Undercover

Title: Undercover
Pairings: Rumil/Thranduil, Rumil/Legolas implied
Rating: PG- NC-17 in later chapters
Warnings: A little angst
Summary: Rúmil gets inventive in his trying to get to Legolas and never
suspects that another is stalking him....

Notes: For Tux, who has been EXTREMELY patient with this! I promise, I will get a chapter up here every week at the least.

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"He'd never fit in it Ru, it has to be you." chided Orophin as he pulled the lacing at his brother's back a bit tighter than was absolutely necessary. Rumil made a yelping gasp as what was left of his breath seemed to be stolen away.

"Then what about you, Orophin? You're far more thin than I. I'm sure you could fit.. You could find Legolas and set up a meeting!"

"Too tall! Can you imagine me trying to appear graceful when everyone else is several inches shorter? No, I would stick out far too much. The key to this IS to blend in, after all. Besides, it goes against the plan." Orophin retorted quickly. Rúmil moaned and looked at himself in the silver plate that served as their mirror. His hair was braided more intricately than it ever had been before and he had gold powdered dust along his cheekbones that brought out the gold of it. Here and there, Haldir had woven amethyst stones which matched perfectly with the color of the dress.

Yes. Dress. Rúmil sighed and turn back around at his eldest brother's insistence. He was by the door, leaning on the frame with that ever cocky grin on his face, arms crossed and eyes dark.

"You're beautiful Rúmil. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. You're far more feminine than Orophin or I." purred Haldir as he stepped closer and brushed his fingers along one perfect ear. Rúmil sighed and calmed, though he wasn't exactly sure that he liked the last statement, even if it was probably true. Of the three, he was youngest and smallest both is height and stature. He was the only one of the three kissed with the sun Anor's blessing of golden hair; his brother's both were silverhaired children of Ithil , the moon.

"Do you really think everyone will be taken by this illusion? I am not so concerned with the Prince, but his adar and our Lady. She is no fool, Haldir.." whispered Rúmil. For as long has he could remember, Rúmil had desired the prince of Mirkwood. Haldir had been once assigned as guard to the prince and his father Thranduil while they were in Lothlorien on annual business. Haldir at the time, was already in charge of his younger siblings as their parents had long since sailed to Valinor and left them in his capable hands. The Lord and Lady watched over all three, but from a distance, leaving Haldir to tend the day to day care. There were times when Rúmil, being the youngest, had accompanied his brother as he went about his duty and there were none others to watch him. During that long past visitation, Rúmil had instantly bonded with the young prince, as they were close in age and all in the court had smiled as the two dashed about, climbing trees and generally enjoying themselves. It had been a hard week when Legolas was to return home and Rúmil lost his new found friend.

Through the years, they had kept a correspondence. None suspected that it might go deeper than a continuation of a childhood friendship and for a long time, that is all it was. But once the two entered their majority, Rúmil had begun to feel something more. He would sometimes catch glimpses of his friend when they passed through on errands, but it was no longer proper for the prince to be seen with a lowly warden. Legolas would smile to him apologetically as his attendants swept him away to whatever business needed tending to and Rúmil would yearn all the more.

This had gone on for a century now. Orophin and Haldir were the only witnesses to their dear brother's pain and though they offered him love and comfort, both knew that Rumil would never truly be happy until he was once more able to be with Legolas. They had no idea how the young prince felt in turn. It was possible that Legolas had no idea of Rumil's longings. Haldir had often made comment about the prince seeming to be a horse with blinders on when speaking of his skill in observation, to which he would always receive a sound punch to the arm from both his kin. Haldir made up for all of his teasing however when he had arrived home a week ago with news that Thranduil was holding an autumn festival gala. One which their Lady and Lord were invited to and in which at least two of the brother's were bade to go as escorts to them.

It had quickly been decided that Rumil needed to be one of them to go, but being sent as a guard would give him no chance to slip away and be with the prince and still did nothing to heal the fact that he was a warden and not worthy of being seen with Legolas. They had been discussing the issue, their voices getting loud with frustration, when Celeborn had dropped by their talan to finalize plans. It was he who had come up with this daring plan after listening at the doorway for several moments, undetected by his three favorite wardens. His bellowing laugh had broken through the almost fevered bickering.

"You sound like a pack of wolf pups, all snarling and nipping at one another, my lads!" Celeborn laughed, stepping into the large elegant talan as the three brothers nearly fell on top of one another in surprise. Celeborn turned his kind eyes to Rúmil and held out his hand.. As Rúmil stepped forward, gingerly taking it, the Lorien lord spoke. "I know the pain you feel, mellon. To be born of no title and lose your heart to a shining star that is far from your reach is a curse of the heart." Rúmil bowed his head. He had forgotten that once, Celeborn had not been a lord at all, but a simple lovesick elf who loved a Lady. Celeborn continued. "Not all hope is lost, young one. You must go to Legolas and tell him your feelings. Waters only bear life when they are in motion. A stagnant pool holds nothing but death."

At the time, Rumil wished that their surrogate father was a bit less dramatic because his words had quite literally made the young elf forget to breath. Haldir had smacked him good between the shoulders when he noticed the youth turning a unique shade of blue. Celeborn's reaction had been only to smile more and then to make a suggestion that would have all three brothers needing such a smack.

"Dress undercover Rúmil.. In something that none would suspect a warden to don. I will keep my Lady distracted enough that she will not notice you and if your brothers here are willing to take on the guard duties, it will allow you to move about freely during the party. Find Legolas and pull him aside somewhere that his father cannot see and make your proposal." In theory, the suggestion seemed sound. Apparently sound enough that the three were now trying to stuff Rumil into a rather elegant purple and gold gown that been donated by Flordiniel once she had stopped her incessant giggling. Rúmil knew he would never live this down if things went astray of plan.

"I still do not understand why we had to choose an elleth as my disguise. Could I have not gone as a MALE distant cousin?" pleaded Rumil as he completed his illusion with the settling of a circlet upon his head. He really did not want to know where Orophin had gotten it though was quite sure at some point, someone was sure to let him know.

"No. You look too much like 'Rúmil' dressed in anything else. This way, your hair is completely different.. and your body is.. well.. hidden. Anyone could be under those billowing sails!" Haldir sidestepped the growling smack that lashed out at him. "Besides.. you hit like an elleth already. Its the perfect disguise!"

TBC.....