Honour Before Love

Chapter Two - The First Day

After a few more minutes of talk involving Elrond inviting him to the
Council the following day, Legolas took his leave of the Lord of
Imladris, not sure whether he was relieved or disappointed that
Elrond had made no reference to their previous relationship. He knew
he wasn't the only one to feel the spark of attraction that was still
there, however inappropriate it seemed in these dark times.

Once outside the study, Legolas was immediately met by Glorfindel,
who was hovering anxiously. He looked relieved to see Legolas.

'Welcome back,' Glorfindel said neutrally. 'I have had a room
prepared for you if you would like to follow me.'

Legolas nodded his head, too emotionally wrought at the encounter
with Elrond to care how the other inhabitants of Imladris acted with
him. Even during such a brief meeting he had still felt the pull as
strong as ever between him and his former lover and he could not help
but torment himself with wondering if Elrond had felt it as well.

He followed Glorfindel in silence, noting with faint amusement that
he had been given a room as far from the family wing as possible. He
wondered whether this was Glorfindel being diplomatic or his way of
subtly stating his own disapproval. He decided there was only one
way to find out.

'So Glorfindel,' he began conversationally. 'Do you loathe me as
much as the twins?'

For a moment the Eldar looked taken aback at the bluntness of the
question, but quickly recovered and looked at Legolas thoughtfully.

'I cannot say your visit will give me any pleasure - in fact I
believe it will cause much anxiety - but I do not hate you. There is
far too much else happening in the present to worry about that
particular past.'

'I understand that there is far more going on than we at Mirkwood are
aware of?' Legolas replied in a half-question.

'Yes, but that must wait for tomorrow's Council.'

Legolas found little comfort in his former friend's words and they
remained in silence until Glorfindel stopped at a door.

'This is your room, your things have already been brought here,' and
then, with a slight bow, he left Legolas alone.

With a sigh Legolas opened the door to find a comfortable room with
his few belongings already packed away. He had not brought much with
him through partly believing that he would be turned away before he
got in the door and partly because his need to get away from his
father's kingdom had been so overwhelming he had packed as quickly as
possible.

He threw himself down on the large bed and could not help but think
of his first visit to Imladris all those years ago. When his father
had sent him there to see if a union between himself and Arwen would
be possible

Flashback

Legolas rode up to the house of Elrond in a mixture of fear and
anticipation. He had heard much of the beauty of Lady Arwen and
desperately hoped she would stir his flesh where no other maiden had
succeeded.

Nervously he followed the servant through to where Arwen and her
father were waiting to greet him. As he entered the room, he stopped
dead, transfixed by the vision before him: the dark, cloudy hair; the
fine, intelligent eyes; the elegant figure...

Suddenly Legolas knew exactly what he had been missing in his three
hundred years, but what should have been a joyous occasion, filled
him with despair. For it was the Lord of Imladris who had captured
his heart before he had even set eyes on the maiden he had come to
court.

Somehow he got through the day without, hopefully, giving himself
away. He had tried to limit his glances towards Lord Elrond as much
as possible, but it would seem his eyes were drawn im lim like a
magnet. Every movement, every intonation seemed magical to him and
the fair maiden beside him seemed to fade in comparison. Legolas'
heart was heavy: there could never be a marriage between himself and
Arwen. He knew his father would not be pleased.

As early as possible he had begged fatigue and retired to his room,
but sleep was the last thing on his mind. He knew he could not stay
here without revealing his true feelings. He had to leave as soon as
he could find a good excuse.

Suddenly, feeling trapped, he longed for the cool breeze and the feel
of the trees to ease suffsuffering mind. Quietly he let himself out
of the house and headed for the woods he had noticed on his way there.

He leaned his forehead against the firm bark of a tall, stately oak
and immediately felt a sense of peace flood his mind. He laid bare
all his doubts and troubles and let the tree soothe him.

'I should have known a wood-elf would be happier out here,' came an
amused voice, startling Legolas from his reverie.

'My Lord...forgive me...I could not sleep,' he managed to stammer
out, mentally cursing the luck that would bring the last person he
should see, straight to him.

'It's fine,' reassured Elrond with a faint smile at the prince's
obvious agitation. 'You are a guest here, not a prisoner.'

Legolas relaxed slightly, but Elr Elrond made as if to leave him and
suddenly he knew he would do anything to prolong this encounter.

'Please, don't go...I would not be averse to some company...if you
are not busy?'

'I was only planning a walk in the gardens. Would you join me?'

Legolas nodded his acceptance with relief and followed Elrond. For a
while they walked in silence and Legolas tried to concentrate on the
beautiful gardens, but the powerful presence at his side was far more
enllinlling.

'So what do you think of Arwen? Elrond asked eventually.

'She is very beautiful...a credit to you,' Legolas replied hesitantly.

'But you do not wish to marry her.' Elrond finished for him.

Legolas flicked startled eyes to the dark-haired elf. 'I...' he
began, but could not think what to say. Had it been so obvious?

'And even if you would consent, I would not allow it,' Elrond
continued evenly.

Legolas was hurt, if he thought he wasn't good enough for his
daughter then...he mentally drew away from the rest of that line of
reasoning, nothing good would come of that.

Seeing the pain on his face, Elrond quickly said. 'I did not mean to
insult you, I simply mean I would not let her marry without love like
I had to, and it was clear that t was was no attraction between you.'

'I'm sorry,' Legolas replied regretfully. 'I am sure most elves
would fall in love with her at first sight, but I am not one of them.'

'It's not your fault,' Elrond replied gently. 'I
think...perhaps...she is the wrong sex?'

For a moment the golden elf looked shocked and then hung his head in
embarrassment and shame.

'I am sorry, I should never have come here,' he replied in a wretched
voice. 'I truly hoped Lady Arwen would cure me of this affliction...'

'Affliction?' questioned Elrond in astonishment. 'Why would you call
it that?'

Legolas raised tormented eyes.

'Because it is unnatural. My father says so and has outlawed it in
Mirkwood.'

'Your father is a fool,' Elrond said abruptly. 'Love is too precious
to be qualified. If you find love - whether it be with a male or
female - you should be free to embrace it.'

Legolas couldn't help but stare at him for the passionate force
behind the words.

'Did you follow your own belief?' he asked earnestly. A look of
sadness overcame the face of the older elf.

'I tried,' he replied, his tone reflective.ut tut the Valar had other
plans for me.'

'Your marriage was arranged.' Legolas remembered from earlier.

'Yes. Galadriel told me it was necessary and, as there was no one
else in my life, I saw no reason to refuse.'

'It sounds very cold,' Legolas couldn't help but murmur.

'It was not entirely without happiness. I have three wonderful
children whom I love dearly.'

'And your wife?' he asked tentatively.

Elrond sighed. 'She was too good for me. I just hope she had
finally found some peace in the West.'

'I cannot believe she was too good for you!' Legolas blurted out
without thinking. He blushed.

Elrond looked at him with amusement.

'I will take that as a compliment to myself rather than a
disparagement of Celebrian,' he said, his tone light.

Suddenly Elrond stopped walking and turned to the younger elf,
placing a hand on his arm. Legolas just barely stopped himself
jumping as heat flared through him at the simple touch.

'There is another reason why I would not wish you to marry Arwen,'
the elven lord said in a low voice. Legolas looked into the burning
eyes and what he saw there was more than he had ever hoped. He moved
infinitesimally closer

'What would that be?' he managed to say.

Elrond shifted a little and whispered in his ear.

'Because I would have you for myself.'

Legolas gasped at the unbridled lust in those words and it was but a
work of a moment to turn his head and capture the other's lips with
his own...

End of Flashback


As he surfaced from his remembrance, he suddenly realised that he had
never slept in another bed in Rivendell besides its lord's own, even
that first night. It was a thought bound to bring a look of sadness
to his face. They had fought so hard against his father's
prejudices - and thought they had won - but then he had not known the
real reason behind them. Not until it was too late...

TBC.