Disclaimer: See Chapter 1 for full disclaimer.

Before we get started...

Evenstar Elanor... Glad the images resonated. I was hoping they would! Thanks for being such a regular reviewer of my work.

Anonymous... Thanks for the kind review! I hope you like future chapters as much!

Xkuroxshinobix... Hope you like this chapter as much as the others. Appreciate the reviews.

Chapter 4: Caught Off Guard

In the months that followed the banquet for the Elven King of Mirkwood, Haldir began to spend more time with Runevalas, his need for companionship overruling his sorrow. But even as he and Runevalas circled each other carefully, Haldir flared angrily each time Rumil or Orophin told him he was courting her.

Late one winter morning, Runevalas came unexpectedly to Haldir's dwelling. She called his name as she skimmed up the curving stairs that led to his balcony platform. He turned, surprised to hear her voice. He had arrived late in the night from patrolling the far edge of Lothlorien and the next few days were for his leisure. He wore only a set soft doeskin pants and an unfastened, light-weight over-shirt, for even in winter Lothlorien remained warm.

Runevalas stopped and couldn't prevent the blush from dusting her cheeks. She had never seen Haldir in anything but his full attire, and she couldn't help but admire him. Nearly all Elves were tall and graceful, with a slender but athletic build. Haldir was all that and more. His chest was a little broader than the typical Elf and it tapered down to a narrow waist. The muscles on his abdomen were well-defined, and while Runevalas could not see his arms, she imagined they were also sculpted and strong.

"I didn't mean to disturb you," she said. "I'd heard you returned last night and wanted to surprise you."

"It is a welcome surprise," he said with a smile. He realized that he'd missed Runevalas while he was gone, and for a moment felt off balance, caught off-guard. She came over and stood on her toes to give him a kiss. Haldir could no longer resist the attraction that had been growing over the past months. He ached to be close to someone, physically, even if he was not willing to admit that his heart needed companionship as well, and he brought Runevalas in close to him and kissed her with more fire than he first intended. When he released her, Runevalas looked at him with wide eyes before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back with just as much vigor.

There was no conversation as they tumbled onto Haldir's bed, tossing what remained of their clothes to the floor. Runevalas felt delicate and warm beneath him as Haldir lost himself in their desires. He had not understood how much he had missed physical intimacy until he felt Runevalas' skin against his own.

Hours later, Haldir slept, sprawled across his bed, exhausted and sated. Runevalas, too, had slept soundly. She woke once, pulling a light sheet up against the cool breeze that came through the window. Looking down at Haldir, she smiled. She had wanted this for a long time and it was well worth the wait. The stories she'd been told of Haldir's "prowess" had all been about his skill with the bow and the sword. No one had mentioned his prowess beneath the sheets. She settled back down with a contented sigh and drifted back to sleep.

When he woke in the late afternoon, Haldir slipped quietly out of bed so as not to wake his lover. His eyes lingered for a long moment on the smooth white skin of her shoulders and back. Outside, he let the breeze dance across his skin, enjoying the cool touch, but soon is thoughts wandered off, through the Golden Wood, back through time and to a distant field, soaked in blood and pain.

Maranwe. What would it have been like, feahoon, to hold you, to kiss you, to make love to you until we were both exhausted? I don't think I can even begin to imagine... In that moment, Haldir realized that there may be a small blessing from the Valar hidden in all of his sorrow. The agony he felt losing Maranwe after just a few moments... How much sharper would the pain have been if he had been able to get to know her, to be intimate with her?

"You're thoughts are far away," said Runevalas. She'd woken a few moments before to find herself alone in Haldir's large bed. Wrapping herself in a small sheet, she came out to the balcony.

"My thoughts are in and through the Golden Wood," he lied. "But they are a mere diversion from my thoughts of you."

"Your devotion to Lothlorien is beyond compare," she said. "That you would add me to those thoughts is a delight."

I cannot love you the way I loved Maranwe, he thought, but perhaps I can find some true solace and comfort in your arms. He reached out and caressed her cheek lightly, and they both looked out into the Golden Wood in silence.

That's it for now. This was a bit of a transition chapter, but I've gotten a good bit done on this story this weekend, so hopefully I can get a few more chapters up in short order, but that will depend on what the rest of my week shapes up...