Part Twenty-Eight

"What is it?"

Haldir looked up at the sound of Legolas' soft but worried question. How beautiful he was, the Marchwarden thought as he stared into the azure eyes of his lover. A surge of affection filled him. He wanted to pull Legolas into his embrace and kiss him senseless, but he held back. After all, Thranduil was right there, and… the mirror… the mirror…

Haldir closed his eyes for a moment and looked down. It was hard to face Legolas in this moment. The last thing he wanted was to hurt the prince. Yet he deserved to know what had been foreseen. This was his choice as much as Haldir's.

"A great darkness is coming," Haldir said. "It will spread over all of Middle-earth. In that time, elves will be called upon to fight."

"Then I will fight along side you," Legolas said fiercely.

"Of course you will, my son," Thranduil said, his voice heavy. "You will be a great hero. This is your destiny."

"Why does this sadden you? Are we to lose the battle?"

"Even Lady Galadriel cannot know that."

"There will be much death," Haldir said.

"Did you… did you see my death?" Legolas asked. He lifted his chin.

"No," said Haldir, glad he could truthfully answer thus.

"I do not fear death," said Legolas. "I do not fear the Halls of Mandos. After all, we may return. Glorfindel has done so."

"Yes, and look what it has done to him," Thranduil said, smirking slightly. "No wonder he is mad."

"Do not be unkind, Father," said Legolas gently.

Haldir marveled that after what Glorfindel had done to him, Legolas could still be charitable towards him. He wondered where Glorfindel was. He had not seen him since the banquet.

"Galadriel will not force you to Arwen," Haldir said. It was so hard to say much more. He still saw a veil of red before his eyes. He did not fear dying either, but he knew that the vision went deeper than that.

"She told me this, too," said Legolas. "I suppose I am not meant to be king of anything. This pleases me well enough, for I should like to know that Thranduil will ever after reign in Mirkwood."

Thranduil laughed, grinning at his child. "No wonder you are the light of my life, my pride and joy. Your devotion lifts my heart."

"You shall ever have it, Father. But still the two of you hold me in suspense. What else was there? Why do you not smile, Haldir? Are we not free to hold to our bond now?"

"Haldir will lead an army of elves to the aid of men," Thranduil said, growing serious again.

"Do you understand, Legolas?" Haldir said, putting his hands on his lover's shoulders.

Abruptly, Legolas looked stunned. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. "You? You are going to fall?"

"This is what your father saw."

Legolas looked at Thranduil, and Thranduil nodded sharply. The prince turned his gaze back to Haldir. Haldir saw tears form in Legolas' eyes and he let go of the prince's shoulders. He had to look away. He could not bear knowing he had made the prince cry. He could not bear knowing that Legolas would grieve for him.

"Would you love when a pall of doom hangs over you both?" Thranduil asked.

Haldir began to walk away, unable to hear the prince's answer, but Legolas reached out and grabbed his wrist.

"No! I will not let you go, Haldir!"

"My path has been defined, as has yours. Leave me to follow it." Haldir took a deep breath. "Find someone who will be able to love you always."

"Do you not think you will love me always? If you are to die, you will come back, and I will wait for you, or follow you, or—"

"No, Legolas! No," Haldir said sharply.

"So you cast it aside, then? You will give up our bond because of an uncertain future?"

"I cannot bear to hurt you."

"Do you not think that denying this hurts?"

"Legolas, he wants only to do what is best for you," Thranduil said.

"This is not what is best for me. Haldir, be it for a day or a lifetime, I would love you. Give me what time you have… and perhaps the future can be changed. I will not let you die. Not ever."

Haldir smiled briefly, and his aching heart found new hope. "You may not be able to stop it."

"Do not cast me aside. I beg of you. I will fade without you. You are everything to me."

His words moved the Marchwarden. Haldir looked at Thranduil, and the Elvenking simply nodded then disappeared into the trees, leaving the two of them alone in the glen. Legolas flung his arms around Haldir, and Haldir felt him tremble. He put his arms around the prince and stroked his golden hair soothingly.

And then Haldir heard the voice of his Lady resonating deep in his mind. Legolas gasped and Haldir knew that the prince could hear it, too.

"Do not fear your fate, Haldir. The mirror shows only roads that may be followed, and paths are often changed by the hands of time. Your bravery will be rewarded. Let your heart be rewarded as well. I give you my blessing. Love, and be loved. Do not measure the amount of time you have to do it in."

Confusion flooded Haldir as well as joy. Sometimes he simply did not understand Galadriel. She was a mystery, but she was also far wiser than he was and he had never doubted her.

"I will not let you die," Legolas whispered. "I will not let you leave me. Just love me. Follow your heart."

"Yes," Haldir said slowly. "I will, then."

Legolas smiled at him, but Haldir saw fear in his eyes, and knew damage had been done by his own doubts. Legolas would wonder, for a time, he knew. He would have to prove himself, prove his affection. Legolas took a deep breath.

"Arwen—"

"Her father is looking after her. She will be all right."

"She will not forgive us for breaking this engagement."

"I think she will."

"I hope so. I do not want her to hate me, Haldir."

"Then not wedding her is a wise choice! Come, we should bathe…"

Legolas smiled, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Yes," he agreed. "We stink of lust."

Haldir grinned back. "And not for the last time."