Chapter Six

"I leave for a few days and come back to my friend getting married?" Aragorn shouted. He had gone on a regular hunting trip just to be out in the wilds where his soul called him. He was not really angry, just upset that he had missed all the fun except the actual ceremonies that would bind his friends forever.

Predictably, Haldir did not crack a smile, nor did he lose his composure. Legolas, on the other hand, was grinning from ear to ear. "Argh! Elves! Who can understand them!" As Aragorn turned to leave the room in frustration, Legolas started counting in his head. Surprisingly, he only got to three, instead of his usual five, before Estel turned around and returned to his friends to hug them tightly.

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Nilmandra and Belil were nervous about this outing. It was a small hunting excursion and was the most believable excuse the four of them could think of to get away from the prying eyes of Imladris. They needed some time to themselves.

"So, you are off then?" Estel looked at all four, serious expression, twinkle in his eye. Legolas inwardly groaned. He knew what was coming. "Sure you don't want a Ranger to come along for protection?" Aragorn had been teasing them mercilessly since the trip had been announced. He knew full well the "real" reason behind the hunting trip, as did his adoptive father. But if it made them feel better about leaving, all those who suspected would play along.

"Aragorn" Legolas glared a warning at the Ranger. "We need not your protection. We will be gone no more than two days at most." Legolas looked up at the skies, and then bid his companions to mount up.

Aragorn chuckled and patted his friend's knee. "Be safe, nin mellon. There are still dangers out there." None knew how true that simple statement really was.

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The four of them rested quietly by a stream their first evening out. Nilmandra lay partially propped up on a tree, with Legolas sprawled on his back, head in her lap. Nilmandra glanced over at her spirit sister and sighed.

"What's wrong malamin?" (my love) Legolas asked, concerned. He did not wish to see his beloved bride to be unhappy, not even for a moment.

Nilmandra smiled down at Legolas, shocked anew at her good fortune, and eased his worry. "She is so happy. I have not had the pleasure of seeing her this way for over a thousand years." Legolas sat up with fluid, graceful movements typical of elf kind.

Brushing hair from his beloved's face, he asked "Are you happy nin ninniach? (my rainbow)

"Am n mella lle!" (I love you) Nilmandra exclaimed. "How could I not be happy?" Together they looked over at the laughing couple sitting a fair distance away.

"I have never seen Haldir this carefree..ever" Legolas spoke softly.

Nilmandra reached out and touched his cheek, overflowing with her own joy. She was rewarded for her affection with a smile and a gentle kiss.

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Suddenly Belil became serious as she looked deep into Haldir's stormy grey eyes, and he became just as serious.

"You make my heart sing, nin Maranwe." (my destiny) He said, so quietly Belil's sharp elven ears barely discerned them.

"And mine also, nin dina ohtar" (my silent warrior) Belil replied just as softly, and placed a kiss upon his lips.

"Why me?" Haldir suddenly asked the question that had been plaguing him since the afternoon in the garden. He looked down into his lap, embarrassed that he had shown feelings of inadequacy.

Belil thought for a moment, and then forced Haldir to look into her eyes. He sucked in his breath. He could never tire of looking into eyes the color of Earendil, but this time it was not the color that took his breath away. The force of emotion in her eyes is what gave him pause.

"You were a mirror of my soul." Belil explained. "For a very long time, I could feel nothing for no one." Belil looked over at the stream. "I was only saved by Nilmandra's friendship." She smiled at memories locked into her mind. "Well, then I saw you and I saw my etholas plant. You've healed me." She smiled as Haldir chuckled.

"And you, I." Haldir whispered as he pulled Belil into his strong warriors embrace.

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Ok, now the mushy stuff is going to stop. The poo hits the fan so to speak in this next chapter. Keep reading and find out. (