Author's Note: Here is my eighteenth chapter. Thank you all so much for your patience and reviews! It means so much to me! I would also like to say I special thanks to my beta Dragonfly32, for her wonderful help with this chapter. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work

Chapter 18 Proposal

Haldir's POV

I sat in the main room of my flet, flipping carelessly through the pages of a well worn tome. Yet I could scarce concentrate on what I was reading, my thoughts traveled back to dinner and the rather terse words that passed between Elenwen and Aunt Ethuil. It was a known fact that Aunt Ethuil could at times be critical. But I worried that Elenwen would not long be able to stand it. She was a delicate creature who strove for praise. Nothing mattered more to me than to see both ellith happy, though I now sincerely doubted that. A soft knock on the front door disturbed my peace. Jumping slightly at the sudden noise, I put down the book to answer my caller. Could it be Elenwen? I wondered if she was angered much, especially since she refused to let me walk her home. But I was met by the familiar faces of my two brothers, both smiling pleasantly.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked with a chuckle. "Come to scold me for some trivial matter?"

"No," Orophin smiled broadly, clapping my on the arm. "We were just concerned for Elenwen. She left in such a hurry this eve."

"Aye," I sighed softly, moving back inside with them following. "I was but ruminating over the matter myself."

"Hirien seemed to take a liking to her though," Rumil mused. "Perhaps she can convince Aunt Ethuil to look on Elenwen more kindly."

"Leave our cousin out of this fray," I replied. "She had suffered enough in her lifetime. I only will bear the brunt of this curious matter."

"But Aunt Ethuil angers easily," Rumil said, his cherubic face growing solemn. "Do you dare rouse her wrath?"

"You speak of her as if she were a sleeping dragon. Besides I intend to ask Elenwen for her hand in marriage soon," I laughed. "Fear not I will have everything sorted out." My brothers exchanged worried glances at my words. "What?" I asked, arching a brow.

"That's exactly what we fear," Orophin answered.

Elenwen's POV Three Weeks Later

I aimed for my mark, the red target glowing brightly in the autumn sun. Releasing my arrow I watched its flight, my heart soaring with it as it came to rest on its destined spot. I was getting better there could be no questioning of that. Orophin, Rumil and Hirien clapped politely from the tree log on which they were seated. I nodded my head in gratitude, feeling relaxed and joyful for the first time in weeks. These past days were not happy ones in the least, with dreadful dinners every night and even more dreadful comments from Aunt Ethuil. But the wretched elleth had gone visiting with her Imladris friends to some Lorien elves of their acquaintance. I was for once free of my ever tightening noose. Haldir had been most patient with the situation though I dared not complain in front of him. After a time spent with his family he would jest with me in private, most of the time allowing his matronly Aunt to be the butt of his jokes. I was told however, by Rumil and Orophin that he did converse in private with her and warned her to treat me with some measure of respect. But now, their stay in Lorien was drawing to a close and peace would settle over the forest once more.

Picking up another arrow, I let it loose with the same precision as before. This time it landed a little off to the side, but still would ensure a kill. A noise startled me from behind and I turned quickly to see Haldir emerging from the thicket.

"Mae govannen!" he waved to his brothers and cousin then, "Mae govannen meleth nin," to me in a whisper. I smiled and accepted the kiss which he planted on my cheek. "Could I perhaps have a word with you?" he asked softly glancing over at the others.

"Of course," I replied, my brow furrowing. "Is something amiss?"

"No, not at all," he assured me, grasping my small hand in his. "I just want to ask you something." Pulling me off to a nearby glade, he glanced around nervously once more before getting down on bended knee.

"Haldir?" I giggled at his silly behavior, not comprehending his actions.

"This had waited long enough, meleth nin," he said with a smile, producing a small woven band from his pocket.

"What are you doing?" I asked, still not understanding. The moment was awkward.

"Elenwen will you become my bride?" his face was solemn as he gazed up at me.

"What are you talking about?" I felt my voice catch in my throat.

"Will you marry me? Will you not make me the happiest ellon on this earth to be graced daily by your presence?" he asked gently. I shivered at his words, feeling my face grow warm. It was what I had hoped for so long a time. Now my wish was coming true.

"Yes," I answered, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Ellith: female elves

Meleth nin: My love

Mae govannen: Well met