Killing Beauty

Thanks for the input as always

Ashva's geese are Snow Geese
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Tarla was not actually surprised when Elrohir moved Elladan out of the healing house and on to a bedroll at the elven camp. They felt safer with their own kind, which really didn't bother her. She got to see more of Rumil. He was delightfully wicked, almost playful in his seductive ways.

Needing to change Haldir's dressing, she poured some water on the bandage and waited for it to soak in. She had heard enough to know that they would be leaving in another day or two, and she almost hoped he had a relapse so she could keep her little romance going, but that wasn't going to happen. Elves healed much quicker than humans, and while his injury was still deep, it was scabbing over and starting to scar.

"Does it still hurt?" she asked curiously, aware of his lover's intense eyes. It amused Tarla to think she could make an elf jealous as she removed the old wrap.

"It's tight," he answered and raised his right arm, paying no more attention to her than he did the horses grazing near by. "I need to warm it up."

"We need to get home," Ashva said, her jealousy coming through clearly to him. Speaking so the woman could not understand him, he asked Ashva, " Have you suddenly become possessive?"

"I would not have you taken advantage of," she answered indignantly.

He smiled as the woman wrapped his chest with the poultice. "Ashva?"

"Yes?"

"I would not have you become too possessive," he cautioned her.

"Am I to be replaced anytime soon?" she asked as a cold chill raced through her body.

He took her hand in his and laid back on the blanket. "It is not my intention to ever replace you. I just caution you against jealousy and possessiveness. My heart will always be faithful even if the rest of me isn't."

Tarla didn't know what they were saying, although the words sounded almost musical. The she-elf looked worried and then relieved. The moment Tarla got out of the way, Ashva leaned over him for a deep kiss that might have led to other things but for everyone around them and the sun being high in the sky.
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Tarla watched the elves mount their horses for the ride back to Lothlorien. Elladan was still sore, but he wanted to be in the safety of his grandmother's wood and would tarry no longer among men. Haldir, with one brother and his lover on either side of him, led the way out of the small village. Tarla raised her hand and waved. For one brief moment Rumil turned his horse and waved back to her. A sudden melancholy seized her breast as she thought he would still be young and beautiful when she was ancient and whithered. He flashed her a broad grin and then turned back. With the touch of a heal on a gray side, he rode out of her life forever.
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Galadriel and Celeborn met their grandsons with love and affection in their eyes, and a caring hand. But before they were whisked away to the royal talan, Galadriel thanked the brothers with all her heart....Ashva received a heartfelt smile, and an understanding passed between them that was more than words.
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The moon was full and shutting out all but the most persistant stars as the brothers stood watch on the forest border. Ashva, unable to tolerate the waiting game that Haldir's one remaining mistress seemed content to do, stayed with Rumil while Orophin waited with Haldir. This prevented dangerous distractions, but they were still close enough to see each other. There were also other guards nearby.

It was quiet and the first breath of fall stirred the great trees around them. Ashva loved the fall and believed she always would. Laying back on the floor of flet, she started counting stars and soon had Rumi counting the other part of the sky.

She was at forty seven when she heard them. Wild geese. Standing up she searched the sky for their silvery bodies. And her heart leaped when the sailed across the moon. Perhaps their call wasn't as sweet as the small birds that inhabited the wood, but they filled her body with such a longing she almost couldn't stand it. She wanted to go with them!

"Ashva, please sit down," Rumil whispered and took her by the hand. "Please."

She looked down at him and then followed his eyes towards another flet. Haldir was watching her. He was in shadow but she could see the hard set of his lips and imagined what he was thinking. Sitting back down, she suddenly felt terribly sad, and when another flock of geese passed overhead, she pretended not to hear them.
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Haldir knew Ashva was up to something, and he was certain he knew what it was. She was riding off again. She was leaving him.....again! It angered him. Why couldn't she be like Mallor, who was content to warm his bed when he needed her, and make polite conversation when he needed that. Why?

Spying her with Lady Galadriel at the small river that fed into the greater one, he imagined they were discussing the moment the swans would take to flight. Ashva would certainly want to ride out with them. Maybe Orophin would give her the black stallion with the white face to complete the image that was burning in his brain.

Oh, and she was so pleased with herself, her face bright as she and the great lady enjoyed their visit. He would have given anything to hear their discussion. Apparently reaching the end of their visit, Asvha bowed her head and then hurried away. She looked to be heading back to the small talan she kept, having decided she didn't want to share a larger talan with him and Mallor, although she suffered no qualms about joining them in bed. And she certainly never refused one of his visits. She liked his visits....a lot.

He would have preferred that his rival had been made of flesh and blood, at least he could then do something about it. He wondered when she was going to tell him, or if she was going to do like the last time and make him come to her just before she left. Females came to him; he did not go to them..............At least that was what he told himself.

Following her back to her talan, he entered the room and stared at the saddlebags on the bed.

"Haldir!" she exclaimed with a bright smile on her face, but it slipped away when she saw the cold anger in his eyes.

"When were you going to tell me?" he asked bitterly.