Chapter Eleven: Reflections
Haldir walked silently along the stone corridor, his gaze seeking out the shadows warily, still uncomfortable with the thought of the drow roaming the castle unchecked. Galadriel had tried to assure him that these elves were allies, but he could not turn aside his instinctive reaction against them. The memories were still too strong. He stopped, outside a large door. Tári's room, she was now sharing with her Aunt. Were they both in there? He did not care to see her Aunt, but needed to speak with Tári. What had they done to her? He reached out to knock as the door was pulled open sharply. Tári stared at him in surprise.
"Haldir?"
"I wished to see how you fared." Haldir scowled. He would not tell her of his concerns.
Tári glanced around him, and pulled him inside, shutting the door quickly. "I am fine, Haldir. Why are you so concerned. Windred thinks you wish to control me, and tells me I must be wary of you." She turned away from him and chuckled. "She said I would have great power over you were I one of the drow." She gasped when he gripped her arm, whirling her to face him. His eyes glittered strangely.
"But you are not of the drow, Tári. You must not let her thoughts take hold in your mind. I do not trust her, I do not trust any of the drow." He gripped her arms tightly. He pulled her closer. "You are still under my command, I would see you near me when you are not with your Aunt."
Tári couldn't breathe suddenly, he had pulled her close to him, and the sense of his presence was filling her head, almost overwhelming her. Had her senses changed so much that his very essence filled her mind? She gasped when he tightened his grip on her arms, focusing on his face. He wanted to kiss her, she suddenly felt it. But he was controlling the desire fiercely. Why? She had not been adverse to his kisses, in fact they made her toes curl. But he was holding back now.
"Why won't you kiss me?" she asked, watching his eyes widen, then narrow. The wide lips curved slightly, unable to hide his humor.
"How do you know I want to kiss you?" The hands gripping her arms did not loosen, and he drew her nearer.
Tári grinned. "I can sense it in you." She gripped the grey fabric of his tunic. "I didn't say no." She closed her eyes when his lips brushed hers, softly for a moment, then demanding , a hungry kiss that indeed, set her on her toes. He released her quickly when a dark laugh sounded from behind them.
"How quaint. Do you kiss all your wardens like that, Haldir?" Windred stood in the doorway, her arms folded, staring disapprovingly at Haldir.
Haldir turned to her, and Tári sensed his fury. But he only smiled scornfully. "I only kiss one." He said, glancing at Tári, and bowed slightly, brushing past the drow without touching her.
Tári smothered a laugh at the annoyed look on Windred's face.
"How can you allow him to kiss you like that, he only wishes to control you," Windred asked, scowling.
"Indeed, Aunt Windred," Tári laughed. "Haldir can kiss me like that anytime he wants." Tári turned away, trying to wipe away the giddy smile that seemed glued to her face.
Windred scowled fiercely. "The males are only after one thing. Power!"
Tári turned around, the smile gone, replaced by annoyance. "Nay, what you want is power. Haldir is already powerful. The power of his will, Aunt Windred. I have seen him intimidate even you, that's how much power he has."
Windred stared at Tári thoughtfully. "Your sense of perception has indeed grown. You are right, the Guardian is very powerful, his strength lies in that arrogance, and iron control. I know what he is, I have felt it. But you can be stronger."
Tári shook her head. "I do not want power of that kind, Aunt. Why would I wish to be stronger than him?"
"So you can control your own destiny. Do not allow him to control you. He will weaken you. How far have you taken this relationship? What did he mean you were his warden? Even with no magical power, you outrank him. He should have no say in what you do."
Tári waved her hands to stop the flood of questions. "My relationship with Haldir is my own business, Aunt Windred. I am under his command because I owe him, for what I did." Tári turned away angry.
"What you did? What do you feel for this gray-elf?" Windred gripped her shoulder.
Tári turned toward her Aunt, "I care for him deeply, Aunt. I will not forsake that in a battle for power."
Windred stepped back with a sneer. "Then you are more unlike me and my kind than I thought, for the desire for power controls us all. I do not understand how you can give that up! For what?"
Tári smiled. "For what? For everything that might give joy. For love, Aunt Windred. For the feeling I get every time he touches me. I would choose love a thousand times over the power that you would have me gain.."
* *
The dark shadows of night were illuminated by the brightness of the full moon. Tári leaned on the rampart wall, her uneasiness flooding her mind with warning. The simple tactics her aunt had shown her had focused her senses. She could now feel the uneasiness, not as an emotion, but more a separate entity, curling in her mind, sending out its message of warning. She gripped the stone, closing her eyes, trying to feel what was out there.
"What do you feel?" Windred stood next to her, watching her carefully. Lord Tathar stood beside her as well. Where were Keliar and Haldir? And the others? She had not seen them all day.
"A presence in the wood. Waiting."
"How many?" Her father gripped his sword, his face pale. This was the night of his vision and he was still worried. She could sense his nerves were taut, but held tightly in check.
"I cannot be sure, but they are nervous. They remember the fog."
Windred frowned. "We will not have that to avail us this time. I hope your elves' skills are as good as you say, Tathar. They will need them this night. And Keliar? Where did your commander go?"
Lord Tathar turned to the wall. "They are down there, among the trees. The Lórien elves can blend into anything. They lie in wait. Our first defense."
Tári pushed her way to the wall, her gaze going to the tree line. He was out there? She closed her eyes, hearing her aunt's disparaging whisper.
He will be your weakness.
Tári felt them, sensed the elves hidden in the trees. They were calm. They had dealt with this threat many times. She focused, narrowing in on each elf. None knew fear, only impatience. But it was a controlled impatience; they were trained well. She frowned. Where was Haldir, Keliar?
"Haldir and Keliar are not out there. I cannot sense them."
Lord Tathar glanced at her, "I know."
Tári turned to him. "You know? You just said they were out there." Her father glanced at her again.
"They are out there, Tári, just not in the tree line. They lie in wait."
Tári's eyes widened, and she turned back, staring at the far trees. Where were they?
* *
Haldir crouched beside the tree, his cloak blending him into the bark, the hood pulled over the long blond hair. He could smell the Orcs ahead. The small group had hidden among the folds of the land, the wall of trees circling the castle a league beyond them. He gripped his sword, moving his gaze across the small hill. The quiet trill of a bird call made him stand, still shielded behind the tree. The Orcs stiffened but did not move.
He reached back, pulling his bow from his shoulder. His sword would be necessary soon enough, but the bow would come first. He pulled out an arrow, his gaze never leaving the Orcs huddled in front of him. There were probably thirty, his elves only a third of that. He slid around the back side of the tree, leaning his back against it when one of the Orcs stood up, sniffing the air. It growled, slapping the next Orc in the head and it stood as well.
He glanced around the tree, more Orcs were standing, and he heard some draw their swords, bows were being nocked. They had sensed the elves. He whistled, a piercing sound in the stillness. The Orcs with shields sank behind them instantly.
Arrows whistled through the air, rebounding off the leather armor of the Orcs, and those without protection soon were lying groaning , if not dead, on the forest floor. The Orcs had spread out, using the hill behind them as protection, their hoarse growls and shouts echoing amid the trees. Arrows whistled past Haldir and he ducked, sliding to the front of the tree. He released the arrow into the Orc facing him. The creature screamed spinning away. Haldir ran, silently, loosing another arrow, and nocking another instantly. The Orcs were closing back together, using their shields in a wall of protection. He shoved his bow onto his shoulder, drawing his sword.
Tári could feel the battle, several battles, amid the forest beyond the castle. But she could not tell at that distance who fought where. Why did they fight in the forest? They would be trapped, the Orcs were spread out in small groups, not as one large patrol!
"They will be trapped, there are too many of them!"
Lord Tathar glanced at her. "You underestimate their skill, Tári. You know these elves. You have seen them fight first hand."
"You must ignore them. Focus on our own danger." Windred commanded, her gaze pinned on the tree line. The moonlight glittered in the murky eyes, but they no longer glowed.
Even as Windred spoke Orcs came racing out of the tree line, brandishing swords. They stopped just out of range of the elven bowmen, crouching down. Another wave of Orcs broke from the trees, these ran past the crouching Orcs who followed closely, their arrows forming a cover for the first. Tári frowned seeing the Orcs carrying a huge battering ram.
"They are going to break the doors!"
Tathar had turned, his face white. "Aye, and they will!" he ran down the wall, shouting hoarse commands to the elves.
Tári turned to Windred. "But Haldir said he has two paths! I thought he had chosen the other, that this would not happen!"
Windred gripped her arm. "He has chosen, but the fight still remains. We must follow. You must stay close to him. Your skills with the bow are just as important as your sense of perception at the moment."
"But where are Keliar, and Haldir! The elves in the tree line? Why have they not returned?" Tári hurried after her father, and looked back to her aunt, but she had gone. Where? And where were the other drow? Tári's sense of uneasiness grew stronger.
She ran after Tathar, keeping the Laiquendi Lord in her vision, pulling her bow from her shoulder. The sounds of the Orcs below the walls grew, and she gasped when ladders began to slam against the castle walls. She leaned over the wall, aiming her small bow at the Orc that clambered up the ladder, his eyes widening the moment he saw her, her arrow piercing his forehead. He fell, taking several more Orcs with him on the way down. She glanced at her father, he still stood a short distance away, his own bow singing its death song.
She ducked an arrow, and aimed, shooting the next Orc who attempted the ladder. She only had so many arrows!
She aimed again, but then drew back, sensing the elves on the ground were close. Where? She leaned over the edge of the wall further and saw them, lined near the tree line, taking down Orcs from behind. The Orcs were now sandwiched in between the two groups of elves. She whirled when Tathar ran past her. The sound of wood splintering filled the air and she leaped behind him, the wooden doors of the rampart wall broken, but still holding.
Tári drew back when she reached the ground. Windred and the other drow were standing in front of the door, hands held out, in some kind of trance.
"I thought their powers waned with the full moon!" Tári cried, gripping her father's sleeve. He too had stopped.
"For the most part they have, they will not be able to hold the door for long!" He ran forward, drawing his sword. Tári drew another arrow, nocking her small bow again, and aimed at the Orcs that began to squeeze through the door. Several went down, but soon too many replaced them. She could not keep up. Tathar had leaped forward, and was fighting several. The drow elves had pulled swords free, joining him. Tári had no sword but her knives found several Orcs close to Tathar.
She was out of arrows. Her knives were still stuck in the Orcs she had killed. And Tathar was in trouble. Three Orcs were bearing down on him, and he fought well, but was outnumbered. Tári whirled, trying to locate her knives, there was no time! She spun back, seeing her Aunt from the corner of her eye. The drow was watching her intently. Tári could feel the tension inside of her, the fear and worry coalescing into a torrent of emotion that threatened to explode inside her mind. She would not let it! She spun, and screamed when she saw the Orc raise its scimitar over its head.
"Noooo!" She didn't know whether the creature had heard her and was surprised at the cry. Or, if she had projected some kind of magic. But the Orc paused, and in that moment, found itself impaled by a long elven sword from behind. She ran forward and Keliar and Haldir both spun from behind the Orc. More elves flooded through the broken door. Tári turned to see her father turn away, safe, and she sighed in relief. She stood for a moment, aware of the struggle around her. She felt distanced suddenly. Viewing the battle from afar, seeing it, but not a part of it. The sound of the fighting grew dim, and her eyesight grew fuzzy. She gasped when an arm wrapped around her waist, lifting her off the ground, bringing her back to her senses.
"Are you trying to see how good a target you can be?" Haldir asked in exasperation. He slid behind a support of the rampart wall and set her on her feet. Tári stared at him, realizing finally that he was there, and safe.
"Where were you, I was worried!"
Haldir grinned. "Why, do you not trust me?"
Tári sputtered. "Trust you? Well now that I think about it! No! And that reminds me, I have some things I want to discuss with you!"
Haldir grinned, and kissed her quickly, silencing her. "You will have to wait, Mouse. The fight nears its end, and your father still stands. Where are your knives?" he asked, gripping her wrist.
"In a dead Orc." She snapped, twisting her wrist from his grasp. He frowned, one eyebrow raised slightly. "Don't look at me like that! I have had no time to retrieve them." She pushed past him, and ran toward her father, aware Haldir was close behind her. She retrieved the knives, pulling them free without a thought for the dead creature beneath it. It was kill or be killed, there was no room for any other thought.
She reached her father. He had moved back to the steps of the castle, and stood leaning on his sword. Tári ran up the steps, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I see you arrived just in time, March Warden."
Haldir smiled, "Nay, it was Keliar. But I would have finished the Orc if he had not. Where is Keliar?"
"I am here." Keliar ran down the steps from inside the castle. "There are none inside. What Orcs are left alive have fled." He slid his sword into its scabbard. "What did you do to the Orc, Tári? I was sure I was too late, but then he froze for just a moment. It was all I needed. Haldir was only a step behind me."
Tári released her father to stare at Keliar. "I did nothing, only screamed." Keliar shrugged, but his expression said otherwise. Had she done something more? "Where is Windred, and the others?"
Keliar looked up the steps, "They are inside, tending to the wounded. They are trying to help. I don't know that I would trust their healing. Orophin is inside, Haldir, someone brought him in." He gripped Haldir's shoulder when he moved past him. "Nothing serious, but again, I don't know that you will want them to heal him." Haldir nodded and ran quickly up the steps into the castle.
* *
Windred was leaning over Orophin in what looked to be a serious argument. One that neither was winning. Haldir frowned, moving toward them, but Tári hurried past him.
"I do not need your attempts at healing, Lady Windred. I will wait, tis only a small wound." Orophin was saying, his eyes narrowed, staring at the drow elf beside him.
Windred sighed in annoyance and turned when Tári reached the table on which Orophin sat, his leg stretched out in front of him.
"Orophin, what happened?" She asked, her gaze meeting Windred's.
"Only a minor wound, Tári. You did worse to Rúmil." He glared at Windred, but she ignored him, her gaze settling on Tári.
"You wounded one of the Lorien elves?"
Tári ignored her question. Haldir reached the table and Windred stepped in front of him.
"I could have healed him. Why do you not allow it?"
Haldir stepped past her. "Orophin makes his own choices." He glanced at his brother, their eyes meeting in an unspoken communication. "Where is Rúmil?" he asked Orophin.
"He is somewhere on the ramparts, checking others. He was well when I saw him last." Haldir nodded, probing Orophin's leg.
Tári leaned closer, eyeing the arrow wound. "Who took out the arrow?"
Orophin gritted his teeth, glaring at Haldir. "I did, and I wish I still had it. I'd like to strike Haldir with it for advancing before the rest of us could reach him. He and Keliar are lucky they are still in one piece." He grunted, glaring again at Haldir who ignored him completely.
Haldir placed his hand over Orophin's leg, his eyes rising to meet his brother's. Orophin shuddered slightly, the color draining from his face. Tári gripped his arm when he groaned quietly. "I hate being healed." Orophin muttered, glaring at Haldir and promptly fell back onto the table, unconscious.
Windred stared at Haldir with interest. "So you have the gift of healing as well. I should have known that you carried that skill. Your brother does as well, he said. And your brother Rúmil?"
Haldir glanced briefly at Windred. "He does not. Only Orophin and I."
Windred smiled. "From your mother. Healing is a power passed down from the female side. You have no sisters?"
Haldir frowned irritably. "Nay, I have none."
Windred sighed. "A pity then, it will be lost once you are gone. You have great skill." She turned away, moving toward others who were injured.
"You don't have to be so rude, Haldir." Tári whispered, glancing at her Aunt.
"I was not rude."
"No? Well I'd hate to see you when you are!" She wrapped a bandage around Orophin's leg, sensing Haldir's irritation beside her.
"I do not think I should be addressed that way, warden."
Tári frowned, "Oh! Now you invoke your commanding tone!" She snorted in annoyance. "You think you can kiss me one time and then order me about the next. Make up your mind, Haldir."
Haldir leaned close to Tári, placing his hand over hers where it rested on Orophin's leg. "I will do both, again. You still are under my command, Tári. You will do as I say."
Tári glared at him, aware that her aunt had turned and was watching them closely. "Oh so overbearing suddenly! And you lied to me! You told me there were five coins! What is the truth of that matter! What more have you said that is untrue!" she began to pull her hand away but he gripped it tightly.
"I do not think this is a good time for this discussion."
Tári gritted her teeth "You never think it's a good time for my discussions!"
Haldir grinned, "Perhaps that is because you do not choose opportune times in which to discuss things." He ducked when Tári swung her fist at him. He laughed, scooping her up into his arms. "But perhaps we need to discuss this further, in private."
He turned and stopped, Windred stood before him. "Where do you take her? She is not willing. You will put her down."
Haldir smiled slowly. Tári had stopped struggling and was staring at her Aunt. He squeezed Tári when she began to speak, silencing her. "I will not. She and I have some things to discuss."
Windred frowned. "Things to discuss? Like that? I do not approve!"
Haldir gripped Tári tighter, feeling her tense. "I do not need your approval. I have Tathar's." His lips twitched at Tári's squeak of surprise, and he brushed rudely past Windred, leaving her to stare after them in fury.
* *
Haldir strode through the stone corridors of the Laiquendi castle, reaching the room he had shared with Rúmil and Orophin. He pushed open the door with his shoulder, grinning as Tári had slid her arms around his neck and into his hair. He tossed her onto a bed, where she bounced onto her knees, facing him. Haldir unbuckled his quiver, tossing it to the floor.
Tári snorted quietly, watching him. "Is that any way to treat your weapons, March Warden. You must have more care!" She squealed when he turned quickly reaching for her, but she evaded his grip. She slid to the far side of the bed.
Haldir leaned on the edge of the bed, one hand unbuckling his sword, which landed loudly on the stone floor next to his quiver.
Tári's eyebrow rose in mock disdain. "Ah such impertinence. You should be reprimanded for treating such wondrous weapons so uncaringly."
Haldir smiled, his eyes beginning to glitter. "I have other weapons, shall I show you?"
Tári laughed. He slid along the edge of the bed. Tári had no place to go but over the top. She leaped onto the bed when he slid further, but he had anticipated her move and rolled onto the bed as well, pulling her into his arms. He rolled over, and they both fell off the edge onto the floor.
Tári sprawled above Haldir, hearing his head thud onto the floor with a groan. "Oh fine, make it through a hundred Orc arrows and you now fall off the bed and injure yourself. What will Orophin and Rúmil think? They will blame me!"
Haldir groaned, his head throbbing. "Silence! You will not say a word to them." He gripped her arms rolling over, pinning her to the floor.
Tári frowned, noting his grimace when he moved, but giggled at the fierce expression on his face. "Why? Do you fear their reaction, March Warden?" She twisted under him, trying to squeeze out from his embrace.
Haldir gripped her shoulders, pinning her to the floor as he sat up. His sat on her thighs, his legs pinned tightly to hers. "I fear nothing, warden." He leaned over her nipping the lower part of her ear.
Tári squirmed, unable to move much with Haldir kneeling over her. But she wasn't giving in! "I am in no mood to be ordered about. You deceived me!" She gasped when he leaned over her, again. His eyes were gleaming now, in outright humor.
"Aye, I deceived you."
Tári frowned, annoyed, "And you admit it! Bloody elf!" she kicked her legs, twisting her hips, but he only tightened his thighs against her.
Haldir laughed softly, leaning down again to kiss her jaw near her ear. "What purpose would it have served for you to know you passed the test? I needed you to cooperate still. You would have been too cocky."
Tári grunted, trying to ignore the sudden tightness in her breasts, the warm tingling that erupted wherever his lips touched her. They were touching her everywhere. How could he pin her and still kiss her like that? She was trapped, but still had her hands free. He was not going to end this discussion so easily. He leaned over to kiss her neck again and she gripped a handful of silver hair that slid onto her hand. And yanked hard.
"Ouch! Unhand me, wench." He released her shoulder to grip the hand in his hair.
"Nay, I am not done discussing our discussion!" She pulled again, and saw his eyes narrow. Ooh, best not to make him angry. "What else have you said that was untrue? I demand to know!"
Haldir twisted her hand from his hair, and pinned the wrist against the floor. He stared at the slight elf below him. "There is nothing else, sprite. Keliar and I were astonished at how well you did. I could not tell you this, you would not have believed me if I had. Your skills hover just beneath the surface, Galadriel said to watch. She knew. I did not believe her."
Tári froze, staring up into the grey eyes above her. "I did that well?"
Haldir grinned. "Aye, better than I, I think."
Tári grinned, but took advantage of his brief inattentiveness to swing her knees up. Haldir brief look of surprise was quickly erased by an expression of pain, and he rolled off her with a groan. Tári rolled to her knees and sat down on Haldir when he sprawled back onto the floor.
"Well, if you didn't want me to make love to you, Tári, you only had to say so." Haldir's face was pale, tinged slightly green.
"Tsk, tsk." Tári laughed, knowing she had not hurt him as bad as he tried to make it seem. Such an trickster, she'd have to remember that. He was not so unlike his brothers after all. "And what makes you think I wanted you to make love to me, Haldir of Lórien.
Haldir closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her above him. He opened one eye, lifting a dark brow. "Because I can sense it in you." He quipped, catching the hands that reached for him again. He pulled her down on top of him with a grin.
Tári laid fully on top of him, her body glued tightly to his frame, feeling the long lean hardness underneath her. She leaned forward, bracing her hands against his. Her lips hovered only a few inches above his and she stared into eyes that were now smoldering with desire. She could definitely feel his desire. She giggled, and one brow rose in question. "You know the bed is much softer."
Haldir laced his fingers through hers, locking her hands to his. Her lips were only inches from his, but he did not move. "Aye, but how do you propose to get there? I have no plans on releasing you."
Tári's own brows rose in amusement. "No? But I am on top."
Haldir lips twitched. "Aye, so?"
Tári scowled. "So, I am on top and you have my hands locked with yours, but my knees are free." She gasped when Haldir shifted, and they rolled over once again. Her breathe escaped with a whoosh when he settled over her, bringing her hands up over her head. He pressed hard against her and Tári couldn't fight the desire that flamed through her.
"So, what do you want, then? Do I sense a particular urgency in your manner?" Haldir murmured quietly, his lips skimming along the side of her neck.
Tári arched against him. "Aye, I give in, yes you sense a strong urgency in my manner. So what are you going to do about it?"
Haldir laughed against her mouth, his lips crushing hers for a long moment.
Tári was breathless, both from the effect of his kiss and the weight of him above her. She would never give this feeling up, how could Windred find power more important? Blessed Valar, she'd never felt so alive as when he was pressed against her, his lips claiming hers. "Really, Haldir, your squishing me, I suggest the bed."
Haldir rolled to her side, and stood, scooping her up easily in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I wouldn't want to squish you, Mouse." He grinned.
Tári stared at him seriously for a moment, and he gripped her tighter, standing in the middle of the room. "What do you want, Haldir? From me?"
Haldir sighed, aware their time was running short. "Why do you ask such serious questions now?"
Tári frowned, sliding her hands into the silky hair, ignoring his narrowed eyes. She better not pull his hair anymore. "Well, I would think it an important question, I am not so free with my favors as to give them away for nothing!"
Haldir laughed, throwing her onto the bed, and Tári rolled over annoyed.
"Why do you laugh? It was a serious question!"
Haldir pulled off his tunic, tossing it on the floor and reached for her, dragging her against him again. "I laugh because you amuse me, Mouse." He pulled her to him, kissing her hungrily. "I did not consider our union an act of you giving away your favors. Silly Mouse, you gave nothing away. I paid for my actions with my heart, dear one, which leaps into my throat every time I see you act foolishly in the line of battle. I must teach you more care."
Tári covered his mouth with her hand when he attempted to kiss her again. "Your heart? Do you really care that much, Haldir?"
Haldir reached up, dragging her hand away from his mouth with a sigh. "Tári, my affection is not easily won, and only rarely have I gone beyond a mere kiss with anyone. My heart was yours the when I lifted you from your horse when we first met."
Tári slid her arms around his neck, his lips crushing hers. His hands slid into her hair holding her while he kissed her forehead, her eyes and again her lips. She smiled when he trailed his lips down her neck, arching her body against him in pleasure. "Umm, Haldir?"
His quiet groan was audible, and he glanced at her for a moment before resuming his trail of kisses.
"So you think I did better than you on the test?"
Haldir snorted quietly into her ear. His tongue was making circles around the lobe, sending icy hot chills down her back. "I knew I shouldn't have said that." His lips slid along her jaw and down onto her chest.
"But, umm Haldir?"
She felt him growl this time, and giggled. "Does that mean I am the queen of the coin toss?" She laughed when he indeed growled, moving over her to grip her face between his hands, pressing his throbbing body against hers.
"You talk to much, our time is not endless, Mouse. My brothers are notorious for their unannounced arrivals." He slid his hands under her tunic, removing the garment easily and slid her leggings over her hips. "And I am tired of waiting." He slid the leggings off her legs quickly, as well as his own.
Tári moaned with pleasure but she had one more question that insisted on an answer.
"Mmmm Haldir?"
He paused, his eyebrows rising, lifting his lips from hers. "What now?"
"Who's bed are we making love on?"
Haldir laughed, groaned and laughed again. He wrapped his arms behind her and answered a moment before his lips crushed hers, and she arched, her senses flooded with pleasure.
Rúmil's.
Haldir walked silently along the stone corridor, his gaze seeking out the shadows warily, still uncomfortable with the thought of the drow roaming the castle unchecked. Galadriel had tried to assure him that these elves were allies, but he could not turn aside his instinctive reaction against them. The memories were still too strong. He stopped, outside a large door. Tári's room, she was now sharing with her Aunt. Were they both in there? He did not care to see her Aunt, but needed to speak with Tári. What had they done to her? He reached out to knock as the door was pulled open sharply. Tári stared at him in surprise.
"Haldir?"
"I wished to see how you fared." Haldir scowled. He would not tell her of his concerns.
Tári glanced around him, and pulled him inside, shutting the door quickly. "I am fine, Haldir. Why are you so concerned. Windred thinks you wish to control me, and tells me I must be wary of you." She turned away from him and chuckled. "She said I would have great power over you were I one of the drow." She gasped when he gripped her arm, whirling her to face him. His eyes glittered strangely.
"But you are not of the drow, Tári. You must not let her thoughts take hold in your mind. I do not trust her, I do not trust any of the drow." He gripped her arms tightly. He pulled her closer. "You are still under my command, I would see you near me when you are not with your Aunt."
Tári couldn't breathe suddenly, he had pulled her close to him, and the sense of his presence was filling her head, almost overwhelming her. Had her senses changed so much that his very essence filled her mind? She gasped when he tightened his grip on her arms, focusing on his face. He wanted to kiss her, she suddenly felt it. But he was controlling the desire fiercely. Why? She had not been adverse to his kisses, in fact they made her toes curl. But he was holding back now.
"Why won't you kiss me?" she asked, watching his eyes widen, then narrow. The wide lips curved slightly, unable to hide his humor.
"How do you know I want to kiss you?" The hands gripping her arms did not loosen, and he drew her nearer.
Tári grinned. "I can sense it in you." She gripped the grey fabric of his tunic. "I didn't say no." She closed her eyes when his lips brushed hers, softly for a moment, then demanding , a hungry kiss that indeed, set her on her toes. He released her quickly when a dark laugh sounded from behind them.
"How quaint. Do you kiss all your wardens like that, Haldir?" Windred stood in the doorway, her arms folded, staring disapprovingly at Haldir.
Haldir turned to her, and Tári sensed his fury. But he only smiled scornfully. "I only kiss one." He said, glancing at Tári, and bowed slightly, brushing past the drow without touching her.
Tári smothered a laugh at the annoyed look on Windred's face.
"How can you allow him to kiss you like that, he only wishes to control you," Windred asked, scowling.
"Indeed, Aunt Windred," Tári laughed. "Haldir can kiss me like that anytime he wants." Tári turned away, trying to wipe away the giddy smile that seemed glued to her face.
Windred scowled fiercely. "The males are only after one thing. Power!"
Tári turned around, the smile gone, replaced by annoyance. "Nay, what you want is power. Haldir is already powerful. The power of his will, Aunt Windred. I have seen him intimidate even you, that's how much power he has."
Windred stared at Tári thoughtfully. "Your sense of perception has indeed grown. You are right, the Guardian is very powerful, his strength lies in that arrogance, and iron control. I know what he is, I have felt it. But you can be stronger."
Tári shook her head. "I do not want power of that kind, Aunt. Why would I wish to be stronger than him?"
"So you can control your own destiny. Do not allow him to control you. He will weaken you. How far have you taken this relationship? What did he mean you were his warden? Even with no magical power, you outrank him. He should have no say in what you do."
Tári waved her hands to stop the flood of questions. "My relationship with Haldir is my own business, Aunt Windred. I am under his command because I owe him, for what I did." Tári turned away angry.
"What you did? What do you feel for this gray-elf?" Windred gripped her shoulder.
Tári turned toward her Aunt, "I care for him deeply, Aunt. I will not forsake that in a battle for power."
Windred stepped back with a sneer. "Then you are more unlike me and my kind than I thought, for the desire for power controls us all. I do not understand how you can give that up! For what?"
Tári smiled. "For what? For everything that might give joy. For love, Aunt Windred. For the feeling I get every time he touches me. I would choose love a thousand times over the power that you would have me gain.."
* *
The dark shadows of night were illuminated by the brightness of the full moon. Tári leaned on the rampart wall, her uneasiness flooding her mind with warning. The simple tactics her aunt had shown her had focused her senses. She could now feel the uneasiness, not as an emotion, but more a separate entity, curling in her mind, sending out its message of warning. She gripped the stone, closing her eyes, trying to feel what was out there.
"What do you feel?" Windred stood next to her, watching her carefully. Lord Tathar stood beside her as well. Where were Keliar and Haldir? And the others? She had not seen them all day.
"A presence in the wood. Waiting."
"How many?" Her father gripped his sword, his face pale. This was the night of his vision and he was still worried. She could sense his nerves were taut, but held tightly in check.
"I cannot be sure, but they are nervous. They remember the fog."
Windred frowned. "We will not have that to avail us this time. I hope your elves' skills are as good as you say, Tathar. They will need them this night. And Keliar? Where did your commander go?"
Lord Tathar turned to the wall. "They are down there, among the trees. The Lórien elves can blend into anything. They lie in wait. Our first defense."
Tári pushed her way to the wall, her gaze going to the tree line. He was out there? She closed her eyes, hearing her aunt's disparaging whisper.
He will be your weakness.
Tári felt them, sensed the elves hidden in the trees. They were calm. They had dealt with this threat many times. She focused, narrowing in on each elf. None knew fear, only impatience. But it was a controlled impatience; they were trained well. She frowned. Where was Haldir, Keliar?
"Haldir and Keliar are not out there. I cannot sense them."
Lord Tathar glanced at her, "I know."
Tári turned to him. "You know? You just said they were out there." Her father glanced at her again.
"They are out there, Tári, just not in the tree line. They lie in wait."
Tári's eyes widened, and she turned back, staring at the far trees. Where were they?
* *
Haldir crouched beside the tree, his cloak blending him into the bark, the hood pulled over the long blond hair. He could smell the Orcs ahead. The small group had hidden among the folds of the land, the wall of trees circling the castle a league beyond them. He gripped his sword, moving his gaze across the small hill. The quiet trill of a bird call made him stand, still shielded behind the tree. The Orcs stiffened but did not move.
He reached back, pulling his bow from his shoulder. His sword would be necessary soon enough, but the bow would come first. He pulled out an arrow, his gaze never leaving the Orcs huddled in front of him. There were probably thirty, his elves only a third of that. He slid around the back side of the tree, leaning his back against it when one of the Orcs stood up, sniffing the air. It growled, slapping the next Orc in the head and it stood as well.
He glanced around the tree, more Orcs were standing, and he heard some draw their swords, bows were being nocked. They had sensed the elves. He whistled, a piercing sound in the stillness. The Orcs with shields sank behind them instantly.
Arrows whistled through the air, rebounding off the leather armor of the Orcs, and those without protection soon were lying groaning , if not dead, on the forest floor. The Orcs had spread out, using the hill behind them as protection, their hoarse growls and shouts echoing amid the trees. Arrows whistled past Haldir and he ducked, sliding to the front of the tree. He released the arrow into the Orc facing him. The creature screamed spinning away. Haldir ran, silently, loosing another arrow, and nocking another instantly. The Orcs were closing back together, using their shields in a wall of protection. He shoved his bow onto his shoulder, drawing his sword.
Tári could feel the battle, several battles, amid the forest beyond the castle. But she could not tell at that distance who fought where. Why did they fight in the forest? They would be trapped, the Orcs were spread out in small groups, not as one large patrol!
"They will be trapped, there are too many of them!"
Lord Tathar glanced at her. "You underestimate their skill, Tári. You know these elves. You have seen them fight first hand."
"You must ignore them. Focus on our own danger." Windred commanded, her gaze pinned on the tree line. The moonlight glittered in the murky eyes, but they no longer glowed.
Even as Windred spoke Orcs came racing out of the tree line, brandishing swords. They stopped just out of range of the elven bowmen, crouching down. Another wave of Orcs broke from the trees, these ran past the crouching Orcs who followed closely, their arrows forming a cover for the first. Tári frowned seeing the Orcs carrying a huge battering ram.
"They are going to break the doors!"
Tathar had turned, his face white. "Aye, and they will!" he ran down the wall, shouting hoarse commands to the elves.
Tári turned to Windred. "But Haldir said he has two paths! I thought he had chosen the other, that this would not happen!"
Windred gripped her arm. "He has chosen, but the fight still remains. We must follow. You must stay close to him. Your skills with the bow are just as important as your sense of perception at the moment."
"But where are Keliar, and Haldir! The elves in the tree line? Why have they not returned?" Tári hurried after her father, and looked back to her aunt, but she had gone. Where? And where were the other drow? Tári's sense of uneasiness grew stronger.
She ran after Tathar, keeping the Laiquendi Lord in her vision, pulling her bow from her shoulder. The sounds of the Orcs below the walls grew, and she gasped when ladders began to slam against the castle walls. She leaned over the wall, aiming her small bow at the Orc that clambered up the ladder, his eyes widening the moment he saw her, her arrow piercing his forehead. He fell, taking several more Orcs with him on the way down. She glanced at her father, he still stood a short distance away, his own bow singing its death song.
She ducked an arrow, and aimed, shooting the next Orc who attempted the ladder. She only had so many arrows!
She aimed again, but then drew back, sensing the elves on the ground were close. Where? She leaned over the edge of the wall further and saw them, lined near the tree line, taking down Orcs from behind. The Orcs were now sandwiched in between the two groups of elves. She whirled when Tathar ran past her. The sound of wood splintering filled the air and she leaped behind him, the wooden doors of the rampart wall broken, but still holding.
Tári drew back when she reached the ground. Windred and the other drow were standing in front of the door, hands held out, in some kind of trance.
"I thought their powers waned with the full moon!" Tári cried, gripping her father's sleeve. He too had stopped.
"For the most part they have, they will not be able to hold the door for long!" He ran forward, drawing his sword. Tári drew another arrow, nocking her small bow again, and aimed at the Orcs that began to squeeze through the door. Several went down, but soon too many replaced them. She could not keep up. Tathar had leaped forward, and was fighting several. The drow elves had pulled swords free, joining him. Tári had no sword but her knives found several Orcs close to Tathar.
She was out of arrows. Her knives were still stuck in the Orcs she had killed. And Tathar was in trouble. Three Orcs were bearing down on him, and he fought well, but was outnumbered. Tári whirled, trying to locate her knives, there was no time! She spun back, seeing her Aunt from the corner of her eye. The drow was watching her intently. Tári could feel the tension inside of her, the fear and worry coalescing into a torrent of emotion that threatened to explode inside her mind. She would not let it! She spun, and screamed when she saw the Orc raise its scimitar over its head.
"Noooo!" She didn't know whether the creature had heard her and was surprised at the cry. Or, if she had projected some kind of magic. But the Orc paused, and in that moment, found itself impaled by a long elven sword from behind. She ran forward and Keliar and Haldir both spun from behind the Orc. More elves flooded through the broken door. Tári turned to see her father turn away, safe, and she sighed in relief. She stood for a moment, aware of the struggle around her. She felt distanced suddenly. Viewing the battle from afar, seeing it, but not a part of it. The sound of the fighting grew dim, and her eyesight grew fuzzy. She gasped when an arm wrapped around her waist, lifting her off the ground, bringing her back to her senses.
"Are you trying to see how good a target you can be?" Haldir asked in exasperation. He slid behind a support of the rampart wall and set her on her feet. Tári stared at him, realizing finally that he was there, and safe.
"Where were you, I was worried!"
Haldir grinned. "Why, do you not trust me?"
Tári sputtered. "Trust you? Well now that I think about it! No! And that reminds me, I have some things I want to discuss with you!"
Haldir grinned, and kissed her quickly, silencing her. "You will have to wait, Mouse. The fight nears its end, and your father still stands. Where are your knives?" he asked, gripping her wrist.
"In a dead Orc." She snapped, twisting her wrist from his grasp. He frowned, one eyebrow raised slightly. "Don't look at me like that! I have had no time to retrieve them." She pushed past him, and ran toward her father, aware Haldir was close behind her. She retrieved the knives, pulling them free without a thought for the dead creature beneath it. It was kill or be killed, there was no room for any other thought.
She reached her father. He had moved back to the steps of the castle, and stood leaning on his sword. Tári ran up the steps, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I see you arrived just in time, March Warden."
Haldir smiled, "Nay, it was Keliar. But I would have finished the Orc if he had not. Where is Keliar?"
"I am here." Keliar ran down the steps from inside the castle. "There are none inside. What Orcs are left alive have fled." He slid his sword into its scabbard. "What did you do to the Orc, Tári? I was sure I was too late, but then he froze for just a moment. It was all I needed. Haldir was only a step behind me."
Tári released her father to stare at Keliar. "I did nothing, only screamed." Keliar shrugged, but his expression said otherwise. Had she done something more? "Where is Windred, and the others?"
Keliar looked up the steps, "They are inside, tending to the wounded. They are trying to help. I don't know that I would trust their healing. Orophin is inside, Haldir, someone brought him in." He gripped Haldir's shoulder when he moved past him. "Nothing serious, but again, I don't know that you will want them to heal him." Haldir nodded and ran quickly up the steps into the castle.
* *
Windred was leaning over Orophin in what looked to be a serious argument. One that neither was winning. Haldir frowned, moving toward them, but Tári hurried past him.
"I do not need your attempts at healing, Lady Windred. I will wait, tis only a small wound." Orophin was saying, his eyes narrowed, staring at the drow elf beside him.
Windred sighed in annoyance and turned when Tári reached the table on which Orophin sat, his leg stretched out in front of him.
"Orophin, what happened?" She asked, her gaze meeting Windred's.
"Only a minor wound, Tári. You did worse to Rúmil." He glared at Windred, but she ignored him, her gaze settling on Tári.
"You wounded one of the Lorien elves?"
Tári ignored her question. Haldir reached the table and Windred stepped in front of him.
"I could have healed him. Why do you not allow it?"
Haldir stepped past her. "Orophin makes his own choices." He glanced at his brother, their eyes meeting in an unspoken communication. "Where is Rúmil?" he asked Orophin.
"He is somewhere on the ramparts, checking others. He was well when I saw him last." Haldir nodded, probing Orophin's leg.
Tári leaned closer, eyeing the arrow wound. "Who took out the arrow?"
Orophin gritted his teeth, glaring at Haldir. "I did, and I wish I still had it. I'd like to strike Haldir with it for advancing before the rest of us could reach him. He and Keliar are lucky they are still in one piece." He grunted, glaring again at Haldir who ignored him completely.
Haldir placed his hand over Orophin's leg, his eyes rising to meet his brother's. Orophin shuddered slightly, the color draining from his face. Tári gripped his arm when he groaned quietly. "I hate being healed." Orophin muttered, glaring at Haldir and promptly fell back onto the table, unconscious.
Windred stared at Haldir with interest. "So you have the gift of healing as well. I should have known that you carried that skill. Your brother does as well, he said. And your brother Rúmil?"
Haldir glanced briefly at Windred. "He does not. Only Orophin and I."
Windred smiled. "From your mother. Healing is a power passed down from the female side. You have no sisters?"
Haldir frowned irritably. "Nay, I have none."
Windred sighed. "A pity then, it will be lost once you are gone. You have great skill." She turned away, moving toward others who were injured.
"You don't have to be so rude, Haldir." Tári whispered, glancing at her Aunt.
"I was not rude."
"No? Well I'd hate to see you when you are!" She wrapped a bandage around Orophin's leg, sensing Haldir's irritation beside her.
"I do not think I should be addressed that way, warden."
Tári frowned, "Oh! Now you invoke your commanding tone!" She snorted in annoyance. "You think you can kiss me one time and then order me about the next. Make up your mind, Haldir."
Haldir leaned close to Tári, placing his hand over hers where it rested on Orophin's leg. "I will do both, again. You still are under my command, Tári. You will do as I say."
Tári glared at him, aware that her aunt had turned and was watching them closely. "Oh so overbearing suddenly! And you lied to me! You told me there were five coins! What is the truth of that matter! What more have you said that is untrue!" she began to pull her hand away but he gripped it tightly.
"I do not think this is a good time for this discussion."
Tári gritted her teeth "You never think it's a good time for my discussions!"
Haldir grinned, "Perhaps that is because you do not choose opportune times in which to discuss things." He ducked when Tári swung her fist at him. He laughed, scooping her up into his arms. "But perhaps we need to discuss this further, in private."
He turned and stopped, Windred stood before him. "Where do you take her? She is not willing. You will put her down."
Haldir smiled slowly. Tári had stopped struggling and was staring at her Aunt. He squeezed Tári when she began to speak, silencing her. "I will not. She and I have some things to discuss."
Windred frowned. "Things to discuss? Like that? I do not approve!"
Haldir gripped Tári tighter, feeling her tense. "I do not need your approval. I have Tathar's." His lips twitched at Tári's squeak of surprise, and he brushed rudely past Windred, leaving her to stare after them in fury.
* *
Haldir strode through the stone corridors of the Laiquendi castle, reaching the room he had shared with Rúmil and Orophin. He pushed open the door with his shoulder, grinning as Tári had slid her arms around his neck and into his hair. He tossed her onto a bed, where she bounced onto her knees, facing him. Haldir unbuckled his quiver, tossing it to the floor.
Tári snorted quietly, watching him. "Is that any way to treat your weapons, March Warden. You must have more care!" She squealed when he turned quickly reaching for her, but she evaded his grip. She slid to the far side of the bed.
Haldir leaned on the edge of the bed, one hand unbuckling his sword, which landed loudly on the stone floor next to his quiver.
Tári's eyebrow rose in mock disdain. "Ah such impertinence. You should be reprimanded for treating such wondrous weapons so uncaringly."
Haldir smiled, his eyes beginning to glitter. "I have other weapons, shall I show you?"
Tári laughed. He slid along the edge of the bed. Tári had no place to go but over the top. She leaped onto the bed when he slid further, but he had anticipated her move and rolled onto the bed as well, pulling her into his arms. He rolled over, and they both fell off the edge onto the floor.
Tári sprawled above Haldir, hearing his head thud onto the floor with a groan. "Oh fine, make it through a hundred Orc arrows and you now fall off the bed and injure yourself. What will Orophin and Rúmil think? They will blame me!"
Haldir groaned, his head throbbing. "Silence! You will not say a word to them." He gripped her arms rolling over, pinning her to the floor.
Tári frowned, noting his grimace when he moved, but giggled at the fierce expression on his face. "Why? Do you fear their reaction, March Warden?" She twisted under him, trying to squeeze out from his embrace.
Haldir gripped her shoulders, pinning her to the floor as he sat up. His sat on her thighs, his legs pinned tightly to hers. "I fear nothing, warden." He leaned over her nipping the lower part of her ear.
Tári squirmed, unable to move much with Haldir kneeling over her. But she wasn't giving in! "I am in no mood to be ordered about. You deceived me!" She gasped when he leaned over her, again. His eyes were gleaming now, in outright humor.
"Aye, I deceived you."
Tári frowned, annoyed, "And you admit it! Bloody elf!" she kicked her legs, twisting her hips, but he only tightened his thighs against her.
Haldir laughed softly, leaning down again to kiss her jaw near her ear. "What purpose would it have served for you to know you passed the test? I needed you to cooperate still. You would have been too cocky."
Tári grunted, trying to ignore the sudden tightness in her breasts, the warm tingling that erupted wherever his lips touched her. They were touching her everywhere. How could he pin her and still kiss her like that? She was trapped, but still had her hands free. He was not going to end this discussion so easily. He leaned over to kiss her neck again and she gripped a handful of silver hair that slid onto her hand. And yanked hard.
"Ouch! Unhand me, wench." He released her shoulder to grip the hand in his hair.
"Nay, I am not done discussing our discussion!" She pulled again, and saw his eyes narrow. Ooh, best not to make him angry. "What else have you said that was untrue? I demand to know!"
Haldir twisted her hand from his hair, and pinned the wrist against the floor. He stared at the slight elf below him. "There is nothing else, sprite. Keliar and I were astonished at how well you did. I could not tell you this, you would not have believed me if I had. Your skills hover just beneath the surface, Galadriel said to watch. She knew. I did not believe her."
Tári froze, staring up into the grey eyes above her. "I did that well?"
Haldir grinned. "Aye, better than I, I think."
Tári grinned, but took advantage of his brief inattentiveness to swing her knees up. Haldir brief look of surprise was quickly erased by an expression of pain, and he rolled off her with a groan. Tári rolled to her knees and sat down on Haldir when he sprawled back onto the floor.
"Well, if you didn't want me to make love to you, Tári, you only had to say so." Haldir's face was pale, tinged slightly green.
"Tsk, tsk." Tári laughed, knowing she had not hurt him as bad as he tried to make it seem. Such an trickster, she'd have to remember that. He was not so unlike his brothers after all. "And what makes you think I wanted you to make love to me, Haldir of Lórien.
Haldir closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her above him. He opened one eye, lifting a dark brow. "Because I can sense it in you." He quipped, catching the hands that reached for him again. He pulled her down on top of him with a grin.
Tári laid fully on top of him, her body glued tightly to his frame, feeling the long lean hardness underneath her. She leaned forward, bracing her hands against his. Her lips hovered only a few inches above his and she stared into eyes that were now smoldering with desire. She could definitely feel his desire. She giggled, and one brow rose in question. "You know the bed is much softer."
Haldir laced his fingers through hers, locking her hands to his. Her lips were only inches from his, but he did not move. "Aye, but how do you propose to get there? I have no plans on releasing you."
Tári's own brows rose in amusement. "No? But I am on top."
Haldir lips twitched. "Aye, so?"
Tári scowled. "So, I am on top and you have my hands locked with yours, but my knees are free." She gasped when Haldir shifted, and they rolled over once again. Her breathe escaped with a whoosh when he settled over her, bringing her hands up over her head. He pressed hard against her and Tári couldn't fight the desire that flamed through her.
"So, what do you want, then? Do I sense a particular urgency in your manner?" Haldir murmured quietly, his lips skimming along the side of her neck.
Tári arched against him. "Aye, I give in, yes you sense a strong urgency in my manner. So what are you going to do about it?"
Haldir laughed against her mouth, his lips crushing hers for a long moment.
Tári was breathless, both from the effect of his kiss and the weight of him above her. She would never give this feeling up, how could Windred find power more important? Blessed Valar, she'd never felt so alive as when he was pressed against her, his lips claiming hers. "Really, Haldir, your squishing me, I suggest the bed."
Haldir rolled to her side, and stood, scooping her up easily in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I wouldn't want to squish you, Mouse." He grinned.
Tári stared at him seriously for a moment, and he gripped her tighter, standing in the middle of the room. "What do you want, Haldir? From me?"
Haldir sighed, aware their time was running short. "Why do you ask such serious questions now?"
Tári frowned, sliding her hands into the silky hair, ignoring his narrowed eyes. She better not pull his hair anymore. "Well, I would think it an important question, I am not so free with my favors as to give them away for nothing!"
Haldir laughed, throwing her onto the bed, and Tári rolled over annoyed.
"Why do you laugh? It was a serious question!"
Haldir pulled off his tunic, tossing it on the floor and reached for her, dragging her against him again. "I laugh because you amuse me, Mouse." He pulled her to him, kissing her hungrily. "I did not consider our union an act of you giving away your favors. Silly Mouse, you gave nothing away. I paid for my actions with my heart, dear one, which leaps into my throat every time I see you act foolishly in the line of battle. I must teach you more care."
Tári covered his mouth with her hand when he attempted to kiss her again. "Your heart? Do you really care that much, Haldir?"
Haldir reached up, dragging her hand away from his mouth with a sigh. "Tári, my affection is not easily won, and only rarely have I gone beyond a mere kiss with anyone. My heart was yours the when I lifted you from your horse when we first met."
Tári slid her arms around his neck, his lips crushing hers. His hands slid into her hair holding her while he kissed her forehead, her eyes and again her lips. She smiled when he trailed his lips down her neck, arching her body against him in pleasure. "Umm, Haldir?"
His quiet groan was audible, and he glanced at her for a moment before resuming his trail of kisses.
"So you think I did better than you on the test?"
Haldir snorted quietly into her ear. His tongue was making circles around the lobe, sending icy hot chills down her back. "I knew I shouldn't have said that." His lips slid along her jaw and down onto her chest.
"But, umm Haldir?"
She felt him growl this time, and giggled. "Does that mean I am the queen of the coin toss?" She laughed when he indeed growled, moving over her to grip her face between his hands, pressing his throbbing body against hers.
"You talk to much, our time is not endless, Mouse. My brothers are notorious for their unannounced arrivals." He slid his hands under her tunic, removing the garment easily and slid her leggings over her hips. "And I am tired of waiting." He slid the leggings off her legs quickly, as well as his own.
Tári moaned with pleasure but she had one more question that insisted on an answer.
"Mmmm Haldir?"
He paused, his eyebrows rising, lifting his lips from hers. "What now?"
"Who's bed are we making love on?"
Haldir laughed, groaned and laughed again. He wrapped his arms behind her and answered a moment before his lips crushed hers, and she arched, her senses flooded with pleasure.
Rúmil's.