Title & Chapter Number: Before the Dawn Trilogy 2: Lost in Shadow 1/2
Author(s): - Author's Index
Website: Hith a Naur
Fandom: Tolkien
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: No money, no suey
Warnings: Slash
Betas: Silvara, the most patient beta in existence... Ilye tested, Morgana approved. *giggles*
Cast: Celeborn/Haldir, Haldir/Legolas
Timeline: Fellowship in Lothlorien
Spoilers: None
Summary: A distraught Legolas enters the Golden Wood, carrying the weight of Mithrandir's death and his failed relationship with Elladan and Elrohir. He seeks solace in the arms of his friend.
Notes: Yes, I know. I said only three trilogies, didn't I? ^^ "Time Until the End of Time" is complete, yes. This story, though, touches on the few facts we are given in that series regarding Celeborn and Haldir. In the second trilogy, I let everyone know the two Lorien Elves were lovers when Celeborn sent Haldir to retrieve Glorfindel. Here is their story. ^^ Just like the others, it is based on the songs that inspired them -- these are Evanescence.
"Here to see Rumil, Prince?"
Legolas spun around, coming face to face with the self-assured smirk of the Captain of the March Wardens in Lothlorien. He shouldn't have been surprised to see the older Elf, he was standing below his talan, after all.
"No, I'm not." He narrowed his eyes as Haldir crossed his arms.
"I am sure my brother will be terribly disappointed. I know I would *hate* to think you were simply playing with his heart this past summer, my Lord." Haldir slowly advanced on the Prince, his hands dropping to his sides. "For, if you were simply attempting to get a rise out of your lover by taking my brother into your bed, there will be dire consequences for you to face."
Legolas laughed sharply. "Consequences? Rumil was a very willing partner and I do not believe he was complaining when I was done with him."
Haldir slammed the younger Sinda into the mallorn, pressing his large body against the lithe archer's. "He may not have complained, but your lover did," he hissed in the delicately pointed ear, taking great satisfaction as a shiver coursed through the body he held captive.
"My lover was too busy with his own. A tangled web we weave, meldir..."
He was cut off when Haldir's mouth descended upon his, thrusting his tongue into the welcoming mouth of the Mirkwood Elf. Legolas brought his arms up to embrace the Captain and moaned as Haldir ground his hips against the Prince's.
"I have missed you," Haldir panted against Legolas' swollen lips.
Legolas smiled, his eyes half-closed with lust. "Next time I visit, do not spurn me for Celeborn."
"Celeborn was my lover long before you, fair Prince," Haldir said seriously.
Legolas nipped at Haldir's lower lip, teasing him with the tip of his tongue. "Perhaps. But it is my bed you seek when any Mirkwood delegation comes to Lothlorien, or when the Lady sends you to my father." He snaked his hand down the March Warden's body, running his fingers lightly over the hard bulge in the leggings. "And you are here with me when Celeborn rests in your cold bed."
"Hush!" Haldir snapped, crushing Legolas' mouth with his, ravaging the tender lips. "I have better use for that mouth of yours, melethron." Haldir pushed firmly on Legolas' shoulders, forcing the Prince to his knees. Legolas looked up from his position in front of Haldir and smiled with a wicked glint in his eyes.
"I have a feeling I know what you have in mind, melethen." Legolas leaned forward and deftly untied Haldir's leggings, allowing them to pool at their feet. The elder Elf hissed when the cool night air caressed his heated arousal, then moaned deeply when Legolas' mouth engulfed him in one smooth motion.
He twined his fingers through hair like spun gold and threw his head back, lost in his passion and the heat of Legolas' perfect mouth.
What the two lovers did not see was the Elf standing in the shadows several feet away, watching the couple with intent, glittering eyes. Those eyes widened with anger when the March Warden called out his lover's name and spilled himself down the Wood Elf's eager throat. They exchanged words of devotion and the blond retied the silver-haired Elf's leggings and led him up the rope ladder of the talan.
Celeborn watched the two disappear into Haldir's unused home and sighed, the anger draining from him. His lover would not be joining him this night, nor most of the nights the Fellowship resided in the Golden Wood. It was with a heavy heart, his suspicions finally confirmed, that Celeborn, the Lord of Lothlorien, returned to his lonely and cold talan to spend the endless night contemplating his next move regarding his wayward lover.
~*~*~*~
Celeborn continued to go through his correspondence, putting off the daily visit to Glorfindel's quarters. Keeping the Elda calm was becoming a strain, but it was made worse when Frodo brought the Ring into Lorien. If Celeborn were honest with himself, though, he would know he was simply putting off leaving his study. The Fellowship had left the day before, Haldir seeing his lover off while Celeborn stood silently by, pretending he had seen nothing.
He had been right. Haldir had not spent any night of the last four weeks in their talan. He had begged off, telling Celeborn that Legolas was wrought with grief and needed a friend. Since Legolas and Haldir had known each other since the Crown Prince's birth, it was a viable reason for his absence.
But, Celeborn knew better.
It was simply an excuse... a lie. One in a string of many, it seemed. And try as he might, the Sinda could not fathom why the March Warden would stray from their bed. He knew Haldir loved him. He had been faithful to the Captain, and they had both been celibate for centuries before the were reunited as lovers. For five centuries, the younger Elf had not a complaint to utter for lack of attention, devotion, and love. So, Celeborn sat at his desk, gazing out over the vast woods and pondered where he had gone wrong.
And wondered how long the Prince of Mirkwood had been bedding his lover, right under his nose.
It was in this reverie that Haldir found him. The Elf walked softly into the room, smiling sweetly at the daydreaming Elf-lord. His heart always sped when looking at his love. The strong profile, waist-length mithril hair that felt like silk in his hands, eyes that flashed silver-blue with passion and a heart that was utterly his.
Haldir shoved aside a pang of guilt. His heart was Celeborn's, as much as Celeborn's was his. Legolas did not have the love that he held for his Lord. He shared his body with the confused Prince, that was all. He knew Elladan and Elrohir were involved with the younger Elf. He also knew, from Elrohir, that there was more that the Mirkwood Elf was aware of. It made it easy not to become emotionally entangled with the blond. They knew why Haldir went to Legolas. Legolas gave him something Celeborn never did.
Control.
With Legolas, Haldir was in control. He dictated their love making, their actions. He was allowed to be demanding and rough with the Elven Prince. Legolas was submissive to all of Haldir's wants and needs and never balked. Nothing was denied the Captain. Haldir rarely had to repeat his desire twice. Legolas was eager to please his lover.
Haldir shook himself from his thoughts and cleared his throat, smiling inwardly when Celeborn jumped at the sound. It was rare indeed when the mighty Elf-lord was caught unawares. "Deep in thought, my Lord?" he asked. When Celeborn's haunted eyes met his own, though, Haldir knew something was troubling his lover. "My Lord? Are you not well? Has something happened?"
"Much has happened, Haldir. It has been, what? Three weeks since you graced me with your presence for more than an hour. And that hour was usually to present an excuse for not coming home that night and to make your border report." Celeborn could not hide the hint of bitterness in his voice and he watched has Haldir flinched slightly.
"I am sorry, meleth. Legolas was in need of companionship. The passing of Mithrandir upset him greatly and I felt it my duty to comfort him in his time of need."
Celeborn felt the lie hit him like a blow to the gut. "I see. And you felt that the comfort he needed so badly was for him to be on his knees in front of you and you shoving yourself down his throat?" Celeborn had asked the question evenly, without malice or sadness.
Haldir's face drained of all color and he could only hear a rushing in his ears. "I... He, we... I mean... Legolas that is... he and I..." he floundered, not knowing how to respond that wouldn't dig him in deeper.
The Lorien Lord stood from behind his desk and walked to stand before his lover. With a cold smile that did not touch his eyes, Celeborn cupped the Guardian's cheek. "No more lies, Haldir. I saw you. You have been with the Prince, and I am sure this past month was not the first encounter for either of you."
"Celeborn," he began, desperate to make things right. "I am-"
He pulled his hand from the face he had loved for years uncounted and turned his back. "Leave, Haldir. I do not want you here right now. And do not bother coming back tonight, you will not share my bed."
Haldir opened his mouth once more, to try and placate Celeborn, make more excuses, but wisely chose not to. He snapped his mouth closed and turned quickly from the room, leaving Celeborn alone in the study once again.
~*~*~*~
Galadriel sat on the divan, the thin fabric of her gown settling about her like a cloud. She knew things were not well in her home. Celeborn had locked himself in his rooms, refusing to discuss anything but the Wood and the War. Haldir had taken it upon himself to return to the Northern Border for a month long tour. When Rumil had come to her, very distraught over his brother's behavior, Galadriel had assured the younger Elf that she would speak with their Lord. Rumil had shuffled his feet, looking down, and saying how he hoped that his Ada and Haldir had not had a falling out.
Galadriel feared that was exactly what had happened. She felt a twinge of guilt herself. She had known for years about the relations Haldir shared with the youngest Prince of Mirkwood. She admitted, though, she knew not why her beloved March Warden chose to dally with the young Elf and felt it was not her place to ask the questions. Now she regretted not going to Celeborn sooner with her knowledge.
She sipped delicately at her glass of wine, waiting for her husband to appear as he always did before retiring. He came into the main room for a last glass of wine and to look out over his Golden Wood once more before sleeping. She had let him mope for two weeks already and had felt that enough was enough. She did not want her family so divided. The Lady had gone through many troubles to bring Celeborn the one he loved so deeply and now Haldir had betrayed him. What was she supposed to do? Until she knew Haldir's motives, she could not fix the situation.
In the dim light of the room, she watched as Celeborn entered the room, not noticing her in her position in the corner. Her Lord poured himself his nightly drink and walked to the large window, looking out over his lands. He slowly sipped the liquid and Galadriel's eyes never left the magnificent sight that Celeborn made. She had loved him, long ago, but she had to resign herself to the fact that his heart was not hers. She knew she loved him still, though it had cooled over the passing years. But, her desire for him to be happy was still strong and bright in her. He had given her a beautiful daughter and centuries of unrivaled attention and devotion, even if love was not something he could offer.
She smiled, amused, when Celeborn put his glass away and turned to leave the room. Galadriel could tell her husband was distracted since he had not sensed her presence in the room with him. Quietly she asked, "Could I have a word with you, my Lord?"
To his credit, the Lord of Lothlorien did not show any outward sign of surprise or startlement, although Galadriel did notice the way his eyes jumped, searching for the voice. When his gaze settled on his wife, he smiled warmly. "Always, Lady."
She motioned for him to join her on the sofa, scooting her legs under her body and resettling in her place. Celeborn crossed his legs and watched her with intent eyes. Galadriel set her glass on the side table and met that unwavering gaze. "What has happened, Celeborn? You are a ghost in your own home, and Haldir refuses to come in from the borders, even for his Lady."
Celeborn turned his eyes from the piercing blue of the Lady's. He looked out through the windows again, as if searching for a way to explain the situation. When he turned back to her, he saw in her eyes she already knew. "How long have you known about them, Galadriel?"
"Long enough."
"That is not an acceptable answer."
"I have known for a decade. Although, I suspect the relationship extends well beyond my knowledge." She held her head high, as if daring him to accuse her of aiding them in their deception.
Celeborn knew Galadriel better than that. "Why did you not tell me?" he asked softly.
"It was not my place, my Lord. I may love you both, but I refuse to interfere in your love. You have now found out. Have you and Haldir spoken about it at all?"
The Sinda looked away. "I sent him away from the talan the day after Legolas left. I could not face him."
"And he indeed did leave. Two weeks, so far, on that border. Celeborn, he will injure himself if his mind is here with you and not on his duty there. Do you know why he took to bed with the Prince?"
Celeborn shook his head. "No. I didn't ask."
"Infidelity, especially among our race, is a sign of something amiss in the relationship, my Lord. You should speak with him, and soon. Perhaps there is still something to salvage?"
The Elf-lord thought for a moment on his wife's words, and slowly nodded. "Very well. I see the wisdom in your words. And I must confess, I want to know what I have done to drive him from me."
"Perhaps the better question is what have you done to hold him to you?"
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