees. "There's an elven king? I have never heard of this. The Lords Elrond, Celeborn, and Círdan do not go by such grand titles, so why would this Lord Thranduil?"

Rúmil sprawled out more comfortably on the grass. "His father, King Oropher, ruled before he fell in battle, then his son inherited the realm and title. The population of elves in Greenwood is far and away greater than any other settlement of elves in Middle-earth, enough to be a true kingdom, I suppose." He looked at Ahrhî and gestured to his elder brother. "Haldir has been there in years past and has long known the king, queen and prince."

Ahrhî looked at Haldir and smiled. "What is this elf king like, Haldir? Is he kind and merry like his son?"

Haldir chuckled and shook his head ruefully. "Nay, he is quite different to his son. Exceedingly proud, with a rather volatile temper, yet I daresay he is also wise."

"So, he is just like you?" she said in jest, leaning against his shoulder. "I think I should like him if that be the case."

Taking her hand in his, Haldir smiled, giving her a sidelong look. "Actually, it is perhaps a bit humorous you should say that, as his queen is a human woman from some far distant land, though she is not mortal like others of her kind and has some strange magic of her own. He is devoted to her."

Gasping, Ahrhî stared at him in astonishment. "Legolas is half human? I should never have thought it from his appearance!"

Rúmil laughed, leaning up on one of his elbows "Nay, Ahrhî. The prince's mother was an elf, and perished sometime earlier in this age. I believe King Thranduil has only been married to Queen…?" He looked questioningly at his brother.

"Elizabeth," Haldir finished. "I suppose it is..." his brow furrowed in thought. "Perhaps sixty years or so they have been wed."

Ahrhî shook her head. "I think Mirkwood sounds vastly different to Lórien, in a great many ways."

Lacing his hands behind his head, Rúmil lay down again. "I could not tell you as I have never been there. Only Haldir has traveled so far and wide across Middle-earth. This is the first time I have ventured beyond the Golden Wood."

Standing to his feet, Haldir held his hand out to Ahrhî. "Let us walk a bit before we rest."

Placing her hand in his, she eagerly followed him beyond the light of the fire and into the trees some fair distance away from the other elves. The moon was just beginning to rise, its deep, buttery yellow color casting a bright glow on the few leaves of the trees they stood among.

Haldir took her in his arms, and she wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest, sighing with contentment. She grinned up at him.

"I almost wish we were forced to share a horse for the journey back, Haldir, just so I could be closer to you."

He lowered his head, nuzzling against her cheek and kissing the tip of her pert nose. "I think it likely for the best that we not ride together. Having you pressed intimately against me for hours on end, forced to feel your lovely curves and smell your sweet scent, all while unable to kiss you or taste you…"

She shivered at his words, making him smile. "That would likely be a greater test to my will than I should be able to meet, Naurwen. I wish to wed you properly in Lórien, not somewhere in the wilds due to a lack of control on my part."

She ran her lips against the side of his neck teasingly. "You may wed me right now and I assure you, I should have not the least objection."

Lacing his fingers into her unbound, red curls, he tilted her head back with gentle pressure, his eyes burning into hers with sharp intensity. "Nay, Ahrhî. When I join my body to yours there will be no time constraints upon us nor any others nearby. I shall worship you endlessly, and encourage you to be as loud and free in your response as you like."

She sucked in a shaky breath, digging her fingers into his shoulders where her hands rested. "If you continue to speak to me in such a way, I think I shall catch fire from the burning ache you have begun inside of me."

He gave her a predator's smile and lowered his head and kissed her, all the months they had spent apart driving them quickly into passion with eager tongues and quickened breaths. Haldir's hands wandered from her hair around to her breasts, caressing and kneading and drawing quiet moans from Ahrhî.

In a daze, she found her back pressed against a tree before Haldir reached down and lifted her against him. Automatically, she wrapped her legs around his waist, gasping as he ground himself against the apex of her thighs while his teeth gently scraped against a nipple through the fabric of her tunic. She whimpered at his tender torture against her breasts which was soon joined by the rhythmic movement of his hardness pressed against her through the thin barrier of their clothing, which was hitting just such a dizzyingly pleasurable spot…

Swiftly pulling her mouth back to his, Haldir muffled her involuntary moans and prevented her loud cry with his lips as she shuddered and trembled in the grip of her climax, so caught in the overpowering strength of it, she hardly noticed when Haldir groaned with a similar reaction to her own, finally stilling against her. He pressed soft kisses to her cheeks and lips while their breathing returned to normal.

Opening her eyes, she met his smugly satisfied ice blue gaze and smiled in sudden shyness over what they had just shared, her cheeks coloring becomingly. Moving his hands to fully cup her bottom, her eyes widened when she felt the heat of Haldir's healing and snorted a laugh.

"Are you healing me? After that? I think it hardly necessary now; I feel like I am floating."

He smirked and kissed her. "You are mine to care for in every way, Naurwen. I think you shall now have a very deep and restful sleep and wake refreshed."

Haldir lowered her to her feet, keeping a hold on her waist when she wobbled unsteadily and tightened her grip on him. She wrinkled her nose and smiled up at him. "Perhaps we should stay a while longer here. My legs are not yet functioning normally, Haldir. That was...that...I..." She sighed gustily and hid her face against his firm chest. "Words fail me."

He chuckled and stroked a hand through her curls. "Shall I carry you to camp in my arms, beloved?"

Ahrhî pulled back to look at him with a gasp. "I think I must walk, or else it may be apparent what type of activity we have been engaged in."

Haldir shrugged with a look of complete unconcern, tucking a curl behind her ear. "When we marry, all will know without a doubt what activities we have engaged in. I hardly think it matters what others may speculate now."

She sat down and leaned against the obliging tree behind her and tugged at him until he also sat down and pulled her against him.

"Let us rest here a while longer under the night sky. I wish for no company but yours this night, Haldir." Ahrhî pressed a kiss to his chin and smiled up at him when he wrapped his arms around her. "Sing to me?"

"If you like," he murmured, kissing her hair. "Did you wish a particular song?"

She shook her head. "Anything at all, I just long to hear your voice. All the months we were apart, I imagined the sound of your voice speaking to me or singing, and only then was I able to find sleep. Let us avoid any more partings. I do not think I care to experience another long separation from you."

He laced their fingers together, pleased that she felt as he did about wanting to always be together in the days ahead. "I am glad to hear you say this, as it is my intention to never again permit you to leave my side, Ahrhî. Recall, I told you in Imladris to enjoy those small freedoms you were allowed to indulge in previously. Your solitary wandering days are now done, and all your tomorrows shall be mine."

She rolled her eyes and stifled a yawn, but offered no comment. Surely he didn't expect her to take such an edict without offering even the slightest protest? She was coming to believe he liked to provoke her, for the thrill he seemed to derive from persuading her to submit.

Leaning his head back to rest against the trunk of the tree, Haldir gazed up at the stars and began to sing quietly. His arms tightened further around Ahrhî when she relaxed more fully into him, drifting off into a peaceful sleep while he sang.

Hön'marën kena-uva kala

(My heart shall see light)

Indönya ullumeá

(Our hearts shall be forever)

~o~

Nör'ande sëra mi lorien

(Go forth, rest in dreamland)

îm'eri ratö naya

(I'll soon be there)

~o~

Larya nîn mëlissè

(Wait for me, my love)

Le sinte îma sinomë

(You know I'm here)

~o~

ána sama lemî oloorë

(To join you in dreams)

Le ar'uunèr ana kaurë

(You have nothing to fear)

~o~

Uur'anor wannëa

(Fiery sun, begone)

Isilme va'arya

(Moonlight, protect us)

~o~

Telume siila tere

(Heaven's star, shine through)

Na'are utumno wanya

(Flame of hell, vanish)

~o~

Erüma, helkàda

(Lonely voice, cold and bare)

Raanè ressè

(Wandering alone)

~o~

Lörna à'kuilä

(Asleep, yet awake)

Vàrna mi'olör

(Safe in dreams)

~o~

Türma ei ràumo

(Shelter from the storm)

Sinomë

(Here)

The following days of travel passed swiftly by, the Imladris elves separating as their paths took them back toward their own realm. The nearer the remaining elves drew to Lothlórien, the more tense Haldir became, his disquiet affecting the entire company who grew increasingly restless.

Ahrhî walked across the grass to Haldir, where he had removed the last of his weapons and the few personal items he carried from the horse he had ridden. Lórien was less than two days walk ahead, and the loaned horses were being released to make their return back to the lands of Rohan. The Marchwarden patted the horse a final time in thanks, then moved back as it trotted away to follow the rest of the herd.

"Haldir," Ahrhî began, stepping closer to him. "What is it? Why have you grown so very silent and grim of late?"

He secured his quiver and bow to his back, around his armor, his gaze turning north. "Darkness lies in the path ahead of us, Naurwen. Can you not feel it?"

Closing her eyes after a moment, she concentrated on stretching her inner senses far and wide, gasping as her eyes flew open to meet Haldir's serious gaze. "What is that?" she asked fearfully. "I have never felt such a pressing menace before."

Laying a comforting hand on her shoulder, he looked around to see that most of the other elves were ready to march. "That is the enemy that seeks to destroy all who oppose him. I know not what waits to greet us in Lórien, but we must be prepared for any eventuality. Our fight is far from done."

As the march began, Ahrhî stayed near Rúmil and Haldir, having turned Breitha over to her fellow guards, Rínon and Tarar to ride, who both still suffered from leg wounds that made it more difficult for them to walk at the brisk pace Haldir insisted they all travel at.

As the day turned to dusk, they were set upon by a band of roving orcs and goblins, not dissimilar to the ones they had fought at Helm's Deep. Galadhrim arrows flew and the clash of steel rang out, but the creatures of darkness were no match for the skilled group of armored elves, and were soon vanquished.

They traveled on until they came to a place Haldir knew, a somewhat protected glade against a wall of rock, affording a decent stopping point to rest until first light. Most took the time to tend to their weapons and eat some of the lembas they still carried.

As Haldir was occupied with watch, Ahrhî found herself sitting with Rúmil, watching him nimbly sort and repair arrows. A few he had taken from their enemies; the same, short black style of arrow that had injured her in the great battle. She twirled one in her fingers, finding it fitting to use their own arrows against the vile beasts.

Rúmil set aside the arrows, finally finished with his fletchings and smiled when Ahrhî blew again at the hair that kept getting in her eyes and hooked the loose curls behind her ears.

"Shall I braid your hair for you, sister? I think you are entitled to wear warrior braids now, after your time as a border guard and the recent battles."

She tilted her head. "The same style as you and Haldir wear? Is that not reserved for males only?"

"Nay," he said, with a slight shake of his head. "Gender has little to do with it. The right to wear such braids is merit-based alone."

She blushed and shot a look across the way to where Haldir stared out into the thick dark, keeping watch. She dropped her voice to a whisper. "But would it be fitting? Am I worthy of this distinction?" She didn't voice the question she really wished to ask, of whether or not Haldir would approve.

Rúmil leaned closer, catching her eyes with his. "I would not have suggested it if you were not worthy, Ahrhî. Now, come closer and turn your back to face me."

Suppressing a smile at his implied praise, she moved to obey, closing her eyes and relaxing at Rúmil's gentle touch while he finger combed the snarls and tangles from her hair, then separated it into three sections. There was a small pause and then he began to weave her hair into braids, his hands deft and sure in their work. Ahrhî grinned, though she kept her eyes closed.

"Where did Rúmil go, Haldir? I thought he was to do my braids."

"I am glad you are so readily able to discern my touch," he said, with a faint trace of humor in his tone. "Rúmil has gone to keep watch in my place, as he knew I would wish to do your braids myself. It did not occur to me, or I should have offered to see to your hair before now."

Within minutes, all three braids were completed, and Ahrhî turned to face him, curious to see his reaction. He turned her chin from one side to the other, then gave a nod of approval and a warm smile.

"Now, you look like a proper guardian of Lórien, Naurwen. Such braids well suit you."

Later, when the camp had fallen mostly silent and despite the pressing feeling of dark foreboding, Ahrhî managed to find her rest with a smile still on her lips.

The song Haldir sings is called Lullaby From A Distant Land, by Forest Elves. It's kinda quasi-elvish, being a mix of Sindarin and Quenya, but still an awesome and lovely song. Go and listen to it on youtube!