Disclaimers: All characters are J.R.R. Tolkien's, well; I'm playing with their feelings a bit :) I'm not writing to make any profit but for writing's sake, and because I love the world of Middle-Earth.

Translation of Elvish: Meleth nín - my love. Nín anoriel - my sun-maiden. Amin mela le - I love you.

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An Unexpected Love

Chapter 22 - Dawn of a New Age

The sun had hardly risen when the two lovers were woken by a soft knock at the door. They were waking to a new day, and a new Age of the world. Haldir leaned down and placed a tender kiss on Éowyn's forehead. Then he raised himself and quickly dressed.

Before he opened the door, he turned around and saw his beloved standing by the window, the sunlight bathing her form. She was now wearing a white gown that would be befitting a queen of men. Her eyes locked with his, and she nodded to him, preparing herself for the bad news that was evidently waiting for them. With a deep sigh she turned around, looking at the city that stretched out before her. She had readied herself for the worst, but not for the things she now beheld.

In the meantime Haldir had opened the door and stood face to face with a grinning Rúmil and a rather stern looking Orophin. At first Haldir thought that his youngest brother had finally lost his mind completely. Orophin's expression at least supported that idea. But then he heard Éowyn cry out behind him. "It cannot be! Meleth nín. The people, they are celebrating..." Her voice trailed off as she almost fainted and fell to the floor. Haldir rushed to her side and catched her just in time. Gently he raised her to her feet again, supporting her with an arm around her slender waist.

Rúmil's voice broke the silence, "Yes, sister dear. They are. For our Enemy has perished." He had called Éowyn thus from their first meeting onwards. "Look to the East, His Darkness is fading away." And so it was. Holding on to Haldir, Éowyn turned her head towards the window again. The dark that had been ever present over Mordor was slowly giving way to ... she could hardly believe her eyes ... to the blue sky above.

"This is a reason for joy and merriment, do you not agree, brother," he added with a sideward glance at Orophin. In place of a reply Orophin just glared at his youngest sibling, and ground his teeth. Rúmil shrugged and continued to beam at Haldir and Éowyn, telling them what exactly had happened. He mentioned the messenger, and with a genuine smile added, "I was with the Steward then. He is glad indeed that the King has returned and ordered the celebration you can see down there." Moving towards the two he pointed past them, out of the window.

Éowyn was stunned. They lived; they were safe... She clung to Haldir, tears of joy welling from her eyes. "Meleth nín, it is no dream ... nín anoriel," Haldir stroked her hair as he pressed her closer to him. He turned to Rúmil, inquiring after the Captains of the West. "They live, all of them. As do our friends, and Frodo and Sam are safe as well. They say that it was this creature, Gollum, that destroyed the One." Éowyn whispered against Haldir's shoulder, "Éomer?" Rúmil nodded, "He lives dearest Éowyn. He shall return to you."

Brushing her tears aside she eased her hold of Haldir, smiling warmly at Rúmil. "Thank you." Now she tried to catch the eye of Orophin, who still stool by the door. What she saw in those deep, blue eyes surprised her. No joy was to be found in them, but anger. "Orophin, what is the matter? What happened to you?" she questioned, hoping he wouldn't think her bold for asking.

Orophin glared again at Rúmil and then replied, "My dearest brother has started playing his usual games again. But this time he had to choose someone for a victim who does not know him and his ways." He almost spat those last words. Éowyn didn't understand his meaning, but Haldir apparently did because he asked in a low, almost dangerous tone, "Who? Not Lord Faramir? Rúmil, he is a Lord of Men. And you are just..."

"Just what?" Rúmil interrupted, now equally enraged. "Just some simple guardian, I know, you two keep telling me. I know you disapprove of the way I lead my life. You think that I am unable to have serious feelings for anyone but my own family..." he turned to Orophin as he continued, "If I remember correctly, it is not so long ago that you said the same about Haldir." And returning his gaze to Haldir, he finished, "Not everyone can be as perfect as you."

Finally Orophin's voice could be heard, but Éowyn would have preferred him to remain silent. "Are you trying to tell us that you have feelings for the Steward? That he is not just another name on your list of conquests?" Glaring at his brother, Rúmil snapped, "What is it to you? The feelings I might have for Faramir are none of your concern. Besides, nothing happed except for the thing you saw down in the garden yesterday." Éowyn was sure that she had seen a sparkle in Rúmil's eyes as he said those words.

Memories of her own childhood came over her. Rúmil reminded her of herself, having yet another row with Theódred and Éomer, their parts now filled by Haldir and Orophin. She couldn't help but start laughing. The three brethren were bewildered by her reaction and asked as one, "What?" Causing her to laugh even harder than before.

She had to fight down her chuckles until at last she managed, "There goes the fabled grace of the Elves. You remind me of my own family..." All three started to smile and Rúmil stated solemnly, "Well, you are a member of our family now. So you better get used to it." Éowyn sighed and looked at her lover, "I guess there is no way of me to get out of it anymore?" Haldir replied teasingly, "No, as I will not let you..." He drew her to him again, kissing her softly.

Orophin bowed to Éowyn, a smile still playing around his lips, "And it seems my Lady, that we are in need of you. You stopped us from killing each other just now." He took her hand in his, kissing it. Haldir held out his hand to Rúmil. "You are both right, she is part of our family now. And indeed we needed her..."

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The two brothers had left them again after promising not to have another row. Éowyn still smiled as she said, "Elves are no divine beings after all. You are just as human as we are." She leaned back against Haldir who once again stood behind her, his arms wrapped about her waist. With a chuckle he replied, "We, human? Do not forget that we are the First-Born, we are immortal, and we are indeed divine." She turned her head to face him. "Is this infectious, this arrogance of yours?" In mock-anger he answered, "I think I will have to teach you a lesson in manners, my dear Lady. No one ever dared to speak thus to me."

She moved in his embrace until she stood face to face with him. "Amin mela le, Haldir. I'm so glad that we shall be together, without the shadow of Mordor hanging over us. This is the beginning of a new Age, an Age of..." The truth hit her, making her gasp and look at him in terror. He just nodded, "An Age of Men, yes. This Age will see the passing of the Elves, all of them. All of us." He saw the fear in her eyes and continued, "But I shall not forsake you, never. My time has not yet come. I can feel the call of the West, but I will not yield it, not for some time to come."

"Beloved, this is indeed a day of joy and merriment. The two men who are closest to my heart are alive; they will not leave me. Let us join the celebrations, meleth nín. Let us forget the darkness and welcome the light. The dawn of this new Age..." After kissing him again softly, she took his hand and dragged him from the room, joining Meriadoc and Faramir on the way to the Pelennor Fields, where the people of Gondor were assembling.

A/N: This is NOT the final chapter :) And anyway, there's a second instalment coming up ... read more about it on my forum...