Half the Distance

Title: Half the Distance
Series: Innocence Stripped Away
Chapter: Prologue : A Broken Dream
Author: Orchyd Constyne
Contact: soultornasunder@gmail.com
Website: http://www.hithanaur.net/
Update List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nairn_orchyd/
Fandom: LOTR
Archive: OEAM, AFF.net
Disclaimer: I do not own LotR or any characters, lands, or items from the Tolkien world. They belong to their respective copyright holders.
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: BDSM, Twincest
Previous Stories: "A Wicked Peace", "A Reflection", "These Chains", "The Bridge We Cross", "Something Special, Something Sacred"
Beta: Alex Cat
Cast: Erestor/Glorfindel, Glorfindel/Thranduil, Thranduil/OMC, Erestor/OMC, Legolas/Elladan/Elrohir
Summary: Following the events of "Something Special, Something Sacred", Erestor finds himself in a dark pit of despair and fear as his bond with Glorfindel is threatened, stretched, and remade. Legolas returns to the valley where his heart was once broken to find a second chance and a new way of seeing those around him. Thranduil has lusted after Glorfindel's submission for years, and now that Erestor has opened the door for him, he intends to capture the elusive warrior as his own submissive.
A/N: This has a different tone than "Something Special, Something Sacred", where there was a lesson to be learned. There is no lesson hidden within this tale, other than do not underestimate those around you and to always speak your mind. I had never intended to return to the S4 universe, believing that the story had been told, but one day the tale within "These Chains" came to me, thanks to Vesta. "A Reflection" and "A Wicked Peace" followed, and I know I had many loose ends to now tie up, and this is the result. BDSM is an aspect of the story, but it is not the meat. There will be nothing as severe as there was in S4, and I hope you all enjoy it. :)

---

"'Cause my shackles
You won't be
And my rapture
You won't believe
And deep inside you will bleed for me

So here I slave inside of a broken dream
Forever holding on to splitting seams
So take your piece and leave me alone to die
I don't need you to keep my faith alive..."
~ Shackles, Vertical Horizon

---

Imladris, Summer, Third Age 245

He had stepped out but for a moment, but it seemed that it took only a moment for change to occur. The room had been empty when he left it, but now it was occupied by a lone figure. Tall, lithe, and with a mane of molten gold, Legolas stood motionless, his sapphire eyes gazing into the small room that was usually hidden. Erestor's heart stopped in his breast at the sight waiting for him. He had been taken with a whim to open the door he tended to keep locked, but he had also been certain Legolas was to be with the Lady of the house this morning.

He crept into the room, leaving the door to his chambers open. Erestor prayed to every Valar to be on his side at this moment, but when he came to his long-time lover's side, the expression frozen on his face showed Erestor he was indeed alone in this mess. "Legolas?" he asked softly, gently placing his hand on Legolas' shoulder as if he were made of spun glass.

Legolas' wide eyes shifted to Erestor's stoic face, the murderous glint in their depths not missed by the Chief Councillor. The Prince batted Erestor's hand away as he asked in a clipped, strained voice, "What is the meaning of this, Erestor?"

"It is but a memory."

"Memories are not tangible!" Legolas cried out as he swung the door to Erestor's playroom shut. "Memories are not hidden behind a lock and key!"

Erestor felt himself becoming annoyed at such an irrational outburst. "You are overreacting," he admonished as he relocked the door, placing the key in his pocket.

Legolas clenched his fists as his sides, his spine stiff and his eyes narrowed as he glared at his lover. "You know my feelings on such perversions," he reminded the Noldo.

"You were never meant to see this," Erestor said carefully. "You were to be in the company of the Lady Celebrían this morn."

"That is no excuse!" Legolas shouted. "Your intent to lie to me for the foreseeable future is no way to show your love for me."

Erestor folded his arms across his chest as a cool calm seeped into his veins. "No, it is not. My intent to put such play into my past in favour of my love for you, however, should."

Legolas shook his head. "This is not acceptable. I cannot understand why you would mislead me in such a dishonourable way!"

"You cannot?" Erestor raised an eyebrow. "Look at your behaviour upon finding out my past enjoyments, and perhaps you will see my reasoning quite clearly."

The blue orbs of Legolas' eyes became distant, as if something inside the younger Elf has simply been shut off. "You are not the Elf I fell in love with," he whispered harshly. "The Elf whom I gave my love to, my *trust*, would never participate in any act that degrades another. He would *never* inflict pain on a partner for his own disturbed pleasures."

"Legolas," Erestor warned, his eyes flashing darkly. "Do not pass judgment on events and people you do not fully understand."

The smile that spread across his lover's face was alarmingly forced. "You forget, my Lord Councillor, that I know of such events and people firsthand. Slaves -- Elves! -- nude and shackled, used as art and furniture, whipped and tormented. My father's court is rife with such filth."

"To call consensual acts of passion 'filth' belies your ignorance, Prince," Erestor snapped as he stalked closer to an Elf he now saw as a hypocritical stranger. "What they do in the public eye is no worse than what *you* do in private." His lips were mere inches from Legolas', the blue fire of the Sinda's eyes matched by the dark gleam in his own.

Legolas swallowed hard, but his gaze did not waver. "I have never debased myself in such a way -- not with you, not with *anyone*."

"That depends on your definition of debasement, dearest," Erestor taunted. "There are many who believe it weak for one to offer their backside for pleasure, to consume the seed of their lover as if it were a fine wine. You writhe beneath me, relish the feel of my fluids spattered over your body. Debasement is as subjective a view as any other, and as Prince of an Elven realm, you should learn that lesson well."

"As Prince of an Elven realm and soon to be King, debasement is what *I* say it is," Legolas raged, storming out of the room and leaving a dumbstruck Erestor in his wake.

*****

The day was clear, the morning chill, and the dew still kissed the ground the horses waited upon. The small party of Elves who had accompanied their prince into the hidden valley mounted their steeds effortlessly, eager to be on their way. Legolas was securing the final strap of his saddlebag when he heard his name, though the voice sent a shiver of disgust down his spine.

His black robes flying behind him, Erestor slowed his run to a fast-paced walk as he tried to retain some of his dignity in the midst of his alarm. "Legolas!" he called once more, his breath short. "You did not tell me you were departing this morning," he finished as he drew up beside his lord.

Legolas turned slowly, one hand still on his horse. "I did not realize I needed to, Councillor. I informed my hosts, the Lord and Lady of the Realm."

"But I am your lover!" Erestor cried in disbelief. Legolas could not truly be ending their decades-long relationship over something as trivial as what he had done in his past!

The Elven Prince's eyes were cold and closed as he gazed at Erestor. "I was not aware that any such relationship still existed between us."

Erestor stepped forward and lowered his voice, his eyes darting around the glade that held the Greenwood host and his lord. "Legolas, do not do this. We can discuss things. Just you and me. Somewhere private."

A cruel smile spread over Legolas' face as he raised his voice, purposefully humiliating the darkling Elf. "Oh, yes, by all means, let us slink into the shadows. You seem most comfortable there, after all. Whether it be Elrond's shadow or the perverted corners of your own depraved mind, the darkness does suit you best, doesn't it?"

The Greenwood host chortled and made quiet comments to each other about the Chief Councillor's proclivities in the bedroom. Erestor did not embarrass easily, his training prevented such things, but he felt the blood rise in his face as the chuckling died down. He clenched his fists and went to take another step forward, intent on lashing out at the blond, but Elrond's outstretched hand prevented him from advancing.

The Imladrian Lord's voice held a note of warning to both Elves as he spoke. "Prince Legolas, perhaps you should be on your way before you lose the morning cool?"

Legolas gracefully mounted his horse and gazed down at the trio of Elves. "Of course, Lord Elrond." His eyes moved to Erestor, and his tone was threatening as he addressed Erestor for the last time. "You should take a lesson from him, Councillor. It is never wise to lose one's cool. In fact, it can be quite *dangerous*."

TBC...