The old ways

Unlike the peaceful day Haldir and Legolas were able to spent along with Gimli within Minas Tirith, the next day was a sad one. The body of Theoden was laid in state for every one to see and pass by. Sad songs, moans and cries filled the halls and sent waves of pity and sadness throughout the castle.

Later, during the afternoon Haldir needed to lie down again, for his back was giving him great trouble and he felt it impossible to stand guard beside the body of Theoden any longer.

Aragorn called upon the members of the fellowship and warriors of Rohan and Gondor to make out the first plans for an attack of Mordor.

Legolas felt Gimli growing nervous at his side as Aragorn asked every man capable of bearing arms to stand alongside him.

All the present stood, including Legolas and Aragorn smiled in return. But then he turned to his elven friend "No, Legolas. I cannot ask you to come along with us. I want you to stay behind here with Haldir. You have suffered enough on this journey and you shouldn’t even think of coming with us in you condition."

Legolas fought down his anger "Aragorn son of Arathorn. I have come this whole way with you, I have fought alongside you and I have suffered no more than any of us here. We all have lost kin and friends in this war and I will stand by you to the last. My condition has not altered since our departure from the Golden woods and it has not hindered me. You will not make me stay. For you cannot command me. Only the Valar could and this is a war we not only fight for ours and your freedom, but for them as well."

Gimli could see Aragorn taking a deep breath and having the according answer ready, when Gandalf interrupted him. "Legolas, youngest prince of the woodland realm. We cannot command you to stay here, but I would like to appeal to your good sense, and stay behind here in Minas Tirith. We will not discuss the reasons here in public, but I am sure that we, the member of the fellowship present, do know that this would be the best for you and we would never take it as a cowardly act. But in the end it will be yours to decide."


Legolas looked around and took in the glances of the surrounding members of the council Aragorn woldiolding.

"Then it is decided. I will join you on your ride against Mordor. I will not stay behind, like a maiden in waiting."

Aragorn's face darkened with anger, but he kept it at bay, not wanting an open outburst in front of men he would have to lead to war.

Still the dwarf couldn't hold his temper. Stamping his foot, he turned around facing the elf, a furious anger twisting his face. He grabbed Legolas arm in a paining grip and only managed to not pull the elf out of the hall, but making it very clear that the tall blond was to follow him immediately.

Legolas sighed and made his way out of the hall, a grunting dwarf taking the lead.

When the large doors had closed behind them, the dwarf erupted.

"Are you out of your elven mind? You cannot be serious! It was bad enough that you came with us through Helm's deep, you know what happened to Haldir out there! He very nearly got killed. What do you think, ELF, that this is going to be a walk down by the riverside? A stroll? Have you ever, just once, thought about how is going to make us feel? What a responsibility you put on our shoulders?"

"On your shoulders?" Legolas barked at the dwarf. "On your shoulder? Have you any idea, DWARF, how I would feel if I let you go there on your own. Have you ever thought about what I already told you in Edoras? The responsibility is mine alone!"

"It is not! Don't you think Haldir should have a word in that too?"

Legolas stared at the dwarf angrily. "That is not yours to decide whether I tell Haldir about it or not."

Gimli fumed "Are you AGAIN running away from him? Not telling him anything? I thought you had grown wiser over the years!" the dwarf stormed back into the hall to join the others.

Legolas stood for a while, trying to regain some composure and then turned away, his face set, in direction of their quarters.

When he opened the door, he found Haldir lying on the bed, face down and the healer bent low over the scarred back, mumbling something incomprehensible.

Haldir had heard the door opening and flashed a bright smile at his husband, stretching a hand out in his direction.

The healer straightened up and moved over to his pouches, he had brought along and rummaged through it.

"Legolas my love, come here. The healer is telling me, that my back looks much better and if I am lucky there won't be even a scar left after some time."

The blond elf smiled and sat down on the side of the bed, taking Haldir's hand in his own, brushing its knuckles with his thumb.

"I am so glad to hear that. Are you not in pain anymore?"

"No, the pain has lessened with every hour, and soon there will be none left. Why, did you have anything strenuous in mind?" Haldir asked with a sly grin.

"Haldir! You know we don't know,...I mean maybe it's not the right time....we cannot be sure... anyway, no I wasn't." Legolas actually felt himself blushing.

"Mhm," Haldir sighed "too bad. My love, what do you think, if we were to take a little ride tomorrow along the riverbank. Maybe we can find a place that doesn't reek of orc corpses and war. I need to breathe fresh air again and I would very much like to spend a day just with you."

Legolas smiled at his husband and nodded. Maybe it would be a good opportunity to talk to Haldir about the upcoming march against Mordor. This time he wasn't going to leave Haldir without telling him. Even though the dwarf might have thought that way. He had changed over the years. And he was going to make certain that, when he and Haldir had to part, it would not be in vain.

When Haldir got up the next morning, before Legolas was awake, to prepare some things for their day at the river, he met Gimli wandering the halls, muttering to himself. To Haldir's surprise, the dwarf vanished quickly behind some door as soon as he got aware of Haldir's presence.

Haldir shook his head and moved to the stables. He got the horses ready and attached the saddle bags, he had filled with some food and other things. When the horses were tethered outside the stable, Haldir went back to the room he shared with Legolas and awoke his lover with soft kisses.

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. It was the time he loved best. The rich and warm scent of his husband spread beneath the covers and on the skin. He couldn't get enough of it, so Haldir buried his face in the crook of Legolas shoulder and breathed deeply. From time to time placing tender kisses on the warm skin.

Legolas' eyes shifted back into focus and a smile crept over his face, feeling Haldir's breath ghost over his neck and jaw line.

He shifted his body so he was lying flat on his back and turned his head to Haldir.

"Morning, my love" Legolas whispered and kissed Haldir's brow, feeling the marchwarden's lips smile against his skin.

Haldir snuggled closer and moved one arm beneath the covers, his hand tenderly stroking the warm and soft chest of his love. His hand traveled on until he felt the round swell of the growing abdomen. Haldir smile grew even broader, imagining his, no their, child growing there.

It was truly a miracle.

He moved his head downwards and trailed soft, tender kisses around the bulge. To Haldir’s surprise he heard Legolas suppress a giggle.

"What?" Silver hair dangled casually across the silky skin, as Haldir lifted his head to look at his husband.

"It tickles."

"You never were ticklish there before." Haldir look questioningly at the blond.

"Yes, I know, but the skin is so much more sensitive now. Like many other things. My nose is definitely more sensitive and so is my taste. Or rather I sometimes encounter weird cravings."

Haldir laughed. "Your nose? Oh you poor thing. Travelling with smelly man and a dwarf. How could sta stand it?"

"That is a just question. I really don’t know. Maybe I am just a martyr type." Legolas smiled and pulled Haldir up to him.