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Princes Three: In the Shadows of Mirkwood	By : nuwing Category: -Multi-Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 4141 -:- 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
- 4
- 5
- 6
Chapter 4

The Eaves of Mirkwood 2151 III

Two heavily cloaked figures broke from the small group of horsemen, turning their mounts to face the departing Rangers. Exchanging gestures of farewell with each of the riders, two lyrical voices rang in soft chorus through the frosty cold of a late winter dawn. "Navaer, Arahael. Elbereth�s protection."
"I do not like leaving you at the edge of this accursed wood, gwedyren. Most particularly not in such cold," the leader of the riders said, his face grave. "I do not fancy carrying news of your fall home to Imladris."
"We are elves, Arahael. We do not heed the cold overly much, as well you know. Do not worry so, gwadoren," Elrohir replied kindly, his breath visible in the frigid air. "We were traipsing in the wilds long ere your people were driven to wandering."
"Aye, we were, indeed," Elladan agreed. "We were glad of your company over the mountains, but we need no escort in Mirkwood. �Twill be fine, gwadoren. And you have many more miles to go on your own journey. Best begin early, and set a good pace."
Nodding reluctantly, Arahael pulled up his horse, leaning forward to grip each elf�s arm in turn. "Navaer, Elladan�Elrohir. Elbereth�s blessing, gwedyren." With a last wave of his hand, the Chieftain of the Dunedain led his men away, leaving the two elves on the edge of the great wood.
Twinkling silver-grey eyes met above growing smiles, as the twins urged their mounts forward.
"Step lively, Mithrengil," Elladan ordered, slapping the shade-grey stallion�s neck affectionately. "We are going to see your friend, Ornfaer."
Elrohir�s slightly darker mount tossed his head with a snort, as though in answer to the elder twin. Chuckling, the elf-knight leaned up and scratched the stallion�s ears affectionately. "Aye, you too, Alagos," he said, turning to follow his brother into the forest.

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Mirkwood 2151 III

"How will you manage this, ionen?", Thranduil asked, concern evident in his voice. "I would ask only that you maintain a sense of propriety." As Legolas opened his mouth to protest the king�s choice of words, the elder elf raised his hand in a well-known request for silence. "I have spent some measure of time in Imladris myself, pen neth, and I realize Elrond�s folk are less restrained in their displays of affection than is usual for our realm."
"I believe I may be credited with knowing how to behave in public, h�ren ," the prince said with a frown. "I have no plans that involve coupling in the courtyard, if that is your fear. And I will try to muffle my screams."
"Legolas!", the king said sternly, both eyebrows elevated in umbrage. "There is no call for such sarcasm. I have no doubt you can and will behave properly, ernilen." His face softening, Thranduil continued, "I do not pretend to understand exactly how such a relationship came to be, or how it can endure. But I will support you in this, ionen, if it is your heart�s desire."
Dropping his head, the prince replied, "Forgive me, Ada. �Twas disrespectful to speak to you in such a manner. But I am no more likely to make a spectacle of myself than Anteruon, or Barangolas."
"Aye, and possibly less so," the king agreed. "But there is no denying this relationship is out of the ordinary. Will you discuss it with your brothers ere the gwan�n arrive, or leave them to discover the situation in their own time?"
"Barangolas is somewhat aware already," Legolas admitted. At Thranduil�s inquiring look, he shrugged, grinning sheepishly. "Younger brothers are a trial. He would not let it rest until I confessed." As the king�s eyes widened, the prince hurriedly added, "But not in detail."
"Mayhap I should place him in charge of interrogating prisoners," Thranduil said with a wry smile, "Or take lessons from him myself." His smile fading, he looked at Legolas intently. "What of Anteruon? �Tis likely to cause some unpleasantness, pen neth."
"Aye, I know,� the prince answered soberly. "I have no wish to cause discord in the family, or the realm, Ada. And I love Anteruon, despite the occasional urge to throttle him. But I will not have this relationship treated like something shameful. I refuse to skulk in the shadows to satisfy anyone's twisted idea of propriety, and I will not ask Elladan and Elrohir to engage in any pretense."
Thranduil was silent for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "If you will have my advice, ionen, I would let Anteruon come to terms with this slowly. Forcing a confrontation will do naught but raise his back. Do as you must, and let him ask his own questions, in his own time."
Nodding in agreement, Legolas offered, "�Twould be a mistake, I think, to treat this as an oddity. Have I ever announced a lover to my brothers, or to the realm? �Tis a personal matter, and no explanation is owed to anyone, save yourself, perhaps."
"Ai! The privileges of fatherhood, hmm?", the king chuckled. "I feel you are right, Legolas. �Tis no need to borrow strife. �Twill find you, I fear, without any encouragement. But we will face that when it comes, ionen."
"Hannon chen, Ada," the prince said embracing his father warmly. "I will�"

�Las? Can you hear me, melethen?

"Legolas? What is wrong, ionen?", Thranduil asked in concern as the prince froze in place, his eyes wide.

Anor n�n ?

Breaking into a joyful grin, Legolas distractedly shushed the king. "Wait, Ada, please."

�Dan? �Roh? Where are you?
We are leaving the second clearing, soon as �Dan smothers the fire.
�Tis done, muindor. �Las, can you hear us both?
Aye, I can, indeed, el n�n. �Tis as though you are standing here with me.
We will be very soon, anor n�n . Melim chen�we will be with you in a few hours, hmm?
Melin chen, el n�n, rohir n�n. I will meet you at the gates.

"Legolas?", the king repeated, grasping his son�s arm tightly. "Are you well?"
"I am more than well, Ada," the prince replied, his face beaming. "Elladan and Elrohir are leaving the nearest clearing. They should be here shortly past the midday meal."
His eyes widening, Thranduil queried, "You mindspeak with them, pen neth?"
"Aye, and �twas much clearer than the last time," Legolas answered, unaware of his father�s fast-growing amazement. "I could hear them both, as though they were here in the chamber with us. �Twas quite nice."
"You have learned quickly, Legolas. Did Elrond tutor you whilst you were in the valley?", Thranduil probed curiously.
"Nay, Ada, no one taught me, so to say. Elladan discovered that he could reach me quite by accident one day," the prince explained briefly, wisely deciding that details of the event were unnecessary. "�Tis not difficult."
"They are still a fair distance away, ionen," the king said slowly. "�Tis at the outer reach of most minds�indeed, �twould almost be proper to call it farspeaking, of a sort."
"That is excellent, then, Ada, is it not?", the prince asked, his eyes shining delightedly. "Mayhap I will be able to reach them in Imladris one day, if I continue to strive, hmm?"
"I do not doubt that you will," Thranduil agreed, his face thoughtful.

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

"Daro!"
The command rang out from above, even as three elven guards, bows at the ready, dropped from the trees, barring the narrow path.
"Man an�rach?", the middle guard demanded sternly, his eyes roving over the two cloaked travelers.
Recognizing the copper-haired sentry, Elrohir forced back a grin and replied, "Chen ad, Barangolas?"
"Elrohir? Elladan?", the younger elf queried, a smile spreading slowly across his face. "Mae govannen. �Twould be best to let your ears show, mellynen, lest you be shot as brigands, and the mistake discovered after."
Chuckling, the twins pushed back their hoods and slid to the ground. Embracing each in turn, Barangolas added, "And �twould then be my head and bits Legolas would seek, hmm? �Tis in my best interest that you arrive safely at the gates. Do you wish an escort?"
Looking thoughtfully at the youngest woodland prince, Elladan replied, "Nay, we know the path well enough. Lest we shall need a friendly companion when we arrive?"
Barangolas chortled delightedly. "I wager you will find the welcome quite warm. My brother has been pacing before the gates since the nooning, and Ada will wait �til you enter the Halls." Grinning, he teased, "On with you, and hurry, ere Legolas goes mad."
Leading Alagos down the hidden path to the gates of the Thranduil�s halls, Elrohir said musingly, "Barangolas knows something of our relationship, hmm?"
"Aye, he certainly does," the elder twin agreed, tightening his grip on Mithrengil�s bridle. "And he did not seem discomfited. We can only hope for such�"
Coming suddenly into the small clearing before the gates, Elladan let his thought fall away unfinished.
The entrance to the woodland realm was flung open in welcome, and before it stood Legolas, his face aglow as he started toward the weary travelers. Trusting the horses to stand, the twins met him halfway, gathering him in a fierce double embrace.
Snuggling tightly against his lovers, the woodland prince breathed deeply, inhaling the familiar scent that seemed to cling to them through all trials and travels. A scent of brisk wind and rain, of waterfalls and evergreens�of Imladris.
"We have missed you, anor n�n ," Elrohir whispered, burying his nose in the sunlit golden hair.
"Aye, we have, indeed," Elladan said softly, with a chaste kiss to one ivory cheek. "�Twas surely the longest winter ever suffered on Arda."
"And I have missed you," Legolas answered, nuzzling each pale throat, his tongue lapping gently over the familiar skin. "Very much, indeed."
"Stop, �Las," Elrohir warned, even as he instinctively leaned toward the teasing touches. "�Tis not a good idea."
"I find it quite to my liking," the woodland prince retorted, pressing a lingering kiss to each long-missed mouth. "And think it an excellent idea."
"It is quite to my liking, also," Elladan agreed with a smile, running a golden braid through his fingers. "But I feel fairly certain your adar would frown on a pile of coupling elves before his gates. And you are testing my control sorely, anor n�n ."
"Aye, and I have none to test," the younger twin added cheerfully, "So we had best greet King Thranduil soon as may be, hmm? We can then give your excellent idea serious attention."
Pulling away reluctantly, Legolas nodded. "Mayhap you are right. �Twould be foolish to try Ada�s patience so early in your visit." Turning toward the gates, the prince caught a glimpse of golden hair atop green robes, and drew a deep breath. "Come on," he urged, wrapping an arm around each of his lovers. "Ada is waiting just beyond the gates."
"Does he know, �Las?", Elladan asked belatedly, as they walked toward the waiting monarch.
"If he did not ere our arrival, he does now," Elrohir snickered before the prince could reply.
Casting a reproachful look at the elf-knight, Legolas replied, "Aye, he does, but�"
Further explanation was delayed as the woodland king stepped into the path of the trio. "Mae govannen, Elladan�Elrohir. G�ren linna ceni chen."
Moving as one elf, the twins stepped away from Legolas and bowed low, their faces serious. "Mae govannen, King Thranduil," they chorused. "Men l�n cauno."
Smiling warmly, the king laid a hand on each dark head. "I have no wish to command you. And there is no need for formality between us. Come, let me look at the two of you."
Shaking his head slightly, Thranduil carefully studied the mirror images before him, his smile becoming wistful. Naught was left of youthful awkwardness in the elves standing there. Beautiful they were, as always, but the soft beauty of their adolescence had crystallized into something much harder, much more dangerous�a dark, visceral sensuality that drove its hook straight through the heart, into the groin. �Ai, ionen, he thought anxiously, What have you done?�

"Ada?", Legolas said with a frown, "What is amiss?"
Drawing a deep breath, the king turned to his son, "Nothing, pen neth. I was lost in thought and memory. A risk of age, I fear."
As he returned his attention to his guests, Thranduil found himself caught in Elladan�s gaze, the grey eyes kind, but appraising, as though aware of his musings. Looking to the younger twin, he found that Elrohir was looking at him in like manner. Here, at least, the king could still glimpse the younglings he had known. Their unusual silvery eyes still sparkled with the same life and warmth.
Somewhat reassured, the woodland monarch smiled. "I know you must be hungry, and weary�and in need of a bath." Gazing pointedly at the prince, he continued, "Legolas will show you to your chambers. I will have a tray sent while you bathe, if that is to your liking?" As the twins nodded gratefully, he went on, "Then I wish you a good rest, and will expect you at my table for dinner."
As they turned to climb the curving stairs, Elrohir stopped suddenly. "What of the horses, t�ren?", he asked Elladan with a grin. "We have walked off and left our mounts in the wood unattended."
"The stable hands took them," Legolas said reassuringly. "�Tis the usual way here for guests to leave their horses at the gates, since they must dismount to enter. Mithrengil and Alagos will be well cared for, and stabled with Ornfaer. I had already left instructions."
"Then let us see to our own care and feeding, hmm?", Elladan suggested, nudging Legolas toward the stairs. "Lead on."
As they entered the spacious dwelling on the third level of the Halls, Elladan and Elrohir looked around in amazement. The main room was dominated by a large bed, its frame of thick, bark covered limbs. On the wall over the bed hung an enormous oak leaf, wrought entirely of hammered gold, the thin metal pressed into a shape both exquisite and incredibly life-like.
The entire chamber seemed woven of twigs, yet the floor was solid underfoot, and scattered with soft furs. A massive iron fire-bowl sat atop a clay pedestal, and glowing coals heated a kettle of water. The walls did not reach the roof, but stopped an arm span short, allowing dappled sunlight to filter onto the simple wooden furnishings. An open door in the back wall revealed a large balcony, which reached out among the leaves, away from the courtyard.
"This is your chamber, is it not �Las?", Elrohir asked, looking at the prince curiously. "I recognize your bow," he added, nodding at the weapon propped against the wall.
"Aye, it is," Legolas answered, taking the two packs and placing them in a corner. "�Tis not so fancy as the Last Homely House, but quite comfortable."
"�Tis perfect, anor n�n ," Elladan said sincerely, moving to touch the woven walls in wonder. "I do not remember such walls from our visits as younglings."
"You likely stayed in guest chambers," the prince explained. "They are mostly ground level, and have stone walls, and such." Looking anxious, he added, "I can have one prepared, if you would be more at home."
"We do not wish live as we would at home, �Las," the elder twin assured him. "We came to be with you. And this chamber is wonderful."
"Aye, we did, and it is," Elrohir agreed. "But is this what your Ada intended? For us to share your chambers?"
"He did, indeed, rohir n�n . Bu that is enough talk for the moment, hmm? You are welcome to use my bathing chamber, or I will take you to the cavern pools, if you prefer."
Eyes sparkling, Elladan asked, "You think us in need of a washing, then, melethen?"
"Aye, I do," Legolas replied with a grin, planting an inviting kiss on the elder twin�s lips. "I have no intention of tumbling two filthy elves."
"You intend to tumble two elves? �Las! And in the afternoon?", Elrohir teased, nuzzling an ear. "What will your Ada think?"
"Nothing that approaches the reality, I wager," the prince purred, kissing the elf-knight warmly. "Now go scrub, before your food arrives."
"We will use your tub, anor n�n ," Elladan said with a grin. "�Twill be faster."
Picking up the kettle of hot water, Legolas led the way into the small bathing chamber. A large tub stood in one corner, under a short hollow branch that extended through the wall. As his guests watched in surprise, the prince moved the wooden tube slightly, and a rush of water poured into the tub. He emptied the hot water into the bath, then refilled the kettle under the water flow.
Noting the twins� confusion he grinned, then explained, "From the reservoir tanks. We collect rain and snowmelt to provide water for the Halls. Now into the bath with you. There are soaps and oils on the shelf, and towels on the rack."
"Clean clothes?", Elrohir said, one eyebrow arched in question.
"�Twould be a waste of time," Legolas answered, blue-green eyes twinkling. "Just wear a towel."
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Names:

Mithrengil- "grey-star" (�Dan�s horse)

Alagos- "storm of wind" (�Roh�s horse)

Elvish translations:

Navaer- farewell

gwedyren- my sworn brothers

ionen - my son

pen neth - young one

h�ren - my lord

ernilen - my prince

Ada, Adar - Dad, Father

gwan�n - twins

Hannon chen - Thank you

melethen - my love

el n�n - my star

anor n�n - my sun

rohir n�n - my knight

muindor - brother

Melim chen - We love you

Melin chen - I love you

Daro - Stop

Man an�rach? � "What do you want?"

Chen ad? � "You again?"

mellynen � my friends (plural)

Mae govannen- well met

G�ren linna ceni chen � My heart sings to see you

Men l�n cauno � We are yours to command

t�ren - my brother
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Princes Three: In the Shadows of Mirkwood