Notes: This is the 2004 Christmas triple drabble for Vesta.

Translation of Elvish: Seron vell - beloved. Melin chen - I love you.

The last orc attack had been extremely vicious. Though no elf was killed, many were wounded. Haldir, Chief Guardian of the Golden Wood, was among them - and he hated it.

For weeks, he had been confined to his bed and the care of his brothers. Now, with Rúmil gone - on an important mission to Greenwood, how very likely - Celeborn had taken his lover to his own talan because Orophin clearly could not handle his brother on his own.

It was the day of the winter solstice, and Haldir decided that he had had enough. Enough of their nursing, enough of the worried glances. And certainly enough of Celeborn's "no intimate touch" rule.

Throwing back the blankets that covered his body, Haldir sat up ... only to find himself at the receiving end of a glare that would have made Lord Elrond proud of his father-in-law. Celeborn looked quite murderous. "And what, pray tell, do you think you are doing? You are to stay in bed until such time your healers, and I, deem right."

But Haldir was not going to allow anyone to order him around anymore. Not if he had a say in it. "Celeborn, I am over three thousand years old. One would think that I know when I am well enough to get up. Anyway..." if reasoning failed to do the trick, he was going to try for the "bad conscience" method, "You will be busy at the feast today, and I am positively sick of sitting around all alone."

Celeborn's smile lit the room. "Seron vell, what makes you think that I would leave you alone today? I have spoken to my Lady, and she all but ordered me to stay with you. Melin chen, Haldir." Then he added, with a wicked sparkle in his eyes, "By the way, I have a special solstice gift for you, and I think you are quite ready to enjoy it..." The last words had barely left his lips when he attacked, and Haldir soon learned how nice being bedridden could actually be...