Part Thirteen

"Haldir, will you look after Saelbeth?" Legolas said as he saw Arwen beckon to him from across the glen. The Prince of Mirkwood had just finished speaking with his father, who was slightly in a rage over what had happened, though Legolas had no doubt that Lord Elrond would calm him down.

Legolas had begged Thranduil not to do anything rash as well, as he was unharmed, and Saelbeth was safe enough. Legolas feared what Celeborn might do if they crossed him further, despite Thranduil's assurances that Galadriel had the situation in hand. Luckily, he had not seen Celeborn all morning. Legolas supposed he and Saelbeth would have to face him at the banquet tonight…

And Elladan. Elladan, who had proved noble at the last moment. Elladan, who could have pressed his advantage and taken him by force… but had not. He had done the right thing and stepped aside for Haldir at the end. Why could Legolas not stop thinking about him? Lust was such an ugly beast, he thought. He almost could understand Celeborn when he felt this way.

Legolas turned his attention back to Haldir. The elf of the Galadhrim gazed down at him with serious pale blue eyes. Haldir had risked much, more than Elladan, even, to come to him last night. Legolas knew how badly he wanted to be Marchwarden, and how important it was for him to look after his brothers. To risk the safety of Rúmil and Orophin meant that Haldir loved him truly, unquestionably.

Legolas did not want to lose him, did not wish to trade him in for a life in Imladris married to a princess he barely knew. Last night Haldir had made love to him tenderly, savoring him, knowing they might not have another night. Knowing Arwen was watching now, Legolas flung his arms around Haldir's neck and kissed him full on the mouth, pressing his body against the bigger elf. Haldir groaned against his lips.

"I can never refuse you anything when you ask me like that," Haldir said.

Legolas glanced at Saelbeth, who looked slightly flushed, but not at all angry or embarrassed. Legolas had the odd feeling that Saelbeth had enjoyed watching the kiss… quite a bit.

Legolas turned and touched Saelbeth's face gently, smiling at him. "Haldir will look after you, my friend."

"We will get some breakfast, then visit one of the seamstresses," Haldir said. "Legolas… this afternoon, will you meet me at the waterfall?"

Legolas knew that Haldir hoped to steal a few more hours with him before the banquet. He wanted this, too. He nodded. "I will let you know what Arwen has to say. And now, as she has expressed an interest in speaking to me, I will go convince her that I will make a terrible husband indeed."

Haldir laughed, but there was a note of bitterness in the laugh. "I wish you luck, my friend, for I fear this is no easy task. Besides, you may find Arwen quite charming. I always have."

"Charming or no, she must understand that my heart belongs to you."

"And mine to you, but she has little more say in this than you do, Legolas. I wonder if even together you can fight the will of Galadriel."

"I will not be parted from you, Haldir. Remember that," Legolas said softly.

Haldir nodded, then turned away. "Come, Saelbeth. Let us leave our prince to his endeavors."

Legolas took a deep breath and headed over towards Arwen, who was still waiting for him at the other side of the shady glen. She had crossed her arms over her chest and an expression of irritation was stamped over her fair face. Her grey eyes glittered like sharp bits of slate. Her black hair fell to her waist, elaborately braided, and she was dressed in a gown of lavender that suited her undeniably.

"Comparing me to my brother?" she asked in a cold tone as Legolas stared at her.

Legolas flushed, feeling his pointed ears heat up. "Forgive me, I meant not to stare."

The edge of her mouth quirked upwards. "It is all right, Legolas Greenleaf. I forgive you. Come and walk with me. We have much to speak of."

Arwen slipped her arm through his and turned him down a path which Legolas had never taken before, through a very quiet part of Caras Galadhon. No other elves were around to overhear or disturb them. She did look like Elladan, he though to himself, but she was far more feminine, despite Elladan's tender face. Undeniably feminine. Legolas was not really sure what to say to her.

"Elladan told me that you lay with him," she remarked, turning to look at him as he flushed even further.

"I… um… that is… yes." Legolas thought his ears would burst into flames.

"He also told me that he offered for you a second time, and you refused. That you are in love with Haldir."

"I am in love with Haldir, Arwen," Legolas said. He stopped walking, and again he felt ashamed that he had lusted after Elladan.

"Yes, I saw an ample demonstration of that just a few minutes ago," she replied.

"I do not wish to lose him."

"Even if we wed, you do not have to lose him," Arwen said.

"What do you mean?"

"I like Haldir. I always have. I confess to having wanted him for myself. I asked Grand-mother to consider him for Marchwarden so he would be of adequate station for me. Now he will be Marchwarden, but I will not have him at all. Unless…"

"Unless?"

"We will ask Galadriel to give him to us as a wedding present."

"Are you mad? She cannot give us an elf. Lord Celeborn may approve of enslaving others, but I do not!"

Arwen laughed. "You misunderstand me, Legolas. We will simply ask him to be named Royal Guard of Imladris or something like that. He will come to Rivendell, and then we will both have access to him."

"I do not wish to share him with you."

"Why not? You will be bound to me, not him. And if we give each other leave to hold those bonds loosely, then both of us may love where we like."

"Has… has Haldir expressed an interest in you, my lady?" Legolas asked. He did not mean to sound as jealous as he did. "I know he is the lover of Celeborn, so you may see, we are certainly not bound together."

"Haldir is not the lover of Celeborn," Arwen said. "I would know if he… oh, Elladan did tell me that Grand-father told him they lay together once. Celeborn did not care much for him. The incident did not repeat. Grand-father must have told you this to make you submit."

Relief coursed through Legolas. He hugged Arwen to him, so pleased was he by this news. "You have taken much from my mind," he confessed. She hugged him back and smiled cheekily.

"As for me, you are right. Indeed, never has Haldir returned my affection. But might he not, if in payment he received you? We can all be happy if you and I wed, Legolas. It is not impossible. We may find something together, even, some small affection." She looked up at him with her large grey eyes and touched his cheek. "Let us come to an agreement. Our fathers will be pleased, Galadriel and Celeborn will be pleased, and we will promise each other freedom. Haldir will love us both, and I may turn a blind eye if you lie with Elladan. And you, in turn will not mind if I… have another."

Legolas stared at Arwen in disbelief. Despite her long speech, he reached the heart of it immediately. "This is not about Haldir is it?"

"I do like Haldir," Arwen insisted.

"You love someone else."

She hesitated, then nodded.

"Does he love you?"

"He does not know I exist."

Legolas sighed. "This is folly."

"Madness," Arwen agreed. "But it might work. Will you at least think about it?"

Legolas stared at her, hesitant to reply.