Don't Let Go

Title: Don't Let Go (1/1)
Author: InwerCarnes
Pairing: ?/?
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Only fun, Tolkien owns it all.
Summary: Two come together in a time of need.
Reviews: Please

I can see him at the archery field as he goes to gather his arrows once again after emptying his quiver into the waiting target. His movements are so unlike him, graceless and slow as if all of Arda is resting on his shoulders. I have been watching him from my secret spot since his lover left him heartbroken and without hope, never to return. As I watch, he falls to his knees and grabs his chest with his hand. He is suffering from grief, this beautiful creature who did nothing to deserve the way he has been treated. I go to him then, and take him into my arms and hold him until he has exhausted all his tears. He still clings to me as if I am a life preserver and he is drowning in the great sea.

“Don’t let go.” I tell him softly as I draw meaningless patterns on his back to soothe him.

I am not sure he even knows who is holding him. I only know that it feels so right to hold him against me and I thank the Valar for letting me be the one to comfort him. His once silky feeling hair is no longer bright and shining in the sunlight, but dull and feels rough to my hands. I stand up, pulling him with me and lead him to my room so I can take care of him.

While I fill the bath with hot steaming water I undress him, there are tears running down his dirt covered face, tears that break my heart because I know his own heart has been shattered. I walk him to the tub and lower him gently into the water not letting go until he is safely seated. He has lost much weight, so much that I can count his ribs and see his spine clearly.

I do not take my eyes off of him as I undress myself and join him in the water. I take the cloth I laid close to the bath and wash his face gently, when the dirt is gone I kiss each of his cheeks gently before placing a kiss to the end of his nose.

“I care.” I whisper to him before I fill the pitcher so I can wet his hair.

The soap I use should soothe his broken spirit and calm his nerves. He looks at me as I lather his hair and I smile softly at him, but lowers his eyes quickly as a soft blush appears on his skin. He is beautiful even now with his hair full of soap on top of his head, his perfectly leaf shaped ears peeking through the soap as it runs down the side of his head.

“Close your eyes pen vain.” I tell him softly so that I may rinse his hair.

He does as I ask even as he begins to object to the compliment I have given him. He does not think he is beautiful, he does not see himself as others see him, as I see him. I finish rinsing his hair and grab the cloth once again to lather it up with soap and I begin to wash the rest of his body. I allow my fingers to touch his skin as I wash and even in his grief it is soft and smooth. I find myself disappointed that his skin will not glow today, but I take comfort that it will one day again.

I rinse the soap off of him slowly, making sure I leave none on his skin, his perfect skin. I watch him as he sits back with his eyes closed and a crease in his brow from the frown on his face. I wash myself quickly and climb out of the bath to towel off. He is watching me now through lowered lashes, I reach for him with my hand and he takes it as he rises from the water.

“I hope.” I tell him when he stands before me dripping water from his body.

I dry him off with the towel before wrapping it around him and lead him to the table where I keep the brushes and beads for my own hair. I carefully begin to run the brush through his golden hair, taking my time so I do not hurt him when I come across a tangle. I brush his hair until it shines as much as it can in his diminished state.

I go to my own closet and choose a pair of navy leggings and a burgundy tunic for him to wear. I look at him and find him also looking at me, he meets my gaze this time and I see no tears in his azure eyes. I dress myself before taking the clothes I have borrowed from myself to him.

He takes the offered clothes from me and begins to dress slowly, I can see that the leggings will hang low on his hips, the tunic will be loose. I gasp as I take in the full picture of him standing there in my clothes, it is a sight I would love to see as often as possible. I can also see that the afternoons activities have left him weary.

I take his hand in mine as I lead him to my bed, the bed I have so often dreamt of him in. He climbs onto the bed and lays down facing me, his cerulean eyes silently questioning me. I climb to lay facing him, his beauty nearly taking my breathe away. I pull him close to me and look into his eyes, eyes that have lost some of the light that used to be there, but still shine as brightly as stars in the night sky.

“I love.” I tell him in almost a whisper before I place my lips over his in a slow but passionate kiss.

He is reluctant and almost pushes me away, but he doesn‘t. Little by little he begins to return my kiss and I can’t help the soft moan that escapes me and is swallowed by him. When our kiss ends he looks at me with surprise.

“Elladan.” He whispers so softly I barely hear him, but it is my name he has said, my name he has uttered with his beautiful voice.

He says nothing else, but he takes my face into his hands a kisses me so tenderly I could weep, a long kiss with all his affection poured into it and I want more, more of him.

“I care, I hope, I love.” Legolas whispers to me, his words take my breath away and he smiles at me as I move to claim his lips once more.