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"�Nother beer�"
"No, you have had quite enough elf," said the barman.
Haldir slammed his tankard down on the counter and belched. "Another beer. Now�please," he added as an afterthought.
The barman shook his head. "I know you elves can drink most men under the table�surprisingly so, but the answer is still no. You have had enough sir. Why don�t you go home?"
" �S too far�too drunk�lonely�" the marchwarden mumbled into his empty mug.
"Well�we have a room, but�"
" �ll take it�and �nother beer�"
"�I�m afraid it is taken, but it�s big enough for two�I�ll need to ask if the other guest will�"
"�that�s fine, innkeeper. I will gladly share with my friend here," said the tall, cloaked figure at the end of the bar. "And give him another beer, I�ll look after him."
Haldir screwed up his eyes at the stranger and raised his tankard. "Than� you�mos� grateful�"
The innkeeper sighed, filled Haldir�s tankard and then moved on to his other guests.
"Come friend, let�s sit somewhere more comfortable, and you can tell me why you are completely sozzled." The hooded stranger took Haldir gently by the arm and led him over to sit beside the fire.
Haldir took a swig of his beer and looked mournful. "You don' wanna know...too d'pressin'..."
His new friend laughed. "Tell me and let me be the judge."
The marchwarden peered at his fellow guest. The beer had clouded his vision but that voice....
"Do I know you? I think I do.....do I? 'Nyway...don't matter...jus'...it's jus'..." Haldir sighed. "Ev'ryone thinks I'm jus' fine. Good ol' Haldir...sensible Haldir...reli...reliable Haldir. No one ever talks t' me, not prop'ly." He leant over and whispered conspiratorially. "I scare them off."
"I am sure you don�t, I�m not going anywhere am I? I�m even willing to share my room."
"Tha�s b�cause you don� know me. You wait." Haldir waved his tankard and slopped beer over the table. He took another swig and belched again.
The stranger smiled wistfully, unseen beneath his hood. "I would like to know you, my friend."
"Hah. Tha�s what they all say. Then they chan� their minds. I�m not good at...chit chat...being polite...playin� social games. I�m...boring ol� Haldir." The elf clutched at his head and moaned softly.
"I think it�s time I took you to our room. Come on marchwarden," said the stranger helping Haldir to stand and led him up the stairs to the small chamber he had occupied earlier.
The innkeeper had already lit a fire and turned down the beds in readiness for his guests and the room had a cheery, welcoming glow. Haldir�s new friend removed his hooded cloak and hung it in the wardrobe, then sat Haldir down on the bed and knelt before him to remove his boots. Haldir had already fallen back against the pillows and closed his eyes. "Light hurts... too bright...putitout...please," he whimpered without looking at his room mate, and then promptly fell asleep.
"Well, not quite the romantic seduction I�d had in mind," chuckled the stranger, removed his own boots and curled up on the opposite bed.
*****
The twin sons of Elrond were in Lothlorien, combining business, on behalf of their father, and pleasure, visiting their grandparents. Elrohir was also rather keen on reacquainting himself with a charming young elleth he had met during their last visit some fifteen years ago, and Elladan...well he had decided that finally after years of pent up lust and longing he would summon up his courage and declare his love to the object of his affection.
"So where is your marchwarden? Hmmm?" teased Elrohir as the twins dressed that morning.
"He isn't my marchwarden," replied his twin crossly.
"Not yet, no, but I am sure he will be soon, just as soon as you find him and tell him how you feel."
"Humph. Why of all the elves do I have to have unrequited passion for that one, Ro? He has built so many walls around himself that I fear it will take more than a few sweet words to conquer him." Elladan sighed and looked glum.
"Nonsense, all you will have to do is smile your charming smile and whisper in his perfect, shell like ear and he will eat out of your hand, my dear brother."
Elladan raised his eyebrow in a faint imitation of his illustrious father. "And what do you get out of this, hmmm?"
"Peace and quiet for a few hours! You have been moping around for years, staring after our dear marchwarden like a lovesick puppy. It's 'Haldir this' and 'Haldir that' and at the very least I won't have to pretend I haven't noticed the pages and pages of soppy poetry that clutter up the bottom of our wardrobe."
Elladan had the grace to blush and squirm a bit. "Ahh...er...thought I'd kept it more to myself than that. Sorry," he muttered, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
Elrohir smiled. "Oh Ell...your feelings are obvious and you have never been any good at all at hiding them. Go on...go find him...settle this once and for all...for all our sakes!"
Elladan stood before the mirror, combing and braiding his hair neatly. "Alright...I will. Wish me luck!"
Elrohir stood behind his twin and tweaked his brother's tunic, smoothing out a crease affectionately. "You don't need luck, just be yourself," he said and patted him on the back, sending him down the ladder of their talan.
*****
It was not as easy as Elladan had hoped to declare his love for Haldir. His first problem was finding him. No one he asked had any idea where the elusive marchwarden was, it appeared that he had disappeared the moment the twins had entered the Golden wood.
Elladan found Rumil, Haldir's youngest brother, alone in the home they shared with their third brother Orophin. "So...er...Haldir is...?"
Rumil frowned. "Haldir is what?"
"Er...Haldir is on duty? On patrol? A long way from here...or...nearby?"
Realisation dawned on the younger elf's face and he grinned. "Oh! Yes, he's not far...I think. The last time I saw him, he was heading to the local village. He said something about how he wanted to 'drown his sorrows'. Poor Haldir, something has got him terribly wound up. Funny, it sort of coincided with your arrival," he said, with an innocent expression.
Elladan sat down heavily on the couch and sighed. "Is he avoiding me? Please be honest...is my finding him a waste of time?"
Rumil sat beside his anxious friend. "Yes, he is avoiding you, but not for the reasons you think. My brother is...well, he has always been the one in charge, in control. He raised Orophin and myself after our parents departed. He has always been self sufficient, the reliable, safe elf. He is afraid that if he lets anyone close to him, that he will lose that...that he might lose us. The daft elf. You have a hard task ahead of you I am afraid," the young elf said sympathetically and patted Elladan's hand.
"But do I stand a chance with him?"
"I would say so, yes...though 'Phin and myself can't imagine why anyone would want to!" he giggled. "But then, we are his brothers and as such will never see the attraction!"
Elladan smiled sheepishly and nodded. "Yes, no doubt Ro would say the same about me." He looked thoughtful for a moment and then seemed to make up his mind. "The local village you say?"
Rumil nodded. "Yes, specifically 'The White Lady'."
Elladan raised an eyebrow and Rumil looked a little uncomfortable. "It's an inn...and your grandmother knows of it, she just...ignores it. The locals...they respect her, that's why they called the inn..."
"...Don't worry Rumil, it's fine, I know of it...we all do. Grandmother is quite flattered actually," Elladan said with a chuckle. "I will take my leave, thank you for your help...wish me luck!"
"Oh I do...Orophin and I both do, believe me when I say that we both want Haldir to be happy."
Elladan bid Rumil farewell and hurried through the wood to the village. His arrival was barely noticed for the locals were well used to elves dropping in and making use of the tavern. It was more unusual for one to book a room, but even that was not unheard of if such visitors were on their way to and from Lothlorien.
Elladan made straight for 'The White Lady'. Haldir was nowhere in sight and he suspected that the marchwarden was waiting till nightfall to slip into the village, the gossip in Lothlorien being as virulent as that of Imladris. The elf secured a room and sat down in a corner to wait and watch for his quarry.
As expected, as soon as safe darkness descended the inn door open and in walked Haldir. Elladan's heart leapt to see the fair marchwarden, one glance at his face and the young peredhel knew that he was lost.
"A tankard of your best ale please," demanded the marchwarden and was duly given the first of many that evening.
Elladan was content to watch, hoping for some clue as to the reason that Haldir needed to drown his sorrows and when the elf began to tell the innkeeper his troubles, he stepped forward and offered his room.
*****
Elladan woke early the next morning and immediately ordered a large breakfast for two to be brought to his room and when it was delivered he shook Haldir awake. "Come on, time to get up and face the day," he said cheerily.
Haldir groaned and buried his head under the pillow. "G'way...my head hurts."
"It's called a hangover, and breakfast will help."
The marchwarden lay there for a moment trying to remember what happened the night before, and who was speaking to him. Elladan's voice finally filtered through his headache and he sat up in alarm, staring at the rumpled sheets. "Oh Elbereth! Elladan! Was I?...D..did we?...Surely we didn't?" he groaned.
Elladan looked wistful and shook his head. "No, your virtue is safe...as was mine," he added in a whisper.
Haldir took one look at the spread of food on the table and dashed to the washbasin on the dresser.
"Feel better?"
Haldir's answer was a moan. Elladan poured the marchwarden a glass of fresh juice and buttered him some toast. "You will feel better when you have eaten, trust me."
The two elves sat in silence while Haldir nibbled at his breakfast. It was true, once he had forced himself to eat and drink a little he did start to feel better, but as his headache lessened Haldir was faced with the embarrassment of dealing with Elladan.
The twin fidgeted nervously, what had seemed like a good idea at the time, now seemed foolish.
"I...er..."
"I'm...um..."
"Sorry, you speak first..."
"No...no it's fine...after you...."
Haldir stared at a point over Elladan's shoulder while the twin fiddled with the hem of his tunic, then he coughed. "I...I just wanted to thank you for sharing your room...and to apologise for my...er...condition last night. I was...a little tired."
Elladan smiled shyly. "It's no problem at all, I wanted...I mean, I could see you were in no state to...that is, it might have been difficult getting back...to your talan."
"Yes...my talan...that was it, of course."
"Well...shall I call for a tub of hot water? W...would you like to bathe?" Elladan suggested, trying not to sound too hopeful.
Haldir nodded without enthusiasm. "If you wish. I will just..." He gestured to a curtained-off corner of the chamber.
Elladan blushed and nodded. "Of course...I'll leave you for a moment...I'll go and see the innkeeper..."
*****
Some twenty minutes later one of the chambermaids had filled the large bathtub with hot water and laid out several fluffy towels and soaps ready for the two elves. She curtsied with a knowing smile (and, Elladan was certain, a wink) and left before the twin was able to explain that 'it wasn't what it seemed'.
But what was it then, if it wasn't 'like that'? Elladan sighed with frustration and sat on the bed. This was a stupid, foolish idea. He would let Haldir bathe, go back to Lothlorien, and forget all about the...
Haldir emerged from the small alcove clad in nothing but a narrow towel about his waist. Elladan swallowed and tried not to stare, but really...how was he supposed not to when the marchwarden looked so...so...lickable.
Haldir seemed oblivious to Elladan's interest, more mildly embarrassed at his behaviour the night before and struggling to regain some measure of control. It was hopeless...pointless. But then Elladan remembered his conversation with Rumil. 'He has always been self sufficient, the reliable, safe elf. He is afraid that if he lets anyone close to him, that he will lose that...that he might lose us...'
If Rumil was correct, then maybe the marchwarden was worth pursuing?
Throughout Elladan's mental debate Haldir had dropped the towel on the nearby chair, stretched most enticingly and stepped into the tub. The perfect vision of soft golden skin covering taught, smooth muscles made up Elladan's mind. He was worth it, but it was not going to be easy.
"Haldir?"
"Mmmm?" responded the fair elf, lying back with his eyes closed.
"Shall I..er...wash your hair for you?"
Haldir opened his eyes and stared at Elladan suspiciously. "Why?"
Elladan shrugged. "I do it for my brother sometimes...that's all."
Haldir nodded and handed Elladan the soap, trying to ignore the feeling of disappointment that his friend meant nothing more.
"Lean forward." Elladan took a jug of water and poured it over Haldir's head, fingering the long, blonde tresses and teasing out the tangles. Then he worked some of the soap into a lather and began to gently massage Haldir's scalp.
Haldir bit back a little moan of pleasure and glanced up at the dark elf leaning over him. Elladan had removed his own tunic so as not to get it wet and his lightly tanned chest was just there...just in front of him...just reachable if he...leaned forward...a teeny....
"Ow! Oh bloody hell! Soap...stings!" yelped Haldir, his hand coming up to rub his eyes.
"I am so, so sorry Haldir...really I am!" said Elladan, mortified at hurting his friend. "No, don't rub them, it will make it worse," he said, grabbing hold of Haldir's wrists firmly. Haldir wriggled and fought trying to escape Elladan's grasp, his eyes watering, but his tears washed away the soap and suddenly he found himself staring up into the peredhel's soft, concerned gaze. "I...er...you can release me now..." he whispered.
Elladan took a deep breath to steady his nerves and tightened his grip. "No...I don't think I will."
Haldir's heart pounded in his chest and his hope and desire grew so fast that it left him breathless. "Er...why not?" he said, nervously.
"Because...I have you where I want you," replied Elladan with a gentle smile, and without releasing Haldir's wrists he stepped into the bath still wearing his leggings and sat in the shocked marchwarden's lap.
"Elladan!" squeaked Haldir. "What are you doing?!"
"Isn't it obvious?" murmured the dark elf as he leant forward and nuzzled Haldir's neck.
"But...but your trousers...and...oh..."
Elladan had found the marchwarden's weakness and was licking gently behind his ear. "Oh, these old things...yes we'd better get them off, hadn't we?" He released Haldir's arms and quickly unlaced his leggings, slipping them over his hips. They were not as easy to remove while wet and Elladan stood, leaning over Haldir and bracing himself on the sides of the tub. "Help me Hal."
Haldir swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry and reached out to run his fingers over Elladan's smooth skin as he eased the wet fabric down his companion's lean thighs.
Once free of the constraints of damp wool and leather, Elladan sighed and lowered himself back into the marchwarden's lap.
"W...what shall I do with these?"
Elladan snatched the trousers from Haldir's hands and threw them across the chamber, where they landed with a wet slapping sound on the floor. "Don't care," he muttered, leaning forward once again to capture Haldir's lips with his own.
Haldir shivered at the sensation of having a lapful of slippery, wet, hot peredhel and moaned into Elladan's greedy mouth. His hands came up and hovered around Elladan's back and shoulders, almost afraid to touch him in case he disappeared. "I'm not going anywhere Hal, I've wanted you for ages," murmured his lover, and then began to bite and lick along Haldir's neck.
"What, can you read my mind?!" exclaimed Haldir in alarm.
"Don't need to...but yes...sort of...it's a peredhel thing...and I know what you want me to do next," Elladan chuckled, and slipped one hand beneath the water.
"Oh gods!"
Elladan smiled and began to stroke Haldir's length with a sure and steady rhythm.
Haldir moaned and grabbed hold of Elladan's broad shoulders, pulling him hard against his chest. The feeling of all that satiny skin in his arms after such longing was almost too much for the marchwarden and he whimpered and shook his head. "No...no Ell, stop...please, or it will be over too soon! I want...I..."
"What do you want my darling, eh?"
"I...oh gods I want you Ell...I want to be inside you!" begged Haldir, shamelessly.
Elladan grinned and raised himself once more from Haldir's lap. "Take me then, I am yours Hal," he said huskily, bracing his arms on the side of the tub.
Haldir's eyes darkened with lust at Elladan's eagerness and he reached forward to stroke the inside of his lover's thighs, relishing the shudder that swept through Elladan's body. He fixed his gaze on the dark beauty as his fingers crept between and behind, seeking the entrance to Elladan's body.
"Oh Hal..." sighed Elladan, throwing his head back and rocking against Haldir's touch. The enchanting sight of Elladan's neck arched before him was too much to resist and Haldir bit into it gently as he pushed first one then two fingers into his new lover. Elladan was so needy, so wanting, that he accepted the sweet invasion greedily and pushed down onto Haldir's lap.
"Please...Hal, don't wait," he gasped.
Haldir nodded and positioned his hard shaft against Elladan's entrance and thrust in smoothly and steadily to the hilt. "Ell! You feel....oh gods! "
"W...what? What do I f...feel like?" panted Elladan as he began to ease himself up and down slowly.
"Tight...hot...wonderful!"
"I've not...I've never...never...." Elladan blushed.
"Never what? Ell, surely I'm not...? Elbereth, why didn't you say?" said Haldir, gripping Elladan's hips tight and stopping his movements suddenly.
"I w..wanted you to be the first...inside me. I'm not a virgin!" Elladan added hastily. "I've just never...not this way."
"Oh Ell....Ell, I love you," cried the marchwarden, overcome with joy at Elladan's confession as he began to move once more. Elladan bent to kiss his lover and whispered softly in his ear. "I love you too, my dear Haldir...now, move faster...please!"
Their movements grew more urgent, more vigorous and with each surge and thrust towards each other, more and more water spilled over the sides of the tub and on to the floor until the rugs were almost floating in suds. Elladan and Haldir were oblivious however, caught up in a spiralling ecstasy of passionate, heated kisses and declarations of love and devotion. Elladan gripped Haldir's shoulders, anchoring himself to the marchwarden, and Haldir stroked and caressed Elladan's chest, back, hips and thighs, his fingers constantly moving, never still for a moment.
Elladan broke away from Haldir and cried aloud. "Hal...Hal! Sweet Elbereth! I'm...I'm...."
Haldir bucked his hips hard into his lover once, twice and moaned his name. "Ell, come with me!"
Elladan howled as he spilled his seed over his lover's chest and the beautiful sight of Elladan lost in his passion brought Haldir to his own exquisite climax.
Elladan collapsed, spent and exhausted against Haldir's heaving chest, and the marchwarden wrapped his arms possessively about the dark elf. "You realise you are mine now? I'm never letting you go," he whispered softly in Elladan's ear. Elladan smiled sleepily. "Don't want you to."
The pair of sated lovers remained clinging to each other in the tub until the water grew too cold for comfort, then they both got out and dried each other with the soft towels. Haldir stared in dismay at the soaked carpets. "Gods what a mess! What are we going to do, the landlord will be furious?"
Elladan grinned and leant out of the window. "It's easy, we can leave this way and climb down the rainwater pipe just there," he said, dressing hastily and throwing Haldir his clothes.
"But the innkeeper...he'll know who booked the room...he'll find us!"
Elladan chuckled. "No, he'll find Elrohir. And since I charged the room to grandmother...."
"You didn't!...You did?"
"One of the many advantages of being an identical twin! Come on, the faster we can get back to your talan, the faster we can...."
"...I'm right with you Ell!" Haldir laughed. Life had suddenly stopped being boring.
The End.