~~Author's note: Quick note. I had originally posted this story on the 4th but did not know how to make it look like a wanted. Then I figured it out and reposted it. I just want to thank everyone who's reviewed and the one person who reviewed the original post (can't remember her name for the life of me). I think I'm going to post some of my poetry, so please read it and review it. Next chapter will be up soon I hope~~

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Eowiodth and my cat.

~~Chapter 2~~

Exhausted Breakdown

*Later that night*

It had long since been dark when Haldir drug himself into his bedroom while removing his weapons, cape, and belt, leaving only his tunic and leggings. He collapsed face first onto his bed and groaned. Every bone and muscle in his body ached and his head pounded. He had spent the day hunting down a small herd of orcs and had only found them within the last few hours of sunlight and after a long battle had finally slayed and burned the orcs with minor injuries to his sentries.

"Long day?"

Haldir opened one eye and focused blurrily on his sister who was leaning against his doorway. He managed a small smile and nodded. Wincing, he lifted one arm and reached for her to join him. Eowiodth walked gracefully to sit on Haldir's bed and began to gently massage his back, trying to loosen his tense muscles. He moaned as he felt the tension slowly began to ebb away.

"We hunted all day and finally found the orcs near dusk. It took us longer then we expected to dispose of them, but we finally did with little injury to our own," he whispered, to tired to speak very loudly. "All day riding, then fighting with orcs. I think I'm out of shape."

Eowiodth rolled her sapphire eyes. "Haldir, you're not out of shape. You are just tired because you don't sleep at night and you work yourself way to hard." She paused and met his glare head on. They had had this conversation many times before. "Haldir, you haven't taken a day off since we came here. I am sure Ada and Amme would allow you to take a few days to rest."

"Eowiodth, I can't, you know that. I am Captain of the guardians. I have to make sure you, Ada, and Amme are safe at all times." He got up and leaned against the window, gazing out at the black night. "I cannot make the same mistake again."

He spoke in barely a whisper but Eowiodth caught that last line loud and clear. He still blames himself she thought. After all this time, he still blames himself. She couldn't believe it. She herself only had scattered memories of that time, and Rumil and Orophin had long since put it behind them with the help of Galadriel and Celeborn. They had thought Haldir had but he still dwelt on it everyday. He rarely spoke of his problems to anybody, even her, and she knew he often took on the problems of his younger siblings. No wonder he works himself to the point of exhaustion. She moved to stand behind him and gently put a hand on his back. He gazed silently out of the window.

"Haldir, it was not your fault." She paused and he said nothing. "Haldir please talk to me. Too long have you kept this within yourself."

He turned and looked her in the eyes and for the first time in her life, Eowiodth saw her brother crying. Tears made their way down his cheeks from his hazel eyes and stained his pale cheeks.

"Oh Haldir," she whispered and pulled him close. His body shook from the force of 2000 years of grief and they slid to the ground. Speaking soothingly, Eowiodth held her brother close, rocking him.

* * *

Haldir lay in his bed an hour later, thinking about everything. Eowiodth slept beside him, one hand tightly holding his. She had held him until he had cried himself out. They had then gone to bed, but while his sister slept, he found he could not. He was exhausted, yes but his mind was too full of thoughts. Thoughts of his brothers, Eowiodth, and their parents. Mainly though, his thoughts were of that night. He saw the orcs, smelt the blood, saw his parents' bodies, saw his sister's eyes, and felt his own despair. He should have been there. He should have been able to protect his family. Instead, he had to play the big hero and hunt down the orcs. He had paid dearly for that mistake. Tears pricked his eyes again and sighed deeply.

Haldir looked at his sleeping sister. Her only memories of that night were the nightmares that sometimes disturbed her rest. Rumil and Orophin remembered everything, but had mourned; both breaking down and as a consequence began to heal. He had refused, instead throwing himself to his work, begging the Lord and Lady to give him a job. He had worked everyday since has a guardian, eventually being named Captain. Yet he did not mourn. Instead he pushed his body past his limits and let no one in, except his family.

Suddenly, he felt very old and found he could not go on. He needed rest to confront his feelings over his parents' death. He needed time to let go. An idea quickly made it's way through the jumble that was his mind and Haldir finally saw everything clear. Slowly he fell asleep knowing what he must do.

TBC…