Wow. So much for getting this chapter out on Tuesday, when it was meant to be put up. Stupid Algebra. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter cause it took a long time to write. It is very interesting. Lets just say Anira encounters a past...friend.

Thank you to my reviewers and to luvthefluf, who gave me an idea for this chapter. Enjoy!


Disclaimer: I own no part of Tolkien's work on LOTR or anything else you may recognize as his.
-------------------Chapter Fifteen--------------------
Later, after Haldir had left, Anira sat on the porch once again, mending, with the warm sun beating down on her. She smiled occasionally while working as she rememebered their time together. Soft kisses, sneaky touches, and whispered nothings flew vaguely in and out of her mind. Her lips still tingled from the parting kiss he gave her just before he left.

Midnight. He would be back at midnight. She did not want to think of the next two weeks or what it would bring. A slight breeze, contrasting sharply to the warm day, blew strands across her face and made her look up to see a golden leaf land on the porch railing. She stood up curiously and stared at the beautful, star-shaped leaf in front of her.

She was pulled out of her dream by shouting down below.They sounded like they were talking about a visiting group approaching Lorien. She knew they would be cautious as to who they let enter, so she turned back to her work and drifted back into her thoughts.


"My lord!"

Haldir looked up from rebuking a trainee to see a border guard walking towards him.

"An emissary group from Mirkwood draws near," the flustered guard said.

"Have you alerted Lord Celeborn?" He answered. The young guard nodded and at that very moment the Lord of the Wood himself entered the training grounds.

"Haldir, I want you and some of your wardens to greet them. Apparently they have gotten word of our attack and wish to see of our safety. Bring them into the city," Celeborn said. Haldir nodded briskly and called a few wardens over to him, Feredir among them.

"So," Feredir said, while tacking his horse, "Do you really think they wish to see of our safety?"

"They could be. What else would they be doing here?" Haldir countered. Feredir seemed to mull this over and remained silent.

"Is Minaethiel alright?" Haldir said, trying to start conversation on the way out to the borders.

"She was near in pieces when I returned. Sobbing, collapsed right in front of me as I walked in," he answered sadly. "But she will be fine. She is catching up on sleep that she did not get while I was fighting."

The only sound heard was the dull thump of the horses' hooves as they neared the borders. Three other high ranked wardens were among them.

When they reached the borders, a guard reported that the group was entering at that very moment. Haldir took Feredir and another warden with him, leaving the others. Haldir spied them walking serenly towards him, though at the moment they knew not where he was. They had Horthien, the head of Mirkwood's Royal army, and six other ellyn of similar status to Haldir in the company. He sensed their apprehension as they looked around the trees, trying to find them. When they had gone far enough, Haldir revealed himself.

"My lords, what brings you into Lothlorien this far?" Haldir said, his voice a deep and dangerous tone. Horthien raised his golden head, and stared back at him with the same intensity.

"We request a meeting with your leaders," he said. Haldir's mind instantly went to the moment when he last heard that said. Anira, with her hard headed and stubborn qualities, had said those words a month or two ago when she had first sought passage into Lorien. Clearing his head of those thoughts that came with the mention of Anira, Haldir nodded and preceded to lead them towards the city.

Wait? Were his eyes tricking him? He glanced back sharply again to take in the form of one of the soldiers accompanying Horthien. It was almost like looking at Anira, in male form. Those blue eyes brought back memories of only hours ago. He turned again, and kept walking.


Anira picked up her cloak and clasped it around her. A little walk through the market wouldn't hurt. She might even be able to visit Haldir by the training grounds if he wasn't too busy. She descended the steps happily, enjoying the bright orange colors of the sky as the sun set. She reached the forest floor and looked up to see the last two people she would have ever expected.

Within the group of green clad emmissaries, she spotted her brother. He looked relatively the same. Next to him, rode Orthorien.

At one time in her immortal life, she thought she had been deeply in love with him. Their differences, however, kept them at constant arguing and she had had enough. She left him. She left her country. But he still had feelings to pursue her.

Ignoring Orthorien, she ran up to her brother. His eyes brightened and he leaped of his horse, meeting her halfway in a brotherly embrace. She laughed and he hugged her harder. Haldir stood looking on with amused amazement, along with the rest of Lorien and the Mirkwood company.

"Gwathel, my heart is glad to see you again. Have you yet found your place in this world?" Heheld her out at arm's length, his eyes remembering every inch of her.

"I have no answer to that Maethor, I doubt I ever will. You are to meet with the Lord and Lady, I can talk with you later," she said hurriedly, noticing the messengers' intent from the look on Horthien's face.

She backed away and offered a bow to the Head of the Royal army. He acknowledged her briefly before continuing to follow Haldir, who gave her a wink before going on.

Her eyes followed them as they resumed their procession to the Central Talan.


The meeting with the Lord and Lady was tedious. They talked of the recent assault on the Golden Wood and Horthien inquired if the orcs seemed to be headed towards Mirkwood, or a different direction. It was a simple reply, they had gone back to Mordor.

After nearly an hour of questions and answers, the Lady offered them a place to sleep and rest for as long as they wished to stay. Thanking them profusely, the Mirkwood emmissaries bade them good night.

Haldir walked up to Maethor. "If you would like to speak with your sister, I can take you to her," he said.

"I thank you, March warden," Maethor answered, and followed Haldir to his talan. Haldir could see the elf looking curiously at his surroundings, eyes darting every which way. They ascended the steps, and Haldir pushed open the wood door to his home.

"Anira," Haldir called. She poked her head out of her room and dashed towards them when she recognized her brother.

"I am sorry, but I must leave. The young recruits will be missing their instructor," Haldir said, not wanting to interrupt the reunion. Anira hugged him briefly before he left. When he was out of earshot, her brother finally spoke up.

"You live with him," he said suspiciously.

"I am his maid," she answered quickly.

"Oh? Gwathel-nin, I have known you long enough to realize you are much more than a common maid to him," he said skeptically.

"So what if I am? You are not in control of me."

"You sound like a ten year old."

"I'll have you know I was much more responsible than you were when I was ten!"

"What proves that? We are both hundreds of years old now!"

"Look at us. We're fighting like elflings again," she said, letting out a sigh.

"Brings back memories, doesn't it?" He said reminiscently.

"Oh stop it! We should both be mature adults by now."

"Yes, we should. If you are carrying a relationship with the March warden of Lorien-" he was cut off.

"He has a name!" She interrupted.

"Yes, well, you get my point. You are well aware of who is also in our company?"

"Indeed I am. If Orothorien really wants a statement, and not a public rejection, you can tell him I've moved on. He can stay away from me, and my new life," she said. She narrowed her eyes at his amused features.

"What?"

"You remind me of Naneth. You always have. I believe I shall leave you for tonight, and I promise to relay some of your message to Orthorien," he said. Hugging her one last time, he waved and headed off to his guest quarters.

She sat awake for a while, unable to sleep because of the recent events. Her own brother! Here in Lorien! She never thought she would see that day. Anira was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she did not hear Haldir's return.

"What are you doing up so late?" He asked, entering the talan.

"I must have lost track of time. My brother left a while ago...I think," she responded, after jumping at his voice. He walked over to her and sat down next to her. She put her head in the crook of his neck as his arms enfolded around her, drawing her to him. His scent washed over her, and he felt her smile against him.

"Does you brother know about us?" He asked. She pulled back slightly and he looked down at her, waiting for an answer.

"Apparently, yes. He asked why I was living with you and could not take the fact that I was only your maid. He suspected something right from the beginning," she replied.

"Sounds like you, lirimaer."

She blushed at the amorous title and leaned into him again. Silence passed.

"As much fun as this is, I would think we would both like to sleep sometime tonight," Haldir stated. He looked down at her to see her nod sleepily, and picked her up. Contrary to the last time he had done this, she welcomed it and remained peaceful while he set her down her room and went into his.


Anira woke the next morning feeling alone. She was. Unwinding herself from the sheets, she dressed and bathed for the day. After eating a solitary breakfast, she once again set out to do some errands and enjoy the day.

While she was resting by the stream, she talked with Minaethiel a little. She was in a hurry to visit her sister, afraid she was going to be late. Once again, all alone, she let her mind wander. Staring at her reflection, she saw a familiar face appear beside hers. Orothorien's features searched for her eyes.

"Greetings, old friend," he said. A false cheerfulness clung to his voice.

"Did my brother not speak with you?" She said coldly.

"He did. He also warned me about your March warden. Tell me, is he as good as me? What does he possess that I do not?"

"He cares for me. You did, at one time, before you decided you felt the need to control every bit of my life."

"But what if I've changed? What if I told you I still loved you?" He was begging like a dog.

"So that is what this is about? I will tell you the exact same thing my brother told you. I have moved on. I have found another who loves me more than you ever could!" She stormed out of the clearing back to Haldir's talan.

"I told you, Orothorien. If you are not careful, you will induce the March warden's wrath," Maethor said, stepping out from behind a tree. Orothorien turned to look at him, anger flashing in his dark green eyes.

"I don't care! Let him come to me! She will realize soon enough that this...this...March warden is not worthy of her!" He said, his rage evident.

"Tell me, soldier of Mirkwood, who am I not worthy of?" Haldir stepped into the clearing after hearing Orothorien's outburst, his own anger beginning to rise. Orothorien shrunk as he saw the look in Haldir's eyes.

"Anira. The maiden who holds my heart, but claims that her's belongs to you," he said mournfully.

"You appear to me as though a love-sick elfling, not yet having reached his majority," Haldir mocked.

The highly perturbed ellon was beyond the point of thinking clearly, his state of breathing and movement clearly showed this.

"I will show you! She will come to her senses soon enough, and leave with me to return to Mirkwood," he shouted.

"As your wife? Or as your captive?" He yet again mocked, the elves around them snickered at this statement. Orothorien, fed up with all the ridicule, left the clearing in a fuming state.

"I admire your personality, March warden," Maethor said to him. "I have tried already to tell him that Anira is a lost cause, set in her ways, but he would not listen."

"I thank you, for your praise and for your approval," Haldir said. They parted ways and returned to their duties.


Gwathel-nin My Sister

Lirimaer Lovely one

Ellyn(plural) male elves, Ellon male elf


How was it? Did you like it? Pretty good for taking eight days to write. Reviews and comments welcomed and appreciated. Did you like the plot twist and arrival of new characters? I hope I can update soon, for both yours and my sakes. Again, I apologize for the late chapter. Hope you enjoyed it!

-ElfLuver13