A Half Elf's Love

The Aftermath

Eventually everyone was rounded up and we returned to Edoras. As we rode, I learned more about Háleth, and what he was like. He was an absolutely adorable boy, who was going to turn thirteen on June seventh. Hopefully everything would be alright by then and the poor boy could actually have a birthday. Once everyone was settled in Edoras, preparations began for a grand party for when Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf, Éomer, and Théoden returned from their visit to Isengard. One night, I was awakened by a soft knocking at my door. I opened it, finding Háleth standing quietly in the doorway. His breaths were shaky and filled with gasps.

"Háleth, what happened?" He sat on the floor in my doorway, and I sat across from him.

"My father, he died. I saw him die again." I wrapped my arms around the poor boy, holding him tight. He held onto me, trying to calm his breathing.

"Everything will be alright Háleth. I promise. Your father must be watching you from wherever men go when they die. Your mother too. I'm sure they are so proud of the man you are becoming." He laughed, clutching me tighter. I ran my fingers through his hair. "Would you like to hear about my lover?"

"Yes." I laughed and made him stand and sit on my bed so I could close my door.

"His name is Elladan."

"What does that mean? And what does your name mean?" I laughed at Háleth's curiosity.

"Elladan means elf-man. Deliadis roughly means concealment sister. Now Elladan, he has brown hair, and beautiful grey eyes." Háleth laughed, snorting a little. I couldn't conceal my laugh as I scolded him. "Hush now! This is serious!" We both laughed and I finally managed to continue. "He is a very skilled warrior, with a beautiful heart. Reminds me of a young boy I know." Háleth laughed, laying on my bed, closing his eyes.

"Do you think he will like me?" I nodded, kissing his forehead.

"I'm absolutely sure. Now go to sleep." Háleth nodded, closing his eyes. I left my room, walking outside, to stand in the cold spring air.

"Deliadis?" I turned my head quickly, tears pricking my eyes. The voice sounded like Elladan. No one was there. No Elladan. No one. I turned my head back to look out over the plains. It hurt to miss him, but I had to stay strong. I had a child now. My hand drifted to my stomach. If some of my visions were flukes, then was the one about me pregnant a fluke? Would Elladan and I ever have children? The tears began to run down my cheeks. Someone wrapped their arms around me pulling me into a hug. It was Aragorn. When had he gotten back?

"Everything's going to be alright Deliadis. I promise." I smiled and hugged my brother tightly. The next day was the party. It began a few minutes before dusk. As I wandered around the halls, I was talked by two small beings. Merry and Pippin! They were alive and it made me forget my worries for a moment. The hobbits were alive, and it gave me some hope. If they could survive, then Elladan would most certainly make it. The party began with Théoden giving a quick speech.

"Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!" Everyone echoed back, and drank from their cups. Háleth was playing with the other boys, so I took the time to relax a little. I found myself with Éomer, Legolas, and Gimli, and a few other soldiers, who decided to have a drinking game. Éomer poured tankards for the participating members, which were just Gimli and Legolas.

"No pauses, no spills." Gimli interrupted Éomer, looking happily at his ale.

"And no regurgitation." Legolas looked at the ale, wrinkling his nose. He spoke, trying to clarify the situation.

"So it is a drinking game?" Gimli answered, still smiling at his ale.

"Aye, Last one standing wins." The game kicked off and Legolas looked absolutely disgusted. I whispered to him, poking a little fun.

"Missing your Dorwinion wine?" Legolas groaned, hiding his face with his mug.

"You have no idea. You should have taken my place. You like this stuff." I chuckled and walked away, leaving him to his torment. Everyone was having a good time, and Háleth was playing with the other boys. I walked back outside, holding my glass of wine. The breeze blew calmly as I sipped my drink. Somehow I accidentally fell asleep outside, and was awakened by someone whispering my name softly.

"Deliadis...Deliadis...Deliadis..." The voice sounded like Elladan. Through the haze of sleep and alcohol, I followed it. The voice led me inside the hall, and then something ran through me. It burned. The ringing in my ears hit, but the white lights wouldn't hit. I sunk to my knees, screams caught in my throat. It hurt so much, I just wanted whatever was happening to stop. I could feel blood trickling from my nose. After another minute, it finally stopped abruptly. Falling forward, my face hit the stones, and the ringing slowly dissipated. I simply laid on the floor, my face sticky with my own blood. Closing my eyes, I fell asleep, the pain still lingering.