Evening had fallen in Lorien, but the light of the city still glowed, streaming in windows in a pale luminescence. Haldir stood watching at the window, enjoying the calm of the night. Tonight he was escorting Alanya to a small festive gathering, something to which he was strangely looking sanguine about. He sighed and turned, running his fingers through his hair. For now, however, the quiet of the night was leading him into far more introspection then he was prepared for, and all of it was centered on Alanya.
It was clear to him that he was developing feelings for her. No, he could not question that. He did question the wisdom of those feelings, however, when the specter of war was looming on the horizon. This afternoon after he parted ways with Alanya he had gone to meet with some of the other captains. They had gone over the patterns of the orc attacks and agreed that the orcs were testing the borders of their land. Also, the report of the one ring resurfacing had all of them unsettled. War is coming to this land, he thought to himself. Thoughts of the exotic mage lingered on his mind, though, and did not make those thoughts of war seem hopeless.
He knew he should not have allowed himself to become as close to Alanya, but he had, there was no use belaying that fact. He knew his feelings for her could become a distraction that could prove dangerous, and the fighter in him argued against that. Still, his heart was telling him to proceed, and if Haldir was being honest with himself (and he always was) he knew that there was every chance he had already fallen for her.
A knock on the door startled him out of his thoughts. He strode silently to open it, finding the Lord Celeborn on the other side.
"Mae govannen, Haldir, how fare you this evening?" Celeborn said as he entered at Haldir's gesture of invitation.
"Introspective, my lord." Haldir said as he sat after Celeborn motioned for him to sit. "I must confess I am curious as to what brings you to my talan tonight." The lord in question smiled faintly.
"Well, my wife hinted that perhaps I should make certain that you had not let tonight's gathering go unnoticed, as is often your habit. Perhaps hinted is not the right word. Suggested. Or recommended. Nay, perhaps commanded is the right word." The Silver Lord grimaced. "I deemed it best in the interest of marital bliss to do as she said." A smile belied the sting in his words, for it was obvious that he would do anything for Galadriel.
"I had intended on being there." He raised his hand, forestalling the next question from Celeborn. "And yes, I intend to be escorting the Lady Alanya."
"Good." Celeborn nodded in satisfaction, then fell quiet, obviously choosing his words carefully. "I would know your feelings on this matter, your intentions towards Lady Alanya? She is much in my wife's heart, and mine, to be truthful. I say this not to pressure you, as your reaction to such things is well known." The corners of Haldir's mouth twitched in response, but otherwise he gave no reaction.
"I do not know what my intentions are," Haldir said honestly. "Only that whatever they are they are honorable." He rose and paced, a sure sign of agitation that Celeborn recognized from many guard councils. "All I know is that thoughts of her invade nearly my every waking moment. Dreaming moments too." He stopped his pacing and rested his hands on the windowsill, looking out over the city. If he looked just right, he could see a flash of light that was from Alanya's bedroom window. "I remember how it felt to see her sleep." His lips curled into a smile. "And how magnificent she did look when she was becoming angry with me for ordering her to stay behind and not follow me to the fences."
"And the thought of leaving her?" Celeborn sat patiently, waiting for Haldir to follow the logical thought path of realization of his feelings for the mage.
"It would not be possible." Haldir said quietly as his hands gripped the windowsill tightly in response. His heart leapt into his throat, as he understood the ramifications of what Celeborn's questions had forced him to realize. "My intentions I do not know," he repeated slowly, "but I do think you do not have to worry on my love for her." He continued to look out the window, not seeing the city in front of him, but seeing the image of Alanya before him, the first time he saw her in elven dress.
"I would have hated to banish you to the fences for sheer idiocy." Celeborn sighed with relief. The two elves laughed. Haldir felt oddly light, as if a great weight had lifted off his shoulders. His face lost its grave countenance and he relaxed, once again sitting down.
"I do not think that would be required." Haldir replied softly. "But I do question the wisdom of my feelings right now, considering the war on the horizon."
"Right now is when we need such things the most, to remind us what we will be fighting to save." Celeborn's face grew grave. "Make no mistake, these are dangerous times, but we cannot let that stop us from living as we will. If we do then the dark lord has already won."
"Thank you, my lord." Haldir inclined his head. "Now the important thing, have you any advice on how to proceed?" He smiled faintly as Celeborn laughed.
"Ever the optimist." Celeborn flashed a rare grin. "Now, shall we go collect your lady and meet mine, I am certain they grow impatient." The two walked together down the steps in silence. Before they parted to head in their separate directions Celeborn turned to Haldir. "My advice…flowers. Females cannot resist them." The Silver Lord looked slightly smug.
Haldir only raised an eyebrow. "I will remember that." He smiled for a moment and headed off towards Alanya's talan. Most definitely….
If anyone had been in place to see, they would have seen the Lord of the Golden Wood dropping his dignity to do an impromptu victory dance before heading back to his talan.
Alanya sat looking out her bedroom window at the night. Her maid Linwe was still laying out all she needed to ready Alanya, so the mage in question was taking those moments to reflect. Love. Is that possible? Not that I've ever known it in the fashion that Celeborn refers to. She shook her head, toying with one silken lock that had fallen forward. The golden mallorn trees shone gently in the night, creating a gilded picture before her. It imbued her with a peace that took away her worries, and for once she decided to let it do so, and for one night at least relax and enjoy herself. She turned to see Linwe watching her with a speculative look.
"Yes?"
"Here, Alanya, we should get you dressed first before I work on your hair and jewelry." The maid gestured her over and helped her into her outfit for the evening. First came a gossamer thin chemise, no more then a whisper against her skin. Over that Alanya donned a flowing dress the color of violets pooling in the light of the moon. It hugged her body down to the hips, where it swirled out into a full skirt to pool in a puddle of rich silk at her feet.
"You are unusually quiet tonight, Lady Mage?" Linwe delicately asked, her knowing eyes smiling, while the rest of her countenance was sober.
"Is this a game of 'match make the mage'? Someone should have told me…." Alanya said, her responding good humor balancing the sarcasm of her words. Her maid giggled.
"No, it is just that my friend who serves as a handmaiden to the Lady Galadriel, she overheard the Lady telling Celeborn to be certain that Haldir was at tonight's festivities. When the Lord asked why, the Lady's response was to say that she would have both her penneth and Haldir present, as tonight will be a night of realization for them." Alanya blushed furiously red as Linwe continued. "Since Haldir spends nearly all his time with you, free time and time on the practice field, I can only assume that you are the penneth in question."
"Does everyone know something I don't?!" Alanya let her head fall into her hands, then gave a yelp as Linwe tugged her head back up by a lock of hair.
"No, it is simply we elves do not apparently worry with so many things as you humans. I have seen with my own eyes your feelings for Haldir, yet you hold yourself back." She fell silent for a moment while she combed and pinned Alanya's hair, her fingers working deftly . Here and there she inserted jeweled pins with pearl drops hanging from the ends. By the time she was done Alanya's hair was a graceful arrangement of braids and loose hair hanging down her back, with pearls adding the shimmering of moonlight to her dark hair. "Perhaps we acknowledge things you are not ready to." She added a delicate necklace of pearls around Alanya's neck and stepped back to examine her. "I think you are done." The maid said and handed Alanya a mirror.
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Alanya could find no fault. In fact, she felt so grand she hardly recognized herself. Her pale skin glowed as much as any elf, and the dark color of her hair made the jewels in it stand out. She shook her head as she placed the mirror down.
"Sorry Linwe, I don't think I recognize the person in the mirror." She said with a smile. The maid gave her one back.
"Enjoy yourself this eve." She said as Alanya leaned over and gave her a hug of thanks. A knock on the door was heard, and Linwe whispered in Alanya's ear. "Haldir will never know what hit him." She untangled herself from Alanya, and disappeared into the front room to open the door. Alanya heard Haldir greet Linwe, and heard Linwe inform Haldir that Alanya was indeed ready and bid him good eve as she left the talan.
Alanya took a moment to compose her suddenly nervous heart, taking a deep breath and exhaling it slowly. She rose carefully, not wanting to tangle her feet in her skirt. Her steps sounded lightly on the wooden floor, tracing a path to the door. In the other room Haldir was standing at the window to the balcony, examining a book of histories that Alanya had borrowed from Celeborn in an effort to further her reading ability in elvish. He appeared about to say something, and then looked up at Alanya, the words dying on his lips.
She also said nothing, her eyes falling to the floor at the look of awe upon Haldir's face. She felt his hand under her chin, gently tilting her face up so that she was looking in his eyes. Some strange light was in his eyes that she couldn't name as he looked into her eyes. Her heart beat fast as he gently ran his hand down her face, resting on her collarbone, tracing a light path from her neck to her shoulder.
"I came looking for a human mage but I think I am mistaken," he said quietly. "In her place I find a bright star that would light up the darkest night."
"Perhaps you came to the wrong talan," Alanya suggested impishly, a smile alighting on her face and in her eyes. Haldir smiled and shook his head.
"I do not think so. I am a marchwarden. We are adept at finding our way with little to guide us. But your light, I can do nothing but follow it." Leaning forward, he bestowed one gentle kiss on Alanya's lips, the light touch sending a thread of warmth through her. "Come, Lady Galadriel will wish to see us present before long."
He offered her his arm and she took it, thrilling in the feel of strength contained therein. Alanya paced slowly and gracefully by Haldir's side, as together they walked slowly in the night, heading to the glade beneath Galadriel and Celeborn's talan where the evening's festivities were to take place. As they grew closer gentle strains of music filtered to them.
Halting before the glade, Haldir looked down on her, the moonlight washing out the gold from his hair, making it appear silver in the night. Inquisitively, she cocked her head, wondering why they stopped. Her question was answered when Haldir reached down and plucked what she recognized as an elenor blossom. Twirling in his elegant hand, he turned to her and carefully inserted it amid the pearls in her hair.
"There," he said with satisfaction. "It is not a jewel, but its gentle beauty does suit you." Leaning down, he pulled her close for a long kiss, much to her surprise, full in view of other elves arriving for the dancing. This kiss was different from all his others, gentle and light. His whole manner was different, a calmness was about him that soothed Alanya's nervousness. He broke off the kiss and looked at her with intense eyes. "Now, I would hope that my bright star will honor this march warden with a dance.
"Anything, my warden," Alanya replied, her eyes shining. His words stirred up her feelings and she admitted deep in her heart that yes, it was entirely possible that she was in love with the strong elf standing before her taking her hand. The last of her cares fell away on this night and she followed him into the graceful form of a pavane. They moved in stately grace to the slow strains of music, a picture of beauty for all to see.
Galadriel watched from the sheltered view of her balcony, her golden hair falling about her in gentle waves. She smiled to see the pair move through the figures of the courtly dance, Alanya's dress swirling in the turns. Celeborn came up to stand behind her, a warm presence to her senses.
"They appear to need little help from us, a'maelamin," he stated quietly, gathering his wife into his arms. Galadriel smiled and leaned back, enjoying the feel of his warrior's body against hers. The hours in the study and overseeing the city had no effect on his lean form. He dropped a kiss on her shoulder, his lips warm on her skin.
"No, the Valar have seen to it that they will be a strong pairing, for it will be needed in the coming darkness. The ring makes its way to Lorien." She watched Haldir and Alanya as they broke away from the dance to join with his brothers. "Soon he must meet the ringbearer at the fences and bring them here." She sighed and Celeborn tightened his arms about her as in an effort to take the burden of knowledge from her.
"But not tonight," he stated quietly. Galadriel shook her head.
"No, tonight we give them time to acknowledge what they feel." She turned to Celeborn and traced her hands down his face. The Silver Lord closed his eyes in pleasure and then opened them to smile down on his wife.
"Then tonight, we will acknowledge what WE feel," he said as he suddenly scooped her up into his arms, her eyes widening as she held onto his shoulders. Striding into the bedroom, he placed her on the bed. He leaned into her, pressing her down into the mattress. One long, deep kiss later after they were both breathless, Celeborn reached behind him to pull a flower from a nearby vase. Trailing the blossom over her shoulders, he smiled to see the love and passion in her eyes. "I told him that no female can resist flowers," he said, hovering his lips over hers. "Shall I show you?"
"Indeed, dear husband." Galadriel smiled up at her Lord. "Do show me," she breathed into his ear.
The two lovers reacquainted themselves with the depths of their passion for each other, as they had so many times before over the course of the centuries, as two who were not yet lovers danced under the light of the moon.