The dark deer bounded along, his steps light and heart high as the sky. They were headed somewhere new today, and he could already smell the salt in the air. At the first dune he practically bolted away. The gold watched him go. In Haldir’s mind, the gold had given in to the deer’s request that they go do things other than storm castles and annoy the locals. In actual fact it was a bit more selfish. If they went somewhere more exciting, the deer might actually leave him alone for a second. Ever since the spar with Tingal and his other numerous close calls, the deer had become more of a nanny than companion. And he was close to being told off for it. So in a rare move to actually keep the peace, here they were. Besides, it had been a while since he’d had a good swim (the splash after jumping of World’s Edge’s cliffs didn’t count).

Haldir bounded over the dunes, letting his young legs spring him over the tall grasses. The gold caught only glimpses as he crested the dunes as well. When at last he crossed over the last one, Haldir was already crashing along the waterline. Thranduil only snorted and shook his head. At the last clump of grasses the gold paused and let his satchel and golden cloak slide from his back, then covered them with the prized black invisibility cloak. A drug hoof line marked the spot. Smug with his trick the golden moved off again. Life as an outcast again had reminded him of many privileges he had taken advantage of in the past.

Haldir was already soaking wet, and was daring to go deeper and deeper into the cool waters. With his dark coat the sun had been punishingly hot, and as the wave crashed over his back his whole being trembled with the chill. The gold watched for a moment in some strange mixture of annoyance and contentedness. The strange relationship between he and the deer never ceased to be full of contradictions. If anything, as the stag grew they found only more odd moments  that joined them or tore them apart. Yet there was, unlike with any other living thing and the gold, some understanding beyond pity, or sadness. There was something unnamable that was completely understood by between them. And acts had past which none other could do for either. No one ever sought to protect the gold before, not since…..

Crowned head shook vigorously. Those thoughts had plagued his mind far too much lately. This day about escaping those (and to please the stag, to escape them without terrorizing the villagers) about putting of some mask of normality, even if it was lie to themselves. The leafen star head tossed up in defiance, and roared out a mighty bellow. Haldir slides to a halt and echoes it, with decidedly more joy and excitement. Charging up the sands the gold let roll his full heritage. His neck curled, and legs lifted high, kicking sand to the heavens. His head shook with a surge of momentum and the now usual rebellious carefree air. As he crashed into the waves the deer happily followed. If you didn’t know about the ghosts wandering in the gold’s head, or the rebellious nature of the gold lately, it might look like a pleasant family moment. Pity it was a lie.

OOC:: Open to all...even Jen <3. XD 

"Talk?"

we live like thieves
     kings among men