Strange Allies

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Disclaimer - I don't own any of this apart from Annowe and I did not make any money from this tale.

A/N: Things always get worse before they get better, don’t they?

MarzBar - I'm laughing quite loudly at your declaration that no matter how wicked he is, you will continue to "lust after him desperately"! Oh, my word! If I suddenly stop writing this you'll know it's because that ego of his has inflated to the point that I could no longer breathe and suffocated to death! LOL! Between you and Michelle he's damned near intolerable! "They desire me! They love me!" I hear that about a million times a day! LOL!

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“I cannot find it from the land,” Annowe warned him as they continued to pack up their meager belongings in preparation to leave Helm’s Deep.

“But you have an idea where it is,” Haldir murmured, turning his head to admire her round bottom as she bent over to jam the remaining items into her pack.

She stood up and sighed as she completed tying her bundle off. “Yes, a vague idea. I must ask my father eventually.”

“I have heard it is in the north on the western coast,” he offered.

“That is not very helpful,” the naiad grunted, moving to help him finish packing his things. He had very limited movement with his one arm and it was slow going for him to make much headway. But the pain had lessened considerably and each day he grew stronger. Once he had broken the news to her and she had reluctantly agreed to take him, it lifted his spirits considerably.

Haldir sighed and sat down on the bed after she tied off his pack. Futilely, he tried to recall any mention of the location of Mithlond. All he could remember is that it was in the north somewhere at the mouth of a river on the west coast.

“We could take the Old South Road,” he mused. “It runs north. Perhaps when we come to a river you could ask your father.”

Annowe nodded absently, her heart profusely apologizing to Legolas, wherever he was, for what she was about to do. Would he forgive her for taking Haldir to the Havens instead of pursuing him? It seemed that lately all she had been doing was chasing Legolas and fighting Haldir and it was beginning to wear on her. At times she just wanted to lie down and cry until this was all over. But when would that be?

She sighed heavily. “We’d better get started before it is too late in the day,” she mumbled. “I have prepared the horse.”

Slowly, Haldir stood up and Annowe helped him shoulder his pack for the walk to the courtyard where the patient animal that she had ridden from Rivendell waited for them. The area was deserted and Annowe shivered at the eerie silence. There was not even the sound of the shield maidens scurrying about. It was the calm before the storm.

After they had secured their packs to the horse, Haldir gathered up the reins and the three of them made their way through the gate, over the causeway and out of the protection of the fortress. Annowe paused to cast one last look behind her as they left Helm’s Deep for good.

“I’m sorry, Legolas,” Haldir heard her whisper to the wind. She did not know when or if she would see him again and resented the March Warden for constantly demanding her help. If she didn’t know better, she would swear he was merely pretending to have heard The Call just to keep her from the Prince of Mirkwood.

Now she was leaving the last place he had been. She had only missed him by a few days. A few precious days! And instead of going to Edoras to meet him, she was headed north – away from him! She was almost as miserable as when Elrond told her she would be stuck with Haldir on the trek to Lothlorien.

Her lips twisted at the irony of it and she snorted. Again, Haldir had managed to keep her away from Legolas by forcing her on a journey away from him. When would he learn that the more he tried to keep them apart the more determined Annowe became to stay with Legolas?

Haldir flinched at her quiet apology and patted the horse absently. He knew he was not meant to hear it but it tore at him just the same. She would be thinking of Legolas until the two of them were reunited. It shouldn’t bother him so and yet it did.

Was it so much to ask that she give him her undivided attention for once? This was his last bit of time in middle earth and his last time with her but she did not seem to care. Her sole concern seemed to be rid of him as quickly as possible so she could chase after Legolas. It was insulting! She would have Legolas for many years to come but she would not have him for very much longer. When would she realize this and give herself to him completely?

Perhaps he needed to remind her again how Legolas had left Helm’s Deep even knowing she would come for him. Then he could tell her that once he had gone to Valinor she and Legolas would have each other. She could be swayed. It would not be easy, of that he was certain, but she had given into him before. He smiled at the thought. Yes, he had found himself in this position on the way south to Lothlorien.

But now she knew how completely he could pleasure her so why would she deny herself? Legolas would never have to know. He watched the easy sway of her hips as she walked in front of him. He would let her grieve for her prince and then he would make his move. He was determined to have her, completely and utterly for himself.

Much as they had before, they walked in silence only stopping briefly to rest. Haldir knew he could prolong the journey as long as he wanted by pleading pain or weariness but he would wait to use that excuse. He could be patient.

The sun began to set behind the mountains and Annowe stopped allowing Haldir and the horse to catch up to her. She had caught the smell of water and wanted to push forward until she found the source.

“Are you weary?” She asked.

He sighed and didn’t answer her. Yes, he was growing tired and wished to stop but he could tell she was eager to continue.

“On the horse,” she commanded without preamble. “There is water near and I would like to find it tonight if possible.”

With a grunt, he complied, swinging easily upon the horse and they started off again with Annowe leading.

It was barely past midnight when Haldir caught the familiar scent of a river. They were quite close now and Annowe would have her wish.

“I will return tomorrow. Wait for me by the river. If there is danger, come into the water and call for me. I will come,” she said breathlessly, eager to be in her own element again.

He nodded and fervently hoped that the Gray Havens were a very long way from their present location. Quickly, the nymph slipped off into the night, needing to be free of him and desperate to speak to her father about the Havens and what she should do about the very wicked and very desirable March Warden.

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