Title: Time Enough for Love     
Author: Elfscribe,  elfscribe5@yahoo.com 
Pairings: Legolas/OC (Elwin), Elrond/Glorfindel, Lindir/OC  
Rating:  NC-17 
Summary: Legolas visits his lover, Elwin, in Rivendell. But when Elrond 
foresees a terrible fate for the pair, Legolas must decide how to face the 
future.  Some humor, much angst, and of course, hot elf sex.     
Overly Thorough Disclaimer: The characters, settings, and languages used 
in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, 
and possibly New Line Cinema with the exception of original characters 
and story created by the author.  No money made.  No harm intended. 
Tolkien is the Master, I just lick his boots.  
Archive: Yes. LoM, Melethryn, CIB. Other sites, please ask permission.  
Feedback: Feed my muse. You know guys, the only payment for the hours 
of sweat and tears is your feedback.  So, if you read and enjoyed, give me 
a break, take a minute to send a note, elfscribe5@yahoo.com. 
Warnings: Snoggy romance; explicit m/m sex. Violence in some 
chapters. That's all. 
Author's Notes: This story continues the events in "Dragon Fever" and 
was written for all those folks who asked for more of Legolas and Elwin. 
The title is with apologies to Robert Heinlein who wrote a book by the 
same name.   
On the spelling of Elwin's name: in some of my earlier fics, it is spelled 
"Elwen," but I changed it to conform more closely to the Sindarin 
meaning, which is  źl, or star, and hwīn meaning giddiness or hwind, 
twirling, and to avoid the feminine ending "wen."   
Betas: Thanks to my super beta and dear friend Capella who smooths out 
my sentences and my concerns and also to Dalogas Graywolf and 
Esmeralda for providing commentary and support. You guys are great.  
Many thanks to Malinornė for much needed help with my elvish. 
First posted: March 21, 2004 
************************************************************
* 
Chapter 1- Anticipation
 
Late April, 2949 in the Third Age of Middle Earth
 
Elwin stood on the porch watching the westering sun slide behind the rim 
of the canyon, kindling the edges of the clouds into bright embers.  The 
steady thunder of the Bruinen roared below him, echoing the pounding of 
his heart.  He had just heard the news brought by Elrond's swift-winged 
doves. Legolas was close now, maybe a day's ride away.  After more than 
two years of fervent waiting, it was almost too much to bear.  
 
The dark-haired elf took a deep breath.  See, he scolded himself, all your 
fears come to naught.  He is coming, just as he promised. He does love 
you.  Elwin tucked the fiddle he carried under his chin and idly began 
playing snatches of songs. The tune evolved into a lilting ballad of lost 
love regained, one that he had learned long ago from the master fiddler of 
Bree.  
 
He remembered the serene look on the fiddler's rough bearded face as he 
played the tune that had first drawn Elwin to learn the instrument.  The 
man had taught him everything he knew about music and hadn't asked 
much in return, just a chance to be near one of the First-Born. When he 
died unexpectedly young, Elwin had taught his son, his grandson, and then 
his great grandson. The latter was now an old man. 
 
How bittersweet this contact with mortals! From them, he had learned the 
worth of a life that was over as quickly as a warm breeze on a summer's 
night.  Such a contrast with the elves who had all of eternity stretching 
before them.  Given endless years, unless violence or grief overtook them, 
it was easy to forget that time mattered.  A lesson well-learned during the 
past thirty-one months waiting for his beloved. The lesson that he sighed 
to the dark as he lay alone in his bed.  
  
Now his heart thumped with a joy that he fought to suppress for fear it 
would overwhelm him. But his hands conveyed his emotion, nimble 
fingers running over the fingerboard, bow surging across the strings.
 
"I haven't heard you play that one in a long while, Elwin," said a familiar 
voice behind him. "You must have heard the news."  
 
Elwin's bow arm separated from his fiddle in a sweeping motion. "You 
know me too well, Lindir," he laughed. 
 
"As well I ought." Lindir came around and leaned his elbows on the 
railing and looked out over the valley, his coppery hair falling forward.  
"And you've talked of little else since you came back from Mirkwood 
several years ago.  I am glad my ears will no longer be wearied by it."
 
Elwin frowned. "That's not so. I've hardly spoken of him at all." 
 
Lindir punched Elwin's arm lightly.  "I am teasing, meleth nīn.  Maybe 
you should have spoken more of it. You might have been less difficult to 
be around.  We have all noted how changed you were when you returned 
from Mirkwood. Gone was my fair and joyful companion, unsurpassed 
both in the music hall and between the sheets.  Instead there was a moody, 
preoccupied elf."
 
"I left the best part of myself in Thranduil's palace," Elwin said. "I did not 
know that it troubled you."
 
"Because you haven't noticed anyone else. You turned inward, meleth.  I 
came to realize that unlike all your previous dalliances, including the one 
we shared, this one was serious." Lindir paused, rubbing his finger along 
his nose. "But I am happy for your happiness.  I have never met this 
Mirkwood prince.  He had better be worthy of you, or I shall be forced to 
kick some sense into him!" He laughed good-naturedly.
 
Elwin looked fondly at his former lover and shook his head. "It is doubtful 
you would be able to kick much of anything into him.  He is the finest 
warrior I've ever seen."
 
"I'll have to test that for myself," snorted Lindir.
 
Elwin smiled. "Well, I suppose you came out here to remind me of our 
practice session."
 
"At least you remembered that, bain nīn!"
 
"I have a new piece to show you."
 
"A new piece. Enchanting," said Lindir.
 
"You'll like this one." Elwin's lips curled into a grin. He put his arm about 
Lindir's shoulders and they went into the main house to the Hall of Fire.
 
************************ 
bain nīn - my beauty 
  
************************ 
Elwin said, "On this one, at first it's just Lindir and Faereth on their drums. 
Here, allow me." He sat close to Lindir, pulling the elf's drum close and 
demonstrating the rhythm until Lindir's hands displaced Elwin's, pounding 
out the newly learned beat.  Elwin nodded as Faereth joined in.
 
Elwin picked up his violin and played a tune with an unusual chord 
progression.  It had a lush, mysterious sound.  "Now I come in here on the 
upbeat, steady.  Follow me. We will be going progressively faster and 
faster."
 
"Ah yes, I can feel what you're doing." Lindir grinned as his hands softly 
pounded on the tall drum grasped between his knees. "Thrilling, Elwin, 
the sound of the Woses."
The Hall echoed with a primitive, driving pulse. The three other musicians 
beat their hands on their thighs and moved rhythmically to the sound.    
      
Faereth added a syncopation to the rhythm. "This is different," she 
laughed.  "Will you get away with it, Elwin?  Elrond tends toward the 
traditional."
 
"Shush, feel the beat," Elwin growled.  His fiddle rasped in harsh chords.  
He pointed the bow briefly at another elf, "Come in now with the bass 
viol," he called. 
 
They continued, the rhythm becoming faster and more powerful. "Elwin, 
meleth," Lindir said, swaying his head, "you are heating up my blood.  
You'll have all the household hot and bothered." 
 
A tall robed figure emerged from the shadows and the music faltered, then 
ceased as the musicians stared at the imposing Master of Imladris.  His 
stance was quiet, hands clasped gracefully in front of him, his glance 
piercing.
 
"Pray, don't stop," he said.  "I passed by and heard something, uh, rather 
unusual."  He came forward into the firelight and stood in front of Elwin. 
"Your composition, I imagine?"
 
"Yes, Master Elrond." Elwin cast his eyes down in confusion. "Does it 
displease you?"
 
"Not at all. I heard in it a sound I have missed." Elwin looked at him 
quizzically and Elrond winked at him. "Carry on.  I look forward to 
hearing the full piece tomorrow."  He turned and left the room in a swirl of 
long robes.  
 
Lindir yipped and began pounding his drum again.  "My darling, Elwin," 
he said.  "You're one lucky elf."
 
****************************** 
Elrond stirred with the first pale yellow light on his face.  He heard a faint 
tapping at the glass and got up to open the window. Leaning out, he 
extended his hand and a little white dove hopped onto it. The bird flapped 
briefly for balance. Elrond drew her close and she settled against the 
warmth of the peredhel's grey silk robe.  She cocked her head and looked 
at him with beady black eyes, then emitted a series of cooing rumbles. 
 
Behind him, he heard the linen sheets shifting. "What is it, melda?" asked 
a melodious voice, husky with sleep.
 
Elrond looked back toward the bed as the long shape turned and propped 
himself up on his elbows, shaking a cascade of golden hair from his fair 
face. The peerless Glorfindel.
 
"From Thranduil. He's asking for word of his son's arrival."   
 
"The Misty Mountains are a dangerous crossing. He is a father after all," 
Glorfindel replied.
 
Elrond sighed. "Yes, indeed."
 
"What troubles you?"  
 
"My own sons. They heard the news last night and so they are setting off 
again.  I suppose I should be used to it by now." Elrond turned to the small 
creature he held.  "Go now and rest, pen niben," he said and threw the bird 
out of the window in a flurry of soft wings.
 
Glorfindel held out his arms. "Come back to bed."
 
Elrond shook his head. "I should not. I have to trim the hooves of that silly 
mare that foundered last week."
 
"Always it is duty with you, Elrond," said Glorfindel. "I know duty 
myself.  Too well. But there are times when you should let it go.  The 
horse is being admirably cared for by Rķwen."
 
"Rķwen is green, she doesn't know how to do it properly yet."
 
"I think you are making excuses."
 
"For what?"
 
"You know well." Glorfindel sighed. "I need tending too, my friend." He 
threw back the covers to reveal that splendid, muscular body, his thick 
shaft curving up from a nest of spun gold to lie swollen and hungry upon 
his abdomen.   
 
Elrond looked and wondered how his lover's exquisite beauty could fail to 
stir him as it used to.  He only felt weariness these days, the oppression of 
over six thousand four hundred, forty-seven years of life. The ring, Vilya, 
weighed down his hand even as the weight of Middle Earth sat upon his 
shoulders.  Few understood, maybe none but Galadriel.  
 
He knew he was being unfair to his glorious companion, the one who had 
comforted him in the devastating years after Celebrķan had departed, at 
first with both words and silent presence; then finally with his body.  How 
happy the nights had been once Elrond had finally let go of his guilt and 
abandoned himself to his lover's arms!  But in the last fifty years the 
coldness had seemed to close about him again.  He couldn't tell why.  He 
certainly couldn't make it clear to Glorfindel.  The golden-haired elf had 
been patient and kind with him, but lately, there had been a growing 
frustration.  
 
The Lord of Imladris moved over to the bed and then settled next to his 
seneschal.  Reaching down, he slid his hand about his lover's shaft. The 
skin was dry and warm, pulsing under his touch.
 
"Would you have me do something about this?" he inquired.  
 
Glorfindel snorted in disgust. He suddenly rolled away and got up.  "I will 
not be another duty for you to perform," he said, as he reached for his 
leggings lying on a chair.  He bent over to pull them on and Elrond 
reflected, without ardor, that his companion's rear was by far the comeliest 
in Middle Earth.
 
"Pen valthen, I'm sorry," Elrond said. "Come back here and I'll relieve 
you."  
 
The elf shook out his tunic with a snap. "Even with immortals, patience is 
not limitless," he said.  He finished dressing and left the room, closing the 
door abruptly.
 
********************* 
melda - beloved in Quenya 
pen niben - small one 
pen valthen - golden one 
**********************
Unable to sleep, Elwin had arisen early.  Singing to himself in a clear, 
silver voice, he wandered about his room trying to assess how it would 
look to Legolas's eyes.  The view from his window was inspirational, 
looking southward across a small balcony and down the long, narrow 
valley, now filled with shreds of morning mist.  Slender columns of 
supportive stonework crept up his walls and entwined in the vaulted 
ceiling above.  In one corner nestled a small fireplace.  Near it, hung in an 
artful arrangement, was the knife the prince had given him in Esgaroth as 
well as a half dozen stringed instruments.  Next to the fireplace was his 
large desk, littered with books and sheets of hand-written musical 
notation, which he now attempted to tidy up.  By the desk was another set 
of dark walnut bookcases filled with dusty volumes.  
 
Up a step and opposite the desk stood his delicately carved wooden bed 
with the black bedcover embroidered with leafy vines.  On the wall by the 
bed hung a number of water-color landscapes and some portraits done by 
his own hand, including one of Prince Legolas. 
 
Elwin went over to the painting and touched its frame gently. The prince 
stood in a meadow, his face wistful as a butterfly hovered near his mouth. 
My poor skill doesn't do you justice, meleth nīn, he thought.  He wondered 
if he should put it away.  It wouldn't do to let the prince know how much 
he doted on him.  Or would it?
 
He remembered their last time together in the meadow. A flurry of 
butterflies had arisen and one had brushed the prince's lips with its wings. 
"Even the butterflies can't resist your lips, as I cannot either," Elwin had 
said to his lover. How they had fallen on one another, wrestling off 
clothes, kissing, nibbling, and licking each other.  Ai, the feel of his skin, 
the look in his eyes! The exquisite sensation of pushing inside, feeling 
himself surrounded by that tight heat as he listened to his lover's 
anguished cries.  Moving hard within him, the rush toward completion.  
 
But in the midst of their passion, he could feel that his elven prince held 
part of himself back. The sensation, elusive as it was, evaporated in the 
moment of ecstasy and he finally heard Legolas cry out, "Gerich veleth 
nīn, Elwin," and Elwin's heart had burst with joy.
 
Elwin frowned as an image surfaced in his mind, an image of a small 
white scar located under the prince's breastbone. A scar that had not been 
there before the prince visited Smaug's ghost under the waters of Long 
Lake.
 
When Legolas did not come to Imladris at the end of the two years last fall 
as he had promised, Elwin had despaired. The prince had written to him, 
telling him he was waiting until his sister-in-law had her child and then he 
was delayed by early snow in the Misty Mountains.  Elwin had feared that 
the prince was just making excuses. 
 
And then there was a small matter of station. Legolas was the son of a 
king and by all rights should be consorting with someone of higher rank 
than Elwin. Even though Elwin had worked hard to be a master musician 
in Elrond's household, he was still not the equal of a prince.  
 
Ah well, he thought.  It was time to abandon doubt and fear.  Soon his 
love would be here and all would be well.   
     
He tried to imagine how the prince would look, what their first words 
would be to each other. Glancing longingly at the bed, he pictured Legolas 
lying back against the bedcover, his blond hair splayed against the pillows, 
holding his arms out for Elwin to fall into.  Oh, my treasure, Elwin vowed, 
I'll drive you wild with desire. I'll make love to you so thoroughly, you'll 
never want to leave me.  Elwin reached the climax of his song.
There was a knock on the door and he went to open it.   
 
A dark-haired figure entered, the younger of Elrond's twin sons. He was 
arrayed for war, wearing a heavy leather surcoat over chain mail, metal 
greaves, and arm braces.  A quiver was slung across his back. His hair 
flowed over his shoulders like a black waterfall.
 
"Elrohir," Elwin said. 
    
The twin's answering smile was like sunlight breaking through a cloud. "I 
heard you singing, Elwin.  For the first time in a while, you sound happy."
 
"Yes, I am."
 
"I can guess the cause, meleth. I have heard, the beauteous Legolas is 
coming." Elrohir slowly advanced on Elwin who took a step backward. 
The twin's expression was amused. "Ai, such a lovely elf is our Mirkwood 
cousin. Don't you think? Such stunning blue eyes, such a delectable 
expanse of flawless white skin." 
 
Elrohir moved closer, his sensuous lips parted slightly. "Flawless, with but 
one exception, a small beauty mark just here," His voice sank to a 
conspiratorial husk, "where the pulse throbs." 
 
He gently pressed his forefinger into the side of Elwin's throat under the 
jaw. He felt the blood pound in his neck.  With sudden clarity, Elwin had 
no doubt that Elrohir had taken his beloved at some point in the past.  He 
had not suspected it before.  His face flushed with jealous anger as he said 
coldly, "You are very observant, Elrohir, to notice such a tiny flaw upon 
casual acquaintance."
 
The twin smiled in a way that always made Elwin's loins tingle. He 
dropped his hand to his side. "He is an old friend of mine, too.  But, I am 
afraid I will not be here to greet him when he arrives."  He looked out the 
window. "News has come of a party of orcs traveling south through Emyn 
Helch."  His fair face spasmed into a look of such black hatred that Elwin 
felt a rush of fear. "My brother and I are leaving immediately to intercept 
them."   
 
Elrohir reached into a pouch at his waist and removed a small glass vial, 
which he pressed into Elwin's hand. "I brought a gift for him. Though, no 
doubt, you will appreciate it as well." The twin grinned, then leaned close 
and whispered in his ear, "When you are in the throes of passion, apply a 
drop." His fingers danced down across Elwin's crotch, causing the 
musician's shaft to twitch in spite of himself. "Think of it as an 
enhancement. Be judicious, a very little of this goes a long way."   
 
Elrohir brought his hands up behind Elwin's neck. "And afterwards, give 
him this for me." Before the musician could think to protest, Elrohir was 
pressing his lips to Elwin's in a soft, sensuous kiss. The twin pulled back 
and looked deeply into Elwin's eyes as he ran a thumb along his jaw. "My 
lovely, you taste so sweet," he said.  "I wonder why we never . . ." 
 
Elrohir leaned forward as if to kiss him again. Then Elwin noticed his eyes 
lose focus slightly.  Still looking at Elwin, the twin said loudly, "I was just 
coming, Brother." 
 
Elwin glanced past him and saw Elladan braced across the open doorway, 
also in full battle dress.  He had not said a word. Uncanny. 
 
Elrohir strode over to his brother and Elladan reached out to place a hand 
in the middle of his back, gently urging him out of the door. The older 
twin looked at Elwin. "Give the prince my greetings as well, Elwin 
meldir," he said.  "We are glad he is coming to stay here a while."  Elrohir 
glanced back at him briefly, then they were gone.
 
The twins had changed. Elwin remembered when they had been light-
hearted mischief makers, charming everyone around them. That was over 
four hundred years ago, before their mother's torture in the orc dens and 
her subsequent flight from Middle Earth had unhinged them and they had 
become fell.  No longer laughing and playing jokes, no longer taking 
lovers, or at least there was no rumor of it, instead they bent all their 
energy into the pursuit of revenge.  
 
Elwin wondered at the brief show of affection Elrohir had granted him.  At 
some point, he would have to ask Legolas about his relationship with the 
twin. He looked at the vial in his hand and shook it gently. The fluid 
moved with the viscosity of oil.  He grinned.  Among the twins' skills was 
a knowledge of aphrodisiacs. This could be put to good use.  Elwin set the 
gift in the cupboard over his bed. 
 
*********************** 
Gerich veleth nīn - You have my love  
Emyn Helch - hills of bitter cold or Malinornė's translation of "Coldfells" 
meldir - friend
***********************
Legolas's weight shifted sharply back and forth as his horse moved under 
him, picking a way down the steep, rocky path. They were traveling 
through the tumbled foothills of the Misty Mountains. The morning was 
turning fine, with a bright, blue sky.  All about him blooming madly 
amongst the lichen-covered rocks were tiny flowers: white, yellow, red, 
and blue.  Spring had come late this year.  Behind him the mighty blue 
peaks rose, still capped in white snow. Several small birds wheeled in the 
sky over them.
 
Legolas rode with an escort of three of his father's elite guards.  It had 
been a long but uneventful journey from the palace in Mirkwood.  He 
could see Ellech ahead, swaying over his horse's back, his long, chestnut 
hair flowing over his green cape. The hooves made a steady chuffing 
sound in the dirt, occasionally punctuated by a sharp click as they hit a 
rock. 
 
"My eye soars in the sky and then returns to earth to settle by . . . elloth," 
said Thornan from behind him. 
 
"My eye soars in the sky and returns to earth to settle by . . . fileg," 
Legolas replied.
 
A yellow butterfly landed on a bluebell and gave a snap of her wings.  
 
Thornan said,  "My eye soars in the sky . . . "
 
"Gwilwileth!" Legolas said quickly.
 
"Genediad!" Thornan replied, with a laugh.
 
"So, it's come to this, has it?" snorted Ellech, turning to regard them with 
amusement.  "You can find naught else to entertain you but elflings' 
games?"
 
"The answer is no, Ellech mellon nīn," said Legolas. "After traveling with 
you three for nigh on five weeks now, I think we've run out of 
conversation.  How much farther is it?"
 
"How many times is that now?" Thornan turned to Thrin, who rode behind 
him.
 
"Eighty-three, since we started," Thrin said. "Not that I'm keeping count." 
 
"It's as far as I said last night, minus the league we've traveled today," 
Ellech said. 
 
"You mock me," Legolas laughed. "I can't help it that I've never been west 
of the Misty Mountains before."
 
"I think our dear prince is impatient to gain his destination," Ellech said.
 
"Perhaps he is weary of the ride?" Thrin suggested, a smile coloring his 
voice.
 
"Weary of this one and anxious for one of a different sort." Thornan 
chuckled.
 
"You are insubordinate, all of you," Legolas laughed. "I'll have to ask 
Elrond what his punishment for that is."
 
"Hopefully, it is to be stripped naked and chased by two dozen love-
starved Imladris elves," Thornan said. "It's been, well, it's been a long 
time."
 
"It's only been five weeks for you, my insatiable friend," said Thrin. "For 
some of us, it's been longer."
 
"Well, Prince, to answer your question, we are close to our goal.  I 
recognize that rock formation over there. We should reach Imladris by 
nightfall," said Ellech.  
 
"By dinnertime. I hear Elrond keeps a good table," said Thornan. "It'll 
certainly beat lembas and dried fruit, which is all we have left."
 
"Ah Thornan, always thinking of your stomach and your . . . walking 
stick," laughed Ellech.
 
"I'm just focussed on the important things of life," Thornan replied, 
"eating and ah, walking."
 
There was a gentle lilt of laughter among all of them. 
 
"We'd have had some meat if you hadn't missed that hart a week ago," 
Thrin said.
 
"You're never going to let me forget that, are you?" Thornan replied.
 
Legolas smiled as he listened to his companions.  He looked off in the 
distance wondering when he would see the valley of Imladris. He'd heard 
that it was so well hidden that it suddenly opened up at a traveler's feet 
with no warning.  
 
Not for the first time on this journey, he questioned taking a step like this.  
To show up at Elrond's house with no clear plan for the future, how long 
he would stay and what he would do, just to fulfill a promise he'd spoken 
to Elwin while half bemused by pleasure. Oh, but what pleasure!  He 
smiled as he recalled what a skilled bedmate the dark-haired elf was. 
 
His father had been unhappy about his liaison with Elwin and imposed a 
two year wait before Legolas could rejoin his lover. Legolas knew that 
Thranduil expected the infatuation to pass and his son to turn to other 
pursuits. But Legolas had been true, partly in defiance of the expectation 
and partly because of a need he could not put his finger on. 
    
Elwin's beautiful face appeared in his thoughts, bent over his desk, 
studying some sheet music. The image faded and Legolas sighed. He did 
love the Imladris elf, didn't he?  It was a strange sensation. Every time he 
felt the intensity of his affection for Elwin, it seemed to retreat, to be 
replaced by a dry, whispery feeling. 
 
Curse the dragon and his bargain! 
 
Vividly he remembered standing naked and defiant in the dragon's lair as 
Smaug looked down at him with those huge golden eyes sliced by empty 
black pupils.  Again he felt the dismay that had filled him when he 
suddenly realized the meaning of the worm's riddle. "You want me to give 
up my heart?" he had asked incredulously.
 
"Just the barest portion of your affection for the other elf," the dragon had 
hissed.  "You will still be able to love him, but you will never be able to 
give your whole heart to him.  And you may never tell him the reason 
why."
 
Legolas had sunk to his knees. "You drive a cruel bargain, Smaug," he 
cried.  "There is naught else that you desire?"
 
"I could devour your lover's whole heart.  A much better deal for me, as 
the strength of his passion is great, but it would kill him," Smaug said.
 
"I cannot allow that!" Legolas cried. 
 
The dragon laughed again, the terrible sound reverberating about the 
cavern. "Then it's a slice of your heart, Elf," he roared. "In return I shall 
give you three of my precious teeth, enough to cure everyone of the fever. 
I deem it a fair exchange."
 
Legolas had to agree; there was no choice in the matter.  Suddenly he 
gasped and clutched at his tunic as he felt again the sharp agony of the 
dragon's claw piercing his chest and withdrawing a bloody sliver of flesh.
 
"Are you well, my Lord?" asked Thornan, stopping in the midst of his 
playful argument with Thrin.
 
"Yes, well," Legolas replied.  Absently, he stroked his fingers over the 
ache in his chest.     
   
*************************** 
The sun was sinking westward toward the horizon.  Legolas and his three 
companions had managed to scramble down the roughest of the mountain 
slopes. Now that the path was a little wider, they rode two abreast.  
 
"We are close now, my Lord," said Ellech, his voice hushed.  "Can you 
hear the murmur of the Bruinen River?"
 
On the edge of the prince's sharp hearing was the white noise of falls.  But 
now there was something else, something intangible that beat on his body.  
A feeling of tension and power.  He searched the rocky land ahead and 
thought he could see a faint shimmer as of the air itself bending and 
stretching.
 
"Ellech, do you feel that?" Legolas asked in awe.
 
The elf nodded. "Imladris," he whispered. 
 
Suddenly, just as he had been told, the path opened into a narrow ravine. 
The horses carefully descended, sliding and sending little showers of 
pebbles to plunge into a long drop.  The steep walls of the canyon rose on 
either side as they began negotiating a series of switchbacks.  Legolas 
breathed deeply of the air scented by sun-warmed pine trees that stood tall 
and patient on either side of the trail. The roar of the falls grew and so did 
the sensation of moisture in the air.  
 
Legolas had the strong feeling that he had crossed into a place outside of 
Middle Earth, beyond the wearing of time.  He imagined Valinor would be 
like this.  His spirit rose. Far ahead, he could see a slender white tower that 
looked as if it were carved from a spire of rock, perched on the edge of the 
deep valley. A figure stood at the top of it.   They heard a clear, echoing 
horn call.  Then from even farther away, an answer.
 
"The sentinels," Ellech said.  "They know we're here."
 
**************************** 
*elloth - flower 
*fileg - small bird 
*gwilwileth - butterfly 
*genediad - reckoning 
*Note - how to play Genediad.  Very much like "I spy with my little eye."  
Players alternate finding something that they can see that begins with the 
next letter in the alphabet.  If one player can guess what it is before the 
other says it, the other player has to say, "reckoning."  Silly fun. 
*Thanks to Claudio for the information on Elrond's age.
 
- to be continued - 



Time Enough for Love 
by Elfscribe, elfscribe5@yahoo.com 
Characters: Legolas/OC (Elwin), Elrond/Glorfindel, Lindir/OC 
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Capella 
Disclaimers, notes, see chapter 1
First posted: March 28,2004 
*****************************
 
Chapter 2 - Reunion
 
Elwin heard a horn call echo down the valley.  It must be him!  Running 
down the stairs and out of the massive entrance hall, he joined dozens of 
chattering elves eager to see who was visiting. There! Through the 
archway, four horsemen were coming. He picked out the prince among the 
group of blond Mirkwood elves. He was sliding off his grey mount and 
looking about in wonder as he led the horse forward. Ah, Elwin knew that 
well-knit form, those long, lean legs. No one else moved with his supple 
grace. Elwin's heart pounded in his chest.
 
Lord Elrond appeared at the top of the stairs, tall and regal in his loose 
silver-embroidered robes. The crowd of elves quieted and parted to allow 
him to pass.  He descended and stopped in front of the travelers. Legolas 
bowed low and his escort followed suit.
 
"Legolas Thranduilion," Elrond said. "We have had word of your arrival. I 
am Elrond. I bid you welcome to Imladris."
 
"Thank you, my Lord. I bring my father's respects and a letter." Legolas 
tapped his chest.
 
That voice! The voice whose music haunted his dreams. Elwin thought he 
would be content merely to hear that soft tenor with the slightly breathy 
husk forever whispering in his ear. 
 
Elrond said, "I believe the letter can wait until you've had a chance to rest 
and eat and wash away the trail's dust. The journey from Mirkwood is not 
a trivial one." He made a gesture and some elves hurried to take their 
horses.  
 
"I appreciate your hospitality," Legolas said. He indicated the elves with 
him. "My fellow travelers, Ellech, Thornan, and Thrin."
 
Elrond inclined his head slightly and turned with a hand held out. "May I 
present members of my household, Chief Counselor Erestor. . ." The dark-
haired elf nodded curtly.  "My seneschal, Glorfindel." Glorfindel gave the 
prince a warm smile. "Master of Arms . . . ."  
 
As Elrond continued making introductions, Elwin bounced on the balls of 
his feet trying to see over the others and sighing impatiently at all these 
formalities. He noticed Legolas's eyes searching the crowd. Then their 
glances met with almost physical force. The prince's face softened into a 
radiant smile and Elwin felt his knees weaken.
 
With a quick flick of his eyes, Elrond followed the Mirkwood prince's 
gaze up to Elwin's face. "Musician Elwin," he called. "Perhaps you would 
care to show our guests to their rooms?"
 
He knows, thought Elwin. How was that possible? He had barely talked 
about his relationship with Legolas. But then Elrond seemed to know most 
of what went on and elves were notorious for gossip. Looking around, he 
saw many eyes and smiles directed at him. He could feel his face growing 
hot.
 
"Yes, of course, Lord Elrond," Elwin responded. He pushed free from the 
crowd and descended several steps. "This way, my good elves." 
 
Then he noticed something, a little gesture.  Legolas had touched his chest 
briefly, as if it pained him. 
 
************************ 
Legolas felt a surge of pleasure as he saw his lover's fair face among the 
crowd: those sensual violet eyes, silky raven-dark hair, that playful and 
intelligent expression. Elwin, my love, he thought, there is no one like 
you. He felt that little ache again and pushed the sensation away. No need 
to let such a small thing bother him, he'd taken many a worse wound in 
battle. He climbed the stairs rapidly to stand close to his lover. They 
clasped each other's forearms.  
 
"Welcome to Imladris, Prince," Elwin said fiercely.
 
"Elwin, you remember Thrin who accompanied us to Esgaroth."
 
"Of course, I will never forget that valiant journey you made upriver to tell 
King Thranduil we'd been imprisoned by the Lakemen."
 
"Neither will I," Thrin laughed. "I am honored by your good words."
 
"And I would like to present Thornan and Ellech."
 
They bowed to each other and the Mirkwood guards smiled at Elwin as 
they made their way up the stairs and past the great entrance way. 
Turning, they went down another long hall, then outside again and up a 
stone stair that wound back and forth to another level. 
 
Legolas felt Elwin's eyes on him. "It is good to see you," the dark-haired 
elf muttered. "It has been a long time."
 
"Yes, indeed, mellon nīn," Legolas said.  He leaned forward and 
whispered. "Decorum prevents the greeting I would like to give you."
 
"Oh, and what would that be?" Elwin whispered back.
 
"Remember the market place at Esgaroth," Legolas said, his eyes straight 
ahead, knowing full well the effect of bringing up the rather public 
pleasuring that Elwin had given him there.  
 
The corners of Elwin's eyes crinkled in mischief. "Well, my Prince," he 
said. "We have no market places at Imladris, but perhaps a substitute 
could be found."  
 
Legolas caught an amused look passing among his guards. 
 
As they made their way to the rooms, the elves exchanged jests. Thrin told 
Elwin about counting the many times Legolas had asked the distance to 
Imladris.  And Elwin laughed, his eyes alight. 
 
Legolas studied him, realizing how beautiful and desirable he found the 
dark-haired elf. He sighed. Perhaps this was the right choice after all, to 
follow the part of his heart that he still had left.
 
The prince made certain the other Mirkwood elves were settled in their 
rooms and then followed Elwin. Without the others talking and joking, it 
was strangely silent and awkward between them.  Elwin stopped at a door 
at the end of the hall, opened it wide and walked in, his footsteps thudding 
softly on the stone tile.
 
He turned to Legolas. "This is to be your room. I imagine they will bring 
your bags up soon."
 
Legolas smiled at him. "Are you just going to stand there, Elwin, or are 
you going to give me a proper welcome?"
 
He didn't know how the dark-haired elf had crossed the space between 
them, but suddenly the musician's arms were wrapped about him and the 
elf's warm lips had captured his.
 
"Ai, it's been too long," Elwin gasped as they broke apart. "I never thought 
you would come."
 
"You doubted me?" Legolas replied. They paused and looked at each 
other.
 
"I don't know. I expected you last fall when the two years were up."
 
"I explained the reasons in my letter." 
 
"I feared you were making excuses, meleth," Elwin said. "I thought that 
was the end of us." His eyes held a veiled look and Legolas could see how 
hard the delay had been on him.  
 
"I'm so sorry." Legolas drew the dark-haired elf close, kissing him 
tenderly. He felt Elwin relaxing in his arms.
 
"Well, you're here now. That's all that matters," Elwin said. 
 
"It doesn't seem real," Legolas said.  
 
Elwin took the prince's hand and put it to his face. "Feel me. I'm real."
 
"I'd like to feel more of you," Legolas said.  
 
"That can be arranged." Elwin kissed Legolas again fervently and began 
walking the prince slowly backwards across the room. The back of 
Legolas's legs contacted the edge of a bed and he let himself be pushed 
down. Then Elwin's weight landed on him and the prince let out a loud 
"umph!" 
 
"Yes, I can feel that you are quite real, Noldo," Legolas said. "And none 
too light."
 
"I'm no bigger than I was the last time you saw me, Sinda."
 
"Something feels rather . . . uh, large," Legolas said, flexing his hips up 
into his lover.
 
The dark-haired elf laughed and settled between Legolas's legs. The prince 
could feel a bulge pushing against him, burning desire into his loins. He 
looked up into Elwin's half-lidded, violet eyes surrounded by long black 
lashes, his black hair falling forward. Reaching up to trace a full, curved 
lip, Legolas said, "You feel so good. I'd forgotten how I love your touch."
 
"You forget nothing," Elwin replied. "You just didn't want to remember. 
Now that you're here, we will create new memories, Legolas."
 
"Oh, I want you," Legolas breathed. He crossed his legs around Elwin's 
waist and pulled him closer.
 
"You have me. You have all of me," Elwin said and opened his mouth to 
devour his lover's lips.  
 
They heard the sound of a throat clearing. Startled, both looked up at the 
open doorway.  Glorfindel was standing there, his lips curled up into a 
slight smile.  
 
"Prince Legolas," he said, "I have to confess that usually our guests are not 
welcomed with such . . . enthusiasm."
 
Legolas unclasped his legs from Elwin's waist and the musician stood 
quickly. The prince sat up with some attempt to recover his dignity. He 
finally gave up and laughed.  "I was just commending your welcoming 
delegation, for his diligence."
 
Glorfindel's smile broadened. "In his diligence, did he tell you that dinner 
will be ready shortly?"  He stepped aside and an elf brought Legolas's 
leather saddlebags into the room and dumped them on the floor. "There is 
just time to wash and change."
 
"I believe he was too busy making me feel welcome to bring up that small 
matter," said Legolas.  
 
Elwin was blushing, an uneven reddening of his cheeks. He said, "I shall 
leave you to get settled then, Prince. I'll return to escort you to dinner." 
 
He bowed and started to walk past the seneschal, but Glorfindel put a 
gentle hand on his shoulder. "Elwin, your passion becomes you, in your 
music and in your life. Never be ashamed of expressing it."
 
Elwin looked at him, eyes bright, then disappeared.
 
Glorfindel turned to the prince. "Legolas. You must sit with me at dinner 
and tell me of Mirkwood. I have not been there for an age." He smiled. 
"Until then." He dipped his head and left.
 
Legolas sat on the bed looking at the strange surroundings and thinking. 
So that was the famed Glorfindel. The fearsome Balrog slayer. He was not 
as Legolas had imagined him, a grim mythical figure. He had eyes that 
missed nothing, like that of a hawk, but they were alight with joy and a 
fine sense of humor.  A being of air and earth. Legolas wondered what it 
would be like to cross swords with the famous warrior. Then there was 
Elrond, stern, lordly, welding a veiled power that Legolas had felt even 
before reaching Imladris.  It would seem he was housed amongst legends. 
Just as his father had said to him on the morning he set out, a chance to 
learn. It was a good choice to come here, he thought. If only for a time.  
 
****************************   
mellon nīn - my friend 
Noldo - an elf of the Noldor race
Sinda - an elf of the Sindarin race
 
*****************************
" . . . So then my father told Talagan that if all those fire lizards weren't 
out of the wine vats in five minutes, he was going to shove them down 
Lord Celeborn's fancy britches.  Celeborn turned white and said in all 
seriousness, 'You can't do that, Thranduil, the stench would never come 
out. It took Galadriel three months to weave the material. She'd kill 
me.'" Legolas grinned.
 
The group of elves sitting around Elrond's large table roared with laughter 
at the prince's story.
 
"Precisely the way I remember Thranduil," Elrond said.  
 
"Celeborn never did understand his sense of humor, did he?" Glorfindel 
chuckled.
 
Elwin was watching Legolas from across the table as some elves came 
around and served desert. The Mirkwood elf was relaxed, smiling. Truly 
he was royalty, interacting easily with these great lords. And so beautiful, 
a dream of unattainable perfection suddenly within reach. Elwin's gaze 
lingered on the delicate lines of the prince's cheekbones and jaw, the 
burnished gold of his hair, lapis bright eyes. 
 
Those eyes turned to look at him and narrowed wickedly as a hint of lust 
crept into them. Elwin shivered with anticipation. He returned the gaze 
and ran his tongue slowly along his top lip.
 
Legolas took a sip of wine, moistening his lips with the red liquid.  He 
allowed a drop to run along his lower lip before he finally swept out his 
tongue to gather it into his mouth.
 
Elwin tilted his chin up in challenge. He dipped a spoonful of yellow 
custard from his dish, slid it deliberately into his mouth with a soft sigh, 
allowing the creamy sweetness to spread over his tongue.  He turned the 
spoon over and licked along the curved bowl with a long, caressing swipe, 
all the while looking at Legolas through his eyelashes.
 
The prince picked up a strawberry, swirled it in his custard and took a bite, 
pulling the flesh apart with a slurpy, sucking sound.  Red juice burst down 
his chin. He wiped it off with a forefinger, which he popped into his 
mouth and let linger.
 
Greatly amused as he watched this latest display, Elwin slipped a shoe off 
one foot. He stretched a long leg under the table, sliding up the prince's 
calf, along his inner thigh, to rest on the soft bulge between his legs. 
Legolas looked startled for a moment, and then pumped his finger in and 
out of his mouth twice. 
 
Ah yes, meleth, we can raise the stakes on this game, Elwin thought. He 
pushed gently against the prince and then rocked his foot sensuously back 
and forth. He felt Legolas's member responding, unfurling within his 
leggings. Elwin wriggled his toes and slid them up and down the 
elongating shape. He ran a big toe along the outline, starting at the soft 
bulges at the base, up that hardness confined at an angle, and finally 
flexing his toes gently over the tip.  Legolas closed his eyes briefly and 
made a small sound in his throat. The blood was thundering in Elwin's 
own loins by now, his member steadily hitching upwards.
 
There was a lull in the conversation and Elwin glanced up to see the others 
at their end of the table looking at him, expectantly.
 
"I said, Elwin, aren't you conducting the concert this evening?" Glorfindel 
asked, with a smile.   
    
Casually, Elwin withdrew his foot, slipping it back into the shoe. "My 
apologies, my Lord, I was just thinking about it. I should go and warm 
up."  He rose and bowed. 
 
"It seems rather warm in here already," said Glorfindel. "Wouldn't you 
agree, Legolas?"  The smile had broadened.
 
"Yes, quite warm. If you'll excuse me, I believe I'll go for some night 
air." Legolas rose and gave a low bow, with one hand on his breast. "My 
Lords Elrond, Glorfindel, Erestor, Nimdhal, Aglar, I thank you for your 
fine hospitality, excellent food, and superb conversation."
 
They all stood. Elrond dabbed at the corners of his mouth with a napkin. "I 
am looking forward to many more dinners together. You are welcome here 
as long as you wish to stay," he said.
 
Elwin left the hall. Turning the corner, he waited a moment. Legolas 
appeared and Elwin grabbed his arm. The prince raised an eyebrow. Elwin 
laid a finger on his lips, and with a quick jerk, pulled him into a curtained 
alcove. 
 
They staggered against one another, falling against the wall with a slight 
thud. It was very dark. A wand-width of light from a narrow gap in the 
curtain fell across the prince's face.  Elwin could smell his sandalwood-
scented arousal, feel the heat from his body.   
 
"There are no marketplaces in Imladris," Elwin whispered into Legolas's 
ear. He put his hands on the prince's back, pulling him close, rubbing their 
lower bodies together. "But the same effect can be achieved without one." 
He heard the prince's breath catch.  
 
"I thought you had to get ready for a concert," Legolas whispered 
teasingly.
 
"It can wait a few minutes."
 
"A few minutes! What do you take me for?"
 
"An elf who is about to feel my mouth." Elwin silenced Legolas with a 
deep kiss, pushing his tongue past the prince's lips. He tasted like 
strawberry and custard and sweet wine.  A soft moan vibrated in Elwin's 
mouth. Their tongues stroked together. With one hand, he reached down 
between them, pulled up the prince's tunic and cupped the hardening 
bulge, massaging him through the leggings. At first softly, then quicker, 
more urgently.  Another moan.  
 
Elwin felt Legolas's fingers pushing down past his waistband, seeking to 
reach lower.  The Imladris elf grabbed the prince's hand. 
 
"I want to touch you, Elwin."
 
"Later," he whispered into Legolas's ear. "I want all my desire to burst 
forth in my music tonight. I want you to listen to it with the tingling heat 
of my mouth still fresh upon you." He felt the prince shudder.  
 
Elwin's slid his hands up under Legolas's tunic, his string-sensitized 
fingers searched his lover's strong chest finding the tiny hardened points of 
his nipples and agitating them, eliciting another breathy groan. 
 
Elwin smiled, sank down to his knees, and rubbed his face against the 
prince's crotch.  Breathed in the smell of him through the rough 
cloth. Then he was quickly undoing the laces, reaching in and pulling out 
that hard column of flesh. Oh, this was what he desired, to play this most 
exquisite of instruments. Holding him by the base, he stroked that flesh 
across his lips, feeling the slight moisture at the tip. He flicked out a 
tongue and swirled it around him, then ran it up and down, making him 
wet.  
 
Legolas sighed. "It's been too long since you did that," he whispered.
 
In answer, the musician opened his mouth wide and engulfed his lover, 
pushing him deep to the back of his throat, while cupping his tongue 
around him to get a good suction. Then he moved, at first slowly, 
deliberately, gauging the pace by the gasps above him, the trembling of 
the legs.  Back and forth. Faster.  Ah, how beautifully the prince filled his 
mouth. He rolled his tongue around the hardened length. Cupping the soft 
sacs below, kneading them gently. Another ragged moan.  Legolas 
thrashed a bit, his clothes rasping across the wall. 
 
"Sweet gods, Elwin. No one does that like you. No one," he gasped.
 
Elwin gripped the curve of the prince's hips and moved back and 
forth. The breath above him came faster now, shallow, punctuated by a 
sharp, sighing inhalation. The hips under his hands flexed rhythmically, 
thrusting into his mouth. A burst of sweet fluid told him the prince was 
getting closer. A hand pressed at the back of Elwin's head, another gripped 
his shoulder. 
 
A shudder. Ah yes, he's close. Come, my prince. Let me taste you. Legolas 
shuddered again. Rocked his hips up and released; his attempt to suppress 
a cry only partially successful. And Elwin tasted him, like a creamy blend 
of fermented grapes. So delicious. Elwin drank him down hard to increase 
the prince's pleasure.
 
"Blesséd Arda," Legolas panted.
 
Elwin continued gently mouthing him until he started to soften. Then he 
planted a kiss on the head and returned it to the shelter of the leggings. 
Legolas sighed and slid down the wall.
 
Elwin smiled, satisfied, even though his own member still throbbed.  He 
licked his lips.
 
***************************** 
Lingering at the table after the others had left, Glorfindel drained his wine 
glass while Elrond stared out the window into the darkness, filled with 
thoughts of ages long gone.  He felt immensely ancient, like an oak grown 
heavy with moss. Then he heard Glorfindel hum a stanza from an old lay. 
Elrond looked up into his lover's eyes.
 
"Thranduil has a charming son, does he not?" asked the seneschal.  
 
"Yes, and our lovely Elwin seems quite taken with him."
 
"I'd say the feeling was mutual." Glorfindel smiled. "It's good to see young 
love flourishing in this house. It's inspiring, don't you think?"
 
Elrond sighed and nodded. "I can feel their heat from here. They didn't 
even make it out of the door."  
 
The seneschal laughed. "Remember when it used to be so with us?"
 
"I do."
 
"Perhaps it could be that way again." Glorfindel brought Elrond's hand to 
his lips and kissed the backs of his fingers.  
 
"I would like to think so," Elrond said, but he felt hollow. "Well, 
Seneschal, I have some work to do before the concert. Shall we go?" He 
rose and went down the hall with Glorfindel at his side. They passed the 
curtained alcove and heard an earthy cry of pleasure.
 
Elrond paused, put his hand to the curtain for a moment, and became 
overwhelmed with the rush of sexual energy. He caught a quick series of 
images: Elwin writhing in Legolas's lap, his head thrown back, dark hair 
spread like night across his pale skin; a deep kiss under a waterfall; the 
pair curled together in a forest with leaves drifting down; a cloud of 
butterflies in a meadow. 
   
"Blesséd Arda," he heard whispered behind the curtain. 
 
Elrond smiled. Such passion. He felt his own body responding in a way he 
hadn't felt in a while. But then there was a shift in the swirl of time and the 
emotional note changed to fear: riding a horse at high speed through the 
night, orcs leaping in the firelight, Legolas crouched sobbing over a still 
form. Profound grief. Elrond was ripped apart by it. He staggered back 
and Glorfindel caught him.
 
"What is it, melda?"  
 
Elrond shook his head, his finger at his lips. Quickly, he headed for the 
stairs, mounting them two at a time. Glorfindel came after him.  
 
"What did you see, Elrond?"
 
"The future," Elrond hissed. He climbed higher, strode down the hallway, 
his robes flowing around him, and then up the narrow stairs, up, up to his 
private chamber in the highest tower of Imladris.
 
 
-to be continued-


Time Enough for Love 
by Elfscribe, elfscribe5@yahoo.com 
Characters: Legolas/OC (Elwin), Elrond/Glorfindel, Lindir/OC 
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Capella 
Disclaimers, see chapter 1
Author's note: Auditory inspiration for Elwin's fiddle playing provided by 
the incredible group "Leahy." If interested go to: 
http://www.leahymusic.com/theband/discography-leahy.htm and check 
out "B Minor" and "The Call to Dance" on the Leahy CD.  Not exactly 
what Elwin played, but it'll give a feeling of what listening to him would 
be like. 
First posted: April 3, 2004 
*****************************
 
Chapter 3  - Concert 
 
A shadow briefly blocked the thin ray of light from the hallway and 
Legolas heard a whispered voice say, "What is it, melda?" It sounded like 
Glorfindel. The prince struggled upright, his member still throbbing from 
Elwin's attentions.
 
"Who was that?" Elwin asked, also standing and wrapping his arms about 
Legolas.
 
"I think Lords Glorfindel and Elrond. I fear I am distinguishing myself as 
a wanton."
 
Elwin bit Legolas's earlobe, pulling playfully. Legolas could feel his grin. 
"Just wait until I get you in my bed tonight, Sinda. No one in the house 
will miss the music we will create." He gave the prince one more quick 
kiss. "I'll be in the Hall of Fire." 
 
"Where is that?"
 
"Just follow the others. In about an hour."
 
****************************** 
Legolas went outside and stood at the porch railing, listening to the ever-
present rumble and hiss of the falls down the cliff face. The air was 
cooling but still warm. Eärendil's star shimmered above the horizon. 
Looking behind him, he could see different sections of the house climbing 
up the steep side of the valley, windows ablaze in torch light. He heard 
many voices, some lifted in song, some laughing; the clink of dishes being 
washed somewhere; the pleasant cacophony of musical instruments being 
tuned; then further away, the nicker of a horse. It seemed warm and 
friendly, quite unlike the echoing caverns of his own home. His body felt 
relaxed, still vibrating with sensation, his stomach full of good food and 
wine. With a sudden rush he realized that he was happy. It was a moment 
to grasp and hold.  
 
He sensed two familiar elves coming up behind him and turned to greet 
Thornan and Ellech.
 
"A special place, isn't it, my Lord?" Ellech said.
 
"Yes. I think I could stay, for a while."
 
"I've been meaning to ask. How long are we going to be here?"
 
Legolas felt that small pain return to his chest. He turned away and looked 
out over the deep shadows of the valley. "I don't know, Ellech."
 
"Well, I am content to stay as long as you wish," said Thornan, leaning 
rather drunkenly against a carved pillar. "Dinner was marvelous and the 
company was, shall we say, quite stimulating.  There is something about 
these dark-haired elves, isn't there?"  He grinned at Legolas, showing a 
quick flash of white teeth in the darkness.
 
"I'm sure I wouldn't know." Legolas smiled.
 
"Well, my Lord, our insatiable friend here is already on the prowl," Ellech 
said. "We were invited to eat with about a dozen of the household, from 
various quarters, but mostly off-duty sentinels. I think he had at least three 
of the Imladris beauties entranced."
 
For a moment Legolas appraised Thornan. He was unusually broad-
chested and muscular for an elf, well-suited as a guard. His skin, a rich 
bronze from being outdoors, contrasted with his hair which shone silver in 
the light of the newly rising moon. His expression was good-natured. His 
nose had once been broken and so carried a lump in the bridge, giving his 
face character. Legolas could see the attraction.   
  
"Just behave yourself," Legolas laughed. "I don't want to have to make a 
quick exit because some irate lover is after your skin."
 
"Why would you think such a thing?" Thornan protested.
 
"He might think that only because it's happened before," laughed Ellech.  
 
Thornan's face broke into a grin. "Ah, yes." 
 
A single bell rang out over the valley. They saw elves beginning to file 
toward the main house.  
 
"That must be the signal for the concert to begin," said Ellech. "After you, 
my Prince."
 
"No, I'd rather keep both of you in my sight just to make sure you don't get 
into trouble," Legolas teased. "Go on."
 
They walked up the stone steps and into the entrance way, joining a crowd 
of elves unhurriedly moving into a great hall. When he entered the room, 
Legolas saw that the pillars and floor were made of shining black marble 
which reflected the red glow from the fire. Elwin and the five other 
musicians were seated on chairs at the end of the hall. Elwin's expression 
was intent as he stared at the flickering firelight. He turned his head just as 
Legolas sat down. The prince smiled at him and Elwin nodded. 
 
The elves were picking cushions up from along the walls, finding a spot 
between other elves and sitting down. Several moved to make room for 
the prince near the front of the crowd. Finally they quieted and there was 
only the sound of soft whispers and an occasional pop from the fire.
 
Elwin stood. "Elves of Imladris," he said in a loud voice. "We would like 
to welcome our Mirkwood friends to our revelry this evening." He 
bowed. "Prince Legolas, guardians Ellech, Thornan, and Thrin, this is in 
your honor."
 
He began to sing the familiar hymn to Elbereth which often opened 
gatherings of this sort. "A Elbereth Gilthoniel, silivren penna mķriel . . ."
 
His voice, clear and pure as struck crystal, echoed through the 
hall. Legolas felt a sudden shiver. Then the five other musicians joined in, 
singing a capella in close harmony, and Legolas's heart overflowed with 
the sweet sounds. 
    
Elwin finished and allowed a long silence before beginning a new song: an 
ancient lay, accompanied by the group playing strings. In a minor key, it 
told the tragic tale of a warrior and his ohtarnil who is slain in a battle. The 
warrior holds his dying lover and vows to see him again in Valinor. 
 
Elwin sang in the traditional style, without undue emotion, but as his voice 
swelled up into the soul-stirring high notes, Legolas was moved to tears. 
How amazing his Elwin was!  He had heard him sing before but never one 
of the classics. The careful rendition made him realize that his lover was a 
scholar as well as a performer and his admiration increased. Even though 
he was the product of royal tutoring, the prince felt a lack in this area as 
his hands were more often filled with weapons than books.
 
Legolas looked at Thornan and Ellech sitting near him and Thrin a little 
farther back. They and the other elves about them were motionless, 
watching with shining eyes. The prince saw a tear slip down the cheek of 
the pale-haired maiden sitting next to him.  She reached up to brush it 
away and her glance caught Legolas's.  Smiling self-consciously, she 
whispered, "That song always undoes me." 
 
The prince nodded and felt the ache in his chest again, along with a 
strange apprehension. Looking toward the edges of the crowd, Legolas 
noticed that Lord Elrond was missing and so was Glorfindel. Something 
must have detained them, he thought. His attention returned to the music. 
 
Elwin finished, bent his head, and the crowd sighed. There was the sound 
of shifting  clothes as the group took up their instruments. Elwin tested the 
tuning of his violin by playing a few notes, then with a grin, he nodded at 
his group, stamped his foot to a vigorous beat and launched into another 
tune. This one was in that style peculiar to men that Elwin loved so well - 
a jig. Within the first measure, the mood of the hall had shifted to 
enthusiastic delight.
 
***************************   
Elrond climbed the stairs to his study in the topmost tower of Imladris. It 
was dimly lit by a lantern in the hallway but Elrond would have known his 
way in the dark. The room had large windows on three sides allowing him 
to survey the length of the valley, north, south and west and to view the 
starry sweep of sky all around the horizon. He unlatched one of the 
windows, throwing the two panes wide, and let the beauty of the night 
pour in.  
 
Settling into a well-worn leather chair, he composed himself. He wanted 
to understand the vision he had glimpsed downstairs that had so disturbed 
him. Perhaps the violence could be prevented. The Master of Imladris 
stared at brilliant Gil-Estel glowing in the northwest, like a rich diamond 
displayed against blue-black velvet.   
 
Eärendil, my beloved father, Elrond prayed, guide my thoughts. Reveal 
what is to come.  He brought the image of Elwin and Legolas into his 
mind as he had seen them staring hungrily at each other across the dinner 
table and held it there. The star's radiance seemed to pulse more brightly 
as Elrond prepared himself for the seeing. 
 
He felt the center of his forehead burn as the roof over his head dissolved 
and he was amid the fiery wheels of heaven. All around him hummed 
currents of time, drifting and eddying. So fickle. One action here, like 
dropping a stone into the current, and the stream adjusts to a new course, 
the outcome never certain. The art of prescience was inexact and yet . . .  
sometimes would reveal the shape of the future. Now bright visions 
formed, flickering rapidly. Elrond held Vilya before his face and the 
mighty gem sparkled and glowed, focussing the images.
 
He heard the sound of drums echoing in the Hall of Fire and the soft 
murmur of dozens of his elves as they went from the Hall to bathe. Then 
the sound of water roaring raggedly over stones. Felt heat and passion 
even before he saw the shadowy figures, joined together.  
 
The seeing brought him closer. Elwin's dark hair swung as he thrust 
rhythmically. Underneath him Thranduil's son lay on the ground, his body 
jerking with each thrust, his hair splayed around his head like star fire. The 
prince rolled his head back revealing a long, white throat. His mouth 
dropped open.  A cry began as low hum and finally erupted from the 
prince in a howl of ecstasy. Elwin answered in a rush, "Legolas, vanima!" 
as his hips rammed forward in one final homage and held still, quivering. 
        
The Master of Imladris shook with the force of shared pleasure that 
kindled fire in his own loins. He groaned and struggled to control himself, 
then gave in and allowed it to consume him. Just as he felt overwhelmed, 
another image abruptly flared before him: two golden eyes with long, 
black-slitted pupils, a wicked, wheezing laugh, a flash of daggerlike teeth, 
and a long, curving claw. Dwarfed before the beast was the forlorn figure 
of the prince sunk on his knees.  
 
A feeling of cold dread came over Elrond.  Blessed Varda, they were 
dealing with a dragon's curse!  Now, if it would just reveal its nature to 
him. He felt a warrior's rush as he pulled the time currents toward him, 
forcing them to yield. 
 
****************************** 
Glorfindel sat on his haunches outside Elrond's door feeling the energy of 
the scrying as it swirled and whispered around him. This ability of 
Elrond's awed him. He himself had highly honed sensitivities to things 
unseen in the bright sun: shadows, portents, a sense of impending evil. 
The mark of the Balrog was never fully erased. He used his skills to help 
guard Imladris. But he could not divine the future. Even though he knew 
what Elrond saw was never a surety, he feared the forces that his lover 
unleashed and exhorted. So, he reasoned, even if he couldn't help his lord, 
he could keep watch.   
 
The seneschal settled back against the hard wall to wait.
 
******************************* 
Almost two hours had passed and the concert was drawing to a close.The 
crowd of elves were dancing in place, clapping their hands to the rhythm. 
Elwin's face was shiny with sweat as he drew the final chords from his 
fiddle. 
 
There was an outburst of applause. Elwin bowed and swept out his hand to 
indicate his group, who also bowed. Then he said, "Our last piece is a new 
composition and somewhat unusual, but I think you'll like it." He nodded 
at Lindir and Faereth, who pulled  their drums close.  
 
The crowd sat back down and the musicians let silence settle around them 
for several long minutes. Then Lindir and Faereth began a primitive, 
driving beat. Faereth tossed her head, throwing back her long, dark hair, 
her almond-shaped eyes sparkling.  Lindir looked up at Elwin and grinned. 
 
The crowd began moving to the infectious sound. At first, it was a 
rhythmic swaying of bodies, then clapping in time. The rhythms began 
changing, becoming more urgent. Elwin was tapping his foot to the beat. 
Then he raised his fiddle to his chin and began to play.  
 
The effect was totally different than the earlier jigs and reels, or the chants 
and lays.  This was music of elemental power that bespoke the yearning of 
spring, the drive of seeds to sprout and shove their way upward through 
the black earth to surface in one ecstatic leap into the sunlight, the 
headlong rush of a stag towards the lowered antlers of another.  
Excitement reverberated through the crowd. 
 
Legolas's face grew hot. Licking a bead of moisture from his upper lip, he 
watched Elwin, serene and concentrated, back bent slightly as his arm 
swept back and forth over his instrument, his tall, slender body moving 
with the cadence. Then the musician's violet eyes met the prince's and his 
face lit in a knowing smile. Legolas felt a warm rush to his loins. 
 
This was all for me, wasn't it, meleth? Legolas thought. Oh, how I plan to 
repay you as soon as I can get my hands on you.
 
Legolas felt the drumbeats thrumming in his chest and his lower body. 
Just as Elwin had said, the prince could still feel the vibration of his lover's 
mouth on his shaft. He imagined drawing the musician's grey silk tunic 
over his head and watching him play bare-chested, seeing how his biceps 
flexed, the tendons in his forearms rippled, how his pectorals tensed and 
released. He wanted to tongue the delineation of those muscles down the 
middle of his chest and abdomen into his navel. From there, pull apart the 
lacings of Elwin's leggings, hitching them down further until just the top 
of his shadowy curls was revealed.  
 
Then it would be a matter of slowly easing inches of cloth past that marble 
staff, letting it free to the air. He remembered how it looked, so strong and 
thick and beautiful.  He wanted to put his mouth around it, wanted to feel 
it within his body, stretching him wide. His balls clenched in a hot spasm; 
his own member moved to a strange angle within his leggings and he had 
to shift himself surreptitiously. Gods, the dark-haired elf would own him if 
he wasn't careful.
 
The drums were thundering now to a rainstorm cadence. Suddenly they 
halted. The bass viol groaned a sliding series of triplets, the viola 
followed. Elwin's violin sang one high clear note, then the drums began 
again and rolled to a finish.
 
There was a moment of stunned silence and then the crowd opened up 
with a roar.  The musicians bowed, looking at each other with glowing 
faces. Elwin's eyes flicked to Legolas's for a moment. The prince stood 
and cheered with the rest, then stepped to the side as a press of well-
wishers came forward to greet the musicians.
 
Slowly the hall cleared. There were knots of elves talking, singing, and 
laughing. Legolas noticed many of them leaving by twos or threes, 
holding hands or with arms clasped about waists. No wonder, he thought, 
Elwin's music was enough to get anyone's blood pumping.  
 
He turned back to watch Elwin, whose face shone with pleasure as he 
somewhat shyly accepted praise. The other musicians were packing up 
instruments and moving them to an adjacent room. The last elf left and 
Elwin stooped to put his violin in a case.  
 
Legolas came forward and Elwin looked up at him and asked, "Well, what 
did you think?" 
 
"I think you are gifted by the Valar."
 
Elwin gave a little laugh. "I took a risk with that last one, but one needs to 
take risks sometimes, don't you think, pen velui?"
 
"Yes. I loved it. It was very, well, suggestive."
 
"As it was meant to be." The musician snapped his case shut.
 
Lindir came out of the store room. His eyes passed up and down Legolas 
and he smiled. He turned to Elwin. "Introduce me, meleth."
 
"Of course. Prince Legolas, my dear friend Lindir," Elwin said.
 
Lindir bowed. "I am pleased to meet you finally, Prince." He said the title 
with a slight hesitation.
 
Legolas held up a hand. "Just Legolas, especially here." 
 
"All right then, Legolas," Lindir said. "I have, of course, heard about you 
over the years and Elwin has made some mention of you, but he's been 
uncharacteristically reticent. However, now I understand the 
infatuation." He looked at Legolas sidelong, then said, "I would guess 
you're staying for a while?"
 
"A while, yes," Legolas said, somewhat haltingly. 
 
"What do you intend to do while you are here? Ah, aside from the 
obvious."
 
"Unknown, at present. I'm sure Lord Elrond will find something useful for 
me." Legolas felt uncomfortable as Lindir had voiced his own concerns. It 
seemed as if the elf was a father asking what the prince's intentions were 
toward his child. Legolas changed subjects. "You are a talented musician, 
Lindir. Have you played with Elwin a long time?" 
 
Lindir's fine-boned face took on a sly expression. "Thank you. Indeed, 
Elwin and I have *played* together ever since he became interested in 
music, about four hundred years ago." He cast a little smile in Elwin's 
direction. 
 
The prince detected a familiarity in the reply. He nodded.  
 
Lindir said. "Well, please excuse me. I'm heading to the baths. I met one 
of your Mirkwood guards at dinner tonight. Charming elf.  I thought I'd 
see if he'd gone up there."  He raised his eyebrows suggestively and Elwin 
laughed. "I hope you will join me, shortly?" Lindir continued.
 
"Yes," Elwin said.
 
As Lindir walked by, he leaned close to Legolas and whispered, "If you 
hurt him, I hurt you." He indicated Elwin with jerk of his chin.
 
Startled, Legolas tensed, his body automatically moving into a fighting 
stance but Lindir was grinning at him as if he was joking. He made a 
formal obeisance, bending at the waist and rolling his hand in the old 
courtly manner, then turned and left the room. 
 
"Former lover?" Legolas asked.
 
"How did you know?"
 
"It was rather obvious, especially when he threatened to hurt me," Legolas 
laughed.
 
"I thought that's what he said. You may run into that a few more times."
 
"You mean you have more old lovers lurking around here?"
 
Elwin looked at him mischievously. "My dear Legolas, I think you know 
that I was not reluctant to enjoy those pleasures and I've had more than a 
few elves in my bed in the past.  Most of them still reside here."
 
Legolas moved close and took the dark-haired elf in his arms. "Then shall 
I have to fight to keep you?"
 
"Do I detect jealousy and possessiveness? All the better! Yes, you'll have 
to fight for me." Elwin leaned into the prince's touch and kissed him, then 
said more seriously,  "You have already won me, my love. The past is just 
that, the past." 
 
"That's well, as I don't think I want to share you," Legolas replied. "You 
were magnificent, tonight. I can't believe I have such a talented elf in my 
arms. You have inflamed me."
 
"Good," Elwin said. Their lips met again at first softly, then 
hungrily. Their bodies pressed together. Legolas's hands drifted down and 
slid over Elwin's rear. He kneaded the taut, succulent flesh in his hands as 
he pulled Elwin's loins close to his. The raven-haired elf drew in a quick 
breath.
 
"Let's find a spot under the stars," Legolas suggested.
 
"We have a tradition here of bathing after a gathering like this," Elwin 
replied. "It is under the stars and I know you'll like it. Very relaxing, 
particularly after a long journey." He gave the prince another lingering 
kiss.  
 
"Is that where the others were going?"
 
"Yes."
 
"I was thinking of some place a little more solitary."
 
"Just for a while. This is not to be missed. But don't worry," Elwin gave 
him a sly glance, "I intend to have you all to myself soon enough. Come 
with me, meleth." 
 
Elwin took Legolas by the hand and they left the Hall of Fire.
 
********************************** 
Glorfindel looked up as Elrond emerged from his study with a grim 
expression on his face. He staggered a little and the seneschal leapt up to 
steady him.
 
"What have you learned?" he asked.
 
"More of fear than knowledge," Elrond said. "The future is a fickle 
business." He smiled at Glorfindel and drew a hand along the seneschal's 
cheek. "What are you doing here?  You should be making merry with the 
rest."
 
"Not while you are engaged in this activity," Glorfindel said. 
 
"Ah, my love, guarding me as even you did my father during the sack of 
Gondolin," Elrond said softly.
 
Let us hope this effort doesn't end as that other did." Glorfindel smiled 
grimly. "Now, tell me what you saw."
 
"There is something terrible in Elwin's future and it is bound up in his love 
for Thranduil's son." He paused. "There is a dragon's curse involved. I 
must ask Legolas what he knows about it before I decide how much to tell 
him. There is always risk in revealing the future, the risk that the very 
knowledge will produce the undesired outcome." 
 
Elrond's eyes were a restive slate-grey, pupils pooled black in the half-
light, a worry line creasing his forehead. 
 
"Should I go and find him?" Glorfindel asked.
 
"No, pen valthen. Tonight I wouldn't trouble those two for anything. They 
should keep their innocence for a while." He laughed a little. "I'm afraid I 
saw them in rather intimate circumstances. It was very . . ." He caressed 
the tips of Glorfindel's ears.
 
"Arousing?" Glorfindel asked. 
 
"Yes." The answer came as a whispered breath. "If only the scrying didn't 
exhaust me."
 
The seneschal smiled. "Then, I shall let you sleep, melda, but only for a 
while."  He touched his lips to Elrond's, then whispered into his mouth, "I 
shall hold your naked body against me and you will dream. When you 
awake, I'll be there, waiting for you."
 
"You are my waking dream, melethron," Elrond said, his lips pressing 
deeper into those of his lover.
 
********************************
ohtarnil - warrior love in Quenya 
vanima - beautiful one in Quenya 
pen velui - sweet one 
pen valthen - golden one 
melethron - lover 
********************************
-tbc-


Time Enough for Love 
by Elfscribe, elfscribe5@yahoo.com 
Characters: Legolas/OC (Elwin), Elrond/Glorfindel, Lindir/OC 
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Capella 
Disclaimers, see chapter 1
First posted: April 12, 2004 
****************************
 
Chapter 4 - Mingling to Good Effect
 
Humming to himself, Lindir filled a skin with a potent vintage, slung it 
over a shoulder, and then took the trail up to the springs. He pulled off his 
clothes and hung them up on the wall built for that purpose. Then he 
moved out into the darkness looking among the bathers for the Mirkwood 
elf who had caught his eye earlier. Lindir had flirted shamelessly with him 
during dinner and was delighted to find a response. Such a pleasant laugh 
he had, deep and easy, as they had jested over the differences between 
Mirkwood and Imladris elves. Thornan, his name was. Mmm, all that 
thick silver hair.  He wanted to drag his fingers through it. 
 
He had noticed Thornan staring at him during the concert. No matter that 
the elf's gaze had lingered on Elwin as well. Anyone in his right mind 
would admire his beautiful former lover. But Elwin was utterly besotted 
with the Sinda prince, and Lindir knew, had eyes for no other, leaving the 
way free for him.   
  
The musician shook his head. He couldn't help a twinge of jealousy when 
he thought of Legolas. He and Elwin had long ago arrived at an easy 
understanding. They were simply friends who occasionally ended up in 
bed together. At least that was true for Elwin's part. Lindir's feelings had 
always been stronger. But Elwin had bedded others and Lindir had 
accepted it and done likewise. All along Lindir knew that someday Elwin 
would fall hard for someone else.  
 
As soon as Elwin had returned from Mirkwood, Lindir knew that day had 
come. His former lover hadn't confided in him. Instead he had been 
moody, keeping to himself, writing or painting in his room. The only time 
he seemed himself was when they were playing music together. Lindir had 
tried his best to draw him out and had heard the bare details of Elwin's 
adventures in Mirkwood and the ill-fated trip to Esgaroth. But when Lindir 
pressed for a reason for Elwin's moodiness, the elf would only say that he 
had fallen in love with Thranduil's youngest son.  
 
Now that he had met the object of Elwin's affection, the beautiful Prince 
Legolas, Lindir could immediately see the attraction.  It was beyond the 
fact of a comely face and form.  Legolas had an intriguing beauty of the 
spirit, a certain vulnerability coupled with strength of will, that anyone 
would find hard to resist. 
 
Lindir wondered what would come of this. How could a prince maintain 
such an affair?  At some point, he'd have to return to his Mirkwood 
kingdom, perhaps for an arranged marriage. Elwin would be bereft and in 
need of comfort. Lindir could wait until then. 
In the meantime, the musician was not at all averse to sampling some of 
Mirkwood's other offerings.  
 
Ah, there he was!  On the other side of the pool, standing waist-deep in the 
water, his long hair draped over one broad shoulder. He was talking to 
Faereth and that other Mirkwood guard. Lindir looked him over. What a 
spectacular upper body, the muscles of his chest and abdomen well-
delineated in the moonlight. Guards were always in such good condition. 
Lindir wondered what the rest of him was like. He licked his lips. Yes, this 
elf would do quite nicely. He scrambled around the rocks to the other side 
of the pond and eased himself into the hot water.  
 
Thornan looked up at him and his mouth spread into a smile.
 
************************
Legolas and Elwin quietly made their way up several flights of stairs to a 
narrow, but well-trodden path that wound along the steep side of the 
valley. The low rumble and shush of a waterfall grew louder as they 
climbed. The sky overhead was bright with stars and a waning gibbous 
moon. The air was warm and fragrant.
 
They passed under a stone arch adorned with reliefs of carved nudes, both 
male and female. Their sensuous forms were lit by two flickering torches 
that made the figures appear to dance. Beyond was a sheltered dell with a 
long, lacy waterfall spilling down the cliff face and foaming into a 
boulder-strewn pool. Little wisps of steam curled up from the water.
 
"Ai, a hot spring!" exclaimed Legolas. 
 
"Yes, meleth. The water heats deep under the Misty Mountains. It makes 
its way along underground cracks to surface here.  I think it may be one 
reason why Elrond chose this part of the valley for the house. The 
waterfall is cold and the two mingle together to good effect."  He 
paused. "That also could be said of those who come to enjoy it."  In the 
silvery-blue light, Legolas saw him smile.
 
As they drew nearer, Legolas became aware of many fair forms moving in 
the water.  Some were paired, others in small groups. He heard the soft 
murmuring of voices blending with the sound of the falls.
 
"This way," Elwin said. They passed by a long carved wall with many 
niches on either side.  Legolas could see rows of clothes hanging along it.  
Elwin turned around a corner out of sight of the pool and stopped by a 
vacant spot. Steadying himself with one hand against the stone, he raised a 
foot and drew off one soft, leather shoe, then the other.  He reached for the 
bottom of his tunic. 
 
Then Legolas's hands were on Elwin's, helping lift the silky material over 
the musician's head, revealing his chest, sculpted by moonlight into a 
smooth, silver-shadowed landscape. The prince sighed and spread his 
fingers over the gentle curve of Elwin's pectoral muscles, stroking his 
thumbs across the elf's tender nipples. 
 
"I imagined myself doing this while I watched you tonight," Legolas said.
 
Elwin looked down at his lover's hands moving over him. "You did not 
imagine anything more?" he asked, his voice seductive.
 
"I did not say that," Legolas replied. He bent forward and took a nipple in 
his mouth, pulling gently, flicking his tongue over the tiny bump in the 
center, feeling it gather and tighten.  
 
"Mmmm," the dark-haired elf murmured. 
 
The prince put his hands behind Elwin's waist and pulled him closer. "As I 
recall, this is one of your weaknesses, lachenn," Legolas said. He kissed a 
path to the other nipple and sucked it greedily into his mouth.
 
"Ah yes, Sinda," Elwin groaned and arched his back. "Are you challenging 
me, Prince? For I remember your weaknesses just as well." 
 
Legolas raised his head. "Yes, I'm challenging you. I believe that I can 
make you cry out louder than you can make me. What do you say?"
 
"Challenge accepted, Ohtarnil. We go to battle. Ohhhh." Another moan 
escaped Elwin as Legolas gently bit his nipple. "But stop a moment, 
melethron, and remove these cumbersome garments."  
 
The dark-haired elf grasped Legolas's jerkin and lifted that and his tunic 
over his head, hanging them up on the stone peg. They paused and looked 
at each other, then each unclothed himself rapidly, tossing the garments 
against the stone shelf.  
 
Legolas stared as the rest of his lover's beauty was revealed, his smooth, 
white skin glowing in the light. The elf's dark hair flowed to just above his 
waist.  Between his long legs, his hardened flesh stood away from his 
body. The prince stepped forward and took Elwin into his arms, sliding his 
hands under the silky curtain of hair, feeling the twin columns of his back 
muscles flexing under the soft skin. Their loins sought each other and he 
gasped as his member made contact with Elwin's. 
 
"Oh, my love," Legolas said. "I cannot believe how good you feel. Why 
did I have to wait so long to have you in my arms again?"
 
"It was rather inconsiderate of your brother to get his wife with child so 
that she would bear just as you were planning to leave," Elwin teased.  
 
"I doubt he was thinking of me when he did it." Legolas laughed. "Oh, 
Elwin, I had to wait to see the little one as I didn't know when I'd be back.  
Father says he looks as I did at that age."
 
"Well then, he must be a beautiful child.  Still, he delayed your departure 
and for that he'll have to make amends at some point."
 
"Poor elfling. So young and already in debt," Legolas said.
 
Elwin laughed, then grew serious. He touched the gold band on Legolas's 
upper arm. "I see you still wear it." 
 
"I haven't taken it off since you gave it to me."
 
"I am pleased." 
 
"Elwin, I am burning for you," Legolas said. He sought his lover's lips 
again.
 
Elwin turned his face aside with a sly smile. "Meleth, let's join the others. 
You will enjoy it."
 
"I want to enjoy more of what I'm feeling at the moment."
 
"So impatient. You waited this long, you can't wait a bit longer?"
 
"You will be my undoing, baul nīn."
 
"Legolas, I promise you, I shall make it worthwhile," Elwin said, rubbing 
himself gently back and forth against the prince. The delicious friction 
shot another tingling jolt through Legolas. He wasn't sure how much more 
of this he could stand.
 
"All right, just for you, meleth," the prince said and pulled away. He 
looked down at their all too evident erections and laughed. "How shall we 
do this, without embarrassment?"
 
Elwin went around a corner and returned with two towels. He handed one 
to Legolas.  "Hide it for now, melethron. But don't lose it. I have plans for 
him." He reached down and fondled Legolas's shaft. 
 
"Lose it? Where do you think he will wander to?" Legolas teased and 
Elwin laughed.
 
They wrapped the towels around their waists, came out from behind the 
stone wall and approached the pool. The scene was painted in shades of 
deep blue and light grey. As they drew nearer, Legolas could see shapely 
white limbs moving. Bodies decorated the rocks, most sitting along the 
edge of the pool in water up to their waists, long hair fanned along the 
water's surface. Male and female. Hard chests and soft, rounded breasts. 
As they approached, fair faces and bright eyes turned in their direction. 
Legolas thought that he'd never been in a more magical place.
 
He and Elwin entered the water at a step carved in the rock, pulling their 
towels from their waists and setting them aside as they did so. Legolas 
gasped as the water enveloped him.  At first it was almost too hot to bear, 
but as he became accustomed to the temperature, it felt pleasurable. He 
could feel his muscles relaxing. The water rippled about him and 
occasionally a cold current from the waterfall flashed by.
 
Legolas saw Ellech and the woman musician Faereth talking closely to 
one another.  Ellech reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her 
ear. Thrin was another ten feet away, talking animatedly with a group of 
elves. There was Thornan, leaning back against a stone seat, one arm 
about Lindir's shoulders. Lindir's head rested on the bank.  He was 
gesturing with his hands and Thornan was laughing. 
 
So, Lindir, you located your Mirkwood warrior. Legolas smiled to 
himself, pleased that they were all finding a place here.
 
Lindir looked up. "Elwin," he called and beckoned. 
 
Elwin waded further into the steaming water. When it reached his neck, he 
began swimming across the pool. Legolas followed, diving under the 
water and coming up close to where Lindir and Thornan reclined. He 
surfaced noisily and shook his hair off his face.  Thornan sat up and 
hastily pulled his arm away from the Imladris elf. Legolas and Elwin 
settled on some flat rocks opposite the other two elves. The water lapped 
around their chests.
 
"Here you are at last," Lindir said. "I had given up hope."
 
"We were somewhat distracted," Elwin said, his eyes shining 
mischievously.
 
Lindir laughed. "Ah yes, I remember how easily you are distracted, mīr 
nīn. But you've left me to entertain this lovely Mirkwood visitor by 
myself."
 
"You don't seem to be having any trouble," Elwin replied. 
 
Lindir looked sidelong at Legolas. "Are all the residents of Mirkwood so 
charming?  If so, I fear a journey there is long overdue."
 
"I imagine we are charming in our own way," Legolas said. "We tend to 
be more, well, regimented in our approach. I can't imagine all of us 
mingling in a hot spring like this. What do you think of it, Thornan?"
 
"Loosening the constraints of custom is pleasant occasionally, my Lord," 
Thornan replied.
 
"I don't think your constraints need any more loosening," Legolas 
laughed. "You're lucky I'm not my father or you'd likely be standing guard 
in some remote spot far from pleasurable company."
 
"I am counting my blessings, my Lord." He pointed at Lindir, then the 
dark-haired figures near them. "One, two, three. . ."
 
They began laughing and Legolas said, "You see, Elwin, what I've had to 
endure in order to visit you?" 
 
Elwin smiled. "I think he would be a pleasant companion.  And were I in 
other circumstances, I might enjoy testing your warrior's agility."   
 
"I, on the other hand, have nothing to prevent my doing so," Lindir 
said. "And testing agility is something in which I excel.  Wouldn't you say, 
Elwin?" He slid a hand over Thornan's chest as he looked through his 
lashes at his former lover. 
 
Thornan laughed, then stopped short and looked guiltily at Legolas. "I 
didn't invite this attention, my Lord."
 
"You are not on duty now, warrior," Legolas said. "Enjoy the pleasures 
Imladris has to offer." Thornan smiled. 
 
"As I imagine you will, Legolas," Lindir said coyly. He sat up. "Speaking 
of pleasures, I have something for us. He stood, the water sliding off his 
supple body, his hair plastered to his back. Turning, he stretched across 
the bank to reach for a wineskin. The line of his buttocks was a perfect 
undulation of rounded hills and inviting valleys. Thornan's eyes flicked 
appreciatively over him and the prince smiled to himself.  
 
Lindir retrieved the skin and offered it to Elwin who tilted his head back 
and took a long draught. He smacked his lips. "Delicious." He handed the 
skin around to the others.
 
"One of your favorite vintages. I had it sent from Bree," Lindir said.
 
"Thoughtful of you, mellon nīn. It's been a while since I was last there. I 
wonder how my friend Will Rushlight fares?" Elwin replied.  
 
"Who is he?" asked Legolas. He could feel the heady wine coursing 
through his veins.  
 
"The great grandson of the man who first taught me to play the fiddle," 
Elwin said.  "His family has adopted me and I've given music lessons to 
four generations.  Will had a talent near to his venerable ancestor's, but his 
health has been failing.  I fear," he paused, "well, I fear the curse of men is 
nigh to him. I should visit him soon."
 
"Yes, the curse," said Lindir, "and we are told that the Valar meant it as a 
blessing. Men are strange to me. So quick to come and go, hardly worth 
bothering with. I always wondered what attracted you, Elwin, to spend so 
much time with them. I have watched you mourn the passing of each 
generation of this family."  
 
"They appreciate the life they have, maybe even more intensely for the 
shortness of it.  And everything wears with time," Elwin replied, "even the 
stars."
 
"These stars tonight look new-made as in the beginning of Ilśvatar's 
creation. How brightly they shine!" said Legolas, not wanting to imagine 
that anything so beautiful could die. He took another draught of wine.
 
"Not brighter than your eyes," said Elwin. He stroked a hand across the 
prince's cheek. There was a soft light about Elwin's face. The face of love, 
Legolas thought.  How wondrous it should be directed at him. The bruised 
feeling brushed inside his chest again and he hunched his shoulders in 
pain.
 
"What is it, meleth?" Immediately Elwin's expression was concerned.
 
"Nothing. We are talking too much. Kiss me," Legolas whispered.
 
"Here, in this company?"
 
"I would have it so." Legolas reached under the warm, dark water and 
wrapped an arm around Elwin's slim waist, pulling him close. They drifted 
several feet away into deeper water.  
 
The musician smiled, a slow, dangerous curve of the lips. He put his arms 
about Legolas's back, leaned in and kissed him gently. Soft lips gathered 
the prince's, released, only to retrieve them again.  Legolas sighed into the 
kiss, opening his mouth, and Elwin thrust his tongue inside to languidly 
stroke and curl around the prince's. Oh, that sweet, dark taste, those supple 
lips. Legoals felt his desire for the Imladris elf growing. 
 
They broke apart and Legolas reached up to touch Elwin's face. His eyes 
shone liquid in the moonlight. The shadows played under the planes of his 
cheekbones. So beautiful. 
 
"Ai, Elwin," Legolas sighed, "you taste too good."  
 
"Too good. Does that mean you don't want more?"
 
"Not at all. Give me more," Legolas breathed, reaching up and grasping 
the back of the dark-haired elf's head and pulling him back to his lips.  He 
felt so good in his arms, their chests pressed close, their slippery bodies 
sliding sensuously past each other. Elwin's shaft rubbed against the prince 
causing a honeyed buzz to shoot through his loins.  He moaned into 
Elwin's mouth. He felt the elf smile and the prince's tongue grazed the 
musician's teeth.  
 
Running his hands over Legolas's rear, Elwin sent a probing finger into the 
divide. Legolas jumped with a sharp splash, breaking the kiss with 
laughter.
 
Lindir called, "Hoy there, Legolas, you have to watch out for those frogs, 
you know. They'll jump out at the most inopportune moments." 
 
Legolas looked up through the gathering haze to see his warrior and 
Elwin's former lover gazing hungrily at them. Lindir had one arm around 
Thornan's neck, the other was fingering the curved surface of the 
Mirkwood elf's chest.
 
"Thank you for the warning," Legolas said loudly and then gasped again. 
Under the water, Elwin had brought his thigh up between Legolas's legs 
and was sliding it gently back and forth like a violin bow. 
 
Legolas was so hard, it was beginning to be painful. "Elwin, the water has 
become too hot," the prince gasped. "Is there a place, a place we can go?" 
His voice lowered to a growl. "Quickly, Elwin."
 
Elwin laughed. "Are you burning up, Prince? Come then."   
 
"Leaving us so soon, my friends?" Lindir cooed. "Your presence has been 
inspirational."
 
"You must understand, meleth," Elwin said, "I promised this Mirkwood 
elf a tour and we have now tarried overlong."
 
"A tour, indeed, of every nook and cranny of your sweet domain," Lindir 
chuckled.  "I shall let you go, but only after a kiss."
 
Elwin nodded and moved through the resistant water to Lindir, embracing 
him and kissing him briefly. Legolas heard Lindir whisper, "I wish you 
joy, melethron. He is lovely."
 
"As I have always wished happiness for you, dear friend," Elwin said.   
 
"I shall see you tomorrow, Thornan," Legolas said.  
 
"Not too early, I expect, my Lord." Thornan winked at him.
 
Legolas and Elwin swam across the pond, moving around bodies, some 
now entwined. They heard soft voices bidding them good night. They 
stepped out of the water, wrapping towels around their waists and then, 
hand in hand, picked their way across the grassy bank.
 
************************* 
Lindir watched Thornan's eyes following the pair to the bank.  
 
"I should make sure he is safe," Thornan said. 
 
"Do not worry. Evil things don't come into Imladris. You are freed from 
duty for a time. Besides I'm not sure he'd want an audience just now." 
Lindir laughed.
 
"No," Thornan agreed. "Although I have to admit the thought of watching 
the two of them is . . . ."
 
"Mmm.  I know what you mean. Have you never imagined yourself with 
the beautiful prince?"  
 
Thornan looked shocked. "He is the prince. I should not."
 
"Tell me, I know you have." 
 
"You are a naughty one. Well, yes, on occasion." Thornan rubbed his nose 
self-consciously. "Who wouldn't?  But then tonight I've been admiring his 
dark-haired companion. All through the performance this evening, well, 
I'm afraid I was thinking unseemly thoughts. And watching them together 
just now . . .  guh. I don't mind telling you, my Imladris cousin, it has 
heated me more than this water."
 
"Ah yes, the lovely Elwin. I can tell you that whoever lays hold of that elf 
shall taste of the Blesséd Realm before the morn."
 
"You sound as if you speak from experience."
 
"Mmm.Years of it. Elwin has imagination, beauty, passion, a very talented 
mouth, and uh certain other assets. What could be better?"
 
"And what talents did you offer him?" Thornan took Lindir's hand, 
brought it to his mouth, and began sucking on his fingers gently.   
 
"I think my offering was satisfying."
 
"Show me and I'll judge for myself." The guard released Lindir's hand and 
abruptly hauled the musician up onto his lap in a rush of water.  
 
"Ah, maethor, do you think you can handle what I have to give?" Lindir 
teased as he felt the length of Thornan's stiffened flesh slide along his 
thigh and settle against his own throbbing member.  
 
"Cheeky Noldo," Thornan said. He took Lindir's face in his hands and 
pulled him into a hard kiss.  
 
************************** 
Elwin led Legolas around a maze of boulders that had sloughed off from 
the cliff face.  The roar of the falls grew closer.
 
"Where are we going?" Legolas asked.
 
"You'll see, pen vain." They paused outside a wall of large rocks skillfully 
fitted together.  Elwin pointed at two smaller stones that lay next to the 
path. "We're in luck, it's vacant."  He stooped and placed one of the stones 
atop the other. "A signal to others," he smiled.  "So, we won't be 
interrupted."
 
They went through a narrow entranceway into a small dell.  It was 
illuminated by three small lanterns that cast a gentle golden glow.  Below 
them they could see the numerous yellow lights of the Last Homely 
House, an organic, many-tiered structure nestled against the cliff face and 
perched over the dark chasm of the river. A warm contrast to the silvery 
river of stars overhead. Legolas was again struck by a feeling that he was 
home. The ache whispered in his heart.
 
"We have a nice view here." Elwin gestured.
 
Legolas dropped his towel and reached over to grasp the one around 
Elwin's waist, slowly peeling it off him. "A perfect view," he said as his 
eyes swept over his lover's body.  He came forward and enfolded the dark-
haired elf into his arms, kissing him for many long minutes.
 
Then, with a deft motion, the prince kicked Elwin's leg out from under 
him and tumbled with him to the moss-covered ground. The musician 
laughed as they rolled and the prince settled on top of him. 
 
"At last," Legolas sighed as he felt the warm body molding to his. "No 
more interruptions, no more obligations.  I will have you now, lachenn." 
 
"Work your will on me. I won't object," Elwin said.
 
"Even if I use you roughly?" Legolas teased. He grabbed Elwin's wrists 
and held them pinned on either side of his head.  He began rocking his 
hips into the dark-haired elf's groin, rubbing his hardened member against 
Elwin's and had the satisfaction of hearing him moan.  
 
"The harder you take me, the better I'll like it." Elwin ran a tongue across 
his lips. "There is oil up behind the rock.  Near the lantern in an alcove."
 
Legolas rose and walked over to the alcove. Reaching in, his fingers 
contacted a rounded surface and he withdrew a little ceramic jug.  
Returning, he set it near Elwin. 
 
"Remember our bargain, Sinda," Elwin said. "You have to make me cry 
louder than I can make you." 
 
"What if I think you are holding back, for the sake of winning a bet?"
 
Elwin chuckled. "Then, you'll just have to torture me until you are sure I'm 
not holding back. Uh," he gasped as Legolas sucked a nipple into his 
mouth and rolled it around on his tongue.
 
"I am quite good at such interrogations," Legolas said and moved to the 
other tender bud. Elwin thrashed and moaned and Legolas finally released 
it with a popping sound.  He slid down the dark-haired elf's body and 
began working his way down his chest and onto his abdomen. He cupped 
his hand over Elwin's throbbing organ.
 
"I owe you for your attentions earlier this evening," the prince said and 
flexed his fingers around his lover's long shaft. Elwin propped himself up 
on his elbows to look down at him. His pupils were wide and dark, like a 
night-hunting cat's.
 
"Go ahead, repay me," he said. "I dare you."
 
This time Elwin's gasp was deeper, breathier than before as Legolas 
opened his mouth and took him inside. Elwin was just as he remembered, 
as he had imagined earlier that evening in the music hall. So good in his 
mouth. The prince worked his tongue up and down that length, allowing 
the juices to flow until the shaft was slick. Then he swallowed him as deep 
as he could, pulsing his mouth around him. 
 
Elwin shuddered and moaned louder, more urgently. Legolas felt fingers 
grasping his hair and pulling.The prince smiled around his mouthful, 
cupped Elwin's sacs and gently kneaded them, as he continued his long, 
hard pulls on Elwin's cock. 
 
"Legolas, melethron! Stop. Oh gods, I'm going to come!"  
 
The prince allowed the length to slide out of his mouth. He closed his 
hand around it and continued gently stroking.
 
"Do you want something else?" He nuzzled the soft, dark curls. 
 
"Yes," was the gasped reply.
 
"What?"  
  
Elwin nudged Legolas's cock with his knee. "I want this. Put yourself 
inside me."
 
"I don't know. Maybe I should torture you some more as recompense for 
making me wait earlier." Legolas ran his thumb over the head of Elwin's 
member, rubbing slick moisture into the skin.  He put the fingers in his 
mouth. "You taste good, Elwin." He sucked noisily on his fingers while 
the dark-haired elf shifted under the slow pumping of his other hand. 
 
"I'm telling you, baul nīn, if you don't take me now, I shall roll you over 
and do it to you," Elwin panted.   
 
"Bring your legs up, meleth," Legolas whispered and when the elf did so, 
he pushed a finger into his tight entrance. Elwin groaned. The sound shot 
straight to Legolas's loins.  The prince added another and began pumping 
the fingers in and out, reaching for that sensitive area within his lover.   
 
"Sweet Elbereth," Elwin cried out and stiffened his legs. 
 
"Ah, that hits you right, then?" Legolas said.
 
"Uhh hunhhh," the Imladris elf replied. 
 
When Elwin's increasingly desperate moans seemed to reach a peak, 
Legolas withdrew his fingers and reached for the pot of oil, uncorked it, 
and dripped some over Elwin's rear. Then he took Elwin's hand and 
poured oil into it. "Prepare me," he whispered.  
 
Elwin half sat up and began slowly rubbing oil over Legolas's member all 
the while gazing at him with lust. When they were both well slicked, 
Elwin leaned back and spread his legs apart.
 
"Now, mīr nīn, do it now," Elwin said. He looked so beautiful in the soft 
glow of the lamps, his face flushed, eyes half-closed. 
 
Legolas reached down and guided himself up to the entrance, then pushed 
hard and was suddenly enveloped by that tight, hot passage. He moaned in 
delight.  
 
"Oh, meleth, you feel so good. So good," Legolas gasped. Elwin grunted 
softly. Legolas continued slowly pushing his way in, inch by inch, until 
his balls contacted Elwin's rear.
"You have it all, now." He flexed the muscle and felt the dark-haired elf 
shudder around him. "Are you all right?"     
 
Elwin nodded, his mouth a thin line. His breath hissed past his teeth. 
"Valar! I will be in a moment. Oh, how I've waited for this. Now, lover! 
Take me hard."
 
Legolas pulled almost all the way out and then shoved in again, sending a 
thrill riding along his shaft. He braced himself on Elwin's shoulders, 
holding him down as he took him with long hard strokes.  Faster and 
faster, he pounded into the writhing body under him. 
 
"Ah, that's it, Legolas. So good," Elwin moaned. He grabbed the prince's 
upper arms, rocking him in deeper. His whole body was moving back and 
forth with the force of Legolas's thrusts and he cried out loudly each time 
Legolas sheathed himself to the hilt.  Then Elwin reached down and took 
himself in hand, stroking hard.  
 
The prince felt his release gathering. Curiously, he realized that, as before, 
the ache in his chest had disappeared and suddenly he was overwhelmed 
by emotion. "My lover, you are so beautiful!" he cried.
 
"Legolas!" Elwin went rigid, arching his back. An ecstatic cry escaped his 
lips as he spattered hot seed against the prince's chest.
 
That sound unlocked the prince. Pleasure rippled through his loins and he 
emptied himself into Elwin so hard that it hurt. "Uhhhh, gods," he heard 
himself moan.  He continued moving erratically, as bliss roared through 
his body, followed by a sudden wave of sharp passion, which seemed to 
lodge in his heart.  His eyes stung and his chest heaved in a suppressed 
sob. He bit his lip to control himself.
 
Elwin was panting under him. His eyes were closed and he rocked his hips 
gently while he continued pulling his softening length through his 
hand. The prince moved Elwin's hand out of the way and slid out of the elf 
as he collapsed on Elwin's chest. Then he rolled to the side, pulling the 
dark-haired elf over with him.  
 
Elwin opened his eyes and smiled at him. He reached up a finger and 
traced a tear from the corner of Legolas's eye down his cheek. "Why are 
you crying, my love?" he asked gently.
 
"It's just that you are too wonderful," Legolas said. He could find no 
words for his predicament. He desperately wanted to love Elwin to the 
depths of his soul and for a moment the curse had seemed to lift, giving 
him a glimpse of how it might have been. The pain was profound. 
    
Elwin gently ran his fingers over Legolas's chest, lingering over the small 
raised scar on his breastbone. "I can feel that something within you aches 
and is unsure. Cast it away and let me love you, even if it's just for a 
while."  He pulled the prince close and kissed him.  
 
Legolas sighed. He lay back, allowing it all to wash away, the doubts, the 
pain.  The stars were so bright overhead. He could hear his heart 
pounding.
 
Elwin rolled on top of him, smiling wickedly. "My turn," he murmured. 
"That was quite a sound you made just now. But I think you can do better. 
You will have no voice left when I'm done with you, Sinda."   
 
**************************** 
pen vain - beautiful one 
lachenn - an elf of the Noldor race 
baul nīn - my torment 
mīr nīn - my treasure 
maethor - warrior 
Sinda - an elf of the Sindar race 
***************************
-tbc-


Time Enough for Love 
by Elfscribe, elfscribe5@yahoo.com 
Characters: Legolas/OC (Elwin), Elrond/Glorfindel, Lindir/OC 
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Capella 
Disclaimers, see chapter 1
First posted: April 23, 2004 
**************************** 
Chapter 5 - Elrohir's Gift 
  
Staring up at the stars, his loins still tingling from their lovemaking, Elwin 
lay contentedly next to Legolas. He ran a hand down the prince's back, 
feeling the Mirkwood elf's skin slowly cooling in the night air. How 
wondrous that Legolas was here, by his side. Elwin wanted to gather up 
these moments and hold them to his heart forever. But the damp ground 
was fast becoming uncomfortable. "Perhaps we should go back to the 
house, meleth," he said. 
  
"Mmm." Legolas nuzzled Elwin's neck. "I was just thinking some mulled 
wine would taste good before going to bed."  His words rasped and he 
cleared his throat. 
  
"Mulled wine can be arranged." Elwin sat up. "I think I won the bet. You 
are losing your voice." 
  
"I wasn't any noisier than you," Legolas scoffed.  "I'm sure I won." 
  
"The night is not over yet," laughed Elwin.   
  
Legolas groaned, "The Valar save me from insatiable musicians." 
  
Elwin held up a finger for silence. On the other side of the wall, he could 
hear muffled, breathy moans, two voices in concert.       
  
"I think we've created an echo," Legolas said with a laugh. 
  
"Indeed." Elwin leaned over and kissed him, then reached to pick up his 
towel and tucked it about his waist. "We have been greedy in our use of 
this place. Let's go." 
  
Like shadows, they slipped through the gap in the wall and around a 
corner where they came upon the source of the noise. 
  
A very naked Lindir was bent over bracing himself with locked elbows 
against the stonework. Thornan had him by the hips and was grinding into 
him as hard and fast as he could. His buttocks were clenched into hollows 
with the effort. Their shadowed faces were contorted in ecstasy and they 
were both trying, unsuccessfully, to contain their cries.   
   
"Some elves just have no self control," Elwin said as they walked by. 
"Wouldn't you agree, Legolas?" 
  
"None at all. It's scandalous," the prince replied. 
  
Thornan froze.  
  
"Some elves have been singing so loudly that the screech owls cannot 
compete," Lindir panted. "And taking much too long. Talk about scandal. 
Now, if you don't mind, we're busy. Uh, gods, Thornan, don't stop." 
  
Legolas and Elwin smiled at each other and quickly passed them by.  
  
*************************   
Elrond jerked and murmured in his sleep and Glorfindel abruptly became 
conscious.  He squeezed his arms gently around Elrond's warm body, 
reassuring him. The peredhel's hair, faintly scented with rosemary and 
lavender, tickled his nose. He could feel Elrond's heart thumping. Another 
bad dream. Glorfindel sighed. Nightmares often followed a scrying 
session.  
  
He sat up and sniffed the air. It was several hours before dawn. Then, 
voices in the hall. Low laughter. Who could be prowling about at this 
hour? The warrior disengaged himself from his lover, got up, and slipped 
on a robe. He went to the outer room, opened the heavy oak door, and 
peered out.     
  
A single sputtering lamp illuminated the hall. At the far end Legolas and 
Elwin were struggling up the stairs, each trying to get to the top first. 
Legolas pushed Elwin out of the way and Elwin grabbed him and hauled 
him back, hindering forward progress.  They were barefoot, carrying their 
shoes. Their hair was damp, their tunics unlaced. Elwin's garment had slid 
off one shoulder. Both were choking with suppressed laughter as Elwin 
stumbled and fell with a thump on the landing, dragging Legolas down on 
top of him. They lay still, kissing. Legolas's hips flexed against the dark-
haired elf underneath him.   
  
Glorfindel smiled and closed the door quietly. He stood for a moment, 
leaning his forehead against the cool wood. Then he drew off his robe and 
crawled back into bed, planting a kiss on Elrond's shoulder before falling 
into his own restless dreams. 
  
************************** 
Elwin shoved Legolas into his room and shut the door behind them. The 
prince spun around laughing.  He felt light headed with the quantity of 
wine that he'd drunk and the heady anticipation of another bout of 
lovemaking. "So you managed to get me into your bower, Imladris elf," he 
teased.   
  
"Yes, finally, you deadweight. I think our romp on the stairs woke up half 
the household," Elwin replied. 
  
"You were the one who tripped and fell." 
  
"Because a certain Mirkwood elf knocked me over. I swear you're drunk." 
  
"I am not!" Legolas protested, although he knew that it was a distinct 
possibility. 
  
"No, you only walked through Lord Erestor's herb garden because you 
thought he'd like flattened parsley for a change."   
  
"That was an unfortunate event due to your poor directions. I will 
apologize to him tomorrow and offer to replant them."   
  
"Yes, Sinda, remind me not to be in the vicinity when you do. The wrath 
of the Chief Counselor is something to behold." Elwin moved further into 
the room to stand by the window. Pale starlight silvered his elegant 
profile. Legolas didn't know if it was possible to desire him more. 
  
"Well, maybe we did get carried away with our drinking game," Legolas 
laughed. "But you could've warned me about the strength of that wine."  
  
"It was not the strength but the quantity, mīr nīn."   
  
"I had no more than you did."     
  
"Maybe I can hold my liquor better than you, Prince." Elwin smiled to 
himself, knowing the reaction he would get. 
  
"Not true. You have no capacity. We've tested it. I can drink you under the 
table." 
  
Elwin took the prince in his arms. "The better to take advantage of me. 
Under the table might be pleasurable." 
  
Legolas gripped Elwin's rear with both hands. "You are incorrigible. Like 
that foot I felt in a sensitive place during dinner tonight. You know, pen 
vain, I *was* trying to make a good impression." 
  
"Didn't my foot make a good impression?" Elwin asked slyly. 
  
Legolas chuckled. "Indeed it did," he said, and gathered Elwin's lips to 
his.   
  
Elwin sighed as he let the prince's warm mouth melt into his, their tongues 
tumbling together.  Legolas's body pressed hard against him, rekindling 
the glow in Elwin's loins. He felt like a bee burrowing into a flower, 
becoming giddy on sweet nectar as he sought to lose himself in his lover. 
Ai, such bliss, knowing that for the moment Legolas was his, his alone to 
drive insensate with pleasure.  A task he thoroughly intended to 
accomplish. 
 
"Ah, how I love your mouth," the dark-haired elf gasped. He began 
kissing down the prince's neck while sliding his hands under Legolas's 
tunic, across his strong back. 
  
"No more than I love yours," Legolas replied. The prince brought up a 
knee between Elwin's legs, knocking his stance wide as he pulled Elwin 
closer. The dark-haired elf responded in kind, pushing Legolas's loins 
against his own. Elwin moved his hips, rubbing his erection in small 
circles against the bulge in the prince's leggings.   
  
The Mirkwood elf growled, "Lachenn, don't tease me like this. Take me to 
your bed." 
  
"Are you so eager for it, yet again, pen velui?" Elwin said. 
  
"You don't know how much," Legolas breathed. 
  
"I imagine I do," the musician replied. Elwin put an arm around Legolas's 
waist and led him around the corner and up the step to the bed. They fell 
on it together, side by side, languidly pulling the rest of their clothes off 
and reveling once more in the smooth feel of skin against skin.  
  
Legolas reached down and grasped Elwin's shaft. He rolled his hand 
around it appreciatively. "You have such charming equipment," he 
commented. 
  
"Would you like to feel it again?" Elwin thrust hard through the prince's 
hand.  
  
"By the gods, I'm still tingling from your last effort," Legolas laughed. He 
rolled over on top of the Imladris elf. "You are rather much to take in after 
long disuse. I don't think I'll be able to sit well tomorrow." He leaned 
down and kissed his lover roughly. "I am thinking it is my turn." 
  
Elwin laughed and struggled against him. Wriggling against Legolas felt 
so wonderfully good. With a grunt, he managed to roll the prince over 
again, looking deeply into his eyes. "So, you wish me to be the one who 
cannot sit at breakfast. What if I don't agree, Sinda?"  
  
"It doesn't matter whether or not you agree, Noldo. You are mine now!"  
Legolas grabbed him by the elbow and in one smooth move flipped him 
back over onto his stomach, pulling the Imladris elf's arm behind his back. 
The prince leaned hard against the musician, forcing his elbow up until it 
was almost painful.   
  
"I think you've made your point," Elwin grunted. "What if I don't submit?" 
  
"You will," Legolas promised. He rubbed himself against Elwin's rear 
while he leaned down to nuzzle and then suck on his ear tip. That was a 
sensation both unbearably pleasurable and ticklish.  Elwin cried out and 
then bucked against his tormenter.  Legolas sank his weight down harder.  
  
"You are mine, to use as I please." Legolas's breath tickled the musician's 
ear. Elwin felt the prince's firm shaft slide between his cheeks and prod 
the sensitive sacs underneath. His possessive tone was exactly the 
aphrodisiac Elwin craved. He shivered in ecstasy. He could feel himself 
hardening even more against the sheets.  
  
"How do you please to use me then?" Elwin purred. 
  
"I wish to fuck you," the prince replied, in a voice dark with desire, "to 
fuck you, until you cannot walk tomorrow." 
 
A lightning bolt shot through Elwin's loins and a soft moan escaped him. 
  
"Ah, more songs from our musician. You remember that we have a wager, 
lachenn, which I plan to win this night," Legolas said. He released Elwin's 
arm and sat back on his lover's upper thighs, running his hands over the 
smooth rear. Elwin could hear a soft, wet sound of fingers being sucked 
into the prince's mouth and then he felt two of them circling his opening. 
The tips thrust into him, burning slightly in his tender flesh as they slowly 
sank in, opening him. They brushed against that delicious spot within. 
  
"Oh gods," Elwin gasped. A wave of energy shuddered through him. 
Legolas reached under him and took hold of his cock, stroking him hard as 
he continued probing with his fingers. The pleasure began surging 
outwards. Elwin spread his legs further and rounded his back, allowing 
greater access underneath. 
   
"See, stroke you right and you open up just like a night lily," Legolas 
observed.  
  
Elwin moaned, "Uh, that feels so good, Legolas." He turned his head 
sideways to look back at his lover with wide, dark eyes. His midnight hair 
spread heavily against his back. Then the musician moaned again, his 
eyelids fluttered, and his lithe body undulated, his rear tilting upward like 
a stretching cat. Legolas caught his breath.  
  
"You are so beautiful. I am mad with lust." 
  
"Fuck me, then. Just as you said." 
  
Legolas withdrew his fingers. "Where is your oil?" 
  
"In the cupboard over my bed. Hurry." 
  
"So anxious, pen vain!" Legolas clicked his tongue as he pulled open the 
little door and felt several small jars within. His hand closed on a small 
vial. He pulled the cork out with his teeth, poured a handful, and then set 
the bottle back down. It had a strange but not unpleasant smell: rich and 
sensuous, like rain-soaked autumn leaves mixed with roses and ginger. 
Legolas found himself inhaling deeply. He rubbed it thickly on his shaft, 
enjoying the slippery consistency. Instantly he felt a tingle and he swelled 
even harder into a throbbing need.    
  
Elwin heard the wet slide of Legolas's hand on himself and laughed. 
"Melethron, are you enjoying yourself so much up there that you've 
forgotten what you were doing?" 
  
"Hardly, my beauty." A strange aroma reached Elwin's nose and he started 
to sit up and say something about it, but then Legolas ran his oil-slick 
fingers down the musician's cleft, locating his opening. The prince grasped 
the dark-haired elf's buttocks, spread him wide, and slid himself deep 
within, causing Elwin to lose all rational thought. He pushed back with a 
loud gasping cry.   
  
The combination of that sound and the sensation of being constricted by 
his lover's hot passage nearly caused the prince to spend himself right 
then. He sank deep until his abdomen pressed against the dark-haired elf's 
quivering rear. "Uhhhhh. You are bliss," he cried.   
  
Elwin was breathing heavily. Legolas pulled out partway and pushed in 
with a snap of his hips and heard a hitch in that breathing. He felt himself 
swelling within his lover, a powerful heat flowing through him. He 
seemed to be losing control, becoming something animalistic. Settling his 
weight onto a forearm pressed across Elwin's upper back, Legolas leaned 
down and bit Elwin's neck gently. "Have you ever seen a panther take his 
mate?" he whispered. 
  
"No," Elwin gasped. 
  
"Sometimes he will hold her down by biting her neck while he takes her." 
He shifted and shoved in hard once, then held still.  Kissing delicately 
across Elwin's eartip, he nuzzled his hair aside, and then closed his teeth 
onto the musician's neck again. 
  
Elwin was in ecstasy with his lover's words and the grip of teeth on his 
sensitive neck. A lustful burning radiated from his rear to spread through 
his loins and up into his belly. He felt stretched wider than before as if 
Legolas had grown in the last couple of hours.  Sweat dampened the sheets 
under him. "Ai, my panther, hold me down, fuck me," he cried.   
     
Legolas shifted his weight back to his haunches straddling his lover's rear.  
Rocking on his knees, he pulled out and thrust in again hard. Then again, 
and again, faster and faster. The fit was so tight, like a snug, silky glove 
caressing him. The dark-haired elf was releasing breathy gasps and 
pushing back to meet every stroke. The sounds were driving the prince to 
a frenzy.   
  
Elwin could feel himself building higher and higher until he was in a 
realm of blessed rapture where every thrust fueled a wild abandon. He was 
desperate for release. Legolas reached under him and grasping Elwin's 
member with an oil-slick hand stroked it, fiercely. Elwin groaned. 
  
"That's it," Legolas sat up higher, riding him hard. "Lover, I want to feel 
you coming around me. Find your release. Now!" 
  
Elwin's whole body became taut as a pulled bowstring and then suddenly 
he cried out "Uhhhhh, gods!"as he shuddered out his orgasm. The hot 
passage tightened and quivered around the prince, driving him to his own 
peak. He braced himself against his lover's shoulders and rammed in with 
the deepest thrust yet. With a growling scream, he came in strong pulses 
that shivered through his whole body. He thrust again and again, still 
feeling the powerful sensation.   
  
Gradually the prince became aware of a twitching, groaning Elwin under 
him. He slowed and at last stilled. Pulling out, he rolled over onto his 
back. His heart pounded. "Blessed gods," he said, "I can't believe how 
good that was. What have you done to me?"  
  
Elwin lay still, his breathing labored. "I've done nothing, lover. I think you 
made good your word. I can scarcely move." Slowly he turned over. "And 
yet, I feel barely sated. I could do that again." 
  
"Curious. I feel the same way," Legolas said. The prince reached down to 
touch his own member.  It was still rock hard. That was not right, not after 
the release he'd just experienced.    
  
He heard Elwin gasp. "Legolas. That smell!  What oil did you use?" 
  
"Just one you had up there." 
  
"Show me!" 
  
Legolas sat up, his muscles protesting. Opening the small cupboard, he felt 
around and pulled out the little glass vial. He handed it to Elwin. 
  
"Curse of Mandos!" Elwin grabbed it and held it up in the faint 
starlight. "How much of this did you use?" 
  
"Enough for the purpose. What's the matter, meleth?" 
  
"He said it was potent and that I should use just a few drops." 
  
"What are you talking about?"  
  
"Elrohir," Elwin said. "He gave me this as a gift for you. He said use only 
a few drops." 
  
"Elrohir," Legolas laughed. "That seductive fox! I'm afraid I was rather 
liberal with it. You should have warned me."  
  
"You forget that I was face down at the time and couldn't see what you 
were doing," Elwin growled. "I'd completely forgotten it was there." He 
ran his hand down his own rigid flesh. The burning in his rear was 
spreading outward in waves. "Now what? I have no idea what using too 
much will do." 
  
"We should try and wash it off." Legolas climbed off the bed. "Where is 
your wash basin?" 
  
"Over there." Elwin got up and padded across the room.  He picked up a 
pitcher, poured it into a large ceramic bowl, soaked a cloth in the water, 
and rubbed some soap into it.  
  
Legolas came over and Elwin knelt to clean him. The water dripped down 
the prince's member and spilled onto the floor. But after a thorough 
washing, the flesh stood out as proudly as before.   
  
"It's not working," Legolas said. 
  
"Obviously. Although this is very tempting." Legolas's shaft bobbed level 
with Elwin's mouth. He flicked out a tongue and licked it. 
  
"I don't think that will help," the prince said. 
  
"Don't you? It's worth a try." Elwin reached up and curled his hand around 
the prince's cock, holding him steady, then took him deep into his mouth.   
  
"That's only making matters worse," Legolas said and then groaned loudly 
as Elwin began moving back and forth on the head, while stroking the 
heated shaft with his hand. 
  
For many long, enjoyable moments Elwin worked on Legolas, but when 
the prince finally came again in noisy rapture, Elwin realized the true 
extent of their trouble. Legolas softened briefly, but even before Elwin 
pulled his mouth away, had stiffened again, more greedily than 
ever. Elwin could feel his own rear burning, his cock heavy with desire. 
  
"Maybe if we put some mud on it," the prince observed. 
  
Elwin began laughing. "What a predicament. Well, come on, meleth. It's 
worth a try."  They threw on some clothes and stole out of the house. 
  
Dawn was a mere bird's song away when both of them emerged laughing 
from the garden, covered in mud and various herbs. By now they were 
quite sore, and harder and more frantic for release than ever.   
  
"We must go to see Elrond," Elwin said between fits of laugher. "He'll 
know what to do." 
  
"Are you sure that's our only option? I don't think I can face him," Legolas 
said, then began laughing again."This is not very dignified." 
  
"I don't see any other choice, meleth, unless you mean to go about with a 
poker in your breeches for the rest of your life," Elwin said. 
  
"Surely it will wear off at some point." 
  
"I don't care to wait until then. Come on." Elwin grabbed him by the arm. 
  
************************ 
Elrond was awakened from a light slumber by a tentative knock on the 
door. He sat up and turned to Glorfindel who had roused as well. 
  
"I'll get it," Elrond said and swung his legs out of the bed, grabbing a 
dressing gown from a chair.   
 
"How are you feeling?" Glorfindel asked. 
  
"Better, I think," Elrond said. "Stay and sleep more." 
  
"No need. I'm up now," the seneschal said. 
  
They went to the outer room. Dawn was just gilding the sky visible 
through the arched pillars leading to the porch. Elrond opened the door. 
Legolas and Elwin stood in the hallway, clad only in mud-stained 
leggings, loose tunics, and guilty expressions. They bowed. 
 
"My Lord Elrond," Legolas said. 
  
Elrond quirked an eyebrow. "Pray come in. To what do I owe the pleasure 
of such an early morning visit?"   
  
They entered the room and Elrond noticed that they stood awkwardly, 
shifting back and forth as if they had bees in their pants. 
  
"We have a predicament that is of a rather delicate nature," Elwin said. He 
looked at Legolas.  
  
"Ahem, yes, delicate and difficult to explain, exactly," Legolas said. 
  
Elrond gestured toward some chairs. "Would you care to sit and tell me." 
  
"No, my Lord, I think we'd better stand," Elwin said.   
  
"I'll go and send for some tea," Glorfindel said, his eyes crinkled in 
amusement. He left the room. 
  
Elrond turned back to the jittery elves. "Well?" 
  
"The truth is, we have need of your well-known healing skills," Legolas 
said.   
  
"Let me guess. You have overindulged," Elrond said. 
  
"You could say that," Elwin said. 
  
"A bit." Legolas blushed, rather becomingly, Elrond thought. 
  
"Out with it," the Master of Imladris growled. 
  
"We used a potion that appears to have unforeseen side effects," Elwin 
said. 
  
"Ah huh," Elrond replied. 
  
"Resulting in a rather constant . . . " began Legolas. 
  
"And unrelenting . . . " Elwin continued, standing first on one leg, then the 
other.  
  
"State," Legolas finished.    
  
Elrond's lips twitched. He turned away discreetly so they couldn't see him 
smile. "Do you have a sample of the drug?"  
  
Elwin held up a glass vial. Elrond took the cork out and passed the vial 
under his nose.  It smelled vaguely familiar. He ran a finger along the rim 
and then touched the finger to his tongue, which resulted in a pleasant 
tingling sensation.  
  
"Where did you get this?" he asked.   
  
"I'd rather not say," Elwin responded. 
  
"Is it an aphrodisiac?"  
  
They both nodded. "A very potent one," Elwin admitted. "We didn't know 
how potent, until we, uh, used too much." 
  
Elrond felt the urge to laugh so strongly that he had to purse his lips 
together. "I hardly thought you two needed one," he finally managed to 
say. "Not from what I saw at dinner." They looked at him like two scolded 
elflings. Elrond was reminded of his own twins standing before him after 
committing some mayhem, many long years ago.  
  
"I'll wager one of my sons gave it to you," Elrond said and the look on 
Elwin's face confirmed his suspicion. "I'm actually glad to see they still 
have this kind of mischief in them. It's been a while. Yes, now I remember 
a similar malady they caused once before." 
  
"It wasn't his fault," Elwin hastened to say. "He said to use it sparingly, a 
few drops. We just didn't . . .  follow directions." 
  
"Indeed," said Elrond, arching an eyebrow.  He went to a bookcase, filled 
with volumes.  Running his fingers along the tops, he finally selected 
one. Pulling it out, he blew the dust off the top. Sitting in a swirl of robes, 
he opened it and flipped through the pages. Yes, there it was, counter 
agent for maelthond.  He stroked a forefinger alongside the recipe, then he 
stood and went to shelves heavily laden with ceramic jars of various 
shapes and sizes, labeled with runes. Yes, balm, nķnim, lhśg-thond. That 
should do it, a soothing combination. He pulled out three jars and carried 
them to a table. The master of Imladris looked up to find the young lovers 
eying him apprehensively. 
  
He smiled at them. "Don't worry. It's an easy matter to cure, once you 
apply the right combination of substances."  
  
Elrond spread a piece of parchment on the table, took a bottle and poured 
a thin stream of oil into a vial. "This is just the medium," he said. Pushing 
his dark hair out of the way over his shoulder, he uncorked one of the jars, 
shook a few dried leaves from it into a small mortar, then repeated the 
action with the two other jars. He took up a pestle and ground the leaves 
together, then upended the mortar onto the parchment, rolled it into a cone 
and tapped the powder out of the slender end into the vial. Placing a cork 
at the end, he shook it, and held it out to Elwin, who took it gingerly.  
  
The door opened and they glanced up as Glorfindel entered, followed by 
an elf from the kichen, carrying a tray. "Set it out on the table over here," 
Glorfindel instructed. The elf began arranging the tea pot, cups, plates and 
biscuits about, while Glorfindel busied himself poking up the embers of 
the fire. 
  
"Thank you, Noreg," Elrond said. The elf looked at them curiously, 
bowed, and left. 
  
"And how do we use this?" Elwin asked, turning the vial around in his 
fingers. 
  
"Apply generously to the afflicted, uh, parts," Elrond said. "Use it all."   
  
"What if the *parts* are somewhat . . . inaccessible?" Elwin stammered 
and turned bright red. 
  
Elrond leaned back in his chair and regarded them both as he tried to keep 
his face straight. "How did the affliction reach those parts in the first 
place?  I suggest using a similar technique to apply it. You'll have to do it 
quickly as this substance will take the tension out of your bowstring - so to 
speak."   
  
"We are in your debt," Legolas said and turned to go. 
  
"Would you care to have breakfast with us?" Glorfindel asked.   
  
A look of panic passed between Elwin and Legolas. 
  
"No, they have, er, pressing business," Elrond said, coming to their 
rescue. "I would be delighted if you could join us another time." He rose 
and bowed with a hand on his breast.  They started to walk out, when 
Elrond came close to Legolas and put a hand gently on his arm.  "I have a 
matter which I need to discuss with you," he said. "Could you return later 
in the day and have lunch with me? Just you." 
  
Legolas looked startled and Elwin shot him a questioning look. Elrond 
said, "Merely a matter of business, my friends." 
  
The prince nodded, made a courtly bow and then he and Elwin retreated, 
somewhat hastily. 
  
When the door closed, Elrond couldn't help himself. He threw his head 
back and laughed; then realized that he hadn't done that in a while and 
laughed again because it felt so good. Glorfindel turned an amused 
expression on him. "What happened, melda? Although I can guess." 
  
"Oh my glorious old friend, sometimes things occur that we do not plan. It 
is refreshing."  He picked up the vial Elwin had left with him and held it to 
the light. It was still half-full.  The feelings stirred by last night's vision of 
Legolas and Elwin together now rose to the surface.  
  
Elrond went over to his lover and put a hand around his waist, drawing 
him close. Glorfindel met his glance with those keen azure eyes and 
Elrond felt desire prickle through his loins. He leaned forward and touched 
his lips to his lover's. Soft, sensuous, like a ripe peach. He remembered the 
first time he had tasted those alluring lips and the years of carrying his 
burden fell away. The golden haired elf opened his mouth and the kiss 
deepened into passion.  
  
When Glorfindel finally drew back with a questioning expression, Elrond 
said, "I have a new substance that needs testing. A few drops are quite 
effective, they tell me. What do you say?" He shook the vial gently and 
Glorfindel's smile kindled into laughter. 
  
******************' 
pen velui - sweet one 
mīr nīn - my treasure 
baul nīn