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Haldir was the first to wake the next morning. At first, he was greatly confused as to why he was laying on the bed, and most of all why was his head in someone's lap? Haldir moved his head slightly to look up at the person, to find a sleeping Calaereth. Her head was cradled in her hand, and she took small breaths as she slept so peacefully. Then the memories of the last night rushed back to Haldir.

Haldir let out a low groan of annoyance at himself, as well as an oncoming headache, a result of his heavy drinking. This awoke Calaereth who quickly blinked the sleep out of her eyes to find the source that had awoken her from her dreams. There, on her lap, Haldir stared back at her with a poker face, before looking away to hold his head. Calaereth bit back the comment to say, I told you so. But Calaereth was observant and knew he was in enough pain already, she was still mad at him. But she knew no matter how hard she tried she could not stay mad at him forever. Even if he made a complete idiot of himself in front of all of Rohan, and some of the Fellowship, and his elven friends. Calaereth still loved him despite him being a jealous elf, and wanting to have her complete attentions and have her word that she will marry him. As if her actions did not speak loud enough. Nearly killing yourself to save someone you love is pretty big.

Sighing Calaereth gently moved Haldir's head from her lap and onto a pillow, and moved quietly to the corner of a room where a pitcher of water and a couple glasses sat. Pouring a good amount of water in the glass she also dampened a nearby cloth with the cool water turning it into a cool compress. First, Calaereth brought him the water and ordered him to drink up. Then she retrieved the wet cloth and carefully placed it on his head.

"I am not sure what I have done to deserve you." Haldir mumbled miserably, not only in pain but in irritation at himself. He knew better than to let his emotions get the better of him and instead of controlling them he allowed them to get the better of himself.

"I am not sure either." Calaereth teased, hoping to coax a smile out of him only to find that he glared up at the ceiling. After realizing that Haldir did not find it funny, Calaereth sighed. "I was jesting Haldir, learn to laugh every once and a while."

"How can one laugh when they have made a complete fool of himself?" Haldir asked harshly.

"It is not the end of the world Haldir." Calaereth rolled her eyes, "Believe me you are not as bad as those Mirkwoodian Elves that became drunk when they were supposed to be guarding those Dwarves. Because of their failure to do their duty, sober, they let Dwarves escape. All you did was damage your pride a little bit. Sure I am certain you will be made fun of a few times for your drunken state. But everyone in that pub was intending to do the same thing as you, get drunk to numb the pain. For some it is the pain of battle, for you it is the pain for love." Calaereth spoke softly as to not heighten Haldir's headache as she sliced an apple.

"This would not be a pain if you could make a decision." Haldir stated grumpily.

"That is a lie and you know it." Calaereth countered quickly. "If I had completely rejected your offer for a courtship and marriage you know that your heart would be broken."

Haldir was silent in acceptance of Calaereth's statement.

"It does not matter anymore though." Calaereth smiled, brushing through Haldir's hair. Haldir looked up at her with curious silver eyes as to what her answer was. "I have made my final decision." Calaereth did not look Haldir in the eyes and that worried him. Would she refuse to marry him?

The couple sat there in complete silence for a few moments, Calaereth stood up and turned away from him to open the curtains slightly. Haldir slowly got to his feet and stood behind her, he could not stand the suspense a second longer. He would know her decision now, no matter how hard it may be. Haldir slowly moved in behind her to hug her from behind. As he held her small body against his, he rested his head on her shoulder. "If I may ask, what is your final decision?"

Calaereth closed her eyes and relaxed against the warm and strong body behind her. When was the last time she had enjoyed such a nice and comforting hug? Calaereth turned her head to meet his eyes, "The answer is yes, Haldir. It always has been yes." Calaereth smiled softly, tears at the edges of her eyes.

Haldir wanted to jump at Calaereth's agreement, he wanted to kiss her and hold her, and tell everyone of their engagement. For it was a major event in an Elf's life. Instead Haldir turned Calaereth to face him and wiped away her tears that surprised him. "Why do you cry, my love?" Haldir asked softly.

"I am happy, Haldir. I am so very happy to be with you. I am very lucky." Calaereth smiled up at him, and Haldir pulled her into him and kissed her gently. Calaereth cupped his face with her uninjured hand and was tempted to use the other one to feel his hair. After a few long moments the couple pulled away and Calaereth let out a soft sob before hugging him tighter. Why had it taken her so long to realize this? That she was much more lucky than some of the people here, many of those who died in battle were awfully young. They were never given a chance to have love or to have a family. Calaereth still had that chance, with a wonderful elf that cared for her, and there was no way she would abandon him now. "I love you so much." Calaereth looked up at Haldir with large brown eyes.

"I love you too." Haldir repeated, a silly grin now on his face.

The next day, what was left of the Elves from Lothlórien and Rivendell headed north towards Lothlórien. The trip back seemed longer than it had been on the way to Helm's Deep. Perhaps it was that Calaereth and Haldir wanted nothing more than to be back in Lothlórien peacefully. That was the only valid reason Calaereth could find for their long trip. The wind was at their backs, and the only injured traveler in the group was Calaereth herself. If she was slowing down the group, Calaereth was certain Haldir would carry her. After all he always seemed to try to find reasons to carry her. Not that Calaereth minded, it was nice to have a strong person carry you but Calaereth did not want to look weak or helpless.

The battle had changed everyone, Calaereth could see this easily. They tried to hide their disturbed minds behind fake smiles and forced laughter. During the day they could pretend it had never happened but at night the repressed memories always returned. The elves were masters at hiding their feelings and moods, but Calaereth was not as lucky. Every night when she was not in Haldir's arms she awoke screaming and crying. It was always the same dream without Haldir with her, that he was being killed, that she was not there to save him in time. And it was always Haldir who awoke her from the nightmare and brought her back to the reality that he was alive and well. It was always Haldir who wiped away her tears and soothed her to sleep. And there was always that same feeling of shame that Calaereth felt at waking him and the other elves there.

As soon as they returned to Lothlórien, Calaereth went to talk to her father who was in the Anduin. The last time she had seen him was when she was still a mermaid. Oh how long it had been since she had last seen him, 2 months felt like 2 years. Would he be upset that she was an elf now? Would he be even more upset when he found out that she and Haldir were engaged?

Mermaid marriages were arranged, especially for the daughters of important merpeople leaders. Usually married off to a young merman leader of another group. A marriage was used as an alliance. True love was a rare occasion in which Calaereth's mother and father had been lucky. But the elves were different, they married their one and true mate. A Fëa and Hröa mate, of both soul and body. Marriage was sacred between elves. Engagements were usually only announced after a year of courtship. Then they were married for life.

Calaereth searched hard and long for her father until she finally found him. Even with her newly improved elven eyesight, merpeople were well disguised. Her father, Gaeralagos was under the water talking to some other members of their group that Calaereth recognized. What helped her identify him was the color of his tail. Which can usually be used to discern merpeople from each other. There was not one merperson who had the same exact tail. There were similarities, but never exact copies. Butterflies filled Calaereth's stomach as she neared him. She wanted to turn away, but she could not. She would show her father what she had been transformed into, and how she intended to stay this way and why.

Calaereth bent down and carefully picked up a dull rock, and tossed it so that it would brush her father's back. She watched with a soft smile forming on her face as her father was momentarily startled by the disturbance. Then he turned around to look at her with a look of surprise as he recognized his one and only daughter. But she was different, not the same innocent girl she once was, Gaeralagos sensed this. But physically she was no longer a mermaid, and it frightened him. Gaeralagos instantly went to the surface to talk to her as a feeling of panic settled over him.

Calaereth watched with amusement as her father scrambled for the surface to talk to her. She sat down on the shore as he emerged and stared at her nearly gaping like a fish out of water.

"Calaereth?" Gaeralagos asked in astonishment, still in denial that his daughter had legs. And were those elven ears?

"Father." Calaereth flashed that beautiful grin revealing pearly whites. A smile that was so similar to her mother's it surprised Gaeralagos every time. "I have fulfilled my prophecy. Saruman's army has been defeated, and the elves have survived. The human race will live another day. I have also been informed that the battle of Pelennor Fields will take place soon. You will be happy to hear I am not participating, I am sure. But it is the battle that will determine the end of the war and who will win."

"Daughter, I am just glad to see you in one piece. When will you be back to a mermaid form? Soon, I hope." Gaeralagos stated.

"Father, that's what I am here to talk to you about." Calaereth sighed.

A feeling of dread flooded Gaeralagos. He knew his daughter well enough to know what a certain tone in her voice meant. This one told him he was not going to like what he was going to hear.

"When I was changed to an elf, Galadriel and I agreed it would be temporary for the time being until the battle of Helm's Deep was over. After that, she would change me back into a mermaid, permanently. The only reason for me to stay elven is if I found a mate." Calaereth paused, and her father stared.

"What happened?" Gaeralagos asked dreadfully.

"I fell in love, father. I fell in love with the most wonderful elf I could ever meet. And we are engaged." Calaereth said with finality.

"Calaereth, it has only been two months. You need to really think before you make a decision so fast." Gaeralagos tried to reason with her.

"Galadriel has already told me I do not have much time to make a decision. Time does not matter though, I have spent enough time with Haldir to know who he really is father. I know his flaws, and he knows mine. We have practically lived together!" Calaereth explained, ignoring the look of surprise on her father's face. "I have fought in a battle with him and we have witnessed things that would make a grown man cringe. I would not want to be with anyone else. For there is no one else father!"

"Daughter, I think you are being irrational. You need to think this through. You could have just as a good life as a mermaid-" Gaeralagos tried to avert her, he was in denial. He could not lose his daughter.

"No father it is you being irrational!" Calaereth cried out in frustration. "You would rather have me married to some aloof merman leader who would not love me! Who would only see me as a little prize to display for all his friends to see! No I will not accept the life you want to arrange for me! You and mother were a lucky match, but I will not be as lucky. I have already met my true love father, and he is Haldir. I would not risk my life for him, if I did not love him." Calaereth revealed her injured arm. "Father, why can't you let me be happy?"

Gaeralagos realized that his daughter was in love and that there was nothing he could do about it. His girl had grown into more of a woman in two months than she had with him for hundreds of years. Gaeralagos felt a familiar burning sensation in the corners of his eyes that he had not felt since the death of his beloved. "But Calaereth, you had promised me you would not fall in love with him." Gaeralagos clutched at the last thing he had.

"And I did father, and I tried so hard not to fall in love with him. I tried so hard." Calaereth's voice wavered at the sight of tears in her father's eyes. "But sometimes we don't have control over who we are meant to be with. I love Haldir."

Gaeralagos let out a long breath and leaned over and hugged his daughter tightly. He closed his eyes as he held her close for a moment. Calaereth was the closest thing Gaeralagos had to his wife. Other than his son Hithaeron. But she was his only little girl. "I want nothing more than for you to be happy, my lovely little girl. Give Haldir my blessings, for he is lucky to have them as well as my daughter's love." Gaeralagos pulled away and wiped furiously at a few tears as he looked away.

"I still am and always will be your little girl, father." Calaereth smiled sadly, and kissed her father on the cheek before standing up and walking away.

Haldir had observed the entire interaction between Calaereth and her father. It was a difficult thing to watch, a daughter and a father being separated. It pulled at Haldir's heartstrings as he watched Calaereth walk away and wipe at her tears as she walked under him and into the forest of Lothlórien. Haldir took one last glance at a disappearing Gaeralagos before he chased after Calaereth and approached her from behind.

"Calaereth, are you all right?" Haldir asked as he hurried his pace to walk next to her.

Calaereth sniffled and brushed at another runaway tear as she walked. She knew Haldir was trying to comfort her. She could feel his beautiful silver eyes watching her and analyzing her. He knew already, that she was not okay. But she would try it anyway. "I-I'm fine, Haldir."

"You and I both know that's not true." Haldir stated firmly then moved quickly to her and held her in his arms. Calaereth instantly relaxed in his arms, it was truly amazing to know how well Haldir had control over her feelings.

"It was worth a try." Calaereth's voice was muffled in Haldir's shoulder.

"You are quite stubborn. I have I told you that before?" Haldir asked.

"Not as bad as you are." Calaereth said with a smirk on her face.

Haldir pulled away, an eyebrow raised in surprise as he looked at Calaereth. "It seems someone has developed an attitude."

"It is not an attitude if it is true." Calaereth smiled cleverly at him.

"That is enough, I refuse to allow you to continue to fill my ears with such lies." Haldir grabbed her by the waist, and picked her up as she let out a squeal. He was careful to avoid hurting her one arm, he laid her over his shoulder as giggles erupted from her. Oh how Haldir had longed to hear such beautiful laughter in his ears. Haldir grinned proudly as he walked towards Caras Galadhon, his heart lighter.

There were celebrations abound when the group returned from Helm's Deep. There were moments of sadness and mourning for the lives lost, but there was happiness at the many reunions.

"Haldir! Calaereth!" A voice suddenly yelled. Both turned and looked in the direction from which the voice had come from. Running towards them was Orophin and Rúmil, with grins on their faces. Calaereth laughed as Rúmil hugged her and twirled her around.

"I have missed you little sister." Rúmil greeted her.

"And I have missed you, brother." Calaereth kissed him on the cheek in greeting.

Then it was Orophin who squeezed her in a hug, "I am glad to see you alive, and mostly well, other than your arm. I am sorry that our brother is lousy at staying focused in a battle."

Calaereth laughed as Haldir glared at Orophin. "It was worth it." Calaereth smiled giving Orophin a kiss on the cheek as well."

"Any important announcements?" Rúmil asked looking at Haldir.

Haldir and Calaereth shared a quick glance. "We are engaged." Haldir stated.

Needless to say both Orophin and Rúmil were joyful at this announcement and supporting of their brother. They congratulated Haldir and Calaereth as did the rest of the residents of Caras Galadhon, for word spread quickly in the city.

Finally the last to congratulate them was the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien, "You two fought very well." Galadriel nodded. Galadriel smiled at them both before focusing on Haldir. "Haldir, I know that you fought your best and protected those that you could. You are one of most talented and intelligent fighters to reside here in Lothlórien. We are proud." Galadriel nodded, as Haldir bowed in thanks. Celeborn gave a congratulatory pat on his shoulder.

Galadriel turned to an observing Calaereth who was smiling at Haldir. Calaereth was quite proud of him. "And you, Calaereth have proved yourself to be one of the hardest working souls that has ever lived in Lothlórien. What you have learned in two months would take hundreds of years for others to perfect. You have never given up, and you are strong because of that. Lothlórien thanks you for your perseverance." Galadriel leaned forward and kissed Calaereth on the forehead in a motherly way. Calaereth smiled and curtsied.

"You are welcome." Calaereth said softly, as Lord Celeborn thanked her as well.

"Congratulations on your engagement, as well." Lady Galadriel added in, smiling at the blushes on the couple's face. Celeborn wrapped an arm around the waist of his wife and walked away. Once they were out of hearing range Celeborn could not help but say to his wife, "I knew you were right about them becoming engaged. I never thought it would be so soon. My ever wise wife."

Galadriel softly chuckled before going back to their talan together.

"I fear all of Middle-Earth will know of our engagement." Calaereth joked as she walked up the steps to their shared talan.

"One would hope not. The last thing we need is a group of dwarves at our wedding." Haldir scowled.

"Not even the brave Gimli?" Calaereth asked, a playful smile curving on her face as Haldir pretended to throw a look of surprise.

"You mean Gimli the disrespectful? Now that is the most absurd idea you have come up with yet. I fear that I must take charge of the invitees." Haldir raised his chin up in a haughty manner.

Calaereth laughed and lightheartedly pushed at Haldir's side.

Haldir laughed as well and pulled her in a tight hug, his silver eyes sparkling in mirth. Eventually he released her, and took hold of her hand and led her inside the talan gently. As he closed the door behind her, he watched as she stood and stared at the clean and quiet room. It was as if everything was the same way it had always been. Calaereth could not find a layer of dust anywhere, Haldir's brothers must have kept in tidy for their return.

Calaereth quickly laid her weapons on the hangers as she went to explore. She ran up the stairs and into her bedroom to find her sheets untouched. They were the same way that she had folded them on that early morning. Calaereth rushed to her closet and opened it up to find a new dress inside that had certainly not been there before. It was a beautiful floor length dress, no, a wedding dress! The designs were so elaborate it shocked Calaereth as her hands caressed the fabric. The sleeves were long and flowy, made out of a silk white. The dress had a beautiful heart-shaped neckline. It was then as Calaereth touched the neck she noticed a note tied on the hanger. Calaereth quickly grabbed it. She had to read it several times to understand it in her giddy state.

Dear Calaereth,

Even before you had left, I had this dress in the making for you. I knew you were going to be married to Haldir, so do not worry. It is a gift from me to you, as well as some jewelry I have left in your jewelry box. Enjoy planning your wedding, little one.

-Lady Galadriel

Calaereth stared at the note in disbelief, Lady Galadriel had a wedding dress made for her in advance! A breathtaking dress that caused all others to pale in comparison. Then, Calaereth realized jewelry had been left in her jewelry box. Leaving the wardrobe doors wide open, Calaereth rushed over to the jewelry box and quickly opened it to find the most beautiful set of pearls inside that Calaereth had seen. They were in pristine condition, Calaereth could not help but touch these as well, to make sure they were real. And real they were.

Calaereth let out a squeal of excitement that sent Haldir climbing up the stairs to investigate. At his look of confusion she quickly explained. "Galadriel made me a wedding dress!" Calaereth exclaimed before running forward and tackling him in a hug. Things were beginning to look up once again after a dark storm that had finally passed.

Author's Note: YAY I FINISHED CHAPTER 18! I do not know why but that makes me very happy. I apologize for the super long wait, writer's block and school work are a bad combination. Thank you to all my loyal and patient followers, you guys are wonderful! Hope you liked the chapter, tell me what you thought! I cannot wait to hear from you guys! :)

-Garnette