...:: The Harsh Truth ::...
Elrond almost burst into tears at the sight of his daughter. The grief
this was causing him would be enough to kill him, it seemed. He neared
the bed slowly, hoping almost wishing for the sight before him to
change and be that of a happy and whole daughter much obliged to speak
with her father. But he knew such dreams were foolish and understood
that it was imperitive that he held out strong for his daughter's
sake. Her eyes were closed but when Elrond neared the bed he could
hear the jagged breathing and knew that her eyes were just that,
closed. "Daughter?" Buffy's eyes opened at the sound of her father's
voice. Elrond saw the emptiness in those eyes, the beseeching of his
daughter's soul. He took a seat beside her and took hold of her hand.
Montreal, the one who had healed her, had informed him that she had
only regained conciousness this morning and that the first person she
asked to see was Haldir. He also was informed that Haldir was not
allowed to speak to Buffy until Elrond had spoken and seen her first.
This alarmed him greatly and he knew it wasn't really in character of
him to be so judgemental about whom his children fell in love with,
but Buffy was his last daughter to marry off. Arwen was already deeply
enthralled with Aragorn, it was too late to pull her from him. So his
last resort was his favorite, Buffy, even though it pained him to pull
her away from the one whom she loved.
"How are you?" Buffy could feel her father's eyes imploring her very
soul. A shield was automatically taken down, for she could withhold
nothing from her father. "Tired.... Very tired." It was true, but she
also felt ashamed at facing anyone now, having done the things she
had done in the past month. She regretted her behavior and
foolishness, but she wished not to take her deeds back for everything
had led up to Haldir and she loved him so. "I am so sorry.... I never
expected something like this to happen to you!" Elrond burst into
tears and collapsed in her arms. Her face remained cold, unwilling to
let itself show her true feelings. "Do not worry, I shall be
fine." Nothing but impassiveness resounded in her voice.
Elrond recognized his daughter's shield, the one she had put up once
her mother, his wife, had died. "Do not retreat within yourself,
Buffy. I couldn't bare to loose you again." Buffy waved it off.
"Father, I will be fine." She put real emotion into it this time and
Elrond believed for once, she might actually have the fire in her to
pull through. "You shall accompany me back to Rivendell, daughter."
Buffy shook her head. "No, father! I am choosing to stay and I have
made up my mind." Elrond frowned. "Stop this foolishness! I know you
are in love with Haldir, and he, you. You cannot marry him, absolutely
not. He is not of royal blood and you know it." Buffy simply shook her
head. "Royal blood has no relevance. He is the other half of me. It's
too late now, I cannot change my feelings or I shall die from trying."
Elrond implored his daughter once more. It wasn't usual for her to
disobey him so. "It is too late to change the bargain I have made with
Thranduil, King of Mirkwood." Buffy's eyes widened. "What did you
do?!" Elrond gave her a look. "What I know is best for you. It has
been agreed by Celeborn, Thranduil, and I that you shall marry
Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood." Well, her father couldn't have picked a
more honorable Prince. Legolas was indeed an Elf to be proud to marry.
He was handsome beyond belief, skilled, and was of proper blood line.
Indeed, it was a fine match, a fine one.
Haldir's Talan
Haldir sat where he had been sitting for the past three days, on the
floor by the cooking area. What else could he do? There was nothing he
wanted to do and nowhere he'd like to be, accept by Buffy's side. Lord
Elrond had arrived first thing that morning, Orophin had brought that
to his attention. Haldir was glad that Buffy's father was here to
console her in this time, also a tad worried about what Lord Elrond
would have to say about their folly. A loud knock resounded from the
door and Haldir jumped and went to answer it. His breath caught in his
throat once he saw who had knocked. Lord Elrond, himself. "My Lord!"
Elrond simply nodded and motioned for his entrance. "Haldir O'
Lorien."
Elrond paced, Haldir's eyes followed him. "Is something wrong?" The
King stopped and turned toward the Guardian before him. Buffy had
indeed fell in love with a handsome Elf. Very handsome. "Indeed there
is. Something that has been brought to my attention since my arrival."
Haldir nodded, waiting. "Haldir, my daughter is in love with you, but
I fear she does not understand what she is doing. I am taking her back
with me to Rivendell and it has been arranged that she and Legolas
Greenleaf marry once the war is over." Haldir gulped, grief renewed
itself. "D-does she know about all of this?" Elrond simply nodded. "I
spoke with her this morning upon my arrival. Do not think I am totally
out of touch, I know that you are in love with her too." Elrond had
moved very close to Haldir, it was almost possible for the other to be
able to stick their tongue out and reach the others nose. Haldir
couldn't believe this he was hearing from Elrond. The elf Lord
realized this and he wanted no bad air between Haldir and him.
"Understand, I do not wish to part you both, but as King it is my duty
to keep the tradition alive. Arwen is dying and it is beyond my reach
to save her now. Buffy is my last daughter. You are not like us,
Haldir, Guardian of Lorien, you are a Captain. Buffy is a Princess and
with that comes certain... obligations, a certain destiny." Again,
Elrond could see the pain in the Guardian's eyes. "Bare me no ill
will, fair Guardian, I enjoy your company very much, but it is not my
dream to have both of my daughters with lower blood line. One has to
marry on and bare children."
Hours later, Haldir still wasn't able to draw himself from the lecture
he had received from Lord Elrond. Buffy was being taken from him and
there was nothing he could do to stop it. In fact, it were rather
poetic that Legolas had come along when he did. But Haldir had no
regrets, none that reguard his relationship with Buffy. Everything had
led up to this mutual love they shared and he wouldn't reverse it for
anything in this world. Yet, another knock sounded on the door. Haldir
feared another appointment with either Lord in Lorien. But to his
appreciated surprise, Montreal stood in front of him. "Yes?" A smile
curved Montreal's lips. "Dear Haldir, I know how long you've awaited
this moment. Dare I hold out just a moment longer?" Montreal's tone
was playful, beyond happiness. Haldir knew what the healer was about
to announce. "You dare not, old friend. I implore you!" His own voice
was anxious. "Buffy has requested that you come see her."
Montreal's Talan
Haldir walked toward Buffy who he knew was resting. Her eyes were shut
and it appeared that she was sleeping, and indeed, she was. He knelt
and kissed her, very carefully not to push too hard against the
bruises around her mouth. Her eyes fluttered open, her green eyes
sparkling at the sight before her. "What a wonderful way to awake."
Haldir flashed her a bright smile and sat on the bedside as she sat
up. "Buffy, I am not going to attempt even asking about how you are
feeling. It is not a question I know you need to hear right now."
Buffy smiled, grateful for his consideration. "I had very nice dreams,
Haldir." He took her hand. "Must have been taking place before you met
me, ay?" He wasn't surprised when Buffy shook her head in
disagreement. "Not at all, my happiest memories are with you." It felt
suddenly awkward, the slow realization that they both knew they were
being parted from one another.
"Haldir, I must say something before we continue and it is not
something you're going to like." Haldir knew automatically what was
coming and this was what he feared most about this visit. "I am
leaving, melamin. Leaving and marrying another. It has been decread
and cannot be erased." Haldir nodded, remaining silent. "I cannot
disobey my father and I cannot deny the roots of my heritage. It's
simply impossible and we both understood that this day would come
sooner or later." A deep breath before continuing. "Know this.... I do
not blame you for what happened between us... I don't blame you for
what happened to me. I love you and that is all you need to know." He
couldn't bare it any longer, this conversation could do no good for
either of them. "Stay. Defy your father and do what you know is
right!" As he said this, Buffy shook her head, a tear falling.
"I cannot and you must accept this. Please... accept this." Haldir put
his hand up to her face. "Buffy.... I cannot loose you again! I came
so close a few days ago and it terrified me to even conceive a world
without you!" Buffy bowed her head, breaking down in a silent sob.
"Please, don't make this any harder for me than it is." Her voice was
nothing but a whisper and Haldir had to strain to hear it. "This
cannot be what you want, Buffy. It can't!" Buffy shrugged, defeated.
"It's not, but it remains what has to be done. I am truly sorry."
Haldir stood up, a bit frustrated. "You once told me that we could
fight together, that strength is fighting. How do you expect me to
live on knowing what I gave up... what I didn't fight to keep? I
can't. I won't." Buffy looked up into his eyes, her sobbing had
stopped outwardly. "You must."
Rivendell
Elrond escorted Buffy up the stone steps and into her bedroom. He was
glad she went without a struggle, but he feared that her fire was
burning out. It was true, since leaving Lorien, leaving Haldir, her
inner light had dimmed. "Forgive me." Was all Elrond could manage to
say while he left his daughter to her thoughts.
Buffy wasn't angry with her father, she was angry with herself. Angry
for letting herself fall so deep with Haldir. There was a time when
she thought Angel was her true love, her other half, but after she met
Haldir, she realized that it couldn't possibly be so. Haldir was the
one she craved for, lived for, needed, wanted, working for. But she
couldn't take this one thing away from her father. The only thing that
left him any hope at all. It was the least she could do. It wasn't so
bad having to marry Legolas. She did love him and there was a mutual
attraction there, but it remained still that he was, in fact, nothing
compared to Haldir. Nevertheless, she vowed to love him with every
fiber in her being until the day she could no longer. The day she
died.
Elrond almost burst into tears at the sight of his daughter. The grief
this was causing him would be enough to kill him, it seemed. He neared
the bed slowly, hoping almost wishing for the sight before him to
change and be that of a happy and whole daughter much obliged to speak
with her father. But he knew such dreams were foolish and understood
that it was imperitive that he held out strong for his daughter's
sake. Her eyes were closed but when Elrond neared the bed he could
hear the jagged breathing and knew that her eyes were just that,
closed. "Daughter?" Buffy's eyes opened at the sound of her father's
voice. Elrond saw the emptiness in those eyes, the beseeching of his
daughter's soul. He took a seat beside her and took hold of her hand.
Montreal, the one who had healed her, had informed him that she had
only regained conciousness this morning and that the first person she
asked to see was Haldir. He also was informed that Haldir was not
allowed to speak to Buffy until Elrond had spoken and seen her first.
This alarmed him greatly and he knew it wasn't really in character of
him to be so judgemental about whom his children fell in love with,
but Buffy was his last daughter to marry off. Arwen was already deeply
enthralled with Aragorn, it was too late to pull her from him. So his
last resort was his favorite, Buffy, even though it pained him to pull
her away from the one whom she loved.
"How are you?" Buffy could feel her father's eyes imploring her very
soul. A shield was automatically taken down, for she could withhold
nothing from her father. "Tired.... Very tired." It was true, but she
also felt ashamed at facing anyone now, having done the things she
had done in the past month. She regretted her behavior and
foolishness, but she wished not to take her deeds back for everything
had led up to Haldir and she loved him so. "I am so sorry.... I never
expected something like this to happen to you!" Elrond burst into
tears and collapsed in her arms. Her face remained cold, unwilling to
let itself show her true feelings. "Do not worry, I shall be
fine." Nothing but impassiveness resounded in her voice.
Elrond recognized his daughter's shield, the one she had put up once
her mother, his wife, had died. "Do not retreat within yourself,
Buffy. I couldn't bare to loose you again." Buffy waved it off.
"Father, I will be fine." She put real emotion into it this time and
Elrond believed for once, she might actually have the fire in her to
pull through. "You shall accompany me back to Rivendell, daughter."
Buffy shook her head. "No, father! I am choosing to stay and I have
made up my mind." Elrond frowned. "Stop this foolishness! I know you
are in love with Haldir, and he, you. You cannot marry him, absolutely
not. He is not of royal blood and you know it." Buffy simply shook her
head. "Royal blood has no relevance. He is the other half of me. It's
too late now, I cannot change my feelings or I shall die from trying."
Elrond implored his daughter once more. It wasn't usual for her to
disobey him so. "It is too late to change the bargain I have made with
Thranduil, King of Mirkwood." Buffy's eyes widened. "What did you
do?!" Elrond gave her a look. "What I know is best for you. It has
been agreed by Celeborn, Thranduil, and I that you shall marry
Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood." Well, her father couldn't have picked a
more honorable Prince. Legolas was indeed an Elf to be proud to marry.
He was handsome beyond belief, skilled, and was of proper blood line.
Indeed, it was a fine match, a fine one.
Haldir's Talan
Haldir sat where he had been sitting for the past three days, on the
floor by the cooking area. What else could he do? There was nothing he
wanted to do and nowhere he'd like to be, accept by Buffy's side. Lord
Elrond had arrived first thing that morning, Orophin had brought that
to his attention. Haldir was glad that Buffy's father was here to
console her in this time, also a tad worried about what Lord Elrond
would have to say about their folly. A loud knock resounded from the
door and Haldir jumped and went to answer it. His breath caught in his
throat once he saw who had knocked. Lord Elrond, himself. "My Lord!"
Elrond simply nodded and motioned for his entrance. "Haldir O'
Lorien."
Elrond paced, Haldir's eyes followed him. "Is something wrong?" The
King stopped and turned toward the Guardian before him. Buffy had
indeed fell in love with a handsome Elf. Very handsome. "Indeed there
is. Something that has been brought to my attention since my arrival."
Haldir nodded, waiting. "Haldir, my daughter is in love with you, but
I fear she does not understand what she is doing. I am taking her back
with me to Rivendell and it has been arranged that she and Legolas
Greenleaf marry once the war is over." Haldir gulped, grief renewed
itself. "D-does she know about all of this?" Elrond simply nodded. "I
spoke with her this morning upon my arrival. Do not think I am totally
out of touch, I know that you are in love with her too." Elrond had
moved very close to Haldir, it was almost possible for the other to be
able to stick their tongue out and reach the others nose. Haldir
couldn't believe this he was hearing from Elrond. The elf Lord
realized this and he wanted no bad air between Haldir and him.
"Understand, I do not wish to part you both, but as King it is my duty
to keep the tradition alive. Arwen is dying and it is beyond my reach
to save her now. Buffy is my last daughter. You are not like us,
Haldir, Guardian of Lorien, you are a Captain. Buffy is a Princess and
with that comes certain... obligations, a certain destiny." Again,
Elrond could see the pain in the Guardian's eyes. "Bare me no ill
will, fair Guardian, I enjoy your company very much, but it is not my
dream to have both of my daughters with lower blood line. One has to
marry on and bare children."
Hours later, Haldir still wasn't able to draw himself from the lecture
he had received from Lord Elrond. Buffy was being taken from him and
there was nothing he could do to stop it. In fact, it were rather
poetic that Legolas had come along when he did. But Haldir had no
regrets, none that reguard his relationship with Buffy. Everything had
led up to this mutual love they shared and he wouldn't reverse it for
anything in this world. Yet, another knock sounded on the door. Haldir
feared another appointment with either Lord in Lorien. But to his
appreciated surprise, Montreal stood in front of him. "Yes?" A smile
curved Montreal's lips. "Dear Haldir, I know how long you've awaited
this moment. Dare I hold out just a moment longer?" Montreal's tone
was playful, beyond happiness. Haldir knew what the healer was about
to announce. "You dare not, old friend. I implore you!" His own voice
was anxious. "Buffy has requested that you come see her."
Montreal's Talan
Haldir walked toward Buffy who he knew was resting. Her eyes were shut
and it appeared that she was sleeping, and indeed, she was. He knelt
and kissed her, very carefully not to push too hard against the
bruises around her mouth. Her eyes fluttered open, her green eyes
sparkling at the sight before her. "What a wonderful way to awake."
Haldir flashed her a bright smile and sat on the bedside as she sat
up. "Buffy, I am not going to attempt even asking about how you are
feeling. It is not a question I know you need to hear right now."
Buffy smiled, grateful for his consideration. "I had very nice dreams,
Haldir." He took her hand. "Must have been taking place before you met
me, ay?" He wasn't surprised when Buffy shook her head in
disagreement. "Not at all, my happiest memories are with you." It felt
suddenly awkward, the slow realization that they both knew they were
being parted from one another.
"Haldir, I must say something before we continue and it is not
something you're going to like." Haldir knew automatically what was
coming and this was what he feared most about this visit. "I am
leaving, melamin. Leaving and marrying another. It has been decread
and cannot be erased." Haldir nodded, remaining silent. "I cannot
disobey my father and I cannot deny the roots of my heritage. It's
simply impossible and we both understood that this day would come
sooner or later." A deep breath before continuing. "Know this.... I do
not blame you for what happened between us... I don't blame you for
what happened to me. I love you and that is all you need to know." He
couldn't bare it any longer, this conversation could do no good for
either of them. "Stay. Defy your father and do what you know is
right!" As he said this, Buffy shook her head, a tear falling.
"I cannot and you must accept this. Please... accept this." Haldir put
his hand up to her face. "Buffy.... I cannot loose you again! I came
so close a few days ago and it terrified me to even conceive a world
without you!" Buffy bowed her head, breaking down in a silent sob.
"Please, don't make this any harder for me than it is." Her voice was
nothing but a whisper and Haldir had to strain to hear it. "This
cannot be what you want, Buffy. It can't!" Buffy shrugged, defeated.
"It's not, but it remains what has to be done. I am truly sorry."
Haldir stood up, a bit frustrated. "You once told me that we could
fight together, that strength is fighting. How do you expect me to
live on knowing what I gave up... what I didn't fight to keep? I
can't. I won't." Buffy looked up into his eyes, her sobbing had
stopped outwardly. "You must."
Rivendell
Elrond escorted Buffy up the stone steps and into her bedroom. He was
glad she went without a struggle, but he feared that her fire was
burning out. It was true, since leaving Lorien, leaving Haldir, her
inner light had dimmed. "Forgive me." Was all Elrond could manage to
say while he left his daughter to her thoughts.
Buffy wasn't angry with her father, she was angry with herself. Angry
for letting herself fall so deep with Haldir. There was a time when
she thought Angel was her true love, her other half, but after she met
Haldir, she realized that it couldn't possibly be so. Haldir was the
one she craved for, lived for, needed, wanted, working for. But she
couldn't take this one thing away from her father. The only thing that
left him any hope at all. It was the least she could do. It wasn't so
bad having to marry Legolas. She did love him and there was a mutual
attraction there, but it remained still that he was, in fact, nothing
compared to Haldir. Nevertheless, she vowed to love him with every
fiber in her being until the day she could no longer. The day she
died.