Legolas Greenleaf lay back on the bed and looked up at Ciendriel, who was pacing the room. Her long blonde hair swung around her shoulders as she walked, and her body swayed so that all he could think of was pulling her down beside him. He knew, however, that in the state she was in, it would probably only earn him a smack.

What a long day this had been. Legolas had been bound and determined not to sink the raft as they crossed the river this morning, as it would only contribute further to the myth that he was bad with boats. He had been standing still as a statue when Merry had leapt off of the dock and knocked him into the water. At least, he consoled himself, no one could say that it was his fault.

He had had to spend half of the day soggy until Elrond finally showed up to meet with them, and then only to hear sarcastic comments about dripping on the marble. He supposed he could not blame Elrond, however, as he had only ever arrived at Rivendell in dry clothing once, and that time he had been riding a horse.

They had intended to escort the Hobbits all the way to Ithilien in Gondor before they went off to look for the cave, but losing the map made finding the harp seem an impossibility. After all, there were no other copies of that map except perhaps in Ingra, and the Elves of Ciendriel's homeland had already left to sail for the Undying lands. Legolas had meant to ask Elrond if he possessed any old maps in his extensive library, but after being harassed about his wet clothing, he had forgotten.

"I am convinced that Haldir has something to do with this," Ciendriel said for the hundredth time.

"Are you so sure?" Legolas replied exhaustedly. He stared up at the ceiling and tried to think of what he might say that would entice her into the bed.

"Yes."

"But did he not claim otherwise when you asked him?"

"Of course he did! But I do not trust him…"

"No? Not even now? Do not forget that had Haldir not freed you of the betrothal, we two would have been parted."

Ciendriel came and perched on the edge of the bed, and Legolas sat up. She enfolded him in her embrace and he smiled as he put his arms around her. He took a deep breath. Her scent was dizzying to him. He felt her tremble and knew she was thinking of what it might have been like had she been wed with Haldir.

It would have been far worse for Legolas himself, but at the last minute Haldir had proved his love for both of them by letting her go. Legolas knew that Ciendriel had been starting to become rather fond of Haldir, which pleased him, but once the business with the map started, that had ended abruptly. And so they had set forth for Rivendell, knowing that Haldir had left Mirkwood with Elrond.

Now it seemed the hope of recovering the map was dashed. Ciendriel refused to give up, Legolas thought, which explained the desperate desire to blame its disappearance on Haldir. Legolas would have liked very much to find this cave and discover if the legendary harp truly existed, but he was sure that Haldir did not have the map. Ciendriel sat back and looked into his eyes. Legolas licked his lips, wanting so badly to kiss her.

"Do you believe him, Legolas?"

"Yes. If he says he has not the map, then he has not."

"I just do not understand how I could have lost it."

"Think back. Where was it last seen?"

"Mirkwood. That morning that we looked at it and planned the paths we would follow."

"And afterwards…?"

"I put it into my pocket."

"Are you certain?"

There was a long pause. "No, I suppose not. But Haldir--"

Legolas put a finger to her lips. "Shh. I will go speak with him. You are too upset."

She nodded, then smiled slightly. "Thank you, Legolas. I love you, you know."

"I know," he said, and claimed the kiss he had been so desperately wanting. She kissed him back with such passion and enthusiasm that it left him urgent for more, but he had promised to seek out Haldir and so he would. The sooner that was taken care of, the sooner he could seek a warm bed with her. "I will return shortly," he said, standing up and stretching his body in hopes of relieving some of the tension gathering within it. It did not help much.

"I'll be waiting," she said, her voice full of promise.

Legolas nearly sprinted down the hallway. It was near midnight, and the corridor was deserted. How well he knew the way to the room Elrond had long ago assigned Haldir, conveniently near his own. He knocked at the portal, but there was no answer. Legolas pricked up his ears and listened, in case Haldir was entertaining someone within, but there came no sound from within. He opened the door slightly. The room was empty. Legolas eased his way inside and shut the door behind him.

Should he go search for Haldir? He was certain that Haldir had left the banquet hall at the same time he had left it with Ciendriel. If he had gone to meet someone, he could be anywhere. What if he did not come back all night? Well, he supposed he could tarry a few minutes, not wanting to disappoint Ciendriel.

He looked around. Would Haldir have hidden the map somewhere in his chamber? This was a perfect opportunity to search it. Yet Legolas felt guilty. He was inclined to take Haldir's word, for although he had been deceitful, the Marchwarden was not a liar, and when accused of something he generally admitted to his crimes. He decided not to search the sparse room.

Haldir had no chair, so Legolas sat down on the edge of the bed to wait for him. He looked around the room distractedly, remembering the last time he had been here. The circumstances had not been pleasant. It had been only for love of Ciendriel that he had managed to go on. Legolas became lost in thought. He lay back against Haldir's pillows, making himself comfortable. He knew not how long he had been sitting there when the door suddenly burst open.

Erestor, Elrond's advisor, stood in the doorway. He strode into the room fiercely, clearly in a rage. "Where is my sister, you blond bastard?" he hissed, stomping towards the bed. Legolas sat up, still half in a daze, trying to remember who his sister was and to guess why Erestor was calling him names.

Erestor was dressed in a plain black robe, the same color of his long, silky dark hair. Legolas had always found him compellingly attractive, but difficult to get to know. The few words they had ever exchanged had been formal and stiff, with the occasional sarcastic comment about Legolas' tendency to show up in wet clothing. Yet never had Erestor been so rude.

"Forgive me, but I have not seen your sister," he said, his surprise evident in his tone.

Erestor stopped abruptly and squinted at him. "Legolas. Forgive me, I thought you were Haldir."

"He is taller than I am," Legolas said. He got to his feet. "Ah, then the insult was for him, not me."

"Again, forgive me. I thought Isilwen might be here. I will leave you." Erestor bowed slightly and turned to go, but as he turned to leave Haldir appeared in the open doorway.

"I had no idea that I was so popular," Haldir said with a trace of humor in his tone, "Else I should simply have stayed in my room tonight. Can we fit three in a bed, or would you care to duel for my attentions?"

"I did not come here to share your bed," Legolas and Erestor said at the same time.

"Pity. I'd be pleased to have either one of you in it. But as you are not, pray go one at a time as you tell me what your business in my room is."

Erestor looked at Legolas. "I defer to you, Legolas Greenleaf, as you were here first."

"My business with Haldir is a private one," Legolas said. Erestor raised his eyebrows, but simply nodded. He turned back to Haldir.

"I am looking for my sister."

"Then you will be disappointed, as she is not in my bedchamber," Haldir said.

"I am certainly not disappointed," Erestor replied stiffly.

"I am," said Haldir. "But that's neither here nor there. Have you tried my brothers' room?"

"That was the first place I went. Your brothers are not in their room."

"Ah, that's right. They are no doubt making sure there are no remaining shards of glass in Elrond's bed," Haldir said, sounding amused.

"It was mentioned that Isilwen had gone to tryst with you in the garden," Erestor said, clearly becoming more and more angry.

"That was mentioned to me, as well," Haldir said. "Yet no trysting occurred, much to my disappointment."

"How do I know you are not lying?" Erestor hissed.

"Haldir is not a liar!" Legolas said. He was starting to pity his old friend. Erestor ignored him.

"Thank you, Legolas," Haldir said softly. He fixed his eye on Erestor again. "Had I been trysting with Isilwen, you may safely believe that we would still be at it. Did you check the garden, Erestor? I assure you that we are not there at the moment."

"Do not play games with me, Haldir of Lorien. Of course I went to the garden. When I did not discover you there, I assumed that you had brought her back here."

"Your sister has less interest in visiting my chamber than you do. Have you asked Elrond if he has seen her?"

"Lord Elrond is occupied, as you said, checking his bed for shards of glass."

Haldir laughed. Legolas had no idea what this joke between them meant, or if Erestor was even trying to be funny. All he could gather was that Rúmil and Orophin were spending the night with Elrond, but that was no surprise or secret.

"Good luck in searching her out, Erestor. And trust me in that when you find her, I do believe she will be alone. She seems no wanton," Haldir said, dismissing the Chief Advisor.

"She never has been," Erestor agreed, seeming to soften somewhat. He turned to go.

"One last suggestion," Haldir said casually. "See to the mark on her face. She does not deserve a scar." He drew forth a small pouch from the pocket of his tunic and pressed it into Erestor's hand. "Apply this to the wound before dawn, or she will be marked always."

"This does not concern you, Haldir," Erestor said.

"I choose to let this concern me," Haldir said. "Take care of her tonight, or I will hold you responsible for her suffering."

Erestor looked as if he were about to exploded, but he took the herb and left the room in a swirl of black velvet. Haldir closed the door behind him and turned to Legolas, smiling wolfishly.

"Haldir--"

"Speak not, Legolas. I have better uses for you tonight. How glad I am that you have come."

Before Legolas could stop him, he found himself pinned beneath Haldir on the bed, being kissed ruthlessly. The Marchwarden was too expert at this, and Legolas felt himself beginning to respond. Part of him wanted to throw caution to the wind and let Haldir make love to him. The Marchwarden was skilled in the ways of pleasure, and Legolas was aching. Wantonly Legolas adored the familiar mouth, letting the sweet torture go on for several minutes. When Haldir reached for his leggings, however, Legolas stopped him.

"No…Haldir, truly this is not why I have come here."

"Then let it be the reason that you stay."

"I must speak to you…"

"Kiss me now. Speak to me later."

"On behalf of Ciendriel!"

"Oh? Why did you not bring her? I would not mind having her between us."

"Haldir, it was decided many weeks ago that it would be too difficult for all of us…"

Haldir sighed and rolled off of Legolas. "I know, I know, old friend. It seems I will be reduced to vanquishing my own fire tonight."

"I am sorry."

"Not sorry enough to lie with me."

Legolas smiled slightly and got off of the bed. "No, not that sorry. And you have my pity, as I am eager to hurry back to my own bed."

"Braggart. Tell me, then, Legolas, why has she sent you to speak to me? Is it about the map again?"

"Well, yes."

"For the hundredth time, I do not have it. I never even saw it in Mirkwood. Perhaps you should check with those parties who did."

Legolas frowned. "Do you swear--"

"Yes, yes, I swear. Legolas, go back to your room. Leave me in peace."

Haldir remained lying on the bed. He brought his hand up to cover his eyes. Silently Legolas slipped away, feeling vaguely guilty. He walked slowly back to his own room, not wanting to explain to Ciendriel that Haldir had induced this arousal in him. He thought somber thoughts, hoping it would recede.

What would he tell her? Would they simply give up the quest? He suppose there was no other choice.

Legolas opened the door to his chamber and was surprised to find that Ciendriel was not alone. He groaned inwardly. How much longer would it be until he could be relieved? Gimli was standing beside the bed, his helmet in his hands, apologizing profusely. Ciendriel did not look angry, rather she appeared to be amused.

"…and when Legolas left it on the table, I picked it up and put it in my pocket, meaning to give it back to you before we left Mirkwood, lassie. I completely forgot it was there."

"You have the map, Gimli?" Legolas gasped.

Ciendriel held it up and grinned at him. "I suppose I owe Haldir an apology."

"Do not," Legolas cautioned. "Go to deliver it tonight."