Those You Love
Things Will Be Different
By Celebrian
"You want me to wear this?" Lutheriel asked, holding up the beautiful white silk dress with shaky hands. Lutheriel looked over at Lady Galadriel who sat on the bench with a smile across her face. "You want me to wear your wedding dress?"
Galadriel nodded. "Not only my wedding dress but also my daughter Celebrian's dress as well." She smiled.
Lutheriel widened her eyes and shook her head putting down the beautiful dress. "I couldn't...I won't...."
"You will. I insist." Galadriel said as she rose out of her seat and walked over to Lutheriel. "A princess deserves a fine dress like this."
"But..." Lutheriel stopped as she tried to think of the words she wanted to say. "I wouldn't feel right. I'm flattered that you wore this dress and that your daughter wore this dress when she married Lord Elrond." She took another glance at it and then looked back to the Lady of the Light. "Shouldn't you save this for Arwen?"
Galadriel smiled. "Arwen isn't getting married tomorrow...you are. After all it's just a dress, and nothing more." She picked it up and handed it to Lutheriel. "Go try it on."
**********
"My Lord?" Haldir asked as he took the crown of gold and silver, studying it carefully. Haldir looked back up at Lord Celeborn. "Thank you but I couldn't accept this gift."
"Haldir, you are my March Warden and a trusted friend. I insist you wear this for your wedding tomorrow." Lord Celeborn said as he sat down in his chair.
"Lord, this was your crown that you wore when you were married to Lady Galadriel, was it not?" Haldir asked as he carefully put the crown onto the table.
"Indeed it was." Celeborn nodded. "And since I have no son to pass it to, I would like you to wear it." He added picking up the crown and handing it back to Haldir.
Haldir looked at the crown again and shook his head in agreement. "If it is your wish, then I will not deny it."
**********
"You look a morning star..." Galadriel marveled as Lutheriel stepped out of the dressing room.
"It's a little tight around the waist..." Lutheriel blushed. "I certainly do not have your figure..."
Galadriel smiled. "I'll have that fixed for you. Other than that, how do you like it?"
Lutheriel grinned. "It's lovely, My Lady. I am honored to wear it." She said as she looked into the mirror and admired the pearls and gemstones that embellished the dress. She never had really ever felt like a princess all her life but now putting this dress on made her feel like one. "I wonder how Haldir will like it?" She asked aloud without really thinking.
The Lady chuckled. "I am sure he will fall head over heels." Galadriel walked over to Lutheriel and fixed the back of the dress. "I am so glad that Haldir found someone. I have always worried about him ever since his mother and father died. He was so strong and brave as he took care of his two younger brothers until they were old enough to live on their own."
Lutheriel nodded her head solemnly. "He told me what had happened. It is very sad..." She said quietly as she let her voice trail off, looking out of the window.
"Yes. I remember that day as if it just was yesterday." Galadriel shook away the thoughts from her head. "Let us not dwell on the past; let's look to your future...."
**********
"I'm very happy for you Haldir. Happy that you have found true love at last." Lord Celeborn said as he walked across the room and gazed down to his wife's garden. "Lutheriel is a lovely young lady..."
Haldir knew that Lord Celeborn was trying to get him to talk about his feelings but truthfully Haldir still felt very uncomfortable in doing that. "Yes." Was all he could say. "Is he almost done here?" Haldir thought impatiently.
Celeborn turned around. "I know your wanting to go but I'm not done yet, so please sit." He said to his March Warden as he pulled out a chair and patted the seat. "We first have a few things to talk about."
Haldir raised his eyebrows slightly and walked slowly over to the chair. A million things were going through his mind right now and none of them were good. He sat down in the chair and folded his arms. "Okay, My Lord let us talk." He said with a slight grin, hoping it would mask the agitation in his voice.
Celeborn was no fool; he had picked up the irritation in Haldir's voice but decided to ignore it for now. He took a seat across from Haldir and crossed his arms. For a moment he studied the blue eyes of his March Warden and then he began to speak. "Take care of her."
"Excuse me?" Haldir asked with furrowed eyebrows. Had he missed something? Of course he was going to take care of Lutheriel. "What kind of advice is that?" He thought.
"Take care of her like you protect Lorien. Cherish her love and give her respect." The Lord of Lorien said sternly. "This is a quick marriage Haldir. I do hope you know what you have gotten yourself into."
Haldir was a little shocked by the Lord's words. For some reason he had expected them to be a bit friendlier sounding. "Of course, Lord Celeborn. I intend to love, honor, and cherish her for all of my life." He cleared his throat. This next bit made him a little uneasy to talk about, but he would do his best. "And though I am not totally clear on being married and all that is to come with it. I can promise you that I do love Lutheriel will all my being. I am willing to learn about being a good husband."
"Things will be different, Haldir." Celeborn smiled, shedding his sternness. "Sacrifices will have to be made and not everything that is planned will go as smoothly as you think it should."
Haldir nodded his head up and down slowly. He hadn't really thought about sacrifices, planning, and things going wrong. "I...understand..."
**********
"I often dreamed about my wedding day when I was younger." Lutheriel said as she took of the dress and began to change back into her clothes.
The Lady smiled as she looked over to the screen where the Princess was changing behind. "I think all maidens dream of that day. I know I had, so had my daughter..." She laughed.
"What is so funny, My Lady?" Lutheriel said with a hint of amusement in her voice.
"My daughter and Lord Elrond's wedding was a disaster." She laughed. "But in the end everything turned out beautiful."
Lutheriel thought about asking what had happened at Celebrian's wedding but she thought if Galadriel wanted to tell her what happened she would have. "I heard a wedding horror story about Haldir from his brothers the other day. I just hope that he won't ruin ours..."
"Even if he does, it will turn out for the better. You and Haldir are meant for each other. I knew it as soon as I saw you two at dinner that night." Galadriel said smiling when Lutheriel came out from behind the screen. "I can guarantee you that you and Haldir will have your quibbles and disagreements. Always remember though to love each other through everything."
Lutheriel smiled, sitting back down on the chair across from Galadriel. "Is that how you and Lord Celeborn stay so happy in love?"
Galadriel nodded. "It is. As long as we continue to never forget that we love each other everything is all right. Occasionally we do have an argument but we can never stay upset with each other for long."
"Thank you for all this advice. It's so nice to get some from a married lady." Lutheriel thanked Galadriel. "I do hope my brother can learn to accept Haldir. To be honest I'm not really sure why he is so upset with Haldir in the first place."
"It could be a number of things. He may feel like it was too soon, he might have a problem with Haldir's attitude-perhaps he can't see past it like you can." Galadriel smiled. "But for the most part I believe he thinks that his little baby sister is being taken away from him. All these years he has protected you from harm and now a new Elf is taking over his job. I'm sure he feels that he'll be alone now that you will be living far away from each other."
Galadriel's words struck a chord in Lutheriel's heart. That was the answer. "How could I have been so blind not to see it?" She thought. She looked back over at Galadriel. "How do I tell him that he isn't loosing his sister?"
"You really can't, my dear. Legolas has to come to this realization on his own."
**********
Celeborn smiled. "I didn't mean to scare you Haldir. Marriage is a wonderful thing. After your vows are said you will change immediately. Things that you didn't understand before will become clear when you look into your wife's eyes."
Haldir couldn't help but smile. Even though that he had wanted to leave along time ago, he was glad that he stayed and listened. The Lord's words had been enlightening and gave him as sense of peace. He was ready to be married.
The doors to the chamber were opened and one of Celeborn's servants walked in. He bowed his head to both lord and warden. "Excuse the interruption, Lord Celeborn. Prince Legolas is here to see you."
Haldir cringed. "Well I was ready to be married..." His sense of peace fled him and now a flood of dread and anger came over him. "If he says one thing to ruin my marriage to Lutheriel, I will not hold back..."
Celeborn nodded. "Send him in."
Legolas walked slowly into the chamber room and knelt before Lord Celeborn. "It is an honor to see you again, My Lord."
Celeborn nodded. "Likewise. Please sit and join us." He said pointing to a chair.
Legolas nodded and sat down. He couldn't help but notice that Haldir was staring him down. For a moment his anger rose. "How can this be the Elf my sister is marrying?" He thought angrily. He took a few calming breaths; he hadn't come here to fight with Haldir. He had come here to congratulate him. Legolas looked over to Celeborn out of the corner of his eyes only to catch the Lord giving him a slight nod of the head. Legolas cleared his throat. "Haldir...." He paused. This was really hard. "Haldir, I have come here to apologize to you..."
Haldir arched his eyebrow. "Apologize?"
"Yes. I have acted ill towards you and I have no right too. My sister loves you and you love her. I guess I just got a bit jealous..."
"Jealous?"
"Yes. For as long as I can remember, I have always protected and looked after my sister. I could tell that Lutheriel was attracted to you when we first arrived in Lorien.... I just had this feeling of dread that she was going to be taken away from me. Then I found out that you proposed to her and she accepted. I just don't want to lose my sister." He explained what had really been bothering him this whole time. "I was jealous that she rather spent her time with you than with her brother."
Haldir tried not to smile. Not a cruel smile, but a heartwarming smile. Legolas' words had touched him. "I can assure you, I am not taking your sister away from you."
Celeborn smiled to himself and got up unnoticed and headed off into the other direction. It seemed like things were going well now. His work here had been done.
Legolas nodded. "I know you to be a good Elf. You have taken care of Lorien all these years and now you can take care of my sister too."
"I will take care of her better than I do Lorien. She is my first priority." Haldir grinned. Legolas wasn't as bad as he thought. He actually liked him.
"Good. I will still keep an eye on her though." The Prince smirked.
"Of course. It is better to have two watch over her than one anyways." Haldir smirked back.
Legolas laughed. "We better not overprotect her too much; she does have tendencies to get a bit feisty."
"I've noticed. What have I gotten myself into? She'll have me into shape in no time." Haldir said as he leaned back in his chair.
Legolas stood up. "Another thing good out of this marriage is that I'll finally get a brother. I can't say that you're the brother I've always wanted but I'll take you anyways."
"Oh?" Haldir tried to keep a straight face. "Well I can't exactly say that I want you for a brother in law either."
Both Elves grinned and gave each other a quick hug. "Okay...enough, enough!" Haldir said as he pulled away. "I try not to make it a habit hugging other males for an extended period of time."
"Of course not." Legolas grinned. He felt a whole lot better. In his heart he knew that Haldir would protect his sister and love her. He knew it all along but denied it. Not wanting to believe it. "I will see you at the wedding tomorrow?"
Haldir nodded. "I suppose I have to be there. I may come to my senses tonight and try to escape Lorien before the big day."
"See you then." Legolas said with a wave of his hand and walked off.
Haldir sat back down, still with a grin on his face. "Okay something is wrong with me. I'm joking and conversing.... I seem completely out of character. I guess this is what love does to you." He looked around for Lord Celeborn but he was no where in sight. Haldir rose out of his seat and took a deep breath before he left the chambers himself.
**********
"Thank you again for everything, Lady Galadriel." Lutheriel said with a bow of her head. "Our talk has been helpful."
Galadriel gave Lutheriel a hug. "I'm glad." She kissed her forehead. "My servants have been working on the set up for your wedding all morning. It will take place in my garden, if that is okay with you?"
"Perfect." Lutheriel smiled. "Thank you for the dress also. Everything is falling into place now...all I have to do is wait for it to all happen." She gathered her stuff up into her arms and walked over to the door.
"Tomorrow will be the happiest, most memorable day of your life. I suggest you rest for the remainder of the day."
"I intend too. See you tomorrow Lady Galadriel." She smiled as she headed back to her own flet to calm the butterflies in her stomach.
For tomorrow she would be married to Haldir, March Warden of Lothlorien.
**********
Author's Notes: You are cordially invited to attend The Wedding of Haldir and Lutheriel.
