Strange Allies

Inside the cave it was warmer and dry. They retreated far enough inside so that the driving snow could no longer reach them. Annowe stomped the snow from her boots and removed her cloak to shake it off. The snow had managed to get everywhere and it was slowly melting, dampening all of her clothes. She shivered as she watched the storm continue to rage outside.

“How long you think it will last?” She murmured to Haldir. When he didn’t answer, she turned to see if he were listening but he was not there.

She grunted and looked around to see where he had gone. After a few moments, he returned, his hands full of bits of fuel for a fire. Annowe couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

“A fire! And excellent idea!” She said eagerly, drawing close to help him.

He returned her smile and the two them silently began to gather stones for containment, placing them in a small circle. Haldir rummaged through his pack and produced two fire-starting stones.

“I will search for more things to burn,” she said and stood up.

“There is no need. I have some firelight that Elrond send with us,” Haldir said. “He seemed to know that we would be in need of it.”

“Oh,” Annowe said. She wondered why she and Legolas had left Rivendell without the firelight then realized they had not needed it. When they had made the crossing, the winter snows had not yet come and they could still find firewood. Now the pass and the surrounding areas were covered in snow.

Haldir quickly had the small fire going and Annowe stood over it eagerly, trying to hoard its warmth. Haldir chuckled at her as he sat back to enjoy both the fire and her enthusiasm at it.

“Be quiet!” She scowled at him. “Unlike you, I do feel the cold and I don’t like it!”

“It is the curse of your kind, is it not? To be so physically sensitive,” he murmured, his bright eyes watching her closely. “Take your hair down.”

Her face darkened suspiciously. Was he trying to goad her again?

“Take your hair down,” he repeated. “It will keep you warm.”

She cocked her head at him then slowly pulled her braid over her shoulder, examining the leather thong that bound it. She raised her eyes to him, still unsure if he was telling her the truth or if he were just tormenting her again. He sighed regretfully and moved to stand near her.

Gently, he tipped her chin up so he could look into her eyes. There was no door between them and Annowe could feel the heat from his body caress hers. His mere presence was like a physical touch to her and it concerned her. Instinctively, she tried to pull away from him but he tightened the grip on her chin, holding her fast.

“Annowe, my dear, if I wanted to take you I could,” he said softly, his gray eyes boring into hers. “I would not waste time with niceties if I intended to take you by force. Do I make myself clear?” He purred, his delicate fingers moving to lightly stroke her cheek.

“Perfectly,” she said levelly, coldly meeting his gaze.

“Then we have an agreement?” He purred dangerously, still running his fingers over her cheekbone.

Again, she was struck by his physical presence. Although it was only his fingertips touching her cheek, she felt violated, like his very presence was inside of her clothes with her. He smiled and returned to sitting by the fire, watching her.

“Yes,” she finally answered as she ran her fingers through her hair, unbraiding it. She hated him. Hated him for not being Legolas. Hated him for being right. Hated him for telling her that if he wanted her, he would take her. Hated him for touching her and making her feel like they were physically intimate when she still had her clothes on. She was so angry she wanted to spit.

“Good,” he agreed. “And what fun would it be for me if I had to take what I want to be freely given?”

Annowe snorted. “Since when does it matter to you? As long as you get what you want?”

Haldir chuckled and shook his head at her. “No, no. You don’t understand. Your little show in the garden made me realize that although I have had many lovers,” he smiled fondly at the memory. “I’ve not had many that I have had to win over.”

“And that is what you want?” She asked irritably, sitting down to run her fingers through her hair.

“Yes,” he answered, then changed the subject. “Now pull part of your hair over your shoulders and let the rest hang down your back. It will keep your neck warm.”

She obeyed, and was surprised to see that he was right. Her hair made a great shield against the cold. Haldir grinned at her, his features made grotesque by the dancing flames.

“Why?” She asked. Why in Mordor was she even talking to him? She wondered. Perhaps because she was bored and there wasn’t much else for her to occupy her attention. She sighed and poked at the fire with a stick. She missed Legolas terribly.

Haldir shrugged elegantly and stretched out on his side by the fire, propping himself up on one elbow so that she could clearly see the sleek outline of his body. Annowe had to consciously not look at him. He was only slightly taller than Legolas but more muscular and she wondered what he would look like disrobed. She shook her head and cursed her self. Why was she even thinking such a thing? She must be mad.

“Perhaps I grow tired of all those who would have me. And, I must admit, I rather enjoy the chase,” he smiled wickedly at her and let his free hand rest suggestively against his lean abdomen.

“That’s what this is to you? A chase? A game?” She asked coolly, glaring at him over the flames.

The March Warden chuckled again. “You make it sound so despicable when it is not,” he answered, and ran his hand slowly down his lean thigh, baiting her, willing her to admire him.

“You are trying to come between me and Legolas!” She shouted, leaping to her feet.
“I don’t call that a ‘game’ or a ‘chase’! I call that mean and unnecessary!” She huffed, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at him. He could pose and preen all he pleased, he would never BE Legolas.

Haldir merely smiled indulgently at her, which only added to her growing fury. “It is not humorous in the least!” She growled.

“My dear, there are many things that you have yet to learn about your young prince,” he murmured, unperturbed by her outburst.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “And just what is that supposed to mean?” She hissed.

Haldir moved to a sitting position and the smile faded from his face. “It means that while you were off playing pirate, your young prince was having a few indiscretions of his own.”

Annowe blinked. What did that matter? Legolas’ past was gone. Haldir was just trying to start trouble. She grunted in irritation at him.

“Whatever he did in the past does not matter now,” she sighed tiredly, and let her hands fall to her sides. “Just as my past is gone so is his. What difference does it make?”

Haldir arched a dark brow at her. “Even if said past indiscretions were with me?”

Annowe froze. “What?” She managed to gasp.

“You heard me, little one,” he murmured softly. “His past indiscretions were with me.”

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