Part 7

Posted: October 2003
Author: Inwe Saralonde

*****

‘I want love
To carry me through
All the moments, I'd kindly undo
Locked away
So I can feel safe'
‘Final Answer' – The Calling

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Somewhere between Mirkwood and Imladris

Legolas' POV

We made our way safely through the Misty Mountains, and were a day's ride away from Imladris.

After setting up camp for the night, we sat in reflective silence around the small fire we had allowed ourselves. What Silinde and Saelbeth were thinking, I knew not; as for my thoughts…well, my thoughts have been about only one thing since leaving Mirkwood.

I had spent most of the time thinking of ways of approaching Aragorn, how to tell him my feelings, and discarded each idea as more ridiculous than the last.

"May I suggest, Legolas, that you just tell him outright. The longer you bandy about with words, the longer it will take you to tell him. Too many words can lead others to misconstrue the situation." I looked up to see Silinde approaching me. I sighed; there was some truth to what he said, but I cannot see myself just blurting out to Aragorn ‘I love you'.

"I know, Silinde, I know. I just wish…" I stopped; what exactly did I wish for? Smiling ruefully, I looked at Silinde. He gave a small smile, understanding that this would not be an easy task for me. "Come," he said. "Get some rest. Saelbeth will wake you at midnight for your watch. And do not," admonishing me with a look of mock severity on his face, "forget to wake me when it is time for my watch." I had already been caught out twice for not waking Silinde – too caught up in my musings, I failed to keep track of time, only to be interrupted by the rising of the sun and Silinde berating me for letting him sleep.

"Silinde, you have my word that I will wake you. Now, take your own advice and get some rest yourself," I replied.

But it was a long time before I could find any rest…

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Imladris

Aragorn's POV

An hour later found me in the gardens, searching for Haldir, and wondering what it was that he wished to speak to me about.

"Over here, Aragorn." I turned, finally seeing Haldir in a small pavilion located in a quiet, secluded part of the garden. ‘Why here?' I wondered. ‘This place is secluded – too secluded.' And the idea made me uncomfortable.

No longer wearing his march warden's garb, Haldir had changed into black leggings and a midnight-blue tunic, a colour that seemed to accentuate his silvery blonde hair and blue eyes. I gulped – the simple outfit made him look…seductive. Now, I am starting to worry.

"What is it, Aragorn?" Haldir got up from the bench he had been sitting on, and approached me. I could not help but take an involuntary step backwards.

"Come, mellon-nîn, sit down. I have brought a flask of wine and some fruit for us to enjoy." He pointed to the platter containing strawberries, peaches, apples and melon, before he turned away from me and sat down again. I took a steadying breath to try and calm myself.

I gave Haldir a smile – though I suspected it was more of a grimace – and sat down on the opposite end of the bench from him.

"I'm afraid you will need to sit a bit closer Aragorn – my arm cannot reach that far to give you this wine." He held out a goblet to me, and I had no choice but to move closer to him in order to take it. His scent wafted over me – a hint of cinnamon, jasmine and lavender. Scents I would not normally associate with Haldir but…somehow, now, it seemed right.

‘Now?' ‘Seemed right?' What in the…? I shook my head, as if trying to clear the fog in my brain, and almost spilled my wine in the process.

"Surely the wine cannot be that bad, Aragorn, that you seek to spill it." I looked at Haldir, his face showing amusement. He moved a little closer to me, and it took all my willpower to stay where I was.

"Is something wrong, Aragorn? I seem to make you feel…uncomfortable. Believe me, that was not my intention – far from it. I wish for you to be as…comfortable, as possible."

Haldir was, by now, sitting next to me, his mouth close to my ear. I could feel his breathe wafting through my hair. My nerves felt as if they were drawn tight, like a bow-string. I attempted to get up, but Haldir swiftly put a hand on my arm, effectively stopping me.

"I'm sorry, Haldir, I've just realised…I need to…I have to go…there is something…" I knew I was babbling, but I couldn't help it.

"Aragorn, the only place you need to be is here, and the only thing you need to do is to enjoy the wine, the scenery, and allow me to enjoy your company." Enjoy my company? I looked at Haldir. He looked back at me, his expression seemingly innocent, but his eyes told a different story. Oh Gods. Surely not…he cannot be…I gulped my wine, nearly choking in the process.

I tried again. "Haldir, I don't think this is such a good idea."

"Oh, and why not, Aragorn?" ‘Why not, indeed?' I found I could not answer his question, and I began to wonder…did I want to?

Haldir reached up with his hand and touched my face. "Strange, I would have thought your facial hair would be harsh, yet it feels soft." His fingers trailed down my cheek, then moved to my right ear. "I wonder…are human ears as sensitive as elvish ears?"

His fingers ghosted along the outside of my ear, making me shiver. "Hmm, it seems that they may be…" His mouth was close to my ear again. "I think I shall need to make a closer exploration…" His voice purred in my ear, and then I felt his teeth nibbling at the lobe. The sensation was erotic, seductive, and I closed my eyes. I could feel the heat rushing to my groin, and my leggings began to feel a little tight.

"Aragorn." I opened my eyes to see Haldir looking at me. "Aníron le, Aragorn," he whispered.

I saw a look of uncertainty in his eyes. I swallowed. My head told me not to do this, to put a stop to this before it went too far. But my body betrayed me, and I felt a sense of shame at this. I suddenly thought of Legolas. I loved him…yet, despite that, I found myself desiring Haldir.

I stood up. "Haldir…" I stopped, unsure of what I should say to him.

"You do not desire me, then." Haldir's voice was quiet, without recrimination.

"It's not that I do not find you desirable, Haldir. And I am flattered that you find me so." I was, in fact, a little bemused that Haldir would see me as desirable.

"It's just…"

"Just what, Aragorn?" he asked.

"I care for another Haldir and, although this person is not aware of my feelings for them, I cannot help but feel that I would betray this person by doing this." I was very careful not to mention whether this person was a ‘he' or a ‘she'.

Haldir gave a small smile. "Noble sentiments, Aragorn." His tone was slightly mocking. Then in a gentler tone he said: "But I wish for something between us…"

I would not allow him to continue. "Us? There is no ‘us', Haldir. Yes, you are desirable, but…"

"But obviously my plan for seduction has come to naught." He got up from the bench, and moved closer to me. "Do you have any idea, Aragorn," he continued, "just how attractive you are to me?"

He licked his lips, and I was mesmerised by the sight. "Come, Aragorn, what harm can there be in this?" His tone was low, seductive, and I felt as if I were a fly caught in a spider's web. Haldir was standing right in front of me now.

As if in slow motion, he leant in and kissed me. His kiss was gentle at first, but became more demanding. Part of me told me to stop, to get away, but the other part of me wanted this to continue. Haldir pressed his body against mine – I could feel his arousal, and I moaned. He took the opportunity to make a slow exploration of my mouth with his tongue, and I could taste the wine and…what else? Ah, strawberries. My tongue began to dance with his, and it did not take long for them to duel for dominance.

Lack of air forced us apart, and I looked at Haldir. I was shaking. "Please, Aragorn, let me love you," he whispered. I almost succumbed, but with a shake of my head, I broke away from him.

"No, Haldir, I cannot do this. Please…" I was cut off as Haldir grabbed me by the arms, pulling me towards him.

"You want this, Aragorn. I sense it! Do not deny me…or yourself. Come…"

I closed my eyes. And Haldir took my hand and lead me back to his room…

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Near Imladris

Legolas' POV

We were rapidly approaching Imladris, and my nervousness had increased.

I also felt a sense of foreboding. I wish I could place this feeling, but I could not. Silinde sensed my restlessness.

"Legolas, give yourself the chance to settle in at Imladris first before you seek out Aragorn." He looked at me with concern, and I nodded, unable to speak.

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Translations:

Aníron le – I desire you

*****

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