One Last Time

One Last Time

Posted: March 17, 2006
Title: One Last Time
Author: Laur Melyanna
Type: FCS
Characters: Haldir/Lindir
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mine. N-o-t - m-i-n-e.
Warnings: Character death
Beta: Tux! Thank you sweetie, and thanks for the encouragement.

Summary: A final moment between two lovers.

*****

It was his fault. His possessiveness had been his doom in the most blatant manner he could have ever imagined. His songbird was not meant for the wilds, he was meant for comfort and beautifully adorned cages, or a safe garden to sing in as he flew peacefully. His nightingale was not made to migrate, and that is what Haldir had been trying to have him do.

The Galadhel's eyes surveyed the field, seeing elves lying injured, but all alive, most standing and pilling up the corpses of the filthy orcs that had attacked them. Selfish it may be, but nothing of the bloody, gruesome scene seemed to matter as much as the trembling body in his arms. The body he treasured and now held tightly for the last time. The long, lean body that he had seen tremble with tears, with laughter and with pleasure, now trembled from excruciating pain. His pale robes were drenched in blood from the sword wound that tore him deep to the gut.

"You are not going anywhere," Haldir's fierce voice demanded as he pulled his lover closer, stroking the blood-matted white hair. "You are mine, and I will not allow you to leave me." He spoke angrily, but his anger was not directed at Lindir, it was directed at himself. Lindir's face, renowned for its incredible beauty was ethereal even contorted with pain, and it angered the Marchwarden all the more, for beautiful things were not meant to be broken beyond mending. There was a thin streak of blood running from the corner of the minstrel's mouth that widened slightly with each shiver and cough that left those lips. Each movement seemed to make the young elf fade a little bit faster, and Haldir held him painfully close, trying to keep him still.

Those beautiful green eyes were glassy with tears and glazed with pain, so much pain. The musician choked on his words, sobbing against his Master's chest, his hands feebly grasping the fabric of the older elf's tunic. "I... I do not want to go... Sir" He drew in a deep, heaving breath that made Haldir's heart shatter.

"I w-want...to obey Sir..." Lindir looked pleadingly into his lover's eyes, his vision no longer clear, but he forced himself to stay aware for as long as he could, for he would not see this beloved face again. Not in the long ages it would take for his soul to be freed to live once more in the Undying Lands, where Haldir would be impatiently waiting for him. "I w-want to..." Thick tears rolled down Lindir's dirty face, his voice failing him for long moments as the agony was too much to bear. Valar, he had never known what true pain was. He had always enjoyed the agony and punishment his Master offered him within the limits of his body...always so perfect his Haldir was, and he wished to be perfect to his lord to the end, but that was more than he could do now. "B-but...but it hurts...t-too much...please," The younger elf's voice was fading to a hoarse, sobbed whisper as his strength failed him.

The silver haired elf wanted to scream "No", he wanted to scream in defiance of the Valar, who dared test his authority and steal what was his. Steal his beloved nightingale; but he could do that and yet nothing would change. "I have failed you"

"No..." Lindir cried silently, his eyes fluttering as everything began to darken around him. He felt so tired and drained, like a heavy sleep was trying to claim him. It was impossible to elude it.

"My songbird..." Haldir's gray eyes brimmed with bitter tears of loss and pain. He would not be blinded by anger and possessiveness now; his lover deserved the peace he would only get from his words. "I release you..." He pressed feverish kisses to Lindir's brow, eyes closing as the first tears tumbled down his cheeks. "But you are mine... always mine. When we meet again in Aman...I shall remind you of my claim," he whispered against the shell of the minstrel's ear, brushing his hair softly with a strong hand that had never trembled before. His fingers strayed gently to the leather collar around Lindir's neck, with his mark upon it; a band of union, of their union, which his lover had sworn to never be parted from but in death itself. How miserable it was to see the promise fulfilled and made real.

"I...I" Lindir was stopped by a finger settling against his lips, silencing his last breath, holding the gentle elf alive for just another moment. Haldir pressed his tear-wet lips over his nightingale's one last time, a choked sob trapped inside his mouth.

"Forgive me..." They both whispered in unison, both wanting to contest the other's words, but it was too late. The last breath had been delayed too long, the light in Lindir's eyes could no longer hold itself bright, and it slowly faded from those lovely green eyes. The warm body against his chest stilled, the soft spasms of pain ceasing and the tense muscles relaxing as Námo guided the loving spirit out of its dead shell.

No one dared approach Haldir in his grief, as he roared bestial cries of pain, holding onto his songbird, one last time.

*****

THE END

Go to the sequel to this story: Never Let Go

If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Laur Melyanna