Chap2

Haldir, Marchwarden of Lorien, was in Imladris that week, trying to determine the safest courses of travel for the trading parties between Lorien and Imladris, through a series of somewhat tedious meetings. Glorfindel, as seneschal, was expected to attend these meetings, as was Sallahra as his assistant, who was newly recovered from her injuries. Despite their conversation in the House of Healing, it appeared that whatever occurred there, stayed there, as Glorfindel was his normal scatterbrained, lusty self. So they returned to life as normal.

Glorfindel found these meetings normally bored him, but something else caused him to take a new interest in them this time. Haldir was looking at Sallahra's little form with great interest. Glorfindels eyes narrowed. He watched through out the long, lengthy discussion, as Haldirs eyes roamed the curves of Sallahra, as she sat taking notes in her neat hand, (as, she thought, no doubt Glorfindel was fast asleep) Glorfindel was surprised to find jealousy threading through his boredom, and he became determined to get her out of the room as quickly as possible once the meeting had ended. When it did, however, Haldir made for the little elleth, effectively cutting Glorfindel off.

"Well, my lovely, I have not seen you at council before," he breathed, taking her hand in his, and rising it to his lips, his eyes smoldering. She kept her gaze coolly locked on his, ignoring Glorfindel, who was fuming beside the Marchwarden. Maybe this was the motivation Glorfindel needed.

"That is because I have not been there, my Lord. I am Sallahra of Gurien, Lord Glorfindels assistant." She said, forcing herself to smile at him sweetly to soften her abrupt tone. She never was any good at flirting. Her character was too blunt to allow coyness.

"Is that so? Well perhaps he could loan your sweet company to me for the afternoon?" he said, raising an eyebrow suggestively. Glorfindel cleared his throat hurriedly. "Sallahra, come, we have much to do," he said, trying to pull her away from the lusty elf. Haldir raised his eyebrows. "The Lady can say for herself whether or not she is occupied, Glorfindel." Sallahra looked at Haldir who was smiling amicably.

"Perhaps another time, Marchwarden, as My Lord needs me." She said, before leaving the two Lords in the corridor, heading towards Glorfindels study.

"You do not need her, Glorfindel, why do you keep her from me?" Haldir asked lightly, intent on her softly curved form, making it's way up the hall.

"Because you need her," Glorfindel muttered under his breath. He hadn't missed the looks of open lust the Marchwarden had been directing her way. He did not like it one bit. "And not for shuffling papers I'll warrant, or polishing a desk." Glorfindel could have slapped himself at that last comment, as the Marchwarden burst into deep laughter, that echoed up the hall. "I'll warrant that polishing a desk could well be on the agenda, Glorfindel. Her back could polish it quite nicely." Glorfindel growled low in his throat, and Haldir laughed again. "Glorfindel, if she is so much to you, than do something about staking a claim upon her… Before I do." and with that, he swept up the hall, his footsteps echoing through the halls.

(&(

She stood behind Glorfindels desk, sorting out his reports. Honestly, the ellon didn't know the difference between a written report and a letter! Glorfindel came charging in shortly after, slamming his way around the room in one of his moods. She just sat down heavily and sighed. They were going to be here for a long time.

"What is it Glorfindel?" she asked, exasperated. He turned and looked at her, as though he had only just realized she was there.

"I don't want you going near Haldir again,' he said sternly, coming to stand in front of her, arms folded. She raised her eyebrows. So it had gotten to him. He was acting like a toddler who had been cheated of a treat. She returned to sorting the papers in front of her.

"Why not?" she asked, as she addressed one of the many letters before her "He certainly seemed amicable to spending time in my company."

"It is not your company he wants Sallahra!" he burst out, nearly stamping his foot, so great was his frustration. He didn't know what came over him. It's not that he wanted her he told himself hurriedly, he just…. didn't want anyone else to have her.

She raised her eyebrows, looking up at him. "I am a grown elleth, Glorfindel. You think I do not know what he wants? What makes you think that I do not want the same thing?" She said brazenly, enjoying the look of shock that crossed his features. He remained silent for a long time, out of shock or frustration at not getting his way, she wasn't sure. Come to think of it, he realized, neither was he.

"Promise me, Sallahra. Promise me you will not go to him." He said finally, his voice so quiet that she struggled to hear him. She sighed in exasperation. "I will not go near him, if you will not go near Gwyneth," she replied archly, not looking up from her papers. He exploded in another fit of spluttering. "That is entirely different," he managed to spit out. She looked up at him, and saw he was struggling to construct sentences.

"How so?" she asked, trying to keep her face straight. "I have told you before she is only after one thing, Glorfindel, and I'll tell you now, it is not your sexual prowess, no matter how great you tell yourself it might be." Once again, Glorfindels mouth continued to open and close silently, unable to make sense of what his normally chaste little assistant was saying.

"Well?"

"….It's just different, that's all," he finally said, exasperated. "It's my business," She went back to her papers, telling herself she wasn't hurt by that comment. "Then if you do not mind, leave me to mine," she said. He went to leave the room then. On his way out, he slowed, looking back at her.

"You will stay away from him, won't you?" he asked quietly once more. She sighed again, this time in resignation. "If you stay away from her, My Lord." he left, more frustrated then when he went in. And she struggled to not scream after him that no, she could never go near another, not when she was already his.

A/N:Thankyou all for my lovely reviews! I have replied to as many as I could, and will continue to do so. Don't worry, Haldir won't be bad, evil or an insane rival (as he sometimes can be.lol) he's good to. Just….a bit different. Scouts honour. Let me all know how you like the chapter now. Thankyou!