Greenleaf & Imladris 9-Melethron: The Ancient Path

Chapter VII: Denouement

The sun was just beginning to peek through the clouds when Legolas slipped out of bed and slowly dressed, a mild ache in the lower regions of his body calling to mind what he had undergone just hours earlier. As he drew on his clothes he glanced at the recumbent form that had lain beside him. He shivered at the memory of what had occurred between them the night before. I have never been more afraid in my life, he realized. He did not know how he had borne the height of their coupling. To surrender control and accept conquest. To be the sheath to the sword.



He paused, caught between a shiver and a sigh. Truth be told, he was not certain whether the turmoil he felt was born of what he had endured—or of what he had enjoyed. Was it just Elrohir’s considerable skill or did I learn something about myself this past night? he wondered.



He looked upon his sleeping friend once more. Not just my friend any longer, he realized with mixed emotions. Melethron nîn. My lover.



Elrohir’s handsome face was peaceful, the lines of his body more relaxed than they had been the past several days. The prince reached out and brushed strands of dark silk from the darkling Elf’s cheek. He regarded the beauty of the other’s features as he had the evening before. On that I anchored my determination, he mused gravely. But something more helped me to continue and I cannot tell if it was solely for our friendship’s sake. Not yet.

*********

Elrohir slowly awakened, his mind gradually emerging from the elven dreamscape. For a moment he was content to lie still and remember. Elbereth, that was such a strange dream.



He eased himself up on one arm and drowsily looked about. And then his mind snapped to awareness. He was not in his room. He recognized the fixtures, the furniture and the walls. He was in Legolas’ bedchamber lying in Legolas’ bed.



He drew his breath in sharply. Had last night really happened? Or had he been so in need that he had at last failed to distinguish between his waking dreams and reality? But there was no getting around the fact that he had awakened in the bed of his friend. He shook his head in confusion. Ridiculous to think that he had sleepwalked his way there. And anyway Elves might walk while in the midst of their dreams but they certainly did not walk in their sleep.



Bemused, he sat up and tried to clear the remaining cobwebs from his mind. He had not slept so soundly in what felt like ages. That in itself told him that something had happened. His body, too, felt different. He was sated. It must have happened. He felt a sense of release that had been absent for so many years. It had happened. He did not know whether to be joyful or worried. For one thought came to him on the heels of his discovery. Where was Legolas?



He turned toward the sunlight pouring through the balcony door. The draperies had been drawn back. It was then that he saw him.



He was seated on the balustrade, staring at the forest beyond. Clad only in tunic, hose and light shoes, his hair still flowing free, he looked serene and innocent. Elrohir, reluctant to disturb him, silently rose from the bed and dressed. When he was done he went to join the prince. He was about to step onto the balcony when Legolas turned his head and looked upon him with curiously veiled eyes.



“Did you sleep well?” he quietly asked.



Elrohir found himself unable to fully face his friend and look into his eyes. Truth be told, he was afraid of what he might see in those cerulean windows once Legolas chose to unveil his feelings. He did not move from his place.



“Very well,” he murmured. "'Tis the first good night’s sleep I have had in many a year.”



“That is good to hear.”



For a moment, silence reigned. Elrohir gazed at the figure before him. Images of the night before lingered in his mind and he found it hard to reconcile the acquiescent Elf who had yielded to his passion with the enigmatic prince who now surveyed the woods in silence. He wondered if the experience had left an unpleasant mark on his friend and if that would now mar their relationship permanently.



“Do you regret what you did?” he softly inquired.



Legolas turned to face him. Elrohir was struck once more by the crystal clarity of the archer’s eyes.



“I do not regret anything,” he replied. “As long as you are happy.” After a pause, he added, “Are you?”



“More than you can possibly imagine,” Elrohir breathed.



A slight frown marred the prince’s brow. “You do not look very happy,” he said. “What troubles you?”



Elrohir sighed. “I fear that in accepting your offer I have hurt you in turn, ernilen.”—my prince. At the other’s expression of puzzlement, he explained, “I felt your distress last night. You could not hide your fear. You must have suffered.”



“Nay, meldiren”—my friend—“I did not, you made certain of that.” The corners of his fine lips turned slightly upwards.



Elrohir, aware that he was being teased, felt his face color. “I am glad you did not find it too unpleasant,” he managed to say.



“You also seem given to understatement this morning,” Legolas added, the teasing in his tone becoming more evident.



Elrohir blushed in full but he refused to let himself be distracted from what he needed to say. “It would not have been right if only I experienced any pleasure,” he murmured. “But even the reward of pleasure cannot change the fact that this was not of your wanting. I know how hard it must have been for you to do something you never desired.” He swallowed hard. “I should have stopped,” he whispered. “I should not have let you make such a sacrifice.”



When Legolas would have spoken he swiftly raised a hand to forestall him. “I know how you felt. I was frightened, too, the first time I lay with another ellon.”—male Elf. “But at least I truly wanted the experience. But you...you had nothing to help you endure it.” He lowered his eyes before Legolas should see his self-recrimination. “I have sated my desire but I am not sure it was worth the price you paid.”



Legolas gazed at his friend. I should not have left his side while he was still asleep. Not this first time. He thinks me distant and full of regret.



“Come here,” he said softly.



The twin hesitated at first then did as he was bid. Without warning, Legolas grasped him by his shirt, pulled him close and kissed him full on the mouth. Elrohir’s gasped at the unexpected gesture. Legolas drew back and cupped the other Elf’s face. Blue eyes held grey.



“You are wrong, it was worth the price,” he quietly said. “And I did have something. I had your love and the love I have always borne you. That was more than enough to see me through. And, as you put it...” Dropping his hands, he drew back and Elrohir saw that he was smiling and that his smile reached his eyes. “It was not unpleasant. Not in the least.”



Holding the smile, Legolas patted the balustrade behind him. After the space of a moment, Elrohir accepted the invitation. Legolas leaned back against him and he curled a supporting arm around his friend's shoulders.



Elrohir pressed his lips against the fair locks. He felt Legolas' hand on his arm, warm and reassuring. His fears dwindled.



Hannon le. Thank you.



To be continued...