AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Another extended chapter! My deepest apologies for not posting this by the deadline I had promised. I guess I lost my steam and ran into a brief writer's block. I hope I get more reviews for this chapter (hint- hint) so that will not happen again! The plot is getting quite heavier now, so it'll be more and more difficult for me to write fast. Support and encouragement is greatly appreciated and needed.
And now for some brief but heartfelt thank you's:
MERENWEN LUINWEL - "Armir is awesome"- you really think so? OMG, thank you! That is such a great compliment for me! ;p
INSANE ORLI - Thank you! I hope you enjoy the love triangle portrayal!
TAP-DANICING HOBBIT - Here ya go! You did not miss anything at all since this chapter missed its deadline! ;p Thanks for keeping up with the reviews!
EARWEN OF ALQUALONDE - Thanks for the tip! Sorry, I thought "woman" was the only word I had to avoid with female elves. I will keep that in mind. ;p Haldir or Legolas? Hmm. . . tough choice, don't you think? Hehehe. . . we shall see soon enough whom Armir will pick!
HELENE - Hehehe. . . I hope Legolas does not seem too jealous here for your taste. (though I do think he is). But I assure you, there is a good explanation for everything you read here. As of now, please just trust me on the jealousy issue. I love Leggy, so I'll never put him in a bad light.
ILUVENIS - Thanks, I will do my best to keep up with the speedy updates!
ARWEN - Thank you! I hope you will continue to read, because chapter four and below is nothing compared to chapters seven and above!
ICY878 - Don't worry, the answers will unravel soon. I do hope you like how this love triangle bit turned out. . . thank you for your dependable and always sweet reviews!
EMERALD ENCHANTRESS - Thank you! I shall definitely try my best to keep it "not too soppy"; that's kind of difficult for me since I'm a sucker for romantic mush!
AUSTRO GREENLEAF - Thank you! Don't worry; if it's any hint, Legolas is first in my heart before Haldir! ;p
CRYSTAL FIRE - Thank you for being one of the reviewers I can always count on for every chapter!
ARWEN UNDOMIEL - Thank you! You are by far the sweetest, most supportive reviewer I have, and I really appreciate it. Don't worry; I will keep emailing you the updates since your reviews mean a lot to me!
LILENA - Hehe. . . you're absolutely right! On with the testosterone war! (Er. . . but do elves even have testosterone? ;p )
ARWEN TINUVIEL - No problem at all! In fact, it will be nice if you do take your time. I can tell you're really reading thoroughly. Thanks for your interest!
SNOWMANE - Thank you so much! That is certainly very flattering. I will do my best to live up to your expectations! I'm glad someone appreciates my long chapters!
NOVVILYAIEL - Thanks! I'm glad to hear I can draw the attention of even the non-romantic types! I don't get what you mean by the use of Latin words, though. If you get to read this, I hope you can clear that up for me.
ARAFANGWEN - Thank you, thank you! Actually, I get to write this fast because it is currently summer vacation in our country. (that explains a lot! Hehehe. . . ) But I do admit that I am writing pretty fast. When I'm on a hot streak I can sit for up to five consecutive hours in front of the computer. What gives me a hot streak? Why, reviewers like you! (and, of course, a good dose of Legolas sighting every other hour) I use Sindarin from the Grey-Company site. (I have already been flamed for doing so because apparently it's considered cheap Elvish, but. . . it works for me so the heck with it!)
QUICK REMINDER: The name ARMIR translates into "royal (ar-) jewel (-mir)". Keep that in mind as you read. . .
This is the one and only chapter where you'll get to really see the love triangle in all its delicious intensity and drama, so I hope you will enjoy it! Plus, after this chapter, things are not going to be quite so light or happy anymore.
HAPPY READING!
* * *
THE SACRIFICE
Chapter Eight - Rivals
If there was anything Haldir loved more than the evenings at his homeland, it was the dawns. During the wee hours of the morning, just when the stars have begun to fade, the forests of Lorien seemed to be fully basked in peace and the fullness of its own beauty.
And on that particularly fine morning, as he walked down the path leading to Armir's talan, the March Warden seemed to appreciate the prettiness of Lorien daybreak even more. He let out a contended sigh as a soft breeze blew through his hair, carrying with it a hundred pleasantly woodsy smells. The growing sunshine kissed his face, and the singing of early birds and other rising forest critters greeted him good morning as he went on his way.
Haldir smiled to himself, something he usually would never be caught dead doing. It seemed as though the misgivings he had harbored the previous night over having to spend an entire day with Armir have completely vanished.
So what if they were no longer the lovers they once were? Armir was still one of his most beloved friends, and she deserved to have some real fun after all the ordeals she had gone through lately. It wasn't fair of him to treat her coldly just because he could not seem to stick to their agreement to remain simply good friends.
"Just a friend." Haldir repeated himself for the millionth time since he woke up. Armir was a friend, nothing more. He felt certain he could eventually learn to sincerely see her as such if he tried hard enough. He had to, if he wanted to keep his peace of mind.
Suddenly, Haldir's ears picked up on the sound of light footsteps nearby. Though he stiffened as his senses instinctively went on full alert, he did not stop moving. Instead the elf heightened his concentration as he listened carefully to the unbroken footfall, seeking to identify its owner. Moments later he shook his head and smirked.
Pretending not to have noticed anything, he kept on walking. But as a minute later he felt the mysterious stalker try to jump at him from behind, he whirled around and caught a slender hand before it landed on his shoulder.
"Quel amrun, (good morning) Haldir!" Armir greeted with a sweet smile, though she was obviously surprised at his being able to detect her presence so easily.
"Your stealth has improved much since the last time." Haldir remarked, releasing his firm grip on her wrist. "I am guessing you have gotten much practice over the last thirty years."
Armir laughed merrily as she fell into step beside him. "Maybe so, but I still could never beat you." she replied. "Really March Warden, is there anything you are incapable of?"
"Many things, Princess." Haldir said with a chuckle. "I am simply good at keeping them secret."
He raised his eyebrows at her. "And what are you doing wandering around like this sneaking up on people so early in the morning?" he admonished. "You were supposed to wait for me to fetch you."
Armir shrugged. "I have been awake for hours now, and I grew tired of just sitting around in my talan." she explained. "So. . . I decided to go out and find you to save us some time."
Haldir shook his head, unable to resist a smile. "And so you have." he sighed. "Come on then. I suppose it is just as well. This means we will be able to accept Laicristiel and Rumil's invitation to join them for breakfast. Orophin will be there too."
"Really?" Armir said, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "That is wonderful! I have wanted to finally meet your brothers for the longest time."
"Ah, yes. . . well, they are also very eager to meet you." Haldir responded, nervously making a metal note to tell his siblings to shut their mouths on any embarrassing stories or secrets they might spill out.
And with that, Armir slid her hand readily through the arm Haldir offered her, and they went on their way.
* * *
". . . and so he tripped, went sailing through the air and landed face down on a giant mud puddle with a huge splat!" Orophin said gleefully, slapping his hand on the table as a matching gesture. "What made it even more ghastly was that the Lady just happened to be walking by at that moment. Not only did she see the whole thing happen, but she got some of the muck splattered on the skirt of her dress too! I do not think Haldir could have been more mortified than he was on that occasion."
"I cannot imagine it!" Armir gasped out, in near tears from laughing so hard. "And all the while I thought Haldir was the perfect, unbendable elf who has not a single fault and never makes a single mistake!"
"Ha! That is where you are gravely wrong, Princess." Orophin scoffed. "Pretense! It is all pretense. Our brother has many defects like everyone else. He just takes great care in making sure nobody knows about them."
"Yes, and that is why you, little brother, are soon to be dead meat, once Haldir finds out you have snitched to Armir about that story." Rumil warned, flashing the younger elf a wry smile from where he sat at the head of the table.
"He will not find out from me." Armir promised quickly, noticing the sudden look of panic that came to Orophin's face. "My lips are sealed."
"Where has Haldir gone to, anyway? I did not even notice him leave!" Laicristiel asked, as she stood up from the table and collected their emptied breakfast plates.
Rumil shrugged. "He said something about having to run a quick errand." he answered. "Do not worry, he should be back in a while for Armir."
"Are you certain you cannot come with us today?" Armir asked her three new friends imploringly. "It would be even so much more fun if all of us went around Lorien together."
Rumil shook his head with a rueful smile. "I am sorry, Princess. But we all have our own duties to attend to. It is only Haldir who has been given a holiday for the rest of this week."
"And he very rightfully deserves it." Laicristiel declared. "He has been working non-stop for the past month. That elf is in dire need of a day off, whether he admits it or not."
"Ah yes." Orophin smirked. "Haldir- the only elf I know of who thinks a vacation is some cruel form of punishment."
"It is quite miraculous that you and he were able to become such great friends, Armir." Rumil commented thoughtfully. "So many differences and in spite of them you were able to get along well?"
Armir nodded. "I guess there really is some truth about opposites finding attraction." she answered simply. It seemed that Haldir never told his brothers about the romantic past they had shared in Rivendell, so she supposed it was not in her place to reveal to them any more than what they already knew.
Just then, a horn sounded from below, signaling that there was someone waiting down their talan. Rumil stood up from the table and peered out the window of their house.
"It is Haldir." he announced a moment later. "He is calling for you to come down, Princess."
After bidding her gracious hosts farewell, Armir climbed down the ladder to where the March Warden waited for her by the tree.
"Are you ready?" he asked as she jumped down the last step.
"As ready as I shall ever be!" Armir responded cheerfully. She frowned slightly and pointed to the knives, quiver of arrows, and bow strapped to the elf's broad back. "Did I miss something, or are we going to war?"
Haldir smiled. "It is always advisable to stay armed." he told her. "I shall be taking you quite closely to the borders, and there may still be orcs roaming around. Hopefully though, I will not have to use any of these."
The elf then paused, and looked at Armir cautiously. "Incidentally, it just occurred to me." he began, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. "Does Legolas know you will be in my company for the whole day today?"
"The Lady said she will inform him and the others of my whereabouts." Armir replied, oblivious to the scorn on the March Warden's face. "My absence should not be a problem with him. He has been wanting to spend some quality time with Gimli, anyway."
"Good." Haldir said with a brisk nod. "I do not wish to risk the wrath of your lover's protectiveness."
Armir felt herself bristle slightly upon noticing the heavy sarcasm in his voice. The irritation turned into hurt. Why was he being so antagonistic towards Legolas? She understood Legolas' jealous dislike towards Haldir, but she could not see any valid reason Haldir might have for not liking Legolas.
Just when she was about to give the March Warden a piece of her mind, the elf pulled out something from behind his back.
"Here." he said softly, holding it out to her. "I picked this up for you yesterday."
Armir gasped in surprise, then stared delightedly at what Haldir had handed her. It was the sweetest flower she had ever seen in her life. It was small, no bigger than the palm of her hand, and rather plain, but in its simplicity there was a unique sort of beauty present. Its many silken petals were so radiantly white and pure they seemed to glitter like jewels in the sunlight.
The maiden looked back at Haldir in wide-eyed awe. "Is this. . .?"
Haldir smiled and nodded, obviously pleased with her reaction to his gift. "The Armir flower? Yes, that is it."
"It is wonderful!" Armir exclaimed happily, holding the blossom to her nose and inhaling its pleasing scent.
All her life she had longed to see for herself the flower her mother had named her after. Her grandfather had told her everything about it when she was little- how it was so rare that most people didn't know of its existence, or merely thought of it as a mythical entity. It grew only in Lorien, and even then it could only be found in very remote areas, for it always bloomed individually. However, the most remarkable characteristic the Armir flower possessed was its share in the immortality of the elves. Even when plucked from its stem it never wilted nor faded, but retained its splendor for all time.
Armir gazed up at Haldir, feeling so touched by his gesture she almost wanted to cry. It must have taken him hours of searching just to locate this one flower for her.
"Diola lle (thank you)." she whispered. "You will never know how much this means to me."
A fond smile crept across Haldir's lips. "I believe I do." he said softly, moving closer. Taking the flower from Armir's hand, he stepped behind her and tucked it gently into her hair, just above her ear.
"It does you justice." he murmured, stroking the pointed tip of her ear affectionately before backing away. "I can understand why you share the same name."
They stared into each other's eyes for a long, wistful moment before Haldir switched back to his detached self with a shake of his head.
"It is best that we get going now." he said briskly. "The sun rises high, and there is still much to see, and much to do."
He turned to Armir and courteously offered her his arm. The maiden hesitated, biting her lower lip.
"Haldir, if you do not mind," she began. "I would like for you to treat me as you did when we were in Rivendell. As your friend, and not a princess. No more formalities, please."
At these words, a sudden grin broke thorough the grimness of the March Warden's face, delighting and greatly surprising Armir at the same time.
"As you wish. . . Mellonamin."
* * *
"Gimli. . . may I ask you something?"
The dwarf looked up at the tall elf walking beside him and nodded. "Of course, my friend." he replied easily. "I knew something has been troubling your mind ever since we set out this morning."
Legolas cringed. "Am I that obvious?"
Gimli chuckled. "Laddie, I am no mind reader, but I sure can identify a distressed face when I see one." he told him. "Come then. What is it that bothers you? Tell old Gimli."
Legolas sighed heavily. "Have you. . ." he faltered, suddenly appearing very embarrassed. "Have you. . . ever been in love before?"
There was a silent pause as Gimli halted in his tracks. Then, the dwarf burst out into loud, hearty laughter, making Legolas redden all the more.
"I willingly open my heart out to you and this is what I get?" the elf grumbled, a heavy scowl marring his fair face. "I should have known better!"
"I mean you no offense, dear friend." Gimli said immediately, getting a hold of himself as Legolas turned away from him and sat down rather sulkily on a nearby tree root. "It is just. . . that look on your face. You seem to be quite the lovesick youth, eh?"
Legolas gave no answer but instead lowered his head, staring down at the ground as the offense in his expression deepened.
Feeling a rush of pity for the melancholy elf, Gimli came over and sat down beside him.
"The answer is no, Legolas." he said gently. "I have never loved a dwarf-woman the same way you love the Lady Armir. In fact, I believe no Middle Earth male has ever loved a female as much as you do her. "
Legolas raised his head and looked at his friend wearily. "That is precisely what I fear, Gimli." he mumbled. "I am anxious about my own feelings."
The wrinkles on Gimli's brow deepened with confusion. "What do you mean by that?"
"How is it possible that I could care for someone this madly and this quickly?" Legolas said, desperation seeping into his usually calm voice. "It is not the way of my kindred to fall in love so easily. I feel as though I am going insane with the way I have been acting and feeling."
Gimli stared at the elf, suddenly struck with much concern. He never knew Legolas felt this way about his romance with Armir. He was always under the impression that the elf had found sheer happiness in his newfound love.
"How can you say that?" the dwarf asked, placing a strong hand on his friend's shoulder. "How could affection for such a wonderful, beautiful maiden be considered folly?"
"I have lived for many centuries now, and never in those long years have I felt in my heart as much passion, joy and protectiveness as I have in the past fortnight." Legolas said grimly shaking his head. "These emotions-- they are too strong and too quick. They cannot be normal."
Gimli frowned. "Are you questioning your feelings for the lady? You doubt that your love for her is real?"
There was a long silence before at last Legolas lowered his head, looking defeated.
"I suppose there is no other way to explain it now, is there?" he murmured.
Gimli sighed. "My friend, you are confusing yourself." he warned. "Be careful of how you interpret your thoughts and feelings, for unraveling the mysteries of one's own heart is tricky and risky business indeed."
Legolas turned to him with a hopeful look on his face. "Do you think what I feel for her is real?"
Gimli chuckled. "Legolas, this is getting ridiculous. You cannot very well ask me to answer that, can you?" he scolded lightly. "Why trust the opinion of a dedicated bachelor such as I? You are a wise elf, and one in tune with his own soul. You alone should know the truth."
He patted Legolas' back. "But if you would really like to know what I think. . . " he said, a smile growing on his face. "I think you are so utterly in love with the princess that it is frightening you. But what is there to be afraid of? I can tell she cares for you just as much as you do for her."
Legolas groaned and rose to his feet. "Gimli, that is not the point." he moaned. "I love her so much, yet I have known her for only a short time. I can think of nothing but her. I am distracted when she is near, unhappy when she is away, and jealous when I see her in the company of other males." He shook his head, looking very troubled. "It is not supposed to be this way."
"Oh? And that is according to whose standards?" Gimli challenged.
Legolas frowned. "Nobody's. It is merely a given. It is how things have always been." he responded, though obviously with uncertainty.
"Elves. Why must you always be so intellectual about everything?" Gimli scoffed. "I may not possess as much insight as you do, neither have I fallen for someone like you have. But I do know this, my friend. Love has no boundaries, and no rules. It fits into no patterns or measures. That is precisely what makes it so special."
At these words, Legolas gazed at Gimli with a mixture of surprise and realization in his blue eyes. The dwarf smiled, knowing that he had shocked the elf with all the unexpected wisdom he had just let out of his mouth. Seeing that he was also succeeding in knocking some sense into the clueless lad's head, he completed his point.
"Just because your love is different, does not mean it is false. Just because you cannot understand your feelings, does not mean you are wrong to feel them. Think that over, Legolas. Think it over well."
Finished with his little speech, Gimli sat back and waited patiently as Legolas did ponder over what he has just heard, staring mutely at the ground as he did so. At long last, he lifted his head back up.
"You are absolutely right, Gimli." he said, his handsome face shining with sudden gladness. "I have been so irrational. I love Armir. So what if our romance is unlike that of elves before us? The point is, it is real, and I do feel in my heart that it shall last forever."
Gimli laughed. "That's a good lad!" he shouted, standing up to give Legolas a merry slap on the back. "I knew it would not take much talking to knock back some sense into you!"
Legolas smiled gratefully down at his good friend. "Thank you, Gimli. How can I repay you for this?"
The dwarf patted his stomach and grinned. "Well, you could start by taking me someplace where we can have a bite of lunch!" he said, as they went on with their walk through the trails of Caras Galadon. "Then perhaps we could try and see if we can catch up with your sweetheart and this tour guide of hers, eh?"
* * *
Late afternoon had come to Lorien. Normally, this would be a time of day when the tranquil forests would begin to retire from its daily hustle and bustle, in preparation for another peaceful night of rest and slumber.
But it was not quite so in a certain spot by the Silverlode river, where two elves broke through the usual silence of the Golden Wood with their uncharacteristically boisterous play.
"Haldir, no! Stop!"
Armir shrieked with uncontrollable laughter as the elf, having easily swept her off her feet into his arms, carried her to the edge of the Silverlode bank. He grinned mischievously as he held the wriggling maiden precariously over the rushing stream.
"Surrender, or in moments you shall be soaked." he warned teasingly.
"Never!" Armir gasped out in between giggles. She kicked her legs and struggled as hard as she could to free herself, but Haldir's grip was much too powerful for her dainty body to contend with.
"Do not test me, Lirimaer (lovely one)." Haldir advised with a chuckle. "You know I will do it."
He tossed his prisoner up in the air a little, causing her to yelp and hang on to his neck to prevent her fall. "If you insist on being stubborn, you give me no choice. . ."
Dangling her ominously above the gushing river, he prepared to drop her into the cold waters.
"Amin lava (I yield)!" Armir screamed suddenly, clinging tightly as she sensed his hold around her begin to loosen. "Amin lava!"
Haldir burst into laughter. He backed away from the edge of the Silverlode before finally setting Armir back on the ground. "You are still as helpless as ever, Armir!" he exclaimed. "You give in much too easily!"
"Well, you certainly cannot expect a defenseless maiden like me to take on a big bad March Warden like you!" Armir retorted, as she caught her breath and held up a hand to smooth down her messed up hair.
"Do not kid me." Haldir teased, as he took her hand and they walked back further up the riverbank. "You cannot be as frail as you make yourself sound. Any maiden who has gone into Moria and made it out in once piece surely must have some strength in her."
Armir shrugged. "It is Legolas, not I, who deserves credit for that." she replied. "He took great care of me all throughout our journey. He is an excellent protector, and I could never have made it this far without him."
There was a pause before Haldir shook his head, a look of disapproval removing the smile from his face. "He will not be there for you forever, Armir." he said quietly.
Armir snapped her head around to stare him, an instant rush of offense rising in her. "What do you mean?"
"All I am saying is, there may come a time when you will find yourself in danger while Legolas is in no position to come to your rescue." Haldir told her grimly. "You have been fortunate so far, but that luck can only hold out for so long. You should be able to defend yourself, and not merely count on another elf for protection."
"Haldir, you know very well that I am no warrior." Armir reminded him. "I never chose to learn, simply because I have never felt the inclination for fighting anywhere within me."
"That does not change the fact that you are in great need of it now." Haldir said firmly. "You have finished merely one stage of your quest, Armir. More peril surely lies ahead. I cannot allow you to leave Lorien without the assurance that you will be able to fend for yourself in the remainder of this journey."
After saying this, the March Warden stared down at her thoughtfully for a few moments. Then, his face lit up, as though an idea abruptly occurred to him.
"Come." he said suddenly, grabbing her hand and pulling her along as he broke into a brisk walk.
"Where are we going?" Armir asked in bewilderment, as she struggled to keep up with his long, hurried strides.
"You shall see soon enough." was the vague reply.
Ten minutes later, their vigorous walk ended at last. Armir stared all around her, trying to get a grasp of where Haldir had practically dragged her to. They were standing in a wide, circular clearing in the middle of the woods. The place was deserted, and void of buildings and structures of any such. There were only two clues which helped the maiden distinguish their location: a line of trees along one side on which hung a number of archery targets, and a sparring ring outlined on the ground with rocks.
"Welcome to the Galadrim training grounds." Haldir announced proudly, gesturing to their surroundings. "Fortunately, all the warriors must have finished their training sessions early today. We can have the place all to ourselves."
Armir whirled around and stared at him with wide eyes. "You cannot be serious!" she exclaimed. "You plan to train ME? Here? Now?"
Haldir chuckled at the horrified look at her face. "Why not?" he countered. "I have successfully trained hundreds of recruits here in the past few years. It is time you learned to fight, Princess."
Armir shook her head in alarm. "I. . . I cannot!" she stammered. "I am no solider! You shall certainly find me a hopeless case and then grow frustrated with me!"
Haldir smiled and took her by the elbow, leading her slowly towards the archery range. "The great Lord Elrond's granddaughter an unpromising warrior? I should think not!"
He squeezed her arm gently and gave her a pleading look. "Do it for me, Armir. Give me this one chance to impart one basic lesson. Just one." he promised. "It would make me feel a whole lot better about you going out on this quest again."
Armir finally sighed. "All right." she relented. "If you say so. But do not be so hard on me. You know I am very incompetent in this sort of thing."
Haldir grinned. "I shall be as gentle as a lamb." he assured her happily. "Now. . ."
He drew out the long bow from where it was strapped upon his back and handed it to the dismayed maiden.
"Let us start with archery, shall we?"
* * *
"Are you certain you wish to go through with this, Master Dwarf?' Legolas asked his companion mischievously, as they walked down yet another one of the grassy trails winding through the Golden Wood. "I must say I have never attempted sparring with one of your kind before. I may not be able to handle it."
"Do not fret, Laddie." Gimli replied, his eyes twinkling with joking amusement that matched the elf's. "I understand your worries. I shall go easy and try not to trounce you too harshly."
"You are too kind." Legolas said with a smirk.
The day had passed by more quickly and enjoyably than Legolas had thought it would. He had expected to be thoroughly annoyed at his being deprived of the chance to spend the day with his beloved, but Gimli had not been half a bad companion. He was starting to grow very fond of this feisty dwarf, who managed to help him forget about Armir's absence with his lively attitude and coarse but entertaining conversational skills.
At that moment, they were on their way to the Galadrim training grounds, for Legolas had accepted the dwarf's challenge to spar with him- his axe against his Elvish blades. It was the last activity he had agreed on before they would finally end their day, and he could go look for Armir. Hopefully she would likewise be through with her Lorien tour and they could have dinner together.
As they neared the training grounds, Legolas suddenly became aware of voices conversing in the distance. Two voices, to be exact- one male, the other female. It took him only a second to identify both, and his reaction was instant.
"What is the matter?" Gimli asked in surprise, as the elf quickened his step, calm face hardening with sudden anger. "Legolas, wait!"
* * *
"Just relax." Haldir told Armir gently from where he stood close behind her. "If you tense up too much you will tire easily."
Armir frowned as she shifted her grip on Haldir's bow, which she had loaded and now pointed at the target. "If I relax any more, I shall drop it." she mumbled, somewhat frustrated. "This is much too heavy for me."
The March Warden smiled. "You are right. It is not the proper size for one of your build and level." he admitted. "But it is all we have with us right now, so we shall have to make do."
He stepped closer to Armir and circled his arms around her from behind.
"Position your hand here, closer to the center." he instructed, moving her fingers along the wood as he spoke. "That way the weight will not seem quite so burdensome."
"Plant your feet firmly on the ground." He placed his hand on her waist, carefully pushing her body into the correct angle.
"Shoulders erect." His fingers massaged the small of her back, urging her into the proper posture.
He gripped her right elbow. "Raise this to the level of your shoulder." he went on, demonstrating. "The feathered end of the arrow should be just at your cheek. . . "
Armir giggled. "I must look so ridiculous." she said, shaking her head. "Now I know why Glorfindel gave up on me the last time I attempted to learn this years ago."
Haldir smiled, but did not draw his wandering hands away from her body as he continued adjusting her stance. "Well, I certainly shall not give up on you. . . " he began to reply, but was cut off by the emergence of a third voice.
"I hope we are not interrupting anything."
Immediately recognizing the cold, sarcastic tone, Haldir looked up to meet the furious glare of Legolas. The Mirkwood elf stood at the edge of the clearing with his dwarf companion beside him. He did NOT look pleased.
Surprisingly enough, Haldir felt no fear nor guilt about being caught with his arms around the prince's lover. Even as he returned Legolas' vicious look with one of his own, the March Warden became aware of an irrepressible, fierce anger growing in his own heart. At once he knew that this confrontation was dangerously but unavoidably minutes away from exploding into a full-out brawl.
Oblivious to the heated eye exchange between the two elves, Armir dropped her archery stance and rushed over to Legolas, still clutching Haldir's bow in her hands.
"Legolas!" she exclaimed happily. "What a coincidence! What brings you here?"
Legolas forced a small smile for the sake of his maiden as she gave greeted him with a quick kiss. "Gimli and I were thinking of having a little sparring match." he explained to her. "And what about you? I thought you would still be on your tour of Lorien."
"I was. I mean, I still am." Armir corrected herself. "Haldir just brought me here to give me a little archery lesson."
Legolas' eyes narrowed. "I was not told HE was going to be your tour guide." he said through clenched teeth.
"Who else did you expect?" Haldir spoke up suddenly, calmly making his way over to them. He could not help but smirk when Legolas shot him a dagger-look as he approached. "I am, after all, the March Warden of Lothlorien."
Haldir could see Legolas color slightly at his smug words, clearly livid with rage. He was obviously longing to strike him down, but was restrained by Armir's presence.
"Then tell me, March Warden. Since when was an archery lesson part of a guided tour?" Legolas hissed, taking a step away from Armir towards Haldir.
Haldir stared back at him coolly, crossing his arms over his chest. "I merely thought it was time the Lady learned how to fend for herself, instead of having to rely on a guardian for her protection." he responded frostily. "It would only be for her benefit, do you not agree?"
"And I suppose you are in the best position to teach her?" Legolas snapped, blue eyes flaring menacingly.
Haldir lifted his chin proudly. "Yes." he said with all the arrogance he could muster, and was rewarded with the satisfaction of seeing the scowl on Legolas's grow even deeper.
"Then, by all means, perhaps you would care to engage in a brief competition with me." the Elven prince said, bowing his head in subtle mockery. "It would be an honor to go against the alleged champion of Lorien."
Taken aback by the sudden and direct challenge, Haldir glowered at him. Who did this pretentious youth think he was dealing with?
"Legolas, tampa tanya (stop that)!" Armir said sharply, but desperately. She handed Haldir's bow back to him and took her lover by the arm, trying to pull him away. "Let us just go. . . "
"I would be pleased to accept your challenge, Legolas of Mirkwood." Haldir said icily. "But I do not believe you have your archery equipment with you."
Legolas smirked. "No, but I have brought my knives, and it looks like you have as well." he responded, nodding at the sheathed blades strapped to Haldir's back. "I am confident that a prized Lorien warrior such as yourself will have no trouble competing with weapons of any form."
Haldir gritted his teeth. This sarcastic elf certainly knew how to get to him. He was feeling more rage and ferocity towards him than he ever had towards anyone else before. Irrationality took over the March Warden. Before he even realized what he was doing, he had drawn out his knives from their sheathes and wielded them in front of Legolas' face.
"Let us get on with it then." he growled.
"Haldir, no. Please!" Armir begged, as the two elves headed towards the sparring ring.
The fear in her voice caused Haldir to freeze for a brief moment. He glanced back at her hopeful face, pleading with him to just walk away from this conflict. But deep inside of him, no matter how badly he wanted to do as she asked, he knew he just couldn't. This fight between him and Legolas was no longer for pride or honor.
It was a battle for her. . . and he had to win it.
* * *
Legolas took a deep breath as he walked over to one side of the enclosed circle. He had to calm himself, if he intended to focus and triumph in this match.
He watched through narrowed, hate-filled eyes at the elf who positioned himself on the side across him. He had tried his very best to tolerate him as Armir had asked, but the earlier scene simply forced him to lose all control on his temper. His incredible rush of fury and uncontrolled taunting led him to where he stood now, and there was no other choice but to fight.
From the corner of his eye he could see Armir standing at the sidelines with Gimli. He could feel her gaze boring straight into him, imploring him to stop this madness at once. He felt the sting of remorse as he realized that he had absolutely no desire to obey.
"She just does not understand." Legolas thought sadly.
Being innocent as she was, Armir could not see into Haldir's obvious intentions. She believed that the March Warden had no interest in her outside that of friendship, but Legolas knew better. Haldir was seeking to recapture Armir's affections, and if Legolas did not do anything to protect her from his advances, he would surely succeed. He was willing to die first before he would let that happen.
"Will you take the first attack, or shall I?"
His waiting opponent's haughty voice brought Legolas back on alert. He clenched his jaw angrily and lifted his knives into a perfect fighting stance. He returned Haldir's glare and nodded.
"Be my guest."
* * *
The furious clash of metal against metal filled the training grounds as Haldir charged furiously, initiating the fight. Legolas parried his attack with equally smooth defenses, deflecting each blow effortlessly as their knives flashed rapidly though the air. It took Haldir mere seconds to realize that this young elf was far more skilled than he ever thought he could give him credit for. He was possibly the best contender he has ever faced, even.
However, if there was one thing Haldir had learned through his many years of instructing Lorien soldiers, it was that every warrior had a weakness. His specialty had always been in spotting them.
Haldir knew that Legolas was a good few centuries his minor, and thus was less experienced. Being of a heavier, more muscular build, the March Warden had brute strength on his side. The Mirkwood prince, on the other had, was far more agile and swift.
At one point in their unbroken exchange of blows, Haldir attempted to sidetrack his opponent using a complex attack maneuver taught to him by his predecessors, one that only he in Lorien had currently mastered. Much to his surprise, Legolas managed to swing around and evade the deadly blade just before it grazed his tunic.
Haldir frowned, both in anger and disbelief. That tactic had never failed him before. Now he knew this elf was definitely someone to contend with. This fight was going to be closer and far more difficult than he thought.
The fierce skirmish continued unremittingly, neither elf willing to back down or drop his momentum. Just when it seemed as though the battle was going to carry on forever without a victor, Legolas finally managed to catch Haldir off guard. With a flurried motion of his blades, too quick for the March Warden to contend with, he knocked Haldir's right knife away from his hand. It went sailing through the air and landed on the grass well out of his reach.
Haldir reacted quickly and dove for his mislaid weapon. In the blink of an eye he rolled over, snatched the knife from the ground back into his hand, and spun around just in time to shield himself from Legolas' immediate attack as it bore down on him harshly and relentlessly.
The elves were trapped in a deadly lock of crossed knives, with Legolas pressing down mercilessly on top of a kneeling Haldir. Their arm muscles shook with tension as each one struggled to overpower the other. In a long, furious moment, their steely glares collided. Haldir could clearly read the threat screaming from Legolas' enraged face.
"Stay away from her!"
A hot, searing anger shook every vein in Haldir's body. Who did this elf think he was?! Tempestuous fire burned in his eyes as he glared back his reply.
"Never!"
His wrath giving him a renewed burst of power, the March Warden shoved Legolas back with amazing force. He rose to his feet as the surprised elf stumbled back a considerable distance away, giving him an opening for a fresh attack.
And this time, he would not miss.
* * *
"Enough! Stop this!"
Armir's cries split the vehement silence in the sparring ring. She ran to the two elves and planted herself right in front of Legolas, preventing Haldir from making any further advances.
"Stop this right now!" she shouted, her whole body trembling with both terror and anger. She glared back and forth between the two, her usually sweet eyes now infuriated.
"What is wrong with you both?" she screamed at them. "Do you think this is entertaining, seeing you act like savages? Why are even doing this?!"
Neither of the two males spoke for a while, as their passion gradually calmed down and their breaths slowed to normal pace. Their glares seemed to fade as Armir stared at them through tear-filled eyes. Their rage was replaced by sudden guilt.
"I cannot understand what has come over you!" Armir sobbed, the tears now streaming uncontrollably down her flushed cheeks. "Why must you fight like this? Nothing can be worth all this anger and hate! Nothing!"
She switched her blurred gaze back and forth between the two elves. Haldir was now hanging his head in obvious shame. Legolas' stare was directly upon her, full of worry and remorse at the sight of her so upset.
Armir closed her eyes and inhaled in sharp breaths, struggling to calm herself in spite of the distress pounding in her sensitive spirit.
All throughout the dreadful fight she had watched in silent agony as the two of the most important elves in her life battled against each other, every moment wrenching her soul painfully. She had hoped that their match would truly be nothing more than a harmless competition resulting from an impulsive challenge and a wounded pride. However, as the blows grew more violent and the glares intensified, it soon became clear that this was no mere sparring contest. The rage and hostility were so vivid on their faces, Armir could almost feel them radiating from their hearts, and it frightened her greatly. She simply could not understand what could make two usually calm and benevolent elves act that way all of a sudden. . Then at last, she came to the realization of what they were fighting over. They were fighting over her. This was all her fault.
Armir buried her face in her hands, her mind spinning with confusion and fear. What kind of enchantress must she be to arouse so much animosity between two kinsmen? What could she have done to make Legolas and Haldir despise each other like this?
"Armir. . ." She heard Legolas say gently as he approached her.
The maiden's head snapped back up immediately. She recoiled from Legolas' touch, backing away with widening eyes. She suddenly felt an irrational fear that if he came into contact with her, the anomalous wrath in him would somehow be rekindled. The last thing she wanted was to affect him that way ever again.
Before Legolas could take one more step closer, she spun on her heel and fled the training grounds as fast as she could.
* * *
Legolas stared after the retreating maiden in dismay and apprehension. The look he had glimpsed in her eyes before she turned away was unlike any he had ever seen before. He could not even identify it. Was it fear? Anger? Pain? Whichever it was, all he was certain of was that he had to go after her.
Throwing Haldir one last glare to scowl him to stay out of this, the Mirkwood prince sped after his princess. It did not take him very long to catch up with her as she ran through the forest, stumbling somewhat in unmistakable grief.
"Armir, wait!" he pleaded, as he fell into step beside her. "I just want to. . ."
"Legolas, please stay away." she sobbed, jerking out of his reach as he tried to take her by the arm. "Just leave me alone."
"I am sorry for what happened." Legolas said anxiously. He did not persist in trying to take her by force, but instead continued to walk alongside, desperate to just get her to look at him.
"I apologize if I had hurt or offended you. I should not have let Haldir get to me so easily. It is just. . . when I saw you with him, and the way he was touching you, I could not help myself." Legolas explained in a rush. "I know now that it was a foolish mistake. I allowed pride and anger to control me, and for that I rebuke myself. I beg your forgiveness. It shall not happen again, I swear it."
At these words, Armir halted in her tracks. She whirled around to face him, her chin quivering and her blue eyes shimmering with tears. There was a moment of silence before she managed to emit the words from her lips.
"Legolas, I am so sorry!" she whispered. "This. . . this is all my fault!"
Legolas' mouth dropped slightly open with surprise as the maiden rushed into his arms, burying her face against his shoulder and wrapping her arms tightly around him. Upon overcoming his shock he held her close, stroking her hair and back comfortingly.
"What are you talking about?" he murmured. "How can you blame yourself for my wrongdoing?"
"I do not know what I have done!" she wept against his tunic. "But I know it is because of me that you are acting this way!"
"What? Why do you say that?" Legolas asked in bewilderment, drawing slightly away to look upon her face.
"Am I not the reason why you and he fought each other?"
Legolas took her face between his hands and kissed away a tear that slid down her cheek. "Yes, but that is only because I love you." he told her firmly. "I feared Haldir was trying to take you away from me, so in my anger I challenged him."
"You are the most wonderful elf I have ever met! Your soul is too kind and gentle for anger or envy." Armir cried, shaking her head. "I curse myself for eliciting such vile emotions in you. I fear that my love brings only harm upon you."
Legolas stared down at her face with concern. Where were all these self-accusations coming from? How could she ever think that she brought anything other than happiness into his life?
Then, his mind flashed back to his earlier conversation with Gimli, and he realized the truth.
Like him, Armir was unused to the new, sudden passions their relationship seemed to arouse in both of them. She was just as frightened and insecure with the uniqueness and intensity of their love as he was, and needed reassurance that it was all right for them to feel this way.
"Armir," he said gently, running his fingers down the soft skin of her face. "You cannot blame yourself for what I feel. I know it may seem like our love brings out in us strange and sometimes painful emotions, but perhaps that is simply how true love is meant to be."
He smiled and kissed her forehead lovingly. "If there is anyone at fault here, it is I for not being able to restrain my foolish jealousy. But do not ever, EVER think you make me anything but a better person. I have waited centuries someone like you to come into my life, and now that you are here. . ."
He paused and shook his head before finishing. "I still cannot thank the Valar enough for gifting me with the love of the most beautiful creature in all of Middle Earth."
Armir gaped at him speechlessly for a few moments, apparently stunned by his words.
Legolas chuckled at the dazed look on her face, feeling a sudden surge of affection for his sweet maiden. Impulsively, he pulled her to him, and kissed her deeply with all the longing in his heart.
"I love you so much." he whispered in her ear when he finally drew away. "I always will, for all eternity."
At last her smile shone back on him through her tears, which were now of joy.
"I love you too, Legolas." she said softly, resting her head against the comfort of his chest. "For all my life."
"Nothing can ever change that."
* * *
COMING UP . . . Chapter 9 - Counsel
NOTES:
My apologies if people felt Legolas and Haldir were a little out of Elvish character here with all their rage and envy. There will be deeper explanations for that abnormal behavior later on. . . something that will involve Armir. (that girl is just so FULL of mystery, isn't she?!)
And I'm also sorry if it ended kind of mushily. ;p But trust me, it is good closure for what is going to happen in the next two chapters. Then you will end up wishing I just stuck to being mushy. . . does that make sense?
Okay, I will just shut up now before I reveal any more. Reviews are badly needed if I am going to come up with a new chapter on time! It's gonna be one heck of an emotional roller coaster for Armir from here on!
Thanks guys, and see you real soon!
Another extended chapter! My deepest apologies for not posting this by the deadline I had promised. I guess I lost my steam and ran into a brief writer's block. I hope I get more reviews for this chapter (hint- hint) so that will not happen again! The plot is getting quite heavier now, so it'll be more and more difficult for me to write fast. Support and encouragement is greatly appreciated and needed.
And now for some brief but heartfelt thank you's:
MERENWEN LUINWEL - "Armir is awesome"- you really think so? OMG, thank you! That is such a great compliment for me! ;p
INSANE ORLI - Thank you! I hope you enjoy the love triangle portrayal!
TAP-DANICING HOBBIT - Here ya go! You did not miss anything at all since this chapter missed its deadline! ;p Thanks for keeping up with the reviews!
EARWEN OF ALQUALONDE - Thanks for the tip! Sorry, I thought "woman" was the only word I had to avoid with female elves. I will keep that in mind. ;p Haldir or Legolas? Hmm. . . tough choice, don't you think? Hehehe. . . we shall see soon enough whom Armir will pick!
HELENE - Hehehe. . . I hope Legolas does not seem too jealous here for your taste. (though I do think he is). But I assure you, there is a good explanation for everything you read here. As of now, please just trust me on the jealousy issue. I love Leggy, so I'll never put him in a bad light.
ILUVENIS - Thanks, I will do my best to keep up with the speedy updates!
ARWEN - Thank you! I hope you will continue to read, because chapter four and below is nothing compared to chapters seven and above!
ICY878 - Don't worry, the answers will unravel soon. I do hope you like how this love triangle bit turned out. . . thank you for your dependable and always sweet reviews!
EMERALD ENCHANTRESS - Thank you! I shall definitely try my best to keep it "not too soppy"; that's kind of difficult for me since I'm a sucker for romantic mush!
AUSTRO GREENLEAF - Thank you! Don't worry; if it's any hint, Legolas is first in my heart before Haldir! ;p
CRYSTAL FIRE - Thank you for being one of the reviewers I can always count on for every chapter!
ARWEN UNDOMIEL - Thank you! You are by far the sweetest, most supportive reviewer I have, and I really appreciate it. Don't worry; I will keep emailing you the updates since your reviews mean a lot to me!
LILENA - Hehe. . . you're absolutely right! On with the testosterone war! (Er. . . but do elves even have testosterone? ;p )
ARWEN TINUVIEL - No problem at all! In fact, it will be nice if you do take your time. I can tell you're really reading thoroughly. Thanks for your interest!
SNOWMANE - Thank you so much! That is certainly very flattering. I will do my best to live up to your expectations! I'm glad someone appreciates my long chapters!
NOVVILYAIEL - Thanks! I'm glad to hear I can draw the attention of even the non-romantic types! I don't get what you mean by the use of Latin words, though. If you get to read this, I hope you can clear that up for me.
ARAFANGWEN - Thank you, thank you! Actually, I get to write this fast because it is currently summer vacation in our country. (that explains a lot! Hehehe. . . ) But I do admit that I am writing pretty fast. When I'm on a hot streak I can sit for up to five consecutive hours in front of the computer. What gives me a hot streak? Why, reviewers like you! (and, of course, a good dose of Legolas sighting every other hour) I use Sindarin from the Grey-Company site. (I have already been flamed for doing so because apparently it's considered cheap Elvish, but. . . it works for me so the heck with it!)
QUICK REMINDER: The name ARMIR translates into "royal (ar-) jewel (-mir)". Keep that in mind as you read. . .
This is the one and only chapter where you'll get to really see the love triangle in all its delicious intensity and drama, so I hope you will enjoy it! Plus, after this chapter, things are not going to be quite so light or happy anymore.
HAPPY READING!
* * *
THE SACRIFICE
Chapter Eight - Rivals
If there was anything Haldir loved more than the evenings at his homeland, it was the dawns. During the wee hours of the morning, just when the stars have begun to fade, the forests of Lorien seemed to be fully basked in peace and the fullness of its own beauty.
And on that particularly fine morning, as he walked down the path leading to Armir's talan, the March Warden seemed to appreciate the prettiness of Lorien daybreak even more. He let out a contended sigh as a soft breeze blew through his hair, carrying with it a hundred pleasantly woodsy smells. The growing sunshine kissed his face, and the singing of early birds and other rising forest critters greeted him good morning as he went on his way.
Haldir smiled to himself, something he usually would never be caught dead doing. It seemed as though the misgivings he had harbored the previous night over having to spend an entire day with Armir have completely vanished.
So what if they were no longer the lovers they once were? Armir was still one of his most beloved friends, and she deserved to have some real fun after all the ordeals she had gone through lately. It wasn't fair of him to treat her coldly just because he could not seem to stick to their agreement to remain simply good friends.
"Just a friend." Haldir repeated himself for the millionth time since he woke up. Armir was a friend, nothing more. He felt certain he could eventually learn to sincerely see her as such if he tried hard enough. He had to, if he wanted to keep his peace of mind.
Suddenly, Haldir's ears picked up on the sound of light footsteps nearby. Though he stiffened as his senses instinctively went on full alert, he did not stop moving. Instead the elf heightened his concentration as he listened carefully to the unbroken footfall, seeking to identify its owner. Moments later he shook his head and smirked.
Pretending not to have noticed anything, he kept on walking. But as a minute later he felt the mysterious stalker try to jump at him from behind, he whirled around and caught a slender hand before it landed on his shoulder.
"Quel amrun, (good morning) Haldir!" Armir greeted with a sweet smile, though she was obviously surprised at his being able to detect her presence so easily.
"Your stealth has improved much since the last time." Haldir remarked, releasing his firm grip on her wrist. "I am guessing you have gotten much practice over the last thirty years."
Armir laughed merrily as she fell into step beside him. "Maybe so, but I still could never beat you." she replied. "Really March Warden, is there anything you are incapable of?"
"Many things, Princess." Haldir said with a chuckle. "I am simply good at keeping them secret."
He raised his eyebrows at her. "And what are you doing wandering around like this sneaking up on people so early in the morning?" he admonished. "You were supposed to wait for me to fetch you."
Armir shrugged. "I have been awake for hours now, and I grew tired of just sitting around in my talan." she explained. "So. . . I decided to go out and find you to save us some time."
Haldir shook his head, unable to resist a smile. "And so you have." he sighed. "Come on then. I suppose it is just as well. This means we will be able to accept Laicristiel and Rumil's invitation to join them for breakfast. Orophin will be there too."
"Really?" Armir said, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "That is wonderful! I have wanted to finally meet your brothers for the longest time."
"Ah, yes. . . well, they are also very eager to meet you." Haldir responded, nervously making a metal note to tell his siblings to shut their mouths on any embarrassing stories or secrets they might spill out.
And with that, Armir slid her hand readily through the arm Haldir offered her, and they went on their way.
* * *
". . . and so he tripped, went sailing through the air and landed face down on a giant mud puddle with a huge splat!" Orophin said gleefully, slapping his hand on the table as a matching gesture. "What made it even more ghastly was that the Lady just happened to be walking by at that moment. Not only did she see the whole thing happen, but she got some of the muck splattered on the skirt of her dress too! I do not think Haldir could have been more mortified than he was on that occasion."
"I cannot imagine it!" Armir gasped out, in near tears from laughing so hard. "And all the while I thought Haldir was the perfect, unbendable elf who has not a single fault and never makes a single mistake!"
"Ha! That is where you are gravely wrong, Princess." Orophin scoffed. "Pretense! It is all pretense. Our brother has many defects like everyone else. He just takes great care in making sure nobody knows about them."
"Yes, and that is why you, little brother, are soon to be dead meat, once Haldir finds out you have snitched to Armir about that story." Rumil warned, flashing the younger elf a wry smile from where he sat at the head of the table.
"He will not find out from me." Armir promised quickly, noticing the sudden look of panic that came to Orophin's face. "My lips are sealed."
"Where has Haldir gone to, anyway? I did not even notice him leave!" Laicristiel asked, as she stood up from the table and collected their emptied breakfast plates.
Rumil shrugged. "He said something about having to run a quick errand." he answered. "Do not worry, he should be back in a while for Armir."
"Are you certain you cannot come with us today?" Armir asked her three new friends imploringly. "It would be even so much more fun if all of us went around Lorien together."
Rumil shook his head with a rueful smile. "I am sorry, Princess. But we all have our own duties to attend to. It is only Haldir who has been given a holiday for the rest of this week."
"And he very rightfully deserves it." Laicristiel declared. "He has been working non-stop for the past month. That elf is in dire need of a day off, whether he admits it or not."
"Ah yes." Orophin smirked. "Haldir- the only elf I know of who thinks a vacation is some cruel form of punishment."
"It is quite miraculous that you and he were able to become such great friends, Armir." Rumil commented thoughtfully. "So many differences and in spite of them you were able to get along well?"
Armir nodded. "I guess there really is some truth about opposites finding attraction." she answered simply. It seemed that Haldir never told his brothers about the romantic past they had shared in Rivendell, so she supposed it was not in her place to reveal to them any more than what they already knew.
Just then, a horn sounded from below, signaling that there was someone waiting down their talan. Rumil stood up from the table and peered out the window of their house.
"It is Haldir." he announced a moment later. "He is calling for you to come down, Princess."
After bidding her gracious hosts farewell, Armir climbed down the ladder to where the March Warden waited for her by the tree.
"Are you ready?" he asked as she jumped down the last step.
"As ready as I shall ever be!" Armir responded cheerfully. She frowned slightly and pointed to the knives, quiver of arrows, and bow strapped to the elf's broad back. "Did I miss something, or are we going to war?"
Haldir smiled. "It is always advisable to stay armed." he told her. "I shall be taking you quite closely to the borders, and there may still be orcs roaming around. Hopefully though, I will not have to use any of these."
The elf then paused, and looked at Armir cautiously. "Incidentally, it just occurred to me." he began, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. "Does Legolas know you will be in my company for the whole day today?"
"The Lady said she will inform him and the others of my whereabouts." Armir replied, oblivious to the scorn on the March Warden's face. "My absence should not be a problem with him. He has been wanting to spend some quality time with Gimli, anyway."
"Good." Haldir said with a brisk nod. "I do not wish to risk the wrath of your lover's protectiveness."
Armir felt herself bristle slightly upon noticing the heavy sarcasm in his voice. The irritation turned into hurt. Why was he being so antagonistic towards Legolas? She understood Legolas' jealous dislike towards Haldir, but she could not see any valid reason Haldir might have for not liking Legolas.
Just when she was about to give the March Warden a piece of her mind, the elf pulled out something from behind his back.
"Here." he said softly, holding it out to her. "I picked this up for you yesterday."
Armir gasped in surprise, then stared delightedly at what Haldir had handed her. It was the sweetest flower she had ever seen in her life. It was small, no bigger than the palm of her hand, and rather plain, but in its simplicity there was a unique sort of beauty present. Its many silken petals were so radiantly white and pure they seemed to glitter like jewels in the sunlight.
The maiden looked back at Haldir in wide-eyed awe. "Is this. . .?"
Haldir smiled and nodded, obviously pleased with her reaction to his gift. "The Armir flower? Yes, that is it."
"It is wonderful!" Armir exclaimed happily, holding the blossom to her nose and inhaling its pleasing scent.
All her life she had longed to see for herself the flower her mother had named her after. Her grandfather had told her everything about it when she was little- how it was so rare that most people didn't know of its existence, or merely thought of it as a mythical entity. It grew only in Lorien, and even then it could only be found in very remote areas, for it always bloomed individually. However, the most remarkable characteristic the Armir flower possessed was its share in the immortality of the elves. Even when plucked from its stem it never wilted nor faded, but retained its splendor for all time.
Armir gazed up at Haldir, feeling so touched by his gesture she almost wanted to cry. It must have taken him hours of searching just to locate this one flower for her.
"Diola lle (thank you)." she whispered. "You will never know how much this means to me."
A fond smile crept across Haldir's lips. "I believe I do." he said softly, moving closer. Taking the flower from Armir's hand, he stepped behind her and tucked it gently into her hair, just above her ear.
"It does you justice." he murmured, stroking the pointed tip of her ear affectionately before backing away. "I can understand why you share the same name."
They stared into each other's eyes for a long, wistful moment before Haldir switched back to his detached self with a shake of his head.
"It is best that we get going now." he said briskly. "The sun rises high, and there is still much to see, and much to do."
He turned to Armir and courteously offered her his arm. The maiden hesitated, biting her lower lip.
"Haldir, if you do not mind," she began. "I would like for you to treat me as you did when we were in Rivendell. As your friend, and not a princess. No more formalities, please."
At these words, a sudden grin broke thorough the grimness of the March Warden's face, delighting and greatly surprising Armir at the same time.
"As you wish. . . Mellonamin."
* * *
"Gimli. . . may I ask you something?"
The dwarf looked up at the tall elf walking beside him and nodded. "Of course, my friend." he replied easily. "I knew something has been troubling your mind ever since we set out this morning."
Legolas cringed. "Am I that obvious?"
Gimli chuckled. "Laddie, I am no mind reader, but I sure can identify a distressed face when I see one." he told him. "Come then. What is it that bothers you? Tell old Gimli."
Legolas sighed heavily. "Have you. . ." he faltered, suddenly appearing very embarrassed. "Have you. . . ever been in love before?"
There was a silent pause as Gimli halted in his tracks. Then, the dwarf burst out into loud, hearty laughter, making Legolas redden all the more.
"I willingly open my heart out to you and this is what I get?" the elf grumbled, a heavy scowl marring his fair face. "I should have known better!"
"I mean you no offense, dear friend." Gimli said immediately, getting a hold of himself as Legolas turned away from him and sat down rather sulkily on a nearby tree root. "It is just. . . that look on your face. You seem to be quite the lovesick youth, eh?"
Legolas gave no answer but instead lowered his head, staring down at the ground as the offense in his expression deepened.
Feeling a rush of pity for the melancholy elf, Gimli came over and sat down beside him.
"The answer is no, Legolas." he said gently. "I have never loved a dwarf-woman the same way you love the Lady Armir. In fact, I believe no Middle Earth male has ever loved a female as much as you do her. "
Legolas raised his head and looked at his friend wearily. "That is precisely what I fear, Gimli." he mumbled. "I am anxious about my own feelings."
The wrinkles on Gimli's brow deepened with confusion. "What do you mean by that?"
"How is it possible that I could care for someone this madly and this quickly?" Legolas said, desperation seeping into his usually calm voice. "It is not the way of my kindred to fall in love so easily. I feel as though I am going insane with the way I have been acting and feeling."
Gimli stared at the elf, suddenly struck with much concern. He never knew Legolas felt this way about his romance with Armir. He was always under the impression that the elf had found sheer happiness in his newfound love.
"How can you say that?" the dwarf asked, placing a strong hand on his friend's shoulder. "How could affection for such a wonderful, beautiful maiden be considered folly?"
"I have lived for many centuries now, and never in those long years have I felt in my heart as much passion, joy and protectiveness as I have in the past fortnight." Legolas said grimly shaking his head. "These emotions-- they are too strong and too quick. They cannot be normal."
Gimli frowned. "Are you questioning your feelings for the lady? You doubt that your love for her is real?"
There was a long silence before at last Legolas lowered his head, looking defeated.
"I suppose there is no other way to explain it now, is there?" he murmured.
Gimli sighed. "My friend, you are confusing yourself." he warned. "Be careful of how you interpret your thoughts and feelings, for unraveling the mysteries of one's own heart is tricky and risky business indeed."
Legolas turned to him with a hopeful look on his face. "Do you think what I feel for her is real?"
Gimli chuckled. "Legolas, this is getting ridiculous. You cannot very well ask me to answer that, can you?" he scolded lightly. "Why trust the opinion of a dedicated bachelor such as I? You are a wise elf, and one in tune with his own soul. You alone should know the truth."
He patted Legolas' back. "But if you would really like to know what I think. . . " he said, a smile growing on his face. "I think you are so utterly in love with the princess that it is frightening you. But what is there to be afraid of? I can tell she cares for you just as much as you do for her."
Legolas groaned and rose to his feet. "Gimli, that is not the point." he moaned. "I love her so much, yet I have known her for only a short time. I can think of nothing but her. I am distracted when she is near, unhappy when she is away, and jealous when I see her in the company of other males." He shook his head, looking very troubled. "It is not supposed to be this way."
"Oh? And that is according to whose standards?" Gimli challenged.
Legolas frowned. "Nobody's. It is merely a given. It is how things have always been." he responded, though obviously with uncertainty.
"Elves. Why must you always be so intellectual about everything?" Gimli scoffed. "I may not possess as much insight as you do, neither have I fallen for someone like you have. But I do know this, my friend. Love has no boundaries, and no rules. It fits into no patterns or measures. That is precisely what makes it so special."
At these words, Legolas gazed at Gimli with a mixture of surprise and realization in his blue eyes. The dwarf smiled, knowing that he had shocked the elf with all the unexpected wisdom he had just let out of his mouth. Seeing that he was also succeeding in knocking some sense into the clueless lad's head, he completed his point.
"Just because your love is different, does not mean it is false. Just because you cannot understand your feelings, does not mean you are wrong to feel them. Think that over, Legolas. Think it over well."
Finished with his little speech, Gimli sat back and waited patiently as Legolas did ponder over what he has just heard, staring mutely at the ground as he did so. At long last, he lifted his head back up.
"You are absolutely right, Gimli." he said, his handsome face shining with sudden gladness. "I have been so irrational. I love Armir. So what if our romance is unlike that of elves before us? The point is, it is real, and I do feel in my heart that it shall last forever."
Gimli laughed. "That's a good lad!" he shouted, standing up to give Legolas a merry slap on the back. "I knew it would not take much talking to knock back some sense into you!"
Legolas smiled gratefully down at his good friend. "Thank you, Gimli. How can I repay you for this?"
The dwarf patted his stomach and grinned. "Well, you could start by taking me someplace where we can have a bite of lunch!" he said, as they went on with their walk through the trails of Caras Galadon. "Then perhaps we could try and see if we can catch up with your sweetheart and this tour guide of hers, eh?"
* * *
Late afternoon had come to Lorien. Normally, this would be a time of day when the tranquil forests would begin to retire from its daily hustle and bustle, in preparation for another peaceful night of rest and slumber.
But it was not quite so in a certain spot by the Silverlode river, where two elves broke through the usual silence of the Golden Wood with their uncharacteristically boisterous play.
"Haldir, no! Stop!"
Armir shrieked with uncontrollable laughter as the elf, having easily swept her off her feet into his arms, carried her to the edge of the Silverlode bank. He grinned mischievously as he held the wriggling maiden precariously over the rushing stream.
"Surrender, or in moments you shall be soaked." he warned teasingly.
"Never!" Armir gasped out in between giggles. She kicked her legs and struggled as hard as she could to free herself, but Haldir's grip was much too powerful for her dainty body to contend with.
"Do not test me, Lirimaer (lovely one)." Haldir advised with a chuckle. "You know I will do it."
He tossed his prisoner up in the air a little, causing her to yelp and hang on to his neck to prevent her fall. "If you insist on being stubborn, you give me no choice. . ."
Dangling her ominously above the gushing river, he prepared to drop her into the cold waters.
"Amin lava (I yield)!" Armir screamed suddenly, clinging tightly as she sensed his hold around her begin to loosen. "Amin lava!"
Haldir burst into laughter. He backed away from the edge of the Silverlode before finally setting Armir back on the ground. "You are still as helpless as ever, Armir!" he exclaimed. "You give in much too easily!"
"Well, you certainly cannot expect a defenseless maiden like me to take on a big bad March Warden like you!" Armir retorted, as she caught her breath and held up a hand to smooth down her messed up hair.
"Do not kid me." Haldir teased, as he took her hand and they walked back further up the riverbank. "You cannot be as frail as you make yourself sound. Any maiden who has gone into Moria and made it out in once piece surely must have some strength in her."
Armir shrugged. "It is Legolas, not I, who deserves credit for that." she replied. "He took great care of me all throughout our journey. He is an excellent protector, and I could never have made it this far without him."
There was a pause before Haldir shook his head, a look of disapproval removing the smile from his face. "He will not be there for you forever, Armir." he said quietly.
Armir snapped her head around to stare him, an instant rush of offense rising in her. "What do you mean?"
"All I am saying is, there may come a time when you will find yourself in danger while Legolas is in no position to come to your rescue." Haldir told her grimly. "You have been fortunate so far, but that luck can only hold out for so long. You should be able to defend yourself, and not merely count on another elf for protection."
"Haldir, you know very well that I am no warrior." Armir reminded him. "I never chose to learn, simply because I have never felt the inclination for fighting anywhere within me."
"That does not change the fact that you are in great need of it now." Haldir said firmly. "You have finished merely one stage of your quest, Armir. More peril surely lies ahead. I cannot allow you to leave Lorien without the assurance that you will be able to fend for yourself in the remainder of this journey."
After saying this, the March Warden stared down at her thoughtfully for a few moments. Then, his face lit up, as though an idea abruptly occurred to him.
"Come." he said suddenly, grabbing her hand and pulling her along as he broke into a brisk walk.
"Where are we going?" Armir asked in bewilderment, as she struggled to keep up with his long, hurried strides.
"You shall see soon enough." was the vague reply.
Ten minutes later, their vigorous walk ended at last. Armir stared all around her, trying to get a grasp of where Haldir had practically dragged her to. They were standing in a wide, circular clearing in the middle of the woods. The place was deserted, and void of buildings and structures of any such. There were only two clues which helped the maiden distinguish their location: a line of trees along one side on which hung a number of archery targets, and a sparring ring outlined on the ground with rocks.
"Welcome to the Galadrim training grounds." Haldir announced proudly, gesturing to their surroundings. "Fortunately, all the warriors must have finished their training sessions early today. We can have the place all to ourselves."
Armir whirled around and stared at him with wide eyes. "You cannot be serious!" she exclaimed. "You plan to train ME? Here? Now?"
Haldir chuckled at the horrified look at her face. "Why not?" he countered. "I have successfully trained hundreds of recruits here in the past few years. It is time you learned to fight, Princess."
Armir shook her head in alarm. "I. . . I cannot!" she stammered. "I am no solider! You shall certainly find me a hopeless case and then grow frustrated with me!"
Haldir smiled and took her by the elbow, leading her slowly towards the archery range. "The great Lord Elrond's granddaughter an unpromising warrior? I should think not!"
He squeezed her arm gently and gave her a pleading look. "Do it for me, Armir. Give me this one chance to impart one basic lesson. Just one." he promised. "It would make me feel a whole lot better about you going out on this quest again."
Armir finally sighed. "All right." she relented. "If you say so. But do not be so hard on me. You know I am very incompetent in this sort of thing."
Haldir grinned. "I shall be as gentle as a lamb." he assured her happily. "Now. . ."
He drew out the long bow from where it was strapped upon his back and handed it to the dismayed maiden.
"Let us start with archery, shall we?"
* * *
"Are you certain you wish to go through with this, Master Dwarf?' Legolas asked his companion mischievously, as they walked down yet another one of the grassy trails winding through the Golden Wood. "I must say I have never attempted sparring with one of your kind before. I may not be able to handle it."
"Do not fret, Laddie." Gimli replied, his eyes twinkling with joking amusement that matched the elf's. "I understand your worries. I shall go easy and try not to trounce you too harshly."
"You are too kind." Legolas said with a smirk.
The day had passed by more quickly and enjoyably than Legolas had thought it would. He had expected to be thoroughly annoyed at his being deprived of the chance to spend the day with his beloved, but Gimli had not been half a bad companion. He was starting to grow very fond of this feisty dwarf, who managed to help him forget about Armir's absence with his lively attitude and coarse but entertaining conversational skills.
At that moment, they were on their way to the Galadrim training grounds, for Legolas had accepted the dwarf's challenge to spar with him- his axe against his Elvish blades. It was the last activity he had agreed on before they would finally end their day, and he could go look for Armir. Hopefully she would likewise be through with her Lorien tour and they could have dinner together.
As they neared the training grounds, Legolas suddenly became aware of voices conversing in the distance. Two voices, to be exact- one male, the other female. It took him only a second to identify both, and his reaction was instant.
"What is the matter?" Gimli asked in surprise, as the elf quickened his step, calm face hardening with sudden anger. "Legolas, wait!"
* * *
"Just relax." Haldir told Armir gently from where he stood close behind her. "If you tense up too much you will tire easily."
Armir frowned as she shifted her grip on Haldir's bow, which she had loaded and now pointed at the target. "If I relax any more, I shall drop it." she mumbled, somewhat frustrated. "This is much too heavy for me."
The March Warden smiled. "You are right. It is not the proper size for one of your build and level." he admitted. "But it is all we have with us right now, so we shall have to make do."
He stepped closer to Armir and circled his arms around her from behind.
"Position your hand here, closer to the center." he instructed, moving her fingers along the wood as he spoke. "That way the weight will not seem quite so burdensome."
"Plant your feet firmly on the ground." He placed his hand on her waist, carefully pushing her body into the correct angle.
"Shoulders erect." His fingers massaged the small of her back, urging her into the proper posture.
He gripped her right elbow. "Raise this to the level of your shoulder." he went on, demonstrating. "The feathered end of the arrow should be just at your cheek. . . "
Armir giggled. "I must look so ridiculous." she said, shaking her head. "Now I know why Glorfindel gave up on me the last time I attempted to learn this years ago."
Haldir smiled, but did not draw his wandering hands away from her body as he continued adjusting her stance. "Well, I certainly shall not give up on you. . . " he began to reply, but was cut off by the emergence of a third voice.
"I hope we are not interrupting anything."
Immediately recognizing the cold, sarcastic tone, Haldir looked up to meet the furious glare of Legolas. The Mirkwood elf stood at the edge of the clearing with his dwarf companion beside him. He did NOT look pleased.
Surprisingly enough, Haldir felt no fear nor guilt about being caught with his arms around the prince's lover. Even as he returned Legolas' vicious look with one of his own, the March Warden became aware of an irrepressible, fierce anger growing in his own heart. At once he knew that this confrontation was dangerously but unavoidably minutes away from exploding into a full-out brawl.
Oblivious to the heated eye exchange between the two elves, Armir dropped her archery stance and rushed over to Legolas, still clutching Haldir's bow in her hands.
"Legolas!" she exclaimed happily. "What a coincidence! What brings you here?"
Legolas forced a small smile for the sake of his maiden as she gave greeted him with a quick kiss. "Gimli and I were thinking of having a little sparring match." he explained to her. "And what about you? I thought you would still be on your tour of Lorien."
"I was. I mean, I still am." Armir corrected herself. "Haldir just brought me here to give me a little archery lesson."
Legolas' eyes narrowed. "I was not told HE was going to be your tour guide." he said through clenched teeth.
"Who else did you expect?" Haldir spoke up suddenly, calmly making his way over to them. He could not help but smirk when Legolas shot him a dagger-look as he approached. "I am, after all, the March Warden of Lothlorien."
Haldir could see Legolas color slightly at his smug words, clearly livid with rage. He was obviously longing to strike him down, but was restrained by Armir's presence.
"Then tell me, March Warden. Since when was an archery lesson part of a guided tour?" Legolas hissed, taking a step away from Armir towards Haldir.
Haldir stared back at him coolly, crossing his arms over his chest. "I merely thought it was time the Lady learned how to fend for herself, instead of having to rely on a guardian for her protection." he responded frostily. "It would only be for her benefit, do you not agree?"
"And I suppose you are in the best position to teach her?" Legolas snapped, blue eyes flaring menacingly.
Haldir lifted his chin proudly. "Yes." he said with all the arrogance he could muster, and was rewarded with the satisfaction of seeing the scowl on Legolas's grow even deeper.
"Then, by all means, perhaps you would care to engage in a brief competition with me." the Elven prince said, bowing his head in subtle mockery. "It would be an honor to go against the alleged champion of Lorien."
Taken aback by the sudden and direct challenge, Haldir glowered at him. Who did this pretentious youth think he was dealing with?
"Legolas, tampa tanya (stop that)!" Armir said sharply, but desperately. She handed Haldir's bow back to him and took her lover by the arm, trying to pull him away. "Let us just go. . . "
"I would be pleased to accept your challenge, Legolas of Mirkwood." Haldir said icily. "But I do not believe you have your archery equipment with you."
Legolas smirked. "No, but I have brought my knives, and it looks like you have as well." he responded, nodding at the sheathed blades strapped to Haldir's back. "I am confident that a prized Lorien warrior such as yourself will have no trouble competing with weapons of any form."
Haldir gritted his teeth. This sarcastic elf certainly knew how to get to him. He was feeling more rage and ferocity towards him than he ever had towards anyone else before. Irrationality took over the March Warden. Before he even realized what he was doing, he had drawn out his knives from their sheathes and wielded them in front of Legolas' face.
"Let us get on with it then." he growled.
"Haldir, no. Please!" Armir begged, as the two elves headed towards the sparring ring.
The fear in her voice caused Haldir to freeze for a brief moment. He glanced back at her hopeful face, pleading with him to just walk away from this conflict. But deep inside of him, no matter how badly he wanted to do as she asked, he knew he just couldn't. This fight between him and Legolas was no longer for pride or honor.
It was a battle for her. . . and he had to win it.
* * *
Legolas took a deep breath as he walked over to one side of the enclosed circle. He had to calm himself, if he intended to focus and triumph in this match.
He watched through narrowed, hate-filled eyes at the elf who positioned himself on the side across him. He had tried his very best to tolerate him as Armir had asked, but the earlier scene simply forced him to lose all control on his temper. His incredible rush of fury and uncontrolled taunting led him to where he stood now, and there was no other choice but to fight.
From the corner of his eye he could see Armir standing at the sidelines with Gimli. He could feel her gaze boring straight into him, imploring him to stop this madness at once. He felt the sting of remorse as he realized that he had absolutely no desire to obey.
"She just does not understand." Legolas thought sadly.
Being innocent as she was, Armir could not see into Haldir's obvious intentions. She believed that the March Warden had no interest in her outside that of friendship, but Legolas knew better. Haldir was seeking to recapture Armir's affections, and if Legolas did not do anything to protect her from his advances, he would surely succeed. He was willing to die first before he would let that happen.
"Will you take the first attack, or shall I?"
His waiting opponent's haughty voice brought Legolas back on alert. He clenched his jaw angrily and lifted his knives into a perfect fighting stance. He returned Haldir's glare and nodded.
"Be my guest."
* * *
The furious clash of metal against metal filled the training grounds as Haldir charged furiously, initiating the fight. Legolas parried his attack with equally smooth defenses, deflecting each blow effortlessly as their knives flashed rapidly though the air. It took Haldir mere seconds to realize that this young elf was far more skilled than he ever thought he could give him credit for. He was possibly the best contender he has ever faced, even.
However, if there was one thing Haldir had learned through his many years of instructing Lorien soldiers, it was that every warrior had a weakness. His specialty had always been in spotting them.
Haldir knew that Legolas was a good few centuries his minor, and thus was less experienced. Being of a heavier, more muscular build, the March Warden had brute strength on his side. The Mirkwood prince, on the other had, was far more agile and swift.
At one point in their unbroken exchange of blows, Haldir attempted to sidetrack his opponent using a complex attack maneuver taught to him by his predecessors, one that only he in Lorien had currently mastered. Much to his surprise, Legolas managed to swing around and evade the deadly blade just before it grazed his tunic.
Haldir frowned, both in anger and disbelief. That tactic had never failed him before. Now he knew this elf was definitely someone to contend with. This fight was going to be closer and far more difficult than he thought.
The fierce skirmish continued unremittingly, neither elf willing to back down or drop his momentum. Just when it seemed as though the battle was going to carry on forever without a victor, Legolas finally managed to catch Haldir off guard. With a flurried motion of his blades, too quick for the March Warden to contend with, he knocked Haldir's right knife away from his hand. It went sailing through the air and landed on the grass well out of his reach.
Haldir reacted quickly and dove for his mislaid weapon. In the blink of an eye he rolled over, snatched the knife from the ground back into his hand, and spun around just in time to shield himself from Legolas' immediate attack as it bore down on him harshly and relentlessly.
The elves were trapped in a deadly lock of crossed knives, with Legolas pressing down mercilessly on top of a kneeling Haldir. Their arm muscles shook with tension as each one struggled to overpower the other. In a long, furious moment, their steely glares collided. Haldir could clearly read the threat screaming from Legolas' enraged face.
"Stay away from her!"
A hot, searing anger shook every vein in Haldir's body. Who did this elf think he was?! Tempestuous fire burned in his eyes as he glared back his reply.
"Never!"
His wrath giving him a renewed burst of power, the March Warden shoved Legolas back with amazing force. He rose to his feet as the surprised elf stumbled back a considerable distance away, giving him an opening for a fresh attack.
And this time, he would not miss.
* * *
"Enough! Stop this!"
Armir's cries split the vehement silence in the sparring ring. She ran to the two elves and planted herself right in front of Legolas, preventing Haldir from making any further advances.
"Stop this right now!" she shouted, her whole body trembling with both terror and anger. She glared back and forth between the two, her usually sweet eyes now infuriated.
"What is wrong with you both?" she screamed at them. "Do you think this is entertaining, seeing you act like savages? Why are even doing this?!"
Neither of the two males spoke for a while, as their passion gradually calmed down and their breaths slowed to normal pace. Their glares seemed to fade as Armir stared at them through tear-filled eyes. Their rage was replaced by sudden guilt.
"I cannot understand what has come over you!" Armir sobbed, the tears now streaming uncontrollably down her flushed cheeks. "Why must you fight like this? Nothing can be worth all this anger and hate! Nothing!"
She switched her blurred gaze back and forth between the two elves. Haldir was now hanging his head in obvious shame. Legolas' stare was directly upon her, full of worry and remorse at the sight of her so upset.
Armir closed her eyes and inhaled in sharp breaths, struggling to calm herself in spite of the distress pounding in her sensitive spirit.
All throughout the dreadful fight she had watched in silent agony as the two of the most important elves in her life battled against each other, every moment wrenching her soul painfully. She had hoped that their match would truly be nothing more than a harmless competition resulting from an impulsive challenge and a wounded pride. However, as the blows grew more violent and the glares intensified, it soon became clear that this was no mere sparring contest. The rage and hostility were so vivid on their faces, Armir could almost feel them radiating from their hearts, and it frightened her greatly. She simply could not understand what could make two usually calm and benevolent elves act that way all of a sudden. . Then at last, she came to the realization of what they were fighting over. They were fighting over her. This was all her fault.
Armir buried her face in her hands, her mind spinning with confusion and fear. What kind of enchantress must she be to arouse so much animosity between two kinsmen? What could she have done to make Legolas and Haldir despise each other like this?
"Armir. . ." She heard Legolas say gently as he approached her.
The maiden's head snapped back up immediately. She recoiled from Legolas' touch, backing away with widening eyes. She suddenly felt an irrational fear that if he came into contact with her, the anomalous wrath in him would somehow be rekindled. The last thing she wanted was to affect him that way ever again.
Before Legolas could take one more step closer, she spun on her heel and fled the training grounds as fast as she could.
* * *
Legolas stared after the retreating maiden in dismay and apprehension. The look he had glimpsed in her eyes before she turned away was unlike any he had ever seen before. He could not even identify it. Was it fear? Anger? Pain? Whichever it was, all he was certain of was that he had to go after her.
Throwing Haldir one last glare to scowl him to stay out of this, the Mirkwood prince sped after his princess. It did not take him very long to catch up with her as she ran through the forest, stumbling somewhat in unmistakable grief.
"Armir, wait!" he pleaded, as he fell into step beside her. "I just want to. . ."
"Legolas, please stay away." she sobbed, jerking out of his reach as he tried to take her by the arm. "Just leave me alone."
"I am sorry for what happened." Legolas said anxiously. He did not persist in trying to take her by force, but instead continued to walk alongside, desperate to just get her to look at him.
"I apologize if I had hurt or offended you. I should not have let Haldir get to me so easily. It is just. . . when I saw you with him, and the way he was touching you, I could not help myself." Legolas explained in a rush. "I know now that it was a foolish mistake. I allowed pride and anger to control me, and for that I rebuke myself. I beg your forgiveness. It shall not happen again, I swear it."
At these words, Armir halted in her tracks. She whirled around to face him, her chin quivering and her blue eyes shimmering with tears. There was a moment of silence before she managed to emit the words from her lips.
"Legolas, I am so sorry!" she whispered. "This. . . this is all my fault!"
Legolas' mouth dropped slightly open with surprise as the maiden rushed into his arms, burying her face against his shoulder and wrapping her arms tightly around him. Upon overcoming his shock he held her close, stroking her hair and back comfortingly.
"What are you talking about?" he murmured. "How can you blame yourself for my wrongdoing?"
"I do not know what I have done!" she wept against his tunic. "But I know it is because of me that you are acting this way!"
"What? Why do you say that?" Legolas asked in bewilderment, drawing slightly away to look upon her face.
"Am I not the reason why you and he fought each other?"
Legolas took her face between his hands and kissed away a tear that slid down her cheek. "Yes, but that is only because I love you." he told her firmly. "I feared Haldir was trying to take you away from me, so in my anger I challenged him."
"You are the most wonderful elf I have ever met! Your soul is too kind and gentle for anger or envy." Armir cried, shaking her head. "I curse myself for eliciting such vile emotions in you. I fear that my love brings only harm upon you."
Legolas stared down at her face with concern. Where were all these self-accusations coming from? How could she ever think that she brought anything other than happiness into his life?
Then, his mind flashed back to his earlier conversation with Gimli, and he realized the truth.
Like him, Armir was unused to the new, sudden passions their relationship seemed to arouse in both of them. She was just as frightened and insecure with the uniqueness and intensity of their love as he was, and needed reassurance that it was all right for them to feel this way.
"Armir," he said gently, running his fingers down the soft skin of her face. "You cannot blame yourself for what I feel. I know it may seem like our love brings out in us strange and sometimes painful emotions, but perhaps that is simply how true love is meant to be."
He smiled and kissed her forehead lovingly. "If there is anyone at fault here, it is I for not being able to restrain my foolish jealousy. But do not ever, EVER think you make me anything but a better person. I have waited centuries someone like you to come into my life, and now that you are here. . ."
He paused and shook his head before finishing. "I still cannot thank the Valar enough for gifting me with the love of the most beautiful creature in all of Middle Earth."
Armir gaped at him speechlessly for a few moments, apparently stunned by his words.
Legolas chuckled at the dazed look on her face, feeling a sudden surge of affection for his sweet maiden. Impulsively, he pulled her to him, and kissed her deeply with all the longing in his heart.
"I love you so much." he whispered in her ear when he finally drew away. "I always will, for all eternity."
At last her smile shone back on him through her tears, which were now of joy.
"I love you too, Legolas." she said softly, resting her head against the comfort of his chest. "For all my life."
"Nothing can ever change that."
* * *
COMING UP . . . Chapter 9 - Counsel
NOTES:
My apologies if people felt Legolas and Haldir were a little out of Elvish character here with all their rage and envy. There will be deeper explanations for that abnormal behavior later on. . . something that will involve Armir. (that girl is just so FULL of mystery, isn't she?!)
And I'm also sorry if it ended kind of mushily. ;p But trust me, it is good closure for what is going to happen in the next two chapters. Then you will end up wishing I just stuck to being mushy. . . does that make sense?
Okay, I will just shut up now before I reveal any more. Reviews are badly needed if I am going to come up with a new chapter on time! It's gonna be one heck of an emotional roller coaster for Armir from here on!
Thanks guys, and see you real soon!