Wow – thank you so much for those wonderful reviews – I don't know what else to say! It has made me a bit nervous for the last few chapters, because now I am so conscious of not wanting to let you down. I want to reply to some of your comments before posting the next two chapters (yep – you get another two this posting).
Miss Sofie – Hey you're back – and you've caught up – congrats! Right then – chap 21. Yep it was suggestive, but the operative word is 'suggestive'. I leave the rest to imagination (he-he!). No, seriously though, I really want everyone to feel the intensity of the love between Arien and Haldir. It's important to the story to know how strongly they feel about each other. Chap 22 – Yeah, I like Rumil too. I like to think of him as the softest of the three brothers; more emotional, less afraid to show his feelings and the most fun-loving. He's a nice Elf – lol! As for Legolas still holding bad feeling toward Haldir – Leggy's been through a lot, I think when anyone – not just Elves – are depressed, they harbour negative feelings more strongly. Also, so often, Leggy is portrayed as a bit of an easy-going wimp – He's not! (well, I don't think he is.) Yes, he's sensitive and gentle and introverted, but at the end of the day, he's a prince, and I believe that would make him proud and a little stubborn. Chap 23 – Yep – it's suggestive again, – but it's a wedding! As for the bit with Leggy escorting her, I thought about having Galadriel in that role, but for some reason, it felt 'right' for it to be her brother, because in the previous chapter, he expressed his anxiety for her, and they are so very close, emotionally. Also, in many societies throughout the world, it is a traditional aspect of the marriage ceremony for the bride to be 'delivered' to her new husband by close relatives. Hope this explains my thinking a bit more. Glad you like the Merry/Pippin bit and the drinking session – I enjoyed writing it! As for the vows – I am so relieved they were ok. I agonised for hour over them. So finally, thanks Sofie, for the usual very constructive review. You obviously spent a great deal of time doing this and it's very much appreciated – especially because I know how things are for you at the 'mo. You rock!
Loeke77 – Thanks. It was a delight to write.
Muireall – Thank you, you are very kind. Actually, I must admit, on a few occasions, I've had a lump in my throat as I've written something – I'm so glad we seem to be on the same wave-length.
RoxieRxChicago – Once again, thank you! I agree with you, weddings can be too long – lol! Here's the update you requested – hope you enjoy.
Haldir'sHeartandSoul – Yes! Yes! Ummmm!
To anyone I've missed – Thank you for continuing to read.
Sooooooooooo, I think we'd best move on now.
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Forever Yours
Chapter 24
Arien lay sated in her husband's arms, her senses alive as never before. The newly discovered pleasures of their love-making elated her as nothing ever had and she nestled deeper into his shoulder and tilted her head to nibble at his soft skin. Haldir tipped her face to look into his:
"Are you happy, Arien?"
She thought to the moment when their bodies had united for the first time and she had felt his soul merge with hers. In that instant, both realised they would exist only for each other; as they shared their bodies, so would they share one soul, joined everlastingly.
"I cannot express with words alone, my joy and contentment," she answered.
He smiled, and replied, suggestively:
"Then perhaps you should show me!"
He pulled her over him and once more, time held no meaning for them as they surrendered totally to the ecstacy of union.
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All too soon, dawn arrived and with it realisation their first night together had come to an end. As they prepared to leave the bridal talan for Haldir's home, Arien looked about her, wistfully;
"Last night was so beautiful, so wondrous; I wish we could stay here forever."
"Alas, my love, we cannot." said Haldir, softly. "We have a new life to face and old duties to continue. However," he added, "if you think you have experienced every delight I have to offer, then you are greatly mistaken. You have sampled merely a morsel of what is to come. Perhaps I shall explain some of them in further detail on our walk home."
He wrapped his arm protectively around her and together they departed.
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Legolas had slept little during the night. His thoughts returned continually to the last words of Arien's vows and they echoed repeatedly through his mind:
"And if one day, through good or bad
You walk through Mandos' doors
Then know you will not be alone;
I am forever yours."
When she had first uttered them, he was shocked, but admonished himself immediately, as he knew in solemnly binding to one another, Haldir and Arien would be inexorably joined forever. It was, after all, the way of the Elves, but the more he considered, the more certain he became of his sister's deep concern for her new husband's safety. She had promised to remain with him on earth or beyond and Legolas could not imagine life without his beloved sister. He determined to extract a promise from her; one which he could use to hold her with him should her worst fears become reality.
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As Haldir and Arien made their way slowly along the pathways to their home, they passed several Elves, but none offered more than a courteous bow or smile by way of acknowledgment, for which Arien was immensely grateful, but it did not prevent her blushes; a fact not missed by Haldir, who laughed openly to see her embarrassment;
"You are not the first bride to walk the paths of Caras Galadhon on the morning after her first night with her husband, sweetness. We have entered into an honourable and blissful union and you should feel no shame for our activities."
"Nevertheless, I shall be relieved to reach the privacy and sanctuary of our home!" she replied, nervously.
Her anxiety was compounded by the appearance of two who were all too familiar. Rumil and Orophin bounded toward them enthusiastically, their features beaming with mischief.
"Haldir, you still live!" announced Rumil, slapping his brother resoundingly on his back.
"We had thought mayhap, the night would prove too much for your delicate senses and you may have departed this world." added Orophin.
"I almost wish I had!" retorted Haldir, his frustration for his infuriating siblings all too apparent. "For then I would no longer have to suffer your inane foolishness!"
"Come now brother, surely you would not deny the concerns of your devoted, loving brothers?" replied Rumil, with an expression of mock hurt.
He did not await his brother's reply, but turned his attention to Arien;
"Little sister! My heart rejoices to see you so well and none the worse for the attentions of my brutish brother. Remember, Orophin and I are always here to offer comfort and advice in the event his boorishness becomes intolerable, as it surely will!"
Arien's embarrassment was overcome by her new brother's amiable teasing and her face broke into a happy smile;
"My heart is joyful to know I have joined such a wonderful, caring family!" she laughed, happily. "Come, Rumil, Orophin! Escort me to my home and let every Elf in the city see how proud I am of my new relatives!"
She linked her arms through theirs and together they continued their journey to Haldir's talan. Haldir watched them as they walked a little ahead of him and he thanked the Valar for their gifts of a beautiful wife and two loving, if frustrating, brothers. He smiled as the warmth of contentment washed over him.
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The days which followed passed with an ease common to all who are deeply in love. Haldir excused himself from his customary border duty in order he may spend time with his new bride and kept within the city limits, organising duty rosters and overseeing the training grounds. For her part, Arien spent her time apart from her husband in the company of her brother. Through him, she learned to appreciate the wit and companionship of Gimli, the Dwarf. She would often relate their activities to Haldir, and gradually, his animosity and prejudice toward Gimli waned. However, he was less than amused by the incessant attentions of a certain Hobbit toward his wife. Merry appeared to have developed something of an infatuation for the princess. He often left flowers at her door, and was first to greet her whenever she appeared. Legolas and the other Fellowship members were highly amused by the little Hobbit's obsession, but Haldir's ire grew daily. Finally, whilst out walking with Legolas, his outrage of the situation erupted and he aired his concerns to the prince. Legolas laughed heartily and this only served to further anger his friend:
"I see no humour in this situation, Legolas! By the Valar, he was present at her marriage and yet continues to hover about her like a bee around a bloom. He displays his obsession openly, with blatant disregard for her status. I cannot and will not, allow this to escalate! Either you will speak with him and advise him to cease, or else he will answer to me!"
Legolas could walk no further, so consumed by hilarity was he, and sat upon a log, his arms wrapped around his middle in an effort to cosset his aching ribs;
"Oh, my dear Haldir!" he managed to say, eventually. "Forgive my levity, but I find difficulty in accepting seriously your jealousy, when the one responsible for causing it barely reaches the waist of your beloved. Surely you can see the humour of it?"
"Humour has never been my strongest point, and well you know it, Legolas!" replied Haldir."
Legolas gradually ceased his hilarity and leant back as he regarded his friend;
"This is a trivial matter, Haldir. It will pass and be forgotten once we have departed. Can you not turn a blind eye, just this once? We have endured so much hardship and misery thus far, and I fear there is more to come. Long has it been since I have seen my friends so light-hearted, especially the Little Ones. They have faced such horrors and suffered much sorrow."
Haldir looked thoughtfully at the prince and saw the truth of all he had said reflected in his face. Remorse for his petulance replaced his desire for retribution:
"Aye, you are right! Who knows what lies ahead for all of you, and I should not blight your respite here with my pettiness. I shall indeed, pay no further heed to Merry's actions but, mark this, Legolas," he stated, smiling, "do not leave him alone with her!"
Legolas was greatly relieved to see an end to the matter, and as both continued on their way, their conversation turned to other matters.
Later that night, as Haldir held a slumbering Arien in his arms, he reflected upon the words of the prince and he held his wife a little tighter as he thought of the dangers her brother would soon have to face. He prayed his beloved would never know the pain of loss.
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Soon, it was time for the Fellowship to depart. Arien stood on the bank of the Great River, her husband beside her, and watched as the Lord and Lady bestowed gifts upon the brave party. The Fellowship were clad in the grey cloaks of the Galadhrim and she looked to each of them in turn with growing sadness. She and Haldir had talked throughout the night with her brother, and although he seemed unconcerned, she knew he was concealing deep feelings of foreboding. She smiled gently when Legolas received the gift of a bow. It had belonged to Haldir's father; a brave Elf who had been Marchwarden at the time of his fall. When Arien told Haldir of Legolas's great admiration of the Galadhrim weapons, he did not hesitate to insist ownership of his favourite bow should pass to his new brother.
Haldir placed a comforting arm around his wife and they watched as the small boats passed into the centre of the River and gradually disappeared from sight. He saw her tears flowing freely and held her closer. Arien buried her head against his chest as the words of her final conversation with her brother echoed in her mind:
"Do not allow your concerns for me to subdue your new-found happiness, Arien," said Legolas, gently. "I have faith we will succeed, and so must you. I promise, soon I shall return and this time will be just a memory."
"I desire to believe all you say more than you can ever imagine, Legolas," she replied, quietly, "but my fear for your safety refuses to be set aside. How can you promise to return when your future is unknown? I so fear I will lose you!"
Legolas pulled her close and stroked her hair soothingly as he replied:
"Have I ever lied to you, sweet Arien? Have I not promised in the past, I will never leave you? And have my words not always proven to be true? I have faith in promises, and so should you. Come, let us swear an oath here and now; let us swear one shall never leave the other!"
Arien drew away from him slightly, clasped his hands firmly in hers and smiled softly as her eyes met with his:
"I promise I shall never leave you, Legolas. May the strength of caring and love we share, sustain us through these evil times and bring us safely together once more."
Legolas returned her smile and squeezed her hands tighter.
"I swear never to leave you, little sister, and to return to your side as soon as these dark times allow!" he stated, assuredly and added "There! It is done! Now nought can part us."
They embraced one final time and walked in silence to rejoin the others, each lost in their thoughts. Legolas could not deny his sense of satisfaction of having extracted the desired promise from his sister, but Arien derived no similar comfort. She was still swathed in an aura of sadness and fear which refused to abate.
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Tbc
You are cordially invited to move on to chapter 25 (but if you want to R&R this first, please – feel free – lol). Word of warning – it's getting a bit serious from here-on in!
