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So I think that all who reviewed my last chapter are like the greatest people in this whole entire world... especially if they review this chapter. Please forgive me but I've been preparing for State for speech and I really haven't been able to think about anything else except grades. But I'm back... hopefully...

I would like to thank not magical me, luvthefluff, HuNkYcHuNkYmOnKeY97030, Myri78, alfalfa7, and Elfluver13 for reviewing.

Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men.
- General George Patton Jr

The Double-Edged Romance

Chapter 21

Lindariel was in her room writing a letter back to her mother-in-law in Mirkwood. She was assuring her that she would return soon and that both she and the baby were doing fine when someone knocked on her door. Lindariel stopped. "Come in," she said politely after putting herself into a much more lady like manner then she was before.

Haldir opened the door and bowed his head. "Greetings Lindariel," he said once entering the room. "I cannot stay long but Aerlinniel would like me to invite you to dine with us this night. What should my reply be to her?" Said Haldir in a mocking tone because he already knew the answer.

Lindariel smiled. "Tell your sweet lady that I accept her invitation and I will be there tonight."

"My lady will be pleased," Haldir replied.

"Where are you going that makes you in such a rush today?" Asked Lindariel.

"I must speak to Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. I am leaving for the borders soon but I would like to have more men with me when I leave. Times are getting dangerous, Lindariel, and you will have to leave soon if you want to get back alive to Mirkwood without running into an orc problem." Haldir's face no longer looked happy but grew very serious, worry was written upon his face.

Lindariel knew she should be worried but for some reason she wasn't. She felt like something wonderful was going to happen soon and she anticipated it everyday. "No need to worry Haldir I will have many soldiers with me and I know that everything will be ok."

"How do you know?" Haldir challenged disturbed by her casual response without a trace of worry.

Lindariel shrugged. "I just have this feeling that everythings going to be alright."

Haldir sighed, obvoiusly not understanding her logic. I will see you tonight then. Now I must go." Lindariel and Haldir said their goodbyes and Haldir left her room closing the door behind him.

Lindariel made her way to the familiar talan that she occupied before going to Mirkwood. She was nervous. Did Aerlinniel know about her and Haldir's past relationship? She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Only a few moments later a young woman about Lindariel's height and just a few years younger than she opened the door. She was very beautiful with her long black hair and her piercing blue eyes. Her smile seemed to bring out her youth.

"You must be Lindariel," she said. "Come in." Aerlinniel beckoned her in and Lindariel walked into the talan. "It is so good to finally get to meet you, my lady." Aerlinniel curtsied.

"Please call me Lindariel." Aerlinniel just smiled and an uncomfortable silence fell over them until Haldir entered the room a few minutes later.

"Lindariel! I see you made it," said Haldir, walking over to give Lindariel I friendly hug. "You have already met Aerlinniel now I see. I hope you to are getting to know each other."

Aerlinniel nodded and said to Lindariel, "I believe that the food is done, so if you will follow me to the dining room where we will eat." Lindariel followed Haldir and Aerlinniel to the dining room. Much had not changed in Haldir's house since the last time she was there. When Lindariel was seated and Haldir was helping Aerlinniel bring in the food, someone knocked on the door.

Haldir set the plate down full of vegetables. "I'll get it." She heard Haldir go to the door and then the familiar two voices speaking to him. But before Haldir could respond they entered the room. The two voices belonged to Rumil and Orophin.

Lindariel gasped and quickly left her seat and ran to the figures just at the door. She through her arms around them both. "Rumil," she said giving them each an individual hug. "Orophin, its so good to see you again."

"Well, well Orophin is it just me or is Lindariel even more beautiful than the last time we saw her?" Rumil's eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Why yes I believe so but if you ask me I believe that she might have put on a little weight while she was gone," Orophin said jokingly. Lindariel could only smile. She loved Rumil and Orophin they always made her smile.

"Haldir is someone here?" Aerlinniel stopped and saw Rumil and Orophin. "Oh it just Rumil and Orophin I should have known. Well I suppose you to would like to stay for dinner as well then."

Rumil smiled at her. "Why of course we would like to stay for dinner, Aerlinniel, how nice of you to ask us." Aerlinniel just smiled and went back into the kitchen to get more food. "She's a great cook," aid Rumil looking at Lindariel.

"We could eat here alot," said Orophin.

Lindariel laughed. "Oh you two haven't changed a bit." And she hugged them once again.

After the dinner they all retired to the living room. Rumil and Orophin were right, Aerlinniel was an exellent cook. They soon began talking about the past. Talking about childhood stories and trying to embarrass Haldir as much as possible was what the brothers were trying to do. Aerlinniel listened attentively and did not supress her laughter.

Aerlinniel was a sweet elleth and a very smart one as well. She could see why Haldir liked her so much.

"I remember when I once professed my undying love to Lindariel and then asked her to marry me," declared Rumil.

Lindariel laughed. "I remember that. I remember that you were very drunk and because I had helped you home you said that you wished me to marry you."

"Ah yes very drunk I was," Rumil agreed. "I believe I told you that we should go plan the wedding immediately and you told me to wait until morning."

"Yes," Lindariel said with a smile.

"You know you can still marry me now I'm free," Rumil gave her a mischevious smile.

"I'm sorry, but I'm already married and I have a child on the way." She patted her stomach to prove it.

"Ah yes tell us about you husband Lindariel," Orophin said. "I believe I got to meet him once or twice but what do you think?" Everyone was silent waiting for an answer.

She sighed. "Well Legolas is very kind, caring, smart, and charming."

"Now come on, don't be modest," Rumil said. "You're with friends now, tell us all about him."

Lindariel sat silently thinking about Legolas. He was everything she could ever want. She remembered his touch, his kiss, and how much she wished that he was with her.

Haldir must have sensed her sadness. "Now Rumil and Orophin I think you should leave Lindariel alone about her husband. He is going to war after all I'm sure that she doesn't want to talk about it." Haldir looked at her. How grateful she was to have such a friend. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain from where the baby was. She gasped and clutched her stomach.

Haldir, Rumil, Orophin, and Aerlinniel crowded around her. "Are you all right?" Asked Aerlinniel.

"I'm... but I think... I think I felt the baby move." Lindariel gave a weak smile as the kicking continued.

"I'm taking her home," said Haldir firmly. After saying her goodbyes to Aerlinniel and promising her that she would have tea with her before she left. Haldir and Lindariel walked side by side on the road back to her house. "Tomorrow I'm leaving for the borders again," Haldir said solemny.

"For how long?" Lindariel asked on looking him in the eye.

"I don't know but if you leave before seeing me please be careful," Haldir said. "I thought it was risky of you to come in the first place but now leaving is much more dangerous."

"Don't worry I'll be fine," Lindariel said but she knew that no matter what she said it wasn't fine. "I'm just curious, but does Aerlinniel know about... us?"

"Yes," Haldir said. "I told her about us and how you and I both realized that we were wrong and moved on with our lives." They had now reached the entrance to her home.

"And she's ok with all of this?" Lindariel asked nervously.

"If she wasn't they she would have never allowed me to invite you over." Haldir replied.

Lindariel was relieved. "Good, I really like her, she seems nice and I'm happy for you."

"As I am for you," Haldir gave her a hug good night as he began to walk away. That night she sat awake wanting to talk to Legolas. Where was he? Was he still alive? Would he be home for the birth? The baby suddenly moved again. Lindariel just smiled. She could only hope. She drifted off to sleep a little later.