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: R for some lime

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

Notes: Just watch…this image will stick…Enjoy! Feedback is much loved and appreciated!

‘thoughts’

Legolas smiled as he gazed out at the view before him. A soft mist floated up from the waterfalls as they cascaded their water forth, driving into the Bruinen River that flowed away. A gentle breeze tingled his skin and he smiled more, tilting his head back to the soft caresses as if to a lover. He closed his eyes, listening to the gentle sounds of laughter and calls from the inhabitants of Imladris, especially the joyous ones. He looked over as he heard some shouts and found an impish grin play with his face as he watched Elladan and Elrohir race out to greet the two latest comers to the Homely House. He peered closer, resting his cheek on his crossed arms as he watched the almost shy way that the twins greeted their loved ones…and the even shyer way in which they were greeted in turn!

He had to fight a soft laugh as Elrohir snuck a kiss from Rumil, whose pale cheeks tinged a soft pink with pleasure as he received the shy greeting. Elladan and Haldir were engaged in lively conversation, touching each other casually, though one could see even from there that it was restrained.

'Restrained for the bedroom, I would guess.  It is such a different side to observe, for my memories of the Galadhrim are not so warm and gentle,' Legolas thought in amusement, though slight sadness came to his face. 'Why would they hide themselves thusly? Do they fear their hearts?' he wondered and sighed softly.

"There you are, Prince." A soft voice filled with amusement startled the young Mirkwood Prince and he whirled around to gaze at the laughing Elda behind him. Glorfindel grinned even more as he came forward. "Did I scare you from your musings, ernil-nin?" he asked teasingly, and then glanced to see what had caught the Prince's eye.

"Nay! You just startled me is all! What can I do for you, Glorfindel?" Legolas asked quickly, flushed with embarrassment for not having heard the Seneschal sneak up on him. He resumed his position, stilling his swiftly beating heart as he smiled, watching the group in the courtyard.

"Hmm…nothing too much. Merely Lord Elrond wishes to see you in regards to a correspondence that has recently come to us from your father," Glorfindel replied with a smirk as he glanced at the other young Elf. "They are sweet together, are they not?" he commented fondly, nodding towards the group that was now heading into the house, still talking animatedly.

"Aye…though it saddens me that this is the only time they think they can be so carefree," Legolas answered softly, his eyes sad as he watched the four leave their sights. He looked up at Glorfindel and his sympathetic gaze. "They were…well, not cold per say, but aloof to me in Lorien. I even wondered if I offended them," he admitted sadly as he straightened.

Placing a gentle hand on Legolas' shoulder, Glorfindel smiled soothingly. "Nay. That is just how they are. They are guardians…and I am sure you do the same to strangers. Even strange Elves in your land," he pointed out with a cock of his eyebrow.

Frowning slightly, Legolas looked down and nodded. "Aye…you are right, mellonen. I…just wish that it was not so. All Elves should know and be friends with each other. I guess…maybe that was why I left on my journeys from my home," he murmured softly as he brought his gaze back up to the sympathetic one of his friend.

"And you may indeed find that. Here in Imladris, we are trying for that. And…since you came here…it has been much easier," Glorfindel reassured with a grin, chuckling softly as color tinged the younger Elf's cheeks. He patted the Prince on the shoulder before directing the other towards the entrance. "Come! Lord Elrond grows impatient!" he exclaimed and laughed with the prince.

"And Valar forbid he should become impatient!" Legolas replied with a laugh as they went inside, their amusement ringing through the halls easily.

*~~**~~*

Ithil played across the gently waving branches of the surrounding trees as the Mirkwood prince walked thoughtfully through them. He held in his hand the softly rolled scroll that held his father's handwriting on it, telling of things that had happened at his home and how much Thranduil missed him. Legolas stopped again under an oak and gazed at the willowy writing under the pale moonlight, once more reading what his father had informed him of.

…Life is hard now in Mirkwood, ion-nin. Every day is a battle to fight back the dark. Our light grows dim and has dimmed more since you went on your way. I pray every day to the Valar that you are safe and will come home soon. I pray also that perhaps, through your goodness, ties will be opened once again between all of the Elven realms. My heart was both joyful, yet worried when I heard of your staying in Imladris. I know that you know we had once been strong allies until bitterness and sorrow had torn us all apart. Perhaps you are indeed the joy that will heal the bonds of our lands...

Sighing softly, Legolas slid down to the ground, gazing thoughtfully up at the sky. 'Ada, I miss you too. And I hope I can make you proud. But dare I try to do such a thing as heal all of the bonds? What can I do?' he wondered silently, sighing softly as he gazed at the twinkling night sky. The wind suddenly picked up around him, waking him from his deep thoughts and he stood up, curious. 'Not lightly does the wind blow for me. I wonder what is being said for me now?' he speculated as he followed the wind through the trees.

He found himself going farther from the main household and into the forest surrounding the Elven buildings. He stepped carefully, ears straining for any signs of danger as he gazed steadily about. He came upon a clearing and stopped, breath caught in his throat at the image before him.

An Elf stood silently within the glade's clearing, moonlight shimmering through his ebony hair in a parody of water as it blew with the softly swirling wind. Sweat could be seen sparkling on the muscular shoulders and arms as breath puffed out in swift pants. Obviously having taken a break from training, the Elf stood, head thrown back as if drinking in the night sky.

Legolas' hand came up to clutch the pendant he now wore, a gift from Elrond not long past when they had shared the night together speaking under Eärendil's bright light. It was mithril and silver twined around a single piece of jade. 'To remind me of my home…where ever I may be,' he thought warmly as he watched the figure before him begin to move once again.

Pale blue eyes watched the rippling muscles that moved beneath the golden skin and ebony silk as they performed an intricate dance. A dance with death. Twin blades of ivory and steel sliced through the calm air, moving fluidly with the Elf that wielded them assuredly. The golden prince felt his breath catching multiple times as he watched, drawn to the intricacy of the dance as well as the one who performed it. Not even realizing, Legolas found himself coming closer to the dancing warrior, entranced as the moon caressed every move with silvery light.

His breath held in a soft gasp as the Elf whirled around in a swift move, slicing through the air just before Legolas, gray eyes blazing with alertness. They caught and held wide pale blue eyes before the Elf drew back, panting softly for air through his exertions. A delicate eyebrow arched in curiosity as a playful smirk teased the reddened lips on the regal face. "How long have you been watching, gwaew rŷn-nin?" Elrond purred out softly as he lowered his blades slowly, eyes twinkling with amusement at the startled look on Legolas' face.

Bowing his head contritely, Legolas placed a hand over his heart. "Forgive me…I meant no harm. But the wind drew me here to see more of...úthaes-nin," he whispered softly, smiling as he brought his gaze back up to the soft gray before him.

"There is no need for forgiveness. Did I not say to let the wind guide you to me whence it is right?" Elrond asked lightly as he went over to where his tunic lay and grabbed a towel. He wiped himself off slowly as he gazed at the watching prince, and then smirked. "Shall we duel? It is one thing we have not shared," he said with a grin as he stalked over, balancing his blades easily. "Among…certain…other things," he purred out, smirking as a faint blush touched Legolas' cheeks in response.

"I would love to, my Lord…but I am not nearly as skilled as you in this. And I do not have dual blades," Legolas admitted, smiling back faintly as he spread his hands innocently, having tucked his letter into his leggings.

"Ah…well, we can spar with single blades. Does not matter," Elrond replied with a shrug before nimbly tossing one of his own blades to the Mirkwood prince. He grinned as he watched Legolas swing the blade before him in an intricate move, learning its weight as well as agility. "Are you ready?" he asked softly as he brought his blade up above his head slowly in a position of attack.

Legolas grinned back as he took off his tunic and tossed it aside with the letter before coming back and mirroring the pose. "I am if you are," he purred out with a wink. Elrond grinned back before leaping to the attack, swirling in as he swung his blade in a complex move, which Legolas met head on as the match began under the moonlight.