Take My Hand

Title: Take My Hand
By Noelwing
E-mail; noelwing@aol.com
Paring: Legolas/Haldir
Rating: R
Summary: Haldir is supposed to escort Legolas back to his home in Mirkwood but it turns out to be a trip that will change their lives forever.
Genre: AU/ Unrequited love
Warnings: Angst/ WIP
Author’s notes: /words/ denotes thought: I would like to dedicate this fic to my two good friends night_angel_15 and Arwenundomiel726, without which I might never write. Thank you plenty my friends.
Disclaimer: Middle-earth and all characters therein are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien and are only being borrowed for the purposes of this fic. Any and all original characters are property of the author and belong to her. Any Question or comments can be sent noelwing@aol.com. Want to send me feedback- I’d love to hear it^_^

Part 1: Two separate lives

Caras Galadon, the pride of the Galadrim, the center of Lothlórien and the highest of all the elven kingdoms in Middle-earth. That’s how Haldir thought of it anyway. It had been his home for centuries and it was his entire world.

He was lounging in his home, a talan that he shared with his two brothers, Rúmil and Orophin, high up in the canopy of trees that made up the city of the elves. Haldir and his brothers were not born in the city but they took their positions as border guards very seriously but none more seriously. But none more seriously than Haldir, for he was the captain of the guard in the city and it was something that he was very proud of. But as of four hours ago he had been relieved of his duties so that a fresh patroller could take his place and he had returned home to get as much rest as he could before he was once again called to duty.

The fluttering of wings roused his attentions and he sat up on his sleeping mat to find that three small birds had landed at the edge of his talan. They were lovely creatures with wings of silver and gray that sparked in the light from the lamps that dangled everywhere. Haldir got up and fetched a pouch that he carried with him while on patrol. Inside were several pieces of lembas bread that he had not eaten while on duty earlier. He took out a piece, crumbled it in his hands and began distributing it to the birds. They chirped with delight as they pecked the crumbs off the floor and from his hands.

“Prince of Mirkwood; I bear a message to you from your father the king.” The voice came from the guest dwelling that was across the way from Haldir’s own home. He peered over the edge to see an elf clad in green and brown, the trademark colors of the Mirkwood elves. The one being presented with the message was none other than Legolas, the youngest son of the king Thranduil. Haldir couldn’t help his curiosity and he decided to lean over the talan’s edge to get a better look at what was going on.

The prince took the letter from the messenger before dismissing him; the messenger bid the prince farewell and left. Haldir watched as the prince broke the wax binder and unfolded the piece of parchment. Haldir saw as Legolas’ face went from composed to devastation in an instant. Legolas crushed the letter into the palm of his hand and then he paced angrily back and fourth for several minutes. He looked so disgruntled; whatever news came within that letter it must have been bad to have have roused such anger from the prince.

Haldir did not know the prince very well but Legolas was real friendly with Rúmil and Orophin. Yet Haldir had chosen to keep his relationship with Legolas within formal boundaries. When his brothers asked him why he refused to be friends with the prince Haldir would tell them that he had more important thing to do than befriend some royal brat. His brothers would then tease him; saying he was just jealous of the prince because he was not half as good at archery as Legolas was or not as beautiful.

Legolas had come to the golden wood once every ten years so that he could attend the grandiose combat and skills competition that was held in Lothlórien. He had come with his father and his siblings (who were already veterans) for his first competition thirty years ago and he had been a steady competitor ever since. Only this year had been different; instead of leaving with his family he had been asked by the lady of the wood herself to remain and study in the golden wood for a year. He accepted the invitation with the youthful eagerness of a child. He was only six months into his stay but even Haldir had to admit that his skill had remarkably improved and the prince’s potential only increased.

Legolas was normally so composed and wore the same mask of royal edict that his father was famous for, but Haldir had never seen him act so rashly before. The prince’s usually calm and graceful steps were replaced by angry treads as he paced around on his patio. After several moments of wild pacing the prince entered his dwelling in a huff and after a few more minutes the dwelling went dark. When Haldir saw the lights go out he knew that the prince must have of retired for the night. A yawn escaped him as the thought of sleep captured him. Forgetting about the scene he had just witnessed Haldir bid his feathered friends good night and retuned to his bed thinking that whatever news Legolas had received, it did not concern him what so ever.

*******

The piece of parchment lay wadded up on the table next to Legolas’ quiver of arrows that stood propped up against the wall. It was a message written by the hand of his father who sometimes seemed more like a force of nature than an elf lord. The letter bore little pleasantries and was very direct; Legolas was being ordered home.

Legolas lay in his bed but sleep would not come, he didn’t feel the least bit tired but feigning sleep was the only way to ward off unexpected visitors for he didn’t feel like seeing anyone at the time. It was sad because his day had started out and gone so well, in fact everything in Lothlórien had gone very well for him through out his six-month stay. He had come to the city all that time ago with his father and a regiment of Mirkwood soldiers to participate in the competition that was held every ten years there. For him, it was his third competition, his father and siblings had participated in many others but only until thirty years ago was he deemed ready to participate. His competition of choice was archery. Just being at the competition itself was an experience; elves from all over Middle-earth came to Caras Galadon. The sons of Elrond-Elladan and Elrohir, Mirkwood soldiers as well as other wood elves and some from as far north as the gray havens gathered in the golden wood. To be among so many different people was one of the things that the prince most looked forward to when time for the competition came around.

The chance to be in Lothlórien was also something that also beckoned to the prince. His siblings and parents had told him stories about the golden city for years and the moment he beheld it with his own eyes, he had fallen in love with it. He knew he would never get tired of seeing the dome shaped canopy that the giant mellyrn trees formed, the way the structures were built around and with in the trees and above all else; being lulled to sleep every night by the sounds of nature and the songs of elves. Legolas loved his home in Mirkwood, Thranduil’s hall was a massive cave dwelling that he had established as a home for all elves of woodland descent and it was a grand dwelling. But Legolas would often camp in the woods and spend as much time a possible in the open. Caras Galadon was every thing he could ever want in a dream home and when Galadriel the lady of the wood asked him if he would like to be fostered in the city for a year, the offer was too good to be refused.

He begged and begged his father for leave when the offer was presented six months ago. Of course his father asked why the lady had made such a generous offer but Legolas was to excited to care, all he wanted to do was stay in the city for the allotted time, yet he secretly hoped to make it longer. Thranduil went to the lady herself and asked why she offered to foster his son and she answered by saying that she was very impressed by his skill at this most recent of competitions. He had gone up against both of her grandsons (Elladan and Elrohir) and emerged victorious. She went on to say that a year of training under the Galadrim would work to improve his skills so that he might be able to serve his father better.

Thranduil eventually agreed to let Legolas stay so that he may study to improve not only his physical skills but his academic skills as well. Legolas was so happy when his training with the Galadrim began; they were all good teachers but what he liked most was that they did not go easy on him. They were very strict and pushed and pushed and pushed him again to do better and his academic tutors were no easier on him. Almost every evening Legolas would return to his dwelling completely worn out mentally or aching physically and he was never happier.

But now it looked as though his fun had come to an end and within the next few days he would have to pack up and head home to Mirkwood. A special delegation from the Gray Havens was coming to Mirkwood and Thranduil wanted his youngest son home so that he could observe the situation first hand. The delegation was scheduled to arrive at Mirkwood in two months and Thranduil wanted his son home before that. Legolas in truth did not want to go, but even he could not go against the wishes of his father that went hand and hand with the orders of his king.

Legolas loved his father but at the same time, Legolas was so frustrated by his father. Legolas was a full-grown elf and very capable of surviving and defending himself in the wilderness or in battle, yet his father refused to treat him as such. Out of all his children, Thranduil kept Legolas on the tightest leash and offered no other explanation other then it was because he was the youngest. Legolas could understand that his father had only good intentions for him but he honestly wished his father would just let him go and not try to be so controlling.

The constant musings in his mind had actually worked to tire him and he began to feel the soft pull of sleep. He rubbed his face with his hand and turned to his window. In the distance he could see the talan that the march-warden Haldir and his two brothers Rúmil and Orophin inhabited. The talan was dark, which meant that its occupants must be asleep. Rúmil and Orophin were both very down to earth in Legolas’ opinion. The two of them enjoyed a good laugh and even the occasional prank or two. The two of them often took part in the prince’s training and the three of them socialized often unlike their older brother Haldir who rarely ever participated in such leisurely activities. Haldir, Haldir was something else though. He was chosen by the lady herself to be guardian of the wood and such an important position kept him in constant company with Celeborn; husband of Galadriel and lord of the wood. It was Haldir who had been there to greet Legolas and his father’s company when Legolas first journeyed to the golden wood and on every return trip, Haldir was there to escort them to the city every time.

Despite Legolas’ attempts to befriend the guardian, Haldir for some reason always acted as if he had better things to do than socialize with people. His brothers said that he had always placed duty above all other things and he always had kept people at arms length. The explanation still did not make Legolas feel any less disapointed when Haldir turned him down for a social engagement but Legolas still respected the guardian and the work that he was responsible for. He had really wanted to learn more about Haldir but Legolas would have to leave soon and whatever became of Haldir after that; it did not concern him what so ever.

*******

Three days had passed since Haldir had witnessed Legolas receive what ever it was that he had received and since then he had hardly ever seen the prince at all. He was not the only one, for none of the friends Legolas had made seemed to have heard much from him and rumors flew about the ladies of the city like leaves scattered in the wind. One rumor seemed to stand out among the rest for it implied that the prince’s stay was to be cut short. Haldir didn’t know why but this rumor caught his ear when he first heard it; so the prince would not be staying with them much longer.

No one would probably believe him if he told them; but if the rumor was true and the prince was being ordered home by his father than more the pity. Legolas had so much potential and was coming into his own as a warrior and for his father to take that away from him was a real shame. Haldir wondered what it must be like to live with someone who had such dominion over your life. Yes, he served Galadriel, highest of all elves but never in his life had she ever forced him to do anything. In his heart however, Haldir could never refuse her, not after all she had done for his brothers and especially for him. He simply took pleasure in knowing that he was not in Legolas’ boots.

*******

Legolas walked up the elaborate staircase that spiraled around a massive tree trunk. Everywhere around him were the songs of birds and the lantern light guided the way to the lady’s chambers. As he approached the entrance two elven guards stopped him. “State your business?” They asked politely and firmly at the same time.

“I would like to visit with her ladyship; it concerns news I have received from my father, King Thranduil.” He said presenting the letter that contained the news; the guards completely ignored the wadded state of the parchment and allowed him to pass.

Legolas had to climb yet another elaborate stair case before he reached Galadriel’s talan. Upon his entry he beheld her; she stood like a statue carved from the finest white marble and she sparkled in the lantern light with the radiance of a thousand stars. She was an image of wisdom and beauty yet when she turned and smiled at him she possessed all that was kind and motherly. “Why Legolas, what brings you to my home?” She said brightly. Legolas stopped three feet from her and bowed his head and raised it again with all the grace his own court had taught him.

“My lady; I am afraid that my stay in your land will have to be cut short.” He handed her the parchment and she took it and began to read it. It took only a moment for her to finish it and her face went from bright to glum disappointment.

“Your father is ordering you home but you have only been with us for six months; he promised you the entire year that I offered.” She folded up the parchment and sighed heavily. She could understand Thranduil taking the opportunity to educate his son in the art of diplomacy but why did it have to be now? Couldn’t the king have waited until his son’s leave was up? “Must you leave? Can you not refuse this order?” She said sympathetically.

“I wish I could my lady but Thranduil is a king above all other things and I as his son, am a prince above all other things. I cannot go against his wishes much less his commands.” Her face went from glum to depressed; Legolas was of fine character but sometimes it seemed to her like he bore the burden of royalty like a stone around his neck.

“I understand. When do you wish to depart?” She said softly as she retuned the parchment to its owner.

“I will leave two days hence for I must make haste to Mirkwood if I am to arrive on time.”

“How long do you suspect the journey will take?”

“If I hurry I can make it in two weeks but the delegation from the havens is not scheduled to arrive for two months. But I think it best that I get back as soon as possible so that I may study and prepare myself for this event.” He tucked the parchment into his tunic.

“Have escorts arrived to take you back then?”

“No my lady I will be traveling alone.” Galadriel’s face changed its emotional hue yet again and she now looked very concerned.

“I am sorry Legolas but I can not allow you to make such a journey alone. You are still so young and the path between here and Mirkwood is very perilous.” She said it as if he had learned nothing in the past six months, like he was still a child or something.

“I appreciate your concern but I am quite capable of making this journey on my own.” He tried to sound assertive without sounding rude at the same time.

“I am not saying I doubt your skills Legolas but your father did place you in my care and as such, you are my responsibility.” Legolas could not argue with her; she had been so kind to him in the past so he may as well heed her advice.

“Very well’ how many of your guards would you have escort me home?” He said trying to hide his slight irritation at having to swallow his pride.

“I think one will be enough. With the combined skill of a Mirkwood prince and a Galadrim soldier anyone would have to be insane to bother you.” It was at that moment that Legolas was reminded yet again why he admired her ladyship so much she cared for him but she didn’t treat him like baby; despite her responsibilities to him she had faith in his ability and did not burden him by embellishing his station with overprotection and attention.

“I understand my lady. Who may I ask will serve as my escort?” Galadriel touched the tip of her fist to her lips while she thought about it for a minute. Who would be best suited for this task?

“Ah, I shall send my captain with you. You are familiar with Haldir are you not?” Legolas was taken aback, would Haldir agree to this?

“Well, yes my lady but…”

“Yes?”

“It is just that the two of us are only acquainted; we are not friends. Besides I am sure that your march-warden would have more important duties to attend than my safe delivery back to Mirkwood. Perhaps one of his brothers would be a better choice…” She took his hand all of a sudden and looked into his eyes. Her eyes stayed Legolas; the eyes that still held the light of Valinor within them.

“Legolas, why do you refuse this opportunity? I know that ever since you arrived in my wood for the first time that you have fancied him yet he turns you aside, just like everyone else.” She saw right through him; it was true that Legolas deeply admired the guardian of the wood and wanted to be friends with him. The chance to spend time alone with him was truly a great gift.

“But why bestow such an opportunity upon me?”

She squeezed his hand. “Because of all your family your soul shines the brightest and I know Haldir has noticed as well. But he keeps every one at a distance from his heart and only lets people in so far, the same way you do. You and he are so alike yet so different. You could learn a lot from each other.” Legolas kissed her hand and bowed respectfully.

“I will leave it to you to inform him. Please tell him that I would like to leave two days from now and that I wish to make haste to Mirkwood.” Galadriel nodded and dismissed the prince

“Legolas, when all is well in your home I expect you to come back and finish your studies with us!” She called out to him and he turned and smiled that charming smile that could melt even the ice upon the highest mountain. She watched him leave and if she wasn’t mistaken, there was slight bounce in his step that was not there before.

/Perhaps you will be the one to connect with Haldir and show him that he is not alone/ She thought to herself.

*******

The prince of Mirkwood was scheduled to leave in the morning and Haldir went through his satchel one more time to make sure he had everything he would need while his two brothers made it a point to stay out of his way. The other night Haldir had been summoned to and audience with the lady Galadriel and ever since he had not quite been himself. Rúmil and Orophin gave him some time to cool down before they asked him what was wrong. Haldir told them that the prince needed to be escorted back to his father’s kingdom and that she would like him to handle the assignment. His brothers could understand why he was not too thrilled about the assignment; Haldir did not care much for elven royalty.

He had been that way ever since the lady Galadriel’s granddaughter, Arwen, had visited over two hundred years ago. Haldir was asked to act as her guard and attendant, an assignment he regretted taking almost instantly. Princess Arwen ordered him around relentlessly and proved to have inherited the same dry and deplorable personality of her father, Lord Elrond. When she left Haldir had never been so happy but ever since then he had wanted as little to do with elven royalty as much as possible, with the exception of the lady Galadriel.

Rúmil and Orophin tried to assure Haldir that Legolas was nothing like his father or his other siblings. To them, he was a little spoiled but he was also willing to work and didn’t mind getting his hands dirty. But Haldir didn’t seem to care about any of it and the two brothers knew that the real reason why he was going in the first place was because Galadriel asked him to. As far as Rúmil and Orophin knew, Haldir had never once refused a request from the lady. The two of them wished their brother a good trip and a safe return as well before retiring for the night.

Haldir held the flap of his satchel open as he did a double check of his provisions that he had packed. A few extra sets of clothing, a loaf of lembas, some dried meat, water, first aid supplies and a few other travel necessities, nothing seemed to be amiss. He than moved on to his weaponry, his quiver was full of arrows, about twenty in all and his sword had been sharpened as well; yes everything was in perfect order. He would be ready to leave at sunrise for what was sure to an interesting trip.

*******

Legolas was having problems with what to pack and it was starting to get late; not good if he wanted to make an early start in the morning. He had acquired so mush stuff in the last six months; things like books, clothes and other miscellaneous items were thrown about his bed. He wanted so much to take the books his tutors had so graciously given to him home to his mother. Legolas’ mother was quite a history buff and he knew that she would love the books that told the history of the Galadrim and even contained some histories of Valinor. But he soon got it through his head that he would be coming back eventually and that nonessential things such as the books would have to remain for the time being. But how he wanted to bring them, not only to gift his mother, but to show his father and siblings the kind of education he was getting and would continue to receive. It was so nice to learn more than just royal protocol and political matters and he felt like his horizons had expanded so much in the past six months. But his enlightenment was going to have to be put on hold until further notice and the thought depressed him.

After an hour of sifting through and determining what was really necessary for the trip to Mirkwood, his bag was finally packed and it was a lot smaller and lighter than what he had originally tried. But he couldn’t resist taking at least one book; it was a collection of stories from Valinor, his favorite. Three hours earlier, Legolas went to the supply store and there he ran into Orophin, Haldir’s younger brother. Orophin was friendly and very well versed in the art of packing food for long trips. He had helped the prince pick out what foods to bring by telling him which would last the longest and even those that had the best taste.

After deciding which foods to bring Legolas had brought them back to his talan and neatly organized the provisions just as Orophin had instructed. Deep down Legolas wished it were Orophin or even Rúmil going with him instead of Haldir. Yes it was true; Legolas did have a secret infatuation with Haldir and had for many years. It had started almost from the first time he had ever met Haldir. He would never forget that day when Haldir had welcomed the delegation of Mirkwood.

~ ~ ~

The delegation from Mirkwood had been riding all day nonstop. The light of day was beginning to wane and Legolas was aching all over as a result of the long trip from Mirkwood. But he didn’t let the weariness of travel dilute his excitement for this was his first time beyond the borders of Mirkwood. The fact that Legolas had just recently come of age and was on his way to take part in his first competition of elves only added fuel to the flames of enthusiasm that welled within in soul.

His curiosity and excitement had turned Legolas into a little chatterbox and his two older brothers as well as his father were constantly bombarded by his questions. At one point Legolas’ older brother, Elgalad, threatened to swat him like a fly if he didn’t shut-up. Thranduil couldn’t help but to laugh out loud over the undying energy of his youngest son but even he was beginning to buckle under the childish curiosity. He thanked the Valar when they finally made it to borders of the golden wood.

Legolas was ready to start hounding the guards when the trotting of a horse emanated from the trees. Out from the brush emerged an elf unlike any other Legolas had ever seen before; the elf possessed a different kind of grace all together. He was just as tall as the average elf but he was endowed with a slightly larger musculature and instead of blonde, he brandished hair that looked like it was spun from strands of pure silver. And his eyes were the color of steel; he truly was the most handsome individual that Legolas had ever beheld. Legolas was about to ask the identity of the elf when a formal yet melodic voice filled the air. “King Thranduil, I am Haldir of Lothlórien. Welcome back.” Legolas was stunned into silence.

Haldir addressed them with formality and respect when he introduced himself to the royal family. Haldir was attired in shades of grey and black and he looked so plain when compared to the bright greens and forest colors of the Mirkwood delegation; but Legolas liked simplicity and Haldir seemed to have it written all over him. The ride to the border was a quiet one until they approached the edge of the forest. The trees opened up to reveal an open valley of lush green foliage bathed in the setting sun. In the middle of it all stood a gigantic dome of trees; the trees were bigger than anything Legolas had ever imagined. “Creoso á í Caras Galadon, eska eñ í Galadrim.” Haldir spoke so proudly of the golden city and Legolas could see in Haldir’s eyes the very depth of the love that he had for this place that he called home. Legolas knew right then and there that Haldir was a true solider of the golden wood and respected him instantly.

~ ~ ~

Legolas blushed over the flash back of his first encounter with the march-warden of the golden wood. He even recalled several attempts he made to socialize with Haldir but no matter what he tried; Haldir never dropped the mask of formality and always addressed Legolas with the respect that he was entitled to via his crown. But things were different now; Legolas and Haldir would have a chance to be alone together while on route to Mirkwood.

*******

The next morning, the main gate at the city was full of activity; a huge crowd of elves; including the lady Galadriel and the lord Celeborn had gathered there to see the young prince off on his journey home. Two horses were made ready; they were both stallions of the Galadrim and colored grey. Attendants helped Legolas strap the last of his provisions onto his horse while Haldir double-checked his own mount to make sure everything was secure. One last check was and made before both elves mounted their horses with the same grace and ease.

Legolas turned and waved goodbye to the crowd as well as the gracious lady of the wood and he received many fond goodbyes from the soldiers and many pleas of an eventual return from the young ladies of the wood. Haldir waved to his brothers and comrades before both he and the prince headed out on their journey. Haldir looked at the prince mounted upon the grey steed that raced in front of him. Haldir had been asked by the lady to look after the prince and that’s exactly what he would do even if he disliked elven royalty.

Legolas couldn’t help but to steal a glance at the proud soldier that rode behind him; Haldir looked absolutely magnificent and Legolas felt his heart skip a beat as the Galadrim locked eyes with him. He always felt so young and inexperienced in Haldir’s presence yet something about the guard fascinated him and had from the day he had first met Haldir. Legolas turned his gaze towards the horizon; he eagerly anticipated whatever might happen on this journey. Little did Legolas know that this would be a journey where two lives that existed mostly separate from one another would become entwined and changed forever.

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TBC in part 2- The Crossroads