Archive of Our Own

There weren't many occasions Haldir had been impatient, or even nervous.

He had been nervous when Rúmil held his first bow and nearly shot Orophin in the leg with it, which would end up on his account, since he was the one to take care of them.

He had been impatient when Orophin dropped the sword the fifth time in a row because he simply got distracted, not because he lacked the skill.

He had been nervous when it was him and his brothers who got chosen as the Marchwardens of Lothlórien. He had been so proud, but also nervous.

These were all times he had been nervous or impatient but this time, this time was different.

He sat on a higher branch of the tree, just enough so he could spot the ground and the path that snaked itself through the woods. The only riding path to the heart of Lothlórien.

He could hear his brothers ghosting through the trees somewhere abroad, their usual patrol route. He would have joined them, if he wasn't supposed to greet the new guests from Rivendell. Something he might or might not have volunteered for.

He did not know if the Lord and Lady had suspected something, but eventually they all decided it should be Haldir who got to greet their guests and guard them for the rest of the way, and especially to take care of their guest for the week he was staying.

He pulled the hood over his head at a heavy gust of wind which made the leaves and twigs rustle and carried the sound of distant hooves on the forest ground.

It got colder, he thought. Fall was approaching and though it wouldn't get as cold as in the mountains, the change of seasons was noticeable. Especially during the nights or when the wind freshened up like it did now.

The nervousness made his heart pound a bit faster, quite embarrassingly fast and Haldir was relieved that his brothers weren't here. He was sure they would pick up rather sooner than later anyway that he wasn't only here for caring for a normal guest.

Not that Lindir was a normal guest in particular. They didn't have any visitors from Rivendell for quite a while, except for the normal messengers Lord Elrond sent whenever there was the need for.

But this was not a simple carrying of a message, this was Lindir visiting /him/. He was not sure if either the Lady Galadriel or Lord Elrond had already picked up on what was going on here, but when Lord Elrond had a message to carry, Lindir was the first to volunteer.

His first visit and Haldir intended to make it as good as possible, though a visit in summer would probably have been better.

But who cared anyway, for they would finally have time together? And not just a day, no, a whole week he was allowed to stay.

The sound of hooves got louder and by now he could pick up occasional conversation parts of two elves.

Haldir sat up, staring down at the path below him again, hand close to the bow. He recognized Lindirs voice at some point and relaxed, knowing it were truly his expected visitors and not some unwanted intrudors. He climbed onto one of the lower branches without haste.

It was probably a mistake to wait until they were close enough to drop himself gracefully from the last branch onto the ground, hood still covering most of his face. Lindir let out a sound of surprise, which Haldir would claim to be as most adorable, still years later, and unfortunately pulled on the reigns a little too hasty, surprising the horse even more than it was already by the elf dropping from the trees and letting it break out to the side.

Haldir quickly reached for the reigns, muttering a few calming words before it could actually start running off into the woods and Lindir managed to catch his balance once the horse became calmer again.

Quickly he pushed off the hood, glancing up at Lindir with the most apologizing face he could produce, while trying not to grin. Oh, he tried so hard.

It never failed, the dropping from the trees. His mouth dared to twitch into a grin for a brief second before it got replaced by a rather worried face.

"I apologize. I did not mean to scare neither you nor the horse."

And as much as he was amused, his words were spoken with honesty and he truly did not mean to scare Lindir or get him into danger.

Lindir clutched his chest, glaring at the Marchwarden, though he was not sure what shocked him more, the sudden appearance of the elf or the way his horse nearly went off into the woods with him. His companion seemed equally offended, if not as scared as Lindir. It was probably not his first time of dealing with the elves of Lórien.

"I almost did not recognize you.", Lindir accused him and his ears got this most adorable tint of red whenever he was too embarrassed. And embarrassed he was, for nearly falling from his horse by Haldir suddenly appearing and he was also even more embarrassed at the way his ears heated up.

If no one suspected anything until now, surely they would get ideas from this. Especially the elf accompanying him. He was only there for Lindirs safety purpose, a request of Lord Elrond before letting him go. And yet he was not supposed to know about Lindirs real reason to visit Lothlórien.

"I am sorry.", Haldir apologized again, before letting go of the horse and gesturing them to follow him. "You're almost there."

Lindir let out a noticeable relieved sigh. He wanted to go for a walk with Haldir, but currently his thighs and legs felt like he was going absolutely nowhere for the next few days. He was not made for such long journeys, he couldn't even remember the last time he actually had been so far away from Rivendell.

They followed Haldir deeper into the forest, the path forcing them to ride behind each other to follow the Marchwarden instead of staying besides him.

"We have almost reached the stables. The rest we must walk.", he informed their guests, glancing up at Lindir for a brief moment. "Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn are already awaiting you and the message you may bring from Lord Elrond."

Lindir nodded, simply being relieved that their journey came to an end.

The Marchwarden lead them to the stables, holding Lindirs horse while he got off. Just to make sure that there were no other...incidents.

Their hands briefly touched on the reigns, unseen from the other elf. They even managed to keep their gaze from each other, waiting so very patiently for when they finally would be alone.

Haldir lead them to the heart of Lothlórien, holding meaningless conversation about their journey, about how things were going in Rivendell.

If someone would ask, and in someone he meant his brothers, what the message was and what the Lady and the Lord talked with their high visitors from Rivendell, Haldir could not recreate a word. He knew it could not be /that/ important and urgent and he still could ask Lindir later for it.

But honestly he did not care at all, his gaze alone rested on Lindir and on their surroundings, he listened to the trees, making sure no unwanted ears were spying on them, hands never too far away from bow and sword.

The elf which had accompanied them quickly excused themselves after they were greeted, for he was visiting a friend as well as it seemed. His care was taken over by said friend, so Lindir was left with the Marchwarden.

Once again Haldir lead him away to show him off his room, but firstly, he lead him away from everyone's eyes.

"Where are we going?", Lindir asked after a moment, when he realized that in this way there was definitely no bed or anything close, in fact, there was nothing but trees. He tried watching his own step as he was following Haldir, for he did not want to fall. 

Haldir quickly took a glance left and right and especially above them, before pulling Lindir behind a big tree, surrounded by bushes and smaller trees.

"There.", he grinned and stole a small kiss, hands coming up to cup Lindirs cheeks.

"Just greeting our guest.", he muttered quietly against his lips.

"I hope you are not greeting every guest like that.", Lindir replied with a sudden dry throat, his right hand reaching up for Haldirs hand.

"Only the very beautiful ones.", Haldir teased, earning himself a little slap on the shoulder.

"What if someone sees us —", he reminded the Marchwarden, trying half hearted to free himself. Because if Haldir kept flattering him like that, his ears might start turning into fire.

"Nobody's here.", Haldir reassured him quietly, thumbs gently caressing over his sharp cheekbones. "I would know."

Another chaste kiss was shared, Lindir nearly melting into the soft touches. Leaning their foreheads together, they stayed there for a long moment, only their breath disturbing the silence between them.

"I have missed you.", the Marchwarden sighed quietly, breaking their physical contact so he could look at him.

"The journey was a lot more bearable to think what my reward for it was.", Lindir returned and reached up to caress over Haldirs cheek. Ah well. Now he blushed anyway. He could feel the warmth spreading from his cheeks to his ears, gaze falling to the ground.

Haldir gently guided his face up with a hand under his chin, stealing another kiss.

"Come. You need rest."

Haldir took the dark haired elfs hand and guided him back on the path they had been on before. They only let go when the possibility of being discovered was too high.

Lindir might or might not have clung to the railing of the stairs they walked up, taking them higher to the crown of the tree. Haldir decided to go behind him — just in case.

One time Lindir almost slipped, but Haldir caught him with a tight grip to his hips, before Lindir had even the chance to notice that he nearly fell.

"Got you.", he whispered quietly, just inches away from Lindirs ear, before nudging him carefully forward. "Come. We are almost there."

Without another incident they managed to reach the broad platform, Lindir trying not to be all too visible relieved.

"You get used to it.", Haldir promised him and finally pulled him into the shelter they had prepared for their guest.

Once inside, he nearly forgot the height he was currently in. It was surprisingly warm inside, a few lanterns illuminating the room in a soft, equally warm light. The bed was inviting with soft pillows and even two blankets.

"So you won't freeze tonight. I was not sure if you would, so some precautions had been taken."

Haldir offered him another gentle smile and wrapped an arm around his hips so he could pull him easily close to steal another kiss from Lindirs lips.

"You should rest. I will be back later, the Lady and Lord will wait for you to join dinner. Only the best for our guests from Imaldris."

Lindir leaned into the touch, the ache of the journey and the day nearly falling completely from him as he melted into the kiss.

He wanted to object, but a yawn interrupted him. Perhaps resting wasn't such a bad idea after all.

"Maybe a few hours won't hurt.", he decided and was a bit insure of what to do. To kiss him goodbye? To hug him? There were so many possibilities now that they were finally together, so that Lindir had no idea anymore what would be fitting.

Haldir chose for them, giving him a quick, but soft kiss onto the cheek.

"Rest well, meleth nîn.", he murmured so quietly into his ear, to make sure that no one else could hear, even if they chose to eavedrop.

Lindir squeezed the others hand, smiling a bit to himself for a long moment when he was alone.

Soon he found himself in the mass of pillows and blankets and somewhere an elf was quietly singing and he was gone within moments.

—

Haldir decided to use the free time to join his brothers, not wanting to get them to be even more suspicious. They already were vary of him volunteering to take care of their guest, something he surely never did except if the Lady Galadriel asked them explicitly.

It didn't take long for him to find them, closing up on them on their patrol route.

Haldir faced soon an arrow from an overly enthusiastic Rúmil, Orophin quickly nudging the arrow out of the way so nobody got accidentally shot.

"If only you would face such enthusiasm in learning to take care of your arrows.", Haldir grumbled a little too fondly.

Rúmil quickly put the bow and arrow down, cheeks heating up at his older brothers words.

"My arrows are doing fine.", he replied and desperately searched for another topic to change the conversation. A triumphant grin spread over his face, when he finally remembered that a better topic was right in front of them. Orophin and he had already tried to guess what brought Haldir to take care of a guest they didn't know? And especially to do it without being assigned to do it.

"How is the guest from Rivendell acclimating to Lórien?"

Haldir moved forward, so he had something to do instead of facing his brothers, though they followed almost immediately. There were not many secrets the brothers had from each other, therefore as soon as one of them was trying to hide something, the others nearly smelled it.

"He is doing well.", Haldir decided to answer then, because not answering would spike their curiosity even more than it already was. "He's resting."

Silence fell over them for a moment, he could almost feel Rúmils breath in his neck. Orophin played to be less interested, but Haldir was sure, if he only breathed differently than usual, Oro would notice.

"We will join the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn later for dinner. They are expecting us to be there in honor of our high guest from Rivendell."

It seemed to work in his brothers heads, but apparently they couldn't place down exactly what was off.

"Is he even that important?", Rúmil asked while dangling his feet from the branch he was sitting on.

Haldir shot him a glare and if glares could push someone from a tree, well. Rúmil would have found out.

"He is.", Haldir only replied sternly to end this conversation and moved on to another tree.

His brothers stayed behind for a few moments to share a knowing look. They believed this dinner would turn out quite interesting and enlightening.

—

"I will leave to get him. Don't be too late.", Haldir let his brothers know, almost half out of the door. They had bathed after the end of their patrol and Orophin was currently braiding Rúmils hair.

"Because he can't walk alone? Or because Lothlórien is so full of evil spirits that would steal him from the trees?", Oro asked and raised his eyebrow.

"Because he is a honored guest and he is not used to living on trees, of course we have to make sure he arrives safely. Would you like to tell Lord Elrond that the one taking care of Imladris paper work and everything that belongs to it, fell from a tree?", Haldir replied sharply. Some might have got thrown off by the tone of his voice, but his brothers knew he would only go this far with them.

But they also knew when it was best not to keep bugging. For now.

"Alright, alright." Orophin held up the comb in defeatment before turning his attention to the braid in Rúmils hair.

It seemed they had to wait for the dinner after all. They could wait.

Haldir left rather quickly, before he would betray himself and tell them everything they are not supposed to know.

Soon enough he climbed the tree Lindir was sleeping in, or rather – had been sleeping.

Lindir felt rested, though his legs and arms were still a bit sore. Putting on his best robes, he was a bit helpless about the mess of hair. It was knotted from the journey and sleep hadn't improved the situation at all.

He should have combed it before. But for such thoughts it was way too late now, so he sat on the bed with a heavy sigh as he started to comb out the first knots.

Lindir had barely started when someone knocked at the door, his face lightening up when it opened and Haldir appeared.

"Haldir.", he greeted him with a smile, before realizing what a sight he must make. The comb itself half lost in the mess of dark hair.

"Lindir. I wanted to walk you to dinner. Allow me.", Haldir asked and held out his hand for the comb. He was a specialist for knotted messy hair. He couldn't count the times anymore his brothers had gotten himself into worse hair messes.

Lindirs cheeks unfortunately heated up again, but he willingly gave Haldir his comb. In the end he didn't want to be too late for the dinner with the Lady.

Haldir sat down with him, starting methodically to comb out the knots. "However you managed that.", he said with an amused tone in his voice, face concentrated on the dark hair.

He let out a satisfied hum when the hair fell over Lindirs shoulders again like a dark waterfall or like the rich, dark wood of some trees in Lothlórien.

"There.", he said softly and pressed a soft kiss onto the top of his hair, which earned him a sweet smile from the minstrel. "All good."

Silence fell between them, seemingly unspoken words hanging between them.

"Do you — do you want me to braid it? Would you allow me?", Haldir asked quietly then, wondering, hoping this wasn't too much forward after all.

Combing the others hair was one thing, but allowing someone else besides family to braid the hair? Clearly another thing.

And Haldir did not wish to make Lindir in any way uncomfortable, in case he was moving too fast too much forward.

Haldir almost couldn't believe he really asked that, feeling his own cheeks heat up — and worse, the tips of his ears.

"Only if you want to.", he added after a moment, making Lindir turn his head to look at him. A strand of hair fell into his face, a small smile and equally flushed ear tips making Haldirs heart flutter.

"I think I would very much like that.", the elf of Imladris decided quietly, swallowing at his own decision. But it was made and it was meant with honesty. There was no other elf he wished more to have his hair braided by.

Haldir nodded and ran his fingers through the ebony hair, like the finest silk, he thought. Then he carefully weaved it into two beautiful braids, Lindir sitting completely still as not to ruin the work of the Marchwarden.

"So.", he said quietly when he was done, a brief kiss was pressed onto Lindirs cheek. They only had this few days, only this to give each other the affection and love they craved so much every time they were parted.

Then he reached for the circlet on the little table next to Lindirs bed and stood up to secure it into the previously braided hair.

"Now let us leave, before we arrive late.", Lindir decided as he got up, not without being bold enough to stole an own kiss from his Marchwarden.

"I do not wish to let the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn wait for my presence.", with those words he cleared his throat as if he could will down the blush on his cheeks with only his mind and then walked outside.

Just to stop on the edge again, gripping on the railing while he was staring into what seemed an endless amount of air until the ground.

"You should — not look down.", Haldir finished his sentence in defeatment when he found the poor elf standing there like Haldir just threw his favorite books down there.

"Come. We managed to get up here and you will get down safely again.", he said as he walked past him.

"Fine.", Lindir grumbled quietly, reluctantly letting go of the railing to follow Haldir down the tree.

If only not to end up late for real, because that would be way more embarrassing.

Haldir guided him to the dinner table, everything went way more smoothly than he expected. His brothers were polite and greeted their guest and for a moment Haldir was not sure if that were really his brothers.

He still didn't know why Lord Celeborn found it appropriate to invite his brothers, but in the end he could not know that Haldir was trying to hide something and probably only wanted the best for the trio.

The dinner was excellent, the wine even better and at some point Lindir was sharing everything new in Rivendell.

Haldir didn't realize he was staring at the way Lindir laughed at something the Lady Galadriel said, honestly he didn't even remember what she said.

His hand with some bread was raised midair and he thought about how rare it was to hear Lindir laugh like that. And how it shouldn't be that rare.

He woke up from his trance like state by a kick against his shin. He blinked and glanced over at his brothers, squinting his eyes as he tried to figure out on who it was.

Both brothers seemed to be extremely innocent, Rúmil shoving a spoonful of soup into his mouth. But he could swear, he could swear he saw them both trying to suppress a wide grin.

Haldir turned back to his food then, only to experience a kick to his shin a few minutes later again, when he was currently offering Lindir the bowl with the berries only Lothlórien held.

And well, yes, maybe he was gazing at Lindir way too soft, way too gentle for his usual hardened look.

When he looked up now, he met Rúmils eyes. His brother had stopped eating and by now a big grin spread over his face, raising his eyebrows in question.

Haldir almost unnoticeable shook his head, turning back to his food before he could say anything and to stop himself from blushing or whatever embarrassing reaction this could produce from him.

Haldir couldn't remember the last time he blushed so often like he did as soon as Lindir was around.

Perhaps they would have managed to get through this dinner without any incidents, if his brother could only behave like — like they were grown adult elves.

But of course they could not. Haldir would probably have been almost disappointed if they did, because seeing them keeping their childish humor was..delighting, as Lady Galadriel would put it. But it would have saved him so much trouble.

So much.

They reached dessert without any troubles though, Haldir explaining to their guest the mix of berries on top of the cake, some Lindir recognized from Rivendell, but some he'd never seen before.

Maybe they should have been more careful with their looks, but it was so hard to contain themselves, when they had been parted for so long and most likely would never have more than a few days every time they visited each other.

Haldir belonged to the trees, to Lothlórien and his brothers and Lindir belonged to Imladris, needed to help Lord Elrond to keep up the business.

There was no way they would expect the other to move, to leave behind their lives, but they wanted to cherish their time when it was possible. 

So maybe it was their fault or maybe it was not, when they shared a soft smile over the dessert plates.

This time it was Orophin who wanted to kick Haldirs shin to get his attention. Wanted. Unfortunately he couldn't simply look under the table and when he kicked, it was not Haldir looking up but Lindir.

The elf from Imladris let out a surprised sound and nearly dropping his fork, just as he was about to answer a question of Lord Celeborn.

Silence immediately fell over the table and Haldir was sure if elves could fade from embarrassment, he would.

Orophin looked like he was about to move to the Hobbits to live in a Hobbit hole forever. Or maybe at least to hide under the table for a thousand years at most.

Rúmil was not sure if he should laugh or cry and settled for a slightly panicked stare between his bigger brothers, Lindir and ending on the Lady and the Lord.

There was no way they wouldn't have noticed that something was going on under the table.

Galadriel had raised one of her fine eyebrows, tilting her head.

"Is there a problem?", she asked with her voice, way too melodic like always to tell any feelings she might have about this situation.

Was she possibly mad? Angry? Amused? Curious?

Haldir cleared his throat and glared at his brothers in his most stern way. Lindir decided to save the poor elflings from their misery.

He had taken care of Elrohir and Elladan enough times to know that the kick was not supposed to be for him.

Another mistake though was his hand resting on Haldirs arm, to reassure him, to calm him, he didn't know — it happened so naturally, by the time he realized what he had done, it was way too late.

 "No, no problem at all. I must have accidentally hit my leg against the table.", he replied with his warm voice which actually never failed to calm Haldir.

Galadriel seemed to accept such answer and especially the brothers looked relieved when Celeborn decided to change topics.

Haldir had noticed Galadriels gaze, resting on the lingering hand of Lindir oj his arm. But only for a brief moment and Haldir could have sworn he saw a little smile when she nipped on her wine.

—

The next days they spent taking long walks through Lothlórien, Haldir showing him where he lived, he took him bathing to the little sea. Sometimes Lindir sat in the grass on their walks, leaning against the tree and Haldir settled on the branch above him.

Lindir would read him from his books and sometimes, after a while Haldir would settle next to him and start braiding the others hair.

Out of some miracle Galadriel made sure throughout the week that his brothers were quite busy, so most of the times they were alone, as soon as they went deep enough into the woods.

Way too fast and way too soon they realized that their time was coming to an end though. Their hearts were heavy when they sat in the grass, hands touching, lips casually coming together for a soft kiss from time to time.

"I have to leave tomorrow.", Lindir muttered quietly, part statement and part realization. Time went by so fast, it was barely nothing.

No matter how old they were, it always seemed that time was faster as soon as they were together.

The dark haired elf closed his book he was reading from, resting his head on his Marchwardens shoulder.

"And the woods want you back as well.", he added quietly and Haldir laced their hands together.

"I know."

It was painful, to think about their parting. Haldir was already looking forward to their next meeting.

At some point Lindir let go of his hand, starting to curl himself around Haldir and Haldir simply wrapped his arms around him, wrapped him into his cape also to keep him warm and cozy.

No one of them had the intention to move or to go back. This was their last day, their last evening. The sun was already low, dawning on them, as if it had no mercy with the two lovers, curled together like they belonged this way.

The tree hid them from everyone's sight, the big roots allowing a cozy rest while leaning against them.

Lindir couldn't remember the last time he was this relaxed, feeling Haldirs muscle move under him every time he shifted a little or spoke. It was a warm vibration against his chest and he believed he could lay here for a very long time.

"I will miss you.", Lindir said quietly, his voice breaking a little at the end while his hands carded through the fair hair of his lover.

"And I will come visit you as soon as possible.", the Marchwarden murmured into his ear, breath ghosting against the sharp curve of Lindirs ear. It made him shudder and sigh contently, nuzzling a little closer.

As much as they promised each other to visit, they both knew well enough that it might be spring until the time they were able to free themselves again from their tasks.

There were no words left to speak between them for now, not wanting to destroy their little bubble of peace for at least the rest of the day.

Lindir nodded off after a while, falling into the deep state of relaxation while Haldir kept  his guard up, though at some point he closed his eyes a little, head resting on the dark hair of Lindir.

The breaking of a twig, a hushed sound like a few muttered words — and then silence.

Haldir squinted at the trees around them, eyes shooting up at the chuckle from above them.

"I knew it.", Rúmil announced when they found their brother curled around the Rivendell guest.

"You knew absolutely nothing.", Orophin said dryly, both sitting on branches quite a few meters above them.

Lindir was up in an instant from his place in Haldirs arms, furiously blushing and trying helplessly to hide his glowing cheeks.

"You are unbelievable.", Haldir complained and got up as well to follow Lindir.

"Ah, we are already gone again. Duties, you know. You haven't seen us at all. So you can enjoy the rest of the day with...your guest. We only wanted to see if we were right. You weren't exactly hiding anything, the way you stared at him during dinner.", Orophin replied and pulled Rúmil with him, both with a wide grin across their faces.

"He is not my guest.", Haldir called after them, which only earned him another chuckle from both of them, who quickly got away before their brother could actually start to say anything else.

As fast as they had appeared, they were gone again. Like a collective nightmare, Haldir thought. It must be.

They must be dreaming together, this couldn't actually happen.

Lindir stood there, mouth open like he wanted to say something but was at a loss of words.

"They are..something.", he stated after a while.

"I am so sorry. I was sure they didn't follow us.", Haldir apologized and slowly went over to him, to pull him into their arms. At least they had the courtesy to leave them alone for now.

Lindir leaned into the embrace, head coming to a rest on Haldirs shoulder again. They stood there like that, only holding each other.

"We knew they would find out eventually.", he said quietly then.

"Yes, eventually. But not after your first visit here.", Haldir muttered and squeezed him a bit close.

"You visited me before. I am sure they suspected something long before I came here.", Lindir stated and wrapped his arms around the others neck, leaning their foreheads together after he had slowly recovered from the shock.

"Maybe you are right.", Haldir grumbled and their lips came together, as if Lindir was planning to kiss his mood better.

"Let us not waste our last evening to worry about your brothers.", Lindir said firmly then, eyebrows furrowing before his face softened.

"Would — would you do me the honor and show me your favorite place?", he asked his Marchwarden, hands playing with the fair hair.

Haldirs face lit up at that, a broad grin spreading over his face.

"Oh, I should have thought about that earlier, of course! But you need to brace yourself to some climbing.", he decided and freed himself from his lover, taking his hand to pull him along.

"Climbing?", Lindir asked, doubting already his decision. This was a bad decision. As much as he wished and longed to see Haldirs favorite place in Lothlórien, since it must be incredible to be a Marchwardens favorite, but he was not an elf made for the trees.

Especially not made to climb them.

"It will be fine. We will go slow and we do have enough time until it will be dark. It is a rather easy tree to climb.", Haldir reassured him. He was very sure he could get Lindir up there.

It was — an experience. There was no other word to describe it.

Haldir helped Lindir from one branch to the other, showing him where to hold on to and where not to. It seemed like the trees had mercy with them, offering an easy way up.

Never did Haldir let go of Lindir, making sure to always have a firm grip on at least one part of his body.

( And if he climbed for a few moments behind him to look, well, the trees hopefully could keep a secret. ) 

To some miracle, they reached an old wooden platform without Lindir falling down the tree. Haldir called it talent, Lindir called it a miracle.

Lindir was crawling onto the platform, the height was quite sickening.

"Ah. This was a terrible idea.", he muttered as he sat there, waiting for Haldir to follow.

It always looked so easy when Haldir did it.

The Marchwarden sat on the edge, feet dangling from the platform.

"Come.", he gestured Lindir to come around, but he only shook his head.

"I love you, but no.", he said without further thinking and stunning them into silence.

They'd never said those words before. Sure, there were words of affection and love, there were gestures, but never..specifically those three words. And now he spoke them in a thoughtless moment.

"Haldir.. —",  he started, but fell silent again as he stared at the other, hoping he hadn't ruined anything.

"I love you.", Haldir said after a very long moment, smiling ever so softly. "And now come here. Are you going to tell me the minstrel of Imladris is afraid of heights?"

"No.", he slowly said and came even slower closer. "Only..vary."

But their admitted love seemed to boost him enough with confidence and finally he sat down next to Haldir. Only without the dangling of feet.

"You won't regret it, trust me. Coming up all this way, you will see. I went here often with my brothers, especially when they were little. I know what I am talking about.", Haldir promised him and then they sat there, enjoying the view of the trees crowns, a few birds giving their best until the sun had set and slowly the night took over.

Shadows creeped over the trees, but it was not scary. It was like a blanket, a comforting darkness. It was incredible to watch and Lindir could not get enough of it.

Soon enough a few fireflies danced around the trees, illuminating the leaves around them. Somewhere there was the sound of an owl, deep and loud.

It was so peaceful and beautiful.

The moon started to offer them its light, big and bright to make it possible to see. Haldirs hair was practically glowing from it and Lindir decided, that if there was only one thing he could look at for the rest of his life, then it was Haldir in moonlight.

The Marchwarden seemed to be busy with the branch next to him.

"Open your hands.", he spoke softly.

"It is not going to be a weird bug, is it?", Lindir asked and Haldir laughed quietly, shoulders shaking.

"No. Much better."

So Lindir opened his hands, offering them to Haldir. He trusted him, even when he was offering him — whatever it was that he offered him.

Soon he marveled at something that seemed to be a really big moth. It nearly scared him off, but it was..adorable. Sort of. If moths could be adorable.

It was soft and fluffy, little feet tapping over his hands.

"They only exist in this part of Lórien.", Haldir explained quietly. "Sometimes they visit us, but most of the time they are hiding here."

Lindir carefully touched the soft moth with gentle finger tips.

"I cannot believe I am petting a moth.", Lindir said dryly and grinned up widely at him. "They are so..adorable. I wish I could take them with me."

Haldir grinned in satisfaction, pressing a soft kiss onto Lindirs hair.

"See. I told you, it would be worth it. Even if I did not meant petting a moth as a reward. Actually I meant this.", he said and gently moved Lindirs gaze from the moth to the nightsky.

It had came alive with thousands of stars at least, it must be. Big and bright ones or small ones. The moth had taken off, flying into the said nightsky.

"Oh.", the elf of Imladris muttered and they fell silent again. They did not need many words to enjoy this together, feeling the comforting presence of the other was enough for now.

Their hands found together and they sat there, holding hands and marveling at the most wonderful view. Holding on to what they had. Each other, their love.

For tomorrow evening they would look both at the same sky from different views. So far and yet so close.

Haldir swallowed and suddenly spoke a question, perhaps a bold one, but it was out before he could stop it.

"Can I ask you for something?"

"For anything."

"It may be weird."

"Nothing you would request from me would be weird."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

—

"Making yourself pretty for your boyfriend?", Rúmil asked as Haldir brushed out his hair to braid it.

"He is not —", Haldir wanted to hold back and deny, but for what for? What was there to deny? How could he deny after his very bold question?

"Well, he is, but I am not making myself pretty for him."

"Ah, sure.", Rúmil grinned and appeared right in front of his face.

"Your ears are glowing."

"And you are testing my nerves.", Haldir stated and threw the comb after him, his brother only moving smoothly out of the way as he laughed.

"Tell him goodbye from us.", Orophin grinned. "I promise we are not going to disturb you this time."

"You should hope you are not.", Haldir said as he left through the door.

With every step his heart seemed to become heavier, knowing what was inevitable to come.

But before Lindir had to leave, they shall exchange their gifts, the one he had asked so boldly for. And the one Lindir was so willing to give to him.

—

"So this is it.", Lindir said quietly as they reached the stables, the elf which had accompanied him on his way here already waiting, but having the courtesy to talk to his horse and ignore them.

"This is it.", Haldir agreed and had to swallow around the closing up feeling in his throat.

"I love you.", Lindir whispered so quietly and this time, he did not care if anybody could see them. Soon enough everyone would know anyway. The hoods of their cloaks had been deep in their faces on the way here, since it started raining and hiding their little secret for a little bit longer.

A fitting weather, Lindir thought, the rain building little puddles on the way.

"I love you too.", Haldir replied and took a deep breath. "With all my heart."

"With all my heart.", Lindir agreed and took the reigns from a Lórien elf who approached him with his horse and quickly left them alone again.

Their foreheads coming together, one last time breathing in each others scent.

"You must leave, so you can reach your first stop by daylight.", Haldir said with almost a hint of desperation in his voice.

He wanted Lindir to be safe and at the same time he wanted to keep him here.

"I know. I know."

Lindir cleared his throat and took a step away, their bodys finally parting and their hearts aching.

The dark haired elf was about to get on his horse, when a hand on his shoulder held him back. He hadn't even fully turned around yet, when Haldir met him in a desperate, deep kiss.

Only then did they part satisfied, both with flushed cheeks but with a sheepish grin on their lips.

"I love you and will see you soon again."

"I will be waiting for you in Imladris, meleth nîn."

And with those words Lindir got onto his horse and Haldir could only watch him leave.

Haldir stood there and waited, a sad smile on his face, Lindir turning around as often as possible until they had disappeared for each other.

And even then did Haldir stand there for another long moment.

On his way back he came across the Lady Galadriel, greeting her with the usual courtesy, but his heart was too heavy to hold conversation.

Yet she asked him if their guest of Rivendell had already left and if he had enjoyed his stay. She could have asked that Lindir herself, but she had waited to ask Haldir. For whatever reason that might be.

Only then did she allow him to leave, but holding him back a last time.

"Your heart will not be heavy forever, Marchwarden of Lothlórien.", she said in her ever so soft voice, as if alone her voice could soothe his heartbreak.

"I am sure, we will be in need to send someone to Imladris soon."

And with those words she disappeared and Haldir thought, that maybe, the ache had been lifted from his heart a little.

Though he only realized later the meaning of it and that the Lady Galadriel must know very well about their relations.

—

Their gifts to each other were hidden for almost the rest of the day, until Lindir and the elf decided to rest and eat. Lindir finally pulled down the hood from his cloak, since it had stopped raining and even the sun had come out.

He leaned forward to feed his horse, the movement of his head revealing a bright, fair strand of hair weaved into his own dark braid, glinting in the last remaining rays of sunshine. Like the moonlight weaved into the night.

Haldirs brothers discovered it in the evening, when they finally came home and got rid of their wet clothes.

One of them was just about to make a snarky comment about Haldir and his guest from Rivendell, when the oldest brother pulled down his hood, shaking out the wet hair without thinking twice.

The dark strand in his braid was revealed, weaved into it like the night was weaved into the moonlight.

They shut their mouth, suddenly understanding that this was not only a simple crush. They did not tease him about it, at least not today. Not as long as their brother looked like his heart was shattered at being parted from his loved one.

But not for long, they both knew, for they would see soon each other again.

And until then — they still had the same moon. 

 

And the heart is hard to translate;
It has a language of it's own.

 

It talks in tongues and quiet sighs,
And prayers and proclamations in the grand days.
Of great men and the smallest of gestures,
In short shallow gasps.

 

But with all my education
I can't seem to commend it.
And the words are all escaping me;
And coming back all damaged.
And I would put them back in poetry;
If I only knew how, I can't seem to understand it.

 

And I would give all this and heaven too;
I would give it all if only for a moment,
That I could just understand
The meaning of the word you see.

'Cause I've been scrawling it forever;
But it never makes sense to me at all.

 

And it talks to me in tiptoes,
And sings to me inside.
It cries out in the darkest night;
And breaks in the morning light.

 

No, words are a language,
It doesn't deserve such treatment.

And all my stumbling phrases;
Never amounted to anything worth this feeling.
All this heaven never could describe,
Such a feeling as I'm healing, words were never so useful.

So I was screaming out a language

That I never knew existed before.

           — FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - All This And Heaven Too