Title: Accepting Age - Part One "Resentment" 
Author: Oakenshield (Oakenshield@lonelymountain.zzn.com) 
Summary: Eldarion is tired of being treated like a child and is  
determined to prove to his father and uncles that he is a man.  
Rating: NC-17 
Pairings: Eldarion / Legolas,  Elladan/Elrohir/Legolas (implied  
Elladan / Elrohir, Legolas / Gimli) 
Archive: Anyone who wants it can have it, just ask me first. 
Feedback: Please! 
Warnings: Graphic sex; Implication of incest between Elladan and  
Elrohir.

PART ONE – RESENTMENT

Eldarion smiled down from the window as Legolas raised a hand in 
greeting to him from the courtyard below.

"Will you be attending my party later, Legolas?" he shouted down to him.

"Nothing would keep me away, dear Eldarion," he called up. "Not even if 
Sauron returned!" 

"To think that you are eighteen years old this eve!" Elrohir pulled his 
nephew back from the window to finish fixing his hair. "It seems but a 
moon ago that you were a babe in my arms. Tiny little thing you were, 
when you were born. I could cradle you in one arm. How quickly time 
passes us by." 

"You seem sad, uncle," Eldarion noted, looking into the mirror as Elrohir 
fastidiously ran the brush through his hair, arranging it over his shoulders.

Elrohir shrugged, following his gaze over his shoulder and into the mirror. 
"You age so fast," he sighed. "Mortals, I mean. It does not seem that long 
ago since your father was but two feet tall and sneaking into my bed after 
nightmares." He smiled fondly at the memories. "I used to hide sweets 
under his pillow some nights, and always in the morning I would find 
sticky bits of paper wrapping beside his bed. I would have to remove them 
quickly, my father would have had a blue fit!" 

"What was Father like when he was young?" Eldarion wanted to know. He 
walked to the wardrobe and pulled out two robes. "Which one? Green or 
dark blue?"

"The blue one," Elrohir selected. "Your father was a very sweet child. 
Elladan used to say he was sickeningly adorable. He was a rather difficult 
teenager who grew to be a brave and wonderful man. Very like you, 
really. You remind me of him more than a little, in both looks and ways. 
Though you have inherited my father and my brother's stubborn streak."

Eldarion laughed. "Is that good or bad?"

"It can be either, depending on the circumstance," Elrohir grinned. "I 
suppose it's a good thing for you, with you being the youngest with five 
girls before you." 

"It does not stop them bossing me around," he sighed. "I'm sure they will 
continue to behave as such even when I am king!"

"I am sure they will," Elrohir agreed, fastening a star-shaped pin at 
Eldarion's collar. "There. You look a picture. You will be the desire of 
everyone at the ball."

Eldarion stood and studied his reflection. The robe he wore was of velvet 
– of just the right weight to flow where it should and cling where it should, 
accented by a belt of silver at his waist (a gift from Gimli). His dark hair 
hung perfectly above his shoulders and a light beard shadowed his jaw. 
"Do you really think so?" 

"I would not have said it if I did not," Elrohir replied. "You have grown to 
be a very handsome young man."

Eldarion beamed. He knew words did not come falsely from either of his 
uncles. "Do you think Legolas will be impressed?" he asked, before he had 
thought the words over.

Elrohir smiled gently, perhaps reading his thoughts. "He has eyes, does he 
not?"

Eldarion gave a heavy sigh as he looked out of the window again to where 
the Elf was now crouching, holding a small bird on his finger, appearing 
to be whispering to it. "Is it wrong for me to desire him so?" His 
conscience had been fighting his heart for too long. "He's just like nothing 
I have ever seen." He felt a tug on his heart as Legolas rose to his feet and 
turned from his sight. "And he's fun to be with! We get along well. I want 
him, Elrohir, I want him so much. Is it so wrong?"

Elrohir followed him to the window. "Legolas… Legolas has been the 
desire of many men; I have seen the look in your eyes so many times upon 
others. Some have wanted him all the more by knowing they cannot have 
him. He holds up a strong guard – and he has reason for that, and it is not 
to be taken lightly – but it makes him more desirable. By appearance, he is 
rather effeminate, but any who know him know he is a fierce warrior and 
would imagine him to be a fierce lover. Do I weigh your feelings up 
correctly?" 

"You think it is just a silly crush," Eldarion looked down at the floor.

"I would not say that, Eldarion, it is not silly to you." Elrohir squeezed his 
shoulder. "But I would advise you not to pursue him. You would get hurt. 
There was a time when Legolas was rather promiscuous, but he is no 
longer. He got damaged, very badly, and it took him many years to love 
again. And he chose to love a Dwarf of all people. I must admit I nearly 
wet myself laughing when I found out, but if that is who he chooses to 
love then he should be let be to enjoy the love."

"But I want him," he insisted. "I want him more than I've ever wanted 
anything in my life. And I know it is not just foolish desire! I will not feel 
whole until I know what it is like to hold him."

"Well, I'm afraid you can't have him," Elrohir stated seriously. "He is not 
yours to have. He is bound to Gimli."

Eldarion could not help but laugh, as fond as he was of the Dwarf he had 
called 'Uncle Gim' since he was a child. "Why would he want an old 
Dwarf when he could have me? You said yourself that I am desirable."

"Because it is an old Dwarf he chooses to love, not a young prince. You 
are a child to his eyes, Eldarion."

"I am heir to the throne of Gondor," he objected. 

"Do you think that matters to him? He cares nothing for titles and 
privileges. You are too young for him." Elrohir gave him a stern look. 
"Eldarion, you will not pursue him. He is your father's dearest friend and a 
great ally to him, as is Gimli. Do not stir up a hornets' nest merely because 
you cannot control your lust." He sighed. "Sometimes I think you have too 
much of my brother in you."

"Well, that would not surprise me," he spat in a sudden burst of anger. "It 
would not surprise me if he were indeed my father, the way you lot act." 
He had known of Elrohir and Elladan's relationship for some months, 
since he had stumbled upon the two of them together. He had not let on to 
anyone that he knew of it, determined to protect the family's honour – 
even though they clearly did not. Although he sensed it was not a secret to 
either of his parents. He had covered up his feelings well to the point that 
he had begun to think he had imagined it and it had got pushed to the back 
of his mind. But now his anger stirred the accusation. 

"Take that back!" Elrohir demanded.
 
A heavy whack struck Eldarion's left cheek, startling him and knocking 
him back a few steps. Pain spread in red heat up his face and his head 
span. Turning with the speed of an Elf and the strength of a man, he aimed 
a punch at his uncle, enraged that he would dare to raise a hand to him. "I 
will not take it back."

Before his punch could land, Elrohir caught his fist and twisted his arm 
painfully behind his back, forcing him to drop to his knees. "Take it back, 
Eldarion!" he yelled. "Never mind what happens between my brother and 
I, confront us about it as you obviously know about us, but do not 
dishonour your mother like that. I will not hear it! And how do you know 
of us?"

"I saw you!" Eldarion shouted back at him, twisting vainly in the tight 
grip. "And I actually vomited! What do you think you are doing together – 
Elladan is your twin! You are a hypocrite! You say I am wrong to pursue 
Legolas while you are screwing your own brother!" 

Another blow hit his cheek. "I do not have to answer to the whelp of my 
sister!" Elrohir raged. "You are shallow, Eldarion, shallow and incapable 
of knowing understanding even if it took physical form and bit you on the 
backside!"

"I could never understand such a thing!" Eldarion grappled to get free 
from the strong hands that were holding him, but it was useless, Elrohir 
was much stronger than he was. "Release me!" he demanded. "Release me 
this instant!" 

"Crown prince or no, you will give me respect as your elder and mentor!" 
Elrohir yanked his arm further up his back. "I will not be insulted by you."

"You insult yourself!" Eldarion kicked at him but could not reach. 
"Mentor! That is a joke! What would you teach me? The art of seducing 
one's siblings? I do indeed have five to chose from!" He ducked his head 
before Elrohir could strike him again. "I order you to release me!"

"Elrohir, let him go!" Aragorn's voice commanded from the doorway. 
"What on earth is going on in here? You are meant to be preparing my son 
for his birthday feast, not killing him."

"Forgive me, Estel," Elrohir loosened his grip on Eldarion's arm and stood 
and lowered his head. "A disagreement about Legolas got rather heated."
 
"That I can see." Aragorn strode into the room, stepping protectively 
before his son. "Why did you strike him?" 

Though he was annoyed at Aragorn appearing to fight his battles for him, 
Eldarion could not prevent a complacent smile creeping across his face as 
his father's anger rained on Elrohir. 

"He did Arwen a great dishonour with his words," Elrohir confessed, 
shooting him a glare that quickly wiped the smirk from his face. "I know it 
is not my place to discipline him but I was defending my sister and I will 
not apologise for it."

He swallowed hard as Aragorn turned around to face him. "Eldarion, how 
did you dishonour your mother?"

"I said nothing," he murmured. 

Elrohir glared accusingly at him. "You have not the courage to say it to 
your father."

"Elrohir said I was like Elladan, and I said it would not surprise me if I 
were his." Angered at being called a coward, so shortly after being called a 
child Eldarion blurted out the truth.

His father stared at him for a long moment, an open-mouthed look of 
shock quickly turning into a frown. "I beg your pardon?"

"Oh, come, Father! This family is ripe with incest!" He had kept his 
thoughts on this inside for too long. "You cannot surely think I do not 
know about those two!" He waved a hand at Elrohir. "And you and mother 
are akin from afar, are you not? Her father raised you as his own, did he 
not?"

"Yes," Aragorn replied softly. "You know he did."

"It is worse than rabbits!" he cried.

"Apologise, Eldarion," Elrohir jumped to his foster brother's defence.

"I will not," he said, stubbornly folding his arms across his chest.

"Eldarion, you will apologise," Aragorn demanded.

"I will not!" he shouted. "I speak the truth!" 

"Do not think that because you are now a man by age that you can talk to 
me like that." Aragorn gave him the look that told him he would be 
punished for his words later. "And what has Legolas got to do with this, 
anyway?"

"I desire him greatly," Eldarion whispered, turning towards the door 
before his father got a chance to try to forbid his wishes. "I do not care 
what any of you say, I will have him. I don't care how, he will not deny 
me. And you certainly won't. I am not a child anymore." He scowled as he 
left the room, determined to prove them all wrong. 

***********

Taking a long draught from the wine bottle, Eldarion stepped out onto the 
balcony. He had eaten until he felt sick, and danced with every maiden in 
the room until his legs felt like they would give up if he took one more 
step. But still, the party was hardly the event of the century. His father had 
scarcely spoken to him, and seemed to be on bad terms with both twins, 
who in turn had only passed him forced smiles as show in front of his 
mother. 

He regretted his words from earlier. It had been wrong of him to say what 
he had. He had not meant it, it had merely come out in a burst of rage. And 
now both his uncles – who were so dear to him – would hate him forever, 
and his father probably would too. And his mother would be hurt when 
she found out what had happened. And his sisters would never stop 
punishing him for it. 

And it all came back to one thing, the one thing that refused to stop 
torturing his soul. Legolas. 

Legolas…

He could picture him now as he had in night fantasies: lithe body, naked 
and outstretched on sheets of dark silk; pale skin glowing under the blue 
fire of the stars, flaxen hair loose and spread like a halo around his head. 
Sapphire eyes gazing at him, inviting him; hands reaching out and 
touching; warrior's hands, Elf's hands, both strong and gentle. He could 
imagine the fire of passion that raged beneath the Elf's cool exterior. He 
had seen it in his eyes so many times.

He could see him from his secluded position on the balcony. His hair 
hanging loose down his back, stray strands falling before his eyes. He was 
dressed smartly but informally in leggings of a dark fabric and a white 
shirt, hanging open half way down his chest, revealing alabaster skin paler 
than the cloth. 

Legolas was caught in the gaze of nearly every man and maid in the room, 
but Eldarion stared the hardest. There was not a soul who did not seem to 
want to dance with him, but he danced alone and no one dared to approach 
him. Eldarion inched closer to the curtain to watch him. His eyes were half 
closed as if he was in a state of semi-consciousness, alone in a dream, in a 
love affair with the flutes and the harps. He swayed as though he was a 
part of the music, or the music was a part of him; the strings were his 
veins, the drum was his heartbeat. He tossed his head back to free his hair 
from his face. His skin was damp with sweat and his shirt clung to him. It 
was such a light fabric that only the slightest bit of dampness was enough 
to reveal every hard line of muscle. He turned towards the light and 
Eldarion's eyes received a dark flash of nipple in reward for their staring 
before he turned his back again. 

"Oh my…." Eldarion whispered to himself, leaning his weight against the 
wall and taking another gulp of wine. 

At first, he was disappointed that the Elf had turned his back, but 
disappointment turned to an even greater desire as he watched him move. 
He had never noticed his back before, how broad his shoulders were in 
comparison to his waist; or how the muscles rippled between his shoulders 
as he moved. And how his hips moved in the opposite direction to his 
arms, yet perfectly in time; and how his hair caught the moonlight as it 
filtered through a high window to shine upon him, to cast a spotlight on 
him. Sweat beaded across his face, tracing a line from his forehead down 
his cheek. He wiped his sleeve across his brow but did not stop moving. 
The music had captured him and he had captured the prince of Gondor, 
completely and utterly with heart and soul and body.

Eldarion felt as though he could have stormed through the crowd and 
grabbed him right then, not caring less what anyone thought, but he could 
not interrupt his affair with the music. He could not stop watching him.

Then the spell was rudely broken as Elrohir caught Legolas's arm and 
pulled him between himself and Elladan. The three danced as old friends 
but closer, for each feel the attraction of the male.

"Perhaps it runs in the family," Eldarion muttered to himself with a snort, 
wondering why his uncles should be allowed all the fun.

Legolas was caught between them, Elladan at his back with an arm snaked 
about his waist; Elrohir close to his front, reaching around him to lightly 
lay his hands against his brother's waist. They were apparently unaware of 
how many eyes were staring at them or how strange and uninhibited they 
looked. Most folk looked shocked. Aragorn looked displeased. Gimli 
looked furious and Eldarion thought it was a good job for the twins that 
the Dwarf had left his axe at home. Only one other looked across at the 
three with desire – Rumil of Lothlorien. He was staring with blatant 
hunger in his eyes, but not just at Legolas. He watched all three, and 
Eldarion noticed his focus was on Elladan. And it didn't slip his attention 
when Elladan glanced across at Rumil and winked at him. He feared the 
night would end in an illicit Elven orgy.

"Well, they're not having Legolas," he whispered, scowling at Rumil 
before returning his eyes to the strange dancers.

Legolas led the movement, slipping his arm around Elrohir's neck as he 
pressed close against his body, a naughty little smile on his lips. He tipped 
his head back against Elladan's shoulder and closed his eyes as he leaned 
backwards. He touched neither of them with his hands, only his body.  

Eldarion wished he had stayed in the hall now, and maybe he could have 
had the chance to dance with the Elf. Though his father would have surely 
gone berserk if he had been dancing with Legolas like the twins were. 
Even he had to admit, it was not really something to do in public. 
 
He noticed the twins smile at each other over the top of Legolas's head, 
speaking with their own private thought. He wondered what they were 
thinking as the beautiful creature writhed between their bodies, so close 
they must have been able to feel each tiny movement, even his breathing; 
they have must been able to feel the heat from his body, smell his sweat. 

He felt aflame with jealousy that Elladan and Elrohir should be in such a 
position with his love, that they should have him moving in such a way 
between them when, even as he did, they so obviously only had eyes for 
each other. Legolas was merely the filling in the sandwich for them. 

And Legolas was drunk, anyone could have seen that, and he was 
obviously very aroused by the movement of the twins; Elrohir grinding 
against his front, sliding his knee between his legs, Elladan whispering 
softly at his ear. He let them guide his movements, up and down and 
around until his chest heaved with laboured breath and sweat shone on his 
skin. His head lolled back against Elladan's shoulder and his bottom lip 
hung open as he tried to catch his breath. Eldarion watched with rage as 
his uncle unashamedly ran his tongue along the edge of Legolas's ear. 
Even from the balcony, he could see how it caused Legolas to shudder.

Legolas slipped his other arm around Elrohir's neck and pulled him tight 
against his body, grinding his hips against him. Elrohir grinned at his 
brother, who in return pouted a little kiss in his direction and extended his 
tongue into Legolas's ear again. 

Eldarion was nearly shaking with the anger of envy. Or was it lust? But he 
could not help but feel amused at the way they appeared not to care less 
what anyone thought of them, and at the looks on peoples faces. A 
movement from the corner of the room pulled his eyes away for a second 
and he saw his father rise from his chair with a look on his face that would 
have crumbled mountains, likely going to break them up before things got 
anymore out of control. 

The music suddenly ceased and Eldarion was certain the only sound in the 
world was his heartbeat in his ears. It was like someone had turned a key 
in his mind and he shook his head to try and shake the clouds of lust from 
his senses. He hadn't even realised his hand had wandered between his 
legs as he had been watching. He cursed himself and adjusted his robes to 
try and hide the bulge.

It was only then, as he looked up to see if his father was going to kill 
anyone, that he realised Legolas had pulled from between the twins and 
was walking across the hall towards the balcony, towards him.

~TO BE CONTINUED~


Title: Accepting Age - Part Two "Fulfilment" 
Author: Oakenshield (Oakenshield@lonelymountain.zzn.com) 
Summary: Eldarion is tired of being treated like a child and is  
determined to prove to his father and uncles that he is a man.  
Rating: NC-17 
Pairings: Eldarion / Legolas,  Elladan/Elrohir/Legolas (implied  
Elladan / Elrohir, Legolas / Gimli) 
Archive: Anyone who wants it can have it, just ask me first. 
Feedback: Please! 
Warnings: Graphic sex; Implication of incest between Elladan and  
Elrohir.

PART TWO - FULFILMENT

"Eldarion!" Legolas gasped, only noticing him at the last moment as he 
staggered outside. "I fear your uncles are trying to kill me!" He took the 
wine bottle from Eldarion's hands and took a long drink of it. "I am quite 
hot and bothered, may we walk somewhere?"

"Of course," Eldarion said, grasping the Elf's arm to steady him as they 
walked down the steps into the courtyard. "Are you drunk, Legolas?"

"Very," Legolas nodded. "Did that look terrible in there? I take it you saw 
us."

"I did," Eldarion confirmed, "but it did not look that terrible from where I 
was standing."

Legolas laughed. "Still, I don't think your father was very impressed. And 
Gimli certainly wasn't! But it was not my fault! Elrohir just grabbed me! I 
was powerless!"

The last word struck a chord in Eldarion's heart. Legolas was powerless. 
Very drunk. He took a sip of the wine in his hand to clear his thoughts, 
ashamed at himself for thinking such a thing. 

Legolas pulled free from him and dropped heavily onto a bench. "Ah! It's 
nice out here, it's cool." He patted the space beside him. "Come and sit 
down. You don't seem happy tonight, Eldarion dear. What troubles you?" 
He snatched the bottle again, taking another mouthful.

Eldarion perched beside him. "Oh, nothing," he lied, tensing as Legolas 
bent to place the wine bottle on the floor, accidentally brushing his knee 
against his leg. He flushed with embarrassment as he realised Legolas had 
felt him quiver and looked curiously at him.

"Are you cold?" he held an arm out to Eldarion. "Come here, I'll warm 
you. I'm hot."

"Mm. Thank you." Trying not to appear too eager, and unable to believe 
physical contact was being offered so easily, Eldarion slipped under the 
inviting arm and leaned against Legolas's side. The Elf's shirt was still wet 
with his sweat and his heated skin caused the fragrance of pine soap to 
rise. Legolas always smelled like trees, he thought. He closed his eyes and 
inhaled the scent of him.

"How did you do that?" Legolas slid a hand under his chin and tipped his 
head up. "You have a bruise there." He touched his cheek. "What 
happened?"

Eldarion had to force himself not to shiver again at the touch. "My dear 
uncle," he said, without opening his eyes.

"Elladan?" Legolas assumed.

He shook his head, opening his eyes to look at Legolas, whose eyes grew 
wide in shock.

"Elrohir?!"

"We had words earlier." He didn't want to reveal what they had words 
about. He knew Legolas would not be on his side.

"And I will have words with him when I see him next." He gently ran his 
fingers across the bruise. "Does it hurt?"

Eldarion couldn't stop himself turning his face into the warm palm. "Not 
overly," he whispered, closing his eyes again as tender fingers gently 
probed his cheek. He could feel his desire starting to pool in his groin, 
merely at one touch. 

The fingers were removed and replaced by soft lips.

"There," Legolas's voice said with a laugh. "I'll kiss it better for you."

He gulped. Legolas had just kissed him. Indeed his lips were only an inch 
from his face now; he could feel his warm breath against his cheek, smell 
the wine on his breath. Instinct took over inhibition and he quickly turned 
his head and caught the Elf's lips with his. He felt Legolas take an intake 
of breath, but it was some seconds before he pulled away.

"Eldarion, what are you doing?" he sat back quickly, staring at the young 
prince in disbelief.

But Eldarion had felt his want in that one brief kiss. Legolas actually 
*wanted* him. "I'm kissing you, what does it look like?" He shifted closer. 
He knew it was more than likely the intoxication of the wine causing 
Legolas to act in such a way, but he didn't care. "Come, Legolas, you liked 
it didn't you?"

Legolas raised a hand to his shoulder to hold him back. "I do not think 
your father would, though."

Eldarion groaned in frustration. "He does not need to find out. Who would 
know?"

"I would. I could not betray his trust." But even as he spoke, his hand 
moved from Eldarion's shoulder to cup the back of his head, his fingers 
twisting gently in his hair.

"Why does everything have to come down to Father?" Eldarion moved 
closer again. "Because he is King?"

Legolas had no choice but to lean backwards, or be pushed back. "No, 
because he is my friend," he whispered, conscience flashing in his eyes 
before Eldarion's body covered him. "And what about Gimli?"

"What about Gimli? I want you Legolas. And I think you want me too." 
He kissed him again. "Do not worry about my father. Who I lie with is 
nothing to do with him. I am not a child."

Legolas gave a slow smile that created a dimple in his left cheek as he 
arched his hips against Eldarion's groin. "That I can feel for myself." 

"I think I could die if you look at me like that again," Eldarion gasped, 
running his hands through the length of blond hair, and Legolas flashed 
him the same smile. "You're so beautiful, Legolas. Absolutely perfect. 
You have no idea how longed I've watched you, and how long I've wanted 
you. No one could compete with your beauty. No one could come close. 
You're like some heavenly being. I could swear you are not of this world. 
You…" He blushed as he realised he was rambling and Legolas was 
staring at him with an amused smile on his lips. 

"You do not have to stop your speech," Legolas said, pulling his head 
down to kiss him. "I don't mind you saying such lovely things about me." 
He smiled against his mouth. "You look adorable when you blush."

"How does it feel to be desired like that?" he asked.

"You tell me," Legolas whispered, running his tongue between his lips. 
"How do you think I feel? I am being seduced by a man, who seems to 
think of me as an angel, who seems to want to worship me with hands and 
words." 

"I would imagine it makes you feel good," Eldarion whispered, sliding his 
hands under the Elf's shirt, needing to touch the hot flesh beneath him. He 
couldn't believe how soft his skin was.

Legolas gasped. "Ah! and you have the hands of an Elf!" He closed his 
eyes as Eldarion caressed his skin, reaching lower into his shirt to gently 
pinch his nipple. "I am being aroused by the teenage son of my closest 
friend – how do you think that makes me feel?" 

"I don't know." Eldarion twisted the teat between his fingers, carefully 
watching Legolas's face to see if his reaction was a good one.

Legolas gasped as his eyes rolled back. "Do you care?"

"No." He moved his hand across to the other nipple and repeated the 
action. "Do you?"

"No, and I know I should, but I can't." Legolas arched against his body. 
"And if Aragorn does not like it, it is tough for him. Does that make me 
sound wicked?"

Eldarion kissed him again to silence him, seeking entry into his mouth 
with his tongue. 

With a soft moan, Legolas opened his mouth and tilted his head, slipping 
his tongue between Eldarion's teeth in response. He tasted of wine – sweet 
with the slightest hint of spice. Eldarion pressed his body tighter against 
him, forcing his tongue further into the warm cavity of his mouth, stroking 
every inch of the welcoming flesh. He felt Legolas's hands knead down his 
back before clutching his backside and pressing his lower half down. 

He groaned and pushed his hips down, feeling the Elf's swollen length 
against his. 

"Can we lose these?" Legolas pulled the collar of his robes.

"Of course." Eldarion stood up and removed his belt and robe, discarding 
both to the floor. He tossed the robe on top of the belt quickly, worried 
that Legolas would notice the craft of it and be stirred by thoughts of 
Gimli. He couldn't picture how such a beautiful creature could lie with 
such a… He decided that he didn't want to think about it. The images 
would surely not be pleasant ones…

"And what about these?" Legolas sat and tugged at the waist of his 
leggings, loosening the straining ties.

"And why are you still fully clothed?" he teased. 

Standing and placing a small kiss at his neck, Legolas slowly unbuttoned 
his shirt, peeling it back from his shoulders to reveal a muscled chest and 
arms. He looked into Eldarion's eyes, forcing him not to lower his gaze as 
he kicked off his boots and slipped out of his leggings. 

Eldarion gaped at the figure before him, running his gaze down every inch 
of bared flesh. The Elf's skin seemed to glow in the pale moonlight, his 
nipples stood up hard against the cool air. He hardly dared to look lower, 
but his eyes paid no heed to his apprehension and wandered down a few 
more inches to come to rest between the Elf's legs. 

Eldarion gasped. He thought his own body was being too eager but 
Legolas was already as hard as he was. 

"Are you going to leave me here to get cold, Eldarion?" he said with a coy 
smile. "Or are you going to come and warm me?"

Eldarion kept staring. "Should we go to my room?" he suggested.

"No." Legolas pushed him back onto the bench, sitting beside him and 
kissing him deeply. "It is too risky."

"And standing undressed in the middle of the courtyard is not?!" Eldarion 
had to laugh, though the fear that someone might come across them 
without warning at any second terrified him. "Legolas—"

"Be quiet." Legolas slipped a hand inside his leggings. 

Eldarion froze as hot fingers manipulated him to full hardness. Legolas 
pushed him onto his back and lay atop him, separating his legs with his 
knee before pushing his thigh against his groin. Eldarion moaned again as 
his hips took control of themselves and he began to grind against Legolas's 
leg, feeling the hard burn of the Elf's arousal against him as he did. 

Legolas ducked his head to kiss a path down the side of his neck, his 
fingers working the buttons of his shirt open as he kissed and licked lower, 
grabbing a nipple between his teeth.

Eldarion yelped and his head snapped up to look at Legolas. The Elf 
smiled slowly at him, looking into his eyes as he extended his tongue to 
soothe the bite. He could see why Legolas had reacted as he had when he 
had touched him there.

"I want to touch you," Eldarion panted as Legolas rubbed himself against 
his arousal. "Can I touch you?"

"You had better!" Legolas sat up, swinging each leg either side of the 
bench. "Or I will go mad!"

Shrugging off his shirt, Eldarion shifted into the same position opposite 
him and slipped one arm around his back, pulling him closer. He kissed 
him again, but not for long. His lips wanted to explore every contour of 
Legolas's face, over his high cheekbones, across his jaw and up to his ear 
and he was encouraged as he felt Legolas grasp his knee as he suckled at 
the lobe. He traced his tongue up the side to the peak of the perfect point. 
He remembered how the Elf's body had lurched when Elladan had done 
that to him.

"Ahh! Eldarion… do you know how that makes an Elf feel…?" Legolas 
gasped, leaning closer to his mouth.

"I think I can imagine," Eldarion grinned, pulling the point into his mouth, 
flicking it with his tongue. He let his free hand wander down Legolas's 
chest, brushing his fingertips across his nipple – which earned him another 
harsh moan – and lower over the muscled planes of his stomach and lower 
still, until his wrist knocked against his erection. 

He looked to Legolas for further permission and the Elf nodded, taking his 
hand and guiding it to close around his length. The heat of him burned into 
his palm and Legolas looked expectantly at him as he took a second to 
compose himself into moving. 

"I…I… I've never…" Eldarion felt his cheeks flush with shame. Legolas 
had probably had hundreds of lovers over the centuries, and he had only 
experienced one fumbling kiss with the cook's daughter. 

"It's all right," Legolas kissed him again. "I'll show you how I like to be 
touched." He took his hand and slowly began to move it up and down his 
length. "Keep that constant," he whispered, leaning his forehead against 
Eldarion's. "But you can vary the movement of your fingers. I like to be 
stroked across here. Gently…" He led Eldarion's fingers to slide across the 
head of his erection. 

Eldarion felt wetness slick his fingers before Legolas moved his hand back 
down his shaft. He felt himself throb as Legolas ducked his head to kiss 
his neck. 

"And if you clench me here at the crucial moment…" Legolas squeezed 
his hand about half way down, bucking his hips forward as he did. "Then I 
will go insane." He released his hand. "Now do it by yourself. I trust you. 
You have a wonderful touch, Eldarion, I will like whatever you do."

Eldarion gulped nervously as Legolas's hands moved to rest against his 
thighs. He pushed Legolas to sit back a little so he could touch him and 
watch him at the same time. His eyes looked to where his hand was, as he 
worked his fist up and down the Elf's length, just touching as Legolas had 
instructed for a few moments before he felt brave enough to touch him in 
his own way. On the way up, he ran the tip of his thumb along the 
underside of the shaft, sliding it over the head before turning his hand to 
squeeze gently around the ridge. He saw a pearl of liquid leak as he 
squeezed and he gathered it on his fingers to ease the movement.

"Ah…that's good…" Legolas tipped his head back, gripping Eldarion's 
legs so hard his fingernails dug into his flesh. 

Eldarion winced at the pain but said nothing. He looked back up at 
Legolas's face as he continued to fondle him. A flush had spread high 
across his cheeks and he skin was starting to shine with sweat as it had 
when he had been dancing with the twins. He saw Legolas bite his lower 
lip as he squeezed him a different place and worried for a second that it 
was discomfort until the next squeeze brought forth a ragged moan. He 
could feel precum leaking generously across his fingers as he slid his hand 
across the head again. 

"Eldarion… Eldarion…" Legolas whispered his name over as he bucked 
his hips, forcing himself into his hand. 

Just the sound of him whispering his name in a passion-addled cadence 
was enough to nearly make Eldarion scream with want. "Shall I go 
harder?" he asked him, sensing he was close to climax.

Legolas nodded, panting too hard to answer. He fumbled to clasp 
Eldarion's free hand.

Eldarion entwined their fingers and Legolas squeezed his hand so hard 
that it was almost painful, as he rubbed him harder and faster with each 
stroke. Legolas was whimpering and muttering endearments towards him, 
slipping into his own language in his dizzy state. 

"Shh!" Eldarion whispered, anxious that his cries might attract attention. 
Though he would have loved more than anything to listen to him shouting 
his passion. 

"Eldarion…" he groaned. "Now… Now!" 

Eldarion sped up his rhythm until he could go no faster. Legolas bucked 
violently into his hand, arching back as his whole body shook in violent 
spasms. He gave a cry muffled through clenched teeth as his body locked 
with the final squeeze of Eldarion's hand, before he collapsed bonelessly 
against him, panting. 

Eldarion noticed no wetness marred his hand and Legolas was still hard. 
"You can come without spending yourself?" he realised. 

"Yes." Legolas looked up at him. "Elves have to; we'd be over-run with 
offspring, else."

"I had heard that, I didn't know if it were true," Eldarion smiled, wishing 
Legolas was in his room, imagining with his newfound knowledge how 
many times he could make him scream. "How many times…?"

"Usually about three times. Sometimes more." Legolas sat up straight, 
having got his breath back. "Though I do not think I will last more than 
twice tonight. Drink has the same effect on Elves as it does on human men 
in that way!" He reached down and lifted the wine bottle, taking a 
mouthful before passing it to Eldarion.

Eldarion took a long drink, nearly choking as Legolas suddenly gripped 
his erection. 

"Do you want to come, Eldarion?" He looked intently at him, gently 
running just the tip of his finger up and down the throbbing flesh. "I 
imagine you want to badly. Do you want me to make you come?" He took 
the bottle from him and placed it back on the floor.

Eldarion nodded, closing his eyes as Legolas touched him. "Please." 

"Not yet," Legolas whispered, pulling his hand away.

Eldarion's eyes snapped open. "What?" He was nearly aching with need. 
"Legolas, don't tease." 

"I want you to come inside me," Legolas told him with a smile. "I want us 
to come together."

"Oh," Eldarion breathed. He gripped the edge of the bench tightly with 
one hand as Legolas took the other and sucked on his fingers, smiling 
suggestively at him. "How…?"

Legolas leaned forward to kiss him. "Don't worry, I'll guide you." He lay 
back on the bench and drew his legs up. "Give me your hand. Middle 
finger first." 

Eldarion took a deep breath, and ran his finger along the cleft of the 
perfect behind before pressing against the tight opening. 

"It's all right, you won't hurt me," Legolas encouraged, taking hold of his 
wrist to lead him in. "Just take it slowly."

Eldarion pushed his way in one joint at a time, feeling the flesh yield. At a 
nod from Legolas, he pushed his second finger through, halting when 
Legolas gave a cry and lurched forward as he bent his fingers.

"Eldarion, be careful!" he gasped. "You're playing with the trigger of a 
loaded cannon there!" 

Eldarion grinned at him and pressed very gently on the spot again until 
Legolas moaned and bucked against his hand. 

"I want you inside me," he gasped. "Lie back." 

Eldarion removed his fingers carefully and lay back on the bench, pulling 
his leggings down far enough to free himself and Legolas moved to 
straddle him. 

/This is going to hurt him, / he thought. / I've barely prepared him. /  

He thought at that moment that his lust for Legolas could turn to love 
within seconds if he did not hold onto his heart. He was the centre of the 
universe at that moment. He was everything all at once; beautiful, strong, 
gentle, patient, submissive, dominant, subtle, unrestrained, overheated, 
wild…

Legolas winced and took a slow breath as he sunk down, covering 
Eldarion right down to the hilt in one movement. 

Eldarion cried out as he was gripped in hot tight flesh. He felt Legolas rest 
his hands against his chest, lightly caressing his nipples with his fingertips. 

"Eldarion, look at me," he commanded softly. 

He looked up at the Elf's face. The moon shone behind him and 
illuminated his pale hair as it hung loose around his face. He truly looked 
like an angel. Eldarion could hardly bear to look at him, he felt blinded. 

"You're beautiful," he whispered, reaching to place his hands either side of 
the slender waist. The Elf's skin was slippery with sweat. "You're so 
beautiful."

"So are you," Legolas told him as he leaned back, plunging Eldarion 
deeper into the tight void of his body. "Now hush. I don't want to hear you 
speaking." 

Eldarion was paralysed as Legolas moved on top of him, ethereal eyes 
staring down into his. He could scarcely believe this was happening. It 
was like every fantasy, heightened tenfold. Legolas was naked astride his 
body; he was inside him, making love to him. And Legolas thought he was 
beautiful. And he was making the creature of cool reserve lose control. He 
knew it would all be over soon and it would never happen again, that it 
was only because Legolas was drunk – he wasn't so stupid to try and fool 
himself otherwise – but it didn't matter. For one night, it was real, and 
nothing could ever take that away.

He could feel himself getting closer to tipping over the edge with every 
movement. Drawing his knees up as much as he was able to give himself 
some leverage, he thrust his hips up, forcing himself deeper into the Elf. 

Legolas cried out and clamped down tightly on him. "Touch me, 
Eldarion," he whispered breathlessly. "Please… touch me… " He closed 
his eyes as he lifted his hips so far that Eldarion almost slid out of him, 
then slammed down hard, impaling himself. 

Eldarion reached around to grip Legolas's erection in his hand and began 
to tug frantically. He sensed neither of them were going to last much 
longer. He knew he wasn't going to. Legolas bucked madly on top of him, 
running his hands over his chest, soft moans escaping his mouth. Eldarion 
closed his eyes and concentrated on the sound and the feeling. His senses 
couldn't take on sight as well. It almost hurt.

He could feel Legolas start to thrust into his hand, causing the Elf's grip 
around him to tighten with each motion. 

"Eldarion!" Legolas suddenly cried in warning, and Eldarion felt his body 
shudder atop and around him as a gush of hot fluid hit his chest. 

Spurred on by the Elf's cries and the feeling of his insides clenching in 
spasms around him, Eldarion let himself go. His head fell back and his 
body shook so hard Legolas had to place firm hands on his shoulders to 
stop him throwing them both off the bench. A wave of white heat spread 
through his body, descending to his groin with a thud and he released 
himself with a scream. 

Legolas fell breathlessly against his chest, and it seemed to take all the 
remaining energy he had for Eldarion to put his arms around him. He felt 
drained. 

Legolas shifted up his body and kissed him on the lips. "Happy birthday, 
Eldarion," he whispered. 

~TO BE CONTINUED~


Title: Accepting Age  - Part 3 "Acceptance" 
Author: Oakenshield (Oakenshield@lonelymountain.zzn.com) 
Summary: Eldarion is tired of being treated like a child and is  
determined to prove to his father and uncles that he is a man.  
Rating: NC-17 
Pairings: Eldarion / Legolas,  Elladan/Elrohir/Legolas (implied  
Elladan / Elrohir, Legolas / Gimli) 
Archive: Anyone who wants it can have it, just ask me first. 
Feedback: Please! 
Warnings: Graphic sex; Implication of incest between Elladan and  
Elrohir.


PART THREE – ACCEPTANCE

"Elladan, please be quiet!" Elrohir winced and buried his head in his 
hands. "I feel like I've been clubbed around the head by a troll!"

Aragorn smiled from across the table and poured a cup of coffee, which he 
nudged in Elrohir's direction.

Elladan chuckled, tugging playfully on Elrohir's hair and jumping a step 
back before he could strike him. "It's your own fault, you drank too 
much."

Elrohir glared at his twin. "You drank just as much and you are fine. I 
think I am feeling the effects for both of us." He took the coffee and 
sipped it gratefully, a frown crossing over his face as if he were trying to 
remember something. Likely last night's events. "Elladan!! What was I 
doing with Legolas last night?!" he suddenly cried. "What were we both 
doing?!"

"Dancing, you fool." Elladan laughed again. "And I am surprised Estel 
hasn't had our heads for it, I don't think he was very impressed by it!" 

"No, I was not very impressed by it," Aragorn replied. "But there is 
nothing I can do about it now. Just please remember in the future that, 
although I do not object to anything – or indeed anyone – you may want to 
do, that there is a time and place for everything. And my ballroom at my 
son's birthday is not the place to be working Legolas into a sexual frenzy." 
He poured himself a cup of coffee, allowing himself a smile at Elrohir 
blushed scarlet and buried his face in his hands. "Elrohir, you look 
dreadful."
 
"Thank you. I feel dreadful." Elrohir gave a weak smile. 

"What happened to Legolas after that, anyway?" Elladan asked. "I didn't 
see him after he went outside."
 
"I don't know," Aragorn said. "More to the point, what happened to 
Eldarion? I was looking everywhere for him." He had received a severe 
talking to from his wife about the argument, and had been trying to find 
him to make things right again. Arwen had said if they hadn't sorted things 
out with Eldarion by this afternoon then she would be calling them all 
together and forcing them to talk things through.

"Eldarion?" Elladan shrugged and looked out of the window. "I really 
couldn't say."

"You know something?" Aragorn looked askance at him.
 
Another shrug was his answer. 

The door opened before Elladan could reveal anymore and Eldarion ran in. 
Aragorn rose to his feet instantly, Eldarion was clearly distressed and all 
of yesterday's ill feelings were forgotten in an instant at the sight of his 
son in tears. He knew tears did not come easily to Eldarion.

"I'm sorry!" he cried, flinging his arms around Elrohir. "I'm sorry!" 

"Eldarion, whatever is wrong?" Elrohir pulled him down into the chair and 
hugged him against his shoulder. "Shh… come on, tell me."

"I've been feeling so dreadful about what I said yesterday," he sniffed. "I 
didn't mean to insult you or upset you…"

"It's all right," Elrohir kissed his cheek. "I forgive you. I do not blame 
you."

"And what about you?" he looked at Elladan uncertainly, like he was more 
unsure of him offering forgiveness so easily. "I did you wrong as well, 
even though I did not say it to you."

"It must have been a shock for you seeing us like that," Elladan said 
honestly. "I cannot blame you for what you said." He ruffled his hair. 
"We've had worse said to us, I won't hold it against you. We still love 
you."

Eldarion smiled, running a hand through his hair to straighten it again. 
"And I still love you, both of you." He took a breath. "I needed to speak to 
you Elrohir, when I woke, and then I remembered that we weren't on 
speaking terms and I had to come and make things right. I had no right to 
say what I did."

Aragorn felt proud, but a little surprised to see his arrogant son being so 
humble. He had grown up quickly. He was learning understanding at last. 
Very different to the ranting brat of yesterday. He felt suddenly concerned. 
What had happened?

"It's all right," Elrohir assured him. "You're my family, Eldarion, I would 
never hold a grudge against you. You hurt my feelings if anything, but I 
am not angry with you now. Now what did you need to speak to me 
about? Would you rather we go somewhere private?"

Eldarion nodded. "I did something last night…" He glanced across the 
table and shut his mouth with a snap, as if he had only just noticed his 
Aragorn was in the room. "Father, I am so terribly sorry for how I behaved 
yesterday." He hung his head.

Aragorn smiled at him. "It's forgotten." He walked around the table to hug 
him. "And we were just wondering where you got to last night. I don't 
recall seeing you for the second half of the party."

"Oh… Oh… I…" Eldarion floundered on his words.

Aragorn was truly worried then. Eldarion never kept anything from him. 
They had always had the sort of relationship that did not warrant secrets, 
even in the last few months as Eldarion had been growing more stubborn 
and independent.

"I just retired early."

Aragorn knew for a fact that was lie. Eldarion's room was the first place he 
had looked for him. "Could I have the truth please?"
"I…" Eldarion clammed up again. "I do not think you want to know. 
Please do not question me further about it."

"I do want to know, Eldarion," he confirmed, starting to lose patience.

"Oh Estel, let him be!" Elladan said with a smile. "He was probably with a 
girl, he doesn't need you to know all the gory details!" he winked at 
Eldarion.

Aragorn wondered at that moment what Elladan knew. Or rather *how* he 
knew. 

"Is that right, Eldarion?" he asked, feeling a little hurt that Eldarion did not 
want to share something so important with him while he was obviously 
intending to tell Elrohir about it. "Were you with someone last night?"

"Yes," Eldarion whispered, glaring hard at Elladan. 

"No!" Legolas burst in, breathless, flinging the door back on its hinges. 
"What he has to say to you will hurt you all and I would not have him 
speak it! It was my fault!" He dropped to his knees before Aragorn and 
clasped his hand. 

Aragorn frowned in confusion as Eldarion jumped to his feet and paled. 
He wondered if there had been something odd in the wine last night. 
"Legolas, get up," he tried to pull him to his feet. "You know you do not 
have to kneel before me. No one does, least of all you."

"Yes, I do." Legolas kissed his hand. "I do this time. I have done you the 
greatest wrong a friend could ever do."

"Legolas, don't!" Eldarion begged, his voice rising several notes in pitch. 

"He has to know!" Legolas cried. "Eldarion, I cannot keep this from him, I 
know you made me swear to last night but my conscience cannot take it!" 

"What is going on?" Elrohir said, voicing all of their bewilderment. 

"Last night after I went outside," Legolas took a breath. "Oh Aragorn, I do 
not know how you will forgive me for this… Last night, I met Eldarion 
outside. I was drunk but I will not use that as an excuse…"

Aragorn looked up at his son and saw him gulp. "Legolas…" he 
whispered, praying that the Elf was not about to say what he thought he 
was. "What are trying to say me? What have you done?"

"I have bedded your son," Legolas whispered softly and Aragorn felt a 
tear splash onto the back of his hand. "I will take any punishment you 
wish to give me, I deserve it."

Eldarion dropped back into his chair and stared at the floor after giving 
one fleeting terrified glance at his father. 

Aragorn could feel the eyes of the twins on him but he could only look at 
Legolas. The Elf refused to look up and meet his gaze and still knelt on the 
floor with his head lowered. He could not believe what he had just heard – 
that his dearest friend of over a century had stolen the virtue of his 
youngest child.

Betrayed. He felt betrayed. But not angry. Hurt, maybe. Resentful, even. 
But definitely not angry. Though he wanted to be.

"It was not all his fault," Eldarion cut in to the building silence. "Father, 
do not punish him. He was drunk and I seduced him. He could not stop 
me. Punish me, if you punish anyone, but do not hurt him." 

Aragorn pulled his hand free from Legolas's grip. He knew Legolas too 
well to believe he had allowed a boy to seduce him. "Get up," he ordered 
firmly.
 
The Elf rose slowly to his feet and raised his head to look him in the eyes. 

Aragorn looked into the dark blue of his eyes. Who was he to blame? He 
could not blame Eldarion; he had felt the same lust for the Elf when he 
was a youth. He had pursued the same lust, knowing just the same that it 
would get him nowhere.

/ "You are but a boy! Come back when you are older!" / Legolas's scornful 
laughter rang clear in his ears as if it was yesterday. 

Legolas had turned him down for being too young, yet he had accepted 
Eldarion. Over a century had passed, and Eldarion was nearly two years 
younger than he had been then, and Legolas had taken him. Obviously not 
against his will, but against all morality and decency.

Before Aragorn's body could reason what his emotions were telling it to 
do, his fist swung and punched Legolas under the chin, knocking him 
backwards. As anger finally grasped him, he lunged at him, raining blow 
after blow upon the pretty face until blood ran from the Elf's nose and 
from a cut on his lip. He felt the hands of one of the twins (he did not 
know which) try to still him but he shrugged them off as if they were air as 
his temper boiled over.

"Father! Stop it! Please!" Eldarion grasped his arm and stopped him.

"Stop defending me!" Legolas cried at the prince from his prone position 
on the floor. 

"Stop treating me as a child!" Eldarion suddenly roared. "Legolas, you did 
not treat me as a child last night, that is why you are here begging 
forgiveness on your knees before my father! You said last night that I was 
not a child! You let me seduce you! I was man enough then so stop talking 
like I was some poor defenceless babe that you took advantage of." He 
turned to Aragorn. "And Father what right do you have to say who I sleep 
with?"

"You are eighteen years old, Eldarion, and only just!" he said, trying to 
restrain his temper. "And you are my heir. That gives me some right to say 
who you lie with."

"It is not as if lying with Legolas is going to produce an issue!" Eldarion 
laughed mockingly. 

He slapped Eldarion for his impertinence. "That is not the point." 

"When will you just let me go my own way!" he shouted. "I am more than 
capable of controlling my own actions. Just because you had an over-
sheltered upbringing does not mean you have to treat me the same way! 
How old were you before you were allowed to sleep with someone?"

"I do not think I have to answer that!" Aragorn retaliated. "But if you must 
know… If you must know I was 21."

"Just after you left Rivendell?" Eldarion assumed.

"It is irrelevant!" Aragorn said, blocking out the fact that what Eldarion 
was implying was true. "I did not have a father, I was raised by Elrond and 
guided by Elladan and Elrohir." He glanced at the twins. "And they 
brought me up well. They looked after me and taught me everything I 
needed to know. And if at any time they appeared to smother me, it was 
for my own good. I learned that. They tried to stop me going after Legolas 
and I did not listen to them…" 
 
"Estel!" Elrohir tried to silence him.

Aragorn closed his eyes. He had not meant to reveal that detail.

"You *what*?!" Eldarion cried. "You lusted after Legolas?! How dare you 
try to stop me?!"

"Because I got hurt!" Aragorn told him. "It got me nowhere."

"You are just jealous!" Eldarion lashed out at his father. "You are jealous 
because I achieved what you could not. You cannot bear the thought of me 
with Legolas when he turned you down."

"I feel like a prize piece of meat," Legolas whispered only just loud 
enough to hear. "Though I suppose I deserve to."

"Stop simpering, Legolas," Aragorn struck him again. 

"Estel," Elrohir stepped in front of him and placed both hands on his 
shoulders before he could hit the Elf again. "Eldarion is right, he is not a 
child anymore."

"Then he should stop acting like one!"

"Did I act like a child last night, Legolas?" Eldarion said. "While you are 
in the mood for confessing everything, tell them! Did I act like a child?"

"Eldarion, that will do," Elladan interrupted.

"No! it will not do!" Eldarion continued to rant. "Legolas, tell them! Tell 
them!"

"You did not act like a child!" Legolas cried, flinching in anticipation of 
another blow from Aragorn. "It was I that acted like the foolish youth." 

Aragorn pulled away from Elrohir and swung his arm back ready for 
another strike at Legolas. 

"That will do, all of you!" Elladan suddenly shouted, stilling Aragorn's 
hand. "Estel, for goodness sake calm down and take a seat. Legolas, stand 
up, wipe your nose and do the same." 

Aragorn sunk into the chair behind him. Legolas slowly rose to his feet 
and acquired a seat near the window.

"Estel, the first thing I want to say is that you have no right to try to forbid 
Eldarion his lust for Legolas," Elladan asserted. "It is clear no advantage 
was taken of him." 

"He is my son, and he is still young," he argued. "And Legolas should 
know better."

"Legolas was extremely drunk last night," Elladan interjected. "I doubt he 
would have been able to take advantage of Eldarion. It's more than likely 
the other way around."

Aragorn felt like he was 19 again, getting nagged by the twins, not 
wanting to hear what they were saying but knowing it was true. 

"Legolas turned you down when you were a year older than Eldarion is 
now, saying you were too young," Elrohir pointed out. "And before you 
jump down my throat I am merely saying that he would not take deliberate 
advantage of Eldarion. He turned you down when you were nearly 20 
years of age because he thought you were too young. If he had not been 
completely intoxicated, he would have done the same with Eldarion. And 
he loves you as his friend; he would not do anything to hurt you. Look at 
him, he feels terrible."

"*I* took advantage of *him*!" Eldarion cried. "I know it, and he knows it 
deep down! But he will not let me take the blame."

"I can't," Legolas said softly. "I should have stopped you. I am three 
thousand years older than you, Eldarion. It's just not right."

"Mother is over two thousand years older than Father!" Eldarion argued. 
"And please don't tell me that's different!"

"Eldarion, it is," Elladan crouched at his chair and took his hand. "I know 
you think you're grown up, but you still have a long way to go before 
you're fully mature." 

Aragorn blinked away tears he had not realised were forming. He 
remembered how Elladan had once said similar words to him, only not so 
kindly. He had been scolding him for being stupid, for acting like a child 
in the name of trying to show them all how grown up he was.

"And you have grown up, a lot," Elladan continued to hearten Eldarion, 
"and we're all very proud of you. It shows how much you've grown up by 
the way you won't let Legolas take the blame for you, you would not have 
done that a few years ago. But please understand why your father is trying 
to protect you, and that is all he is trying to do. He loves you, and I love 
you, and Elrohir loves you. We all do. Look at what's happening here and 
try to understand why we wanted to stop you going after Legolas. Elrohir 
and I know better than anyone how much something like this can hurt a 
family. We tore our family apart with our relationship."

Aragorn stared at his foster brother. He had never seen Elladan talking so 
frankly before.

"But you two are inseparable," Eldarion whispered. "You could not have 
stopped for anything. I can see that, even if I do not understand it. I could 
have stopped, but I didn't want to." He bit his lower lip. "I just wanted to 
show you all that I could..."

Elladan smiled at him. "No one wants to treat you like you're a baby, but 
sometimes we wish we still could, it's hard to think of you as being an 
adult. You're the last of the children, it makes us feel old!" 
 
Eldarion gave a little smile. 

"And Estel," Elladan reached and took his hand also. "You have to start 
letting go a bit. Eldarion's taking responsibility for himself now and you 
have to let him. We know you feel betrayed, but is this really worth losing 
your only son and your dearest friend over? Neither of them are to blame. 
Legolas probably had not a clue of what he was doing. And as for 
Eldarion… had things been different when you were a youth, and Legolas 
had been willing to sleep with you, would you have turned down the 
chance just because we had forbidden you to?"

Aragorn shook his head with a sigh. Elladan was right, as always. "I 
would not have," he admitted. 

"I'm sorry," Eldarion apologised, "to all of you, I have acted so foolishly 
and selfishly. I did not think how many people this would hurt. I just 
wanted to show you all." He glanced at the twins. "And when I saw you 
two dancing with Legolas last night I was so jealous. I just wanted to show 
you." 

"Well, now you have," Elrohir said, "and it has shown us a thing or two, 
hasn't it Estel?" 

Aragorn looked across at Legolas, then at Eldarion. He did not want to 
forgive so easily. Both had betrayed him. Legolas especially. Though he 
had been his friend for longer than he could remember, and he had fought 
beside him in the great War of the Ring, he did not want to find 
forgiveness that quickly. His pride prevented him, even though his heart 
wanted him to.

"Aragorn," Elrohir said firmly.

Aragorn's head snapped up, startled at the sound of Elrohir calling him by 
his true name. 

/You have been among Men too long, Estel, /  Elrohir's thought seemed to 
pierce his mind. /You have forgotten you are an Elf at heart. Let it go. /

"Yes, it has shown us," he said. "I am sorry Eldarion. I will try to stop 
treating you like a baby. But I hate the thought of you growing up and 
growing away from me. I hate the thought of you not being my child 
anymore."

"But we can be friends instead?" Eldarion said with a tearful smile. 

"For pities sake!" Elladan pulled them both to their feet and pushed them 
close together. "You stupid stubborn humans. Eldarion, give your father a 
hug!"

With a choked laugh, Eldarion put his arms around Aragorn's neck and 
hugged him tightly. "I'm so sorry," he whispered.

"So am I," Aragorn whispered back and kissed his cheek. As he released 
Eldarion, he saw Legolas stand to leave. "Legolas, stay," he said, catching 
his arm. 

"Do you forgive me?" Legolas asked nervously. "Can you forgive me?" 

"I forgive you," Aragorn told him. "We have been friends for too long for 
me to hate you." He reached for a napkin from the table and pressed it to 
Legolas's nose to clean up the blood. "But if you do anything like that 
again…"

"You will murder me," Legolas said without humour. "I know." 

"Father," Eldarion said with a smile, "may I ask one thing?" 

"Yes, anything," Aragorn told him.

"May I take leave before Gimli learns of this?" 

~END~