Princes Three: The Beginning | By : nuwing Category: -Multi-Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 19708 -:- 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 12
The last day of the feasting of Lasse-lanta had dawned fair in the hidden vale. The staff of Elrond’s household buzzed about cheerfully, having much to accomplish before the festivities began. The inhabitants of Imladris, as well as their guests, looked forward to a last evening of celebration, ere life became somewhat more normal again- at least until time for winter’s feasting.
Surrounded by this all-encompassing atmosphere of excitement and cheer, Legolas found himself increasingly glum. No matter how hard he tried to think of other things, no matter how determinedly he focused on his excitement over the gifts being prepared for the twins, the fact remained that this was to be his last day and night in the valley. Tomorrow, quite early, he would leave with his small personal guard to begin the long journey back to Mirkwood.
Even the thought of going caused him to wince. The reality would be excruciating. Though he truly looked forward to reuniting with his adar, and the rest of his kin, he felt the strength to leave Elladan and Elrohir behind might well be beyond him. Only the promise of their arrival in the Wood soon-as -may-be gave him hope of leaving Imladris with his pride intact.
So deep was the prince in his sorrowful musings, he jumped, startled when he felt a soft kiss on each side of his neck. "’Tis not yet time for such brooding, ‘Las," Elladan said, slipping a comforting arm around the prince..
"’Dan is right, anor nín ," Elrohir agreed. "Come with us. ‘Twill not hold off tomorrow to waste today."
"Where are we headed?", Legolas asked, curiously eyeing the basket being carried by the younger twin, even as he allowed himself to be led out the chamber door.
"To the falls," the elf-knight answered with a grin, as the door banged shut behind them.
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Late morning found Elladan- sans braids, tunic half-fastened- prowling in the kitchen, heedless of the difficulty he was creating for the staff. Hearing the buzz of conversation, and the lack of productive noise, the head cook stepped from her room, eyes ablaze, tongue ready with sharp words.
Seeing the cause of the interruption, she stopped suddenly, lips curling in a tolerant smile. "What be ye seeking, Prince Elladan?", she demanded, her twinkling eyes belying her stern words. "You have upset my kitchen, pen neth, at a most awkward time."
Unchastened, the elder twin merely grinned, pushing back the hair that was once again in his eyes. "I have need of more cinnamon buns, Taurwen. And another tub of your honey butter."
Shaking her head good-naturedly, the mistress of the kitchen repacked the basket, also tucking in three chunks of cheese, and a handful of dried meat. "I daresay you two and your prince will miss the lunch we are trying to prepare, so you’d best eat these, also, or the afternoon will find you too giddy to walk, I deem."
Raising one eyebrow in question, Elladan remained silent. "I packed the first basket, too," Taurwen explained sternly, her eyes laughing. "’Twere three bottles of sparkling apple wine in it, so don’t lift that brow at me, ernilen. Just like your adar, you are. And it’s him I don’t want looking for me when you pull some foolish trick later."
Chuckling, the elder twin turned to leave, then stopped, turning to the cook. "How did you know ‘twas me?", he asked curiously. "I have no braids, nor beads just now."
With a smothered burst of laughter, Taurwen answered, "’Twas an easy thing, híren. Prince Elrohir would not have bothered to don his tunic at all."
****************************
Lord Elrond sat in one of the many informal gardens that decorated the hidden vale, deep in discussion with his most trusted friends. "I wish there was some way to avoid it, mellynen, but I know of none," the Lord of Imladris said soberly, twisting a fallen leaf in his fingers.
"Aye, I know," Glorfindel replied. " But ’tis not something you can alter, Elrond. They all have responsibilities. High station brings duties as well as rights."
Erestor sighed heavily. "The timing is bad, though, melethen. Legolas will be apart from them at least two moons, maybe four ere the trip will be possible. ‘Tis a young bond to suffer such strain."
Looking intently at his chief advisor, Elrond queried, "You deem it a bond, then, meldir? ‘Tis a strong word. "
"’Tis a strong triad," Erestor answered promptly, his face serious. "Have you not noted the odd silences? I would wager they all share thoughts."
The peredhel lord arched an eyebrow thoughtfully. "Indeed? You think Legolas able to mindspeak with the gwanûn ? He is quite young, and untrained in the art, to my knowledge. ‘Twould be convincing evidence of a bond, if it is true. What is your mind, Glorfindel?"
"I would agree with Erestor. I have been witness to some odd silences, and even odder laughter," the balrog-slayer replied.
Brightening somewhat, Elrond mused, "Thranduil is quite adept at farspeaking. ‘Twill be a great boon to them later, if Legolas has inherited his abilities."
"But little help now," Erestor said wryly. "It looks to be a hard winter. For all of us, I imagine."
"Aye, most likely it will be," Glorfindel began. "There is naught so painful to see as a love-sick… Wait… here they come." Pausing a moment, he went on with a grin, "I wager they have been drinking, Elrond."
Following the other’s gaze, Elrond caught site of the three princes walking across the field toward the garden. Walking rather unsteadily, and leaning on one another for support. Even as he watched, they burst into laughter, collapsing to the ground. With some perturbation, the Imladrian lord replied, "They have not only been drinking, meldir, they are drunk. I hope…"
Elrond’s hope was never revealed, for at that moment it became quite clear, even from the garden, why the fallen elves had not risen. A pair of legs, mercifully still clad in leggings, snaked upward, curling around another still-clothed form. "What are they doing?", the scandalized father hissed, half-rising from his seat.
Unable to stifle a chuckle, the seneschal replied, "I find it fairly obvious what they are doing, híren. I think…"
"The question was rhetorical, Glorfindel," Elrond snapped with a glare.
Erestor intervened, a smiling slightly, "We had best address ourselves to ending the episode, rather than defining it I think. Though if they are really so drunk…"
"They are very young, melethen," the balrog slayer broke in. "’Twould be foolhardy to count on drink to prevent them…"
"THEN DO SOMETHING!", Elrond snarled with unusual lack of control, rising quickly from his seat. Regaining some semblance of calmness, he added, "Come, help me fetch them," and headed for the trio with long strides, his face carefully controlled.
Erestor and Glorfindel followed rapidly, faces stern, but eyes twinkling. Catching the peredhel lord’s arm, the chief advisor said, "If you will take Legolas, híren, Glorfindel and I will manage the gwanûn . ‘Twill be easier that way."
"Aye, easier, and less likely to end in bloodshed," Glorfindel snickered under his breath, as the ancient elves approached the objects of their errand.
Having steeled himself to find his sons in some graphically compromising position, Elrond was relieved to discover nothing more than a giggling pile of half-dressed bodies. Unable to reach his assigned prince, he cocked an eyebrow at his friends, and stood waiting. "Any suggestions as to how we might proceed?", he asked wryly.
"Aye. We begin at the top," Glorfindel said with a smirk. Bending down, he gripped a generous handful of ebony hair and pulled. Hard.
As one twin rose from the pile of tangled limbs with a howl, Erestor grabbed the other, hauling him up into a steadying embrace. "Let us go to the house, Elrohir," the advisor said soothingly, partly fastening the younger twin’s tunic. "’Tis not a good place to snuggle, here in the meadow."
"Nay, ‘tis not a good place at all, pen neth," the balrog-slayer told Elladan, who was still rubbing his scalp. "I will help you back, hmm?"
"You pulled my hair," the elder twin fumed, glaring at Glorfindel, even as he grabbed the golden elf’s shoulder for support.
"Aye, I did," the seneschal said with a grin, offering no further explanation, but putting a friendly arm around Elladan to hold him steady.
Elrond smiled down at Legolas, who remained on the ground, looking more than a little confused. "Come on, ernilen," the peredhel lord said kindly, tugging the woodland prince to his feet. "’Tis time to go back indoors for a while. You need a soak and a rest before the festivities begin, hmm?"
When Legolas nodded affably, Elrond chuckled and put a supporting arm around the prince. Leading the way to the manor, he looked back at Glorfindel and Erestor. "I believe a cool bath and a tonic are in order for these younglings, mellynen. Will you be so kind as to monitor the bath while I mix the tonics? I do not wish to mar this day with a triple drowning."
***************************
A good while later- washed, dressed, and braided- the three offenders sat in Elrond’s library, under the stern eye of the Imladrian lord. "’Twas very irresponsible of you, ionen, to behave in such a manner," Elrond said soberly, his gaze fixed on his eldest son.
"Aye, Ada," Elladan replied with a sigh . "It was. I am sorry."
"I am sorry also, Ada," Elrohir added. "We should not have taken so much apple wine so early in the day."
"No, you should not have done so, ionen. But no real harm has been done, and mayhap you have learned a lesson. You have my pardon. I want the two of you to retrieve the basket you discarded at the falls, hmm? Taurwen will be livid if it is not returned."
"But, Ada," the elf-knight began, "’Las…"
"I wish to speak to Prince Legolas," Elrond said with finality. "Out with you."
With reassuring looks at the anxious prince, Elladan and Elrohir left to do as they were bid.
The Library was silent for a long moment before Legolas forced himself to speak. "Please, accept my apologies, híren. I am sorry to have abused your hospitality in such a manner."
Looking intently at the woodland prince, Elrond’s face broke into a kind smile. "’Tis alright, Legolas. You have not abused my hospitality. And I do have some inkling of how you must be feeling this day. ‘Tis not easy to leave, is it, pen neth?"
"Nay, it is not," Legolas answered, his head bowed. Raising his head to meet the peredhel lord’s gaze, he said, "Lord Elrond, I thank you for your kindness these weeks. I am not sure how you feel about all that has occurred, what hopes you may have…but I am grateful for the acceptance you have shown me."
"My only hope in this instance is that my sons be happy, ernilen," the elder elf said soberly. "And they are quite happy these days. You have my blessing, Legolas, for what value it holds."
"It holds immense value for me, híren," the prince replied, impulsively clasping Elrond’s arm. "As do Elladan and Elrohir."
Smiling warmly, the Imladrian lord pulled Legolas to his feet, embracing him momentarily. "Then all is as it should be, and you are free to join the gwanûn , pen neth."
As the prince turned to leave, Elrond laid a restraining hand on his shoulder. "I nearly forgot," the dark elf said, handing a package to the other. "This was left for you by one of the tradesmen."
Legolas’ grinned broadly as he took the parcel. "Hannon chen," he returned, eyes sparkling. "I cannot wait to open it."
Raising one eyebrow speculatively, Elrond queried, "Is it possible that I may see the contents of that box at dinner this eve?"
"Aye, you may indeed," the prince answered, his face beaming. "In fact, híren, I hope you will see the contents of this parcel every eve, for many years."
***************************
Opening the chamber door, Legolas looked around carefully. Seeing no one in the den, he quickly tore into his package, breaking into a dazzling smile as he saw the contents. Celmon had done beautiful work. They were perfect. Slipping the pieces back into the box, the prince quickly stuffed it behind some pillows when he heard footsteps outside the door.
Scarce a second later, Elladan threw the door open, then stopped in surprise, seeing the prince’s glowing face. "’Tis nice to see such a bright smile, anor nín . What has so improved your mood?", he asked, enveloping Legolas in a tight embrace.
"Thoughts of you," the archer teased, pressing a light kiss to the other’s cheek. "Where is ‘Roh?"
"He had some errands to complete," Elladan answered evasively, before changing the subject. "What did Ada have to say?"
"Only that I was not to be banned from Imladris. And that he approved, and thought you happy with me," Legolas replied, snuggling against his lover. "Would that be true, el nín?"
"Looking for compliments, are we?", the dark elf chuckled, squeezing the prince tighter. "Aye, that would be true, I suppose. I have become accustomed to golden hair on my pillow."
"As have I," Elrohir said with a grin, slipping through the door and laying a parcel unobtrusively on the side table. In response to Elladan’s arched eyebrow, he nodded slightly.
It is perfect. Shall we give it to him now?
Aye. I can not stand the suspense.
"Are we all dressed for the Hall?", the elder twin asked, receiving nods in answer. "I know Ada will want us to mingle on this last night."
"Aye, he will," Elrohir agreed soberly. Breaking in to a grin, he continued, "But I doubt he will insist we stay after the feasting."
"So there is some compassion in him, after all, hmm?", Elladan chuckled. Glancing at the elf-knight, he said "Come and sit down, ‘Las. We have something to show you."
Dropping to a cushion in front of the fireplace, the elder twin gently tugged Legolas down also, watching with ill-concealed anticipation as Elrohir brought over the package. "This seems to be meant for you, anor nín ," he said with a smile, handing Legolas the box.
Face beaming, the woodland prince carefully removed the lid and pushed back a layer of padding, then gasped in surprise. A spiral cuff of hammered mithril, wide as three of an ellon’s fingers, glinted in the late afternoon sun. Picking it up, Legolas saw that it was inlaid with a center stripe of gold, edged with thinner inlays of lapis lazuli. The golden strip was engraved with intricately detailed oak leaves. "’Tis beautiful," he whispered, looking at the twins with sparkling eyes.
"Here, melethen, try it on, " Elladan urged, slipping the flexible metal easily over the prince’s forearm. The cuff curled halfway from Legolas’ wrist to his elbow, moving easily over flexing muscles.
"You can wear it under your tunic, if you prefer," Elrohir explained, delighted with the archer’s reaction. "And ‘tis thin enough not to spoil you aim with a bow."
"I shall wear it on the outside of my sleeve ‘til feasting is done, " Legolas declared promptly, "So everyone can admire it." Leaning over to press a soft kiss to each mouth, the prince whispered, "Hannon chen, el nín, rohir nín. ‘Tis perfect." Then he smiled sweetly, and purred, "Later, we will see how it looks on bare skin, hmm?"
"That we will," the elf-knight agreed, pushing back a golden braid. "In fact, we may have time…"
"Nay, we do not," Legolas said sternly, forcing back a smile. "I have something for the two of you, also." Rising fluidly, the prince retrieved his parcel. "You will have to close your eyes, both of you, ‘til I tell you to look," he warned.
Obediently closing his eyes, Elladan heard the rustle of parchment, then felt something cool against his neck. After a moment, during which the noise was repeated, Legolas tugged him to his feet. "Don’t look yet," the prince scolded, as he pulled Elrohir upright, carefully turning him to face his twin.
"I suppose this is better than any mirror," Legolas chuckled, then said, "Now."
Elladan opened his eyes, his gaze immediately going to Elrohir’s throat. A wide collar of mithril gleamed against the pale skin at the base of his neck. In the center of the hammered metal sat a gold oak leaf, its veins detailed in mithril. On one side of the leaf was the six pointed Imladrian star, its center a piece of deep blue lapis lazuli. On the other side of the oak leaf was a mithril horse head, its eye a gleaming blue stone. Lifting his hand in awe to his own neck, he lifted one eyebrow thoughtfully.
As Elrohir raised his hands to his own throat, he frowned in confusion. Something was odd, as if…
"They are mirror images," the prince said smugly, seeing the consternation on both faces. "’Dan, your star is on the left. ‘Roh, your horse head is on the left. When you stand as you are, ‘tis exactly like looking in a mirror. They are nearly identical, but not interchangeable. Like you."
"’Tis beautiful, ‘Las," Elladan said softly, touching the collar at his own throat. Pulling a smiling Legolas closer, he brushed a warm kiss over the curving lips. "’Tis beyond perfect. Hannon chen, anor nín ."
"Aye, ‘tis incredible," Elrohir agreed, his face glowing. Pressing close to the other side of the prince, the elf-knight kissed him soundly. "Hannon chen, anor nín ," he echoed.
Pulling apart reluctantly, the trio glanced through the arches. "Come," Legolas ordered, taking a twin on each arm. "’Tis time to gather in the hall."
**************************
Elvish Translations:
Ada, Adar - Dad, FatherWhile AFF and its agents attempt to remove all illegal works from the site as quickly and thoroughly as possible, there is always the possibility that some submissions may be overlooked or dismissed in error. The AFF system includes a rigorous and complex abuse control system in order to prevent improper use of the AFF service, and we hope that its deployment indicates a good-faith effort to eliminate any illegal material on the site in a fair and unbiased manner. This abuse control system is run in accordance with the strict guidelines specified above.
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