Before Green and Gold: Prologue - Legolas

Title: Before Green and Gold: Prologue - Legolas 1/4
Author: Kat (POV of Legolas, Legolas dialogue, calenamalthen@yahoo.com), Embervixen (POV of Haldir, Haldir dialogue, cirle99@bellsouth.net), Leanan2000 (POV of Glorfindel, Glorfindel dialogue, hannally@aol.com), Cella (POV of Aragorn, Aragorn dialogue, silk_n_velvet_elf@yahoo.com)
Beta: Melly (only mentioning it here because some invasive manipulation was involved in turning the series of posts into a continuous story, so if anything important was left out blame Melly)
Type: slash
Pairing: none yet, really, although Legolas and Haldir have their moments
Rating: R for violent situations and innuendo
Disclaimer: we own none of it, all hail the mighty Tolkien
Feedback: twist our rubber arms, hehehe
Summary/Notes: Lord Elrond of Rivendell decided to throw a spring festival and invited some hobbits, the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien (accompanied by Haldir), and Legolas of Mirkwood. Elrond did not know it, but an evil had come to Imladris, and before he is able to discover its source, he is overtaken. Slowly but surely, the evil spreads through Imladris, taking the minds and bodies of the guests, turning them into evil beings who perpetrate seriously nasty stuff on each other and those around them. At this point, Legolas is about to arrive in Imladris. The end of this prologue flows directly into 'of Green and Gold,' which is also posted at aff.net.

Melly note: This isn't the absolutely complete prologue to 'of Green and Gold,' but it does include all of Legolas' involvement from his point of view. Someday when I have a whole lot mtimetime on my hands I may clean up the whole prologue (it was written as a series of emails involving a lot of repetition and got kind of confusing in some places), but for now this is the best I can do. If you want to have a try at the complete prologue, we still invite you to visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rivendell-Reflections/ where you can find the series of emails cobbled together. It's raw and can be both jumpy and confusing at times, but the story behind the chaos is well worth the read.

Legolas' brow furrowed as he looked across the lawn towards the Last Homely House. An unexpected skirmish with spiders in Mirkwood had delayed him considerably, and he was late for the festival. He had assumed there would be someone to meet him, Saelbeth or even one of the elves on watch, but there was no one. As a matter of fact, it looked as though preparation for the festivities had stalled. Elves seemed to be wandering aimlessly, and he could not see Elrond, Aragorn, Arwen or anyone else.

He adjusted his quiver across his chest, the feeling of foreboding that had been plaguing him for hours gaining strength. He would be on his guard. Something in Imladris was not right. He set off down the hill, hoping to find someone who knew what was going on.

~:~

Legolas approached the gates of Rivendell at last. If he did not find someone soon, he was going to become seriously concerned. The serving elves he had come across had hurried from him in silence, cowering as though in fear. Suddenly he saw a figure through the gathering dusk. He put a hand to his bow, but then...

"Mae govannen!" Haldir called, raising a hand.

Legolas touched his horse's neck gently and slid from his back. "Haldir, I am pleased to see you. Where is everyone?" Legolas was quite relieved to have been found. Haldir would explain everything. Perhaps things were not as dark as they seemed.

Haldir trotted towards Legolas as the Elven Prince slid from his horse, touching the animal's neck gently as he did so. "Haldir, I am pleased to see you. Where is everyone?" Legolas asked as Haldir came to stand by his side.

"I wish I knew, mellon," Haldir replied. "I have little time to explain what has transpired here, so allow me to share it with you quickly in another fashion," Haldir said, as he grasped the Prince's
slender hands in his own and placed the tips of his fingers to his temples.

He opened his mind to Legolas, allowing the thoughts and events of the past several hours to flood through him. At last, he looked up, gazing into Legolas' blue eyes, which were widened with horror and shock.

Legolas let his hands drop to his sides. "Ai Elbereth," he said, his voice just above a whisper. The world felt as though it had turned upside down. Elrond taken by evil - it was worse than he had imagined.

"We must not linger here, we are not safe," Haldir said, snapping him back to himself.

Legolas shook his head; there was something on the air. "You are right, I sense darkness coming this way, quite quickly." Legolas swung onto his horse, and Haldir followed, settling behind him.

"Hold tight," Legolas said, and with a soft word, the horse galloped into the forest, carrying the two elves to hoped-for safety.

Legolas waited until he felt Haldir settled behind him. Then the Warden spoke in his ear.

An eerie sensation prickled at the back of Haldir's neck as he turned to see Glorfindel charging up the hillside. Charging up the hillside for what, exactly?

"Ride fast, mellon. The seneschal does not look to be himself," Haldir observed. Perhaps the pansy elf was still angry with Haldir for accusing him of treason - ah, no matter. Haldir's hand rested near his chest and then he realized that he had left his bow near the tree. Oh Mordor fires.

Legolas did not bother to attempt to look for himself. He spoke softly to the horse, and they shot into the forest. Glorfindel had been taken by the evil as well? Who was left that was not overcome? For a brief instant fear flashed through him. Haldir - but no. He would have seen that when Haldir had allowed him into his mind, he hoped. He would have to trust - what other option was there?

Suddenly he caught the sound of hoof-beats coming up fast behind them. "Haldir, who follows," he asked over his shoulder.

"Aragorn," Haldir replied. "He has my bow, and he's taking aim!"

Legolas urged his horse into a copse of trees. Perhaps he could lose the Man, but his stomach clenched. Aragorn too. A spot of doubt crept into his heart. How would they get away? Even if they did outrun Aragorn, they could not abandon Elrond to the evil. Something would have to be done, but what? As this thought passed through his mind, there came the whistling song of an arrow, and he heard Haldir's gasp of pain.

"Hold tight, mellon." But he could feel the other's grip on him loosening. Another arrow sang, but he ducked just in time - feeling the wind it created as it swept past his cheek.

"Nadorhuan!!" Aragorn called out, but Legolas' response was drowned out by the pounding of hooves. Another horse, ridden by Glorfindel, burst into view.

"Orc balls," Legolas growled, Aragorn's favorite curse that he had picked up. This was not going to be good, but he refused to go without a fight. As another arrow sang out and Haldir slipped from behind him, Legolas whipped an arrow from his quiver and readied his bow. His horse turned abruptly to face Aragorn. He heard the Man's gasp, saw the shock cross his face as he registered the arrow pointing at him, and Legolas hesitated briefly - it was still Aragorn... But then he heard Haldir cry out in pain, and the sound hardened his heart. With a whispered apology, he aimed at Aragorn's bow shoulder and let the arrow fly.

Legolas let his arrow fly, but his momentary hesitation had cost him his quarry. Glorfindel had leaped from his horse and knocked Aragorn to the ground just in time. Legolas cursed under his breath, but was not completely sure whether he was angered or relieved.

Without wasting a move, Glorfindel had his sword to Haldir's throat. "Yield! Or I shall finish him here!" he belted out.

Legolas jumped from his horse as well and notched an arrow, aiming at Glorfindel, but he was not sure whether he would be able to take him down before he killed Haldir. Aragorn made the decision for him. An arrow whistled past his head.

"Do as he says, or the next one is right between your eyes!" Aragorn cried, then he stormed over to where Glorfindel still held the wounded Haldir captive. "Put down the bow, Legolas," hollered Aragorn. "Or Haldir dies! And believe me, we do not care either way!"

Aragorn yanked the arrow from Haldir, and at Haldir's cry of agony Legolas gave in and dropped his bow. But he would not leave himself undefended. He had a small dagger in his boot. He dropped to a defensive crouch, waiting for Aragorn's next move. Aragorn notched the bloody arrow, and Legolas' face blanched. Haldir's blood... He shoved the thought from his mind and focused on Aragorn. Whatever he did, Legolas would be ready.

Suddenly Haldir let loose with a blood curdling warrior's cry, startling Legolas into glancing at he and Glorfindel. The Lothlorien elf would not go down without a fight, he saw, his dagger buried in the seneschal's upper thigh. Aragorn had also been distracted by the cry, and Legolas recovered first. He dove at the Man, his dagger drawn.

Legolas landed on Aragorn, knocking him on his back. He pressed his advantage and brought his dagger down towards his face. Before he could make contact, Aragorn blocked his move. Legolas drew on every ounce of strength in him - he would not be taken. If he could just wound the Man, perhaps he would be able to get away.

But Aragorn seemed stronger than ever before, suddenly kicking up and sending Legolas tumbling to the ground, his head spinning with disorientation. He jumped up, dagger in hand, but Aragorn was quicker. A bright flash of pain burst through his hand as Aragorn kicked his wrist, and the dagger flew from his grasp. Legolas swore, and then Aragorn had him by the front of
his tunic, his sword to his throat.

Before Legolas could gather himself to fight, Aragorn pressed his mouth to Legolas'. Legolas' eyes opened wide in shock. What was this? He felt Aragorn's tongue probing at his mouth, and he clenched his teeth, pressing his lips together. He tried to turn his head, but was unable. He would not allow himself to be violated thus!

A sharp pain burst over him. Aragorn had bitten his lip! Legolas was unable to suppress a slight wince, and Aragorn slipped his tongue between his lips. As he did, a darkness flowed down his throat and curled in his belly. As the darkness stretched its tendrils through him, he relaxed, finding the kiss much more enjoyable. Why had he struggled against this?

He pressed his body to the Man's and deepened the kiss. Too soon, Aragorn drew away. Foolish Man, to turn away from a Prince! Then he heard a new voice. Haldir spoke, "Aragorn," he called, "Come over here and pull this wretched weaponry from my flesh. And then, hand me the arrow, for I wish to lick it clean."

Aragorn turned back to him, claiming one last kiss, then reached between his legs and cupped him tightly. "Later," he sneered.

Legolas snorted, as though he would just wait around for a Man. He cocked his head curiously as Aragorn yanked the arrow from Haldir's wound. Haldir - now he was a beautiful specimen, even with blood streaking his shoulder. Perhaps he would be more interested in a Prince.

A thrill of pleasure shivered through Haldir as Aragorn yanked the arrow's barbed shaft from his flesh and dropped it to the ground. Although he should have screamed in pain at the action, this new Haldir reveled in it. He ripped the tunic from his body and allowed the blood to flow freely down his shoulder, soaking his hands in it. He brought his palms to his lips and licked the metallic crimson stains. Mmmm - the taste of life force.

Aragorn was sneering at him as if in disgust, and Haldir resisted the urge to smear the look from the man's face with one bloody hand. Stupid mortal, thinking he was an Elvish warrior, parading about with his Elvish bow and his fancy sword. Haldir would like to show him what a real warrior's sword looked like.

He plucked the arrow from the ground and made sure Aragorn was watching as he slid the shaft across his tongue, the bitter acid of plant juices mingling with the sharp tang of his own blood. It
burned. He loved it.

Aragorn's lips curved into a snarl of displeasure as Haldir approached him and gave the man's hair a good, primal sniff. "You realize, for an 'elf' you sure do smell like a human," Haldir
said sarcastically. "Now, give me my bow and keep your callused paws off of my arrows."

The man looked as if he wanted to slap Haldir silly, but knew better. The Galadhrim's hand was upon the hilt of his scimitar, and Aragorn probably sensed he'd lose a hand if he tried anything. Lucky for him. Stupid mortal.

Haldir's gaze came to rest upon the Mirkwood Prince who was just coming to terms with his "change." Legolas, his blue eyes looked so confused, so hurt, so delightfully evil. A flash of pain stabbed Haldir's heart at the sight of his friend in such agony. Deep within him, the other Haldir struggled against the force of his grief and gave a cry of despair, longing to reach for Legolas and comfort him, something even Haldir, who was not quite Haldir at the moment, couldn't fathom.

"Shut up, Haldir!" the archer shouted, placing both hands over his pointed ears, blocking out the other's persistent cries.

The noise faded into a muffled thrum as a wickedly demented smile spread over his lips, and his hand went again to his scimitars, which he drew and gazed at admiringly. Perhaps he could convince the beautiful Mirkwood Prince to cut himself later so that Haldir might taste his life flow as well, and perhaps the blond elf would even cut Haldir himself should he ask. The Mirkwood Prince was staring at him hungrily. Haldir stared back, trailing his tongue over his lips seductively, wanting very much to taste the Princely flesh.

But Aragorn interrupted both elves' musings. "We should get back to Imladris and now. There is still work to be done for Lord Elrond!"

"I am not ready to return. I plan to take my pleasure first. There will be plenty of time for work after," Legolas drawled, eyeing Haldir greedily.

Haldir sidled up to Legolas, smiling provocatively. "Aaah, my Prince, what is it that you desire pleasure from?"

He glanced over his shoulder at the fuming Aragorn warningly. The Man had better not try anything, or he may very well lose that which made him a man. But then again, the Man would bleed, and that could be nice. No matter. Haldir sneered at Aragorn once more. Stupid mortal.

Glorfindel closed his eyes and concentrated on the searing pain in his leg. The blood had ceased to flow, but the Lorien magic that coated the blade's surface was biting at his torn flesh. Blasted
Galadhrim. The seneschal grabbed his sword with a blood caked hand, using it to aid himself upright. Aragorn was approaching the March Warden, and Glorfindel was not about to allow the human any chance to Lord over him at any cost.

Glorfindel watched in disgust as the Ranger pulled the remaining arrow from Haldir's back, only to have the elf lick the tip clean of his own blood. This warrior had no doubt spent too much time in the trees, and Glorfindel did not want to even begin to fathom the extent of the March Warden's depravity. Asfaloth shifted and stamped his hooves nearby nervously, drawing the seneschal's attention. He would leave Haldir to his games. Perhaps the stench of human was more to his liking.

Glorfindel limped back to the his horse, his hand grasping the bridle for support. He turned and grabbed the white mane and agilely pulled himself onto the horses back. The senschal could see that Legolas would keep the March Warden busy. The Prince's feral eyes roamed brazenly over the Galadhrim. Glorfindel sniffed, his nose wrinkling in disgust. He smelled of human, and that was offending him worse than the blasted pain in his leg. Reeling his horse in the direction of the house, the seneschal sheathed his sword, and called over his shoulder to the gaping man.

"Perhaps they will let you watch Aragorn," Glorfindel said over his shoulder, leaving Legolas staring in his wake. Hmmm, perhaps this was not such a bad idea. Exhibition could be quite pleasurable.

Aragorn, however, did not seem to agree. He spun on Legolas. "You will do as you are told! Lord Elrond wants us back in Imladris straight away! You can appease your loins later!"

Touchy, Legolas thought. The Man could clearly do with some relaxation. Suddenly Haldir turned to face him, eyes glittering with rage. He slid his fingers along Legolas' jawline, dismissing Aragorn with a wave of his hand. Legolas grinned at the touch. A fire was beginning to smolder deep inside, and Haldir was building it higher.

"Don't you look at me like that, you vomitous mass of Orc puke! Lord Elrond shall hear about this behavior and be very displeased!" Aragorn shouted at Haldir.

He sounded quite jealous to Legolas' mind. Perhaps he should reassure him that just because he was occupied with Haldir at the moment in no way meant he was not interested in Aragorn. After all, Men were so raw.

"My Prince," Haldir purred, interrupting Legolas' musing, "I believe it is time to teach that haughty elf a lesson in manners. Would you care to assist me in my teachings?"

The fire in him suddenly roared higher, engulfing the 'old' Legolas. A wildly feral grin parted his lips. What a wonderful idea. A bit of sport was just what he needed.

As Haldir settled himself behind Legolas, he felt the elf's hardness press into his buttocks, and he groaned. At this rate they would not make it out of the clearing. Haldir rubbed himself against Legolas, and Legolas pressed against him in response, desiring nothing more than the feel of flesh on flesh. But then Haldir called him back to focus. He shivered as Haldir spoke in his ear, then ran his tongue along his neck.

Yes, they would have beautiful games together! Legolas kicked his stallion into a run, following the trail Glorfindel's horse had made through the trees. Aragorn should be pleased, Legolas thought. It seemed as though they were heading back to Imladris.

tbc...