Hey there everybody! Hope everybody had a peaceful Memorial Day (or just a regular Monday if you don't celebrate Memorial Day)! I know I did, and then came Tuesday with the stress and the running and the work and ... bah, I'm not complaining. I love crazy days like this! Keeps the ol ticker tickin! Anyway, here's the ninth chapter for all of you to read. Sorry it's quite late, I got caught up in reading manga and a new fitness program that I'm doing. Busy busy ~ but oh so glad that I get to update today. So so glad! Very very hyper, full of energy. Let's get rollin!

Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. If I did, I think someone would probably put a hit out on me ... ASSASSINS ARE AWESOME! Sorry, I'm an Assassin's Creed fan ... *is shot*

"Though it may be a little late, welcome to Rivendell." Lord Elrond said, smiling gently, "I am Lord Elrond, and this is my daughter, Arwen. I've heard much of you from your companions."

Fleur blushed, "Nothing good then, I'm sure." she muttered, shyly looking at the floor.

Arwen chuckled, "Oh, no. You are a rare elleth Fleur, very rare."

Fleur attempted to smile. "I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

This time, Arwen laughed. It was a beautiful sound, like a bell, or a lullaby. Everything about this elleth seemed to be beautiful. Fleur wished she could be like her within just moments of meeting her. "It is good, I assure you." She said, her smile widening as she looked to Fleur and Haldir's clasped hands.

Elrond smiled at his daughter before returning his attention to Fleur. "So, I hear you've come to Rivendell to accomplish a mission. What is it, if I may ask?"

Fleur mentally squirmed, hating that all eyes in the room were on her, "Well ... I went into the forests of Lorien on an errand for my grandmother when I found this house and a wolf caught in a trap. I set the wolf free, and a witch came and yelled at me for it saying that I had stolen her dinner and that she'd turn the one who is most precious to me into stone if I didn't go on a mission so I went to-" Haldir squeezed her hand and Fleur paused.

"S-sorry!" Fleur quickly apologized, mortified.

"It is alright!" Arwen said, "You are distressed, please, go on."

Fleur took a breath as Haldir's thumb rubbed soothing circles on her palm, "T-thank you. The witch told me that if I wanted to break this curse, I would have to go and visit Lady Galadriel in Lorien. I returned home to find that my grandmother had indeed been turned to stone, and set out to find Lorien at once." Fleur said, "Even though I had no idea where or what Lorien was ..." she muttered the last sentence.

"And?" Arwen asked. Fleur realized that Arwen was leaning closer to her, as though she were a child listening to a fascinating story.

"Well ... I ran into Haldir who lead me to Lorien, where I then met with the Lady." she left out the arguments that the two had gotten into along the way, even though she was secretly rather fond of the memories, "Without him, I wouldn't have ever made it to Lorien. I wouldn't have made it anywhere." Fleur sent him a grateful glance, which he returned with a soft smile.

Fleur felt a giddy feeling in her chest, and went on, more confident. "She told me that I must journey across the lands to discover the most precious thing to the elvish royalty, and, well, here I am." she almost added, 'you poor things are stuck with me.' but remembered that it wasn't exactly a polite thing to say and kept it in her thoughts.

Elrond looked thoughtful, "The most precious thing ... Hm." he looked over at his daughter, whom smiled back at him, "I wonder what that could be."

A sudden thought hit Fleur, and she realized something. "I-I think I already know."

Elrond turned to look at her, "Do you? Well, Haldir did say that you were quite sharp." 'What about irritating? And clumsy? And bratty?' Fleur wondered.

"Yeah-er-yes. I believe I've figured it out."

Arwen looked gleeful, "Wonderful! What do you think it is?"

Fleur jumped and blushed, "Ah! Oh right! It's love." she said confidently, "Your father holds you quite dear, and I don't blame him. You are a wonderful daughter." Fleur said, "And likewise, Arwen, you love your father."

Arwen smiled, "Love, that is your answer?"

Fleur nodded, "Uh-huh."

Arwen and Elrond looked at each other, smiled, and then looked back at Fleur, "You are right. Love is a very important thing, and it is precious to us all. I love my daughter."

"And I love my ada."

"You are correct, Fleur. How did you know so quickly?"

Fleur shuffled her feet, "Oh, well, I kind of based it on my love for my grandmother. She was the one who took me into her home, a complete stranger, and lovingly helped me in my time of need. I don't know much about myself in the past, but I do know that without her I wouldn't be alive today. She is truly a wonderful person ..." Fleur trailed off, smiling as she remembered Claire.

"You mean ... You were not raised by your grandmother?" Haldir asked her suddenly.

Fleur shook her head, "Oh, no I was not. At least, I don't think so. All I remember is waking up with my grandmother there, watching me. She said she had found me in the meadow, with my clothes all burnt as if they had been in a fire. Yet there were no burns on me ... I was completely fine. Aside from losing all my memories, that is."

"Strange ..." Elrond said, "Perhaps if you regain your memories, this mystery may be solved."

Fleur nodded in agreement, "That is what I had hoped would happen, but it appears that my memories do not want to return."

Elrond shook his head, "They will return one day. All you have to be is patient."

Again, Fleur nodded in agreement, "It's hard to be patient sometimes. And that being so, it's kind of easy to get depressed ..."

"Understandable. But they will return, always have faith in yourself."

Fleur nodded, "I will try."

Fleur was slipping into a nightgown when she heard a knock at the door, "Who is it?" she called, looking to the door.

"Ah, miss Fleur, it's me."

"Oh!" Fleur jumped, recognizing the voice of Arwen, "Lady Arwen, come on in!" as she quickly pulled the gown down around her waist, where it fell with a swish to her ankles.

The door opened and the elleth walked in. She looked at Fleur, and then frowned, "I am sorry, were you about to go to sleep?"

Fleur quickly shook her head, not liking the sad look on Arwen's face, "Ah, no. I have yet to say goodnight to Haldir. Though I suppose it would be strange to wander about in a nightgown ..."

Arwen smiled and laughed, "Perhaps. However, if you had a lover, perhaps it would be fine to go to his room, if only to say goodnight."

Fleur blushed, "E-eh?" she squeaked, her eyes wide.

Arwen frowned, "Oh, I apologize. Have I offended you? I had thought that yourself and Haldir were-"

"Friends!" Fleur said quickly, "We are friends and-and nothing more!"

The elleth's eyes widened, "I see. I am sorry, it's just that you seemed so close."

Fleur bit her lip, not really blaming Arwen. She was holding his hand after all, and clinging to him like a child clings to a blanket for comfort during a storm. "Just friends ..." she muttered softly, though she couldn't help but think of what had gone on earlier in the morning.

"Friends." Arwen repeated, looking as though she didn't quite believe the obvious lie that Fleur was feeding her.

"Friends." Fleur confirmed, "Oh, but you appear to have someone you love!"

Arwen smiled slyly, something that surprised Fleur, "Ah yes, you know about Aragorn ... So you were the one whom had seen us earlier today."

Fleur froze. Open mouth, insert foot. "Uh ... Um ..."

Arwen laughed, "Haldir was right, you are quite fun to tease. Don't worry, it's alright. Lately I do not care who sees that I love him. Why should I hide it? I am not ashamed of it."

Fleur smiled dreamily, "I wish I was like you."

"How so?" Arwen looked confused.

"I wish I were beautiful, I wish I were smart. I wish I weren't so clumsy. And that I could have any male I wanted."

"You lie!" Arwen said, reaching out to touch Fleur's hair, "Look at you, you are so pretty Fleur! Your hair ... It is the color of fire, but it doesn't burn."

"I-it's not like most elleths."

"You are not most elleths, Fleur." said Arwen, letting Fleur's silk strands fall from her long, elegant fingers, "You are far better."

Fleur smiled softly, "You're too kind, Arwen."

Arwen laughed, "But it is the truth! You just can't see your own beauty."

Fleur shook her head, "Great ... I'm blind too." she said, chuckling softly, "But enough about me, fill me in on what it's like to have a boyfriend-er-lover."

Haldir walked through the halls to Fleur's room. Today had been very productive. Fleur had already discovered what was most important to Lord Elrond and Lady Arwen rather quickly, not that he was surprised. He knew that she wasn't the brightest elleth in the world, but she had something about her that made her seem ... oh Valor he didn't know! It didn't really matter now. All that mattered now was that he had to get Fleur to Mirkwood. Haldir paused, realizing that they had not found out what was most important to Lady Gladriel and Lord Celeborn yet. Why hadn't they simply asked while they were back at home? He shrugged and continued forward. Perhaps it was the Lady's way of making sure they would return to Lorien first. Oh well, it made no difference in what order they found out what she needed, he supposed, as long as they found out. He continued towards her room and met Arwen as she was walking out.

"Oh, Haldir!" Arwen acted surprised, but he saw a strange glint in her eyes that told him otherwise.

Nonetheless, he bowed his head respectfully, "Greetings, Lady Arwen."

The elleth smiled, "I was just bidding Miss Fleur goodnight. She's such a sweet elleth. Were you going to bid her goodnight as well?"

Haldir nearly snorted, but managed to restrain himself from doing such. A sweet elleth with the temper of a warg. "Yes, I suppose so. I must tell her how we are to reach our next destination."

The smile left Arwen's face, "Leaving so soon?"

Haldir nodded, "I'm afraid so. We would love to stay for longer, but I must get Fleur to Mirkwood as soon as I possibly can."

Arwen nodded, looking disappointed, "Ah, yes. To save her grandmother."

"Hopefully we can come back sometime in the future. I know Fleur would enjoy visiting again."

Arwen instantly brightened, "You intend to stay with her, then?"

Haldir looked thoughtful, "I am not sure. Hopefully after we save her grandmother, she will want to stay with us. I know how curious she is about her background. Surely she'd want to know more about-"

Arwen shook her head, making him stop in mid-sentence, "No, Haldir. I mean do you intend to stay with her?"

Haldir gave her a look of confusion, "I fear I do not understand what you are asking."

The elleth sighed softly, "... I see."

"See what, if I may ask."

Arwen smiled, "I did not think that you were so dense, Haldir. Nevertheless, good luck. I hope to see you and Fleur in the morning to say goodbye."

He nodded carefully. Females were so confusing, "I am sure Fleur would appreciate that. Goodnight, Lady Arwen."

"Goodnight, Marchwarden." and with that, Arwen went to her chambers, leaving Haldir to put together the puzzle that was their conversation. Now thoroughly confused, he walked to Fleur's door and knocked. Fleur's voice from the other door gave him permission to enter. He walked in. Fleur was sitting in bed, attempting to make sense of a book in elvish. She had her nose, literally, in the book.

"Fleur." he said, staring blankly at the strange elleth, "What are you doing?"

"R-reading." she responded, hiding behind the book as though it were a shield.

"That book is in elvish." Haldir pointed out.

Fleur sniffed softly, "I know."

He walked over, "You cannot read elvish." He mentally smacked himself, that was an encouraging thing to say.

A hiccup, "I-I know."

"Are you crying?"

"N-no!"

He snatched the book away to see Fleur not fully crying, but a bit teary eyed. Frustrated, he supposed. And with good reason. "Why are you crying?"

"B-because I can't read my own language. I'm an idiot!" she cried dramatically as she buried her face in a pillow.

Haldir rolled his eyes and shook his head, smirking. "You can read in a different language that a good many elves cannot, come now. I'll teach you to read if it would make you feel better."

She made room on the bed, looking at him as if he were the greatest thing in all of Middle Earth. It made him feel good for some reason. "Really?" she asked hopefully.

He guessed that it was an invitation and sat down next to her, "Why not? It certainly would help when you-pardon me, if you came to live in Lorien."

"Y-you mean you'll let me live with you? Er ... live in Lorien?" Fleur asked, her face suddenly quite close to Haldir's.

Haldir was getting quite used to Fleur being in his personal space, and no longer really minded. "Well, of course we would, if you wished to. The Lady probably wouldn't deny you, she seems to genuinely enjoy your presence."

"And what about you?" asked Fleur.

Haldir arched an eyebrow, "I enjoy your presence."

Fleur grinned widely, a light blush dusting her cheeks pink. Haldir felt his heart speed up a bit, much to his embarrassment. "Thank you, silly, but I meant if you would let me live in Lorien. Given the fact that I'm a hazard to myself, surely I'm a hazard to those around me."

"While I cannot deny that you are one of the most dangerous creatures I have ever had the joy to come upon-" He smirked when she stuck her tongue out at him childishly, "-I would certainly like to have you live in Lorien. You and your grandmother both."

"Would I see you everyday?" she asked curiously.

Haldir smiled, "I suppose, if you'd like. Unless I am out on boarder patrol."

Fleur looked as though she were about to start bouncing on the ceiling out of pure joy, "Good, because you're going to have a ton lot of educating to do! I want to learn to speak Elvish, read in Elvish, how to fight, Elvish history, and-"

He held up a hand to stop her, "Wait a second." Haldir said slowly, "Did you say that you wanted to learn to fight?"

Fleur blinked and nodded slowly, "I mean, why not? I can't depend on you to protect me all the time."

Haldir snorted, "Yes, you can."

She shook her head, "You're just one elf, Haldir. I'm a magnet for danger, I draw it towards me. One time you're not going to be there, I'd like to know how to protect myself when the time comes-"

Haldir reached out and held her face gently, "I will protect you." he said firmly.

Where his hands were tingled on Fleur's skin, a pleasant tingle that Fleur just wanted to lean into and let herself be lost to the sensation of another's touch. "I know that." she whispered softly. Her hands reached up and cradled his hand to hers, "But I want to protect you too." she said, closing her eyes and sighing softly.

"I don't need protecting."

She opened her eyes and looked into his. His eyes, a beautiful mix of silver and light blue, held the slightest hint of affection, and a genuine desire to protect. "I know that too." she said, leaning forward she rested her head against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, "But don't you think it would be good to teach me? If not for self defense purposes, then just for exercise? Or entertainment purposes? I am sure that your wardens could use a good laugh as I fall on my butt trying to hold a sword or shoot a bow."

He sighed, praying that she wouldn't detect his rapid heartbeat. Deciding that it wasn't really that horrible of an idea, he gave in, "So long as you promise not to charge into battle, then I suppose I will teach you the basics. And the wardens would indeed be entertained ..."

He felt her jump, and she looked up at him with hope filled eyes, "Really? You would?"

Haldir cleared his throat, "Yes, I suppose."

The suddenly tacked him to the bed, her arms wrapped around his neck, "Oh thank you Haldir! Thank you!"

There was a sudden knock at the door, followed by Rumil striding right on in. He noted their compromising position with a smirk, "I figured I'd find you here, brother. Enjoying your time with Fleur, I see. Have a good night." he winked, then walked back out.

'What just happened?'

I think I'll let you guys determine which oneAnd that ends Chapter Nine! I hope you guys enjoyed it! I tried to add some humor in, but this was one of the kind of serious chapters where I explained Fleur's situation, just as a sort of reminder through all of the craziness of what's really happening and what they're going after. In the next chapter *very minor spoiler alert* Fleur and the gang will be back on the road!

Hope you liked it! ~ Much love and the like! ~ See you guys next time! ~

KITTY ~3

Random thought for anyone who cares ... I was watching Beavis and Butthead the other day (don't judge me!) and had the strangest thought. What would happen if Haldir would be forced to watch it? Would he go insane? (Probably) Would he like it? (Highly doubtful) Sounds like something that Fleur would do to him, ya know, just to tick him off ... I'M NOT CRAZY I SWEAR! ... maybe. Okay, enough! See ya!