Evenstar, I'm v.glad you brought that up. Now, can someone explain to me exactly what constitutes a Mary Sue? I never heard the term before I came here and I'm still a little confused.

Annie, if you leave your e-mail address I'm happy to mail you when I put the next part up. And that was the nicest review I've ever had, so thank you, even though I don't deserve half your praise.

Chatnoir1, I think we're all pervy Haldir fanciers here. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. :-D

42 reviews by my count. Heading for the half-century!

'Part 7'

The next morning saw Haldir standing behind a tree, watching Tulienne on the archery range. He could not explain why he felt this was necessary, just that it was.

It took a while, but eventually he began to watch her as March Warden and not as the nervous, somewhat unhinged Haldir he had been for the last few days. And then he decided to act.

"Finally bored of spying on me, Haldir?" Tulienne asked as he approached.

"You have very sharp ears," was his reply.

Tulienne looked at him strangely. "I believe they're not uncommon," she said.

"Many of my wardens would not have detected my presence while concentrating as you were."

"Then maybe some of your wardens need to go back to guard training," Tulienne said, readying her bow again.

Haldir put a hand on it and stopped her. "Or maybe you are just uncommonly skilled."

Tulienne turned back to him, looking suspicious. "What exactly is this line of talk leading up to?"

"Tulienne, what do you do all day?"

She shrugged. "Chaperone Ceilwyn and Salia, do chores, sneak out to practice, go riding once in a blue moon, listen to twittering elleths go on and on about their 'true loves', try to stay sane. The usual."

"Have you never thought of finding a real occupation?" Haldir asked, a look of distaste distorting his face at the thought of such a life.

"My uncle considers that the only occupation for well brought up maidens," Tulienne said grimly. "He won't even let me wear leggings. Anyway, a real occupation like what?"

"Like becoming a warden."

She laughed. "You want me under you?"

Just when he was trying so very hard not to think of that.

"Yes. No. You . . . while you would technically be under my command, you would not necessarily have to serve on the same borders as I do."

Tulienne's expression slowly changed from amusement to muted surprise. "You're serious," she said. "You really want me?"

Valar, she was not going to make this easy for him.

"Your abilities as an archer surpass those of many of my wardens," Haldir said. "Your long range senses surpass most, if not all. I would not be a good March Warden if I did not think it wise to capitalise on those skills."

"No one questions that you're a good March Warden," Tulienne said quietly.

"There is more," Haldir said, trying not to read anything into that comment. "Swordplay and hand-to-hand combat. How are you at those?"

"Fair, I think, but rusty. My uncle confiscated my sword when I arrived here."

Haldir looked at her impassively. "Have you ever considered moving out?"

Tulienne snorted. "The only ways out of that house are marriage and death," she said. "And I don't like to leave Salia alone. Maybe when she and Orophin tie the knot I'll get a place to myself. I don't fancy being the only one for my uncle to worry about."

Haldir grimaced. That was a torment he wouldn't wish on anyone.

"But the only way to find out is to test me," Tulienne said. "I know where that sword is hidden and I think it's time to steal . . . borrow . . . it back."

"In the meantime, we have practise ones you can use."

Tulienne looked a little taken aback, which was a first. "You want to test me now?"

"No time like the present."

Tulienne grinned. "Afraid I'll beat you if I have time to practise?"

Haldir smirked. "Unlikely."

She grinned wider. "I think I'll surprise you."

"This is one area where words will not serve you."

"No problem, March Warden. I assure you that *I* am not all talk."

Haldir's eyes glinted dangerously. "That remains to be seen."

***

"What's he doing?" Rumil whispered.

Orophin was watching Haldir & Tulienne with a bemused look on his face. "I think he's flirting."

Rumil raised an eyebrow as he took another look at the scene. "This is his idea of flirting? No wonder he doesn't have a girl. He's going to kill her."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Orophin said, watching in admiration as Tulienne sent Haldir to the ground. "She's good."

"He's holding back. He must be."

Orophin grinned as he spotted the look on his brother's face. "Well, if he was before, he's not going to now."

***

Haldir jumped back to his feet, ignoring the pain in his back. So, she was going to play dirty, was she? Well, all the better. He could do that too.

"Intimidated?" Tulienne said, swinging her sword like it was just a sharp extension of her arm.

She was good. In fact she was very good. But he was better.

"I do not find you intimidating," he said, as they began to circle each other again. "I find you . . . infuriating."

"Mutual," Tulienne said as their swords met.

"Arrogant."

"I learnt it from you."

"Sarcastic."

"Your actions beg for it."

He attacked.

A moment later, Haldir was on his back again and his sword had been kicked clean out of his hand. She had just disarmed him and put him completely at her mercy in one swift move. And he had no clear idea what she had done.

"Who trained you?" he asked, the suspicion that had been growing in his mind since they had begun bursting into full bloom.

Tulienne hesitated as she grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet again.

"Well . . . no one officially," she said.

"Officially?"

"Well, he was supposed to be training Elrohir and Elladan, but it takes an orc attack to drag Elrohir from his books and Elli doesn't have the longest attention span and I hung around a bit too often for him to just ignore me. I mean, I'm sure Lord Elrond knew about it. A couple of centuries go by and you expect someone to notice and Elrond always found out his secrets one way or another and . . . "

Haldir put the point of his sword at her throat. "Who?" he said sharply.

"Lord Glorfindel."

That explained everything.

Haldir sheathed his sword. "Then I doubt there is much I can teach you," he said. "There is not much he doesn't know."

"You admire him."

"There are few who do not. And they are fools."

Tulienne approached him slowly, sheathing her own sword. "There is always more to learn," she said. "And I know you know that. And despite the . . . difficulties we have had, I respect your skill and I would like very much to learn from you."

Haldir studied her carefully. She looked serious.

"Although I suppose you'll be returning to the borders soon," she said. She sounded almost . . . sad.

At that point, some strange, mysterious entity hijacked Haldir's vocal cords.

"Actually," he said. "I do not have to return to the borders yet. I . . . have a good deal of leave stored up."

About five hundred years.

"And Lord Celeborn has been encouraging me to take some."

Although he'd been ignoring him for centuries.

"And I was thinking of doing so."

For about the last thirty seconds.

"And working with you could be . . . enjoyable."

What was he saying?

Tulienne looked taken aback, which was understandable since so was Haldir and he was the one who had said it.

"I suppose . . . if you really feel that way . . . once the wedding is over . . . we could try it."

Haldir didn't know quite what to say. So he smiled.

She smiled back.

He smiled some more.

This went on for quite some time.

"So . . ." Tulienne said finally, dropping her gaze. "I guess . . . I'll see you around."

Haldir nodded.

Tulienne headed off, running her fingers through her hair again. Haldir watched her until she was out of sight. Then he looked down at the ground.

What had just happened?