Title: Hunting a Different Prey
Chapter: Four: In the Eves of the Woods
Author: MysticHeero
Warnings: Haldir/Legolas but no graphics still, just simple implications and actions..
Author's note: Okay I wrote this back in July, so sorry for the delay, but due to restrictions on internet actions I was unable to post it or write it up. I have also written chappies five and begun six. Then I realise that I had actually left out a HUGE part of chapter 5 and so that is being re-written to fix it. I missed out the middle section by accident – how I left out a huge part like that is beyond me but there ye have it. Enjoy.
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Haldir woke with a smile. Things were the best they had ever been in his long life. He and Legolas were beginning to courting another, both unsure of the depth of their feelings and the love they held for one another. Their brothers had been teasing them the whole time in a more open fashion now, but kept out of their way by duelling, hunting and riding. After that first day in the gardens the pair had decided not to tell their brother of what they had agreed upon, or even let on the fact that they knew the other liked them. It was a sweet retribution for the teasing done by their brothers and the four sparring partners seemed to be disappointed by what they had managed to 'worm out' of both Legolas and himself. It had been very amusing to watch their siblings try to 'match' them up, setting up ideal situations for them to talk and get together. Thranduil had been in on it, as Legolas said he wouldn't deceive his father, considering he hadn't done any heavy teasing like their brothers had, and the king of Eryn Galen proved to be very useful in helping with the deception of the four other elves. When those four elves had learned that they were being tricked they had sulked for a bit, before admitting that they did deserve it the next day and now the teasing had returned again but it was a fair bit kinder this time round as they had no need to press the March warden and youngest prince into admitting anything. The entire realm of Eryn Galen was well aware of their courting, the palace gossip was flying by a mile a minute and Haldir was sure there had been wagers set between various Wood and Grey elves, as there had been between Rumil, Orophin, Lancril and Malcalen. Haldir wouldn't put it pass Thranduil to have joined in on those bets.
Legolas' older sister and Malcalen's wife were due back tomorrow morn and Legolas had been teasing the crown prince in return. Brethilon, everyone knew, would keep Malcalen in line and out of trouble. Haldir had met Galithil twice briefly and thought of her as a little sister almost, within the first few hours of knowing her. Being Legolas' actual sister played no part in it, though it some how made his affection of both Legolas and Galithil grow.
Today Legolas and he would be joining their brothers in sparring for a short while prior to lunch and that left a couple of hours before then, immediately after breakfast to do other things. He was looking forward to spending more time alone with the youngest prince, as they had been doing for the past eight days. Within this time they had learned a great deal about one another, all the way down to their favourite colours and foods. They knew each other's likes and dislikes; dreams and fears; accomplishments and failures. Another thing they had done was exchange embarrassing stories and memories, of themselves and brothers, which also proved to make the teasings easier to handle as there was less ammunition for their brothers to use. Spending the days talking they had even compared their homes, and Haldir described the Golden Wood as Legolas had never seen its beauty and wonder.
Climbing from his warm bed, the March warden began to dress in his sparring clothes, and smiled at the prospect of duelling with Legolas later. Of course their brothers would be present as well, which ruled out using the more bodily throws and pins as it would provoke more taunting. Another thing Haldir and the youngest Thranduilion had been doing was comparing and revealing their brothers' and their own fighting abilities in great detail, also working out how – in theory – it was possible to get around their defences. It was simply another taste of sweet revenge to deal out to their brothers for the teasings and 'setting up' the courting pair has suffered from. He had just finished pulling on and lacing up his leather boots when his brothers barged their way into the room, without even the slightest intention of knocking, and Haldir looked at them with a mixed expression of questioning and beratment.
"Oh, you're up already." Rumil frowned.
"We thought you would be reluctant to get up this morn, seeing as you'll be sparring with us." Orophin commented and Haldir tried not to smirk, but kept his features schooled.
"I am not a coward, nor am I afraid of loosing." He told the younger two and moved to the door, gesturing for his brothers to precede him out of the room.
"We never said that you were. We're simply trying to save you the embarrassment." Orophin explained and Haldir gave him an ironic look. "What?"
"If you were trying any such thing then you wouldn't have been teasing Legolas and myself as you have been doing. You just want another thing to tease me about."
They made it to the breakfast hall without further incident or comment, but once seated at the table the Lorien elves could see that Lancril and Malcalen looked a little brow beaten themselves. Legolas, on the other hand, seemed to be quite pleased about something. He and Haldir shared a small smile before they all tucked into their breakfasts.
"We will see you in a few hours." Malcalen said as they left the table, going a separate way to Haldir and Legolas, but the youngest blonde still caught a pointed look thrown at him by Lancril, along with a lovely comment of; "don't do anything I wouldn't do," before the four disappeared from site.
"I'm going to kill them before long." Legolas commented to Haldir as they once again headed for the gardens.
"Then it will be a double murder, as Ru' and Phin will be joining them in the grave." Haldir smiled, as they both understood the other's torment, going through the same thing them selves.
"Later will be fun though. I can't wait to wipe the grins off their faces, it'll be so refreshing to be the tormentor rather than the victim." The prince's eyes glittered with a concocting gleam.
"Why Legolas, I didn't know one as fair as yourself could be so mean." Haldir joked. "What else are you hiding beneath that beautiful exterior?"
"A perfect memory of every single prank and taunt thrown at me since I was barely able to talk."
"Then I am extremely glad not to be on the receiving end of the retribution." The pair shared another smile and continued talking as they walked. "I'm looking forward to meeting Brethilon tomorrow, and seeing her deal with Malcalen. She sounds very lovely and I would very much like to see Galithil again."
"I'm sure they will be equally pleased to see you as well. Galithil would simply love to help show up Lan. Brethilon needs no aid in dealing with Mal though. I almost pity him." Legolas shared, looking thoughtful for a moment. "Almost." They laughed and joked about their brothers a while longer before changing the topic to sparring, and giving last minute advise and tips.
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"Here they come." Rumil gestured towards Legolas and Haldir as they slowly walked down one of the paths towards the sparring area, talking about some unheard topic which had Legolas gesturing wildly and both of them laughing, so it was clearly funny.
"Do you think we should be worrying what it is they are talking about? I'm sure its nothing good on our behalf." Malcalen said after he and Orophin stopped their sparring.
"Probably." Lancril muttered and the four waited for the other two to reach them.
"Are you two ready to be shown up?" Orophin asked cockily as way of greeting, but Legolas and Haldir smiled.
"I'm sure it will be a learning experience." Legolas said and he accepted the broad sword Rumil handed him. He took centre arena with the youngest Lorien elf as the others drew aside to sit and watch. The match began with Rumil making a sudden and unexpected sweep of his sword. Haldir had warned Legolas that Rumil often began like this earlier, and so Legolas was prepared for such a bold move. Instead of doing the instinctive reaction of moving backward, Legolas parried and advanced, knocking Rumil slightly off balance. They began to gracefully move, almost in unison as their steps became co-ordinated to suit the attack and defence. Haldir suppressed a smile at seeing the shocked expressions of the other spectators as his brother was floored and pinned in one simple move, his blade sent sliding away, leaving Legolas the undisputed winner.
Next it was Haldir against Orophin, swapping places with the previous two duellists. Malcalen and Lancril openly stared at Legolas as the younger elf sat beside them.
"You've been practising." Lancril accused.
"I don't know what you mean brother. I haven't practised anything for near two weeks since we last duel asides from the bow." Legolas truthfully replied.
"You weren't that good when we last fought Las." The crown prince explained.
"Mayhap I didn't wish to show you up further, after I had done on the archery field." Legolas smoothly replied, sounding every bit believable and innocent.
"I suppose that would be Haldir's excuse as well then? He seems to of mysteriously improved also." Rumil questioned, giving Legolas an accusing look similar to the ones from the other Wood elves.
"I wouldn't know. I have never fought him or seen him fight another before now." The youngest admitted, turning his attention towards the pair facing one another. Being unable to detect any deceit in the elf's voice or expression or having any proof he was lying, Rumil, Malcalen, and Lancril glared at the seemingly innocent ellon. Exchanging looks with each other, the three accusing elves launched themselves at the youngest prince, pinning him swiftly to the ground. "What are you doing?" He asked startled by his sudden change in position and gave a surprised yelp as two out of the three holding him down began to tickle him mercilessly.
"Now that's not very fair. Three on one." Haldir's voice called over, still distracted by Orophin' attacks.
"And your point is? You two weren't playing fair in revealing our strengths and weaknesses to each other, so why should we play fair?" Orophin said, casting aside both his and his brother's weapons and grabbing Haldir in a choke hold.
The three elves attacking Legolas paused when they heard a startled shout from Orophin. They turned to see Haldir holding the younger elf around his waist. Upside down. Rumil moved off from where he sat atop Legolas' hips, pinning him, to help poor Orophin, as the elf looked quite helpless hanging there upside down. Careful not to unexpectedly hurt his brother Haldir set the elf the right way up on and on the ground, as Orophin seemed a bit dizzy. Rumil tackled him flat, knocking the wind from the eldest brother and Orophin quickly aided Rumil in holding his brother down.
Legolas wasn't fairing much better than Haldir, still pinned by both his own brothers and he was vainly trying to wriggle out of reach of their tickling fingers.
"Alright, alright. I give." Legolas struggled to say between his laughing.
"And?" Lancril enquired, continuing his movements,
"And! I said I give, so you can stop tickling me now." The youngest squirmed helplessly.
"When did we agree upon that?" Malcalen said cheekily, with an amused grin.
"But since you surrender so sweetly Las, we'll stop for now." Lancril told the downed elf. Both older brothers released Legolas and ceased their tickling attacks on him, leaving him gasping for his breath. Before long Haldir, who was equally exhausted, was dumped beside Legolas, by Rumil and Orophin, who were laughing with equal mirth as the older princes of Eryn Galen.
"Well that was certainly unexpected." Haldir gasped out, still lying flat on his back beside Legolas and the slightly smaller elf began to laugh again.
"I don't know why though. They never exactly play fairly themselves any way. But I suppose I was under the assumption they were fully grown elves." Legolas replied.
The whole group laughed at that, all of them in high spirits and near carefree. After a few minutes rest Malcalen and Lancril began to spar against the younger two Lorien elves, leaving Haldir and Legolas to watch from the sidelines together. Not that the pair minded much, as they continued to talk quietly about various things, Legolas leaning back comfortably against Haldir's chest. The six of them finally retired from the field to clean up and change for lunch, as the sun neared its zenith and once again Legolas found that his brothers had picked something for him to wear, only they had at some point earlier in the day removed and hidden all of his other clothes. This meant that he had little choice but to wear what they had chosen. Fortunately, their choice wasn't overly bad, and was something he could deem suitable for the rest of the day. Thranduil had given his youngest son absence from court until the Lord and Lady of Lorien arrived, simply happy that Legolas had found someone he loved. This meant that Legolas was free of his brothers for the afternoon and the majority of next week. He had spent the time last week with Rumil and Orophin as well as Haldir, playing the suitable host, as his father was also held up in court. Giving silent thanks that the clothes weren't unfit for casual wearing, not to mention overly revealing, Legolas gave his brothers another accusing glare and followed them to lunch.
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Thranduil looked up from his conversation with Haldir as his sons walked in. Raising a questioning eyebrow at Legolas' attire – though it wasn't inappropriate, simply more dressy than what he would usually wear – he didn't miss the last dark glare Legolas threw at his brothers and the king realised that they were somehow responsible. With a secret smile, which was carefully concealed from all present, Thranduil took in the reactions of the Lorien elves and with amusement saw that Haldir's two brothers were exchanging mischievous looks with his own eldest two sons. Poor Legolas, he couldn't help but thinking, he really was going to hate his brothers for a while.
And that brought him back to Legolas' revenge. He knew his son would definitely deal it out, in large doses for his brothers, but for his father? Though the youngest prince would be overly cruel, he'll certainly get his own back on Thranduil. Which led to the question of when? And also what would the elf do to him?
"Is there much to go through today, father?" Malcalen asked, thinking ahead to after lunch.
"Not today, but it will no doubt take a while." Shaking his head at the thought of his council work, Thranduil wondered how his own father had coped with the various councillors as they repeatedly changed their minds from one minute to the next. "I think the councillors want to go over the trade acts with Imladris again."
Lancril pulled a face at the thought, but remained quiet. Instead he turned his attention to Legolas and their guests, with a small smile that to Legolas was worrying, but to any one else it would most likely have seemed to be polite.
"It seems that you will have to make do with out our company for the evening again. But I'm sure Las will keep you occupied beyond boredom."
"We most likely won't even notice your absence." Rumil joked with a broad grin that was echoed around the table; even Legolas was not lost on the mirth of it as it was the first jest that was not at his expense. The mood was light as they continued to dine and drink at a leisurely pace, with jests thrown around and much gossip discussed. The topic switched various times and it all flowed freely, with many smiles and laughs. Thranduil had a smile upon his lips too, but sadly he had to ruin the moment by calling an end to the lunch for him and his eldest two sons.
"Unfortunately we must be going now. The councillors will only wait so long before coming here with the full intent of beginning at the table." The King said truthfully with an amused shake of the head, before standing from his chair. Lancril and Malcalen also stood, offering a small bow of farewell, and made to leave.
"We shall see you later, if we manage to ever get the councillors into an agreement over this trades act." There was an over exaggerated sigh off Lancril while the crown prince simply rolled his eyes at his brother's antics and gave him a gentle shove in the direction of the door. Legolas let out a small chuckle, shaking his head at the idiocy of his siblings, before looking up at the three Lorien elves.
"Is there any thing in particular that you would like to do? I'm afraid I've exhausted all of ideas already. Lancril is much better at this than me, and so he usually deals with guests, along with Mal." Legolas admitted, with a somewhat sheepish smile.
"So you've repeatedly told us." Orophin mentioned. "But we find that hard to believe. You've taken better care of us the last few days than your brothers did on our last visit."
"Your last visit was limited though, by business and Lan was a bit distracted at the time with trying to keep out of Galithil's way." Legolas replied, with a pointed look worthy of Thranduil.
"Yes he did seem a bit edgy." Haldir smirked. "You would have thought that he would have learnt not to get on Galithil's bad side after growing up with her."
"That is something he has learned many times, and yet chooses to ignore. He's lucky that my father intervened because Galithil was fit to skin him, very slowly with a blunt knife." The Sindarin prince revealed, before referring back to the origin of the conversation. "But, truly is there any thing that you wish do or see?"
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Thank you all for your lovely reviews of this fic so far.
Haldir'sHeartandSoul: Your right about Karl Urban being da bomb. Dude he was hot.... Even with that weird hair – he could actually pull that look off. Glad to know that I was missed. Hear from ye soon me darlin'
Pasha ToH: Hope that this is fast enough for ye me dear. Sadly I think chapter five will be a bit longer in the writing up as its being re-written and is a fair bit longer. But that just gives ye more to read. As to the middle ground between age, I honestly don't think age matters much between elves in relationships, as long as both elves are above their majority.
ParanoidPenguin: can't wait until 2$" is put up? I'm assuming that ye meant "4", but I'll let it slide me darlin. I must warn ye the Haldir/Legolas dosage isn't very... erm.... Saucy, or sexual as Charli would put it. And if ye report me for any such thing me darlin then I'll lock ye out of a few computer accounts of yers. Ta. .'
Isildwen: Ah, another person who likes slow developing stories. I agree that many go too fast and the full plot potential goes awry but I can't guarantee that this won't seem a bit rushed in places. Of course some of those fics were the character just jump into the hay or bed... or something less appropriate, are quite good. If they're written in the write way.
Whatevergirl: Glad ye liked it, and I hope you like the latest chappy as well.
Kat-Sakura: It's romantic? O.o? Well that's a new comment, and seeing as my romantic side is severely lacking it's a real compliment – I think.