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Twilight Tales - An Ounce of Kindness	By : MPB Category: -Multi-Age > General Views: 26449 -:- 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.

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Chapter XXXVII

Rivendell, Narquelië T.A. 2559

The brethren Elladan and Elrohir strode to their rooms at a brisk pace. It had been months since they'd last walked the halls of the Last Homely House. Months spent in the brutal, gut-wrenching pursuit and slaughter of the beasts that had torn their family asunder.

Those months had been especially onerous for the twins for they had ridden without the company of their valorous mates. Duty and circumstances had kept both woodland princes home just when Elladan and Elrohir were due to ride with the Rangers once more. Several incursions by bandits and Orcs on the Mirkwood Elves' territory had led to a spate of vicious skirmishes wherein three of Thranduil's sons - Aelluin, Nimaras and Lalorn - had sustained injuries debilitating enough to keep them from active duty. Legolas and Galvreth perforce took their places to help ensure their kingdom's security.

Thus, the brethren had gone forth on one of their rare journeys without their Mirkwood spouses at their sides. Both felt the lack if conjugal companionship acutely even when in the midst of their Dúnedain comrades. So sharp was their longing that they could not even find some modicum of pleasure in the occasional advances of the less learned of the Rangers.

The Dúnedain did not shy from seeking relief or even affection from lovers of the same gender. If there was a limit placed on such relationships, it was if it hindered the perpetuation of one's bloodline. It was not unheard of for a man to marry and beget heirs then live a completely separate life from his wife and forge a lasting liaison with a male partner. Likewise, there were bonds between women that were wholly separate from their duties to husbands and children. And certainly, it was a common enough practice amongst warriors to turn to each other in times of strife when they were far from the comfort found in a woman's arms.

In this relative leniency with regard to marital fidelity, the Men of the West were alike to the lesser races. They had long ago strayed from the elven tenets that had once guided them at the dawn of the two kindreds' acquaintance. Not so of course with the most noble of the Dúnedain such as the men and women of the line of the Kings, the members of the House of Húrin whence came the Stewards of Gondor and the scions of the Princedom of Dol Amroth who claimed descent from a Silvan foremother.

But outside of these august clans, the knowledge of elven lore and upholding of many ancient customs were much diminished even amongst the Rangers of the North who still kept in touch with the Firstborn. Just as men and women of centuries past had thought to proposition the sons of Elrond in their ignorance that both were already wed, so now did the younger, less erudite in the company make their interest in the brethren known. The twins turned them away as gently as they could for they could hardly fault these youths for what they did not know. But while Elrohir stomached such attentions with good grace, at least one Ranger discovered to his dismay what the Elf-knight would not abide.

Young Halmir was cousin to Aravorn son of Aragost. Just three years past his majority he was a lad blessed with an abundance of zeal and energy but a lamentable lack of prudence in word and deed. He would make a good soldier but likely a poor captain and disaster would surely follow were he to try his hand at political dealings for it had to be said he had no skill whatsoever in that arena. Still, he was an amiable youth and anxious to impress his elders or betters and that predisposed most to be patient and kind with him. The twins were no exception. That is, until he blundered into restricted territory and roused Elrohir's fearsome temper.

Halmir had previously joined Aravorn's company many years ago acting as his cousin's squire that he might learn war-craft not only from the battle-hardened Rangers but also from Elrond's sons who were renowned for their uncanny stealth and skill in all manner of combat. He was swiftly smitten by the beauty and grace of these distant kinsmen of his house and could not take his eyes off the Mirkwood Elves who were the brethren's companions. In particular he was abashed by Legolas' mere presence, unused as he was to comeliness that was nigh otherworldly thanks to the archer's deceptively delicate countenance. But young as he was then and still diffident when it came to strangers, he did not summon enough courage to befriend either Imladrin lords or woodland princes.

The passage of years had obviously worked wonders on him for he proved loquacious and thoroughly at ease with the brethren this time around. So much so that there were times Elladan and Elrohir wondered whether, when they returned to Rivendell, they would have one barely come-of-age Ranger in tow.

One late balmy afternoon, even as the evening meal was a-cooking, the twins settled themselves before one of the campfires to tend to their weapons. Whilst Elladan sharpened their swords on a makeshift whetstone, Elrohir restrung their longbows and checked their arrows for damaged fletchings. Halmir plopped himself down by the pair as was his wont when he desired their company. Which was more often than the brothers found comfortable but had not the heart to tell him. Elrohir glanced at Elladan in resignation before greeting the youth with a faint smile. Blissfully unaware of the reserve limning his companions' behavior with him in recent days, Halmir happily engaged them in conversation. A rather one-sided exchange judging from the brief, cursory replies the twins supplied.

During a brief pause in Halmir's incessant discourse, he took notice of Elrohir's quiver. Its markings were neither Imladrin nor Dúnedain. The lad knitted his brows together as he attempted to identify the design. When he finally recognized it, he caught his breath in elation.

“That is a Mirkwood quiver!” he softly exclaimed. “A gift from Legolas?”

“Aye, for my begetting day five years back.”

Halmir eyed the quiver, his eyes gleaming with admiration. “Why did he not come with you this season?” he inquired.

“Duty kept him home,” Elrohir shortly answered.

“A pity,” Halmir sighed regretfully. “He is a beauty, that one. I had hoped to lay my eyes on him again. And more if he would accommodate me,” he suddenly added with a snicker.

Elladan noted the nascent chill in his brother's eyes and sought to divert the conversation elsewhere. “Surely some fair maiden awaits your return,” he said. “Or mayhap a passel of wenches?”

The lad grinned. “Not as many as those who pine for Aravorn but I have no cause for complaint,” he quipped. “Still, maids are in scant supply out in the wild and we must make do with each other's company or go mad from want of a decent rut.”

“'Tis cause for witlessness indeed,” Elrohir dryly remarked.

“Verily!” Halmir enthusiastically concurred, completely missing the younger twin's sarcasm. “You know whereof I speak!” Elladan rolled his eyes at his obtuseness but Halmir plowed on without further thought. “You understand then my envy of your good fortune.”

“My good fortune?” Elrohir echoed, his voice sharpening fractionally.

“I am not blind,” Halmir smirked. “I know that Legolas is not averse to warming your bed and quite fervently at that I must say! But then, you are a Peredhel and must serve his needs far more fulsomely than his own kind.” He winked at Elladan who was wondering how much longer his brother would hold back before unleashing what he thought of the impertinent youth's ill-founded ideas. “Elves are wondrous creatures to look at but I dare say they are not as heartily endowed in some areas as Men.” He chortled at his own wittiness or what he thought passed for it. “I wager after having had a taste of Man-flesh, he'll want for more. What think you? Would he care for a tumble with a hot-blooded Dúnadan? I assure you he will not be disappointed!”

Elladan reached out to clamp a soothing hand on his simmering brother's arm. Elrohir's acquiescing nod was barely discernable but he stayed himself from dealing the jaw-cracking blow Elladan feared would follow. However, his whole demeanor visibly hardened and his eyes glittered ominously.

“You will not speak of him as if he were naught more than a tawdry treat for your base needs,” the Elf-knight growled. “He is no bawd to spread himself at some scoundrel's behest. And even less for a foolish stripling barely out of swaddling clothes!”

Halmir stared at him in surprise and burgeoning umbrage. “You dare demean me for desiring as you do?” he hotly retorted. “Yet you have made good use of him yourself these many years. Why, any who did not know better would think him some sweet innocent, so rabidly do you defend his good name!”

Elrohir's reply was soft. Perilously so. “Aye, as your sire would maintain his dame's virtue were any to defame it,” he hissed.

For a moment, the boy stared at him in puzzlement. And then his eyes widened afore dropping to the younger twin's right hand where he espied the solid gold band on his forefinger. Comprehension slowly crept upon him as he finally recalled a significant bit of lore to which he'd paid little heed.

“Valar, you and he are-?” Halmir gulped in alarm. Elrohir's gaze was now distinctly glacial.

Belatedly understanding the depth of his affront against the Elf-lord, Halmir could only gape at him in consternation. Of a sudden, he winced when he received a hard clout from behind. Rubbing the back of his head he looked up at his cousin who lowered himself on his haunches beside him. Aravorn frowned warningly at him before extending a rueful look to Elrohir.

“Forgive my cousin's uncouth tongue,” he said. “He deemed his lessons a waste of time and now pays the price for his ignorance.” He glared at the mortified Halmir. “Best you make amends to Elrohir if you wish to remain in his good graces.”

Elrohir listened to the youth's stammered apology in silence. A curt nod sufficed to convey his acceptance of it ere he rose and, after quietly taking leave of Aravorn, strode to where snowy Uilos was tethered beside dark Morsûl, Elladan's faithful steed. Elladan observed him for several minutes before rising to his feet as well.

“You need not fear his anger,” he kindly told an obviously discomfited Halmir. “Were he truly enraged with you he would not hesitate to demonstrate his displeasure.”

“Are you certain?” Halmir asked in a subdued voice. “Why then did he leave so suddenly?”

“Because he does not wish to foist his dark mood on anyone,” Elladan explained. “We Elves do not fare very well when we are apart from our mates.” About to stride away, he paused and addressed Halmir one more time. “I must disabuse you of one absurd fallacy you harbor. Pureblooded Elves may not possess the girth of most Men's forms but that does not imply a like lack in endowment. You may take that from one who has sheathed an elven broadsword these many centuries. I warrant were you to assuage an Elf's needs, you would find it difficult to walk with any grace the morn after or mount a horse in comfort.”

He stifled a smile when shock and no little amount of embarrassment contorted Halmir's countenance.

“Bear that in mind from hereon, lackwit,” Aravorn counselled his kinsman. “Or suffer the consequences of giving offense to an Elf. You will rue it evermore, I promise you.”

Elladan grinned at the Ranger before walking off to join Elrohir. He came up behind his brother, shaking his head as the latter industriously curried an already impeccably groomed Uilos. He laid a restraining hand on the Elf-knight's arm, compelling the younger twin to stop and look at him.

“For one who was so set against his mate joining him in these quests, you now pine for him so fervently,” Elladan gently teased.

Elrohir wanly smiled. “Fear and reason drove my objections then,” he admitted. “But he has since overwhelmed both with such joy and comfort that I find I cannot do long without his company.”

“Still, your reaction to Halmir's absurdities was quite severe,” Elladan remarked. “Surely you do not believe that Legolas of all people might be tempted by another's overtures.”

“Wouldn't he?” Elrohir absently murmured in the manner of one voicing one's thoughts inadvertently. He started when he heard Elladan's disbelieving gasp and glanced at his brother a little guiltily.

“How could you even think that possible?” Elladan demanded. “Legolas has ever been the more prone to jealous fits. He who is so possessive of your favors is most unlikely to notice anyone else's graces.”

“I know,” Elrohir said. “I did not mean that he would stray. Only that he could be tempted.”

Elladan stared at him, eyes widening in comprehension. “What did you see?” he pressed.

Elrohir shook his head. “'Twas little more than a glimpse,” he replied. “I saw his confusion and doubts about himself. And guilt.”

“Over some shameful deed?” Elladan asked aghast.

“I neither saw nor sensed evidence of that,” Elrohir replied. “I only know that he will be beset by some - test.” The line of his mouth tightened. “I fear he will not be prepared for the feelings it will elicit from him. He never looked beyond me; rejected all stirrings he felt for any other once he set his heart on me. 'Tis a wondrous blessing that I alone have ever known his regard. But it could also prove a bane should he come face to face with desires he never acknowledged, much less accepted.”

“He would not know how to cope with them,” Elladan softly finished for him. “But it seems you do not anticipate betrayal.”

“I am not entirely confident of that far off outcome but I do trust him implicitly,” the younger twin said. “'Tis whether he will believe that I do that I foresee could cause him grief.” He sighed. “Would that this had not been shown to me so soon. I cannot help but worry for him.”

Elladan pursed his lips. “Would that we could be as other Elves and not be generously endowed with so dubious a gift,” he muttered.

Elrohir snorted. “Yet you would be the first to refuse were the Powers to offer to relieve you of its burden,” he averred. “Nay, brother, this gift may trouble us on occasion but it has also guided and protected us many more times.” His eyes gleamed. “I credit it with leading me to Legolas when he was but a child. Had I not gleaned that he would be a significant part of my life, would I have continued to champion him then?”

“You would have,” Elladan assured him. “You doted on him even then.”

“But as avidly as I did?” Elrohir pointed out. “I will never know for certes but if it was this foresight of ours that influenced me, then I am grateful that our family was so gifted. Else I might not have won myself as peerless a mate as my lass vuil.”-dear leaf.

They spoke no more of it afterward but it remained in the back of Elrohir's mind nonetheless throughout the remainder of the year's questing. Though he had earlier defended the gift, the younger twin could not help wishing that his foresight would fail him just this once. Especially when the repercussions could cause his beloved prince undue distress.

But now they were home once more. In the serenity of their father's house, they knew familial affection and the soothing company of dear friends and Elrohir felt some of his disquiet over his vague vision seep away. Bade by Elrond to go and take their ease, the brethren took leave of their sire and headed for their quarters.

They came to Elrohir's room first. “I will see you at dinner, brother,” Elladan said as the Elf-knight opened his door and entered the sitting room.

“Aye, but now for a good, hot bath and-”

Elladan halted at the sound of his brother's gasp. “What is it?” he asked.

Elrohir gestured wonderingly toward the connecting door through which they could clearly see into the sleeping chamber beyond.

The bed was turned down and the pillows plumped up. A large tray laden with steaming hot bread, cheese, cold meats, fruit and a bottle of wine rested on the bedside table. The windows had been opened and the draperies drawn to allow the fresh night breezes to sweeten the room. A fire crackled merrily in the hearth, illuminating the painting above it, a brightly hued child's rendition of the hidden vale.

“Who in Arda did this?” Elrohir softly exclaimed, stepping inside the room.

A shadow detached itself from behind the door. Slender but powerful arms snaked around the younger twin's waist from behind. Startled, Elrohir turned in the embrace and found himself staring into one of the fairest faces in all Middle-earth.

“Welcome back, melethron”-lover-Legolas grinned before pressing a kiss to his stunned spouse's lips.

Even as Elrohir swiftly recovered his wits and hungrily wove his arms around the archer's lissome frame, Elladan beat a hasty retreat, chuckling as he closed the door behind him. He sincerely doubted he would see anything of his twin this dinnertime. Not when a far better repast was to be had within the comfort of his own bedroom!

**********

Elrohir watched Legolas snuff out the lamps and candles leaving only the single taper by their bed alight. He smiled, feeling a delicious languor creep up on him. That was not surprising considering the luxurious pampering he'd received from his archer love.

After that sumptuous meal, Legolas had eased him into a hot bath liberally laced with fragrant herbs that left him feeling refreshed and relaxed. Not content with that, the archer then urged him onto their wide bed and treated him to a wonderful massage, smoothing the aches and kinks from muscles and joints that had borne many days of near non-stop riding. His eyes following his mate's glorious form, the Elf-knight decided an occasional lengthy separation could not be all that bad if this was the reunion he could look forward to.

He chuckled when Legolas slid into bed and lay beside him, a sly grin gracing his beauteous face. Before Elrohir could utter a word, he claimed his darkling spouse in an incendiary kiss. The younger twin gasped as his lips were teased apart with a wicked swipe of the archer's tongue ere he was treated to a dedicated plundering that warned him of his thorough undoing in the course of the evening.

Legolas freed his lips only to kiss and nibble at his jaw and throat. Elrohir tried to speak, laughed weakly when he found speech hard going under such attention, before at last managing a groaned, “Poor Elladan…”

Fierce heat skimmed his skin at the husky chuckle that answered him and hungry lips sucked at the side of his neck hard enough to leave a crimson bruise. Legolas left off his pillaging to smilingly murmur, “Poor Elladan indeed. He will have need of a restoring salve by the time Galvreth is done with him.”

Elrohir stared at him in surprise but found his ability to make a coherent reply seriously hindered by the archer's renewed onslaught. For the next several minutes, he lost himself to the unrelenting frissons of sensation left in the wake of Legolas' ministrations. Release was not long in coming once the prince brought their groins together in the buck and grind of preliminary love play.

In the aftermath of that first spending, they lay together in quiet contentment, pleased simply to be together once more. Before resting his head on his adored Elf-knight's shoulder, Legolas smiled brightly at him with a purity of feeling that robbed the younger twin of breath. In that instant, he looked so much an innocent that Elrohir was reminded of the years before the archer's majority when he had only began to explore the pleasures of the flesh with him. And with that memory came another less pleasant recollection.

He ran his hands through the prince's fair locks, his forebodings troubling him once again. Reason told him that his mate was a warrior of strength not only of body but also of character and will. But the ethereal cast of Legolas' features lent his countenance a seeming artlessness that made it difficult to remember that he was an Elf of great cunning and no small amount of ruthlessness when circumstances demanded it of him. He closed his eyes as if to shut out his anxieties for his lover when he perforce faced a trial against which he had few defenses.

The brush of gentle fingers against his cheek called him back to the present. He opened his eyes to see Legolas studying him, a frown creasing his smooth brow.

“You seem upset by some disturbance or other,” the archer softly questioned. “Was this last sojourn more fraught than usual?”

Elrohir did not reply at once. There were times when a straight answer could do more harm than good. This was one of those times, he judged. The future was too fluid to scry with full accuracy. It could change in the blink of an eye just from a simple shift in course by one person, an altered decision, or an unexpected intervention. To arm Legolas with the uncertain knowledge that he might one day be tried by a temptation he had never yet known could very well inhibit him from taking certain steps - steps whose import could alter the course of a history that had yet to take place. What if that change was for the worst?

Most who were gifted with great foresight very rarely allowed it to wholly dictate their decisions in life. But it was a habit learned, not an inborn trait, and it was a lesson oft dearly earned. Untrained in the more obscure aspects of the mind arts, Legolas would not truly comprehend the difference between using precognition for simple guidance and permitting it to rule one's choices. He would likely not curb the natural impulse to circumvent an undesirable future but leap to action without considering all the ramifications of said action. Furthermore, he would suffer through all the anxieties and suspicions that inevitably accompanied excessive foreknowledge.

The truth would always out but there were times when wisdom counselled that it be served in small and timely portions.

“Aye, it was,” Elrohir murmured with all sincerity. It had been a burdensome time. Legolas did not need to know why just yet. “I felt your absence more keenly than ever before.”

Legolas' frown deepened. Curling a protective arm around Elrohir, he said: “I should not have permitted so long a parting between us. Ah, I should have followed you. Father would have understood. Forgive me, beloved.”

“Nay, you had duties to discharge,” Elrohir countered. “There is naught to forgive. And we are together now. Just having you by my side is enough to soothe my heart.”

“I would do more,” Legolas insisted. “I would drive away your troubles for as long as I can. Ask of me whatever you desire, berethen, and I will strive to grant it.”

Elrohir's smile was as tender as it was grateful. “You are truly a gift from Iluvatar himself,” he whispered. “But all I need is you. Love me, lassen vain. Have me, fill me. Let me know what it is to be yours.”

His lust enflamed anon, Legolas hastened to grant his Elf-knight's request. Sensing Elrohir's need for his swift conquest, he readied him for only as long as it took to ensure he would not cause him too much discomfort ere he sank deep into his mate with one smooth stroke. The ensuing rapture was more than enough to drive all sentient thought from their minds and lay to rest at least for the time being any concerns that would only intrude on the felicity of their reunion.

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

Glossary:

Narquelië - Quenya for October

Peredhel - Half-elf/Half-elven

berethen - my spouse

lassen vain - my fair leaf

To be continued…
- 37
- 38
- 39
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Twilight Tales - An Ounce of Kindness