Celeborn's Nine - Riders of the Night

Author's note: yeah we are nearing the time for the ultimate boogyman fight. I am putting that together now so it'll be worthy of your patience.
As for Orophin...kind of out of character wouldn't you think?
.......................................................................................

Glorfindel retired to his room and frowned when he opened the door. "You again? I thought we were through with each other."

"Well, yes, so did I," Himeros replied from his place on Glorfindel's bed where he was sitting with legs stretched out, crossed at the ankles.

"So why are you here?"

"You are having doubts about going after the balrog," HImeros replied.

"How do you.....?" Then it occurred to him. " Prometheus sent you. Why doesn't he come himself?"

"He would love to, but that would mess things up," Himeros explained. "But I am working real hard to convince everyone that it is in their best interest to go out and kill the balrog. Liked the way I got Haldir up in arms and him with dragon teeth scars? But he's actually easy to manipulate that way. It's a part of his personality."

"And Orophin?"

"Unforseen side effect. He really is afraid, but he puts on a brave face for Haldir and Rumil. I'm afraid I accidentally over rode that."

"And now you are here because I am having doubts about the balrog?"

"Yes. You must go kill it."

"Why?"

"Zeus wants it dead. He has been wanting it dead ever since it came from the North, but he can't get any heroes out this way....not even that fool Heracles would come this far inland. Something about islands and seagulls. Typical Hellenes crap."

"You are Hellenes."

"I know, but I am forbidden to ever touch a sword again...ever." Himeros frowned distastefully. He had once been the champion of his city, the one who led the armies into battle. It hurt his pride a little to be regulated to little more than a god of passion when he imagined himself the equal of Ares and Apollo on the field of war. He certainly had the body for it, and he worked constantly with Enyo. "Well, enough of that," he said to himself.

"So what will happen if I decide to go on home and forget the balrog?"

"It will destroy the Sakas and this place, plus your centaur friend will die trying to get home. Really quite tragic, don't you think?"

Glorfindel sat in the room's only chair and stared at the god. "I really don't like you," he said without apology.

"It's understandable," HImeros replied, "and I really do not enjoy staying on you so, but someone has to listen. Haldir would want to fight me, and Celeborn would want to engage in philosophical discussions. Not my cup of wine. Which reminds me. Want some?"

Glorfindel looked at the small table by his chair at a goblet of wine that was now there. Picking it up, he took a sip. It was really good. He drained the cup and set it down. "Well, I guess we go balrog hunting then. Can you tell me if we'll lose anyone? We were lucky with the dragon."

"You overwhelmed the dragon, and this one didn't not have the powers of Smaug. He could not make you see things that were not there or cast spells."

"That's nice to know," Glorfindel said and glanced down at the cup. It was full again. "All right, so we go kill the balrog. What then?"

"Take Melanippus home, or he won't make it, and I am rather fond of him." Taking a sip of wine from his own goblet, he then said, " Oh, someone needs to check his hip, and I don't mean Tomy. I like her for the most part, but she has strange fantasies that I can not be held responsible for."

"I'll look into it," Glorfindel said and picked up the goblet and took a sip. "What of Tiger?" he asked curiously.

"What of her?"

"You're here because of her, not for any of our well beings."

"True," HImeros agreed, "but I am not completely insensitive. I actually like you."

"That's good to know, I suppose."

Himeros smiled. "It's hell isn't it?"

"What?"

"Loving what you can not possess. But I have no control over that."

"You just keep me from killing Haldir," Glorfindel mused cynically. "By the way, did I save him ....and her?"

"Of course you did, but is it the one I mentioned? No, that one's different."

Glorfindel took another sip of wine and then set the goblet down. "Does she remember?"

"It depends on which mind she uses," Himeros answered.

"I don't understand."

"The woman who slept with you was Prometheus' Tiger not Haldir's. They're not quite the same, although they are. It's hard to explain."

"Try me."

"All right. Haldir's Tiger is how he sees her. She is his image of perfection, and she can not lie to him. That would be a problem, but Prometheus' Tiger is how he sees her. She is his image of perfection. Same creature, different perception. Although she came to you looking like Haldir's Tiger, because that is who you love, it was Prometheus' Tiger who slept with you. Understand?"

"I think I do. I want to see her the way Prometheus sees her. "

"That might not be wise," Himeros replied.

"You want me to work on your time frame, then that is what I want."

"Negotiating with a god, Glorfindel? You will not like what you see."

"Why?"

Himeros stood up and motioned for Glorfindel to follow him into the passage. Haldir and Tiger were coming towards them, Tiger behind Haldir, her hand in his. Glorfindel frowned, wishing now he had heeded Himeros' warning. Haldir's Tiger was beautiful in a raw, earthy way, Prometheus' Tiger was the sun wrapped in gold, a creature of light so beautiful he could not bear to look at her. Her eyes full of ancient wisdom and tenderness met his and she smiled. It almost broke his heart.

Haldir said nothing as they passed, and Glorfindel returned to his room, to the god reclining on his bed. "I told you," Himeros said without apology.

"I do not like you Olympians."

"Technically I am not an Olympian, nor is my mistress or Prometheus."

"Does it matter?"

"Very much so. You really wouldn't like the Olympians."

Glorfindel sat back in his chair and reached for the wine goblet. "Can I have her again?"

"I took the lust away. You should not be feeling that emotion. As for the other, it is not wise."

Glorfindel drained the wine. "When do we meet this balrog?" he asked bitterly.

"You will find him when you begin your search, and that is up to you. And no, you will not die."

"But others will?"

"Yes."

"But not Haldir?"

"If you let him die, he will. But you will also lose Tiger."

"What if I save her and not him?"

"You would betray a friend for a woman you can not keep?" HImeros asked, a touch of disbelief in his voice. "That fascinates me. Right now, even as we speak another drama is beginning in Lakedameon. "

"What would happen?"

"Prometheus would come and get her, and you would be known as one who let a friend die. End of story."

Glorfindel frowned and rubbed his forehead. There was too much to think about. "AS soon as Haldir is ready, we will go look for the balrog. Will he be hard to find?"

"Not at all. You might say he is waiting for you."

"And you will not let me see Tiger again?"

"I don't know, things can change." Seeing the look in Glorfindel's eyes, he added, "But don't get your hopes up. I can not see the future."

"Well, the next time you get the urge to pay me a call, bring Prometheus."

Himeros smiled. "I'll try," he said and vanished.
.......................................................................................................

Haldir pulled Tiger to him so they faced each other on their sides. He smoothed her hair away from her face and kissed the tip of her nose drawing a smile out of her. But light kisses were not on his agenda. He wanted deep passionate ones, he wanted to press himself so close to her that a dagger could not slide between them without drawing blood. She threw her leg over his hip and moved herself even closer. She could feel that hard length of him brushing against her tender flesh. He suddenly rolled her over and was inside of her. Raising up on his hands, staring down at her with blind lust in his eyes, he slowly lowered himself. Tiger ran her nails over his back and sides, and when he rose over her again, she used those nails on his breast and belly, forcing his eyes shut as he shivered like an over heated stallion.

Tiger rolled him over and was on top of him. It was easier to use her nails on his sensitive skin; easier to guide him, easier to claim his mouth. Oh she loved his mouth and tongue. And she loved the way he held her breasts. She could feel the heat rising in his hands, even as he felt the liquid heat rise in her. He always waited, held back, let her taste it first, and then he would join her, sitting up and wrapping his arms around her, his head against her breast. Then she would stroke his head, smoothing back the golden hair that fell over his shoulders. Then if he was in the mood for more, he would kiss her shoulder and let his hands run down her back, and he would run his fingers through her tawny hair and kiss her throat. And he would rub his nipples against hers. And then he would kiss her, slowly, sensuously, his tongue slipping into her mouth to spar with hers. And her tongue would follow his back into his mouth. And he would place his hands on the side of her face and hold her there until they became one creature, breathing the same warm moist air.

Just like he was doing now.