The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 57

Legolas yawned tiredly and lay his head down against Iest’s neck. Since leaving Lorien they had ridden for four days solid only having a few breaks as Glorfindel permitted. Apparently the seneschal had wanted to reach the mountain pass before having an extended break and Elrond had agreed. They were too open on the plains heading towards the mountains and would not be able to safely find shelter until they came to the lower side of the mountain pass. Legolas let the reigns slip from his hands and wrd thd them around his arms as he leaned forward in his saddle and snuggled into the warmth of Iest’s mane. He was tired and although he had tried desperately to keep up with his elder counterparts he was now beginning to fall behind. A day ago he was still keeping up constantly at Glorfindel’s side listening to the stories and bantering that was going on between him and Erestor. Now however Legolas was even struggling to keep up with the last of the Imladris guards. Internally Legolas felt like he’d let them all down. He had tried so hard to keep up but he was just too tired to continue and carefully pulled his horse to a stop.

”Are you alright Prince Legolas?” One of the guards stopped by Legolas side and looked at the young elf sympathetically. Legolas was sure the guard knew what was ailing him but was polite enough not to mention it directly. Slowly Legolas shook his head before sighing again and clutching to Iest’s neck as not to fall from her in his fatigued state. He was just not used to this kind of constant riding and it had taken its toll on him. “Wait here with him, I will call Lord Elrond and Glorfindel to a halt.” The guard instructed the two other guards before dashing ahead into the darkness to catch up with the leading party. It was dangerous enough at nighttime in a group without separating it due to fatigue. Legolas lay against Iest’s neck fighting desperately against the need for sleep. After a few moments the guard reappeared with Lord Glorfindel and tutor Filgree in tow their concerned expressions focusing on Legolas slumped in his saddle.

“Aye he is too fatigued to ride alone.” Legolas sighed longingly as he felt his tutor’s hand run over his head before tucking the stray wind swept hair back into its clasp, where the prince had neglected it during their four days of riding. When they had left Imladris four days ago he had not expected the ride to be so tiring on his body.

“Very well he will ride tonight with me, we can not stop until we reach the pass.” Legolas managed to smile thankfully at his elder as Glorfindel drew his horse up beside his. In his time with Glorfindel Legolas had never seen Glorfindel performing his role as Elrond’s protector. It had been a little confusing at first for Legolas to get used to the idea of Glorfindel being an authoritative figure all of a sudden but as Legolas felt himself being lifted from his own horse to Glorfindel’s he welcomed the elders strong arms wrapping around him, reminding him that behind the stern determined exterior was the warm friendly lover Legolas had fallen in love with. “Shh little one, relax and get some rest I will wake you when we reach the pass.” Legolas snuggled forward into Glorfindel’s chest as he felt the elder elf wrap his cloak protectively around his young charge as protection against the cool night wind. Legolas felt safe in Glorfindel’s arms as the elder elf barked out a few orders to his guards before starting his horse back in the direction they were heading. While he was sitting backwards in the saddle facing Glorfindel’s chest Legolas didn’t care to see the darkened world go by. He felt much warmer tucked in Glorfindel’s cloak listening to the elder’s steady heartbeat with his hands wrapped around Glorfindel’s waist.

For a while Legolas drifted between his dreamscape and reality as he listened to Glorfindel’s conversation with the other elves of the travelling party. It was interesting to hear what they were saying while they thought him asleep. Legolas had overheard a conversation about Erestor’s secret admirer and who the elf may be. Legolas had been wondering why Elrond’s advisor was so anxious to return to Imladris but now having learnt someone was there waiting for him, Legolas understood the advisors hurry. The prince also overheard a conversation between Filgree and Lord Elrond travelling behind them. It wbviobvious that it concerned him as he often heard his name being mentioned but he could not discern the words being that the elder elves were speaking in Quenya, a language Legolas had yet to learn as fluently as his elders. Finally Legolas heard the tale end of Erestor’s funny story before the gentle motion of the horse and the sound of Glorfindel’s heart beat slowly lulled him into slumber against the warrior’s chest.

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Legolas awoke to the softness of his fur travelling blanket wrapped tightly around him and the sounds of voices chatting and laughing a few meters away. Yawning Legolas pushed down his fur blanket and stretched languidly in the single beam of sunshine that was pouring into the cave from a hole in the roof above him. Glancing around him Legolas noted that he was indeed inside a cave of some sort, although where he’d expected to see other people’s bedrolls found only dirt mounds. A little put out that he was ouslyusly the only one still asleep Legolas stood up and assessed his appearance. He was still dressed in his travelling garb although the laces of his tunic had been loosened for comfort and his weaponry had been taken care of also. A brush of his hand down his hair told him that his braids were in a mess also but he didn’t care. The smell of something cooking outside the cave entrance sent his stomach growling in protest and so forgetting his appearance he headed for the sounds. Still with a sleepy head Legolas stumbled out into the open only to find the entire party of elves sitting around a small campfire.

“Ahh so you are awake at last and looking a little worse for ware.” Legolas grunted his disapproval of the mocking chuckle that erupted around the group of elves as Glorfindel addressed him. Without waiting for acceptance Legolas moved over to the campfire and dropped himself into Glorfindel’s lap before yawning again and burying his face into his elders tunic sleave.

“Surely you can not still be sleepy Legolas, you have slept nearly a whole day away already?” Lord Elrond’s voice was the next one Legolas heard and although he wished only to snuggle closer to Glorfindel’s intoxicating warmth and smell he obediently lifted his head to address the Lord. Filgree had taught him manners and he would not let his tutor down by not using them.

“No I am just reluctant to get up knowing that there is a lot of riding ahead of me still.” There was a unanimous sympathetic acknowledgement of Legolas sigh. It had been a difficult five days riding hard across the open flats but now that they were heading into the mountains they would be able to take some time to rest more frequently. Orc’s hardly patrolled the mountain passes, too cold for them to function without their own adequate body heat.

“Aye I am sorry Legolas, but we had to ride to the safety of the mountains. Perhaps you should ride with me until we get closer to Imladris?” Legolas nodded in acceptance of Glorfindel’s offer. While he was sure that now he had slept he would be able to keep up again with the rest of them, having been offered another opportunity to be tucked in Glorfindel’s cloak was too tempting an offer not to accept.

”Well now that is settled get some warm food into you Legolas. Then I will have you put that warmer tunic and cloak on, it will get colder the further we climb into the mountains.” Legolas rolled his eyes at Filgree’s mothering. While Legolas had come of age several weeks ago now Filgree had taken on his new role as steward with just as much enthusiasm as he had with being Legolas tutor, to the point at which Legolas did not see the change between both roles. Not that Legolas was complaining. While it was becoming slightly embarrassing having Filgree doting over him in front of the other elves it was still a security issue for Legolas to have his tutor close.

“I must go and shift some of the baggage from my horse to Legolas’ if the prince is to ride with me.” Legolas reluctantly lifted himself up from Glorfindel’s lap as the elder seneschal gently graced his neck with a soft kiss, hidden from view from the others sitting around the campfire. Glorfindel rose and disappeared towards the small grove of grass where they had tethered the horses for the day. Two of the Imladris guards as well as Erestor rose to help Glorfindel, while Filgree took his leave to re pack Legolas’ sleeping things and find his warmer clothes. That left only Legolas and Lord Elrond sitting opposite each other around the campfire, as the other guards were quickly dispatched by Lord Elrond to scout the area. Legolas sipped slowly on the warm breakfast broth in his bowl acutely aware of Lord Elrond’s gaze upon him. Legolas had purposely avoided any confrontational conversations with the Lord since his decision at the council in Lorien. The prince had thought that Lord Elrond didn’t like him very much and had often found the Imladris Lord staring at him for no apparent reason, like now. While Legolas had been civil during their brief conversations he had always felt awkward and ill at ease under the Lord’s unwavering gaze.

“My son’s are looking forward to meeting you Legolas.” Legolas was a little stunned to hear Elrond addressing him and looked up cautiously from the rim of his bowl. Lord Elrond simply raised his left eyebrow in questioning of Legolas’ unsteady but but chose not to speak about it. Legolas swallowed his last mouthful of broth before putting the bowl on top of the other dirty one’s by the side of the fire.

“They are? Well I am looking forward to meeting them also. I’m afraid I do not know their names though.” Legolas bit his lip cautiously as he glanced over to the cave they had all spent the night in, silently wishing that Filgree would return to the campfire.

“My eldest is Elladan, and my youngest by only a few minutes is Elrohir. They are twins and just a little older than you by 50 years or so.” Legolas smiled widely at this new piece of information, happy that perhaps he would find someone of his own age to talk to when he got to Imladris. Although if the twins were anything like Lord Elrond, Legolas would be keeping out of their way. Legolas quickly dampened his smile remembering to whom he was talking to.

“Do they still reside in your home Lord Elrond?” Legolas was now curious to who Lord Elrond’s son’s were and softly inquired after their station in the Last Homely House. Lord Elrond smiled at Legolas sudden interest and congratulated himself on drawing the young elf into conversation. While he had distanced himself purposefully from Legolas during their stay in Lorien, it was time they began to get acquainted properly.
“Aye both of them captain the patrol’s that protect our borders. They are a way a lot during the summer and spring but reside at home for the most of winter and autumn. Elladan is courting a young maiden from Lorien and spends most of his time between the two realms. Elrohir, I cannot tell you about. He confides only in Lord Glorfindel concerning matters of the heart and chooses only to inform me when something goes wrong that he needs my help in fixing.” Legolas chuckled softly although his jealousy was clearly etched in his face as Lord Elrond spoke of his youngest relationship with Lord Glorfindel. Lord Elrond smiled secretly to himself as he watched Legolas shift uncomfortably on the log around the fire as he glanced back over his shoulder to where Glorfindel and Erestor were arguing about something as usual. The attachment Legolas had for Glorfindel had been very closely watched by Lord Elrond during their entire stay in Lorien and the elf Lord had taken it upon himself to keep an eye on the couple.

Legolas yawned as he turned back to the fire and shifted closer to get warm. Again silence fell between the elf Lord and the prince, which Legolas felt acutely. Concern seemed to waver in Lord Elrond’s eyes as Legolas glanced up from the dancing flames to look at the elf Lord. It seemed strange that Lord Elrond would be concerned for him and Legolas wondered what he’d done to cause such an emotion. Legolas had no time to question it however as Elrond reached forward across the flames and touched his hand to Legolas’ forehead. Startled Legolas jumped back a little from the hand but relaxed again as he realised that Elrond wasn’t trying to hurt him. Legolas watched in confusion as Elrond furrowed his brow further in concern before sitting back from Legolas and pursing his lips together in thought.

“Are you cold Legolas?” Legolas nodded his head at Lord Elrond’s question finding it a little strange considering the way he had been shivering all morning. “Do you always feel the cold?” Legolas nodded again wang ang as the elf Lord moved around the fire quickly to sit back down next to Legolas.

“Aye I get cold, but Filgree makes me put warmer clothes on and I often sleep with several blankets on my bed. Why?” Lord Elrond did not answer Legolas question as he slipped his hand into the loose ties of Legolas tunic to place a hand on the youngster’s chest. Legolas’ eyes widened in shock of the Lord’s presumptuous action and moved to get away from the hand, however Elrond’s other hand came to his shoulder making him stay put. “What are you doing? Get your hands off me, they are cold!” Sensing Legolas distressed tone Lord Elrond removed his hand but shook his head in confusion. Legolas was relived as Filgree wandered back over to the fire carrying the warmer tunic and cloak from his pack. Filgree noted the distress of his charge and looked hastily to Lord Elrond for an explanation.

“He skin is cold Filgree, like the elves that pass to mandos. He seeks warmth from the fire not just comfort as we do.” Legolas stood self-consciously from the ground as Lord Elrond also stood to address Filgree. Filgree sighed heavily and looked sympathetically at Legolas who was indeed shivering a little in the cooling wind rolling down from the mountains above.

“Aye I know. He has always felt the cold even as a child but of late it has become worse. He shivers in his sleep less I cover him with several blankets and I often find wea wearing two undershirts below his tunics.” Legolas frowned at Filgree. He had thought that the Tutor had not known about his little secret but as usual he could keep nothing from Filgree. Lord Elrond nodded his brow furrowed in pensive thought as he stared at Legolas.

“And you are stilled aed aren’t you Legolas?” Legolas reluctantly nodded at Lord Elrond’s question, not willing to lie when both elder elves looked severely concerned with his health, like he might keel over and die any moment. It was then that Erestor and Glorfindel came back to the fire instantly picking up on the tension between the three elves already there.

“What is going on?” Erestor quietly questioned Lord Elrond who was still staring at Legolas in concern.

“I do not know yet.” Lord Elrond shook his head at Erestor’s question before sighing heavily. “Legolas is cold for some reason, he shivers with the changes in weather and is cold to touch.” Legolas frowned as Glorfindel instantly turned to him before quickly placing his hand on the back of Legolas neck to feel for himself Legolas lof bof body heat. Glorfindel gasped at how cold Legolas skin felt against his own and sympathetically moved behind the younger elf to envelope him in a warm hug. Legolas accepted the hug and sighed in comfort. It was awkward being talked about like you were some freak of nature.

“What does this mean?” Glorfindel held Legolas closer to his chest as he questioned Lord Elrond quickly.

“I’m not sure, he is still tired even after sleeping for several hours. You know yourself Glorfindel that elves can go for weeks without much rest as long as we pace ourselves. Yet he is still tired even after so long asleep, his body should have fully recovered by now but it still shows signs of fatigue.” Legolas sighed heavily as he watched all the eyes turn to him now all off the travelling party would be concerned for him, and none of them would leave him alone if they thought him ill. Up until now Legolas had thought his cold and fatigue to be nothof cof consequence, just an irritation that other elves didn’t experience.

“Perhaps it is something to do with his coming of age. It has only got worse since the night of the feast.” Filgree noted his experienced observations into the conversation of which Elrond nodded in thanks.

“Yes. Maybe it had somng tng to do with his ability to bear children. When I was told about Haldir’s pregnancy I read as much medicinal material concerning male childbirth as possible and I remember somewhere reading about the preparations the male body goes through. Perhaps his body is preparing itself for a child by conserving energy and heat.” Legolas could not help but snort rudely at Lord Elrond’s ludicrous suggestion before bursting into a fit of hysterical giggles. It was a preposterous suggestion that his body was preparing for a child when he had clearly not even experienced sex yet, let alone the fact he did not want a child yet. Lord Elrond stood silent as he watched Legolas laugh out loud in his face for a few moments. It was only as Legolas realised that he was the only one laughing did he eventually calm himself and stand straight again to glare at Lord Elrond.

“First you stick your cold hand in my tunic then you tell me that I am preparing myself for a child. You can hardly blame me for being a little sceptical of your diagnosis Lord Elrond. I have lived with cold all my life and I do not see why it is so important to discuss it now. And I take offence at you all assuming that I do not have the strength to keep up with you, just because I am a little tired. Filgree will agree with me when I say I am not used to travelling such distances and it is that which probably leads to my fatigue.” Legolas pouted childishly and folded his arms angrily across his chest as he glared at all of the elder elves around him. “Forgive me being so blunt but I do not want a child yet, if ever and I do not like you all presuming things about my private life!” Legolas shrugged himself out of Glorfindel’s hug and turned his back on the group of elves to stare up at the mountains they would soon be climbing.

“Legolas we do not wish to pry into your private life we are only concerned about your health that is all.” Glorfindel quickly sensed Legolas calm temper wearing thin. It was obvious that Legolas as offended by what he’d just been told and Glorfindel had the sneaking suspicion that the young elf was also a little embarrassed by the conversation also. Legolas glanced back at Glorfindel over his shoulder before sighing heavily.

“Very well but I am in perfect health and I wish you would not all talk about me like I am this helpless she elf, capable of nothing else but sitting at home. Now if you’ll excuse me I want some time to myself before we depart.” Legolas turned and snatched the warmer clothing from Filgree’s grasp before heading off towards the nearest rock outcrop that sported a good view of the valley beyond.

“Do not go far Legolas, Orc’s still frequent these low lying valleys of the mountains.” Erestor called Legolas a small warning to which the blonde elf merely waved his hand backwards in acknowledgement of it. Filgree sighed heavily and turned to stare at Lord Elrond pointedly. While Elrond was a healer of great deeds he had the bedside manner of Smaug the dragon.

“Mmm, I see he is particularly moody also another curious ailment.” Glorfindel rolled his eyes at Lord Elrond who had seemingly ignored the prince’s comments and continued his assessment of Legolas state of mind and being.

“Perhaps it will be best if we do not discuss these sorts of things in front of the prince in future. He is still sensitive to the topic and is very insecure about himself.” There was animanimous mumbled approval from the elder elves in light of Glorfindel’s request. Lord Elrond also agreed although his attention was still focused on Legolas figure now sitting high above them on the overhang of the cliff. While Glorfindel knew that Lord Elrond was concerned for Legolas health he did not want to upset his young companion unnecessarily.

“Yes that is true Glorfindel. Still, I will write to Haldir as soon as we get to Imladris. I am sure he would be able to enlighten us on how he experienced his own abilities before and after Legolas birth. This will provide us with some grounding to determine what is truly the matter with our elvan prince and if we can help him in anyway. In the mean time we should all keep an eye on him for his own sake.” With that Lord Elrond turned his gaze back from Legolas figure to smile warmly at the three elves standing before him. “Well come let us prepare for our departure, I wish to be well into the mountains before nightfall.” With a swish of his cloak Lord Elrond disappeared back into the cave they had spent the night in leaving the other elves to go quickly about their own business. While tountountain pass had long been deemed the safest route over the mountains it was still a perilous climb in places and could not be approached lightly. If all went well they would be back in Imladris inside the coming week.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(A/N) Okay just to answer a few of tuickuick questions thrown my way.

1st) I've already mentioned a thousand times about my terrible spelling and shit, and as I've said someone is already beta'ing this as we speak. It's a big task so she'll take at least as long as I'm taking to write this, so if you could just stop bugging me about it cause I'm not an English teacher and I certainlly don't have the money to pay for a bloody proof. Also some of the Elvish spelling my computer doesn't like and it changes it around to suit itself while I'm not looking so I appologise about this but will fix it up in the future as you point it out to me.

2nd) As for Legolas first learning about Masturbation and his encounter with Keeldon? I pose this question to you in reply. If someone was hounding you about something you had no knowledge about and you knew that if you didn't just agree with them something much worse would happen to you, wouldn't you just nod and lie to them? Cause let's face it Keeldon made it pretty clear to Legolas that he wasn't taking no for an answer.... Still I'll make this clearer in the rewrite for you.

Okay anymore questions send them my way I'm always the gracious writer willing to betta my work in order to please. As always feedback is most welcome and thanks to all of you who had reviewed. I hope you're still enjoying reading this.

Cheers

Riff Raff