Chapter 9

Haldir walked slowly back to Caras Galadhon, admiring the trees, enjoying the way the sunlight streamed down to the forest floor, the bed of elanor that carpeted the soft ground. Most of his wardens rushed home to their wives and families after returning from border patrols, but it had been many centuries since Haldir had something truly exciting to look forward to at home. That was not to say that he was unhappy – no, he was very content with his life. But, the he did not have Orophin's joy of returning to his wife, or Rúmil's excitement of once again being able to gaze adoringly at Merilwen from afar. This did not bother him and it also allowed him to leisurely enjoy his walk back into the city.

He had meant to return the previous week, but there had been a need to send half his patrol from the northern border to the eastern border, and he could not leave the northern border unattended. Their patrol had therefore been extended by one week. Three weeks on the border with naught but his wardens for company was long enough. He was looking forward to the company of others for the next three weeks.

Haldir entered the city and made his way toward the healing telain. As per his own procedure, he was to report for medical inspection before being relieved of his duties. It was a policy he himself had implemented several centuries earlier. Too many wardens were returning from the borders with what began as minor wounds, rushed back to their wives and lovers, leaving their wounds unattended. Often wounds would fester or worsen from lack of treatment, which was not only detrimental to the health of his wardens, but more often than not it also delayed their return to the borders, which inconvenienced his roster greatly. Therefore, it was with a sense of duty to himself and to his wardens that Haldir entered the healing talan knowing full well he was the picture of health. The patrol had been largely uneventful, a few skirmishes with goblins on the outer edges, but nothing of consequence.

As he walked in, he immediately noticed the dark-haired elleth. She was clad in the light blue robes of a healer and was bent over the shoulder of one of his wardens, Andarion, inspecting a bruised on his collar bone. He stood in the doorway for a moment watching her. She laughed at something Andarion had said and swatted his shoulder. He feigned pain and laughed at whatever she had said next. She looked well, he thought. Her long hair was pulled away from her face in braids, cascading down her back and over her shoulder in a dark sheet. Her eyes sparkled as she laughed and her smile was bright. Haldir smiled to himself.

He walked over to Andarion after Holly had walked away to fetch something,

"You are not unwell, are you, Andarion?" he asked his warden with sincere concern. Andarion shook his head,

"Nay, Marchwarden, I am well. Holly simply wishes to apply a poultice to my bruise to lessen the swelling, she says. She is taking a precaution." the elf responded. Haldir nodded at him, noticing the bruise on his collar bone. Holly returned to them then, carrying a small jar of a pungent mixture.

"Haldir!" she exclaimed, opening the jar. She looked happy to see him, he thought, surprised. Given the tension in their last encounter he had not totally expected this greeting. "You are back from the border, too, I see."

"Yes, I am. We were delayed a week." he answered. Holly then bent over Andarion's shoulder again to apply the foul poultice. "Eru, what is that?"

Holly grimaced, "It is a poultice of herbs and sulfur water. It helps with the inflammation and swelling, but it does not smell pleasant. Thankfully, Andarion here tells me that he is unattached and does not have to return home to a wife. He has no fear of smelling like an orc."

She then looked down at Andarion and apologized to him in Sindarin, explaining that the scent would fade very soon. Haldir could not hide the look of surprise on his face, "Your Sindarin has improved greatly since our last meeting."

Holly beamed at him, answering him in Sindarin, "Yes, Nestarion speaks to me only in Sindarin. I learn fast."

"You speak well." he said simply, not wishing to confuse her with complex terminology. She seemed to appreciate the compliment and bowed her head toward him, muttering her thanks in Common. "Perhaps we can speak more soon, but for now I would like to pass my medical inspection and take a bath. Would you?"

Andarion had put his tunic back on and Haldir took his place on the bench. Andarion thanked Holly enthusiastically and made his way out of the talan. Around them, other wardens were also being inspected. It was a busy day in the healing telain, changing of the wardens usually was. Those leaving for the border had to be cleared for duty, those returning had to pass medical inspection.

"Of course, Haldir. Are there any injuries you wish to tell me about?" she asked, with an air of professionalism. Nestarion was watching her from a distance, his elven ears keenly aware of every word she spoke, no doubt judging and analyzing her bedside manner.

He shook his head, "No, no tales of bravery this time. I am regretfully unharmed."

He looked up at her with a coy smile, letting one of his eyes drop into a quick wink. Holly giggled and rolled her eyes at him, "You should not say such things. There are few injuries this time, but Nestarion tells me there are often serious wounds."

Haldir's look darkened. He was well aware of the injuries and wounds that befell his wardens. He felt each of them keenly, feeling responsible for their well-being as their leader. Holly seemed to sense his change in mood and she quickly recovered, "I did not mean to imply that you don't take their well-being seriously. I know you do, all of your wardens speak very highly of you."

Haldir could hear the sincerity in her voice and decided to ignore her earlier joke. Placated by her apology, he smiled mischievously, "So you have been asking them about me?"

He felt her hands freeze – she had been inspecting his arms for cuts and bruises. He turned his head to the side and looked at her face. Her expression remained cool but the very tips of her ears had turned a little pink, or so he thought.

"Of course not. You are so arrogant. They spoke to me of you freely." she retorted. Haldir felt a yank at his tunic as she pulled it down to inspect the back of his neck. The harsh movement had not gone unnoticed and he heard Nestarion clear his throat at Holly in warning. She looked back at her teacher and softened her grip on Haldir's tunic. "I had forgotten how you were, Haldir. You walked in here and were so polite in front of Andarion, I forgot that the Marchwarden Haldir is only a facade that hides your true, self-important nature."

Sensing the jest in her words, Haldir laughed at her comment. He had to admit, she saw right through him. While he did bristle at being called self-important, he somehow did not entirely mind her teasing. Nestarion, however, obviously did not feel the same, and Haldir saw him walk over to the bench. Haldir felt Holly stiffen beside him and whispered, "My apologies, I seem to have gotten you in trouble."

Holly bit her lip. "Yes, well, you have a way of bringing out the worst in me."

"Holly, you are to be polite and professional with all of your patients. Do you understand me? I do not care if you and the Marchwarden are friends. In my healing talan, he is a patient." Nestarion commented in Sindarin, not unkindly, but firmly. Holly bowed her head in apology,

"Yes, Nestarion. I apologize."

Nestarion nodded at her, and walked away. Before he turned his head, Haldir could swear he saw a smirk across the healer's otherwise serious features.

Holly's face grew hot at the dressing-down that Nestarion had given her in front of Haldir. Not because he had reprimanded her, because she had deserved that. It probably was not appropriate to tease and insult the Marchwarden of the Galadhrim just as returned from duty. No, she flushed because Nestarion had called them friends. Is that what they were? Of course, Galadriel had put her introduction to Lothlórien in Haldir's hands, but did that make them friends? Holly usually enjoyed his company, but he was often infuriating and irksome, in addition to being clever and flirtatious. She supposed that friendships were built on wobblier ground before, however, and recovered from her embarrassment. She continued to inspect Haldir, helping him pull his dirt-encrusted tunic off his body. As usual, he wore a light under-tunic of linen. This piece of clothing she was more able to move aside to better inspect his chest and arms.

She ran her flat palms over the expanse of his chest, checking for swelling and pressing lightly, looking for any tenderness. She felt nothing but warm, soft skin over taught muscles. Holly swallowed unconsciously as she continued to feel his back and shoulders, gradually moving down to his arms. Unexpectedly, her heart-rate increased as she ran her hand over his bicep and felt the thin, raised line of the wound she had dressed several weeks before. She remembered the moment, leaning over his chest, commanding him to sit. As though through no volition of her own, she allowed her eyes to flicker upward and meet his, and spoke, "Does it still hurt? Does it give you trouble?"

He angled his head upward, meeting her gaze. His face was no more than a few inches from hers, she could feel his warm breath on her cheek as he answered, "No, you did a fine job. Nestarion himself said so."

Suddenly very aware of their proximity, she stood up straight and smoothed the wrinkles in her skirt, "Excellent," she replied brusquely, "Well, Haldir, it seems you are well. You may go."

Haldir stood from the bench and picked up his dirty, folded tunic. He grabbed his pack, which h had earlier laid down on the floor beside the bench, and adjusted his under-tunic. He had no desire to put the filthy article of clothing back on, "Very well, thank you, Holly." he paused for a moment, as though thinking of something else to say, but ended with, "Have a good day."

And then he was gone, and Holly moved on to her next patient with an abrupt, "Next!" in Sindarin. The next warden at the door walked in and sat down on the same bench Haldir had recently vacated. She watched Haldir's back and he walked away.

With Nestarion's permission, Holly left the healing talan early that night and returned to her own home. She felt exhilarated from a day of hard work. Nestarion had warned her that the days when the patrols returned from the borders would be busy. With the rotation Haldir currently adopted, the pressure was lessened, but it was still very busy. On the one hand, she was exhausted. On the other, she felt a sense of pride from having healed the minor wounds and scrapes of Lothlórien's wardens. She understood that it was by their hand that Lothlórien's outer borders were kept safe. Galadriel's power protected the forest and the warden's protected its borders. It made her proud to treat their ailments. Of course, Nestarion never let her deal with anything more serious that a quick stitch and the application of salves, but in her first week he would not even left her speak to anyone, so progress had, indeed, been made.

It felt good to work with her hands, it felt good to contribute. She felt like a cog in the well-oiled machine that was Caras Galadhon. A small, barely noticeable one, but she was there. Her blue dress was covered in smears of poultice and specks of blood, but she did not mind. It was but proof of her accomplishments.

Holly couldn't help but wonder where this immense sense of pride had come from. She had been in Lothlórien a month, working with Nestarion for three weeks, and had rarely felt this way. She knew it had something to do with Haldir's return but would not admit it to herself. She could not explain why, but she wanted him to be proud of her, not to regret bringing her to Lothlórien. She did not think he did, but she wanted to be sure he never would. Holly had no small competitive streak, even going so far as to compete with herself. It was for this reason that nearly every waking hour that had not been spent with Nestarion in the past few weeks were spent in Lord Celeborn's library, studying Elvish texts. She had practiced her Sindarin constantly, asking Eruana to only ever speak to her in Sindarin. Indeed, her friend had gotten irritated with her, exclaiming that she, too, wanted to learn Common and it was not fair that Holly be allowed to practice her Sindarin while Eruana could not practice her Common. It was decided then, that Holly would speak to Eruana in Sindarin, and Eruana would speak to Holly in Common. Orophin, ever the scholar of the group, was impressed with both of their progress, and lamented that he never seemed as apt to teach with wife Common as Holly was.

Holly had inwardly beamed when Haldir had complimented her Sindarin. It was such a beautiful, melodic language, and Holly strove to do it justice. She felt pride when he had commented on how well she was doing. Nestarion had always said Haldir was hard to impress.

When Holly reached her talan, she saw a familiar face waiting on the terrace. Eruana stood there, waiting for her eagerly.

"There you are! I wait for you so long!" Eruana exclaimed in Common, bounding down the stairs at her. Holly stopped abruptly and giggled,

"What has you so excited?" she asked in halting Sindarin, "Forgive me, I took long way, Lothlórien very peaceful."

Eruana smiled and answered her in Sindarin, "There is nothing to forgive, Holly. I am simply excited."

"What for?" Holly asked in Common, guiding Eruana back up the stairs and into her talan. Eruana followed her in and shut the door behind her.

"Are you tired?" she asked her friend with a glint in her eye. Holly looked at her suspiciously. She had grown to like Eruana very much, as well as to know her very well, and she knew when her friend had a plan. Holly shrugged,

"Always, but I suppose I could stay awake a little while longer. Why?"

Eruana looked positively electric with excitement, "Well," she said, switching to her native tongue to better explain herself, "it is customary that when the wardens return from the borders that we have a small celebration. Nothing big, they are quite common and not everyone will attend. It is at a place called Elenalcar, a clearing in the forest. There will be music and dancing and wine."

Holly looked at her thoughtfully – she had not understood the whole of what Eruana explained, but caught the gist of it. She was inviting Holly to a party. She did have that new dress that they had picked up from Ethiriel. She had longed to wear the lavender gown, but with her new occupation, she was rarely able to wear anything but the blue robes of the healer in training, and the occasional pair of breeches. She was tired, but she figured she could make an appearance and then give her friends the old Irish goodbye and slip out unnoticed. "Very well, I will attend. Will you go with me?"

Eruana smiled happily, "Yes! Bring your dress and come to my talan, you can ready yourself with me and we will all go together."

"Can I bathe first?!" she exclaimed laughing, going to the closet for her dress and slippers. Eruana rolled her eyes at her,

"Of course. We will go together. Do not wet your hair." she said, pulling Holly back out of the door. Holly followed her out.

She looked very good, she had to admit. Eruana had fashioned her hair so that it laid flowing down her back and was not tied or pulled up. She had put small crystals in her hair, held it only by very fine pins. They made a crown around her head, glinting in the moonlight. The crystals were mirrored on the sleeves of her dress, whose soft, gauzy fabric floated away from her body as she moved. Holly had to admit that she looked every bit the graceful elleth she was becoming used to being. Her body felt natural to her now, she was getting accustomed to her heightened senses and fluid movements.

Eruana and Orophin made a striking pair. Eruana wore a flowing gown of gold and silver, and Orophin matched her, clad in a tunic of white and gold. Together, they emitted a light glow, pulsating softly. From her studies, Holly imagined that this is what the light of the Two Trees must have looked like – soft and glowing, like the love between her friends, like the light of Aman.

She was caught up in her fond gaze when Rúmil opened the door, beckoning them to hurry lest the miss the best wine. Holly followed her friends out of the talan, and they began walking toward Elenalcar. She had since been informed that it was so named for its placement – Elenalcar was Quenya for Star-Splendour, a reference to the clearing made by the mellyrn, allowing its visitors to better view the stars and the shining light of Eärendil.

"So what dance do elves do?" Holly asked in Sindarin as they walked. It was Rúmil who answered,

"Do not worry, you shall not want for partners, I am sure. I will show you!" he responded happily, putting an amiable arm around her shoulders. Holly laughed,

"I am not good dancer." she said with a shake of her head. Rúmil looked disbelieving,

"Not possible, all of the Eldar have the innate ability to move with grace and you are no different. Perhaps you were not a good dancer, but you shall be now."

"Very well...we will see." she responded in Common, shooting Eruana a look that said that she would not be dancing at all. Eruana returned a look that said the exact opposite.

As they began to approach the clearing, Holly could hear the upbeat music of lutes and harps, flutes and melodious voices. She saw the glimmering light of the green and silver lanterns that were scattered across the city at night. They were not needed, however, the light from the moon and stars was enough to illuminate the entire clearing, casting an ethereal, silver glow on their faces. There were many elves there, some dancing jovially, some sitting and conversing. All looked to be enjoying themselves, and the wine seemed to be flowing freely.

They entered the clearing and Rúmil immediately disappeared, reappearing what seemed like a split second later with four goblets, "Dorwinion wine," he supplied helpfully.

Holly took a large gulp and sat down on a nearby bench. Orophin pulled Eruana onto the dance floor, sloshing their wine about carelessly. Instead of giving him a look of reproach, Eruana took a big gulp and allowed herself to be swept away by her husband. Holly laughed at the pair as they whirled about the clearing.

For now, she was content to sit there and sip her wine, Rúmil had run off in search of Merilwen, no doubt. Holly was eager to meet this elleth but had not yet had the opportunity. She was deep in thought, admiring the way the elves danced and moved, enjoying her wine, when a long torso appeared in front of her. It bent slightly in a polite bow and she looked up to see Andarion there, smiling down at her,

"Would you like to dance, Lady Holly?" he asked, bowing his head. Holly felt a rush of panic. Rúmil had not yet shown her how to dance! She could not dance now, not without knowing the steps!

"Oh, thank you, Andarion. I am tired. I will sit." she responded with what she hoped was an apologetic look. Andarion took the rejection well,

"I understand, the return of the patrol must be exhausting. I wish you a good evening!" he said, bestowing a gleaming smile on her. Holly smiled back genuinely, but was pleased when he walked away to speak with another group of wardens.

Feeling happy that she had dodged that bullet, she returned to her wine. This stuff is strong, she thought with a raise of her eyebrows. It was delicious, dry and fruity, but burned its way down her throat. She wondered how much this would be affecting her if she was still mortal. Knowing her tolerance, she would probably be on the floor right now, or more likely, making a fool of herself on the dance floor. Get enough drinks in her and she would be sure to find herself showing off her moves. Holly thought about how amusing it would be if she started dancing 21st-century Earth-style in front of the elves. As she pictured herself grinding on some poor, unsuspecting elf, she nearly inhaled her wine and snorted. She attempted to cover it with a discreet cough, but it did not go unnoticed as she hoped.

Her eyes met, deep, dark grey ones. The eyes sparkled with unspoken laughter and a smirk was forming on those otherwise serious features. Holly groaned inwardly, of course he heard. Of course he did. Who else?

She avoided eye-contact, looking back to Eruana and Orophin on the dance floor, now sharing a slower song, clutching each other affectionately. Still, from the corner of her eye, she saw the figure approach her slowly,

"Are you enjoying the party?" he asked sardonically, giving her a look from beneath lowered lashes. Holly looked up at him,

"Why, yes, I am, Haldir. Are you?" she asked, slightly annoyed. Of course he came over here just to tease her. Every time she thought she was starting to like him, he went and did something like that, that just reaffirmed her irritation with him. He sat down beside her,

"Oh, yes, very much. I am usually obliged to attend these events, as Marchwarden. But I find tonight I am truly enjoying the festivities."

She was surprised by his casual tone, and her annoyance dissipated. Perhaps he only meant to tease her briefly then be perfectly pleasant. "Well, that's good, then. It would do you well to let loose every once in a while. Your position must be stressful."

He looked at her and the corners of his lips curled upward, "Yes, I do like to let loose, as you well know."

Urgh! Nevermind.

"Oh, enough, Haldir! You continue to hold that day in the springs over my head. I told you, that was nothing where I am from. You can't get to me so easily. I will not rise to your comments!" she exclaimed with frustration, well aware that he had very much gotten to her and he knew it. He smiled obligingly, as though patting her on the head with his words,

"Yes, yes, you are right. I know nothing of your world. But then, you know nothing of ours." he responded, pointing out the truth. "That was no great matter here either, I told you that we elves are not as prudish as mortals."

"Oh, I'm not falling for this again. Soon you'll have me believing that elves dance naked in the moonlight and I should relieve myself of my dress." she said with a derisive laugh. Haldir threw his head back in laughter.

"I would never make such a claim. But I would not protest if you wished to test that particular theory." he answered, taking her glass of wine from her and taking a big gulp. Holly frowned at him, realizing he had finished the wine. He set it down between them and turned to look at her again, "So, tell me, why would you not dance with Andarion? He seemed quite taken with you today."

Holly smiled, "Andarion is a very nice elf, but I don't enjoy dancing." Lies! Her mind screamed at her. Haldir seemed to be of a similar opinion,

"That can't be true. All elves have a love of dance."

"Well, I don't." she said, unconvincingly. She wasn't sure if it was the wine or his presence, but she found her resolve shaking. If he asked her to dance, and she doubted he would, in that exact moment she would not say 'no'. He was leaning closer to her, the music was loud and despite their elven hearing, they struggled to hear each other over the laughter and conversation of the many elves. She could see the moonlight glinting on his silver-blond hair. It looked soft. It was pulled back from his face in the customary warrior braids. He was wearing a grey and silver tunic, tight across his chest and arms, as though he'd been meaning to invest in a more accommodating one but spent too much time on patrol to do so. As he leaned back against the wall behind him, she saw his muscles flex and pull at the fabric. In that moment, he looked not unlike a panther, lethal and beautiful, reclining backward and stretching his legs languidly. Suddenly, he moved from this position and sat with his elbows on his knees, leaning in toward her,

"I think you do." he pulled her up by her arms and yanked her quite unceremoniously onto the dance floor. There was a cheer from the wardens as their captain led the new elleth into the clearing. Her reserve totally shattered, her face grew hot and she stared down at her feet as the musicians changed the tempo the song, switching to something faster. She looked up and met his challenging eyes. That was the only word that could describe them. She had said white, he had said black. She said she wouldn't dance, he said she would. And there she was, glowering at him on the dance floor. He flashed her a dazzling, but somewhat insincere smile, and they were off.

A/N: Heehee be prepared for a little drama next chapter. This is the longest chapter yet! You're welcome ;) Please review if you want more...reviews make me write faster. Tell me what you think!