Oathbound, Heartbroken *COMPLETE*

Title: Oathbound, Heartbroken 15/15 *COMPLETE*
Author: Eawen Penallion
email: cross_stitcherire@yahoo.com
LiveJournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/eawen_penallion/
Type: FPS
Pairing: Haldir/Melpomaen
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Slash, explicit sexual encounters between two (or more!) males.
Beta: Nienna, beta reader extraordinaire!
Disclaimer: all rights to the characters belong to JRR
Tolkien – I’m only playing with them.
Timeline: Middle of Third Age
Feedback: Yes please,
Archive: OEAM, AFF, LJ, anywhere else, please ask

Summary: Haldir has waited for his soulmate for all his life, and now seems to have found that elf. But to claim his love, he must break an oath.

Chapter 15


The journey to Melpomaen's quarters was swift and ecstatic as both elves anticipated this, their first real union of love. Even as Melpomaen had taken the key from his father's hand so had Haldir swept his little scribe into his arms, eager to quit the open air for a more secluded rendezvous. Quick directions from 'Maen to the scribe's quarters had been frequently interrupted by rapid kisses, and only a laughing reminder and a small hand waving a key had prevented Haldir from breaking down the locked door. Once inside the chamber though, with the door locked against any unwanted intrusions, Haldir had paused to take in the pleasing sight of the adorable elf he had just laid upon the quilted bed. Soft skin was flushed to a delightful rose pink, pouting lips were swollen from avid ravishment and the opulent auburn hair lay tumbled and mussed, sprawling enticingly over the crisp white pillows. Melpomaen looked like the epitome of wantonness. And he was Haldir's - all for his delectation. Haldir struggled to speak for his voice was raw with need.

"You are overdressed."

The pouting lips curved in a gloating smile.

"So are you."

The offending clothes did not remain on their bodies for long. Swift hands and nimble fingers made short work of inadequate fastenings and so Haldir had laid himself full length along Melpomaen's welcoming body, revelling in the touch of flesh to flesh. One hand was used to brace his body so that he would not crush the little elf with his muscular frame, but the other delicately traced the fine contours of the slender and most beloved face.

" 'Maen. My 'Maen. Mine, all mine."

"Uireb," the husky voice whispered in return, and a slight movement of the hips caused Haldir to groan as their swollen members were crushed together between them. Chocolate-brown pools shone like fire and Haldir was drowning in the desire therein.

"Garo nín, Haldir, meleth nín…"

The breathy invite - nay *order* - was accepted with eager alacrity as Haldir promptly claimed those tempting lips.

Lips devoured lips in a battle royal; hands roamed and clutched and traced long fingers over pointed ear tips, eliciting moans and sighs that only increased the rising heat of their love. Months of anxious separation melted as quickly as hoarfrost on a bright spring morning. They were one, a single mass of writhing body vocal in its demands and yielding in acquiescence, pouring all their love, energy and desire into capturing this one perfect moment.

Melpomaen thrashed in thrusting hunger as Haldir paid homage to this faultless body - willowy, white, soft and silken - and as much as he longed to mark the scribe as his own, Haldir forbore the laying of bruising kisses on so immaculate a canvas. Lower he explored, intent on trailing his mouth over every inch of flesh but his breathing increased as each lave of skin brought him nearer to the swollen evidence of 'Maen relentless desire for him, for Haldir of Lórien. A sudden inhalation came near to undoing him as he pressed gently into the curls as the base of the turgid member, and the musky aroma of 'Maen almost overwhelmed him. There was a moment's hesitation as he contemplated his next move - but only a moment, for it was *far* too tempting to allow it to pass.

Haldir's tongue flicked out to lick the hard cock, over the shaft then under, around the glans and across the weeping slit. Melpomaen's moans increased until finally Haldir took the shaft into his mouth fully. Melpomaen screamed with delight.

Acting, imitating, copying the motions as he had felt them on his own rod during that so-special lesson, Haldir proceeded to please his bucking scribe. His eyes glanced over to the table at the side of the bed, glad to see that Melpomaen still kept a bottle of his hair oil nigh him. At full stretch his fingers fumbled to catch the bottle then, without removing his mouth from the thrusting cock, he uncapped it and drizzled the sweet oil over his trembling digits.

The slow circling of the fingers around 'Maen tight hole was unpractised, but each touch was filled with tender love. Reluctantly Haldir let the swollen shaft slip from between his lips, for as a novice he knew that he needed to apply all his concentration to the task ahead if he wanted to be sure that he would not hurt his darling elf.

"May I, ind nín?" he asked in fearful hope. In answer the supple legs lifted and folded and strong calves settled onto broad shoulders. Grabbing a pillow, Haldir tucked it under Melpomaen's hips. As he hesitated to make the next move, Melpomaen grabbed Haldir's oiled hand, tugging at it to direct it to his opening.

"Garo nín, Haldir," he repeated in a breathless voice. Melpomaen's eyes shone brighter than ever and Haldir could hardly catch his own breath, he was so enraptured by love.

The preparation seemed to take an age as Haldir diligently applied all the knowledge and techniques he had learned from his brothers. Although he smirked with delight at hearing the small cries, pleas and moans of pleasure emanating from the pouting lips, still he would not hurry. He would not allow inattention to hurt his 'Maen. *He* would not hurt his 'Maen. As he looked down on the splendid body Haldir could only shudder with need as he saw the rivulets of lustful sweat cause a golden sheen to cover the white flesh, highlighting the curves of the bare chest, the gentle swell of the soft stomach and the prominences of the fine hip bones. Each curve was to be caressed, licked and loved, for it was his way of worshiping this gift of the Valar.

Finally all was well and he had done all he could. Haldir stretched over the folded body, meeting the open eyes once more, knowing that Melpomaen loved and trusted him completely.

"Take me, Haldir. Make me yours, now and forever, " the sweet voice whispered against his neck.

The Marchwarden groaned, his desire and apprehension battling for supremacy - but his desire for 'Maen won, no contest. His solid frame trembled as he pressed his cock against the tempered opening, increasing the pressure against the strong muscle as Melpomaen tried to relax. A mere whimper from the little elf caused Haldir to freeze, his eyes opening wide with fear.

" 'Maen?"

There was a slight shake of the dark head.

"Don't stop, don't you *dare* stop…More, I need you in me - *more*!"

Still fixing his gaze upon his beloved, Haldir surged forward once more in a concerted act of strength and want. A gasp of disbelief escaped as he felt his penis pass the guardian ring and he slid fully into 'Maen's welcoming passage. . So hot, so tight! Only Haldir's enormous strength of will prevented him from coming with the sheer bliss of feeling 'Maen surround him. Panting to maintain his control, he paused until an upward thrust of hips demanded that he move and he complied with that silent order.

It could have been wild. It could have been a frantic, demanding coupling born of need and lust. It could have been noisy, a screaming outpouring of repression released. It could have been over in seconds - but it wasn't. It was a sensuous stroke against sweet gland; it was a gentle, continuous rocking of one united body formed from a circle of two; it heralded soft murmurs and thankful kisses, as tears of joy and ecstasy and relief ran freely from both lovers. It evoked blissful cries of completion when the climaxing spasms of 'Maen triggered the tight explosion of release from Haldir. In the twilight aftermath of love made corporeal two elves lay entwined, each part of their bodies laid upon the other as fingers ran soft exploratory trails over damp cheeks. Haldir tightened his hold upon Melpomaen in a possessive embrace.

" 'Maen. My 'Maen. Only mine…"

And as soft a breeze in the treetops, the dulcet voice of his love breathed his response.

"Yes, yours. Always yours… forever."

****

The lovemaking continued into the night and stretched until early morning, each episode of love made real punctuated by short respites of dreams coloured by joy. There was no need for food other than the food of love, their climaxes giving them sustenance aplenty. As each wave of passion ebbed after the crashing of the waves of completion upon the shores of fulfilment, so another flow of blood came to swell once more the instruments of pleasure, required to assuage the need to combine two into one. At one of these times Haldir made his most trusting request of his beloved. Melpomaen had at first demurred.

"Are you sure, meleth nín? If - if you do not feel ready…?"

Haldir smiled and lifted their entwined palms to his lips so that he could caress the flexed knuckles.

"I am sure. I need you, Melpomaen, and I need to prove both to you and to myself that I can share fully in the joys of our physical love."

Melpomaen had prepared him as carefully as Doron had, as carefully as Haldir had prepared 'Maen. The extended loveplay made him both excited and mellow and Haldir felt in his bones the rightness of this moment. Haldir flexed his hips, thrusting into Melpomaen's mouth when the slim fingers stroked against his sweet spot, igniting the flaring fireworks shooting through his body.

Haldir had expected to tense when Melpomaen first broached his body - to protest against the invasion as he had protested against that painful incursion two thousand years ago. He had expected to weep, cry, scream his rebuttal of this invasion - but he did not. Instead he melted into the chocolate depths of his love, and swam in the heat of this glorious sensation, and answered every gentle advance with one of his own. He had been as an empty jar, an item without purpose. Now he was filled with love and tenderness and 'Maen. As wonderful as the sensation of the velvet sheath around his silken shaft had been, to *be* the velvet glove was unimaginably divine. He felt as if he had been a bird trapped in a cage, using the bars to protect himself from the fearful dangers of the outside world. He was a newborn chick, scared to flee from the nest. Now in his surrender to the moment - to the exquisite fullness and to Melpomaen - he had flung himself of the cliff of doubt. He was a fledgling - and 'Maen had taught him how to fly.

****

T.A. 3021


The strong breeze had carried the ship across the wide sea to the hidden shores and now the capable hands of the captain were guiding them to the harbour, ready to make the final manoeuvres to bring it to dock. Haldir heard the shouts of the sailors as the white sheets were lowered and furled, and the ropes were cast over to the waiting dockhands. All about him the passengers chattered excitedly as they tried to spot their loved ones on the crowded quayside. Haldir was not looking at the newfound shore. Instead he looked about him, at his fellow travellers - and family.

Up at the prow were the main players in the restoration of the peace that now inhabited Middle Earth. Lord Elrond stood beside Mithrandir, who in turn protected the aging Bilbo Baggins and his young nephew Frodo from the bustle about them. Haldir smiled as his soft gaze fell upon the younger Ringbearer, seeing the frailness endowed upon him by the fraught dangers and demands placed on such a small creature. Hopefully here in the Undying Lands they both might find rest and peace of soul. With them too was his Lady, she to whom he owed so much, including his perpetual allegiance; and his fathers-in-law, Glorfindel and Erestor, still so close in their unending love.

Nearer to him was his family, holding close in these final moments of their journey. Orophin and Doron stood quiet, Doron's eager eyes darting with interest upon this new scene for him, and Haldir knew that his intellectual curiosity would not soon be assuaged. Behind Doron stood his husband, his arms draped about his waist and his chin resting upon a shoulder. Brave Orophin who, when Lord Celeborn had created a subdivision of the Northern Patrol of which Oro would be head, had affirmed his position as Commander when Haldir had assured him that they would be on the same patrol rotation. Since then he had never left the side of his brother and Marchwarden. Now the mated pair stood, stronger than ever in the union of their love.

Next to them were entwined his other brother and his wife, Rúmil and Meliuwen, and their family. Oh, how his nephew and niece had grown, watched over by their loving parents. The elder couple had always guided their children with tolerance, understanding and wisdom and they had benefited as they witnessed the changes over the years and the joys adulthood had wrought. Now Alagion was a Galadhel like his father, and Tólaes a healer, both well entrenched in their relative careers. Beside Alagion stood his beautiful lady, and Tólaes was held in her wife's embrace. Both settled, both happy, both delighted at the prospect of their new lives in the Undying lands.

Looking once more at his brothers, Haldir again thanked the Valar that they all made it through the mayhem and massacre that was Dol Guldur. That they all came through alive when so many good warriors died was a miracle. Only two years ago, each name and face of the warriors he had lost was fresh in his memory - and Haldir mourned *all* the losses that had been endured by both Lothlórien and Mirkwood. Lord Celeborn and King Thranduil had been magnificent in their leadership, and had reconciled in battle any differences that had once lain between them. Now, regretfully, both lords had lingered in Middle Earth to aid the last enclaves of elves but, with the grace of the Valar, they would shepherd their people home in the fullness of time. Again Haldir remembered the words his lord had spoken when entrusting to him the care of the Lady Galadriel.

"The wielding of Nenya has long wearied my lady," he had said regretfully. "Her strength of will was needed to bear it yet in it's bearing it also offered to her strength of body. Now that the One Ring has been destroyed she is weakened and will fade if she remains in these dying years of the elves upon these lands. Be her champion and her guide on the Straight Road. See Galadriel to her father's house, so that she may rest and abide my coming."

The Silver Lord had looked in earnest upon his most trusted Marchwarden. "I will remain, but do not protest this duty, Haldir - do not seek to remain with me. Long have you served me and that service has been exemplary. Take it not amiss that I command you and your brothers to take ship to Aman. You have parents who have long awaited your arrival. There are others who desire to remain in East Lórien, for this is yet their home. I will not lack for company or security."

So here they were now, almost docked on the shores of Valinor and a whole new life was ahead of them. A whole new experience was waiting to be embraced with laugher and joy and wide-eyed amazement. With Melpomaen.

Haldir looked down at his beautiful husband seated on a corner of the deck. He still marvelled at his good fortune in capturing the little elf's love all those centuries ago. The sweeping dark hair shone with auburn highlights as the sun of Aman fell upon those luxurious locks and Haldir did not resist the temptation to stroke the soft tresses. Melpomaen looked up from where he sat and smiled brightly. Haldir grinned in response and in nostalgia, for it was the same smile that Melpomaen had given him when they had attended upon his fathers so long ago in Rivendell. Haldir smiled in remembrance of the moment when he realised that Melpomaen *did* have a pet name for his dark-haired father - but it was a secret one that the trio had agreed would be used only within the family. Now the privilege was extended to Haldir.

"Adar Glorfindel, Papa Erestor - Haldir and I wish to give you formal notice of our intention to bind. Please, my fathers, I would ask for your blessings on our love."

Haldir had felt his heart race in the fear of their rejection of Melpomaen's plea, but it seemed that the lords had realised the intense level of their commitment. Either that or they had crumbled in the face of Lord Elrond's eloquent and extensive persuasions. The result was the same - much hugging, kissing and congratulations. A few weeks later a thrilled Melpomaen had sat upon a laden horse to return to Lothlórien where they would begin their new life as a couple.

The binding ceremony one year later had been the most joyous occasion seen in years in the Golden Wood for as well as the fathers' presence at the ceremony Lord Elrond had also come with Arwen, leaving Imladris in the capable stewardship of his twin sons. Celeborn and Galadriel had decreed that there would be great festivities at this union of the two realms, and that decree had been embraced to the fullest. Later, in the gentle quiet of their talan, the loving couple had exchanged their private vows, requesting in their prayers that the Valar would send their blessing upon their bodily and spiritual bond. As Haldir had thrust deep in his 'Maen evoking their conjoined climax, their souls had been laid bare and the irrevocable union of fëar was completed in a spectacular orgasm of body, soul and heart.

Ah, Melpomaen - his beautiful, witty, openhearted husband. 'Maen's obviously expressive and compassionate character had been as a fresh breeze blowing through the mellyrn, affecting every resident of Lothlórien in a different way. Now that he was a permanent resident and wed to, he claimed, the most handsome warrior in the Golden Wood, Melpomaen had found his element in the politics of the realm. Very quickly his many varied and expansive talents had been discerned and within a hundred years the small elf had risen to the rank of advisor to Lord Celeborn. The Lord had nourished 'Maen's thirst for knowledge and, as the latter days of the Third Age had darkened, that knowledge had been plundered to aid in the protection of the Wood and to contrive the attacks upon the evil that threatened all Middle Earth. In his capacity of advisor, Melpomaen had been the obvious choice for any ambassadorial duties that took him to Imladris and of course, visits to his family. Haldir had most often accompanied Melpomaen on these journeys but as the forces of evil drew nearer so was his presence needed in Lothlórien and he was often unable to travel with his husband. It caused him much dismay to leave the protection of his little one to others, even to those as well trained as his wardens - but it accounted for Melpomaen's attendance at the Council wherein the recovered One Ring was displayed, discussed and entrusted to a small hobbit to bring to its destruction - a trust well-founded.

Haldir sighed. Those days had been fraught with fear for his beloved, and he had not been the only one to experience it. As well as his intellectual accomplishments, Melpomaen's gentle and friendly nature had stimulated the protective love of the denizens of Caras Galadhon, and his social circle had been well established soon after arriving in the city. To Haldir's immense surprise, one of Melpomaen's closest friends had been the elf who had abused him so long ago - Eruant. Within a short time of his return to Lothlórien the Galadhel had sought out Melpomaen and had apologised profusely for his drunken behaviour that night at the tavern. Melpomaen had accepted his apologies without reserve and had soon come to like the repentant warden - as had Haldir. The three had become firm friends and Haldir and Melpomaen had danced joyfully at Eruant's wedding, when the ellon had found the ellith who had captured his heart and completed his soul. When Eruant and his wife had decided only four years ago to conceive a child in anticipation of their removal to Valinor, Haldir and Melpomaen had been the first elves to learn of the impending birth of the elfling.

The cheers from the quayside had changed in tenor, and the rattles and thuds from the side of the ship announced the extension of the gangplank to the shore. All around them elves began to gather their bags of belongings that they had used on the journey, knowing that the larger pieces of luggage would be unloaded from the holds later on. Smiling down once more at his beloved, Haldir espied a look of apprehension upon Melpomaen's face.

"Meleth?"

Melpomaen's lips trembled. "Do - do you think that they will be here, Haldir? Do you think that they will know me, or I them? What - what if they do not like me…?"

Haldir immediately crouched beside his seated husband, cradling both him and the bundle he carried in his arms. He knew what preyed on Melpomaen's mind, for they had discussed it many times in the years leading up to the crossing. Here in Valinor dwelled Melpomaen's birth parents, surely re-born by now from the Halls of Mandos. In his total acceptance of Glorfindel and Erestor as his adoptive parents Melpomaen had never forgotten that he had others awaiting him on this side of the ocean.

"Ai, meleth nín - who could not love you? They will be so happy to see you and know that you were so well loved and cared for by your fathers. It will take some time to reacquaint you with them, but we elves have plenty of that. They will love you, 'Maen - though not nearly as much as I do."

Melpomaen laughed as Haldir pulled his darling into a deep kiss, and the Marchwarden hugged his little elf once more. There came a soft cry from within the bundle that Melpomaen bore and small hands fought free of the enfolding material of the blanket, revealing a tiny face filled with large green eyes.

"Aiya, pen neth! Did Ada disturb you, mir nín?"

Haldir reached his large hands out and the smaller ones grasped hold of him as he took his foster daughter into his safe arms, rising slowly to his feet. Melpomaen followed, delighted at seeing the expression of devotion upon the warrior's face.

Yes, the battle of Dol Guldur had exacted a heavy price and the price had been paid in the lives of many warriors - including Eruant. Haldir and especially Melpomaen had succoured the grieving widow, but in her desperate grief she had not taken heart at the near-removal to Aman and had instead fallen prey to the elven sickness. In the final days of her fading she had entrusted the care of her daughter to the two elves. Lady Galadriel had endorsed this adoption, and Haldir had near wept when he saw the gentle awe in which Melpomaen had received the child into his arms. Long ago, at a fateful meal, Haldir had mourned when he realised that Melpomaen would have loved to have a child of his own and this extraordinary event had now allowed them to become a family instead of a couple. It had brought their relationship to new heights, and Haldir had rejoiced.

A touch upon his shoulder brought Haldir back to the present. Looking up he saw Rúmil smiling at him.

"They are there brother - I saw them on the quay! And their bereths are with them."

They disembarked as a family, moving through the seething masses of reunited elves to reach their parents. Little Adariel was quiet in the presence of so many faces, and snuggled further into Haldir's arms as he led the way. Then he saw them. Celegon and Laeriel stood forward, their anxious faces betraying their concern at this reunion, the patent plea on their faces begging for the forgiveness of their sons at the hidden truths of their marriage. Their spouses hovered behind them and the brothers could see that the two ellyn ached to lend their support to their husband and wife. They need not have feared for Rúmil and Orophin broke into a run, flinging themselves into their parents' arms. In that split second the two thousand years of grief melted away and they were as they had been at the time of their loss - two young elflings bereft of the mother and father who had loved them, sobbing freely into the sheltering embraces.

Haldir's eyes were no dryer than his brothers but he stood back until the throbbing need to join them could be restrained no longer. With Melpomaen by his side he stepped forward, his glistening eyes meeting the similarly moist blue of the father he loved so much. The father who had lost then regained his lover against all odds. The father to whom he had sworn an oath.

An oath misspoken; an oath that had bound him too tight; an oath broken by love; an oath rescinded. And now, by an unforeseen turn of circumstances, an oath fulfilled. No matter that there was no blood bond there - she was still family.

Pulling Melpomaen into the curve of one arm and holding Adariel in the other, Haldir smiled as he presented his family to his father.

"Adar, this is my beautiful husband, 'Maen - and our daughter Adariel. Your granddaughter. As I promised, Adar. As I promised."

And through the happy and astonished tears the family pressed together, knowing that a new life awaited them under the setting sun of Aman.

FIN


Elvish:

Uireb - forever
Garo nín - Have me
meleth nín - my love
ind nín - my heart
fëar - souls
pen neth - little one
ellon - male elf (sing.)
ellith - female elf (sing.)
mir nín - my treasure
bereths - spouses
ellyn - male elves (pl.)


Author's Note: Thank you to all who have stuck with me on this tortuous journey. I hope that you enjoyed the story of this precious love. Many thanks go to my beta Nienna who bravely beta'd this between bouts of illness; also thanks to all my friends on the Yahoo boards and LJ who have been so supportive of my writings

Eawen