Title: And So the Leaf Falls. Pt. 7/?
Author: Deathangelgw
Author email: deathangelgw@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Tolkien, not me. Though I wouldn’t mind
them! ~_^
Warnings: AU, slight OOC, sap, angst, dark, lemon/lime, slash.
Pairings: Elrond/Legolas, hinted Erestor/Glorfindel, Elladan/Haldir, and
Elrohir/Rumil
Rating: R
Summary: A time to explore finds new things for a certain Mirkwood prince
Notes: Wow. It started out as an uncertain thing and now look at where this fic
is! Thanks for the reviews and to MA thanks for the beta! Love ya! Enjoy!
Feedback is much loved and appreciated!

‘thoughts’

A soft breeze whistled for the trees that surrounded the golden haired Prince as
he sat on one of the many giant boulders in the private garden he was relaxing
in. His concentration however was on the parchment in his hand. Shoulders
hunched slightly as his troubled azure gaze took in the crisp leaflet, Legolas
could only read what was before him in sorrow.

/…My son I miss you so. Our land grows ever dim with the encroaching darkness
and I fear for our people. Would that you could rejoin us, but you seem to have
found some measure of peace there in Imladris. Perhaps it is with beautiful
Arwen? I hope it is so. I long for your happiness, even with a Peredhel Ellith.
I pray to the Valar each day that you return soonest, but as a father, I cannot
push you… (Half Elf female elf)/

Sighing heavily, Legolas bowed his head, tears in his eyes. 'Nay Ada. I have not
fallen for the daughter of your one time rival, but for your rival instead. In
addition, I wish that I could find it within me to return home, but my heart is
here. And I fear losing it if I do leave,' he thought forlornly, wiping at his
eyes before curling up his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them,
hugging them. He buried his face within his knees and trembled, not wanting to
cry, but feeling so lost that it was not hard to think he would.

"Prince Legolas?"

The gentle voice startled Legolas and he sat up swiftly, wiping his eyes
hastily. He flushed as he saw Arwen gazing at him in concern, her grey hued eyes
watching him as she glided over to where he sat. "Arwen! I mean…my Lady.
What…what brings you here?" Legolas asked softly as he looked away nervously,
trying to hide his distress.

"I sought out the woods for some meditation and saw you sitting here rather
forlornly, mellonen. I thought to see why you were so upset," (my friend) Arwen
replied gently as she came over and placed a hand over his own that held the
letter. "What troubles you so much? Are you not happy with Ada?" She queried
quietly as she gazed at him.

"Nay! I am…I am truly in love with Elrond!" Legolas protested, eyes flying up to
lock with hers briefly before lowering once more. "I am…" He sighed softly and
bit his lip as he tried to think of how he could answer. "I am lost as to how I
can help my father and realm, and yet still be able to be with my heart's
desire," he murmured softly, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill
forth.

"Your father has sent news?" Arwen questioned softly as she watched him, brow
furrowing with worry as he nodded. "And tis not good news I take it," she
concluded, frowning in distress.

"Nay, tis not good news. The darkness creeps ever more into my home and Ada
fears for our land. He wishes for me to come home, but does not wish to hurt my
peace of mind since I have found it here in Imladris," Legolas spoke thickly,
and then laughed bitterly. "Aye, he even thinks that my heart has been taken by
the fairest of the fair, Arwen Undomiel." He mocked slightly, eyes shimmering
with tears as he stared at the ground. "He will be so disappointed when he finds
that my heart shall always now belong to his once rival, Elrond Peredhel," he
whispered hoarsely before resuming his curled position and burying his face in
his knees.

He did not move as gentle fingers stroked through his hair, soothing his sorrow
with light touches. "Mellonen. If he truly loves you as a father, then it shall
not matter whom you give your heart to. Trust in that," (my friend) Arwen cooed
out soothingly before wrapping her arms around Legolas in a warm embrace.
Legolas returned the embrace and held her tightly, burying his face in her
shoulder as his own trembled with his sorrow.

"I must return to my home," Legolas finally said after a few minutes of silent
comfort with Arwen and he leaned back to look up at her, his face streaked with
tears.

Cupping his face with a slender hand, Arwen smiled sweetly. "Then go you must.
But return as well, for I know that the halls will be dim without your golden
presence," she intoned gently, smiling. "And Ada will be miserable. Must not
have that, now shall we?" She teased, grinning as he laughed thickly and wiped
his eyes.

"Aye, meldis! Must not have my dearest Peredhel in any distress!” (dear friend
f.) Legolas replied with another laugh, of which she joined him in. He hugged
her again and sighed softly. “Hannon chen, Arwen. I needed that,” (thank you) he
whispered, smiling as she squeezed him.

“It is not a problem, Legolas. Now go find my Ada and ask for help.” Arwen
teased as she leaned back, smiling sweetly as he laughed again and hopped down
from the boulder, much more cheerful. She sighed and shook her head as she
watched him head swiftly back to the Last Homely House. Would that she could
have that as well…Ah well. She returned at a more sedate pace, enjoying the
tranquility around her as her thoughts were cleared.

*~~**~~*

Silently, Elrond entered his rooms, contemplating the absence of his lover. He
stopped though as he saw Legolas seated on the window seat, gazing intently at
the surrounding valley. “You seem to be taking in the view as if for a long
parting.” He spoke softly, his gentle tones startling his young lover from his
deep thoughts.

Flushing, Legolas stood up swiftly to face his love, biting his lip. Elrond came
over slowly, gliding almost as his eyes searched Legolas’ face intently. “Is it
true, maethoren valthen? Do you…intend to leave?” He whispered softly; breathe
hitching as he saw his love’s eyes fill with tears. (My golden warrior)

Breathing deeply, Legolas tried to answer, his throat closing with tears as he
saw the despair in Elrond’s eyes. Wordlessly, he held his hand up and offered
the now tear damp and wrinkled parchment of a letter. Eyes going from the letter
to the Prince before returning to the letter, Elrond hesitated before taking it.
He read it slowly, face becoming more solemn and pinched with despair as he read
what had torn his beloved’s heart.

Gradually, he returned his gaze to Legolas’ own swimming one and took a deep
breath. “I understand. When…when do you leave?” He whispered out hoarsely,
clearing his throat from the sudden tears that came to his eyes.

“I do not wish to leave! Please…believe me!” Legolas cried tenderly, clutching
his hand over his heart as he stepped forward. He cupped his beloved’s cheek
gently and sobbed as Elrond leaned into the touch, cupping the slender hand with
his own. “I give my word I shall return. I will return to your arms and bed and
we shall never be parted,” he whispered firmly, locking eyes with the Peredhel
Lord.

“And I shall await you, gellen. Until you return to my side and arms, I will
await you with every rising sun and setting twilight. With every passing season,
I shall watch for your return.” The ebon haired Lord whispered huskily as he
gathered Legolas into his arms and pressed their cheeks together, his words
gusting past the pointed ear of his beloved one in a warm breathe. (my joy)

“And with every second past, I shall seek for your sweet presence and yearn
towards it.” Legolas vowed softly as he buried his face in the twilight hued
silk that tumbled down his dark one’s back. They held each other in sorrowful
calm, soothing the other with gentle caresses and warm presences. Soon, they
moved to the bed, reaffirming their vows in more physical means and hushed
words.

As dawn touched the valley, it was greeted by the Prince and Lord, but not out
of joy. They held each other tightly on the balcony, watching as the sky was
tinged pale blue, then pink and red as the sun rose slowly over the horizon.
Silently, they went back inside and packed the Prince’s belongings, knowing he
needed to move swiftly.

Heading for the courtyard, they were surprised to see the twins, their lovers,
Arwen, Glorfindel, and Erestor waiting for them, a saddled steed patiently
waiting as well. Legolas bit his lip as Lindir came over and took his pack to
settle it into the saddlebags, leaving him facing the family that he had come to
care for in his stay at Imladris. He went first to Arwen and hugged her close,
brushing away her tears as they exchanged soft words and gentle smiles. Moving
then to the twins and the Lorien March Wardens, he clasped arms with them and
spoke once more, smiling. He found out that Rumil and Haldir were leaving with
him that day to accompany him most of the way. In these dark times, it was wise
to have more than one together.

He went then to Lindir, Erestor, and Glorfindel, laughing softly with them as
Lindir made a small joke as they clasped arms. He nodded as more soft words were
exchanged, and then turned to his beloved.

Elrond had stood watching them, keeping his emotions under firm control. He felt
his reserve falter though as the blue eyes that were his sky locked with his own
and he could see the sorrow of this parting within them. They stared at each
other silently, then, as one, raised their hands to lace their fingers together.

“I will return. You have my word,” Legolas whispered softly, eyes wavering then
steadying.

“I await your return,” Elrond whispered back just as softly, and then smiled
lovingly. He turned their hands and kissed the hand he held, eyes shimmering as
Legolas returned the gentle caress.

Taking heart, Legolas released the fingers he loved slowly, then turned and ran
to his steed, mounting swiftly along with Rumil and Haldir. He raised his arm in
farewell to them, but his eyes remained locked upon Elrond. Turning his steed
with the two Lorien Elves, he broke eye contact and kneed his horse, galloping
off. He looked over his shoulder once more and took heart as he saw his lover
watching him steadily. Straightening in his seat and vowing once more to return,
he focused on his ride home.

To Mirkwood.

TBC