*Two months later...* (Aïe!)

Hey! Happy holidays, everyone? Hope so! As for me, Winter's cold light found its way to meet me, and I finally made some decisions. All of my stories are dear to me (if you're an author, you understand it), but this one in special and I feel I'm nowhere near to making justice to it! O, the frustration! But you don't want to hear me talking about this, it would get longer and more boring than the actual story... Anyway, all this has been tearing at me and I've decided that I'll stick to the original small version, 'forgetting' about aspects that have been at game before and that aren't completely settled. I could continue, but... who'd care? Thanks to each and every one of you - queenie, angelbelle, koko, Tammy, Writer From Rivendell, Gilraen, Lady of Legolas, szhismine, drew'sgirl and Jfrog. Your support, small as it may seem, drove me on and, believe it or not, quite literally, kept me from defenestrating the keyboard at times. I sincerely hope the story kept up to your expectations! =)

Abusive notes, I know... Onwards!

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Chapter VIII: Recommencing

If the tree where that high talan was settled could think, then one thing was certain: it was bound to believe it had become a rendez-vous point for the two elves sitting upon it now.

Haldir had resorted to pacing from one side to the other, impatient at the long time it was taking for the maiden to join them again. "What's taking her so long?!", he would occasionally say out loud to no one in particular. Simbelmynë, on her part, carefully studied every detail in the captain's behaviour, his anxiety passing over to her and unconsciously forcing her to tap her foot to vent it out.

"Tapping your foot, Simbelmynë? You must be particularly distressed!" The captain said, dripping irony, but with no harmful intention, as the lady well knew. With this, he had finally stopped walking, causing the lady's foot to stop as well.

"I had not noticed, my lord, though, if it was enough to halt your incessant moving, I am thankful. Sit down, lord Haldir! I myself am tired just from watching you walk miles on end on such limited space!" She said with as much asperity as one would ever get from her, but Haldir didn't see it that way and found it amusing instead.

"If you insist," he said while pulling a chair and sitting backwards on it. He was able to remain still for some minutes, but then his fingers escaped control and replaced his legs' movements. "I don't know how you can stand there so calmly as if nothing had happened!"

"Simply. I am sitting, my lord." She said in her imperturbable respectful grace, with a slightly triumphant smile upon her lips. One of Haldir's eyebrows rose, and he sat a bit straighter in his reversed position.

"Getting ironical, are we? I might just be rubbing off on you... hope is not lost, the Valar may have answered my prayers!" The captain said, effectively transferring the triumph from the lady to himself. She seemed quite offended with the remark, how she could ever become as rude as him was preposterous, but she knew of a way to silence him and obtain a quick victory, even if only a temporary one. With all the calm in the world, something not so rare in her, she replied.

"Sit yourself properly, lord Haldir."

He didn't move, but it resulted as expected. Some time later, though, the captain abandoned the silence and returned to charge. "What do you think the Lords wanted with Moralphwen? Perhaps to tell her of her family?"

"Would the Lords do that, when they were told not to? I know not, the message they sent me said nothing of it. What intrigues me, no matter the subject of their talk, is the amount of time they are taking. It is getting late, as you have been expertly pointing out for the past hour." Haldir despaired some more, knowing she was right and having no clue as to what it could mean. "Though, to wait is all we can do", she wisely concluded.

"Simbelmynë... Why were you named that, after all?" The lady's last sentence had managed to pass some of her patience to him, and it felt incredibly comforting. So much that he found himself dwelling on unexpected grounds.

"Why do you ask?" She was genuinely stunned, and the sudden difference in her bearing served as witness to it. Unfortunately, she never had the time to hear an answer, as a new sound broke through the silence in the talan and their attention was diverted.

"Haven't you figured it out yet, Simbelmynë? I've been seeing it coming for ages now!" The amused voice announced and silvery laughter rang.

"Alph!!" Haldir positively jumped from his seat to meet the maiden, grabbing her by the arms and drawing her into his embrace. He'd lost and just regained her too recently for his liking and felt the need to keep her close to him for now. The older lady would have joined him, hadn't she been so puzzled with first Haldir and then Moralphwen's words. "Come on, blurt it all out! What did they want?"

"What did she want, Haldir. Only the Lady Galadriel was there", she corrected him. "It was... quite something."

"What do you mean? And what's that you bring?" He inquired as the young maiden took his seat and joined Simbelmynë at the small table. But she couldn't find words to explain what had happened and everything she'd seen in the Mirror through the Lady's power, so she just presented the captain with the letter Galadriel had given her at the end, and was now in her hand.

"Read it yourself." She stated simply, as Simbelmynë awoke from her stupor and moved closer to read as well.

"It is King Thranduil's letter. So she has told you everything." The lady asked on her turn, uncomprehending, just as Haldir, the Lords' strange change. At first, they had forbade all who knew of revealing anything about Moralphwen's past, then they'd acted as if they did not care for her, and now they'd brought it all into the open. Simply too much information to consider... and what did she mean about Haldir?! Simbelmynë gave up.

"Yes", was the answer that came accompanied by a contemplative nod. "Haldir, I know you met my brother. It was you who brought me here. Tell me about him, tell me of whatever you know." Moralphwen urgently requested, taking on a serious face for the first time.

Haldir thought for an instant before answering. "Well, I only met him for a brief moment, when he entrusted you to me." He was thinking of things he could say. "I remember thinking how strange it was that someone who seemed to love you so much would give you away like that... And when prince Legolas told me your tale, I swore to him and myself that I would look after you in his stead."

By now, the maiden was smiling and tears threatened to overtake her eyes. "The Lady told me that you were not supposed to be my guardian, just Simbelmynë."

"And pray tell, how could I do that after the oath I'd made? Besides, you'll have to agree that leaving you alone with no one but Simbelmynë would be a cruel fate." He directed the inoffensive barb at the lady, pretty much enjoying this newfound hobby.

"I'm sure you don't remember, but on your first days in Lothlórien, it was virtually impossible to separate you from our good captain." She gave the captain the well-aimed proverbial slap with the white glove. "But I am not explaining it correctly. At the beginning, the Lords did place me in charge of you alone, but you were miserable in those days. Hardly eating or sleeping, I very much feared that some ill would befall on you. But captain Haldir never stopped paying you regular visits, and I came to notice that on those times you almost seemed happy..."

"Come on, Simbelmynë, you're embarrassing both Moralphwen and I!... You exaggerate in your melodramatic speech!" Haldir said confidently while holding the maiden's hand, still not ready to let go of all physical contact with his alph.

"Admit it is true. After you convinced the Lords to also become her guardian, things drastically improved!" The lady defended the integrity of what she'd said.

"Yes, that is true. But things weren't nearly as tragic as you paint them! «Almost seemed happy»... Simbelmynë, you live in another world of your own..." The captain dismissed it quickly and silvery laughs rang again in the talan.

"You two can clear the details of my misery later on. Please, Simbelmynë, continue." Moralphwen urged them, awarding herself the stares of both her guardians. "What?"

"You. Impressive." Haldir replied, not once straying his eyes from the maiden. The respectful lady mimicked him, and Moralphwen could swear she had felt a chill going up her spine. It was a creepy sight to behold, both her guardians in such perfect synchrony when they had such opposite personalities.

"What?" She repeated, still on the verge of shock.

"Haldir rubbed off on you too." The maiden was even more confused with that, but shock hit her full force as she saw her two guardians laughing together.

"Strange days, these have been. I think I handled the truth about my family rather well, all things considered. But to see you two unite... it's unnerving to say the least. I think I will retire for now. Good day." Moralphwen finally said with well-measured words and slowly walked away, leaving the captain and lady to themselves once more.

The young elven maiden chose to spend the rest of the day in her bedroom. If I'm not careful, those two just might end up betrothing one another... The world has definitely been turned upside down!... And even as she considered this, the good humour and energy that her guardians' company had given her slowly diluted. Moralphwen was left again alone with her thoughts.

She remembered the way things were before learning the truth. She was content to simply be with her captain Haldir, and even with her strict Simbelmynë. Dreams had been a constant in her life in Lórien, more or less agitated, they'd always been there. And her Prince had been a wonderful companion, assuring that her sleep was always pleasant and sweet. She could feel him giving her strength to face Simbelmynë's dreadful lessons of History or etiquette.

He never really left me, but I wish I could be with him again. And to know my father. Despite everything, I know he did what he felt was best and deserves my love for his sacrifice. Ai Elbereth!, would it be too much to ask to be able to meet them soon? Would you grant me that?

The following morning, Moralphwen headed to the talan of the Lords of Lórien with her mind set on one thing. Before going out, she had spoken to her guardians, wanting to know what they thought of her idea.

For once, she had not dreamt of the past during that night, but of a possible future. She couldn't stop thinking about returning to Mirkwood and meeting her family, and so had decided to ask permission to the Lords. Upon approaching her idea to Haldir and Simbelmynë, however, her spirits were seriously dampened with their discouraging.

Simbelmynë said that King Thranduil had specifically requested that she stayed in Lothlórien, and the Lords couldn't possibly go against that. They'd be breaking the words they'd given Thranduil when they took her in. Haldir, on the other hand, claimed that she had been sent to Lórien with a purpose, and that purpose was to keep her safe. It would be contrary to it to allow her to go back.

Moralphwen felt almost betrayed that they wouldn't support her, especially on something that meant so much to her, but eventually reasoned that they were thinking with their heads instead of their hearts. The Lords were likely to say the same thing they did, but she just had to try. Elbereth wouldn't be that cruel to her.

"I know why it is you have come, and you already know the answer I would give you, do you not, little Darkswan?" The Lady of the Galadhrim wasted no time in stating it, as soon as the maiden had finished rising from her curtsy.

The carpet might have been pulled from under her, but she knew the ground was still there beneath it, and gave it one final attempt. "Still, I must insist, for it is dire to me. Will you deny me this, Lady?"

"Yes, I will. Your guardians are wise, you should listen more closely to them. Their reasoning was just and true, and I share it with them. Give it time, young one. Don't wish to have everything at once for it is as wistful as it is impossible." The Lady was firm in her stand and the maiden was left no other option but to curtsy again and silently exit the talan, eyes cast low.

~*~

I éli sílar sinomë,
Or i aldannar;
Ar i aldar ataquétat
Calanen lassion lauriva.

I éli silir tanomë?
I mórë lóméva alantië,
Ar i fuinë tauriva
Otopië i eleni?

[The stars shine here,
Over the trees;
And the trees answer them
With the light of golden leaves.

Do the stars shine there too?
Or has the dark of night fell,
And the shadow of the woods
Covered the stars?]

"Why are you here, little alph?..." The maiden heard her guardian's sad voice but responded only by heaving a long sigh. Other than that, she kept her gaze on the steadily flowing waters ahead and her head against the railing of the small bridge. Cold was setting, but she had not noticed it yet. "I worry for you..."

"No need, Haldir. Is there any harm in watching these waters that run away from this blissful land?" She said on a dragged tone.

"There is when you make a habit out of coming here on about every day to dwell on your grief. I have talked with Simbelmynë and she agrees with me, we fear you might be fading, my sweet alph..."

Moralphwen looked at the captain for the first time, comprehension dawning on her. Her eyes were glinting with gratitude and love for her guardians. "Know that you two worry needlessly. The Lords gave me no permission to quench my heart's desire, but that did not quench my spirit. If anything, it lit its flame further. I shall live to see my family and my home, and that is a promise."

"I'm very glad to hear you say that! But still... to wander here aimlessly as you do... it cannot do you any good. Why do you persist?" It was true, ever since her last talk with the Lady of Light, weeks past, Moralphwen had taken a liking to go down to the river's shore and sit there, simply watching the flow.

"They're like me, the waters... the stream pushes them away from their spring and they are never able to go back and see it again..." One of her laughs broke the heavy moment. "But never mind that, Haldir, my promise overcomes whatever sadness I may feel at times... I think I have watched enough for today, and will gladly return to the talan with you. Night is ready to fall and this day has tired me. I could use some sleep."

Accepting Haldir's arm over her shoulders, the maiden leaned on him as they walked the short distance back to the talan where Simbelmynë awaited them. After saying her farewells for the night, Moralphwen left the two alone outside. They had developed the habit of spending more and more time in each other's company. The maiden entertained herself wondering how much longer it would be before they exchanged silver rings...

~*~

«The bedroom was lighted only by the soft glow of the full moon and stars that spilled in through the open curtains. Both doors were shut, and the torches from the outside corridors left only a vaguely warming orange tinge trespassing through the fringe close to the floor.

Suddenly, one of the doors creaked open very silently, and in came a small figure that tiptoed her way to the large comfortable bed, often looking back to make absolutely sure that there was nothing behind her. The bed already had one occupant, immersed in deep sleep and so unaware of what was going on, and the tiny maiden stood there for a while, watching, before ultimately deciding to get in as well. All the stirring woke the other and a candle's light suddenly blinded the little intruder.

"Alph! What are you doing here? You have your own bed!" Legolas said to the tiny mound cowering beneath the sheets beside him. A small dark-haired head slowly emerged from those depths.

"I didn't want to stay alone in my room... Hallathon said that there is a monster hiding there that comes out on every full moon night..." An eyebrow sceptically rose at the exact same time that tiny arms encircled him with as much strength as possible.

"Ai, perfean... he was teasing you! Don't tell me that you, such a grown up little maiden, believed those childish pranks?..." He said, testing her, and making a mental note to settle some scores with his friend.

"Me?..." Her demeanour changed and she visibly relaxed. "Of course not, I just... wanted to make sure that you knew it wasn't true!" She smartly defended herself amidst an unexpected wave of yawns.

"I'm sure you did, but it's very late, alph. Go back to your room and sleep, alright?" Legolas made a move to get up and put out the candle, but Moralphwen stopped him.

"Can't I... stay here with you?... Just for today, I promise!" The brothers smiled at one another and settled down to sleep. Moralphwen often stayed with him for the night, for one reason or another - most of the times plain excuses - and so they had developed a well-practised routine.

Legolas finished putting out the light and laid back down. At once, Moralphwen was resting her head over his heart and reaching out with her left hand to play with his golden locks, so very different from her own.

"So, what would you like to hear today? A song?" He whispered, and she relished the resonance of his rich voice in his chest, accompanied by his forever-secure heartbeat. For as long as she had those two sounds, any monster or any doubt, no matter what, would be kept at bay.

"How about that song to Elbereth you taught me the other day? The one you said the elves in Rivendell liked to sing?"

The tune was slow and deep, repetitive in a way but with small surprises at the end of every verse, simply perfect for lulling the maiden. Legolas half singed, half hummed the short song, trying his best to keep his voice down, but Moralphwen was truly enraptured by the comforting vibrations in his chest and the softness of his voice that followed the steady tempo set by his heart.

A Elbereth Gilthoniel,
Silivren penna míriel,
O menel aglar elenath,
Na-chaered palan-díriel,
O galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon,
Nef aear, sí nef aearon.

By the end of the song, she was profoundly asleep, and the Prince lovingly tidied one of her stray locks behind a delicately small pointed ear. After one final clumsy kiss on her forehead, he joined his beloved sister in the world of elven dreams. "Good night, my sweet Princess... let nothing disturb you. Sleep peacefully, rest well. Tomorrow is a busy day..."»


~* I Mentë - Fim - The End *~

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Yep, that's it! To be honest, Haldir and Simbelmynë getting all 'friendly' wasn't *at all* in my plans! But then, the more I thought of it, the more I realised that it had to be done, and if you saw the drawings I did of them, you'd see it was just asking for it too! Lol! Besides, it should please all who have been asking for Haldir and romance... consider it as my delayed Christmas present to you, if you will! ;) It was a pleasure writing this and I hope to see you around! Have a grand 2004, everyone!!