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Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home	By : IdrilsSecret Category: +Third Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 4870 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of its characters. I make no money in the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Chapter Seventeen

The men returned to the keep victorious. The women and children came out of the caves to look for loved ones. There were happy reunions, fathers, brothers, husbands and uncles reunited with family. There were also a lot of tears shed when some found out that their men would not be returning. I felt as though I was in between those two different outcomes. Haldir was alive at the moment, though unconscious, but he was not safe from injury. There was a chance it still might take his life. I felt numb at the thought of not knowing. At least these people knew one way or the other.
After King Théoden returned to the stronghold, and learned of my brother’s dire situation, he insisted that Haldir be taken to one of his private chambers. My brother would have insisted that he be treated amongst all the other injured, but he wasn’t awake to argue the point, and I rather liked the idea of a quiet place for him to lay, and a place for me and Orophin to sit in silence. Helm’s Deep was as busy as a bee’s hive.
Legolas and the others had come to see Haldir and say a prayer over him, but they still had work to do. The battle at the Hornburg had been won, but there was still a wizard on the loose, Nazgûl searching for a hobbit who held their master’s weapon, and Sauron himself to be dealt with. Everyone took a short reprieve while Gandalf thought of what to do next. At least it gave Legolas and I some time to spend together.
It was undecided what the elves would do, either to go back to Lothlórien, to stay at the Hornburg, or to split the troops up, sending some to each place. A lot depended upon what the Rohirrim would do. Helm’s Deep, even with its depleted wall, was still a fairly safe place to be, safer than Edoras, with its thatched roofs and situated out in the open. There was still a chance that Saruman would retaliate, and the elves didn’t want to leave the Rohirrim open to attack. There had been talk of the main army leaving for Gondor, which some suspected to be the next target of attack. I had confirmation, overhearing King Théoden that he did not feel obliged to go to Gondor, since they had not come to his aid. For now, all we could do was wait and see.
Eymund had been successful in beginning the treatment of Haldir’s wound. The bleeding had been slowed, and the wound cleansed of dirt and damaged tissue that could cause infection. That wasn’t my biggest worry anymore. What bothered me, as well as Orophin and the healer, was Haldir’s claim to have no feeling in his lower extremities. For Haldir’s privacy, until he himself could come to terms with it, I’d asked that no one mention this to anyone. Right now, only me, Orophin, Eymund and the girl knew about his condition. We prayed that it was only temporary, but we wouldn’t know for sure until Haldir awoke.
Orophin was off discussing plans with the other elf Captains, and Legolas sat with me while I kept watch over Haldir. “Does he still talk of taking him home?” Legolas asked. I had told him about Orophin’s plan to get Haldir back to Lothlórien to be treated by our elvish healers.
“He’s been very insistent, but I don’t think Haldir should be moved right now. We have to pass over some rough terrain. It would not be good to shake him about so soon after surgery.” I had argued with Orophin on more than one occasion about this, but he was hard headed as a ram. “What about you? What will you do now?”
Legolas shifted in his seat. “We are waiting for Gandalf to make up his mind.” He shook his head with frustration. “I never knew wizards took so long to make a decision. However, a message came. The Ents have Saruman trapped in his own tower at Orthanc. Gandalf has told them not to kill him … yet. I think he waits to see what King Théoden wishes to do, since the attack was upon him and his people.”
I heard what Legolas was saying, but my mind was thinking of a way to tell him that our plans to live in Mirkwood might not happen now. I hesitated to say anything before because I hadn’t even given Haldir an answer. I never imagined anything would happen to him. Now, if he passed from this world, would I take up the March warden position, and abandon my plans with Legolas? I sensed how badly Haldir wanted me to agree, and still, I managed to escape giving him an answer. Even if I refused the position, and he chose Orophin or someone else, could I leave Lothlórien and my paralyzed brother behind? I didn’t think I could do that to our family. If ever there was a time they needed me it was now.
I was sitting in a chair closest to Haldir, Legolas sitting in one next to me, angled to face me. I leaned forward, putting my elbows on my knees, and considered how to begin this conversation. “Legolas,” I started. “There’s something I need to discuss with–” I stopped short when there came a knock on the door.
Legolas touched my knee, as if to say, hold that thought, and called, “Come in.”
The girl with red hair came in with a tray. “My lord, King Théoden sends you something to eat.” She came into the room and set the tray on a table. “I’m afraid it’s not much, but it was all I could gather up on such short notice.” The tray held a loaf of bread, a wedge of cheese and a carafe of wine.
Legolas stood and went to the girl, looking over the tray. “This is a very generous meal. Tell the King we are grateful for his hospitality.” Legolas held his hand out to the girl, and she gave him her own. He held her fingers lightly, brought her hand to his lips and laid a gentle kiss upon her knuckles. “And I thank you, my lady, for all you have done.”
She smiled shyly, her cheeks turning red making the freckles across her nose deepen in color. “I’ve done nothing really, my lord.”
“Nothing?” he said with a smile. “You were the first to help my friends when they were in need. That is not nothing where I come from.”
I watched as she shrugged her shoulders and tilted her head, eyelashes sweeping across her smiling cheeks. I hadn’t noticed until now, but this girl was truly smitten with Legolas. And it was no wonder to me that she was. He was always very charming when she was around.
“I’m glad I could be of help, my lord,” she responded, looking hopeful of more time to spend with him, but another knock on the door drew his attention away.
A messenger was sent, summoning Legolas to meet with his companions for discussions, probably about plans for their next move. Legolas apologized to the girl for having to leave so soon, and then turned to me with a wink. “Save me some wine, Captain. I hope to return shortly, and you can finish what it was you were about to tell me.” He followed the messenger from the room.
The girl was still smiling, lost in her own little world before realizing she was still on duty. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to … I should be going.”
“Won’t you stay for a bit?” I invited. “Have you eaten yet yourself?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. I’ve been too busy helping Eymund.”
“I shall have to have words with him before he works you to bones.” I was only jesting, but she didn’t understand my humor, and looked terrified.
“Oh, Captain, please don’t do that. He really isn’t that strict. It’s just that I’ve been–”
I interrupted to save her an explanation. “I apologize. I was only joshing, but I see I shouldn’t have.” I gestured to the empty chair. “Sit for a spell if you can spare some time. I’d like the company, and there’s no telling how long it will be before Legolas comes back. Please break bread with me. You’ve brought more than enough.”
She turned back to look at the door, and then to the chair. “Alright, but I cannot stay long.” I stood and waited for her to take a seat before I sat back down. She looked out of place and not but a little nervous. “I apologize. I’m not used to such chivalry. Tell me, are all elves like this?”
“I’ve never given it much thought. This is just how we are raised, how we are taught to treat each other with respect.” I laughed. “I can be less chivalrous if it will make you more comfortable.”
The girl laughed in response and instantly the awkwardness began to dissipate. I broke a piece of bread from the loaf and offered it to her, which she accepted thankfully. I myself poured half a glass of wine and took a piece of cheese to nibble on. Then something occurred to me. “You know, my lady, we have seen each other multiple times, though the circumstances have not been under the best of conditions, and I do not even know your name.”
“I am Rakelwyn, third daughter of Wulfred and Mildwynn,” she introduced herself.
“It is very nice to officially meet your, Rakelwyn,” I said, and we started a simple conversation. She seemed very interested in elves, but that was no surprise. Most people who had never met an elf before tended to have many questions. I didn’t mind, and it helped to pass the time, as well as get my thoughts off my brother for a while. He was still in a deep sleep, but he’d had no more seizures.
“I’m told that Legolas is not from Lothlórien … that he is a Wood elf,” she said at one point.
“That is true,” I answered.
“The elders tell stories of the Wood elves, but he seems nothing like those elves.. “He is very polite and well-mannered for a savage.” She smiled dreamily. “He is also very handsome,” she added as an afterthought.
I couldn’t help but laugh at her statement. “You are not the only one with those misguided ideas of the Wood elves. Once upon a time, I thought the same thing, that they were dangerous, murderous even.”
“Have you ever been to Mirkwood?” Rakelwyn asked with astonishment.
“I have and quite frankly, I cannot wait to return.”
“I thought it was dark and sinister,” she wondered.
“Well, yes, parts of the Rhovanion are wild and dangerous, but the city itself is a marvel.” I reminisced about Legolas’ home and the time I’d spent there. I told Rakelwyn about the Elven King and his treasure, about the grand throne room with its tall stone pillars, and about many other unique things there.
“I can tell that you like it there very much,” she smiled.
“I do,” I whispered, wondering if I would ever see it again. “It might be a very long time before I go back though,” I said, looking at my sleeping brother.
“I … I hope his affliction is only temporary,” Rakelwyn said, her voice breaking with emotion. She stood and went to Haldir, rearranging his blanket and moving a tendril of hair from his temple. “Is there someone waiting for him back in Lothlórien?”
“No, I don’t believe so. Haldir leads a very quiet and nondescript life outside of the army. I guess his first love is the military, you could say.
“What about you?” Rakelwyn asked, very curiously.
I smiled and looked at my folded hands in my lap. I nodded as I thought about him. “Yes, there is someone, but not in Lothlórien.”
She came back and sat in her chair, eyes full of wonder, youth, and hope. “Ah, that is why you wish to go back to Mirkwood,” she guessed eagerly. “She is a Wood elf, then?”
I didn’t know what the Rohirrim’s ideals were when it came to love between same sexes, but I had a feeling it was frowned upon. I decided not to answer with words or reveal too much about myself and nodded my reply.
Rakelwyn narrowed her eyes at me, trying to read my body language. “And I’m guessing your relationship would not be accepted by your Lórien kin. Why don’t you go and be with your love in Mirkwood?”
“I was planning to do just that, but now . . .” I glanced at Haldir. “For my brother’s sake, I don’t think I can go.”
“I am sorry to hear this,” she said with sincerity. Then she smiled, her fantasies already guiding her to the next thought. “It sounds like Mirkwood is much more accepting than other elvish communities.”
“I think they are. They are cut off from places such as Lothlórien and Rivendell. They live by their own set of rules.”
Rakelwyn stood again, and went to a shelf that held some books. She ran her finger along their spines, taking notice of a thin layer of dust that had recently settled. She didn’t seem to be able to stay in one spot for very long, but then, she was only in her teens. Humans at that age had an unlimited amount of energy. “Do they–” she paused, unsure whether she should ask, but curiosity was too much for her. “If they are more lenient in their rules about relationships with elves outside of their community, then how do you think they feel about relationships outside of their own race?”
Well, that threw me. I wasn’t prepared for such a bold question. “Now you are looking at a much different and very difficult situation, my lady.”
“There have been couples of mixed race before, have there not? I mean, there was Luthien and Beren. She was an elf, he was a man.”
“Yes, and their relationship was filled with struggle and suffering, not very romantic when you think about it. Of course there are some exceptions to the rule, but–”
“But it has happened before, so there is always a possibility of it happening again,” she interrupted.
“I … reckon it could, but … it’s highly unlikely,” I answered as I watched her closely. “Rakelwyn,” I said to gain her attention. She looked at me with a closed lip smile. “Would your line of questioning have anything to do with Legolas?”
Her smile disappeared, and she turned from me before I could see her face flush with embarrassment. She shrugged her shoulders, and slowly turned from the bookshelf to face me. “I can’t help it. He’s just so handsome and kind and … and he’s always so nice to me.” She came back to the chair and collapsed like a sail that had lost its wind. “It’s foolish of me to even wish it, I know, but … well … I’ve never … felt this way before.” She was very brave to admit this to me.
So, young Rakelwyn was smitten with Legolas. I had already guessed it, but I didn’t know the extent of her infatuation. I could understand it completely. I too had once felt giddy at the thought of Legolas actually finding interest in me, even though I tried to hide the fact. “Your first time falling in love. Well, from what I know of humans, this is a very big step towards adulthood.”
“Mama says that in a couple years I will be married and starting a family. Da says he already knows who he thinks would be a good match for me. All I want is to be in love with whomever I marry. I don’t want to do it just because I have to or because I am of age.”
“I completely agree with you on that. Marriage should be for love, if nothing more. It is forever, the bond between two lovers.”
“Is that how it is for elves?” she asked.
“Even more so because of our immortality. Once a bond has been made, a true bond, one between not only the heart, but the soul as well, it cannot be broken except in death. Even then, the surviving elf could fade of loneliness.”
“Wow,” she said, looking at me with her big brown eyes. “Now that is romantic.” She sighed and looked over at Haldir. “That is the kind of love I wish for.”
“Perhaps you will find what you seek, my lady, but I do not think you’ll find it with Legolas. Besides the fact that he is an elf, he is also a Prince, and he is much, much older than you,” I said with a smile.
“How old is he?” she wondered.
“He is more than three millennia.”
She regarded me with a dropped jaw expression. “Wow.”
“And how old are you?” I asked.
“I’m fourteen.” She slouched in her chair and sighed again. “And I thought the boy Da wants me to marry was old. He is eighteen.”
I laughed. “Well eighteen is quite old to someone your age, I assume. But you are young yet. Enjoy your youth, and do not worry about marriage just yet. Tell your parents about your wish to find true love … with a human, of course,” I added.
“I guess I’ve known all along that it would never work with Legolas, but in dreams. Besides, I’m sure, at his age, he’s already met and fallen in love with his forever soulmate,” she commented.
I smiled and nodded, but internally, I was wondering the same thing. Was that what Legolas and I had found with one another? Our love for each other was true without a doubt, but were we really connected by our very souls? If he died in this war, would I fade? Would he if something happened to me? We had never discussed our relationship on this level, yet I was ready to run off to Mirkwood to be with him. Did that mean I was willing to gift him with my soul? Once given away, it could never be given to another, and if his soul ceased to exist, mine would die along with his. Was that how much I loved Legolas?
“I should go now. I’m sure there are a thousand things I need to do, and someone will be looking for me to do them,” Rakelwyn said. “Thank you for the bread, Captain.”
“You are very welcome, Rakelwyn, and please call me Rúmil from now on,” I smiled.
She nodded and smiled in return. “Alright, Rúmil. Until next time.” She left closing the door gently behind her.
* * * * *
The next day, Orophin was sitting with Haldir, and I was finding my reprieve on the Deeping Wall. I hadn’t been there since the night of the battle, and I wanted to see the destruction in the daylight. I was amazed that more people weren’t killed. The wall was completely destroyed in that one section. I wondered what had been used to make such a weapon that it could blast through solid stone as thick as this. It had to be something very powerful, something much stronger than cannon fire. It wasn’t a cannon, though. I knew this for I had glimpsed part of the device. It was something that they placed in the culvert and ignited using a torch. I hoped that was the only one like it, and that the recipe for this weapon of destruction would be lost forever.
“Rúmil,” Legolas called from behind, and I turned, a smile instantly spreading on my face.
“There you are. I haven’t seen you since yesterday and I was beginning to wonder,” I said. I would give anything to be able to take him in my arms, but we were in plain view on top of the wall.
“The meetings went well into the night, and by the time they were done, you had already retired for the evening. I didn’t want to disturb you.” He cocked his head to the side and looked around the area. “It is quite a sight, isn’t it?”
“Like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” I commented.
“How is Haldir?”
“Still unconscious. It has been three days now. Eymund says he wants to perform another surgery on the wound. More tissue has to be cleaned to prevent infection. How did your meetings go?” I asked.
He lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes, as if looking at something far in the distance. “King Théoden wants to ride to Isengard and personally deliver the punishment awarded to Saruman for his crimes against Rohan. He has taken this quite personally.”
“Who can blame him, especially after being under the wizards spell, nothing more than a puppet on a throne? I’m surprised he doesn’t want his head on a spike.”
“That was one of the things discussed last night. Aragorn talked Théoden out of it though.”
I looked at Legolas unbelievingly, and he was laughing. “Well, maybe not on a spike,” he said.
“Who will go to Isengard with the King?” I asked.
“Eomer and a few of his captains, Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, me . . .” He paused to wait for my reaction.
“Of course you will be there.” I didn’t mean anything by it, but my words came out sounding a little disappointed.
“We want to represent all the realms, and make Saruman realize that his crimes were not only against Rohan, but all of Middle-earth. And I do not trust him. Gandalf says that even though he is trapped, he is still very dangerous. He can still use his staff, which the Ents could not take away from him. And the power of suggestion is one of Saruman’s biggest weapons. I am immune to his words, and my arrows can reach far if need be.” He moved close to me, but kept gazing at the valley below. “I would like it if you could come with us, though I know you cannot leave Haldir.”
“I wish I could too, but you are right, I cannot,” I said, discouraged.
We stood silent upon the wall, neither one able to make a move for fear of being seen. I hated this. I found that I disliked it more and more as time went by, but there was nothing I could do about it. Suddenly, Legolas walked over to the set of stone steps that led to the ruined yard below. “Have you seen this yet?” he asked, and jumped down to the first unbroken step.
“Have I seen what?” I asked with great curiosity.
“This,” he said.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You can’t see it if you stay up there. Jump down,” he called up to me.
I didn’t know what in the world he was talking about, but I carefully leapt down to join him. “What is it?”
“This,” he said as he pushed me against the wall and kissed me roughly. His hands wandered down my sides, coming to rest at my hips, fingers gathering the material of my tunic as he pulled me to him. His mouth assaulted mine, tongue searching and finding entry as my answer. By the gods, it felt so good to be with him, and luckily, the stairs were situated so that they were hidden from view of the keep where everyone was gathered. There weren’t many elves or men outside right now anyways, making our private moment easier to enjoy.
His fingers slid under the edge of my tunic finding the flesh of my stomach. They were very warm and set me to flame. His lips moved to caress my ear, and then my neck, leaving me feeling light enough to float.
“Sleep with me tonight,” he pleaded between kisses. “I need to be with you, Rúmil. I don’t care where. I’ll have you in the horse’s stalls if that’s what it takes. I just need to lay with you, to have you all to myself, if just for an hour.”
I had been pondering this earlier, and I knew just the place. “The tower is abandoned now. There won’t be anyone up there, and there shouldn’t be any threat of someone disturbing us.”
“When,” he breathed heavily in my ear before taking it in his mouth.
“After dark. I’ll come for you.” I cupped him through his leggings. We kissed another moment, wantonly, needing each other badly. Then we forced ourselves to separate before we could not resist temptation any longer.
He rest his forehead against mine and smiled. “I cannot wait for the day when we do not have to worry or hide. I should be able to kiss you whenever and wherever I want.”
I wanted that too, but was that even a possibility anymore? I still hadn’t talked to him about Haldir’s offer for me to become March warden. I still wasn’t sure about Haldir’s condition or if this offer would come to light. I didn’t know much of anything right now, except that I just needed one night alone with my lover, free from worry and decision. I just needed to be myself for a while.
The rest of the day passed slowly, minutes feeling like hours, the sun taking its time to sink below the distant hills. After meeting with Legolas earlier in the day, I packed a bag with blankets and a bottle of wine, and set it on the floor next to the door of Haldir’s room. I’d spent the rest of my time sitting with my healing brother, hoping that he would wake soon. I’d spoken to Orophin, and told him that I would take up sleeping somewhere else for the night. I didn’t give any more information, and he did not ask, but I think he assumed my intentions. He agreed and we left it at that.
Eymund had cleansed the wound earlier, and it was a success. There was no infection, and he even noted new growth of tissue. He was amazed at how quickly it had begun, and I explained to him that elves were able to heal quicker than humans. He had been keeping Haldir on some kind of medicine that helped him stay in this suspended state, but tomorrow he would stop giving it to him. Eymund wanted Haldir to have complete charge over his restfulness. If it was time for him to wake, then he would.
The sun had set, and Orophin came into Haldir’s room quietly, a bottle of wine in one hand and a book in the other, ready to settle in and take watch for the night. “How is he?” he asked in a whisper.
“No changes since you’ve seen him last. Not even a twitch of an eyelid.”
“That is good though, isn’t it?” he wondered, taking a seat in the chair next to me.
“Normally, yes, but I am worried about the use of his legs. You know as well as I that there are some injuries we cannot come back from,” I said concerned.
“Let’s just pray for him to wake up first. We’ll deal with the other once we know for certain this is his affliction.”
As I sat here today, keeping watch over Haldir, I thought a lot about what he’d asked of me. He had said in the event of his death, he would want me to take up his March warden position, but he hadn’t died. As a matter of fact, he seemed almost sure that death would be his outcome from the battle. He was not completely healed either, but every day he improved beyond Eymund’s expectations, and for a complication to occur now, well, the odds were looking rather slim.
“Orophin?” I asked. “Have you ever had a premonition?”
He stretched to put his book on the side table. “About what?”
“Have you ever felt that your next battle would be your last?”
He huffed a cynical laugh. “Every time I raise my sword to the enemy. But I make sure that it does not turn towards my foe’s favor.”
“I know what you speak of, but that is not what I meant. Have you ever … seen something or … dreamed something that you were sure would come true?”
“The only time that has ever happened was when I dreamt that Satya would one day be mine, and now she is,” he smiled.
I could see he thought I was overthinking things, and decided to ask another question. “If it is true that Haldir will not walk again, and another must be appointed to the March warden’s position, have you ever considered–”
“Let me save you your breath, brother,” he interrupted me. “Haldir and I discussed this a while ago. He told me that he was going to ask you, and wanted to make sure it would cause no animosity between us. He explained his reasons for choosing you, and I agreed with him. You would be the better choice.” He spoke honestly and from the heart. That was only a small relief to me, and I was glad he felt this way, but it didn’t make my decision whether to take up this position or not any easier.
I bowed my head and looked at my lap. “I never gave him my answer. I told him there was no reason to worry, that nothing would happen to him. And now, here he lays in a healing sleep.”
“You can tell him when he wakes up,” Orophin reassured me, but he wasn’t considering the fact that I might not want that position. I chose not to say anything more about it, and instead, I wished him a good night and left with my bag.
* * * * *
Legolas was in the King’s meeting chamber, standing by the hearth, speaking with Gimli. They each had a mug in their hand, and they were swapping stories with one another. Aragorn was talking to Gandalf on the opposite side of the room. Eomer and a couple of his men were playing a game of dice to pass the time. I didn’t enter the room, and as I passed the open doorway, I paused to gain Legolas’ attention. He caught my movement out of the corner of his eye, and said something to Gimli, who took his mug. The dwarf knew about Legolas and me, and I wondered if Legolas would use him to keep the others from wondering about his absence for the evening. Everyone seemed relaxed, though. The discussions were done for the day. Now it was their personal time to be spent as they saw fit, and for Legolas, that time would be spent in secret with me.
I continued walking slowly away from the room before I was noticed by the others, and smiled when I felt Legolas’ presence behind me. “You’re parents let you out to play?” I jested.
“I snuck out,” he answered, playing along. “And it seems I’ve no curfew tonight. How about you?”
“Free until sunrise,” I said.
We walked along the corridor that led to a wooden door and entered. Immediately, there were stairs that led up the tower, and we began our long climb. The stairs spiraled upwards, and it reminded me very much of the stairways that wrapped around the mallorn trees of Lothlórien, if they led up the inside of the trees. There was a slim window every now and then, and we would pause to look out.
“The moon is full tonight,” Legolas observed.
“And the stars are bright,” I said dreamily.
He kissed the side of my neck and whispered. “I just realized that I can’t remember the last time I watched the stars.”
“I do,” I replied. “I see them every time I look at you.”
“Why, Captain, are you trying to seduce me?” he teased.
“That depends. Is it working?” I said.
He kissed me slowly, his lips soft but masculine. “Very much so.”
I started climbing the stairs again without saying another word. Legolas stayed close behind. “How did you know about the tower?” he asked.
“Before coming to Helm’s Deep, we studied drawings of the layout of this place, and I remembered reading a brief, but interesting history of the tower and its horn,” I answered.
“And you thought, ‘Oh how I would like to make love there’?” he jostled.
“You know, it’s a long way down from here,” I responded smartly. “I’d hate for you to come all the way up here only to have to turn around.”
“You wouldn’t do that, now, would you? Surely there is another sort of punishment you can implement upon me, preferably one that you would get some joy out of.”
I laughed and kept climbing. We were almost there. “You see, this is what I like about us. You’re so easy to jest with.”
“It will be like this all the time one day soon,” he mentioned. I could hear the smile upon his lips, but I didn’t respond. I couldn’t think about that now.
The stairs ended at another door, a very slim, but thick and solid wooden door. I turned to Legolas and smiled. “We’re here,” I said and kissed him deep with need. He kissed me back, hands roaming over my arse.
“Let’s get inside,” he pleaded.
I turned and tried the handle. “Oh no,” I said worriedly. “It’s locked.”
“Locked?” he answered. I could hear the desperation in his voice. I’d had him very worked up and his desire to take me was brimming. “Let me try,” he said, moving beside me and trying the handle. “Oh, for Valar’s sake. Why is it locked?” He looked around the small landing. Downwards was nothing but the stairs we’d just climbed, and in front of him was the door. The stone walls were bare, except for a holder to put a torch, which was now occupied by the one we’d brought with us. Panic began to set in. “There’s no key. Why is there no key? And who would keep it locked? What is in there anyways?” He stopped and glanced at me. “Please tell me you have a key.”
I frowned and cocked my head to the side, and as I did, I reached into my tunic and pulled out a small metal skeleton key. I smiled impishly. “Did you really think I’d make us climb all this way and not have a key?”
“You are a wicked, wicked elf, and you will pay for this little show,” he berated.
I smiled proudly and inserted the key into the lock. It turned easily and we heard a loud click. The door opened and we went inside the small room. Legolas took the torch from the wall to light our way. We looked around at our small surroundings. “What is this place?” Legolas asked.
“According to the layout, it was once occupied by the horn blowers. While on duty, he lived up here.” I went to a window and looked out. “He could see very far from this position, and if he saw a threat coming, he would blow a series of short blasts on the horn. Otherwise, it was a long way up the tower, and precious minutes of warning would be wasted. And then, it is said that when Helm Hammerhand rode out to meet the enemy, the horn would sound long and low, shaking the valley below and the knees of Helm’s foes.”
Legolas held the torch over his head and looked around the room. There was a bed frame, but no mattress, a writing desk with a small bookshelf beside it, a small table and chair at which one could eat, and a larger plush chair where one would probably spend most of his time sitting and watching out the window. The room was round like the tower, and in the center was another set of stairs, these crafted from metal, spiraling up to a round hatch in the ceiling.
“The horn must be up there,” I said.
“Let’s have a look,” Legolas suggested. He went up the staircase first, and pushed the hatch open. Then he disappeared. I watched the light from his torch fill the open doorway above. “Oh, Rúmil, you must come up here and see this.”
“Last time you said that, you ravished me,” I teased.
“There’s still time for that, but come and see this view,” he called down to me.
I climbed up, and as I reached the doorway, he held his hand out to help me. I got my bearings and looked around. It was absolutely breathtaking up here. This was the highest point of the tower, and it housed the great battle horn. The bell of the horn was enormous, but it tapered down to a small mouthpiece where the horn blower would put his lips. The body of the horn spiraled around very much like the steps that led up here, and if it was stretched out straight it would probably be several feet long. The dark colored instrument was attached to a base to insure that it would not move or tilt over.
The room itself felt more like a gazebo, with four stone columns and a domed roof to protect the horn from the weather. The rest was open from roof to floor, and it made me slightly weak in the knees to know it was a straight drop down to the ground from the edge. Looking out across the valley, though, I could just about see the curve of the earth where the land was flat, and the snow topped peaks of distant mountains on the other side. “Now I know what the great eagles see,” I said with awe, as I gazed out from my lookout point.
“I feel as though I could touch the stars from here,” Legolas said, looking up into the sky. He was too close to the edge, and he was making me nervous.
“Come back from there, Legolas,” I said automatically.
He looked down and then instantly stepped back. “Long way down, even for an elf,” he said.
We went back to the hatch, and descended the metal ladder, back to the room below. Then we looked around. “Well,” Legolas commented. “I guess it is better than the horse stalls.”
“Definitely more private. No one has been up here for many years,” I said. “The last of the horn blowers died years ago and was never replaced. There has been no sieges on Helm’s Deep in a very long time, not until this battle.”
“And it was Gimli who sounded the horn. I was shocked he had come all the way up here. He has a great fear of heights,” Legolas said.
I looked at the empty bed frame. “Well, it’s a good thing I brought these,” I said, opening my pack and retrieving the blankets. “Maybe if we fold them in half, doubling them up, it won’t be so bad.”
Legolas strode seductively to me and surrounded me with his arms. “I don’t care about that. I would have fucked you on the cold stones steps if I had to. Just being with you is enough for me.” He smiled slyly. “Besides, we might want to consider utilizing that chair at some point this evening.” He leaned in and we kissed, slow at first, and becoming more needing with each moment that passed.
We began undressing each other, tossing our clothes to the side. Finally we were naked, our heated skin making contact. He lowered me onto the blankets, found the small bottle of oil and prepared us. And all the while, I watched him, his muscles rippling beneath his skin, the way his thighs looked resting on either side of mine, and how his cock sprang fully to attention. I sat up on my elbows and smiled at him. “I love you, Legolas.” I don’t know what possessed me to say it at that moment, but it felt right.
“I love you too, Rúmil,” he responded, crawling towards me, laying me down, lifting my legs, teasing, taunting, stretching me … filling me. We made love, but neither one of us lasted long that first time, so wound up with anticipation that we came quickly. But the night was long, and we had each other. That was all that mattered.
The second time was even better. It lasted longer. We enjoyed it more, came harder and louder, laughed in each other’s arms when we had caught our breath. Then we took a break, lying next to each other in the darkness. The torch had gone out a while ago, but the full moon was so bright that it illuminated our hideaway through the window. My leg was draped over his thighs, and I circled one nibble with the tip of my finger. By the gods, he was gorgeous, his muscles toned, and his arms. . . It was my weak point. I loved the arms of an archer, the biceps, and the way the veins stood out along his forearms. I even loved his calloused fingers, the sign of an elf who knew his craft well. And then there was the trail of blond hair that ran from his naval down to his most prized possession. My hand slipped in that direction, running along the soft bristles. Why couldn’t we stay like this forever?
“Are you sure you will not come with me to Isengard? We’ll only be gone a couple days, and we would have a little more freedom to be ourselves than here in the fort. Most of my companions know and accept our relationship, and the Rohirrim, though they might not like or understand it, would not bother us about it.” He stopped to laugh. “Not that we would behave like rutting animals in front of everyone.”
It made me sad to hear him speak this way. Again, I despised having to hide our relationship, mainly because I knew Legolas was used to his freedom. I, on the other hand, was used to secrecy, but I longed for the day to be free with him. And then I thought of Haldir, and that hope began to fade away. “I’m sorry,” I answered, but I was sorry for more than not being able to go to Isengard.
Legolas shifted so that we faced one another. He twirled a piece of my hair and looked deep into my eyes. “What is it, Rúmil? Something is bothering you. Please, tell me.”
“It’s nothing,” I lied.
His thumb touched my lips. “This is not nothing, this frown. Does this have anything to do with what you wanted to say to me yesterday when we were interrupted?”
It did. It had everything to do with it. How could I tell him that our future might not happen now? “I was thinking that these might be our last moments with each other. You’ll be leaving soon. I’ll have to go back to Lothlórien.” I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the true reason.
“Nothing is forever, Rúmil. Yes, I must finish this journey, and you must see to your brother’s health and return home, but we will be together again.” He gently kissed my forehead. “We have this moment before us to enjoy. Worry about tomorrow when the day is here. Don’t think about this now, love. We are here … together,” he said and smiled deviously. “Naked, wanting, ready.” His seduction was working to make me forget my troubles. “I want you to remember this night every time you think about us. When we are miles apart and wondering what the other is doing, know that I’ll be remembering this moment too, making love to you in this tower.”
I melted to the soothing sound of his voice. “How is it you always know just what to say?” I pushed him so that he was laying on his back, and then I moved to straddle him. “I will cherish this time we’ve had. No matter the distance, you’ll always be within my heart. You are mine, iaun nín, and I love you.” I slid back, lifting myself and lowering my body onto his. My eyes shut and I moaned as he filled me. He brought his knees up, cradling me, and allowing himself to push up and meet my downward thrusts. We moved in rhythm and as I found my ecstasy, he sat up and pulled me against his chest.
“Trust in us. Trust in this. Know that you are all I want, and that I need your love, Rúmil. I will always need you,” he said.
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Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home