Mending a Heart

Chapter 10: Choices

Over the next two months Legolas’ condition improved. Even though the prince occasionally had nightmares, they paled in comparison to the he he had so many weeks ago.

Telling Legolas that it was his duty to protect the inhabitants of the manor from the wicked ways of an insane prince, Elladan began to spend every night with him. As always, he teased and jested with the prince mercilessly. But in actuality, Elladan wanted to keep Legolas company.

Legolas pretended not to know why Elladan had suddenly become his nightly companion, but was secretly grateful that he didn’t have to endure the nights alone.

They usually spent their nights in the stable or on top of the hill overlooking Rivendell. There, they would converse about serious matters, play practical jokes on one another, engage in lively banter or practice archery.

Some nights, Elladan would almost collapse with fatigue, but would try to keep up with the seemingly inexhaustible prince. He would inevitably admit defeat and succumb to sleep, leaving Legolas alone once again.

Although the prince still fought the urge to rest, like Elladan, his body would seek the comfort of slumber with or without his permission. Even though Legolas often had dreamless nights, when the nightmares did occur, his misery would become obvious.

Luckily, Elladan was there to comfort the prince, using humor and kindness to bring him back from the depths of despair.

However, Legolas found that it was becoming more and more difficult to maintain his image as it began to crumble under the weight of his grief. He held fast to his pride, though, usually refusing to show his emotions to anyone.

Elladan disliked Legolas’ stubbornness, but he knew that it was only a matter of time before the prince’s guise would fail. He wondered what would become of Legolas when he could no longer hide behind a mask of royalty and honor.

One night, when the prince had a particularly bad dream, Elladan awakened to find Legolas confused and distraught. Once the effects of Legolas’ dream had subsided, he asked Elladan to provide him with intimate comfort. Elladan politely refused, which greatly angered the prince.

Legolas tried to respect Elladan’s wishes. But he had grown weary of kissing and cuddling and strongly desired to satiate his physical needs.

Elladan, too, longed to experience the pleasure that he was sure Legolas could provide. However, he kept a close watch on his heart, fearing that he would lose it to the prince.

Although Elladan and Legolas had not consummated their relationship, their kinship still flourished. They were rarely seen apart and as their affection for one another grew, so did Elladan’s fear.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After the morning meal, Legolas walked toward the entrance hall of the manor and looked outside.

A gentle rain sprinkled its tiny drops over Rivendell. Clouds passed overhead, graying the sky in their lofty silence, refusing to unveil the layer of blue sky that lay hidden underneath the feathery billows.

Legolas observed the sky and frowned. Although he was trying to put on a good face in front of the twins, he couldn’t help but feel that the heavens mirrored his mood. The previous night on the hill that overlooked Rivendell, another nightmare had plagued his dreams. This time, he had awakened screaming his mother’s name. He was guided back to reality, though, when Elladan began to scream as well.

Trying to prevent the prince from feeling embarrassed, Elladan told Legolas that he thought that Orcwen was nearby and thanked the prince for alerting him. He picked up his sword and began to pace around the perimeter of the hill. He claimed that he would guard the prince from the evil beast and told him to get some rest.

Once the prince had stopped laughing, he tried to sleep, but every time that he closed his eyes he could see her. . . his mother. . . screaming. . . dying. Legolas, unable to sleep, jested with Elladan for the duration of the night.

Elladan teased and grappled with the prince, but he could tell that Legolas was very distressed. He wanted to hold him. . . to kiss his fears away. But Elladan knew all too well that due to Legolas’ pride and stubbornness, the prince would not welcome this type of solace.

Legolas, still pondering the memories of the previous night, sighed and continued to look out of the doorway sadly. He was so preoccupied that he did not hear the twins approaching.

“What’s wrong with Legolas?” Elrohir asked Elladan, concerned as they headed toward the entrance hall of the manor.

“What do you mean?” Elladan asked innocently.

“You know exactly what I mean, Elladan,” Elrohir replied bluntly. “He’s been very distant this morn. He hardly spoke during the morning meal and he has been distracted. Did he have another nightmare?”

“Shhh. . .” Elladan hissed, pulling Elrohir aside. “In all honesty, Legolas has been doing much better. . . until recently. He hasn’t been sleeping well lately and he had another nightmare last night.”

Elrohir sighed and looked in the prince’s direction sympathetically.

“Do not fret,” Elladan remarked earnestly. “I shall lift his spirits.”

“Indeed?” Elrohir asked, grinning. “Is it his spirits that you plan to **lift,** or something else altogether?”

“Elrohir!” Elladan exclaimed in mortification.

“Elladan!” Elrohir shouted, mimicking his brother.

“Please hold your tongue,” Elladan hissed. “The prince is near and I do not wish for him to hear you.”

“Why not?” Elrohir asked. “If you wish, I will leave the two of you alone this morning so that you may **raise** his mood and so that he may **elevate** yours.”

“Elrohir,” Elladan said threateningly, “if you do not hold your tongue, I shall do it for you.”

“Why don’t you save your affection for the prince?” Elrohir asked, smiling brightly. “I wouldn’t want you to use any unnecessary energy, Brother. And anyway, I’m sure Legolas would prefer that you hold **his** tongue instead of mine.”

“Elrohir! You are so. . .” Elladan began.

“Did you call my name?” Legolas asked, looking at the twins curiously as he walked over to them.

“Nay,” Elladan said quickly, shaking his head and blushing.

“Well, not yet,” Elrohir teased. “He will do that later.”

“Elrohir!” Elladan exclaimed, covering his face with his hands.

Legolas widened his eyes, smiling and looking at Elrohir curiously.

“Elrohir!” Arwen exclaimed excitedly as she ran over to her brother. “Duke Meris, Duchess Aurel and Ellaria are here!”

“Today?” Elrohir asked, looking around nervously. “Am I presentable? Do you think the duke will like me? And what about the duchess? Do you think that she will find that I am good enough for Ellaria? How do I look?”

“Do not worry, Elrohir,” Elladan said, smiling deviously. “Let me help you.” He reached over and mussed his brother’s hair horribly.

“Elladan! What are you doing? The duke. . .” Elrohir exclaimed in horror.

“Is walking this way,” Elladan remarked simply. “Let that be a lesson to you, Elrohir. In the future, I suggest that you respect your elders.”

“My elders? You are only a few moments older than I,” Elrohir said indignantly.

“It matters not the amount of time that separates our birth,” Elladan explained derisively. “The fact remains that I am older than you and. . . ”

“Elladan, what am I to do? The duke will see me this way and will refuse to give me Ellaria’s hand in marriage,” Elrohir said desperately.

Elladan smiled and looked at Elrohir craftily. “We **are** twins, are we not?”

Elrohir looked at his brother and sighed with relief.

“I will assist you, but you owe me a favor, Elrohir,” Elladan stated flatly.

Before any more words could be spoken, Ellaria’s parents, Duke Meris and Duchess Aurel, approached.

“Good morn,” the duke stated loudly, “’tis good to see all of you once again.” He and the duchess bowed and curtseyed respectfully as did the twins, Arwen and Legolas.

“Please allow me to introduce Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood,” Arwen said genteelly, stepping forward. “He is King Thranduil’s youngest son.”

“Ah,” the duke remarked, smiling at Legolas. “’Tis a pleasure to meet you, Prince Legolas. Allow me to present my wife to you. This is Duchess Aurel.”

“How do you do?” the duchess asked courteously.

“I am well,” Legolas replied, bowing gracefully. “’Tis a pleasure to meet you both.”

The duke nodded and turned his attention to the twins. “Elrohir,” he said, looking from one male to the other, “I have come to speak with you about your plans to wed my daughter.”

“Aye” Elladan said, bowing politely. “’Tis a pleasure to see you once again, sir. And duchess, you are looking beautiful as always.”

Duchess Aurel smiled and curtseyed as the duke bowed.

“What has happened to Elladan?” the duke asked, looking at Elrohir curiously.

“Oh,” Elladan said, beaming vibrantly. “Elladan is a bit. . . well, he is a bit. . . feeble. We try not to talk about it too much. Wuldnuldn’t want him to have one of his fits again.”

Elrohir’s mouth fell open, as did Arwen’s.

Legolas shook his head in disbelief.

The duke nodded politely and glanced at Elrohir with disgust.

Ellaria entered the parlor and smiled brightly. “Father, Mother, are we going to go and talk now?”

“Aye,” the duke said, patting Elladan on the shoulder, “let us away.”

Ellaria looked at Elladan and began to speak, but stopped short when he gave her a warning look and shook his head.

The duke and the duchess began to walk toward the parlor along with Ellaria, who looked back at Elrohir in annoyance.

Elladan walked slowly, allowing the duke and the duchess to get about ten paces ahead of him. Finally, he looked back and motioned to Elrohir.

In only a moment’s time, Elrohir and Elladan had switched placese yoe younger twin smoothed his hair down frantically with his hands while Elladan disarranged his hair and raced over to where Elrohir had been standing.

The duke turned around and looked at Elrohir, who was now standing beside Ellaria. Eyeing the young warrior carefu he he asked, “Were you not wearing a grey tunic?”

“Begging you pardon, sir?” Elrohir asked nervously.

“I thought that you were wearing a grey tunic only a moment ago,” the duke replied curiously. “And now your tunic is brown.”

Ellaria looked at Elrohir anxiously and then back at Elladan, who was pretending to be ‘feeble’ as he studied the wall with interest.

“Nay,” the duchess said, looking at Elrohir carefully. “Meris, the twins are so much alike, how could you possibly tell one from the other? Perhaps in the light, you got the color of their tunics confused.”

“Ah, yes,” the duke said smiling brightly, looking at Elrohir. “It is nearly impossible to tell you apart. The two of you look so much alike. In fact, if I weren’t so clever, I suspect that you could fool me. Anyway, we have much to discuss, Elrohir,” Duke Meris said earnestly.

“Aye,” Elrohir agreed as he sighed with relief.

Elrohir met the duchess’ eyes and she winked at him knowingly. He was shocked when he realized that she had somehow discovered their folly, but was reassured immediately when she gave him an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder.

“Elladan! You should be ashamed of yourself,” Arwen chastised when the others were out of sight.

“Why?” Elladan asked haughtily. “Elrohir should learn to mind those that are older than he, as should you, Arwen. Why don’t you run along and go frolic with your friends?”

“But Elladan,” Arwen said sweet“my “my friends and I shall need something to do. Methinks that using your head for folly would serve our needs well.” Without haste, Arwen jumped towards Elladan who leapt back with surprise and nearly fell backwards.

Legolas stepped in between the siblings and laughed. “Please don’t, Arwen. Killing Elladan would spoil my whole day. And then, I would be so saddened that I would have to return to Mirkwood. I could no longer spend time with you, Zera or Ellaria.”

Not wanting to upset the prince, Arwen said, “Oh, alright,” as she sighed heavily. “I’m going to go see Zera. I shall see you later, Legolas.”

“Alright,” the prince replied.

Elladan looked at Legolas and smiled in incredulity as Arwen walked away. “Do not let its guise fool you, Prince. That was not Arwen, but Orcwen. Did you not sense its essence? Did you not try to speak to it in the same manner as you converse with the horses? It is not an elf, you know. I suspect that it is part horse, part orc and part Arwen. . . a most terrible beast.”

Legolas laughed and looked at Elladan sternly. “Why must you tease her so, Elladan?” he asked seriously. “You know how much it angers her.”

“Because her anger amuses me,” Ean ran replied, grinning. “And why must you always spend time with her? Doesn’t she simply bore you?”

“Nay,” Legolas said slowly. “Arwen. . . is. . . she is like my mother.” He broke off quickly and looked towards the door.

Elladan looked at the prince sympathetically. “So, you and I are alone this morn,” he said, trying to change the subject.

“Aye,” Legolas replied, nodding.

“Well, let us away then,ladaladan said, placing his hand on the prince’s shoulder.

Legolas nodded slowly as they headed toward the entrance hall of the manor.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas sat outside the stable on a bench, looking down at the ground. Wondering where Elladan had run off to, the prince picked up a stick and began to draw in the mud. He was glad that it had stopped raining, but wondered if he could somehow ask the Valar to give his burden to the sky. The prince quickly reconsidered, knowing that every creature in Middle-earth would probably drown if the heavens had to bear his sorrow. Sighing wearily, Legolas didn’t hear Elladan until he cleared his throat loudly. Legolas looked at Elladan in complete shock. There, standing before him was Elrond’s eldest son. He was wearing one of Legolas’ tunics and had his hair styled like the prince’s. Elladan’s braids, however, had been plaited very badly. Loose stands of hair adorned Elladan’s face messily and the braid on the right side of his head was sticking straight out.

Without warning, Elladan bowed and started to skip.

Legolas watched openmouthed as Elladan’s braids flopped around on his head.

Elladan continued to hop and sang:

Tra La La, Tra La La,
I am an elven child.
Tra La La, Tra La La,
Wearing a Mirkwood style.
Tra La La, Tra La La,
I give my hair a toss.
Tra La La, Tra La La,
I am Legolas.

Elladan continued to skip and then stopped so he could pick some daisies. He looked up and discovered that Legolas was no longer sitting in front of him. Suddenly sensing the prince, Elladan spun around abruptly and gasped when he saw him.
Legolas was holding a huge ball of mud in his right hand, smiling menacingly.

“You wouldn’t want to ruin this lovely tunic, would you?” Elladan asked sweetly.

“It has already been ruined,” Legolas replied.

“How so?” Elladan asked curiously.

“It has mud on it,” Legolas said matter-of-factly.

“It does?” Elladan asked stupidly, inspecting the tunic. “Where?”

“THERE!” Legolas shouted as he threw the ball of mud.

The sludge hit Elladan in the center of the chest and splattered all over his face, hair and clothing. “Oh!” he shouted as he looked at his attire. “Legolas!” he yelled, but the prince began to skip around and sing:

Tra La La, Tra La La,
You shan’t laugh again.
Tra La La, Tra La La,
Legolas always wins.

“That’s not funny!” Elladan shouted as he bent down and formed a large mass of mud. “But this is!” He began to chase the prince as he tried to run away.

Unfortunately for Elladan, Legolas was a bit too fast and the sphere of sludge only hit the back of the prince’s leg. “I will get my vengeance, Prince! You’d better run all the way back to Mirkwood if you hope to escape unharmed. Do not forget, I have a secret weapon. Have you failed to remember that I am related to the beast, Orcwen? I have her ear and will not hesitate to loose her upon you. Oh Prince, I fear that her wrath is a fate worse than death. . . in fact, hers is a fate worse than needlepoint!”

SPLAT!

Elladan was so busy talking that he didn’t realize that Legolas had launched another orb in his direction.

The prince’s aim was true; the large mass had landed on top of Elladan’s head.

Elladan stood rooted to the spot with his mouth gaping open. Mud slid down both sides of his face. The untidy little braid on the side of his head had somehow been able to survive the muddy assault and was still sticking straight out.

Legolas began to laugh and started to run.

“You shall be punished, Prince!” Elladan shouted. He quickly formed a large ball of mud in his hands and began chasing Legolas. “Take that!” Elladan screamed as he threw the mud at him, hitting the fleeing prince on the back.

Legolas tuned around abruptly and ran towards a shocked Elladan. They collided and landed on the ground, grappling furiously in the mud.

Both elves laughed and fought for dominance, rolling around in the mire playfully.

The fighting stopped abruptly when Legolas pinned Elladan to the ground and sat on top of the warrior triumphantly. “I’ve won,” he said, smiling brightly.

“You have not!” Elladan spat. He struggled to regain control, sliding his body around underneath the prince.

Becoming aroused, Legolas gasped and let go of Elladan’s wrists abruptly.

Elladan stopped struggling and looked at the prince in the eyes.

Legolas looked at him lustfully and pressed his pelvis down against Elladan’s as he closed his eyes and began to pant slowly.

Elladan could feel his heartbeat begin to quicken and he could feel himself becoming hard. “Legolas, I. . .” Elladan began, but stopped when the prince shifted a little and placed his hand on the bulge in Elladan’s leggings. “Uh. . .” he stammered and stood up abruptly, causing Legolas to land on his back onto the muddy ground.

The prince sighed and looked at Elladan, exasperated.

“We should bathe,” Elladan stated quickly. “Let us away to the manor.”

“But. . .” Legolas began, but Elladan was already running away. The prince sighed and began to walk towards the manor.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas bathed quickly, dressed and walked down the long corridor and into Elladan’s bedchamber. He stopped abruptly and stared at the glorious sight before him.

There, with only his leggings on, Elladan stood combing his wet hair and looking in the mirror. Sensing the prince, he turned and looked at the doorway. Elladan smiled a bit nervously and motioned for the prince to enter.

Legolas stared at Elladan’s muscular body unashamedly.

Elladan could feel his face reddening, but couldn’t think of anything to say.

“You are so. . .” the prince began, taking a step toward Elladan.

“What?” Elladan asked hesitantly.

“Magnificent,” Legolas replied, touching Elladan’s chest gently.

“Nay, I. . .” Elladan stammered, “I. . .” He composed himself and regarded the prince carefully, looking at him with concern. “You look so weary. There are dark circles under your eyes and your skin looks sallow.”

“Thank you,” Legolas spat angrily.

“I mean no offense,” Elladan remarked quickly. “I am only concerned for your well being. I’m trying to help you.”

“What would you have me do, Elladan?” Legolas asked in annoyance. “Lie on the ground and cry? Is that what you are asking of me?”

“Nay,” Elladan replied. “I just wish that you would tell me about what troubles you. Tell me about the dream that you had last night.”

“I do not wish to discuss this with you,” Legolas said, crossing his arms over his chest stubbornly. “I **will** not discuss this.”

“I only want to comfort you,” Elladan said gently, “to be there for you in your time of need.”

“Then allow me to chose my own method of consolation,” the prince said, stepping toward Elladan. “I want you,” Legolas said quietly. “I need you, Elladan, please.” He stepped forward and claimed Elladan’s lips in a passionate kiss.

Elladan wanted to pull away, but his body wouldn’t let him. He wrapped his arms around Legolas and deepened the kiss, allowing his hands to explore the prince’s body.

“Mmmm. . .” Legolas moaned. He grasped Elladan’s hand and placed it on his hardening member.

Elladan caressed the prince gently through his leggings and watched Legolas’ mouth open in a silent moan of pleasure.

Legolas removed Elladan’s hand and pulled him over to the bed. Forcing him down roughly, the prince mounted him and began kissing his bare chest hungrily.

“Legolas,” Elladan whispered breathlessly as the prince began sucking his nipples.

Legolas slid in between Elladan’s legs and began to writhe slowly.

“Ah,” Elladan moaned as he snaked his hands underneath the prince’s tunic and pulled him closer. “Ai. . . Legolas!”

The prince placed his lips over Elladan’s and slid his tongue into the warrior’s mouth.

They kissed hungrily, and began to roll around on the bed.

“Legolas,” Elladan managed to say breathlessly. “Legolas? We have to stop. I. . . I. . .”

“Let me touch you, Elladan,” the prince said. “Don’t push me away, please.”

“But Legolas. . .” Elladan protested.

“Elladan,” he said in exasperation, “don’t do this a, pl, please. . . not today. You said that you desire to comfort me. This is the kind of consolation I want. It’s what I need.”

“Elrohir is coming, Legolas,” Elladan stated earnestly. “You would not want him to find us like this, would you?”

“Be truthful, Elladan. Do not jest with me,” Legolas said crossly. “If you don’t want to be intimate with me, then just. . .”

“Oy!” Elrohir exclaimed when he walked into Elladan’s bedchamber and turned around abruptly.

Legolas and Elladan untangled themselves from one another and got off the bed hurriedly.

“I. . . I uh. . . I have to go meet with Arwen. . . so. . .” Legolas stammered in embarrassment.

“Aye,” Elladan managed to say, nodding slowly.

“I shall see you at the evening meal then,” Legolas said, avoiding Elrohir’s eyes and focusing on Elladan’s instead.

“Alright,” Elladan remarked. He watched as Legolas left the bedchamber and turned apprehensively to face his brother.

“I see that you decided not to **raise** the prince’s **spirits** after all then,” Elrohir teased. “And it would seem that he **uplifted** you as well.”

Elladan looked down at his the enormous bulge in his leggings and blushed furiously. “Elrohir!” he exclaimed, grabbing a nearby tunic and covering his erection.

“What?” Elrohir asked innocently. “So, tell me about the prince. Is he. . . a good lover?”

“How was your conversation with the duke and the duchess?” Elladan asked quickly.

“It went well,” Elrohir replied, “and do not try to avoid my question, Elladan. It won’t work.”

“Just let it be, Elrohir,” Elladan said, putting on his tunic.

“Why won’t you tell me? We share everything,” Elrohir protested.

“I. . .” Elladan began.

“Is he so well endowed that you have been left speechless?” Elrohir asked curiously.

“I. . . I don’t know,” Elladan admitted.

“What do you mean?” Elrohir asked in incredulity.

“Legolas and I have never been. . . intimate,” Elladan said slowly.

Elrohir began to laugh until he saw the look on his brother’s face. “You are serious?” he asked, looking at Elladan in disbelief.

“Aye,” Elladan replied, looking at the floor.

“Is he. . . unspoiled?” Elrohir asked.

“Nay,” Elladan said quickly.

“Well, what is wrong with him?” Elrohir asked in disbelief. “Does he think that he is too good to be touched by you? Has his royalty made him believe that he is superior to you?”

“Nay, nay,” Elladan replied, sighing heavily.


“Then why have you not coupled with him?” Elrohir asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

“I. . . I do not wish to be intimate with him,” Elladan said shrugging.

“What?” Elrohir asked alarmed. “Are you impaired in some way. . . that would complicate intimacy?”

“Nay,” Elladan said, smiling at Elrohir’s question.

“What is **wrong** with you?” Elrohir asked, staring at Elladan piercingly. “Have you gone mad? You are obviously attracted to Legolas. So, what is keeping you from being intimate with him?”

“How do you know that I am attracted to the prince?” Elladan asked flatly.

Elrohir smirked and pointed to Elladan’s crotch.

Elladan shifted uncomfortably and looked at the floor.

“It only has a few functions and no mouth. It cannot lie, Elladan. . . unlike you,” Elrohir remarked. He looked at his brother and began to nod slowly. “It’s Mother, isn’t it?”

“What?” Elladan asked quietly.

“You are falling in love with him, and you’re afraid,” Elrohir said, looking at Elladan who was still studying the floor. “You are afraid that he is going to leave you. . . just like Mother did.”

Elladan sighed and continued to look at the floor sadly.

“Withholding intimacy will not keep the prince close to you. In fact, it may push him away,” Elrohir said gently. “You would refuse him for eternity?”

“Of course not, Elrohir,” Elladan replied defensively, “it’s just that he still has nightmares. . . he’s still healing. I don’t want to commit my heart or my body to him if he isn’t truly ready.”

“Elladan,” Elrohir said, shaking his head in disagreement, “I believe that it was wise, initially, for you to wait to become physically intimate with the prince. But,” Elrohir paused thoughtfully, “I don’t know if Legolas will ever fully heal from all that he’s suffered. He may always have nightmares.”

“But his heart is still mending,” Elladan argued.

“Of course it is,” Elrohir said flatly, “isn’t yours?”

“That’s not fair, Elrohir,” Elladan said angrily.

“What I mean to say is that Legolas has been here for almost an entire season,” Elrohir explained. “He has gotten much better in the past months. If you are judging his mental state by the frequency of his nightmares, then your methods are flawed. I have dreams about Mother sometimes,” Elrohir admitted gently, “and I know you do, too.”

“So?” Elladan snapped.

“So. . . I believe that your intentions are sound. You want to spare Legolas pain, but you are also pushing him away out of fear. I know you better than anyone,” Elrohir stated, standing in front of his brother. “I know that you still suffer sometimes, and I know that Legolas suffers, too. But you can’t expect the prince to wait for you forever. He has needs. . . and not just emotional ones. He has physical, bodily needs and wants. If you won’t satiate his sexual hunger, I’m sure there are many males and females who would be willing to take your place.”

Elladan looked at Elrohir in dismay.

“Don’t run from this, Elladan,” Elrohir instructed gently, “you’ll regret it if you do. Legolas will have some good days and some bad days. Some nights he won’t dream at all and some nights he will awaken in fear. What will you do if he has slept well for a century and then suddenly has a few bad dreams? Will you withhold your body from him until he is good enough for you then?”

“I. . . I,” Elladan stammered.

“Do you really believe that he is still not ready for a relationship?” Elrohir asked. “Because when I walked in here only a few moments ago. . . he did not seem to be having any difficulty with intimacy.”

“Well, he certainly makes it difficult for me,” Elladan remarked earnestly. “It is very hard to keep him at bay.”

“Elladan,” Elrohir said gently, placing his hand on Elladan’s shoulder and squeezing affectionately, “have you talked to Legolas about the way you feel?”

“Nay,” Elladan replied, looking at Elrohir in incredulity. “Why should I do that?”

“Elladan!” Elrohir exclaimed in disbelief. “He doesn’t know; Legolas does not know how much you are suffering. You must be honest with him. You need to tell him about your fears.”

“I fear nothing,” Elladan said simply. “The prince does not need the burden of my problems. . . he has enough to deal with already.”

“But you are being dishonest with him, Elladan,” Elrohir stated.

“I have never told an untruth to Legolas,” Elladan remarked coolly.

“You lie to him everyday, if you are telling him that the only reason for your hesitance is because of his condition. You are lying to him, you are lying to me and you are lying to yourself. Tell me the truth,” Elrohir said, looking at his twin in the eyes. “Do you really believe that Legolas is not ready for intimacy?”

“I believe that he has healed enough to be intimate,” Elladan admitted quietly. “But I don’t know if I have.”

“I know,” Elrohir said. “Mother’s departure was hard on all of us. But she made her choice, based on things that we couldn’t control. If Legolas leaves you, it will be because of things you **can** control. You said this morn that I owe you a favor. My debt to you has been repaid with my advice. You have a choice to make. Heed my words, Elladan, choose wisely.”

---

TBC. . .