THIRTY THREE The morning sun beamed brightly through the window, warming Haldir’s face as he and Siddhir lay sleeping. He frowned, and without opening his eyes, he shifted and buried his head under Siddhir’s chin. His movement awakened the other Elf, who only smiled and pulled him closer. “’Tis fortunate for us that we have not duty today, *melamin.* [my love] We would both be ill equipped, considering how very little sleep we had last night,” Siddhir whispered. Haldir yawned. “Which is precisely why we should sleep *in* this morn. I only hope that a certain insatiable Elf I know can control his urges long enough so we can.” Siddhir mouth dropped open and he started to laugh. “Me? Surely you jest! It was *you* who was insatiable, not I. I was minding my own business, sleeping alone in our bed when you came in and ravaged me. Give credit where credit is due.” Haldir squeezed him and chuckled. “I see, so it was not you who sent that seductive message straight to my mind? Mayhap I should be resting beside another.” Siddhir grinned. “Do not even *think* about it. What seductive message?” “I am in bed, where are you? You *knew* what that would do to me,” Haldir replied. Siddhir laughed. “So I did, and I received exactly the response I thought I would.” Haldir raised his head and looked at him. “You *heard* me?” “I did, and I must say, your response was quite invigorating.” Haldir laughed. “I am sure, and that is *precisely* why you laid in wait for me.” Siddhir thumped him lightly in the ribs and moved quickly from his embrace to straddle him. “That only proves we are *both* insatiable.” He leaned down to kiss him, cradling his face between his palms. “And now *mir nin,* [my treasure] I believe I shall have my dessert *before* breakfast.” Haldir wrapped his arms around him and pulled him down for a deeper kiss, but when the kiss was over Siddhir sat upright on him again, positioning his long legs firmly against Haldir’s slim hips and moving his lover’s arms above his head. “No touching allowed,” he whispered. “That is torture,” Haldir murmured. “Nothing wrong with *sweet* torture,” Siddhir whispered into his neck while bestowing soft kisses upon it. Haldir’s involuntary shiver brought a smile to the raven eyed Elf’s lips and he proceeded to continue his feathery light kisses upon Haldir’s tingling skin, moving from his neck slowly down to his chest and nipples, which quickly became hard nubs when his lips and tongue came into contact with them. Haldir moaned, but he did not move as Siddhir continued his sweet assault upon his body. Keeping his eyes on him, and feeling his lover’s stiffness against his backside, Siddhir teased Haldir’s nipples with his tongue and teeth until he thought he could take no more, before repositioning himself and continuing his slow descent. When his tongue entered Haldir’s navel, the Marchwarden shivered and grabbed the pillows tightly. Siddhir grinned. He knew Haldir wanted very badly to release the pillows and touch him. He also knew that the next stop on the road in which his tongue was traveling on would most certainly break the last of his restraint. It mattered not, for at this point, he *wanted* him to touch him. He could feel his lover’s muscles tense and he moved his tongue from his navel and continued on to his crotch, deciding not to linger and torture him any longer. In one swift motion he took him into his mouth. “Elbereth!” Haldir cried aloud, his hands flying away from the pillows and onto Siddhir’s head. ********************************* “Why are you not coming with me, Oro? We always go to see Hal together. He has been gone for awhile and I am sure he would want to see us both,” Rumil complained. “He will, and I told you, it is because I want to introduce my love to everyone. You have been dying to meet her, have you not? Well, today you shall. I will escort her, so I will meet you there. Besides, we are surprising them with breakfast and I think it should be there *before* I get there with her,” Orophin replied. Rumil frowned. “I do not see why we cannot all go together.” Orophin sighed. “Ru, are you going to give me a hard time this morn? I am already nervous enough.” “Why are you nervous?” Orophin looked at him. “Because I really care for her, Ru- and I pray that all of you like her.” “I am sure we will. But even if we don’t, the important thing is that *you* like her.” Orophin blinked. “Don’t say that, Ru.” “All right, I am sorry. We *will* like her, I am certain.” Orophin smiled and embraced him. “Do not forget anything, all right?” “Of course I won’t. I am quite hungry,” Rumil replied. Orophin laughed. “Of *course* you are. Well, I am off. I will see you in a while.” Rumil shook his head smiling, as his brother left the talan. With a heavy sigh, he gathered up the things he needed in his arms and headed out the door. ************************************ Spent from their lovemaking, Haldir and Siddhir lay in each other’s arms collecting their breath. After a time, Haldir smoothed over Siddhir’s unkempt blond locks with his fingers, and kissed him deeply. “Happy begetting day, *melamin,”* [my love] Haldir whispered after the kiss was over. Siddhir smiled. “You remembered.” He frowned then, almost as an afterthought. “I hope you did not remind anyone. You know I don’t…” “Of course I remembered,” Haldir interjected, putting a finger to his lips to silence him. “And, no- I told no one. I know how you do not like a fuss.” “Thank you. Being with you is all I need or desire.” Haldir grinned and kissed him again, moving from his lips to his neck. “Then you shall have everything you desire, *lirimaer.”* [lovely one] Siddhir sighed and wrapped his arms around Haldir’s neck. Then there came a hard knock on the door. “Ignore it. Whoever it is will go away,” Haldir murmured as he slid his tongue down Siddhir’s chest. “Brother! I know you are in there,” Rumil called out from the other side of the door. Siddhir grinned. “You are wrong, *melamin.* [my love] Ru will not go away. We had best let him in.” Haldir groaned and reluctantly pulled himself away from Siddhir. “You are right, but we *will* continue where we left off at the first opportunity.” He placed a finger on Siddhir’s lips. “I intend to blissfully torture you the same way you did me.” “I look forward to it,” Siddhir replied with a playful grin. Haldir climbed out of bed, wrapped a towel around himself and went to the door. Rumil was smiling from ear to ear when he pulled it open. “You two spend more time in bed than anyone I know,” Rumil remarked, as he entered the talan and placed the things he carried on the table. Siddhir could be heard laughing from the other room. Haldir raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? And what pray tell brings you here so early, *pen neth?* [young one] “We have made you breakfast for your first day back, that is what. Oro is coming too. He is bringing a surprise.” “What kind of surprise?” Siddhir asked, entering from the bedroom fully dressed. Rumil grinned. “He is bringing his lady to meet us.” “I suppose I had better put on some clothes then,” Haldir said absently. “Good idea,” Rumil chuckled, as Siddhir helped him set out the food on the table. Haldir left and went inside the bedroom. Rumil looked at Siddhir closely as he seated himself, but he did not say anything. Siddhir smiled. He could sense that the young Elf desired very much to ask something of him. “Is there something on your mind, Ru?” Rumil blinked, and opened his mouth, but closed it again. “Um, no. I think my question might be too personal to ask. I will seek my information elsewhere. Tinion, perhaps.” Siddhie chuckled. “Well, Tinion is not one to hold his tongue, that is certain- but I sense somehow that you really want your question to be answered by me. Am I right?” Rumil nodded. “Well, then you should ask,” Siddhir replied. Rumil looked warily towards the bedroom. Siddhir followed his gaze, and then leaned in close to him. “Is it something that you would rather your brother not hear?” Rumil shrugged. “No, not really. It sort of involves him too, but…” “But what?” Haldir asked as he strolled in from the bedroom and sat beside Siddhir. Siddhir turned to him. “Ru has something to ask us.” “So ask,” Haldir replied, taking a pear from the bowl and turning his attention to Rumil. Rumil’s cheeks flushed. “Um, I am confused by something I heard yesterday. I was told that…that coupling… with a male was quite a… painful experience.” He looked at Siddhir “But, you never seem to be in pain, and you are with my brother. I do not understand.” Siddhir blinked, somewhat taken aback by the question, and looked at Haldir, who had stopped chewing as was staring at Rumil with a look he could not decipher. Rumil bowed his head. “I knew it was too personal. Forgive me.” Siddhir reached out and placed a calming hand over his. “No, Ru. It is all right. I am not offended, just surprised.” Haldir quickly swallowed what was left of his pear in his mouth and stood abruptly. “Ru, are you hurt? Tell me!” Rumil’s eyes grew large. “No, brother, it is not me! I swear to you!” Siddhir watched Haldir visibly relax as he slowly seated himself again. He placed a hand on Haldir’s shoulder and turned to Rumil. “I think the time has come that we should explain a few things to you,” Siddhir remarked, squeezing Haldir’s shoulder gently. *********************************************** A hard knock came on the door just as their conversation ended, and Rumil put a finger to his lips as he dashed over to open it. Siddhir felt Haldir stiffen when Orophin and the female elf stepped inside. Orophin nodded at them and smiled brightly as he turned to his guest. “Lillael, I would like you to meet my family.” He pointed each one of them out. “This is my eldest brother, Haldir- Marchwarden of the Galadhrim; this is his love, Siddhir- who is very much a brother to me as well; and this pouty one over here is my youngest brother, Rumil.” The auburn-haired she-elf bowed her head. “I am very pleased to meet you all.” Rumil waved at them. “Sit down, you two. I am starving waiting for you to come.” Orophin laughed, took her hand and led her to the table, seating her between himself and Rumil. Rumil took it upon himself to serve, and soon they were eating and making pleasant conversation. Haldir was not very forthcoming as was is habit, but he was polite. Siddhir caressed Haldir’s knee under the table, and spoke to him in his mind; “Whatever it is, *A’maelamin,* [my beloved] just keep smiling.” *************************************** The hours passed, finding them relaxing on the grass below the talan, enjoying the early afternoon. At some point, Tinion strolled by and stopped to join them, his eyebrow raising curiously as he gazed upon Lillael sitting next to Orophin. Haldir shot him a look, and he nodded pleasantly to Lillael when Orophin introduced him to her without saying anything else. “Tinion, do you feel up to sparring with me for a time? Oro wants to relax, but I could use the practice,” Rumil asked cheerfully. Tinion laughed. “I know you well, *pen-tithen.* [little one] You have not bested Siddhir or your brother yet, so you would like to put me to the test now?” Rumil laughed. “Of course.” “Very well,” Tinion replied, standing. Siddhir smiled and turned to Haldir while rising to his feet. “I think it is a *very* good idea. It has been quite some time since I have tried to take you again.” Haldir looked up at him with a grimace, but relented and hauled himself to his feet. “I thought we were supposed to be relaxing?” he whispered. Siddhir winked. “We will be, soon enough. Now come.” They joined Tinion and Rumil further out on the grass and started to spar with one another. Orophin grinned and pulled Lillael close to whisper in her ear; “What they do not know is that I will observe them all and rob their moves to use to my advantage.” Lillael giggled. “Is that fair?” “All is fair in love and war, it is said,” Orophin replied with a bright smile. *********************************** Galadriel sighed when Celeborn placed his hands on her shoulders as she looked out over Lorien from the landing of their immense talan. She placed a delicate hand on one of his and leaned slightly into it. He kissed her exposed neck on the other side, and spoke softly in her ear. “So, we have decided?” “We have,” she replied softly. Celeborn smiled. “We are long overdue for a celebration. I think we could all well benefit from some merriment, do you not agree?” Galadriel turned to face him with a sigh. “That is certain, for we know not how much longer our serenity will last.” “All the more reason to enjoy it now. We shall have the ceremony on the morrow,” Celeborn replied, slipping an arm about her shoulders as he led her back inside. ***************************************** *“Amin lava!” *[I yield] Rumil cried out, when Tinion advanced toward him again quicker than lightening on a stormy night. The young Elf thought for certain that he was near overtaking the older and larger soldier with his tenacity and speed, but it had not proved to be so- much to his surprise. Tinion laughed, and sheathed his sword. “So soon, *pen-neth?* [young one] I was just getting started.” Rumil pulled his disheveled hair back into place. “I have had enough for now, but I have improved, have I not?” “Immeasurably,” Tinion answered simply. “Now I am quite famished, so let us eat something and watch *them.”* He nodded towards Siddhir and Haldir who were still raging a stiff battle a few yards beyond them. “I hope you still have some food left.” Rumil laughed. “There had better be. I am hungry again too.” Orophin and Lillael praised Rumil and Tinion both when they folded down beside them and began to eat ravenously from the platter of lembas, fruit and nuts placed on a large cloth that lay beside them on the grass. Then along with Rumil and Tinion, turned back to watch Haldir and Siddhir. ***************************************** “Are you not fatigued yet, *lirimaer?* [lovely one] You have put me through much toil on a day that is supposed to be a tranquil one,” Haldir inquired, swiftly repelling a hard strike from Siddhir. “Then perhaps you should stop toying with me and end it,” Siddhir replied matter of factly as he quickly backed away. Haldir raised an eyebrow and came at him fast. “You think I am toying with you, then?” “Certainly,” Siddhir replied, rapidly ducking below Haldir’s retaliatory strike and diving quickly for his boots, forcefully driving him to the ground. Haldir hit the grass with a hard thud, stunned as the wind was knocked out of him. Siddhir laughed and like a serpent, slowly crawled up his body to stare in his face. “You have been holding out on me, *lirimaer,”* [lovely one] Haldir whispered breathlessly. Siddhir’s dark eyes sparkled as he caressed his lover’s face. “I have not. You were just distracted by my winsomeness and- the *other* things on your mind.” Haldir smiled. “That may be so, but you have still managed to best me. You *do* realize that I will be hard pressed not to have that happen again.” “Of course,” Siddhir replied, covering Haldir’s lips with his own.