A/N:Thank you all for the lovely reviews! I love love love you all. I have replied to all the ones that had an address to reply to, and for those that didn't, thankyou so much anyway! Here is the next chapter, and it's a good one. (but the next one is even better still!)lol. But you all have to wait a little longer for that. Enjoy.

He saw her stumble as she bent over to pick up the basketful of their damp clothes. He stopped her, before taking them from her. She looked at him, a little surprised, but then smiled softly at him, allowing him to take it.

As he took the heavy load from her small frame, he realized that she had gotten thinner. She looked like an earth bound wraith, and dark shadows coloured her eyes. She was tired. And he could not help but think that he was in some way responsible. He followed her up the path to her talan, to retrieve her workbasket. She went inside, and he stood in the doorway.

"You can come in," she said, a little confused. He smiled, before knocking on the door. She smiled back at him, one that lit up her dark eyes. Why had he never noticed them before? He stepped inside. As he waited for her to gather what she wanted, he couldn't help but look around the tiny little talan. Despite the small size of it, and the poor quality of the flooring and the roof, she had covered every surface with intricate and beautiful coverings, glimmering tapestries and lace and beading, all so finely crafted that only the richest could have afforded some of the pieces. He stood staring at one particularly intricate wall hanging, of the sun setting over the sea, the water glimmering with silver and gold threads, the sun a burst of colour and the gulls wheeling overhead, as though they would take wing and fly right off the tapestry. It was breathtaking. She saw him staring as she came back.

"That is my favourite. It took me over three years to complete," she said quietly. He looked at he, his mouth agape.

'You, you...made this?" he asked her in awe. Such beautiful work, it was a joy to look upon. She nodded, a little embarrassed.

'I made everything in this room." she said quietly, and he looked around the room again, nearly dropping the washing in his wonder. Each piece was perfect, every detail was exquisite in it's faultless design.

"Come, it's time to leave, "she whispered, a little uncomfortable at Haldir's wide eyes stares that fell around the room, and then back to her, making her seem naked.

He followed her from the room of treasures, but he could not help but think, in a voice so quiet that he almost didn't hear it, in the deepest recesses of his mind, that of all the treasures in her house of beauty, she was the finest and most perfect.

"Cahra," he asked her quietly, as they continued on to his talan. "Why are you in so small a talan surely you could afford somewhere a little better with your work and skill?" he asked her, carefully avoiding the question he really longed to ask, why was she so painfully thin, as though she had not eaten for weeks?

"I sell my goods to a vendor at the market. Relion, his name is. He sells my work for me. But it never fetches a very high price. It is sometimes enough to purchase new materials for more goods to sell, though with very little left over to live off. If I don't buy the materials, I have no income the next week , but if I buy the materials, I'm left with very little to live with. It is a simple existence. And there has been very little to buy food with recently," She said, carefully avoiding Haldir's direct gaze. He would have to have a talk to this Relion, who was known amongst higher circles for being one of the richest merchants of Lorien. His goods were of the finest quality, and now Haldir knew why. And then suddenly Haldir felt a pang of guilt. He too had been to miserly with his payments to her, often cheating her of what was rightfully owed her for up to weeks at a time. He would give it to her eventually, but always grudgingly, and now, he realized, never as much as she truly deserved for her labors. He felt truly ashamed for the second time that day, and for the second time in many, many years.

He placed the load of garments upon the balcony, as he opened the door for her, allowing her to enter first. Her eyes brightened a little at this sudden display of courtesy, but then struggled not to lean on the wall for support. She was dizzy, the room spun. He followed her in, and placed the washing on the table. She shook herself out of it, before going to the pile on the table. She took the torn shirt off of the top, setting it down, preparing to repair it, but he took it from her slim fingers.

"When was the last time you have eaten, Cahra?" he asked, as he saw her sway on her feet, her strength having been tested by the long absence of food, and the days activities.

"I...I don't know what you are talking about, My Lord. Hand me the shirt, if you please, did you want to learn how to repair it or not?" She avoided his gaze.

He set the shirt down, and led her into his kitchen, and sat her down at his table, her frame sapped of much of it's strength, so she could no longer fight him. He went to his cupboards, and took out all he could find, placing bread, cheese and fruit in front of her, all of the finest quality, as was the wine he poured for her, a subtle brew that he was saving for a special occasion, but now did not give a second thought to.

"My Lord, I..."

"No protests, Cahra. Eat what I have given you. You are little more than bones. You have little strength. Eat." She watched him in surprise, as he came to sit across from her at the table.

"Will you eat, or do I feed you?" he asked her gently, almost surprising himself in his deep concern for her.

She picked up a small piece of the bread, and nibbled at it reluctantly. She was so far beyond the point of hunger, that she had little appetite. He stood from his seat, and sat next to her, breaking the bread for her, and handing it to her, his eyes never leaving hers. She raised it to her mouth, chewing weakly. He took a slice of the fruit, offering it to her near bloodless lips. She hesitated, before taking it from his fingers, her gaze avoiding his. He continued to feed her the small morsels, until she meet his gaze.

"no more Haldir. I cannot eat anymore.' He looked at the majority of food that was left. What she had eaten was less than half of a mid morning meal of his. Half a peach, a slice of bread, a bite of cheese. He offered her the glass of wine, and she shook her head.

"I am sorry. Only water, please,'' she murmured, the food making her sleepy. He placed a goblet of water in her shaking hands, that threatened to spill it. He steadied her hands with one of his, his other coming to support her back. And as just she had guided his hands that morning at the river, he guided hers as she sipped at the water, holding the cup for her as she drank. She was tired. Her eyes fought to stay open.

"My Lord, would you have me show you how to repair that shirt now/"she asked, her words slurring as her eyes threatened to close. He took the cup from her.

"No, I would have you sleep off some of your tire. You are not doing anything more this night," he murmured, taking her from the chair, and placing her upon his own bed, despite her feeble protests.

"Shhh,", he murmured gently, closing her eyes with gentle fingers. "Sleep"

And without another conscious thought, she gave in to Haldir's caresses and the blissful repose of sleep, her eyes closing in pure exhaustion. Haldir watched her for a minute, a strange warmth filling him, before he shook his head in frustration, clearing it. He then rose from his place beside her. He had a merchant to meet.