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Thanks, as always, to Evenstar Elanor. You are always such a consistent reviewer... thank you for all the critiques. I really appreciate the time you take with them!
Chapter 5: A Moment of Doubt
And so Haldir and Runevalas dallied and courted for the next 40 years as Man gauges time. Runevalas, for her part, waited for a pledge promise from Haldir but the length of courtship did not disturb her. Forty years to Men was but a sunrise to sunset for the Elves. She had time to be patient and she knew Haldir was not prone to rash decisions. He would decide when he was ready and no one could push him to it sooner. No one, perhaps, save Galadriel, and the Lady of the Wood kept secret her thoughts on their courtship.
Haldir found himself drawn to Runevalas. She was warm and welcoming. Her wit entertained him and her expansive heart sheltered him when he needed comfort. His memories and anguish over Maranwe were still keen in his mind, and through tremendous effort he kept the guilt and sorrow buried as far down in his soul as he could, hiding them from Runevalas.
There were times however, when the sorrow broke through and his mood turned melancholy. Runevalas would do what she could to comfort him, but when she would ask what troubled him, he would not share. All he would tell her is that he had been through many battles as Marchwarden, and that sometimes the sad memories of those battles weighed heavily on his shoulders. She contented herself, reluctantly, with that answer.
So it was 40 years after Haldir had first bedded Runevalas, that Rumil finally lost his patience with his brother.
"Haldir, what are you doing?"
The Marchwarden looked up from where he was sitting with a puzzled look on his face. "Doing about what?" he asked.
"What are you doing with Runevalas?"
Haldir was taken slightly aback by the accusation simmering in his brother's voice and Rumil could see the defensive wall slam up in Haldir's eyes. But Rumil didn't relent.
"You toy with her," accused Rumil.
"How dare you!" Haldir stood up quickly and hammered his hand down on the table next to him. "I have never treated Runevalas poorly."
"Have you not? She knows nothing of you in all the years you have been lovers. With her you are Haldir, the Marchwarden, only. You are not Haldir the Elf. She deserves all of you, Haldir."
"You know nothing of which you speak." There was frost in his voice.
"If that is what you believe, then you are a fool," said Rumil. "But Runevalas loves you. She would stand by you as your mate, your wife, if you asked her."
"Marry her? What real need do I have with a mate?"
"Perhaps you think you have no need of one, but what of Runevalas? Have you asked what she wants? Do you know where she believes this romance is leading? If you will not have her, then release her to someone who will." Then Rumil thought, would that the Valar grace me with a she-Elf who loves me as much as Runevalas loves you, brother mine.
The words stung and Haldir ignored them. "What kind of mate would I be for her? I am often gone, and in much danger. She would be better off pledging herself a bundle of arrows and a sword..."
It was a lie and Rumil knew it. "There is more to you than arrows and swords," he barked. "But you hide it from everyone, and especially from Runevalas! Have you told her anything about you? Have you told her about Maranwe? She deserves to know all of you; else you disrespect her and do her no honor."
Haldir's frosty voice turned to ice. "You step beyond your bounds, Rumil. We will discuss this no further. Leave me."
Rumil left without another word. A short distance away, Runevalas withdrew and hid herself behind the trunk of one of the great mallorns as Rumil angrily left Haldir's dwelling. She had only heard the very last part of what had been said. From behind the broad and sheltering mallorn, she watched Rumil pass and looked towards Haldir's dwelling for a moment, before she turned and silently went back the way she came.
Haldir, unaware that Runevalas had overheard his confrontation with Rumil, returned to his work, but found his concentration fractured. His brother's words nagged at him, as irritating as any biting gnat. He flung the report he was reading across the room and stalked angrily to his balcony. Deep in his gut, a burning core of guilt chafed him raw and he covered his face with his hand.
Runevalas did not stop until she reached the glade where Galadriel sat, reclining in a chair, reading a book. The Lady of the Golden Wood looked up and smiled as Runevalas approached her.
"Come, sit with me," the Lady of the Wood said.
"Lady, may I ask you a question?" asked Runevalas once she sat down.
"Of course, Runevalas."
The young woman looked troubled and looked back over her shoulder in the direction where Rumil had gone.
"What troubles you?" asked Galadriel. There was obvious concern in her voice.
"I... I overheard Rumil just now. He was arguing with Haldir. They were arguing about me. Please, Lady, who is Maranwe and what does she mean to Haldir?"
Galadriel took a deep breath; Runevalas' fear was tangible. "I cannot speak to you of Maranwe; it is not my place. That is something you must ask Haldir about."
Well, please read/review and let me know what you think of the latest chapter. Any feedback you can give me is helpful... I love to hear what I'm doing right, but if there's anything that doesn't sit right with you, let me know what it is so I can go back and check it out!