The Heart of an Elf

The Heart of an Elf

Chapter 5a

The seneschal was sleeping.

Legolas watched the elf beside him. Glorfindel’s beautiful face looked so soft and peaceful in his slumber and the prince’s heart overflowed with emotion at the sight. Even after the countless nights spent in each other’s arms throughout the centuries, the young Sinda was still amazed by the love and passion they shared.
Legolas reached out to touch the Elda’s silky hair that spilled over the pillow, and his fingers played with the soft strands. The prince absentmindedly caressed his lover’s hair, trying to find the reason why he felt so restless. As he watched the sleeping elf beside him, the prince’s thoughts returned to the events of the previous night and he knew that the dawn would greet him wide awake without a wink of sleep. Something stirred deep inside him and Legolas knew that he would fine no rest. The prince let out a soft sigh and carefully moved from the bed, taking care not to wake his lover.

Legolas walked to the balcony and stepped outside.

A light breeze moved across the enchanted valley and the brightness of the stars began to fade the unmistakable sign of the approaching dawn. The birds stirred in their nests and were the first to greet the upcoming day with their joyous song. In the East the color of the sky became lighter as the first rays of the sun touched horizon.
Legolas sat on top of the rail and admired the panoramic view of the valley. The beauty of Imladris always took his breath away and the Mirkwood prince’s eyes drank in the magnificent sight of the city bellow. Legolas’ blue eyes moved over the landscape and his gaze fell on Lord Elrond’s private garden. Pictures of a very recent memory flashed in Legolas’ mind and the prince found himself blushing for the second time within a short period…

~ few hours earlier~

Legolas drank the sweet wine and watched as Haldir led the raven –haired lord to the dance floor. Many eyes followed the pair as they began to dance and the prince had to admit that they looked stunning. Silver hair against black, burgundy colored dress merged into midnight-blue embrace, swirling around the floor like a shimmering mirage. Legolas’ eyes followed the Lorien elf’s every move, admiring the Galadhel’s gracefulness.

“I see that you’re quite taken by the Marchwarden, pen-neth,” said Glorfindel, putting his hand on the younger elf’s arm.

Legolas turned toward the Balrog slayer with a smile. “I guess I am, meleth. He is such an exceptional dancer. Don’t get me wrong, Glorfindel, you are a very good dancer, but Haldir truly has a gift,” replied the prince.

The seneschal took a searching look at his lover for a moment than he smiled back.
“You have found your match, haven’t you, Legolas? I’m glad that someone could finally measure up to your expectations. If I recall correctly Haldir’s father had the same talent,” said the Elda.
Legolas’ blue eyes grew wide. “Oh, my! I tend to forget time to time that you have personal experience about things that I had to learn from a book. I would like to know more about your past and things that one cannot find in books, but I don’t wish to cause you pain, meleth,” said Legolas in a gentle tone.

The seneschal shook his golden head. “Its all right, pen-neth. I’m willing to share my memories about Gondolin with you if you wish. The truth be told, sometimes I yearn to talk about the past because I have so many good memories concerning my time in the Hidden City before it fell,” replied the Balrog slayer.

Legolas reached out to take his lover’s hand into his own and lifted it to his lips. ”I’m not sure that I’m worthy of your love, Glorfindel, but I’m grateful for it beyond words,” whispered the Sinda, placing a soft kiss on the seneschal’s palm.

The music ended and the prince turned his gaze back to the dance floor. Haldir bowed to his partner and Elrond held out his hand to the Galadhel, inviting the guardian for a walk in the garden. Both elves were smiling, but for a moment Legolas had the uneasy feeling that the joy that they showed to their audience was not entirely sincere. The elven prince followed the pair with his eyes until they disappeared from view. Legolas shook his head and his gaze shifted back to his lover.

“I think I need some fresh air too, for I believe this wine is starting to affect me and I’m imagining things that are not real. I wager that the balcony upstairs is not occupied and I can take some time to clear my head without any interruption. Will you join me, meleth?” asked Legolas with mischief in his azure eyes.

Glorfindel grinned at the younger elf. “I can see that you’re correct that the wine is effecting you, pen-neth, for you are starting to behave like a naughty elfling who is about to raid the cookie-jar,” replied the Elda. “ Do tell, love, what do you have in mind? Are you planning to seduce me?” murmured the golden haired Elda with sparks in his eyes.

“If you come, you’ll see,” whispered Legolas into Glorfindel’s ear as he stood then walked away in the direction of the stairs.

When Legolas reached his destination, he saw that he was right and the balcony was deserted just as he thought. Although this part of the palace was open to guests during the Fall Festival, most of the elves preferred to visit the garden or the pond nearby for fresh air. Legolas had a breath taking view all the way to the Anduin and the Northern part of the city, where the mountains blocked the path to the realm, giving a natural protection from the North.
The Mirkwood prince could see the main bridge that led into Imladris over the rushing river that dropped its water on the rocks below, creating a small waterfall.
Legolas took a deep breath as the magical sight of the enchanted valley captured his heart once again.

The Sinda’s gaze turned towards the west to admire Elrond’s private garden from above. The Peredhil was very protective of his plants and flowers, for he had a rare collection of exotic and healing herbs; many of them could not be found anywhere else in Arda. Without Lord Elrond’s escort no one was allowed to enter that part of the city..

The golden haired elf was just about to raise his head to look at the star filled sky, when he became aware of movement in the corner of his eye.

Someone was entering the forbidden garden and he or she was not alone.

Legolas focused his attention on the moving figures under the trees and the next moment Lord Elrond and Haldir walked into the small clearing.

The prince watched as the pair came to a halt and the Marchwarden pulled his hand free from the Peredhil’s hold and turned around to leave the raven-haired elf. But before the guardian could take a single step, the Lord of Imladris called out to the tall warrior. Legolas couldn’t make out the words, for he was too far, but he could tell by their body language that there was tension between the two.

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Elrond was leading Haldir towards his private garden, determined to talk to the guardian uninterrupted. As soon as they reached the clearing, Haldir pulled his hand from Elrond’s hold and turned away from the Lord of Imladris, ready to leave him right there.

“How many more times must I apologize for what I have done, Haldir? How many more times must I bare my soul to you ‘til finally you believe? When will it end, Haldir?” asked the elven ruler in a pained voice, staring at the Galadhel’s back.

The Lorien elf turned around to face his former lover with a blank expression.
“I do not need your apology, my lord. It was entirely my fault then and it is my fault now,” said the Marchwarden.

“I do not understand,” looked Elrond questioningly at the Galadhel..

“I should have known better than fool myself with a silly dream that you truly love me and there will be a future for us. I was very young then and mistook lust for love. I should have known that it could never be. You were the ruler of a realm and I was only a simple warrior. Three thousand years passed and nothing has changed. I’m still the simple warrior and you are still the Lord of Imladris, both of us bound by our sense of duty.” explained the Galadhel, keeping his expression neutral.

Elrond just stared at the elf in front of him for a few moments in disbelief.

“Do you think that I did not have those dreams too? Do you think that I haven’t fooled myself and hoped that after the war, if we survived, you would leave your beloved Golden Wood and come to live in Imladris? I truly loved you, Haldir! I loved you so much that it was almost unbearable. Oh, how I wished that I could be just an elf without a title so I could follow my heart. Do you think that I didn’t know that it was hopeless? That to love you would cause me pain and heartbreak?” asked the Peredhil in a shaking voice.

Haldir watched stunned as the older elf stepped closer, locking his gaze with him. The raven-haired ruler raised his left hand to touch the Galadhel’s face and the moonlight danced on the gem which was held by a silver ring on the Peredhil’s finger.

“ Please listen to me, Haldir. I know that I cannot say or do anything to erase the memory of that night, but at least give me a chance to tell you why it happened. I do not hope that you’ll ever forgive me, but maybe you won’t despise me so if you know what happened,” pleaded the Peredhil, gently caressing the younger elf’s cheek.

The Galadhel stared into those sad eyes utterly speechless. There was so much longing, so much agony on those deep blue eyes, that Haldir’s heart could not bear it any longer. The guardian leaned into the older elf’s touch and covered the caressing hand with his own.

“I never despised you, Elrond. I felt hurt and betrayed, but I never despised you.,” said Haldir quietly.

The Lord of Imladris sucked in his breath as the Marchwarden’s hand covered his own to press the older elf’s palm against his cheek.

The Galadhel’s gesture was the first intimacy that they had shared since the Siege of Barad-dur. Elrond’s fingers remembered every detail of that flawless skin. On its own accord, the Peredhil’s other hand reached for that heavenly face too and the raven-haired elf closed the remaining distance between himself and the Lorien elf, never breaking the eye contact.

“Haldir…”whispered Elrond as he cupped the silver-haired elf’s face between his palms and slowly lowered his head to kiss his former lover.

The guardian couldn’t move. Haldir felt as if he just strayed into one of his dreams. The raven-haired lord had haunted the Lorien elf’s dreams for many centuries; sometimes it was a nightmare and sometimes it was bliss. The Marchwarden felt the touch of Elrond’s lips light as a feather and he closed his eyes. For one long moment, Haldir was swept back to the time when Elrond kissed him just like that for the first time. The Peredhil had held the young elf’s face between his palms just as he did now and with the same gentle caress of those soft lips the elven ruler asked, pleaded for response.

Haldir opened his mouth, giving permission to Elrond to explore the taste of him, just as he did 3000 years before. Lost in the sweetness of the kiss, the Galadhel molded his body against the Peredhil. Time seemed to stand still as the guardian let down his defenses and returned the kiss with passion.

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Up on the balcony, Legolas watched in disbelief as the Marchwarden and the elven lord clearly quarreled about something. As far as the prince knew the two elves were close friends since the Last Alliance where they fought side by side against the Dark Lord and his evil forces. The young prince’s disbelief turned into shock as the Peredhil closed the distance and cupped the Galadhel’s face between his palms and moved forward to kiss the silver haired warrior. Haldir looked tentative at first, then the Lorien elf leaned against the elven ruler and returned the Peredhil’s advances.

Legolas’ body froze as he watched the scene unfold in front of his eyes. Suddenly the Sindarin prince found it hard to breathe as his gaze fixed on the intimate embrace. He watched as Elrond’s hand let go of the Marchwarden’s face and slipped around the tall elf’s waist, to pull the Lorien elf tight to himself. Legolas knew that he should avert his eyes and walk away, but in that moment Haldir tilted his head to deepen the kiss and the prince’s heart skipped a beat, heat rushing through his body.

Elrond’s palm slid southward and cupped Haldir’s firm backside and the sight made Legolas grip the rail as he became aroused by the erotic display.

~Valar help, me this is madness! I know that I’m not supposed to be here, watching this, but by Iluvatar’s Grace to see Haldir giving into passion makes my blood boil.~ thought the young prince.

Suddenly, Legolas realized that he wished it was he receiving that passionate kiss from the Lorien elf. He could feel the lust creeping up on him, tightening his groin and a soft moan escaped from his lips.

~Sweet Elbereth, I think I’m losing my mind. Glorfindel will be here any moment and he’ll catch me spying on his Liege. Come to your senses Green Leaf!~ reprimanded himself, forcing his eyes to close and turning around to leave. His first step was a bit unsteady and the pressure in his tight leggings wasn’t easy to ignore, but Legolas managed to walk from the balcony. The next moment he heard light footsteps approaching and Glorfindel appeared on the top of the stairs, smiling at the prince.

“Have you grown weary waiting for me, pen-neth? I’m sorry, but I was delayed by the young Orophin, who asked me for a dance.”

“It is all right, meleth, as long as you arrived,” answered Legolas, forcing a smile on his face.

Glorfindel drew the prince into his arms for a kiss. As Legolas’ lips parted to grant him entrance, the Balrog slayer tightened his grip on the lithe body and pressed his groin against his lover’s pelvis. Immediately he became aware of the younger elf’s aroused state and he groaned into Legolas’ mouth with renewed passion. When they finally had to part for lack of air, Glorfindel’s eyes were sparkling with fire.

“You are indeed a very naughty elf today, pen-neth. I let you out from my sight for only a few minutes and you start to play without me,” whispered the Elda in a husky voice, grinding his hard member against the younger elf’s equally hard shaft.

“What can I say, a hundred years of practice makes it easy for one to indulge himself when he is lonely,” murmured Legolas, licking the pointy tip of the seneschal’s ear.

Glorfindel sucked in his breath with a hiss. ”Be careful, meleth-nin, do not stretch the limits of my restraint so, for we must return to the Hall,” warned the Balrog slayer.

“I know, lirimaer,” replied Legolas, reluctantly moving from his lover’s embrace brushing his lips over the Elda’s cheek.

“Its already well after midnight. How long did you plan to stay tonight?” inquired Glorfindel, tried to catch his breath.

“That is up to Lord Elrond. He has to announce a challenge that was made today,” replied Legolas.

“What challenge? I didn’t hear anything,” the seneschal raised his eyebrow with curiosity.

The prince’s eyes lit up with excitement. “The Challenge of the Spinning Rings. I am to compete against Haldir five days from now,” explained Legolas with a radiant smile.

Glorfindel stared speechless at his young lover. It’s been over five thousand years when last he witnessed and participated in that ancient competition and to hear the name again unnerved the former lord of the House of the Golden Flower.

“You can’t do that, Legolas! You must tell Lord Elrond that you wont accept the challenge,” said the Balrog slayer in his most serious tone.

Legolas’ smile vanished. He looked utterly confused by Glorfindel’s reaction. “But I’ve already accepted it. I cannot step down now. Why would you want me to do such thing?” asked the prince.

The Elda took a deep breath to calm himself. “I’m sure you know that the winner of the competition was entitled to take the trophy home until next year. Then he had to bring it back by Midsummer’s Eve to compete for the right to keep it as the best archer of Arda,” said the seneschal.

Legolas nodded his head, that he had knowledge of the custom.

“On the last summer before the siege the Gondolindrim had the blessing to witness one of their finest archers win the trophy. During the assault of the Hidden City, this archer somehow managed to save journals and artifacts, including his trophy, and took it with him. Only a few of us knew that the Golden Bow of Gondolin was not been lost and is still in the possession of the archer’s family and through the centuries it became an heirloom. But if Elrond announced a new contest, according to the ancient rule that family must give it to the next champion.,” explained the Balrog slayer.

Legolas looked at his lover with confusion in his blue eyes. ” Is Lord Elrond one of those who knows where is the trophy?” asked the prince.

Glorfindel nodded his head.

“Then everything is fine, meleth. If I win, I promise to leave the trophy behind so Elrond can return it to its rightful owners. I’m sure that Haldir will do the same if I ask him,” replied the Sinda.

Glorfindel sighed and shifted his gaze from the prince, dreading the reaction that his answer would cause. “Let me correct myself so you can understand what I’m trying to tell you, pen-neth. It was THE finest archer of Gondolin who won the title,” answered the former lord of the House of the Golden Flower.

The blood ran out from Legolas’ face. The prince grabbed Glorfindel’s arm to make his lover look at him as suddenly the Sinda understood what was amiss.
Once glance into the Balrog slayer’s eyes confirmed Legolas’ fear.

“According to the books, the Hidden City’s finest archer was The Warden of the Great Gate. The only elf who won the trophy eight times,” whispered Legolas.

“Yes, it was Lord Ithlidin, Haldir’s father,” replied Glorfindel.

The prince’s emotions swirled inside him.
~Why would the Marchwarden take the risk to lose such a priceless thing as his rightful heirloom? Could it be that he was not aware of the ancient rule?~ thought Legolas, but doubt it. ~If anyone, it would be Haldir to know all about the rules of that ancient contest that his father won eight times.~ thought the prince.
A gentle touch brought back the Sinda from his musings.

“I’m sorry that I ruined our private time pen-neth, but we need to go back to the Hall. ” Glorfindel reminded his lover.

“I’m glad that you told me, meleth. I must talk to Haldir about this, “ replied the Mirkwood elf.

The Elda held out his hand to the young elf and the pair walked down on the steps to rejoin to the celebration.

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~meanwhile in the garden~

A soft moan escaped from Elrond’s mouth and at the sound Haldir tore himself from the older elf’s embrace.

“No! I can’t give in to this,” panted the guardian. “I can’t deny that my body craves the comfort your body offers, but I won’t make the mistake to satisfy my needs in the arms of my unfaithful former lover,” added the Lorien elf composing himself once more.

The Lord of Imladris nodded his head and backed away from the Galadhel.

“I’m sorry, Haldir. Please forgive me. I had no right to touch you, but I lost my head for a moment. I didn’t mean to force myself on you. It was an impulse and I could not control it. Please do not take offense, Mellon! I swear that it won’t happen again unless you ask me for it,” promised the Peredhil.

The Marchwarden saw the honesty in the elven ruler’s eyes and accepted the apology.
“I do not hold it against you, Elrond, for I kissed you back. Our bodies remembered the intimacy that we shared long ago and that’s understandable,” replied the Lorien elf.

“Haldir, if you’re still willing to speak with me, I’m yours to command. As a courtesy to my guests I must return to the Hall and stay ‘til Galadriel and Celeborn retire for the night, but after that I will meet you wherever you wish,” said Elrond, clearly relieved that the younger elf wasn’t angry with him.

The Galadhel looked thoughtfully at the elven lord.
“I’ve made a promise tonight and it prevents me from giving you an exact time for our meeting, but when my task is done, I’ll come to you,” said Haldir.

Elrond nodded his head. “ I will instruct my guards to admit you no matter hour,” replied the Lord of Imladris.

Haldir glanced to the direction of the palace. ”We should return to the Hall. You have your guests to attend to and I have a promise to keep,” suggested the silver haired elf.

The Peredhil waited ‘til the Marchwarden’s gaze returned to him, then he reached out to the Galadhel. “Will you accompany me back to the palace, mellon?” asked Elrond.
The Lorien elf stepped forward to accept the offered hand and the two elves silently made their ways through the garden, each lost deep in his own thoughts.

Legolas watched as Haldir and Lord Elrond approached the royal table, smiling for all to see what good friends they were. When the Marchwarden took his seat by the prince, Legolas turned to the Lorien elf.

“I trust that you had a nice walk with our host, Haldir,” smiled the Sinda at the silver haired elf.

“ Yes, I certainly did, Legolas, it’s a beautiful night,” replied the guardian, matching the prince’s smile with his own.

Legolas knew that he was quickly running out of time and that Elrond could announce the contest at any moment. He had to talk to the Galadhel before that happened to prevent any damage. Legolas’ mind worked furiously to find a way to speak with the Lorien elf in private without raising unwanted attention. The prince looked at the silver haired elf and instantly regretted. Haldir tilted his head to watch Lord Erestor on the far side of the table.

Legolas was hit with a flashback from the scene in the garden: Haldir tilting his head to deepen the kiss.

The prince realized in sheer panic that his body immediately reacted to the image in his mind. His blood started to race in his veins and his leggings suddenly became tight once more.

~This is not happening! Valar knows that I deserve to be punished for my earlier improper behavior, but please not like this, not now! Oh, Sweet Elbereth, concentrate, Legolas, concentrate! Ada always told me that when I find myself in dire conditions I must clear my mind so I could calmly observe what’s at hand and what needs to be done to find the way out. You must not fail, Green Leaf! I cannot waste any more time or it will be too late.~ thought the Sinda.

In that moment Haldir turned around as if he felt the prince’s full attention on him. When their eyes met, a sudden calmness came over Legolas and the elf knew what he had to do.

“Haldir, I need to speak with you privately. There is no way to avoid the gossip if you choose to follow me out side, but I cannot afford to lose any more time to be diplomatic. I just learned a few things regarding the challenge and it needs to be sorted out, other wise I must inform Lord Elrond that I wish to withdraw from the competition before he announces it,” said Legolas with the tone that left room for no discussion. Not waiting for any reply, the Sindarin elf rose from his chair and headed for the great doors.

The Marchwarden was stunned. His eyes followed the prince’s lithe and graceful form as he walked. For a long moment the Galadhel didn’t know how to react. It was clear that Legolas was concerned about something that was important enough for the prince to withdraw from the contest. The Lorien elf took a sip from his cup and without any further delay went after the golden haired elf.

To be continued…