Title:  Melethen  (Chapter 20/25)
Author:  Meleth  (meleth.legolas@yahoo.com)
Type:  FPS
Cast or Paring:  Thaladirith, Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas in this chapter. 
Rating:  R - NC-17
Disclaimer:  They aren’t mine, no matter how much I wish it.
Timeline:  Fourth Age. 
Warning:  AU.  Angst.  Adult language and situations.  At times, this story contains males 
involved in homoerotic acts, i.e. explicit sex. It may also contain twincest.  If this is not to 
your liking -- read NO further.  
Beta:  The one and only Aglarien.
A/N:  **Mind speak between the twins.**, *Emphasis*, (Thoughts)
Feedback:  Would be wonderful!    
Summary:  Elrohir and Legolas make plans for a few minutes alone for the next day and 
agree Elladan will meet them later.  Thaladirith overhears the arrangement and sets his plan 
in motion.   

Chapter Twenty

Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas returned to the palace in time to bathe and dress for the 
evening meal.  It was so hard for them not to look at one another without love in their eyes, 
so they eventually gave up and started conversations with those around them.  The evening 
meal was much like lunch, relaxed and welcoming.  

Thranduil, Elrond, Erestor and Glorfindel took great pleasure sharing tales about the three 
young elves at the table.  When they had had enough, the lovers excused themselves and 
made their way to the gaming room for a few rounds of a war game.  Thaladirith joined 
then shortly after they arrived, and they divided into teams - Legolas and Elladan versus 
Elrohir and Thaladirith.  Once again the captain seemed pleasant and jovial, a pleasure to 
be around, but Legolas knew something was wrong.  The captain hated the twins and 
wished them gone, dead even.

Elladan and Elrohir were not all together comfortable with the captain.  They had their own 
suspicions about him, especially the way he looked at Legolas.  The game lasted hours and 
ended in a draw, which soured Thaladirith’s mood.  (I wanted to show the young elves how 
to play such a game, I am, after all, the best Mirkwood has to offer.  It must have been 
Elrohir who held me back.  Damned half- elf.)

When the captain left the room, he waited around the corner for the prince and his 
companions.  As they exited the room, they were laughing and even kissing one another 
good night.  Thaladirith’s blood boiled, but even he could not take on three elves.  

“Dan has expressed a wish to visit the armory in the morning, Legolas.” Elrohir informed 
the prince.  “Why don’t we find something to do and he can join us when he finishes 
there?”

“Excellent idea, Roh,” Legolas replied trying to think of something they could do until 
Elladan joined them.  “Do you remember the waterfall we passed with the natural bridge 
over the stream?”

“Aye, it is before the glade we went to yesterday,” Elladan answered, nodding his head.

“That is the one,” Legolas confirmed.  “Meet us there after you finish in the armory.  If it is 
close to lunch, will you stop by the kitchens and get us something?  We can picnic there 
and spend the afternoon swimming.”

“Just swimming, my Prince?” Elladan asked, moving very close to Legolas and kissing him 
with abandon.  When the kiss ended both were breathing heavily, causing the prince to 
purr, “Or whatever else comes to mind, Dan.”

Elrohir chuckled before kissing Legolas good night and the three made their ways to their 
separated bed chambers.  (Soon we will all share one bed…If I could only get Thaladirith 
out of the way, we will live happily and be free to show our love.)

This was the chance Thaladirith had waited for, and he didn’t even have to set it up.  As he 
walked to his chambers he whistled an uplifting tune.  (Soon the prince will be mine and 
those pesky half-elves will be out of the way!)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Next Morning

Thaladirith watched as Elrohir joined Legolas and they started on their way to the waterfall.  
The captain could tell they were in love with every touch and whisper.  The sight made him 
sick and he forced himself not to vomit.

As he trailed them silently from the trees above, he could hear their conversation.

“It is just until I am able to tell Father how he has been threatening him with death and me 
with harm.  He has also threatened to kill you and Elladan if he finds out we are lovers and 
not just friends,” Legolas said, taking Elrohir’s hand in his own.

“Legolas, you know Elladan and I can take care of ourselves, as you can,” Elrohir began.  
“You are just letting him use your fear of him from when you were a child.  You must meet 
with the king and tell him everything.”

“I will do that once we return,” Legolas promised.  “You and Elladan will join me, will you 
not?”

“Of course.  Captain Thaladirith’s actions have to be dealt with and I know your father will 
not put up with what he has been doing.”  Elrohir responded as they continued to walk.

Thaladirith chuckled inside.  (They are planning to turn me in?  How naïve.  They won’t 
live to hear the evening meal bells.  Oh, and that half-elf will be the first to go for 
encouraging Legolas to speak to his father about me!)

When they reached the waterfall, Elrohir continued forward, leaving Legolas alone.  
Thaladirith saw his chance and fell from the tree directly behind the prince.  Before you 
could blink, a knife was placed against Legolas’ throat.

“Do not move half-elf, or the prince will die,” the captain sneered.  “Toss your weapons 
over there next to the tree.  *All* of them, elf knight - the ones in your boots, too.”

Legolas gave Elrohir a pleading look and gasped, “Do not do it, Elrohir.  He will not hurt 
me.”

“No?” the captain asked as sliced an inch long cut to the prince’s throat.  “Toss them, 
Peredhel, now!” 

Elrohir was torn between trying to save Legolas with an attack of his own, and doing what 
the crazed captain asked, as he watched blood trickle down his lover’s throat.  In the end, 
he did as he was asked and offered the prince a sorrowful look.  “I cannot risk you, 
melethen.” 

“I have no other weapons, captain,” Elrohir said, standing with his arms held wide and 
hands up.  “Release him and take me.  I will be your hostage.”

“And what are you worth?” Thaladirith asked snidely.  “Let me tell you…*NOTHING!*”

“What is it that you want, captain?” Elrohir asked as he tried to remain calm.  “Perhaps 
there is some way to come to terms.”

Thaladirith’s laughter echoed through the forest.  “I have what I want,” he said with a 
sneer.  “I just need you and your brother out of the way.  Legolas will bind with me this day 
in an effort to save your lives.”

Legolas struggled against he captain’s hold, but was unable to escape without the knife 
pressing further into his throat.  “I will never bind to you, Captain.  I would die first.”

“Die you shall, but before you do, you will get to watch your lovers die a most painful 
death, seron vell,” Thaladirith retorted through clinched teeth.

“You will not touch them,” Legolas replied angrily.  “Let Elrohir go free and I will do as 
you ask.”

More laughter from Thaladirith caused the blood in Legolas’ body to freeze.  “They will 
both die whether you bind with me or not.”

“Legolas, listen to me,” Elrohir pleaded.  “You will not bind to him!  Somehow we will 
stop this.”

“You mean try to stop it,” the captain replied laughing.  “My plan is fool proof.”

To the captain it looked like Elrohir was busy trying to think of a new strategy to handle the 
problem, but in truth, he was calling for his brother.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Palace Armory

*’Elladan, can you hear me?’*

*’Aye, you sound distressed.  What is wrong?’*

*‘Thaladirith has a knife at Legolas’ throat and demands our death.  He will have the 
prince with him after he makes him watch us die slowly.  He has made me toss my weapons.  
I am out of options, brother.  You must come now, but quietly.’*

*‘Where are you?’*

*’We are at the waterfall with the natural bridge.  Hurry Dan.  The captain is unstable and 
I fear for our beloved’s life.  He has already brought blood to prove his point.’*

As Elladan listened to Elrohir, he was loading up on weapons and looking at maps of 
Mirkwood.  His mind told him to alert the king and his father, but time did not allow it.  
Thaladirith would pay for even touching Legolas.  Once everything was taken care of they 
would present the captain to the king and explain everything.  

*’Do not provoke him, Roh, until you know I am there.  Hopefully surprise will be on my 
side and I can at least get Legolas away from him.  Does Legolas still have his weapons?’*

*’Aye, he does, but there is no way to let him know you are coming.  He knows nothing of 
our ability to speak to one another like this.’*

*’Legolas is a warrior and will react as such once he is freed.  I believe that in my heart, 
Roh.  I am leaving the palace now.  Be ready.’*

*’Aye, my brother.  Hurry!’*

*’My love to Legolas and you, Roh.’*

*’Ours to you, Dan.’* 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Waterfall

“You will be found out,” Legolas insisted as his hands held the arm that held the knife to 
his throat.  “Do you think I will not tell my father what you have done?”

“Thranduil the king will die, and you will become king, sweet Legolas,” Thaladirith 
answered.  “Since I control you so well, guess who will actually rule?  That would be 
*me*!”

Elrohir looked into Legolas’ eyes and tried to convey that things would be all right - that 
help was on the way.  He wasn’t sure the prince got the message, but he visibly relaxed.

Legolas could tell from Elrohir’s look that something was going to happen and that they 
would be rescued somehow, someway.  “I love you my Elf knight,” he said.  “Always 
remember that, no matter what happens today.”

“Shut up,” Thaladirith snarled angrily.  

“And I will always love you, my Prince,” Elrohir replied, ignoring Thaladirith, but then 
turning to speak to the captain.  “How will it feel to be bound to one who loves not only 
one other elf, but two?”  

“Stop talking or I shall cut him more than I already have,” the captain threatened heatedly.

“Legolas will never love you, not like he does us.  We are faer mates; we are meant to be 
together.  The Valar will bless our union.”

“How can you be faer mates if you are both dead and he is bound to another?” Thaladirith 
asked arrogantly.  “And if…”  The captain's reply was cut off when he found himself with a 
knife placed at his own throat.

“Let him go or you will die before you hit the ground,” Elladan said through clinched teeth.

TBC