MORNING

Earlinde shut her eyes tightly. The sun had peaked into the room, and shone on her face waking her up. She groaned and rolled over. Unfortunately she was wide awake, and not going back to sleep. A soft knock on her door didn't help either She sat up and yelled.

"Come in!!"

The Lady in all her beauty walked into the room. Earlinde jumped out of the bed, and saluted her superior. Galadriel laughed.

"You are a grand March Warden, my child." Earlinde smiled at her.

"My child I have heard of the performing Imladris guard." Galadriel winked at her, as she nodded happily.

"Well, tonight we are having a small festival, for our victory on the battlefield. I was wondering if you could sing for us."

Earlinde's eyes widened. "My lady I am a fighter, not a singer."

"You and your men sing together, I know that from Elrond."

Earlinde shook her head and smiled, "I will sing for you my lady."

Few Hours Later

Haldir sat on the balcony of his talan that overlooked a small pond in a secluded area of Lothlorien. He glanced out on the water, and suddenly heard a beautiful voice. Lorien, was always filled with great music, but today, a lament has sounded early in the afternoon for their fallen guard in yesterday's battle with orcs. No other beautiful voices floated thought the air. Now he closed his eyes and lay back in his rocking chair sipping his tea, and listening to the song. He couldn't make out the words, but he liked the melody.

Unbeknown to him, Earlinde sat in the pond her clothes tossed to the side and sang under the waterfall. She missed her guard, but most of all she was upset that she was singing in front of all of Lorien, people whom she didn't know, and didn't care to know.

-But Haldir- She silently reprimanded herself, and continued to soak in the water.

LATER THAT NIGHT

Haldir stood in front of the mirror in his room and finished dressing his black leggings with matching black boats, and black under tunic looked great. He slipped on his silvery over tunic and smiled at how sharp he looked.

-Now I can get myself an elleth to quell my desires tonight- he sighed as thoughts of a certain female March Warden laying on his bed in exotic positions leaped into his mind.

He walked out of his talan, and ventured towards the central talan.

Elsewhere…

Earlinde stood in the central talan with her royal blue dress flowing around her. She looked at the setup of the talan. This is a big, big talan she mused. She looked on the dais and realized that it had a long table with two thrones. Next to this table stood the band equipment, and a small platform for the performer, her.

She looked at the arrangement of the tables and noted that three tables were on her left and on her right, leaving room for a good sized dance floor. Behind her sat four tables, followed by four more rows of four.

The first six tables were assigned seating. She noted that she was seated with Haldir, right next to him!! Her heart jumped, and then dropped again when she saw Findar was to be next to her, followed by Orophin and Rumil who was next to Haldir as well.

The next table sat Lolindar, and Earendur, and four other elves she knew not.

Her gaze fell back to the stage and she gulped then rushed off the Central Talan. Haldir walked in to see the retreating form of Earlinde. She looked beautiful in the dress she wore, except for the palm sized scar that was on her back.

-All scars, why do you see in her?- Haldir's head drooped, and he walked towards the table he was usually seated at, and much to his surprise he noticed Earlinde's name on the plate next to is. A Smile crept to his face when he realized he would be sharing a table with Findar; much less have him sit next to Earlinde. He thought of switching the name cards, so that Orophin sat next to Earlinde, but he knew the lady had set up the tables, and would know if anything was out of order.

CENTRAL TALAN, Twenty Minutes Later…

Earlinde walked in with her escort. Everyone on the talan fell silent as they watched this elleth walk onto the talan with her round in Lord Celeborn's. On the other side of him walked in a beaming Orophin escorting the beautiful Lady Galadriel. The lord escorted Earlinde to her seat, and pulled out her chair, as she was seated. Findar was already seated and couldn't take his eyes of her. Haldir stood respectful until Orophin had seated the Lady and the Lord was seated next to her. Orophin then came to the table and Haldir sat down. They all turned their attention to the Central Table on the dais. Lord Celeborn stood up and readied to address the swarming talan. Everyone fell silent and looked up at the Lord.

"Greeting brethren from Mirkwood, and great March Warden of Imladris," Galadriel and Celeborn turned to look at the elleth and smile warmly at her. Celeborn continued, "Though we have not exactly won the war against Orcs yet, we are celebrating the camaraderie between the elves of the three realms of Arda. How many of you have heard of the performing guard?" Celeborn paused to look for responses. Nothing moved so he continued with a surprised look plastered upon his wise face.

"Have none of you here witnessed the magic of the Imladris performing guard?" He paused again and noted how the whole Mirkwood Company had their hands raised in the air, and shouting, and Findar, who were nodding as well as the few guards that had been present along with Celeborn at the winter festive last year. Celeborn laughed heartily, "That's it, I knew you heard of it, and many have seen it with me! Well today we have a special treat for you all; the March Warden will be performing a few sons for us tonight.' All eyes fell on Haldir who looked desperately around then to the Lady pleadingly. Celeborn looked at the table and saw Haldir's panicking expression and made haste to correct himself, "The March Warden of Imladris." Everyone smiled as Haldir eased back into his chair and filled his glass to the brim with mirvuor, an elvish wine.

Celeborn motioned for Earlinde to take the stage, and she nervous trekked up to the dais as the band warmed up. Very aware of the eyes that bore into her back she breathed slowly and deeply, before she turned to the band and directed them to one of the two music sheets she had given them earlier.

Maids and Butlers started to come in with the food as Earlinde settled on the performer's dais/platform. She took a deep breathe and closed her eyes. The music started behind her, and she picked up a flute fro by her foot and started to play it. She turned to Lord Celeborn and the Lady as she started. Then she pulled the flute away and started to sing.

Now here we go again
You say you want your freedom
Well who I am to keep you down
It's only right that you should
Play the way you feel it
But listen carefully to the sound
Of your loneliness
Like a heartbeat...drives a man
In the stillness of remembering what you had
And what you lost Thunder only happens when it's raining
Players only love you when they're playing
Yea, women they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean, you'll know, you'll know

Now here I go again, I see the crystal visions
I keep my visions to myself
It's only me
that wants to wrap around your dreams and
Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?
Dreams of loneliness
like a heartbeat...drives a man
in the stillness of remembering what you had
what you had
and what you lost

Thunder only happens when it's raining
Players only love you when they're playing
yea, women they will come and they will go
when the rain washes you clean, you'll know, yea

Thunder only happens when it's raining
Players only love you when they're playing
yea, women they will come and they will go
when the rain washes you clean, you'll know, you will know

You will know

Earlinde opened her eyes and let out a deep breath and looked out into her audience. They erupted into applause and shouts, and she bowed a big grin on her face. She turned to the Lord and Lady and they beamed at her. Encouraged at this she turned and had the band switch the sheet music.

She turned to the crowd again. "This is a song that my guard sings as a lament for the warriors we lost," She looked back at the band that nodded, and the music started. She closed her eyes as her mouth opened to sing and flash backs of wars her guard had fought alongside Mirkwood's Company came to her. Her guards falling, then her mind settled on a night when she and her guard where riding back from Mirkwood. They sang with heavy hearts, and the song was beautiful, she opened her eyes to see tears in her audience's eyes.

Remember, I will still be here
As long as you hold me, in your memory

Remember, when your dreams have ended
Time can be transcended
Just remember me

I am the one star that keeps burning, so brightly,
It is the last light, to fade into the rising sun

I'm with you
Whenever you tell, my story

Then I will never die

Remember, I will still be here
As long as you hold me, in your memory
Remember me

I am the one voice in the cold wind, that whispers
And if you listen, you'll hear me call across the sky

As long as I still can reach out, and touch you
Then I will never die

Remember, I'll never leave you
If you will only
Remember me

Remember me...

Remember, I will still be here
As long as you hold me
in your memory

Remember, when your dreams have ended
Time can be transcended
I live forever
Remember me

Remember me
Remember... me...

She looked up her eyes open and was unaware head was bowed with her hand across her heart. She sighed and tried to compose herself, as not to let tears drop from her eyes. She smiled weakly and looked into the Lady's eyes, as she cried openly. Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, Haldir, Rumil, Orophin, and Earendur stood up and clapped loudly. Finally the whole talan was not its feet eyes glistening with tears, clapping. She smiled and bowed. Then stepped off the stage and walked towards her seat, and immediately found Orophin and Haldir standing by it helping her get seated and pushing her chair in.

Dinner was wonderful. Haldir had loosened up because of the wine, and Rumil and Orophin had sat at the table cracking jokes making her laugh gleefully. Findar sat captivated by the elleth that sat next to him, and in his twisted mind, planned how he would make her love him again.

The night wore on and Earlinde found the Lord tapping her on the shoulder asking her for a dance. Haldir, Rumil and Orophin got to dance with the lady, and then Orophin, Rumil, and Earendur got to dance with Earlinde.

Earlinde famished by the end of the night, slowly rose from the table and excused herself, bowing to the table, and then walking to the central table, and bowing. She stepped forward and kissed the Lords hand and the Lady's head before exiting the central talan and walking towards hers.

Findar waited a few moments after the elleth got lost in the crowd and then excuse himself and hastily, and sloppily, Haldir thought, bowed to the Lord and Lady and exited in a quick pace in the same direction Earlinde did.

Haldir thought nothing of it, and continued to sip his wine. He then gulped it and almost choked as a thought occurred to him. Rumil looked up at him, "Haldir? Are you alright?"

Haldir looked at him, "Where's Findar's talan?" he asked Rumil. Rumil pointed in a direction behind Haldir. Haldir looking infuriated slammed his glass on the table sloshing wine all over the white table cloth and stood up. He walked over to the central table and bowed and bid a good night to the Lord and Lady, and stormed off in the general direction Findar went.

AFTER EARLINDE LEAVES THE CENTRAL TALAN

Earlinde walked basking in the shining Moon rays. She was happy. Song and dance all night was great. She walked towards the pond will the water fall and stood by it. She noticed a smooth boulder and went to sit on it. Looking up at the stars she sighed dreamily.

-The stars are beautiful tonight. - She wondered how many of them were great Elven warriors watching down on her. Which one was her ada? With her feet dangling over the boulder, facing the water, she lay back on the boulder. She looked up at the beautiful stars, and began to sing softly, with a smile on her face. She waved her arms around the boulder, and moved her waist around in dancing motions.

"Forever, Angel!

I hope they love you like I do

Forever, Angel!

I'll be proud to be like you!"

She kicked her foot up and her skirt shimmered in the air

"Just like you!

And when I go to sleep at night

I'll…"

She was jerked out of her reverie when so strong arms wrapped around her waist, and pulled her lower, and her skirt flew up. Two hands started to message her thighs, harshly. Her eyes widened as she thrashed around. She kicked her attacker in his groin, which was hard, and flipped over the boulder putting in between them.

Findar recovered quickly and came over the boulder at her, she turned to run, but he grabbed her skirt ripping the dress in half, the bottom half in his hands, she looked down thankful that enough of the dress was still intact to keep her decent. She turned to run down the paved path, but he had caught her and hit her hard on the back of the neck. She landed hard on the ground, hearing a crack, and putting her head up, she saw blood flowing freely.

Before she could recover from the blood shock she was picked up in strong arms and pinned up against the tree.

"Why won't you love me?" came the harsh voice.

She struggled hard against the tree but only succeeded to rip the back of her dress. Her grinding feed fervor's desire as he pinned her harder against the tree with his waist and he hands flew down to unlace his leggings. She beat his face with her fists, making scratches. She didn't want to scream, and show her weakness. But she was now, beginning to yelp in fear. Tears flowed freely from her eyes, and intermingled with blood. His blood fell on her dress and hand as he pulled his hair and beat him. She pointed him in the eye and he slapped her, she could feel his member against her thigh, she kept jumping up so they he couldn't enter her.

"You used to like this, bitch!" he gritted

"Get off me, son of Mordor!" she spat and beat him. He tried to enter her, and she wriggled away. He opened her legs further and but pinning her hard against the tree, but the fabric of her dress got in the way.

"Stop! Daro! Daro!" she spat as she grabbed his ears and twisted.

"Don't you remember I like t when it hurts, you orc!!" he breathed.

He placed his hand on her breast and breathed her in deeply, "Now just be quiet and you'll enjoy this!" He ripped away the dress and she screamed before he silenced it by shoving his tongue in her mouth to stifle the scream. She wrapped her arms around her chest, now completely naked she bit down on his tongue to get it out of her mouth. Once it was out she spat in his face, and he pinned her against the tree making her mobile.

He sniggered as he lowered her on top of himself. When she felt his pressure she started to cry.

Elsewhere…

Haldir, drunk stumbled on the path looking for Earlinde. He heard sounds of s scuffle and ripping. He heard a cracking noise. He tightened his lips as he staggered quickly towards the sounds.

When he heard a scream that was immediately silence he broke into a drunken run. He could see the naked form of Earlinde, crying and begging. He watched as Findar lowered a hysterical Earlinde to his throbbing member.

Earlinde closed her eyes as she felt the pressure grow, and let out a sob. Suddenly Findar's head slammed into her chest and she was on the ground coughing to catch her breathe. She heard the impact of fist on flesh and huddled against the tree rocking herself while tears over took her. Her let loose ripple after ripple of pained tears, and she didn't care to try and hold them.

Behind her Haldir had Findar by the throat three feet in the air, Haldir enraged, continued to lift the elf higher until he had to look up at him. He tightened his hold and was content to watch as the elf's lips turned blue and his eyes glaze over. Suddenly Haldir heard the sobs of the elleth behind him, and he dropped his prey and smashed his head with his boot.

Findar crumpled as is lifeless on his side. Haldir knew that he hadn't dealt the elf a fatal blow, and turned taking his outer tunic off walking towards the sobbing elleth. The second placed his hands on her shoulders; she squealed and reached up to punch him. Drunk as he was he had sense enough so side step the swing.

"Hush, now you are safe." He dodged another swing and pulled her up to a stand. Her eyes widened as she looked at him and her hands flew around her chest once more. With her back to the tree she collapsed to the ground hysterical.

He dropped to a crouch and pulled his over tunic around her. Their gazes meet as he helped her put one arm into the tunic, using the other to cover herself, the other. The tunic was longer enough to go just over her knees, and she was grateful.

Their gazes locked she burst into tears. He settled down in front of her and pulled her into his arms as she cried. The length of the tunic arms longer than her arms, she made fists inside the sleeve and held his inner tunic as he rocked her.

"Hush now. You are safe." He murmured in her ears as wave after wave of tears slid down her face.

Tired he lifted her in his arms, and walked her to her room. He kicked open the door and helped her into the bed. After he tucked her in he kissed her on her forehead, and turned to leave.

Her cries soft hoarse cries reached his ears, as she refused to let go off his under tunic. She started crying again, as he looked into her eyes he saw fear.

"Okay, just let me lock the door."

"No, no please don't leave me!" she sobbed.

He sighed and picked her up, walking towards the door he kicked it closed and locked the door. She had quieted and was looking at him. He looked at her as he locked the door and arched his eyebrow with a stern look on his face. She rested her head on his shoulder and let silent tears trickle down her face and soaked his under tunic.

Haldir got her under the covers again, after prying her fingers one by one from his under tunic. He then settled down on the bed, but noticed the doors to the balcony opened and got up, and was surprised when he found the elleth had attached herself to his belt. He turned around and much to his delight he saw a rocking chair much like his favorite and pulled it in the room before he locked the door. He then led the disturbed and frightened elleth back to bed, tucked her in and lay down next to her. He looked at her as she shifted to be closer to him and began to cry again. She picked a few leaves out of her hair, and threw them to the floor. He put his mouth to her ear, as whispered.

"I have never seen you shake like a leaf like this before, great March Warden." He breathed sending tremors down her spine. She cried her heart out in his arms. As he assured her of her safety, when her breathing evened out again he rocked her gently then a thought occurred to him.

He rolled her on her back so that he could look into her eyes. Now that he was this close to her he noticed a faint scar that entered her hair line on the left of her face.

"Did he…" she broke into tears again and rolled herself into his arms.

"No," was the answer and he let out the breath he was holding.

He rocked her gently in his arms and kissed her hair until she fell asleep and then he fell asleep shortly afterwards.

He was lying on his back, with her head on his chest, with his arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

MORNING

Morning came too quickly for Haldir and Earlinde. The remained asleep until the door knocked. The person standing outside opened the door with their key and walked in. Two pairs of feet shuffled in followed by one two more.

Lady Galadriel looked into her husband's eyes fondly as she watched the sleeping forms on the bed. Rumil and Orophin stood at the foot of the bed each holding a piece of the fabric of Earlinde's dress from the night before.

Rumil sniggered as he whispered to Orophin why the dress was ripped to shreds.

"He was so drunk he couldn't undo her laces!"

Galadriel shot him a look that silenced him immediately.

Haldir slowly became conscious that there were figures in the room. He snapped out of sleep and sat up, startling the elleth in his arms. She woke up to see the Lord and Lady; she then sat up and pulled her knees to her chest and the covers over her head, and cried again. Haldir stood saluting the Lord and Lady, and then turned to see his brothers with the pieces of the dress in their hands.

He hesitantly turned back to the bed and pulled the covers off of the elleth who was grieving bitterly, and pulled her into his arms again, rocking her making a pleading face to his Lord and Lady.

They sat around the bed and Galadriel started whispering to the elleth while Celeborn stroked her hair. Earlinde tightened her grip on Haldir's neck, in her mind pleading for everyone to just leave.

Haldir's grip on her tightened as the lady stood up and his brothers along with Celeborn left. Haldir and the Lady's gazes met and she spoke to him.

You did well yester eve Haldir

-Thank you, Milady

She seems comfortable around you now, stay with her and give her the confidence she needs to stand again

Haldir nodded as the Lady turned to leave. When she reached the door she turned the knob, and then turned her head to Haldir.

Who was it Haldir?

-Findar, milady

The lady slammed the door behind her and stomped to her husband and looked over the city not meeting his gaze.

"Who was it, wife?"

"The Captain of the Mirkwood Company, husband." Celeborn feel rage burn inside of him and with his wife, went in search of the guilty.

Hours Later…

Haldir sat in the rocking chair in the balcony looking down at Earlinde. She was lying across his laps her feet tucked in between his thighs and her head resting against his arm. He was looking at her with that familiar arched brow and stern look, and she gaze up at him with her red nose and puffy eyes.

Slowly the chair rocked back and forth and they stayed that way. The sun shone on the two, while they remained unmoving and staring at each other.

Slowly, awkwardly she shifted herself until she sat up in his lap straddling him she let her feet drop to the floor and helped rock the chair. He continued his arched eyebrow look and she continued her look at him. They were nose to nose; he was looking down into her eyes as she looked up into his. She brushed her nose with his, and then closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head into his shoulder again letting her tears soak him once more. She was comforted when his hold on her tightened and he placed his chin on her head.

All day they sat together in silence, either holding each other or staring at each other. She silently fed on his confidence and they played off each other. Later that night she finally felt better, and he picked her up and put her on the bed. She rolled over and patiently awaited him to settle down next to her. When he shook his head, and kissed her on the forehead, silent tears fell from her eyes, as he turned around and left her.

Much to her surprise, he returned to her in a matter of 15 minutes with a tray with food. He locked door again and settled beside her on the bed. He pulled her next to him and handed her a piece of honey dew. She rested her head against his shoulder, silent thanks and slowly ate the fruit.

When she finished he handed her another and a cup of tea. After her short meal she fell asleep and dreamt of him.

CENTRAL TALAN

Galadriel stood on the talan brooding angrily as she watched the Mirkwood Company hastily leave. Their captain had disappeared, and distressed the company left. The Lady never found Findar, but had she; she would have skinned him alive.

The Lord sat in is seat and watched his wife pace before him madly.

"Celeborn! Without Mirkwood we stand no chance!"

"What about Imladris?"

"They would never make it on time traveling in such a big group in time!"

"Still send word!"

"The shortest way there is twenty going and twenty back! WE wouldn't expect them for a month!! 40 days Celeborn!!" her voice boomed.

Exasperated Celeborn waved his hand and then moved to straighten wrinkles of worry from his face.

Galadriel finished barking at a messenger, and watched as he raced toward the eastern border to take the Anduin up to Imladris.

A/N: Sorry it was a boring chappie, but the Haldir and Earlinde saga continues!! R/R!!