Haldir and Kate cherished their time together. They sat together on the beach watching the stars twinkle above the ocean. Kate told the elf she had always longed to do this for as long as she lived, but never had the opportunity. Twilight was beautiful, and Kate spied a flying star streak the night sky for an instant and crash beyond the sea-line. Kate sighed and leaned against Haldir. He smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulder as she began to fall asleep. Haldir kissed the soft skin upon her forehead and rustled her hair affectionately. He wished this night would last forever, but he knew dawn would approach soon. However, he could not think of a happier time than watching the sunrise float above the sea as Kate fell asleep in his arms. He had slept far too often in the car and elves did not require much rest. He simply wanted to watch her and only her. He wanted to make this memory last, and he would. No matter what happened in the future, he would remember this night and cherish it for all the ages of the world to come.
Kate awoke as dawn's first light crept over the Sea. The tide was low and she could see numerous sanddollars washed upon the shore. Kate glanced at the elf beside her and grinned remembering the previous night they had spent together. She smoothed aside the golden hair from his face, and his eyes fluttered open.
"I would wish to see your face before the most beautiful of sunrises, Kate. Thank you," he smiled taking her hand and kissing her fingertips.
"Come on," she said taking his hand. "There are hundreds of sanddollars, and I want to get a few."
"Sanddollars?" he questioned.
Haldir and Kate spent the morning gathering up the brownish green, rough sanddollars washed up on the shore. They through a couple into the sea, but they took several with them to bleach in order to turn white. Haldir was looking forward to this day. He now looked forward to every day spent with Kate. They took the sanddollars back to the house where William was cooking breakfast. Kate set the sanddollars upon the counter and took a spot at the table instantly consuming the pancakes and orange juice after saying a prayer.
"It's been a long time since you've prayed Kate," Will noticed.
"It's been too long," she answered. "I also have much more to thank God for now too," her eyes sparkled at Haldir who was trying in vain to cut the pancakes with a spoon. Kate grinned and sat upon his chair beside him and he watched as she showed him how to use the fork in a sideways method to cut the pancakes. Haldir kissed her cheek and imitated her movements. The elf then took the fork, cut a piece off, and held it to Kate's mouth but before she could eat it, he snatched it away.
"You know better than to stop something sugary from entering a girl's mouth," she winked as he met her eyes.
"Oh, Kate, you wound me mortally," he said sarcastically and let out a chuckle.
Kate narrowd her eyes and suddenly put her hands to his chest tickling him enormously. Haldir squealed and laughed as she continued to torture him with tickles until they were both rolling upon the floor like puppies.
"Oh William pity me!" Haldir cried, but Will kept his eyes on the newspaper though he was secretly smiling.
"You're the least pitied among elves!" Kate laughed and continued to tickle him, but suddenly found herself in an awkward position as Haldir pinned her arms above her head and held her legs down.
"Will?" she looked up at her brother.
"Don't look at me," he grinned, but his smile slid into a frown as he realized something. "Kate, did you say elves?"
"Elves? Who said elves? I didn't say elves," she attempted to justify herself. "Elves are those little guys who work for the toymaker."
"Yes," he crossed his arms and looked down at Kate. "They also happen to be tall, fair, and starlight is in their eyes according to Tolkien."
Kate sat up guilt etched upon her face.
"It is no use trying to keep our secret anymore, my love," Haldir took her hands. "William," he sighed. "I am an elf from the realm of Lorien, and Haldir is my name not Hayden."
Will stood up and laughed. "Did you think I did not know?"
Haldir and Kate looked at each other and then Will in confusion. He continued, "I saw that man's pointy ears. He could not conceal him. He is also the fairest guy I've ever seen, but he's got rock hard muscles like elves should since they spend much of their time in the woods, dancing, battles, and practicing archery. No man in the world could probably tame my sister, but an elf could. What's more, I've believed in the tales of Middle Earth ever since I read the books. The world exists but is only open to those who the Valar let enter. You have nothing to fear from me, Haldir."
"That explains it," Kate shifted her weight and stood up and stretched. "Ahhh, I'm dying for a shower. Would you like to use it first?" she asked the elf.
"Well, I do not know how to use your modern devices, Kate though you could teach me how to..."
The girl's eyes widened, but Haldir laughed. "Of course I know how to use the shower. Go on Kate. I will wait."
She smiled and disappeared down the hall.
"Well, I'm off to work," Will said finishing his orange juice and picked up his bag. "I think Kate's going to take you into town today. Have an enjoyable time."
"Every second of time is enjoyable with Kate."
"Well, Haldir you wont always have those seconds. Are you prepared to let Kate go at the right time when she is ready?"
"May Eru give me the strength to."
Kate came out of her bedroom and was dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a red sleevless top which brought out the copper in her now curly damp hair. She held a wallet in her hand and was counting a few slips of green paper. Haldir did not look so bad himself in his light khakis and black t-shirt. Kate slipped a pair of sunglasses over her head and picked up her keys. Haldir took her hand, and she was about to lead him out the door when he suddenly took her by the waist and spun her around to face him.
"What?" Kate laughed looking up at him.
"You are beautiful," he said moving her copper curls to her back.
"You don't look so bad yourself," she complemented.
"Kate, I have something to tell you. It is very important." Haldir sighed and looked down at the floor for a minute. He met her eyes once again and opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
She looked at him. "Come on. What you have to say can't be that big a deal."
Haldir was about to speak, but the phone rang. Kate rolled her eyes and picked it up.
"Hello," she said.
"Good morning, Kate," an unfamiliar voice spoke. "I think I will take you up on your offer."
"What do you mean?"
As Kate spoke the line went dead.
"Hello? Hello?" she slammed the phone down.
"What is it Kate?" Haldir asked.
"Oh wrong phone number," she gave the excuse. "Come on," she linked her arm in his. "There's a great bakery I have to take you to."
Kate bit into her scone and sighed as she tasted the delicious chocolate inside. Haldir preferred a simple bagel smothered in creamy butter and marmalade. kate sipped the cold Tazo berry in her hand as Haldir studied her features.
"Cooking is a necessity in Middle Earth," he finally spoke biting into the bagel again. "Here tis an art. I have never tasted anything so delectable in my life."
"Well the French are known for their breakfasts and beds," she pushed her sunglasses over head and shooed away a bee.
Kate stood up as the bee landed on her scone. Haldir chuckled as she tried chasing away the insect with napkin. He could see fear in her eyes as the bee buzzed around her angrily as she tried ducking out of the way. Kate screamed as she felt the bee's sting on her neck.
"OH!" she cursed as Haldir killed the bee with his fist.
"Come here, Kate," he said moving her neck to his eye seeing the red bump growing. "Come," he took her hand leading her inside. Haldir received a first aid kit from Starbucks and he led Kate to the lounge and began cleaning her neck.
"Oh I hate bees," she grumbled. "I'll never try a drop of honey again."
"Do not fear," the elf finished cleaning the wound and folded up the kit.
Before Kate could move, Haldir kissed her neck lovingly and moved his lips to her chin.
"Haldir, really," she objected.
"In your words, 'shut up'."
Haldir crushed his mouth over hers in a fiery kiss that left the girl breathless. Kate leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I love you Kate," he broke away from her lips.
"Uh huh," she looked dizzy and he couldn't help grinning. "Kiss me again," she pleaded.
Haldir planted a brief soft kiss upon her lips and took her hand standing up. "Come on," he said walking to the door.
"Elves," she muttered following him into the sunlight.
"What now?" Haldir asked slipping on a pair of sunglasses which looked smashing with his golden hair.
"Well, now we go to the souvenier shop to buy trinket then to the shore to buy dinner. Then we'll hit the waves if I'm not too tired."
"Perfect," he linked arms with her.
