Hi again. Just a short one this time, but I had to stop there because it made me cry! (no really – it did. I'm a big softy!) Anyway, I hope it doesn't have the same effect on you.

Next chapter soon

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Forever Yours

Chapter 19

Haldir stormed into his talan, his features contorted with rage. He snatched his bow and quiver from the rack in which they lay and made for the training ground. It was night and no Elves were present. Haldir placed himself in line with two targets some distance away and began to fire arrow after arrow with deadly accuracy alternately into the centres. When his ammunition was spent he walked angrily to each target and snatched the arrows back to resume his firing with increased speed.

"Haldir!"

He stopped as he recognised the sound of Rumil's voice but did not turn. His brother ran up beside him and placed his hand around the bow, just above Haldir's tight grasp;

"I know what has occurred," said Rumil, gently. "I am truly sorry for your situation."

"How did you hear?" asked Haldir, flatly.

"When Thranduil is enraged few remain unaware. He had no right to accuse you, of all Elves, of so dire an act!" replied Rumil.

Haldir lowered his bow and his shoulders sagged. He looked into the face of his brother and Rumil was saddened to see his desolate expression. He searched desperately to find words of comfort but could think of none;

"You will, of course, seek Legolas' help to plead your cause?" he asked.

Haldir turned on him with renewed wrath;

"Never again mention his name in my hearing!" he snapped at his young brother. "He is truly the seed of Thranduil; an obedient pet, eager to do the bidding of his master. He refused even to allow us a moment together."

Haldir moved to sit on a nearby log and stared disconsolately at the night sky;

"After all the years I have spent alone, I thought I was destined never to find my soul-mate. Now I know I was mistaken. I found her but only to have her snatched away from me in the cruellest way. What is left to me now? An eternity of life without love, without purpose."

Rumil sat beside him and placed a comforting arm around his shoulder;

"It pains me to hear you speak in this way. I too feel the sadness of your loss. Orophin and I would have greatly enjoyed having a sister; it would have made our little family more complete."

He smiled slightly at his older brother but the gesture was not returned and both remained staring silently at the stars.

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Legolas closed the door to his rooms, eager to be away from the curious stares he had endured in the course of transferring his sobbing sister. Arien threw herself upon his bed and refused to allow herself to be comforted. She shrugged his hand from her shoulder and buried her face in the pillow. Legolas was at a loss; never had he seen her so inconsolably miserable. He sat beside her;

"Arien, please, given time I feel sure Father will calm. He only wishes to protect you."

Arien sat up abruptly and snapped in response;

"And to do so, he rips out my heart and casts it aside? How can I believe he feels anything for me when my happiness means so little to him?"

"He loves you dearly, Arien," replied Legolas. "Be patient with him and then speak with him. Do not forget, but a short time ago you could well have been lost to him forever. In times of trial many seek to place blame and our father has chosen Haldir as the target for his condemnation."

"But I have lost my love because of it, Legolas. You know Haldir is a good Elf, yet you said little in his defence!" she said, accusingly.

"Aye, and I fear it has cost me his friendship, but had I spoken more, father would have become even angrier. As it is I may still be of some help in this matter. I feel it is cruel to leave tomorrow without allowing you to say your farewells. Come, let us find Haldir!"

Arien's face lit with happiness at his words and quickly dried her eyes as she followed him from the talan.

They walked the paths of Caras Galadhon warily; cautious none should be aware of their presence else word was carried back to Thranduil. They went first to Haldir's home, but found it empty. Legolas paused to consider where next they should look as Orophin appeared. Arien's sad expression pained him deeply and after giving his regrets to recent events, suggested they try the training grounds;

"My brother oft vents his frustration there, regardless whether day or night."

They thanked him and Arien hugged him quickly before they departed.

As they neared the area, they saw two figures sitting some way off. Legolas smiled as Arien began to run toward them. Haldir heard the soft footfalls and turned in time to see his love approaching and rose to meet her. She fell into his arms, unable prevent her tears from falling once more.

He kissed her gently and lifted her chin to look at her;

"Do not cry, Arien, for it breaks my heart to see you this way. We will not always be apart, this I promise you. Be strong and obey your father's commands. His hatred of me cannot last and we are destined to be together. I swear my love for you will never fade and I shall wait for you, if needs be, forever."

"I will live in misery until I can once more be in your arms. You are my heart, my reason to live," she whispered, "and I will always be yours."

He kissed her and she closed her eyes in an effort to lock the sensation eternally within her mind. Reluctantly he released her and turned to face Legolas;

"So, Thanduil's lap-dog has a conscience after all! I suppose I should thank you for this gesture, but know this, Legolas. I will not forget how readily you surrendered to your father's will and such disloyalty to friends is not easy to forget. Take care err you seek comfort in the Golden Wood again, for next time you will not find it so welcoming!"

Haldir denied Legolas any chance of reply as her turned abruptly and strode quickly away. Rumil did not attempt to follow but touched his finger tips to Arien's face before he too left the training ground. Arien watched as Haldir was slowly enveloped by darkness. Once he felt he had distanced himself sufficiently to be out of sight, he stopped, turning to look at his love one last time as Legolas took her away. A solitary tear ran down his cheek and he brushed it away with the back of his hand. He admonished himself; Marchwardens were not supposed to cry and he had shed far too many tears that day.

Tbc

Hope that wasn't too sad!

Please, usual thing, I'd love it if you R&R (I need cheering up after that.)