The Best Portion
folder
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
6
Views:
2,859
Reviews:
1
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
6
Views:
2,859
Reviews:
1
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 2
Title: The Best Portion (2/6)
Author: Aglarien
Type: FPS
Characters: Elladan/Legolas
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Not mine. The great Master Tolkien's estate owns everything else. I promise to return his elves when I'm done playing with them.
Warnings: AU.
Beta: Jay of Lasgalen. All remaining mistakes are mine alone.
Summary: Written for the Ardor in August fic exchange. Elladan and Legolas finally sail and find joy in Valinor.
Request: Pairing: Elladan/Legolas. Plot: Resolved angst, established relationship in Valinor. Happy ending, please.
That best portion of a good man's life, his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love. ~William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
Chapter 2
Elladan spent the following day resting in an effort to rebuild his strength and in quiet talk with Caladir, telling the youth stories of the Elves in Middle-earth. The boy asked many questions, and when Elladan tired, Caladir fetched a book from another room and read to him quietly.
In the evening, Elladan once again sent for the man with the bite wound to tend to him. When night fell, he asked for his saddlebags and took out velum, ink and quill, and spent some time writing two documents. One he folded and sealed with wax from the candle at his side, pressing his ring into the hot wax. The other he left open, but he again used the wax to place his seal below his signature, and then put both of the letters inside of his saddlebags. Berior and his wife begged him to reconsider his leaving in the morning as he was still in great pain and had hardly begun to mend, but Elladan refused to be stayed. Legolas was waiting, and Elladan suspected his mate already knew that something had gone amiss. He could not bear the thought of causing his beloved pain, and longed for the feel of his husband’s strong arms about him, even though he reckoned he would be in for a tongue-lashing for allowing himself to be wounded in the first place.
After one more night in the comfortable bed, Elladan rose early and asked to be left alone to dress. Moving cautiously, he managed to don his clothes with great effort. He tidied the pillows and blankets on the bed, and then from his saddlebags removed a leather pouch full of gold and silver coin. He slipped it under the pillows to be discovered after he left, knowing that the couple would never accept it outright. That done, he grimaced in pain as he lifted the saddlebags and bedroll in one hand and his sword, bow and quiver in the other, and joined Berior and his family in the kitchen of the small house for one last shared meal with his new friends.
When they had eaten, Berior sent Caladir to get the Elf's stallion from the barn. Anwareth wrapped fresh bread, a round of cheese and a goodly amount of dried meat and fruit for his journey. Three water skins were filled with spring water, although he would encounter numerous fresh streams on the way. The food was enough for three grown men for the time he would be traveling, but Elladan said nothing, not wanting to offend. His tea for the pain was brewed and put in another water skin with a red ribbon tied around it to identify it.
Elladan retrieved the letters he had written the night before from his saddlebags and handed them to the man. "Berior, my friend, you told me when I first woke here that you had no words to thank me. Now I find myself struggling to find the words to thank you and your family for your hospitality. You have taken me into your home and cared for me and my horse, and for that you have my eternal thanks. These letters are but a small way to show my gratitude. The sealed letter is addressed to your king. If you will allow it, it asks my nephew to take Caladir under his care as an apprentice in the great library of Gondor. Go with your son to Minas Tirith and present the letter to King Eldarion's guards, saying to them that it is from his uncle. It is sealed with my ring, and they and Eldarion will recognize the seal of Imladris. The open letter also bears my seal, proof that I am giving my horse, Dulinn, to you and your son. I had thought to set him free before I sailed, but I would be happier knowing he is with you and being cared for. When I reach my mate, I will send him back to you."
Berior held the letters and looked at Elladan in astonishment. "I. . .I do not know what to say," he stammered. "My lord, this is far too generous. You honored us in allowing my family to care for you after what you did."
Elladan smiled and clasped the man's hand. "It is a small thing for me to do," he said quietly. "And now I must leave you. My mate awaits my coming and his heart calls to me to join him." He lifted his saddlebags and clenched his teeth against the pain, but it was only a moment before Berior relieved him of them.
Berior simply nodded, set the letters on the table for safety, picked up the rest of Elladan's belongings, and walked with him to the door, while Anwareth and Ivorien followed with the provisions.
As they stepped into the chill grey dawn, Elladan looked up in astonishment. Before him in the yard in front of the cottage waited not just his great black stallion, but a wagon drawn by two horses and four tall men of the village, all carrying weapons and mounted on horseback. The other residents of the settlement, including the women and children, were gathered around to see him off.
"If you insist on leaving while your injuries are still unhealed, then we will see you safely to your destination," Berior said.
In a quiet voice that only Elladan and Berior could hear, Anwareth spoke behind him and said, "Did you really think we would simply let you ride out of our village? Our men are honored to escort the one who helped defend us from the wargs, Lord Elladan. We will tell tales of your visit with us for many years to come, and our children will grow up hearing of the mighty Elven warrior and healer, uncle to our king."
Elladan turned and looked at Berior and Anwareth with gratitude. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “Once again I am in your debt.”
Berior simply shook his head and smiled. “Will you ride your horse, my lord? Although I would recommend the wagon instead. You will find a comfortable bed laid out for you in the back, which will cushion you from the jolting of the road.”
Elladan looked at Dulinn and Caladir, who held the horse’s reins. The horse seemed to have taken a liking to the lad, and was nuzzling Caladir’s chest. The boy was speaking quietly to the great stallion and rubbing the horse’s head. “Caladir,” he called, “mount your new horse. His name is Dulinn, and a better animal you will never know. I trust you will care for him well.” Turning to the villagers, he said, “This horse is now the property of Berior and Caladir, and let none dispute it, for I have given him my seal.” The villagers cheered in approval. To Berior, Elladan said quietly, “I will ride in the wagon, please, my friend. And the blessing of the Valar be upon you for your kindness, for the journey would have been agony without it.”
The food and water skins were placed in the back of the wagon to join the rest of the supplies, saddlebags and weapons, and Elladan turned to Anwareth to say his silent goodbyes. Words now failed him, for even the morning’s minor activities had left him aching and short of breath – what breath he could still take with his tight wrappings. Taking the woman’s hand, he once again bestowed a kiss on it, and then smiled at Ivorien in her mother’s arms, running a finger down her soft cheek. “Fare you well, little Princess,” he whispered. With a final smile and nod to Anwareth, he turned to the wagon and allowed Berior to help him into the back. As they left the village, he raised a hand in farewell to the villagers. When they were out of sight, he collapsed onto the soft pile of blankets and quilts and reached for the water skin tied with the red ribbon.
~~~*~~~
Legolas pulled on his boots, fastened his bow, quiver and knives in their holders across his back, and with determination in his step, headed for the door.
“And just where do you think you are going, Elf?” Gimli asked as he stood in the doorway, arms crossed across his chest.
“Get out of my way, Gimli!” Legolas said. “Elladan is hurt and I am going to find him!”
Gimli sighed. They had already had this argument many times. “Legolas,” the Dwarf said patiently, “you must stay here. Elladan is coming. If you leave, you will not be here when he arrives.”
“I cannot just stay here and wait!” Legolas shouted. “This is making me crazy! My mate is hurt!”
Gimli nodded. Short of tying Legolas to the mast of the ship, there was only one other thing to do. “Then don’t just stay and wait! If he is hurt, we will want to leave as soon as he arrives in order to get him to Valinor where he can he healed. Just when were you planning on us moving all of our things on board the ship? If we start moving now, we can live on the ship until we sail, and we will be ready when he arrives. Now go put your weapons away and help me start moving things on board so we’re not living on a bare deck for Aulë knows how long!”
The cottage was built along the banks of the Anduin, and Legolas, Gimli and Elladan had long ago built a small pier in preparation for their sailing. The ship was moored at the end of their pier, but the vessel was as yet empty. Two cabins with a large galley and common room in between were built on the deck and would hold furnishings and some of the personal belongings they were taking, while most of the provisions for the journey and the rest of their items would be stored in the ship’s hold.
It took them two days to decide on and pack what they would take from the cottage, and a third to simply move their belongings and furnishing onto the ship. A fourth day was spent arranging their furniture and clothing in the cabins, since they would now be living on board ship. When that was finished, they packed dried meat, onions, potatoes, and apples into boxes and barrels for the journey and laid them in the hold of the ship, along with bags of cornmeal and flour, jars of honey, baskets of eggs, kegs of ale, and cases of wine. The galley was stocked with dishes, pots, pans, and utensils, as well as wood for the stove and a few days supply of food. Boxes of books, more clothing, household goods and personal mementos joined the stores in the hold. When all else had been prepared, they harvested vegetables from their garden – lettuce, cabbage, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes – and brought them on board for the journey.
Gimli next set Legolas to work filling barrels with fresh water for their journey. When Legolas complained about the number of barrels as Gimli rolled another empty one down toward the river to be filled, Gimli just shook his head.
“We do not need so many, Gimli,” Legolas said. “The journey is not that long!”
“How do you know how long it is? And what will happen if they refuse to allow me to step foot onto Valinor, Legolas? How do you think I will get back here? I will need the water on the return voyage,” Gimli responded.
“They will not refuse you. You were part of the Fellowship,” Legolas insisted.
“You do not know that they will not refuse me. So was Aragorn a part of the Fellowship.”
“That is different,” Legolas said. “They welcomed the Hobbits – even Sam!”
“They were the ring bearers, Legolas.” Gimli rolled another barrel down to the river. “Humor me. Fill the barrels.”
They worked in silence for an hour or more, and then Gimli spoke again. “Will I die there, Legolas?”
“I do not know, my friend,” Legolas answered honestly. “If we are greeted by the Hobbits, and they look the same as when they left, I suspect we will know the answer to that question.”
Gimli nodded. He refused to wholly trust that he would be allowed to enter Valinor; if he did, it would be too hard to bear if he was refused entry. A part of his mind prepared for the return journey home alone. Legolas would insist on accompanying him and staying until his death, but he couldn’t allow that – wouldn’t be responsible for tearing him away from Elladan again. He would steal away on their ship if he had to. He wasn’t that good a sailor, although Legolas had tried to teach him, and if he got lost – well, it wouldn’t really matter then anyway, would it?
Tbc...
Author: Aglarien
Type: FPS
Characters: Elladan/Legolas
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Not mine. The great Master Tolkien's estate owns everything else. I promise to return his elves when I'm done playing with them.
Warnings: AU.
Beta: Jay of Lasgalen. All remaining mistakes are mine alone.
Summary: Written for the Ardor in August fic exchange. Elladan and Legolas finally sail and find joy in Valinor.
Request: Pairing: Elladan/Legolas. Plot: Resolved angst, established relationship in Valinor. Happy ending, please.
That best portion of a good man's life, his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love. ~William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
Chapter 2
Elladan spent the following day resting in an effort to rebuild his strength and in quiet talk with Caladir, telling the youth stories of the Elves in Middle-earth. The boy asked many questions, and when Elladan tired, Caladir fetched a book from another room and read to him quietly.
In the evening, Elladan once again sent for the man with the bite wound to tend to him. When night fell, he asked for his saddlebags and took out velum, ink and quill, and spent some time writing two documents. One he folded and sealed with wax from the candle at his side, pressing his ring into the hot wax. The other he left open, but he again used the wax to place his seal below his signature, and then put both of the letters inside of his saddlebags. Berior and his wife begged him to reconsider his leaving in the morning as he was still in great pain and had hardly begun to mend, but Elladan refused to be stayed. Legolas was waiting, and Elladan suspected his mate already knew that something had gone amiss. He could not bear the thought of causing his beloved pain, and longed for the feel of his husband’s strong arms about him, even though he reckoned he would be in for a tongue-lashing for allowing himself to be wounded in the first place.
After one more night in the comfortable bed, Elladan rose early and asked to be left alone to dress. Moving cautiously, he managed to don his clothes with great effort. He tidied the pillows and blankets on the bed, and then from his saddlebags removed a leather pouch full of gold and silver coin. He slipped it under the pillows to be discovered after he left, knowing that the couple would never accept it outright. That done, he grimaced in pain as he lifted the saddlebags and bedroll in one hand and his sword, bow and quiver in the other, and joined Berior and his family in the kitchen of the small house for one last shared meal with his new friends.
When they had eaten, Berior sent Caladir to get the Elf's stallion from the barn. Anwareth wrapped fresh bread, a round of cheese and a goodly amount of dried meat and fruit for his journey. Three water skins were filled with spring water, although he would encounter numerous fresh streams on the way. The food was enough for three grown men for the time he would be traveling, but Elladan said nothing, not wanting to offend. His tea for the pain was brewed and put in another water skin with a red ribbon tied around it to identify it.
Elladan retrieved the letters he had written the night before from his saddlebags and handed them to the man. "Berior, my friend, you told me when I first woke here that you had no words to thank me. Now I find myself struggling to find the words to thank you and your family for your hospitality. You have taken me into your home and cared for me and my horse, and for that you have my eternal thanks. These letters are but a small way to show my gratitude. The sealed letter is addressed to your king. If you will allow it, it asks my nephew to take Caladir under his care as an apprentice in the great library of Gondor. Go with your son to Minas Tirith and present the letter to King Eldarion's guards, saying to them that it is from his uncle. It is sealed with my ring, and they and Eldarion will recognize the seal of Imladris. The open letter also bears my seal, proof that I am giving my horse, Dulinn, to you and your son. I had thought to set him free before I sailed, but I would be happier knowing he is with you and being cared for. When I reach my mate, I will send him back to you."
Berior held the letters and looked at Elladan in astonishment. "I. . .I do not know what to say," he stammered. "My lord, this is far too generous. You honored us in allowing my family to care for you after what you did."
Elladan smiled and clasped the man's hand. "It is a small thing for me to do," he said quietly. "And now I must leave you. My mate awaits my coming and his heart calls to me to join him." He lifted his saddlebags and clenched his teeth against the pain, but it was only a moment before Berior relieved him of them.
Berior simply nodded, set the letters on the table for safety, picked up the rest of Elladan's belongings, and walked with him to the door, while Anwareth and Ivorien followed with the provisions.
As they stepped into the chill grey dawn, Elladan looked up in astonishment. Before him in the yard in front of the cottage waited not just his great black stallion, but a wagon drawn by two horses and four tall men of the village, all carrying weapons and mounted on horseback. The other residents of the settlement, including the women and children, were gathered around to see him off.
"If you insist on leaving while your injuries are still unhealed, then we will see you safely to your destination," Berior said.
In a quiet voice that only Elladan and Berior could hear, Anwareth spoke behind him and said, "Did you really think we would simply let you ride out of our village? Our men are honored to escort the one who helped defend us from the wargs, Lord Elladan. We will tell tales of your visit with us for many years to come, and our children will grow up hearing of the mighty Elven warrior and healer, uncle to our king."
Elladan turned and looked at Berior and Anwareth with gratitude. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “Once again I am in your debt.”
Berior simply shook his head and smiled. “Will you ride your horse, my lord? Although I would recommend the wagon instead. You will find a comfortable bed laid out for you in the back, which will cushion you from the jolting of the road.”
Elladan looked at Dulinn and Caladir, who held the horse’s reins. The horse seemed to have taken a liking to the lad, and was nuzzling Caladir’s chest. The boy was speaking quietly to the great stallion and rubbing the horse’s head. “Caladir,” he called, “mount your new horse. His name is Dulinn, and a better animal you will never know. I trust you will care for him well.” Turning to the villagers, he said, “This horse is now the property of Berior and Caladir, and let none dispute it, for I have given him my seal.” The villagers cheered in approval. To Berior, Elladan said quietly, “I will ride in the wagon, please, my friend. And the blessing of the Valar be upon you for your kindness, for the journey would have been agony without it.”
The food and water skins were placed in the back of the wagon to join the rest of the supplies, saddlebags and weapons, and Elladan turned to Anwareth to say his silent goodbyes. Words now failed him, for even the morning’s minor activities had left him aching and short of breath – what breath he could still take with his tight wrappings. Taking the woman’s hand, he once again bestowed a kiss on it, and then smiled at Ivorien in her mother’s arms, running a finger down her soft cheek. “Fare you well, little Princess,” he whispered. With a final smile and nod to Anwareth, he turned to the wagon and allowed Berior to help him into the back. As they left the village, he raised a hand in farewell to the villagers. When they were out of sight, he collapsed onto the soft pile of blankets and quilts and reached for the water skin tied with the red ribbon.
~~~*~~~
Legolas pulled on his boots, fastened his bow, quiver and knives in their holders across his back, and with determination in his step, headed for the door.
“And just where do you think you are going, Elf?” Gimli asked as he stood in the doorway, arms crossed across his chest.
“Get out of my way, Gimli!” Legolas said. “Elladan is hurt and I am going to find him!”
Gimli sighed. They had already had this argument many times. “Legolas,” the Dwarf said patiently, “you must stay here. Elladan is coming. If you leave, you will not be here when he arrives.”
“I cannot just stay here and wait!” Legolas shouted. “This is making me crazy! My mate is hurt!”
Gimli nodded. Short of tying Legolas to the mast of the ship, there was only one other thing to do. “Then don’t just stay and wait! If he is hurt, we will want to leave as soon as he arrives in order to get him to Valinor where he can he healed. Just when were you planning on us moving all of our things on board the ship? If we start moving now, we can live on the ship until we sail, and we will be ready when he arrives. Now go put your weapons away and help me start moving things on board so we’re not living on a bare deck for Aulë knows how long!”
The cottage was built along the banks of the Anduin, and Legolas, Gimli and Elladan had long ago built a small pier in preparation for their sailing. The ship was moored at the end of their pier, but the vessel was as yet empty. Two cabins with a large galley and common room in between were built on the deck and would hold furnishings and some of the personal belongings they were taking, while most of the provisions for the journey and the rest of their items would be stored in the ship’s hold.
It took them two days to decide on and pack what they would take from the cottage, and a third to simply move their belongings and furnishing onto the ship. A fourth day was spent arranging their furniture and clothing in the cabins, since they would now be living on board ship. When that was finished, they packed dried meat, onions, potatoes, and apples into boxes and barrels for the journey and laid them in the hold of the ship, along with bags of cornmeal and flour, jars of honey, baskets of eggs, kegs of ale, and cases of wine. The galley was stocked with dishes, pots, pans, and utensils, as well as wood for the stove and a few days supply of food. Boxes of books, more clothing, household goods and personal mementos joined the stores in the hold. When all else had been prepared, they harvested vegetables from their garden – lettuce, cabbage, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes – and brought them on board for the journey.
Gimli next set Legolas to work filling barrels with fresh water for their journey. When Legolas complained about the number of barrels as Gimli rolled another empty one down toward the river to be filled, Gimli just shook his head.
“We do not need so many, Gimli,” Legolas said. “The journey is not that long!”
“How do you know how long it is? And what will happen if they refuse to allow me to step foot onto Valinor, Legolas? How do you think I will get back here? I will need the water on the return voyage,” Gimli responded.
“They will not refuse you. You were part of the Fellowship,” Legolas insisted.
“You do not know that they will not refuse me. So was Aragorn a part of the Fellowship.”
“That is different,” Legolas said. “They welcomed the Hobbits – even Sam!”
“They were the ring bearers, Legolas.” Gimli rolled another barrel down to the river. “Humor me. Fill the barrels.”
They worked in silence for an hour or more, and then Gimli spoke again. “Will I die there, Legolas?”
“I do not know, my friend,” Legolas answered honestly. “If we are greeted by the Hobbits, and they look the same as when they left, I suspect we will know the answer to that question.”
Gimli nodded. He refused to wholly trust that he would be allowed to enter Valinor; if he did, it would be too hard to bear if he was refused entry. A part of his mind prepared for the return journey home alone. Legolas would insist on accompanying him and staying until his death, but he couldn’t allow that – wouldn’t be responsible for tearing him away from Elladan again. He would steal away on their ship if he had to. He wasn’t that good a sailor, although Legolas had tried to teach him, and if he got lost – well, it wouldn’t really matter then anyway, would it?
Tbc...