Underneath it all

Chapter 19 - the unexpected guest

Erestor stayed with me until I was ready to sleep. He then left me after promising to send Haldir to me as soon as he had returned from Lorien. I thought that sleep would be hard to find, but when I woke up next morning, I could only come to the conclusion that I had fallen asleep as soon as my head had touched the pillow.

The morning sun blinded me at first, but then I blinked as I saw a figure lying in the bed next to me, curled together as a little ball. I popped up on my elbow, and to my surprise it was Orophin.

"Orophin?" I whispered, and the sliver haired elf opened his eyes. He looked confused at first.

"Oh, I must have fallen asleep," he mumbled.

"Yes," I chuckled. "I'm very glad to see you, but what *are* you doing here?"

Orophin chuckled too. "Well I guess I am not the most likely bed guest you could imagine." He sat up slowly and rubbed sleep from his eyes. "Rumil and I followed Haldir back here to see you."

"Oh, I didn't know," I whispered.

The Galadrim smiled. "Well you and this" he placed a hand on my huge belly. "Haldir told us it's almost ready to be born."

"Aye," I said quietly.

But just as he was about to answer, the door slammed open and Elrohir rushed in, looking as though he had just returned from a battle. "Legolas, you're safe!" He laughed, and without thought for anything flung himself around my neck.

I was completely startled and couldn't help but laugh in return. "Oh Elrohir."

He let go of me and sat up, not even noticing Orophin. He looked me straight in my eyes. "I was so afraid something had happened to you," he whispered and leaned in to kiss me softly.

I was just about to say something to him, but I felt myself return his kiss. I heard the door shut as my other guest had decided to slip out of the room. I smiled into the kiss and bit Elrohir's lip playfully.

"You are going to get me in trouble," he giggled as he gently pushed me back in the bed following himself.

"Me? Never," I giggled back and wrapped my arms around him, placing butterfly kisses on his face.

Elrohir chuckled. The suddenly ookeooked serious, and he kissed me with an intensity that had not been there before. "I love you," he murmured. "By the Valar, I love you."

I blinked, confused at his words. "I l-love you t-too," I stuttered. I had never admitted this to anyone else, not even my father. I greatly cared about some others, even loved them, but not like this, and I had never told them so.

"Then bind yourself to me," he said with a seriousness that shook even me.

"E-Elrohir," I whispered, not knowing what else to say.

"Please say yes," he whispered and smiled shyly.

He loved me, he really did. I did not even dare to believe this myself. I swallowed hard and blushed for reasons unknown. "Yes," I whispered.

Then we were brutally disrupted when there was a knock on the door. Elrohir rolled off me and sat up. "Enter," he said and crossed his arms a he he was prepared to defend himself.

The door opened and to my surprise Elladan scuffled in to the room. "Good morning," he said softly and looked upon Elrohir and smiled. Behind him entered Glorfindel, who towered over the young elf. He cleared his throat and looked at Elrohir. It seemed that my lover and husband to be got the message, as he leaned over and kissed me tenderly. "See you later my love," he whispered before pushing himself off the bed. He lay a hand on Elladan's shoulder and smiling at his twin. "And good morning to you too." Elladan just smiled back and squeezed the hand on his shoulder lovingly. I felt like an intruder seeing this display of silent communication between the twins.

But then Elrohir walked out the door with Glorfindel, and I was left alone with Elladan. "I... I.… " he started but then sighed and whispered, "Forgie."e."

I was dumbstruck. "Elladan?"

"Please? I have treated you unjust and with cruelty."

"W-wont you sit down?" I said, completely baffled.

Elladan sat down slowly and whimpered as he made the first contact with the mattress. I looked amused at his pained expression as he lowered himself down to a full seat. I knew I should take pitty on him, but I had so many questions for him I really needed answered. "Why?" I whispered and tilted my head.

"I was afraid," he admitteuntluntly, "Afraid you would destroy my life, and break Elrohir's heart."

"But how could I possibly destroy your life?" I raised my brow in question. Even if he seemed to repent now, I was still alert because he was Elladan. I needed no other reason.

"You see," Elladan began as he turned his head to look at me, "I should never have bedded you." He sighed again and his voice fell to whisper, "Glorfindel and I have been lovers for a long time, and so if he was ever to find out what I did, I was afraid..." he trailed off

"Afrai was was going to leave you?" I finished his sentence.

"Yes," he admitted. "I love him Legolas, I truly do, and I would not survive should he leave."

I felt tears fall from my eyes. I vaguely thought of how strange it was, here I was sitting weeping over Elladan, who had been a cold-hearted bastard, but his words seemed so true and full of regret and pain that I could not help but to feel for him.

"But I promised you to never tell anyone about you. I remember I said so that afternoon in Haldir's talan." I wiped my tears with my sleeve.

"I know," Elladan tucked in a stray lock of hair behind his ear, "but as soon as I found out that Elrohir had taken a fancy to you, I was afraid that he would tell, and that they would tell others. " He bit his lip and continued, "And even worse, I was afraid you would tell my father when you arrived here. He can be very persuasive you know."

"Oh Elladan," I whispered, "I forgive you, and I will never tell a living soul."

"It doesn't matter now," he said and smiled a strained smile. "He knows. I told him."

"And?" I waited for Elladan to continue.

"He is not leaving. He is disappointed in me, but not angry," He said quietly. "But he was mad that I withheld the truth from him." The dark-haired elf shifted uncomfortably in his seat, as to find some way of sitting without touching the bed.

"He made you come here?" I said and laid my hand on his shoulder, smiling as friendly as I could.

Elladan nodded and blushed, which made me laugh and smile in understanding. "Its not funny," he pouted, but he couldn't help but to chuckle himself, and for the first time since I had first met Elrohir I could see that he and Elladan really were identical. Their smiles were the same.

"I'm glad you came here," I said softly, "Even if you needed to be urged by Glorfindel's cane." I started to giggle uncontrollably. I was more than happy that he had come here, encouraged by the Elda or not. And I had a feeling inside for the first time in a long while that everything would work out after all.


-tbc-

************************************

another MPREG :/ I think this revenge of the male
species is getting a habit for me. I would like to thank Bersa for
the encouragement. Esteliel for being such an inspiration, Morgana for making me love Haldir.
And of course to Milly for just being there, helping me along the way with the plot *smiles*
Avalon deserves a hug or two as well, for keeping me in the fire. And to Kharessa Bloodrose for inspiring me to my favourite version of Erestor. Thanks you gals!
- This is Betaed by Steph, thanks for coming through for me sweetie
I want feedback - as always *smiles* Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?!?! *Bats eyelashes*


Az.