Title: Dark to Dawn
Author: Elfscribe, elfscribe5@yahoo.com  
Pairings: Elladan/Legolas/Elrohir, Legolas/Aragorn
Rating:  NC-17

Summary: Legolas is desolate after Aragorn weds Arwen.
Elrond's twin sons comfort him with some unique
abilities and in the process find a new role for
themselves.

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, and languages
used in this work are the property of the Tolkien
Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line
Cinema.  No money made.  No harm intended. I bow
before the mastery of J.R.R. 
Archive: LOM, Melethron, Lady Illia yes. Other sites,
please ask permission. 
Feedback: Greatly appreciated.  Let's me know whether
or not it's been effective.
 
Warnings: Suicidal thoughts. Incest. If the twins
doing it squicks you out, don't read it.

Author's Notes: This is in the same story arc as
"Ohtarnil: A Warrior Love," and "Dragon Fever." 
This story has a little something for everyone, some
angst, some joy, and lots of hot elf sex.
Thanks so much to betas and dear friends Dhvana,
Dalogas, and Capella.  You guys are the best!
First Posted: April 23, 2003

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

Chapter 1 - Fading to Dark
 
Midsummer's Eve,  3019

"We knew this day would come, Aragorn," Legolas said,
trying to keep his voice steady.   A fist of pain had
formed in his chest.  He would be strong, he told
himself.  
         
They stood in an antechamber to the throne room of
Minas Tirith.  The guards had just dismissed the long
line of supplicants wishing to see the king.  Wearing
his robes of state and his high-winged crown, Elessar
did indeed look the King of Men, fair and noble,
although his eyes were muted, distant.  Legolas wasn't
sure if this was the man he'd come to know so
intimately during the past eight months.  

"You remember what I said I would do," Legolas
continued.

"Yes," Elessar sounded defeated. "You said you'd bow
to your king and fade away. That seems an age ago." 
He rubbed his eyes, then took off his crown, and set
it down on the table.  

"I keep my promises, Aragorn."

A small figure dressed in the silver and black livery
of the Tower Guard entered the chamber and bowed
deeply. "My lord, messengers have arrived.  The party
that you told us to watch for has been sighted about
an hour's travel from here." He paused and then said
brightly, "They tell me they're elves, sir, from
Rivendell. The Lord Elrond and the Lady Arwen are with
them."  He stopped uncertainly, his eyes flicking to
Legolas.

Legolas bent in a bow to the king and then turned to
leave.  The elf felt stricken to his core, the
desire to embrace the man he loved above all others
almost overpowering him.  Ah gods, he thought, I can't
do this.  I love him. How can I just walk away?

"Legolas," King Elessar called, "Stay a while.  Our
business is not yet concluded."  He turned to
the guard.  "Thank you, Pippin.  You bring good
tidings.  Could you give us leave for a few
moments?"

"Yes, Strid . . . I mean, King Elessar, my lord." 
Pippin bent his head, cast a worried glance at
Legolas, then left, his soft footsteps sounding
brittle on the stone floor. 

The elf hovered by the door, grateful that Aragorn had
stopped him, that he could linger a few minutes more. 
He hated himself for being so weak.  

"Legolas," the king said again.  He paused, moving
restlessly about the room. "I summoned you here and
now I find I haven't courage to speak."

"Haven't we said all that needs saying?" the elf said
softly. "You have a destiny that is no longer in my
keeping.  I have served my purpose as your Ohtarnil,
your companion in war.  Now, the Lady Arwen Evenstar
will be your companion in peace.   This is the way it
was ordained, my king.  It is the way we knew it would
come to pass."

"The foreknowledge doesn't make it any easier, now
that the moment has come," said Aragorn. His eyes
brimmed suddenly and he turned away to look out the
window.  "I so little understand my own heart.  There
is a part of me that longs to summon two of my fastest
steeds to bear us away to some far place.  I have
faced the temptation of the Ring, the armed might of
Mordor, and yet I fear I am not strong enough for
this, my friend."  

"Then I shall be strong for us both," Legolas said. 
He stepped forward and lifted a hand intending to clap
it on the king's shoulder as if he were merely a
friend and companion, not a lover.  Instead, he let it
fall back awkwardly by his side.  Aragorn's eyes
followed the movement.

"My last act of devotion to you, my love," the elven
prince said even more softly, "will be to keep
that promise made barely four months ago in
Lothlorien.  If it makes it easier, I shall leave
tonight."

"No, I do not want that," the king said. "I wish my
friends to be with me for this occasion and you
are certainly my greatest friend.  I want you to stand
by me for the ceremony, though I know it will be hard
for you."

"So be it," said Legolas.  He turned to go and heard
an anguished groan from the king.  The next instant
Aragorn had crossed the distance between them and
crushed the elf in his arms, taking his mouth in a
passionate kiss. 

"Estel!" cried the elf, trying to push him away.
"Don't, oh gods, don't make this any harder!" 
Then the dam on his self-control burst and he met the
king's kisses fervently, at the same time throwing his
whole body against him, wrapping his arms around his
back and clasping the man as if he would draw him into
himself.
   
"I will always love you, you must know that," Aragorn
whispered, pressing kisses all over his face.

The elf took a deep breath. "I know, meleth-nīn, but
your life is no longer your own.  It belongs to your
people, your heirs . . . and your future queen. This
does neither of us any good.   It is over. You must
let me go."  

Slowly Aragorn relaxed his grip and let Legolas slide
out of his arms.  The elf forced himself to move
backwards one step as he looked into the king's
haunted eyes.  He felt a single tear burn down his
cheek.  Quickly, he turned and left the room.

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

Legolas sat in a chair in his room facing the double
doors that opened out onto a terrace.  He rolled a
glass of wine between his palms; the bottle stood by
his elbow.  The doors were flung wide onto one of the
most beautiful nights ever made on Middle Earth.  A
balmy breeze gently blew the curtains aside and
carried the heady smell of honeysuckle from a vine
outside. His gaze leapt down the many tiered walls of
the magnificent city alight with torches. A large
silver moon had just risen and hovered on the rim of
the eastern sky.  The elf could hear singing and
laughter from passing guests and occasionally the sky
burst with iridescent light accompanied by a deep boom
and smaller crackles. The elf smiled grimly. 
Fireworks, Gandalf's wedding present.

He thought that he must be the only person in the city
tonight who was not rejoicing.  He tried to put the
images from his mind, of standing next to his Estel
and watching him take Arwen's hand and kneel with her
for their vows. Arwen had looked stunningly beautiful
in a deep blue dress sewn with tiny crystals that
glittered as she moved like the evening star that was
her namesake. Her face had been more radiant than her
garment.  

Only once that evening had Aragorn's gaze fastened on
his, but the expression was unreadable. Legolas had
tried, really tried to feel happy for both of them. 
But he could not.  As soon as was reasonable, he made
an excuse to the other members of the Fellowship and
returned to his room with a bottle of potent wine. 
The elf was not one for drinking, but he desperately
needed to ease the pain in his chest. 

Now he picked up the bottle and shook it, watching the
red liquid slosh within.  He poured the rest into his
glass and drained it. Why was it his fate to lose his
lovers?  Elwen had been killed by orcs and now Aragorn
was gone to another.  In some ways this was worse than
death.  To see his lover, to stand next to him, and
yet be forced to deny his affection.

Suddenly consumed with fury and frustration, the elf
threw the glass into the cold fireplace.  The
shattering of the crystal reverberated violently about
the room.

Now what should he do?  Stay here to serve his king,
hoping against hope for a brief glance, a soft word? 
A stolen tumble in some backroom? He felt disgusted
with himself. Aragorn was pledged to another now and
lost to him forever.  He must not allow himself to
think otherwise. To stay would only be torture for all
of them. Go back to Mirkwood? To do what?  Wait on his
father's pleasure?  Marry some elfmaid? 

His immortality seemed a curse. How could he go on
living for eternity with this pain in his heart?   A
black cloud enveloped him, smothering him into its
clinging folds, whispering of ways he could be
released from pain.

The elf pulled his knife from its sheath and moved it
in the moonlight, contemplating the beauty of the
liquid gleam sliding up and down the well-kept blade.
How well and often he had used this very blade to deal
out death to his foes.  It felt natural, an extension
of his hand.  The prince threw the knife high into the
air, watched it arc and tumble as in slow motion, then
caught it smoothly by the handle. 

He turned his other hand over, clenching a fist, and
making the veins pop up on his wrist.  Elves could die
of a broken heart.  He had known it to happen.  A
terrible wasting death.  It could be quicker.  

He stared at the knife, then as if watching someone
else, turned it around toward himself. Holding the
hilt in both hands, he pressed the tip to his chest.

He paused like that for many long moments, wondering
how quickly the pain would pass and what the journey
beyond would be like. Would he spend the rest of
eternity in the Halls of Mandos to pay for this crime?
At least there he would be free of this agony.  He
pressed harder,feeling a sharp pain as the point
entered his flesh and a thin, warm line tickled down
his chest. 

Legolas heard laughter in the distance.  A strong
emotion akin to relief surged through him,ringing in
his ears like the haunting cry of a gull. No, he could
not. That was a coward's way. He sighed, lowered the
knife to his lap, and passed a hand over his hot brow.
Clutching the shirt over his chest, he felt his heart
pounding out its terrible rhythm, the pain within as
persistent as before.

There was a knock at the door. Legolas didn't move or
answer.  The black mood roiled and fluttered about him
leaving no room for others. The knock came louder.

"It's open!" the elven prince snarled.

He didn't turn around to see who had entered.  He
didn't care, though he could sense, not one, but
two similarly-crafted spirits enter the room. 

"I thought I taught you never to sit with your back to
a door," said a smooth, melodious voice. 

"You never know who or what might be coming through
it," said another voice, a close match to the first,
but slightly higher and more amused-sounding, as if
speaking through a smile.

Legolas turned and flung the dagger at the last
speaker.  With a loud thwack, it buried itself in the
wall barely to the left of his head. The speaker
didn't flinch, only showed that he was startled
with a flicker of his eyes.
    
"I can take care of myself, Elrohir," Legolas said. 

"Hmm. I doubt that. You've disarmed yourself and you
didn't hit your target," said Elrohir.  He reached
over and pulled the knife from the wall.

"I did hit it," Legolas turned away to face the
terrace door.  "You know full well that if I had
wanted you dead, you would be."

"Fey mood, cousin,"* said Elladan.  "I think Gimli was
right to send us."

"Gimli should keep his nose in his beard.  I have no
wish for company tonight."

Elrond's twin sons walked into the room with the
spare, graceful glide of panthers until they
stood on either side of Legolas's chair. As they
moved, there was a faint ring of chain-mail and a
squeak of leather.

The prince looked up at them.  As well as he knew
them, he always found it unsettling at first to
look upon these mirror images.  Their long, shiny dark
hair was bound back from their high foreheads by
silver filets, their large wolf-like eyes, pale-grey
in color, the irises ringed in black. Those riveting
eyes were framed by black eyebrows that slanted
upward.  The twins had the high angular cheekbones of
the elves, but the strong, straight noses of the men
of Gondor.  Both were very tall and lithe, and a light
shone about their faces.

In a word, they were breathtakingly beautiful, but at
the same time fell.  Dangerous. They projected an aura
that promised efficient death. Legolas had often seen
orcs run screaming at the very sight of them. 

They wore their silver-grey cloaks over one shoulder,
fastened under the other arm, to allow greater freedom
to wield a sword.  Their hands were encased in
fingerless black leather gloves. Even at their
sister's wedding, they were dressed for battle.

"Your knife, Elf of Mirkwood," said Elrohir presenting
the hilt with a slight bow.  

"Shouldn't you two be out celebrating?" Legolas said,
taking the knife and resheathing it. 

"We have mingled with the crowds all we care to," said
Elrohir.  "We were never ones for merry-making."

"We've moved the celebration here," said Elladan.  He
brandished a large black bottle.

"You'll forgive me if I don't join in," Legolas said,
staring vaguely out the door.  

Elrohir raised an eyebrow. "Do you have more glasses
around here?"

"Over there," Legolas waved vaguely at a cupboard.

Elrohir knelt to rummage through the shelves, while
Elladan dragged two chairs from the table over to
where Legolas sat. He swung one leg over the seat and
sat with a heavy metallic sound. 

"Rather hard on your glass, weren't you," Elrohir
said, picking up a sharp shard from the floor. He
returned with three ceramic tumblers.

Uncorking the bottle, he poured some clear liquid in
each, then he raised his cup.  Elladan followed suit. 
Legolas stubbornly sat, unmoving. 

Elladan picked up Legolas's cup and pressed it into
his hand.  "You can't refuse a toast, cousin. A
chuil! To life." 

He tilted his tumbler toward Legolas's and the prince
moved his hand slowly towards him. With a quick flick
of his wrist,  Elladan clicked Legolas's cup with the
bottom of his and Elrohir did likewise.  They both
took a gulp.

Legolas sipped and felt the warm, honeyed glow of
miruvor spread down his throat into his stomach. 

"I'm afraid I have appropriated one of several bottles
brought by Father as a wedding gift," Elrohir smiled. 
"Thought it might be more needed here."

The room lit up in a burst of light, followed by
another boom.  They heard distant squeals of delight. 

"Beautiful night," said Elladan.

"I've rarely seen a better," Elrohir said. He strode
toward the door, and pulled the curtain back,
inhaling deeply.  "Such sweet air," he said, his tenor
voice gentle. "You'd think we were in Valinor."  He
turned and the silver moonlight lit one side of his
face.  "I think every one I love is gathered in this
city tonight, rejoicing. I, too, am happy to see my
foster brother and sister joined at long last. It is a
triumph of love over the darkness."

"Yes," said Elladan,  "and why shouldn't we be joyful?
It is the beginning of a new Age. We are
victorious! The Dark Lord is overthrown and the King
has returned." 

"A hard-earned peace. A time for healing," added
Elrohir.

"And yet . . ." said Elladan.

"And yet, something is amiss, is it not,
gwanunig-nīn*?" Elrohir said, then looked at Legolas
who sat with unseeing eyes.  He poured more miruvor
into the
prince's glass. 

"When there is a beginning, there is also always an
ending," remarked Elladan, "and that which we love
passes on. The bittersweet conclusion of history.  It
brings us a dilemma, to hold on to the past or . . ."

"Venture into new territory, perhaps to find there new
delights for the soul," said Elrohir. 

"We will soon have a choice to make, brethren," said
Elladan, "whether to stay on these fair shores or seek
a ship for the crossing."

"I am not ready for the decision," said Elrohir. 

"Not ready, indeed. What role for us, Legolas, in
peace time?" said Elladan.  

"I know not," the prince replied.  "My heart feels
heavy and I am useless.  I had a role during the
war. I was necessary, needed.  To what do I turn my
hand now?"

Elrohir came back and sat down on his other side. "You
feel it as well?" he said softly.  "The doom of
soldiers when the war is over.  It seems all my
brother and I know is death. For five hundred years,
we have been pursuing the enemy, avenging our mother's
pain.  I have slain more orcs than there are stars in
the sky."  He shifted, the chain mail chinking as he
moved.  "At first I took pleasure in every death. 
Then, I felt despair. Now, I feel nothing. It is
simply what I do. This hand," he held it out, encased
in its leather glove, "is the hand of an assassin.
Nothing more."

Elladan nodded. "I remember a former time when we were
something other than assassins, gwanunig-nīn, when I
thought of things besides strategems, and sharp
blades, and visits to the armorer.  Like a tiny,
bright image seen through a glass, I know that there
was such a being as Elladan, scholar, Elladan, healer,
Elladan, poet.  I no longer know that creature."  

"Aye, and I was Elrohir, healer,
horse-tamer,forester," said Elrohir.  "I do remember. 
It was an Age ago." 

"You echo my thoughts, exactly," said Legolas. "Who am
I when not killing orcs?  I rode with you over fifty
years on the same quest for revenge. Like you, all I
tasted was despair, until . . ."  He took another gulp
of the sweet fluid and could feel the pain easing in
his chest.

"You found love again," ventured Elrohir.

Legolas's eyes widened and flew to meet those of the
dark-haired twin.

"Do you think we are blind?" Elrohir laughed.  "We
know you and we know our brother.  We could feel your
eyes upon each other while we rode to the Stone of
Erech and through the fields of Lebennin.  I know what
you and he did when you disappeared for a brief time
down in the hold of the Corsair ship that bore us up
Anduin. The pleasure you both radiated upon returning
to the deck told the tale.  And your face betrayed you
throughout the binding tonight."

"So is all the city discussing the king's indiscretion
with the elf prince, then?" Legolas said fiercely.

"No, I doubt anyone else has noticed and neither of us
will say a word. We are the very essence of
discretion.  We've had to be."  Elladan looked at
Elrohir meaningfully. 

Legolas saw desire in their beautiful faces.  He had
long known that their affection for each other
ran deep, deeper perhaps than was permitted.

"Indeed, time for all of us to find new roles,
brother," said Elrohir.  "On the way back from
Imladris, I thought long on this.  I will be an
assassin no longer."  

He threw his sword on the table, it landed with sharp
ring, sliding to a stop.  Then he unpinned his cloak,
unbuckled, and slid off his heavy leather shoulder
pads, followed by his metal belt.  He drew his chain
mail over his head, dropping it on the floor with a
heavy chink.

"And I will follow your lead, brother," said Elladan,
also removing his armor.  "It's time to devote
ourselves once again to love, and beauty, and the joy
of living things."

Legolas sighed and took another gulp of the liquor,
then sat up, his jerkin opening slightly.

Elrohir's forehead wrinkled.  "What's this?"  He
crossed the room in two strides.  Kneeling, he
pulled open Legolas's jerkin, revealing the crimson
stain on the tunic beneath. "What have you been doing,
cousin?"  

"Nothing," Legolas said. "An accident."

Elladan leaned over to look as Elrohir began rapidly
undoing the laces at Legolas's chest.

"Leave me alone," snarled the golden-haired prince,
pushing at his hand.

"Nothing would persuade me to do that," said Elrohir. 
He pulled aside the cloth and examined the narrow
strip of dried blood over the prince's heart.  "A
strange place for your knife to slip,pen-vain,"* he
said.

"You contemplated death, did you not?"  Elladan
accused.

Legolas said nothing.  

"I think he is perhaps more fey than we'd thought." 
Elladan looked at Elrohir. 

"Leave me," cried Legolas.  "I wish for oblivion."
Pushing Elrohir away, he stood up abruptly and leaned
against the mantel, his chest heaving.

Elrohir and Elladan both rose and advanced on him, one
against each side. 

"Elrohir, meleth,* I remember an earlier time when our
prince lost the will to live."  Elladan reached across
Legolas and ran his forefinger down Elrohir's cheek.

"Yes, after Elwen died, you wouldn't eat.  We feared
we would lose you. Father gave you a potion that
causes forgetfulness and a deep sleep.  Do you
remember, Legolas?"  Elrohir put two gentle fingers
under his chin and made him look into the twin's
strange, lovely eyes.

"I remember waking up with a desire to see every orc
ever spawned dead upon my sword," Legolas said. 
   
"The potion was strong. Father feared too strong,"
Elladan murmured.  "You were not reviving on schedule.
He sent us to wake you.  He said, ‘Use whatever means
necessary.'"  The warrior picked up a strand of
Legolas's hair and rolled it between his fingers.  "We
came to you that night, and nothing I tried worked,
herbs, smoke, even a thrashing."  He gave a sharp
laugh.  "In desperation, I climbed in bed with you,
hoping to warm you with my body."

"At first, I stood looking on," said Elrohir, "until I
could bear it no longer. Do you remember?"

"No," said Legolas. 

"We sealed his memory, gwanunig," Elladan said. 

Elrohir took the Mirkwood prince's face in both hands
and stared into his eyes. "The feelings are still
there," he said. "Let me see if I can unlock the
memory."

Legolas felt Elrohir's strong presence, a word of
command, then he was swimming from the bottom of a
dark lake up toward the sun.  His head broke the
surface.  Lips brushed his ear, whispering words of
light and hope.  A smooth, warm chest pressed against
his back. Four hands caressed over every inch of him,
turning his skin to fire.  Soft lips enveloped his.  A
long hand groped between his legs, wrapping around
him, stroking him slowly, relentlessly into hardness.
Slick fingers pushed into him as a velvety hot mouth
pulsed on his cock.  A sudden awakening into a
shattering lust as a thick shaft pierced him from
behind.   Moans and cries in the darkness. His hips
thrusting into that mouth as he spent himself. His
voice crying out.  

"You two!" he groaned, "I should have known. You woke
me!  I do remember, now."  

Elladan's lips curled into a wicked smile.  "It took
all our skill, which is, I might note, considerable." 

"Yes, I remember," Legolas smiled,"from our first
encounter, long ago in Mirkwood."

"Do you need our healing skills again, Legolas?"
Elrohir whispered into his ear and then licked
the tip lightly.  "Do you need us to bring you back?"

Legolas felt himself trembling as a prickling heat
rushed to his loins.  He looked from one set of
wolf-grey eyes to the other.   "I don't know . . ." he
began.

Elrohir bent forward, slowly tilting his head and then
opening his mouth.   He stopped just short of
Legolas's lips.  Mesmerized, the prince watched the
approach of those shapely lips.  Legolas's mouth
parted of its own accord and Elrohir inhaled the elf's
breath.  Legolas sighed and moved toward him, ever so
slightly, feeling the energy humming between them. 
Just before their lips touched, the twin withdrew. He
cocked his head to one side.

"What was that?" asked Legolas.  For a moment, he felt
disappointed. He could still feel the lingering heat
from Elrohir's lips, the sweetness of his breath.

"Assessing your mood."

"And what have you determined?"

"You need the night wind in your face," Elrohir said. 
He turned and winked at his brother. "Don't you think
so, Elladan?"

"Most assuredly. Just the thing," said Elladan.   The
twins each took Legolas by an arm. 

"What are you doing?"

"We're going for a ride, cousin.  Come with us." 
   
Legolas tried to pull away.  "Why? What purpose would
it serve?" he said.

Elrohir laughed.  "Do we need a purpose? We are much
stronger than you, lirimaer.  Useless for you to
resist us.  Come, a gallop will clear your mind."

Each of them took hold of one of Legolas's elbows and
steered him out the door.  The prince found himself
walking rapidly between them alongside the high wall
that enclosed the Citadel toward the tunnel drilled
through the living rock sparred from Mount 
Mindolluin.   They threaded their way through crowds
of merry makers as a bright forest of sparkling green
and gold burst high overhead, followed by a deep,
thrumming boom, and silver streamers that screamed
and whirled into the black sky.


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

*note about the twin's calling Legolas 'cousin.'  It
is a term of endearment, indicating their feeling
of closeness, as Legolas is, of course, not related
to them.
*a chuil - to life
*gwanunig-nīn - my twin brother    
*pen-vain -  beautiful one
*meleth - love
*****************


Chapter 2 - Night Ride   

Legolas felt numb as he allowed Elladan and Elrohir to
propel him rapidly down the walkway toward the
stables.  He didn't want to think and it actually felt
good to surrender control to the twins.  

As they approached the stables, they saw the guard, a
young man about sixteen years old, sitting on the
wall, his head tilted back, a huge grin suffusing his
face every time the fireworks sprayed across the
stars.

Elladan cleared his throat and the boy looked up,
startled.  He hopped off the wall and approached them,
his eyes widening. 

"My lords," he said.  "What can I do for you?"

"We'd like to get our horses," Elrohir said.  

"So late?" ventured the young man.  "No one informed
me."

"Are you questioning the Queen's brothers?" Elladan
said, with just the slightest note of menace as he
glided toward him.

The youth swallowed hard as his eyes moved up and down
the tall elf lord and then flicked to Elrohir.  

"Nay, my lords. Tell me which ones. I'll get them."

"We'll go ourselves.  But perhaps you could do me a
favor."

"Anything, my lord."  

Elladan bent his head, his long hair swinging forward,
and whispered in the boy's ear for a minute, then
gestured back toward the Citadel. 

"I'll make it worth your while," he said.  

"At your service, my lord." He glanced at Elrohir and
Legolas, then he bowed, and sped up the street.

"What did you say to him?" asked Legolas. 

"Made certain arrangements for our return." He leaned
over and blew a puff of air that tickled the prince's
ear.  "You're going to forget everything tonight,
lirimaer.  My brother and I will take care of you. 
You'll see."  He laughed.

They entered the stable and several horses nickered. 
Elladan went up to a rangy dark-grey stallion and ran
his hand down the horse's sleek neck.

"Ready to go for a ride, Tinnu?" he said. The horse
rumbled in his throat and stretched his head to nuzzle
the peredhel's cheek affectionately.

"We'll take your Arod," said Elrohir as he led him out
of his stall, the horse's hoofs clicking on the stone
floor.  

"Together?" asked Legolas.  

"Yes, he's used to it as you and Gimli ride that way."

The horses followed them out of the stable.  Legolas
grabbed a fistful of mane and swung up on Arod's bare
back.  Elrohir vaulted up behind him, while Elladan
mounted Tinnu.  The sound of the horse's hooves echoed
loudly as they made their zigzag way down the stone
city streets, passing all five of the great gates
until they reached the main one.  Guards saluted them
as they passed. 

Elladan turned and looked back at them as they
approached the road lined with torches.  "Let's cut
across the Pelennor Fields to Harlond," he said, his
eyes alight.  "Come, I'll race you to the river!" He
leaned forward and Tinnu took off, angling to the
right away from the road. 

Arod leapt into a gallop as Legolas and Elrohir
simultaneously squeezed their legs about his sides. 
Legolas felt the powerful muscles surging under him,
the horse's flesh soft beneath his thighs. Elrohir's
arms encircled his waist, his strong body was pressed
up behind him, moving in rhythm with his. 

The full moon lit the fields in shades of silver and
grey, contrasting with shadows of deep midnight.  Arod
occasionally leapt an obstacle or heaved quickly up
and over a mound of earth.  The fields were still
rutted and torn from the tracks of war engines and the
ditches dug by Sauron's servants during the assault on
Minas Tirith.  How many seasons would it take for the
earth to heal the scars of war? Legolas wondered.  How
many seasons to ease the aching in his soul?

They hit pockets of cooler air as they passed through
dips in the ground.  The wind increased, lashing
Arod's mane in Legolas's face; his hair blew behind
him, mingling with Elrohir's raven locks. The horse's
neck bobbed and the hoofbeats thundered in the night,
vibrating through the prince's body. He could feel the
horse's joy in running free on the plain.  It was
exhilarating.   A laugh tickled up from his chest and
he wondered to hear the sound. 

"Feeling better, ernil bain*?" Elrohir shouted against
the wind. 

"Yes. Some," Legolas replied. 

"Didn't I say it? The wind in your face was the
medicine you needed," the peredhel said. "One among
several cures my brother and I have in mind."  Legolas
heard the smile in his voice.  "We're almost there."

Waves of damp, metallic air enveloped them as they
began to hear the roar of the approaching river.
Shadowy ships loomed ahead, moored to the quay built
along the bank, their sails lashed to their masts.
Elladan was there before them, standing next to Tinnu.
They thundered up and Arod slowed and stopped. Elrohir
jumped off; Legolas followed. 

"Where are we going?" Legolas asked.

"To consult the future," Elladan said.  

The twins walked out onto the quay, their footsteps
echoing on the wooden planks.  They stopped at a tall
dark ship pulling steadily against its tethers. 
Elladan hopped onto a thick mooring line and,
balancing precariously with his arms held out to his
sides, ran along its length to the deck, the river
sloshing beneath.  The other two followed. They stood
next to the huge creaking central mast, feeling the
ship swaying gently under their feet.

"Why have you brought me here?" Legolas asked.

"We thought you needed a change of perspective,
pen-vain," said Elladan.  "Look behind you."

Legolas turned. The fair city rose tier upon tier in
the distance, its shadowed walls speckled with yellow
lights.  A tiny flower of colored light sprayed over
the highest turret.  Moments later they felt, rather
than heard, the fireworks' resonant boom.

"We are at a crossroads," said Elladan.  "That city is
our past.  This ship could be our future. If we untied
this line, we would be swept down Anduin to the sea. 
Simple enough.  As I said before, we have a choice to
make.  For you, it should be an easy decision. You are
immortal and unless you do something truly foolish,"
he gripped Legolas's arm and looked sternly into his
eyes, "it's merely a matter of when. For us, burdened
with the doom of our father, it is a matter of if."

"Our sister made her choice tonight and it gives us
both great joy and sorrow," said Elrohir.  He turned
and looked at Elladan. 

Legolas realized how self-indulgent he had been.  Of
course this night was bittersweet for the twins as
well, their sister's choice forcing them to think of
their own fate: whether to take the ship oversea with
their father or remain in Middle Earth to die with
their sister.  He reflected that all three of their
paths were fraught with sorrow, as well as joy; the
same as the choice he had made to become Aragorn's
lover, knowing full well that the day would come when
he would have to give him up.  Now, all too soon, that
day had come.

He could smell a faint salty tang in the air and for
the first time in many weeks, his spirit lifted as if
carried aloft on the wind. There were still places to
see, deeds worth doing.  Suddenly, he knew he would
survive this heartbreak, although it would always be
with him. 

"My brother and I are not yet ready to decide our
fate," said Elladan abruptly. "We wish to tarry awhile
and first try to rediscover who we are without swords
in our hands. To learn how to feel again." 

"We know one thing about our future," said Elrohir,
"whatever it is, we will decide it together.  We will
not be separated.  This we have sworn."

"He is the other half of my soul.  I could no sooner
leave him than cleave myself in two," said Elladan. 
The twins smiled at each other. Legolas watched with
interest as Elladan took Elrohir's chin and they gazed
into each other's eyes, the shadowed planes of their
beautiful faces soft and glowing in the moonlight.
They turned and looked at Legolas, their wolf-like
eyes gleaming.  

Then Elrohir stepped close and fitted his body around
Legolas's side, threading his fingers through the
elf's moon-pale hair. "We have a secret to share with
you." 

"I think I can guess," Legolas said, "I've known you
both for a very long time now. I know of your
affection for each other."

Elladan also pressed close to the Mirkwood prince and
ran a finger along his cheek.  "You don't know the
depth of it," he said.  "We have never revealed it. 
It is forbidden."

"We share . . . everything," Elrohir said, reaching
across Legolas's body and wrapping his arm around
Elladan's waist.  

"Even, on occasion, our thoughts," Elladan continued.
"Sometimes, I can feel what he does and he likewise,
until we don't know where one ends and the other
begins."

"It is the most profound sensation of belonging, of
completion, you could ever experience," Elrohir purred
into Legolas's ear.  He lowered his voice to a
whisper.  "We have discovered that we can share these
sensations with others, given the . . . right . . .
conditions."  

"I know it won't be the same as being with Estel, but
we offer you the chance to experience our love,"
Elladan said, nuzzling the Mirkwood elf's neck.

A wave of heat shivered through Legolas's loins.  Oh
gods, what were they saying?  His body remembered
their previous encounters and responded to their
touch, thrumming like a plucked violin string.  His
face grew hot as Elrohir began nibbling on his ear.  
Legolas sighed and leaned into the touch. 

"Ah, I can feel your acquiescence, cousin," Elladan
whispered.  "But I want you to tell us."  He rocked
his hips gently against Legolas's side.  "Do you want
to share our love?"

"Yes," Legolas breathed, and turning his head, met
Elrohir's lips hungrily. The twin responded with
enthusiasm, taking Legolas's mouth as if eating a ripe
strawberry, savoring it with supple lips and tongue. 
The peredhel's wine-sweet taste was intoxicating. 
Legolas could feel the twins' erections on each side
of his hips as they pressed their loins against him. 
A low moan escaped him and he wrapped an arm around
each yielding waist. 

"Oh, sweet ernil, you moan, but you haven't felt
anything yet," whispered Elladan as he slid his hand
down to cup the prince's growing shaft. "Before this
night is over, you will be crying with pleasure. We
can offer you some of the greatest delights you'll
ever experience."

Legolas broke away from Elrohir's juicy kisses to give
Elladan a mischievous look. "I hear lots of talk, son
of Elrond. Show me!"

"A challenge!" Elladan cried and the twins exchanged a
smirk. "You know, pen-vain, that we never shrink from
a challenge. I wager that you will beg for mercy
before we are through with you tonight." 

"You may find that wager hard to collect," Legolas
laughed. 

"Unlikely, ernil-nīn," Elladan said and gently
squeezed the bulge in Legolas's leggings causing the
prince to inhale a gulp of air.

Elrohir was already unlacing Legolas's jerkin, then he
drew both jerkin and tunic over the prince's head,
baring his chest in the silvery glow of the moonlight.
The twins pulled their leather gloves off with their
teeth, tossing them on the deck of the ship, and ran
their hands over him.

"He's beautiful, is he not, śthaes-nīn*?" asked
Elladan stroking over the plateau of Legolas's
pectoral muscles.

"I always thought so," said Elrohir. "Just looking at
him makes me weak with need."  He pinched Legolas's
left nipple, rolling it between his fingers.  The
prince released a sharp gasp.

"Was that not pleasing, meleth?" asked Elrohir.  "And
this?"  He bent down and licked Legolas's chest,
moving to the nipple, and teasing it with his tongue. 
Elladan sucked on the other one until Legolas thrashed
away from them, moaning. The twins moved steadily down
his chest, kissing, licking, and then their tongues
met and swirled over his hard abdomen. Elladan slipped
his fingers into the edge of the prince's leggings as
Elrohir untied them, sliding them down off his hips,
then the cool air blew against his throbbing erection
as it was released into the air.  The twins sank down
on their knees and Legolas rested a hand on each of
their heads, trembling in anticipation.

"Beautiful all over," repeated Elladan as he stroked
one hand over Legolas's high rounded buttocks.

"He is. I remember this. So delightful, pen vain,"
Elrohir said taking Legolas's member in his hand, then
bringing it to his mouth and licking along the length.
Elladan licked the other side, their tongues meeting
and rolling around the prince's cock as their hands
gently kneaded his sacs.  Legolas shuddered with
pleasure as they took turns engulfing his member in
their silky smooth mouths, each sucking a few cycles,
pulling away to kiss each other, then giving him over
to the other's mouth. 

"Ah, gods, I remember your skill," the prince moaned
as he felt himself gather for release. But Elladan
pressed down hard on the base of his shaft causing the
prince to cry out.

"Not yet, lirimaer," the twin said.  

"You are cruel!" Legolas gasped, biting his lip as his
hips bucked forward convulsively.

"We will be even crueler and you will thank us," said
Elrohir, the laughing tone coloring his voice.

"A demonstration of our unusual capabilities is
warranted, I think, gwanunig,"* said Elladan, standing
slowly.  He reached down and unlaced his jerkin, then
pulled it and his tunic over his head.  Legolas's eyes
devoured his beauty, the shadows cast in the silvery
light defining the broad, elegant musculature of his
battle-hardened chest.  The breeze blew his midnight
hair about his face, pebbling his darkened nipples.  
His wolf-like eyes gleamed and his sensuous lips
parted.

Legolas exhaled softly, reaching over to run his
fingertips over Elladan's biceps and across his smooth
chest.  "You say I am beautiful," the prince said,
"but nothing compares to you and your brother.  You
give me chills."

"I would agree that I have never seen anyone so
lovely, gwanunig," said Elrohir looking up from his
kneeling position. He cocked his head and laughed.
"But it would sound conceited."  

"Less talk, more action," said Elladan.  "Show him."

"So, impatient, brother," said Elrohir, clicking his
tongue. He reached up and unlaced his twin's leggings,
releasing the considerable girth of his member, and
wetting it with his mouth. Elladan leaned back against
the mast and closed his eyes.  Then Elrohir turned his
head and took Legolas's cock back into his mouth while
stroking Elladan to his full length.  

Elladan leaned over and kissed Legolas hard, and once
again Legolas felt the word of command, then Elladan
said, "His mouth feels good, doesn't it?"

Legolas emitted a small gasp as he nodded.

Shuddering, Elladan looked into the Mirkwood prince's
eyes. "His mouth feels good to me too. Look." 

Legolas looked down and saw that Elrohir now sucked on
Elladan, his sleek head moving back and forth,
Elladan's cock appearing and disappearing from those
lovely lips.  The sight alone was enough to send
Legolas over the edge.  Then he realized something. "I
can still feel his mouth on me."  

"Uh!" Elladan cried, bucking his hips. "Yes, you feel
what I feel, pen-vain.  We have made a connection."  
He bent his head, cupping Legolas's face in his hands,
and kissed him while reaching down, and caressing the
prince's shaft. 

Legolas had the wildly erotic dual sensation of a hot
mouth driving him relentlessly toward completion and a
hand also stroking him.  Then the hand left and he
looked down, seeing himself fully erect inches away
from Elrohir who was taking Elladan down his throat. 
He closed his eyes and felt a hot wet tongue pulsing
along his cock. Then he  felt his mouth filled with a
slick, hard shaft, moving rapidly back and forth.  He
tasted the sweet precum. At the same time, he could
feel Elladan's excitement, his hot need building
toward climax.

Elladan thrust his hips forward with a guttural cry as
he came hard, filling his twin's mouth.  At the same
instant, Legolas also released with a deep groan, his
semen hitting Elrohir's cheek.  He felt the hot sticky
wetness dripping down his own cheek, though when he
reached up to feel it, his face was dry.

He saw Elrohir swallow and then turn and take his
softening member in his mouth, sucking gently as
Legolas moaned and trembled, tiny shocks still
shooting through his groin. Elladan sank to his knees
and Elrohir let the prince slip from his mouth as
Elladan licked Elrohir's cheek clean. 

Legolas's legs felt weak under him as he reeled with
sensation.  He reached down and pulled up his
leggings, then sat cross-legged on the deck, watching
while Elladan gently and repeatedly kissed Elrohir. 
Legolas could taste the smoky, sweetness of Elladan's
seed. A wave of love emanating from the twins washed
over him. 

"That is a remarkable gift," the elf prince commented.

Elrohir turned his laughing eyes on him.  "We thought
you might appreciate it.  You should be honored, we
don't often share it with others."

"But tonight, we will share it with our beautiful
Mirkwood prince as many times as possible, in as many
ways as we can think of," commented Elladan, smiling
broadly.  He reached over and stroked the back of his
hand over Legolas's cheek.  Legolas felt a jolt to his
groin.

"Come," Elrohir said, rising smoothly to his feet. 
"There are more comfortable places than a rough-hewn
mast for these pleasures.  You both owe me and I
intend to get full payment." The corner of his mouth
quirked into a smile. He picked up his gloves and
stuffed them in his waistband, ran across the deck,
jumped up onto the taut mooring line, and ran lightly
back over it.

Legolas and Elladan looked at each other, grinned, and
began rapidly drawing their clothes back on. 

"I get him first," Legolas said.

"Only if you catch him before I do," Elladan laughed. 
   

********************** 
*Tinnu - twilight
*ernil-nīn - my prince
*pen-vain - beautiful one
*śthaes-nīn - my temptation
*gwanunig - twin brother


Chapter 3 -  Shared Pleasures

Legolas left the ship at Harlond in a rather different
frame of mind than when he arrived.  He sat easily on
Arod's back, comfortable in Elrohir's arms, as they
cantered toward the torch-lit city. The twin's body
pressed up behind him, his loins bumping Legolas's
rear with every stride, sending an anticipatory tingle
straight to the prince's groin.

Elladan kept pace, periodically looking slyly at them.


"I gather you liked our demonstration, cousin,"
Elrohir said into his ear.

"How could I not?" said Legolas. 

"Do you hunger for more?" asked Elrohir. Legolas felt
him sliding his hands under his tunic, teasing his
bare skin. 

"You know I do," said Legolas.  Then he groaned as
Elrohir pulled his hair aside and began nibbling his
neck. 

"How do you like it?" the twin asked. "Do you like to
give or receive?" His hand dipped down into Legolas's
leggings, finding his growing shaft. 

"Either. Both," Legolas moaned. "I'll take you, if you
like."

"I would like that," Elrohir said. "I am curious. 
Which way was it with you and Estel?"

Legolas grinned.  "You want to know such an intimacy
about your dear foster brother?  Very well.  It ran
both ways, but I took him more often than not."

Elrohir laughed. "Now that doesn't sound like my
commanding brother, who is now the powerful King of
Gondor."

"I think," said Legolas, "that he enjoyed having
someone else take charge, if only for a brief time." 
He became quiet and preoccupied again as he remembered
his passionate, short-lived embraces with the king.

Sensing his trouble, Elrohir set about distracting
him, stroking him hard.  

"Brother, be easy or he'll spend too soon," called
Elladan. 

"And then you would have to wait for him to recover,"
Elrohir said, grinning. "Too greedy, brother."

"Let us hurry back," suggested Legolas.

"He's eager for us, gwanunig.* Let's not waste a
moment more," cried Elrohir.

He urged Arod into a gallop and they flew across the
Pelennor towards the magnificent city.

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

The moon rode high overhead as it was past midnight
when they reached the gates. Elrohir sat back, his
hands resting innocently on his thighs as they saluted
the guards. They rode the horses at a walk along the
long, winding pathway through the six gates, so the
beasts had cooled off by the time they reached the
royal stables. 

The young stable hand was pacing restlessly, the light
from the open door illuminating his freckled face and
sandy, shoulder-length hair.  He turned eagerly at the
sound of their approach.

"My lords," he called.  "I am right glad to see you. 
You were gone so long I feared something was amiss. A
messenger came from King Elessar asking the
whereabouts of Prince Legolas."

Legolas looked at him searchingly.  "Did he send for
me?" he asked.

"No, my lord, just asked where you were.  I said you
had headed out of the city on horseback.  The guard
took that message back toward the Citadel."

Legolas felt the heaviness sink into his chest again,
even though he knew Aragorn could not send for him,
this night of all nights. Elrohir looked at him and
gripped his shoulder.

"Did you do as I bid?" asked Elladan, sliding off
Tinnu's back and sending the animal to his stall with
a gentle slap on the rump.

"Aye, my lord."  He paused.  "It was somewhat
difficult to get the specific herbs you requested.  I
had to go to the master of the Houses of Healing.  He
was, at first, reluctant, until I told him the sons of
Elrond had asked for them, for medicinal purposes."

"Our companion, Prince Legolas, was hurt in the War
and has never fully recovered," Elladan said. "Those
herbs will cure his malady." 

Elrohir poked Legolas. "Isn't that so, Prince?" he
said.

"Yes," Legolas said, rubbing a hand over his shoulder
as he slid off Arod.  "I fear it hurts me still.  If
these preparations help ease the pain, you'll have my
eternal gratitude."  He flashed a smile at the lad,
who turned bright red.

"I am sorry you were injured, my lord.  I have
followed your exploits during the Great War.  I know
of your skill in battle and that of the sons of
Elrond, as I have always been partial to stories about
the elves."  The young man looked at them with bright
eyes.

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear," Elladan
said, advancing on the young man.  "We had but a minor
role.  What is your name?"

"Barahir, my lord."  The youth stepped back, looking
up at the peredhel with an awed expression. 

Elladan stood next to him and put a hand on his
shoulder. "You carry an honorable name," he said, "the
name of one of my ancestors."

"Aye, my lord. I know."

"Then, Barahir, I thank you for your trouble." Elladan
withdrew a coin from a pouch on his belt, picked up
the young man's hand, and pressed the money into it.  
Then he bent and gently brushed back the youth's hair,
his fingers grazing his cheek, and leaned close to
say, "I'm sure we can count on your discretion.  The
Prince is sensitive about his injury." 

Again, Barahir colored prettily.  "Aye, of. . . of . .
.  course," he stammered.  

Elladan nodded and straightened up. "Well, we'll be on
our way. Take good care of our horses." 

The three of them headed down the path. Legolas looked
back to see Barahir staring after them, clutching the
fist containing the coin to his chest. He gently
touched his cheek with the other hand.

When they were out of earshot Legolas said, "You know,
Elladan, you shouldn't play with mortals like that. I
think you stirred up his blood."

"It did no harm," Elladan said.  Then he leaned close
to Legolas.  "You didn't seem to mind it when we
played with you."  He ran his finger along the tip of
the prince's ear causing a tingling sensation that
slowly spread.

Legolas caught Elladan's hand with a smile.  "Are you
so sure of your game?  What if I refuse to play any
further?"

"You lose," Elladan laughed.

"And if I answer your challenge?"

"We all win," Elrohir said as he slipped an arm around
Legolas's waist. 

"Where are we going?" the prince asked, when they
passed the turn that would lead to his room.

"To our lodging," Elladan said. "A better choice, is
it not, if we don't want to be disturbed? I doubt
anyone will come looking for you there."  He smiled
and ran a tongue across his lips.  There was a flash
from his glowing eyes as he turned his head.

Fascinated, Legolas looked at the shadowed planes of
his face and the braided midnight hair flowing down
his back.  Beautiful, indeed.

The air smelled faintly of sulphur from the now-spent
fireworks as they made their way along a dark pathway
between the multi-storied buildings.  Occasionally,
they passed a group of people talking and laughing
among themselves. 

They came to one of the guest houses on the northern
side of the Citadel wall, entered the arched doorway,
went through a foyer and up a stone stairway to a
small landing.  Elrohir opened a door and they entered
a sitting room with a fireplace, table, and four
chairs. He walked over to double doors at the far end
of the room and flung them open to a view that looked
northeast over the high Citadel wall to the black
fields of the Pelennor beyond. Another doorway led,
Legolas supposed, to the bedroom. 

On the table were some folded cloths, a bottle with
three glasses, and a basket of food. Elladan crossed
the room and unfolded one of the cloths revealing some
long dried leaves.  He pinched off a piece and held it
to his nose, then he uncovered another cloth with some
more dried leaves of a different shape.  He smiled.  

"Elrohir, meleth,* remind me to go back to the stable
tomorrow to thank that boy properly.  This is exactly
what we needed."

"I don't even want to know what you have in mind for
him," Legolas said.  He sank down into one of the
chairs, then reached over and picked up the bottle,
uncorked it and poured three glasses.

"Don't get too comfortable, I think there is a treat
for you in the next room," Elladan said.  He strode
over and disappeared, reappearing moments later. 
"You'll find a nice hot bath in there.  You should get
in it, before it cools off any more." 

Legolas took a swig of the liquor and rolled it about
his tongue.  It felt cool to the tongue at first, then
warmed with a taste of honey and almonds. "Unusual to
have found paichoglī* in this area," he said.

"I knew it was one of your favorites.  A visit to the
royal pantries secured it," said Elrohir.

"You have been busy on my behalf this evening.  It is
appreciated," Legolas sighed. 

Elrohir leaned over and kissed his cheek.  "It is not
all altruistic, pen-vain.  We have designs on you. 
Come," he began loosening the ties of the prince's
jerkin, "into the bath.  You'll feel better."

Legolas set down his glass, stood, and went into the
bedroom.  The room was large with a high ceiling.  The
bed against the far wall had a heavy dark-oak frame
elaborately carved with strange birds and beasts under
a canopy of red brocade, the same color as the quilted
cover. The floor was of grey flagstone.  An open
window high in the wall admitted a light breeze that
moved the gauzy curtains like a puff of breath. 
Several oil lamps hung from the ceiling casting a rich
yellow glow over the room.  An arched doorway led to
another room.

The elven prince went through that doorway into a
small room with a large ceramic tub filled with
slightly steaming water.  Towels lay folded on a
chair.  It looked very inviting.  

He shrugged off his clothes, peeling off his leggings,
which were stiff with horsehair, and slid into the
water. With a sigh, he laid his head back on the lip
of the tub.  Closing his eyes, he felt again the
rhythm of the galloping horse and the comforting
sensation of Elrohir pressed up behind him. 

The prince heard the door open and Elladan came in. He
squatted down next to the tub, flicking his eyes over
Legolas appraisingly. 

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Pleasant," Legolas said, "which is a distinct
improvement over earlier this evening."

"Good," said Elladan.  "I brought something to make
you feel more than just ‘pleasant.'"  

He extended his hands over the water and crumbled some
of the dried leaves into it with a crackling sound.  A
rich smell filled the air, clean and bracing and
sensual like roses and sandalwood and sage mixed with
a wind from a snow-covered mountain peak.  Legolas
found himself inhaling deeply, and as he did, felt a
lightening of spirit, a sense of joy.  His skin
tingled and came alive as his senses sharpened so that
he could hear Elladan's breathing, his heart beating.

"What herbs are these, Elladan, bain-nīn?" Legolas
asked.  

Elladan laughed, bent over the tub and breathed in
deeply.  "Delightful, isn't it?  This is a combination
of athelas, a healing herb that Estel is quite fond of
using and another, something Father showed me long
ago.  It is called echuilin thūl* and will awaken and
intensify your senses.  The combination of the two is
especially efficacious.  Sit in there for a while, my
friend, and you will feel no pain."

"I thought you were going to help in that respect,"
Legolas said, grinning up at Elladan. Already he could
feel himself relaxing, giving into the sensation of
the moment.

The peredhel gave him a lascivious smile.  "Are you in
such a hurry, pen-vain?  To be done properly these
things take time. And we have all night."  He trailed
his fingertips across Legolas's collar bone and then
in lazy circles down over his chest. 

The prince closed his eyes and he was in a sunny
meadow of tall flowers that brushed his chest as he
walked, erupting in glorious aroma.  A single sunbeam
moved over his cheek and down to graze his lips. 

He opened his eyes and saw that now Elrohir was
leaning over him, gently and deliberately planting
kisses over his face.  The twin was naked.  He smiled
at Legolas, then closed his eyes, and inhaled deeply
from the spiced steam.

Elladan had drawn up a stool and sat on his other
side, watching.

Legolas reached up with a splayed hand and cupped the
back of Elrohir's head as he pulled him back again to
his lips.  

Elrohir released a little moan and then whispered, "I
love a forceful elf.  Take my mouth with yours." 

The Mirkwood prince found himself again kissing those
luscious ripe lips that seemed to move so fluidly and
sensuously against his. Legolas thrust his tongue into
the warm mouth, feeling Elrohir's tongue swirling with
his as Legolas kissed him harder. They both came apart
with a little gasp of air. 

Elrohir stood up, stretched like a cat, his muscles
rippling, and then rolled smoothly into the tub on top
of Legolas. There was a great splash of water and
Elrohir laughed as the prince yelped and half sat up. 

"Valar's wisdom! You could warn someone before
descending on delicate parts like that!" Legolas said.

"A warrior never gives any warning," said Elrohir,
eyes dancing in amusement as he moved his groin over
Legolas's, their members stiffening against each
other. 

"I thought you were giving up those ways," Legolas
grinned.

"Some things are in the bone," Elrohir said, laughing.
 "Elladan, could you be useful for once and hand me
the soap?"

"Are you saying that I'm not useful?" Elladan said. 
"Dear brother, you may live to regret that remark." 
He picked up a bar of yellow soap and then grasped
Elrohir by the hair, hauling him up to kiss him hard. 
Elrohir's resulting squirms against Legolas's cock
caused the prince to groan loudly.  

"See what you're doing to our Mirkwood friend,"
Elrohir gasped.  "Quit playing and give me that." He
grabbed the soap from Elladan and rubbed a foam into
his hands.  Then he sat up and looked at his brother.
"You know you'd be much more appealing without those
clothes, gwanunig."

Elladan straightened up and slowly pulled his tunic
over his head, then sat on a chair and drew off the
boots and leggings, revealing his creamy smooth skin
with the long muscled thighs. Fine dark hair, like
cornsilk, formed a curly halo around his semi-erect
member.  Legolas sighed as he gazed at him, then
turned and looked at Elrohir, his beautiful mirror
image, who sat in Legolas's lap, smiling wickedly at
him, and rubbing white suds through his hands.

"You two are planning to kill me tonight, aren't you?"
Legolas said.  "I know it. That's how you're going to
relieve me of my misery."  

"Oh, he guessed it, gwanunig-nīn," Elrohir said to
Elladan as he stroked the soap suds over Legolas's
chest, pausing to swirl over his nipples, and then
down his rib cage to the rippling muscles in his
abdomen.  He moved backward off the elf, plunging his
soapy hands into the water, and grasped the prince's
member, slowly stroking the hard column of slippery
flesh. Legolas felt hot jolts running up and down his
shaft, the energy building in his loins. The clean
sweet smell of the herbs was overpowering.

"It'll take both of us to kill him, as he's one tough
piece of orc bait," said Elladan. 

He reached over and added his hand to his brother's
efforts, then he left Legolas's member to stroke
Elrohir's, their hands creating a sticky, slurping
sound as they moved. Both elf and half-elf began to
writhe as the water sloshed back and forth.  Legolas's
hips bucked forward when suddenly the brothers ceased
their motions. 

Elrohir rinsed both himself and Legolas and then put
his hand on the elven prince's hip. "Come, let's get
out," he said. "We'll give my odoriferous brother a
chance to wash as well."

"I'm remembering every insult, gwanunig, and you will
live to regret all of them," Elladan said smoothly, as
they stepped out of the tub and he slid into it.  

"I eagerly await your punishment, brother.  Just hurry
up and help me comfort this elf," Elrohir said as he
picked up a towel and began drying Legolas. "He is too
beautiful to keep to myself." He leaned forward and
began licking water drops off the prince's neck.

Legolas grabbed Elrohir by the arm, hauled the damp
and unresisting twin into the adjoining chamber, and
pushed him onto the bed.  

"You have teased me long enough, son of Elrond," he
said.  "Time for some satisfaction."

Elrohir smiled and lay back sensuously, his head
propped up on one hand. "What is your desire,
Legolas?" he said.

The elf climbed onto the bed and pulled him close,
running his hand down his smooth backside. "I want to
take you, cousin, so hard you scream for me to stop." 

Elrohir laughed. "Yes, that's very appealing.  But
first, don't you want this, Legolas?"  He reached down
and grasped his cock, "Wouldn't you like to feel it in
your mouth?"

Legolas gave him a slow smile, then bent and kissed
the beautiful twin, thrusting his tongue in and out of
his mouth until Elrohir was gasping for breath and
Legolas's lips burned.  Then he traveled down the
peredhel's smooth white throat, biting and sucking,
over his chest, pausing to suck hard on first one
small, tan nipple, then the other as Elrohir's chest
heaved.

Legolas was aflame with sensations, the tiny bumps of
Elrohir's nipple on his tongue, the sweet taste of his
body, his soft flesh over the hard muscles of his arms
and chest.  He ran his hands down Elrohir's torso to
his hips, feeling the hard bones, then around to the
back to cup the delicious, rounded buttocks. Elrohir's
erection pressed hard into Legolas's thigh, demanding
attention. 

The elf kissed and sucked his way along the low curve
of Elrohir's loin muscles, the very sight of which
filled him with longing.  He licked a long swipe up
along his tender inner thighs and the peredhel writhed
and moaned in a very satisfactory manner. 

"Legolas, taste me! Now!" cried Elrohir. "Here, I'll
let you feel what I feel." He grasped Legolas's face
in both hands and Legolas heard once more the word of
command.  Then Elrohir guided his mouth down to his
cock and cried out "Uhhhnnnggg," as Legolas plunged
down onto it. 

The elf reveled in the rock hard flesh filling his
mouth, the blood throbbing along his tongue.  At the
same time, he could feel a wet mouth on his own organ
and knew he was sensing what Elrohir felt.  The
sensation guided his motions in a way he'd never
experienced before, allowing him to do exactly what
felt best to him.  He used his teeth to tease and
nibble up and down the length, then coming down onto
it, taking the whole shaft deep into his throat,
pulsing up and down.  His own member brushed
deliciously against the silky bedcover as he listened
to the increasingly helpless moans of delight from the
raven-haired elf under him. 

Legolas was building to a climax when he suddenly felt
Elrohir grab his hair, pulling hard, as the peredhel
arched his entire body like a young tree bending in
the wind, and came in a rush, with a deep groan.

Legolas's mouth filled with hard spurts of sweet
fluid, and the prince pulled his mouth off Elrohir as
the last eruption poured over his hand.  Legolas was
coming at the same time, thrusting his hips against
the bed cover. He rolled onto his back, his whole body
trembling, and occasionally another needle of pleasure
shot through his groin.  He reached over and stroked
Elrohir's softening organ gently, rubbing the fluid
into the skin. 

"Did that repay you for your efforts earlier this
evening?" Legolas said, propping himself up on one
elbow and pushing the hair back from Elrohir's sweaty
face.

"Oh my dear Mirkwood cousin," panted Elrohir, "now I
believe I owe you."

"This could go on for quite some time, with payment by
one leaving the other in debt," Legolas laughed.

"Yes, it could," said a melodious voice from the
bathroom doorway.  "It is a debt I would like to
collect as watching you two has made me quite hungry."


They looked up to see a relaxed Elladan leaning
against the doorframe, completely naked and glistening
with moisture, his damp hair clinging to his chest. He
walked through the room, disappearing into the sitting
room and Elrohir smiled at Legolas.

Elladan returned his arms laden with the flask of
paichoglī, glasses, a basket of fruit, and a bottle of
yellow oil which he set on the table by the bed.

"Watching you two was very stimulating," he said as he
slid onto the bed.  Elrohir sat up, wrapping his
forearms around his knees, and Elladan draped an arm
over his shoulders. "I like seeing you come,
śthaes-nīn,* especially with someone else.  It's the
pleasure without the guilt."

"Is there guilt then?" asked Legolas.

Elrohir glanced at his twin sidelong. "Our love is
forbidden, you know that, Legolas.  It comes at a
price.  We've managed to keep it from the world.  We
share it with you now only because we trust you
absolutely.  No one knows.  No one must know."

Elladan nodded.  "But we've found, with our gift, we
can feel each other's sensation through someone else. 
I can love him without touching his flesh.  No guilt."

"I would think that's a fine line as far as the Valar
are concerned," said Legolas, tracing his finger along
Elladan's thigh. 

"Perhaps," said Elladan. "In any case, we've sinned
enough with each other that if there is a reckoning
before the Valar, we're doomed to it."  He sighed. 
"This makes the dilemma of whether to take ship
oversea all the more poignant, wouldn't you say?"

Legolas nodded.  

Elladan reached over and picked up the flask of
liquor, held it up in the light and swirled it around.
"I infused this with some of the echuilin thūl.  It'll
help to ease all our souls, if just for a little
while."  

He poured the liquid into the glasses and passed them
around. Legolas looked at the pale yellow fluid that
now had small brown specks floating in it, then
brought it to his nose and inhaled deeply. It had the
same scent as the bathwater, but more muted, mixed
with warm honey and cinnamon. He realized suddenly
that his heart was not hurting him anymore and that
instead, he felt light, almost giddy.

He lifted his glass and said, "Friends, I realize now
what you have done for me this night, you have pulled
me back from the abyss. I am deeply grateful.  I
propose your toast again, Elladan. A chuil!"* 

"A chuil," the twins said together. They clicked
glasses and each took a large gulp.

"We have done it both for the love of you and of our
foster brother, who would be devastated if anything
happened to you," said Elrohir.

"How do you know?" asked Legolas bitterly.  "Perhaps
it would be more convenient for him if I just
disappeared."

"We know," said Elladan, taking Legolas's chin in his
fingers, "because he told us so himself.  Who do you
think sent us to find you?  Although," the peredhel
laughed wickedly, "I don't think he had quite this
cure in mind.  This we thought of ourselves."

Elladan drained the rest of his drink, then picked up
the bottle of oil. "Come pen melui,* he said to
Elrohir, "it's time to begin the third round."

They both turned gleaming eyes on Legolas.

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

*gwanunig - twin brother
*meleth - love
*bain-nīn - my beauty
*paichoglī - invented word from paich (juice) and glī
(honey)
*echuilin thūl - invented word from echui (awakening)
and thūl (breath)
*śthaes-nīn - my temptation 
*a chuil - to life
*pen melui - sweet one 


Chapter 4 - Dawn

"Finish your drink, lirimaer,"  Elladan said. 

Legolas tossed back the rest of the sweet liquor and
Elladan took the glass from his hand and set it on the
table.

Elrohir pressed up close behind Legolas on the bed and
gently gathered up his hair, twisting it several times
and then moving it over his shoulder onto his chest.
The twin reached out a hand and Elladan poured some
oil into it.  Elrohir then began slowly kneading it
into Legolas's arms, shoulders, and back. Legolas
relaxed into his touch and groaned softly.

Elladan oiled his own hands and sat up on his knees. 
He drew a sword-calloused finger along the prince's
jaw, then across his earlobes, his neck, along his
collar bone, down his chest, over his hips, the small
of his back. Everywhere he touched left a warm tingle
that lingered and spread.

"Is that you or the echuilin thūl you put in the
drink?" Legolas murmured drowsily.

"Both," said Elladan. "How are you feeling?"

"Delicious," Legolas smiled.

"You heard him, gwanunig," Elladan said. "He's
delicious."

"I know it," Elrohir said as he dropped his mouth to
the prince's neck and began to bite gently. "I tasted
him earlier.  But you have not yet." 

"A pleasure I won't forego much longer," Elladan said.
 "But we must attend to his spirit first."

Taking the prince's chin in his hand, he brushed his
lips against Legolas's.  The elf felt Elladan's
searching energy reaching into him.  He opened his
mouth to the twin, who inhaled his breath with a soft
whooshing sound.  Then Elladan blew into Legolas's
lungs.

"Breath is life and spirit," the twin whispered into
the prince's mouth. "A healing tool.  Now to find the
wound."  He kissed him deeply, sending his tongue as
messenger while he massaged his fingers across the
elf's chest.  His lips were more forceful, less
yielding than Elrohir's.  Legolas thought how
different they both were from Aragorn, whose lips
always conveyed both strength and a terrible need. It
was the need that drew Legolas the most.He sighed,
feeling the pain in his chest again.

Legolas felt a probing sensation in his chest. He had
a vision of Elladan reaching into his heart and
pinching shut a gaping hole until there was only a
long, white scar.  As he did this, the peredhel's
fingers brushed an old wound.

"There is a strange scar here, Legolas," Elladan
murmured. "What is it?"

"The dragon," Legolas whispered, "took a piece of my
love for Elwen."

"That is a story you have not told me," Elladan said.
"Perhaps you will some day."  He gently massaged the
scar until it was barely perceptible. 

"Let the memory of your lost loves make you stronger,
not destroy you, pen-vain," Elladan commanded.

And indeed Legolas still felt an echo of great
sadness, but now a remembered rush of delight in
beauty and the earth.  He heard his heart pounding as
the blood pumped into his loins, awakening him with
fire. 

Elladan leaned forward and whispered in the prince's
ear, "Now you must know, my beauty, how I burn for
you. Will you satisfy my desire?" 

Legolas looked into his wolf-grey eyes, glowing with
lust, and felt an answering call within, a great
aching to be possessed by this rapturous being. His
answer came in a breathy gasp. "You are a sorcerer.  I
could not resist if I wanted to."

"You see, Legolas, how I am seduced and fallen,"
Elrohir said behind him. "His love warmed me during
the long, cold nights when we took respite from
slaughtering orcs.  Without it, I would long ago have
become a wraith, without a soul, as our fury
threatened to make us akin to the dark creatures that
we pursued. We, neither of us, have any will power
left in this.  He must take me and I must have him.  I
stopped fighting him long ago."

Elladan reached across Legolas's shoulder and cupped
Elrohir's cheek.  "It was never a fight, was it, my
love?" he said, his voice gentle. "You came to me of
your own will.  Now come to me again. Come to me,
without guilt, through our beautiful Mirkwood cousin."

Elladan turned to Legolas, and kissing him gently
said, "Connect with me, lirimaer, so I may share you
and my brother."  

Legolas felt Elladan's command and then the twin's
heightened senses, the heat from his loins. 

"How long does the connection last?" asked Legolas.

"It will wear off within the hour, unless we
re-establish, or break it," said Elladan. "And now,
meleth, come to me."

Legolas closed his eyes and sighed as Elladan captured
his lips in a numbing kiss. The twin hauled Legolas
down onto the bed to lie next to him and with one leg,
pulled their loins into full contact, their members
stiffening as they rubbed against each other. 

Behind him, Elrohir also sank down and plied his
tongue along Legolas's neck, and down his back, then
over his rear.  His hand slid between Legolas's legs,
parting them slightly, fondling his sacs, and then the
prince felt Elrohir lapping at his entrance. 

At the same time, Elladan had moved down the prince's
front, his tongue gliding across his nipples, while he
grasped Legolas's hardened shaft somewhat harshly and
ran his finger over the slit at the top, rubbing the
pearly drops of liquid over the head. 

Legolas gasped and thrashed a little under the double
assault. He cried out louder when he felt Elladan's
mouth slowly and sensuously slide down over his cock
as, at the same time, the peredhel's finger breeched
his entrance, and moved slowly into him, finally
crooking upward at an angle caressing his tender spot.
Pleasure flashed throughout the elf and he moaned. He
had never in his life had his senses so thoroughly
ravished, enhanced as they were with the echuilin
thūl.  He felt Elrohir still licking him with a very
wet tongue all around Elladan's finger. 

Elladan sucked the prince hard and fast until Legolas
saw tiny lights exploding behind his eyes.

"Ai, I'm going to come," Legolas said, feeling himself
reaching a peak, when suddenly Elladan withdrew his
mouth and finger and grabbed Legolas's cock, squeezing
hard at the base, and gasping a little himself as he
did so. 

"Elladan, I'm going to kill you!" cried Legolas. "I
mean it, you won't escape my wrath.  Uhhhh, yes, a
slow torturous death." 

Behind him Elrohir also moaned and twisted in pain.
"That makes two of us!" he said.

Elladan chuckled, "No, you won't.  This is just a
prelude for what's to come. Forbearance now will lead
to greater pleasure, shortly." 

"I can't wait," Legolas said, rolling over onto his
back and stroking himself in an attempt to relieve the
terrible need.  Elladan leapt on him, straddling his
waist, and pushing the prince's arms over his head
into the bed. He held them down while Legolas panted
and thrashed under him.

"You are as cruel as an orc," Legolas said, calming a
little, the red clearing from his vision. 

"I promised that you'd be crying with pleasure
tonight," Elladan grinned. "You haven't quite achieved
that state yet.  But you will." 

"Couldn't you feel it too?  How could you stop?"
Legolas said.

"Self-control, lirimaer," Elladan said. 

Legolas gave a short laugh.

"Oh, gods, Legolas, you don't know the half of it when
it comes to his control," Elrohir said, sitting up. 

"To answer your question, yes, I feel it too.  Here is
the evidence."  Elladan sat up and guided Legolas's
hand to his rock-hard member.

"That is charming," Legolas said and knocked Elladan
over, leaned down, and sucked on the tip.  The twin
moaned.

"A little of your own medicine, healer," Legolas
commented before engulfing Elladan, going at him hard
up and down, until the peredhel was thrashing against
the quilt, sounds of pleasure welling from his throat.
 Then Legolas stopped just as suddenly as Elladan had
and got up from the bed.

"I can play your game too," Legolas smirked, as
Elladan lay on the bed panting, his member standing as
tall as a young tree.

"Point taken, Legolas," he said. 

Elrohir reached for the basket of fruit, selecting a
large ripe peach.  Elladan pushed himself up on his
elbows and watched him with a sly smile, his gaze
lingering on his brother's smooth buttocks as Elrohir
bent over.  

"Legolas," Elladan said. "I have something in mind for
my delicious brother." 

Both Legolas and Elrohir turned to look at him as the
image of peach juice dripping down Elrohir's rear
filled their thoughts.  Elrohir grinned and took a
huge bite of the fruit, the burst of sweet flavor
tickling Elladan and Legolas's tongues. 

Elladan reached over to his twin and grabbed the peach
from his hand.  "Here, brother, is where you are
repaid for all those insults earlier this evening." 

"Go ahead and take your revenge," Elrohir laughed. 

Elladan grabbed him, hauling him back down on the bed,
and pinned him by leaning his weight against his
twin's back. 

"Legolas," he said.  "He's all yours." 

Legolas straddled the hapless twin, sitting on his
upper thighs.  Elladan handed him the peach and the
prince bit off a piece and squeezed it between his
fingers so that it dripped down over the peredhel's
smooth rear end. Elrohir quivered as the drops of
juice hit him.  Legolas bent down and licked the sweet
juice, following its course down into Elrohir's cleft.


"That is delightful, cousin," Elrohir purred. 

Elladan closed his eyes and ran his tongue over his
lips.  "Hmm. I can taste it. You have a delicious ass,
gwanunig," he said. "Legolas, nothing would please me
more than to watch you take him."

"I promised him that very thing earlier," Legolas
said.  He reached over to the table and picked up the
oil bottle and poured some over Elrohir's rear, then
he rubbed his cock along the cleft.

Elrohir groaned. "Get off me, brother. Both of you are
too heavy." 

Elladan moved aside and then bent and ran his tongue
back and forth over Legolas's shaft as it rubbed
against Elrohir.

"Uh, that is glorious.  Sit up a bit, Elrohir,"
Legolas said. The twin complied. Legolas moved back
and slowly pushed a finger inside him, then adding
another.  Elrohir groaned and wriggled in a discomfort
that they could all feel. Elladan poured more oil over
him and pulled his cheeks apart, massaging the oil
around the pink, puckered opening as Legolas added a
third finger and reaching up high, stroked Elrohir's
sensitive gland.

"Oh, better," Elrohir crowed as an arrow of heat shot
through him.  Elladan and Legolas both gasped as they
felt it also. 

"Isn't he alluring, Legolas?" whispered Elladan,
caressing Elrohir's rear. "Take him, now.  He likes it
hard." 

"You are wicked, brother." Elrohir said, "Be easy at
first, Legolas."

"Hard and fast, ernil-bain," laughed Elladan.

Legolas sat up on his knees and positioned himself at
Elrohir's entrance.  Grasping the peredhel's hips, he
slowly pushed himself completely inside. Elrohir
grunted in pain, almost immediately followed by a moan
of joy as Legolas again hit his pleasure spot.

Legolas's head reeled in delight at the tight heat all
about his organ, Elrohir's muscles clenching  at the
base, coupled with the mirrored sensation of Elrohir's
pleasure.  He looked over at Elladan whose face was
soft with bliss, his eyes closed as he stroked himself
with one hand and reached under and grasped Elrohir's
organ with the other.

The elven prince began thrusting hard, the triple
sensations almost overpowering his ability to move. He
had to control it by slipping first into one mind,
then the other, then back into his own. He felt
himself buried to the hilt within Elrohir, then he
slipped to Elrohir's full, stretched, burning
sensation, shuddering with the hard motion and the
flash of pleasure that coursed through his body as
Legolas hit that area inside him, and then to Elladan,
with one hand rolling around his hard shaft, the other
around his brother's.

"Do you like that, brother?" Elladan asked.  "Does he
feel good inside you?"

"You know he does," Elrohir gasped, breathing hard.
"You share the sensation."  

"Yes," Elladan smiled and closed his eyes.  "Ah, and
now, Legolas, you must stop," he commanded. 

"What now, taskmaster?" Legolas moaned as he ceased
his movements.

"Ah gods, brother," Elrohir cried. "Torture!"

"No, this is about to get even better," Elladan
chuckled.  He scooted back along the bed and came up
behind Legolas.  The prince heard the wet sound of
Elladan stroking oil onto himself and then the
prince's whole body was pushed forcibly onto Elrohir
as he was impaled by the Elladan's huge member.

"Uhhh," Legolas cried out as fire coursed through him,
and below him Elrohir also cried and wriggled from
side to side.

Elladan thrust hard several strokes, then stopped. 
"Move, Legolas!" he demanded.

Legolas grabbed Elrohir by the hips, who was down on
all fours. He could feel all three of them at once. 
Elladan thrusting into him; himself surrounded by
Elrohir's tight heat; Elrohir's sensation of Legolas
filling him; Elladan sharing the prince's sensations
of taking his brother; and his twin's response.  The
rapture was so intense that it bordered on pain.

Elladan set the pace, moving slowly, then gaining in
speed like a battering ram.  At first Legolas had
difficulty coordinating his movements, but soon he was
moving in concert between the two.

He closed his eyes and a river of honeyed pain and
pleasure buffeted him about.  He saw faces of past
loved ones, Elwen, and then Aragorn drifting past him,
reaching out their hands to him and slipping from his
grasp, disappearing in the current.  His head went
under and he struggled to breathe.  He was drowning. 
Then he sensed the powerful, warm presence of the
twins, one on each side, drawing him back to safety,
kissing and caressing him to health.

A warmth reverberated through the prince.  He could
feel the twins' passion: their aching need for each
other, the light and rapture of their communion, the
tortured undercurrent of darkness and remorse. 

Legolas heard Elladan's sensuous voice inside his
head. <Elrohir, śthaes-nīn, can you feel me? I am
taking you through Legolas.  Feel me as you feel him. 
I am inside you, completing you.>

He heard the answer from Elrohir. <Meleth, I feel you
as I sense our beautiful cousin.  Ai, release me! You
burn my soul!>  

<Say it, Elrohir! Tell me!> Elladan commanded.

<You are my sin, my desire, my air to breathe,>
Elrohir moaned.  

<And without you, I am incomplete, desolate,> thought
Elladan. <You are the other half of my heart, my
wings, my soul.>  

<Legolas, do you feel it?  Do you feel our love?>  

<I feel it,> Legolas thought. The sensation was
overwhelming.  <I feel it.> Tears started in his eyes.
The heat in his loins had built to a fever pitch.  His
cock swelled within Elrohir. He thought he would break
apart into jagged pieces.  Elrohir's hips had turned
slippery with sweat under his hands. He could feel his
own sweat trickling down his face and chest. Elladan's
large member pounded into him, hitting his gland with
every thrust, reducing him to a maddened euphoria. 

"Elladan!" Legolas cried out loud. "Son of a warg! I
can't bear it anymore, release us!"

He heard Elladan's soft laughter.  "You have the key,
pen-vain. Turn it."

The mirrors of pleasure flashed before his eyes. He
pulled himself even more deeply into Elrohir, digging
his fingers into his skin and hearing the peredhel cry
and moan, feeling his frenzied need. Legolas took a
deep breath, feeling that he had clawed his way to the
top of a mountain, when suddenly it erupted under his
feet, arching in showers of sparks, a flood of
pleasure so intense he howled as he emptied himself
into Elrohir. 

He heard and felt the other two coming simultaneously,
the aching sensation roiling around and through them
as they uttered guttural moans that came from deep
within their chests, a sound as ancient as love
itself. He was filled with hot liquid even as he saw
the seed spurt from Elrohir. 

The pleasure pulsed through Legolas's member and a
roaring began in his ears as he continued moving,
thrashing out the last drop until his balls ached.
Behind him, Elladan cried out in anguish as he gripped
Legolas hard.

Finally, gasping and shaking, they came apart and
dropped to the bed slowly, like autumn leaves drifting
to earth. 

For the longest time, no one spoke, molten bliss still
reverberating throughout their bodies.  Legolas felt
that his mind had turned to sand.  Every muscle in his
body ached.  He lay staring blindly at the ceiling.

"Sweet Valar! I am undone," he said huskily.

Elrohir threw an arm over Legolas's chest and nuzzled
his ear.  "Did we win our wager?" he said.

"Ten-fold, yes," said Legolas, shaking with occasional
aftershocks of pleasure. "Tell me, have you tortured
anyone else with this *talent*?"

"There have been a handful over the centuries.  How do
you think we discovered our ability?" Elladan grinned
as he moved up to press his warm body on Legolas's
other side.

"I imagine those poor souls were never the same again.
You two are a menace," said Legolas.

Both twins began laughing. 

"I mean it," Legolas said, "I should have you locked
away in my father's dungeon." 

"As long as you lock us in together," Elrohir said,
reaching over Legolas to take Elladan's hand and
interlacing their fingers.

"And send us an elf for entertainment, now and again,"
said Elladan.

"I see. Now that you've given up hunting orcs, you're
going to take up ravishing elves," Legolas said. 

"Maybe just ravishing you, ernil-bain." Elladan said,
picking up one of the prince's thin braids and
brushing the tip of his nose with the end. "Tell me,
don't you feel better now?"

"Yes." Legolas smiled.  "Your healing skills are
extraordinary. If word of this got out, I believe your
house would always be full of folk wanting your
services." 

Elladan chuckled.  "No, we wouldn't use these
particular skills in any but the most unusual of
circumstances, such as comforting our favorite
Mirkwood prince."  

Legolas sat up with a groan and looked toward the
window.  It was still dark outside. "I wonder what the
hour is?" he said.

Elrohir raised himself on one elbow. "Late. Morning
approaches," he said. 

"I'm going for some air," said Legolas, climbing over
Elrohir and stooping to kiss him as he went. 

Legolas went into the sitting room and stood before
the open doors looking out onto the greying light. The
air was cool; the land quiet, as if holding its breath
before the approach of day.  He felt calm, his body
still tingling with delight, his enhanced senses
stretching to touch the energy of the world. 

He wondered what Aragorn was doing.  Did he make love
to Arwen tonight?  Did he shudder in delight at the
touch of her fair skin the way the he had when he
first touched Legolas?  Had he taken her with gentle
passion? Afterward as he held her in his arms, had the
king's thoughts drifted with longing to the times the
prince had held him?  Did those thoughts so disturb
him in the night that he got up and paced, and
consider going to his elven prince, only to lie back
down in despair?

Legolas knew the answer to all of these questions was
yes. 

He sighed and put a hand to his chest.  The terrible
pain had dissipated to a dull ache, like a bruise
that, when touched, hurts pleasantly.  The twins had
done their job well, but he knew he'd never be
entirely free of the heartache. 

The silence was broken by a bird's questioning chirp
in the eaves of the building. A few others added their
sweet voices. Slowly, as the prince watched, a thin
blush on the edge of the horizon grew and spread,
deepening to rose and peach, bordered by lavender. 
The night fled from the searching fingers of fiery
Anor as she yawned and stretched from her night's
slumber and reached up over the rim of the world. 

The prince shivered with pleasure at the sight. How he
loved the first light of day! 

He sensed the twins coming up behind him.  Elladan put
an arm over his shoulders and Elrohir slipped one
around his waist.  They stood in companionable silence
watching the sun rise.

"I will never tire of this beauty as long as I live,"
Legolas breathed.

"And to think, lirimaer," Elladan said softly, "that
you would not have seen this splendor this morning if
you had carried out your intent last night." 

"Promise us, Legolas, never to take that way out of
pain," said Elrohir.

"I promise," the prince sighed. "It was a momentary
lapse of reason.  I am well now, thanks to you.   But
I still long for him.  Even now, I find my thoughts
going to him, wondering how he is.  Was his night
everything he could wish?  Does he still think of me?"

"Understandable. That's the nature of love.  I imagine
you will always feel that way to some extent," said
Elrohir.  "I wish it could be otherwise.  What will
you do now?" 

Legolas sighed as he looked out over the roofs of
buildings revealed in the rosy glow and beyond to the
still, dark plains of the Pelennor. "I promised Gimli
we'd visit the caves near Helm's Deep and he agreed to
go with me to Fangorn.  After that, I don't know. 
But, I think Minas Tirith could use more greenery.  In
a few years, I may come back and plant some trees.  I
would return now and again to see . . .  just to see
how they are growing."

The twins nodded. 

"You can't leave him, can you?" said Elrohir. "You
won't take ship for a while?"

"No," said Legolas. "I will remain in Middle Earth
until Estel has left it."

"I think we will make a similar choice," said Elladan.
 "Elrohir, we should stay until our sister's passing. 
Time enough to decide then."

"Agreed," said Elrohir. 

Legolas heard the deep sadness and resignation in
their voices. Elrohir moved over to Elladan's side and
kissed him gently, their lithe bodies melting together
as they stroked their hands over each other's backs.
In Legolas's mind he heard two clear silvery voices
singing an ancient elvish lament. 

The prince smiled.  He had experienced the depth of
their love and it was beautiful to him. 

"Well, those days of sorrow are still distant,"
Legolas said.  "What about this lovely new day we have
before us?"

The twins smiled at each other.

"I think we should keep our promise to you," said
Elladan, a glint coming into his eyes.  

"What promise was that?" Legolas said.

"We promised to take you in as many ways as we could
think of," said Elladan. "We haven't yet exhausted the
possibilities."  He slowly ran his hand down Legolas's
thigh.

"A worthy goal for the new day, exhausting the
possibilities," Elrohir grinned. "Wouldn't you say,
pen-vain?"

Legolas laughed as the dawn spread like wings across
the sky.

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

*gwanunig - twin brother
*pen-vain - beautiful one
*śthaes-nīn - my temptation
*ernil-bain - beautiful prince

The End