The old ways

Gimli watched the sun rise and combed through his long beard. Having a freshly washed body and hair was a luxurious feeling. To untangle his hair, groom and braid it made him happy. He scanned their camp, finding only Aragorn awake, who nodded slightly, raising a goblet of fresh juice in direction of the dwarf.
Merry and Pippin were hardly to be seen beneath there covers, Sam had a hand loosely on Frodo's arm and was snoring nearly as loudly as Gimli himself. But were was the elf? He hadn't returned since he had left five days ago.
Aragorn had noticed Gimli's confused look and addressed him "He is most possibly with his kin, Gimli."
"Is he going to avoid us for the rest of our stay?" Gimli sounded somewhat confused.
"I don't know. You have to understand, elves have a very strong family sense and kinship. Often they join for singing, storytelling and exchange of information. Being with us is not always easy for him."
"Galadriel said something about some business he had to look after while his stay. Do you know anything about that?"
"No, honestly I don't. Even though I have known him for a long time now, he does not tell me everything."
Gimli finished braiding his beard and got up from the ground. "I think I will take a stroll through these fabled woods. Maybe I will find the missing member of our fellowship."
Aragorn inclined his head in acknowledgement.
At first the trees all seemed to look the same to the dwarf and he felt quite uneasy, as if he were stuck between them, but after a while the air around him grew light and fresh. He noticed differences between the stems, the way a tree had grown, the colouring of the bark and the way it felt underneath the fingertips.
'Absurd' Gimli thought. 'A dwarf enjoying the texture of trees. Where does the world come to?'
He had lost track of time some while ago, only the growing darkness was an evidence of the passing day. Gimli turned around and found himself obviously lost. 'Great, now what? I am definitely no going to cry out for help. Now, let's see. The sun was in my face this morning in the camp. So I need to have it in my back to get back.' But it wasn't as easy as he thought. 'I must have taken a turn or two on my way, without me noticing it.' Gimli kicked some rubble hard and hit his fist against the nearest tree. 'I can hear him already. Mocking me for my heritage, making jokes about us dwarf. Ha, I would like to see him alone in a cave.' Gimli twirled around again and found no sign of recognition. With a grunt he sat down, it was no use to wander around in the dark, he would better wait until the morning and try to find his way back. Maybe, but only maybe, he would even try to find help.
He had leaned against a tree for some time, trying to find rest as he heard some voices. Gimli shot up from the ground trying to find out from which direction it had been coming. After some seconds eardeard the voices again, this time a little nearer. He was just about to call out, when he thought he recognised the voice of Legolas. So he kept quiet and tried to listen. Sometimes it sounded like light laughter, then again the voices were hushed like if someone was trying to keep them down. The second voice was a little raspier and deeper than that of Legolas, but definitely male. Why on earth was Legolas with another male in the middle of the woods at night giggling? Giggling, males giggling. That was odd. So Gimli decided against his better knowledge, to creep a little nearer to the sounds. After some rustling around near the ground he heard a second sound. Yes, water. The splashing and gurgling sounds of water. It sounded like someone taking a bath. 'Typical, for an elf. The first thing they do at the sight of water is to jump in.' But did elves bath together? Two males? Even more curious, Gimli sneaked up even more. He could see some torches that were stuck into the ground near what appeared to be a small pond. Just barely he could make out two people, obviously in the water, very near to each other. The dwarf circled around the pond a bit to get a better view. Now he could see them clearly.
His breath caught in his throat, he stopped his movements mid-air, afraid to make himself known. There in the pond he saw two elves, two male elves at that. Gimli recognised Legolas, who was with his back to him, the head of the other one was buried in the crook of the neck of Legolas, nuzzling him. Strong arms were holding him, one hand stroking his back the other cupped the well muscled backside. The dwarf was just about able to hold back a snort. He had never ever expected that his companion did engage in activities such as these. Gimli was about to turn away, when he saw the other elf lift his head and throwing it back with his eyes closed moaning with pleasure. 'I don't believe this,' Gimli shook his head slightly 'Legolas is fumbling around with that arrogant bastard of a Lorien guard.'
"Shheep eep still, melme! How am I supposed to wash you thoroughly if you keep wriggling around like this? Come here, my love, let me see if you are really clean now." Legolas seductive voice flowed through the air.
Gimli bit into his lower lip in shock when he saw Legolas go down onto his knees lapping Haldir's skin in the hollow of his hip, down to his thigh and back up to his navel, carefully avoiding the demanding erection between Haldir's legs.
It was definitely more than the dwarf wanted to see, but he was afraid of making to much noise if he would retreat back into the shades of the trees. For a second he even thought of making himself known, quickly dismissing that idea, being afraid of the endless taunts he surely would have to endure afterwards. He settled for his only possible option, closing his eyes, hoping they would either eventually make so much noise that they wouldn't notice his movements, or they'd prefer to take their actions elsewhere and leave, though that didn't seem likely to happen.

Haldir tried to stop the trembling of his limbs, but to no avail. The exquisite torture bestowed on him was more than he could bare, he reached down to take hold of Legolas' head to direct him nearer to his aching need. To his dismay his love stopped his ministrations completely, only to look up to him giving him a sly grin. "Are you that much in need? Where is the famous control and sovereignty the Galadrim are known for? Or is it only your release you beg for?"
"If you leave me like this, I will make you beg in a minute." Haldir strengthened his hold on Legolas' head, slowly pulling him up to him. As soon as his opposite was standing again, he caught him in a passionate kiss, plundering his mouth. He was pushing his own body against the other slowly urging them to the embankment of the pond. The water was only ankle deep and soft grass grew right to the edge of the water where Haldir pushed Legolas down to the ground. He started devouring the body with kisses and caresses whilst the water lazily lapped at their bodies.
"Love," Haldir whispered into Legolas' ear "have we brought anything along that could ease your way?"
"Mhm, yes. Somewhere near our clothes, there is the bag we brought the drying cloths in. You should find what we need. Don't take too long though. I already miss your touch."
Haldir kissed his husband on the tip of his nose and got up to fetch the scented oil from their bag. He had just reached their clothes when he heard the faint sound of laboured breathing. He shot around to glance at his surrounding and found a huddled body behind one of the trees that grew around the pond. Hands clasped tightly against the ears and the eyes tightly closed. There sat that impertinent dwarf that had arrived along with the fellowship.
Haldir lunged for his hunting knife and strode over to the dwarf reaching for his tunic yanking him up, holding the knife to the dwarfs' throat. "What are you doing here?" he yelled. The moment the elf put his hands on the collar of his tunic, Gimli's eyes flew open and he stared in horror at a face full of anger.
"Haldir, what is the matter?" Legolas had jumped up the second he had heard his love cry out.
"Look what I have found! Someone is a little too interested in your private life." Haldir held Gimli in a tight grip, his face distorted with anger.
"I..., I was lost..., I heard voices." Gimli was still in shock and stammered helplessly.
"What do you want from us, have you followed us? Can't you leave us elves in peace. Isn't it enough that we let you come here? Do you have to spy on us?" Haldir was outraged.
Legolas had reached them and put his hands on his hips. "Leave him be Haldir. I don't think there is any need of slitting his throat." He turned to Gimli "Gimli, are are you doing here?"
Haldir reluctantly let the dwarf go, but didn't move away from him.
Gimli squared his shoulders "As I said before; I was lost."
"How come then that if you were lost, you found your way here so easily?" Haldir growled.
"You moan so loud, I could have found you with my eyes shut." Gimli retorted.