[I've been reading a lot of Terry Pratchett at the moment, and I'm beginning to imitate his writing style. You may spot a few similarities. Is it me, or are my chapters getting longer and longer?]

18: Confused

He went.

He had no idea where to go, or what to say, but he shared Marien's idea that he had to tell her, face-to-face, that he did love her.

Therefore it was unnervingly convenient for him to find her standing, alone, on one to the southerly balconies.

"UM." He said to get her attention. She turned around at his voice, and her face broke into a smile when she saw whom it was.

"Haldir. How nice to see you." She said, somewhat reserved.

"Yeah-I . . ." he said, and then broke off.

He thought for a moment. Or two. And then one more. And when many moments had passed, he finally thought of what to say. And it was very stupid, and went along the lines of:

"Nariel, I love you."

He half expected her to burst out laughing, but she didn't. There was a faint smile on her face, mingled with surprise and joy.

"Well . . ." she started.

"Yes?!"

"I've just been introduced to Elladan." She said. Haldir felt as if he'd had his heart torn out, even though she hadn't even said anything heart- breaking yet. She was going to refuse him. His chest felt vaguely empty and his breathing became laboured. He knew it. First her sister, now her. He didn't accept her when he had the chance. When she GAVE him the chance. She gave him a chance, and now he had changed his mind, it was too late.

"But, I was going to propose to you! I have a diamond ring! I repeat, a diamond ring!"

"Haldir, HALDIR! Haven't you ever thought it was strange, this weird triangle of affection?"

"No."

"I mean," She continued patiently, "You liked my sister, who liked someone else, and not you; and when she turned you down, I found that I liked you, but then you said you didn't like me, so I gave up, and now you say you DO like me, I find myself attracted to Elladan, who DOES like me."

Haldir scratched his head, his brow knotted.

"I MEAN," she said, a little flustered now "It's all got to end somewhere, you know what I mean? We can't just keep on going like this. We're going in circles. It has to stop spinning. This is turning into something resembling a twisted love triangle. Do have any idea how much I hate that?"

"Which is why I'm ending it now. Will you marry me?" he held up the ring.

"HALDIR!" she almost screamed, "did nothing sink in for you?! I like you, I really do. I may even love you, but I don't know you. I only know your affections, of which I am the object. Which is WHY I CAN'T ACCEPT! I cannot be with you now. I won't let myself."

"I don't understand."

"I know you love me, but how do I know you love me?"

"Er . . ." he was confused. He'd never imagined it to be so hard.

"I don't know you that well." she continued, not realising that he was sinking slowly into a pit of despair, "we've had too many feuds. You say you love me, but do you truly? Do you even really know yourself? You may still love Marien, you only THINK you love me. Do you understand your heart? Do you KNOW?"

"Well then," he said after a while, "we must take a chance, at least, either that or just get to know each other better."

"NO. I am not going to take that chance. You should know me well enough to know that I don't work that way. I'm sorry but I will have to deny you. Even though, just say, for now, that I love you."

There was a pause. Haldir felt his eyes prickling slightly. Was she denying him? This couldn't be happening. No, she wasn't denying him. It shouldn't work like this. She was supposed to say 'yes', straight and clear. Why was this so hard? It was so confusing. She'd said she loved him, but she wouldn't accept him? Why was it so difficult for her? Did she not realise how perplexing this was for him?

It was unfair.

"Do you feel the same for Elladan?" he said bitterly.

"Haldir, I-"

"No. It's hard for me too, you know? I can't compete with him. I don't have a position in the hierarchy in Rivendell. I'm-I'm, I'm a drifter, hiding from my problems. And when I confront them, it all goes wrong."

He sighed wearily.

"I can't prove anything to you." He said, "I can't go on a quest for you. I can't claim you a kingdom. You won't be a Queen by my side, or even a Lady. I can't give you money; I have no wealth. This ring isn't even legitimately mine. I just want things to work out. I want you to be happy with me. There aren't any uruks left, but if there were, I would slaughter them in there thousands for you. If one of them tried to hurt you, I swear, I would die before I let them harm you. Simply because I love you, I am willing to love you and commit myself to you."

Her face melted, and Haldir thought he had finally won her over.

"Don't give me the ring Haldir." She said, "I don't need tokens."

She paused.

"You'll suffice brilliantly enough." She said finally, meaning, when translated into non-Nariel speech, meaning 'I love you too, darling'.

"I love you, you know."

"I know. I love you too."

The two of them had officially drifted into their own little bubble world with singing harps and twittering birds. They kissed. Little pink love hearts blossomed around their faces and floated off.

No one asked to pass the sick bucket.

He pulled her over in a tight embrace, noticing how she smelt of flowers like her sister, only more like lilies, and summer blossoms.

"You're like the Dawn."

"I'm sorry?"

"You know when I 'died'? I really did die, in a way, but then I saw the Dawn. It was so beautiful. I loved the Dawn from that moment onward. It gave me something to live for. It reminded me I wasn't dead, so I should make the most of it. You make me feel like that. You're like the Dawn."

"You've already said all this before, when you were in the trance. But I don't mind hearing it again. You're very sweet. And I love you. And I don't mean that lightly."

"But what about Elladan?" he asked warily.

She shrugged.

"I find him annoying and abhorrent. There, are you satisfied?"

"And what about me?"

"The same," she said laughing, "only on a tolerable level."

"Does that mean Yes then?"

She smiled slyly.

"Not quite. It means that we do have a bond now, which cannot be broken, but I don't quite think I'm ready yet. We have to get to know each other first. That's very important. And we must remain chaste." She said, blushing slightly.

"Alright then; what's you favourite colour?"

She laughed dryly.

"Sky blue."

"And what about you favourite food?"

"Blackberries. There are nice ones that grow near my father's house."

"Speaking of which, shouldn't we tell him?"

Her smile vanished in a second.

***

Of course Erestor objected when Nariel told her about her engagement. He called Haldir (who was thankfully not present) many awful names, naming his mother a piece of goblin's digested excrement (which Nariel protested to immediately), and advised his daughter to break it off immediately. He asked her 'why couldn't she find a Nice Member of Society, like her sister, who found a prince, a PRINCE!'.

Then there was a hefty quarrel between father and daughter, both of which refused to compromise. Nariel, point blank refused to give up on Haldir and marry Elladan, like her father advised her to.

A lot of fragile objects became smashed within that room, mainly aimed at Erestor (who couldn't even reach her to give her a commanding slap). He ducked behind a couch, vainly wishing the girl's mother were here. She could always handle their daughters' mood swings. He couldn't even get them to kneel so he could cane them. He truly felt sorry for his future sons-in- law, which he reminded himself, if there were any.

That was when Marien entered the room where they had gathered and told her father that she had given up on the Prince of Mirkwood, and didn't care if he didn't like her, because she was going to find someone to would love her back and treat her right, because she deserved it. The whole wedding and any related plans were to be cancelled because she was going to take a hiking holiday to Lindon. And finishing a long speech, she exited the room. Then Erestor gave up completely, saying 'fine marry the Lorien elf', but only when he got a post of sufficiency. Then he collapsed onto the couch.

And thus Haldir and Nariel had a somewhat Happy Ever After future entitled to their name and any heirs and descendants forthwith-etc. etc. lest anything/one of opposition should challenge that right.

But Erestor wasn't about to let a once-possible son in law get away. Legolas was about to face the wrath of the Chief Counsellor of Imladris.

***

"I can't believe we're leaving again."

"We've tarried long enough."

"I miss Rivendell."

Aragorn remained silent all the way from Helm's Deep. Few noticed his change of mood; most were too busy chatting among themselves. Haldir and Nariel were now officially Together.

Frankly, nobody even cared, except maybe Marien, Erestor and Glindir, and maybe Lamalas, who had been avoiding Haldir for some time now over the hypnotism thing.

But Haldir didn't care. He felt on top of the world. He loved Nariel, and it wasn't a simple crush. They would be married, yes, married. He shivered at the prospect, not because he feared it, but because he feared what would happen after. He certainly felt smug when he saw the look on Elladan's face when he knew about Nariel's love.

The day was beautifully clear, and the sky was a sparkling blue. He felt a hint of remorse of leaving Helm's Deep. He had said many prayers for his brothers, and promised himself inwardly he would visit their graves, which Celeborn told him, were buried in Lorien, outside Caras Galadhon. It felt ironic, that though he was the only one pessimistic enough to write a will before the actual battle, he had not perished (though the contents of the will had done sufficient damage.). Helm's Deep was not a bad place, but now it was time to leave.

The convoy (much reduced since Minas Tirith) travelled north slowly, led by Aragorn and the sons of Elrond. Haldir rode near the back with Nariel on her white pony (called Niphredil), sometimes hand in hand. They travelled at the back so no one (they knew well) would see them. Erestor was in a bad mood, which was no surprise, and Haldir was relieved to discover he was more out to get the prince of greenwood than himself.

As they neared Isengard, Haldir had a great shock.

Trees. Walking, talking trees.

"The Onodrim," Glindir said to him, " I knew I saw one before. But NO-O you wouldn't believe me, would you. Well now you see."

He did see. He hardly heard the discussion between Mithrandir and the Ents about Saruman. He was too busy with the concept.

Never, never in his long life span, had he ever witnessed such beings. Of course he had heard about them. What elf hadn't? But seeing them for the first time like this . . . it was amazing.

He was stunned by the Orthanc tower. It was huge. To think the former occupant had caused him so much pain and death was unbelievable. Though scars in the land were evidence of his malice, the greenery planted by the Ents was magnificent. It was almost comparable to his own home, which, as he reminded himself, was Lothlorien. Not Rivendell. He didn't fit in Rivendell. He only felt at home in Lorien.

Maybe he should return there. He would take Nariel as well. He could build them a new talan. He could lead a normal life there; at least until it was time to leave.

Possibilities flashed before his eyes, as he considered his future.

They didn't stay long at Isengard. Gandalf talked to the head Ent, whom Haldir learnt was called Treebeard. Treebeard bowed a lot to Galadriel and Celeborn, but talked mostly with the (now White) wizard. It became apparent that Saruman was gone. He had escaped. Their wannabe Arch-evil-villain had escaped. But it didn't matter. Not when everything was working out so well for him. Haldir didn't give a damn.

The three of them, Haldir, Nariel and Glindir had a picnic of sorts at the base of the tower, where there was shade from the hot sun, and later Marien joined them. They chatted freely, and watched intently as Erestor planned to use this rest stop to find Legolas and confront him about everything. He would pace back and forth, his eyes searching for the boyish face of the spoilt prince, but his hunt was cut short.

They went a little further north from Isengard, and then Aragorn proclaimed his leave. He was turning back now, and they would be on their own.

"Here ends the fellowship of the Ring." The King of Gondor said when it was time to go.

It was time for Aragorn and his knights to leave them and head south once more. Everyone dismounted their horses in respect for the ritual.

The parting was formal and awkward, and neither Aragorn nor Elrond said much. Galadriel embraced Aragorn warmly, and whispered some words in his ear, and Celeborn shook his hand in a manly way.

Elrond took him aside.

"Farewell Estel." Was all he said. He and Aragorn embraced.

"You have always been like a father to me." Aragorn said, "I thank you, but I can never pay the debt that I owe you. I can only recompense you in gratitude."

"He knows how to use words." Haldir said aside to Nariel, only to realise she was weeping again once more.

"Partings make me so sad." She sobbed quietly to him.

Aragorn embraced the remaining fellowship in turn, taking longer with the Ringbearer as they exchanged a few last words. The young halfling looked as if he had tears in his eyes.

When Aragorn approached Legolas, it took Haldir a little time to realise that the grating sound he had been hearing was coming from Erestor's apparently agitated teeth. Aragorn and he shook hands and said some words, and he did the same with Gimli. Erestor had to clench his fists restrain himself and his anger, lest he pounce on the whiny little pig.

Another quick handshake between the him and Elrond, and Aragorn mounted his steed once more, giving bows of respect to all the elves. He gave a speedy wink to Haldir, before shouting some commands, and the horse sped and galloped away south into the horizon.

"Come Gimli." Said Legolas quickly to pre-occupied dwarf, while everyone was watching Aragorn go.

Haldir watched curiously as the duo sped quietly into Fangorn. Erestor had not even noticed. He couldn't be bothered to alert him. But as he ran past, Legolas pushed something into his hand: a roll of crumpled parchment.

He opened it curiously.

It read:

"Sorry for everything. You are lying petty rogue. If I ever see you again, I will hurt you.

May Many Curses Beleaguer Your Future Life and Withhold Your Happiness.

Namar'

Laegolas Thranduillion."

Legolas was gone when he'd finished the note. He took Nariel and led her away to the horses quickly.

He had spotted Erestor fuming on the spot. He swore he could SEE smoke slowly billowing out of his ears as he realised that Legolas had gone.

Frankly, no one else cared.