SWEPT AWAY (Prequel to :THE HARD TRAVELLED PATH TO DESTINY) Author: Eamane Aldarion Betas: T. Futcher and Ziantasha Rating: R Main Pairing: HALDIR/SIDDHIR (OC) Other Pairings: Haldir/ Elrond, Haldir/Anarin, Haldir/Tinion, Haldir/Dinendal. Feedback: Sure! Eamane5@aol.com Warnings: Slash/Angst/Character death Note: This story came as a result of several people who read my first story, “The Hard Traveled Path to Destiny” wanting to know more about Haldir’s relationship with his first love, (Siddhir). Hope you like it folks! (smile) Thank you all so very much for your feedback and compliments, all of which are very much appreciated. Disclaimer: All characters (except Siddhir and Aranel) are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien. I am just having fun with them. No money made here. That’s for sure- because I am soooo broke! Summary: A story of Haldir’s first love, who helped to shape the manner of Elf he came to be. Timeline: Way before the Fellowship was even thought of. Archives: Mirrormere, Lotrfanfiction,com, SlashFiction.net, Aniron Slash. Anyone else, Please let me know where. Translations: [In brackets] *-* used for the Elvish language and for emphasis. **-** used for Telepathic thoughts. ****************************************************************************** ONE “Elbereth! Where in Arda did you *learn* those things Haldir? Elrond breathlessly questioned, while disengaging his legs from the platinum haired Elf’s shoulders. Haldir smirked and moved to lie beside the older Elf. “Here and there.” “Here and *there?* But you are barely out of your majority!” “Then I suppose I am a good study.” Haldir chuckled. Elrond looked at him with raised eyebrows and sighed, still catching his breath. “That would be an understatement, fair one. I fear you could be hazardous to my health. I think perhaps I should leave you to those who are younger and have the breath to keep up with you.” Haldir feigned a pout. “You are leaving me so soon? What a pity. Mayhap I am not as skilled a lover as I thought.” Elrond closed his eyes. “You are by far skilled enough, *lirimaer* [lovely one]. Anyone who says anything different is a fool, and you are right- you are far better at giving than receiving.” Haldir chuckled, took Elrond’s face in his hands and planted a soft kiss on his lips. “Giving is my preference. Such sweet praise you render me, *melethron nin* [my lover]- but you say you will leave me still.” Elrond opened his eyes to meet Haldir’s. “If I thought I could, I would keep you to myself until the world’s end. But you are an eagle *nin bain* [my beauty], and one not meant to be caged- at least not with me. You have a light that shines brighter than any I have seen in many years, and it must be free to shine where it will. I will not rob you of that.” “Again, you flatter me. Are you certain of your decision?” Elrond sighed. “I am certain. There is much ahead in life for you *mir nin* [my treasure], and I cannot in good conscience keep you from it.” Haldir looked at him. “You sound troubled.” Elrond smiled, and reached out to gently pull a few stray strands of silky silver hair from Haldir’s cheek. “I am sad that I am not a millennia or two younger. But I am certain that setting you free is the right thing to do.” “As you wish, but it feels like rejection to me.” Haldir answered. Elrond turned to him, shocked. “’Tis *not* rejection, *melethron nin* [my lover]. I do only what is for the greater good. When you are older and have the weight of the good of your people on your shoulders, you will understand what I do this day.” Haldir gazed at him for a long moment. “You have been reading me again, and you know I dislike when you do that. Shall I leave you now?” “No. Let us lie here for a time. I wish to bask in your light a while longer.” Haldir smiled, and put his arms around him. “As you wish, my Lord.” ******************** Three hours later, a knock on the door awakened them. Erestor’s soft voice called out from beyond it. “My Lord?” Elrond looked over at Haldir, who gazed back at him questionably, and then called out; “Give me a moment, Erestor.” “Very well, my Lord.” Erestor’s muffled voice replied. Without a word, Haldir climbed out of the bed and started to dress. “Forgive me *lirimaer* [lovely one]. This is not Lorien, and I do not wish my house to know of my personal affairs.” Elrond explained, offering him an uneasy smile. Haldir raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think it is so in *Lorien?”* Then he sighed. “Worry not. I will slip out into the gardens for a time, but I think that perhaps it is best I prepare to leave anyway.” “I never said I wanted you to *leave,* Haldir.” Elrond replied, quickly slipping into his robes and moving towards him. “Please bear with me. I will meet you in the gardens forthwith.” Haldir nodded, and stepped outside into the bright and sunny afternoon. ******************** Tinion grinned as Fereveldir approached him slightly ahead of his charge. “*Mae Govannen, mellonamin* [well met, my friend].” Fereveldir grasped Tinion’s shoulder briefly in greeting, and smiled. “*Mae Govannen.* How are you on this fine day?” “I am well. I see you are the first to arrive, as always.” Fereveldir laughed as another blond elf strolled up and stood beside him. “As is my habit. You know Nilfalath, my second in command?” “I do.” Tinion replied, nodding courteously to the serious looking elf, who nodded in return. “Have you any idea why Lord Amroth has called us to Caras Galadon? What is amiss?” Fereveldir asked. “I know only that all divisions have been called in, but not by Lord Amroth. He has been away for a time now. Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel are here, and it is they who have summoned the divisions. Tinion responded. Fereveldir’s mouth dropped open. “*All * divisions? Even those from the south and east?” Tinion nodded. “Elbereth! It must be something of great importance then. Tell me, where is Haldir that you are in command in his stead?” “Haldir is in Rivendell on leave, but we have sent a party to hasten his return.” They turned at the sound of approaching horses and saw what appeared to be the remaining two divisions nearing the great divide. Tinion grasped Fereveldir’s shoulder. “Take your division through. Accommodations have been set up near the common where all will wait until the Lord and Lady are ready to address us.” Fereveldir turned to Nilfalath. “See them through, *mellon* [friend]. I will join you shortly. It has been a long time since I have seen our brothers from the south and east.” Nilfalath nodded, and waved the other members of the division ahead. They left Tinion and Fereveldir to greet the approaching contingents. ******************** Haldir stretched out on a bench in Elrond’s gardens and closed his eyes. The warm sun felt good on his face. He sighed deeply and started to drift off. Suddenly, his eyes fluttered open. An elf stood in front of him gazing down at him disapprovingly. He pulled his long legs in and sat upright. “The path through here is narrow enough without one having to climb over someone’s limbs, subaltern.” The elf commented. Haldir smirked. “My, Melpomaen. Such ill manner for a lovely day such as this hardly seems appropriate. Can you not say hello?” “Hello Haldir.” Melpomaen echoed dully. “Now that you have removed my barrier, I will continue on about my business. You may finish napping now.” “I would much rather talk with you for a time, if you do not mind.” Melpomaen raised an eyebrow. “What could you possibly want to talk to me about?” Haldir smiled devilishly. “Why about you, of course.” “What about me?” Haldir reached out and took Melpomaen’s hand, gently pulling him down to sit beside him on the bench. He did not resist- but once seated, he sat rigid, glaring at him expectantly. Haldir released his hand, slightly taken aback. “You look at me as if you think I am about to attack you.” “I am at a loss as to why you feel the need to converse with me at all.” Haldir blinked, bewildered. “Why would I *not* want to converse with you? You are a fellow kinsman after all, and being of Rivendell, I would assume your cognitive powers are stronger than that.” Echoes of the many tales he had heard spoken about this elf flashed through his mind all at once. The elf was smooth, he had to admit, with his not so subtle good looks and abrasive demeanor-but he did not intend to become another yet another one of his conquests. He frowned and backed away a bit on the bench. “Surely you jest.” Haldir smiled uneasily. “Why would I do that?” Melpomaen’s features hardened. “It appears you really *are* as arrogant as it is said. What makes you think that an elf of my station would desire to be with *you?* An elf whose rank is below mine? Not to mention one who has most likely been with more elves that can be counted? Do you think me a fool?” Haldir blinked and stared at him for a moment in stunned silence. It was true he found him fair, but what he was suggesting had not even crossed his mind. Melpomaen smirked. “What is this? The infamous Haldir of Lorien has nothing to say? This has to be a first.” He rose to his feet. “What have I done to warrant such contempt from you?” Haldir asked, when he found his voice. “I have no more time for banter, Haldir. Know that what you seek will never be realized. Good day.” Melpomaen responded coldly before walking away. ******************** “Calaglin! Dinendal! How very good to see you again!” Fereveldir greeted, firmly grasping both elves on the shoulders. “And we you, *mellon*[friend]. ‘Tis been a long time. *Mae Govannen* [well met], Tinion.” Calaglin replied with a pleasant smile. Dinendal nodded with respect. “*Mae Govannen.*” Tinion answered. “Your charge will go through to the common. You will all be made comfortable there.” Calaglin nodded. “Very well.” “I shall meet you there forthwith. I would love to trade barbs with you and catch up on whatever I have missed, but I would first like to greet Siddhir and his contingent from the east.” Fereveldir explained. “It has been even longer since I have seen him.” Dinendal’s crystal blue eyes widened. “Are *all* of Lorien’s guard gathering here?” “As of this moment, that is so.” Tinion confirmed. “Except Haldir, but he has been sent for.” Dinendal raised an eyebrow and he shot a look at Calaglin. “I suppose we should not tarry then.” Calaglin nodded. “Agreed. Let us press on. Fereveldir, We shall meet up with you in the common.” ******************** Haldir sat bewildered, staring after Melpomaen’s retreating form. He was so distracted that he did not hear another elf approach until he was upon him. He started and turned swiftly when he became aware of the elf’s presence. The pleasant looking, dark haired elf spoke. “Forgive me; I am Anarin. I did not mean to startle you.” “Worry not, for there is nothing to forgive. I am Haldir.” “Pleased to meet your acquaintance,” Anarin replied. Haldir frowned. “You seem to be the only one, I fear.” Anarin smiled compassionately and shook his head while glancing over in the direction that Melpomaen had taken. “I apologize for overhearing and for the rudeness of my kinsman. I know not what has rendered him so disagreeable this day. He usually is very kind.” “I suppose it is just me, then.” Haldir murmured. Anarin gently touched his shoulder. “Worry not.” They both saw Elrond at once as he came into view quickly making his way towards them. Anarin let his hand slip from Haldir’s shoulder and bowed as Elrond drew near. “*Mae Govannen* [well met], my Lord.” “*Mae Govannen, Anarin.*” Elrond returned, nodding with respect. “I need to have a word with Haldir.” “Very well, my Lord. I was just out for a stroll. Good day, Haldir.” “Good day.” Haldir answered. Anarin sauntered off, and Elrond took a seat beside Haldir on the bench. “Forgive me for taking so long. There was business I had to attend to.” Elrond explained. “No matter.” Haldir sighed. Elrond looked at him. “Are you still upset with me?” Haldir leaned forward to adjust the straps on his boots. “I am not upset with you. However, I feel it is time for me to return to Lorien. Two rejections in one day are a bit much, even for me.” Elrond frowned. “Haldir, I did *not* reject you. But what is this you say? *Two* rejections? Who was the other? Anarin?” “Nay, not Anarin. He was quite pleasant. I should have met him sooner.” “Who then?” Elrond queried. Haldir stretched and stood. “It matters not.” Elrond stood and met his eyes. “When were you thinking of leaving?” “Now.” Elrond frowned. “Haldir, *please* do not leave like this. Cannot you wait until the morrow at least?” “I fail to see why. What difference would the morrow make?” Haldir questioned. Elrond looked at him. “It would give me a chance to prove to you that I *care*, Haldir. You seem to only associate coupling with caring and loving, and I need to show you that it is not always so. One *can* care very deeply without coupling, and there are those who can couple and feel nothing at all but the pleasure of the moment. Please give me this chance to try and show you thus.” Haldir stared back at him a while before speaking. Finally, he sighed. “Very well. I shall stay until the morrow at least.” Elrond smiled. “That is all I ask. Come now with me to look in on the children; then we will have something to eat together.” “Very well.” They went inside and eventually entered a large room situated only a few doors down from Elrond’s chambers. A fair maiden with stunning dark wavy hair smiled brightly and stood. “Come to check on the children, my Lord?” Elrond smiled. “They are sleeping I presume?” “Arwen and Elrohir are, but Elladan is wide awake.” Elrond chuckled. “As always. He is far more inquisitive than his brother.” They walked over to Arwen’s crib first. Haldir watched as Elrond bent down to kiss the tiny she-elf on the cheek, and then moved with him again over to the slightly larger crib that held the twins. He kissed Elrohir in the same manner as Arwen, before kissing and lifting a smiling Elladan from his bed. “You are ever so watchful, *pen-tithen* [little one].” He cooed, as he held the child closely to his breast. Haldir smiled. “You have made very handsome children, my Lord.” He offered Elladan a finger, which the elfling grabbed quickly and tried to pull to his mouth to chew. “Thank you, Haldir. They are my life. I see my dear Celebrian every time I gaze upon them, for they all have her looks.” Haldir chuckled and gently pried his finger from Elladan’s grip with his other hand. “And this one is hungry. It is best you have him fed before he makes a meal of the next unsuspecting person’s fingers.” “I suspect that you are right.” Elrond laughed, as he passed Elladan to the smiling woman who stood nearby. “Do you miss her, my Lord?” Elrond turned to look into Haldir’s caring grey eyes and sighed. “With every day that passes, but death has claimed her and I cannot fall apart. I have my children to care for.” Haldir nodded with silent understanding. Elrond collected himself, turned and nodded to the woman and then to Haldir. “Come; let us go now and have dinner.” ******************** “Siddhir! How long it has been since I have seen you? By the Gods, you are even more a vision than I remembered.” Fereveldir laughed. Siddhir flashed a brilliant smile while grasping the shoulder of his kin in greeting. “And you flatter me still, *mellon.*[friend] It is good to see you as well.” Tinion examined the elf thoroughly in awe of his beauty before commenting; “Nay, he does not. In fact, I would venture to say that he has greatly *understated* your beauty, fair one.” Siddhir grinned and turned to Elviondel, his second in command, and winked. Then he returned his attention back to the equally fair platinum haired elf before him, his dark eyes smiling along with his lips. “Why Tinion, I did not know you cared.” Tinion gazed deeply into those seductive dark eyes that seemed to twinkle with a light of their own. “Perhaps you might soon let me show you how much.” Siddhir’s full lips spread into a wide grin, and his eyes held Tinion’s unwavering gaze. “Perhaps.” Fereveldir chuckled as he looked from Tinion to Siddhir. Their attraction to each other seemed quite evident. He coughed loudly. “My friends, perhaps it is wise we get everyone settled in the common now. Darkness will soon be upon us.” ******************** Elrond and Haldir strolled quietly down to Elrond’s chambers after dinner. The halls were deserted and quiet enough to hear their light footsteps. Many had retired early, and those who had not still lingered in the dining hall. Haldir was pensive as Elrond opened the large doors and waited for him to step inside. Once inside, Elrond closed the doors and pulled him into a firm embrace. “I regret that I have made you feel less than you deserve, *nin bain*[my beauty].” I swear to you that is *not*the case, no matter what you may think. I care for you far more than you know, and that is why I do what I must do. You are worthy of love Haldir. You are worthy of a love that blinds you with happiness, and I know that I am not the one who will be that for you. I want you to be free to be available to it when it comes. But know this; you will *always* have a place in my heart. And when that glorious day *does * arrive, you *will* understand what I have done. As for the other matter you spoke of, it is best to try and put it past you. I am certain that rejection is not something that you have experienced often, if at all- and I know that it is painful; no matter how strong you are. But it matters not; for whomever he was- he also is not your light. Now come; let us undress and go to bed.” Haldir followed him over to the large bed in the centre of the ornately decorated room. He undressed quietly, and watched Elrond curiously as he did the same. When they both climbed in bed under the cool crisp sheets, Elrond quickly gathered Haldir in his arms and held him close to his breast, gently caressing his silky fair hair even as he felt the slightly ticklish sensation of silent silver tears streaming down his chest.