Chapter 7 - The Confrontation

There she stood, tall and proud, like a statue. Éowyn, Lady of Rohan. In the dark around her she was like a star, shining with her golden hair waving about her. Four days had passed since last he had seen her. Four long days. He had been asking about her, always receiving answers like, "The Lady is busy with preparations for the Muster," or, "She is discussing important matters with Lord Éomer." Why was she avoiding him? It was only thanks to her that he was on his feet again for two days now. Why had she not been to him to point this out to him? To use himself as evidence for her healing skills? Had he been so repulsive in her eyes last time they had been alone together? No, that could not be. He knew of his impact on women.

His thoughts were ever centred on her; he tried everything to think of other things but her. His comrades were surrounding him, speaking of those who had fallen in the battle and of their desire to go back home, to Lórien. But Haldir would not, could not leave the Riddermark like this. Something was keeping him here, and deep down inside of him he began to understand what it was. But outwardly he talked of alliances and friends in danger. He was informed of everything that went on beyond the doors of his room.

The King had returned the one day after Aragorn had departed. Then a messenger had come from Minas Tirith bearing the Arrow of War. He had asked, nay, almost begged Théoden to aid those still holding the western shore of Anduin. The Muster of Rohan had taken place earlier this day; the troops were to set out tomorrow morning. Haldir, after yet another long conversation with his comrades, had asked Éomer for horses so that the remains of the elven warriors could join the host of Rohan. He would not forsake his friend, Legolas, like this. If his path led him to Gondor, pray that he had reached it safely; Haldir would go there, too.

Éomer had told him that he first needed to discuss the matter with his sister. She had been his healer after all. An hour ago Haldir had seen the two siblings together. So he would be able to get an answer from Éomer. But not now, not while his eyes were upon her, who was like the sun in the darkness filling his heart with warmth.

He felt a hand touch his shoulder lightly. "Can we talk?" the King's nephew asked. Almost against his will Haldir turned to face the other. Éomer beckoned him to follow and led the elf into a small room that obviously served as an office these days.

Éomer had apparently seen Haldir's gaze upon his sister because he said; "She is very fragile, even though it doesn't seem to be so. I will kill anyone who should ever hurt her, I was very close to challenging Aragorn," he added. Why was he telling Haldir these things? As if he would ever be able to touch her heart. Not him. Éomer continued, now coming to the point he needed to discuss. "I have the answer you are waiting for, but I'm afraid that you will not like it. Éowyn asked me not to give you horses." He stopped the elf who had been about to reply something with a raised hand," unless you will leave for Lórien. She said that your wounds had been grave; you barely survived. You're not fit for another battle." Anger flared in Haldir's eyes, but he did not say anything except for, "I see." Then he turned and left Éomer behind.

'How dare she?' This time no lies would shield her from him. She had gone too far. The confrontation was unavoidable. She was no longer outside. 'In her chamber then.' How often had he passed her doors in the last days, longing to see her? But now as he found her door locked no longing made him enter, but rage. He had not stopped to know and thus found Éowyn rather surprised. What he saw made his heart miss a beat.

Éowyn was trying to hide a hauberk and a sword in a chest. But unfortunately she hadn't been fast enough, Haldir had seen, there was no doubt about it. And sure enough as he closed the door behind him he said with hostility in his voice, "So you are going into battle." A statement, not a question. She straightened herself and turned around to face him. "What do you want of me?" her eyes glaring at him. Only for the short moment before he spoke again did she see him in all his glory. In the garment of his people, that he had worn under his armour in the battle. His hair falling about his shoulders. The longing to feel his arms around her was becoming harder and harder to fight.

"Oh, I believe you know that very well indeed, my healer." Loathing, he loathed her. She had only thought of his safety when she spoke with her brother, and of her sanity. Those four days had been hell for her. Her heart still grieved the loss of Aragorn, but her body was craving for the elf. Ever since she had seen him in the bath, since she had fled from his room she had felt it. But she refused to give into something that would only be physical; her soul was still with another. And who knew if he wouldn't turn her down anyway?

Haldir continued, "But right now I am asking myself if I should not find your brother and inform him of what I have just seen here. And do not try to tell me that the armour is not meant for you!" An evil smile appeared on his face, "Of course if you tell Éomer that you have been mistaken in your previous judgement..." Blackmail, this was nothing more than blackmail! 'So this is who you really are, there is nothing fair about you at all.' Éowyn's head was spinning, unable to believe it.

"How dare you threaten me? I'm not one of your elven women who will do what you say at the mere flick of your finger. Don't forget who I am." No one would ever succeed in blackmailing her, Éowyn of Rohan. No one, least of all him. She couldn't understand herself anymore. She had longed for this, for this creature that didn't even recoil from blackmail.

Quickly Haldir closed in on her, making her retreat a few steps until she hit the wall. She was cornered, like some deer he was hunting. 'There is no way out now, not unless you do as I say.' Her proud eyes held his stare; she was not to give in easily. 'Even better.' Their bodies were almost touching and Haldir placed an arm on either side of her denying her any way of escaping him.

"What do you think my brother would do to you, standing in his sister's bedroom, with her screaming?" Éowyn glared at him, fury in her eyes. Haldir's answer was hardly more than a whisper. "Nothing compared to what he would do to you if he knew what you are planning to do," he snarled. "He would not believe you. Leave my room, or I'll scream! And as for the horses you asked for, you should pray that I tell no one of this. Or you might find yourself our prisoner very soon."

Who did she think she was, ordering him about? She had already done it too often; he would not tolerate it one more time. "I think not. Neither of the two things will come to pass." Before Éowyn could say anything, Haldir had covered her mouth with his hand. Her eyes widened in terror. What was he about to do? Take her be force? This fear gave her the power to move her petrified body again. No longer caring about the wounds she had tended she hit the elf.

The attack had come as a surprise and Haldir needed both his hands to fend her off. He gripped both her hands and forced them behind her back. Her eyes shot sparks at him and she screamed, "You are unworthy of calling yourself an elf, you arrogant, self-absorbed..." She was stopped by Haldir's mouth suddenly covering hers.

He had seen the terror in her eyes, caused by him. Had almost retreated from her room. But then she had attacked him; no other woman had ever dared to do that. And something deep down inside of his sprang to life, soared up inside of him, made his blood run faster through his veins. He hardly realized taking hold of her hands; he only saw her face, her eyes, her noble features, her sensual lips. His mind went blank and his heart took control of him. No matter what happened, he would have this one kiss, this one thing he had been longing for. And if the world fell to pieces around him, all that mattered now were her lips upon his.