Chapter 20! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed or followed the story. When I uploaded chapter 1, I wasn't sure if anyone would ever read it. Please keep leaving your reviews. It gives me tremendous joy to see reviewers wonder what might happen next - you guys are all so smart and perceptive.

-Edith

The next morning, Lauren and George bade Michael farewell at the waterfalls behind Galadriel's mirror. The elves had accompanied them on the walk to the portal. In front of the waterfall, Michael gently cupped Lauren's face with his hands and brought their foreheads together.

"I'm proud of you Lauren. You've been so brave to come here. I hope you find some closure. Don't forget, your family and your life will be waiting for you at home" he emphasized. He couldn't help reminding her of where she truly belonged. He knew he was being selfish trying to keep her from getting too attached to Middle Earth, but she was much more important to him than he'd ever let on. Lauren smiled shyly at this intimate gesture. She hardly kept composed when Michael kissed her on both cheeks.

"I'll be back here with your dad and brother soon, it'll probably work out to a few weeks for you. You realize that don't you?" Michael reminded her. Lauren knew after the volcanic eruption her family on earth have when they find out what they'd been up to, they would be on their way to Middle Earth. She'd have to face them soon.

"Yep, can't wait. Put in a good word for me" Lauren smiled, though she cringed on the inside at the prospect of that conversation. Michael winked in response, eliciting a giggle from Lauren.

Michael then turned to George. "Make sure she stays safe, I'll be seeing you soon I'm sure"

"You bet" George nodded. He planned to stay in Middle Earth for a while longer. The chance to go on some patrols with the Galadhrim was too enticing to pass up. After these salutations, Michael turned around and stepped slowly into the waterfall and back to Earth.

Lauren spent the walk back to Caras Galadhon in silence. George chatted away with Elladan and Elrohir about elven military tactics, the twins both had battlefield experience in the recent wars that led to the defeat of Sauron. They continue their patrols in the Rivendell guard for bands of orcs that continue to roam Middle Earth.

Elrond and Arwen walked beside Lauren, it was clear she was in a morose mood after Michael's departure.

"Lauren, I've asked Haldir to give you some archery lessons. George mentioned you might like that" Elrond ventured.

"Why can't it be Aragorn? Haldir is so serious all the time" Lauren complained. She was in a mood, Michael leaving and the thought of a sure-to-be unpleasant conversation with her father and brother had made her irritable. This elicited raised eyebrows from Elrond, but also a small smile. He remembered his late wife's occasional moodiness, something he had endured for months at a time when she was expecting. Clearly, Lauren had inherited this from her side of the family.

"Well, perhaps Aragorn can accompany you on a ride later. You ride horses don't you?" Elrond offered. This brought a silent gasp from Arwen. She wondered whether she'd ever be worthy of her father's affection.

"Yes, perhaps" Lauren replied, smiling slightly. This positive response was not unnoticed by Elrond.

When the group arrived back at the city, George and the twins splintered off to "talk" more about military strategy. Lauren rolled her eyes as she knew they were more likely going to be playing around with weapons. Elrond and Arwen deposited Lauren at the archery grounds before making their way back to the center of the city.

Arwen, a normally calm person, was struggling to contain her emotions. She wanted her family whole and happy again, after so many years of tragedy and grief. Her desire to please her family conflicted with her heart's desire. She had tried to be the dutiful daughter: not seeing Aragorn, not even acknowledging Aragorn in public, deflecting his proposal for marriage. She had done it to keep the peace, please her father. She had seen first hand the damage that grief had wrought on her father and she could not bear to make things worse for him. Not after the part she had played in the tragedy. But she had been hurt that her father would so easily allow Lauren to spend time with Aragorn, encourage it even.

Elrond remained oblivious to his elder daughter's feelings. He sighed, still thinking about his youngest child. "Do you think she'll like the archery and riding? I just want her to be happy here, see how much she is wanted – I would give anything for it. She is so angry with me. I fear that I am going to lose her all over again. Now that I've seen her, I know I could not bear it" Elrond confessed.

Arwen smiled weakly. "Ada, I am sure she will see your love. You are a good father, it is plain to all."

"I only wish to do your naneth proud" Elrond paused. "Is something amiss dear Arwen?" he asked, sensing her inner turmoil.

How could Arwen add more to her father's plate of worries? She couldn't. "No Ada. Now, do you think Lauren would enjoy it if I took her to the dress makers for something special to wear to the mid summer's feast?"

Lauren scanned the archery field, looking for Haldir. She reminded herself that Haldir would probably be taking these lessons seriously, as the commander seemed to take everything. When she spotted him at the opposite end of the range, she jogged over.

Haldir was holding an intricately carved yet extremely sturdy bow. It was the one he carried into battle. He knew it like the back of his hand and it had never failed him. To Lauren, he handed a smaller, simply made bow. Lauren pouted. "Come on Haldir, you're giving me the kiddie bow? I want the real one!"

Haldir, with an entirely serious face, explained "you must learn the basics first."

"I don't need a child's bow Haldir. This is embarrassing" Lauren objected.

"While this may be an elfling's bow, I assure you Lauren, it shoots just as well as mine if you know how to use it right. When you know how to use it right, I shall show you how to use my bow" Haldir held firm. He smiled inwardly, Lauren certainly breathed spark into his life.

"When I'm able to shoot my child's bow on target, you can show me how to use a sword" Lauren countered.

Haldir smiled outwardly. He will be another century older by the time Lauren knew how to shoot on target. "Agreed."

"Right, where do we start? Let me give this thing a try" Lauren smiled brightly. She motioned to Haldir. "Hand me an arrow."

Their exchange had drawn a small crowd of spectators, among them Haldir's brothers. Unbeknownst to Lauren, no soldier ever dared to lodge a protest to the marchwarden. Asking him to retrieve an arrow, unthinkable, if one ever wanted to enjoy life again. Yet, here was Lauren, casually asking the commander of the Galadhrim to get her an arrow. Haldir shocked all by walking the short distance to the bin containing the arrows and bringing them to her.

"Would you like some instruction as to how to use the bow?" Haldir asked.

"How hard can it be?" Lauren quipped. Haldir made a face of acquiescence. Lauren proceeded to notch the arrow, aim, and fire.

The arrow landed on target, just slightly off of bullseye. Lauren celebrated with a pump of her fist. Haldir raised his eyebrows and smirked.

"I gather not your first time with a bow?" the marchwarden asked rhetorically.

"Summer camp" came Lauren's simple yet all explaining reply. She had once spent an entire summer at camp, practicing the skill to perfect it for the camp's end of summer games. The assembled crowd of elven soldiers clapped for the princess. Many never thought they'd live to see the day the marchwarden was played. Their cheers were quickly silenced by a steely look from their commander, and the soldiers made a quick exit. Haldir's brothers, however, approached the pair.

"Ah, Lauren, it appears our brother has underestimated your skills with a bow" Orophin said cheerfully.

"Yes, it appears he has" Lauren replied happily.

"Brother, let this be a lesson learned" Rumil teased.

"Do not forget I am still your commanding officer. Tread carefully if you ever wish to have leave again" Haldir said jokingly. His brothers were both taken aback, it had been an age since they had seen Haldir so lighthearted. It was clear to them Lauren commanded the marchwarden's affections.

"Now Haldir, will you keep up your end of the bargain?" Lauren challenged.

"I would not mislead you. I will show you how to wield a sword" Haldir said, before pulling out two swords from the equipment bin nearby.

Lauren's face fell when she laid eyes on the weapons. They were wooden training swords. No doubt what the elflings played with.

"You've got to be kidding me" Lauren groaned.

"I said I would teach you how to wield a sword. You must start with the basics. That means beginning with a training sword." Haldir explained, with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Haldir!" Lauren protested.

Orophin and Rumil laughed and quickly bade the pair farewell. Haldir turned his attention to Lauren and explained the basic stances and blade wielding positions. He then started with several simple defensive maneuvers. Lauren quickly became bored with Haldir's insistence on repeating the simple maneuvers.

"Haldir, how is this useful?" she complained.

"Look, this is a parry, to use when some creature comes at you with a sword" Haldir explained, as he used his sword to simulate an attack.

"OK, how about if I attack you, and you show me what you can do?" Lauren suggested.

"Lauren, you're not ready to spar-" Haldir did not finish before Lauren launched her own offensive, forcing him to parry. He was surprised she had some decent, though basic, skill with the sword. She hadn't told him she had been a junior competitive fencer, and the skills transferred somewhat to sparring with a sword. She was rusty, but still good enough to put up a fight. Unfortunately, she was no match for the marchwarden. Haldir easily flicked away her offensive and soon she was on the defensive.

Anyone who had ever been opposing counsel to Lauren in a courtroom knows that Lauren is highly competitive and did not like to lose. She was a fighter. Knowing she could not outperform Haldir on sword skills alone, she attempted to trip him. It was not an elegant move and it nearly worked. The soldier was surprised but not caught off guard. After finding his balance, he returned the favor and knocked her off balance. Lauren did not recover and fell on her backside. Haldir knelt over her.

Admitting defeat, she put both arms up in surrender. "You win" she said, in between deep breaths. Haldir's face remained hovering over hers. She stared at him. She noticed for the first time that he had a handsome face. It was usually stern but at that moment his features were relaxed, with faint smile. His chiselled muscles flexed as he held himself above her. What captured her attention was his eyes, tender and kind. This surprised Lauren as it was quite the opposite to his usual cold demeaner. Shaking off these thoughts, she cleared her throat. This seemed to pull Haldir back to the present, and he quickly moved aside and held out his hand to help her up.

When they were both standing, Haldir offered a rare compliment. "You fought admirably."

"I fought foolishly – I was outmatched, you had superior skill. I'm glad you didn't let me win" Lauren answered.

"You do not need archery lessons, but I would gladly help you with your sword skills" Haldir said tentatively. Was he being too forward? He suddenly felt bashful. This uncertainty was so foreign to a commander used to being decisive.

"Why not" Lauren accepted nonchalantly. Before they could have further conversation, Aragorn walked onto the sparring field.

"Lauren, your Ada thought you might like to go for a ride" Aragorn said, taking in the scene in front of him.

"My what?" Lauren asked.

"Your father-" Aragorn explained, before being quickly cut off.

"Elrond is not my father. We may be biologically related, but he is not my father" Lauren corrected forcefully.

"I am not suggesting you forsake the man who raised you Lauren" Aragorn protested.

"Nevermind. I would love to go for a ride with you, can we go outside the forest?" Lauren asked excitedly. The prospect of spending time with Aragorn excited her. She was drawn to him. Despite his regal presence, he was understanding and kind.

"No, it is not safe" Haldir interjected.

Lauren rolled her eyes. "Do you ever have fun Haldir?" she said derisively. It was harsh, Lauren was compensating for something, but she didn't know exactly what. She wanted to make it obvious that Haldir was most definitely not important to her. The commander bore the criticism stoicly. "I attend to my duty first, my lady" he said stiffly. He gave Aragorn a curt nod. Aragorn returned with a meaningful glance and silently watched Haldir walk away.