Title: Mending a Heart and the Tie that Binds 
 
Author: McKenna Espenshade
 
Author's Email: mckennaespen@hotmail.com
 
Pairings: Legolas/Elladan, Thranduil/Elrond
 
Rating: NC17
 
Summary: Legolas and Elladan are together again after being separated for 
several months, but trouble lies ahead for the couple. Thranduil and 
Elrond rekindle their friendship and possibly more… Sequel to Mending a 
Heart. AU. 
 
Disclaimer: Tolkien, Tolkien, I'm back again, 
	      writing fics until the end.
	      And I know I must give you your due,
                  these characters belong to you. 
                  And even though I love the lot, 
                  and happily have changed the plot, 
                  I truly mean no disrespect, 
                  although I write both slash and het. 
                  To everyone heed what I mean, 
                  The plot is mine, the rest, Tolkien's. 
 
Story Setup: This story takes place several months (about six to be exact) 
from the time of Mending a Heart.
 
Archive: Sure, but please ask. 
 
Special Notes: * indicate character thoughts. ~*~* indicates a division in 
the story or a time change. 
 

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

 
Chapter 1: Arrival in Lothlórien 
 
 
Haldir and the northern marchwardens of Lórien watched in amazement as 
two men approached the Golden Wood. 
 
“Humans are often crude and ostentatious, but never have I seen men 
wander about this territory unarmed,” Orophin said quietly, leaning close 
to Haldir.
 
Haldir regarded Orophin carefully and nodded. “Be on your guard, for 
men who travel across these lands so carelessly must fear little. We must 
be prepared for them when they enter.”
 
Orophin nodded and exchanged looks with his older brother, Rúmil; they 
knew what to do. Confrontations such as these did not occur every day, 
but the border patrolmen of Lothlórien had become accustomed to the 
occasional visitor who was sincerely lost, as well as the insufferable 
human who wanted to cause trouble. No matter what the reason for the 
intrusion, the guardsmen were there to ensure the safety of the inhabitants 
of Lórien, and they did so fiercely.
 
More than twenty elves littered the northern border of the forest, but 
within moments all of them had disappeared from sight. They ducked 
behind bushes or climbed the large trees that were scattered about the 
woods – only Haldir remained. He was the chief marchwarden of Lórien 
and would be the first one to face the intruders when they entered the 
realm.
 
Haldir took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. Closing his eyes, he 
allowed the warm rays of the sun to bathe his face in light; it was a 
beautiful day. The birds chirped happily while butterflies flitted about, 
completely unaware of the confrontation that was about to take place. 
 
Opening his eyes slowly, Haldir straightened his posture and waited. He 
looked into the distance and shook his head. He could see the men as they 
made their way toward the northernmost boundary of the woods.
 
Haldir watched them distastefully. He did not like humans, and these two 
seemed to be the worse kind of men. They didn’t walk, but strutted 
haughtily. They wore bizarre looking cloaks that shielded their bodies 
from view and strange head coverings that boasted wide brims on top of 
their heads. The men approached silently; their heads were bowed.
 
Watching them closely, he noticed that the men had a purposeful stride; 
they knew exactly where they were going. Most humans avoided the 
Golden Wood; it was well known that elvish warriors protected its 
borders. However, these men were either ignorant or very brave, as their 
lives would certainly be forfeit if they dared to challenge the many well-
armed elves that were hidden throughout the northern border.
 
Both men entered the woods at the same time, making their presence 
obvious with every loud step they took.
 
Haldir nodded to Orophin and Rúmil who noiselessly leapt down from a 
nearby tree and armed their bows in only a moment’s time. He raised his 
right hand and four more warriors readied their weapons and stood hidden 
behind large bushes, ready to emerge and attack. Haldir smiled inwardly at 
the proficiency of his comrades. *I have taught them well.*
Haldir stepped directly in front of the strangers while Orophin and Rúmil 
flanked their older brother, aiming their arrows directly at the men’s 
hearts.
 
“You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood,” Haldir announced 
authoritatively. 
 
Both men stopped abruptly, but did not look up.
 
Haldir moved a bit closer. “You will come with me to be brought before 
Lady Galadriel. There is no escape; you cannot go back in the direction 
from whence you came.”
 
Just as Haldir completed his sentence, two elvish warriors came out of 
hiding and stood behind the two men. Their weapons were drawn to 
prevent the humans from trying to retreat.
 
“We will go in any direction we please,” one of the men snapped without 
looking up.
 
“You will do as I say, or you will die where you stand,” Haldir stated.
 
“We do not abide by your rules,” the other man spat icily. 
 
“You do not have a choice. You **will** comply,” Haldir said firmly.
 
One of the men took a step forward and four more hidden warriors 
emerged without delay, placing their arrows only inches away from each 
man’s chest.
 
“You will come with me,” Haldir said, still eyeing the men cautiously.
 
“I shall speak to the Lady about this treatment!” one of the men hollered, 
sounding almost amused.
 
Haldir stared at the stranger with alarm and tried to see his eyes, but the 
brim of the head covering concealed the man’s face. However, Haldir 
suspected that even though the men seemed to be looking down, somehow 
they were watching very carefully; he could feel their eyes boring into 
him. He looked at Orophin and then at Rúmil in dismay. There was 
something oddly familiar about these men.
 
“What are we waiting for?” one of the men asked. “We ain’t got all day!” 
 
The man’s voice seemed to crack when he said ‘ain’t.’ And Haldir could 
have sworn that he heard some soft laughter. “Who are you?” he 
demanded. “I will not take you before the Lady until you reveal 
yourselves!” 
 
“As you wish, Haldir,” one of the men said sweetly.
 
All of the warriors looked at the chief marchwarden, stunned. How had 
this human known Haldir’s name? They watched warily as the men 
removed their cloaks and then their head coverings. Before anyone could 
speak, both males began to laugh hysterically.
 
“Elladan! Elrohir!” Haldir exclaimed angrily. “You could have been 
killed!”
 
The elvish warriors of Lórien lowered their weapons slowly, looking at the 
twins in shock.
 
“If… if… you could have only seen the looks on all of your faces,” 
Elladan said, dropping to his knees, completely overcome with mirth.
 
“Especially Haldir!” Elrohir said between chuckles. “‘You have entered 
the realm of the Lady of the Wood,’” he mimicked as he doubled over and 
clutched his stomach, howling with glee.
 
Haldir shook his head disapprovingly as some of the other elves began to 
chuckle light-heartedly.
 
“I do not think that your grandmother will find your behavior amusing,” 
Haldir said as the twins began to regain their composure.
 
“Aw, come on Haldir. It was only a jest,” Elladan said in protest. “You 
aren’t going to tell on us are you?”
 
“I do not have to say anything to the Lady, for she will already be aware 
of your folly,” Haldir remarked.
 
“Well, then, perhaps my grandmother is aware of your folly as well,” 
Elladan said.
 
“Oh, Elladan,” Rúmil said in exasperation. “Are you still cross about our 
drollery?” 
 
“It was not funny,” Elladan said, glaring at Orophin when he chuckled.
 
“When we stole your horses we were only jesting,” Orophin explained, 
trying to stifle his laughter. 
 
“And anyway, our jest was nearly five years ago,” Rúmil said, shaking his 
head. “How can you possibly hold a grudge for so long?”
 
“Because you made us look like fools in front of the whole border patrol 
of Lórien!” Elrohir exclaimed. 
 
“This was our attempt to retaliate,” Elladan said, grinning.
 
“Well, I must say that you wasted your time,” Orophin chirped. “Our jest 
was far superior to yours.”
 
“Is that a fact?” Elladan asked.
 
“It is indeed,” Orophin said arrogantly. “Not only did we manage to steal 
your steeds, but we stole your dignity as well. Everyone felt so much 
sympathy for the Rivendell warriors who had somehow misplaced their 
horses. But lo and behold, the valiant elves of Lothlórien; they recovered 
the inadequate twin’s animals and thus, saved the day.”
 
Rúmil laughed. “I must admit that our prank was better than yours. We 
suffered no consequences from our folly. You, however, will be scolded 
by the Lady for behaving so foolishly. Why don’t the two of you just 
admit to your defeat?” 
 
“You are right,” Elladan said, nodding slowly. “You have won.”
 
Elrohir looked at Elladan in shock and smiled faintly when their eyes met. 
He knew that losing to the elves of Lothlórien was the last thing on his 
twin’s mind. Matching Elladan’s forlorn expression, he looked at Rúmil 
and Orophin sadly. “Elladan is right. We will accept our defeat and leave 
you be.”
 
Rúmil and Orophin beamed.
 
“Where are your steeds?” Haldir asked, ignoring the smug looks on his 
brother’s faces.
 
“We tethered them to a tree about a league from here,” Elrohir said.
 
“Kedar, Nandin, please ride out and bring their steeds. Rúmil and 
Orophin, you are in charge until I return,” Haldir announced. “I am taking 
the twins to see their grandmother. I am certain that she will want to speak 
to both of you as she will surely be quite cross.”
 
“What makes you so sure that our grandmother will be angry?” Elrohir 
asked. “We are the only grandsons that she has. Even as small children, 
Grandmother never punished us. And we know that our grandfather is not 
here, as he sent word to Rivendell, explaining that he and a host of his 
warriors would be journeying to Kendall. So we are safe from his wrath. 
Not to mention the fact that a host of elves from Mirkwood are due to 
arrive soon. Everyone will be too busy to concern themselves with Elladan 
or me.”
 
“Nonetheless,” Haldir said, “the Lady will want to speak with you, and 
hopefully give you both a tongue lashing. It was very foolhardy to traverse 
these lands without your steeds, especially unarmed. 
 
“We did not journey to Lórien without arms,” Elrohir corrected. “Our 
weaponry was left with the horses. For our jest to work, however, we had 
to enter the realm without elvish armaments or you would have guessed 
who we were right away.”
 
“It is still very dangerous,” Haldir chastised. “After what happened to your 
mother, I would have thought that the two of you had better judgment.”
 
“Bite your tongue!” Elladan hissed. “You have no right to speak about our 
mother. We are not children and are every bit as fierce a warrior as you! 
Elrohir and I fear nothing, especially orcs. If any one of the fell creatures 
approaches us then it will pay, dearly. We are just as skilled with weapons 
as we are with our bare hands and I am not afraid to get a little blood on 
my clothes. The creatures that harmed my mother and drove her away paid 
for it with their lives. And any other goblin that dares to harm myself or 
anyone else that I hold dear will meet a similar fate. Elrohir and I do not 
need weapons when we can use hatred as a shield.”
 
Haldir was rendered speechless by the vehemence of Elladan’s words. He 
gazed into the handsome young elf’s eyes and no longer saw his playful, 
teasing spirit. Instead, joviality had been replaced with an anger that 
seemed to permeate his entire being. His storm cloud colored eyes flashed 
and he trembled as though he were an animal ready to strike.
 
Orophin and Rúmil did not speak and looked to Haldir for guidance; they 
shifted uncomfortably under the weight of the silence.
 
Haldir sighed and smiled gently. “I am sorry. Neither you nor Elrohir are 
children. You are fully-grown and can make your own decisions, even if 
they are questionable. Forgive me if I spoke my mind too quickly about 
your mother, I shouldn’t have mentioned her.”
 
“Do not fret,” Elrohir said sincerely, placing his hand on Elladan’s 
shoulder. “We do not hold your words against you; you did not mean any 
harm. Perhaps, you should take us to see our grandmother. Our journey 
has been long and we are both tired and hungry.”
 
“As you wish,” Haldir said, bowing. He turned and led the twin warriors 
into the heart of the realm.  
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
Elladan and Elrohir followed behind Haldir, ascending some stairs 
alongside an enormous mallorn tree. 
 
Elrohir watched his twin carefully. He could tell that Elladan was still 
quite upset and touched him lightly on the back, trying to reassure him. 
 
Elladan’s expression did not soften. Instead, he kept his eyes fixed on 
Haldir and frowned even more deeply. 
 
When the elves reached the flet at the top of the stairs, Galadriel was 
waiting for them. She smiled warmly and looked at Haldir.
 
Haldir met the Lady’s eyes, nodded and bowed politely. She wanted to 
speak to the twins alone. Without hesitation, he left so that he could 
resume his post.
 
Galadriel watched as Haldir left and then focused her attention on her 
grandsons. First, she set her gaze upon Elrohir who met her eyes without 
haste. She could sense his concern for his older brother and his loyalty and 
love for the one who bore his semblance. Galadriel held Elrohir’s eyes as 
she spoke. “How are you, second-born grandson?”
 
“I am well,” Elrohir replied. 
 
“And how is your future bride, Ellaria?”
 
“She is well, Grandmother.”
 
“In our last message from Rivendell, your father told Celeborn and I that 
you would not marry in the spring like you had planned. Is all well?”
 
“Aye, Grandmother,” Elrohir replied quickly. “We decided to postpone 
our wedding until after the competition. Because Rivendell is to be the 
host of this wonderful event, much work and preparation has taken place 
over the last few months. Thus, Ellaria and I have had very little time to 
plan for our special occasion. We just decided that it would be better this 
way.”
 
“I see,” Galadriel said, looking at Elrohir carefully, disbelief imprinted in 
her eyes. “Well, I am glad that you both are here, although I was not 
expecting your arrival.”
 
“In his last letters to Rivendell, Grandfather said that Prince Legolas 
would be riding here to do his father’s bidding before journeying to 
Rivendell with the Lórien contest participants,” Elrohir explained. 
“Elladan has not seen Legolas in several months and desired to journey to 
Lothlórien to surprise him. I decided to come with him.”
 
“Ah yes,” Galadriel said, looking at Elladan, “Prince Legolas Greenleaf, 
King Thranduil’s youngest son. I am looking forward to meeting the elf 
who has captured your heart, Elladan.”
 
Elladan didn’t speak nor did he look at his grandmother. Instead, he 
studied the floor carefully, too angry to respond.
 
Galadriel met Elrohir’s eyes once more and smiled. Rising from her seat 
she approached her eldest grandchild and stood before him. “I can see 
your mind whether or not you would choose to look at me,” she said 
gently. “I can feel your anger.”
 
Elladan looked up slowly, met his grandmother’s eyes and sighed. He 
could feel her gaze gently probing his mind. 
 
“I understand the way you feel. Celebrían is my daughter – my only child. 
I lost her, too,” the Lady said a bit sadly. “But your hatred will not bring 
her back; it will poison your soul. You have so much to live for, Elladan. 
And I know that Celebrían would want you to be happy.”
 
Elladan tore his eyes away from his grandmother’s piercing gaze and 
looked at the floor once more.
 
“Release your anger this day, let it go.” Galadriel placed her hands on 
Elladan’s shoulders and closed her eyes.
 
Elladan felt a wave of warmth sweep over him, gently penetrating the core 
of his being. He could feel his grandmother’s love for him and was 
amazed at the way she could calm him without really doing anything at 
all. He raised his head to meet Galadriel’s eyes once again and saw her 
smile lovingly. Elladan felt his anger slowly dissipating. 
 
The Lady removed her hands from Elladan’s shoulders and smiled when 
her eldest grandson grinned sheepishly; he knew what she was going to 
say next.
 
“I…” Elladan began, but was silenced by a look from Galadriel.
 
“It greatly concerns me that the two of you would travel alone. Especially 
when the orcs seem to grow more bold with the passing of each day,” 
Galadriel said gently. “Furthermore, you should be careful when teasing 
the marchwardens of this realm,” she added with concern. “While they are 
your friends, they are also fierce warriors who could have killed you if you 
had continued to provoke them.”
 
“We were only jesting,” Elladan explained.
 
“Laughter is a healer,” Galadriel said in a soothing tone, “and I am glad 
that the two of you are such close companions with it. But you must also 
heed your surroundings at all times. Do not let your guard down for a 
moment, even when you are in the midst of your merrymaking.”
 
Elladan and Elrohir nodded in understanding, but then looked at one 
another with bewilderment.
 
Galadriel met Elladan’s eyes once again and laughed, “Yes, you may still 
jest. I only ask that you are careful when you do it.”
 
The twins looked at one another and beamed. Then, they embraced their 
grandmother and spent quite some time laughing and talking with her as 
the day wore on.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
A few hours later, Elladan and Elrohir made their way back to the northern 
border. Thanking Kedar and Nandin for getting their steeds and taking 
them to the stable hands, Elladan gave Haldir a scornful look. “You can 
stop looking so smug, Haldir. Grandmother did not punish us.”
 
“But I am sure that you were still scolded for your thoughtless behavior,” 
Haldir said, meeting Elladan’s eyes, “which you both deserved.”
 
“We are always scolded for our behavior,” Elrohir remarked with a shrug.
 
“And do you ever heed the words of wisdom that are bestowed upon 
you?” Haldir asked.
 
“Of course not!” both twins said in unison.
 
Rúmil and Orophin, as well as some other nearby elves, laughed.
 
“Well, I am not very amused with your foolishness,” Haldir said flatly. 
“You are fully grown and your actions should reflect your age.”
 
“You are right,” Elladan said in mock defeat.
 
Elrohir looked at Elladan in shock.
 
Elladan smiled sweetly at his younger brother and then looked into the 
distance. Looking back at Elrohir, Elladan winked. “Look, there,” he 
announced, pointing into the distance. “The prince is coming.”
 
“Aye,” Rúmil said, nodding. “We saw the host from Mirkwood when they 
were a few leagues off. They should arrive very soon.”
 
Elladan nodded and met Elrohir’s eyes once again.
 
Elrohir smiled deviously. Vengeance would be theirs this day.
 
Elladan looked at Rúmil seriously. “Perhaps Elrohir and I should tell you a 
bit about the prince. As you know, we have known Legolas for quite some 
time and he can be, well…”
 
“What?” Orophin asked curiously.
 
“He can be a bit difficult,” Elrohir remarked. “Elladan is right. We must 
tell you all about the prince and his preferences before he arrives. Then, 
perhaps, you may be able to avoid offending him.”
 
“Yes, please tell us everything that we will need to know prior to his 
arrival,” Rúmil said eagerly. “We would not want to upset King 
Thranduil’s son, especially because he has never been to Lothlórien 
before. We would like to make a good first impression.”
 
“Very well,” Elladan said. “The first thing that you must know about the 
prince is that he is not very attractive.”
 
“Indeed?” Rúmil asked, confused. “But I have heard that King Thranduil’s 
sons are very handsome.”
 
“Ah,” Elladan said, stroking his chin thoughtfully, “that is their father’s 
doing. You see, the king forces everyone in Mirkwood to say that his sons 
are fair of face so that he is not embarrassed. After all, he is the ruler of 
the Woodland Realm; he has a reputation to uphold.”
 
“I see,” Rúmil said, nodding his head.
 
“What else can you tell us?” Orophin asked.
 
“That you must cater to the king’s son, Prince Legolas, when he arrives,” 
Elrohir said, trying not to smile. “He is the youngest and favorite son of 
the king; thus, he expects special treatment. To insult him is to affront the 
king.”
 
“Oh,” Rúmil said, concerned. “Please tell us what we must do to please 
Prince Legolas then. What does he look like so we will know whom to 
address when he enters the realm?”
 
“Well,” Elladan continued, “he has stringy, dingy colored hair and a long 
face. His eyes are set so far apart that I wouldn’t be surprised if he could 
see the east and west sides of the woods all at once.”
 
Elrohir tried desperately to stifle his laughter.
 
“If he were a bit larger and combed his hair over to one side, I am certain 
that I could exchange my steed for him and ride all the way back to 
Rivendell,” Elladan added comically. “Perhaps I should consider speaking 
to the king about it. It would certainly put my grandmother’s fears to rest, 
for riding on top of such a horrific creature would certainly frighten any 
orc.”
 
“You should also know that the prince is very demanding and spoiled,” 
Elrohir stated. “He does not like to ride upon a horse and will want the two 
of you to carry him on your shoulders when he has entered the woods. 
Once you have removed him from his steed, you must run all the way to 
my grandmother, as the prince likes to make a grand entrance. If you fail 
to do this, I assure you that he will cause quite a scene and will complain 
to his father.”
 
“I see,” Rúmil said, looking at his brother. “Orophin, let’s make sure to 
make the prince as comfortable as possible.”
 
“Aye,” Orophin agreed.
 
Haldir shook his head and looked into the distance. He had heard that the 
youngest prince of Mirkwood was very fair of face and a magnificent 
archer as well. But he had escorted many members of royalty to meet with 
the Lord and Lady of Lórien over the years and knew all too well of their 
demanding behavior and their outlandish requests. And from what he was 
hearing about the prince of Mirkwood, he couldn’t help but dread meeting 
him.
 
“And please do not call him Prince Legolas,” Elladan remarked. “He 
prefers to be called ‘Little Leafy Greenlegs’ and will be quite displeased if 
you use his formal title.”
 
“Oh, Elladan and Elrohir,” Orophin said with relief, “I am so glad that the 
two of you are here to inform us of these things.”
 
Elladan and Elrohir grinned cordially.
 
“So, are you looking forward to your trip to Rivendell?” Elrohir asked 
Orophin and Rúmil.
 
“Aye,” the brothers chorused.
 
“Although…” Rúmil began.
 
“Although?” Elladan asked.
 
“Well, after hearing so much about the prince and his… his challenging 
ways, I am suddenly having some doubts,” Rúmil admitted. “After all, 
once the prince’s official duties are completed here, he will journey with 
us to Rivendell.”
 
“Do not fret, Rúmil,” Elladan said dismissively. “You will learn to adapt 
to the prince. If not, simply pretend that you are conversing with your 
horse. As I said earlier, he looks just like one, so I promise that the 
visualization will not be difficult. All I ask is that you try to resist the urge 
to leap on his back and nudge him with you heels, as you may find 
yourself cantering right out of Lothlórien!”
 
Both Orophin and Rúmil laughed.
 
“I am looking forward to the competition,” Elrohir said, changing the 
subject. “Rivendell is very beautiful this time of year, and I am sure that 
you will enjoy having the opportunity to show off your skill in the 
upcoming contest.”
 
“Yes,” Rúmil said happily, “I will miss Lórien, but I long for a few 
carefree months. I am looking forward to meeting elves from other realms 
and having the opportunity to explore Rivendell once again. We have not 
been within the borders of Lord Elrond’s realm for a millennia.”
 
“I must admit that I am excited about the contest, too,” Haldir remarked. 
“This will be the first time that all three elvish realms have come together 
for a battle of wits and a test of skill in various combat techniques. It 
should be great fun.”
 
“Ah yes,” Elrohir said, “I am looking forward to participating in the 
festivities. It is no secret that Elladan and I shall win every event.”
 
“I beg to differ,” Rúmil protested. “Orophin and I are older than you and 
thus better warriors. I would hate to see you cry, but be prepared to be 
defeated. You shan’t win.”
 
“We shall see,” Elrohir said, smiling.
 
“Ha! The only one crying will be Prince Legolas when he looses the only 
competition that he can enter - the beauty contest,” Elladan said, grinning 
devilishly.
 
“But Elladan,” Orophin said, confused. “There is no beauty contest. I 
thought that all of the competitions were based on various talents and 
mental prowess.”
 
“They are,” Elladan remarked. “But methinks that I will ask if it would be 
possible to include a beauty contest. Then, I will enter my horse and laugh 
myself to tears when the prince loses.”
 
Elrohir, Rúmil and Orophin laughed.
 
Within moments, the prince and his party entered the realm. The elves in 
Mirkwood were clad in the traditional colors of the Woodland elves – 
green tunics and brown leggings. And despite their long journey, all 
twelve elves rode, holding their heads high, each of them possessing an air 
of nobility.
 
Haldir and the other marchwardens bowed politely as the elves from 
Mirkwood approached. Commandingly, he stepped forward. “Welcome to 
Lothlórien. I am Haldir, the head marchwarden of the Golden Wood. I will 
lead you to the Lady of this realm for she is anxiously awaiting your 
arrival. You will meet Lord Celeborn a bit later as he is away but will 
return very soon.”
 
As Haldir spoke, he looked at each elf’s face carefully, trying to locate the 
prince. In an instant he saw a long-faced, wide-eyed male who stared at 
him indifferently. Deciding that this elf must be the prince, Haldir decided 
to speak directly to him out of respect.
 
Legolas listened to Haldir speak and smiled. The elves of Lothlórien 
seemed to be very friendly. However, he didn’t understand why the 
marchwardens were staring the elf to his left so intently. He knew that 
they had never seen him before but wondered why everyone had assumed 
that the king’s constable was the prince. 
 
“Little Leafy Greenlegs,” Orophin said warmly, “it is an honor to have 
you here. Please allow my brother and I to assist you.”
 
Legolas’ eyes widened and he looked at his guards with surprise. They 
stared at the prince in shock as well. *Little Leafy Greenlegs?*
 
Orophin and Rúmil walked over to the long-faced male and tried to pull 
him from his steed.
 
“What are you doing?” the elf asked in shock.
 
“We are only trying to please you, Little Leafy Greenlegs,” Orophin said, 
as he tugged at the elf’s leg.
 
“What? Please me?” the elf asked in disbelief. “Who… who is Little 
Leafy…”
 
But before he could finish his sentence, Orophin and Rúmil pulled him 
from his steed and heaved him up onto their shoulders.  Then, without 
warning, they began to run.
 
“Put me down! Put me down at once! Unhand me. Unhand me now!” The 
elf shrieked as his head flopped wildly in the air and his body was 
thrashed about violently.
 
Orophin and Rúmil stopped at once and helped the elf to get down.
 
“This is an outrage!” he yelled, rubbing his neck. “What type of lunacy is 
allowed in this realm?”
 
“But Little Leafy Greenlegs,” Rúmil said gently, “we were only trying to 
make you welcome here. We did not mean to offend you.”
 
“Who is Little Leafy Greenlegs?” the elf asked angrily.
 
“You are, are you not?” Orophin asked, suddenly looking at Rúmil with 
fright.
 
“I am the royal constable to King Thranduil! And my name is not Little 
Leafy Greenlegs, it is Goel!” he yelled.
 
Orophin and Rúmil looked at one another in shock and then looked at 
Haldir.
 
Haldir, though fraught with shame, maintained his composure. “Who then, 
is the prince?”
 
“I am,” Legolas said.
 
Everyone present looked at Legolas in incredulity. He wasn’t unattractive 
at all. In fact, he was beautiful.
 
Legolas regarded Haldir for a moment and then looked at Orophin and 
Rúmil. “Although I appreciate the offer, I am perfectly capable of riding 
my steed. There is no need for you to carry me, and feel free to call me 
Legolas. You needn't use my title or… any nicknames.”
 
Goel stumbled past Orophin and Rúmil and awkwardly mounted his steed, 
casting them an indignant look.
 
“We…” Rúmil said in defeat, “we are so sorry, my Lord. We were told 
that you required these things of us… that you wanted to be carried and 
called Little Leafy Greenlegs.”
 
Legolas laughed, as did the other elves from Mirkwood. “Who told you 
that I required such special treatment?”
 
“Elladan and Elrohir… the sons of Lord Elrond of Rivendell,” Orophin 
said, pitifully. “They told us all about you.”
 
Legolas laughed again. 
 
“I should have known that the twins had something to do with this,” Goel 
said, smiling. “Those two always manage to cause trouble.”
 
“We heard that!” Elladan exclaimed as he and Elrohir emerged from the 
foliage. 
 
Orophin and Rúmil, who hadn’t realized that the twins had been hiding, 
gave them menacing looks.
 
“Why are you looking at us that way?” Elladan asked in mock dismay. 
“How can you be so ungrateful after all that Elrohir and I have done for 
you?”
 
Legolas gasped quietly upon seeing Elladan and felt his smile widen. He 
had dreamed about the day that he would see his lover again and 
desperately wanted to pull Elladan into his arms. Of course, this was not 
the time or place to engage in such pretentious behavior, but he could 
dream, couldn’t he?
 
Elladan met Legolas’ eyes for a moment and smiled. Legolas looked more 
beautiful than ever. His attention, however, was diverted from the 
handsome prince when Rúmil stepped directly in front of him.
 
“What you have done is make us look like fools in front of the prince and 
the king’s constable,” Rúmil said abruptly. “When Lady Galadriel and 
Lord Celeborn discover what we have done, they will be very angry!”
 
“I know,” Elladan quipped. “But you have learned a valuable lesson this 
day, have you not? Elrohir and I are not to be trifled with. You have much 
to learn if you are to best either of us at any jest… stealing our horses, 
indeed.”
 
“If you would please accept our most sincere and humble apology, your 
lordship,” Orophin said, ignoring Elladan, as he and Rúmil bowed deeply 
to the prince. “And Constable Goel, to you we give our most heartfelt 
regrets. I hope that you will find it within yourself to forgive our blunder.”
 
Goel laughed and smiled sincerely at Rúmil and Orophin. “Do not fret. 
Now that I know the reason for your behavior, everything that you did is 
understandable.”
 
“It is?” Orophin asked in amazement.
 
“Aye,” Goel said.
 
Orophin and Rúmil looked at the chancellor in disbelief.
 
“Please understand that I met the twins when I accompanied King 
Thranduil to Rivendell a few months ago. I am very well aware of their 
jests and have been the subject of their folly on more than one occasion,” 
Goel explained. “It is clear that you were led astray. Please do not despair. 
I will speak to the Lord and the Lady of this realm on your behalf.”
 
“Many thanks, Constable Goel,” Rúmil said, glaring at Elladan and 
Elrohir.
 
Haldir disappeared behind a large tree and reappeared with a white steed. 
Mounting the horse quickly he looked at the prince. “If it pleases you, 
your highness,” Haldir said, bowing his head, “I will escort you and your 
companions into the realm. The Lady is waiting to greet you.”
 
“Yes, Haldir,” Legolas said, nodding, “please lead the way.”
 
 Without any further delay, the visitors from Mirkwood were led into the 
realm.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
“Hello, Grandmother,” Elrohir said. “You summoned us?”
 
“Aye. Now that our visitors are getting settled,” Galadriel began, “we 
would like to speak with the two of you.”
 
“We?” Elladan asked.
 
“Elladan and Elrohir, how could you do such a thing?” Celeborn asked 
sharply. “How could you embarrass Orophin and Rúmil, not to mention 
the entire border patrol, like that?”
 
“Grandfather!” Elrohir exclaimed. “Wh… uh… when did you arrive?” 
 
“Apparently while the two of you were behaving like fools,” Celeborn 
said indignantly. “I returned to Lórien with a few of my warriors this day 
and left the rest behind in Kendall. I wanted to get back to Lothlórien as 
soon as possible so that I could meet the prince and the warriors from 
Mirkwood. But now I dread meeting them. I cannot imagine what they 
must think of us… what, with the two of you carrying on like children!”
 
“But Grandfather, we did not see you enter the realm.” Elrohir remarked 
nervously.
 
“I entered from the southern border,” Celeborn stated. “That is why you 
did not see me. Oh, but I heard all about your folly when Chancellor Goel 
asked me not to punish the northern marchwardens for their mistake. 
‘Little Leafy Greenlegs,’ indeed! How could you dishonor, not only the 
prince, but the king’s chancellor as well?” Celeborn asked.
 
“We just wanted to have a bit of fun,” Elladan said in protest. “And 
Legolas didn’t mind… neither did Goel; they know that Elrohir and I like 
to jest.”
 
“The only one laughing will be me when I get through with the two of 
you,” Celeborn said angrily.
 
“What do you mean?” Elrohir asked apprehensively.
 
“Your grandmother and I had a very long talk about the two of you and we 
have come to a decision,” Celeborn stated. “You both will be punished for 
your folly.”
 
“Punished?” the twins chorused in disbelief.
 
“That is correct,” Celeborn said, flatly. “Because you have chosen to 
behave like children, you must be chastised like they are.”
 
“And what if we refuse to do what you say?” Elladan asked defiantly.
 
“You will not refuse,” Celeborn said with confidence. “If you do, you 
know that I will tell Elrond what you have done. I am certain that your 
father’s punishment will be far worse than mine.”
 
Elladan and Elrohir looked at one another in defeat.
 
“What must we do to absolve ourselves?” Elrohir asked forlornly.
 
Celeborn smiled.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
“Prince Legolas,” Rúmil said, approaching the prince. “Does your steed 
need to be bathed?”
 
“Bathed?” Legolas asked, looking at Rúmil curiously.
 
“Aye,” Rúmil said, grinning. “Elladan and Elrohir have been instructed to 
wash every horse in Lórien. They are being punished for their iniquitous 
jest.”
 
“I see,” Legolas said pensively. “In that case, please take my horse and all 
of the horses, from Mirkwood, too. Oh, and please ask Elladan and Elrohir 
to clean behind my steed’s ears; he loves that.”
 
“As you wish,” Rúmil said happily as he led Legolas’ horse away.
 
Ascending the long stairway that led to the prince guest quarters, Legolas 
inhaled and exhaled deeply, admiring the splendor of this unfamiliar 
realm. The gentle wind blew his hair and the warm rays of the sun 
caressed his face. Lórien was beautiful. The valleys seemed to stretch 
endlessly and were accented by the enormous trees, streams and the 
glorious mountains in the distance.
 
A bit later, after unpacking his belongings, Legolas decided to go see 
Elladan. He longed to speak to him and was thrilled that they would be 
together again after so many months apart. 
 
--- 
 
 
Chapter 2: Reunited 
 
 
“Hello,” Legolas said, smiling as he approached the small party of elves. 
 
“Hello, your Highness,” said Orophin and Rúmil, bowing deeply. 
 
“There is no need for such formality,” Legolas reminded the elves 
politely. “You may call me Legolas.”
 
“Very well, Legolas,” Rúmil said, nodding.
 
“What are your names?” Legolas asked.
 
“I am Orophin.”
 
“And I am Rúmil. Oh, and this is our older brother, Haldir,” Rúmil added, 
motioning to the chief marchwarden as he approached. 
 
“It is very nice to make your acquaintance,” Legolas said, smiling at the 
Lórien elves. 
 
“It is very nice to meet you as well,” Haldir said sincerely. 
 
“Ugh,” Elladan groaned, interrupting the conversation that was taking 
place. He flung himself back onto the grass after bathing the last steed and 
rubbed his aching arms. “I shall rue the day that I see another horse.”
 
“As will I,” Elrohir agreed, sitting down beside his brother. 
 
Orophin and Rúmil chuckled, having no sympathy for Elladan or Elrohir’s 
plight.
 
“Prince Legolas,” Goel began as he suddenly approached, but was 
interrupted when Elladan and Elrohir screamed and hid behind a nearby 
tree. “What mischief are they up to now?” he asked in dismay.
 
“I do not know,” Legolas said honestly, “but I am sure that they will not 
cause any more trouble as the Lord and Lady would surely punish them 
again.”
 
Goel nodded in agreement and focused his attention on Legolas once 
again. “Sire, I just spoke with Lord Celeborn’s aid. The council meeting 
will be held in two days.”
 
“Very well,” Legolas said. “In the meantime, please relax and enjoy the 
beauty of this realm, for you and the others will be returning to Mirkwood 
soon.”
 
“As you wish, your Highness,” Goel said, bowing and then walking away.
 
Elladan peeked around the side of the tree. “Has he gone?”
 
“Aye,” Legolas said, giving the twins a disapproving look as they emerged 
from their hiding place and sat down with their comrades on the grass. 
“Why are you being so cruel to Goel? What has he ever done to deserve 
such treatment?”
 
“He has never done anything,” Elladan said, “except that he looks like my 
horse’s twin. I feared that he wanted a bath too, and my arms are just too 
weary to wash another steed.”
 
“Shhh!” Elrohir hissed, looking at his brother sternly. “Our jests about 
Goel are the reason we were forced to wash every horse in this realm. If 
you do not be quiet, grandfather will see to it that we are to bathe every 
steed in Rivendell as well.”
 
“Goel does not look like a horse,” Legolas stated emphatically. “He is my 
father’s dearest friend and has always been kind to me. Once, in the midst 
of battle, I was wounded. Goel risked his life by placing me upon his back 
and carrying me all the way to Mirkwood.”
 
“He placed you on his back?” Elladan asked, unable to hide the 
amusement in his voice. “And did he gallop straightaway to the castle or 
did he stop to eat a bit of grass first?”
 
Elrohir began to laugh.
 
“That isn’t a very kind thing to say,” Legolas scolded. “He took me to his 
wife, Mara, and she saved my life. I am indebted to Goel.” 
 
“His wife’s name is Mare?” Elladan asked, laughing.
 
“Nay, her name is Mara,” Legolas explained.
 
“Mare-Ah,” Elladan said as he and Elrohir burst into laughter. “Oh, my 
side,” he whimpered, clutching his ribs as tears streamed down his face.
 
“It is my understanding that you stayed with Lord Elrond and his family 
for some time,” Haldir remarked, looking at the prince. “Were you 
subjected to the twin’s foolishness everyday?”
 
“Aye,” Legolas replied, nodding. “But I loved my time in Imladris. Elrond 
has become like a second father to me and Arwen is the sister that I never 
had; Elrohir reminds me a bit of my older brother, Makail, so I have come 
to think of him as kin.”
 
“Indeed? And what do you think of Elladan?” Rúmil asked when Legolas 
failed to mention Elladan’s name.
 
Legolas sighed and shook his head dramatically. “I do not like him. He is 
a nuisance.”
 
“Hey!” Elladan exclaimed as everyone laughed.
 
“I am only jesting,” Legolas said, meeting Elladan’s eyes for a moment 
before continuing. “Elladan is my best friend. I do not know what I would 
have done without him.”
 
Elladan smiled and felt his face redden. He tried desperately to think of 
something humorous to say, hoping that he could draw everyone’s 
attention away from him. But his wit often seemed to fail in the midst of 
embarrassment. He cursed silently but sighed with relief when one of the 
Mirkwood guards approached. 
 
“Sire,” the guard said, bowing before the prince.
 
“Yes, Flynn?” 
 
“Begging your pardon, Lordship, but may I speak to you in private?” 
Flynn asked. “I have a matter to discuss with you in regards to the 
upcoming council meeting.”
 
“Very well,” Legolas said. The prince turned to the group of elves and 
shrugged. “Duty calls. Thus, I must away. Perhaps we can resume our 
conversation at a later time.”
 
“That is an excellent idea,” Orophin said enthusiastically. 
 
“Until we meet again,” Legolas remarked, bowing.
 
“Farewell,” Haldir said as he and his brothers bowed.
 
The small group of elves watched as Legolas and the guard from 
Mirkwood walked away.
 
“He is the most handsome elf that I have ever seen,” Orophin said, staring 
after the prince. 
 
“Aye,” Haldir said, nodding. “He is both charming and beautiful and 
seems to be unattached. Are the elves in Mirkwood blind?”
 
“I was wondering the same thing,” Orophin added. “Perhaps I could 
discuss this with the prince in private. I heard about the death of his 
mother. Maybe he could use the comfort of a virile marchwarden, such as 
myself.”
 
Elladan stood up abruptly and glared at Orophin. 
 
Elrohir rose to his feet as well and placed his hand on Elladan’s shoulder 
as a means of restraint.
 
“If you so much as touch Legolas, I assure you that you will not be 
traveling to Rivendell to represent Lórien in the competition,” Elladan 
threatened. 
 
“Oh?” Orophin asked, amused by Elladan’s sudden display of anger. “And 
why is that?”
 
“Because you will be assisting me instead,” Elladan quipped. “You will 
truly become your name as during the boating competition I will use 
whatever limbs you have as **oars** or **fins** to guide Rivendell to 
victory.”
 
Rúmil chuckled.
 
Orophin looked at Elladan in disbelief. “What claim do you have on the 
prince to make you behave this way? You are acting as though the two of 
you are to be wed.”
 
“We are,” Elladan said, grinning at Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin’s 
openmouthed stares.
 
 “Is this another one of your jests, Elladan?” Orophin asked.
 
“Nay, it is not,” Elladan said sincerely. “Legolas and I are promised to one 
another.”
 
“Why did you not tell us that you and the prince were engaged?” Rúmil 
asked in dismay.
 
“What was I to say? ‘Hello, all. Did you know that the youngest prince of 
Mirkwood shares my bed?’”
 
“Nay, you would not have to be crass. But you could have told us that you 
were to be married to Legolas,” Rúmil scolded.
 
“I agree,” Orophin said. “We are your friends, and we are happy for you. 
Oh, and in case you did not know, I feel kindly toward my limbs and do 
not want to see them used for anything that I do not deem worthy. While 
Rivendell is lovely and I am sure that you will do well in the nautical 
competition, I would prefer to use the oars and fins that will be provided 
for us as opposed to my body parts. Let’s just say that I am quite 
**attached** to them.” 
 
Elladan laughed, as did the rest of his comrades. “I apologize for 
becoming angry earlier. Please understand, I… I… I love Legolas. And I 
am quick to show my wrath when someone I care so deeply for is harmed 
in any way,” Elladan explained. “I am sorry, Orophin, you were only 
asking about the prince. But when you made light of comforting him, I 
thought of all that Legolas has been through and became defensive. 
Legolas has suffered so much. I know because I saw his pain. I guess I am 
overly protective of him.”
 
“I accept your apology, Elladan.” Orophin said sincerely. “I was only 
attempting to be humorous. I had no idea that the two of you were in a 
relationship. I would not have said such a thing had I known.”
 
“I know,” Elladan said, placing his hand on Orophin’s shoulder. 
 
“Hello, Grandmother,” Elrohir said as Galadriel approached.
 
“Greetings, Elrohir. Have you and Elladan gotten settled?” Galadriel 
asked, looking at her grandsons.
 
“Aye,” Elrohir replied.
 
“Good,” Galadriel said. “I have some exciting information for you and 
wanted to be the first to tell you.”
 
“Indeed?” Elladan asked curiously.
 
“Please, Grandmother. Do not keep us in suspense.” Elrohir said.
 
“Very well. Guess who will be joining you on your trip to Rivendell and 
will be one of the representatives for Lórien in the upcoming 
competition?”
 
“Who?” the twins chorused.
 
 “Celeborn,” Galadriel said excitedly.
 
Elladan and Elrohir exchanged looks and frowned.
 
“You… you do not want your grandfather to accompany you?” Galadriel 
asked, looking at the twins, dismayed. 
 
“Of course we do,” Elrohir said quickly. “I am very pleased that 
Grandfather will be joining us.”
 
“You are?” Elladan asked but was stifled when Elrohir elbowed him in the 
ribs. 
 
“It is terrific news,” Elrohir continued as Elladan rubbed his side. “I am 
jealous that Lórien will be gaining such a fierce competitor. We could use 
a warrior like Grandfather on Rivendell’s side.”
 
“He will be pleased to hear that and will…”
 
“Begging your pardon, Milady,” a servant said, bowing, “but I need your 
assistance right away.”
 
“What has happened, Sydok?”
 
“I do not know. But Para sent for you and said that it was urgent.”
 
“Please, lead me to her,” Galadriel instructed and then turned to her 
grandsons. “I must away now, but will see all of you later… at the evening 
meal, perhaps. Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin, please join us, if you’d like. 
Celeborn and I have not had a proper meal with you in quite some time 
and would very much like to spend some time with all of you.”
 
“Thank you, Milady,” Haldir said, bowing deeply.
 
Without another word, Galadriel turned and hurriedly followed her 
servant.
 
“I cannot believe that!” Elladan exclaimed. “Elrohir what are we to do? 
We will not be able to jest at all if Grandfather is going to travel with us to 
Rivendell.”
 
“I know,” Elrohir said sadly, “but Grandfather hasn’t been to Rivendell in 
many years. I think that a trip to another realm would do him some good.”
 
“But he is always so hard on us,” Elladan whined. “He scolds us for every 
little incident. Do you remember the time that we placed an apple upon 
Drest’s head and used him as a target for archery practice?”
 
“Aye,” Elrohir said, grinning at the memory.
 
“Grandfather was livid,” Elladan said. “Just because Drest got shot in the 
arm was no reason for Grandfather to punish us so unmercifully.”
 
“You shot Drest?” Haldir asked in shock.
 
“It was only a flesh wound!” Elladan exclaimed. “It wouldn’t have 
happened if he hadn’t moved. He tried to run away and, as a result of his 
stupidity, got shot. It was **his** fault, not mine. And Grandfather, do 
you know what he did? He sent word to our father and mother and then 
forced us to stay in Lórien for three months!”
 
“What is so bad about that?” Rúmil asked.  
 
“He forced us to be Drest’s servants!” Elladan hollered. “Oh, and Drest 
loved every moment of our torment. You should have seen the way that he 
ordered us around. It was horrible.”
 
“I do not recall that incident,” Orophin said. “When did this occur?”
 
“About two thousand years ago,” Elrohir replied. “We were very young. 
And if my memory serves me correctly, the three of you as well as twenty 
or thirty Lórien elves left this realm to go to Bree… for some reason or 
another.”
 
“Ah yes,” Haldir said, watching several elves pass by. “I vaguely 
remember hearing that Drest was wounded while we were away, but I 
never knew what had caused his injury.”
 
“It was Elladan,” Elrohir said, smirking.
 
“Oh, be quiet!” Elladan snapped, folding his arms over his chest 
indignantly.
 
“If Elladan is the one who shot Drest, then why were you punished too, 
Elrohir?” Orophin asked.
 
“Damned by association,” Elrohir said, grinning.
 
“You lie!” Elladan shouted as he rounded on Elrohir. “It was your idea! 
Just because you were too frightened to follow though…”
 
“All I’m trying to say is that having Grandfather along may prove to be… 
fun,” Elrohir said.
 
“Fun? Fun!” Elladan exclaimed. “Tell me Elrohir, have you ever seen 
Grandfather laugh?”
 
“Nay.”
 
“You would not want to,” Elladan warned. “He is so stolid, methinks his 
face would split in two if he dared to smile too forcefully. What would we 
do if he decided to express enjoyment by laughing? I may be mistaken, but 
I do not believe that Goel will be journeying with us to Rivendell. And 
without Goel to place Grandfather upon his back and gallop to a healer, 
Grandfather would surely die.”
 
Haldir shook his head while Elrohir, Rúmil and Orophin laughed. 
 
“Then perhaps I should ask Goel to ride with us to Rivendell,” Celeborn 
said as he emerged from some nearby foliage. “I would hate to put my life 
in danger if I decided to laugh, or even grin for that matter.”
 
Elrohir and the others stopped laughing at once and exchanged nervous 
looks.
 
“Grandfather?” Elladan said in shock. “I… I… I did not sense that you 
were near.”
 
“Well, with so many elves passing through this valley, and you, in your 
agitated state, there is no way that you could have known that I was 
nearby,” Celeborn said. “But perhaps it is for the best, as your ignorance 
to my whereabouts has proven to be quite… enlightening.”
 
“Grandfather… I…” Elladan stammered.
 
“I will have you know that I have a wonderful sense of humor,” Celeborn 
said, giving Elladan a piercing look. “Why, I laughed quite heartily about 
four months ago and I was only incapacitated for a day or so.”
 
“Grandfather?” Elladan asked in amazement. “Are you jesting?”
 
“To be sure,” Celeborn said, winking. “Who do you think Celebrían got 
her mischievous streak from?” He flashed his eldest grandson an 
enormous smile and then touched his own face lightly. “Just checking.”
 
Elladan and his comrades laughed.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
“Elladan?” Legolas said, walking into his lover’s sleeping quarters. “May 
I enter?”
 
Elladan hesitated and then nodded slowly. “Of course.” He turned around 
and watched Legolas as he entered the small chamber. Elladan gasped 
quietly as he beheld the Mirkwood prince. The rays of the sun made 
Legolas look luminous as his flaxen hair shone in the light. His face was a 
vision of perfection, as each feature seemed as though it had been crafted 
with the utmost of delicacy, and his taut body stood strong and lean as 
though he were the model for which sculptures were made. Elladan let his 
eyes explore the prince’s lithe, but firm looking form and then looked up 
when he felt Legolas’ eyes boring into him. He met the prince’s amused 
stare and felt his face flush with embarrassment. “I am sorry. I did not 
mean to stare, but… I have yearned to set my eyes upon you. You are 
beautiful.”
 
Legolas smiled and stood directly in front of Elladan. “As are you, my 
Elladan.” The prince stepped even closer to the dark haired warrior and 
touched his face gently, sending chills of pleasure up Elladan’s spine. 
 
Elladan pulled away quickly and frowned. “I look terrible. I just came 
from taking a bath and am not fully dressed. I haven’t even combed my 
hair.”
 
Legolas stared blatantly at Elladan and smiled. He hadn’t even realized 
that Elladan was only partially dressed. The Rivendell elf was only 
wearing a grey tunic; his sable colored leggings were spread out neatly on 
the bed that sat in a corner of the room. Loose strands of wet hair were 
stuck to his face and his muscular, bare legs boasted of raw strength, grace 
and beauty. Legolas felt heat pooling in his lower region when he 
observed Elladan’s strong looking hands and remembered how they felt 
caressing his body. “You look more beautiful today than you have ever 
looked,” the prince said sincerely. “I long for you.”
 
Elladan couldn’t speak. His heart was racing and everything around him 
seemed to fade as Legolas moved even closer and brushed a wet, stray 
strand of hair from his face. 
 
“How I have missed you,” Legolas whispered, moving his lips against 
Elladan’s slowly.
 
Elladan moaned and closed his eyes. 
 
“I have craved your company by day and your touch by night,” Legolas 
continued softly. “And now I shall have both.” Without another word, 
Legolas pressed his mouth against Elladan’s.
 
Elladan met the prince’s kiss, stroking Legolas’ face tenderly as their 
passion intensified. 
 
“Touch me,” Legolas murmured. “Please, Elladan. I need you.” 
 
Elladan slid his tongue into the prince’s mouth and felt his heartbeat 
quicken when Legolas placed one of his hands underneath his tunic and on 
his hip.
 
Legolas grasped Elladan’s buttock firmly with one hand and placed his 
other hand on his lover’s bicep, pulling him closer. 
 
“Ai,” Elladan said, flinching.
 
“What ails you?” Legolas said, giving Elladan a concerned look when he 
pulled away.
 
“I apologize,” Elladan said as his face reddened with embarrassment. “My 
muscles are a bit sore from washing the horses.”
 
“I see,” Legolas said pensively. “Perhaps I can help.”
 
“How?”
 
“Lie upon the bed face down. I will do the rest.”
 
“Legolas, I… I can’t. I…”
 
“Shhh,” Legolas said quietly, placing his finger on Elladan’s lips. “You 
will feel much better once I’m done.” Before Elladan could protest, the 
prince grasped his hand and led him to the bed. Pushing him down gently, 
Elladan obeyed Legolas by lying on the bed. The prince straddled the dark 
haired warrior’s waist and placed his hands on Elladan shoulders. 
Kneading tenderly, Legolas could feel lover’s muscles tighten. “Relax,” 
the prince encouraged. “Clear your mind and rest your body.”
 
“Legolas, I…” Elladan began but stopped when the prince’s touch began 
to move lower. 
 
Legolas kneaded Elladan’s porcelain skin, moving his fingers over the 
plains of Elladan’s back. 
 
Elladan mumbled something under his breath and cursed.
 
“Am I hurting you?” Legolas asked, concerned.
 
“Nay,” Elladan replied. “But, there is something that I need to tell you.”
 
“Am I going to like what you are going to say?” Legolas asked.
 
“Probably not,” Elladan answered.
 
“Then do not speak until I am done,” Legolas said, moving his hands to 
Elladan’s left arm. 
 
Elladan groaned when the prince massaged a particularly sore muscle and 
cringed when Legolas began to focus his attention on Elladan’s other 
aching arm.
 
“Be still,” Legolas demanded, continuing to rub Elladan’s body. Moving 
his hands down even lower Legolas shifted his body so that he could 
continue his ministrations. The prince caressed Elladan’s lower back and 
moved his hands down further to the summit of Elladan’s buttocks. 
Stroking gently, he slid his hands underneath Elladan’s tunic and between 
his legs, brushing his scrotum, languidly.
 
“Nay, Legolas,” Elladan said, turning over abruptly and causing Legolas 
to topple onto the floor ungracefully.
 
“Ai!” Legolas exclaimed, glaring at Elladan.
 
“I am sorry,” Elladan said, standing up and extending his hand to Legolas. 
“I didn’t mean to harm you.”
 
Legolas grasped Elladan’s hand and was pulled to his feet with ease. 
“Why do you recoil from me? Have… have you found someone else? Is 
that what you are going to say to me?”
 
“Nay!” Elladan said, looking into Legolas sapphire eyes. “Nay, it’s just 
that…”
 
“That?” Legolas asked.
 
“Please, sit with me,” Elladan said.
 
“Very well.” Legolas sat on the bed beside Elladan and looked into his 
eyes.
 
“I want you so badly that it hurts… it aches,” Elladan began. “But I cannot 
be intimate with you here… not here.”
 
“I do not understand,” Legolas said, furrowing his brow. “Are you 
ashamed of me?”
 
“Ashamed?” Elladan asked in shock.
 
“No one seems to know that we are to be wed,” Legolas said. “Your 
grandparents knew, as they welcomed me to this realm as one of their 
future kin. But your friends, Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin, seemed to be 
unaware as to the nature of our relationship. I can only assume that you do 
not want it known that I am your lover.”
 
“Nay, that is not true,” Elladan said, placing his hand on Legolas’. “You 
know that I love you. My grandparents know about our engagement 
because I sent them a letter telling them about it after you left Rivendell. 
They are very discreet; they would not disclose something so personal to 
me… unless I asked them to. No one else knew because I have not been to 
Lórien for quite some time.”
 
“Then why do you not desire to lay with me?” Legolas asked, confused. 
“Please do not tell me that you fear losing your heart to me for a second 
time. I do not think that I could bear that kind of rejection again.”
 
“Nay, Legolas,” Elladan said, releasing the prince’s hand and stroking his 
cheek lightly. “It’s just that… well… this is the home of my 
grandparents… of my grandmother.”
 
“I do not understand,” Legolas said.
 
Elladan removed his hand from the prince’s face and sighed. “My 
grandmother is very powerful,” he explained. “Not only is she one of the 
ancient elves that still dwells in Middle-earth, but she possesses unearthly 
powers that enable her to read the minds of those she meets. Furthermore, 
she has a magic mirror that foretells the future; she can see the times of 
yore and things that are at hand.”
 
“I am aware of your grandmother’s gifts,” Legolas said. “There are tales 
about her that extend to all of the elvish realms and beyond. But what does 
your grandmother’s power have to do with us? Does her gift have some 
sort of control over you?”
 
“Nay,” Elladan said. “But she has knowledge of everything that happens 
in Lothlórien. If I were to be intimate with you… she would know.”
 
“Oh, Elladan,” Legolas said, chuckling. “Your grandmother is no fool. I 
am certain that she is well aware of the fact that we are lovers. There is no 
need to refrain…”
 
“I just can’t,’ Elladan said, interrupting the prince. “It is strange somehow. 
I would… feel guilty if I partook of such carnality here. For when I saw 
her in the morn I would know that she could look at my thoughts and see, 
that just hours before, I was fraught with passion and hear my cries of 
lustful pleasure.”
 
“So I must wait to have you then?” Legolas asked, trying to hide the 
frustration in his voice.  
 
“Please? Just until we arrive in Rivendell,” Elladan said. “Then, you may 
do whatever you like to me.”
 
“Whatever I like?” Legolas asked, grinning deviously.
 
“Aye,” Elladan said. “I will be at your mercy.”
 
“Hmmm…” Legolas said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Then I will use 
this time to think of some very naughty things to do to you.”
 
Elladan smiled. “Just do not think about it in front of my grandmother.”
 
“As you wish,” Legolas said. 
 
Elladan arose from the bed, pulled his leggings on quickly, combed his 
hair and accompanied Legolas to the Lord and Lady’s massive dinning 
hall. Then, he and his friends made merry for the remainder of the night.
 
--- 
 
 
Chapter 3: Rivendell
 
A/N: *Quote from Marcus Aurelius. Also, thanks so much for the 
wonderful reviews and feedback. I really appreciate it.

 
Nearly two weeks had passed since Legolas had arrived in Lothlórien and 
now it was time to set out again. 
 
The prince had bid Goel and the guards farewell a few days before, as they 
had already left for Mirkwood. Legolas, on the other hand, and a score of 
elves from Lórien, had readied their steeds and were preparing to depart 
when the Lady of Lórien called to him. 
 
“Legolas, may I speak to you for a moment?”
 
“Aye, Milady,” Legolas said, turning to face Galadriel.
 
“It was very nice to make your acquaintance. I hope that you and the other 
warriors have a safe journey to Rivendell.”
 
“Thank you, Lady Galadriel. I enjoyed my stay here and am very glad that 
the council meeting went so well. Mirkwood has endured in solitude for so 
long. It will be nice to have closer ties with our brethren here.”
 
“I agree,” Galadriel said. “We look forward to a renewed kinship with the 
elves from the distant Wood and hope that our newfound acquaintance 
will not diminish again.”
 
“That is my wish as well,” Legolas said.
 
“Prince Legolas, may I speak freely with you about something personal?” 
 
“Of course.”
 
“I have never seen Elladan so happy in all of his years and I know that his 
recent joy is because of you.”
 
Legolas’ face flushed lightly, but he tried to maintain his dignity by 
continuing to look into the Lady’s eyes. “Then his happiness must mirror 
mine, as I grow to love Elladan more and more each day.”
 
“I know,” Galadriel said, smiling. “Your heart is pure and your words ring 
true which is why I must ask something of you.”
 
“Very well,” Legolas said, intrigued by whatever it was that Galadriel was 
going to say to him.
 
“I understand that you have a unique gift, the ability to communicate with 
animals.”
 
“Aye, Milady.”
 
“Then you must understand that great responsibility is associated with rare 
powers such as these.”
 
“I do.”
 
“Good. As you know, I have the gift of foresight, and yet my vision is 
dimmed in the midst of free will; I cannot see everything. I am only 
graced with what I assume I am supposed to see and thus, have a message 
for you.”
 
Legolas waited patiently for Galadriel’s counsel, and had to stop himself 
from shifting impatiently when she paused for a moment.
 
“When the time comes, I want you to tell Elladan that the consequences of 
anger are far more grievous than the causes of it.”* 
 
Legolas stared at Galadriel, pondering her words briefly before speaking. 
“I do not understand. Why will I need to say this to Elladan?”
 
“I do not have all of the answers; I do not understand my vision. I can only 
tell you that he will need these words of wisdom. Do not forget them for 
his life may depend on it.”
 
“But… how will I know when I am to say this to Elladan?” Legolas asked, 
dismayed.
 
“You will know when the time is right,” Galadriel reassured.
 
“Legolas?” Elladan called. “Are you prepared to depart?” 
 
“Aye,” Legolas said, turning to look at Elladan. He set his eyes upon the 
Lady of Lórien once more and looked deep into the depths of her azure 
orbs. Making a fist with his right hand and placing his knuckles against his 
chest the prince remarked, “Your monition has not fallen upon deaf ears. I 
will heed your words of wisdom; I swear it.”
 
Galadriel smiled. “Farewell, Prince of the Emerald Wood. Be safe.”
 
“Farewell, Milady.” Legolas bowed and turned to leave. He mounted his 
steed and looked back to where the Lady had been standing, but she was 
there no longer.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
  
Thranduil felt a smile touch his lips as he, two of his sons and a small 
band of warriors entered the borders of Rivendell; he was looking forward 
to seeing Elrond again. The king inhaled the crisp air and looked carefully 
at his surroundings. Large trees seemed to stretch endlessly into the 
distance and the smell of the forest permeated his senses. A gentle wind 
caressed his face as his hair swirled about him in a golden cloud of silky 
strands. 
 
His mind was swept away on the breeze – his thoughts were led to Elrond. 
How he longed to hold the Lord in his arms, to caress his skin, to taste his 
lips. But Elrond wanted to be friends and Thranduil had to respect that, 
even if he didn’t want to. He couldn’t risk losing Elrond, not again. 
 
Thranduil awakened slowly from his dream-like state when he heard the 
sound of riders approaching. Slowing his mount and holding his head 
high, the king of Mirkwood waited for the head of the border patrol to 
speak.
 
“King Thranduil, ‘tis a pleasure to see you again,” Glorfindel said, bowing 
his head. 
 
“It is nice to make your acquaintance again as well,” Thranduil replied.
 
“Welcome one and all to Rivendell. I am Glorfindel, head of the border 
patrol in this realm. If it pleases you, I shall lead you to the House of 
Elrond. What say you, Sire?”
 
“Please, lead the way.”
 
Glorfindel bowed his head again and nudged his steed gently. The horse 
moved forward and the group of elves from Mirkwood followed behind 
obediently.
 
Thranduil’s mind slipped away again but this time a feeling of dread 
washed over him, sweeping away the longing that he had felt only 
moments before. The king closed his eyes and tried not to think about his 
desire to pursue Elrond; he silently reminded himself that the Lord didn’t 
want him… didn’t need him… he only wanted to be friends. He opened 
his eyes slowly and was surprised to see that the dense forest had parted 
and that the territory of Rivendell was sprawled before him. He looked at 
the various structures that were spread throughout the beauteous realm and 
smiled faintly; Rivendell was stunning. 
 
Each dwelling boasted of the delicate and ethereal architecture for which 
Rivendell was famous, having gossamer strands of wood fitted 
painstakingly to the trim of each residence. It was like lace that had been 
draped over every domicile by the Valar, making each home look warm 
and inviting and yet unearthly in their resplendence. Sitting against the 
many hills and rocky crags, the smaller homes seemed to pay homage to 
their leader who was perched above them. 
 
Thranduil shifted his gaze and focused his attention on the most 
commanding residence of them all. There, looking down graciously at its 
charges was the house of Elrond. The manor was quite large, but despite 
its copious appearance, a genuine kindness seemed to radiate from the 
structure. It did not stand before the masses and magnanimously boast its 
leadership. Instead, the house of Elrond seemed to stand before its charges 
with open arms, accepting instead of rejecting, serving instead of ruling.
 
Glorfindel slowed his steed and nodded to a servant standing in the 
entranceway of the manor. The female disappeared for a moment and 
returned with a great host of laborers behind her. They stood, like soldiers, 
seemingly awaiting a command. 
 
On cue, Lord Elrond appeared. He emerged from the manor and smiled 
brilliantly. He was wearing leggings that were sable in color and a deep, 
plum colored tunic. His hair was worn in the traditional Rivendell style – 
pulled back on both sides, with his hair gathered, in the back, with a small, 
ornamental clasp. 
 
Thranduil frowned and wondered why the male elves from Rivendell did 
not fashion their hair in the way of Mirkwood warriors. He thought that 
strands of braided hair was quite becoming and wondered if he should 
suggest it to the lord. But then, unexpectedly, their eyes met. And in that 
brief moment in time, volumes were spoken. Thranduil could feel his 
breath catch in his chest and hoped that Elrond had not gleaned the power 
of mind reading in all of his years as a healer of heart and body. For if the 
Lord possessed such a power, the king’s thoughts would certainly reveal a 
desire that was as far and as wide as the whole of Middle-earth. 
 
“Welcome to Rivendell. I am Lord Elrond and will be your host for the 
duration of your stay here in Imladirs. We are very pleased that you have 
come this day and would like to make your stay as comfortable as 
possible. I know that your journey has been very long and that you must 
desire a bath, a warm meal and the comfort of a soft bed. Thus, I will 
refrain from long introductions and other formalities. Instead, take some 
rest. There will be plenty of time for all of us to become acquainted over 
the next few months.” Elrond stopped speaking and looked into the 
distance. A rider was cantering toward them.
 
Glorfindel nudged his steed and rode toward the approaching border 
patrolmen and stopped so that he and the guard could speak. Nodding 
slowly, Glorfindel rode back toward the group of elves in front of the 
manor and the guardsman went back in the direction from whence he 
came.
 
“Lord, a band of elves have been seen heading in this direction,” 
Glorfindel said. “It is the company from Lórien; they are nearly two 
leagues off.”
 
“Splendid,” Elrond said, smiling, turning to face his guests. “There will be 
a grand feast tonight in honor of all of our guests. I hope that you will 
come. Rooms have been readied for all of you in one of the guest estates 
that is located nearby. Please allow my aides to assist you.”
 
Without any further instruction, the servants were upon them. Some 
politely urged the guests to dismount so that they could station the horses 
in one of the stables, while others led the fatigued warriors to their 
bedchambers.
 
The king longed to speak to Elrond but didn’t want to be too aggressive, 
and was too proud to act desperate. After all, he was royalty.
 
“Thranduil,” Elrond said, approaching the king. “It is very good to see you 
again.”
 
“’Tis good to see you too,” Thranduil said warmly. “How are you and 
yours?”
 
“They are well,” Elrond said. “Arwen has been busily preparing for the 
upcoming competition and Elladan and Elrohir left more than a month ago 
to journey to the land of Lórien.”
 
 “Indeed? Did you know that Legolas journeyed to Lórien? He was there 
at my request as an ambassador for Mirkwood,” Thranduil said.
 
“Aye,” Elrond replied. “Legolas sent word. And thus Elladan decided to 
travel to Lórien to surprise the prince.”
 
“So the lovers have finally been reunited,” the king said thoughtfully. “It 
is just as well. Although Legolas wore the face of a warrior who was not 
forsaken, I knew that he yearned for your son. I am glad that they are 
together once again.”
 
“As am I,” Elrond said. “Especially because, unlike Legolas, Elladan did 
not hide his displeasure at being separated from the prince. He has sulked 
ever since Legolas left this realm.”
 
Thranduil smiled faintly and shook his head. “You have raised your 
children in a way that is unknown to me. It is my hope that I will have the 
opportunity to become more acquainted with them while I am here.”
 
“I would like that as well.” 
 
Thranduil smiled.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
“Legolas,” Elladan said quietly, moving his steed close to the prince’s. 
“I… that is to say… I…”
 
“Yes?” Legolas asked, noticing the nervousness in Elladan’s voice.
 
“I… I have been trying to ask you for days, but… well, we keep getting 
interrupted,” Elladan continued.
 
“Ask me what?” Legolas asked, leaning close to Elladan, unable to hide 
his curiosity.
 
“I… I… I was wondering…”
 
“Welcome one and all to Rivendell. For those of you who do not know 
me, I am Glorfindel, head of the border patrol in this realm. If it pleases 
you…”
 
“Oh, stop your blather,” Elladan said in annoyance. “Glorfindel we all 
know who you are. Please do not bore us to tears with this speech. It is 
only Elrohir and I and the uninteresting elves from Lórien. They are going 
to lose the competition anyway, so just save you speech for someone 
important… like the elves from Mirkwood. They are going to lose, too, 
but I wouldn’t want you to offend my future father-in-law.”
 
A few elves in the group chuckled. Haldir looked particularly annoyed and 
cast Elladan a look of disdain.
 
Glorfindel glared at Elladan and continued speaking. “If it pleases you, I 
shall lead you to the House of Elrond. What say you, Lord Celeborn?”
 
“Aye, please lead us into the realm.” Celeborn gave Elladan a reproachful 
look and rode beside Glorfindel. Exchanging niceties, the Lord of Lórien 
and the chief of the Rivendell border patrol set off.
 
“Elladan, mind your attitude in front of Grandfather,” Elrohir scolded. 
“Lest the sharpness of your tongue do us harm and have us bathing steeds 
for a week!”
 
“I will not hold my tongue when I am correct,” Elladan said stubbornly. “I 
did not wish to listen to Glorfindel’s long-winded speech. Even though we 
have reached the border of Rivendell, we must still travel into the heart of 
the realm. If Glorfindel had continued to flap his lips, we could have been 
here all the livelong day! I am tired and wish to take some rest… not listen 
to needless prattle from an ancient elf.”
 
“You are in a fell mood this day,” Elrohir said, casting his older brother a 
caustic look. 
 
“He just needs some **rest**,” Legolas said, catching Elladan’s eye and 
grinning.
 
Elladan smiled sheepishly.
 
“Ah, so you wish to taste of the Rivendell fruits,” Ulan said when he 
overheard and correctly guessed the nature of Elladan and Legolas’ 
conversation. “I do not blame you. The twins are quite handsome… and 
virile. And I suspect that they would be great lovers. Prince Legolas, you 
should use your rank to coerce Elrohir to join you as well,” he looked at 
Elrohir and smiled, “And… I believe that I am free this evening, too.”
 
Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas exchanged looks.
 
“Are you speaking to us?” Elladan asked, glaring at Ulan. “Because if you 
are, you must not place very much value on your life.”
 
“I am afraid of you no longer, warrior elf,” Ulan said. “I have learned the 
art of swordsmanship and am not afraid to lift it in self defense.”
 
“Ulan, the only sword that you can lift is the one between your legs,” 
Elladan spat.
 
Elrohir and Legolas laughed.
 
“Did you not hear what Elrohir said only moments ago?” Elladan asked. “I 
am in a fell mood and do not want to associate with the likes of you. Flee 
from me, at once. U-l-a-n! U-l-a-n!”
 
“What do you mean, Ulan, Ulan?” Ulan asked nervously.
 
“It means **U** should **leave** before I **annihilate** you in the 
**near** future!” Elladan hollered.
 
Legolas roared with laughter and Elrohir nearly fell off his horse as his 
whole body shook with glee.
 
Ulan nudged his steed and rode ahead quickly, not daring to look back in 
Elladan’s direction.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
Elladan entered his bedchamber and smiled; it was good to be home. 
Placing his knapsack on the bed, he began to unpack his belongings. 
Suddenly, he sensed someone’s presence and looked toward the door 
expectantly – it was Legolas.
 
“May I enter?” the prince asked.
 
“Aye,” Elladan said, returning his attention to the task at hand. 
 
“My father asked about you,” Legolas said, smiling. 
 
“That’s nice. Perhaps your father and I can speak **before** I kill 
Glorfindel,” Elladan said coolly. “That way, he will not see the elder’s 
blood upon my clothes.”
 
Legolas gave Elladan a look of disbelief. “Why do you wish to inflict 
harm upon Glorfindel? He is very kind and doesn’t seem to deserve such 
enmity.”
 
“Oh, he deserves it,” Elladan spat. “I cannot believe that he did not tell me 
that the elves from Mirkwood had already arrived… not to mention the 
fact that he interrupted our conversation. Luckily, I was on my best 
behavior upon entering the realm. But what if I had been jesting? What if I 
had tried to shoot and kill Ulan? His blood would have gotten all over the 
lovely flowers that Arwen planted; they would have been ruined. And 
what would the king have thought if he saw the damaged petals? He 
would have thought that the inhabitants of this realm couldn’t grow 
flowers. Do you not recall our first meeting? I believe that Arwen, Elrohir 
and I were covered in mud. I do not want to make a bad impression on the 
king again, lest he changes his mind about our arrangement.”
 
“He will not change his mind,” Legolas said, moving closer to Elladan. 
“Now that he and Elrond have become reacquainted, he believes that ours 
is an excellent match. I must say that I agree with him wholeheartedly.”
 
Elladan smiled faintly and looked at the prince nervously. “Now that we 
are alone, perhaps I can finally ask you…”
 
“Yes?” Legolas asked eagerly. 
 
“I… I…” Elladan paused for a moment and took a deep breath, exhaling 
slowly, he continued. “I know that you have a room in the Westward 
Manor along with the other elves from Mirkwood. But I was 
wondering…”
 
“Wondering?” Legolas asked, moving closer to Elladan when he paused.
 
“I wanted to know if you would like to stay here… with me?” Elladan 
asked. “You can still have your room in the other manor,” he added 
quickly, “but… I… I want you to be with me; I need you to be with me.”
 
Legolas smiled. “Why would you hesitate to ask me that? Of course I will 
stay with you. Now that we are in Rivendell, I plan to spend much of my 
time in this room anyway,” he added, grinning.
 
Elladan stared into Legolas’ eyes for a moment and then looked away.
 
“I meant no offense,” Legolas remarked. “I was only jesting.”
 
“I know,” Elladan said softly.
 
“What ails you?” Legolas asked, sensing his lovers’ uneasiness.
 
“Nothing,” Elladan said, avoiding the prince’s eyes. “It is just as Elrohir 
said. I am in a fell mood this day, that is all.”
 
Legolas cast Elladan a skeptical look and placed his hand underneath the 
dark-haired warrior’s chin, turning it gently so their eyes would meet. “I 
cannot force you to share your heart with me, nor would I want to if you 
do not chose to do so. But please know that I cherish you more than 
anyone else in Middle-earth and am here for you, whether or not you 
would choose to disclose the contents of your heart.”
 
“I…” Elladan stammered. “I… can’t, Legolas.”
 
“Very well,” Legolas said. “If you will not confide in me then perhaps 
there is something I can do to lighten your mood.” The prince never 
removed his hand from Elladan’s face. Instead, he cupped it gently as he 
drew near. Gazing into the gray depths of Elladan’s eyes, their lips met in 
a tender kiss.
 
Elladan moaned softly as Legolas moved closer to him, gently caressing 
his face.
 
Legolas deepened the kiss by parting Elladan’s lips with his tongue. 
 
Elladan trembled when he felt the prince’s warm tongue dart into his 
mouth and swirl around gently, drawing pleasure from the very core of his 
being. He could feel his body ache as desire swept over him. 
 
Legolas ran his fingers through his lover’s dark mane, pulling him close, 
wanting, needing to feel Elladan’s lips pressed firmly against his. When he 
heard Elladan moan, the prince allowed his hands to slide down his lover’s 
back. He grabbed the dark-haired warrior’s waist firmly and moved his 
mouth to the tender flesh of Elladan’s neck.
 
“Legolas…” Elladan whispered, unable to stay still as his body trembled 
with desire.
 
The prince nuzzled Elladan’s neck affectionately with his nose and then 
placed his lips upon it again, sucking languidly. 
 
“Oh, please,” Elladan pleaded softly, raising his head to allow the prince 
easier access to his skin.
 
Legolas inched his way up Elladan’s throat slowly, kissing his way to the 
warrior’s earlobe. Drawing it into his mouth, the prince smiled when he 
heard a strangled moan escape Elladan’s lips. He moved his mouth 
upward flitting his tongue over the sensitive tip of Elladan’s ear. 
 
“Ai, Legolas. You are killing me,” Elladan said breathlessly.
 
“You promised me, in Lórien, that I could have you when I chose… and 
have you I shall. Your killing has only just begun,” Legolas said 
seductively, “as I plan to reclaim each month that we were apart.” With 
that he placed his lips upon Elladan’s once again, wanting to make the 
Rivendell elf surrender to him. He removed his hands from Elladan’s 
waist and let them move even lower, skimming the apex of his buttocks.
 
“Legolas,” Elladan hissed, moving away from the prince quickly.
 
Legolas sighed and sat down on Elladan’s bed, annoyed that someone was 
drawing near.
 
“Legolas!” Tialise shrieked as she Zera and Arwen entered the 
bedchamber. “How have you been? We missed you terribly.”
 
“I missed you as well,” Legolas said, rising from the bed and embracing 
the young she-elf. “And how are you, Arwen and Zera?”
 
“Very well,” Zera said, embracing Legolas firmly. “We have missed 
spending half of each day with you. Things were not the same once you 
left for Mirkwood.”
 
“Things changed for me as well,” Legolas admitted. “I made so many 
friends here that, although I was glad to be in Mirkwood, I longed to 
journey back to Rivendell.”
 
“Well, you are back now,” Arwen said as Zera stepped aside, “and for that 
I am truly grateful.” Arwen wrapped her arms around Legolas’ waist and 
kissed his cheek lightly. Releasing the prince, she stared at him. “You look 
very well.”
 
“I am very well,” Legolas said, smiling.
 
“Have you continued with your needlepoint?” Arwen asked. “I have 
learned a new technique and would like to show it to you… if you’d like 
to see it.”
 
“Of course,” Legolas beamed. He looked toward the door when Elrohir 
entered.
 
“Why don’t we break away for a few moments before the feast,” Arwen 
suggested. “It shan’t take very long, and I suspect…”
 
“I can’t believe you Arwen!” Elladan yelled, glaring at his sister. “The 
prince has just barely arrived and you are monopolizing his time!”
 
“I am not!” Arwen snapped. “I just want to spend some time with Legolas. 
Is that too much to ask?”
 
“Yes,” Elladan said coolly. “I refuse to share him this time. Before, I had 
no claim on the prince, but now he is mine.”
 
Legolas raised his eyebrows in shock.
 
“He is not a beast of burden and cannot be owned,” Arwen snapped. 
“Legolas is my friend, too and I shall spend time with him whenever he 
chooses.”
 
“Then methinks that you are going to be very disappointed, Arwen, as 
even my horse wouldn’t want to be alone with you!” Elladan sneered. 
“Perhaps, if you try to behave more becomingly, I could convince Goel to 
gallop here from Mirkwood. You remember Goel; he came here with King 
Thranduil many months ago. He may be willing to take you on a trip to a 
distant land… he may even be willing to listen to your endless chatter 
about sewing all day and night, I care not. But Legolas is to be wed to me, 
not you. So, you will just have to learn to limit your boring discussions. 
Unless, of course, you wish to discuss the eating of various grasses. I am 
certain that Goel would be very interested in a topic such as that and may 
even be able to give you a few tips on how to grow a nice meadow.”
 
“You are very selfish, Elladan!” Arwen shrieked. “You have already spent 
nearly a month with the prince and I haven’t gotten to see him at all.”
 
“I haven’t had the chance to see him either,” Elladan said flatly. “While in 
Lórien, Legolas spent most of his time doing his father’s bidding, and the 
rest was spent in the company of various elves who drooled all over all 
over him much in the way that you do.”
 
“You are the most ill-mannered, crude, hateful…” Arwen spat, taking a 
step toward Elladan.
 
“Ignore him, Arwen,” Elrohir said, stepping in between the arguing 
siblings quickly. “Elladan has been in a dreadful mood all day and cannot 
be held accountable for his words.” 
 
“Humph,” Arwen said, folding her arms across her chest indignantly. 
 
“I believe that Legolas was attempting to **lift** our brother’s spirits just 
as you came into the room. Isn’t that right, Elladan?” Elrohir asked, 
grinning. “Perhaps that is why our older brother’s mood has become even 
more crass as of late.”
 
Elladan felt his face turn crimson when he met his brother’s mocking stare 
but was relieved when none of the females seemed to notice the taunting 
tone in Elrohir’s voice.
 
“Oh, I am sorry,” Arwen said regretfully. “I did not realize that the two of 
you were having a private conversation. I guess in our anxiousness to see 
the prince, we did not consider that you might want to spend some time 
alone with him. We shall take our leave now.”
 
“Wait,” Legolas said, looking at his female friends. “I would very much 
like to see your needlepoint and would like to spend some time with you. 
Just allow Elladan and me to spend some time together first. Can I meet 
with all of you tomorrow around midday?”
 
“Aye,” the females chorused.
 
“Good, then it is settled,” Legolas said, smiling.
 
Arwen, Zera, Elrohir and Tialise headed for the door when Elladan 
decided to speak. “Arwen, I am sorry for shouting; it was uncalled for.”
 
“If someone had barged into my bedchamber and tried to take my love 
from me, methinks that I would have shouted, too,” Arwen said gently. 
“There is no reason to apologize.”
 
“I disagree,” Elladan said, walking over to his sister and wrapping his 
arms around her. “I have been very irritable this day and wrongfully 
loosed my feelings on you.”
 
“Say no more,” Arwen said sincerely, “for you must spend time with the 
one you love. Go, he is waiting.”
 
Elladan kissed Arwen on the forehead ad watched her depart. Turning to 
face Legolas, he shrugged. “It would seem that my terrible mood is still 
present.”
 
Legolas grinned wickedly and walked to where Elladan was standing. “I 
have the power to rid you of it. Let us continue getting reacquainted.”
 
“But it is flaccid,” Elladan said pitifully, looking down at his crotch.
 
Legolas laughed. “It won’t be for much longer,” he took a step forward 
and then froze when he felt someone approaching.
 
“Legolas,” Dace said, looking into Elladan’s bedchamber, “Father wishes 
to speak with you.”
 
“I will be right there,” Legolas said, trying to hide the irritation in his 
voice. The prince knew that he could delay meeting with Arwen for a 
while, but his father would not tolerate such a thing. 
 
“It would seem that becoming reacquainted will have to wait,” Elladan 
said.
 
“Aye.”
 
“Well then,” Elladan said pensively, “I will see you at the feast tonight.”
 
“Until tonight,” Legolas said. Sighing heavily, he turned and left the room.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
Legolas and Dace entered their father’s bedchamber, stopping abruptly 
when they heard him speaking.
 
“Do you wish to return to Mirkwood?” Thranduil asked his second-born 
son, giving him a threatening look.
 
“Nay, Father, I do not,” Makail replied, avoiding his father’s eyes.
 
“Then I suggest that you stop behaving like a love-sickened child and act 
like a prince from Mirkwood. You are a representative of the realm I rule 
and of me. If you cannot act as such, I will have no choice but to send you 
from whence you came.”
 
“I understand,” Makail said, meeting Thranduil’s eyes slowly. “I will 
portray Mirkwood in a way that will make you proud.”
 
“Good,” Thranduil said, turning his attention to Legolas and Dace. “Little 
One, although we spoke briefly earlier, I called upon you, once again, so 
that we may speak about your journey to Lothlórien. I wish to know the 
outcome of the council meeting that was held there before I speak to Lord 
Celeborn. It is my understanding that he is here.”
 
“Aye, Father,” Legolas said. “He is here.”
 
“I will introduce myself to him at the feast this night as the King of 
Mirkwood and as your father… since you are to wed his grandson,” 
Thranduil explained. “Thus, I will need some insight into the character of 
the Lord of Lórien, in the hope that stronger ties will ensue as a result of 
your marriage and of our newfound kinship.”
 
“Aye, Father,” Legolas said. “Do you wish to discuss this now?”
 
“Actually, I am going to meet Swain in the study downstairs for a moment 
to discuss tonight’s affair,” Thranduil said. “I also want to remind him, as 
well as the other warriors from Mirkwood, that I have high expectations of 
them while they are here and will not tolerate any foolishness that would 
make Mirkwood look less than outstanding. Please give me a few 
moments alone with Swain and then come to the sitting room. I will be 
waiting.”
 
“Aye, Father,” Legolas said.
 
Thranduil nodded his head and left the room.
 
Makail sat down on a nearby chair and frowned.
 
“Are you alright?” Dace asked his older brother, concerned.
 
“Aye,” Makail replied, gloomily. “I am just lonely. Danal and I were 
supposed to compete together at the competition, but now… now that we 
are no longer together...”
 
Legolas placed his hand on Makail’s shoulder. “I know that your parting 
with Danal has been very difficult, but perhaps something good will come 
of all of this.”
 
“Like what?” Makail asked. “I have already angered Father. If I cannot 
control my emotions, Father will send me back to Mirkwood. On the other 
hand, if I remain here, I must forfeit my unhappiness lest I bring shame 
upon the kingdom. What am I to do? It would seem that no matter what I 
do, Father would be displeased.”
 
“Relax and enjoy your time here,” Dace encouraged. “Do not think about 
your sorrow. Do not dwell on the past. Father may be a bit angry, but he 
loves you, Makail, and wants the best for you. So, eat, drink and be merry. 
Take pleasure in the glorious realm.”
 
Makail sighed.
 
“So, Legolas…” Dace began slowly, “have you seen Lady Tialise?”
 
“Aye,” Legolas replied. “I am surprised that you did not see her when you 
came to Elladan’s bedchamber… Tialise had just left.”
 
“Nay, I did not see her, but perhaps it is for the best,” Dace said handing 
Legolas a small pendant. “What do you think?”
 
“It is lovely,” Legolas replied.
 
“I wish to present this to Tialise tonight at the feast,” Dace said, “but I am 
very nervous. What if she rejects me?”
 
“She won’t,” Makail said, smiling faintly. “The last time that I saw her, 
Lady Tialise seemed to be quite enamored with you. I am certain that your 
gift will greatly please her.”
 
Dace beamed and placed the tiny trinket in a small box.
 
“I’d better go and meet with Father,” Legolas said, walking to the door. 
He looked back at Makail’s saddened face and smiled. “Cheer up, Makail, 
everything will be just fine, you’ll see. Rivendell is where my heart was 
mended and I am sure it will be the same for you.”
 
“I hope so,” Makail said glumly as Legolas left the room.
 
 
--- 
 

 
Chapter 4: Celebration   
 

A/N: Thanks so much to my betas, Chan and Uilani. You are 
terrific.


 
Nighttime fell in Rivendell, casting a veil of darkness 
over the realm. 
 
Attendants rushed about the garden adjacent to the manor, 
putting the finishing touch on the decorations and 
preparing themselves to greet the guests that would soon be 
arriving. 
 
Lord Elrond was the first to arrive and smiled upon 
entering the garden gate; Arwen had outdone herself. Large 
tables occupied one corner of the garden, bedecked with 
platters upon platters of roasted meats, fresh vegetables 
and baked bread. The other tables boasted of sweet cakes, 
cream pies and other delicacies that would surely make the 
visitors’ mouths water. 
 
Empty tables were scattered throughout the garden adorned 
with white tablecloths and ornate plates, goblets and 
eating utensils. And upon the center of each table sat a 
large illuminated candle that cast an ethereal glow across 
the eating area. Even the chairs looked stunning, outfitted 
with pale ribbon that was threaded through the intricate 
woodwork on the back of each chair.
 
The trees bore the same ribbon as the chairs, which were 
somehow laced through the branches but still managed to 
hang down like a glorious web of tendrils. They swayed 
hauntingly in the wind, beckoning the guests that were now 
arriving.
 
Elrond looked up at the sky and was grateful that the moon 
was full this night, as it assisted in illuminated the 
garden even more, shining it’s effervescent light upon the 
grounds. 
 
Several musicians arrived and began playing a soft, 
rhythmic melody that wooed the senses and enchanted the 
mind. The ethereal melody perfectly mirrored the beauty of 
the garden.
 
As the guests arrived, Elrond greeted them warmly even 
though his mind was preoccupied. He couldn’t help but to 
wonder where Thranduil was. He tried to push these thoughts 
from his mind, to argue within himself that his interest in 
the king’s whereabouts was based purely on curiosity. But 
he knew that he was lying to himself. 
 
Whenever he saw Thranduil, he could feel his body ache with 
desire and yet his yearning felt like a betrayal somehow. 
When Areen died, the King of Mirkwood was made free of his 
martial commitment, but was he truly liberated from his 
commitment to Celebrían? When she left for the Undying 
Lands, she renounced their marital bonds, giving Elrond her 
permission to love another. But the lord wondered what 
would happen when he set his eyes upon the fair-haired 
beauty that had once been his wife. For unlike Areen, 
Celebrían was very much alive and Elrond hoped to journey 
to Valinor one day; he would see Celebrían again. What 
would that mean if his heart and body were committed to 
someone else?
 
“Father? Father, are you alright?”
 
Elrond was startled to see all three of his children 
staring at him, looks of concern etched across their faces.
 
“I am sorry, I was… lost in thought,” Elrond stammered. “I 
am well. Arwen, the garden looks magnificent; you did a 
wonderful job with the decorations.”
 
“Thank you,” Arwen said, smiling.
 
“Good evening,” Ellaria said politely as she approached, 
avoiding Elrohir’s eyes.
 
“Good evening,” Elrond, Elladan and Arwen chorused.
 
“Hello, Ellaria,” Elrohir said softly, unable to hide the 
hurt in his voice.
 
“Hello, Elrohir.”
 
“You look beautiful.”
 
“Thank you,” Ellaria said, meeting Elrohir’s eyes and 
smiling faintly.
 
“May I sit with you this night?”
 
Ellaria hesitated and nodded slowly. “Of course.”
 
Elrohir offered his arm to the she-elf, and guided her into 
the garden.
 
“Good evening, all,” Celeborn said as he entered the 
garden. “How are you this night?”
 
“Very well,” Elrond replied.
 
“Hello, Grandfather,” Arwen said, hugging the elder. “You 
look very handsome.”
 
“Thank you,” Celeborn said. “And you look very beautiful, 
yourself. I will have to keep a close watch on you this 
night in the hope that I may frighten off potential 
suitors.”
 
“Grandfather!” Arwen exclaimed playfully.
 
“Arwen!” Zera called. “I have been looking for you. Mander 
saved us a seat, come quickly.”
 
“Alright,” Arwen said cheerfully.
 
“Oh, begging you pardon, sirs,” Zera muttered, bowing 
politely. “Good evening Lords Celeborn and Elrond. Hello, 
Elladan.”
 
“Good evening to you, Zera,” Elrond said. “That is a 
fetching gown that you are wearing.”
 
“Thank you.”
 
“Zera, let us away before we lose our seats,” Arwen said. 
“Goodbye Father, Grandfather.”
 
“Have a good time tonight,” Celeborn instructed as the 
females departed. He smiled and placed his hand on the 
shoulder of his eldest grandchild. “Hello, Elladan. 
Elladan?”
 
Elladan scanned the garden thoroughly, searching every 
face; he was looking for Legolas.
 
“Elladan?” 
 
“Huh? What? Did someone call my name?” Elladan asked, 
confused, looking from his father to his grandfather.
 
“I only wanted to bid you good tidings,” Celeborn said.
 
“Oh,” Elladan remarked, barely paying attention to his 
kindred as he allowed his eyes to sweep across the grounds 
once more. He looked at his grandfather and smiled faintly 
and then felt his jaw drop when Legolas rounded the corner.
 
Legolas looked simply beautiful; his hair was fashioned in 
the way of Mirkwood warriors and looked luminous in the 
pale moonlight. His deep blue tunic mirrored the hues of 
his eyes and his handsome face made everyone else look 
repulsive by comparison.
 
“Good evening, Lord Elrond,” Dace and Makail said in 
unison.
 
Elladan tore his eyes away from Legolas for a moment in 
shock. He hadn’t even realized that the youngest prince’s 
brothers had accompanied him through the entrance of the 
garden gate.
 
“Hello, Prince Makail and Prince Dace,” Elrond said, 
bowing. “Allow me to introduce Lord Celeborn of Lothlórien. 
Celeborn this is Prince Makail, Thranduil’s’ second-born 
son and Prince Dace, the king’s third-born son. I regret 
that you will not get to meet Prince Joren, the crown 
prince. He is acting as the King of Mirkwood while his 
father is here.”
 
“It is a pleasure to meet both of you,” Celeborn said, 
bowing. 
 
“And you,” Makail said as he and Dace bowed. “Legolas spoke 
very highly of the Golden Wood. Perhaps, with your 
permission, we could venture there someday.”
 
“It would be an honor,” Celeborn said, bowing again.
 
Legolas, ignoring the conversation around him, looked 
Elladan up and down, admiring the way his grey tunic and 
charcoal colored leggings clung to his body. “Good evening, 
Elladan,” Legolas said softly, unable to hide the huskiness 
in his voice.
 
“Good evening,” Elladan whispered, suddenly incapable of 
speaking any louder.
 
“Prince Legolas, it is very good to see you again,” 
Celeborn said, smiling.
 
“Yes, ‘tis a pleasure to see you, too,” Legolas said, 
bowing. “Hello Lord Elrond.”
 
“Hello,” Elrond said, placing his hand affectionately on 
the prince’s shoulder. “You have been sorely missed.”
 
“Thank you,” Legolas said. 
 
“Um… good… good evening, Prince Dace,” a tiny voice said.
 
“Tialise,” Dace said, smiling brightly. He bowed deeply to 
the young she-elf and stared at her in adoration. “You look 
lovely.”
 
“Thank you,” Tialise said, blushing furiously.
 
“May I show you to a table, Milady?” Dace asked politely.
 
“Yes,” Tialise replied, nodding shyly.
 
Dace grasped Tialise’s hand gently and led her into the 
garden. 
 
Makail watched his younger brother depart and frowned.
 
“Oh, hello Glorfindel,” Elrond said, smiling at his old 
friend.
 
“Hello, Elrond. Greetings, Lord Celeborn. It is nice to see 
you once again.” Glorfindel bowed deeply to the Lórien 
ruler. 
 
“Such formality is not necessary,” Celeborn said, placing 
his hand on Glorfindel’s shoulder. “You are of noble blood 
and are the oldest, and wisest elf I know. Your long years 
surpass mine and Galadriel’s.”
 
“That is true,” Glorfindel remarked pensively, “but I do 
not govern a realm. You deserve to be treated like a 
ruler.”
 
“Nay,” Celeborn said, smiling. “I deserve and desire to be 
treated like your friend.” 
 
Glorfindel nodded and smiled.
 
“Good evening, Lords,” Haldir and his brothers chorused 
bowing to Celeborn and Elrond.
 
“Good evening,” the lords said.
 
“Hello, Glorfindel,” Haldir said enthusiastically. “’Tis a 
lovely night.”
 
Elladan furrowed his brow at the excited tone of Haldir’s 
voice and smiled faintly. He wondered about the nature of 
the chief marchwarden’s eagerness. 
 
“Aye,” Glorfindel remarked, without looking at Haldir. “The 
feast will be starting soon. Shall I get a table for we 
elder elves?”
 
“That is a good idea,” Elrond said.
 
Glorfindel nodded and looked at Makail. “Prince Makail, 
with whom are you dinning this evening?”
 
“I am alone,” Makail said, unable to hide the sullen tone 
of his voice.
 
“Nay,” Glorfindel said. “Come and dine with us.”
 
“Very well,” Makail said, following Glorfindel to a table 
in the distance.
 
Haldir frowned and Elladan tried not to laugh; it would 
seem that the usually stoic marchwarden from Lórien was 
smitten with the oldest elf in Middle-earth.
 
“Elladan?” Legolas whispered. “Let us dine quickly so that 
we can partake of **dessert**.”
 
Elladan smiled and led the prince to the table where Dace 
and Tialise were sitting.  
 
Haldir and his brothers followed Elladan and Legolas, 
deciding to join them at their table. 
 
Elrond walked behind Glorfindel, Celeborn and Makail and 
found himself searching the large crowd of elves for the 
king. Suddenly, Elrond found his attention drawn to the 
entranceway of the garden when silence crept over the 
realm; King Thranduil had arrived.
 
The king was the most beautiful elf at the party; there was 
no question in anyone’s mind of this. His golden hair was 
worn differently this night. Instead of the three-braided 
style that was commonplace among the Woodland elves, 
Thranduil had adopted a new style. His hair was worn down 
except that the sides were pulled back into a single plait 
and tendrils of loose hair framed his face. His under tunic 
was as silver as the stars above and his over tunic was as 
black as the sky. His leggings perfectly matched his over 
tunic and made his already muscular frame seem even more 
sculpted. The rays of the moon shone upon him almost 
magically, making him look more like one of the Valar 
instead of a king.
 
Elrond stood abruptly, willing himself to walk steadily. He 
could feel everyone’s eyes upon him as he approached the 
king. 
 
Thranduil looked at the garden and smiled at the beautiful 
décor, but nothing could have prepared him for the most 
striking decoration at the feast – Elrond. He tried to 
ignore the pounding of his heart when the Lord of Rivendell 
approached. 
 
“Good evening, King Thranduil,” Elrond said. 
 
“Good evening, Lord Elrond. May I join you?”
 
“Of course.”
 
Thranduil followed Elrond to the table that housed 
Glorfindel, Makail and another elf of seemingly noble 
birth. He wondered if this was the Lord of Lothlórien.
 
“King Thranduil, may I present to you Lord Celeborn of 
Lórien. Lord Celeborn, this is King Thranduil of Mirkwood,” 
Elrond said politely.
 
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Celeborn said, rising to 
his feet and bowing. 
 
“The pleasure is mine, Lord Celeborn,” Thranduil said, 
bowing. “My son, Legolas, spoke very highly of you and of 
the generous hospitality that you, and the Lady of Lórien, 
bestowed upon him while he was in the Golden Wood.”
 
“It was our pleasure,” Celeborn said sincerely. “Prince 
Legolas is a fine, young prince and an admirable 
ambassador… not to mention the fact that he is promised to 
my eldest grandson; he is welcome anytime he chooses. And 
that invitation is not restricted to your youngest son. You 
and your other children are invited as well.”
 
“I am honored,” Thranduil said, bowing again. 
 
Celeborn waited until the king had been seated before 
sitting down. He watched Thranduil carefully, admiring the 
way in which he carried himself; the king was calm, refined 
and possessed a charisma that made him difficult to ignore.
 
In no time, polite conversation began at the royal table 
and Makail felt his spirits rise. In the midst of such 
honorable elves, he found it difficult not to take pleasure 
in hearing about the goings on in Lórien and Rivendell. He 
especially appreciated the way that Glorfindel and Celeborn 
kept him involved in the conversation by asking for his 
opinion on various topics. He couldn’t help but notice, 
however, the way his father kept looking at Lord Elrond and 
wondered about the origin of strange tension between them.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 
  
“Makail!” Dace hissed, motioning to his older brother. 
“Makail, come hither.”
 
Makail smiled politely and nodded at various guests as he 
made his way through the crowd.
 
Dinner had already been served and hordes of elves were 
making their way to the dessert table. Others were 
discussing the upcoming competition, and some desperately 
tried to decide whom the handsome elf in black was.
 
“What is it?” Makail asked, annoyed.
 
“Why are you so cross?” Legolas asked, furrowing his brow. 
“Has Elladan’s fell mood taken hold of you, too?”
 
“Hey!” Elladan exclaimed, shoving Legolas playfully.
 
“I just wondered why you did not sit with us,” Dace said. 
“There is a seat here if you would like to join us.”
 
“No thank you,” Makail responded. “I am very much enjoying 
myself.”
 
“Indeed?” Dace asked in shock.
 
“Aye,” Makail said. “And why is that so hard to believe? I 
am in the presence of some very interesting company.”
 
“Like who?” Elladan asked. “You are in the presence of the 
most elderly and most boring elves in all three realms… 
with the exception of King Thranduil, of course,” he said 
looking at Legolas quickly, making sure not to insult the 
king.
 
Elrohir chuckled and nodded in agreement. 
 
“I concur, there is nothing dull about the king,” Orophin 
said as he, Rúmil and Haldir joined the small group. “He is 
one of the most beautiful elves that I have ever seen.”
 
“Aye,” Elladan said, looking in Thranduil’s direction, “he 
is very handsome. But methinks that Legolas is fairer than 
his father.” 
 
Legolas stared at Elladan, who was still looking in the 
king’s direction, surprised that the Rivendell elf would 
make such an admission in front of their peers. His 
surprise, however, did not stop him from smiling with 
appreciation at the compliment.
 
“I do not see what they mean, do you Dace?” Makail asked 
his younger brother.
 
“Of course I do! I have been told that I look very much 
like Father. I never really believed it until this very 
moment,” Dace remarked.
 
Everyone present laughed.
 
“Look!” Elladan said, pointing at the king. “It would seem 
that we are not the only ones who admire King Thranduil’s 
beauty.”
 
Legolas looked at his father, unsure of what Elladan was 
speaking; he didn’t notice anything odd. His father was 
standing before the desert table, eyeing each pastry 
carefully when Ulan approached. Legolas gasped. “Oh no. 
Nay, this is not good.”
 
“Why not?” Dace asked. “Who is that?”
 
“You do not want to know,” Legolas said, watching in 
horror.
 
“He is a simpleton,” Elladan said, grinning. “And I cannot 
wait to see what the king is going to do to him. I wonder 
if he will let us watch if he decides to kill Ulan?”
 
Legolas, Elrohir and the elves from Lórien laughed, while 
Makail and Dace looked on curiously.
 
“Ulan is from our realm,” Rúmil explained to Dace and 
Makail, “and prefers the art of making love to the art of 
making war. He is an agreeable fellow, once you get to know 
him, but has a penchant for being a bit vulgar upon meeting 
new and attractive elves.”
 
“Come, let’s get closer,” Elladan said, moving forward.
 
“Nay,” Legolas said, shaking his head. “Father will not be 
amused by Ulan’s forwardness. Their altercation will be 
unpleasant and I do not want Father to see me lurking 
around in the shadows.”
 
“Nor do I,” Dace agreed.
 
“You go, if you wish,” Makail said, “but we are going to 
stay here. If Father caught us, the punishment would be 
severe and swift.  We want nothing to do with this folly.”
 
“It is your loss,” Elladan said. “This will be the jest of 
the millennia. Elrohir, Haldir, Rúmil, Orophin, are you 
coming?”
 
“Nay,” Haldir said, “I do not wish to anger the king. Go on 
without me.”
 
“Weakling,” Elladan said. “Orophin, Rúmil, Elrohir are you 
coming?”
 
“Aye,” the three elves chorused. 
 
Walking casually toward the king, the four elves stopped, 
pretending to inspect a tree that was only a few feet from 
Thranduil and the elf from Lórien.
 
“Hello, Handsome,” Ulan said, looking Thranduil up and down 
without shame. “You must be one of King Thranduil’s sons. I 
am Ulan… the… the head marchwarden of Lothlórien.”
 
Rúmil and Orophin exchanged disbelieving looks while 
Elladan and Elrohir tried to stifle their laughter.
 
“I must say that you certainly know how to make an 
entrance. You are one of the most attractive elves that I 
have ever seen,” Ulan commented. “Your brother, Legolas, is 
very fair as well, but his temperament could use some 
refining.”
 
“Is that a fact?” Thranduil asked, looking at Ulan 
carefully.
 
“Aye,” Ulan said, nodding. “But I can tell that you are 
older than he, because your bearing is more like the 
king’s. You know that Thrandy and I have known one another 
for many years.”
 
Thranduil raised his eyebrows in shock while Elladan, 
Elrohir, Rúmil and Orophin chuckled softly in the distance.
 
“Poor Thrandy,” Ulan said, shaking his head slowly. “I am 
certain that the loss of the queen must have been 
devastating. It must have nearly broken his heart and 
yours, too. But do not fret, fair prince, I can help you. 
Times like these call for nurturing and tenderness. I can 
provide you with both.”
 
Thranduil exhaled audibly and folded his arms across his 
chest.
 
“Do not fret, I will be gentle… at first,” Ulan said, 
completely ignoring the expression of disgust on the king’s 
face.
 
“And, regarding your father, I will make sure that my old 
friend does not escape me unaided,” Ulan continued. “He 
needs a strong elf to tend to his carnal desires, someone 
who is not afraid to touch his loins…”
 
“Thranduil,” Elrond said, interrupting Ulan as he 
approached. 
 
“Yes, Elrond.”
 
Ulan’s jaw dropped and Elladan buried his face on Elrohir’s 
shoulder, unable to stifle his laughter any longer. 
 
Elrohir covered his mouth with his hand, desperately trying 
to hide his mirth.
 
Rúmil punched Orophin’s shoulder when he laughed loudly, 
even though he was chuckling softly, himself. 
 
“Begging your pardon for the interruption, but I would like 
to present you and Celeborn to the assembly.”
 
“I will be there in a moment,” Thranduil said sweetly, 
waiting for the Lord of Rivendell to depart. As soon as 
Elrond was out of sight, the king rounded on Ulan. “What 
would you like to do to my loins?”
 
“Uh… you… you are… uh… the king?” Ulan stammered. 
 
“You should know,” Thranduil said, glaring at Ulan. “After 
all, according to you, we are very dear friends.”
 
“Oh, Sire,” Ulan said, chuckling nervously, “I was only 
jesting. You see I am the Lórien jester.”
 
“Indeed?” Thranduil said in mock surprise. “You must be 
very busy then, since you are also the chief marchwarden of 
Lothlórien as well.”
 
“I… I… uh…” Ulan stammered.
 
“There is no need to try to think of more falsehoods,” 
Thranduil said simply, “for you have only told me one truth 
this night. You are most certainly the jester of Lórien as 
only a fool would dare speak to me the way you have.”
 
“Sire, Sire… I…” Ulan pleaded.
 
“Ulan, please spare yourself more humiliation by keeping 
your mouth shut,” Thranduil snapped. “I am going to walk 
far away from you now in the hope that our paths do not 
cross again.” With that, the king stalked away, making sure 
to glare at Elladan and his comrades as he strode toward 
Elrond and Celeborn.
 
“Oh no,” Elrohir hissed, elbowing his twin. “The king is 
looking at us.”
 
Elladan looked up and stopped laughing at once, as did 
Rúmil and Orophin. They watched the king with fright until 
he stood next to Elrond before the large crowd of elves.
 
“May I have your attention please,” Elrond said loudly. “If 
you would all take a seat, I would like to introduce you to 
some of our distinguished guests.
 
Elladan and his friends rushed over to their table and sat 
down.
 
“Where is Makail?” Elrohir asked looking around.
 
“He went back to his table,” Dace replied. “So, was the 
jest worthwhile?”
 
“Aye,” Elladan said, “until the king saw us.”
 
“Father saw you?” Legolas asked, dismayed.
 
“Aye,” Elladan said, crestfallen. “And he did not seem 
amused.
 
“Elladan,” Legolas said in annoyance, shaking his head.
 
“Thank you,” Elrond said when everyone had taken their 
seats. “As you already know, I am Elrond, Lord of Rivendell 
and I am honored that all of you are here. I am sure you 
are well aware of the fact that a common foe has brought us 
together, and that enemy is the orc. The monsters have been 
a plague upon this land… a nightmare that we cannot awaken 
from. And each realm has felt their evil as we have lost 
loved ones because of their abhorrence for anything that is 
good.”
 
Elladan and Elrohir looked at one another across the table.
 
Legolas watched them curiously.
 
The twins didn’t speak; they just stared at one another as 
if they were communicating in some sort of voiceless 
language. Nodding slowly, they turned their attention back 
to their father.
 
“But, through this loss, our realms have come together, not 
in hatred, but in friendship,” Elrond explained. “This 
competition has not been put in place to demonstrate which 
realm is better. Its purpose is to allow us to become 
familiar with one another and can be something that we can 
discuss for years to come.”
 
Thranduil smiled faintly at Elrond’s words in silent 
disapproval of his last statement. The competition was not 
what brought the elves together.
 
“Now, I would like to present Lord Celeborn,” Elrond said, 
motioning to his right. “Many elves from Rivendell have met 
the leader of the Golden Wood as he has come here on many 
occasions. However, for those of you who do not know him, I 
encourage you to introduce yourselves. He has a wealth of 
knowledge and a kindness that surpasses many. I am certain 
that he would be delighted to make your acquaintance.”
 
The crowd applauded politely while Celeborn smiled.
 
“To my left is an elf that few in this realm have met,” 
Elrond began, looking at Thranduil. “This is King 
Thranduil, ruler of Mirkwood.”
 
The crowd began to whisper anxiously and look at one 
another in either surprise or confirmation. 
“For many millennia, the Woodland Realm has been alienated 
from both Rivendell and Lórien, but no longer,” Elrond said 
warmly. “New alliances have been formed and 
misunderstandings eradicated. Let us welcome the king and 
three of his four sons who are here, as well as all of our 
guests from distant realms. Eat, drink and be merry this 
night and most importantly enjoy one another’s company. For 
times such as these call for great celebration.”
 
The crowd clapped loudly.
 
Elrond bowed graciously and began to walk among the people, 
the musicians began to play an upbeat score and hordes of 
elves rushed up to where the king was still standing.
 
Females knelt before Thranduil’s feet, presenting their 
unwed daughters, while widowed dames explained that they 
needed the love of a strong and noble warrior. The king 
smiled politely and bowed, barely able to speak as more and 
more elves pressed toward him. He couldn’t breathe; the 
crowd was swallowing him whole.
 
“Step aside at once!”
 
Thranduil heard a voice, commanding the elves to move.
 
The king could see a mass of elves walking toward him. 
 
Glorfindel, Haldir, Mander, Zera and Swain were pushing 
their way through the crowd. Each elf was on the border 
patrol of one of the three realms and knew how to look 
extremely intimidating if need be. 
 
“Are you alright, Sire?” Swain asked with concern.
 
“Aye,” Thranduil said. “Swain, if you could keep the host 
at bay, I will take my leave now.”
 
“As you wish, your highness,” Swain said, turning to the 
crowd and shouting commands to them.
 
Thranduil used this distraction to escape over the barrier 
that enclosed the garden. Without looking back, he made his 
way to a large tree behind the manor and pressed his back 
against it. He could still hear the roar of the crowd in 
the distance.
 
“You certainly know how to disrupt a party,” Elrond said, 
coming into view.
 
“It is your fault,” Thranduil said coolly, without moving 
from his position. “After all, it was you who said ‘let us 
welcome the king.’ It would seem that you are a very 
persuasive leader, as your people are most anxious to 
follow your commands. Now, every unmarried elf in your 
realm has set their sights on me.”
 
“And how is my speech to blame?” Elrond asked, standing 
before the king. “If my memory serves me correctly, I 
recall that it has always been this way for you. When I 
went to Mirkwood to learn the art of healing, females came 
from near and far to court the son of Oropher, Crown Prince 
Thranduil. You should be used to this by now.”
 
Thranduil gave Elrond an exasperated look and sighed. “You 
never get used to it. And do not forget that I have been 
married for many millennia. I was harassed no longer once I 
was wed to Areen. But now that she is gone… I suppose the 
title of queen is very appealing to some.”
 
“At least you have beautiful females throwing themselves at 
your feet, begging to be with you,” Elrond said. “I am the 
ruler of this realm and can count the offers that I have 
received on one hand.”
 
“That is surprising,” Thranduil said, “as I find you to 
be…”
 
“What?” Elrond asked when the king hesitated.
 
“Nothing,” Thranduil said quickly, scolding himself for 
speaking too quickly. He reminded himself that if he chose 
to flirt with the Lord of Rivendell that their friendship 
could be lost. He would just have to learn to bite his 
tongue in the future.
 
“Nay, tell me,” Elrond said, moving even closer to the 
king.
 
“Well…” Thranduil began, trying to think of something to 
say. “Perhaps you get less offers than I because yours are 
sincere. Females only desire me because I am a king. They 
do not want to marry me; they are only impressed with my 
title. I am simply a way to acquire notoriety,” he said a 
bit sadly.
 
“That is not true,” Elrond said, touching Thranduil’s 
shoulder. “You are perfect in every way. I can only hope to 
possess half of your charm, your power and your fairness of 
face. When in your presence, one feels as though he has 
looked upon the Valar. Perhaps, your title is attractive… 
but I would imagine that to be loved by one such as you 
would be a special gift indeed.”
 
Thranduil closed his eyes, allowing the weight of Elrond’s 
hand to penetrate his senses; he wished that he could 
freeze time and embrace the moment forever. Opening his 
eyes slowly, he looked at the lord in dismay. “If I have 
the love of one thousand elves, and their adoration is true 
then I would be considered lucky by most. But if I do not 
love any of them… what difference does it make? If my heart 
is bound to one elf, and he… or she… does not share my 
affection, then I am not as fortunate as it would seem.”
 
“You are right. But I do not believe that will be your 
fate. You will love and be loved again.” Elrond removed his 
hand from the king’s shoulder and smiled. “Well, I must 
away. Glorfindel and the others are probably looking for 
me.”
 
“Yes,” Thranduil said, nodding. “I shall see you tomorrow.”
 
“Aye,” Elrond said, bowing. The lord walked away, heading 
for the feast.
 
The King of Mirkwood was left alone. Thranduil watched 
Elrond as he walked away. *You are wrong, Elrond. It is my 
fate to never have the one I love. For my heart belongs to 
you.*
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
The confusion that surrounded the king had ceased. Now the 
elves were chatting merrily among one another while others 
took to the center of the garden to dance. 
 
“Do you think that your father is alright?” Elladan asked 
Legolas with concern.
 
“Aye, I am sure he is fine.”
 
“I have never seen anything quite like that,” Elladan said, 
dismayed.
 
“Nor have I,” Legolas admitted. 
 
“Legolas… I…” Elladan stammered.
 
“Aye?” 
 
“May we go somewhere alone? I wish to speak to you.”
 
“Alright,” Legolas replied. 
 
Elladan grasped the prince’s hand and led him out of the 
garden. In no time at all, they were heading into the 
entrance hall of the manor. Guiding Legolas up the stairs, 
Elladan escorted the prince to their bedchamber. 
 
Legolas smiled upon entering the room, it felt so familiar. 
He studied the large bed, the dresser and then the large 
terrace door. 
 
Elladan was standing in the doorway of the terrace; the 
light of the moon outlined his frame. He allowed the night 
air to caress his face as he listened to the haunting 
melody and the distant chatter from the ongoing 
celebration. Without turning to face the prince, he spoke. 
“I apologize for my unpleasant disposition earlier today. I 
wish that I could explain.”
 
“There is no need,” Legolas said gently. “Sometimes when I 
awaken in the morn I am irritable; it is normal.”
 
Elladan sighed and continued to stare out into the night. 
“Legolas… may… may I be candid?”
 
“Of course,” the prince responded, a bit taken aback by the 
serious tone of Elladan’s voice.
 
“I feel… that I do not know you,” Elladan began slowly. 
“You have changed so much since your time here.”
 
“I have?” Legolas asked, approaching Elladan.
 
“When you were here before, you were akin to a wounded 
animal. You needed constant care. And even when you went 
back to Mirkwood, your heart was very fragile; it still 
needed to be handled very gently. Now… now… you seem so… 
so…”
 
“So?” Legolas asked, standing behind Elladan.
 
“So much better,” Elladan said, still looking straight 
ahead. “You do not need me now. And perhaps… you will 
discover… that you no longer want me.”
 
“How could you say such a thing?” Legolas asked, placing 
his hand on Elladan’s shoulder. The prince stepped in front 
of the Rivendell elf and stared into his eyes. “How long 
have you felt this way?”
 
“Since I saw you in Lothlórien,” Elladan admitted. “It was 
that, more than anything else, that kept me from you while 
we were in the Golden Wood. I… I just had to be sure…”
 
“Sure of what?”
 
“That you really want to be with me. That you… that you 
really care for me.”
 
“I love you. That will never change,” Legolas said, never 
releasing Elladan’s gaze.
 
“Can you promise that to me?” Elladan asked.
 
“I already have,” the prince responded, touching Elladan’s 
chest and gently fingering the engagement gift that he had 
given to the warrior a few months before. 
 
Elladan smiled faintly.
 
“You seem so sad,” Legolas said, stroking Elladan’s cheek 
gently. 
 
“My mind is muddled with various thoughts,” Elladan 
explained. “I am fine.”
 
Legolas nodded, even though he knew that his lover wasn’t 
telling him the truth. 
 
A beautiful melody began to play in the background, 
sweeping through the bedchamber.
 
“May I dance with you?” Legolas asked.
 
Elladan smiled sincerely. “Aye.”
 
The prince pulled Elladan into a tight embrace and moved 
slowly to the haunting sound of the music. 
 
Elladan’s eyes were closed. He allowed the prince to guide 
him around the dance floor. He could feel Legolas’ body 
moving against his and gasped when the prince’s lips 
brushed against his. Elladan opened his eyes, slowly, as if 
awakening from a dream.
 
“May I show you?” Legolas whispered, gazing into the depths 
of Elladan’s eyes.
 
“Show me what?” Elladan asked, perplexed.
 
“How much I love you,” Legolas said, unable to hide the 
lust in his voice.
 
Elladan smiled and nodded. He looked toward the terrace 
when he heard applause emanating from outside and then 
looked at the prince when a new song began. 
 
Legolas extended his hand.
 
Elladan took the prince’s hand and they began to dance 
again slowly.
 
Legolas pulled Elladan close, brushing his lips across the 
dark-haired warrior’s ear. “I want you,” he whispered.
 
Elladan let his eyes slip closed and gasped when Legolas 
began to lick the tip of his ear languidly.
 
They moved across the bedchamber slowly, still dancing in 
perfect rhythm to the enchanting melody. 
 
Legolas wanted to ravish Elladan now. He brushed his lips 
against his lover’s slowly; his body was trembling with 
desire. 
 
Elladan couldn’t breathe; all he could do was feel. His 
heart was pounding in his chest and his body yearned for 
the prince’s touch.
 
Legolas grazed his mouth against Elladan’s again, and then 
allowed his tongue to gently trace the outline of his 
lover’s lips.
 
Elladan pushed closer to the prince and parted his mouth, 
silently begging Legolas to kiss him.
 
The prince smiled when he saw the lust etched across 
Elladan’s face. He loved pleasuring the Rivendell warrior 
and wanted their lovemaking to last for as long as 
possible. Still moving to the rhythm of the music, Legolas 
met Elladan’s lips, stroking his back gently.
 
Elladan moaned softly and pulled the prince closer to him, 
deepening the kiss. He slid his tongue into Legolas’ mouth 
and gasped aloud when the prince shifted suddenly, brushing 
against his throbbing member.
 
Legolas looked at Elladan a bit startled when he drew his 
breath in so suddenly. But once he realized the source of 
Elladan’s abrupt action, he decided to pleasure him even 
more. 
 
The prince broke the kiss and smirked when Elladan made a 
petulant sound of protest. Ignoring Elladan’s contention, 
Legolas allowed his hands to slide down the front of the 
dark haired warrior’s tunic and stopped on top of Elladan’s 
hardened member.
 
“Ah…” Elladan groaned as the prince began to stroke him 
gently. He closed his eyes, unable to think of anything 
else but the pleasure he was feeling.
 
The prince stopped his ministrations abruptly and began to 
unfasten Elladan’s tunic.
 
Elladan shoved the prince’s hands away, pulling his tunic 
over his head and tossing it on the floor in a moment’s 
time.
 
Legolas laughed.
 
Elladan smiled sheepishly and pulled the prince into a 
tender embrace. “I love you,” he whispered. “I love you.”
 
“I know,” Legolas said, holding Elladan in his arms. “I 
love you, too.”
 
Before Legolas could say anything else, Elladan claimed his 
lips in another impassioned kiss. Caught off guard, the 
prince surrendered completely to his lover’s contact, 
allowing his hands to fall to his sides of their own 
volition. 
 
Elladan slid his tongue into the prince’s mouth and then 
pulled away, placing his lips on the tender flesh of 
Legolas’ neck.
 
“Oh, Elladan,” Legolas murmured, breathlessly, “please 
touch me.”
 
Elladan continued to kiss the prince’s throat and moved his 
hands underneath Legolas’ tunic, stroking his back gently. 
“As you wish,” he said softly, looking in the prince’s 
eyes. With nimble fingers, Elladan began to remove Legolas’ 
tunic.
 
The prince didn’t object to what Elladan was doing and 
didn’t offer to help, either. Instead, he watched his 
lover’s hands undressing him and felt his desire escalate 
to unbelievable heights. He imagined Elladan’s long fingers 
stroking his member firmly and closed his eyes to try to 
regain control of his senses.
 
Elladan removed Legolas tunic and stared at his bare chest 
hungrily. He touched one of the prince’s nipples and smiled 
when he heard Legolas moan and felt it harden. Moving his 
hands lower, Elladan could feel the softness of the 
prince’s skin as well as the sculpted firmness of his 
abdomen. He found the dichotomy of the prince’s body very 
alluring and wanted to rediscover everything that made him 
writhe with desire. With that in mind, he met the prince’s 
lips in a gentle kiss and moved his mouth downward to 
Legolas’ Adam’s apple, sucking and licking slowly.
 
Legolas could feel his heart pounding in his chest and 
tried to hold still while Elladan moved his mouth from his 
neck to his collarbone. “Ai, Elladan,” he heard himself 
mutter when his lover nibbled his skin seductively.
 
Elladan loved it when Legolas said his name in the heat of 
passion and wanted to hear it again and again. Bent on this 
new mission, he moved down lower and drew one of Legolas’ 
nipples into his mouth, licking slowly.
 
Legolas closed his eyes and arched his back, throwing his 
head back as Elladan tormented him. He moaned when his 
lover moved his mouth to the other aching nipple and grazed 
it lightly with his teeth.    
 
Elladan moved lower once again, kissing his way down the 
front of Legolas’ body. He paused at the prince’s navel and 
inserted his tongue into it, licking playfully.
 
Legolas squirmed and chuckled, giving Elladan a derisive 
look when he raised his head for a moment and met the 
prince’s eyes. 
 
Elladan lowered his head again and moved down even lower 
until he was even with the prince’s crotch. Placing that 
palm of his hand over the mound in Legolas’ breeches, he 
stroked the prince gently.
 
Legolas’ breath became uneven as Elladan caressed his 
member deftly. He could feel his knees weaken when Elladan 
touched the tip of his pulsating need and rubbed it slowly.
 
Elladan looked up at Legolas when he swayed suddenly and 
became concerned that the prince would eventually collapse 
if he continued at his current pace. Rising to his feet, 
Elladan stood before the prince and rubbed the tip of his 
nose against Legolas’. 
 
Without speaking, Legolas took Elladan’s hand in his and 
led him to the bed. Never breaking their gaze, Legolas 
removed his leggings.
 
Elladan was the first to look away, staring at the prince’s 
body in awe. The moonlight shone in the room illuminating 
it just enough for Legolas to look like some beauteous, 
unearthly creature. He felt his breath catch in his throat 
when he beheld the prince’s enormous, hardened member. He 
closed his eyes briefly, remembering how it felt when 
Legolas moved within him, making his entire being scream 
with pleasure.
 
Legolas watched Elladan admire him and smiled; he liked the 
way that his lover looked shrouded in darkness, unseen 
except for the grey depth of his eyes glowing in the dim 
light of the moon. Legolas stepped forward and placed his 
hand on the waistband of Elladan’s leggings, tugging 
firmly.
 
Elladan assisted the prince, helping him to remove his 
breeches and tossed them aside with haste.
 
Legolas looked lustfully at Elladan’s naked body for a 
moment and ushered him into the bed.
 
Elladan climbed into the bed and was pleasantly surprised 
when the prince got under the sheets and on top of him, 
spreading his legs wide open and sliding in between them. 
“Legolas… please…” he pleaded when the prince rubbed their 
members together firmly. 
 
More music began playing outside again but this time the 
tune was a bit more upbeat.
 
“Ah!” Elladan exclaimed when the heads of their penises 
rubbed together. He tangled his hands in the prince’s hair 
and arched his back when Legolas moved his pelvis to the 
rhythm of the music and devoured his mouth at the same 
time. 
 
Elladan could feel his release nearing and pushed Legolas 
away quickly.
 
The prince looked into Elladan’s eyes, for an explanation 
and nodded slowly when he understood their silent answer. 
Giving Elladan a few moments to compose himself, Legolas 
stroked his lover’s hair.
 
Elladan kissed the prince on the forehead and nodded, 
caressing his chest gently.
 
Legolas began kissing Elladan’s neck and inched his way 
down slowly. 
 
Elladan writhed with pleasure and gasped every time Legolas 
touched, licked or sucked one of his pleasure points.
 
Finally arriving at Elladan’s member, Legolas didn’t 
hesitate but put it into his warm mouth, sucking hungrily.
 
“Ai, ai Legolas,” Elladan moaned, trying desperately to 
still his rotating hips.
 
The prince enjoyed the way that Elladan tasted and took as 
much of Elladan in as he could. He licked the tip gently, 
circling his tongue around it over and over again, smiling 
when he heard Elladan whimpering. Deciding not to bring his 
lover to release just yet, he removed Elladan’s member from 
his mouth and inched his way back up the Rivendell elf’s 
body.
 
Elladan kissed Legolas quickly and sat up. Pushing the 
prince onto his back, he moved his mouth directly to the 
source of Legolas’ pleasure – his penis. Stroking it gently 
Elladan bean nibbling the tip