The Boon

Title: The Boon
Author: TICS
Rated: NC17
Genre: Romance, AU, Slash
Pairings: Elrond/Legolas, Elladan/Elrohir in this chapter
Summary: Legolas is sent by his father to Elrond of Imladris as part of an agreement to cement relationships between the two realms.
Disclaimer: I own nothing that anyone might consider to be of any value.


A/N: Requested by MDarkdreamer, who threw the bunny at my feet. The bunny was covered in super glue...it wasn't my fault.

A/N: It was suggested to me by Setare that a scene depicting Legolas finding out about the twins relationship and Elrond's response to it be written, and so I have written a flashback for this chapter. Thanks, Setare!

Note: //____// indicates a flashback. *____* indicates italics.

The Boon, Chapter Ten


Legolas sat with Thranduil alone in the War Room. The Great Cavern of Thranduil was a place of many things: a place of beauty as seen in its carvings and intricate tapetries; a place of music as the sound of lyres strummed softly, echoing in its halls; a place of peaceful reflection, of solace, and of merriment. This one room alone, however, was stern and austere. Purposely kept devoid of any distracting accruements, it was kept reserved for one thing and one thing only...to prepare for War. That it had not been occupied since Thranduil's dealings with the Necromancer and the White Council was evident in the dust that lay thick upon the surface of the table and in the cold ashes of the fireplace and torches. Legolas' insistence at meeting with his father in this room told Thranduil that his son's news was not to be pleasant.

Legolas had stood when his father entered the War Room accompanied by his lieutenant and Advisor. A look had passed between father and son, and Thranduil had dismissed both his attendants - over their protests - with a nod of his head. Alone, father and son had sat across from each other at the wide table.

"Adar, Lord Elrond has not sent me home accompanied by his sons for a simple visit..." Legolas began, his eyes telling of the misery in his heart at having to give this news to his father.

"So I have begun to realize. FIrst, tell me Legolas for I must know...are you happy in Imladris? Too long have I suffered the heartache of having had to send you there, and for the purpose intended...I miss you, love you, and need to hear from your own lips that you are well-cared for."

Legolas smiled softly at his father, reaching across the table to cover his father's hand with his own. "Aye Ada...more happy than I could ever have hoped to be. Perhaps the Valar are wiser than we give them credit for being...truly they forced your hand to send where I would not else have gone, and for that I will always be grateful. I love Lord Elrond, and he has professed his love for me. We are kindred spirits, Ada, and never would I have left him willingly without great purpose...which brings me to the reason for my visit." SItting back, Legolas folded his hands on the table before him, leaning in slightly toward his father. "Adar, I come with grave tidings from Lord Elrond - news of a vision he has suffered. War comes to Mirkwood, a terrible war, instigated by the worse of all possible causes...the One Ring has returned." Pausing, Legolas held his breath as he watched his father's face blanche at the news. "Lord Elrond has warned that we will do battle against Dwarves and Men, although for what reason remains shrouded. In the midst of the battle, Sauron will send his minions to oppose us, but we will unite against his swarm. The outcome is uncertain and shielded from Lord Elrond's eyes." Sitting back and sighing deeply, relieved that at last his fell news had been imparted, Legolas waited for Thranduil's response.

"It has already begun, my son. The Hobbit and the Dwarves left my Cavern in great haste, and in their wake have left our treaty with the Men of Laketown in tatters. I have not recourse but to stand with the Men as they seek retribution for the Dwarves and the Hobbit's destruction of the Men's city. I am sorry, my son, but this war cannot be avoided," Thranduil replied, his grief heavy in his voice.

"But Adar...surely now that you know that it is the evil of the RIng that has caused this trouble, you will see your way clear to find another solution!" Legolas cried, shocked that his father would considered going to war after being told of Elrond's vision.

"It cannot be avoided, Legolas! Do you not think that I would rather fall upon my own sword than send my people into battle if it were not inescapable? I have no recourse. The Dwarves' actions were inexcusable! I will not suffer our people to be punished for their actions! We march."

"So instead you will send them to die on the battlefield?" Legolas countered, standing and placing the palms of his hands on the table before him, glaring at his father.

Thranduil rose also, and assumed the same posture, both elves staring hard at one another. "Death in battle is valorous...allowing my people to take the punishment due the Dwarves for their actions would be tantamount to kinslaying! My choice is war with Men or war with the Dwarves. I will not war with Men because of what the Dwarves have done! We march to battle." His tone made it abundantly clear to Legolas that Thranduil, King of the Woodland Realm, had made his final decision. They were at war.

"So be it, Adar...I will serve and fight alongside you as I have always done. I ask only that Lord Elrond's sons be sent back to Imladris immediately. I've no wish to put them in harm's way...this is not their fight."

"Agreed. Legolas...please believe me when I say that there is no other way," Thranduil said, his eyes softening as he gazed upon the hardened face of his son.

"You are King and your will I shall obey," Legolas answered stiffly, bowing before his father and leaving the War Room without another word.

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Legolas paused outside the door of the chamber that had been assigned to the sons of Elrond during their stay in the Great Cavern. From the muffled sounds that reached his ears from within, Legolas knew exactly what the twins were doing. His cheeks grew warm as he recalled the first time he had found out that their love for each other went far beyond brotherly love.

// **Elrond's time had been monopolized by his Advisor and his Preceptor in matters of the realm, and Legolas had wandered aimlessly through the gardens seeking something with which to occupy his time. Since Estel, now Aragorn, had gone, his days often yawned before him like great expanses of desert, having nothing with which to fill it. This day, as he wandered the gardens, the thought occured to him to visit the bathing ponds, a group of hot springs near the edge of the city. It had been long since he had sat in its bubbling waters, allowing the heat of the earth to soak into his bones.

He was approaching the pool furthest from the city limits, wishing for its privacy. At this time of day few elves ventured into the heated waters...it was too early for most. And yet, as Legolas walked closer, the soft sounds of splashing could be heard, indicating a presence already in the pool. He paused just before the last screen of bushes, peeking through to determine if the persons in the pool were those with whom he might not mind sharing a few pleasant relaxing moments.

Beyond the thicket that hid him from the eyes of those in the hot spring, Legolas watched as a lithe, dark-haired form writhed in the warm water, then rose to stand in the waist high depths of the pool. To Legolas' shock another raven-haired form, identical to the first also appeared, his arms wrapping around the first in a lover's embrace. Their kiss was deep and long, and slender, elegant fingers trailed each other's bodies as they rubbed provocatively against one another's wet skin.

Backing away to afford them their privacy, Legolas realized for the first time that the closeness the twins shared went far beyond that formed between them in the womb. They were lovers. He wondered if Elrond knew of their bond, and doubted it. His husband would have mentioned such an important family secret by now, he was certain. No, Lord Elrond must not be aware of his son's proclivities, and Legolas vowed not to enlighten him...but he would speak with the twins at a later time and convince them to bare their souls to their father. How horrible it must be for them to forever steal moments such as these with each other, always keeping to the shadows. They deserved to be happy, and Legolas swore to himself that he would see it done.

Later that night after dinner, Legolas excused himself from the Hall of Fire on the pretext of having to visit the privy, but instead made his way to the chambers that the twins shared. There, he delicately informed the twins that he knew of their secret. Elladan and Elrohir had both protested vehemently at first, decrying that they would ever be involved with one another in such a manner, but Legolas' calm demeanor and understanding eventually won their trust. In halting words they told him of their bonding, of their secreting about in the dark of night, of their aching to share their secret with their father, but of their paralyzing fear of his disapproval. Above all else, especially after having lost their mother as they did, the potential loss of Elrond's love was terrifying for them.

With kindness and gentleness, Legolas urged them to go to Elrond that very night and pledged to stand with them. In the quiet of Elrond's study, with Legolas' comforting presence behind them, they told Elrond everything that they had thus far kept hidden.

He was shocked...embarrassed...outraged...and finally, with encouragement and a few heart-rending entreaties from his husband, accepting. Elrond again showed the wisdom of his years by realizing that the twins had bonded and that remaining angry or casting them from his sight would not change that...and that they deserved to be happy. The meeting ended with father and sons embracing, and the incredible joy on the faces of the twins as they clung to their father was something that Legolas would remember always.**//

Waiting for the noises from within the chambers to subside, Legolas finally knocked softly at the door. A few more noises ensued, the rustling of fabric as the twins no doubt hurried to clothe themselves before answering the door.

After a few moments, the door creaked open and Elladan peered out. "Legolas!" he cried, smiling broadly at his father's husband. "We had not expected to see you this evening...did your talk with your father not go well?"

"'Dan...let him in...or do you intend to keep him in the hall all night talking?" Elrohir admonished his brother from within the room. Elladan grinned sheepishly, and opened the door to admit Legolas into their inner sanctum.

Legolas walked in, smiling at the dark-haired Peredhil and made himself comfortable in one of the two chairs set at a table in a corner of the room. "The talk went as well as could be expected, I suppose...I was unable to sway him from his course of action, but I never really expected to be able to do so. I know my father well, and through past experience know that once his mind is made up, he will not be strayed from his decision. Still, I am not happy that we will go to war...and I am worried for the outcome."

Elladan and Elrohir both put their arms around their father's husband, comforting Legolas. "Your father seems much like ours, Legolas. You know that Elrond cannot be swayed easily either."

"Aye, but Elrond will listen to reason, whereas my father is less conducive to listening to opposing opinions...still, he is my father, and I will stand by him. You two, however, are to leave Mirkwood with the sun and ride back to Imladris."

"Nay! We came with you to fight beside you!" Elladan protested, shaking his head. His gray eyes flicked to those of his brother, who immediately affirmed their wish to stay.

"No, you will return. I will not be responsible for putting the sons of my husband in harm's way. This is not your war," Legolas said, frowning at the twins.

"It is not yours either, Legolas...not anymore. Your home is in Imladris with our father," Elrohir gently reminded the Wood Elf.

"Mirkwood is still my homeland, Elrohir, if no longer my home. These are my people, and I am still their Prince. I must defend them...fight beside them. You do not have the same responsibility to them," Legolas explained, looking from one twin to the other.

"Perhaps not, but we do have that same responsibility to you, Legolas. You are of our family now...your battles are our battles. We will stand beside you, whether you approve of it or not," Elladan said forcefully, standing away and looking down at the Prince.

"I can order you gone," Legolas said, folding his arms over his chest. The twins were being stubborn, and while he appreciated their loyalty, he had no wish to see either of them put in danger. "I can have my father send you from this realm."

"You will not. Would you have us return to our father and tell him that Thranduil banished us? He would be incensed! And if we were to tell him that his dear husband was not only behind the banishment but would not return with us, he would ride here himself and drag you home by the hair!" Elladan replied, smirking at the Wood Elf.

Legolas had to smile at the twin's stubborness. He admitted to himself that if the boot were on the other foot, he too would show a stubborn streak. Nodding, he said,"Fine...you may stay. I must admit that there does not exist a pair of warriors I would rather have fighting at my side than you two...but you must promise me to take care. Do nothing rash - I will not be the one to bear news of your injuries or worse to your father," he said seriously, looking again from one pair of gray eyes to the other.

"Aye, Legolas. We are no strangers to war," Elrohir said, hugging his father's husband. "When do we ride to battle?"

"Soon, I think. My father's warriors ready themselves as we speak. It will not be more than a handful of days before we set out," Legolas replied, a look of inescapeable sadness crossing his features.

"There is one thing we should do before your father gives the order to march," Elladan said, straightening up and looking intently at his brother and his father's mate. "We should find Estel."

TBC...


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Steph: Thranduil, I think, can be a little stubborn, though...but Legolas is still loyal to his dad. Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D

Daeomae: Thanks, Dae! Things are heating up...but the twins and Legolas have someone to find before they go to battle... Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D

Sesshyangel: He will be gone a while...longer than they had expected, I suppose. Eventually he'll be going back, but I suppose that then there will be something else that tears him from Elrond's side... ;D

Daphne: I know...I was slow to update this week, what with the American holiday coming up...*flogs self for slow-updating* :D Thanks for reading and reviewing though!

Tiryaroofshadow: I think you hit the nail on the head about the twins not being Thranduil's headache...but as it turns out, Elrond was actually pretty accepting. Sometimes the worry about how someone will react to you is worse than the actual confrontation. Thanks for continuing to read and review! :D

HHS: No, it seems we still have a ways to go...and I only wanted this to be a three or four chapter fic! *snorts* You can blame it on Darkdreamer...:D