Fate
By Ladybug


Disclaimer:  I own no one, but Anya and Cantehoon is a village of my own making.  All other characters belong to Tolkien, thank God, for he didn't see the need to kill off Haldir.  ;-)


Okay, this chapter is where the story earns its "R" rating.  Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!  ;-)


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Chapter 6


"Dear God." The words whispered past her lips as she viewed his naked body with a clinical eye.  There didn't seem to be a place on his torso that was not bruised.  …and he had been wearing protective armor, she thought to herself.

Even through the bruises and cuts and the terrible wound to his stomach and back, Anya could not completely close from her mind the female response to his maleness.  He was perfection - hard muscles, broad shoulders, flat stomach.  Her eyes took him all in, her cheeks flushing hotly when her eyes moved over his flaccid manhood.  Even so, he was magnificent.

Moving forward, she covered the lower half of his body with a blanket just as Aragorn slipped back into the room.  "How can I help?" He felt guilty for leaving Haldir amongst the dead and wanted to do whatever he could to help now.

"We must clean and stitch the wounds to his stomach and back.  I will need your help turning him onto his side and holding him steady as I stitch his back wound."

Aragorn nodded, standing ready for when she needed him.  Anya moved over to where her canvas bag sat and rifled through it, bringing out a bar of soap that was made from a special recipe her mother had given her.  Walking to where a bowel of water sat, she washed her hands thoroughly with it.  "You will need to wash your hands with this soap.  Get them as clean as you can.  Also, I will need clean towels and lots of fresh water along with more bandages."

Aragorn moved immediately to the door and opened it, sticking his head out and whispering something softly to someone just outside.  Closing the door, he then crossed the room to where the bowel of water was and picked up the soap and began washing his hands.  "The towels, fresh water and bandages will be brought momentarily," he told her.

Anya nodded as she bent over the stomach wound and began washing around the torn flesh, removing dirt and blood.  When the wound was completely clean, she picked up needle and thread and began stitching the ragged edged back together.

~*~*~

Many hours later, Anya slumped, exhausted, into a nearby chair.  She had gotten both wounds stitched up and bandaged and still Haldir lived.  She didn't know how; he had lost so much blood and the wound to his back should have been fatal.

But still, he clung to life, telling her of his great strength and plain stubbornness.  The thought of that stubbornness made her smile.  She imagined it was what made him such a good leader.  Though they actually knew so little of each other, she knew he had to hold some high position within the ranks of the elfin army and she suspected that he was highly respected as well.

"You must get some rest, Anya."

She straightened up upon hearing Aragorn's voice and shook her head.  "I cannot leave him alone, he is still in danger."

"And you will do him no good if you collapse from exhaustion.  You must rest," he continued to push her.  "There is room on the bed beside him, it will do him good to have you there."

"But…" her voice faded as she eyed the bed with longing.  She would love nothing more than to curl up next to Haldir.  "I might do more harm than good if I move against him in my sleep."

Aragorn slipped his hand around her arm and gently forced her to stand.  Ignoring her halfhearted protests, he forced her to lie down beside Haldir.  "You will sleep, by order of your king."

Anya flashed him a half teasing smile.  "Yes, your majesty."

Aragorn shook his head in amusement as she gently stretched out next to Haldir.  He covered them both with a blanket.  "You will be left alone, however if you need anything, Toomak is right outside the door."

"Thank you," Anya answered with a yawn.  Toomak was one of the elves that had come with Haldir.  She had met him earlier when he had brought the clean towels and fresh water she had requested.

Her eyes drifted closed and by the time Aragorn had closed the door behind him, she was asleep, her head resting against Haldir's arm, her hand over his heart.

"Istayqaza, nin meleth (Wake up, my love)."

Anya's eyes fluttered open and she gasped softly when she found Haldir pushed up on his elbow hovering over her.  He was smiling down at her, his dark eyes warm and inviting.  She raised her hand to touch his cheek, his long blond hair falling down to brush lightly against her arm.  "I must be dreaming," she murmured, afraid to blink.  Afraid that if she did, he would be gone.

"You are dreaming," he answered then leaned down to nuzzle her neck.

Anya glanced around for the first time and realized they were not at Helms Deep.  A bright blue sky was overhead and she could feel the warmth of the sun.  Cool green grass lay beneath her and trees  surrounded them.  "It's so beautiful.  Where are we?"

Haldir lifted his head, caressing her cheek with his fingers.  "The Uttermost West," he answered.

Realization dawned on her and she tried to push away from him and sit up.  "No!" she denied roughly.  "I won't accept this.  You cannot leave me."

Haldir rolled onto his back and folded his arms back, pillowing his head on them.  "I have not left you, love.  I'm right here."

Anya paused a moment, remembering all that her mother had taught her about the Uttermost West.  "But then why are we here?  I thought this is where the elves come when they die or tire of their immortality."

"It is," he answered, his lips curving slightly into a smile.  "We are here because this is the only place where I can come to you whole and touch you, talk to you."

Her eyes drifted down from his face, down the length of his long muscular body.  He was indeed whole, his injuries gone.  His white blond hair glistened under the bright sunshine, spreading out over his arms, as he lay relaxed on his back.  His long legs were enclosed in a dark charcoal colored material that molded to his muscular thighs.  His shirt,  a soft fawn color, was halfway unbuttoned and untucked from his pants in a haphazard way, giving her glimpses of pale flesh underneath.

"But my mother said that only elves can come here, elves who have died or are ready to die.  How is it that I am here?"

Reaching out one hand to her, he smiled at her.  A smile that dazzled her senses and warmed her heart.  "You are what we call a Half-elfin, born of a full blood elf who carries the Grace given us by Valar.  That Grace is passed down to her child, regardless if that child is full blood or half."  As he spoke, Anya took his hand and allowed him to pull her closer.  "Because of your elfin blood, you are permitted here."

"And the dream?"

He tugged on her hand until she finally sprawled across his chest.  His arms came around her, holding her locked against the hard wall of his chest.  The smile faded slightly from his lips, but his eyes still carried their warmth now tinged with desire.  "I had not planned to be so mortally injured.  I had just found you…" his voice trailed off as he brought one hand up to trace her cheek lovingly with his fingers.  "Valar has given us this time, let us use it wisely."

Anya felt her heart thud against her chest at the cryptic words, but before she could draw breath to speak, his fingers tangled in her hair and drew her face down until her lips met his.  They were warm and soft as they molded to hers.

He was content to keep the pace slow, knowing her inexperience and not wanting to frighten her.  He moved his lips back and forth over hers, getting to know the texture and contours of her sweet mouth.  Her sweet moans fueled the flames of his desire until his blood ran like molten lava through his veins.

Still he kept the pace slow, his hands slowly moving over her back, up into her hair - releasing the tie that held her braid - then working it out with his fingers, letting the silky strands slide over his hands.

As he kissed her, Anya became bolder.  She wanted to please him, wanted to give to him the same pleasure that he was giving to her.  Her hands framed his face, lovingly exploring his features as her tongue came out to tentatively learn the taste and texture of his lips.   Feelings she had never experienced before coursed through her.  Her body did not feel her own.  It was alive and hummed with the pleasure of what his hands were doing.  An unfamiliar aching throb had begun to pulse down between her legs; it caused her to squirm against him, seeking relief.

His hands slid down her back, following the curve of her spine until they moved over her bottom.  His large hands grasped her firmly and shifted her hips until the pulsing ache met the hard line of his arousal.  "I believe this is what you are looking for," he whispered against her lips as he thrust his hips upward, his hands guiding her to rock against him.

Anya gasped loudly as her body shuddered almost violently, her legs falling to either side of his hips to straddle him.  A wild, intoxicating sensation stole her breath as her body instinctively sought his.  "That's it, love," he encouraged her.  "Let your body tell you what to do."

She moved against him, unable to stop, her body instinctively seeking his, somehow knowing that what they were doing would eventually ease the throbbing ache within her. "Haldir, I cannot…" She tensed, her eyes squeezing shut as the force of her first release rocked through her.  She cried out as his mouth captured hers once more, his tongue sliding in to wrap around hers.

He rolled them both over until Anya lay beneath him.  He kept his weight to the side of her, but his body pressed intimately against her soft curves.  He leaned against his elbow, his arm curved around the top of her head.  His other hand lay flat against her belly as he smiled down at her.  "That was only the beginning, nin gur (my heart).  I have so much more to show you."

Anya reached up her hand and touched his cheek.  Then she slid her fingers back into his hair and pulled him down to her.  "Warra enni (show me)," she breathed against his lips eager to experience whatever else he had in mind for them.

Haldir groaned as he slanted his mouth over hers, kissing her deeply.  Her eagerness fueled the flames of his desire, causing his already hardened manhood to swell even bigger.  His hand glided up across her belly to curve over one breast.  Gently his fingers molded around the generous mound, his thumb brushed back and forth over the nipple as it peaked and strained against the material that covered it.

Anya arched her back sharply, pressing her breast more fully into his hand, amazed at how the ache between her legs intensified with each stroke of his thumb against the sensitive nipple.  Her body hummed beneath his ministrations, he seemed to know exactly what to do… how to touch her.

As if they had been made for each other.

Her hands moved up to bury her fingers into his long blond hair.  She loved his hair, so long and silky soft, the way he kept it pulled back away from his face with braids to fall down around his shoulders.  His mouth left hers to trail down the slender column of her throat, his teeth scraping ever so lightly against her soft skin.  She moaned his name as she felt the warmth of the sun on her bared breasts, his fingers having worked the laces at the front of her dress undone without her realizing it.

Lifting his head, he gazed down at the fullness of her breasts, his eyes dark and filled with desire and lust.  "Bain (beautiful)," he whispered as he brought the palm of his hand to lightly graze across each peak. 

The feel of his callused hand brushing against her hardened nipples nearly sent her over the edge.  The strong electrical current that sizzled just beneath the surface of her skin suddenly leapt to life, making her cry out with its intensity.

"Do you know what your sweet cries do to me?"

She opened her eyes to look up into his face.  His eyes were alight with the knowledge of what his touch did to her.  Her pulse stuttered at his possessive look then hammered so loudly she just knew he could hear it.  His question did not require answering, for she saw what her soft cries did to him by the wildness in his eyes, the hardness of his body that pressed so intimately against her.

She felt a slight tremor pass through her and she realized with sudden clarity that it had come from him; he was trembling with his need to possess her.

"Love me, my beautiful golden elf," she whispered. 

Something flashed in his blue eyes then a smile curved his full lips.  "As you wish my sweet woodland sprite."

Anya started to laugh, but her breath caught on a gasp when he lowered his head and closed his mouth over one tantalizingly sweet nipple.  Her body shuddered hard at the strong pull of his warm mouth as he suckled at her breast.  She felt caught in a whirlwind of intense feelings and emotions and was torn between thrusting him away to make it stop and tugging him closer to continue the sweet torture.  She opted for the latter.

Her hands started off clutching his head to her breasts as he teased and taunted her with his tongue and teeth.  Then when they got restless, they wandered down over his broad shoulders and down his back, feeling the ripples of his muscles beneath her fingers.

Wanting to touch his bare skin, she slipped her hands beneath the edges of his shirt and met smooth skin.  She heard a soft growl as her fingers grazed his sides and she would have laughed if he hadn't picked that exact moment to slip his own hand beneath the hem of her dress and glide it up the satiny flesh of her thighs to brush against the crisp curls he found there.

Again, Haldir raised his head to look down at her.  His eyes openly watched her face closely as his finger deftly parted the twin petals that guarded her femininity.  He reveled in the soft whimper of her voice, the gentle thrust of her hips towards his hand.  He took into himself the look of wonder that crossed her lovely features as he slipped his finger into the wet warmth of her body, clenched his teeth at the feel of her sheath clinging to him as he explored the depths of her womanhood.

It was truly intoxicating, better than any wine he'd ever tasted.  Her instant responses to his touch inflamed him, they beat at him, pushed him to take her now.  Only the love that filled his heart for her and the knowledge that she was innocent kept his hand steady, his touch gentle.

Anya's fingers dug into his flesh as the pressure built within her.  It rose up within her just as it had before making her throb, seeking release.  As if he sensed how close she was, Haldir suddenly pulled away.  Anya cried out her denial and tried to draw him back.

His smile was devastating to her senses as he rose up to his knees and pulled his shirt up over his head, tossing it aside.  He reached for the tie of his breeches and began unlacing them.  Catching on quickly, Anya also sat up and pushed her dress from her shoulders, pulling her arms from the sleeves, then lifting her hips to push it down further until she kicked it off with her legs.

When she looked up, her breath froze in her lungs.  He stood over her, his clothing gone.  Her eyes took in every inch of his gloriously perfect body.  He was all hard muscle and pale skin.  A smattering of crisp blond hairs covered his chest.  Her eyes dropped lower to find more crisp hairs just below his belly button that trailed down to blend in with the thick thatch of hairs that surrounded his…

Her eyes grew big at the sight before her.  As a healer for her village, Anya had seen men before.  She had seen men as big as Haldir, but none were as beautiful to her as he was.  His manhood jutted out proudly before her and she couldn't help but reach out and touch him.

Her fingers brushed against the soft tip.  Fascinated by the velvety feel of it, she moved closer, her fingers tracing round and round.  She noticed a small bead of wetness appear from the tiny opening and without thought she leaned in to catch it with the tip of her tongue.

At the sound of his sharp gasp, she jerked away.  "I'm sorry," she exclaimed, her heart hammering in her chest, afraid that she'd hurt him somehow.

Haldir dropped to his knees, shaking his head quickly.  "No!" he groaned as he eased her back onto the soft grass.  "You did nothing wrong, my love.  You just caught me off guard and I am too close to the edge to allow you to touch me in such a way."  He smiled down at her as he settled his hips between her legs.  "I'm afraid I would disgrace myself."

Anya reached up and caressed his cheek lovingly.  "You could never disgrace yourself with me, Haldir."

Without breaking eye contact, Haldir turned his face slightly into her hand and pressed his lips to her palm then he eased his weight down on her, covering her with his warmth, yet keeping the majority of it braced against his arms on either side of her.  He hadn't felt so alive in ages.  No longer was he the same elf he had been before.  The recent events of Middle-earth and the unexpected love of a Half-elfin maiden had changed him from the arrogant, self-centered Marchwarden into an elf who could finally see past his own nose and feel compassion for those around him.

His mouth found hers once more, but this time there was an urgency behind his kiss.  He thrust his tongue in to duel with hers, felt her arms circle around him to flatten her hands across his back.  He could feel the hard buds of her erect nipples brushing against the crisp hairs on his chest, the sensations quickly bringing him back to the fevered pitch he had been when he'd pulled away to remove his clothes.

The tip of his hard shaft brushed against her opening, eliciting a soft gasp from her and a deep groan from him.  Her hips lifted against his of their own volition seeking only that which could give her relief.

The urge to thrust hard and deep into the sanctity of her body was nearly overwhelming.  Sweat beaded up across his forehead, a light sheen breaking out over his body from the strain of holding himself back.

He would not hurt her in such a way.  It pained him enough to know that this first time would be painful for her, but he was determined that the pain would be as brief as possible and that she would know nothing but pure pleasure afterwards.

His hand slipped down between them, his fingers gliding through the tangle of crisp curls to the hidden warmth below.  He found her hot and incredibly wet.  He slid a finger into her tight sheath, swallowing her throaty moan as he sought to make her ready for him.

His lips drifted down her throat as he slipped a second finger inside her.  He heard her soft pleas begging him for release.  He dipped his thumb into her honeyed well, wetting it with her essence then brought it up to find the hidden pearl just above her opening.

Anya cried out as her body shattered.  The tiny muscles deep within her sheath pulsed, the walls of her womanhood clinging to his fingers as he withdrew them quickly, replacing them with the head of his throbbing erection.

He breathed in sharply, his nostrils flaring as hot wet velvet closed around his shaft.  He held himself steady, willing himself not to thrust in roughly as his body demanded. He eased his hips up, bringing his length nearly completely out before easing back into her, allowing himself to sink a bit deeper until he met with resistance.

Lifting his head, he found Anya with her eyes squeezed shut, sweat dotting her brow and upper lip.  "Tir na enni,  Anya, (Look at me,)" he commanded softly.  Slowly she opened her eyes, a flash of pain in their stormy blue-gray depths.  "The pain will be brief, but I promise you that before this is done, you will know only pleasure."

She nodded in understanding, a weak smile curving her lips.  "I love you," she whispered.

"And I love you."  His hips surged forward, breaking through her innocence.  His mouth covered hers to capture her cry as the pain of his entry tore through her.

When he was buried deep within her, he froze to allow her time to adjust as well as allow him time to regain control of his own body.  She was tense beneath him; her body trembling as he rained kisses all over her face, whispering words of apology and love in his native language.  He hated causing her such pain, but there was no way around it. 

When her body finally began to relax beneath him, he ever so slowly shifted his hips.  He heard her soft gasp, but when he lifted his head to look into her eyes, he saw no pain reflected there.  With exquisite care he eased out of her tight sheath until the tip of his shaft rested at her opening then he sank back into her warmth, the velvety walls clinging tightly to his manhood.

Her fingers tightened on his shoulders, digging into his flesh as once more the throbbing ache began to build again.  With each stroke of his hips she felt the electricity arch between them.  Her body hummed with energy, her hips now lifting to meet his downward thrusts.  His lips were pressed to her ear, whispering erotic things that made her face flush and her body heat up.

His hands slid down to curve around her thighs, spreading her legs wider, lifting them slightly so that he sank even deeper within her receptive body.  Her body pulsed around his shaft, causing him to growl and pick up the pace until his hips pounded into her.  When her release came, it ripped through her like a stampede of wild horses.  It stole her breath and shattered her into a million pieces.

Seconds later Haldir found his own release, his hips rocking against her until every drop of his essence had been milked from his body.  He collapsed on top of her exhausted.  His breathing was harsh and his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

Anya's arms and legs wrapped around him, holding him safe within the sanctity of her body.  Eventually he eased off her and rolled to his side, bringing her with him so that he could hold her close.  They lay there together, wrapped in each other's arms for a long time before Haldir finally spoke.  "It is time for you to return, my love."

Anya stiffened in his arms.  "No, let me stay here with you."

Haldir pressed his lips to her forehead.  "You know that is not possible."

Anya pushed away slightly, lifted her gaze to meet his.  "But you said that I carried the Grace that was my mother's.  Why can't I stay?"

Haldir lifted his hand, his fingers caressing the soft skin of her cheek.  "Because this is but a dream, love.  A place in our minds where we could meet."

"You mean, this isn't real?  Everything we just did, wasn't real?"  Tears flooded her eyes at the thought.

"Sh-shhhh," he pressed a finger to her lips.  "Of course it is real, yet it is still a dream and you cannot stay here."

"Then come back with me," she demanded hotly, her blue-gray eyes flashing fire.

Haldir smiled sadly at her as his thumb brushed across her bottom lip.  "I wish I could, my love, but I am too weak."  He hesitated a moment, then continued on.  "I do not have the strength to make it back, Anya.  I am growing weaker.  I tried.  I fought to cling to life with everything that is in me, but it is not enough."

"No!" She rolled away and sat up.

"You must go on without me," he told her, watching her become more agitated.

"No!" she denied again.  "I will not lose you.  Please, Haldir, please do not leave me."

He reached for her then and kissed her tenderly, tasting the saltiness of her tears upon her lips.  "Goodbye, my love," he whispered.  "One day we will be reunited, I promise.  Until then, be strong and always know how much I love you."

"NO!" she cried, clinging to him.  "Haldir!"

Anya came awake crying.  She turned towards Haldir and pushed up onto her knees beside his unconscious body and grasped his face in her hands.  "Do not leave me!" she yelled at him.  "Do you hear me?  You cannot give up!"

Suddenly the door flew open and a handsome blond elf appeared, his brow furrowed in concern.  "Is everything all right, my lady?"

"Toomak," Anya turned to him immediately.  "Get Aragorn, quickly."

Toomak spun around and left the room.  Anya turned her attention back to Haldir and checked to make certain he was still breathing.  "Please, my love," she whispered as tears stained her face.  "Please fight for me."

"What is wrong?" Aragorn asked as he rushed into the room.  Legolas was beside him as they approached the bed.

"He is giving up," Anya cried softly.  "He came to me in my dreams and told me he didn't have the strength to hold on any longer."  Her face flushed hotly over what she had left out.

Aragorn sighed heavily as sadness filled him.  "His wounds were too great, Anya.  It is a miracle in itself that he has remained alive this long."

Anya turned her tearstained face towards them.  "I cannot lose him, Aragorn.  Don't you see?  He is everything to me."  She squeezed her eyes shut and lowered her head to rest against Haldir's bare chest.

Legolas turned to Aragorn, touching his shoulder lightly, he leaned in to whisper softly.  "There may be a way to save him."

Aragorn turned his head in surprise.  "Tell me," he commanded quietly.

"It is an old ancient healing ritual our people used thousands of years ago," he began.  "But, it has not been used in a long time."

"But will it work?"

Legolas shrugged his shoulders.  "It is worth a try.  We will need certain items:  scented candles, healing herbs…" his voice faded as he tried to remember all that was involved in the ritual.  "I will need you to gather all of the elves that remain.  Once the candles are lit and the herbs prepared, the elves will begin the healing chant."

Aragorn nodded.  "Then let's do it."  Legolas nodded once then turned to leave to go gather the herbs and candles that he would need.  Aragorn approached Anya, his hand gently touching her shoulder.

"Anya," he called softly to her.  She lifted her head to look at him and compassion for her filled him.  "Legolas says there is an ancient healing ritual the elves used to use long ago.  He has gone to gather what he needs.  I must go and gather all the remaining elves and bring them here."

Hope lit within her as she nodded her understanding.  "Please hurry," she whispered.  "I don't know how much longer he will hold on."

Aragorn hesitated, not wanting to squash her hope, but at the same time needing her to remain realistic.  "Elfish magic is powerful, Anya, but there is no guarantee that this will work."

Anya gave him a small smile, one filled with sadness, yet understanding.  "I know, Aragorn.  I know."

Nodding his head, he turned and left the room.