Love Within Sight

II

Elrohir watched in satisfaction as he spied the two elves standing close as they prepared to shot their final arrows. He had been anxious to find out what had happened the night in the library, cautiously entering Elladan’s bedroom in the early hours of the morning. His brother had smiled at his brother’s vague questions and his flirtive glances around the room.

“I am alone brother,” he had finally spoke to put Elrohir out of his misery.

“Ah,” Elrohir had replied, silent until Elladan described to him the events of the night.

“Ah,” Elrohir repeated as Elladan laughed.

“I am not unaware of the prince’s……attractions,” Elladan explained.

“But of your attractions?”

Elladan shook his head gently pushing his twin brother who pushed back with a grin. The two were soon tumbling over the bed, their play only ending when the chimes announced breakfast.

Legolas had scanned the dining hall on arrival. He had spent until the dawn hours reading the book Elladan had given him. Expecting a tale of warriors and battle, he had settled to have images of bloody history assail him. So it had come as a surprise to read the account of a tender love between two soldiers who had triumphed over rank, distance and death to remain true to each other. And this was the tale that kept Elladan company when he wished to be alone. Had he considered it before giving it to Legolas or was it the one close at hand when the request for a book was made, and it was simply what Elladan was familiar with not a sign that his suit was welcome? As Legolas lay the book on the table and sipped at his juice he was apt to discount the later argument. After all Elladan was hardly aware of his courtship such as it was and the only interest Elladan had shown had been as soldiers with a common enemy. Still there had been last night the warm regard when their gaze had found each other in the great hall, and Elladan had not shown any discord at his appearance in the library. Legolas sighed. Too many possibilities, too much reading into simple acts. He should do as others had advised and end the mystery by simply asking.

With mind made up Legolas waited, his patience eventually rewarded when Elladan appeared arm and arm with his brother. Elrohir looked over to him with a gleam in his eye, steering his brother toward the prince. With exaggerated greetings, Elrohir sat down opposite Legolas. Elladan smiled his own greeting as he handed his brother the plate of small cakes. The conversation was mostly sustained by Elrohir, a not unfamiliar role for him with his brother. Legolas cast glances at Elladan as he listened to Elrohir, answered the questions he asked, give a nod or shake of the head when it seemed necessary. At length Elrohir announced he was to spend the morning with their father and suggested that Elladan join Legolas on the practice field.

“Then you will not miss me dear brother,” Elrohir pronounced as he rose from his seat giving Elladan a kiss to his cheek, leaving before the two elves who remained seated could answer.

So as the midday meal loomed, it found Elrohir watching from the trees at the rear of the field. The smile was unseen by those he watched as the arrows hit their targets as one. It was the brilliant smile of one who knows a secret that others had not yet attuned to. Perhaps not even the ones he watched fully appreciated what drew them.

Elladan put his bow down as he felt Elrohir approach, turning to his brother, but not moving far from the side of Legolas, a fact not lost on Elrohir, and that alone gave him the justification he needed to know this was the one Elladan had searched for. He of any knew that it was not for lack of partners that his brother shied away, it was the yearning for one who shared who he was. And in the young prince of Mirkwood Elrohir had seen one who could understand his brother. There was a softness beneath the warrior, velvet clad in iron, a beautiful face and lithe frame that deceived, a killer who thought little of striking the enemy without mercy, a tender heart that needed to be edged to find the courage to announce its intent. A step behind his brother Elrohir was content to give up his place beside Elladan to the one who now walked with him to the refreshments that had been brought.

At least they talk, Elrohir reasoned, even if it was on the common ground of weapons, hardly the subject for wooing, but then each to his own, and Elrohir knew his brother well. Elladan would seek out the companion first, then the lover. And then let his soul decide. A long process that had seen his brother disappointed too often, little wonder he grew more cautious with each attempt, and could not see what Elrohir clearly ascertained. Elrohir guarded his brother’s heart with as much vigour as Elladan himself, more perhaps since they were so different in this. Elrohir was quicker to begin and end, leaving a trail of broken but satisfied hearts.

On the subject of the prince Elrohir had made investigations worthy of any agent his father sent forth beyond the borders. Legolas was spoken of highly, not because of his status, but out of genuine love and admiration. There were no disgruntled lovers in his past, in fact as with Elladan few knew even of any lovers at all. There had been one who when Elrohir had suggested that love was afforded only once to each soul had offered his comment on his prince. The elf had nodded sagely in the wisdom of the ages.

“He searches for that, as do we all, but he with more intent than is usual for one in his youth.”

With that the elf returned to his arrows and Elrohir departed satisfied that he had guessed rightly. All it needed was a gentle push to each of them.

Elrohir stood back to observe in the next few days. It pleased him that Elladan needed little more encouragement to seek Legolas at meal times, practised with him where he could and though Elrohir knew his brother still observed his solitary vigil in the library well into the night, he more often than not lingered in the great hall with Legolas by his side before he departed. Others noted the change in Elladan, openly spending time with someone other than his brother. Legolas meanwhile seemed content with the increased warmth of his relationship, though Elrohir often caught the blond elf regard his brother with more desire than friendship in his eyes. Elrohir decided it was time to nudge his brother a little further after he had declined a suggestion to accompany the prince one night on a walk through the gardens. After a particular strenuous series of practice swordplay, it was he who made the next proposal, a ride to the river to bathe.

Elladan cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. Elrohir shrugged under the glare, unmoved as Legolas enthusiastically endorsed the suggestion.

“’Tis warm Elladan,” Legolas explained, ”I for one would a appreciate the cool water.”

Acknowledging defeat, Elladan nodded.

Legolas was aware of his ally in this courtship of Elladan, a pleased smile signalling his gratitude to Elrohir, for he too had faltered in his resolve. The close he came to being a friend and companion, the less Legolas wished to jeopardise that by declaring himself.

Elladan rode in almost silence as Legolas and Elrohir chatted amicably either side of him. Once at the river clothes were removed and piled on the bank. As Elladan entered the water, his brother found cause to swim a little further up stream on the pretence of observing some disturbance he alone had noticed. Legolas had done his best to not stare as Elladan had removed his clothing, anxious to not appear too eager to see the form that had so far been hidden from him. He did not want to seem as those Elladan had spoken of in a rare exchange of feelings. Too many, Elladan had confided, sought his attention based on his heritage. They wanted not the chance to be with Elladan, but to see what characteristics a mortal blood bestowed on him. From Legolas’ vantage point as he watched Elladan slide gracefully into the river, that heritage had only served to enhance what the Valar had designed for their first born.

Elladan too had watched, wishing he had his brother’s carefree spirit in matters of the heart, that he could be more forthright in pursuing his desire. And there was no doubt he desired Legolas. Desired and needed. He felt the completion of his soul when he was in the company of the prince. So why did he hesitate? Elladan did not quite know. It was in part the sense that he might be wrong in this, deceived between love and lust. In part he anticipated Legolas did not feel as he did. In part the thought frightened him, a love so sweeping and absorbing that his very life would depend on it.

Legolas uttered soft words as Elladan emerged from the under the water, light catching the droplets that clung to his skin in a sparkling array of crystals. For a moment he could not move, so captured by the beauty displayed before him. Elladan looked perplexed at his friend’s inaction, wading through the water closer to him. Looking on Elrohir willed them closer, stifling a most unelf like shriek of joy as Legolas reached out to touch Elladan’s cheek.

The caress was gentle, Elladan tilting his head into the contact.

“By the gods Elladan,” Legolas repeated as Elladan lifted his own hand. The kiss when it came resonated through both elven bodies. The flame of their souls flaring, evidence of their belonging. They stood in each other’s arms as the water lapped around them and the breeze encircled them, the land and air rejoicing with them. Nervous smiles gave way to further kisses, more sure now as they pressed to each other. Oblivious as they were to all but each other, Elrohir gathered his clothing and deemed his presence more useful elsewhere.

For the two left behind there was no need to ask if the other felt the same fulfilment, the fire gleamed in their eyes in answer.

“Yes,” they agreed in unison. Yes to every question such a feeling brought forth. Yes I am ready. Yes I accept you. Yes I love you.

With the uncertainty banished Elladan took Legolas by the hand and led him from the to river. The ever present knowing of his brother had him smiling. Elrohir was pleased and also gone.

“We have the river to ourselves, and Elrohir will ensure it remains so for us,” Elladan answered Legolas’ puzzled expression as to the whereabouts of his brother.

“I am in his debt,” Legolas acknowledged.

“As am I,” Elladan whispered as he lay in the grass, Legolas beside him, fingers brushing at the loose blond hair.

Few words passed between them after that, hands and mouths conveying more than any words could. How long they lay beside each other simply looking or sharing one more tender kiss neither tracked. It was enough to just be. When the time came, they would return.