Life's Path

Title: Life’s Path
Author: Elfgirl69
Pairing: Haldir/OFC
Rating: NC-17
Genre: romance
WARNING: Adult themes, sex
Disclaimer: I own no one from The Lord Of The Rings. All the characters and place names displayed belong to JRR Tolkien. I do not intend to, nor am I making any financial gain from the writing of
this story.
Feedback: Yes please!
Timeline: A.U. Not following movie-verse.
Summary: Annis is drawn to Caras Galadhon to find her life’s path and love.

Chapter 6 - Recovering

When Annis awoke still cradling Haldir, it was dark. She looked at his face and could tell he was no better. She tenderly placed him on the ground and slipped out the alcove. Looking around she heard nothing and saw no signs of either the orcs or humans. She slowly walked towards a clearing and saw a small farmhouse in the distance with smoke coming out of the chimney. She went back to Haldir and tore a strip of cloth from her under tunic, then wrapped his head, ensuring to hide his ears. Not knowing if he could hear her or not, she told him she would be back with help. She ran towards the farmhouse, making sure her hair also hid her ears. She got to the door and knocked on it. An older woman answered the door.

“May I help you my dear?”

“Please I need your help. My…husband…and I were attacked by orcs and he is injured.”

“Oh my dear. Let me call my husband and son.” She turned and entered the house.

Annis saw 2 shadows coming towards the door. One spoke to her:

“My wife tells me of your plight. Please take us to where your husband is. You are more than welcome here.”

“Oh thank-you kind sir. This way.”

Annis took them to where she had left Haldir and watched as they carried Haldir back to the house. The wife had prepared a room with hot water and clean cloths. Haldir groaned as he was placed on the bed. The wife stepped forward and handed Annis some ointment.

“This may help the wounds after you have cleaned them. I have also left bandages, will you require any help?”

“Nay good lady. You have done so much for us. I thank-you.”

The wife left the room closing the door behind her. Annis gently took Haldir’s tunic off. For the first time she saw how bad the wound on the chest was. It was a deep cut which gaped open. She took some water and cleaned the wound out trying not to hurt him further. Then soothed the ointment on and covered it with a bandage.

She removed the cloth that covered his head wound. She then cleaned the wound and also his face. After applying the ointment, she bandaged his head ensuring his ears were covered. She then turned her attention to his leg. She had no choice but to take his leggings off. She undid the ties and pulled the leggings off trying not to look at him. She caught a quick glimpse of his elfhood as she pulled a blanket over him, which caused her to blush a little. She pulled the blanket up to expose his leg and tended to the wound. As she pulled the blanket back down, there was a knock on the door and the wife walked in with a cup in her hand.

“Here my child, have some tea. It looks as if you could use it.” She said gently and looked at Haldir. “What where you doing out at such dangerous times?”

“We were going to Minas Tirith to visit my family when we were attacked.” Annis replied feeling bad for having to lie.

“Well these are not good times to travel. Here let me look at your face.” She softly grabbed Annis’ head. “That is a nasty bruise you have there. Here you need some ointment too.”

Annis flinched as the woman applied the ointment. She had not even thought about how sore her own body was. The woman then left the room and came back with some soup.

“Here have some.” She said handing Annis a bowl and putting the rest near the fire. “I will leave you too rest. Please come and fetch me if you need anything.”

With that she turned and left the room. Annis pulled a chair next to the bed and gently took Haldir’s hand in hers, laying her head down resting on his arm. As sleep took her, she hoped the ointment would help heal Haldir’s wounds.

*****
He groaned as he awoke. Forcing his eyes open, he saw he was in an unfamiliar place. He glanced around and saw Annis’ head on his arm. Where she lay on his arm he felt a strange warmth. He looked down and saw a bandage wrapped around his chest. He shook his head trying to clear it and remember what had happened. He remembered entering the clearing, the fight and recalled hearing Annis’ voice saying they were safe and she would be right back. The rest was hazy. He took his free hand and stroked Annis’ head. Annis awoke and lifted her head. Haldir’s breathe caught in his throat for her chin and left cheek were covered with a bad bruise.

“Haldir, you are awake. How are you feeling?”

“Sore. Where are we and what happened?”

Annis told hhat hat had happened. He was amazed at her strength and how she had managed everything. He gently stroked her face the feelings he had been hiding for so long coming to the surface.

“Thank-you little one. I owe you my life.”

“Nay Haldir. We are even. For if you had not shot the orc at the clearing I would surely have been injured or worse yet. You should eat, let me heat some soup.”

As Annis heated the soup, she looked back at Haldir who was gingerly sitting himself up and noted that his color was starting to return. That ointment must be good she thought to herself. She took the soup back and sat as Haldir ate it. She could tell by his face that it was not to his taste but he still ate it. She watched him and smiled. She was so relieved that he was going to heal and a small giggle escaped her lips.

“Why do you laugh?”

“I was truly worried but now I realize you are too stubborn not to be alright.”

“Stubborn? Not strong?” Haldir said raising his eyebrow in amusement.

“Alright how about we settle for strong but also a little stubborn. Now I need to take a look at your wounds.” Annis said and took the empty bowl from Haldir.

He laid back and let Annis tend his wounds. As she undid the bandage on his chest she was surprised to see how well it was healing. She could see that there was no longer a large gaping hole but rather the skin had sealed itself. As she applied more ointment Haldir flinched a bit and she apologized. She moved to the head wound and then the leg wound, both were healing quickly. She felt her face flush as she dealt with his leg being so close to his nakedness was making her uncomfortable. She covered his leg up again and sat back down.

“You are healing well. We should be able to move in a few days.”

“What have you told these people? I can tell you have my ears hidden.”

“I told them we are…man and wife traveling to Minas Tirith. It was the safest lie I could think of.”

“Man and wife! That was the best you could think of?” Haldir teased her.

“I could have said you were my elf slave who tried to escape and got caught by orcs and I had to rescue you. Would that have been better?”

“I can see you still have a sense of humor.” Haldir laughed a little and flinched in pain.

“Haldir, please be careful. Here lay down and rest some more.”

With that Haldir laid back and Annis once again rested her head on his arm. Annis was not sure how long she had slept when the knock woke her up.

“Come in.” She said wiping the sleep from her eyes.

“Sorry to wake you. But I was wondering if you would like to clean up.” The woman walked in with an empty tub. She looked towards Haldir. “He looks better.”

“He is, thank-you. What time is it?” Annis said taking the tub from the woman and placing it by the fire.

“It is nearly evening. You have slept most of the day away but I dare not wake you for you needed to sleep. Let me get the water.”

The woman left the room and her son came in carrying 2 pots of hot water. Annis stood to the side watching as he poured the water into the tub. She was not sure about taking a bath with Haldir in the room but she couldn’t say anything for the family thought they were husband and wife. She looked over and saw that Haldir had not moved. She knew she was filthy and the water looked so inviting. The woman returned with her arms full.

“I have brought an old dress for you to change into and here is some lavender soap.”

“Thank-you so much. We will be indebted to you for all your kindness.”

The woman smiled broadly and left the room. Annis took another look at Haldir and called his name to ensure he was still asleep. She undressed and lowered her achy body into the water. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes. The water was a welcome relief to her tired body.

******
Haldir had heard the knock on the door and the conversation that followed. He decided to keep his eyes closed because he knew Annis would not bathe if she thought he was awake and she needed to take care of herself. But he couldn’t resist opening his eyes and watching her undress. He was shocked to see the many bruises which covered her body, though they did not deter from her beauty. He felt his elfhood start to awaken and pushed his hand under the covers trying to cover up his excitement but instead his hand stayed wrapped around his arousal. He slowly moved his hand up and down his shaft as he watched Annis soap and rinse her body. He imagined himself touching her skin, being inside her warmth. His hand moved faster and faster bringing himself to climax. He let out a slight groan that caused Annis to look over to him. He quickly grabbed a cloth and cleaned himself the best he could as Annis got out of the bath.

******
Annis heard Haldir groan and called out to him. He didn’t respond so she got out the bath grabbing a linen that laid close by. When she neared the bed she could see his face covered in sweat.

“Haldir, what is it? Does it hurt?”

“Sorry, I must have tried to roll over and caught my chest wound.” Haldir replied.

“Here let me wipe your face. I know you feel better but you still need to take care.” She said as she wiped his face.

“Do you hurt much?” He said as he slowly traced the bruises on her arm.

“I am sore but it will past. The bath helped quite a bit.”

“I am sorry for interrupting it.”

“It is alright. It was getting cold. Now if I can ask you to please close your eyes so I can dress.”

Annis got up and walked to where the woman had left the dress. She looked back at Haldir to ensure his eyes were closed. She swiftly pulled the dress on and walked back to the bed.

“You can open eyes. I am going to see if I can help with dinner. Will you be alright?”

“Aye I will.”

Annis entered the kitchen and saw the woman preparing dinner. She asked if any help was needed and the woman gladly let her peal vegetables. They talked easily about life. Her husband and son came in and joined the conversation as they sat down. The son seemed to be a few years younger than Annis and she could feel his eyes on her. She went to lift a heavy pot and he jumped up to help her. His hand touched hers and quickly pulled back. She noticed him staring behind her and she turned to see Haldir standing in the doorway.

“Young man, come in, sit down. You shouldn’t be standing with those wounds.”

The husband jumped up and ushered him to a chair. Annis smiled noticing how Haldir was looking around. She was sure he had not been in to many human homes and this was all new to him. They sat down to eat and the farmer soon had Haldir talking. Haldir told them he was an archery teacher. After a few hours of talking Annis could sense Haldir was tiring and excused them both for the night. She hooked her arm through Haldir’s and led him back to the room. After getting him back into bed, she started to pull the chair up next to the bed again.

“Annis, what are you doing?”

“I am getting my chair ready to sleep.”

“There is plenty of room in this bed. You can’t rest like that. Come on now.” Haldir pulled the blanket back and patted the bed.

Annis hesitated but her achy body told her to take the invite. She climbed into the bed next to Haldir. She could feel his warm body close to hers. She rolled over onto her side so she was facing him and saw he was looking at her.

“What are you thinking about?” She asked.

“How beautiful and strong you are. Your father would be proud of you, how you have dealt with this situation.”

Annis felt her face heat up as the blush grew. She looked into Haldir’s eyes and saw the usual coldness gone and tenderness radiating from them instead. Not knowing what to say, she lent forward and kissed his lips gently. She pulled back to wait for his reaction. She felt his hand on her shoulder as he pulled her in closer. Their lips met again. This time Haldir’s tongue licked her lips to open them. She opened her mouth accepting his tongue and letting hers play back. The kiss was deep and full of passion. He pulled her closer as his hands roamed her body. He broke the kiss and lets his tongue run down her neck, nibbling on it. She sighed as her hands roamed his body feeling his hard muscles ensuring she did not rub his chest wound. She let her hand traveling down and felt his hardness. He started to take her dress off but flinched in pain as he moved to fast. She gently pushed him onto his back and knelt next to him taking her dress off. Once off, he rubbed her bare breasts. She loved the feeling of his hands on her body.

“Be careful, you will injure yourself further.” She laughed as he pulled her onto his chest.

“Any further injury will be worth this.” He said with a husky voice and kissed her again.

She let her tongue travel down his neck, softly biting it. She then laid a trail of kisses down his chest. She approached light golden hair and pushed his legs apart with her own so she knelt between them. She then took his elfhood into her mouth as she watched his face. He laid back and let out a moan as she slid her mouth up and down his shaft, his hands playing in her hair and thrusting his hips to get himself deeper in her mouth. Suddenly she felt him stop her.

“Please, I need to be in you.”

Annis stopped and straddled him. She grabbed his shaft and lowered herself on him. She closed her eyes as she felt her body expand to accept him into her tightness. She opened her eyes when she felt his hand on her cheek. Looking straight at Haldir she started to ride him slowly. Their eyes locked together saying so much but yet not a word was spoken. His hands traveled over her body and rested on her hips. Soon their bodies became one as he thrust himself into her. She lent down to kiss him, his hands never leaving her hips. She felt a warmth like she never had experienced before come over her body as she came closer to her climax. She buried her head into his neck as she came. Softly whispering his name. He pulled her in for a kiss again and thrust himself in deeper. He then moaned loudly as he came. She sat on him with her head on his shoulder for a minute while his hands lightly traced circles on her back. She reluctantly pulled herself off him and cuddled next to him in his arms. Never had she felt such a connection with someone before.

Haldir could feel her breath on his chest. It had felt so right to be with Annis. He had never experienced anything like this before. He had been surprised with Annis’ forwardness but he had enjoyed it. Never had a female given him such pleasure without demanding anything for herself. He kissed her head and pulled her closer to him, feeling her naked body against his. It felt so natural to have her in his arms. No words needed to be spoken between them. He could tell that sleep had taken Annis by her breathing. He closed his eyes and joined her.

******
Annis dreamt that she was talking to Galadriel. Annis told her they were alive and safe. She felt Galadriel’s presence and heard her in her mind. “Go into the east. I will send help for you.” Annis awoke with a start and sat up. Haldir must have felt her for he also jumped up as he woke.

“What is it?”

“I heard Galadriel. She told me to go to the east, that she was sending us help.”

“Galadriel? You spoke to her?”

“Aye, I dreamt I was talking to her and then heard her voice. We must go leave today.” Annis looked at Haldir who was sitting up. “Haldir did it not hurt to sit up so quickly?”

“Nay, I felt nothing.” He looked at his bandages and then Annis.

“Come let me look at the wounds.”

Annis took the bandages off and gasped. The wound on his chest was almost gone. A faint line was the only reminder of the wound. She quickly uncovered the other 2 wounds to discover the same.

“You must be a quick healer! They are but gone.”

“I am a quick healer but never this quick without the help of a healer.”

“Well that ointment must have been quite powerful. Maybe I should take some with us.”

Haldir was quiet as he watched Annis checking his wounds. He remembered how his arm had felt when she lay upon it. He wondered if maybe she had the healing talent but did not know. No human ointment could help him this quick.