Author's Note: I'M BACK! :P Sorry I have been away so long! Almost 3 years is inexcusable. Haldir and Aisling have stayed with me all this time and demanded that their story continue, especially Haldir lol

Enjoy! Let me know what you think! All comments, suggestions, and questions are welcome! Who knows, it might end up in the story. Thank you to everyone who has continued to review, follow and favorite this story!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to The Lord of the Rings. I own my own original characters and ideas... but I am just playing with Tolkien's genius.

PART ELEVEN

Haldir stared at the empty place. His heart in his stomach. His head spinning. The hand that just held hers was empty and the one with the rings dangled over the side of the sofa, the small pieces of metal hitting the floor with a soft ting. It was like he was struck with that Orc blade a second time.

"Brother?" Orophin stuck his head in the doorway, after watching Aisling sprint away. He went over to Haldir's side, kneeling down to scoop up the rings. He held them out in his hand, but Haldir refused to take them.

Haldir tried to push himself up and off the couch, but Orophin placed a hand on his shoulder to keep him in place.

"Don't. Rumil went after her."

Haldir snorted as he tried to stand. His leg gave out almost immediately and Orophin had to catch him before his face hit the floor.

"I should be the one chasing after her," Haldir grumbled as Orophin set him back down. "I'm the one who proposed. Not Rumil! Oh, sweet Valar! I have Rumil defending my love life."

Orophin chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "Wine?"

Haldir didn't answer, grabbing the pillow from behind his head and pressing it to his face with a loud groan. Nothing short of a knock on the head was going to make him feel better. He had thought he was doing the right thing, the Valar only knew that he only had the best intentions. Life without her was something he could no longer pretend could exist.

But she ran from him. Quite literally in fact. And it hurt more than he could even imagine putting into words.

The scrape of a chair against the floor pulled Haldir from his ever-growing depressed thoughts. He peeked out from behind the pillow at Orophin who now sat on the chair beside him, holding out a glass of wine. Haldir pushed himself up as best he could and took the offered drink. The wine burned his tongue and the back of his throat.

He glanced around the room and noticed that everyone else was gone. Though his and Aisling's bags rested by the closed door.

"What—" he started before Orophin interjected.

"Lindariel and Nieriel have gone home and took the rabbit with them. Beriadan stands guard at the door," Orophin explained.

Haldir sighed, running a hand over his face. "Where did I go wrong, brother? She came with me, didn't she? She promised that we would get through this together. I just…"

Orophin placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You have always taught me patience, Haldir. Maybe you should take some of your own advice?"

"I suppose you are right."

Orophin chuckled. "Clearly your brush with death as loosened your humor."

"A great many things have change me, Orophin." Haldir paused, taking another slow sip of his wine. Nothing was going to help squish his turbulent thoughts. Especially, since Rumil was chasing after her.

"Talk to me, Haldir, like we used to. When I left you in Aisling's cottage all those months ago, I thought I would never see you again. It was like resolving myself further to your death. I came home to a world without my big brother. When the Lady asked me to fill your place, I knew I would never be half the Marchwarden that you were or our father was. But I did it for you, knowing that if you were beside me, you would have told me to take it."

"You earned it, Orophin." Haldir reached up and gave Orophin's hand a squeeze. He had never been prouder of his brother.

"Then tell me what happened."

Haldir let out a heavy breath and told Orophin everything since last they had met. All the joy and the despair, the triumphs and the setbacks.

"To be here, in Lorien, talking to you, seeing Beriadan and your family, I never thought I would make it back. She made that possible. When I first woke up and couldn't feel my legs, I thought my life was over. Never did I think it would be a new beginning. I'm too old for this, I have lived through too much and yet, she makes me feel like my life is still worth living. That I am that impulsive youth I used to be, who makes rash decisions based on his own heart's desires. I love her. I love her more than I have ever loved anyone. Even if I regain the full use of my legs, it would all be for naught if she wasn't beside me."

"Did you tell her that? Or did you expect her to read your mind as you are wont to do?" Orophin teased.

Haldir grumbled under his breath. "Feelings and emotions have never been my strong point and you know it."

"Well, here's hoping that Rumil can convince her to come back and maybe you can tell her all the things you just told me."

It was the only wish he had. And it all hinged on his intrepid littlest brother and his powers of persuasion. Haldir hadn't felt this afraid facing the legions of orcs at Helm's Deep.

Aisling didn't know where her feet were taking her. All she knew was she had to put as much space between herself and Haldir as she could.

She shouldn't have come here. She should have stayed in her little cottage, safe and tucked away from the world. Haldir should have gone home with Legolas and Gimli and left her be. That was the way it should have been. A very different outcome than what it had become.

The sting of tears pressed at the corners of her eyes, blurring her vision as she took the steps two at a time down to the forest floor. The fallen leaves crunching beneath her boots.

Marry me, Aisling.

Haldir's words echoed through her mind. To be his wife…

No. She pushed her legs faster. She couldn't, wouldn't be his wife. Falling in love with him was a mistake. Her father had always taught her to not form attachments to her patients. To keep a safe distance, to heal them and then let them go. But Haldir… she couldn't let him go. He had seized a piece of her heart even with his stubborn ways. He made her realize there was more to life than simply being alone. But whatever fanciful wish she or he might have, it could not be. She was still more human than elf. He didn't deserve a half-breed like her.

Her muscles screamed in protest, forcing her to slow her pace until she reached the edge of a small creek. It wound through the grove of trees and Aisling sunk down into the thick grass. Her fingers fisted into the soft earth, her head falling between her trembling shoulders as a series of harsh sobs shook her body. The tears streamed down her flushed cheeks and she gasped to even breath.

A light hand touched her shoulder. She curled further into herself.

"Go away, Rumil." She forced the words passed her lips. She knew he had followed her since she ran out the door, hearing him call after her. But either, he was a terrible warden (which she very much doubted) or he let her have a far enough led as to not be caught so quickly.

"What has you so upset, little one?"

Aisling's spine went stiff at the voice. It certainly wasn't Rumil. She took several deep breaths, before turning her head.

"My… my lady!" Aisling gasped, hastily trying to wipe away her tears.

The Lady Galadriel appeared to glow from her own inner light, a soft expression upon her ageless face as she knelt in the grass beside Aisling. She had heard tells of the Lady's beauty and power. Haldir had been more than readily regaled her with tales of the Lord and Lady of Lorien, during his recuperation. But never did she think she would meet Galadriel and certainly not like this.

"Hush, Aisling, daughter of Velethuil." Her voice was soft and kind, washing over Aisling like a warm summer wind.

"How do you—" Aisling started but stopped when the lady gave her a small smile.

"We have met before, many years ago. A time before you can remember."

Aisling felt her mouth fall open in shock, as if she hadn't had enough surprises for one evening.

"I don't understand."

Galadriel reached out a hand and gently wiped the tears from her face. "You will in time. Now, I wanted to thank you for saving the life of my Marchwarden. Haldir means a lot to us here in Lorien and to have him returned to us, means more than you can know."

"I only did what I thought was right, my lady. There was still life in him and I simply couldn't let him die in that dark place."

"I know. Hearing of his passing was devastating to myself and to my husband. But when Orophin returned and informed us that he was in fact still alive, we almost couldn't believe it was possible. Then Rumil informed me of the lengths you went to to bring Haldir back from the brink, I knew you had to be special." Galadriel's hand cupped her cheek.

"I did what I was taught to do, my lady. Haldir would not have lived if he didn't have the desire in himself to do so."

"You gave him a reason to live. You did not know him before you found him. Haldir had closed himself off from everyone and everything. The only ones who really saw him were his brothers. To everyone else, he was stern, stoic, unfeeling. But Haldir has a great capacity to love. Do not close your heart from its happiness." Galadriel's lips touched Aisling's forehead and then her eyes met something over her shoulder. "There seems to be a guardian waiting for your attention. Do not forget my words, Aisling, daughter of Velethuil. We will speak again soon."

The lady disappeared as quickly as she had come. Though, Aisling was not alone for long. Rumil slid out from behind a tree, hand hands folded behind his back.

"Aisling," he started, but the words wouldn't come. He shuffled his feet, looking down at them. "I don't know what he said to you, but I…"

Aisling pushes herself out of the grass, brushing away a few rogue pieces. The lady's words swirled around in her mind. Did Haldir love her? He had never said so, not even in his half an attempt at a proposal. And even if he did, was she worthy of his love?

"You are his brother, Rumil. You know him better than most. But there is something I hope you can tell me."

"Anything."

There were a hundred questions she wanted to ask him. All the things she was too afraid to ask Haldir herself. But there was one that stuck out the most in her mind.

"Do you think I could make him happy?"

The question was so quiet it almost got carried away by the breeze, but Rumil heard it anyway.

"You already do." Rumil offered her a smile and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Steering back them to the talen, Aisling was left much to her musings.

"Do you really think so?" she asked as they walked.

"I know so. Haldir is different with you."

Aisling snorted. "I've heard that from a lot of people lately."

"I wouldn't say it if it wasn't the truth."

"But is it a good thing?"

"Of course. When our parents left these shores, something in Haldir shifted. He was left with me, a rather rambunctious youth who didn't listen. Especially not to him. But Haldir had incredible amounts of patience and loved me, despite everything."

The silence stretched a little longer.

"Haldir asked me to marry him," Aisling found herself whispering. If there was anyone who might be able to offer some insight, it would be Rumil.

Rumil stopped mid-stride and turned to stare at her. "Oh!"

"Say something, Rumil. You seem surprised and not at the same time."

He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm surprised that he would choose choice a moment to do it. I'm not surprised because I bought him those rings."

"What?" Aisling shouted. Her heart threatened to burst free from her chest and she panted for breath.

"When I first visited you. I got them in the village on my errand and gave them to him before my departure. Initially I had purchased them in jest, but when I saw the way he looked at you. The reverence clear in his eyes, I just knew. He loves you, Aisling."

She buried her face in her hands, as the tears threatened to fall again. It was bad enough that she loved him, that she couldn't imagine what life would look like without him there anymore. To not see his face as the first sight every morning and the last before she slept. She knew he cared for you, he had told her as much, but love? Never love.

"I don't deserve him."

Rumil peeled her hands away. "You deserve each other. And as his brother, I can speak for myself and for Orophin, when I say that we couldn't have picked anyone more prefect for him than you."

Aisling looked deeply into Rumil's bright blue eyes and knew his words were sincere. "You really think so?"

"I know so. But you have to give him the chance. This place isn't your little cottage. Allow him the chance to show you his love."

Aisling didn't trust her own voice anymore as a lump formed in the back of her throat. Could she really open herself up to that possibility? There was only one way to find out.

When they arrived back to the flat, Beriadan was waiting outside the door and offered them both a small smile. Through the open window, Aisling could hear Haldir and Orophin talking. Though the words were lost on her. She was going to have to master this Lorien dialect.

Beriadan gave two swift knocks on the door before pushing it open. Aisling stepped through the door, her eyes only on Haldir. He was exactly where she had left him upon the sofa. Orophin stood silently and was out the door. It clicked shut softly behind her, leaving her alone with Haldir. He pushed himself up to a sitting position, his hands running over his thighs.

"Aisling, I—"

"Did you mean what you said?" she interrupted him.

"Every word and more. Please, Aisling, I love you."

The passion and longing in his voice struck in the deepest corners of her lonely heart.

"Oh, Haldir."

She was across the room in several quick steps and sank down to her knees before him. Cradling his face in her hands, she leaned up and crushed their lips together.

Haldir was frozen still in that moment. This was what he had hoped and longed for and yet did not expect. He kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his lap. Her hands went from his face to tangle in his hair, the tips of her fingers grazing his ears. He groaned into her mouth, his teeth nipping at her bottom lip.

This was nothing like any of the other more innocent kisses they had shared. This was filled with love and longing and promises yet to be made.

"I love you too, Haldir," she sighed, her head falling back as his lips trailed down the curve of her neck. "We will figure this out together."

TO BE CONTINUED…