Title: Blindsided

Number Author: Fianna

Rating: R

Disclaimer: Tolkien owns the elves of Lothlorien and I write only for the pleasure of their company.

Cast: Haldir, Orophin, Rumil and my own characters

Timeline: Sometime in the second age

First of all I want to say thank you, very much, to the readers both old who follow me, and those who have only just recently found my stories. I am not very good at replying to all your reviews, but they are read immediately, looked for daily and are one of the best motivating aspects of writing. I love good stories, and I have many that tumble inside my head, clamoring for a pen and paper (or as the case anymore, a computer keyboard). I have a muse who is prolific in detailing ideas in my thoughts, very visual ones that I strive to put to words.

The challenge I have given myself now is to write two stories at once. Why? I cannot really say other than I had two distinct images (story ideas) that came to me and I couldn't decide which to write, so... I am doing both. I can only hope to keep them as separate and distinct story lines while both having the same snarky elf to lead them. Haldir only rolls his eyes at yet another set of troublesome adventures.

So read on, my friends. I think most will like this chapter, if not written in detail enough. I can only say what's in my mind may not be what you like best in yours. So I leave some things to your imagination.

Happy reading, and thank you, once again.

Fianna

...oOo...

Chapter 9

Haldir stepped into the small building, closing the door behind him with a smile. Orophin had sent him there, a mischievous twinkle in his brother's eyes alerting Haldir to some kind of mischief. Nothing untoward from brothers well known for their teasing, but something appreciated all the more. A narrow tub sat in the middle of the floor, the water still steaming.

How long had it been? He did not like to remember the last time he'd had a full bath and scratched his chin at the thought. Too long. He would not be the only one wishing for such a luxury. How Orophin had managed it without Haldir knowing was always amazing. However it was done, Haldir would thank him gratefully when he was through.

The water was hot as he slid into the tub, amused that he hardly fit, having to sit with his knees bent, the water barely covering him to the waist. But it was hot and he would be clean. He rested his arms over his knees and leaned forward to breathe deeply of the moist air rising from the water, hair unbound and falling past his cheeks to envelope him in a shadowed darkness. His sigh was cut short as the door opened behind him.

He should have known better.

The small strangled gasp made him smile wryly, hidden behind the fall of his hair.

"Oh, well..."

Idun's voice sounded hoarse, her shock clear, standing still in the doorway.

"The air is cool," Haldir remarked, not moving from where he sat, knowing Orophin had planned things all too well.

She shut the door, remaining inside. Haldir waited for her to speak.

"I ah... Orophin said..." She took a deep breath. "He said you needed help."

"Indeed," Haldir agreed dryly.

He couldn't see her, but could feel her indecision. After their last conversation, and her tears, Idun had not come near him for several days. He'd begun to think she'd changed her mind about him, relieved yet disappointed at the same time.

He'd left her that night wondering if he had been foolish once more. Allowing the woman to touch him, to open his heart once again to one of the mortal races was not logical. Yet he could not have said no, could not complain that his brother had set him up well. He had, and Haldir was intrigued to see what Idun would do.

She did not disappoint him.

Idun coughed and then took a step closer. "What can I do for you, March Warden?"

He pushed the strands of his hair behind his ear to look at her from the corner of his eye. She stood a few feet beside him, just behind his shoulder, hands clenched together against her chest, eyes still wide.

"What would you like to do, Idun?"

She opened her mouth and then shut it, struggling with some inner thought and then she laughed, a low throaty laugh that said much more than any words could have. "I don't know that I could say, Haldir."

He smiled in amusement, caught firmly in Orophin's trap. "Indeed, perhaps not. But let us start simply, meleth. You can start by helping me wash my hair."

She blinked and then looked around. "Of course, yes... um, your hair. Right." She shivered and Haldir resisted the urge to chuckle. She stepped over to the fire where two more buckets sat warming. Lifting one, she turned around, holding it to her chest. For all her previous boldness, Idun was clearly unsettled. He watched her, a brow lifted, waiting for her to move.

She did not and instead stood rooted next to the fire.

"Are you a tree that you cannot move?" He smiled in amusement. "I will not bite, Idun."

She smiled suddenly, her cheeks flushing a rosy pink. "I did not think you would. I just, erm... I was not expecting to have to help you in this way."

"You have not done so to anyone before?"

"Well, no actually, I have not." She seemed to shake herself and then with a sudden determination, walked toward him, her eyes averted as she stopped beside him. "This might be hot."

He shrugged, leaning over his knees. The water when it hit him was warm, drenching him in slow waterfall as she tipped the bucket over his head. He could not help but sigh with pleasure and earned a faint giggle from Idun.

"Um, soap?" She fidgeted beside him as he searched for the bar in the water and then handed it to her.

Her hands were trembling as she gathered his hair. He remained still, enjoying her touch, the feel of her fingers in his hair. She took her time, relaxing as she worked, and for a long moment Haldir almost forgot her nervousness, slipping into a state of relaxation he hadn't felt in a very long time.

The water sluicing over his head brought him back, shivering slightly at the warmth. The water around him shimmered with the remains of the soap from his hair. It provided him with some modesty as she stepped around the tub to face him. He looked at her curiously.

She was still flushed, her color high in her cheeks, eyes bright. She held the soap between her hands. He knew he could draw this out further, and debated as to how far she'd go. He sat back and lifted a foot out of the water.

She looked at his foot and then at him. "You mean to do this, don't you."

"You offered to help," he said mildly.

"Indeed, I did," she agreed. She crossed to the foot of the tub and then after a moment's hesitation, leaned forward with the soap in her hand. "But I am sure you can handle washing yourself quite well. Orophin has made his point, as have you."

Haldir reached for the soap, but instead of taking it, he caught her wrist, holding her fast. "And my point, Idun?"

She had gasped, jerking back, but he held her firmly. "Your point, March Warden?" She kept her eyes on his face, lips suddenly tight. "To embarrass me, perhaps?"

"I do no such thing, Idun."

She snorted faintly, fingers curled into a fist as she resisted his hold. "Then what, Haldir?"

He smiled at her. "I simply gave you the opportunity that you wished for. I am here, at your mercy, vulnerable as I can be."

She snorted again in disbelief, and looked pointedly at his fingers on her wrist. A fierce blush then colored her cheeks again and she pulled her gaze up swiftly. "You, my fine elf, are never vulnerable."

He laughed and jerked her toward him. Bent over, unable to keep her balance, Idun fell over him, splashing water over the side of the tub. He caught her around the waist and dragged her closer until she lay across his lap, wedged tightly to his chest.

...oOo...

Idun wanted to close her eyes. No she didn't. She wanted to fling herself from the tub and the elf holding her. No she didn't. She wanted to kiss him, to wrap her arms around his neck and take the offering he had presented. She wanted this very badly, and after a moment of shock, did just that.

His lips were curved in amusement beneath hers, his hands pressed to her back. His touch sent spirals of heat coursing through her, his mouth draining all coherent thought from her mind. Idun moaned and then hearing herself, broke the kiss and leaned back, drawing in a deep shaking breath.

"You should not have done that." She pressed her hands to his chest, impressed by the muscles that flinched slightly at her touch, concerned by the faint scars that reminded her he had been injured only too recently.

"Done what, Idun?" Haldir's eyes were twinkling, silver gray slanted eyes beneath arching dark brows. The wet hair only emphasized his heritage, clinging to the angles of his cheeks, wrapped behind one pointed ear. What was she doing with such a one as he, an elf, so much older than she that she could hardly envision it. He had loved Nina, she knew this, and Nina was now old and gray. How long had he lived before that? And here, she sat on his lap in his bath, had boldly kissed him which lead to what?

What exactly did she want, and expect?

Idun sighed. "You should not encourage me, Haldir."

He chuckled, the laughter felt beneath her fingertips. His skin was smooth, his chest bare of any hair, only well muscled, shoulders broad enough he barely fit into the tub. Knees braced her back, while the water dripped from the edge of the tub, near to overflowing with any movement.

"Why not. Is it not what you want?"

She really didn't know what she wanted. Well, she did, but had not thought past the idea that she wanted him. It had been a game, to see if he would react, to garner perhaps a kiss. But did she want more? What could he offer her more than that?

She pulled her gaze from his, staring at her hands. "I thought I did."

He pulled a few strands of her hair from her cheek, his fingers gentle against her skin. "And now, meleth nin?"

"I don't know?" she whispered. It was a question she couldn't answer, did not expect him to answer.

He sighed. "You place me in a dire situation, Idun."

She glanced up at him beneath her lashes. "I'm sorry."

His lips twitched faintly, his gaze stern as he studied her. "You sit on my lap in my bath and are now having second thoughts. Have I displeased you in some way?"

Idun nearly moaned. "Oh no, Haldir. It is not that."

He gave her a wry smile. "No, then what is it? This would not seem to be the time to become introspective."

She had to agree and found a laugh rising inside her chest. She smothered it, her fingers against her lips. He lifted a brow as she looked at him. Take what you want, the thought fluttered insistently inside her head. He was offering himself to you.

"Haldir, I..." Idun lifted a hand to his brow, brushing aside the wet strands of his hair. "I am simply overwhelmed."

His laughter gave her goosebumps. His hands gave her no choice as he brought her closer, and then he kissed her, again, and once more all thoughts flew from Idun's mind. She was startled when he rose suddenly, lifting her into his arms to stand dripping in the tub. "So, fair Idun. I have you in my arms, you are overwhelmed, where shall we go from here?"

She had wrapped her arms around his neck when he'd stood, her breasts tight against his chest, her skin heated to a scalding temperature at his touch. "I...I guess it's my decision?"

He looked at her and nodded.

She closed her eyes with a deep sigh. "Then I suppose you should put me down."

He did, dropping the arm holding her knees so that she stood with him in the tub, face to face. His hands gripped her hips and she felt his desire, felt the impatience rising inside him at her indecision. "You play games, Idun. You are a child no more. Take what you want, while it is offered."

She opened her eyes. "All right then, I accept your offer."

Haldir let out a breath of surprise? Perhaps, but it was only a moment and then his hand slid behind her neck, the other pressed her closer, splayed against her back. His lips, firm yet insistent, gave her no other choice.

...oOo...

Idun woke to sunlight shining brightly through the wooden slats of the window shutter. She blinked, her mind foggy with sleep and then was aware of the weight of someone's arm lying across her ribs. She held her breath as memory returned, along with a flush of both pleasure and something else, something that made her heart flutter uneasily.

He was still there, asleep beside her, lying on his stomach, his arm flung over her almost possessively. She could see one eye, nearly hidden by a long strand of blond hair, lashes long against his cheek. His lips curved faintly, as if amused by something, his breathing slow and steady.

She was naked, as was he, with the blankets twisted between them, covering him decently enough while she was bare from the waist up. Only his arm offered her any modesty and thinking of what he had seen and touched only increased the warmth that spread from her toes to her hair.

What had she done?

Idun closed her eyes, taking in a shallow breath as not to dislodge the arm lying over her chest.

She let it out in a shaky exhale that earned her a faint snort from Haldir.

"Awake, Idun?" He did not move, only opened the one eye slightly, allowing a hint of grey to catch the morning sunlight.

"Ah, yes." She didn't know what more to say. What did one tell an elf after sleeping with him, after what had transpired between them? Indeed, what was she to do now?

"I find that the race of men think far too much in my opinion." Haldir shifted slightly, his arm drawing tighter over her chest. He lifted his head and looked at her, his hair tangled from sleep, eyes still narrowed against the sunlight.

She turned to look at him, trying her best to remain calm and uncaring that she was still abed with such an elf. "What do you mean by that?"

He shifted again, turning on his side to lean on one hand, taking most of the blanket with him. That left Idun covered by a narrow swath over her hips and one leg. Haldir's hand rested on one breast. She could not breath.

He leaned closer, amusement coloring his voice, the sound husky with laughter. "You lie here thinking of all the wrong reasons of why you are with me, and why you should not, and what I must think of you. You fear the light and the fact that I can see you very well."

She knew he had seen her very well last night too.

She looked away, knowing by the heat in her face she was blushing fiercely. "We should be up. It is very late."

"Do you have duties to attend to, Idun?"

She had nothing really, her place in the new village not yet determined. "Well no..."

"Then there is no reason to rise," Haldir decided. His thumb moved and she held her breath again.

"It is simply wrong to be abed this late," Idun insisted. She nearly moaned when he shifted closer.

"Why? You have such odd rules. I cannot understand the reasons why you behave as you do."

She covered his hand, holding him against her breast, halting his movement. It took a moment to gather her thoughts, distracted as they had been by his touch. "There must be rules, Haldir. Our lives would be chaotic without them."

"So, in your world, if one admires and desires another, it is wrong to take the action such as we did last night."

Idun sighed. "For men, perhaps not. But for women, Haldir." Had she cared last night? She had not, nor did she now.

"It is a silly rule," Haldir murmured, drawing closer so that he leaned over her. His eyes held hers. "Do you regret what we have done?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Of course not."

"Yet you do not wish to lie abed with me now?"

She blushed again, unable to control the heat rushing into her face. "It's not that I don't want to..." He was teasing her, she realized it suddenly, his lips curved faintly, eyes twinking much like Orophin's had last night. Idun pressed her hands against his chest, nearly lost at the feel of his skin beneath her palms. "I simply am concerned someone will wonder where we are and um... perhaps come looking."

He lifted a brow. "They will not enter here."

She didn't have to ask to know someone had waited outside. She sighed. "So of course Orophin knows. And I suppose Rumil."

"They always know most everything," Haldir agreed. He kissed her forehead and then rolled away to sit on the edge of the bed. The sunlight danced off his hair, and she was surprised at how far down his back it fell. He turned his head to look at her, brushing the locks from his face. "Perhaps you are right, Idun. I worry only that you regret your decision."

She didn't know what would happen. What could happen? They were separate, he had a life and duty to his people, his home. She could not compete with that. She sat up, drawing the blanket to her chest. "No, I am quite happy with what has happened Haldir. Although I will say you've ruined me." She sighed and gave him a wry smile.

He turned slightly to look at her, brow lifted. "Again this odd rule. What does this mean for you?"

She waved him to silence. "That's not what I meant, Haldir. I care not what others will think. Well, perhaps I do somewhat, it is an ingrained idea that is hard to overcome. But I meant more that any others will always be compared to you."

He rose to his feet and crossed the room to where his clothes lay on a chair. She admired the view of his backside, envious of the ease in which he moved, the lack of modesty that had him turning after sliding on his leggings, tying them as he looked through the strands of his hair at her. The smile he held now was simply arrogant. "Indeed," he agreed, then paused when someone knocked on the door.

Idun moaned and shrank beneath the blankets, her face on fire.

...oOo...

Haldir grinned as he crossed the room to open the door. Orophin stood outside, arms folded over his chest, smiling unabashedly at Haldir. "Mae Govannen, brother."

Haldir gripped the door, holding it so that Idun was behind it. "I will deal with you later."

Orophin's smile did not falter. "I expect no less. Rumil brings food, from Nina."

Idun gave another moan of what he knew to be exasperation. He chuckled in amusement. "I will see that Idun is dressed appropriately."

Orophin nodded and touched his brow. "Five minutes, perhaps."

Haldir shut the door. Idun had slid from the bed, dragging the blanket behind her, wrapped to her shoulders within its length. He leaned against the door and folded his arms across his chest to watch. She crossed the room, growling as the folds of the blanket caught on this item or that, and then finally, with a sigh of defeat, dropped it next to the fire.

"After watching you bathe in the stream, I would not have expected you to be so modest, Idun."

She glared at him over her shoulder, fumbling with her tunic. "I seem to have bouts of bravado that I cannot explain."

He admired the lean lines of her legs, narrow hips and the indent of her back at the waist. He had kissed her there, the memory pleasant in his mind. She pulled on her tunic and then leggings much as he wore. Turning she stared at him, hands on her hips.

"So are you going to walk around like that?"

He smiled, enjoying himself far more than he would have thought. "Perhaps, does this bother you?"

It must have for the scowl that crossed her face.

He pushed away from the door and moved toward her. Her eyes followed him, focused on his chest until he stood facing her. Only then did she look up, her lower lip caught between her teeth. "Why would you care?"

"Maybe I just don't like to share, March Warden."

"Have I shown interest to any other, Idun?"

She reached out to touch him, her fingers brushing against his chest. "No, you have not."

"Then this care is not worthy of you."

Idun sighed. "Shall I see you no more, Haldir?"

He cupped her chin and bent closer. "I do not leave as yet, meleth." Her lips when he brushed them trembled slightly. He resisted the urge to pick her up, to take her back to the bed and do more of what he had last eve. His brothers had other ideas as the door opened behind him.

Haldir sighed.

…oOo...