The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 61

Legolas had sat for a long time on Lord Elrond’s bed merely mulling over what had been said in the chambers in the moments before. While some of what Lord Elrond had said were a mystery the parts concerning Legolas own love, the prince had to agree, had been fairly accurate. It was true that Legolas had thought Elrond a very handsome elf yet unconsciously he had found himself comparing the dark haired Lord to Glorfindel. While Legolas had never seen Glorfindel naked as he had just seen Elrond, Legolas had already formed an image of perfection in his mind about what Glorfindel looked like and in comparison to Lord Elrond. Ultimately the blonde seneschal was far superior in Legolas eyes, to any elf in all of middle earth. Legolas was startled from his distance musings as a maid scurried into the room. It was obvious by the way she froze on her way to the fireplace that she had not expected to see anyone in the room. Having only just realized how long he had been sitting in Lord Elrond’s private chambers Legolas rose quickly from the bed and smiled a little guiltily at the maid, who was now eyeing him suspiciously.

“I beg your forgiveness I had not realised it was so late. Lord Elrond assured me I could stay a little while until I felt ready to return to my own rooms.” Legolas hoped that his little white lie would not be discovered and was rewarded as the maid curtsied politely to the prince without question as he turned and moved from the room. Idly Legolas walked through the corridors of the last homely house. Nothing stirred in the dimly lit hallways except for the occasional night guard or servant, which bowed politely as the prince passed them by. Unconsciously Legolas found himself pause outside his room when he finally arrived there. Something inside of him didn’t feel right retuning to his empty cold room, to sleep alone. Elrond’s words echoed in Legolas mind as the prince hesitantly turned away from the entrance to his room and back down the corridor he had just come. Legolas knew that Filgree would not be waiting for him so his tutor would not worry if he did not come back to his rooms. Not quite knowing where he was going Legolas wandered down the corridors taking turns he did not quite recognise and not knowing why he seemed to know the way. It was at the end of a corridor in the royal wing of the house that Legolas finally came to a stop outside an unfamiliar door.

A flickering glow shining out from under the bottom of the tapestry told of the inhabitants inside the room being still awake. Legolas knew not what possessed him to enter the rooms without announcing himself first and hardly realised he was doing it until the tapestry swung closed before him and he was standing inside a warm comfortable bedroom. Legolas dared not breath as his eyes adjusted to the low light and it was only as his vision focused on the beautiful figure lying naked face down on the bed, writing on a parchment did the prince realise the full extent of what he was doing. The elf lying on the bed looked to almost glow in the flickering light of the candles, their long blond hair cascading like a river down their muscled back and strong shoulders. While a few bandages and bruises marred the perfect expanse of skin Legolas was no less transfixed. Elrond had been right. Glorfindel of Gondolin was truly perfect in the eyes of the one who loved him…

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

Glorfindel shivered as an unexpected breeze blew across his naked body. Putting the quill down for a moment Glorfindel reached behind him and drew the thick blanket up over himself before returning to his letter. It felt good to be back in Imladris, in his own comfortable room and among his friends again. Yet despite his contentment at being home his concern for Prince Legolas had not altered. Glorfindel had to admit he had not been able to see much of Legolas since their rushed return to the last homely house after the attack. On his own part, his broken leg had prevent much of his walking around the house and he had been lucky Elrond had allowed him to even attend dinner this evening. From what the twins had informed him of during his recovery confinement to his rooms, Legolas had been suffering just as greatly from his own wounds all all as his mysterious illness. The prince’s mood swings had increased, as had the volatility of his fragile emotional state. Elrond had come to Glorfindel that morning to explain what Rumli had written to him about and Glorfindel felt distinctly helpless in Legolas suffering despite being more informed about it. With luck these changes would not last long and the prince could return to himself quickly. Glorfindel was looking forward to spending as much time as his duties allowed with Legolas. Glorfindel had already planned several shooting trips and picnics in order to show Legolas the beauty of Imladris as well as refining the young prince’s severely lacking defensive skills with a sword. Glorfindel frowned as that particular line of thought brought the raid back into his memory.

Indirectly Glorfindel blamed himself for not having seen the enemy sooner before they were attacked and while Elrond had been safe Glorfindel berated himself for forgetting about Legolas in the intensity of battle. His sense of responsibility was what had partly driven Glorfindel to write this letter. The origin of the raiding party was still unknown and to whom they reported remained a mystery. From their planned and calculated attack that clearly centred on the prince Glorfindel wase the that someone had sent them specifically to capture Legolas. Yet who in the realms of men knew of Legolas’ existence and further still who would know of his importance to want to kidnap him or worse still kill him. Glorfindel shuddered at that thought. He had thought his heart would have surely broken when he first saw Legolas’ state in Keeldon’s house, and to think of the prince injured or worse still dead was inconceivable to the blonde seneschal. Over the past few months Glorfindel had to admit he had become considerably attached to Legolas Greenleaf, to the point at which Glorfindel knew he would fade if the prince was not with him. It was this concern for Legolas wellbeing that had prompted his letters to the boarder captains of the other elvan realms as well as the Istari. If there was information to be had about these mysterious men then the eyes and ears of the elves and the nosiness of the wizards would certainly provide the answers he needed.

Depressed by his morbid thoughts Glorfindel sighed heavily before reaching over to the bedside table for his half full glass of wine. When Legolas had collapsed at dinner Glorfindel knew then he would again find no rest that night with his worry of the prince. So it had been that the blonde seneschal had resigned himself to writing the letters and sipping from his favourite Imladris vintage wine.

It was as Glorfindel was finishing a final paragraph to Haldir that a flickering of the candle to his right and the shifting of a shadow on the far wall alert Glorfindel to an unwelcome presence in the room. Cautious as not to startle the intruder until Glorfindel had identified them the seneschal pretended to continue writing. Glorfindel silently wondered how long the intruder had been in his room, so lost in his thoughts had the blonde been earlier he would not have sensed their entrance until now. Slowly Glorfindel tilted his gaze from the parchment in front of him to glance up at the looking glass above the vanity opposite him.

Glorfindel could hardly believe whose reflection he saw in the mirror. Legolas was standing just in from the doorway in the shadows created by the candles. It was obvious Legolas had not noticed Glorfindel’s awareness of him, as his eyes were trained on Glorfindel’s body lying on the bed unwarving in their stare. While Glorfindel was tempted to announce the fact he had seen the prince, Glorfindel was also curious to know what his night intruder was up to not having made his presence known earlier. It did not seem right for Legolas to be wandering the corridors of an unfamiliar palace late at night, further more that the prince would presume himself to enter another’s bedchambers without announcing himself first. Glorfindel was intrigued and continued to stare at the reflection of the prince trying to read what the prince was thinking behind his emerald green eyes.

After a long time of nothing Glorfindel watched almost in shock as Legolas gracefully stepped forward so that he stood directly at the end of the bed. Again his eyes never left Glorfindel’s body and the seneschal was beginning to get a little worried for Legolas’ health. This act seemed totally out of character for the young prince, intriguing Glorfindel further. It was the prince’s next actions however that forced Glorfindel into recovery moJustJust as gracefully as he had stepped up to the bed the prince began to remove his robes. Glorfindel was glued to the reflection in the mirror his letters and quill forgotten as he watched each tantalizing piece of creamy flesh being revealed as thick cloths were stripped away. The display was causing a distinct reaction in Glorfindel and forgetting his pretence Glorfindel began to breath deeper and more rapidly as the last piece of clothing dropped from Legolas’ frame.

The prince was beautiful, his silky skin pulled taunt over a muscular and sculptured body. The aura about him glowed like mitheral in the candlelight making the ethereal figure even more spectacular in Glorfindel’s eyes. Admittedly the bruises, cuts and bandages were a cruel reminder of the prince’s troubled past but Glorfindel thought the prince no less beautiful because of them. Wounds would heal in time to leave just the perfection of Legolas. After a few more moments of mere staring at Legolas’ figure Glorfindel could hold his tongue no longer and slowly rolled over onto his back to face the naked figure standing stoically at the bottom of the bed. Glorfindel watched the fear wash into the prince’s eyes as they met each other’s gaze across the short space. Sensing the youngsters sudden fear Glorfindel propped himself up on his elbows and raised a cheeky row row as his gaze lazily stroked over Legolas entire figure before coming back to meet the prince’s gaze.

“To what do I owe this honour?” Panic engulfed Legolas features as Glorfindel finally broke the silence. Legolas seemed to almost snap out of his previous trance like state, as he looked horrified at the elder elf in front of him. Glorfindel pre empted the prince’s embarrassed escape and threw himself quickly to the end of the bed only just catching Legolas around the waist as the prince turned to run. Despite his injured leg Glorfindel brought Legolas down onto the bed on top of him with little effort. Legolas did not struggle as Glorfindel rolled him over onto his side so that they could lie facing each other in the middle of the large bed. “You did not answer me Legolas, to what do I owe the honour of your presence in my chamber? Should you not be resting?” Legolas was like a startled rabbit caught in Glorfindel’s questioning gaze and could not think quick enough to make up excuses.

”I do not know. One moment I was talking with Lord Elrond and the next I was here, staring at you in aw.” Glorfindel’s face flourished a little in embarrassment as he watched Legolas’ gaze drop from his eyes to where Glorfindel’s flaccid member lay against his thigh. Legolas could not believe he was staring at Glorfindel so openly but was powerless to do anything, so captivated by the sight of the seneschal’s thick endowment.

“And in what part of that brief story do you happen to misplace your clothes?” Glorfindel’s lightly put question, drew Legolas’ attention back to the fact he too was naked. The answer to Glorfindel’s second question eluded Legolas ever more than the first. The prince could not fathom what had possessed him to even come to Glorfindel’s rooms let alone take his clothes off for no apparent reason. No one save Filgree had ever seen him fully naked and the sudden realization of his own inadequacy compared to Glorfindel brought instant shame to Legolas face. “I am sorry, I do not know what I am doing here. I should not even know the way to your chambers let alone do something like this. Please let me go before I further humiliate myself.” Legolas again went to rise from the bed having strategically cupped his hands over his groin trying to hide its view from the significantly larger elf in front of him. Glorfindel shook his head in reply, not relinquishing his grip on the prince’s waist even as Legolas began to struggle. It was obvious that the prince was confused and upset and Glorfindel knew in his heart Legolas had not known what he was doing when he entered the chamber.

“Legolas calm yourself.” Glorfindel’s commanding tone instantly stilled the struggling elf. Something was obviously not right for the prince to be acting so out of character and Glorfindel intended to get to the bottom of it. Releasing his hold on the now still prince Glorfindel rose from the bed and wandered over to the fire insuring that he gathered his robe on the way and tied it about himself. This conversation would be far less awkward if they were both less naked. Once comfortable with his state of dress Glorfindel removed a clean robe from his closet and threw it over to Legolas, who instantly compiled with the unspoken command and wrapped the garment around himself. The prince was grateful to cover his body as he cautiously watched Glorfindel begin pacing the length of the room at the bottom of the bed. From the way the blonde’s forehead was creased in thought it was clear Legolas was not to interrupt at present despite his pressing need to apologise again for his irrational behaviour. “Legolas when you come to the royal wing of the last homely house which corridor do you take to head in the direction of my chambers?” Legolas was a little confused by Glorfindel’s spontaneous question and merely shrugged his shoulders unknowingly. While he remembered walking his mind did not recall any of the twists and turns he had taken to reach Glorfindel’s rooms. It was an unusual feeling to not be able to remember something, Legolas had always prided himself at being able to recall most things after his first encounter with them, yet the answer to Glorfindel’s question eluded him.

“In honesty Lord Glorfindel I did not even know your chambers were in the royal wing, let alone where they lay specifically.” Glorfindel nodded his head in thought as he tucked a stray braid back behind his ear and began pacing again.

“Are you feeling alright? Are you dizzy? Sick to the stomach at all?” Glorfindel paused again at the end of the bed to stare at Legolas with a critical eye. Legolas looked internally for a moment to assess his heath before finding that he was indeed a little dizzy and that his stomach felt strangely numb.

“Both, I admit I am a little dizzy but it could be the heat it is so hot in here, and after my display at dinner it is hardly surprising my stomach still feels queasy.” Glorfindel was at Legolas side in an instant, kneeling on the bed as he reached his hand to Legolas forehead before comparing the heat he found there with a hand on his own forehead. It was true Legolas was scolding to touch and while Glorfindel suspected some of it was due to the prince’s embarrassment the other part of it was something else entirely.

“With your changes due to your coming of age, did Elrond mention anything to you about dizziness and a bad stomach?” Legolas closed his eyes and thought for a moment before shaking his head sadly. He had remembered very little of what Lord Elrond had told him but knew that those symptoms had not been among the ones Rumli had outlined in his letter.

“That is a little worrying I have to admit Legolas. I have not seen elves in such ill health as you seem to be in at present and it concerns me. This is not like you, to find your way to my rooms without knowing the direction aour our actions are quite not your own.” Glorfindel sighed heavily as he sat back on the bed, so that he was leant up against the headboard. Legolas remained staring at his hands nervously fiddling in his lap. He could feel the elder’s gaze on his but did not feel it was his place to speak. He was after all in Glorfindel’s chambers, unannounced and totally uninvited. “Perhaps I should take you to Lord Elrond, he might be able to give you something to elevate your temperature.” Glorfindel had been musing quietly to himself when he finally came to a decision. The seneschal was surprised however as Legolas turned sharply and vehemently shook his head at him.

“No. Lord Elrond is in disposed at the moment I am sure of it and I do not want to disturb him.” Legolas vividly remembered what Lord Elrond had said as he’d exited the room and although it was hard to believe Legolas was now sure Lord Elrond was Erestor’s admirer. Glorfindel frowned and directed Legolas face towards his own with a firm hand under the youngsters chin. The outburst from Legolas had been unexpected and from the wash of fear that had encroached on Legolas face it was obvious the prince knew something Glorfindel did not.

“I doubt Lord Elrond would chastise me for bringing to his attention your decline in health Legolas, no matter how disposed he is at present.” Glorfindel rose a questioning eyebrow at Legolas although not verbally putting forth the question. Legolas swallowed around the lump in his throat as he involuntarily leaned in to Glorfindel’s soft hand on his cheek. It would be impossible to lie to Glorfindel; Legolas had far too much respect for his lover to be to reduce the relationship to fraudulence.

“Lord Elrond said he was going to see his lover when he left me last.” Glorfindel was clearly shocked as he stared at his younger counterpart. Legolas lowered his gaze and moved shyly closer to Glorfindel so that he was perched between the elder’s knees. “I think Elrond is Erestor’s admirer, although I can not be sure…” Legolas trailed off as Glorfindel brushed a stray blonde braid from Legolas’ face back behind a delicately pointed ear.

“I am shocked. I had been sure that it was Elrohir that was Erestor’s admirer having seen them at dinner this evening.” Legolas chuckled softly and shook his head in amusement. He too had jumped to the same conclusion Glorfindel had done, having seen the pair at dinner. “Did Elrond confirm this to you?” Legolas shook his head reluctantly not wanting to seem as if he’d made his story up. Yet Glorfindel didn’t notice and merely wrapped his arms around Legolas waist effectively pulling the younger elf against his chest in a comfortable embrace. Legolas could hardly contain his delight as he felt his cheek press against Glorfindel’s smooth chest through the open robe. Involuntarily Legolas’ eyes fluttered closed in contentment as Glorfindel’s arms tightened around him sensing the younger elf’s warmth. “Well if this is indeed true and Elrond is with Erestor this night then it is well that we do not disturb them. It has been a long time since Elrond has found happiness in another and Erestor deserves some time to adjust.” Legolas managed to nod weakly already drowning in the smell and warmth of Glorfindel’s presence surrounding him. It had been too long since Legolas had felt the elder elf and it was a comfort to his troubled mind to have the seneschal close. “Maybe it is best you slept with me tonight little one, so I can keep watch over you in case your condition worsens before the morning.” Legolas secretly smiled at Glorfindel’s decree. This would be the first time since the incident in Lorien that Legolas would be allowed to sleep in Glorfindel’s bed. Filgree had agreed whole heartily with Glorfindel’s original plan to court Legolas via the traditional procedures regarding royalty and had forbidden Legolas from even entering Glorfindel chambers under any circumstances. Yet since the attack on the return from Lorien Legolas had yearned for nothing more than to lie beside the form of his lover if only for a few moments to inhale the intoxicating aroma of the elder elf. Somewhere in his mind Legolas wondered if his strange activities tonight had been attributed to that yearning but did not voice his thoughts.

“Thank-you.” Legolas muttered quietly into the folds of Glorfindel’s robes. Glorfindel smiled and nodded understandingly as he soothed his hand back and forth down Legolas back as the younger elf snuggled closer still.

“Let me get comfortable Legolas before you fall asleep, or I will be grumpy in the morning.” Sensing the younger elf’s fading awareness Glorfindel shifted down into the bed insuring that he moved his half finished letters to the bed side and snuffed out the last remaining candles on the table. Legolas it seemed had no intention of moving from his position half draped over Glorfindel so the seneschal merely drew the blankets up over them and settled his head comfortably on his feather pillows. Legolas hardly weighed a thing lying atop of the blonde and Glorfindel could not help but sigh contently as the prince settled himself comfortably between his legs with his head tucked under the folded collar of Glorfindel’s night robe. In the darkness of his room Glorfindel lay for a long time listening the soft even breathing of the prince as the youngster slept soundly. In truth Glorfindel could not believe how relaxed he felt having Legolas enveloping him completely. It was a comfortable feeling despite the fact Legolas knee was pressed firmly against Glorfindel’s limp member beneath the short robe that had ridden up during his shift into bed. Glorfindel draped his arms lightly over the prince’s shoulders so that he could idly play with the soft tips of hair that spread like a fan over the prince’s back. Content that he would be able to sleep in this position Glorfindel closed his eyes and allowed his thoughts and dreams to wander as the aroma of Legolas presence swam around him in the darkness.

Glorfindel smiled at the images that sprung into his mind. It seemed only a day since Glorfindel had first seen Legolas. The tall blonde, so elegantly dressed in his regal robes and so shy in his manner had totally captivated Glorfindel from the very moment they’d met. It had taken a while for it to sink in but Glorfindel had known the moment he’d blackmailed Thranduil back in Mirkwood that he’d been in love with Legolas. The prince was everything Glorfindel had wanted in a mate, what he’d been searching for since Echthelion died. In someway Legolas reminded Glorfindel of Echthelion, like how they both had a of bof being so passively innocent at times yet at others speak firmly their mind and become stubborn. Yet they were both so different in others. Echthelion had been nearly twice the age of Glorfindel when they had been lovers, the elder elf teaching Glorfindel so much about life and love, now however it was Glorfindel who was the teacher to one half his age. Instinctively Glorfindel tightened his hold a little on Legolas still lying above him as the memories turned a depressive. Glorfindel had known of no pain he had encountered in his life that compared to the pain he’d felt upon hearing of Echthelion’s death. While he’d known from the beginning, his relationship with his tutor would never have been meant to last it had done nothing to quell the grief Glorfindel had suffered at the elder’s loss. That summer Glorfindel had doubled his efforts on the battlefield his anger at Echthelion’s death so encompassing he had not even noticed how his men had been forced to give up defending him during their battles, as he’d thrown himself into the most terrible of situations without bothering about the risk to himself. His grief had consumed him to the point at which it had taken the death of a solider under his command to bring him to his senses. It was with a sense of regret and painful guilt that reminded him with every new day the name of the solider that died to save his possessed leader. Yet despite his grief for Echthelion’s loss he had not faded as he’d often wished for during those first few months. Something now though was different. Deep in his heart Glorfindel knew that if he were to lose Legolas he would fade for sure. Legolas was special and although there had been many flights of fancy in Glorfindel’s life after Echthelion there had never been anyone as special as Legolas.

In his sleep Glorfindel shifted a little under Legolas’ weight, before allowing his hand come to rest on Legolas’ which was now firmly entwined with the tie of Glorfindel’s robe. Without further conscious thought Glorfindel linked his fingers with Legolas’ and squeezed them tightly as the memories of the past began to slowly give way to his dreamscape and the much more pleasing images of the future engulfed his mind in a peaceful bliss…

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