Isilwen had dashed to the bed to make sure Elrond was all right after the Uruk-hai leader Tallanz flung him across the room. Elrond put up a hand, indicating that he was fine, but she sat down beside him anyway, looking into his dark green eyes with deep concern. They watched as Haldir killed Tallanz with a deadly stroke. Isilwen turned to speak his praises to Elrond, but it was then that he kissed her.

It was not in her to push Elrond away. She gave in to his kiss, wishing that all the passion she had stored up for him for the past five hundred years would manifest itself, but it never came. Kissing Elrond was nothing like kissing Haldir. Without a doubt she knew then that Haldir was truly the one that she wanted.

When the kiss ended, Elrond smiled at her. "I have not forgotten your words in the library yesterday. I have thought upon them deeply."

Isilwen felt her cheeks heat up. "I…that is… Haldir…"

"Haldir is gone."

Alarm coursed through her. Haldir had seen Elrond kissing her and had left. Isilwen jumped up from the bed. "I must go after him!"

"But why, Isilwen? Would you not share a few moments with me?"

She turned around and stared at Elrond in disbelief. Was he asking for her now, just when she had finally begun to get over her mad obsession with him? How ironic, and even more so that it should throw cold water over her small connection to Haldir. She did not know what to tell Elrond, but from the expression on her face she knew that he understood.

"I see, Isilwen. Truly, it is Haldir you desire now?"

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Elrond looked amused. "I imagine he feels the same, from the way he stormed out of here."

"Or…or perhaps he was just eager to help with the battle in the banquet hall. We should go, too."

She looked around for her sword. It was on the floor next to the bed. She picked it up. It was dripping with brown, putrid Uruk-hai blood. The blood dripped down onto the floor and she gasped.

"Are you all right?"

"I've ruined your floor…"

"I think the dozen corpses did that before you. Isilwen, do not worry about it." Elrond stood up and went to her side. He touched her hair gently. "It is better that we should not become intimate now…but know this. If you ever need anything, you may always come to me. Always."

"Thank you, Lord Elrond," she whispered.

"I fear that Haldir will break your tender heart."

"I have the same fear," she admitted. "Yet I will take the risk."

He nodded. "Perhaps he returns your feelings. He has never been jealous with his lovers. That he should leave at the sight of us kissing surprises me."

"Perhaps I will break his heart," Isilwen said in a light tone.

"Forgive me if I say that I do not wish to see that, either. There is far more to Haldir of Lorien than what one sees on the surface. Treat him gently, and may he do the same to you."

"Thank you," she replied.

"Come, indeed we should go to the banquet hall."

Elrond offered her his arm and she took it, walking with pride by his side down the corridor. Outside of the dining hall they met up with Gandalf and Faramir, and inside it she was relieved to see that the Uruk-hai had been defeated and that none of those she cared for had been harmed. Like all the Elves of Rivendell she would grieve for the eight Elven lives that had been lost.

Haldir refused to look at her. It hurt, she thought -- but she could understand. She could not blame him. As soon as Elrond gave her permission to go after him, she did, never mind the fact that Erestor was calling after her. She was very glad that her brother was still alive, but she could wait to speak with him until later, especially knowing that he was highly likely to forbid her from Haldir.

Isilwen chased the Marchwarden, calling his name as he strode down the hallway at twice her pace. He did not turn around at the sound of his name. He was faster than she was and it was all she could do to keep him in sight, never mind catch up to him. Finally he stopped at the door to his chamber. He opened the door and she thought he would disappear inside. Instead he turned around, folding his arms over his chest, and waited for her.

"Haldir!"

"Yes?" his tone was cold. He raised one eyebrow in a haughty manner.

"Why do you run away from me?" Isilwen said, her breath short.

The other eyebrow went up. "I do not run away from anything, most especially not females."

"Was it because Elrond kissed me?"

He paused for a long time, his expression hard. "Why should it matter to me who kisses you?" he said finally. "Elrond, my brothers -- lay with whomever you like."

"Your jealousy is flattering," Isilwen said. She was beginning to get irritated with him. "Yet not the least bit necessary. I did not invite his kiss, and I have not lain with Elrond, or your brothers, or anyone else for that matter. Nor do I wish to."

"There is far too much passion in you to choose a life of celibacy," Haldir said, but his tone seemed milder, as if her words were finally soothing his enormous ego.

"Perhaps I do not wish that, either."

A slow smile curved over his lips. His expression turned dangerous, but she lifted her chin. She refused to be afraid of him. "I told you that I desired you," he said. "That has not changed."

"I have not forgotten."

"Is this why you followed me, Isilwen? Have you come here seeking my bed?"

He made it sound so sordid, she thought. Elves were generally free with their sensuality, but his entire manner had begun to put her off. She did not wish to be one of his many bed-partners. She wanted to be the only one. And that, she thought, was probably an impossibility.

"It was," she said vaguely, hearing the sadness in her own voice. "But now I rather think I have changed my mind."

He frowned at her, and she turned away so he would not see the tears that were starting to form in her eyes. What kind of fool was she, desiring the wicked Marchwarden of Lothlorien? His heart was made of ice. Elrond was right. Haldir would break her heart and cast her aside.

He moved close to her, slipped his arms around her from behind and she shivered in his embrace. She tried to push away, but he would not let go of her. He bent and kissed her throat and her body pulsed with desire. If he went on this way she would not be able to think straight.

"Do you think I will let you change your mind so easily?" he whispered.

"Haldir, please let go of me."

"Only if you promise not to leave."

She thought about it for a moment, but as he was kissing her throat once more it was really difficult to think at all. She wanted those warm lips on her own. She wanted to give in and know him, but all her instinct fought against it. "I will not be your plaything."

Slowly he let go of her and stepped back. She turned around to face him, meeting his gaze. His eyes were as blue as a summer afternoon sky, and twice as seductive. He smiled again, more gently. She could sense some sort of tremulous emotion inside of him that she did not quite understand.

"No?" he said, but his tone was teasing rather than sarcastic. "You might rather enjoy it."

"I deserve better than that."

"So have all of those who have loved me," he said. His eyes clouded over and he looked away. "Perhaps you are right. You should go. I do not wish to hurt you, Isilwen."

"Is that what loving you means? Being hurt?"

He started to turn away and enter the room but at her question he stopped. He looked back at her over his shoulder. "Ask those who have loved me. The list is more brief than you might think."

Isilwen stood there, torn as to what she should do. She suddenly realized that he looked very tired. There were hollows under his eyes. He had been through much more than the rest of them. Believing his brothers dead and worrying about Legolas had taken their toll on him.

"You need to rest," she said softly. He opened his mouth to try to deny it but she slipped forward and held up a finger to his lips. "Shhh. Just lie down for now. Perhaps we will speak again later."

He stood there looking at her with naked longing on his face. She could see his mind in action, knew he was going to press her again to stay, when even moments before he had been telling her to go. Her heart pounded inside of her. She ought to turn around right now and leave before she got into trouble.

"Come sit with me for awhile," he said.

She glanced past him into the room. "You have no chair."

"You may sit on the bed."

"I--"

"I will not touch you if you do not desire it, Isilwen, but… please. Come in. Sit down. Keep me company."

Slowly she nodded. "All right."

Haldir held the door open for her, and when she stepped inside, he closed it behind her. He put down his sword and bow, then removed his boots. Isilwen perched nervously on the edge of the bed, wondering if he would be true to his word. Haldir sat down heavily beside her and smiled at her.

"Would you not be more comfortable if you took off your clothing?" she said.

He raised his damned eyebrow again. "Indeed I would. But would you not be more comfortable if I left it on?"

"I am trusting you not to force yourself on me no matter your state of dress," she said. "If you desire to relax without your clothing, my presence should not stop you."

"I believe it was your idea that I relax without my clothing."

"You agreed that it was a good idea." She bit her lip, wondering if she was not just making excuses so she might see him naked.

"You confuse me, Isilwen," he said tiredly, lying back on the bed. She turned towards him and pulled her feet up beneath her, staring down at him.

"Forgive me. I seem to be somewhat confused myself."

"I forgive you," he replied, closing his eyes.

She reached out and stroked his long golden hair. It was so beautiful, and soft, she thought, as if he spent a great deal of time brushing it. Even now, after all that had passed, it was scarcely rumpled. She caught a small strand and added another braid, neatly fitting it in with his others.

"I cannot recall the last time someone braided my hair," he said softly.

"You seem to take care of it very well on your own," she mused.

"I suppose. But it is still nice to have someone else do it. Why do you wear no braids?"

"My hair is too sleek. They do not stay in. I am too impatient to make them."

"Yet you do it so easily to mine."

"That is different."

"I suppose it is."

She let go of his hair and he opened his eyes. "You should rest," she said.

"I find it hard to rest when you are near. There are too many other things I would rather be doing."

"Then I should leave."

"Why should you, when you want these things too. We both want the same, Isilwen."

"And what is that?"

"Each other."

She sighed. "I suppose I would have promises of you that I do not believe you would ever make."

"Did you expect those promises of Elrond, when you sought after him?" Haldir asked quietly. "Is that why you turned him down? Because you realized at last that he is bound to another?"

Tears rose in her eyes. "No," she whispered. "I turned him down because I wanted someone else instead."

"Who?"

"Who do you think?"

"Tell me."

"You, I want you, you bastard," she growled at him.

He laughed. "I know, I just wanted to hear you say it."

"Ooh!"

"Don't be angry with me, Isilwen. I think I'm too tired right now anyway."

"Good," she said, but he didn't hear her. His eyes had closed and his even breathing told her that he had finally fallen asleep.

Feeling safe at last, she stretched out beside him, put her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. Soon she too was asleep.