Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings is property of Tolkien and there are many references throughout to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I only own what you do not recognize. The character Chinky is not meant to cause offence and is named after a real horse whose name has been shortened from a Fiat Cinquecento (Chinky – Chento).

Chapter 15: Haldir's mistake

Haldir stood patiently outside the door of Amy's talon. He eyed the Mearas at the base of the stairs uneasily. Chinky had forgiven him all those years ago for trying to ride her, but he was still uneasy around the animal, especially if Amy wasn't present. As it happens over the last thirty years he had ridden her on several occasions under the watchful eye of Amy of course, and he could never help but marvel at the sheer strength of the beast. Up until he had ridden Chinky he had believed that only stallions could have that much power and speed. Of course he had regretted thinking that, as Chinky had picked up on it, and he had woken up dazed a few minutes later with Chinky standing next to a laughing Amy.

"Lureae we haven't got all day, well night, what is taking so long? You said you would be ready in a minute." Haldir said.

"I'm sorry; don't suppose you could put Chinky's bridal on?" Amy said trying not to laugh.

"Errrr."

"I guess not," Amy said cheerfully as she walked out the door. "What do you have against my darling little girl?"

Haldir looked down at Chinky and saw her glaring up at him, pawing the ground with her front hoof. 'Yeah darling little girl, of course.' He thought sarcastically.

"Well anyway, shall we go? You look beautiful tonight." Haldir said offering his arm to her.

Amy took it graciously before walking down the stairs that spiralled around the outside of her tree. She did look very nice, she was wearing a pair of cropped sky blue trousers with silver patterns, as normal she had no shoes on. On her top she was wearing a short-sleeved top with a V-neck. As like her trousers it was silver and blue, except it was a deep navy. Around the hemming of the sleeves a small amount of lace was present. Her long black hair was down and she had trained it to lie behind her shoulders, the very side bits were braided and joined at the back showing off her now pointed ears.

"So how have you been today Haldir, and where are we going?" Amy asked as they reached the ground.

"I am fine; I have a fine meal prepared for us in a place just outside Lorien. Come we will both ride Aleib," Haldir said, carefully walking past the piebald mare.

'Arww, Chinky he doesn't want you to come. I wonder why?' Amy said to her mare.

'That stallion of his is very bad company anyway, nearly as big headed as his owner!' Chinky said.

Amy laughed as she walked over to Haldir's bay stallion. Haldir was already mounted and he offered a hand to Amy. Taking his large hand she pulled herself up and settled herself in front of him. Haldir lightly put his arms round her waist to stop her falling as he urged Aleib into a fast trot.

A few decades ago Amy would have jumped and nearly hit the roof if he had put his arms round her, but now it was comforting. Not that she needed holding up, she could ride Chinky at a flat gallop and not even wobble, but it was a nice thought all the same. They had been close friends now for over twenty years and Amy intended on keeping him a close friend, she didn't see him as anything more, and so far he had managed, on his part, to keep his feelings under control. But recently she noticed he was having a harder time.

She was a lot more comfortable in Lorien now, often going out and socialising with the other elves. She had many friends and often went out with the guards hunting. Though still no one knew her real name, or why she still liked to stay by herself sometimes, they just accepted it.

BREAK

Half and hour later they stopped in a small clearing surrounded by huge towering trees. Haldir slipped off Alieb and loosely tied a stretch of rope round his neck and to the nearest tree. Hopping off Amy saw a river running along the edge of the clearing.

The Nimrodel ran swift and clear through this part of the forest. Its crystal clear waters reflecting her slight image perfectly. She still had the ring round her neck, and so far no one knew it was there, it could only just be seen under her top. Turning round she walked back to Haldir and a large sheet of cloth he had just laid out.

Lowering herself onto the silky material she sighed, it was so peaceful out here. She wondered how she ever coped with going to school in that horrible ugly building. All those people making all that noise, she must have been mad! She wondered if anyone had noticed when she didn't turn up after running out of her art exam.

"Lureae, hello!" Haldir said waving a hand in front of her nose.

"Oh sorry I was day dreaming!" Amy said snapping out of her dream.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Haldir said laughing.

They settled down and started to eat the meal Haldir had just laid out. There was enough for the whole Lothlorien guard. After eating enough so that she felt comfortable full Amy rolled onto her back and looked at the stars above her. Haldir put the rest of the food away and rolled onto his belly next to her.

"What are you looking at?" He said playing with a strand of hair.

Amy felt what he was doing and started getting slightly nervous. "I am looking at the stars, I seek the moon but she has gone behind that cloud." She said pointing to a large grey mass on the black sky.

Laughing quietly Haldir brushed his hand across her cheek, enjoying the feeling of her soft skin under his fingertips. Slowly he leaned down and kissed her lips. Her soft lips quivered under his touch. He smiled against her lips as he kissed her once more.

Finally Amy came to her senses and realized what he was doing. She jumped up quickly pushing Haldir off her.

"What in Elbereth do you think you are doing?" She screamed.

Haldir rolled onto his back after being forcefully pushed; he looked up and saw Amy standing over him screaming.

"I . . . I, I was." He started.

Amy's face went bright red and before he could say anymore she ran over to Aleib and vaulted onto his back, a bolt of flame cut the rope as she urged him into a gallop. She galloped at this pace all the way back to her talon. When she got there she rolled off Aleib and landed on the floor on her knees. Suddenly she came to her senses. He was kissing her. Her best friend was kissing her. Of course she knew he liked her, but that was going too far. She could still taste him on her lips. Wiping her mouth forcefully, she sent Alieb home.

'Chinky come here.' She said to the snoozing mare.

'Yes,'

'Haldir kissed me.'

'Ah I knew he would, but would you listen to me no! Where is he now, I saw you come back on his cart horse.' Chinky said.

Then it finally stuck her, she had left Haldir in the middle of the forest with a rug and a huge box of food. All anger now fled from her veins and she now felt sorry for him.

'Ah, Chinky I don't suppose you would be kind enough to get him, and bring him home? In one piece!" She said the last sentence as an after thought.

'Damn. But yes I will, despite what he did to you tonight, I know you care for him.'

Amy hugged Chinky's neck before letting the Mearas gallop off.

BREAK

Haldir sat in the clearing at a loss of what to do. There was no way he could carry everything back by himself and Amy had galloped off with Aleib. He put his head in his hands as he realised he had probably just lost the best friend he had. All because he couldn't control his feelings.

Sighing he looked up as he heard a horse approaching. Hoping it was one of his brothers or maybe even Amy on Aleib, he groaned as he saw the black and white mare trot into the clearing.

'Well I wasn't thrilled at having to get you either, after what you just did to my master.' Chinky said.

'I'm sorry,' Haldir said.

'Well anyway she still cares for you, if only in a friendly way, and after realising she left you here, she sent me to get you. Because of my great respect for her, I am now lumbered being a packhorse and carrying you back. All because you are full of more testosterone than is healthy.'

Haldir grimaced as he realised he was getting lectured by a horse. Sighing he tied the rug to Chinkys back and he vaulted on with the rest of the food. He knew better than to try and ride her, now he just sat there and waited till she was ready to take him home. He noticed with discomfort at how bumpy she was making the ride. Then again he probably deserved it.

BREAK

Legolas looked in distaste at the walls of Moria.

"Dwarf doors are invisible to the untrained eye," Gimli said tapping the wall as he walked.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas said sarcastically.

Finally Gandalf stopped in front of one of the doors and went through all the passwords he could think of that would open the door.

"Speak friend and enter?" Frodo said. "Legolas what is the elvish word for friend?"

"Mellon."

Legolas watched in surprise as the great doors swung open, walking in the smell of decay hit him. This wasn't a mine, it was a tomb.