Chapter 15

Skyler cursed silently as she raced towards the embattlement. She can't have Ashlocke get there before her; heavens know what she would do to the elves. Haldir's probably not there because he's the Marchwarden but there are still other elves who know her by face and she can't have Ashlocke…Frell.

She finally skidded to a halt on top of the grand stairs leading down to the Lothlorien army below. Ashlocke was already walking towards the leader. Skyler swore again before she growled: "Ash, get back here."

The elves looked up and to their surprise, "another" Skyler stood on top of the staircase.

Ashlocke turned and smirked at her. Skyler glared at her and swept down the stair with her black cape blowing behind her.

"Ash, we're even, no more playing." Skyler said narrowing her eyes while Ashlocke raised an eyebrow when she reached the elven army.

"Sky?" a familiar voice startled her out of her fuming.

She turned and looked up to see a familiar pair of silver eyes staring down at her, albeit swirling with well hidden confusion and emotion.

"Haldir? What…" Skyler said incoherently.

"Lady Galadriel sent me." He replied.

Skyler nodded then sighed and said in Sindarin: (This is my mother, Ashlocke Evans).

Elves normally don't show emotion but this time even Haldir stared at Ashlocke. She looked identical to Skyler, even Lady Celebrien didn't look that much like Lady Galadriel.

(Is she…)

Skyler saw Orophin who spoke up and Rumil beside him.

She smiled at them and shook her head: (No, she's human of twenty-five years, currently in suit to Eomer, nephew to King Theoden of Rohan).

(Human? How is that possible when you've lived for five hundred years?) Rumil asked.

(I do not know, but she as human as they come.) Skyler smiled wryly.

"I do not appreciated being left out of a conversation; especially one that's about me." Ash suddenly cut in.

Sky gave a slightly guilty look when she saw the buried hurt within her mother's eyes. Once again, they were both sharply reminded by Father Time that they were no longer the same people from before. Time had changed them, Sky smiled softly and said: "I apologize, Ash."

Ash waved a dismissive hand at her and glanced at Haldir critically for a few moment before she nodded: "Nice to meet you Haldir of Lothlorien. Here I'm known as Ashlocke Evans, Sky's sister. You may call me Ash."

Haldir bowed his head slightly: "Well met, Lady Ash."

"This is too complicated for me." Rumil winced as he tilted his head slightly in confusion.

"So you are saying, in a previous life you were her mother?" Orophin asked, equally confused.

They were taking a short break before the Urukai's reach them, and currently the two brothers were trying to figure out Ash's relation to Skyler with Ash gazing amusedly at them while Skyler and Haldir stood off to the other side of the room.

Haldir glanced at his brothers and Ash briefly before he turned back to Skyler, his eyes softened perceptibly.

(I was overjoyed when Lady Galadriel informed me of this mission. My heart could not bear to be so far away from you.) He said softly, reaching a hand up to cup Skyler's face.

Skyler blushed deeply but leaned into his touch and murmured: (I am happy you are here; however…my mind screams for me to get you away. The Urukais…I fear for you.)

(Yet not for yourself?)

(Tis selfish of me, but I am content now. In my eyes, I've held the world. I wish for nothing more but you to live on.)

(Life would be meaningless without you. Both of us shall live.)

(Haldir …)

He leaned down and kissed her forehead: (I shall be by your side, always.)

Skyler closed her eyes and clutched the hand beside her face tightly, as if by letting him go, he would disappear.

A voice interrupted their moment of quiet: "Sky, we must get ready now."

Skyler opened her eyes and glanced over at the voice; her mother stood there, a knowing and sad look visible within her eyes despite her inscrutable face.

Skyler moved away from Haldir reluctantly; she turned back to him and said, trying her best to keep her voice steady: "You must stay with the Galadhrims. I will be leading Rohan with my mother."

Haldir nodded.

Skyler turned and leaved, but at the door she whispered, without turning around: (I love you.) She hurried away after her mother, too pained to remained there any longer and indulge in the brief moment of peace and love she had been given.