Faer na Faer (Spirit to Spirit)

It was several hours before Legolas awoke, stretching in luxurious sloth to work the kinks from his stiff muscles, flexing his spine and wiggling his toes as he rolled to his back. All the wounds had closed over and while he was sure the new skin was still pink, the discomfort had vanished. He sighed and stretched again, extending his arms and legs as far as possible and arching his back from the mattress. A grin transformed his features; that move should both please and tease Haldir. Legolas' penis, partially full, flexed as he imagined the March Warden's intense gaze tracking over him.

Yet no exclamation of delight answered his sensuous manoeuvres and Legolas sat up, gazing in consternation at the empty room. Then a slight movement in the next room caught his eye and he rose, making for the playroom. There before the hearth was an elf, long blond hair shining in the firelight. He exhaled in relief and smiled.

"Haldir?" he called and at once the elf turned. Legolas froze, for of course it was not Haldir but his father. In mesmerised dread he watched Thranduil stand and come toward him, a serious expression upon his face, keen eyes drifting over him swiftly before darting away discretely. Legolas flushed scarlet, remembering he was not only naked but somewhat aroused, and quickly reversed his progress, fleeing back to the bedroom to find a robe to cover himself. He found one in the wardrobe and hastily donned it, calling out as he did. "Adar, I didn't know you were here."

"Yes, I understand that. You will have to forgive me, Legolas, but I had to send Haldir away in order…"

"You what?" Legolas spun to face his father, terror stricken and outraged both. "You sent him away? How could you do that? He hasn't done anything, Adar. Valar! He's gone? I must go after him at once!"

Thranduil watched his son return in frantic haste to the wardrobe and pull out his clothes, dressing with a speed that would have been amusing under different circumstances. The king entered the bedroom and calmly took a firm grip on his son's shoulders, stilling his desperate activity.

"Legolas, let me finish. Haldir has not gone from Greenwood. He is probably attending the feast with his brother, for he is waiting until I send for him to return to you. Please, be calm and hear my words."

Legolas gaped at his father, trying to comprehend what was happening and the only thing that made sense was that Haldir had broken his word and gone to the king after all. His heart cramped in sorrow over this betrayal and he shook free from his father to sit in dejected misery.

"He told you."

"Ai! You are too quick in arriving at conclusions and thus the results are erroneous. Legolas, he told me nothing. I arrived here almost the same time he did and witnessed everything that passed between you two."

"Everything?" Legolas eyed his father anxiously, recalling what was said and done, and his cheeks grew pale.

"Aye. Be not concerned about that. Inden Hên, your heart has awakened," said Thranduil, both wonder and worry colouring the simple statement.

Legolas' eyes grew round in amazement. "I will not deny it. You are not angry?" he asked and watched the slow shake that affirmed his father's position. "What can I do, Ada? I cannot give him up for I would be lost."

"There is only one thing you can do, ion edwen: you must take him as your mate and follow him to Lothlorien. Hold to this love you have found and never fear that those who love you here will think less of you for it. I know I will not. Even Gildin will come to understand in time, and you know Galion will never cease being your staunchest ally and friend."

"But the laws, Adar; you are not sickened to know I am drawn to my own gender?"

Now it took great courage for Legolas to ask this, a truth Thranduil acknowledged, enveloping his son in a powerful embrace, so proud it hurt his heart to realise it.

"No, I am not sickened. True, this love of yours is contrary to our laws, but I am your father first and King second. There will be no more reprisals, for you have endured enough. I suspect, looking back, that you have suffered quite a bit over this rule. My deepest regret is that I was not available to you for counsel, advise, and comfort. I pray you will forgive me."

"Forgive you?" Legolas was amazed, for this was so opposite to his expectations. He should be the one asking for pardon. "Adar, I know not what to say. I am deeply grateful." He returned the hug, smiling as his soul filled with joy. "Then you approve? You consent to my union with Haldir? And will you not come to the bonding ceremony?"

"I do and of course I will come. In fact, I will provide the rings." Thranduil released his son, grinning to see how happy so simple a thing had made him. The conversation he'd thought would be difficult and strained turned out to be the easiest he'd ever had with Legolas. Part of that was due, he knew, to his son's euphoric reaction to have the doom lifted from his head, to have the pall of hurting his father dispelled forever. Thranduil understood that it would take time to build a solid relationship with Legolas, but time was a commodity the First-born possessed in abundance and he was patient.

"Now, I have said enough. You know where you stand and what you must do. I will work to change this law, but until then your bond must remain unofficial. I do not want you to leave me, but Lothlorien is the best place for you both, for now."

What this cost his father to say Legolas fully appreciated and though he'd just been let loose, he immediately wrapped his arms around his Ada's neck again, squeezing for all he was worth.

"I do not want to leave you," he whispered, "and I promise to return often to visit."

"Aye, you will come home to visit," Thranduil rubbed his son's back, fighting tears, "and mayhap I will travel to Lorien to see you in your new life there. I would be welcomed?"

"Ai! What a thing to ask!" exclaimed Legolas, sitting back and wiping at his eyes even as he laughed. "Of course you'll be welcomed. You have made me very happy, Ada. I wish I could do the same for you."

"Your happiness inspires mine, ion edwen. Now, I will go and send your March Warden to you." With that Thranduil rose and left the playroom, his thoughts bittersweet.

TBC