Melethen

Chapter Three

Elrohir was never so glad to finally be excused from the dinner table, he had
been a busy elf this afternoon and having to sit through the meal had nearly
driven him mad. Plans had been made, favors called in and to guarantee they
would not be interrupted had cost him his favorite dagger. Elladan had better
thank him profusely, his twin owed him for this and Legolas, well, the prince
better prove worth it. A wicked smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he
thought of ways the blond could prove how worth it he was.

As he made his way through the kitchens, he stopped to confirm his orders
were being carried out. Satisfied with the progress of the staff, he moved on to
the wine cellar, made his way past his father’s impressive selection to a
little known cubby. He felt along the wall until he touched the hidden release
and stood back as the wall came forward revealing Erestor’s private stock

“You should have known you couldn’t hide it forever, counselor,” he
said, a wide grin making its way to his face.

None of them were sure where or how Erestor came to own the potent wine, but
it was well worth the time it took to find it. The twin pulled two bottles off
the shelf and started to replace the wall, but paused. If he had learned nothing
else in his long life, he learned to always be prepared. He grabbed a third
bottle before quickly covering his tracks and leaving everything in its place.

When he reached the door to his and Elladan’s rooms, he nodded to the elf
he lost his dagger to. “Once the food has arrived I want no other
interruptions….unless, of course, the manor is burning to the ground….or we
are attacked by a horde of trolls. Do you take my meaning?”

“Aye, Elrohir,” the elf replied, nodding to the twin. “You paid well
for my services, I will not disappoint you.”

“See that you don’t,” Elrohir said, his words serious, but not harsh.
He entered the room and kicked the door shut with his booted foot. “Now to
make this place presentable…..”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Elladan watched Elrohir leave and grinned to himself before turning to
Legolas who was seated next to him. “I would like to show you something, would
you accompany me to the Hall of Fire?”

“Of course, but I have been to the Hall of Fire before,” Legolas replied
with a breathtaking smile.

“Aye, you have, but have you been there today?” Elladan teased knowing
the prince hadn’t and raised an eyebrow as he waited for him to reply.

“Nay,” he admitted, chuckling at the gentle teasing.

“Come, then, and let me show you what has changed.”

<<<<<>>>>>

When they entered the Hall of Fire, Legolas looked for any major changes, but
didn’t find any and turned to Elladan with an expectant look. The twin shook
his head, grabbed the archer’s arm, and led him to a new tapestry hanging on
the wall.

“Father had it commissioned as soon as we returned from Gondor,” Elladan
explained as he watched his companion’s face with a smile.

The prince stared at the tapestry with a look of awe on his face and reached
out to touch the heavy fabric as if he didn’t believe it to be real. The scene
depicted on the wall-hanging was one he remembered well, how the craftsman had
captured the importance of the moment, Legolas couldn’t guess. There, for all
to see, were the chosen nine in the moments after Elrond had declared them ’The
Fellowship of the Ring.’

“There is another,” the twin said, interrupting the archer’s captivated
gaze.

“Another?” The blond pulled his eyes away from the tapestry and turned to
meet Elladan’s enchanting smile.

“Aye, I think you will find it as fascinating as I,” he said, leading the
prince to another wall-hanging.

Astonishment and disbelief clearly showed on the fair face as Legolas stared
at the tapestry. “But -- How did -- ? I don’t -- I am not worthy of this,”
he finally forced out in a hushed whisper, unable to look away from the scenes
on the wall-hanging.

“The finest craftsmen were summoned and descriptions of your bravery were
revealed,” Elladan elucidated, his eyes never leaving the archer’s face. “I
think they were accurate in capturing your fierceness in battle, but they failed
miserably when it came to portraying your genuine beauty.”

Legolas turned to face the twin and found his lips mere inches from Elladan’s.
In his admiration of the tapestry, the half-elf had moved incredibly close to
him, unnoticed. If you asked him later, he would not be able to explain how he
ended up pressed against the wall and the elder twin plundering his mouth with a
dizzying kiss, but later didn’t matter, only now.

Elladan was aware of the sweetness of the princes mouth and the feel of his
body as he pressed him against the wall. When the prince returned the kiss with
a needful moan, wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him closer, the
twin deepened the kiss causing them both to quake with unquenched yearning.

Regrettably, the need for air soon forced the pair to end their shared kiss.
As they stood clinging to one another and breathing heavily, they kept their
desire darkened eyes locked for several minutes. The older twin recognized the
longing in Legolas’ eyes and knew without a doubt his was reflected in his
own.

“You, my prince, are worthy of more than you know,” he stated, his voice
soft as he caressed the archer’s pale cheek with his fingertips. “I will
prove this to you, I swear it, but not here, in a public place. You deserve --
to be worshipped and so much more.”

“Elladan, I --” Legolas began, but was silenced with a soft kiss.

“Shh, no words,” the elf warrior said placing his finger over the prince’s
mouth. He smiled when the prince nodded and he took his finger away. “I am
fairly certain Elrohir is wandering where we have taken ourselves, we should
join him before he has the whole of Imladris searching for us.”

When Legolas’ look turned doubtful, Elladan chuckled and took the prince‘s
hand in his own. “You do not know Elrohir as well as I, my prince, he is loyal
to a fault and would do anything to protect the ones he loves.”

“Let us away, then, before we cause an uproar,” Legolas suggested,
chuckling. “I would not have him worry needlessly.”

As the pair exited the Hall, the elf who had hidden himself behind a tapestry
when they entered, stepped out. A gratifying smile graced his lips as he raced
off to report what he witnessed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Elrohir opened the balcony doors hoping the gentle evening breeze would carry
the scent of the garden into the room. It was his hope that they would be able
to tempt the prince to enjoy the beauty of the setting sun from their upper
terrace. As he turned to face the room, he couldn’t quite keep the smile off
his face as he admired his handiwork. If Legolas failed to see that he was
brought here to be seduced, the younger twin wasn’t to be blamed. The stage
was set and Elrohir vibrated with barely suppressed excitement mixed with
smoldering desire.

As he set about lighting the numerous candles placed throughout the room, he
hoped Elladan could forget about the past for this one night and take a chance
with the Mirkwood prince. Elrohir had no doubt about his own desire for the
archer, but he would gladly harness it for the night if it meant his brother
would find some peace. Elladan had his share of heartache and deserved a chance
at happiness, even if it was only short lived. Maybe the relationship with the
prince would bolster his brother’s confidence enough to search out others when
the affair ends. Elrohir could only hope that would happen.

He was brought out of his musings by melodious laughter outside their door
and wasn’t at all surprised to see it was Legolas’ laugh when Elladan opened
the door. What did surprise him was the lightness of his brother’s step and
the brightly shinning eyes that met his when he looked at him.

“Finally! I was becoming worried and was moments from sending a search
party,” he said unable to keep from smiling.

The prince laughed and turned to look at Elladan when he spoke. “I said as
much to Legolas, but I don’t think he truly believed me.”

“I will admit I found it hard to believe,” the archer responded, still
chuckling. “My apologies, I will never doubt you again.”

Elladan coughed to try to disguise his laughter, but his mirth was plain to
everyone, especially Elrohir, but before he could comment there was a knock on
the door.

Legolas used the break in conversation to survey the room, he did not fail to
notice the placement of candles or the large fur in front of the fireplace. The
large pillows gathered near the center of the room were perfectly placed if one
intended to spend an excessive amount of time reclining. He smiled to himself
when he beheld the tray of food brought by the servants. Every piece of fruit,
cheese and delicacy offered was the very same he would use if he intended to
seduce another. All finger foods, all meant to be shared. Someone had gone to a
lot of trouble.

He turned his attention back to his would be lovers and gave them an
enchanting smile. “Am I to be seduced, then?”

Elladan cringed inwardly, but Elrohir rose to the challenge and answered
honestly. “If you would agree to it, fair prince, we would both welcome the
chance. You will not regret allowing yourself to find your greatest desires
fulfilled in our bed.”

Legolas kept his face impassive, but his mind was already planning the
various activities he would take pleasure in for the next several days and
nights. “The both of you at the same time?”

“No,” Elladan answered, hurriedly, without even glancing at his brother.
“I have no desire to see Elrohir in the throes of ecstasy or you with him. Our
relationships will be separate, the time between us shared.”

“I don’t know, Elladan,” the younger twin replied, smirking. “You
might learn something while observing my performance. I am more bold and…..don‘t
you remember that time I told you about --”

“Now is not the time, brother,” Elladan interrupted with a glare.

“But I was only trying to --”

“Elrohir!”

“Fine!”

“I have a feeling a relationship with the both of you will never be boring.”
Legolas said, chuckling, which caused the twins to turn their attention on him
once again. “Only a fool would turn down your offer, but I do have one
request.”

“And that would be?” Elrohir asked, ready to agree with anything the
prince asked.

“First choice,” he replied, flashing them a brilliant smile. “Which I
will reveal before the chimes strike ten.”

“Done!” Elladan easily agreed with the request, if left up for the twins
to decide, the prince would be ready to leave the valley before they agreed who
would have that privilege.

TBC