The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 99

Legolas sat as close to the fire as he could stand. It had dropped cold since the afternoon sun had gone down leaving the night sky above. His hair was still damp from the stream earlier in the day and so he’d left it un braided in an effort to make it dry quicker. Dinner had been more exciting than any of the meals he’d eaten since leaving Imladris. Having the time to relax without worry of attack some of the patrol had gone out and collected berries and forest fruits, while another small group and gone out and slaughtered a few rabbits. Legolas did not enjoy meats as much as the other elves seemed to but for the sake of something different in his diet than lembas and water Legolas had greedily taken two breasts for himself over everyone elses one. His hunger had not gone unmissed by many of the group but none had questioned it merely content to enjoy the meal and the company it provided rather than banter over lost meat. Elladan has stayed close to Legolas since returning from the stream, both helping his brother to tend Legolas’ injuries before offering to lay out Legolas’ bed for him. Legolas was beginning to think it was all a little too protective on Elladan’s behalf at his new knowledge but considering he was still feeling less than perfect Legolas gratefully accepted the help.

A messenger from Imladris had arrived just after the evening meal startling everyone to their weapons a little jittery after so long a time in battle. Welcoming the elf to their fire Elladan had sat and conversed with the messenger for a while before he formally addressed the patrol.

“We are to make our way to the ford on the ‘morrow. Lord Celeborn and his company are arriving having intercepted the freeded slaves of Gondor on the way. We must greet them and insure their safe passage through the forest to the last homely house.” Legolas frowned a little at Elladan’s news confused at why Lord Celeborn would be making such an unprompted visit to Imladris. Without knowing the full circumstances Legolas had a feeling it was to do with the men that were still living under Lord Elrond’s hospitality. When it was clear Elladan had nothing more to say Legolas wrapped his cloak tighter about his body and shuffled closer to the fire. The patrol was already beginning to retire only those with first watch were gathering their weapons and were heading up into the trees around the glade. Luckily Legolas had been spared a watch due to his injuries and so instead would be treated to a full nights sleep. Still Legolas was cold and his stomach was being a nuisance again and so he was putting off going to bed in favour of the warmth of the fire. Elrohir who had been sitting next to him for most of the evening stood slowly from his seat beside the fire and rested a comforting hand upon Legolas’ shoulder enough to gain his friends attention.

“I am going to retire Legolas, you should think about doing the same. If we must go to the ford there is a long ride ahead of us in the morning.” Legolas sighed and nodded reluctantly at Elrohir who turned and headed across the stream and up to the large oak Elladan had chosen that morning for the three of them to sleep under. For a while Legolas remained staring at the fire and warmhis his body and it was only when Elladan came over and sat beside him that Legolas realized that they were the only two left awake in the glade. Peeking out from beneath his cloak Legolas was a little surprised as Elladan pulled out a folded piece of parchment from his tunic pocket and handed it lightly to the prince.

“It is a letter from Glorfindel to you, he sent it with the messenger.” Elladan gestured casually over to where the messenger was now snuggled down on the edge of the fire fast asleep. Unfolding his arms Legolas slid his finger under Glorfindel’s seal opening the letter to reveal its elvan scripted content. Legolas began to read for a moment but then remembered that Elladan was still sitting next to him looking at him intently, as if for information about what Glorfindel had written.

“I will read this and then retire. You might as well go now, I won’t be long.” Elladan seemed to get the hint and Legolas watched as the elder twin stood up and stretched before bidding the prince a good night and disappearing across the stream to where his brother had gone a few moments before. Folding his cloak back around himself Legolas held the beautifully written letter to the light of the fire and slowly began to read the elvish again.

{My Dearest Greenleaf
I do not know how you coped being away from me when I was at the borders but I am going insane without your company. Perhaps now I realize what the wives of warriors go through with every day their husbands are away from them, the worry and the sickness I feel not knowing if you are well. Maybe this would not be so bad could we contact one another through our bond over such a large distance. Still we cannot change our abilities and I hold close to my heart the faith, that one day we shall be able to overcome such barriers.

I am out of bed, already unable to stay confined to it for more than a few days. Elrond has restricted my duties to helping Erestor in the library but I believe for the first time in his life Elrond’s advisor is becoming frustrated with my failed attempts at helping him. He has quite tired of my pining for you and says I am no better than a lovesick elfling just out of my majority. That is rich I thought coming from one who has not left Elrond’s side since their joining.

You will be happy to know Candolin is still unwell and is confined to his own chambers. I am tired of these men and their conversations, and only wish Lord Celeborn would hurry so we might be rid of their foul presence. Assuming the messenger has already informed you Haldir and his brother’s travel with Celeborn’s party and I hear he is eager to see you. I confess I am a little jealous that he will see you before I will.

I pray every night for your safe return and dream restlessly as I pine for your lips against mine. I miss you terribly my love and will continue to watch from our balcony until the day you ride back into view.

Pray this letter finds you in good health and that your absence will not last much longer.

My Love

Glorfindel. }

Legolas sighed wistfully his hand involuntarily rubbing his stomach as he brought the letter to his face and inhaled to ant ant scent of his lover, while he imagined Glorfindel writing it. The letter was the sweetest gesture Glorfindel had ever shown Legolas and he wallowed in the dizzy feeling the unfamiliar emotion caused. For a while Legolas floating mindlessly on his high before it slowly faded leaving him glowing from the inside. The cold bite of the wind however drew Legolas back to realty and little causing him to shiver. Tucking the letter into the inside of his tunic for safe keeping Legolas then lifted himself carefully from the fire and began across the stream to where Elladan had laid out his bedding for him earlier. Taking the opportunity to relive himself behind the large tree Legolas then lowered himself down onto his soft blanket and pulled the spare one over him. The large tree roots either side helped to keep the wind from hitting his body and so he snuggled up. Almost as soon as he settled Legolas stiffened as he felt a body rolling over to spoon itself up behind him, while at the same time another body moved to nudge up against his front. It startled Legolas for a moment but he soon relaxed as he felt first Elrohir then Elladan’s hands snake around his waist holding him tight and keeping him warm. With a smile on his face Legolas slowly fell asleep sandwiched between the safe embrace of the twins.


TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(A/n) OH MY GOD that's 100 chapters people. Celebration time I thinks.

Okay thanks for all those who've stuck by me for all 100 chapters, you have my solemn promise that this story goes no further than 150 chapters, so just hang on for those few more and I promise it is well worth it in the end. Keep those reviews coming in I just love hearing what you thinks going to happen to the characters, after all that's what I write for. Apart from that we're in for some times ahead as I've already pointed out in the last post and if you've not guessed it yet I smell some sexual tension between Legolas and Elladan????? Whether or not I decide to act on that tension is another matter but it's a nice change, but assured Glorfy and Leggy are still bound and no one's going to pull them apart, except maybe death.................*Laughs evily but then restrains herself knowing that she couldn't kill any of her characters off, cause she loves them all sooooo much*

Anyway just to celebrate the 100th chapter here are some stats on this story just to make you ogle in aw at how much work my fingers have been doing for the past couple of months its taken my to write this thing.

The Jewel of Mirkwood has

41ges ges so far

255,653 words.

20, 876 paragraphs.

it has 202 reviews.

working on an average of me writing for two hours for the past three months that's nearly 180 hours I've spent writing this bloody thing.

Oh and I've only had one flame about it................which I consider myself lucky for.

Alrighty I'll stop now and let you get on to the next chapter. *holds up champers* Cheers everyone.

RIFF RAFF