Title & Chapter Number: The Elf in the Mirror 3/12
Author(s): - Author's Index
Website: Of Elves and Men
Fandom: Middle Earth
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: These are not my characters and I make no profit from their use.
Special Warnings: None - Yet.
Betas: Mayetra
Cast: Haldir/Elrond
Timeline: Pre-LotR AU
Spoilers: None
Summary: Haldir becomes ill and Elrond cares for him.
Notes: This story came about from several bunnies and my love/lust for Elrond and Haldir! It was to be a simple silly pwp, but angst is my middle name sooo it turned into something else. It is a story of love and the things that sometimes keep us from knowing how to love. Hope you all enjoy it.
[] Haldir's thoughts.
Chapter Three
Haldir drifted in and out over the next few days. He would open his eyes and close them again and still Elrond would be there. Why was Elrond there? As a torment?
"How are you feeling this morning?" Elrond again!
"Like a prisoner!"
"You've been sick, Haldir. If I wanted a captive, I'd find someone more… agreeable."
Haldir's eyes popped open and he looked up at the older elflord. He was puzzled by the soft look in his eyes, especially after the slightly insulting words. He let himself drift. He was beginning to be aware of hands that cleaned him and fed him and soothed him when he had nightmares. Were they Elrond's?
He drifted.
When he awoke it was dark and he wasn't alone. He was held securely in strong arms. Whose? He looked up. Elrond held him. He wanted to tell him to leave him alone, to go away, but it felt so good to have strong arms hold him…
[The pain was worse than anything he had ever known. He struggled to open his eyes, but they felt grainy and painful. Hands touched him, not the hands that had touched him before. Gentle hands, soothing hands. Soft words too. He sank into the soothing voice.]
~*~*~*~
Elrond watched the elf rest, watched the even rise and fall of his chest. The medicines had worked and he was recovering nicely. Haldir was awake most of the time now, awake and complaining. The food wasn't to his liking. The light was too bright. He wanted his clothes. He needed to leave. It was always something.
He seemed content to pretend at night that he was still too delirious to know who held him.
Elrond was a little confused at what he was feeling. He felt protective of Haldir like he did his own children or like he had his wife long ago. He found his lips touching the cool brow of the resting elf.
"Stop it!" He was being pushed away. He felt himself blush, something he didn't think he had done in a millennium.
He looked down into the midnight blue eyes of Haldir, a very aggravated Haldir. And he did something that surprised even himself. He kissed that sneering mouth.
Haldir shoved him harder. Elrond blanched at the terrified look in his eyes. He wanted to soothe the other elf, but he didn't dare approach him again.
He just backed up and sat down beside the bed to give Haldir time to collect himself. He was soon lost in thought…
~*~*~*~
Haldir had been quiet, eerily quiet after his ordeal with the men. Every time Elrond tended his wounds, the young elf would close his eyes tight and say nothing. The tears that ran out the corners of his eyes were the only indication he felt anything at all. He endured everything silently.
Elrond's heart had broken every time he looked into eyes that would seldom love or trust again this side of the Undying Lands. He wished he could take the young elf's pain. He cursed the immortality that had seemed a gift before.
~*~*~*~
"I want to go home." The raspiness was almost gone from Haldir's voice.
"I don't think you are well enough to travel yet, my friend."
The Lorien elf rose quickly from the bed. And just as quickly, Elrond caught him when his knees buckled. He eased Haldir into the chair beside the bed. He resisted the urge to smooth back Haldir's messy hair. He called for Carnil to have a bath drawn for Haldir and to change his bedding. He knew how proud he was and knew he would be mortified if he knew how bedraggled he looked.
"I can bathe myself, you know."
"Carnil or myself will help you. Your hair is matted and you smell quite horrid. I want to make sure you are clean. I'm tired of smelling you."
Haldir smiled a sour smile at him. He allowed Elrond to help him undress and help him into the tub. Elrond left him alone for awhile so he could find him some clothing and a comb for his hair. He brought a pair of green suede leggings and a brown velvet tunic borrowed from Glorfindel, who managed to smirk at him before he left his room. He retrieved his own comb.
He stood in the doorway and looked at Haldir as he dozed in the tub. He put the clothing on the bed and grabbed the soap. Elrond knelt by the tub to wash the other elf's hair. He took out the dirty braids and combed the tangles and knots. He remembered doing this for Haldir all those years ago. This time, there were just scars on his back, not those awful gashes and cuts. He rinsed the silver blond hair, wrapped a towel around it and helped Haldir out of the tub. He dried his pale body and then his hair. Elrond sat and combed and braided the silky mass, his eyes still on the scars that crisscrossed Haldir's back.
He leaned close and kissed one of the faded reminders of the hell that the younger elf had lived through. Haldir shivered. Elrond pulled him back against him as he sat behind him on the bed.
Elrond realized almost with a start that he wanted to make love to Haldir. And he knew that he must not. He knew that he could never take advantage of the other elf when he was in such a weakened state. He sighed and helped the drowsy elf dress. He deposited him back into the bed that Carnil had freshened earlier and covered him a clean down comforter. He kissed his forehead and blew out the lamps.
When he lay down on top of the comforter beside Haldir, he was surprised to hear, "Rest well, Lord Elrond."
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