Part Sixteen

Legolas stared at his father in horror when he commanded that Haldir go to his room. In that moment, Legolas knew it was more than lust that he felt for the Lórien elf. He was filled with a harsh jealousy. He looked at Haldir pleadingly, wondering if he would refuse the command of the King. Haldir met his eye briefly, sadness in his azure gaze…then he looked away. He returned his gaze to Thranduil, but said nothing.

Legolas felt his heart fall to the floor. He lifted his chin slightly. If Haldir was going to agree to this, why should he make a fool of himself by begging Thranduil to let the elf of Lórien go? He must have been mistaken when he thought his father had given him permission to be with Haldir.

"Father," he began, taking a deep breath and trying to use a rational tone. "I really think--"

"Legolas, we will discuss these matters later," Thranduil said firmly. "Come, Haldir."

Haldir's hand clenched into a fist. He took a deep breath. "I would really rather not join you in your chambers, your majesty."

Legolas could not believe it. Joy filled him. He had thought for certain that Haldir would automatically comply. He looked desperately at his father.

"Are you refusing the command of the King?" Thranduil asked in a serious tone, but he did not sound angry.

"I really think," said Lord Elrond from behind Thranduil, "That in this instance you might excuse him."

Thranduil turned towards Lord Elrond with a raised eyebrow. "Do you now?"

Elrond nodded seriously.

"Haldir?"

Haldir nodded. "Forgive me."

Legolas thought Thranduil would surely demand an explanation, but he did not. Though he did not smile, Legolas thought he caught a wicked glint in the eyes of his father. Thranduil nodded.

"This time I will excuse you, Haldir, but if you disobey any of my commands in the future, no matter how slight, you will find yourself in my dungeon. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Excellent. Elrond, I believe there are some things we should discuss…do you not agree?"

"I do," said Elrond. "We have…much…to discuss."

The two Elven rulers left the throne room and Legolas found himself alone with Haldir again, for the moment anyway. He waited a few moments, then opened the door to the hall. His father and Lord Elrond were gone. He turned back to Haldir. Haldir was watching him with an amused look on his handsome face.

"I always thought that Lord Elrond and your father did not get along," Haldir commented.

Legolas frowned. "They do not."

"I suspect that is about to change. I wonder if this is why Lord Elrond came to Mirkwood after all. Perhaps he heard from Lord Celeborn that Thranduil..." Haldir trailed off as Legolas glared at him.

"Do not forget you are speaking of my father," Legolas said.

"Forgive me," Haldir said automatically. He sauntered forward, and Legolas felt his heart begin to pound faster as the taller elf approached him. Haldir trailed his finger over Legolas, cheek, standing so near, too near...

"You refused my father," Legolas stammered.

"For you."

"For me."

Haldir slipped his arms around Legolas, drawing him closer still. Their hips touched and Haldir bent his golden head and brought his mouth down upon Legolas'. A blinding heat coursed through the Prince. He gasped against Haldir's mouth. He wound his arms tightly around the elf of the Galadhrim. Clung to him. He felt alive.

"I..." he said, dizzy from lack of breath, "I need..."

"I know," said Haldir. "Come, my Prince. To your chambers."

There was no one in the hallway of the palace, which was good, since Legolas did not want to take his hands off of Haldir. His fingers wandered over the Lórien elf's back and sides, plucked at the ties of his tunic and leggings, stroked the fine curve of his behind, tangled in his hair. Haldir did not seem to mind. Firmly he led the way to the Prince's room, never once telling him to stop.

Never had the hallway seemed so long. Legolas wrapped his arms around Haldir's neck and kissed him again. Haldir made a mumbled sound of surprised pleasure against his lips and continued down the hall, pulling Legolas along without breaking the kiss. He pushed a door open and began to drag him inside.

"Wait!" cried Legolas.

"What?"

"This is not my room."

Haldir glanced over his shoulder and grinned. "Apparently not."

Legolas peered over his shoulder. This was Silindë's room, and apparently Silindë had a visitor. "Is that Councilor Erestor?"

"I think so, but I have never seen him from this angle before," Haldir said. He closed the door quietly and winked at Legolas.

Legolas smiled at him. He showed Haldir the correct door. "This is my room."

"Ah, forgive me...I was distracted."

"I should like to distract you even further."

"By all means."

Legolas pressed himself against Haldir, taking his mouth again. He had felt pleasure when Elladan and the others had kissed him, but what he felt with Haldir was beyond that. He knew, without a doubt, that a part of him was going to love Haldir -- and that meant that it was going to hurt when Haldir was sent home to Lothlórien to become Marchwarden of the Golden Wood and Captain of the Galadhrim Guard.

Do not think of that now.

It was difficult to think of anything at all, with Haldir's hands roaming over his back, his waist, lifting up his tunic and sliding underneath. His fingers were cool on Legolas' skin, making him ache and throb. His thumbs slid over Legolas' nipples, making them tighten into hard pebbles of desire. Legolas was eager to reciprocate. He pulled open Haldir's tunic and bent his head to kiss the elf of Lórien's chest. Haldir groaned deep in his throat.

"You will be the death of me, Legolas Greenleaf," he said in a husky voice.

"You will be my life," Legolas replied seriously. A look of surprise reflected in the blue eyes of his would-be lover. Haldir arched an eyebrow, his lips twisting into a slight smile. Legolas reached past him and opened the door to his chamber.

He pulled Haldir inside, not expecting to find the room already occupied.