Strange Allies

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A/N: I'm flying a bit blind on this since the Wicked Creature still refuses to let me consult any of the other books regarding his kind. He says that what I need to know I will get from him so if there are inconsistencies regarding the "bonding" they are HIS.

Phairesse - baby, he's never going to be lonely or alone with the number of fans he has! ;-) You shouldn't worry about him. There will always be plenty of willing humans, nymphs and elves to warm HIS bed! ;-) There's not much he IS lacking in except humility, modesty - you know. hehehehe!

Sandra - well, I had heard of it but I didn't know what it was or anything. And since he won't let me read up on it I have to guess based on what he tells me and what I can remember (which isn't much). No, she's not pregnant. And we won't find out what it actually is until a bit later and it comes as quite the shock to her but he, of course, does a happy dance. Oh, and I wanted to say earlier that I, too, hope the ending isn't a letdown. I really HATE it when the climax builds up and then fizzles out. It's so disappointing and can ruin the whole thing for me!

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Tenderly Haldir shook the sleeping naiad awake. The full moon hung heavy in the sky and it was time. Slowly, Annowe stirred and nuzzled closer to him, feeling his warm firm body next to hers and his strong arms encircling her. She could lay here forever in his warm embrace.

“Are you ready for your final lesson little one?” He asked softly, lightly stroking her back.

She smiled then giggled. “Yes, I believe so,” she answered.

“Very well,” he said, sitting up. “Let us return to the stream to refresh ourselves and gather more wood for the fire then we will begin.”

With a smile, she stood up and instantly remembered that she could not let him see that glow until she knew what it was. Sensing her hesitation, Haldir looked at her questioningly.

“Perhaps I should bring the water while you fetch the wood and we can both return here at the same time,” she offered anxiously, hoping he wouldn’t ask her for an explanation.

After a moment of intense consideration, he agreed. Something was disturbing her and he would not press her – not now. Perhaps later he would ask her about it.

Silently he slipped off into the trees in search of firewood and Annowe took the water skins and went toward the stream. Cautiously she approached the water, looking for any sign of the glow. Only the moonlight twinkled over the surface. Frowning, she stepped closer to the stream and submerged the water skins, being careful not to get herself wet.

Once the skins were filled, she set them aside and, casting a furtive glance around to make sure Haldir wasn’t watching, plunged her arm into the chill water. Just as she had before, her arm began to glow slightly as if magnifying the moonlight. Quickly she pulled her arm out and dried it off on the grass.

What was that? She wondered anxiously. Would Goldberry know what it was? She did not feel ill and it was not painful. What could it be? Whatever it was she hoped that it would cause no permanent upset to her. With a puzzled sigh, she made her way back to the camp.

Haldir was busily stoking the fire and when he finished she handed him one of the water skins. Slowly they began to clean each other, Annowe watching anxiously for any sign of that odd glow. It was very faint – perhaps due to the small amount of water – and thankfully he did not appear to notice it.

Smiling with relief, she let her eyes and hands roam over his sensual form, enjoying the feel of his taut muscles and soft skin under her hands. He moaned quietly at her touch, reveling in the feeling of her hands on him. Soon he would take her again but this time it would be complete. He shivered excitedly at the thought.

Once they were finished cleaning each other, they placed the skins aside and he drew her into his arms holding her close. He would have to tell her now. To warn her of what might possibly happen between them. He knew she might refuse him if he told her the truth but he must. She trusted him completely now and he could not betray that trust, not even to fulfill his own fondest wishes.

He sighed and ran his fingers lightly over her spine as he rested his cheek against her hair. How he wished he did not have to tell her everything but he must. She must bond with him under no false pretenses and of her own free will. He could accept her no other way much as he refused to accept her physically until she was ready to give herself to him.

If she refused him then he must wait, ally her fears and let her proceed at her own pace. He fleetingly wondered how long he could deny the call to wait for her. And wait for her he would. He was too close to his ultimate desire to be denied now.

“Annowe,” he began quietly. “There is one more thing I must tell you.”

“What?” She murmured against his chest, her lips eagerly skimming his flesh. She wanted him again. Having her hands on him only aroused her further. When would she ever get enough of him?

Reluctantly, he raised her chin to gaze into her eyes. He must keep his body under control until she made her decision. If she choose not to continue for fear of losing Legolas then it must be. But he did not know what would happen.

“When we merge our bodies and our desires we will be one,” he warned softly. “You must understand this.”

He immediately felt her stiffen in his grasp and her dark eyes grew troubled.

“Explain,” she demanded.

He sighed regretfully, fearing her refusal but he must tell her! “We will become one. You and I will bond. We will be bound to each other,” he said deliberately.

“Bound to each other?” She repeated questioningly stepping out of his embrace. “How long will this bond last? Will we be able to ‘unbind’? What about Legolas?”

Why was he telling her this now? To frighten her? To test her? She eyed him warily, unsure of his motivations and growing more concerned with his words.

“Yes, bound to each other,” he agreed. “How long it will last I am uncertain. It rather depends on our feelings for each other. As for Legolas, it would be possible for him to break the bond if he is willing and the bond is not too deep.”

“Are you certain?” She asked anxiously. She had no idea this merging of their desires would be so permanent. Of course she had heard of the elven bonding rituals and mating rituals but this could not be the same thing, could it? That would mean that Haldir . . . his reply mercifully cut her thoughts short.

“I do not know about Legolas. All I have is my own past to draw on,” he answered truthfully. “Glorfindel and I bonded but when he found another to more completely match his desire, that bond was broken. That leads me to believe that you and I will only be bound until one or the other of us finds another who can fulfill us and if that is Legolas then our bond will be broken.”

Haldir watched her brows knit together as she considered this. After a few moments of deep reflection, she finally asked the question he had been waiting for.

“Do you think Legolas could break the bond between us?”

“I believe this is true. But it must be your choice, Annowe. If Legolas cannot break it we will continue to be bound together. Do you understand?” He asked urgently. He needed her to understand completely what he was asking of her and what the consequences were.

Nervously she bit her lip. This was a test for all three of them, she mused. But how would she know if she passed or failed? How would any of them?

After a few more silent moments, Annowe let out a deep sigh. If Legolas could not break the bond between them then perhaps he was not truly ready for her. The thought made her sad. She loved him dearly and wanted to be with him but if he could not give her what she needed and desired, wouldn’t they end up making each other miserable in the end? She did not want him to be miserable – she loved him!

She grunted in annoyance at herself. She did not want to lose Legolas. Didn’t she say earlier that gaining Haldir was not worth losing Legolas? But did she know how Legolas truly felt about her?

Perhaps this would be the opportunity for him to fight for her. To break the bond between she and Haldir. Yes, he would like that. He would like the thought of taking something from Haldir.

But could she stand to be bound to the Wicked March Warden until she found Legolas again? And what if he refused to break the bond? She shivered at the thought. That would mean he did not care if she remained bound to Haldir or not. Or he would see it as a “punishment” for her foolishness. Could she stand to be bound to Haldir until Legolas or another broke that bond? She gnawed her lip thoughtfully.

“What do you wish, little one?” Haldir prodded gently. He could wait all night for her answer but it was her sad face that concerned him. He knew she was thinking of Legolas and wished he could tell her more to ease her mind but he knew no more. They were both taking a very great risk but hers was much greater. He wondered if she truly understood what he was asking of her and what she had to lose. Or gain.

Silently, she slipped into his arms and rested her head against his solid chest as Haldir held her close.

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