Author's Notes: Elvish is in ' '. Only the unknown characters belong to me! There is G/H slash in this fic! The story is very dark; mentioned rape and attempted suicide, torture, mental, and physical abuse… There will be a surprise guest appearance in the next chapter…

Part 13. Facing The Truth

'I'll kill him,' Glorfindel growled, anger lashing throughout his entire body.

Galadriel raised a hand towards him in warning. 'You cannot, Glorfindel. The law of the Elves is not to be broken, no matter the reason behind it. If you kill Rissan, then you will be punished and will not be able to support Haldir.'

Glorfindel gritted his teeth, as a sudden thought occurred to him, and he was surprised that he had not thought of it sooner. 'Is the child truly Rissan's? Or is it mine?' He wasn't certain how he would feel if the child was his, because he was not sure if he could be a good parent, but Glorfindel would rather Haldir have his child than one the younger Elf would most likely resent because of the way it was conceived.

'Until the child is born, I cannot say,' Galadriel stated impassively. 'For good or ill, Haldir carries a child, and its father is either you or Rissan.' She squarely met Glorfindel's angry look, and shook her head. 'Even the wisest cannot tell. Lord Elrond of Rivendell shall be sent for, for he has more experience in dealing with such things than either Celeborn or myself.'

'What of Rissan?' Glorfindel asked, cold neutrality in his voice.

Galadriel replied, 'He will be stripped of his rank… as well as his magic, and become an outcast among all of the Elves, for there is no excuse for what he did to young Haldir.'

Glorfindel did not believe that was a severe enough sentence, but he said nothing, deciding to deal out his own punishment later. Haldir needed him right now, and he was not leaving until he was certain that the younger Elf would not attempt to do anything foolish again, like committing suicide.

'Stay with him, Glorfindel, if you intend to see him through this,' Galadriel said. 'I shall summon the Lord of Rivendell to come as soon as he is able.'

'I… see,' Glorfindel said flatly, unable to believe that the Lord and Lady of the Wood would only banish Rissan for his actions. Beheading Rissan seemed more appealing than just letting him get away with rape and torture, and his actions had nearly caused Haldir to kill himself!

Galadriel walked away silently, to find Celeborn so that she could tell him everything, and Glorfindel stood beside the bed where Haldir slept, looking like a lost, defenseless youth to the Elven lord. A soft moan came from Haldir, as he turned over on his side, before he whimpered and struck out with his hands, seemingly fighting someone.

'Stop…' he choked out, the pleading note in his voice making even Glorfindel hard-pressed not to shed tears. 'I don't want this; let me go!' He thrashed, jerking in the bed, uttering whimpers and pleas, tears running down his handsome face.

Glorfindel softly murmured, 'Tis alright, Haldir; you are dreaming, you are not being hurt.' He wanted to hold the younger Elf, to reassure him that everything would be all right, but was not certain if that would be allowed, after such trauma and pain had been given to Haldir in unwanted touches. But it hurt him to hear the pleading that Haldir was doing.

Haldir whimpered again, 'Please…' He lashed out, flailing one of his arms wildly, until he faintly became aware of a soothing voice speaking to him. It was vaguely familiar, and the 'Lorien Elf finally recognized the voice as Glorfindel. 'Help me,' he pleaded, not realizing that the voice was not from his dream, but from the worried older Elf who was now trying to wake him.

'Wake, Haldir!' Glorfindel said loudly, finally using his hands to gently shake Haldir. He was taken by surprise when the younger Elf jerked awake suddenly, gasping hard. Pants came out of him, and beads of sweat were on his forehead, until his eyes locked with Glorfindel's.

A sigh, born of relief, escaped from him, when he saw the deep blue eyes that looked at him compassionately. Haldir's own blue eyes closed; he could tell from the way that Glorfindel was looking at him that his fears were true, though Haldir absently wondered how he had gotten outside, when he had fallen asleep in Glorfindel's talen. Despite the pain of everything he had gone through, the warm, firm hands on his shoulders relaxed the distraught, younger Elf, for they reminded him of what Glorfindel had promised; he would not be going through this alone.

Though Haldir did feel weak for needing to rely on someone as strong as Glorfindel was- but he knew that if he tried to face all of the pain and agony by himself right now, eventually he would try to kill himself again. Despite what Rissan had done to him, Haldir's conscience told him that the child within him was innocent, no matter who its father was.

Glorfindel sighed, 'You know, don't you, Haldir?' Sadness radiated from him like an aura, surrounding him with a gentle, soft light.

'Yes…' Haldir whispered. 'I am too young for this; I am not ready, Glorfindel. How can I care for the needs of a child, when I am still a child myself, compared to you or my lord or…'

'I will help you,' Glorfindel began, trying to calm Haldir down. It didn't work, however, which the Elven lord instantly realized.

Haldir shook his head and passionately stated, 'You won't be around forever, Glorfindel, will you? I will be alone in this, and even if Rissan does not take the child, I will still be alone… What will the others say?'

Glorfindel squeezed Haldir's shoulder when the younger Elf did not pull away. 'I will be here as long as I can, to help you. And the child may not be Rissan's, Haldir.'

'Whose child could it be then?' Haldir bitterly asked. 'He's the only one who has touched me this past month.'

Glorfindel pointedly said, 'We were together for one night, Haldir, and you yourself said that you did not know when Rissan made it possible for you to bear a child. The child could be mine, depending on when Rissan cast that spell.'

Haldir paled, having never thought of that. 'How will I even know?' he questioned. 'Tis not as if I can use magic to figure out who the father is.' He still did not feel that he was ready to have a child, not while he was so young and when he himself was still a child in the eyes of his Elders. He sighed and changed the subject, not wanting to consider the consequences if Glorfindel was the father. True, the Elven lord would be a much better father than Rissan could ever hope to be, but the odds were against it. 'How did I get out here, Glorfindel? I thought I fell asleep in your talen.'

'You did, but I knew that Rissan would be returning soon from the hunt, and I wanted to inform the Lord and Lady of the Wood of what has been happening,' Glorfindel explained, mentally preparing himself for the anger that was sure to follow.

'You told them? How could you?' Haldir gaped at Glorfindel, feeling humiliated at the realization that his Lord and Lady knew of what had happened to him.

Glorfindel nodded once. 'Even though you do carry a child, Haldir, there is no way of knowing if Rissan would have tried the same thing with another, or even if he has. From what you told me, it doesn't seem likely, but that was not a chance I was willing to take- or the chance that he might try to find you. Besides, Lady Galadriel told me that she and Celeborn both knew that something was wrong with you, that you were suffering from grief, but they did not know why… until now.'

Haldir flushed at those words; he hadn't thought anyone had noticed that something was wrong, save for Glorfindel. As if sensing his thoughts, the older Elf frowned. Didn't Haldir realize that even he had noticed, and they had been arguing? Of course his friends had noticed that something was bothering him, though they had been hesitant to say anything to him about it.

'Lady Galadriel is sending for my lord,' Glorfindel finally said. 'Lord Elrond has more experience dealing with male Elven pregnancies than Lady Galadriel, though she is a stronger Healer than he is.'

'So he's going to know as well?' Haldir choked out, feeling even more shame. 'I don't want everyone knowing what he did to me… It's bad enough, what they'll say about…' His flush grew even worse at the words he was certain would be said.

Glorfindel bit back a sigh, and vowed, 'They will not blame you, if Rissan is the father. His actions were cruel and uncalled for, Haldir, and if anyone says anything cruel to you, tell me and I'll deal with them.'

Haldir swallowed and nodded. 'W-What if it is yours?' he blurted out, without meaning to. There was a very slim chance of that being true, and Haldir knew it inside of his heart. But was it so wrong for him to cling to that tiny hope? At least then someone would be there to make sure he didn't ruin the child's life, and if the child was Glorfindel's, there was no way the Elven lord would let Rissan take the child away. Though Haldir was certain that Glorfindel wouldn't allow that, no matter who the father was.

'If the child is mine, I will take responsibility,' Glorfindel answered, sensing Haldir's unspoken need for reassurance. 'It will be raised by both of us in the Elven traditions, as we both were.'

Haldir cleared his throat slightly, realizing that Glorfindel did not know his past, though the older Elf's was known to all. He quietly said, 'I was not raised in the Elven traditions; I was found by Lord Celeborn when I was naught but a young child, only fourteen years old in the years of a Man. I lived with a Man, his wife, and their descendants, until my lord found me, and took me to Lothlorien, to return me to my Kin. Rumil and Orophin finished my upbringing but… I was raised as a human child, not an Elven one. I do not know the traditions.' He bowed his head slightly, for very few knew that story. It was one reason that he was an outsider, or so he thought, among the Galadhrim.

Glorfindel reached out and lifted Haldir's chin with his hand, his eyes flashing with a warning look, telling the younger Elf silently that his story was not something he should be ashamed of. After all, Glorfindel's own lord was now raising the descendant of his deceased brother, Elros, who had long, long ago chosen to become Mortal.

Warmly, the Elven lord smiled at Haldir, receiving a slow, hesitant, but beautiful smile in answer from the uncharacteristically shy young Elf. His own smile deepened, before Glorfindel took Haldir's smaller right hand in his own carefully.

'Come, Haldir… I have not eaten this day, and I am certain you have not. Let us eat and then we can make arrangements for everything else,' Glorfindel coaxed.

Haldir stood and allowed the Elven lord to lead him towards where the evening meal was still being held, though he was uncertain, afraid that Rissan would appear again and try to hurt him again. He was a bit surprised when Glorfindel did not release his hand, but he was grateful, because of the stares they both were getting from the other Elves.

Glorfindel piled two plates high with vegetables, fruit, and tender, roast pheasant, one at a time. He handed one of the plates to Haldir, before they sat down at an empty, small wooden table. The carved wooden chairs were not uncomfortable as they ate silently, pretending not to notice the way the other Elves around them were whispering.

Haldir could not hide his apprehension as well as Glorfindel could, and he frequently looked at the Elven lord, seeking reassurance, though it did make him feel even more weak and cowardly. Glorfindel did not hesitate in reassuring the younger Elf, as if he could feel how uncertain that Haldir truly was.

************************

Elsewhere in Lothlorien

************************

Rissan stared at Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel contemptuously. 'So he finally told someone?' he sneered. 'I'm surprised that he waited so long…'

'You do not even bother to deny your actions?' Galadriel said, a flash of anger passing through her eyes quickly. The normally composed Elven lady could feel nothing but disgust for Rissan, who was openly proud of what he had done.

'Why would I? All I want is the child,' he retorted. 'Haldir is of little consequence; the only thing that matters is the child- my child.'

Lord Celeborn swallowed hard, suppressing an urge to suddenly kill the unfeeling, callous black-haired Elf before him. Sorrow was in his eyes, for Haldir was as a son to him, though the Elven lord of Lothlorien would never admit it aloud. He had failed to protect one of his own from this twisted, despicable Elf…

Galadriel countered, 'The child will never know you, for because of your actions against Haldir, you are banished forever from the realm of Lothlorien, and your powers will be stripped from you as well, for daring to use them in such a way.

Rissan snickered at those bold words. 'No one here can remove my abilities, not even you, great Elven witch that you are.' He arrogantly brushed a strand of his ebony hair out of his own piercing, dark eyes. 'The child will be mine, one way or the other.' He cruelly smiled, before gesturing slightly with his hand.

A gust of wind tore through the trees of Lothlorien, ripping delicate leaves from their branches, spiraling them through the air and around the solitary Elf who stood in front of the Lord and Lady of the Wood. Rissan smirked; he hadn't even exerted himself yet, and he could see the shock that Celeborn and Galadriel were trying to hide.

The Galadhrim sprang as one to defend their lord and lady, but another humongous gust of wind sent them flying off of their feet, back against the trees.

Galadriel closed her eyes briefly in sorrow… Forgive me, Elrond, son of my heart, she thought, before she chanted a long, sharp Elvish phrase, using her own ancient magic to calm the wind and silence its wrath, and then she turned to Rissan.

But it was too late… the black-haired Elf had vanished, leaving only his weapons and Elven cloak. Celeborn immediately ordered the Galadhrim to find him, if Rissan still remained in Lothlorien, before he saw to his pale wife. He had not been prepared for Rissan daring to attack them, though it was obvious that his beloved Galadriel had.

Galadriel looked directly into her husband's worried eyes. 'I'm all right,' she told him, a grave note in her voice. 'See to it that Elrond is sent for,' she murmured, feeling strangely weak from using her magic. Galadriel had not needed to use her magic very often in her long life, and the energy it took cost her much.

Celeborn first carried his weak wife to bed tenderly, before he sent a messenger to Rivendell, to bring Elrond here. He had been told the entire story, and he, too, knew that Elrond would be the best.

To be continued