Title: The Bridge We Cross
Series: Something Special, Something Sacred
Author: Orchyd Constyne
Contact: orchydconstyne@hithanaur.net
Website: http://www.hithanaur.net/
Update List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nairn_orchyd/
Fandom: LOTR
Disclaimer: I do not own LotR or any characters, lands, or items from
the Tolkien world.  They belong to their respective copyright holders.
Archive: LoM, OEAM, AFF.net, Melethryn
Rating: PG-13
Beta: Alex
Cast: Celeborn/Haldir
Summary: Haldir and Celeborn deepen their relationship.

Author Note 1: This story is not technically part of Something
Special, Something Sacred.  However, it is part of that timeline, and
fits into the story during the time that Erestor was in Lothlorien.

Author Note 2: The collaring ceremony depicted here is an adaptation
of similar ceremonies taken from several sources.  In other words,
this is not a purely fictitious event.  A collaring is a very sacred
ceremony between BDSM Dominants and submissives, analogous to a
marriage ceremony.  Those of you following Something Special,
Something Sacred will note that Erestor and Glorfindel had no such
ceremony.  This was intentional.  Haldir and Celeborn are making a
lasting commitment of a level for which Erestor and Glorfindel are not
yet prepared.

---

It was a custom as ancient as the Elves.

All around the massive glen, bonfires had been lit.  Their golden
light illuminated the clearing and all who stood in it.  The Elves of
the Golden Wood had strewn lanterns among the circling trees and
candles rested on rough rocks, the small flames and colorful paper
dancing in the gentle breeze.  Elven figures sat in a large circle
around the perimeter of the clearing, several beating drums in a deep,
pulsing rhythm. 

The scene was one of barbaric simplicity: She-Elves dressed in long
tunics with arms bared, gems and metal sparkling around their arms, in
their ears and woven in their long, shimmering hair; the males wore
nothing but loose trousers, their bare chests and backs painted in
dark shades, words of incantation and blessing lovingly placed on
their pale skin.  Eyes glittered in the firelight; the young and old,
male and female, warrior and maiden had come to witness this ceremony.

In the center of the glen, wearing the same long tunic the other women
about her wore, was Galadriel, the Lady of the Wood.  Her hair was
adorned in emeralds and sapphires, her eyes lined in soot, and her
skin glowing with a golden hue.  The Lady's cobalt eyes swept the
clearing, a smile on her pink-painted lips.  Tonight was special, was
dear to her heart, and that heart raced in her breast as she inhaled
the scent of oak and straw, fragrant earth and cool winds.  Winter had
come, and with it, the Feast.

This Feast was special, though, and Galadriel waited for the guest of
honor to approach.  Her breath caught in her throat as Haldir entered
the clearing from the dark woods, flanked by his brothers.  She had
helped to raise the three Elves, had seen them grow from awkward
children into glorious warriors.

Haldir stood tall, taller than his siblings.  His hair was plaited in
elaborately and pinned up, adorned with icy blue flowers and clear
amethysts.  The Elf was dressed as the other males, in nothing but
loose cream trousers, but his torso held no inscriptions.  A jewel
glittered in his navel and his nipples were pierced through with
rings, which were joined by a slender mithril chain.  Galadriel
remembered the night the warrior had been given the jewelry by the
King of Mirkwood himself, an honor Haldir never forgot.  No paint
adorned his face, but he shimmered in the firelight, having been
dusted by his brothers with pearl powder.  His feet were bare,
stepping lightly over the cool winter ground.

Rumil carried with him a length of leather, his body decorated with
the symbols of loyalty and love.  Orophin, though he appeared to carry
nothing, wore inscriptions of honor and obedience.  When they reached
the Lady, they each bowed and stood, silent, looking into the darkness
about the clearing.

The drums still sounded, a tireless, savage sound that made Haldir's
blood pound in his body.  Another gentle breeze kissed his body, and
chilled his flesh as winter kissed him, gave her blessing.  His clear
eyes reflected the orange light about him and his cheek were reddened
with a flush of anticipation.

A bell chimed, crisp and clean through the night air, and Haldir's
head snapped in the direction of the noise.  On the opposite side of
the clearing, Celeborn emerged, Elrond and Erestor with him.  The
silver-haired Elf-lord was radiant in his clothing.  He was the only
male in the circle of fire to be fully dressed, his clothing silver
and green, and his hair free flowing, swirling in the wind and his
brow was wrapped in a simple silver circlet reflecting his office. 
Celeborn's tunic was open from the neck to navel, revealing flawless
skin untouched by ink or jewelry and his long, muscled legs were clad
in soft, dark green leather that clung to his shape.  His hair held no
sparkle or addition and his hands were also free of metal.  The
Sinda's feet were covered, and his long tunic fluttered as he walked. 
His eyes were focused, never leaving Haldir, as he crossed the
distance with his attendants.

Haldir had been surprised to see the Imladrian Elf-lords walk behind
his Lord, but he quickly realized it made perfect sense.  Elrond had
taught Erestor all he knew, and Erestor had trained Haldir before
Celeborn took him as his.  Haldir calmed his breathing; the flames
leaped behind his Lord and his attendants, haloing them in an orange
light.  They looked like dark, fell creatures from a time long
forgotten by the Elves, celebrating a custom thought to be dead in
these more enlightened times.

When the two Elves stood before Galadriel, several feet apart, the
drumming abruptly ceased, plummeting the wood into an unnatural
silence.  The crackling of the bonfires was all that could be heard as
Elf-lord and warrior stared intently at each other.  From an unknown
location, a bell chimed a second time and the spell was broken.  Rumil
handed Haldir the strap of leather and Orophin placed a small, bundled
cloth in his brother's other hand.  They then moved from behind
Haldir, taking five large steps back and sitting on the hard earth.

Haldir slowly walked to where Celeborn, Elrond and Erestor stood,
stopping before the two dark Lords as if considering them for a
moment.  As he came before Celeborn, though, he bowed his head and
held up the length of leather.  The Elf's voice was clear and strong,
and his hands remained steady as the strap hung suspended between
them.  "I offer this leash to you, my Lord, so that you may guide and
protect me through this life.  My wish is to be owned by you from this
night forth, yours in love and submission."

Celeborn's lips curved into a small smile as he accepted the leash. 
His words were spoken gently, and the love he felt for this warrior
was evident for all who gathered.  His tone was rich and warm,
reminding Haldir of honey fresh from the comb.  "I accept this leash
as a symbol of the offering of yourself into my care and teaching. 
You belong to me in love and submission, and I to you in love and
ownership.  I promise from this night forth to do all that is in my
power to honor and protect you on this path we shall trod together,
and safely guiding you on that path."  The Elf-lord took a slender
mithril collar from Elrond.  The circle of metal was elegantly etched,
depicting a scene of a hunter capturing a wild stallion, and on the
inside, written in flowing Tengwar, was the story of mastery over the
untamed beast.  "Will you kneel before me, Haldir, and accept this
symbol of my ownership to wear as sign to us and to those we may meet
upon our path?" Celeborn asked, his voice still tender.

This would be the last time Celeborn would ever have to ask Haldir to
kneel, and as the Silvan Elf fell gracefully to his knees, he knew he
would never regret his decision.  He wanted to be owned by the
Elf-lord, as it was a great honor.  Haldir kept his head raised, but
his eyes were intent on the dull leather that surrounded Celeborn's
feet, and his hands rested palms down on his thighs.  His throat felt
dry as he recited the words of the ceremony.  Though he had practiced
with his brothers and with Erestor, there was finality to this
ceremony.  "I kneel for you as a sign of my submission and acceptance
of the symbol of your ownership. I will wear it proudly for all of my
days, Sir."

Celeborn leaned down and fastened the collar around Haldir's throat. 
The click of the latch resounded in Haldir's ears; the slim piece of
metal seem to burn cold against his hot skin.  "You now belong to me,"
Celeborn said, his voice thick and deep; Haldir felt a deep sense of
peace at his belonging to the Elf-lord.  He was certain his Lord could
sense the arousal Haldir felt, knew how his presence and touch
affected the warrior.

"I now belong to you," Haldir said softly, smiling as he spoke.  His
eyes filled with tears as he spoke the one word to Celeborn he had not
been permitted to say until this moment.  "Master."

Galadriel came to Celeborn's side and handed Haldir a long piece of
parchment while Rumil came to stand beside Haldir's kneeling form
bearing the same type of paper.  The Noldo handed Haldir Celeborn's
contract, what the Elf-lord wanted and expected of Haldir so long as
the warrior was in his service.  Rumil gave Celeborn the contract
Haldir had drafted of his own wants and expectations, his limits and
his needs.  They each spent silent minutes reading each other's
secrets, smiles spreading on their lips as they completed the reading.

Celeborn took a quill from Erestor and signed the bottom of Haldir's
contract, and offered Haldir the quill.  With an unsteady hand, Haldir
signed his Lord's contract before returning the quill to Erestor. 
Elrond signed the parchment Celeborn held, showing he was witness to
the ceremony and Orophin signed Haldir's.  They both then handed the
contracts to Galadriel who took them and stepped back, allowing Master
and slave to complete the ceremony.

"I accept your desire to serve me and the secrets of your heart
written on this paper. I will honor your limits and needs," Celeborn
said.  He fingered the leash lovingly as he continued to speak.  "I
will forever put your best interests foremost in my dominance over
you. You belong to me, thus you are now a part of my body and soul.
Your happiness, health and well-being are in my care and I will
thoughtfully tend to them because you are a part of me and my
destiny."

Haldir swallowed his tears, though one slipped down his cheek.  His
chest was so tight and full of happiness and a sense of completeness
that he feared he would not be able to finish the ceremony.  He took a
deep breath and forced himself to speak.  "I accept the conditions of
my service and respect the secrets of your heart written on this
paper. I will honor and love you as I serve you to the best of my
ability. I will open my heart, body and mind to your will, trusting
that you have my best interests in your heart. My submission to you
will be a gift freely given and shall never become a burden that I
must bear."  He faltered in his words, another tear falling down his
cheek.  "I am now a part of you and will respect you and your
dominance over me as our lives and destinies have become one," Haldir
managed to finished before his voice left him.

Celeborn attached the clip of the leash to Haldir's collar, and Haldir
leaned forward, pressing his lips to Celeborn's foot.  He remained
bent, his lips trembling against his Master's boot, until Celeborn
gave a gentle tug to the leash.  "Lift your head," Celeborn commanded,
though his voice was still tender.  Celeborn dipped down when Haldir
raised his head, kissing him sweetly before the assembled Elves. 

Haldir realized then that his Lord had also shed tears that night, for
Celeborn's lips tasted of salt.  Celeborn stood back up, his eyes
riveted on Haldir's upturned, damp face.  "Stand."  Haldir stood and
bells chimed all around, as signaling to all the bond formed in that
moment.  Haldir had offered himself -- heart, body and soul -- and
Celeborn had accepted him with open arms.

The Sinda swept Haldir into a heart-felt embrace, chuckling as
applause roared about them and Galadriel wiped tears from her eyes. 
Haldir sniffled and wiped his eyes, laughing when Celeborn let go.  "I
have a token for you, Master," Haldir said softly, his voice almost
drown in the cheering.  Haldir unwrapped the small cloth bundle,
revealing a band of silver and gold.  "King Thranduil offered this to
me when we spoke of tokens," Haldir said.  "The silver is to represent
the great realm of Doriath, long lost to the sea, and the gold
signifies the Golden Wood you cherish so."

Celeborn took the proffered ring, his eyes glistening in the
firelight.  "Haldir," the Elf-lord breathed, turning the ring over in
his fingers.  "It is breath-taking.  I will wear it with honor,"
Celeborn said, slipping the ring onto his left index finger, and
stared at it against his skin.  "Thank you."  He turned to Erestor,
who held out a small bundle of cloth as well.  "I also have a token
for you to wear when the collar is not appropriate, to always remind
you of our special bond."

Nestled in the bed of cloth was a band for Haldir's wrist.  The metal
band was engraved with mellryn leaves and a small inscription.  Haldir
lifted it and tilted it in the firelight, reading the beautiful
Tengwar letters.  /We are one./  The younger Elf smiled and wiped at
his eyes again.  "You shall have me crying all night," he whispered as
Celeborn took the piece of jewelry from his hand and fastened it
around Haldir's wrist.  "Thank you, Master."

Celeborn and Haldir smiled at one another again before they to face
the Elves circling them.  Galadriel's voice rang over the glen as she
presented the bonded couple to the gathering.  "Galadhrim and guests,
I would like to present Lord Celeborn of the Golden Wood and his
Haldir!"  She moved aside so that the two Elves could turn and face
the other end of the clearing.  The Elves around the glen clapped and
called their approval of the beaming couple. 

Haldir's tears ran unchecked down his cheeks; he was Celeborn's
Haldir.  Of all the Elves in Arda, Celeborn had chosen *him*.  The
Lórien Lord had never collared an Elf before, had never taken a
permanent submissive, and Haldir's chest swelled with the joy with the
pride of being collared by the great Elf-lord.  Celeborn turned Haldir
to him, unclipping the leash and placing it in his tunic pocket.  "I
love you," the Sinda whispered, leaning in his kiss Haldir sweetly as
Galadriel motioned for the gathered Elves stand.

"I rind 'wedhel!" she called, and the deep drumming began again,
accompanied by flutes and stringed instruments. (the binding circle)

The Elves not playing music took hands, forming circles about the
couple.  Galadriel, Elrond and Erestor each headed a circle, laughing
and dancing the complicated waltz, the music filling the night that
marked the passing of one year and the beginning of another.  The
circles of Elves began to weave, making an intricate knot pattern, and
in the center of the knot stood the two kissing Elves, oblivious to
the festivities about them.

End of "The Bridge We Cross"