Strange Allies

~~~
Disclaimer - I don't own anything except Annowe nor have I made any money from this story.

~~~

Haldir contemplated her words as they continued north. Was he trying to force her to choose between them? No, it wasn’t a competitive matter between he and Legolas; it had never been that simple. He desired their affection – both of them. He craved their affection, completely and utterly. It was like a fine wine to him and just as intoxicating.

He knew Legolas had desired him although he had feared that desire. In the end, Legolas had given in to his desire. But Annowe, she was a different creature completely and it intrigued him. She was one of the very few lovers he had known who feared neither his desire nor their own. Instead, she fought to control it, preferring to remain loyal to Legolas instead of giving herself completely and utterly to another creature that could fully appreciate her.

Legolas! He snorted. If he feared Haldir’s desire then he would most certainly fear Annowe’s for hers was just as fierce and all consuming! They belonged together. Two passionate creatures made for each other. Why couldn’t she see that? Why was she so blinded by Legolas? He was too gentle for her and too young and inexperienced. Perhaps in a thousand years or so he would be ready for her but not now.

Now she needed someone like the March Warden to fulfill all her desires – even those she was not yet aware of. And yet she stubbornly clung to the notion that Legolas was enough for her. He must make her see otherwise. Soon he would leave and she could have her Legolas. But this time must be his alone!

“Annowe,” Haldir began as they walked along the road. “I would like to stop and rest for a while.”

She sighed. She knew what he was about. For the last week he had done nothing but try and tempt her with his trick and his seductive words. Why was he so foolish? She wanted to come to him but on her terms. She would not be forced into a decision, especially by the likes of him!

“Very well,” she agreed reluctantly.

He smiled to himself. He was not weary but it would be nice to stop for a while and remind her of how desirable he was. She had taken to walking far into the night in an effort to be rid of him as quickly as possible but he managed to find a way to delay their progress. He was almost enjoying this game of cat and mouse with her again.

“Would you rub some salve on my wound?” He asked after she had hobbled the horse and he had removed their packs.

He knew she could not refuse. Her first instinct was to heal him, true to her nature as a naiad. He produced the salve and handed it to her then turned his back to her as he removed his tunic.

Annowe closed her eyes, determined not to rise to his bait. She would come to him on her own terms or not at all! With a quiet sigh, she opened her eyes and began to smooth the salve over his skin.

“Why do you resist your desire, little one?” He purred softly to her as he enjoyed the feel of her hands on his skin.

“I will not have this conversation with you, Haldir,” she warned, immediately finishing her task and stepping back from him, carelessly tossing the salve aside.

Slowly, he turned to face her, leaving his tunic on the ground. Let her see what she was missing.

“Then I will have it with you,” he threatened. “You need more than Legolas can give you.”

She scowled darkly at him and clinched her jaw, turning away from him. If she did not answer him perhaps he would stop. She took several deep breaths trying to maintain control of her self. He seemed resolved to drive her to the very edge of her reason!

“He does not deserve you, Annowe. He is young and foolish. You need a lover who understands and appreciates you. Legolas cannot,” Haldir said, taking a step toward her, determined to make her hear what he had to say. “Legolas is not even here with you now and I am!”

Instead of answering, she stomped away from him clenching her fists in suppressed anger, refusing to acknowledge his presence. But he would not be deterred and followed her, grabbing her shoulder and turning her around to look at him.

“Legolas cannot give you what I can. He is too young and too frightened of his own desire and yours. Why do you continue to fight the pleasure only I can give you? Do you think Legolas would be so loyal to you given the same circumstances? Haldir breathed.

“Stop it!” Annowe cried, stepping away from him again. “I want you to stop saying those thing about Legolas!” She could no longer take his hateful words about the Prince of Mirkwood and began to shake with rage.

Haldir gripped her shoulders and shook her slightly. “No, I won’t stop it! You need to hear it! You know it is true!” He hissed at her. “Where is he, Annowe? Where has he been? He left you! Left you to run off on a suicide mission! Twice! Twice he left you!”

“Shut up!” She screamed and jerked one arm free to slap him. He let go of her, stunned that she would actually strike him.

She took a few steps backward, visibly shaken by her own outburst. “Why couldn’t you just leave us alone, Haldir?” She asked miserably, wrapping her arms around herself. “We were happy together. And then you had to come along and try to ruin it!”

“I did not ‘ruin’ anything!” He growled indignantly through his clenched teeth.

“Well, you’re trying to ruin it now!” She spat accusingly.

Haldir lowered his eyes. What could he say to that? Had he ruined their relationship? No. All he had done is be there when Legolas was not. Certainly he had pressed her and cajoled her to acknowledge her own desire for him but what was so wrong with that?

“Do you honestly believe that he will return for you when this is over?” Haldir questioned hotly, raising his eyes to look at her.

Annowe took a deep breath and considered his question. “I don’t have a choice,” she replied. “I must believe that he will return.” Eru! She sounded like Arwen! She shook her head in disbelief at her own words.

“Or what?” Haldir pressed. “What will happen if he does not return to you?”

The confused naiad blinked several times in an effort to arrive at an answer for him. Truthfully, she had not considered what she would do if Legolas did not return for her. He would live, of that she was certain. But what would she do if he suddenly decided to go off on another foolish quest without her once this madness was over? How long was she willing to wait for him? Would he return to her or find some other adventure he must chase?

“I . . . I don’t know,” she stammered.

Haldir grunted in satisfaction. “I believe the answer to that question is that you will allow me to pursue you if Legolas does not return to claim you,” he purred easily. “Or have you so quickly forgotten our earlier conversation in Lothlorien?”

“I have not forgotten,” Annowe snapped irritably. “But this war is not over so how can the conditions be met?”

“He had the opportunity to remain behind at Helm’s Deep and wait for you. He knew you would come for him,” those words were bitter on his tongue. Indeed, Legolas had never doubted that she would come. “And what did he do, Annowe? What did he do? He left! Left!” The March Warden spat vengefully.

“Shut up!” She screamed at him, losing all reason. “You hateful bastard! You just cannot tolerate the two of us being happy together!”

“You are neither together nor happy!” Haldir pointed out viciously.

“So what does it matter to you?” Annowe snarled, her eyes flashing dangerously as her small fists clenched at her sides. “I will tell you! It does NOT matter to you! You have what you wanted! So stop it!”

He could not argue with her logic. Indeed, from where she could see the matter, he had everything he had ever wanted. He had seduced them both and yet he still wanted more.

“I will not stop it!” He hissed, moving closer to her. “Because it DOES matter to me. He left Helm’s Deep even after he knew you would come. The conditions have been met. He did not remain behind to claim you. Therefore, I am free to continue my pursuit of you,” he reasoned cruelly.

“And if I gave myself to you, what then?” Annowe demanded hotly. “I know you, Haldir. I know how you are. Once you are sure of my affections, you would run off in search of another conquest as many an elleth could attest. And then where would I be? No Legolas and no Haldir.”

What could he say? He had no answer for her. She was correct in her assessment of his past behavior.

She snorted derisively at his silence. “Indeed. Legolas loves me. You love yourself,” she snapped. “And I’m not foolish enough to believe otherwise.”

With that, she snatched up her belongings and stomped off leaving him to glare sullenly at her back and bring the horse.

How could he argue with her? She had his notorious past and logic on her side. She would not be swayed. She knew Legolas and his flaws, deciding that she could live with them. But she did not know him. Or perhaps she knew him better than he knew himself.

~~~~