Author's note: Thank you all for the lovely reviews I received for the last chapter. For me, Elrond and Thranduil renew their friendship in this fiction, nothing more – but that is not to say you cannot let your fantasy wander in a different direction ...

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Chapter 12

Legolas woke up during the night because his right arm was trapped uncomfortably underneath Haldir's shoulders. He carefully pulled it out, trying not to wake Haldir who slept peacefully on his side. The scent of the flowers was heavy through the open window. And all of a sudden Legolas noticed that he felt better than he had felt in a long time.

For a while he lay awake, and enjoyed Haldir's proximity, and the smells and sounds of the night. With a start he realised that for the first time since he had been injured he felt desire, and was both surprised and pleased. Haldir stirred slightly, and Legolas could not resist the temptation to kiss him gently on the mouth. Haldir responded, instinctively, and then his eyes focused. Their eyes met, and Legolas deepened the kiss and moved closer. Haldir did not resist, but whispered: "I love the intention, but is this a good idea?"

"I have been ill for long enough, just be careful..." There were affection and longing in Legolas' voice.

When the sky turned a soft pink, they both drifted back to sleep, happy and sated. Haldir had even remembered to put his clothes back on – after all, they were not at home and some discretion was appropriate.

It only appeared to be moments later when they were woken by a knock on the door. Haldir sat up quickly, not wanting to be found in Legolas' arms by one of the healers. To both of their relief, it was Thranduil, with a large package underneath his arm.

He smiled at them. "It is a lovely day outside, and much of the morning has passed already. You both needed the rest. Elrond has given Legolas permission to bath, so perhaps you could help him with that, Haldir."

Haldir nodded. When they got out of bed, Haldir noticed how much less stiff Legolas moved. He seemed to have regained much of his natural grace and fluency of movement.

"I cannot wait to wash my hair! Thank you father, for letting me know."

Haldir had already moved towards the bathroom, and was filling the tub with hot water. Legolas quickly joined him and slipped out of the light sleeping tunic he wore. He unbraided his hair, and with a sigh of relief, relaxed into the warm water.

Thranduil briefly looked in. "Legolas, I will let you enjoy your bath in peace, but I will come back in a little while. I have a surprise for you."

Legolas wondered what the large package underneath his father's arm contained. He looked at Haldir. "Are you not coming in?"

"Here?"

"We can bolt the door..."

Some time later, two very clean elves emerged from the bath. Haldir had helped Legolas wash his hair, which the younger elf had enormously enjoyed. Wrapped in towels, they went into Legolas' room, only to find Thranduil there – and another visitor.

Legolas was very surprised to see that his father was not alone but that Lady Galadriel – of all people – was there as well. She, too, had a large package next to her, and smiled. Thranduil grinned – there was no other way to describe his father's expression. Legolas wondered what was going on.

"It is good to see you up again, Legolas Thranduilion. You will need your strength today." Galadriel's blue eyes sparkled with a surprised smile.

"Legolas? Come here." Thranduil opened the package he had brought. Legolas gasped.

The royal wedding robe. It had been worn at every bonding in Thranduil's line.

"Today you will bond, unless you have decided that you do not wish to." Legolas and Haldir stared at Thranduil.

"To... today?" Legolas finally managed to get out.

Galadriel had unpacked her package, and held up the content. It was Haldir's turn to gasp in shock – this was his family's bonding robe, he had seen it on several occasions before, and normally his brother Rumil was its keeper.

"Put them on."

Without undue embarrassment, Haldir and Legolas slipped into the robes. Haldir's was a light grey with silvery embroidery. It complemented his light hair and blue-grey eyes – it was obvious that whoever had worn this garment first had looked very much like Haldir.

Mirkwood's wedding robe was a pale green, an almost white, with golden embroidery on the neck and sleeves. Legolas was still paler and thinner than usual, but the robe brought out the warm golden undertone of his skin and hair.

Thranduil gently pushed Legolas down on the bed and took out a comb. He began to comb through his son's damp hair until it was falling as shiny strands cross Legolas' shoulders.

"You look beautiful."

Legolas smiled. He felt dazed – this could not be happening!

"I do not have to wear my circlet?"

"No, today you are only Legolas of Mirkwood, you will get bound as yourself, not as my son or as a prince."

When Haldir had wanted to comb his own hair, Galadriel had quietly objected. "No, Haldir, today this is not for you to do. I would have asked one of your brothers to come and assist you to get ready, but they are still getting ready themselves. They have returned from their patrol. Elladan, Elrohir and Aragorn have also come back in time." Haldir smiled at that information.

Galadriel took a comb out of her garment and gently straightened Haldir's damp, tangled hair. It would remain unbound until after the bonding, when Legolas would tie it.

Legolas looked at his companions. "Is this really happening?"

Galadriel smiled, her blue eyes sparkling like sapphires. "If you wish it to happen, it will happen."

Haldir looked at Legolas. "Do you still want to share your life with me?" There was such uncertainty in that question that Legolas laughed aloud. As quickly as he could without straining his wound, he got up and embraced Haldir. "Do you need to ask?" His eyes were such an intense blue, and the answer so obvious, that Haldir simply returned the embrace. Thranduil and Galadriel were momentarily forgotten.

"It is time to go." Haldir and Legolas let go of each other, both suddenly very nervous.

One last glance at each other's appearance, and then Galadriel led them out of the Halls of Healing. But she did not take them out of the main entrance. Instead she proceeded to the door to the main garden. When she opened the door, both Legolas and Haldir were surprised to see that most of the garden was filled with elves. All their friends and family were present. A path of fresh leaves and flowers had been laid. At the door, Rumil waited. He had a huge smile on his face and fell in step with Haldir. Thranduil remained at Legolas side, unobtrusively supporting him as he walked. Galadriel led the small procession along the path to a delicately carved wooden arc that had been decorated with colourful woodland flowers.

There she stopped. She moved to stand beneath the arch; Celeborn joined her at her side. Elrond was standing nearby, and so were his sons. Haldir's second brother Orophin was also waiting at the side of the arch.

Suddenly silence descended over the sun-filled gardens. Galadriel looked at Thranduil, who nodded and gently pushed forward Legolas.

"Here I present Legolas Greenleaf of Eryn Lasgalen, to be bonded." There was both joy and sadness in the king's face.

Rumil stepped forward. "Here I present Haldir of Lorien, to be bonded." He wore a huge grin and sounded absolutely delighted.

Then both Rumil and Thranduil stepped back, leaving Haldir and Legolas next to each other in front of Galadriel and Celeborn.

Legolas' eyes were huge and he had gone so pale that Thranduil was afraid he would faint. Elrond obviously thought the same. Their eyes met for a moment.

But Galadriel carried on, with the traditional words.

"Haldir of Lorien and Legolas of Eryn Lasgalen, you are here today to be bonded to each other. Now, I am asking you: 'Do you wish to spend the rest of your days together – in good times and bad times, in happiness and hardship, here and in Valinor?'"

"Yes, I do." Legolas and Haldir replied at the same time, their voices musical in the silence.

Galadriel continued, her voice serene.

"You have long waited for this day.

You shall be together until the end of time.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heaven dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bondage of that love.

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Stand together, yet not too near,
For the trees of the forest stand apart,
And the oak tree and the beech grow not in shadow." (1)

"Hold each other's hands. Come under the arch."

Haldir and Legolas took each other's hands and stood underneath the arch, facing each other. Galadriel laid her hands on their heads.

Her clear voice rang out. "May the Valar bless this union."

In that moment, an intense emotional connection sparked between Haldir and Legolas, deeper than anything either of them could have ever imagined.

Suddenly Legolas was acutely aware of Haldir's deep love for him, but he also felt his uncertainty, Haldir's pride, his anger at Tinarvel, sadness that his parents were not present at this day. He saw in Haldir's eyes that he was experiencing something similar, and knew that Haldir felt his own emotions with the same intensity.

Neither of them knew for how long they stood there – but after what seemed mere moments, Galadriel smiled and broke the spell.

"You are now bound. May your days be long, and may they be seasoned with love, understanding and respect."

A great cheer went up amongst the present elves. Galadriel gently turned the newly bonded couple around, so that they were facing their guests.

-o-o-o-

Aragorn has stood behind his father and brothers. He would have much preferred to stand somewhere in the back, but Elrond was an honoured guest in Lorien, and room was made for him and his family at the front, near the decorated arch.

Aragorn had known that he would find the bonding itself difficult – only he had not expected how difficult it would really be. When Haldir took Legolas' hands, and all guests, including Aragorn, could feel the deepening emotional connection between the two elves, everything inside him screamed: 'This should have been me!'

Elrond knew, or at least guessed, how difficult this moment was for Aragorn. He slightly turned and got hold of one of Aragorn's hands, which was tightly clenched into a fist. He pressed it gently, trying to provide what emotional support he could. Aragorn was grateful for the gesture. And yet it took him all the self-control he possessed not to weep.

-o-o-o-

The newly bonded couple was walking slowly along the beautifully decorated path to their home. Haldir had slipped his arm around Legolas' waist, through their new bond acutely aware how tired Legolas was at that moment, and that his injury had begun to hurt again. Legolas leaned on Haldir, grateful for the support. A throng of guests, all of whom expressed their good will and happiness, accompanied them.

Haldir helped Legolas up the steps to their talan. Once they had arrived in their own home, and were able to close the door, Haldir led Legolas to their bed. "It is time for a rest, Legolas, everything else can wait. We have some hours to ourselves, than there will be the feast in the evening. But you must rest now, and I will hold you and watch over your sleep."

There was such affection in those words and Haldir's feeling was of such intensity that all of a sudden Legolas' eyes filled with tears. Or perhaps he was just over-tired.

Simply slipping out of his bonding robe, he lay down, and within mere moments, had fallen asleep.

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Haldir looked at Legolas, completely relaxed in sleep. The younger elf had turned onto his side, his unbound hair falling over his face and arms. He looked so young and vulnerable that it made Haldir's heart ache with love. He could not yet quite believe that the bonding had actually happened – after the long years of waiting, it all had been so sudden!

As Legolas slept, Haldir curled up against him and let his mind wander. He thought with slight amusement that this was not quite how he had imagined his bonding day to plan out, but on the other hand he was so amazed that the bonding had actually happened that he did not mind at all. The physical side of their bonding could wait; the emotional bonding had taken place and had been blessed by the Valar. Haldir felt blissfully happy – until the last moment he had feared that Legolas would change his mind. But he had not, and here they were, bonded.

Somewhat later, he drifted off to sleep as well.

-o-o-o-

After the sun had already gone down, Haldir was woken by a gently touch on his shoulder. He found himself looking at Thranduil, who smiled at them. Legolas, too, had woken up.

"It is time for the feast. You do not need to stay long – in fact no one expects you to do so. Most newly bonded couples leave the feast early. I will wait in your living area whilst you get ready."

Haldir and Legolas smiled at each other. "How do you feel, Legolas?"

"Very happy – and a bit tired. I can still not believe that we have really done it, that you wanted me." His dark eyes held such love that it was Haldir's turn to get very moist eyes. He very gently touched Legolas' cheek.

"Come, let us not make your father waiting."

A little while later, Thranduil led them to back to the garden of the Halls of Healing. They had been illuminated artfully, with well placed lanterns lightening the most beautiful shrubs and flowers. Tables with food had been laid out, and musicians had assembled. Many guests had already arrived, with more still coming in small groups.

When Legolas and Haldir arrived, they were greeted and cheered, and then Galadriel opened the feast and dancing. Traditionally, the first dance was reserved for the newly bonded couple alone. All fell silent, and then the music began. The players had chosen an old elvish tune that was often used for bondings. It was a heavy, sensuous tune that created a dreamlike atmosphere in the dark, heavily scented garden illuminated by flickering lanterns and flares. After the first few notes, Legolas rested his head against Haldir's shoulders, and Haldir held him close around the waist. They seemed to forget their audience, and were soon lost in a dance so intimate that many of the guests knew they were witnessing something very special, almost sacred.

When the music stopped, there was silence. But then the music restarted, with a well-known lively tune, and the spell broke.

Legolas and Haldir did not stay long. They talked to some of the guests, especially Elrond and his family. Aragorn very much stayed in the background, but nevertheless came forward to wish them happiness. Only Elrond and Haldir guessed how hard this must have been for the young man, and Haldir respected him for the gesture.

After another dance, they made their way home. Legolas was very obviously exhausted. Haldir made sure that Legolas made it into their bed before collapsing. It was only in the morning that they were gently completed their bonding. Neither of them had ever been so deliriously, blissfully happy in their long lives.

TBC Please review

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(1) Adapted from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet.