Note: None of these characters are mine! Legolas' POV. If there is going to be A/L in this fic, it will not be for many chapters. Right now, Aragorn and Legolas would rather kill each other… I'm using Elvish again, in ' ' and the translation is in ( ). Takes place around the same times as the last chapter. Lemon and language warning! And the song in this fic is not mine!

Love Is All

Part 2

I lay beside Haldir, in the small, abandoned hut that we'd found, as we'd struggled through the blinding snow. Neither of us wore any clothes, and a sheet was draped over the two of us. I could clearly see my own ribs, as well as my lover's. I didn't even know what we were going to do for food this time. The snow was too deep to bury into it to find anything to eat, and all we had left was a tiny bit of bread.

We were both thin now, because of our lack of regular food. It would not kill us, however, for we were Elves. The howling wind outside made me uneasy, as the blizzard continued. I shivered slightly, and warm arms encircled me, pulling me against my lover's chest, as I turned over to face him.

'Amin dele ten' lle,  a'maelamin,' Haldir whispered quietly, as he held me close. (I am worried about you, my beloved.) A sad look was on his face, with a trace of seriousness there as well.

I smiled gently and questioned, 'Mankoi, melamin? Mani rashwe lle?' (Why, my love? What trouble you?)

A soft kiss; a sweet, gentle kiss that took my breath away came first. I responded eagerly, bringing one hand up to Haldir's face, before I traced his handsome features.

My lover murmured, 'Amin caela n'noa, Legolas.' (I have no idea, Legolas)

I frowned slightly, before Haldir suddenly pinned me to the bed, and nibbled on my neck. He was trying to distract me, I realized, but I didn't care right now. I sighed in pleasure, as his skillful mouth did wonderful things to the nape of my neck. But I could not keep from gasping when one of his hands slid down to my thighs.

Haldir smirked a little. 'Ve' sina?' (Like this?) That was his only fault. He was slightly… arrogant. But it had mellowed somewhat, even as the two of us had become closer over the last few years.

I smirked back, before I lashed out with my feet and straddled him. I went to work, teasing him mercilessly with my hands, until Haldir was the one begging and gasping. Then his hands slid up my body and grabbed my wrists.

I moaned, as I was suddenly rolled underneath him again. My blue eyes issued a challenge to him, while he straddled and kissed me passionately, dazing me slightly with his sweet, firm lips.

Haldir was a skilled lover, though a bit rough at times in foreplay. I winced a little as he brought my hands over my head, after catching them. His eyes, which were the color of steel, looked at me when I winced, silently asking if he was hurting me.

He hadn't learned yet that I liked it rough. I smiled in triumph, and kissed him hard. Haldir smiled back, and released my arms, before tormenting me with his hands.

When I could stand it no longer, I whispered, 'Sii'…' (Now)

Haldir laughed quietly, and merely continued his exquisite torture on me, until my release finally came. I arched towards him, as he caught it in his left hand and slyly smiled at me.

I was going to pay him back for that, I thought, as a firm hand turned me over. My lover began preparing me, teasing me with his fingers, before coating himself and beginning.

A muffled cry of pain came from my lips and I instinctively arched towards him as he entered me slowly. There was a fine line of pain and pleasure, and I was close to crossing it. We came together, gasping, and lay in each other's arms.

Sweat was on my face and body now, making my blond hair stick to it, as I gently kissed Haldir. My lover held me close, before drifting into sleep. I lay there once more, thinking on things that had happened years ago.

Why did I still think of Strider? After everything he'd done to me, I refused to call him by his real name, or the fake one that he was given by Galadriel.

That…bastard, for lack of a good Elvish word to describe him.

Until the very moment the sword had lowered, I had not believed he would kill me. I had vowed to him long ago that no harm to him would come to me, and Strider had vowed the same. Yet he had been prepared to kill me. I could never have murdered Arwen; I had told him that.

I was in 'Lorien that night with Haldir… and nowhere near Gondor. We'd spent a beautiful night together, before I had been obliged to return to Gondor.

I hadn't even known that Arwen was dead until Strider told me so. Killed by my bow and arrows, which I had foolishly left behind in my eagerness to see my lover.

I would never have believed that something like this could happen. My pride had kept me from telling Strider the truth of where I was, and the knowledge that whoever had killed Arwen would probably kill him too also kept me from speaking. If the truth came out, my unknown enemy might strike against the King of Gondor.

No matter that he had tried to murder me for a crime I never committed, I did not want him hurt. In spite of what we'd once meant to each other, I did not think of Strider as a friend any longer. Friends should known when one is telling the truth.

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So much to believe in - we were lost in time
Everything I needed
I feel into your eyes
Always thought of keepin -
Your heart next to mine
But now that seems so far away
Don't know how love could leave without a trace
Where do silent hearts go?

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I'd be lying if I said that I did not regret sometimes that our relationship had ended. But our love was wild and untamed in those days. Passion and desire overruled everything, including the knowledge that Strider would one day belong to Arwen.

My love for Haldir was sweet and pure, and enjoyable. I had lost the hunger for Strider within the older Elf's arms. He had consoled me when Arwen and Strider had wed, and our relationship had bloomed from there.

Love and spoken vows meant everything to me, and Strider had broken his.

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Where does my heart beat now
Where is the sound
That only echoes through the night
Where does my heart beat now
I can't live without
Without feeling it inside
Where do all the lonely hearts go

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

I caressed the face of my current lover gently, enjoying the feel of his smooth, perfect skin.

That night in 'Lorien was the first time we'd made love, and it had been incredible. We'd reluctantly parted and went our separate ways.

I'd returned to Gondor and had been swiftly thrown in prison for murder. Strider had coldly told me that my punishment would be death if I did not confess.

I could not confess to a murder of which I was innocent. Only Gandalf and my father had believed me without my saying where I was that night. I still wondered how my father had known to tell Haldir. Bless Elbereth that my father had done so. My lover had instantly come to my rescue.

I occasionally had nightmares, dreams in which Strider had actually managed to kill me. Haldir was there to comfort me in the night, and during the day, he knew not to mention them.

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Candle in the water - drifting helplessly
Hiding from the thunder -
Come and rescue me
Driven by hunger -
Of the endless dream
I'm searching for the hand that I can hold
I'm reaching for the arms that let me know
Where do silent hearts go?

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I kept myself together, so I did not worry Haldir. I did not mention how I alternately hated and loved Strider. He had been my first serious relationship, which had lasted throughout the Quest. Then it was over, in the blink of an eye.

I search for answers, which I cannot find. And I know that Strider is too. Haldir has questions as well, and stands by me always.

He is my strength; my determination to find out who did this.

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I know that out there somewhere
He waits for me
Someone who's searching just like me
Then one touch overcomes the silence
Love still survives
Two hearts needing one another
Give me wings to fly
I hear my heartbeat now
I hear the sound
Hear it echo through the night

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

When I need a gentle hand, or a loving smile, Haldir's there. It's amazing how similar his personality is with Aragorn's. They are both rough and stubborn, which I am, as well. Yet they care deeply about their loved ones, and are willing to sacrifice everything to keep them safe. An admirable trait, but I do wish that Haldir would see me as an adult now.

I lost my innocence when Strider came within an inch of killing me. He would have done so, if Haldir had not shown up.

I blessed Elbereth that I had Haldir.

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

I feel my heart beat now
Now that I've found
The feeling lives inside
I've got someone to give my heart to
Feel it getting stronger and stronger and stronger
Hearts are made to last
Till the end of time

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

I gently kissed Haldir on the forehead, and then on the lips. He'd given so much up for me, forsaking family and friends to be with me. Twas a rare gift, which I had not expected. I could not have survived on my own. Being alone is too much for anyone, even an Elf.

The two of us together were far more capable and far more determined to hunt down the fiend who'd murdered Arwen and framed me.

'Amin mela lle. Amin harmuva onalle e' cormamin ten'oio,' I tenderly whispered.

(I love you. I shall treasure your gift in my heart forever.)

To be continued