The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 90

As quietly as he could manage Legolas lifted the hatch in the middle of the hut, cringing as the hinges creaked a little as he rested it back on itself. With continuous glances at his sleeping lover Legolas quietly climbed out of the hut and onto the rope ladder. He had waited almost two hours before daring to slip out of Glorfindel’s gasp and now not only was his bladder protesting but so too was his stomach which churned relentlessly in it’s purist of the inevitable outcome. With a skill he’d not known was a life saver until now Legolas allowed himself to slide quickly and easily down the rope ladder without a sound to the wet grass below. Thank-fully the rain had stopped a few hours ago and so with his long knives and quiver strapped to his back just in case and his cloak wrapped around for camouflage Legolas stealth fully headed towards the little stream he’d found in the first couple of days of their camp. Luckily he had avoided the watch, the fact that they were due to change giving him time enough to escape without notice.

Upon reaching the secluded little stream the first thing he did was relive his aching bladder with a sigh of relief before sitting himself down on the edge of the water to begin washing his face, hands and feet. As always he was flushed and hot, not only from his run but from the desperate attempt at preventing the event that was going to come. Sure enough as the first licks of orange sunrise hit the sky in the trees above him Legolas felt the familiar bile rise in his throat. Quickly crawling on hands and knees Legolas threw himself into one of the soft bushes next to the stream as the contents of his stomach rose with vengeance to splatter out on the grass beneath the bush. It was during a brief mt oft of rest from his morning ritual that Legolas heard footsteps approaching him fast. Instinctively Legolas drew one of the long blades from their leather straps and prepared to defend himself but at the very moment a dark figure came to loom over him another wave of nausea hit him and he was forced to drop the knife as he turned over to again throw up.

“What are you doing here?” Elladan’s voice was sharp and unfeeling and Legolas winced even as he heaved again. Thankfully he was partially hidden from view of the older elf by the bush around him and Elladan seemed oblivious to his illness, instead taking his none reply as arrogance. “You know you are not to be on the ground until sunrise. It is for your protection, orcs frequently hunt at night and early dawn yet here you are a sitting target Legolas.” Legolas could not reply too weak from his vomiting to even voice his retort. There was a moment’s silence before Legolas heard Elladan’s ansnorsnort of disgust above him the older elf still oblivious to what Legolas was actually doing with his head under the bush. “You are deliberately ignoring me aren’t you? You are just as arrogant as your brothers are. I knew this was a mistake letting you join us. Glorfindel may have taken you as his partner and Haldir may be your sire but that does not make you any less a Sindarian piece of scum just lihranhranduil.”

Elladan’s scathing remark sent angry chills down Legolas spine but he could do little but listen as again his stomach violently twisted causing him again to retch and heave up what little was left in his stomach. “You do not deserve to belong to Glorfindel, you are weak and useless, just look at the way you cower away from me. I could have been his lover, a strong partner to look out for him in battle, to save him from death. You could not save him from anyone. If you had not showed up with your charms and your beauty I could have been the one who lies beneath him at night, letting him take pleasure from my body and filling me with his seed.” Legolas could hardly believe what he was hearing but could only watch on weakly through the cracks in the bushes branches as Elladan began pacing back and forth his sword swinging angrily in his hand. “Do you think I enjoy it? Watching you and him together, while I am forced into a marriage I do not want? Like my father was, I am forced to lie with my wife each night just so I may procure an heir to Imladris. And look at him now trying to replace her with my tutor and is expecting me to be happy for him! It’s disgusting. All I think about when I am with her is Glorfindel so why should my father have happiness when I will never have it. I lost my mother to orcs Legolas, because father did not save her I will not stand by and watch again as Glorfindel is lost too because you as his partner can not save him.” Another heave was ripped from Legolas body and the younger elf groaned audibly and desperately clutched his sore stomach as again he threw up. “I hate you. I hate you, Legolas Greenleaf. Do you hear me. I hate you………” Legolas could do nothing in reply as Elladan pulled back the braches of the bush to reveal the sickly mess of the prince being violently ill again. Elladan’s angry comment fell away into silence as he watched on as Legolas groaned and continued to throw up what meagre liquid he had left in his stomach.

After a few moments of silence Legolas collapsed weakly onto his sand and panted breathlessly. His chest hurt with all the heaving he had done and he was too weak to care at the stunned stare Elladan was giving him.
“You are ill.” Legolas flinched away from Elladan’s touch as the older elf went to brush one of the sweat drenched pieces of hair from his forehead. “I will go and get Glorfindel, stay here and do not move.” Elladan’s tone had turned full circle from anger to now caring concern in a matter of moments. Opening his eyes quickly Legolas sat up and deftly grabbed hold of Elladan’s hand as the older elf went to get up and go and fetch Glorfindel. It was bad enough that Elladan had disred red Legolas’ sickness, it would be worse still if Glorfindel knew of it also.

“No. Please I am fine, it is just something I ate.” Legolas’ looked hopefully up at Elladan still aware that he held the older elf’s hand desperately in his own. Elladan looked extremely doubtful and shook his head in refusal before attempting to go and get help again. Once again Legolas caught Elladan’s hand pulling the elf to a stop, as he got weakly to his knees in front of Elrond’s eldest son. “Please. Do not tell him. I’m begging you please don’t tell him of what you have seen. I am well and I do not want him to send me back, I have waited all my life for this freedom and responsibility don’t take it away from me.” Legolas didn’t mean to beg but there was little else he could do. He was desperate to keep his secret from Glorfindel and although he knew the truth behind why Elladan hated him, he hoped the older elf would be sensible and reasonable.

“No. You are ill and I will not have someone not of complete health putting the rest of the warriors lives at risk just because you wish to have an adventure.” Elladan tois his hand from Legolas’ weak clasp and turned back towards the main outpost. Slowly Legolas rose to his feet crudely wiping his mouth on his cloak, even though his stomach still churned dangerously.

“If you tell him of this, I will be forced to tell him that it was you who was watching us make love last night.” Legolas breathed out angrily as he watched Elladan stop his walking a few meters away. He still had his back to Legolas but the prince could tell he’d hit a sore spot with the lordling. “He is furious that someone would dare interrupt his privacy.” Legolas gritted his teeth knowing that he was lying and that this was classed as blackmail but there was little else he could do in the desperate situation. The result of the lie was worth the guilt Legolas felt though as he watched Elladan turn slowly around to face him an unreadable expression on faceface. “Do you think he will be proud of you if he knows that you seek your own pleasure and release from watching him take me? He will be disgusted by the sight of you.” Legolas didn’t mean to push Elladan’s buttons but having been on the receiving end of Elladan’s hateful words merely moments ago the prince wanted revenge. In three quick strides Legolas found Elladan so close to him that he could see every detail in the elder elf’s hazel eyes as they glared at him with hatred.

“What do you want to keep your silence?” Elladan’s words sent a chill down Legolas spine but the prince remained firm, swallowing the small amount of fear that washed through his body knowing that Elladan could easily will a fight.

“A little respect would be nice. I may not be from Imladris but I’m of elvan kin, which makes us brothers and thus just as capable of performing my duties as a warrior as you are. And I don’t want you to mention anything about what you’ve just seen to anyone ever. I was sick but now I’m fine and it’s none of your concern. It is not a lot that I ask for?” Legolas cocked his eyebrow in question his gaze never leaving Elladan’s as the elder elf silently considered what had just been said.

“Very well. I will treat you with the same respect I treat the warriors under my command but do not expect us to ever be as friends.” Elladan paused and Legolas felt the older elf’s gaze sweep down his body before slowly returning his gaze to meet Legolas’ own. “And this matter will have never existed although I will retain the right to speak my mind if your life is threatened by this ‘sickness’ at some point but for no other reason than to save my own guilt in the matter should you die.” Legolas thought cautiously for a moment before nodding in silent agreement. Both elves shook hands in the traditional warrior’s fashion and at that very moment the sounds of horses hooves fast upon the dewy grass sent them both diving for their weapons as the unidentified rider came into view, and reared it’s horse up sharply in front of the pair.

“Elrohir!” Legolas lowered his bow the instant he recognised the figure upon the horse in front of them. The younger of the two twins looked completely breathless and flustered as Legolas helped him from the horse.

“What is it, what news do yringring?” Elladan was hastily questioning his brother who had only just recovering from his fast pace ride.

“You must take me to Glorfindel. The party have been travelling through the night none stop, quicker than we expected. They have made camp at the ford as we speak and it is obvious they will mpt mpt to cross the river as soon as the floodwaters have receded. Quickly we must hurry.” Elrohir panted his way through his quick explanation but was only given a moment’s peace before Elladan was urging them both to follow him as he began running back towards the outpost, calling Glorfindel the the others to ready their immediate departure. “How are you Legolas?” Legolas chuckled as he glanced across at his friend who was intent on inquiring after his heath despite the severity of the situation now at hand.

“I am fine.” The rumbling in Legolas now empty stomach was a stark reminder of the lie he just told his friend. The truth was, he was not fine at all, his sickness more draining and violent that it had been when it first began with no signs of stopping. Yet he knew better than to say so and merely smiled happily at his friend who was now climbing up the rope ladder in front of him, to where Glorfindel was shouting orders about having heard Elladan’s quick relay of Elrohir’s original message. While Legolas was growing concerned for his own health the thrill and excitement of the event now happening around him pushed his fears aside as he began to pack up his things for the journey to the ford of Imladris and the battle that might await.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.