Work it out! sequel to against all odds

Chapter two May I?

Haldir paced the practise area, wondering if he wasn’t making a fool out of himself.
He looked at the sky. More than an hour had passed and still no sign of the Mirkwood king. And he found himself disappointed. He had looked forward to sparring with him. He threw his sword down in agitation and growled.

“Whoa, easy there, toron.”

He twirled round and smiled a little at Orophin’s face. “Hi there, Phin. Care to spar?”
Orophin raised his eyebrows before narrowing his eyes. He knew Haldir too well to know there was something bothering him. “Man nás?”
Haldir shrugged. “Nothing. I just got my hopes up over nothing.”
Seeing his slumped shoulders made Orophin sit down and pull Haldir down beside him. “Quettat nin.”
Haldir shrugged again. “There’s not much to tell. I bumped into King Thranduil and offered to spar with him to get his agitation out of his system.”

His eyes twinkled in delight. “Did you know he forbade Legolas and Elrohir to meddle between Ru and Glorfindel?” He grinned. “But it seems they’re now giving all their attention to him.”
Orophin laughed warmly. “I can already picture them stalking Legolas’ father through the Mirkwood trees.”

He shook his head in amusement. “I take it this offer of yours was made in a whim and you didn’t wait for an answer?”

Haldir closed his eyes and sighed. How could he tell his brother the truth? That he had allowed his mouth to gallop away and now feared he’s insulted the king. He didn’t really mind for himself, but he did mind on Celeborn’s behalf. They were still ‘Lóriën representatives, after all.

Orophin gently blew some air in his face and grinned. “Or maybe he had to ditch his over-eager children.”
He stood up and bowed. “Greeting Thranduil King, try not to place my brother in the healing house. I was hoping to go hunting soon.” His eyes twinkled in delight. “Perhaps you should join us, or we could kidnap your children. Give you a day peace.”
Thranduil laughed warmly at the words. “I’ll certainly take the offer into consideration, Orophin. And I believe I should be the one asking for some lenience, since I haven’t touched a sword for so long.”

Haldir had by now jumped up and retrieved his sword. His eyes twinkled in delight at the thought of their sparring game.

Thranduil waited for Orophin to be gone and then removed his cloak, before taking on the normal stance. “I’m sorry I’m late, Haldir, I fear your brthwr is right: I did have to ditch Legolas.”
Haldir’s eyes widened. “Why? Did he bring a possible spouse?”
Thranduil laughed and charged, smiling at the warm eyes staring back at him. “Nay, thank Elbereth. But I could not lead him here, could I? I hardly spar nowadays. He would get the wrong conclusion.”
Haldir nodded and parried a new attack before launching one of his own. “It would get him of your back, I think. And what’s there to misinterpret?”
Thranduil grinned and thwarted Haldir’s attempts and countered them swiftly. His whole body was singing with the activity and he found Haldir was a worthy opponent.

The intervals between parry and attack got slimmer and slimmer until the swords were almost constantly touching each other and the two agile bodies forced to perform their maximum.

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The hunt the next day went excellent and all elves fully enjoyed themselves, although most did spend more time with their mates than any other, which left Haldir and Orophin talking togethe
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Glorfindel swallowed as he stood before the door. His resolve nearly left him but he took a deep breath and knocked, before he could run away. He smiled coyly at the bewildered elf that opened the door. “I need help.”
Those three words didn’t do much to calm the other down and the shock only intensified on the face. “You…. you want what?”
Glorfindel smiled and nodded. “I need help. Your help. Can I come in?”
The eyes narrowed and disbelief stared at him. “Are you ill?”
The blond hair swept from side to side as Glorfindel shook his head. , I , I assure you I am not.”

“Behernon, what is it?” The blond prince emerged from the bathroom and grinned widely when he saw Glorfindel standing on the doorstep, though his eyes narrowed when he sensed the tension. “Why don’t you come in, Glorfindel?”
Glorfindel nodded. “I would like to, Legolas, but your husband is blocking the entrance. Elrohir, can’t I come in?”
Legolas shook his head as Elrohir merely gaped at the blond seneschal in disbelief. One wet arm encircled the waist and in a daze Elrohir felt himself pulled backwards. “Come in, Glorfindel. What have you done to place Ro in this state?”
Glorfindel shrugged. “I merely said I need help. From you both.”

Elrohir blinked his eyes and shook his head to get rid of the spell he was under. “He means it. I can’t believe it.” He turned to Legolas and it calmed him down further. Sensing his need the blond prince leaned closer and claimed his lips tenderly.

He established eye contact with Glorfindel and smiled. “And how may we be of service?”
Glorfindel swallowed. “You know about me and Rumil, right?” Legolas nodded, indicating for the other to continue. “I wish to deepen our relationship, but I’m unsure how to proceed.”
If possible Elrohir’s eyes widened even further and Legolas smiled warmly. “What is it precisely that you want from us? Surely you don’t need us to tell you how to fuck?”
Glorfindel gasped and vigorously shook his head. “Nay, course not. No!! But how do I find out if Rumil might be…. I mean, if he’s…”
Legolas laughed and nodded, understanding the problem. He sighed. “Normally I would tell you to go for it or to ask, but you and Rumil are rather unique.” Elrohir snorted and he smiled. “It seems we are a family of unique couples.”

Those words got him a happy squish, though Elrohir was now kneeling in front of Glodel,del, calming the blond down. Legolas widened his eyes. Had Elrohir found another way to channel their power?

He forced himself to concentrate on the blond. “The most important thing is that you stay yourself, Glorfindel. Show him you love him and all else will follow.”
Glorfindel groaned. “You sound just like Elrond now.”
Legolas grinned. “I hope that’s where the equation ends, for I would hate to sleep with Erestor instead of my own mate, and I doubt the others will like the change.”
Elrohir mentally hit his beloved and grinned when Legolas hissed. He looked at Glorfindel. “Ignore my insane husband. Bear gifts, be yourself and give Rumil the chance to set the pace. He will tell you when he’s ready without you asking it.”
Glorfindel smiled and nodded, happy they weren’t laughing at him. He just felt so insecure and he didn’t want to ruin anything.

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Orophin walked into the kitchen, his eyes widening when he saw Elladan talking to the cook. He yawned and sat down.
Elladan smiled at him and sat down beside him. “What brings you to the kitchen, Orophin?”
Orophin shrugged. “Nothing really, I’m jut a bit bored. Ru’s with Glorfindel all the time, and I am happy for it, and Haldir is sparring with Thranduil, which leaves me utterly alone.”
Elladan narrowed his eyes and looked at the other. “You do not wish to spend time with me or Ro anymore?”
Orophin smiled reassuringly. “Of course I do, but you both have your spouses. And Legolas is a bit too jealous for me to risk getting shot.”
Elladan laughermlyrmly. “And yet it is exactly what Ro needed, still needs. The knowledge he won’t leave him.”
Orophin nodded, he did understand. “I know, and I am happy for him. He deserves it. But I’d feel like the third wheel if I’d join any of these couples.”
Now Elladan understood and he hugged his fried. “Don’t let my twin or his mate hear that or they’ll start searching for a mate for you.”
Orophin laughed at the words and shook his head. “I thought you and your twin learned long ago not to ivenevene in my business?”
Elladan shrugged. “Legolas can be very persistent. And he even looks for a mate for his father. Besides, I don’t think your arrows will impress him much.”
Orophin sighed and shook his head, still laughing with his eyes. “No, I suppose not. Do you think your father will mind if I took a ride in the valley?”
Elladan shook his head. “Nay, of course not. By all means, go and enjoy yourself. You can take the same horse you had for the hunt.”

He looked after the departing elf in concern and worry. /Maybe I should ask them to find you a friend. You are not one to be alone for too long./ He shook himself out of his musing and rushed back to his rooms, not willing to alarm Lindir by staying away too long.

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Thranduil smiled as he watched the other clean the area after their sparring match. Each one went better and better and the two learned from each other, a situation that pleased and surprised them both.

Haldir turned when he heard a noise and narrowed his eyes at the same time as he stretched his hearing. He shook his head and dragged the other elf along without warning.
Before Thranduil could complain the sounds registered and millennia long training and even more millennia of practise kicked in. Just as silently as Haldir he leaped into the tree aftee Wae Warden and waited, his sword at the ready. His eyes widened on their own accord when he saw Legolas enter his vision.

The blond prince shook his head and turned. “Are you sure he’s here?”
Now Elrohir walked into view, nodding vigorously. “Aye. I met Orophin in the stables. He’s feeling lonely because we all have mates.”
Legolas ned.ned. “He and Haldir and my father do not.”
Elrohir nodded. “Aye, but Haldir and father are sparring a lot.” His eyes started to twinkle. “Maybe there’s something going on?”
Legolas laughed. “Ro, be serious. Haldir and father? Not on their own, that’s for sure. But maybe we can help them both.”
Elrohir shook his head. “Nay, just father. We can’t have Haldir galloping after another elf. Orophin would be all alone.”
Legolas shrugged. “So we help him too.”
Elrohir jumped back, shaking his head. “No, don’t you even think about that. No way. Phin hates it when we meddle in his affairs. Adan and I tried to do so once and he chased us around ‘Lóriën for days.” His eyes were wide with horror. “He actually shot us in the bum.” Involuntarily his hands rubbed his ass.
Legolas pulled him close and sighed. “If he dares to even draw his bow at you I will shoot him instead.” He cocked his head. “You don’t have to help me, if you don’t want to.”

Elrohir sighed and rested his head on Legolas’ shoulder. “Can we go home?” At first Legolas wanted to decline and continue searching for his father, but sensing Elrohir’s imminent breakdown he nodded and lifted his husband. “Aye, let’s go. I will find my father another time.”

When the two were out of sight and ear Thranduil groaned out loud and jumped out the tree before sitting down against it. He lowered his head and was the picture of total despair.

Haldir too came down and he felt more than concerned pla placed a hesitant hand on the slumped shoulder. “I think you should consider a lover, even if only to stop those two. Invent one.”
Thranduil shook his head. “Wouldn’t work. I’ve played with the idea more than once, but Legolas and Elrohir are hard to fool. I actualreteretended to have received a letter, asking permission to court me. But they didn’t believe me.” He sighed again and had a hard time keeping in his tears.
Haldir sat down and pulled the king into a hug. it it was allowed stunned him, but he ignored his own emotions for the time being and the last days have given him a total different view of the Mirkwood king. HE found he really desired to aid him.

“Maybe you need someone to play your lover? Would that keep them off?”
Thranduil narrowed his eyes and thought. After a while he shrugged. “Could, could not. It depends how good a performance we both would give.” He shrugged again. “But who would be stupid gh tgh to do that?”
Haldir smiled. “I’m not stupid, but I am willing to try it. I’ve always been told I’m a great actor.”
Thranduil pulled back and stared at him in disbelief. After a second he narrowed his eyes and looked at the other more closely. “You what?”
Haldir nodded. “And I am the best candidate for the job. I mean, Legolas and Elrohir would be too stunned about this to actually figure out it isn’t real. They would never think of that possibility. And now is the best time to do this. Legolas’ desire to help Phin, though he will never appreciate it, will blind his eyes a bit.”

Haldir looked hopeful and masterfully managed to hide his surprise at his own words. /I am going to lengths to convince him of this. and why am I actually afraid he’ll reject it? Why wouldn’t he. It is a silly idea./ hranhranduil lowered his head, thinking it over and seeing things Haldir hadn’t. He nodded and looked up, locking his eyes with Haldir’s. “Aye, you are right. Now is the best time to perform a little charade and you are the best elf suited for the job. But we cannot be lovers. That would instantly alert them both. Nay, a slow courtship is a better ruse. Are you sure you are willing?”
Haldir nodded, determined. “Aye.” He smiled and pulled back a little, kneeling on one leg. “Thranduil King, may I have your permission to court you?”
Beside the situation Thranduil laughed and the sound surprised even him. He hadn’t lau for for so long. When he stopped laughing he nodded. “Aye, you may.” His eyes twinkled. “To think I can honestly tell my children you expressed the desire to court me.”

He jumped to his feet and smiled. “Well, I’d better go and initiate this plan, lest you or I have a change of heart.” He hugged the other and Haldir’s eyes widened when he heard the whisper. “I’m terribly romantic, you know.” The Warden was left blinking as Thranduil raced back to the manor.

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Translations:

toron : brother
mán nas : what is wrong
quettat nin : tell me

TBC