Chapter 7

His words, reflecting love and hope for them rang once, twice in her mind. She couldn't bring herself to think that he would be leaving so soon, perhaps in a matter of days. She understood the need to keep him safe, the sacred reverence and unwavering loyalty he had for his lady and lord. Tossing and turning in her bed, she sighed. Hearing footsteps outside her room, she closed her eyes quickly, and settled into the blankets.

The door creaked open, and Haldir gazed down at her sleeping form, and smiled gently. He wanted to leave at night, when she wouldn't be hurt, and she couldn't cry for him, nor weep and plead for him to remain. It was not his decision, but the bidding of his lady and lord that he be kept safe until the threat was over. But when will the threat be over? When will I see Éowyn again? He sighed, but stiffened his resolve. Blowing a kiss into the darkness, he whispered, "One day I shall see you again," and closed the door.

As she was silently listening, Éowyn felt tears trickling down her cheek. And as the door closed, she couldn't rein in her emotions further, and cried herself to sleep, while the soft sobs echoed in the room, yet, so far away, Haldir was oblivious that Éowyn had heard every single word.

"Haldir left last night," Aragorn told Éowyn the next morning, taking her aside.

"I know," Éowyn said, her eyes puffy and red from the tears. As she spoke, her voice shook slightly, and she clenched her fist, her nails digging into flesh.

She sighed, drawing out her breath. As the rain fell in sheets and the howling of the wind echoed around the hall, she murmured, "I'd just like to go inside for now, to simply have some time alone. For now," And with that, she walked back into her room. "Oh, Haldir, why had you to go?" she cried aloud. She simply missed his presence and the feel of him...perhaps all she had to do was to believe that he was there in spirit, to know that there was a spot for her in his heart...

Haldir rode upon the snowy white stallion, gripping its reins tightly and riding through the whipping rain. Thoughts of Éowyn flooded his mind, and he began to feel guilty for the abrupt goodbye, imagining the shock and dismay that she could possibly face to find him gone...he decided that he had to harden his heart. No more looking back and no more thinking, he was gone and would probably never return. There was no point in trying to change what was past. He would be safe, and his life would go on.

Éowyn was languishing, her face was pale and her hands were cold. The bright spark that had been lit beneath her seemed to have faded all too soon, reducing her to a mere wisp of cold air, drifting and dotting the surroundings with frost. She had lost the warmth that she seemed to acquire, the passion that seeped through her words and her eyes were glassy and lonely. She thought for a long time about the hours they spent walking in the comforting and familiar grounds, and somehow, without him by her side, she felt lost.

Haldir reached Lothlorien safely, and on dismounting from his horse, was greeted by Galadriel and Celeborn.

"My lord and lady," he said, bowing.

"We are very pleased that you have made it back safely. I understand that you may need some time to get used to it again, life as back to normal but i trust you will," Galadriel smiled at him.

Haldir smiled back, but his insides were churning and he was feeling surprisingly lonely. He wouldn't have believed it if he had told himself he felt comfortable in the presence of a mortal lady more than in the presence of fellow elves something was missing...he could sense an aching loss in his heart, a burden that seemed to follow him where he went...

"We understand, and we can sense what you feel now, Haldir, March Warden of Lothlorien, but you have your duties to fulfill, and we cannot lose you," Celeborn explained in a benign tone.

"And Haldir, remember what you have once said, that to love a mortal lady would be an insult to your status as an elf," Galadriel added, with a touch of a sigh. "It seems if you would have changed your mind," she added.

"She may be mortal, but she has the poise and beauty of an elf," he replied sadly. "And I fear that I may never see her again."

And in that intricate moment, though miles away, their souls seemed to connect and bind in the intimacy of long-lost lovers.

A/n: Yay! New chapter up (: