Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Greenleaf & Imladris 9-Melethron: The Ancient Path	By : MPB Category: -Multi-Age > General Views: 2645 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- 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
- 7
- 8
Epilogue: Resolution

The twins extended their stay by another week. Having finally attained what he had so long desired, Elrohir was reluctant to forego it so soon. Sympathizing with his brother, relieved and pleased that his twin was happy, Elladan did not insist on leaving as originally planned. Instead, he good-naturedly endured the other’s predictable tendency to gravitate toward Legolas and eased his occasional exasperation by indulging in a prank or two for old times’ sake. That he managed to lure Legolas’ brother, Brethildor, and friends, Mithrael and Heledir, into joining him did nothing for Thranduil’s peace of mind, of course, but after the tension of the preceding days, the Elvenking proved to be of a more benevolent disposition. However, even the most idyllic holidays must come to an end and the twin lords made ready to depart.

Legolas saw them to the great stone doors of Thranduil’s cavernous halls. Edro. At his silent command, the heavy doors swung open to reveal the wide bridge before the hill. There the Rivendell retainers and mounts already awaited their masters.

It was a sunny day and the clearing before the bridge was dappled with golden light. A fine day to start on one’s way. With a slight motion of his head, Elladan gestured to the other Rivendell Elves to move away. It was time for farewells and he knew that his brother would want some privacy.

He turned to Legolas a little apologetically. “Forgive me for not trusting you, gwador nîn”—my sworn brother—he said. “I should have known that you would not forsake Elrohir.”

“Do not apologize,” Legolas replied. “Your fears were not totally unfounded.”

Elladan nodded. He noticed Elrohir waiting impatiently for him to be done and was amused. “You have brought back the light in his eyes,” he softly told the prince. “My thanks, Legolas. You are a true friend and brother.”

They embraced before Elladan yielded his place to his twin. He tactfully led his mount a little distance away but not before slyly whispering to his brother a furtive, “Your turn.” He grinned at the latter’s quick blush.

Legolas smiled as Elrohir almost shyly faced him. “I do not know what to say,” the dark-haired Elf admitted. “Save that I owe you so much.”

Legolas shook his head. “You owe me nothing. You gave me as much as you took.”

Elrohir looked at him in puzzlement. “Did I?” he said. “What in Arda could I have given you?”

“A new experience and an unforgettable one. All our years together, you have introduced me to so many.”

Elrohir looked at him doubtfully. “You may yet regret this,” he said, his countenance tensing slightly.

“So little faith in me, Elf-knight?” Legolas gently chided. Color stained Elrohir’s cheeks anew. The prince quietly said: “Everything you have taught me I cherish, gwador. I will never regret this.”

Elrohir gazed at him with something close to awe. “You are incredible,” he softly said.

This time it was Legolas who blushed. After a moment, he looked at Elrohir thoughtfully. “Has the ‘madness’ passed?” he asked.

Elrohir considered the question. “In truth, I do not know,” he said. “Perhaps time apart from you will tell me. I fear I will only know for certain when we meet again.” He looked ruefully at his friend. “At least, now you need not trouble yourself with me any longer. That should make you glad.”

Legolas placed his hands on Elrohir’s shoulders and gripped them reassuringly. “Your departure does not gladden me,” he told him. “I am ever bereaved when my closest friend must leave for I enjoy your companionship and thrive on the love you have always shown me.” He withdrew his hands, his eyes sparkling merrily. Elrohir thought he had never seen eyes so blue. The archer cocked his head, a small smile on his lips. “And...if it has not passed, I will be here for you as long as you need me.”

Elrohir stared at him in astonishment. At that moment he realized anew the great treasure that was his friend. “‘Tis no wonder that you are so dear to me, Calenlass. I never want to lose you be you lover, friend or brother,” he told Legolas, his voice vibrant with affection and gratitude.

Legolas’ smile widened and he drew Elrohir into a tight embrace. “Safe journey to you, mellonen”—my friend—he murmured. “Farewell.”

He watched the brothers mount. As their steeds trotted across the bridge, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He knew without looking that it was his father.

Thranduil watched the twins depart. “Well, ion nîn?”—my son?—he asked. Three words but Legolas knew a multitude of questions rested in them.

“I am quite all right, Ada”—Papa—he said.

The twins and their retainers were at the mouth of the hidden path. Just before they entered, Elrohir looked back. Twilight eyes met azure ones across the clearing. The Elvenlord raised his hand in a final farewell. Legolas did the same. And then the company was gone.

Thranduil looked doubtfully at his son. “You do not seem to have suffered overmuch,” he commented.

“Did you expect me to?”

Thranduil snorted elegantly at the oft-used ploy of countering one question with another. “It would almost seem that you enjoyed yourself,” he said. “I will not deny that that unsettles me.”

Legolas turned to face the king. “I was unsettled, too, the first night we spent together—” Legolas began.

Thranduil interrupted with some incredulity. “The first night?” he repeated.

Legolas gave his father a pointed look. “Healing does not always come in an instance, my lord,” he said.

Thranduil frowned. “Legolas, did you not feel any aversion at all? Were you never troubled?” He regarded his youngest son.

Legolas understood how his father felt. “Of course I was troubled,” he admitted. "'Twas not my inclination. Even now I wonder that I was able to endure it.” He stopped and corrected himself. “Nay, that is not right. Elrohir did not only take pleasure. He gave it as well and in great measure. I confess I have never known the like in all my years,” he murmured almost to himself but the older Elf heard nonetheless. He saw his father tense, sensed the discomfort of the Elvenking. But he had never been less than honest with his sire and he would not start now.

“I learned something about myself. Elrohir showed me what we have tried to subdue all these ages. I can no longer regard it as unnatural when I have experienced for myself that it is as much a part of me as breathing. Indeed, what Elladan thought troubling was not Elrohir’s desire but that I of all people should be the object of it.”

He paused a moment, giving his sire time to come to grips with his revelations. Legolas added: “Though 'tis not a thing I would actively seek; I am not wholly at ease with it. Not yet.” He had to smile at Thranduil’s obvious relief. “Still...” He looked at his father questioningly. “Ada? Would you disown me were I to leave the path you taught me to follow?”

Thranduil hesitated then shook his head slowly. “As you said, there are things that we have tried to subdue in our nature. I have long anticipated that our alliance with Imladris would lead to a resurgence of the old ways in this realm. I just never expected that you would walk the ancient path or that Elrohir would be the one to guide you down it. But even did it not exist, you are still my son. I would never cast you away no matter what you should choose to do.”

Legolas smiled gently. “As I cannot turn from Elrohir whatever he may choose.”

Thranduil sighed. “And what if his desire does not pass?” he queried.

“Then I will do this again for as long as he needs me. I love him and I intend to be there for him.”

“And you would not be my Legolas if you did not feel that way about your friends,” Thranduil murmured, much softened. He suddenly frowned and glanced in the direction of the hidden path. “Which reminds me, would you know if the gwanûn”—pair of twins—“had a quarrel with Oreth?”

“With Oreth, my lord?” Legolas repeated in surprise. “Why do you ask?”

“Oreth reported to me last night and I had Galion bring him wine. When the good captain drank it, his lips and teeth turned a very vivid green.” Legolas choked on a gasp of laughter. “Galion says he saw the twins lingering around the kitchens near the cup into which he had just poured the wine. Unfortunately, he has no evidence whatsoever that it was they who tampered with it. Would you know if they were behind this deed?”

“Nay, I know nothing about it,” Legolas chuckled. “But it does sound like something that they would do.”

The King sighed. “And I thought they had finally outgrown their fondness for mischief. I should have known better.” Thranduil shook his head in resignation. “Thank the Powers they are not my sons. How Elrond and Celebrían manage to keep their sanity around them I would rather not know. I have enough to do keeping you out of trouble.“ He regarded his now laughing son somewhat severely.

Legolas looked at his father, mischief dancing in his eyes. “You are receiving the delegate from Dale next month, are you not? I hear he is full of self-importance and can be quite long-winded in his speeches.” He nearly laughed again as the King leveled a suspicious stare at him. “Perhaps we can invite the twins back for the occasion. They have an uncommon gift for making even the most tedious proceedings interesting.”

The glower and grimace he received from his father was all that he could desire. He grinned as his less than amused sire strode back to his halls. Valar, that felt good!

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

Glossary:

Calenlass - Greenleaf (Elrohir’s pet name for Legolas)

The End
- 7
- 8
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

Greenleaf & Imladris 9-Melethron: The Ancient Path