Crimes of the Past

December 31st 1896

Haldir pulled on his boots and laced them up.  He called through to his brothers, “Are you two ready yet?  I have to meet Dave in thirty minutes.  I can’t hang around waiting for you all evening.”  He looked in the mirror and checked his tie was straight and his hair was still neatly tied back.  Rumil and Orophin appeared in the doorway of their bedroom.  They wore identical suits and carried identical top hats and canes.  They also wore identical, mischievous smiles.

“We’re ready.”  They chorused.  Haldir looked up at them, took in their appearances and smiled, grimly.  “You two are up to something.”  Rumil and Orophin tried their best to appear innocent.  “Us, Haldir?  We have nothing planned.  Well, nothing bad anyway.  We just plan to have fun tonight.”  Orophin responded.  Haldir passed his brothers their overcoats then donned his own.  He shut off the gas light and led his two brothers out of the flat, down the stairs and into the awaiting horse-drawn carriage.  He gave the driver directions and they headed off.

Haldir jumped out of the cab and ran up the stairs to Dave’s house.  He pulled the bell cord and Dave’s housekeeper answered.

“He’ll be with you in just a moment, sir.”  Haldir nodded his thanks and went back to the cab.  A few minutes later, the door swung open and Dave hopped in.  He shook hands with Rumil and Orophin, then – making sure the curtains were drawn – pulled Haldir close and kissed him with a passion. 

“How I wish we could do that in public at least once!”  Haldir despaired of having to hide his love away.  These were difficult times and a display of affection between males was not merely frowned upon but punishable by law.  Haldir and Dave had to be exceptionally discrete with their love and it was something that irked them both on a daily basis.  Haldir and Dave had been involved with each other for a few decades now and had been forced to conduct their relationship in secret for the entire time.  Neither Elf liked it, but both had to accept it. 

The four nattily-dressed Elves were on their way to what promised to be the Elvish social event of the year.  Celeborn and Galadriel were having their annual New Year ball.  Elves from all over the country attended and it was a chance to catch up with relatives and old friends.  The parties themselves were always lavish and grand.  The food was exquisite and the drinks flowed freely.  It was the one chance in the year for the Elves to forget the trappings of human society and to just be themselves.  It was also one of the few opportunities offered to Elves such as Haldir and Dave to be open and honest about their relationships and for this reason Celeborn and Galadriel ensured that they brought their own staff with them – no humans were allowed to attend in any way, despite the ball taking place at a top hotel.

The driver held the door open and stood back to let the Elves alight the carriage.  Haldir gave the driver instructions on when to return for them then joined the others in entering the hotel.  They made their way to the ballroom, gasping with pleasure when the doors were thrown open.  The party was already in full swing.  All around, Elves were hugging and kissing each other in greeting.  Stories were being exchanged and friendships were renewed.  When the doors closed behind them, Dave slipped his hand into Haldir’s and kissed him on the cheek.  Rumil and Orophin dashed off to see friends and Haldir and Dave made their way over to where Celeborn and Galadriel sat.

The night wore on and midnight was fast approaching.  Almost everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and the mood was jolly.  Rumil had escaped to a quiet corner with an Elleth and Orophin sat between Elladan and Elrohir being fed strawberries and champagne.  Haldir lounged on a chair, talking to Celeborn.  Dave sat on Haldir’s knee with his arms wound tightly around Haldir’s shoulder.  Occasionally he joined in with the conversation, but more often than not rested his head on Haldir’s shoulder, smiling contentedly.

“Attention all!  Can I have your attention?”  Galadriel stood in the centre of the ballroom, her gentle but commanding voice calling for all present to listen.  Celeborn excused himself and left Haldir and Dave to join his wife.  He stood at her side and clasped her hand, smiling at the assembled crowd. 

“First of all, my husband and I would like to thank you all for coming and making this evening so very wonderful.”  A ripple of applause interrupted her speech.  “We always enjoy seeing so many of you here at these balls.  These days everyone is so spread out that we do not see our friends and family as often as we would like.”  Galadriel smiled at the crowd.  “The midnight hour is almost upon us, so charge your glasses and prepare to welcome in the new year.”  Galadriel accepted a glass of champagne from her husband and raised her glass to the crowd.  The servers weaved their way through Elves, ensuring every glass was topped up.  A hush fell on the ballroom as they all strained to hear the midnight bells, ringing in the distance.  When the last bell chimed, every Elf present cheered and kissed those around them.  Some kisses lasted longer than others.

“Our driver is here, Haldir.  Are you two ready to go?”  Rumil slurred to his brother.  The Elleth with whom he had been canoodling, was draped over his arm, ready to leave with him.  Orophin had received an invite to spend the rest of the night with Elladan and Elrohir – an offer which he didn’t hesitate to accept.

"It is a clear evening."  Haldir mused as the group stood at the foot of the stairs, leading from the hotel.  He turned to Dave.  "Can I walk you home?"  Dave nodded his assent.  Haldir and Dave bade the others goodnight and set off.  They walked side by side, but not touching, not in public.  They had both consumed enough champagne to be giddy, and as they walked and talked, each began to forget the no touching rule.  Haldir cracked a joke and Dave, laughing leaned in close to Haldir.  He lost his balance slightly and Haldir slipped an arm around Dave's waist to steady him.  That contact was enough to make any thoughts of propriety disappear.

"This way, come on!"  Haldir pulled Dave into an alleyway and kissed him fiercely.  Dave tried to pull away, saying "No.  Not here.  We're not that far from my home, we'd be safer there."  Haldir was in no mood to hear the voice of reason, and pulled Dave close.

"Now - there's no-one around.  Everyone is either safely tucked up in bed or still at their parties.  I need you now!"  Haldir's sense of urgency started to affect Dave.  Dave pressed himself hard up against Haldir, hands pulling Haldir to him at the same time.  Their lips met then parted, allowing their tongues to explore the other's mouth.  Dave moved his hand and slid it around the front, to Haldir's crotch.  He massaged the growing bulge, making Haldir groan and tremble with need. 

Dave backed away from the kiss and with a wink at Haldir he dropped to his knees.  Fingers working furiously, he unbuttoned Haldir's fly and pushed the fabric aside, freeing Haldir's engorged member.  Without and hesitation, Dave sucked Haldir into his mouth.  Haldir whimpered and squirmed as Dave attended to his needs.  He clenched his fists by his side and closed his eyes.

"Just what exactly do you think you're doing, gents?"  A booming voice caught Dave and Haldir's attention.  Two policemen stood at the end of the alleyway, disgust contorting their features.  Dave scrabbled to his feet and Haldir tried to tuck himself away, but it was too late - the damage was done.  They were caught.

The first policeman grabbed Dave's arms and dragged him away from Haldir.  The second pulled out his notebook and pencil, ready to take notes.  Haldir and Dave looked at each other in horror.  Haldir panicked.  He knew that he could easily afford any financial penalty imposed upon him, but the social humiliation should news of this indiscretion get out would be unbearable.  Champagne clouded his judgement and all Haldir could think about was the potential embarrassment this would cause him.  So he did the unforgivable.

"I'm so glad you're here, Officers.  I was making my way home when I was accosted by this fella!"  The policemen looked sceptically at Haldir.  Dave wriggled to get away from the one that held him.  He had heard Haldir speak, but couldn't believe what he heard.  He tried to meet Haldir's eyes, but the other turned back to the policemen.

"I realise that it's difficult to believe.  I mean, yes - I have had a few drinks.  That is how I came to be in this predicament.  I drunkenly stumbled and this lad here caught me.  The next thing I know, he's dragged me into this alleyway and doing...that to me."  Haldir threw Dave a disgusted look.  “I wish I had gone home with my brothers, but it was such a nice night that I decided to walk.”  Tears welled up in his eyes and his cheeks turned pink with embarrassment and shame.  In the eyes of the policemen, it seemed that Haldir was embarrassed at having been sexually assaulted, but Haldir knew even as he was speaking the words, he was destroying his relationship with Dave.

Dave looked at Haldir in horror.  What was he saying?  Why was he saying it?  The policeman holding him tightened his grip to stop Dave from struggling.  He tried to deny Haldir’s allegations, but his voice had abandoned him.  His shock grew when he realised that the other policeman believed every word that Haldir had said.  Tears coursed down his cheeks as he again tried to make eye contact with Haldir, but the other Elf turned away from him.  He watched Haldir give his statement but didn’t hear his words.  Haldir’s voice was drowned out by another sound, something which Dave later thought had been the sound of his heart breaking. 

The policeman interviewing Haldir flipped his notebook shut, thanked Haldir for his statement then shook his hand telling Haldir how brave he was.  He walked over to his colleague, murmured a few words in his ear then turned to Dave.

“Well, sonny.  You’re in a great deal of trouble here.  The punishment for public lewdness is bad enough, but attempted rape?  You’ll be spending a number of years inside for that.”  At the word ‘rape’, Haldir’s head had shot up.  His denial of his relationship with Dave had been wrong and he knew he would suffer guilt over it for a long time to come, but could he really let Dave be jailed for attempted rape?  Wasn’t that taking things a bit far?  Wasn’t it enough that he had destroyed his relationship with Dave, did he really have the nerve or the cruelty to destroy the other’s life?  He glanced at Dave and saw how broken he was.  He cleared his throat and took a deep breath.

“Officer, I do not wish to press charges against him.  I don’t think that rape was ever his intention.  It’s New Year, he’s probably had a lot to drink and wasn’t thinking clearly.”  The policemen looked surprised.  The one holding Dave spoke up.

“You mean you want to let him get away with it?”  He sounded incredulous.

Haldir shook his head.  “It’s not that.  I just don’t want to have to appear in court over this.  I have a reputation to protect and something like this…well, it could ruin me.  I cannot allow that to happen.”  Haldir was beginning to panic.  He looked at Dave, but it appeared that the other Elf had not heard a word that was exchanged.  He was slumped forward in the policeman’s grasp, sobbing his heart out.

“I understand what you’re saying, sir but a crime has still been committed here.  I cannot allow this…deviant to get off scot-free.  The least I can do is charge him with public lewdness and that is a hefty fine.  And by the looks of him, he is in no condition to make any plea either way, so he’ll be spending the rest of tonight in the cells.”

“If that’s the way it must be to keep my name out of it, then so be it.”  Haldir’s heart thumped wildly in his chest and his throat constricted.  “I must insist that I be kept out of it.”  The policeman nodded and motioned for his colleague to lead Dave away, then walked over to Haldir.

“I’m going to ask you something, sir.  This was definitely not a consensual act, yet you do not want to press charges of rape?” 

“I did not consent to it and no, I do not want to press charges.”  The policeman sighed and walked away to join his colleague.  Haldir watched them lead Dave out of the alleyway and disappear around the corner.  Only when he was sure that they were long gone did he allow himself to breath.  After breath came guilt and along with guilt came tears.  He leaned against the wall, slid down to the ground and buried his face in his hands, sobbing.

“What have I done?”

The end