A/N: LONG chapter filled with fluffy goodness!

Chapter 28- Haldir's Frustrations

Haldir sat down in a chair amongst the furniture of the front room of his and Indilisse's chambers somewhere in the bowels of the Mirkwood palace, and let out a long sigh. Tonight would be a long night with the feast and celebration, followed by the one thing he had been dreading every day since he had received word from Legolas that he would like his attendance at the Summer Festival in Mirkwood. Actually, Haldir had dreaded this day since the moment Emlin had been placed in his arms on the day of her birth. He knew very well then that the inevitable would happen and one day, her heart would be given to another ellon, and not remain with her father. However he was still not sure about Emlin's choice in ellon.

"Would you please stop acting like this is the end of your world?" Indilisse asked, walking into the room to fetch a robe that had been thrown over the back of one of the chairs.

"She is so young, Indilisse." Haldir replied quietly, resting his head on one of his propped up hands.

"Sit up, Haldir." Indilisse scolded, "You will wrinkle your tunic."

Haldir grumbled and sat up again, stretched his legs out in front of him. "You act as if I am an elfling."

She paused and looked at him closely for a moment. He knew well enough that such looks meant bad things. "You have been acting like one ever since we have arrived to our chambers, so I shall treat you as one. Please, for the love of Eru, will you act like the March Warden I bound myself to?!"

He sighed again and closed his eyes for a few moments before speaking again. "She has barely had a chance to experience her life. How does she know that Legolas is the one she is meant to bind herself to?"

Indilisse moved through the room again, this time brushing her hair as she went. "Love sees no age boundaries, Haldir. And you cannot rule over the fëa when they have already chosen each other before they were born. It just happened that Emlin was not born into this world when Legolas was. She may have been had I stayed in Lórien. But things would be very different now."

"I suppose you are right, meleth." Haldir said. "But could they not wait fifty years or so?"

"While Emlin could stand to wait that long, Legolas will not." Indilisse replied. "You saw him when we visited Minas Tirith. He was so close to fading because he had not fulfilled the one thing in his life he had always wanted to. Legolas yearns to have a family of his own. Emlin can facilitate that."

"So you are implying our daughter is only a way and means of creating children?" Haldir questioned.

Indilisse groaned from the back room and came back out. She sat down on the low table that was in front of him, and grabbed his hands. "You know that is not what I am implying, Haldir. What I am saying is that our daughter is old enough to make this decision on her own. They love each other. And Emlin is a female capable of producing children."

"How will she be a good mother?" Haldir questioned. "I do not wish for my grandchildren to be neglected."

She giggled and sighed, "You know as well as I that when we first were given Emlin, I did not think I would be a good mother. But when the child is born, you have the instinct of what needs to be done. And you should be last one speaking about being young and taking care of children."

"I was two hundred, Indilisse. Two hundred when my father died and my mother passed over the Sea." Haldir replied, "Emlin is only sixty-one. By some she is not even considered a full grown elleth!"

Indilisse nodded her head and remained quiet for a few moments before meeting his eyes again. "You know as well as I that Emlin, when we left her in Minas Tirith, was more mature than any other elleth her age. Things have changed since her impetuous days."

Haldir removed one of his hands from hers and rest his head on the arm supported by his left leg. "I suppose that is also right."

"What I am worried about is seeing her as princess." Indilisse smiled broadly. "Eru help those who cross her path and anger her. She has your temper, but not your ability for controlling it."

"That comes from you, my dear." Haldir laughed and leaned over to kiss her.

She chuckled, "I cannot argue with that."

He grabbed a good hold of her hands and tugged roughly, so that she fell into his lap. Indilisse let out a little laugh as he pulled her close and wrapped his arms about her. "I suppose that my problem lies solely in the knowledge that they will make love, if they have not already."

"I do not see why you are so worried. Legolas is a gentle and thoughtful elf." Indilisse smiled. "And I know what it is that truly angers you."

"What is that, meleth?" Haldir questioned, kissing her cheek and then hr lips again.

"You still hold a grudge over Legolas not being intimidated by you." Indilisse said.

Haldir raised a brow, "I do not understand."

Indilisse laughed, "Do not take me for some fool, Haldir. You purposely scared Legolas away from Emlin upon finding out his thoughts on the matter of our daughter, so that nothing romantically would develop between them. You are angry that the intimidation did not last and that he cares more for his love than his friendship with you."

He was silent as he thought of this, and reluctantly nodded his head, "Can I try to scare him again?"

She scoffed and smacked his shoulder. "Nay, you cannot, and if I find that you have been naughty, I will do something about it."

"Naughty?" He questioned, leaning in and kissing her again, this time deeply and passionately.

Indilisse pushed away from him and managed to disentangle herself from him in her multitudes of layers of her gown. She looked down at him and struck his shoulder again rather soundly. "Come, Haldir. Your brothers will be expecting us to meet them before we leave for the celebration."

Legolas stood outside the main door into Emlin's rooms and raised his hand, giving it a light tap. He removed his hand to straighten his silken tunic and adjust the mithril circlet upon his head. Almost instantly the door was drawn back and Emlin stood before him in a rather beautiful gown of pale yellow, even though he was sure that her smile would be the focus of everyone's attention this night, not the gown. He smiled at her, "I see you have made it out of my mother's clutches alive."

Emlin laughed, "Do not say that, meleth. She is wonderful. It is not my fault you were a troublesome youngling."

"What has she been telling you?" He questioned, offering his arm to her. "I was never any amount of trouble."

She glanced at him and smiled softly before turning her eyes down the corridor. They began to walk, and Emlin remained quiet, it seemed as though she were trying to remember landmarks to remember how to navigate the depths of the cavern. Legolas did not mind so much, though, because it allowed the perfect time for him to gaze upon her beauty and prepare what he had to say to her and to Haldir later this evening. There really was no point in rehearsing such a thing, though. He knew that once he had pulled each of them aside, things would go a great deal differently than he had hoped, although Emlin would be more predictable than Haldir would be.

"Why are you so tense, meleth?" She asked him quietly.

Legolas glanced down at her, "I am only thinking."

"About?" Emlin gazed at him.

"You will find out soon enough, Aiwamin." He chuckled and looked ahead of them again. They were nearing the exit out of the caverns, and Legolas took in a calming breath. There was nothing to worry about. Haldir would be easy to speak with. He was a friend first and foremost.

Emlin looked at him suspiciously, "I do not like it when you keep secrets from me."

"I promise it will be more than worth the wait, Emlin." Legolas laughed as they stepped out into the night air, the smell of the forest and new summer blooms filling his nose. The was his most favorite season in Mirkwood as the vast canopy of trees kept the smell of flowers and new life from the spring within the bounds of their leaves. He continued on towards the celebration ring, guiding Emlin along carefully as they stepped into view of the large celebration. Legolas was not surprised to find that they were probably the last ones in the entire forest to arrive, but it only made for more spectacle as they entered the ring of torches about the full grass field.

Emlin leaned over and said to him lowly. "I did not know so many elves still inhabited Mirkwood."

Legolas glanced at her, "My father has protected these lands very well to keep our people untroubled. Even during the war, when orcs from Dol Guldur seized our city, it remained nearly untroubled."

Emlin smiled and looked forward again as the minstrels stopped their music. The entire host of elves stopped what they were doing and gazed towards them. She shifted uncomfortably under their intense stares. "How do you do it, meleth?"

"Do what?" He replied.

"Hundreds of eyes are focused on you right now, with two questions. Who is this girl and why is she on the arm of the prince?" Emlin said quietly.

Legolas chuckled to himself and looked at her, "Those eyes are not upon me, meleth. They are upon you. And the answers are Emlin Haldiriel and because the prince loves her."

Emlin smiled and followed beside him, the large group of elves parting as they went, giving slight bows to him. He had noticed Haldir and Indilisse earlier from across the way, beside his father and mother, but it seemed that Emlin's attention had been detained elsewhere. They neared the head table where his father and mother sat at the center in large wood, high back chairs with smiles upon their faces. That was when he felt Emlin tense on his arm.

She quickly turned to him with a questioning look. "It is not by some illusion that I see my parents?"

"Nay, it is not, meleth." Legolas smiled and steered them to walk around the table, but Emlin broke away to run to Indilisse's outstretched arms. He watched closely as Indilisse embraced Emlin closely, whispering something in her ear, tears welling in Indilisse's eyes. Never had he imagined seeing the strong Indilisse teary-eyed, but now he did. So consumed by the happy reunion, he nearly forgot about the intense stare down he was receiving from Haldir. Luckily, though, Emlin broke away from Indilisse and turned to her father.

Indilisse walked the few steps to Legolas, and looked at him closely. "I have never seen a more beautiful sight than my daughter on the arm of the ellon she loves, Legolas. And then seeing that genuine love reciprocated back."

Legolas chuckled and hugged Indilisse quickly. "I am glad you think that, mellon, for I do not think another will."

"We had a discussion earlier. He should be very subdued." Indilisse chuckled bemusedly. "I have already spoken to your mother. She is to call a dance for us ellyth. That is your time to speak to Haldir."

Now his fate was tied directly to the moment his mother decided to have the dance. Legolas chuckled and nodded his head, "I shall remember that."

With that, Legolas saw his mother move from her seat, and saw her take hold of Emlin's arm, and then Indilisse's. He swallowed hard, praying to each of the Valar for his protection as the ellyth of Mirkwood set out to begin their dance. He noticed Emlin nearly jump upon Narië and Aranel when she saw them already on the field. Orophin and Rúmil were standing close guard instead of coming over to greet him, keeping a respectful distance. Legolas watched as the dance began, and felt Haldir close the distance to stand beside him.

"I have one question." Haldir said bluntly. "With all of the other available ellyth in this world, many of whom are beautiful and closer to your age, why have you chosen my daughter?"

Legolas turned to Haldir and sighed, "I have not chosen her, Haldir, mellon nín. She has chosen me."

A long stretch of uncomfortable silence passed between them, and finally Haldir let a smile cross his features. "Know that I will protect my daughter to my last breath, even if it is you I am protecting her from."

"I believe I have already received that threat." Legolas replied, not believing this was actually going so easily. "And I know full well what you are capable of should I overstep my boundaries."

"But this is in a new context, mellon." Haldir smiled again. "I suppose you were planning to ask me for my permission this evening, to bind with my daughter."

Legolas nodded his head, "Aye, I was."

Haldir sighed, "Emlin is the only one with the ability to give you permission to bind with her."

"True," Legolas nodded.

"But I must say that I am more than pleased that my daughter will be binding to such a fine elf as yourself. One who cares enough to ask her particularly imposing, overprotective, and arrogant father for his permission." Haldir said.

Legolas laughed and turned to Haldir, placing a friendly hand on his shoulder. Haldir did the same with his opposite hand, as was the tradition with ellyn and expressing any type of happy emotion. "I would have you know that I battled with myself for eleven years because I valued your friendship too much to ruin it with my need for Emlin."

Haldir laughed loudly, "Eleven years? I do believe you worthy of my daughter if you have waited that long for any female pleasure."

Though slightly embarrassed, Legolas smiled, "It has been much longer, my friend, but I will say no more on the issue."

They gazed back out onto field where the dancing ellyth were nearing the end of their dance, but Legolas heard Haldir scoff. "Is that Nindë that my eyes behold?"

Legolas scanned the group and saw Nindë. "She has been a plague upon my back that will not go away, Haldir. Since her coming to Mirkwood, she has somehow wormed her way into the position of my chief handmaid. She does not like Emlin for the simple fact that I am in love with Emlin. And now that she knows you are Emlin's parents, I truly do fear for Emlin."

"Why do you fear for her?" Haldir asked, "All you must do is not pay any heed to Nindë's words."

He sighed and looked at Haldir. "There is something I never told you, Haldir, about something that I overheard Nindë speaking of."

"And that was?" Haldir questioned, raising a critical brow.

"She had the fleeting idea of poisoning Indilisse or arranging for your death on the fences if you continued to be with her." Legolas said, and saw Haldir's look change from one of happiness to complete anger.

Haldir grunted, "That is it. I am dealing with this issue once and for all. She apparently deserved much more than a verbal flogging to get it through her head that she cannot have what she wants."

Legolas chuckled. "She has been pacified, though, for the past few months."

"Just because Dol Guldur seemed dormant, did not mean that the evil was not still there regrouping." Haldir said. "I will observe Nindë in the coming days, then we shall decide the best course of action, along with Indilisse and Emlin."

Legolas nodded and looked at Haldir. Now onto watching Nindë for any sign of reoccurring evil in the coming days, when he should be fully concentrated on the binding. "That is agreeable."

Haldir smiled, "Do not look so forlorn. I will watch. You may pay your due attention to Emlin."

The dance ended and Emlin let out a contented sigh as she gazed at her mother now saying something to Tuilindë. She could not believe that Legolas had been so secretive as to keep the knowledge that her family would be joining them in Mirkwood for the festivities. But she was very glad to have this wonderful surprise tonight for some reason. It could have been because now Emlin was very sure of what was to happen this trip, though she could only hope that was the reason Legolas was now speaking to her father in a quiet manner. Oh Elbereth! She had nearly forgotten what her father would probably do to Legolas... but it seemed now that they were laughing together and having a somewhat civilized conversation.

She felt a hand on her arm, and she turned to find her mother beside her. Indilisse smiled, "You looked so lovely walking up on Legolas' arm, Emlin."

"I do not know how to respond to that, Naneth." Emlin replied as Indilisse took a good hold of her arm and started walking away from the mass of dancers.

Indilisse chuckled, "You do not need to respond to it. I am just stating a reality."

Emlin had not seen her uncles yet, but did then, standing to the side of the field and watching them closely. "Uncle Orophin! Rúmil!"

Each of the them smiled brightly as they joined Emlin and Indilisse. Before Emlin could hug them, both of them pulled her close and squeezed her tightly. Rúmil pulled away and laughed, "Well, Orophin, she looks well. We will not have to kill the prince."

Emlin scoffed, "I cannot believe you two would do such a thing."

Indilisse laughed, "It is not your uncles that you should have been worrying about. It is your father."

"Trust me, I have done my fair amount of worrying over such a thing, but I did not know that my uncles were also a threat to Legolas."

Orophin chuckled, "You should know by now that we would also do anything in our power to protect you from evil elves."

"Legolas is not evil." Emlin replied with a sigh. Her eyes caught a glimpse of Nindë walking behind Orophin and Rúmil, watching and stalking her. "But Nindë is."

"What do you mean, Nindë?" Indilisse asked quietly, looking at her daughter. She had not realized she would receive such attention form her mother and also from her uncles on the issue. Apparently Nindë was a much larger problem than Emlin had originally guessed. "The same Nindë..."

"Aye, Naneth." Emlin nodded, "She is Legolas' chief handmaid."

Rúmil rolled his eyes and looked around the field. "We must speak to Haldir about this."

"You need not speak with him." Emlin glanced to her side to see Legolas entering the group of talking elves. Legolas smiled at Orophin and Rúmil, welcoming them.

"Why do we not need to speak with him?" Orophin asked.

"I have done so already." Legolas said, placing an arm around Emlin's waist. "But let us not worry about it tonight! This is a feast."

Rúmil nodded his head and let out a hearty laugh. "I agree. Where did my ellyth run off to?"

Everyone looked about for Narië and Aranel, finding Narië busily talking to Tuilindë about something. Aranel was across the field, leaning against a tree as Valandir stood over her, flirting with her. Emlin had to laugh at her cousin's flushed face, knowing that Valandir was even a little too much for herself. She could only imagine what was going through Aranel's head.

Legolas laughed as well and turned to Rúmil. "I would rescue your daughter now, before it is too late. Valandir is far smoother when it comes to winning the admiration and hearts of ellyth than you, dear friend."

Rúmil chuckled and excused himself to take care of the matter. Emlin sighed again and looked about, realizing that Thoron was nowhere to be seen. She glanced at her mother, "Where is my brother?"

"We last saw him running about with one of the other elf-children here." Indilisse replied, "I believe his name was Alcon."

Legolas smiled and nodded his head, "Alcon is a ball of fire. I would not be so surprised if they disappeared to torture some maid somewhere."

Indilisse laughed, "If you see Thoron, will you send him to us?"

"We will." Legolas nodded. They watched as Indilisse turned and made her way back to the head table, sitting beside Haldir. Emlin watched her mother for a few more second as her father placed a kiss upon her temple, and they focused on the meal in front of them. She felt arms go around her waist, and smiled as the arms pulled her back against a warm body. He placed a kiss upon her ear tip and whispered lowly, "Will you take a walk with me, meleth?"

Emlin pulled away from him, turning to glance at him. She smiled, "How could I refuse such an offer?"

"That is a very good question." He laughed and placed her hand in the crook of his arm as he led her off into the dark forest, away from the chatter and merriment of elves in the celebration ring. They walked in silence for a good while, coming out onto a meadow in the forest. There was a small pool of water to the side, beside a stone wall that a fountain had been carved into. The water trickled down the sides of the fountain peacefully as the bright moonlight reflected off of the surface of the water. A marble bench stood beside the fountain, Legolas guided her to this spot and motioned for her sit down. Emlin, only having the faintest idea of what was going to happen, sat down and looked at his profile closely while he gazed off into the pool of water.

"It is beautiful here." Emlin said, following his gaze towards the water.

Legolas nodded, "Whenever I am here in Mirkwood, this is where I come to be alone. Though I usually hide within the trees."

"I do not blame you," she replied, looking up at the trees. "These are good trees for spying upon people or not being seen."

"Do you have some experience in spying, my lady?" He asked with a light laugh.

"Not nearly as much as you do, my lord." She smiled and rested her head against his shoulder. Again a silence fell over them, not uncomfortable, but it definitely was not a contented silence either. She could feel his tense muscles beneath his tunic as she waited for what she thought would happen.

"Emlin..." He started out quietly and looked down at her.

She chuckled lightly and sat up to look into his eyes. "I do not know why you are so worried, meleth. My father has not killed you and we are alone. You should be happy."

Legolas laughed, "I am happy, Emlin. I am more happy and content than any elf should be allowed to be, but I feel selfish to want more so soon."

"More?" Emlin questioned, trying to play this off as if she had no idea what was coming. "I know what it is that you want, meleth. I do not think it is so soon."

He smiled and took a hold of her right hand, placing it between his two warm hands, his long fingers wrapping around tightly before he gazed back up at her. "I love you, Emlin, and I would love nothing more than to bind with you this very moment. I have waited so long to find you, my fëa, but I cannot help but feel that we should wait for your sake. You are very young."

Emlin gazed into his eyes, and smiled softly. "Age does not matter anymore, meleth. I may have much more in this life to learn, of that I know, but so do you. I would rather learn these things while being bound to you instead of not. We love each other, you wish to have a family of your own, and I would bare you those children."

"Aiwamin, I do not wish you to bind yourself to me, just to please me." Legolas replied, bringing his right hand up to caress her cheek.

"But it would also please me." Emlin said, taking a hold of his hand and resting them in her lap. "As I said in my chambers, you complete who I am. I could surely do anything with you by my side."

He was silent and again, and tore his eyes away to gaze towards the pond. Emlin looked down at her hands holding his and let a heavy sigh escape her lips. Maybe her hopes had been too high. Maybe he had not meant to ask her to bind with him. Maybe all of this... the feast, her parents... everything was just a way to get everyone's approval before they were to become intimately involved.

"Emlin..." He began again, but his tone did not sound promising. Emlin felt tears brim in her eyes, and stood up quickly, walking over to the fountain so that he could not see her if the welling tears did spill over. She took in a deep breath to calm herself, and felt his arms encircle her from behind again. "Aiwamin, I fear that I have once again spoken in a riddle. I must have some impediment that keeps me from speaking clearly. I did not mean that I do not wish to bind myself to you."

Emlin took a breath and turned in her arms, "It does not sound like that."

"I was just giving you a chance to signal to me that you were not ready to be bound yet. I had to do that for my own heart, if you told me you were only doing this because I wished it." Legolas chuckled lowly and wiped away a tear before it fell down her cheek with his thumb. "Emlin, my love, my life, my fëa, I ask you to bind yourself to me. Would you bind yourself to me?"

"You know that I would, Legolas." Emlin replied quietly, bringing her eyes to meet his.

Legolas smiled brightly, and enveloped her in a long hug, kissing her deeply. After a long while of ever passionate kisses, Legolas pulled back and gazed down at her, "We must wait, though, meleth."

"What do you mean we must wait?" She responded, almost sounding as if she were whining. Really, she was whining on the inside. Emlin wanted him so badly, but he kept pushing it away.

"Threes days time, Emlin. In three days time we will wed in ceremony, in the tradition done for many years in times of peace." Legolas replied, "Then I will take you to my bed, and we will learn together what best pleasures us, and we will become one."

"Three days? Why can we not just wait one?" Emlin asked. "I know that should seem like a beat of my heart, and so long, but it feels like an eternity."

Legolas laughed, "I know better than you think, but I have promised to wait until that day for the ceremonies. Aragorn and Arwen have been traveling a day behind us since we left Ithilien. Gimli and his party should arrive tomorrow as well. I sent word for them."

"Dwarves? In your father's court?" Emlin questioned.

"He will survive." Legolas chuckled, "And he will also understand that I do not wish to marry unless my friends are present. The House of Imladris was to come with your parents, but I suppose they were detained for a day or so for some reason."

Emlin could not believe what she was hearing. It had been planned for far longer than she could have imagined. She stood on her toes to reach his lips, entwining her fingers in his hair. "Have you planned everything, Legolas?"

"Everything." He laughed, and pulled away from her for a moment. She had not noticed it before, but there was a green velvet pouch hanging form his belt, and he removed it easily. Carefully, he opened the top and drew out a small trinket. Taking her hand, he placed the slightly weighted piece in her palm. Emlin looked down to find that is was her bird... the bird Legolas had carved anyway... but it was now covered with gold, the outstretched wings and tail were lined with diamonds, the eyes of a emeralds, and it was anchored upon a hair comb. "The betrothal gift to you from my father, and also from me. You know the story of the bird, but I sent it to my father to see what his craftsmen could do with it. I think it is perfect, now that you have taken to wearing your hair pinned up. You can also wear this."

Emlin smiled and ran her fingers over the precious jewels. "I would not wear this everyday. It is too precious."

Legolas smiled, and hugged her closed again, recapturing her lips. "I love you, Emlin."

"And I, you, Legolas." She said and stayed in place, languishing in the feel of his lips against hers until she heard giggling from behind the bushes.

Legolas noticed it as well, and looked in the direction she was. "Who is it?"

Emlin walked towards the bush, but she did not need to go far as three young elf-children popped up from behind the bush. "Thoron! I do not believe you were spying on us!"

Thoron laughed and ran away with the others. Legolas laughed and joined her side, taking a hold of her hand. "Come Emlin, let us go back to the feast. For I am hungry and my father will wish to make an announcement."

Without anything more being said, they walked back to the celebration, finding that it was in the height of the evening, most all of the elves in the ring and dancing or talking merrily. Emlin found that her parent's still sat with the King and Queen, laughing about something, but the rest of her family was out merrymaking on the field. She found herself nearing them and all four parents turned to gaze at them expectantly.

"So what is it, ion?" Thranduil questioned. "Will we be making an announcement this eve?"

"On this night, Ada, we will be making an announcement." Legolas smiled and gazed down at her.

As if planned, every single one jumped form their seats to congratulate them. Emlin watched as Legolas was embraced by her mother and then her father, but was also quickly congratulated by Thranduil and Tuilindë. Her father was the last person she stood in front of, and looked up at him. "Ada, thank you for allowing this."

Haldir smiled slightly and hugged her closely. "Sell nín, I had no choice but to accept it. I would not be the one to break your heart."

Emlin laughed and placed a kiss upon his cheek, "I love you, Ada."

He sighed, nodding his head, "As I always will, Emlin."

----

meleth- love

mellon nin- my friend

Aiwamin- My little bird

Ellyth- it is suggested that this translation be used for plural instead of writing 'elleths'. Like ellon/ellyn

Ion- son

Fëa- Elvish Soul

Naneth- mother

Ada- Dad

Sell nin- my daughter