Strange Allies

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A/N: First of all, let me apologize for the delay in posting. I’ve been having some personal issues / work issues and have not felt that my writing has been up to par of late.

My vacation was absolutely wonderful and I wish I could have stayed there! Thank you all for your kind wishes. I’m not sure how frequent my updates will be but I can tell you we are nearing the end of the road.

To anyone living in MS, LA or AL – you have my deepest sympathy and constant thoughts regarding the hurricane that devastated your states. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t check all of the newswires and keep you in my thoughts.

Aragorndreamer - awww, honey, thank you so much! I'm flattered to hear that you've enjoyed all of my stories and consider youself a "fan" of mine. That is very sweet. Yes, this will be ending soon. But you can always print it out and read it later on!

Carol - I'm glad you found the site! I didn't want to leave you hanging and the Wicked March Warden gets what he wants in the end. Heh. He'd never let me rest if I didn't let him "win". *sigh*.

Aragorndreamer/Sandra - yes, I was well into a bottle of rum on that particular day and was in absolutely no shape to walk let alone type! LOL!

Lady of da rings - Here you go! Only one chapter this time.

Carawen/Carol - Oh, I'm so glad you like the way things have gone and let me know your thoughts as you were reading. Yes, I feel so badly for Legolas and, believe me, I did NOT want things to turn out this way. But, alas, His Wickedness would not let me rest until he had his prize. We've come to a bit of a compromise as far as Legolas is concerned. He doesn't like it but that's too bad. I adore the Prince of Mirkwood and refuse to let Haldir dictate Legolas' fate. Poor evil March Warden indeed! LOL! Who would have thought he had a heart, eh? ;-)

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As their desire slowly subsided and Annowe relaxed against him, Haldir lay down, pulling the drowsy naiad with him. She murmured unintelligibly and snuggled next him, still clinging tightly to his broad shoulders. Within a few moments, she was sound asleep in his arms, her warm body pressed to his.

Haldir sighed in contentment. She would come with him! He closed his eyes and held her closely as he silently gloated over his hard-won prize. She was his now and he wanted nothing to keep them apart! Nothing!

Fleetingly he wondered if she would change her mind. If she remained behind it would tear him apart. He understood her reasons for wanting to stay and yet he selfishly did not want her to return to Legolas. Not that he would believe for one moment that Legolas could break their bond! No, he did not fear that. He simply did not want to have to share her affections or attentions with anyone again. He had schemed, planned, wiled and plotted to have her and he was determined to selfishly enjoy her and not share her with anyone. Especially the Prince of Mirkwood.

He chuckled wickedly to himself and ran one large hand over Annowe’s thick hair and down her smooth shoulder causing her to stir slightly. He would ask her to leave on the morrow. Perhaps she would wish to stay longer with her sister but he could feel that his time was growing short. He needed to get to the havens quickly.

Absently he stroked her hair as his thoughts drifted. On quiet feet, sleep gradually overtook him and he rested.

Slowly he became aware of Annowe stirring next to him. As she slipped out of bed, he felt the cold emptiness in his arms replace her warmth and he muttered crossly reaching for her, wanting her to stay with him. But she was already out of his grasp and standing beside the bed.

Through sleep-clouded eyes, he saw her lean over and felt her small hand caress his cheek and hair and he smiled.

“I need to speak to Goldberry,” she said softly. “You sleep. You have a long journey.”

“I do not need to sleep,” he chided her gently. And yet it felt so good lying there that he was in no mind to move.

She laughed and pulled a blanket up, tucking it around him. “Very well. Then just lie there and pretend to rest,” she replied.

But he had not heard her as he had drifted off into a light doze before she slipped from the room.

Tom and Goldberry were sipping tea at the kitchen table when Annowe entered the room. Both looked up expectantly, only slightly concealed grins on their faces. At their look, the younger naiad blushed and lowered her eyes guiltily.

Goldberry burst into laughter and Tom chuckled merrily.

“It would seem that you have finally arrived at the same conclusion the rest of us have known all along,” he smiled broadly at her, standing up to pour her a cup of tea.

Annowe giggled and blushed more deeply as Goldberry rose to hug her sister.

“Will you be going to Valinor with him?” She asked, leading Annowe to have a seat with them at the table.

The question sobered the younger naiad and she gratefully accepted the tea from Tom and slipped into an empty chair.

“I told him I would go with him and yet I do not feel I can leave yet,” she admitted, stirring her tea thoughtfully.

Tom and Goldberry exchanged questioning glances.

“Why not?” Goldberry asked, studying her sister.

Annowe sighed and frowned, laying her teaspoon aside. After a few contemplative sips of her tea, she finally spoke.

“I am not certain but I feel that I should remain. That something very important is about to happen and I may be needed here,” she said, raising her eyes from her teacup to her sister.

Tom raised an eyebrow and murmured something under his breath to Goldberry who nodded.

“Yes, I have felt it as well,” she admitted. “I believe the end of days is near.”

Annowe shivered involuntarily and sat her cup down. “The Ring? Sauron has The Ring?” She breathed anxiously. Oh, that would ruin everything!

“No, I think not,” Goldberry replied softly, her delicate features growing tight. “Not yet and yet it is very close to him – it is within his grasp. I cannot see past that veil. There is too much motion in the future now. But our world hangs in the balance.”

Annowe closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. She could not leave! It was unthinkable! How could she simply leave her sisters and cousins and friends when their world may be destroyed? This was more than simply a broken promise to Legolas. This was everyone she knew and loved. She could not leave them behind to face Sauron while she fled for the safety of Valinor! It would be the ultimate betrayal!

“I cannot leave,” she moaned, burying her face in her hands. “I cannot.”

Why should she have to make these terrible choices? It was Haldir and Valinor or her family and friends. How could she make such a dreadful choice?

“Then do not,” Tom said simply.

Annowe sighed and lowered her hands to look at Tom. Could it be that simple? Would Haldir understand? Or would he demand that she leave with him now or lose him forever? She clinched her jaw in pain at the thought of never seeing him again. If she lost him she would be doomed to a half-life of regret and yearning for the one creature who had known her completely. And Haldir knew her completely. He knew her more completely than Legolas ever could.

Now that she had experienced the depth of bonding with him she could understand why he had been so driven to find another after Glorfindel. The thought of living without Haldir was enough to make her entire being ache with sorrow.

“I don’t know if I can live without him now,” she whispered guiltily. “I don’t know that I would want to.”

Goldberry smiled soothingly and squeezed Annowe’s hand across the table. “I completely understand,” she murmured, glancing covertly at Tom. “He will be safe in Valinor.”

Annowe’s eyes lit up at that reminder. “Yes!” She agreed. “He will be safe there. He must go for his own safety.”

“And what about you, little one?” Haldir’s throaty voice asked from the doorway.

The three turned to watch the March Warden stride deliberately over to the table to join them.

His cool gaze settled on Annowe and she stared defiantly back at him. Tom and Goldberry remained silent, waiting.

“Haldir, please,” Annowe began, rising to meet him. “You must go to Valinor! You will be safe there! I could not bear to lose you! Not now!”

“And leave you behind to face Sauron’s army if he in fact, does have The Ring? I think not!” Haldir snorted derisively, folding his arms stubbornly across his chest.

“But,” Annowe began, placing her hand pleadingly on his forearm. “If you do not leave you will go mad! I could not bear it!” She said urgently. “I need to know you are safe! I can join you later – when this is over.”

“And I will not leave you here to stand alone!” He scowled darkly at her. What a coward he would be to leave her behind to face the Dark Lord! How could she even ask him such a thing! It was madness!

“Haldir!” She begged, feeling the hysterical fear well up in her for his safety. “Please! I could not bear it if anything happened to you! Please go to Valinor! If you go mad I will never forgive myself for keeping you here.”

Hearing the fear in her voice for his safety softened his resolve but he could not leave her. Slowly he leaned over and placed his hands on either side of her face, tilting her head up to look at him. Her eyes were silently pleading him to reconsider.

“Annowe,” he said huskily, his voice tight with emotion. “I will not leave you. Not for my own safety. What would I do if any harm befell you? I lost Glorfindel. I am not about to lose you. It would destroy me. I cannot and I will not leave you behind no matter what the consequences to myself.”

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