#haladrielweek

Galadriel & Halbrand

Watercolor Painting.

Thanks to all of you (you know who you are :-)) for the willingness to watch this video in its bazillion versions as well as for your support and helpful ideas. You are amazing! ♥

So, without further ado, here is... well, you'll see what when you watch. :-)

And all the world I’ve started hated

Only to stronger loving you…

(M. Lermontov - To )

The first night she slips into his chambers in Númenor, the only explanation she gives him is a quiet, “Can’t sleep.” He raises an eyebrow as he moves over to the side of the bed—a silent offer, which she silently accepts. She steals a corner of his blanket as she curls up on the opposite side of the mattress, her back turned toward him. Minutes later, the soft thuds of her heart slow down, her breaths deepening. He usually spends his nights staring up at the ceiling, but watching the steady rise and fall of her chest is a far more relaxing activity. He pretends to sleep when she sneaks out of bed right before dawn, and neither of them speaks about what happened as they spend the following day preparing for war.  

The second night, she doesn’t say anything at all. With a shy look on her face, she simply walks over to the bed, and he once again offers her half of the mattress. She allows herself to take up a bit more space this time, and she steals far more than just a corner of his blanket. He once again spends the night watching the soothing rise and fall of her chest. Beings like him don’t sleep, but under the right circumstances, they can rest.

The third night, she doesn’t hesitate before curling up on the side of the mattress that he was already starting to refer to as hers. She claims her half of the bed properly this time, reducing the distance between them to a mere inch or two—enough to keep their bodies from touching, but not enough for her to keep the heat of her body or the scent of her hair to herself. For several hours, he fights the temptation to eliminate the distance between them altogether, and when she leaves the bed before dawn, he doesn’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.    

The fourth night, he decides to change their routine. When she climbs into her half of the bed, he wraps and arm around her waist and pulls her against his chest. Her pulse quickens, but she doesn’t push him away. After a while, her tense muscles relax, and she drifts off. An unfamiliar warmth fills his chest when she falls asleep in his arms; a surge of irrational emotions that has to be a side effect of wearing a human raiment. For some reason, it feels right to shield her with his body. It feels right to protect her as she sleeps. It feels right, all of it.  

The fifth night, she follows the new step of their routine on her own accord, moving closer until his body envelopes hers. His physical form is tall and broad; a flawed creation marred with sharp angles and rough edges, but the little Elf fits perfectly in his arms. A different instinct, just as primal as his need to keep her safe, makes itself known. The only thing separating her skin from his is the fabric of her nightgown; thin, but not thin enough. He spends the night in a strange limbo, more satisfied than he can ever remember being but still craving more.

The sixth night is the night before their departure, and when she enters his chambers, there’s a spark in her eyes that he doesn’t recognize. She closes the door, takes a deep breath, and then pulls her nightgown over her head, dropping it on the floor. For a few moments, they stare at each other; a wordless conversation about wants and needs and consequences. His answer to every question that pops up in her eyes is yes. She carefully approaches the bed, neglecting her half of the mattress entirely, and he grabs her the moment she’s within reach. For the first time since she initiated their routine, he finally has her under him, skin against skin, lips against lips, their bodies fitting together like two halves of a whole. When she eventually falls asleep in his arms, he knows that whatever fate has in store for him, she is a part of it. No matter what happens, he will keep her.

Here’s my piece for Haladriel Week 2023 Day Seven!! The theme is wild card, so this was actually something else I wrote for the what if theme: what if Halbrand and Galadriel’s cells were right next to each other and things got a bit… naughty. 😜 Hope you enjoy!

Summary: When both Halbrand and Galadriel find themselves imprisoned whilst in Númenor, things take a surprising and heated turn…

Word count: 2.3k

Warning: Smutty torturous smut…. 😜