Hunting Lodge: Secrets

Title: Hunting Lodge: Secrets

Author: Tesekian

Email: Tesekian@yahoo.co.uk

Pairings: Elladan/Elrohir (mentioned), Legolas/Elladan, Estel/Elrohir, Elladan/Elrohir/Legolas, Elladan/Elrohir/Estel

Rating: NC-17

Summary: First in the Hunting Lodge series. The hunting lodge was a gift to the twins from Lord Elrond and only they know what happens there. . . but now the have chosen to let Estel learn their secret.

Series: Hunting Lodge

Warnings: Major BDSM

***

The hunting lodge was the only secret the twins ever kept from Estel, or if there were more they were hidden well enough that he didn't even know they existed. He couldn't understand why the twins refused to let him come with them to this place, given that he went hunting with them on all other occasions. Estel wondered if they did things there other than hunting, but everyone they asked simply shrugged and said they didn't know.

The hunting lodge and a small area of ground surrounding it had been given as a gift to the twins by Lord Elrond at some distant time before Estel had been born. It remained their domain, and only they had access. Estel had gone there once, climbing over the wall surrounding the place, but he'd been unable to enter the building itself. It had been locked securely, with the windows shuttered tightly so that he couldn't even look within.

As far as Estel knew, of all the elves of Rivendell only the twins had been to the hunting lodge, though Glorfindel suggested that Legolas of Mirkwood might have joined them there once or twice. Certainly he knew something about the mystery of that place, for he looked very pleased when the twins suggested they stay there. Legolas had come up for a visit, only the second time he had done so since Estel had been brought to live with Lord Elrond.

Estel tried not to show how disappointed he was on learning the twins would be disappearing, taking their companion with them. Very few of the younger elves wanted to spend time with the young human, so he had no good friends beside his foster brothers. He had thought that Legolas might become a good friend, but that couldn't happen if he went somewhere Estel was excluded from.

However well or badly he had hidden his disappointment, he was incapable of hiding his surprise when Elladan added, "Perhaps Estel could come with us."

Estel blinked at him in shfor for a few moments, unable to respond, aware of the twins grinning at his expression. He was about to open his mouth to answer that of course he would come, when Lord Elrond spoke.

"I would rather Estel did not go."

"Why?" Estel asked, more surprised by this than by his brothers' invitation.

"I do not think it suitable," was all Lord Elrond said, proving that it was more than hunting his brothers got up to at the lodge, since he'd never suggested hunting being unsuitable for his foster son before.

"Estel is hardly a child anymore, Ada," Elrohir said.

"He should be allowed to make his own decision in the matter," Elladan agreed.

Lord Elrond looked at Estel for a long while. "If you decide to go," he said at last, "I will not stop you, but you should know that I do not think it for the best." Estel looked at his foster father, torn between wanting to do as he was asked and his curiosity, now greater than ever because of Lord Elrond's words.

"I will go," he said at last, "It's not as though I can't come back if I decide I don't like it."

"Some things there can be no returning from," was Lord Elrond's cryptic response. Estel was beginning to grow worried now, wondering what was so bad that his father would advise him against it.

"You're being a little over dramatic," Elrohir said, grinning as though this were some joke. Estel's worry faded away quickly then, these wers brs brothers after all, and he trusted them with his life. He should be honoured that they were trusting him with this secret.

They set off early the next day, Lord Elrond coming out of the house to bid them farewell and say something to the twins that Estel suspected was some threat if they didn't bring him home alright. The old elf was looking extremely worried, which set another spark of concern inside Estel's heart. He'd never seen his father worry over a hunting expedition before.

He didn't have time to worry long, before the twins were ready. The four who were heading to the hunting lodge mounted their horses and set off at a brisk canter, the horses eager for exercise. Before long they slowed, since they had almost a full day's travel ahead of them. The lodge was a long way from any other dwelling within Rivendell so it was growing towards evening when they arrived.

Elladan dismounted to unlock the chain that held shut the only gate in the outer wall. That had surprised Estel when he'd come to spy on the place, since the ground inside the wall was no different from that which was inside. He was even more surprised when Elladan locked the gate shut again once they'd passed through.

The worry he'd managed to lay aside on seeing the eager expressions on his companions' faces was back again, greater now. He was looking about him as they rode along the path towards the building, trying to spot what made this place so special to the twins.

He had yet to see anything when they arrived. While the four of them were dismounting and removing their belongings from the horses, Elrohir suggested that he and Estel should see to the horses, and Elladan nodded, as though expecting this.

There was a large pasture behind the lodge, wide enough for the horses to roam, with a stream running through for their water. Estel and Elrohir led the horses round to this, but for some reason didn't return to the lodge entrance immediately. Instead, Elrohir stopped to talk to Estel.

"You were right when you said you should be able to leave if you want," he said, "so Dan and I decided that we will ask you tomorrow morning if you want to go. If you do, we won't stop you, but if you decide to stay that'll be it. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Estel replied, growing moorriorried and more curious with each second that passed. His brother seemed strangely intense about this.

"This place belongs to Elladan and myself," Elrohir went on, "we are lords here. We decided what happens. Understand?"

"Not really," Estel replied honestly.

"You will soon enough." Elrohir put a hand on Estel's shoulder and guiding him back to the door.

They stepped inside into a dark hallway. The windows were still shuddered, so the only light came from a lamp, turned down low and shaded. Elladan was standing in the shadows, his face hidden from Estel.

"Legolas is preparing a meal for us," Elladan said, his voice filled with something Estel had never heard in it before, "it is time we prepared you." Before Estel could query that strange statement, he heard the sound of a lock behind him, and turned to see Elrohir putting the key to the door into his pocket.

Both twins placed a hand on Estel's shoulder to guide him through to another room. Maybe it was because of the locked door behind him, but that gesture was not as comforting as it usually was. He was getting distinctly nervous now.

They entered a room that was obviously a lounge, with comfortable armchairs and a low table. A tall cupboard dominated the room, and a chest stood against one wall. Estel couldn't help but notice the locks on both. Again, the shutters over the windows were closed, so the only light came from a low fire that was just beginning to catch. Someone must have lit it while Estel was with Elrohir seeing to the horses.

His brothers guided him to the middle of the room, standing before the armchairs, then the hands left him. Estel probably would have sat down under normal circumstances, but these were far from normal.

Elladan went and slouched in one of the chairs. Instead of going to another, Elrohir went and sat on the arm of the same chair, his legs stretched across his brother to the other arm, and his own arm around his brother's shoulders.

"Strip," Elladan said, staring intently at Estel.

"Wh... what?" stammered Estel, sure that he'd misheard.

"Strip," Elladan repeated, more firmly.

Passing nervous and creeping steadily towards frightened, Estel unfastened the buttons on his shirt. He pulled it off and let it drop to the floor. He hoped that one of his brothers would tell him to stop, but when they both remained silent Estel removed his trousers. He stood, completely naked, in front of his brothers, who were devouring him with their gazes.

He was trembling now, trying to remind himself that these were his brothers, that he trusted them and that they wouldn't hurt him. Elrohir stood and walked across to the chest, and Estel turned his head to watch.

"Look at me!" Elladan commanded. He'd never spoken to Estel in that manner before, and the shock more than anything else kept Estel's eyes locked on his brother's.

He could hear Elrohir opening the chest and taking shinghing out, but couldn't turn and to look. He heard Elrohir come to stand behind him, and wondered what was going to happen. When he received his answer, he wished he hadn't.

Elrohir snapped a metal collar closed around Estel's neck. Estel turned suddenly, looking his brother straight in the eye. Elrohir showed no sign of remorse or compassion as Estel seized the collar and tried to pull it off. When he realised he couldn't, he stepped backwards, eyes trailing to the strange contraption of metal in Elrohir's hands.

He only made it a step back before Elladan grabbed him from behind. Strong, elven hands held Estel's lower arms painfully tight, pinning them to his sides. He tried to struggle, to break free, but his brother was too strong.

As Estel failed to get away, Elrohir began to use the thing in his hands. A band of metal locked into place around Estel's waist, acting as a belt. Chains and metal rings hung down between his legs that Estel could only guess at, and fear, the purpose of.

He didn't have to guess long. Elrohir took the largest of the rings and began to fit it around that base of Estel's cock. Estel renewed his efforts to escape, trying to tear free of his brother's hold. His struggles ceased though when Elrohir grasped Estel's balls and gave them a painful squeeze.

"Get off me," Estel begged, though he went still.

"Silence," Elladan ordered, "or you'll be gagged." By now, Elrohir had closed the ring around Estel's cock and balls, and moved on to the rest of the device. A smaller ring, linked the first by a small chain, closed around his cock in front of his balls. Each of his balls was soon trapped by its own ring, both of which had a chain hanging from them. Elrohir took each other these chains in turn, wrapping it around one of Estel's thighs until it pulled tightly, painfully, on the ring it was attached to. Then the chains were locked into place, meaning that Estel couldn't spread his legs without pulling on his own balls. The final chain ran between his legs and locked onto the belt at the back.

A few minutes after the process had began, Estel found his manhood imprisoned in this metal web. Each of the chains and rings was small, so it was not heavy, but it was already feeling restrictive.

Estel looked pleadingly at Elrohir, with a futile hope that his brother would declare that this was a joke and set him free. Elrohir, however, seemed to have no intention of doing so. He ran a hand along Estel's imprisoned member, sending a shudder through the young human's body.

"I've wanted to see you in this for a long time," he said with a smile, "You will wear it at all times while you are here." Estel wondered why they bothered telling him that, since there was no way he could remove it himself.

He stood there, trembling with fear and wondering when he'd awaken from this nightmare. The two elves beside him weren't his brothers. They were possessed, or something, because the twins would never hurt him or do this to him. Tears began to trickle from his eyes, brushing his cheeks gently until Elrohir kissed them from his face.

Elladan's hands loosed their hold, and he moved to embrace Estel from behind. The arms held him gently, the way he always remembered his brother holding him, yet somehow it seemed wrong that they be doing so here, while he was in this state.

"Sssh," Elrohir murmured in Estel's ear, "you're safe. We're not going to hurt you."

Normally those words would have relaxed him instantly, but this was far from normal. He had been inside this place a minute and already he wished he had not come. His father had been right.

His father. Lord Elrond must have known what would happen, or he wouldn't have advised Estel against coming. Surely he would have forbidden it if the twins were really going to hurt him. Estel tried to take comfort in that knowledge, and in the fact that the twins were now holding him as they had done so often through his infancy.

He was beginning to relax into their arms when Legolas entered the room. He, like Estel, was stripped naked, his member trapped in an identical prison. Yet he didn't seem angry or upset about the concept. He dropped to his knees when he entered the room, bowing his head low.

"Your meal is ready, masters," Legolas said. Though Estel barely knew the prince, he never would have expected him to call anyone master, yet he seemed to be doing so willingly.

Elrohir moved away from Estel. He rested a hand on Legolas' head, gently stroking the golden hair. Legolas leaned into the caress, causing Elrohir to smile.

"You see, Estel," Elrohir said, "Legolas is not afraid. He has been here before and he returns gladly. You have nothing to be afraid of." It was certainly true that Legolas had seemed pleased at the suggestion of coming here. That, more than his brother's words, helped calm Estel.

Elladan placed a gentle kiss on Estel's forehead before guiding him from the room. Elrohir took Legolas out first, heading to a different part of the lodge, but Estel found it very difficult to walk, restrained as he was. He had to almost shuffle, keeping each step as small as possible to keep the thing around his waist from causing him pain. He wondered how Legolas could walk without difficulty. Still, Elladan didn't complain about the pace that was set.

They entered a small dining room, where Elrohir was already seated. Estel's stomach growled at the scent of the food on the table, but there were only two seats. Legolas was kneeling between Elrohir's legs, and it was readily apparent that the same was expected of Estel. His cheeks burning with shame at the situation, Estel knelt before Elladan's chair.

His head was below the level of the table, so he couldn't see the food, but that didn't stop him smelling it. They had eaten hardly anything all day, and it seemed he would be denied food now. Across from him, Legolas gave an encouraging smile. Estel didn't return it.

He remembered what Elrohir had said outside. If he told them in the morning, he would be allowed to leave. That meant he just had to survive one night here. One night of kneeling to his brothers as a slave and calling them his masters. He could cope.

Before long, Elladan lowered a piece of meat and held it in front of Estel's face. Estel reached up to take it, but a sharp shake of Legolas' head attracted his attention. Legolas opened and closed his mouth a few times, and Estel got the message. He took the piece of meat using his mouth, though he tried not to touch his brother's fingers as he did so.

As Elrohir lowered a small chunk of bread, Estel watched how Legolas behaved. Legolas not only took the offered food, but also the fingers that held it. He sucked and nibbled at them as though they contained as much nourishment as the meal on the table. From where he knelt, Estel could see Ro growing aroused by it.

When Elladan next offered some food, Estel allowed his brother's fingers to enter his mouth, but couldn't bring himself to act as Legolas was doing. Dan was his brother!

The meal continued in silence, with Estel being offered barely enough titbits to remove the edge of his hunger. Elladan's hand touched him several times as he ate, brushing across Estel's cheek, stroking his hair, caressing his neck. Estel stiffened at such unfamiliar touches, unsure if the situation was made better or worse by Legolas' eager acceptance of the same gestures from Elrohir. The meal ended at last, with Estel feeling almost as hungry as before it had begun.

"Clear away the mess, Legolas," Elrohir ordered.

"Yes, master," Legolas said. He rose, slightly awkwardly Estel noted, and began to carry away plates that were mostly empty. There were, however, some traces of food left and Estel watched them leave dismally.

"You are here to serve us," Elladan said, seeing Estel's expression, "all that you have is yours only because we wish it. Even such things as food and water will have to be gifts we grant, when we wish it, not when you do." There was no cruelty in Elladan's tone, just simple fact. It did not improve the situation any though.

Estel was guided from the room, walking between his brothers so he had no way of escaping. The movement, even the smallest steps he could manage, made his groin agony. Still his brothers' hands on his shoulders were encouraging him to go faster.

The short journey to the lounge was far too long for Estel, and he was immensely grateful when they arrived. The twins let him sit them, guiding him into the centre of a sofa. When they took up positions on either side, Estel found himself pressed between their bodies. He sat, straight and tense, as their hands held him and touched him.

"Now, Estel," Elrohir spoke gently, "you seemed uncomfortable taking food." Uncomfortable was not even close to the way Estel had felt, nor the way he felt now. "You will learn," Ro went on, "that your situation here isn't so terrible."

He leaned in then, pressing his lips to Estel's. Estel was frozen, unable to process what his senses were telling him. He knew that Ro shouldn't be kissing him, but wasn't in a position to stop it.

Ro's tongue gently pried apart Estel's lips, and Estel gave, letting himself feel the movements within his mouth, feel Elrohir nipping at his dry lips, massaging tongue against tongue. Then Elrohir pulled back, grinning.

"How did that feel?" he inquired.

"Not so terrible," Estel admitted, with an embarrassed smile. He knew what was happening here was wrong, but he couldn't help himself finding some small pleasure in his brother's kiss.

"If you'd just let yourself relax," Elladan said, between small kisses to Estel's neck, "you could find a lot of pleasure here."

"Like Legolas," Elrohir added. He gave Estel another kiss, soft and tender, showing as much love as any deed he had ever done before. Estel found himself returning the kiss, not realising how much pleasure could be released by this act. He wasn't a child, but he wasn't experienced with romance either.

When they separated, Elladan replaced his brother, and Estel found his mouth devoured by another kiss, this one more powerful and passionate than Elrohir's. Hands were creeping over Estel's bare skin, learning how every part of him felt. Estel's own hands moved, he reached around Elladan, turning his body and letting his arms wrap around the elf's body.

Behind him, Elrohir was leaving a wet trail of kisses up Estel's spine, making Estel shiver with excitement. The shudder ran through him to his cock, now growing in its chains. The rings were getting painfully tight, making him pull away from the kiss, unable to focus on anything but the metal digging into his tender flesh.

"Do you want us to deal with this?" Elladan asked. He brushed his fingers gently over the swollen flesh, causing another shiver of excitement and another stab of pain.

Estel nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He needed to be released, in more ways than one.

"Ask us," Elrohir whispered in Estel's ear, "Beg for freedom."

"Please," Estel managed to croak. Elladan's fingers were dancing softly across Estel's imprisoned balls, causing both the ache inside and the circle of pain outside to grow with the trapped member.

"Please what?"

Estel remembered Legolas, and what he said. "Please, masters." Elladan produced a small key from somewhere, Estel couldn't care less where, and proceeded to release the rings. The chains and belt remained in place, but they weren't important for now. The pain was gone.

Elladan's skilled fingers were no longer causing pain, apart from the ache still burning inside. He'd been partially released, but he wasn't quite there. Elrohir's hands brushed over Estel's nipples, hardening them so that every touch caused him to arch his back and thrust into Elladan's hand.

Finally, the ache burst free and Estel's seed spilled over Elladan. Estel was left shuddering, collapsed on Elrohir, floating somewhere among clouds of bliss. His own hand had brought him orgasms, but nothing had prepared him for this feeling his brothers could produce. He was flying.

He came back down to reality as he heard his brothers' voices. "You see," Elladan was saying, "if you behave well, we reward you. We can make you experience pleasure beyond your dreams." Estel was unable to respond. He simply lay back in Elrohir's arms, feeling supported and loved and safe.

He opened his eyes when he felt Elladan rise, and then realised he was expected to stand as well. He did so, somewhat shaky on his feet, and Elrohir rose behind him, supporting him still.

"I will go and find Legolas," Elladan said, "I think you should clean Estel." He glanced downwards, and Estel did too. His thighs, groin and stomach were covered in sticky white fluid. He let himself be led to a bathroom, grateful that the rings hadn't been refastened.

Elrohir took a bowl of water and a soft cloth, bending down to clean Estel. Estel reached to take the cloth, but his hand was gently pushed aside.

"You belong to us now," Erohir said, "your body is ours and you have no right to touch it unless we give you express permission." Estel nodded his understanding, though he couldn't see how Elrohir could deny the right. Still, Estel did as he was told, standing still while his brother cleaned him and refastened the rings, much to Estel's disappointment.

Elrohir saw the look and smiled. "You were told you would wear this at all times and we meant it." Elrohir stood again, after kneeling to imprison Estel's manhood, and Estel couldn't help but notice the bulge at the front of Elrohir's trousers.

The fear was back again. Estel was a slave in his brothers' power, and he had no way to stop them if they wanted to. . . Estel didn't let himself finish the thought. These were his brothers. They wouldn't hurt him like that. Would they?

Elrohir guided Estel into a large bedroom, dominated by an ornate bed that was big enough, in Estel's opinion at least, to provide for a whole family. The carved posts and head seemed at first glance to be merely decorative, but a closer look revealed hooks and rings carefully hidden among the woodwork. It was difficult to see how numerous these were, because the only light came from shaded lamps that cast deep shadows, giving the appearance that anything could be lurking in the room.

Estel started trembling at the sight, his mind filled with images of what might be coming. Feeling the fear, Elrohir put his arms round Estel in a comforting, brotherly embrace. Despite what sense would have him do, Estel found himself leaning into those arms, cherishing the warmth and sense of protection they had always given him. He felt like a little boy again, taking refuge in his brothers' room during a thunderstorm.

"Ssh," Elrohir murmured, "You're safe, we won't hurt you." He placed a soft kiss on Estel's cheek. "Do you trust me?" Estel nodded mutely. "We won't hurt you," Elrohir repeated.

To Estel's immense relief, Elrohir guided him to a chair, rather than the bed. The back and arms were carved in much the same manner as the bed, with a cushioned seat of red velvet. It didn't occur to Estel to worry about the carving until he was already seated, and then it was a simple matter for Elrohir to close a concealed clasp into a loop set in Estel's collar.

Before Estel could reach to undo it, Elrohir caught his right wrist, and fastened it to the chair's arm with a thin, metal band, quickly doing the same to the left wrist. The bands were loose enough not to hurt, but they held Estel's arms securely in place.

"We will show you why Legolas comes here so gladly," Elrohir said. He left the room then, and Estel glanced around nervously at his surroundings. A small table and a couple of other chairs were built in the same manner as the bed, suitable for hiding a myriad of restraints. The only other furniture was a heavy chest and beside it a tall cupboard, locked shut. It wasn't deep, but it was enough to fill Estel's mind with horrific thoughts about torture implements.

He wasn't left with his thoughts for long. Elrohir returned, this time with Elladan. Between them walked Legolas, his shuffling gait more awkward than before. Estel could see why. The beginning of an erection was struggling to be free of its trappings.

Legolas was ordered to lie on the bed, and he did so gladly. He stretched out on his back, in the centre, raising his arms above his head when instructed to. Elladan locked metal cuffs around Legolas' wrists and then fixed these to the bedstead, so that Legolasrms rms were stretched out fully. Elrohir went to the cupboard and opened it, but the elf's body and the near door prevented Estel from seeing what was inside.

When Elrohir locked the cupboard again, he returned to the bed with two lengths of chains, each fixed to another cuff. These locked around Legolas' ankles, and the chains were hooked to the posts. Thankfully, the chains around Legolas' thighs had been loosened, otherwise it probably would have been agony to have his legs spread so far. Legolas lay there, restrained and vulnerable, but he didn't seem unhappy or afraid. On the contrary, one part of his anatomy seemed delighted with the situation.

He lay there, content to watch, as the twins slowly removed their clothing and made their way to the bed. Elladan ran a hand up the imprisoned member, causing Legolas to arch off the bed, his face a mixture of pleasure and pain.

"Eager, are you?"

"Always, master," Legolas gasped.

"You should learn patience."

"Yes, master." Elladan's touch was clearly exciting Legolas, but that itself was enough to cause great pain. Having experienced the pain of a trapped erection, Estel felt nothing but sympathy for Legolas.

Elrohir began kissing Legolas, starting at the navel and gradually working his way up the chest. All the while Elladan was touching the erection softly. As Elrohir reached Legolas' neck and the trapped elf began arching against the restraints, Elladan released the rings.

Elrohir took Legolas' mouth with his own and began devouring it, while Elladan's hands moved over Legolas' thighs, cock and balls. Moans of pleasure were escaping the passionate kiss.

A sharp pain brought Estel's attention to his own cock, which seemed to be enjoying the show. Too much. Estel gritted his teeth against the pain and tried to control his body. It was far from easy, given the show going on in front of him.

Legolas was writhing on the bed, Elladan's hands now moving beneath the body. Elrohir was still kissing, but he was now working on Legolas' nipples. Suddenly Elladan did something, and Legolas screamed, his expression one of pure - or perhaps impure - pleasure. He collapsed onto the bed gasping, seemingly incapable of reaction as Elladan released his ankles and Elrohir his wrists.

The twins shifted Legolas onto his side, Elrohir moving to lie behind him, Elladan in front. Legolas seemed to be recovering now from whatever Elladan had done, and he now pushed his erection into Elladan. Elrohir did the same to Legolas, then both twins began moving and thrusting. Legolas remained still and passive, except for some involuntary thrusts.

Elrohir's arms snaked across the group to Elladan's member, and he began pumping with his hand, as the thrusts became more violent.

The three of them cried out almost simultaneously as each of them came in a sticky mess.

Estel's own erection was becoming desperately painful now, but the twins thankfully were still acting, now that they had shaken off the effects of their orgasms. Hopefully they would be dealing with him soon.

They eased Legolas into a sitting position, leaning against one of the posts at the foot of the bed. Elladan quickly refastened the rings, while Elrohir looped the chain around Legolas' waist. He took the cuffs from the bedstead and used them to fasten Legolas' arms behind the post, with very little room for movement.

The twins stood then, coming to the chair where Estel was held.

"Are you ready?" they asked.

"I think so," Estel said, almost forgetting to add, "masters."

They freed him quickly, and he walked between them to the huge bed. Despite his words he wasn't sure he was ready. Not to have them inside him, doing as they wished with him. He felt slightly shaky on his feet, and was glad of their hands supporting him.

He lay back on the bed, submitting as his brothers pulled his arms over his head and fastened them to the bedstead. His legs were restrained, not as open as Legolas' had been, but far enough for him to be immensely grateful when the chains around his thighs were unlocked. His groin was still in pain, his erection throbbing desperately against the rings.

"Do you want this to be freed?" Elladan asked. His fingers trailed a path around Estel's manhood that left him almost unable to breathe from the heat burning within and without.

"Please, masters," Estel gasped somehow.

"Do you want to feel us?" Elrohir asked, his fingers dancing up Estel's chest, "Taste us?" Estel nodded mutely, feeling as though he might explode from the excitement and pain if they didn't give him what his body was screaming for.

"Say it!" Elladan commanded sharply, pinching Estel's balls in a way that shot pain through his body and reduced his excitement enough to let Estel speak, though his voice was choked with lust and need.

"I want it, masters. I need it. Please, masters. Please." He murmured that words a few more times as his brothers' fingers continued their exquisite torture to such an extent that Estel wasn't even sure what he was begging for any more.

"You have such a pretty mouth when you beg," Elrohir said, "We will make you beg constantly for the pleasure only we can give. We will show you joys you never imagined, make the stars themselves sing for you as you reach your moment of bliss." He lent in to kiss Estel deeply, and Estel responded eagerly, devouring and being devoured.

Elladan's skilled hands quickly set to work releasing the rings, and Estel moaned loudly in Elrohir's mouth as something warm and wet enveloped his cock. Elrohir ended the kiss, and Estel took some gulps of air before another pair of lips met his. Estel could taste himself on Elladan's tongue, and somehow that excited him more than anything else so far. Estel's hands were clenching and unclenching of their own will, wishing to touch himself and bring forth the climax he needed so much and was being denied. He moved, straining against his bonds in a futile effort to find friction.

"Do you want to come?" Elladan asked, breaking the kiss.

"Please, masters." Elrohir bent down over Estel's groin, completely swallowing Estel's erection. Sucking and licking in a way that drove Estel wild. He didn't register Elladan's permission to come, and it didn't matter. He wouldn't have been able to restrain himself with what Elrohir was doing.

Estel came hard, his seed pumping into Elrohir's mouth. The bliss of the moment surged through him that left him drained and shaking on the bed. His surroundings vanished in the experience, but it seemed that he could hear the stars singing with him as he rejoiced.

***

Estel woke, his shoulders aching slightly. He tried to move so he could stretch his tired muscles, but realised that it was impossible. His wrists were still bound to the head of the bed, his feet to the foot, held slightly apart by the chains and manacles. Stretched out next to him, Legolas was bound in much the same manner, his left leg crossing over Estel's right because of the bonds.

One of the twins lay on either side of their slaves, an arm draped possessively over what they had claimed as their own. Elladan was lying almost on Estel's side, his bare skin pressing against Estel's. The sticky mess of the bed reminded Estel of the events of the previous night.

He knew he should be ashamed by what had happened, by the way his brothers had touched him and treated him, but instead he found himself growing aroused. A mistake which alerted him to the fact that someone had refastened the rings as he slept. Only the thigh chains were unlocked, since they would have prevented his sleep with his legs in this position.

Estel's mind filled with the memories of the twins' touches and caresses, the way their kisses had felt in his mouth and on his skin. He tried to tell himself that this was shameful lust and that it was wrong for him to desire them, but as he remembered he couldn't help but feel this was somehow right. He almost couldn't believe what he was thinking. How could he enjoying being claimed and subjected to such humiliating treatment.

Elladan must have felt the change and woken, because Estel suddenly noticed the pair of brown eyes staring at him. Elladan raised himself up on an elbow and smiled down at his captive brother.

"Good morning, Estel," he said, and kissed Estel's forehead in a gentle, almost brotherly, gesture.

"How are you feeling?" Estel thought about the question before giving his answer. It was a genuine request for information rather than polite pleasantries generally traded.

"I feel well thank you, master," Estel replied. Elladan's smile grew fractionally at the final word, and Estel knew he was pleased with the answer. This had never been about shame or humiliation, simply pleasure.

The other two were waking now, whether it was because of the brief conversation or because they were waking anyway Estel couldn't tell. Elrohir exchanged a look with Elladan of the kind that seemed to say as much as a whole conversation between the twins, but be utterly unreadable to everyone else. Elrohir then released Legolas wrists followed by his feet. Legolas closed his legs without needing to be ordered to, and Elrohir fastened the chains around his thighs.

"Make us breakfast," came the order.

"Yes, master," Legolas replied. He stood and walked from the room. Estel wondered if it was his imagination, or if Legolas was walking a little more awkwardly today.

His wondering what interrupted by the twins releasing his hands and feet. Estel rubbed his wrists more as an automatic gesture than anything else, since the restraints weren't tight enough to have cut off his circulation.

"Estel," Elrohir said gently, "we told you that if you wanted to leave we would let you. What we do here isn't to the liking of everyone, or even most people. If you didn't enjoy yesterday or don't think you would enjoy going further, we won't think any less of you. You can go home."

Estel thought for a long while, remembering the previous night. He thought of the touches that made his skin tingle with their echo, that made him yearned to feel them again. But he also thought of what they'd done to Legolas. Was he ready for that? He looked at the twins, his brothers, the companions who had always looked after him. The concern on the identical faces made up his mind. He trusted them, and would trust them now with his body.

"I want to stay," Estel said.

"If you stay," Elrohir told him, "we won't hold back. You'll be giving yourself over to us for as long as we want. You do understand that there will be no turning back? You will be ours completely." Estel nodded.

"Don't discourage him," Elladan said, "not now he's agreed to do whatever we want." But he was smiling as he said it, love shining in his eyes. Estel knew that they were glad he'd chosen this way, even grateful for his trust. Strange though the situation was, he felt more loved than he could remember feeling before. In a way they were trusting him as much as he was trusting them. They were trusting him with this secret which they had shared with no one else in Rivendell.

Elladan kissed Estel's forehead softly again, but when he pulled back the kind brother was gone and the stern master had returned. The chains round Estel's thighs were swiftly locked into position again. Elrohir stood and went to the chest. Estel couldn't see where he got the key from to open it, and guessed that it was kept hidden somewhere in the elaborate carving that hid so many other things. He took out a pile of cloth which he placed on one of the cleaner parts of the bed.

"Dress us!" he ordered Estel. Estel stood, and looked at what his brother had fetched. Two identical robes of black silk. Estifteifted one and Elrohir held out his arms for Estel to feed the sleeves over. The robes opened all the way down the front, fastened with delicate toggles of jet. Estel fastened these, having to go down on his knees to fasten the lowest ones. That down, he tied a belt of the same silk around Elrohir's waist.

Elladan was standing now, and Estel repeated the process with him. As Estel was kneeling to do the final toggles, Elladan began playing with Estel's hair, causing Estel's fingers to slip. His brother said nothing, as Estel fastened the others with shaking fingers, feeling the swelling at his groins and the accompanying pain.

"There are shoes in the chest," Elladan said as Estel finished. Estel went to the chest, and discover that it contained mainly clothes, all black and all of a similar style. The shoes were at the bottom. Identical as the robes were. They were simple things of black leather, laced up, that reached only the ankles.

Estel went to Elladan first, who had given the command, and held them open for Elladan to step into. Then he tied the laces, distracted again as Elladan's fingers became to entwined with the soft waves of Estel's hair. Estel was half sad, half relieves when he finished and moved to Elrohir.

Elrohir didn't fiddle as Elladan had, but, when Estel was finished and began to stand, he placed a firm hand on Estel's shoulder.

"I think I like you kneeling, Estel," he said.

"Yes, master," Estel said, bowing his head. Elrohir walked away, but Estel stayed where he was, forcing himself to keep his head bowed and not look to see what Elrohir was doing. He found out soon enough as Elrohir returned and clipped something to the back of Estel's collar. Estel restrained the urge to reach up and feel what it was.

There was a clink of chain and the collar tugged slightly, and Estel understood. He was chained like an animal, like a pet. For a moment anger surged through him, but he pushed it aside.

"Crawl!" Elrohir ordered, and began to lead the way out of the room. Estel crawled after him, feeling the pain in his balls as he moved his legs, but struggling to keep up with his brother at a shuffling pace.

They reached the dining room quickly. Legolas was placing a plate of something on the table as Estel and the twins arrived. Legolas knelt instantly, taking up his position in front of Elladan's chair, while Estel knelt in front of Elrohir's.

It was only a short time before Elrohir lowered the first item, a plain, wooden cup. Estel put his lips to it, and Elrohir tilted it, letting the water flow into Estel's mouth. Estel drank gladly, not realising until this moment just how thirsty he was. This awareness was swiftly followed by the awareness of hunger. A piece of apple and some bread were passed down, and Estel took them. It seemed easier this morning to let his lips caress Elrohir's fingers in the act.

Estel was offered the cup several times, and so his thirst was completely quenched by the end of the meal, but the food was more scarce. He ate the small pieces of bread and fruit that he was offered, but it hardly felt substantial enough.

Elrohir stood too soon, a slight tug of the chain a clear message that it was time to leave. Estel's stomach complained loudly. He seemed to feel worse now than when the meal had begun. The meagre portions he had been offered served only to remind him of the emptiness in his stomach.

Still, he had no choice but to crawl after Elrohir. His head was bowed low, since looking up would strain his neck, so he didn't see that Elrohir had picked something up from the table. Elladan and Legolas remained behind in the dining room, which Estel wondered about momentarily.

They came to the sitting room. Elrohir led Estel to a position in front of an armchair and put down the something he was carrying on the table beside it. He left Estel there for a few seconds, and returned with a low, wooden stool. Estel's knees were beginning to ache from the unaccustomed position, and he was glad he would now be able to sit, even on such a hard stool.

"No, you are to kneel," Elrohir stopped him though, and Estel knelt on the stool. This was somewhat worse, since at least the floors were, for the most part, softened with rugs. The stool was position immediately in front of the chair, so that when Elrohir sat, his legs wrapped around Estel. Kneeling as he was, Estel was only slightly lower than his master.

Elrohir reached to the table, and Estel looked for the first time to see what was there. A plate of berries and fruit pieces rested. Elrohir took a small berry and put it in his mouth. Then he bent down to Estel's. Estel opened his mouth, accepting both the berry and the kiss.

"A most agreeable way to dine," Elrohir smiled. He took a piece of apple next, holding it in his teeth and biting just as their lips met so that each got half. Estel found himself enjoying it more than he would dare admit to anyone, but Elrohir seemed to know. They worked their way through perhaps a quarter of the plate. Sometimes Estel ate, sometimes it was shared, and sometimes Elrohir would eat and Estel would just taste the juices on his tongue.

"Are you still hungry?" Elrohir asked.

"A little, master," Estel answered.

"Well, I am hungry for a meal of a different kind." He stood and walked round the chair to the other side of the room. The chair blocked Estel's view and it took all of his self-control not to lean round and look.

Elrohir returned quickly and, taking the chain, led Estel to a low table, pulled slightly away from the wall. It was rectangular, with its surface covered by a blanket and a thin cushion placed in the centre of one of the narrower sides. Estel understood its purpose clearly, and lay down on the surface. They table was a little too short to support his entire body, so Estel's legs dangled off the end. The chain at the back of the collar pressed uncomfortably against Estel's neck as he lay his head down, but Elrohir seemed to sense this, for he unfastened the chain.

Estel tensed up when Elrohir took his right arm, bending it round uncomfortably to tie it to the table leg. He repeated the process with Estel's left arm. They were pulled into an awkward position, but it wasn't painful. It might easily become painful if they were kept like that too long though.

Tying Estel's legs to those of the table was much easier, and a far better position. But as Estel lay there, he again felt vulnerable and exposed, and had to remind himself continuously that Elrohir wouldn't hurt him.

"I doubt the greatest kings in history ever had such a spread laid out on their tables," Elrohir commented, his eyes devouring the sight, "my eyes are sated at least. It's time for the rest of me to have a taste." He bent down to release the rings that imprisoned Estel's genitalia, then he straddled Estel's prone form, bending down to take the member in his mouth.

Estel closed his eyes, his breath coming in pants at the sensations Elrohir was causing. Estel cried out as teeth gently nipped the swelling flesh, as Elrohir's tongue licked around Estel's balls, as Elrohir sucked and tasted what was his. Estel felt burning heat inside himself, ready to explode out.

Then Elrohir pulled away. Estel was left gasping and panting. His eyes shot open and he stared at Elrohir with desperate need. His eyes pleaded, but his voice couldn't find the words to beg.

"You want to come," Elrohir said, "You want me to release your need." His hand touched Estel in a way that brought him to the edge of climax, but wouldn't let him go further. Estel was so close it was painful.

"You are my property, Estel. I am the one who decides what pain you feel, and what pleasure." That touch came again. Estel was almost frantic now. He writhed on the table, pulling against his bonds, but he was tied too tightly.

"I could keep you like this forever," Elrohir went on, "and there would be nothing you could do about it. You are completely under my command." Estel didn't think he could bear it another minute unless his brother did something, but all Elrohir was doing was designed to keep Estel in this state. Minutes stretched on, each one seeming longer than the last. Each one brought Estel close and yet denied him. Each one brought him so close to paradise that it was pure torture. Estel tried to focus on the ache in his arms, anything but what Elrohir was doing.

Yet there was something in the situation that Estel liked. He couldn't describe it, even to himself, but the thought that he had surrendered himself to trust was wonderful. He just needed his trust to be paid off. His brother would give him the satisfaction he needed.

"So sweet," Ro said, smiling down, "so desperate. My Estel. My slave. You belong to me. Say it."

"I belong to you," Estel gasped, and somehow felt right saying it.

"You are my slave."

"I am your slave."

"I am your master."

"You are my master."

"And I reward good behaviour." Elrohir bent down again, and Estel came so hard, yet not a drop of that white liquid escaped Elrohir's mouth. Being denied for so long somehow made the final experience better. He screamed in a wordless cry that tore his throat and echoed in his ears. As the climax finally ended, Estel collapsed down on the table and darkness took him.

***

Estel regained consciousness to discover that Elrohir had untied him, but that his privates were once more encased in their metal prison. Elrohir was perched on the edge of the table, his hand gently stroking Estel's hair. Estel hadn't been ordered to move, so he lay still, smiling at the soft touches. It was amazing to think that only yesterday he had been terrified of this.

The door opened and Elrohir's hand stilled its motion. Estel turned his head to look, but Elrohir's body was blocking the view until Elladan stood next to the table. He put a hand on Elrohir's shoulder and smiled down at Estel's naked form.

"He seems satisfied," Elladan commented.

"Oh, I think he is," Elrohir replied.

"Well, I think it is time he attended to his other duties," Elladan then spoke directly to Estel, "Go with Legolas, he will show you what to do."

"Yes, master," Estel responded, rising stiffly. Legolas was kneeling by the door, but he stood as Estel crossed the room to him. Legolas led the way to the bedchamber, and proceeded to strip the bed of its sheets.

"We do the cleaning while we're here," Legolas explained, "since I don't think our masters want to return sheets to Rivendell to be washed in the state we make them." He was smiling as he spoke. Estel was only slightly surprised to hear Legolas refer to the twins as masters even in private.

Between them they carried the sheets to a small laundry room that felt crowded by a large tank with a fire set underneath, a tub half-embedded in the floor and a pump. While Legolas started the fire and got it burning hotly, Estel started the repetitious task of filling bucket with water to empty into the tank. At last the tank was almost half full, and Legolas said it would be enough. One more bucketful was left on the floor by the fire to heat. They shoved the sheets inside the tank and went back to the bedroom to make up the bed with a supply of sheets from a tall cupboard. The large number of sheets stored there told Estel that the twins were expecting to get more sheets stained and filthy before long.

"We'll finish cleaning that set of sheets once we've done everything else," Legolas explained. 'Everything else' turned out to be basic tasks of dusting and polishing the furniture, making sure the fires were laid in case they were needed later and putting some dough in the oven.

"Remind me to check on that," Legolas advised Estel, "my bread likes burning." This comment, minor though it might have seemed, served as a reminder that beyond this place Legolas had a life of high station. This was enough to start Estel's curiosity again.

He was thinking about the situation as they returned to the laundry room. Estel tipped the hot water from the bucket into the tub, and then added more cold from the pump while Legolas fished the sheet out of the tank with a pole.

"Why do you enjoy coming here so much?" Estel asked as they scrubbed away the more stubborn stains, "You're a prince, a proud warrior, and yet you come here and act as a slave. I don't understand."

Legolas paused a moment before answering. "I am a prince. I am a soldier. I am responsible for the lives of so many of my people. If I lead a party of elven hunters it is me they turn to, my choices that determine if they will return alive or end up in a spider's trap. In Mirkwood, I am weighed down by choice and responsibilities, decisions I've no desire for. But here, here there are no decisions. I leave my responsibilities behind me and let someone else make the choices. Here I find my freedom."

Estel thought about that. "I never saw it that way."

"Perhaps when you are older and struggling with responsibilities of your own," Legolas said, "you will turn to your brothers for the same reasons as I."

"Perhaps," Estel agreed, but he didn't think he would ever have responsibilities that could equal those Legolas faced.

"I think we're done," Legolas said, give the sheet a final scrub. He picked up a coil of rope from the corner and stretched it across the room, tying the ends to rings in opposite corners. The sheets were soon hanging from the rope to dry.

They stopped by the kitchen to make sure Legolas' bread wasn't a blackened ruin, and then went to find their masters. Elladan and Elrohir were in the sitting room, reading.

It seemed a strangely absurd activity, given what else went on here. The shutters on one of the windows had been opened to let in some light, and Estel stared longingly at the sunlit trees outside. Elrohir followed his gaze.

"Do you want to go outside, Estel?"

"Only if my master wishes," Estel answered. But he did want to go outside.

"A good answer," Elrohir smiled, "I think I do wish it. Are you coming, brother?"

"No," Elladan answered, "I shall remain here and have some fun with Legolas."

"Enjoy yourself. Come, Estel." Estel followed Elrohir from the room, surprised that they went first to the bedroom.

"You cannot go outside like that," Elrohir explained, noticing the surprise. Estel thought this t Elt Elrohir would let him where clothes, but soon discovered otherwise. Manacles of thin, bright metal were locked around Estel's wrists and ankles, fixed together with a short length of chain so that he wouldn't be able to part either his legs or his arms by more than a foot.

"A slave cannot be allowed outside unrestrained," Elrohir said, "he might do something foolish like attempt to flee. Kneel." Estel obeyed the command and the chain was once more attached to his collar. He felt like an animal, a pet. He wasn't even a person to Elrohir, and the anger surged through him.

He followed his master, guided by the chain at his neck. His pace was slow, as the chains and imprisonments hampered his progress. He was crawling uncomfortably and felt the shame returning. That he should be reduced to such a position was sickening.

He tried to forget these feelings when Elrohir unlocked the door and they went outside into the sunlight. The wind brushed over Estel's skin, thankfully not too cold, and the grass was soft beneath his knees. Elrohir led him to a cluster of trees around a stream. Everything was peaceful and calm, but too open. Even with the wall around the lodge people could get in, as Estel had proved, and they might see him as he was.

Somehow, instead of his shame increasing, Estel found himself excited by the idea. He was enjoying this more than he should.

Elrohir sat down on the stream's bank, leaning against a tall oak. Estel let his brother's hands guide him to sit between the elf's legs. The slope of the bank meant that it was easy for Elrohir to wrap his legs around Estel's waist. He pulled Estel back so he was leaning against Elrohir's chest, enveloped and supported.

"A beautiful day," Elrohir commented. His fingers were in Estel's hair again, twisting the strands. "A beautiful day for my beautiful pet." Estel tensed slightly at the last word, but Elrohir's fingers were doing their best to be soothing, aided by a soft kiss to the top of his head.

They sat for a while, Estel slowly relaxing in Elrohir's hold, Elrohir fiddling and playing with Estel's hair. Estel wondered idly what the fascination was, but decided that asking would be a mistake.

Suddenly Estel was tense again, sitting up straight against Elrohir's grip. There had been a scream from the lodge. Elrohir didn't seem bothered by it, but Estel's fear was back and urging him towards panic. It had to be Legolas screaming and, as the sound came again, Estel knew it wasn't from pleasure. Elladan was hurting Legolas, and badly by the sound of it.

"Relax," Elrohir said, but Estel was now straining against his grasp. Elrohir was gripping Estel's arms now, his legs wrapping tighter around Estel's body.

"Legolas finds pleasure in pain," Elrohir said, his voice attempting to be calming, "he enjoys this."

"And do you?" Estel asked, afraid of speaking out of turn but needing to, "Do you want to hurt me?"

"No! Never! I would never hurt you, Estel. I will only do to you what Dan is doing to Legolas if, like Legolas, you decide you want to. This isn't about having someone in our power to force into submission, this is about someone giving that submission freely, giving themselves over to trust." Estel allowed himself to be pulled back against Elrohir's chest, but the tension didn't fully leave his body. More screams kept drifticroscross the grass from the lodge.

It was some time later when Elrohir took Estel back into the house. The screams had stopped a short while before. Estel wondered if Elrohir was deliberately making sure Estel didn't see what was happening to Legolas. Was he worried Estel would be afraid? Well, Estel was afraid, and it would take something very bad indeed to be worse than the imaginings running around his mind.

As they came to the dining room, Estel still on his knees, Elladan was sitting waiting. Legolas was carrying food out of the kitchen. It seemed the bread had survived without burning to a crisp. As Estel knelt between Elrohir's legs, he could hear Legolas cutting the bread. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with Legolas, unless perhaps he was moving slightly slower than before. It was only when Legolas came to take his place at Elladan's feet that Estel saw him wince.

There was no sound. His face remained almost passive. But there was a hesitation when it came to kneeling, as though the motion was painful. Estel couldn't see Legolas' back, and hadn't done since the morning. He was unable to see what had been done.

The meal passed slowly. The fear that hadn't quite passed formed a lead weight in Estel's stomach and closed his throat, making it hard to swallow the morsels offered by Elrohir. He knew that he could trust his brothers, but he couldn't stop fearing all the same.

"Finish off your chores," Elladan ordered, "and then join us in the bedroom."

Estel helped Legolas clear the table and, for the first time, caught a glimpse of his back. It was lined with red welts, criss-crossing over the pale skin. Estel was appalled that Elladan could have caused them, and shocked the Legolas could have returned here knowing that this awaited him.

Legolas noticed him watching and, when they were in the kitchen washing the plates, gave him a reassuring smile.

"It's not so bad, Estel," he said, "I find the pain... exciting."

"Exciting!" It took all of Estel's restraint not to raise his voice a volume his brothers would hear. "It's torture."

"It's pleasure," Legolas answered, "You can't understand unless you experience it. I'm not the only one to enjoy this. The twins, before I started coming here, would treat each other in the same way. Both could be master, both slave, depending on which of them needed it most. There's something immensely freeing about letting go of your control and surrendering."

"Surrendering

"To someone you can trust. If you can surrender here, you don't have to surrender out there." He nodded his head to indicate the outside world, then grabbed a cloth to dry the now-clean plates.

"I don't think I can do think."

"Maybe not now. But when your full adulthood comes, you will find challenges as great as mine. I think it quite likely you will find the same release."

They finished quickly, and went to check on the sheets. They were dry now, swiftly folded and put away. Estel felt the sense of dread returning with greater force as they made their way to the bedroom together.

The twins were waiting for them, standing regal in their black robes. Estel bowed his head and tried to keep from trembling. The very thought of his brothers' touches filled him with desire, but that didn't stop the fear. He wasn't sure he was ready to be taken. Not in this place. Not in this manner. Elladan and Elrohir had been his brothers for too long for him to cope easily with them becoming his lovers.

"Legolas," Elladan said, quietly. Legolas seemed to understand the order implied by the name. He went to the bed and crawled on it until he was kneeling at the head. He raised his arms above his head, stretching them out so that the twins could chain him to the bedposts. The marks on his back were more obvious than ever and Estel was afraid that more would be dealt, only, this time, he would be forced to watch.

He wanted to turn and flee, but Elrohir's gentle hands were already caressing his bare skin in such a manner that he was losing control of his body. The swelling pain was growing unbearable as Elrohir's lips joined his hands and Estel flung his head back, eyes closed, simply feeling.

A hand grasping his hair shoved his head back to where it had been, his gaze directly at Legolas.

"Watch!" Elrohir ordered. On the bed, Elladan was giving Legolas a similar treatment, offering touches and kisses to the pale skin, tracing the lacework of red that decorated his back. Estel groaned aloud as he felt Elrohir's fingers brushing his behind, touching the edge of his entrance, while he watched Elladan to exactly the same to Legolas.

"It's time you learned, Estel," Elrohir murmured in his ear, "time you learned the true joys of surrendering to us." Estel had to be guided to the bed, since his legs were now too shaky with need to manage alone. He was soon kneeling at the foot of the bed, facing out across the room. His hands were chained above him. He felt the bed dip as Elrohir knelt behind him, peppering his spine with delicate kisses.

Elrohir travelled slowly down his back until his mouth was at Estel's entrance. Estel felt the slight wetness of the rough tongue and knew what was coming. His trembling ceased entirely to be of need and became pure terror. His entire body was tense and he knew. He knew he wasn't ready.

The surrender of his body's control, the orgasms he'd already achieved at his brothers' hands were nothing. That he could cope with, could enjoy. This was something very different. He wasn't ready to have Elrohir inside him. He wasn't ready for Elrohir to breach him, fill him. He was shaking his head, eyes screwed shut against the reality of it, as if by doing so he could change the way things were.

"Sssh," Elrohir murmured, "just relax. It will only hurt if you're tense." Estel felt a finger, slick with some sort of oil, press against him, into him.

"No," he managed to say, barely a croaking whisper. The finger stilled within him. "I can't," Estel sobbed, "Please, no. I can't." Tears were falling from behind closed eyes. He was barely aware of his body, of where he was. "Don't, please. I'm not ready. Please, no." The words left him a babbling stream, flowing as rapidly as the tears from his . Th. The terror took over him. He forgot that it was his brothers who held him, forgot that he trusted them. All he could feel was the fear grasping inside of him as he begged.

He hardly felt the chains being released, hardly felt the arms wrapping around him in a comforting embrace. He was pressed to a strong chest, being rocked like a child as wordless reassurances were whispered in his ear. Reduced to infancy, he clung to the one who held him in desperation and sobbed into his shoulder.

***

Estel woke slowly, gradually becoming aware of birdsong and the flowing of nearby water. He blinked his eyes open and found himself lying on soft grass beneath the shade of a few silver birches. The sun was low in the sky, and two horses were grazing a few yards away.

He pushed himself into a sitting position, and saw that he was dressed once more in his own clothes. He knew where he was. He was very close to the hunting lodge, but outside its boarders. He was in the outer world where he was free, where he was a person.

The luggage he had packed for this journey was in a pile against one of the birches, along with someone else's belongings. Curious as to which of the company was with him, Estel lifted a small dagger from the pile and examined it closely.

It was Elrohir's. The twins carried daggers which might appear at first glance to be identical, but the tiny nicks along the edge of the blade were fractionally different, placed their by ceies ies of combat. Estel had seen them in use often enough to know them apart, just as he could tell the twins apart where so many others couldn't.

Estel sat on the grass, staring at the dagger in his hands, studying his reflection in the bright blade. His reflection was no different to how it had been just a handful of days earlier. He looked the same man as he had been, but he felt different somehow. His brothers had shown him a door into a place he didn't know existed. He had stood on the threshold and looked through. Perhaps in time he would enter the room.

"Let me make it easy for you." Estel turned his head towards the voice, seeing Elrohir walk across to him. Estel wondered what he was talking about briefly. Then Elrohir knelt down in front of Estel and parted his tunic slightly. Enough to expose the skin above his heart.

Elrohir thought Estel hated him. Elrohir thought Estel meant to kill him. The realisation froze Estel, shocking him completely. The hand on the hilt of the dagger gripped more tightly, as though in an effort to restrain what Elrohir thought was coming. Estel stared at the blade, seeing it as an instrument of killing. A weapon, meant to cause injury. But at the same time, it was a piece of craftsmanship, a delicate work wrought by an artist, made to be beautiful.

Like Elrohir. A warrior, and yet one so kind and beautiful.

Estel leaned forward slightly, his hand still holding the dagger. Elrohir didn't flinch away. Then Estel closed the minute distance between them to place a kiss on Elrohir's forehead.

Elrohir could only blink at Estel in shock, and the expression caused Estel to laugh. He set aside the dagger and laughed until his sides ached and he could barely breathe. He realised he was worrying Elrohir and fought to calm himself.

"I could never hurt you, Elrohir," he said, "anymore than you could hurt me."

"I did hurt you," Elrohir said, never meeting Estel's gaze, "I forced you."

"You stopped," interrupted Estel, "You stopped simply because I asked you to. I was in your power. I had given you permission to act as you pleased. But you stopped."

"I'm sorry."

"No," Estel said, "I'm sorry. I told you I was ready when I wasn't. I ruined your trip, made you have to leave early simply because I couldn't keep myself quiet."

"I would rather you told me to stop than otherwise,\rohirohir protested, "If you had said nothing I might have hurt you without even knowing I was doing it. I would rather I never saw that place again than do that."

"And that is one more reason for me to love you."

It was some hours later, as they rode at a leisurely pace back towards the Last Homely House, that Estel thought of something. The past day or so had been a rush of sensations that it hadn't occurred to him until now.

"Elrohir," he said.

"Yes?"

"When we. . . paired off, for lack of a better term, you came with me, and Legolas went with Elladan. Was there a reason for this?"

"There was a reason," Elrohir grinned, "You see, while Elladan loves and respects you, he is infatuated with the Mirkwood Prince and is driven by a great deal of lust where he is concerned. I, however, think that you are as fine now as Legolas will ever be," Estel tried not to blush at the compliment, "and may well be much finer when you come into your heritage."

"What do you mean by that?" Estel asked.

"Oh, nothing," Elrohir answered, a little too quickly.

"What do you mean?" Estel repeated.

"I shouldn't have said anything. Please don't ask about it."

"Very well. I can't expect to learn all your secrets in one week." Estel grinned and Elrohir grinned back, knowing that no matter what had happened over the past couple of days, they loved each other still and nothing would change that.