Pen-Estel

Thank you, Nikkiling... here is the continuation of that scene for you to enjoy. *g*

And thank you for the feedback as well, ElenaDiVita - although at the moment, I think it's obvious that it is Legolas who does the using. ;)


Chapter Twenty-Three

“Please… my Prince.”

Although he had been aiming for the words, to hear them brought a cloud of doubt and unexpected memories down onto Legolas. As if to chase the sentiment Elrond awoke in him, he twisted his fingers again, so that Elrond arched up from the bed in pleasure.

All of his life before, in his home, he had never heard those words uttered. He remembered the long years of solitude with the horses, not quite forbidden from entering his own father’s court, wondering when the time would come for him to take his rightful place. And then Glorfindel arrived, to change his life forever. He smiled even now to recall that first sight of him, rising from the water in the bright, golden sunlight – so beautiful.

If there had been no Glorfindel – if he had been given the chance to take a lover of his own – would it have been like this? He wasn’t laid on top of Elrond, but beside him, and now he threaded the fingers of his free hand through Elrond’s loose hair, sighing silently when the Lord turned his head towards Legolas’ touch submissively. It made his heart flutter to see such trust and respect.

Despite the painful beginning, Glorfindel, Imladris and Elrond had given him everything he ever wanted. He had family, love, education, and more recently, the respect of the house – even unto this. Legolas brushed the pad of his thumb over Elrond’s full lower lip. He had begun the training his father should have allowed him so long ago, and he knew, despite how they tried to hide it from him, that archery was his strength. Legolas smiled at that. He knew because no one would challenge him.

Elrond made a small, lost sound in his throat at Legolas’ continued teasing of him, and it made Legolas feel fiercely possessive and proud, and determined to protect this new love at all costs. He leaned in to kiss those lips, tentative in his exploration when Elrond gave way before him, but soon he knew this from the other side too.

Slow at first, even hesitant, he half expected Elrond to take control of the kiss – but he didn’t. Yet it was like being seduced anyway, he thought dizzily, as he began to let the magic work on him. He licked at Elrond’s lips before going further. For the first time – from this side – he fully appreciated how intimate this act was. Perhaps it was more intimate than what would come later. His tongue was surrounded by heat and moisture. The touch of Elrond’s tongue against his sent an electric shock of recognition through his entire body. To be the one who kissed… to be inundated with the presence of someone else – it all seemed so new.

As he deepened the kiss, he began to crave the taste of Elrond, and at last he became more forceful, exploring the Lord deeply and thoroughly, the act beginning to remind him of what was to come. Elrond moaned, the sound stifled and muffled, vibrating against his invasive tongue so that he felt it as well as he heard it, and suddenly Legolas knew he would do anything for Elrond.

It was the combination of his utter submission; the way he inspired Legolas’ protective feelings, even as he begged, even as he apparently temporarily accepted Legolas’ higher station, and he knew that if Elrond had been a King, he would be swearing allegiance to him now and disavowing his family name for the opportunity to serve. The knowledge was strangely liberating, as though he was finally letting go of some pain that was once important to him, but was now useless.

These feelings didn’t match what was happening between them, and yet they were in the right place – Legolas was sure of it. He pulled back, taking in the sight of his new Master tied to the bed, Elrond completely unaware of what he inspired while his hair was soft and loose around his face like a slave, his lips reddened and wet from their kiss, his eyes still closed while he trembled with desire in Legolas’ arms.

“Don’t let me go,” Elrond pleaded softly, as though he feared losing Legolas’ touch, making himself so irresistible Legolas could only sigh. Still, as if ignoring the plea, he withdrew his fingers from Elrond’s relaxed and willing body. Now was the time, and Legolas was suddenly afraid as he contemplated it. His hands were shaking as he spilled more oil on his fingers and quickly stroked himself, gasping at the sudden reminder of how much his own body wanted it. Elrond opened his eyes.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Legolas whispered breathlessly, staring intensely at his lover, wishing for one moment that this strange new submissive Elrond would leave so that he could be reassured just once more, and as if reading his mind, Elrond grinned.

“I think that even if you hurt me, I will enjoy it,” he said suggestively with a wink, and Legolas laughed in astounded surprise before realising he had his wish. Elrond closed his eyes as if waiting, and Legolas was still nervous, but the time for hesitancy had passed.

He positioned himself, and then, before the doubts had time to creep up at him again, he pushed forward.

"Oh!" he moaned in surprise, his eyes wide open but unseeing as he slid into Elrond.

He had known what it felt like to be forced open for someone of Glorfindel's girth, but that it would feel so good to be sheathed by such clenching tightness...

He trembled, gasping for breath as he forced himself that last bit forward, the pleasure so intense that it was almost painful.

"Oh! Oh, Elrond!" he gasped in disbelief. How could anything feel so good?

The need to simply keep thrusting into the willing body beneath him nearly overcame his resolve, but he would not, could not do that to Elrond, not when he had given him this incredible gift.

"Elrond," he whispered again, leaning down so he could kiss his mouth. He needed to know that Elrond was enjoying this too, despite his earlier words.

Elrond had had his eyes closed, looking strangely vulnerable, but at Legolas' words, they opened, and the Lord looked at him with such love that Legolas forgot what he had wanted to say.

There was the merest hint of tears glistening in his lashes, but Elrond only sighed and raised his head for another kiss.

“It has been so long... Oh, I had forgotten what it is like! Thank you, my prince!" he breathed, his lips brushing against Legolas'.

"Please... take me. I want to be yours," He then whispered, and Legolas swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. Game or not - Legolas knew that at this moment, Elrond spoke the truth. And he wanted it too, so much...

With a slow roll of his hips, he pulled back, only to push back inside with a thrust harder than what Elrond must have anticipated, for his eyes fell shut again as he arched up with another moan.

Legolas wanted to laugh with joy - he was giving Elrond pleasure! But he could no longer hold back, nor did he want to. Again he pulled out, and at his next thrust, they both cried out, Elrond's hips pushing back towards him at each thrust as if he were begging for more with his body.

Legolas laughed now after all, because oh, he knew how that felt! When you were almost out of your mind with pleasure, and yet you were never given enough - that delicious pain at being kept at the brink for eternity, your entire body burning with the pleasure as you waited for that one word...

"Elrond," he heard himself whisper, "Elrond, wait... do not come before I do." He pushed back inside, moaning, wishing they could stay like this forever. "Do not come before I tell you to."

His only answer was a moan that threatened to undo him there and then. Elrond sounded so vulnerable, so subservient, and Legolas was forced to stop for a long moment while the threat passed. He wanted this to last at least a little while longer.

Elrond had raised his legs, and now Legolas ran his hands down Elrond shins, taking hold of his bare feet and pushing his legs back against his body. It made the penetration deeper, and Legolas couldn’t stop his body from moving and resuming the slow in and out. Elrond gasped, and there was something different in it this time. It didn’t sound like pleasure so much as pain, and Legolas stopped immediately, uncertain as to what was wrong.

He was still, waiting for Elrond to speak or to open his eyes; his hands still curled around Elrond’s feet. He swallowed and one of his hands slackened, as if to let go, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against the sole of Elrond’s foot – and the Lord gasped again.

This time it was accompanied by a shiver that Legolas experienced. His eyes slid closed as he felt Elrond squeeze him, and he moaned softly. But then he wanted to laugh, because he had found a weakness. He remembered how it had been between them from the beginning, how Elrond had treated him, and he knew he was smirking.

“Elrond,” he said, and his lover opened his eyes slowly. “I believe I have discovered a weakness,” he confided quietly, giving in to the laugh when Elrond’s eyes widened in something that was definitely alarm. Legolas brushed his thumb over the sole of Elrond’s foot again, and again there was a shiver, but there was also something else.

Elrond tried to pull his feet away from Legolas violently, but he was in the weaker position, and Legolas held him easily, trying to giggle and moan at the same time when Elrond’s action only pulled him closer… deeper…

“Don’t! Legolas!” But it was too late for that, and it was really just what he deserved, Legolas thought as he continued to tickle Elrond’s sensitive feet, enjoying the way it made his body react.

“Now say ‘please,’” Legolas teased mercilessly, becoming a little breathless himself at the sensations. Elrond obeyed immediately.

“Please! Oh, please!” It was so delicious! Legolas bit his lip and tried to hold on as Elrond twisted violently beneath him, still pleading for it to stop.

At last, Legolas left off the teasing, and Elrond relaxed beneath him again, so that he could continue with the slow lovemaking. He let go of Elrond’s feet, and dropped one hand to caress his member, which he had purposefully neglected so far. The change was immediate, as Elrond stopped struggling and shuddered in desire, his cock becoming hot and hard in Legolas’ hand.

He wanted to keep it up all night, but that wasn’t really possible, at least not this first time. And it wasn’t until he had that thought he realised there would be other times. This was only the beginning of something new for them, and Legolas almost cried to think he would know this pleasure when he needed it, when he wanted it.

This was something Glorfindel would never give him – and he did not want it from him, not truly. But he wanted it from Elrond...

Legolas moaned, moving faster when it finally all became too much. He did not want to hold back anymore... and he did not need to. He could have Elrond again tomorrow if he so desired – if he was strong enough to take him. And by now he was very certain that it would not take much strength after all to make Elrond submit, for as strange as the concept had once seemed to him – the Lord of the Valley enjoyed it to submit to him!

“Elrond...” Legolas purred into his lover’s ear, his hand tightening around his length. Elrond whimpered, his body clenching around Legolas who groaned and rewarded him with another hard thrust. He had not thought that he would ever be grateful for their many lessons in wringing pleasure from his body until he was nothing but a shuddering vessel of sensation – but oh, he was grateful for their lessons now!

“Do you want to come, Elrond?” he asked, his voice rough now as he tried to resist the pleasure Elrond’s tight, clenching body gave him. “Ask me for it, Elrond!” he commanded, lightly rubbing over the slit at the head of Elrond’s erection, teasing another drop of fluid from it. “Beg for it!”

Elrond cried out, writhing beneath him, and Legolas ceased to breathe for a moment, so beautiful did the Lord look to him at that moment.

“Yes! Let me come! Please, my prince!” Elrond pleaded, tightening around Legolas as if he were trying to draw his climax from him. “Please, I am begging you!”

Legolas smiled, feeling strangely triumphant, but despite Elrond’s compliance he ceased to move. He wanted to take Elrond hard, with fast, deep strokes so he would still feel it tomorrow – but this was the Lord of Imladris, renowned Loremaster, and he knew that words would work just as well on him as caresses.

“Will you beg for it tomorrow as well?” he asked almost cruelly, tightening his grip on Elrond’s erection until the Lord moaned with desperate need. “Will you beg when you sit behind your desk as the Lord of Imladris once more? Will you tremble for me when I come in and lock the door behind me - will you moan for me when I bend you over your desk, to take you right there in your office?”

Elrond cried out, arching up and trembling with the strain of holding back, and Legolas resumed his frantic thrusts, knowing that all it would take now was one single word.

He closed his eyes to the sight of Elrond lying beneath him, and instead listened to their breathing - loud and desperate. Every thrust brought him a little closer, feeling Elrond’s body clench and tighten around him, better than anything he had ever known. Better even than Glorfindel’s hand. He wanted to moan, but instead he growled in determination, not slowing for a moment. Just as he felt the muscles in his lower belly begin to spasm, he groaned one word.

“Now!” he grated out hoarsely, and Elrond obeyed him. It was the most powerful, intoxicating thing Legolas had ever known, and it was the knowledge that Elrond had obeyed him rather that the sudden, physical pleasure that had him calling out the Lord’s name as he felt his body let go at last.

When it was all over, and they were both still, Legolas lazily moved his hand over Elrond’s length, smiling a little when the Lord gasped and whimpered beneath him. But he wasn’t truly in the mood to tease Elrond more – even if the Lord deserved it. After everything, Legolas was surprised to find his cheeks wet with tears, and he relaxed to lie full length on Elrond’s body, embracing his warmth and holding it close to him.

He remembered for himself how it felt to be held afterwards, and after a few moments of rest, he left the bed to quickly free Elrond’s hands, and clean the Lord’s seed from his own hand with a cloth, coming back to the bed and settling with his arms around the Lord again. As Elrond nuzzled his shoulder, he absently ran his fingers through the ebony hair, spreading it out on the bed behind them so that it wasn’t in their way.

He allowed himself to relax, enjoying this as well, while they lay in silence with their legs entwined, the urgency over for now, but their body heat remaining as a wonderful reminder of what they had done.

“I love you,” Legolas admitted unconsciously, not aware he was going to say it until it was out there between them. It all changed then, and he closed his eyes in regret already, falling back into old behaviour, certain that Elrond was watching him. The Lord shifted in the bed subtly, and then Legolas felt lips against his.

The kiss wasn’t one that needed dominance or submission. They both gave themselves to it, and when it was over, Legolas could almost hear Elrond smiling when he spoke.

“I love you too.” He didn’t say anything more, but Legolas knew Elrond had to be thinking the same as he was. What room was there for love between them? This was all stolen time – they both knew it – and Legolas felt it. Soon, in a matter of months, the child would be born, and however much Glorfindel’s distance hurt, Legolas knew that he would be back with Glorfindel after the birth. What room was there? What time was there?

“I won’t give him up for you,” Legolas said softly, opening his eyes. It hurt to say it, but it would hurt more if he pretended there was time for this, that there was space for this. Elrond only smiled again, this time when Legolas could see it, and it made him smile in answer.

“I wouldn’t ask you to,” he replied, shaking his head a little, and for as melancholy as the admission made him feel, he also felt relieved. There was no room between him and Glorfindel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Legolas sighed and closed the book with a groan, leaning back in his chair with a frown.

His child would be born very soon – but by now, every hour he had to spend confined to comfortable beds or chairs was a torment to him. It had gone on for so long already that he truly felt that he was slowly going insane. But whenever he complained – which nowadays was whenever he saw Elrond, he admitted to himself with a grimace – the Lord just ignored his words and told him that it was for the best of him and his child.

That might be true, but he still hated this confinement. Just when they had given his life a purpose beyond his son and his service in their bed – and just when he had gotten so good at archery, too!

It just was not fair, Legolas thought sullenly. How could archery be bad for him? Certainly dying from boredom would be just as bad, but no – all Elrond could think of was the child. And it was not just the archery! Elrond even refused to touch him in their bed, claiming it would be too exhausting for him!

Legolas growled, wishing he could hit something – but he could not, because Elrond would only worry again then.

And Glorfindel... Legolas sighed. Glorfindel pretended he did not exist anymore. Legolas knew why he was doing it, and he could understand how it must hurt Glorfindel to see him, now that his pregnancy was nearing the end – but could Glorfindel not see that it was hurting him as well, to be rejected like this?

How would it all end? What would happen after the birth? More importantly, what would happen during the birth? Would he have to suffer alone – with only Elrond for company, or would Glorfindel be there as well?

Legolas did not even want to think about what it would be like to live through that eternity of pain again without Glorfindel’s hand to cling to. But if Glorfindel were there, and if the child proved to be Elrond’s in the end – what then? Could he bear to watch what this would do to Glorfindel?

With a curse Legolas threw one of his cushions against the wall. He would go insane if he stayed inside any longer! He might be forbidden archery and the pleasures of the bedroom, but he would not let them keep him from the gardens! Maybe there he could find an hour’s escape from his worries...

Although he still spent a good proportion of each day with Gîl, at times like these he didn’t want to be around his son. Not alone, anyway. It wasn’t that he was scared of his frustration. No. Rather he found himself chastising Gîl unnecessarily, which only made him feel worse when he recognised it.

He stomped around the garden, not seeing a thing while his thoughts whirled around and he felt helpless to stop them. He knew it wasn’t as bad as he felt it to be. At other times his mood was light and playful, and so it only bothered him more that he couldn’t shake the feelings off. If only Glorfindel were around. The Lord might not touch him, but they were still friends, and Glorfindel’s presence always seemed to lift the dark clouds from Legolas’ mind. But, he thought with a sigh, they were all of them in some kind of ‘conference’ today. Glorfindel, Elrond – even Erestor was not in the library should he venture in there.

He knew these feelings weren’t natural, because he knew deep down that had he been thinking clearly, he would have jumped at the chance to study those Westron books without Erestor waiting to catch him. Instead, he was walking out here, arms folded against the world, and that didn’t change even when a horse fell into step beside him.

Eventually, the thought that it might be Glorfindel made him dare to look up balefully, but then he only sighed.

“What do you want, Elladan,” he asked, not bothering to be polite. Not now, when they both knew they disliked each other. Elladan still spent large amounts of time away from Imladris, and when he was at home, he always seemed to be trying to intimidate Legolas. The tactic had been working less and less of late, until of course they had stopped him practicing archery.

Previously, he had taken a bow with him on his walks, but that was denied him now, and he took note from under his eyelashes how far away they were from anyone else. To his dismay, Legolas realised that in his annoyance he had walked far from the formal gardens, and now Elladan had caught up with him in a place where there was little but trees and grass. This was still part of the gardens, but it didn’t require such constant attention and upkeep. Legolas saw with alarm that they were alone, and he didn’t carry his bow. All at once he felt extremely vulnerable for the first time in what seemed like months.

“Come now, Legolas… is that the kind of respect you accord the heir of your Lord?“ Elladan asked with a sneer. “I am surprised that father hasn’t taught you better manners. At least Glorfindel had been able to keep you in your proper place - subservient and humble!”

“I am a prince!” Legolas bristled. “How about you repeat those words to your father, and see where they get you? Or can it be that you are afraid?”

“Afraid?” Elladan laughed bitterly. “Afraid of his feelings for a traitorous little whore? Long has it been said that the woodelves employ strange magics – and I think we have all seen the truth of that now. Tell me, how did you do it? Did you brew some poisonous tea to enslave his heart and mind?”

“What are you talking about? Are you out of your mind, Elladan?” Legolas asked in enraged disbelief, although he once again looked around now, desperately wishing for Glorfindel to show up, or Elrond – or even a gardener boy, anything so he would not be alone with Elladan!

“You better leave now, I do not think that your father would like to see you harassing me!” Legolas glared at Elladan and wrapped one arm protectively around his belly. He usually did not like to talk about Elladan with Elrond, for he felt guilty for causing such a rift between father and son. But today, Elladan truly frightened him...

“Are you threatening me, little whore?” Elladan asked, stunned by Legolas’ insolence. “Do you plan on using the foul magics with which you have ensnared father’s heart to turn him against me?” Then his eyes darkened, and Legolas took an involuntary step back at the rage in his eyes.

“Ahh, I see your game now! Skillfully played, prince of whores – first you got rid of my brother by having father give him away as a hostage to Mirkwood. Who knows what your father has done with him! And now that you carry father’s bastard in your belly, you want him to get rid of me as well, so that your bastard will inherit Imladris!” Elladan laughed, and Legolas took another step back, but before he could try to run away, Elladan had jumped from his horse and grabbed his tunic, pulling him hard against his body.

“Do not think that it will be so easy, Legolas!” he hissed. “I have many friends left still in Imladris, and you – everybody knows you for a whore. Do you truly think anybody would grieve for you if you went missing?”

He knew the answer was yes. If the last few months had taught him anything it was that he was loved and cared for. And Elladan’s anger proved that he knew the answer too. But he knew he didn’t want to encourage the madness in Elladan’s eyes, so he stayed quiet, even looked down as if afraid to meet Elladan’s gaze.

“Get on the horse,” Elladan insisted suddenly, and Legolas’ heart lurched. Where would Elladan take him? And yet if he was to fight… Legolas shuddered. That wasn’t an option, since Elladan had weapons while Legolas had none, and the physical fight might well hurt the child. Trembling for what might happen anyway, Legolas pulled himself onto the horse obediently, shivering as if cold when Elladan mounted behind him and pulled him close. Elladan laughed.

“Don’t tremble, little whore,” he warned too pleasantly, then lowered his voice. “I would not disgrace myself by using my father’s toy. You will not escape that way.” As soon as the little speech was over, Elladan made the horse break into a gallop, and Legolas leaned back against Elladan’s body deliberately so as to minimise the jolting on his body.

It seemed like forever before they stopped, but it couldn’t in reality have been longer than an hour. Not that it mattered so much. They were far away from Imladris now, and even if someone was looking for him – they might never find this place.

Elladan had brought him upland, to one of the numerous small caves that dotted the hillside above the cliffs. It might well be somewhere he was used to staying while on patrol, Legolas realised with a burst of hope. But then, would anyone connect his disappearance with Elladan? It seemed obvious to Legolas, but would it seem as obvious to Glorfindel, or to Elrond?

Elladan dismounted and stood looking at the cave, his back to Legolas. The afternoon had grown late and heavy. Dark clouds moved overhead, and Legolas could taste rain in the air.

“Get down,” Elladan commanded without looking back, and Legolas slipped as gently as he could from the horse, trying to land lightly on his feet. He almost sank to his knees with the relief at having survived the ride. He was so close to the end now, and Elrond had warned him that exertion could bring on an early labour. He was glad to have avoided that – at least for now – even if he felt slightly tender and weakened.

“What are you going to do?” he asked bravely, feeling anything but brave. He was very afraid now, more for his child than for himself, and he could only pray that Elladan didn’t intend to hurt him – or worse…

“You don’t need to know,” Elladan said brusquely. “Now get into the cave. There is dry wood in there, so start a fire. For once, you can work for your keep,” he added with a sneer, but Legolas was too afraid now to react to the taunt.

With lowered eyes, he stepped into the cave, while outside he could hear Elladan talk to his horse and lead it away. Legolas’ fear doubled when he realised that Elladan did not want to risk him trying to steal the horse and flee – what had Elladan planned for him?

For one moment, Legolas felt the need to turn and run, to try and get away as far from the cave as possible. But before he had even taken the first step towards the opening of the cave, rational thought returned, and he knew that he would not get very far. He did not even know where they were now, while Elladan had spent centuries guarding this very area! And with the storm coming up – what would he do if something were to happen? No, he could not risk the child so...

With a resigned sigh, Legolas turned to where Elladan had already built up dry wood for a fire. This, at least, was one of the things he knew how to do – he had not even needed to learn it from Thalaron or Glorfindel. This was one of the things he had learned early on, when he was still guarding horses in his father’s forest, and it gave him a strange pleasure to see the little flames kindle under his fingers, until the cave was soon filled with the light and warmth of fire.

Legolas looked around now; noting the bags of supplies stacked against the walls of the cave, the large stash of firewood as well as several animal skins and woolen blankets at the back. There were weapons here, too – he recognised the bow. This must truly be Elladan’s cave then...

Another thought hit him. He could take the bow and try to force Elladan to give him his horse that way! Quickly he went towards where the weapons rested, but when he took the bow into his hands, he groaned with frustration. The bowstring was broken, and he could not see any spare strings lying around. And the remaining weapons were a disappointment as well. Daggers, throwing knives, arrows that obviously needed refletching – nothing he could use. There was no use in fighting Elladan with a knife, not when Elladan had a sword, and far more experience.

Legolas pressed a hand to his belly, realising that he could not fight even if Elladan were unarmed. He could not endanger his child in such a way. His situation was already bad enough, and with Elladan so obviously disturbed, he could not allow himself to enrage him in any way.

With a low, desperate moan, he walked towards the bed of animal skins, slowly sitting down there, one hand still pressed to his belly. What could he do now? It might be hours before they missed him in Imladris!

From the corner of his eye he noticed Elladan walk into the cave and stand over him. Legolas looked up defiantly. “What do you want with me?” he asked again, and as he watched Elladan’s reaction, Legolas realised something. Elladan didn’t know!

“Shut up,” Elladan ordered offhandedly, and Legolas did indeed fall silent. Elladan was not as certain or as confident as he appeared, and it would do no good to threaten his perceived superiority. That might make well him violent. Legolas was thinking quickly. He still had a hand pressed to his belly, and all of a sudden, he found himself gasping for breath.

“What is it? What are you doing?” Elladan demanded ungraciously, but Legolas couldn’t get his breath to speak. Instead he curled up on the makeshift bed, his arms wrapped around his belly as the all-too-familiar pain ripped through his lower body. How could he have forgotten this?!

He felt Elladan’s hand on his arm, and he moaned through his teeth as the pain only seemed to get worse. Much more and he was going to scream. All of the muscles in his body tensed as if with cramp, and he felt sweat break out on his forehead. Without thinking he grasped hold of Elladan’s hand.

It had been obvious that anything unexpected on his part would break Elladan’s tenacious hold on his emotions, and now that proved to be the case. “Let go of me!” Elladan thundered angrily, and Legolas knew the fear was only a step away. How often did Elladan show fear? Was it often? Never?

At last, the terrible pain seemed to ease a little, and he let go of Elladan’s hand then, rocking himself slightly as he moaned and tried to get his breath back.

“What’s the matter with you?” Elladan snarled, and Legolas flinched where he lay in case Elladan decided to hit him.

“It is time,” Legolas replied softly when he could speak, opening his eyes and finding he was quite dazzled by the firelight in the dim darkness of the cave combined with the overcast day outside. But he was grateful to the warmth that seemed to ease his pain a little, and he moved himself so that he lay facing the fire, while Elladan looked on.

“Time,” Elladan repeated dumbly, and then he seemed to realise what Legolas meant. “No! You can’t! Stop it!” Legolas wanted to laugh, but he settled for an already weary smile, even though he knew the last thing he needed was Elladan’s fear. That wouldn’t help either of them.

“I can’t stop it… it’s not my choice,” he replied calmly, hoping that he could pass that same calmness onto Elladan. But all thoughts like that were gone when the pain returned…