Okay, nothing new in this chapter, I just changed a few things thanks to encouragement from Aglarendis to change the story back to what I had intended it to be. You probably won't even notice the change, well some may. Thanks again!

Thanks for your reviews! I know I said I was going to respond to you guys but, my e-mail is being stupid. It erased all of my read messages in my inbox and I wasn't very happy. Anyway, if you review this chapter I'll do my very best to respond. Now, I know almost all of you will like this chapter, I hope, so let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 15: Finally!

A week. That's how long Haldir had purposely been avoiding her; at least she had convinced herself that he was doing it on purpose. Ana sighed as she sat down and rested the old book in her lap before she leaned against the large tree. She'd come across the small cove two days ago, and though there was a beautifully crafted bench not far from where she sat, she preferred to lean against the tree and read through the various books Galadriel had given her. Sadie laid down at Ana's side and Ana opened the book and began to read the beautiful script. She was thankful for something to do because with only Sadie to keep her company she had become rather lonely. She knew Galadriel was too busy to be bothered so she kept to herself since Haldir was avoiding her.

As her eyes scanned the words telling the history of the elves, she felt as though someone was watching her once again. She looked up from the pages and around the cove. No one was around so she turned her eyes back to the pages. She had been getting that feeling every time she left her talan, and it unnerved her slightly. Ana heard a soft laughter and looked up and saw an elleth walking arm in arm through the trees with an ellon. He was speaking softly to her and she was smiling. They walked passed Ana and nodded at her before they continued on their way. Ana sighed and closed the book she was reading before she sat it on the ground next to her and leaned her head against the tree.

"I drove him away didn't I?" she asked Sadie as she looked down at her. "After telling him about . . . about Kevin. Why do I always mess up?" Ana stood then and walked away with Sadie following, leaving her book behind on the soft moss.

Haldir watched her walk away and climbed down from the tree he hid himself in and walked over to where she left her book. He sighed as he ran his hand over the cover. For the last week, he had been fighting a battle within himself and he was going to end it then. His grip on the book tightened before he followed her. "Ana," he called and she twirled around, sending her black hair over her right shoulder. Her dark green eyes focused on him and he suddenly lost his nerve. He slowly walked over to her and held out the book to her. "You forgot this," he said quietly. Ana's hands wrapped around the book slowly as she kept her eyes locked with his.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" she asked rather bluntly and Haldir inwardly winced at the hurt that was in the depths of her eyes. "I mean, I know you don't care for me that much, but after what you said . . . I mean, I thought," she stopped, sighed, and looked away before she continued. "I thought things were different between us, Haldir." Haldir just looked at her turned away face.

"I haven't been avoiding you," he said and her head snapped to him with a frown on her face.

"What? I haven't seen you in a week, and you mean to tell me you haven't been avoiding me? Lady Galadriel told me you were not due to return to the border for another month, you haven't visited me, and when I went to your talan, it was empty." Haldir sighed and stepped closer to her. He held her upper arms gently and she kept her eyes locked with his.

"I've been watching you everyday, Ana," he said quietly as he looked down at her and she looked up at him confused. She pressed the book closer to her chest as he rubbed his thumbs on her upper arms. Haldir looked deep into her eyes, and saw something in them that made his nerve slowly return. "I've been watching from a distance, because I've been thinking, and I've come to a conclusion." Ana arched an eyebrow.

"What's that?" she asked, her voice softer than she wanted it to be. Haldir smiled and leaned into her. Ana felt her heart pound as she looked at him questioningly with a tilt of her head. He kissed her lips so lightly she would have sworn a feather danced across them. She slowly opened her eyes after she had briefly closed them and his face still hovered close to hers.

"I've come to the conclusion that I do not like watching from a distance," he whispered before he claimed her lips firmly. Ana gasped and the book fell from her arms and crashed onto the soft grass between their feet. She wrapped her arms around his waist and his hands moved from her upper arms and cradled her head in his hands.

Ana had never been kissed the way Haldir was kissing her, even her firstboyfriend in high school never kissed her with such fire and tenderness, but she knew Haldir was different. At that moment she never felt happier as his lips ravaged hers and she kissed him just as heatedly. She knew that if any other kissed her, she wouldn't feel the tingling she was feeling as his hands moved from her face and neck down her back. He caressed her body gently and rested his left hand on her lower back and his right hand gripped her hip as he pulled her body flush to him.

Haldir had no idea what was coming over him. He never wanted anything more than he did for her to feel every tingle, every ache, and every desire he felt as he held her and kissed her. Never in all his years had he felt what he did as he touched her, watched her, held her . . . she was suddenly all he ever wanted.

Ana pulled her lips away, slowly because she did not want to stop, but air was needed. She pulled away, but her body remained pressed against his. She would have ran, had she not felt she could trust him more than anything and if she did not know he would never hurt her. Her dark eyes turned up to him and Haldir smiled at the surprised and dazed look in them.

"Whoa," she whispered and Haldir chuckled as he released her hip and pushed her hair from her face. "Where did that come from?" Haldir shook his head as he ran his thumb across her cheek.

"Ever since that night," he said gently knowing full well she knew when he spoke of. Ana was surprised though to hear the deepness of his voice. "Ever since then I've wanted to do that, but I knew it was not the right time." Ana looked at him and he suddenly pulled away. "I am sorry, Ana, if I-," she silenced him when she stepped forward and put her fingers to his lips.

"Please don't say you're sorry," she whispered. "You're the first man, well, elf or male," she chuckled and lowered her hand and laced her fingers with his, "I've actually let kiss me in five years, and I don't want you to apologize and I don't want you to think you took advantage of me, when I was kissing you back. I could have pushed you away if I wanted to." Haldir smiled and moved closer to her.

"Did you want to?" he asked. His closeness made Ana feel like she was drowning in him, but it definitely wasn't a bad feeling. She met his eyes fully instead of looking at his chest as she was. She slowly shook her head.

"No," she said quietly and Haldir grinned before he leaned in to kiss her again when Sadie barked. Ana jumped slightly because she had forgotten Sadie was there. The pair looked down at the dog who stared up at them innocently. Ana laughed quietly and looked back at Haldir who sighed heavily and looked back at her with a slightly agitated look on his face.

"She has the worst timing," he whispered and Ana laughed again before she raised her hand to his face and ran her fingers along the smoothness of his skin. He closed his eyes briefly and slowly opened them.

"That she does," she whispered before she pulled his face down to hers and kissed him deeply.