Okay, before you come upon me with axes and clubs and others of the sort, I will tell you now that I just got back from a trip which was planned the same week I happened to want to write the next chapter. This chapter is in fact a week late. Also, ideas are running low, so others are appreciated. Please thank the recent reviewers for inspiring me to update, it's a little hard to not write when people keep telling you to.

Hey! luvthefluf! YOU ROCK! This chapter is for you and also for Muddie21 and lovenhope, who got me to get writing this chapter and stop procrastinating.


Disclaimer: I am not the incredible genius and writer who has thought up Middle-Earth nor will I ever be. These are starting to become annoying.

Mudannen lû ann ah narn hen


-Chapter Twenty-


A loud thud echoed throughout the talan has Anira set down a large basket containing an assortment of dirty clothes. She had been up since dawn. Haldir still slept soundly, despite all the clamor she was sure could have even woken the Hall of Mandos. The sun was now midway to the top of the sky.

"Wake up," she said, entering his chambers.

He moved slightly.

"Haldir," she said, a little louder. He sat up.

"I was up the first time, you can stop your incessant noise, elleth."

With an indignant huff, she stooped down and picked up the basket.

"This incessant noise is going to do the laundry. Your laundry in fact," she answered.

"Really, I didn't know..." his groggy voice trailed off.

"If you fall back asleep, milord, I will not be here to wake you up again," came her testy voice.

"I think I'll risk it," he said, turning back on his side.

There was a fair amount of elves up and moving when she left the talan, and many gave her a nod as she passed them. She knew it was from the night before. The brisk morning air made her wish she had brought a cloak, the meager sunlight filtering through the trees was barely keeping her warm.

Anira gave a sigh of relief when she entered the empty clearing. Not that she wasn't amiable, but she didn't know if she could face a bunch of giggling ellith asking her about Haldir. She began to think of the night ahead of her as she submerged the first piece of clothing. After a few minutes work, she sensed a presence behind her.

"Good morning, I had not thought I would see you here," Curuthion's vaguely familiar voice was heard.

"As well as I," Anira answered. "Do you do your own laundry?" She added as he sat down on the rock next to her.

"No, I often come here in the early mornings to think. Now that I have seen you here, I would like to apologize," he said.

"What for?" Anira asked.

"I now fear for my safety. I tried to distract the attentions of the March warden's partner, and I am lucky he has not come after me for it yet," he explained.

"I doubt he will, he did not say anything about it last night," she said, hardly believing what was being said.

"He did not even mention it? I might have a chance," he said with relief. She laughed at his anxiousness.

"You laugh? I was really worried about this last night."

"Will you be attending tonight?" Anira asked.

"I might. I still have friends and other aquaintances I could enjoy the night with," he responded.

"I will most likely be there, if Haldir ever wakes up," she said despondently.

"Not a light sleeper, eh?" Curuthion said. "Well, it certainly was nice seeing you here. I must go, I hope to see you at the festival tonight."

"And I as well," she replied. She hung the last piece of clothing and gathered her things, setting off back to the talan.

The moment she entered, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist and a warm breath against her neck. His lips moved to her neck, making her lean into him.

"Haldir..." she started. He moved his lips to cover hers, silencing her. His arms tightened around her as she snaked hers up and around his neck.

"I'm awake."

He pulled away, keeping her face close to his.

"I see that," she whispered.

Haldir pulled her into another kiss before letting go of her.

"Playful, are we?" Anira said as she walked to the kitchen.

As she listened to him in the next room reading, she began to think of what her time in Lorien had done to her. She didn't think her parents would even recognize her new personality. She was more bold and outgoing. Haldir's own obstinance had tought her to keep her own in check, unlike before. She smiled to herself as her mind brought up the first encounter with Haldir, how afraid she had been. Walking back out into the main room, she saw Haldir preparing to leave.

"Training fields," he said brusquely, answering her unsaid question.

"Why the sudden leave taking?" She asked, now curious.

"It helps me think, and I haven't shot an arrow in three days."

"Valar help us, the March warden is neglecting his duties," she said, throwing her hand across her face and feinting a swoon.

"Goodbye Anira," he called, choosing to ignore her antics. After he left, she began humming a familiar tune and went back to her cleaning.


"I didn't see much of you last night," Feredir said as Haldir stepped up beside him. They stood looking across the great expanse of the archery field, small targets in the distance. Haldir picked up his bow.

"We decided to leave before any more conflicts came our way," Haldir said as he notched an arrow.

"You will be coming tonight?" Feredir asked, notching his own.

Haldir released the arrow and it hit dead center with a dull thud. "Yes."

Feredir let loose his own, missing the center by barely an inch. "Good."

Almost an hour went by before their target practice was interrupted by Orophin.

"A group is arriving from the Grey Havens," he told them. Haldir looked up questioningly.

"Do they know of our celebrations?" Feredir asked.

"Of course. The group is said to be made up of mostly diplomatic figures, but a few others travel with them," Orophin answered, "they will be attending tonight."


Anira sat pinning her hair back and braiding the rest into small, intricate braids. She looked down the light grey gown she was wearing, silver lining the hem.Taking one last look at her reflection in the mirror, she stepped out into the main room where Haldir was sitting calmly.

He looked up at her as she entered and she blushed under his gaze. He stood and took her arm, giving her a quick kiss.

"We have visitors for tonight, I will be expected to greet them," Haldir said as they walked along the moonlit path in solitude.

"What kind of visitors?" She asked, glancing up into the dark canopy of trees overhead.

"They are from the Grey Havens, probably here to discuss the current situation of the orc uprisings," he answered. Anira gave an involuntary shudder, thinking of the one that ambushed Lothlorien.

"I know no one from the Grey Havens, in fact, I knew no one from Lothlorien until I relocated here," she said. "Do you know of anyone?" They were getting closer to the festival, lights became brighter and noises became louder.

"A few, none that I've seen for quite some time," he said. Anira could see his face in the faint light and knew he was thinking, remembering something, or at least trying to remember something.

"What is it?" She said suddenly. Haldir gave her an inquisitive glance at the question, lifting a brow. "Your face, I've known you long enough to know you are thinking about something."

"That time is long past," he said distantly. "I know of someone who might be here, an old...friend." His vague answer made her uneasy and she sensed the night would not turn out much better than the previous had.

Immediately as they entered the clearing, the sounds of dancing and laughing reached them in a melodious stream. The Grey Haven elves were not hard to find, their different style of dress clearly separated them.

Before she could get a better look at them, Haldir whisked her another direction.

"Haldir, where are we going?" She tensed at his slightly anxious look, a look she had never seen nor had the desire to.

"Trust me, Anira, we can meet them later," he answered, scanning the elves around them.

"Haldir? Oh, it has been too long! I expected you would be here!" A distinguished female voice with a sharp accent called to them. Anira turned first to see a stunning elleth walking rapidly towards them. Her hair, similar but not exact to the Lothlorien's own color of silver, hung free down below her waist save one large plait downher back. Her skin glowed with youth far younger than her own, though her eyesdetermined her to be of Anira's age. She was from the Grey Havens, her gown fitting her perfect form like a glove.

Haldir turned slowly to look at the approaching elf, forcing a smile upon his features.

"Oh, you haven't changed one bit!" The elleth threw her arms around him, pulling him close and causing Anira to be pushed away. Haldir looked clearly uncomfortable to be wrapped in her grasp, his stiff body never moved as in a way to greet the elleth.

"And who is this? I am guessing just a seemly companion to improve your status," her eyes shifted to Anira, standing off to the side. At that moment, Anira felt hatred for the elleth that she had never known before.

Haldir took her distracted moment to escape, taking a step back.

"Please, introduce us Haldir, I so eagerly want to meet another elleth who can capture your attentions, if only for a short time," the elleth simpered.

"Ah," he paused, "this is Anira. Anira, this is...Arasinya."

"Pleasure," Arasinya said with a trace of a mocking tone. Anira willed herself not to say anything, knowing it would wreak havoc, so she allowed a short bow towards her.

"Haldir, you must tell me what all you have been doing," she laid a hand on his upper arm, then slid it down to clutch his forearm as a partner would. As she dragged him to an empty clearing, he turned slightly and gave Anira an apologetic look. She stood shocked and motionless amidst the moving elves around her. A hand caught her arm.

"No need to explain," Orophin said as her mouth opened, "I will explain it to you, I watched the entire thing."

They sat down on a bench away from the clamor of the festivities. Merilwen sat shyly on the other side of Orophin, giving Anira a friendly smile as best she could.

"Now, I trust you have been introduced to Arasinya?" Anira nodded, curious as to what he would tell her. "Arasinya was once a very good acquaintance of my brother, they were courting for quite some time. Everyone expected them to marry, especially Arasinya herself. She put on quite a show for the rest of us, but Haldir knew of her plans for power. She, like many others before her, desired a high position. In her haste, she told everyone of her betrothal to my brother, which, as you can see, never existed nor ever happened. When he told her that he was not in love with her as he once thought he was, or ever was at all, she was enraged."

Anira sat spellbound, Haldir had never spoken much of his past. Orophin continued despite the many questions showing in her confused expression.

"She did everything she could to win him back, even planning to permanently move to Lorien to pursue him. Apparently, she has never given up," he finished.


"Haldir, my love, you can not tell me you are actually courting that elleth back there? Anara or something rather? She looked like a common maid, definitely not deserving of a March warden on her arm and I-"

"Stop." His voice was cold as ice. "Please, just stop."

Arasinya looked at him in surprise.

"I do not think I deserve that tone for traveling all the way here with my father just to see you," she shot back at him.

"If you," he raised his voice, "had realized long ago that I have lost all feelings for you, you would not have made that useless trip just to try and sway my already made mind."

"I know you still love me! I do!" She threw herself against him, only to be pushed away immediately.

"Listen to me. Heed my words. I harbor no romantic feelings for you anymore. I apologize if I sound harsh, but I truly wish to move on with my life, I cannot do that with you constantly chasing me to win my affections."

"Tell me one thing about this Anora-"

"Anira."

"Right, her, one thing that sets her apart from me. What attracts you to her?"

"Do you plan on taking notes?" His sarcastic voice said. She looked thoughtfully into the trees next to them.

"For one, she sees me as I am. Not as a March warden, or a high standing military official," he started.

"But she is practically a peasant! She comes from Mirkwood! You and I both know-"

"Please don't insult her, not when I am around to hear it," he said.

"My father wanted to speak to you, you know," she quickly changed the subject.

"Tel him I am busy and can speak with him tomorrow, I wish to find Anira at the moment." He left her abruptly, leaving her to sit staring after him with a vengeance.


Orophin looked up from where they sat to see Haldir striding purposefully towards them.

"Anira, I deeply apologize for my actions, I-"

"No need. Orophin told me everything." He held out his arm for her to take, she excepted it and follwed him to where he led her.

They were alone. Trees surrounded them, dark shadows rising up high above them.

"Haldir, why-" He cut her off, pulling her into the deepest, most sincere kiss she had ever had. His lips met hers as he moved one arm around her waist and the other pushing her head towards him. Feeling his tongue along her bottom lip, she opened her mouth to allow him to deepen it even more.

"Please forgive me?" His face was illuminated by the moon light, hair shining down his back in a straight cascade of silver.

"Always. But I see not what I need to forgive you for, you've never wronged me," she said.

"This night, our night, was ruined. I spent the night arguing with Arasinya while you listened to my possibly boring brother," he said.

She laughed, "Haldir, that is what I like about you. I did learn from Orophin, about your relationship with Arasinya."

"I would like to forget her. She has not given up hope on securing me as her husband," he said. He helped her up from where they were sitting, on a fallen tree trunk.


Enjoyed it? I think I did fairly well on the second night. Silima and Arasinya will not be forgotten, they will appear again. Those two names are elvish, Silima means 'crystal' and Arasinya means 'dear'. Reviews are appreciated and I hope no one has given up on the story because of my lack of updates. FINALS ARE OVER! I'll have more time between my many trips this summer to write! Thank you to anyone who reads and reviews!

-ElfLuver13