WARNING! Sh*t's about to get real sad... This chapter contains death...

OOOO

I Hope You're Happy

Aisling tried to take in deep, slow breaths as she and Haldir walked to where Galadriel and Celeborn lived in their palace in the trees. She remembered how she had felt when she first saw it, completely taken aback by its beauty. Now it only brought fear and pain. Haldir held onto her hand, giving her a reassuring smile, though she couldn't return it.

Because she knew that they were about to be separated and her heart had been breaking ever since the moment she had decided to go through with it. She was still of the mind that she wanted to stay - be with him as long as she could. But he was insistent that she go back to her world. And really, did she want to be here where she would be constantly reminded by him? And what if what everyone feared happened - that this war could potentially end Middle Earth as they knew it - did she have the strength to survive that? To wait for him to die? Could she live through that?

Part of her wondered if this was how Claire and Jamie felt in Outlander. But she then shoved that thought aside violently, wondering how it was she could be thinking about a book at a time like this.

She then turned her eyes to the tree as they started up the winding stairs that would lead them all the way up to the very top, where they were to meet with Lady Galadriel.

She had said her final good-byes yet again to Daella, Rumil and Orophin earlier in the day, the normally cheerful elves still reeling from the news. Orophin was calmer and had even attempted to make a joke, but it was lame at best. He then wrapped her in a strong hug that had nearly taken her breath away, tears filling his eyes. She then spent an hour crying. And finally calmed down when Haldir told her it was time.

Now she was struggling to keep herself in check as every step took her closer to going home and farther from any future with Haldir. God, to think there was a time when she would have jumped at the chance to go home. And now she found that she didn't want to leave.

"Haldir, Aisling," Galadriel said as they cleared the last of the stairs, stepping out onto the large platform. She was smiling sadly at the two.

Aisling stopped for a moment, gripping Haldir's hand tightly. She didn't want to take another step forward, but she knew that she needed to. She then started towards Galadriel, Haldir keeping at her side.

"I know this day brings sorrow for you both," Galadriel said softly. "But it will pass."

Aisling swallowed more tears and bit back a retort that nothing would ever be the same. She was going back to her world where, sure, she had a life and could continue on in that. But it wouldn't have Haldir.

"This is not the end," Galadriel continued, looking from Haldir to Aisling. "For I have seen that you will find each other again."

Aisling's heart stopped for a moment as her mouth dropped open. Well that was a bomb drop. Why hadn't she said that from the beginning? Christ, this whole thing could have been a hell of a lot easier if Galadriel had said that from the beginning. But then doubt began to sneak in. It was impossible

"How do you know?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

She was going back to her world while Haldir was staying here - was going to die here. How could they possibly find each other again? Aisling looked at Haldir, finding his own face mirroring her shock as he stared at Galadriel. She then looked back to the ancient elf, meeting her eyes.

"You will not go together, for that I am most sorry. But the world is full of mysteries that even I do not understand. I do know that your love for one another is strong and will stand the test of time," Galadriel said. "Trust in that, for it will guide you to each other again."

Aisling gulped, feeling tears once again filling her eyes and threatening to pour out. She closed her eyes a few moments, trying to get herself under control. Haldir believed that she was strong and she needed to be strong now more than ever. Though it did help to hear Galadriel's words - that someday they would be together again, though she didn't understand how. She then took a deep breath and slowly let it out, opening her eyes.

"Alright. Let's do this," she said, squaring her shoulders a bit and straightening her back.

Galadriel turned and walked to a table where a small vial was sat as Haldir pulled her closer to him. Aisling looked up, finding pain and grief in his eyes. He did not say anything, just held her tightly. Aisling buried her face in his chest, not wanting to let go either.

"Aisling… it is time."

Aisling stepped back, looking up into Haldir's eyes again before his lips crushed against hers in one last kiss that was seared into her soul. Galadriel did not interrupt this time, allowing the couple their moment. But soon enough, Aisling was pushing away from Haldir, knowing that if she allowed it to continue, she might change her mind and refuse to go back. Wiping tears from her cheek, she turned towards Galadriel, walking towards her and eying the vial suspiciously.

"That's how I'm getting home?" she asked, slightly confused. Galadriel nodded, holding the vial up. Aisling took it, sniffing at it but not finding any aroma. "What is it?"

"It is belladonna," Galadriel said, causing Aisling to freeze.

She might not know a lot about plants, but she knew what belladonna was. They had it in her world too, and though it was used in medicines, it was deadly if taken in the wrong amount.

"Pardon, my lady?" Haldir asked, stepping up to Aisling's side, his fury barely concealed.

"I found it interesting when Aisling mentioned her dreams. The ones where it was as though she returned to her world," Galadriel continued calmly. "With some time, I was able to surmise that while she is still alive here, her soul could not return to her body in her world."

Galadriel settled her blue eyes on Aisling, allowing the news to settle in.

"So… this whole time… I could have gone back as long as… I died?" she asked softly. Galadriel nodded. "But… how do you know this is true? What if I take this and… I just die?"

"Nothing is certain, but I do feel strongly that this is the best way to send you back to your world. The first time you experienced such a dream, you had thought you might die. The wolf attack. The second was just after the orc nearly killed you," Galadriel said. "And as I said, I have seen that you will be reunited. Therefore, this must work."

Aisling only blinked a few times and then looked at the vial, frowning.

"This is madness," Haldir said.

"Possibly. But we must have faith," Galadriel said.

"You're sure?" Aisling asked, looking back at the Lady of the Wood. She nodded regally. Aisling then turned to Haldir, not quite believing that she was about to say this. "I believe her."

His face was contorted in pain, his normally controlled facade completely gone as he reached out and took her face in his hands.

"It'll be okay," Aisling whispered. "It's… it's my only shot at getting back. And you said that I can't stay here."

But at the same time, her heart began splintering all over again, knowing what she was asking him to do. She couldn't face the thought of being here for his death and she was asking him to stand next to her and watch her literally die.

Haldir leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes closed. Her tears were now falling freely down her cheeks and he was openly crying as well. It was obvious that he was losing it and she was going to have to be the strong one here.

"This'll work out. I can feel it," she whispered, even if she wasn't sure if that was completely true.

Haldir stepped back, his eyes locking with hers and she fought to remain resolute. She recalled what Gandalf had said to her on the street in Oklahoma. There was no adventure without some fear. She thought she had already faced that, but now she would have to face a bit more.

Finally, Haldir nodded, stepping away from her. Aisling walked over and took the vial from Galadriel. She looked down at it and then back at Galadriel, wondering how she could remain so calm but then figured it came with being alive as long as she had. Swallowing, Aisling then looked back at the poison and lifted it to her lips. She faltered for a moment and then tossed it back in one go.

Closing her eyes, she waited, wondering if it was going to be painful. There was no pain, thankfully, but she started feeling woozy. Her head began spinning and Aisling felt her legs starting to give out. Strong arms were immediately around her as her eyes flew open. She locked onto Haldir's eyes, though her vision was starting to blur, wanting the last thing she saw to be his face.

"I'm fine," she slurred, feeling him lower her to the ground, though he kept her in his arms.

"I love you," he whispered, now crying as he reached up and caressed her cheek. "Ash… I love you…"

"I'll always… love you," Aisling murmured, somewhere in the back of her mind wanting to giggle. Her last words to Haldir and they were lyrics to a stupid love song. She swallowed, her tongue thick in her mouth. "Never… anyone else… Hal..."

"I will find you," he vowed. "I promise."

Aisling smiled at him as he bent down, pressing his lips against hers. It was the last thing she registered before warm darkness enveloped her completely.

OOOO

A loud wail escaped Haldir's lips as Aisling went still in his arms, the vial falling from her fingers and rolling across the floor. He held her tight to his chest, sobbing. He was prepared to send her back to her world, but he had not thought that it would be like this. That it would hurt this much.

It truly was as though his soul had been ripped in half as soon as her spirit left this plane.

And he had no way to know if it had worked. If she truly was back in her world or if he had just allowed the love of his life to kill herself. But all he could do was hold her and sob, part of him willing her to come back to him.

"Haldir…"

He looked up, seeing Galadriel had stepped closer, dropping gracefully to the ground next to him and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. He met her eyes, wondering why she would suggest such a thing. If he had known this was how she intended to send Aisling back, he would have never told her. But at the same time, rationally he knew it was the only chance they had at getting her somewhere where she would be safe from the darkness threatening to swallow Middle Earth.

"I know that your pain is great in this moment. But trust in what I have seen. You will be reunited," she said softly, reaching out to caress his cheek.

"Forgive me, my lady, if I cannot find comfort in your words just now," he said.

He looked back down at Aisling in his arms, reaching out to touch her face, his eyes locking on her own lifeless ones now staring out. They had lost their luster.

"My precious, Aisling," he whispered before pulling her back up to his chest again, his eyes closing as more tears fell. He had always thought himself strong, but this would break him.

"Haldir… look…"

He lowered Aisling's body again, looking down. His eyes then widened as some of the light returned to her eyes. He sat frozen, watching as the light spread until it looked as though she was glowing. The light then grew until it was so bright, he had to look away.

Suddenly, it was gone and he looked back down, finding his arms empty, though in his palm remained the small gold band that he had placed on her finger the day they wed. Eyes wide, he looked to Galadriel again.

"I told you to have faith that this would work," she said softly. Stunned he nodded, looking back down at the ring. "You will find her again."

Though he was not sure just how this would come to be, he now, finally, found comfort in those words.

"Yes… I will…"

OOOO

Haldir stood stoically on the wall, his eyes scanning the masses of orcs just beyond, the whole lot of them making a raucous noise. He knew that he would face his end this night, but he did not fear it. For his end in this world would only hasten his arrival to a time and place when he would be reunited with Aisling.

But not yet. Before that time, he would take as many of the enemy as he could with him.

He glanced down the line, seeing Aragorn standing stoically as well, and then closer, Legolas and Gimli. He then looked down the line of Lorien warriors, all waiting for the word. Turning back to face the orc army, he pulled an arrow from his quiver and made ready, waiting for Aragorn.

Yes, he would die today, but that did not mean that they would fail.

OOOO

Haldir stood, still a bit stunned from the explosion. For a moment, he thought of Aisling and her story about her parents - how they had died. He then pushed it aside, seeing that orcs were now flooding through the chasm.

The battle had very quickly descended into chaos and he was not sure just how they would win this fight. But he was still alive. Still had to play his part.

"Haldir! I feel there are far too many chances for the prince to prove himself more capable than us," Orophin shouted, running to his side. He looked down into the breach, seeing Legolas fight not far off from the dwarf.

"Best go show just what the elves of Lorien are made of!" Rumil shouted before dashing off down the stairs.

"Go! Make sure he keeps out of trouble," Haldir ordered Orophin.

His brother only nodded, though there was a smile on his lips. He turned and ran off after Rumil as Haldir was then distracted by more orcs flowing over the edge of the wall. Though he was focused on this fight, he could not help but worry about his brothers. He had not told them of what was to come, though did his best to make sure that all would be well with them afterwards. And he would do as best he could now to make sure that they would be able to sail west when this was all over with. He only hoped that they survived the night as it was becoming very clear that not many of their kin would.

As he fought, he could not help as his eyes roamed the fallen around him, seeing many that had served valiantly under him as Galadhrim - now gone. Soon he would be joining them, but he could not help but wish that they did not have to die. He knew this was his fate and made peace with it, but they had not, even though there was always a chance.

But now was not the time to think of such things. Now was the time to fight. Aisling would never forgive him if he was slain without putting forth his best effort first.

OOOO

"Haldir! Fall back to the Keep!"

He turned, standing on the wall and saw Aragorn shouting and motioning wildly with his arm. Though he was starting to feel weary, he pushed forward.

"Get your men out of there!"

Haldir nodded his understanding, turning to shout orders and then help drag up another warrior, pushing him to run. He then began to run as well, seeing an orc just in front of him. He easily felled the foe, but did not see the other coming from his side, did not know it was there, until there was a piercing pain in his side. For a moment, he was stunned before he continued to fight.

"HALDIR!"

He did not stop, still attempting to fight them off, but there was another great pain in his back, which took the very breath from his very lips. Falling to his knees, he looked up, seeing Orophin running to him.

"GET TO THE KEEP!" he managed to shout, but as expected, his younger, rash brother did not heed his words. Instead, he continued forward, fighting off the orcs that had been surrounding Haldir.

The pain was overwhelming, but at the same time, a sense of calm had come over him. He knew this battle would kill him and it seemed that moment had finally arrived. As he fell back, he could feel arms stopping him. His eyes roamed until they found those of his brother. He looked over, seeing Aragorn on his other side.

"Haldir!" Orophin shouted.

Haldir smiled up at him, finding it hard to stay awake. He wished to allow death to take him fully and finally so that he could be with Aisling again. While there was pain in the thought of leaving his brothers behind, he knew they possessed the strength to continue on without him.

"You fool! You cannot leave us!" Orophin shouted.

"Get to safety or you shall be the fool," Haldir breathed. "I am fine."

"You are dying!"

"Yes…" Haldir said, his eyes going to the sky. Though he knew it was covered in clouds, he swore he could see one star blazing brightly in the distance. The more he stared at it, the closer it seemed to get and with it, the pain began to recede.

He found himself reaching for it, knowing that it was Aisling. It had to be. Already he could feel her presence drawing closer.

"I'm here…" he could almost hear her voice say in his mind.

"Aisling… I am coming…" he breathed.

He then took one last breath and his strength left him, his hand falling to his chest as blessed darkness finally took him.

OOOO

UPDATE 1.22.2021 - This is the update chapter, but again, not a whole lot changed.

OOOO

Okay, so explanation time. When I first came up with this story and started writing, I wasn't 100% sure just what the logistics were behind Aisling getting into Middle Earth and how she would get back - I just knew that she would go back (I'll explain more on that when we get to the second to last chapter). So, I had to sit down and really think about this before I got too far into the story so that I could leave bread crumbs for the reader and it wasn't coming straight out of left field. And I had a few options. And this was the one I went with.

How I came up with it, I'm not completely sure, but it seemed the most logical. That Aisling was in a coma in her world and SOMEHOW her consciousness got transported to Middle Earth (still don't really know the logistics on that, so don't ask). But as long as she was alive in Middle Earth, her body in her world would stay in a coma. We got hints of this with her "dreams" which weren't actually dreams. At times when Aisling thought she was going to die or was in mortal peril (aka the wolf attack and first orc attack) her consciousness would temporarily return to her body. But because she was still alive in Middle Earth, she couldn't fully return. Hence, the only way she could get back was to die in Middle Earth. Now, I struggled with writing this chapter because yea, I'm essentially killing Aisling and I figured people would feel all sorts of ways about that. Which is why I did the sparkly, body-goes-poof scene so that it was hopefully less… intense, I guess?

Anyway, I'm posting these last four chapters in one go because I would be a horrible person if I stopped and made you wait after this doozy of a chapter… and the next one...

Thanks for reading and following!