My Heart's Desire - Part 2. If You Go Away.

It’s over. Is it only me, or does this phrase really have a sad ring to it? ^^ I’ve played with my elves for more than two years but now I must give them back, as I promised I eventually would. It’s about time, I should say. :) Yes, I feel a little sad but I feel relieved too. And I’m glad I’ve managed to write a completed fic ‘cause I find unfinished stories frustrating. ^^ But most of all I feel grateful: through my fic I’ve come to know a lot of nice people, with some of them I’ve become real friends. And that is the greatest reward I could possible get for my work.

It’s been a long journey and I want to thank all who’ve stayed with me for such a long time. I can’t tell you how much it means to me as a writer. I thank all who took the time and the effort to send me feedback. You will never know how much your comments helped to strengthen the story line and keep it on track. :) Your feedback gave me invaluable insights to consider and encouragement I needed, and your generous praise was as intoxicating as fine aged wine. :) Thank you! I sincerely hope my story has been worth your time and effort and that I haven’t failed to meet your expectations. It has been great experience for me and even if I don’t write anything else, I shall remember the time I spent in company of my elves, surrounded by appreciative audience, as one of the best periods of my life. :) THANK YOU!

Epilogue. Ever After.


The door of the room was suddenly pushed open and Gildor gave a sigh of frustration. It seemed no work could be done in peace today; actually, *nothing* could be done in peace. But when he saw who his unexpected visitor was, he swiftly got up from behind his desk, hastily adjusting his robe.

“My lady!” he exclaimed, catching the little girl into his arms as she ran up to him. “Why are you running wild about the house when you are supposed to be prettying yourself for your big brother’s wedding?”

“Where do you see a lady here, Gildor?” Elladan grumbled, entering the room. “Your sight must be failing in your old age. A nasty little orc, that is what she is.”

The girl, who knew about the orcs only that they were evil and ugly, stuck her tongue out at the elder twin.

“See?” Elladan gave a rueful sigh. “Why does it always have to be me who baby-sits with this little monster?”

“Because you love her?” Gildor offered with a smile, hugging the child affectionately.

It was true. When Thranduil’s reunion with his wife had been blessed with one more child – a daughter this time – it was a joyous surprise not only for the family but for his friends too. They all doted on her, the twins especially so for she filled the void which had been left in their hearts by their sister’s choice to follow Luthien’s path. Surrounded by a crowd of adoring males, Meren accepted their worship like the most natural thing in the world. Her parents awaited her coming of age with trepidation, foreseeing hard times for themselves ahead. It was of little consolation for them that it was a long while yet before that came to pass.

“At any rate,” Thranduil once told Gildor laughingly, “now there is a strong chance I shall have grandchildren after all.”

Gildor smiled in understanding. Both Thranduil’s sons had chosen males for their soul-mates. Legolas had been bound to Glorfindel ever since the beginning of the War of the Ring. And Aranaur stopped resisting Lindir’s charms, once the sacred duty of providing an heir to the throne ceased to loom over his head. About a year ago Aranaur and Lindir finally got engaged. Aranaur joked that now it was Lindir for whom it was going to be a misalliance: he was a Crown Prince no longer while Lindir still remained a talented minstrel, one of the best even in Valinor. When Lindir heard that, he got angry and told Aranaur he did not want to hear about mismarriages again: he had fallen in love with an elf and not a title.

“So, pen dithen,” Gildor looked at the girl, “why do you make Elladan chase you about the house? I thought you were with aunt Írissë. She promised to braid your hair and to dress you for the celebration as your Nana has her hands full with the ceremony and all.” [little one]

Írissë was Gildor’s sister, whom he had met for the first time only when he returned to Valinor. She was bound by then and had two grown-up sons. Her husband, though, was someone Gildor knew very well. He was none other than Ermenor. Gildor’s homecoming was happy indeed... Having no daughter of her own, Írissë had easily fallen prey to the charms of Thranduil’s precocious off-spring.

“I don’t want my hair braided!” the girl announced, tossing her tousled locks.

Gildor raised an eyebrow. “May I ask why?”

“Because you never braid yours.” She stroked Gildor’s unbound silky tresses affectionately.

“Oh,” Elladan drawled wickedly, folding his arms and putting his shoulder to the doorframe. “The golden idol of a child’s dreams.”

“Hm?” Gildor gave him a look. “Elladan, I very well remember the time when *you* were a child and also had certain dreams.”

Elladan chuckled. “It would be folly to hope you will ever forget, eh?”

Gildor smirked and turned his attention back to the little girl in his arms.

“I am a male, pen dithen, so I cannot wear all those beautiful ribbons and flowers aunt Írissë promised to weave into your hair. I would look ridiculous, should I try it.”

The girl gazed at him, not quite convinced.

“While such a pretty young lady like you,” Gildor went on in his most heartfelt tone, “will look like Lady Elentári.” [Star-queen, Varda]

Meren gave him a bright smile. “Will you marry me then?”

Gildor’s eyebrows crawled up again and Elladan bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.

“I am afraid I am already bound, pen dithen,” Gildor replied in amusement.

But the girl waved off his argument. “Haldir is not a pretty young lady,” she pointed out with admirable aplomb.

Elladan was unable to suppress his mirth any longer.

“I wish Haldir could hear that!” he laughed. “Here is Thranduil’s child: all quick wit and flawless logic.”

Gildor managed to preserve a serious expression on his face. “I am honoured by your proposal, my lady, but elves cannot change their soul-mates once they are bound. Perhaps you could marry Elladan instead?” he suggested earnestly. “Or Elrohir? Or both?”

Meren threw a quick glance at the elder twin and pouted. “He has dark hair!”

Elladan shook his head in mock annoyance. “This is simply amazing: goldilocks’ charms never fail to work.”

Gildor gave him an arrogant smirk and turned back to Meren.

“I promise we shall find you a golden-haired mate, young and very-very beautiful. But for now, pen velui, give me a kiss and let Elladan take you to aunt Írissë. Aranaur and Lindir will be most upset if you miss their wedding.” [lovely one]

The girl wound her little arms around his neck and gave him a smack on the cheek. Gildor returned the kiss and handed her over to Elladan.

“Put me down,” Meren ordered regally. “I shall walk!”

But for this once Elladan was not inclined to let her have her own way. “I think not, my Lady,” he retorted. “We have no time for any more chasing, so do me an honour and let me carry you.”

The girl pouted but complied. Gildor showed them to the door and when the pair exited, he fastened the bolt.

“You can get out now, lover,” he said laughingly.

“Erestor warned me long ago that I would have to take care of locking the doors myself,” Haldir grumbled, extricating himself from under the desk.

“Oh?” Gildor folded his arms and leaned back against the doorpost. “Let me remind you that I had no reason to bolt the door. I was trying to work when you came in, dressed like… this,” Gildor’s eyes roamed appreciatively up and down his lover’s stark naked form, “and… distracted me.”

“Oh, forgive me!” Haldir replied archly and mirrored Gildor’s stance, leaning back against the desk. “I had an impression you actually welcomed the distraction.”

Gildor smiled. “I did. You know I cannot resist your charms.”

Haldir chuckled. “Even though I am not a pretty young lady?”

“Hm, that is a horrible flaw, of course. But you know what they say about love being blind,” Gildor murmured, crossing the distance between them with the gliding gait of a large feline on the prowl.

“Yes, I know… ” Haldir breathed, drowning a little in Gildor’s bewitching green eyes. He still was startled by how quickly he was aroused by Gildor’s proximity, the ravenous hunger that would instantly sing in his veins. “But now we have no time left,” he complained, his disappointment almost a palpable thing.

“I do not agree,” Gildor purred. He suddenly hoisted Haldir up on the desk, pushed his legs apart and stepped in between them, wrapping his arms around Haldir’s waist.

“We have all the time in the world, melethen,” he whispered into Haldir’s ear, making him squirm in pleasure. “All the time in the world… and an hour before the wedding, to finish what you so recklessly started.” [my love]

“Valar, I love you so much!” Haldir said huskily, taking Gildor’s face between his hands and looking deep into his eyes, which had become almost black with passion.

“Hm? Prove it then,” his lover challenged him provocatively.

‘This is how I would wish to spend eternity,’ Haldir told himself happily.

‘My thought exactly, Silfael,’ came the instant reply. ‘Start already, will you?’

“If you go away on this summer day
then you might as well take the sun away;
all the birds that flew in the summer sky,
when our love was new and our hearts were high.
But if you stay, I’ll make you a night,
Like no night has been, or will be again;
I’ll sale on your smile, I’ll ride on your touch,
I’ll talk to your eyes, that I love so much.
Never go away… ”

That's all, Folks!