2 comments/ 10337 views/ 10 favorites Haldir and Valen By: Elenia26 I stood on the deck of the Andromeda, watching as we sailed closer to the graceful elven docks. Even from this range I saw it looked different. There were a lot more humans around than I was used to, for one thing. I only saw a few elves and I saw the humans had been allowed to make a small merchant settlement, here on the shores. I wondered when that had occurred. But this is what happens when you are gone for over thirty years. Things change. Thirty-one years ago I had been Sir Valen Riddick, demon-hunter and knight, and at the top of my game and class. Thirty-one years ago I had been only thirty-five, married but two years, half my life still stretching out in front of me. Thirty-one years ago was also my third trip into Hell. Erador, my land, was one of the lands with an established portal to Hell, and what was a demon-hunter to do but go where the demons were? Especially since I had, with the help of my friends, pretty much beaten back their incursion onto land. At first I went just to make sure they were truly beaten back. But as I got more and more embroiled into their plots, I couldn't just stop. It culminated with, on the third trip, me breaking the very Rod of the Undead that belonged to Orcus, Prince of the Undead. Yes. I don't play small. I knew it was a mistake when I did it. I knew I would pay for it. But what could I do? It was right there in front of me. We had defeated the guards, I had the means to destroy it (a glass sword), and I am and always will be a knight. It was my duty and it spoke to me. It *screamed* to me. So I brought the sword down on it, shattering both the sword and the rod. I heard Orcus' enraged screams all across the plane of Avernus. We fled. On the way back, in the temple that led to the Planes of Blood near the Gate Town of Adronach, the great Valen Riddick was overcome and brought down. I was tricked. I was holding the rear, somewhat separated from my companions, who had gone a little ahead. I was fooled into thinking they had captured one of my companions - they imitated our halfling's voice perfectly, and I was led astray. And I was surrounded. And that was it. All was black in my memories for a very long, long time. The first thing I remembered was awakening to a strange noise - digging, and what sounded like voices, only in a foreign language. Slowly the noises came closer and the voices resolved into intelligible words. I awoke in a prison of crystal. When I say prison, I don't mean a cage. I mean I was literally shoved into a wall of crystal. The hole I was in was just big enough for my unconscious body, and crystals scratched and clawed at me on every side. The woman who looked in on me first was a cleric of the temple of the Dove, and while I am not a follower, I will eternally be grateful to the temple for their servant finding me. They got me out. She had a group of four others, and they were here in Avernus looking for friends of theirs. I was to find later that they had discovered them, or their remains. At least they had been able to put them to rest. I had no memory and was as weak as a kitten, but their largest fellow, Marcos, carried me out. I had, as I said, no recollection of who I was, but in the temple, we were attacked, and I begged for a sword. As soon as my hand wrapped around the hilt of one and I looked at the babou, one of the lesser demons, attacked us, I felt in my bones that I was proficient at killing them. I dispatched four without hardly breaking a sweat. As soon as they left and the heat of battle was gone, I collapsed in a heap. But I had at least earned the respect of my new friends. I also remembered the paths, though I didn't remember how, and with my help, we escaped Avernus. One of their members died before we could fully escape, but they got me out and eventually we came to the surface. One of their number, a knight, gave me a gem with which I was able to equip myself with traveling gear, and I stayed at the temple while I healed. I found being in Hell had left a myriad of marks on my body. I didn't know if I would ever appear naked before a woman again, the scars were so hideous. I didn't remember the tortures that had caused the scars, though I was sure that the memories would come, and probably be pretty devastating when they did. Front and back, up and down, nearly every inch of me. My face bore them, too, though I was still clearly recognizable, as I discovered when I arrived at the Abby, an old haven of mine, and the Abbot recognized me. He had been but a monk when I last was here, and a junior one at that. But he still recognized Valen Riddick. It was from him, in his mountaintop retreat, that I finally learned my name, and some of my history. Some of my memories had been coming back already, but I learned from him that the wise voice I heard in my head was my dearest friend's, Haldir Beredrin, an elf who had been traveling with me since I was newly knighted, at eighteen. He also told me of my other friends, Cicero Thistlestop, a halfling, Gregor, my young squire, Yitara, a warrior woman, and Gorris, a GulH'ruk barbarian. I resolved to go looking for them. And here I was, at the first stage of my journey, arriving at the elves. I was shaken out of my reverie by one of the sailors. "Messere, we've arrived." I still wasn't introducing myself as Sir Riddick... I hadn't gotten comfortable in my own skin yet, I suppose. "Thank you." I gathered my measly belongings and dismounted. As soon as my feet touched ground I felt a sense of belonging for the first time since I had returned. I'd been here a thousand times before. I decided to see what I remembered. I half closed my eyes and let my feet lead me, and they led me unerringly, over the paths, up the hill, right out of the human segregated area. I came soon to a series of gates, something new, with elven guards stationed there. I was surprised that they stopped me as I approached. In Elvish - it sprang naturally to my mouth - I told them I was here to see Haldir Beredin. They were surprised to hear me speak, and let me pass. I passed many familiar haunts. Soon I came to the market. I remembered the candy-seller and entered his store. I smiled a little when I recognized the same elf, hardly looking different, selling his wares. He noticed me, and greeted me by name. Ah, the comforting longevity of the elves - thirty years was nothing to them. Equivalent to perhaps three years in our lives. I bought the candied flowers I used to love so much, and continued on up the hill, nibbling on them as I went. They were even better than I remembered. Soon enough I came to a beautiful house, set on the hill - Haldir's. It was surrounded by flowers and beds of roses, and as gorgeous as I remembered. The path to the door was under a bower, and had climbing roses on either side on trellises. I came up to the latticed door and as I reached out for the little bell hanging on the side a memory came to me, as clear as day, of having to disable the bell because my young squire would ring it incessantly, to the point of annoyance. I lifted the bell to look at the clapper and found that indeed, the clapper was still off. I smiled fondly at the memory. Some things never changed. I tried the door and found it open as it always was. Stepping inside, the breeze from my entrance made some chimes swing and tinkle, and I knew Haldir would hear it somewhere in the house. I stood in his entryway and waited. Soon enough I heard footsteps, and my old friend turned the corner and came into view. I hadn't remembered what he looked like, but as soon as I saw him, his face was as familiar to me as my own. For a moment I just stood there, absorbing it, and he did the same. A thousand and one memories came back to me. Haldir and I sitting, talking, a hundred times. His advice, his guidance, his serious demeanor, the respect and love I had for this old, old friend. His marriage - I had been in attendance. Oh my, I remembered her face - she was so beautiful as to make the moon weep out of envy. He'd only been married two months when we went to Hell and I was lost. Most of all I remembered him at my side, day in and day out, through thick and thin. ********************** The spell broke and I moved forward. "Haldir, old friend." "Valen. Is it really you?" We embraced and held each other for a long moment. He held me then at arm's length to look at me. "You've gotten scrawny," he said, with a hint of mild disapproval. "That's it?" I laughed. "I come back after all these years and that is all you can say to me? Anyway, welcome me in! Where is Danyalathani? Is she out with her friends? I expected her to come to the door. Your bell is still missing its clapper, by the way." At the mention of Danyalathani his eyes had shadowed. He smiled at the clapper though. "I never did get around to changing it. Come in, I missed you dearly, my friend." He didn't say anything about his wife, so I didn't mention her again, and followed him in. "Do you remember where your old room is?" I thought for a moment. "I think so. My memory is not fully intact. I have much to tell you. But, first let me see if I remember." "Go on, then. Clean up and refresh yourself. When you are done, come back down and we'll talk. I'll lay out some food for us." "Of course. It is good to see you, old friend." "You as well." He glanced at my wardrobe, which I admit, was not exactly of quality. "There are some of your old clothes there, too, if you would like to change." I found my room, without any problems. Soon enough I had washed and changed into a fine elvish cut shirt, loose and soft, and soft cloth breeches. I grew my hair long these days, so I combed it back and looked at myself in the mirror. The only good that Hell had done for me was slow my aging. They wanted me to suffer, and suffer for a long time, and me dying of old age didn't do them much good. So I now looked only about six or seven years older than when I had left, and other than the scars, I felt in my thirties, too; physically anyway. Mentally I felt every one of my sixty-six years. Coming downstairs, I saw that Haldir had already set the table for the both of us with traditional elvish fare, as well as a bottle of fey wine, which I smiled at. I joined him at the table. "Eat first, my friend, you look like you need it. We'll talk after." We did so, and then retired to his conservatory. It was comprised of a beautiful garden, with a latticed roof so the birds and animals could come in and out as they wished. Elves always lived with the land. We took comfortable seats, close to each other, and I turned to him. "Now tell me what sad news you have. You wouldn't respond when I mentioned Danyalathani, and your eyes are sad and you don't stand as straight as you used to." He nodded, sadly. "You are right and you surmise correctly. I'm afraid I have nothing but sad news, my old friend. My Danyalathani... died five years ago. There was an attack of drow...right in the heart of our city, and she was hit with a poisoned arrow. She did not survive." I was stunned. Closing my eyes in grief, I sat in silence for a moment, and then, "Oh, Haldir, words are inadequate. I am so, so sorry my friend. It just isn't fair what a short time you had with her." Only twenty-five years out of a life that could span almost a thousand. What words could I say to comfort him? She had been the love of his life. Much younger than him, she had brought light and laughter into his life. She was the only one who could regularly make him laugh out loud. He smiled softly at me. "Thank you, my friend. I miss her every day, but she has gone to the Summer Country, and waits for me there. I will see her again." I got up and took the seat next to him, sitting close, and we sat like that for a moment. I clasped his hand and spoke. "She was very beautiful, Haldir." "That she was." "I wish I had had the chance to spend more time with her." "Ah, that is one of my regrets, Valen. I talked of you often. But come, my friend. The grief is old now." "Very well, as you wish. And you, Haldir? What have you been doing with yourself then, these last few years?" I knew he didn't want to dwell on her anymore. He was quiet for a moment. "If I am to be honest, mostly I've been moldering. I haven't done much of anything." I nodded. "It is easy to do, in this place." I gestured. "So little ever changes." "Perhaps it is time for a change. But first, tell me, what happened to you? Please don't tell me we left you there when we could have gotten you back? We went back as far as Adronach to look for you." I shook my head. "No, you could never have recovered me. I was well-hidden. I'd been captured, thankfully in a way, by a rival of Orcus', who didn't want to turn me over to him." It was Orcus who really hated me and would have ensured my death. I didn't know yet if thirty years of torture was recompensed by coming back, but with Orcus I'd never have had a chance to find out. Bit by bit, I told him the story, or at least the parts of it I remembered. I concluded with, "Unfortunately I don't have many of my memories, and what I have is piecemeal, none of it whole." He put his hand over mine. "Do you remember Fiona?" He said my wife's name with understandable hesitancy. I looked down. "I remember... a little. I remember I had a wife. But I don't remember how we met, or our wedding, or her face. What happened to her?" "She waited for you. A long time, ten years, in fact, before she finally remarried. The man she married is a good man who knows about you. He was friends with her for many years, loving her, without asking anything of her. They have a son now." I shook my head. "It should hurt... but it's still too distant." I squared my shoulders. "Perhaps when I go to see her." "Will you?" I looked him straight in the eyes, and was relieved to see that kind face looking at me again. "I feel I must. What if she hears it from someone else? I owe her that much, especially since I waited." I sighed. "I must have broken her heart." "She loved you very much." We were silent again, and then I said, "I suppose I came here for strength, before I went to her. I have a feeling I will need it." "Would you like me to come with you?" I looked at him in surprise. "I would never ask it of you, Haldir. I wouldn't want to take you away from this beautiful place. But... if I may prevail on our long friendship, I don't think this place is as beautiful to you anymore?" I looked at him questioningly, and he shook his head. "Then I would love to have your company. It would certainly make me braver." "What are your plans after that?" "To see our other friends. Do you know where they are?" "Well, Cicero has gone home, to the halfling lands. Yitara and Gorris are both dead, I'm sorry to say. Gorris returned home and finally wed, and had two children, and died only a few years ago. Yitara traveled another eight or ten years after going back to Adronach with us, and then died on the field of battle." "As she would have wanted to." "You do remember." "Some. And Gregor?" "Gregor has become a knight, and one to be proud of. He's of the Order of the Bronze Shield, your own order... but I suppose you haven't heard what happened to them?" I shook my head in surprise. "He, and I guess you, are the last two knights. The Order has fallen into disrepair. After you left, about fifteen years later, there was a serious civil war in Westfinch..." he went on to tell me how the Order battled, losing many knights, but securing the future of our kingdom. "Ah, Haldir, there is so much to grieve for I don't even know where to begin. I've lost my wife, my life, my family, two of my dearest friends, my brotherhood, and my Order. At least I have you, my friend." "Always." I inhaled deeply. "Let me stay for a few days, then if you like, we will go and see Fiona, when I am strong enough. Then Cicero, and then I suppose we'll find Gregor." "Cicero sometimes knows where he is. I'll write to Cicero and ask him to arrange a meeting." "Very well. Thank you, my old friend." We sat and talked until late, in the quiet elvish night, owned only by the birds and the animals. Both of us could sense the deep pain in each other - his in the recent past and mine about to land on me like a hammer - but neither of us spoke of it. Instead we talked of other things that had transpired. The new human residence that had been allowed to spring up at the docks. The changes I had seen in the cities on the way here. My new hair, and the length of it - he reminded me I used to keep it painfully short. And a million other things that never referred to our hurt. ********************** Indeed, I ended up staying for almost a week with Haldir. I think we both took comfort in each other's presence. I cleaned myself up a bit better. I didn't want to admit it, but I would have been ashamed to see Fiona and her new family in my poor clothes, all I had been able to afford. Soon enough it became clear that I was delaying, however, and as soon as I realized this, I steeled myself and told Haldir we would leave the very next day. He agreed of course, and we made our preparations. The journey from the elvish city to Westfinch was swift on an elvish boat and we were there almost too soon for me. We took a room at an inn, and though I tried to write many letters, I decided to just go in the morning and present myself at the gate. "Do you want me to go with you, Valen?" Haldir asked me. "Very much. But I'm still going to go alone. I need to do this alone first, even though it's daunting." "And that, is the old Valen," he said and I smiled in response. In the morning, I dressed in the best of whatever I had - again being grateful that Haldir had had some of my old clothes - and went to my wife's house. Wife?Ex-wife? I was, of course, stopped at the gate. Not wanting to enter under false pretenses, I told the guard, "I'm an old, old friend of Fiona's. Does Abraham still work with her? He'll remember me." " Abraham? He is the butler, sir." I smiled. "In those days, his father was the butler. Please call him." "Yes, sir. If you'll just -" "I'll wait right here, lad. Don't you worry." Abraham was fetched. In those days he had been a strapping young lad in his twenties, but I still saw that lad somewhere in the fifty plus year old, heavy-set man who came back. "Who is this..." He caught sight of me and his jaw dropped. "Sir Riddick?" "Yes, Abraham, it is me. I have come to see your lady." "But... you've been missing for years!" "Thirty-one, to be exact." "Please, come in, my lord." I shook my head, entering. "Not your lord anymore, Abraham." He hesitated. Seeing this, I nodded. "Speak freely, Abraham." "Her ladyship has..." "Wed again, I know. I am not here to attempt to destroy her happiness, nor ask for anything from her. I promise not to hurt her anymore than my mere appearance will do. But I am back, and if she finds out from anyone else before I tell her, it would hurt her even more." I put my hand on Abraham's shoulder. "I know you have her best interests at heart, Henry. I assure you, do so I." He nodded. "I'm glad to hear that, my Lord. Since you say to speak freely, I will. She grieved for you a long time, Sir Riddick, and she still holds you dear to her heart. Lord Gallagher has given her some measure of happiness." "Then I am glad to hear that." "But you are right. You must be the one to tell her. Come this way." He took me to the parlor. "Would you like something to drink?" I shook my head. "I don't think so." "Very well. I will go and fetch her. If it's all right, I will try to prepare her a little bit for what she is about to see." Haldir and Valen "Of course." I stood, nervous and uncertain, as he scurried out. It was a long twenty minutes before I heard footsteps at the door. In came Fiona... only I didn't see her as she was now for a second. I saw her as she was thirty years ago, fresh-faced and beautiful, blond, with doe eyes looking up at me, and longing and love and grief cramped my heart. My knees gave way and I staggered and I saw her doing the same. Abraham, who had been following close behind her, caught her before she fell. But there was no one to catch me. I managed to collapse onto the settee. "Valen?" her trembling voice came to me, and suddenly my vision cleared and I saw her as she was now, older, in her late fifties, but still attractive. Her hair had darkened now to a dusty blonde and she was not so slim, but she was still my Fiona. My eyes were wet and my voice gravelly as I said, "Yes, Fiona, it's me. It's Valen." She rushed toward me and made as if to put her arms around me and kiss me....and then hesitated. And that pretty much cemented our new relationship. ************************ It was over an hour later that I exited the Gallagher estate. Fiona and I had parted amicably. There was a great deal of hurt and pain but what could we do? We let it roll past us. I had met her husband, who knew all about me, and who comforted her. He showed me the small shrine Fiona had erected in my name. It was a bit odd, looking at something meant to commemorate your death. Fiona had extracted a promise from me to bring Haldir to dinner, and I had agreed. Time would heal the wounds, but even though it cut like a knife now, that was no reason to be rude to a woman who had loved me almost more than life itself. Haldir had told me she had almost died of grief in the first few years, and only my friends kept her from it. None of them would leave her alone for long, not in those early days. Returning to the inn, I found Haldir waiting for me. One sympathetic look into my face and I found myself telling him everything. In the evening we attended upon the dinner. It was awkward, no matter how much I tried to relax, but even I sensed with time, even this would be better. Henry went a long way to easing the tension in the room, chatting like only the upper class can do, and keeping everyone engaged. I didn't sleep much that night. I felt alone. Who was I to lean on? Fiona had her husband and I admit to some self-pity, lying alone in bed. I was happy that Fiona had someone... I'd hurt her too much to want more pain for her, but who was there for me? In the morning we left, early. I didn't even go to the knight's hall. I honestly didn't even think of it, I just wanted to get away. We traveled on to the halfling lands next. As we went, I reflected on how grateful I was to have Haldir with me. The meeting with Cicero went much better, and Cicero was happy to see me. He even had news of Gregor! He had made arrangements to meet him in Southhampton. Even then Cicero would not come with us. He was courting a lady, and I wished him every happiness. We stayed with him for three days and then went to meet Gregor. Gregor had been very young when he came to me, only eight or so. I know, you are probably wondering what kind of knight takes a squire that young. Well, I hadn't *meant* to. I'd been traveling through a town when Haldir caught a scrawny little boy trying to pick my pocket. I'd given him a furious lecture and turned him over to the nearest orphanage. Well, the very instincts of courage and bravado that had enabled Gregor to live on the streets, combined with a healthy dose of hero worship for this knight that had appeared in his life, caused the young boy to sneak out of the orphanage and follow us. In the city he was able to avoid Haldir's watchful eyes but once we got out into the forest Haldir picked him up within an hour. Well, I had a schedule to maintain. A village near the swamps was being accosted by lizardmen, and we were short on time. I brought the lad with me, resolving to keep him out of trouble, and decided to bring him back later. "Later", however, became after the boy was injured badly by the lizardmen. He nearly died at one of their poison blades. I sat with him, guilty and conflicted. I was only thirty-two myself, thinking about children for the first time with Fiona, whom I hadn't even wed yet. What did I know about little boys? But every time he awoke he asked for Sir Riddick, and I hadn't the heart to be far from him. In this way a bond was forged that never broke. I made him my squire, and he was present at my wedding to Fiona. Oh, it wasn't perfect. He was a rapscallion and trouble and I constantly told him I despaired of him ever being a knight. What saved him and me, though, was whenever he was caught he was genuinely contrite, and he never did anything truly bad. But there were many days where I had to rely on Haldir's patience. He traveled with us for three and a half years and never got hurt again to such an extent. He even went to Hell with us all three times and escaped each time. He literally just outran everybody. Slowly I grew to love the lad, impudent as he was. I had always intended that Fiona and I would adopt him and raise him as our own. I didn't know what my disappearance had done to him, but I could imagine. In Southhampton the two of us took an inn room again. We were to meet Gregor at one of the local taverns. I remembered how we did this... we'd go for lunch, wait for a couple of hours, drinking and eating. If no one came, then we'd repeat it the next day, for as long as we could stay. I was lucky this time. As we were sitting there, chatting about something, the very first day, Haldir recognized someone coming in. I turned to look.... and for a second an eager-faced young lad flashed in front of me. A thousand questions, "Sir Riddick? Sir Riddick? Sir Riddick!" until I was weary of answering them. But I always answered just one more because of the way he looked up at me. That look that said *I* had all the answers. The first time he hugged me, after I bought him his very own dagger. It was just a brief impulsive hug, and he ran off right after to show Haldir, but it meant so much to me. Carrying my armor, which he insisted on doing, even though it was far too heavy for his small shoulders. Desperately trying to stay awake for five more minutes to listen to the adults... ...All of that resolved into the man in front of me. He had the same eyes, but nothing else was the same. The boy of eleven was now a handsome man of... forty-two. That's how old Gregor was now, I thought, counting the years in my head. His face was lined with cares and worries and his eyes and hair were darker than I remembered. He was also tall, at least six feet and probably taller than me, broad and muscular. He wore the traditional armor of our knights, bronze-colored. He had grown into a fine man. "Haldir," he said, "How do you do? I was surprised to get your letter..." and here he trailed off, having seen me rise in the background. Silence for a moment. Then, "*Valen Riddick*?" "Gregor. My lad. It's so good to see you." I wanted so much to hug him but every bit of his body language told me it would not be welcome. He stood well apart from me, and the look on his face was not overly friendly. "I..." he seemed to remember himself, and extended his hand to shake. I took it in my own. It was large, and cool, and he only shook mine briefly. "Won't you have a seat?" "For a little while, yes." He took the seat across from me, looking at my face in wonderment, and I am sorry to say, some suspicion. "What are you doing back? We thought you fell." "I did, in a sense." And I told him the same story I had already told three times before, to Haldir, Cicero, and Fiona. "I'm sorry. We went back for you." "I know. Haldir told me as much." "Well... what are you doing?" "Visiting old friends. I went to see Haldir, then Fiona, then Cicero, and now you." "Saved the most difficult for last, eh?" His voice was sarcastic and not very friendly. I had thought to remind him of our old fellowship, but instead he was offended. "No, I thought I had saved the best for last, actually." "Ah." Silence for a moment. I had almost forgotten about Haldir, sitting there. "Well, what are you doing here, anyway?" "Well, I plan to take up my duties again. I am still a knight, after all. And I was hoping to ask you to come with me. It's been a long time for me, and I could use... your... guidance." I trailed off, seeing the expression on his face. "Me? Guide you?" He laughed bitterly. "That's a new one. I'm sorry, that's impossible." "Oh? May I ask why?" "I just couldn't. I have far too much to do." "I see." I tried to hide my hurt. I don't know how well I succeeded. "Well, in that case, I'll be on my way, I guess." "Yes, actually, I must be going. I promised the town hall I would have this back by today. " He gestured to a box in his hands; presumably something he had recovered from his latest mission as he stood up and I stood up, too, nearly knocking my drink over. "Wait." I said, and he looked at me directly for the first time. I came around the table to his side. "You can go if you want to, that's your right. But I won't let you go again without telling you... how proud I am of the man you've become." I wanted to tell him I loved him, dearly, like my own son, but I couldn't find the words or the courage. Instead I just said, "From everything I hear you've become a fine knight, and I'm glad to see you are carrying on the Bronze Shield. Be well, Gregor." He smiled slightly at me. "Thank you, Valen... Haldir." He nodded, and with that he was gone. We sat down. I tried to hold it in, I did. I gripped my cup so hard it hurt, but it was all rushing together now. Fiona gone. My home gone. My Order gone.My friends dead. Haldir's beautiful wife dead. And now my own boy couldn't or wouldn't look me in the eye. Even as I sat there a single tear rolled down my cheek. Haldir, bless him, had already noticed. He paid the tab and took my arm and pulled me up. "Come on, my friend." Together we went out. I felt like I was drunk. Somehow or another we ended up in our room and on my bed. I wasn't actually crying, exactly, in fact I was completely somber – except the tears just wouldn't stop, even though I kept wiping them. Haldir sat next to me, close enough that I could feel his warmth. "I'm sorry. They won't stop. I don't know why." "Hush. Every man has his limit. I think you've reached yours." "I hope it doesn't sound too foolish, Haldir, but I'm really glad you're here." He smiled slightly. "Well, I would not like it if you were miserable I was here." "Oh, Haldir. Is this our lot now? Pain and sorrow?" He was quiet for a long moment, and then, unexpectedly, he put his arms around me. I should have been shocked, and I was for a moment, but I found it comforting. Haldir would never judge me for my sorrow, and I hesitantly leaned into his arms. He held me close to his chest, and I reflected on the fact that through all my life, no one had been with me longer than Haldir. I was an orphan, like Gregor, with no parents to speak of. "Do you know, Haldir, you've known me for almost fifty years now? That's... that's almost ten percent of your life." "Good heavens." I sat up to catch his expression of mild surprise, but stopped. Suddenly I was aware of Haldir as more than just an elf, or a friend of mine. We still had our arms around each other, and his face was very close to mine. He cupped my face gently in his hand. "You have been through a great deal, my old friend." "As have you." It seemed like such a natural thing then, to take his hand in my own, and kiss the palm of it. I looked up at him, expecting him to look askance or even pull away. Instead he let his thumb run across my lips. My mouth felt dry. Unsure, but very much wanting to, I leaned forward and briefly kissed his mouth. I expected... I don't know what I expected. I definitely didn't expect him to take it in stride. "Where did that come from?" was all he said, and without making a big deal of it, kissed me back. His mouth was soft and warm and yielding and I closed my eyes and gave myself over to his kiss. It was pleasurable and felt like coming home. And why not, I thought. Why not him? Who was to stop us? Who even cared anymore? I looked into his eyes...they were green, and beautiful, why had I never noticed, and even as I thought this I kissed him again and again. "I don't want to be alone anymore, Haldir. I'm so tired of being alone." "Shh. I am too, Valen. It's all right now." He pulled me back gently and together we lay on the bed, man and elf, side by side. His one hand pillowed my head while the other stroked my cheek and face tenderly, while he looked into my eyes. He moved close up against me, and I let my arm slide under his neck to support him. "Will you stay with me, Haldir?" "As long as you want me to." And I let my lips meet his again. This time I parted them, and felt his tongue slip into my mouth, gently, lovingly. He touched my tongue with his own, playfully, lightly, and when he drew back, he tugged on my lower lip. I suddenly realized I was hard. "I didn't know you... that you did this, Haldir." He was amused. "Did what?" "You know. With another man. I mean, another male." He chuckled. "It's natural, isn't it? It's a completely natural thing, and there's no harm in it." Half sitting up, watching my eyes at all times, his hand slid down my cheek, over my neck, and across my chest. I inhaled as I felt his deft fingers at the bare skin at my neck, and then I felt him undo the top button, then the next, and I felt his hand slide into my shirt. Definitely a softer, gentler hand than mine, but by no means a woman's hand. He touched me and I closed my eyes to enjoy the feeling. His hand stroked over my collarbone, up my neck, then dipped lower into my shirt, low enough that it just brushed my nipple and I jumped. I heard him chuckle softly and opened my eyes. "What?" I smiled. He said nothing, but glanced leisurely down at where I was showing how much I enjoyed fingers on my skin. I flushed, not out of shame but some embarrassment... and desire. "I could say the same about you, Valen Riddick. I never knew you felt this way." He continued our conversation from earlier. "I don't think I did, Haldir. Or if I did, it was deeply buried. I've never... done anything like this before." He leaned down and kissed my forehead tenderly. "Would you like to learn? I'd like to show you the way." "I'm yours, my old friend. Just... be patient with me." "Of course." His mouth met mine again, and this time he let his own flame of passion show a little, kissing me fiercely, and even biting my lip sweetly. He kissed both my eyelids, and then my nose, as I wrinkled it and smiled, my chin, and then I felt his hot mouth on my neck. I felt something tickling me and opened my eyes to see it was his long hair, trailing along my skin. I reached up and ran my fingers through the silky soft lengths. "You know, I always was a bit envious of your hair." "My hair?" he laughed, softly. He was kissing the little bit of skin exposed by my open shirt. "Yes... mine certainly isn't like this." "No, definitely not... human," he mocked, and then nipped me with sharp teeth. I yelped and caught him in my arms. "What was that for?" "Felt like it." He was unbuttoning my shirt now, and I felt his hot mouth on each patch of exposed skin, and soon, his hair, trailing behind it. Soon he had my shirt opened to the waist. "I'm badly scarred, Haldir." I could see him smile sadly as he ran his fingers over my body. "What have they done to you, my friend?" "Horrible things." "It doesn't matter. It's just a part of you now." He kissed my belly, and I jumped in desire and confusion. I'd never felt like this in my life. I think he could tell, but when I felt his tongue against my skin I nearly sat up. "Haldir..." "Easy, my friend. There is plenty of time." He gently eased me back down, helping me gracefully off with my shirt on the way. True to his word, he did not rush even a little. He took his time exploring my chest, making my heart jump and my belly flutter like a young lad's. My sorrows forgotten, I slowly gave myself over to his ministrations. When his fingers first wrapped around my cock, through my pants, I felt myself twitch in response to him. I was as hard as a rock, and as he began to stroke me, I realized just how long it had been since anyone had touched me. Deftly he undid the ties at my waist and slipped his hand into my breeches, past my smallclothes until his fingers finally brushed against the heart of me. "Haldir..." I whispered but before I could go further his mouth met mine again. He kissed me, lovingly at first, then harder and more passionately. His fingers wrapped around me and he began to stroke me, firmly, and with enthusiasm. Suddenly I became aware of how close I was already. I tried to tell him to stop, to hold back, anything, but before I even could, he pressed against me hard enough for me to feel his cock was hard too. At that thought I lost what little control I had. I spilled out, over his fingers, right into my pants, and I positively moaned into his mouth. I swear I saw stars. Well, it had been thirty years if you think about it. I didn't know if I wanted to weep or laugh. Slowly I came back to myself, to find him still stroking me, gently. I was already coming back to hardness again, eager as a boy. I looked up into his eyes, a little embarrassed. "I suppose I've made a poor showing of myself." He laughed, actually laughed. "You humans. Always worried about such things." "Haldir...?" "Yes, my friend?" I reached down and found him, hard, gripped him. "I never did this before." "I know. You already said that. You're repeating yourself." "Show me how." He looked at me for a long time, then kissed my brow. "All right." He lay back, pulling me with him. Hesitantly, I helped him out of his shirt, a long, flowing garment. I'd seen him shirtless before, though never exactly like this. He was lithe and slim, in comparison to me, but still muscular and taut. I ran my fingers over his skin and he closed his eyes. I wanted to touch him, I realized. I wanted to feel his skin against mine, and curb the loneliness I felt. I put both of my hands on him and ran them all over his skin, down his chest, through the light sprinkling of hair – much lighter and thinner than my own – and hesitantly approached his breeches. I could see him, hard and bulged against his pants. I undid them, slowly, to reveal silky dark blond hair nested around his penis. I was surprised. I guess I had always assumed that elves had smaller members, but his looked perfectly normal and average. Hesitantly, slowly, I wrapped my hand around it. I'd never held another man's dick in my hands before, but when Haldir moaned softly in response, I lost all of my hesitation. Without really thinking about what I was doing, I leaned forward and took him in my mouth. I heard him gasp softly, and I felt his hand on the back of my head. He was very gentle, guiding my head and my mouth, and I began to move my mouth up and down on him. I felt no rush and no urgency from him, just a languid sort of bliss, spreading over the both of us. I could almost feel what was going through him, a wave of pleasure, rising and receding, ebbing and flowing, with each thrust into my mouth. I don't know how long it took, but eventually he took my head in both of his hands, and I heard him whisper to me. "I'm going to come now, is that all right?" Haldir and Valen The famous elvish self-control. In answer I took his hand and wrapped it around a lock of my hair, encouraging him to push me down. He did so, and with some clumsiness, I took him in my throat as far as I could. Thus given permission, I could almost feel him relinquish control. He arched his back and held me tenderly, and suddenly I felt his cock jerk in my mouth as he came. My mouth was full, and I didn't know what to do with it or how to handle it. It wasn't bitter (I've tasted my own, I know how it tastes) but surprisingly sweet and thick. I tried to swallow and hold it in my mouth but my lack of expertise made me lose a lot of it. I felt it leaking, covering us both, as he slipped out of my mouth. I sat up, wiping my mouth in consternation. I looked down into his face, his eyes half-closed. "Sorry. I'll get better." He laughed at me softly. "You fool." Pulling me down to his level, he kissed me again, and then slowly licked his own come off my face. "Do you really think I mind?" "I guess not," I said, smiling back at him. "That is... really damn hot, Haldir." "Is it?" He cupped my cheek. Then, "Sit up." I did so, obediently. He glanced down at me, hard again. "Wait. Get undressed. I will, too." He got up and went to his bag for something, shucking his pants unselfconsciously on the way. I eyed his long, sloping back; half covered by his hair, and his ass, tight and muscular, and felt strange feelings in the pit of my stomach. He came back with a small bottle in his hands as I took my seat. Leaning over me, he kissed me softly again and then whispered, "Do you still want to learn?" I nodded. "Then..." he moved me so that I was sitting on the edge of the bed, feet on the floor. With grace he seated himself in my lap, one arm gracefully looped around my neck. I automatically put an arm around his waist to steady him. "Thank you," he said, and then opened the bottle. It was oil, and had a rich aroma. He poured some into his hand, and then closed it again and tossed it carelessly onto the bed. He covered my cock with the oil, stroking me gently. I moaned and closed my eyes but I opened them again when he bit my lip gently. "Don't lose me so quickly, Valen." "I'm here, Haldir." "Trust me, then." And in a swift motion he had lifted himself in my arms and I felt my penis press against his bottom. He guided it right to his opening, and with only a small grunt of effort on his part, I felt myself enter him. "Oh my god, Haldir," I moaned, as I felt myself sink into him. I didn't know how to feel, but I tell you, my cock knew how to feel. I dropped my free hand to his cock and gripped it, and without even thinking about it began to work deeper into him. Oh, but his ass was tight and nearly drove me crazy. And it was very different doing this with a male, who had upper body strength to lift himself up and down on my own cock, his eyes closed, his hair clinging to the both of us, sometimes kissing me, sometimes just laying his head on my shoulder. If I had any resistance left, it was gone now. I came first, of course – he had much better staying power than me, but after that I began to enjoy it ever more, taking my time, and when he came, it splashed up between us, covering us both in sticky wetness. But we didn't even think of stopping. We made love through the whole night. Haldir had a talent for making love without pause, and even bringing me back to life long after I thought I was exhausted. In between, we lay in each other's arms, holding each other and talking of old times. He told me of his love and I told him of mine, and both of us comforted each other in shared pain. In the morning, I awoke, later than usual, to sunlight pouring across us. Haldir was in my arms, his head on my chest, his arm draped across me. I had my own arm around him, and I was idly playing with his hair. He lifted his head to look into my eyes and kissed me. I kissed him back. "Where do we go from here?" "Anywhere you want to." "I'd like to stay with you and see..." "Of course." We washed each other tenderly, and dressed and went down for breakfast. As we entered the tavern, who should we see there but Gregor. Haldir and I looked at each other. "Give me a moment, Haldir." "Of course, my friend." He squeezed my shoulder and took a seat. Gregor came over to me, and we stepped out into the hallway. He looked awkward and uncomfortable. I was the first one to speak. "Good morning, Gregor." "Valen." "What can I do for you?" "Well..." He looked me right in the eye. "I came to say I was sorry, Valen. I treated you rather shabbily-" I thought for a second about being angry, but what was the point? He had a legitimate grievance, even if it wasn't my fault, and I loved him too much. I started to interrupt, to tell him of course he was forgiven, but he raised a hand. "Please let me finish. I need to say this." I lapsed into silence." "I was just shocked to see you again. You know, when you left... well, it was hard for me. But it wasn't your fault, and that didn't give me a right to treat you like that. Anyway, I just wanted to come and tell you how deeply sorry I was..." he trailed off and looked up at me. "And to see if you can forgive me." "Already forgiven, Gregor. Instantly and immediately." He smiled, relieved, and continued. "And I wanted to see if there was still room to travel with you. If you want me to, of course." "Absolutely. I'd be happy to have you. We'd both be happy. And... lad?" "Yes?" "I love you, my boy. I'm glad you're back." And I gave him a tight hug, which he returned hesitantly. We went to join Haldir. It was in the back of my mind I'd have to explain at some point, but that was for the future. A future I had hope for once again. And reason for living. After all, my boy was forty-two and unwed. I'd have to find him a wife.