Once More (Sequel to The Hunt)

Part 2

They traveled some distance without speaking. Haldir led the way, carrying his great bow and traveling pack, and she followed, unsure whether all the angry emotion had yet been cleared away between them. She still felt tension, though not as much as before. She was also weary, but did not mention it, for above all things she wished to regain his good opinion. He already thought her an incompetent, untrustworthy fool, and she did not want to add weak to the list of her failings.

“You ran all night?” His abrupt question caught her off guard, pulling her from her thoughts. He had not been looking at her, but now he glanced her way, his eyes questioning. Something indefinable hung in the air, something that changed the nature of the tension between them.

Altariel cast her gaze downward, feeling silly to admit it, but determined to be honest. “For the most part, yes. I slowed my pace a few times to give myself a rest.” She glanced up and saw that he was still watching her.

“You were so anxious to speak with me?” He was probing in that direct way of his that doubtless served him well in his role as a leader.

“I was anxious, yes,” she said quietly. “To see you and to speak with you. And to . . . to be with you again.” She could feel herself blushing.

He was silent for a time, but at length he said, “There is a place close by where we can rest and talk. Is that acceptable to you?”

He asked rather than commanded, which Altariel decided was a sign that at least part of his displeasure with her had abated.

“That would be wonderful,” she said gratefully.

He led her to a pretty, secluded area beside a stream where long-stemmed purple flowers grew amid soft, tall grasses. Altariel sank down and pulled off her shoes, wriggling her toes with a sigh of pleasure before setting them into the water. Haldir set down his pack and bow, unstrapped his quiver and sword, and joined her at the stream’s edge. He pulled off his boots and sat beside her quietly. Neither of them spoke, although she was very conscious of him.

“Haldir, will you forgive me?” she finally asked him in a small voice. She wanted to crawl into his lap and be enfolded in his arms, but she did not quite dare, not until she knew he was no longer angry.

He turned to her, his eyes searching her face. “Forgive you, meleth? Of course. Forgiveness was never in question. But I require an explanation. For months you have denied me as your lover, and today you seek me out, saying you have changed. What, exactly, has changed?”

“I have changed.” She struggled to find the right words. “I have learned the consequences of what I asked of you, and of myself. I understand that the pretense between us, the deception, does not serve us well. It hurts. To have you behave as though I barely exist . . . to see you with other ellith . . . to see them smiling and flirting with you . . . I do not like it. And when I see you flirting back,” she added in a low voice, “it hurts my heart.”

“It is what you asked of me,” he reminded her. “You wanted all to be as it was before. You wanted our courtship to be so gradual that no one would ever suspect we met on the Hunt. Years, Altariel. You wanted to wait years.”

“I know.” She gazed at the water sliding over their feet with such effortless rhythm. “I know what I said. But I have changed my mind. What I want now is very different.”

“What do you want?”

She glanced up and met his eyes, seeing both sternness and kindness in their grey depths. “Most of all I want your love and respect.”

“You have that already.” He covered her hand with his, linking their fingers.

“And your trust,” she added wretchedly. “I know I lost it today.”

He sighed. “Nay, you have my trust, Altariel. But your hesitation to obey when there was danger alarmed me. You did not seem to understand the need, and so I did what I did so that I could fight without distraction. I did not want to wonder where you were or if you had stayed upon the flet where you were safe. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she whispered, looking down at their joined hands. His was so strong and perfect, the long fingers capable of granting either death or pleasure. “You called me a fool. The look on your face . . . just the look . . .” She could not go on, for her voice was quavering. Instead, she plucked at a blade of grass, holding it between her fingers as though it were a lifeline.

“I would not have faulted you for your action had I not given you a command that you ignored,” he explained in the gentlest voice he had used thus far. “Your aim was true, and for that I commend you. However, you lack understanding of the dangers we face. I am used to being obeyed by those under my command. By coming to the Fences, you put yourself under my authority. But you are not a fool, Altariel. I spoke that word in the heat of anger and I am sorry for it.” He lifted her hand and kissed it. “Tell me what else you want.”

“Haldir, first let me tell you what I do not want. I do not want to hide my feelings for you any longer. I do not want to see you from afar and pretend I hardly know you. I do not want to be a coward in your eyes or in my own. I no longer care if people know that I met you on the Hunt.”

“I suspect that is not quite true,” he said. “Our behavior that night was feral, at best. And when the next Hunt comes, we will do it all over again. Will that trouble you? Or will you accept that it is simply our lot, and that all descendants of the Teleri endure the same? What you must realize is that most of our friends and family members have probably done what we did, even our own parents. There have been bondings in the past that have taken place shortly after Hunts. Perhaps you do not remember, but I do.”

She gazed longingly into his eyes. “Haldir, please believe me. I truly no longer care what others think. I have ached for you. Wanting to be with you has been driving me mad. You said I was yours, do you remember?”

“I remember, meleth nín. And I am yours. That will not change.”

“I have wanted you every night since that night. I will no longer deny you if . . . if you will have me.” The last words were spoken a little shyly, her heart beating hard.

“Of course I will have you,” Haldir said huskily, with slight ferocity. “You are my destiny and my love.”

“Then love me right now,” she said in a low voice. “Love me as a lover.”

Silver fire entered his eyes, a fire she recognized from that other night, but his hand cupped the curve of her cheek as though he would force himself to go slowly. She would have none of it. Shyness forgotten, she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him hard, pressing herself against him with sensual abandon.

“Ah, here is the little she-wolf I remember,” he teased, when she finally allowed him to breathe. “The one who wished to cut my leggings to ribbons and leave me to face the world without them.”

“Oh, Haldir.” She smiled and blushed at the reminder. She was straddling his thighs, her arms around his muscled shoulders and her skirts hitched boldly to her knees, but he clearly had nothing but approval. Indeed, laughter filled his eyes and curved his lips, but behind the amusement she could see the raw smolder of his hunger for her. A hunger she meant to unleash.

She brushed a fingertip up the line of his jaw to the tip of his ear, and was pleased to hear his quick indrawn breath. “Take me the way you did that night, “ she whispered. “Be the hunter again. Woo me with passion.”

“Altariel,” he said thickly, “that is my plan.”

Shivers of delight ran through her as he unpinned her cloak and pressed her down upon it, his lips in firm possession of hers. He claimed her mouth deeply and thoroughly, his warm lips demanding a response from her that she answered without reserve. Every kiss he gave her melted her bones, each caress kindled a fire that threatened to consume her. She could feel his excitement and it fed her own. It was like the breaking of a dam, the rush of sensation spilling through her body with his slightest touch.

Basking in the feel of him, she stroked his chest, his arms and the broad expanse of his back, exulting in the strength inherent in his powerful physique. “All this time,” he muttered, between kisses, “my willpower has hung by a thread.”

She wove her fingers through his beautiful hair, framing his face with her hands. ”And mine. I have longed for your touch. I have dreamt of it.”

With a low sound his mouth took hers again, his tongue thrusting deeply, taking command of her senses with all the male authority he had used on the night of the Hunt. It was exactly as she had dreamed these long months, only so much better because it was real, it was happening . . . at last he was touching her, stroking her arms, brushing her thighs, teasing her breasts aggressively through the dual layers of fabric she had worn for the journey. He explored her with the same thrilling skill she remembered, returning her ardor with an urgency that spoke of all that had been suppressed during these past months.

“So many nights I almost came to you.” He lifted her skirts, shoving them out of his way with deliberate force so he could stroke his way up her bare thighs. “It has been torment, Altariel. But no more.”

“No more,” she promised, reaching for him. “Let me see you.”

She sought to divest him of his clothing, though he was more interested in removing hers. She wore far more modest attire than she had on the night of the Hunt, but his fingers were quick and skillful, deftly undoing fastenings until nothing separated her from his gaze. He then removed his own clothing, swiftly and efficiently, and despite the fact that she had seen him before, the sight of his naked body nearly brought her to tears, though she could not have explained why this was so.

“Haldir, you are beautiful,” she told him, her voice awed. In fact, he was sublime perfection, his tall, muscled body flawless in every respect, emanating grace and very obvious virility. His long silvery hair flowed over shoulders that seemed broad and powerful enough to carry almost any burden. “Beautiful and strong and perfect,” she whispered.

His lips quirked at her compliment as he urged her down so that she lay upon her back once more. Straddling her, he placed a seductive line of kisses down the curve of her throat, his tongue leaving a warm and tingling trail. And then his mouth found her nipple, drawing hard on it while she whimpered and clutched him, holding him to her breasts while he laved and suckled first one breast and then the other. “Oh,” she gasped. “Oh, do not stop!”

He did not want to stop, nor did he intend to, but there were other things he desired, and in due course he left her breasts and moved downward. He kissed and licked her stomach and ribs, the curve of her hips and the soft mound just above her femininity. As he explored and teased, he smiled at the breathless little sounds she was making. He knew where she wanted his mouth, but he was making a noble effort not too go there too quickly, to that wondrous site that made him dizzy just to think of it.

“Valar, how I want you,” he murmured hoarsely. “I want you now and every day. Nay, ten times a day.”

Appreciating her sultry yet delicate beauty, he stroked his hand up the curve of her hip and across the taut plane of her stomach, inhaling the intoxicating scent of her desire for him. Her breasts were lovely and perfect, their taut pink buds straining invitingly, but he knew that was not where she wanted him now.

As if she read his mind, she seized his hand and shoved it downward. “Feel how much I want you,” she said fiercely.

Smiling at her impatience, he thrust two fingers into her alluring feminine entrance, and found a wetness that called to him as strongly as it had on that other night. He lingered at that place of ultimate pleasure, plundering her delicious secrets while she whimpered and writhed and begged for more of his attentions. When he sensed that she drew close to her peak, he moved level with her. “Spread your thighs for me, beloved. Take me into you.”

”Yes,” she moaned, tugging at him.

Burning for her, he moved over her quickly, eagerly seeking entry as though she was the very breath of life to him. Every curve of her body molded to his as he pressed himself into her, filling her with hot, thick maleness as he had hungered to do for so long. Deeply seated, he trembled, savoring the sweetness of the moment, and then his hips moved almost of their own accord.

The world spun away, taking them to a place beyond ecstasy.

~*~

Afterward, they washed in the stream, murmuring quietly to each other and kissing frequently. They then rested, Altariel slipping into a peaceful reverie lying in Haldir’s arms. When she woke, it was hours later.

She sat up quickly, and then turned to look at him. “Haldir, the afternoon is nearly over. Why did you not wake me?”

He lifted a brow. “Is there need for haste?”

She smiled. “I suppose not, but I expect you want to be back home. You have been gone for weeks. Besides, no one knows where I am.”

He pulled her down and rolled on top of her, his gaze locked with hers as he settled himself between her thighs. “I am in no rush, meleth,” he said lazily. He kissed her lips, a gleam in his eyes. “But we can leave now if that is truly your wish.”

She slipped her arms around his neck. “Well, if you can think of a way to pass a little time . . .” she said playfully.

“Now that you mention it, I do have an idea,” he murmured with a provocative smile.

He made love to her once more, slowly this time, filling her world with such melting sweetness that when she finally shattered, the pleasure of it sang over and over, washing through her in waves of pure, molten sensation.

She clung to him afterward, her body wrapped around him as though she would never let him go. “Haldir, I want to bond with you,” she whispered. “Now, today.”

He lifted his head, his eyes filled with tenderness. “I want that too, Altariel,” he said huskily. “But is this the time? It is not a matter to be conducted hastily. What of a ceremony and exchange of rings? I have waited so long for you already. What need have we to rush?”

“No need to rush, but no need to wait either.”

”What of your parents?” he prodded. “What will you say to them?”

She was silent for a while and then she sighed. “I suppose you are right.”

“I have the rings,” he told her softly. “Two silver for our betrothal, and two gold for our marriage. They only wait for the right moment.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, Haldir.” She was touched and slightly shamed that in her haste she would have denied him this. “Forgive my impatience. Once again you are right. We must do this the proper way, out of courtesy for our families and for each other.”

“I think that would be best,” he agreed. “Not that we are being very proper right now.” Indeed, he was still buried inside her.

“Well,” she said, smiling, “I did tell you I would give that great weapon something worthwhile to do.”

“I do remember that,” he murmured, rather wickedly, and kissed the tip of her nose. “And I commend you for keeping that promise.”

~*~

By tacit consent, they dressed and continued their journey back to Caras Galadhon. The painful tension between them had completely dissipated, replaced by sheer contentment and a euphoric rightness brought about by being together and walking hand in hand through their beloved Golden Wood.

Night had long since fallen by the time they passed through the city gates. Their hands remained together even though they were observed by several sentinels, most of whom failed to conceal their curiosity in the Marchwarden’s doings.

Altariel only smiled. Gone was any sense of embarrassment on her part; instead, she nearly burst with pride and love for Haldir, that he would show his love for her like this. What did it matter if people knew how they met? She was proud of Haldir, proud of who he was, proud to be his. Never again would she deny him her love. She was wiser now and had learned her lesson.

They went to his talan. He ushered her inside, setting down his traveling pack and removing his weaponry while she looked around, eager to know more about the ellon who was to be her mate. Noting her interest, he pointed out this and that, and then bade her to sit and wait for him. He left the outer room, heading into his sleeping chamber.

Guessing what he had in mind, Altariel sat with folded hands, her heart beating fast.

He returned with a small pouch and sat down next to her, his wise grey eyes fixed on her face. He reached for her hand and raised it to his lips to kiss her fingers. “Altariel, meleth nín, I will ask you this question before I speak with your parents. Will you be my wife?”

“Oh, Haldir, I will!” Altariel’s eyes were moist. “Will you be my husband?”

“I will,” he said, smiling faintly. “With great joy, I might add.”

He slipped two silver rings from the pouch, and placed one on the index finger of her right hand. “With this ring, Altariel, I plight my troth to you,” he said softly.

She took the other ring and slid it onto his finger. “And with this ring, I plight my troth to you, my dear Haldir,” she echoed.

“We will go to your parents in the morning,” he told her, and gathered her close.

Together, they began to plan their future.


The End

~*~

A/N: It is possible that I will write more Haldir/Altariel stories in the future; it really depends on whether I get an idea or not. Like other authors, I do appreciate feedback. Thanks very much and hugs to all.