Through the Window

( Oh, forgot to say so before, but Niamh’s name is pronounced NEE-f, and Donnaghue is donna- HUE )


Never could anyone imagine the greatness of Niamh’s embarrassment as she was carried to Haldir’s flet by the very lord of Lothlorien. Where was his wife, Niamh wondered?
But the lord was kind and though he spoke very little, his eyes cast generous glances at the girl.
Celeborn climbed the silver ladder and when he had entered the flet, he lay her down upon Haldir’s bed, for still she trembled and he saw that tears welled up in her eyes.
“Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face?” Celeborn asked with concern that rode his brow, bending it.
“Can you not guess?” She said feebly, “I will never live happily in this land. I cannot live happily here, for I am cursed.”
Celeborn furrowed his brow. “What is your meaning?”
”Why is it that I am here if not for the faerie’s curse?”
“Child,” Celeborn said with a slight chuckle, “There is no faerie here. There was only a dragon...” But he saw the urgency in Niamh’s eyes and sighed heavily, “... But, then, also, this dragon could have been the faerie, if what you speak is true.”
“It was.” Niamh’s voice came weak and she closed her eyes.
“Well,” Celeborn said, though his words were slow and hesitant. “If, until the faerie is destroyed, you can find no peace, then you may think of my land as a safe haven for you.”
Niamh smiled faintly. She had never expected such kindness from these people, but she cherished it greatly, and forced a broad smile to her lips.
“I thank you.” She said, but then she fell to sleep, a thing she found she did oft here.
Celeborn rose and sighed. He did not know what good would come of the girl, but he could not leave her to fend alone and with nothing or no one. He sighed once more. “Do nothing to cause trouble.” He said lightly before climbing down the silver ladder to return to his lady wife.
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Haldir greeted Rumil as he came to them all, beaming and laughing. Strange, that his brother should act so cheerful when a fearsome dragon had only just been slain. Strange, to Haldir and Orophin, that their brother was no where in sight when the dragon had been slain nor when they had fought it.
“Do not distress on such matters!” Rumil said with a broad smile when Orophin questioned him as to his absence. Orophin did not look pleased, and Haldir looked upon his brother with distaste.
“The need of you was not dire,” Orophin said, “but it would have been greatly comforting, brother, for you to have been at our side in the slaying of the dragon.” and he turned away, leaving the two of his younger brothers alone. The elven soldiers all made their way to the trees, probably to bathe and wash their fair bodies free of the foul blackness of the dragon’s blood.
Rumil turned to Haldir and embraced him, laughing and smiling.
“Brother!” Haldir cried, pushing him away, “Your actions are unfitting your station. You act unlike yourself. What has possessed your mind?” but Rumil only shook his head.
“Nothing, elder brother,” He said, somewhat sorrowfully, “there is nothing that has gone awry or astray in my mind.” and he looked to the ground, slowly making his way into the underbrush. “Perhaps it is you whose mind has gone... awry.” Thus, Rumil left Haldir and the young elf stood alone in the trees. He sighed, rubbing his brow firmly until he thought his head would ache. Then, he turned and followed where Celeborn had taken Niamh, singing softly as if to rid his mind of a growing suspicion that rose in his head.
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“Shine now stars o’er our heads
And bless us with your light,
That we shall wander no more in dark,
For your light is our guide so bright.”

Thus Haldir sang as Rumil followed him silently through the trees; slowly trekking soundlessly in his footsteps, listening to fair Haldir’s song. He smiled grimly. Rumil was cunning and clever when not he had the faerie within him, but now that the faerie rested within him, he was cleverer than ever he had been all by ten fold. With such cleverness, the youngest of the Marchwardens could see that his brother hid a secret and even yet the possessed young elf ( Or rather should I say the faerie within the elf ) concocted a plan in his head that would find out what it was Haldir’s eyes shone about and what it was his face was wrought in worry for.
However, the faerie had a suspicion... one that he would find out for sure about... one that, if he were correct, would bring Niamh and Haldir both great pain. He smiled grimly once more, but dashed into the underbrush as Haldir turned, hearing some faint noise behind him.
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Haldir looked behind him as he turned swiftly about upon his heel. Searching the brush with his keen sight, he saw nothing. Slowly, he turned and continued his way, his suspicions confirmed when he heard once more the noise he had heard before, now nearer to him. When he turned yet again, he saw there his brother Rumil standing before him, his hands clapsed behind him. A sly grinwas upon his lips and a look Haldir did not particularly enjoy danced through his eyes of silver and gold.
“Hail, brother.” Rumil said, his voice dark and grim as he advanced upon Haldir, the elder elf moving back quickly as his brother lunged upon him.
“Rumil!” Haldir cried as he dodged yet another blow by his younger brother’s fist, “Brother! What has possessed you?!” but Rumil did not cease and only fought with all the more fury.
“I know your thoughts!” Rumil hssed as he struck Haldir’s fair face at last, “I know how, in your thoughts, you dog after the little mortal wench, my immortal brother! I see how you look upon her! I watched you in the bushes after you and your elves slew the dragon. You did not wish to give the girl up to Celeborn!”
“This is foolishness, Rumil!” Haldir said as he took hold of his brother by the hair of his head and shoved him roughly against the bark of a tree. The younger elf winced in pain and tore away from his elder brother.
“To oft have you treated me so!” He spat, “treating me like the dog you really are!”
“How now have I treated you like a dog?! You deserve what you have gotten from me!” Haldir was shocked. His brother was not cruel as now he seemed, but he was a kind and happy youngling and full of joy and mirth. Why would his brother act so strangely when the very same day he had been his usual self; he had flirted heavily with Niamh, as he did with any elleth, and---
Ah, but lo! For could not his punishment for his violation of Niamh be the cause of his change? Haldir thought that it could be so, and thus, when his brother came upon him armed with a heavy branch of a Mallorn that he had broken( something that is not in the nature of elves to do ), the elder elf struck his little brother feircely upon his cheek, sending him sprawling to the leafy floor of the Golden Wood.
“Quiet, you!” Haldir hissed as he struck his brother once more, hoping to strike him to his own self... little did he know that tis could not be done.
Rumil spat the blood red from the corner of his mouth as he glared upon his brother with a look of utter hatred that was injuring to Haldir.
“Do not look upon me so.” Haldir said firmly as he bent down and wrenched his brother’s face to his own, “I have had no cause for the way you have come upon me.” and he rose, leaving Rumil panting and angry beneath the golden Mallorn trees, the faerie within him burning in rage.
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Haldir was greatly troubled, for never had his brother acted in such a way as to bring anyone to harm that was no foe. Fears rose within Haldir, fears for his younger brother. What was it that had possesed the young elf?
Haldir sighed. Coming to the Mallorn in which his Flet was set, he looked to the door where he saw a pale young girl sitting, unaware of his pressence. She was clothed all in a white chemise, and Haldir saw that it was Niamh, sitting, waiting for him to return. She sang softly to herself a song that the elf could not help but listen to, for her voice sighed so sweetly:
“Ag amharc ire moige
Is me bhi samh,
Gan erlas marbh
Bhi me og san agus mochroi
Anois, taim bnartha,
s tad ar shuil an la.
Ochon s ochon o.

Na laetha geal moige
Bhi siad lan de dhochas
An bealach mor a bhi romham anonn
Bhi se I ndan domh gombeinn, slan slan.
Anois, taim bnartha,
s tad ar shuil an la.
Ochon s ochon o.

Na laetha geal moige
Bhi siad lan de dhocha
An bealach mor a bhi romham anonn
Bhi se I ndan domh gombeinn, slan slan.
Anois, taim bnartha,
s tad ar shuil an la.
Ochon s ochon o.”

Haldir smiled as he stepped upon the twine of the silver ladder and slowly climbed to where Niamh sat, though she did not see him, for her eyes were closed and her head was tilted upon her shoulder as if she longed to go to sleep.
The elf raised himself to the flet and crouched behind her, silently listening to her song. The wind carried her voice away through the trees and it flew about the Golden Wood so that all would hear.
Haldir reached forth his hand and took hold of her own, suddenly and rather forcefully. Niamh gasped and whirled about, seeing Haldir there behind her.
“Haldir!” She laughed, then her face grew more serious, “You frightened the life out of me!” and she laughed once more as Haldir raised his brow in reply. He came beside her.
“I heard your song.” He said simply as he lay his hand upon her own, though she pulled it quickly away and shook her head slowly.
“Did you now?” She breathed. “Did you understand it, sir elf?”
But Haldir shook his head. “Nay.” He said, “I could not. It was lovely, still.”
and Niamh smiled as she leaned her head upon her shoulder once more. “I tire.” She said quietly as Haldir pulled her to him. He lay her head upon his shoulder as he sat her upon his lap. She sighed and closed her eyes as the fair young elf wrapped her all up in his arms. He was so very kind and though the mortal girl had only just come to the Golden Wood, somehow she sensed that still he cared for her and would protect her. Was she really so frail and helpless to him? She smiled, for that was what she dearly hoped. She wished for him to never release her from his arms, and, for long hours, she thought that her wish would be fulfilled, but then after the sun had begun to rise.
The sun, oh the dreaded sun of the coming day. It rose to its bright glory ,only just to peek over the snow-capped Misty Mountains far to the west. Haldir heard the dove cry and dearly did he long for it to be only the sweet song of the Nightingale, but it was not. The elf held Niamh tight to him though his arms weakened from their tightness. He smelled of her and thought thst she was sweet, for sh had bathed herself that day in rose oil, though this he did not know.
Haldir thought it strange that he should think in such a way toward the mortal woman, but he also found that he could not contain himself so as not to do so. Oh, that he were not so foolish! He had fallen in love! Alas, for this he had sworn never to do. He sighed heavily and dismissed the thought, saying to himself faintly that he had not fallen in love with the gril, for how could he? He was immortal and he would wed an elven maiden... no mortals. No mortals.
Haldir rose to his feet and lifted Niamh into his arms as she slept soundly. She spoke softly in her sleep and he knew what it was that she dreamed of by the grin that spread over her lips. He smiled faintly and ran his fingers through her hair so very softly that she did not wake.
In his arms he held her as he carried her to his bed. He lay her down there and covered her with the silken sheets. Her firey hair fell about her and her eyes fluttered as she opened them slowly to look upon Haldir as he leaned over her.
His golden hair fell loosley about his face and tumbled over her form. His skin was perfect and fair and as white as the snow and in the odd lighting of the early morn, his eyes seemed to shine with something Niamh had never before seen.
Haldir leaned in to her and touched his mouth to her own ever so gently, but it seemed to burn with fire. Niamh gasped and looked to Haldir as he moved away, with no other word, to the door of the flet. He looked only once over his shoulder with a light in his eye Niamh could not quite discern. She flushed and hid beneath the sheets like a bashful child. Haldir smiled and laughed faintly, climbing down the ladder of silver twine.
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Haldir leaped to the ground before he reached the last of the steps of the ladder and laughed to himself, so light was now his heart.
The maid was so fair! Oh, that she was immortal... then his heart sank. The thought he had dismissed when e'er the sun had risen, the fear of her aging mortality and her purity filled his head. He had kissed her. He looked to the sky and his face fell as deep as his heart as it plumetted to his very depths. His ligtness of heart left him and he became now heavy and saddened that he had kissed a mortal. He had, in a way, confessed his love for her as he had kissed her, but he was an elf, an immortal and she was a human girl... His love? Aye, for he had found when he had held her in his arms that he loved her. He longed for her to remain with him forever, but that could not be, for her life would be only a moment’s passing in his lifetime and this is what saddened him. No mortals? Fie!
Oh! That he should be so very foolish as to have done such a thing and with no thought as to weather it was right! He had held her near to him all through the night and had then confirmed to himself of his love for her. He did not think of her mortality! His longing had overcome him and he had done what he had forbidden himself to ever do. To fall in love with a woman that would bring pain to his heart and to the hearts of his children, if he were to have any.
‘Fool!’ He told himself, ‘Idiot fool!’ and he fell to his knees. Oh, but the maiden’s lips were soft and parted and her skin was so soft. He winced. He could not think of such things or it would torment him until he gave in to the desire that was welling within him.
Then he started, he heard a sudden rustle in the bushes. Curious, he went to them and parted them, looking about. He looked to the boughs of the Mallorn above him and saw there his elder brother Orophin looking down upon him, his cloak blowing in the wind.
“What troubles you, little brother?” Orophin asked. "I see the worry in your eye."
Haldir shook his head and would not say. Instead, he climbed to sit beside his brother. Orophin’s brow bent with worry as he saw the saddness in Haldir’s eyes.
“Speak to me, Haldir.” The eldest elf commanded, “Tell me what ails you.”
Haldir looked to him and then to his flet that was visible through the leaves. He saw Niamh asleep and he sighed.
“It is the girl, yes?”
“Aye, Orophin.” Haldir said, “I have fallen in love with the fair mortal girl... I have kissed her.” and he looked to the ground far below him.
Orophin laughed. “Is that so bad, Haldir?” He asked and Haldir nodded.
“Do you not know?” He said, his voice was weak and his brother thought that he had never heard his strong brother so very desperate and fragile. “I have fallen in love with what I swore I would not. Niamh is a mortal, Orophin. I cannot love her. Desires well within me, elder brother, and they are ones that could only result in her bearing children. I long to hold her, to touch her, but I know that if I do such things then pain will surely follow. She will die... long, long before this age is over, and I and her children would be left alone...”
Orophin hung his head and sighed heavily. He looked to his distressed brother and was silent a moment, before softly laughing. “I brought the maiden to Caras Galadhon, for I wished for her to perhaps make you a happier Captain, thus forive me, for I did not know she would bring you confusion and pain.” Orophin looked to his brother once more with a sigh before leaping to the ground lightly.
He turned and said: “I would wed her, little brother, if it were I she loved. She loves you brother... I saw it in her eyes e’er she came here first.” Whereupon Orophin left Haldir alone to confide in himself.
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Rumil sat quietly in the boughs of the Mallorn that was beside that in which Haldir sat. The young elf watched his elder brothers speak with one another and as Orophin left, Rumil smiled grimly.
“Oh, elder brother... Haldir...” He smirked, “...you have fallen in love? Well, is that not lovely, aye?” Then he leapt to the ground and passed beneath his brother. However, this faerie’s feet were not so queit as Elven slippere’d shoes.
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Haldir heard the leaves beneath him break and twist, and he spied below him his brother Rumil, stepping ever so quietly by him. He was not so quiet, though, to Haldir’s keen hearing and so he was found. Haldir watched as Rumil looked warily about him. Then, he looked to where Haldir sat, grinning fouly as if he would to do something evil and grim.
Haldir’s heart leapt to his throat as he remembered Niamh was alone in her flet, sleeping and helpless. He started and leapt to the ground, folowing after Rumil as he ran through the brush, toward Niamh asleep, toward Haldir's lady love.
“Rumil!” Haldir cried, “Keep away from her, little brother!” but his words were not heeded and Rumil continued until he came to the silver elven ladder that fell rom Niamh’s door.
Rumil climbed two steps of the ladder before looking to his brother who had fallen slightly behind with a look of dare and menace. Haldir rushed forth and took hold of Rumil, tearing him away from the maiden’s ladder, throwing him mercilessly to the ground. Rumil rose and went to the ladder once more as Haldir began to climb it, all for to defend his lady. Drawing an arrow from his quiver, Haldir entwined his legs in the silver thread of the ladder and drew the deadly arrow to the string of his bow. This elf was not his little brother.
“Move away, elf!” Hadlir cried as he drew his string taught. Rumil, who had taken hold of Haldir’s legs to pull him away from the ladder, slowly backed away, a swagger in his steps. The elf lifted his hand and drew from his side-quiver an arrow as well, though he had no bow. Rumil had been a spearman and he was brilliant with blades to be thrown, for he had slain many a foe.
“Why do you call me ‘elf’ ?” He asked with an evil chuckle, “Am I not your brother?”
“You are not.” Hadlir spat, “For you are evil.” and he raised his bow to the elf’s brow.
“How can you know that your little brother was not evil in his heart?”
“Do not say such things!” Hadlir roared, and he let loose the arrow from its string. Easily, Rumil leapt to the side of it and it struck the bark of a silver Mallorn.
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Niamh awoke suddenly as she heard cries from below her. She rose wearily from her bed and went to her door. Going to the edge of the flet, she looked down... then she gasped, fright overtaking her, though her limbs would not move her to hide: “H-Haldir....!”
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Haldir drew a second arrow and let it loose, though as easily his broher danced away from its path. The eldest elf furrowed his brow and drew a third arrow, drawing it taught to his bow, but then he heard from above him, from the edge of the flet, a small, frightened voice. “H-Haldir....!”
He turned swiftly and saw to his horror Niamh kneeling above him, her eyes large and frightened, her arms reaching down to him.

Oh, she called to him with her heart and with her mind, crying to him to come to her where he would be safe. He turned once more to his brother who, too, had seen Niamh. Rumil moved slowly forward and met the gaze of the horrified girl. His arrow was drawn and his arm was raised as if to aim for the helpless maiden, but Haldir saw this and at this moment shot his arrow, striking Rumil in his raised arm.
The elf cried out and Niamh screamed by the sudden loudness of the elf’s cry, and she backed quickly to the door of the flet, her limbs her own once more.
“Hide, Niamh!” Haldir cried as Rumil staggered to the brush of the forest. Niamh went to the door of the flet, but found that it had been closed and would not open. She looked to where Rumil stood, his arm was extended and his fingers bent as if he held a key, turned to lock Niamh out of safety.
“I cannot go, Haldir, the door is locked!” Niamh cried as she was joined by her elf, his brow wet with sweat and his eyes alight with a fire that she dared not look long upon for it was great and it burned feircely. He pulled at the door but not even his streangth could break Rumil’s faerie spell. So he took Niamh by the hand and led her down the silver ladder as Rumil recovered from his wound, the young elf’s fair face writhing in rage and in pain.

Haldir led Niamh deep into the trees, where they grew so thick hardly a light could be seen, save for the gold that was cast by the hearts of the Mallorn. When they could no more hear Rumil behind them, Haldir pulled Niamh to his breast as they fell and knelt beneath the shelter of a leafy bower that twined and twined about and about until it formed nigh a house, seemingly so from the outside.

In the dim, green light within the leaves’ shelter, Niamh was taken in awe by the beauty it gave her elven love. He did not see as she gazed upon him with all her might, for he looked cautiously out from the leaves, searching for his brother. He did not know of the longing that welled within the young girl’s heart as she looked upon the elven beauty. His golden hair was wild from the fight and his face wet with sweat from running, and so his features seemed to glow; all elves glow naturaly, but in the shade of the leafy bower it was a light that differed from the rest shining from fair Haldir. His eyes shone with silver light that peirced through the dimness of the leaves’ shadows. His lips were parted as his breath came heavy to him, weary was he from their flight.
His form, bent upon his knees , was slender and his shoulders broad, his hands firm but utterly silent as he moved the ivy and branches before the door of their shelter to hide them all the better.
Niamh blushed as a glorious image played through her mind, one of her elf sitting before her in such a way, his lips pressed to hers. She laughed slightly at this thought and dissmissed it as a mere fantasy, but Haldir turned to her with question as to what caused her mirth. She only shook her head and giggled once more very softly as he turned slowly away, glancing her way uneasily.
Niamh sighed and tilted her head as Haldir continued to peer through the leaves and through the ivy, brushing the hair from his neck and gathering it upon his shoulder. Niamh saw this and slowly rose to her knees, for she had been lying upon her elbows so as to be as small as possible. She silently made her way over the leaves, careful so as not to break the leaves nor the twigs as she went, though for a mortal this is a very difficult thing to do and, alas, she could not achieve it.
Haldir turned as she sat behind him, her hands folded in her lap, her eyes bent to the ground. He furrowed his brow and went to the leaves once more, but hesitated when he felt fingers touch his head lightly.
Haldir turned swiftly upon the girl and startled her so she fell back. He sighed and brought her nearer to him as she held her hands by her sides. When he looked away from her, she reached up to him with a faint smile and brushed her fingers through his hair. He did nothing in reply, but his eyes closed a bit and he chuckled faintly, so faint Niamh could hear it only just. She lifted his flaxen hair from his silken tunic and let it fall slowly from her fingers, admiring the way it shimmered in the dim light like the very gold it seemed to be wrought of. It fell loosely over his back and he turned his eyes only to her, to follow her movements as she reached forth and took hold of his hair once more. She drew from the rest a small amount and Haldir saw that she took from her own hair a thin, green ribbon. It had been hidden in her thick locks, away from sight for it was precious to her.... having been a birthday gift from her mother on her sixth year.
Niamh bound Haldir’s hair in this ribbon and let it fall before his pointed ear. She smiled. Haldir said nothing, nor did he smile, nor did he frown. He simply took hold of the ribbon and felt its wear from usage and from years.
“It is not fine.” The young girl said timidly, and Haldir nodded very slowly, remembering the gentleness of her fingers.
“It is so.” He said as he took her hand in his own. Raising it to his bosom, he held it there, admiring the feel of her upon him. “How long have you lived?”
“Five years and ten.” Niamh stuttered, afraid that he would turn her away. But instead he smiled.
“My father had his eye on a young lad who was the son of a fisherman. He lived in a homestead not far from my own,” Niamh continued, “and he was surley to be the boy that I would wed when e’er my fifteenth year was over by half.” and she sighed heavily. “He was not so fine as--” But she stopped before she said aught else, her cheeks flushing a deep red.
“He was not so fine as whom, lady?” Haldir chuckled. Niamh only shook her head and laughed, hiding her smile as it broadened over her sweet face. Haldir nodded his head musingly and turned once more to the leaves where he continued to watch for signs of his brother.
“Haldir,” Niamh asked when she was straight of face once more, “why is it that in the time that I have been here I have never seen you laugh aloud?”
Haldir hung his head as he heard the question, and the smile that had rested on his lips faded away slowly. He seemed irked by her question and replied shortly:
“I have never had the reason to.”
“You have.” Niamh returned, “Many times you have and yet you still would not. Oh, that you would laugh I would rejoice.” and she looked upon Haldir maternaly and with a sort of pity for him, though he would not look upon her in return. She came nearer him and lay her head upon his shoulder.
“I thank you.” She said quietly as Haldir started at her sudden closeness. her eyes closed and she sighed softly. He felt his desire rise within him and his body was tense as he laid his hand over Niamh’s head... he dearly wished to lay it elsewhere, but that was rude and dishonorable lest they were bonded, and this they were not in the least, so he maintained is honor and that of the girl.
He eased and moved his hand till it rested upon her waist as he leaned his head upon hers’.
“What will you thank me for, maiden?” He asked.
“What shall I thank you for, sir elf, oh my elf.” Niamh said quietly, Haldir wondering at the name she had given him. “I shall thank you for saving me... for protecting me,” Haldir closed his eyes and kissed her firey head. “for kissing me when e’er I fell to sleep.” Niamh finished in a whisper so very frail and quiet that haldir could only just hear it, and when he did, his eyes widened.
The elf raised his head from her and she saw that he was flushed a dark red, a red so deep as he had made her feel many a time. He brushed his hair uneasily from his neck as he had done before, leaving only the bit of hair that Niamh had bound in the green ribbon.
He looked to Niamh and as she moved away from him, he held forth his hand to her, as she so thought a valiant and graceful gesture, and when she took it he brought her to sit upon his lap.
She looked upon him uneasily for a moment. Her eyes welled wide with tears and Haldir nearly laughed to see her weeping for what cause he could not guess. She wiped the tears from her cheeks as they fell and laid her stained hand upon the elf’s cheek. She said nothing, but only laid her hand there and raised her other to his lips.
“You are so lovely.” She murmered, her voice weak and thoughtful. She brushed her finger tips over his pale lips and brought a rosy light to them at her touch. She slowly drew her face to his own, hesitating when her face was near to his own for she feard what she would next do. She waited a moment, then she gently kissed him.
She pulled away and met his gaze as he opened his eyes and looked upon her with wide eyes. Silver stared back at her as she leaned in once more, brushing her lips softly against his cheek.

Haldir released a breath he had not known he had held and drew in another sharply as she placed a third kiss upon his brow. Her lips were so soft and rosy and he loved the feeling of their touch to him.
When she finally drew away from him, he moaned low and deep in his throat in protest, but she would not releive him. She looked to the ground and removed her hands from him, laying them upon her lap.
“That is why I wept.” She said softly, “I wept for I knew you could never return the love I have just shown to you.” and she looked to his eyes, seeing that they were unsteady and glistened as if he, too, would weep. He frowned. Wrapping his arms about her waist with a taunting gentleness in his hands as they flitted with elfin grace over her skin, he drew her ever nearer to him, until it seemed that they should have no separation. He drew her face to his own, as she had done so sweetly to him, and held it near to him with his long fingers.
“Haldir...” She sighed as she leaned to him, but he held her away with a finger to her lips and whispered softly in her ear:
“Mani naa lle umien? Mankoi lle uma tanya? Mankoi?” And he pulled away only slightly to gaze upon her as he softly stroked her face. “Amin... Amin mela lle.”
“Haldir...?” Niamh whispered, “I cannot understand your meaning.”
“What did you do?” He replied without hesitation, his voice low and deep, “Whay did you do that? Why, Niamh dear heart?” He kissed her brow softly and opened is mouth as if he wished to speak, but no words came. Niamh lifted his chin to meet her gaze and when she saw into his eyes, she saw within them... fear. Fear? This great and powerful warrior frightened? It could not be! But lo, for as his gaze flitted over her face, tears welled within them, though they would not fall to his proud cheeks.
“Niamh...I...” He began with some difficulty, “...I must tell you something.” He winced as the wrong words left his mouth, but Niamh was more than ready to hear him and she watched him with eager eyes.
“You are a mortal girl and I am an elven man,” He continued lowly, “I am immortal, yet you are not so. I swore to myself that I would never fall to love a woman that would bring me pain and bring pain to my ch--” here he stopped and looked away breifly before returning to look upon her, “children. My children... y-your children... er... Niamh, I long for you every night when I sleep now, though it has been only few nights since zi have known your heart. My desire to hold you is strong and it taunts me ever. When last night I held you until the rising of the sun, it was wonderful and I found that I did not want to leave you when I laid you down to sleep. My farewll gift to you was a kiss.” He paused and looked to the heavens with eyes clouded over in a veil of tears. He looked to her again and with slow hesitant brushes, he kissed her lips, sighing as he did so. Niamh wiped his tears away and kissed where they had fallen.
Haldir held her face in his hands and ran his thumbs over her lips. “I love you, maiden fair.” He said deeply, his voice changed so Niamh did not know it. “You are lovely and fair and first I thought it unwise to give you my love, but if it is that you will have me, then I give you my heart. A! Aiya, amin mela lle, amin mela lle. I love you, oh, I love you. I have loved you since first I saw your faerie foe and when I saw your fear and weakness as you hudled in the boughs of the Mallorn, weeping... since that night I have loved you and longed for you to love me.”
Niamh’s mouth fell open as he finished his words, and her face was devoid of emotion as she heard him finish. Quickly, though, she masked her shock and smiled faintly as she lay her head upon Haldir’s shoulder.
“That is well,” Said she, “for if I return home, I shall not be willing to wed the fisherman’s son... sir elf.” and Haldir laughed very faintly as he nuzzled his chin in her firey locks. He closed his eyes and breathed her scent, his heart it was lightened and he forgot at that very moment the fears he once had, for elves may take their own lives if they so wish... if Niamh was no more, perhaps, then, Haldir could follow her. He smiled and kissed the top of her head. “I love you, melamin, aiya melamin, amin mela lle.”

Haldir lifted Niamh’s chin and gazed into her eyes as she sat so near to him and he kissed her lightly on her brow. Then, taking her by the hand, he laid her upon her back while he leaned over her, the sounds of the birds in the trees a lullaby.
His long, golden hair fell over Niamh as the elf leaned over her form, holding her hands in his own as he met her lips with his. His silver eyes reflected the light of the green leaves as the sun shone through them, and Niamh thought that she had never seen such wonderful eyes. They were deep and pure and sad as if they longed for something they could not have. Niamh looked to his lips. They were parted, for now his breathing was coming to him heavier and he spoke, though his voice was low and deep and once again not his own.
“Let me show you, maiden, how great my love for you is.” He said. He bent low to her and captured her lips with a tender kiss. His beautiful eyes remained open to watch hers as they closed and her brow lifted.
The elf kissed her lips and when he had done with them, he moved his mouth to her cheek. Niamh gasped and raised her head a bit as Haldir suddenly moved his kisses lower... trailing over her neck and to her shoulder. The girl soon became frightened by the feeling the elf cast within her, and so she moved away, holding her fingers to his lips as he sighed deeply in protest. Niamh shook her head and sat upright.
“We must be queit, sir elf.” She said fraily as she looked away from his gaze. “Or he will find us.”
“Call me by my name, lady, I pray you.” Haldir said as he embraced her, the strange feeling he had given the girl lost when his strong arms were about her.
“I love you, Haldir, but I wish to marry first.” She whispered. The elf nodded his head, his dissapointment great, but his lightness of heart greater so that it was overpowered by true love and the purity it should portray. No man or woman should give in to the other’s desires lest the are sure of their love and are bonded with the other in a bond that is ( or should very well be, though is not to most people ) unbreakable.
Love making is dear and precious to the elves and such a passion do they
portray, but only to one elf or elf maiden who will forever be at their side.
Haldir smiled and wrapped his arms all the tighter about his lady love, breathing softly upon her ear so that she smiled and laughed in his arms.