Love Within Sight

IV

Over the years Legolas would approach the matter of bonding with Elladan. The dark haired elf would offer reasons to avoid the discussion, declaring his eternal love nonetheless, reinforcing it in Legolas’ mind by having them make love over and over, Legolas feeling deep within him the commitment that had already been made. Still it puzzled him. Elladan was his, of that there was no doubt, he knew and so did those far and wide, why not he asked have them wear the bands of joining.

Blessed and cursed with his grandmother’s and father’s gift of foresight, Elladan sought to explain. He touched Legolas’ cheek, cupped his face between his hands and kissed him deeply.

“You are destined for a task of great import, I would not have you turn from that for me, I would give you free choice.” Elladan could say no more, Legolas in honouring Elladan’s words did not press him further.

********************

Elladan brought the horse to a sudden stop, its hooves skidding on the cobblestones. Elrohir was only a moment behind him, the two of them riding hard back to their home with both the news for their father and the knowledge that Legolas was to embark on the journey Elladan had foresaw. Throwing down his helm and gloves with apologies to those who held the horses, Elladan ran to the courtyard. There he stood motionless to hear Legolas declare himself, unable to stem the flow of tears. Elrohir placed his arm around his brother’s shoulder, Elladan watched as his father pronounced the fellowship formed, then allowed his brother to guide him away. Legolas would come to him later, there was no need for him to be burdened now with the knowledge that Elladan had witnessed his pledge to the ring bearer.

“I knew, I knew,” Elladan whispered as Elrohir sat with him, cradling him in his arms. Elrohir stroked his hair, rocking him gently. The knowledge did not help the knowing of it, the reality of it as he stood and heard. Yet this was the reason he had held back, to allow Legolas to make his decision unencumbered. Elrohir could not assure his brother that the task was not as deadly as they both supposed. It was perhaps more hazardous, all of Mordor opposed to them. None would be safe vouched to live to complete what they had set themselves to. All they who were left behind could achieve was to ensure their passage was less dangerous.

“We will do all that we can,” Elrohir promised, knowing that may not be enough, and that their duty indeed lay elsewhere.

Legolas appeared at the door. He needed no announcement that Elladan had arrived, needed no telling that his pledge had been witnessed and much as he had wanted to run to him, both know that he could not. He looked at Elladan. Elrohir rose with a faint smile, kissing his brother gently on the cheek. Elladan held his brother tightly before Elrohir nodded and moved aside for Legolas to take his place. As Legolas wrapped his arms around the twin, Elladan looked to him, a smile through the tears. He traced the curve of his ear, causing Legolas to shiver.

“I am proud of you,” Elladan murmured softly.

Legolas smiled. “I am grateful for your courage.” He knew well enough, perhaps more than the others, save for Aragorn, just what lay before them. He had pondered his actions, knowing they were right, but wondering also if he could have stood aside and watched Elladan do as he had done. The fear of losing the one he loved had not diminished over the years, one stray arrow or clumsily wielded sword could take Elladan from him, and he had agreed to march into the stronghold of the enemy, to guard a treasure the black hordes were bent on returning to their master. It was not a task for the faint of heart, nor was allowing the one who held your heart to travel that road unhindered by protest.

They pressed their foreheads to each other, tears mingling. Elladan tilted his head to the side and the kiss bore the traces of their mutual sorrow and combined need.

They were undressed and entwined with each other with little further preamble. Elladan stroked his lover’s neck, biting into the pale skin. Legolas traced along the strong back and firm buttocks of his lover, slipping a finger down the cleft between.

In their foreplay they caressed and kiss the smooth skin of each other’s body, stroking along the planes of muscle. Elladan’s tongue swept over hard flesh, suckling at the tip, hand kneading the tight sacs as he did. Sliding his warm mouth of the length, Elladan smiled at the sigh from Legolas. He spent several moments running his lips and tongue along the hardness, feeling the quiver of this lover, responding as Legolas guided his head, thumb rubbing over his ears. Legolas pressed his shoulders to the bed, lifting his buttocks up, his erection deep in Elladan’s mouth.

For his part, Elladan hollowed his tongue, allowing Legolas to slide in and out as his desire and need dictated. The first sweet drops touched the back of his throat and as they did Elladan sucked more hungrily, coaxing his lover to release with husky groans and soft caresses as he ran his hand from hip to thigh. Legolas moaned and thrust deep once more, his body shuddering and his hands tight on Elladan’s hair, twisting it in his fingers. Swallowing slowly, savouring the taste, Elladan laced his tongue around the softening erection, holding it with his lips until Legolas arched one last time before sinking to the bed to welcome Elladan into his arms.

Legolas felt the hard press of Elladan’s arousal against his thigh as the dark haired elf shimmied up the bed to kiss the blond. The taste of Elladan’s sweet mouth mixed with his own taste had him still craving his darkling lover. The look in Elladan’s eyes told him that he too desired him still. Rolling his lover onto the bed, Legolas ran his tongue over Elladan’s erection, delighting as it twitched and hardened further under his caresses. When Elladan arched his back and moaned his name, Legolas positioned himself above him. Slowly he lowered himself, Elladan guiding, placing his hands on his hips. Elladan smiled as he slid into the velvet channel, feeling the connection of their souls as their bodies joined. At first the rhythm was unhurried, both making slight adjustments to their positions, each one drawing sighs of pleasure. Bodies rocked in unison with and against each other. Elladan held Legolas by his slender hips, Legolas steadied his movements holding to Elladan’s arms as the sensations intensified. His own arousal increased as he repeatedly felt Elladan hard within him, and as Elladan arched and called out his name, Legolas coated Elladan’s stomach with his seed. Then he felt the surge within him as Elladan’s body gave its answer to him.

Laying sated next to each other neither said a word, what they had felt needed no explanation, their souls sang in harmony, their hearts beat in synchrony. There was but one thing Elladan thought, and although it had been Legolas who had ventured the subject so many times and it had been he who had been reluctant on the matter, he now deemed it time he approached Legolas. And he prepared himself for Legolas now to justify his reluctance.

Rising from the bed to Legolas’ puzzlement, Elladan opened the drawer of the cabinet. He took out a small leather pouch, not opening it until he had climbed back onto the bed. Legolas looked but did not speak as Elladan loosened the strings of the pouch. Waiting Legolas studied Elladan’s beautiful face as he concentrated, taking the contents from the pouch. Holding the glittering rings, Elladan met his lover’s gaze.

“I once told you that all that I am is yours, and that has never wavered,” Elladan whispered, “I would now have you accept me further.”

Legolas’ eyes shone in the moonlit room, surprised at Elladan’s change of mind, but not hesitating.

“I would have you…..”

“Yes,” Legolas replied, “always it has been yes.”

Elladan laughed as he slipped the ring on Legolas’ finger and held out his hand for the other. Once both graced their fingers, they held their hands interlocked.

“When this is over,” Legolas vowed,” we will exchange the rings of binding.”

“Yes,” Elladan breathed, bringing Legolas atop him as he pulled him down to the bed, gazing into sapphire eyes that reflected the love he felt. “Love me,” he murmured as Legolas grinned.

It surprised none that the two elves kept to themselves over the next several days, appearing briefly only when their presence was required. Elrohir for his part endeavoured to keep them to their solitude.

********************

Elladan stood next to his brother as they watched the band of nine depart. Their sister raised a hand to her love, Elladan gazed at his and twirled the band on his finger. When they could be seen no more, Elrohir guided his brother back up the steps. They had their own plans to make and tasks to perform. It would ease Elladan’s troubled heart to know that they at least could clear the paths ahead for a short while.

********************

Lothlorien. The Golden Wood gleamed in the sun. The twins rode through the night to reach the treetop city once news reached them of the arrival of the Nine. There was a sense of sadness in the trees that pervaded their thoughts. Elrohir fearful, looked to Elladan who shook his head. It was not Legolas for whom the forest mourned.

Elladan watched with his brother from the chamber of their grandfather. The light sparkled below them as their grandmother spoke to each of the Nine in turn, learning of the wizard’s fate. The brothers bowed their heads in remembrance, seeking safe passage for his spirit.

While Elladan’s gaze was fixed on one alone, Elrohir glanced at the assembled Galadhrim. Elladan smiled as Elrohir’s eyes blazed, he sensed what had caught his brother’s attention. Elrohir had found the one. For a single moment the captain of the Galadhrim looked up to Elrohir and there passed an understanding between them, his eyes acknowledging Elrohir in the same manner that Elrohir looked at him. Elladan put his arm around his brother, bringing him close.

“I am happy, Elrohir, so happy,” Elladan beamed at his suddenly shy brother, “and he knows, Elrohir.”

Elrohir nodded. “Yes, he knows.”

It was only when Galadriel smiled at him that Legolas was aware of another presence. He had been so consumed with grief, was heartsore and awed.

“Soon,” she whispered into his thoughts, “soon you will be with him.”

Legolas looked up and saw. Elladan smiled. Soon, he whispered, soon.


“Go find him,” Elladan urged his brother as he himself readied for Legolas’ arrival.

Elrohir had never been so reluctant to pursue a lover and never been so unsure of his wooing.

“Go Elrohir,” Elladan laughed, noting the turnabout in their natures. Elrohir shook his head, smiled as he blushed and went to seek the one whose heart had called to him.

Legolas entered the candlelit room, he soothing scent of lavender pervading the air. Legolas looked around as Elladan stepped out from the shadows. He was dressed in an emerald green robe trimmed with silver. It hung open, tied with a belt of like material at his waist. As he walked the fabric clung to his thighs, the flimsy material hiding nothing of the sleek muscles. Legolas gasped at the power and beauty inherent in the elf who stood before him. Unbraided, Elladan’s dark hair fell over his shoulders, a contrast to the pale skin exposed on the firm chest.

“Elladan,” Legolas breathed, his hand touching his betrothed, not quite believing his presence. “Elrohir?”

Elladan smiled softly, the joy he felt for his brother residing within him. Legolas touched Elladan’s cheek.

“I am glad for him,” Legolas whispered.

“As am I,” Elladan replied.

Threading fingers through Elladan’s hair, Legolas held him for a kiss. Elladan’s arms embraced Legolas, burying his face in the silk of his hair, reacquainting himself with the scent and feel of him.

“How I have missed you.”

“And I you.”

********************

They took long walks out of view of any others, sat by the silver streams, resting against giant trees, and talked and planned and made love to each other. Their time however was too short, this time it was Legolas who stood and watched his love leave. By his side a silver blond elf stood clad in the colours of the Galadhrim. Almost identical rings shone in the sunlight as they raised their hands to farewell their dark haired betrothed.