Balrogs, Butterflies & Bondings

Authors Note:

-----------

Gingitsune - I work a very radical swing shift sooo...I do try and get
the chaps out quickly, the longest I think I had to wait to type one up
due to work was three days...and uh yeeeaa, I would feel a little
awkward if I had kids and they sent me a companion! HA!... :)

-----------

Lauand - Glad your still liking it...more to come... :)

-----------



B, B & B



Ch10



When Elladan arrived at the barracks, the warriors fell silent upon
seeing
one of there princes enter and then lightly gasped when they noticed
that he was carrying Dathel, and his eyes were closed. Met with a
sudden rush of concerned fellows, Elladan quickly smiled "He is
alright,
he is in a healing sleep though, he needs rest"

The barracks leader pushed his way through and held out his arms "Let
me
take him ernil-nin".

Elladan gently handed him over and watched everyone follow as Dathel
was carried to his bed. The elder twin then glanced to his right and
noticed about twelve strangers over by the guest area, then inwardly
cringed when he realized they were wood elves and thought 'Oh Valar,
they arrived when Adar was...aye, no one has greeted them'.

Noticing the concerned looks on their faces as they watched the fair
elf be carried away, Elladan smiled, held up his hand and slowly
approached. But as he drew closer, he noticed how the warriors
tightened there grouped stance "Mae govannen cousins, welcome".

The elder twin then arched his brow as the group slowly parted and a
young elf walked forward and inclined his head "Mae govannen, I am
prince Legolas Thranduilion. Your barracks keeper called you ernil-nin,
are you one of Lord Elronds sons?"

Elladan smiled and nodded "Nai, I am the elder half, Elladan".

The Mirkwood prince smiled, then looked over to the growing group of
Imladrien warriors "Is he your worrier companion?"

The elder twin sighed and looked over "Nai, that he is. His name is
Dathel, he has entered a healing sleep. He is rather...tired shall we
say".

Legolas smiled as his warriors released an understanding chuckle, then
glanced back over to the group "He seems well thought of", and then
lowered his head "Our companion was struck down on the way here, he
will be greatly missed...he had a very gentle fea...warrior Faren has
stepped forward to take his place in his honor"

Knowing that wood elves were always on guard and leery of others,
Elladan slowly reached out and placed a comforting hand on the princes
shoulder, ignoring how the others suddenly stood more ridged as he
touched their prince "I am sorry for your loss...saes, be welcome.
There are many gardens and trees here, hopefully you all can find some
peace among them. Now, which one of you is Faren then?".

One of the warriors stepped forward and lowered his head "I am Faren my
lord".

Elladan nodded, then noticed how everyone's eyes went wide. The elder
twin turned around, smiled, then turned back "Ahh, this is our Captain,
Glorfindel".

The Mirkwood group collectively tried to swallow there nervousness and
placed there hands to their hearts and inclined their heads
respectfully to the legendary reborn warrior. Glorfindel returned the
guesture and sighed "I overheard your discussion and am saddened by
your loss, to lose a companion...well..."

The seneschal then slowly shook his head and held out his hand "Tul
Faren, I will show you to your bed".

The young warrior blinked "I...I am not to remain with my fellows?".

Glorfindel shook his head and pointed at the four beds that stood off
by themselves, yet were still within full view of the entire barracks
"That is where companions sleep, the beds are far more...comfortable
and accommodating"

Faren and the others glanced over and noticed how the companion beds
were far more plush, and large, large enough for three grown elves to
sleep comfortably.

Glorfindel gently squeezed his hand and pulled him over to one of the
beds and whispered "My warriors are kind, if you allow them close, you
will find that they are quite gentle...am I right to assume that since
you just recently stepped into the position of companion, that your
captain took you for your first trying?"

The seneschal suddenly spun when he heard from behind him "Nay, he has
not been initiated yet, our captain fell while trying to save our
companion"

The seneschal slowly tilted his head "Aye you are quiet Mirkwood
prince", then furrowed his brow "So none of you have received comfort
since then?"

Legolas shook his head "It is our custom to wait five passes of the
moon before taking a new companion. It is now just past midday on the
sixth. And since our captain is...gone...it falls to the highest
ranking warrior to initiate him. That honor has fallen to me, I am a
warrior and a prince. though I...I have been a bit distracted with
worry over my sisters impending bonding"

Glorfindel sighed and nodded as he grasped the princes bycep and gave
it a calming squeeze "I understand prince Legolas, go and take some
rest, you have much on your mind".

Once he had walked away, Glorfindel turned to Faren "Worry not Faren,
you will find that the position you have accepted can be
quite...rewarding".

Faren smiled and released a nervous sigh "I must admit I AM nervous, I
am to be intimate with those I have fought beside for many
years...and...I am to be deflowerd by my prince, who is three times my
jr".

Glorfindel chuckled and patted the young elfs back "You will be fine".

~*~*~

A short time later, Legolas stood in the doorway of Elronds study and
cringed while Erestor rolled his eyes and looked to Elrohir who in turn
sighed with annoyance as Elrond and Thranduil argued back and
forth......

"You want the bonding to take place tomorrow morning? Why so soon!".

"What! You are not thinking of backing out on the contract are
you?...Elrond?!".

"That is Not what I said!".

"Well, it sounded like a fleeing comment!".

"It did not! Why are you so damned opposed to my seeing her before we
bond! What are you hiding Thranduil!"

"I am hiding nothing you peredhil!!"

Elrond had had enough, this was just to much to bare at the moment and
he could only think of one way to stop this meeting without being the
focus of Thranduil anger. The elven lord sadly glanced at his advisor
and friend, then stood and walked to the window.

Erestor suddenly worried his brow, fully aware that it was midday and
those cursed creatures were out and about at this time and thought 'Nay
Elrond, there must be another way to stop this meeting'.

Elrohir blinked with disbelief when he realized what his father was
about to do, then looked over as his old tutor and sighed
sympathetically.

When Elrond opened the window, Legolas smiled as three butterflies
swiftly flew into the room, then jumped as Erestor screamed, flung the
papers he was holding into the air, leapt from his chair and began to
run around the room like he was on fire.

Thranduil dropped his jaw at the display and Legolas jumped backward as
Erestor bolted from the room and ran down the hall, followed by the
butterflies as he screamed "Glorfindel!"

Elrohir ran after him and Legolas followed. As the Mirkwood prince
caught up to Elrohir, he yelled "What is wrong with him!".

The younger twin looked over as they turned a corner and yelled back
"He is terrified of butterflies, I need to catch them, will you help
me?"

Legolas nodded and then spied the dark advisor up ahead "He keeps
calling for the great slayer...I saw him last in the barracks".

Once they caught up, Elrohir quickly yelled out "Erestor! Glorfindel is
in the barracks!".

Without a pause in his panic, the advisor swiftly turned, ran full
force to the nearest balcony, leapt over the railing, landed on the
ground, and took off for the barracks.

When the two princes looked over the edge of the rail, Elrohir blinked
and dropped his jaw "Blessed Valar! That was three levels!".

Legolas quickly looked out "I can make that tree, can you?".

Elrohir furrowed his brow "I am not a wood elf, I am unsure".

The Mirkwood prince nodded "Then we should not risk it, I will follow
your lead to the barracks".

~*~*~

Elrond and Thranduil entered the room and stopped abruptly when they
saw their sons disappear through a door and Thranduil paused to catch
his breath "Warg piss! Where in Uduns arse are they going!"

Elrond closed his eyes, tilted his head, then looked over "The barracks"

Thranduil sighed and looked at the balcony "Well why did they not just
take that tree there".

Elrond rolled his eyes "We are Not wood elves Thran! Tul, this way!"

~*~*~

Glorfindel stood in the horse pen with Elladan and several of his
warriors. They were joined by the Mirkwood guards and were introducing
the two realms horses, but everyone suddenly turned when they heard a
pained cry "Ahhhaye Glorfindel!"

The seneschal opened his arms "Tul Erestor!" and was hit full force by
the terrified advisor, wrapped his arms around him, then shouted
"Block!"

Elladan and his fellows leapt between the advisor and the approaching
butterflies, which now numbered in the twenty's. Noticing his younger
twin and Legolas approaching quickly, Elladan yelled out "Catch them!".

When Elrond and Thranduil finally arrived, the Mirkwood king blinked
with disbelief when he saw his and Elronds warriors, jumping around
while trying to catch the butterflies and looked over "Elrond?".

The elven lord sighed and shook his head as he told Thranduil about his
advisor and the butterflies. The Mirkwood king arched his brow and
crossed his arms "I have heard of such things, though never thought I
would see it".

Elrond turned and furrowed his brow "You have heard of butterflies
doing this before?"

Thranduil nodded "Nai, tis an old story. We could...er...sit down and I
could tell you the tale if you wish".

Elrond smiled and nodded "Sounds far more pleasurable then arguing".

The Mirkwood king chuckled, then slowly walked over to Erestor and
Elrond watched as Thranduil slowly reached for the advisors hair and
deftly untangled a trapped butterfly. Erestor tensed, knowing that
someone other then his love was touching his hair, and there would only
be one reason why.

Glorfindel gave a thanking nod, then tightened his hold and whispered
"You are safe now my lovely. Tul, let us away to where it is safe, then
you are going to tell me what happened to make you fear them so".

TBC.......................................



Translations:

Ernil-nin ---------------------------- My prince

Mae Govannen --------------------- Well met

Nai --------------------------------- Yes

Saes -------------------------------- Please

Fea --------------------------------- Spirit

Tul ---------------------------------- Come

Peredhil ----------------------------- Half-elf / Half-elven