An Unlikely Lust

Disclaimer: I do not own these elves. They are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien. I'm just playing with them for fun. No profit is being made or will ever be made.

Rumil stepped from the bath and reached for a towel to dry his hair. He stood for a moment and thought about the ideas Orophin had posed to him. He looked forward to acting out the one they had agreed on, but never the less, he was not happy about having to spend time with Legolas. No matter the outcome, the Mirkwood prince would probably get some pleasure out of it all. He just hoped not too much.

He dressed quickly and brushed out his long hair, quickly redoing the braids he had let down to wash the smell of horse from himself. He and Orophin had planned to run their idea this evening in hopes of having some peace for the rest of Legolas and Thranduil’s visit to Lothlorien. But he only had a short time to gather needed supplies, much of that already taken away by the demands of the prince.

Finishing, he took a quick look at himself to make sure all was in place, then headed for the door.

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Thranduil paced around his rooms restlessly. He was unsure of what was happening to him right now, but he didn’t enjoy it. After their time in the glen, he and Haldir had headed back, deciding to part ways for a short time to clean themselves and prepare for dinner. But something was eating away at his gut, and Thranduil wanted to work it out before he was met by the questioning eyes of Lord Celeborn. He had to agree with Haldir; it was probably best that their relationship remain secret for now, since it would probably not last long.

He sat hard on the edge of the bed and sighed. What had happened in the glen? He had never had the experience of not being able to control his body before, but that is exactly what had happened. A mix of excuses went through his mind for it. A fear of being caught? A fear of what Lord Celeborn would say?

Or worse yet, was he overly turned on by the idea of sleeping with an elf that desired his son?

Standing again, he shook his head and resumed pacing. He loved his son with all of his heart, but deep down he knew he spoiled him. Legolas had turned into a snotty brat and it was his fault. He’d spent a long time trying to reverse it with no luck. Legolas thought he was golden and wanted everyone else to think so, too. And in the meantime, he was hurting the emotions of others. He thought about how badly Haldir wanted Legolas, and he knew his desire for him was strong. But he couldn’t help the feeling that he had finally given Legolas a slap that he so deserved. Yes, it was true he did not desire Haldir nearly as much as he Haldir desired him. But he wouldn’t let Legolas have him now when he changed his mind. And Legolas would change his mind about Haldir once he found out about their time together.

And maybe the fear wasn’t of others finding out or of what Lord Celeborn would say. Maybe he feared his son finding out and trying to take Haldir from him. He knew it would be all too easy for him to do. Yet he was intent on winning this battle. But how to keep it from him? How was he to sit with Haldir at dinner and hide the lust he felt, to keep from reaching out under the table to touch him, to keep from looking at him with a passionate fire in his eyes? How would he keep Legolas from knowing?

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Orophin spent a good deal of time out in the woods. He had gathered the supplies he promised to get and was busy hiding them where he had said he would. He felt rushed, but he also felt like a small elfling again. It had been a long time since he and Rumil had pulled a prank together, the last one being such a disaster. Lord Celeborn had them both cleaning stalls for many years after they had cut Haldir down from the tree. He giggled to himself at the memory of Haldir hanging there up-side-down from his ankles, yelling at the top of his lungs while several elves worked quickly to cut him free.

Grabbing some fallen leaves and parts of some nearby shrubs, he quickly tried to camouflage the ropes. The parts tied to the tree base would be harder to cover, but hopefully they blended in to the color of the tree well enough that they would not be noticed.

Satisfied by the job he’d done, he stood and quickly headed back towards his rooms. He wanted to clean up before dinner, especially now that he had tell tale dirt on his hands and knees and several loose leaves in his hair. Pulling himself up the slight hill, he headed off in a near sprint once he reached level ground.

“Orophin!” He winced at the sound of his name, but stopped and turned towards the voice. He tried to cover any hint of a devious plan that his face would give away as he turned to face Lord Celeborn.

“Orophin, where are you rushing off too?” Lord Celeborn asked as he came to a stop several feet from him.

“Oh, I was trying to get back to my rooms to bathe before dinner.”

“That would be a good idea. You are filthy. What are you up to?”

“Nothing! Nothing at all, my lord! I just… I… um… I fell! Down the hill! Yes, I fell and rolled down the hill.”

Celeborn’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “You fell and rolled down the hill?”

“Yes. It was rather strange, actually. I felt a bit woozy. I must have fainted. But when I opened my eyes I was in a bush.” He chuckled nervously and looked down to the ground.

“Mm. Well. Go to your rooms and bathe. However, I need you this evening.”

“But, Lord Celeborn, I…”

“Please do not tell me you have plans. Haldir has plans. I need you to take his place with the guard tonight. It appears Thranduil has requested that Haldir be his personal guide for his time here, and you know I had to put the guard at full alert for his stay. But his wishes must be met, I mean to keep him happy, and he requested Haldir. So you must fill in for him.”

Orophin felt his whole body sink. “Yes, my lord.”

“I need you to join the guard before dinner. I apologize for not being able to let you eat with us first, but it is needed.”

“I… I must speak with Rumil first, my lord. My plans were with him, and I…”

“I will make sure to tell him you will not be able to make it. Please. Bathe and join the guard as soon as possible.”

“Yes, my lord.” Orophin turned, cursing to himself, and walked towards his rooms. Rumil would not understand. He couldn’t even let him know the plan needed to be halted for the evening. This was unthinkable! He could feel his face heating as he thought of the plan backfiring. “Rumil is going to make a fool of himself and there is nothing I can do! Haldir, wait until I get my hands on you!”

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“What are you doing here, Haldir? I thought you were to be with the guard tonight,” Rumil asked as he approached his oldest brother. Haldir turned to him and smiled.

“I was requested as a personal bodyguard of sorts by Thranduil. I will not be with the guard for several days.”

“Who is filling in?”

“I do not know. I had suspected Lord Celeborn would have asked you or Orophin, but you are here, and I saw Orophin not long ago going to his rooms.”

“Mm. It does not matter.”

“How are you fairing with Legolas, little one?”

“Fairing is not the word, brother.”

Haldir laughed and put his hand on Rumil’s shoulder. “Do not worry. He will ease up on you soon enough. It will not be so bad.”

“Oh, yes, I know. I believe Legolas is about to have a change of heart.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing, it is just a thought, dear brother.” Rumil smiled sweetly and walked off, leaving Haldir alone, watching after him with a raised eyebrow.

Thranduil glided up next to the marchwarden. “Is everything alright?”

“I am not sure. I think Rumil is up to something.”

“Why do you say that?”

“There is something about the look in his eye.” Haldir turned to face Thranduil and smiled. “The last time I saw that look I was hanging out of tree by my ankle.”