Chapter 5

Pov: Laingalad

Written by: CaNdY

Once at home my Nana forced me into a revolting laced dress, with matching laced gloves that wrapped their way up my arms. How pathetic I must have looked. Nana styled my hair whilst I sat fidgeting with the rose. I had never had that much patience or self control, and I was not planning on starting now.

When Lord Elrond came to the door I found it to my relief, as now Nana would cease to pamper me. Then I realized the reason why he had come, I simply wished for him to disappear.

"Come Laingalad, Haldir waits for you in my study" He gestured me to follow him, then he turned and began to walk away. However, my Nana called be back, tucked a rose in my hair and said, "Make a good and impressive first impression dear, for it is this that shall always stick in his mind. The first meeting" She was right first impressions always do stick, even if it isn't the real you.

"Yes Nana, now may I leave?" Oh yes, my impression was going to be good, well good for my standards.

I was standing outside Lord Elrond's office, hesitating as to whether I should enter. The Lord was standing behind me, beckoning silently for me to do so. What could I have done? If I walked away now, surely they would just go ahead and before I'd know it, I would be married to someone who I would have never met till the night of my wedding. No I would not let it go down like that! At least if I meet him now I could have an attempt to put him off. So I took a deep breath in, why? I did not know, perhaps I was nervous.

I opened the door, and there he was. Standing in a proud strut; looking out of the windows and into the distance, just as my Ada had been. Good he had not noticed me entering, so I took advantage of this and admired his tunic for a second. It was only then did I realize Lord Elrond was standing outside the door still. I quickly shut the door, and then looked up, those eyes! Those distasteful, chilling cold eyes! They were staring directly at mine, the silence continued a second longer before,

"You!" We both exclaimed at the same time. This could not be, surely this elf was not Haldir! If so how had he fallen for my prank? I was not impressed. Taking a few minor seconds to take this all in I decided that this surely was not Haldir, and probably another of Lord Elrond's visitors.

Oh whom was I kidding? The Lord himself had lead me here, surely he of all people would not make mistakes on such and important matters! This was wrong, oh so wrong! When I pushed Him into the lake earlier, I did not intend to meet him again! This was not supposed to happen! I was surely in for it now. Today, no make that longer, for the Valar are against me!

For a moment we stood and stared at each other, thoughts buzzing through our heads; well mine if not his.

"Aglarebwen" He said. This shocked me, as my birth name had not been used for centuries. I myself had almost forgotten it. I disliked it; the name gave me no justice. Would you have liked a name that meant 'Glorious Maiden' and was a mouthful just to say?

"Nay, do not call me that for it is not my name" I said as calmly as I could

"Not your name? You are not my suitor, my beloved, my soon to be wife?" Was this him wishfully thinking that I was not, if so, he will be terribly let down.

"Oh that I may be, but what you have just called me is not a name that I respond to" Seeing that he was un-courteous and would not ask me to sit, I simply walked myself to a chair. He followed me and took the chair opposite.

"So you are not the glorious maiden?" he smirked. Oh how his humour was shallow, if I wished for the meaning of my name to be stated, I could have simply asked Ada for a lecture. I knew that his humour, or lack of it would not allow for us to get on. So I simply hinted this to him.

"Indeed I am that maiden, therefore you must be the unfortunate mishap that I am doomed to be with" I did not want to see his reaction to such statement, in fact I found myself not wanting to look at him at all. My eyes were on everything; bar him.

"Mishap? Do I look like the embodiment of evil? If fair lady, you believe it so, this will be a tiresome match, for no one has ever though that I was the embodiment of evil, in fact most people like my body"

By the Valar, this elf was proud, very proud indeed! You could probably tell by now that I was a curious elleth; I simply had to see what he had to boast about. After taking a quick glimpse, I went back to staring out of the window.

"Yes, I would have though so, exactly how many maidens have been close enough to it must be uncountable for you" I remarked, hopefully it should lower his ego.

"I see my reputation proceeds me, I feel I must tell you that these reports are in fact unfounded, their thoughts and feelings unprecedented. I have had much interaction with elleths as I'm sure you have had with other elves" What was he trying to suggest? That I was a flirt, and a trollop? I hate elves when it comes to love, as it usually ends in heartbreak. This was a fact in which I simply had to impose upon him.

"That is very unlikely, I despise your sex"

"Aglarebwen, I believe you are the daughter of one of Elrond's foremost advisors" What was he trying to suggest? That I had many suitors? That I was spoilt and got my ways with elves; just because I was a daughter of one of Elrond's advisors? And that name!

"That once again is not my name, and so what if I am the daughter of one of Elrond's advisors?"

"You are not one for conversation are you? Or perhaps you simply wish I know nothing of you..." Not only did I wish he knew nothing of me, but also I wish he had not even accepted my hand in marriage, for I have not, and will not!

".... I will talk of myself instead. I have two brothers; Rumil and Orophin..." If these brothers were anything like him, then perhaps suicide would start to look pleasing. One Haldir was bad enough, 3 would be living in Mordor.

".... Both of which are in the North-Western army of Lothlorien, the sector I am to become March Warden over"

I was beginning to see where I came in this equation. Without marriage he would have to decline the position. Yet why marry me, and not some simple-minded elleth that would crave for him? This I had to pursue.

"Is that the reason you wish to marry me, and not one of your admirers?"

"I wish to protect my people" Protect his people? More like he wanted the power and position. How he disgusted me, all I saw in this was greed.

"Have you no consideration for me feelings upon the matter?" I questioned him

"You agreed did you not? And you will be doing something for your fellow elves." I heard a shuffle, he must be making himself comfortable If he thought anyone in this age would agree to be given away like a possession, then he was certainly unhinged.

"Nay! I for one did not agree the choice was forced upon me. And what would I be doing for my fellow elves? I should have known that one who has had so many suitors would not care an ounce for my feelings" By now staring out of the window had become dull. Also, these gloves were irritating my skin. I decided to busy myself by taking them off.

"And you seem to care not for mine. You offend me, am I really such an inequitable elf? Your rejection wounds me deeply. And you speak of my many suitors? Yet you know nothing. I have risen through the ranks of the Lorien guard quickly, do you think I would have such time for simple minded elleths?" If not then where had that reputation come from? It was lies that he had no time for simple-minded elleths, and we both knew it.

"I have worked hard for my position, and I deserve the recognition from that. I am admired, I know that, yet I do not take advantage of that, it would do you well to remember this as we are spending eternity together are we not?" I shuddered at the thought of it. He just had to remind me, did he not?

"An eternity. Do not even remind me of such a horrid thing. And as for your feelings, I did not know that one who could kill so many, without regret had any feelings! You elves are all the same. It is all about you is it not? Well Haldir try having a look at it from my point of view!" For the first time that evening I looked directly at Haldir, he sat as though he was literally at home. How rude! And in Lord Elrond's study as well! Ignoring this I continued "As far as I know, I am having to marry you, just for the good of your people." I said coldly "what benefits do I receive from this? Your presence for an eternity? Huh! I would rather be eaten alive by orcs!" for it was true, death seem to tempt me a lot today, but I shall not give in to it just yet.

"There has to be a reason for you allegedly being forced to marry me. You have to have done something." As he said this his eyes flashed. Did he think I could conjure up some trick or mischief that would lead me to such harsh punishments? So I adored my pranks and my humour is high. As are my limitations, though he need not know this.

"You have obviously never seen an orc to make such a comment, or it would chill you to your very bones. You think not of me, and you accuse me of the same. I was told you were a sweet, intelligent elleth, ready to marry. Instead I got.... you!" He had overstepped the boundary, how dare he make such a comment! My anger was now at it's peak, how such an aggravating elf could exist I did not know!

"What is that supposed to mean? Haldir your reputation over compliments you! You are supposed to be patient yet your temper has gotten the better of you. I can be sweet, and I am intelligent, but I am in no position to marry! Especially to an elf like yourself! And as far as I can see, I have done nothing to deserve this!" I snapped, shooting up from my chair, resulting the gloves that were on my lap to slide onto the floor.

"This? By saying 'this' what do you mean? Receiving the marriage or myself? I am here to marry"

"And I am not!" I interjected, yet he ill manneredly continued, just as he discourteously carried on being seated.

"Whether it be to a simple minded elleth or an elf like you, who seems to enjoy dunking her future husband in a lake, and then pushing him back in for the fun of it!"

"Don't flatter yourself that was not set for you. However I wish that now I had drowned you when I had my chance!" I could no longer bear to look at him, so I bent down and picked up my gloves. At the same time my rose fell from my hair. Having already straightened up. I felt awkward to bend back down to pick it up. So there it stayed.

"I am SURE that you cannot mean such a thing, or you know not for what you speak. For you have never seen death and you no nought of the consequences of it" His eyes averted to my rose, which I now noticed had been ruined, a few petals had fallen off. All my work and dedication, ruined for this buffoon of an elf.

"Are u saying that I am delusional? Or drunk? For both Iam not! I know perfectly well of what I am speaking about. Conscious of death or not, I still wish you dead!" I spat at him.

"I believe you are delusional to say or even mean such a thing." I am the only one of a stable mind in this room! "You know nought of me, mayhap you may like me in another situation. But unfortunately we are not in another situation. And as for drunk, I know not, this is the first time I have seen you, and maybe I hope, I hope that you are drunk and that you do in fact have a promising personality that I can mould into a good wife." Did he think that he could change me to suit his purposes?

"Mould?" She asked incredulously "I am not something from the ground that you can simply mould. Perhaps Haldir, with one of those simple minded elleth you could mould, but that chance have long since past!" How he enraged me! I simply wanted to concoct as much physical pain possible for him.

The quickest way I could think of was to use my hand. So I lifted my hand that held the gloves, and swung it fast at him. Still sitting comfortable in his chair, he suddenly caught my wrist before the impact could be made. His grip was strong and could have cut of my circulation had I not raised my other hand. This time it found it's mark. Perhaps it was of his shock that I was able to free my hand from his grasp.

However, once free I did not linger, I made straight for the door, I turned, only to he was now standing, staring at me. How he annoyed me so. Gloves still at hand I threw them at him, intending for it to hit him in the face. Where it did hit, I do not know for at that time I had slammed the door shut.

Storming off to the stable, I considered going for a ride. On my way there, I bumped into my so-called best friends

"How did it go?" Elrohir asked, I simply carried on walking, and shouted back

"Perhaps, you would like to see for yourselves. If you hurry he should still be in you father's study"

* * *

Once reaching the stable I noticed the most charming stallion. It's surely had been well kept, as his coat glistened in the lamp light. Clearly this was Haldir's horse, as it was a stranger amongst the others. I stood and admired it a while, it was then that I noticed a look of hunger upon it's face. I had no time for this, so quickly I took a handful of oats and offered it to him. One of the stable hands should be along to feed the horses soon. After, I took the pleasure of clearing my head with riding.

On my return I noticed that Haldir's horse had still to be fed, how irresponsible of him to leave a living thing in such a state. By now the poor thing looked as though it was on the verge of collapsing.

So I took the liberty of feeding it as well as my own. Then I began to brush down my own prided horse, Celairclaur.

It was then that I noticed someone, coming towards the stable. Haldir! The last person in the world in which I wished to see!

A/N *waves* Okay, yes there was meant to be a chapter up in time for Christmas. Unfortunately it is all my fault, I was meant to beta this chapter and reply to reviews but unfortunately I didn't get on the computer as I was to busy watching ROTK and going to midnight mass, I think Mo said she'll it one up for New Year, I can't remember if she said so *shrugs* Anyway to our reviews…

Dakota: Yes I think Laingalad was being harsh to Haldir, the poor dear, though now you have seen it through her eyes and may emphasize *shrugs*. Yes Haldir was bigheaded, hehe, it's a really fun way to write him!

Me: self absorbed, hmm he may argue about that! But yes… as long as the readers like it, he'll just have to2 deal with it!

littlesaiyangirl: Lol, yes argument abound and we are keeping up the writing! I'm spent an hour writing 6 pages for chapter 10- look out for that one, it's gonna be a very, very long one that I'm sure Candy will detest typing up.(indeed i will)

Haldir's heart and soul: I think that's just plain evil! Legolas nicking what is rightfully Haldir's, very annoying, thus proving a belief I have that Haldir is all about seducing the women and then not giving a damn- ignore that comment, only those who got my wonderful xmas pressie will understand, when I say wonderful I mean short absolutely dreadful fic that I forced my friends to read under the pretense that it was in fact a Christmas present. *coughs*

Estel's Amrath: Yes, definitely, they both do have their problems! Which they will work through, eventually!

Yami ray: The name of Aglarebwen/ Laingalad change depending on the POV. Laingalad is her nickname as her given name 'Glorious maiden didn't seem to suit her character, while 'free radiance'(pixie dun remember anything it's 'free spirit') – think that's what her name means, that was Mo's department- suited her better. But that was sort of explained in this chapter, I think…

Tigger-180: Thank you, hopefully the whole story will be funny, with inserts of a whimsical Laingalad and arrogant Haldir which don't offset the virtues in each character, but are there for are own amusement.

chibi: In understand the whole 'long chapter' thing. I read long stories, I can read a 100,000 word story on 4-5 hours given the chance. It took me 10 hours to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and that was 680,000 or something infinitely high like that. But yes, I think this length is the average length of out chapters, though they seem to be steadily increasing in length as we go through the fic.

PiXiE and Candy in ( )