Part Twenty

He simply stared.

Legolas rubbed his eyes and looked again, but what he saw was still the same thing as what he had seen the first time, and it made him equally confused.

Not just confused. Hurt. Jealous. And embarrassingly aroused. He flashed back on sharing Elladan with Haldir, how much he had liked forcing the pretty son of Elrond to submit to him, and how much he had liked watching Haldir with him, and he wondered what it would be like to have a female between them. Legolas had never lain with a female at all.

Why did he like it so much and hate it so much all at once? Was it simply that seeing Haldir and Arwen sprawled together in a passionate embrace gave him hope that he could have it all, that he could make everybody happy? If Haldir returned Arwen's affections, then…

Well, then, they did not need him, actually. There was a cold realization. Haldir was of rank to marry her, after all, now that he was Marchwarden. Legolas turned back around towards the door through which he had just entered.

"Legolas!" Haldir cried.

Desperation in the cry. Legolas could not leave when he heard the fear in Haldir's tone, and he understood why Haldir was afraid. Did he really doubt Haldir's love for him? No. He was the one who had doubts… well, not doubts as much as guilt suffered over his lust for these pretty, deceptive children of Elrond.

He turned back around. Haldir pushed Arwen off of him and sat up. Arwen's face and ears were red, her expression unfathomable. Had she instigated this? Legolas could not believe that Haldir had. He took a deep breath. He had to let his lover explain, not run away.

"My father sent me to you," Legolas said.

"To me?" asked Haldir and Arwen at once.

"To Haldir," Legolas said, hardening his heart against the sadness he saw etched on the face of the princess. "He told me that he will not allow this marriage to proceed, and that he gives his blessing to my bond with Haldir."

"Truly?" Haldir whispered, as if he could not believe it.

Legolas nodded. The Marchwarden stood up and strode briskly to the prince, pulling Legolas firmly into his embrace. When his mouth slashed down upon Legolas', the prince could not believe he had ever felt the slightest heat for Arwen, or Elladan, or for anyone but Haldir. This elf in his arms was all he wanted. Only this elf.

"That is all very well and good," Arwen said from a bored tone. She made no move to get up from Haldir's bed. "However, without the blessing of Galadriel, your bond will be broken. The Lady of Light desires that I marry Legolas, and so I shall. Haldir, my offer to you to come to Imladris still stands. Marchwarden or no, it matters not. She will do as I ask."

"You are awfully sure of yourself, Lady Arwen," Haldir said. His arms stayed around Legolas, one big hand rubbing the prince's shoulder.

"But is she correct?" Legolas asked. "What are our choices? I want you to stay with me. I will pay any price… any price."

Haldir looked at Legolas tenderly. "You are too good to me. I am pleased by your willingness, but we must make an arrangement that satisfies everyone."

"I hope that includes me," Arwen said waspishly.

"Of course it does," Haldir said.

He let go of Legolas, went to Arwen, and offered her his hand. Hesitantly, she took it. She stood up, looking up at Haldir who was so much taller than she was. Legolas saw a sadness, a desperation in her face. He felt sorry for her. He did not dislike Arwen, despite her scheming.

"We would see you happy as well, Arwen," Legolas said softly. "But both of us would be cheated by this marriage. You should not bind yourself to someone you do not love."

"What of my father?" Arwen asked, lifting her chin. "He desires to return to Valinor, to be with my mother. He will not go if he does not feel that Imladris is in good hands. I owe him this, no matter how I feel."

"Are you sure he has not changed his mind?" Haldir asked, lifting an eyebrow.

"Why would he?"

"He has other reasons to stay now…" Legolas said.

"Surely you do not mean his strange infatuation with your father? That is… that is simply lust, and it will pass."

"I believe that Lord Elrond is in love with the King," said Haldir softly.

"That is ridiculous," Arwen snapped.

"Is it?" asked Lord Elrond from the doorway.

Legolas turned to see the Lord of Imladris standing with his father. He glanced at Haldir, who frowned, clearly not used to having so many elves barging into his talan. Thranduil laid a hand on Elrond's shoulder. The two of them had wet hair, and Legolas knew that Elrond must have arrived at the bathing pool just as he was leaving.

"Father—"

"I do love Thranduil, Arwen. Do not think this means that I no longer love your mother. And yet I believe I should indeed like to remain in Arda for a time…"

"So… so this marriage truly is unnecessary?"

Elrond nodded. "You do not have to marry Legolas to please me."

"You will not be marrying Legolas at all," Thranduil insisted.

"What of the wishes of Lady Galadriel?" Arwen demanded.

"I will speak to her tomorrow. She has always been very reasonable, and I am certain that if she understands that none of us wishes this to go forwards—"

"I wish it to go forward!" Arwen said.

"But why?" Elrond asked gently.

Arwen fell silent.

Legolas frowned. "Why do you not give him the reason you gave me this afternoon?"

Arwen blushed furiously and Legolas saw her small hand turn into a fist. "You are terribly mean, Legolas Greenleaf!"

"Then why should you still want to marry him?" Haldir asked.

Arwen looked around. Everyone was clearly waiting for her answer, and Legolas felt sorry that he had put her on the spot. Instead of answering, she turned and ran out of Haldir's talan.

"Arwen!" Elrond called.

"Go after her," Thranduil urged him.

Elrond nodded, and hurried out. Thranduil looked at Legolas and Haldir and smiled faintly. He too left, closing the door behind him.

"Alone at last," Legolas said. He looked at Haldir wearily. Haldir moved to him quickly and embraced him.

"We will work this out," he promised. "We need only the blessing of Galadriel."

Legolas wondered if they would ever have it.