Translation of Elvish: Melin chen - I love you. Cuilen - my life. Nín anoriel - my sun-maiden. Melethen - my love. Ilúvatar - The One, divine being, creator of Arda (through the Music of the Valar). Caras Galadhon - City of Trees, heart of Elvendom in Arda, city of the Galadhrim. Mithrandir - grey pilgrim, elvish name of Gandalf. Híren o Dhú a Geleb - my Lord of Night and Silver.

Chapter 18 - A Peaceful Moment

Haldir held Éowyn in his arms. Finally Éomer had left and now she allowed herself to cry out all the pain she felt. The death of her uncle and the obstinacy of her brother were overwhelming her. She had almost lost Éomer. When would he ever stop seeing her as the small girl she had once been? She clung to Haldir as if her life depended upon it.

His words were echoing in her mind, 'Rather would I be parted with her forever than see her suffering for only one moment.' The knowledge of being loved this deeply made her weep with emotion. Softly she whispered, "Melin chen, cuilen." The elf smiled and kissed his love's brow. "Melin chen, nín anoriel." His voice caressed her soul, touched her heart and filled it with so much love that she feared it might burst. Brushing the tears away she tilted up her head until their eyes locked.

Haldir smiled at her warmly, the smile reaching his midnight-blue eyes. "I never knew how fierce you could be, melethen. But to see you and your brother just now... I for one would not want to stand between you and the things you want." A low chuckle escaped Éowyn's throat, "Well, how lucky for you that you are what I want." Her eyes filled with sadness as she continued, "He's always tried to protect me, I can't even hold that against him. Ever since our parents died he's been like a father for me, or at least he tried to be. Every time Théoden or Theódred were yelling at me because I had once again done something, well, foolish, he would come to my rescue. He will need some time yet until he fully understands what is between us. But he will..."

"Hush my love, there is no need for any explanations. We finally understand each other, your brother and I, I do not think that there will be another row like this." His hands cupped Éowyn's face and he leaned down to kiss her cheeks. "Elves," she said teasingly, "what is it about you, thinking you know everything that lies within the future?" Haldir stared at her in mock-astonishment. "Well, we just do. Remember, we are the First-Born and not some lesser children of Ilúvatar." And while taking her right hand into his he added, "Do not forget that Legolas knew about us all along, and so did my Lady." Seeing Éowyn's raised eyebrow he added quickly, "Galadriel, the Lady of the Golden Wood."

The Golden Wood, Lothlórien, home of Haldir. He wanted to take her there, show her his world. "You really wish to take me there, to Lórien?" Slowly he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. "All you know of my people is from Gandalf, or Mithrandir as we call him. I want you to see the Golden Wood, Caras Galadhon, in all its beauty before it fades away forever." Sadness was in his voice, a sadness that all elves felt. They would soon leave Arda, never to return.

"Melethen," Éowyn whispered, "don't think of it ... the passing of your people. Gandalf, no Mithrandir," she corrected herself, seeing a sparkle in his eyes as always when she said something in his language. "Mithrandir told us that the time of the elves was coming to an end. That you would all go into the West, past the Havens." Wonder filled his eyes. "Yes, he told us much ... never did I think that I would be so glad to know all this one day." Haldir drew his love into a tight embrace. "Nín anoriel, you never cease to surprise me."

Suddenly she recalled something her brother had said. "Why does Éomer think your brothers won't be glad to see you again?" Haldir smiled weakly, "They will be, but still ... they will be furious that I risked injury after what came to pass at Helm's Deep. They do not know my reason yet, you..." Éowyn freed her hand from Haldir's grip and caressed his cheek, fingers travelling up to the sensitive tip of the elf's ear. A low moan from her lover was the result.

"Then they will hate me for making you join our troops? For loving you?" she inquired with a raised eyebrow. "Nín anoriel, no, they will love you as soon as they set eyes on you, just like me..." Éowyn's fingers were now gliding through the silvery hair of her beloved and she whispered, "If I remember correctly, you loathed me at first." His eyes were filled with warmth and love. "I thought I did, but I must have loved you even then."

Her hand had reached the strong shoulders of the Guardian and pulled him down to her. When their lips met, the kiss sent bolts of fire through their bodies. Éowyn could feel the tip of Haldir's tongue trailing her lower lip and she opened her mouth a fraction to allow him inside. Soon their tongues were intertwined, battling, caressing. The elf wrapped his arms around her, pulling her even closer. Deepening the kiss. At the back of his mind an urgent voice called out to him, 'But she is injured.'

He broke the kiss, panting. "Éowyn, no. Your arm is still hurt, even though you do not feel any pain currently." A seductive smile appeared on the woman's features. "Haldir, my Lord of Night and Silver, don't push me away. Not now, I need to feel your presence. I need to feel you. Melethen..." He could see that she was thinking hard and raised an eyebrow in question. "My Lord of Night and Silver, what is that in your tongue?" A chuckle escaped the elven throat of her lover. "My Lady seems very eager to learn ... it is Híren o Dhú a Geleb," he added, eyes sparkling.

"Melin chen, Híren o Dhú a Geleb," she whispered in his ear, her voice heavy with emotion and desire. "Are you sure you want this? The last thing I want is to hurt you..." Éowyn smiled wickedly, "Since when are you so, well, modest. What happened to your arrogance? Your fabled arrogance, Legolas called it. Haughty Haldir, that's what they call you. But now..." She was stopped by Haldir's lips, covering her mouth.

"Haughty indeed ... I think I will have to teach our dearest Prince a lesson," he muttered when their lips parted. "And as for you, remember that it was you who asked for this," he added, voice laden with utmost longing. He let himself fall back on the bed, pulling Éowyn with him. His strong hands caressed her face, then travelled down to the laces holding her dress together. One more questioning glance, and he opened the fastenings.

Slowly her hand tugged at the lacings of his tuning, struggling with them but finally she was able to reveal part of her love's broad chest. She leaned down, swiftly kissing his lips, but then moving her mouth down to his collarbone and further down until she found a nipple. She could feel Haldir move under her ministrations, trying to wriggle himself free. Her teeth closed around the peak and a low moan came from the one beneath her.

"Éowyn," he whispered hoarsely, "melethen." Her lips had moved to the second nipple and repeated their previous actions. Her hand travelled over his chest and stomach, feeling his firm muscles beneath the silken skin. Teasingly she trailed her fingers over his navel and was rewarded by a loud moan. From somewhere a voice whispered to him, 'What if someone should enter just now?' Éowyn's merciless hand now moved further down, feeling her lover's arousal through the fabric of his leggings.

Between moans Haldir managed to say, "Wait ... the door ..." Reluctantly Éowyn stopped her sweet attacks upon her lover's body and raised herself enough for him to slide out from under her. When he turned to face her again after locking the door she was lying on the cushions as naked as she had been born. Her golden hair was falling over her shoulders and a smile played around her lips. Her right arm was reaching out for him, beckoning him to return to her.

Discarding the rest of his clothing, he willingly obeyed. Slowly he lowered himself over her soft body, careful not to touch her broken arm. "Nín anoriel, melethen." A soft kiss upon her brow. "Híren o Dhú a Geleb, melin chen." Fingers playing in slivery hair, pulling her beloved down to meet her sensual lips. Eyes locking, midnight meeting light blue. Heartbeats echoing each other. And always the knowledge, 'This is as it is supposed to be. We are meant to be together.'

Slowly passion takes over, hands moving frantically over silken skin. Burning touches, lips meeting in endless kisses. Bodies shaking as lust gains hold of them both. Words of love whispered into the night...