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 later, slash.

Pairings: Eventual Elrond/Legolas, hinted Erestor/Glorfindel, Elladan/Haldir, and Elrohir/Rumil

Rating: For now, PG-13 for a wee bit o nudity of the Elven kind…

Summary: A time to explore finds new things for a certain Mirkwood prince

Notes: And I have been remiss!! Well, not really, but I hope ya'll enjoy this part! I had a contest (of which I succeeded in!! WHOOHOO!!) going on the whole month of November, so working on other fics was truly out of the question! But, I did start on it and now I shall up and post another part!! Enjoy! Feedback is much loved and appreciated!

‘thoughts’

The moonlight caressed the flagstones that paved the halls of Imladris as the Mirkwood Prince padded silently across them. He didn't look around much, yet his walk was slow and thoughtful, equal to the countenance of the fair face. His pale blue eyes looked over as a glimmer teased them from his right and he saw the moonlight dance with the starlight upon the rapids of the Bruinen. He felt a slight curve of his lips appear and disappear before he returned to his perusal of the flagstones.

Finally, his feet brought him to his destination and he looked up slowly. His previous study of the flagstones changed to a study of the oaken door before him, seeing the fine grain that textured the wood deeply. His hand came up as if to caress the elegant object, but instead tightened into a loose fist. He knocked softly, letting the hollow, yet deep sound echo in his ears almost mockingly. He waited patiently, his intent gaze now turned inward as he awaited entrance to be given.

*~~**~~*

Candlelight played with the moonlight as it painted its way across the cozy, yet lush rooms of Imladris' Lord. Elrond found himself smiling as he gazed down at the dinner that was waiting before him. He turned his head as he heard the almost hesitant knock on his door and felt a warm flutter brush through him in anticipation. "Come in," he said quietly as he turned fully to face his visitor.

His smile grew as his flaxen haired wind runner entered, looking around almost shyly before locking his eyes onto Elrond. Elrond's eyes took in the delicate form that was dressed in a pale blue tunic over ivory leggings. The soft blond hair was pulled back in the customary braids of Mirkwood, but a ribbon of deep blue had been braided into the freshened locks to accent. A soft smile formed on the sensual lips of the blond prince and the Peredhel Lord felt himself warming inside. "Thank you for joining me," he murmured softly as he extended his hand to the Mirkwood Prince.

Stepping forward, Legolas elegantly extended his own hand to lay delicately in the offered one as he smiled. "Thank you for inviting me, my Lord," he replied softly, his voice near to purring, yet just on the cusp as his eyes took in the stately elegance before him. Elrond wore a deep green robe with silver trim along the front and sleeves. His ebony hair was bound back in a single braid, except for a few strands that framed the regal face. His fillet that represented his state of office was absent from the brow. Legolas' eyelids lowered as he came in, looking demurely around as he was brought closer to the Peredhel's side. "Your rooms are very lovely, my Lord," he commented softly before returning his gaze back to Elrond's.

"Not as lovely as the view my eyes are feasting upon now," Elrond purred out softly as he gazed intently upon the youth before him, drinking in the sight as a man parched from the desert. He smiled slowly as a soft blush colored the fair-haired Elf's cheeks as the youth was brought closer to the Imladrian Lord. "I shall taste to see," he whispered softly as he slowly descended upon those luscious lips that tantalized him so.

But instead of a delicious kiss to whet his appetite, Elrond found himself brushing his lips across a blushing cheek. Surprised, he leaned his head back and gazed at the flustered young prince before him, dark gray eyes troubled. His eyes widened as he heard the soft melodious voice whisper a "Nay" in protest, further confounding the dark haired Elf.

Legolas slowly looked up, his eyes filled with trouble and a small amount of hesitation. "Nay, my Lord…I beg you do not sup so early upon me. We barely know each other," he pleaded softly, pulling away slightly, but unable to go far as the hand that held him captive kept its hold.

"Aye, tis true what you say. Do I misread in your eyes the desire that I myself feel when we are near each other?" Elrond asked as he tilted his head, troubled and dismayed that perhaps he had misread the youth and it was just some flight of fancy that had taken hold of his senses.

"Nay! I…" Legolas trailed off as he looked away, cheeks set aflame with his embarrassment. Taking a deep breath, he forced his gaze up to lock with the disappointment and worry filled eyes of his host. He smiled slightly, trying to relax. "Nay…you did not misread. But I am not one to just tumble with someone because they meet my fancy." His smile widened as he came in and brushed his hand across a high boned cheek. "Nay, when I do wish to be with someone, especially one as magnificent as you, I like to know that we are going to be together at least for longer than one night of passion," he murmured softly, his cheeks coloring prettily as he smiled. He raised his eyes to lock with the softened gray of the one before him.

Elrond brought his own fingers up and brushed them lightly over the fair face before him. "Such words from one as you. You make it sound as if you were never touched, and yet worldly in the experience," he teased, smiling impishly as the blush deepened slowly and white pearly teeth came out to nibble on the full bottom lip he wished to kiss so desperately.

"Not worldly, but what I have experienced has been with people I trust and admire. If it can be with no others that I trust, and then my hand shall do," Legolas replied boldly, recovering his composure after a particularly erotic scene had crossed his mind at the soft voice's suggestion.

Laughing softly, a sound so erotic as to shoot pleasure straight to the Prince's loins, Elrond let his head fall back before he released the prince gently. His hold instead became a beckoning hold instead of pin as he turned towards the table, his regal face alight with mirth. "Then come, my fair prince. Shall we learn of each other in ways outside of the bed?" he asked mockingly as he led the way towards the food, smiling reassuringly at the young one.

Bowing his head as a breath of relief left him, Legolas returned the smile. "I thank you indeed, my dear Lord Elrond. Let us eat and learn of each other." 'And pray that our learning can indeed grow into that most intimate of ways,' he thought silently as they sat down to eat.

*~~**~~*

After a few hours of congenial talking and eating, the two Elves were found sitting before the large fire that was situated in Elrond's study. Drinking of the sweet miruvor and laughing over tales from both families, both found delight in the other's company and knew that they had chosen right in waiting. None could say that meaningful glances of lust and desire had not passed between the two, albeit surreptitiously. Simmering as the fires that sat before them was their attraction, waiting to burst forth with but a single kindling.

But it was not to be for that night, much to their mingled relief and disappointment. Yet, as they said their farewells for the night, they made a soft promise to each other. To look forward to the day when they would stand as equals in the other's eyes and then would they taste of the passions that sparked between them. Hands caressed, lips parted in warm smiles before saying their good nights, the two Elves went to their respective rooms, knowing full well that their dreams would be filled with ebony and golden in the throes of passion.

*~~**~~*

A soft fluttering of wings taking to flight filled the nigh quiet woods of Imladris as the young Prince from Mirkwood walked silently among its greening paths. He looked over, smiling softly as he saw the little thrush that even now sang as it flew to follow its brethren to their nests. He looked up again and sighed happily, feeling peace wash through his body like a cooling balm after all of his meaningless wandering. He'd found a place to rest and learn more.

He jumped up into the trees once more and went into the thicker part of them, smiling as he found a bough amongst several large branches. Looking around, he saw that no one would be near to see him and knew that here was where he could truly relax and think through everything that had happened recently. With naught a sound, he stripped off all of his clothes, save for his boots so he could have some form of grip, then laid out bared to the world on the bough.