The Heart of an Elf

A/N:Thank you so much for the nice reviews! I'm touched, that some of you still remember my story and I'm very grateful for the new readers.
Here is the new chapter and I hope that you'll like it.
From now on I'm back in the game and I plan to update more often; at least once a week. The next chapter is on it's way already and I plan to post it by next Sunday (the 29th).
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all your support.

Love: L'L

Chapter 4b

Haldir took a sip from his wine. It was just after midnight and the Marchwarden had one more hour ‘til he had to resume his post. Although, they were all guests here, the elf was the personal guard of the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood, and the Galadhel looked forward to his solitary task.

After his dance with Legolas, the night became quite a stir for Haldir. Elves of different rank, gender and realm approached him, asking for a dance. By elven etiquette it was considered a rude behavior to turn down the first request and Haldir had barely enough time to stop and have some refreshment. Throughout the night the silver haired elf received numerous invitations, ranging from a nice walk in the garden to a family dinner. The Galadhel politely declined all of them, but one.
Lady Galadriel came to his rescue.

“Do not despair my brave Marchwarden, come and ask me for a dance. You must forgive these curious elves. It does not happen every day, that a legendary warrior graces them with his appearance,” Galadriel sent her mental advice to Haldir. The guardian was more than happy to accept his Lady’s request.

The Lorien elf made his way to the royal table. He stood in front of his lord and lady and bowed. “May I be so bold to ask my Lord’s permission to dance with Lady Galadriel?” asked Haldir, turning his gaze to the Sinda ruler. The Lord of the Galadhel nodded his approval with a kind smile. Celeborn knew that Haldir would not made such request without Galadriel’s probing.

In Caras Galadhon, the Marchwarden didn’t need to ask for permission.
Haldir’s status was one of the highest within the ranks in Lothlorien and he was a close friend of the ruling couple. Still, even back at home the Galadhel would wait ‘til Galadriel lured him in for a spin.

As the Lady of the Golden Wood and Haldir made their way to the dance floor, all the other couples parted in respect to give them space. The elven musicians began to play a nice slow tune that was known as ‘Graceful Mallorn Trees’.
Haldir took Lady Galadriel in his arms and they swayed through the room with such grace and skill that all the elves around stopped to behold the sight of the pair.

Legolas watched as the Lady of the Golden Wood and her Marchwarden glided on the floor. The silver haired elf was smiling as he spun around with his dance partner and the prince was sure that he and the lady were having a conversation though their lips never moved.

“He looks so handsome, so magnificent” thought the Mirkwood prince, his eyes following Haldir’s every move.

A light touch on his shoulders made Legolas look up from his observation.
“ I told you that my brother is the best dancer in Lothlorien,” said Rumil smiling at his friend.

“ Yes, you did, meldir. Not many have talent like his,” the young prince nodded his golden head.
“ What happened with your date in the garden? I’m surprised to see you back so soon. Did he leave before you got there?” asked Legolas turning back to Rumil.

“ No, my prince, he was still there and we talked. But I am to take my post with the guards within the hour, so we had to part.” answered the Galadhel.

“ Are you going with the eastern or the southern patrol?” asked the Sindarin prince.

“Neither. I will stand guard in front of My Lord and Lady’s guest quarters,” replied Rumil.

“ I assumed that Haldir would stand guard at the royal chamber,” said Legolas, raising his brows. Rumil nodded his head

“Yes, your assumption was correct, except that Lady Galadriel is just about to tell my brother that he has been excused from his duty,” said Rumil.

“ Any minute now and that smile will disappear from my brother’s face, just watch,” added the Lorien elf.

Legolas turned his glance back to the dancing pair. Just as Rumil said, Haldir’s smile vanished from his handsome face and he asked something from his dance partner. Lady Galadriel slightly shook her golden head.

“You see, that brother of mine is so predictable, “ said Rumil with a wink.

The melody ended and Haldir escorted Galadriel back to the royal table.

“ It was an honor to dance with you again, My Lady,” bowed the elf, and then he turned around to look for his siblings. When his eyes found Rumil, the Marchwarden crossed the hall to talk to him.

Rumil knew what was coming and he held up his hands to prevent his brother from speaking when Haldir stopped in front of him. “Do not say it! I know! Tonight is my honor to guard our Lord and Lady, so you could enjoy the night,” said Rumil.

“ Why am I the last to know about this?” asked Haldir, shooting an annoyed glance at his younger sibling.

“Well my grumpy gwador, while you were dancing through the night, Lady Galadriel sought me out and asked me to relieve you from your duty for the rest of the week, “ answered the young Galadhel.

“For the rest of the week?” looked Haldir at his brother clearly taken aback.
“She also told me that if you’re going to be difficult about this, she will extend it for the rest of our stay in Imladris,” replied Rumil with a grin.

Legolas watched the exchange with amusement.

“ Do you find it so hard to enjoy yourself for a week without any kind of duty, Marchwarden? “ asked the prince.

Haldir turned towards Legolas remembering his manners and after a few moments of thinking he gave his answer to the Mirkwood royalty.
“ I’m the personal guard of the Lady and the Lord of the Golden Wood when they’re traveling outside the realm. It’s been like that for the last 1000 years,” answered Haldir.

“ It maybe so, but since you have not attended to the festivities for centuries, I do not see why are you surprised that your lady has chosen your brother. Was it not his duty to guard the royal pair in your absence?” asked Legolas with a soft smile.

“ Yes, your highness. But I am here now, and I do not wish to linger like a carefree elfling,” replied the silver haired elf.

“ I see,” nodded the golden haired Sinda.
“It must be very hard for you to deal with this horrifying task of carefree self-enjoyment, Haldir. How about if I make you a proposal to remedy this clearly uncomfortable situation?” started Legolas, forcing himself to keep his facial expression neutral to hide his amusement from the elf in front of him.

The Marchwarden’s blue eyes turned one shade darker, but he waited without interrupting the golden haired prince to continue what was on his mind.

Legolas acted if he didn’t notice the sudden coldness in Haldir’s eyes and went on with his proposal.
“As it turns out I took fewer numbers of warriors than my father recommended, which I’m afraid will not please him. Even the fact that I’m almost 3000 years old makes no different for Ada, who still thinks of me as a curious elfling who gets into all kinds of trouble. He will arrive on the end of the week and I need something that can help to soothe my father’s legendary temper,” continued Legolas, keeping the eye contact with Haldir.

“So, you need a purpose to keep you occupied and safe from boredom and I need a fearless warrior by my side to keep me from harm and be my cherished companion ‘til my father arrives. Do you think that you can handle to be around a spoiled prince for a whole week, Haldir? I would like it very much if a legend such as yourself would find it acceptable to accompany me, so when I return to my home I can tell everyone in Mirkwood that Haldir o’ Lorien the legendary warrior granted me the honor of his company and looked after my safety. What say you, Marchwarden? I cannot promise that babysitting a princeling will be too exciting, but I shall try to behave so I won’t embarrass you, ” finished Legolas, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

Haldir just stared at the Crown Prince of Mirkwood for a few moments, then he bowed his silver head.“ I must say, my lord, that you are not just a great dancer, but an excellent diplomat as well, “ said the Marchwarden with a soft smile on his beautiful face.

“ Does it mean that you are willing to be my companion for the next seven days?” asked Legolas.

“Aye, my prince. When shall I begin my new assignment?” inquired Haldir.

“ Immediately. I am about to go dancing and I need you to guard me, so I won’t take a misstep and fall flat on my face,” answered the Sinda holding out his hand to the Galadhel. Haldir took the offered hand with a bow and they made their way to the dance floor, while Rumil stared after them with a stupefied expression.

The Marchwarden silently cursed himself as soon as they began to dance. He was so distracted by the prince’s voice and smile, that he wasn’t thinking what he was getting himself into.

Legolas’ lithe form was wrapped in his arms and the Galadhel was well aware of the effects of that closeness on his own body.

Once again the world seemed to disappear around Haldir and the golden haired elf in his embrace and the Galadhel ‘s breath hitched in his throat when Legolas’ sky blue eyes met his own.

“ This is just plain lust, nothing magical about it you silly elf! Legolas is a very beautiful male and when you witnessed that intimate moment in the garden your body started to remind you, that some needs must be taken care of. So stop imagining things that are not there. Maybe it’s time to look for some comfort, otherwise the next seven days will find me in a very uncomfortable situation,” thought Haldir, trying to reason with himself about the sensations what he felt inside.

Yes! It was a logical explanation for his strong reaction to the golden haired elf’s closeness. The Marchwarden willed his breathing to calm his frantic heartbeat and glanced away from Legolas’ eyes.

As the Lorien elf swirled around with the Mirkwood prince, his gaze caught a pair of midnight blue eyes, staring intensely at him. The Lord of Imladris watched him dance.
Haldir kept his eyes on Elrond, not breaking the contact for a few moments.
The Peredhil’s gaze held sorrow, yearning and loneliness.
Suddenly the silver haired elf remembered the reason why he had come back to Imladris after three millennia. The Lady Galadriel’s premonitions were dark and according to her, time was running out fast and Haldir suddenly came to a very important decision.
The Galadhel returned his gaze to the black haired elf at the royal table and when Elrond’s eyes met his, Haldir gave the elven ruler a warm smile.

As the night progressed Elrond entertained his guests and behaved as an excellent host. He even kept up with the conversations around the table and managed to avoid staring openly at a particular elf, whose attendance at the festivities was the sensation of the night.

The Peredhil glanced at the Galadhel from time to time, watching as elf after elf approached the silver haired warrior asking him for a dance.
All those lucky ones had the privilege of holding Haldir in their arm, except him.
His title did not allowed the half elven to do as any lower ranked elf was free to request from the legendary warrior; and Elrond was sure that the Guardian of the Golden Wood would not approach the table to ask him for a dance.

So, the raven-haired elf sipped his wine and occasionally let his gaze wander towards the dance floor and watched as Haldir swirled around in someone else’s arms.
At least the wine was sweet and the company was good, thought the Peredhil, refilling his cup with the ruby colored liquid.
Elrond glanced back at the center of the hall and saw that Haldir was dancing with Legolas again. The sight made his heart ache even more if it was even possible, but he could not tear his eyes away from them.

Then something happened.

Haldir looked up as he spun around with the Sindarin prince in his arms and locked his gaze with the Lord of Imladris. Elrond tried to tear his eyes away from the Marchwarden, knowing well that he just got caught staring; but he could not. A few moments passed and it was the Galadhel who finally broke the eye contact.
The Peredhil let out his breath that he wasn’t even aware the he had been holding.

A ruler of The Last Homely House took a long drink from his cup to calm himself, and then returned his gaze to the dance floor.

Elrond thought that he must have been hallucinating.
“Maybe I had too many drinks this evening,” thought the elven lord, for the Lorien elf was looking at him with an expression on his beautiful face that the Peredhil had not seen for more than 3000 years.
Then Haldir smiled, keeping those amazing blue eyes on Elrond’s face and the raven-haired elf was glad that he was sitting, otherwise that incredible smile would have brought him to his knees.

The last accords of the song ended and Haldir looked at the prince in his arms.

“ May I escort you back for a cup of wine, my lord?” asked the silver haired elf.
The prince nodded his golden head.

“ Yes, you may, but only if you remember to call me Legolas,” replied the Sinda.
The Galadhel held out his hand and lead the Mirkwood elf back to the royal table.

Both elves took their seat and the Marchwarden poured some wine into Legolas’ cup.
“ Thank you, Haldir. I must admit, that it’s been a very long time since I had such an excellent dance partner. I’ve heard many tales about you, the legendary guardian from Lord Elrond when I was an elfling, but somehow he failed to mention your dancing skills,” said Legolas.

Before Haldir had a chance to reply the Lord of Imladris turned towards the prince.
“ It is true, that I did not mention it, Legolas and the reason for it that I never knew,” explained the Peredhil.
“ We met at the time of war and when it was over Haldir decided to withdraw from social events, wholly dedicating himself to guard his homeland and its Lord and Lady,” added Elrond, glancing at the Marchwarden.

Haldir nodded his head. “ You are correct, my Lord Elrond and it reminds me of a terrible error I committed tonight. I’ve danced with half of the elves that attended here in this hall except an old friend who happens to be the host,” said Haldir and stood up from his seat.

“ Please, forgive my rude behavior, Mellon, and allow me the pleasure of the next dance,” bowed the Galadhel to the Lord of Imladris.

Elrond watched as Haldir stood in front of him, holding out his hand to him.
“This isn’t real! I’m dreaming and I’ll be waking up soon to my empty bed and my lonely life,” thought the Peredhil, but nonetheless reached for the Galadhel’s hand.

When Haldir’s fingers closed around Elrond’s palm a slight tremble ran through the elven lord’s entire body with the contact.

The raven-haired elf followed the guardian as if he were in a trance.
When they reached the dance floor the silver haired elf gently pulled the Lord of Imladris into his arms.

Elrond was close to hyperventilating. Only his strong discipline built up over 7000 years and survival instinct helped the Peredhil through the first steps without collapsing onto the floor or embarrassing himself some other way.

“Valar help me, but if it’s only a dream I don’t want to wake up,” thought the older elf.
After 3000 years, Haldir was in his arms, looking at him with mesmerizing eyes.
Elrond felt as if he was floating on air. Haldir could feel every little tremor, hear every hitched breath, and see every nervous glance from Elrond as his arm circled around the elven lord. The Lord of Imladris tried to hide the effects of the Marchwarden’s touch and he succeeded as far as the out side world was concerned.

“ Elrond, please look at me,” murmured Haldir, pulling the raven-haired elf closer.
The Peredhil’s facial expression was unreadable as he granted the Galadhel’s request, but the silver haired elf wasn’t fooled, for he felt the same. Even after three millennia the Lorien elf’s body reacted to Elrond’s touch just as it did 3000 years ago.

“ You see, mellon, we can both hide from the world, even can hide from each other, but when it comes down to it our own bodies betray us in a heartbeat,” whispered the Galadhel.

The older elf’s eyes widened in surprise. “ What are you saying, Haldir?” asked the elven ruler in a cautious tone.

“ I’m saying that you were right this evening, my friend. I would’ve never come if it weren’t for my Lady’s request. But now that I’m here, I must open my eyes and my heart again before it’s too late. I think that maybe we should talk, mellon,” answered Haldir.

The Peredhil looked intensely at the Lorien elf for a few moments.
“ Talk about what, Haldir?” asked the older elf.

“ Us,” came the single word answer from the Galadhel.

“ Why? You’ve already made up your mind, guardian,” replied Elrond.

“ Yes, that I have. Still, I think that we need to put the past behind us once and for all, Elrond,” nodded Haldir.

“ As you wish, mellon. I have some free time tomorrow right before supper…”started the elven ruler, but Haldir shook his head.

“ I’ll be calling tonight or never,” said the Marchwarden with a serious look on his beautiful face.

Elrond’s eyebrows shot up and the elf lord gave his dance partner a cold stare.
“ What makes you think, that you can give me an ultimatum like this, Marchwarden? “ asked Elrond with an edge to his voice.

“ This issue between us is unresolved more than three millennia now, my Lord Elrond. You are the ruler of this realm, but it is I who was wronged and therefore I have the right to set the time and place,” replied the guardian, perfectly matching the older elf’s tone.

In that exact moment the music ended, catching the pair in the middle of the dance floor staring at each other.

Haldir stepped away from the raven-haired elf and formally bowed.
“ Thank you for the dance, my lord.” said the Lorien elf, giving Elrond the chance to compose himself, for the whole room was watching them now.

“ It was my pleasure, Haldir,” replied the Lord of Imladris, holding out his hand for the Galadhel.

“ Will you join with me for a walk in the garden, my friend?” asked Elrond with a kind smile. Haldir took the offered limb and they walked out of the hall into the balmy night.

To be continued…