And There Was Trouble Taking Place

Chapter 11

Next morning, the outskirts of Imladris

Haldir jumped off his horse and looked around. “This seems a lovely place for a picnic.”

“And does it meet your standards for safety, marchwarden of Lórien?”

“Certainly, ernilen (my prince).” Smirking, Haldir bowed deeply in Legolas’ direction. “No orcs in sight, and it looks like no one has visited this clearing for weeks. I wonder why though. It is beautiful, secluded, and even has a small pond.”

“Made for a secret tryst between lovers, you mean?”

“Made for us. Take the basket and find a spot. I will see to our steeds.”

Haldir checked the horses and set them free, then turned to look at Legolas. The prince strolled across the clearing, carrying the hamper and a blanket. One old birch grew in the middle of the open space, and Legolas stopped next to it. He spoke to the tree; it seemed they were discussing whether it was suitable to enjoy a picnic in the birch’s shade. The day was warm for that early in the spring, and Anor shone hotly from the sky.

Apparently the discussion was over and favourable to the elves, for Legolas spread the blanket underneath the tree. He turned to Haldir. “Will you join me or do you intend to spend the day there dreaming?”

“With you, meleth (love), daydreams become unnecessary.”

“Really?” Legolas arched one elegant eyebrow in question.

They sat down. As Legolas loosed his braids and straightened his hair, Haldir admired the pale golden shine of it. He could not help himself, but caught a lock and twirled around his finger.

“Come here.” Haldir tugged gently at the strand. Legolas followed the pull until their faces where so close it seemed they breathed the same air. Their lips touched, and for a moment Haldir was lost in the softness of Legolas’ mouth. Emotions welled up in him; he felt he could not breathe. Then the prince’s tongue touched his own, and a surge of desire cleared his head.

Legolas broke the kiss, panting lightly, and leaned back on his hands. “I feel bad for Erestor. Somehow it does not seem right that we are here enjoying the wonderful day and each other’s company, and he is alone in his room, refusing to come out.”

“That is the way he wanted it. What happened was not your fault. Nor was it my fault. And I seriously doubt anyone can be blamed for it.”

“It is not that. I feel we let him down, when he most needed us.”

“You were there, at his door, but in case you have forgotten, let me quote Erestor. He said, ‘Neither one of you is for me. I know that now. Please, leave me alone.’ Besides, with us out of the way, I believe Glorfindel will be more susceptible to Erestor’s charms.”

“Who could resist the beautiful counsellor in distress?” Legolas opened the upper buttons of his tunic.

“Not I. Glorfindel is the one he wants. And judging from the way Glorfindel is acting around Erestor, I think our counsellor is well on his way to having the Balrog Slayer.”

“I would like to have Glorfindel too.”

“Ai! My pride is hurt. You would take him over me?”

“I have had him already. As, I suspect, have you. Consequently we both know Glorfindel is amazing, in every possible way. But I still would not take him over you. Because there is something about you, Haldir.”

“Something about me? Hmmm. My dashing good looks? My station as the head of Lórien’s guards? Or is it the way I make you scream when we make love?”

“That last thing might have something to do with it,” Legolas laughed.

“I have to wonder about Glorfindel’s performance, if he did not.”

“Oh, he did. Of course he did. But not the same way you do.” Legolas looked deep in Haldir’s eyes. “Most people are intimidated by my title. They treat me gently, as if I was fragile, easily breakable.” Seeing Haldir’s slightly perplexed expression, he added, “No, not Glorfindel. But even he lacks the confidence you possess in the bedroom. I love being able to let go, to give control to someone else. Your hands roam on my body like they own it, and I adore that feeling.”

“Elbereth! This is a first. You are making me blush, my prince.”

“I have other ways of making you blush. Better ones. Can I show you?” Legolas growled playfully and attacked the laces of Haldir’s breeches with his teeth.

The feeling of Legolas’ hot breath low on his stomach made Haldir close his eyes. For a moment, he was aware only of a wet tongue tracing circles on his skin. The prince was pure bliss.

When Haldir next opened his eyes, he took stock of his surroundings, just to make sure he was not dreaming. Aye, everything seemed to be exactly as it was before: wind in the trees, warm sunshine beyond the dappled shade, the Woodland King on a horse, the burble of –

The Woodland King on a horse?

Haldir scrambled from under Legolas, trying to cover his naked body parts with his hands.

“Ionen (my son), I hope I am not disturbing anything important.” Thranduil’s amused voice came from high above Legolas.

Legolas lazily rolled to lie on his back and looked up to his father, sitting on his horse. “I would say you *are* disturbing, ada (father). However, I believe you did not plan it, so I forgive you. What brings you to Elrond’s realm? You have been avoiding the place as if it was run by Ringwraiths.”

“I am here because of the rumours of your mature, dark-haired lover in Imladris. I see now that those were either highly exaggerated or you have once again been more than worthy of your reputation, picking your way through lovers the same way some of us pick blueberries. Only stopping to sample the juicier ones.” He turned his sparkling gaze to Haldir, who had managed to straighten his clothes and his dignity, both back in perfect order. “Do you know whose web you have stepped into? My son is not known for his faithfulness or the staying power of his relationships.”

“I do, my king. But who is to say I have been caught in his web when it could very well be the other way around?”

Thranduil closed his eyes; Haldir’s reply brought back painful memories. Was it not something very similar Elrond had used as his excuse on more than one occasion?

“Who was that?”

“A scribe from Lórien. No one important.”

“Important enough for you to ask him to dance for the third time tonight.”

“Do not be silly, Thranduil. It is the other way around. He asked me to dance and I could not refuse. I am the lord of this realm; I have responsibilities.”

Even after centuries, the memories were so strong that they brought a sour taste to Thranduil’s mouth. He hated how he felt back then. How insecure he had been. The feelings of jealousy that gnawed at his confidence. And in the end, he could not blame Elrond for it. Yes, Elrond had been unfaithful, unwilling to give up his freedom, but Thranduil had been the one to allow it. He could have left ages before, but chose to go on and innocently believe Elrond would change because he loved Thranduil. It turned out their love had not been enough.

Thranduil opened his eyes, smiling sadly. “That is indeed a great possibility, my dear marchwarden. I shall leave you to it then.”

“Ada, where are you going?” Legolas jumped to his feet.

“Back to Mirkwood. I just came to make sure your lover was not a certain old, black vulture.”

Haldir thought he heard Thranduil continue under his breath, something that sounded like “a regular bird of prey he is.”

“And since that is not the case, my presence is not desperately needed. I shall not linger. Is it acceptable to enquire when you will come back to Mirkwood? And whether you will bring your … beloved with you?”

Thranduil once again turned to look at Haldir with his emerald green eyes and Haldir felt they pierced right through to his soul, finding all his well-hidden secrets.

“It would be wonderful to have you as our quest once again, Haldir. There is never enough flamboyance in the dark corners of our forest.”

“Do you think we could make a deal? I will bring Haldir with me and you can even call him son-in-law if you so desire, but in return I want you to come to Imladris with us.”

Haldir’s eyes bulged a little at Legolas’ last sentence but he found he had practically no objections to Thranduil calling him son-in-law by. He would naturally have to discuss a leave of absence with Galadriel, but he had served his lady well and could not see trouble coming that way. Lothlórien would survive well without him for a time.

“Do we have an agreement, father?”

*~*


Glorfindel had a rare morning without his duties. He had been to the Bruinen for an invigorating swim, and was on his way to see if he could persuade Elrond to leave his office for a while, and come out in the sun to enjoy a picnic lunch in the garden. Elrond had been somewhat gloomy since he talked with Legolas. A little food and the company of friends would go a long way to fixing that. Everything seemed to be going his way, and Glorfindel was elated. Even the sun shone brightly from a cloudless sky. He had set his plan to get the amulet from Erestor in motion earlier that morning, and would continue with it later that evening. Time after dusk, he felt, was more intimate than daylight and he definitely preferred intimacy for completing his task. He was certain of his success, but it would take some time. Luckily, he was patient.

He knocked on the door of Elrond’s study, and stepped in without waiting for permission. “Elrond, it is time for lunch and I will not take a ‘no’ for an answer.” Glorfindel walked to Elrond’s desk and snatched the book his lord was reading. “We might even try to persuade Erestor to come out to the gardens with us. I asked the kitchen and they have not sent him his lunch tray yet.”

“Just let me finish this one letter before we go.”

“How is the other letter?”

“The one to Thranduil? My heart is unwilling to write it.”

“I am not surprised. You do love him.”

“I do, but that is beside the point. We are too different to be together. That is the simple truth. If I am to find some peace of mind in the matter, I shall have to set him free. So, I will write the letter. I have promised that to myself.”

As Elrond was proving his point, getting the said letter from the bottom drawer of his desk, they heard one of the guards blow his horn to announce a visitor.

Glorfindel walked to the balcony to see who it was. “I think you should let someone else take care of this guest. It is better if you do not see him.”

Elrond followed Glorfindel, and gasped when he saw Thranduil in all his beauty. The king’s pale golden hair was free, coming down to the backs of his thighs. A playful gust of wind grabbed a few strands, and tangled them in a crown of Starflowers on Thranduil’s head. In his peripheral vision, Elrond saw Elladan rush to the yard to greet their visitor. The king slid down from his horse and embraced the twin. As if sensing Elrond’s presence the King turned to look at him and their eyes met. All his determination fled Elrond as he held the gaze of his true heart.

So much for that decision, thought Glorfindel, watching his friend blindly walk to his desk and pick a letter from it.

“Elrond.” Elrond did not react to Glorfindel’s voice in any way, and Glorfindel tried again. ”Elrond!” Ah, the love-sick fool. Glorfindel hurried over to Elrond and quickly grabbed the letter from the fireplace before the flames reached it.

“What are you doing?” Elrond woke up from his trance.

“I saved this trade agreement from the fire. I believe what you wanted to burn is this?” Glorfindel showed the letter to Thranduil.

“Mmm. Yes. That is it.”

Glorfindel rolled his eyes and threw the letter in the hearth. Life in Imladris was never boring.


TBC...