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Starlight63- here's your answer.

I was nervous and extremely edgy. I'd hidden my scars from them for nearly seven hundred years and the thought of showing them now terrified me.

I finished getting changed and turned around to get Thalia. She was stood there wrapped in towel and fidgeting nervously with the hem on it.

I knew how she felt; I shook my head and removed the towel from her body. I was trying desperately to believe my own words; there was nothing to hide from.

Slowly we walked to the pool and climbed in, I heard the sharp gasps from Legolas and Glorfindel as they saw my torso. I purposely ignored them, I had to concentrate on Thalia or I would run. She reached for my outstretched arms hesitantly; I looked into her eyes and nodded.

We sat on a step on the edge of the pool; Thalia submerged herself in order to hide herself from their eyes. I thought about doing the same thing, but quickly dismissed the idea.

Next to me, I could feel Glorfindel's eyes on me. I turned to meet his gaze.

"Haldir! That's how you knew?" Glorfindel asked a look of disbelief on his face, the expression looked very out of place on the normally dignified Lord.

"It is"

"Why? Why have you never told us?"

"I was ashamed to tell you"

I could no longer meet his gaze so I turned my eyes to Legolas and Thalia; she was sat on his lap talking to him. They were an adorable couple, I was happy for her. She deserved it, and nobody's love was more pure and giving than Legolas'.

"I understand. Why now? It looks as if your scars are a few hundred years old"

"They are; I haven't done it in seven hundred years. I am showing you now, because I have come to realize that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Especially in front of you and Legolas; and after all, how could I tell Thalia that was nothing to be ashamed of if I myself was not willing to show my body?"

"Aye, indeed Haldir. I am relieved to hear that you feel that you can trust us enough not to be ashamed. I for one am proud to call you my friend, and I am sure that Legolas feels the same. Speaking of which, from the look on his face it seems that Legolas has already made plans for the future. I have no doubt that the two will be married by next spring"

I laughed, "I agree my friend, and it will do her good"

"It will," Glorfindel agreed.

"Thalia", Glorfindel called to her.

It felt good to know that I'd helped someone. Something good had come out of my own pain. And without knowing it she had helped me.

I was drawn out of my thoughts when Glorfindel asked her why she was afraid of Elrond. I could understand her answer and was glad to hear that she had been able to push the hostile feelings that she had toward her father away from Elrond. Lord Elrond was a kind elf, despite his strict appearance. She would do well to spend some time with him.

"Haldir. Thank you" Legolas said

"For what my friend?"

"For helping her"

He looked down at her, she was awake but her eyes were unfocused, she was deep in thought and heard nothing of our conversation.

"She is my friend Legolas; I would do anything to help her"

"May I ask why you did it?" he said, nodding at my scars.

I related my tale to them and they both listened with wide eyes and angry expressions. They were angry at the fact that I had done it for so long and nobody had noticed.

I finished my tale and we sat in silence. It felt as if a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I felt happy and content to just sit here with the people that I trusted the most.

They looked at me and grinned, Glorfindel burst out laughing, and Legolas chuckled as he didn't want to wake Thalia.

I couldn't help it- I joined in the laughter. I hadn't laughed like that in years. It was a laugh to celebrate freedom and happiness. It was nice just to laugh.

"You should go and put her to bed". I nodded to Thalia. She was exhausted; it would take her body a while to get used to being an elf.

I watched as Legolas took Thalia to her room, he wasn't coming back. He'd stay with her. I smiled.

"What are you smiling about?" Glorfindel asked

"I am just thinking. I am happy for them"

"As am I; and I am happy for you. Thank you Haldir"

He leaned forward and hugged me, "I will always be in your debt Haldir, you have given me something that I have wished for, for a long time"

"There is nothing to thank me for my friend. Come, I don't know about you but I am hungry. I have not eaten yet"

I left the pool and went to get dressed. On the way down to the dining room we passed Thalia's room.

We were unable to resist. We carefully opened to the door to see Thalia snuggled into Legolas' arms. His arms held her tightly and even if she wanted, there was no way that she would be able to get up. One hand cradled her head and the other rested on her lower back. His head rested on hers. The covers had slipped down to reveal their entwined legs. Their hair spread out on the pillow and it was almost impossible to tell who's hair belonged to who.

They presented a sweet picture. Glorfindel looked at me with a huge grin on his face. The two of them would not hear the end of this tomorrow.

With one last look we closed the door and left them to sleep. For an elf, Legolas slept a lot. I'd never met an elf who slept so much.

And with that we went to eat.