Translation of Elvish: Melethen - my love. Cuilen - my life. Melin chen - I love you. Elbereth - star-queen ... elvish name of Varda, one of the Valar. Namárië - farewell. Nín anoriel - my sun-maiden.

Chapter 16 - Joy and Sorrow

The scent of athelas once more filled the room. But instead of her right hand, Haldir bathed her left in the healing water. If athelas could safe her from gliding into the shadow-world, maybe it could also speed up the mending of her broken bones.

He had almost lost his self-control earlier that day. It filled him with shame how close he had been to taking her. Not against her will that had been obvious, but she was hurt, had barely survived. And he could only think of lying with her, and by doing so driving the threat of Aragorn from his mind forever.

Why was he feeling this way? Aragorn was bound to Legolas, the love they shared apparent whenever they were together. And still. Haldir knew that the future king of Gondor would not turn Éowyn down if she pursued him seriously. He would share his body with her but never the depth of his heart. Or would he? He forced himself to concentrate on tending Éowyn's hand. There was no reason for all these thoughts after all. She was here, with him. Had told him time and time again that she loved him, wanted to be with no one but him.

Yes, ever since she had been woken to new life by Aragorn, she had only tried to console him. When would she break down herself? Théoden was dead, her beloved uncle had left her for all eternity and she had not yet shed even one tear over it. Only on the battlefield, when she was lying in Haldir's arms had she cried out in pain. But he feared that this grief would consume her sooner or later, and he prayed that he would be there to hold her when that time would come.

Éowyn watched her love through half-opened eyes. His face was solemn, a mask of concentration. But she also felt a battle raging through him. Was it still the one Legolas had told her about? Had he finally seen how fragile she, a mortal, really was? She longed to tell him that they would always be together, but they both would know it for a lie. What of that way Legolas had mentioned? Why hadn't the Elven Prince told her more about it? All she longed for was to be with the one before her, for as long as possible. Her heart was filled with a love she never knew existed.

The pain in her broken arm slowly subsided, warmth spread over her whole body like a soft blanket. She smiled and caught the elf's eyes. "Melethen, who said that you were no healer? I feel no more pain, thanks to you." Haldir smiled weakly, "All I can do is copy things others did before me. Aragorn is the true healer; I owe my life to him. Had he not been able to heal you..." - "... you would have killed him?" Éowyn suggested and, seeing the astonished look upon the elf's face, she added, "Legolas told me of your outburst."

Haldir turned away before he replied, "Had he failed, my life would have been undone. You are everything to me, cuilen. Melin chen, I love you." Softly she touched his chin, turning his head back to face her. "What has brought you into my life, my Lord of Night and Silver? What did I ever do to deserve this? You might not be a healer of the body, but you are a healer nevertheless. You healed my soul." And trying hard to remember all the beautiful elvish words she had heard from her beloved's lips, she repeated them, needing to show him how deep her feelings ran. "Melethen, cuilen. Melin chen."

Those words reached his soul. Never had he thought he would hear them from anyone. How could anyone truly love him, the proud and arrogant Chief Guardian of the Golden Wood? And he had not longed for it either. He had not missed these words, but now they were all that mattered in his world. This woman, this frail mortal, whom he had hated at first, had become his world. His soul screamed, 'My Lady, show me that way you told me about. For I cannot be without her.'

And inside his head a voice answered; the low voice of Galadriel, 'When you return, Haldir, when you return with her. Bring your sun to Lórien and your questions shall be answered. Do not be afraid to reveal yourself to her, your soul. For she is your true love. Elbereth herself smiles upon you... Namárië.'

Éowyn looked at him baffled. His eyes had suddenly seemed so distant even though they were still fixed upon her. As if he didn't see her but something far away. "Haldir?" The elf smiled, cupping her face in his hands. "Nín anoriel, if we live still when the last battle has been fought, will you come with me to Lórien? Will you see the Golden Wood with me?"

Her heart answered before she could even think about her reply, "Yes, yes. Oh Haldir, I will. But..." finally the things that had come to pass the previous day flashed back into her mind, "But first I have to go home, to Edoras. If we survive this, I first have to see my Uncle put to rest. Only then will I be free to do what you ask of me..." Tears welled from her eyes and Haldir took her into his arms.

---

So Éomer found them an hour later. When he heard the King of Rohan enter, Haldir turned his head towards him and he inclined his head in greeting. Slowly he let go of Éowyn, who was looking so forlorn that it almost broke his heart to move away from her. He kissed her softly on the forehead and left the siblings alone.

Now Éomer sat by his sister's side, holding her in his arms. "Why Éomer, why did he have to leave us so soon? Why couldn't he stay? First Theódred and now..." she whispered between sobs. "Beloved sister, he is with his forefathers now, his wife, his son. He died nobly on the battlefield. We should honour him for what he has done for Rohan in his long years. Let's forget about the days of Gríma, remember how proudly he rode into the final battle. I only wish he had known that you were there..."

She clung to him, her beloved brother who now was the King of the Riddermark. And as king he would surely... "Éomer, what are you going to do now? This was the first battle with Sauron, how many will follow?" Once again he marvelled at how quick her mind worked. "The Captains of the West, including me, will set out the day after tomorrow again. We will lead our troops to the Black Gate. Gandalf says that we have to keep the Eye of Sauron from his own country... I believe this has something to do with Isildur's Bane, but what it is, he would not tell. You know the wizard." Both of them smiled at these last words.

"Promise me to return," before Éomer could reply anything she added, "Just promise it. Let me have this promise to hold on to while you walk a road that might lead to the end for all of us." Slowly he nodded, "I promise." Éowyn now forced herself to think of something but the perilous future that lay before her brother. "How is the halfling, Meriadoc?" Only now had she remembered her companion and brother in arms.

"Aragorn healed him, as he healed you and the new Steward of Gondor, Faramir. Denethor apparently lost the little bit of mind that he had and burned himself, trying to take his son with him. But Gandalf and yet another halfling by the name of Peregrin saved Faramir in the nick of time. I believe that both halflings will pay you a visit very soon. They are eager to see both you and Haldir. And I believe that this time the elf will prefer to stay behind, with you." She could hear a low chuckle come from her brother's throat.

"Hmm, can I choose?" she teased. "No, I think I've had enough bloodshed for a while. I will stay were I am, and I believe that Haldir will do so, too." Éomer smiled. "I thought as much." Then he became stern again, "Are you sure that he's good for you. All the things that have happened to you of late, you could be mistaken..." She silenced him with a finger on his mouth. "I love him, and he loves me. Brother, please ... try to understand. And if you can't, at least accept it. I couldn't choose between you two. It would tear me apart."

He grasped her hand and withdrew it from his lips. "Éowyn, I'm not saying that I approve of it. But then, I've never seen you like this before. A light is shining from within you, a light that I have not seen before. And I know he's the reason for it. But be warned, if ever he hurts you..." A voice from the door finished for him, "... you will make me pay for it. Yes, I know that Éomer. And I give you my word that I would rather die than cause your sister pain." Éomer glared at the elf and for a moment Éowyn feared that he might forget his words.

But then she saw a smile appear on his face. "I think this might interest you Master Elf. Your Lord and Lady are sending a small host of archers to join us in our final battle. A messenger has brought the news this morning. They will arrive the day after tomorrow. And I guess you'll be even more interested in the two warriors that will lead them here. Two elves by the names of Rúmil and Orophin..."