Elladan stared up into the cool ice blue eyes of the Marchwarden of Lórien, who had just pinned him down on the bed. Haldir knew then that it was Elladan he held captive and not his twin. Elladan supposed the whole switch had been a farce. Haldir had figured it out from the beginning. He was not even entirely sure why he had not told Haldir the truth straight off... except that part of him liked the attention.

He had been surprised by his own attraction to Haldir. He had forgotten how beautiful the Marchwarden was, how powerful and strong. When he had taken off his tunic, Elladan had felt an emotion that had not passed through him in a long time. It was lust, he knew. He smiled slightly at the thought of it, even though Haldir was still waiting for an answer from him.

He wondered if Haldir knew about “the incident.” Elladan was reasonably sure that Rúmil would have told Orophin but wondered if he had discussed it with Haldir as well. He hoped not. It would only make this moment all the more awkward to explain, especially now that he wanted... wanted... What did he want? Exactly what he had thought had been about to happen? And what was that? Did he really think Haldir was going to take him, as reluctant as he had been acting?

Elladan sighed.

“I am sorry, Haldir.”

“I will accept your apology -- if you will explain yourself.”

“I...I am Elladan, not Elrohir. I asked Elrohir to switch places with me.”

“Why?”

“Do you not know?”

Haldir’s eyes narrowed. “If I knew, I would not have to ask you.”

“I was trying to avoid your brother Rúmil.”

Now Haldir frowned and Elladan felt guilt creeping through him. He did not know, that was clear from his expression.

“Are you going to tell me why?”

“I would rather not.”

Haldir sighed and rolled off of Elladan, laying on the bed beside him. Elladan did not attempt to get up. “With all honesty, Elladan, getting a straight answer from you is like the pulling of teeth.”

“I do not mean to be difficult,” Elladan said quietly, “Nor did I truly intend to deceive you.”

“Very well. Thank you for escorting me. I shall see you at dinner,” Haldir said, sounding exhausted.

Elladan glanced over at the Marchwarden. He was clearly still aroused, and the knowledge of this made Elladan restless. He wished he were as bold as Elrohir. He wished he could just do what he wanted, seduce whomever he wanted... but he already knew this was a mistake, that he ought to get up and leave.

“I do not wish to leave,” he said softly.

Haldir rolled onto his side and looked studiously at Elladan. “What exactly do you want, then?”

You, Elladan thought. But he could not say it any more than he could do it. He quite frankly was not even sure why or how Haldir had managed to get him into this state. He shook his head slightly.

“I will not force you to anything,” Haldir said.

“I know you will not,” Elladan said.

“You are not loose with your favors, Elladan. I confess I had intended to seduce your twin. Does that anger you?”

Elladan felt a twinge of jealousy, and he wondered if Haldir was purposely trying to anger him, or goad him. Yet Haldir was known for being honest and frank, at times too much so. He did not play games and this was probably why Elladan’s antics had angered him.

“You are not the first nor the last to desire Elrohir, and to expect that your desires should be fulfilled by him is not unreasonable,” Elladan said, knowing that he sounded defeated.

Haldir’s expression seemed then to encompass tenderness. He stroked Elladan’s hair, moving it out of his face. The gesture seemed to encompass infinite tenderness, and it make Elladan shiver. So rarely was he touched this way. He leaned closer to Haldir almost without meaning to. What would it hurt to give in to desire?

“Think you that I truly had no idea which twin I was with?” Haldir asked.

“No...” Elladan said. “It was clear to me that you knew of my deception.”

“And only from your actions.”

“Yes.”

Now Elladan felt frustrated. “What are you trying to say, exactly, Haldir?”

“Perhaps simply that I desire you... but I wish you were not filled with such fear.”

Haldir kissed him. He moved slowly so that Elladan could resist if he wanted to, but Elladan did not. When Haldir’s mouth met his, he slipped his arms around the Marchwarden, his hands stroking the muscular back. It felt good. It felt right. Haldir slowly stroked the lust already swelling inside Elladan to proportions it had never before reached. He hated it. It felt wrong...yet he could not fight it. Elladan kissed Haldir back. He opened his mouth and their tongues met. They twined together like snakes.

What would it hurt to let Haldir make love to him? He did not live in Imladris, so there would be few awkward meetings. He was being kind enough -- certainly he had every opportunity to force Elladan if he had wanted to. He knew which twin he was with (now.) He was not holding out for experiencing both of them. He also had not slept with Elrohir, though chances were that he would if Elladan pushed him away now. Elrohir would certainly never turn Haldir down.

Confusion warred within Elladan. Haldir had said that he desired Elladan. Perhaps that should be enough.

The kisses went on and on. Haldir slipped his hand between Elladan’s legs, resting gently on the tie of his leggings, as if awaiting permission to go further. Elladan opened his mouth and drew in a breath to tell Haldir that he might proceed when the door to the room burst open. Elladan’s heart sank. He and Haldir both sat up so quickly that they knocked their heads together. Elladan saw his twin and Orophin standing in the doorway and his heart sank. He knew the chance of trysting with Haldir was over.

“Good afternoon, Elrohir,” Haldir said smoothly. “Orophin. Is there something either of you require of me?”

“We thought we ought make sure you knew which twin was in your bed,” said Elrohir and Elladan wanted to punch him. The smugness of his brother made him bristle.

“He knows,” growled Elladan.

“I should not think to any thanks on your part,” Elrohir said. Elladan felt a flash of guilt but it was tempered by his irritation at his brother.

“Is that the only reason why you interrupted us?” Haldir asked in a bored tone. He looked at Orophin and Elladan saw Oro’s ears turn pink. Haldir certainly knew how to control his brothers. Elladan wished Haldir could control Elrohir as easily.

“You will forgive me, Haldir of Lórien, if I look after my brother,” Elrohir said. “I can only assume you would do the same. Elladan, I trust all is well?”

Elladan ran a hand through his hair and nodded slowly. “Truly you did not need to come for me,” he said softly.

Elrohir flashed him a fond smile. “If you say so, dear brother. Come with me, we should ready ourselves for dinner. You know that Father will be irritated if we are late...and surely the Marchwarden would like some time to relax.”

Elladan turned and looked apologetically at Haldir. He truly wished to stay with the Marchwarden, but he did not know how to admit that to the assembled company. Slowly he rose from the bed. Haldir stared at him for a moment and Elladan wondered if he was wrong to see a note of longing in Haldir’s expression. Elladan moved to the doorway and Elrohir put an arm around him. Leaning against his brother, he let himself be led from the chamber.