Chapter 6.

The Prince of Ithilien clasped his hands together at the end of the dinner table in the hall. He averted his gaze as the trio of visitors entered with the King, and stared at the far side of the room instead. Perhaps it would be best if he put her far from his mind instead of dwelling on thoughts of one who seemed to live happily enough. It would be such a tragedy if he had to wreck her blissful marriage, he thought. Knowing also that she was from the noble house of Eorl, she was bound to be loyal and fiercely independent. No, it was not worth it. The entire reason why he was here was to serve his King, he reminded himself angrily. The unexpected treachery of Grima Wormtongue – again – had shocked them all greatly. No, it would not happen again, not in Gondor.

Night fell swiftly upon the White City. A chill hung in the air and they could all feel it in their bones. The winter was approaching fast. Days shortened, and nights were growing longer. Haldir realized that it had been a tremendously long time since the eternal sunshine of Lothlorien, the Golden Wood radiating glory and charm, and his fellow elfkind. His Lord and Lady must have been startled by their abrupt departure, and he felt himself experiencing a pang of loss and sadness. True, he was having a marvelous life with his wife and the love between them bloomed and soared. However, he found himself wishing, perhaps hoping, that he could escape from this web of intrigue and return to Lothlorien…perhaps just for a while…a few days…Some things could only be wishful thinking, and in his sadness he stepped near the balcony overlooking the plains. Troubles plagued him. He hoped sincerely that Aragorn would be safe – after all, he had been a close friend and confidante. A foreboding element hung in the air and he was unable to shake off an increasingly uneasy feeling about how the night would turn out to be. He worried about his wife as well. Éowyn was behaving in an increasingly strangely since she had discovered that she was pregnant, and he could barely fathom the reason why. He was also apprehensive of the Price of Ithilien, Faramir. His repeated glances at Éowyn unnerved him, and he knew that Faramir's presence seemed to startle Éowyn's already rattled nerves. He knew that the Prince was highly loyal to Aragorn, but he could not help feeling that perhaps Faramir was staring at Éowyn – much too frequently and suspiciously…Shaking his head, he realized that there were dozens of thoughts clogging up his head, and closed his eyes momentarily.

A faint glow formed around him. Slowly, he could make out a faint image of the Lady of Lothlorien, Galadriel, appearing before him. First blurry, then forming into the image of what he could nearly believe was real flesh and blood, he realized that his prayers had been answered.

"Lady Galadriel?" he asked, perhaps a little hesitantly. He did not know how to react to her sudden appearance, even if it was only in his mind.

Her voice was liquidy and filled with emotion as she enunciated each word slowly and softly. "Haldir, some things are best left unknown, but for those who have seen it in the Mirror when gazing for answers, this is what I have witnessed: I see grave peril in your future, in the very near future. This concerns so many people indeed, and that is the only reason why I feel I ought to tell you,"

"Grave peril? Lady Galadriel, you must be mistaken," he gasped. There must not possibly be any threat to any of them now, not when they were attempting to save the King of Gondor from falling into enemy hands again.

"Haldir, I say it to you. Do what you have to. Fulfill your destiny and your duty. When you pass, you pass not into the Shadow, but you follow into the path where you will live in glory again. The Mirror never lies – it serves as a guide for our actions. Go in peace, my child," she said. Her voice seemed mournful and took on a heavy note as she faded away. The golden light dissolved into nothingness, and Haldir opened his eyes. Grave peril. It seemed to be part of wherever he went. So much that it was practically part of his life, he thought wryly. However, he knew that he would have difficulty adapting to his life with this new bit of information. All he could think of was the enormous gulf that would be in the life of his child, his wife…everything that could have been but now would never be reality. The thought nearly choked him, as he knew that despite everything, the Lady of the Light was right. He would have to do what duty demanded. Shrinking back from valour would never do. And Éowyn would never have to know about Galdadriel's premonition…

Somehow, he found himself walking back to the room where they were staying. Opening the door stiffly, he was glad that the room was empty. It would give him a few minutes alone to sort everything out…

As he sat down on the bed, the door flew open. He sighed to himself impatiently, and looked up. Éowyn entered, a smile playing on her lips. "You ought to have come. We had a rather delightful time in the woods and the stables-"

"Something is bothering you," she murmured, sensing his tension and worried look. He shrugged listlessly – better to play the unconcerned and distant husband that to worry her – and shook his head, pretending to be irritated.

"It's nothingÉowyn," he said, a tad more harshly than he had intended. Éowyn glared at him and narrowed her eyes into little slits. "You're definitely hiding something, Haldir. I know you are, and…you can just keep your little secrets!" she exclaimed as she whirled around and slid into bed silently, trying to block the emotions rushing around her…

Arwen awoke in her boudoir. It must be nearly midnight, she thought, and a creak in the room seemed to echo in the room. Aragorn, strangely, had not stirred or some through from the other side of the room. She shivered, and tried to convince herself that she was only hearing things in her subconscious mind. She thought of awakening Aragorn, but perhaps it was simply her imagination in overdrive. She strained her Elvish ears. Silence. She looked around. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary…

"Surprise, my lovely Queen of Gondor," an icy voice behind her sliced through the air coldly. She bit back a gasp as she saw an unfamiliar figure wielding a sword behind her.

"I will," he said, a cold smile creeping onto his lips as he grabbed her close, "stab the King of Gondor right here," he said, mock-thoughtfully, "and when I'm done, I will take you as my wife," he added, a smirk playing on his lips. Arwen knew that there was no time to lose, and let out an earsplitting shriek. Aragorn awoke in a cold sweat in the adjoining room, grabbed his sword and charged into the room.

"Grima Wormtongue. I see. We meet again," he said simply. Grima realized that he had to hold the Queen hostage, and pushed Arwen forcefully to the end of the room.

"You will never see her alive again unless you relinquish your throne, King of Gondor," he mocked. The door flew open again, and Haldir dashed in. this was his time, and he knew that this was the warning that Galadriel had foreseen. As the duel commenced, they parried and thrust, while they coerced Grima into a corner. As Aragorn took a bold stab at him, Grima broke loose of their bond. He had one shot to act. His left arm bleeding from the swordfight, he contemplated quickly as he blocked another attack from the elf. Yes, the elf must die. Thwarting Saruman's plans, ruining the plans…yes. He had to die. Thrusting the sword as far as his arm's reach would allow him, he caught Haldir unaware, and stabbed him viciously before pulling out the bloodstained sword and throwing it down onto the ground and made a run for it. Aragorn dropped his sword too, and as he dashed forwards and cradled his bloodied comrade gently, he shouted, "Call Lady Éowyn of Rohan!"

As Éowyn entered, she was not sure what to expect, but most certainly not the horrors that she saw before her. Her eyes rested on the prostrate body of her fallen husband. Her face paled and as Aragorn whispered, "I'm so sorryÉowyn," her tears streamed down soundlessly as she wept.

"Éowyn, my dear. Promise me you'll take care of the child. Promise me the child will live, that you will live your life the way you did when I still am here…my love is a beacon that will shine on even in your darkest times," he choked out, his face contorting in pain.

"I've known…Lady Galadriel's told me about this. I couldn't possibly have told you…but it is my time. I must pass into the Other Side now, my love," he said, before his face relaxed into an expression of peace and serenity.

And then, he was gone.

A/n: Oh dear. I really didn't mean to kill him in such an abrupt manner, but there's MORE. Really. Keep on reviewing, dearies, and have a happy Chinese New Year (9th February)!