The Edge of Night

Partings are No Easy Feat

It was the night before they were to leave the Golden Wood. The paths were alight with the star lanterns much like they were when the Fellowship first arrived. While the others packed up, taking care to be sure they got everything, Elfwyn was taking one final walk with Haldir. "I am not yet ready to leave you." She whispers into the night.

"Nor am I ready for you to leave. But we both made vows we cannot turn from. You must see this quest to completion, and I must return to the border. Even darker times are ahead of us and I fear for the safety of my home, just as I fear for the safety of you."

"I will be alright. I have Aragorn and Legolas in my company." When his eyes harden as she mentions the Prince of Mirkwood's name, she sighs. "I understand that he meddled in affairs that weren't his to do so, but I will not be the reason a millennia's old friendship comes to a crashing halt."

"It will not. There is more to this than meets the eye. Trust when I say this, as you have pointed out that I know him better. "

"I will. But I hope that you will also take what I say to heart."

"Let us not discuss Legolas any more tonight. I would have what few hours I have left with you to be focused on us."

"Us?" She asks, a coy smile upon her lips. "What more could there be to discuss about us?"

He smirks before pulling her from the path, out of sight from any that might walk near. He pushes her against a tree gently and descends his lips upon hers. She places her hands against his chest, grasping at the fabric of his tunic there, pulling him closer still. His hands trace their way up the side of her skirt, revealing more and more of her leg the higher up his hand went, until it was bunched up at her hips on one side and she hooked her leg around his hip.

Haldir brushed a hand across the apex of her thighs and she shudders, whimpering at the contact and how it seemed to light her on fire. Acting on instinct, her hands reach out, undoing the laces of his breeches and slipping her hand inside, causing him to buck his hips into hers.

With an expertise that must have come natural, he slips himself from his pants and with one final look, seeking permission, which she grants him with a nod and a loving look in her eyes, he slides inside of her, pausing once he breaks through her barrier and gently kisses away the tears that have sprung in the corners of her eyes.

As she adjusts to the intrusion, and his size, she nods and he begins to move within her, setting a slow pace that soon has them both breathless. His forehead rests against hers and their breaths intermingle, filling the small space with the soft sounds of their gasps and moans. His movements become erratic as they both come closer to completion. With one final thrust, she's pushed over the edge, coming undone around him, as he follows her into the abyss.

The night around them becomes quiet once more, the only sounds being heard are the crickets chirping and the stream quietly bubbling in the distance. As the lust fades from their eyes, the reality of what they had just done begins to sink in. "Do you know what you just agreed to? What you have just entered into with me?" He asks her quietly.

Elfwyn nods. "I knew of the ways of the elves prior to our coupling. I know what this means for you, for our status."

"And you entered into this willingly?"

"I don't believe I heard any complaints or sounds of denial on my part. Do you wish to take it back now?"

He shakes his head. "I would have had you this way from that very first night had I been able to."

"I am your wife, in the eyes of your people... And once this is over, we shall have it that way in the eyes of mine."

...

The following morning, the Fellowship stands before the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood, as well as a few select others who have come to see them off. Placing a cloak around her shoulders, Haldir smiles sadly down at her. "Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Celeborn tells them as Haldir steps back, the cloak safely fastened around her neck. Galadriel stands before them, an elf accompanying at her side, arms laden with gifts. "My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Legolas inspects the bow with awe and fascination. To Pippin and Merry, she bestows upon them each a dagger, that have already seen service in war. "And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope made of hithlain."

"Thank you, my lady. Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" She smiles at him and he steps back, awkwardly.

Haldir steps back up to her as Galadriel comes to stand in front of Gimli before offering her his hand to help her down to the part of the river that flows through the heart of Caras Galadhon, where they are intercepted by the lady once more. "There is much to celebrate today. Just as there is sadness. The bond formed between you is strong. So shall it be, until the end of your days." At this, Elfwyn looks down. In her heart, she still feels as though this outcome she has foreseen, her life for Haldir's, is the only future set in stone. "I wish to give you this parting gift away from the others, as it is more intimate in its nature." She hands them each a gold band, delicate in its craftsmanship. "These were forged the day of your begetting, Haldir, by your parents. They wanted something in place, should the unthinkable happen. Your mother entrusted them to me, along with the ones made for your brothers, before she left for Valinor. It is time they be returned to you."

Haldir looks down at them, an unreadable look crossing over his features, before he takes the thinner of the two and gently slides it onto Elfwyn's right index finger. With shaking hands, she slides the larger one onto Haldir's finger and a rush of warmth floods both of them. "Come, it is almost time for you to depart." He whispers before they bow to the lady and head towards the boat.

"Promise me you'll be safe. Do not take any unnecessary risks." She begs him as they continue their walk.

"I have vowed to return to you, at the end of all this. I will keep my promise to you, Elfwyn." She nods, her throat thick with unshed tears before they arrive at the boats with the others.

When they arrive at the shore, Legolas looks at them questioningly. Elfwyn does her best to hide her hand, not needing any further complications. "I will tell him. Just not right now, when tensions are already high. Once we've stopped for the night, I will speak with him and Aragorn."

He helps her into the canoe she'll be sharing with Gimli and Legolas, how she drew that short straw she'd never know. As they push off from shore, she turns back once more, watching as Haldir becomes smaller and smaller until they round a bend and he disappears entirely from her view. She turns her head back forward, sighing heavily. She would not see him again for several weeks, of this she was certain.