A/N: Thank you to the others who are following our story, it feels good to know you like it. Here is the third chapter. Hope you like and please, please review it!
Again I do not own any of Tolkien's work or characters, only my own.
"I guess we should go and meet with Lady Galadriel" stated Nienna who lead them in the direction of a large open field. There were many tables laid out under the setting sun, each with an array of fruits and other food. Lillieth was even more amazed by Lórien's splendour and was stunned at all the elves around her, they all were beautiful in their own right. She then listened to the soft sounds of music coming from the other end of the field where people were playing harps.
Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn approached them.
"I am so glad you are here, I hope you will have a wonderful time here today. Lillieth will you come with me, there is someone I wish for you to meet" asked Galadriel. Lillieth nodded and followed the Lady while Eärendur looked on with a watchful eye.
"She will be fine Eärendur, she will be safe here, he cannot harm her anymore" whispered Nienna.
"How do you know about him?" he questioned.
"When I arrived at her talan this morning she was crying, so I asked her what the matter was and she opened up to me" answered Nienna.
Eärendur was happy that Lillieth felt she could talk to Nienna, he was in awe of how kind and innocent she appeared but couldn't help but watch Lillieth intently as she walked away with Lady Galadriel.
"Lillieth this is Haldir, our March Warden. He will be here in Caras Galadhon to make sure you are well. He is recovering from an injury he suffered in battle so he cannot attend the borders. Luckily we have your friend to help us" pronounced Galadriel.
"My lady" He said as he bowed before Lillieth then taking her hand to place a soft kiss upon it, however before he could she pulled her hand away and gave a small bow. All she could do was smile and stare, she was lost for words as her shyness took hold of her. His long silvery hair, gleaming blue eyes and strong physique astounded her. She had never seen an ellon like this before, or who made her feel the way his presence did.
"I will leave you two to get to know each other" whispered Galadriel before moving away from them. There were many people dancing in front of them and other congregated near the food. Laughter and joy filled the air and Lillieth saw Eärendur was watching them from afar, she prayed to the Valar he wouldn't make a scene tonight.
Haldir held out his hand and asked "Would care to join me for a dance, my lady?". She hesitated then took a step back before she lied and said "Sorry, but I cannot dance".
"There is no need to be afraid of me, my lady. I do not bite" Haldir replied. She blushed and then looked in Eärendur's direction and noticed he was happily distracted by Nienna's company.
"Is the ellon you keep glancing at bothering you, my lady?" enquired Haldir.
"No, no. He is an old friend who's a little overprotective." She replied.
"So, could I interest you in that dance now? I am a good teacher" said Haldir.
Lillieth bowed and said "I would be honoured my lord". He finally grasped her hand and pulled her near leading her over to where the other elves were dancing. He led her into dance, pulling her along in time with him. She was captivated by the sight of him, and it felt like they were the only two there. Her heart beat quickened and she blushed as she realised his hand was placed upon the small of her back.
"I find it hard to believe you cannot dance, my lady" questioned Haldir, which made her come out of her daze which bought her back to meet his stare.
Eärendur still stared over in the direction of Haldir and Lillieth, he wanted to go over there but Nienna, who was at his side, convinced him to leave them be.
"Haldir is our March Warden, his intentions are honourable. He is one of the most respected ellon's in Lórien" she described. This did little to calm Eärendur.
"She is not ready for this, he is forcing her to do things she is not comfortable with. I took her from Mirkwood to stop that. I will be damned if I let it happen here!" Eärendur said with an icy stare in Haldir's direction as he sipped on his drink.
"She seems happy enough to me, you shouldn't be holding her back from a chance of happiness. Lady Galadriel herself introduced them, I cannot help but think it is for a reason" she replied, getting agitated at his behaviour.
"Not with Haldir! He is high born, he will be just the same as him. He will see her nothing more than a possession or a prize at the end of a chase" he hissed still not meeting Nienna's gaze.
"Who should she be with then, someone like you?!" Nienna shouted back at him.
Eärendur was about to reply when he saw Haldir and Lillieth walking towards the forest. Nienna tried to hold him back but he shrugged her off and carried on in their direction.
Lillieth and Haldir had just reached the edge of the tree's near the end of the clearing when she heard Eärendur's voice.
"Where are you going, Penig [Little One]?" asked Eärendur.
"Haldir is taking me to his favourite place in the forest where he goes to be alone. It is not far from here" Lillieth replied.
"You should not fear, she will be safe with me. I give you my word" Haldir stated.
"Maybe I should come with you, just to be sure" demanded Eärendur.
"Eärendur! You have been watching me all night, I will be fine. Just please, go back to the feast. I beg you" She pleaded before turning to walk towards the forest. Haldir smirked at Eärendur then bowed before following her into the tree's. Eärendur stood there shocked as Lillieth had never raised her voice to him in seriousness before. He then thought of the look on Haldir's face and muttered to himself "You have no idea what you have started, Blondie". He didn't notice Nienna behind him.
"You forgot your drink" she said handing him the goblet he had left at the table.
"Thank you my lady, I am sorry I left so quickly. To answer your question, no I don't think she would be better off with me. I only see a little sister when I look at her" he replied. This made her smile.
Haldir had led Lillieth further into the forest when they reached an open area where there was a small pond with a single weeping willow tree. This stood over the pond, draping into the water. Surrounding the area were a number of wild flowers, and fireflies near the lake.
"This is my own personal getaway, I found it while I was young. I come here often after arguing with my brothers, which is often. Oh, and nobody else seems to know about this clearing, strangely" he said with a smile.
"It is a beautiful place, it is breath taking with the moon light" she said.
"Not as beautiful as the elleth I have bought here" Haldir spoke softly while looking into her eyes. She could feel her cheeks warm and heart beat quicken as before, no other ellon had ever affected her in this way.
"You flatter me, my lord" she whispered.
"I speak only the truth, my lady" he replied. He gently took her hand in his and led her over to underneath the willow tree where he ushered her to sit on the soft grass.
"So my lord, what is it that you do when you come here?" questioned Lillieth.
"That depends. Sometimes I vent my anger to the willow tree, I think it must be sick of hearing me by now" he replied and she chuckled in response. He noticed a strand of hair had fallen in front of her face so tucked it back behind her ear in a soft motion. They could do nothing but stare at each other in that moment, until Lillieth came back to her senses.
"You said you had brothers my lord?" asked Lillieth, trying to make conversation. She wanted to know more about the handsome March Warden.
"Two, my lady, Rumil and Orophin. They serve with me on the guard" he replied.
"I encountered them on my arrival in Lórien, they escorted us to Caras Galadhon. They seem quite charming." She said, with a smile.
"To everyone but me, yes" he stated. They noticed it was getting late as the moon was high in the sky.
"I should escort you back to your talan, my lady. Lest I endure the wrath of your protector. He doesn't seem at all impressed with me." He suggested.
"That would be wise, but don't think too little of him. He has always been protective of me, since we were children" she replied. He held out his arm so she could place her arm in his so he could lead the way back. They walked and talked about a variety of things, but she wouldn't say why she left Mirkwood for Lórien. In the end Haldir gave up on the subject, he was sure she would tell him when she saw fit.
They reached the door of her talan and he kissed the back of her hand gently.
"May I be graced with your fine presence tomorrow, my lady?" he asked.
"I would like that, good night my lord" she replied before entering into her talan for the night. Haldir smiled to himself as he walked away from her talan thinking he was very lucky.
"Did you have a nice walk" the voice of Eärendur spoke from the shadow of a tree next to Haldir.
"It was very pleasant, too bad you could not have joined us" replied Haldir.
"Far be it from me to encroach upon the time of the great March Warden" he uttered.
"Is there a point to this ambush, or do you enjoy conversing with me" questioned Haldir with a slight smirk.
"I just have something to say to you. I won't keep you from your bed for too long. I wouldn't want you over exerting yourself with your wound, which I am surprised you have considering you are the infamous March Warden" he said. Haldir's face dropped at the mention of his wound and the disrespect Eärendur had shown his station.
"I sense some hostility. Say what you have to say and be quick about it. Before I show you how able I really am" Haldir snorted.
"Temper, Temper March Warden. Here it is. Stay away from Lillieth. She doesn't need your kind forcing her to do things she doesn't want to do" he ordered.
"She didn't require much force, surely you could see that or were the other ellon to tall for you to see over" he replied.
"I am watching you, March Warden. If anything happens to her, I will hold you responsible" he warned Haldir.
"I will let nothing happen to her, or be ordered by anyone like you to do anything." He replied before walking away feeling a little insulted.
"This isn't over, March Warden. You can count on that" shouted Eärendur before heading towards his own talan.