Cuil Eden

Title: Cuil Eden
Part: 60/?
Rating: NC-17
Series: Sequel to Anestel and Ethuil'waew
Pairing: Glorfindel/Legolas
Warnings: mpreg, bdsm
Disclaimer: All the pretty elves belong to Tolkien, I'm just playing with them and will give them back afterwards.
Lots of thanks to my beta for her hard work! :)


60

"Ada, ada, ada!" Gîl was fairly bouncing, only held back by Haldir's relentless grip on his hand. "Let me, too! I want to do it, too!"

Legolas laughed again and slid from Lainiell's back, gratefully hugging the mare once more before he turned towards his son.

"When you are bigger, Gîl; I promise I will teach you then."

"When I get my pony I will do that, too!" Gîlríon declared, and Haldir laughed, though for once, there was kindness in it and none of the usual derision.

"I am certain you will – for after all, what better teacher than the fastest rider of pâd e-gelaidh in all of Mirkwood?"

Legolas smiled, flushed with delight and pleasure and some embarrassment at such praise.

"Ai, I am far from that, and you know it!" he demurred. "There is more to pâd e-gelaidh than just a fast horse – but I will gladly take your praise for Lainiell, for she was indeed the fastest horse of Greenwood, and would have made a champion had she but a rider more accomplished at weaponry."

Haldir shrugged. "It might yet come to pass... You are not a warrior yet, we all know the truth of that, but with a teacher like Glorfindel, you have a good chance. And indeed you have just proven your merit on horse-back. It seems that I have lost the wager..."

"I may demand a forfeit then?" Legolas asked, his eyes gleaming as he pondered possibilities – not that he would ever dare demand something outrageous from the former Marchwarden, yet for a moment he could nonetheless enjoy the thought of doing just that.

"Why, I think that is obvious. Had you lost, I would have gotten a kiss from you. Now that I have lost, you will get a kiss from me." Haldir smirked at the expression of horrified disbelief this got him.

"Are you jesting?"

Legolas turned at the familiar voice, then smiled in relief when he found that Fairion and Laindir had come up behind him, with half a dozen Imladrian guards waiting a short distance away.

"Aye, he has to be," Fairion replied to his lover's exclamation. "The Valar know that such a thing would be fit reward for no one."

Haldir smirked. "Would you care to find out?"

"Would you care to find out how sharp my blade cuts?" Fairion retorted.

"We saw you ride, Legolas!" Laindir cut in. "I did not know you could do that; I have never seen such a thing before!"

Legolas' blush deepened, for he was still so unused to praise of any sort that he could not help but be embarrassed by the attention.

"It was a truly amazing feat," Fairion agreed. "Your horse has already proven her merit on the slippery and treachery paths through the mountains, but that turn you did – ai, so fast I was certain you would both slip and fall! Mayhap you should become riding instructor for our troops, instead of sharing Thalaron's lessons?"

Haldir grimaced. "Ai, you would rob him of exactly those lessons he needs most? Do not coddle him just because you covet his Lord's sympathy."

Fairion snorted and rested a hand on Legolas' shoulder in support. "He needs no coddling, and in any case, he knows that my words were half spoken in jest. Still, he might benefit more from a single tutor in the art of weaponry, instead of taking part in the youths' lessons. Despite your dishonorable behavior, he showed a lot of promise in that so-called duel."

"Aye, a tutor in archery... Target practice would be a good idea." Laindir's grim look showed that he knew exactly who would make a good target for at least a dozen arrows.

Haldir's eyes narrowed, but before things could escalate, Legolas stepped between them.

"Please... I know that Haldir is right, I still need a lot of training with a blade, and I certainly will not stop taking lessons."

"Come to the barracks again tomorrow, then, if you like – if your Lord can spare you," Laindir added. "If you want, I will train with you. Indeed, I think all of us would be happy to help. We have heard of your potential, and there is not a single one of us who does not look forward to the day when you shall have this guard kneeling before you with your blade at his throat."

Haldir sniggered. "By all means, train him – it is something I truly approve of. Though we shall see about the kneeling part of it..."

Fairion snorted, and Laindir rolled his eyes. "In any case, that so-called guardian of yours is not why we came over. We just finished sparring and want to head over to the baths. Do you want to join us? Gîl looks like he could do with a little cleaning up – we will take one of the pools that are not quite so hot, so that it will not be too much for him."

"Yes! I want to go bathing with them, ada!" Gîl exclaimed, and Legolas hid a smile at how quickly his desire to ride on Lainiell was forgotten. But then, the child liked Fairion and Laindir, who had proven amenable to no matter what outrageous games he demanded – and Legolas felt at ease in their company as well.

And yet, to bathe with them, with almost half the company of Noldorin guards... There was an excuse already on Legolas' tongue, but he bit it back, determined not to appear a coward in front of the guards, and especially not in front of Haldir.

Experience had taught him that to make himself vulnerable in such a way would unfailingly result in being hurt. To accept an invitation such as this had too often meant ridicule and humiliation; to appear naked among them might bring him even more hurt, as it had when he had been nothing but Glorfindel's plaything. His Lord was not around to protect him...

And yet he knew that these were Glorfindel's men, people his Lord trusted to protect him – people he had even come to like on their journey. Why was it still so hard then to join them for something as simple and innocent as a bath?

Legolas straightened. He would not let his fear keep him from what he had always wanted – the life that everyone else led, with friends, with acquaintances, a life where to spend an afternoon enjoying himself with people he knew and liked was not a rare treasure but something completely normal.

He was not a victim anymore, and he would not behave like one, especially not in front of Haldir!

"Of course," he said and smiled at Laindir. "Although my Lord wanted to come and meet us here at the stables. Will he know where we are?"

"Gúrloss has to bring a missive to the city anyway," Fairion interjected. "I will have him tell the Captain where to find us; mayhap he will want to join us as well. They might not have hot springs here in the woods, but those heated pools they have come up with are just as comfortable as the baths at home, especially after a long sparring session." He winced and rubbed his shoulders as if in proof.

"I will come with you as well, of course," Haldir said with another of those smirks that made Legolas want to hide and groan in annoyance both at once. "It is my duty as his guard to keep him from being accosted."

"Really?" Fairion said slowly, his eyes darkening in anger. "From what I have heard-"

"Please," Legolas interrupted again. "If he wants, he can come along; I do not mind."

Of course, he did mind – to undress with Haldir's hungry, mocking eyes on him was an experience he could very well do without, and yet admitting to this fear seemed even more terrible to him.

"Very well then, you may come," Fairion said ungraciously. "After all, what better place to think of a forfeit for you? I am certain we will all come up with a lot of suggestions for the Prince."

Legolas bit back a smile at Haldir's glower and entrusted Gîlríon to the keeping of the two guards while he returned Lainiell to her box, feeling guilty that he had only taken her out for such a short time. In the hope that his Lord would find some time on the following day, he promised her a long ride through the Golden Wood then, and gave her another apple in apology.

Haldir kept mercifully silent on the way to the baths, although Legolas was certain that he could feel his ever-present smirk bore into his back. Yet Gîlríon had wheedled his way into being carried on Fairion's shoulders and now pretended that the soldier was a horse. Laindir cried tears of laughter at his lover's whinnying, and even Legolas laughed out loud at the sound.

The other guards were waiting for them at the building that housed the baths, one of them with a parchment in hand that Fairion quickly signed. "Tell the Captain that the Prince and little Gîl are here with us – he can join us if he wants. And do not forget about that cask of ale..."

"As if I would!" The soldier grinned and then left, and Legolas found himself surrounded by the group of Noldor – all of them smiling and greeting him and Gîl, and teasing Fairion about the promotion to mount he seemed to have been given. Gîlríon giggled, obviously well at ease at being the center of attention, and while Legolas was overwhelmed at being surrounded by so many, it also made a warm happiness spread through him at being welcome in their midst. A part of him still could not help but wonder if they had invited him out of pity, because it was obvious to everyone that he had no one apart from his Lord and Gîl, but he rigorously suppressed that thought. This was Gîl's rightful place, and Legolas would not take it away from him for anything, even though he still could not help but fear being shown that he did not belong.

When they went inside at last, the air was warm and damp, and smelling faintly of the minty rub used for sore muscles. Legolas refused to look at Haldir when they undressed, even though he could hear him exchange snide remarks with Laindir, and instead concentrated on helping Gîl, who was too excited to hold still and so made it difficult to free him from tunic and leggings. Legolas smiled when the child raced away to bother Fairion once more as soon as he was freed of his clothes, and then proceeded to undress himself, unhappy with the feeling of self-consciousness he just could not shake. At last, when most of the others had already gone on to wash themselves, he put away their clothing onto a shelf and began to open his braids. He tried not to think of how so far, only Glorfindel had ever seen him this way, for he knew that this was truly not at all alike to undressing for his Lord's eyes, and it made him feel vaguely ashamed to even have these misgivings at all about an occasion so mundane.

"Need help with that?" Haldir asked with a slow smile, taking his time to look Legolas up and down so that the youth had to fight the instinct to cover himself with his hands. Yet he was no maiden to feel embarrassed by such insolent scrutiny – if he truly dreamed of becoming a warrior one day, this should be as normal to him as sparring with others, Legolas knew only too well. He did not want to be embarrassed – he did not want to stay a victim to Haldir's ribald teasing!

Gathering his courage, Legolas looked up to meet Haldir's eyes – then lowered his gaze to study the guard's body in turn, fighting the urge to run away and hide as he forced himself to look at Haldir's member... to truly look, to take in the wiry curls of silver, the shaft that was paler than his Lord's, but – Valar, even soft it was huge! Maybe even thicker than his Lord, though Haldir did not have quite his length, Legolas noted, his mouth dry. Ai, even the smooth sack holding his testes was huge, no comparison to himself at all, as he had feared – but then, that was not what this was about, was it?

"No, thank you", said Legolas, turning away dismissively. "I can do it on my own." He took a step towards the door, then stopped when he saw Laindir returning for them, and glanced back at Haldir. "In any case, I am used to better."

He lifted his chin, and copied the guard's arrogant smile. Haldir scowled. Yet Laindir's presence rescued him from any further quips, so that Legolas gave him a grateful smile that he hoped was not too obviously relieved. "I will undo your braids if you help me with mine," the Noldo offered and tugged at a tangled, still somewhat soapy braid with a grin. "It is always the same when we spar – Fairion has given up on them by now. Last time he threatened to just cut them off."

Legolas winced in sympathy. "How cruel! I can try, at least... Gîl's hair tangles easily as well, and I am glad it is not that long yet. I fear he inherited that from his atar."

"Yours is always so smooth! I truly envy you," Laindir sighed, wrapping an arm around Legolas' shoulders as he led him through the door into a large room filled with small pools. Some of the Imladrian guards had already immersed themselves in the water, while Fairion and two others were playfully chasing a nude and giggling Gîlríon. They paid no further attention to Haldir who nevertheless followed them, and Legolas did not even have to turn around to know that he was scowling at their backs yet again.

They watched how Fairion at last caught Gîlríon and scooped him up, then carried him towards them to hand him over to Legolas.

"Come, we can wash over there! Sparring was terrible today, I ache all over – I want nothing more now than to lean back in the hot water," Fairion sighed and led them over to the side where stood a row of buckets filled with water, and a shelf stocked with soaps. They quickly washed themselves, Gîl still giggling and trying to escape, and Legolas was glad for the excuse to ignore Haldir, whose eyes he could still feel unashamedly staring at his naked body. Legolas was grateful that by now, all traces of his Lord's punishments had vanished – no welts or bruises marred his back, and even though thinking of being marked in such a way made him quiver inside with a terrible, helpless excitement, now he was relieved that he would at least be spared Haldir's comments on that.

At last, they sank into the hot water, Fairion groaning in bliss when his sore muscles finally relaxed, and Legolas could not even bring himself to resent Haldir who had somehow managed to slide in next to him. "This is wonderful," Legolas sighed, then helped Gîl into the water and pulled him onto his lap. "It is not too hot, is it?"

Gîl shook his head and hit the water with his hand so that it splashed onto Haldir.

Legolas grinned. "If you feel too warm, you will tell me, promise?"

"I promise, ada!" Gîl said impatiently, already reaching out his hands to something Fairion pushed towards them – a small wooden boat, Legolas noticed, carved to look like one of the swan boats they had seen on the Celebrant.

"I made it for my little cousin, but he can have it... I still have enough time to carve a whole fleet if I want."

"Le hannon," Gîl said obediently when Legolas nudged him, then happily produced waves for the little boat to crest.

Haldir was mercifully silent, and Legolas refused to look at him and so acknowledge whatever way he was currently being stared at. The conversation went from boats to the sea when one Noldo described the huge ship he had seen on a visit to the Grey Havens, and from there to Glorfindel, who had returned from Aman on a ship more than four millennia ago.

"Can we go on a ship too, ada?" Gîlríon asked wide-eyed, and Legolas smiled indulgently.

"Not yet, my heart... but your atto has promised that one day, we will sail to Valinor together on just such a ship." He tightened his grip on his son for a moment, his heart so full of love for his child and his Lord who had given him such joy, that it was almost an ache. He pressed a kiss to Gîl's damp, golden locks, not caring if Haldir thought him a maiden for it, and allowed himself to dream for a moment of the life they would lead in Aman, safe from all those who would bring them strife.

"Come, turn around and I will take care of your braids," Fairion then said, and Legolas obediently turned, fighting the heat in his cheeks when he found himself the recipient of Haldir's gaze yet again.

The water went up to his shoulders, and he had Gîl on his lap and was thus covered, yet still he could not help but feel unsettled by being so close to Haldir.

"I like you better with your hair undone," the guard said huskily, and now Legolas felt himself flushing after all.

"And I like you better without your pretty red cloak," Fairion retorted unkindly. "Keep it up, and the Captain will make certain that it stays that way."

Haldir's eyes narrowed, but before he could reply, Legolas all but thrust Gîlríon into his hands.

"Here... take care of him for a moment, while I untangle Fairion's braids. I have decided what forfeit to demand. Orophin said that you were the one who dictated to them the tales for the book you gave Gîl for his begetting day – tell Gîl such a tale now, while I am busy."

Haldir stared at the child on his lap, who stared back completely unintimidated. "The story with the butterfly!" Gîlríon demanded in the tone of one who was used to getting what he wanted, and Legolas turned towards Fairion to hide a snicker. It was not an outrageous demand, nor something as ribald as the Galadhel would have demanded had he won, yet the mirth on the faces of the soldiers told him that maybe, this was even worse – that to become known as an expert on fairytales was even less desirable to the infamous Marchwarden.

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atto - affectionate form of "father" [Quenya]
ada - affectionate form of "father" [Sindarin]
pâd e-gelaidh - way of trees
le hannon – thank you (formal) [Yes, I know that Salo used 'hannon le' in the movies, but in the attested uses of 'le' Tolkien always had it preceeding the verb, and that is how I've kept it as well.]
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