Extremely short chapter all because I've got a cold and I feel like my head is going to explode. This chapter isn't anywhere near where I wanted it, but I can't look at the screen anymore. I'll do my best to get the next chapter up soon. I'm sorry guys, and I'll try not to make you all wait too soon.

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

Chapter 21: Gifts

Ana rushed into her talan and as she closed her door, she shook her head and didn't let the tears fall. "Is Haldir going to follow them?" she thought. She walked away from the door and sat down on the sofa. Her talan was quite, so she figured Rumil had kept Sadie with him. She sighed quietly and closed her eyes. She didn't like the feeling she got a seeing the man, even though she didn't have the slightest clue who he was, there was a deep dread all because of her dream.

She opened her eyes and quickly stood from the sofa. She refused to think of it anymore, so she hurried into her bedroom to get things ready fro when Haldir came. At that simple thought her sadness and fear moved to the back burner and nervousness took over.

Aragorn frowned and stepped over the Marchwarden after the raven-haired woman disappeared. "Haldir, who is she?" he asked quietly in Elvish. Haldir looked from Ana's talan to Aragorn.

"She is . . . she is a friend," he said fumbling over his words slightly trying to chose the right words to share with the man. Aragorn nodded.

"Do you have any idea why should would be frightened?" he asked and Haldir shook his head.

"I have none, but I shall ask her. Take rest Aragorn, we shall see each other in the morning." Aragorn nodded and Haldir bowed his head before he left the small group. Aragorn turned back to the others and walked over to Legolas

"What do you make of her?" he asked the elf quietly. Legolas shook his head.

"She is not threat, that I can tell, but she was afraid of you. However, I do not believe she was fully frightened of you." Aragorn nodded and looked to the others. The hobbits were getting comfortable in their beds; Boromir remained where he sat, as did Gimli who was looking over his axe carefully. Aragorn began to make his way to his own mat to rest and has he made his way towards the hobbits, he heard Pippin talking quietly to Merry.

"She's really pretty, don't you think?" Pippin asked. Merry sighed as he turned over on his back.

"She's an elf, what do you expect?" Merry asked. Aragorn stopped and looked down at the hobbits.

"She is not an elf, Merry," Aragorn said. Merry turned his eyes to ranger slightly confused. "Did you not notice her ears? Round like a mortal's ear." Merry made a 'o' shape with is mouth and Pippin frowned.

"Then why does she live with the elves?" Pippin asked. Aragorn just shook his head.

"I know not, but perhaps she will share her tale with you before we leave this realm. Now rest," Aragorn said before he walked away.

Before Haldir went to Ana's talan, he stopped at his own and grabbed the gift he intended on giving her when he returned from the border for his break, but since it was her birthday, no other day seemed more fitting. He tucked the small trinket into his tunic and made his way to her talan. As he walked, he debated whether or not to ask her what had happened before she left the others and he decided that it would be best to put it behind, at least for now.

He stood outside the door and knocked quietly when he heard her shuffling about. He opened the door and walked slowly inside. "Ana?" he asked quietly and closed the door behind him. Ana walked out of the kitchen holding two goblet and wearing a beautiful sage dress. He looked around the room and saw she had lit several candles and his eyes turned back to her. She stood in front of him and handed him a goblet. He took it from her and smiled at her. "What is all this?" he asked and Ana shook her head.

"A welcoming," she said as she raised her goblet to him and took a sip of her wine. Haldir did the same but after they both swallowed, he took the goblet away from her and put the goblets on the table that rested near the door. He stepped closer to her and kissed her forehead.

"You already gave me my welcoming in the forest or do you not remember?" he asked deeply. Ana smiled and looked up at him.

"I do, Haldir, I do remember, but there is-," she was interrupted when the soft voices of the other elves began to fill the night air.

"They sing a lament for Gandalf the Grey who perished in the Mines of Moria." Ana nodded her head, having read of the mines. "What were you going to say?" he asked softly. Ana met his eyes and shook her head, now was not the time to say what she had finally gained the courage to say.

"Nothing important, come and rest a bit then," she said as she took his hand and led him to the sofa. She tucked some her lose hair behind her ears and looked at him as they sat down. Haldir reached into his tunic and smiled at her.

"I have something for you," he said gently. Ana smirked and raised an eyebrow.

"Something for me? Haldir I need nothing other than what I already have." Haldir just shook his head and began to pull his gift to her from his tunic.

"It is not much, but I do wish for you to have it." He held out a dark blue cloth and Ana took it slowly. Her eyes staying locked with his. "Open it," he said.