Part 11 – Completion
"Already my Galadhrim arrow stirs . . ."
As he spoke these words, he slipped himself out of her with a sweet, lopsided smile, one arm still clasping her close to his chest.
She lowered her legs to the underwater floor of the grotto and leaned up to give him a kiss on the chin. "I have great faith in the distinguished Captain of the Galadhrim," she said demurely.
He lowered his head and nuzzled her ear, his voice both amused and apologetic. "Distinguished or not, I know I missed the mark. I am sorry. I did not intend to be so weak. I will make it up to you now."
"You are not weak," she murmured, her breath quickening as he moved his lips to the tender spot beneath her ear, then trailed down the line of her jaw, dropping tender little kisses as he went. She closed her eyes. "You are so strong it takes my breath away."
She would have said more but he suddenly cupped her face with his hands and covered her mouth with his. This kiss was more fierce, more possessive than any he had given her before. It was a kiss that spoke of renewed desire, a desire that almost shocked her but did not because she felt it too, the bone-melting intensity of it.
The passion and love behind it.
When at last he released her, his eyes were smiling. "I love kissing you," he murmured, his tone low and husky. "And I love touching you."
Without warning, he lifted her up to the first underwater step, so that she stood just a little above him, her chemise plastered to her skin. She steadied herself with her hands on his shoulders as his hungry mouth dipped into the hollow of her throat, then sought the crevice between her breasts, licking the droplets of water that had settled there.
"Amarië," he whispered, between kisses. "Amarië. Meril vain nín."
She inhaled sharply as he transferred his attention to first one nipple and then the other, where they still lay hidden beneath the fabric. Spirals of desire shot through her body as he played little games, circling them with his tongue, nipping her lightly.
He flashed her a look, a smoldering challenge in the gray depths of his eyes. "The time for modesty is past. As pretty as this garment is, it is beginning to impede my progress. I want to see my wife." It was neither command nor request but a simple statement of fact, and she was not about to deny him.
She helped him as he lifted the dripping garment over her head and cast it aside, blushing slightly as, for a long moment, he simply gazed her, taking her in with the thoroughness that seemed to be a part of his nature. "Meleth, you are so beautiful," he said softly. "So pure and lovely and flawless."
Then he joined her on the step, dragging her closer, his mouth taking hers once more, his tongue hot and eager, his hands growing so bold she thought she would die of the pleasure he roused. Everywhere he touched her, she burned with longing for him. She clutched him, her hands roving in some wild, primal effort to memorize every part of him with her fingertips, reveling in the planes and angles and hard, muscled ridges of his male shape. "Haldir," she whispered. "Le melin . . . le melin . . ."
Then he was lifting her, whispering sweet phrases as he placed her down so tenderly upon the upper ledge and reached for the cushions, settling one under her head, and another beneath his knees where he knelt between her legs. For an instant she thought he meant to enter her, but instead he continued his thorough and erotic exploration of her breasts, her hips, and the soft, sensitive flesh of her inner thighs. Surrendering to his mastery, she moaned as his hands and mouth caressed her, stroking and teasing her flesh, her secret places, until her whole being was a burning, quivering mass of pure wanting. Her heart pumped wildly as reality whirled away like a meaningless mote of dust. The outside world did not exist; all that was real was him.
And he was hers. At last, at last she had the lover she had always yearned for, a strong and loving mate, a beloved of her own for all time.
Haldir, the Guardian of Lórien. Her husband. Hers.
"Amarië, meleth, tell me what you want. What you wish me to do."
"You know what I want," she whispered, squirming with desire for him.
"Yes, I know. I want to hear you say it."
"Come inside me, Haldir. I can wait no longer. I am ready to fly."
He gave a soft, shaky chuckle. "As am I. This time we will fly together."
She gasped as he lowered his body over hers and thrust into her, sending shockwaves of sensation throughout her entire being. She was drowning in pleasure, her hands gripping his shoulders, his arms, her body arching and shuddering as each of his long strokes filled her, building the unbearable tension, possessing her with each powerful slide of his body against hers.
But it was his face she watched, his wise gray eyes, the way they stayed linked to hers, holding an expression of reassurance, joy, fulfillment, reverence, and other emotions so sacrosanct they were beyond description. If anything the connection between them had amplified so that she felt as though they were two people with one magnificent, merged soul. Who she was became of small meaning; all that remained was this fierce, savage aching for him and him alone. And then it happened, as if they leaped off some great cliff and were soaring, melded together in a great, ecstatic conflagration that went far beyond earthly reality, completing her in a way she had never before been completed. She cried out his name, clutching him tightly, never wanting to let go.
Afterward, he was still looking into her eyes, panting as she panted, then his mouth came to hers in one more kiss that somehow extended the blissful waves of satisfaction to an even greater height.
"Ah," he finally murmured, resting his weight on his elbows, his brow pressed to hers, "Amarië, you are so sweet, so warm and giving. But I fear you have finished me for the moment. I am utterly spent."
"Only for the moment?" she teased, her fingers in his hair, straightening and rearranging the position of his elven braids.
"Indeed." He lifted his head, his smile roguish. "In this area, I am beginning to think I do not yet know my full potential. I will enjoy investigating this matter with you."
She smiled and kissed the tip of his nose. "You know, when first I met you, I never dreamed you had a sense of humor."
"Oh?" He feigned a look of injury. "In all these tales of elves you have heard, did no one ever tell you that we are renowned for our wit and playfulness?"
"Yes, but you must admit you were trying to intimidate me."
"That is part of my duty, meleth, to intimidate mortals and keep them away from Lothlórien. Most of them cooperate and become properly intimidated."
"But not I," she said smugly.
"Not you," he agreed. "No doubt it is your elven blood that redeems you. No, do not glare at me like that. You must learn to recognize when I am joking."
"I have so much to learn," she said with a sigh. "About you and from you."
"We will have eternity to do it," he reminded her in a contented voice. He shifted, removing himself from her body, and stretched out beside her, his head propped on his hand with his other arm wrapped around her waist. "My wife," he added softly.
She turned toward him, a small smile playing at the edges of her mouth. "So what happens if I do this—" she wriggled up and touched the tip of his ear with her tongue, "when you are spent and tired? That is one question on my mind."
He shuddered slightly, and his arm tightened around her waist. "You really want to know the answer to that question?"
"Yes, I do." She repeated the action, fascinated by his ear's delicate pointed tip.
"You find yourself in big trouble. No one toys with the Marchwarden of the Golden Wood and gets away with it."
"Not even the Marchwarden's wife?" She took the tip of his ear into her mouth and felt him jump.
"That does it," he said with a growl. "The Marchwarden's wife needs to be taught another lesson in archery."
And for the next while, they were very much occupied with that lesson.
xxx
It was nearly dark when they finally left the Pool of Renewal. Haldir struggled to pull on his wet leggings, grumbling a little as they stuck to his flesh. They felt horrible, and he found himself hoping he could reach his rooms without being seen.
"I do not think anyone will notice," Amarië reassured him, "since you have squeezed all the water from them." She was obviously highly amused, probably because she was not in a similar predicament. She was wearing her gown, but carrying her wet chemise, which she had rolled up into a tiny, unnoticeable bundle.
"That's easy for you to say," he told her with a grimace. "What if one of my brothers sees me? I will never hear the end of it. Their teasing knows no limits."
He could tell she was trying not to giggle. "You can just stand behind me and they will not notice," she said.
"Never have I hidden behind a female's skirts," he told her dryly. Then he grinned and caught her around the waist. "What can I do to make you stop laughing at me?"
"I'm not laughing at you, meleth. It is only that my heart is filled with joy."
He regarded her with great tenderness. "And mine also. Never have I known such joy as I have felt this day." He stooped down and plucked a large red flower, and tucked it behind her ear.
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
Arching a brow, he looked her up and down. "You mean for food?"
"Yes, that was what I meant!" She punched him lightly on the arm. "What did you think?"
"I dare not say," he answered, hiding another grin. How she delighted him! Never had he experienced the powerful amorous urges that he had this day, nor the contentment and the peace he now felt. Never had he imagined that love could be like this. He supposed that it was good he had not known, or all those years alone would have been so much harder to endure. But that was over now, and there was no need to dwell on such thoughts. He had found his life-mate!
"Actually, I am hungry," he admitted as they mounted the steps side by side. "Are you?"
"Yes."
"I have food in my rooms. We can eat there, and transfer your belongings later." The stairs were narrow, and he had to hug her close. "I am assuming you would wish to be with me?"
She cast him one of those mischievous glances he had grown to love. "You may safely assume that. May I also assume that I am now welcome on the practice fields?"
He pretended to consider. "That I have yet to decide. You might prove too much of a distraction."
"A distraction? What do you mean? They are all used to me there." They had reached the top of the steps and were continuing down a pathway to yet another set of steps.
"I was speaking of myself," he said. "How could I focus on training or combat if you were there? I would be making love to you instead."
"Now that is nonsense," she scoffed. "You are too fine a warrior for that."
Smiling proudly, he pulled her close, kissing her on the cheek. "You are right about that. Yes, you may come, and you may practice if you like. I may even allow you to try a Galadhrim bow if you are very good." He squeezed her waist. "Which reminds me, I noticed Ferodir taking a few liberties with you while I was fighting your brother."
She glanced at him. "There was nothing I could do to prevent him. I wanted to break up that fight and he would not let me."
He frowned a little. "That would have been most unwise. You must never again attempt such a thing. As for Ferodir, he will not trouble you again with such boldness. He respects the sanctity of a binding as much as any elf. Although I expect he will continue to flirt," he added with a sigh. "It is ever his way."
She was silent for a moment. Then she said, "Why did you allow Ennis to hit you? I know you could have prevented it if you wished."
"Shall I give you the true reason?" he asked, glancing down at her.
"Of course," she said, sounding surprised.
"If I dealt with him as I was capable of doing, I feared you would despise me even more than you already did. And even if you did despise me, I could not bring myself to do something I knew would cause you pain."
"I never despised you, Haldir," she said quietly, "but I did not want either of you to be hurt. To see you hurt caused me much pain."
"Well, we could scarcely have fought without one of us being hurt," he pointed out in his logical way. "And young Ennis is much happier now. It was good for him to challenge me. He has more confidence, and it is showing in his skills."
Against all odds they had reached the level of her talan without passing anyone. "I will go and change," she said, her hand on his arm, "and then come up to you."
"Very well." He kissed her lips, then continued on to his own quarters, sighing in mild annoyance as he noticed the lamplight shining through his own arched window. It appeared his luck had run out. He had company waiting for him, and he had no doubt at all who it was.
As he suspected, he found Rúmil and Orophin lounging in his chairs, making free use of his ale while they tossed a set of dice upon his table, making foolish wagers with each throw. Ordinarily he would have been glad to see them, but not this night. All he longed to do was to get out of his wet, itchy leggings and into dry clothes.
Rúmil looked up when he walked in, and immediately raised his brows. "By Elbereth, what happened to you? Did you fall into the Anduin?"
Orophin glanced over his shoulder, then rotated all the way around to stare. "If so, he removed his tunic before he fell. What have you been doing, brother?"
"It is none of your affair," Haldir replied, feeling a little cross. "Perhaps you might take yourselves elsewhere and give me some peace."
Rúmil rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on Haldir. "Orophin, look at his eyes."
Both Orophin and Rúmil approached Haldir, who waited in resignation for the inevitable. Huge, delighted grins spread across the faces of his brothers.
"You've done it!" Orophin exclaimed.
"You have bound yourself to her!" Rúmil slapped Haldir on the back. "Congratulations!"
Haldir found himself smiling, despite his slight embarrassment. He was still glowing with happiness, and it was good to be able to share that with his brothers. As he had told Amarië, there could be no hiding the fact that they had bound. All elves could tell such things at a glance. It always showed in the eyes.
"We are very glad for you," Orophin added, then cast a meaningful look at Rúmil. "And I am particularly glad you did not wait another week!"
Rúmil's grin changed to a look of chagrin. "Ah, yes. Well, that is the fun of wagers. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose."
Haldir rolled his eyes. "Have you been wagering on us again?"
"Well, it was obvious you two were going to bind to one another," Orophin explained. "All we wagered on was when."
"It was not obvious to me," Haldir said dryly.
"To Ferodir and to us, it was quite evident. You were always sneaking peeks at each other. And you wore such long faces when you were angry with each other. And then the mysterious connection between you! It has been quite amusing to watch the progression of this courtship."
Haldir sat down in one of his chairs, and proceeded to pull off his boots. "I'm glad my suffering has provided you with entertainment. At least it served some useful purpose."
"Nay," Rúmil responded, walking over to lay his hand on Haldir's shoulder, "we did not find amusement in your pain. Never think that, dear brother. If it had gone on much longer, Orophin and I would have taken matters into our own hands."
Haldir grimaced at the thought of what his brothers might have concocted. "I thank the Valar it did not come to that."
"And we are very happy to have a sister," Orophin added cheerfully. "Now are you going to tell us why you are wet?"
"No." Haldir glared at him.
"Did you go swimming with your leggings on?" Rúmil prodded.
"Why would he have done that?" Orophin asked. "Unless—"
"Unless what?" Rúmil asked, raising an inquiring brow.
Orophin gave a shout of laughter as understanding dawned. "You were trying to spare her blushes, weren't you? Ha! Now there is a story to keep us entertained on cold, lonely nights when we are on watch. I wish I could have seen it!"
Rúmil grinned broadly. "I'll wager the leggings did not stay on for very long!"
Haldir could feel himself turning red. "We went to the Pool of Renewal," he said stiffly, "at Galadriel's behest. It was for Amarië's benefit."
Both his brothers looked impressed by this information.
"What was it like?" Rúmil asked. "I have often wondered."
Recalling the wondrous experience, Haldir stared off into space. "It was amazing. To me, it seemed as though the water held a living power. It soothed away all pain, all despair, all loneliness . . ." With effort, he pulled his focus back to his brothers. "It was good for Amarië," he added gruffly. "She has suffered much."
Orophin's eyes narrowed, his expression pensive. "And for you too," he said wisely. "Else the Lady would not have sent you there."
"Indeed," Rúmil agreed, his voice more serious than before. "And we are very glad for you. We have sensed your unhappiness for a long time now."
Haldir looked toward the door. Amarië was approaching; he could feel it. "I am grateful for such sentiments . . ."
She slipped gracefully into the room without knocking, then halted in surprise when she saw that he was not alone. Whatever Haldir had been going to say to Rúmil flew from his mind. He could only gaze at her, drinking in the sight of her as though she'd been gone from him for an age. She now wore a lovely white gown he had not seen before, so simple and exquisite he knew Galadriel and Celeborn had gifted it to indicate her status as Celeborn's granddaughter. And not only had she worn it on their binding day, but she still had his flower in her hair! She looked so breathtakingly beautiful, his heart felt squeezed by the intensity of his love for her.
He suddenly realized that both his brothers were watching him, reading his emotion as clearly as if he had spoken it aloud. Embarrassed, he rose to his feet and frowned at them, but the moment passed as Amarië said calmly, "Rúmil, Orophin, I am pleased to see you. Has Haldir told you our glad tidings?"
Rúmil walked over and kissed her on the brow. "He did not need to, little sister. We could see it in his eyes. And in yours. A binding is not something that can be hidden. We are very happy for you both."
Orophin chose to touch his heart and kiss her hand. "Sweet sister Amarië, welcome to our family. We rejoice in your happiness. We must celebrate this binding with an evening of music and dancing. Rúmil and I will arrange it."
Haldir opened his mouth to object, but Amarië forestalled him.
"That would be lovely," she replied. "I would enjoy a chance to dance with my husband. Is he a good dancer?"
"That is open for debate," Orophin answered with a grin. "I think it depends on his partner."
"And I could read some of my love poems—" Rúmil put in.
"NO!" said Haldir and Orophin in unison.
Amarië glanced at each of them in turn. "Why ever not? I think it would be lovely to hear some of Rúmil's poetry."
Rúmil smirked. "You see? Your bride would like to hear my poems. Would you deny her that pleasure?"
Haldir snorted. "I would not deny her if I thought it would be a pleasure."
Orophin laughed.
"I did not think my poetry was that bad." Rúmil looked wounded.
Amarië smiled at Rúmil. "Dear Rúmil, I would be honored to listen to your poems. Of course you may read them at our celebration. It is very kind of you to offer."
Rúmil flashed his brothers a triumphant look and headed for the door.
Orophin cleared his throat. "Rúmil, aren't you forgetting something?"
Rúmil paused. "What could I be forgetting?"
"Our brother's boots. You lost our wager, remember? And now you have to clean Haldir's boots for a month. And mine for two months."
"What a pleasant surprise," Haldir commented sardonically. "Perhaps it may prove a partial compensation for having to listen to more poetry." He picked up his boots and walked over to Rúmil. "Here, dear brother. I shall need them back by the morning sunrise."
Rúmil sighed and accepted the boots. "Oh, very well." He left, followed by a grinning Orophin.
"What did they wager about?" Amarië asked.
"You do not want to know," Haldir assured her. He looked at her for a moment, then made a wry face. "Forgive me, meleth, but I have not yet had time to change out of this wet apparel."
"Do you need any help?" she asked him innocently.
He grinned his delight. "Nay, my sweet bride. Not this time. Perhaps later."
xxx
An hour later, they had finished their dinner, and were merely sitting, their hands clasped together as they gazed at each other across the table in the flickering candlelight. Beneath the table, their bared feet were nested together, which for some reason made the moment quite complete, as though the dual touching of hands and feet completed a circle that could never be broken.
"This has been the happiest day of my life," Haldir said tenderly.
"And mine." She squeezed his fingers. "I must go and tell my brother of our binding, and I do not want to wait until tomorrow. Will you come with me?"
Although she very much hoped he would say yes, she would not have blamed him if he refused. Even though Ennis's attitude about elves and the Marchwarden seemed to have softened, she knew that her brother might not hesitate to express his disapproval over the haste of their marriage.
"Of course I will go with you," he replied, his gray eyes somber. "In fact, I would not allow you to go alone while Rufus is there. I believe he took my threats seriously, but I would never take chances with your safety. Also, I promised to kill him if he so much as speaks to you, and he is less likely to do that if I am near." His lips tightened. "Not that I would mind killing him, but I would not want to spoil my memories of this perfect day."
She shivered at both his words and her own memory of the attack. Still, and quite amazingly, much of the horror of that attack had already faded, as though it had happened long ago and to someone else. No longer did her spirit feel fragile; this day it had been strengthened and healed and rejuvenated, as much by her binding with Haldir as by the power of Galadriel's pool. And though she no longer feared Rufus, judging from the unyielding expression on Haldir's face, he would brook no argument on this matter.
He must have seen her shiver, for he was frowning. "I should not have spoken so. I am sorry. But you know that I have killed, and will do so many times again."
"I know. I have killed too, but only Orcs." She smiled a little sadly. "Perhaps someday these days of killing will be behind us."
"When we go to Valinor," he agreed. "But that will not be soon. There is still much for me to do in this world."
They sat in silence for a few moments, and then he smiled. "Come, let us go and face your brother. Do you think he will attack me when he learns you are my wife?"
"Nay, but I think he will be surprised. I know not what he will say."
Haldir looked around for his spare set of boots and his sword. "Neither do I, but I can imagine," he replied, rather wryly.
He kept his arm around her as they descended through the city, not caring if anyone saw. Rúmil and Orophin would spread the news fast enough; there was no point in trying to conceal it. He just wanted to keep touching her, and saw no reason not to do so. She was his wife! He could scarcely believe it.
Eventually they came upon Ennis, sitting with a group of men, but when he noticed Amarië and Haldir, he rose at once and came over to them. His curious gaze switched back and forth between their faces. "So you are together," he observed. "You are speaking to each other? You are no longer angry?"
Haldir lifted his brows, unintentionally slipping into the haughty manner he assumed around the mortals. "Yes, we have resolved our differences." Thank the Valar, he added silently.
"Ennis, we have something to tell you," Amarië told him in a gentle voice.
Ennis's brows snapped together. "What?"
Haldir thought he sounded wary, and braced himself for an angry outburst. He could not help being grateful that his wife's brother would not be residing permanently in Lórien, yet he also knew it would be sad and difficult for her to bid farewell to all the family she had left. It was quite possible she might never see her brother again once he was gone, and the thought of Amarië's distress pained him. He would do all in his power to comfort her when the time came.
Haldir felt Amarië reach out and take hold of his hand, linking her fingers through his. "Haldir and I have married," she said. "And I hope you will wish us happy."
"Married!" Ennis looked incredulous. "How can this be? You've only just met each other!"
Though it was not easy, Haldir tried to make his tone conciliating. "Your sister and I are Fëa-mates. That will mean nothing to you, but it means a great deal to us."
"Fëa-mates? You are right; it means nothing to me." Ennis walked a few steps away from them, the set of his shoulders rigid. He seemed to be struggling with his emotions, and Haldir was conscious of a brief flash of empathy. Then Ennis swung around, and came back to stand before the Marchwarden. "Do you love her?" he said fiercely.
Haldir did not much care to discuss his feelings with the young mortal, yet he understood it was important to Amarië's brother to know the truth. "Yes, I do," he answered, as forthrightly as he was able. "She is the one I have waited for, the love of my life."
Ennis stared at him, his eyes unblinking as though he sought to judge if Haldir lied. Finally, he shifted his gaze to Amarië. "And you love him? You think you will be happy with him?"
"Yes, I do. Already I am happier than I have ever been in my life. Is that not what you wanted for me?"
"Aye, it is." Ennis frowned. "But why was I not invited to the ceremony?"
Haldir almost choked at the idea. "Elven bindings are conducted differently from human marriages," he said blightingly. Amarië's fingers tightened against his own, warning him to be careful.
"Oh? Still, I am her brother. I would have expected to be included."
Amarië touched her brother's arm. "I am sorry, Ennis. It was impossible."
"Because I am not an elf?" Ennis asked with indignation.
"No one was invited," Haldir stated testily. "It has nothing to do with you not being an elf."
"However," Amarië added in a kinder tone, "Haldir's brothers are going to arrange a celebration, and you may come to that."
"Only you," Haldir put in quickly. "Not the other mortals."
Ennis heaved a sigh. "Oh, very well. I must tell you that I am not convinced this marriage is a wise idea. But I also know there is much I do not understand, especially where elves are concerned." His eyes locked on Amarië. "At least when it is time for me to leave this place, I will not be so worried about you. The Marchwarden seems to be a superior elf, even if he is a bit standoffish and stuffy. This was what you wanted, was it not? To belong somewhere? And with someone who would love and care for you?"
Haldir glanced at Amarië, and saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes. "Yes, it is, Ennis. And I have finally found that someone."
xxx
A little while later, Haldir carried his bride through the front chamber of his quarters into the rear room, which served as his sleeping chamber. He had never bothered to do much decoration and now regretted it, for he knew that it was quite plain.
"It is not much," he commented as he set her down beside his bed. "If there is anything you wish to change, it would be fine with me." Pulling off his boots, he watching her carefully, a bit worried she would think him lacking in some vital area. But to his relief, she only smiled and threw her arms around his neck.
"It is perfect," she said, her voice so loving his heart flipped over, "because it is yours. I have only one question. Why is your bed so much larger than the one I was given?"
"Because I am the Marchwarden," he told her with a grin. "Rank yields certain benefits, you know."
"And you have shared it with many ellith," she added matter-of-factly.
He shifted uncomfortably. "I told you I'd had lovers—"
"Oh, Haldir, meleth, do not think that I am jealous. I bless each and every one of them who kept you company. You have not told me your age, but I can guess. If I thought you had been alone all these years, my heart would break."
He felt rather stunned. "This is how you truly feel?"
"Yes, it is." She pressed her weight against him, and he allowed her to push him backward onto the bed. Laughing, she crawled on top of him and kissed him on the lips. "However, there will be no others now, of course."
"How could I ever want anyone but you?" he replied, gazing up at her with complete adoration.
"And I would never want anyone but you," she replied. She snuggled down beside him and put her head on his shoulder. "Besides, you have nice feet."
"I do?" He looked down at his feet.
"Yes, you do. And nice hands. And a nice nose and chin." She lifted her head to gaze playfully down at him. "And your eyes are extremely fine. You really are a very handsome elf."
"Well, I am glad you think so," he said, absurdly pleased and touched by the sincerity of her words. He did not receive many compliments on his looks.
"I do."
"Do you think I am standoffish and stuffy?"
"Sometimes," she told him lovingly.
He thought about this for a while and decided it did not merit concern.
"Do you know what?" he asked.
"What, meleth?"
"I am no longer feeling spent."
He saw the corners of her lips curve into a small, bewitching smile. "I did not think you were."
tbc
Elvish Phrases:
Le melin - Thee I love
meleth, meleth nín:
love, my love
meril vain nín - my beautiful rose
ellith
– female elves, plural
