Black Moon Part Two: Gwain Ithil

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

"Ai, Elladan, I need your help," Elrohir said, nearly falling onto his brother's bed. Elladan barely looked up from his book.

"I already knew that. But, alas! Even my help cannot save you."

Elrohir smacked Elladan's leg and smiled. "I do not know how to move ahead with Legolas. He seems responsive to me, but I have no idea how to move forward..."

Elladan raised an eyebrow, "You've been spending much time with each other, surely you could have thought of something by now."

"Unfortunately, I have not. I fear pushing him away. And he will be leaving with the Fellowship soon! Ai!"

Seing that his brother would not easily be pacified, Elladan marked his place before putting the book down. "Well, what have you done so far?"

"We have taken lunch together almost everyday, and I've shown him everything. I do not know if he even likes me."

Getting an idea, Elrohir sat up and smiled sweetly. "Would you speak with him?"

"El'..."

"Please?"

Elladan rolled his eyes, "Very well. Now, out. I would like to relax before my next patrol."

Elrohir grinned and jumped up, heading for the door. "Thank you, brother."

Elladan just smiled and waved Elrohir out.

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

Glorfindel once more sat with Elrond and Erestor in the Lore-Master's study. Elrond had a letter delivered by carrier bird from Mirkwood in his hand.

"Thranduil sends word that while he grants Legolas permission to go on this journey, he cannot spare archers for the defense of Imladris or Lorien."

"Is there any reason given?" Erestor queried, pouring a glass of wine and offering the bottle to Glorfindel.

The blonde accepted the offer, as did Elrond when it came to him.

"Dol Guldor has become active once more. He fears a is bis brewin hin his own land, yet asks for no aid."

"And here we have his youngest son, who, by all standards, should not be this strong, nor should his senses be so intense. When I last checked, Mirkwood's archers, while the best to be found, were limited. Hardly an army," Glorfindel mused. "And I have had no luck in coaxing any information from Legolas."

Elrond frowned, "All is not well in Mirkwood. And yet nothing is said on the matter. Even Galadriel has had no luck in breaking through the magic that guards Thranduil's city."

"What do you propose?" Erestor sat back, curious now. "I have heard of nothing you just mentioned. I agree that the Wood-Elves are a strange breed, indeed. But this? You speak as if they had a Ring of Power."

"Has Gandalf made mention of what he saw when he last visited Mirkwood?" Elrond asked.

Erestor shook his head, "Nay. Just that the once golden-haired Elfling Prince was drastically changed, in form and temperament."

"Temperament?"

"Apparently, Legolas was once meek and shy," Erestor informed.

Glorfindel frowned, "Nothing like he is now. If he was ever meek, it has been abandoned in favour of the warrior we are aquainted with. And I see no trace of a shy Elf when I watch him with Elrohir, or Aragorn."

Sighing, Elrond relaxed in his seat, "Elrohir has been spending almost every waking hour he can with Legolas, and I can feel the strength of his emotions to the young Prince. It seems only Elladan has not found another to love."

Glorfindel smirked, "You must admit that Legolas may be a good choice for Elrohir. They seem more than capable of keeping up with each other."

"Let us be grateful that both are male and there will be no smaller versions of them running around in the future," Erestor muttered.

Elrond raised his wine glass in a toast to the comment, "For that, I am grateful."

Glorfindel did the same, grinning.

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

"Well?"

Legolas looked up, "Well what?"

Elladan was leaning on the railing on the low veranda, looking down at Legolas who was sitting on a bench in the gardens just below.

"What are your feelings for Elrohir?"

Legolas rolled his eyes and Elladan decided to sit on the railing instead. "I do not know."

"Not know? It has been nearly a month."

"I know that."

"So?"

"So, I'm not sure."

"Do you like him?"

"Yes."

"As a friend."

"Of course I do, Elladan."

"More than a friend?"

"...Maybe."

"But..."

Legolas sighed, "~But~, I'm not sure yet."

Elladan sighed heavily, "Really, Legolas. You can be so certain about one thing," the elder twin guestured to the younger Elf's hair and eyes; "but so uncertain of another."

Legolas frowned, "And look at how much trouble that certainty caused."

There was a slight silence between the two for a moment before Elladan spoke again. "What about now?"

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

~*~Mirkwood~*~

Thranduil stood at the gates of the palace, Draugaran and the mute Wolf that he had come to recognize as 'Guide' stood before him. Roughly ten to fifteen of Draugaran's pack walked around, some talking with the Elvish guards.

"You will make certain to follow them? Without being seen by any of them, other than Legolas?"

Draugaran nodded, "Yes. From what you say, at least one is alledlled tracker, but still a Mortal. I can see no trouble."

Thranduil sighed, "Protect him them. Use the confusion of battle if you must, but do not let anything happen to my son."

Draugaran smiled, "Do not worry ElfKing. The little pup-prince will be safe. Lykoi is not one to fall to injury."

"I know..."

A heavy paw/hand found a place on Thranduil's shoulder, "I will guard him with my life."

"Thank you."

As Draugaran began to gather the other Wolves to him tur turned back to Thranduil. "I have left Garan in charge of the remainder of the pack. Should the need arise, he will help you. There are about fifty capable warriors, and seventy that are still training."

Thranduil nodded, "Be careful yourself."

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

~*~Rivendell~*~

Elrohir gasped as a hand pulled him into the library as he passed. Elladan grinned at his scowling brother.

"I spoke to him."

The scowl quickly turned to hope, "And?"

"He does not know."

Elrohir's face fell and Elladan hurried to comfort his brother. "But he is considering it. I suggest that you speak with him yourself."

"I will..." Elrohir said. "Where is he?"

"His room, most likely. I think he is avoiding that Hobbit, 'Sam'."

Elrohir cocked his head, "Why in Arda would he avoid that harmless gardener?"

Elladan smirked, "Samwise discovered that Legolas would be going on the journey, as well as the fact that Legolas is a Wood-Elf."

Elrohir shook hea head, "I will try his room."

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

Legolas stood at the light knock on his door, opening it and quickly stepping aside to allow Elrohir entrance. "What brings you here?"

"I wished to speak with you..."

"Good, so did I."

Sitting by the small table, Legolas guestured for Elrohir to go first. The younger of the twins cleared his throat in nervousness.

"I am aware that Elladan spoke to you, and that you are well aware of my intentions; I just need to know your feelings."

Legolas smiled, he could smell the nervousness mixed with the arousal practically rolling off of Elrohir. He considered seeing how intense he could make this then decided against it, choosing instead to silence the rambling appologies from Elrohir.

The blonde leaned in quickly and lightly pressed his lips to Elrohir's. It was a quick touch, nothing more than a feather light touch. Moving in again, Legolas smiled.

"I am willing to try," Legolas said softly in the other Elf's ear.

Elrohir reacted, grabbing Legolas and pulling him into another kiss, far mor fierce that the one Legolas had initiated. In a matter of seconds, Elrohir lay above Legolas on the bed, both still fully clothed. The dark-haired Elf let his eyes study each feature of the blonde's face and smiled.

"Valar," Elrohir breathed. "I love you."

Legolas smiled and pulled Elrohir to him for another kiss. "I think I love you too..."

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

Glorfindel saw the door to Legolas' room slightly ajar and thought that he may be able to speak with the young Elf. Peeking in, the ancient blonde quickly smiled and closed the door, headingn thn the hall to find Erestor.

"Someone owes me money," he said in a sing-song voice.

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

For Vuaryn, because I tortured her with little snippits of this.