AN: Yes, I realize this chapter's short, but I really couldn't do anything with it. It's the last of the chapters I've had to modify, so from here on out it's all going to be original material, never before seen! Exciting, isn't it? I know. I don't really have an idea as of right now where this story's going to take itself. I've got rough ideas for some parts of it, but it's really up to Ril and Haldir and Rumil and Orophin and Elandor where this goes. Wish me luck! And in the meantime, enjoy chapter ten.

Dearheart

Chapter Ten: Love, And The Second Twist

"Or maybe I am. . ." Elandor let the sentence hang. A thick, uncomfortable, awkward silence followed, so dense it could be cut with a knife. Time seemed to freeze, and for what felt like hours Ril stood nervously, shifting from foot to foot. She studied the ground.

At long last Haldir cleared his throat. "You are not interrupting anything," he replied. "In fact, Elril and I were just finishing up." He turned toward her. "Good lesson. I shall expect you here the same time tomorrow." With that, he turned and walked away.

As soon as Haldir had left the clearing, Elandor began to laugh. "Oh Ril!" he giggled. "You should have seen your face!" He laughed harder.

"That's not funny!" Ril cried. She glared at the other Elf. "It's not funny! Why do you like tormenting me! I never did anything to you!" Elandor continued laughing. Ril gave an angry growl. "Shut up!"

Abruptly the laughter stopped. Elandor looked at Ril, confusion flitting across his face. Ril was fuming, her fists clenched and her eyes smoldering. She glared daggers.

Elandor gulped and raised his hands in apology. "Forgive me," he said slowly. "Forgive me my friend; I did not know you felt so strongly about this." He searched her face, his eyes pleading.

Finally, Ril closed her eyes and sighed. I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to get so angry; it's just. . ."

"Just what?"

"Just. . ." Oh come on Ril are you really going to tell him?! "You're treading on a subject I'd rather not go into." Mentally, Ril relaxed. There, she thought. That's as far as I'll go with this. He doesn't need to know any more.

Elandor took a breath. "Does any of this, by chance, happen to concern the Marchwarden of Lorien?" he asked innocently.

Ril froze. She stared at Elandor, the dropped her head into her hands.

Midday arrived, and found Haldir perched high in a tree, right where he'd been all morning. Or rather, all morning since his training lesson with Elril. It had gone fairy well, but something had happened. Something that was making him rethink his entire perspective on the training, his job, his life, and the girl.

And it was beginning to scare him.

Of course, he'd done everything the way he would have with any new archery student. He'd watched, and corrected her stance, and told her how to hold the bow correctly and the like. But when she had drawn down, he went with her. Some impulse told him not to let go, and he listened. Before he knew it he had his arms around her.

And he liked it.

"Ril, tell me. You can tell me anything; you know that. I'm your best friend. Tell me what's wrong. Please?"

Ril sighed heavily and looked up. "Elandor, why- no. Never mind. It's nothing."

"Nothing?" Elandor asked. "Nothing?!Nothing makes you so defensive; nothing turns your face pink; nothing makes you stammer like an idiot; this is nothing?" He let out a frustrated breath, stepped up to her, and took her face in his hands. "Ril, you've been acting too strange too often for me to ignore it any longer." He sighed and put his forehead on hers, closing his eyes. "You are my best friend, and I love you. I don't want to see anything happen to you."

Ril broke down inside. Oh how sweet! she thought. She threw her arms around him. He hasn't been like this since he thought he lost me in the woods that one day. I can't refuse to tell him now! "Elandor?" she said softly.

"Yes?" Elandor moved his head back and looked into Ril's eyes.

"I- I. . . I have something to tell you. . .and it does concern the Marchwarden. . . I'm in love with him."

Elandor snorted disbelievingly and let go of her. "You what?! You. . . Ril, you can't be serious; y-"

"I knew it I shouldn't have told you!" Ril cried. She turned away, tears forming in her eyes. "I knew it; I knew you'd be like this I knew you would freak out I knew-, I knew. . .you wouldn't care, you'd laugh at me, you'd tease me, you. . . I should've known, I should have; I just-"

"Ril!" Elandor stepped forward and grabbed her tightly by the shoulders. "Ril listen to me!" He held her close as she began to sob. "I am not freaking out, I am not laughing, I am not teasing you, and I most certainly do care. It just came as a surprise. I was not expecting that. Now shhhh, calm down, calm down." He began stroking her hair.

Ril took a deep breath. "I'm s-sorry," she whispered between slowing sobs. "I d-didn't mean to get so emotional. I was af-fraid y-you'd. . .make fun of me." She stepped back and wiped her eyes. "You're not going to?"

Elandor shook his head. "No, I'm not. But this certainly sheds light on things, doesn't it?"

Haldir was beginning one of his traditional thoughtarguments again. I cannot believe I am thinking this! He thought. She is just like all the others! All the others I've trained before!

Save for the fact that she is female!

That has nothing to do with anything!

Doesn't it? Admit it; she is the most beautiful creature you have ever laid eyes upon.

Well. . .yes but-

No buts.

Fine. She is beautiful. But I don't understand. When I- when I had my arms around her if felt so. . ..right. Like I was meant to hold her. And I liked it. But why? Why did I enjoy it? I'm lost. "Haldir my friend, you are going soft."

"Talking to yourself again?" a voice called.

Haldir jerked, gave a startled yelp, and fell out of the tree.