Mending a Heart

Chapter 26: A Token of Love

The next morning, Elladan lay in his bed writhing slowly, clutching his chest. The pain seemed to increase with the passing of each hour. He found himself wondering when his life would finafadefade and he could meet Legolas in the afterlife. *Someone is coming.* He stopped moving at once and sat up. “Legolas? Legolas is that you?” Elladan asked, unable to see who had entered, as the pale rays of sunlight had only just begun to illuminate his room.

“It is not Legolas,” a voice said. “It is his father.” Thranduil approached Elladan and stood by his bed.

Elladan was afraid. He wondered if the king had seen he and Legolas together in the forest.

“Your father told me that you have fallen ill… that the elf sickness has taken hold,” Thranduil began slowly.

“Aye,” Elladan said, trying to behave as though he did not feel the stabbing pain in his chest.

“So, you really do love my son,” Thranduil stated quietly.

“I do,” Elladan said, flinching.

“Please, lie back,” Thranduil said gently. “The pain will lessen if you are relaxed.”

Elladan nodded and lay back onto the bed. Instantly, the pain decreased.

“Du knu know why I have come here this morn?” Thranduil asked.

“Nay,” Elladan said, afraid to look into Thranduil’s eyes.

“I wanted to see you so that I may apologize for my inexcusable behavior,” Thranduil said sincerely. “I am sorry for the way I treated you. I acted very unbecomingly.”

Elladan’s mouth fell open as he met the king’s eyes.

Thranduil smiled. “I judged you too quickly, Elladan. You seem to bwortworthy choice for Legolas. He has been very careful when choosing lovers; he has always wanted to make a prudent decision, and I think he has.”

“What… what are you saying?” Elladan asked in disbelief.

“I am saying that I was wrong to try to deny you or my son happiness,” Thranduil explained. “You are free to be together.”

Elladan stared at Thranduil in incredulity.

“Elladan? Elladan it is I. I have come to…” Legolas stopped abruptly when he entered Elladan’s bedchamber and stood facing his father.

Thranduil gave Legolas a scornful look.

“Father… Father… you see, I… I was just… that is… I...” Legolas stammered.

Thranduil raised his hand to silence his son. “Come here, Legolas.”

Legolas walked toward his father dejectedly.

“Give me your hand,” Thranduil demanded.

Legolas did not speak and presented his right hand to his father.

The king led his youngest son to the bed and placed his hand in Elladan’s.

Legolas looked at his father in shock.

“Please forgive my crude conduct, Little One. I am very sorry for… for everything,” Thranduil said gently. “I love you, and I thought that I was protecting you. Hearing about your love for Elladan made me relive my past… and I did not want to remember the pain that I felt then. I also did not want you to have to suffer the way that I had. It was wrong of me to try to tell you whom to love. If Elladan is your choice, then so be it. You have my blessing.”

Legolas looked at his father in amazement and then smiled. Unable to hide his happiness, the prince embraced his father.

Thranduil smiled and placed a kiss on Legolas’ forehead. “Elladan?”

“Aye, Sire,” Elladan said, trying to hide the excitement in his voice.

“Be healed,” Thranduil said, “for the elf sickness has no reason to linger now.”

“Aye,” Elladan said, squeezing Legolas’ hand affectionately.

Thranduil nodded politely and left the room.

Legolas climbed into Elladan’s bed and planted kisses all over the dark-haired warrior’s face.

Elladan wrapped his arms around Legolas just barely noticing that the pain in his chest had almost completely diminished.

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Thranduil walked into his bedchamber and sighed. He was happy for Legolas, but couldn’t help but feel sorry for himself. Seeing Elrond again had made him remember the past so clearly. And al cou could feel now was regret.

He walked out onto the balcony that was adjoined to his room and closed his eyes. He inhaled the cool air and felt the gentle touch of the morning breeze. And suddenly the wind smelled differently. It was masculine, intermingled with the scent of pine. It was Elrond.

Thranduil turned around and faced the lord.

“I am sorry to disturb you,” Elrond said, bowing politely.

“You are not disturbing me,” Thranduil said. “Do you wish to speak with me?”

“Aye,” Elrond said, nodding.

“Very well then,” Thranduil remarked as he reentered the bedchamber. “Of what do you wish to speak?”

“I wanted to thank you for sparing my son,” Elrond said sincerely.

“How did you know that I had spoken to your eldest born?” Thranduil asked in incredulity. “I only left his chamber a moment ago.”

“I know because I know you, Thranduil,” Elrond said simply. “You are as stubborn as a wild steed and have the temper of one too. But you have a kind heart. I did not believe that you could truly stand to watch Legolas or Elladan suffer.”

“Aye,” Thranduil said, shrugging. “I would not want anyone to suffer the loss, the pain or the regret that I have.”

“Regret?” Elrond asked in dismay. “Why do you have regrets?”

“Because I have wasted so many years shrouded in doubt and hatred,” Thranduil said, looking into Elrond’s eyes. “I have been such a fool.”

“We cannot help the way we feel,” Elrond said, touching Thranduil on the shoulder. “The decisions you made… the way you felt was based on your knowledge at that time.”

“And now?” Thranduil asked.

“Now you have more knowledge,” Elrond said warmly. “Now we can put the past behind us and move forward… as friends.”

“Friends…” Thranduil saidtly.tly.

“We have made so many mistakes where our hearts are concerned,” Elrond explained gently. “Would it not be wise to try to rekindle our long lost friendship before trying to rekindle our love? After all, you wanted to kill me only a few days ago.”

Thranduil laughed. “Well you know how we **wild steeds** act. I was only behaving in a normal fashion.”

“Indeed?” Elrond said in mock amazement. “Then you will not mind if I try to tame you before our newfound friendship progresses further. I tend to value my life and would not want to see it forfeited if you suddenly decided to behave like one of you descendants.”

Thranduil laughed again and placed his hand on Elrond’s shoulder. “Methinks that you and I will be very good friends, Elrond… very gfriefriends indeed.”

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Two weeks later, many things had changed since the Mirkwood elves’ arrival in Rivendell. The king and Elrond spent many hours together each day. And instead of arguing, they reminisced about the past and conversed about the future. Elladan had made a full recovery and was as humorous as ever. And Dace was rarely seen as he spent almost all of his free time with Tialise.

Finally, on their last night in Rivendell, Legolas, Thranduil and Dace joined Glorfindel, Ellaria, Zera, Tialise, Mander, Elrond and his three children for a farewell feast in the dining hall.

“I have been in this realm longer than I planned and I find that I do not want to leave tomorrow morn,” Thranduil said to everyone present. “But I will miss the company even more than I will miss the place.”

“I agree,” Dace said, touching Tialise’s hand gently.

“So do I,” Legolas said, looking into Elladan’s eyes.

“Well then, it’s settled. I invite all of you to come and visit us in Mirkwood soon,” Thranduil announced.

Everyone nodded excitedly.

“There is only one problem, Sire,” Elladan said, smirking.

“And what is that?” Thranduil asked, looking at Elladan curiously.

“From what I’m told, my father cannot enter Mirkwood, for you banished him from toodeooden realm many years ago. He has been disallowed to enter Mirkwood under pain of death. Perhaps it would be wise to lift the ban, prior to our arrival,” he remarked simply. “Unless,” he said grinning, “you would like to see what my father looks like when he is being chased by a horde of fully armed elves. Hmmm… perhaps I spoke too soon. Do not lift the ban as I would like to see just how quickly my father can run from Mirkwood to Rivendell.”

Everyone laughed.

“You may get your wish, Elladan. You may get to see an elf running very fast in just a moment,” Elrond said calmly.

“Indeed?” Elladan asked stupidly.

“Aye,” Elrond said, nodding. “Please be sure to bring a looking glass with you so that you do not fail to see yourself being chased out of this realm by your fully armed father.”

Everyone laughed again.

Elladan blushed.

“It is too bad that I did not have more time to explore the outer borders of Rivendell while I was here,” Thranduil remarked thoughtfully. “I wish that I could stay just one more day and venture out beyond the edges of the realm.”

“’Tis a wonderful idea!” Elladan said, brightly. “I suggest that you, Glorfindel and my father venture to Gaidon. It is a nearby human city. I guarantee that it will be an experience that you will **never** forget.”

Elrohir and Legolas snickered quietly.

“Hmmm…” Thranduil mumbled. “I am not sure if I want to explore a human city. I don’t often find that men are very friendly.”

“These ones are,” Elladan said, trying not to laugh. “And I am sure that they would love to meet **you** especially, Thranduil.”

Elrohir covered his mouth to try and hide his laughter while Legolas put his head on the table, unable to conceal his mirth.

“I will think on it, Elladan,” Thranduil said, failing to notice the wry smile on Elladan’s face. “Thank you.”

Elladan smiled and nodded.

“I would like to bid King Thranduil, Dace and Legolas good tidings and a safe journey home,” Elrond said raising his chalice. “Peace be with you as you travel back to Mirkwood and may our journey be safe when we meet you once again.”

“Aye,” Thranduil said as everyone raised their glasses unenthen drank in unison.

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“Legolas?” Elladan asked, looking towards the manor from the south garden. “Have you ever noticed the way your father looks at my father?”

“Aye,” Legolas said, turning his attention to the lord and the king. “I think that my father may be in love with your father.”

Elrond and Thranduil were standing on the terrace, seemingly engrossed in conversation.

“That is simply disgusting,” Elladan said, looking at Legolas and shaking his head. “I do not believe that they told us everything about the loss of their friendship so many years ago. It would seem that love was the reason for the misunderstanding that they spoke of.”

“That was my guess as well,” Legolas said, facing Elladan.

“So,” Elladan began slowly, “how are we going to spend our last night together?”

“Hmmm…” Legolas said, grinning wickedly, “I will have to think about that for a moment.”

Elladan smiled as Legolas pulled him into a warm embrace.

The lover’s lips met passionately as they kissed until they couldn’t breathe.

“I… I…” Legolas stammered breathlessly.

“Yes?” Elladan asked.

“Will you come with me?” Legolas asked. “I would like to give you something.”

“AlrighEllaElladan said, nodding.

Legolas grasped Elladan’s hand gently and led him to the bluff that overlooked the realm. The moon shone high overhead, illuminating the hillside.

Legolas stopped near the edge of the cliff and faced Elladan. “I love you,” he said grasping both of Elladan’s hands. “You mean so much to me, my Elladan. I do not know what I would have done without you.”

“You would have been fine,” Elladan said sincerely. “You are very strong, Greenleaf; you are a survivor. I only helped you along the way. You never really needed me.”

“I have always needed you,” Legolas said gently. “And I need you now.”

Elladan raised his eyebrows and looked into the depths of Legolas’ blue eyes. “I will do anything for you, Legolas. Please, tell me what you want.”

“I need you to be my love forever,” Legolas said, trying not tund und nervous. “I want us to be wed.”

Elladan couldn’t speak. Instead he stared at Legolas is shock as the reality of what the prince was saying began to take hold.

“I am sorry,” Legolas said, trying not to sound hurt, misunderstanding Elladan’s silence. “I did not mean to upset you. But please understand that I love you. I want and need you more than you could ever imagine. And although a formal union between the two of us d bed be difficult, as I have my duties in Mirkwood and you in Rivendell, I am willing to do whatever it takes to be with you… if… if you will have me.”

Elladan smiled, released Legolas’ hands and embraced him lovingly. So overcome with emotion was he that all he could say was, “Yes.”

Legolas kissed Elladan again and then pulled away slowly. He reached into his tunic and removed the necklace that he wore around his neck. Without hesitation, he handed the little, blue stone to Elladan.

“Legolas, you cangivegive this to me,” Elladan said in protest. “This belonged to your mother. I could never take a treasure such as this from you.”

“It is a token of my love for you, Elladan,” Legolas said gently. “We will often be apart, but as long as you have this gift, you will be reminded of my love for you. Please accept this from me as it is the most precious thing that I can offer you.”

“Nay,” Elladan said, touching the prince’s face. “You are the most precious gift that you could have given t, an, and thus, I accept both wholeheartedly.”

Elladan put the necklace around his neck and smiled. Wrapping his arms around the prince’s waist he said, “I love you, my Greenleaf.”

“And I you, my Elladan,” Legolas said, enjoying the warmth of his lover’s embrace. “And I you.”

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THE END

A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who has been reading this story. All of your reviews, emails, e-cards and well wishes have meant so much to me. All of you are truly wonderand and have made writing this fic an amazing experience. I only hope that my future fics will receive such an enthusiastic response. Thanks again for everything.

-McKenna Espenshade