The old ways

Gimli paced their campsite and muttered curses under his breath. He despised the so called harmony and tranquillity here among these elves. Everything was so damn peaceful. As if nobody cared what happened in the world outside this forest. As if they weren't interested in the fate of Middle earth. The fellowship itself seemed to be absorbed in this indifference. Aragorn spent hours talking to Boromir or other elves, Merry and Pippin were only really interested in the meals they were supplied with, Sam never stopped worrying after Frodo, Frodo himself tended to forget the world around him and secluded himself from others and that blasted elf they were travelling with had vanished into the woods this morning and never bothered to show up again.
Was he the only one left with some common sense? He sat down on a stump near their camp and put his chin in his hands.
"You feel left out, Gimli son of Gloin." Galadriel stood beside the dwarf and lowered a hand onto his shoulder.
"Why should you be interested?" the dwarf grumbled.
"I care for all of you. Hobbits, men, elf and dwarf. Everyone of you carries his own burden, this place allows them to consider their actions, their fate and to where it might lead. Some try to solve problems, others might just want to put their minds at ease. What is your wish, Gimli?"
"I wish..., I wish it weren't so quiet here. I wish I knew what we are up against. Maybe I just wish for someone at my side to talk to, to share my thoughts with." Gimli muttered.
"Why don't you go and look for someone. Why then do you shut yourself out. Think about your journey. Who is the other one alone?"
"What do you mean, the other on alone."
"It is rather simple, son of Gloin." Everybody has a friend or kinsman along the road, except two of you." Galadriel smiled.
Gimli's head shot up "That elf? You think about that blasted, singing, always running around elf?"
Galadriel looked at him "Yes, Gimli. That elf. You will need each other on your journey. You will have to confide in each other, look after an other and share you burdens. Do you really think of him in such ways as you just pointed out?"
"No, not really. He's just so, ....so, argh...always eager, always alert, always running, always awake..." Gimli stuttered.
"Ah, I see. He is always such an elf, isn't he." Galadriel let her laughter ring out clearly in the cool evening air. "Don't worry my dwarven friend, he thinks of you quite the same way. You are always so dwarvish. Muttering, stumping, snoring and so on. Maybe you should try and learn of the others sides you two have. But wait a while longer before you approach him, Legolas has some matters to attend to while he resides here in Lorien."
Gimli shot Galadriel a stunned look. Had she just put this idea in his head to make friends with an elf? Was he really so dwarvish?

Legolas' hands travelled down Haldir's sides to his hips holding him closely, never breaking the kiss. It felt like he was exploring the body beneath him for the first time, the strong shoulders, the lean sides, the sensual mouth opening up to his probing tongue. Yet he knew every muscle, every piece of flesh so well. He knew how it would tremble and shudder when exposed to passionate lovemaking. He wanted to feel that again. He wanted to loose himself to the same feeling, the same abandoning to this love.
Legolas felt Haldir's hands on his back slowly travelling downwards to the small of his back and lower to his firm buttocks, squeezing them gently. A soft moan escaped him into Haldir's mouth as he fought for control. He could feel himself growing hard underneath Haldir's ministrations and the poking of another erection pressing into his lower abdomen left little doubt about Haldir's condition. He wanted more, so much more, but this place was not very secluded. It took all his will and concentration to break the kiss and look at Haldir's flushed face. "Hervenn nín, maybe we should take our reunion to another place than this. I wish to hold you once more, I want to make you whisper my name begging for release."
Haldir actually blushed beneath him, which made Legolas laugh. "Legolas, my love. I wish nothing more than to feel your skin against mine. To hear your breath becoming ragged and your eyes fluttering shut from the tension in your body, but you're right, this is not the most appropriate place."
Legolas rubbed himself against his husband "You still have our old talan, have you not? Are you still alone there, or have your brothers joined you?"
"No, I'm still alone. Why did you think differently?" Haldir frowned a little thinking of the mess in his home. With all the rising mistrust between the people of Middle earth and the continuing threats of orcs and other foul beasts, he never bothered to look after his home. He knew it was quite a mess up there. He could never take Legolas there right now.
Legolas saw Haldir frown "What is wrong, love. Is there someone else?" A sharp pain crept up his belly 'No, please, not someone else in Haldir's life.'
"No! Of course not!" Haldir protested. "It's just, well, you know....to be honest it's a mess! I never looked after it very well. There are clothes everywhere, pottery and things. Strewn all over the place. I cannot take you there right now."
Legolas relaxed visibly "I don't care Haldir. I only have eyes for you, I don't mind things lying around. I..."
"Shhh...love. I'm not taking you there. Give me two hours to tidy my, no our place up a bit. Come to me after sundown. Bring some wine and food if you want. But let me do this."
Legolas pushed himself off Haldir. He didn't want to stop now, he didn't care if the place was a mess. He didn't want to think, only act. But maybe Haldir was right, maybe is bes better. They could relax more and he could stay until the morning. It would give him the chance to get a few things from the campsite. Besides they would need some kind of lubrication for their lovemaking, and he doubted that Haldir had some in his talan, neither had he some with him. So he would have to get some of that as well as food and drink.
Both elves got up from the ground and dusted themselves off. They smiled at each other shyly and departed in different directions.

Legolas' euphoric felling dampened with every step he took towards the campsite of the fellowship. It felt to him like he had been in a dream world for the last hours, unreachable by others and he desperately had wanted to stay there. Stay in Haldir's arms, to feel him, to love him and to make love to him. But now, the nearer he came to the troubles of the others and theamp,amp, the more cold he grew inside. Was it really the right decision to turn to Haldir again? Was he really still in love with him, or was it just the yearning of his body to find release again. He felt like having a hangover, empty and used. In the last centuries he had thought of Haldir first of the perfect being and later only the bitter thoughts and memories survived. Their continuing fights, their mistrust in each other, the fear to end up alone. Well, they had ended up alone after all. But that was so long ago. Maybe it was time to forgive and start all over again. Legolas wasn't even sure he would survive this quest, so why not have some comfort before leaving again. On the other hand he didn't think it fair to turn to Haldir again and then leaving into an unknown future. He was so lost in his thoughts, that he didn't notice having arrived at the camp and the dwarf watching him closely.
"So you have decided to join us again, have you. Are the woods too boring in the end?" Gimli snorted.
Legolas shot him a weary glance. He wasn't in the mood to argue with the dwarf, so he just moved to his belongings, picking up a spare shirt and leggings. Suddenly he heard the dwarf again. "I'm sorry Legolas. I didn't mean to turn you away, you don't have to leave us you know." Gimli pointed at the clothes Legolas held in his hands.
The elf turned around to the dwarf giving him a small smile "No, Gimli. I don't intend to leave you, because of what you said. But I will stay away for some time. Don't worry we will see each other during our time here and I will be at your side when we leave Lorien. I just have to take care of something while I'm here." With that he slowly started walking towards the centre of the elven realm.
Gimli watched him leave and shook his head. Had the elf actually just smiled at him? Wondrous things were happening, twas was sure. To his own surprise he sighed happily and leaned back against a tree to light himself a pipe and stared into the dying light of the setting sun filtering through the trees.

Rumil did not to wait for long. He could see Legolas approach the centre from afar. At first he had been surprised and a little confused when Lady Galadriel had ordered him to fetch some wine, goblets, bread, different kinds of meat and fruit and above all, and that had confused him most, a bottle of scented oil. Rumil knew quite well was this special oil was used for, and had made him blush to ask for it when he had gone to the alchemist to get it. The Lady had ordered him to have everything ready and wait for Legolas. The goods were to be given to him and no questions asked. Rumil understood then and grinned happily. Obviously his brother and his prince were making up again. This could easily lead to a little feast and that was always something to be appreciated.
Legolas looked sceptically at Rumil who approached him and handed him a heavy basket, leaving him winking at him. Rumil had just vanished between the trees, as Legolas lifted the cloth that covered the basket. In the basket was everything he wanted to obtain for Haldir. Curios. The Lady definitely had too much insight. And now Rumil seemed to know as well. Legolas shook his head and turned in direction of Haldir's talan.