Even covered in troll blood, Haldir of Lórien looked beautiful to Elladan, but there still was that small problem of him stinking. On the plus side, Haldir would no doubt be in a hurry to take off his clothing. On the negative, his clothing would have to be thoroughly laundered or burned. More of the blood had seemed to get on Haldir than on Elrond, which was just as well as Elladan was hoping that the two of them would be alone in the bath.

They left Legolas in Orophin's care and Haldir was grimly silent as they traversed the halls. The accident to the Prince seemed to have upset him a great deal. Elladan was less worried. He knew his father well enough to be able to tell that Legolas was in no real danger. Elrond would have never left him alone if he was. After a few minutes Haldir stopped walking abruptly.

"Elladan?"

"Yes?"

"Where are we going?"

Elladan laughed. "I was following you. I thought we were going to your room. That is the direction in which we seem to be headed."

"I do need to get out of these clothes. Tell me I do not smell as badly as it seems."

"I could tell you that, but I like you far too well to be so dishonest."

Haldir sighed. "Is it too late to get a tub of water? I am truly filthy."

"I can show you something better than a tub of water," said Elladan. "We have an indoor bathing chamber. It is generally only used by my family and Master Erestor. Everyone else seems to prefer a private tub or the river and waterfall."

Haldir lifted an eyebrow. "I have visited Rivendell hundreds of times and never known there was an indoor bathing chamber."

Elladan grinned. "I am surprised my father never attempted to show it to you. He offers Legolas a private viewing every time he is here."

Haldir laughed. "Legolas always speaks highly of the river. And I, of course, am used to the waterfall at home in Lórien… but I think I shall like your indoor chamber. Do lead the way, my friend."

Elladan showed Haldir back through the maze of hallways until they reached the bathing room. He ushered the Marchwarden inside and lit the lamps. The Rivendell bath chamber was even larger than the Lórien bathing pool, Elladan knew. Arwen complained about it every time she went to visit their grand-mother Galadriel. Haldir looked around with interest at the marble floor, the elegantly painted walls, and the piles of soft fluffy towels. Elladan watched him for a moment and then went about filling the tub.

"Piped in water!" Haldir exclaimed.

"And it will be hot," Elladan said, smiling as steam began to fill the room.

"Thranduil has a chamber much like this, but it is not nearly so elegant, and the water piped in is always freezing."

Haldir bent over to put his hand in the water to test the temperature. A pang of jealousy struck Elladan even as he admired the beautiful golden elf. He wondered, suddenly, who Haldir's other lovers were. "Have you bathed with Thranduil, then?"

Haldir turned, straightened up, and raised an eyebrow. "Bathed with him, and hunted with him, and enjoyed his table, and his company and the company of his son."

"I see."

"Elladan -- you need not be jealous. I have lain with neither of them -- but I have had other lovers. Does that matter?"

"No," Elladan said. "Who were they?"

"It is of no import," Haldir said. "I have no feelings remaining for any of them, and have not taken anyone to my bed for some time. Let that be enough for you."

Elladan nodded. It was hardly as if he expected Haldir to be a virgin -- and he had lain with Rúmil himself, among the few lovers he had taken in his long life. At least Haldir had not lain with Elrohir. Had he? No, Elrohir would have told him. Elrohir had never been interested in the Marchwarden for some reason. Maybe because he did not want word of his antics to get back to Galadriel. And Haldir's interest in Elrohir had evaporated after their encounter yesterday when Elladan had been pretending to be Elrohir and Haldir had easily seen through him.

"Forgive me," Elladan said, feeling guilty and confused. Haldir moved slowly towards him, filling Elladan's nose with the stench of troll blood. Gently he put a hand on Elladan's cheek and despite the noxious smell he was comforted.

"Learn to let go of the past, Elladan," Haldir said firmly. "There is no need for any jealousy. It is you that I am here with now -- you that I wish to be with now."

Elladan nodded. "Thank you," he whispered.

Haldir smiled. His smile was rich and decadent and seductive. His dark blue eyes half-closed, his black brows sharp above them. His nose was long and straight, his lips full and soft, the shape of his face less angular than most elves. Desire came fully to life in Elladan just from that expression. If it were not for the troll blood, he would have thrown his arms around Haldir and kissed that mouth.

As if he understood, Haldir took a few steps back from Elladan and casually began to undress. Elladan's eyes widened slightly but he could not tear himself away from watching as the beautiful figure of the Marchwarden was revealed to him in all its glory. Haldir was broad-chested and well-muscled. His skin was flawless, without any battle scars or blemishes. It was pale and ethereal, like the skin of all elves, but to Elladan it seemed something new and fresh as it encased this warrior. His fingers itched to touch it. Elladan's heart hammered in his chest as it was revealed that Haldir did indeed desire him.

He picked up the Marchwarden's clothes, wrapped them in a towel, and tossed it unceremoniously into a chute that would filter it down to the palace laundry, where the laundry mistress would no doubt curse him in the morning, but this lessened the smell so much that Elladan did not care. Slowly Haldir turned, looking amused, and slipped into the enormous bathing tub.

"Are you not going to join me?" he asked as he relaxed into the water.

Heart pounding like a drum, Elladan began to remove his own clothes. He was leaner and less muscular than Haldir, his skin slightly darker in color, his hair long and dark as it hung in waves to his waist, and the Marchwarden watched him undress just as he had watched Haldir. It was slightly unnerving but for the fact that it was evident Haldir liked what he saw. Elladan joined him in the water. It was exactly the right temperature, as it always was, and he sighed with pleasure.

Elrond kept a rather large collection of bottled soaps and shampoos on a shelf along the tub and Haldir quickly discovered these, uncapping each one at a time and sniffing each one. Elladan extracted a bottle that was scented with juniper and put it into the other elf's hand. Haldir opened it, waved it under his nose and then nodded his approval.

"Like your father, your taste is impeccable," Haldir said.

"Juniper reminds me of Lórien in the spring."

Elladan took the bottle back from Haldir and poured a small amount onto a wash-cloth. He slipped up beside Haldir and moved his blond hair off of his shoulders so he could begin applying the soap. Haldir bent his head forward and made a purring sound, a deep rumble of satisfaction in his throat. Elladan took his time and made the most of this opportunity to touch the Marchwarden, to rub and caress him. He washed Haldir's hair, unbraiding it first and smoothing out all the tangles. He was thinking about how later he would brush it and put the braids back in when Haldir turned around and kissed him hungrily.

"I am clean enough," he said in a husky voice.

Elladan wound his arms around Haldir and let the Marchwarden take his mouth.