Sleeping With the Enemy

Title: Sleeping With the Enemy (Chapter 17/?)

Author: Meleth (meleth.legolas@yahoo.com)

Type: FPS

Cast or Paring: Ultimately Elladan/Legolas. Mithrandir, Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel, Thranduil, Bargon, (Thranduil’s Counselor OMC), Maethoron, (Thranduil’s Captain OMC), Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, Celebrian and the elfling Arwen.

Legolas, Elladan, Elrond, Elrohir and Glorfindel in this chapter.

Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: They aren't mine, no matter how much I wish it, and I am not making any money.

Timeline: Third Age.

Warning: AU. Angst. Adult language and situations. At times, this story contains males involved in homoerotic acts, i.e. explicit sex. If this is not to your liking -- read NO further.

Beta: The one and only Aglarien, who is more patient than anyone I know. Thanks Agie! Any other mistakes are my own.

A/N: *Emphasis*, (Thoughts)

This story has been floating around in my mind and demanded to be written. It features a darker Elladan than we are used to and a young vulnerable Legolas. For the purpose of this story, I have decided (with some advice from the great and wonderful Min.) that the age of majority for an elf is 500 years. Legolas will reach his majority during the year of their betrothal. NO underage sex!!! NO non-con and NO rape!!!

Feedback: Would be wonderful and makes me type faster!

Summary: Elrond examines Elladan's wound before breakfast. Legolas spends some time out of doors where he runs into Elrohir and Glorfindel.

Chapter Seventeen

Elrond entered Elladan's rooms eager to see how the wound was progressing. "Good morning, Legolas. How did you sleep?"

"I slept well, thank you," Legolas replied with a bright smile. To be honest, he was glad to see the elflord arrive so he wouldn't have to make conversation with Elladan until the morning meal. "If you will excuse me, I will be in the sitting room waiting for breakfast to be delivered."

"Thank you, Ernilen. It will not take me long to check Elladan's injury," Elrond replied before turning back to his son. "Did you have any pain during the night?"

"Nay, there was no pain and it feels better," Elladan answered as his father unwrapped the wound.

"It looks much better this morning; I think you should be able to walk with a cane starting tomorrow. Today, I want you to rest, as you have been. I will apply more herbs and rewrap it. If it looks as good tonight as it does now, there should be no more pain."

"As early as tomorrow?" Elladan asked with surprise. He had been hoping to have a few more days with Legolas before the prince moved out of his room.

"Aye, I see no reason to delay your ability to get around on your own," Elrond replied as he busied himself rewrapping the mostly healed flesh. "Legolas can return to his own rooms in the morning."

"Can he not stay here until I am able to walk on my own?" Elladan asked. "I will be shaky on a cane until I learn to use it well."

"You speak as though you have never used one before. You will be fine, Elladan," Elrond assured him while packing up his supplies. "I will see you this evening to change the bandages again. Enjoy your breakfast."

Elladan stared after him, surprised at the news he had been given. He heard his father bid Legolas goodbye, and sat up to wait for the prince to return.

"How is the wound?" Legolas asked, walking into the room.

"My father says I can begin to walk with a cane tomorrow and that you can return to your rooms in the morning," Elladan replied softly. "We knew the day was coming, but I did not expect it so soon."

"Nor did I, but maybe it is best," the prince replied, taking a seat next to the elf warrior on the bed. "It could have been your father who walked in on us this morning."

"Aye, it could have been, but it wasn't," Elladan answered with a smile. "Are you ready to help me into the sitting room?"

"Of course. Breakfast will be here any moment. Wrap your arm around my shoulder," Legolas ordered before helping his betrothed to the couch. "Comfortable?"

"Very, thank you." Before Elladan could say anything else, breakfast arrived, and as always, Legolas handed him his plate and sat across from him to eat.

"If you don't mind, Elladan, I would like to spend some time out of doors today," Legolas said between bites. "It is unnatural for a wood elf to spend so much time indoors."

"You should have said something before. You are not a prisoner in this room, Ernilen," the elf warrior answered.

"I know, but I hated to leave you when I was so worried about your injury," Legolas explained with a soft grin. "Now that Elrond has basically released you, I won’t feel guilty about leaving you alone."

"Will you spend time on the archery field?" Elladan asked, curious to know what the prince would be doing.

"Aye, and I may see if Glorfindel is available to spar a bit. He has been keeping an eye on my training with you and knows what I need to practice on," Legolas replied with a small smile. "I do not wish to embarrass myself when you are hale enough to teach me once again."

"I thought you said you wouldn't forget what I have already taught you," the elf warrior teased.

"I am making sure of that," Legolas answered with a grin.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas let his arrows fly with perfection, never missing the center, and packing the rest of them in a close circle around the first. He was relieved to be out of Elladan's presence.

The morning had been uncomfortable for him after learning the elf warrior's true feelings. Anger had replaced disappointment, and he practiced with the bow until he felt much calmer and able to face anyone he encountered.

Making his way to the practice field, he saw Glorfindel and Elrohir sparring. Their movements were precise and they seemed more like dancers than swordsmen. Fascinated by the display, he stayed and watched them until the blond warrior made a move that the elf knight was not able to counter. Legolas complimented them on such a performance and they both turned to smile at him.

"One of these days I will find Glorfindel's weakness," Elrohir replied, breathing heavily.

"I sincerely doubt it, but you are quite welcome to keep trying," the blond warrior replied with a laugh. "Is there something we can help you with, Ernilen?"

"Aye, I was hoping to speak with Elrohir and then, if you are willing, will you help me practice what Elladan has taught me?" Legolas replied to Glorfindel.

"Of course, Legolas," the Balrog slayer replied, smiling. "Just let me return to the armory and get the equipment we shall need. Elrohir will be glad to speak with you, I am sure."

"I am always available to you, Legolas," the elf knight said with a bow, before Glorfindel left for the armory.

"Thank you, Elrohir," the prince said with a blush. "Before you deny anything, I heard everything that was said between you and Elladan this morning."

The elf knight looked at Legolas with surprise. "I did not mean for you to overhear us, Ernilen."

"I am an elf, Elrohir, and there is nothing wrong with my hearing," Legolas replied. "You were right in your assessment of my feelings for Elladan. I do love him, but the things he said....I feel foolish and am quite devastated that he feels as he does."

"My brother would not have said such things if he knew that you would hear him," Elrohir explained, trying to soften the blow the prince obviously received.

"Hearing them or not does not change the fact that he feels the way he does," Legolas pointed out. "I know things would be different if it was you the Valar demanded I be betrothed to. I appreciate your standing up for me, and letting Elladan know that he is wrong to feel as he does."

"You are indeed a rare breed, Ernilen," Elrohir replied while caressing Legolas' face. "You are correct when you say things would be different. I would worship you as you deserve."

"I will be moving back to my own rooms in the morning, and should be able to resist Elladan more easily. Your father has cleared him to walk on a cane, and I am no longer needed to help him," the prince informed Elrohir. "He has offered to court me, but I question his motives now more than ever. I will stay in my own bed this night, no matter what he says. I need time and space away from him."

"Aye, I think that would be best for you, Legolas," the elf knight agreed. "I do not intend to interfere in your relationship with Elladan. I just wanted to let you know that you have an ally here in Imladris. If he hurts you, though, I will step in."

"Always gallant, aren't you Elrohir?" Legolas asked softly.

"Aye, I am, and so was Elladan before Tholvel," the elf knight explained. "That was when he closed off his heart and became the hateful creature he is now."

"I have done nothing but try to please him, and anything I do is not good enough," Legolas complained bitterly. "Something is always wrong, but Mithrandir said Elladan would begin a new life with me, and told me not to get discouraged. This morning's conversation did little to boost my confidence in the matter."

"Do not loose hope, Legolas," Elrohir said softly. "If it is meant to be as the wizard promised, then it will be. Just do not allow my brother to take liberties with your body any longer. Elladan could get into serious trouble, you would have to leave Imladris, and all hope of him returning your love will be lost."

"I will not allow him any liberties, but he is the one I chose for my bed teacher on my majority night. What will I do then?" Legolas asked, blushing to his ears.

"That will be allowed and welcomed by your father and mine. Read everything you possibly can on the subject. There are books in the library, and if you need help finding them, let me know," Elrohir said with brotherly concern. "I am sure you are too uncomfortable to ask Erestor where they are."

"You are right. Thank you, Elrohir, for everything," Legolas said as he grasped the half-elf,s arm. "I do not know what I would do without you as a friend."

"You can always count on me, Ernilen," the elf knight replied with a smile.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The elf warrior had made his way from the window by taking slow steps and using the furniture to help him navigate back to his bedroom. It was a good thing he had watched from the window, or he would not have seen his brother take such liberties with Legolas. How could his betrothed allow such familiar touches?



Jealousy and anger flowed through him, and he swore his brother would be sorry for touching the prince as he had. The prince would have a lot to answer to when he returned to Elladan's rooms.

Elrohir, on the other hand, would have to be dealt with once Elladan was fully healed. He watched as Glorfindel returned from the armory with the protective coverings and practice swords he and Legolas would need for sparing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The blond warrior was impressed with how much the prince had learned under Elladan's tutelage. "You will make a fine swordsman, Ernilen. Would you like to learn a few more moves to surprise Elladan?"

"Aye, maybe I can beat him for once," Legolas said with a bright smile. "Elladan is going to teach me to fight with knives. I have some experience with them, but I did not tell him that."

"You are a mischievous one, aren't you, Legolas?" Glorfindel asked, as Elrohir laughed at the question.

"The less the enemy knows, the better," the prince answered with another smile.

"How right you are!" the blonde warrior laughed. "Elrohir, come and let me show Legolas this move."

Elrohir stepped forward and waited for Glorfindel to perform the move.

"Watch carefully, Legolas, and you will see what I want you to do," the blond warrior said.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas returned to Elladan's room, tired and dirty from practicing the moves Glorfindel taught him. The elf warrior was sitting on the couch and the prince smiled softly at him. "If you don't mind, I am going to bathe before I order lunch," the prince said as he walked to the bathing chamber.

"I already ordered lunch to arrive after giving you time to bathe," Elladan answered with little emotion.

"My thanks, Elladan," Legolas said, stopping to stare at the elf warrior. "Is something wrong?"

"We will speak about it while we have our meal, Ernilen. It can wait," Elladan said with a wave of his hand.

"Very well, I will not be long," Legolas replied, trying to sound like he was happy to be with Elladan again.

All through his bath, the prince worried about what Elladan wanted to talk about. He could think of nothing he might have done to offend the elf warrior, yet he knew there was something wrong. Finishing his bath, he grabbed a towel and returned to his bedroom, and then dressed quickly.

When he returned to the sitting room, lunch was spread out on a tray and Legolas' mouth watered. He was hungry after the morning practice, and fixed Elladan a plate before making one for himself.

Sitting down opposite Elladan, the prince looked at him and waited for the elf warrior to speak.

"I saw your conversation with Elrohir, Ernilen," Elladan began, barely controlling his anger. "I do not like the liberties you allowed him."

"What liberties would those be?" Legolas asked, confused.

"You allowed him to caress your cheek and touch you in other ways," the elf warrior hissed angrily. "Then...then...you touched his arm. Don't you think as an elf betrothed that your actions were unseemly?"

"Unseemly? *You* are calling *my* actions unseemly?" the prince asked, his own anger flaring. "Have you forgotten your conversation with Elrohir this morning?"

Elladan looked at Legolas with wide eyes as he realized the prince had heard every word that was spoken. "You were eavesdropping?"

"Nay, I did not have to. There is nothing wrong with my hearing, *Peredhel*," the prince hissed. "Tonight I will sleep in my own bed, and first thing tomorrow I will be packing for the move back to my own rooms. Do not bother courting me, Elladan. You made your feelings quite clear this morning." Just when it seemed Legolas was finished with his tirade, he spoke again with all the venom he could muster. "*I* am a *Prince of Taur-nu-Fuin* and I will not be possessed by *anyone,* including you!"

"Legolas," Elladan started to reply, but the prince held up his hand to stop him.

"I have nothing else to say to you, and it would be foolish of me to speak of my feelings," the prince said, his anger still controlling him. "I will spend the day elsewhere, perhaps with the elves of this vale who actually welcome me. Do not expect me until well after the evening meal."

Legolas threw his plate on the tray and walked out, leaving Elladan staring after him with his mouth agape and his thoughts running amuck.

TBC