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CHAPTER 9: NOT GIVING UP

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Andiél stumbled towards the door, vaguely wondering where Taúr and Morwin were. Trying her best to stand up straight, she noticed two figures conversing ahead. "Oh, Haldir," crooned an unfamiliar female voice, "I have waited so long. Would not tonight be entirely too perfect?"

Haldir had the decency to look rather embarrassed, "I'm terribly sorry, my lady, but I have much to do in the morrow." He added hastily, "Would you give me the honor of escorting you home?"

The elleth's coy expression promptly morphed into a scowl. "Your loss," she spat, stomping away. Haldir watched her leave with a tired expression.

Andiél staggered to him. "How typical. I suppose there's another name you can add to all your admirers?" She pointed a shaky finger at him.

Haldir frowned, "You think I enjoy those senseless ellith throwing themselves at me?"

"Of course not. It must be completely awful to have beautiful ladies throwing themselves at your feet."

He took a step closer to her. "Now see here, Andiél. Those 'ladies', as you call them, are solely interested me for my money. Do you really think that I would like to hang out with such shallow beings? Do you really think – "

"Alright, alright. I get it." She hadn't considered this before. "Hey – " she began, but suddenly she lost balance, tipping forward.

Haldir immediately caught her. On closer inspection, "You're drunk!"

Andiél quickly removed his arms from her waist, "Geroff! No, I'm not! I pppperfectly fine!"

"No, you're not," he glared at her, "You're completely drunk! If you can't hold the alcohol, why did you – "

She didn't hear anymore. First his face became blurry, then his voice began to fade away. The room began spinning and spinning… She tipped forward again. Her stomach churned, and acid burned up her throat. Before she knew it, she was retching violently.

"Not on my robes!!" His screech must have been heard by the whole Institute.

- - - -

"WAKE UP!"

Andiél opened one sleepy eye, seeing a very excited looking Morwin kneeling by her bed. "What?"

"Well, don't you remember?" Morwin sat down.

"What?" she repeated.

Morwin smiled at her devilishly. This in itself terrified Andiél to no end. After all, if a shy, sweet elleth such as Morwin could look 'devilish', who knew what the world had come to? "Don't you remember what happened last night?"

Vague memories came tumbling back. The gala… Haldir…"You're drunk!" … "Geroff! No, I'm not! I perfectly fine!" … "No, you're not. You're completely drunk! If you can't hold the alcohol, why did you – " The world became blurry… spinning… spinning…

Fearing the worst, she looked back at Morwin. "Just tell me," she demanded, "What happened?"

"Haldir," began Morwin triumphantly, "Was the one that sent you home last night!"

All color drained from Andiél face, "What?!"

Her traitorous friend actually smiled, "Yup! I saw him cart you in over his shoulder myself!"

Andiél jaw dropped. "Please tell me you're joking, Morwin, or I shall be forced to take your life!" she declared.

Morwin just rolled her eyes, "You're so dramatic about everything. It's not that bad! I, for one, feel – "

"Not feel bad?!" she shrieked, "Have you gone mad? This is Haldir we're talking about here! He might be coming up with all sorts of ideas from this! How will I ever face him again? How will I ever face Elf-kind again?"

"Oh good grief. You can't have it as bad as the poor Prince Legolas, at least. I mean, he's the one that's – "

"Legolas!" Andiél screamed, leaping up.

- - - -

"Are you going to do nothing?" she demanded, finding him in front of the school.

Legolas regarded her calmly. Too calm. "What would you have me do? Arwen is not one to change her mind."

"But you're different, Legolas! She would listen to you! She loves you!"

His head snapped back at her. "Do not speak of what you do not know."

Andiél threw her arms up in exasperation. "You're helpless!" Refusing to hear more, she quickly ran off. I can't believe it! Would her really just let her go?! "Arwen!" she cried, spotting the beauty ahead.

The Peredhil turned, and smiled when she saw whom it was. "Andiél! How are you?"

"Please don't go!" she blurted.

Arwen did not look surprised. "Why do you ask that of me, Andiél?"

Andiél gritted her teeth and dropped to her knees, not noticing Legolas appearing in the distance. "He could not bare it, my lady," she whispered passionately, "if you left. Can you not see? He loves you! Will you not stay, just for him?"

The Evenstar kneeled down by her, and grasped her hands. "Andiél," she said softly, caressing the sound, "you do not understand. My calling is in Rivendell. I do not belong here."

"But – "

She shook her head, "I cannot tempt fate, my dear. There is no other choice." She paused, looking deep into the younger girl's eyes. "Could you not accept that?"

Andiél looked away. She did understand, but how could she accept a decision that devastated Legolas so? If she could not have him, could he at least not be able to have the one he truly wanted and loved?

Arwen sighed sadly, "I'm sorry, Andiél. I cannot do as you ask." She left it at that.

As she watched the graceful elleth walk away, Andiél was no less confused than before. Why was the world so unfair? How could someone as pure and good be treated so terribly? Interrupting her thoughts, her hear running feet coming up behind her. "Why did you do that?" demanded a harsh voice. Legolas.

"I – "

"Did I not tell you to leave matters alone? I do not need you to plead my case and disgrace me!"

Andiél erupted, "You are just shrinking in the corner, Legolas! You are letting the love of your life slip through your very fingers! Can you not make a stand for what you want and need? Get your act together!" She stomped on the ground, then ran away, frustrated.

- - - -

That night, as all the students were fast asleep, Legolas Greenleaf stood upside down against his door.

.

"Whenever you need to cry," soothed a young elleth, barely five centuries of age, "all you need to do is to turn upside down. Your tears can't flow that way, Legolas! And so they will stop."

Legolas told her quietly, "I don't cry when you're around."

She smiled at him, "Then I will always be around."

.

"You lied to me, Arwen."

- - - -

"I can't believe you're really leaving us, darling!" exclaimed Elrohir.

Arwen regarded Elrohir sorrowfully, sighing. "Neither can I."

Elladan inquired, "You'll write us every day, won't you?"

A small smile appeared upon her lips, "Of course."

Haldir frowned, "Where is Legolas?" The five looked around, but the Elf was not in sight.

Finally, Arwen gave up, shrugging sadly, "I do not blame him. It was an unfair choice that I made." Without another word, she hoisted herself up on her steed, and motioned for her bodyguards. "Farewell, my friends. Haldir, Elrohir, Elladan, and Andiél: carry with you my fondest wishes." She offered them one last smile, and then took off through the gate, without a backward glance.

After a few minutes, the groups heard footsteps behind them. "Hey! Where have you been?" hollered Elrohir, "She's already gone!"

Legolas smiled mysteriously, then pointed at a horse standing by the gate. "I'm going after her," he announced.

Four jaws hit the ground. "Why the sudden change?" asked Haldir, never one to be silent for too long.

"A strong Elf once told me not to give up, to go after my dreams." Legolas smiled, looking at Andiél, "So I intend to."

Elrohir cheered, pulling his into a tight brotherly hug. Elladan patted his back affectionately, "Knew you'd come through! Does she have any idea?" Legolas shook his head, grinning.

"Uh…" began Haldir, stepping up to his friend.

Legolas grinned, and stuck out his hand, "I think it's about time we called a truce, wouldn't you?"

Haldir grinned, accepting the hand, "Most definitely."

They watched Legolas mount effortlessly. With a small salute, he gracefully turned, following love's tracks, two guards in tow.

Elladan and Elrohir watched awestruck for a moment, but then left, grinning and joking between themselves. Andiél smiled. It could not have been more perfect. Legolas and Arwen were like a fairy-tale couple; everything worked out exactly like it should have.

"Do you want to go on a date?" asked an unexpected voice.

"Sure," she said carelessly, not really listening. He's really done it. He's really going to find his true happiness.

Haldir grinned, "Great! I'll meet you at the dining hall for lunch tomorrow, then." Not waiting for a reply, he took off.

Andiél's snapped up. Oh. My. Word.

- - - -

"Where's Morwin today?"

"Something came up; she was unable to come," her boss told Andiél, "Could you take her later shift? It's only two hours longer."

Andiél scrunched her eyebrows. Am I forgetting something? She shrugged, "That'd be fine." The elderly elleth smiled, putting on her large cloak and headed outside. Andiél rested her elbows on the counter and sighed.

The sky outside was pitch black. Heavy thunderclouds hid the sky, and massive drops of rain were pelting at the earth. Every so often a terrible flash of lightning would light up the entire bakery with blinding light, accompanied by starting thunder. What a terrible day.

A messenger Elf walked in from the storm, soaking wet. "Lady Andiél o Rivendell?" She nodded. "I have a letter from your parents, my lady."

.

Our dearest Andiél,

Why did you not tell me of your Haldir character, my sweet? I am wounded! However, I must add that I am ever so delighted that you have finally stopped being so obstinate. This creature sounds so terribly lovely. As your mother, I do feel as though it is my duty to encourage you to not let go of this golden opportunity! 'Tis about time since you got married!

Mother

.

Andiél stared at the paper blankly. How on earth did her mother find out about this? "Her" Haldir? Married? Next thing she knew her mother would be calling him "son"! She snorted. I bet he would get a terrible kick out of that.

How ridiculous.

Two hours later, her boss came running back in. Shaking her coat several times to rid it of water, she smiled brightly. "Thank you so much, Andiél! You're all set to go."

Andiél stood up, smiling. "No problem." Wrapping her cloak tightly around herself, she stepped bravely into the storm. It was not until this moment when she suddenly broke into a run, finally remembered something. My date!

Racing through puddles and people alike, she dove her way towards the dining hall. She saw him immediately. There he was, Haldir o Lórien, complete drenched from head to toe, sitting at the steps in front of the hall. Upon seeing her, he shot up. "WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?!" he hollered.

"I'm sorry! I totally forgot!"

Haldir glared at her, "FORGOT?! YOU HAD A DATE WITH ME AND YOU FORGOT?! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR TWO STRAIGHT HOURS IN THE DAMNED RAIN!!"

Andiél frowned, "It's not like I asked you to do that. Why didn't you just leave?"

"LEAVE?!" Haldir seemed appalled at this very idea, "I THOUGHT YOU GOT IN AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING! WHAT IF YOU GOT HURT?"

She turned slightly red. "I wasn't aware you cared so much," she said quietly.

Haldir suddenly looked rather embarrassed as well. "Well," he changed the subject, "Let's hurry up and get out of the rain, alright?" She agreed, shivering.

They settled in at a cozy little restaurant across the street. It was strange for Haldir. He had been trying so hard to get her to go somewhere with him. But now that she had finally agreed, he wasn't quite sure what to do. The conversation was rather subdued, and highly awkward, but it still passed too quickly. Before long, to Andiél's relief and Haldir's consternation, the waiter came with the check.

Andiél laid out her share of the bill. "Here."

"What are you doing?" Haldir frowned.

"Paying for my meal," said Andiél slowly, as if she were speaking to an elfling.

"Ellith are not supposed to pay," he stated, giving the waiter the full payment. The Elf quickly accepted and walked away.

Andiél glared at him, "What do you think you're doing?"

"What do you think you're doing?" he retorted.

"I'm not a charity case. I am fully capable of paying for my own meal!"

He rolled his eyes, "Andiél, ellon are supposed to pay for the damned meal. Just let it go."

"No! Stop trying to make my decisions for me!"

"No! Stop acting like such a brat!"

"Stop acting like just a jerk!"

"I'm not a jerk!"

"Yes, you are! I have never met someone as jerky are you are!"

Haldir glared at her, "Fine!"

"Fine!"

"FINE!" They both sprang out of their seats at the same time, glaring at each other.

The nervous waiter came by, "Uh…sir? Are you and your girlfriend ready to – "

"I'm not his – "

"She's not my – "

"Leave? We're closing now; everyone's leaving because of the storm."

Stilling fuming, they both picked up their things, and stomped away. Andiél walked as fast as she could, trying to keep him behind her. She pushed open the door, and kicked it shut. Haldir stopped it, and slammed it behind him. Suddenly, Andiél stopped. Haldir walked right into her.

They had come to a dead end.

"What on earth?"

Haldir rolled his eyes, "You went in the wrong door. This is a closet." He turned around. "Shit."

"What?" she asked.

Haldir turned back to glare at her. "The door's locked."

Her eye's widened, "What?!" She started banging on the door. "HEY! ANYONE OUT THERE! OPEN UP!" Silence.

"This is all your fault, you know," he told her.

"My fault?"

"Obviously. You're the one that walked in here."

"You followed!"

"I thought that you were actually smart!"

"I am smart, just not when you're around!"

Needless to say, this continued for quite some time…

- - - -

The next morning:

Andiél woke up to darkness. She blinked several times, trying to remember where she was, and why she was sitting cross-legged against a hard wall. Her eyes began getting accustomed to the dark and she realized there was something very heavy in her lap.

That something stirred.

Andiél suddenly recalled. But why was Haldir's head in her lap?! She shifted slowly, trying to push him up. No avail. The git was twice her size, and she couldn't move an inch. With nothing better to do, she examined the ellon in her lap. For someone so damned annoying, even she could not deny he was incredibly good-looking, she thought, smiling.

Haldir suddenly opened his eyes, and looked straight at her.

After a moment, Andiél looked away nervously. "Good morning."

He pulled himself up clumsily. "Good morning," he said gruffly.

She bit her lip, wondering why she felt so nervous, "Did you sleep well?"

"Alright," he stared at her openly, with an strange look about his face. Andiél gazed back at him. Why do his eyes have to be so blue? Haldir seemed to be caught in a trance. Slowly, he leaned in. Andiél licked her lips subconsciously…

Suddenly, the door shot open, and someone entered. An old Elf-lady looked in and exclaimed, "What are you doing?!"

"Uh…"

"In a closet?" she looked scandalized. "The things young Elves get into these days! In my day, we just used the bedroom!"

- - - -

Next Time: The school finds about Andiél and Haldir's date! Oh no! Also… someone seems to be out to Andiél. But… WHO?