Halrohir flexed his wrist and hand, appreciative of the swift Elven healing skills applied to his arm. The healer had a merry lilt in his voice, and went about his tasks cheerfully.

"Ah, Dunadan, those bravely-gotten scrapes will mend quickly, I can tell. You have the hardiness of your race, that is plain", he was saying. "What helped them along, was Nienna's tending you"

"Forgive me, friend, but I didn't mention Nienna", Halrohir said. "How did you know it was she who helped me?"

"I saw her handiwork on your wound, that is plain to see", the healer explained. "Each one of us has a style of mending almost uniquely their own, and I recognized Nienna's hand."

Halrohir considered this. "I have a great deal to learn, so it seems. This is my first visit to Imladris, and much is strange to me. I feel at peace here, but also not quite at ease. Does this make sense to you?"

The healer smiled. "Of course, it does. You are new here, and even those of your race, Dunadan, need to learn the ways of this place. You are used to hunting, and living each day off the land. Here, there is rest, ease, and time - and that is best of all, for time passes slower here, for your kind."

"Now I think, you can be released form my care. Time is also what your healing needs. Take your ease here within this valley, and see what might be seen. I suspect that the view from the balcony might be more to your liking?" And with that, the healer departed.

Halrohir rose and, thinking on the Elf's words, went out onto the balcony he had mentioned, and heard a humming, soft and plain, in the cool open space. His eyes fell upon a cloaked figure, watching the moon, the source of the hum.

"It's beautiful here", he said, and meant it - the moonglow on the valley was a breathtaking sight, mist and moonlight, flickering lights from the halls and in the tree boughs, and as the figure turned at his voice, the cloak fell back - and there stood Nienna.

"Halrohir", Nienna said, a small smile playing on her face, "I am glad you are well. I trust the healers were everything I said they'd be?"

"All your praise, and more", Halrohir said, "and I feel rested as well as cured. Thank you, once again, for your helping me, Nienna." He drew closer to the elf-maid, drawn by the moonlight and the hope of seeing her smile once again.

"I had to stay and see how you were." she said quietly. "And yes,it truly is beautiful. I have always been fascinated by the full moon. They are like magic, these nights." she turned to face him.

"Concerning your arm, they found no poison? there is not pain?" At his nod she smiled with satisfaction.

she studied his face,it was weather worn and had years of service on it,but it was not ugly by any means. she was very content, so she did smile.

he met her gaze steadily, she blushed and turned away to look to the east. she was silent, she was actually unsure on what to do. she had never felt this way before, and she wasn't sure if he felt the same.

her eyes swept over the sleeping Revindell, its white spires and towers gleaming bright in the light of the moon. the sight took her breath away.

a cold breeze swept her long hair off her neck and blew her cloak back making her shiver, but she didn't do anyhing about it, she just stood,enjoying the moment.

_________________

The gentle virtue of Imladris must be at work, Halrohir thought. Such a place of wonder, here in the hidden valley of the Eldar. And the man, who had until recently been hunter and hunted, was seeing things under the moonlight with new eyes, so it seemed. For now, he stood on a balcony with an Elf-maid, whose concern for him was real and easily seen.

Halrohir was touched by Nienna's waiting to hear of his condition; she had stayed here, in the chill air, to hear word of him. And as they stood there, he looked long and closely at Nienna, as she gazed out over the beauty of Rivendell. As it was with the Elves, there was no way to tell age with them; this child-seeming Elf might be older than his grandsire's grandsire. But that first images he had of her, lost and alone, and then emotions running high, then the firm resolve as she tended him, had done their work. Halrohir thought of Nienna often now, and differently.

"Nienna?" he said softly. She turned to face him, and Halrohir, felt that queer pang once more, those eyes of hers beaming bright. He reached out, and took her hand in his. "I wish to thank you, for helping me in the wood today. And I wanted to ask you to forgive me."

"Forgive you?" she said, surprised. "What have you done, that you ask me to forgive you? You rescued me, twice over."

"Because I failed to keep you safe", he said. "The goblins attacked, and you were made to see combat in its ugliness. I tell you now, little one", Halrohir said softly, as he held her hand over his heart, "I would not have had you put in such peril, or you to have witnessed such things. It was happy chance which brought me on the path to find you and, now that I have... found you... it is my wish to protect you, and... to keep by your side, for as long as you shall have me."

Halrohir wondered at his own words. She is of Elvenkind, she is as high above you as a bird is above a toad. What point is there, of dwelling on her?

Because you need to, came the silent thought of Foresight. For the trials that lie ahead, you must be with her. Your paths lie together for some time to come.

The voice of Foresight won out. And Halrohir, losing himself in the Elven-light of Nienna's eyes, raised her hand and kissed it, never taking his eyes from hers.

Nienna's heart thumped in her ears. 'he feels the same way!' she thought.

she sighed a long sigh,"Halrohir,I will have you for eternity if I could! and if it is your wish that I forgive you I shall forgive you a thousand times over!"

Then,without being able to help herself, she fell into his arms, hoping he didn't reject her for this foreward move, she buried her face in the folds of his tunic.

"And it is not the first time I have seen combat. for my own parents were killed right in front of my eyes by orcs." a tear escaped her eye and roled down her cheek, only to be soaked up by Halrohir's shirt.

_________________

Halrohir could scarcely believe his turn of fortune. Nienna was in his arms?? Was this possible, having only met her this day? He felt joy like a howl in his chest, but also felt soft pity, for Nienna's admitted sorrow. How often did tragedy touch lives, in this wild land without king or lord? All the more plainly was the mission and purpose of the Rangers made clear to him: to protect those who needed to be protected. And that included Nienna.

He simply held her, stroking her hair and feeling the silent sobs wracking her shoulders. He did not dare speak, for fear of the lovely vision leaving like the mist from the waterfall. But after he felt her tears lessen, he took her chin in his hand, and saw her face streaked by tears from those gold-green eyes. The sight smote his heart.

"I am sorry, for your loss, little one", Halrohir said softly. "I could not have known. And it is all the more reason I would shield you from further fear. No one should have to behold such a thing. You are one who deserves beautiful things, life and loveliness about you. I have such poor power to grant these things, but I would share with you what I have, and what I am."

"But, I would also know more of you, as well. You have shown me kindness, and trust, and I would offer those in return. Please, Nienna, stay with me, and watch the night, and tell me all you wish for me to know." And without thought, seemingly, he bent his head and kissed her eyes, tasting the salt of her tears.

Her eyes light up with joy, and she nods at him.

"I will stay and watch the night, for a night this beautiful deserves to be watched."

she reaches up with her hand to move a stray hair out of his face.

"I would stay a hundred nights,with you,Halrohir."

she leans against him,enjoying being so near him,to hear his heart beating,to feel his arms around her.

"there is a banquet to honor you tomorrow night,Halrohir. i would wish you to come if you are well enogh. there will be food, and dancing, and plenty of pretty elf maidens that are already talking about you.
she adds the last part with a teasing edge to her voice.
"You only have to take your pick." she smiles up at him with an innocent and angelic look on her face.

_________________

Halrohir looks into Nienna's eyes one more. "I shall come, little one, and we shall enjoy the hospitality of the Elves. I cannot imagine what other honor there might await me, save the honor of your company."

"But I fear, my choice has already been made for me," he said. And Halrohir the Ranger kissed Nienna the Healer under the moonlight in the gardens of Imladris, and found healing of a different kind.

Nienna could scarcely breathe,he was kissing her,
her heart skipped for joy and her stomach seemed to fill with butterflies.

she sighed and put her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes.

here was the man she would spend forever with,and he was with her,here,in Rivendell.

she kissed him with all the passion she held for him. his being there was enough to help her cope,to keep her mind off her mother's and her father's deaths. to her his arms were a haven of rest where all fear was banished and only joy remained.

_________________

Nienna and Halrohir held each other for a little longer. then Nienna noticed that Halrohir was getting weary.

"You must rest,for a busy day awaits you tomorrow,goodnight,and may the Valar bless you with good dreams."

she kissed him once more then went to her own cottage. it was then that she spotted Meleth.

"Ah,Meleth,you are still awake i see. i was just about to retire to sleep."

she and Meleth talked for a while before Nienna continued down the path to her home.

When she got there, she noticed a candle burning inside.
'That's funny,' she thought,'I didn't light a candle.' she opened the door and there, inside, was standing one of her worst nightmares.

in a rush she was grabbed and a strong hand pressed over her mouth with a dagger at her throat.

A raspy and cruel voice spoke into Nienna's ear, making her blood freeze in her veins.

"Yes,pretty one, I'm back. Don't make a sound or you know your fate." a snarl followed and then Nienna was knocked out cold.

_________________

A deceptively peaceful sleep came upon Halrohir that evening, as he bade Nienna goodnight and returned to the Healers' Hall, having no other place to go. Stretching his full height out on a pallet, he drifted off to sleep, and wandered in dreams of Rivendell, soft elven arms and sweet elven lips, and a dark mist over his shoulder which creeped closer, blocking out the moonlight...

He awoke slowly, the dawn creeping into the hall and lighting the rooms with a pale glow. Seeking to refresh himself this morning, Halrohir stood and stretched, and wandered about the halls, noticing several others were awake at this hour, Elves who tended the ailing and healing.

"Mel Aure", said a healer, approaching him, the one who tended him yesterday. "You slept well, I see?"

"Hantale", Halrohir replied. "Well enough, I think. At least I'm hungry, so all's well."

"Indeed so", the elf said, smiling. "Appetite is a sign of good health. Permit me, Dunadan," he said as he examined the bandage around his arm. "Ah, all looks to be well. The wound was not poisoned, as you are familiar with the wounds of the yrch. Fortune smiles upon you, Ranger."

"In more ways than I can agree", Halrohir said, his thoughts of Nienna coming forth again. "Tell me, if you know, where I might find Nienna? I would see how she fares this morning."

The healer smiled again, "I know indeed where she might be found. Here in the halls, in the morning, is where she likes to attend the resting. But, this is odd that you ask", he said as his smile dimmed, "for she has not arrived yet. It is not like her to miss the rising of the sun."

A cry came from the nearby arch. "Elendor! Come quickly, you are needed. Nienna has been found, hurt!"

"What is this?" the healer, Elendor, said. "Come, Dunadan, perhaps you are needed!" And the two rushed to the call, out the archway and onto the grounds. A small crowd had gathered outside a small bungalow. Halrohir recognized Meleth among them.

"Meleth, you are here", Elendor said, "what can you tell us?"

"I only just heard, myself," Meleth answered. "Stand aside, all, Elendor is here, let him pass!" The crowd moved away form the door as Elendor entered, followed closely by Meleth, and Halrohir.

There lay Nienna, on the floor, a cushion under her head, an elf-maid applying a wet compress on her head. Elendor motioned her aside, running his eyes over Nienna. Halrohir looked on in silent concern, his heart in his throat when he saw the welt raised on her fair head, over her right ear.

"She has suffered a blow to her head", Elendor said, "but little else, save this mark here, on her neck", he pointed out a barely noticable stripe across her throat.

"It's as though something pressed against her skin", Meleth said, "something sharp..."

"A knife against her neck", Elendor concluded. "But how? We are within the valley of Imladris, who could do such a thing?"

Nienna moaned, her eyes fluttering open. As she focused, she saw the faces of those around her, and then her eyes lighted on Halrohir. Weakly, she reached her hands for him. Halrohir knelt down at her side, taking her hands in his.

"H-h--Halrohir," she whispered, "save me... it was him... he's back...", and she tried to rise. Halrohir laid his hands on her shoulders, as did Elendor, not letting her rise. In truth, Halrohir longed to scoop the pale elf-maiden into his arms.

"Who is this, Nienna, who is back?" Halrohir asked her.

Nienna's lip trembled, her throat working, stifling a sob. "R-r-Ruthin, it was... Ruthin... oh, Halrohir!" she cried, unable to stop the sob that escaped her, and Halrohir now gathered her to him, holding her head against his chest. He looked at Elendor and Meleth questioningly. Both elves wore masks of concern.

"Meleth, Elendor, you know this Ruthin? Who does she speak of?" Halrohir asked.

Nienna clung to Halrohir. she let her tears flow unchecked.

"Halrohir,it was him," she whispered,"It was Ruthin who sent the orcs to murder my parents. he is my brother."

She felt suddenly weak,and sagged against Halrohir like a rag doll.

her knuckles were white she was grasping his shirt so hard.

"Don't leave me,Halrohir,please." she whsipered.

_________________

Halrohir rocked Nienna gently, trying to soothe her shaking, and felt her relax. Gently, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the untouched pallet nearby, and set her down. He covered her with the light blanket, and touched her cheek with a two-fingered caress, before turning away.

He saw that Meleth and Elendor were motioning him to leave the bungalow; he followed the elves outside. The three stood apart from the others, and talked in low voices.

"Can you not tell me more of this Ruthin?" Halrohir asked. "And of what manner of elf is he, who would assail and murder his own kin! Can you not say?"

Nienna quickly slipped into unconsciousness once more; Dark dreams overtook her mind, reminding her of her past, and her brother.

He was chasing her,Ruthin was chasing her. Nienna ran as fast as she could,but no matter how fast she ran, he caught up just as fast.

she looked back to see how much he had gained on her, and found herself falling, falling deep into a black abyss full of untold horrors.

Then, she awoke. Halrohir was gone. but she was safe; for the time being.

_________________

Nienna was restless, she felt so useless! She got up out of bed and took a walk out to where all the women were preparing for the banquet.

Whenever she tried to help, she would only get shooed away like a pesky fly.

"Oh,blast." she said and stomped her foot. she felt fine! nobody would believe her though.

She took a walk to one of her favorite spots in Rivendell; it was a charming spot with a small, gurgling waterfall spilling over a series of rocks and stones at the bottom.

The elves of before had built a bridge over the stream that flowed out from the falls.

She stared into the falling water and felt content; everything was going fine now, and she hoped that maybe Ruthin did not feel as bad as he had before. but she doubted that.

She rested her arms on the hand-rail of the bridge and smiled a peaceful and contented smile.

_________________

Meleth's silent look toward the window near the terrace, was her only reply. Aramel took the message, and turned to see a figure standing, staring out the terrace. She moved toward the window, and saw that it was the Ranger, Halrohir, watching the waterfall from the terrace.

"Suilaid, Dunadan", she said to him courteously. "What brings you here?" A glance outside revealed the answer, for on the footbridge over the falls, stood Nienna, gazing at the waters and the plume of spray.

"She is well, then", Aramel said, tentatively.

"From the injuries of this morning, yes", Halrohir said, "but it's the hidden hurts, and the things unsaid, that trouble me. Lady, I wish to speak to you", he said, turning to her. "Many of whom I ask about these things give me guarded answers, when they answer at all. And, I would have the knowledge to help her, to help Nienna. She has become... special to me, to a depth I thought not possible.

"What is this full tale, of which she only hints at? Her mother and father dead at her brother's hand? What can I learn of this, Ruthin, she names as kin? And how can I bring both safety, and comfort, to her once more? Is that knowledge something only the Eldar can know? For if all this is true, we are dealing with someone for whom the laws mean nothing - traitorous to blood and kin. What dangers might he pose, to all others in his path?"