Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home	By : IdrilsSecret Category: +Third Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 4869 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of its characters. I make no money in the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 25
- 26
- 27
Chapter 26 Captive

Legolas ran from the palace and exited the main doorway. He stopped and observed the area. Elves went here and there, but none were Rúmil. He couldn’t have gotten that far, he said to himself. Legolas had been with his father for a little while, but surely Rúmil hadn’t left that quickly. He dashed back inside, thinking that Rúmil might still be in the palace. He always did have a difficult time finding his way about. Maybe he got lost and that slowed him down. Starting to head for the caverns, Legolas bumped into Corweth. He grabbed her and picked her up off her feet, spinning her around. A few young elleth nearby watched and giggled at their prince.

“Why are you here? Your father said you left days ago.” Corweth questioned.

“You brought Rúmil here. Is he still about?” Legolas hurried to say, ignoring her question. He was out of breath from running.

“I took him to the graveyard to see Messel’s resting place, but he didn’t stay long. He’s already left,” she told him. “Legolas, what’s is going on? Your father told me that you–”

“No time to explain. I must find Rúmil and talk to him. If he just left, I can catch him up.” Legolas started to go but Corweth stopped him.

“He left by horse, and he left in a hurry. You’ll never catch him on foot.”

“I have to try. I can’t let him go without him knowing,” Legolas said, and he looked around trying to find a better option. Nothing was coming to him at the moment.

“Know what?” Corweth asked.

“That I know the truth about the letter.”

“So you know those weren’t his words?” she asked. She was very confused by everything.

“I do. I heard his whole confession.”

“But … how? What is going on?” Corweth demanded. She hated not being informed.

Legolas shook his head and grasped her shoulders. “I was a fool, Corweth. A fool and a coward. When I read the letter, I was devastated.”

“I know,” she said. “I was there.”

“But there was a piece of me that knew Rúmil couldn’t do something like that. And then I spoke with my father, and he convinced me it was true. He smothered my doubt and fanned my pain and sorrow. He warned me that Rúmil was coming here. He filled my head with the fear of what would happen when Rúmil shattered any hope I might still have had. He spoke of the sea longing, and his own fear of losing me should I chose to sail. He persuaded me stay away, and that he would deal with Rúmil to save me any further hurt and pain.”

“And that’s why your father told us you had left for Gondor,” Corweth said as it all started to make sense.

“I resigned to my rooms and grieved. I grieved for losing Rúmil. I yielded to the sea longing. But neither of those even came close to the emptiness I felt in my heart, and the huge void of my soul. That was a loss of epic proportions, and I thought that I would rather see Rúmil once more and hear it from his own mouth that he no longer loved me. I went against my father’s wishes and went to his throne room where I would confront Rúmil in person. But again, I allowed Ada to sway me to his way of thinking. He told me to stay behind the closed door, and he would deal with Rúmil. So that’s what I did. And then, I heard Rúmil talking with my father, and his confession that he had been blackmailed into writing the letter.”

“If you heard him speak the truth, then why didn’t you go to him?” Corweth asked.

Legolas bowed his head. “My father took precautions and put guards on me so that I couldn’t leave the room.”

“Your father has gone too far this time,” Corweth seethed. “Too long has Thranduil held you back.”

“I don’t blame my father,” Legolas sympathized. “Actually, I understand his reasoning. He’s not just afraid to lose me. He’s afraid to be alone. I know that feeling all too well now.”

Corweth watched Legolas a moment. She could see the desperation in his countenance. He needed to be prepared for the worst. “Rúmil was beside himself with grief. He thinks you want nothing more to do with him. He fears it’s too late, even to explain that note. Your father did a fairly good job at convincing him that it is over. That emptiness you spoke of, Rúmil said he’d felt the same thing. He felt if even before speaking with Thranduil. I think he knew the moment you’d given up on him.”

“This is why I need to find him. I can’t let him return home without knowing that I still care. He needs to know that I still want him, and that I still love him,” Legolas said desperately.

“You’re sure about him?” Corweth asked in a serious manner. “He’s made things difficult on you. On both of you. Married to the army, that one. Constantly putting his soldiering career before his feelings. What if he actually breaks your heart? What if next time, that letter is not a fake?”

“Then that is a chance I’m willing to take, but he won’t do that to us. I know this for a fact because I feel him in here,” he said, pounding his fist on his chest. “And from what you’ve told me, he feels it too. He is the one, Corweth, and I am his. Nothing will break that.”

She didn’t seem totally convinced, but Legolas would stop at nothing to find Rúmil. “I don’t know how you’ll catch him. He flew out of here on a horse, saying he needed to get home before he was missed. He had his brother’s horse, one of the fastest in Lothlórien,” she said.

“Shit, he could be half way through the Rhovanion by now. Where did he enter the woods? Was it near Arstad?” Legolas asked.

“Yes. He came in on the Old Forest Road,” Corweth informed. “And the way he was pushing his horse, I’m sure he will need to stop there and let her rest, but he probably won’t stay the night. He is desperate to return to Caras Galadhon.”

“The town might be my only chance to stop him. I need to send word there,” Legolas said, coming up with a plan.

“Well, it won’t get there fast enough. Elves might be quick, but we can’t fly,” she jested again.

Legolas’ eyes went big and he smiled. “That’s it!” he yelled, and he grabbed Corweth’s face and kissed her on the lips. She was caught off guard for only a moment, but pushed him away and slapped him across the face.

“How dare you–”

“Yes I know. You can bitch at me later. Now tell me, where is Tethor at the moment?” he said, ignoring her complaint.

“What do you want with him?”

“I need one of his birds to send a message to Arstad.”

“I told you he won’t be there long. A message won’t do you any good,” she said, confused.

“He’ll have no choice if I order the guards to detain him.” Legolas looked quite proud of his plan. Corweth told him where he could find Tethor, and Legolas ran off in a hurry.

>>------->

Thranduil was right. I was a fool to ever think any of this would work. What in Mordor was I thinking? How on earth could Legolas and I be bound? I wanted to believe that we could make it work. He has ever been willing to try. But his royal standing and my position as March warden wouldn’t allow us to have a normal relationship. And what if we still went through with it? One day Legolas could be king, and I, being his spouse, would have a certain amount of power. That meant if something happened to Legolas and he could not rule, I would be second in line, an elf of Lothlórien. No wonder Thranduil worried. The last thing he wanted was a Lórien elf to have control over his precious kingdom. I saw now how it could pose a problem. I didn’t care about any of that when I thought of being with Legolas forever, bound in heart and soul.

We were already partially bound, just because of our deep affection for one another. I still wondered if I would fade without him in my life. I thought it might be possible. After all, Legolas seemed to move on already, off on an adventure with his dwarf friend before attending the coronation in Gondor. Was he hurting as I was? I felt empty already, and I could tell it was not going to be easy to avoid. Not even my successful career could fill the void. I didn’t think I would ever take another lover. There was no hope of ever shedding the feeling of loss, but could I live the rest of my days in Middle-earth this way? Perhaps I would talk to Haldir about it when I got home.

Home. So far from home, and yet it would not be welcoming when I returned. At least I had my brothers. They would certainly see me through this coming grief. They were all I had now.

I exited the woods where the Old Forest Road ended and turned to a typical dirt road. Haldir’s horse had done well as she moved swiftly through the trees, but she was more tired than usual. It was a difficult trip for her because she was always on alert in that dark place. She needed rest, but I couldn’t stop for too long. I needed to get back to Caras Galadhon before I was missed. Even though Haldir helped me set up a plan to cover my sudden disappearance, I wanted to return in a timely manner so that suspicions would not be raised. Raenor still held me over a cliff. One false move and he’d drop me right at the feet of the Lord and Lady, and my life would be ruined. I wondered what other demands he would have for me. Perhaps he would force me to step down as March warden so that he could rule, or have his brother assigned. He held a severe grudge against me and my family for what my father did to his. Well, now he was having his revenge, and I was the one in which he placed all his hatred. Maybe it was what I deserved. After all, I was not completely innocent in all of this. I had broken the law of the army by taking a male lover. I had hid from it all my life. That secret had fallen into the wrong hands. I should have known it would happen eventually. I guess I did know that. I was just waiting to see when I would finally be exposed.

I rode into the town, and made my way to the stables where I would let my horse eat, drink and rest. I could spare an hour or two, but not much more than that. She was a hearty breed, and she would be ready to go by then.

The stable boy watched me as I came inside, leading my horse to one of the empty stalls. His eyes were as wide as a frightened doe, and I wondered what was wrong. Surely he’d seen elves before. My kind were no strangers to Arstad. Even the elven king of Mirkwood had dealings with this town. I smiled at the boy and handed him a coin for the stall and the food. He was hesitant, but took my offering and scurried off like he’d seen a ghost. Was it me? I raised my tunic to my nose and sniffed but nothing rancid offended me. Silly boy, I thought and went back to tending to my horse.

When I was finished, I thought I would head to the tavern and get something to eat. I wasn’t all that hungry, but I knew my body needed nourishment. A bowl of hot stew and a pint of ale, and I would be ready to get back on the road. As I crossed the yard from the stable to the tavern, I noticed two rather large men crossing toward me. They looked like guards, and from the sour expressions on their faces, they had been summoned to make an arrest. I pitied the person they were after, but he probably brought it on himself. Whoever he was, if he’d just not broken any of their laws, maybe he wouldn’t be in this troub–

I was grabbed up by these men, who I thought were only passing by. “What is the meaning of this? Release me at once!” I yelled.

“What is your name, elf?” one of the men asked. He had brown curly hair and was missing one of his front teeth. His arms were as large as a tree, and his grip was strong on my wrist.

“I am Rúmil, March warden of the Northern Guard of Loth–”

“This is him,” the second man said, and I noticed the resemblance between them. They were brothers, no doubt.

The smaller of them, and he wasn’t smaller by much, unrolled a parchment, looked me up and down once more and read. “You are hereby detained in the town of Arstad until further notice.”

“Detained? For what?”

“Says here you are wanted for questioning,” said the man with the scroll. “I don’t know nothing else. You’ll have to wait until you’re sent for.”

“Sent for? By whom?” I asked.

“Doesn’t say. The mayor and his counsel most likely,” he answered and rolled the paper back up, sticking it inside his leather vest.

“This is ridiculous,” I argued. “I am merely passing through, and stopped to rest my horse. I’m not even staying long. I paid the stable boy for the stall. There is no reason to incarcerate me. I demand that I be released immediately.” I struggled against the grip on my wrist, but I was taken control of by both men and led to the mayor’s building, which was further down the cobblestone street. Arstad wasn’t very big, there was only one road, and two story buildings lined each side. Businesses were on the bottom floors, and homes were on the top. Further down the road were nicer houses where the well-off residents lived, I supposed. The mayor’s office building divided the two sections of town.

They guided me inside the mayor’s office and shoved me onto a wing-backed chair. I looked around the room, finding a sister chair to the one I sat in, and a fireplace. There was a desk and book shelves filled with books. The desk had stacks of parchments and a candelabra with candles that were almost used up. Wax had dripped onto the desk, hardened white disks splattered all around. The room was dark now, the curtain on the one window drawn to keep out the afternoon sun.

“Where is the mayor?” I asked.

“Stay here, and don’t try anything funny,” said the smaller man. “We won’t be far.” They went back to the front door and exited, but I saw their bulky silhouettes through the side windows on either side of the wood door.

There was another door behind the desk in the room. I kept my eye on the men’s shadows, and slowly stood to make my way to the back of the room. I tried the door, but it was locked. My only other means of escape was the window, but unfortunately, it was on the same side as the front door. They would see me climbing out. I paced back and forth, wracking my brain, trying to remember if something had happened last time I was here, but there was nothing. Could it be that Raenor discovered my plan and had me detained until he showed to drag me home? I guess that was a possibility, but it seemed like a long way to go. He would wait for me to return and then make a mockery out of me. So what was this all about? It couldn’t be Thranduil. He wanted me as far from Mirkwood as possible. Mistaken identity? No, they recognized my name. Who, in the name of Mordor, had me arrested?

A couple hours must have passed before someone came to tell me what was going on. I saw a hooded figure approach the guards and send them away. The doorknob turned and I stood from my chair, ready to give the mayor, or whoever this was, a piece of my mind. The door slowly opened and someone entered. I couldn’t see who it was. He or she was covered by an old ragged brown cloak. Whoever they were, they were tall.

“Finally! Do you know how long I have been waiting here? No one has come to tell me anything about this. All I know is that I’ve been detained for some unknown reason. Never in all my long years has anyone ever treated me in such a rude manner. I should at least know what I’m being held for. I want an explanation right now or I’m going to–” I was so busy complaining that I hadn’t paid much attention to the person in the room until the hood of the brown cloak lowered to reveal . . .

“Legolas?” I said with disbelief. I closed my eyes and opened them, thinking that I’d been seeing things. He was still there.

“Hello Rúmil,” he said in the softest voice possible. He looked like he wanted to smile, but he was staying cautious.

“What … what are you doing here? Your father said you left for Gondor days ago. Why are you in Arstad?”

Legolas shook his head and took a step towards me, but stopped when I stepped back. I didn’t even know I’d done it until he hesitated. “I didn’t get as far as you’d think I would.”

There were so many questions running through my mind, I couldn’t keep my thoughts together, but one thing rose above them all. I had Legolas in front of me, and I could finally tell him why I came. “I went to Mirkwood to talk to you. You must loath me by now, but you need to know that I didn’t write that letter. Actually, no, I did write it, but I didn’t mean a word of it. I’ve been found out, Legolas. Raenor … he knows about us, and he blackmailed me into writing that letter. I had no choice. I was only trying to protect my family. And I tried so hard to get word to you and intercept that cursed letter, but Raenor beat me to it. There was nothing I could do, nothing but to put everything on the line and come to you in person. You weren’t there, though, and I thought hope was gone. But here you are, and even though I find it strange that by some coincidence you are here, I’ve never been so elated in all my life.”

As I finished talking, he rushed across the room and took me into his arms. He buried his face in my neck and held me so tight I thought I’d stop breathing. “By the gods, Rúmil, I’ve never been so happy to see you either.”

I didn’t hug him back at first. I was thrown off guard by his actions. I thought for sure I would have to beg and plead for him to hear me out. It didn’t take me long to accept him, and I relaxed in his arms. It felt so good to be like this again. I wished that we never had to break this contact. The parts of me that felt empty were instantly filled with warmth and love. He was still mine, and I his. Still . . .

“I thought you’d want nothing to do with me. I spoke to your father, and he made it sound like you–”

“I know. That’s just my father being overprotective again, but he doesn’t understand what we share,” Legolas said, his warm breath caressing my neck.

He knew? “How could you know if you were already gone?” I asked with suspicion.

“I never left Mirkwood,” he confessed.

I pushed him away from me so I could confront him face to face. “You mean … you were there the whole time? Did you know I was there?”

Legolas answered me with a nod.

“Then, why didn’t you come to me? Why did you let me speak with your father instead of you? Did he forbid it?”

Legolas shook his head this time. “I chose it. I got word that you were on your way there, and I … I just couldn’t face you. I was afraid of what else you had to tell me, but I was there. I was in my father’s office.”

“You were there?” I knitted my brows in confusion. “Why didn’t you intervene? Why did you let me go on begging your father when it was you that I needed to speak with?”

“At first I didn’t think I could face you, but as soon as I heard your voice, I wanted to go to you. Knowing you were on the other side of the door was killing me. But my father … he knew I might change my mind. You know how he’s always disagreed with our relationship. He had his guards sent to his office to keep an eye on me, and keep me from going to you. He said it was for my sake that he did it. He feared for me … for what might happen to me now that I’ve–”

“The sea longing,” I said, remembering what Thranduil told me. Haldir and Corweth tried to tell me too, but they stopped short of their information and said it wasn’t up to them to say anything. I realized how many knew about this before me, and wondered how long Legolas kept it from me. “When? When did you know?”

“Galadriel warned me of my exposure before I left Lothlórien with my fellowship. She told me to be wary of the sea, but she spoke in riddles. I guess I didn’t listen hard enough. I didn’t remember her warning until it was too late.”

Haldir had asked me if Legolas told me about his time on the Corsair’s ships. I just thought something happened to him, or that he’d seen something that was difficult to discuss … like his time in the mines of Moria when he saw the Balrog. Now it all made sense to me. He had sailed with his companions on the Anduin in an attempt to get to Gondor before it was too late. The river is tied to the sea, and I presume it’s close enough that the sounds or smells of the ocean could trigger the longing. In an instant, I felt a clammy coldness spread across my skin. My mother had heard the longing, and she wasn’t long for this world afterwards. She sailed, leaving my father and my brothers alone. I was so young that I don’t remember her. Now, here was Legolas telling me he’d heard the call, and it just now started to register what that meant.

“Will you leave now? Will you go to Gondor and then take a ship?” I feared to ask him this, but I needed to know what was in my future, or what wasn’t in it.

“My dear Rúmil, I won’t leave, I couldn’t leave unless I knew you were ready too. I … I stay for you.” He took my face in his hands, and I couldn’t resist him any longer. I allowed him to kiss me, and suddenly everything was right in the world again. My troubles at home, my concerns about Legolas … it all faded away, and it was just me and my lover, our souls redefining each other, connecting on another level.

Legolas broke away after a long, soft, slow kiss and came to gaze longingly into my eyes. “Stay with me for a while. I need you.”

I wanted that too, but then my latest concern tapped on my brain and reminded me of why I was here in the first place. “I can’t. I … I’m not sure what’s happening, but it seems that I’ve been detained by . . .” As I tried to explain, Legolas crossed his arms and downcast his eyes so that the guilt on his face became very prominent. The last piece of the puzzled slipped into place. “It was you, wasn’t it? You did this. You told the guards to keep me here.”

“You had quite a head start with your swift horse. I had to find a way to make you wait until I could catch you up. I’m sorry,” he apologized.

“And the mayor?” I said as I cocked a brow and narrowed my eyes.

“He’s out of town, gone to Bree for a funeral, his great aunt I believe.”

“And the guards?” I said asking my last question.

“They’re not really guards. They are hunters. I saved their hounds from being eating by a giant spider when they wandered too far into the forest and became trapped in a web. They owed me a favor.” He shrugged and smiled innocently, all part of his game, I was sure.

“You always have an answer, don’t you?”

“I don’t have your answer,” he said, his innocence turning into lust. “Will you stay, if but for a little while?”

“It’s been a difficult time lately. We have been caught in a storm, tossed about, separated, and deceived. I want nothing more than to reacquaint myself with you, to get lost in you and forget the outside world, but I’m afraid that’s too dangerous of a thing for me to do at this point.” I took his wrists and pulled him toward me. His hands clenched at my tunic, and our bodies pressed together. I could feel his need, and I’m sure he felt mine too. “If Raenor begins to suspect foul play–”

“I’ve thought about that too,” he interrupted with a sly grin. “My father mentioned a shipment from Lothlórien, something about old manuscripts?”

“Yes, that was my cover. Haldir helped me arrange it so that I personally delivered them to the king. The only thing is, I left much sooner than the package. Haldir made excuses and hid the fact that I left early, but I’ll be expected to return soon. That’s why I can’t stay much longer. I have to be on my way or I’ll be gone too long.”

“You’re really worried about this aren’t you?” he said.

I couldn’t believe he had to ask that. “You know my situation,” I stressed to him. “I’m not just hiding anymore. Raenor knows about us. He got a hold of your letter. He knows we have a very serious relationship. He has me tight in his grip, and he means to torture me and have me do his bidding.”

Legolas took a step back and gave a serious look as a heavy realization came to him. “How can you live that way? Why would you want to? Hasn’t the worst thing happened to you? Your secret is out. You should be searching for the next step, not cowering under the shadow of your nemesis. If you think it will end with him, you are wrong. His demands will never cease, and you’ll find no peace until you come clean of everything. Either that or Raenor mysteriously disappears.” The last part he whispered as he looked to the side. I thought he was already planning something.

I knew all of this. I knew the enormity of my dilemma. I hadn’t had a chance to figure a way out of it. I’d been too concerned about Legolas, and trying to set things straight between us to worry about Raenor or his blackmailing. I was beginning to see no way out of this. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Confess,” Legolas suggested.

I huffed cynically. “You know I cannot do that. I would have if it was only me that was affected, but–”

“Yes, your brothers. I know. I’m sorry. I’m just venting my frustrations.” He hugged me tighter.

It saddened me that he felt this way. He didn’t have to stay in this with me. There was nothing holding Legolas back. Sometimes I felt as though he picked the wrong person to pursue. There must have been elves in Mirkwood that would have suited him, and then there would be no trouble, no hiding, no restraints.

“Will you hear me out before you decide to go?” Legolas asked, pulling away to look at me.

“I will, but what are you thinking?” I thought he was going to suggest a plan that would alleviate some of the pressure put on me at home.

“I’m thinking that I need to feel your lips on mine. That I need the warmth of your body next to mine. Stay here with me just for one night, Rúmil. I’m not ready to let you go yet,” he pleaded.

“Iaun nín, you know that I can’t,” I said. I hated telling him no. He deserved so much more from me.

“Wait a moment before you refuse. I have an idea about that, and it involves the shipment.”

He had my attention. “Go on,” I said willingly.

“I’ll send a message to Lothlórien stating that the king wishes you to stay and help record the material so that he’s positive everything is there. He will not be satisfied until he has an account of each item,” he suggested enthusiastically.

I thought it was a good plan except for one minor detail. “That would work but for the fact that you have no such permission from your father, and for the fact that everyone thinks you are on your way to Gondor.”

“Here’s the thing. I … being the king’s son … have had years to study and practice my writing skills, but especially forging my father’s handwriting.” He smiled fiendishly. “And I still have access to the carrier falcon I used to get my message to Arstad.”

“The one that told the guards to detain me,” I said putting the pieces together.

“Let me work on it while you go to the tavern and obtain a room. It won’t take me long. The message will be on its way to Lothlórien, and you and I can forget all of this for a few more hours.”

I shouldn’t do it, I kept telling myself. I knew I should just leave and promise to see Legolas again as soon as he came back from Gondor. I had involved too many people in my scheme. I couldn’t keep asking them to make excuses for me just so that I could be with Legolas. But looking at him, his handsome chiseled face, his long hair, and those beautiful blue eyes that danced only for me, I couldn’t find the words to deny him this one request. I must have been insane to agree, and I was putting all my faith in the fact that he really could copy his father’s writing. I walked over to the desk in the room, searched a drawer for a piece of parchment, and made sure there was ink in its well. I laid everything out on the desk so that all Legolas had to do was sit down and start writing. Legolas came up behind me and nuzzled the back of my neck.

“I’ll be along soon,” he whispered with his hot breath.

I turned and captured his lips. “I’ll be ready.”

>>------->

The tavern owner must have misunderstood me. He gave me a room, but it had two single beds instead of one large one. I guess it was my fault for not specifying it. No matter. I would just push the beds together. I found out quickly that they were heavier than they looked. The beds made an awful noise as I wrestled with it. The people downstairs must be wondering what was happening up here. Hopefully they wouldn’t send someone to check.

Eventually I got the beds in place, and sat at a dressing table to begin taking the braids from my hair. I had ordered a bath too, thinking that it would be nice to bathe together. Legolas liked it when he could run his fingers through my hair with no obstructions. I had to admit, I liked it too, especially when he massaged my scalp as he washed my hair. It had been a long time since we could enjoy ourselves like this. I wish it could be like this every day, to have Legolas all to myself, without fear of . . .

“No, I am not going to think like that and kill the mood. I am only here for a short while … maybe until first light. Then, I must be on my way. Legolas will need to leave soon too, to Gondor. It would have been nice to go with him. I’ve never been to Minas Tirith before. So many things I wish we could do together, but … No, I already told myself I won’t do this.” Anyone who heard me talking would have thought I was mentally unstable. Lucky for me, I was alone.

“Alone, forever alone. How will you make this work? Once Legolas is back from the coronation, then what? How will we get along, especially living so far apart? More importantly, how could we ever have a relationship now that Raenor knew? He would be on my heels and looking over my shoulder for the rest of my days.” My subconscious was always trying to solve my external difficulties. It was nonstop trying to always stay a step ahead of everyone. Now I would have to stay ahead by ten in order to keep Raenor out of my personal life.

“I’m done trying to figure out a solution,” I said aloud. “Right now, I just want Legolas and I to have a nice romantic stress free moment alone.”

The door opened and Legolas came in, looking around the room. “Is someone here? I heard you talking.”

I jumped up from the table and ran to him. I didn’t hesitate, and pushed him against the closed door, assaulting his mouth. My pelvis pushed against his as I ground my hips. Legolas answered me by slipping his hands down my torso and grabbing my arse to pull me harder against him.

“I’ve drawn us a bath,” I said and he smiled against my neck.

“Good thinking. Come on. I can’t wait much longer.” He opened the door and pulled me along down the corridor.

The bathing room for the inn was at the end of the hall. Once inside, I noticed that there were several tubs of different sizes. Apparently, more than one person at a time could enjoy a hot soak, but Legolas and I wanted our privacy, and he wedged a chair to the door so no one else could enter.

I had paid the owner well, and asked for the best he had to offer. I was glad I did. The largest tub sat in the center of the room, a stack of towels on a table beside it, and steam rising from the water. There were a few small bottles lining the table, oils and soaps for the bath. There was also a wooden chair with two white robes neatly draped over the back. Everything was set up for us to have a relaxing soak. I wondered if the owner realized too late, after giving us the room with the double beds, that we were together not just friendly companions. It seemed he might have made up for it with all the extras here.

I finished observing the room and saw Legolas prowling towards me. His eyes were dark and wild, trained on me as though he meant to pounce on prey. I didn’t mind being his prey, and I would gladly do anything he wanted of me. I inched my finger to call him to me. He took the last couple steps and grabbed me by the waist. He pulled me to him roughly, and leaned in to kiss me, but stopped just before our lips touched. I moved to finish the distance, but he pulled away. A deviant smile curled his lips as he dodged more of my advances. I moved back and started to turn my head to the side, as if to give up, and he took my chin, turning me back. We came together, lips softly kissing at first, remembering what it was like to be together, and finding that we’d never really forgotten to begin with.

Legolas’ kisses set me to flame, and I felt the blood rushing to my lower region. I grew hard and pulsed with need. When I pushed myself against Legolas’ body, he moaned, his warm breath bathing my face. I reached for the buttons of his tunic and started undoing them. It felt like I couldn’t get my fingers to work right, as my hands were shaking just enough to make it difficult. I wanted to rip his clothes from his body, finding my patience thin.

“Let me,” Legolas smiled, as he took over where my fingers were having difficulty. He nodded in gesture to my clothing. “You too,” he said.

I undressed myself, which was much easier and quicker. While I did, I watched Legolas shed his clothes, tunic, undershirt, boots and leggings, until he was naked before me. His cock stood straight up, but then so did mine. We observed each other as though for the first time, becoming even more excited to know we could become so aroused with just a look. We came together, cock sliding against cock. Taking each other in our hands, we set a matching rhythm. We kissed and moaned as our excitement escalated.

“To the tub,” I whispered between heavy breaths.

“No, like this. I won’t last,” he replied, and his hand worked its magic on me.

I was close, but Legolas released first. He stopped his movements as he spent his seed between our bodies, but kept me within his hand. As soon as he came back to his senses, he finished me, and I released, throwing my head back as I did. I opened my eyes to see him watching me, and felt slightly aware of myself.

“You are beautiful in that form. I want to watch you every time,” he said, and he kissed me deep. He always knew what to say to make me feel less conscious of myself. It was the way of the Wood elves to see beauty in everything, even where others were uncomfortable.

When Legolas released me, I took his hand and led him across the bathing room to our awaiting tub. “You first,” I gestured.

He kissed me quickly and climbed in. I noticed that his cock still stood half at attention. It wouldn’t take much to ready him again, but I wanted to take a little more time now. We both needed that first release. So much pent up desire made for too quick of a release, and I wanted to enjoy a long love making session with him.

Legolas adjusted and leaned against one side of the tub. He smiled seductively, his eyes alight with desire for me. Gods, he was gorgeous. I could sit here and stare at him forever, but to know that he belonged to me was the best feeling in all eternity.

“Come on then, get in,” he said when I’d taken too long observing him.

I climbed in and sat opposite him so that we could stare into each other’s eyes from across the way. Our legs tangled together beneath the stimulating heat of the water. Legolas’ arms came out of the water and he stretched them on either side of the tub. I was reminded of our first time in the baths at Mirkwood. He had that same look in his eye then as he did now, watching me with intense concentration. The difference was, I would go to him willingly when before I resisted. I actually thought that I could do that, but I hadn’t known how my feelings would grow for him.

He sat up and moved forward, taking my legs and wrapping them around his waist. We held each other, face to face in the warm bath, just watching each other as though nothing else existed around us. I hadn’t known how much I needed this. Things had gone very wrong back home, and my nerves were frazzled. I wasn’t sure how I would be able to leave this place, knowing what waited for me back in Lothlórien.

Legolas kissed my neck, drawing flesh between his teeth and sucking. He was marking me. He often liked to do that. I remembered complaining the first time, thinking that everyone would know who I’d given my heart to. I wanted to shout it at the top of my lungs now, and let the bruise he was leaving be my proof.

I was becoming quite aroused again. I think Legolas knew this too, because he stopped what he was doing and pushed back. “Turn around. I want to wash your hair,” he said, and I obeyed. While I adjusted, he reached over the side of the tub to grab a bottle of scented soap and a wooden bowl from the table. I leaned back and he poured water from the bowl over my long blond hair. He hesitated as he poured a small amount of soap into his hand. Then he proceeded to wash my hair.

He used his fingertips, massaging my scalp as he worked the soap into a lather. I closed my eyes and gave into the luxurious feel of his touch. When he was finished with my head, he started to wash the rest of my long hair, occasionally brushing his hand along my back or up my spine. It felt wonderful, but the silence between us seemed unusual, and I felt as though he wanted to say something.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I don’t want to take away from our limited time together,” he answered.

I turned my head to the side, and spoke over my shoulder. “Tell me,” I whispered.

His hands slowed as he spoke. “I was … I was thinking about reading your letter the first time. My heart … it … it … oh, never mind. This is not a good time to–”

“Please, talk to me, iaun nín,” I encouraged. I thought it was important that we talked about this. We needed to discuss what had happened.

He reached for the bowl and I tilted backwards so he would rinse the soap from my hair. “I remember reading the words on the paper, but they made no sense to me, not at first. I stopped reading after the first couple lines and started at the beginning again, thinking that my eyes were playing tricks. Then I studied the script, and had no doubt that it was written in your hand. I forced myself to read it to the end, but with every word, a piece of me disappeared until I was numb. The only reason I knew I still existed was because Corweth was there calling out to me, asking me what was wrong. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. I was paralyzed by shock at first, but when the feeling came back to my body, I was angry. Next came despair and hopelessness. Eventually, I pulled myself together enough to join the living once again, but I was dead inside, or so I thought.”

“So you thought?” I asked. He had finished rinsing my hair and let the bowl float away from him. He was silent a moment, and I turned sideways so I could see him. He had a distant look on his face, as though the emptiness he spoke of had returned.

“It was the worst thing I’d ever experienced in my life, but … there was still something deep within me, somewhere in the furthest reaches of my soul that told me not to give up, to cast doubt on everything I thought to be true. Of course, my father repeatedly told me he knew this would happen, and that I never should have involved myself with an elf of Lórien. All he sees is politics. He cannot see the love we share. And so I shut down. I blocked out all of the emotions, distanced myself from my father and my friends. It was like hibernating. Still, that tiny light, that miniscule spark deep within remained.” He stopped now, and turned to look me in the eyes. His memories of despair that showed on his face disappeared and he smiled slightly. “It was like looking into the night sky and the endless darkness, but seeing only one star so faint it was only a flicker. I looked for it every time I felt myself slipping away, and I could always find it, though sometimes it took a while to locate. That was you. That was your soul still calling out to mine, and I knew … somehow I knew you weren’t committed to those words you wrote.”

“And now you know it wasn’t me. It wasn’t my decision. None of those things came from my heart,” I said. I smiled and moved back. “It’s your turn.” I picked up the bowl that floated to my side of the tub. Legolas turned his back to me, some of the water slushing out over the edge. I started wetting his hair, and reached for the soap, lathering him up and gently massaging his scalp as he’d done for me. His hair was so long, longer than mine by a few inches. It was the most beautiful color, lighter than mine, almost platinum, and so soft.

“Mmm, Rúmil, you’ll spoil me,” he moaned.

“Always,” I replied and started to rinse out the soap. He leaned back, his head resting on my shoulder, and looked up into my eyes.

“I love you,” he whispered with a smile.

“I love you too,” I said, and he sat forward once more. He started to turn towards me. “Wait, I’m not done yet. There’s still soap in your–” But he scooted down and disappeared under the water. Soap bubbles filled the surface of the water as they left his hair. He scrubbed his fingers, splashing the water everywhere. Some of the bubbles took flight and slowly drifted around the tub. When he came back up he looked like a mischievous water imp. Then he grabbed my legs and pulled me towards him until we met in the center of the tub. He nipped at my nose, my chin, my lips, teasing as he liked to do. I wrapped my legs around his waist, clamping him to me, and captured his mouth with mine. We kissed wantonly, desire and lust driving us, making our bodies react. He reached beneath the water and took my swollen cock in his hand. Then he took up both of our cocks and stroked them together.

“I want to be inside you,” he whispered with hot breath on the wet skin of my neck.

I grabbed each side of the tub and lifted my body. Legolas guided his cock to my entrance, and then I slid onto his lap. I was instantly filled, gloriously stretched, and sat still a moment to adjust to the suddenness of my movements. Legolas had little patience though, and thrust, making me gasp with surprise. He watched me a moment to see what I would do, and then thrust again and again. I pushed on him so that his back rested against his side of the tub and took control of our rhythm. My hands moved to the edge of the tub on each side of his head. It felt like floating above him, and I looked down onto his beautiful face. Our lips came together and I moved up and down his length. The soap made our bodies slide together easily, and the warm water was like a cocoon. This was our own little world, just me and my iaun nín.

Having Legolas inside me was magnificent. As I came down, he thrust up, going deep, and hitting me in that one special spot. We moved together this way a few more times, but then I stayed there, Legolas buried to the hilt. He knew what I wanted, and he didn’t hesitate as he began making quick thrusts deep inside me. I felt him take up my cock in his palm, sliding along my length in a matched rhythm. I closed my eyes, slipping into my own private world where all my lust and desires were being answered by his touch and his pounding thrusts. It wouldn’t be much longer before I reached climax.

“Hey. Look at me. Open your eyes. I want to see into them when you come,” Legolas told me.

I did. I opened my eyes to find him looking back at me, lips parted, chest heaving. I thought of the light he spoke of, and swore I could see it in his blue depths. To make love to someone, surrendering your body to them was such an intimate act. To look into each other’s eyes as you climaxed was more than intimate. It was a union of souls. It was a connection that could never be broken.

“You are my anchor,” Legolas said. “You are my bond, the only thing that keeps me on this earth. Without you, I am nothing. I love you. I love you so much.”

“Oh Legolas,” I cried as I climaxed. My seed burst forth, and my body went rigid. Legolas was still moving within, satisfying me until I had nothing left. He came then. I could feel his warmth purl inside me. He pulled me down onto his chest and buried his head in my shoulder. “I love you and only you from now until the last day of my existence,” I whispered into his ear as he shuttered against me.

I collapsed onto his chest and we laid there in the warm water, steam rising around us as he softened within me. When our strength returned, we kissed gently, savoring the time we had like this. It was strange to think that only a few hours ago I thought I’d lost him. I thought he hated me and would never speak to me again. Now, here we were, just the two of us, still insanely in love. Not even thoughts of Raenor and his threats could ruin this moment with Legolas. However, as much as I wish I could stay here forever, I knew the reality of my situation was waiting for me when I returned home.

Eventually, we left the tub, taking turns drying each other. I studied Legolas’ form as I toweled him off. He was perfection, masculine beauty, and he was mine. When we were dressed, we left the bathing room and headed for our bedroom. Once there, Legolas collapsed on the bed. I took a seat on the opposite side and sat cross-legged, elbows on my knees, my chin resting on my linked fingers. I watched him a moment, studying him once more, the hard lines of his jaw, the softness of his lips, his gentle eyes.

“I don’t know how we’re going to continue now that Raenor knows about us,” I said.

“Don’t talk like that, not after what we just shared,” he said, the slight ire in his voice evident.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I would run away and disappear before I would leave you,” I assured him.

He sat up on his elbows and watched me. “Would you? Disappear, I mean?” Before he let me answer, his eyes turned sad and he looked away from me. “No. You shouldn’t have to do that. It would be too much to ask.” He paused and sighed deep. “I know it is my fault that you’re in this predicament. I left you that letter and–”

“I’m the only one to blame for that. I should have burned it like I did with the others, but … it was from your heart, and it didn’t seem right.”

“I wrote it while I was in the moment, and I didn’t think it through properly. My father never would have allowed us to bind. I put unnecessary pressure upon you too, and for that I am sorry. I was looking for a way to make sure you know I’m with you in mind and spirit when we cannot be together in body.”

“I don’t need to be assured of that. Maybe I did at one time, but not now, and not ever again. Don’t you feel as though we are already bound? When I look into your eyes, I can see forever. I know I belong with you. I know I wouldn’t last without you in this world,” I told him.

He smiled. “I do know because I feel it too.”

“So you see, we don’t need a ceremony. We don’t need rings or witnesses. We don’t even need your father’s permission for it has already happened.” I finished speaking and he pulled me to him and kissed me. This was when I felt happiest, being in his arms, sharing a private moment. But I knew this would come to an end soon. The thought made me hesitate for only a split second, but it was enough that Legolas noticed my reserve. He broke the kiss and came to look into my eyes again.

“We’ll find a way to make this work. We’ll have a few months to think about it and come up with a solution while I’m away in Gondor.”

I hated the thought of him being away for that long, but maybe it was a good thing. It would give me time to deal with Raenor, and with no reason to sneak off to Mirkwood, there wouldn’t be anything he could accuse me of. Unless he somehow discovered the real reason I was gone now. I was depending on Haldir to help me out, but that didn’t mean suspicions weren’t running rampant. “We’ll figure something out.”

He smiled and laughed to cheer me up. “We always have Arstad.”

“That’s not funny … and actually not a bad idea. I’ll have to come up with different reasons for leaving Lórien. I’ll have to set time limits and be home before I’m missed. Of course, there’s always the chance that Raenor will have me followed.” One minute I was filled with hope, and the next I felt like I’d been slammed face first into the hard stone floor. “Who am I kidding? I seriously don’t know how we’ll do this.” I gave up and laid down on my side, facing Legolas.

He moved towards me, and brushed the hair from my face. It still hung loose, and now it was damp from the bath. “We’ll work this out. For now, you just make sure Raenor can’t find anything to hold against you. Maybe he’ll get bored and go away.”

“I wish it was that easy,” I murmured. Then I smiled. “All right. I’ll stop fretting, at least for the time being. Just promise me you’ll write me.”

“I will. I promise,” he said, and his fingers worked to unlace my leggings until my cock was freed of its confined space. He looked up at me with his dark desirous eyes, and took me in his hand, stroking me to life. My breath quickened and he eased his way down my body. His glorious mouth consumed me all at once without his usual tongue teasing.

“By the gods, Legolas,” I moaned, knowing how he liked to hear me call out his name. His mouth was wet and hot, and his tongue did things that made my hips gyrate all on their own. As he sucked me, he eased my leggings down and off. Then his hand reached for something on the bed, something he must have dropped there. His hand moved underneath me, spreading me, readying me with a slick substance as he teased my entrance. He knew what I liked. He knew how to make me come about quickly, and I thought he would finish me, but he stopped and sat up, kneeling between my spread legs. We gazed at each other, speaking of our want and our love without the need for words. I reached for the buttons of my undershirt and hurriedly fumbled to undo them. Legolas undid enough of his own buttons to allow himself to pull his shirt off over his head. Then he quickly slipped out of his dark green leggings.

We were both naked, breathing heavily, staring at one another, memorizing the moment so we’d have something to recall upon in the upcoming months of our separation. He moved towards me and I lifted my legs. He entered me, filling me, completely burying himself. I lifted my hands above my head, coming to rest on either side of the pillow. Legolas started a slow but steady rhythm, kissing and nipping at my neck as he moved. He took my wrists in his hands, pinning me to the bed. I felt my whole body surrender to him, letting him drive us to our climax. He was in control of me, and I thought that maybe he always had been. His words came back to me. Would I leave everything behind to be with him? He didn’t let me answer, but he answered for me. He knew what I would say, and he was right, but could I? Would I ever make such a life altering move?

Legolas thrust deep inside me, and he brought me from those thoughts. I could feel my orgasm building. My body surrendered as he hit my special spot over and over again. His hands tightened around my wrists. He was close too. I opened my eyes to watch him come, and felt his warmth spilling inside. He was so beautiful when he was like this. One more thrust and my back arched, pushing my body against his. I tilted my head back and cried out my pleasure, not caring who heard me. He captured my mouth and kissed me, our tongues caressing each other, my moans filling his breath. We were completely one. We always would be no matter what happened or where we were. I would never give him up. I would never leave him. He was my iaun nín … my sanctuary.

Eventually, we came to rest beside one another. We had spent all our energy with our coupling, and Legolas fell asleep quickly. I laid there for a while, staring at the wood rafters above us, wishing we could float away and never be found. If only things were that simple, but this was no faerie tale. I faced real concerns and threats. I faced an uncertain future, especially for Legolas and me. I wanted him. I wanted to be with him every second of every day, but I didn’t think we would ever be allowed that luxury. Were we left with nothing more than little escapes from our lives to be with each other? Maybe my brothers were right, and we would have to wait until we met in Valinor before we could truly be a couple.

I never did sleep. I was worried about getting home. Even though Legolas forged a message from his father, I didn’t want to wait too long to get back. I looked over and Legolas was still asleep. I woke him with soft kisses about his face. He smiled before his eyes opened. What I wouldn’t do to wake up every day to his handsome face.

“I should be going,” I whispered reluctantly.

“No. Not yet. Stay at least until the sunrise,” he pleaded with sleepy eyes.

“I need to be home by then, and if I push Haldir’s horse, I should make it just in time, but I need to leave now.”

He sat up on one elbow and pulled me down to him, kissing me using his seductive tongue. “I guess there is nothing I can do to make you stay.” His hand slipped down to take up my cock, but I grabbed his wrist to stop him.

“It’s best that I go now,” I told him with a smile, bringing his hand out of the covers and kissing his knuckles. “You know I’d stay if only I had enough time.”

“I know, but it never hurts to try,” he jested.

We sat up and dressed. Legolas braided my hair, surprisingly in the fashion of Lórien elves. He’d always done it as the Wood elves had, but he knew I was going home. It only made sense. When we were ready, we came together in each other’s arms, holding on for as long as we could. This wasn’t the first time we had to part ways. In fact, we’d done this same thing on several occasions. At least this time I knew where he was going and approximately how long he would be away. There was no war to fight, no enemies to slay. Legolas was attending a celebration and reuniting with old friends. He would visit for a proper length of time, and then he’d be home again. I had something to look forward to for once. It still didn’t change the fact that I would miss him terribly.

Legolas walked with me to the stables. He checked over the saddle and attached my packs. I loved how he needed to take care of me down to the simplest of things. Then he asked the stable hands to give us a moment. When we were alone, he held me and kissed me. “Take care of yourself, Rúmil. I want you in one piece when I get back.”

“I won’t be complete until I’m with you again,” I smiled.

“I love you,” he told me, burying his face in my neck, hugging me once more.

“I love you too,” I responded. We forced ourselves apart, and I mounted my horse. Legolas’ hand grasped my booted ankle and squeezed. He went to the stable door and swung it open. I rode forward, but hesitated as I passed him. I reached out with my hand, and Legolas took it up, kissing my palm. I touched the side of his face, brushing my fingers through his loose hair, smiled and rode out of the stables. I looked back once and waved. Legolas waved back, and I was gone.

“All right, horse,” I said. “Take us home swiftly.” We took off at a gallop and rode into the last hours of dark before the sun rose on another day.
- 25
- 26
- 27
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home