Author's note: Slash doesn't happen till much later in the story. Author's Notes will not be used to reply to reviews, sadly, unless I feel it's absolutely necessary. Same disclaimers as before. Same plea for an editor.
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All good things would have to end soon enough, and it was only five minutes later that Chance found his way over to the lounging elves and playfully nosed their lax forms, drawing a groan of disappointment from Elrohir. "All right, all right... we'll get up." The mutter came, giving the horse's cheek a joking nudge away so he could sit up. A squeeze was pressed gently against the elf that lay at his side, his arm lifting slightly to aid in Legolas's rise, then twisted to help pull Haldir up as well. "I believe that's Chance's not so subtle way of saying, 'get up, you lazy elves... we need to get back'."
With another disgruntled mutter he packed the cloths their food had come in and slung the bag upon his shoulder before hopping lightly upon the nosy horse's back, waiting for his friends to do the same before heading back toward the hill they'd had to climb to get up to their reclusive spot. "Time to teach others to do our chores..." The last sentence seemed more joyful then, as if he realized that they actually wouldn't have to do much once arriving home that day.
Legolas was like a lump on a log, at first not moving a muscle even as Elrohir tried to help him up. Instead he froze himself up, and groaned and moaned until he was forced to move by Haldir's rising. And even still he was a pill as he simply stood there and watched while Haldir mounted Thunder. Only then did he move to reluctantly do the same with Princess. He leaned forward and patted her side gently with a sigh. "I know, my liege," he whispered softly to her, "not all can master the fine art of lounging for a full day in mild rebellion. Give me time, and I will break them of it."
Haldir shook his head with a slight scoff, musing that Legolas was as odd as they came. He was an elf that could walk for three days straight, and be completely serious about it, and then turn around and be as lazy as a rock in the Anduin. He gave Thunder a firm pat as he trailed behind Chance and Elrohir, threading his fingers into the thick inky blackness of his mane before leaning over fully to press his cheek to his warm fur, closing his eyes. As it would stand, he would ride that way for most of the trip home, unless something kept him from it.
Silathil chuckled softly as he saw the position Haldir opted to ride home in, shaking his head and clicking faintly to Chance to head back. The travel was relatively quiet and uneventful. Haldir seemed to want to relax a bit longer, as did Legolas, despite the fact that both could and would wake up fully if anything were to approach them. When the village was within sight, he pulled back to ride along side the Marchwarden, giving his leg a gentle nudge to get his attention. "Unless you want to give a possibly-injured impression to the villagers, you might wish to sit up, for I can guarantee we'll be watched when we ride in."
The warning came more friendly in nature, knowing the captain would want to keep his dignity among the humans within that town, but before any reply could be made, he released Chance from his slow gait and allowed the horse to go at a pace he wished... and off they ran, suddenly speeding through the brush as if they were a hot knife through butter.
Merry laughter trailed back to the two blondes from Elrohir as they approached the break of the forest to the worn earthen path, the dark-haired royal like a burr upon the brown furred creature. It was something he allowed all the horses to do from time to time when they went on rides, as it was rare that any within this village had the skills to stay on when a horse decided to gallop through the forest, weaving dangerously through trees, and Chance at least loved to do so.
Haldir was roused easily, and as he sat up, Legolas moved up beside him as Elrohir took off on Chance. One look passed between the two of them before they enticed their mounts to do the same gleefully, each propelling forward in a dart of blonde and black and brown. Each elf easily ducked branches, and avoided trees as their horses did the same, just happy to get to run together like they were in the wild. Thunder easily over took Princess and Legolas, and as they passed Haldir gave a salute of good bye to them, grinning as the long tendrils of his blonde hair were thrust back from his face by the wind. If there was one thing that Haldir was, it was a capable rider. He stayed on horses as much as possible in Lothlorien, and most of his youth was spent on the back of one. Also, being an elf, one had to be. It was important to be able to go top speeds, and stay on the horse with no hands in case an arrow had to be shot, either in front of you, behind you or to the side. Sometimes even upwards. Thank the Valar for capability. Thankfully, though, he didn't have to worry about shooting anything right now.
The villagers indeed gaped as the elves came racing toward the stables, slowing only when they approached the buildings and trotting amiably through the single street till they reached their destination as if they hadn't been riding faster than the wind itself only moments before.
Daine and Aram were there, ready to learn once they arrived, having already brought the horses from the pasture back in. Silathil taught them with a gentle hand, showing them how to work the dirt out of the blankets used upon the horses backs, and gave them more instruction on leather care for the tack humans used (he still hadn't truly felt reason for it) upon the horses. Saddles and bridles. Dinner was chicken – as Elrohir had suspected earlier - and was being pan-fried as they spoke.
By the time they were done with the horses, all five were ready for dinner, save for the fact that the children's hands were filthy (somehow the elves managed to escape the dirt that stuck on humans like iron to magnets). Silathil gave a reminder to each child to wash their hands before leading his friends out and back to the house to eat, which ended up being relatively uneventful.
Honestly, there wasn't much to say. Everything remained as it had been the day before, except the fact that Elrohir was beginning to remember some of his past - which he'd not mention till something more pleasant was remembered. When dinner was over, the children, who were exhausted by that point, were sent to bed with the promise that Lorianna would tell them a story, excusing the elves from the task for at least that night.
So Silathil led them back to the stables and up the stairs once again, only to flop on the dual beds with a sigh of relief. "Done! And the rest of the evening is ours! No interruptions, no more chores, and there's still a smidge of daylight left, though I have no doubt it will be gone in minutes."
Both Haldir and Legolas were quite pleased with the swiftness in which the rest of the day seemed to pass. It was a far cry better than walking one in front of the other for leagues and leagues without a kind word to be passed between them. Haldir had thought most of the day about Legolas saying he didn't understand the bickering, as he too didn't really get it. In all actuality he was fond of Legolas's company, and though he'd said he regretted having his companionship on the way home, he didn't regret it at all. Not that he would tell him that. It just wasn't his way to do things. And besides...his company could gripe his rear easily. That would always stand true, he was sure.
And for his part, Legolas was aware that he'd said some particularly nasty things to the March warden, things he would never dare say to anyone else. Things that, upon recalling, he was a little ashamed to of said. Certainly Haldir liked to goad him about his hygiene, but he knew Haldir knew it wasn't true when he said it. But Legolas, for some reason, had to go for the sore spots.
What was it about him that made him so colorful? Did he somehow like to hurt him? Impossible, because when he did hurt him, he felt miserable about it. Maybe it was the knowing that he could for some reason, whereas no one else really managed to. Why could he hurt him? What was it that made it different when he said it?
Curious.
These were the thoughts that lingered in and out of their minds as they worked to help Elrohir teach the children. Legolas, of course, spent more time with them than Haldir did, but when the Warden did spend time near them, he would talk to one at a time patiently, teaching them the Elvish name for the equipment they were using. Daine proved a very capable student for the language, picking it up quickly, while Aram spent all his free time with the blonde prince. Of course both spent the majority of their time with Elrohir, as it was what was expected. Dinner was a welcome end to their chores, and the stable room was an even more welcome end to their entire day.
Legolas had found himself next to Elrohir, engaging himself in a groan of contentment as he sprawled out gracefully, laying his forearm over his eyes. "I'm staying here the rest of the night," he informed them both, quite matter-of-factly as he attempted to take up as much of the bed as was possible.
"Well, if you are, then I suggest you make room on there for me, or find yourself on the floor this time," Haldir informed him, folding his dry clothes. Legolas smiled but uttered no response.
Elrohir managed a weary laugh, shaking his head lightly before leaning over to tickle the darker blonde's ribs a moment, goading him into motion so that he could, as wished for, make room for Haldir once he'd finished taking care of his clothing. "I would like nothing more for you to do so, Legolas, but I think Haldir is right... three is more comfortable than two... I think we learned that this afternoon."
And it was true. They'd all been so comfortable that afternoon that they didn't want to move. "Besides, it's my turn to become a nagging four year old and ask you to keep your word as to what you said you'd teach me tonight. Sadly, Haldir, we'll be in need of your hair to do so." He knew full well that the elf would not take kindly to the idea, though he was certain Legolas could keep his hand steady and gentle so as not to cause snagging or pulling of the silken strands, just as he was certain that he could do so, himself. "I promise we will neither wreck your hair, nor will we cause injury to you if you allow us to do so."
He made the promise on Legolas' behalf, knowing that the prince would indeed adhere to it if it meant keeping the word of another. He'd be locked into the promise, and he was certain Haldir knew it, too. "And then we can all get some much-desired sleep.." The last bit came out wistfully, as he wished for an end to the day almost as much as his companions did. The only thing different about today was that it actually was shorter than his days usually were, thanks to the two elves he had been blessed have in his presence.
Legolas moved with a start at the tickle, much to the amusement of the Marchwarden, who had no idea he was ticklish. But then the matter of his hair came up, and he was watching the elves from across the room skeptically, a hand raising to absently run it over his silvery hair. Legolas just smiled at him wickedly from his perch on the bed, and that served to make the Lothlórien elf even more skeptical. It was obvious by the quick and sudden arching of his eyebrow. That, in turn, served to make Legolas laugh, as he extended a hand towards him kindly.
"Come Haldir, I promise to be kind. How many times have I combed your hair without tugging?" he encouraged sincerely. "See? Elrohir has vouched for me. I promise not to pull it out. I imagine you would look quite funny bald." He offered him a wink, and a smile, and only then did Haldir move slowly towards them both.
"If you knot my hair, you'd better be able to get the knots out." He informed them both sternly, as he stood before them. "I promise." Legolas sighed, scooting back and patting the space on the bed in front of them. "Sit."
Haldir sighed and gave them one more glance over before he complied, reaching back to pull his silvery tie from his hair, wrapping it around his finger for later use. "Hand me your comb?" Legolas asked Elrohir with a slight lift of his eyebrows while running his forefinger through the center of Haldir's elaborate braid, pulling the strands apart easily. He had to admit, Haldir had the nicest hair.
Elrohir rose to wriggle the comb he'd placed in his pack out, passing the instrument over to the prince as he eyed the shimmering, pale blonde locks. Wow. He'd not noticed exactly how light the color was till the rippling effect caught his eye. But his gaze shifted back to Legolas, afraid that his eyes might remain upon the hair a little too long to just be observing the workings of the prince's fingers. Then again - he blushed as the thought came to him - he was supposed to be learning! A mental sigh was echoed in his brain, chastising himself for such utter nonsense before forcing his focus upon Legolas' instructions once he was ready to begin. He sat quietly by the darker-blonde's side, skirting his legs around the left hand side of Haldir as he watched.
Did his own hair fall back from his ties like liquid? He doubted it. But then, Legolas' hair also had that watery effect once it was loosed from it's bindings. Perhaps you simply had to be a blonde elf? Or ... a full one? After all, they did say he was only three quarters Elven. Ah well, enough of that mental chatter.
His attention from that point on didn't falter as he watched the slender fingers dip and weave through the Marchwarden's hair, then attempted to imitate the same patterns once the design was removed, not quite getting it on the first try, but usually by the second he'd gotten it right. If he had the time do try the braids more often, he'd be as expert as Legolas was within a few days. Maybe Daine would let him toy with her hair? She was always staring wistfully at the older girls with their hair done in braids and twists... surely she wouldn't object! A grin formed on his lips as he tried the latest weave for the second time, careful not to pull or yank on the pale-blond head whose fate rested in his still-learning hands, brows furrowed in concentration as strands of hair went over, under, around... over under... till they formed the desired pleat. "I think I've got this one..."
It had not been Haldir's intention to fall asleep. By the Valar, he'd seen no hint that that's what would happen after a matter of 15 minutes. But something about the soothing, soft tones of Legolas's patient teaching voice and the caramel-rich quality of Elrohir's, mixed with the sensation of fingers in his hair, completely did Haldir in. Not that they knew that yet, as they were both behind him and more than preoccupied with the better part of him.
"Yes, yes, that's perfect," Legolas praised with a smile as he helped to undo braid after braid, combing the hair out before they would begin anew. He wasn't surprised at how quickly Elrohir was catching on. He'd been a capable stylist in their youth. "And now, we begin hair knots. It's not as tangling as it sounds, I assure you," he explained, pulling the last braid apart easily, and combing it out. "The knots are loose, more or less there for appearance alone, though they do have a practical use, like I told you earlier. They can come in handy if you need a hair tie, and don't have one at your command." He pulled out two slim stands of Haldir's hair, and offered one to Elrohir before taking his own with both hands.
"You would tie it as you would a single link of rope, starting about 3/4 up the strand, just here..." He took the lock between thumb and forefinger to show his instruction. "Make a loop, and pull the strand through loosely, letting the bottom hang. The weight of the bottom of the strand will keep it from unraveling." He made the knot, and then let it hang. "Of course you can make it more elaborate. Most any knot will work if your hair is great in length as ours is."
Once Legolas has gently worked the knot from Haldir's hair, Elrohir followed suit, imitating the knot fairly quickly. It was easier to get right than the braids were, and so the paler-than-gold silk strands were worked into the desired knot without difficulty. Lips tugged upward at the corners once he'd gotten it right, then slipped his fingers through Haldir's hair as he'd seen Legolas do, working the knot out of place and watching in awe as the corn-silk locks shimmered back into their straightened glory.
"He really has spectacular hair, doesn't he?" came the awestruck murmur, glancing over at Legolas only briefly before his eyes fixed upon the light tresses of their friend. Fingers sifted through, lifting a few strands, only to let them fall back like a gilded waterfall against the Marchwarden's back. When no response came however - even in a gruff grunt of disregard, he glanced around Haldir's side to get a good look at his face before returning to Legolas, keeping his voice soft. "He fell asleep... though I can't really blame him. Having one's hair played with for nearly an hour can easily put one to sleep... Should we wake him, or tuck him in?"
Legolas had been combing his fingers through the hair slowly when Elrohir made his comment on it, and all he could do was nod in agreement. "That he does," he admitted, leaning forward slightly to press some of it to his cheek, closing his eyes as he moved his head to feel its softness playing against his skin. He kept himself that way until the news that Haldir was asleep hit him. Quickly, his eyes flew open and he smiled, sitting up fully and moving to the side slightly to lean forward and look at him.
"He's asleep!?" he whispered in question, before he was confirming it himself with a soft chuckle. "He is... that's quite funny." He looked to Elrohir then and smiled at him, placing a hand on Haldir's shoulder and pulling him back to lay on the bed. Haldir made the softest sound of protest, but did not wake. Instead, his arms drew up to curl over his chest slightly as his head turned to the side, half of his face getting lost in a pool of his own hair.
"I suppose we should get him in bed...We're his friends after all...it's the least we can do." Legolas agreed quickly with a firm nod and a slight arch of his eyebrow. "But...we can't let the poor elf sleep in his clothes. I suppose we'll just have to help him with that, as well," he sighed 'regretfully', leaning over him to undo his tunic.
Elrohir's brow arched lightly at the tone Legolas used in that last comment before offering a light shrug and moving down the Marchwarden's form to remove his boots, unlacing them carefully before slowly pulling each off to set beside the bed. Once that was done, he drew back the covers (now two blankets, as there were two beds there) and pulled them up to the elf's waist at first, planning on tucking him fully in once Legolas and he were done with their own clothing.
"Are you sure you two aren't married?" Elrond's son questioned, removing his own tunic and folding it, laying it on the floor by the bedside to be put away the next morning. Then off came his boots and he wriggled over, moving to the wall-side of the two beds, letting Legolas figure out exactly what order he'd like himself and Haldir to sleep in.
He shimmied his lower half beneath the covers, still remaining sitting up as fingers worked to unweave the beautiful braids Legolas had put in his hair that morning, then leaned over, kissed the blonde prince's cheek and lay back, sighing as his head hit the pillow. "Thank you... for teaching me so much... and for making me laugh more than I've laughed in centuries, all in one day. Now that I'm thinking about things, I can't believe I survived so long without either of you in my life."
Legolas worked diligently to get Haldir undressed, chuckling softly to the married comment. "Ye gods, no," he said, like the very thought of being married to Haldir was a fate worse than death. "I'm completely positive that we're not married. The thought is, in fact, completely unappealing, I assure you." He paused then, staring at the shirt Haldir usually wore to bed, before cutting an innocent look sideways, and pulling it off of him. He patted his chest softly. "There we go. All done," he said, then undressed himself and laid down on the other side of the Marchwarden with a soft, comfortable sigh. He smiled over at Elrohir once he was completely settled, propping up on an elbow to better see him.
"There's no need to thank me," he assured him gently, reaching over to caress back a lock of his dark hair, tucking it behind a pointed ear. "I'm happy to help you, and I'm sure Haldir would be as glad as me to know that we have given you mass amusement, even though that hasn't been our intention." He laughed softly and looked down to the ends of his own hair, taking some in hand to better inspect it, even though there was nothing to inspect. "And to think...that I'm not yet tired." He gave a little frown with a sigh, and moved Haldir's arm so he could curl a limb over his chest and rest his chin on it as he watches their brunette companion.
"I'm worn, but not tired, either... at least, not quite as much as our companion seems to have been. And you two have indeed provided quite a bit of entertainment. I don't believe I've seen Thunder knock anyone into that basin quite like he did Haldir... though... he's never apologized afterward for doing so before. And I have to admit, seeing you sprawled in that basin was rather comical as well... You looked as if that were the last thing in the world you expected him to do!"
And after all their teasing, one would think Legolas would have been on guard for something like that. But as the blond prince's head moved to rest over Haldir's chest, Elrohir formed a dark, mirrored image, smiling warmly over to his friend, reaching out with his free hand to brush a few strands of gold from the other's face with a soft hand. It was times like those that didn't quite feel like reality, yet felt almost too real. Simply laying there, whispering across a warm form, sharing moments together as if it were a lifetime.
A thought came to him that this was "just like old times..." though he couldn't remember what "old times" were... except that they must have held this same, magical one-ness with his three companions, almost as tight a bond as he could imagine he must have had with his twin. "Life has been that much better now that you two are here. I think even the family knows this... can feel it in the air itself. It's... It's like springtime has come to some sort of lingering winter that refused to budge." He froze then, shaking his head at the thoughts. "Forgive me... I didn't mean to get quite so profound on you..."
"Don't be sorry," Legolas whispered, tilting his head to better feel the brush of his fingers against his face. "That we make you happy, my heart is glad. And to hear it proclaimed warms me, I assure you." He told him. "As for my tryst in the water basin, I truly didn't think he would do it," he admitted with a chuckle and a sheepish smile, shaking his head. "Though, I believe I should have known."
He laid more fully, his arm uncurling to just drape over the wardens waist as his cheek found a home against the nook where his shoulder met his chest. It was beyond comfortable to lay there with them both, and he was happy to be here as well. "What're the plans for tomorrow?" he asked wearily, eyes closing for a moment as his fingers trailed over Haldir's skin to find refuge in Elrohir's dark hair. There they twirled in it, and rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger absently.
Elrohir smiled lightly as half-lidded eyes watched the delicate fingertips lay claim to a few locks of ebony hair, offering an impish grin to the other prince. "I would lie here all day tomorrow if I were allowed, but I fear there are some things that need to be done. Nothing as time consuming or tiring as today, though. Aram and Daine's favorites need to be saddled up, and though they do that work, it always needs to be looked over before they go out. The feed bags need refilling as well. Other than that, I do believe we're free the rest of the day, unless something comes up unexpectedly." If one got down to it, Elrohir actually made up the chores, for he knew the most of what the horses needed. It paid for his room and board, keeping those horses in top condition, and he took pride in his work.
"Whatever we do tomorrow is entirely up to the two of you. Perhaps we could try a bit of archery? I doubt anyone in this village has seen elves shoot, for I do all my hunting in the woods and rarely take to the targets here. It might be fun..." His mind was beginning to drift even then, though and he reached out to brush fingers in a rather tender affection over first Legolas' cheek, then Haldir's before settling himself against the Marchwarden's chest, letting his eyes close in sleep for the first time in a long time. He felt safe. "Good night, Legolas... and do not say you are not tired, for I see the sleep in your eyes. Rest well..."
"Archery sounds fun," Legolas agreed wearily. "I would like that... And... I'm not sleepy," he tried to play it off like he wasn't, despite the fact it was apparent he most certainly was, and was simply just being stubborn for reasons only he could possibly know. Slowly, he opened his eyes to look at Elrohir, able to see him perfectly in the dark.
"But...good night anyway," he smiled. "I'll see you in the morn. I hope you have dreams full of light." He raised his hand to caress his cheek gently, before lifting his head to look at Haldir thoughtfully. Haldir would like archery, he knew. It seemed to be his strong point. He'd seen him split his own arrows before, from the back of a moving horse. Elrohir too, he knew was more than able with the art, and they had always made close rivals.
Legolas, while skilled impressively at the sport, was a force to be reckoned with when it came to his ivory handled knives. Maybe He'd throw them at the targets just to show off. He smiled softly at the thought, and reached up to trace a forefinger over the eyebrow Haldir seemed fond of arching, before trailing it down over his cheek bone gingerly.
"Good night, menace," he whispered, leaning up to kiss his cheek before laying his head back down, and closing his eyes in contentment. Let sleep come...he was ready for it.
Author's Post-script Note: Yes, I know that elves tend to sleep open-eyed. However, I do recall that in times of healing, or when they feel completely safe, they - at times - sleep with their eyes closed. Elrohir - not a full elf (though close to it) - would be more inclined to sleep closed-eyed after living among humans for so long, though I'm sure he partakes in the open-eyed rest of his kin many a time.