The old ways

"Elves! I don't believe it. Do youays ays make such a fuss about falling in love. If I were to find a dwarven maiden that warmed my heart, I would lay the world to her feet and beg her to be mine. You must have met again though, right? Where and when? Did you woe him or did he make a pass at you?"
"He sang to me."
"He WHAT "H "He courted me. It was some years later in Imladris. We were visiting Lord Elrond, who held a big feast. I had been thinking about Haldir almost every day, but I never heard anything from him. I was very sad, but I thought it maybe was for the best. I wouldn't have known what to do with him anyway."
"What do you mean, you wouldn't have known what to do with him. Are you telling me, that you never had....."
"No, no my dear Gimli. Of course I wasn't that inexperienced. But with him, it seemed so unlikely, so out of the ordinary. I was afraid to make a fool out of myself. That he would laugh at me and such.
Anyway, Lord Elrond had invited so many elves from surrounding realms, it was packed. I didn't feel very comfortable among this crowd, but obviously everybody else had fun. Even my father. I would not have admitted it at that time, but I hoped that Haldir would be there. I always looked out for him, but he didn't seem to be there. My mood turned even fouler and I left the gathering, after some time strolling around I actually found a secluded spot. Had I known that I had ventured through Elrond's private rooms I would have definitely left at once. But there was this wonderful, large balcony overlooking the realm of Imladris, so peaceful and so comforting vast of anybody else that I stayed. What I didn't know, was that Haldir indeed was there at Revelled, but he hadn't made himself known, so to keep me oblivious. While I was standing there I suddenly heard the most enchanting melody drift over the dim through the night air, it was a song so full of longing and unrequited love, it made my heart ache. I closed my eyes listening to the song and was so entranced by it, that I never noticed the voice singing it coming nearer. My heart bled for the pour soul never recognising Haldir's voice. Suddenly the fragrance of wild jasmine and roses drifted towards me and I opened my eyes in wonder. Around my feet was a carpet of flowers and before me stood Haldir holding one single rose in his hand. The last verse left his lips and he looked at me in awe.
I was so moved I couldn't utter a single word or sound. How could it be, that he, who was so sure of himself, so attractive, had gone through so much trouble to enchant me. Were my dreams and feelings answered with the same yearning? I don't know for how long we just stared at each other, but I remember a slow movement coming from Haldir and only then did I notice that his face showed so much pain and sorrow and he was moving away from me. I guess he must have thought that I was merely shocked and somewhat appalled by his actions. That second I realised how much I really wanted him and that I had to do something, this was nothing to run away from. I desperately reached for his hand, the hand that was holding the flower and tried to pull him towards me. His expression became a little confused, and after a split second it shone with love and happiness." Legolas face was absent and his eyes lit up a little remembering that happy moment.
Gimli was deeply astounded, he would never have guessed that Haldir or his elven friend could be that romantic. "Go on! What happened? Passionate love play on Elrond's private balcony?"
Legolas looked at him in utter bewilderment. "Of course not! No, we...." a dreamy expression shone on his fair features. "We kissed for the first time. It was unbelievable. So pure, so perfect. It was in this one moment I knew that we would be together forever. I don't for how long we kissed, it must have been hours. Suddenly we heard someone near us clearing his throat. Haldir face was white with shock and I hastily turned. In the doorway stood Lord Elrond watching us. A smile lit his face as he said 'I guess this was the only sensible place tonight for some peace and quiet, especially when it comes to one Noldorian marchwarden and a crown prince of Mirkwood, but I would ask you to take your leave now, since it is late and would like to retire.' We were out of the rooms like a shot.
Gimli was giggling merrily "Oh, what a picture it must have been. Hilarious. Tell me, you were really embarrassed, weren't you? Oh, my God. Did Lord Elrond say anything later on?"
"No, I didn't see him again afterwards. Haldir and I rushed down the hallways, trying to find aer ser secluded spot. Only when we had reached a little parapet, some way off the main halls we stopped and only then did I notice that we had held hands the whole time. Breathless and laughter bubbling in my chest I pressed Haldir against the wall and started kissing him again. I just couldn't get enough of him. My biggest wish was to feel his hands on me, I wanted to bury my nose in his hair, taste his skin and touch him everywhere. He must have felt my intentions, for he drew away from me a little. 'No,' he said 'I don't want to rush into things. I love you too much my pen-neth, my starlit prince. I want to devour you, have all the time in the world and the peace and quiet of a private home. Please, my love.' I was a little disappointed but what he had just said made up for everything. He had spoken of love to me and it all became so clear to me. I had fallen in love with him in the very beginning and never had dared to admit it to myself. I couldn't bear the thought of being parted from him again.
The biggest problem though was my father. He hated the Noldor elves. Finding out that his precious crown prince was in love with one of them wouldn't be good news to him, but I was determined to hold onto this love.
We had been in our little hideout for very long when we heard servants and other folk call out for my love. Galadriel had to leave and her Galadrim were to accompany her. All I was able to say to him in the seconds that were left to us, was that I loved him deeply. That was the last I saw of him for the next 139 years."
"You can't be serious. For how long?? What on earth happened that you were kept apart for so long." Gimli sat up and moved over to the camp. "Wait for a moment, my elven friend. I will get my pipe. I need something to hold onto while listening to your sad tale." He returned more quickly than anticipated and seated himself again in front of the elf.
"Evil was creeping up in my home of Greenwood. The first wargs and spiders showed up making life harder. I was already a trained archer and fighter and it was for the best that every capable fighter was at our keep. Also the royal family has to stand as one with their people to give them faith and strength. During that time I tried in every way possible to stay in contact with Haldir, I even blackmailed the royal messenger to carry some letters for me to Lothlorien. They were never answered. I didn't know if Haldir wasn't interested in answering or if the messenger just hadn't made it to Lorien. Some of the messengers didn't even return because it was too dangerous. I had almost given up hope, when one day may father came to me and told me to get a few things together until the next morn, for we would ride out in direction of Lorien. he had heard that the roads were almost safe and there were important things to be discussed about the upcoming future of our realms. Can you imagine in what a turmoil I was? I was so happy to go but on the other hand I was afraid that I might find out that Haldir interest in me had been nothing more than a blunt seduction.