Mending a Heart and the Tie that Binds

A/N: Thanks so much to my betas, Chan and Uilani. You are terrific.


Chapter 4: Celebration


Nighttime fell in Rivendell, casting a veil of darkness over the realm.

Attendants rushed about the garden adjacent to the m, pu, putting the finishing touch on the decorations and preparing themselves to greet the guests that would soon be arriving.

Lord Elrond was the first to arrive and smiled upon entering the garden gate; Arwen had outdone herself. Large tables occupied one corner of the garden, bedecked with platters upon platters of roasted meats, fresh vegetables and baked bread. The other tables boasted of sweet cakes, cream pies and other delicacies that would surely make the visitors’ mouths water.

Empty tables were scattered throughout the garden adorned with white tablecloths and ornate plates, goblets and eating utensils. And upon the center of each table sat a large illuminated candle that cast an ethereal glow across the eating area. Even the chairs looked stunning, outfitted with pale ribbon that was threaded through the intricate woodwork on the back of each chair.

The trees bore the same ribbon as the chairs, which were somehow laced through the branches but still managed to hang down like a glorious web of tendrils. They swayed hauntingly in the wind, beckoning the guests that were now arriving.

Elrond looked up at the sky and was grateful that the moon was full this night, as it assisted in illuminated the garden even more, shining it’s effervescent light upon the grounds.

Several musicians arrived and began playing a soft, rhythmic melody that wooed the senses and enchanted the mind. The ethereal melody perfectly mirrored the beauty of the garden.

As the guests arrived, Elrond greeted them warmly even though his mind was preoccupied. He couldn’t help but to wonder where Thranduil was. He tried to push these thoughts from his mind, to argue within himself that his interest in the king’s whereabouts was based purely on curiosity. But he knew that he was lying to himself.

Whenever he saw Thranduil, he could feel his body ache with desire and yet his yearning felt like a betrayal somehow. When Areen dithe the King of Mirkwood was made free of his martial commitment, but was he truly liberated from his commitment to Celebrían? When she left for the Undying Lands, she renounced their marital bonds, giving Elrond her permission to love another. But the lord wondered what would happen when he set his eyes upon the fair-haired beauty that had once been his wife. For unlike Areen, Celebrían was very much alive and Elrond hoped to journey to Valinor one day; he would see Celebrían again. What would that mean if his heart and body were committed to someone else?

“Father? Father, are you alright?”

Elrond was startled to see all three of his children staring at him, looks of concern etched across their faces.

“I am sorry, I was… lost in thought,” Elrond stammered. “I am well. Arwen, the garden looks magnificent; you did a wonderful job with the decorations.”

“Thank you,” Arwen said, smiling.

“Good evening,” Ellaria said politely as she approached, avoiding Elrohir’s eyes.

“Good evening,” Elrond, Elladan and Arwen chorused.

“Hello, Ellaria,” Elrohir said softly, unable to hide the hurt in his voice.

“Hello, Elrohir.”

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Ellaria said, meeting Elrohir’s eyes and smiling faintly.

“May I sit with you this night?”

Ellaria hesitated and nodded slowly. “Of course.”

Elrohir offered his arm to the she-elf, and guided her into the garden.

“Good evening, all,” Celeborn said as he entered the garden. “How are you this night?”

“Very well,” Elrond replied.

“Hello, Grandfather,” Arwen said, hugging the elder. “You look very handsome.”

“Thank you,” Celeborn said. “And you look very beautiful, yourself. I will have to keep a close watch on you this night in the hope that I may frighten off potential suitors.”

“Grandfather!” Arwen exclaimed playfully.

“Arwen!” Zera called. “I have been looking for you. Mander saved us a seat, come quickly.”

“Alright,” Arwen said cheerfully.

“Oh, begging you pardon, sirs,” Zera muttered, bowing politely. “Good evening Lords Celeborn and Elrond. Hello, Elladan.”

“Good evening to you, Zera,” Elrond said. “That is a fetching gown that you are wearing.”

“Thank you.”

“Zera, let us away before we lose our seats,” Arwen said. “Goodbye Father, Grandfather.”

“Have a good time tonight,” Celeborn instructed as the females departed. He smiled and placed his hand on the shoulder of his eldest grandchild. “Hello, Elladan. Elladan?”

Elladan scanned the garden thoroughly, searching every face; he was looking for Legolas.

“Elladan?”

“Huh? What? Did someone call my name?” Elladan asked, confused, looking from his father to his grandfather.

“I only wanted to bid you good tidings,” Celeborn said.

“Oh,” Elladan remarked, barely paying attention to his kindred as he allowed his eyes to sweep across the grounds once more. He looked at his grandfather and smiled faintly and then felt his jaw drop when Legolas rounded the corner.

Legolas looked simply beautiful; his hair was fashioned in the way of Mirkwood warriors and looked luminous in the pale moonlight. His deep blue tunic mirrored the hues of his eyes and his handsome face made everyone else look repulsive by comparison.

“Good evening, Lord Elrond,” Dace and Makail said in unison.

Elladan tore his eyes away from Legolas for a moment in shock. He hadn’t even realized that the youngest prince’s brothers had accompanied him through the entrance of the garden gate.

“Hello, Prince Makail and Prince Dace,” Elrond said, bowing. “Allow me to introduce Lord Celeborn of Lothlórien. Celeborn this is Prince Makail, Thranduil’s’ second-born son and Prince Dace, the king’s third-born son. I regret that you will not get to meet Prince Joren, the crown prince. He is acting as the King of Mirkwood while his father is here.”

“It is a pleasure to meet both of you,” Celeborn said, bowing.

“And you,” Makail said as he and Dace bowed. “Legolas spoke very highly of the Golden Wood. Perhaps, with your permission, we could venture there someday.”

“It would be an honor,” Celeborn said, bowing again.

Legolas, ignoring the conversation around him, looked Elladan up and down, admiring the way his grey tunic and charcoal colored leggings clung to his body. “Good evening, Elladan,” Legolas said softly, unable to hide the huskiness in his voice.

“Good evening,” Elladan whispered, suddenly incapable of speaking any louder.

“Prince Legolas, it is very good to see you again,” Celeborn said, smiling.

“Yes, ‘tis a pleasure to see you, too,” Legolas said, bowing. “Hello Lord Elrond.”

“Hello,” Elrond said, placing his hand affectionately on the prince’s shoulder. “You have been sorely missed.”

“Thank you,” Legolas said.

“Um… good… good evening, Prince Dace,” a tiny voice said.

“Tialise,” Dace said, smiling brightly. He bowed deeply to the young she-elf and stared at her in adoration. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you,” Tialise said, blushing furiously.

“May I show you to a table, Milady?” Dace asked politely.

“Yes,” Tialise replied, nodding shyly.

Dace grasped Tialise’s hand gently and led her into the garden.

Makail watched his younger brother depart and frowned.

“Oh, hello Glorfindel,” Elrond said, smiling at his old friend.

“Hello, Elrond. Greetings, Lord Celeborn. It is nice to see you once again.” Glorfindel bowed deeply to the Lórien ruler.

“Such formality is not necessary,” Celeborn said, placing his hand on Glorfindel’s shoulder. “You are of noble blood and are the oldest, and wisest elf I know. Your long years surpass mine and Galadriel’s.”

“That is true,” Glorfindel remarked pensively, “but I do not govern a realm. You deserve to be treated like a ruler.”

“Nay,” Corn orn said, smiling. “I deserve and desire to be treated like your friend.”

Glorfindel nodded and smiled.

“Good evening, Lords,” Haldir and his brothers chorused bowing to Celeborn and Elrond.

“Good evening,” the lords said.

“Hello, Glorfindel,” Haldir said enthusiastically. “’Tis a lovely night.”

Elladan furrowed his brow at the excited tone of Haldir’s voice and smiled faintly. He wondered about the nature of the chief marchwarden’s eagerness.

“Aye,” Glorfl rel remarked, without looking at Haldir. “The feast will be starting soon. Shall I get a table for we elder elves?”

“That is a good idea,” Elrond said.

Glorfindel nodded and looked at Makail. “Prince Makail, with whom are you dinning this evening?”

“I am alone,” Makail said, unable to hide the sullen tone of his voice.

“Nay,” Glorfindel said. “Come and dine with us.”

“Very well,” Makail said, following Glorfindel to a table in the distance.

Haldir frowned and Elladan tried not to laugh; it would seem that the usually stoic marchwarden from Lórien was smitten with the oldest elf in Middle-earth.

“Elladan?” Legolas whispered. “Let us dine quickly so that we can partake of **dessert**.”

Elladan smiled and led the prince to the table where Dace and Tialise were sitting.

Haldir and his brothers followed Elladan and Legolas, deciding to join them at their table.

Elrond walked behind Glorfindel, Celeborn and Makail and found himself searching the large crowd of elves for the king. Suddenly, Elrond found his attention drawn to the entranceway of the garden when silence crept over the realm; King Thranduil had arrived.

The king was the most beautiful elf at the partherthere was no question in anyone’s mind of this. His golden hair was worn differently this night. Instead of the three-braided style that was commonplace among the Woodland elves, Thranduil had adopted a new style. His hair was worn exc except that the sides were pulled back into a single plait and tendrils of loose hair framed his face. His under tunic was as silver as the stars above and his over tunic was as black as the sky. His leggings perfectly matched his over tunic and made his already muscular frame seem even more sculpted. The rays of the moon shone upon him almost magically, making him look more like one of the Valar instead of a king.

Elrond stood abruptly, willing himself to walk steadily. He could feel everyone’s eyes upon him as he approached the king.

Thranduil looked at the garden and smiled at the beautiful décor, but nothing could have prepared him for the most striking decoration at the feast – Elrond. He tried to ignore the pounding of his heart when the Lord of Rivendell approached.

“Good evening, King Thranduil,” Elrond said.

“Good evening, Lord Elrond. May I join you?”

“Of course.”
anduanduil followed Elrond to the table that housed Glorfindel, Makail and another elf of seemingly noble birth. He wondered if this was the Lord of Lothlórien.

“King Thranduil, may I present to you Lord Celeborn of Lórien. Lord Celeborn, this is King Thranduil of Mirkwood,” Elrond said politely.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Celeborn said, rising to his feet and bowing.

“The pleasure is mine, Lord Celeborn,” Thranduil said, bowing. “My son, Legolas, spoke very highly of you and of the generous hospitality that you, and the Lady of Lórien, bestowed upon him while he was in the Golden Wood.”

“It was our pleasure,” Celeborn said sincerely. “Prince Legolas is a fine, young prince and an admirable ambassador… not to mention the fact that he is promised to my eldest grandson; he is welcome anytime he chooses. And that invitation is not restricted to your youngest son. You and your other children are invited as well.”

“I am honored,” Thranduil said, bowing again.

Celeborn waited until the king had been seated before sitting down. He watched Thranduil carefully, admiring the way in which he carried himself; the king was calm, refined and possessed a charisma that made him difficult to ignore.

In no time, polite conversation began at the royal table and Makail felt his spirits rise. In the midst of such honorable elves, he found it difficult not to take pleasure in hearing about the goings on in Lórien and Rivendell. He especially appreciated the way that Glorfindel and Celeborn kept him involved in the conversation by asking for his opinion on various topics. He couldn’t help but notice, however, the way his father kept looking at Lord Elrond and wondered about the origin of strange tension between them.

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“Makail!” Dace hissed, motioning to his older brother. “Makail, come hither.”

Makail smiled politely and nodded at various guests as he made his way through the crowd.

Dinner had already been served and hordes of elves were making their way to the dessert table. Others were discussing the upcoming competition, and some desperately tried to decide whom the handsome elf in black was.

“What is it?” Makail asked, annoyed.

“Why are you so cross?” Legolas asked, furrowing his brow. “Has Elladan’s fell mood taken hold of you, too?”

“Hey!” Elladan exclaimed, shovingolagolas playfully.

“I just wondered why you did not sit with us,” Dace said. “There is a seat here if you would like to join us.”

“No thank you,” Makail responded. “I am very much enjoying myself.”

“Indeed?” Dace asked in shock.

“Aye,” Makail said. “And why is that so hard to believe? I am in the presence of some very interesting company.”

“Like who?” Elladan asked. “You are in the presence of the most elderly and most boring elves in all three realms… with the exception of King Thranduil, of course,” he said looking at Legolas quickly, making sure not to insult the king.

Elrohir chuckled and nodded in agreement.

“I concur, there is nothing dull about the king,” Orophin said as he, Rúmil and Haldir joined the small group. “He is one of the most beautiful elves that I have ever seen.”

“Aye,” Elladan said, looking in Thranduil’s direction, “he is very handsome. But methinks that Legolas is fairer than his father.”

Legolas stared at Elladan, who was still looking in the king’s direction, surprised that the Rivendell elf would make such an admission in t oft of their peers. His surprise, however, did not stop him from smiling with appreciation at the compliment.

“I do not see what they mean, do you Dace?” Makail asked his younger brother.

“Of course I do! I have been told that I look very much like Father. I never really believed it until this very moment,” Dace remarked.

Everyone present laughed.

“Look!” Elladan said, pointing at the king. “It would seem that we are not the only ones who admire King Thranduil’s beauty.”

Legolas looked at his father, unsure of what Elladan was speaking; he didn’t notice anything odd. His father was standing before the desert table, eyeing each pastry carefully when Ulan approached. Legolas gasped. “Oh no. Nay, this is not good.”

“Why not?” Dace asked. “Who is that?”

“You do not want to know,” Legolas said, watching in horror.

“He is a simpleton,” Elladan said, grinning. “And I cannot wait to see what the king is going to do to him. I wonder if he will let us watch if he decides to kill Ulan?”

Legolas, Elrohir and the elves from Lórien laughed, while Makail and Dace looked on curiously.

“Ulan is from our realm,” Rúmil explained to Dace and Makail, “and prefers the art of making love to the art of making war. He is an agreeable fellow, once you get to know him, but has a penchant for being a bit vulgar upon meeting new and attractive elves.”

“Come, let’s get closer,” Elladan said, moving forward.

“Nay,” Legolas said, shaking his head. “Father will not be amused by Ulan’s forwardness. Their altercation will be unpleasant and I do not want Father to see me lurking around in the shadows.”

“Nor do I,” Dace agreed.

“You go, if you wish,” Makail said, “but we are going to stay here. If Father caught us, the punishment would be severe and swift. We want nothing to do with this folly.”

“It is your loss,” Elladan said. “This will be the jest of the millennia. Elrohir, Haldir, Rúmil, Orophin, are you coming?”

“Nay,” Haldir said, “I do not wish to anger the king. Go on without me.”

“Weakling,” Elladan said. “Orophin, Rúmil, Elrohir are you coming?”

“Aye,” the three elves chorused.

Walking casually toward the king, the four elves stopped, pretending to inspect a tree that was only a few feet from Thranduil and the elf from Lórien.

“Hello, Handsome,” Ulan said, looking Thranduil up and down without shame. “You must be one of King Thranduil’s sons. I am Ulan… the… the head marchwarden of Lothlórien.”

Rúmil and Orophin exchanged disbelieving looks while Elladan and Elrohir tried to stifle their laughter.

“I must say that you certainly know how to make an entrance. You are one of the most attractive elves that I have ever seen,” Ulan commented. “Your brother, Legolas, is very fair as well, but his temperament could use some refining.”

“Is that a fact?” Thranduil asked, looking at Ulan carefully.

“Aye,” Ulan said, nodding. “But I can tell that you are older than he, because your bearing is more like the king’s. You know that Thrandy and I have known one another for many years.”

Thranduil raised his eyebrows in shock while Elladan, Elrohir, Rúmil and Orophin chuckled softly in the distance.

“Poor Thrandy,” Ulan said, shaking his head slowly. “I am certain that the loss of the queen must have been devastating. It must have nearly broken his heart and yours, too. But do not fret, fair prince, I can help you. Times like these call for nurturing and tenderness. I can provide you with both.”

Thranduil exhaled audibly and folded his arms across his chest.

“Do not fret, I will be gentle… at first,” Ulan said, completely ignoring the expression of disgust on the king’s face.

“And, regarding your father, I will make sure that my old friend does not escape me unaided,” Ulan continued. “He needs a strong elf to tend to his carnal desires, someone who is not afraid to touch his loins…”

“Thranduil,” Elrond said, interrupting Ulan as he approached.

“Yes, Elrond.”

Ulan’s jaw dropped and Elladan buried his face on Elrohir’s shoulder, unable to stifle his laughter any longer.

Elrohir covered his mouth with his hand, desperately trying to hide his mirth.

Rúmil punched Orophin’s shoulder when he laughed loudly, even though he was chuckling softly, himself.

“Begging your pardon for the interruption, but I would like to present you and Celeborn to the assembly.”

“I will be there in a moment,” Thranduil said sweetly, waiting for the Lord of Rivendell to depart. As soon as Elrond was out of sight, the king rounded on Ulan. “What would you like to do to my loins?”

“Uh… you… you are… uh… the king?” Ulan stammered.

“You should know,” Thranduil said, glaring at Ulan. “After all, according to you, we are very dear friends.”

“Oh, Sire,” Ulan said, chuckling nervously, “I was only jesting. You see I am the Lórien jester.”

“Indeed?” Thranduil said in mock surprise. “You must be very busy then, since you are also the chief marchwarden of Lothlórien as well.”

“I… I… uh…” Ulan stammered.

“There is no need to try to think of more falsehoods,” Thranduil said simply, “for you have only told me one truth this night. You are most certainly the jester of Lórien as only a fool would dare speak to me the way you have.”

“Sire, Sire… I…” Ulan pleaded.

“Ulan, please spare yourself more humiliation by keeping your mouth shut,” Thranduil snapped. “I am going to walk far away from you now in the hope that our paths do not cross again.” With that, the king stalked away, making sure tare are at Elladan and his comrades as he strode toward Elrond and Celeborn.

“Oh no,” Elrohir hissed, elbowing his twin. “The king is looking at us.”

Elladan looked up and stopped laughing at once, as did Rúmil and Orophin. They watched the king with fright until he stood next to Elrond before the large crowd of elves.

“May I have your attention please,” Elrond said loudly. “If you would all take a seat, I would like to introduce you to some of our distinguished guests.

Elladan and his friends rushed over to their table and sat down.

“Where is Makail?” Elrohir asked looking arou
“
“He went back to his table,” Dace replied. “Sas tas the jest worthwhile?”

“Aye,” Elladan said, “until the king saw us.”

“Father saw you?” Legolas asked, dismayed.

“Aye,” Elladan said, crestfallen. “And he did not seem amused.

“Elladan,” Legolas said in annoyance, shaking his head.

“Thank you,” Elrond said when everyone had taken their seats. “Au alu already know, I am Elrond, Lord of Rivendell and I am honored that all of you are here. I am sure you are well aware of the fact that a common foe has brought us together, and that enemy is the orc. The monsters have been a plague upon this land… a nightmare that we cannot awaken from. And each realm has felt their evil as we have lost loved ones because of their abhorrence for anything that is good.”

Elladan and Elrohir looked at one another across the table.

Legolas watched them curiously.

The twins didn’t speak; they just stared at one another as if they were communicating in some sort of voiceless language. Nodding slowly, they turned their attention back to their father.

“But, through this loss, our realms have come together, not in hatred, but in friendship,” Elrond explained. “This competition has not been put in place to demonstrate which realm is better. Its purpose is to allow us to become familiar with one another and can be something that we can discuss for years to come.”

Thranduil smiled faintly at Elrond’s words in silensappsapproval of his last statement. The competition was not what brought the elves together.

“Now, I would like to present Lord Celeborn,” Elrond said, motioning to his right. “Many elves from Rivendell have met the leader of the Go Woo Wood as he has come here on many occasions. However, for those of you who do not know him, I encourage you to introducerselrselves. He has a wealth of knowledge and a kindness that surpasses many. I am certain that he would be delighted to make your acquaintance.”

The crowd applauded politely while Celeborn smiled.

“To my left is an elf that few in this realm have met,” Elrond began, looking at Thranduil. “This is King Thranduil, ruler of Mirkwood.”

The crowd began to whisper anxiously and look at one another in either surprise or confirmation.
“For many millennia, the Woodland Realm has been alienated from both Rivendell and Lórien, but no longer,” Elrond said warmly. “New alliances have been formed and misunderstandings eradicated. Let us welcome the king and three of his four sons who are here, as well as all of our guests from distant realms. Eat, drink and be merry this night and most importantly enjoy one another’s company. For times such as these call for great celebration.”

The crowd clapped loudly.

Elrond bowed graciously and began to walk among the people, the musicians began to play an upbeat score and hordes of elves rushed up to where the king was still standing.

Females knelt before Thranduil’s feet, presenting their unwed daughters, while widowed dames explained that they needed the love of a strong and noble warrior. The king smiled politely and bowed, barely able to speak as more and more elves pressed toward him. He couldn’t breathe; the crowd was swallowing him whole.

“Step aside at once!”

nduinduil heard a voice, commanding the elves to move.

The king could see a mass of elves walking toward him.

Glorfindel, Haldir, Mander, Zera and Swain were pushing their way through the crowd. Each elf was on the border patrol of one of the three realms and knew how to look extremely intimidating if need be.

“Are you alright, Sire?” Swain asked with concern.

“Aye,” Thranduil said. “Swain, if you could keep the host at bay, I will take my leave now.”

“As you wish, your highness,” Swain said, tng tng to the crowd and shouting commands to them.

Thranduil used this distractio esc escape over the barrier that enclosed the garden. Without looking back, he made his way to a large tree behind the manor and pressed his back against it. He could still hear the roar of the crowd in the distance.

“You certainly know how to disrupt a party,” Elrond said, coming into view.

“It is your fault,” Thranduil said coolly, without moving from his position. “After all, it was you who said ‘let us welcome the king.’ It would seem that you are a very persuasive leader, as your people are most anxious to follow your commands. Now, every unmarried elf in your realm has set their sights on me.”

“And how is my speech to blame?” Elrond asked, standing before the king. “If my memory serves me correctly, I recall that it has always been this way for you. When I went to Mirkwood to learn the art of healing, females came from near and far to court the son of Oropher, Crown Prince Thranduil. You should be used to this by now.”

Thranduil gave Elrond an exasperated look and sighed. “You never get used to it. And do not forget that I have been married for many millennia. I was harassed no longer once I was wed to Areen. But now thhe ihe is gone… I suppose the title of queen is very appealing to some.”

“At least you have beautiful females throwing themselves at your feet, begging to be with you,” Elrond s “I “I am the ruler of this realm and can count the offers that I have received on one hand.”

“That is surprising,” Thranduil said, “as I find you to be…”

“What?” Elrond asked when the king hesitated.

“Nothing,” Thranduil said quickly, scolding himself for speaking too quickly. He reminded himself that if he chose to flirt with the Lord of Rivendell that their friendship could be lost. He would just have to learn to bite his tongue in the future.

“Nay, tell me,” Elrond said, moving even closer to the king.

“Well…” Thranduil began, trying to think of something to say. “Perhaps you get less offers than I because yours are sincere. Females only desire me because I am a king. They do not want to marry me; they are only impressed with my title. I am simply a way to acquire notoriety,” he said a bit sadly.

“That is not true,” Elrond said, touching Thranduil’s shoulder. “You perfperfect in every way. I can only hope to possess half of your charm, your power and your fairness of face. When in your presence, one feels as though he has looked upon the Valar. Perhaps, your title is attractive… but I would imagine that to be loved by one such as you would be a special gift indeed.”

Thranduil closed his eyes, allowing the weight of Elrond’s hand to penetrate his senses; he wished that he could freeze time and embrace the moment forever. Opening his eyes slowly, he looked at the lord in dismay. “If I have the love of one thousand elves, and their adoration is true then I would be considered lucky by most. But if I do not love any of them… what difference does it make? If my heart is bound to one elf, and he… or she… does not share my affection, then I am not as fortunate as it would seem.”

“You are right. But I do not believe that will be your fate. You will love and be loved again.” Elrond removed his hand from the king’s shoulder and smiled. “Well, I must away. Glorfindel and the others are probably looking for me.”

“Yes,” Thranduil said, nodding. “I shall see you tomorrow.”

“Aye,” Elrond said, bowing. The lord walked away, heading for the feast.

The King of Mirkwood was left alone. Thranduil watched Elrond as he walked away. *You are wrong, Elrond. It is my fate to never have the one I love. For my heart belongs to you.*

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The confusion that surrounded the king had ceased. Now the elves were chatting merrily among one another while others took te cee center of the garden to dance.

“Do you thihat hat your father is alright?” Elladan asked Legolas with concern.

“Aye, I am sure he is fine.”

“I have never seen anything quite like that,” Elladan said, dismayed.

“Nor have I,” Legolas admitted.

“Legolas… I…” Elladan stammered.

“Aye?”

“May we go somewhere alone? I wish to speak to you.”

“Alright,” Legolas replied.

Elladan grasped the prince’s hand and led him out of the garden. In no time at all, they were heading into the entrance hall of the manor. Guiding Legolas up the stairs, Elladan escorted the prince to their bedchamber.

Legolas smiled upon entering the room, it felt so familiar. He studied the large bed, the dresser and then the large terrace door.

Elladan was standing in the doorway of the terrace; the light of the moon outlined his frame. He allowed the night air to caress his face as he listened to the haunting melody and the distant chatter from the ongoing celebration. Without turning to face the prince, he spoke. “I apologize for my unpleasant disposition earlier today. I wish that I could explain.”

“There is no need,” Legolas said gently. “Sometimes when I awaken in the morn I am irritable; it is normal.”

Elladan sighed and continued to stare out into the night. “Legolas… may… may I be candid?”

“Of course,” the prince responded, a bit taken aback by the serious tone of Elladan’s voice.

“I feel… that I do not know you,” Elladan began slowly. “You have changed so much since your time here.”

“I have?” Legolas asked, approaching Elladan.

“When you were here before, you were akin to a wounded animal. You needed constant care. And even when you went back to Mirkwood, your heart was very fragile; it still needed to be handled very gently. Now… now… you so… so… so…”

“So?” Legolas asked, standing behind Elladan.

“So much better,” Elladan said, still looking straight ahead. “You do not need me now. And perhaps… you will discover… that you no longer want me.”

“How could you say such a thing?” Legolas asked, placing his hand on Elladan’s shoulder. The prince stepped in front of the Rivendell elf and stared into his eyes. “How long have you felt this way?”

“Since I saw you in Lothlórien,” Elladan admitted. “It was that, more than anything else, that kept me from you while we were in the Golden Wood. I… I just had to be sure…”

“Sure of what?”

“That you really want to be with me. That you… that you really care for me.”

“I love you. That will never change,” Legolas said, never releasing Elladan’s gaze.

“Can you promise that to me?” Elladan asked.

“I already have,” the prince responded, touching Elladan’s chest and gently fingering the engagement gift that he had given to the warrior a few months before.

Elladan smiled faintly.

“You seem so sad,” Legolas said, stroking Elladan’s cheek gently.

“My mind is muddled with various thoughts,” Elladan explained.am fam fine.”

Legolas nodded, even though he knew that his lover wasn’t telling him the truth.

A beautiful melody began to play in the background, sweeping through the bedchamber.

“May I dance with you?” Legolas asked.

Elladan smiled sincerely. “Aye.”

The prince pulled Elladan into a tight embrace and moved slowly to the haunting sound of the music.

Elladan’s eyes were closed. He allowed the prince to guide him around the dance floor. He could feel Legolasdy mdy moving against his and gasped when the prince’s lips brushed against his. Elladan opened his eyes, slowly, as if awakening from a dream.

“May I show you?” Legolas whispered, gazing into the depths of Elladan’s eyes.

“Show me what?” Elladan asked, perplexed.

“How much I love you,” Legolas said, unable to hide the lust in his voice.

Elladan smiled and nodded. He looked toward the terrace when he heard applause emanating from outside and then looked at the prince whenew sew song began.

Legolas extended his hand.

Elladan took the prince’s hand and they began to dance again slowly.

Legolas pulled Elladan close, brushing his lips across the dark-haired warrior’s ear. “I want you,” he whispered.

Elladan let his eyes slip closed and gasped when Legolas began to lick the tip of his ear languidly.

They moved across the bedchamber slowly, still dancing in perfect rhythm to the enchanting melody.

Legolas wanted to ravish Elladan now. He brushed his lips against his lover’s slowly; his body was trembling with desire.

Elladan couldn’t breathe; all he could do was feel. His heart was pounding in his chest and his body yearned for the prince’s touch.

Legolas grazed his mouth against Elladan’s again, and then allowed his tongue to gently trace the outline of his lover’s lips.

Elladan pushed closer to the prince and parted his mouth, silently begging Legolas to kiss him.
The pr smi smiled when he saw the lust etched across Elladan’s face. He loved pleasuring the Rivendell warrior and wanted their lovemaking to last for as long as possible. Still moving to the rhythm of the music, Legolas met Elladan’s lips, stroking his back gently.

Elladan moaned softly and pulled the prince closer to him, deepening the kiss. He slid his tongue into Legolas’ mouth and gasped aloud when the prince shifted suddenly, brushing against his throbbing member.

Legolas looked at Elladan a bit startled when he drew his breath in so suddenly. But once he realized the source of Elladan’s abrupt action, he decided to pleasure him even more.

The prince broke the kiss and smirked when Elladan made a petulant sound of protest. Ignoring Elladan’s contention, Legolas allowed hinds nds to slide down the front of the dark haired warrior’s tunnd snd stopped on top of Elladan’s hardened member.

“Ah…” Elladan groaned as the prince began to stroke him gently. He closed his eyes, unable to think of anything else but the pleasure he was feeling.

The prince stopped his ministrations abruptly and began to unfasten Elladan’s tunic.

Elladan shoved the prince’s hands away, pulling his tunic over his head and tossing it on the floor in a moment’s time.

Legolas laughed.

Elladan smiled sheepishly and pulled the prince into a tender embrace. “I love you,” he whispered. “I love you.”

“I know,” Legolas said, holding Elladan in his arms. “I love you, too.”

Before Legolas could say anything else, Elladan claimed his lips in another impassioned kiss. Caught off guard, the prince surrendered completely to his lover’s contact, allowing his hands to fall to his sides of their own volition.

Elladan slid his tongue into the prince’s mouth and then pulled away, placing his lips on the tender flesh of Legolas’ neck.

“Oh, Elladan,” Legolas murmured, breathlessly, “please touch me.”

Elladan continued to kiss the prince’s throat and moved his hands underneath Legolas’ tunic, stroking his back gently. “As you wish,” he said softly, looking in the prince’s eyes. With nimble fingers, Elladan began to remove Legolas’ tunic.

The prince didn’t object to what Elladan was doing and didn’t offer to help, either. Instead, he watched his lover’s hands undressing him and felt his desire escalate to unbelievable heights. He imagined Elladan’s long fingers stroking his member firmly and closed his eyes to try to regain control of his senses.

Elladan removed Legolas tunic ataretared at his bare chest hungrily. He touched one of the prince’s nipples and smiled when he heard Legolas moan and felt it harden. Moving his hands lower, Elladan could feel the softness of the prince’s skin as well as the sculpted firmness of his abdomen. He found the dichotomy of the prince’s body very alluring and wanted to rediscover everything that made him writhe with desire. With that in mind, he met the prince’s lips in a gentle kiss and moved his mouth downward to Legolas’ Adam’s apple, sucking and licking slowly.

Legolas could feel his heart pounding in his chest and tried to hold still while Elladan moved his mouth from his neck to his collarbone. “Ai, Elladan,” he heard himself mutter when his lover nibbled his skin seductively.

Elladan loved it when Legolas said his name in the heat of passion and wanted to hear it again and again. Bent on this new mission, he moved down lower and drew one of Legolas’ nipples into his mouth, licking slowly.

Legolas closed his eyes and arched his back, throwing his head back as Elladan tormented him. He moaned when his lover moved his mouth to the other aching nipple and grazed it lightly with his teeth.

Elladan moved lower once again, kissing his way down the front of Legolas’ body. He paused at the prince’s navel and inserted his tongue into it, licking playfully.

Legolas squirmed and chuckled, giving Elladan a derisive look when he raised his head for a nt ant and met the prince’s eyes.

Elladan lowered his head again and moved down even lower until he was even with the prince’s crotch. Placing that palm of his hand over the mound in Legolas’ breeches, he stroked the prince gently.

Legolas’ breath became uneven as Elladan caressed mem member deftly. He could feel his knees weaken when Elladan touched the tip of his pulsating need and rubbed it slowly.

Elladan looked up at Legolas when he swayed suddenly and became concerned that the prince would eventually collapse if he continued at his current pace. Rising to his feet, Elladan stood before the prince and rubbed the tip of his nose against Legolas’.

Without speaking, Legolas took Elladan’s hand in his and led him to the bed. Never breaking their gaze, Legolas removed his leggings.

Elladan was the first to look away, staring at the prince’s body in awe. The moonlight shone in the room illuminating it just enough for Legolas to look like some beauteous, unearthly creature. He felt his breath catch in his throat when he beheld the prince’s enormous, hardened member. He closed his eyes briefly, remembering how it felt when Legolas moved within him, making his entire being scream with pleasure.

Legolas watched Elladan admire him and smiled; he liked the way that his lover looked shrouded in darkness, unseen except for the grey depth of his eyes glowing in the dim light of the moon. Legolas stepped forward and placed his hand on the waistband of Elladan’s leggings, tugging firmly.

Elladan assisted the prince, helping him to remove his breeches and tossed them aside with haste.

Legolas looked lustfully at Elladan’s naked body for a moment and ushered him into the bed.

Elladan climbed into the bed and was pleasantly surprised when the prince got under the sheets and on top of him, spreading his legs wide open and sliding in between them. “Legolas… please…” he pleaded when the prince rubbed their members together firmly.

More music began playing outside again but this time the tune was a bit more upbeat.

“Ah!” Elladan exclaimed when the heads of their penises rubbed together. He tangled his hands in the prince’s hair and arched his back when Legolas moved his pelvis to the rhythm of the music and devoured his mouth at the same time.

Elladan could feel his release nearing and pushed Legolas away quickly.

The prince looked into Elladan’s eyes, for an explanation and nodded slowly when he understood their silent answer. Giving Elladan a few moments to compose himself, Legolas stroked his lover’s hair.

Elladan kissed the prince on the forehead and nodded, caressing his chest gently.

Legolas began kissing Elladan’s neck and inched his way down slowly.

Elladan writhed with pleasure and gasped every time Legolas touched, licked or sucked one of his plee poe points.

Finally arriving at Elladan’s member, Legolas didn’t hesitate but put it into his warm mouth, sng hng hungrily.

“Ai, ai Legolas,” Elladan moaned, trying desperately to still his rotating hips.

The prince enjoyed the way that Elladan tasted and took as much of Elladan in as he could. He licked the tip gently, circling his tongue around it over and over again, smiling when he heard Elladan whimpering. Deciding not to bring his lover to release just yet, he removed Elladan’s member from his mouth and inched his way back up the Rivendell elf’s body.

Elladan kissed Legolas quickly and sat up. Pushing the prince onto his back, he moved his mouth directly to the source of Legolas’ pleasure – his penis. Stroking it gently Elladan bean nibbling the tip gently with his teeth.

“Elladan… Elladan!” Legolas called out, tossing his head back and digging his fingers into the bed.

Elladan moved his mouth up and down the prince’s length firmly and felt Legolas shudder.

“Nay, not yet,” the prince said, breathlessly. “I want to make love to you. Come here.”

Elladan removed Legolas’ member from his mouth and allowed the prince to push him onto his back.

Legolas looked around the room for a moment and then stared at Elladan in dismay.

Elladan smiled and opened the nightstand drawer beside his bed. He handed the prince a jar of oil and shrugged when Legolas gave him a disbelieving look. “I was preparing for your return.”

“That was very wise,” Legolas said, grinning. The prince put some of the salve onto his fingers and sat in between Elladan’s open legs. Placing his right index finger at the opening of his anus, Legolas allowed his finger to slowly enter the tight hole.

Elladan tried to steady his breathing as the prince prepared him for the insurmountable pleasure that was to come, but wasn’t sure if he was ready for an intrusion such as this. It had been several months since he had been intimate with the prince and was surprised to find that he was more than a little nervous at the idea of Legolas thrusting in and out of him.

Legolas inserted another finger, stretching Elladan gently, and was a bit taken aback by Elladan’s sudden quietness. Inserting a third finger he continued his ministrations and then removed them, staring at Elladan with concern.

Elladan felt the sudden void and looked at the prince curiously.

“Do you want me to stop?” Legolas asked.

“Nay,” Elladan said. “I… I am just… a bit uneasy. as bas been awhile.”

Legolas smiled. “I will go slowly. I promise.”

Elladan nodded and watched as Legolas coated his own member generously with the ointment.

Legolas shifted his body and placed the tip of his member at the opening of Elladan’s anus. Pushing forward slowly, he entered Elladan.

“Ai…” Elladan said.

Legolas stopped immediately so that Elladan could adjust to him.

Elladan clutched the comforter tightly, slowly allowing himself to relax. After a few moments his grip loosened and he nodded at the prince, silently urging him to continue.

Legolas placed his hands on Elladan’s thighs and pushed forward slowly once again, stopping abruptly when Elladan gasped.

Elladan felt a wave of pleasure spread throughout his body when the prince’s penis hit the sweet spot deep within him. He gave Legolas an encouraging smile, imploring him to continue.

Once the prince was certain that Elladan was all right, he pushed his member all the way inside of his lover. Pausing long enough to make sure that Elladan wanted him to go on, he began to thrust slowly.

Elladan watched Legolas lying on top of him, moving slowly. The image was very erotic. Elladan felt his breath coming in short bursts, as with every thrust the prince’s body brushed up against his member while Legolas’ penis pressed against the pleasure point within him.

Elladan’s tightness was driving the prince slowly insane as he pumped to the rhythm of the music outside. He closed his eyes, enjoying the wet heat that surrounded his member as he drove in and out of him more and more frantically as the tempo of the melody increased.

“Uh… oh, yes,” Elladan moaned when Legolas thrusted against his sweet spot over and over again. “Harder… please, harder…” he pleaded.

Legolas moved faster and faster; he could feel his release getting near.

Elladan’s was at the brink of orgasm, and closed his eyes, trying to hold on to this moment as long as he could. Opening his eyes and meeting the prince’s lustful gaze he felt his body shudder as he exploded in release.

Legolas felt Elladan’s muscles tighten around his penis and cried out as he spilled his seed inside of his lover. He was breathing heavily and was exhausted. Looking at the blissful expression on Elladan’s face, he smiled. Gently pulling out of his lover, he reached over and grasped a piece of cloth that was on the nightstand.

Elladan opened his eyes and touched Legolas’ face when he moved beside him. He took the cloth that the prince presented to him and wiped the semen from his stomach.

Legolas took the cloth and tossed it on the floor. Drawing the covers up around them, he snuggled close to Ell kis kissing him lightly on the lips.

Elladan kissed Legolas on the forehead, pulling him as close as possible before drifting off to sleep.

Legolas remained awake for a little while thanking the Valar that he had found Elladan and that he could be with him once again in Rivendell. He knew that nothing could everr thr them apart.

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TBC…