Part Eighteen
Dawn came far too early for Haldir's liking. By the time the new day broke, the wine was
gone from his system, and he looked upon the previous night with more clarity. He had
slept only a little. When he awoke and found Legolas beside him, joy came first to his
heart. The young prince's mouth was bruised with kisses and stained with wine, making it
irresistibly ripe and red. Haldir licked his own lips and wanted badly to kiss Legolas, but
he would not wake him.
Sorrow followed too close on the heels of his joy. His sober mind would not allow his
heart to grow dizzy with his feelings for Legolas. Last night had been a midsummer night's
folly, born of wine and feelings that should have been laid to rest long ago. Gently Haldir
stroked Legolas' long blond hair. Why did he had to be so damned tender and irresistible?
Each of them had responsibilities in different parts of Arda, so this could never be.
Haldir slipped out of the bed and stretched. He found his leggings on the floor and put
them on, then stepped out onto the balcony of his talan to breathe in the fresh morning air.
He wanted to clear his head entirely. For once a situation had fallen into his lap that he
knew not how to handle. He did not wish to hurt Legolas as cruelly as he had last time. He
would not.
It was a beautiful morning. The sun glinted through the leaves of the mallorn trees,
lighting up Caras Galadhon, reminding Haldir of how it came to be named the Golden
Wood. There was nowhere in Arda more beautiful to the eyes of the Marchwarden, yet he
would leave his home in an instant if it meant that he could keep the heart of Legolas
Greenleaf.
It was very early, and few had risen yet. He wondered vaguely if Celeborn had stayed with
Thranduil all night and if Thranduil had missed his son. Haldir's eyes wandered over to the
tree that was home to the Lord of Lórien and the Lady of Light. He lifted a brow as he
saw Erestor hurrying down the stairs. What was Elrond's advisor doing there so early --
and dressed in the same robes he had worn yesterday?
Haldir lifted his eyes to the talan of Galadriel and Celeborn, but it was difficult to see little
more than the balcony from where he stood. He stared for a moment, then a flash of
movement caught his gaze. He saw Galadriel stroll across the balcony then disappear into
the privacy of the tree. The corner of his mouth lifted. Interesting, indeed.
"Haldir?"
Legolas' voice called to him from inside his room. Haldir turned around and stepped into
the doorway, leaning against the frame. Legolas was sitting up in Haldir's bed, his hair
sticking up at odd angles, his braids in ruins around his naked shoulders. The prince smiled
at Haldir. Haldir felt his heart push against his chest.
"Good morning, Legolas," he said.
"Indeed it is," Legolas said. He flopped back against the pillows and looked at Haldir in
such a manner that it took all of his will not to dive back into bed.
Haldir took a deep breath. "Legolas--"
"Say nothing!" Legolas said sharply, cutting him off. "Do not ruin this moment. Let me
hold it to my heart for just a few more minutes. I will die if you turn me out of your bed
now."
Haldir smiled with amusement. "I was only going to suggest that we go to the bathing
pool. I for one could use a wash."
"Ah. Forgive me."
"Are you feeling vulnerable, Legolas?"
"I suppose I am," Legolas said. He lifted his chin. "I awoke alone in your bed. I feared you
were suffering from regrets."
Was he? Haldir examined his heart. No. "I do not regret what passed between us last
night. I only regret what may happen in the future."
"Do not think on that now, Haldir," Legolas said in a commanding tone that reminded
Haldir of Thranduil. "I asked you last night to give me the present. It is still, at the
moment, the present."
Haldir smiled. "In that you are correct. Let us make the most of what time we have."
And yet Haldir knew that his mind would not stop worrying about how much it would
hurt when they parted. He would simply do as Legolas wished in this and not speak of it.
He would taste the pleasures that Legolas offered and drink of them deeply, so they would
keep him company in a hundred years of loneliness that might pass before he saw Legolas
again.
Legolas smiled at him, and Haldir gave in to his urge. He crossed the room and fell on the
bed, kissing the prince soundly. Legolas sighed beneath his lips.
"You taste of last night's wine," Legolas said.
Haldir sat up and pushed him away, glowering at him, but Legolas only laughed. "I told
you I needed a wash."
"Then go to the bathing pool."
"Will you come?"
"No. I wish to lie in your bed a while longer and enjoy this morning. Seldom do I get to be
lazy at home."
Haldir laughed. "Very well. I will see you later."
"You will not be able to avoid me," Legolas said. "When is your next patrol? I would
come with you."
"Tomorrow I will go to check the northern march, but only for a few hours. Galadriel has
volunteered me to accompany Lord Elrond and Amroth to search for Nimrodel."
The blue eyes of the prince grew round and wide. "Nimrodel? Do you not think that she is
merely legend?"
"To you and I, she is legend. To Elrond and Amroth, she was lover. They are at odds to
whether she still lives, but will hunt for her just the same. Thranduil has volunteered
himself and you to aid in this quest as well."
"Then I am pleased enough, as this means we will have more time together."
Legolas' eagerness pleased Haldir more than he might admit. Suddenly the quest to find
Nimrodel was more than a duty. It was a shimmering adventure. He kissed Legolas once
more, then got up to pull on his tunic. He left before he crawled back to waste the day in
bed. As he came down the stairs past his brothers' talan, he saw Orophin emerging.
"Good morning, Oro!"
"You are in high spirits, Haldir. The Prince of Mirkwood does you good."
"Indeed he does. I am going to bathe. Come with me. Where's Rúmil?"
"Rúmil will not get up, but I will come with you," Orophin said mildly and together they
began to descend the stairs.
"Does his head bother him?"
"He says not, but I wonder. It is not like him to lie in bed. My own still throbs. Celeborn
would not cease refilling my cup," Orophin said, frowning.
"You did not have to drink it."
"True enough, so now I pay for it."
"We will find some breakfast, and that will make you feel better. I am starving," Haldir
said.
"You may have mine," said Orophin, handing Haldir the leaf-wrapped slice of lembas he
was carrying.
"I desire something with more flavor," Haldir sighed, but he unwrapped the bread and bit
off a small corner anyway. "Quail's eggs, or sliced apples with honey."
"I will wait until tonight's banquet to eat," Orophin said as they reached the foot of the
tree and turned down the path towards the bathing pool.
The discussion turned to what Galadriel might serve them, whether Elrond or Thranduil
might have brought with them any of the delicacies particular to their own realms, and
whether they would indulge in more wine. Haldir reminded Orophin that they would patrol
the border the next day and cautioned him not to overindulge. They reached the pool that
fed off from a cold spring and Haldir anticipated his bath.
The water was a clear greenish blue and the spring rushed over a small dam of rocks in a
slight waterfall. Banks of green grass shot with small white flowers bordered the pool. It
was not as large as the fall at Imladris, nor was it riddled with hidden caves like the pool at
Mirkwood, but it was pleasant and warmed by the sun and Haldir was fond of it. He
would have bathed three times a day had he the time, and both Orophin and Rúmil had
taken to spending entire days in the water when they were younger.
The pool was empty, as it was still so early. The two brothers stripped off their clothing
and dove into the water. Haldir sighed with contentment as it enveloped him. He swam
beneath the water for a few moments, then surfaced. Orophin was already reclining against
the bank, the ends of his long silvery hair floating on the water. His eyes were closed.
"Tell me, Haldir," he said in a tone meant to sound casual. Haldir could tell it was not.
"What spoke you of in council yesterday?"
"Little to concern you, Orophin."
Orophin opened his eyes. "I knew you would say that."
"Then why did you ask?"
"Why do you think?"
"You are seeking news of Amroth. He did not mention you," Haldir sighed. "He has other
concerns besides your infatuation with him." Orophin's ears turned pink at the tips, and
Haldir felt badly for belittling his brother's feelings. "I am sorry, Oro, but truly you must
let this pass. You cannot keep him."
"Nor can you keep Legolas, and yet that did not stop you from taking him into your bed
last night!"
Orophin's truthful words stung him, like an arrow to the heart. Haldir nodded slowly in
agreement. "Perhaps we sail on the same ship."
"Except that Legolas returns your affections and Amroth does not return mine," Oro
replied bitterly. "And now he thinks that I gave myself to Celeborn when he turned me
away, thanks to Arwen."
Haldir would have laughed if he did not think it would only incense Orophin further. "She
is more trouble than Rúmil," he said.
"Last night I found her wandering late by our tree," said Orophin. "I took her back to her
talan, and first she tried to kiss me, then she told me that she had fallen in love with
Rúmil."
Haldir shook his head. "Arwen Undómiel needs taming," he said.
"Perhaps you are the elf to do it, eh, Haldir?" said Lord Thranduil. Haldir looked up to see
Thranduil and Celeborn standing at the edge of the bathing pool. He saw Orophin sit up
stiffly and glance at his discarded clothing on the bank of the stream. "I ought to tell
Elrond you said as much and see if he assigns you the task."
"Now, now, Thranduil," Celeborn said. "You will lose me my Marchwarden."
"Or worse, Elrond will leave you the Evenstar. Lothlórien will be more pecked by hens
than it is already," Thranduil said, laughing.
He began taking off his clothing and Celeborn glared at him darkly but followed suit.
Within moments the two elf kings were in the pool and Haldir's peaceful mood was
shattered. Still, he could not help but admire the well-formed body of the King of
Mirkwood. He looked so much like his son, only taller, broader. He was so fair of face
that Haldir began to miss Legolas sharply.
"Where is my son this morning?" Thranduil asked.
"He did not fall out of the tree, if that is your concern," Haldir said sardonically. Thranduil
roared with laughter.
"That is good to know, indeed. I imagine I will find him later. I only hope he is not
pursuing the Evenstar himself. I could not stand to have Elrond as an in-law."
"Oh, I am certain he is not," Orophin said.
His words only drew Celeborn's attention to the young Galadhrim, who swam closer to
Oro and smiled slyly at him. "Did you sleep well, Orophin?" he asked in a honeyed tone.
"Yes. Thank you for having asked," Orophin replied without emotion. "If you will all
excuse me, I have finished bathing."
He climbed out of the pool and put his clothes back on quickly. Celeborn watched all the
while, smiling slightly. Once Orophin had disappeared down the path, he sighed.
"I imagine I will have to lead the Galadhrim while my Marchwarden is off on this wild
goose chase to find Nimrodel," Celeborn commented. "I will look forward to having
Orophin under me."
"That will not be possible," Haldir said icily. "I intend to have both of my brothers
accompany me on the journey. I am certain that Galadriel will approve of this."
"I am certain she will," Celeborn replied just as icily. Thranduil did not bother to hide his
amusement.
"Too bad that you will be too busy to come yourself, Celeborn," the King of Mirkwood
chuckled.
"If you will excuse me," Haldir said, climbing out of the pool. He had no desire to remain
with the two of them any longer. Besides, he now needed to go speak with Galadriel and
insure that she would send Oro and Rúmil with them. At least he knew that she was
awake. He put his clothing back on and left the stream.
He should simply have enlightened Orophin to the events of the council, he thought. After
all, he had told Legolas without a second thought. He also needed to change into cleaner
garments before presenting himself to the Lady of Light. Perhaps Orophin had gone home.
Haldir returned to his tree, whistling as he jogged up the steps to his talan. The thought
that Legolas might still be in his bed improved his mood considerably.
Haldir stopped at his brothers' talan and poked his nose in the door, but there was no sign
of either of them. He continued up to his own room and his sharp ears made him aware
that Legolas was still there. He smiled, hoping Legolas was still unclothed. The smile
faded when he stepped inside to find Rúmil and Legolas entwined on the bed, their lips
locked together in a sensuous dance.
