Between Friends

“Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great." - Comte DeBussy-Rabutin

~~~~~

Legolas was almost sad as Rivendell came into view. They would part ways after reporting to Elrond and he fervently hoped that Annowe would find some excuse to linger instead of leaving for the southern sea. Winter was fast approaching and he knew she would be eager to return to the warmer seas until the spring. He did not want her to go. He wanted her to stay with him.

He stole a glance at her and she quickly reached out and stroked him on the arm, causing his skin to quiver and she giggled at his reaction. They no longer needed words to communicate their desire. Tonight, he promised her silently, tonight I would show you how pleasurable lying with an elf can truly be.

A smirking Haldir materialized at the gate, quickly jerking Legolas back to the present.

He heard Annowe mutter a curse under her breath and bit back a grin at her colorful language.

“My, my,” The March Warden mused evilly as he eyed Legolas’ dirty clothing. “Aren’t we a sight? Looks like you haven’t even bothered to comb your hair while you’ve been out.”

Before Legolas could even open his mouth to answer, Annowe was in front of him as if to shield him from Haldir’s wrath. “You’d best remember who you are addressing, elfling!” she snapped irritably. “This is the Prince of Mirkwood.”

Haldir’s bright eyes narrowed at her and she lifted her chin defiantly. She was tired of his meddling and dared him to say anything – especially to Legolas.

Slowly, he turned his piercing gaze to Legolas who shifted nervously at Annowe’s protectiveness. He had nothing to be concerned about. Annowe had made her choice and if the March Warden did not like it then it was his problem.

He gave Legolas a disdainful look. “I will speak to you later,” he addressed Annowe in a low hiss before turning on his heel and marching off.

“Arrogant bastard,” she grumbled.

“Agreed,” Legolas replied as he began walking down the hall.

“Figures we would run into HIM first off,” she sighed as they turned the corner to Elrond’s meeting room.

“Step,” he reminded her just in time.

She hopped over it. “I know that wasn’t there the last time I was here,” she muttered darkly, looking back at the offending marble.

“That’s because the last time you were here, this room did not exist,” Elrond replied drolly as he rose from the window seat and walked toward them.

Legolas grinned at her as he greeted the elf. Annowe laughed.

“I do believe you are correct,” she admitted and kissed Elrond on each cheek in greeting.

“Now, would you like some refreshments before we begin?” he asked.

“Oh, yes! Can I have some sweet fruits?” Annowe asked eagerly. “Those are my favorite!”

Elrond smiled indulgently and motioned to a page to bring them fruit, bread and water. The three of them discussed their findings over their small feast.

“Master Elrond,” Annowe finally asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer now that her stomach was full. “Is it true that The One Ring has been found?”

Elrond sighed and rose from his chair, returning to the window and gazing out to the garden below. There was no point in trying to keep it quiet any longer, he realized.

“Yes,” he admitted softly.

She swore. Legolas drew in a sharp breath and looked at her nervously. No one swore like that around Elrond.

The venerable elf turned to face them both.

“Legolas, you may leave us now,” Elrond made it more of a command than a request.

Legolas was only too happy to make a hasty exit as he could see Annowe’s temper beginning to rise.

~~~~~~~

“Ah, leaving so soon?” Haldir’s purr cut through Legolas’ thoughts. He must have been waiting for us, Legolas realized with a grunt of annoyance as he turned to see the March Warden casually leaning against the opposite wall, his muscular arms folded across his broad chest.

“Annowe and Lord Elrond have their own matters to discuss,” Legolas answered coldly and began to walk toward his room. He did not want to have this confrontation in public and doubted Haldir did as well.

“Tell me,” the March Warden asked silkily, breaking his pose and sliding up next to the young prince. “Has she been completely honest with you?”

Legolas stopped in his tracks. “She told me about Orophin, yes,” he admitted, unconcerned.

“I see,” Haldir said. He shouldn’t have been surprised. The naiad was many things but dishonest was not one of them.

“Is this interrogation finished? I would like a hot bath,” Legolas said disdainfully.

With a condescending nod of his head, Haldir acquiesced and watched as the Prince of Mirkwood made his way to his chambers.

Something had happened between the two of them, he was sure of it. He could see it in Legolas’ eyes and sense it in his demeanor. And Annowe had subtly changed as well. He couldn’t put his finger on it exactly but she seemed more smug. Haldir grunted in annoyance. Well, he would confront Annowe and ask her. She could not deny him the truth if he asked her for it. In an odd way he could understand Orophin’s admiration of her.

As the oldest, Haldir had counseled Orophin not to become too enamored of the nymph for she tended to keep lovers only for a short time before reclaiming her freedom. But Orophin had ignored his brother’s advice and had hotly pursued her even though she was clearly more interested in enjoying herself than anything else.

Who did she think she was that she could just casually take a lover and then move on when she grew bored? Well, Haldir was certain she would tire of Legolas quickly enough. He was too young and inexperienced to keep her interest for long. And with his pampered background he probably didn’t have the first inkling as to how to please a female – let alone the notoriously amorous nymph. Haldir smirked at this last thought. Perhaps he should take her for himself and teach her a thing or two before leaving her. That would certainly give her a taste of her own medicine, he thought grimly.

Ruminating on this, the March Warden slowly made his way out side to gather his thoughts in the garden.

~~~~~~~