Chapter 14

Haldir's Feelings

I returned to Dale with Legolas. Our friends were happy to see him. We stayed in Dale a few more days before saying our goodbyes.

"Please come back soon Jupe." Tilda said.

I smiled as I hugged her.

"I will. I will always come back, I promise."

I looked at Bard and he hugged me.

"Take care of yourself, Jupiter."

"I will, and you take care of yourself and your family."

He nodded and we left. We went to the mountain next so I could say goodbye to Fili.

"Lady Jupiter, welcome."

The guards bowed and let us inside. I went to Fili and bowed.

"You are leaving." he said.

I laughed a bit and nodded.

"Yes, it's time I was going home, but I'll come back."

He sent for Kili and Tauriel and I smiled. Tauriel smiled when she saw Legolas and I hugged Kili as he came over.

"I am glad to you came to see us before leaving."

"Of course."

Tauriel smiled at me and I hugged her too.

"Take care of Kili. He's a wild one from what I've seen."

"I will…and you, please take care of Legolas. He is my oldest and dearest friend."

I looked over my shoulder at Legolas with a smile.

"That's a promise I don't intend to break."

I winked and she smiled happily. We decided to stay for dinner, at Fili's request, and then we would be leaving. It was fun to eat with the dwarves. Haldir did not seem to think so and Legolas seemed to find it a bit strange. They liked to throw food so I leaned towards the dwarf named Bofur and whispered in his ear. He nodded eagerly and I smirked. I hoped my plan would work.

Legolas' POV

I saw the playful gleam in those silver eyes. When the dwarf suddenly threw some food at Haldir my mouth fell open. Haldir did not look up and he did not move. I slowly looked at Jupiter. I guessed she had chosen the wrong elf. Estelwen took a napkin and slowly wiped the food from his face. I slowly looked at Jupiter. To me it was as if the laughter and talking of the dwarves were nonexistent. I saw the way Estelwen looked at him and the way he acted towards her. He had fallen in love with her. I wondered if the food throwing was to try and start something between them. Jupiter held a straight face, but I saw that look in her eyes. I bit back my smile and we finished dinner. The dwarves bid us farewell and we mounted our horses. Haldir was still being unusually silent. When we stopped for the nigh, Haldir offered to take first watch. Jupiter gave him a suspicious look and went over to talk to him.

Jupiter's POV

I felt bad about what I did, but not too bad.

"Mon amie."

He didn't look at me. I sighed and stood there with him.

"I'm sorry." I said.

"You had them throw the food at me."

"Yes, but for a reason."

"What possible reason could you have-"

"Estelwen."

He immediately fell silent and I looked at him.

"Take a walk with me."

He nodded and we walked.

"Look, I know you really like her. Why do you continue to make yourself unhappy? I know for a fact she feels the same way. What are you afraid of?" I asked.

He sighed and stopped.

"The only relationships I have ever had are with my brothers. I have never had these sorts of feelings for anyone. I do not know if I will be able to give her what she deserves."

I sighed and smacked him. He looked at me in shock and touched his cheek.

"That's an excuse Haldir of Lorien. And you damn well know it. Take it from someone who is a mistake. If you stay silent and don't tell her how you feel, you'll regret it forever. And forever for an elf is a very long time. I want to see you happy. You are one of the first friends I've ever had. Please, for your sake and hers, tell her how you feel."

"I am not so good at telling people how I feel."

I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Then show her." I said.

We walked back to camp and Haldir walked straight up to Estelwen.

"Estelwen I…"

He stopped and looked at me. I nodded and he took a deep breath. I didn't expect what happened next. He grabbed her and kissed her. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. She slowly wrapped her arms around him and held him to her. I looked at Gloradir and Legolas. They both looked dumbstruck. When they separated they smiled at each other. I smiled, happy I'd been able to convince him to tell her…or show her I should say. They slept close together that night and I took first watch.

"I know what you did."

I smirked and Gloradir came and stood next to me.

"It had to be done."

"I completely agree. Estelwen is too shy and Haldir too stubborn. Sometime you must intervene."

I nodded and he pat me on the back.

"Well, good work Jupe."

"Thanks mon amie."

He went back to sleep and I looked up at the sky. I did this a lot now that I thought about it. I looked over at Haldir and Estelwen and smiled. Then I looked at Legolas. I wished he had kissed me the way Haldir kissed Estelwen. I smirked and shook my head. Legolas was not like Haldir. Legolas was different, he was special, and he meant the world to me. He was everything to me. I walked over and sat down next to him.

"You are the most important person in my life. You are my everything and I couldn't imagine feeling this way for anyone but you. I don't know if this is love, but it's definitely close to it. I don't know if I'll ever be able to say this to you while you're awake. I'm a coward sometimes when it comes to my feelings. And….wait….you're awake aren't you."

I saw a small smile come to his face and I sighed. I was embarrassed then. He sat up and looked at me.

"No one has ever said things like that to me before." he said softly.

I looked down.

"I'm sorry."

"Why do you always apologize? You have done nothing wrong."

He lifted my face and looked into my eyes.

"You are not a coward Jupiter, you are anything but. Everything you just said is everything I have longed to hear you say. You also are the most important person in my life, you also are my everything. I will do anything for you. And I…I want to be with you for the rest of my life." he said.

Tears of joy came to my eyes and I smiled.

"Do you really mean that?"

He smiled and moved closer. He put his hand on the side of my face and I closed my eyes.

"I do. You are my life now. You have been ever since I found you lying on the forest floor. My heart has been yours."

I opened my eyes and he leaned closer.

"And….and my heart is yours." I whispered.

I leaned with him until his lips were on mine. I moved my hand to his face and he pulled me up against him. I could feel his heartbeat beneath my fingers and I was positive mine was beating hard. We reluctantly pulled away and he smiled at me.

"I have been longing to do that since I fist met you." he admitted.

I smiled.

"They why don't you do it again?" I suggested.

"Perhaps I will."

I smirked and grabbed the front of his shirt. He smiled and I kissed him again. I smiled into the kiss and he ran his fingers through my hair. We separated and I smiled.

"I've never been kissed before. I enjoyed it thoroughly."

He stroked my cheek and I laid down beside him.

"It is my watch now." he said.

I grabbed his hand.

"Stay next to me?"

He smiled and nodded. I held onto his hand and fell asleep.

Legolas' POV

I smiled down at her. I looked at her pendent and touched it softly.

"I promise I will always take care of you. For always and forever." I promised.

She rolled into me and put her arm around my waist.