Chapter Six: Embraces
Tathar lowered himself into the cushioned seat with a small sigh, staring at the lovely elven woman across from him. Galadriel sat tall, her spine straight against the back of her chair, as always regal and beautiful. Her eyes glittered with curiosity now, the ancient blue gaze boring into his mind, her questions flooding his thoughts. He held up his hands in surrender, and Galadriel flashed an amused grin.
"You must speak to me, Tathar. You have seen the future, and you despair. I can see it, I can feel it," her gaze still pinned him.
Tathar smiled sadly. "You were ever so direct, my dear. Aye, I have seen a future that sends me into the depths of despair when I remember my vision." He clenched his jaw, resting his forehead on his hand for a moment. "You know me too well, even after all these years. I have foreseen my destruction, Galadriel. The end of my life, my world as I know it. And I accept what must be." He leaned back into the chair, seeming so calm with such a burden to bear.
"My people are few now, Galadriel. Less than five hundred Laiquendi remain in our lands. The shadow grows, swallowing my lands, my people. I left with the barest few I could, knowing they would need all to defend what is left. I left with the two most important things in my life, my daughters. They cannot go back, Galadriel. I cannot watch them die."
Galadriel frowned. "Your daughters are welcome here, Tathar. The shadows do not fall only on Ossiriand and the Laiquendi. Middle Earth is in crisis, the lands of men are being overrun, Mirkwood fights for her life, and even here in Lothlorien, our borders must be manned heavily to disparage the evil that traverses our lands daily." Galadriel rose to pace in front of him. "The time of the elves is drawing to a close, Tathar. More of us feel the call of the sea, more leave, but not enough. We lose too many to the shadow."
She turned to Tathar when he sighed. "Join with us, ally yourselves with us so that can fight the shadow together."
Tathar rose, folding his hands behind his back. "I cannot force them to leave the lands they love. Could you? If any remain, then so must I."
Galadriel reached out to grip his arm. "But you would force your daughters away? They will not want to stay without you, Tathar."
He closed his eyes, pain and weariness crossing his features. When he opened them, the despair darkened the brown depths. "I cannot do otherwise. Long have I known that it would come to this. I must take Keliar with me, but once I am gone, if he lives I would ask that he return here."
Galadriel began to speak, but stared at him in surprise. "It is not only your people's death you see, but your own!"
Tathar nodded. "I know not when, but I know that when I return, I will not live to see the next rise of the moon." He gripped the hand Galadriel still held on his sleeve.
Galadriel smiled softly, her eyes searching his. "You should have had another companion, Tathar. It has been too long for you alone."
Tathar squeezed the fingers on his arm. "There could be no other that I would want, my lady. Only one elf in Middle Earth could hold my heart after my wife, Tiniona passed into the Halls of Mandos, but I knew that it was not possible."
"Because I fear she was already taken," Celeborn said softly, striding slowly down the stair. He reached out to grip Tathar's shoulder in comfort. The Laiquendi Lord smiled.
"Aye, as I was about to say, Celeborn, she is already taken. You're lucky I was not near when you courted her." Tathar grinned sadly, and Celeborn bowed slightly.
"Perhaps, Tathar. Perhaps."
* * *
Haldir placed the blindfold around the elf eyes, tying it securely in place, looking up to see Keliar and Tári enter the arena. He smiled to himself, noting Tári wore leggings and a tunic this day. She seemed to have freed herself from Brenna's clutches. He gripped the elf's shoulders, whispering to him softly.
Keliar stopped next to Orophin where he stood at the edge of the arena. "What is happening, Orophin?"
Orophin turned to them and smiled, his eyes taking in Tári's clothes in a twinkling mischievous smile. "A day of testing. The elf wants to become a warden. Haldir will test him to see if he has the necessary reflexes, strengths."
Keliar grinned, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Ah, this will be interesting. I shall watch closely."
Orophin grinned, and they turned back to Haldir who now stood several feet away from the elf, holding a small coin in his hand.
Orophin leaned over to Keliar. "The coin is specially made, it emits a tiny sound when tossed, will the elf hear it? He must catch it as Haldir tosses it to him.
Haldir flipped the coin toward the elf, who stood still, his head cocked, listening for the tiny sound the coin emitted. He reached out in a blur, then opened his fist revealing the small disk. He flipped it into the air toward Haldir, grinning, aware of where the March Warden had stood from the position of the coin's toss. Haldir frowned, moving around the elf, stalking silently.
Haldir flipped the coin toward the elf once more, from where he stood behind him, but then moved quickly away. The elf's whirled, reaching out, and opened his fist to reveal the coin once more, but did not toss the coin back. Instead he tilted his head, then turned finally to where Haldir now stood, bowing.
Tári frowned, "If he can hear the coin, then it is a simple matter to catch it, blindfolded or not."
Orophin looked down at her in amusement. "Ah you think so? But the test is not over yet, look."
Haldir had pulled out another coin, and with both hands flipped them into the air. The elf froze momentarily, then in a whirl of movement, spun around. He sighed, then opened both hands to show both coins. Haldir nodded, and moved around the elf, pausing this time to throw the coins.
Tári gasped when she saw Haldir hand the coins to Rúmil, exchanging them with another pair. They moved silently, and the blindfolded elf listened carefully, cocking his head in concentration.
Orophin grinned, leaning down to whisper very softly. "These make no sound."
Haldir moved around the elf, while Rúmil moved in the opposite direction, confusing the elf who still stood, concentrating. Haldir met Rúmil's gaze and at the same time, both elves tossed the coins into the air. Four coins flew high, the tiny metal disks flashing in the sunlight.
The elf waited only a bare second, then in a flurry of movement that Tári could barely see, whirled and spun. He came to a halt, breathing quickly. Tári searched the ground, but had not seen the coins fall. The elf smiled finally, and opened his hands. All four coins glistened in his palms. Haldir grinned, stepping up to the elf, untying the blindfold.
The elf bowed, a relieved grin on his face, then turned to stride out of the arena. Haldir turned to them and they approached.
Keliar smiled. "That was an interesting test, Haldir.
Haldir nodded. "One among many." His gaze swept over Tári. "Would you like to try?" he grinned when Tári shook her head.
"Nay Haldir, I do not wish to make a fool of myself, thank you." She frowned when he stepped closer.
"I do not wish to embarrass you. I think you would do well."
Tári's chin rose slightly, but she continued to frown. "Nay Haldir, I do not wish to try your test." She stared at him for a moment, then turned suddenly when Brenna entered the arena.
"There you are!" Brenna exclaimed laughing. "I have looked all over for you. I should have known where I should find you." She gripped Tári's hand, pulling her toward the gate. "I'm sorry, fair wardens, but I need Tári. You will attend the evening festivities, will you not? I hear Rúmil is planning on singing!"
Haldir and Orophin groaned, while Keliar looked at Rúmil in amusement when he grinned. "Aye, I have offered my services, but you are lucky. Celeborn has said he has plenty of entertainment planned."
* * *
Tári pulled the tunic over her head, stepping into the bath while Brenna rummaged through a basket full of herbs and vials of scents for the water. She giggled, pulling a long glass vial from within the basket , and poured several drops into the water. Immediately the smell of Elanor filled the room. The yellow blossoms that grew under the great mellyrn tree of Amroth heavy with a sweet, yet spicy scent.
"This is my favorite. We must use it with care, for it is a special blend." She poured water over Tári's head. "I hear tell it is one of Haldir's favorite scents."
Tári turned to look at her. "And why should you say that, Brenna? I have no interest in Haldir." She leaned back against the tub.
Brenna leaned forward. "No interest at all? He is one of the most sought after elves in Lórien. Ah he is so aloof, so distant. It drives the elven maidens to throw themselves at him. Yet you are not even a tiny bit interested?"
Tári slid down further into the water, hoping the heat from the water would hide the blush that now traveled up her neck into her face. She tried to forget the heated kiss he'd given her when she first arrived.
Brenna had stopped pouring water and was staring curiously at her. "Why do you blush, Tári?" she leaned forward to grip the edge of the tub, her eyes wide with insatiable curiosity. "Has he said something to you? He can be very overwhelming when he decides to flash that rare smile of his." She began to grin widely when Tári slid further down into the tub, immersing most of her body into the water until it lapped at her chin.
Brenna leaned on her hands on the edge of the tub, her grin still creasing her face.
"Stop looking at me like that, he has done nothing." Tári muttered, her last words rising in a squeak. Brenna leaned back laughing.
"He has kissed you hasn't he!" Brenna said watching the blood flood Tári's face. The poor Laiquendi sank down into the water with a groan of dismay. Brenna reached into the water pulling Tári back up.
"Tári, you must tell me what happened!"
Tári shook her head, her face flushed with color. Brenna pulled her out of the tub, wrapping a large towel around her. She dragged Tári to a chair, pushing her down into it and began to smooth the tangles from the long white hair.
"I am going to hound you until you tell me." Brenna insisted and Tári sighed.
"Brenna, it was nothing, he said he desired to kiss me and he did, before I could say no."
"Nothing! Haldir!" she laughed tapping the comb on Tári's head. "You would be the envy of half the elven maidens at dinner tonight if they knew he even looked at you in interest. He did not even produce a small amount of desire in you?"
Tári could not look into the mirror at Brenna, her face was still too warm.
Brenna giggled. "You refuse to admit it. Why?"
Tári finally found her tongue. "I don't know why he even had the desire, Brenna. Aranel is the one who most elves look at, not me!"
Brenna frowned. "Aye, Aranel seems to have her share of admirers, but most are frightened away by her temper. I know of only a few who could handle that type." She laughed low in her throat. "And three are brothers."
She pulled part of Tári's hair on top of her head, twining dark blue ribbons into the cascade that now fell down her back. "Stop worrying about what others are thinking. If that is what worries you, Haldir is a gentleman, he would not take you further than you wish to go."
Tári turned to Brenna, clutching her hand. "But Brenna, how do I know how far I wish to go. I have not had many elves vying for my attentions. I don't know what to do! I don't know how to flirt!"
Brenna laughed hugging her. "You don't need to flirt, just be yourself. That is what has drawn his interest."
* * *
Tári swept away from the noise of the gathering. All night she'd tried to ignore Haldir. Their last conversation and Brenna's had her all confused. What did she want? The elf confused her, brought out emotions she'd never had before. When she left he'd been talking to his brothers. An opportune time to leave, she thought. But she wasn't ready to go to her room. A short walk among the trees would suffice.
Tári wandered through the forest along the edge of the city, the lights growing distant, faint. She walked, touching the warm bark of the great trees with hands that delighted in the feel of the wood.
"I would not go too far."
Tári whirled around, furious she had not detected his presence again. Haldir leaned casually against a tree, his silver hair reflecting the starlight, the sheen of his white tunic vivid in the dark shadows. His smile was wicked.
He pushed away from the tree, and Tári stepped back. Their conversation at breakfast flashed into her mind, but she held her tongue. He seemed highly amused.
"What is so amusing?" She stepped back to the side of the tree, resting her hand on the bark.
"You."
Tári frowned. She hated being laughed at. "So what do you want?" His grin gave her the answer. She stepped behind the tree.
"I think I will go back now," She gripped the tree and looked around it to Haldir.
Haldir did not move, but only folded his arms over his chest. "I'll give you an option."
Tári had stepped away to leave and turned back to face him. "What kind of option?"
He turned his head to look at her, and his eyes glittered softly. He reached down into his boots, pulling two of her knives free. Tári gritted her teeth. They had been her mother's.
"I will give you your knives back, but only if you can defeat me in a target competition. I have seen your skills."
Tári clenched her hands. The knives were hers, she shouldn't have to compete for them. "And if I don't want to compete?"
Haldir's grin was not pleasant, nor accommodating. "You would not like the other choice, I assure you."
Tári sighed, and Haldir bowed. He waved her in front of him, and led her further into the wood. He stopped in a small clearing, nothing more than the absence of one or two trees. Across from them a large mellyrn had died, but was left intact, the home of many of the forest animals. He pointed at the tree, and to a large knot.
"A perfect target. Can you hit it?"
Tári frowned. Of course she could hit it! But a knot in the tree would be very dense and difficult to embed the knife point into. She would have to throw with precision. She looked at Haldir. She had no idea of his skills, but assumed he felt he could win. Or was he just trying to give her an easy way out of her obligation? She didn't know.
She nodded in agreement. "How do you choose to win? If I embed both knives and you do as well?"
Haldir laughed. "Let us try. If it is a standoff, then we shall throw over. Sooner or later one of us shall fail." He bowed and handed her a knife.
Tári turned toward the tree. Even in the darkness of evening the light from the stars lit the area well enough for her to see the rings of the knot, the layers of bark and wood. She studied the knot to see where her knife must go in. She lifted the knife, gripping the sharp point, the long elven blade balanced unconsciously.
Haldir watched in appreciation, studying the smooth movement of her arms, her concentration. Her arm came up and she released the knife. It flipped end over end to embed, quivering madly into the knot.
Haldir stepped up, and she moved aside. He balanced the knife on his fingers, testing the weight. He gripped the handle, and with a strong flick of his wrist, threw the knife. It landed next to Tári's. He turned to her with a smile, and shrugged.
Tári groaned to herself in dismay while he strode to pull the knives from the tree. She was a fool, thrice over. He was going to win, easily. "So what is the point of this game, then."
Haldir handed the knife to her. "If you win, your apology is accepted, and I will give you your knives back."
Tári swallowed. Tempting, but not likely. "And if I do not?" She hid her hands in her skirts when he turned to face her fully.
"Then, dear Tári, I get my revenge. You will have to kiss me." He grinned at her expression. "And it will be a good one too, or I shall cry false." He looked away but not before she saw the amusement on his face.
She gritted her teeth. He was playing with her, teasing her. She'd not let him win if she could help it. She drew the blade again from his hand. Concentrating on the tree, she threw the knife, and it once more quivered in the knot of the tree.
Haldir followed suit. They stepped up once again. Three more times they threw and three times the knives quivered in the knot. Tári stepped up again. Her confidence had grown. She could go on forever. He would not win, she thought brashly.
She stared in horror as the knife bounced off the knot to fall to the base of the tree. She heard Haldir chuckle. He pushed her gently aside. With only a swift glance at the tree, he threw her knife. It pointed, once more quivering, in silent affirmation that she had lost.
She turned to Haldir. He grinned, sliding down to sit below the tree, balancing her knife in his hand. His eyebrows rose invitingly and Tári felt the flush of embarrassment sweep over her. She strode up to him and leaned over him, but he caught her wrists.
"A good one." He grinned and Tári stared at him.
So he wanted her to kiss him. She searched the mischievous grey eyes. So different they could be, what a range of emotions this elf had shown her. What more would she evoke with her kiss? Did she dare try to see? She smiled, pushing away the doubts and fears, and embarrassment, and reached down to cup his face in her hands. He stared at her curiously, waiting patiently.
Tári bent over, her hair sliding over her shoulders, and pressed her lips softly against his. He did not respond, for the moment, only waiting to see what more she would do. She lifted her head, staring into the silvery eyes. They gleamed with more than amusement. She knelt down next to him, still cupping his face, and pressed her lips firmly against his, moving them softly across his firm lips, opening hers slightly to feel his breath. His hands came up to grip her waist. She kissed him harder, her hands sliding along his head and into his hair, feeling the silky strands slip through her fingers. His hair was so soft, she thought, leaning against him unconsciously as she kissed him deeply.
The tables shifted suddenly and she felt his hands slid up over her arms to grip her own face. He pulled her against him, his lips suddenly responding to her, pressing hers open. His tongue swept over hers, and his hands slid into her own hair, cradling the back of her head as he trailed his lips over her cheek to her neck.
Tári gasped, his lips were suddenly drawing a torrent of heat from her body, but he did not let her go. He kissed the curve of her jaw, his mouth crushing hers once more. His arm wrapped around her and she was drawn tightly against him, his lips leaving hers to trail down her neck and over her chest. She gripped his shoulders, the tremors that now spread through her making her legs trembly, and weak. He cupped her face again, demanding more, his lips bruising hers slightly, his tongue entwining with hers. She sank against him, her legs refusing to hold her straight. He twisted, pulling her down to the soft grass. He shifted so he lay beside her, his kisses unending, trailing along her shoulders, across her chest, over her face and ears.
Tári's heart was racing, chills racing up her spine, tremors sweeping her wherever his lips touched. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the moment to go on forever. She gripped the front of his tunic when he rolled over her, and she could feel the hard length of his body pressed fully against hers, pushing her into the soft soil beneath her.
He lifted his head finally, and Tári gasped for breath, her eyes wide. She could feel him, his hard muscled length pressed against her, feel that he wanted more than just her kisses. She closed her eyes, the blush flooding her face. She heard him chuckle softly.
"So does that fulfill our wager?" she said breathlessly, a bit peeved he was amused with her again.
Haldir kissed the corner of her mouth. "Aye,"
"So you can let me up now," she whispered, trying to ignore his kisses that drew along her neck.
"No."
Tári gasped, squirming slightly under him. Her blood was racing, but she wasn't ready for this. He slid his arms under her, trapping her, holding her tightly against him.
"No, I do not want to let you up, but you are right. I must." He sighed, brushing his lips over the corner of her mouth again.
She was not going to be able to look at him again without thinking of this. She felt him smile, his lips curving against her cheek.
"Are you sure you want me to release you?"
Tári groaned, "No I am not sure, and yes you must release me."
Haldir grinned, and rose, pulling her to her feet. He pulled a small twig from her hair. "I release you then. But not for long, Laiquendi." He handed her the two knives, and with a slight bow, and a wicked grin, turned and disappeared into the trees. Lost from her view, but not from her mind.
Tathar lowered himself into the cushioned seat with a small sigh, staring at the lovely elven woman across from him. Galadriel sat tall, her spine straight against the back of her chair, as always regal and beautiful. Her eyes glittered with curiosity now, the ancient blue gaze boring into his mind, her questions flooding his thoughts. He held up his hands in surrender, and Galadriel flashed an amused grin.
"You must speak to me, Tathar. You have seen the future, and you despair. I can see it, I can feel it," her gaze still pinned him.
Tathar smiled sadly. "You were ever so direct, my dear. Aye, I have seen a future that sends me into the depths of despair when I remember my vision." He clenched his jaw, resting his forehead on his hand for a moment. "You know me too well, even after all these years. I have foreseen my destruction, Galadriel. The end of my life, my world as I know it. And I accept what must be." He leaned back into the chair, seeming so calm with such a burden to bear.
"My people are few now, Galadriel. Less than five hundred Laiquendi remain in our lands. The shadow grows, swallowing my lands, my people. I left with the barest few I could, knowing they would need all to defend what is left. I left with the two most important things in my life, my daughters. They cannot go back, Galadriel. I cannot watch them die."
Galadriel frowned. "Your daughters are welcome here, Tathar. The shadows do not fall only on Ossiriand and the Laiquendi. Middle Earth is in crisis, the lands of men are being overrun, Mirkwood fights for her life, and even here in Lothlorien, our borders must be manned heavily to disparage the evil that traverses our lands daily." Galadriel rose to pace in front of him. "The time of the elves is drawing to a close, Tathar. More of us feel the call of the sea, more leave, but not enough. We lose too many to the shadow."
She turned to Tathar when he sighed. "Join with us, ally yourselves with us so that can fight the shadow together."
Tathar rose, folding his hands behind his back. "I cannot force them to leave the lands they love. Could you? If any remain, then so must I."
Galadriel reached out to grip his arm. "But you would force your daughters away? They will not want to stay without you, Tathar."
He closed his eyes, pain and weariness crossing his features. When he opened them, the despair darkened the brown depths. "I cannot do otherwise. Long have I known that it would come to this. I must take Keliar with me, but once I am gone, if he lives I would ask that he return here."
Galadriel began to speak, but stared at him in surprise. "It is not only your people's death you see, but your own!"
Tathar nodded. "I know not when, but I know that when I return, I will not live to see the next rise of the moon." He gripped the hand Galadriel still held on his sleeve.
Galadriel smiled softly, her eyes searching his. "You should have had another companion, Tathar. It has been too long for you alone."
Tathar squeezed the fingers on his arm. "There could be no other that I would want, my lady. Only one elf in Middle Earth could hold my heart after my wife, Tiniona passed into the Halls of Mandos, but I knew that it was not possible."
"Because I fear she was already taken," Celeborn said softly, striding slowly down the stair. He reached out to grip Tathar's shoulder in comfort. The Laiquendi Lord smiled.
"Aye, as I was about to say, Celeborn, she is already taken. You're lucky I was not near when you courted her." Tathar grinned sadly, and Celeborn bowed slightly.
"Perhaps, Tathar. Perhaps."
* * *
Haldir placed the blindfold around the elf eyes, tying it securely in place, looking up to see Keliar and Tári enter the arena. He smiled to himself, noting Tári wore leggings and a tunic this day. She seemed to have freed herself from Brenna's clutches. He gripped the elf's shoulders, whispering to him softly.
Keliar stopped next to Orophin where he stood at the edge of the arena. "What is happening, Orophin?"
Orophin turned to them and smiled, his eyes taking in Tári's clothes in a twinkling mischievous smile. "A day of testing. The elf wants to become a warden. Haldir will test him to see if he has the necessary reflexes, strengths."
Keliar grinned, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Ah, this will be interesting. I shall watch closely."
Orophin grinned, and they turned back to Haldir who now stood several feet away from the elf, holding a small coin in his hand.
Orophin leaned over to Keliar. "The coin is specially made, it emits a tiny sound when tossed, will the elf hear it? He must catch it as Haldir tosses it to him.
Haldir flipped the coin toward the elf, who stood still, his head cocked, listening for the tiny sound the coin emitted. He reached out in a blur, then opened his fist revealing the small disk. He flipped it into the air toward Haldir, grinning, aware of where the March Warden had stood from the position of the coin's toss. Haldir frowned, moving around the elf, stalking silently.
Haldir flipped the coin toward the elf once more, from where he stood behind him, but then moved quickly away. The elf's whirled, reaching out, and opened his fist to reveal the coin once more, but did not toss the coin back. Instead he tilted his head, then turned finally to where Haldir now stood, bowing.
Tári frowned, "If he can hear the coin, then it is a simple matter to catch it, blindfolded or not."
Orophin looked down at her in amusement. "Ah you think so? But the test is not over yet, look."
Haldir had pulled out another coin, and with both hands flipped them into the air. The elf froze momentarily, then in a whirl of movement, spun around. He sighed, then opened both hands to show both coins. Haldir nodded, and moved around the elf, pausing this time to throw the coins.
Tári gasped when she saw Haldir hand the coins to Rúmil, exchanging them with another pair. They moved silently, and the blindfolded elf listened carefully, cocking his head in concentration.
Orophin grinned, leaning down to whisper very softly. "These make no sound."
Haldir moved around the elf, while Rúmil moved in the opposite direction, confusing the elf who still stood, concentrating. Haldir met Rúmil's gaze and at the same time, both elves tossed the coins into the air. Four coins flew high, the tiny metal disks flashing in the sunlight.
The elf waited only a bare second, then in a flurry of movement that Tári could barely see, whirled and spun. He came to a halt, breathing quickly. Tári searched the ground, but had not seen the coins fall. The elf smiled finally, and opened his hands. All four coins glistened in his palms. Haldir grinned, stepping up to the elf, untying the blindfold.
The elf bowed, a relieved grin on his face, then turned to stride out of the arena. Haldir turned to them and they approached.
Keliar smiled. "That was an interesting test, Haldir.
Haldir nodded. "One among many." His gaze swept over Tári. "Would you like to try?" he grinned when Tári shook her head.
"Nay Haldir, I do not wish to make a fool of myself, thank you." She frowned when he stepped closer.
"I do not wish to embarrass you. I think you would do well."
Tári's chin rose slightly, but she continued to frown. "Nay Haldir, I do not wish to try your test." She stared at him for a moment, then turned suddenly when Brenna entered the arena.
"There you are!" Brenna exclaimed laughing. "I have looked all over for you. I should have known where I should find you." She gripped Tári's hand, pulling her toward the gate. "I'm sorry, fair wardens, but I need Tári. You will attend the evening festivities, will you not? I hear Rúmil is planning on singing!"
Haldir and Orophin groaned, while Keliar looked at Rúmil in amusement when he grinned. "Aye, I have offered my services, but you are lucky. Celeborn has said he has plenty of entertainment planned."
* * *
Tári pulled the tunic over her head, stepping into the bath while Brenna rummaged through a basket full of herbs and vials of scents for the water. She giggled, pulling a long glass vial from within the basket , and poured several drops into the water. Immediately the smell of Elanor filled the room. The yellow blossoms that grew under the great mellyrn tree of Amroth heavy with a sweet, yet spicy scent.
"This is my favorite. We must use it with care, for it is a special blend." She poured water over Tári's head. "I hear tell it is one of Haldir's favorite scents."
Tári turned to look at her. "And why should you say that, Brenna? I have no interest in Haldir." She leaned back against the tub.
Brenna leaned forward. "No interest at all? He is one of the most sought after elves in Lórien. Ah he is so aloof, so distant. It drives the elven maidens to throw themselves at him. Yet you are not even a tiny bit interested?"
Tári slid down further into the water, hoping the heat from the water would hide the blush that now traveled up her neck into her face. She tried to forget the heated kiss he'd given her when she first arrived.
Brenna had stopped pouring water and was staring curiously at her. "Why do you blush, Tári?" she leaned forward to grip the edge of the tub, her eyes wide with insatiable curiosity. "Has he said something to you? He can be very overwhelming when he decides to flash that rare smile of his." She began to grin widely when Tári slid further down into the tub, immersing most of her body into the water until it lapped at her chin.
Brenna leaned on her hands on the edge of the tub, her grin still creasing her face.
"Stop looking at me like that, he has done nothing." Tári muttered, her last words rising in a squeak. Brenna leaned back laughing.
"He has kissed you hasn't he!" Brenna said watching the blood flood Tári's face. The poor Laiquendi sank down into the water with a groan of dismay. Brenna reached into the water pulling Tári back up.
"Tári, you must tell me what happened!"
Tári shook her head, her face flushed with color. Brenna pulled her out of the tub, wrapping a large towel around her. She dragged Tári to a chair, pushing her down into it and began to smooth the tangles from the long white hair.
"I am going to hound you until you tell me." Brenna insisted and Tári sighed.
"Brenna, it was nothing, he said he desired to kiss me and he did, before I could say no."
"Nothing! Haldir!" she laughed tapping the comb on Tári's head. "You would be the envy of half the elven maidens at dinner tonight if they knew he even looked at you in interest. He did not even produce a small amount of desire in you?"
Tári could not look into the mirror at Brenna, her face was still too warm.
Brenna giggled. "You refuse to admit it. Why?"
Tári finally found her tongue. "I don't know why he even had the desire, Brenna. Aranel is the one who most elves look at, not me!"
Brenna frowned. "Aye, Aranel seems to have her share of admirers, but most are frightened away by her temper. I know of only a few who could handle that type." She laughed low in her throat. "And three are brothers."
She pulled part of Tári's hair on top of her head, twining dark blue ribbons into the cascade that now fell down her back. "Stop worrying about what others are thinking. If that is what worries you, Haldir is a gentleman, he would not take you further than you wish to go."
Tári turned to Brenna, clutching her hand. "But Brenna, how do I know how far I wish to go. I have not had many elves vying for my attentions. I don't know what to do! I don't know how to flirt!"
Brenna laughed hugging her. "You don't need to flirt, just be yourself. That is what has drawn his interest."
* * *
Tári swept away from the noise of the gathering. All night she'd tried to ignore Haldir. Their last conversation and Brenna's had her all confused. What did she want? The elf confused her, brought out emotions she'd never had before. When she left he'd been talking to his brothers. An opportune time to leave, she thought. But she wasn't ready to go to her room. A short walk among the trees would suffice.
Tári wandered through the forest along the edge of the city, the lights growing distant, faint. She walked, touching the warm bark of the great trees with hands that delighted in the feel of the wood.
"I would not go too far."
Tári whirled around, furious she had not detected his presence again. Haldir leaned casually against a tree, his silver hair reflecting the starlight, the sheen of his white tunic vivid in the dark shadows. His smile was wicked.
He pushed away from the tree, and Tári stepped back. Their conversation at breakfast flashed into her mind, but she held her tongue. He seemed highly amused.
"What is so amusing?" She stepped back to the side of the tree, resting her hand on the bark.
"You."
Tári frowned. She hated being laughed at. "So what do you want?" His grin gave her the answer. She stepped behind the tree.
"I think I will go back now," She gripped the tree and looked around it to Haldir.
Haldir did not move, but only folded his arms over his chest. "I'll give you an option."
Tári had stepped away to leave and turned back to face him. "What kind of option?"
He turned his head to look at her, and his eyes glittered softly. He reached down into his boots, pulling two of her knives free. Tári gritted her teeth. They had been her mother's.
"I will give you your knives back, but only if you can defeat me in a target competition. I have seen your skills."
Tári clenched her hands. The knives were hers, she shouldn't have to compete for them. "And if I don't want to compete?"
Haldir's grin was not pleasant, nor accommodating. "You would not like the other choice, I assure you."
Tári sighed, and Haldir bowed. He waved her in front of him, and led her further into the wood. He stopped in a small clearing, nothing more than the absence of one or two trees. Across from them a large mellyrn had died, but was left intact, the home of many of the forest animals. He pointed at the tree, and to a large knot.
"A perfect target. Can you hit it?"
Tári frowned. Of course she could hit it! But a knot in the tree would be very dense and difficult to embed the knife point into. She would have to throw with precision. She looked at Haldir. She had no idea of his skills, but assumed he felt he could win. Or was he just trying to give her an easy way out of her obligation? She didn't know.
She nodded in agreement. "How do you choose to win? If I embed both knives and you do as well?"
Haldir laughed. "Let us try. If it is a standoff, then we shall throw over. Sooner or later one of us shall fail." He bowed and handed her a knife.
Tári turned toward the tree. Even in the darkness of evening the light from the stars lit the area well enough for her to see the rings of the knot, the layers of bark and wood. She studied the knot to see where her knife must go in. She lifted the knife, gripping the sharp point, the long elven blade balanced unconsciously.
Haldir watched in appreciation, studying the smooth movement of her arms, her concentration. Her arm came up and she released the knife. It flipped end over end to embed, quivering madly into the knot.
Haldir stepped up, and she moved aside. He balanced the knife on his fingers, testing the weight. He gripped the handle, and with a strong flick of his wrist, threw the knife. It landed next to Tári's. He turned to her with a smile, and shrugged.
Tári groaned to herself in dismay while he strode to pull the knives from the tree. She was a fool, thrice over. He was going to win, easily. "So what is the point of this game, then."
Haldir handed the knife to her. "If you win, your apology is accepted, and I will give you your knives back."
Tári swallowed. Tempting, but not likely. "And if I do not?" She hid her hands in her skirts when he turned to face her fully.
"Then, dear Tári, I get my revenge. You will have to kiss me." He grinned at her expression. "And it will be a good one too, or I shall cry false." He looked away but not before she saw the amusement on his face.
She gritted her teeth. He was playing with her, teasing her. She'd not let him win if she could help it. She drew the blade again from his hand. Concentrating on the tree, she threw the knife, and it once more quivered in the knot of the tree.
Haldir followed suit. They stepped up once again. Three more times they threw and three times the knives quivered in the knot. Tári stepped up again. Her confidence had grown. She could go on forever. He would not win, she thought brashly.
She stared in horror as the knife bounced off the knot to fall to the base of the tree. She heard Haldir chuckle. He pushed her gently aside. With only a swift glance at the tree, he threw her knife. It pointed, once more quivering, in silent affirmation that she had lost.
She turned to Haldir. He grinned, sliding down to sit below the tree, balancing her knife in his hand. His eyebrows rose invitingly and Tári felt the flush of embarrassment sweep over her. She strode up to him and leaned over him, but he caught her wrists.
"A good one." He grinned and Tári stared at him.
So he wanted her to kiss him. She searched the mischievous grey eyes. So different they could be, what a range of emotions this elf had shown her. What more would she evoke with her kiss? Did she dare try to see? She smiled, pushing away the doubts and fears, and embarrassment, and reached down to cup his face in her hands. He stared at her curiously, waiting patiently.
Tári bent over, her hair sliding over her shoulders, and pressed her lips softly against his. He did not respond, for the moment, only waiting to see what more she would do. She lifted her head, staring into the silvery eyes. They gleamed with more than amusement. She knelt down next to him, still cupping his face, and pressed her lips firmly against his, moving them softly across his firm lips, opening hers slightly to feel his breath. His hands came up to grip her waist. She kissed him harder, her hands sliding along his head and into his hair, feeling the silky strands slip through her fingers. His hair was so soft, she thought, leaning against him unconsciously as she kissed him deeply.
The tables shifted suddenly and she felt his hands slid up over her arms to grip her own face. He pulled her against him, his lips suddenly responding to her, pressing hers open. His tongue swept over hers, and his hands slid into her own hair, cradling the back of her head as he trailed his lips over her cheek to her neck.
Tári gasped, his lips were suddenly drawing a torrent of heat from her body, but he did not let her go. He kissed the curve of her jaw, his mouth crushing hers once more. His arm wrapped around her and she was drawn tightly against him, his lips leaving hers to trail down her neck and over her chest. She gripped his shoulders, the tremors that now spread through her making her legs trembly, and weak. He cupped her face again, demanding more, his lips bruising hers slightly, his tongue entwining with hers. She sank against him, her legs refusing to hold her straight. He twisted, pulling her down to the soft grass. He shifted so he lay beside her, his kisses unending, trailing along her shoulders, across her chest, over her face and ears.
Tári's heart was racing, chills racing up her spine, tremors sweeping her wherever his lips touched. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the moment to go on forever. She gripped the front of his tunic when he rolled over her, and she could feel the hard length of his body pressed fully against hers, pushing her into the soft soil beneath her.
He lifted his head finally, and Tári gasped for breath, her eyes wide. She could feel him, his hard muscled length pressed against her, feel that he wanted more than just her kisses. She closed her eyes, the blush flooding her face. She heard him chuckle softly.
"So does that fulfill our wager?" she said breathlessly, a bit peeved he was amused with her again.
Haldir kissed the corner of her mouth. "Aye,"
"So you can let me up now," she whispered, trying to ignore his kisses that drew along her neck.
"No."
Tári gasped, squirming slightly under him. Her blood was racing, but she wasn't ready for this. He slid his arms under her, trapping her, holding her tightly against him.
"No, I do not want to let you up, but you are right. I must." He sighed, brushing his lips over the corner of her mouth again.
She was not going to be able to look at him again without thinking of this. She felt him smile, his lips curving against her cheek.
"Are you sure you want me to release you?"
Tári groaned, "No I am not sure, and yes you must release me."
Haldir grinned, and rose, pulling her to her feet. He pulled a small twig from her hair. "I release you then. But not for long, Laiquendi." He handed her the two knives, and with a slight bow, and a wicked grin, turned and disappeared into the trees. Lost from her view, but not from her mind.