In Twilight

A/N: Beta read by Ilye; thanks love! The last part of this chapter is from Elladan's POV so the tense of the story changes slightly. Don't anyone worry too much, they WILL be reunited within about three chapters though there are still eight chapters to go until the end. Hope you're all enjoying it.

Oh, and if there are any slash ars ous out there reading this, Second Impressions is doing a contest to find 11 images for a 2004 calendar. I am doing shameless promotion for Megumi (SI's webmistress). Contribute please! The calendar promises to be an exciting one!

/ / denotes thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~ denotes changes in scene.

Chapter 13: After the Council
Summary: It has been decided that Legolas is to be part of the Fellowship. Elladan does not take the news well, but promises to see his lover off in high spirits, hoping they will meet again.

The council had been a weary and trying time for all those who had been present. Few expected to hear the news of Gollum’s escape from the Mirkwood elves; even fewer had suspected it to be revealed that the Ring of Power was in the hands of a Hobbit of the Shire. Men and elves alike were astonished at the news that the One Ring was to be destroyed; some believed it would be safer hidden from the Dark Lord, whilst others believed they would never be safe until the ring was destroyed. The council had been divided in the matter, but, in the end, it had been decided that Frodo Baggins would take on the duties of a Ringbearer and the responsibility of casting the cursed object into the fires of Orodruin.

Since the dismissal of the council, all of Imladris had been in uproar, for it was known that the hobbit would need companions on his quest. Nine had been the number Elrond had designated for, what the lord called, the Fellowship of the Ring. There was to be one representative from each race of Middle-earth. Of these nine, four were already chosen; Frodo, of course, would bear the ring, and Gandalf would lead the way. Sam would not be content unless at his master’s side, and Aragorn would also join them as part of his own journey. At the Istari’s persuasion, Elrond had chosen Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck to also accompany their friends and companions. To represent men, Boromir of Gondor would go, and for the dwarves was Gimli, son of Gloin. Which left the matter of who would journey for the elves, who themselves were preparing to make their way to the Undying Lands.

“Will you undertake this quest, Legolas?” Elrond asked, turning to the young prince of Mirkwood seated in a plush, velvet chair within the lord’s study. Leaning on his desk, the Peredhel lord observed his eldest son’s lover in quiet contemplation as Legolas debated with himself whether or not to accept the proposal. The prince sat slightly forwards in the chair, elbows on knees, hands clasped together, head bent and hair shielding his face. Legolas chewed thoughtfully on his lower lip as he thought of Frodo and his burden of the One Ring.

“Why choose me, Lord Elrond?” the blond finally asked after a measurable silence. Sapphire eyes lifted to meet a gray gaze, so similar to one Legolas had drowned himself in numerous times over the last few centuries. “Of all the elves in company here now, today, why choose me? My brothers…”

“Are in Mirkwood at this moment,” Elrond finished. “And while the task of the Ringbearer will not begin for yet another month, your brothers will not have the courage, nor the energy, to accompany Frodo after journeying to Imladris. You are here now, Legolas, and I can think of no one more skilled for this quest. Nor anyone I would trust more.”

“You trust me more than one of your own children?” Elrond sighed, understanding why Legolas was being so inquisitive. The long journey did not bother the prince; he was experienced in traveling far from his home, or other elven havens. Nor was he frightened of the uncertain; the quest would be filled with unexpected dangers, but Legolas would be able to overcome them all. No, the prince would accept the offer, but he need to know Elrond’s reasons behind the his choice. Silently, Elrond stepped away from his desk and claimed the seat directly opposite Legolas.

“If I were to ask them, neither of my sons would decline the offer. Both Elladan and Elrohir would bravely face anything to see that Frodo accomplishes his task. I do not wish to risk their lives on this perilous journey. Indeed, I do not wish to risk your life either, for I know how much you mean to Elladan. Indeed, you mean a great deal to us all; you are as another son to me, and I do not wish to see you harmed. Nay, Legolas, I ask this of you for I know you would bravely see to the safety of the hobbit. He is in need of all the guidance and guardianship he can find.”

“Aye, this I understand. And I accept this task, Lord Elrond.”

“Be safe, son of Thranduil.” Slowly, Elrond reached over, closing the space between them. His fingers lightly brushed against the mithril ring that encircled Legolas’ right ring finger; Elrond smiled as he felt the cool metal beneath his touch, understanding the significance of the small token of love. “And come back to him.” The prince smiled, gently clasping the hand of his beloved’s father as he rose from his seat and made his exit from the study.

~~~~~~~~~~

“You agreed to join the Nine Walkers?!” Elladan struggled to keep his voice calm, but his efforts were in vain. His eyes betrayed him, belying his sudden rush of emotions even as his face and voice tried to remain impassive but failed miserably. Legolas stood a few feet away from where his lover sat on the bed, keeping his eyes focused anywhere other than on the twin. He knew Elladan wouldn’t take the news lightly, would demand that he go back to Elrond and withdraw his acceptance. But the Peredhel knew the prince would never do so.

“Aye, I am joining them,” Legolas replied, clasping his hands behind him.

“Why, Legolas?” Sapphire orbs lifted to fix upon Elladan’s face as lips worked to form an answer to the twin’s question.

“It is my duty, Elladan. I have accepted this task; I cannot turn my back on the Ringbearer now.” He let out a long, slow sigh as he watched Elladan’s shoulder’s slump in defeat. “I also represent our race on this quest, melme.”

“Ada could have chosen someone else.” Legolas shook his head, tossing his golden hair about him with the action.

“He could have, but he didn’t. I understand how you are feeling, melethron; if it were you who were to take this journey, I would not want you to go. But it is not your journey to undertake. It is mine, and I will complete it.” He watched as Elladan closed his eyes, the twin’s slim hands wringing in his lap. His voice was quiet when he next spoke.

“May I have some time alone, melethron? I would like to think about this, and I fear that, while you are here, I might say something I will later regret.” The prince nodded, striding over to lay a tender kiss upon a dark crown before he retreated to the door.

“I’ll be back in a few hours.” Elladan nodded as his lover left, softly closing the door behind him. With an exasperated sigh, he fell back upon his bed, dark hair spraying out around him. He silently prayed to the Valar that Legolas would change his mind, but the Peredhel knew this plea would go unanswered. The youngest prince of Mirkwood had always been set in his ways; no amount of pleading or persuasion would alter Legolas’ decision once his mind was set on a course of action.

Elladan knew that all he would be able to do would be to see Legolas off in a loving manner, and pray that the prince would return to him safely. But, bringing himself to that state was a trial indeed, a trial he wondered if he was prepared for. Rolling over onto his side, he closed his eyes and thought hard on the matter at hand. The twin was afraid of losing his love, but knew the importance of the quest at hand.

“Elbereth, this is so difficult,” he groaned. He was in for a rough few hours with his thoughts.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Legolas?” Mirkwood’s prince had been wandering the corridors aimlessly for the last couple of hours after leaving Elladan alone to his thoughts. He had not noticed the sidelong glances of wonder in the faces of the people he passed due to the melancholy air about him, nor had he realized that, to others, he seemed gloomy and distraught. Legolas had been lost in his musings, not paying attention to what direction he was traveling in--not caring really. He hadn’t stopped at the sound of Elrohir’s voice; indeed, he had only stopped to face his lover’s twin when a hand came to rest upon his shoulder. “Legolas, are you all right?” Elrohir asked, worry evident in his eyes.

“I’ll be fine, Elrohir,” Legolas replied, his voice a near whisper. He tried not to show his worry towards his friend and smiled in an attempt to quiet any protests Elrohir might voice; he wasn’t very convincing.

“Come on, a walk will do you some good.” Before the prince could react, the twin had taken him by the arm and led Legolas out towards one of Elrond’s private gardens. The lord of Imladris had a few gardens that he tended to when his duties didn’t eat away at his leisure time. Often they were frequented by his sons and seneschals, whenever one of them needed a peaceful place to think. It was one of these which Elrohir directed Legolas towards, and of which the pair began to wander one of the winding paths. “Now then, meldir,” Elrohir said. “Spill your troubles; I am here to listen.”

“It is the quest of the Ringbearer that troubles me,” Legolas said, knowing there was no way the twin would leave him be until he voiced his concerns. “Your father has asked me to accompany Frodo to Mordor, and I have accepted.”

“I see. And my brother is not taking the news very well.” Legolas shook his head. “That is to be expected.”

“Should I have refused the offer? I felt it was something I am supposed to do, but now I’m not so sure.” Elrohir patted his shoulder affectionately.

“Nay, you were just in accepting Ada’s proposal. You felt it was your duty so you accepted; you cannot turn your back on the hobbit now.”

“But, Elladan…”

“Cannot force you to change your mind. He knows this. Elladan may not like the fact that you have accepted to become a part of this quest, but he will not keep you from accomplishing your task either. He understands the consequences of this journey, we all do. It is the consequences that worry him the most, Legolas. Elladan fears you might not live to return to him.” Legolas was about to speak, but Elrohir cut him off with a gesture of the hand. “He will let you go with the other Walkers. But he needs to be reassured you will return. Elladan fears you will leave him just as our mother did.”

“I will not.” The defiance in the sapphire eyes was evident; Elrohir allowed himself a small smile upon spying the heated look.

“Then go and tell him that.” The prince nodded, rushing back into the house and leaving Elrohir in the gardens alone. The twin sighed, seating himself on a nearby stone bench. He clasped his hands together in order to still the slight tremble that had overtaken them.

/I can only imagine how Elladan must be feeling now. I do not know what I would have done if I learned my lover was to become part of such a dangerous quest./ Closing his eyes, one hand felt for the mithril ring that hung about Elrohir’s neck; he clasped it tightly through his tunic, fisting the material. Feeling the ring gave him some measure of strength. Taking a deep breath, Elrohir rose from his seat and headed back to the manor to finish his duties for the day.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Elladan?”

“Over here.” At the sound of the quiet voice, Legolas shut the door to the bedroom and wandered over the balcony; he took a moment to marvel at the sight before him. Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, Elladan seemed like a vision from the past, valiant elves in stories his father used to tell him. His dark hair was set aglow, seeming to be set on fire against the pale gray of his robes. His skin became a rosy tint as the sunlight warmed the flesh. Gray eyes gazed out into the distance, spying the rainbow reflected off the spray of the Bruinen. Watching this beauty before him, Legolas prayed to the Valar that he would return safely to this creature’s arms.

Sensing eyes upon his person, Elladan turned and offered a smile and a hand to his flaxen-haired love. Legolas took the hand, allowing himself to be drawn into the warm circle of Elladan’s embrace. He sighed softly, breathing in the scent of pine as he buried his face into the dark hair. Gentle fingers combed through his pale golden locks; Legolas wanted this moment to last forever.

“I do not like the idea of you joining this quest,” Elladan whispered, kissing the golden crown. “But I will not keep you from your duty either. Something tells me that we will meet again before the final confrontation. I only pray that the day comes swiftly, and that you will be safe until then.”

“I will return to you, melethron. I will sail into the West with you at my side; I will not leave this world before then.”

“That is all I ask for.” Legolas smiled and lifted his head from Elladan’s shoulder to gaze into stormy orbs. A slender hand cupped his cheek, bringing him closer until his lips met the other’s. They shared a kiss full of love and hope for the future as the sun met the horizon, and night began to envelop the valley. They had some time before the Fellowship was to leave on its quest; they would make the most of the lasting days to come.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Fellowship is leaving Imladris, and my heart is going with them. I am almost tempted to tear my eyes away from the sight of his golden hair passing over the bridge, but I dare not. This is the last I will see of him for many weeks, maybe even months, to come. I want this last image of my lover, my sun, to stay with me until the day we are to be reunited.

Even now I wish my father had chosen someone else to represent the elves within the gathering of the Nine Walkers. But I know there is no one better for this mission, no one who can equal his skill and cunning. Even I would be a poor substitute, though I would gladly take his place if it meant knowing he would not see battle. He is a warrior, however, and I cannot keep him from his calling. For I too know the sound of war, and I too must soon depart to answer it.

He turns back once, his azure eyes glancing over the valley until they rest upon me. I am not the only one on the balcony, but I am the only one he sees. I do nothing but smile at him; the gesture is enough, for he smiles in return. I see his lips move, and I know what he is saying. He tells me he loves me, that he will return. It is a promise he has made countless times in the last month, yet I never tire of hearing his reassurance echoed time and again. With another loving smile, he turns and sprints to rejoin the others.

I begin to twist the ring upon my finger as he moves further and further away from Imladris. I remember watching him as he removed the rinom hom his finger last night, choosing to wear it upon a chain about his neck for the journey. He said it was to keep me close to his heart, but we both knew it was also for practicality’s sake. I raise my hand, and lay a gentle kiss upon the band as if I were kissing him instead. Before he rounds a bend and disappears from sight, I whisper words, knowing the wind will carry them to his ears before he is too far away to hear.

“Nai tiruantel aryuvryuvantel i Valar tielyanna, anor-nîn. Im mela lle.”

Translations:
Melme-Love
Ada-Father
Melethron-Love/lover
Meldir-Friend
Nai tiruantel ar varyuvantel i Valar tielyanna, anor-nîn-May the Valar protect you on your path , my sun
Im mela lle-I love you