Part Two

Haldir of Lórien dropped to the ground in a sweeping bow, far deeper than his first slightly mocking gesture, as he realized that the naked elf he had just been admiring was the Prince of Mirkwood. Behind him he sensed his brothers bowing as well. Mentally Haldir cursed himself -- he should have known that the elfling's name was Legolas. Surely he had been told the name of Thranduil's child… Privately he was mortified, but he had no intention of allowing Legolas to know this.

He was beautiful, perhaps the most beautiful elf Haldir had ever seen aside from the Lady Galadriel. Haldir and his brothers had emerged into the clearing where the stream was to the sight of the three Mirkwood elves, one bathing, the other two staring intently at him. A movement above the water had called Haldir's attention to the spider about to make a meal of the three of them. Were these the Prince's guards? If so, they were highly incompetent.

It had been easy enough to kill the spider, and he had smirked when it sank the swimming elf. One of the others had been quick to jump in after him and was standing there soaked and dripping now, scowling at him. In fact, all of the trio were rather scowling at him, and this was not the best way to get off on a good foot with the King. He had not just himself, but Rúmil and Orophin to think of as well, and Thranduil was known to be ill-tempered. Even Lady Galadriel had cautioned him to hold his tongue in front of the King of Mirkwood.

They had been traveling on foot from Lórien for nearly a week. Haldir was tired and hungry. They had run out of food yesterday. He should have left Rúmil in charge of packing that instead of Orophin. Oro was prone to filling up their packs with books and the small throwing knives he favored rather than lembas. Rúmil had volunteered to hunt down a brace of conies for them, but Haldir had insisted they go without breakfast and press on for Mirkwood Palace. No doubt they were both put out with him at the moment. They would not be pleased if he put them in ill favor with the Prince.

This journey was very important to Haldir. He knew that Galadriel was sending them as a test of their ability to handle protocol with their kin in the North. If Haldir came home with a shining reference from King Thranduil, he would be made Marchwarden of the Golden Wood and Captain of the Galadhrim Guard. In turn, Orophin would be promoted to Haldir's position as Patrol Group Leader. Rúmil would remain in Oro's patrol group, but he was very young and lucky to be in the guard at all. Surely Legolas had influence over his father, and if he disliked Haldir, it would bode ill for all of them.

"It is a great honor to make your acquaintance, Prince Legolas," Haldir said, his head still bowed towards the ground. He tried hard not to allow a note of sarcasm or disdain to creep into his voice. He had an urge to kiss the Prince's feet, but he suspected this came from the comely nature of those feet rather than any true submissiveness on his part. Kiss his feet, stroke his calves, move higher up… what was he thinking? The Prince of Mirkwood was so far off limits that even this thought could land him and his brothers in deep trouble.

"You may rise," Legolas replied imperially and Haldir straightened up. "These are my friends, Saelbeth and Silindë," he said, indicating the two others, who nodded to him with narrowed and suspicious eyes.

"We will accept your escort," said Saelbeth. "Legolas requires as much guarding as possible."

He picked up the Prince's clothes and handed them to him, clearly indicating that he should cover himself. Legolas took the offered garments but did not put them on. Instead he stayed with his gaze locked to Haldir's.

"Maybe this is what he needs guarding from," Silindë snarled at Haldir. Haldir lifted an eyebrow at him. Jealous, was he?

"Do not speak ill of our kin from Lothlórien, Silindë," Legolas replied gently. "Although Haldir seems rude and ill-mannered, surely a guard of the Galadhrim is above reproach."

Legolas did not like him, Haldir realized. This pulled him in two directions. On the one hand, it would make attempting to seduce him easier to resist, for already he found himself scheming on how he might get his hands on the Prince. And his lips, and… but no, off limits, he must remember that! Still, if Legolas disliked him, Thranduil would follow suit. It was not in his nature to grovel but he might be better served if he showed some deference.

"If I have offended you, I am deeply sorry," Haldir said quietly. He met the Prince's eye and tried to evoke sincerity. He thought he saw an easing of the haughty nature in that moment. Legolas nodded.

"You did save my life, and for that I have not thanked you."

"No thanks are necessary," Haldir replied.

"Legolas," said Saelbeth insistently, "You should dress."

A wicked look came into the Prince's eye and without another word he began slowly to put on his clothing. Silence reigned as he pulled on his leggings and tunic in a decidedly sensual manner. There was no doubt in Haldir's mind that all of Legolas' slow gestures were deliberate, and that he was showing off his beautiful body. He also doubted that the two Mirkwood guards were Legolas' lovers, as they stared at him with a barely repressed longing that Haldir found mirrored in himself. He glanced over his shoulder at Rúmil and Orophin. His brothers could not take their eyes from the Prince either. Oh, they were all going to be in deep trouble.

The dripping wet Silindë led the way through the forest as they headed for Mirkwood Palace. Saelbeth hung back, striking up a conversation with Orophin about Lothlórien. Haldir listened with half an ear but it sounded friendly enough so he returned his attention to the Prince. Haldir walked behind him, side by side with Rúmil, who was being very quiet for a change. Normally his youngest brother spoke incessantly. As Legolas did not seem inclined to converse with them, Haldir addressed Rúmil.

"Are you well, Rúmil?"

"I am hungry," Rúmil said petulantly. "I would have roasted that spider had you let me."

At that, Legolas glanced over his shoulder. He smiled, and the smile changed his entire expression. Haldir felt himself go breathless. The Prince was too fair for his own good.

"Oh, you would not have wished to do that, Rúmil of Lórien," said the Prince of Mirkwood. "They taste terrible."

Rúmil's blue eyes went round. "You have truly eaten one?"

Legolas nodded. "They are worse than warg."

"Warg!" Rúmil looked alarmed. "Is this a common meal in Mirkwood?"

"Surely the Prince jests with you, Rúmil," Haldir said, arching an eyebrow.

"If he does not, we shall starve to death," Rúmil said, looking desperately at Legolas. "I am perilously close now."

"I have hunted and tasted both of those beasts, but they are not common fare among my people," Legolas reassured him. He reached into a small pack and pulled out a slice of lembas bread, which he offered to Rúmil.

"I am ever your servant, my Prince," Rúmil said excitedly, accepting the food.

"I think I should like that," Legolas said, winking at Rúmil. Immediately the bread slipped out of Rúmil's fingers. Haldir caught it and handed it back to him. The obvious attraction between the two of them made him frown.

Am I jealous? Haldir wondered. Rúmil was closer in age to Legolas than he was, but Haldir did not know if Thranduil would approve of a stranger flirting with his son. At least Legolas' good will would be extended to Rúmil if not to himself. With a small amount of encouragement from the Prince, Rúmil was back to speaking a mile a minute, answering all of Legolas' questions about Lórien and its inhabitants and his job on the border patrol.

"I have seldom been to Lórien," Legolas said wistfully, "But I found it beautiful. Never have I laid eyes on any such as Lady Galadriel."

"She is truly a great lady," Haldir said. "I am surprised to learn that you have been in our land. Surely I would have remembered you, Prince Legolas."

"And I have no doubt that I would have remembered you, Haldir," Legolas replied, losing the warmth that he had been showing to Rúmil. "We have not met before."