Part Eight

Haldir of Lórien paced back and forth over the wooden floor of Lady Galadriel's receiving chamber, even knowing he was not likely to see the Lady of Light until she emerged at dawn for her morning visit to the waterfall. His big hands were both clenched into fists, and had there been anyone or anything in the room which he could punch, he undoubtedly would have done so.

He was angry and hurt. All of his loyalties were stretched right now. For over five hundred years he had served Celeborn and Galadriel, and most of that time had been spent working towards becoming Marchwarden and convincing them to find places for his troublemaking brothers among the Galadhrim guard. Now he was on the edge of achieving that goal, and he was no longer sure he wanted it if the price was his newfound loyalty to the Prince of Mirkwood.

Haldir realized that he had only known Legolas for two months, a minuscule time in the life of an elf. He knew that it was foolish to anger Celeborn. Haldir knew the Lord of Lórien well enough to realize that he could be cruel and he could be vengeful. The way around this, of course, was to have Galadriel on one's side, but if Celeborn wanted something badly enough he could almost always convince Galadriel to come around to his point of view. Usually the things Celeborn desired were petty and small enough that they hurt almost no one. However, when his desire was for a new lover it was a different situation entirely.

Haldir could not blame Legolas for offering to take the place of Saelbeth. In fact, he was proud of the young prince for his noble, generous act. Haldir knew as well as Legolas did that there was little chance of Celeborn making a permanent bed-slave of Thranduil's son. The Elvenking would burn down the Golden Wood before he left his precious child to be raped night after night. Celeborn had apparently realized this when he had drugged Thranduil, but that was only a temporary solution. It was also good that Thranduil had Elrond on his side, for Elrond was more likely to keep a cool head and use wits and rationality to bargain for Legolas' release.

Haldir had not been able to hold his tongue. He had argued and pleaded with Celeborn, and he was certain that Elladan, standing there smugly and watching the whole thing, had been very amused. Haldir was positive that Elladan was already scheming as to how he could turn the circumstance to his own benefit. Celeborn had finally had enough of Haldir and with his threat to have Orophin and Rúmil digging orc graves for the next ten thousand years had finally silenced him. Haldir had gone after Galadriel, but he had faltered here, at the receiving chamber, wary of bursting into her private rooms. He hesitated too long and soon Celeborn went up to her, ignoring Haldir pointedly.

Haldir paced. He could not let anything happen to Orophin and Rúmil. Lothlórien was their home, and the three of them would sooner be exiled than demoted. It would be unfair to take them away from their friends and their lives. Haldir himself had few friends, and no close ones. His brothers were the only ones he confided in, cared for... until Legolas. And Legolas was no brother, but someone who Haldir had come to love with a passion he had never felt before.

He wanted Legolas to himself. He was bitterly jealous. He did not want to share the prince with Celeborn, or Arwen, or Elladan... Elladan. Where was Elladan? He had last been alone with Celeborn in the dining hall, when Haldir had left the two of them together, then Celeborn had gone to Galadriel. Would Celeborn have given his rights over Legolas to his grand-son? Would Elladan have dared ask?

Haldir remembered the way Legolas had looked at Elladan when they arrived in Lothlórien. He recalled how Legolas had spoken of wishing that they might lie with Elladan again, without punishing him. Haldir's stomach turned and he had to take a deep breath to control his anger.

Is it worth the risk, going to him, especially when he might be perfectly happy to give himself up to Elladan? Maybe Legolas even desires Celeborn as well...

Haldir hoped Orophin and Rúmil would forgive him. He turned and slowly ascended the stairs to Celeborn's private talan. His heart raced in his chest, because he was daring do something no elf had ever done. Ever. No elf would dare intrude upon the Lord's private rooms without permission. Of course, knowing Celeborn definitely was not up there indeed made it a little easier. He stepped into the sitting room. A curtain of white silk hung between that room and the bedroom. Focusing with all of his senses, Haldir listened.

Haldir heard Legolas speaking with Elladan. Elladan told him that he had no choice but to lie with him, and Legolas admitted his lust, and his love for Haldir.

He loves me, but he lies with Elladan? He is a fool. He would fight, he would say no if he truly, truly...

Haldir sank slowly to his knees, feeling his heart ripped in half. He bowed his head. There were no tears on his cheeks, but inside his heart, it rained. Yet he stayed, listening to Elladan's murmurs, to the gasps and sighs that came from within the chamber.

"I cannot do this, Elladan," he heard Legolas say after a few torturous minutes.

"Of course you can, though I admit to being perplexed that your body has not responded to my tender care."

"I do not want to betray my bond with Haldir."

Outside the room, Haldir lifted his head in wonder. It was as if the Valar had answered his prayers. Slowly he got to his feet. He swayed slightly, feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

"Do not think of this as a betrayal, as you are forced by Lord Celeborn to comply."

"It remains a betrayal, and you are not Lord Celeborn. I made no vow to you, Elladan."

"You have already lain with me once, Legolas."

"With Haldir."

"So what is the difference if this time Haldir is not here?"

"The difference is immense. Someday you will fall in love, and you will understand. So, please, Elladan. Let me go."

Haldir heard Elladan sigh. "All right. All right. Very well. I will not touch you any further."

He could have turned around, could have left the chamber without anyone having known he was there, without further putting his possible promotion to Marchwarden at risk or endangering his brothers. But Haldir had come this far, and he was determined to cast himself into the dangerous waters of Celeborn's anger. He pulled back the curtain. He saw Elladan, still fully dressed, slide off of the bed and wrap the white silk sheet around the prince almost tenderly. Legolas was manacled nude to the bed by a long rope, but aside from that appeared to be well. Haldir noted the half-eaten tray of food on the bedside table and knew that Elladan must have brought it.

"Thank you," Haldir said quietly.

The other two elves both looked up. Elladan smirked slightly, but a joy lit in Legolas' eyes that made it all worth the risk. The prince flung himself off of the bed, losing the sheet in the process. Legolas threw himself into Haldir's arms. Haldir enfolded the prince into his embrace.

"Haldir... you are here. You came for me. You should not be here, you have risked so much."

"I do not care," Haldir said.

"Your brothers..."

"I hope they will forgive me."

"I will not let them suffer for your brashness," Elladan said suddenly. "I do have some sway with Celeborn."

"Do you?" Lord Celeborn appeared in the doorway behind them. Haldir felt Legolas tremble in his arms. He did not let go of the prince. A look of worry crossed Elladan's face. "I do not recall telling you that you might bring friends with you into my chamber, Elladan."

"I--"

"He did not invite me, my lord," Haldir said. Elladan had been kind to Legolas. He had let go of him this time, when his seduction had failed. Haldir would not let him be blamed for his presence. "I came on my own."