The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Imagines

The Little Moments That Bring Us Joy -Haldir

(This is Haldir the Marchwarden of Lothlorien.I thought it would be nice to incorporate some of the little things I find joy in. Sometimes we get so overwhelmed by the bad stuff that's happening in the world, we forget to appreciate the little moments that make us smile. I hope this reminds you of them.)

"What makes you happy?"

"Suddenly feeling a hand slip into yours, the hand of someone you love. You feel their warmth and they squeeze your hand, conveying the message that they are there for you, and they understand, and they love you no matter what may happen."

You gazed at the moon outside your window, standing in the dimly lit bedroom you shared with your husband. He was a marchwarden, tasked to guard the northern borders of the forest. This meant that he was barely home. When he has the chance to spend time at home, he would spend it resting and sleeping. Right now he was out there, and you weren't sure if he would be coming home tonight.

 You had no complaints to this. When you married Haldir, you knew what his responsibilities were and how loyal he was to Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. It wasn't often that you would be left alone in the house—you also had duties as one of the head healers. Most of the time you would be able to see him when they needed supplies. Being a healer has its advantages. For one, you would be first to know if something happened to the guards. The disadvantage is the constant fear that he will be brought to you one day all bloody and injured.

In the dark you stood there, deep in your thoughts. Everyone went on with their lives but you knew that deep down everyone was worried. News of the enemy has reached your ears and you worried for the safety of your husband. You worried for the safety of everyone. How you wished that you could just sail to the Undying Lands with Haldir, but you knew he wouldn't want to leave your realm unguarded.

As you continued to worry, you didn't notice that the door to your chambers opened and in came Haldir. He expected you to be asleep already but he was surprised to see you wide awake by the window. You didn't turn to meet him when he entered so he figured not to disturb you and give you a few moments to yourself. He changed to a loose tunic and pants and freed his hair from his braids that you had carefully tied it in earlier this morning.

Slowly he walked towards you and you only noticed he was there when Haldir was already standing beside you. You looked up at him and was about to say something when he spoke first. Looking up at the moon, Haldir said, "What is bothering you, my love?"

You sighed, shaking your head. "It is nothing, darling. I am just worried for our safety."

To this, Haldir nodded in understanding. "Orcs have been spotted lurking around our borders. We are strengthening our defenses. Do not worry so much. Everything will be alright."

"But you are at the borders, Haldir," you whispered. "I have trust in your skills, as well as in your comrades. But I cannot help but be worried for you. I do not want to have to see you one day brought to me, fighting to breathe."

You closed your eyes and clutched your right hand close to your heart, bowing your head. Haldir was the only one in Middle Earth you have left after your parents died from an orc attack centuries ago. He was the one who was there for you when grief consumed you and he was the one who helped you get back on your feet.

You felt scared but all of your worries dissipated when you felt warmth on your left hand. Haldir brushed his fingers against your hand, still looking up at the moon. Then he slowly linked his pinky to yours. And then he began to slip his hand into yours, intertwining your fingers. He brushed his thumb against the back of your hand in an attempt to soothe you.

Haldir's actions had your heart beating fast. Blood rushed to your cheeks but a smile found its way to your lips. Haldir wasn't really one to openly show his affections. Some would tell you their concerns about Haldir and how he felt for you but you knew he loved you. All those years of being with him enable you to read him and his expressions and body language. So even though to the eyes of others he was only looking at you, you saw differently. Sometimes you would notice there was a slight frown on his face or there would be a hint of a smile.

But rarely did he gather you in his arms and rarely did he say he loves you out loud. That is why these little actions bring so much joy to you because you know when he does this, Haldir puts himself out of his comfort zone just to show that he does care.

With the most loving smile you could muster, you looked up and met his gaze. Haldir blushed at how lovely you looked and he averted his gaze for a moment while clearing his throat. You laughed and leaned against him, hands still intertwined.

"It is as if we're not even married," you chortled.

"You know that I... that I..." Haldir tried to say it, but he found himself stammering, too shy to say the words. He wanted to say them because he does mean them. Why was it so difficult to tell you?

But to this, you squeezed his hand in understanding. "I know Haldir. I feel it even if you do not say it," you said, resting your head against his shoulder. "And I feel the same."

The only way Haldir knew how to express how thankful he was to have you was to squeeze your hand in return, tightening his hold on your hand. Sighing in bliss, he rest his cheek against the top of your head and smiled to himself—how lucky he was to have you who understood him and loved him for how he was.

This little moment did not happen often but whenever it did, it made you happy and it made you look forward for the next ones. His and your duties made it difficult to have some time alone together, especially when the enemies drew nearer. You were all busy preparing and defending the borders. When you had time to yourselves, it wasn't really guaranteed that Haldir would show his affectionate side again. You didn't want to push him. But you were contented with the previous ones and the memories of his hand in yours made you smile. Those little moments strengthened both of your desires to fight off the evil and get out alive. You both wanted to spend more time together and work things out. Those little moments made you happy despite the fatigue and worry. It made the days bearable.

It made you look forward to something.

It made life worth living