Earlinde walked back to the camp and bowed to her lords. Celeborn waited for her report, and after he was satisfied he dismissed her.

She slowly made her way to Haldir and his brothers, seated by the horses. She came before them, and instead of addressing them, she assumed her march warden pose. Haldir leaned back and watched her as she surveyed the land, and turned away into the trees. He watched her body twist as she scaled a near by tree and settle on its branched with her bow loaded.

LOTHLORIEN

They had finally arrived after 3 weeks of harsh travel through a new way Earlinde has suggested. Earlinde again assumed her humble look before the great lady Galadriel. After she was dismissed Haldir watched as her regal Warden robes fluttered behind her.

He bowed and excused himself, following the elleth. He had lost sight of her, and spent the following few hours looking for her before he resigned to his talan to change for the meeting.

CENTRAL TALAN

Haldir was late, as he walked into the Lady's dining room which was temporarily being used as a meeting room. He breathed deeply as he bowed and took in the scene before him. Galadriel and Celeborn where seated together. Rumil, Orophin and Prince Legolas were seated beside Celeborn. Opposite Galadriel sat Elrond, King Thranduil and his Captain Findar. An empty seat next to Findar indicated Haldir's seat, followed by a stoic and aggravated Female March Warden, with a pile of papers in front of her. She was dressed in her warden uniform and was staring intently at a sheet of paper in her hand. He pondered that look before he sat down.

Galadriel looked at Earlinde and nodded. Earlinde stood up and posted a map on a wall, and studied it for a moment before turning to the audience.

"My Gracious Lady (she bows) and Lords (bows again), Comrades of Lorien (nods at Haldir and Brothers) and Mirkwood sentry, we are bordering war. Sauron the Evil has sent his horde to search out the 3 Rings of the elves…." She was cut off as an old man hobbled into the room.

Gandalf smiled and took Earlinde's seat and motioned for her to continue. Stunned she did as she was ordered.

"It has been shown that he is after these rings at any cost. Our own March Warden was taken by the dark forces and tortured by the foul witch king himself!!! Yes, the witch king lives! He is the foul force that has been carrying out Sauron's forces!! My lords, comrades of arms, my gracious lady (Bows) it is time that the alliance of elves is brought back!!!" she stopped to compose herself, her shoulders trembling with rage.

"The elves of Arda must put aside their differences and unite!!!" She was interrupted as the mithrandir stood up and shook his head.

"The one ring has been found." He stated looking at Galadriel. A period of silence ensued as everyone stomached his statement.

"It was found in the Shire, the home of the halflings, with a hobbit we all know, nonetheless." Elrond met Gandalf's gaze and sighed putting his head into his hands.

"Long has the ring lain hidden only to surface at the worst time…" Galadriel stated in her majesty and soothing voice.

Earlinde pulled a seat to the table and allowed the deliberation to continue. In the end, nothing would be done for nearly fifty years.

"So we are agreed? We will put a watch on the borders of the shire???" Gandalf concluded. When he received nods, he got up and left. Galadriel, Rumil, Haldir, Orophin, Celeborn and Earlinde would not see him again until he was ready to leave for the Grey Havens.

EARLINDE'S ROOM

Earlinde took of her uniform and stood facing the mirror. She took a long look at herself.

-Marred for eternity, scarred by wars only males should be.- her mind scolded as she traced the scars and remembered how she had ordained them.

She heard the shuffle of feet outside her door and quickly pulled her robe on. She turned to brush her hair as the door open after a soft knock. She looked at him from the mirror, her blue eyes meeting his green ones as she continued to brush her hair.

He walked in and smiled, locking the door behind him and leaning on it.

"I thought that door was locked." She stated.

"It was." He answered as he put a small key into his belt. She smiled and put brush down. He was immediately beside her, his hands around her hips and his face in her hair. She stiffened and then relaxed.

"You have been avoiding me." He stated sadly.

"I have been thinking."

"About what, Linde?" he stated as he turned her around to face him.

She looked into his eyes and put her hands on his chest. "Haldir, this cannot be. We aren't meant to be." Her eyes watered as she spoke. She tilted her head to his chest and let a tear slide down her face, before blinking the tears away.

"We can make it work." He stated desperately.

"Let me dress, Haldir." She walked over to her bed and pulled her nightgown up in front of her. Haldir sighed and followed her. He sat on the bed in front of her and smiled. He pulled her to him and sat her on his knee. She looked away, as he tried to kiss her.

"Why do you deny me?" He asked.

She looked at him and sighed. She stood up, slipped her shoes on and left him sitting on her bed.

She walked around Lorien in her sleeping robes until she came upon a beautiful garden. While she walked the perfectly kept garden she ran into Lord Celeborn. She bowed, holding the neck of her robe, and then looked at him. He smiled and offered his arm in silence, she took it and felt a tinge of shame of being almost nude in front of this wise elf.

"Tell me, why do you let your heart struggle with its secret burden?" He asked as they advanced through the Lady's private gardens.

"What do you mean, my lord?"

"You seem like you are torn, Earlinde."

"Nay, I am not my lord, nay, not I." He stopped walking and turned to stare at her. She shifted uncomfortably under his piercing gaze.

"I am having trouble deciding the course I wish to take after I leave Lorien." She said softly, afraid that stating it out loud would make it true.

Celeborn lead her to a bench as she spoke to him.

"My lord, my heart belongs to one I cannot have if I choose to remain March Warden of Imladris. As well, I have failed many men in my command. This past mission has proven how I have misused the loyalty the guard has to me. I fear that if I leave to the west, I will lose my heart, and disappoint my Lord."

"He loves you, Earlinde."

"Aye, and I have devoted my life to protecting him and his land."

"That is not of whom I speak. I speak of Haldir, my Warden. He loves you, with his eternal heart. Do you not feel the same??"

"I do." Was the defeated answer he received.

"Then you know what you must do, Earlinde. Elrond will not bind you, for he has already set his eyes on a new Warden, in case..." he looked at her and nodded.

"He knows that I wish to leave to the West?"

"Yes, he does."

"But, how my Lord??"

"He knows you."

"I understand my Lord."

"You may leave."

"Gracious and prosperous night my lord."

"Indeed it is." He smiled as he watched her walk away towards her talan.

EARLINDE'S TALAN

Haldir kept his eyes closed as he lay on her bed. When he heard rushed footsteps towards the room his eyes snapped open and he looked towards the door. Earlinde burst into the door and looked at the room. Her eyes met with Haldir's as she walked in and locked the door.

She threw herself into his arms. She lay on top on him, her arms around his neck and his arms wrapped tightly around her.

"I would be broken by mind, body and soul if you refused me." He whispered.

"I don't know what to do." She sobbed as he held her and whispered assurances in her ear.

The night developed and found the two elves opening their hearts to each other, sharing their darkest secrets with each other.

Haldir and Earlinde fell asleep in each other's arms after many hours of unspoken promises were made.

NEXT DAY, NOON

Haldir woke up and turned to see the bed empty. He sighed and pushed himself up and walked slowly out of the talan. He decided to walk around the great city and found himself in a secluded area where Earlinde was attacked but a year and some months ago.

There he found the elleth standing in front of the water wearing black leggings and a dark blue tunic. She had her eyes closed as she stood by a rock that had water from the waterfall trickling down from it. Her head was tilted up so that the water was coming down her face and her arms where outstretched beside her.

She was swaying with the water, and singing.

"Like a heart beat drives a man…yea…thunder only happens when it's raining… yea…." She changed the song as she started to dance her eyes closed, as she swayed and turned.

"In the heat of summer sunshine, I'll kiss you and nobody needs to know…"

Haldir watched her in silence as she danced. He sat by the stump of a tree and captivate by her, smiled. Her tunic spun around her as she danced, and her song changed.

"The daylights fading slowly,

But time with you is standing still."

He watched her as she twirled.

"Go on, Go on leave me breathless,

Make me long for your kiss."

She slowed and opened her eyes and saw him. Embarrassed she turned around and gave him her back. He stood up and strode to her and held her. She resisted walking away and placed her head on his shoulder. He held her and swayed softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her tighter and breathed her in.

"You never miss a good thing until it leaves you

Finally I realize that I need you…"

Haldir whispered into her ears and she smiled at his attempt to sing. She turned and looked into his eyes.

"I love you," She murmured and kissed him.

He picked her up and took her to his talan. He carried her into his bedchamber and put her down and looked around the chamber. He shifted uncomfortably as he looked at her. She stepped closer and her hands reached for the neck of his tunic as she softly pulled the laces and watched the tunic loosen.

FEW MINUTES LATER

They lay gasping on his bed, holding each other. Haldir lowered his lips to her nipple and let out a gasp as his fingers traced a deep running scar on her right breast. It cut over the nipple and high into the breast. He slowly traced it and looked up to meet her eyes.

"Earlinde," he whispered, "I love you." He lowered himself into her as she gasped as she felt him inside her and pulled his hair as they began a rhythmic dance together.

Hours later they reached their peaks together and lay holding each other, with tears in their eyes.

Sleep overtook the lovers as the moon shone over Lorien.

GALADRIEL'S GARDENS

Galadriel smiled as her husband wrapped his arms around her.

"They are together now." She whispered softly as he led her towards their own chambers.

A/N: sorry it wasn't great, but in the next chapter they will leave to Mirkwood. Lots of Wars and action!! And never fear, Haldir doesn't die!!!!

Next update: Sunday, January 30th.