The Crux of the Problem

PLEASE READ!!!! This is a major revision. This chapter was supposed to go before the most recent update "Liquid Courage". The chapters are now in the correct order. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Disclaimer: (In the spirit of Crimson Starlight)

Jan: *hands on hips* Why do you do that?

Shana: *blinks* Huh?

Jan: *points at preceding note*

Shana: *throws up hands* Oh come ON! It's only been a year and a half since I was last able to update this so excuuuuuuse me if I made one mistake!

Jan: That's a pretty big mistake…

Shana: Think you could do better?

Jan: Uhhhhhh…

Shana: Thought so. *watches Thranduil run screaming past front window followed by Erin*

Jan: *gaping*

Shana: Damn! And here I was under the impression there was NO ONE freakier than 'Thandy'!

Legolas: *runs into room, makes sure front door is locked, turns back to it wide-eyed*

Shana: Did Erin…

Legolas: freak my father out? *nods* Oh yeah!

Jan: *peering out window, bug-eyed* Understatement!

Shana: Ok, that is so NOT my problem. Erin's Thranduil abuse is NOT my responsibility. I own only my original characters, everything else belongs to JRRT and I get no monetary compensation for this.

Haldir: *pokes head in* No, she gets "other" forms of compensation… *leers*

Chapter 11: Consulting

The day following Janessa's breakdown…

No sooner had the pair risen for the day when, much to Haldir's annoyance, Janessa was summoned to Galadriel's chambers. The accompanying Marchwarden was summarily dismissed from the royal talan. The elf lurked about for a while until he realized Jan would not be emerging from the edifice anytime soon. He stalked off in a huff, returning to their talan to sit and brood.

Janessa found herself in what she considered a rather unenviable position, sitting in an overstuffed chair opposite both Galadriel and Celeborn. The fact that Haldir had been denied entrance had set the woman on edge. The whole thing smacked of an "intervention" session.

After greetings had been exchanged an uncomfortable silence fell like a pall over the room. Janessa had crossed her legs and could not help bouncing her foot up and down, a very visible sign of her suppressed turbulent emotional state. The redhead made it a point of looking anywhere but at her hosts.

Galadriel was the first to break the quiet, speaking in what she thought were comforting tones. "I'm sure you're wondering why we've asked you here." The Lady of Light was caught completely off guard by Janessa's fast response.

"No." The redhead met the Lady's direct gaze, tension more than a little evident in her voice. "I know exactly why I'm here." As Galadriel carefully schooled her features to neutral and extended her hands in an obvious entreaty Jan snapped, "I'm human, not stupid."

Celeborn wasn't nearly as quick at hiding his surprise, but followed his wife's lead in staying calm and unflustered.

"I'm here because I had what amounts to a nervous breakdown yesterday. I let myself get overwhelmed and all the emotions I had been holding off and not dealing with hit me all at once." Janessa looked specifically at Galadriel as she continued, "I'm sure you picked up on most, if not all of what I was going through considering I must have been putting out one hell of a 'broadcast.'" There was more than a little hostility in the redhead's voice.

It was at this point that Celeborn chose to interrupt, placing a hand on Galadriel's knee before standing. "I believe I will leave you ladies alone. I have more than a passing feeling that my esteemed Marchwarden is, shall we say, rather 'agitated' right now." The Lorien lord paused long enough to grin and wink at Janessa as he swept out of the room muttering about "wearing Haldir out."

Janessa couldn't repress a snort at Celeborn's ever-surprising antics. For someone of high-breeding who was expected to be well, "Lordly," the elf very seldom seemed to be that; at least from what the redhead had seen. If anything, he seemed like a dirty, horny old man, or a "pro-vert (professional pervert)" as Jan saw it. He also had a more obvious sense of humor than his lady wife.

The redhead waited until she was reasonably sure Celeborn was out of earshot before asking, "Do I even want to know what Haldir is in for?"

Galadriel could not help returning the woman's infectious smile, wondering for not the first time at her mate's ability to defuse the woman. He had done it the first time they had met the redhead and Galadriel had tried to surreptitiously read her. "Nothing to worry about. My husband will probably take the Marchwarden out hunting or to the practice fields. He might even let Haldir win."

"Let him win?"

Galadriel laughed lightly. "You wouldn't necessarily think of Celeborn as a warrior as his place is not on the front lines but believe me, Haldir has learned more than a little from my husband who can still hold his own against the Marchwarden. After all, he hasn't taught Haldir everything he knows…"

Janessa could not help but break into peals of laughter at the mental image of Haldir pinned to the ground by Celeborn. Granted, Celeborn was one of the few elves Haldir could lose to without losing face. Janessa stopped laughing at the renewed look of seriousness on the Lady's face. "There's more to this than my 'breakdown' yesterday. Please, just tell me. Considering everything I have already been through I think I can handle it."

Galadriel took a slow breath, collecting her thoughts and for the first time in a long while at a seeming loss for words. Deciding that with the woman before her the direct approach would be best the Lady began, "You are correct that I was privy to your thoughts and feelings during yesterday's 'episode' as you'd say, but there is more to it than that."

This gave Janessa pause. More to it? I'm not sure I really want to know what she plans to share with me. Oh well, in for an inch in for a mile…

"I was not only privy to your breakdown, but the events that followed it."

Janessa's eyes widened. Oh god. I gave Galadriel a 'porno video' vision. Wonderful. Just wonderful. The woman hid her face in her hands, her cheeks burning almost as bright as her hair.

Seeing the redhead's obvious distress Galadriel rose from her seat and pulled a chair over to sit in front of Janessa, the elf pulling the woman's hands away from her face and holding them in each of hers. "It is not nearly as bad as you seem to think," the Lady smiled conspiratorially. "In fact I do believe Lord Celeborn was rather, shall we say, pleased with the result."

Both females began snickering as they followed that thought to their own ends.

Laughter subsided, Galadriel continued, "In all honesty I did not wish to embarrass you. There is something I do not believe you are aware of that you need to be."

All business now, Janessa nodded her understanding. "Please go on."

"Haldir is unusually good at finding you when there is no way he could suspect your whereabouts. I am sure you have wondered more than once how he was able to do this, often beating Prince Legolas to your hiding places."

"I have been curious about that," the woman admitted.

"There is a simple, yet not necessarily obvious explanation for that," Galadriel paused for a beat, making sure she had Janessa's full and total attention. "There is a bond between you."

The redhead paled noticeably, anxiety now clearly etched across her features.

"I am certain Legolas did not realize the potential he was opening the two of you to when he chose that rather 'unorthodox' method for getting you past your issues with Haldir resembling Hayden. It seems to have worked a bit better than he expected the Marchwarden and yourself forming a very small and tenuous connection."

Janessa seemed to be holding together for the moment so the Lady plunged on, "Haldir being Haldir, he proved himself more adept at following this connection than the Prince. My concern arises from the fact that yesterday you unknowingly solidified this bond into a tangible thread. You opened yourself to him and strengthened the existing thread. Now tell me, have you noticed that Legolas' presence in the back of your mind seem even more muted than before?"

The woman's eyes lost their focus for a moment as she considered this. "As a matter of fact, it has."

Galadriel gave her a small smile. "As your bond with Haldir increases in strength your connection with Legolas will continue to weaken, but you must consciously sever it, should you decide that is your wish. Unfortunately this is a decision you cannot put off for very much longer."

Janessa averted her eyes as Galadriel finished, "Haldir is aware of this and has not told you for fear it would push you away and turn you back to the Prince. My Marchwarden is strong and incredibly arrogant, but his feelings for you are true. He has shown you a side of himself precious few others have glimpsed and now a part of him is desperately afraid of losing you and what he has found with you."

The woman let out the breath she had been holding, her eyes closing. "I knew I would have to choose, but I believed I had more time."

"There is one more thing…"

Jan met the Lady's eyes again.

"My Mirror has been beckoning me, calling your name. Will you look into it and see what there is to be seen?"

Tears threatening, Jan nodded, allowing the elf to draw her to her feet and silently lead them from the talan…

************

"This looks like a good place," Celeborn announced as he and the Marchwarden entered a large clearing on horseback. The Lorien Lord had lured Haldir out under the pretense of a hunt, but had other things in mind.

"Milord, why are we stopping? There is no game here," the younger elf observed.

"Haldir, I have changed my mind. And frankly, I believe you have some 'issues' you need to sort through and that would be better done sparring, rather than hunting."

The Marchwarden stiffened astride his mount, watching his Lord dismount gracefully. After a moment's hesitation he decided to voice the thought echoing in his head, "And if I do not wish to 'sort through' these 'issues?'"

Celeborn looked up at the still-mounted elf, "You do not have a choice in the matter. Climb down before I must resort to ordering you."

"You are not my father."

Celeborn's eyes narrowed at the statement that bordered on insolence. "No Haldir, I am not. I have however, served in that capacity many times since your parents' deaths, if you recall."

The Marchwarden blew out a noisy breath of accession, looking away.

Fine. We shall do this the hard way then. Taking advantage of Haldir's diverted attention, Celeborn stepped up to the other's horse, took the elf by the belt and hauled him bodily off his seat. Doing nothing to arrest the Marchwarden's descent, he let the younger elf fall ungracefully flat on his ass.

Taken utterly by surprise and now thoroughly provoked, Haldir regained his feet quickly, his attention fully upon the other elf backing toward the center of the open space.

Now that's more like it. Come on Haldir, focus your frustration on me. Let it out. You are doing no one, especially yourself, a favor by keeping this all inside. A small smile ghosting across his lips, Celeborn settled into a fighting stance, left foot forward, right foot turned out, his weight balanced between the balls of both feet. He then brought his left hand up to beckon the other elf on.

Haldir was no fool. He knew exactly what Lord Celeborn was attempting to do, but found it impossible to stop himself. Why does it always come to this? flitted through his mind before emotions took hold and he charged at the elder elf, a snarl curling back his lips.

Celeborn was able to easily evade the Marchwarden's first several attacks, the younger elf's own volatile emotional state working against him. Haldir was uncharacteristically sloppy as he lashed out at his Lord and friend, driven by a wave of pure emotion. Celeborn had anticipated this and was able to counter the Marchwarden, giving the younger elf a chance to burn out the excess energy.

As they continued to spar, Celeborn primarily on the defensive, Haldir's movements became more focused and coordinated. It was then that the elder elf threw the proverbial monkey wrench in the works.

"You are not nearly good enough for her."

Taken aback, Haldir coughed, "Wha…?" as he received a solid roundhouse kick to the backside that sent him sprawling face-first in the dirt.

Celeborn danced back out of range, light on his feet as Haldir stood up, spitting dirt out of his mouth. I am merely giving voice to the doubts that you harbor within yourself. "She has the Prince of Mirkwood in her pocket. Do you really believe you are anything more than a pleasurable diversion for her?"

An incomprehensible howl exited Haldir's chest as, in a blur of motion, he dove at his liege, managing to hook an ankle and send Celeborn to his knees. The younger elf was upon him, the two rolling across the ground, locked in a wrestling match.

Still playing the voice of doubt, Celeborn laughed from his position beneath the Marchwarden. "I mean, really Haldir, if given the choice between a Prince and a soldier, granted you are what humans would consider a general, do you really think she would choose you?" The elder elf just barely dodged the fist that came crashing down into the ground where a bare second ago his head had been.

Unshed tears hung in the corners of Haldir's eyes as he was flipped over Celeborn's head and onto his back. "She loves ME," he ground out, rolling painfully to his knees.

"Are you so sure?" Celeborn asked, standing over the younger elf. "She has not made you any promises or indicated she has neared a decision…"

Head bowed, Haldir retorted, "She has NOT lied to me! I have not pressed her for a decision. I promised her I would be patient and abide by her ultimate choice."

"But it is a choice she must make and sooner rather than later. Would you really abide by her choice if it was not you?"

Haldir's head snapped up, his eyes narrowed.

"So you would not fight him for the right to be with her? You would just let her walk away from you and out of your life forever?"

Drained, the Marchwarden sat back on his heels. "No."

"No you would not fight him or no you would not let her get away so easily?"

Incensed again, Haldir rose to his feet, his hands curling tightly into fists. "No I would not let her walk away from me and yes I would fight him."

"Your best friend. Would you kill him if it came to that?"

It was like the air had been kicked out of his lungs. Haldir felt like he couldn't breathe the thought of being the cause of his friend's death something that he had not considered. With a strangled cry he lunged at Celeborn again, the elder elf bearing them to the ground where they again wrestled for dominance, this time with the Lorien Lord ending on top.

Haldir pinned, Celeborn asked again, "Would you kill him if it came to that?"

Gasping for breath, the Marchwarden gave the only answer he could, "I do not know."

Celeborn relented, climbing off the younger elf to sit by his side. He watched a single tear trail from the corner of Haldir's eye as the younger elf finally let go of everything he had pent up inside.

The Lorien Lord gave him a small smile, "An honest answer. I could ask for nothing more from you."

Haldir closed his eyes and released a tormented sigh.

"You know I did not mean what I said."

The Marchwarden slowly sat up, meeting Celeborn's direct gaze. "Aye. You were giving voice to things I have considered but until now have been unwilling to face." A pained smile crossed his face, "Thank you Milord."

"It was nothing my friend," Celeborn stood, extending his hand, "And stop 'milording' me when we are alone."

A real smile graced Haldir's face as he accepted the proffered hand, "Yes, Milord."

"BAH!" Celeborn exclaimed, reaching out to whap the younger elf on the back of the head in one of Janessa's signature moves, "Enough of that!"

A decidedly immature shoving match ensued as the two made their way over to where their horses were waiting and departed in search of some kind of game to bring back with them.

*********

Galadriel held Janessa's hand as the elf silently guided them to her private glade. The Lady released the woman's hand at the top of a short flight of slate stairs leading down into the glade, preceding the redhead.

Janessa stopped at the top of the stairs, gaping open-mouthed at the place before her. DAMN! Peter Jackson has NO IDEA just how close he came… After several beats the woman noticed the Lady standing by the small waterfall, the silver pitcher in her hands, waiting.

The redhead nearly tumbled headlong down the flight in her haste, catching herself on the edge of the raised dais that held Galadriel's Mirror. Janessa pulled her hands back as if burned, but steadfastly refused to step away, determined to see what visions the Mirror held.

The picture of steadfast calm, Galadriel stepped forward, pouring the contents of the pitcher into the basin.

Unbidden, a comment from a favorite fanfiction author rose in Janessa's mind, I hope "Scary Lady" doesn't put in an appearance. It was all the redhead could do to keep her military bearing, her lips twisting and twitching for a second before she regained control.

Galadriel uttered nary as sound as Janessa bent her head over the rippling water, aware that the woman already had a grasp of what was about to occur.

Janessa watched the varying wave frequencies of the water ripples begin to cancel each other out, the water stilling. Just as she was about to give up on any image emerging from the basin the woman found herself clutching desperately at the edges of the dais. She was just able to resist the sudden and terrible pull, the tip of her nose halting bare millimeters from the surface of the mirror-calm water.

The woman choked back a scream at the scene before her. She watched two blonde elves, one silver, and one pale gold, locked in bitter combat as they clashed swords and lunged at each other, intent on their prize, rage radiating off them in waves, oblivious to her screaming from the sidelines…

The image changed and swam as distorted and stretched she saw herself through her own eyes, her bare arms outstretched and splashed with blood, the blade of a Lothlorien warden protruding from her right side and the white handle of a knife embedded in her left side. Her vision-self raised her blood-stained hands before her eyes and the Mirror went dark, the woman thrown violently back from the dais.

Galadriel stood by through it all, silently taking in the sight of the crumpled woman lying across the glade from her. The Lady cast her eyes and a silent prayer to the heavens before moving to Janessa's side, gently reviving the redhead.

A rather disheveled looking Marchwarden and Lord chose that moment to appear, having delivered the four ptarmigans they had shot to Galadriel's favorite chef.

Haldir rushed to Janessa's side, helping her to her feet, the redhead's legs apparently unable to hold her up. He didn't dare to ask what she had seen, having been before the Mirror more than once himself.

Galadriel and Celeborn held a silent conference, comparing notes, before following the pair up the steps.

The three elves could not help but wonder at the comment the woman made as they exited the glade.

"Peter Jackson ain't got NOTHIN' on that thing!"

***********

Please PLEASE drop me a review! This fic is almost at an end and I'd really like to know what you think! Yes, I AM a total review whore!

A/N: Yes, I DO realize how long it's been since I updated and I feel I owe you, my devoted readers, an explanation. I will keep it brief. Real life for the past year has proven to be a real problem. I've been through a series of bad and destructive relationships, the most recent one the guy hit me, and I fought back only to get charged with Assault 4 Domestic Violence. I wasn't arrested and the case was dismissed but I was fired from my job in law enforcement over it. Prior to him assaulting me there were several months of systematic abuse that I was too close to see clearly. I have a wrongful termination suit pending and am on unemployment trying to find a job to pay the mortgage and bills. Since all this I've been finding out a lot about my ex that has beyond disturbed me. He was using methamphetamines the entire time we were together and sexually assaulted a minor to name just a few. Saying I've been traumatized is an understatement but I am holding true and strong. I have friends and family who have stood by and helped and supported me. First and foremost I am a survivor and will not just give up. I haven't given up on any of my stories and have a lot written longhand that will hopefully be posted in the next few weeks. I want to say thank you so much for your continued interest and support. It has meant more to me than I can express, especially during this past year. -Shanastay