Disclaimer: JRR's characters. Except for the evil elf.

A/N: Don't know what to say about this one.

To all those who wished me well, thank you very much. Cobweb, thanks for the Theban image.(yes, I have seen it, but thanks very much. It was a nice gesture.)

Sorry for worrying you, but thank you all for your concern.

I am much better now. Thanks again.

Arigato.

Gracias.

Merci.

And now, the story….

Elrond twined their hands together as he thrust into Erestor, his movements fast and hard as they were nearing their release.

"Erestor."

"Elrond."

The two elves moaned in unison.

Just as they have almost reached the pinnacle of oblivion, the door burst open and Orophin came rushing in.

"Lord Elrond! Lord Erestor! Haldir is mis—Oh gods!" And the Lorien elf was once again out the door.

The two lovers were frozen in shock when the door burst open. Elrond felt his frustration at being disturbed and was about to get angry, when Orophin's muffled words sailed through.

"I…pardon me, my lords. But Haldir is missing, and I…I was going to ask if you…could…uh…never mind." Orophin left, still blushing, but his embarrassment quickly diminished and his worry for Haldir took over. He would think about what just happened later. Right now, he needed to find his brother.

For the two ancient elves, Orophin's words washed over them like cold water. They scrambled to put their clothes on.

/Glorfindel/

Erestor did not know how his friend was taking this. He knew that the eldar would be worried out of his mind by now. They needed to help find Haldir.

When they were clothed, they looked at each other. A small smile escaped their lips, but worry took over and they set out to look for the missing March Warden.

Celeborn and Ecthelion heard the others looking for Haldir, calling out the elf's name. When they came upon Rumil, they asked what was happening.

Upon learning that his "son" was missing, as Celeborn has always considered the brothers his own children, he also joined the search. Ecthelion, without any hesitation, offered his help as well. Soon, all the remaining inhabitants of Lothlorien were calling out for Haldir.

Haldir gazed into the distant horizon, oblivious to the panic happening within the Golden Woods. Earlier, when he had woken up in Glorfindel's arms, he had been overwhelmed with so many emotions that he needed to get away to think. So many things had happened in such a short time. And he feared that it may yet be another dream. The first time he had thought that Glorfindel had come for him in the Golden Woods, it nearly killed him to realize that it had not been real. Everything had been so perfect then as well. Only the next morning, when he woke up, he was alone, and the eldar was not there. And it was heart-wrenching when he realized that Glorfindel had never been there.

It seemed that everything was alright again. But Haldir could not remove his fear that it may once again disappear. He did not want to taste happiness of being with Glorfindel, only to wake up from the sweet dream once again. He would rather dream it forever, have it for real, or not have it at all, completely. It was too much.

And so he left. He needed some time to think, away from Glorfindel and all the emotions that raged inside of him whenever he was near the eldar.

So he had gone to the first place he could think of. Lover's cove.

He had spent much of his time here, especially when he had just gotten back to Lothlorien after the war. A few years ago, his safe haven was a small clearing near the borders. But lately, Lover's cove seemed to pull him, inviting him to stay. This was where he and Glorfindel first made love. And it was also here that he had realized his life would never be the same again. Since then, whenever he needed to be by himself, he came here. Somehow, his heart always seemed more at peace whenever he was here.

And now more than ever, he needed to be alone, to reflect on the events of his life.

/I need to make sure this is not another dream./

/Please, Valar, I beg of you. This cannot be a dream again./

There was a limit to what he could bear. He could not have Glorfindel only to lose him again. It had happened so many times in the past.

And there was the new moon. Only one more week and it would be here. His deadline.

/Will I still die? I still do not know what you want of me, Valar. I don't know why I did not die. Now that I have Glorfindel once again, will this be the time that you finally let me die?/

/Please, don't. I could not bear to hurt Glorfindel like that. Please./

As he continued to ponder the events that had happened, it never occurred to him how Glorfindel would react to waking up alone in their bed.

Glorfindel was on the verge of complete panic. With everything that had happened to him and Haldir, he was afraid that he might have pushed his lover to the edge. Maybe he moved too fast, too soon.

/Maybe I should have stopped him when he made love to me. He was not thinking too clearly. He was afraid./

/Have I scared him away? I should have had more self control!/

He began to think of the possible meaning of the fact that Haldir had left him in their bed, alone, after they had made love for the first time in the longest time that they had been…apart, if not physically, then emotionally. It had been a trying time, one that had almost pushed the two of them over the edge. And just when everything seemed to be improving, the thing that Glorfindel feared the most happened – Haldir leaving again, and Glorfindel had no idea where he could be.

Would he spend another month or two looking for the March Warden?

Glorfindel remembered the day that he finally found his lover after the great battle against Sauron. He had not known what to expect. He had thought that he would have a hard time getting Haldir to talk to him again. Never in his life had he expected to find the March Warden in that condition, in so much pain, and almost out of his mind. And Glorfindel knew he had almost been too late.

'I am dying..'

Haldir's words came to haunt him, and he knew that if history were to repeat itself, Glorfindel may never get his lover back.

/No! I will find him!/

Glorfindel shook the negative thoughts away. He was not going to give up. Not now. He was too close.

/I should have realized my love for you a long time ago, Haldir. This would not be happening now./

But it was too late for that. And regretting the past would not help him now. He needed to concentrate on finding Haldir.

"Haldir, where are you?" the eldar called out.

They had extended the search all over Lothlorien. He had to find the March Warden.

/I'll apologize to him; beg his forgiveness. I need to let him know that I am not pressuring him into doing anything./

"Haldir!!"

Haldir watched the skies and realized that he had been sitting there for hours. It was time to get back. He got up from the ground and dusted himself off.

"Haldir."

The March Warden froze at the sound of his name. Slowly he turned around, only to meet a sword pointed at his chest. His gaze hardened as he looked upon his attacker.

"Rhyden."

"We meet again."

Haldir suppressed the urge to throttle the other elf. He had no weapon with him, since he had not thought of bringing one. He had been too preoccupied with his emotions to think that he would encounter trouble.

"Don't you ever give up?"

Rhyden laughed.

"Oh no, Haldir. It is not in my nature. I am a champion. I have gotten everything I ever wanted, achieved all that I aimed for."

Haldir clenched his fists, his anger radiating off of him, and even Rhyden felt it. "Except for me."

Rhyden's eyes turned cold at Haldir's words.

"Ah, but I will have you, Haldir. One way or another. I have never failed in my life. I will not fail. I am perfect." Rhyden said matter-of-factly.

Haldir laughed at the other elf's audacity.

"You think too highly of yourself! Achieving all and having all is not what defines perfection."

"Of course it is! It has always been that way. Only the filthy humans who have infested our world changed the views of the elves. They made us weak!"

Haldir frowned.

"That is not true. The humans are our allies, friends. They have flaws, but I doubt they are powerful enough to influence elves. We are thousands of years older than they. You are just arrogant and full of yourself. You cannot admit to the fact that not everyone wants you."

Rhyden pressed the blade closer until it was against Haldir's neck.

"No one denies me what I want!"

Haldir smiled. He looked haughty in his confidence even with danger being so close.

"I deny you."

His words made Rhyden snap and the other elf attacked, pushing Haldir to the ground yet keeping the blade to the March Warden's neck. He climbed on top of the Lorien elf.

"We shall see about that."

With his free hand, he grabbed the neck of Haldir's tunic and tore the shirt off the March Warden, exposing the other elf's chest.

"Still thinking I won't have my way?" Rhyden smiled menacingly. His hand moved to Haldir's breeches.

The moment Rhyden moved his eyes to Haldir's crotch, the March Warden made his move. He grabbed the blade, not caring that he got wounded in the process, and with his other hand punched Rhyden. The other elf never thought that Haldir would even think of fighting back in his condition that the attack took him by surprise. The punch threw him off the March Warden.

Before Rhyden could recover, Haldir was upon him. He kicked the blade out of the other elf's hand. The blade was thrown a few feet away.

Haldir did not pay attention to the pain from his bleeding hands. He attacked.

Glorfindel thought of all the places that Haldir could be, and prayed that he would still find his lover, and that everything was not too late. He had not meant to scare Haldir away. And now that his lover was gone, he was afraid that was exactly what happened. He had tried so hard to make sure that Haldir did not run away again.

/I am sorry. I did not mean to frighten you./

His greatest fear now was the thought that he might not find Haldir, and they would not have a chance to talk. He might not have a chance to save what he had achieved in the past two weeks.

He berated himself with letting his emotions get the better of him.

/I should have stopped him when he wanted to make love. I knew he was afraid, not yet ready. It was too much too soon./

And now, he regretted ever giving in to Haldir. He knew that the younger elf had been acting on pure emotions. He should have been the one who had the sense to see that Haldir was not yet ready.

But it was too late for regrets now. He needed to find Haldir.

/Haldir…/

"Haldir!!!

Everyone searched for the missing March Warden. The search area was extended to all of Lothlorien. They had hopes that Haldir would not leave the Golden Woods. But there was a chance that he did. They still had to check first.

The Golden Woods was a large area. Haldir could be anywhere.

"Did you check his safe haven?" Rumil asked his brother.

When they were younger, there was a small clearing close to the borders that Haldir frequented whenever he needed to be alone. Orophin remembered it, since it was where he and Rumil always found Haldir whenever their brother went missing. There were several instances that Haldir would disappear, especially during the times since their brother got involved with Glorfindel. They knew that the relationship was…unique. Yet Haldir was a grown elf and they did not question his decisions. Haldir had not gone there for awhile, yet…

"Let's go, then."

Orophin realized it should have been the first place they checked. But it was far and Haldir may not have gone there. However, at the moment, it was their best bet. Along with the Peredhel twins, they headed out to the borders.

The others continued the search in the nearer areas, since Haldir may not have gone too far. But to no avail.

Glorfindel did not realize that he had broken away from the group in his desperation to find Haldir. Soon he was alone, but he did not stop.

"Haldir!"

It was then that a thought occurred to him.

Lover's cove.

Would he…?

Glorfindel broke into a run towards the place where he and Haldir first made love.

/I should have checked there first. Why didn't I remember?/

He prayed that he was right.

/The cove…it's a cliff. Haldir…he won't…No!!!/

The thought urged him faster. Earlier, Haldir had been contemplating death. Glorfindel's eyes watered with desperation.

/He wouldn't. He promised…/

But the reassurance did nothing to his panic.

"HALDIR!!!"

Hearing his name, Haldir turned towards the voice and in turn lost his attention on Rhyden. The other elf got free from his grip and punched him. Haldir reeled from the blow and fell to the ground.

Rhyden kicked him in the stomach.

"You are a challenge." The other elf wiped the blood from his lip, then kicked Haldir again. The pain kept the March Warden on the ground.

"I like the ones who fight." Rhyden sneered, then delivered another kick to Haldir's midsection.

"I won't hit you in the face. You are too pretty. But you need to be taught a lesson!"

As Haldir writhed on the ground, Rhyden caught sight of the fallen sword and went to retrieve it.

"This time, you do another stunt like that again, I will kill you." The elf from Rivendell threatened. He once again held the knife against Haldir's throat. The March Warden had grown weak and doubted he could repeat his earlier actions.

Rhyden grabbed some vines on the plants, keeping his eyes on Haldir, then used them to bind Haldir's hands to a tree.

"Beautiful." Rhyden whispered when he looked at his handiwork.

"We are going to have lots of fun, Haldir."

Glorfindel broke into the clearing. He was surprised to find a dark-haired elf in the cove, since he knew of no others who stayed behind. Glorfindel did not recognize the other elf since the eldar was facing the other's back.

Nearby bushes also hid another view from the eldar.

Glorfindel's heart fell, seeing Haldir was nowhere in sight. But then the dark-haired elf began talking, and a coldness wrapped around Glorfindel's heart upon hearing the other elf speak. It was a voice he knew so well.

"No one is here to help you. It's a good thing Lothlorien is such a big place. Even your lover won't find you."

"You will not succeed, Rhyden!" Haldir spat out.

Rhyden laughed. "And who is here to stop me?"

"I am."

The words made the two elves look to the entrance of the cove.

Seeing Glorfindel, Haldir's heart flooded with relief. But it was replaced with a tinge of fear as he saw the look on Glorfindel's eyes.

They were cold. Deadly. And aimed at Rhyden.

Haldir had never seen Glorfindel this angry before.

Glorfindel could barely contain the rage that he felt when he saw Haldir tied to the tree. The only thing that kept him from attacking immediately was the thought that if he did, he might place Haldir in danger. Rhyden was holding a sword and he was near Haldir. Glorfindel was not sure if he would be quick enough.

The eldar had his sword drawn and began to walk closer to the two elves. He kept his eyes off his lover after having glanced at the younger elf's condition. Glorfindel was not sure he could keep his emotions intact if he dared look at Haldir again. He knew his lover was bleeding.

The moment the eldar took a step towards them, Rhyden recovered his surprise and placed his sword against Haldir's throat.

"I don't think so." Rhyden was not going to give in so easily. "Drop your sword, Glorfindel, or I hurt him." Rhyden knew he had the upper hand. As long as Haldir was his captive, Glorfindel would not touch him.

The eldar clenched his fist around his sword. Rhyden pressed the blade closer to Haldir. "Drop it."

"Glorfindel, just kill him! I would rather die!" Haldir exclaimed.

/I would rather die than see you hurt. I would rather die than let him win!/

Haldir hoped that Glorfindel would heed him.

/Please./

Glorfindel looked at Haldir and saw the plea in his lover's eyes. He looked away, unsure of what to do.

"Throw away your sword!" Rhyden screamed at him.

Glorfindel knew that he would do anything to keep Haldir from getting hurt again. The younger elf had gone through too much. Silently apologizing to his lover, he did what he had to do.

He dropped his sword.

"Glorfindel, no!" Haldir exclaimed when he saw his lover let go of the weapon. Rhyden could not win! Not like this!

Not when he could hurt Glorfindel as well.

"That's a good seneschal. Why don't you grab some vines over there, then come here." Rhyden sneered. He felt triumphant, knowing that he had finally had one over Glorfindel, and he could get to have Haldir. This could turn out better that he imagined.

Glorfindel did what e was told, but he made sure that he kept his eyes on the dark-haired elf at all times. He was waiting for the perfect opportunity.

/I need to get that sword away from Haldir./ Glorfindel did not want to risk Haldir getting hurt again.

For now, while the risk was too great, he had to do what Rhyden wanted.

"Damn it, Glorfindel! Pick up that sword! Don't do this!" Haldir was desperate. He did not want to have Glorfindel hurt in any way.

Rhyden laughed at the helplessness in the March Warden's voice.

"Give it up, Haldir. He would never do anything to bring harm to you. He knows that if he does not obey me, you will get hurt. And he can't let that happen." Rhyden looked at Glorfindel, his eyes teasing, challenging the seneschal to do anything. "You see, I think he loves you. So much it would possibly kill him." Rhyden laughed at his own joke.

"Don't you dare hurt him!" Haldir screamed at the elf who had him captive. He was afraid of what Rhyden's words meant. "Damn it, Glorfindel! Get your sword and kill him!! Don't do this! Please! Not for me!"

/Not like this. Please. Not like this!/

"Glorfindel…please." Haldir was begging his lover to listen to him.

But Glorfindel turned a deaf ear, he hardened his heart against the pleading tone in Haldir's voice.

/I am sorry, Haldir. I cannot lose you. Not like this. Not now./

Rhyden amused himself watching the two lovers who were at his mercy. "That is touching. So touching. You are mine now, Haldir. And Glorfindel…could get to watch."

Glorfindel felt that rage within him nearly boil over and his heart hardened.

/I will die first before you touch a hair on him./ Glorfindel vowed. Gathering the vines, he moved closer to where Rhyden stood.

"That's good, seneschal. Closer."

Glorfindel walked over to where Rhyden stood, near Haldir.

"Hmmm, you are not half bad, Seneschal. Maybe I could…practice on you first." Rhyden moved to touch the seneschal's face. Glorfindel did not flinch away.

"Leave him alone, you bastard!" Haldir could not believe Glorfindel was just standing there.

/He is doing this for me. He doesn't want me hurt. Oh, Valar, please, Glorfindel…don't do this!/

Haldir strained against his bonds, but they were tied well.

Rhyden laughed at Haldir's futile attempts to get free.

"Wait your turn, Haldir."

Rhyden turned his attention back to the seneschal. No emotions could be seen from the eldar's face. His eyes were cold. Almost…evil.

Rhyden almost balked at the look in the eldar's eyes.

Glorfindel smiled slowly. "Well?" He whispered softly, but unlike with his lover, the eldar's voice was hard…angry. Deadly.

Rhyden involuntary took a step back, and for a moment, he faltered. It was what Glorfindel was waiting for. He lunged at the other elf, tackling him to the ground. Rhyden recovered, but it was too late. Glorfindel was able to remove the sword from his hands.

The two elves wrestled on the ground, trading blows.

But Glorfindel had more training, and more experience. He also knew what Rhyden could do, since he had trained the younger elf.

"Glorfindel."

The eldar heard his lover call to him. He realized that they had strayed away from where Haldir was tied. The March Warden could no longer see them. It explained the anxiety in the lorien elf's voice.

"Glorfindel!" Haldir struggled, trying to get free. His hands bled more, and his wrists bruised from his efforts to get away.

Rhyden took a swing, but the eldar was able to block t. Rhyden went down as another blow from the eldar hit his face. The battle between the two elves lasted for several minutes. Both elves not wanting to give in.

Glorfindel could nothold back his anger anymore. So many things had happened to him and Haldir, and he now poured it out on the Rivendell elf. Rhyden's lips were bruised and bleeding. The eldar's knuckles had blood on them. But he still would not let up. Not while Rhyden could still stand and fight back.

Glorfindel barely felt the blows that managed to hit him. He was too intent on hurting the other elf. Only Haldir's voice brought him back from the hazy rage that overcame him.

"Glorfindel, damn it! Answer me!"

Glorfindel finally stopped his onslaught on Rhyden, who lay bleeding on the ground, still conscious, but did not have the strength to fight anymore.

Glorfindel looked around dazedly for a while.

"Haldir."

He remembered that his lover was tied up. He left Rhyden where he was, and went back to his lover.

"Glorfindel." Relief flooded through Haldir as he saw his lover. For a moment, he had been afraid that Rhyden would have hurt the eldar.

"Haldir." Glorfindel immediately freed the younger elf. Then he gathered his lover close, hugging him tightly.

Haldir felt the tremors that shook Glorfindel's frame. He knew that the eldar had been afraid. He did not say a word, only hugged his lover back, as tightly as his strained arms would allow.

They spent a few moments, holding each other, unwilling to let go.

/I almost hurt him again./ Glorfindel would never have forgiven himself if something had happened to Haldir. /I drove him away and he almost…/ He could not fathom the thought. Instead, he buried his face in Haldir's neck. He felt the tears on his eyes. Fear, relief, regret. Every emotion that had been building up inside him for the past days surfaced, and they came on strong.

Haldir continued to hold Glorfindel. His emotions raged as well.

Neither one saw the elf coming at them, Glorfindel's sword in his hand.

A glint of metal caught Haldir's eye. He looked up, to see the raised sword in front of him, ready to strike his lover. Before he could react, the sword was coming down.

Rumil and Orophin headed back to Lothlorien, along with the twins. Haldir had not been in his safe haven, as they had thought him to be. Elladan had suggested he might be at the waterfront, to where they were now rushing to. Halfway there, they met Ecthelion.

"Have you seen him?" Rumil asked, his voice hopeful. Ecthelion shook his head sadly.

"We are going to check the waterfront. He goes there often." Orophin explained.

"I was just there. I even double checked, but…" Ecthelion informed them.

"Where could he be?" Elrohir asked the question that was in everyone's mind.

"How about Lover's cove?" Orophin asked.

"Or the old cabin? He could be there." Rumil added.

Ecthelion suggested they go separate ways. "I'll check the cove. I know where it is. The cabin, I am not sure."

Orophin nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

And they were off again.

Ecthelion hurried to Lover's Cove. Still, he could not help but wonder what had happened between Glorfindel and Haldir to drive the younger elf away. He wondered if it was something he had done. He had the impression Haldir was not exactly fond of him.

He remembered the look on Haldir's face the first time he had seen him in Lothlorien. He remembered how the March Warden had held on to Glorfindel, remembered his plea. But what Ecthelion could not forget was the pain in the younger elf's eyes as he begged him to leave.

Ecthelion had lived a long life. He knew that in his lifetime, he had never felt the pain that he had seen in Haldir's eyes that day. He realized then how much the March Warden loved Glorfindel, and how much the Lorien elf suffered through. It was worse than death. Ecthelion knew then that Haldir could not be without Glorfindel.

And Glorfindel could not be without the March Warden. Ecthelion had seen love in Glorfindel's eyes that he had never seen, even when they were together. It did not mean that Glorfindel did not love him. Ecthleion knew that the eldar did. But Glorfindel never loved him like that. They had been important to each other, and they would have died for each other. But Glorfindel…Haldir was his world. He would not only die for the March Warden, he would die with him as well. And that, Ecthelion knew, told him that he would not even think of trying to get Glorfindel back.

Glorfindel would be happier with Haldir.

That much he knew.

The two were perfect for each other. Their love for the other is incomparable. Almost a legend.

But it was real.

Ecthelion sighed and continued towards lover's cove.

He would not look. But he hoped that someday, he would be lucky enough to find a love like that as well. He had told Celeborn that he was not planning on loving anyone like he had Glorfindel. But after seeing Haldir and the eldar together, he could not help but want to love someone the way those two loved each other, and be loved in return with equal ferocity as well.

Maybe he would find it. He had forever,

Ecthelion smiled to himself.

He was near the cove. A few more feet.

As Ecthelion broke out of the clearing, he was not expecting to see Glorfindel and Haldir sitting on the ground, holding each other, unseeing the elf standing by them, sword raised. Haldir and Glorfindel did not seem to notice the danger they were in.

Ecthelion did not hesitate. He knew he was too far to stop the elf, and knew as well that a warning would be too late. In a flash, he had his bow drawn, an arrow knocked, and aimed at the dark-haired elf holding the sword. Then the sword began to descend downward.

Ecthelion released the arrow. Rhyden fell to the ground, an arrow stuck between his shoulder blades.

But it was too late.

"NO!!!!" Haldir's scream of agony reached every corner of Lothlorien. He held Glorfindel, bleeding in his arms from the blow of the sword.

Glorfindel looked surprised at first. Then his eyes mellowed. He smiled. Reaching a hand to touch Haldir's face, he felt his strength leave him. He heard Haldir crying, begging him to hold on. Hold on. The world turned dark, and then there was nothing.

TBC

A/N: Guess this answers what happened to Rhyden…Till next time.

Please review.

THANKS TO ALL YOU BEST WISHES AND REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!