The secret life

Part 10


Imladris, 1471 T.A.


“They are coming! They’re really coming!” Elrohir and Legolas were playing chess, when Elladan stormed in the hall of fire, waving a piece of paper in his hand.
“Who is coming?” Legolas asked confused.
“Our grandparents are. They will be here to celebrate our coming of age next week.”
“They are rarely leaving the golden woods” the younger twin explained. “It’s really a pleasant surprise.”
“From what the message tells, they should by now already have passed the Redhorn pass. What say you, Elrohir, do we ride to meet them and escort them here.”
“That’s a wonderful idea – what say you, Legolas? Will you accompany us?”
“Oh, as much as I would like that, but I promised Sarik a revenge with the bow in the afternoon, I’m sorry. But I will be there to greet Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel when they arrive.”
“Okay... Elohir and I will go now and prepare our trip. Will you come to see us off in an hour at the stables?”
“I will be there, Elladan.”
The younger twin stood and left the hall at his brothers side. Once they were outside he mumbled:
“I do not like that, not at all?”
“What do you not like? Meet with our grandparents?”
“No, I mean Legolas and Sarik!”
“What’s wrong with them?”
“I don’t know, maybe nothing... maybe I imagine things... but Sarik, I mean... he’s ever so eager, ever so anxious to please everyone, so overambitious sometimes. And I definetely don’t like the way he looks at our foster-brother. Legolas with his 144 years is still very young and innocent. I don’t want him to end up hurt.”
“They are just friends. And Legolas is already a sight to behold, I don’t know if you noticed, Elrohir, but I believe he’s growing to be one of the most attractiv elves in Imladris. Of course not as beautiful as you, muindor... “
“Do not flatter yourself, muindor!”
“I NEVER would! But if it makes you feel better, we will go and have a few words with Sarik once we return, alright?”


***

Four days later Legolas sat with Sarik early in the morning outside the barracks and surveyed the valley. It was still a little chilly, the first gentle sunbeams weren’t enough to warm the earth. Spring was still young and a reminder of the cold winterdays still hung in the air.
“I don’t know why they aren’t here yet?” Legolas said suddenly in the midst of the silence.
“Who?”
“The twins with the Lorien party. They should already be back home.”
“Maybe the pass wasn’t free yet and they had to wait for their grandparents. There is still snow in the mountains.”
“Maybe. But what if they encountered a band of orcs.”
“Don’t worry, mellon-nîn... the twins are great warriors. And there hadn’t been any orc sightings these last years. They will be home soon.”
Sarik yawned.
“Still tired my friend?” – Legolas chuckled - “Maybe you shouldn’t have stayed with the others in the tavern half the night. At least you did not drink as much as last week.”
“Next time you must come with us.”
“Elrond won’t let me.”
“Oh! I forgot... our little elfling is to be protected from us bad, bawdy warriors..”
“Sarik!”
“It’s alright... I was just teasing you... PEN-NETH!!!”
“SARIK!!! You may forget it sometimes, but even though I AM only 144, I bested you in every archery contest. ”
Sarik immediately became quiet, but this time it was an uncomfortable silence between the two warriors and Legolas wasn’t sure why. For certain Sarik wouldn’t mind a little teasing, after all the young prince still had his problems with the sword, a fact, the other warrior always reminded him of. The young prince tried to change the subject:
“So, what are you going to wear at the twins party? Dress uniform?”
Sarik only snorted at that.
“I’m not invited. Only a few warriors are – the rest of us seems to be unworthy to attend such a feast. We can guard the borders but mere warriors like me should not celebrate such an important day with our beloved lord’s sons.”
“Elladan and Elrohir are nothing like that.”
“I’m sorry. I know they are your foster-brothers. I probably shouldn’t speak ill of them in front of you. It’s just... it’s a pity they don’t like me. To attend the party with you would have been great fun...”
“I’ll talk to them. I’m sure they simply forgot your invitation... after all, they know that we are friends...”
Just this moment, a servant headed towards them.
“Have you seen Lord Glorfindel? The Lorien party is about to arrive and he is to greet them and see to the Galadhrim.”
//Galadhrim? Haldir...// Legolas thought. He jumped to his feet and ran toward the courtyard.


The twins rode first, next Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel on two brilliant white steeds, closely followed by five Galadhrim warriors, all clad in grey cloaks. When they arrived in the courtyard, everyone bowed while the twins helped their grandmother to dismount. Elrond, Celebrian and Arwen welcomed the guests heartily, Celebrian in particular was very happy to see her parents again after such a long period of time.
Legolas eyed the Lorien soldiers and was very disappointed, when he saw that Haldir wasn’t among them. But then his eyes met another familiar face.
“Rumil!” he exclaimed.
The elf in question slid off his horse.
“Do we know us?” he asked. “You do remind me of someone...”
The twins were at once at Legolas side and Elrohir quickly said:
“Of course he knows you, since we spoke often of you, mellon-nîn. Welcome to Imladris, Rumil. It’s good to see you again. This is our foster-brother: Legolas from Greenwood. But now tell me, where are your brothers?”
“Orophin isn’t fit to ride yet, he got hurt at the last patrol, but nothing to worry about. And Haldir, well, let’s say he’s a very busy elf since he has become marchwarden. He takes his duty very serious, but does not forget to please all those ellon, who nowadays fancy him. But enough of them... so you spoke of me???”
He smiled at Elrohir with bright eyes.


***

Three days later

The twins begetting day was celebrated with a party that arda hadn’t seen ‘till then and never would see again. There was plenty of food and wine, music and dance, speeches, games and fireworks.
Legolas stood with Sarik near the fireplace, watching Glorfindel and Erestor on the dancefloor. Those two looked really lovely together, like day and night combined.
“Do you want to dance too?” Sarik suddenly asked.
Legolas shook his head. Although everyone was making merry, he was a little sad tonight. Dancing – he had danced only once in his life. When he closed his eyes, he still remebered that moment, savely resting in Haldirs arms swirling over the dancefloor. And he also remembered the promise, the Galadhrim made later.
// Yes, a silly promise to a silly elfling, an elfling that didn’t even exist! //
Sarik had noticed his absent-mindness.
“I think, I will get us something to drink.” And with that he was gone.
Standing alone staring in the fire now, Legolas thoughts only grew darker. This feast was so similar to the one held in Greenwood 92 years ago. The feast he hadn’t been allowed to attend, the last feast in Greenwood. How different his life had been then. Amariel, had this girl truly never existed? What about his parents? Didn’t they miss their little daughter sometimes? Did they think of him at all?
Suddenly he felt someone’s eyes resting on him. He turned around and met Lady Galadriel’s gaze. A voice came to his mind.
“Why so gloomy? You are loved by many, here AND in Greenwood. Never doubt your parents’ love, my prince.”
Legolas startled.
“You know, mylady?”
“Don’t be afraid, child. Your secret is most safe with me. Yes, I know... in fact, I always knew since the day of your birth. I saw you in my mirror. I watched you growing up and believe me, you have all reason to be proud of yourself. Like your parents are very proud of you! There hadn’t been a day since you left, that they didn’t think of you.”
“Can you speak to them, can you tell them that I love them too, that I miss them?”
“I’m sorry, child. I cannot do this. I’m too far away to mindspeak with your adar and every message that reachs Greenwood draws attention. But don’t worry... they know. And now chin up and smile. This IS a party after all!”

Meanwhile on the other side of the hall, Sarik poured two cups of warm wine, one for him and one for Legolas, when he felt a strong hand on either shoulder. The warrior looked slightly nervous from one twin to the other.
“Ah... Happy begetting day and thanks for the invitation. That was very kind of you, I...”
“So Sarik, I see you got two cups of wine.” Elladan said. “You must be quite thirsty for I’m sure the second is NOT for Legolas. I know you are his friend... and a friend would never try to get him trunk, now would he?”
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware that Legolas is not allowed to drink.”
“Oh come on, Sarik. You know he’s still too young for such a potent wine.” Elrohir exclaimed. “We wanted to talk to you anyway. What are your intentions with our foster-brother?”
“What do you mean... I...I am his friend.”
“Just his friend? Mmh... okay. I don’t mind your friendship if it is true. But if you have some base motives... There are rumors that dwarfs use elven testicles to increase their virility, did you know that, Sarik?”
“Elladan has a very impressiv dagger collection... Be warned with that!”
“Y- Yes. I’ll keep that in mind” Sarik said in a subdued tone. But when the twins where gone his fury clearly showed in his face.
//So you two don’t think me worthy of your little foster-brother. Well, you won’t be always here to guard him. One day the little beauty will be mine!//


***

The party went on ‘till morning dawned. Finally even the twins made their way to the bedroom. Both stumbled slightly drunk in Elladans chamber, as it was the first in the corridor.
“Hey, that’sh my rrroom, muindor!”
“Are you sure, muindor?”
“Yesh –look, over-there, look. There is my tr-treashure chest with my name on it. Ell-a-dan. That’sh me. I’m Elladan.”
“Are you sure that YOU are Elladan? You look like Elrohir. What if I am Elladan?”
“Oh shut up. If you want you can shtay but shtop talking...”
They both laid down on the bed, still fully clothed, as they were too sleepy to undress.
“In case I forgot to tell you:” Elladan said, “Happy begetting day, muindor!”
“And have I already told you, that I’m so happy, you’re my twin?”
Elladan smiled and kissed Elrohirs cheek in brotherly affection. Then Elrohir kissed Elladans brow. Then Elladan kissed his brothers mouth, their lips touched only for a second. Elrohir did the same, but in this moment, something changed. Their kiss now deepened, the younger twins tounge demanding entrance in Elladan’s mouth. This had nothing to do with brotherly affection anymore but everything with passion and lust. To deny that their feelings were deeper than brotherliness was futile. They lay entwined on the bed still kissing, their bodies pressed together until Elladan suddenly sobered and broke the kiss.
“What have we done, NO! This can never be! We musn’t.... Elrohir! NO!” he burst into tears.
Elrohir, who had also come to senses by now, tried to calm his distressed twin.
“Ssh, nothing happened. Don’t cry, saes. We won’t speak a word about that, I promise you that. It never happened, but don’t cry. I’ll go to my room now...”
“No, saes... don’t leave me now. Hold me, saes Elrohir. I need you.”
And so Elrohir spent the next hours holding his distressed twin in his arms, trying to sooth him until both fell asleep.

Translation:

muindor - brother
mellon-nîn - my friend
pen-neth - little one
ellon - male elf
adar - father
saes - please


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I'm sorry I kept you waiting. Hope you like it.

Please review,

Githoniel