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Princes Three: Darkness Unforeseen	By : nuwing Category: -Multi-Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 8756 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Only the quirks and perversions are mine. Everything else belongs to the creator-god of Middle-earth, J.R.R. Tolkien. I am awed by his gifts and humbled by his vision. No profit made or sought.

Chapter List
- 6
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- 8
Chapter 6

p>Arwen looked up expectantly as her brothers entered the room, then quickly raised a finger to her lips in a plea for quiet. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of Elrohir�s bruised face, but any inquiry was aborted with a simple shake of his head.
The wounds were still too fresh, the peace too fragile, for explanations and well meant advice.
Stopping in surprise, the twins stared, bemused, at the scene before them. Elrond lay sleeping soundly, one hand cradling his wife�s fragile fingers even as he rested. In the soft light of dawn it seemed that perhaps Celebr�an had regained a hint of color, as though her spirit was somehow warmed and eased by her husband�s serene nearness.
�The two of you are looking a bit better, as well,� Arwen whispered, rising to embrace first Elladan, then Elrohir. �Did you rest? Where is Legolas?�
�We left him sleeping before the hearth,� Elrohir replied, smiling as his sister�s eyebrow arched in perfect imitation of their father. ��Dan and I fell asleep in the chair before �Las returned last night,� he added by way of explanation.
�Have you been here all night?� Elladan asked, a guilty frown crossing his face as he reached out to tuck a strand of chocolate-brown hair behind his sister�s ear. �You should have called...�
�Hush, �Adan,� Arwen interrupted firmly, catching his hand to press a fleeting kiss to the palm. �I have been here but an hour, and I rested well before. Anteruon kept vigil through the night. I sent him to bed when I arrived.�
Elrond stirred lazily, focus slowly returning to his sleep-glazed eyes as the quiet voices of his children seeped into his reverie. Blinking against the light that was beginning to filter through the open arches, he sat up and looked around, somewhat disoriented.
�Lie back down and rest, Ada,� Arwen urged. �It is just coming light.�
�Nay,� Elrond refused, reaching for the robe Elrohir offered. He froze for a moment as the growing light threw the elf-knight�s battered face into stark relief, a demand for explanation dying unspoken at his son�s pleading glance.
�I have slept long enough, and deeply, besides,� he insisted. As the events of the previous night returned, Elrond looked to his sons. �Where is Legolas? And Anteruon?�
��Las is sleeping yet, and Anteruon only recently retired,� Elladan answered. �We would speak with you, Ada,� he added, nodding toward the anteroom and the newly delivered tea tray. �May we share your tea?�
Elrond met his eldest child�s eyes, his own gaze narrowing slightly before he sighed and turned to Arwen. �Leave us, Tinnu,� he ordered gently, urging her toward the door. �It is nearly time for breakfast, and you must eat.�
As the door closed behind his daughter, the Elf-lord looked from one son to the other, his face grave, before moving to the table just beyond the open arch. �Sit down, 'Adan...'Rohir� he said, lowering himself into one of the waiting chairs and lifting the heavy stoneware teapot to pour. There was a moment�s silence as all three sipped at steaming mugs of tea. �You intend to ride.�
�Aye,� Elrohir began, �it seems a fair time. Anteruon is here, and...�
�I forbid it,� Elrond broke in flatly.
Elrohir bristled, anger flaring at the imperious refusal. �We do not seek permission,� he snapped, rising slightly from his chair despite Elladan�s restraining hand. �We give notice.�
Elrond slammed down his cup, his eyes blazing. �I am your Lord, Elrohir, as well as your father, and I forbid it. You will not disrespect me, most certainly not here, not now, when your mother lies struggling to come back to us. Is that understood, son?�
Elrohir fell back into his chair, near gaping in amazement. �It is,� he managed, his face flushing as he added, �I meant no dishonor, �tis only...�
�I know, young one,� Elrond soothed, his ire cooling as quickly as it had come, and he turned a searching gaze on his eldest son. �But to go now, as things stand, would be the end of you.�
Elladan stiffened suddenly and looked away, unable to endure his father�s intense scrutiny. �We are well, Ada.�
�Do not seek to hide from me, �Adan,� Elrond chided gently. �I have perhaps failed you in my own grief. For that I beg your forgiveness. But you are far from hale, and I will not have you leave the valley in such a state.� Laying a hand on Elladan�s arm, he drew an unsteady breath. �I cannot lose the two of you, as well.�
Elrohir made to protest, but was silenced by a wave of his father�s hand. �I do not know what has come between you, �Rohir, but I am neither easily deceived nor blind. I know of what I speak, and I will hear no more. You will remain for a fortnight, and then we shall see.� Reaching for his tea once more, Elrond added, �And what of Legolas? He has ridden far in great haste to be here. Would you leave him so soon, or drag him again into the wilds?�
Elladan shifted uncomfortably. �We had not considered that as of yet.�
�I daresay you have much to consider,� Elrond retorted mildly. �Both of you.�
�Go and see to �Las, t�ren,� Elrohir said unexpectedly. �I will stay here with Nana and Ada for a while.�
�But you have no love of the healing hall, �Roh,� Elladan protested, �and if Ada is called away...�
�If Ada is called away, I will be fine,� Elrohir interrupted, �just as Arwen was while he slept.�
�He is right, �Adan,� Elrond agreed. �There is little risk of sudden change now. It will be good for �Rohir to be here, and I will be glad of his company, as I have been of yours these past days.� Clasping his firstborn�s shoulder, he added, �It will be good for you to escape the hall for a time, as well. Go and see to your prince.�
�Go,� Elrohir prodded as his brother rose reluctantly. �Take �Las some breakfast.�
As Elladan opened his mouth to object, a gently teasing voice sounded in his mind, enveloping him in a rush of sorely missed affection.
And you might bring me some scones, as well, el n�n.
*******************
Legolas woke slowly to the enticing smells of honeyed tea and fresh-baked pastries. Stretching lazily, he looked up to meet amused grey eyes.
�I was beginning to think you spelled,� Elladan said with a grin. �You did not even stir all the while �Roh and I were dressing, and you have slept through first chimes. Luckily I know the cook, or you might have had no scones.�
Heartened by his lover�s apparent good spirits, Legolas rose from his nest of pillows and furs to sit beside the elder twin. �Where is �Roh?� he asked, accepting the offered mug. �Must we save him a bite?�
�He is with Ada and Nana,� Elladan replied, �and I have provided him with his own heaping tray.� Handing Legolas a butter-smothered scone he added, �I have already eaten, as well. Taurwen sent these for you.�
�A queen among elves, she is,� Legolas mumbled, busy with the rich pastry. �I am near starving this morning.�
�You have ridden too far and too fast on little food and less sleep,� Elladan chided. �It was a great risk, anor n�n.�
�I was needed,� Legolas said simply, reaching for his mug and another scone. �I am needed.�
�You are,� Elladan agreed, a shadow of disquiet flickering across his face. Refilling his own cup, he sipped at the steaming tea without further comment as the prince finished breakfast.
Legolas ate hungrily, grateful for the excuse to observe his companion for a time without need for conversation. Though less pale and drawn, Elladan still appeared tired, his improved mood a thin veneer over dark-ringed eyes and tense muscles. The need to demand answers and assign blame was almost overwhelming, and Legolas willed himself to be patient as he returned his empty plate to the tray.

�How does Lady Celebr�an fare?� he asked cautiously, reaching out to push back one raven-dark braid.
�She has not woken,� Elladan replied soberly, �though I fancied her color a bit better this morn.� A hint of real mirth warmed the elder twin�s eyes as he continued, �Anteruon is in charge now, without a doubt. Ada has not slept in a bed since Nana was taken, and the dawn found him sound asleep beside her. I think his rest has done them both good.�
�My brother has always been a bit bossy,� Legolas said with a smile, �though that may be a good thing in this case. You and �Roh come by your stubbornness honestly, I wager.�
�We do,� Elladan admitted, grimacing as he stretched over to place his empty mug on the breakfast tray. �Perhaps this chair was not the best place to pass the night. I feel as if I have gone a round or two with Glorfindel.�
Legolas laid a hand on his lover�s shoulder, probing with a practiced touch. �It is no wonder!� he exclaimed, feeling along the arch of Elladan�s neck. �You are tense as a recruit at first battle. Turn around.�
Elladan turned obediently, his head falling forward with a pleasurable groan as strong fingers began digging into his knotted muscles, forcing them to relax. �Valar, but that is good,� he breathed, arching his back as the talented hands moved down his spine.
�It would be better with warm oil,� Legolas said, rising from the chair. �I will get some from the bathing chamber. Take off your tunic.�
Elladan turned to protest, but his companion was already rummaging through vials and bottles, the click of glass on glass carrying into the front room. The rush of water followed, then Legolas reappeared, oil and towel in hand.
�Sandalwood, I think,� he announced cheerfully. ��Tis a relaxing scent.� As he came to a halt beside his still fully dressed companion, Legolas� eyes narrowed slightly. �But it will be little use until you shed your tunic.�
�I am fine, �Las,� Elladan answered woodenly, refusing to meet the searching blue-green gaze. �Do not trouble yourself.�
�No,� the prince said firmly. �Not this time.� Setting aside the oil and the towel, Legolas dropped to the chair beside his lover, laying a hand on one silk-clad arm. �Please, �Dan,� he implored, willing the elder twin to meet his eyes. �I cannot help you if you shut me out. Tell me what is amiss.�
�You know what has happened,� Elladan evaded, raising his head reluctantly. �Nana is injured, we have lost an entire patrol...�
�Neither of which explains why you will not remove your tunic,� Legolas broke in, an edge of exasperation creeping into his voice. �I have been intimately acquainted with your exquisite Peredhel hide for near four centuries, but you are suddenly bashful as one untouched. What is wrong? �
Elladan shifted uncomfortably. �It is over now. Leave it, �Las, please.�
�I will not,� Legolas said adamantly, a vague idea born of last night�s dramatic denouement rapidly crystallizing into an appalling certainty. �Let me see what he has done to you, Elladan. Take off your tunic. �
Grey eyes widened perceptibly, a flash of unease telling Legolas that he had guessed correctly, and he reached for the ties of the light garment.
�Let me do it,� Elladan sighed, his tone defeated, �and promise that you will hear me out before making judgments.�
�You have my word,� Legolas agreed warily, watching as the elder twin stood and turned his back to remove the offending tunic, then Elladan faced him again and all memory of the promise fled. The revealed chest was scattered with fading bruises of rainbow hues, punctuated by healing bites and scrapes.
�I am going to kill him,� Legolas hissed, already on his feet.
�A plan I object to, as it would end my own life, as well. Besides, you can hardly storm the healing hall in your sleep pants,� Elladan pointed out with a wry grin. �You promised to listen, you know."
�Listen to what?� Legolas demanded, his outrage palpable. �How could he do this?�
�He could not have done it without my cooperation, �Las,� Elladan replied. �Anymore than you could have marked me against my will all those years ago.�
A faint flush colored the prince�s cheeks. �Point granted,� he said with a grimace. �But why, �Dan? It has never been thus between you.�
�It was what he seemed to need...it was what I fancied myself to need,� Elladan answered honestly. �I thought it ease the guilt, blunt the grief.� He paused, then went on with a sigh. �I was wrong. We were both wrong. The end result is ugly, perhaps, but the act was always consensual. I am no less to blame than �Roh.�
Legolas drew a deep breath, forcing back his own sense of helpless frustration. As Elladan said, it was over now. �And none too soon, from the look of him,� the prince thought darkly. Exploring the welts and bruises with gentle fingers, he demanded, �How long ago?�
�Three nights past,� Elladan replied, �the most recent.�
�These should be long healed,� Legolas mused, his brow furrowing. Suddenly still, he asked, �Are you injured?�
Elladan did not even pretend to misunderstand. �Nay, there was only a bit of soreness, and it has eased these past days.� He managed a faint smile. �I believe I am the healer here, �Las.�
�And little good it has done you,� the prince returned crisply, pushing back his lover�s hair with a hand much gentler than his words. Turning away, Legolas collected the oil and towel and moved toward the sleeping chamber without a backward glance.
�Bolt the door,� he ordered, �and come along.�

*~*~*~*~*

Tinnu - twilight

t�ren � my brother

el n�n � my star

anor n�n � my sun
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Princes Three: Darkness Unforeseen