Strange Allies

~~~~
Disclaimer - I don't own any of this but Annowe and I have not made any money on this story.

A/N: Mr. Wicked has also been lobbying heavily for his sex but, alas, Annowe has chosen to remain faithful to Legolas. Think the Prince of Mirkwood will believe it? Or not?

Naira – lol! I wish I could but it’s HIS story and that darned nymph won’t co-operate with him! But don’t worry, the three of them are about to meet up and things get pretty interesting from here on out! Yeah, he’s hot all right but he’s also a royal pain in my ass with all of his puffery and crazy demands on ME! The big meanie! LOL!

Sandra: Ah, I understand now. I thought I wasn’t being clear. Thanks! It took a while to find just the right imagery that Annowe would have been able to relate to. Toad seemed perfect! Lol! As for her game and his trick – well, let’s just say that he will have those very words thrown back at him later. Believe me, I had to take a cold shower after writing that – much to Mr. Wicked’s nefarious delight. It pleases him to no end to know he gets everyone all hot and bothered!

Rose Atlee – Thank you. He is quite satisfied with himself that he is the cause of so many rapid pulses and changes of underwear! Sometimes so much so that I’d like to smack that smug smirk off of his face! :-D But I will refrain until he tells me if he lives or dies!

Michelle - Oh, yes, she loves Legolas more than both of them realize, I think. And she knows that Legolas would never forgive her if she were to have Haldir under any circumstances. She is well aware of how sensitive and possessive he is of her. But don’t worry – her wayward prince is about to magically appear and the fun will really begin!

~~~~~

Annowe swam leisurely up the Limlight River enjoying the feel of the cool water on her bare skin. The waters in the south had not yet frozen and she was grateful to get the chance to swim again and wash away the last bit of Haldir’s scent from her. She had been out all day swimming and listening for any word from the south about the corsairs and enjoying her freedom. She wanted to leave Lothlorien in the next day or two to get quickly away on her mission and be out of Haldir’s grasp for good.

With a slight pang of guilt, she realized that she would miss the hateful thing. They had come to some sort of uneasy alliance during their journey and she had actually become accustomed to his arrogance and teasing, especially since she had figured out how to torment him just as much as he did her. She certainly must be losing all reason, she thought. Time amongst the cutthroats of the south would surely bring her back around to her senses.

She crawled out of the river and pulled her tunic and boots on, still ruminating on this very bizarre change of heart when strong arms grabbed her from behind, one hand covering her mouth as she was lifted easily into the air. Terrified, she struggled to free herself as the iron grip increased around her midsection. Her feet kicked helplessly and she squirmed desperately, even attempting to bite the hand over her mouth but it was to no avail.

Then March Warden’s throaty purr sounded in her ear and she relaxed. “Easy, little one, it is only me. There are werewolves about in the area. You must be more careful.”

He slowly carried her back into the depths of the forest, holding her small form tightly to him and enjoying every minute of it. He set her down gently, running his hands longingly over her sides as he let go of her.

She bristled at him for giving her such a fright. What if she had hurt him?

“Why didn’t you just call to me?” She questioned irritably. “Why did you grab me?”

Haldir smiled and arched an eyebrow at her. “Perhaps I merely wanted to feel your body again squirm in my grasp,” he murmured. “It is such a pleasant feeling to have you pressed against me, writhing like that. How could I resist?”

At her dark look he chuckled. “Or perhaps I was worried that you would not hear my voice and it would only draw the wolves to you,” he admitted although his first answer had been closer to the truth.

Annowe sighed in mock disgust and shook her head at him. “You are too vile for words sometimes, you realize that, don’t you?” She snorted.

“Come now, my dear. That’s what makes it all the more interesting!” He said silkily, motioning his two companions to continue their watch.

The nymph smiled ruefully. “Interesting is not quite the word I had in mind,” she admitted.

“Would it please you to know that we have guests here?” Haldir changed the subject.

Annowe cocked her head at him. “What guests?”

A slow smile spread over Haldir’s face. “Why, your young prince!” He continued talking but Annowe had ceased listening and ran off deeper into the forest, determined to find Legolas herself.

Instantly, Haldir was beside her and she stopped in her tracks. “Tell me where he is!” She demanded breathlessly, grabbing his tunic and giving it a good shake. “Tell me now, Haldir! If you’re lying to me I’ll throttle you with my bare hands, so help me!”

“There is no need to threaten me, little one. Catch your breath and I will take you to him,” he murmured soothingly but the gleam in his eye belied his intentions.

“Under what condition?” She drew in a deep breath. He was up to something she could feel it!

Haldir grinned wickedly. She knew him only too well. “That the three of us have a little . . . chat,” he purred.

Annowe narrowed her eyes at him as she regained her breath. “What sort of ‘chat’?” She asked suspiciously.

“About the three of us, of course!” He tried to bite back his smile but his eyes twinkled greedily. “To clear the air between us, as it were.”

“And if I refuse?” She growled. She should just throttle him and be done with it!

Haldir shrugged. “Then you will not find him without me,” he said flatly.

“I hate you, you know that, don’t you?” Annowe hissed at him. “Perhaps I should have left you to the wolves.”

At this he laughed. “Perhaps you should have but then there would have been no one here to greet your distraught prince when he arrived from Moria.”

“Moria!” She cried fearfully, clutching at his arm. “What in Eru’s name was he doing there? Where is he, Haldir? I demand you take me to him this instant!”

Haldir raised a dark brow to her. “What about our chat?” He pressed. He needed her. He wanted her to complete the circle.

“Damn your chat!” She spat and stomped off a little way before turning to face him again.

“What if I agreed and he refuses?” She asked.

The March Warden crept up to her like a cat stalking a mouse. “Oh, he will not refuse, little one. I can assure you of that,” he whispered throatily, drawing closer to her. His desire caressed her like the delicate touch of a rose petal then quickly retreated.

“Very well. We shall see. Take me to him,” she relented.

“’Take me too him’, what?” The March Warden asked, the tips of his fingers just touching her cheek as his lips moved closer to hers. She could feel his desire again, reaching for her, trying to entice her but she would not be swayed.

Annowe gritted her teeth. She wanted to choke him for being so hateful. “Take me to him, please!” She hissed then added venomously, “You are certainly the most despicable creature I have ever had the misfortune to meet.”

Haldir chuckled in satisfaction then bowed his head to her slightly. “As you wish,” he murmured, turning to lead her into the forest and into the waiting arms of her prince.

Annowe followed Haldir anxiously. If he were playing a joke on her, she would have his hide! She determined. How could Legolas have ended up here? She wondered. They were supposed to be on the western side of the mountains. And what in Mordor was he doing in Moria? It was absurd! She shivered at the thought. Moria was nothing more than a giant tomb now!

“Why is he here?” She wondered out loud. “He isn’t hurt is he?” She grabbed Haldir’s arm.

He patted her hand reassuringly. “No, he is not hurt,” he answered but the tone of his voice was not reassuring.

“What? What is it then?” She demanded, dragging him to a stop.

“He will have to answer your questions himself,” Haldir told her. He leaned over to her and placed his lips close to her ear.

“There,” he breathed. “There he is! See him! Through the trees ahead?” He could feel her excitement rising and pointed up the path.

With a shout of joy, she burst through the tree line and into the clearing, sending his startled companions scrambling for their weapons. But Legolas recognized the voice and turned to grab her as she threw herself into his open arms.

~~~