Hey everyone! Sorry for the long wait for this chapter, I've been really busy with university as well as dealing with some slight writer's block. I hope that you all enjoy this next chapter.

Also, I have put together a tumblr blog for this story! It is called Waking-Dreams-Fanfic. I encourage everyone to go and check it out, and follow it if you have a tumblr account (or create one if you don't already! ;) ). I will be posting periodically about important events going on in the story, updating Christa's location and skills, etc. So I hope that you will all go and take a peek!

Disclaimer: There is a lot of book dialogue in this chapter, which of course I do not own and take no credit for. Enjoy!

Chapter 16

"Good morning, Haldir," I smiled as I put my plate down on the table and settled myself slowly into the empty seat beside him. "And good morning, Rúmil, Orophin," I added, giving them each a friendly nod.

"You seem to be rather jovial this morning," Rúmil remarked casually.

"She does appear to be quite… exuberant," Haldir said in response before I could reply. "Despite yesterday," he added with a smirk. I raised an eyebrow playfully.

"Is there something wrong with being happy?" I asked, grinning at them. Haldir shook his head, a smile playing on his lips.

"No, of course not," he chuckled, waving a hand as he dismissed my teasing.

"What transpired yesterday that I have not heard about?" Orophin asked Haldir, brows raised in curiosity.

"I offended him," I said with a sheepish grin that I was unable to hold back. That was all I said, as I was unwilling to offer any more information about my failed attempt at revenge.

"And I promptly reminded her that she should not have," Haldir finished, giving me a mischievous grin. I felt my cheeks get hot as Rúmil and Orophin turned towards me, amused expressions on their faces.

"I knocked him over," I explained, knowing that they would want to know exactly what had happened. "And then he, well, did the same to me, only much more effectively." As I spoke, I reached down to touch the tender spot below my ribs and ran my fingers over it gently, wincing slightly as I did.

"She was quite winded," Haldir teased me. I was tempted to stick my tongue out at him, but I resisted the childish urge. Instead, I rolled my eyes as the three of them started to laugh.

Despite being somewhat embarrassed from the whole ordeal, I couldn't help but join in. The four of us enjoyed a moment of pure, unrestrained laughter, and I suddenly felt myself get lost in it. In those few seconds, my thoughts trained on the elves around me, the sounds of their laughter. It all felt so surreal, though it was no different from any of the other times that I had sat here at this very table with these four people. But for whatever reason, I found myself taking in their faces, their expressions of pure mirth, and I found myself wondering what would become of them. What will become of us? I had no idea what to expect. Over the next couple of months, my life was going to be flipped upside-down. My very fate was in the hands of the Valar, the guardians of Middle Earth, and there was nothing that I could do about it.

"That is not true, you know this."

My laughter died on my lips, my smile frozen at Lady Galadriel's words. If any of my companions noticed my sudden change in demeanor, they said nothing. I played it off with a chuckle, settling down to eat as the others did the same, still wearing their smiles.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to think anymore." I thought, hoping that Galadriel was still listening. I waited for a moment, but got no reply from the Lady of Light. Shaking my head to myself, I finished up my eggs and potatoes and emptied my glass before standing up.

"I'm sorry, I need to go," I said with an apologetic smile as I picked up my dishes. The three of them looked up at me from my meals. Haldir looked concerned. Great, I suck at playing it cool.

"You have only just arrived," he pointed out, eyes searching my own. I looked down quickly, too anxious to hold his gaze in such a public place.

"I told Hérion that I would help out with chores this morning," I lied, looking back up at my friend with my most sincere smile, hoping that he would buy it. Haldir nodded slowly before meeting my gaze again.

"Very well. Will I be seeing you at the range this afternoon?"

I nodded. "Of course, I wouldn't skip archery practice," I said, tugging the corners of my mouth up quickly before turning to the other two brothers. "Enjoy the rest of your day."

With one last farewell nod, I turned and quickly made my exit, dropping my dishes off on my way out. The dining hall had quickly started to feel stuffy, despite its open airiness, and I took a deep breath to steady myself as I pushed through the doors into the chilly morning air. Leaning up against the building, I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, listening to the sound of my own heartbeat as it mingled with the wind in the trees.

"You have questions, child." Lady Galadriel's deep voice slipped into my thoughts. I opened my eyes slowly, not startled but still slightly unsettled that she could hear my every thought. I straightened and took a few steps away from the hall, stopping when I reached the edge of the platform.

"Yes," I replied, staring down at the forest below me. My heartbeat had begun to pick up at her words, and I was now growing anxious with every passing second as I waited for her reply. I waited for a few moments, but heard nothing, felt no voice tickling my mind. Concerned, I stepped back from the edge and began walking away slowly, no destination in mind.

Whether it was completely coincidental, or something in my subconscious had guided me, I soon found myself climbing up into the tree branches and perching against a trunk. My mind strayed as I shut my eyes, wanting nothing more than a moment's peace.

I jolted awake some hours later, and thankfully I immediately remembered that I was in a tree. Placing my hands on the branch that I was sitting on, I looked around, wondering what had woken me up so suddenly. Sure that something must have disturbed me, I sat still, listening to the rustling of the leaves until my ears caught the faintest of voices from below.

Curious, I shifted my body so that I was able to look down at the forest floor, and began searching for whoever was speaking. I knew that I was eavesdropping, but I didn't really care. It wasn't like anyone was likely to notice me up here listening to them.

A movement caught my eye and I immediately focused in on the small figure.

"Frodo and Sam," I breathed, not taking my eyes off of the tiny brunet hobbit. He had not spoken to me this morning, and despite knowing of his burden, I was still worried about him. He and Sam soon disappeared from my sight, and I pursed my lips before deciding to follow them. They weren't likely to get into any trouble in Caras Galadhon, but I was curious to find out where they were going.

After making my way out from the tree, I quickly crept across the wooden platform, my footfalls barely audible. I smiled to myself as I walked, enjoying the thought of how sneaky I had become over the last few days. Or at least, how sneaky I liked to think I had become. Every couple of minutes, I would glance over the edge to make sure that I hadn't lost the two hobbits, but they were fairly easy to keep track of. Despite not being able to make out what they were saying, I could hear the gentle hum of their voices from below. Soon I realised that they had stopped moving, and had to backtrack a few steps. Taking to the trees once again, I peered down through the golden foliage and realised immediately where Sam and Frodo had wound up.

From my vantage point in the trees at the edge of the clearing, I could make out the Mirror of Galadriel, standing alone in the last of sun's light. Frodo and Sam had descended the long flight of stone steps at the closest end of the clearing, and were now peering over at the mirror nervously. I couldn't see her, but I knew that Galadriel must have been standing there.

My eyes snapped back over to the mirror, and I watched in awe as Lady Galadriel stepped out, silver pitcher in hand, and filled the basin to the brim. I shuddered as I watched her breath ripple across the water. The water soon stilled, smooth as glass, and I looked to the elven lady expectantly.

"Here is the Mirror of Galadriel. I have brought you here so that you may look in it, if you will."

The hobbits appeared visibly shaken, but Frodo spoke up, his voice strangely confident despite his wary expression. "What shall we look for, and what shall we see?"

"Many things I can command the Mirror to reveal, and to some I can show what they desire to see. But the Mirror will also show things unbidden, and those are often stranger and more profitable than things which we wish to behold. What you will see, if you leave the Mirror free to work, I cannot tell. For it shows things that were, and things that are, things that yet may be. But which it is that he sees, even the wisest cannot always tell. Do you wish to look?"

I sat in the tree, awed at Galadriel's words. Frodo stood silently now, unwilling to answer her question. I watched as Sam, however, looked at the mirror intently. Galadriel must have noticed this, for she turned to him.

"And you? This is what your folk would call magic. I believe; though I do not understand clearly what they mean; and they seem also to use the same word of the deceits of the Enemy. But this, if you will, is the magic of Galadriel. Did you not say that you wished to see Elf-magic?"

"I'll have a peep, Lady, if you're willing." Sam replied. I could see from my perch that his hands were trembling, and I could hear it in his voice. He turned to Frodo and spoke, but I was not listening.

Was it right for me to be eavesdropping like this? Should I even be here? I knew the answer was 'no', and yet I couldn't bring myself to leave. I was about to witness one of the most critical scenes of The Lord of the Rings! Though I feel uneasy about spying on them, I couldn't help but feel excitement rising in my chest as Sam stepped forward, climbing up onto the base of the pedestal.

I was thankful that I could not see the imagery that was being projected onto the water's surface. I would have liked the refresher, as I couldn't quite remember exactly what it was that Sam had seen, but I figured that I had no business needing to know anyways. I need to stop thinking about this in the past now, I guess. Barely anything has happened yet! The Ring still exists, Boromir is still alive, and Middle Earth is still in danger.

Nobody except me knows what is going to happen over the course of the next few months. The weight of that thought suddenly dropped onto my shoulders, and I was amazed to think that I had not been more concerned about the idea sooner. Sure, it had crossed my mind, but now it was actually happening, right before my very eyes. And I can't tell a soul.

I was pulled from my thoughts as Sam began yelling. I turned my gaze back down towards the mirror to see him leaping away, his hands clutching the sides of his head, his eyes wild with fear.

"I can't stay here! I must go home. They've dug up Bagshot Row, and there's the poor old gaffer going down the Hill with his bits of things on a barrow. I must go home!"

I watched the poor Halfling as Galadriel quickly told him that he couldn't leave Frodo alone. Sam sank to the ground, holding his hand in his hands and looking like he was about to cry. My heart ached for him.

"Remember that the Mirror shows many things, and not all have yet come to pass. Some never come to be, unless those that behold the visions turn aside from their path to prevent them. The Mirror is dangerous as a guide of deeds," Galadriel finished, eyes watching the hobbit intently.

"I wish I had never come here, and I don't want to see no more magic," Sam sniffled, and I could tell that he was trying his hardest not to let the tears fall. Oh Sam, if only you knew how important you are going to be to the success of this quest!

"Do you now wish to look, Frodo? You did not wish to see Elf-magic and were content."

I turned my attention away from Sam and watched Frodo as he stared skeptically at the mirror.

"Do you advise me to look?" He asked, taking a small step towards Galadriel, who shook her head.

'No. I do not counsel you one way or the other. I am not a counsellor. You may learn something, and whether what you see be fair or evil, that may be profitable, and yet it may not. Seeing is both good and perilous. Yet I think, Frodo, that you have courage and wisdom enough for the venture, or I would not have brought you here. Do as you will!"

"I will look, Frodo said after a moment of thinking. I leaned forward on my branch, wondering if I might be able to see the mirror's surface from a different vantage point, but quickly decided to stay where I was. The dark haired hobbit stepped up onto the base of the pedestal, just as Sam had and peered down at the smooth, dark surface.

I could see nothing but colours on the water's surface, shimmering first in hues of blue, then red, and afterwards white. The surface faded to grey, and Frodo sighed. He began to pull away from the mirror, but suddenly appeared to be drawn back towards it. The mirror had lost all light and was nothing more than a black abyss, but then began to flicker with fire. I gasped, unable to stop myself, and quickly turned away, fearing the Eye that I knew was staring at Frodo through the mirror. Terror clutched at my heart and I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm and quite. I gripped the tree tighter, swallowing my fear, and turned to look back at Frodo as Galadriel's voice filled the late evening air.

"Do not touch the water!" Her voice was soft, almost soothing, and yet it held the commanding air that pulled Frodo from the clutches of the Ring. Visibly shaken, the dark-haired hobbit stepped quickly down from the mirror and stared at Lady Galadriel, afraid.

"I know what it was that you last saw, for that is also in my mind. Do not be afraid! But do not think that only by singing amid the trees, nor even by the slender arrows of elven-bows, is this land of Lothlórien maintained and defended against its Enemy. I say to you, Frodo, that even as I speak to you, I perceive the Dark Lord and know his mind, or all of his mind that concerns the Elves. And he gropes ever to see me and my thought. But still the door is closed!"

In a dramatic display, the elven lady raised both of her arms as the stars shone down on her figure. I drew a breath in awe as my eyes caught the silver glow of Nenya on her finger, glimmering in the starlight.

"Yes," Galadriel spoke up again. Frodo was staring in awe and understanding at the silver ring. "It is not permitted to speak of it, and Elrond could not do so. But it cannot be hidden from the Ring-bearer, and one who has seen the Eye. Verily it is in the land of Lórien upon the finger of Galadriel that one of the Three remains. This is Nenya, the Ring of Adamant, and I am its keeper."

"He suspects, but he does not know - not yet. Do you not see now wherefore your coming is to us as the footstep of Doom? For if you fail, then we are laid bare to the Enemy. Yet if you succeed, then our power is diminished, and Lothlórien will fade, and the tides of Time will sweep it away. We must depart into the West, or dwindle to a rustic folk of dell and cave, slowly to forget and to be forgotten."

Galadriel's speech had always made me sad, but now that I had been dwelling here in the Goldenwood amongst the elven people, it made me feel hollow to think that someday the forest would lose its magic, and the city would be no more. Her words were not weary ones, and yet I could feel the sorrow in her voice as she thought about the inevitability of Lothlórien's last days. I frowned deeply as I pictured the forest, its once magnificent mallorn trees bare and broken, the city nothing but a crumbling whisper of what it had once been.

"And what do you wish?" Frodo asked her then, after a long moment of thoughtful silence.

"That what should be shall be,' she answered. `The love of the Elves for their land and their works is deeper than the deeps of the Sea, and their regret is undying and cannot ever wholly be assuaged. Yet they will cast all away rather than submit to Sauron: for they know him now. For the fate of Lothlórien you are not answerable but only for the doing of your own task. Yet I could wish, were it of any avail, that the One Ring had never been wrought, or had remained for ever lost," Galadriel replied, and I could see in her eyes the sorrow which she felt for her beautiful forest and its people.

"You are wise and fearless and fair, Lady Galadriel. I will give you the One Ring, if you ask for it. It is too great a matter for me."

At Frodo's words, I tensed, gripping the tree trunk tightly again. I knew what was about to happen next, and I wasn't entirely sure that I was ready to witness it. But curiosity won me over before I could even think about leaving, and I sat, hardly daring to breath, as I waited for her response.

"Wise the Lady Galadriel may be, yet here she has met her match in courtesy. Gently are you revenged for my testing of your heart at our first meeting. You begin to see with a keen eye. I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired to ask what you offer. For many long years I had pondered what I might do, should the Great Ring come into my hands, and behold! it was brought within my grasp. The evil that was devised long ago works on in many ways, whether Sauron himself stands or falls. Would not that have been a noble deed to set to the credit of his Ring, if I had taken it by force or fear from my guest?"

The very air around Galadriel seemed to change in that moment. The ring on her finger shone brightly, bathing the elven lady in an eerie white glow. I quickly raised a hand to shield my eyes, caught off guard by the overwhelming brightness of her illuminated figure, which now to me seemed far taller than normal. Her hair cascaded around her, whipping around in a flurry of silver gold, and her eyes shone bright and beautiful. Despite her beauty, I felt my own hands begin to tremble, even as I looked down upon her.

"And now at last it comes. You will give me the Ring freely! In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!"

As soon as she had finished speaking, Nenya's light vanished, and Galadriel stood, her eyes wide and her face flushed. I shook off the fear that I had felt and watched in bemusement as Lady Galadriel caught her breath, looking at the ground at her feet in disbelief. Frodo was now clutching the ring tightly, and quickly tucked it back under his shirt.

"I pass the test," she said between breaths. "I will diminish, and go into the West and remain Galadriel."

I found myself grinning as I watched her turn to the two hobbits.

"Let us return!" She said to them, having regained her composure. I watched as the three figures disappeared up the stairs, and knew then that already something had been changed. Frodo had looked into the mirror much earlier than I had expected. I wasn't too disturbed by this, but still the thought clung to the back of my mind as I clambered from the tree, being careful to not rustle the leaves as I hoped back onto the wooden platform.

"Come to my halls. I have not seen you, but I know what you have witnessed. That Frodo carries the ring does not seem to come as a surprise to you. I would suggest something to you, child." I had not walked 10 paces when I heard Galadriel's deep voice in my mind.

"Okay," was all I was able to think in reply, and I quickly started to make my way towards the Lord and Lady's halls.

The sky was black by the time I reached the building, but the twinkling of the silvery blue lights in the trees lit up the space as well as the sun did during the day. As I approached the huge doors, the two armed guards gave me a nod before swinging the doors open for me. Putting on my bravest face, I stepped through and walked into the large hall.

Galadriel was waiting for me at the end of the room, standing beside her seat. Bowing my head as I approached her, I felt myself growing nervous. What did she have to tell me?

"Christa, it is wonderful to see you, child." Galadriel started as I lifted my head to face her, avoiding her eyes. She stepped down the stairs then, coming to stand in front of me. "There is much that we must discuss. Come, we shall do so in private."

I nodded my head quickly, swallowing hard before following her into the room off the main hall. The room where you learned that you're becoming an elf. I took a seat at the table at the centre of the room, and Galadriel did the same, sitting across from me just as she had done the last time we had been here. I took a deep breath, willing myself to be brave, to be calm this time. No matter what Galadriel had to say to me this time, I was going to try to keep my cool and think rationally.

"'You know of many of the perils that are to come.' This is what Irmo said to you in my dream, as you surely remember." I nodded, brows furrowing at her choice of starting words.

"You knew about the Ring of power."

I nodded again at her blunt statement, a knot growing in the pit of my stomach. Galadriel looked at me pensively, as if reading into thoughts that I myself couldn't even make sense of.

"If what Irmo has said is true, then you know about all that is to come," she said gently, watching me. I nodded again.

"I know… a great deal about everything that has not yet happened," I said carefully. I certainly wasn't all-knowing, as my knowledge of the third book was all but non-existent. Thank goodness for movies. I heard Galadriel chuckle then, and I looked up quickly before realising that she had been listening to my thoughts. She didn't bother to ask me what a movie was, and for that I was thankful.

"I suggest then, that you depart Lothlórien in the company of the Fellowship."

I blanched. "Sorry?"

Galadriel regarded me calmly. "I believe that it is the best course of action, Christa."

I shook my head continuously as my eyes dropped to the table, lips parted as I struggled to find words to argue her suggestion. I can't leave! I can't. I wouldn't last a day out in the wilderness! I can't go. It's not canon! My thoughts became borderline nonsensical as my eyes darted about the room before landing once again on Lady Galadriel.

"I can't leave Lothlórien," I whispered as my thoughts calmed down, probably thanks to Galadriel's presence in my mind. Galadriel smiled slightly at my insistent words, and I was sure that I saw a hint of sadness in her eyes. But perhaps that was just me hoping to convince her that she was wrong.

"I fear Lothlórien has given you all that it has to offer, my child. Its people have welcomed you with open arms, but it is time that you move on. You have not found happiness within the golden branches of Lorien."

I couldn't even shake my head anymore. I simply stared at her, my vision hazy as her words spun around in my head.

"Estë wished for you to find happiness in Middle Earth. I do not believe that you will find it here," Galadriel added, prompting me to focus as my eyes met hers. For once, they were not piercing, and I was able to hold her gaze with ease. My lips parted and I suddenly let out a sob as I looked at her across the table.

The memories of my time in Caras Galadhon flickered across my mind. The friendly faces of the elves that I had come to recognise, and the places that I had become so comfortable in. I thought about my time spent at the stables with Faenelin and Hérion, and all the days that I was get up early to go for runs around the city. The Dining hall, where I almost always saw the warm smiles of Rúmil and Orophin, and my flet, where Raina had been such a huge help getting me settled. Then all of my thoughts focused on the one person that I couldn't bare to think about leaving behind: Haldir. Fond memories of our time spent in each other's company flooded my mind. All the time we had spent practicing on the archery range, the horseback rides we had taken through the woods, and the night we had danced as best friends at the Feast. Rúmil had hinted then that Haldir regarded me as more than just a friend, and with that thought, my heart seized.

"You do not love him."

At those words, I snapped from my reverie and stared at Galadriel, my gaze cold and hard. How could she say such a thing? Even if I didn't love him, who was she to say that with such bluntness? I gripped the edge of my seat, my knuckles turning white as I gritted my teeth. I knew it wasn't my place to voice my anger, and despite being able to keep my tongue in check, I couldn't control my body language.

"You do not love Haldir," Galadriel said again, her voice softer this time, but her words still felt like daggers in my heart. "Though you wish that you could have."

"How can you say this?" I said after taking a moment to compose myself mentally. My gaze did not waver as I held her eyes, still clenching my teeth.

"I know it in my heart," she replied, and this time I was sure that I heard the sadness in her voice. "He believes that he loves you," she added.

I furrowed my brows, taken aback by her choice of words. I didn't have a chance to question her, however, as she quickly spoke up again.

"The Fellowship shall not be leaving for nearly a month. I suggest that you acquaint yourself with the company, and that you do not make this decision lightly, my dear." Lady Galadriel said as she rose from her seat. I did the same, reluctantly letting go of the edges of my chair.

"So… I have a choice, then? I don't have to leave?" I asked hesitantly, my voice wavering slightly. She nodded, but turned away from me.

"I suppose that I am no counsellor," she said quietly, paraphrasing her own words from earlier, and I knew that she would no longer try to convince me to leave. I bit my lip, relief flooding through me. I said nothing in reply, but followed her out of the room. She bowed her head to me, and I knew then that I was excused. Bowing in return, I turned and made my way out of the chamber, feeling as if my heart was about to beat out of my chest.

How could I leave behind what I had come to know as my life on Middle Earth? Galadriel's words echoed in my head, making me dizzy. It was with great relief that I finally stepped through the doors and back into the cool night air. I walked away from the Hall, desperate for solitude. As soon as I had wandered far from the building, I crumpled against the trunk of the great tree and stared out into the darkness before me.

Unbidden, memories as my last time at the Mirror of Galadriel came rushing back. "Should you wish to return home at the end of your quest, you may do so, and regain your human form." Irmo's words pushed their way to the front of my mind, and suddenly, all of the pieces of the puzzle seemed to fall into place. For months, I had been attempting to figure out the riddle, but now that everything suddenly made sense, I didn't want to understand. I didn't want to know the answer to my getting home anymore, not if it meant what I thought that it did. As hard as I tried to come up with another solution, any other possible way to solve the puzzle, I couldn't. My returning home now depended on my leaving everything that I had come to love behind. I needed to leave Lothlórien.

As soon as the realisation donned on me, I began to cry. I cried like I had not cried in a very long time, sobs wracking my body and tears streaming down my cheeks, burning my eyes. I cried until no more tears came, until my eyes were red and stinging. Only then did I suddenly remember something else.

"Crap," I said through a sob, rubbing my runny nose on my sleeve. I immediately stood up and took off across the platform, headed towards Haldir's quarters. I had forgotten about my archery lessons.

I had only been to Haldir's flet once, but I found it easily enough. Though it was only slightly larger than the other homes in the same area, what made it easy to find was the fact that it was at the very top of the circle. Sniffling, I knocked on the door and waited as I wiped away my tears, hoping that Haldir would be there to answer.

The door opened quickly and Haldir looked out, smiling when he noticed who it was. His smile instantly disappeared, however, when he noticed my red eyes and flushed cheeks. I sighed deeply, not even wishing to hide the fact that I was distraught. Haldir didn't say a word, but instead ushered me inside and sat me down at the table.

"Christa, what is wrong?" he asked me gently once he had offered me a blanket. I wrapped it around my shoulders and sank down into the chair, closing my eyes.

"I don't really want to talk about it," I said quietly, sniffling again. I heard Haldir pull his own chair over before he sat down beside me, pulling me into his arms.

"You don't have to talk about it if you do not wish to," he whispered into my hair, leaning in close.

My first instinct, surprisingly, was not to shy away from his embrace, but to lean into it. I knew that I would eventually have to tell Haldir that I was leaving, but I didn't feel ready to do that just yet. Not tonight.

"I'm sorry that I missed practice," I said into his chest, my voice muffled by the blanket. Haldir laughed softly.

"Do not trouble yourself with matters so small. It is obvious to me that whatever is on your mind is much more important now."

I smiled sadly, wrapping my own arms around his waist. Was it right to behave like this, now that I knew that I would have to leave him behind? I knew that it wasn't, but I was too selfish to resist the warm feeling that accompanied Haldir's closeness. I felt his hand reach up to brush my hair, stroking the back of my head, and I melted into his embrace. I would tell him soon enough, but this evening I was going to push the guilt aside and accept Haldir's affection for me with open arms. That was all I wanted to do.

"I wish that I could tell you," I whispered, my voice barely making any sound in the silence of the room.

Haldir didn't respond, but continued to play with my hair. I was glad that he didn't answer me. I knew that he wanted to know what was bothering me so much, and I really did wish that I could tell him everything that was going on, but I knew that I was going to have to deal with this on my own.

Why do I even care about having to leave Haldir so much? You're going home anyways. The thought struck me hard, and I realised that it was true. Why was I having such a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I was going to have to leave Lothlórien and Haldir, when that had been the plan all along? Had I been expecting some miracle that would enable me to jump back and forth between worlds? No, I hadn't been expecting anything like that. Now that I thought about it, I hadn't really given the whole returning-to-Earth thing a lot of thought at all, besides how and when I was going to be doing it. The thought made me sick, and I held Haldir tighter, never wanting to let go.

"Haldir… Can I stay?" I murmured after a long moment of silence. It was one of the boldest things I had ever asked of Haldir, and I pulled away from his chest to look up at him. He was smiling wistfully down at me and I couldn't help but smile slightly as well. "I'm really tired and-"

"Of course, Christa. I would worry less if you stayed close," Haldir replied, his eyes searching mine. I blushed at his words.

"Thank you," I whispered, my smile increasing as my fears of leaving melted away, having been forgotten.

We stayed seated at the table for a long while, intertwined. I drifted off once of twice as I listened to Haldir's steady heartbeat, breathing in his woodsy scent. I was woken up gently as Haldir straightened, and I whimpered as the warmth of his body pulled away. Haldir softly silenced me and soon I was being picked up from the chair. I sighed, content to once again be in his arms, and nestled into his chest. I heard Haldir chuckle softly as he carried me across the room.

The bed was cool, and I opened my eyes as I was laid down upon it. After pulling off my boots, Haldir quickly pulled the covers up to my chin and whispered that he was be right back. I was barely conscious enough to tell what exactly was going on, so I closed my eyes again.

Haldir's light footsteps woke me again several minutes later, and I opened my eyes to the soft red glow of the fire. Blinking several times, I remembered where I was, and smiled sleepily.

"It should warm up now, Christa," Haldir's voice made me open my eyes again and I saw him gazing down at me. I smiled up at him as my eyelids started to droop again, the warmth from the newly lit fire seeping into my bones. As I closed them, I felt Haldir lean down and plant a gentle kiss upon my forehead. It was something that I had almost grown used to, despite the fact that he had only done it a couple of times, but this time was different.

As he stood back up, I placed my hands behind his head and pulled it down again, weaving my fingers in his hair. I lifted my own head from the pillows and heard him gasp as my lips met his. I was woken up instantly by the shiver that went rippling down my spine.

Timidly, I held his head close, our noses brushing as time stood still. Split seconds seemed to drag on as I started to panic, hoping that I had not gone too far. But before I could pull away, mortified, I felt Haldir relax and lean into the kiss. I was almost too shocked to move, but quickly snapped back to the moment.

My fingers tangled in Haldir's silver hair as he kissed me back. I heard nothing but the drumming of my heartbeat, racing away in my chest, smelled nothing but the familiar forest scent of Haldir's clothes, tasted nothing but Haldir's lips. I sat up, eager to be closer to him as we kissed. My skin tingled as Haldir reached down, placing one of his hands at the back of my neck, and the other on my back.

A gentle moan escaped my lips, and instead of feeling embarrassed about it, I let it break the silence of the room. I was breathing heavily now, warmed by more than just the heat of the fireplace, and impulsively deepened the kiss. I could feel Haldir's breath tickling my nose now as his own heartbeat quickened.

All too soon, I felt Haldir pull away, our lips parting. I sighed, reluctantly letting go of the fistfuls of his hair before slumping back into the pillows. My breathing was ragged and I felt lightheaded, but it was not an unpleasant sensation. Almost afraid to see Haldir's expression, I kept my eyes closed and rolled over onto my side, trying to gather myself. My mind was numb, all of my focus on the kiss that I had just shared with Haldir.

The bed dipped slightly and I opened my eyes, my breathing halted.

"Christa," Haldir's voice made my heart flutter. I just kissed him!

I rolled over, tentatively, and looked across the pillows at the blond elf. My heart fluttered in relief as I saw that he was smiling coyly. His hair was disheveled, and I couldn't help but feel pleased that I had been successful in displacing an elf's hair. My eyes quickly traveled to Haldir's, and I felt my cheeks flush, stomach turning in excitement.

"Haldir," I replied, grinning shyly as I pulled the covers back up to my chin, not caring if he saw me blushing.

"Come here," he whispered to me, and I shuffled over with no hesitation or second thoughts. Nuzzling up against his chest, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Haldir wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. Elated, I lay there until I began to feel sleep creeping back into my body. My thoughts dimmed, and I smiled softly as I listened to Haldir's heartbeat.

"I love you," Haldir murmured, the warmth of his breath in my hair as I drifted off.

Still dressed in all of my clothes, I fell asleep in Haldir's embrace. My heart was warm as I replayed Haldir's confession over and over again in my head, my brain fuzzy with the memory of Haldir's lips. My thoughts were no longer, however, on leaving Haldir's love behind. I was too lost in the moment for my troubles, and needed no convincing to ignore them. They could wait.

EEEEEP! I know that A lot of you guys have been waiting for this to happen, and I am so excited to be able to say that it has finally happened! It was really hard to write, and I hope that you all enjoyed reading it!

As always, I would love it if you could leave me a review and tell me what you thought! I love hearing from you guys, it makes me so happy! Thanks so much for reading!

And don't forget to check out the tumblr page!

-Eru