The Curse

A/N:

@AtoreySKane: I plan for brilliance!!



 

Chapter 23: I shan't be a prize



Elladan stood within the halls of dining, absent food, absent drink, staring at the fireplace angrily. He was so lost in his own thoughts he didn’t hear the approach of another until there was a hand upon his shoulder and the dark-haired Elf jumped in surprise.

A light chuckle followed his response, “I did not mean to give you a fright… You looked as though you could use some company”

Elladan turned to the source of the voice, “Is it that obvious?” Then he offered a light nod, “Perhaps I could… you would sit and share a drink with me?”

Orophin gave an accepting nod at the offer before he moved to one of the empty tables, pausing to signal for two glasses of Miruvor as Elladan joined him, “What is it that troubles your mind?”

Elladan sighed softly, “’Tis Legolas, we came here for him to make a choice, to decide… but I fear he’s already decided and yet I sit here with false hope”



Orophin nodded at the words but decided to test the Half-Elf’s awareness as he spoke softly, “But surely, considering they’re bound in fëa… It is to be expected they would turn to each other?”

The fact that Elladan stared at him for a full minute in utter shock told him the son of Elrond hadn’t been aware of that bit of information, “I’m sorry, I thought you knew…since Lord Celeborn did”

Elladan shook his head, “But then… Legolas must’ve known about this… he deceived me?”

Orophin took a sip from his glass, then shook his head, “He only discovered it today”

The Half-Elf released a sigh as he drank half the glass of Miruvor in one go, “Then he is already lost to me”

Orophin grinned, “Perhaps that is for the better, he has kept your eyes upon him for far too long for, if I may say, no greater reason than that he physically appeals to you.”

Elladan frowned, “We trained together.” But then even as he said it he knew how ridiculous that was. Orophin had trained with both Legolas and Elladan and had claimed neither of them, nor made attempts to, “You’re right.”

Elladan had mostly only been in love with the idea of being in love with the prince, being his hero.



Orophin nodded, “Then perhaps it is no great loss he is with someone his soul chose, that his heart is in agreement with? I know you do not care for my brother, but he loves Legolas, selflessly to the point of self-sacrifice so that you and the prince might have a chance, commanded so by your Grandfather. That alone demands a degree of respect”

Apparently it was to be a night of grand revelations as Elladan looked even more stunned than before, “You were not aware of your Grandfather’s attempts to keep Haldir away from the prince, so that you and he might have that chance?”

The Half-Elf shook his head and Orophin grinned again, “I had started doubting your honour, I am glad to see I was mistaken”

Elladan offered a light smile, but then looked ahead, “I can’t believe I haven’t noticed any of this. Does Legolas know all this now?” When he gained a nod, the twin sighed, “Does he think I knew, too?”

Orophin shrugged, “I do not believe so, but then I don’t believe the prince was all too occupied with thoughts in that direction”



A frown came next, causing Orophin to grin as he hoped to distract the dark-haired elf from his thoughts, “You look at the prince with such unbridled desire, is he the only one that would stir such passion in you? The only one you could regard as such?”

There was silence as he could see the twin think it over, “’Tis a shame, there are others that would be eager for your affections and never think of shunning them, that you ignore now”

Elladan’s brow rose in curiosity, “There are? Who?”

There was no answer as Orophin cupped the twin’s face and kissed him, soft at first but increasing in passion as he found the twin responding before suddenly Elladan shoved at him, “I shan’t be a prize for you to claim, Galadhrim”

Orophin stared at the twin, “Apologies. I merely sought to express desire, not to offend. Had I known you thought so little of me, it wouldn’t have crossed my mind. I shall leave you to your drink”

With that the Galadhrim rose with every intention of leaving the rude Rivendell Elf behind. Perhaps Elladan was more like his Grandfather than he had anticipated.



Elladan looked up as he realized Orophin was actually leaving and he’d be alone again, “Wait.”

The Galadhrim paused, turning around with that familiar eyebrow raised as if to say ‘yes?’ but uttering no such thing.

Elladan nodded to the seat across from him, “Please sit back down… I shouldn’t fault you for something your brother did, apologies”

Orophin sat down but kept his distance now, “What did he do for you to feel such anger toward him that it’d affect your judgment toward me?”

The twin hesitated but with a sigh he answered the question, “Elrohir had always liked him, the big brave Marchwarden. Every visit he grew more excited and in time Haldir began to take notice of him. It started with training filled with light touches that Elrohir would squeal about later, then words of praise… Not before long, he took my brother to his bed, a virgin, then discarded him not even the next day but that same night. He broke my brother’s heart, shattered his innocence, only for Elrohir to become ‘one of many’”



Orophin’s frown had started early on in the explanation but had only deepened, “Do you not believe that perhaps those touches and compliments weren’t meant to ‘woo’ your brother or to win him into bed, but were simply to perfect movement and to praise? I know my brother has had a period in which he took many to his bed, I know also that he regrets that choice now… I also know that he has always told every lover he has been with –but for Legolas, apparently- that it wouldn’t be anything beyond that one night, no emotion, no attachment.”

Elladan listened in silence, feeling half-inclined to say Orophin made a good point and that such stories had been echoed by others before this only he had been stubborn to believe them, to think that perhaps had brother had built this into more than it had ever been, “I suppose there were those that thought they might change him?”

Orophin nodded, “And Haldir always felt the guilt when he realized they hadn’t understood his terms, that they wanted more than he could offer them… It didn’t stop many from holding a grudge until they realized their own mistake in not paying heat to the warnings he had given… That was over a thousand years ago however, all of that. Since then he’s only taken those lovers to bed that he was sure would not mind the terms and in the last few centuries I know he’s become even more guarded. With reason. Until Legolas, who touched him beyond lust.”

Elladan bit his lip as he considered these words, “I may have misjudged your brother”

Orophin offered a nod, “Many do. People very rarely ask… I think perhaps that is another reason he and Legolas are drawn together, they both know what it is to be judged for things that aren’t necessarily true”



The twin offered a light nod at that before his eyes shifted to Orophin, “You did not think to claim me then?”

Orophin grinned at the choice of words, “Oh… I did. Just not to claim you as a prize, but solely to find pleasure, together.”

Elladan blushed, making the Galadhrim smile yet still he couldn’t help but taunt the twin even further, “But I shan’t press my affections upon you, seeing they were so offensive to you. I do not know whether I should focus such efforts on one who will not appreciate it”

The twin frowned at the suggestion which pleased Orophin, before he turned to the Galadhrim, “Perhaps now your efforts should be better received, in light of recent discoveries”

Orophin smiled, raising a brow, “Is that so?”

Elladan nodded and not one to ask yet again Orophin accepted this, leaning in to kiss the younger Elf with tender affection before he drew back to look into the Half-Elf's eyes as he spoke softly, “I would court you, if you would allow it”



Elladan stared at the Galadhrim as though he’d sprouted a second head, “You wish to court me?”

Orophin offered a light smirk, his voice taunting but eyes sincere as he spoke, “Well I thought it would be a good thing with your distrust of my motives… Perhaps it’ll ease your doubts”

Elladan rolled his eyes at the Elf’s dramatics, “What have I gotten myself into?”

Orophin grinned at the words as his voice dropped to the whisper for the sheer idea of privacy, “I do not know, but I look forward to getting myself into you, lirimaer”

Again the dark-haired Elf couldn’t help but blush even as he questioned the endearment ‘lovely one’? No one had ever referred to him as such. Strong, valiant, stubborn and oft foolish and impulsive… but no, never lovely, “Are you sure you do not mistake me for my brother?”

It was possible after all. It happened quite often.



Orophin smiled at the suggestion, deciding to blame it on inexperience rather than considering it an insult to his person, “I am quite sure, your brother is a great deal more serious and more of a scholar. I quite enjoy your zest for life and your playful tendencies. I find that a great deal more appealing”

Elladan offered a light smile, “You have noticed all this?”

The Galadhrim nodded, “I’ve always found you appealing, then for years you didn’t visit and I thought it best to let go of ideas of perhaps expressing such intentions…Then you returned, with Legolas and it was beyond evident you were taken with him. I had hoped you would realize it an infatuation before long, that you would notice my attentions… But it seems you haven’t noticed much of the world around you lately”

Elladan blushed while looking down as he whispered a soft, “I believe you are right… Thank you for your company this evening, it has been wonderfully useful”

Orophin smiled as he pressed a light kiss to the twin’s lips, “Believe me, lirimaer, as useful as it was for you as enjoyable it has been for me.”

With that the Galadhrim stood with a light bow, “I shall find you tomorrow, rest well”



The Elf had gone before Elladan could think to stop him, his mind a maelstrom of thoughts.

He stood and departed from the halls as well, heading to his talan.

Elladan entered it silently –a habitual thing for he usually shared it with his twin, then raised a brow as he caught sight of something on his bed.

Moving to it he picked up the two roses and read the small note attached to it, “A rose of yellow to welcome you back, a rose of peach to close the deal. I look forward to courting you lirimaer. O.”

O. Elladan smiled despite himself, despite the oddity of being the one pursued. He wasn’t used to it, always assuming the dominant role and yet, now… It felt strangely exciting to be courted by the Galadhrim. If anything it was a much welcomed distraction.









TBC…