Strange Allies

~~~

The three of them marched silently in search of a private place to speak. Annowe felt near tears at Legolas’ distress. She wanted to get this all out in the open between the three of them, hoping that once the secrets and slights were revealed, they could forgive and forget.

Legolas, she could tell, was furious with her despite her reasoning. He did not seem to care that she was doing her part to stop the Dark Lord from spreading his malice. He was only concerned that she and Haldir had “touched each other”. She shook her head at the absurdity of it all. This was not the same elf that had left her in Rivendell, she was certain of that. He had changed and not for the better. What had happened to him since they parted?

It was perfectly acceptable for him to go charging off on a suicide mission to Mount Doom but she was not allowed to complete her own, much safer mission of simply gathering information about the corsairs. She grunted in aggravation. “I don’t know why I even bother,” she muttered to no one in particular.

Legolas scowled darkly at the back of Haldir’s head then turned his angry gaze to Annowe. She had betrayed him! She had traveled with the March Warden, even sleeping in his arms! Who did he blame more? Yes, he could understand Annowe’s desire to help Elrond by watching the corsairs. But she did not need to travel with Haldir. He did not care that Elrond had ordered it. He knew her and knew she could have found a way to avoid the March Warden had she truly desired it. He found it difficult to believe that she was unfamiliar with the mountain pass. She was immortal! Wandering around lost in the Mountains until the spring would do her no harm. Yes, he understood that she hated the cold and felt it worse than he ever could but that was no excuse!

He blamed Haldir for insisting that the two of them must travel together “for safety”. Elrond had fallen for it! He had forced Annowe into a corner, making her chose between her safety and Haldir’s advances. She had chosen her safety but he was still not happy. Had she given in to Haldir’s advances? Legolas felt he would go mad. He could tell by the smug look on Haldir’s face that the vile elf had told Annowe of their shared past. Had he used this as an excuse to seduce her as well?

Haldir smiled grimly as he led the two lovers to a large yet secluded flet perched high above a waterfall.

The two of them joined him and Annowe looked around anxiously.

“Well, here we are,” The March Warden purred seductively.

In a flash, Legolas was snarling in Haldir’s face, his elegant hands twisted in the March Warden’s tunic before a startled Annowe had an opportunity to react.

“You bastard! What have you done?” He spat viciously, his body shaking in rage.

Haldir smiled calmly as he tried to extract Legolas’ fists from his clothing. Annowe grabbed one of Legolas’ arms and tried to physically restrain him.

“No! Legolas, NO!” She shouted at him, trying unsuccessfully to pull him away.

“And you!” He hissed at her, trying to shake her off. “I trusted you!”

“Calm yourself, Legolas,” Haldir growled firmly, crushing the prince’s hand in his own and causing Legolas to relax his grip. “And we will explain it all to you.”

Annowe had never seen Legolas so infuriated and wondered if it were just her loyalty he questioned. She was almost frightened of him in this state. Fortunately, Haldir did not seem the least perturbed by his outburst.

Legolas snarled and glared at each of them before releasing Haldir’s tunic and jerking his arm away from Annowe. He stalked off to the other side of the flet leaving the two of them staring curiously at his back.

Annowe sighed heavily, willing herself not to cry. He wasn’t going to believe anything they told him. What was the point? Had she known Legolas would react in such a manner she would have just taken Haldir and been done with it. Legolas seemed determined to punish her whether she had slept with Haldir or not.

She glanced at Haldir and he frowned back.

“Legolas,” Haldir began softly. “Annowe has been completely loyal to you. Despite my best efforts.” He looked at her ruefully. “And that is quite impressive indeed!”

Legolas grunted but did not turn around. “What if I don’t believe you?” He grumbled.

Annowe growled menacingly and took a step forward. “Then you’ll have to answer to ME!”

Slowly, Legolas turned to face her and he could see the hurt and pain in her eyes. He looked at Haldir who remained impassive.

“Why?” He demanded. “Why are the two of you together?”

Annowe and Haldir exchanged a questioning glace.

“We’re not together,” Annowe protested, not quite understanding where Legolas could get such an idea. “We are in the same place at the same time but we are not with each other anymore than you are with Galadriel because you are in the same place at the same time.”

“Then why do you keep exchanging looks and whispers?” He accused.

Annowe blinked.

“Perhaps because we are both confused as to why you are so upset,” Haldir answered.
“Pray tell us why you are in such a state.”

“Yes, please, Legolas, tell me what is wrong with you,” she asked quietly. “You’ve become quite agitated and it is unnerving. You’re not the same anymore. What has happened?”

Legolas looked from Annowe to Haldir and back again before he finally spoke.

“Gandalf is dead,” he blurted out.

“What?” Annowe gasped and rushed forward to him, clutching his arm.

Haldir grunted in surprise. That would explain Legolas’ agitation. He knew something had happened to the wizard but Galadriel had refused to fill him on any of the details. He sat down on a thick cushion of pillows and watched as Annowe tried to extract the story from the young prince.

“How did this happen?” She asked anxiously. “Was anyone else hurt?”

Legolas shook his head but would speak no more of the matter. He slid his arms around her and held her close, resting his cheek on her head. He was so tired of running and fighting and death. So very tired of it and they were not even half way to Mordor. Not for the first time he wondered if he were up to the task of seeing The Ring destroyed.

He sighed and closed his eyes. The one thing he had held close was the memory of Annowe. That had seen him through many long nights and now that he had found her again, he was shouting at her and accusing her of all manner of vile deeds just when he needed her the most. Certainly he must be losing all reason!

He could feel her small hands clinging to his back and he squeezed her tightly.

“I am sorry I shouted at you,” he murmured to her.

“I have not joined with Haldir,” she answered quietly.

Haldir cleared his throat loudly. “I hate to break up such a lovely reunion but time grows short and Legolas will be leaving us soon.”

“Come,” Annowe said, leading a reluctant Legolas to where the March Warden was sitting.

“What is it?” Legolas scowled. “Why did you bring us here?”

“I wanted to clear the air, as it were, between the three of us,” Haldir said, stretching his muscular legs out in front of him. “Please, sit.” He gestured.

Annowe slid next to him and pulled Legolas down next to her. She was determined to keep herself as a buffer between the two of them.

“It would seem that this sensually amorous nymph is the only one among us who is capable of controlling her desire,” Haldir murmured appreciatively as he affectionately stroked Annowe’s cheek with the back of his fingers.

Legolas growled and Annowe snorted, rolling her eyes at Haldir’s words.

“Yes, Legolas, I have tried very hard to seduce her to no avail. I must admit I believed she would be a much easier conquest than you were . . .” He never got to finish his sentence, as Legolas leaped to attack him. But Annowe had been ready this time and threw herself between the two of them.

She found herself mashed between Haldir’s rock solid body under her and Legolas’ quivering lithe form on top of her. She giggled despite the dangerousness of the situation as she struggled to keep Legolas’ hands from sliding around the March Warden’s throat.

“Legolas!” She yelled at him. “It doesn’t matter! It doesn’t! Now calm down!”

The Prince of Mirkwood looked at her doubtfully but relaxed slightly. She felt Haldir draw a breath to speak and she rudely cut him off with an elbow to his solid gut. He grunted.

“You, shut up for once!” She snarled at him over her shoulder. “You’ve said enough! Now be quiet!”

Haldir’s mouth snapped shut as he and Legolas glared at each other over the top of her head.

“Now listen!” Annowe hissed, trying to position her self so that Haldir’s fist was no longer in her back and Legolas’ fingers out of her ribs. Legolas made a move to get up but Annowe held him fast.

“We will stay like this,” she said flatly, tightening her leg around him.

“Why?” Legolas demanded, sulkily.

“Because I said so, that’s why! I happen to like it. Now be quiet and listen! The both of you!” She scowled at them both, daring either of them to speak without her consent. Both elves remained quiet and relaxed slightly.

“Now this is the situation. Haldir and I traveled south to Lothlorien at the request of Elrond. We have not joined. Yes, we have slept together as we did not have much of a choice at the time. Yes, I have willingly kissed him. And yes, I have willingly run my hands over his bare flesh in lust enjoying every minute of it,” she began.

Legolas opened his mouth at this revelation but closed it when Annowe shot him the look that would freeze Mount Doom. He stared at her rising breasts instead for he believed he could feel Haldir’s smug smile upon him. He hated the way her hair spilled over the March Warden’s well-muscled shoulder. It was wrong! Her head should be leaning on his chest, her soft curls falling over him! He lowered his head to lie against her breasts.

“To continue,” she growled at the almost interruption. “I know about the two of you and I can say that it does not matter to me. Apparently it matters to the both of you, as you can no longer stand to be in the same room together. I do not know nor do I care why. All I know is it will cease immediately.”

She drew in a breath as Legolas’ firm body had nearly crushed the wind from her. Funny, he did not seem to be that heavy during their lovemaking, she thought fleetingly.

“Do I make myself clear?” She demanded.

Both chastised elves murmured their agreement and she sighed in relief. That part was over, anyway, she thought to herself.

~~~~