Title: The Marriage Ceremony
Author: fazy
Pairing: Haldir/ Elrond.
Rating: PG
Archive: Melethryn, , LoM
Summary: Elrond and Haldir make the relationship official.
Genre: AU (somewhere in Scotland in the 21st century)
Warnings: Slash.

Chapter 2

Flashback to the morning of the ceremony

It was almost too unfair. They had made love that morning, and Haldir didn't like it one bit. It had taken him that long to reach a state of abandonment, and just as soon as he broke free of the binds surrounding him, it was over and Elrond was left as little more than a steaming, panting heap sprawled over him. It was just too unfair.

Haldir clenched his teeth, anger and resentment building up inside him even as his eyes threatened to well up with tears. It was so unfair. How come Elrond always found his pleasure? Choking on his bitterness, Haldir wriggled free and lay on his side with his back turned to the now puzzled lord.

"Haldir?" The peredhil's voice was still low and husky from their tryst. Low and slightly wavering, his eyes still dazed from completion. Haldir gritted his teeth.

"Haldir?" Elrond said again, forcing himself to focus. Forcing himself out of the hazy clouds of bliss that came with the uniting of the physical. "Is something wrong?" he pressed, concerned.

"Nothing," Haldir replied icily.

Elrond blinked at his lover's back, then bit his lip in worry. If he had somehow offended the blonde, he knew he would be in deep trouble. Especially now that the Lorien elf was ill and feeling especially vulnerable. Especially now that the helplessness and frustration, coupled with his temporary physical weakening was making him prone to tempestuous mood swings.

"Are you alright?" Elrond asked tentatively, and braced himself. Starting a conversation with Haldir when he was in that mood was like walking across a minefield-- you never knew when something might explode.

Haldir shrugged, and said nothing, and for awhile, Elrond pondered upon his next move.

"Are you..." Elrond trailed off, wondering how he could phrase his thoughts in the least offensive manner. "Did I hurt you?" he ventured, then winced. No matter what the words, the question was sure to settle wrongly. It made Haldir sound frail, and Elrond strong, and the marchwarden's harsh pride struck out against even the vaguest suggestion of weakness.

Haldir growled softly, a soft reverberation that issued from the back of his throat. Sitting up suddenly, he turned to Elrond. "No," he said curtly, his face just inches away from the peredhil's. "I'm perfectly fine," he snapped, and promptly lay down again and drew the covers angrily over his head.

For a long while, Elrond sat there, not quite knowing how to react. Worry and anxiety mingled with a soft loving concern, and yet... and yet... why was Haldir being so unreasonable, even after he had tried so hard?! Haldir's cold words hurt him, his even colder behavior stung him, and his own inability to do anything about the matter ripped him to shreds.

"Fine then," Elrond said at last. "If that's how you're going to be then fine." Sighing in frustration, he glanced at the clock. "It's almost noon," he said to the heap under the blanket.

No response.

"The guests will be coming soon."

Still no response, and Elrond was torn between wanting to pull at his own hair in frustration or just shake his head and sigh. He choose the former.

"Haldir," he said gently, climbing out of bed. He knelt facing what would have been Haldir's face beneath the covers and gingerly drew back the heavy folds of cloth. Haldir's large eyes blinked up at him mournfully. "Hervenn?" he crooned softly. Haldir dropped his eyes. "Come, Haldir, look at me..." he said softly. Slowly, the other's eyes rose to meet his.

"Come, melethron," Elrond said gently, with just a hint of rebuke. "Get dressed. Surely you're looking forward to today?"

And to Elrond's utmost dismay, Haldir shrugged and looked away miserably. A soft tear tricked down his cheek, soon to be joined by another of it's fellows as a dark stain on the plush bedding. To the peredhil, it was like seeing his worst fears confirmed. "Oh, Haldir..." he breathed. Stricken. Crushed. Heartbroken. "Haldir-nin..."

To Be Continued...

A/N: Thanks to those of you who pointed out I've been spelling Galadriel's name wrongly! I'm a little dyslexic, and that affects the way I read and spell, and unless it's actually pointed out to me, I usually can't see the difference between say, 'Rumil' and 'Rumli' they look exactly the same even when I squint hard! Honest! So that's two LoTR characters I've messed their names up for them. Poor darlings.

Anyway, a bit about the fic. The one here is a very Nice version. Ie: no smut, and no mpreg. If you do happen to want smut and do happen to want mpreg, get the unabridged version from my homepage. (linked from my ff. net site.) Go to LoTR Fanfiction, Msn Madness, Contents, Vignettes by fazy, The Ceremony. Sorry I cant give a direct link, ff. net keeps eating up direct links. growl and they delete stories. and we cant have smut. oh well. shrugs

Btw, i only just realised i didnt specify a setting for the fic. It takes place Somewhere In Scotland, Sometime In The 21st Century... yes, definitely AU. hehe.