Buy Posters at AllPosters.com! More... Choose from 100,000 posters! Find your favorite posters in music, movies,fine art, sports, and photography categories. Check out these categories: Movies Fine Art Music [Close] undefined [Close] undefined Chapter 24 – Time Forgotten Lórien “Haldir, may I ask you something?” “Yes, by all means.” They were lying on their sides, spooned together; Haldir held Legolas with one arm while he thoughtlessly stroked the soft skin of the prince’s neck with feather-light touches. They had both discovered that Legolas found that a particularly pleasant caress. A weak spot, Haldir called it jokingly. The light of the Sun was streaming freely into the talan and he knew the day wasn’t getting any younger; this lingering in bed was not not like him at all. But he did not have the idea that he and Legolas were participating in this day. It was taking place outside; outside the walls of his home, outside his door. Here inside were more important things, one in particular: the most enchanting of Elves the heavens had ever smiled down upon. Legolas of Mirkwood was lying in his arms, molten into his embrace; asking Haldir for his touches... and turning Haldir’s soul inside out with the simplest words. “I love you, Haldir.” Words spoken in the fever of passion; for although their first lovemaking had been gentle and careful, for Legolas’s sake, it had certainly not been without sensuality or urgence. Legolas was beautiful to look at in passion; of course he was. Every inch of him deserved admiration and worship. But what had touched Haldir the most was the expression on Legolas’s face. Haldir had never had a male innocent in his bed before, and the wonder he had so clearly discerned in Legolas’s eyes was heartbreaking. They were open and bright and looked up at Haldir with something that could almost be called surprise. Surprise that this was happening; and that it was feeling so right and good. It was that look that almost had Haldir breaking last night. When their gazes locked, Haldir felt a prickle down his spine, like electricity, and he instinctively brought his hand to Legolas’s face. Caressed him with his fingertips; trace the fair features; feel the silken skin, hot and slightly damp, the cheeks flushed rosy. And finally, the prize: Legolas’s lips. Just to feel them under his fingertips was enough to send a rush of lust through him; a sensation all the more powerful because it seemed almost new. Or maybe it was; Haldir wasn’t sure. But good Valar, what a mouth! Sweet, soft, eager to please... and be pleased in return. Innocent still, but with lots of potential. Haldir was intoxicated. “I love you, Haldir,” Legolas breathed then, still with those large, glimmering eyes. And louder, almost desperately, “I love you!” Words spoken in the fever of passion. But Haldir knew they were true all the same. He wanted to tell Legolas that he loved him too, so very, very much; he wanted to shout it out, but he could not, and he bent his head, his throat thick with unshed tears. And he vowed, in his by love and lust clouded mind, that he would speak the words to Legolas... later. And now it was hours later. Caras Galadhon had fully burst into life long ago, but Haldir cared not. He was not going to let go of Legolas anytime soon. “About Erefael...” Legolas continued hesitantly, referring to the question he wanted to ask. “Yes?” “Do you feel... responsible for his death?” Haldir had known that Legolas would ask questions after seeing the visions from his past; but it was a consequence that he accepted. He waited a moment, pondering the right answer before replying. “In a way, I do,” he said then. “If it weren’t for me, he would have gone to Valinor years earlier. He would be alive in the West right now if I hadn’t held him back.” “Haldir, don’t say that...” Legolas protested. “It was unfortunate that you both had different desires; but you had a task here. Do not blame yourself for your loyalty. It was good of you to stay.” “I know,” Haldir sighed, “I know...” “If you could return to that time,” Legolas said, “would you do it differently?” “Words so easily spoken now,” Haldir said, “but yes, I would do several things differently. I would not flee the talan like that again, in the middle of a fight; I would not speak those harsh words again. I would not leave him in such bitterness. I have regretted my behaviour that morning so many times.” “That is the worst thing, isn’t it?” Legolas said softly. “That that disagreement will always be the last conversation you ever had.” “Yes...” Haldir said. “There were times when I thought I’d give my life, literally, for the opportunity to talk to him one last time.” He was silent for a couple of seconds, and he smiled faintly. “I don’t do that anymore. One should not wish for his death; it is a foolish thing to do, and cowardly, too.” “So... it was guilt that controlled you all that time,” Legolas said. “That made you lonely. And remaining faithful to Erefael after his death seemed the only thing you could do to silence your guilty conscience, didn’t it? The last thing you could do to prove your love for him.” Haldir smiled. “How well you know me,” he said. “Yes, I think those were my thoughts more or less. Do you think me a fool?” “No,” Legolas replied sincerely. “I think you are the most wonderful and amazing Elf I have ever met... But it makes me sad, to think that you have denied yourself so much.” “I was afraid,” Haldir said, “afraid that I would experience happiness again; and I did not think I deserved that, after everything that had happened. I think I was punishing myself.” “And now you’re not anymore?” Haldir smiled. “I think you know the answer to that, Greenleaf. You came into my life and you started shaking the fundaments of decisions I had made centuries ago. They have fallen now, and I’m glad that they have.” Legolas turned around so that he came to lie face to face with Haldir, and he felt an odd flutter in his belly when he gazed into Haldir’s eyes. They were still the same, deep and dark, but to Legolas, they had become more readable. He knew that Haldir was no longer hiding. “I still see sadness in you,” he said softly. “I wonder, have I brought it into your eyes with my questions about Erefael, or was it there before?” ”It is my own doing, Legolas,” Haldir said. “It is confusing that I both look forward to the future and dread it, for although it holds beauty for us, in the end it will separate us, too.” Legolas’s face fell instantly. “Oh, Haldir,” he said. “Don’t say that.” “But it is true, Legolas. It is not wise to pretend it will be different, and we must be prepared when the moment of separation arrives. One day you will leave this forest; we both know that.” Legolas knew better than to contradict this. “But it will not be forever, Haldir!” he said, and he spoke so passionately that it surprised Haldir. “In the end we will be reunited, somewhere, somehow. Do you not want to believe that?” Haldir began stroking Legolas’s hair. “Of course I want to,” he said, “with all my heart.” “Then believe it with me, Haldir,” Legolas begged, “please. What hope is there for us if we don’t believe it both?” “I will believe it, Legolas,” Haldir said. “I will, I promise. Hope will be on your side whenever I can not be there.” “I prefer to have you,” Legolas said. A determined line formed by his mouth, and Haldir suddenly was looking upon an obstinate young prince lying in his arms. “And besides, my father said the moment of my return is my own choice. I decide when I leave, no other.” Haldir smiled. Legolas was quite endearing when adopting the slightly snobby air of a prince, something he rarely did; but Haldir thought it was probably best not to speak this thought aloud. “This I know,” he said. “But I also know that one day, you will make that decision, though you may not believe it now. Mirkwood is your home, and who knows what other places the roads will take you to? You must explore, like I have done when I was younger; it is not good for a young Elf, especially the son of a lord, to hide in the forests. Your father is of the same opinion, and he did not send you to Lórien to be tied to this forest; and I shall not be the one who ties you.” “You will let me go?” Legolas said softly. Haldir took Legolas’s chin in one hand and lightly brushed his thumb over the full lower lip. “I will not do it gladly, but yes, I will let you go,” he said. “I, more than most others, know the importance of the oath of loyalty and the sacrifices patriottism can ask for. I have known all along what falling in love with you would imply, and I will handle all the consequences as they come my way; this includes letting you go when the situation asks it of me.” He removed his thumb from Legolas’s lips and studied the beautiful face. “Do you understand what I am saying, Legolas?” he asked tenderly. Legolas nodded. “I do understand, Haldir,” he said, “and although that does not mean that I like it, I know that it is useless to wish it were different. Some situations can’t be changed, and one should not waste time and energy trying to change things he has no control over. Instead, we must concentrate on the things we *can* control... like how we spend the time we have together.” Haldir smiled. “How is it possible that you are so wise while being years younger than that comical duo you hang out with?” Legolas laughed. “Tinuril and Ruigaul? Well, they did not have my father to listen to while growing up.” Pride instantly leaked into his voice, as it often did when he spoke of Thranduil. “He taught me a lot; both con- and subconsciously.” “Yes, about him...” Haldir had suddenly remembered something. “When you said that your father wouldn’t mind my ‘taking initiatives’, what did you mean by that?” “Oh, that.” Legolas laughed again. “I just meant to say that I don’t think he will be displeased when he hears about... us. If that is your concern.” “No? How can you be so sure?” “Just because...” – Legolas blushed slightly – “... he thought that we were sleeping together three years ago; and the thought seemed to amuse rather than bother him.” This news surprised Haldir. “Did he really think that? Why?” “I don’t know,” Legolas replied. “I must’ve given myself away somehow.” “Did you already want to lie with me in that time?” Haldir’s eyes sparkled with mischief. Legolas felt his cheeks grow hotter. “I probably wouldn’t have resisted if you’d made the move,” he confessed. “My father must have discerned something in my behaviour towards you. How unsettling, that I am that readable to him.” Haldir chuckled. “In all frankness, he was not the first. Another was on to you from the very beginning, and his name is Orophin.” Legolas’s eyes widened slightly. “Orophin? What do you mean?” “After you saw us that evening on the balcony, after the ceremony, he said you seemed displeased by our intimacy, before you learned it was brotherly. He said you looked relieved when he called me ‘brother’.” “Well, it *was* relief I felt,” Legolas mumbled, wondering if he should feel amused or embarrassed. “He thought,” Haldir continued, “that you were going to ask me into your bed that night.” Legolas smiled. Although still with that appealing blush on his cheeks, he met Haldir’s eyes, almost like a challenge, when he said, “Actually that *was* something I briefly considered, my dear Marchwarden.” Haldir gazed at him. “Truly? Why didn’t you ask me then?” “I assumed you had a loving partner in Lórien,” Legolas said. “And I didn’t have the heart to find out if I was right.” He eyed Haldir gaugingly. “What did you say to Orophin?” Haldir smiled. “First I called him crazy for thinking you were interested in me. Then I called him crazy for assuming I would indeed spend a night in your bed when asked to. And when he still wouldn’t let the subject rest, I told him to shut up.” Both laughed. “So,” Legolas said then, “what would you have said if I had asked you?” “I would politely have refused,” Haldir said truthfully. “But I am grateful that you did not bring me in that position.” Legolas shook his head. “Finding a bed partner was not the most important thing for me at that point,” he said. “I had other things on my mind. And besides, I would not have been content with just one night.” Haldir playfully lifted an eyebrow. “No? And are you still of that opinion, now?” “Oh, no, I am cured forever,” Legolas said, and he shoved at Haldir’s chest. “Get out of my bed this instant, and take some lessons if you want to please a prince.” “It’s not your bed, it’s mine,” Haldir said pointedly. “Oh, right.” Legolas grinned. “And I don’t think I need lessons,” Haldir continued, “for it was clearly a very pleased prince I had beneath me last night.” It was amusing to see Legolas’s ears go pink at this comment. “Uhm...” Haldir stroked gentle fingers along Legolas’s pronounced collarbone. “If you want, this can become our bed instead of just mine,” he said, quite earnest now. “Ours,” Legolas repeated. “Yes, I think I want that. Actually I think I would like that very much. On one condition, though.” He smiled and wound his arms around Haldir’s neck, bringing their faces close together. “Which is...?” “You must learn to be more generous with space. When I woke up this morning, you had forced me to retreat to the edge of the mattress and I had almost no sheets on me.” Haldir smirked. “Really? What a shame I didn’t wake up first.” This remark earned him a playful stomp in the stomach. “Perhaps you must sleep very, very close to me then.” “Why would I want that?” Legolas retorted snobbily. Haldir suddenly grabbed Legolas and rolled him over, so that he came to lie on his back, incarcerated by Haldir’s strong limbs. Legolas sucked in his breath when Haldir’s body slid over his; the sensation was wonderful. Flame wherever Haldir’s skin met his. “Do you want to play, my prince?” Haldir whispered by his ear. “I can play this game, too. You can say whatever you want, but I happen to know that you like to feel me. The closer the better. Like this; it gives you pleasure. Do you deny it?” Oh, sweet Elbereth. This was more than Legolas could take. Best to speak the truth and hope that Haldir would back away before Legolas’s body put him in a most embarrassing position. “No, I admit it,” Legolas said, sounding more husky than he wanted to. “I was only jesting. I like this.” Haldir smiled. “A little, or a lot?” “A lot. In fact, my enjoyment will become painfully clear if you don’t get off of me... now!” Haldir laughed, but backed away a little, not wanting make this too embarrassing for Legolas. Teasing was good fun, however, and it was with tender amusement that he looked down at the breathless Elf. “You are quite submissive,” he stated playfully. “Oh, so you were probably a stallion after your initiation,” Legolas retorted sarcastically. “Besides, I could say just as easily that you are quite dominant.” “Sometimes I am,” Haldir said, “and sometimes I’m not. I enjoy the other role too. Be assured, one day soon, I will ask you to satisfy me.” Legolas licked his lips. “You mean...” “I mean that I would very much like to submit to you,” Haldir completed for him, and he reached out to caress Legolas’s brow with a tender hand. “But... but...” Legolas was starting to panic slightly. “That thought need not frighten you,” Haldir said gently. “My beautiful one. I promised to teach you, didn’t I?” Haldir was serious about this. Strange though the notion was, the image sent an enormous rush of heat through Legolas’s body. The confusion was easy to discern in his eyes. Haldir smiled, and bestowed more loving caresses upon Legolas’s face. He had not meant to shock Legolas so; but *had* meant what he said, and he was not going to take back his words. Instead, he bent over and, catching Legolas’s face between his hands, kissed him. It was a gentle kiss, soothing and undemanding, and Legolas reacted accordingly. Haldir felt him relax beneath his mouth. In the end, Haldir sat back and heard Legolas sigh contently. “Orophin saw right through you that night, Legolas,” he resumed after a short silence. “I wonder why I did not believe him.” “He will be so smug when he finds out that he was right after all,” Legolas said with a smile. “Doubtlessly. And I foresee many inappropriate jokes and remarks, too.” “Haldir?” Legolas was suddenly serious. “What about the patrol? What will we tell them?” “The truth,” Haldir said. “I shall tell them the truth... and then I’ll just wait and see how they react.” “Won’t it be awkward for us to be in the same patrol?” Legolas asked. “I don’t know,” Haldir said truthfully. “I’ve never been faced with this situation before. I guess we’ll just have to try, if the others are not opposed to it.” “And what if they are?” “In that case I shall write to your father and ask his permission to transfer you to another patrol,” Haldir replied. “I’d much rather stay in yours,” Legolas said. “And I prefer to keep you in mine, too,” Haldir said, “but we must respect the others’ opinion.” Legolas nodded thoughtfully. “When will you speak with them?” “Soon,” Haldir said. “Very soon. But first I must...” Suddenly his speaking ceased and his eyes widened slightly in shock. “What?” Legolas asked. “What is it?” “Oh, darkness of Mandos,” Haldir cursed as he urgently worked his legs free from the tangled sheets. “What time is it?” Legolas frowned. “Why, it’s after noon. What is the matter?” Suddenly Haldir was out of bed and searching the floor for his leggings. He found them several feet from the bed, left carelessly in a messy heap. “Celeborn and Galadriel always want their captains’ reports turned in before noon, the day after return,” he said as he began to pull them on. “It’s afternoon already and I still have to start writing yesterday’s report.” Legolas was about to reassure him by saying that the Lord and Lady wouldn’t be *that* cross with their usually so dependable Marchwarden if he was two or three hours late this time, with what would doubtlessly be a very boring report; but then he remembered something. “Uhm, Haldir,” he said, “I forgot to tell you... but the Lady had a message for you and asked me to pass it on. She said she expects your report to be turned in before the evening today.” Haldir’s hands stilled on the laces of his leggings. “Before the evening? Are you certain that’s what she said?” “I’m positive.” “How unusual.” Haldir looked stunned at first, then amused. “I wonder what her reasons were to say that.” “I don’t think I want to know,” Legolas said, and he unconsciously pulled the sheets higher up. Haldir laughed. “Well, then. That is perfect. I’ll write the report now and deliver it immediately after finishing it. And while I’m out, I might find the lads, hanging out somewhere and being useless. But first: a bath. That will be delightful.” True; when done by two Elves in a tub that is slightly too small, bathing can be a delightful happening indeed, and evening was one hour closer by the time Haldir finally seated himself behind his desk to write his report. This relatively simple report took quite some time to write, but perhaps that was normal when a cuddly young Elf came to sit on your lap with full intention to distract you. At first Legolas behaved quite nicely, silently breakfasting on lembas and feeding Haldir some, too, brushing away the crumbs that fell on their clothing. But in the end he seemed to draw more amusement from testing Haldir’s concentration, and before long Haldir put his quill away and pulled Legolas fully onto his lap, making their position more comfortable for some long and passionate kissing. Legolas looked smug, but Haldir didn’t mind; this was a game he gladly lost. And there was still time until evening; Galadriel would understand. Yes, she most probably would. < previous chapter 25 >