Welcome back to To Be Forever Faithful. It's been awhile; I admit it. Sorry, but I'm a busy person! I just got back from our band and choir trip to Branson, MO. If you ever get the chance to go there, go! It's great! Well, onto the next chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything associated with Tolkien Enterprises or Lord of the Rings.

ooOoo

To Be Forever Faithful

By: Ponytail Goddess

Chapter 14: Understanding

Behind her, Belegwen led a group of weary wardens who trudged back home in the darkness of the night. Still focused on her task, Belegwen carefully followed the unmarked trail through the trees covered in silver leaves. Thankfully, there had been little action during her fortnight at the fences. The only problem, in fact, had come from a few lost Edain who had tried to wander into the lady's wooden realm.

They had not been troublesome either. Belegwen had simply given them the directions they needed and then they set off in the opposite direction. Over and over, Belegwen mentally thanked the Valar for the relative simplicity of this first border patrol. She was not sure if she could have handled anything too complex yet with the little training she had completed.

After much toil and travel, she spotted the blue glow of the Eldarin city ahead. Smiling slightly, she came to a halt and turned to address her exhausted group. "You are now dismissed from your duties. Go and rest well." She said softly, then headed through the gates and walked through the city to the familiar stairway which would lead her to the Lord Celeborn to report.

Belegwen slowly put one tired foot in front of the other as she ascended the delicate spiral staircase. Her mind was overflowing with a multitude of thoughts. "What happened in the city during the last fortnight? Would there be more bad tidings? Was Rumil still suffering? And Haldir? Had the two resolved their differences? What would happen to them-"

"Marchwarden Belegwen, what tidings bring you up here on such a gloomy night?" The soft voice of Lady Galadriel said from in front of her. Belegwen looked up and found herself face to face with the Lady Galadriel. She now realized that she had been so entranced with her thoughts that she had not realized that she was already at the top of the staircase.

"I am here to report the state of the borders, my lady." She replied after giving a low bow to honor Galadriel's presence. "Our wardens had very little action the past fortnight. The only beings we encountered were a few mortal men who were lost. We sent them on their way with directions to their destination."

"Well done." The lady stated, turning away from her and approaching one of the many terraces of the large talan. Feeling a swell of pride within her chest at how well everything had gone, Belegwen turned away and prepared to make her exit, when the lady spoke once again. "Come hither, dear Belegwen."

Belegwen turned again and slowly approached Lady Galadriel, who had not moved from her new position. She came to a stop and stood by her side as she had been instructed. "Is there something you need from me, my lady?" She asked calmly, looking into the darkened night sky to stare at the twinkling stars above.

Lady Galadriel's deep eyes caught hers after a moment, Belegwen catching a small glimpse of the great power that dwelt within her. Once again, Galadriel looked out towards the city, this time raising a dainty arm with her index finger pointing towards something in the distance. "Can you see him too? The shattered soul out there in the burial grounds?"

"Yes, my lady." She replied, now seeing the elf from afar. It was Haldir, kneeling upon a fresh grave that could have only been that of Orophin. Before she was able to control it, a tear came rolling down her cheek at the thought of another life lost.

"Noble Orophin was buried there earlier this week. I fear that Haldir has refused all of my offered comforts, as well as many from those who love him. Without intervention, I fear his grief will continue to grow until it overtakes him." Galadriel said, her sadness and fear evident in her tone of voice.

Slowly, the lady turned to face Belegwen and looked deeply into her eyes. Belegwen felt as if she could see her soul was filled with unrest because of it. Quietly, the Lady of Light continued, holding the intense stare for even longer. "Understanding is what he seeks. Go and speak to him, for you are no stranger to the pain he feels."

An eruption of negative images filled Belegwen's mind at the mention of her past. Belegwen shut her eyes and took a deep breath as the painful memories surrounded her once again. Thinking about her family's deaths often shook her to the core. Sometimes, she wondered if she would ever be able to escape the memories of what she had walked into that fateful night. Indeed, it seemed as though the wound it had created within her would never fully heal.

Belegwen knew all too well what Haldir was going through and her heart hurt for him as she acknowledged his plight. She also knew quite well that if she did not go and fetch him now, he would be stay out there all night. Perhaps even longer.

"Very well then, my lady."

"The kindness in your heart shines brightly, Marchwarden Belegwen." Galadriel stated. "Lord Celeborn wanted me to relay to you that you must be prepared to take command of a different border patrol tomorrow morning. The warden I sent to take charge of the group must return to the city before the patrol is complete. You must finish the last week for him and bring the wardens home safely."

"I will, my lady. I bid you a fond goodnight." Belegwen replied, feeling slightly disappointed about leaving again so soon. In her heart, she knew that with Haldir currently indisposed, it was a necessity for her to take on extra responsibilities. Slowly, she hauled her tired feet over each stair until she finally made it to the bottom.

A great sorrow filled her as she thought about Haldir standing out by the gravesite all day, alone. He probably needed someone to speak with about what had happened. Knowing him though, he would be quite stubborn about it.

Through the cool night air Belegwen marched, on and on towards her destination. She walked under the silver-lit trees and into the very heart of the forest. All was quite silent around her, other than the wind's occasional swish through the clumps of leaves on the trees. As she appeared to be exiting the city, Belegwen knew she was getting close.

The amount of trees started to dwindle as she approached the clearing. Crisp, knee-high blades of grass and beautiful wild flowers started to softly rustle around her as she entered the meadow of the deceased. The wind blew around her, seemingly whispering the stories of the elves whose lives had been lost in the past. There they laid, immortal lives that were incomplete and still caused mourning for all who remembered them.

At once, she saw him, standing up tall and true. His dark shadow was casted down upon the fresh plot of dirt that his eyes rested upon. She wondered if he sensed her presence. "Haldir?" She softly questioned, her eyes now wide with worry.

Belegwen frowned when she received no answer. Tentatively, she reached out and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Come, let us go back together." She stated while taking ahold of his arm and gently attempting to pull him back towards the path. However, his feet seemed to be firmly planted into the ground and moving suddenly did not seem like an option.

"I need my brother." He whispered angrily, then yanked his arm from her grasp and took a seat in amongst the tall blades of grass. "You know not what I need."

"But-"

"Leave me now." He growled, never looking away from the plot.

"Haldir, I-"

"I said leave! You do not understand!" He yelled with a firm finality within his voice. Anyone else hearing this voice would have known better than to continue trying. He sat in sullen silence, waiting for her to obey and walk away from him.

For Belegwen though, he had unknowingly hit a nerve. Her eyes quickly enlarged and filled with rage. No longer realizing what she was doing, she sat down right in front of him and grabbed his chin with one of her strong hands, clasping it tightly. Falling to her knees, she glared into his shocked eyes.

"Oh, but I do understand Haldir…" She said, he voice dangerously low and quiet. "I was simply an elfling, happy and skipping home from school. I called for my parents and brother, but they did not come and greet as I had grown accustomed to. I entered that talan and I saw them. I was only 29, Haldir, but I saw them. I saw the blade marks upon their fair skin and I saw their cold blood in a puddle all around them. No words or gestures can possibly describe how I felt when I shook my ada's limp body and he responded not! Nothing can! So before you say that I do not understand, think of who you are speaking to!" She passionately cried out, blinking back the tears that were welling up in her eyes. She ripped her hand away from his chin, still fuming with anger and battling the sorrow of her past all at once. They stared at each other momentarily, both breathing heavily with emotion from all that had been expressed.

Belegwen was not quite sure how it happened, but she found herself suddenly wrapped in a strong embrace. He held her so tightly and was immediately sobbing upon her shoulder. Cautiously, she wrapped her arms around him as she continued to blink away her own tears, leaving them unshed. She had finally gotten through to him and they had both found some understanding.

Just as suddenly as before, another surprise hit her as his cool lips found hers and gently kissed her. All time seemed to stop for Belegwen as she felt the soft, tingling sensation upon her lips. Seeking the comfort that he was obviously receiving from the closeness, she too joined in and they both felt the world's pain and loss fall away from them for a few seconds.

But finally, it all ended and she found herself gasping for breath and staring into his dark blue eyes with her hands gently cradling his cheeks. "Never forget that I understand." She whispered, then parted from him, rising to her feet in a slightly shaky manner. "Come, you need to take rest from this place."

Belegwen then offered him a hand and he took it, holding it tightly as he pulled himself to his feet. Nothing more was said between them, but he followed her back to the warden's hall, his mind obviously somewhere else. The walk was slow and silent, Belegwen looking behind her to check on his state every so often. Though he was walking slowly, she dared not leave him behind. Eventually, the two made it to the top of the black marble stairs, and he into his rightful bed. Belegwen watched as his weary soul drifted into a dreamless sleep. Perhaps he would find a bit of relief from his tension in that state.

Belegwen, however, was so filled with uncertainties that sleep never befell her.

ooOoo

Edited by P.G. on 05/19/20.

There's another chapter! Please feel free to tell me what you think. I'll try to update soon. Believe me, this story is far from over! Have a nice day!

-P.G.