Meleth-nin

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.
A/N: Thanks for the feedback, darlings, it is the precioussss. ;) And yay for Legolas, Aragorn and the baby Eldarion! :) PS. The end is nearing…
Beta: Matty W. Luv ya sweetie!


thoughts
~farspeech~ (used by Elladan and Elrohir)


Chapter thirty-two

Two months later, somewhere between Imladris and Minas Tirith


“Who is uncle Elladan’s favourite nephew, who? Yes, it is the beautiful baby El, that’s who”, Elladan cooed to the baby who was trying to reach for his long braids. Eldarion let out a delighted gurgle when he managed to tug at one of them.

Legolas rolled his eyes in mild annoyance but a small smile tugged his lips. “Elladan, I swear, he will never learn to speak properly if everyone insists on baby-talking to him. Do not think that I have not heard you and Elrohir doing that every time you spend time alone with the baby; I have.”

“Everyone does that, not just me and ‘Ro”, Elladan said defensively, nuzzling the little child’s nose with his own and was rewarded with a giggle. “Do not listen to evil Ada, he is trying to ruin our fun, is he not? Oh yes he is.”

“That is exactly my point”, the Prince said and extended his arms towards his son. “Now, will you kindly give me my baby back? Eldarion is not used to being apart from me.”

Elladan handed reluctantly the squirming child to his Ada, but couldn’t help grinning triumphantly when the infant let out a discontented squeal; uncle Elladan’s dark hair was so captivating and unusual in its mahogany colour, so unlike his Ada’s fair, silken hair. Legolas took the child into his arms and held his baby near his heart, peppering his small face with little kisses.

“I would rather say that Legolas is not used to being apart from Eldarion”, Elrohir whispered to Aragorn. The two brothers were sitting a few feet away from their mates, close enough to hear their banter. The King grinned a bit and shrugged.

“’Tis only natural for him to react thustly; after all, ‘twas Legolas who carried and gave birth to Eldarion. He feels their bond very strongly”, he replied, looking at his husband tenderly.

They were sitting inside a tent that was raised beneath a large tree, where the snow wasn’t as deep as it was elsewhere. It was mid-January, the coldest time of the year, and their small company had to stop quite often to warm up. Aragorn had been reluctant to leave Imladris in mid-winter due to the harsh wind and snow, but he knew that he had to return to Gondor to rule his Kingdom as soon as possible; already he had been away for too long. Legolas and he had discussed the possibility of Aragorn leaving without his mate and his son, who would follow him later in the spring to the White City, but in the end they had decided that they wouldn’t be parted ever again and that the whole family should travel to Minas Tirith together. The twins, who had fallen deeply in love with their little nephew, had also insisted on coming along and the Royal couple had gladly accepted. Also the three guards that had escorted Legolas and Elrond to Imladris all those long months ago were with them, and they were more than happy to return to their City. Imladris was a wondrous place and their stay had been pleasant; but there is no place like home, and the guards missed their families they had had to leave behind.

Elrond had been sorry that he couldn’t come with them this time, and it was with great sense of wistfulness that he said goodbye to his grandchild and his sons. The departing company knew, though, that the Lord of Imladris was consoled by the loving arms of Lord Glorfindel, and they felt that they could leave Imladris with light hearts. Both Aragorn and Legolas guessed that they would receive an invitation for a bonding ceremony before Samhain.

King Thranduil, who had slowly but surely recovered, had returned to his realm soon after Yule, promising to come and get acquainted with his newest grandchild ere Mid-summer’s day. His promise was received with a warm and loving smile from his son, and the Elf King had felt that it was the sweetest thing he had seen in centuries.

Legolas had changed after their son’s birth, Aragorn mused, as he watched his mate tend to their son. He was calmer now, more serene and quiet. To himself Aragorn admitted that sometimes he missed his fiery and more often than not temperamental mate, but he knew better than to complain. He loved his Legolas no matter what. Also, Elrond had mentioned that this change had something to do with Legolas’ – in lack for better word – maternal instincts and he would most probably return to himself once Eldarion was a bit older. The King smiled fondly as he looked at Legolas playing with their baby. It was almost as Legolas sensed his gaze, for he raised his head meeting Aragorn’s eyes and smiled warmly at his husband and King.

“Come, Aragorn. Little El wants to spend some time with you, also.”

The King of Men was more than happy to fulfil that request.

*~*~*~*~*~*

“Are you asleep?” Legolas whispered near Aragorn’s ear. It was quiet in the tent and all that could be heard was the twins’ light breathing. Legolas had given Eldarion to the twins’ care this night, for he wanted to be with his mate without interruptions. Elrohir had smirked knowingly at their direction when asked to look after the baby but was happy to take care of his little nephew nevertheless.

“Not yet”, Aragorn whispered back, turning to face his beloved in the darkness. He could feel Legolas’ warm breath on his face and soon enough the Elf’s soft lips were pressed against his. Still, after all this time, Aragorn perceived this as a sacred act between the two of them. He slipped his tongue past his husband’s lips into the moist cavern of his mouth and muffled the moan that his actions provoked in his mate. “Quiet, beloved, I would not have everyone wake up and listen to us making love”, he whispered lowly in an amused voice.

“It is not my fault that you are too good with your tongue”, Legolas replied mischievously, nibbling at the Man’s lower lip with his sharp teeth. “What are your plans concerning me, O’ mighty King of Men?” His voice was innocent but his actions were not; Aragorn could feel the Elf’s slender fingers wrap around his rapidly stiffening manhood. This time it was Aragorn’s turn to gasp.

Legolas laughed quietly, kissing the corner of his mouth. “Could it be that the King is unmade by such a simple act? Tut tut, I thought that it would be harder than that.”

“You are much too smart with your tongue, Elf”, Aragorn growled lowly, flipping Legolas over to lie beneath him. “Also, you are not playing fair. No hands are allowed in this game; only tongues, and lips.”

“You are too cruel”, Legolas answered and was silenced for a long while as his lips were claimed once more. The couple was wrapped inside thick blankets; not that Legolas was affected by the cold, but Aragorn was. It was warm and comfortable inside their self-made cocoon, and they were well protected from prying eyes; not that anyone was watching at the moment. The Man and the Elf got rid of their clothing, and sighed in contentment as they pressed their naked bodies together, skin against skin.

Legolas had swiftly regained his slender figure after the birth, and even though he complained that there were stretch marks on the skin of his stomach, Aragorn didn’t notice them; to him Legolas was even more beautiful and more radiant than before. And truth to be told, even if there were some slight stretch marks he couldn’t have cared less. So what if Legolas’ body wasn’t totally perfect anymore? Aragorn didn’t love Legolas for his body alone; he loved him for his mind, heart and soul. Physical appearance was only one part of the Elf that he loved.

“I want you inside me”, the Prince whispered against the King’s lips and felt the corners of his mouth curl upwards into a smile. “It has been too long since you last made love to me, melethron.”

“It has been exactly two days, love”, Aragorn replied smiling, but there was more than just a hint of desire in his voice. He couldn’t help marveling how different it felt to hold Legolas now when there wasn’t a big belly in the way. Sure, the Man had adored the baby belly, but it made matters so much simpler to have it gone. Were it not for their travelling companions he would make love to Legolas all the time, day and night. Aragorn decided that Legolas was right; two days was a long time. “Do you happen to have oil somewhere?”

Legolas’ laughter was slightly muffled due to the fact that he pressed his face against the King’s broad shoulder to keep the others from hearing. “Ever the romantic, Estel? Fine, there is a vial in my breeches. Hurry.”

Aragorn quickly rummaged through their clothing and finally found the small vial. Gently, he prepared his partner to receive his stiff member and only when Legolas could take in three fingers he withdrew them, quickly lathering his cock with the slippery substance. Slowly and smoothly he slid inside the tight heat that was Legolas, moaning lowly at the exquisite feeling. He felt certain that he could do this forever without ever getting tired of it. The Elf’s guardian muscle squeezed his rigid shaft at the base and the Man made an involuntary thrust, making Legolas gasp at the little pinch of pain.

“Slowly, love, you are quite big”, the Elf breathed, worrying his lip between his teeth. “Take your time. We are in no hurry…”

“I am sorry, I didn’t mean to cause you discomfort, dearest”, Aragorn replied gently, smoothing Legolas’ brow with his fingertips.

The couple moved together in the darkness, their mating sweet and gentle; there was no urgency, no haste. There was only the two lovers in the midst of the night, staking their claim on one another, rekindling the flame between them. Lips met, skin was flushed against skin, endearments were whispered into pointed as well as rounded ears. Finally, with a shudder the Elf released his seed between their sweaty bodies, moaning in bliss as the stars behind his eyelids exploded, flooding his senses with exquisite pleasure. It was not long before his mate reached his peak as well, spilling his semen inside Legolas. Their lips met once again, this time in a closed-mouthed kiss. The Man chuckled lowly, resting his forehead against his mate’s.

“My Elven steed is not acting very fierce tonight, it seems, but exquisitely obedient”, he murmured, grinning as he felt Legolas’ lips curl into a smile.

“That is because my master has tamed me to his hand”, Legolas replied in kind, pressing a kiss on Aragorn’s waiting lips.

Suddenly they heard Eldarion starting to cry. The Elf pushed his husband off of him and tried to sit up; his instincts told him to go to his baby and soothe him back to sleep. Aragorn, however, took a hold of his shoulders and stopped him. “El needs me, can’t you hear”, Legolas all but hissed, struggling in Aragorn’s grasp. “Let go of me!”

“Calm down, love. El is in the twins’ care tonight”, the Man said calmly, massaging his partner’s tense shoulders. “Lie down. Elladan and Elrohir will tend to our little boy. He probably wants to feed and is cranky because of that.”

Reluctantly Legolas let Aragorn pull him back to lie on their bed. “But they don’t know that El likes it when you sing to him while he feeds, that he likes hearing someone talking to him”, he whispered urgently. Why didn’t Aragorn understand why it was so important for him to tend to their son himself instead of letting others do it for him? Aragorn didn’t carry Eldarion, I did… My connection to our baby is stronger than Aragorn’s, the Elf thought and wasn’t sure if he should be happy or sad about it.

“We know, Legolas, you have told us that many times”, came Elladan’s voice from the other side of the tent. Eldarion’s crying had ceased and they heard Elrohir murmuring to the baby. “Go to sleep, Legolas. And Aragorn, do not let your mate worry over your son. He is in good care.”

“Did you hear that? ‘Dan and ‘Ro are not totally incompetent with taking care of a child. After all, they took care of me when I was little, and look at me now” the Human said, rearranging Legolas so that the blond’s head rested on his chest.

“That is exactly what I am worried about”, the Elf murmured, but there was a hint of humour in his voice and he giggled when Aragorn growled lowly in his throat.

“Sleep now, beloved. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

*~*~*~*~*~*

Two weeks later, at the borders of Rohan


The company of eight halted when they reached the border of Rohan to admire the scenery. The air was cool and the mens’ cheeks were red where frost had bitten them, and the snow glinted in the wintery sun, making it look like ot was made of diamonds and mithril. Legolas lifted Eldarion so that the baby could see the beautifully formed landscape, telling him about the people who lived there; his friend, Éomer who was also the King, and his sister, Éowyn, the brave shield-maiden of Rohan, who now dwelled in Ithilien with her husband Faramir. Aragorn eyed the plains thoughtfully, his mind occupied with thoughts of the safest and quickest way home.

“Should we visit Edoras?” Elrohir asked, looking at his foster-brother expectantly. “’Tis not often that Elladan and I journey this far south, but if I remember correctly Éomer the Horselord is a good host.”

Aragorn glanced at his Elven brother briefly before taking in the snowy plains of the Riddermark. “I am not sure if Éomer has returned home yet; I left him to the Lady Galadriel’s care in Lórien. I say that we ride to Minas Tirith without delay; the sooner we get home the better. The halls of Meduseld are chilly in winter-time, and while ‘tis of no discomfort to you of Elven kin, it is different with my son and myself. Eldarion may not feel the cold as keenly as I, but he has human blood in him nonetheless and I will not risk his health.”

He didn’t notice it, but Legolas gave him so fond a look that the Peredhel twins blushed. The Elf rode to his husband’s side and smiled at him warmly. “Would you like to take El to ride with you? I think he has grown weary of my voice and my tales.” Aragorn leaned in to have a look at his son who was wrapped in many cloaks and was safely tucked in Legolas’ lap; when the small boy noticed his father looking down at him he gurgled enthusiastically and reached his arms toward him. Aragorn chuckled and nodded.

“Gladly; but only if you promise that you will not check in on us every five minutes”, the Man jested and took his son to sit on his lap. “I think I have many interesting tales to tell to our little El. Perhaps some stories about a certain headstrong Mirkwood Elf and his adventures?”

“Do not dare tell wicked lies about me to our son”, Legolas exclaimed, mock-offended. “I will have you know that I have always acted like a proper Prince and that there is nothing in my past that is worth telling.”

The twins heard Legolas’ exclamation and burst into laughter. “Sure, you tell Eldarion that; he is the only one to believe you. We happen to remember that when you were younger you were quite a troublemaker, young Prince”, Elrohir teased. He grinned as Legolas aimed a glare at him. “You can glare all you like; I am merely telling the truth.”

Elladan smiled vaguely. He also had memories of Legolas’ youth; very fond memories, in fact. It was the young Elf’s recklessness and his enthusiastic view of life that had attracted him then. That had made him fall in love with the Prince. The dark-haired Elf shook his head, feeling stupid. Those days were long gone now, why did the old memories have to come and haunt him? He was happy with Elrohir, his twin and his mate, and he rejoiced in seeing the young Prince in love with Aragorn. But why did he feel sad when he thought about the past?

~He was your first love, gwador. ‘Tis not strange that thinking about it makes you feel wistful.~

Elrohir’s comforting voice filled his mind and the slightly elder Elf smiled in relief as he raised his eyes to meet Elrohir’s gaze. He had believed that his brother would be upset about his line of thoughts, but it seemed that Elrohir understood him and wasn’t angry.

~Nay; I did love Legolas back then, but he was not my first love. You were, brother. As you are my love now.~

There was no judgment between them, only acceptance, understanding, and love. Elladan had never judged his twin for his dalliances when they were young, even if they were many and quite public. They knew each other as well as they knew themselves, and Elladan had understood why his brother had felt the need to find a conquest after another.

~And you are mine. Now, do you not think that we should follow ‘Las and Estel? The guards are giving us odd looks as we just sit here and stare at each other without saying anything.~

Elladan let out a loud laugh at his brother’s words and admitted that Elrohir was right. The men were indeed giving them long looks, probably thinking that there was something strange going on. “Let us follow the King and the Prince”, he uttered aloud, giving a stern nod in the guards’ direction. “They wish to arrive to Gondor as quickly as possible.”

The men nodded in understanding and proceeded to steer their horses on the path left by the Royal couple’s mounts. Legolas and Aragorn were leading the way, Legolas instisting on riding first because Eldarion was in his husband’s lap and the Elf wanted to clear the path for them. “Look how beautiful it is here!” He exclaimed, turning to look at his Man. His eyes shone with mirth, making him look exceptionally beautiful. Breath caught in Aragorn’s throat and he could only nod numbly.

“Yes, very beautiful indeed”, he murmured, admiring Legolas’ beauty and his happy countenance. Eldarion had inherited his beatific blue eyes from his Ada, and sometimes, when the Man was met with two sets of identical sapphire orbs looking at him lovingly, he felt humbled by the love and adoration he felt for them. To think that he had come so close to losing all that because of his own stupidity… No, Aragorn didn’t even want to go there. Everything was fine now; Legolas had forgiven him and they had a healthy and sweet baby boy. They were happy.

“Come here”, he said roughly and cupped Legolas’ cheek with his large palm when the Elf rode back to his side. “I want to kiss you; you look so enchanting when you are like this, carefree and happy.”

A dimple formed on the Elf’s cheek as he smiled at Aragorn’s words. He didn’t say anything but leaned in and gave his lips to his mate. When they parted he was slightly breathless. “My, but the King can kiss. May I enquire what brought this on? Not that I am complaining, mind you. Merely curious.”

“You looked pretty”, Aragorn said unambiguously and tapped Legolas’ nose playfully. They heard Elrohir and Elladan snicker at their antics behind them and for some reason it made him blush. He hadn’t had a habit of being affectionate in public before, but somehow that had changed during the past months. “Are you two trying to imply that I should not kiss my consort in public?” He shouted, turning to look at his brothers who rode behind them. First, of course, he covered Eldarion’s ears with his large palms, knowing that they were almost as sensitive as a full Elf’s ears were.

“Of course not, gwanur”, Elrohir grinned, cutting a quick glance at the other men of the company to see if they were within hearing range. “You go ahead and kiss dear Legolas all you like in front of everybody; I will just take the same liberties with my mate.”

Elladan almost snorted at that but managed to keep himself in check. Legolas hid his smile behind a hand and Aragorn simply stared. What would the people of Minas Tirith think should they see the twins kissing like that in public? It would be scandalous. Aragorn cleared his throat awkwardly. “I think you have made your point, brother”, he admitted grudgingly and turned his back on the half-Elves. Legolas patted his hand comfortingly.

“There there. I am certain we can work something out. Perhaps we could come up with a code for when we are in public and want to get affectionate with each other. For example, whenever one of us says ‘meddling foster-brothers’ the other is to leave what he is doing and follow the other into the nearest linen closet for a kiss and a cuddle.”

“You are making fun of me”, the King finally said, after gawking at his mate for a moment.

“Yes, I am”, Legolas admitted easily and tapped Aragorn’s nose. “You are silly, and I love you.”

Eldarion gurgled in approval from his father’s lap.

“Anyway”, a flustered Aragorn said, “I think we should continue. The sun will set in a few short hours and we have a long way to go before we are home.”

“Home…” Legolas murmured, turning to look at the horizont. That word sobered him instantly. Was Minas Tirith still his home? Would the walls welcome him, would the gardens still feel the same? Legolas couldn’t help remembering how utterly miserable he had felt when he was there last; his heart had been broken and he had believed that it would never heal, that he would never find happiness again. The Elf then looked at his husband who was looking at him with an anxious expression, and then his gaze fell to his child who had already fallen asleep in Aragorn’s arms; and he realised something important.

This time it was different. He was not going to be left alone and ignored; nor was he going to isolate himself from his lover and let some trivial matters drive them apart again. Legolas had learned his lesson, and so had Aragorn. They were not going to ruin it this time.

“Yes, you are right, we should continue”, the Prince replied evenly. “It is a long way, and I am anxious to get back home.”


TBC…

A/N: Thank you for reading, I hope you liked. Please review. :)