Translation of Elvish: Mellonen - my friend. Melin chen - I love you. Melethen - my love. Nín anoriel - my sun-maiden. Cuilen - my life. Faeren - my soul. Híren o Dhú a Geleb - my Lord of Night and Silver.

Chapter 26 - Lovers Reconciled

Legolas and Orophin stared at the elf in front of them. Had he finally come to his senses? Orophin knelt down by his brother's side. To see Haldir like this broke his heart. Never had he witnessed him crying. His voice had never sounded so sad and grieved. He sighed deeply. "No, but you will have to fight for her. She thinks that this might be your only chance to part with her without having to suffer too greatly. She is willing to give you up..." Haldir looked up, stunned.

"And what happened that you finally see your errors?" Legolas had lowered himself as well.

"My Lady, she made me see the truth. Forced me to..." He had to force himself to speak coherently. Too great was the shame he felt. He had injured the most beautiful soul he had ever known. And even now she was trying to see some good in everything he had done.

Orophin put an arm around Haldir's shoulder, pulling him closer to himself. "I hope you will heed her words, brother." Haldir nodded weakly. "Éowyn did not deserve any of this. And still she loves you, loves you enough to let you go."

Haldir glanced at his brother, seeing him frown through a veil of tears. "If only she would hate me. I could handle it. I could, and would, beg her to forgive me. But..." Haldir shook his head, "How can I ever make her understand that I do not wish for a chance to forsake her. How can I make her see that I regret my actions? I cannot allow her to give up on us. It would surely break her as it would me..." His voice trailed off.

The Prince of Mirkwood stood again, offering his hands to the two siblings before him. "Well, then I think we have to help you winning her back. But before I raise as much as a finger for you, mellonen..." A smirk appeared on his face, "You will promise me that you will never ever get anywhere near Aragorn with those knives of yours..."

---

Éowyn was tossing in her sleep. Blue eyes were watching her, a hand holding one of hers. Aragorn had not left her side ever since she had broken down in the gardens. Now she lay on a soft bed in one of the palace's many guest quarters. The King was pondering on what had come to pass just a few hours ago. And he scolded himself for his stupidity. What had made him kiss Éowyn? The truth was simple, and still it hit him like a lightning bolt. He loved her, yes. But not like he loved Legolas. He was not in love with the beautiful woman in front of his eyes.

He felt drawn to her, but more out of an urge to protect her. As if she was his sister... Had his beloved known this as well? Never had he shown any sign of jealousy, well, now he knew why. And Éowyn had been hurt, partly due to his own foolishness. Had he seen Legolas in a similar situation, he would have thought the same as Haldir had. But he would have at least listened to his lover's explanations.

Quietly the door opened and Legolas entered the room, smiling. "He has come to his senses, at long last. Thanks to Galadriel actually." Seeing the puzzled look of the King he added. "She spoke to him, and I believe told him in no uncertain terms what she thinks of his actions." Turning his head towards Éowyn he muttered, "How is she?"

Aragorn shook his head, "She hasn't said a word ever since you two left in search of Haldir."

The Prince sighed deeply. "I believe she will not speak with him. She is determined to let him go. To spare him more hurt..." he chuckled, "as if that was still possible. Haldir told us that he wishes to bind himself to her. So he is way past the point of no return."

Aragorn smiled at Éowyn. "She is the one for our dear friend. Unfortunately this love hasn't change anything about his haughtiness and arrogance. But," he added more seriously, "it's also partly my fault, isn't it? Because I was unable to see the truth about my feelings for her..."

The eyes of his companion lit up, "Oh, so you finally came to terms with that?" The elf smirked. "Then you would not mind doing something to get them back together, would you?" And as Aragorn shook his head in response, he continued. "Seek out Éomer and explain everything to him. And please, try to keep him from killing Haldir..."

---

The morning dawned and Éowyn woke finding herself gazing into the blue eyes of Legolas. "How are you, my Lady?"

She sighed as the memories of the previous day seeped back into her consciousness. "I still can't believe that this is the end. My heart is aching for him, but..."

Legolas finished for her, "But you will not see him or speak with him. Still, I believe he would love to speak with you. Will you not allow him an interview?"

"Legolas, I will not be the reason for his fading. If this is the one chance for me to ensure this, then I will be damned if I don't use it. No matter how much it grieves me, no matter how it breaks me..." Her voice trailed off; obviously she tried to convince herself of what she had just said.

Legolas smiled sadly at her, "No matter how much he regrets his deeds?" She shook her head, determined to see it through. And still...

Her heart was yearning for him; her soul ached to be with him. His cold eyes had haunted her in her sleep; she knew being without him would undo her. But her mind told her that it might be for the better after all. He was immortal, she had only been granted a limited span of time here in Arda. And eventually her death would trigger his. No, she would not give in to the longing she felt. She would harden herself, as she had for years during the days of Gríma.

Legolas' voice woke her from her daydream. "But you will surely see your brother. I believe he wishes to show you something..." Éowyn didn't see the small grin on the elven face, nor the sparkle in Legolas' eyes. She only inclined her head in approval. "Fine, you may excuse me now my Lady. And I urge you, please reconsider. Haldir wishes for nothing but a few moments of your time..." To himself he added, 'Just about the rest of your life.'

---

Éomer had been furious at first. But thanks to Aragorn he had soon calmed enough to see Haldir. The Guardian seemed broken. The air of pride had given way to deepest regret. He almost begged the King of Rohan for his aid. "I cannot be without her, Éomer. If she can ever forgive me, I will use the rest of my days to heal the wounds I caused her. I will cherish and worship her. She is the reason I am in this world, without her, my life is nothing but darkness. She is my light, my sun..." Before he realized it, he had agreed to help the miserable elf before him.

And now he found himself walking by his sister's side, about to trick her into meeting Haldir. He led the way to the chambers Éowyn had occupied until last night. Suddenly she turned to her brother, staring at him. "What is the meaning of this? Éomer, what exactly do you wish to show me?" He quickly opened the door, pushing Éowyn into the room. "Just someone who needs to speak with you. And sister, you need to speak with him as well!" With that he backed away from the door, closing and locking it behind him.

---

Éowyn stared at the closing door, hearing the key being turned. How dare he lock her in with... Only now did she see the other person in the room. Haldir stood opposite of her, his dark eyes seeking out hers. There was no more coldness in them, only pain and fear. "Éowyn," his voice was no more than a whisper.

"How dare you. Now you even turn my brother against me! I have nothing to say to you anymore, Haldir of Lórien. All I want is to get away from you as fast as I can." She turned quickly, unable to keep up the pretence much longer.

His eyes had melted her heart, his grief reaching out for her soul. But she would see her plan through. She would save his life by forsaking him. She would... Haldir's hand closed about her wrist, softly turning her around again. Soon she stood face to face with the elf who held her heart. "Please, listen to me."

Éowyn tried to break free, shaking her head violently. "No, I will not listen to any more accusations. Let go of me..." Involuntarily she repeated the words he had used the night before.

His next action came as a surprise to both her and himself. He dropped to his knees in front of her, glancing up at her face. "Forgive me, please forgive me." His hands shook as he took her sweet hands in his, kissing them. "I am nothing without you, I cannot bear even the thought of losing you. You were right when you said that I am unworthy of being an elf. And I am also unworthy of even looking at you. I had no right to treat you as I did. I will never forgive myself for it..."

Éowyn was stunned. Each of Haldir's words made her heart cramp in misery, aching from seeing her beloved in so much pain. Slowly she withdrew her hands from his grip, in a last effort to retreat from him. But the sigh this caused from him made her heart break. She placed a hand on top of his head, softly caressing his silken hair. She knew that she could never leave him. It would destroy both of them. Gradually she lowered herself, until once again she was face to face with him.

"Melin chen, Haldir." She raised her second hand to his face. "There is nothing I have to forgive you, melethen. And I will never allow you to speak so low of yourself again." With that she took him into her arms, holding on to him, unwilling to ever let him go again. She felt his face turn against hers, felt his lips kiss her cheek softly.

"Melin chen, nín anoriel. Cuilen, faeren. Melin chen." He drew back a little, looking into her eyes. "I thought I had lost you, I thought I had never really had you. I did not see the truth. I did not realise that it was only my actions that almost caused me to lose you. Éowyn, beloved..."

She smiled, leaning in to kiss him gently. "You will never lose me, Haldir. Híren o Dhú a Geleb."

They were together again; ready to face whatever lay ahead of them. No matter what it was, they would face it side by side. Neither of them had expected to find love in the other. But through all the terrors they had to endure, they had grown together. Finally they knew that their love was strong enough to survive anything. They had realised that nothing could be more terrible than being apart from the other. Soon they would journey to the Golden Wood. And there they would eventually find out how they could remain together, forever.

But right now, nothing mattered. They were resting in each other's arms, the memory of the previous night nothing more than a shadow that was fading quickly. Beyond the door two men and two elves were smiling at one another. They had restored the bonds between two hearts that were beating as one. Quickly they unlooked the door and then retreated, leaving the two lovers behind.

There was much to be done for tomorrow would be Aragorn's coronation. But one worry had already been taken off the King's shoulders. Éowyn and Haldir would attend, together. Never again did Aragorn wish to see Éowyn suffering the way she had, and neither did Legolas wish for his friend to be in so much agony again. But this only the future would show.