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Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home	By : IdrilsSecret Category: +Third Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 4869 -:- 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
- 20
- 21
- 22
Chapter 21

I was back home in Lothlórien, and things had been quite hectic. The news of Sauron’s defeat did nothing to lessen my duties. In fact, it seemed to increase them tenfold. I had always imagined that when this day came, everything would slow down. Maybe it would eventually, but for now, I barely had a moment to myself. I slacked off on my personal time, which included hovering over my brother Haldir to make sure he was sticking to his therapy, and coming to meetings. The times I did see him were difficult. He wasn’t angry like he had been. He was becoming more despondent with every day that passed, it seemed. He stopped arguing with his nurses, and was only going through the motions. If I managed to get him to a meeting, he would not contribute. He just sat in his wheeled chair and stared out of a window. When asked a question, he would nod and agree with whomever was speaking. I was very worried for him, and I wanted to find a way to bring him back to us. Orophin noticed Haldir’s behavior too, but he just kept telling me it was a phase, another step in his recovery. Well, falling into an abyss of depression was hardly what I would call a step, at least not a step in the right direction.
It had been a couple months since the deterioration of Mordor, but things were moving at such an unusually fast pace for Lothlórien that I’d hardly noticed the time that passed by. I was in my office doing this and signing that when one of my young couriers interrupted me.
“What is it?” I said a bit too harshly. I was in the middle of something that I’d put off far too long and was just now getting to it.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, March warden, but … but … there is someone here to see you,” he stammered and stopped.
“Someone? Someone could be anyone, and if anyone is here to see me, then they need to set up a time and come back then. I have too much to do at the moment.”
“This is not just anyone, March warden,” the young ellon said in a mousy voice.
“Who is it then?” I said impatiently.
“It is … uh … it’s someone important … um … and–”
Why was he dragging this out, I wondered as my ire built. “Well, spit it out. I don’t have all day,” I demanded, not even looking up from my paperwork.
“Is this how you treat your young and impressionable future soldiers?” someone said.
I knew that velvety voice like I knew my own hand. I looked up from my work and there he was. “Le-Legolas,” I stuttered, shocked by the suddenness of seeing him.
“Hello, March warden,” he answered, but with a softness to his voice.
I stared at him drop jawed for what felt like an hour. All those things I dreamed of saying and doing when we finally met again came rushing to the front of my mind, but I was suddenly paralyzed, like one of those horrible dreams where you are trying to run but your feet are anchored in the mud. I finally snapped out of it and addressed my courier. “That is all. And please tell Cundo not to allow any interruptions until I say otherwise. I would like to speak to the Prince in private and without intrusion.”
“Yes, March warden,” the youth said as he left.
Legolas watched him go, and then turned to me. “He seems a bit star struck. Good to know my title can still make some people flustered. It feels strange actually. I’m so used to being regarded by my given name and treated as an ordinary citizen.”
“Wh-What are you doing here?” I asked, ignoring his previous comment.
“I came for no other reason than to see you, of course.” He smiled at me, and the love that was there the last time we had met was still within his blue depths.
When I was sure we were really alone, I came out from behind my desk. I walked up to Legolas and stopped. It felt like a dream. It seemed as though he was just an apparition that would disappear as soon as I reached for him. Instead, Legolas reached for me first. He gently took my hands, and studied them before raising his eyes to meet mine.
“Rúmil,” he said in a breathy whisper.
“It is good to see you,” I said, forgetting how to behave around him.
“Is that the best you can do?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.
“I’m not sure what you want me to–”
“Just kiss me,” he said desperately, and he pulled me into him, took my chin in his fingers, and proceeded to kiss me with determined lips.
I let him kiss me before I gave in and fell under his spell. My conscience wouldn’t let me enjoy our reunion too long. This wasn’t exactly the most ideal place for us to interact. I pulled away first. “Legolas, I … I cannot.”
“Why not? You told them not to disturb you.”
“I know, but they don’t always do as I say,” I told him. It was true. With the rush of activity, sometimes word got lost. We weren’t really safe to be ourselves here.
“You are March warden, are you not? Don’t you have control over your men?” He said it in a teasing manner.
“Things work a little differently here. Yes, I’m in charge, but I must also make myself available,” I told him.
“And when do you sleep?” he smiled.
“Remind me what the word means,” I smiled back.
“Oh, Rúmil, I’m afraid you’ll not learn the meaning from me, for sleep will not come to you once we are alone,” he said suggestively.
It was so easy to fall back into our natural routine, but the fact was it had been a very long time since we’d seen each other, and I was feeling overwhelmed by his sudden appearance. One thing was bothering me, though, and I just couldn’t let it slip unnoticed. My face turned serious, and I looked away from him. “This is too much to process. You do realize you’ve been gone for almost a year, and without so much as a word written to let me know how you were.”
Legolas sighed, obviously hoping this subject wouldn’t come up. “I know and I am sorry, but there was never an ideal time or place where I could sit down and write to you.”
“You wrote to your father,” I said a bit bitterly. He seemed surprised that I knew. “I met Corweth in Mirkwood when my army was called to assist yours. She told me of Sauron’s defeat.”
He nodded slowly. “I did write to him. I had too.” He realized right away what he had said. “It sounds pathetic, I know, but–”
“Just a short note, a couple words would have sufficed,” I said, making the moment even more uncomfortable.
“Do you think I slept at an inn every night?” His voice was slightly raised, but I could tell he didn’t want this conversation to continue along its current path. “Rúmil,” he said softly. “I really am sorry. If I could have kept in better touch with you, I would have. You knew it was going to be a long stretch for us. Please, I don’t want to argue. I just want some time alone with you, time to catch up, time to get to know you again, to know us. By the gods, I have missed you so much.”
How could I continue to berate him? He seemed desperate, thirsty for what we once had. So was I, and I couldn’t stay angry another moment. My hand found its way to the back of his neck and I pulled him to me and kissed him in a way that said I missed him too. “Tonight, come to my home.”
He backed away and looked at me questioningly. “Your place? Are you sure that’s wise? Won’t someone talk?”
“You’re arrival hasn’t been announced yet, and it probably won’t be until tomorrow. And, quite frankly, I don’t give a rat’s ass. I need you too, Legolas.”
He started to take me towards him, but just then the handle of my office door rattled, and he abandoned me. It was my courier again, the one who brought Legolas in the first place. “I’m sorry to interrupt this meeting, but you are needed at the training grounds.”
I gave a nod and looked at Legolas. “I must go. Would you care to join me?” I asked as a last minute idea of how to spend more time with him.
“I would be delighted to watch your young soldiers train,” Legolas smiled with just a hint of deviance.
The courier left and I closed my door. Before he could speak, I pinned Legolas against the wood grain and kissed him passionately, gyrating my hips as I did. We reluctantly broke apart, our breath rapid with need for something more than what the kiss could provide.
Legolas captured my eyes and gazed all the way to my soul. I had those blue jewels memorized, but nothing compared to actually seeing them looking through me. “You make me want to throw you over that desk and have my way with you … several times, as a matter of fact.”
“Keep talking like that, and I might let you,” I challenged wantonly.
He bit his bottom lip and I felt my body pulse with excitement. “Lock the door, Rúmil, and let me–”
The handle rattled as someone tried to open the door. I jumped away from Legolas as he stepped aside to let the door open. Sweet Eru, I hoped no one would notice the state of longing I was in. Thank goodness for our long Lórien tunics.
“Is the door stuck or something?” complained Cundo, my assistant.
“I asked you to not allow any disruptions, and that includes you,” I berated.
“I know, my lord,” Cundo said as he examined the hinges of the door. “I must have that looked at,” he mumbled before getting back to business at hand. “There’s been an accident in the armory. One of the first years was mishandling his sword. Damn thing nailed his foot right to the floor. If you ask me, I’d say he was showing off. The other youths were supposedly making fun of his technique. You know how it is when you’re young.”
Legolas stood to the side and laughed silently at the situation. It did sound quite funny, although I’m sure the injured soldier was not laughing at the moment. “If I may, could I possibly accompany you to deal with this youth?” There was a wicked gleam in his eye, and I knew he had a lesson to teach.
“I think that would be acceptable,” I smiled back. “Cundo, see to my office while I step out. Anyone needs me, I’ll be back in a little while. Also, have a bottle of my favorite red sent to my home. I have a feeling I’ll need something to help me unwind this evening.”
“Yes, March warden,” Cundo answered and hurried off.
“I thought that’s what I was here for,” Legolas whispered as he leaned towards my shoulder.
“Absolutely, but a little wine never hurts.” I said with a quick wink of my eye. “Come then, to the infirmary.”
>>------->
I was home now, straightening up a few things before Legolas arrived. Hopefully, he still knew his way. I didn’t want him asking anyone and raising suspicions. I knew he’d be careful, though. I worried in the back of my busy mind, whether this was a good idea or not. I knew Raenor had eyes on me still, but Legolas’ arrival had not made news just yet.
I set out two glasses and the bottle of wine I ordered earlier. Then I ran to the bedroom to check my nightstand, and make sure I had everything needed for a pleasant evening. There was a knock on my front door, and I rushed through my living room to get to it. I took a deep breath and collected myself, and then turned the handle. The door burst open, and a cloaked figure hurried inside and closed the door behind him. I didn’t have to see him to know it was Legolas. He had a very distinguishable aura about him, like fresh grass or spring leaves.
“What is it? What’s wrong? Were you followed?” I asked, my words all rushed together with concern.
He threw his cape off like a billowing sail and let it fall to the floor. Legolas didn’t look one bit worried. His eyes were dark with desire and the devious smile on his face announced his jestful mood. “Nothing is wrong except that I could barely make it through the day while I waited to see you. I had you in my mind all day, ever since you kissed me in your office. The tension has been building and building until I thought I might explode. More than a few times, I’ve had to excuse myself from company, fearing they might sense something from my lustful thoughts. It has been far too long, Rúmil. I want you. I need you, all of you, every inch, everything.”
He ravaged my neck and brought me standing quickly. Still, this wasn’t exactly how I saw the evening starting. Eventually, yes, but not right now so that we were like two rutting swine. “Y-You sure know how to m-make an entrance,” I stammered, as his tongue flicked the lobe of my ear.
“Take your clothes off,” he whispered desperately, already clawing at my tunic.
“D-Don’t you want some wine first? Or some cheese? I’ve got a tray already put together.” My attempt to slow down his ministrations was not working.
“There’s only one thing I want, and that is you … naked … right now … right here.” His warm hands made their way to the flesh of my chest as he tried to push my undershirt up and over my head.
“B-But we have all night, Legolas, and I … and … I just … I … I–” My words slowly faded as my mind gave in. “Oh, fuck it. Take me. Take me right now, right here.” I figured we had his cloak to use as cushion on the bare wood floor of my foyer. I started undoing the buttons of his Mirkwood garb. We were kissing with desperation as our hands fumbled over each other’s clothing. I had his tunic undone and he had my undershirt opened, exposing my chest to the cool air of my home. I reached for the leather ties of his leggings, and would resolve to chew through them if I could not get them untied in a short amount of time. Looking down, I could not help but notice the bulge in his pants, and this excited me even more. So much so that I sucked in the flesh of his neck to mark him as my property. “I want you inside me this instant,” I whispered.
“I will have you screaming my name before the–” he started to respond, but a loud knock on my front door brought everything to an instant halt.
“Shit, shit, shit!” I complained, a combination of anger and fear.
“Who is it?” Legolas asked, his hands still surrounding my waist.
“Who knows? Probably some first year has a broken toe or something ridiculous,” I whispered in return. “Can’t they leave me alone for one night?” I still wore my undershirt, though it hung open. Legolas, though, was shirtless and his leggings were untied. Damn, I thought to myself. Just had to push his pants down a bit and my prize would have been revealed. Anger built up in my lungs with the deep breath I took. “Who is at my door and what business do you have here?” I demanded to know through my closed door.
“It’s Orophin. What in Middle-earth are you doing, and why is your door locked?”
“Go away, Oro,” I called.
“I need to speak to you. It’s important,” he answered.
“Not now.”
“It’s Haldir,” he said, and nothing more.
I froze at the mention of my oldest brother’s name. He hadn’t been doing well lately, and now I was worried. Legolas must have seen my concern too. He picked up his shirt, tunic and cloak from the floor and stepped aside. I did nothing to make myself presentable and opened the door. “What is it? What’s happened to–” My words failed me when I saw the smile on Orophin’s face, and as he stepped sideways, he revealed Haldir behind him, sitting in his mobile chair. “What the … I thought you said it was Haldir.”
“It is,” Orophin smiled arrogantly, and I knew I’d been had. “He has decided to come out of his dark and dismal mood, and so here we are.”
Behind my open door was Legolas, who was putting his shirt on. When he heard who was at my door, he tossed his tunic and cloak aside, and left the top buttons of his shirt undone. I assumed it was to deliver a message to my nosey brothers.
Orophin looked down at my attire. “Did we catch you at a bad time? Were you getting ready for bed?”
“Actually, we were getting ready to have mind-blowing sex,” Legolas said from behind the door as he stepped out to make himself visible.
“Oh my, I’m afraid my timing is bad,” Orophin scoffed.
“It’s downright deplorable,” I said under my breath.
Orophin ignored me and came in. Haldir wheeled in behind him. He looked as though he didn’t want to be here, so I knew this was all Orophin’s idea. I closed the door and just stood there looking at my brothers. “Why are you here?” I asked, sounding defeated.
“We have good reason,” Haldir said. “Word has already spread like wildfire about the Prince’s visit. We thought you should know.”
“Probably my courier,” I said more to myself than the others. “He was a bit flabbergasted by the sight of Legolas. Must have spread the word like the plague. But really, couldn’t you have sent a note or something? Did you both have to come?”
Orophin looked at the bottle of wine and two glasses as he answered. “We thought it might look better if we came here in person, make this look like a friendly get together so that no one would talk, if you know what I mean.” As he explained, he took down two more glasses from my cabinet. When he looked at me again, I had my arms crossed and was tapping my toe in anger. Orophin rolled his eyes with impatience. “If we know Legolas is in Caras Galadhon, then so will Raenor, who undoubtedly has spies watching. You know how he is. He refuses to give up. And you also know that he’s onto your relationship. All he needs is proof. That’s why we are here, to prove nothing out of the ordinary is going on.”
“Well, you’re here. Anyone spying on me would have seen you come. Now you can leave,” I demanded.
“Already?” Orophin said smugly. “I’m afraid that won’t do.”
“Fine, stay for a few more minutes and then leave,” I said with ire. “All I want is some quality time with Legolas. You know we haven’t seen one another for a very long time. So have a glass of wine, quickly, and then go.”
Legolas came to me and put his hand on my arm. “Perhaps Orophin is right. The last thing I want to do is cause suspicion.”
“But what about . . .” I fingered the open collar of his shirt. “And … you know . . .” I glanced to my bedroom.
“I’m here for a few days at least.” Legolas said lovingly. “We’ll find another time.” He leaned into my ear and whispered. “Have patience, my love, and I promise it will be worth the wait.”
I gave a deep sigh and conceded defeat. “Fine.” My disappointment was obvious. “Pour the wine and I’ll serve the cheese. But if you’re looking for anything more, you’re out of luck.”
The night went by rather pleasantly, despite the rude interruption. Orophin surprised me the most. I always thought he disliked Legolas, but tonight he was being very interactive, asking about strategies in battle and weapon designs. As the wine loosened everyone up, my brothers proceeded to ask Legolas about his recent adventures. Orophin and Haldir were enthralled. So was I for that matter, for I hadn’t had the chance to ask him either. He had seen and done so much after the battle at Helm’s Deep. I felt ashamed of my behavior when he first arrived, when I complained about his lack of correspondence. He really hadn’t been anywhere that he could have written to me. I wasn’t mad any more, though. I was just happy that he was back, and he was here with me. He might have written to his father, but he came to Lothlórien before returning to Mirkwood, and that said a lot.
“So the three of you fought the Corsairs of Umbar and captured their ship?” Orophin asked accusingly. Legolas nodded as he reached for his glass. Orophin cocked a brow. “But their fleet is quite great, fifty ships strong from what I’ve heard. Surely taking control of one ship would not frighten the rest into abandonment.”
“We had help,” Legolas said nonchalantly, and the rest of us seemed to lean forward as we waited for an explanation. When he noticed, he continued. “Oh, I skipped the part about going to the Dwimorberg, didn’t I?”
Apparently, Legolas and his companions stayed with the Rohirrim army after leaving Helm’s Deep. When Gondor called for help, the Rohirrim set out for Dunharrow, where they called upon their neighbors and kin. Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli were preparing to ride with the army all the way to Gondor, when Aragorn received a visitor, Lord Elrond, who told the future king where to go to find help for the battle in Gondor. The Rohirrim would have been outnumbered otherwise. Elrond told Aragorn to seek out the Army of the Dead, and with the newly remade sword, Narsil, the Dead Men would have no other choice than to obey. In the end, the three warriors commandeered one of the lead ships, and the Army of the Dead terrorized the rest, making them abandon their ships to drown in the ocean.
“I guess you got what you always wanted,” I said to him. “To finally see what is out there beyond the borders of the Rhovanion.”
“And there is still so much to see,” Legolas said, eyes wide with excitement. “Someday, I should like to travel back to a couple places and spend some time there. Fangorn Forest for one, and the Glittering Caves for another. Perhaps, the two of us shall go together.”
“I would like that very much,” I replied, caught up in Legolas’ excitement.
“Except that you are March warden now, Rúmil. When will you find the time to travel?” Orophin said to crush my dreams.
“Have any of you ever been to Rivendell and seen the Last Homely House of Lord Elrond?” Legolas asked to change the subject.
“I have not,” I answered.
“Neither have I,” Orophin said.
“I have,” Haldir said. It was the first thing he’d said since he first arrived.
Legolas gave Haldir his attention, abandoning Oro and I. “Were you ever there during the harvest?”
“No, I was only there once and it was after the summer solstice,” Haldir said.
“Oh, then let me tell you about the many colors of the valley, Haldir.” And with that, Legolas and Haldir became engulfed in their own conversation. Actually, I was glad for it. Haldir had been so withdrawn lately, I thought it was good to have someone new to speak with. I gestured for Orophin to follow me to the kitchen. We picked up the empty plates and trays and carried them away, giving Haldir and Legolas their time together.
“Haldir seems to be perking up a bit,” I said to Orophin.
“It’s the most outgoing I’ve seen him in a while.” Orophin watched the two as they compared visits to Rivendell, and then he turned back to the counter. “It is nice of Legolas to engage him in conversation.”
I smiled. “Legolas is very kind-hearted.”
“I misjudged him in the beginning. I see that now, but I still worry. It’s why I give him such a hard time when he visits. I fear he doesn’t understand our ways or our laws.”
“There really is nothing to worry about. We are not careless. I know there are spies. I had hoped that by now that would all we behind us, but I know it will always be a concern. You haven’t known about me, about what I am for very long, but I’ve dealt with it my whole life. It kind of makes me the expert on the subject. You have to stop worrying for me. I know what I’m doing. Just trust me on that,” I said to him.
We finished up in the kitchen, giving Legolas and Haldir plenty of time to talk. Orophin was putting away the last of the dishes, and I quietly slipped back into the living room, only to stumble upon a hushed conversation between Legolas and Haldir. They didn’t know I had come out of the kitchen, so I stood silently in the back and eavesdropped. Legolas was sitting on a chair, Haldir beside him in his wheeled chair, and they were leaning towards each other so they could speaking quietly.
“Is that what it feels like to you?” Legolas asked.
“It is a constant longing, yes. At first it feels very faint, but with each passing day, it becomes louder and the urge is stronger,” Haldir whispered back.
“It’s only a slight tapping in the back of my mind, but it is constant. Most of the time I’m able to control it or ignore it all together.”
“As time passes, it will grow, especially when you are far from the shores,” Haldir told him.
“I know, for that’s what I was told. Once it grabs a hold of you, it never lets go,” Legolas said sadly. “What if she was right, and I cannot go home?”
I was very curious as to what they were talking about, but this was a private conversation. I couldn’t just barge in so fast.
“I cannot answer that for you. It is different for everyone. For some it takes years, but for others it might only take a few months. One thing is for sure, you’ll always feel it nagging you. As to how long you can tolerate it, only time will tell,” Haldir explained.
Just then, Orophin came out of the kitchen, drawing Legolas and Haldir’s attention. I don’t think they knew I had been standing there. It looked like Orophin and I exited the kitchen together. I never led on and we finished out our evening. When it was time for Orophin and Haldir to leave, Legolas pulled me aside.
“I think I should go too,” he said.
“What? No, you can’t,” I complained.
“I don’t want to either, but I think Orophin is right. It wouldn’t look good if anyone knew I did not leave, and if there are spies, they will know when they only see two people leave instead of three.”
Haldir cleared his throat. “Orophin and I will wait outside for you. We’ll escort you to the guest quarters if you’d like.”
“Yes, thank you. Thank you for everything,” Legolas said specifically to Haldir.
My brother nodded, and he and Orophin said goodnight and went outside. Alone once more, Legolas folded me into his embrace and kissed me. “Tomorrow night. Come to the guest quarters. I doubt anyone will think to look for you there.”
“Alright,” I agreed reluctantly. “But come see me in my office tomorrow.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Legolas smiled. He kissed me again, slowly with tongues twirling and caressing. I wanted him. I needed him badly. But what was another day when it had already been close to a year. I could wait.
>>------->
The next day was pretty standard as far as my duties were concerned, and that meant busy. Legolas came by in time for the midday meal. “Shall we head to the dining hall, and you can introduce me to some delicious Lórien fare?”
“I would love to, but I have a meeting in a few short minutes,” I answered as I signed a few papers.
Legolas wandered over to me and looked over the paperwork. “What is the point of all this?”
“Everything must be accounted for. It helps things run more smoothly,” I told him.
“We have no such system in Mirkwood.”
“Yes, I remember. Everything is done spur of the moment,” I said, slightly criticizing him.
“What’s to document? There are pests that need to be exterminated. We go out, take care of the problem and come home. The injured go to the infirmary. The hungry to go the kitchens.” His hands roamed over my shoulders and down my chest. “And the amorous disappear to their private places and screw each other all … night … long.” The last of his words were whispered in my ear, his warm breath sending chills down my spine.
I swallowed hard and tried to keep my composure. “Yes, and I remember that too.”
“You said you had a few minutes before your meeting,” he said suggestively.
“I said short minutes, and those are less than full ones.”
“Come on, Rúmil, put a guard outside and lock the door. I need you badly.” He teethed the tip of my ear and I thought I would come undone. My brain told me absolutely not, but my body was screaming for release. I was about to agree with the latter when there was a knock at my door. Legolas jumped away quickly so as not to get caught with his hands upon me.
“They are ready for you, March warden,” said my courier, poking his head through the crack in the door.
“I’ll be right there,” I answered and stood from my desk as the courier disappeared. I looked at Legolas disappointedly. “I almost gave in. You are a terrible influence, you know that?”
“Exactly the point,” he smiled back. “Now go to your meeting. Perhaps we’ll meet for dinner.”
“You’re not staying?” I wondered.
“I can show myself around. Besides, you know me. I can’t sit in one place for long.”
I took his chin in my fingers and drew him to me. “I love you,” I whispered. Our lips were only a hairs width away and Legolas drew away.
“I know,” he said arrogantly, and he went to the door, holding it open for me to exit.
“Fiend,” I complained.
“You can punish me later,” he sassed. We exited and went our separate ways.
The meeting went much longer than I had expected. I thought Legolas might be waiting for me in my office when I returned, but he wasn’t there. The dinner hour was not too far off, so I thought I would make my rounds at the practice fields before heading to the dining hall. If I knew Legolas, and I thought I did very well, he would be there showing off for the young soldiers. It was one of his favorite things to do. And I wasn’t disappointed. There he was, showing them his tricks, making them ohh and aww. I stayed to the side and watched for a minute before he noticed me. He excused himself from his admirers and came to me.
“I see you’re making quite the impression,” I said with a smile.
“What on earth do you teach these young ellyn?” he complained. “They hardly know any tricks.”
“We don’t teach tricks. We teach technique,” I countered.
“Technique is for the practice field. Tricks are for when you’re out in the field and you’ve only got a split second to make a lifesaving decision. Really, March warden, it’s no wonder you do not lose more men out there.”
I gave him a narrow eyed stare, and then turned to my trainees. “That will be all for now. Go on back to the barracks. Dinner will be served soon so clean up.” I ordered. The group of ellyn left the field. Legolas and I were now somewhat alone, although there were still others in the surrounding area. They weren’t within hearing range.
“Oh, Rúmil, I do like it when you bark orders. Makes me all tingly inside,” he jested.
“As if I could ever order you around. You do what you want, when you want.” I smiled fiendishly. “Actually, don’t ever change, my love. And speaking of doing things under order, I believe tonight will–”
“I can’t,” he said woefully.
I knit my brows and stopped walking. “What do you mean, you can’t?”
“The Lord and Lady have invited me to dine with them, and then they insist on hearing of my adventures. Something tells me this will go long into the night.”
“Then tell them the short version and say you are tired,” I said.
“I could not. You know Lady Galadriel. She would read me like an open book. I must admit that this kind of telepathy makes me a bit uncomfortable. What if I start to think of you and she takes a peek into my mind?” He sounded very worried.
“From what I’ve been told, it doesn’t work that way.”
“How does it work then?”
“I don’t really know. I’ve never had her in my head. Haldir has, though. Perhaps you should speak to him.”
Legolas shook his head. “Nay, I shall weather it alone. I’ll just have to keep my thoughts clear and clean.”
“You?” I questioned.
Legolas shoved my shoulder playfully. “I do have the ability to show self-control, you know.”
“Not when you’re around me you don’t.”
“And for obvious reasons. It’s almost impossible to not be affected by your handsomeness. Sweet Eru, don’t get me started.”
“Hmm,” I said deviously.
Legolas laughed. “Why, Rúmil, those dirty thoughts of yours make me want to throw you over my knee and give you a good thrashing.”
“Or you could bend me over a chair and–”
“March warden,” someone called from the distance.
“Hold that thought,” I told Legolas.
“If I keep that vision in my head, Lady Galadriel might just decide she wants to watch,” he laughed.
We stopped walking so I could wait for the ellon who required my attention. Legolas and I faced each other, looking like two acquaintances saying their farewells, but the longing in our eyes was hidden from everyone.
“Will you send for me when you return to your room?” I asked.
“And what would people say when they saw their March warden sneaking into the guest quarters of the Prince during the darkest hours of the night?”
“This is ridiculous. It’s your second day here, and we still haven’t … celebrated your return. I don’t know how much more I can take,” I complained.
“I’m here for one more night, and then I must head for home. We will just have to make it count. Cram three days of bliss into one night,” he suggested playfully. “What are your plans for tomorrow?”
“I have meetings in the morning, lunch with the other wardens, inspection of the troops right after, and then the first years have their ceremony to see which regiments they will be assigned to. That usually conjures up a stack of requests to be transferred so that they can stay with their friends, in which I must look over each request to determine the ones that are legitimate complaints.”
“No wonder Haldir was always so stiff. He never had time to have any fun,” Legolas said.
“It is not a job for one who slacks.”
Legolas looked away to see the messenger arriving. “Tomorrow night then? Shall we try once more?”
“Tomorrow, yes, but where? My home is too conspicuous.”
“You’ll figure something out. Until tomorrow then.” He bowed his head in a sign of respect, and to keep up the disguise. By then, the messenger was upon us.
“Until then, Prince Legolas,” I said returning the gesture of bowing my head. Legolas went his own way, and I stayed to talk to my messenger.
>>------->
The last and final day of Legolas’ visit was here. My day was so full that I hadn’t seen Legolas the entire time. I was hardly in my office, and when I was, Legolas never came by. I began to think he got tired of waiting and started for home early. I was tired and disappointed. I’d hardly had a moment to give any thought of where to meet Legolas tonight, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure I had any energy left. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was upset with me.
The day was gone and evening had set in. It was getting late for me to be in my office, but I got everything done that needed to be finished. I was on my way back towards the main part of the city when I felt someone take hold of my elbow. I turned and it was Legolas. We stopped walking about half way across one of the suspended walkways.
“And just where have you been all day?” I asked.
“Here and there,” he said nonchalantly.
“You couldn’t have come by and visited me at some point?” I berated.
“You were very busy, and I didn’t want to disturb you. Besides, I wanted to make sure you finished your day’s work so that we could spend the night together undisturbed.”
I gave a sigh. “I’m not sure where. My place will not work, and the guest quarters–”
“What about that hidden talon in the woods?” he interrupted.
“Hidden talon?” I said, and it dawned on me what he was speaking of. “How do you know about that?”
“Haldir,” he said tersely with a smile. “His suggestion.”
“It’s a bit far,” I said.
“I’ve thought of that. I can leave from there in the morning, and you can come back here. I don’t need to go back to the city for anything.”
I hadn’t been to that place in a very long time, and the last time I was there was when I was still with Túron. There were memories there that I wasn’t sure would come back, even with Legolas in my life now. “I don’t know,” I said with uncertainty. “It’s been a few years since I’ve been there and–”
“What? Did you frequent the place with your lovers?” Legolas said as a joke, but the seriousness on my face told him I wasn’t amused. “Oh,” he said quietly. “Who?”
“Why would you want to know that?” I complained.
“We have no secrets, remember?” he said.
I was quiet at first, and I glanced down at the railing where my hands rested. “Túron.”
“Oh,” he said again. “Well, did you take anyone else there?”
“There was no one else at the time,” I answered. “We’d only been there a few times, one of those being the last time I saw him before he left Lothlórien.”
“Now I see,” he said sympathetically.
“But what if I get there and the old feelings surface. I don’t want to ruin our evening together,” I said worriedly.
“I won’t let you. Rúmil, it is just a place, a building. Your memories, whether they are good or bad, are what remain with you. So I say we make new memories to push out and conquer the old.”
“You’re right, of course.”
He smiled. “Aren’t I always? Now, grab a change of clothes. You can go straight from there to your office first thing in the morning. I’ll pack up my belongings and meet you at the gate in thirty minutes. OK?”
“Alright,” I agreed. We went in separate directions, and would meet later under the cover of night. Finally, Legolas and I would be allowed to be together unhindered. It had been a very difficult couple days, frustrating to say the least. I didn’t worried about being followed. At this point, I really didn’t care. But I did worry about one thing … would this be the last time Legolas and I would be together in a long time? He was going back to Mirkwood, and the cleanup of the Rhovanion would begin. As for me, my new life as March warden was much more demanding than I ever thought it would be. I wasn’t sure how or when I would be able to get away and visit Legolas in Mirkwood. I thought it would be much easier. I thought I’d be able to take trips there on occasion, especially with my new title, but all it brought me was unending paperwork and problem solving. I thought about our past conversations, the ones about living in Mirkwood, and it seemed like nothing more than a dream … one that might never come true. But I needn’t think about that for now, and I hoped it wouldn’t come up tonight either.
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Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home