Posted: December 2004
Title: A Different Path
Author: tildomemacar
Type: FCS
Characters: Haldir/Aragorn, mentoring by Celeborn
Rating: NC-17
Timeline: sometime during Aragorn's travels in the wilderness
Disclaimer: Fiction, characters belong to Tolkien
Warning: some angst (nothing big)
Author's Notes: Haven't seen too many of this pairing. I resisted writing this but the boys decided to tie me up until I relented. After two days, I gave in (who can say no to these three gorgeous gentlemen?) *means thoughts
Summary: Haldir treads a different path.

*****

"Sweet dreams are made of these
Who am I to disagree
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something."
~Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams

*Lately have my dreams been filled with visions of his perfect rugged body, blue-eyes, and brown hair. But I don't know what it means?* Haldir's mind replayed this over and over as he woke in a cold sweat for the third day in a row. He got up and put on his practice clothes. *Maybe if I practice shooting for awhile.* Grabbing his weapons, the Marchwarden walked to the practice range and shot for about two hours until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned, "M-my Lord, you startled me?"

"Forgive me Haldir, but you have not seemed yourself lately. Would you like to tell me?"

"Forgive me my Lord but you would surely laugh and think I jest." Haldir hung his head sadly.

Celeborn looked at Haldir, how he wished to help his Marchwarden. "Follow me Marchwarden, but do not speak." Celeborn led the elf to a secluded clearing that had a pool with a waterfall quietly splashing into it. The Lord of Lorien saw the awe on Haldir's face. "This is a special place that not even my Ladywife knows of. We will not be disturbed nor will any hear us. Come sit and tell me your troubles."

"You know I have never thought myself a weak elf but lately my dreams have left me in such a state as I wake up in a cold sweat. Have you had such dreams?"

"Once long ago. Please tell me your dreams?"

"For three nights now I have awoken in this sweat and each day I seem weaker, frailer. These visions of Aragorn are I think affecting my life. What should I do, my Lord?"

Celeborn cupped Haldir's cheek in his hand. "My Haldir...my sweet, sweet Haldir. Have you not realized it yet, you are in love with him and because it has not been said you are fading."

Haldir stood, outraged. "How can you say such a thing! I have never been attracted to males, let alone humans!"

"Please sit. When I was about your age, I had the same problem you did."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing. I pushed the feelings I felt aside. When I met Galadriel the feelings got buried under my love for her. I regret it now because I can no longer bear the presence of humans for long, only the Lord Aragorn."

"But his heart is not with me; it would never be...it is not destined."

"Haldir, go and talk to him. He is here for only a short while before he returns to the Dunedain. You will find this place again if you need it. Go now."

Getting up, Haldir bowed. " Hannon le, my Lord. I am now in your debt." Haldir immediately went to his talan and changed into silver leggings and matching tunic engraved with the leaves of Lorien. He carefully brushed his luxurious hair and made his way to Aragorn's talan. Venturing up he knocked on the door.

Aragorn had just finished dressing in the spare outfit he was given by Celeborn when a knock was heard. * Now who could that be at this hour?* Opening the door, "Haldir, my dear friend. What brings you here, I thought you were on watch?"

"My Lord Celeborn has given me temporary leave." Haldir started feeling sweaty again and seeing the room move just a bit. *Oh no, this can't be happening now.*

Haldir, come sit down! What is wrong mellon nin?"

"I think I am fading, Aragorn." Haldir grabbed the bed railing as he began to pitch forward.

"That means that you love someone but that love has not been admitted out loud yet? Who do you love?"

"Well...it's ummm...now please don't laugh at me, but...I love you!"

Aragorn was taken back. "Come now, surely you joke."

" NO!! I do not joke." Haldir grew resolute. "I am sorry for disturbing you! I will leave you be for the rest of your stay!" Haldir stormed out of Aragorn's talan feeling hurt, angry, but most of all rejected. He vaguely heard his lord's voice calling him but he paid it no heed as he ran to the place Celeborn had previously shown him. Sitting down, Haldir began to weep quietly before deciding that a swim might help. He stripped his clothes off and entered the pool. laying on his back Haldir felt relaxed, but still weak and rejected.

Aragorn sat there dumbfounded when Celeborn walked in. "My Lord?"

Celeborn looked angrily at the human. "What have you done to Haldir? You've practically sealed his fate."

"He came in here and told me he loves me. I think that by my reaction he thinks I rejected him, but I don't. I am just afraid."

"Follow me, I will show you where he is."

"But what will I say when I get there?"

"I can only show you the way. The rest is up to you. Listen to your heart and let it guide you. Ah here you go, he is through there."

Aragorn walked the direction Celeborn pointed and almost screamed in terror. "Haldir! Haldir!" The Numenorean ran up to the elf who was lying half in half out of the water, unconscious and naked. He knelt and placed the Marchwarden's head in his lap to try and revive him. He wept, "My dear friend! I am so sorry you think I rejected you! Haldir, wake up. Celeborn, anyone...please help!!"

Haldir stirred but was still weak so his voice came out as a croak. "No-one, can hhhearrrr...us!"

"Haldir!! You're awake, thank the Valar. I was worried you had faded."

"W-w-what h-h-appened?"

" I do not know. After you left Celeborn led me here and I found you lying unconscious. What were you doing?"

"I am here to weep in peace and thought a short swim would clear my head. I guess I was so weak that I fainted. Thank you for saving me Aragorn. I think I can walk now." He stood shakily and took a few steps before falling again.

"Whoa, come here lay down!! You need to rest, I'll get Celeborn!!"

Haldir feebly grabbed Aragorn's sleeve. "No! Don't go, just stay here...please?"
"But you need medical help!"

"No... I need...you!! You don't understand. I'm fading because the person I love does not return my love."

"But I don't love you, at least not how you want."

Haldir turned away. "I know, that is why I will fade in two days."

"I'll get Celeborn!" Aragorn ran to get him and a couple of minutes later returned to the clearing to find it empty. "He couldn't have gone far, he was too weak to walk that distance."

"Haldir! My Dear, call to you Lord!"

"Cele-...m-m-my L-l-lord!"

Running to his voice Celeborn yelped in shock. "Oh Elbereth. It is worse than I fear," turning to Aragorn angrily, "You're rejection is killing him. Just admit that you love him! He will live for perhaps two more days but that time will be full of anguish. No one will be able to sleep. Help me lift him, Haldir will be more comfortable in the medical beds."

Aragorn helped carry Haldir to the medical wing and laid him in the bed. Following Celeborn out he asked the nagging question. "Will he be okay?"

The Lord of the Golden Wood turned angrily. "Did you not hear what I said? Haldir will die in two days, until then all of Lorien will know his fate and none will sleep."

"But I can not return his love!"

"Yes you can. Stop rejecting your feelings and open your heart. I can see it in your eyes, you are in so much turmoil. If he should fade, I will relinquish our friendship!"

Aragorn walked to his talan and silently wept as the anguished cries of the Marchwarden reached his ears. *Ai! Celeborn is right, I do love him!* Making up his mind, the Dunedain ran past other Lorien elves and sank down to Haldir's waist, holding his hand. "Oh Haldir, what have I done?! Please do not go, I want you to stay."

"Ar-a-gorn? I-I-is that you?"

"Shhh, my love. Save your breath." Aragorn picked the elf up and ran as best he could to the clearing. Arriving at the pool, he quickly removed both their clothes and wetting his shirt gently bathed Haldir, hesitating only a moment when he reached the elf's penis. He let the blond sleep and was bathing in the pool when hands wrapped around his waist and spun him to face Haldir. "Haldir, you should not be here! You are still weak."
"True, I am still feeling a little tired, but I know what will help. Hush, you do not need say anything. Bringing me here showed me that you love me, at least a little. Come, let me show how deep the love of an elf can truly go." Haldir collapsed momentarily when he reached shore.

"Haldir, no! I love you, understand? You are the most beautiful creature I have laid eyes on, the most annoyingly addicting elf I have come in contact with!" Aragorn turned Haldir on his back and kissed him. He moaned as the elf's arms snaked around him and the kiss deepened. "H-Hal-"

"Be still meleth." Haldir rolled the man on his back and kissed a path from his lips to just below his arousal and then retraced it with his tongue. He broke the kiss and sauntered into the pool, beckoning the human to follow.

Aragorn quietly waded into the pool knowing full well Haldir knew he was behind him. But that didn't stop him from wrapping an arm around the elf's middle and sucking on an ear tip. "I don't want you to fade. I want you to be here forever!" The human left soft kisses on the Marchwarden's neck while snaking his other hand lower to play with the prominent arousal. He twisted Haldir to face him and delved into the welcoming mouth, tasting of the eternally smooth lips. "Let us move ashore."

Haldir smiled and pushed the man down on his back, covering the bronze neck in fleeting kisses and tracing patterns, latching on and sucking hard to leave a mark. He reluctantly left the mark and toyed a path down the chest, delighting in the feel of course chest hair against his face as he played with dusky nipples. He moved lower still and swirled his tongue around the head before taking in the whole length, milking it for all it was worth. He relaxed his throat as Aragorn thrusted up and cried out as he came. "You taste wonderful love."

"I want to make love to you." Aragorn gathered water on his once again erect cock and since Haldir's opening was already wet he thrusted in smoothly, pausing as the elf adjusted to him. He soon began an unrelenting pattern, hitting Haldir's gland every few strokes. Soon both men were howling as they came together, Aragorn for the second time.

Sometime later both man and elf were lying there; Haldir's head resting on Aragorn's chest, his eyes toward the stars. "Please forgive me Haldir, I was a fool to think I could resist my feelings for you."

"You are forgiven. Thank you for saving and loving me." Haldir soon slept against the man in utter bliss.

Hannon le: thank you
mellon nin: my friend
meleth: love

*****

THE END

If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Tildomemacar