The Edge of Night

My Soul Cries Out for You

They walk in complete silence for several minutes, neither sure what to say. Elfwyn keeps watching him from the corner of her eye, worry pitting in her stomach the further they went without speaking. Eventually, her human-ness won out and she stops short, catching Haldir by surprise. "Whatever Legolas told you, it wasn't his place to."

"Were you going to tell me what you foresaw?"

"No, because it is not your choice to make. This is something that only I have the ability to do."

"Dying to save me."

"It is my choice."

"And I do not get to have an opinion on the matter?"

"You can have an opinion. But know just because you give it does not mean I have to listen to it."

"So you would willingly die for someone you barely know."

She scoffs at this. "I may not have known you for a millennia like Legolas, but I think I have a pretty good idea of just the kind of ellon you are. And even if I didn't, I like to think I'm a good judge of character. If I have decided you are worthy of being saved, allow me the dignity of being right."

"And what of your people? Your father?"

"I'm not going to repeat my argument with Legolas with you. Trust that I have a clearer picture of the future than you and with my sacrifice you will have so many things to look forward to."

"If you die, there will be no future for me." They are standing nose-to-nose at this point, both breathing heavy.

"What do you mean?" she breathes out.

"Surely you felt it that first night, or any moment since."

She shakes her head in desperation. "I will not be the reason you die."

"No matter what you choose, I will not long survive your passing. You are the one my soul has called out for since I was born."

"That cannot be true. I have seen you with an elleth and an elfling."

"That is not possible. I am not bound to another."

"No, I saw this in a vision. By my death, you have the possibility of a beautiful future."

"Impossible, elves mate for life. If something were to happen to you, there is nothing else for me." None of this was making any sense. She saw him with another. "But this means nothing if I do not know how you feel."

She turns and looks at him, searching his eyes for something, anything, to tell her he was jesting. For Haldir it felt like she was searching his very soul. "I am not good at sharing my feelings.it was something that would always make my aunt and cousin crazy, I am more like my father and brother in that regard."

"Try."

"As your soul cries out for me, so mine does for you." She whispers, laying herself out in her most vulnerable state, eyes down so she can't see the intensity of his stare. Haldir brings a finger up under her chin, forcing Elfwyn to look up and meet his gaze.

"You are beautiful." He whispers before lowering his lips to hers and capturing them in a soft kiss. Time seemed to freeze and she couldn't think clearly, her thoughts a massive jumble rolling around in her head. The only thing that existed in this moment was them and in that moment, she believed everything Haldir had said about them being destined for each other, even if it didn't make sense with her dream.

She decided that for now, she would not question things. Well, at least not completely. "What do we do next?"

"We survive. We make it through this time of uncertainty and when the Ring is destroyed, we will talk about the future."

She sighs and smiles slightly. "And what of my vision?"

"We let the future play out however it must. And I will love you, the best I can for as long as I am blessed to."