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Greenleaf & Imladris 9-Melethron: The Ancient Path	By : MPB Category: -Multi-Age > General Views: 2644 -:- 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.

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Title: Greenleaf & Imladris 9 - Melethron: The Ancient Path

Author: Eressë (eresse21@yahoo.com)

Pairing: Elrohir/Legolas

Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: I write for the sheer joy of it. All else belongs to that old wizard, Tolkien.

Summary: No price is too high to pay if a priceless friendship is at stake. If it's worth having, it's worth saving.

Author's Note: The whole series is divided into three parts: The first half of the Third Age, the latter half, and the early centuries of the Fourth Age. This tale is the second to the last story of the first part.

Melethron: The Ancient Path

Chapter I: Offense

Mirkwood, laer TA 1628

The company of Elven rangers halted in a small clearing of Mirkwood. It was nearing sunset in the world outside but under the eaves of the great forest, it would soon be as dark as night. Only in such spots as these where the trees did not form an almost impenetrable canopy above did the sun make its presence known. The Elves set about making camp.

Oreth, the captain of the company, approached a fair-haired Elf who was engaged in fetching wood for the campfires. The Edhel appeared younger and also slighter of build than most of his comrades. But no one could have mistaken him for anything but a warrior for he moved with a cat-like grace that hinted at battle-honed reflexes. And though lithe and slender, there was no lack of muscle or strength in his form and limbs.

“Legolas,” Oreth said. “May I have a word with you in private?”

The youngest son of Thranduil nodded and put down his burden. There was no resentment at being addressed thus. Indeed, none of the three Elf-lords in the company would have taken exception. For though Legolas and his friends, the brethren Elladan and Elrohir, were of high and ancient lineage, they were also warriors with a deeply ingrained sense of duty. And that included submitting to the authority of those placed above them in rank or seniority.

The twins had arrived in Mirkwood the week before for a fortnight's visit; responsibilities in Rivendell allowed them no more than the briefest of stays. It had been many years since they had set foot in the Woodland Realm and much had changed since. For one, the brethren had matured considerably. Known for their high spirits and sometimes intemperate pursuit of adventure and pleasure, the brothers had surprised everyone with their more restrained behavior.

It was a change that disappointed a few but pleased many more, King Thranduil most of all. He had often despaired that they would influence his youngest son into behaving as they did and, considering Legolas’ own youthful ingenuity when it came to getting into trouble, his anxiety had been understandable.

The other change was from without. Orcs had always infested the Misty Mountains but of late they had become more numerous and quite bold and had taken to harassing the borders of Mirkwood. And the spiders that lurked in the deeps of the dark woods were also increasing and daring to spin their webs closer to the Woodland Realm than was comfortable for its people.

The latter change was the primary reason for the scouting party that wove its way through Northern Mirkwood. Thranduil intended to keep his people safe even if it meant hunting down each and every spider that had nested dangerously close to his kingdom or scouring the borders to ensure they would not be despoiled by marauding orcs. The Woodland Realm had flourished for many an age and its king was not about to permit it to diminish from lack of vigilance or foresight.

As soon as the twins learned that Legolas would be leaving on this sortie, they insisted on joining the scouting party as well. Thranduil had known better than to forbid them to go. Change for the better they may have done but the King was taking no chances. While their days of indefatigable and unfettered trouble making were long behind them, the twins still indulged themselves in a bit of mayhem mongering now and then. Their eyes betrayed that mischief yet lurked within and was just awaiting an excuse to burst out and wreak havoc as of old. Better to let them unleash their restless energies on orcs and spiders than on the hapless inhabitants of his halls!

Elrohir watched Legolas follow the captain away from the clearing. A frown etched his fair face. He was uneasy and felt a need to do something about that uneasiness. As his twin crouched down beside him, he came to a decision.

“Elladan, finish this for me,” he murmured, indicating the small fire he was building.

Elladan asked, “Why, where are you going?”

“After Legolas,” came the terse reply.

“Whatever for?”

“I am not sure. Call it intuition, if you wish.” With that, he rose and hurried after the Elven prince and his captain.

He tracked them to a nearby glen where the lowering sun still managed to cast some of it red-gold beams. Legolas was standing to one side, still as a young beech tree, arms folded, face expressionless. In the slowly fading light he looked almost delicate, his hair seemingly spun from silver and gold, his sun-dappled skin aglow with soft color.

On the other hand, Oreth seemed restless for he did not face the prince but paced about a while. Elrohir settled into the thick brush. From his place of concealment he could see but not be seen and he could hear whatever needed to be heard.

“What did you wish to speak to me about?” Legolas asked at length.

Oreth glanced up at him. There was a speculative gleam in his dark eyes. He came close to the younger Elf.

“We have been away for nigh on five days and I am getting weary of it,” he began. Legolas simply raised one dark golden eyebrow. Five days of scouring the dark wood was not very long by any standard. The captain noted his surprise and smiled. “Nay, ‘tis not the length of time of this mission that troubles me but the length of time spent away from any chances of—release,” he said. The hesitation before the last word underscored its significance “Do you understand what I mean?”

Legolas remained expressionless. “I think I do,” he quietly replied.

“Do you?” murmured the older Elf. “Then perhaps you already know why I brought you here.” When the prince did not respond, his smiled widened. “This is the first time you have served under me, Legolas, and I admit I have been distracted by your presence since we set out. You are more attractive than rumor would have it. So much more comely than either of your brothers.”

His words carried easily to where Elrohir lay. The Rivendell Elf felt his stomach turn. What was Oreth thinking?

The captain stepped closer to the prince. “You do not speak.”

“What am I supposed to say?” Legolas said.

Oreth grinned. “That perhaps you feel as I do? That we can spend this time together in mutual, shall we call it, easing of certain desires?” He raised a hand to stroke one of the tiny braids behind the prince’s ear.

Legolas suddenly jerked his head away. “I do not think so,” he replied.

Oreth stared at him in surprise. His eyes narrowed. “You watch me closely enough, golden one,” he murmured. “I do not think you mean what you say.”

“I always watch my captains,” Legolas answered evenly. "'Tis my duty to know what they may need before they must ask for it.”

“Need,” Oreth repeated. “Yes, I do have a need. And if you indeed knew your duty you would meet it.”

Legolas’ blue eyes darkened ominously. “That I will not,” he said. He turned away.

“Legolas, I did not give you leave to go!” Oreth snapped. The prince halted but did not turn around.

Elrohir tensed as Oreth curled his arms around the archer’s shoulders from behind. Legolas remained immobile but his face had gone pale with—what? Elrohir wondered why his friend did nothing.

Oreth raised one hand and brushed the long golden tresses aside baring one side of Legolas’ neck. “You should know better than to defy your captain,” he murmured. Legolas visibly shuddered when the older Elf pressed his lips to his neck.

He twisted out of the captain’s arms. “I think ‘tis time we returned to the others, Oreth.” His tone was harder, threatening. But the captain made no move to go back. Legolas once more turned away to leave.

Oreth grabbed him by an arm, spun him around roughly. “I think not,” he grated. Elrohir sucked in his breath, shocked at the Elf’s boldness. His hand moved to the dagger at his belt.

Oreth had grasped the younger Elf’s wrists. His face was but a mere inch from the prince’s. He said persuasively, “Why resist? I could teach you things you have never known. You might find that you like the experience.” When Legolas did not protest by word or deed, he smirked. Confident he had intimidated his prey, he released one of the prince’s hands and began to unfasten the fair Edhel’s tunic.

Just as Elrohir rose to a crouch to rush the pair, Legolas exploded into action. Elrohir did not know what the prince did; he only saw the result. One moment the younger Elf was motionless, seemingly helpless as Oreth undid his tunic. In the next, he had grabbed Oreth’s wrist with his free hand and, in a startling flurry of motion, had flipped the captain over on to the ground.

Oreth landed on his stomach with a jolt. Before he could recover his breath, Legolas had straddled his back and twisted his arms behind him. The prince spoke in a voice that jarred the captain into apprehension. “Did you think I would allow you to force me into servicing your base needs?” he said. “I am no mere warrior whom you can coerce or compel by abusing the authority given you.”

He leaned down and hissed, “I will forget this incident for you are a good captain despite this weakness of yours. But I warn you not to try my patience again or take from others what they do not wish to give. All your past service and valor will avail you not if I should hear of another such incident. I will be watching you closely, Oreth, remember that!”

He let go of the older man and rose to his feet. Calmly, he refastened his tunic while waiting for the other Elf to rise. Oreth, his face flushed with humiliation got to his feet. Legolas coolly leveled his gaze at him. “As I earlier said, ‘tis time we returned.”

Oreth glared at him but knew there was little he could do in retaliation. He dusted himself off and strode away. Legolas coldly watched him go. As the prince moved to follow, he heard a slight rustle. He spun around warily, yanking a white-hilted sigil—knife—from its sheath.

“Hold, Legolas, ‘tis only me!”

Legolas stared in surprise as Elrohir emerged from the bushes. “What are you doing here?” he asked sheathing his knife once more.

Elrohir flushed slightly. “I followed you.”

“Why?”

The raven-haired Elf shrugged. “I felt there was something wrong,” he said. “Oreth has been watching you closely all this week.”

“As I was watching him,” Legolas pointed out.

“Nay, his look was different,” Elrohir responded. “I knew he wanted something else from you. There have been unsavory rumors about him after all.” He glanced at the fair-haired archer. “I wasn’t sure what he intended to do when he asked you to go with him. But I didn’t want to wait for my suspicions to be confirmed.”

Legolas lips formed into a small smile. “Gwador”—sworn brother—“I can take care of myself,” he reminded his friend.

“So you proved. How did you do that? I have never seen anything so fast. You must teach me that particular move, Legolas.”

The prince laughed softly. “When we get back to my father’s halls,” he promised.

They started back toward camp. “What about Oreth?” Elrohir asked curiously. “Are you really going to let him go unpunished after what he tried to do to you?”

Legolas sighed. “Oreth is a good captain,” he explained. “We cannot afford to put aside someone like him, not in these times. Mirkwood is too perilous now for us to entrust our warriors to inexperienced or incapable leaders, no matter how noble or loyal they may be. But I told him I would be watching him and I meant what I said. That should ensure that no more of his men will have to endure his twisted desires.” He glanced at Elrohir. "'Tis the reason I asked to join this mission.”

Elrohir gaped at him in amazement. “Do you mean you used yourself as bait to trap him?” he exclaimed.

“Someone had to. I knew he would be attracted to me.”

“You were so certain? You think highly of your face and form!”

“Nay, I only acted upon what I had heard of his tastes. I am not a novice at this, Elrohir!”

“I am sorry, I did not mean to imply that. But how did you ensure that he would indeed take the bait?”

“Oh, a glance here, a brush of the hand there, perhaps a smile once in a while.”

“You encouraged him?” Elrohir stared at his friend.

Legolas shrugged. “If he was encouraged ‘twas because he wished to deduce more from my actions than there was in truth.”

To this Elrohir could only shake his head in amazement. They walked the rest of the way in silence.

***********

Glossary:

melethron - lover (male)

laer - Sindarin for summer

To be continued…
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Greenleaf & Imladris 9-Melethron: The Ancient Path