Oh wow. I've severely neglected this story and I apologize. Hopefully this chapter makes up for it, even though it is a bit short. Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed!
Ponytail Goddess, Lady Anck-su-namun, luvthefluf, Elfinabottle, walkure13Brynhild, Nelarun, sweetblonde15, Heather Allen, Lostxtortured, Haldir's Heart and Soul, ladyiceangel, lovenhope, GreenWood Elf, alfalfa7, and Aerlinniel5
Hear one side, and you will be in the dark; hear both sides, and all will be clear.
-Haliburton
---Chapter Thirty One---
A blurry form hovered over her. Her surroundings were soft, comfortable. Anira realized she was on a bed, a very luxurious and soothing bed. She blinked her eyes at the bright light.
"Have you decided to wake up then?"
Her heart beat faster at that familiar voice. Haldir cradled her face within his hands as her eyes began to focus once more.
"Water," she managed. He immediately had a cup from the bedside table and helped her to swallow some of the cool liquid.
"You've slept for two days now. It might interest you to know that the mess with Thranduil and the skirmishes has been resolved," he told her. She relaxed back against the pillows and he pulled his chair closer to her bedside. Her mind struggled to remember what the trouble had been. Haldir noticed her troubles with remembering.
"You will be told what happened in good time, but first you must rest, meleth," he told her. "Sleep."
Her eyes felt heavy and she began to suspect that something was in the drink she had been given. She once more surrendered to the consuming darkness.
"Has she awoken?" The healer asked as he entered.
"She has," Haldir replied. "And she has also gone back to sleep."
The healer stepped closer and lifted the blanket to examine some of her wounds.
"The bruises are healing well," he said. "Her wrists, too, are not becoming infected as I had feared. Your lady is a lucky one, my lord."
Haldir nodded and held her limp hand as the healer changed some of her bandages. He worked swiftly, but gently, and finished shortly.
"If she wakes up again, give her the rest of the drink. After that I believe she will be able to eat and walk again," the healer instructed him. He bowed to Haldir and left.
A day later, after the drink was finished and she was awake again, Haldir took on the task of getting her up and walking again. She had been helped into a casual dress by a maid, and seemed to be feeling better.
"Slowly, slowly, meleth," Haldir said, reaching out to steady her other side as she fell slightly. He stood in front of her, arms firmly gripped to hers to help her balance. "Take a few steps and tell me how it feels."
She obeyed and shakily put one foot out, testing her weight and strength. With a relieved sigh, she put the other out and managed to walk, with Haldir's help, across the room and to the doorway.
"Shall we take a stroll in the gardens, my lady?" Haldir asked, assuming a formal tone and offering his arm. Anira laughed at this.
"We shall, my lord. Please, lead the way," she replied.
He stepped to her side and put an arm around her waist while the other remained on her left arm. She seemed to be able to walk on her own without much support. Their pace was slow, but they both enjoyed it nonetheless. Anira rejoiced in being outdoors and hearing the sounds of living things again, after so long being cooped up in a dreary healing ward.
"I have missed you," Haldir said as they walked.
"And I you," Anira answered. "I had feared during my captivity that I would never see you again."
Haldir noticed that she was beginning to tire of their walk and led her to a bench along the path. She sat down willingly and leaned against him, breathing heavily.
"Shall I tell you now what you have missed?" Haldir asked after a few moments of silence. Anira nodded and listened to him speak of an alliance between Mordor and some neighboring tribes of men who sought to force the elven realms into capitulating to their commands. Before they had assembled a vast army, though, Mirkwood had learned of their plot and sent a messenger to warn them. That explained the more frequent orc attacks and the mercenaries hired by Mordor to capture an elven citizen to hold as ransom or to use as an example.
"We are once again safe, and hopefully we will remain so for a very long time," Haldir finished. Anira snuggled closer into him drowsily and relished the feel of his strong arms about her. After a few moments Haldir remembered what he had wanted to tell her urgently.
"A party from Mirkwood containing the king, the prince, and a few of their closest and most trusted soldiers will be traveling here to celebrate our victory with us," he told her. Her interest perked at the mention of Mirkwood.
"That should be interesting," she remarked.
"It will be, since your brother will be among those who will arrive in the next few days," he said. Her eyes widened and she sat up, looking at him in disbelief.
"Really? Truly?"
"Yes," he assured her, amused at her expression and reaction to the news. "And there is something I wish to speak to you about regarding his arrival."
Anira looked at him curiously as he took a deep breath and took one of her hands in his.
"When he comes, I intend to ask him something. However, I would feel much better doing this if I knew your thoughts on this matter," he explained. "I am going to ask your brother for his permission and blessing to wed you."
Anira sat silently, too full of emotions to speak. She couldn't believe what was happening, and sat mutely as her mind processed what he had said.
"Do I have an answer from you?" He asked. Anira could almost catch a trace of nervousness as well.
"You do. But you should have known it already. How could I say anything but yes?" She replied, her face lit up in happiness. He smiled back at her and pulled her into a kiss, passionate and gentle. He pulled back after a few moments to look her in the face again.
"We shall wait until after I have met with your brother to announce this, aye?" Haldir asked.
"We should, yes, but I believe he will not be opposed to it. He seemed to be alright with it when he visited us in Lorien," Anira answered.
"Nevertheless, meleth, I wish to have him confirm it to me."
After a few more kisses, Haldir helped her up and they left the garden together, a picture of tranquility.
"It appears our March warden has gotten Anira up and moving again," Celeborn noted from the terrace. Galadriel walked out to join him and smiled as she watched the two lovers wander lazily through the garden.
"The Valar have worked in remarkable ways to bring them together. I have forseen much about them," she told him as they observed.
"Nothing you won't tell me, right?" Celeborn asked hopefully. Galadriel shook her head.
"I'm afraid it is not mine to tell."
After two years, I can hardly believe this story is coming to an end. As you may or may not have guessed, the next chapter will be an epilogue. I feel as though I have grown up with this story and I hope anyone who's read it has enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I still have another story to finish, and I hope to write some more in the future (ideas are welcome!). Thanks to all who are reading this and decide to review, you all mean so much to me. I promise the epilogue will not take as long as this chapter has taken. Namarie! Happy Thanksgiving!
-ElfLuver13
