Authors Notes: Well, this chapter is a little early, hence why its short. I'm hoping to upload on a regular monthly schedule, work and real life permitting. Please forgive the shortness of this chapter, but if I put it with the next one, it would have made it WAY too long, and I don't want my readers butts to fall asleep as they read. :D

Special Thank You to:

Laer4572

isilme222

Abraxania

Worshipallelves

Thank you for your reviews and I'm sending the elf of your choice. ;) hope you enjoy!

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16 MONTHS LATER

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Haldir sighed contentedly as the path opened up and the wide expanse of the Lorien borders greeted his travel-worn eyes. For many days he had traveled, his heart becoming more alight with each step of his faithful steed. The horse too seemed to have realized their destination, for as soon as Haldir steered him to the horizon, the happiness could be heard in the high whinny and swish of the tail. Haldir smiled and patted the steed's neck, "I know exactly how you feel, old friend. Home has long been on my mind, and I am finally returning to that which I love."

The horse tossed his head and increased his pace, taking his Elven rider closer to the golden borders. As the two broke the tree line, Haldir felt the presence of his kin, hiding in the trees. With a grin, he pulled his hood from his head and glanced into the boughs, easily spotting the Elven warriors.

"Mae govannen," he called with a smile.

Several forms detached themselves from the shadows and landed softly next to the horse, which nickered in greeting. More elves appeared from behind the silver trunks and placed their hands over their hearts, welcoming their leader home. Many murmured Haldir's sentiments and tried to hide the look of surprise on their faces at his obvious change.

Haldir noticed their eyes flick to his hair and ran his fingers through the short locks, "Do you like it?"

The surrounding elves only gaped in astonishment as they noticed the March Warden's shortened hair, and bronzed skin. However, two elves walked forward, staring disbelievingly at the elf perched atop his horse.

Haldir's face broke into a genuine, wide smile, and he swiftly dismounted and approached the two in obvious state of shock, "Brothers! Long have you dwelled in my thoughts! It is good to see you once again."

Orophin exchanged a look with Rúmil, who had kept himself behind his older brother with a timid expression. Rúmil looked shocked and confused, offering no words to Orophin. Orophin returned his attention to Haldir and asked, "How do you fare, Commander?"

The official title was like a slap. Haldir's happy expression instantly died on his face, and he closed the distance between his kin and himself, "There is much I wish to discuss with you, Brothers. But I fear that now is not the time, nor the place to speak such words. Perhaps when we return home, we may talk more freely and matters may be settled?"

Orophin raised a brow smugly and said, "We have just begun our shift. We will not return to the city for another week. You have timed your return poorly."

Haldir nodded, knowing that he deserved this iciness for his actions the previous year. He admitted his words and actions were inexcusable. He wondered if even he could ever forgive such harshness. With a heavy sigh, he looked directly at Rúmil, noticing the tears that had formed in his youngest siblings eyes. "Rúmil, I spoke most foul to you before I left. I was angry at what was asked of me and I took my bitterness out on you. For what I have done, know that I am truly sorry. The pain I caused cannot be forgotten, but I ask you to find it within yourself to forgive me. I did not mean to hurt you."

Rúmil stepped out from behind Orophin, who gave him a concerned look, and spoke tentatively, "Your words were poison, Haldir. They injured me more than any blade could have done."

"I know, and for that I ask for your forgiveness," Haldir repeated, bowing his head in shame.

"I have never felt such pain before," Rúmil's voice was a hushed whisper.

"And to know I caused such strife twists within me every day."

Rúmil's face contracted in anguish, "Family is not to cause such heartache, Haldir. You are my big brother, you should have known better."

Haldir nodded and raised his eyes to meet Rúmil's, "I should have known, but at the time, I was consumed by a shadow, though I do not know of its name. I can only say that I am sorry, and that I was wrong."

Rúmil pursed his lips together, watching Haldir's face and seeing the display of raw emotion he was feeling. The old Haldir would have never allowed such a thing. This new Haldir surprised him, and though Haldir had caused terrible suffering, he was still family.

"I am so sorry, baby brother," Haldir whispered as crystalline tears filled his eyes and escaped down his cheeks.

Rúmil felt his own cheeks growing wet and said with a cracked voice, "I forgive you, Haldir."

Haldir gasped, and before Rúmil could react, he had pulled his youngest brother into a tight embrace and openly wept upon his shoulder. Orophin felt tears pool in his eyes, but fought them down, not wanting to add to the display. He had NEVER seen Haldir display such emotion. Not in the company of the guards, or even his own family.

Haldir opened his eyes and saw a bleary Orophin standing a pace away, and before Orophin knew it, he had been pulled into the hug as well. Orophin felt shocked at the blatant move, and before he knew it, his own face was awash with tears.

The other guards, knowing that this was something the brothers needed to sort out for themselves, quietly blended into the wood, leaving the three to their reunion.

After many minutes of tight embrace, Haldir pulled away from his kin, his face red and eyes swollen from crying. "It is good to be home. How I have missed my family."

Rúmil wiped his face with his sleeve and gave Haldir a sheepish look, knowing his brother often chastised him about such behavior. However, Haldir merely smiled and motioned towards the inner talans, where the three could continue their reconciliation. Haldir felt his eyes grow weary with relief as he climbed the familiar route to the talan he recalled spending many a night on. Briefly, he felt a coldness dance across his mind at the thought, and chased away such ill feelings. He would never again succumb to that veil. That was the vow he made to himself while on his trek- one of many that he held in his heart.

As the three ascended the heights, two guards stood and gestured welcome to their leader. Haldir returned their greeting and waved for them to resume their post. Haldir walked to the edge of the talan and gazed at the landscape. The horizon winked at him from afar, trees surrounded him, woodland creatures skittered about their normal routines, the wind whispered by his ear, but no longer lifted his platinum locks in its fingers.

Haldir closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, feeling the smell and essence of the wood fill his very being, "How I have missed my home."

"As it as missed you, March Warden," Orophin said with a smile.

Haldir turned to regard his sibling and smiled widely, his eyes twinkling with a light that had long been thought gone, "Though I have missed my family much more."

Rúmil laughed at Haldir's lopsided grin, "Your kin have missed you as well. Long have you been gone from us."

"Longer than I ever thought," Haldir conceded, lowering his gaze, "But I intend to remain, for as long as we walk these shores. For far too long have I lingered alone, but it is a feeling I no longer endure."

Orophin smiled and noticed Haldir's slouched posture and the way his eyes seemed to droop in exhaustion, "Haldir, how long has it been since you slept?"

Haldir thought for a moment and slowly shook his head, "Four or five days, I do not remember."

"What?" Rúmil snapped, suddenly adopting a paternal nature, "Haldir, you should know better than to go that long without sleep. It is not healthy, not even for an elf."

Haldir smirked, "I only wished to return home as quickly as possible. I have tarried long enough. Now it is time to be home."

Orophin huffed and put his hands on his hips, giving Haldir a perfect impression of their departed mother, "Haldir o' Lorien, you should get some rest before you drop!"

Haldir looked momentarily wary, then, in a mocking tone, said, "As you wish, Mother Orophin."

Orophin stood with his mouth agape, not believing what he just heard. Rarely had Haldir teased him so, and never had the famous March Warden, arrogant and aloof Supreme Being that he is, allow others to see such a playful side of him. A smile slowly spread across Orophin's face, realizing that, perhaps, Haldir had truly come back home.

"I insist that you sleep before you return," Orophin said, without rising to the bait of Haldir's joke. "We can not have you return looking so horrible and about ready to drop dead like a mortal."

Haldir flinched slightly, recoiling from Orophin's choice of words. A cloud appeared behind his eyes as he cast them down and said, "Please Orophin, do not speak such words."

Orophin frowned, unable to comprehend Haldir's sudden change in mood. After a minute, he sighed, "I am sorry if my words upset you."

"It is nothing,' Haldir said with a feigned smile. He cast another weary gaze around the talan, "Though it is appealing to sleep among the trees of home, I would very much wish to see my own bed and sleep in my home tonight."

Rúmil nodded, "Your things are as you left them. We did not know if you would maintain your wish of living elsewhere."

Haldir felt as if a fresh wound had opened, hearing his words spoken again. They seemed a lifetime ago, when he was young and naïve, and so distant from the world. How he ever lived in such a manner, he would never comprehend.

"I do not wish to move to a new talan, if that is fine with you," Haldir said, waiting for some sign from the two that he was indeed welcome at the family talan.

"Of course," Orophin said with a merry voice. "Family remains together, through all things."

"Go home and rest, Brother," Rúmil said gently, "For when we return, our questions will be many, and you will find yourself the center of attention for a very long time."

"Especially to know the story that caused such a change in our brother!" Orophin put in thoughtfully, his keen eyes sweeping his brother's features.

"I agree," Rúmil nodded, giving Haldir a quizzical look, "I am most intrigued as to why you cut your hair and have become so dark of skin."

Haldir chuckled and gave each brother a warm embrace, said farewell to the guards on duty, and slipped out of sight. Easily, he mounted his steed and took off for Caras Galadhon, his body weary, yet excited, at seeing his home and sleeping in a familiar bed.

When the steed crested the hill that overlooked Caras Galadhon, Haldir felt a tear slide down his cheek. Never had he imagined such a beautiful and wondrous sight. The radiant sun glinted off the high tops of the Mallyrn, making them glisten like gilded gold, roofing the giant trees. The outer trunks winked silver from the light reflected above and twinkled a welcome home to their long lost child. Haldir spurned his horse onward, feeling his elation grow with each thundering beat, taking him closer to the only place that held his heart. He was home, he was finally home.

Haldir had barely entered the clustered trees when a familiar voice touched his mind, "Haldir of Lorien, it is good you have returned. Though you have much to speak of, rest. For in the morrow, I wish to learn of your journey."

"As you wish, My Lady,' Haldir thought and felt his heart hammer in his chest as he climbed the stairs to the talan he shared with his brothers.

That night, Haldir walked in elven dreams, content in the knowledge that he was finally home.

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Well, what do you think? Please take the minute or less to click that little button and let me know what you think. Do you have any ideas where this fic is going to go? WEG Ideas of whats going to be in the next chapter? No? Me either! LOL No seriously, its just about edited, so it will be uploaded next month… possibly earlier if I get the time and enough people ask politely. (no threats, please)

PJ