The old ways

I stood transfixed, not able to utter a single word. My world was shattering around me, I felt like the floor would open beneath me and send me falling into a fiery pit. All my hopes left me that instant my father had spoken these heartless words. Only Haldir's actions pulled me back to the there and then, when I heard him speak to my father "My Lord Thranduil, I can understand your reaction to my proposal, but let me give you something to ponder about. It is my family tree, to show you where I do come from. It is true that my brothers and I were raised by the elves of Lorien, it is true that a vast amount of them are indeed of the Noldor, but as you can clearly see on this paper my heritage is of the Silvan blood. Not too unlike yours. Mine might not be as pure as yours, and of course not as noble but nonetheless I am Silvan just like you. As for not being the right gender, indeed I am not a noble maiden, but I seriously doubt that Legolas would ever choose one. His preferences do lie with his own gender, which is, if I maybe so bold, not so uncommon among us elves. I thought only the narrow minded prejudices of men forbade something like this." My father's face had taken a slight shade of purple during Haldir's speech. I am sure no one in all his live had ever dared to speak to him like this. His voice was like a far off thunder as he spoke to Haldir. "I think, Haldir of Lorien, that you have absolutely no right whatsoever to judge my opinion on such matters. Neither have you the right to claim that your blood could be anything like mine. And to whom I give my son's hand in marriage is alone mine to decide. You do understand that I command you to remove yourself off my land this instant, never to return. Oh and one thing, if I ever find out you you came near my son again, I will have your head!"
Haldir stood proud as he addressed my father one last time. "I hope for the sake of Legolas, whom we both love dearly, that your opinion in this matter will not lead to any harm on his behalf." With that he turned without giving me a second glance and left. I had never felt so devastated in my life before. Neither did I feel the tears running freely down my face nor did I notice my father moving over to me gripping my shoulders, shaking me. "How long, Legolas? How long?" He shouted at me. Again and again." Legolas looked at Gimli's concerned expression. "He didn't really, did he? I mean how could he be so mean? Didn't he see that you two were in love? And Haldir simply left? Not even a word for you?" Gimli couldn't believe it. Only knowing that Legolas and Haldir were married and still together calmed him.
"My father continued shouting at me, but I wasn't able to answer him. I think the only thing that saved me from my father's wrath was the fact that Theon, our healer walked into the room clearly concerned about my wellbeing. When he saw my father shaking me and shoving me through the room he put an end to it. My father's chest was heaving, his eyes were ablaze and he was no longer in control of his feelings. I think he couldn't cope with the fact that his only son was not behaving as he should be, or maybe it was because I had done something that wasn't proper, something that he himself would not have dared to do. Maybe there was even a bit of jealousy in him. He left Theon and me standing in his study and stormed from the room. Only then did I collapse to the ground. I can't remember from there on. I awoke in the rooms of healing, but only partially. My body was on fire, a sharp pain in my chest and my head was spinning. All other impressions, like hearing, seeing and smelling were somewhat muffled. I can remember Theon at my side, some other female elf and even my father was there from time to time. After some days of worry for me, my father moved to the side of my bed, gently placing his hand on my bruised shoulder stroking me slightly. "Legolas, my dear Legolas. Can you hear me? Please wake up for me." He called out softly, never moving his hand away. "Legolas, please. I worry so much. Don't do this. Don't give in. He is still here you know? Haldir is still in Mirkwood. Don't you want to see him again? Shall I fetch him for you? I think I will. Maybe it will bring you back to us." He left my side and only moments later I heard someone else enter the room, the rustling of clothes and soft steps approaching my bed.
I could feel the tender touch of Haldir at my neck, shoulders and on my face. His voice was shaking as he called to me. "Melethron nín! Please hear me. You can not leave me. I need you. I need you by my side, all the time. Come back to me."
My father was quietly speaking to Theon, he wanted to know why I had fainted and was now lying in a deep coma on one of the healing beds. Theon told my father, what he dreaded most. Obviously had Haldir's and my heart bound themselves to another and so the fear of loosing my beloved had grieved me such, that I started to fade. Haldir's voice slowly pulled me to his side. My senses came back to me, enabling me to feel and see my surroundings again. I could still feel Haldir's hands on my body when I opened my eyes. His face was stained with the tears of desperation, but a genuine smiled brightened his face when he saw me awakening again. My father noticed that I had come to again and he immediately turned to us, only to pull Ha awa away from me. "I am very grateful that you have helped my son to regain his consciousness again, but I must ask you again to keep his hands off him!" "
"That ungrateful son of a warg!" Gimli was so outraged that he had not noticed his pipe slipping from his hands and it clattered to the ground. Legolas eyed his friend fondly and smiled "Calm yourself master dwarf. As you know the story has a happy ending and I told you from the beginning that it wasn't all pretty. Do you want me to continue?"
Gimli grumbled into his beard as he bent down to retrieve his pipe, settling once more into the large armchair nodding to Legolas. "Please, go on!"
"When my father had pulled Haldir away from me, I tried to protest the best I could, but I was weaker than I thought and only managed to whisper a strangled 'NO!'. To Haldir's and my surprise it was our healer Theon who helped us "My Lord." he said. "I don't think it wise to separate the two right now. As I have told you, obviously their hearts have bound themselves to another and you are endangering your son immensely by depriving him of his chosen. Let Haldir sit with him for while. I will ensure that nothing indecent will happen." Thranduil wasn't happy at all about the things Theon had told him, but my state was far more important to him than his hatred for Haldir. "Very well. I trust you Theon. Keep me informed, if anything happens to my son you will have seen the last of Mirkwood." He stormed out of the room and left us alone. Theon smiled at Haldir and gestured in my direction. "Sit with him. I am sorry, no holding hands, no kissing or anything else! At least not while I'm watching. Unfortunately I have to prepare some herbal potions and have to work in the next room. I will leave the door open and trust you won't take advantage of it." He winked at us and left, leaving the door to his laboratory open by merely an inch. Haldir looked at me and didn't dare to move a muscle. I could feel the warmth returning to my body and having him near was all I ever wanted. Very quietly I reached out for him with my right hand and tenderly touched his arm. "I love you, melme." I whispered and saw tears spring to his eyes. "I am sorry for coming here. I never thought it would end like this. I had hoped I could convince your father, make him understand. Now I have ruined it all. By the Valar, this was supposed to be a happy day for you, now look what has become of it. And you still tell me that you love me." Haldir's voice cracked and the tears were now flowing freely down his face. I couldn't help it, I pulled him down to me, holding him to my chest, quieting his sobs, stroking his back. Suddenly the faint rustle of clothes drew my attention to the main door and before I could react my father was back at my bed. Haldir shot up and jumped back, but I grabbed his hand keeping him from moving away too far. I was about to say something when my father silenced me with a wave of his hand. "Haldir, you will stay here at my court for at least the next few years. I have already sent a message to Lady Galadriel. I want to have an eye on you and watch you. If, and I repeat IF, you really are worthy of my son, I have to be able to watch you. And that closely. Maybe you can even earn my trust and approval. It does not mean that I agree to your plans to marry my son. But Legolas obviously needs your presence here." With that he turned, his robe swishing behind him and left the room.