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: I know I know…long time! Inspiration hits when and
where it can and so, guess what it hit this time? *laughs* Thanks for the
reviews and to MA thanks for the beta! Love ya! Enjoy! Feedback is much loved
and appreciated!
‘thoughts’
Three weeks. Three weeks had passed by in a seemingly
endless cycle of waking, eating, and traveling for the Mirkwood Prince. Yet he
had not stopped, knowing he had to return home for his father. But his heart
ached as the days and miles passed, knowing that he longed for Imladris and,
more importantly, the Lord of Imladris.
Haldir and Rumil had parted ways with him back in
Lothlorien about a week past, bringing the golden Prince near to despair with
his loneliness. The trip had provided the three Elven warriors a chance to learn
from the other as well as of the other and had given hope to Legolas that things
may indeed be patched between the Elven Realms. Or at least…on the way to it.
His heart lightened though as he came upon the dark, yet
lush forests of his home. Mirkwood, once Greenwood the Great, was fighting a
losing battle with the darkness of Dol Gûldur. The shadows, Orcs, and giant
spiders crept ever farther into the Elven Realm, but the Wood Elves fought back
hard, always vigilant. This, above all else, gave much pride to the young
Prince.
With a sigh that was a mix between trepidation,
anticipation, and longing, Legolas proceeded into his home, smiling as he was
greeted joyfully by his fellow soldiers and Elves. By the time he came into the
heart of Mirkwood, his return had been announced and rejoiced. Elves ran out
from their homes to greet him as he went up the causeway that led to the main
stronghold of the Mirkwood royal family. He beamed as he saw his father and
siblings standing before his home, all exultant in his return in their own ways.
His eldest brother Brandglaur stood near their father, an almost spitting image
of their sire as Legolas was. His two sisters, Merilgîl and Lalvenmîr, were a
blend of their mother and father, though Merilgîl looked more of Thranduil than
their departed mother as they stood near their brother and father, nearly
bouncing in anticipation despite decorum.
Smiling in delight at their welcome, the youngest son of
Thranduil dismounted immediately and went to them immediately. He laughed as he
was hugged joyfully by his sisters, and then clasped arms with his brother
before hugging him as well. He came last to his father and their eyes sparkled
with joy at being together as they gazed at the other. Thranduil held his son's
hands tightly; delight in his very countenance as he spoke softly with his son
before hugging him tightly. They went inside, Legolas sharing much of what he
had seen and learned in his travels as his family listened intently or asked
questions.
Hours later, the youngest Prince sat with his father in the
king's private rooms, talking softly over a goblet of wine. Legolas pushed back
the longing for his beloved at this familiar ritual that he had shared similarly
with Elrond not long ago, instead focusing on his father's questions and tales
as much as possible. But his peaceful quiet did not get to last for long, much
to his despair.
"So, my son…tell me. Who has caught your fair eye in
Imladris that you almost did not return to us?" Thranduil's question was to the
point, but gentle enough in his efforts to make his son feel at ease.
But Legolas was not at ease at all as he hastily glanced
away, sipping his wine tremulously as he fought for composure. He knew his
heart, but feared his father's own reactions to the news. So, instead, he
stalled. "You were right in thinking it is one of the Peredhil, Ada."
"Ah, I see. So…shall we arrange for the engagement of you
and fair Arwen?" Thranduil commented cheerfully, smiling happily at the thought
that at least his son had found a proper prospect to give his heart away to. His
mind whirled with the plans that such an alliance would gain between the two
lands and so missed Legolas' murmured reply. He blinked as he realized his son
had responded and looked at him, frowning. "What was that, my son?"
Looking down as his hands fidgeted with the goblet, Legolas
felt his face flush with his apprehension as he repeated his damning words.
"Nay, Ada. Tis not Arwen that my soul craves to be bound to, but her…father's."
He didn't move as a stifling silence fell over them, feeling his father's eyes
bore into his profile.
"Repeat that…again. My hearing must be leaving me in my
age," Thranduil said softly, dangerously as he watched his son slowly look up so
their eyes were locked and no boundaries were between them.
"I am in love with Elrond Peredhel, Ada. Not with fair
Arwen, whom I regard as my sister," Legolas repeated firmly as he faced his
father, hiding his trembling under a white knuckled grasp on his goblet as he
stared down his father.
A mask instantly came upon Thranduil's face and he stood
immediately, pacing to the fire. Legolas watched him nervously, unnerved by the
quiet control his father was exerting. Normally, his father would rant and rave
if something upset him. But this…this was almost eerily worse than anything
Legolas had faced with him. Thranduil didn't turn as he stared into the calming
blaze that flickered before him, so Legolas couldn't see what his face was set
in as he spoke. "I think it is late, ionen. You must be tired. You best leave."
"Ada I…" Legolas stopped and took a deep breath as he
looked down. He closed his eyes and nodded, even though his father wouldn't have
seen it with his back to his son. "As you wish, Ada. I shall see you in the morn
then. Good night," he whispered unhappily as he set aside his goblet and left
the room, heading for his own room. Stripping and washing, he dressed for bed,
but found sleep eluding him as his mind roiled. He sat on his bed, curled up and
feeling very small in his misery. He longed for his beloved now more than ever,
needing to feel the strong arms holding him close to the comforting chest as
dark hair spilled around him, shielding him from any and all hurts. With a soft
sniffle that was barely heard, he buried his face in his knees and wept, falling
into troubled reverie as he yearned for his twilight lover.
*~~**~~*
The next morning, Legolas' siblings noticed a distinct
change in their youngest brother from the previous day. Glancing at each other
after observing the solitude that their brother had wrapped himself into even at
the breakfasting table, they nodded in agreement and moved as one, sitting next
to Legolas in one big comforting group.
"What is wrong, muindor?" Lalvenmîr asked in concern as she
put her hand on his tightly laced hands, squeezing them.
"You are very troubled, tôr neth. Talk to us," Brandglaur
added softly as Merilgîl nodded silently in support as she wrapped an arm around
Legolas' shoulders comfortingly.
Looking slowly up at them, Legolas startled his siblings
with the tears that were streaking down his face. "I…am afraid Ada does not
approve of whom I chose to love," he whispered shakily, struggling to hold back
his sobs as he looked back down at his clenched hands.
"Why would he not approve? I have heard that Arwen is one
of the loveliest of our people and that she is as gentle as a dove!" Merilgîl
replied in surprise, echoing the surprise that came from her siblings as they
leaned in more to comfort the youngest of them.
"It is because it is *not* Arwen that he is upset," Legolas
murmured chokingly, clenching his eyes shut as he trembled, biting his lip. "And
now I may never see him again if Ada has anything to say about it!" he cried,
his control shattering with his words. With a soft sob, he buried his face in
his arms, anguish wracking his body.
"Nay nay, muindor! That is not true! Ada wants us happy,
even if tis not with someone of the opposite sex!" Lalvenmîr crooned soothingly
as she and her sister rubbed their brother's back soothingly, trying to calm
him. Brandglaur nodded silently as he reached forward and cupped the shaking
hands with his own, rubbing them in his own way of soothing.
"Tis Elrond Peredhel that I love!" Legolas' cracking
declaration echoed through the room as shocked silence greeted it. He sat up,
wiping his face with shaking hands as he sniffled, not daring to look at the
shocked faces of his siblings. "Tis…Elrond Peredhel…that I love and wish to bind
with," he whispered softly, finally looking up at their slack jawed faces in
despair.
"Lord…Elrond? But Legolas…" Merilgîl's voice trailed off in
her shock as he gazed at her solemnly.
"Oh muindor. No wonder you fear Ada's wrath," Lalvenmîr's
voice was filled with sorrow and sympathy as she hugged him, sniffling as he
hugged her back just as tightly.
"Does Lord Elrond return your feelings, tôr neth?"
Brandglaur's question was grim as was his face as Legolas looked at him sadly.
"Aye, he does. Wholeheartedly. It took all his might to
allow me to come home, for we do not wish to be parted," Legolas replied
quietly, his tones soft with love and happiness as he spoke of his true love.
"When I am with him I feel safe…wanted…warm. He gives to me more than any lover
I ever had. I know that he is the one."
"Then…I will try to help you, Legolas," Brandglaur said
firmly after taking a deep breath. He smiled as Legolas smiled for the first
time that morning and squeezed his brother's hands once more.
"And I!" Lalvenmîr chirped out cheerfully, giggling as
Legolas grinned at her and hugged her.
"Do not forget me, tôr neth. We shall make sure Ada will
see your love and accept it," Merilgîl added with a warm smile as she cupped his
tearstained face, wiping it clear. "Come…let us go and speak with him now. I
think a united front will have him understanding soonest," she said firmly,
smiling as the other three nodded in agreement. Standing, they left the
breakfasting room and headed for their father's chambers so they could speak
with him.
Legolas nibbled on his lip, but he felt warmth and security
from his siblings. He wondered yet again how he had ended up so lucky to have
such understanding siblings as they went into the main study of their father's
rooms. He stiffened as he saw Thranduil bent over his desk, writing silently on
a scroll before putting aside his quill at their interruption.
"What may I do for you, children?" Thranduil's voice was
pleasant, yet all felt a slight chill run through them at the hardness
underneath the warm tones.
"Ada…we wished to speak to you on Legolas' choice of
binding mate," Merilgîl spoke up first, finding her courage faster than her
siblings as she stepped forward and smiled at their father.
"What binding mate? Legolas had some fling…that is all."
The cold finality in the King's voice sent a tremor of fear through Legolas as
he stood between his eldest brother and middle sister.
"Ada how could you! Legolas has found love with Lord Elr-"
"You will not speak that thrice damned Peredhel's name in
my presence ever again. Am I clear?" Thranduil's icy rage cut through anything
that his eldest daughter had been saying swiftly, silencing them in shock. He
stood slowly, his burning eyes slowly going from one child to the next as he
spoke. "There was never a prospect for a mate for Legolas nor will there be. The
Peredhel will never be mentioned by any of you in front of me or Legolas again,
nor will any suggestions of a so-called 'love' be even hinted at. Am I clear?"
he said quietly, his voice held at a level that had all four trembling from the
terrible possibility underneath, for it held barely restrained rage.
"But…Ada…" Lalvenmîr whimpered out softly, sniffling as she
held tightly to her youngest brother's arm, holding him up. She could feel him
trembling and knew that his heart was breaking at their father's decree.
"Am…I…clear?" Thranduil repeated slowly but firmly, biting
out the words as his rage threatened once more. He sat down once more and
returned to his writing, his silence a dismissal that had their hearts trembling
in sorrow.
Turning, the four left the room silently, each dismayed at
their father's blatant act of hatred that had now torn his youngest heart's to
shreds. But they could not think on it long as Legolas slowly collapsed to the
ground, catatonic with his anguish.
*~~**~~*
Gray eyes stared unseeingly out the large window as Elrond
gazed at his vale, lost in memories and longings. It had been nearly two months
since his beloved wind runner had returned to his realm, but it felt as though
centuries had passed. His heart and soul ached for his beloved, but he kept
going, knowing that they would be reunited someday if the fates allowed it.
He blinked as he heard his name called and looked over
slowly to see Erestor entering, smiling as he held a letter. "A letter for you,
meldiren," the advisor said happily as he handed over the scroll that had just
been delivered.
Heart racing as he saw the seal of Mirkwood on it, Elrond
hastily opened it, much to his friend's amusement. But the amusement died as
Elrond stumbled back, face ashen and filled with horrified despair. "My Lord! Is
something wro-Elrond!" Erestor lunged forward as Elrond tilted, and then fell
forward in shock, sobbing very slightly in a despair that tore at the advisor's
heart in hearing. Holding the now sobbing Peredhel close, Erestor strove to
soothe and calm his friend as he found the letter and read its heartbreaking
contents.
To Elrond Peredhel, Lord of Imladris.
I, Thranduil Oropherion, have hereby decreed that you,
Elrond Peredhel, shall have no more to do with my son, Legolas Thranduilion.
Your false claims of love will no longer be allowed near anyone of my realm, nor
will your taint of human blood be tolerated in any way to the purity of my
family. Your black sorcery and perversions are a bane that shall not come to our
realm, whether in elegant claims of love or otherwise.
If any contact is even tried, you will taste the tip of
my sword. Legolas is also hereby banned from any contact with you or your spawn
until the end of Arda. Do not attempt to see him again or I shall make it
impossible for you to ever do so no matter what the cost.
Signed,
Thranduil Oropherion.
King of Mirkwood.
TBC
