Denied Rights

**AN** Okay, sorry I didn’t get this up sooner. I’ve had a lot to deal with for school, and I know that isn’t a good excuse, but it’s the best I’ve got.…. Ugh….. I hopefully will be able to get more chapters up soon, as I have Thanksgiving break, and then only two weeks left, before my long Christmas break. Thanks again to all of you who bothered to review, I really appreciate it! I’m so glad that you are all taking an interest in my story!


**Lothlorien**


Celeborn sighed and continued to listen to the complaint before him. “And then, my lord, he claimed that the land was his, and therefore the crops were his as well. And he was obviously wrong seeing that my wife’s father has owned that land for years…” the voice droned on and on, and Celeborn would have fallen asleep if it hadn’t been for the gentle prod in the ribs from his ws els elbow.


Why was he sitting here listening to this when houldould be thinking of more important things, such as what to do about Thranduil’s actions? “That was when he tried to shove me, my lord. Of course he didn’t touch me, because I have always been the swifter of the two of us…..”


“Of course,” murmured Celeborn as he exchanged a look with his wife. She looked into his eyes and he suddenly heard her voice inside his head.


“Try to stay awake, Celeborn. Eveetitetitioner is an important one, no matter how small they seem. He is almost finished, and then we can send him back to his wife.” Celeborn imperceptibly nodded, but then she added, “Of course, you don’t see his wife here complaining, and she’s the one who owns the land. It’s you silly males who have to drag out these small confrontations.” Celeborn held back his smile, and went back to listening to the elf before him.


“And so he said he would not give them back until you deemed the property truly mine,” finished the elf as he looked at his lord expectantly. Celeborn stood and pretended to think over what had been said, even though his wife had already given him a solution.


“Where is your wife?” Celeborn asked. The one before him looked confused.


“My wife? Why she is at home, fixing our meal. Why do you ask, my lord?” he questioned as he shifted nervously from foot to foot. He was suddenly aware that he was missing something, and for the life of him could not figure out where this was going.


“Your wife is the true owner of the land. Why is she not standing before me?” The elf opened his mouth to answer, but Celeborn cut him off, “I am guessing that it is because she does not have a problem with sharing the crops with your neighbor.” When no response came, the lord continued, “Do not come before me again with such a trivial matter. This could have easily been solved betwixt yourselves. I defer my ruling to your wife. Whatever she decides, I agree with.” Celeborn sat once again, signaling that the discussion was finished.


Two guardians came forward and escorted the elf out of the hall. “As always my dear, your wisdom amazes me,” said Galadriel softly as a smile ghosted across her face.


“You tease me, my dear,” answered Celeborn. “But I thank you for your quick solution. I would rather discuss what is to be done about Legolas Thranduillon.”


“Or rather, what is to be done about Thranduil Oropherillon,” she corrected. Shaking her head, she sighed. “The council must meet immediately and then all of the firstborn must know of his actions.”


Celeborn enfolded her into his arms. “Perhaps that is not the wisest course of action, my lady.” Rather than be insulted, Galadriel looked at him quizzically.


“Why not, husband mine?” she asked curiously. He held her tightly, resting his chin on her shoulder.


“I have lost any remaining respect for Thranduil, my only concern is Legolas. I fear that if reveal what has been done to him, it will interfere with his future. He will think that those who approach him do so out of pity, or will think him weak,” stated Celeborn.


Galadriel nodded sadly. “You are correct. His heart is fragile right now, and once his secret is in the open, he will distrust all who come near him. Perhaps we need only tell the council, and seek their thoughts: and what has happened to the son of Thranduil will need not reach all elven ears.”


**Forests of Mirkwood**


Vorimarao didn’t move as an arrow whizzed into the tree nearest his face. Immediately he whirled and fired back into the direction that the shot had come from. He was rewarded with a grunt which let him know that his aim had been true. The rest of the elves looked around in confusion, for even though their senses were sharper than that of man, they could not tell where their enemy was.


Vorimarao dismounted and raised a hand to his brothers. “What are you doing?” hissed Anganca as Vorimarao put down his bow and arrow.


The eldest brother smiled in response. “Oh he picks this time to shut his big mouth?!” whispered Aranisilo to Calimara as Vorimarao began to walk towards the direction that he had fired his arrow. The two younger brothers still cautiously kept their sister between them.


Suddenly a flash of color jumped out of the tree and reached for Vorimarao. The prince quickly turned and threw the figure over his shoulder, and then quickly pinned it to the ground. “You’re getting to be rather sloppy, my lady,” he said sternly. He stood up, and roughly pulled up the elf who had attacked him.


She scowled at him, clutching her bloody arm, where obviously the prince’s arrow had struck. “If I had not intentionally given my position away, your highness, you would be dead. It is your skills that are lacking. I gave you clues, and if I had been anyone else….” She trailed off, looking at him tiredly.


He rubbed his forehead. “Then I am thankful that you were not anyone else,” he said firmly. “Although, perhaps next time you could aim a little farther away from my head.”


She frowned. “Perhaps if you had arrived when you said you would, I would not shoot at everything that moved!” Her voice trembled and to one who knew her well, such as Vorimarao, betrayed her true feelings.


Before the crown prince could reply, Anganca dismounted and strode towards them. “Elenwen? What are you doing here?” he asked, puzzled. For, his brother’s trusted friend stood before him, clothed in the get up of a guard of Mirkwood, instead of her usual dress.


“I was informed of your departure by Vorimarao and left earlier to divert attention away from your party. I am afraid that the king became rather intoxicated during my farewell dinner, and therefore, I ensured that you would be able to leave without his notice. I, myself, left shortly after I put him to bed, so I could meet you here,” she said tearing off a piece of her tunic to wind around her arm.


“Let me help you with that,” said the crown prince as he sat her down and then carefully began to bind where his arrow struck. “We’ll rest here for awhile,” he said to his brother and to those who surrounded them.


**Lothlorien**


“This is a beautiful spot, Haldir,” said Legolas as he closed his eyes and basked in the sunlight. Estel, who sat between the two elves, nodded in agreement, obviously pleased that he could bathe his feet in fair Nimrodel, while eating at the same time.


“I found it years ago. Hardly anyone ever comes here, and so whenever I need to remember what it is that I fight for, I come here,” he said softly as he gazed at the beauty around him. He stretched out on the ground with his knees bent and his hands clasped behind his head. Legolas opened his eyes and peered over at the guardian. Haldir sensed his stare and turned his eyes to meet that of the Mirkwood elf. Legolas smiled and looked away.


The short silence was broken by Estel. “May I explore?” he asked, his voice full of wonder as he studied his surroundings. It was his first time to Lothlorien, and like so man others, he was much in awe.


Haldir nodded and gave his permission. “Only do not wander too far, young one,” he said smiling as he closed his eyes. “I want you to be able to hear me if I call to you.” Estel quickly agreed and scampered off the way they had come. That left Legolas and Haldir alone, and for awhile, neither spoke, just enjoying the other’s presence, and their surroundings.


Legolas inched closer to Haldir, and when the marchwarden did not move away, Legolas touched his hand. When he still got no response, Legolas slid even closer to the elf, and laid on his side, with his hand holding up his head. “Haldir, I must ask you something,” he said solemnly, and his tone made Haldir look at him in concern.


“What is it Legolas?” he asked, sitting up and turning on his side so that his position mirrored his companion’s.


Legolas internally was arguing with himself, and in the end shook his head. “Haldir, I was cautioned by a friend that you would make certain advances, and that I would be hurt in the process.” He paused and looked at Haldir. “You all must think me so naïve. Of course, I have not shown you anything to make you believe differently. I am able to learn much as the young and innocent elf,” he said, as disdain laced his voice momentarily. “I have seen the way that many look at me, and I know what they want. I could easily see past Luimhenn, even though I may not have acted like it.” He straightened. “I did not get to be Thranduil’s advisor by being foolish.” Legolas sighed, and continued. “You have never been anything but kind to me, and so I ask you this, rather then question you silently.”


“You may ask me anything Legolas, and I give my word that I will answer you truthfully,” said Haldir, silently wishing he could wring Veryaserko’s neck, for he was sure this was the elf who warned Legolas.


Legolas sighed again. “Haldir, if I said that I only wished for friendship between us, would you respect my wishes?”


Haldir cringed, but he had given his word, and would tell Legolas the truth. “I would indeed respect your wishes, Legolas. I confess that I hoped for more, but I would rather have our friendship than nothing at all.”


Legolas smiled and laughed when Haldir arched his eyebrow. “That was the correct answer, marchwarden.” He took Haldir’s hand, ignoring the confused look on the guardian’s face.


“The correct answer?” Haldir stuttered out, losing his composure. “What do you mean?”


Legolas placed a kiss on the inside of Haldir’s palm. “You would be surprised at how many have left when I said that I only wanted friendship,” he said sadly, but then brightened. “But you, Haldir,” he said as he laced his fingers with the one before him, “you stayed, and that means so much to me,” he finished, looking up at Haldir trustingly.


Haldir felt as if his head was spinning. He had indeed thought that Legolas was unaware of the looks of desire from afar, and could now see that he was deeply mistaken. He took a deep breath. “So am I right in assuming that you do wish more than friendship?” he asked slowly.


Legolas squeezed his hand and leaned in close so that their lips were almost touching. “You are correct,” he said softly as he touched his lips to Haldir’s briefly. The two kissed softly, and then Legolas pulled back. “You do want this, don’t you Haldir?” he asked, quietly, and Haldir glimpsed how fragile the elf before him was, despite everything that Legolas had just said.


Haldir captured his lips in response, deepening the kiss and slipping the tip of his tongue into Legolas’ mouth when he gasped in surprise. Legolas slipped his tongue passed Haldir’s and smiled into the kiss when Haldir groaned. The next thing he knew, he was was lifted into the guardian’s lap and had both hands in Haldir’s hair. Haldir in turn had one hand supporting the both of them, and the other entwined in Legolas’ golden strands. They broke apart only when the needed air, and Haldir leaned until his back once again was on the ground.


Legolas opened his mouth to speak, when Estel’s voice was suddenly heard from the edge of the clearing. “Oh, are you two sparring?” he asked, taking in their heavy breathing, flushed faces, and that Legolas was straddling Haldir on the ground. “Who won?” he asked curiously. For he had seen Legolas spar against the twins many times, and knew that the Mirkwood elf was quite skilled. Haldir on the other hand, he had never seen fight, however he was sure that he was also greatly skilled. He had to be, with the position of marchwarden.


The two elves looked at each other, and smiled as Haldir answered, “I think we both won, Estel. I think we both won.”

***AN: Okay that chapter ending was a little cheesy…. Don’t hate me for it…. But it came to me, and it was sweet, and I don’t know, it’s kind of late, I’m tired, and I liked it. Ok, here are some responses***

Ivorybrowneyes: First off, thanks for the review. I know, I know, it was a filler chapter. But I really wanted to put some more twin bickering in there! That’s the way I imagine things going on between the two of them, although I also imagine fierce love and loyalty, which will probably come in later on. Lol. I feel bad now, because you said I was one of the only ones updating regularly, and now look at me. I think it’s been almost a month since my last chapter. I must beg your forgiveness! Hope you liked this chapter!

MoroTheWolfGod: Thank you for your review, I’m glad you liked that chapter. I hope you liked this one too!

Eldameldo: Thanks for the review! This had more Legolas in it, and I hope you enjoyed it!

Lady-Daine: Thanks for the review. Lol, yes it reminds me of my brother and sister so much! Lol your physics professor sounds like my astronomy professor! Man I doubt she’s human. Hope you liked this chapter too!

Lady of Legolas: Yes it was the twin sons of Elrond, sorry that I didn’t make that clear enough. As for Legolas being interested in another elf, I hope this chapter sorta cleared it up, but the elf with the different colored eyes won’t disappear… you’ll see more of him soon! Hope you liked this chapter!

BButtercup: Thank you so much! Lol, yes gotta love the twins. And I can totally understand how nerve racking it is to post that first chapter. This is my first fic too, and I find myself constantly reading it trying to figure out if people will like it. Your story is great and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Aly: Thanks for the review. Lol I’m glad you aren’t mad that I left you guys like that. Hope you liked this chapter too.

Breach Cannon all must die!: Of course it was plain silly, but I wanted to show what I think the relationship is between Elladan and Elrohir. You’ll see more of them later on, and although I’ll still include their bantering, like I remarked to another reviewer, you’ll also see their fierce loyalty and love for each other.

Gilraen: Lol, I’m glad you liked it. And even though at the beginning, I was going to have who said each thing, I decided it would be better to write it without their names. Lol, that way you can see that they are pretty much mirror images as far as their sense of humor goes. Lol, thanks for reviewing and I hoped you liked this chapter.