Author: Deathangelgw
Author email: deathangelgw@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Tolkien, not me.
Though I wouldn’t mind them! ~_^
Warnings: AU, slight OOC, sap, angst, dark, lemon/lime,
slash.
Pairings: Elrond/Legolas, hinted Erestor/Glorfindel,
Elladan/Haldir, and Elrohir/Rumil
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A time to explore finds new things for a certain
Mirkwood prince
Notes: Here I thought it was going to be another month for
more because the muses went on hiatus! Glad I was wrong! Thanks for the reviews
and to MA thanks for the beta! Love ya! Enjoy! Feedback is much loved and
appreciated!
‘thoughts’
"I shall take the Ring to Mordor."
The words rang through the Council, silencing the arguing
that had, but moments' ago, been roaring throughout the chamber. All turned and
stared at the young Hobbit, Frodo Baggins, in something akin to disbelief. He
stood straight and as tall as a Hobbit could be, facing them with a steadiness
that put them all to shame.
Legolas stared over at the Hobbit, shocked at his bravery
and more than a little dismayed. ‘This little one? Take the One Ring to Mordor?’
Glancing away, Legolas pondered what it would mean for all of them for such an
innocent to take on such a heavy burden.
Elrond stood slowly as the debaters all stepped back, still
quite stunned at the pronouncement as they watched the Lord of Imladris face
Frodo. "Tis a difficult task you seek to take, young Frodo Baggins. Are you
certain of it?" the Peredhel Lord asked quietly, his voice strengthening on the
wind as he gazed at the Hobbit.
Staring up at Elrond, Frodo hesitated before nodding
firmly. "Aye…I know what it entails and I must do it, Lord Elrond," he replied
softly, his very words heartening all present.
"Very well then. I shall assemble a Fellowship to accompany
you, Master Baggins," Elrond said finally as he nodded before facing the
Council. "Until such time, please enjoy Imladris' hospitality," he stated to the
gathered in a firm dismissal before seating himself wearily in his seat. He
glanced over automatically to where his lover sat and locked gazes with his
beloved, finding strength in that clear gaze as the assembled departed save for
Aragorn, Gandalf, his sons, Glorfindel, and Erestor.
The remaining gathered closer to Elrond, already arguing on
denying Frodo such a task as they stood. Legolas sat close to his lover, not
moving too much closer, but allowing his presence to strengthen Elrond as he
listened to the arguments silently, lost in his own thoughts.
Finally, Elrond sat up and sighed, silencing all of the
disputers as he gazed at them firmly. "Frodo has made his choice. We cannot
change it now. Our only hope is to choose those most suited to help and guide
him," he started softly, a cue to them to sit and listen. "Gandalf…Aragorn. I
wish for you both to accompany him, as will Samwise Gamgee. He shall be one that
will help keep the shadow from taking Frodo," he decided quietly, eyes upon the
two he had chosen.
Aragorn bowed his head in acceptance as did Gandalf before
the Istari added, "Perhaps might I suggest Gimli, son of Gloin? The Dwarves will
wish to be represented in this."
A couple of wry chuckles left the gathered as Elrond smiled
tiredly. "Aye, old friend. That they will. Very well, Gimli then. And Boromir,
for he knows Gondor as well as the rest of you," he added, frowning slightly.
"Is that wise? His temptation by the Ring may be his
undoing," Erestor asked softly in concern as he made notes of the decisions.
"We shall trust his strength of will. He is indeed very
proud, but his concern for his people is his best quality," Elrond stated before
rubbing his temples. "I shall decide on the rest later. I shall need to choose
three more, so that there are nine to fight the Nine of Mordor."
"Do not press yourself, Ada. Rest…allow our young Prince to
pamper you," Elladan commented teasingly, earning chuckles as well as a cocked
eyebrow from his father in his direction. Legolas smiled slightly as he looked
down, shy at this blatant statement of their relationship.
"Very well. We shall reconvene at a later time as I think
on this decision. Rest, all of you," Elrond commanded before standing with them.
He waited with Legolas until the gathered had dispersed before lacing his
fingers with his lover's. "You are quiet, rŷnen ‘waew. What is wrong?" he asked
gently as they left the council halls slowly. (my wind chaser)
"I am worried for young Frodo is all, maethoren dhae. He is
young and innocent. The shadows will swallow him whole before the end," Legolas
replied unhappily as he held tightly to his beloved's fingers. He tilted his
head to gaze at Elrond, blue eyes filled with worry. "Who else are you thinking
of?" he asked, changing the subject. (my shadow warrior)
"I am not sure as of yet. I am considering sending three
Elves so that they have an acceptable protection, but I am not certain on whom I
would choose," Elrond responded quietly, his gaze distressed as he looked
forward. He looked up as he felt gentle fingers on his chin and smiled as he
looked at his lover. "Ai, I need your love and strength, rŷnen ‘waew…now more
than ever," he whispered softly as they came to his rooms.
"I am here, seron vell. Never fear or doubt that," Legolas
whispered just as softly as they stopped, then kissed lovingly. With a smile of
agreement, they turned and went into the awaiting rooms, anxious to chase away
the shadows with their own light. (dear lover)
*~~**~~*
The soft sounds of a quill tip on parchment woke Legolas
slowly and he looked over to see his lover bent over his desk, writing
furiously. He sat up and gathered a robe to his body, knotting it closed as he
came over to the large mahogany desk that kept his beloved captive with missives
and reports. He sat on the edge of the desk and gazed down at what his love was
working on, blinking as he saw his name written next to Gimli's name before
being scratched out frantically. He glanced up as he heard his love gasp softly
in surprise and smiled slightly at the wide eyes that locked with his own. "You
left the bed," he commented lightly as he snuggled into his robe, eyes still
sleep filled and heavy.
Glancing away, Elrond shrugged nervously. "I could not
sleep. Not with all that must be decided," he answered softly, wringing the
quill in his hand uncertainly.
"I see," Legolas murmured as he stood and then came around
to lean against the desk, straddling his love's legs as the Peredhel sat back
and gazed up at him guardedly. "My name was on the list. Why did you scratch it
out?" he asked gently, not pressuring, but curious.
Elrond looked away once more and bit his lip, not wishing
to answer. He had no choice but to face his lover as gentle fingers under his
chin forced him to return the sky colored gaze of his beloved. "I…I did not wish
to send you," he finally admitted, turning his gaze away guiltily as he saw a
flash of hurt pass through the eyes he loved.
"Did you not feel that I am qualified?" Legolas demanded
quietly, stiffly as his hand fell to his side and he sat up straighter on the
desk edge.
"Nay! Tis not that!" Elrond protested immediately as he
looked up, then despaired as he saw the hard look in his love's eyes.
"Place me on the list, melethen. I am going with the
Fellowship," (my love) Legolas stated clearly, firmly shutting down any
arguments that Elrond may have come up with. Elrond bowed his head and silently
nodded before leaning in and scribing the name firmly to the parchment. Two
spots remained, which gave some concern to Legolas, but his thoughts were pushed
away as Elrond laid his head on the blond's lap, while wrapping his arms around
Legolas' waist. Running his fingers through his love's twilight hair, Legolas
felt his reserves and defenses drop as he saw how upset his love was with this
decision. He knew he had to make it up to his love…
"Come to bed, seronen ‘wath, and let me remind you of my
strength," (my shadow lover) he whispered softly, invitingly, causing Elrond to
look up at him and smile. They stood and kissed deeply, hungrily as Legolas'
robe and Elrond's leggings fell to the ground as they moved to the bed. The room
was filled with cries of pleasure and Legolas' pleas for his love before they
were finished, but still the shadow of what had been decided hung over them as
they lay curled together.
TBC
