Part Fifteen

Haldir of Lórien paced Thranduil's throne room like a caged animal, which was precisely what he felt like. He had not missed the look Thranduil had given him. It was the same way he looked at Silindë. Thranduil desired him. Surely soon Thranduil would come for him and he would have to lie with the King. Suddenly he felt a lot more sympathy for Silindë, who loved Legolas but was the plaything of his father.

He did not want to be Thranduil's plaything -- but if that was the price of his promotion to Marchwarden of Lórien…would he do it? Or would he tell the father that he preferred the son, something Silindë had never been able to do?

Haldir wished Legolas would come after him, but he doubted that it would be permitted. He was vaguely surprised, because he had not thought Thranduil to be the type to meddle in his son's affairs. Could it be that the other elves of Mirkwood were right about him, and that Legolas should not be trifled with to avoid his wrath?

An hour passed and Haldir wondered how long Thranduil would make him wait. He looked at the throne and wondered if he dare sit down. While he debated, the door opened. Taking in a deep breath, he turned around. Haldir's heart increased its speed as he saw who had joined him.

"Legolas."

"Were you expecting someone else?"

"Your father."

"Ah. I do not think he is coming back just yet."

"No?"

Haldir raised an eyebrow. Legolas nodded, and Haldir became aware that the Prince looked rather frazzled. His hair was slightly messy, his lips swollen, and on his throat… Anger froze Haldir's insides as he saw the bruise. He strode over the Prince and grabbed his chin, pushing his head to the side as he examined the mark.

"What are you doing?" Legolas cried, batting at his hand.

Haldir let go of him, feeling betrayed. Odd that it should sting so badly. His true feelings were revealed to himself, he saw. He knew then that he wanted Legolas for himself and the thought of anyone else touching him was poisonous.

"I thought it was me you wanted to take you. Did you find someone else so quickly?"

A blush spread over Legolas' fair face, the tips of his pointed ears turning red. "They did not take me. It was true I found it difficult to resist, but--"

"They?" This was getting worse and worse.

Legolas took a deep breath. "Please understand."

"Please explain."

"It is you that I desire to lie with, Haldir. I followed you almost immediately after you left."

"Your father did not stop you?"

"He would not hold me back from you -- he just warned me to be circumspect."

Haldir nodded. "It was too bold of me to kiss you in front of everyone."

Legolas smiled faintly. "I thought not. I would have let you do whatever you wanted to me in front of everyone…"

"While I appreciate that, perhaps you would like to continue telling me how you received this badge of pleasure," Haldir said, stroking the bruise on Legolas' throat. His eyes went wide and round.

"There is a mark?" he whispered. "It must be from when Orophin bit me."

Haldir's fingers curled into a fist. "My brother, Orophin?"

"How many other elves do you know named Orophin?"

"Do not trifle with me, Legolas."

Legolas sighed. "I did not mean to. Elladan and Elrohir…and…and both of your brothers accosted me in the wood before I could get back here. I could not fight them off, Haldir."

"How hard did you try?" Haldir asked bitterly.

Both of his brothers -- ai, but he had hardly seen them at all this week, how should they know where his heart lay? And…his heart? Were his feelings for Legolas more than lust already? It mattered not, for this was not meant to be, apparently. If Rúmil and Orophin had known he had claimed the Prince for himself they would not have touched him. Of course, he could not speak for the twin sons of Elrond.

Legolas glared at Haldir. "I do not care for your insinuations. Very little happened but that they kissed me and...and bit me a little before Lord Elrond interrupted. And I am glad that he did, Haldir, glad. Despite the reaction of my body to the caresses of the others, it is you that I want to initiate me…"

"What about Saelbeth? Silindë? I have seen firsthand your wanton flirtations with them."

Legolas laughed. "I did not know you could be so jealous, Haldir."

Haldir took a deep breath. "Forgive me, Prince Legolas. Once again I overstep my bounds. I am behaving like a fool. We have no contract -- you are free to lie where you like."

He turned away, embarrassed himself now, but Legolas pressed up against him, slipping his arm through Haldir's and making his whole body cry out. He bit his lip to silence himself. It took all his willpower and the thought of his much-needed promotion to keep from flinging Legolas down on the floor and taking him right here.

"How many times must I tell you that you are what I want?" Legolas said in a low voice.

"At least once more, I suppose," Haldir said sardonically. He turned Legolas around so the Prince fell into his arms. He bent and kissed Legolas on the mouth, fire coursing between them. How pliant the Prince became in his arms. Had he done this for Oro? For Elrohir? Best not to think about it.

"I want you, Haldir of Lórien," Legolas whispered against his mouth when the kiss broke. "Come to my room with me right now."

Before Haldir could reply, the door to the room burst open. A wild-eyed Saelbeth flung himself into the room brandishing a sword. Automatically Haldir pushed Legolas behind him, drawing his own weapon.

"You have betrayed the trust of Mirkwood!" Saelbeth cried. He lunged. Haldir easily parried his blow.

"Hold your tongue, Saelbeth," he replied. "And lower your weapon. You know not of what you speak."

"Saelbeth!" Legolas cried. "What are you doing?"

"Defending your honor from this intruder, my Prince!"

The weapons clanged between them and Haldir defended himself against the enraged guard. "I would never dishonor the Prince, Saelbeth. Calm yourself and let us discuss this misconception of yours rationally."

"He speaks the truth, Saelbeth," Legolas said, but Saelbeth was not about to back down.

"I do not wish to hurt you," Haldir said.

"Well, I wish to kill you!"

"Saelbeth!" the voice of King Thranduil roared through the throne room as the door opened again and revealed the Elvenking. With him stood Lord Elrond and Lord Glorfindel. Haldir took advantage of the distraction to bring the flat of his sword down on Saelbeth's hand, causing him to drop his sword. Haldir picked it up and sheathed his own. He bowed to Thranduil and Elrond.

"You must keep this miscreant away from the Prince!" Saelbeth cried, moving to kneel at Thranduil's feet.

"Please, get up, will you?" Thranduil sighed. "Legolas, is there a problem?"

Everyone turned their attention to Legolas. Luckily, Haldir thought, his long blond hair had fallen over the mark on his neck and was hiding it.

"Saelbeth is upset," Legolas said helplessly.

"I see that," Thranduil said. "Would you be so kind as to tell me why, my son?"

Legolas looked his father in the eye. Saelbeth remained crouching at Thranduil's feet. Haldir stood there feeling awkward. Glorfindel grinned wickedly, and Elrond looked as sour as ever.

"He mistakenly thought Haldir had assaulted me, but as you can see, I am fine, and I daresay Haldir would never do such a thing."

"That," Haldir added, "Is true."

Thranduil nodded. He lifted Saelbeth to his feet by the shoulder. "Saelbeth, all is well."

"No, it is not," Saelbeth replied. He was trembling and looked unsteady on his feet.

"Lord Glorfindel, perhaps you would escort Saelbeth back to his chamber for me," Thranduil said. "He appears to need some rest."

"My pleasure, your majesty," Glorfindel said, complying easily. He led Saelbeth out. Saelbeth went silently.

Thranduil looked at Haldir and Legolas, shaking his head. "I thought I had spoken to you about being circumspect, Legolas."

"I was not--" Legolas protested, but his father cut him off.

"We will speak about this later. Meanwhile, perhaps you, too should go to spend some time alone reflecting in your chamber… and Haldir -- you will join me in mine."