EIGHT Siddhir awoke and reached out his arm in an attempt to feel the warmth of Haldir’s body. Instead, his hand raked across cool, crisp sheets. The bed was empty. Perplexed, he turned over to see Haldir sitting at his desk, apparently working on an ornately carved bow. “*Quel amrun, melethron nin,*” [Good morning, my lover] Haldir greeted without turning his head. Siddhir smiled. “*Quel amrun.*I do hope it is something important that drags you away from my side so soon, because I am not yet finished with you.” “Is that so?” Haldir chuckled. “I would think that after last eve, you would be quite exhausted-not to mention tender.” Siddhir raised an eyebrow. “I am not a novice at coupling, Haldir. You are just the first that I have come upon who is so well endowed. Even still, after last eve, I can certainly say I am quite used to you now. So, how about coming back to bed? What are you doing anyway?” Haldir laughed. “We will see about that. Orophin’s begetting day is soon coming. I am working on his gift.” Siddhir slipped out of bed and strolled over to Haldir to get a better look at the bow. “May I see it?” “Of course.” Haldir replied, handing it to him. Siddhir gazed in wonder at the intricate design that Haldir had carved in the polished wood. He moved a finger along the length of the bow and turned it over for further inspection. Soon after, he handed it back to him. “It is beautiful. Your work is first rate, Haldir. I can tell you have been working on this for some time.” Haldir smiled as he looked at it. “I have.” “I believe I am witnessing yet *another* of your many skills, *mir nin* [my treasure],”Siddhir remarked, with a sly smile. Haldir put the bow carefully aside and pulled him close. “I have a few, yes.” Siddhir looked into his eyes. “I would someday like to know them all.” Haldir was silent. He just sat there, staring up into Siddhir’s ebony eyes as he stood before him. Did he dare to hope that this magnificent, beautiful elf could possibly be his and his alone? Would he even want him if not for the passion they shared? Why was he even thinking about him in those terms? Had he not long ago made a decision to give up on love? And rightfully so, for love could only cause problems that he did not need, nor want. What he *should* be doing is… Siddhir frowned. “Have I said something wrong?” Haldir blinked. Siddhir’s voice abruptly cut off his train of thought. “Forgive me. What say you?” “I said I would someday like to know of all your talents. Are you all right?” “I am fine, but why do you ask? Surely you know already what I was thinking.” Siddhir sighed. “Haldir, I have told you that my gift is not all powerful, and it certainly is not totally controllable. I was *not* trying to read you. Is this to be a problem between us?” Haldir stood and pulled him close. “No, it is not a problem. Forgive me for my assumptions. I am just a tad wary of those that have the ability to look into my mind.” Siddhir smiled. “Why is that? Do you have something to hide?” Haldir laughed, stepped back and spread his arms out wide. “Hide? What can I hide? I am standing here in all my naked glory.” “And glorious your nakedness is too.” Siddhir remarked, as his eyes moved seductively over Haldir’s muscular form. “Now perhaps you will share some of its magnificence with me.” Haldir kissed him, and slowly backed him up until they both fell onto the bed, with Siddhir lying beneath him. Their kiss still unbroken, their tongues explored deeper into the sweet caverns of the other’s mouth until finally coming apart for much needed air. “*Im anira lle.”* [I desire you] Siddhir whispered, his dark, sparkling eyes boring into Haldir’s. Haldir did not respond. Instead, he retrieved the small vial of oil that was underneath the pillow and quickly coated himself and Siddhir’s nether region with it. When he was done, he did not have to coax the stunning, lithe elf’s legs upon his shoulders, for they were already there. “Have patience, *rwalaer* [lusty one]. Your gratification is soon coming.” Haldir whispered. Siddhir gazed back at him with burning eyes. “Not soon enough.” Haldir smiled, then quickly found his lover’s opening with his elfhood and thrust forward, penetrating him in one swift motion. Siddhir’s breath hitched in his throat. Haldir quickly leaned forward to nibble on Siddhir’s ear as he moved inside him, causing his lover to cry out with desire. “I thought you were ready for me, *lirimaer* [ lovely one].” He cooed. Siddhir did not answer. He grabbed Haldir behind the neck, pulled him close and kissed him deeply, with such force Haldir thought he might swallow his tongue. After a time he released him, and cried out again as another thrust hit home. Haldir was trying hard to pace himself and extend the intense pleasure he was feeling being inside the writhing, sensuous elf beneath him, but the combination of the warm tightness of his body, his frantic undulating movements, and moans of pleasure were about to undo him. He forced himself to slow his thrusts. “*Le daro! Saes! Le daro!” *[Don’t stop! Please! Don’t stop!] Siddhir cried aloud. So loud, in fact that it briefly crossed his mind that all of Lorien could hear. But it was no use. He could *not* stop, because he was too far gone. So was Siddhir, and if the *world* heard them now- he cared not. He grabbed his lover’s elfhood and stroked it in time to his quicker, more forceful thrusts. With every thrust he heard his name, over and over again. “Haldir! Haldir! Haldir! Aiya!” [Oh!] They spent themselves together. Exhausted, Haldir collapsed on top of him. He could hear and feel Siddhir’s heavy breathing, and it matched his own. He was still inside him as they rested for several moments, catching their breath. When he could move again, he raised himself up so that Siddhir could lower his legs, and pulled himself from him. Then he fell onto the bed beside him and closed his eyes. Siddhir’s eyes were also closed, but his full lips curled into a wide grin. “I believe you were not quite ready for *me*, *melethron nin.*” [my lover] Haldir chuckled. “I believe you are right. You are unique indeed, *nin bain*.”[my beauty] Siddhir opened his eyes and turned to face him. “How so?” “Well, I have to say that I have not come across an elf such as you before. I have spent much time perfecting the art of coupling for the most intense pleasure possible, but you seem not to care much for the protocol at all.” Siddhir’s bright laughter filled the room. Haldir smiled. The elf’s beauty was even more radiant. Siddhir turned to retrieve one of the sheets from the floor and used it to clean his essence from Haldir’s stomach. “That is true of me most times, but be that as it may- I *do* occasionally care for protocol, so do not stop honing your skills.” It was Haldir’s turn to laugh. Never had anyone so captivated him. Siddhir was not only one of the most *beautiful* elves he had ever seen; but he had both spirit and keen wit as well; all of which he found powerfully alluring. Siddhir moved in to kiss him passionately. “You should laugh and smile more often, Captain- for you are quite beautiful as well.” Haldir blinked. “Before you complain, it just came to me. I did not will it.” “What came to you?” “That you think I am beautiful. That was all, I swear.” Siddhir replied seriously. Haldir laughed and pulled him close. “It is all right, *mir nin* [my treasure]. Your gift is a part of you, and I suppose I will just have to get used to it.” Siddhir smiled. “I knew you had it in you to be reasonable.” “It does no good to fret upon things we cannot change.” Haldir reasoned. “My sentiments exactly. So, when is Orophin’s begetting day? Will you be finished with the bow in time?” “Hopefully so. It is next month.” “That is not so very far away. Perhaps I should get going now and leave you some time to work on it.” Siddhir suggested. “It is quite all right. I fear I will not have much time today anyway. I will be going to pick my brothers up soon and spend time with them. I have watch on the morrow and for three days after. I will not have much time to spend with them then, so I want to get in what I can.” Siddhir looked into his eyes. “May I accompany you? I would love to get to know them.” “Would you?” “Certainly.” “Very well. I must warn you however, that Rumil is quite taken with hair pulling, so you must be careful. Do not let him get a hold of you. He is quite strong.” Siddhir laughed. “I will take precautions.” Haldir reached out and touched Siddhir’s face, and looked deep into his dark eyes. “Tell me, do you know what I am thinking at this very moment?” Siddhir held his gaze. “You wish me to try?” “Yes.” Siddhir continued to look into Haldir’s intense grey eyes. No words or vision came to him, but something else did. A warmth of feeling that seemed to surge from Haldir’s body into his. He could not quite explain it, or put the sensation into words, but it was there- sound as steel, flowing through them both, engulfing and washing over them. “Nay, ‘tis nothing but a warm feeling.” Siddhir answered. Haldir kissed him. “Good, for I would not want to get ahead of myself and possibly mislead you into challenging me again. Come; we should bathe and dress for the hour is growing late.” ******************** Tinion looked up as Galdor descended the stairs from Caras Galadon. When the tall slender elf saw him standing there, he smiled warmly. “Tinion, I am pleased to lay eyes upon you once again.” “I have come to see you off,” Tinion replied. Galdor’s features expressed surprise. “Were you ordered thus? I told your Lord and Lady that an escort was not necessary. I have come and gone from the harbour many times.” Tinion walked beside him. “Nay. I have come because I *wished* to do so. I will miss you, *melamin*. [my love] Galdor smiled. “And I you, *lirimaer*. [lovely one] But worry not, I will always return. Hopefully the next time will not be very long in coming.” “I hope for that as well.” They trod on. Soon they reached the obscure narrow path that lead down to the harbour, and slowly descended upon it. Before reaching the end, Tinion stopped walking and grabbed Galdor’s hand, pulling him close so that he might kiss him. Galdor responded to the kiss with the same passion Tinion felt. When the kiss was over, Galdor cupped Tinion’s face in his hands. “It will not be too long, *mir nin*. [my treasure] This I promise you.” “A day is too long,* melethron nin*, [my lover] but I will wait.” Tinion replied. Galdor caressed his cheek, and pulled his fingers gently through Tinion’s silky mane of platinum hair. “*Lle ume vanima. Gerich veleth nin*, Tinion.” [You are beautiful. You have my love] Tinion smiled. “*Gerich veleth nin*.” “You remember our agreement?” Galdor asked. “I do.” “Good. Come now; I must not be late, and it probably is not a very good idea for us to be seen being so intimate in public.” Tinion frowned. “Galdor, I have deep feelings for you and I care *not* who knows it.” Galdor chuckled. “My, how I love when you vocalize your thoughts so explicitly. You are so refreshing, *melamin*. [my love] Tinion winked and held out his hand. “Shall we go?” Galdor smiled and took it. They strolled hand in hand down to the harbour, laughing all the way. ******************** “I cannot *believe* he has not pulled your hair yet!” Haldir exclaimed, as he watched Rumil happy and content in Siddhir’s arms. Siddhir smiled. “Mayhap that is because I am special, eh? What do you think, Orophin?” Orophin looked up at him. “You have the gift like our Lady. You *are* special. Mayhap Rumil knows it. Some babies are special too.” Siddhir chuckled, shifted Rumil to his other arm, and knelt down to address Orophin face to face. “That is very possibly true, but by no means am I *that* special, Orophin. My gift has naught the brilliance of that of our Lady. In fact, it pales miserably in comparison. Rumil just likes me better is all.” He winked slyly at Haldir. Orophin laughed and looked quickly at Haldir. He was smiling. It made him glad to see him smile. He had not seen his brother smile quite like that in a very long time. He looked back up at the handsome captain that stood before him, holding and playing with his little brother. Rumil seemed to like him very much too. He did not know why, but he did not want the captain to leave. He wanted the captain to stay with them as long as possible. He turned to Haldir. “Brother, can Siddhir come with us to the river? And after that, can he have dinner with us too?” Haldir looked at him. “I know not, Oro. Mayhap Siddhir has other plans for the rest of the day. It would be rude of us to impose on *all* of his time. Would you not agree?” Orophin turned back to Siddhir. “Are we taking all of your time, Siddhir?” Siddhir flashed a brilliant smile. “Not to worry, Orophin. I have plenty of time. Would you like to go to the river now?” Orophin smiled. “Yes, very much.” He looked at Haldir. “Then to the river we will go. I *always* have time for those I care about.”