Sorry this chap took a while to get up. Tonight we had our 8th grade graduation! Haldir looked sooo cute in his cap and gown! pinches cheek Although, he does still have cap hair.

Haldir- You…stupid…get back in place! I need more hair spray!

You've already used three bottles! It's bad for the environment!

Haldir- Really? Oh no…what have I done!

Err…yeah. All of my friends cried! Oh, and I know that no one is going to believe this (my own mommy could barely believe it) but I was valedictorian! I'm smart! Yay I! Whee! I'll stop now.

Akira took in a deep breath, calming herself as she repeated her mantra in her head. Just keep breathing, just keep breathing, just keep breathing...

With a heavy sigh of frustration, she opened her eyes and fell back onto her mat. Why had she watched Finding Nemo before she left?

"Damn those fish and their animated cuteness," she mumbled irritably, mentally adding the adorable sea gulls and crabs.

She snapped her head up when the sound of someone clearing their throat echoed through the room. Smiling softly in relief, she sat up and gave Haldir a small wave.

The elf raised an eyebrow. "What is this 'animated cuteness' and what does it have to do with fish?" he questioned.

She opened her mouth to begin explaining to the march warden the wonders of animation, but quickly closed it again when she met his eyes. The cold aqua orbs she was so used to gazing into were no longer there. They were now replaced by eyes which swirled with such intense emotion she nearly fell back over. The elf, whom she had never known to be anything more than stoic, arrogant, heartless, and sometimes caring, held such pain in his eyes that it made her own heart ache. There was an underlying anger in the blue depths that made her scoot back a bit unconsciously. She had never seen such anger in anyone other than her father. Usually, she had been the one to suffer for that rage.

"Haldir..." she said softly, causing him to take a small step forward. "What's wrong? What happened? Is it Rumil?"

The elf took a seat beside her and placed his hand over her own. Slightly unsure with his own act of comfort, he removed his hand almost immediately and let his gaze drift back to the entry way.

"There is nothing wrong," he told her.

Gulping hard, and chiding herself for being afraid of this man, this man whom she knew would never lay a finger on her, the red head scooted closer to him. "Don't lie to me," she told him. Raising a shaking hand to his cheek, she turned his head to face her. "You look like you just shot a puppy."

Tilting his head to the side, he questioned, "What's a puppy?"

Blinking, Akira removed her hand and studied him. A small giggle escaped her lips as she shook her head. "Um...never mind." She furrowed her brow, attempting to think of another analogy that would better suit the elf sitting next to her. Deciding that it was still too early for any heavy duty analogizing, she simply shrugged her shoulders and met his eyes. "You look like something's wrong. Where'd you go anyway?"

He sighed. He cursed himself for not telling her where he was going at first. If he had, she would have already known what was wrong, and he would not have to deal with the pain of telling her. He did not know why all of this was hurting him so deeply. Perhaps it was the thought that he could do nothing to save this woman whom he had come to care about. Knowing that he would at least be able to guide her lessened the pain he felt, but what if he was leading her to her own doom? What if it was his guidance that took her to this evil? Could he ever forgive himself for it?

"I went to speak with the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn."

Her eyes widened as soon as he spoke. He went to speak with them? She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself. What did he say? What did they say? Is that why he was so angry? What if he was angry with her? What if...

She shook her head, forcing herself to open her eyes and look at him. Frowning a bit, she again lifted her hand and rested it against Haldir's cheek. The move did not surprise him, since she had done it earlier and her touch was rather soothing. It was what she did after that that did startle him.

The young woman ran her fingertips lightly over his skin. She moved from his cheek across his forehead. He closed his eyes, allowing her fingers to drift over his eyelids. Her hand glided down the left side of his face, gently caressing the skin before she reached his lips. Haldir took her wrist in his hand, pulling it away from his face before she did anything further.

"Akira..." he began, but soon trailed off at the intensity of her gaze. She starred at him for many moments, looking into his eyes and even deeper, searching for anything that he was attempting to hide. He felt as if she was trying to gaze into his very soul, as if to read every secret and desire he held in his heart. He wanted to pull away then. For so long had he kept on the mask of the march warden to keep people out, yet he was so willingly letting her in. Before he could look away, he suddenly found his face hanging few inches away from her own. Unable to avoid the inevitable, he began leaning forward until their lips were pressed together softly.

The young red head pulled away slowly. Heat began rushing to her face as she met the elf's curious and intense gaze. "Sorry," she mumbled, shaking her head until long strands of dark hair fell in front of her face, hiding her eyes and flushing cheeks. "I was just..."

"Just what?" he questioned.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she reached up, tucking the strands of hair behind her ear so that she could look at him in the eyes. "Just making sure that you were real," she said quietly. "This...all of it, the elves and the magic, epic battles of good and evil, handsome prince's that come and save the damsel in distress...or, march wardens, if you want to get technical." She laughed a bit nervously. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"

"Seldom do I understand exactly what it is that you speak of," he replied.

"Then why do you listen?" she asked, her eyes cast downwards in embarrassment.

Haldir stopped a moment before speaking again; thinking over what his answer was to be. "It matters not if I understand the strange sayings you speak to me, only that you are speaking to me at all."

She smiled softly at his answer, the small butterflies in her stomach beginning to make themselves known as he returned the smile. "I only meant that all of this seems like a dream. There are so many things that are going on now. My head hasn't stopped spinning since I first opened my eyes. I'm still not sure that all of this is really happening. I'm afraid that I've just slipped out of reality, and soon someone is going to pinch me, and I'm going to wake up and be back in the Hell that I called life before. Please Haldir," she whispered. "Don't make me go back."

"I wouldn't," he answered quickly, somewhat caught off guard by her statement. "No one shall make you go back. Ever. This, I promise you."

Shaking her head, a few tears began rolling down her cheeks, though her words continued to be spoken smoothly. "Don't make promises you can't keep. I know what I am now. I know that by staying here I'm putting all of these people in danger. Rumil, Orophin, Galadriel, Celeborn, Anfarawen...you. If I did anything to hurt any of you...I think the guilt would drive me insane. But..." she stopped, trailing off to look at the ground. "Do you know that in my world, those who some call evil give up their lives for their causes? And those of us who are good, we run from death. We do everything in our power to stop it. There are good people who would take a life in order to save their own. Isn't that evil? Isn't willing to let other's die and suffer for a few more moments of peace more evil than sacrificing yourself for save what you believe in?"

He reached for her, prepared to take her in his arms and offer comfort and a shoulder to cry on as he had done the previous night. She only backed away from his touch. She wiped away the few tears that had fallen and looked up at him.

"I don't want to go back there. I want to stay here and finally live in peace. I want to be happy. I don't want to be afraid that the only person I have to take care of me is going to hurt me anymore. But I don't want to make you all suffer because I'm afraid. Does it even matter what decision I make? Some people say that it doesn't matter what you do, your destiny will always remain the same. Other's say that you can change your destiny if you fight hard enough. If I truly am evil, then it wouldn't really matter, would it? I'd be meant to destroy you all."

"And if you were truly evil, then you would have no concern for the safety of others. If you were truly evil, Lady Akira, you would not carry the guilt that you do now. You would simply accept your fate, knowing what you would do, and still sleep peacefully at night."

"Then...what can I do?" she questioned softly.

"You can come with me," he replied.

Meeting his gaze, her mouth hung open slightly in surprise. "Come with you? Where are you going?"

"To Gondor," he answered. "The Lord and Lady believe you might be safe there. I can take you, if you wish it." A part of him wanted her to say yes. He wanted to guide her and find a way to protect her. And a part of him, the more selfish part, wanted her to say no. He wanted her to always wish to stay here with him. That surprised and annoyed him greatly, but he could do nothing to rid himself of the feeling. He watched her and saw all of the conflicting emotions which flickered through her dark eyes.

"I..." she began unsurely. "What do you think I should do?"

"Me?" he questioned.

She nodded as a small smile made its way onto her features. "Yeah you. See any other elves in the room?" Curious, he looked around, searching for anyone else who may have entered the room.

"No," he said. "What does my opinion matter? The decision is up to you."

"I know but...I trust your opinion. I trust you. You...um it...mean a lot to me. If you tell me I should go, then I know it will be best."

He was stunned. She trusted him? He meant a lot to her? Or, his opinion anyway, but still, he had gone a long way from some freaky deaky dude with happy hands. He thought on this for a few moments. He could tell her to stay. He could tell her that he would always protect her. "Go," he answered softly.

She smiled at him and leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce hug. He was unable to return the hug, unsure if he was happy with the answer he gave her. He was being selfish; he knew that, wanting her to be there for him. Why did he want her anyway? The thought baffled him, but he decided not to think on it to long, and simply concentrated on the woman he was holding.

"You'll come with me right?"

"Yes," he assured her. "I shall be your guide."

"Haldir..." she said, pulling back and smiling. "You are the most awesome march warden I know."

Awesome? He furrowed his brow. Upon seeing the huge grin on her face, he decided it must mean something good. He was the most awesome march warden she knew. He smiled softly to himself as she leaned into his chest, burying her face in the nape of his neck. His smile began to fade, turning into a small scowl. Wasn't he the only march warden she knew?

Akira held her black duffle bag tightly in her hand. It had taken a while to gather up all of her clothes. For once, she was actually glad that she'd packed at least a month's worth of clothes. If she hadn't, she might have to be wearing one of those weird dresses Anfarawen or Galadriel was always wearing. Shudder.

She and Haldir were walking through the trees, heading towards the South Gate. The march warden was silent. She supposed that he was just lost in his own thoughts. Her dark brown eyes scanned the halls as they walked, mentally making note of every detail so she could recall it later.

"Hal?" she questioned softly. She narrowed her eyes at his neck when he ignored her and continued walking. Was he going to be an ass all the way to wherever it was they were going? She frowned a bit, realizing that she didn't really know where they were going. Some place called Gondor, if she remembered correctly that was. "Yo, pretty boy. What are you deaf?" She sighed heavily and swung her bag over her shoulder. Still glaring, she jogged up beside him, hitting him lightly on the shoulder to get his attention.

"Yes?" he questioned, turning his head to face her. Her face was set with a small scowl, and he idly wondered why.

"Why didn't you answer me?" she asked him.

He blinked at her. "When were you speaking?"

The red head took a deep breath, her eyebrow twitching slightly. "Never mind," she said sighing. "I was just wondering...where exactly are we going?"

"I have already told you will we be journeying to Gondor," he answered. "Minis Tirith to be exact."

"Ohh...more elves there?" she asked softly. He glanced at her, his blue eyes unclear, though they were swirling with emotion. His gaze drifted to one of the statues, studying it intently. Akira understood his silence and smiled ruefully. "No...I don't suppose there would be. Silly me."

He turned back to her, their gazes meeting. "It is a great city," he began. "For a city of Men anyway. There is one place closer, Rohan. We should not be stopping there, for the King Theoden is less kind to strangers of late. If we travel at a moderate speed, I expect the journey to be rather short."

She nodded, understanding everything he did not say. He may be taking her, but he wasn't going to stay. As soon as they arrived at this Minis Tirith, he would be coming back to Lothlorien. Well, der. What did she expect? For him to stay with her and protect her forever? She didn't even need him to do that. She could take care of herself. Right?

Silence once again descended upon the two as they resumed their walk outside of the city. Haldir glanced back at her, seeing her eyes on the ground, her expression one that suggested she was deep in thought. His heart went out to her. She must have felt so alone, so scared, so helpless. He mentally slapped himself and turned his attention away from her. He couldn't let himself become even more attached to her then he already was.

"Wait..." she said softly, taking his arm and turning him back around.

"Yes?"

"Don't I at least get to say goodbye?"

He pulled his arm out of her loose grasp. Starring at her for a few more moments, he opened his mouth to speak. "Goodbye to whom?"

"Well...everyone..." she said. "I've...well..." She shook her head, pushing past him. "Never mind. It's stupid. Let's just go."

"No," he told her. "To whom do you wish to say goodbye to?"

She shrugged, giving him another soft, bittersweet smile. He scowled a bit at that expression. He was beginning to hate the sad smile. It was so fake; it almost pained him to see it.

"I've um, never had any friends, other then Alana...and well...I just didn't want to leave without saying goodbye. But I guess it's stupid, right? I mean, I do have to leave and everything, and I want to say goodbye to the people who are throwing me out? Guess I just realized how much I'm going to miss this place..."

How could he have been so dense? Of course she would wish to say goodbye. For the past few months, the people who had surrounded her had been her only companions; her only family. And also, if he considered her past life, this was probably the most peaceful time she had ever had. Asking her to leave it was so awful. He felt a tinge of guilt and nodded, still upset that he felt this way. She had to leave; she had to be safe. He had to get that through his thick skull.

"Of course," he said simply. "I believe Orophin is with my brother, as well as Anfarawen. Is there anyone else you wish to see before you take your leave?"

She bit her lip nervously. "The Lord and Lady," she said. "You know, if their around or whatever. I know their kind of kicking me out, but they've still been cool. And Celeborn does play a sick game of Twister."

"...right," he said in confusion after a few moments. "Very well. Shall we?" he questioned her and she nodded.

"You are leaving?" Rumil questioned weakly from his position on his bed. She nodded, smiling a bit.

"Yep. But...I made you something."

"A gift?" he questioned excitedly. "For me?"

"Uh-huh. I have one for you to Orophin."

"Oh, my lady," he said. "You are too kind. You should not have gone to the trouble..."

"Bain lín síla limb (your beauty shines much)," Rumil said as the young woman handed him a piece of paper. His eyes scanned the picture of him and Lady Lathline. She was smiling at him, their hands joined as they starred deeply into each other's eyes. "You drew this?"

She nodded, blushing slightly at the compliment. Haldir noted that and then looked to his brother. How much Elvish had he taught her? Akira turned to the other elf, holding out a picture of Rumil and himself, poking their brother with their arrows. He chuckled softly.

"Now this is true art," he said softly.

"I want to see," Rumil said, trying to lift up but falling back down on the bed.

Orophin shook his head. "Hannon len, mellon (I thank you friend)," he said smiling.

"Aw shucks guys." Akira dropped her bag, and rushed to Orophin, throwing her arms around him and hugging him closely. Surprised, he nearly dropped his picture, but hugged her back none the less. Haldir felt a tinge of jealousy, but it quickly passed as soon as the embrace was over. Orophin had no feelings for Akira other then friendship, and even if he did, she most certainly did not. After all, she'd never called him a pretty pretty elf.

He was truly pathetic.

"Do not I get one?" Rumil questioned.

"Of course!" she said happily and gave him a hug. "Hannon len, for everything (I thank you)."

"Navaer mellon (farewell friend)," he said with a smile. "No vaid lín na'alen a glor (may your way be green and golden."

"Ir adgevedim (until next we meet) Rumil," she replied as she pulled away. She turned her attention to Anfarawen, who had been standing away in the corner. "Here," she said, handing her a sketch of herself and her husband.

The elfin woman admired the work, gasping a bit as she saw it. "It is exquisite," she said. "A wonderful gift, Lady Akira."

The two hugged briefly and then pulled away. The red head gave them all a huge smile. "Rock on, Lothlorien!" she said, holding up her hand in the rock on sign. In a mass of confusion, the other three elves attempted to make the same sign. "Err...here's an easier one," she said. "Hang loose cousins," she said, holding out her pinky and thumb. Orophin and Anfarawen made the gesture rather easily. "Um...dude...that's hang over..." Akira told Rumil, who glared at his hand and let it drop back down to his side.

"We must be taking our leave now," Haldir said. The red head turned back to and nodded. Picking up her bag, she waved to them all once again. "Navaer (farewell)," he said to his brothers.

"That was fun," she said softly as they left the talan.

The march warden looked at her, a perplexed expression on his features. "Rock on? Hang loose? We are not your cousins. What is a hang over? Were those strange hand signals some kind of...?"

The young woman blinked at him, starring blankly as questions continued pouring out of his mouth.

"Why would one wish to on with a rock? Rocks are heavy and rather large. And..."

"Haldir!" she said. "Remember to breath." She turned on her heel, heading towards the garden where she thought Galadriel might be. Haldir followed closely behind her, his eyebrows still raised as he continued speaking.

"And why would you hang loose? If you hung loosely, you would fall. Is that a good thing in your world, for falling is not here? And why would you wish for your own cousin to hang loose?" he questioned. Blinking, he quickly ran up to her, standing in front of her with determination in his eyes. "We are not of any type of relation are we?"

"It's just an expression," she said with an exasperated sigh. "Chill out man, you haven't been necking with your cousin."

"Necking? Chill out? Do you wish for me to freeze to death?" She shook her head, pushing past him and laughing softly to herself. Elves. "Do not walk away from me," he said sternly. "If we are indeed cousins, I would not think you wish me dead or frozen. And...even if we are not cousins...which I hope we are not...you should not wish for me to be chilled. And what is necking? Lady Akira?" He looked around, seeing that the young woman he had been yelling at for the past few moments was nowhere in sight.

Curses.

At least no one had seen him make a complete fool out of himself. With that bit of relief, he began walking towards the gardens, hoping that that was the direction Akira had gone.

Orophin chuckled, shaking his head. "Our brother is rather queer," he said.

"Yes. Queer indeed," Rumil agreed. The two men laughed softly again.

"I thought it was rather sweet," Anfarawen commented.

"Anfarawen," Rumil said. "What is necking?"

Grr...this thing won't let me der I's formatting the way I want too. By the way, I got the elvish used in this chapter from someone's website...I forget who's though. I'll find out and thank them in the next chap. And I said queer in this chapter! I love that word! That was a long chapter. I think it had almost 3,000 words! REVIEWS! (Oh my gosh, I have so many! You guy's kick arse!)

Stephenie Wilcox- Wowers. You reviewd many chapters! Thank you! stares at shiny gum wrapper ooooooo…shiny….

Haldir-…-

It's so pretty. I want to play with it.

Haldir- That sounded wrong.

Pervert.

Haldir- Well, since she does want to marry me, let's get to it eh!

Err…OK! Um…Haldir I DERclare you and Sephenie married and crap because she reviewed a kagillion times and was ever so persistent and shite! But, you can't be married and have a girlyfriend.

Haldir- I don't want to get divorced! You don't have to! pulls Haldir clone out of pocket

Haldir- That was peculiar.

Yeah. hands to Stephenie You're very own Hally Hubbie!

Gothic Angel of Death- gives sticker I've noticed your in my reviewer responses a lot, so here's your sticker! Whoo! Hally, she had a LOT of fun. By the way…she's missing some stuff…

Haldir- I'm too young to know! Crecy- AFI is the bomb! Oh their CD 'Sing the Sorrow' rocks as well! And so does 'The Art of Drowning.' Those are the only two I've got. sulks

Pippin-luva99- smiles like a moron It reviewed I's Inuyasha story! Thanx. That is my ultimate obsession beside LOTR.

Haldir- To…break down, and cease all feeling

Burn now, what once was breathing

Reach out, and you may take my heart away

And, just as a special gift…

Haldir- glares Your sins into me

Oh my beautiful one

Your sins into me

As your rapturous voice escapes I will tremble a prayer

And I beg for forgiveness

Your sins into me

Your sins into me

Oh my beautiful one

I love that song! Davey! Whoo yet again!

Raptorcardfreak- Lego 2! gives him button

Lego 2- I feel special.

You are. taps helmet You really are.

Nenuial- Thank you for being the awesome beta that you are. Yes, AFI rocks my world! Not that way you perverts. (That's my new line!)

Commodores R Ppl 2- Nope, I haven't watched One Tree Hill in a while, but I have read up on the stuff so I know what's going on. Haldir kept going on and on about how nice your house was and stuff.

Haldir- It was sooo cool! They gave me food!

You act like I never feed you!

Haldir- Yeah, but they gave me a spork to eat it with.

Wow…a spork…cool! Oh yeah, Commodores, don't forget your sticker!

Fanfictiongeek36- It was so sad tonight! Phyillis was crying. I poked Punki! Not that way you pervert! Um…your Leggy clone…here!

Leggy clone- Hi idiot!

Thank you guy's for taking the time to read and review! So um…review again! LA!