Ringing in the New Year Part 1

Haldir scampered around the kitchen putting the finishing touches to mini quiches, checking the sausage rolls in the oven and poking cocktail sticks into cubes of cheese.  Every so often he’d stop to take a swig from his glass of wine, then carry on with the task in hand – preparing for his Hogmanay party.  After Legolas had said he could come over for the New Year celebrations, Haldir decided to invite a few others along.  Nothing big, nothing fancy just a few friends gathered to celebrate the start of a new year.  It really felt like a new year – and a new start – for Haldir.  As he cut the ham sandwiches into little triangles, he pondered over the past year.

He had met, fallen in love with and been dumped by Severus.  He had taken the step of moving out of the flat he shared with his brothers and into a house of his own and most recently, he had become reacquainted with a former lover, Dave.  Having Dave back in his life, albeit just as a friend meant Haldir’s year was definitely ending on a high note.  He stopped his reminiscing to take another gulp of wine then pulled the tray of mince pies out of the oven.

In the living room, Orophin and Rumil sat slumped on the sofa, unwrapping chocolates and popping them into their mouths.  With the wrappers, they were crafting a foil ball for Flora to play with.  Given the amount of sweets they had eaten, it was a fairly sizable ball.  Rumil judged it large enough and threw it for the cat.  The pair chuckled as she lazily pawed it then rolled over onto her back for a nap.

“Y’know, just when I think I couldn’t eat another chocolate, I find myself mysteriously unwrapping another.”  Orophin tossed the strawberry cream into his mouth and chewed happily.

“I know!  You’d think we’d be sick of them by now, but nope.  I just can’t help myself.”  Rumil cast a look behind him, towards the kitchen.  “Do you think we should be giving him a hand?”  Rumil winced as he heard a crash followed by cursing.  “Hmmm, possibly not.  Best leave him to it, eh?”  Rumil reached into the tin of Roses and pulled out a hazel whirl.  “Yummy – my fave!”

Haldir looked at the mess on the floor.  A tray of miniature pasties lay on the floor.  Haldir reached for his glass.  It was empty so he refilled it.  He took a large swallow and set about cleaning up the mess.  His attention was drawn to a tapping on the window.  He looked up to see Dave letting himself in through the back door.  Haldir flashed Dave a smile and finished picking up the spilled food. 

“Need a hand?”  Dave offered, first of all placing the bottle of Hebridean liqueur on the counter.  “Thought we’d have something special for the bells.”  He knelt beside Haldir and started picking up pastry flakes.  “What time is everyone else due?”

Haldir checked his watch.  “Legolas should be here within the hour.  I also invited Cassie along.  She seems nice and her daughter, Daisy is very sweet.  She said she’d come along as soon as her mother arrives to babysit.  Geoff also said he’d pop in when the pub closes.  Otherwise, the others should be here around eight.”  Haldir dropped the remainder of the pasties into the bin.  He had invited some of the villagers that he’d met, thinking it would be a good opportunity to let his brothers get to know them and for them to get to know his brothers.

“No more...no more.”  Orophin groaned and placed the lid on the tin of sweets.  He hefted himself up from the sofa, put the tin on the sideboard.  “I’m going to get changed.  You should think of doing the same.”  He looked pointedly at Rumil’s baggy jogging bottoms and faded, tatty Iron Maiden t-shirt.  He looked up from his brand new PSP and stuck his tongue out at his brother.

“I will.  There’s plenty of time.  I want to finish this level first.”  He turned back to his game, concentration evident on his face by his tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth. 

Orophin shook his head and went off to the spare room to get changed.  He was glad that Legolas would be arriving soon.  Despite neither of them having made any formal mention of a relationship, they had been spending more and more of their spare time together and not just having sex.  They shared stories and laughter, much more than they had ever done before.  Orophin dared not jinx whatever it was they were sharing by putting a name to it, but he knew that he was happier than he had been in a long time.  He missed Legolas over Christmas, but now that he was coming to Haldir’s party, he could barely wait.

Haldir poured another glass of wine for himself and one for Dave.  They sat together at the breakfast bar, injecting cherry tomatoes with a mixture of vodka and Worcestershire sauce.  Not many of the tomatoes made it into the bowl – no sooner was one filled than Haldir popped it into his mouth. 

“These are tasty!”  Haldir exclaimed after eating yet another tomato. 

“There’ll be none left for the rest of the guests at the rate you’re going.  I’ll have to go back to my greenhouse for more.”  Dave complained, smiling when Haldir pulled a face at him.  “And you’d better slow down on the wine too; you don’t want to be comatose before your guests even arrive.”

“Sorry, I’m just a little nervous.”  Haldir looked down at his glass.

“Nervous?  Why?”

Haldir cleared his throat and hesitated, still staring at his wine.  Should he tell Dave the real reason behind his nerves – that Dave was the cause – or should he lie?  He made up his mind to be as honest as possible.

“I’m nervous because this is the first time I’ve actually celebrated on Hogmanay since...that night.  I was so ashamed afterwards and every New Year I remembered what I had done, so never felt like celebrating.  I’m also nervous because you’re here.  I’m scared that you’ll start remembering too and decide that you hate me after all.”  The words tumbled from Haldir’s lips before he had a chance to stop them.  The thoughts had been in his head all evening, but wine had loosened his tongue.  He looked up, cheeks flushed and ever so slightly breathless.

“Ah, I see.  Actually, I was a bit apprehensive about tonight as well for much the same reasons.”  He brushed his knuckles over the back of Haldir’s hand.  “It really is a new start for us.  A new year, a new start.”  He squeezed Haldir’s hand, encouragingly and flashed him a shy smile.  Dave licked his lips and leaned towards Haldir, his heart beating wildly in his chest.  His mind raced – was it too soon?  Would a kiss be well received?  Was this what he really wanted?  Before he had a chance to find out, the doorbell rang.

“Haldir!  Legolas is here!”  Rumil’s voice broke the spell.  Dave cleared his throat and hastily looked away.  Haldir sat, looking at him for a moment before also turning away.

“I’d better go and welcome the first of our guests.”  Haldir stepped down from the stool and found he was a little unsteady on his legs.  “Heh, must be the wine.”  He chuckled and made his way to the living room.  He opened the door to see his brothers greeting Legolas enthusiastically.

“Hi Haldir.  Happy Hogmanay!”  Legolas grinned and hugged Haldir.  “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought someone with me.”  He turned to the door just as another Elf walked through.

To be continued...

Ringing in the New Year Part 2