[Published: 17.02.2022]

I'm sorry, who's this? It's been too long? I know. I apologise. I need to go and sit in the corner and think about how I behaved after going M.I.A. Also this oneshot book will be a source of procrastination, so...that's why I'm here. Thanks to PoofyFloof for requesting this! I haven't done many oneshots on any other elves but Legolas, so I was kind of glad to get this! I hope you like this! Ilya!
(I can't remember if I've changed my sign-off gif again😭😭)

Haldir swung mightily, his sword swiping against gnarly faces and bloody blades. The night called for the corpses and the ghosts shrieked in the shadows, but the elf would not give in. Most of the blood on him was not his own; and though his arms and legs ached from the weight of his armour and sword, he fought admirably still. But all around him, his brothers fell. The race of elves, the creatures of light, in piles in the dirt. Their sacred blood spilled, their lives taken. Nothing could bring them back- nothing.

So he kept fighting. Again and again, one orc after another, restlessly drifting from one to another. But his eyes were drawn back to the bodies, and for a moment, Haldir forgot the world he fought for, and looked on at the men who had left it.

"HALDIR!"

A body crashed into him, pulling him to the floor. He tried to twist round and stab, but he was pushed back by an orc tripping over his outstretched feet. Whoever was behind him sprang up and killed the beast as it sprawled across the floor. Exhaling in relief, he realised the person was human- he was very grateful. Upon a second glance, he saw that it was a woman. He suddenly became abashed by the predicament.

"What are you doing?!" she shouted through the chaos. "Get up and fight!"

He did as she said, moving to her back and nodding. "Thank you."

"Anytime."

And so, with their blades at the ready, and each other at hand, they fought through the raging crowd of hungry faces, slashing their enemies with swiftness and ardour, till light spilled over the ridge of the horizon and the hills sang with the call of victory. Victory it was, against the darkness of the two towers; and the two rejoiced, raising their swords in respect to the king.

When their eyes returned to each other, Haldir was pulled into a chaste but tight hug. He patted her gently on the back, sensing she needed comforting. "Again...thank you for saving me," he said.

"Like I said, anytime, my elven friend."

Stepping back, she offered him her hand. Haldir recognised the gesture, and shook firmly. They both winced; even their hands were weak from battle. "Haldir is my name. And you are, my lady?"

"(Y/N). It is a pleasure to meet you."

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The houses of healing was where Haldir found himself the next day. He groaned, finding his memories fuzzy. Visions rang through his head of the battle, of fierce faces and the valiant dead. Armour and flesh, blood and metal, gold and crimson. He sat up from his bed, rubbing his head as the clamour did not cease.

"Haldir?"

He looked up, and found a woman at his bedside reaching for him. It took him a moment to recall, but when he did, a smile bloomed on his face.

"(Y/N). I am saying that right, aren't I?"

"Yes," she laughed, charmed. "How are you feeling?"

He was puzzled by her question. "Fine? Why...why wouldn't I be?"

She looked at him as if he were mad. "You collapsed shortly after the orcs retreated. You were beyond exhausted; the battle toll on you. At least, that's what Aragorn said. Are you feeling better?"

Haldir swallowed- so they knew some of it. He wouldn't let them know the rest. "I am better. Tired, but better."

"The physician said for you to get as much rest as possible."

He adjusted the covers. "My lady, I don't mean to be rude, but don't you have somewhere to be? A family perhaps? How were you even allowed to fight last night?"

"My family is halfway across the country, in Bree. I was not born on Rohan soil. If you must know, I'm travelling with Aragorn, the ranger."

"He's far more than a mere ranger."

"But he's far greater than just Isildur's heir."

He should've smiled, but he frowned. He found something profoundly...wrong with what she was saying. "You think him a greater man...why?"

"He has proved it to me."

"In your eyes, perhaps."

"Do you disagree?"

"I do not."

"Then why do you question my judgement?"

The elf opened his mouth, but closed it to find he did not have a quip to reply with. It took him a moment to come up with something feasible. "Do you...are you at all... romantically involved with him?"

"Goodness no! He's the blood of Nùmenor, he is four times my age and already intended to Elrond's daughter! What would make you say such a thing?"

"I--"

He again did not have anything to say.

"I know him to be a great man. But Valar help whoever becomes his wife! He needs a good kicking every now and then to keep him humble."

Haldir rumbled with laughter, burying his face into his hands. Elessar, the great hope for mankind, reduced to a pompous prat by the words of his companion. She laughed with him, boisterous and comfortable. Their eyes were fixed to one another as they chuckled, admiration in their glances.

"I've never heard anyone criticize him."

"I said he was greater than his title. It does not define him. A man who is not consumed by title, by the seductions of power, by the arrogance of immortality is greater than any mere king. I would be happy to serve him."

"That's...that's true. But to the standard of men, he is immortal. He will outlive them all."

"I know. But that to him is tragedy. Just as it is for him to love an elven princess; he will die. She will not. Not even when the entire world dies will she end. That is...their tragedy."

"That is love, is it not?"

She raised her head to look at him again. "I wouldn't know."

Haldir adjusted himself, breath hitching as words tumbled from his mouth. "Then maybe I could help you with that."

(Y/N) paused. "What...do you mean by that?"

"Dine with me. Tomorrow, next week, whenever you have a moment."

"And why would I do that?"

"I do not know whether I will love you, or whether you will love me. But I am in debt to you, for my life, and one way I would like to repay you is with dinner. Hopefully we can determine it; whether love is really worth the tragedy."