The rain was still pouring down, making sounds upon the roof and upon the leaves, and coaxing us into a relaxed state.

Haldir and I were curled up, completely entangled within each other’s arms. We traded soft kisses and touches as we lay there in the aftermath of our lovemaking.

There seemed to be no words that we could find to speak, no actions we could make that would make how much we loved each other clear.

So we just lay there, our heads cradled on my pillow, our breath mingling with each others.

Haldir gently brushed my hair out of my face. “Mela en’ coiamin,” he whispered softly, his fingers gently traced the point of my ear making me shiver.

“Amin mela ille…” I whispered as I let my fingers tangled in his silver hair. I leaned forward, catching his lower lip between my teeth.

His breath caught in his throat, his hand squeezing my waist. He pulled back, his midnight blue eyes darkened.

“Karnela enni?” I asked, my arms wrapping around his neck as I snuggled my body closer to his.

With a subtle shift, he was over me, my legs curling around his waist as he lowered his head, his lips snagging mine.

I moaned softly, my head falling back as I felt his teeth catch the flesh of my neck, his body pressing intimately against mine.

The soft moans and cries we made where sheltered in the dark night, covered by the sound of the rain. Our bodies lay entwined, parting and returning throughout the night.

I felt that which I have never felt before or since when I touch him. It feels as if my soul sings and a radiant light shines from my heart.

His soft breath feathered against my ear as I arched against him, feeling the play of muscles beneath his skin. His lips feathered kisses across my flushed skin, making me mewl in pleasure.

I felt him run his nose up the edge of my jaw before claming my mouth with a passionate kiss. Our slick flesh rubbed against one another, as I felt him slide deeply into me, making my back arch and my lips part in involuntary moaning.

My body trembled from the response of our joining. I took in a shuddering breath, my body shifting with his, trying to keep him within me.  My voice was rough as I moaned his name, my body shuddering beneath his.

“A! Aiya, Haldir!” I cried into his ear, my hands clenching his sweat slicked shoulders, my nails gently raking his skin.

He slowed his pace somewhat, moving tenderly, driving me insane with this pleasure. “Aiya, A'maelamin,” I sighed as he buried his face into my hair, giving kisses between little gasped words of love.

Haldir slipped his arm underneath my head, cradling it while the other cupped my cheek so he could capture my mouth.

“A’mael,” he whispered softly against my kiss swollen lips.  “Amin mela ille…” He arched back, and I felt his hand slip between us to gently stroke the juncture of my thighs.

I bit my lip as I arched sharply into his body, crying out. Shuddering, I tightened the grasp of my legs upon his waist, and pulled him up so I could capture his lips in a demanding kiss.

My body shuddered, arching into his as I was suspended over the edge…

Then I fell…

Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn met us at the borders of the Golden Woods, both freely crying when they saw we few who came home.

“Oio naa elealla alasse’,” Celeborn whispered as he greeted us with little more decorum than his wife who ran to us, her hands holding Haldir’s face as she gently stroked back his hair.

Galadriel looked intently at Haldir, her fingers trembling as she brushed them through his silky hair. “Lle maa quell,” she said, looking into his eyes.

“I am well, naneth, thanks to Mithrandir, Estel and Lady Vendea.”

Galadriel smiled. “Not the Prince of Mirkwood as well?”

“Well, of course. Were Estel goes, he goes.”

She laughed and brushed her damp cheek against his which was damp with his own tears.

“Adar,” I said softly, catching the sleeve of Lord Celeborn’s arm.

“Vendea!” He cried, wrapping me up in his arms.

I sighed as I felt tears of joy fall down my face as he placed one of his elegant hands upon the back of my neck.

“Cormamin lindua ele lle. I am pleased that some of our kin had survived; my son and you in particular.” He pulled back, holding me by my shoulders to look at me. His eyes narrowed slightly and he tilted his head. “Vendea, lle tyava quel?”

I smiled sheepishly at the Lord of the Wood. “I have not… been feeling well for the past month. I have been…”  I looked over my shoulder to make sure the Lady had Haldir’s thorough attention. “I have a little… secret…” I smiled at him, and tapped my finger on his nose, causing him to look at me strangely. “I am carrying something very… precious.” I laughed softly, thinking about the last month of sickness. “That precious thing which I carry has made me ill for the moment…”

Celeborn’s eyes widened in realization and his hand settled upon my belly. “Iire?” He whispered softly.

“I have known at least a month. Likely it goes now upon two.”

“You bare a child…” he whispered before he clasped me tightly within his arms. “Vendea, you are most blessed.”

I laughed and let Lord Celeborn hug me tightly. “He does not know as of yet, so please, let us keep this to ourselves for the moment. I want to be the one for him to hear it from first.”

“And by rights you should! Just please, do not make it too long for I do not know how long I can keep this blessed secret silent.” Celeborn sat me back down on my feet, smiling gently. “You have my word.”

I smiled brightly, my hand touching his cheek before I turned around to ‘rescue’ by beleaguered mate. I slipped into the wagon, slipping my arm under his neck so he could sit easier as he leaned against me.

The Lady fussed over me as much as she did Haldir; smoothing my hair back, kissing my cheeks and hands. It seemed she was far more than happy to see us home.

One of her hands rested upon Haldir’s head, the other upon my shoulder. She turned her blue gaze to Haldir, gently stroking his cheek. “Would you like to rest in Vendea’s talan or you old one?”

Haldir turned his dark eyes towards me, brushing the back of his hand against my cheek. “Our talan will be just fine, Naneth.”

Without warning, Celeborn lifted Haldir in his arms; one settling his head upon his shoulder, the other underneath Haldir’s knees. With great tenderness, Celeborn cradled the wounded Galadhrim gently against his chest as he had many years before.

Haldir was about to open his mouth to speak when Celeborn kissed his forehead. “Allow me this privilege, for it has been too long since I cradled you within my arms, Astalder.”

He relaxed against his foster father and allowed himself to be carried by the Lord of Lórien to my old talan.

The trip was done in short order, and was quite uneventful. Not many of the residences seemed to wish to bother us as we came to my stairs.

Galadriel and I held the gauze away from the entrance only to happen across two pale golden haired elves curled on the floor in each other’s arms.

As soon as Celeborn’s foot touched the floor of the talan, the two started, jumping to their feet to cry out.

“Brother!”

They both crowded around Haldir, their hands touching his face. “Brother, I am so glad you are alive. We were given word that you had died. We would have gone to you had Adar permitted it.”

“Brother, I am grateful that you have returned to us whole.”

Galadriel and I had stepped back, allowing Haldir to bask in his brothers’ affections.

I watched with a smile as they stroked their brother’s hair and face, gently cradling a hand in both of theirs.

“Rúmil. Orophin. Why do you not let your brother sleep? For I am sure he is tired.” Celeborn’s gentle voice cut across the excited chatter of the two brothers, and they silenced themselves immediately.

Their hands, however, stayed upon their elder brother.

Knowing the two as well as I did, I went into the smaller room that I used to collect things in, and with a little patience, I pulled free a large, and soft, quilted mat that I had saved for such purposes. Without ceremony, I placed it in the middle of the first room, kicking out the ends so that they laid flat.

Galadriel had found my stash of pillows from my room and brought them forth to place upon the mat.

Kneeling upon one side of the mat, I held out my arms. “Adar, lower him to me so the Lady and I can situate him so he is comfortable.”

Celeborn knelt down slowly opposite of me, and, almost reluctantly handed him over.

My arm slipped behind his back, placed beneath the axe gouge as the Lord arranged his legs. Smoothing his hair out of his face, Galadriel placed a kiss on the crown of his head, gently giving her support.

His dark eyes looked up into mine as Celeborn tried to knead the muscles of his calf, trying to see if he could feel any more. “Do you think… that this is permanent?” He asked after the fourth question Lord Celeborn posed.

I pulled a strand of hair out of his face. “I do not know, Haldir, and at the moment, I would not worry too much of it. You will only prevent yourself from healing.” My finger tip ran down to his jaw from his temple. “It is likely it is not permanent, but we will see what the future brings… until then, let us not worry about it.”

“I agree with Vendea,” Celeborn said softly as he tucked a blanket around Haldir’s trembling form. “We will see in time, and I as well believe you will walk again.” His hand rested upon Haldir’s knee. He smiled as he took up one of Haldir’s hands. “Believe and it shall happen.”

Haldir turned his face so that it pressed against my breasts, hiding it behind a fall of silver hair. “I am tired…” he murmured. “Please leave…”

I stroked my free hand through his hair, trying to ease an ache which is not so easily subdued.

The Lady stroked his shoulder with a light touch. “Should you wish it, we shall be here for you, Haldir. Never doubt that.”

With that, she gently pulled Celeborn with her, leaving the brothers and me alone.

I felt Haldir start to shake, and soon he was crying softly, huddled against me in a perfect picture of wretchedness.

Rúmil hesitated before he rested his hand upon his brother’s head. “Haldir, brother, we are here. Do not cry, brother, for it makes us cry. Be happy that you are alive and well.”

“Mankoi?” Haldir choked. “Amin mankoi?”

Neither the brothers nor I could answer his question, and through the night we held him, rocked him and comforted him as best we could until he fell asleep, his tears leaving sparking trails against his cheeks in the light of Ithil. 

Author Notes: Two parts in one. Since scroll 7 is so short, I decided to add in Scroll 8. ^-^

Enjoy!