Title: Tortuous Paths (3/?) Author: Haz Author email: hazandcas@yahoo.com Rating: PG-13 for this part Genre/ Warning: slash, incest, hurt/comfort, angst, romance, (possibly NCS and torture later on, not all at the same time of course. Still anyone here ? Pairings: Legolas/Haldir (overall), Haldir/Orophin in this part. Summary: very difficult to provide a summary, as I plan to write a very long story and might change the course of events according to the wishes and suggestions of the readers. (So you decide !). At the beginning, the story is set in Lorien. Haldir returns home after some mysterious events kept him away for quite a long time. Disclaimer: Much as I hate to admit it, none of these gorgeous characters are mine. Not even sexy Haldir. They are creations of J.R.R. Tolkien and/or Peter Jackson. Don't sue, no money made ! Authors Note : this is my first LOTR fic AND slash fic. Also I am not a native speaker. If you don't run away from your computer at the horror, I hope you'll enjoy the story. Any comments and suggestions will be more than welcome (I don't really feel like asking my family their opinion on my work…). Originally written for the Haldir-Lives challenge. Beta-ed by Tessy: Thanks! Chapter 3 : Year 2968 of the Third Age. Lorien Haldir slid his sword into the sheath he had fastened on the leather belt around his waist. As he bent down to pick up his bow, he heard two familiar voices calling his name from beneath the tree. Haldir's smile broadened as he lowered the ladder. In a matter of seconds, Rúmil and Orophin stood in front of him with merry and excited looks on their faces. The three of them linked hands and remained silent for a while, merely enjoying the presence of the others. With a twinkle in his eyes that only Haldir could notice, Orophin was the first to speak. "So it seems there was no need to come and wake you up, brother!.." Haldir chuckled, thinking about where his mind had been only moments ago. Instead of teasing him, Orophin would surely be blushing right now if he knew how close the reasonable elder brother had been to purposely oversleep in order to have the younger one wake him up! Haldir pouted innocently before answering. "Indeed, no… I could barely wait to join you down there and show you who the master is!" He was rewarded for his bold comment by two simultaneous punches on the chest as his "most offended" brothers retaliated. An unexpected feeling of tenderness suddenly filled Haldir's heart, and Rúmil and Orophin were bewildered when instead of joining in the mock fight, Haldir encircled their shoulders and pulled them into his arms. "I love you both so much" he whispered, hugging them tight to his chest. Following Rúmil, Haldir entered the archery practice field where all the Lorien guards who were not on duty would soon gather. They had parted with Orophin only minutes before, after his captain summoned him to replace another warrior who had been wounded after an unpleasant encounter with starving wargs. Orophin had quickly clasped his brothers' hands, wishing them good luck before hurriedly leaving to join his detachment. Haldir and Rúmil were somewhat disappointed that the three of them would not spend this special day together. Haldir felt slightly nervous. The situation he found himself in was quite unsettling. Of course, he knew he had nothing to prove, and that his companions – his friends, for the most part – would never do or say anything to make him uneasy. There was a little problem however. Being back after some time away for official purposes was one thing. Being back from the Halls of Mandos – or from whatever inferno people thought Haldir and Legolas had disappeared in – was another. Sensing Haldir's nervousness, Rúmil looked at his brother and started speaking matter-of-factly, laying his engraved bow against the trunk of an old birch tree. "Yesterday afternoon I had a very interesting conversation with Tulcandil, you know…" " Eruntalon's brother? About what?" "About you Haldir." "Surely you could have chosen a more interesting topic…" "No Haldir, I'm serious! I told him you would join us today and he asked me for what …" Haldir was puzzled. A smile crept over Rúmil's lips . "He told me he did not understand why you would join us for the training… he said you would still outdo every single archer in Lorien AND Mirkwood even if you spent a century without touching a bow…" Haldir slightly blushed – something he seldom did. Rúmil looked him in the eyes. "Haldir, for all of us you ARE the March Warden… I trust you with my very life…" "And I would gladly give mine to save yours, pen-neth. Still I need to prove them that I haven't lost all the abilities they praise me for…" Rúmil's light green gaze became more intense, as if wanting to reach his brother's soul with his words. "No, Haldir. You need to prove it to yourself…" Reading other people's hearts had never been one of Rúmil's most outstanding talents. Yet he could have bet everything he owned that his brother was still struggling to come to terms with what had happened the winter before. He was sure he blamed himself for it, and for what had come of it alike. All Rúmil knew about the dreadful circumstances of Haldir and Legolas' abduction came partly from what Galadriel's mirror had revealed, and partly from what the messenger who had brought the news of their reappearance had witnessed in Imladris. All in all, this amounted to nothing : Haldir and Legolas had been attacked and kidnapped while they were patrolling together, and they had somehow managed to escape and get back to Elrond's city alive, although a mysterious disease was seriously endangering Legolas's life. What had happened in the meantime, nobody had a clue about it, except perhaps Lord Elrond himself. Whenever Galadriel had tried to find out where the two friends had been taken, her mirror had not yielded any image, the water remaining completely clear. The Lady had come to the conclusion that some dark magical forces were at work, refusing to acknowledge what most people thought : that they were dead. Rúmil did not know much about the current state of the Prince of Mirkwood either. He had not found the occasion – or perhaps he had not worked up the courage- to ask Haldir about it. He was sure, however, that something had occurred between Legolas and his brother, for Haldir to leave the prince's side and come back to Lorien alone. Rúmil, together with Orophin, Elladan and Elrohir – and perhaps Galadriel - were the only Elves aware of Haldir's true feelings for Legolas. The Prince himself had no idea that Haldir's friendship had long turned into something stronger and much deeper. Rúmil knew as well that in case something terrible happened to Legolas as a consequence of Haldir's supposed failure to protect him, the proud Galadhrim would spend the rest of his life blaming himself for it. "Perhaps I should try to speak with him when we are alone tonight…" Rúmil thought. Almost unwillingly, Haldir was scrutinizing his brother's face, knowing perfectly which thoughts were currently running through his mind, and dreading the fact that he would soon have to speak to Rúmil. To Orophin as well. And to the twins, who cared so much for him. They all deserved an explanation. As much as he wished to postpone this moment Haldir would have to do it one day or the other. So perhaps the best option was to get it over with very soon, – and never to speak of it again. Haldir had no doubt his brothers would understand. This was not a problem. But because of their love for him he feared that giving them all the details would drive them mad with anger, and that they might plan some foolish expedition in order to avenge their brother and friend. Perhaps he should give them a watered-down version of the events… Vengeance was his and his alone, and the right moment would come when… Haldir suddenly noticed a radical change on Rúmil's face. His brother was now looking over Haldir's shoulder with sparkling eyes, and his brooding expression had melted into a radiant smile. Haldir had no need to turn around to know what this could mean, but he nevertheless did, preparing himself to give his friend Elrohir the warmest greeting. Had not it been for Rúmil's reaction, Haldir could not have told whether the raven-haired Elf who was striding towards them with a bright smile on his face was Elladan or Elrohir. In fact, he could only tell them apart eyes - while Elrohir's were brown - and he was wilder, more outgoing than his minutes younger twin, who had always been the calmer and more thoughtful of the two. Yet, what a pair of fiery warriors they were, sharing the same determination and courage in battle. Haldir remembered the first time he had seen them : the day after he and Orophin had made peace in Imladris, during the morning meal. They were sitting on each side of their father, and the Lorien Elf perfectly remembered the curious looks he and his newfound lover had exchanged when seeing such mirrored perfection. Over the following centuries and even though they were more than 2000 years apart, the twin stars of Imladris had befriended the silver-haired brothers, who had shared Elladan and Elrohir's grief when the news of Celebrian's agony had reached the Golden Wood. Now each time their frequent raids led them to Caradhras and Moria, or when Arwen decided to spend sometime in Caras Galadhon, the twins never failed to stop for a while in Lorien, always happy to spend some time with Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil. Especially Rúmil, as far as Elrohir was concerned… "My friend…" Elrohir was now hugging Haldir, looking over his shoulder to give a silent nod to Rúmil, who merely smiled, the love shining in his eyes mirrored into the Peredhil's. Eager as he was to join his brothers, Rúmil had left his talan before dawn, disentangling himself from Elrohir's sleeping form and placing a quick kiss on the dark- haired Elf's forehead. Now that his lover stood in front of him, Rúmil felt the urge to make up for sneaking out earlier, but he would not do so in public. Not when Haldir was grieving. And certainly not in front of the other Galadhrims who were now entering the clearing. It was a joyful reunion. Softly spoken words. Haldir was back. The March Warden was back. The sun was shining bright. Rustling leaves in the cool morning breeze. Smiles. Peacefulness. Almost… Steadying his bow, Haldir caught his breath and let the silver-tipped arrow fly through the afternoon air. The target shook when it was hit square in the eye for the umpteenth time. Repeatedly drawing arrows from his now almost empty quiver, Haldir shot again, slitting the previous shaft. And again. His arm was almost numb, but his heart and body were swelling with anger, and the far away mark was the perfect outlet. The world around him ceased to exist. He was alone. Only him and his demons. Haldir started walking, shooting relentlessly. Closer. At point blank range. Unaware of the worried looks of his friends, whose attention had been drawn to the Galadhrim's uncanny behavior, Haldir let his bow fall to the ground, staring at the mark. His vision blurred. He was no longer in the clearing. Dark, cruel eyes were staring at him. A contemptuous smile. Deceptively fair features. A wail. Someone was in pain... Legolas was in pain… He had to help Legolas! But he could not… could he? With a howl of rage, Haldir grabbed the pommel of his sword and unsheathed it. A strong hand grabbed Rúmil's wrist as he was about to dart across the clearing. Startled, he looked at Elrohir. The dark-haired Elf shook his head, a grave look on his face. "Let it be, melethron-nin…". Elrohir strengthened his grip as Rúmil watched his brother tear the mark into pieces with his sword until it was reduced to a mere heap of straw and broken arrows. Only then did he release his lover's arm. Rúmil stood still, not knowing what would happen next. Haldir sank to the ground, kneeling in front of the shattered pieces of the target. The sword fell on his side. He grasped a handful of straw and stared blankly, barely noticing the anger subside and eventually leave his body. He opened his hand. Wisps of straw were swept away by a sudden blast of wind like golden strands of hair. Lost forever… Then Haldir began to cry. Burning tears rolled down his cheeks. Strong arms encircled him. He did not feel them. Comforting whispers. He did not hear them. He sobbed during what seemed an eternity. Then, little by little, raw pain left his heart and relief crept over him. He blinked twice and focused on the concerned faces on each side of him. Rúmil and Elrohir. His beloved brother and his true friend. He was ready. Haldir got up from his knees and straightened his cloak. "I would like to talk to you in private". A steady voice. Rúmil and Elrohir nodded. The three of them left the practice field after Rúmil made sure Tulcandil would go and fetch Orophin and Elladan on the borders. This was going to be a long evening.