Translation of Elvish: Melin chen - I love you. Cuilen - my life. Nín anoriel - my sun-maiden. Mae govannen - well met. Éowyn ó Rohan - Éowyn from Rohan. Melethen - my love.

Chapter 1 - Awakening

The first rays of the sun were bathing Lothlórien in soft light. The Realm of the Lady of the Wood was awakening slowly. The soft voices of the Galadhrim mingled with the songs of the birds; it was the most beautiful sound Éowyn, Lady of Rohan, had ever heard. She was lying high above the ground in her beloved's arms. Haldir, Chief Guardian of the Golden Wood, keeper of her heart. She could feel his body against hers, his arm lying across her waist.

Éowyn smiled to herself. This was her destiny. The only life she would know from now on. Slowly her thoughts drifted backwards in time, to ponder upon the things that had happened the last days and weeks. Ever since that night she had been sure she had lost everything. Now, as she felt her love so close to herself she could barely believe that she had almost... No, she would not think of it anymore.

---

They had of course attended the coronation of Aragorn, nay, Elessar. And shortly afterwards, Éowyn had witnessed something that had almost frozen her heart. She was in the palace gardens and strolled down to her favourite place by a small pond again when she heard raised voices. She was shocked as she realised who these voices belonged to. Elessar and Legolas. Apparently the elf was asking the King to finally make a decision as to who he would marry. Elessar had to marry; there was no question about that.

And Legolas had found a worthy candidate. Someone who would accept the fact that she would never be the one the King loved. That she would always be in the shadows of Elessar's true love. Santhea was her name, a young Gondorian. But Elessar was stubborn; he wouldn't hurt his beloved by marrying another. After all they were bound. Only that this had already been Legolas' argument. "Do you not see? You need an heir, Aragorn. It will grieve me far more to see Gondor and Arnor fall into darkness again than to see you marry this young woman. I know that we will always be together. What is this small sacrifice compared to what we will share, forever?"

Elessar was about to reply, but Legolas was already turning away from him, walking back to the palace. It was then that Éowyn made her presence known to the King. "He is right, you know? Your people, they will never understand. Not really at least. If you love him, you will do as he asks you. It will not change anything."

Elessar smiled, nodding in approval. "And ever since when have you become so wise?" With a chuckle he looked around and added, "Are you sure Haldir is not around? What would he make of this?"

Éowyn ignored the last comment and asked, "So you will marry?" The King took her hands in his, "I will. Or else I might lose him. You're my guardian angel it seems. How shall I do without you?"

She smiled warmly at him, "I understand that Lórien is in Middle-Earth as well..." - "It is, and I shall visit as often as possible. However I fear that you won't be there anymore when I do."

So he knew as well. Why did everyone just hint and never really say something. "You're just as bad as Legolas, did you know? Alright, keep your secrets." She would learn soon anyway.

So it was on the last day of May that Elessar, King of Arnor and Gondor married Santhea, Lady of Lebennin. Éowyn could sense the relief that Haldir felt on the day of the wedding. There was no longer jealousy in him, only fear to drive her away again, to lose her. She leaned over to him, whispering in his ear, "Melin chen, Haldir. Cuilen." He smiled, and softly kissed her cheek. He was still wondering why he had not asked her to bind with him. He had wanted to, but something had held him back. Never mind, he would ask her once he had spoken with Galadriel, once his Lady had revealed her secret to him.

The first week of June saw the departure of the Rohirrim and the remaining elven warriors, with the exception of Rúmil who still held on to his plan to stay in Gondor. Théoden would be put to rest as soon as they reached Edoras. He would be with his wife again, and Theódred. They were accompanied by the King and Queen of Gondor who would visit their second realm, Arnor in the North of Arda. The four hobbits would finally journey back to the Shire, to announce that they once again had a King in Fornost. Legolas and Gimli were also with them. The elven Prince would hold true to his promise to visit the caves of Helm's Deep with Gimli. In return the dwarf would see the wonders of Fangorn with him. Whenever someone mentioned the latter to Gimli he would murmur something in his beard and change the topic.

Haldir could sense the pain Éowyn bore. Most of the time she would ride by her brother's side, the King of Rohan unable to comprehend that it was he who was King of the Golden Hall now. Rohan already knew. The people both mourned and cheered. Théoden had been a good King, but during the days of Gríma his reign was failing. Now they looked up to Éomer to lead the Riddermark back to old glory.

When Éowyn was alone, Haldir rode up to her. Trying to comfort her, trying to soothe her with words of love. The weak smile she gave him in return melted his heart. Part of him began to curse the Valar for creating humans so weak and fragile. Why did Théoden have to die? Why bring so much grief to those who loved him? He refused to think of Éowyn as one of these fragile beings. She was young and brave and strong. No, she could never die. He would not allow her to forsake him, never.

Théoden, seventeenth King of the Riddermark, was put to rest by the side of his beloved son. He was much grieved for. In years to come, the decline of him under Saruman's spell was forgotten, but his braveness in the Battles of Helm's Deep and the Pelennor Fields would be remembered forever. Éomer and Éowyn would always remember him as second father, mentor, beloved uncle. But for his niece the time had finally come to move on. To leave the city of her ancestors and begin her life by her lover's side.

Too great was the pain as she looked upon Edoras, the wide plains of Rohan, Meduseld. Memories haunted her and she longed to be free at last. Soon the day of leave-taking had come. The hobbits would journey further North with Elessar and Santhea. Éowyn saw the pain in both the King's and Legolas' eyes. A quick embrace, that was all they were allowed in front of the watchful eyes of the people of Edoras. Elessar kissed Éowyn's forehead while she whispered, "He will return to you, give him time..."

Turning to Haldir he bowed, but Haldir embraced him causing Éowyn to chuckle. "Do not forget that I still have my knives with me ... and I am not afraid to use them." But there was no longer a thread in these words, Éowyn realised relieved.

Legolas promised to show her the glory of Mirkwood one day, with that starting a discussion with Haldir. "Glory of Mirkwood? What glory pray tell. Why, without my Lord Celeborn and his aid, you would still have the orcs of Dol Guldur running loose in your 'fair' wood."

Legolas sighed, "My father almost did not accept you Lord's aid, and I am sure you know why." To Éowyn he whispered, "The King despises Lord Celeborn, and more so Elrond. But the true reason is hardly known to anyone. It is a matter of the heart that parted Mirkwood from the two other realms..." But he would not say more.

Only a few days later, Éowyn found herself on the borders of the Golden Wood. Haldir had left the party of elves and rode to Caras Galadhon to announce their arrival. Orophin rode by Éowyn's side now, and sensing her nervousness he said, "Do not be frightened. You shall be praised, my Lady. As you changed my brother, for the better." He smiled, "And as far as Haldir has told me, the Lady Galadriel is more than happy to see you here with him. I believe my wife will be glad to be your companion if you should wish for one..."

As soon as Éowyn laid eyes on the fair City of Trees, she felt her nervousness leave her. By the gates an elf stood and as they approached Éowyn recognised Haldir. He smiled to her, then turned to his brother and almost snapped, "You took far too long, Orophin."

Orophin rolled his eyes and whispered to Éowyn, "Well, so much for Haldir and changing. You better get used to this. He thinks he has to prove his, well, valour by treating everyone in such a manner. Haughty Haldir, you know," he smiled as he spoke the last words.

They dismounted and Haldir muttered impatiently, "The Lady wishes to see both you, my brother, and," suddenly the cold mask was gone, replaced by the caring face Éowyn loved so much, "you, nín anoriel." Silently he took Éowyn's hand and led her into Caras Galadhon. Many an elf glanced at them in wonder, Haldir staring all of them down. Suddenly they stood before the largest tree Éowyn had ever seen. A spiral staircase nestled against the truck, and Haldir motioned for her to climb up.

Soon she found herself high above the forest floor. She saw lights in the trees, heard the laughter of elves, saw curious eyes turned towards her. And still the stairs went up. She was beginning to feel dizzy when at last the stairs ended and she entered the flet, no, talan of the Lord and Lady of the Wood.

Light surrounded her and amidst it two figures emerged. Both clad in white and silver; long hair surrounding their noble features. She felt Haldir bow, his hand pressed to his heart. But she could not move, she stood rooted to the spot, unable to take her eyes off the two elves before her. And then she heard Galadriel address her. "Welcome my child. At last you have come here. Éowyn of Rohan, long have I waited for this moment." And the Lady of the Wood stepped forward and, taking Éowyn's face in her hands, kissed her forehead.

All anxiety fell off her, she felt welcome and save. No matter how high above the ground she was, she felt like nothing could happen to her here. Then Celeborn took her hand and spoke to her, "Mae govannen, Éowyn ó Rohan." He turned to Haldir and continued, "You have been greatly missed, March Warden. And now you tell us that we shall have to do without your brother?" Éowyn couldn't help but smile at this, and slowly both she and Haldir started to tell the Lord and Lady about Rúmil and Faramir.

The next days passed in a haze. Éowyn met many elves, friends of the three brothers. Most of them did not speak the Common Tongue and Éowyn grew more and more restless. Finally she asked Míriel, Orophin's beautiful wife, to teach her more of the elvish language. Conveniently enough, Haldir had been called back to his duties as Chief Guardian and Éowyn was free to do as she liked most of the time. How surprised had Haldir been the night Éowyn had first spoken to him only in Elvish.

---

Now in the first light of a new day she remembered all this, smiling to herself. Slowly she turned in Haldir's arms, facing him. His eyes were still distant, lost in reverie. She placed gentle kisses on his cheeks, his forehead, his lips. With a low moan he woke, tightening his grip on her. It was times like this that he thanked the Valar for giving him the gift of her love. All his long life he had known a longing, a yearning in the depth of his heart. Only now did he know what he had craved so deeply. Her. And here she was, with him. Lying in his arms, smiling up at him.

He remembered only too well how stupid he had been in the past. How close he had been to losing her. Never again would he take that risk. He could not be without her. Today he would speak with is Lady, tell her of his intention to bind with Éowyn, to make her his completely. And he would find out about the way he could be with her forever. Galadriel had hinted at it again just a couple of days ago. Today he would find out.

But not now. He softly kissed Éowyn's golden hair, breathing in her by now familiar scent. "Nín anoriel, melin chen..." She tilted her head up, her hands entangled in his silvery hair. "Melethen, cuilen." Eyes locked, telling of the love both felt in their hearts. Lips meeting in a searing kiss. Hands caressing. Two souls brought together by fate, bound by destiny...