A/N: A shortish but in my opinion lovely little update. I had fun writing this. Thank you for the lovely reviews I have received.


Chapter 23

It was the next morning that Haldir approached the Fellowship with a grim expression on his face. Emdiril immediately straightened her posture as her brows furrowed with concern for the Marchwarden, his unhappiness not going unnoticed. She nodded her head in his direction causing Legolas who stood beside her to follow her gaze.

"I bring bad news to you all," Haldir started, his eyes cold and full of sorrow. "You will not be able to stay here for much longer. The enemy is gaining on you. A pack of orcs launched an attack on our borders in the night." Anger was evident on Haldir's face as he clenched his jaw. Emdiril's eyes darted towards Frodo who looked down in sadness as his hand absent-mindedly reached towards his neck.

"We were able to fight them off, but not without loss. The risk is becoming too great." Haldir looked towards Emdiril, a look of guilt flashing over his face.

"Thank you, Haldir of Lorien." Aragorn nodded his head as he placed a hand on the Marchwarden's shoulder in gratitude.

"The Lady of the Wood will see you soon and bear you gifts before your departure." Haldir said before his eyes flickered towards Emdiril once more. She returned his look, her eyes narrowing slightly as a sense of dread filled her.

"What is it?" She asked him as her green eyes stayed on him.

"One of my guards found this in the battle field." He brought forward a small scroll and handed it to her, her hands quickly opening it. Before her was a map of Middle Earth, a single, blank spot circled. Emdiril gasped in horror before her eyes shot towards the Marchwarden, his eyes filled with anger and sadness.

The pair looked at each other, but no words left them. Legolas gently took the scroll off Emdiril as she silently communicated with Haldir. The elf looked at it, his blue eyes carefully scanning the map.

"This is-"

"Aye. Waterfall City." She interrupted him, her voice lingered with sadness and guilt as her eyes lay on Haldir. He returned her look, knowing how much her home meant to her. "How would they know how to go there? How do would they know it's unprotected?" She asked, more so herself than anyone else.

"There is word that the orcs were not alone…" Haldir drifted off, his eyes filling with frustration and hatred. Emdiril noticed his look and her jaw clenched as her own eyes darkened.

"Boleslaw." The name hung in the air like thick clouds.

"Sounds like coleslaw." Pippin began laughing as he touched his stomach. "I like- Ow!" he looked at Merry with confused and hurt eyes.

"Forgive me, who?" Aragorn chimed in, his grey eyes flickering between Haldir and Emdiril.

"He is like me. His mind however has been poisoned, much like Saruman's." She spoke through gritted teeth before she walked off, no longer wanting to think of the hurt she caused him with his betrayal.

Legolas' eyes followed her, his mouth pressed together in a thin line. He was sad for he did not understand her full history but wished to console her.

"Boleslaw almost murdered her." Haldir explained, sensing Legolas' unease. His heart hurt, thinking of her horrendous and pained scream deep within Lorien's woods when the attack unfolded. Legolas' eyes immediately darted towards the Marchwarden with shock.

Gimli awkwardly cleared his throat before turning towards the hobbits. "Alright laddies. Let's get some food." The dwarf said before he led them away, Aragorn following them to get supplies for the rest of their journey.

"When did this happen?" Legolas questioned his fellow elf.

"Not long after she returned from Mirkwood, Prince Legolas. She took him in, taught him what she knew and he betrayed her. I was almost too late…" Haldir drifted off, his mind deep in memories.

"You saved her." Legolas noted, his eyes softening. "Thank you, Haldir of Lorien. I am forever in your debt. You have saved the one most precious to me." His eyes then laid back on Emdiril who stood alone at the edge of the camp, her mind elsewhere. His eyes were soft with love and gratitude. Haldir's eyes followed Legolas', watching as Emdiril's hair moved with each breeze, the way she looked straight ahead in deep thought.

"Aye…" He mumbled before he straightened his posture. "I must get ready to patrol the borders."


For a while Legolas simply observed her as she stood a fair distance away. He took in all her beauty and grace. Ever since remembering her he had felt whole. Like his whole life a part of him had been missing and now it was back, taking his breath away. Despair filled him at the thought of her nearly dying. He would have never gotten her back. He would have never felt this raging love flowing through his veins. The elf slowly approached her, placing a strong arm around her shoulders and pulling her into his side. Emdiril let him, simply melting into him as he gave her comfort.

"What is it that you are thinking?" Legolas questioned softly as he stared ahead, his thumb rubbing her shoulder.

There was a long pause.

"I cannot go any further." Her green eyes looked up at his handsome features sadly. He looked down at her, a soft sigh escaping his lips. He understood. She had a duty to her people, to her home. She had to return home. A hint of worry filled him though, worrying for her encounter with Boleslaw. Would she be able to fight him this time? Would she be strong enough?

"I understand." Legolas murmured as he let go of her, moving to stand in front of her. Emdiril closed her eyes in relief, hiding the unshed tears. They both understood that they would have to part ways once more.

"We will find each other again, won't we?" She whispered softly, her eyes still closed as she refused to look at him.

"Of course…" Legolas cupped her cheeks with his hands and tilted it upwards. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him through sad and glassy eyes. She was scared. War was upon them and they could not even fight side by side. Be with each other until the end. "I would travel for centuries just to find you again." His eyes were also filled with emotion, wide and vulnerable. A soft sigh escaped him before he pressed his lips softly to her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment while he breathed in her scent.

"Would you like me to find Haldir for you?" He asked after a moment and she peered at him with confused eyes.

"He is going to investigate the scene of the attack, I imagined you would like to join him." The elf explained.

Emdiril nodded her head, a small smile gracing her lips. "Thank you."


Haldir looked upon Legolas and Emdiril in confusion as they stood in front of his flet. She had readied her bag with supplies and her sword was attached to her back.

"I am coming with you." She announced to him, her eyes firm and authorative.

Haldir's eyes widened in a mixture between shock and anger. "What?"

"Then I shall return home and protect my people."

Haldir looked from Emdiril to Legolas who looked at him and gently nodded his head once, as though to approve. Haldir's eyes softened and a sigh escaped him as he looked back at Emdiril.

"We depart now." The Marchwarden instructed plainly before he walked down one of the many paths is Caras Galadhon. Emdiril looked to Legolas once more and pressed her lips together in a thin line before she followed behind him.

Legolas watched as she caught up with Haldir, who looked behind once more. Legolas nodded his head again, his eyes now filled with concern. "Keep her safe." He instructed the Marchwarden in his mind. He knew Haldir would for he also loved Emdiril with all of his heart.

xx

What do you all think? Emdiril definitely has her own story rather than just being a 10th walker! Do you think Legolas and Emdiril find each other again? What do you think of Haldir's and Legolas' interactions?