I've been given the all clear by my beta-reader – so here it is! (thanks Dee!) Chapter 10 is still in production so there may be a small delay. Skinny rita – Galadriel says can she please have her mirror back now? ;-) Please keep reading and reviewing – that's why I write.

Crossbow, sweetie. Yes, I have read The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. I have been reading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings once a year since I was ten. You're right – your comments are technicalities and if you wish to read Tolkien, then I suggest you read him. This is fanfiction – i..e. my interpretation of his work. Haldir and Tala would be speaking Sindarin, not Quenya and since her name would be in Quenya, he translated it. Elleth, I believe, is Sindarin for elf-maid or female elf. Valar is plural, because I meant it to be.

I'm sorry about the mis-spelling of Undomiel – I will sack my spell-checker immediately!

CHAPTER NINE

Tala woke slowly, smiling at the pleasant warm sunlight bathing her face, but when she tried to stretch, her head began pounding.

"Ow!" she protested and gingerly opened one eye. She sat up slowly, trying not to move her head more than was necessary. Tales of drunkenness and carousing had never included this unpleasant side effect. She vowed that she would never drink again.

There was a movement beside her on the bed and she turned slowly to see the March Warden gazing up at her with an amused expression.

"How is your head?" he asked dryly, the corners of his mouth twitching with laughter.

He lay in the bed beside her, naked, except for a sheet draped over his lower half. Her eyes were drawn to his magnificent torso, hard with muscles, finely formed. Her breath caught. He was superb.

Tala felt an immediate wave of desire for him wash over her. Quickly she checked and was somewhat relieved to find that she was still clothed albeit only in her under-dress.

"There's only one reason I can think of why an elleth comes to an elf's talen, late at night, alone, obviously the worse for wine – and asking me to kiss her." Haldir said lightly, propping himself up on one elbow, facing her.

He leaned over and, placing one palm flat on her stomach, pushed her gently back onto the bed, and kissed her. His lips were gentle at first, warmly pressed to hers, but then the kiss became firmer and more ardent, his tongue flicking against her lips. His hand moved from her stomach and began to drift along the side of her body, lighter than a feather but she could feel every stroke of his fingers like fire.

She responded, moaning softly against his mouth as the kiss deepened. The thought of him completely flooded her mind. Haldir shifted his body onto hers slightly until some of his weight was pressing her into the bed. Her hands lifted to his hair and she ran her fingers through its long silkiness, one finger stroking the tip of his ears until his lips became increasingly urgent.

Suddenly, he took hold of her around the waist with both hands and rolled, bringing her on top of him so that she was staring down into those perfect silver eyes, her hair falling like a curtain over them both. His eyes were warm and shimmering with desire.

Haldir murmured her name, putting his hands up to her shift and undoing the tie at the neck, fumbling with hurried fingers, stretching up impatiently and kissing her neck, then following the curve of her collar bone with his tongue. He placed his hands on her shoulders, smoothed them down her arms, pushing the neck of her under-dress down until her shoulders were bare. He began to kiss them and her upper arms, working his way down, not missing an inch of skin.

Tala closed her eyes and gave in to the sensations flooding her body, the heat, the hunger, the overwhelming desire. She had not felt like this in such a long time, too long, not since Celedir – Celedir. Immediately an image of him came unbidden into her mind, his broken body being carried into Elrond's House at Rivendell, lifeless and bloody, his eyes staring, the light in them distinguished forever. She took a horrified breath and drew back, staring at Haldir as if she had never seen him before.

Haldir looked confused. "Tala, what is it?"

She got up off the bed, hurriedly gathering her gaping neckline together, wanting only to escape, escape the room, escape this torment.

Haldir rose languidly from the pillow, smiling seductively. "What is this? Some game?" His eyes were bright with enjoyment, the corners of his mouth curling.

Tala could not reply but backed away from the bed, her mind reeling with confusion. What was she doing? How could she?

Haldir stood up and the sheet fell away from his body. She had been right – he was naked. He was magnificent, perfectly formed in every way. Shivers ran up her spine. It was clear he was aroused and he prowled across the room towards her, cat-like, eyes drowsy with desire. She could not take her eyes off him.

"I have not played chase since I was an elfling – but I am more than willing." he said softly, grinning lazily at her.

Tala felt the wall at her back – she could go no further. He approached, a wicked gleam in his eye, and reached out to her, running a single finger down her gaping neckline and between her breasts. She could feel the heat of his naked body through her thin shift.

Tala lifted her hand involuntarily to slap his face, wanting him only to move away from her, but he caught her wrist in a gentle but steely grip - pinning it above her head, his reactions finely tuned. He leant closer until she could feel his breath on her cheek.

"Uh uh, Tala. That's not allowed. No hitting - or pulling of hair. Those are the rules." He smirked playfully and bent forward to capture her lips again with his own, his free hand moving round her waist.

The sound of her name on his lips almost weakened her, but with an effort she wrestled her hand free of his and, placing both hands firmly on Haldir's solid chest, pushed with all her strength.

Not waiting to see what happened, she ran to the door and flung it open, running as fast as she could from the talen, away from the elf who was causing her to betray Celedir. Thankfully the morning was still early and there was no-one about to see her fleeing in her shift, her dress left neatly folded over the March Warden's chair.

She raced back to her talen and slammed the door shut, before flinging herself onto the bed and curling up. She sobbed, until breathless from distress and self-loathing, and so many other emotions that she could not distinguish one from the other.

Some moments later there was a soft knocking on her door and his voice, low and concerned.

"Tala? Tala, what is it? Open the door. Tala, answer me."

She stifled her sobbing as best she could and would not answer, and soon all was silent.

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Haldir entered the audience chamber where Galadriel and Celeborn sat, enjoying the morning sunshine. They both rose to greet him and indicated for him to take a seat.

"You are troubled, Haldir." Galadriel said immediately, "About Tala?", her eyes searching his.

Haldir sat for a moment, before nodding. "Lady Tala shies from me as if I were an orc. I fear I have done something to wound her." He tried to keep his voice light, when it in reality pained him more than he could have thought possible.

"You underestimate your effect on ellith, Haldir." Celeborn said dryly.

Haldir's face showed his confusion.

"It is evident that she is attracted to you, my friend." Celeborn spoke. "But she denies the feeling and fights it."

Galadriel spoke. "My granddaughter has told me something of her history." She turned to look at him, her blue eyes studying his face.

"Tala loved a warrior elf of Rivendell – Celedir - and he returned her love. They were not bound but were together for many years." She paused briefly. "Then he was killed when out on patrol by an orc ambush several years ago. She saw his body being carried back to Rivendell. It almost broke her – mind and heart. She has mourned him since then and sees any feeling for another as a betrayal of him."

Haldir bowed his head, trying to take in the information.

The Lady of Light turned and paced the talen, her face concerned. "And there is something else. Her parents left for the West many years ago, when she was still very young, and in their going she felt abandoned. With Celedir's death Tala feels that everyone she has ever loved leaves her. She is frightened to let herself love again. She herself does not recognise this – yet."

"She shies from you as an injured horse would." Celeborn contributed.

"Or strikes out – like a wounded cat." Haldir mused thoughtfully.

"She is confused and hurting." Galadriel said sympathetically, "I will go to her."

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Galadriel reached out her hand to comfort the sobbing elleth, taking her in her arms, her golden hair flowing over Tala like a protective cloak.

"I have betrayed him. Oh Celedir…"

"You have not betrayed him. Haldir has explained what happened. When he returned to his flet last night you fell asleep and he did not wish to wake you. He merely placed you in his bed." Tala was grateful to Haldir for the lie, though she feared Galadriel already knew the truth well enough.

The Lady paused before continuing gently, "Tala, my child, please understand I say this only for your good, but if you continue like this your heart will wither away like the leaves in Autumn. You know this."

Tala shook her head obstinately. She had to remove herself from this place – and from him. "I cannot stay here any longer. I must return to Rivendell – it is my home and besides, Lady Arwen awaits me."

"Do you really think that you could tell Arwen anything she does not already know in her heart? She and Aragorn have a connection that is deeper than words, just as, I believe, you and Haldir have. Are you really so anxious to get back to my granddaughter? Or do you run from something that you fear? We cannot control love, Tala, it is the most powerful of emotions."

Tala was adamant. She would leave – and she would go today.

Galadriel shook her heard in sadness. "My child, you are stubborn." Then she smiled sorrowfully "Like someone else I know."

After Galadriel had left her, Tala began to pack her belongings hurriedly, blocking all thoughts of Haldir from her mind, concerning herself only with the journey ahead. She would return to Rivendell. She would forget him. All would be as it was before…in time.

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"Back to Rivendell then, Nahar. Home." But the word sounded strangely empty. She patted his mane and laid her head for moment on his neck, needing the contact. Sensing her sad mood, the stallion was uncharacteristically still, allowing the touch without protest.

When she had arrived at the stable, Nahar had been saddled, her bow and sword in their places, ready for her departure. Foolishly, tears had pricked her eyes. Perhaps they had wanted her to leave, perhaps he…

Tala took a deep breath and then urged the stallion forward, without a backward glance. If she had looked she would have seen two tall figures, standing high on a landing, watching her go.

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Haldir stood perfectly still, staring after her. He had not seen her since she had run from his talen that morning but Galadriel had told him of her plans to return to Rivendell.

"Come, brother," said Orophin shortly, turning away, "you will soon forget her."

Haldir did not reply.

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Darkness had fallen and Tala had left the borders of Lothlorien far behind but she could not stop thinking about Haldir. Alone and silent in the dark night, the blond elf dominated her thoughts.

Her feelings for Haldir confused her deeply - she barely knew him and yet she felt a stronger bond to him than she ever had in all years together with Celedir. It felt wrong somehow that it should be so.

Guilt consumed her. Her mind raced. Was she making a mistake? She had heard that wine merely relaxed your inhibitions – it could not cause someone to do something that they did not want to do, and if that was true then she had wanted Haldir. If she admitted the truth to herself, the strength of her feelings for the March Warden frightened her. What should she do?

Tala thought long on what Galadriel had said to her and finally acknowledged she was right – she was running away. She could not just turn away, that would be cowardly and she had never been known for her lack of courage. What would happen if she returned to Rivendell and could not forget him?

She reined in Nahar and brought him to a halt, he whinnying in confusion. She sat for a moment, a jumble of thoughts clouding her mind. Was it really the case that she had clung to her loyalty to Celedir because she was too scared to move on?

Tala at last acknowledged that it was. She was frightened - frightened that she would be left alone again. She thought of the words of the song she had sung that night beneath the mallorn tree - when she had known he was watching her even without looking in his direction - "But if it's only tears and pain, isn't it still worth the cost?". The song that usually reminded her of her loyalty to Celedir but now reminded her of Haldir and that night.

She thought of the moment in Haldir's talen when he had kissed her, and closed her eyes, breathing deeply at the thought. She had loved Celedir, heart and mind, but it was nothing to what she felt for Lothlorien's March Warden. It was as Galadriel said - there was a bond between them. But the way she had left – Tala flushed with embarrassment. What must he think of her? There was only one way to find out.

And with that, she turned a surprised Nahar around and started back.

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Haldir stood in his talen, packing his belongings for the return to the border. Celeborn had finally given him leave to return. He looked around at the familiar objects of his home and frowned. Was it only last night she had been here? It seemed to him that some essence of her had been left in his home, and then dismissed the thought.

There was a loud hammering on his door and he opened it to find Orophin, a look of concern on his face.

"Haldir," he said urgently, "Lady Galadriel needs to see you immediately."

Haldir nodded and the two left without another word. In a matter of moments they were both standing before the Lady of Light. She was pacing her talen, a look of deep anxiety on her face.

"Haldir." She spoke urgently "You must go to the Northern borders at once. It is Tala. I have seen her in my mirror. She turned back. But orcs will attack her." She paused "You know my mirror – it may never come to pass, but Haldir – I have seen her…death. You must hurry. It will be soon."

As her March Warden turned to race out of the talen she called after him

"There is still hope."

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Tala and Nahar approached the borders of the Golden Wood at a trot. She would be glad to be within its safe environs again, some instinct was making her nervous. Her neck prickled uncomfortably. There! There it was again. A faint noise carried on the clear night air. A rustle of grasses. It could have been the wind, but there was none tonight.

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Haldir's mind raced as he ran; Orophin, and other wardens his brother had gathered together, following. He should never have allowed her to leave. If it was within his strength he would not let her die.

They ran as if the dark lord of Mordor was at their heels and reached the border within a few hours, but Haldir already feared they were too late for as they approached he could hear the scream of a horse in pain and yrch voices shouting.

"Tala!" he shouted and burst through the last line of trees, bow raised, firing arrows in the group of twenty or more orcs surrounding a wild Nahar, not even waiting to see if the elves were following. Tala was still atop the stallion, but only just and even as he sprinted towards her, the horse bucked sharply as an orc blade entered him and Tala fell, disappearing from his sight into the crowd of foul creatures.

Haldir fought his way desperately to her, orcs falling before him like scythed wheat as his elven blade wheeled and swooped in his expert grip. Orophin fought frantically behind him, covering his brother's back.

He found Tala lying beside the motionless white stallion, bloody and battered, her eyes closed. He fell to his knees beside her, cradling her gently to him and was relieved to find she was still breathing, albeit shallowly.

"Tala." he murmured and wiped blood from her cheek with tender fingers. At the sound of his voice, her dark eyes flickered open to look up at him.

"Haldir." She tried to smile, her voice weak. "I was coming back." He nodded to show he understood. She took a faltering breath. "And now you have saved my life…as I saved yours…and we are equal."

Her body shuddered in pain and she struggled for breath.

"Tala," Haldir said softly, bending to kiss her forehead lovingly, "we have always been equals."

She smiled up at him, and then frowned, confused, as her eyes began to cloud. The pain in them faded as she started to pass into darkness. She closed them and he could sense her light diminishing.

"Tala! You cannot leave me. Tala, listen to my words." Haldir said passionately, bending low to her ear, whispering a soft stream of elvish – "lasto beth nin, tolo dan nan galad".

He was growing desperate when at last she gave a gasp and her whole body shuddered in his arms. "I have told you before, March Warden, you do not govern me." Her voice was still weak but her eyes now flicked open, looking clearer and the pain in them was more obvious and she smiled.

Haldir looked tenderly at her, relieved that she was now fighting the darkness, and opened her tunic gently to examine her wounds. He drew in his breath sharply and frowned in alarm.

Haldir looked up to where he knew he would find Orophin, standing close, and awaiting his orders. The remaining orcs were all long since dead. Haldir's tone was terse. "We need to get her back to Lothlorien as soon as possible. Her wounds are beyond my skill. She needs a proper healer."

Orophin nodded silently and set about organising a litter to carry Tala back to City while Haldir stayed with her, holding her hand and trying to do the little that he could for her. She had slipped into a restless unconsciousness but Haldir was slightly more confident that if they could get her back to Lothlorien she would survive.