A.N.: Okay, I know I really have no other explanation other than school, midterms, and second quarter report cards, so I'm not going to bother explaining. Many thnks to my beta, Rae Simmons, without whom I would never have gotten out so soon(yes, soon...I'm scared to think what might be late...). You rock!

Another note: Lady Celephindes is really my best friend/sister in the whole wide world of Middle Earth, Girly 411. Check out her profile!

Disclaimer: Do I really have to?


Haldir groaned as Nestor poked and prodded around the newly finished row of stitches in his arm.

"You are being such a child about all of this," the healer sighed, straightening and wiping his hands on a cloth.

"No more than anyone else would. That blasted hurts! Not to mention, you have been jabbing at it. Are you waiting to see if it will stand up and do tricks?"

Nestor snorted at the affronted look on the Marchwarden's face and moved around the room, gathering up equipment and depositing them in a large container to be brought into the back so he could sterilize it.

"Again, you are acting like a child."

"Am not," he pouted.

"Oh by the way," Nestor threw over his shoulder as he exited the room, "Lady Apsenniel is going to be coming in shortly to keep you company while I see to her brother. He woke up recently, you know."

"She is? I mean, he did?" Haldir stuttered a bit as he tried to get his thoughts back in order.

"Aye. In fact, she should be here...now," he said, smirking as she walked timidly into the room.

Apsenniel curtsied and murmured, "Lord Haldir," in a small voice. For some reason, she was incredibly nervous to be around him again.

"Apsenniel. I did not know he was awake until just moments ago. Forgive me, I would have said something sooner if I had but known..." he petered off when she gave him a stern look.

"You could have done no such thing. And besides, it was only a half hour ago. I just left his side but moments ago so Lord Nestor could take over for me. He is still not out of danger, I suppose you could say, for the next forty eight hours, due to the amount of trauma suffered. He just seems...so different. I think this battle has affected him more than any other he has ever experienced."

"This battle has affected all of us in ways the others have not. It was not one to be taken lightly. Many elves-brilliant ones too-lost their lives in these past seven days. I fear I shall never be rid of these horrible images that float before my mind every time I blink. You cannot understand..."

Haldir's eyes shone overbright with unshed tears. Slightly embarrassed, he cleared his throat and turned his head so that he was staring out the window.

Slowly, Apsenniel reached out her hand and grasped his tightly, attempting to convey all the comfort in that gesture she could not in words otherwise. She smiled when he squeezed back, and moved her thumb in light circles over the back of his hand, skimming over the large knuckles.

"I am sorry for losing my composure," he said gruffly after a while.

"You have every right to. Especially after what you experienced," she said firmly, turning his head to look at her.

"I am always going to be here for you, Haldir. Never forget that."

"I shall not, for fear of not getting my blueberry pie," he smirked.

"Naturally," she snorted. "Ellyn always think of their bellies."

He cocked his brow slightly, and pulled on her index finger.

"What makes you think that?"

"I happen to live with the proof," she said dryly.

"True... he does tend to eat a lot," he conceded.

Nestor walked in, and beckoned wordlessly for Apsenniel to follow him.

"Lord Nestor! Is everything alright?" she asked, dreading the answer.

"Please, Lady Apsenniel. Jut follow me. There is something I must say to you concerning your brother that cannot be said anywhere but in private."

Gulping, she followed him out of the room, feeling as if she were going to her own execution.

"Yes?" she said when they were in his office in the back.

"Vanafindon has a good chance of not regaining his complete range of abilities due to injuries of the spinal cord."

"What do you mean? He had feeling..."

"As I said, he suffered severe trauma, some blunt, some not. He might not do more than hobble, or walk very slowly. I would not be surprised if he was unable to walk altogether. He is hanging in the balance at the moment. We shall know more soon when we begin him on physical therapy. Also, he may have mental blocks detrimental to his health in addition. Depression can lead to a hopeless feeling in a situation, to the point where a person may not want to do anything to try to help the situation, as they feel nothing else can be done for them. I suggest lending an open and understanding ear whenever he wants to talk."

"Of course," she croaked, feeling utterly floored. "Does he know about this?"

"Yes. It was my duty to inform him," Nestor answered stoically.

"How did he take it?"

"As well as anyone in his position. I believe he knew in his heart what the diagnosis would be."


As she entered his room apprehensively, images from their childhood flashed before her eyes. She smiled over some, especially the time when he had fallen out of the lowest branches of a mallorn upon the very same elf who had just told her that her brother may never be able to defend the noble city of Lothlórien again.

"Vanafindon?" she called softly.

"Aye, I am here," came the muffled reply. "I suppose he told you, did he not?"

"Yes. I am so sorry. You must be crushed!" No longer able to stop the flow of tears, she succumbed to them at her brother's bedside.

Weak as he was, Vanafindon stayed up for another fifteen minutes before his eyes glazed over in deep reverie.

Apsenniel had no more wish to leave her brother than Haldir would be parted from his sword for any length of time, and kept a vigil for the next forty eight hours, until Nestor assured her he would be fine, and all but threw her out of the house.

She had no idea what to do when she finally meandered her way up to her talan, so Apsenniel began to bake. And bake. It was an automatic motion for her, and she came to her senses only when she realised there was no counter space left, and she had run out of ingredients. A gentle knock sounded on the door, startling her, and she hurried out of the kitchen to see who it was.

Shock registered plainly on her face when she saw it was Celephindes on the other side, and hurriedly ushered her in.

"Mmmmm, it smells simply divine! What have you been making?" Celephindes asked her as she was shown into the sitting room.

"Would everything count?" Apsenniel said sheepishly, shrugging her shoulders. "It is true. I have not stopped until just now, and only because I have both no space left to put anything, and I have run out of food altogether. Please, take some with you when you leave. I will not be able to eat all of it."

"Gladly. I have sampled your food before during festivals. It is simply scrumptious. Tell me, what else can you do?"

"Erm...this is really it, other than nag," she mumbled, going pink about the ears. "I cannot sew, my voice is terrible, I am passable with weaving, and the sight of blood disgusts me. So, I cook."

"Ah. I see." Celephindes nodded once, and looked over to the many plates and platters of food practically spilling over the counters. "I do believe I shall take enough to last several days, if you do not mind."

"Oh, not at all! I find I have not much of an appetite anyway. Please, take what you will."

Celephindes walked around, peering at the choices, then said, "I would like to have your permission to visit your brother. I have not had a true conversation with him, so I would like to get to know him a bit better. Of course, it all depends on his condition, and if he is willing to see anyone other than family at this time, so naturally I went to you..." She trailed off into uncertain silence, waiting for Apsenniel's answer.

"Aye, you may visit. He might be...churlish...but do not let that get to you. He is usually a bear after a long stint on the borders, and even more so when he is stuck in bed."

Celephindes gave an unladylike snort, then said, "Males are always idiots. You can never trust them to do anything correctly."

"I thoroughly agree," Apsenniel said smartly, then burst out laughing. Celephindes joined in, and it was several minutes before they were finally able to get a hold of themselves again.

"So...you really want to visit with my brother."

"Yes, I would very much indeed like to," came the reply.

"My brother."

"Yes..."

"Vanafindon. The bear. The block headed idiot?"

"Yes, although I would not go so far as to call him all those."

Apsenniel worked at getting the incredulous look off her face, then said, "Be my guest. I have already warned you, and can do no more to deter you from your decision, can I?"

"Definitely not. I do plan on seeing him, but I wanted to make sure it would be alright for me to first, before I went."

"If you insist...but do not say I did not warn you."


Vanafindon was reading a large tome when Nestor walked in.

"You have a guest, Lord Vanafindon."

"Tell Penny to bring me more pie next time she comes. This...substance you call food is simply disgusting."

"It is not Lady Apsenniel here to see you," he smirked. "And by the way, the Lady made the broth you detest so much specially for you and the others."

"Ah. I see," he said, paling a little.

Nestor disappeared then, and was replaced a few moments later by a silvery-blonde haired maiden.

Vanafindon felt his mouth go dry as she murmured, "Well met, my lord. I trust this day finds you well. I am Lady Celephindes, and friend to Lady Apsenniel."


Don't kill me! I know the chapter was short, it just wouldn't let me write more! I'm going to post the second part to this soon(er), hopefully. Review! Please?