Daughter of Mirkwood [Lord of the Rings | Haldir]

Chapter 20

Of Waiting, Of Hoping

Of one thing, Elrond was most certainly right. Rest and time to themselves was far more beneficial than anything else. So it was that the next several weeks went a long way toward mending the gap between Aeslin and Haldir.

All their time was spent together, and eventually, each revealed the new and deep wounds that now scarred their souls. Revelations of guilt and grief and sorrow were brought to light, and Aeslin and Haldir alike struggled to come to terms with the events of Helm's Deep. It was hard, and more than once the couple took their frustrations and pain out on each other, but such tensions always ended up resolving themselves, usually ending with one, the other or both to unburden their hearts, allowing them to reach a new understanding of each other's experience. It was deeply cathartic, and healing soon followed, allowing those wounds to begin to fade. Imladris proved itself once again to be a sanctuary. However, the idyllic respite was not to last.

Aeslin learned the morning after their arrival in Imladris that Arwen had departed for the harbour, something that troubled the healer. Aragorn had told her of this, but she hadn't believed it. She still couldn't fathom Arwen leaving him behind. As it turned out, she was partially right.

A few days after she learned of Arwen's journey, she and Haldir were taking a leisurely afternoon in the library. They were perfectly content to sit together and read to each other in the sunlight, when they were disturbed by a faint commotion in the courtyard just outside. Sitting up, Aeslin peered out across the lawn to the terrace adjacent Elrond's study. She stood when she saw Arwen, clad in a flowing silver-blue gown, bearing down on her father. They were just far enough away that the healer could not make out their words, but it was perfectly clear that Arwen was upset and Elrond verging on despondency from their tones and their postures alone. After a moment, the raised voices quieted, and Elrond sank down onto the chair behind him, Arwen sinking down in front of him.

Slowly, Aeslin began to move toward the entrance to the Library, only for Haldir to reach out, halting her as his hand found hers.

"Perhaps it is best to leave them for a time." She saw the wisdom in his words, but still Aeslin longed to go to her friends. After a moment, she allowed Haldir to pull her back to the chaise where they had been sitting. Still, worry beset Aeslin; something troubled Arwen and Elrond. Though she had her suspicions, she could not be sure just what.

***

Soon enough, Aeslin was presented with the opportunity to speak with Arwen. She was sitting in the garden just beside the Library when, upon glancing up, she caught sight of her friend among the shelves. Standing, she passed under the arch that led inside, pausing to watch the older elf for a moment.

"I thought you had left for the Harbour?" Arwen started when she heard Aeslin's soft voice, spinning to face the younger elf.

"Aeslin? I thought... I did not realize you had come to Imladris!"

"I did not realize you had left. Why did you go, Arwen? And why did you come back?" Arwen dropped her gaze looking almost ashamed.

"I was afraid, and I lost faith. I began to doubt my decision to give up my heritage, to give up myself to time and eventually death. But then I caught a glimpse of my future, and just what I was risking. I saw my son..." Her voice trailed off, thick with regret. Aeslin unconsciously raised a hand to her belly, where her own child was growing. Sympathy flowed through her.

It was then that Aeslin saw the books in Arwen's hands. "What are you looking for?" As she raised her head, Arwen's face held a determination that made Aeslin uneasy, and for the first time she noticed a fervent light in her friend's eyes.