Underneath it all

CHAPTER 4 - THE PRINCE OF RIVENDELL

We had been riding all night, and now when the sun sent its first weak rays over the treetops, we were about to reach the boarders of Mirkwood. I had been thinking, trying not to notice the surroundings, but instead keeping my gaze on the horse.
I would ride to Lothlorien, it was nearer, and I greatly needed to see Haldir. I was certain he would be my friend no matter how tense the situation was.

The guards stopped, and dismounted looking up at me. "Here we are Pr... Eh, Legolas," the guard that had given me his bow said. "We are to ride with you no longer."

I nodded, and to my irritation I began to cry again. "I can't begin to thank you for the kindness you have shown me," I whispered.

"Think nothing of it. I will pray the Valar that the King will have a change of heart," he leaned in a whispered so that the other guard would not hear. "May I ask where you will turn?"

I bit my lip and hung my head. "I have friends in the golden wood," I whispered, "I will go there first, if they too should reject me… I cannot tell you." This thought alone was so depressing that I had to pat the horse's mane just to calm myself.

"Good, then I should be on my way Legolas," the guard said, noticing the other guard eyeing him for standing so close to me and spending too much time talking.

"Take care friend," I said softly. I was about to spur my horse, when I suddenly grabbed the guard's tunic, "Pray tell guard of Mirkwood, what is your name?"

"Telin, my name is Telin," the somewhat startled guard said.

"Good name," I answered and let go of the guard. I took a deep breath and gave the guards a farewell gesture. "May the Valar protect you."

"May the Valar protect you," the guards answered in unison, before mounting their horses once more.

I exhaled slowly and spurred the horse on, riding towards Lothlorien in a quick pace. I did not even dare to look back at the only home I had ever known, for seeing the vast forest of Mirkwood disappear behind me would send me into crying once more.

I continued riding for some hours until my stomach began to growl, and then I remembered I had not even been allowed to bring provisions. This would all just have to wait until I reached the golden woods.

My relief was great once I could see the path to Lothlorien, and I estimated I would be there when the sun rose once more. Until then I would be alone out here in no man's land.

Why had I asked that guard what his name was? Who cared? I had never cared before. I had never bothered with the names of my father's guards. I silently sent a prayer to the Valar that my father would not punish Telin for showing kindness towards me. The guard had known the risk he took by even helping me up from the floor. I wondered why he had done it. Why had he willingly brought the risk of my father's wrath upon him? And what about the healer? That poor gentle creature I had pushed him - forced him in there so that I would not face Thranduil alone.

/Of all the selfish acts in the world/

Suddenly a lump formed in his throat. 'I will have to find a way to give the healer a message.'

I had been riding all day, and both the horse and I were exhausted. I decided to rest for some hours. I did not expect to sleep, but to rest my weary body would be welcome. I dismounted and took its reins off, to let it run freely, while I sat down against a large rock and relaxed.

Where indeed would I turn if the lady should reject me? I had but one place to turn to then. My father would be furious, but at this time I imagine he would expect it from me.

/Rivendell/

I would have to go to Imladris, to seek the counsel of Lord Elrond, to crawl in the dirt as a beggar for him to let me in, and help me. I hoped it would not come to this. I knew the healer was rather unpopular at my father's court because he admired Lord Elrond so. But I had to agree with the meek healer, the lord of Imladris was the best healer on the face of Arda, not even my father could change that.

And then there was Elladan.

He had been a brief acquaintance, but perhaps the most odd lover I had ever had. I found myself smiling at the memory of the half-elf. He was a dangerous and skilled fighter, and had a very bad temper. I would have thought him to be a rough and demanding lover. But I was amazed; for on the contrary, Elladan had been the tenderest elf I had ever met. Not only that; but he had not wanted to claim me. Though he had done so, for that is how I had wished it.

I remembered the first time I had seen the elder twin. He had been barging into the camp we had by the Bruinen, telling us to get up and about, for a large group of orcs was heading in our direction, and would reach this camp within the next hour. I had found him capable and handsome. He was a true prince in my eyes. What ever had he thought of me? I was but a toy, a stupid young elf that had went along with the game.

-*Flashback*_

"Are they all dead?" I asked wiping some of the vile beasts blood from my forehead.

"I believe so," the dark prince from Rivendell answered and smiled at me.

I stepped up next to him, feeling awfully little and frail beside his larger frame, something he must have had inherited from his mortal ancestors. "Thank you for warning us."

The half-elf smiled. "Even though you are Mirkwood elves, you should not be slain in your sleep by orcs."

"I thank you non the less," I said and plucked out an arrow from an orc carcass. "Tell me, our Rivendell saviour; I know you are Lord Elrond's son, I can see that much, but which one?"

"I am Elladan," the dark haired elf said and chuckled, "and who are you?"

"I am Legolas, son of Thranduil," I said and tried to look dignified.

"I finally meet you. I have heard much of you. Haldir has had some nice things to say concerning the fair prince of Mirkwood," Elladan smirked.

I blushed, much against my will, and just hoped that the dark would cover my face. "I have lots of praises for Haldir as well."

"I bet," the half elf snickered, "come, prince of Mirkwood, allow me to offer you some wine we brought with us from Imladris."

"Thank you kindly," I said and followed Elladan over to his horse, where he picked up a bottle from the saddlebag. "Do you have glasses around here," he asked, "or do we drink of the bottle?"

I laughed, "We drink from the bottle my friend, we might be elves, but we are not that vein as to bring goblets on a border patrol."

Elladan chuckled, "So be it. You *do* have a tent do you not? Or shall we try and relax in the midst of all these dead bodies?"

"I have a tent," I said smiling and gestured for him to follow, "here Prince Elladan."

Elladan walked inside and slumped down with his back against my cot. "What a lovely tent you have," he said and let his eyes roam the inside of my temporary shelter.

"Thank you. My father tends to be a bit overprotective, so I get to have a tent," I laughed.

"It is not the worst thing to have out here," he smiled and patted the ground next to him, "come, sit." He began to open the wine bottle, and looked up at me. "Haldir said you have a wonderful voice for singing. Will you sing for me now prince Legolas?" he asked.

This time when I blushed there was no darkness here to hide me. "But of course Prince Elladan," I said and gracefully sat down next to him.

And so I sang, and we drank some of the dark potent wine from Imladris. After some time, Elladan suddenly turned his head and gently took a hold of my chin. "Here is to our victory," he whispered huskily before kissing me. When he broke off the kiss I could feel my pulse race, and my body ache for more, more of what I had just tasted.

I began to undo Elladan's armour, and the light breastplate fell to the ground with a soft thud. "This is the benefit of having my own tent," I whispered and let my hands run down Elladan's chest, which was only clothed in a thin tunic. I could feel every curve and every muscle underneath.

He leaned in to kiss me once more, a tender but demanding kiss, and his hand came to rest on the nape of my neck "I should be leaving," he whispered.

"And yet you are not," I whispered back, and began to remove his tunic, wanting to touch that soft skin.

"No I am not," he whispered and suddenly leaned in to playfully suckle on my earlobe.

I had never suspected such tenderness or playfulness from this esteemed warrior. This tenderness echoed in my own touches as I explored Elladan's chest, neck and back with my hands.

Then Elladan suddenly stood up on his feet dragging me along with him. Once there, he skilfully removed my clothes from my torso. I wrapped my arms around him and sucked in a sharp breath of air as I felt his warm skin against mine. He turned with me in his arms and gently placed me on the cot.

I looked up, and saw only lust and compassion in his eyes. Elladan was truly an enigma. He smiled and removed my boots, before he began to unlace my leggings. I lifted my behind so they would slide off easier, and once I lay there naked, I felt the half-elf's eyes wander over my entire body. "You are truly beautiful," he whispered and kicked off his boots in order to remove his own leggings.

I wrapped my arms under my head, and looked at the naked elf standing in front of me. He looked exactly as I had expected. He was large, smooth, flawless, and broader than an average elf. Though he was made of a rougher build, he still had the long limbs of an elven male. He was amazing, the perfect blend. "I dare say, you are the beautiful one," I whispered.

He laid down next to me and let his hand run over my stomach, "Then have me," he whispered, looking up at me.

"No," I whispered back, and kishim him gently. I pushed him to his back, following the move myself to roll on top of him. "We will do this my way."

He looked on me, his large grey eyes were filled with expectation, and he let his hands run down my sides before finally resting them at my hips. "Then who am I to object," he said softly and bit his lip.

This was an irresistible gesture, and I leaned over to kiss him. I moved up so that I ended up straddling him. I could feel his erection react against my skin. His hands moved down lower to massage my buttocks, and I raised my hips as an invitation. He immediately took it, gently running his fingertips over my opening.

I heard myself moan in his mouth as he slowly began to prepare me for what was to come. Elladan seemed to enjoy this task too, for his breathing began to increase in speed.

When I felt his fingers leave, they were quickly replaced by something larger, smoother, and harder. I tilted my hips again, so that I could slowly impale myself. The sensation of the first penetration was so precious that I wanted it to last for as long as possible. I opened my eyes and looked at the elf beneath me. A fine layer of sweat was forming on his upper lip, and he had closed his beautiful eyes, giving himself to this sensation.

When I impaled myself completely I stopped and felt the tingling sensation throughout my entire body. When I began to move, it tore the sweetest little soft moan from deep within Elladan. I started to move by instinct, determined to pleasure both of us as much as possible.

Elladan began to thrust back, then tensing, and clawing at the covers. When I opened my eyes he looked as though he were in pain. "What is wrong?" I whispered and purred as his erection stoked that delicious spot inside me.

"I…I..." he panted, and then clenched his fists around the covers, tensing so much that the veins in his neck stood out. "You haven't… I cannot."

Then I realized what he meant, and I leaned over and kissed his lower lip gently. "Just let go, it is alright."

I had barely said those words before the thrusts from Elladan became quick and his body seemed to spasm as he released himself inside me. Upon seeing his abandonment I felt myself come undone, and my world narrowed down to just one sensation, until it filled all of my body and soul.

When I opened my eyes again, I looked down at Elladan who was gazing up at me with a sweet smile on his face. I gently got off him and laid down once more, cuddling up to the large frame.

"Thank you," he whispered, "I will never again say that Mirkwood elves are inhospitable."

I chuckled and kissed his shoulder gently "And I will never again say that Imladris elves are incapable of learning."

Elladan laughed softly and kissed my nose. "I am afraid I will have to leave now."

"Yes," I said and kissed the half-elf one last time, before letting go of him. "You should return to your camp before your patrol party believes you dead."

Elladan nodded and sat up, wiping off my semen with the bed linen. He averted my eyes a bit shyly as he began to dress. When he finally clasped the buckles on the breastplate, he managed a smile before he picked up the half empty bottle of wine. He looked at me once more and leaned in to kiss me passionately. "Goodbye and fare well, fair prince of Mirkwood," he said through a smile.

"Take care, prince Elladan of Imladris," I wrapped the sticky linen around me, feeling terribly naked now.

He nodded and quickly swept out the tent.

-*End of flashback*-

This had been the first and last time I had seen Elladan, son of Elrond Halfelven. The memory still filled me with a soft sensation, but for some strange reason, also the feeling of being used for a purpose. Would Elladan have kissed me, had I not been a prince of Mirkwood? Would he kiss me now that I was no longer of my father's house?

I watched the sun set once more, and decided it was time to move on. I wanted to reach Lothlorien as quickly as possible.

I stood up and gathered the bow with its arrows from the ground. I whistled once, and after a moment I heard the thundering of hooves and the little black horse was coming up the little hill to greet me.

"Come friend, let us get this journey over with," I said and the horse bobbed its head, as if it understood my need for haste. I chuckled and laid the rein back on its head before swinging myself up on its back. I hoped the rest of the way would be equally eventless.

I longed for Haldir. I longed to sit in the open of his talan, speaking of nothing important, drinking hot tea with relaxing herbs in it, and perhaps honey too. I longed for a friend.

At sunrise, I told myself, at sunrise.

Elvish;
(Telin - 'I have come' - here used as a name)

-tbc-

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- This is beated by Steph. hugs to you my internet saviour :)
I want feedback - as always *smiles*


Az.