Author's Note:  Here is my second chapter. I am so sorry it took me awhile to post but I was on vacation for a few days. Thank you all so much for you patience, I really appreciate it. I believe someone mentioned that my spacing is rather awkward and I wholeheartedly agree. When I write a chapter, I normally space my paragraphs very generously but for some reason (ever since the quick edit has been added) theses spaces do not show up. Does anyone know a way around this? If so, please let me know. Again, I must thank everyone for their spectacular reviews! Thanks you! Thank you! And I would also like to say I special thanks to my beta Dragonfly32 for her invaluable help with this story. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.

Chapter 9 Quitting

            After a few minutes I pulled away, not bothering to conceal my shock. Part of me wished him to continue, while another part held a great suspicion against him. Was he mad? What could an ellon like him possibly see in an elleth like me? I stared at the Captain for a moment, my eyes searching his. I gazed into their cerulean depths, hoping to find answers and truth. What I found, to my surprise, was confusion. He reflected my own feelings perfectly, or perhaps it was I that saw through my mask of fear. The silence near smothered us, covering the oppressive humidity of the night as we stood there. I was still dizzy, my mind reeling and soaring like the fireflies that danced nearby. I watched them through my shocked haze as they flew lazily in the summer air. The lantern lights from the city shone down upon us, casting that ethereal glow which made Lothlorien so famous. My senses became keener as I strained my hearing, picking up the soft trickle of fountain water and the trill of silver chimes. Time dragged by, or so it seemed, in reality only a minute or two had passed. Haldir wet his lips, as though he was still savoring the taste of my kiss.

            "Elenwen?" he finally questioned, his voice not above a whisper, floating upon the breeze like a fallen mallorn leaf. I shook my head and took a step backwards. "Elenwen, please, I did not mean to upset you," the March Warden seemed to be almost begging. "Please forgive me." For what? I thought to myself, but then pushed it away. I would not let him toy with my affections. My Naneth had always warned against such. In my mind I knew that this elf could not possibly love me, but my heart spoke the language of hope. I allowed it to briefly entertain the idea, before denying it forcefully once more.

            "No Haldir," I was backing away, leaving him in the center of the glade with our swords scattered about on the ground. "You shall not amuse yourself with my feelings. I will not have you be false and pretend to love me, for I know that not to be true."

            "But Elenwen," he protested, holding his arms out to me. I did not let him finish however.

            "I am sorry Haldir," I was near the edge of the clearing now. "I quit." My words were so firm, so forceful for a little, meek thing like myself that he actually took a step back, as though he had been struck across the face. I could look at him no more. Turning, I fled from the glade, not glancing at him again.

            I ran swiftly, the weeks of training paying off somewhat. The underbrush no longer tripped or tangled my feet, but instead I moved gracefully, like one of my kin. I did not become winded so easily and made it back to my flet quickly. I paused at the foot of the stairs by a small stone fountain that rested by the roots of the tree. It was then that I realized that tears were streaming freely from my eyes. Wiping them away hastily upon my sleeve did little good, for more soon followed. My knees seemed to almost buckle beneath me and I sat on an ornately carved bench nearby.

The stars reflected off the fountain's glistening waters. The way it was designed, it made it appear that an elf maiden was holding a great jug of water which then spilled into a silver basin. I wondered vaguely if this was what the Lady's mirror looked like, though I knew it had to be more beautiful than this one.  I rested my head in my hands and tried to sort through my bewildered thoughts. Why had he kissed me? He had seemed sincere enough. But I surely did not believe that he loved me, did I? The full reality of the situation fell upon me then. I had just quit the guard. What was I to do now? I could admit now that my actions had been rash. I knew I would have to face him again sometime. What would I say to him? More importantly, could I even work up the courage to see him? I sighed woefully amidst my ruminations. My life had suddenly become very complicated and I had a feeling that it was not going to get easier as time went on. I had just about resigned to go to bed and forget my troubles for the night when a familiar voice called to me.

"Elenwen, what are you doing here? I thought you were with my brother. You cannot already be finished with your training this eve," the elf said. I looked up and immediately recognized Haldir's youngest sibling Rumil. Orophin, his other brother, was standing close by and both held looks of intense curiosity upon their fair countenances.

"I am afraid I am finished for not only this eve, but forever," I answered, risking their need for an explanation which I did not feel I could give.

"Why?" Orophin asked predictably.

"I am not made for the guard," my reply came quickly. "I would be better suited for the life of a musician."

"Oh," Orophin nodded and I noticed he cast a sidelong glance at his brother. "I suppose you have informed Haldir of this then."

"Yes," I said with a sigh, my shoulders heaving in despair.

"Are you sure you are well?" Rumil inquired. He had no doubt taken in my bloodshot eyes and sorrowful manner.

"I am fine," I responded, feeling my strength wane and exhaustion cloak my being. "Well, I must be going," I started up the stairs. "Good night!" With that I turned around and climbed as swiftly as my tired body would allow, feeling an immense sadness burden my heart.

Narrative POV

Rumil turned to his brother and cast his eyes upward, an air of disgust pervading from him.

"What could he have possibly done to scare her off like that?" Orophin asked.

"I do not know," Rumil replied. "But we shall find it out from him before the sun rises this morn."