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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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Chapter 9

No one was more surprised than Elrohir himself when the words left his mouth. "Anteruon! Do not be so stiff-necked, ernilen. Come join us."
While reprimanding Legolas and the twins the previous week, Thranduil had suggested- in no uncertain terms- that they spend their energy sparring at the training ground, rather than rutting in the caverns. Thus their presence there this day�and Elrohir�s unexpected words.
Legolas, locked in a lost weapon match with Elladan, stopped dead to stare at the elf-knight, causing his opponent to nearly skewer him with a sword thrust. Barangolas and Tiriadon turned to look at the younger twin in amazement, their hand-to-hand bout forgotten. Lindel- nursing a strained wrist suffered on patrol- glanced curiously from Elrohir, who was lounging at one side of the practice field, to Anteruon, who stood on a second-level platform overlooking the open area.
The crown prince was still for a moment, then shook his head slowly. Eyeing his brother closely, Legolas seemed to catch the barest hint of�regret? Longing? Drawing a deep breath, he added his own invitation to Elrohir�s. "Aye, t�ren, join us," he said. "We are short an elf, as Lind�s wrist is still healing."
"I do not think�", Anteruon began stiffly, but he was quickly forestalled by a teasing challenge from Elladan. "We will go easy on you. Come, spar with us." Indicating Barangolas with a mischievous grin, he added, "Mayhap you will have better luck than your t�r dithen."
Taking a playful swipe at the dark elf, the youngest prince chuckled, "Aye, come and try, Anteruon. You have not trained with us in many years."
A brief smile flitted over the elder prince�s features as he replied, "Nay, I suppose I have not. I will join you."
Descending the stairs to the practice field, Anteruon looked uncertainly at the good-humored group. "Quit stalling, t�ren," Legolas prodded with a friendly smile. "Strip off that tunic and we�ll see how you fare against �Roh in hand-to-hand tactics." His smile widening, the prince cast a teasing glance at Elrohir and continued, "But I warn you, he is skilled at close combat."

Among other things, eh, anor n�n ?
Aye, but those skills are not for public demonstration, rohir n�n .

Removing his tunic, the crown prince flickered an uneasy glance between Legolas and the elf-knight. Noticing his brother�s discomfort, Barangolas said, "Never mind them, t�ren. �Tis something you quickly become accustomed to witnessing." Grinning at the second-born prince, he added, "Our sibling must constantly be reminded that mindspeaking in company is rude."

"Mayhap," Legolas agreed with a smirk. "But to make the remarks aloud would have been far more disconcerting, I wager."
"Hush, �Las," Elladan broke in mildly. "You are distressing Anteruon, and holding up the match."
Expecting a show of temper from his brother, the crown prince was surprised when Legolas simply cast a sheepish grin at the elder twin, then moved to stand beside the dark elf, slipping a possessive arm around his lover�s waist. He was further taken aback when Elladan buried his nose in the golden hair, breathing deeply, before pressing a kiss to an ivory cheek.

�They behave as any other lovers�, Anteruon realized with a start, uncertain as to what he had expected instead. Pondering this discovery, he was unaware of Elrohir�s question until the younger twin touched his arm.
"�Twould be wise to tie back your hair, ernilen," the elf-knight repeated, offering a piece of leather lacing. "Shall I braid it for you?"
"I am not your prince," the eldest Mirkwood royal retorted, but the snub lacked its usual venom, and Elrohir was not surprised when Anteruon grudgingly allowed his honey-gold tresses to be fashioned into a single thick braid.
"Your hair is beautiful," the younger twin remarked, expertly separating and weaving the shining strands. "It glows like burnished gold in the light."
Opening his mouth to make a biting comment, Anteruon was astounded to find himself saying, "�Tis little more than ordinary, among wood-elves. Yours is far more exotic. �Tis black as a raven�s wing, and so straight."
"And mine is little more than ordinary among my people," Elrohir answered with a smile, tying off the finished braid. "There, you are ready to tussle."
"What of your hair?", the crown prince asked, indicating the other�s loosened locks. "You are left with only side braids."
"I will knot it," the elf-knight said with a grin, his eyes twinkling. "It will hold long enough for me to best you, I wager."
Anteruon snorted, not unpleasantly, as he watched Elrohir twist the length of his hair, tying a simple knot in the silken rope that was formed, mithril-sparked side braids swinging freely.
"Ready?", Tiriadon asked, receiving a nod from both warriors. "Match!"
Circling warily, the eldest prince adopted a defensive posture. He ruefully conceded that there was little chance of victory, and briefly wondered why he had agreed to the bout. Elrohir was more heavily muscled, better trained, and had several hundred years of practice on him. �Twould be enough to last a while, and score a hold or two.
The elf-knight glimpsed an opening in Anteruon�s defenses and moved in quickly, locking the crown prince in a fierce vertical contest of strength and balance which ended when the woodland royal leaned heavily to one side, pulling both elves to the ground in a tangle.
"Well done, mellon," Elrohir said, wrapping his legs around the other elf, pinning him tightly. "But I will still best you."
"Mayhap," Anteruon panted, finding a hold on the younger twin�s shoulder. With a fluid twist, the elder prince reversed their positions, pressing his opponent to the ground. With a triumphant grin he added, "But you will know you have grappled, Peredhel."
"I do not doubt that, wood-elf," Elrohir chortled, before applying himself to the contest in earnest. As the woodland prince had expected, he was out-matched, and the disparity became greater as they tired. With a final heave, the elf-knight threw his opponent backward, straddling his hips, pinning his arms with firm hands.
"Do you concede, ernilen?", the dark elf gasped with a dazzling grin. "I believe I have you."
"I will grant you the match," Anteruon shot back with a smirk, "But you have lost your wager."
"My wager?", Elrohir repeated, tilting his head to one side. Releasing the prince�s hands, he asked, "What wager?"
Grinning up at the perplexed victor, the woodland royal grabbed a handful of the inky-black hair that streamed over the elf-knight�s shoulders. "You wagered your knot would hold long enough to best me."
Elrohir threw his head back and laughed merrily. Looking up at the dark elf, Anteruon felt as though blinders had been removed from his eyes. �He is beautiful,� the elder prince realized, taking in the exertion-flushed face and silken ebony locks. There was no gloating or arrogance in the younger twin�s exuberant smile, and the silver-grey eyes sparkled with pleasure.

�This is what Legolas sees in them,� he marveled, lost in his musings. �How he sees them�face flushed and hair unbound�� Sensual images followed unbidden, and to his horror Anteruon felt himself begin to harden rapidly. Suddenly aware of Elrohir�s weight on his groin he shifted desperately, his movements only adding to his predicament. Flushing darkly, the elder prince snapped, "You can release me now. I have conceded."
Startled by the sudden change in the other�s demeanor, the elf-knight looked at him curiously. "Have I hurt you?", he asked with concern, then bit his lip in understanding as a change of position pushed the elder prince�s stiff length against his bottom. "�Tis alright, mellonen," he began, "It happens to all of us when we�"
"Not to me," Anteruon hissed quietly. "I do not fancy males that way." His face rigid he said, "Let me up Elrohir. Please."
Rising gracefully, the elf-knight extended a hand to his subdued opponent, who accepted the help after a moment�s hesitation. "Do not be so disturbed, ernilen," the younger twin urged quietly. "�Tis caused by the excitement and movements of the match, nothing more. �Twould be strange if you did not�"
"Hold your tongue, Peredhel," Anteruon spat out, shaking off Elrohir�s hand. "You know nothing of this." Glancing at the astonished onlookers, he said quietly, "I am going for a walk."
As the crown prince trudged off, tunic over his arm, Barangolas asked bluntly, "What is chewing on him, Elrohir? �Twas not a bad match. Surely he did not expect to subdue you."
The elf-knight merely shook his head, his face sober. Elladan looked at him searchingly and frowned, dissatisfied with whatever he was able to gather. "Where will he go, �Las?", the elder twin asked.
"Probably into the forest," Legolas replied thoughtfully. "He oft leaves the halls when brooding."
"Is he safe alone?", Elrohir queried with a frown, feeling unreasonably responsible for the eldest prince�s mood, and thus his safety.
The archer paused for a moment, his face uncertain. "Aye, �tis usually safe, long as you remain near the Halls, and take a weapon for protection. The danger is more from spiders than orcs, �less you wander too far."
"Let us hope he does not wander too far, then, anor n�n ," the elf-knight said grimly.
****************************************************
The sun began to sink behind the trees, and still Anteruon did not return. Pacing restlessly, Elrohir suddenly announced, "I am going after him."
"Nay, rohir n�n , you are not," Legolas said firmly. "Not alone, at any cost. I can send a patrol�"
Shaking his head firmly, the elf-knight argued, "�Twould likely be the last straw, �Las, to have a full contingent of warriors come to drag him home. �Dan and I will go look for him�"
"You are being foolish, �Roh," the prince said firmly. "Taur-na-Fuin is my home, and I know it well. You would be lost in a matter of minutes once you left the paths."
As Elrohir opened his mouth to speak, Legolas frowned. "I know you do not think he will talk about whatever this mysterious problem is with me present, but there will be no time for talk in the forest, anyway. �Tis not safe after dark, save inside the gates�so if we are going, we had best leave now."
Bowing to the inevitable, the twins quickly collected their weapons, following the prince out into the rapidly dimming forest. The trio moved swiftly and silently, and Legolas stopped frequently, his forest-honed senses reaching out to explore the area, before moving once more.
Suddenly the archer froze, listening intently. When he turned to the twins, his eyes were troubled. "Spiders," he said grimly, moving off rapidly toward the sound. "Ready your bows."
A moment later Elladan and Elrohir heard the sounds, also- a brittle wooden chatter that Legolas explained was the movement of the spider�s legs. To their dismay, other sounds were soon audible�the keening wail of an elven blade, overlaid by harsh breathing.
Breaking into a run, they burst from the forest into a small clearing�and into a nightmare. Anteruon stood in the center of the space, wielding a burning brand and his sword with equal desperation. He was surrounded by spiders, some of which turned on the newcomers with obvious violent intent.
Bows singing, the rescuers cleared a path to the eldest prince, who was exhausted, but apparently uninjured. Fighting back to back, they managed to clear most of the spiders from the clearing. Firing his last arrows, Legolas grabbed a branch, lighting it from Anteruon�s spluttering torch. "Hurry!", he ordered, "While they are scattered�we must make the gates."
As they headed toward the Halls, nearly running, Elrohir glanced back to check on Anteruon, and felt his heart pause. He gasped in horror as a dark shape dropped silently from the trees toward the crown prince. "Look out, Anteruon! Above you!" he yelled, throwing himself bodily at the astonished elf.
Legolas and Elladan whirled at the shouts, dashing toward the spider as it settled over the elf-knight�s legs, pinning him to the ground. Out of arrows, the prince flung his twin knives at the creature, striking it in the head. As it fell back, revealing the still form of the younger twin, grey eyes met blue-green, each sick with dread, as their voices blended in agonized denial�
"ELROHIR ! �"
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Elvish translations:
anor n�n - my sun

rohir n�n - my knight

t�ren - my brother

t�r dithen - little brother

ernilen - my prince

mellonen - my friend

Taur-na-Fuin - Mirkwood (wood of nightshade)
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Princes Three: In the Shadows of Mirkwood