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’
An air of solemnity hung over the once peaceful vale of
Imladris as the day loomed for the departure of the Fellowship. It had been
decided at the last that Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrine Took were to complete
the Fellowship. Though, it had not been Elrond's decision completely, however,
at the suggestion of Gandalf on Merry’s inclusion and then Pippin's insistence
of being added, it had been decided so.
Elladan and Elrohir had taken a group of Elves and Rangers
to clear the path for the Fellowship and had yet to return. It had been a tense
farewell, but all knew they would most likely meet once more. Hopefully within
peaceful times.
Legolas had already bid farewell to the group that had
accompanied him, sending them back to Mirkwood with a private letter for each in
his family. It had been a sorrowful parting, for the faithful guards had not
wished to allow their Prince on this journey, but he had been firm. And so, it
had been with heavy hearts that they had departed, leaving their Prince behind
to his fate.
But all had not been as easy for the Prince. Elrond had
taken to avoiding him at times, lost in thought when the Prince did see him.
Their lovemaking was even more fierce and intense at night, for it was almost as
if Elrond was possessing Legolas with everything in him. Legolas was concerned
on it, but said nothing, knowing his beloved was torn with the decision that
they had made. Even though they knew it was for the best, the golden warrior
understood that it tore his love up inside to be sending Legolas into a journey
that was perilous at the least.
And now, on the final night before the Fellowship left the
safety of Imladris to head for Mordor, Legolas walked along the halls in search
of his beloved. He came to the rooms he had been sharing with Elrond and found
that the robes had been discarded upon the divan and that Elrond’s twin daggers
were missing from their place next to the Lord’s sword on the wall. Frowning,
Legolas looked around slowly before heading outside. He stopped as the wind blew
around him, and then nodded in understanding.
Swiftly, his feet took him to the place that had changed
their relationship deeply: the small clearing in the woods. Ithil once more
graced the clearing with her gentle rays, lighting upon the midnight hued locks
of his lover as Elrond worked fiercely through his exercises. Stopping, the
Prince watched silently as the twin blades sliced through the air with deadly
precision, surrounded by twilight hair that blew in the wind with every twirl,
twist, and lunge.
Saying nothing, Legolas merely watched, knowing that his
lover was working through the fear and frustration that, even now, charged the
air between them. He stepped forward silently as the movements slowed and
stopped, ending with Elrond straightening to gaze at the forest Prince steadily.
Legolas bowed his head as the wind blew up between them, sending gold and
twilight locks whipping along the air currents as they watched each other
wordlessly.
"Would you like to spar, ernilen taur?" Elrond asked
quietly as he stepped forward, dark eyes guarded as they came closer. (my forest
prince)
"I have not my blade, seronen 'wath," (my shadow lover)
Legolas replied equally as soft as he watched Elrond approach. He blinked in
surprise as the dual blades sank into the ground in front of him before the
Peredhel Lord turned and went over to where his clothes were. He cocked an
eyebrow in surprise as another pair of blades appeared within the deceptively
slender hands and twirled in a sign of agility. Nodding in understanding,
Legolas removed his tunic, bent, and withdrew the awaiting blades from the
ground, twirling them as well in a test of their balance.
They faced the other, one blade above their heads while the
other was diagonal across their chests. Their eyes never left the other as the
wind blew around them, gusting up leaves as it moaned through the trees
surrounding them. Suddenly, they moved at the same time, coming together in a
swirling move of blades and hair that ended with the sound of metal clanging
harshly in the night. Their duel began, swift and thorough as they parried,
thrust, and deflected only to return with another attack as the night slowed
around them. Gone was the jovialness of their previous duels. Gone were the
light hearted, yet lust-filled gazes that challenged the other to do more in a
battle of wits, prowess, and strength.
Instead, anger and determination fueled their moves as they
worked to prove to the other that they were in the right. Elrond's blades
flashed in the air, meeting with Legolas' in deadly succession as both fought
for supremacy. But, with a final clang that echoed around the glade, they were
dead-locked, glaring at the other as they fought now with brute force to
overpower the other. Silence fell over the clearing as the two Elves pushed each
other to their limits, neither giving nor taking as their wills fought for
dominance.
In a flash, the anger left them both and they relaxed at
the same time, stepping back in acceptance that, in this as well as all other
things, there were equals. Elrond turned away, but was stopped by a gentle hand
on his shoulder. "Why, melethen?" (my love)
He turned and looked at the blond Elf whom he'd come to
hold as his most cherished possession and felt sudden tears come to his eyes.
"You leave on a quest that will take you to the brink of utter madness, chaos,
and death. I…I had to be sure that you were ready," he finally whispered huskily
before glancing away. "Twas not out of insult to you, nor were my protests ever
such. Twas only that fear of losing you that was taking hold of me."
"Oh melethen…I understand," Legolas murmured softly as he
came over and wrapped his arms carefully around his lover, aware of the blades
they both still held. He nuzzled his love's neck as the Peredhel held him
tightly, knowing of the tears that stained their sweaty, yet flushed cheeks. "I
am ever yours. Have faith in me…in us. In the Fellowship and one small Hobbit,
for we shall succeed."
"And then…I will bind with you and you with me…if you will
have me." Elrond's softly spoken words startled Legolas, who leaned back
immediately to look upon his lover's face.
"Truly? You would have that with me?" Legolas whispered in
soaring hope as he cupped Elrond's face tenderly. Elrond nodded swiftly, closing
his eyes as he leaned into the touch as Legolas smiled brilliantly. "Aye…then
that shall be what I will work ever for. To be your mate for all time and you as
my mate," the Prince declared in joy, smiling as Elrond smiled softly at him
before they kissed deeply.
Breaking the kiss gently, Elrond went over to where his
clothes were and brought a quiver that also held the scabbards for the dual
blades within Legolas' hands. "I want you to take those blades with you and know
then that I am guarding you, even when I am not there," he said softly as he
came over and carefully handed the quiver to his stunned beloved.
"But this is a gift from your father! I cannot take such a
gift!" Legolas cried in shock as he stared, dumbfounded, at the blades and
quiver.
"I ask…nay…I beg it of you. They have served me well in
battle and I want you to have the best guarding you," Elrond replied serenely as
he cupped his love's cheek with a tender hand. "I will rest easier if you do
have them. Please, rŷnen 'waew…take them with my love," he whispered lovingly as
he smiled. (my wind chaser)
Eyes filled with tears, Legolas nodded in acquiescence
before hugging and kissing his beloved deeply. They packed up and headed swiftly
to their room, where they made love several times, claiming the other before
sleep took them.
*~~**~~*
Dawn arrived too soon and with it, the departure of the
Fellowship. All of Imladris and her guests stood within the courtyard to bid a
grim farewell to those who had joined the Fellowship. Elrond stood at the front
with his advisors and daughter, struggling to remain composed as he watched
Legolas help Aragorn pack the horses. Finally, all were ready and he knew he had
to speak, so, stepping forward, Elrond Peredhel forced a smile of reassurance
for the gathered. "Go swift and safe, Fellowship of the Ring. May the blessings
of Elves, Men, and Free folk guide you and guard you against all evils." His
voice rang out softly in the courtyard, earning bows of respect from all
present.
"The Fellowship awaits the Ring bearer." Gandalf's voice
floated out firmly and Frodo, taking heart from the strong tones, turned and led
the way. Legolas lingered, his eyes upon his beloved of whom he wore a silver
ring for before he turned and left with Aragorn. The crowd stayed until the
Fellowship had passed from sight before dispersing, leaving Elrond, Glorfindel,
Erestor, and Arwen.
Numb, Elrond turned and stumbled, clutching his chest as he
shuddered. He felt his daughter catch him and hold him up, running her fingers
through his hair as he wept quietly. Erestor and Glorfindel watched over the
grieving family, both knowing that their hearts were now in grave peril. Looking
at each other, they helped their Lord and the Evenstar to the house, knowing
that they would have to find a way to keep them going…for all their sakes.
TBC
