"I shall go and speak to Haldir tonight, since it seems he will not be joining us for dinner," said Legolas Greenleaf to Ciendriel and Gimli as they sat together in the banquet hall. They had just seen the Hobbits Merry and Pippin pass through, and Legolas had informed them of his desire to leave Rivendell the day after tomorrow, after Elrond's celebratory banquet.

"And the Hobbits?" Gimli asked. "Are they planning to travel with us?"

"I am uncertain. They will inform us of their decision tomorrow."

"If they want to go home, we should escort them back to the Shire," Ciendriel said in her mellifluous voice. She looked at Legolas with tender eyes and he smiled at her, feeling a rush of warmth inside as he always did when she was near.

"I agree," said Legolas.

Gimli made a noise of impatience. "The Shire is a long journey out of the way. Can we not take them back after we find the harp? Or have Elrond send someone else to escort them home?"

"Elrond and his people mean to leave soon. I cannot ask him to wait any longer," Legolas said sadly. "And I would not ask any friend to come on a journey upon which he did not wish to go."

"You're right of course, laddie. Perhaps I'll go talk to the Hobbits and gather their thoughts. I'll leave Haldir to you." Gimli got up from the table and left the hall.

"I imagine he will have no trouble persuading them that they wish to look for the harp," Ciendriel said, laughing, but then her expression grew serious. She took Legolas' hand in her own and stroked his fingers. "But, Haldir. Does he truly wish to come with us?"

"Elrond has commanded that he join us."

"He is not the sort to be forced to anything against his will," Ciendriel said, smiling slightly.

"Haldir is bound by duty and honor."

"Forgive me, for I do have trouble seeing those qualities in him often."

"And yet they are there, Ciendriel," Legolas said. He bent and kissed her mouth gently.

"What a good friend you are to him." She looked down at the table, at their entwined fingers. "Would that I were the same."

"What is it that bothers you?" Legolas asked in a low voice, sensing her sadness which she tried to hide. To him, she could never disguise her emotions.

"I do not trust him."

"He has done much to instill this in you," Legolas said slowly, "But has he not also done much to win back your trust?"

"Perhaps it is myself I do not trust, then."

"What do you mean?"

"He looks upon us still with desire…"

Legolas thought back to the night of the last banquet, when he had gone to speak to Haldir about the missing map and had been surprised by Erestor. He remembered how Haldir had pinned him to the bed and kissed him, and how he had responded too easily. He looked at Ciendriel and she lifted her eyes to his.

In her gaze, he saw fear and guilt. She was not immune to Haldir's charms. Neither was he. Again he wondered what might have happened if they had allowed Haldir to love them both.

"Fear him not," Legolas said firmly. "Nothing can come between us, not even Haldir."

She nodded slowly. "There is one thing more. Isilwen, the sister of Erestor."

"She, too, is the object of Haldir's desire. Also she seems to look upon him with the same. Perhaps they will soothe each other. If he loves another, your fears may be laid to rest."

"I would like to see Haldir find happiness," Ciendriel said. "But if Haldir comes with us, will he not be parting from Isilwen?"

Legolas had not thought about it. "Then let her join us."

"Will Elrond allow it? Will Erestor?"

Legolas was starting to get a headache. "Moment by moment this journey becomes more complicated," he sighed. "Let me speak first with Haldir to see what his desires are."

"Should I not come with you?"

"Do you wish to?"

Ciendriel paused for a long moment, as if considering her decision. "No…" she said finally. "You who have known him so much longer must speak to him alone."

"Very well."

"I will wait for you in our chamber. Come back to me quickly, Legolas, for I do not wish to be alone this night."

He bent forward and kissed her mouth again, savoring the velvety texture and the sweetness of her lips. "You will never be alone, my love."

She smiled at him, though he saw her concern still lingering in her gaze. She nodded and he got up and left the hall, heading for Haldir's chamber. He walked slowly, wondering about the Marchwarden. Did he truly wish to travel with them? Or would he prefer to go with the other Elves out of Middle-earth?

Legolas knocked on Haldir's door. He waited. There came no answer. He knocked a second time and thought he heard a sound from within. He listened, but there was only silence. Cautiously, Legolas opened the door.

"Haldir?"

Legolas had to drop to his knees to duck a flying dagger. It hit the frame of the door and fell onto his head. Legolas hissed in pain from the knock, but luckily the blade did not touch him.

"Legolas?" Haldir said.

"Perhaps this is a bad time," Legolas replied, getting slowly to his feet and lifting his hands to show that he was unarmed.

"I thought you were Erestor."

"Mean you to murder Elrond's Advisor?"

"I had hoped to make it look like an accident," Haldir said lazily. He was still lying in his bed, a blanket pooled around his waist. He had on no tunic, and Legolas was certain that meant he had no leggings on either. "What are you doing here, Legolas?"

"I wished to speak to you about our journey."

"Can it not wait until tomorrow?"

Legolas smiled. "I did not realize you required so much rest, Haldir."

Haldir scowled at him. "Must you always know just what to say to get me to do whatever you wish? Come in, then. Close the door."

"If only that were the truth," Legolas said. He pushed at the door and bent to pick up the dagger. The door closed, but not firmly. Legolas walked over to the bed. "I do not know if I should give you this back," he said, rubbing the new bump on his head.

"If you are going to refuse to leave, at least sit down so I do not have to get a crick in my neck staring up at you," Haldir said. Legolas sat and Haldir snatched the dagger out of his hand and stuffed it beneath the pillow.

He turned so he could get a better look at Haldir in the dim light of the one lamp Haldir had left burning. "You look tired."

"This is why I was resting," Haldir ground out. "Is this all you have come here to tell me, Legolas?"

"No."

"If you were hoping to lie with me tonight, you are out of luck."

"Too tired?" Legolas teased.

Haldir glared at him. "Even for you."

"What about for Isilwen?"

"Isilwen is not here pestering me," Haldir said guardedly.

"Maybe she does not wish to have daggers thrown at her head."

"I threw it at your heart."

"You missed."

"I know. Good thing your head is hard."

"And that I am quicker than you."

"Or perhaps you simply got more rest than I did this afternoon, Legolas."

"You try resting with a Dwarf snoring in your ear."

"You lay with Gimli and not the Princess?"

"Gimli was in the next room! It is like thunder."

Haldir laughed. He reached out for Legolas' hand and squeezed it. "You do always know how to amuse me, old friend. But, Legolas, I beg you, if you have some serious purpose in being here, let it be revealed so I may go back to sleep."

"I came to tell you that we mean to leave Rivendell at dawn after tomorrow night. Elrond is holding a banquet--"

"Another one? And he claims to despise planning them."

"He wishes to thank Faramir and his Men for coming to the aid of the Elves -- and to thank those who fought so bravely from within."

"You are modest, Legolas."

"I meant you. You risked your life."

"So did you." Haldir paused. "Are you well enough to travel? My brothers said you were beaten by the Uruk-hai."

"A few bruises. It is nothing," Legolas shrugged off his injuries. He was still sore, but that would pass. "Lord Elrond gave me an herb which helps the pain…"

Haldir reached up and stroked Legolas' ribs through his thin tunic. Legolas let out a hiss as the gentle fingers seared the bruised skin.

"Let me see."

"Haldir--"

"Do not argue with me, Legolas. Take off your tunic."

Slowly Legolas slipped off his garment. He looked down and could see the dark markings standing out plainly against his pale flesh, even in the dim light. Haldir reached up to touch him again and Legolas cringed before his fingers could meet the bruised skin.

"This needs a salve," said Haldir. He leaned over the side of the bed, rummaging around in his pack, and affirming to Legolas that he was naked under his blanket. "Elrond should have given you something for these."

"Too many others had wounds worse than mine. I did not trouble him for more than what he did for me already."

"You are lucky that I know how to make this, and that I keep it on hand for the sake of two brothers who are constantly injuring themselves doing foolish things such as falling through glass ceilings," Haldir said.

He opened the small jar of paste and began rubbing it into Legolas' flesh. It stung for a moment, but then felt good. Legolas wanted to close his eyes, lie down next to Haldir, and let him stroke his skin until he fell asleep. He had already almost forgotten why he was here.

"Are you coming with us, then? You, and Rúmil and Orophin, to find the harp?" he asked.

"And Isilwen, if this is agreeable to you," Haldir said.

"Certainly. But, why, Haldir?" Legolas was certain that he knew why, but he wanted to hear what Haldir would have to say about it.

"I think I love her," Haldir said quietly and sincerely. He put down the jar on the table at the side of the bed.

It stung, Legolas thought. Not the ointment, but this admission from his long-time friend and lover. Yes, he was jealous. Suddenly he well understood the feelings of Ciendriel. And yet Haldir deserved happiness.

"And Erestor?"

"Him, I do not love."

"I understand that, Haldir, but will he let you take his sister?"

"He has agreed to leave it in Elrond's hands."

"Have you spoken to Elrond?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"Nothing has been decided, Legolas!" Haldir sounded irritated now.

"Forgive me. I wish you luck, Haldir."

"Thank you." Haldir paused. "I will leave Rivendell with you, Legolas, no matter how this matter is resolved. I have no desire to go yet to the Undying lands, nor, I know, do Orophin and Rúmil. Not yet. We will share your adventure."

"I am glad," Legolas said, and he meant it.

He bent and kissed Haldir on the mouth. He felt Haldir's lips stiffen in surprise, then relax into the kiss. His mouth opened and their tongues did sweet battle. Legolas drew in a deep breath and pulled himself back before it could go further. It would be so easy to let it go further.

There came a loud creak as the door opened and Legolas grabbed Haldir's wrist before he could get to his dagger. Isilwen stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips.

"How long have you been listening?" Haldir asked, frowning.

"Long enough!" said Isilwen.

She turned and fled the room.