Translation of Elvish: Nín anoriel - my sun-maiden. Mellonen - my friend. Seron vell - beloved. Melethen - my love. Melin chen - I love you. Uireb - forever. Cuilen - my life.

Chapter 5 - A Night of Memories

The feast was doing nothing to lift his spirits. When he had departed the small glade, leaving Éowyn behind, he had met Legolas. Before the Prince could say as much as a word, Haldir had snapped at him and almost fled back to the city. The water of his bath had been able to cool his body, but not his senses. Frustration mixed with anger, and there was nothing he could do to appease his troubled mind. He had been forced to see his own faults, and, even though it had been for his own good, he hated it. Still, he could not bring himself to loathe those who had been involved in this shameful plan to get him to see the dwarf in a new light.

Éowyn. Her face had been gleaming with happiness when she found out what had happened. She had not done this to make him see his errors. No. Her only concern had been his felicity. The same was true for his brother and Legolas. And Galadriel, well, his Lady had always taken pleasure in meddling in the affairs of others. Only once had she made a mistake in such a matter, and she was paying dearly for her error of judgement. Celeborn, his Lord, had turned into the serene being he was now; bare any obvious emotion. Were they now trying to right the wrongs they could never take back, to heal wounds that were still bleeding after centuries?

They had always treated him and his brothers more like their own family than any other elf of the Golden Wood. Especially since their parents had left for the Havens, yearning to see the Undying Lands and its wonders. How much must it have hurt them to see him turn into the haughty elf he had been? Or Rúmil into the lover of everyone and no one at all. Only Orophin had been able to fulfil all the hopes that had been put into him. But Haldir had been their main concern, the eldest, and most wilful. Only now could he bring himself to acknowledge all this. Love had shown him the right path to take. His love for Éowyn.

Éowyn, who had just arrived on the arm of Legolas. The Prince had obviously found Éowyn and had taken her to the feast in place of Haldir. Seeing her now with his friend, he cursed himself. It should be him who held her hand so gently, him who everyone's eyes were drawn to. He should have been the first to see her like this. Once again she was wearing one of the elvish robes Galadriel had presented her with. She almost looked like... His head spun around to face his Lady. Galadriel's face had turned pale, staring at the two newcomers. Celeborn stood by her side, holding her hand, his features mirroring his wife's distress.

His gaze was once more drawn to his beloved, and for a fleeting moment he thought he had been taken back in time, years and years back. And this golden angel before him no longer was Éowyn of Rohan, but the fair child of the Wood, daughter of the Lord and Lady, Celebrían. A river of liquid gold surrounded her noble head, the silvery robe brought out the blue of her eyes, her features of an almost ethereal beauty. Yes, it was her, and yet it was not. In his memory, Celebrían had never radiated so much happiness and love as he could see in these light blue eyes now. Celebrían had been cold as ice, but the creature before him was like a flame.

Then the vision was gone, and it was Éowyn that was smiling at the Mirkwood Prince, his Éowyn that was suddenly in the midst of his friends, guardians like him. Lindirion was amongst them, of course he was. During Haldir's absence he had taken on the position of Chief Guardian, and he seemed to be gleaming with pride. But this was not what unsettled Haldir as he saw the blond elf move ever closer to Éowyn. Lindirion had a reputation similar to Rúmil's. Compared to him, Haldir had been living in chastity all of his life.

He was barely aware of the presence of another behind him until he heard the sensual voice speak to him, a voice that had been his companion for too long it now seemed. "Your Sun seems to be glowing not only for you, mellonen. She is apparently enjoying your friends' attentiveness, would you not say so?" It was true, but he knew why Éowyn was doing as she did. Maybe he had overdone himself earlier that day? Why had he not given in to his own desire, sparing him this, this display?

Anger flaring once more within him, he turned, finding himself face to face with Anduriel. Her dark eyes were gazing at him, half curious, half amused. "Why do you not mind your own business? And leave me to mine." The smile that was already playing around the corners of her mouth now broadened. Slowly she shook her head, raising one eyebrow. "If I were you, I would not keep up this attitude when you talk to her. Or you will find out what a woman can do if hurt..." Without saying anything else she left him standing there and vanished from his sight.

'Or you will find out what a woman can do if hurt.' It was not the casual comment it had appeared to be, it was a threat. Anduriel had been wronged and now she would show him what she was capable of. Well, she would have no chance to do anything. They would depart the next morning, for Mirkwood.

---

Éowyn was watching Haldir from the corner of her eye. He was staring at her, good. Legolas had left her in the company of several guardians a few moments ago. One of them, Lindirion, seemed to be Haldir's greatest opponent, in more than one respect. During her lover's absence he had been made Chief Guardian, clearly to Haldir's great annoyance. So he was perfect for her little plan. But when she saw him with Anduriel she was about to let go of any thought of revenge in favour of being there by his side.

Just as she was about to make her excuses to the ones surrounding her, Anduriel left. Haldir turned again, and their eyes met. Everything else seemed to vanish; once again she lost herself in the depth of those midnight blue pools. He began to move towards her and finally stood in front of her. Taking her hand in his he pulled her with him, softly whispering, "You are mine, nín anoriel, mine." The words were spoken lowly, but still loud enough for those close to them to hear.

"Just a few hours ago you didn't seem to think so, seron vell. What has changed?" Haldir remained silent while leading her into the shadow between two huge mallorn trees. Finally he turned, his eyes unreadable in the twilight of the night. "I was a fool; I will not be a fool again..." Suddenly he pushed her back against the tree trunk, pinning her down. Éowyn could clearly see the feral glow in his darkening eyes. She was his prey, was at his mercy, and she cherished it. Memories of a similar situation flashed through her mind. That night had changed her whole life, had given her the greatest gift she had ever received, the love of Haldir. Only that during that night at Edoras she had struggled against him, now she would do no such thing. Or maybe...

All thought vanished from her mind entirely as he captured her lips in a soul-searing kiss. He let go of her arms to grab her by her waist, drawing her closer to him, as close as possible. Somewhere at the back of her mind a small voice started to mention the inappropriateness of their behaviour. They were still at the feast after all. And if she didn't put a stop to things before they got out of hand, he certainly wouldn't. Gently she pulled away, as much as the tree behind her allowed it. She looked into his glazed eyes and smiled.

"Not here, melethen. We have all night ahead of us." With a chuckle she added, "Maybe you want to take yet another cold bath to cool you down?" The glare he gave her could have made orcs run in fear, and she no longer wondered why the younger guardians spoke rather timidly of him. Softly she stroked his cheek and continued, "Besides, I think that Legolas is not as well as he seems. He misses Aragorn, terribly. And he has no way of knowing when he might see him again. I wish we could do something to help him, melethen."

Haldir gently cupped Éowyn's face in his hands, brushing his lips softly over hers. "You are right, we should find him." With a wicked smile he added, "But I am not through with you." Éowyn sighed deeply and raised her hands in defence. "I never thought you were." In a low voice she continued, "And I wouldn't want you to be..." The sparkle in her eyes was almost undoing the March Warden, and he stepped away from her.

"If I did not know that Sauron is no more, I would say you are one of his minions. Sent to drive both men and elves out of their minds... But then, no minion of the Dark Lord would be as gentle and loving as you are." Once again he took her hands, raising them to his lips. "Melin chen, nín anoriel. Uireb."

---

Hand in hand they made their way back to the feast and when Haldir caught Legolas' eyes he nodded apologetically. The Prince smiled and approached the two lovers. "It is a beautiful night, mellonen. A night full of memories," he added sadly. Haldir remembered, a similar warm summer night, not too long ago. The night when he had braided his friend's hair for the ceremony. The night, Legolas had bound his life and soul to the future King of Men. Éowyn had been right, the Prince was miserable. Never had he been parted from Aragorn for longer than a few days, and now no one could tell how many years would pass until the two would meet again.

"Legolas; do not despair. I am sure he will find a way. He will be with you as soon as he can..." Éowyn had remained silent, but now she softly said, "He loves you, I have seen it in his eyes. The day he married was almost unbearable for him. If he knew how much pain he caused you, it would surely be the end of him. He won't be long." Slowly Legolas nodded, and gave Éowyn a weak smile. "Thank you, my Lady."

---

Before long, the three were joined by Gimli and it was obvious that Haldir and he had made amends. There was no longer the strained silence between them, rather a friendly quarrelling. Even Legolas had to laugh at seeing the two interact. Galadriel's plan had worked; their journey to Mirkwood would be a pleasant experience indeed.

Finally Haldir excused himself, needing to see his Lord before leaving the Golden Wood. He leaned down to kiss Éowyn's cheek, whispering softly in her ear, "Wait for me in our talan..." Éowyn nodded and smiled at him. Then he left in search of Celeborn and Galadriel.

It did not take him long to find them and he was just about to make his presence known when he stopped dead in his tracks. They seemed oblivious of their surroundings; never had he heard his Lord and Lady speak to each other in such a manner as this. "You saw it, too. How could we, no, how could I? Why did I not listen to her, she begged me... And now she is gone, and no matter if we should see her again or not, she will never forgive us. And neither will he." Galadriel's voice was filled with sorrow, and Haldir could see her hands grip the fabric of her robe as if it was the only anchor she had.

Celeborn leaned down and softly kissed his wife's forehead. "It is my fault as much as it is yours. They met because I wanted to have him here. I was mistaken in my judgement of him. He was nothing like his father, only now has he become his mirror, through our doing. Seron vell, we have to do something. They have to be reunited. Send a message to Elrond, we need his assistance in this..." Galadriel nodded weakly, and muttered, "He will be shaken when he sees her, so alike..."

Haldir could not endure this any longer and retreated. Back to the feast, back to Éowyn. Away from things he did not understand. Though for a fleeting moment he had the feeling that someone else might know more about this deep grief of his Lord and Lady. But he would not ask, not tonight. Tonight he would seek to forget what he had just seen, in the arms of his Sun...

---

When Éowyn was about to leave the feast, Lindirion caught up with her again. "My Lady, you are departing so soon? Will you not join us again and tell us more about your people. Or maybe do me the honour and take a stroll with me? The night is too beautiful to sleep..." She smiled, leaning in to him before answering, "Indeed it is too beautiful to sleep, my Lord. And I have no wish to do so. Quite the contrary. I have no inclination to sleep at all tonight. But I will spend it with someone you will never be able to compare to. Go back to those you will be able to flatter with your words..." With that she turned and left towards Haldir's talan. Had she looked back she would have been able to see Anduriel walk up to Lindirion and whisper to him. But she did not.

Once she reached the talan, she lit candles and placed them around the bedding. The last night in fair Lórien, she would make it a night worth remembering. She smiled to herself at the thought. If the kiss they had shared in the shadow of the mallorn had been anything to judge Haldir's feelings by, this night certainly would be something special. Walking to the edge of the fleet, she looked up to the stars. They were the same as in Rohan, and yet she felt as if she was worlds away from her childhood home. This was home now, wherever Haldir was, she would be.

She was so lost in her musings that she was almost shocked when strong arms circled her waist and a lean body pressed against her. "Haldir," she whispered into the night before turning in his arms. Their faces were mere inches apart and soon they found themselves lost in a searing kiss. Her fingers were entangled in his silvery hair, pulling him down, deepening the kiss. She opened her mouth and moaned deeply when his tongue invaded the moist cave. This was where she belonged, time or place lost their importance; being with him was the only essential thing, the only thing that mattered.

Lack of air forced them to break the kiss eventually and they gazed into each other's eyes while forcing their breathing to return to a normal level. "Nín anoriel," Haldir whispered hoarsely. Once again he took her into his arms, but this time he lifted her off the ground and, placing soft kissed along her jawline and throat, carried her to the bedding. He placed her down on the cushions and leaned over her to continue his explorations.

Soon, their clothes had been discarded of and Éowyn was bend over the elf, mirroring his actions in the glade. Slowly she kissed and licked a path down her love's throat, to his collarbone, and further down to his nipples. Taking one in her mouth, she attacked the other with her hand. Her tongue swirled over the sensitive tip, and when she bit down softly, Haldir groaned deeply. A wicked smile appeared on her face and she repeated these ministrations. Soon the elf was writhing beneath her hands and merciless lips, begging her to stop, to go on, to do anything.

Éowyn complied eagerly, sliding further down his strong body. When she reached his navel, she dipped her tongue into the small hollow, eliciting more moans from Haldir. Finally she reached the centre of his desire, and, locking her gaze with his, softly blew over the head. Haldir hardly ever begged, but now he could not hold back any longer, "Éowyn, please..." Not breaking eye contact, she took him in her mouth, swallowing around him. She felt the blood pulsing; so strong, so alive. Her tongue softly stroking him, she slowly moved her head, smiling around him as his eyes closed overwhelmed by the pleasure he felt.

Suddenly his hands gripped her shoulders, pulling her up into another kiss. Before Éowyn knew what was happening she found herself pinned beneath the elf's strong body. Cupping her face in his hands he began to place soft kissed on her cheeks, her forehead, the tip of her nose, her brows… Kissing a path to her ear, he nibbled on the lobe, his hands gliding down to her arms and, finding her hands, entwining their fingers.

Now it was Éowyn's turn to moan and writhe with pleasure. She encircled Haldir's waist with her legs, drawing him closer. At last she felt him slide inside her, and she enveloped him like liquid velvet. "Éowyn, cuilen..." His eyes were almost black, glazed with desire, his gaze filled with adoration and the deepest love she could have ever dreamed of. "Melin chen, Haldir..." This had never been a mere physical thing; their souls touched and bound each to the other. With every thrust of Haldir, every step they took towards completion, every heartbeat, they grew closer together, still unaware of it. Their movements got faster and faster until at last pleasure overwhelmed them both.

---

They lay in each other's arms, softly whispering sweet, loving words into the night. When dawn came, they would depart, leave their haven above the forest floor behind. But they would hold on to this, this night of memories remembered and newly forged...