Notes: Part of the "Unexpected Love story arc". This is the 2004 Christmas triple drabble for Eldamere.

Translation of Elvish: Iaurnana - literally "old mummy"; grandma. Iaurada - literally "old daddy"; granddad. Pen-neth - young one.

The sound of small feet climbing the stairs heralded the coming of Haldir's latest conquest, one that he had never intended to make. Before long, his Lord's granddaughter appeared before him, and flung herself into his arms.

"Missed you, Haldir." Big blue eyes met the Guardian's. "I made sure that Anduriel was busy before I came."

'Oh joy.' So he was stuck with the crushing girl. "You only just arrived, have you not?" Arwen nodded. "Do you not think that your iaurnana and iaurada would like to see you as well?"

Arwen's face fell. "But I have a solstice gift for you..." Reaching inside her robes, she brought forth a wrapped box. Offering it to Haldir, she urged, "Well, open it."

The tall Galadhel did, and beheld a pair of beautifully crafted fighting knives. "Arwen, I cannot..."

"Oh, but you have to... Please, Haldir?" Darn, but she had taken lessons with Rúmil. There it was, the "beaten puppy" look Haldir's youngest brother had turned into an art form. "I..." Now she was biting her lower lip, "I have a confession to make. I am sorry but... I will not be spending so much time with you anymore. Gildor..."

Hang on. He was being dropped for Gildor Inglorion? This was the end of the world as he knew it. He, Haldir of Lórien, was cast aside for another. Hugging Arwen, he whispered, "I will miss you, pen-neth. But I am happy for you. Gildor is a noble elf..." In his mind, he finished,'...and completely and utterly taken with your sweet ministrel.'

Arwen smiled, blew Haldir a kiss, and then she was gone. Gazing down at his new twin knives, he suddenly began to laugh. Maybe he could get Elladan to fall for him as well. He also needed a replacement for his bow...