Author's Note: I am sorry it has taken me awhile to post this chapter, but I have been very busy. Thank you for your patience and reviews! I still cannot believe that I have over three hundred! Thank you all so much! I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.

Chapter 22 Breakdown

Laeranor was crying. Her shrill wails rang throughout our flet. I groaned inwardly and rolled over, noting the empty place besides me. I flet my pulse quicken and my blood begin to boil. He was gone, again. I suppose I should not be surprised, but with it only being a week after the birth of his first child, I would have thought that he would have the decency to at least stay a little longer. But no, my husband had to be out the door at first light. Laeranor's cries grew more persistent and my head ached. I pushed myself up weakly, feeling my limbs shake as I did so. Caring for a newborn infant had been one of the most difficult tasks I had ever been faced with. However, she was not just any infant, she was my daughter. It had been love at first sight, the moment I laid my eyes upon her. She had azure eyes, the same color as Haldir's and golden hair. Laeranor, the name was fitting, yet I could not help but feel a small degree of anger caused by being slighted in naming her. I was her mother for Elbereth's sake! I had carried her in my womb for a year! I knew that I was being ridiculous, as I would have probably chosen the name myself. Yet, I wished that Haldir had waited until I was awake before deciding her name. I managed to crawl out of bed and made my way slowly to her crib which sat near the wall. I was still weak from giving birth and staying up late into the night trying to soothe my child had taken its toll on me. I was exhausted and angry, not to mention depressed. My husband had stayed with me until I was finally able to return to our flet. But now that I was home, he had run off as usual. I was near the breaking point, feeling my frazzled nerves at an end. I would worry no more over him, that time had passed. He would either heed what I had to say or face my wrath. I had had enough, no more of this folly, or dancing around the subject. If he was being unfaithful to me, he would come to regret it. I would not have Laeranor grow up with an absent father. I leaned over the side of the crib, making soothing noises.

"Hush, hush," I whispered, lifting her into my arms. "I am here, Naneth is here. Do not worry, my child I shall always care for you." She stayed her cries and I felt her body relax in my hold. I tried to hum a lullaby, but my throat had grown dry of a sudden. It was the first time I had admitted to myself, that my husband was possibly being unfaithful. I had always tried to conjure up excuses for it. He had kissed Lintelin in the manner of friendship, some elves did this. But I could no longer lie to myself, Laeranor deserved better. I would force Haldir to finally be truthful with me, it was the only way.

I was crying, salty tears pouring down my cheeks. Laeranor sensed her mother's distress and wailed in my arms as well. I could not quiet her, not until I quieted myself. It was nearing the time for Haldir to return from his duty and my nerve had finally begun to falter. The truth was so imminent, so close that I could feel its cold hand gripping upon me. Fear was rising slowly within my heart. What if the truth was horrible? Could I bear it? What would become of us? No, I must be strong, strong for my daughter. I had to show her the strength and will that she someday must possess. I struggled to pull myself together, bidding the rage that I had not so long ago felt to return to me. But I could not stop crying for some reason. I do not know what I would have done if the door had not opened just then. My head snapped up, yet my sobs continued. I heard someone move carefully into our flet. However their footsteps were much lighter and more delicate than Haldir's. Then I sensed another person enter behind the first. I clutched Laeranor to me, hoping that it would not be someone that I did not wish to see in my current state. Lady Galadriel stepped into the room closely followed by the healer who had delivered Laeranor. A look of great sadness passed across the Lady's face and she threw a glance in the healer's direction.

"Oh Elenwen," she murmured sadly. "Is your fear for you husband's infidelity that pronounced now?" How did she know? I managed to swallow back my shock and nodded slowly, rocking my baby gently. "Come, come," the lady drew closer and held out her arms for my child. At first I was reluctant to hand her over.

"No," I sobbed. "Please, she is the only one I have left!"

"But you need your rest my child," the healer piped up from behind Galadriel. "Let me tend to little Laeranor, while you calm yourself." After a few minutes I handed the infant over to the healer.

"Send for another healer to bring calming tea," the Lady ordered the other as she left the room, Laeranor in arm. The elleth nodded and I heard her begin to sing a soft lullaby to my child as she moved towards the door. "Elenwen my dear," Galadriel sighed as she moved to sit on the bed next to me, "how long have you suffered so?"

"I cannot do it anymore," I was near hysterics. "I cannot not take it, my soul shall crumble! But I love him so dearly, what do I do if he tells me that he has been unfaithful?"

"Do not ponder on that now, child," she laid a comforting hand upon my shoulder. "First you must rest. This past year has taken quite a toll upon you. You owe it to Laeranor to confront Haldir and learn the truth."

"I know, I know," I mumbled sorrowfully. Suddenly I felt the rage take hold of me once more. "How dare he do this to me? After all that I have done for him, after all the love and caring that I have shown him over the years."

"You do not now if he has strayed," Galadriel comforted. "It may all be a misunderstanding." The door creaked open once more and another healer entered caring a steaming mug. She bade me drink it and I complied, downing the bitter liquid.

"I feel so alone," I muttered through my sobs.

"You are not alone," the Lady said firmly. "Lord Celeborn and I shall assist you. But now you must sleep. I shall wait for your husband to return." I nodded slowly and lay down, not even bothering to pull up the covers. Galadriel and the healer exited the room, leaving me to my dreams.

Naneth: Mother