Breaking the Habit

Chapter 1

A/N: I wanted to write a Haldir romance and this is what my brain spit out. I'm still debating on where I want to actually go with this fic, but review this and tell me what you think.

Disclaimer: I only own Lirael. And, yes, the name itself belongs to Garth Nix, but she is nothing like his wonderful creation. Everything else belongs to The Almighty Tolkien. Also, the song lyrics belong to Linkin Park; it's called "Breaking the Habit".

Memories consume

Like opening the wound

I'm picking me apart again

You all assume

I'm safe here in my room

Unless I try to start again

I don't want to be the one

The battles always choose

'Cause inside I realize

That I'm the one confused

I don't know what's worth fighting for

Or why I have to scream

I don't know why I instigate

And say what I don't mean

I don't know how I got this way

I know it's not alright

So I'm

Breaking the habit

Tonight

Clutching my cure

I tightly lock the door

I try to catch my breath again

I hurt much more

Than anytime before

I had no options left again

I'll paint it on the walls

'Cause I'm the one at fault

I'll never fight again

And this is how it ends

I don't know what's worth fighting for

Or why I have to scream

But now I have some clarity

To show you what I mean

I don't know how I got this way

I'll never be alright

So I'm

Breaking the habit

Breaking the habit

Tonight

"Lirael!" he cried, running over to her fallen form. "Lirael!" He let the tears fall freely now, there was no reason to hold them back.

"Haldir…" she managed to choke out, blood beginning to seep from the corners of her mouth as she opened it. She had two arrows protruding from her body; one in her right shoulder, and one to her chest. "I'm…I'm not going to make it. Promise me, you will move on. I won't be the cause of your death."

"Lirael, you are going to make," Haldir said, grasping her hand.

She moved her other hand to caress his face, exploring every detail. "Haldir…just move on. You will find someone else. My time here is done. I…I love you."

As Lirael said this, her grasp on Haldir's hand began to loosen and her eyes slowly closed. His tears still fell and he cursed the foul orcs who had taken attempted to kill them.

But as the girl lay dying right before him, he began to reminisce about the time they had spent together. How they had come to meet, their petty quarrels, their first kiss…It all seemed so long ago, like another lifetime…

A/N: Alright, so now you can see that this was a little sad. That's just how I am. The rest of the story is Haldir's memory. I might tell it from different POVs but maybe not. The next chapter will be up soon if I get some pretty reviews! Thank you!