Found By Lailonniel Chapter I: Spring Dawn had arrived. The first rays of the sun began peeking out over the horizon, causing the Mallorn trees to glow a brilliant gold. A warm breeze gently whispered through the trees, and a majestic hawk soared through the amber sky. Haldir paced nervously back and forth below Alexa’s talan. He knew he was due back at the borders, but he needed to speak with her before he left. He looked up at her talan and sighed. ~How am I going to ask her?~ he thought nervously. ~Will she even agree to my request?~ The Spring Festival of Lothlòrien was in a week’s time. Haldir desperately wanted Alexa to attend with him, but he was unsure if she would attend at all. She was typically not one to enjoy this type of event. He sighed. For all he knew, another Elf may have already asked her. He gazed up at her talan, his heart heavy. They had been spending a great deal of time together, but he was still unsure of where he stood with her. ~What am I going to do if she is already attending with another? I have heard other Elven men talking about her. Could one of them have already asked her?~ He shook his head. ~This is absurd! I am acting like a lovesick youth,~ he thought, annoyed with himself. ~The only way I am going to know anything is if I go and ask her.~ He turned and marched up the stairs to Alexa’s talan. When he reached her door, he hesitated for only a second before knocking. After a moment, the door opened slightly and Alexa peered out. Her eyes brightened when she saw him. “Haldir,” she said in surprise. She opened the door and smiled. “What brings you here this morning?” Haldir stared at her, completely speechless. She was only wearing a loose, sleeveless nightgown, and her lightly tousled hair hung loose about her shoulders. He thought she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. “I…” he stammered. “I wanted to ask you something, but I can return later,” he said, still staring at her. She smiled at him. “No. Come in.” She moved aside so he could enter. Haldir waked by her and entered the talan. He heard her shut the door behind him. She walked by him, and he sucked in his breath as she lightly brushed against him. He knew it was unintentional, but it still made his heart pound. She turned and smiled at him. “Please sit, Haldir,” she said motioning to a chair. “I am going to dress, and I will return in a moment.” He nodded and watched her as she turned away. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw the deep scars on her back, for much of her back was revealed by the nightgown. He walked over to her as she stopped to pick up her over robe from a chair. “Did Dargon do this to you?” he asked softly, as he lightly touched her back. She stiffened and quickly pulled on her robe. Haldir immediately regretted his question, but did not know how to apologize for it. He was surprised when she answered him. “Yes,” she said softly and moved towards the bedchamber. Haldir caught her from behind, and wrapped his arms around her. He held her close and lightly kissed her neck. “They do not matter to me, love,” he whispered. She gently pulled away from him. “I will return in a moment,” she said quietly and went into the bedchamber. He sighed and sat in a chair near the door. He felt horrible for hurting her, and he hoped he had not destroyed what trust she had in him. She had a very difficult time trusting people, and he was furious with himself for violating the trust it had taken him so long to earn. He stood as she emerged from her chamber. She was wearing a dark blue shirt with black pants, and her hair was pulled back into a loose braid. A few loose strands of hair framed her pale face. She gave him a tentative smile and sat in the chair opposite him. He sat down and began to apologize, but she spoke first. “What brings you here so early, Haldir? I thought you were due back at the borders today.” He sighed quietly. She always changed the subject whenever anything difficult arose. He wanted to apologize but decided that it would be best to forgo it, and ask her what he came to ask her. “I am, but I wanted to ask you something before I left.” “Oh, what is it, Haldir?” He looked into her blue eyes. He would be surprised if she agreed to go anywhere with him now, but he would ask her nonetheless. He took a deep breath and began. “The Spring Festival is in a week, and I wanted to ask you if you would do me the honor of accompanying me.” He saw the surprise cross her face. “Unless you have made other arrangements, of course,” he added. She smiled at him. “I would love to accompany you, Haldir.” He stared at her in shock for a moment, unable to speak. “You would?” he asked weakly, when he finally regained his voice. “Of course,” she replied. She smiled shyly at him. “There is no one else that I would rather go with.” He grinned at her. “I will meet you on the balcony that overlooks the garden that morning.” She nodded and smiled. “That will be fine, Haldir. I shall be looking forward to it all week.” “So will I,” he said, a huge smile on his face. He slowly rose. “I must return to the borders now, Alexa, for I am overdue at my post,” he said, his voice tinged with regret. She nodded, and he moved towards the door. “Haldir,” she said softly. He stopped and turned to look at her. She walked over and gently kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her waist as he returned her kiss. She began to lightly run her fingers through his hair, causing him to shudder and pull her closer to him. After a long moment, she drew back and looked into his eyes. “Be careful,” she whispered, her eyes dark. He lightly ran his knuckles along her cheek. “I will, love. I will see you in a week.” She nodded and he walked out the door quickly, while he still could. The door shut quietly behind him. He turned back and looked at her talan, his heart racing. “I love you Alexa,” he whispered and began to make his way to the borders. * * * Haldir arrived at the borders a short while after he had left Alexa’s talan. He quickly climbed up to the flet where his brothers were waiting. “Haldir,” Orophin said. “We were beginning to wonder if you were going to join us.” “I apologize. I had something I had to do first,” Haldir replied. Rumil smiled mischievously. “Stopping to see a certain elleth, brother?” he teased. “Perhaps,” Haldir answered cryptically. “Perhaps? Admit it, Haldir. You stopped to see Alexa,” Rumil said smugly. Haldir sighed in defeat. “Yes, Rumil. I asked her to accompany me to the festival.” “And what did the lady say?” Orophin asked, grinning. “She agreed to attend with me,” Haldir replied. “Well, I for one am glad to hear it, brother,” Rumil said. “It is high time the two of you attended a common affair together.” Haldir grinned. “Indeed. Now, I believe we have a job to do, do we not?” Rumil and Orophin smiled and held up their hands in surrender. Haldir grinned at them and turned his attention to the horizon. His eyes roamed the forest, and his bow was ever ready for any sign of danger. He was in better spirits now that Alexa had agreed to attend the festival with him. He smiled as he thought of her kiss. Perhaps she did love him as he loved her. He sighed. Only time would tell.