Creature Comforts

Chapter 4

 

It has taken a good deal of skills and most of the morning
to track down the three rogue elves, but I am now rewarded by the familiar
laughs of mischievous youngsters. Dismounting out of sight of the stream ahead I
allow my horse to roam freely as I creep quietly into a position where I can
observe their activities without being noticed. There is no need to rush into
apologising while there is time to observe just what these elves have been up
to on their scouting expedition. Crouching silently within the bushes I take in
the scene. Legolas is standing on watch from a rock near the streams edge.
Elrond’s son’s Elladan and Elrohir are bathing naked within the shallows of the
stream their weapons thoughtfully within easy reach of the bank incase of
disturbances. Smiling to myself I listen to their conversation the common
elvish easily understood to me unlike the language Legolas had preferred to
talk to Elrond and Glorfindel in.

 

“I can not believe you said that to his face Legolas, the
reaction was priceless.” The three elves chuckle amongst themselves and I
consciously blush knowing exactly the event of which they speak. Legolas jumps
to another rock along the edge of the stream his keen eyes still searching
in
intruders and disturbance even as he jokes with the two brothers in the water.

 

“I can not believe it either Elladan, I felt sure he would
physically harm me if the innocents of the hobbits and Arwen were not present.
I know rangers enough to understand that their temper is on a shortened
thread.” The trio giggle furiously and I clench my fists in anger aware of
their making fun of me. Confusion also takes precedent, I was not aware that
wood elves concerned themselves as closely as has been suggested with rangers
of the wild.

 

“Well never let it be said that the princeling of Mirkwood
can not hold his own in a battle of the tongues.” Elrohir squeals as Legolas
swats him easily across the ears at calling him a princeling.

 

“Well I think this part of the forest is quiet of unnatural
movement.” Purposefully Legolas takes one full turn of the streams edge and I
remain deathly still as he seems to stare straight at my position. However he
does not see me as he turns and looks down at the brothers now treg wag water
at his feet. “Now is it not time I had my turn in the water?” Both brothers nod
in agreement and I watch enthralled as Legolas unclips his quiver and slowly
begins to undress. With each layer of cloth that he removes from his body I
become more fascinated. I feel like a child at my birth celebration unwrapping
the rarest of gifts. My breath catches in my throat as Legolas removes his
leggings and tosses them casually onto the pile by the side of the stream. The
beauty that radiates from his unblemished skin is amazing. Each muscular curve
accentuates the shapely figure of the warrior status he currently holds. The
broad shoulders of a true archer taper perfectly to a well defined abdomen and
a tight rounded rear. Finally he stretches and turns to once more look around
him in case he has overlooked a threat. My heart stops in an instant as my eyes
focus in on his member lying casually between his legs. The image of the naked
elf before me lasts only a few moments before he launches himself into the
water and disappears in a delicate spray of droplets. When he surfaces my gaze
fixates on the ripples of water that run down his golden body as he pushes his
wet hair back from his face. An uncomfortable tightness has grown in my own
breeches and I consciously make an effort not to move and give away my position
despite the uncomfortable situation in my pants.

 

For a moment I close my eyes and concentrate on calming
myself down before I open my eyes and re concentrate on their conversation.
Legolas now floats easily near the edge of the stream, Elladan and Elrohir
paddling to and fro in front of him.

 

“So tell us Legolas what is it like embracing another man?”
I smile at the cheekiness of Elladan as he splashes Legolas playfully and is
reward by a thorough dunking by his elder brother. Legolas laughs and shrugs
his shoulders.

 

“Like embracing a woman I imagine, only with other areas of
interest.” The three chuckle at Legolas crude reply, a world of experience
balanced in his tone.

 

“So you have not bedded a woman?” Elrohir asks stunned as
Legolas begins splashing water over himself to cool his body in the warming
sun. I see again as Legolas shrugs unphased by such personal questions.

 

“I have had no need. Experiments with men are far safer than
dallying with women, besides they do not take my interest, like I keep telling
my father.” A bitterness escapes Legolas calmed expression and I understand its
basis considering Gandalf’s story. There is silence for a moment and I wonder
where the questions will continue if at all. I am stunned however at the
question that escapes Elrohir’s mouth next.

 

“Are you going to tell us then Legolas, just how long you
have loved this Ranger?” Before Legolas can reply movement in the trees on the
far side of the stream sends all three elves to their weapons and I myself to
rest my hand on the hilt of my sword, ready for action should it be necessary.
These are times that nowhere is safe even the havens of elvish forests. The
tension is thick as we all remain still and poised for action however it
recedes instantly as a familiar figure emerges from the trees on horse back.

 

“Away from your weapons, it is only I.” I see Legolas
physically relax, his previously tightly strung muscles relaxing again as he
slips both daggers back into their leather holdings amongst the pile of his
clothes.

 

“Elebreth! Glorfindel you have us worried.” Legolas address
the elf with mock anger as his exits the water and begins to dress again.
Glorfindel laughs and dismounts to stand respectfully with his back to the
company as they continue to dress.

 

“My apologise Greenleaf for disrupting your swim, I have
come in search of Estel.”the the mention of my name Legolas pauses in his
dressing and stares at Glorfindel who has senses the uneasy silence and has
turned back to face the youngsters.

 

“Why would you presume him to be in our company?” The sharp
tone of Legolas’ question makes me shiver and instinctively I being to quietly
inch myself backwards away from the stream. I have disgraced myself already
last night without being discovered eaves dropping again.

 

“Only that I spotted his steed a little way down the path
nearby have you not seen him?” Panic sets in at my discovery and I turn without
thinking to run. In my frenzy to escape I stumble and create a flustered noise
amongst the undergrowth. Before I have even time to realise what I have done
the hum of an elven bow echoes in my ears followed swiftly by a searing pain in
my left shoulder. The force of the impact sends me to my knees in agony. Unable
to contain my agony I cry out like a wounded animal and clutch desperately to
the wooden shaft now protruding from my skin. My body is shaking with shock as
the sound of elvan feet come running towards me. Closing my eyes against the
tears now threatening to form I hide my humiliation as four figures stop
instantly at the site of me.

 

“Aragorn!” Upon shock recognition of me Glorfindel and
Legolas fall to their knees beside me. My breathing is staggered as I glance
fearfully up at the pair of eyes that stare at me. The horror of reality
spreads across Legolas face as his steely blue eyes meet my own. I wince as he
lifts a hand and shakingly covers the bloodied silver tip that is just
protruding from the front of my tunic.

 

“You fool Estel. YOU FOOL!” He screams at me helplessly as
panic begins to set in at knowing that his arrow has quite literally skewered
me right through. In agony I scream back in incoherent words as Glorfindel
braces himself against my back and brutally tugs the arrow from my body. I see
all three of the faces in front of me physically wince as Glorfindel tosses the
bloodied broken arrow to the side and quickly applies pressure to both entry
and exit points in my body as they being to bleed uncontrollably.

 

“Elladan, Elrohir ride swiftly back to the house, alert the
healers and Elrond. Ready a bed and we will ride on behind you as quick as we
can. Go with speed.” At Glorfindel’s calm command the brothers disappear. The
world grows darker as breathing becomes difficult for me. “Hold his wounds tightly
I will get the horses.” I feel myself being past from Glorfindel’s embrace to
Legolas’. Unable to focus any longer on the world around me I fall easily into
Legolas embrace his hands fiercely holding my wounds even as they continue to ed. ed. In this closer proximity I can hear his whispered prayers, I can smell
his woodland scent and I can feel his fear as he struggles not to shake.
Finally the pain becomes to much and I slowly close my eyes and allow calm to
wash over me as darkness envelopes me in it’s arms.

 

TBC…….