Love Within Sight

VII

Elladan resisted the yearning to return to the dreaming as often as he would like. He could summon an image of Legolas before him as he lay on his bed, but it was only when deep in sleep did the image come to brilliant life and Legolas was his once more. But he knew that he could not live in the world of dreams, that he had a place and a duty that tied him as much as it did his lover. Thus he continued with most unaware of his night time rendezvous. As was the bond between the twins, there were no secrets kept. As Elrohir’s worry that Elladan would seek to stay within the dream world proved unfounded his admiration for his brother’s resilience increased, and his trust in the mysterious elfling multiplied many fold.

The elfling followed Elladan to the water’s edge. The sun was setting on the horizon, casting a glow over the ocean that made it look as though flames danced over the waves. It had become a ritual with them to share this end of day before they took their meal together. Sometimes they were joined by Elrohir and Haldir, sometimes they went to them to eat together, sometimes they alone stood and watched. Always it was in silence and always did Amdir hold Elladan’s hand.

This twilight a light rain fell, barely touching the ground, casting a fine mesh of droplets on their hair. The air smelt refreshed, full of promise as the wind blew from the sea. Admir placed his hand in Elladan’s as they watched the white topped waves roll in. Perhaps it was a trick of the fading light, but as they searched the horizon Elladan chanced that he sighted a single white sail. He looked to the elfling to confirm or deny his thought and was met with an enigmatic smile and a tug on his hand.

“Tired,” the little one spoke to a Elladan reluctant to leave the shoreline.

The older elf lifted the elfling into his arms, and with a last longing look to the line where sea met sky, turned to take him home. Once they crossed the threshold of the house Elladan put the child down to gather a towel to rub over his wet skin and hair and dress him in his sleeping clothes. Elladan himself doubted he would sleep this night, thought of slipping out to affirm what he had seen, but the little one held to his hand as he climbed into bed, asking that Elladan stay with him in case the rain became a storm, only a chance event in the west lands, but a chance. So Elladan stayed, watched the child sleep, gazed into the night and gradually succumbed to sleep himself.

The first rays of the new day were unfiltered by the light curtains that hung on the windows. With a view across the sea, Elladan had no wish to obscure his vision. As Elladan became aware of the world once more the little one beside him stirred and smiled. Elladan blinked. There had been no dreaming in the night though Elladan had ferverently wished it, but upon awakening he had felt it.

“He is here.”

The little one nodded.

The white sails had been noticed by many, they gathered at the dock to witness this incredulous event. Elrohir stood with Haldir, embracing his brother tightly when he saw the radiant smile amid the tears.

Elven eyes spied the tall blond elf standing on the bow already seeking just one of their number. Elladan raised his hand before stepping back. Legolas as befitted his station would be greeted first by others, he had waited for Legolas, he could wait a little longer. A ripple of suppressed excitement moved through the assembled crowd as the ship neared. Here truly was the last of their kind.

Legolas placed his foot on the wooden platform, embraced by his father and father to be in turn. Then the Lady Galadriel welcomed him, smiling as she held him, then released him to seek out the one whose embraced he longed for.

Behind Legolas stepped the dwarf to be similarly welcomed, then almost unseen came a small figure clambering out of the boat onto the wharf. He was acknowledged by one who waited with a satisfied smile. This newcomer was as striking as the one he offered his hand to. Bright grey eyes peered from a curtain of gold blond hair, taking in the surroundings he had arrived to.

All then stood silent as the way was parted.

Elladan scarcely knew what to say, stunned to at last be face to face with his love. The tears trickled over his pale cheeks, matched by glistening of Legolas’ eyes. They stood staring at each other, afraid to touch in case this was a cruel apparition conjured by their weariness, fearful that it would disappear from their grasp and they would be left alone. Legolas stepped forward, uncertain now he was within reach of Elladan. He needed only one word to know.

“Legolas,” Elladan breathed, and it was enough.

That their souls had mourned for each other was evident in the first kiss. They had been gifted with the power of dreaming, and had gratefully accepted such a beauteous offering, without it they both surely would have faded in their longing for each other. Yet to hold each other and know they would not have to give up what they had was a joy beyond all joys.

“How I have missed you,” Legolas murmured, shaking his head at the unnecessarily voiced sentiment. Eyes were averted, but the happiness could not be mistaken, it touched each of those present.

“Welcome,” Elladan smiled, his hand in Legolas’ as the made their way to the home Elladan had long waited to present to his betrothed.

Elrohir watched in the soothing embrace of his love, noting the passage of the lovers, and the two who followed hand in hand behind. He marked their startling similarities in their aura and as he did so, they turned as one to acknowledge him, pairs of blue and grey eyes regarding him at first solemnly, then radiantly. They skipped to catch up with Elladan and Legolas, entering the house behind them, leaving their company to renew their own acquaintance.

Legolas held his love once more. The elation he saw in Elladan was matched by his own, but also it haunted him. It reminded him of their separation, of his reluctance to leave until he had felt he had done all he could, of Elladan’s infinite patience with him to abide by his pledges, of the hurt he had caused to the one he loved. The connection so newly returned to them, Elladan felt the full flood of the pain.

“No,” he pleaded, kissing Legolas with the love he also felt, “no need, not now we are together, not now we have eternity.”

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

It was a gathering few had sighted in their long lives. Elves watched in silence, not even the wind whispered in the trees. The grove had been prepared days before, bowers of flowers had been strung in arches, ribbons of gold intertwined amid the blooms. A canopy of white sails dotted with silver stars loomed overhead, flags heavily embroidered with the symbols of the houses of old were starched stiff on their poles.

The witnesses stood to the east and west, dressed simply in no regard to any honour or rank. Only three were set apart in their raiment and stance. They were the three who would sight the ritual, recanting the ancient words of bonding, eldars of their realms. Their robes were rich in colour, green for the forest, blue for the sea and silver for the stars, their brows adorned with jewelled crowns.

Into this would come those who had pledged themselves and sought the blessing of their kin and the grace of the Valar for their union.

There had been many days of reconnection for Elladan and Legolas, begging the further patience of Elrohir and Haldir, a request gladly given. Their constant shadows were the now two little ones, who alternately would run ahead or proceed solemnly behind as the lovers walked along the shore or cliff edges or among the trees. They would sit in silence while the sun set on the sea, then disappear to give the betrothed their solitude. Legolas could no more explain the presence of the one who had accompanied him than could Elladan of the one who had come to him. His name had been all he would admit to, had asked to be called Bronwe, had joined Legolas in his travels without complaint and offered comfort when the prince had despaired of his choices. And they took their place in the proceedings without comment.

They carried silken cushions of white laced with gold and silver upon which lay the binding rings, identical save for the names inscribed. Their hair had been braided to highlight their delicate features, grey and blue eyes shining with an unfathomable depth of understanding beyond what their meagre years would suggest.

Following came the betrothed elves, each accompanied by a companion who had spent the past days with them in council, performed the ritual bathing each early morn, and this eve anointed their bodies with sensual oils, dressed them in the attire of binding and threaded their hair in the intricate designs demanded.

Haldir of Lorien walked with his brother Orophin, Elrohir in deference to Rumil’s protection of his brother chose his brother to be, Elladan and Legolas both looked to Imladris for their escort. Elladan walked to his binding with the one whom he had known from his birth, had tutored him in the ways of elfkind, Erestor acknowledged his own bonded mate as he moved across the petal strewn path. In recognition of the skills passed on that had formed his lover as a formidable warrior, Glorfindel was proud to accompany Legolas. None had chosen any adornment but their rings of betrothal, their clothing as simple, palest white tunics and leggings, a belt that held a gifted dagger at their waist, a cloak that fastened at their throats with a clasp of their realm. They had been deemed ready to commit to eternal partnership as those who walked with them would soon swear.

It was a solemn occasion but as they walked side by side the little ones permitted themselves a smile to each other that if noticed would have been deemed one of triumph.

As party stood before the three, in turn Galadriel, Elrond and Thranduil dismissed the companions from their duty with words of thanks for bringing the four in honour to their binding. Orophin, Rumil, Erestor and Glorfindel then kissed their charges and took their place behind them. Admir and Bronwe stood to either side of the four, Legolas with Elladan, Elrohir with Haldir.

Elrond raised his hand and the couples knelt before him, turning to face each other, Elladan slipped his hands into Legolas’, Elrohir did likewise with Haldir. There was no mistaking the gleam in their eyes as they regarded their soon to be mates.

In unison they repeated the vows required of them, pledging love eternal, consenting without recourse or doubt to the joining of their souls and minds. The rings were brought forth, blessed and as the Valor were called upon to recognise and guide the unions, the four rose to place the rings on willing fingers. With a smile, Elrond pronounced the binding complete.

Legolas brought his new mate close, he had stoically bore the necessary solitary days intended to focus the thoughts on the union, feeling them redundant in light of the years spent apart, but had bent to tradition, knowing nothing would part them again. Eternity. With Elladan by his side. It was a fate he gladly welcomed.

“I love you,” the blond elf whispered.

There would be a little time to come to terms with what had just occurred alone before they would be required to rejoin the celebration on their behalf. Elladan embraced his brother before they walked to separate rooms in their father’s house.

It was expected that they consummate this new phase of their lives, and Legolas had to agree that that was one tradition that he had not sought to argue against. And as Elladan stood naked before him, Legolas was not about to let their time pass without fulfilling this part of the ritual.

“By the Valar, Elladan,” Legolas shook his head as he approached his lover, now mate. Elladan had always been beautiful beyond all thought, but in the light of their binding, he glowed. As he walked Legolas stripped off his own clothing reaching Elladan to press bare skin to him.

“You are beautiful,” Elladan intoned, his fingers threading through the blond strands, letting them fall in a golden curtain, “so beautiful.”

Legolas led Elladan to the bed. The linen was soft white, crisp and newly woven. Various containers had been placed on the small table beside the bed, oils of sensual fragrances, soaps and cloths should they desire to use them. There would be a bath ready for them and clothes for the celebration laid out. And then later the room would be cleaned and refurnished for them with food and wine being placed on the table, for it was not expected that they would seek the company of others for some time, though they would join their family exactly one day from their binding to share a meal with them.

With ease Elladan lay on the bed, drawing Legolas to him. His long legs curled around Legolas bringing their bodies into as close contact as he could. There was little need for anything else, both were ready, aroused by the sight of each other alone.

Elladan parted his lips under Legolas’, their tongues sweeping over lips and twinning with each other, drawing a gasp from both. Slowly they rocked their bodies together, hard erections tingling as they smoothed over each other, tight velvet flesh sensitive to every movement. As Legolas entered his mate for the first time, the power of their union swept as a torrent over them. They had known from their learning that with the binding came a joining of all things, among them an intensity of pleasure. Legolas almost screamed as he felt it, looked to Elladan who flung his head back, arching his body up. The light of knowledge was blinding as they become irreversibly one. Long time lovers, they knew well each other, yet with the binding came a knowing and a clarity that they had not experienced before. Every touch was more than hands upon skin, every thrust deep into the warmth more than the brush of flesh within velvet. They felt each other, the passion, the desire, the need and the love. As they reached the height of their lovemaking together, they understood the rightness of their choice. Beyond the trees in the midst of the preparations for the feasting, two small elves grinned to each other as they gazed in the direction of the house, nodding knowingly.

Bathed and clothed, the two couples made their way together back to the grove. Lights burned bright, goblets raised, plentiful food nibbled upon, songs sung and stories told. Elladan, Legolas, Elrohir and Haldir moved as best they could among the well wishers. They were embraced and kissed, all wanting to share in the happiness that was so evident, relieved that Elladan had so quickly regained the glimmer of the First Born.

The chimes rang softly through the glade, heralding the departure of the bonded pairs. Elladan looked to the edge of the grove. For a moment the air around the little ones who stood there shimmered and Elladan chanced he saw in their place two tall white haired elves, circlets of shining mithril on their brows, breathtakingly beautiful as they held hands. They raised their hands to him in unison and smiled. Then the image was gone and two small elflings were scooped up by Erestor and Glorfindel to be carried to bed. Elladan frowned as the little ones peered over the shoulders of their carers, they looked to each other before smiling to Elladan and nodding.

Legolas touched Elladan’s arm and as he turned slipped his arm around the dark haired elf, casting one last glance to the little ones who now appeared to be asleep.

//Peace and happiness Elladan // Elladan heard in an echo of two voices in his thoughts.

//Thank you// he replied silently, kissing Legolas softly as they walked. He was happy with a fulfilment that pervaded his entire being. And in no small way he felt the elflings had had a guiding hand in that.

“I love you,” he murmured to Legolas, holding up their hands on which the rings shone.

Legolas gently guided Elladan away and together with Elrohir and Haldir left the grove for the seclusion of their binding rooms.

The room had indeed been prepared once more for them. Undressed they stood together, Legolas running his hands over the back of Elladan, brushing over his firm buttocks. He doubted he would ever tire of the way Elladan reacted to him, his lithe body swaying with the sweep of Legolas’ fingers. He knew he would never tire of the feel of his smooth skin under his fingertips. With an eye to the table and its collection of oils, Legolas took his mate to the bed.

“I love you,” Legolas whispered.

“Show me,” Elladan grinned

“Gladly,” was the reply.