Strange Allies

~~~~

They should be in Lothlorien within the next week or so and Annowe grinned happily at the thought. A strange sort of peace had settled between the two of them after the wolf attack – an unspoken truce as it were and for that, Annowe was grateful.

Haldir had ceased his merciless tormenting of her – content now just to shamelessly flirt. As long as he stopped goading her about Legolas, she was happy and could almost tolerate him. Of course, she would never forgive him for some of the slights he had visited upon her but at least felt that they were even now.

They had fallen into the habit of walking until sunset when Haldir would build a fire and Annowe would re-dress his wound. It was healing quickly and soon he would not need to cover it any longer. The terrifying vision had not returned nor had the wolves. She was thankful that the wolves had not returned but she was not sure how she felt about the vision not returning.

She would have liked to have more details to pass on to Haldir but seeing his death so graphically had greatly disturbed her and brought back the terrifying memories of the last battle. She did not know if she could emotionally bear such a horrifying sight again, especially since it conjured up all sorts of terrifying thoughts about Legolas.

But Haldir needed to know everything she could tell him and she was the only one who could, unless Galadriel had seen the same outcome. Annowe told herself that she must speak to the White Lady about Haldir without letting him know. He would become even more insufferable if he knew she were worried enough about him to ask Galadriel for his safety.

When they stopped for the night, Haldir again built a small fire and when he was finished, he removed his tunic so Annowe could check his wound. She moved behind him, gently removing the old bandage and tossing it into the fire. Carefully, she examined the tissue, her small fingers probing his skin as she murmured reassuringly to him. Haldir could feel her breath on his neck and he shivered. It was time to let her in on his little secret.

Turning his head slightly to watch her expression, he imagined her hands sliding over his bare chest, tracing the outline of his muscles as he planted a searing kiss on her parted lips and his hands squeezed her round bottom. Almost immediately, he could feel her fingers begin to tremble and she frowned. He bit back a smile and thought of his own hands on her soft skin, stroking her as she moaned against his neck. Yes, it would be so very nice.

Annowe scowled and clinched her hand into a fist out of his sight, willing herself to concentrate on her task. What was wrong with her? She must certainly be going mad or missing Legolas terribly to be thinking of Haldir in such a lustful manner! Then her eyes met his over his shoulder and she knew that somehow, he was the cause of it! She poked him in the back and scowled at him.

“Stop it!” She demanded.

“Stop what?” He asked innocently. “I wasn’t doing anything but watching you.”

Irritably, she snatched up the small towel and wiped her hands as she moved to stand in front of him. She studied him through narrowed eyes. He was doing it. She wasn’t sure what it was but somehow he was arousing her desire. Making her aware of his physical presence and need, she was sure of it. It had happened too often and too randomly for it to be of her own making. But how? And that smug look on his face made her even more certain that he was, indeed, the cause of her distress. She threw the towel down angrily and stared at him as she tried to figure out what he was doing to her.

“You are making me want you. Touching me without touching me. I can feel it. Now stop it!” She ordered him.

Haldir couldn’t help but grin. It was time he told her. It would not lose its effectiveness even if he explained it to her. She would always be able to feel it. He only fretted that she would learn to become immune to it if she understood it and that would be very disappointing indeed! He had greatly enjoyed her reactions and wanted her to experience the full effect of his ability.

He sighed heavily. “You have found me out,” he agreed.

Her dark eyes narrowed even more. “Out with it, then!” She growled.

“On one condition,” he purred, his eyes twinkling mischievously. She would have to make it worth his while!

Annowe groaned and rolled her eyes. “What ‘condition’?”

“You let me fully demonstrate it on you,” he grinned wickedly.

“Isn’t that what you have been doing?” She frowned.

Haldir chuckled. “Oh, no, little one, I have only been teasing you up until now.”

She considered this for a few moments. He smiled. He knew she could not resist the temptation. Her curiosity was too great. She wanted to know what it was, how it worked, if she could do it herself – he could almost see the questions forming in her head. Perhaps she was not so mysterious after all. Puzzles intrigued her and this was a puzzle. Haldir waited patiently for her to answer him.

“What is involved? Will you touch me? Kiss me? I cannot betray Legolas,” she finally said.

“Yes, I will touch you but not below the waist. Yes, I will kiss you but not deeply. I understand, although I do not agree with, your loyalty to your young prince,” he admitted.

Again she became silent, weighing the possibilities. He tried not to smile as he watched her face, her every thought reflected on it. She struggled between her insatiable curiosity and her unwavering loyalty to Legolas. Now that she knew what was involved would she agree to it? He had admitted he would kiss her, but he had purposely forgotten to warn her how badly she would want him and more. Oh, so much more! He stifled a wicked chuckle at the thought.

Finally, she spoke and the question surprised him. “Can you teach this to Legolas?”

It took every ounce of his vaunted self-control not to shout victoriously. It was exactly what he had wanted in the first place oh so long ago! And now, she was offering it to him on a mithril platter! He sighed deeply in contentment as his plan fell into place, closing his eyes for a moment to relish his triumph. This was even better than he ever could have hoped for! Slowly, he opened his eyes to her and grinned broadly.

“Yes, indeed. He is only slightly aware of his ability and does not understand it,” the March Warden answered, trying desperately to keep the excitement from his voice.

“Very well, I agree to this. What do I have to do?” She asked.

His eyes glittered greedily. It was so like her to want immediate satisfaction to her questions and he was in a mind to quench her curiosity. He had waited so long for this and he would enjoy it greatly! Oh, yes! Her small hands would cling to him and he would see that naked desire on her face as she begged him for release. Yes, he wanted it and he would savor every breath from this point on.

“You will not have to do anything. Just stand there, I will do it all,” he murmured, excited at his chance to pleasure her and feel her desire for him. Even if only slightly. “I must warn you, I may remove your tunic.”

She nodded in understanding. “No touching below the waist,” she warned.

Haldir smiled. “It won’t be necessary,” he said smoothly as he stood to face her.

Once again, she became well aware of his presence as he drew closer to her. He had not replaced his tunic and she could see the smooth outline of his muscles. She wanted to touch him, wanted to run her hands over his flawless skin and feel it’s warmth as her hungry lips followed in their wake. The urge was almost overwhelming but she managed to resist. “That must be what he is doing to me,” she thought to herself. “At least I know I wasn’t going mad.”

His long fingers smoothed her hair away from her face and he tipped her chin up to him. He gazed into her dark eyes, relishing the moment. She had no idea, he realized. None at all of what he could offer her. Of the pleasure he could give her. It was time to give her just a taste of it, to leave her wanting more. To make her body so weak with desire that she would gladly forget Legolas for just one moment with him.

“You realize that you can feel my desire for you? All naiads can sense such things. You are strange creatures,” Haldir murmured to her as his lips drew closer. “I understand how to make you feel it and I can teach your young prince the same.”

Annowe could indeed feel his desire. She wondered why she had never felt Legolas’ desire for her so intensely. Haldir’s was almost like a physical caress and it unnerved her. He obviously had much more practice with seduction than Legolas did.

“Is that what you are doing? Making me feel your desire for me?” she frowned at him and he chuckled.

“Of course! How could I resist the opportunity?” His gray eyes gleamed.

“How indeed,” she said sourly. “Now that I know your ploy I will be certain to ignore it in the future.”

Haldir grinned shamelessly. “Then perhaps I should carry through on my threat. Just so you know what you’ve been missing. It would be so very nice.”

Before she could answer, he gently placed his lips on hers as they gazed into each other’s eyes. Slowly, Haldir closed his eyes as he pressed his lips more firmly against hers. She didn’t want to kiss him, didn’t want to admit that the feel of his soft lips against hers was pleasing and arousing but she did. Tentatively she returned his kiss, fearing she might enjoy it too much and not wanting to give him any encouragement.

Not only did his lips caress her but his desire did as well. Slightly at first, gently, creeping ever so slowly over her as his kiss grew more ardent. It was like a warm blanket enfolding her. He was surprisingly gentle with her, even more so than Legolas and she wondered fleetingly if he would be just as gentle in taking her.

His hand cradled her head, clinching in her hair as his lips moved over hers, now hard and firm, now soft and gentle. A soft moan escaped her and she placed one quivering hand on his shoulder, feeling his beautiful skin. The faint scent of him drifted to her and she trembled, fighting her desire. She wanted him. Wanted to touch him, wanted to feel his large hands running over her, tangling in her hair, holding her tightly to him. Her hand shook on his shoulder. He was deliberately causing this reaction in her!

“Strange creatures,” he murmured softly against her mouth, his eyes now opening to her. “More earthy than an elf, more physically passionate than a human and yet immortal. How does such a creature exist in this world?”

She watched his eyes as her heart pounded in her chest and she quickly jerked her hand back to her side. The heat from his body and the scent of him was such a temptation to her! How she desired to kiss him all over, to smell him, to taste his skin! She quivered with restraint.

“I know how difficult it is for you to resist physical temptation, little one,” he continued as his lips brushed her throat, his eyes following hers. It was almost as if he was reading her thoughts!

His nimble fingers moved down her shoulders, lightly stroking her collarbone. Annowe shivered at his touch and closed her eyes, telling herself that it was Legolas touching her that it was his soft voice in her ear. She would not be able to live with the guilt otherwise.

“But fear not. I will not let you yield to me. No matter how tempting you may be,” he murmured, as his fingers and soft lips continued their relentless seduction.

“I won’t yield to you,” she whispered. “I cannot.”

“Good,” came his soft voice in her ear. “Remember that as the madness overtakes you.”

She shivered again as his lips moved lightly over her neck and his hands slid the tunic from her shoulders, exposing her bare torso to him. Yes, the madness. That is exactly what it must be to make her ache for him so badly. And she did ache for him. She ached to feel his hands on her, touching her, pleasing her as his throaty voice murmured softly to her. She closed her eyes, willing him to stop, silently pleading that he would not kiss her again. She did not know if she could withstand such torture. It was barbaric!

Haldir purred appreciatively in his throat as his fingers lightly stroked the side of her breast. “Yes,” he whispered into her neck. “So nice. So full and firm.” He cupped her breast in his hand, feeling the weight of it as his lips continued to caress her skin; his head moving tantalizingly lower on her. She gasped and opened her eyes as his lips brushed her erect nipple. Quickly, she stopped him from taking her into his mouth.

“No,” she breathed, placing her hand against his cheek, pushing him gently away. Had his soft lips begun to suckle her she would have thrown herself willingly at him, abandoning all reason and hope of resistance.

“As you wish,” he murmured and raised his head back to her neck. He would not press her now. She would not give in to him until she felt completely safe. He must wait. There would be plenty of time for that later.

He slowly kissed her shoulders as one hand gathered her hair into a fist, gently pulling her head back and exposing her throat to him. He ran his nose lightly over the delicate skin, smelling her scent and her body tingled. Then his lips followed, nipping and kissing her as his free hand continued to stroke her quivering body. She moaned softly despite herself. She could feel his increasing desire; his need and she wanted him. She wanted to take him, to claim him, to stop his hateful teasing once and for all. How could he have such a power over her?

Suddenly, in one swift movement, he was behind her, his hand wrapped in her hair, pulling her head to one side while his other arm held her at the waist, pulling her back against him so she could feel his arousal. She gasped and struggled weakly in surprise until his lips began caressing the back of her neck. She gave a quiet cry of pleasure and wiggled against him. He moaned and closed his eyes, willing himself not to give in to his increasing desire for her.

No, he must remain in control of the situation. She was becoming more eager for him as he continued to tease her, slowly driving her to madness and he could not relinquish that. Not yet. Soon, he promised himself. Soon you will have her and Legolas but you must wait. You must control your desire for her or risk losing them both.

Gently, Haldir bent her head forward as his soft lips brushed the back of her neck. Annowe moaned despite herself and writhed against him while he held her fast. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breathing rapid and shallow but he would not relent.

As he kissed the back of her shoulders, he slowly began to force her to bend at the waist. He let go of her hair and ran his hand up her belly and cupped one breast in his hand, murmuring in pleasure against her back. His lips began to trace a pattern of kisses down her spine as his thumb lightly stroked her hard nipple. Annowe whined and closed her eyes. Her body was screaming with desire for him. She had never felt anything so intense in her life. His desire was completely overwhelming to her – she felt as if she was suffocating under his presence and her body trembled with restraint.

His soft mouth traced every inch of her quivering skin as he continued to lightly stroke her breast and whisper seductively to her, all the while letting her feel his need until he felt she was nearing the point of no return. Slowly he managed to rein his desire, gradually pulling it back so he could release her. As a final gesture, he ran his tongue over her spine causing her to gasp quite loudly at the sensation and Haldir gritted his teeth to keep himself under control.

“Do you believe me now?” He breathed against her neck before straightening her up and turning her to face him. He could see that her eyes were slits of pleasure and he grinned in satisfaction.

Then his lips were on hers again and his strong arms crushing her to him. She gasped in surprise and Haldir slid his tongue between her parted lips but she did not struggle against him. Some strange power had taken hold of her and she threw her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply and pressing her breasts into his bare chest. He moaned softly at her response, allowing himself to feel his full desire for only a split second before reining it in again.

But she was such a lovely temptation and he wanted her so badly. The way her small breasts pressed into his bare skin, her erect nipples teasing him. Her firm thighs pressing against his and her greedy hands clawing at his back. It was even better than he imagined! Her entire body seemed to be begging for him and he could feel her desire reaching out for him, wanting him as he wanted her.

“Yes,” he whispered into her neck as his fingers traced her spine. “Yes, it is fierce, your desire, is it not?” His words caressed her. “Never fully realized until now. Did you ever know how totally it could command you?”

To stifle his teasing voice, she grabbed his face and kissed him again, wanting him, needing to taste his tongue and feel his lips on hers. Aggressively, she slid her tongue into his mouth and thrust her pelvis to him, her body screaming for his. Then one small hand slid over his chest, eagerly stroking his bare skin and Haldir moaned in his throat, fighting his own desire. He would need to end this quickly before he lost all control over himself. But he just could not resist one last intimate gesture.

One shaking hand cupped her bottom and pressed her closer against him as the other splayed between her shoulders, crushing her to his bare chest. He sighed delightedly as their tongues leisurely entwined. She was exactly as he had imagined and just as he remembered her with Legolas. And now she was with him, her bare soft skin tingling on his and her small hands clinging desperately to him as she stretched her body out against his, straining to keep him in her embrace.

“You want me, don’t you, little one?” He murmured, reluctantly breaking their kiss. “Want me to fully release your desire.”

Annowe hissed and closed her eyes, fighting against her own bodily instincts. His touch intoxicated her and his kiss drove her to madness! Yes, she wanted him! She wanted to continue kissing his soft lips, running her hands over his supple body as his hands and desire caressed her! This was terrible! It was as if she had no control over herself or her body. More than anything she could remember, she wanted Haldir. Wanted him worse than she had ever wanted Legolas. She felt as if she would die if she could not have him.

“Stop it!” She gasped. “Right now, stop it!”

Almost immediately she felt his desire subside and she quickly stepped out of his arms, eyeing him suspiciously. Protectively, she wrapped her arms around herself and watched him closely – as if he were a snake about to strike.

“I will not do it again, Annowe,” he murmured softly.

She swallowed hard. Her body ached for him, even if he had ceased touching her in that way. It had welled up in her, screaming for him and it would not be stilled.

“I must go,” she whispered, pulling her tunic up over her shoulders and retreating into the darkness.

~~~~~