Strange Allies

A/N:

Thanks, Michelle, I'm glad (and so is he) that you're enjoying this. Believe me, he'd like to have about 10 chapters of "hawt" sex but I dunno if I'm up for that personally. hehehehe! Her father does have a point and she will spend some time contemplating his advice. Unfortunately, Haldir doesn't understand the concept of "trying too hard". She wants him but she must reconsile her feelings for Legolas. It is not I who keeps drawing this out! LOL. His Most High Wickedness likes the sexual tension to build to a fever pitch before anything happens. He seems to think that piling on the agony makes the final release that much sweeter. And it is his story, after all. ;-)

~~~

When Annowe finally emerged from the river it was well past noon and Haldir had begun to wonder if she had simply abandoned him. As she approached, he exhaled in relief and stood up to greet her.

“Did you see your father?” He asked anxiously.

“Yes,” she replied slowly. “He said to continue north on the road until we come to the Barrow Downs. My sister will lead us from there.” She was still grappling with her father’s other words regarding Haldir and eyed him suspiciously as if he could read her mind.

“What is it?” He wondered, seeing her odd expression.

She shook her head and began walking toward the horse. “It’s nothing,” she assured him. “Are you ready to continue?”

He nodded and began to replace his pack on the horse. Annowe removed the hobble from the animal and they started off again on the Old South Road.

As they walked in silence, Haldir studied the naiad. Not only was she withdrawn but she also seemed less hostile toward him and he wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.

“Is there something you wish to talk about, Annowe?” He asked gently when his curiosity had finally gotten the best of him.

“No,” she finally answered. She wanted to be left alone to think and to sort out her feelings. Her father’s words had confused her and she needed to come to grips with her conflicting emotions regarding the wicked March Warden.

Haldir frowned but did not press her. She did not seem defensive or angry just thoughtful so why did that worry him? Her sadness seemed to have passed as well and for that he was grateful. They were completely alone now and it would be several weeks before they made it to the Barrow Downs. He must be patient and wait. When she was ready she would speak.

Annowe remained preoccupied for the next few days, absently tending his wound or staring moodily into the fire and hardly speaking to him unless he spoke to her. Her thoughts kept running over her father’s words. Did she need Haldir? If not, why hadn’t she abandoned him outright? Some bizarre sense of duty?

Yes she desired him but did she need him? And what of Legolas? Would he, could he ever forgive her if she gave herself to Haldir completely and totally? Did she want to give herself to Haldir completely and totally? She sighed. Yes and no. Yes because he make her blood run like liquid fire through her veins and no because she knew his reputation. He would enjoy her until he grew bored and then leave. But he was leaving anyway. What then? If Legolas did not forgive her dalliance with the wicked March Warden then she would have made the wrong choice and be without either of them.

How ironic was that? First she had none now two and no matter what her choice she feared she would end up with neither and be back to the beginning. If that were the case, what did she have to lose by taking what she wanted from Haldir? Perhaps she could ask him to teach her more tricks so that even if Legolas left her she could find another to take his place. But no, no one could take his place in her heart.

Her heart! How she wished she could rip the offending thing from her body and throw it away! It caused nothing but trouble – demanding her loyalty to Legolas while her body screamed in desire for Haldir’s touch. She would be driven into madness, she was certain of it!

“You are distracted and preoccupied. What troubles you, Annowe?” The March Warden asked softly as they stopped to rest one afternoon. What had Ulmo said to her that would make her so distant? It was starting to annoy and concern him.

She eyed him keenly before she slowly answered him. “I would rather not discuss it,” she admitted. The more she thought about her father’s words the more confused she became. Why couldn’t it just be easy for her?

But he could not let it drop. Not yet. “You miss Legolas,” Haldir murmured sympathetically, trying to draw her out.

“Haldir, please,” she said tiredly. “I said I do not wish to discuss it.”

Now that was an answer he had not expected in the least. Did she miss Legolas? Was that a hint of doubt? Or was she slowly realizing how much she desired him? The last thought brought a flicker of a smile to his face. Well, he would make her remember that he was here and Legolas was not!

Later that same evening Haldir decided that perhaps it was time to remind her of what he could do to her. After they had set up camp, hobbled the horse and eaten, he saw the opportunity to make his move.

“Annowe,” he said softly as they sat by the fire. “Can you examine my wound for me again? It is feeling rather tight.”

She nodded absently and rummaged through her pack for some salve. “It is probably healing and the skin is dry,” she murmured, moving to stand behind him as he removed his tunic for her. It had been a long time since she had paid attention to his bare skin and she had almost forgotten how splendid his form was. Willing herself to concentrate on the task at hand, she began to examine his healing wound.

At the first touch of her fingers against his skin he closed his eyes and smiled at the memory of her small hands clinging to his neck in desire. She would do so again, he was certain of it. He could not – he would not – leave middle earth without having her one more time at least.

“Yes,” she mumbled, delicately feeling his shoulder. “It is healing nicely but the skin is dry and puckered. Does it itch as well?”

“Yes,” he admitted. He tried not to think about that since it was in a difficult spot to reach and he knew he would only hurt himself if he tried to scratch it.

Gently, she began to scratch it for him and he moaned in pleasure sending a shiver of desire through her. He had moaned like that when he had first taken her. She bit her lip and tried not to think about it. How she wanted to hear him make those sounds again – if only she could convince her heart that he wasn’t a threat to Legolas.

“That feels good,” he sighed. “I cannot reach it.”

She smiled. “I don’t doubt it,” she replied, scratching him for only a little longer before applying the salve. Touching him again made her quite conscious of how desirable she found him and how badly she wanted him.

As her fingers ran over his skin she became aware of his smoldering desire for her and she quivered. He was doing that thing to her again and she should make him stop but the talk with her father had made her reconsider her situation. She willed herself to keep her hands steady – she would not give him the satisfaction of knowing he could still have such a devastating effect on her.

“Stop it, Haldir,” she gently chided him. “I know what you are doing.”

He grinned shamelessly and turned his head slightly to look at her out of the corner of his eye. “I know you know. And I know you like it,” he replied softly.

She sighed heavily and moved away from him to sit back down at the fire. Yes, she did like it but it also made her feel disloyal to Legolas. Why couldn’t this be easy? Why did he insist on backing her into a corner and making her choose between the two of them? She did not want to choose but she felt like he was forcing her into that decision.

“Annowe,” Haldir murmured, laying his tunic aside and stretching out on his side so she could have a good look at his muscular form. “Why do you deny your desire and mine?”

“I would not have this conversation with you, Haldir,” she warned him evenly. It was bad enough that she was desperately trying to keep her hands off of him until she could convince herself that Legolas would not abandon her for giving herself totally to him. She did not need his continual bodily temptation and mental torture adding to her agony.

Slowly, he ran his hand across his firm abdomen to tempt her, letting his hand rest easily against his crotch. “Why not? Do you deny that you desire me as fiercely as I desire you?” He purred, watching her reaction.

“I deny nothing,” she scoffed, refusing to look any lower than his eyes. She just might find herself in his strong arms if she were to gaze upon his bare chest again. “Why do you continue to torment me with these questions?”

“Then perhaps you fear your own desire for me,” he mused silkily, slowly adjusting him self. “Perhaps you fear that you desire for me far outweighs your desire for Legolas.”

At that, her eyes flashed dangerously and she bared her teeth at him. “You leave Legolas out of this!” She hissed. “If I wanted you more than I wanted Legolas then I would have you.”

He chuckled at her. “Not if you feared your desire for me,” he reasoned, baiting her. He was determined to have her again no matter what the consequences. “Just as Legolas feared his desire for me so do you.”

“Then why don’t you leave us alone if we both fear you?” She demanded, her voice rising as she stood up to glare down at him through the dancing flames. Why couldn’t he just leave Legolas alone? Did he not see that she could never fully give herself to him if he continued to drag Legolas into the picture?

He sat up, refusing to let go of her so easily. “Because I want you to admit your desire for me,” he said in a low voice. “I want you to admit that I have inflamed your passion like Legolas never has.”

“What is it with you and Legolas? Why must I choose between you? Why do you insist that I can only desire you?” She growled, growing tired of his insistence that she must want him alone. He wasn’t going to make this any easier on her. Just when she was beginning to seriously consider giving into him completely, he had to remind her of how vile and wicked he truly was.

Slowly, Haldir rose to his feet and drew close to her so she could feel the heat of his body despite the fire. His skin glowed warmly in the flickering light and she had to fight the overwhelming urge to run her hands all over him. How could he be so beautiful and yet so horrid?

“Where is Legolas, little one? Where? Is he here now? No,” Haldir purred softly leaning closer to her. “While your desire for him may be admirable what of his desire for you?”

“Shut up!” She snapped and pushed him away. “You know nothing of his desire for me!”

He raised a sarcastic eyebrow and slowly folded his arms across his broad chest. “I know that if his desire for you were as all consuming as mine he would be here now and he is not!”

She sighed tiredly and clinched her fists at her side. “Why are you forcing me to choose between the two of you?” She moaned in frustration. “Why?”

~~~