The old ways

Legolas felt like in a dream. His body thrummed and a lovely pain spread in his nether regions. It had been his first time with another male and he had dreamed it to be like this. Haldir had been so loving, caring and gentle. His strong arms were wrapped around him sheltering him from any harm, holding him, caressing him and showing him that he was the most important being.

"I had never thought that love making could be so pleasurable and how much I needed Haldir near me. We met as often as we could. Every time my father was attending a counsel session I managed to sneak away and meet with Haldir somewhere in the woods. The fear that my father could find out about our relationship was with us all the time. After some weeks the entourage of Mirkwood left again and so did we. Haldir was on duty and we didn't even have the chance to say goodbye properly.
For many years Haldir and I met in secret, somewhere in the vast realm of Mirkwood. I went on patrol to the south border on my free will. No one was particularly fond of going there, for it was far from home and Dol Guldur was near but that was the only chance I had to come near Lorien. Haldir and I were desperate to see each other and we even managed to share a few nights of passion together. We both knew that the relationship we had would not work out on a long term, but neither of us wanted to think or speak about it."
Gimli nursed his pipe for a few moments and looked up at his friend "If it was so difficult, how did you two manage to get together for good? Did you father find out?"
"Sort of. It all happened at the celebration of my 1000th birthday. My father had organised a great feast and had invited many guests. I think he even hoped that a fair elf maiden would catch my eye in this event but he never pressed me. Anyway, I felt very lonely that evening, knowing that Haldir was somewhere south in Lorien hopefully thinking of me, maybe even wishing me all the best. I tried my best to be in a good mood, but I presume I failed miserably. My relatives and even my father tried to cheer me up, by presenting me with the most exquisite of gifts and well wishes. Still all I longed for was far away and unreachable. It must have been around midnight and the feast at its peak, when suddenly my father's seneschal announced a new arrival. Most of the guests went quiet and stared at the large entrance to the hall with growing curiosity, of who might be coming at this late hour. My father stood in the middle of the hall, with one of his closest friends at his side turning to see who was coming. The doors were opened again and in strode Haldir. Adorned in his finest he made his way steadily across the floor to halt before my father and bowed low in respect. I can clearly remember that my heart stopped the moment I saw my love enter the hall and I tried to hide behind some guests. Why was he here? Maybe he was carrying an urgent message from Lorien? But why was he clothed in the finest silk and not in a travelling garb? From were I stood, I could watch him and my father without being seen. At the first moment all seemed to be formal, but not unusual. Maybe he just had dressed like this because he knew we were holding a feast and he didn't want to offend, but then I heard him speak. "My Lord Thranduil, I have come from the woods of Lothlorien on my own behalf. I thank you for your kind admittance to your festivities and your consent. I wish to give my congratulations and well wishes to your son on his birthday and hereby ask for your permission to court the crown prince and have his hand in marriage."" Legolas smiled dreamily at the memory.
"Wow!" Gimli sat upright in his chair. "That was very noble and courageous of him, wasn't it? Oh my, how did you father react to that? And you, did everybody hear it? I bet I would have died on the spot." He gestured to Legolas to continue and eagerly suckled on his pipe.
"I can tell you, I nearly did die on the spot. Though my father would never show any strong emotions in the open, I could read his body language like a book. I can clearly say that he was beside himself. But the only noticeable gesture he made that moment was arching his eyebrows and clearing his throat. A lot of the guests had turned towards me, an unreadable expression on their faces. They all knew of my father's dislike for the elves of Lorien and of course because of the fact that Haldir was everything BUT a fair maiden who would secure our royal bloodline. My face must have beet red, when my father's voice carried over the dim calling me to his side. It was like walking to my own execution, everybody staring at me, whispered comments or even insults flowing through the air. My father turned to me, his eyes glaring "Legolas Greenleaf, my son!" My father hardly ever addressed me in that manner, only if I was in very deep trouble. And obviously I was more than just in very deep trouble at that moment. My heart was hammering, my face burning and my hands were shaking as I made my way to my father and Haldir, who stood as proud as Galadriel herself would. "Legolas," my father repeated "there is someone here to wish you well on this special day." He gestured towards Haldir.
I couldn't believe this was happening and moved to stand before my beloved, expecting him to shake my hand, but instead he threw a glance at my father and pulled me in a tight embrace. "I wish you all the very best and a long and healthy life." He said out loud, only to whisper in my ear "I cannot live without you, my love."
As he withdrew my father was at my side resting a hand on my shoulder holding me in a tight grip. "Come my son, I think we have a few things to discuss. You will attend us also, Haldir of Lorien." We had no other chance as to follow him out of the hall and into his study, where he moved to his seat behind a large wooden desk. While he sat down, Haldir and I had no other option than to stand. I could see my father gathering his thoughts, filling his lungs with air, no doubt to shout at us any second now. But it never happened. Instead he looked at me and then at Haldir, addressing him in an unusually quiet voice. "You understand I can not grant you your request concerning my son. I can and will not let a Noldor pursue him or by any means marry him. Which is obviously out of the question anyway, hence you are clearly the wrong gender." Haldir looked stricken at these words, but bowed slightly reaching into his robe retrieving a parchment.