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Princes Three: In the Shadows of Mirkwood	By : nuwing Category: -Multi-Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 4141 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Interlude II: Conversation with the King

Legolas stared in apparent fascination at the richly carved edge of Thranduil�s desk. The prince stood as a warrior awaiting inspection, his legs slightly apart, hands behind his back. To each side one of the twins stood in a similar stance, though both seemed inordinately engrossed in the simple pattern woven into the ceiling of the king�s study.
Bathed, dressed and modestly braided, the trio appeared the very picture of upright virtue and respectability. Thranduil was not amused. "�Twas inexcusable behavior, Legolas," he said sternly, his intimidating emerald gaze fixed on his second son. "Have you any words?"
"I have no excuses, save over-indulgence in mead, h�ren ," the prince replied formally.
Elladan risked a glance at the king, and found himself under scrutiny. As one golden eyebrow lifted in silent question, the elder twin met Thranduil�s gaze and inquired, "Permission to speak, Majesty?" Receiving a nod, he offered, "�Twas never our intent to discomfit you in any way. We regret the incident deeply, h�ren ."
"I do not doubt the truth of that statement. Your intent was quite obvious, and had nothing to do with me," the king retorted, with what might have been considered a snort, were the topic of conversation less serious.
"And exactly what is it that you are regretting, Prince Elladan?", Thranduil continued inquiringly, his eyebrow rising even higher. "Your actions, or my appearance in the cavern?"
"ADA!", Legolas broke in, too astounded by the audacity of the question to maintain his respectful demeanor. "�Tis hardly appropriate�"
"Be quiet, ionen," the king said firmly, but without rancor. "�Twould be hard to find a question less appropriate than what I witnessed." Returning his attention to the dark elf, he prompted, "Well, Elladan?"
"I regret the distress caused to yourself, h�ren, and I realize �twas perhaps not the proper setting for such play," the elder twin answered carefully, acutely aware that the object of said play stood beside him, armed with a boot-knife and blessed with a ferocious temper. "But, nay, I do not regret my actions."
Thranduil�s lips twitched slightly, almost unnoticeably, before he replied, "You are your adar�s son, ernilen. Ever the diplomat, hmm?" Focusing his attention on Elrohir the king asked pointedly, "Is it common practice in Imladris these days to couple beside a bathing pool?"
"Nay, h�ren , �tis not common practice," the elf-knight replied shortly, struggling vainly to smother memories raised by the inquiry.

But �tis not unheard of either, eh, �Las?

Legolas stifled a snicker, flushing deeply to the tips of his ears.

Hush, �Roh. �Twas a matter of comfort.

Elrohir risked a quick glance at the prince, his eyes twinkling.

�Twas rather more than comfortable, to my memory, anor n�n .

Thranduil sighed heavily, his face rueful. "�Tis most impolite, not to mention unwise, to mindspeak during a lecture from an affronted ruler, younglings."
"Forgive me, h�ren ," the younger twin began, a decidedly devilish gleam in his eye. I only said �twas not common practice, but�"
Taking in the blazing cheeks and wide eyes of his son, the king raised a hand, interrupting the admission. "�Tis not necessary to supply details, Elrohir. �Tis impolite to mindspeak��twould be foolhardy to elaborate."
"Such things are not done in Taur-na-Fuin," Thranduil began, drawing disbelieving glances from all three miscreants. "I do not mean to criticize the ways of other realms, but they are not ours, as Legolas well knows."
The well-informed second prince bit back a retort, keeping his face carefully neutral. Elladan and Elrohir remained entranced by the ceiling, the fractional raising of identical ebony eyebrows their only response.
Misreading the silence as abashed agreement, the king continued with growing magnanimity. "The elves here are more reserved about such matters, mayhap due to our long years of near-isolation. Seldom is any show of affection made in public, save among elflings." Fixing his now-earnest gaze on the Imladrian twins, he said, "�Twould be unthinkable for a resident of Taur-na-Fuin, even the coarsest warrior, to instigate such an act in a public place. �Tis�"
"�Tis absolute spider-dung, Ada," Legolas interjected, no longer able to restrain himself.

What in Arda are you doing, �Las? Let it go!

Ignoring Elladan�s incredulous response, the prince kept his attention fixed firmly on Thranduil, whose eyes had narrowed dangerously. "Would you care to elaborate, ionen?", the king asked with frightening calm.
Swallowing hard, Legolas replied, "�Twas not their fault, Ada, and I would not have �Dan and �Roh- much less Imladris- blamed for a mistake of my making. They even tried to dissuade me."
The king pinned his son with an intense emerald glare. "You have a long history of coupling in public places, Legolas? Such that you would need to be discouraged from doing so?"
"Nay, Ada," the prince answered, drawing a deep breath. "But �twas hardly the first time the caverns have been witness to such activity. There have been gatherings there for many years, of Taur-na-Fuin elves and guests alike, always in the smallest chamber. �Tis generally known, and�"
Thranduil�s eyebrows reached new heights as he carefully digested this unexpected information. "�Tis generally known? What �tis generally known, pen neth? That one risks tripping over a pile of rutting elves if he enters the caverns after dark?"
Elrohir broke in quietly. "If I may speak, h�ren ?" Receiving a frigid nod from the king, he explained, "I believe that common wisdom reports that the gatherings take place, and are somewhat ribald affairs, nothing more. As you said yourself last eve, Majesty, there are things of which you wish to remain blissfully unaware. I am sure the same may be said for many members of your court."
"�Roh is likely correct, h�ren ," Elladan added soothingly. "�Twas surely not a deliberate attempt to deceive. �Twould seem you did not wish to know, so the subject never arose."
Inclining his head in at least partial acceptance of this explanation, Thranduil focused his attention once more on his son. In conversational tones, he asked, "And for just how long have I been blissfully unaware of these festivities, ernil neth?"
Legolas mumbled something incomprehensible, suddenly fascinated by the toe of his left boot.
"I beg your pardon, ionen? I am afraid I could not quite understand you," the king persisted.
Seemingly entranced by his own tunic clasps, the prince began, "Ada, surely �tis not necessary�"
Thranduil drew himself up to his full height. Placing both hands on his desk, the king leaned toward his second-born son. "How long?", he repeated, in a voice that brooked no argument.
Blue-green eyes reluctantly raised to meet the intense emerald gaze. Wincing, the prince nonetheless answered truthfully. "About 500 years, h�ren ."
The king�s reply was heard throughout the Halls�
"LEGOLAS!"
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Elvish Translations:
h�ren - my lord

ionen - my son

ernilen - my prince

anor n�n - my sun

Taur-na-Fuin - Mirkwood (wood of nightshade)

pen neth - young one

ernil neth - young prince
- 9
- 10
- 11
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Princes Three: In the Shadows of Mirkwood