The Pentanath: Adventures in the Avathar
A Posthumous Writing of The Watcher of Tol Eressea
Chapter 19: Book 3 - Love Declared
by Sienna Dawn

Later that night, they had gone to Lisse's library where she kept the ledgers for the farm. Soon, a fiery argument erupted over their so-called business arrangements.

Lisse knew that eventually Eadendir would ask to see the Hall's ledgers, and he had every legal right to do so as he was still considered her guardian and guardianship of the Hall fell to him. If Haldir had truly been her business partner, then she well knew that the ledgers should have contained entries as to his method of profit, his expenditures, and all of the detailed information pertinent to one who ran and managed a farm. Her own actions, purchases and sales were carefully recorded in the ledgers. But the trouble was that Haldir's name appeared nowhere. All of the purchases were made in her name since the creditors in the region extended accounts in her name only. She had never thought of adding Haldir and Haldir had never asked to be included.

This was a very difficult situation. Forging a Ledger was out of the question, for not only was it considered a great wrong, but was actually illegal in all of Aman. So, how to explain to Eadendir why Haldir's name was nowhere to be seen? She knew that once he inspected the ledgers it would be the first question on his lips.

Haldir and Lisse had discussed this situation well into the late evening hours, Haldir arguing to leave things alone and to tell Eadendir basically the truth: that Haldir made all sales, purchases and profits in her name. Lisse, on the other hand, thought this idea unsound, leaving Eadendir to assume many things. Haldir always advised it best to not anticipate too much and explained he personally felt uncomfortable with lying to the old elf.

At this Lisse had finally snarled in frustration, "Since when have you been so honorable?"

Haldir stiffened at her words. "I remind you, my Lady, that this is your ruse, not mine." His eyes had flared then. "Mayhap 'tis best I separate myself from these proceedings?" His eyebrow had arched.

Lisse, knowing he had a good point, sighed, "Oh, I am sorry, Haldir."

Haldir gave her a brief look but said nothing. Yet, the argument continued until Haldir raised his hand, "Enough. It is illegal to maintain false ledgers, Lisse. I will not condone this."

Lisse could barely speak, so angry had she become at his insinuation, "I know that and that is not what I am suggesting! You are the most insufferable elf I have ever known."

Haldir shrugged, "Then, perhaps we should call off our little arrangement, no?" His eyes locked with Lisse's.

Tired of arguing, Lisse nodded, "Perhaps."

And so, like this, they had left things, each retiring to their chambers, each locked within their own thoughts.

It was sometime later that Lisse began to dream. Her dreams quickly escalated into nightmares, a thing unusual for elves. In dreams she saw dark and shadow and it pursued her, slaying not only her Grandfather but Haldir as well. Tossing in her sleep, locked in the nightmare, she screamed and sat upright.

Her chest heaved and she looked around, suddenly aware that someone was tapping on her chamber door, urgently calling her name. Grandfather.

"I am alright," she called from the bed, swinging her legs down and crossing to unlatch the door. Opening it, she saw Eadendir holding a flickering candle and Haldir standing behind him. "I am alright," she repeated wearily.

Eadendir looked into Lisse's face. In the light of the candle he could see she was pale. "You called out."

Lisse sighed, " "Twas a dream, nothing more." She reassured the old elf with a smile and then turned her gaze to Haldir. She saw he watched her with a grave face. "Nothing more than a dream," she added.

Ushering both elves out, Lisse returned to bed and soon was fast asleep again.

Exactly one level above Lisse's chamber, Haldir stood in the balcony of his own bedroom, sleep alluding him. His thoughts were fixed on Lisse. The fresh night air fanned his face and hair. Strong hands grasped the rails and tensed with frustration. Lisse was beginning to wear him down. Suddenly, the soft aroma of linden flower delicately wafted past him. He groaned with sexual and emotional frustration. Linden was his favorite scent, and he knew that Lisse had recently taken to washing her hair and body with the fragrant oil.

His eyes wandered past the farmland, his thoughts centered on Lisse and his feelings. He had agreed to help her in this ruse, but was now beginning to realize he should have listened to his inner voice. This ruse would not work on the old elf, Eadendir, and may even make things worse in the long run. His desire to help Lisse had blinded him. And now, he realized, he was bound to his promise to help her. Yet, there were some things he would not do. Then, he sighed, there were his feelings for her. Feelings he knew he had no right to feel, or even hope she would feel for him. Why? he asked himself. Why torture them both? He could not give her what she needed: a safe and stable relationship. His life was now too complicated for that. He wondered then, would she understand once she knew?

The gentle night air fanned his face as if in answer. Smiling a sad smile, Haldir turned to go inside but was suddenly stopped by the sound of a deep keening that came on the wind. Focusing on the sound he tried to discover its origin. In moments he had located the source of the wailing.

Lifting his eyes toward the ceiling above him, he whispered, "Lisse". In seconds, he had vaulted to the ledge above him, following the weeping sound. Moments later he had found Lisse's chamber and saw that her balcony door was open. Stepping gingerly down, he silently entered her room.

He saw her then, tossing and moaning on the bed, in the grip of a nightmare. Suddenly, the moaning turned to weeping.

From the open balcony door, starlight partially covered her sleeping form. Haldir saw that Lisse was leaning back against the wide pillows. The cool night air fanned her body, nipples straining stiffly against her thin chemise.

Haldir felt his body stiffen with desire. He realized she was far lovelier than he had given her credit for. A sad keen escaped Lisse and she cried softly in her sleep. Chiding himself, his heart softening, Haldir walked silently toward Lisse and he sat on the edge of the bed beside her and caressed the silky golden hair. With a start, Lisse awakened and looked into his face. She was neither startled or surprised to see him sitting beside her.

"What ails you, Lisse?" He asked her sweetly. One hand still caressed the blonde locks, the other cupped her face.

Lisse closed her eyes for a moment. " 'Twas nothing, a night-dream of a long buried memory, 'tis all." She leaned back into the pillows, unaware that the outline of her breasts were clearly visible to Haldir's eyes, while he struggled to focus on her face only.

Haldir continued to stroke her hair and saw Lisse's eyes raise to his face. In their depths he saw the glimmer of an emotion he had never thought she would feel for him and he smiled tenderly. "Night dreams tend to fade with light. Shall I fetch a lamp?" His voice was intimate. He had never used that tone with her before. This astounded Lisse who shook her head.

"Nay, Haldir. 'Twill pass." His gentleness was a thing she had not counted on and that, combined with the dream, which was the recollection of the day he nearly drowned, brought a tear to her eyes. Slowly, the tear cascaded down Lisse's cheek.

Haldir was stunned. He would never have expected tears from her, and because they were so unexpected, he had no defense against them and they melted his soul. Taking her into his arms, he held her to him, rocking her gently, hushing her, caressing her hair and her back.

"Hush, sweet," he rocked Lisse tenderly, his arms encircling her completely, her head buried in his chest. "Hush, there is no need to weep. Dreams fade with time." Rocking her, Haldir felt Lisse relax in his arms. He smiled happily and closed his eyes.

Slowly, Lisse calmed and raised her head a little. Suddenly, Haldir felt a gentle kiss on his neck. "Thank you." Lisse whispered, her breath caressing the base of his throat. "I dreamt you were drowning again, but this time I could not bring you to surface. I could not find you, Haldir!" Her voice broke and she cried again.

Once more, Haldir hushed her and spoke words of reassurance, telling her the dream was but a memory. She was pressed to his side and Lisse could hear the steady beat of Haldir's heart. The memory of the dream and the feeling of loss still fresh in her mind.

Suddenly, tears coursed down her face and the words escaped her before she could stop them. "Oh, sweet Varda!" She broke from Haldir's embrace and raised her tear-filled eyes to his face. "I could not find you! And I love you so, Haldir...I love you so and I could not find you!"

The words out, Lisse gasped in shock and her eyes widened, filling once more. Mortification and shame lined her face, the emotions raging free and she turned away from Haldir.

Haldir had not reacted immediately, not trusting himself completely just then. But it took him only a moment to realize the enormity of her declaration and its consequences for the both of them.

Reaching for Lisse, he frowned when she pulled away from him. "Lisse," he whispered, his voice becoming thick with emotion. He was finding it hard to breathe.

"Nay," she responded bitterly, hiding her face from him, "leave me, Haldir. I have made a fool of myself this night."

Haldir could hear the pain in her voice. "Sweeting, listen to me," and he reached for Lisse's arm, turning her round to face him. They still sat on the bed. Lisse would not look at Haldir and she lowered her chin.

"Look at me, meleth." His voice dropped to a soft whisper.

Lisse gasped, realizing he had used the ancient Sindarin word for "love". Her swollen eyes raised to his face. She saw they glittered with a strange emotion. Lowering her eyes, Lissed sighed raggedly.

" 'Tis no sin to love, Lisse." His eyes were radiant silver. His hand caressed her face, his fingers tracing her lips, his mouth breaking into a gentle smile. Reaching below her chin, Haldir brought her head up. "Look at me, sweeting."

Their eyes met in an thunderous moment of emotion. Memories of years past, of love unfulfilled, echoed in their minds and all things were forgotten in that one instant of recognition.

Haldir saw Lisse's face shed the doubt she had long harbored there, and he in turn showed her with his eyes and smile what she had desired for so many years. Yet, she needed to hear him voice the words.

Her hand trembling, Lisse reached to caress Haldir's face and she asked him wonderingly, "Is your heart then not bound elsewhere?"

Haldir smiled and was about to reply when an abrupt harsh knock followed by a booming, 'LISSE NYERE!" rent the stillness of the night.

~*~*~*~

The loud crash against the door came again, followed by a furious banging. "LISSE!" A voice boomed at the other end of the locked chamber door. "LISSE NYERE!"

The couple on the bed reacted as if a shower of cold water had been dropped upon them.

Haldir choked on his own breath and began to cough furiously, and Lisse turned wide eyes toward the door, at first her mind uncomprehending.

The pounding came again, the door shook with the intensity of the assault, "LISSE!" The voice boomed once more.

Finally able to draw a breath without gagging, Haldir looked at Lisse. Cupping her face, she turned frightened eyes toward him. "Hush," he smiled, "'Tis only your Grandfather." He turned slightly away as the pounding and demands to open the door continued.

Sitting at the edge of the bed, Haldir contemplated the door and then Lisse. He could see she was in shock, "Your weeping was likely the culprit that drew him here." He smiled as Lisse looked at him silently. Leaning over to her, he placed a fond kiss on her forehead, "It is well, meleth, we have done nothing wrong"

The pounding on the door had subsided somewhat, but the latch was being pulled. He turned to Lisse.

She sat straight in bed, the sheets high against her chin, her eyes focused on the door. It was then she spoke, "Do not open that door!" Her gaze turned to Haldir who was crossing the chamber intending on doing just that.

Her words stopped him. Frowning, he looked at her. She seemed frightened and something else he could not quite decipher. "Why not?" He asked, "If we do not open the door, Eadendir will convince himself I have devoured you!"

Lisse gave Haldir a glare, "Has it not occurred to you that you are in my chamber, alone!?"

"LISSE!" Eadendir's voice boomed again, " Open this door!"

"Well, if we do not open this door soon, Lisse, it will be that much more difficult to explain my presence here." Haldir retorted.

Shooting Lisse a backward glance, Haldir reached for the latch and unlocked the door. Immediately, the door swung open and Eadendir marched inside, holding a candle, two wide-eyed servants standing in the hallway outside.

Haldir crossed his arms and waited.

Eadendir looked around him, the dishevelled bed, and Lisse's face. He studied her for a moment and then slowly turned to Haldir. "I will have you banished from Eressea for this!" His voice was cold. Looking once at Lisse, he quickly strode out of the room, the bewildered servants bowing quickly before the open door and hastily beating a retreat back to their own chambers.

Slowly, Haldir closed the door and threw the lock.

Unperturbed by Eadendir's threat, Haldir turned and looked at Lisse. "What now, sweeting?" Haldir asked patiently.

Lisse was still looking at the door thoughtfully, "I do not think our ruse worked, Haldir." she turned her face to him.

Haldir crossed over to the bedstand and lit a candle. "That is most obvious," he observed dryly. Leaving the candle, Haldir crossed to the balcony doors and partially closed one, noticing the first lavender-colored tendrils of dawn were weaving themselves into the sky.

Haldir returned to bed and took Lisse gently by the arms. Carefully he studied her face. "Do you feel well?"

Lisse frowned slightly, "Yes," she answered quickly, and then saw his bemused expression, "I feel well enough, Haldir" she smiled shyly and lowered her gaze when she noticed his was growing darker. "I am worried now that Grandfather thinks we are lovers." She knew that Haldir was very adept at turning around a conversation and really didn't wish to speak of her words of moments before.

Haldir remained impassive at her outburst, "I do not see why he should." He smiled, "I am, after all, fully dressed."

Lisse snorted in disgust, "This is not funny and I am not surprised this does not bother you at all."

Haldir came to the side of the bed and contemplated Lisse before smoothing her hair, "I know there is nothing humorous about this situation and I understand the implications of my presence in your room. But as I said before, we have done nothing wrong and all your Grandfather needs do is gaze upon your eyes to know the truth of what happened, or did not happen, here this night."

Lisse nodded slowly, she knew Haldir was right. But she also knew Eadendir would use any weapon at his disposal to be rid of Haldir. What she did not understand is why her Grandfather hated Haldir so.

"Haldir?" Lisse murmured and saw that Haldir was still watching her.

"Yes?" His voice was soft, softer than she had ever heard before.

"If I asked you a question, would you answer it?" Her eyes were wide with trust.

Haldir reached out his hand, suddenly conscious of her declaration of love for him and smiled, caressing her cheek. "I would answer with all my heart, meleth."

Lisse smiled, "Lorien speech, do all Lorien elves speak this way?" Her lips broke into a small but guileless smile.

Haldir smiled in return but did not respond, waiting for Lisse to ask her question, in his heart dreading what that would be and half guessing what it may be.

Lisse pondered for a moment, knowing she had opened this door and must now walk past, no matter how much pain it brought her. She could not continue with Haldir while questions and issues remained unsettled between them. The trust that they so delicately wrought between them hung in the balance.

Fixing her eyes on his face, she began. "Why did you leave me?" she aked softly, her eyes misting.

There it is, thought Haldir. He had guessed correctly. Dear Varda, Sweet Lady of Light, give me the words to explain, he thought desperately.

Haldir sat back against the headboard, his long legs resting on the bed, his eyes fixed on a distant spot before him. "I did not leave you, Lisse" he answered gently and then turned his gaze to her face, seeing the uncertainty, the questions and pain reflected in the blue depths.

"Come, sweeting, there are many things I must say." He opened his arms and she snuggled beneath his strong embrace, cocooned within the tight circle of the safety he brought her.

And Haldir began to speak.

Haldir told Lisse many things. He told her of his first meeting of Min, their growing love, a chaste love which had never ventured beyond a kiss or a touch. Haldir told Lisse how Eadendir had disapproved of the match, seeking Manwe to have their union forbidden. He spoke quietly and sadly, sometimes stroking Lisse's hair and looking deeply into her face, at other times sighing deeply. Haldir told Lisse of Manwe's doom and how his heart had failed him on that fateful day and his anguish over it. His eyes sought hers each time Min's name was mentioned and Haldir, seeing no condemnation in Lisse's gaze, continued, seeking her understanding and forgiveness. He told her all. All, except the one thing Lisse burned to know most of all: why had he left her? Then, once, Haldir took Lisse's hand and planted a gentle kiss there, still holding it before continuing.

Lisse listened, sometimes looking down at Haldir's strong, large hand, which held hers gently. She could feel its warmth, she could see the truth of his words in his eyes. That he had suffered she had no doubt, and she found that slowly her anger turned to pain and then to understanding. Haldir was a complex elf and if she was to love him then she would need to accept this. Long years of fighting shadow and evil had shaped him and she knew his heart was not easily tamed. Then, she mused, would Haldir's heart ever be tamed and would she want it that way? Haldir did not yield easily, she realized, but when he did yield, he did so with joy and gladness. If she was to love him, then she could not force him, for warriors as he came to love not easily and seldom gave their hearts without much battle first. Somehow, instinctively, Lisse came to understand this about Haldir and slowly also came the realization that it was this difference, this unyielding spirit that Haldir possessed, which made him a threat to Eadendir.

Looking into the silver gaze that bored into her, Lisse suddenly understood what had so drawn her mother to this enigmatic elf. His heart, untamed, wild, untouched.

Unthinkingly, Lisse slipped one hand from Haldir's grasp and caressed his face, slowly tracing the jawline, then his mouth, silencing him. Haldir's bright eyes watched Lisse and slowly darkened.

"Hush," she said. Her cool blue eyes gazed into eyes the color of moonlight. "There is no need to speak more, meleth. I understand." Her voice became soft, intimate. Her earlier words of love for Haldir came back to her but now she did not feel so ashamed of their revelation. Her lips broke into a warm smile and her eyes dropped to Haldir's mouth, where her finger still traced its shape. Lowering her head, Lisse placed a gentle kiss on Haldir's lips, hearing him sharply gasp.

Suddenly, Haldir turned and faced her, his hands grasping her forearms. "Lisse...." he said, his voice ragged. "You tempt me..." his eyes dropped to her lips and then raised to her eyes. Here she was, in his arms, soft, pliant, willing. His own need for her, his love and desire, threatened to break free of the iron control he had imposed upon himself.

Lisse looked at Haldir. His eyes dark, but he still held himself in check. "There is more I would tell you, meleth. Everything betweeen us must be revealed. There are some things we must clear between us."

Lisse smiled and breathed deeply, breaking the passion-filled moment. "Very well." She sat back and watched Haldir. "But let me ask you a thing, Haldir. Why did you leave?" she asked the question again, but this time there was no rancor in her voice.

Relief flooded through Haldir. Speaking, as he had, telling her of the past, what had occurred between him and her mother had been difficult, and he had known the fear of losing Lisse.

"I would have you know this first, my sweet. What I did or failed to do was done for what I believed was duty and sacrifice. I am a warrior, Lisse. I follow the warrior's code. " His eyes entreated hers, " My life has been lived by that code. When Manwe passed his doom, I could not dispute it, nor was I going to disobey the Valar."

Haldir saw Lisse nod, and this encouraged him, "I make no excuses, do you understand?" His fair face was anxious, worried, dreading what he was about to tell her.

Lisse nodded, "Yes, I understand." her voice was low, quiet.

"Once your grandfather bade me leave your mother and I refused, his response was to seek Manwe's counsel. After Manwe passed his doom, many things happened quickly. Min was married to your father, and although from all reports I gathered, she did not suffer under him, her mind did not seek the light and she began to fade. I tended my traps but kept watch." Lisse saw Haldir's eyes begin to glitter and he briefly closed his eyes before going on. It was obvious he was trying to control his emotions.

Clearing his throat, Haldir continued in a low voice. "Then came the night you were born, Lisse," and he turned to look at her, giving her a small, sad smile. "And then Min was no more. In a moment, an instant, her life was no more." He turned toward Lisse now, looking her full in the face. "I came to Guve Hall the night you were born. Without knowing why, I knew I had to come."

Shaking his head slowly in remembrance, Haldir lowered his eyes. "I found everything in chaos. Your mother's spirit had gone to Mandos, her body was cold in death and your father was raving about a black shadow. Only you were important, only you mattered." He smiled and stroked her hair. Lisse's eyes were luminous, staring at Haldir in rapt attention. She had never known this.

"Madness reigned in Guve that night." Haldir rubbed his eyes and then looked down at Lisse. He could see his words were causing shock and he realized with a jolt she had never been told this. He stroked her soft blonde hair. But Lisse grabbed his wrist and pulled it down from her head. Her eyes were wide.

"You? You saved me that night and brought me to Grandfather's house? It was you?" Lissed asked incredulously, shock and affirmation of long-held suspicions crowding her mind and heart. She owed her life to Haldir!

Haldir nodded, "Aye, I brought you to the House of the Elms, only..." he began but Lisse cut him off.

"I have spoken to some of my mother's waiting maids. They told me many things -- that my father lost his reason that night -- that he wanted to give me to Ulmo." Her voice dropped, sad. "He wanted me to go to the sea." she added softly, one single tear rolling down her cheek. "But no one ever told me it was you who saved me from that fate." Her eyes lifted to his. "Thank you, Haldir." she said the words very softly.

Haldir brought her into his arms, his face grave. "There is naught to thank me for. I failed Min once, I was not going to fail her daughter. No matter what it took." His arms tightened about Lisse and he rested his chin atop her head. He could feel her shudder. "Cry if you must, little one." he said softly, "for tears cleanse the soul."

But Lisse did not cry and instead raised her head. "But how did you get past my father? Melaniel was my mother's midwife, and she said my father snatched me from her arms and ran to from the house!"

Haldir smiled sadly and nodded, "Aye...he did. But I followed."

Although he did not say so, Lisse guessed that Haldir and her father must have battled that night high upon the marshlands. "Did you slay him?" she asked Haldir slowly.

Haldir shook his head, "Nay, that was not my intent. I only sought to take you from his arms. Odomil was holding you high over his head, threatening to drop you to the cliffs below." He saw Lisse's face drain of color. Taking her hands he said softly, "That was long ago, sweeting."

Lisse shook her head and replied firmly, "Tell me all."

Haldir sighed but continued, "I aimed for his legs and swung low. He stumbled but did not drop you. He placed you on that cold, wet marsh, a babe of only a few hours." Haldir's voice grew harsh at this thought and his eyes glazed briefly before finishing the tale. "In one thrust his blade struck me in the shoulder and he turned and fled, leaving you behind. I returned to Guve Hall with you, there to be swaddled warmly, and that same night brought you to the House of the Elms. Of your father, Odomil, I learned nothing more."

Lisse drew a ragged sigh. "This I had not known. Why would this be kept from me?"

Haldir shrugged slighly, "I do not know, sweeting."

"Did Grandfather know all of this, Haldir?"

Haldir's eyes worriedly looked at Lisse but he answered truthfully, "Aye, he knew."

Then Lisse looked at Haldir again, "What did you do then?"

Haldir pondered for a moment. He decided to tell her all.

"Eadendir made it most clear my presence was not desired and I left. I went back to my traps, to my grove. I had many years to think it all through, and many times I felt that Min's passing was upon my head, her blood upon my hands." He saw Lisse was about to protest, but he shook his head and leaned nearer to her, "No, do not interrupt, or I fear this shall never be said and it must."

Closing his eyes briefly, Haldir continued, his voice sad and low. Opening his eyes, he anchored them onto Lisse's face, "When your mother passed, I realized I would never love again. I shunned everyone. It was the only way to survive," his eyes grew distant. "at least for me."

Lisse listened, her eyes never leaving Haldir's face. She could see the strain on his fair and aristocratic features.

Straightening, Haldir sighed, looking at Lisse, seeing no anger in her face.

Smiling a little sadly, Haldir went on. "Time passed, wounds healed and then one day you came."

Haldir saw Lisse grin. He chuckled, "You were a surprise, Lisse. At first, I thought you nothing more than a child, and then," Haldir's eyes warmed, "then I realized you were no child. Slowly, your spirit touched mine and before I knew, before I could understand, I knew I cared for you."

At Haldir's declaration, Lisse's eyes flashed with a strong emotion. He cared for her. Cared, but did not say loved. She felt a dull pain in her heart, for a sudden understanding was beginning to seep into her mind. Yet, she let him continue undeterred, "Yet, your Grandfather did not approve of me, nor of my kind....exiles, he calls us." Haldir explained.

"He wanted your happiness, and did not think it lay with me. He came to me, one day, asked me to understand, asked me to leave your life. And so, to avoid you pain or sundering between you and your kin, I left." Haldir's voice was very still now.

"You once said I was a coward, and you are right, I am." His grey eyes darkened with guilt.

Lisse shook her head, "No, you are no coward." She reached and stroked his face again. She saw him close his eyes. "If anything, you have been much wronged, but you are no coward."

Lisse continued to stroke Haldir's face and saw his eyes open and fix on her gaze. Slowly, understanding was beginning to come to her. She smiled gently, "I may be young in comparison to you, Haldir, but I am not blind."

Turning to face Haldir, Lisse cupped his face for a moment and smiled. Then she dropped her hand away from his face and sat back against the headboard. Now she understood many things, but above all, she understood he did not love her. Oh, he cared for her, Lisse realized, but not in the manner she had hoped. Not in the way she had declared to him. Suddenly, she felt cold and foolish, a deep pain in her heart spreading like a flame with each breath that she took.

Sighing, for his nearness caused her pain, Lisse spoke carefully. "I am grateful, Haldir, for your honesty. For telling me everything." She dared not face him, not until she had her emotions under control.

"Some things I had suspected," her voice was beginning to grow steadier. "Some things you have confirmed." She felt almost in control again. "And some things you revealed for the first time."

Now she felt in total control and she raised her eyes to his. "It must have been so very painful for you, having to deal with me, a reminder of a love lost. I am sorry, Haldir. I did not mean to cause you pain."

Haldir frowned slightly, a sign Lisse mistook for annoyance at being reminded of a past hurt. "You did not cause me pain, Lisse." He began, but she cut him off by swinging her legs off the bed and walking to the chamber door, unlatching it and then turning to him.

" 'Tis near dawn. We must make ready for my Grandfather's accusations, for they will surely come."

Haldir stood and looked at Lisse, carefully analyzing her features. What had just happened? He saw an iciness in her stare which he had never seen before. He was not certain he understood this change in her. What had happened to the Lisse of moments before? In his mind he quickly calculated but found nothing.

"Lisse," he began, his eyes troubled, but she stared him into silence.

Opening the chamber door, Lisse smiled at Haldir but the warmth of the smile did not reach her eyes. She needed for him to leave before she crumpled into a heap of pain and tears.

"I will come down in a short while."

Not understanding this sudden change, but also somewhat annoyed at the inconsistent manner in which her emotions went from high to low, Haldir murmured a brief goodbye and quickly exited the room.

But, judging from the violently slammed door behind him, he guessed she was not finished with him yet.

~*~*~*~

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Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work.
Painting is taken from John William Waterhouse's "Miranda", 1875.

Graphics copyrighted Cari Buziak