Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Twilight Tales - An Ounce of Kindness	By : MPB Category: -Multi-Age > General Views: 26421 -:- 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
- 2
- 3
- 4
Chapter II

The forest river beckoned irresistibly when the fourth morn after the Imladrin party's arrival proved nigh blisteringly hot. It was ever so in the north of Middle-earth. The short summers could be as fierce as the long winters were severe.

As they followed Thranduil's five younger sons to the river, the twins realized how sheltered they were from the elements in Rivendell, protected as they were by the elven ring their sire wielded. But Elrond never used Vilya when he was away from home. One did not openly call attention to one's treasures unless one desired a thief to come searching for it. In the confines of the valley, it was easy enough to pass off the power that encompassed it for elvish enchantment. After all, many of the Exiles from the First Age still dwelt there with Elrond's family. But Eryn Galen's folk were sprung from simple Silvan stock even if their king was himself a Sinda. What magic they conjured would never be on the scale of that which a Ring of Power channeled and contained.

They smiled when they came to the banks of the river. It was as wide as the Bruinen and its waters as crystal clear and everlastingly cold but not as swift moving. Galvreth who had offered to play host to the brethren invited them to strip for a swim even as he, Elivorn, Nimaras and Lalorn shed their raiment. The twins did so with alacrity, eager to cool themselves off in the bracing waters. Elladan stepped into the shallows at the water's edge and grinned at his brother with approbation when he felt the refreshingly low temperature.

It was then that they noticed that the fifth prince had not disrobed but quietly sat beneath a tree on the edge of the bank, his feet dangling just inches from the water. They glanced at each other in perplexity. Instead of diving in after the others, Elrohir walked along the grassy bank to the child, Elladan wading in the shallows just behind him.

Legolas looked at them in surprise when the two joined him. While Elrohir sat down by his side, Elladan knelt in the deeper water that he might rest his arms on the bank.

“Will you not join us?” Elrohir inquired. “'Tis the perfect day for a good long swim.”

Legolas shook his head. “But I do not know how to swim.” He looked with some fright at the obvious depth in the middle of the river.

Elladan coaxed: “You do not need to leave the shallows.”

“But I am not allowed to go in unless someone watches over me,” Legolas replied.

A pair of identical eyebrows rose at that. Frowning, the twins glanced at the Elfling's frolicking brothers. Had any given thought to including their youngest in their play? Apparently not.

Elrohir forced his scowl from his face and donned an encouraging smile instead. “Come, pen dithen”-little one-“we will teach you to master these waters,” he invited, reaching for the ties on the child's collar.

Legolas gulped with some trepidation. “But I might drown,” he said in a quavering voice though he obediently raised his arms as Elrohir lifted his shirt up and over his head.

“Nay, we will take care of you,” Elladan told him, pulling off the Elfling's shoes and unlacing his breeches.

Between them the brethren soon had him as bare as the day he was born, Elrohir tidily placing his clothing a little higher up the sloping bank. With a gentle smile, he lifted the trembling child in his arms - whether Legolas shook from fear or excitement it was hard to tell - and slipped into the water with him. Legolas squealed when he felt the chilly water envelop him but the wide smile on his face told the twins that he was not in the least averse to it.

A quarter of an hour later he was shrieking with utmost glee as the brothers tossed him to and fro, catching him before he sank into the cool depths. His eyes sparkled with elation when Elladan then set him upon Elrohir's back, instructing him to hang on tightly. Moments later, he was treated to a exhilarating ride as the Elf-knight sliced easily through the water, always taking care to keep his companion's head above the surface. His fear diminished, he eagerly submitted to his first swimming lesson. Throughout, his laughter rang joyously and the very birds in the trees hearkened to it as they added their melodious songs.

All the while, the other princes looked on in bemusement. What enjoyment was there to be found in the company of a mere babe? Envy also made its presence known. Save for Legolas, Thranduil's sons were all of age and could and did appreciate the Peredhil twins' graces.

Though they would never admit it, both Aelluin and Nimaras were head over heels in lust with the Elf-knight, drawn as much by the latter's self-assurance as they were by his comeliness. And Haldoron had certainly not wasted any time attempting to lure Elladan into his bed. Galvreth had surprised himself by resenting his eldest brother's use of his rank within the kingdom as a means to try and entice the older twin when he himself had no such inducement to offer. Not that it had helped Haldoron's cause. Neither of Elrond's sons had indicated the least bit interest in pursuing intimate relations with any of their Greenwood counterparts. And Elrohir had actually spent more time with Legolas than with all the others put together.

As he continued to observe the three at play, something distracted the argent-haired prince from that line of thought and roused an entirely different emotion. Unexpectedly, he felt a first glimmer of regret while he watched the twins - strangers from another realm truth be told - willingly take it upon themselves to see to his youngest brother's happiness. Had Legolas ever beamed so effusively at any of his siblings as he did with the brethren? Had he ever seen the adoring gaze the child bestowed on Elrohir? For that matter, had he ever known that tender camaraderie with his brothers that the twins now shared with their little charge? Color suffused the Elf-prince's ivory cheeks as every question was answered with a resounding 'no'.

“I cannot swim that far!” Legolas protested as he gauged the distance from the shallows to Elrohir's location in the very middle of the river.

“You can!” Elrohir called to him.

“You can do anything if you put your heart into it, Legolas,” Elladan told him from behind.

“But what if I sink?” the child quailed.

“We will not let you!”

The three stared in surprise when Galvreth swam to a point midway between his brother and the Elf-knight.

“Go ahead, tôr neth”-young brother-he urged. “Elrohir is right. You can do this.”

Heartened by his brother's sudden gesture of faith, the little Elf took a fortifying breath and dove in. He was not yet the most graceful of swimmers but his pluck and speed made up for it. Buoyed by Galvreth's proximity at the halfway point, he kept up a steady stroke and paddle until, at last, he found himself safely berthed in Elrohir's arms. He flashed a triumphant grin at Elrohir before turning to wave wildly at Elladan and Galvreth.

He faltered a tad and turned rather shy when he met his brother's gaze. For his part, Galvreth confusedly wondered at his unexpected display of fraternal concern. He felt the curious contemplation of the others and that caused him to temper the more enthusiastic response he had thought to give. And so he merely nodded amiably at Legolas before rejoining his brothers.

They returned home well after the lunch-hour. While Elivorn ordered a late meal for all of them the rest headed for the garden, which lay between the delved palace and the treetop pavilion. It had been the late queen's pride and joy and was now carefully tended in her memory. It was reached from the cave by stone steps carved out of the hillside and from the pavilion through a narrow circular staircase at the very end of the west wing. There was a long wooden table in the middle with sturdy benches on either side and here a substantial repast was laid out for the hungry princes.

While the group made its way down corridors, stairs and pathways, eyes were drawn with disbelief and some amusement to the tall Elf-knight as he walked, a giggling princeling firmly astride his broad shoulders, tiny hands buried in his midnight locks for purchase. It was an unusual sight for it had been long since Elves of Legolas' age and noble blood had roamed the royal hallways. Small wonder the littlest prince had no one he could call friend when what Elf-children there were in the kingdom did not belong to his admittedly restricted circle and his brothers did not offer him their company unless compelled to.

Thranduil looked up at the sound of his youngest's laughter and, with a tilt of his head in invitation to Elrond and Celebrían, stood and walked to the window to see what had delighted his son so much. His guests joined him and they all smiled at the picture the two made below. Legolas was ensconced in Elrohir's lap while the latter teased him with bits and pieces of roast meat and crusty bread before popping the tidbits into his small mouth. Legolas chortled gleefully when he was permitted to return the favor, pretending to withhold the much larger piece of venison he held before feigning fright at Elrohir's mock threats and surrendering the piece.

Thranduil's resolve was strengthened in that moment. He had closeted himself in his study with the Imladrin couple for talk other than political but he had delayed speaking of what he desired because of its delicate nature. Now he knew it was best said soonest and hopefully acted upon with reasonable haste as well.

Instead of returning to the hearthside couches whence they had risen, he gestured to Elrond and Celebrían to settle themselves in the cushioned window seat while he pulled up a chair. If the couple was surprised they said nothing. They did glance once more at the scene outside and wondered if it was meant to be kept within sight while they talked.

“It seems that Legolas has taken a shine to your son,” Thranduil began.

Elrond smiled. “I trust you do not object should they become fast friends.”

“Not at all. Indeed, 'twould be a welcome boon for Legolas.” Thranduil shook his head. “I am not blind to what goes on amongst my sons. I know the others treat him with much less affection than is his due and I know why. I do my best for my little one but…” He sighed regretfully. “When my wife died I lost my most able counsellor and ally. Now, so much lies in my hands alone and I cannot devote as much attention to Legolas as he deserves.”

Elrond exchanged a knowing glance with his wife. “Yours is a difficult road and I can well sympathize with your sense of loss. Were I to lose Celebrían, I would be hard-pressed to run Imladris as smoothly as I do now.”

Celebrían protested mildly: “You are both rulers of renown, my lords. If your domains prosper, 'tis due to your remarkable abilities.” Another shriek of mirth interrupted her and they all peered out to see Legolas scrambling up a tree with Elrohir in hot pursuit. They laughed at the sight. “Elrohir is proving a haven for your youngest,” she chuckled. “Sometimes, even so brief a period of intense nurturing can compensate for the previous lack of it.”

Thranduil fell silent for a moment, glad of the opening she had unwittingly provided. And then he looked intently at them, his cobalt blue eyes gleaming oddly.

“Would that your son could be a haven in full measure,” he said.

The couple stared at him in some surprise. “What have you in mind, Thranduil?” Elrond cautiously inquired.

The Elvenking pursed his lips. “A betrothal,” he ventured.

Elrond's eyebrows shot up while Celebrían gasped. “Legolas is little more than an infant,” the Elf-lord protested. “He is nowhere near the age of consent. Surely you do not subscribe to the mannish custom of arranged marriages for younglings. 'Tis not done by our kindred.”

“Not done by the Eldar of Aman,” Thranduil corrected. “Or the Sindar of Beleriand. But I rule Silvan Elves who did not submit to the kingship of Thingol or the governance of Círdan and believe me, Elrond, 'tis not a thing unheard of amongst them. There have been instances of Elves bedded and wedded afore their majority in this realm. It has happened in the past and continues to take place in this day. Not so overly frequent as before, I grant you, but the practice does exist. We Elves are not all of a piece, much less so with the sundering of our kindred by the Sea.” He noted Celebrían's marked silence. “Methinks your lady knows something of it. Wood-elves make up the majority of the Golden Wood's folk after all.”

Elrond looked sharply at Celebrían who started then let out a hushed breath and nodded. “It was practiced in Lothlórien and only lately has it been abandoned. But that is only because there has been no dire need in recent years to replace Elves lost to attrition.”

“Strange that I know nothing of this,” Elrond commented. “And I am supposed to be well-versed in lore.”

“The lore of the Eldar from beyond the Sea,” Celebrían reminded him. “The Wood-elves' existence was so far removed from our forebears that many of their ways diverged from ours. Yet we have shown a readiness to condemn practices we find opposed to what we believe proper. Think you the Silvan Elves would share such secrets with outsiders if they thought they would only merit scorn or worse?”

Thranduil nodded in concurrence. “You understand the circumstances, Elrond? My people did not experience the luxury of the security of Aman, the protection of the Girdle of Melian in Doriath or the long peace of the Elves of the Falas. They knew death long before your people did. They knew what it was to lose so many folk as to make the sustenance of a population untenable. Why think you were so many disparate clans forced to band together into tribes over the millennia? Lórien may have found the wherewithal to forsake the custom. My kingdom has not. We are never truly safe from peril and the loss of life. This mandates exceptional measures and neither I nor my father saw fit to end the ancient custom however personally repugnant it was to us.”

Elrond regarded his host for a long spell before speaking. “I take it that such early couplings were primarily for the swift begetting of children?”

“And also for the infusion of new blood and strength into a tribe,” Thranduil replied. “Warriors were highly prized as were scions of their houses. The taking of young ellyn was fairly commonplace in the old days when ellith were barred from the battle-ranks.”

“Taking? Do you mean forcible abduction?” Elrond said with some horror.

“Oh, never that!” his wife exclaimed. “Force was never employed. But it was easier to persuade a young Elf to leave his or her tribe for another if it was at a lover's behest. And if an elleth was already with child or an ellon deep in love-thrall, all the better.”

“They do not consider it an immorality,” Thranduil further stressed. “'Tis merely a different path that they took given the exigencies of their evolution.”

Elrond digested the information carefully. At length, he looked at Thranduil once more, his grey eyes alight with a knowing gleam. “'Tis not merely in defense of a betrothal between them that you have broached this,” he shrewdly guessed. “'Tis also the basis for it.”

Thranduil sighed with relief at the Elvenlord's perspicuity. “The reasons for which the ancient practice came into being are understandable. But that is not to say that all Wood-elves observe it strictly for those same reasons. There are deep dark places that are not to be found on any map, Elrond.”

Elrond caught his breath then nodded in comprehension. He was in no position to judge. His own house's checkered history did not always bear close scrutiny. Lúthien inspired enough unseemly lust amongst the most noble of Elves to drive them to perform less than admirable deeds. A Dark Elf took Turgon's sister to wife. It was claimed that she was not unwilling but neither was it said that she had truly desired it. Who knew what had really taken place in the depths of Nan Elmoth? And Maeglin would have snatched Idril, his own cousin, away from her husband had Tuor not killed him at the Fall of Gondolin. There were indeed deep dark places that had never been mapped for they lay hidden in the hearts of the Eruhini. Not even Elves could always resist the baser urges that were a part of every sentient being under the sun.

“To be blunt about it, I fear for Legolas,” Thranduil said. “I wish to protect my youngest. He is so vulnerable as my older sons are not. Oft must I leave him to his own devices and in the care of others. I have not been able to provide as much guidance for him as I did his brothers. For now, he is safe enough. He is as you said a mere infant. Not even the most depraved of the heathen Elves would do him harm. But when he begins to mature, he will attract unwanted attention. Even now it is readily apparent how beautiful he will be when he leaves childhood behind. He will surpass all in comeliness, even his brothers - they already envy him for that reason alone.”

Thranduil paused then pensively glanced out the window at his youngest son who now rested in Elrohir's cradling arms while they perched in the tree. The child was struggling against the pull of slumber and not quite succeeding with the Elf-knight ever so gently rocking him to sleep.

“There will be many who will covet him for his beauty yet will not offer him matrimony in return,” he sadly concluded. “I cannot depend on his brothers to shield him should any approach him for less than worthy reasons. And he is so hungry for love and eager to give it. He will believe declarations of it and yield himself should proof of his devotion be demanded of him. I do not doubt that he will one day make a good match but ere that day comes, his heart will likely have been battered many times and mayhap will no longer be whole for the one who finally takes him in wedlock.” He turned his eyes on the couple once more. “I do not encourage the practice in my own household but he cannot remain sheltered forever. Sooner or late, he will need to step beyond the bounds of his home and face the world without.”

“An early betrothal would spare him the grief,” he baldly stated. “I would not have them bound against their will and ere my son has reached his majority. But I would that it be known in the kingdom that he is already spoken for and therefore not to be touched by any other in that manner.”

“But Elrohir will not always be here,” Elrond commented.

“He need not be. The mere knowledge that he is Legolas' intended would be enough to deter any with less than honorable intentions. None would dare risk the wrath of Elrond of Imladris who would expect his son's betrothed to come to him unsullied. I only seek the protection a betrothal would accord him. Should they choose to break it when he comes of age, so be it. By then, the Valar willing, Legolas will have learned how to defend himself from unworthy suitors.”

Celebrían stirred when he finished speaking. “You have given deep thought to this but 'twas not long in the making,” she remarked. “When did it occur to you?”

“When your son championed mine at our first meeting. 'Twas not only Legolas who thought him a hero.” Thranduil folded his arms and looked squarely at his noble guests. “Will you consider it?”

Elrond hesitated then, after a silent exchange with his lady, said: “I beg pardon if this gives offense, Thranduil, but what would Imladris stand to gain from this arrangement?”

The Elvenking smiled. “I would have been surprised had you not asked,” he said. He gestured to the neat sheaf of parchment on his desk. “I read your treaty proposal. 'Tis fair for the most part though there are points I strongly differ with.”

“Name them.”

Thranduil shook his head. “If you say yea to a betrothal between our sons, I will sign that treaty with all your stipulations intact and furthermore I will place my army at your disposal should the need arise no questions asked. Is that sweet enough to tempt you?”

Elrond and Celebrían were struck speechless for a moment. “And Elrohir?” Celebrían blurted out, forgetting diplomacy and restraint in her shock. “What would you offer him in exchange for his consent?”

Thranduil could not help a soft chuckle. He did not blame her for being so taken aback as to cast her customary tact aside.

“I will append a codicil granting him all the privileges and rights of a prince of this realm for so long as the betrothal stands. And if they should bind, by affinity he shall become one in name as well. Of course, he will also have exclusive rights to my son's virginity and his favors thereafter so long as they are avowed to each other,” he added pointedly. “In light of what we discussed earlier, that is not a matter to be taken lightly.”

Elrond took a deep breath. “Those are generous terms. You would do so much for Legolas' sake as you have never done for your other sons. What makes him so special, Thranduil?”

The Elvenking looked at him keenly. “So you have perceived that as well,” he remarked. “If I seek to protect Legolas' interests now 'tis because I have reason to believe he is destined for some undertaking that will have repercussions not only in this kingdom but beyond our borders as well.”

“You have divined his future?” Celebrían asked in astonishment. Thranduil's family was not known to be strongly blessed with precognition.

Thranduil shook his head. “On the eve of his birth, my late wife was visited in her dreams by Elbereth herself. The Lady did not say what it was our unborn child was fated to do; only that it would be of great significance and that it would benefit us to take special care of him.”

The mention of Elbereth was enough to convince Elrond of the veracity of the Elvenking's contention. He was no stranger to visions and insights from the Queen of the Valar.

“Very well, I can see no reason to object to your proposal,” he said. “If I have reservations, it has to do with the nature of this pact. In my people's eyes it will smack of a political alliance based on expediency rather than a personal allegiance founded on mutual love.”

“For now,” Thranduil agreed. “But who is to say that love will not blossom between them? The seeds of it have already been planted I warrant. And as I said, if they are not meant to be, they need not bind.” He looked from Elrond to his lady and back again. “What say you? Would Elrohir agree to be an innocent's protector even from afar?”

Elrond considered what he knew of his son's convictions. A glance at his wife showed she was of like mind. Smiling faintly, he said: “If that innocent be Legolas, yea, I believe he would.”

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

Glossary:

ellyn (sing. ellon) - male Elves

ellith (sing. elleth) - Elf-maids

Girdle of Melian - the fence of enchantment the Maia Melian set around her husband Thingol's kingdom of Doriath that prevented entry into his land without his knowledge or will

Falas - coastal region of West Beleriand ruled by Círdan the Shipwright in the First Age

Eruhini - children of Eru

Author's Notes: The Silvan custom described in this chapter is strictly the product of my over active imagination. I've often wondered how the Wood-elves might have differed in their development from the Eldar who journeyed to Valinor or the Sindar who settled in Beleriand. I based the concept on the old European practice wherein it was acceptable to be affianced or married off at a very young age. When she was only 8 years old, Isabella of France became the second wife of England's Richard II who himself was fifteen when he married 16-year-old Anne of Bohemia his first time around. And Margaret Beaufort Tudor gave birth to Henry VII (yes, the father of Henry VIII of six wives fame) at the ripe old age of 13. And of the course, there is the ancient Roman legend of the “Rape of the Sabine Women” to remind us that taking wives by force for the purpose of sustaining a viable population was not unheard of further back in history.

To be continued…
- 2
- 3
- 4
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

Twilight Tales - An Ounce of Kindness