Disclaimer: Please see Chapter 1 for full disclaimer info.
Before we begin, thanks to...
Mercury Gray... So this is hitting the heart-strings the right way? Good! Just keep me honest and let me know if it gets too much. Given this is about their courtship it is bound to be a wee bit heavy on the "awww" factor, but I don't want to over do it!
Evenstar Elanor... What do I see in him? A mystery, mostly.
Anonymous... Glad you're still checking in. Hope to hear from you again!
Lady of the Dog Star... Thanks! Hopefully, the upcoming chapters will live up to the previous ones!
Chapter 7: Blessing
Haldir walked up the stairs towards where Celeborn and Galadriel were seated, offering judgment and justice to any in Lothlorien who desired it. His dress armor was polished and his red cloak cascaded from his shoulders to nearly the floor. He walked slowly, deliberately down the center of the room toward his Lady and Lord. As he reached the base of the rise where their sculpted chairs rested, he dropped to one knee. Murmurs ran through the gathered crowd. Orophin and Rumil looked at each other. Haldir was coming before the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien as a supplicant?
"Marchwarden," said Galadriel, "why do you kneel before us? What would you ask of Galadriel and Celeborn?"
He looked up and there was a serenity in his face that had been absent for many, many years. Galadriel kept her face neutral, but inside she rejoiced.
"My Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel. I come before you today because it is my desire to be set handfast to the Lady Runevalas. As her eldest relative here in Lothlorien, Lord Celeborn, I respectfully beg your blessing."
"He's pledging himself to her! He's getting married!" hissed Orophin. "Did you hear him?"
"Yes, you fool, now be silent!" whispered Rumil. No one else heard them for all attention was on Haldir.
A radiant smile crested on Galadriel's face, and even the often reserved Celeborn could not keep a completely serious demeanor.
"A pledge of this nature is a serious request, Marchwarden." Celeborn stood and gazed over the crowd until he saw his cousin's daughter. "And does Runevalas share this desire?"
"She does," answered Runevalas.
"Then rise, Haldir, Marchwarden of Lothlorien. Let it be known to all in Lothlorien that you have my blessing to be set handfast to the Lady Runevalas. I will send word to Dol Amroth in the morning to announce the good tidings."
As he spoke Galadriel stood and gestured for Runevalas to come forward. She slipped through the crowd and came to stand next to Haldir. The Lady took Runevalas' hand and placed it in Haldir's hand. "We rejoice in your happiness," she said, "You will be set handfast in a ceremony to be held the first day of spring!"
A few hours later, after the crowds of well-wishers had begun to depart, Lady Galadriel asked Runevalas to walk with her. Orophin and Rumil saw their opportunity. They came up on each side of Haldir and quickly escorted him out of the glade.
"What have you done with our brother?" asked Rumil.
Haldir gave him a momentarily bewildered look.
"Indeed," said Orophin. "Our brother is a brave soldier, but the thought of pledging to a she-Elf has always made him quake like a child. Therefore you must be an impostor!"
"Neither of you are particularly amusing," said Haldir wryly.
"Then perhaps some wine will loosen your tongue and you'll tell us how the lovely Runevalas bewitched you into finally taking a mate?" Orophin's grin was debauched at best, and Haldir was almost offended. He stopped walking and the brothers turned back to him.
"Thank you, Rumil," he said. "You were right to take me to task."
"I did this?"
"No, not exactly," said Haldir. "Runevalas did it. She heard you berate me. Heard you mention... Maranwe. When she came to me later, she demanded to know who Maranwe was. She thought I had been bedding a second lover all these years." And I had been, he thought with some lingering guilt. In my heart, I had been.
"I'm happy for you, Haldir," said Rumil. "I truly am. Love is a fine thing when it comes and a wondrous thing when it blossoms and lasts."
"Must you?" sighed Orophin. "We finally have an excuse to get our dour eldest brother soaked in fine wine and you wax romantically philosophical. We obviously need to find you a mate as well."
Well, this was a bit of a transition chapter. Hope you enjoyed despite its brevity. Please read/review and let me know what you think...