Author's Note: here is my twelfth chapter. Thanks again for all your great reviews! I am sorry that nothing really interesting happen in this chapter, but I do promise that the angst will return soon. I would also like to say a special thanks to my beta, Dragonfly32, for her excellent help with this chapter. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.

Chapter 12 Courtship

            We stood for a full minute in silence, neither one of us knowing what to say. A bird twittered gaily outside my flet, unaware of the turmoil that I was going through. Do I dare trust him? I knew the risks of love. My Naneth had schooled me well when it came to such things.

"Never give your heart to someone freely, my child," she had said. "It could be the death of you." A great fear had been instilled in me since that day. Why would love cause pain and death? I had badgered her for weeks on end to tell why I should be cautious of what I thought was one of the most celebrated emotions. She had held back for a while, biting her lip tensely when I grew more and more persistent until one day she told me. "Our kind does not long survive broken hearts," my Naneth had murmured softly as I listened with rapt attention. "An elf who loves and loses will succumb to death through means of grief," I had perceived a great sadness in her eyes when she spoke and I felt my heart sink a little. Years later I found out that my grandmother had died from grief after my grandfather had been killed battling orcs. Now fear returned to me and I doubted myself once more. Oh how I wished I had been taught to trust, instead of being instructed in the ways of caution. Yet now, a choice was laid before me, a choice that there would be no turning back from.

I gazed into his cerulean eyes and let my soul dance in their depths for a moment. I saw the chance for happiness as well as the chance for despair. And then I saw him, begging me with all his heart to let him court me. Something melted inside my being and dizziness overcame me. I clutched to the doorframe as though I was swooning.

"Elenwen?" Haldir placed his hand gently below my elbow.

"Yes," I replied, smiling at him.

"Yes what?" his eyes grew wide for second as if he did not even dare to take the true meaning of my answer.

"Yes, you may court me," my voice was cheerful, full of happiness for once.

"Here, loosen your grip slightly upon the strings, you treat the instrument as though it was your bow," I giggled, correcting his grasp upon the harp.

"Like this," Haldir plucked at the strings gently causing a discordant sound to ring forth. I laughed all the louder as his brow furrowed in frustration. "I am kind to you during training, Elenwen," he retorted in mock anger. "You could at least stifle your laughs."

"Sorry," I managed to regain my composure somewhat. "Mayhap the harp is not suited for you Haldir," he nodded in assent to my statement. "I think the flute would be better for you." It had been two months since I agreed to allow the March Warden court me and a happier two months I had never known. We spent much time together aside from when he trained me, for I had gone back on my rash decision and returned to the guard. After training we would go for walks through the gardens in the city, or sit by the fountains that decorated the numerous glades. The Captain had been most respectful towards me, only venturing to peck me on the cheek and hold my hand when walking. I suppose he feared I would withdraw my affections if he made bold with me once more and as I soon learned, he was courteous by nature. No one knew of our relationship as of yet and we had decided to keep it that way for awhile. I was sure however that his brothers were quite aware for they were very close. Haldir made a groaning noise suddenly, directing my attention back to him.

"Oh, forgive me, my dear," he said, raising his eyes to gaze at the sun, "but I must be going. It is near an hour past noon and I am due back at my post." I sighed, knowing how much I would miss him.

"I shall see you later though?" I asked fervently, leaning forward closer to him.

"Yes of course," he replied, grasping both of my hands in his. I smiled, leaning nearer to him. Perhaps I would let him kiss me now, I thought gleefully, recalling the night on which his lips had first met mine. Haldir seemed to understand my thoughts and moved closer too. I felt his gentle lips upon mine once more for all too brief an instant. The March Warden stood, his hand brushing softly against my cheek. "I promise to be back later," he said, nodding his blond head. "Namarie meleth nin!" I felt myself glowing as he left the glade in which we had been sitting, that was the first time he had called me meleth nin.

I had begun to make my way slowly back to my flet, still shining with the thought of Haldir's words and gestures. But my journey was disturbed when I was met by two young elves that I recognized immediately.

"Rumil, Orophin!" my cheerful manner caught them off guard.

"Mae govannen Elenwen!" Orophin replied heartily as Rumil nodded his head happily in greeting. "We have been looking all over the city for you!"

"Oh really?" I asked, observing them amusedly, knowing what they wished to see my about.

"Yes," Rumil picked up for his older brother. "We were wondering if it was possible to discuss something with you." I agreed that they could, sitting myself down upon a fallen log to rest.

"We know our brother is courting you," Rumil continued, his tone becoming serious of a sudden. I felt my heart leap in my chest. Could they possibly not approve of our courtship? "We just wanted to let you know that we could not be happier." I sighed in relief, resting my hand on my brow in relief.

"You are the first maiden Haldir has ever courted," Orophin said. "And luckily you are the best one he could have chosen. Please feel welcome to come to us for anything, we would always help you." So great was my joy that I hopped off my bench to embrace them both. Never before had I been so warmly received and treated with such great respect.

"Thank you," I mumbled, feeling indebted to both of them. I suppose I should have sensed that someone was watching us, after all I had been on the guard for several months now and I had been trained to detect such things. But my happiness fogged my mind, leaving me to believe we were alone.

Namarie: Farewell

Mae govannen: Well met

Meleth nin: My love