Forest of Whispers

Chapter 3

As always the elves have laid out a feast fit for a thousand men on the long banquet table in the great hall. I am sure that we cannot possibly all eat what is provided and so I will insure thame ome of what is left is sent back to the kitchens and the stables for the servants and my guards. I relax back in the large chair and survey the diversity of conversations passing over the table in front of me. To my right Legolas sits and to my left is Kahual both of them are talking across me to Haldir and Filgree who are perched awkwardly between Aratula and Jastel on one side and Elladan and Arionetta on the other. Lord Elrond sits as usual at the other end of the table. Glorfindel sits in his position of power on Elrond’s right and Elrohir and Breachtian sit to his left. There are a few other councillors from both Minas Tirith and Imaldris who sit conversing in the central seats. Servants wait patiently to be put to work around the edges of the hall and while it is rather quite a formal occasions it feels more like an intimate family dinner than a lavish affair. Taking up my goblet of wine I watch with amusement as Arionetta places Aratula’s hand over her swollen stomach and the pair giggle in delight at what is obviously felt. It is strange that Arionetta did not send word to Legolas of her pregnancy but I suppose it was a nice surprise as he is now a grandfather to be.

“Aragorn where did you go earlier, when you left the hall without word?” Legolas’ warm voice brings me back from my gaze over towards my daughter and I turn and smile at the gentle inquiry from the elf by my side. As always Legolas looks a picture of elven beauty. He like myself chose a simple pair of leggings and a silver blue robe to attend the feast in. His hair flows freely unrestrained around his shoulders, his braids having been undone for the occasion.

“I wandered alone in the house for a while, reminding myself of what I love about Imaldris and what I will miss when the elves are gone.” Legolas smiles distantly at my declaration and I know that he feels the loss of the elves leaving these shores just as much as I do.

“We must enjoy what time we have left then. Glorfindel and I were planning a day of riding in the forest maybe you would like to join us?” I watch as Legolas turns towards where Glorfindel has just finished talking to Kahual and smiles at first Legolas and then me in understanding.

“Yes I would like that, if you can put up with my company.” Glorfindel’s snorts in a quite undignified manner at my comment all but choking on his wine in the process. Elrond sits hastily back in his seat and pats Glorfindel twice between his shoulder blades to ease his breathing. It amuses those around the table to see an elder elf quite caught off guard and more than a few smirks resume as Glorfindel coughs heavily and shakes his head.

“I would rather say that it would be you who will have to put up with our company Aragorn. Legolas and I are quite some centuries older than you Estel and if I remember right it was you who told us oldies to go riding alone last time less you rid yourself of our incessant chatter in Quenya.” Aragorn felt the crimson blush creeping up his cheeks as the table roared with laughter at Glorfindel’s accurate recount of their last meeting in Rivendell. Even Lord Elrond finds the funny side of what has been said and while he restrains his laughter he cannot suppress the smirk that I see forming on his face.

“Ahh yes I remember that too Glorfindel. He told us that we bored him with our conversation and that he would rather talk of trade with my dwarf friend Gimli than listen to our mindless meanderings.” Legolas smiles triumphantly over at me and I glare at him angrily but he merely shrugs it off and turns back to my youngest son, who’s in absolute hysterics at the recounts of my younger years. “Let it be known Kahual your father cares nothing for elvan gossip that we the elders of this table delight in sharing. Let us hope you do not turn so sour in your tastes of conversations the older you get.” Kahual has tears of laughter streaming from his face as does Glorfindel who manages to raise his glass in congratulations to Legolas on his successful embarrassment of me.

“I do not see the amusement in this what so ever Legolas and your torment of me while correct in factual accuracy makes me partial to recount some stories of you in your own youth that I have heard from Elrond.” Legolas looks calmly at me as the laughter dies and everyone waits for my tale. I glance up the table towards Elrond but the Lord merely shrugs his shoulders and burries his head into his glass of wine determined not to be apart of the jest that is currently happening around him.

“I am not afraid of any of the stories of outhouth Estel. One learns wise things from experiencing difficulties while growing up.” I can sense the slight unease in Legolas’ calm resolve and I delight in being the cause of it as I lean an elbow on the table and smile wickedly at Legolas.

“I heard tale of a young elf who did not enjoy a good bathing as well he claims to now.” I watch with a gleam in my eye as Legolas swallows a mouthful of wine aware now that everyone is waiting patiently for my story on Legolas childhood. “In fact they say that Legolas Greenleaf, youngest prince of Mirkwood would hide below his fathers throne and pretend to be a mouse by squeaking loudly when his tutors would call him to bathe.” Laughter rings out from around the table and even Lord Elrond is giggling behind a napkin held to his mouth. The usually pale complexion of Legolas deepens to a beautiful cherry red blush as the elf lowers his gaze from mine at my recount of his childhood.

“That is not fair Aragorn, I was always the last of my brothers to be bathed and the water was already cold by the time I was being called for my turn. I do not like cold bathes.” Legolas’ feeble attempt at defending himself sends those around the table into further laughter and only seems to deepen Legolas’ blush.

“Oh is that so Legolas, but then that would draw question from, why, on another occasion when your father and brothers were holding court with guests, was a young naked elf seen running from his soaking wet tutor through the gardens of Mirkwood, squeaking like a mouse on the run from the kitchen maid.” All restraint of those around the table dissolve at my comment and even the servants can be seen giggling from their positions around the room. Legolas’ embarrassment is complete and I sit back from him content in having exacted my revenge from earlier.

“Oh my word what laughter is to be shared from tales of the past, Legolas you were truly a mischievous elfling, just as Estel was here under my own tutelage.” Legolas smiles in defeat up at Glorfindel who out of all those around the table has found the most amusement out of my dispute with Legolas. “So it is settled then we shall ride out on the morn tomorrow with each others company.” In my intent on making Legolas blush I had quite forgotten the original conversation that had spawn the jest and I thank Glorfindel for reminding me of our plans. Legolas remains quiet for the rest of dinner and I cannot help feel a little guilty for having embarrassed him in front of his friends. As a show of apology I reach gently across the table and place a comforting hand upon Legolas’, which he pleasingly smiles at and nods in understanding. It will be a sad day, the day I have to say goodbye to him but I will not allow myself morbid contemplation when I have so little time left to enjoy his company before I have to let him go.

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Dinner finishes with little fuss and while I stay a while afterwards to make polite conversation with Elrond and Glorfindel it is not long before I excuse myself to my chambers. Despite my outward appearance of liveliness I am excessively tired, the fast pace of the remaining days journey to Rivendell causing more than a little fatigue on my part. Quietly I ascend the stairs to my chambers and take comfort in the warm glow of my already lit fire that beckons me from behind the tapestry. I take my time undressing tonight knowing that there is no one I must cover myself from to avoid awkwardness. Legolas has his own room in Rivendell and I am under no time constraints to dress in my night things. Once robed for bed, I settle on the window seat in my room a glass of fresh water in my hand and my pipe resting in my lips. Rivendell is a glow with candles each flicker like a caress upon the city below and I cannot help smile in distant contentment at the scene I have come to love.

Above the night sounds I can hear elvish voices singing among the trees. They sing of the Returning King of Gondor and the victory over evil. It is the same song it is said by many that the elves sang on the night of my coronation. I find myself looking back upon the day so long ago with mixed emotions. Arwen was by my side as I took my oath, her calming hand rested upon mine during the entire parade, she was mos most gracious host at the feast picking up on the little things that I had missed and at night when the celebrations had fallen silent she and I made love in the gardens under the stars and conceived our first child. It is only now in reflection that I can look upon the day with critisms and regret. Everything would have been so different if it had been Legolas at my side that day and not the Lady Arwen. The very thought of Legolas brings his face to my mind and I lean back against the cushions and close my eyes to concentrate on the beautiful images of Legolas which dance before my very eyes. I find myself imagining what it would have been like to make love to him as I did Arwen. I imagine hearing him whisper my name in ecstasy as I claimed every inch of his being. To imagine what it would have felt like to have his marble skin against mine as I caress his body and whisper sweet words of promise into his delicate ear.

Involuntarily I groan as the images stir passionate arousal beneath my robes. My member aches to be touched but I ignore it and merely spread my legs a little wider on the window seat to comfortably accommodate it. It has been over four years since I indulged in self-pleasure to the images of Legolas and even in the silence of my own room I do not think it appropriate. The elf I lust after is only a short walk down the hall and my children sleep only a mere few steps down to the lower level, all of which prevent me from giving in to my need. Slowly I open my eyes as I think less erotic thoughts. I focus on the meal just gone and of the pleasure I found in seeing my daughters delight at feeling Arrionetta’s baby move within its womb. I believe it will not be long before the baby is born and it is only that which will delay the elves from leaving these shores come Spring, should it not arrive before then. While I have not talked to Legolas about his daughters pregnancy it is obvious from anyone who sees the two of them talking that Legolas is as proud as any new father would be. His daughter will give birth to the last elvish child born in Middle Earth and that alone is a feat to be proud of although a little saddening all the same.

I smile at the image of Legolas again as it drops before my vision. I have succeeded only in furthering my erecting by recounting Legolas smiling, proud vision on his first learning of his daughters pregnancy. Sighing heavily I tap out my pipe and drain the glass of water before standing from the window seat. I am uncomfortably hard the friction of my robes rubbing across my groin as I stand sends a jolt of pleasure up my spine. I am however determined to ignore it and I move swiftly over my bed. I have tortured myself before with fantasies of Legolas and all they ever brought was unrealistic hopes, I will not do that again. I have slept in the same bed as Legolas on numerus occasions and have learned to control myself with the determination of a solider in battle. I care only for Legolas’ happiness not my own self-indulgent practices. Stripping from my robe to prevent any more possible distractions I climb easily into my bed and slide down gently into the cool covers. In sleep my desire will diminish and I shall be asas ias in the morning.

TBC………………..