The old ways

A few moments later Haldir pushed himself off Legolas, fighting down the urge to ravish him there and then. No, he had another plans in mind. It was going to be difficult enough to make Legolas believe that there was no harm in engaging in more pleasurable activities.

"Come, you lazy elf. Out of bed with you. We wanted to ride down the river for a bit. I have everything ready and I don’t want to waste a fine day. At last the sun is shining again and I want to hear all about your new clothes you are going to have soon."

Legolas rolled his eyes and pushed himself up. Even though he was only about half way through the pregnancy, he already felt the growing amount of weight and additional proportions he was taking. It made a few things more and more difficult.

Haldir and Legolas were glad when they had passed the battlefield that lay before the city where still some rotting corpses waited to be burnt and sent waves of the reeking stench of death over the plain. They saw many helpers, with cotton cloths tied tightly over the mouth and nose, busy pilling up dead and burning them.

Legolas turned his head away quickly, desperately fighting down the nausea that held his stomach in a clenching grip.

It took them quite a while to reach the lower parts of the Great river, where it flowed freely, the air was fresh and crisp and the grass still lush and green.

Haldir smiled at Legolas and bade him to wait by the river, promising him to fetch him soon.

Legolas raised a questioning eyebrow but did as he as he was asked and got off his horse to lead it down to the river to drink.

He was still lost in thought, trying to figure out the best and most harmless way to tell Haldir about his decision to join the army, when he heard the all too known whistle of Haldir.

A bright smile lightened his features and he quickly mounted his horse to ride further down the river to where Haldir was waiting for him.

Haldir stood at the riverbank, smiling and holding his arms open.

Legolas jumped off the horse, sent it to join Haldir’s and fell into Haldir’s embrace.

"I know, it is nothing like we had in Lothlorien, but I wanted to have you all to myself. And I tried to get everything that might indulge you."

The picnic site was plain, a woollen blanket covered the grassy riverbank, two simple goblets accompanied a flask and different kinds of bread, cheese, fruit and sweets were laid out on white linen. But to Legolas it was the most inviting and cherished scene he ever had laid his eyes on.

It radiated so much love and gentleness, that he felt his eyes water and quickly ducked his face into the crook of Haldir’s neck.

Haldir led Legolas to the blanket and pulled him down with him. Not a word was spoken as hands started roaming, lips ghosting over exposed skin, eyes closed in expectation and low sighs and moans drifted through the air.

Haldir slowly unfastened the soft linen shirt Legolas was wearing and kissed every bit of unblemished skin he freed of its confinements.

He heard his husband's breath hitching from time to time and then again it would stop altogether for a few seconds.

But as Haldir reached the lacing of the dark green leggings. "Haldir, love. Maybe we shouldn’t...."

"No, I think we should. It will do no harm to any of us, not to you nor to the child. Gandalf has told me so. We only have to be careful that we don’t put too much pressure on your belly. Our child will feel the love and tenderness, it will know how much we mean to each other. Don’t you think it is the best for it?" Haldir placed butterfly kisses on the stretched skin.

Legolas face had paled slightly "You actually asked him?"

"No, I didn’t. But Merry told Gandalf what we two were fighting about when he entered the room and Gandalf answered our unspoken question. Please my love. I wish for nothing more than to feel you, to hold you and make lto yto you. Or you to me. Either way, but I need you." Haldir looked almost pleadingly at Legolas.

Legolas took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. Oh, yes. He definitely wanted to feel Haldir that way, and his body thought likewise. But was it really safe? Had Haldir rally asked Gandalf and how much did Gandalf know about these matters. Had Elrond told this to them, Legolas would have believed it beyond doubt, but...

"Melme? Talk to me. Please. If you are not sure and you don’t want to do it, it's all right. I just thought... maybe you wanted.... ah, forget about the whole thing. It was a stupid idea. Forgive me." Haldir kissed Legolas stomach tenderly one last time and was about to sit up, when slender but strong fingers stopped him.

"Please, don’t stop" It was barely more than a whisper.

Haldir bent over to Legolas face and kissed the still closed eyelids, moving down the cheeks and on to the sensual mouth. His tongue flicked at Legolas lips softly and when its question was answered and those lush lips opened it dipped in.

Haldir was devouring Legolas mouth, exploring every detail as if it was the first time. Noticing every details. The sharpness of the teeth, the softness of the gum and the velvety muscle of Legolas’ tongue, dancing the ancient ritual of passion and love with Haldir’s.