Two Hearts

Title: Two Hearts
Author: Big Smirk
Beta: Mel A & Meredith
Pairing: Legolas/Eldarion (Aragorn & Arwen’s son)
Archive: Library of Moria & adult-fanfiction.org
Comments: General plot comes from the challenge posted by Lady Osolone.
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Tolkien

Feedback: Yesss, we wants it, we wants it!
bigsmirk4u@yahoo.com


Chapter 3- A Small Star


The next morning Legolas accompanied Eldarion to the shooting area. The young Prince skipped ahead, forcing Legolas to move faster than the slow walk that seemed to have settled permanently in his limbs.

Giving his teacher no time to dwell on sad thoughts once they arrived, Eldarion whipped out an arrow from his quiver and shot it accurately at the distant target. Then he tried shooting two arrows in rapid succession. The first hit the target, but the second flew a little wide.

“I can hit the mark when I shoot one arrow, but I miss when I try more,” Eldarion complained with frustration. T loo looking hopefully at his teacher, he pleaded, “Will you show me how?”

“Very well, shoot three for me,” Legolas instructed, as his attention focused on the Prince.

Eldarion tried to comply, and his first arrow flew true, but he had trouble reaching accurately for the second and third ones behind his back. He also knew he shot the three in considerably more time than Legolas would have. Eldarion’s frustrated face looked at his teacher. Legolas remembered the same expression looking at him when his beloved Estel had practiced as a young man.

“Dip your shoulder slightly as you reach for the next one. Then the arrows will always settle in the quiver in the same place and be closest to your hand,” Legolas suggested patiently.

Brow furrowed in concentration, Eldarion tried again. He was quicker at reaching his arrows, but it spoiled his aim. Despite his continued failure, he smiled at his teacher in his understanding that it would take time to coordinate reaching for the arrow and then resuming his stance again.

Throughout the day Eldarion tirelessly practiced his skills. He followed every instruction to the best of his current ability and was always eager for more. Legolas asked the Prince to practice reaching for arrows over and over without firing, then back to shooting before combining the two. Eldarion’s aim improved, but the second and third arrows were still not as accurate as the first.

Legolas walked with him again to retrieve his arrows. Eldarion looked at the ground, deep in reflection. Legolas reminded him of the basics again, knowing that the youngster aimed to acquire Elven accuracy and speed in shooting.

“When you aim, think of a small target. See only that in your mind and place it onto what you wish to hit.”

When they returned with the arrows, Eldarion stood ready again. He turned briefly to Legolas and grinned wickedly. Suddenly his head turned back to the target, and his intense blue eyes sighted it without wavering as he shot three successive arrows that lodged in the center.

“At what did you think of aiming?” Legolas asked, astonished at the rapid improvement of his student.

Eldarion walked over and whispered into his teacher’s ear.

For the first time since his arrival, Eldarion heard the sweet laugh of Legolas. Looking into his eyes, Eldarion also saw the first little star of light return to the Elf.

---Water---

During the night, some of the gray had resettled around the Elf. Aragorn had looked in on them again, and, although Legolas was lying down, the shallow rise and fall of his chest showed that he still drifted in his lonely world.

The next morning the Elf barely touched his breakfast.

Seeing Legolas fading again, Eldarion made a decision.

Another day of archery practice was scheduled. However, as soon as they were out of sight of the courtyard, instead of going to the practice range, Eldarion led Legolas down a different path. It was a small, narrow one just wide enough for single file travel.

“Eldarion, what of your practice?” Legolas questioned, knowing the great joy the Prince took in it.

“There are things even more important than that,” Eldarion replied seriously, looking back over his shoulder at Legolas’ troubled face. The younger Elf continued onward. Legolas followed, and together they trod the narrow winding paths of the forest. After a while Eldarion turned happily to face Legolas and, with a theatrically majestic sweep of his hand, directed Legolas’ gaze to the scene before them.

Even in his dimmed state, Legolas could not ignore the beauty of the place his young friend had led him to. Nestled on the edge of the hill was a deep green hot spring. An assortment of large rocks framed the rectangular shape of the pool. Some of them invited the eye to appreciate the shape, arrangement and texture, while others beckoned weary bodies to sit. The warm water flowed over a sill of flat rock bordering the edge of the pool facing the valley. The whole scene was shaded by a curtain of green leaves made from made by the surrounding trees. This contrasted pleasingly with the earthy brown tones of both the soil and the sprinkling of dried leaves on the ground. The occasional tree trunk on the outskirts provided a sense of enclosure and comfort. The only movement was the gentle curling of the steam as it rose lazily into the air.

Eldarion wasted no time in stripping off his clothes, tossing them onto one of the outcropping rocks and wading in. His features spread into a wide grin of pleasure as he sank in up to his neck. Seeing Legolas still standing on the bank, Eldarion playfully scolded him.

“I shall not be completely happy unless you are in here with me!”

Legolas still stood looking vacantly at the pool. It seemed as if he had forgotten that such a thing could hold any pleasure for him. Unperturbed, Eldarion strode out of the pool and back up to the motionless figure. He unfastened Legolas’ quiver strap and removed both it and the bow his instructor was carrying. Setting them aside, he returned and started on the clothing. Legolas stood still at first, but then he helped to take off his garments. Once Legolas was also naked, Eldarion left no room for further hesitation as he took him firmly by the hand and led him into the pool.

Legolas felt the warm water wrap around his body. Eldarion sat beside him and reached over to start rubbing his back in long, slow strokes, as was a common bathing custom among the Elves. It was an ancient ritual that showed respect, strengtd cod community bonds and drew the mind of the receiver to peaceful places. The heat of the water and the soothing touch worked its way in swiftly, even warming the ever-present chill that seemed to have become a permanent part of Legolas’ body and soul.

Eldarion leaned forward to look into the empty eyes. “You may not be loved by the one you desired, but you are loved in so many other ways, and by others, and they too are important. Love what you can give out to others, do not fret over what is not given to you.” As he spoke, Eldarion raised his other hand and rubbed the Elf’s chest with it. He felt the firm muscles and wondered how long it had been since Legolas had felt any joy from such a touch. He suspected it was a little over twenty years.

Eldarion looked at the change in Legolas’ expression. It was as if he were remembering something from the distant past. A faint tinge of blue seemed to return to the fair Elf’s eyes as he held the Prince’s gaze for longer than he ever had since arriving. The young Prince continued his efforts to help.

“Please do not hide,” he said softly, rubbing the smooth back and chest. “But even if this is all you show me of yourself, it would be enough.”

They sat together like that for some time. Eldarion offered his touch and words, while Legolas drifted not in the gray world but somewhere a little closer to the one reaching out to him.

Elven custom dictated that reciprocity of the rubbing was expected. Eventually, Legolas indicated his willingness to repay the younger Elf’s attentions, even though he knew the young Prince would have understood if it had not been forthcoming at that stage. Legolas raised his hand hesitantly above Eldarion’s long back before slowly lowering his fingers until they brushed lightly against the skin. Eldarion sighed contentedly at the touch. Legolas continued the touch and even increased the pressure as he ran his hand up and down. It had been so long since he had allowed himself to respond to another.

Eldarion was thrilled by Legolas’ touch. Even though he knew of the hesitation that restrained the Elf’s hand, the sense of well being that radiated from even the limited offering was astoundingly sensual. The young Prince felt himself becoming erect and desired the social touch become more intimate, but now was not the time, and it took all his will not to ask for more.

Stroking Eldarion’s back, Legolas was reminded of Estel in earlier years: the long dark hair, the companionship and love. Pain stabbed at his heart again at the memory, but it was tempered by the enjoyment of the one he touched now. Yes, enjoyment! Legolas was startled to realize that he was indeed enjoying himself. He felt the icy sadness in his veins begin to break up as love began to flow between them. The Prince had been right; he could still give to others. The grayness of his existence was being replaced with shades of forest greens, browns, and Eldarion’s pale skin.

For the rest of the day they took turns rubbing each other’s back, sitting on the rocks talking quietly – even though Eldarion did most of the talking, or just sitting in companionable silence. Legolas started to notice more about Eldarion. He was a perfect blend of his parents. He was nearly as tall as Legolas. His ears pointed slightly so they would have suited either an Elven or human face. Legolas tentatively reached out a finger to touch one. Eldarion saw the hesitation and gently took the finger and brought it the rest of the way to his ear before letting it go. He sat still while Legolas ran his finger slowly up the outer ridge. When it reached the sensitive peak he tugged lightly on it; Eldarion gasped rdlyrdly as a bolt of erotic pleasure shot through him.

“Just like an Elf!” Legolas laughed.

Legolas turned his attention to other parts of Eldarion’s body. He noticed the limbs were long like an Elf’s - but had a little more muscular size that was characteristic of humans. Taking one of the elegantly shaped feet in his hands, Legolas tickled the underside. Uncontrolled giggles erupted from Eldarion as he wiggled his foot free.

“Just like a human!” Legolas laughed again.

---

Eventually it was time to leave the little pool. The two glowing red bodies reluctantly left the hot water, clothed themselves, picked up their unused weapons and walked back to the court.

As they returned, Aragorn noticed the two archers and saw a little more lightness in his friend’s step and a radiant grin on his son’s face.

“Has there been some improvement?” Aragorn asked hopefully.

“There has,” Legolas replied with a faint smile.

That night at the dinner table, during the few breaks in Eldarion’s incessant retelling of jokes, stories and archery techniques, there was even some conversation from Legolas. The Elf also showed more interest in his food. Aragorn noticed the lightness that had returned somewhat to his friend’s eyes. Perhaps the task of instructing his son in archery gave Legolas some long overdue joy, he thought.

Once again Aragorn looked in on the two companions before turning in himself. His son slept peacefully as he always did. Aragorn looked at the figure lying next to him, not believing his eyes. Legolas was also sleeping with closed eyes. There was no physical injury for which such a healing sleep was needed. Aragorn breathed with relief as he knew his dear friend was healing his heart.


TBC