Aerendyll sat at the table, smiling at whatever Sheelin was saying, though her eyes continued to roam around the clearing where a great feast had been set up. For a moment, they paused on Daella and Braern. The two had eyes only for each other, so wrapped up that they had barely touched the food before them. A beautiful flush had come across Daella's cheeks as she glanced away with a small smile, likely at something Braern had just said.

She looked radiant, wearing a new dress of lavender silk, her long, rich brown hair down in soft ringlets. Braern reached out, tucking a bit of it behind her ear and drawing her to look back at him.

A soft smile filled Aerendyll's face at the sight before her as a warmth filled her chest at the small, but sweet action.

"Ah, love. 'Tis in the air this night," Melaine crooned, leaning towards Aerendyll.

She turned towards the elleth, who was seated between her and Orophin, and nearly laughed at the expression on her husband's face. For while Melaine was sending a teasing smile towards Aerendyll, Orophin was gazing at Melaine, a lop-sided grin on his face and stars in his eyes.

"Yes, and I believe your husband has breathed deeply of it," Aerendyll quipped. Melaine chuckled as she looked over at Orophin, who only leaned closer to her, stealing a kiss.

"The lady does have a sense of humor," Rumil exclaimed in astonishment, earning a smack from Sheelin.

"She is rather entertaining if you have spent time with her," Sheelin said, rolling her eyes. "Though I do not blame her for not spending time with you lot. Most troublesome, you and Orophin are."

Aerendyll only took a bite of her dinner, her cheeks rosy with a blush. Just a day after that first afternoon tea, Aerendyll had somehow found her way back to Melaine's talan, altogether unsure just why she had gone there and unannounced. Surprised though she was, Melaine had ushered her in - it was of no surprise that Sheelin was already there - and the three had a much enjoyable afternoon that - thankfully - did not involve talk of Haldir. The two must have sensed it was a sensitive subject and avoided it, choosing instead to get to know Aerendyll better. And for her part, Aerendyll now saw the two as friends, finding Lorien less lonely. And her inner turmoil somewhat diminished.

Though there was currently one point of turmoil that seemed to be fighting for control in Aerendyll's mind.

She knew that Haldir was to attend the ceremony, but it was drawing closer for the ceremony to begin and still he had not arrived. She did not think he would change his mind on attending, but she worried something dangerous had held him up at the borders. The only solace she had was that if he had been injured, at least word would have been sent to his brothers and so far they had not received any such messages.

The longer Aerendyll waited, the more unsettled she became, both out of worry for him and worry for what she would do when the marchwarden did arrive. While a great weight had been lifted when she confessed her thoughts to both Daella and through letter to Legolas, Aerendyll was no nearer to a solution. There was still a great cloud over her in that regard. Haldir had been gone for weeks on the borders. There was every chance that upon his return, his feelings could have lessened or disappeared altogether.

It was this fear that seemed to overtake her the most as she sat at the wedding feast, picking at her food and waiting for Haldir. But even if he still returned her affections, there was Cohnal to worry about, though thankfully he was not in attendance.

Aerendyll was convinced he had spies everywhere, for the ellon always seemed to know where she was or what she was doing. He was often lingering about when she returned home from her visits with Melaine and Sheelin, or offered to walk her to her rooms following council meetings. He had always been irksome, but this was becoming unbearable.

"I am sure he will be along shortly," Melaine suddenly whispered in Aerendyll's ear.

She glanced over at her, seeing a sympathetic smile as she winked at her.

"He has great respect for Braern and would not miss the ceremony for anything," she continued.

Aerendyll glanced around, noting that the others had not overheard Melaine's hushed comfort, relaxing slightly. With her luck, the others would have started teasing her and that would be the exact moment that Haldir arrived.

"Thank you," she said softly in return. Melaine only reached over and squeezed her hand before turning and smacking Orophin on the shoulder for a particularly bawdy joke he made at Rumil's expense.

But before she knew it, the time had come. A hush fell over the clearing as the musicians ceased their playing and Lord Celeborn stood before them. Aerendyll chanced one last glance around before fixing her attention on her friend and beloved.

Celeborn called forth Daella and Braern and their families to join him. As he began to speak, Aerendyll could not help but get drawn into the moment. Into the tears of joy glistening in Daella's eyes. Into the way Braern could not take his eyes from her. Deep inside her, Aerendyll suddenly wished that someone would look upon her in such a way. But then she could not help but find it all too familiar.

Had she not seen a similar look in Haldir's eyes before?

A quiet presence at her side suddenly drew her attention as a calm that had not previously been there came over her. She looked over, finding that the seat that had previously been empty was now filled. Her heart leapt into her throat as Haldir glanced at her, nodding silently in greeting before returning his attention to the ceremony. She did the same, but she could still feel him glance at her every so often.

Aerendyll tried to ignore the fact that Haldir was seated next to her, but her mind quickly flew to all manner of assumptions. That he sat there because he wished to be near her. This was followed by a silent scolding. Of course he sat there - his brothers and their wives were seated at the same table and it was the only available seat. It had nothing to do with Aerendyll. Her cheek warmed in embarrassment, though no one was privy to what was currently going on in her mind. With a slight shake of her head, Aerendyll straightened her spine and returned her focus fully to Daella and Braern. This was their special moment, after all.

Finally the time came for the two to return their rings of silver and replace them with rings of gold. The moment was touching and beautiful, and even Aerendyll found herself reaching up to brush away tears, though they would not seem to stop falling. Perhaps this was an effect of the so-called love floating in the air.

Upon returning her hands to her lap, she felt something drop on top of them. Looking down, she found a white handkerchief with dainty but elaborate Lorien leaves embroidered in rich, green thread. Heading spinning slightly, Aerendyll looked over at Haldir, his eyes fixed forward, though there was a small smile on his face. Rather than draw attention to herself, Aerednyll did the same, though discreetly used the handkerchief to dry her tears.

All too soon, Celeborn had declared the two wed and a cheer went through the crowd as Braern gently kissed his new wife. Aerendyll could not help the joy flowing through her as she watched on, overcome by happiness for Daella.

"That was beautiful," Sheelin said softly. Aerendyll looked over, noticing fresh tears on her cheeks as she looked up into Rumil's eyes.

"Not nearly as beautiful as you the day we wed," he said before pressing a kiss to her lips.

"Beg your pardon, I believe that would be Melaine on our wedding day," Orophin all but shouted across the table, a large grin on his face as Melaine rolled her eyes. He looked over at her, sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her closer.

"Still the most beautiful elleth in Lorien," he declared.

"And I see you are still the biggest fool in all of Lorien," she quipped in return.

"The biggest fool for you," he replied easily, causing a flush to come across Melaine's fair cheeks.

"Love makes fools of us all, I should think," Rumil added with a sigh.

"Rumil, ever the poet," Orophin shot over at him.

Aerendyll chuckled as she reached for her wine and the two brothers continued on with their bantering. Her eyes then drifted over to the happy couple yet again. For a few moments, she got lost in watching them interact.

"It was a rather beautiful ceremony," Haldir said softly at her side. Aerendyll jumped, nearly forgetting that he was sitting there, but now all too aware.

She looked to him, finding him watching her closely. She nodded, quickly swallowing and willing her words to come forth. Sitting this closely and having gone weeks without seeing him, she was unsure if it was her mind playing tricks on her but she found him even more handsome than before.

"Yes, it was," she replied, looking down to her lap. She then held out the handkerchief to him. "Thank you."

"Keep it," he said, smiling softly at her.

"Oh," she said, dropping her hand back into her lap.

She glanced around the table, happy to see that the others were caught up in their jests and conversation and paying no heed to herself or Haldir. It was a small miracle, she thought, considering how they had all acted the night of the feast that Haldir had escorted her to. Eagerly latching on to their every interaction.

"How are the borders?" she said, desperate for some sort of talk to fill the awkward silence that had fallen upon them.

Had she forgotten how to speak to him in just these few short weeks? Aerendyll was now feeling out of sorts with Haldir's attention fully on her. Even though she was not looking at him, she could feel his piercing gaze.

"They are safe, my lady. Nothing to fear," he said. He then cleared his throat as Aerendyll looked over at him. "You look… lovely."

"Thank you," she said softly, looking away as she smoothed down her skirt.

Thankfully, music started up and several others moved to dance along with the newly wedded couple. For a few blessed moments, Aerendyll watched the couples move in and around each other. Rumil, Sheelin, Melaine and Orophin had thankfully joined them, finally leaving Haldir and Aerendyll fully alone.

"Has the council kept you busy these weeks?" Haldir asked, looking over at her.

"Yes, quite," Aerendyll said, once again reaching for her wine so that her hands would be preoccupied. Perhaps she should slow down as she had been too anxious to eat much. "Though… it has not been the same without your presence."

She froze as her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed. While she had been thinking it, she had not wished for the words to leave her lips. And she dare not look at Haldir in this moment.

"I admit… I have missed you as well… in my time away."

Aerendyll blinked a few times and then turned to Haldir, finding him looking at her. She could see hope in his eyes, though hope for what, she was yet unsure.

"May I have this dance?" he asked.

Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded as she put her goblet down and held her hand out. Haldir took it and stood, leading her to the dancers. Taking a deep breath, she allowed herself to give into the dance, but she felt every touch of his, heat searing into her skin. Her eyes were always drawn back to him.

They did not speak, only continued moving through the steps. But for a few moments, it felt as though they were the only ones in the clearing.

"I have missed you," he said again, softly. This time, she knew he was expecting a response. "And I have thought of many things in my time away at the borders…"

"Yes?" she asked breathlessly.

Haldir glanced around and then stopped dancing, leading her off to the side of the clearing. Her cheeks heated up as she looked around worriedly, but no one seemed to notice them.

"Lady Aerendyll, I know that this is rather forthcoming and I have no right to say these things to you, but I feel like I must," he started, not looking her in the eye.

Her heart was pounding and she knew what his next words would likely be. Part of her nearly spoke out to stop him, for she knew what it would mean if he said them aloud. And she still did not know what their future would hold. While she now felt happier in Lorien, she was unsure if this was her place.

But then Haldir looked up, and the expression on his face took her breath away. In that moment, she did not wish to stop him. She wanted only to hear him say that he cared for her in the way she knew that she cared for him. Future be damned.

"Aerendyll, I-"

"There you are, my lady."

Aerendyll jumped, not expecting to hear someone approach. But then again, she should not have been so surprised that Cohnal would appear right then.

"Lord Cohnal," she said, barely hiding her disdain. He smiled at her as he bowed, but then looked towards Haldir, his eyes growing colder.

"I did not mean to be so late, but it looks as though the ceremony went well," Cohnal said, looking around the clearing. He then looked back to Haldir. "I have not received your reports from the borders."

"I will prepare it tomorrow morning. I just arrived and could not take back my promise to attend," Haldir said, also not hiding his displeasure at the ellon's sudden appearance.

Aerendyll glanced at him, altogether unsure if she was grateful for the interruption or angry. Just moments ago, she had been eager to hear what Haldir had to say, but now she was back to thinking perhaps this was all wrong.

Suddenly, it grew difficult to breathe, but she held herself together.

"Would you care to dance, my lady?" Cohnal asked, turning back to her.

"I… I," she stopped speaking, looking from Cohnal to Haldir and back again. She then took a deep breath. "I need some air."

She then gathered up her skirts and took off quickly, not paying attention to anyone around her. Once she was through the city, she gathered up her skirts further and took off at a run through the trees, her feet sure of the way.

It was too much.

Haldir returning, the realization that her feelings had not dimmed for him, but rather grown. At the same time, she was unsure that she could move forward. What hope did they have for a future? She would return to Mirkwood when her time here was done. Likely, King Thranduil would have an eligible ellon in mind for her, though she knew he would not force her into anything.

Aerendyll tore through the forest, light-footed and sure of step with the way lit by the moon, her skirts gathered up around her knees. She could feel the hot sting of tears in her eyes as she blinked furiously.

She was suddenly angry. Far beyond anything she had felt before. It was unfair. She was only to come here to learn the ways of the Lorien elves. To study under Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. Build up relations between Lorien and Mirkwood.

She was not meant to fall for someone. Her heart had betrayed her. And yet, just the thought of being without Haldir brought more pain than she thought she could handle.

On she ran, not stopping until she reached the spring and dropping to the ground. She drew in long, deep breaths of air as she looked up, seeing the starry sky through the branches. This place. It was so different from home, but yet, it still managed to bring her some peace.

Home. Mirkwood. Her mind wandered across the land to the dark forests where she had grown up. Through the King's Halls. She thought of Legolas. Tauriel. The King.

He would never understand. Never allow this. It was folly to think that there could ever be anything between Haldir. But he, sweet, kind, warm Haldir, did not see this if she had accurately guessed what he was about to say to her. She would have to make him see. It was the only way.

"Why must this be so difficult," she whispered into the forest. "Why does my heart call for him when it cannot be?"

There was no reply, but Aerendyll did not expect one.

"Why have I fallen for him?"

"I do not know why Fate has brought us together, but I am glad of it."

Aerendyll gasped as she jumped to her feet and spun around, finding Haldir standing not far off, a look of worry and concern on his face. But then again, there was that blasted hope lying in his eyes. She swallowed and attempted to blink away her tears, but they would not stop. So instead she shook her head as he stepped towards her.

"You should not have followed me. Cohnal is likely to tell the King of this," she said, her voice shaking. "And you know as well as I, this cannot be, Haldir."

He stopped, for a moment a look of happiness on his face that Aerendyll did not understand.

"You called me Haldir," he then said softly. Aerendyll said nothing. He then continued towards her, until he was close enough that he could reach out and touch her, though he did not. "I had hoped while I was away I would have gained some control over my feelings, but I have not. Or that they would fade, but they have not. And I find that I cannot keep them to myself. For I have fallen for you, Aerendyll."

It was everything she wanted to hear, and yet not. For it would only make their parting much harder. And she knew they must part.

"I know that you think there is no future for us, but for some reason, hope has refused to leave me. I believe that we will find a way," he said, reaching out to gently caress her cheek. "Why must we fight what the Valar have deemed so?"

"Because I am to return to Mirkwood. This is not my home," she replied, still attempting to fight herself.

"But do you not grow weary of this? Struggling to contain what you feel? Why must we? Let go, Aerendyll. For surely, I will not let you fall," Haldir said softly.

She swallowed hard as she stared up at him, frozen in place as she pondered his words. She was so very tired of fighting with herself. Of always choosing duty before her own happiness. And it was true that Haldir made her happy. All their moments together thus far flew through her mind in rapid progression. Their talks and training. The way he looked at her.

She found that did not want to fight this any longer.

"But how? How will we make this work?" she asked, desperate for an answer.

Haldir smiled gently down at her as he took her waist, pulling her close to him.

"I fear I do not yet know, but as long as you are at my side, I am no longer afraid," he replied before bending down, his head tilted slightly.

It seemed to happen slowly and quickly. All at once. Part of Aerendyll did think to fight it, but finally, she allowed herself to let go.

When his lips met hers, it was as though everything fell into place. All her worries and fears were gone and Aerendyll felt as though she had finally come home. Her eyes drifted closed as she brought her arms up, wrapping them around his neck.

It would not be an easy road, that was certain. But she no longer worried too much, for she would weather whatever storm came her way with Haldir. She was no longer alone.

Finally, Haldir pulled away, resting his forehead against hers as he smiled gently down at her.

"I love you, Aerendyll," he whispered.

"I love you too, Haldir…"

TADA! I told you it was coming! Gah, I'm just so happy that these two finally got out of their own way and confessed their feelings to each other. And yea, thought I would stop making you guys wait for the moment.

Never fear, though, this is me. There is more drama and such to come…

As always, thanks for reading, commenting and following!