The Forsaken

Disclaimer: (In the spirit of Crimson Starlight)

Jan: Hope at LAST!

Shana: *glares*

Jan: Now what?

Shana: That's the title.

Jan: That's the…? OH! Sorry.

Haldir: *joins Shana, glares*

Jan: *throws up hands* Who next? Glory?

Glorfindel: *walks in, joins glaring duo*

Jan: Whatever! I give up! Shanastay owns nothing recognizable as belonging to other authors. She makes not money on this and loses lots of sleep. *to trio* We good now?

Shana: Better, but we'll see.

Jan: *stomps out*

Chapter 9: Hope At Last

Shar and Haldir's efforts finally seemed to have some effect on Erestor, the sable-haired elf finally quieting and sinking into an exhausted sleep. Haldir carefully lifted the all too skinny elf into his arms, depositing the advisor on the couch while Shar retrieved a blanket to cover Erestor. Assured that the darkling elf was comfortable and in no imminent danger of suffering another flashback the couple retreated to their bedroom.

As Haldir closed the door Shar sank down onto the edge of the bed, pulling her knees up to tuck them under her chin. Silently the woman began rocking back and forth.

The former Marchwarden left his boots by the door, padding over to settle on the bed next to his mate. Sitting to her side he pulled her curled form against his chest, her head tucked under his chin. Sensing the woman's disquiet the elf began to slowly rock her, his chest vibrating with a soothing rumble as he hummed May It Be.

Shar was stiff and tense when Haldir took her in his arms. She quickly relaxed as the reassuring sensation of his voice washed over her. A tremor raced through her at the thought of the horrors Erestor must have gone through.

"He was raped you know."

The only indication the elf gave that he heard Shar's words was a slight pause in his humming. Haldir closed his eyes and turned his head so his cheek rested against Shar's hair. Raped. The word echoed in the guardian's mind. Of all people he understood the implications. He had first-hand experience dealing with the aftermath, having gone through that with Shar. He knew how long the road ahead of Erestor was.

Haldir shifted back as Shar turned in his arms, lifting her face to him. The elf answered her silent request, dropping his head to claim her lips in a searing, searching kiss. Without words he was asking her, "Are we alright? Can we weather this storm?"

Shar returned his kiss with equal fervency, quelling his fears and reaffirming her devotion. Her hands snaked up to circle his neck, drawing him closer. She shifted her weight back, pulling Haldir down to the mattress on top of her.

The elf gently laid her back on the bed, his body half-draped over hers, beginning a slow, thorough exploration of her mouth. He lay partially on his left side, his left forearm supporting his weight, his right leg draped across her thighs.

Shar slid her hands up into his hair, releasing the silken mass from the low loose ponytail the elf had hastily pulled it into earlier. She drew her fingers along his jaw up past Haldir's temples, sweeping the loose locks away from his face as she firmly grasped his hair by the roots, deepening their kiss.

The guardian responded in kind, his right hand moving from her back to rest on her hip, fingers gripping tightly. A low moan rumbled through his chest as Shar arched her hips up against him, rubbing against his burgeoning arousal. His hips rocked forward in response, intensifying the contact.

Shar dropped one hand to Haldir's backside, squeezing the firm curve, feeling the muscles contract beneath her fingers. The redhead shimmied back on the bed, her thighs spreading in welcome as the elf shifted to settle his weight between them.

Shar crossed her feet behind the former Marchwarden's legs. Using her toes she pushed her shoes off, each hitting the carpet with a soft thud before wrapping her legs about his thighs. Shar released a soft sigh as her mate trailed lingering open-mouthed kisses along her jaw and down her neck.

The woman opened her eyes as he suddenly drew back. She watched as he lightly brushed his fingers across the lettering on her "Haldir Lives" shirt. She rolled her eyes as a smug grin grew on his face.

"Gods, Haldir," she whispered. "Ego much?" The elf's eyes rose to meet Shar's. "Yes, yes I get the irony of it. 'If only the world knew you actually exist and you do live.' Then I would be a huge celebrity or a lab rat somewhere and I never would have met you…"

Haldir silenced his mate with a searing kiss that curled her toes. When at last he released her, Shar's eyes were dilated to almost total black and her chest heaved with every gasping breath. Picking up where he had left off, the elf leaned up on his left arm, drawing the bottom of her shirt up, exposing her white bra.

Shar gasped as the powerful elf knelt up between her legs, bending down to rain kisses over her abdomen. She tried to stay quiet and still as his lips perused her skin, his hands straying to the fastenings of her jeans.

The Lorien elf stilled for a moment, Shar releasing his head as he turned it, clearly listening to something. After several beats he resumed his ministrations. Shar's hands immediately reached for his ears, a tremor running through Haldir's body as she traced the outline of his ears, caressing the tips.

The heat Shar was igniting pooled in his loins, the urgency of his actions increasing. Deftly he undid her jeans, kneeling up to slide them off her legs, removing her panties and socks in the same motion.

Shar sat up, reaching to finish removing her shirt. The guardian caught her hands, directing them up over her head as he pulled the shirt off, tossing it over with the rest of their shed clothing. He drew her hands around his neck, kissing her soundly as he undid her bra, releasing her to lie back on the bed, the final garment discarded.

Wasting no time, Haldir stood from the mattress, peeling off his t-shirt to reveal his well-defined chest and six-pac abs.

Shar noticed that his abs weren't quite as defined as they used to be. The city lifestyle and his love of her cooking, particularly her baking, had added some weight to the already heavily muscled elf's frame. He was constantly complaining about "going soft."

As Shar watched him slide his jeans off, yet again appreciating the fact he wore no undergarments, she noted there was nothing "soft" about him that she could see.

His clothing shed, the elf paused for a beat, taking the time to let his gaze wander over his mate's naked form, her knees bent, legs spread in invitation. He drew in a deep breath at the sight, his nose registering the heady scent of her arousal, his turgid length twitching in answer.

Shar gazed up at the powerful elf before her, drinking in the sight of his luminous tanned skin with the swath of pale crossing his nether regions. She still found it immensely amusing that Haldir would wear a Speedo to sunbathe but traditional trunks the rest of the time. Her gaze lingered on his proud arousal, jutting out from his body, swaying slightly with the beat of his heart.

Haldir broke the stalemate, moving forward to crawl up Shar's body, settling himself between her thighs. Her legs twined with his, they held their breath, the head of his length poised at her slick entrance. Haldir didn't have to make sure she was ready, he already knew, the scent of her almost driving him mad.

He dropped his head to claim her lips as he drove into her, burying himself to the hilt. He caught her exhaled gasp with his mouth, their joined lips muffling their cries as the insatiable elf set a fast demanding pace, needing to find release within her.

As he thrust hard and deep inside her, Shar wrapped her legs around his lower back, stilling his movements. Effectively taking control, she rotated her hips, still keeping his length embedded deeply within her. The movement effectively stimulated both of their most sensitive spots. Shar's efforts quickly became frantic as she felt him become impossibly hard and her own body reach its' peak.

Mouths still joined, they tried to stifle their moans as their twined bodies trembled with release, Shar consciously tensing her muscles to wring every drop of his essence from his length. Shaking with the aftermath of their subdued yet intense joining Haldir recognized the fact that neither one of them had the energy to move from their current positions.

His face buried in the curve of Shar's neck, the elf reached out blindly with his right hand, pulling the comforter up from the bottom of the bed to wrap around them as best he could. That accomplished, his left hand crept out to find a pillow, swiftly sliding it under Shar's head.

Reassured by the familiar weight of Haldir pressing her into the mattress, Shar's fingers traced random patterns across his smooth back. She moved with him as he shifted slightly to the side so his full weight would not stifle her as they slept, but still keeping his only slightly softened length firmly embedded within her.

A smirk suddenly graced Shar's face as she came to a swift decision. Her legs still wrapped around Haldir's thighs, she tightened her hold on him, ensuring he couldn't move. Ever so slowly she began rocking her hips from side to side resulting in shallow penetration and gentle friction.

Haldir groaned against her neck, his seemingly spent arousal quickly responding. Recognizing that she had control of the moment he lifted his head to capture her mouth, still realizing their need to remain quiet.

Shar kept her movements slow, letting the tension build slowly. Her actions completely lacked the franticness exhibited earlier, their overwhelming need to consummate their relationship having been satisfied. She took her time, bringing both of them ever closer to the edge but not quite over.

Haldir brought his right hand down to cover her left breast, kneading the copious mound. His fingers brushed over her erect nipple, squeezing it before twisting the embedded ring. He knew just the touch of roughness she loved. The multiple sensory input would drive her wild.

Her efforts now effectively derailed, Shar began undulating against him, her movements creating short powerful thrusts. At the end of each stroke she half-rotated her hips, the head of his arousal rubbing her deep inside. With a drawn-out sigh she took him over the precipice again, their release soft yet still intense.

Now completely drained, Haldir rearranged the covers over them. His forehead pressed against the side of Shar's neck his eyes quickly lost their focus as he fell into a thoroughly satiated repose.

Shar lingered in wakefulness for several beats longer, wondering what tomorrow would bring.

*************

(Now I will tell you what I've done for you)

Tia drove through the night, fueled by her anger and her choice in music. Evanescence screamed loud enough to wake the dead.

(50,000 tears I've cried
Screaming, deceiving,
And bleeding for you
And you still won't hear me)

As tired as she was, the only way to keep herself going was to fuel her rage at the "door-slamming brat." Every petty hurt he had inflicted over the past 12 years replayed over in her mind.

…(Going Under)…

…Walking out into the hallway to find him shagging with her so-called best friend, the other woman pressed face against the wall, him drilling her from behind. Having to put on a brave face because EVERYONE was coming over later for the Super Bowl party. Not taking off that mask for the nine years that followed…

(Don't want your hand this time
I'll save myself
Maybe I'll wake up for once (wake up for once)
Not tormented daily defeated by you
Just when I thought I'd reached the bottom)

…Waking up from the emotional coma he'd put her in to find she'd become someone even she didn't recognize…

(I dive again)

…All the wasted years of her life. Not even a single birthday card. Never. All she was to him was "convenient." She cooked, she cleaned, she provided for him. She made his life easy. Too easy…

(I'm going under (going under)
Drowning in you (drowning in you)
I'm falling forever (falling forever)
I've got to break through
I'm going under)

…Enough was enough. The e-mailed conversations when she was sitting right behind him, the childish door-slamming. She wasn't his maid, his cook, his nanny OR his lover. Not anymore…

(Blurring and stirring the truth and the lies
(I don't know what's real and what's not)
Always confusing the thoughts in my head
So I can't trust myself anymore)

…She'd given him chances. Again. And again. And again. No more. Not now. Not ever. She'd toyed with just mailing him the divorce papers but realized he'd never just sign them. She just knew as it was she'd have at least a hundred e-mails waiting when she hit Shar's…

(I dive again)

…The e-mails. She wasn't sure how she'd handle those or even what he'd actually say in them. At least she wouldn't have to be alone when she was faced with them. Shar will be there. She helped me get this far, I know she won't leave me now…

(I'm going under (going under)
Drowning in you (drowning in you)
I'm falling forever (falling forever)
I've got to break through,
I'm...)

…She would have the divorce papers served. Serves him right. Maybe that will finally drive home how serious I am and how wrong he has been. I can't believe I ever let him touch me. Was he even thinking about me? Or was it one of the others? Maybe one of those online sluts he seemed to like "talking to" so damn much…

(So go on and scream
Scream at me, so far away
I won't be broken again
I've got to breathe
I can't keep going under )

…Tia just had to smile at the songs Shar had put on the CD the redhead had given her. So appropriate. She knows me WAAY too well. The strawberry blonde woman reached over to the seat next to her for the driving directions as she saw the sign for Tapo Canyon Rd. Hitting the overhead light she scanned the directions, taking the exit and turning left. She was only a couple of blocks away from her destination…

(I'm going under (going under)
Drowning in you (drowning in you)
I'm falling forever (falling forever)
I've got to break through,
I'm going under (going under)
Going under (drowning in you)
I'm going under)

The final strains of the song played as she turned in to the condominium complex. She hit the power button on the stereo, not wanting to wake up the entire neighborhood at the early hour, although she probably had woken a few on the way in. Spotting the complex number she was looking for she reversed the Camero and parked on the small street as close as possible.

Climbing out of the car she stretched her stiff muscles, everything seeming to protest. She grabbed her bag containing a change of clothes and some toiletries before locking the car. Slowly she walked around the building to the entrance. Taking a deep breath Tia picked up the phone by the gate and dialed the number of the unit she wanted.

****************

Only a few hours had passed from the time Haldir and Shar had fallen into an exhausted slumber. The unexpected insistent ring of the phone broke them from their revere. The phone was just starting on its second ring when Haldir snatched it off the end table, answering it with a grunt.

The movement of the elf reaching for the phone from the position he'd fell asleep in only served to drive his hardened length deep into Shar's depths, jolting the woman awake. The unfortunately timed intrusion came at a moment when Haldir had been enjoying a particularly vivid and deviant dream involving his mate, his body having responded accordingly.

Silence on the other end of the line. Then… "Uh… Hello? Is Shar there?"

Now conscious, Shar registered the guardian's heightened state of arousal and began circling her hips, oblivious of the phone in his hand, eliciting a prolonged groan from the elf.

On the other end Tia pulled the receiver away from her ear, looking at it strangely. She checked the display by the entry access and confirmed she did indeed have the right unit.

Haldir dropped the phone by Shar's head and grasped her hip, stilling her movements. He gritted his teeth as he spoke, "It's for you."

Wide-eyed she snatched up the cordless, watching her mate hover over her in the dim light, clearly restraining himself. "Uh, hello?"

"Shar?"

"Yes?"

A sigh of relief from the other end. "It's Tia. I'm at the gate."

If not for Haldir pinning her to the bed, Shar would have sat up in shock. She glanced at the bedside clock, registering the time as 4:37 am. She hadn't been expecting the woman to arrive until much later in the day.

"Let me buzz you in. It's number 438 on the second floor. Just hang out for a couple. I need to throw something on."

Almost stuttering Tia answered, "Sure. No prob."

Shar hit "9" to buzz the other woman in and clicked the phone off, dropping it back onto the bed. She barely held back a shriek as she was hauled up off the bed. Instinctively she wrapped her legs around Haldir's hips, her arms around his shoulders.

Standing up, Haldir pulled Shar with him, never breaking their connection. His hands cupping her buttocks, his mouth sought out and found hers as he lifted her up his length and dropped her down it, the force of gravity adding to the intensity of his thrusts.

Shar mewled into her mate's mouth at the intensity and ferocity with which he took her. She had no intention of leaving him wanting but the sheer force of his need to claim her left her breathless. Completely unprepared for it, as well as still sensitive from earlier she couldn't maintain the strenuous position. She unhooked her feet from behind Haldir, silently sending him a message.

The elf understood her request, reluctantly, but unhesitatingly lifting her off his arousal to stand. Haldir just repressed a loud moan as Shar spun about, bending at the waist, legs spread, hips up, one hand snaking out to retrieve a pillow that she then buried her face in.

Eternally grateful for having such an understanding, responsive mate the elf stepped forward, grasping her hips as he drove into her again and again, angling his thrusts to hit her sweet spot, ever aware that she enjoy herself as much as he. His release imminent, Haldir slipped one hand around her front. Slamming into her he circled her clit as he ground his hips against her backside, the head of his length rubbing against her inside.

Undone by the triple sensory onslaught Shar cried out into the pillow, her passage clamping down around his elfhood. Haldir bent over his lover, biting back a shout as he nipped her shoulder, burying his face against the back of her neck as he spent himself deep in her depths. They remained joined for several seconds as they recovered from the unexpected and intense coupling.

Shar finally pushed up off her elbows, eliciting a low murmur of protest from the elf on her back. Knowing there was absolutely no point in arguing Haldir released her, turning to sit on the edge of the bed, looking smug and if his finally flaccid member was any indication, immensely satisfied.

Shar shook her head, glancing at the clock to note that not even 5 minutes had passed. Well that's a new record for us. She grabbed up one of the towels they always kept handy by the bed and cleaned herself off. Reaching for her robe, she glanced back at her mate, realizing he hadn't budged an inch. Snatching up another towel she flung it at him, murmuring, "Make yourself useful, Mr. 3-Minute-Elf."

Looking cross at the teasing, Haldir shooed her out the door, reminding her with sign language that someone was waiting for her. Rolling her eyes, Shar padded silently out, walking carefully past the, amazingly enough, still sleeping Erestor. The redhead was thankful for the heavy black terrycloth robe she wore as she opened the door and stepped out into the early December morning.

Tia stepped back as the door opened, giving Shar enough room to step outside with her. The blonde was surprised how fast the redhead answered the door. Had the positions been reversed, Shar would have still been waiting outside. It took Tia forever to wake-up when she didn't want to. And from the sound of Shar's voice on the phone the woman hadn't wanted to.

Shar smiled somewhat blearily at the other woman. "Hey. Sorry I took so long."

Tia's eyebrow went up. "Not a problem. I owe YOU here." The blonde's eyes widened as the light breeze swirling around them brought a whiff of a rather distinctive scent to her nose. Oh dear. I really interrupted something.

Oblivious, Shar launched into a hushed explanation of Haldir's presence, Erestor's situation and what was going on, ending with the redhead offering Tia their bedroom while they would take the aerobed.

Tia tried to take it all in, just nodding mutely in acceptance.

Knowing it was a lot to take in, Shar just let the blonde roll with it, turning to lead her into the flat.

Entering the living room the two women found Haldir clad in sweatpants, putting the finishing touches on the aerobed opposite the still unconscious raven elf. Tia offered a nod of greeting, trying desperately not to stare at the elf's bare chest. She allowed herself to be ushered toward Shar's bedroom.

At the threshold she stopped dead. Despite the fact that Haldir had just changed the sheets Tia instantly decided she would take the aerobed. There was nothing visual to indicate what had just recently gone on in the room but it reeked of sex. Tia had a sneaking suspicion that the couple was never quite able to banish the scent.

While Erestor earlier had found the scent incredibly comforting as it represented a healthy and incredibly loving relationship, for Tia it simply made her uncomfortable, highlighting one of the many things she had been lacking for so long. The woman turned, gracing Shar with a pained smile. "Is it alright if I take the aerobed?"

Haldir looked up curiously from where he was kneeling as Shar answered, "Are you sure? If Erestor should happen to wake up…"

At the elf's name Tia's gaze was drawn over to the couch where nothing was visible of the slender elf but his raven hair and pale face. Like a magnet, the blonde found herself drawn to the sleeping elf's side. Quietly she knelt down next to the couch, bringing her face about level with the prone elf. In a daze, she reached a shaking hand out to brush a stray lock away from his face, her touch lingering for a hair longer than necessary.

Shar put out a hand to stop Haldir's advance as Tia touched the abused elf. Holding him back, the redhead forced her mate to notice what she had. It was almost imperceptible but Erestor turned into the blonde's touch, seemingly seeking out more.

Haldir's hand came up to Shar's shoulder, squeezing sharply. He had realized what she had. When they had been comforting him Erestor had never responded like that. Something they could not explain was going on and the couple silently agreed to let whatever it was take its course.

"The bathroom's over here. I'm sure you'll want to freshen up after such a long drive."

Shar's whispered words broke whatever spell had come over Tia. With a jerk she stood, stepping away from the slumbering elf. Erestor seemed unsettled for a moment before quieting again, his face turned in Tia's direction. Tia thanked Shar again, disappearing into the bathroom, her head spinning with confusion.

Shar and Haldir shared a look as they retreated to their room, shedding their clothes to retire, this time beneath the covers. "I think things are going to work out just fine."

Haldir nodded in agreement before pressing his body flush against his mate. "3-Minute-Elf indeed," he muttered as he proceeded to prove to her he could last much longer than that.

**********

Just as Tia was turning the knob in the shower she caught the whispered sounds of bedsprings creaking through the wall. Laughing lightly to herself, she was glad she had chosen the aerobed. Those two were absolutely insatiable. It was amazing they found time to actually have a life in between snogging sessions.

Some time later Tia emerged from the bathroom feeling much better. The very faint sounds of bedsprings were still emanating from Shar's bedroom. Tia shook her head as she moved to walk past the couch. Again she stopped. As if drawn, she laid a gentle caress on the darkling elf's cheek. Murmuring softly, she swore a quiet oath, "I promise if I can help you somehow I will. I don't know what you've suffered, but it must have been terrible. I'm so sorry."

Finally removing her hand, Tia stepped over to the aerobed and settled herself in, the last thing she saw as she slipped into repose were Erestor's eyes opening, clear but unfocused. That's better, she observed. Elves aren't supposed to sleep with their eyes closed.

**********

In the bedroom Haldir paused for a moment, eliciting a groan from Shar as he listened to Tia's quiet words. He grinned down at his mate before continuing to drill her into the mattress, "You're right, things will work out just fine I think."

***************

A/N: Sorry it took so long but here is your update! I'm trying to keep up but working tons of overtime so I can buy a house and then the whole moving thing is taking up all of my energy.