Chapter 12

"There are few trees to hide a wood elf now," Elrohir called out, bow held lightly, his chin down as he listened as well as an elf could hear to the wind. He did not miss the faint sound of laughter. He grunted, remembering how many times this scenario had been repeated -- often to his detriment when in the woods of Lorién, sometimes to Haldir's when he came to Imladris. As elflings, the games of hide and seek and retribution had only been a precursor to their current occupations. However, although Haldir's wardens may not have moved about Arda as the twins did, their danger was often a daily occurrence situated as they were between the orcs of Moria and Mordor.

The incessant struggle to keep what they had had honed the elves of Lothlorien into somber, intent warriors, but on occasion, they could still laugh.

Elrohir knew it had been sometime for that emotion for Haldir, and even though the elf had annoyed him in this game, he still enjoyed the opportunity to lighten Haldir's mood, to give him some respite from the horrors they all had experienced. But, he was not going to give in, even if Rinethel was having second thoughts.

Elrohir looked at the elf, another ranger of Elrond's montage of warriors, sent to guard the greenway and those creatures not aware of the dangers they faced. Or hadn't been, until the War of the Ring. But that was past now, things were slowly calming, life moved on, good or bad, for all of them.

Rinethel sank to the ground to brush his fingers against the soil, what little of it remained over the rocky terrain they were currently searching. The trail had let into a wide meadow in the center of which stood the sapling, wreathed in white, the icon of Aragorn's realm. The White Tree had given them hope that things were going to get better.

There was little more than the tree and more rocks, still enough to hide a slim elf or two.

Rin sniffed his fingers, a frown marring the handsome features so similar to Lillah's. "There has been bear here!"

Elrohir lifted a brow. "I would have imagined them gone long ago with the building of Minas Tirith."

The warden shook his head, rising to his feet. "I just hope he is far away. Lillah has enough beasts to deal with." He grinned at Elrohir. "A wolf perhaps?"

"But what would that make Legolas?" Elrohir replied, laughing. "A pup?"

The arrow winged between them, splitting the air in a whooshing sound that had both elves leaping apart. It skittered off a rock and landed at Elrohir's feet, fletched in the colors of Mirkwood.

"A pup?" Legolas complained, standing above them, bow in hand, his cloak tossed back over his shoulders. "I was worried you had become a couple of old women. It took you long enough to arrive."

"Where is Lillah?" Rinethel demanded.

"A good and intriguing question," Legolas replied and he touched his brow, shrugging into his cloak once more to disappear.

Elrohir was not surprised this time, and expecting the move, had crept closer to the rock. A grunt sounded from what seemed like thin air when he leaped, landing for a moment on nothing, but then Legolas appeared beneath him, struggling not to laugh, his bow flung forward where Rinethel picked it up.

"Where is Lillah?" Rinethel asked again, crouching in front of Legolas as Elrohir sat on his back.

"Again, a good question," Legolas quipped. "One that can be asked numerous times and receives yet the same answer."

Elrohir smacked the younger elf on the back of the head.

"If he harms her in any way," Rinethel declared.

Legolas only snorted. "She is fine, if severely annoyed, tucked away where you will not find her. I suggest you watch your back instead of worrying about an elleth who only wants what she is definitely going to get."

"Haldir no longer has you to aid him," Rinethel began, but stumbled back a step suddenly, lifting a hand to his forehead. "Ow," he cried, looking at his fingers to find them bloody. "He has drawn blood!"

He ducked a second rock, whirling to leap off the rock he'd been standing on, picking up Legolas's bow.

"Hey, that is mine," Legolas declared, muffled as Elrohir sprawled over him.

Rinethel grinned and ran to the edge of the steep drop at the side of the clearing, holding the bow over the edge. "Your treasure for mine."

"You would not dare," Legolas hissed, struggling underneath Elrohir.

Rinethel looked at the bow, his expression bland. "Perhaps…"

"No, he would not, for the gift was from the Lady of Light herself," a voice declared, a moment later appearing in the form of the King. Aragorn removed the bow from Rinethel, snorting faintly and then stopped next to Elrohir. "And what, pray tell, are you doing?"

Legolas grunted sourly.

Elrohir smiled, but did not move from where he still pinned the prince to the ground. "Did you see Elladan on your way up?"

"Nay, is he in on this as well?" Aragorn waved his hand. "Never mind, stupid question."

"We are looking for Lillah," Rinethel stated and sent a scowl at Legolas. "Haldir has kidnapped her."

Aragorn folded his arms over his chest, tucking Legolas's bow under his arm. "Really? Are you sure?"

Rinethel nodded, but his lips twitched faintly. "We know that Legolas was with Haldir. But he refused to tell us where he put her."

Aragorn tilted his head slightly. "Are you not confused? It seemed to me that Lillah and Haldir…" He left the sentence unfinished, brows lifted.

Elrohir shook his head. "But the lady in question requested our assistance in the matter, Haldir was rushing things," he said smoothly.

Legolas snorted from underneath him.

Elrohir dug an elbow into the elf's side.

"So in the meantime, while you sit on Legolas, Haldir is where?" Aragorn inquired.

Rinethel looked at Elrohir. "Too easy."

Elrohir nodded sagely. "He wanted a challenge."

Both elves smiled at Aragorn. "He's waiting to take us down first."

Aragorn rubbed his brow as if it pained him. "Now I know why Arwen sent me up here," he sighed. "A man's work is never done."

All three elves looked at him curiously.

**

Lillah tried not to panic, engulfed in what she was sure was Haldir's cloak, wrapped so tightly so that she could hardly move, her mouth bound with a cloth so she could not call out. She grunted as she twisted her hands behind her, but Legolas had done his work well and the knots were still tight. She sighed around the gag, unable to see through the thin fabric.

She wondered what he had planned, and where Haldir was. This had to be the March Warden's suggestion, but was not sure just what he intended. Well, she was in some regards, but this was all going wrong. It was supposed to be on her terms, she had planned on arriving at the clearing where the White Tree blossomed, a sign of renewal and new beginnings. A perfect place for her to begin again, to find her new life path, one that she hoped would include Haldir.

Rinethel had warned her, of course.

She should have known Haldir would not leave things as she had left them. Had she really expected him to, or did she dare admit she had hoped, as she had told Rin, that she was liberated enough, her heart finally free of the grief of her husband's loss to allow Haldir inside her heart.

As he had been for some time now.

Something brushed her shoulders and Lillah would have screamed but for the gag, but then the cloak was drawn from her face and she found Haldir grinning at her.

He drew off the cloth from her mouth. He arched a brow wickedly, his hair gleaming in the bright moonlight. "Lillah, well met."

"Untie me," she hissed, scowling at the elf.

He clicked his tongue. "I cannot, my work is yet unfinished."

She frowned. "What work? Where is Legolas, that wretch? I am going to hogtie him and hang him upside down for the women to do as they will."

The elf beside her smothered a laugh. "He will hate that no doubt."

Lillah only sniffed.

Haldir grinned. "It should not take me long to compete my task."

She scowled and then cursed ineffectively when he replaced the cloth over her mouth.

"I cannot have you drawing attention to yourself, there are bear about." He kissed her forehead gently. "So be quiet until I return." The cloak covered her again, leaving her floundering both physically and emotionally as fear rolled over her.

"Vear?" she cried.

**

Haldir skirted the clearing, cloak fluttering in the wind, his gaze on the three elves and the man, smiling at their conversation. Aragorn was clearly amused, Legolas, finally allowed off the ground, was sitting on a rock with his arms crossed, and Rinethel and Elrohir were both arguing their case to Aragorn.

"We cannot let him have her so easily. She needed some sense of control," Rinethel maintained heatedly. "He has swept her off her feet, she is not ready."

Aragorn did not seem to agree. Haldir considered what Lillah had done so far. Not ready? On the contrary, she was pushing things quite handily.

Legolas had covered his mouth with his hand and Elrohir was staring at him intently.

"Why do you laugh, Legolas?" the ranger demanded.

Haldir moved closer to hear the answer.

"You obviously did not see the dress she had on," Legolas replied.

"And you did?" Rin moved closer, his expression suddenly cool.

Legolas ignored Lillah's brother and stared back at Elrohir to answer. "I saw only very modest portions," he admitted and sent a sly glance at Rinethel.

"So where have you put her so we can all go to bed?" Aragorn asked quietly.

Legolas shrugged. "More than likely she is gone now."

"Haldir miss out on a chance to play?" Elrohir sniffed. "Not on your life. So where is she?"

Legolas only grinned.

Haldir applauded the young prince's loyalty, and his stubbornness. It was time to move things along. The March Warden selected an arrow from the quiver on his back, nocking the shaft carefully and drew back, slowly, gently, shifting his cheek so that the line of the string came into focus, behind it – Rinethel as he stood glaring at Legolas. It was time to take out the brother, one who really was not into the game, torn between concern for his sister and allowing her to have what she wanted. Haldir smiled and let go of the arrow. It bore swiftly through the air, twisting as it arced soundlessly toward Rinethel, but the elf sensed the danger and moved, just as Haldir knew he would.

Instead of impaling the elf as it might have had he not moved, the shaft instead caught his cloak and the momentum of the arrow, the short distance of the target, drew the elf backwards off his feet in a rush, landing with a groan on his back as the arrow buried itself deep into the ground.

Elrohir was on his feet but Haldir had moved quickly away.

Legolas looked down at Rinethel, lying stunned on the ground. "Tsk, elf -- that was just too easy."

**

Elrohir scanned the clearing, silently laughing at Rinethel caught unawares. He knew there would be a moment of decision soon. Would Haldir win this round, or could Elrohir detect the March Warden's next move before he completed it? The ranger turned slowly to gaze around him, aware that Aragorn had gone to help Rin remove the long Lorién arrow holding him down, while Legolas sat watching Elrohir intently.

"You won't guess," Legolas said.

"I have played this game before," Elrohir replied dryly.

"Ah, but Haldir's stakes have not been so…enticing," the Prince decided.

Elrohir had to agree to that. He shrugged. "Matters not, pup, I will find the elleth and spoil his fun."

Aragorn looked up from beside Rinethel who was inspecting the fine tear in his cloak. "Perhaps this is not what Lillah wants?"

The other elves looked at him.

"Perhaps," Aragorn continued, as if he were the elder of the four of them, rather than the youngest. "She was looking for a diversion for him until she was ready."

Rinethel snorted in disagreement.

Legolas was considering the idea, while Elrohir looked confused.

Haldir, sitting behind them, blinked, and then leaped to his feet.

**

Lillah tucked the small knife back into her shoe, for a moment sorry to have destroyed the fine weave of Haldir's cloak. Hers was still fairly intact, with only a few tears as she had wiggled free finally of the bonds Legolas had placed on her wrists, knowing the elf had done the knots just so she could eventually free herself. She giggled, glad she had spoken to him earlier in the day.

She rose from the tiny cave, really only a curve in the rock, to find herself not far from where Legolas had abducted her, even though it had felt liked he'd walked halfway back to the city, wicked elf. She scrambled down the rock back to the path, shifting her cloak so it wasn't in her way, and headed back down the path as quickly as she could.

She reached the upper level of Minas Tirith just as the sky began to lighten and headed back inside the palace. This time however, she did not try to avoid the guard but walked past him with a sultry smile that had him smiling back.

"He is not there, my lady,"

Lillah paused. "He will be shortly."

The guard saluted her and then resumed his position.

She pushed open the door to Haldir's room, sniffing the scent that lingered of him, shedding the remains of her cloak. She pushed open the windows to allow the cool night air to sweep into the room, bringing with it the night sounds, the smell of the blossoms of Arwen's garden, which reminded her of the roses Haldir had so many times left for her.

She leaned her forehead against the cool pane of the glass, smiling as she felt more than heard the door open again.

"It is not often that I am led so easily."

Lillah suppressed a giggle. She had had many teachers, and suggestions.

She heard him remove what she assumed probably was his quiver and bow, setting them with a soft tap of wood against stone.

"You have destroyed my cloak."

She sniffed, glancing over her shoulder to find him holding the remains of the fabric, brow lifted as he stared back.

"Sorry, it was in the way."

He let the fabric flutter to the floor, his eyes glittering as he continued to stare.

"I fear there is something else in the way," he said, walking toward her in a way that made her turn around, her heart in her throat as she pressed back against the window.

"Is there?" she asked, swallowing as he loomed over her, his hair glinting in the light of the candles, smelling of pine, the forest. She inhaled the scent, closing her eyes as he stopped in front of her, reaching out to brace his hands on the window beside her.

"Indeed, but upon closer inspection, it seems little bother." His voice had lowered in pitch, his breath warming her neck as he leaned close.

She shuddered, unable to breathe deeply, her heart pounding at his nearness. She wanted him, oh how she wanted this elf, to feel again what she had forgotten could be between elves.

Haldir slid a hand to her neck, slowly easing away the long strands of her hair to cup the back of her head. "You played the game well, Lillah. Will you flee once again?"

She opened her eyes to find him so near she had only to lean forward and their lips would have met. "I am not running away this time."

He smiled, a slow curve of his lips. "Nay, you are not."

She pressed her hands against his chest, wanting to feel more than the silk that covered the muscles she could feel beneath her hands, she wanted to feel him, to taste him, touch him. She wanted to feel alive again, to be free to enjoy a handsome elf. She looked down, biting her lip. She wanted so much more, but did he?

His fingers touched her chin. "I cannot promise what I cannot give as yet, Lillah."

She shivered at his touch and looked up into his grey eyes. "Did I ask?"

He looked at her intently, searching. "You did not need to ask, but I offer all that I can, whenever I can, for as long as you wish it."

She studied his face, memorizing the arch of his brow, the clear grey of his eyes, the honestly there. "You are one with Lorién, I am fully aware of that."

He nodded faintly. "As you are unsure yet of where you belong. Lorién would bore you in a matter of weeks, even though it is the fairest of the elven cities." He smiled smugly, his eyes twinkling.

Lillah smiled. "I would like to see it still."

He slid his hand along her cheek in a caress that sent her stomach to fluttering. When was the last time she had felt so affected by a male. She shivered, her lips open as she tried to inhale only to have him lean into her to kiss her, his lips a warm caress over hers, tasting, testing… hungry.

She felt her knees go weak, but was held against him by an arm around her waist, pulled tightly against a hard male body, one of muscle and sinew, long and lean. The feel of him excited her, the strength in his grasp, the way he kissed her, hungry yet reserved, waiting to see how she would react.

She had brazenly offered him a glimpse of her body, and openly challenged him. She would not be the shy maiden now. She slid her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his more fully, hip to hip, aware instantly of his reaction.

He groaned, his body hardening. She gasped as he lifted her to sit on the window sill, pushing aside her knees so he could stand inside them. His hands cupped her face and he drew her back to him but did not kiss her. Instead he looked down at her, a faint smile curving the corner of his mouth. "I expected to complete this in a meadow on a mountain top."

"It is cold up there," she replied, nearly moaning when he kissed her throat.

"I doubt you would feel it."

She gasped when his thumbs brushed her nipples, the sheer gown hardly a deterrent to the feelings he was easily evoking with this fingers. She slid her hands down his sides to find the bottom of his tunic.

"The ground is pretty rocky up there," she declared, shuddering when his lips touched her skin. When had he removed the gown, she wondered, aware it was now pooled at her waist.

He flinched briefly when her fingers slid over the heated proof of his desire. It answered, even as he gasped in approval when she caressed the length of him.

"Things would have progressed more slowly," he said, lifting her off the window to carry her across the room to his bed. He set her down and the gown whispered to the floor in a shimmery pool of color. "Here I am nearly undone," he admitted in whisper even as he pulled off the tunic he wore and pushed her back against the pillows. "Here I find my hunger is relentless, my desire to have you more than I can bear."

She blinked up at him as he sprawled over her, noting his eyes had darkened to a deeper grey. "Have I complained, March Warden? I am no maid to be wooed with slow teasing caresses."

He laughed, wrapping his arms around her and then rolling them until she was sitting over him, her hair a cloak that covered them both. She smiled and leaned down to kiss him, only to freeze as someone pounded on the door.

"It is locked," he said quietly.

The door rattled as someone tried to open it. Lillah glanced at the door and then back at Haldir. "I am in a very compromising position."

He grinned, "Nay, it would be me, lady. I've been led as I said, and simply am allowing you to continue."

Lillah ignored the voices outside the door. "Are you?"

"Indeed," he agreed.

"Well then, March Warden, it is time to finish this game once and for all."

The voices faded from the door but Lillah didn't care. Haldir had pulled her to him to kiss her again, or she was kissing him, she wasn't sure anymore. Her body was singing, her blood heated beyond anything she had felt with her husband. She dragged her hands into his hair, shifting so they met perfectly and then she could only gasp as they joined, sitting up to take him as she could, eyes closed at the pleasure.

From there she remembered little but the immense flood of feeling, the touches, the caress of his fingers, his body against hers. She was free, rising to meet the stars, floating on a cloud of pleasure that lasted long into the morning.

When she finally slept, it was curled into the March Wardens' side, her head on his shoulder, her fingers entwined into his hair.

TBC