Author's note: Thank you to all who are reading this for the first time, and for those who've read this before, you'll find that the ending has changed slightly, not in context, but expanded a bit. So thanks again for reading and keep faith that I won't let the March Warden die.

Mae Govannen!

CLASH OF WILLS

Part 3

Galadriel stepped up to the flet, listening for any indication of someone inside, but heard nothing. Stepping into the darkness of the talan, she found Ananynse lying asleep on the bed, curled around a volume of elvish poetry she knew the woman had been trying to decipher for most of the day. It had been nearly a month since the elves had left for Helm's Deep, and they had received no word on whether the elves had reached the fortress or not. Galadriel sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked the hair that lay on the coverlet. Ananynse had not bound it at all since Haldir had left, and had taken to wearing an elvish gown, simple in design, that suited her slim figure. Had it been an attempt to fit in with the elves? Her men had left to give aide to Gondor. Ananynse had urged them to go, feeling strongly that the White City would need all the aid it could muster, while she had stayed in Lothlórien, and had spent most of her time closeted in Haldir's talan.

"Ananynse, you must wake." Galadriel spoke softly, touching her brow. The woman's brow furrowed slightly as she woke, her face pale from the grief that even Galadriel could see, and had felt so strongly since the elves had left. "You cannot hide here forever; you must face life once again."

"I cannot bear it, Galadriel," Ananynse whispered in a choked voice. "I have seen their death. It haunts me as nothing else has done. It is too much for me." She wept softly, her face in her arms, hidden by the long strands of her hair.

"You hide and do not look at your vision as close as you might," Galadriel responded quietly.

Ananynse looked up sharply. "What do you mean, Galadriel? I saw him fall; I saw the sword that cut him. I saw him fall!" she cried as Galadriel wrapped her arms around her.

"You saw him fall, perhaps terribly injured, but you did not see him after that? Did they cut off his head? Nay! You only saw his reaction, his pain. We do not know that he is dead," she stated calmly.

Ananynse sat up gingerly. "I know what I saw and felt. I have never been wrong before." She could not bear the grief, to hope when there was none to be had.

Galadriel smiled gently and pulled Ananynse to her feet. "Come with me, child. We shall see what the magic of Galadriel has to say."

They reached Galadriel's small bower at the base of a large Mallorn tree, and Ananynse hesitated as she stepped upon the grass before Galadriel's mirror. Galadriel grasped an elegant silver urn, filling it from a small stream that flowed into the glade. Beside the pool, a carved stone pedestal held the Lady's magic, a large silver bowl resplendent as the elves themselves. Galadriel beckoned Ananynse forward and began to gently pour the water into the mirror, her voice as liquid as the water falling so quietly. The elvish brought a wave of goose-bumps prickling her arms, and Ananynse watched the water uneasily.

Galadriel lowered the vessel and stared at her intently. "Shall you look into my mirror, or shall we look together? For what you see, I will see as well, and we can bear the thought together."

Ananynse grasped her hand, and they turned together and as one, looked into the bowl. For a moment all Ananynse could see was their faces in the water, but as she met Galadriel's eyes in the reflection, it slowly began to change.

Suddenly, without warning, they were transported into the noise and smoky fog of Helm's Deep. Torches guttered in the rain, the shouts and harsh clanging of steel on steel, the screams, nearly sent Ananynse to the ground in horror. The anguished cries as warriors were thrown over the rampart walls to their deaths were too familiar. The sounds bombarded Ananynse as she grasped the edge of the bowl. The water swirled into a blur of grey and red and then they stood in the heat of the battle. The towering walls of the Deep, gray and slick with rain did not seem much of a deterrent to the creatures climbing non-stop over the walls, met bravely by man or elf, or youth. The narrow walkway was thick with bodies, slippery with blood and yet the men fought. The sharp twang of bows echoed behind them, the slim arcs of hundreds of arrows whistling death above the clamor. The clash of steel upon steel echoed in the night, watched as a hawk sees his prey, sharp, piercing vision that took in every detail, racing over the ramparts to settle suddenly on Haldir as he stepped into view. Ananynse gasped in fear. The rain had plastered his hair back away from his face, and he fought, his sword cleaving the orcs in his path, a few fell shrieking, to their deaths below.

The mirror swirled again, blurring and then changing direction to follow the line of the rampart, through the elves slashing savagely, through orcs only intent on killing, only to go dark. Black, then grey, and then pieces of stone hurtled impossibly high into the air, landing and killing as many of the enemy as it did the men defending the walls. Galadriel and Ananynse both cried out as they were pulled rapidly to the breech in the wall, watching in horror as hundreds of orcs swarmed into the fortress. The scene swirled red and they were among the elves racing forward to defend the breech, with archers taking aim behind them. The world seemed hazy, dark and frightfully silent.

Ananynse wanted to let go, to close her eyes against the horrors the mirror was showing them. She wanted it to stop, stop before the elves were lost, stop before Haldir was lost! She could not let go.

Haldir staggered, dazed from the blast, but fought off an orc leaping over the rampart wall. He turned and blocked the blow of another orc, shoving him back over the railing. Ananynse saw Aragorn call out, waving for the men to retreat. She saw him shout, saw Haldir turn and nod. Perhaps Galadriel was right, perhaps her vision was wrong. She began to hope, watching Haldir fight off another orc, his strokes sure and steady, calling his men to retreat. But then, Haldir turned as another orc swept toward him, spinning to block the creature's sword. Only another stood behind him, and Ananynse cried out a warning the elf could not hear, a warning that was far too late. Haldir staggered back, staring in surprise at the orc before slashing the creature's throat.

"I cannot watch anymore, it is as I saw," she cried, but Galadriel gripped her arm, forcing her to stay near the bowl.

"No, you must watch," the Lady of Light insisted fiercely, and they turned back to the mirror.

Ananynse trembled violently, holding onto the edges of the vessel. She lowered her gaze to the water and watched again. Haldir stumbled, arm frozen awkwardly and dropped his sword, grasping his side. Ananynse screamed silently when the orc appeared behind him and the blade struck, sending the March Warden dully to his knees. They watched him collapse as the light faded slowly from his eyes, only to be caught by Aragorn just as he hit the stone walkway. Aragorn held him close, his face grief-stricken. Haldir lay too still. Aragorn laid him gently on the stone and then leaped up, disappearing into the fog of battle as Ananynse turned away.

"It is not yet done."

Her legs were trembling and Ananynse closed her eyes. "Please, no more."

"You will look, and see."

Galadriel's insistent voice forced her to look back into the mirror. The vision swirled once more and daylight broke through the bleakness of the night amid shouts of wonder and joy. Gandalf arrived with the sun, and the Rohirrim swept down to destroy the enemy now scrambling to fight on two fronts.

Then the mirror blurred once again and they were on the rampart, steps away from where Haldir lay, his velvet cloak soaked with blood, his face pale against the grey of the stone fortress wall. The men of Helms deep worked their way down the rampart, throwing the orc bodies over the wall, carrying the dead to be buried. Among them, several elves also searched, their bodies filthy in the morning light, their faces haggard. They saw Rúmil slowly lower his brother Orophin against the wall, wounded but alive, both faces grey with sorrow.

Rúmil stood and made his way along the rampart again, his eyes narrowed against the sun, and then he ran, leaping past startled warriors and elves, and with a cry knelt at Haldir's side. Gently lifting him, Rúmil pushed back the sodden hair, red with blood, and listened to his chest for signs of life. Ananynse gripped the bowl as Rúmil clasped Haldir to his chest, his face hidden, his shoulders shaking. But then, he lifted his head and they saw that he was laughing. And with a shout, called over men to help him lift Haldir gently, and they bore him away.

Ananynse and Galadriel both let go of the mirror and collapsed to the ground. Ananynse wept as several elves rushed down the steps into the bower. Celeborn swept into the glade and knelt next to Galadriel, their eyes meeting, and he smiled.

XXX

Aragorn strode quickly into the cavern where they had placed the wounded, searching for the Lorien elves. Legolas was only a step behind and a muttering Gimli followied the blond elf. Reaching the area where the wounded lay, he stopped, turning around in frustration as he searched the sea of bodies. He sighed in relief when Legolas gave a cry and leaped over several men, heading toward the far corner of the cavern. Aragorn followed the Mirkwood elf and knelt beside Rúmil where he and Orophin sat next to the still unconscious Haldir. The March Warden lay pale and still, his ribs and shoulders bandaged thickly, lying on his side.

"I have done what I can, Aragorn," Rúmil whispered as he stroked the blond hair from Haldir's forehead. "But my healing skills are not enough to free him from the shadow's grip. You are of Elrond's people, perhaps you can help him where I cannot." Rúmil bowed his head in defeat, but Aragorn grasped his shoulder.

"Nay, my good friend, your skills have kept him on this side of the living. I will do what I can, but we will need to get him back to Lothlórien, for it will be his love for the Golden Wood that may heal him the best."

Orophin lifted his eyes from his brother, his head bandaged and a brace supporting one arm across his chest. "Nay, it will not be the Golden Wood that will pull Haldir back, but a copper-haired half-elf that holds his heart."

Legolas touched Haldir's skin as he leaned over him. "He is cool, so no fever burns his brow. Lucky that the stroke of the ax that tried to slay him was not dipped in poison, as is their wont."

Aragorn reached out to rest a hand gently on Haldir's brow as well. He began to murmur softly, closing his eyes.

Gimli had sat on a nearby rock, his pipe clenched between his teeth. "That elf's got enough backbone to withstand a dwarven ax. No orc weapon's going to lay that one low for long." He fingered his beard as the others looked toward him, and harrumphed under his breath.

Aragorn and Legolas smiled in amusement, but then Aragorn turned back towards Haldir, calling his name softly. For a few moments, it seemed as if there was no effect, then Haldir took a deep shuddering breath and opened his eyes slightly, wincing. His lips grew tight, an expression Aragorn knew was an attempt to hide the obvious pain the elf was in, and he lifted a hand that trembled uncontrollably. Haldir closed his eyes, closing his hand into a fist but Rumil caught his wrist and unfolded the clenched fingers into his.

"We are here, brother. Allow me to ease your pain. It gladdens my eyes to see yours, open, and on the living side of the world."

Haldir grunted faintly and then slowly opened his eyes again, staring around him in confusion for a moment. "The battle is won," he said weakly, lifting the hand to his brow.

"We have won this day, my friend," Aragorn declared quietly, clasping Haldir's hand in his. "But it is only one of many to come. Thanks to you we will be able to continue our fight, but your chance for battle's glory is done this day."

"So you would cheat me of my chance at future glory and all the allotted injuries that may go with it, friend Aragorn?" Haldir smiled halfheartedly, closing his eyes with soft groan.

Aragorn's eyes twinkled with amusement and relief, and he glanced at Legolas who leaned forward, placing yet another hand on the elf. Had anyone watched them, they would have seen the far corner of the cavern glow faintly as the elves sent what strength they could into the wounded captain lying among them. "Nay," Legolas argued, squeezing Haldir's arm gently. "The day has dawned bright and clear, filled with your glory, Haldir. Our kin lie wounded and many have gone on to the Halls of Mandos, but they fought with men to the death. Because of you, the men of Rohan found their courage and survived the night. Gandalf arrived with the dawn, and the battle then broke beneath the wizard's staff and the leadership of Aragorn and King Theoden. The orcs ran in terror but found no escape beneath the arms of the Huron."

Haldir smiled faintly. "So I shall again see the light of day, although on whose feet I will walk yet I do not know, for I cannot at the moment feel my own."

Aragorn frowned, as he laid Haldir's hand on his chest. "Your injury was severe, Haldir. It will take long to heal fully, but the feeling to your legs should return soon. The muscles will take time to renew themselves. It is best to get you to Lothlórien as soon as we can. Only there, with Galadriel to heal you, and the powers of the Golden Wood, shall you recover."

Haldir sighed as his eyes closed in weariness. Aragorn rose to his feet as Orophin stretched out beside Haldir. He would watch him as only a brother could.

Rúmil stood up and walked with Legolas and Gimli as they followed Aragorn to the entrance to the cave.

"I would take him to Lothlórien myself," Aragorn said as he turned, "but my path is set to the road ahead. You must take him back, Rúmil, with Orophin and the remaining elves. We will continue on as we are set, Legolas, Gimli and I, but our thoughts and hearts will travel with you to the Golden Wood."

Rúmil nodded, clasping Legolas's arms tightly, and then Aragorn. Turning toward Gimli, he could only grin when the dwarf stepped back. 'My brother's words may have hardened your heart toward us, but know that we have come to respect the fair words of Gimli, son of Gloin. Farewell, master dwarf, should you cleave as many orc skulls as you did this night the world should surely be safe for elves to walk once more." Rúmil bowed to the dwarf respectfully, and then straightened to glance back to where Haldir lay. "Our flight to the Golden Wood will be slow, and yet we must race against time if we are to get Haldir to safety. If we find a way, we will send word of our travels, and the welfare of my brother."

Aragorn shook Rúmil's hand tightly. "It is all you can do, Rúmil. I will pray to the Valar that you have a safe journey."

XXX

Rúmil stared at the line of trees that glimmered faintly in the distance, breathing a sigh of relief as well as joy, at the sight. Turning swiftly, he ran back down the rocky hill to where the elves had stopped to rest. Haldir lay on a litter, his face grey, as Rúmil knelt near him.

"Haldir, have faith, for soon you will feel the coolness of the Golden Wood. It is only steps away."

Standing quickly, they lifted the litter and hurried toward the forest. Once they reached the forest, the elves seemed to revive somewhat, and they pressed on despite their exhaustion, coming finally to the Nimrodel, where they stopped to rest once again.

Orophin lowered himself down next to Haldir as he stirred weakly on the litter. "Haldir, my brother, the call of the Nimrodel wakes you."

Pain flashed across Haldir's face as he looked up at the canopy of trees above him, but he turned to gaze at Orophin with a pale smile. "The fair Nimrodel," he sighed. "Her song fills my heart with gladness. Place me in her waters, so that I might be refreshed, and cleansed of the filth of the battle."

Orophin nodded and motioned for the elves to lift Haldir gently from the litter. They placed him in the shallow water where a small pool had formed in the shelter of some rocks. Haldir leaned against the stones, closing his eyes as the water seeped through his clothes. He seemed, for a moment, refreshed, as he smiled and opened his eyes. The grey gaze glittered like the water sparkling in the sunlight, but then the light faded and he grew ashen once more, and would have slid into the water but for Rumil's arm wrapped around his shoulders. They lifted him from the stream, covering him as he shivered now with his cloak, and hurried once again toward Caras Galadhon.

XXX

Galadriel waited patiently at the city gate, aware of Haldir and the elves as soon as they had stepped into the wood. It was growing dark and above her, the forest glittered with tiny pinpoints of light. They brought Haldir through the gate, and then paused as she stepped forward to lean over him. She caressed his brow gently, and then stepped back to allow them to take him ahead of her to the healing talans. She watched them carry the warden quickly up the walkways and then turned to smile at the woman nearly hidden in the shadows. Ananynse seemed rooted where she stood, her face nearly as pale as Haldir's.

"All is not lost," Galadriel murmured encouragingly. "Come, as he helped you in your time of need, so should you help him." Galadriel slid her hand under Ananynse's arm and drew her forward. "Have faith, Ananynse."

When they reached the healing talan, the elves had already laid Haldir on the bed on his stomach. His head turned toward them and he lay with his eyes closed while Rumil and Orophin carefully removed what remained of his tunic and leggings. Ananynse stood near the corner of the room, hands folded nervously, her eyes filled with grief. They covered Haldir to his hips and then stepped out of the way. Galadriel ran a gently hand down Haldir's back, and then turned to Ananynse.

"Come, you must speak to him. Call his name; call him back from the world of the dead."

Galadriel stared at the woman intently. 'You must leave him in the dark no longer, you know of what I speak.' Ananynse's eyes widened as she heard Galadriel's thoughts, looking at her in surprise.

"I am not sure."

Galadriel smiled faintly. "I am. You are not the only one who can 'see'.

Ananynse knelt next to Haldir, lightly brushing the side of his face, carefully pulling away the strands of hair that had tangled slightly in his eyelashes, smoothing it back. The rest of his hair lay like a silky blanket over the pillow, silver-blond in the light of the candles. She kissed him softly on the cheek and then knelt next to the bed, running her fingers down the arm that hung over the edge to his hand. She folded his fingers into hers, clasping them tightly and looked back up at Galadriel.

Galadriel nodded encouragingly, stepping forward to rest her hands on his back. She began to murmur softly, watching Ananynse as she bent close to whisper into Haldir's ear.

XXX

"Haldir," Ananynse whispered. "Come back. You must come back, Haldir, please." She rested her forehead against his arm; it felt cold and lifeless. Struggling to keep back a sob, she stroked her fingers along his cheek. "Haldir," she pleaded softly, "Please wake. I must tell you what I could not before." She looked up at him, his eyelids closed, his face grey, and rose on her knees to kiss him again.

She knew Orophin and Rumil were watching, knew Galadriel could hear every word even as she stood next to Haldir's side, her elvish icantations nearly inaudible. She knew she didn't care anymore.

"Haldir, I saw two things in my vision before you made me forget them. Two things I saw," she whispered, gripping his fingers tightly. "I told you I saw you fall, but there was something else before that. Something that shocked me, thinking then that there could be no way for it to be true. I was afraid, Haldir, and I could not tell you, even later. I did not want to believe what I thought I saw, your death. I dared not believe the other, even as I began to love you. What I see is truth, although as Galadriel has shown me, not always all of the truth. Because even though I was certain that you would die, you did not.

She choked back a sob, leaning against his arm. How could she tell him, when even now, he lingered so close to death. The Halls were waiting if he chose to fly from this life. How could she tell him, if he would not be there? A hand on her shoulder made her look up to find Orophin standing over her.

"You must tell him."

She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill down her face. "Orophin, I don't know that I can!"

The warden crouched down next to her, gripping her chin very gently to make her look at him. "My brother has made it this far because he had something to look forward to. He struggles, yes, but you can help him. If he knew what waited for him here, on the side of the living, he would refuse Mandos' call. He will come back to you."

She stared at Haldir's brother, so much like him, yet so different. She nodded when he released her and kissed her cheek.

She slid her fingers into Haldir's hair, curling them around the back of his neck and kissed his ear. "Haldir," she whispered urgently. "Haldir, you must come back. I saw a child."

Rumil turned to stare at her, startled. Orophin smiled faintly and glanced at Galadriel.

Ananynse closed her eyes. "I saw a child, Haldir, in human years of nine or ten, but he was tall, so tall, and he looked so much like you, I was frightened."

She leaned her forehead against his arm again, "His eyes," she continued softly, "were brown, like mine. I stood behind him, and I knew," she paused, looking up at his brothers, "I knew that I was his mother." She began to cry quietly. "You must come back, only you can teach him the way of the elves; I cannot." She lowered her head as she wept, and curled up next to the bed, hugging his arm across her chest. She sat there for a long while, afraid to remember her vision, afraid to think of anything but Haldir getting well. Rúmil and Orophin sat nearby. Galadriel left them and slowly the night passed.

XXX

Ananynse woke up when the arm she'd held so closely flexed, and then tightened around her ribs. She gasped and looked up to find Haldir awake, his grey eyes clear and bright. He was still pale and as she stared, he smiled, and lifted his gaze to both brothers. Both Orophin and Rumil were relaxed in reverie, with Rumil leaning against Orophin.

"How long has it been?" Haldir asked quietly.

"You reached Caras Galadhon last evening." Had it only been one night? She felt drained. Did he remember what she'd told him? She didn't know what to do and turned away to stare at the door.

He let her go, but only to grasp her chin to force her to look at him.

"I was dreaming," he said, his gaze searching her face for something. "I dreamt you were here beside me, and you were weeping. I could not force my arms to reach out to you. It pained me to listen to your despair, yet I could do nothing to ease your pain."

She closed her eyes, unwilling to stare into the depths of his gaze. "I was here, and I was weeping."

"Why?"

"Because I thought you were lost to me."

"Did Galadriel believe this to be true?" he asked softly.

Ananynse shook her head. "Nay, she said to have faith, but I saw . . . I don't have the strength she has. I am weak." She pressed her fingers against her lips. "I have always seen my visions come true."

He smiled faintly. "Have you? Are you sure? Did you ever go back to see?"

She jerked her head up to glare at him. "I saw people die. Why would I go back?"

He didn't seem concerned by her anger. "I am not dead, Ananynse."

She knew her chin was trembling and pressed her lips together. "Not yet."

He laughed, and it woke up Orophin and Rúmil, who leaped instantly to their feet.

"Haldir!" they both cried, rushing next to the bed. Ananynse would have risen, but Haldir wrapped his arm around her again, holding her tightly against the bed, while his brothers pressed hands to his forehead, his shoulder, laughing excitedly until Haldir waved them off.

"I am alive, but still tender."

"It's is good to see you awake," Rumil exclaimed in relief. He glanced at Ananynse. She slid her gaze away and hid her face in Haldir's arm, and missed the frown Rumil sent to Orophin.

Haldir did not miss it though, and with a grunt, pulled Ananynse, protesting, onto the bed until she was sprawled across his chest.

"Your shoulder!" she gasped, pressing her hands on either side of his shoulders as he closed his eyes.

"My shoulder is healing."

"You can't be using it like that."

"Why, are you afraid I will injure it and not be able to teach my son how to shoot an arrow?"

She stared at him, her heart beating rapidly inside her chest.

Haldir smiled, his eyes still closed.

Ananynse glanced back at Orophin and Rumil to find them looking quite smug. Haldir reached up and slid his hand into her hair, sliding his fingers through it gently.

"I admired this color the first time I saw you."

She turned back to Haldir slowly. "And when was that?"

He opened his eyes and she saw they were filled with mischief. "At the river, watching you undress so you could bathe in the river.

"You didn't watch!"

"No," Rumil responded dryly, "I - didn't watch. I ran, but I know that he watched, quite avidly." The warden stood up with a grin, and grabbed Orophin's tunic to haul him to his feet. "And with that admission, my brother and I shall leave to find something to eat. We'll bring something back." He pushed Orophin out of the door before he could argue and shut it firmly behind him.

"It is a good way to wake with the smell of Lothlórien in your hair, but I fear I do not know this woman who lies across my chest, for the only copper-haired half elf I know is a warrior of strong will, and this one is weeping foolish tears all over me."

Ananynse realized she was crying and sat up beside him. She scrubbed her cheeks and looked away. "You said you didn't watch; you turned your back."

"I couldn't resist. I knew who you were, as you knew my reputation. But you have changed, Ananynse.

She frowned, catching the glint in his eye. "I have not. I am still the Oracle and I see the future." She smacked him gently on the chest earning her a soft grunt. He caught her wrist in a tight grip.

"I feel very weak," he said, but Ananynse had to disagree with the vice locked on her arm. "I do know, however, that I dreamt more than you were weeping. I dreamt that I had a son, eight or nine, with my hair and your eyes and a chin that looks just as stubborn as yours."

"I am not stubborn!" she cried.

Haldir grinned faintly. "Exactly."

She stared at him through a fresh batch of tears. "You heard me."

"Very clearly."

She felt her chin trembling and hid her face in his chest. His hand caressed her hair, and then settled on her head. "I did not think it could be true," she sniffled.

"Why?"

His voice sounded tired, the hand on her head felt heavy. She slid out of his embrace to stand beside the bed.

"You didn't like me when we first met."

"I never said that, Ananynse," he said with a sigh.

"I slapped you."

His lips curved slightly. "Aye, and will never again."

His lashes fluttered down over his cheeks as she sat on the bed.

"I love you, Haldir."

"I came back for you," he murmured sleepily.

"And you will stay?" she whispered, afraid to suggest anything else.

"I was so very tired, Ananynse, that even the healing waters of the Nimrodel could not bring me out of my darkest dreams." He sighed deeply, and curled his fingers over hers where they rested on his chest. "I hovered there, not able to choose what path I must take when I heard your voice, calling to me. I knew not then if I could come, for still the weight of the darkness held me tightly. But then I heard you speak again, and your voice carried into my mind, and into my heart."

He opened his eyes, and reached out a trembling hand to run his fingers over her cheek as she had done to him. "I felt your touch, and then heard you say that which I never thought to hear. There have been few children in the elvish realms for many years. I have not heard of any in this age at all, and yet I heard you speak of a child. My child. How is it that you could bear mine?" he whispered, as if he was afraid to speak of it.

Ananynse sat back with a faint laugh, feeling the blood rush into her face, "I didn't think I had to explain how that works, Haldir," she said primly. He smiled, his eyes twinkling in amusement. The door opened and Lady Galadriel glided gracefully inside, followed closely by Lord Celeborn.

"I see you are awake," Galadriel said as she paused beside the bed. Ananynse rose to her feet, slipping her hand from Haldir's fingers. The Lady of Light leaned over her warden, pressing her fingers to his brow. "You have come back from the brink of death, and it gladdens our hearts to see you well." Haldir smiled as she kissed him on the forehead, and then clasped Celeborn's hand as he leaned over the edge of the bed.

"It was the smell of Lothlórien that woke me, but I fear that a stranger sat next to my bed for I recognized her not." He shifted his gaze toward Ananynse. She rolled her eyes.

"I am still the person I was," she said stubbornly.

Galadriel glanced at Celeborn. "In some ways, yes. However, you are also my family, Ananynse, and you are an elf. So you are more than what you once were."

Ananynse looked at Haldir, plucking at the folds of the dress she wore. "Perhaps you prefer me the way I was?" she said grumpily, and Haldir groaned in response.

Galadriel laughed softly, a tinkling sound filled with the bright cheer of a clear morning sunrise. "The warrior still lives, Haldir, I suggest that you be wary for you'll never know when she shall come forth." She turned to Celeborn. "The day has dawned bright with hope from the depths of despair, a flicker of light in the oncoming darkness. The world may yet survive even as that of the elves fades to mist. But there is light at the end of our journey," she said with a wave as she turned to leave. "The way west beckons us all. A child borne to a half elf has still the choice of his mother. However long you stay in this world, remember that the light is there, a beacon to bring you home. A beacon that will bring you all home." She bowed her head as Celeborn closed the door, leaving Haldir and Ananynse alone again.

"A son."

Ananynse turned to look down at Haldir. "With blond hair."

"Brown eyes of copper and gold."

"Arrogant as only an elf can be."

Haldir smiled, taking her hand. "As stubborn and full of pride as his mother."

"He may see the future."

"A gift he will use wisely, as we will teach him."

"But he will only be half-elven."

Haldir arched a brow. "Nay, more than that." He pulled Ananynse down over him again, wrapping his arms around her to hold her tightly against him. "He will be ours, and he will be welcome wherever his feet take him."

The end