Disclaimer: One from first part still applies. Besides, if I owned Haldir, I would not be sitting here writing this, I would be engaged in finding out whether Galadhrim arrows really are the best . . .

A/N: Thank you all for the kind reviews. Hope you keep reading and reviewing. I run on reviews like electricity meters run on 50ps. :-)

'Part 2'

Two years earlier:

Haldir's sharp ears had picked up the sound of the horse long before it had reached him. His eyes widened as the rider became visible. Her dark hair marked her as a Rivendell elf and she vaguely reminded him of Lord Elrond, although infinitely more attractive.

He dropped silently out of his tree as she approached and readied his bow, expecting to startle her.

She didn't even blink. She pulled her horse up and vaulted neatly off it, walking up to him leading it so that his arrow ended up pointing at her neck.

"If you intend to surprise visitors, I suggest you learn to be silent," she said. "I heard you a mile away."

Haldir's judgement of her attractiveness was sharply revised downwards. He narrowed his eyes at her. "What is your name and purpose here?"

"I'll tell you mine when you tell me yours," she shot back.

"I am the one with an arrow pointed at you."

"I have observed it, but you have not answered my question."

Behind him, Haldir heard someone drop down. A moment later, Rumil clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"His name's Haldir," Rumil told her. "I'm Rumil, his brother. Don't mind him, he just got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning. Just like he does every morning, in fact."

Haldir lowered his bow slightly to give Rumil a dirty look.

"There now," the maiden taunted. "That wasn't so very hard, was it?"

Haldir made a sound in his throat that sounded suspiciously like a growl. "And your name is?" he repeated.

She finally smiled. "My name is Tulienne," she said. "And as for my business . . . that remains to be seen. My parents have gone to Valinor and at their request I have left Rivendell and come to Lothlorien to join my uncle's family. And I must say, if all the elves in Lorien are as handsome as you, I think it will prove a good move."

Haldir didn't answer. Rumil leaned forward over his shoulder, his eyes sparkling in amusement. "I think you may have put my brother at a loss for words," he said. "A rare event indeed!"

"She has done nothing of the kind," Haldir said stiffly. "You will be escorted to Caras Galadhon, but it is late so we will begin at first light. Rumil will see to it that you are given food and a place to rest."

"Can't handle me yourself?"

"I could," he said. "But I believe I will pass that dubious privilege onto someone else. March Warden's prerogative."

As he'd headed back to his flet, he'd heard her say, "Shame."

***

Present day:

Haldir wondered what had made him remember that. Probably it was Rumil's impending wedding that had brought it back to him. If Tulienne had not come to Lorien and befriended him, Rumil might never have spoken to her shy cousin. And then he would not have had to spend six months as chaperone. She was certainly a mixed blessing.

In his heart of hearts though, he was glad for Rumil. Ceilwyn might be a little timid for his taste, but she seemed to be able to make his brother happy. He also knew that, although Rumil had sworn that maidens were a terrible nuisance for most of his formative years, his brother had begun to talk several years earlier about taking a wife. And soon he would have one.

Turning his mind back to his archery practice, Haldir let another arrow fly out to the furthest target. It landed dead centre.

"Impressive."

His eyes narrowed slightly in reflex when he recognised Tulienne's voice. She grinned, brandishing her own bow. "But," she said. "I think on closer inspection you will find that it leans slightly to the left. Perhaps I should show you how it is done?"

His eyes narrowed further. "I do not need your help."

"Fine. Then how about I challenge you?"

"Ridiculous."

"What's the matter? Afraid you might lose?"

"Shoot your arrows."

Tulienne smiled triumphantly. "I thought you'd see it my way."

A few of the other elves at the range watched them in badly-hidden amusement. Precious few ever challenged the March Warden.

After the first few shots, Haldir had to admit that she was good. He had heard she had ability, but had never shot side by side with her like this before. So far, they were even.

"You do not usually come down to the practice grounds at this time," he observed as they walked down together to get their arrows.

Tulienne pulled a face. "I snapped," she said. "Three hours of listening to discussions about the perfect flowers for the wedding almost did me in. 'Pink roses would be nice, but then the orange lilies will have to be moved, or we could have tulips but . . . ' - it's enough to make anyone crazy."

"Rumil will speak of nothing else either. Even Orophin seems obsessed."

"I'm afraid he has every intention of asking for Salia's hand and putting us through another six months of chaperone duty."

Haldir's shoulders slumped as he pulled his arrows out of the target. "I had hoped I was imagining it."

Tulienne pulled hers out neatly. "I'm afraid not. We're doomed. Unless we can convince my uncle to let them bring their wedding forward. Which is unlikely, to say the least. It would probably make him assume they had . . . well, a pressing ulterior motive for bringing it forward. And then he'd cut Orophin's head off. Can't you just see him chasing him around Lorien, brandishing his sword?"

Haldir, getting an unexpected flash of the same image, found himself laughing. "Promoting me from chaperone to bodyguard."

"And leaving me to mop up Salia's tears. Lady knows why they want to put themselves through this. Sometimes I think we're the only two in Lothlorien who can keep our heads."

Haldir looked at her in surprise. It was the closest she'd ever come to paying him a compliment. Tulienne was focusing on her shot and didn't notice.

They shot the next two rounds of arrows in silence, their shots still rivalling each other. Finally Tulienne turned to him. "Next shot takes it," she said.

They took their shots and walked down together. Haldir's arrow had split Tulienne's arrow in two perfect halves. Haldir turned to her. "I win," he said, feeling ridiculously pleased.

"Only just," Tulienne retorted. "But nevertheless, well done. I admit it, you're a fine archer."

Haldir grinned in triumph and pulled the arrows out of the target.

"Shame about the rest of your personality," Tulienne called over her shoulder as she walked away from the range.

Haldir found himself watching her walk away, before realising that several of his newer wardens were watching this with great interest. Then he got very interested in the arrows he was holding until he could escape from the range.

***

"What's this I hear about you and Tulienne having an archery contest?" Rumil asked as he walked through the door of Haldir's talan.

Haldir looked up from the table, exasperated. "How is it that at four thousand years of age you have still not learned to knock?"

"Stop avoiding the question."

Haldir sighed. "I was not avoiding the question. We had a short impromptu competition this morning. Nothing to warrant bursting into my home without warning."

Rumil said down opposite him. "You mean to say that the two of you spent time together, alone, voluntarily?"

"We were hardly alone, there were plenty of people there," Haldir said mildly.

"My point is that you were together when you didn't have to be."

"I do not have to talk to you just now, but I have not thrown you out."

"You can't throw me out, I've come to get you. It's the bridal dinner tonight, remember?"

Actually, he hadn't.

"Haldir," Rumil said pleadingly. "You have to come. It's only one dinner."

"You can't eat without supervision now?"

"Tradition, Brother. The family getting together to celebrate the union."

Haldir looked at him darkly. "These events are not encouraging me to celebrate anything. I would enjoy your wedding far more if it required less of my time."

"Well you have to come, so throw on something decent and hurry up about it."

Haldir got up from the table with very bad grace, but did as he was asked.

***

An hour later, Haldir thought his head would explode. One more second of casual chit-chat about anything even vaguely related to weddings and he would spontaneously combust. At the first available opportunity, he managed to escape through the doors onto the balcony.

"I admire your endurance," Tulienne said wryly. "I've been here twenty minutes already."

Haldir leaned against the edge of the balcony. "Do they ever stop?"

Tulienne shook her head. "No, they really don't. All day long we discuss wedding details with my uncle and he asks subtle questions to try and make Ceilwyn say that Rumil has made improper advances to her so that he has an excuse to kill him and call it off. Then we're finally alone and Salia makes some bawdy comment about the 'benefits' of marriage and before you know it Wyn is a frenzy of nerves about their wedding night. I dread to think what's she going to be like on the day. We may have to frog march her down the aisle."

Haldir shook his head. "Mad," he said.

"Completely insane. I hope your brother realises what he's getting himself into."

"I have been wondering the same thing."

Tulienne gave him a quizzical look. "Haldir?"

"Yes?"

"When did this start?"

"What?"

"Us agreeing with each other."

Haldir frowned. "I'm not sure. It's worrying."

"Extremely."

The balcony doors were opened and they both turned round sharply. Tulienne's uncle glared at Haldir. "You are missed," he told them.

Tulienne suppressed a sigh and went back into the room. Haldir went to follow, but found the door shut and her uncle glaring at him, arms folded.

"What exactly are your intentions towards my neice?"

In the name of the Valar!

"I assure you," Haldir said, trying not to laugh. "I have no intentions towards your neice other than to learn to tolerate her company as we will soon be family. I merely came out here to get a breath of air, I did not realise she was here."

He was allowed to return, but he wasn't sure that he was believed.

Still, one more week and the madness would be over. Until Orophin made his own request.

It was going to be a long year.

***

Haldir was wakened from a very pleasant dream by someone knocking on his door. He groaned and pulled himself out of bed.

On the other side of it stood Rumil and Orophin. "He's having a crisis," Orophin explained.

Haldir sighed. "I'll get dressed."

A short time later the three of them were walking through the gardens in an attempt to calm Rumil.

"I'm not nervous," Rumil said for the tenth time and even less sincerely than the other nine. "I'm just a little . . . apprehensive. I mean, I never . . . got married before. I don't know how to . . . get married."

Haldir and Orophin exchanged glances over Rumil's head. "Brother . . ." Orophin said, looking rather self-conscious himself. "I don't think you'll find us much help. Neither of us has ever . . . got married before either."

"Not another one panicking about the wedding night."

Three heads snapped up in the direction of the voice. Tulienne jumped lightly down from her tree branch.

"What are you doing here?" Haldir demanded. "You should not be spying on us."

"I was not spying, I was enjoying a brief taste of freedom," Tulienne retorted.

"You mean your uncle hasn't put locks on your doors?" Rumil joked weakly.

Tulienne grinned. "Rivendell maidens learn to pick locks," she said. "And I was taught well."

"Well, since you're here . . . could you give me some advice?" Rumil asked shyly.

Tulienne raised an eyebrow, but did not seem the slightest bit embarrassed. "Just what are you implying, Cousin?"

Rumil realised what he'd said and flushed bright red. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply anything."

"Glad to hear it," Tulienne said cheerily. "But as for advice . . . Well, show up, stay sober and try to get her to relax. The last could be a challenge. But don't worry, Salia and I have got hold of some tranquilliser herbs and we're going to put them into her breakfast tea. She'll be like putty in your hands. Literally if we use enough."

Rumil looked alarmed. "Is that safe?"

"Oh yes, and far better than the alternative."

"What's the alternative?"

Tulienne patted him on the shoulder. "Pray you don't find out."

Rumil didn't seem to have found her words comforting. She smiled at him. "Don't worry so much," she said kindly. "The most fearless turn into gibbering wrecks before their weddings. And just think, when Orophin here ties the knot this will all be behind you and you'll get to laugh at him."

Rumil smiled back. "While you put the herbs into Salia's tea."

Orophin blushed, Tulienne laughed. "Well Salia may be able to get by without them, but I'll wait and see. One bride at a time."

She turned to Haldir. "You are very quiet, March Warden. Tell me, have you anyone in mind whose tea you want herbs put into?"

Haldir frowned as Orophin and Rumil turned to him. "I have no intention of becoming a 'gibbering wreck'," he said. "I will leave that to my brothers. Shouldn't you be returning before your uncle finds you here?"

"Subtlety really isn't one of your talents, is it Haldir? But you're right, I should get back. Or tomorrow I'll have bars on my window." Tulienne grinned. "And it would be a shame to have wasted my last night of freedom trading insults with you. Goodnight all."

Haldir grunted as she walked away. "I don't know why you would take advice from her," he said, as he led the way back to their talans.

Behind his back, Orophin and Rumil exchanged winks.

***

He knew her, but he couldn't think of her name. Her dark hair fell onto his chest as she leaned over him. He raised himself up just enough to kiss her, feel her soft lips caress his . . .

The lovely maiden dealt him a sharp slap and Haldir woke up.

"I'm choosing to believe you were still dreaming," Tulienne said, as she yanked him into a sitting position.

Haldir shook his fuzzy head. "What exactly are you doing in my bedchamber?" he said.

Tulienne sat down on his bed. "We have a crisis. My uncle has called off the wedding."