The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 91

Legolas lay quietly against the flat of the branch watching the group of men sitting around their fire on the opposite bank of the river. They were drinking ale and singing disgustingly off tune songs that he had never heard before. Like in the ale house of Mirkwood Legolas could smell the hideous odour of men not fond of bathing, even from this distance. As Haldir had spoken of in his letter the group was heavily armed more so than many troops of men that wandered Middle earth. The strange large packs the spare horses carried were what intrigued Legolas the most. He was sure he had seen those types of packs somewhere before but could not remember neither where nor what they contained. Having approached steathfully on foot the patrol had then climbed up into the trees to observe their enemy from a safe camouflaged distance. The order had been given to stay low and just watch. They were not to engage in any contact unless the group actually attempted to cross the river and until such time they had to merely remain alert and ready. Legolas’ heart was thumping and he hardly heard Glorfindel descending down onto his branch and crawling along it until he was firmly lying completely stretched over Legolas’ body, Glorfindel’s mouth hovering above Legolas’ ear. For a moment Legolas wondered what Glorfindel thought he was doing as the elder elf nudged his flaccid bulge against Legolas rear as he settled himself over Legolas’ body.

“Keep a sharp eye, I am going to get closer to see what I can hear them talking about. If anything happens fall back to the horses and wait for Elladan or Elrohir to come and get you understood.” Legolas nodded as he heard Glorfindel’s soft whispering in his ear. The prince was surprised as he felt a soft kiss against his cheek and a gently whispered ‘I love you’ from Glorfindel before the other elf was gone. Legolas watched Glorfindel disappear through the trees with agile ease before he sighed quietly and glanced up above him to where he knew Elladan was sitting ohighhigher branch. Elladan was staring at him, jealousy clear in his eyes even as he turned back to the task at hand. Legolas bit his lip and also turned his attention back to focus on the men on the other bank. Since their clash that morning Elladan had said nothing to him at all save for instructions on where and what to do. As promised Elladan was treating him in just the same manner as he did his own warriors, which was as much as Legolas wanted. There was no love loss between them but there was a new respect that Legolas felt better for having it between them.

It was a long time before Glorfindel reappeared from the shadows of the trees and silently Legolas thanked the valar for keeping his lover safe from harm. Several of the guards including Elrohir and Elladan descended silently from their positions to meet Glorfindel on the thicker branches towards the center of the tree. Crawling back along his own branch Legolas swung himself easily down onto the branch Glorfindel was standing on. Glorfindel smiled at him pleased before beckoning him over to stand in front of him against the trunk of the tree as he spoke to the patrol in hushed tones.

“They are going to make an attempt to cross the river at dawn tomorrow. By the looks of the river they will have a very good chance of making it.” Glorfindel’s voice was not more than a soft whisper and being spoken in elvish sounding like nothing but a twittering bird to an untrained ear. Legolas smiled secretly to himself as he felt Glorfindel’s arm snake around his waist to hold him tightly to his chest as the wind blew through the trees making the branches sway. “We will intercept them half way across the river and ask their purpose in entering Imladris. If no good reason is given I will warn them to return and bypass these lands. If the warning is not heeded and they persist we will make an attack.” Legolas watched as there was a unanimous nodding of heads, as another gust of wind blew all of their hair about their faces in a multi coloured swirl. “Half of the patrol will stay out of sight during the interception with Elladan in case we should need to attack. Elrohir, Legolas and the rest of the patrol will join me in blocking this side of ban bank to prevent their passage understood.” Again the group nodded before Glorfindel gestured up to the branches they had previously occupied. “For now we will rest at our posts, be on your guard in case this should turn foul.” With a dismissive wave of his hand Glorfindel ended their meeting and Legolas watched as everyone moved back quietly to their designated branches in the trees all around. Expecting that he too had been dismissed from duty Legolas pecked his lover on the chin before climbing back up onto his own branch. He had only just lay down when he felt the branch move again as someone climbed up onto it as well. Glancing over his shoulder Legolas was stunned to see Glorfindel smiling at him, as he too crawled along the branch before stretching himself out over Legolas’ body as he had done before.

Glorfindel felt like a large warm blanket wrapped around him and Legolas shivered at the sensation as he felt Glorfindel shift his weaponry a little so that he could lie flush against the young prince’s body.
“Get some sleep my love, I will keep watch over you and wake you when you are needed.” Legolas felt Glorfindel’s whisper against his ear before a sword-roughed hand began softly caressing his cheek. The sensation was soft and comforting, and Legolas felt utterly safe beneath Glorfindel’s body. Despite himself his will to stay awake soon faltered with the soothing motion of Glorfindel’s hand and finally he fell quietly into slumber beneath his lovers warm body.

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It was still dark when Glorfindel roused his sleeping lover and while he took a moment to enjoy the sight of a sleepy Legolas he did not linger. The men on the other side of the river had been up for an hour already and had packed their things ready to make the ford crossing. Most of the patrol had already taken their positions for the intercept and Glorfindel was only now waiting for them to take the first steps into the cold water.

Thankfully Legolas had awoken to find that his stomach had spared him some trouble and had settled during the night under Glorfindel’s protective embrace. It was sheer luck but Legolas did not want to push it, as he refused the piece of lembas Glorfindel offered him as they descended down the tree to their horses. Once settled on ‘Iest’ Legolas checked his weaponry again, pulling his leathers tighter against his body and straightening his arrows in his quiver to insure easy access should he need them. He had been prepared for ng tng time for this his first assignment but it was only as he watched the men begin to walk their horses into the cold water of the river that he realised he was actually nervous. Elrohir who was sitting by his side on his own horse seemed to sense Legolas’ nervousness and reached out a gentle hand to calm his friend.

“Remember, draw cleanly and don’t waver or you will miss your target. Also stay a little back behind Glorfindel, he is your protection.” Legolas nodded at the softly spoke words of advice and smiled warmly back in thanks to Elrohir. It seemed almost a lifetime as Legolas watched the men struggle to get to the center of the ford, the water now up to their horses bellies making walking difficult. In a flurry Glorfindel gave the nod and Legolas found himself suddenly out in the open racing by the side of Elrohir down to the edge of the bank, his bow pulled back and an arrow notched, aimed at the men now standing shocked in the middle of the ford. Legolas willed his hands to be still his target already picked as the man with wavy brown hair who seemed to be leading the group.

“Halt.” Glorfindel’s voice rang clearly across the open water and Legolas couldn’t help but admire the majesty of his lover’s appearance as he firmly addressed the party of men who had now all drawn their swords as if ready for battle. “You are entering the elvan realm of Rivendell. You will state you purpose or face the consequences of trespassing.” Again Glorfindel’s voice demanded attention from every ear of the men he was addressing. For a moment there was silence but Legolas watched as one of the men from the back of the party moved forward through the group and came to a stop a few meters in front of them.

“We come in peace my elvan friend. We wish only to speak with the lord of these lands, Elrond, Half elvan steward to the last great elvan king Gil-galad.” Legolas saw an unsure twitch crease across Glorfindel’s steady features and knew instantly that Glorfindel didn’t trust the men before him.

“And what would the name be of the one who wishes council with Lord Elrond?” Legolas watched as the wavey haired man he’d picked as his target stepped forward from the pack to stand beside the slightly younger man, who shared his similar features.

“My name would be LFeliFelinor from the high council of Gondor. This is my eldest son Candolin.” Legolas watched as the elder man gestured casually to the younger one who obediently stepped a little back from his father. “We come with the grace of council to ask the Lord’s favour in helping us stave off the orcs which plague our city. Our men are tired and wounded, the elvish eyes and keen aim with a bow would be a welcome help in our plig


“Gondor has taken liberties then in assuming that Lord Elrond would want any part of a battle not his own, especially one concerning mortal men our enemy of old.” Glorfindel’s suspicions were reflected in all of the elves present and Legolas wondered silently if there was to be a truce at all in such a situation.

“The council understands this and is willing to handsomely compensate Lord Elrond if he thus decides to aid us.” Lord Felinor held out his hand to his son who had moved back enough to open one of the large packs on the back of one of the horses. Legolas curiously watched as the younger man picked out something from the chest before depositing it in his fathers open hand. “These are gems from the dwarf mines of Moria, and gold from Rohan. There are also spices and spun silk cloth from realms west of the mountains in the chests over there. All are gifts for Lord Elrond in exchange for his aid.” Legolas did not miss the sneer of disgust that flashed across Glorfindel’s face but as quickly as it was there it was gone again.

“Your question is not for me to answer Lord Felinor, it is Lord Elrond who will decide what fate befalls this request of yours.” Legolas obediently lowered his bow as Glorfindel gestured to the patrol to lower their arms. “I will take you to see Lord Elrond but you will first surrender your weapons to my guards.” With a wave of his hand Glorfindel gestured to the group to enter the ford and collect the men’s weaponry after Lord Felinor had nodded his understanding. Legolas made to follow Elrohir into the ford to help collect the weapons but Glorfindel stopped him causally with a hand on his arm and protective glance. “Now you may follow us but be warned Lord Elrond does not barter the lives of the elves under his realm for pretty trinkets like you have just shown me and should anyone of you try anything you will condemn your entire party to death.” Legolas sighed heavily as Glorfindel whistled to the other half of their patrol who all suddenly appeared from the trees causing the party of men now following them to gasp in surprise. “Stay close to me Legolas, I do not trust them.” Legolas nodded as Glorfindel whispered softly to him before taking the lead of the party. Ahead of him Legolas watched as Glorfindel whispered something in elvish to Elladan who thus took off quickly into the forest leaving the party to ride slowly together into the forest after him. Whatever was going on Legolas was kind of glad it hadn’t resulted in a battle, although the excitement might have been interesting.

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