E/N: Just thought you'd like to know, when counting the travellers, I
forgot about the group of marauding Orcs and Trolls. So there was actually
more than fifty seven of them. Hehe! More like seventy, probably! I'm so
mean to her!
For some reason, stupid ff.net doesn't want to accept accents over letters, so my spellings of names and places are going to be all non-posh and some wrong in this chapter. Their fault, not mine!
I know she has remained unmentioned so far, but Celebrían is still alive and well at the moment. I sort of forgot about her, so just imagine she's been here all along and she knows and likes the five sisters very well (as Galadriel and Arwen do). I'll bring her in at some point. Dunno when.
This chapter is likely to turn out quite long because what I'm doing in it I want to be all together. I know you don't mind, I just thought I would let you know. (",) And this time, I'm absolutely begging you, DON'T HURT ME!!! *hides behind Varedhel* If you don't know who Var is, then go and read my bio! *carries on hiding* You can't get me now!
Mary-Jo: I HATE YOUR FUCKING COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Translations: Ada = father Laurea haryonamin = my Golden Prince Quel lome, nissehinamin = goodnight, my sweet child Utinu en lokirim = son of snakes
Chapter 44
"I will hopefully see you all soon," Silva said sadly. They had all arrived back in Mirkwood, and she, Legolas and Thranduil were now waving off Arwen, Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond, the twins, the four sisters and the two sets of Elves from Lorien and Rivendell, who were all travelling together for now.
She hugged each of her sisters and Arwen in turn, bidding them farewell and safety on their return home. She then said goodbye to the Elrond, Celeborn and Galadriel, carefully avoided catching Haldir's eye (who she had managed to avoid completely since their strange encounter), said a quick "Bye" to all the other Elves and finally reached the twins.
"It was lovely seeing you again, Elrohir," she said, hugging him.
"As it was to see you, Silva. I hope to see you soon."
"I'm sure we'll meet at some point." She couldn't help but laugh when she looked at Elladan. He too started to laugh as she hugged him. "Now I know I'll be hearing from you," she giggled.
"Damn straight. I want regular updates, you hear me?"
"I hear you."
"Promise me?"
"I swear to you with all my heart, Elladan, you shall be regularly updated. Hey, I tell you what-" She stopped when she realised everyone was watching them. She smiled at them. "Don't mind us." She leant forward and whispered to the ebony Elf. "Legolas and I are going to be visiting Kemenhin again in Lorien, at some point within the next two months. Wouldn't it be a coincidence if you just happened to be visiting your sister and grandparents at that point too? That way, you'd get to see it all for yourself and we could have some more proper chats."
"Silva, you're a genius," he whispered back. He then pulled back and raised his voice to normal level again. "You should come and see your sister soon, Silva, pay us all a visit."
"You know, I might just do that." And with that, the large company of Elves and Istari set off on the road to their respective homes.
Legolas and Thranduil looked at Silva expectantly, obviously wanting answers that she was not going to give.
"Well?" said Legolas.
"Well what?" she asked innocently.
"What was all that about with Elladan?" queried Thranduil.
"And since when have you two been such good friends?" demanded Legolas. (E/N: He really should stop getting so jealous, shouldn't he?)
"Elladan and I have been reasonably good friends since before I even knew you two existed," she said light-heartedly. "In befriended the twins when I resided in Rivendell for while. However, I grew to know Elladan better because Elrohir is more sensible and less willing to be apart of some of the pastimes we had grown fond of. (E/N: Nothing dodgy!) And this little escapade has just brought us even closer together."
"What does he want regular updates on?" said Thranduil.
"If that was any of your business, ada, you would know already," she replied sweetly. "And that goes for you as well, Laurea haryonamin. Now if you both will excuse, I must return to our chamber to prepare." She began to walk away, a mischievous grin playing at her lips. Legolas and Thranduil looked at one another confusedly.
"Prepare for what?" Legolas called after her. She turned and smiled cheekily at him.
"For you, of course," she called back, and then ran into the castle as her lover ran after her, leaving an exasperated Elvenking by the gates to the castle.
**
*~One and a half months later~*
Silva and Legolas were just within the boarders of Lorien, and Silva's heart was beating ten to the dozen. Questions were zooming round her head like flies on acid and they were giving her quite a painful headache. Would Haldir make anymore passes at her? Would he say anything about it to either of them? Would she have to talk to him? Would she still think he was hot? Would Elladan be there to sort everything out?
"Silva, are you sure you're alright?" Legolas asked concernedly for the third time.
"Yes I'm fine Legolas, I've told you. I'm just excited about seeing Kemen again."
"So am I, but you're worrying me."
"Well stop worrying. I'm perfectly safe, aren't I? Nothing has happened to me, has it?"
"No, but-"
"Well, shut up then!" she snapped. Legolas looked hurt but she didn't care. "I don't need you treating me like I'm some defenseless little girl that needs protecting! I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself!"
"I'm sorry if that's how it seems Silva, but I only care."
"Well, perhaps you care too much. I can't be doing with it anymore!" Some one in front of them cleared their throat.
"Hate to interrupt," they said snidely. Legolas and Silva looked forward and found themselves surrounded by sentinels. Haldir stood in front of them looking smug.
"Let us through, you arrogant bastard, or I won't be reluctant to force you!" she hissed. She was too wound up to give a damn about anything at that moment. She couldn't be doing men anymore, ESPECIALLY not two particular blonde, Elven men.
"You have obviously failed to notice the seven sentinels surrounding you with bows drawn, LADY Silvawen," he snarled back. "I could have you killed in seconds."
"And you have obviously failed to remember that I am by far superior to any of you pathetic Elves here. I could kill all of you in seconds." She forced her way through the crowd of Elves and stormed off ahead, leaving all of them staring after her. She had never, EVER used her rank as a weapon before. She had always sworn she never would.
All the way to Caras Galadhon, Legolas, Haldir and Rumil (who was chosen as the other sentinel to escort the guests to the city) trailed meekly behind the still smouldering Silvawen. As she went, she left a trail of darkness and withered plants. Inside the woodland city, in the afternoon, two days later, the four of them found an irritable looking Lady Galadriel.
"Silvawen?!" she barked, making the three male Elves jump, cringe and recoil. Two angry powerful woman fighting = NOT GOOD! "What exactly do you think you are doing to my beautiful forest?"
"Don't you start!" snapped Silva. "I've had that from them three for the passed two days! Listen to me. I DO NOT CARE!!!!! I've had it up to here-" she held her hand up to her head "-with Men! Is it worse in Elves or something? All I ever get is nag, nag, nag! Well, guess what? I'VE HAD ENOUGH!!!!"
"That is absolutely no reason to take it out on my trees and plants!"
"I DON'T BLOODY CARE!!!!!!" She walked passed the Elven Lady, withering another bed of flowers as she went.
"Silvawen!!! Come back here this instant!!!" But the Earth spirit continued on regardless.
On her directionless route, she passed Elladan and Elrohir, who she ignored coldly, and carried on going until she came across Arwen with Kemenhin. Her stern, steely expression softened immediately and she knelt to embrace him tightly.
"SILVA!!!" he cried excitedly. "YAY! You're back!!!" There was a pause, then his little brain tried to process a suspicion. He pulled back and his suspicions were confirmed. "Why are you crying, Silva?" She wiped her tears away hastily.
"Bad day," she said and he nodded understandingly.
Arwen watched with concern and confusion. 'Oh crap! Silva's upset again! Oh gods! I'm going to be the shoulder to cry on, aren't I? Oh great. Ok, Arwen, you have to be careful now. Don't screw this up.'
"Where's Legolas?" she asked. From the change of expression on Silva's face, she realised she's screwed up instantly. 'Bugger! Silva and Legolas have been arguing again, haven't they?' "Um, you don't have to answer that question if you don't want to."
"He is at the Northern Gate," she said monotonously. "As are your grandmother, Haldir and Rumil. And please can you tell Prince Legolas that if he dares to come and find me, I'll-" she covered Kemen's ears with her hands "-chop his balls off and stick them on a pike!" Arwen winced then her eyes widened in shock.
"I'll do that," she said nervously. She scurried off to deliver Silva's most considerate message to her lover.
**
"…I mean, it's not as if I've done anything but love her," Legolas said. Celeborn, Haldir, Rúmil, Orophin, Elladan, Elrohir, Galadriel, Celebrian and Arwen were sitting listening to Legolas whinge at them. It was now several hours later and they were all trying to reason Silva's strop. "What the hell's wrong with her?!?!"
"Well, maybe it's, you know, that time of the month or something," said Celeborn. For this, he received a slap from his wife.
"Even after countless centuries, you still don't get it do you, you silly bint!" she said. "That excuse only ever works when women say it does! And believe me, you'd know if it was that time of the month with Silvawen!"
"Well, what then?!" whined Legolas.
"I have no idea what to suggest," said Celebrian. "But however much I like Silva, I can't condone her actions. Or threats." All the men shuddered.
"I might not just be you, Legolas," said Arwen. "The only person she hasn't taken it out on is Kemenhin. It could be all of us."
"No, she's just pissed off at me and taking it out on everyone else," he replied. "There's a big difference."
"I'd hate to see what," murmured Haldir, only his murmuring failed miserably because everyone heard.
There was a moments silence, followed by a large surprise for everyone. Elladan punched Haldir.
"YOU INSENSITIVE BASTARD!!!" he yelled and stormed out of the clearing. There was another pause and then a communal cry of, "What the hell…?!?!"
"Elrohir, what the hell is wrong with Elladan?!" Arwen queried, though she was silently praising the Valar for her older brother's bravery. She'd been wanting to do that herself for quite a while now.
"How, in the name of wonder, do I know? I'm his twin, not his keeper!"
**
As he walked in the moonlight, Elladan was seething with rage. He understood exactly why Silva was so angry. Haldir. He knew she was angry and scared by everything that was happening, he didn't blame her. It's not everyday you and your worst enemy decide you fancy each other. He also had a really bad feeling that Haldir was going to come between the two lovers, whether to get with Silva himself or just to enjoy watching them break. Elladan himself was scared for damage that this dangerous situation could cause.
He was looking for Silva. Although he was actually very scared and apprehensive of finding her, he knew she would want to know of his achievement, and his pride over-ruled everything else.
He found her with Kemenhin in a clearing close to the child's talan, cradling and singing a lullaby to the almost sleeping Half-Elven child. When she finished, she kissed his forehead and Elladan stepped forward.
"I come in peace," he said quietly and quickly. "I thought you might like to know, I've just punched Haldir and called him a insensitive bastard." Her face, that was before dark, lit up.
"Oh, well done! I'm really proud of you!"
"I'm proud of myself!" She laughed.
"Well, it will certainly teach him."
"He should have a nice, big bruise on his cheek now. A constant reminder." She laughed again. He glanced down at the sleeping child in her arms. "Listen, Silva, I know you're really stressed about all this that's going on now. You probably need some time to yourself. How about I put Kemen to bed and leave you to think for a bit?" She smiled softly.
"That would be lovely." She gently placed Kemen in his arms. "Quel lome, nissehinamin," she whispered, hoping Elladan wouldn't think too deeply on it. "Thank you, El. You're a wonderful friend." She kissed his cheek.
"Goodnight, Silva." Elladan left the clearing with Kemen in his arms.
Silva knelt down the floor. She put her head in her hands and wept. She wept for Legolas. She wept for Kemenhin. She wept for herself. She even wept for Haldir. All this, it was so unnecessary. Whatever she did, whatever she decided was the best option, people were going to get hurt and hearts were going to be broken.
She didn't understand why she was being punished like this. Ok, so she'd broken a couple of laws, but was it really worth all this? Because she was so stressed, she was taking out on the people around her. And the closer someone was to her, the more of it they got. She was risking losing Legolas over all this. She couldn't bear to think what a life without him would be like. She was already being cruelly parted from her son, to lose her soulmate also……… there could be no greater pain.
"Um, h-hi, Silvawen," a quiet voice said behind her. She jumped slightly from shock. She couldn't tell whose voice it was, but whoever it was, they weren't going to see her crying. She wiped the tears away and stood. She regained her composure and turned.
"Haldir?!" she stammered. He stood on the opposite side of the clearing, looking sheepish, sporting a smallish bruise on his left cheekbone.
"I didn't mean to bother you. I wasn't looking for you or anything. Well, it's just I saw you here and well, I just………" he trailed off.
"You what?"
"I-I wanted to apologise." Silva looked stunned but remained silent and let him continue. He walked forward a little, nearer to her. "I know I'm the person that's made you really angry at Legolas and everyone. I shouldn't have said what I did to you. I didn't have the right. And I didn't mean to cause such problems, I just wanted you to know. I'm sorry."
"Well………… well, this is a shock. But a pleasant one. Thank you, Haldir, for saying all that. I can tell you meant it. And it's not entirely your fault. Don't get me wrong, it's mostly your fault, but not entirely." He smiled slightly.
"I was thinking……… well, more like hoping……… do you think, maybe, we could just forget everything that's ever happened between us? You know, start a fresh. I'd like us to be friends, if that's all right with you." Silva was now astounded. Haldir was standing in front of her, apologising and asking for her friendship. It was unbelievable! And to think she'd been worried about seeing him again. 'This is simple! I'll just let him do all the grovelling!'
"Haldir, can I ask you something?" He nodded. "Why did you tell? Now, after all these years, why didn't you just keep it a secret? Wouldn't that have been easier?"
"Yes and no. Yes, because it wouldn't have caused all these problems. No, because it was wearing away at my soul with every single day that passed." She was having a LOT of difficulty taking this in. This was Haldir……… then something occurred to her.
"You're playing a guilt trip on me, aren't you?" she accused sternly. He looked confused.
"What? No!"
"You're laying the blame on me in the hope that I'll take pity on you and go with you instead of Legolas!"
"Well, it would be nice, but that wasn't my intention in the slightest!" She slapped him, hard.
"You're a sick, twisted little individual! Do you take pleasure from watching others suffer needlessly? You've screwed up my life completely since you spoke to me that day! And now you're blaming me for it!"
"All I wanted was your friendship! Not want, wanted! I thought maybe we had a chance of at least that! I thought that your actions towards me over the passed nine years were force of habit! But now I know it's just because you're a vicious, vengeful, spiteful little girl!" She hit him again.
"And you're a sad, deranged little man, but you're you don't hear me harping on about it do you? What in the world made you think you could ever be good enough for me?!"
"Well, you went with Legolas." That comment warranted the knee.
"How dare you compare yourself to Legolas?!" she screamed, as he was crippled on the floor. "You're not and never will be half the Elf he is!! In no reality would you ever be able to better him!!" He just about managed to stand again, though he was still doubled over.
"If bettering him means spending a life time with you, then I'd rather stick with how I am!"
"No problem then, since no one, but you least of all, could match up to his beauty, inside and out!" He sighed and attempted to calm himself down.
"Why do you have to keep comparing me to him? I know I'm not Legolas. I'll never be Legolas and I know that too. I can't help how I feel. I don't expect you to do anything, because I know you're in love. I just wanted you to know, that's all."
"Well I do know! And I'm glad you know I love him because now maybe you'll leave me alone! I'm not listening to you prattle on anymore about crap you know nothing of! I'm going to see if Kemen's been put to bed properly. As far as I'm concerned, this conversation never happened. Good evening, Haldir." She turned on her heel and began to walk quickly from the clearing but his next sentence caused her to stop, still as stone.
"Kemenhin is your son, isn't he, Silva?" She felt as though her heart had skipped several beats. Her head went hazy and light, she couldn't focus on anything for a moment. All she could think was one thing: 'OH CRAP!!!' She turned extremely slowly to look at him, trying and failing miserably to hide the shock and fear in her eyes and voice.
"Who told you that?" she asked, her voice tense, but reasonably uncaring. He raised an eyebrow.
"It's rather obvious, Silvawen. You re-appeared after 18 months just as he appeared here, and him being at the right age. And you and Legolas both have a natural affinity with the boy, and he dotes on you. But even without any of those things, he is the spitting image of you, only his features are more masculine. That is something you'll never be able to hide." She looked completely deflated. She sank to her knees.
"Who else knows?"
"Oh, you don't have to worry, I'm the only one that knows. All the others are too stupid to figure it out, and they would never dare question our Lady's word anyway."
"But you would?"
"I have never questioned her, I only questioned you. You could have told me he was not your son and I would have-"
"-not believed a word of it and MADE me tell you it was true?" He was a quiet for second.
"Yes, I suppose you're right actually." He crouched down next to her. "I'm not going to tell anyone." She looked up.
"Really?"
"I promise you. Even if I hated you with all my heart I wouldn't do that because I know how much trouble you would both be in. You obviously didn't plan to have his child, if you had, then I might view the situation differently."
"You know," she began, "maybe you're not so bad after all." She gave him a weak smile and hugged him. "Thank you."
"Think nothing of it." For years to come, Silva would not be able explain the following incident was allowed to happen.
As they slowly withdrew from one another, their eyes locked, and it seemed only natural to kiss. Neither of them moved for an instant, but gradually the space between them closed and their lips met. They melted into one another's arms and dissolved in their kiss.
Silva's mind was spinning. She didn't understand what was happening. This was totally different to anything she'd experienced before. Was it the danger of being caught? Or was Haldir just one of the best kissers she'd ever encountered? 'What the hell………?' she thought. 'I shouldn't be enjoying this. This is wrong. I'm with Legolas. I'm supposed love him. And I swore to Elladan I wouldn't do this………… WHAT AM I DOING?!?!'
She shoved Haldir away hastily and leapt to her feet. She had the look on her face of a wild animal that was cornered and being taunted. Angry and scared.
"What are you doing?!?!?!?" she cried.
"Me?!?! You didn't exactly stop it, did you?!?!?!" She ran over and hit him.
"Keep away from me, utinu en lokirim!!" And with that she fled the clearing.
He stood alone for several seconds, hand pressed to his very sore cheek. Anger towards her surged through him, until his live emotions were interrupted by a loud, distressed cry that filled the forest.
"EEEEELLLLLLAAAAADDDDDDDAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!"
For some reason, stupid ff.net doesn't want to accept accents over letters, so my spellings of names and places are going to be all non-posh and some wrong in this chapter. Their fault, not mine!
I know she has remained unmentioned so far, but Celebrían is still alive and well at the moment. I sort of forgot about her, so just imagine she's been here all along and she knows and likes the five sisters very well (as Galadriel and Arwen do). I'll bring her in at some point. Dunno when.
This chapter is likely to turn out quite long because what I'm doing in it I want to be all together. I know you don't mind, I just thought I would let you know. (",) And this time, I'm absolutely begging you, DON'T HURT ME!!! *hides behind Varedhel* If you don't know who Var is, then go and read my bio! *carries on hiding* You can't get me now!
Mary-Jo: I HATE YOUR FUCKING COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Translations: Ada = father Laurea haryonamin = my Golden Prince Quel lome, nissehinamin = goodnight, my sweet child Utinu en lokirim = son of snakes
Chapter 44
"I will hopefully see you all soon," Silva said sadly. They had all arrived back in Mirkwood, and she, Legolas and Thranduil were now waving off Arwen, Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond, the twins, the four sisters and the two sets of Elves from Lorien and Rivendell, who were all travelling together for now.
She hugged each of her sisters and Arwen in turn, bidding them farewell and safety on their return home. She then said goodbye to the Elrond, Celeborn and Galadriel, carefully avoided catching Haldir's eye (who she had managed to avoid completely since their strange encounter), said a quick "Bye" to all the other Elves and finally reached the twins.
"It was lovely seeing you again, Elrohir," she said, hugging him.
"As it was to see you, Silva. I hope to see you soon."
"I'm sure we'll meet at some point." She couldn't help but laugh when she looked at Elladan. He too started to laugh as she hugged him. "Now I know I'll be hearing from you," she giggled.
"Damn straight. I want regular updates, you hear me?"
"I hear you."
"Promise me?"
"I swear to you with all my heart, Elladan, you shall be regularly updated. Hey, I tell you what-" She stopped when she realised everyone was watching them. She smiled at them. "Don't mind us." She leant forward and whispered to the ebony Elf. "Legolas and I are going to be visiting Kemenhin again in Lorien, at some point within the next two months. Wouldn't it be a coincidence if you just happened to be visiting your sister and grandparents at that point too? That way, you'd get to see it all for yourself and we could have some more proper chats."
"Silva, you're a genius," he whispered back. He then pulled back and raised his voice to normal level again. "You should come and see your sister soon, Silva, pay us all a visit."
"You know, I might just do that." And with that, the large company of Elves and Istari set off on the road to their respective homes.
Legolas and Thranduil looked at Silva expectantly, obviously wanting answers that she was not going to give.
"Well?" said Legolas.
"Well what?" she asked innocently.
"What was all that about with Elladan?" queried Thranduil.
"And since when have you two been such good friends?" demanded Legolas. (E/N: He really should stop getting so jealous, shouldn't he?)
"Elladan and I have been reasonably good friends since before I even knew you two existed," she said light-heartedly. "In befriended the twins when I resided in Rivendell for while. However, I grew to know Elladan better because Elrohir is more sensible and less willing to be apart of some of the pastimes we had grown fond of. (E/N: Nothing dodgy!) And this little escapade has just brought us even closer together."
"What does he want regular updates on?" said Thranduil.
"If that was any of your business, ada, you would know already," she replied sweetly. "And that goes for you as well, Laurea haryonamin. Now if you both will excuse, I must return to our chamber to prepare." She began to walk away, a mischievous grin playing at her lips. Legolas and Thranduil looked at one another confusedly.
"Prepare for what?" Legolas called after her. She turned and smiled cheekily at him.
"For you, of course," she called back, and then ran into the castle as her lover ran after her, leaving an exasperated Elvenking by the gates to the castle.
**
*~One and a half months later~*
Silva and Legolas were just within the boarders of Lorien, and Silva's heart was beating ten to the dozen. Questions were zooming round her head like flies on acid and they were giving her quite a painful headache. Would Haldir make anymore passes at her? Would he say anything about it to either of them? Would she have to talk to him? Would she still think he was hot? Would Elladan be there to sort everything out?
"Silva, are you sure you're alright?" Legolas asked concernedly for the third time.
"Yes I'm fine Legolas, I've told you. I'm just excited about seeing Kemen again."
"So am I, but you're worrying me."
"Well stop worrying. I'm perfectly safe, aren't I? Nothing has happened to me, has it?"
"No, but-"
"Well, shut up then!" she snapped. Legolas looked hurt but she didn't care. "I don't need you treating me like I'm some defenseless little girl that needs protecting! I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself!"
"I'm sorry if that's how it seems Silva, but I only care."
"Well, perhaps you care too much. I can't be doing with it anymore!" Some one in front of them cleared their throat.
"Hate to interrupt," they said snidely. Legolas and Silva looked forward and found themselves surrounded by sentinels. Haldir stood in front of them looking smug.
"Let us through, you arrogant bastard, or I won't be reluctant to force you!" she hissed. She was too wound up to give a damn about anything at that moment. She couldn't be doing men anymore, ESPECIALLY not two particular blonde, Elven men.
"You have obviously failed to notice the seven sentinels surrounding you with bows drawn, LADY Silvawen," he snarled back. "I could have you killed in seconds."
"And you have obviously failed to remember that I am by far superior to any of you pathetic Elves here. I could kill all of you in seconds." She forced her way through the crowd of Elves and stormed off ahead, leaving all of them staring after her. She had never, EVER used her rank as a weapon before. She had always sworn she never would.
All the way to Caras Galadhon, Legolas, Haldir and Rumil (who was chosen as the other sentinel to escort the guests to the city) trailed meekly behind the still smouldering Silvawen. As she went, she left a trail of darkness and withered plants. Inside the woodland city, in the afternoon, two days later, the four of them found an irritable looking Lady Galadriel.
"Silvawen?!" she barked, making the three male Elves jump, cringe and recoil. Two angry powerful woman fighting = NOT GOOD! "What exactly do you think you are doing to my beautiful forest?"
"Don't you start!" snapped Silva. "I've had that from them three for the passed two days! Listen to me. I DO NOT CARE!!!!! I've had it up to here-" she held her hand up to her head "-with Men! Is it worse in Elves or something? All I ever get is nag, nag, nag! Well, guess what? I'VE HAD ENOUGH!!!!"
"That is absolutely no reason to take it out on my trees and plants!"
"I DON'T BLOODY CARE!!!!!!" She walked passed the Elven Lady, withering another bed of flowers as she went.
"Silvawen!!! Come back here this instant!!!" But the Earth spirit continued on regardless.
On her directionless route, she passed Elladan and Elrohir, who she ignored coldly, and carried on going until she came across Arwen with Kemenhin. Her stern, steely expression softened immediately and she knelt to embrace him tightly.
"SILVA!!!" he cried excitedly. "YAY! You're back!!!" There was a pause, then his little brain tried to process a suspicion. He pulled back and his suspicions were confirmed. "Why are you crying, Silva?" She wiped her tears away hastily.
"Bad day," she said and he nodded understandingly.
Arwen watched with concern and confusion. 'Oh crap! Silva's upset again! Oh gods! I'm going to be the shoulder to cry on, aren't I? Oh great. Ok, Arwen, you have to be careful now. Don't screw this up.'
"Where's Legolas?" she asked. From the change of expression on Silva's face, she realised she's screwed up instantly. 'Bugger! Silva and Legolas have been arguing again, haven't they?' "Um, you don't have to answer that question if you don't want to."
"He is at the Northern Gate," she said monotonously. "As are your grandmother, Haldir and Rumil. And please can you tell Prince Legolas that if he dares to come and find me, I'll-" she covered Kemen's ears with her hands "-chop his balls off and stick them on a pike!" Arwen winced then her eyes widened in shock.
"I'll do that," she said nervously. She scurried off to deliver Silva's most considerate message to her lover.
**
"…I mean, it's not as if I've done anything but love her," Legolas said. Celeborn, Haldir, Rúmil, Orophin, Elladan, Elrohir, Galadriel, Celebrian and Arwen were sitting listening to Legolas whinge at them. It was now several hours later and they were all trying to reason Silva's strop. "What the hell's wrong with her?!?!"
"Well, maybe it's, you know, that time of the month or something," said Celeborn. For this, he received a slap from his wife.
"Even after countless centuries, you still don't get it do you, you silly bint!" she said. "That excuse only ever works when women say it does! And believe me, you'd know if it was that time of the month with Silvawen!"
"Well, what then?!" whined Legolas.
"I have no idea what to suggest," said Celebrian. "But however much I like Silva, I can't condone her actions. Or threats." All the men shuddered.
"I might not just be you, Legolas," said Arwen. "The only person she hasn't taken it out on is Kemenhin. It could be all of us."
"No, she's just pissed off at me and taking it out on everyone else," he replied. "There's a big difference."
"I'd hate to see what," murmured Haldir, only his murmuring failed miserably because everyone heard.
There was a moments silence, followed by a large surprise for everyone. Elladan punched Haldir.
"YOU INSENSITIVE BASTARD!!!" he yelled and stormed out of the clearing. There was another pause and then a communal cry of, "What the hell…?!?!"
"Elrohir, what the hell is wrong with Elladan?!" Arwen queried, though she was silently praising the Valar for her older brother's bravery. She'd been wanting to do that herself for quite a while now.
"How, in the name of wonder, do I know? I'm his twin, not his keeper!"
**
As he walked in the moonlight, Elladan was seething with rage. He understood exactly why Silva was so angry. Haldir. He knew she was angry and scared by everything that was happening, he didn't blame her. It's not everyday you and your worst enemy decide you fancy each other. He also had a really bad feeling that Haldir was going to come between the two lovers, whether to get with Silva himself or just to enjoy watching them break. Elladan himself was scared for damage that this dangerous situation could cause.
He was looking for Silva. Although he was actually very scared and apprehensive of finding her, he knew she would want to know of his achievement, and his pride over-ruled everything else.
He found her with Kemenhin in a clearing close to the child's talan, cradling and singing a lullaby to the almost sleeping Half-Elven child. When she finished, she kissed his forehead and Elladan stepped forward.
"I come in peace," he said quietly and quickly. "I thought you might like to know, I've just punched Haldir and called him a insensitive bastard." Her face, that was before dark, lit up.
"Oh, well done! I'm really proud of you!"
"I'm proud of myself!" She laughed.
"Well, it will certainly teach him."
"He should have a nice, big bruise on his cheek now. A constant reminder." She laughed again. He glanced down at the sleeping child in her arms. "Listen, Silva, I know you're really stressed about all this that's going on now. You probably need some time to yourself. How about I put Kemen to bed and leave you to think for a bit?" She smiled softly.
"That would be lovely." She gently placed Kemen in his arms. "Quel lome, nissehinamin," she whispered, hoping Elladan wouldn't think too deeply on it. "Thank you, El. You're a wonderful friend." She kissed his cheek.
"Goodnight, Silva." Elladan left the clearing with Kemen in his arms.
Silva knelt down the floor. She put her head in her hands and wept. She wept for Legolas. She wept for Kemenhin. She wept for herself. She even wept for Haldir. All this, it was so unnecessary. Whatever she did, whatever she decided was the best option, people were going to get hurt and hearts were going to be broken.
She didn't understand why she was being punished like this. Ok, so she'd broken a couple of laws, but was it really worth all this? Because she was so stressed, she was taking out on the people around her. And the closer someone was to her, the more of it they got. She was risking losing Legolas over all this. She couldn't bear to think what a life without him would be like. She was already being cruelly parted from her son, to lose her soulmate also……… there could be no greater pain.
"Um, h-hi, Silvawen," a quiet voice said behind her. She jumped slightly from shock. She couldn't tell whose voice it was, but whoever it was, they weren't going to see her crying. She wiped the tears away and stood. She regained her composure and turned.
"Haldir?!" she stammered. He stood on the opposite side of the clearing, looking sheepish, sporting a smallish bruise on his left cheekbone.
"I didn't mean to bother you. I wasn't looking for you or anything. Well, it's just I saw you here and well, I just………" he trailed off.
"You what?"
"I-I wanted to apologise." Silva looked stunned but remained silent and let him continue. He walked forward a little, nearer to her. "I know I'm the person that's made you really angry at Legolas and everyone. I shouldn't have said what I did to you. I didn't have the right. And I didn't mean to cause such problems, I just wanted you to know. I'm sorry."
"Well………… well, this is a shock. But a pleasant one. Thank you, Haldir, for saying all that. I can tell you meant it. And it's not entirely your fault. Don't get me wrong, it's mostly your fault, but not entirely." He smiled slightly.
"I was thinking……… well, more like hoping……… do you think, maybe, we could just forget everything that's ever happened between us? You know, start a fresh. I'd like us to be friends, if that's all right with you." Silva was now astounded. Haldir was standing in front of her, apologising and asking for her friendship. It was unbelievable! And to think she'd been worried about seeing him again. 'This is simple! I'll just let him do all the grovelling!'
"Haldir, can I ask you something?" He nodded. "Why did you tell? Now, after all these years, why didn't you just keep it a secret? Wouldn't that have been easier?"
"Yes and no. Yes, because it wouldn't have caused all these problems. No, because it was wearing away at my soul with every single day that passed." She was having a LOT of difficulty taking this in. This was Haldir……… then something occurred to her.
"You're playing a guilt trip on me, aren't you?" she accused sternly. He looked confused.
"What? No!"
"You're laying the blame on me in the hope that I'll take pity on you and go with you instead of Legolas!"
"Well, it would be nice, but that wasn't my intention in the slightest!" She slapped him, hard.
"You're a sick, twisted little individual! Do you take pleasure from watching others suffer needlessly? You've screwed up my life completely since you spoke to me that day! And now you're blaming me for it!"
"All I wanted was your friendship! Not want, wanted! I thought maybe we had a chance of at least that! I thought that your actions towards me over the passed nine years were force of habit! But now I know it's just because you're a vicious, vengeful, spiteful little girl!" She hit him again.
"And you're a sad, deranged little man, but you're you don't hear me harping on about it do you? What in the world made you think you could ever be good enough for me?!"
"Well, you went with Legolas." That comment warranted the knee.
"How dare you compare yourself to Legolas?!" she screamed, as he was crippled on the floor. "You're not and never will be half the Elf he is!! In no reality would you ever be able to better him!!" He just about managed to stand again, though he was still doubled over.
"If bettering him means spending a life time with you, then I'd rather stick with how I am!"
"No problem then, since no one, but you least of all, could match up to his beauty, inside and out!" He sighed and attempted to calm himself down.
"Why do you have to keep comparing me to him? I know I'm not Legolas. I'll never be Legolas and I know that too. I can't help how I feel. I don't expect you to do anything, because I know you're in love. I just wanted you to know, that's all."
"Well I do know! And I'm glad you know I love him because now maybe you'll leave me alone! I'm not listening to you prattle on anymore about crap you know nothing of! I'm going to see if Kemen's been put to bed properly. As far as I'm concerned, this conversation never happened. Good evening, Haldir." She turned on her heel and began to walk quickly from the clearing but his next sentence caused her to stop, still as stone.
"Kemenhin is your son, isn't he, Silva?" She felt as though her heart had skipped several beats. Her head went hazy and light, she couldn't focus on anything for a moment. All she could think was one thing: 'OH CRAP!!!' She turned extremely slowly to look at him, trying and failing miserably to hide the shock and fear in her eyes and voice.
"Who told you that?" she asked, her voice tense, but reasonably uncaring. He raised an eyebrow.
"It's rather obvious, Silvawen. You re-appeared after 18 months just as he appeared here, and him being at the right age. And you and Legolas both have a natural affinity with the boy, and he dotes on you. But even without any of those things, he is the spitting image of you, only his features are more masculine. That is something you'll never be able to hide." She looked completely deflated. She sank to her knees.
"Who else knows?"
"Oh, you don't have to worry, I'm the only one that knows. All the others are too stupid to figure it out, and they would never dare question our Lady's word anyway."
"But you would?"
"I have never questioned her, I only questioned you. You could have told me he was not your son and I would have-"
"-not believed a word of it and MADE me tell you it was true?" He was a quiet for second.
"Yes, I suppose you're right actually." He crouched down next to her. "I'm not going to tell anyone." She looked up.
"Really?"
"I promise you. Even if I hated you with all my heart I wouldn't do that because I know how much trouble you would both be in. You obviously didn't plan to have his child, if you had, then I might view the situation differently."
"You know," she began, "maybe you're not so bad after all." She gave him a weak smile and hugged him. "Thank you."
"Think nothing of it." For years to come, Silva would not be able explain the following incident was allowed to happen.
As they slowly withdrew from one another, their eyes locked, and it seemed only natural to kiss. Neither of them moved for an instant, but gradually the space between them closed and their lips met. They melted into one another's arms and dissolved in their kiss.
Silva's mind was spinning. She didn't understand what was happening. This was totally different to anything she'd experienced before. Was it the danger of being caught? Or was Haldir just one of the best kissers she'd ever encountered? 'What the hell………?' she thought. 'I shouldn't be enjoying this. This is wrong. I'm with Legolas. I'm supposed love him. And I swore to Elladan I wouldn't do this………… WHAT AM I DOING?!?!'
She shoved Haldir away hastily and leapt to her feet. She had the look on her face of a wild animal that was cornered and being taunted. Angry and scared.
"What are you doing?!?!?!?" she cried.
"Me?!?! You didn't exactly stop it, did you?!?!?!" She ran over and hit him.
"Keep away from me, utinu en lokirim!!" And with that she fled the clearing.
He stood alone for several seconds, hand pressed to his very sore cheek. Anger towards her surged through him, until his live emotions were interrupted by a loud, distressed cry that filled the forest.
"EEEEELLLLLLAAAAADDDDDDDAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!"