Fortunate Son

************************************************
Title: Fortunate Son <1/?>
Author: Arctapus, Helmboy, ]:>
Codes: LOTR, Many, R and Up, Non-Au
Post: Appropriate places
Disclaimer: This story is mine. The world 
isn't. I imply no copyright infringement 
by using it.

Summary: Legolas is fostered as a youngster 
to the court at Rivendell, much against the 
wishes of his parents and in keeping with 
the 'guidance' of Celeborn and Galadriel, 
two who hope to end the bickering by 
creating a bond. All that follows is not 
gold. ;)

Feedback is welcomed and answered. Comments, 
criticism, suggestions, ideas, and other 
interaction is always welcome.
Inspired by some notions of AC in a few of her
stories. Thank you, AC, for the inspiration.
************************************************

***Lothlorien ...

He sat on a tree root waiting for his parents 
to come down from the platform that marked the 
entrance to the home of the Lady and Lord of 
the Wood. They had arrived earlier, the Captain 
of the Guard, Haldir leading them in. As they 
arrived it was clear that there were others 
already here, their horses tied nearby and 
their retainers waiting patiently.

He had dismounted, eyeing the strange dark-
haired Elves with curiosity even as he was 
eyed. They had noticed him from the group, 
his unusual beauty standing out in a crowd 
known for it. He had not recognized anyone 
and seeing the saddle markings of Elves 
from Imladris, he had found a place by 
himself, sitting on a large root at the 
bottom of a Mallorn tree.

He had only snatches of reasons for the trip 
to Lorien, this being the first time in his 
life he had ever accompanied his parents any 
place beyond the strict confines of their 
kingdom. He was the youngest and often times 
in the hectic schedule of business of state, 
the one left behind with his mother.

Now something had arrived in their midst and it 
had upset both of them terribly. His father 
almost didn't agree to leave, so unhappy was he 
with the 'request' of the Lord and Lady of the 
Wood. The situation had not been discussed with 
him but he had been asked to go, riding to 
Lothlorien with his parents. 

They were met and taken inside the great forest, 
the trees stupefying to him, even as he had 
been raised among them. They rode to the city, 
soldiers tying their horses to railings 
as the great lady and lord met them, escorting
them inside. He had been introduced, Lady 
Galadriel especially gracious and then they had 
left him to cool his heels in the shade and 
serenity of the great wood.

People had come and gone, some he knew from 
a glimpse here and there and some not, 
causing him to speculate who was 'friendly' 
and who was the 'enemy', his own euphemism 
for Rivendell folk. Horses trumpeted their 
impatience to him as he waited with growing 
anxiety for the outcome of the meeting. 

All he knew was that he was the agenda.

***In the presence of the Lord and Lady of 
the Wood ...

They sat together, each on their own side. 
The King and Queen of the Green Wood stared 
with regal coolness at the dais where 
Celeborn and Galadriel sat. On the other 
side, equal to them, Lord Elrond, Glorfindel 
and Erestor sat.

Galadriel suppressed a sigh, the emotions of 
all involved clear to her and she turned to 
her husband, Celeborn and nodded. He rose 
and stood before them, tall and contemplative.

"Welcome to our country, good and wise people. 
We are most gratified that you came to our 
summons. It is on the business of all good 
that we asked you here today. For these many 
years it has been estranged among us, the 
relations between the great Green Wood and 
the valley of Rivendell cold between you. That 
is not the way of our people. 

"There is much to gain from a closer and 
warmer alliance. Contact between our three 
countries should be increasing but it is not. 
Our people should feel free to come and go
amongst us but they do not. Much that is 
good and valuable is not emerging between 
us because of old wounds and attitudes."

Elrond stole a glance toward Thranduil and 
noted that the King was uncomfortable under 
the unblinking gaze of the great Lord. He, 
himself, a son-in-law of the two was more used 
to the ethereal contact and therefore felt 
less harshly the impact of his words.

Celeborn turned to his wife, Galadriel smiling 
at him with her usual gaze of loving admiration. 
He smiled back, considering his words. As he 
did Thranduil stole a glance at Elrond. Their 
gazes met, a chill was passed between them and 
they turned back, listening as Celeborn began 
again.

"It was and still is the practice of fostering
sons between families of great houses. For my 
Lady and I, having the children of Elrond for 
lengths of time is close to the experience of 
our ancestors but that is the relationship of 
grandparents and grandchildren. That is separate 
even if it is good."

He stared at both men for a second. "The Lady 
and I wish that you, Thranduil, foster your 
youngest child to the household of Lord Elrond. 
It would be in the interests of all for you to 
do this thing. It would help to heal wounds 
that have lingered far too long between us. I 
would suggest a son sent to you, Thranduil, 
but Elrond's children are grown."

It was silent a moment, no one speaking and 
then Celeborn continued. "We are asking this
for the greater good of all our people. We 
would consider it a favor personal to us, 
Thranduil, if you would do this good thing. 
A favor to us. A personal favor."

They all sat, listening to the implications 
unspoken and then Elrond rose, turning to 
the two silent pale people on the other side 
of the small room.

"It would be an honor to do this and I would 
give to any child of Thranduil the best 
possible care and protection." Inside his 
head a banshee howled even as he acceded to 
the inevitability of the moment. He waited, 
breath held, stealing a glance at Galadriel. 
She winked just barely perceptibly and he 
struggled not to smile.

Thranduil glanced at the shocked and pale 
face of his wife and then rose slowly. "Does 
the Lord of Lothlorien mean that I must give 
up my youngest child at this tender moment of 
his fostering to the care of another? What 
manner of thing is this that a father and 
mother must send a child of their own off 
to live among strangers?" 

The emphasis on strangers was clear and angry 
even as Thranduil struggled with the manner 
of his speaking and Elrond struggled too not 
to bristle. 

"Your son would be safe in my lands, as safe 
as a child of my own," Elrond countered, his 
words and manner deliberately soft and gentle.

"But he isn't your son," Thranduil said, 
struggling with his anger. "He is mine, my 
youngest boy. I am being asked to give him to 
you for how long? Years? All the days of his 
youth to be given to another?"

"It is the way of our people to foster 
young ones among the great houses, to build 
harmony and trust. You are a king of our 
people as are you, Elrond of Rivendell. There 
are no easy paths for any of us who bear this 
burden. Surely by now, you would know this 
truth."

Celeborn's voice was sharp, the rebuke in it 
clear to both men. They hesitated, turning to 
the great lord and lady. As they did, 
Thranduil's wife rose and moved to stand 
before them.

"All these many years I have longed for detente. 
This way of anger and rage is not the way of our 
people. It has cost us all dearly. However, I 
implore you to consider the cost to my heart of 
the loss of my young boy. Even as he approaches 
the end of his younger days, he is still in many 
ways my child. It would grieve me uncounted to 
lose him for many years at this stage to another. 
Soon the day will come when he will become a man 
and have less need for his mother. I forestall 
the sorrow of that time by his company now."

For a moment it was silent and then Galadriel 
rose, her face filled with understanding and 
pity.

"I too know the loss of a child. My only child, 
my daughter is gone from me oversea and who will 
know how many ages will pass before we can see 
each other again. Your pain I understand in ways 
no man can know. But what we are responsible for 
is greater than our own needs and desires. Your 
son can be a bridge for our people to become 
whole again. For all the pain of separation, 
there is the joy of reunion, not just for you 
but for all our people. Even as I grieve for 
your heart, I implore you to be gracious and 
kind, to give your child to Lord Elrond to heal 
the breach between our people."

She stood before Galadriel, her grief on 
her face and then she composed herself, 
turning to her husband. "The Lord and Lady 
have spoken. What say you, husband?"

Thranduil stood silently, his internal 
emotional firestorm clear to all. It raged 
on his face as he looked from his wife to 
Celeborn to Galadriel and finally to Elrond. 
He stared at Elrond, the anger of centuries 
flashing in his eyes and then he turned to 
Celeborn at last. 

"I would wish to take council on this," he 
said shortly. "It is a step that must not 
be considered in haste."

Celeborn nodded and the two turned, walking 
hand in hand out of the room. Elrond watched 
them go and turned to his in-laws, a frown 
forming on his face.

"That wasn't good," he said finally.

Galadriel chuckled, walking down to where 
he stood, bemused advisors all around him. 
"I think it was a good start, don't you, 
my Lord?" she asked, turning to her husband.

He shook his head, a smile forming on his 
lips. "If you say so, my Lady."

Elrond had to laugh in spite of himself.

***Outside in the courtyard...

Legolas scrambled down from the root and 
rushed to his parents, staring at their 
faces as they walked toward their horses.

"Mount up, Legolas. We're leaving."

He nodded, not daring to ask and joined his 
family and their party, riding with them 
from the hitching area. Through the forest, 
not waiting for Haldir, they rode out of 
Lothlorien. It would be a silent journey 
home, the three of them keeping their own 
council before the explosive arguments 
between his parents would begin in their 
home. Legolas would only wait, his fears 
his own as they shouted their way to a 
decision.

***Arrival at Imladris a month later ...

They rode through the great gate of the city, 
entering the courtyard that led to the house
beyond. He rode beside his father, sitting 
as straight as he could. His eyes flickered 
around, even as he sat affecting indifference 
to the beauty that hit him like a gloved fist 
to the jaw, so great was the effect Rivendell 
had upon him. 

The group dismounted while he and his father 
sat, waiting for the head of the household to 
greet them. Standing in the doorway, Elrond 
noted the tension in the older man. Considering 
he was giving over his son to the care of a man 
he didn't like, Elrond could hardly blame him. 
He stepped forward, Glorfindel and Erestor on 
each side and walked the short distance to 
where the two waited.

Standing on a balcony nearby, watching with
silent interest, Elladan and Elrohir waited. 
They could see through the facade of relaxation 
he wore like a mask the tension in their father 
as he greeted the haughty king of the north
wood. There was an exchange of conversation and 
an invitation to dine. Thranduil declined it 
and Elrond absorbed the insult without comment.

For a moment they just stared at each other, 
neither one giving an inch and then Thranduil 
turned toward his son, a flicker of emotion in 
his eyes. "You will do well here, Legolas. 
Your family is expecting it."

Legolas nodded, swallowing hard. He watched as 
his father directed his men to unload his son's 
things and then he turned back toward Elrond. 
"You have my son for a period of time. I have 
no say in this matter it would appear. I will 
hold you responsible for his safety and his 
well-being."

Elrond nodded, watching the youngster's facade 
crack slightly as the time came for his father 
to leave. He stepped back, allowing the men with 
Thranduil to carry the boy's luggage to the steps 
of the house. They put it down and walked back, 
remounting their horses. For a moment father and 
son whispered to each other and then Thranduil 
turned toward Elrond, a strained look on his face. 
He nodded and then, without a backward glance, 
rode back through the door with his party.

Legolas sat and watched them, swallowing his tears. 
Then he turned and stared at the man who would be 
master of his fate for the next few years. Elrond 
looked at him and then gestured for him to dismount. 
The youth did, revealing nothing of himself in his 
expression and followed the older man inside. They 
entered the house, a marvel of beauty and then 
Elrond turned to him, noting the appearance of his 
sons on the stairway.

"Welcome to Rivendell, Legolas. I am glad to 
have you here. My sons Elladan and Elrohir," he 
said, nodding to each, "will escort you to your 
rooms and when they have helped you settle in, 
then I would like you to come to my study so 
that we may talk together."

Legolas swallowed, his eyes flickering between 
father and sons and then he nodded, silent as 
a statue. Elrond nodded back and turned, walking
away with Glorfindel and Erestor toward the 
center of the house. It was silent a moment and 
then Elladan moved forward, picking up a case. 
He turned and looked at the other two, standing 
quietly as they watched him.

"Come on. Grab something," he said, picking 
up another case. Elrohir did likewise and 
they turned, noting that Legolas hadn't 
moved. "Aren't you going to help here?"

Legolas, filled with conflicting emotions, 
shook his head. "I am a prince from a house 
of princes. I don't carry my own baggage."

"It seems to me that you do already," Elladan 
replied dryly, sliding a case toward the 
reluctant prince with his foot. "My grandfather 
is the evening star. My mother is the daughter 
of the Lady of the Wood, yet I obey my father's 
commands. I would suggest you pick up your 
things and follow us."

The two older boys turned and walked up the 
stairs, not looking back at Legolas. They 
walked along the corridor, snickering about 
the problem they now confronted. When they 
arrived at Legolas' room, they put his things 
down and turned, more than aware that he 
hadn't followed. Elladan sighed, shaking 
his head.

"He's going to be a problem."

Elrohir smiled and walked to the door. "What 
do you want to do about it?"

"Paddle his butt," Elladan said, moving toward 
the door as well. "He's probably still standing 
there. Do you suppose he means it? That he
doesn't do things for himself?"

"I don't know. He's Thranduil's son, right? 
Anything is possible. It might be that he's 
that been catered to."

"He's come to the wrong place for that to 
continue," Elladan said, distaste filling 
his sensibilities. "Father has his hands 
full."

They walked out into the hallway, moving 
toward the stairs. Peering down, they saw 
the youngster standing beside his last 
baggage, arms folded and stubborn look set 
firmly into his fine features. They both 
paused at the top, smiling to each other.

"He's pretty, I'll hand that to him, 
pretty even for an Elf," Elrohir said 
with a smirk.

"I'd love to wipe that smug bastard look 
off of his face," Elladan said, sighing 
softly. 

"Is that all?" Elrohir asked, peering out 
of the corner of his eye at his twin.

"No, but it'll do for now," he sighed, 
moving to walk down the steps. 

They reached the bottom, pausing before him. 
Legolas stared back at them, his eyes as 
stubborn as the set of his chin.

"You need to cooperate. You're esquired here 
to do what my father bids and to learn what 
you need for kingship sake. That means you 
carry your own baggage," Elladan said patiently. 

He looked at Elladan as if he had grown horns. 
"I am the son of a king. I do not carry my own 
baggage."

Elrohir snorted, drawing the disdainful stare 
of the younger boy. "You have as much chance 
of being king of your father's country than I 
have of being Lady of the Wood."

For a moment nothing happened and then Legolas 
launched himself at Elrohir, the two falling to 
the floor in a tangle of arms and legs and 
shouts of rage and surprise. Elladan watched 
for a moment, enjoying the fine spectacle when 
he heard footsteps coming from the general 
direction of his father's retreat. Moving 
hastily, he pulled the youngster off his 
brother, falling to one knee in his struggle 
to hold him. 

Elrohir, maddened by the whole matter, rose up 
and leaped forward, falling into a tangle with 
both boys and when Glorfindel, Erestor and 
Elrond rounded the corner, it was a grand melee, 
Legolas swinging at everything, Elrohir hitting 
his brother in his zest to get at the Mirkwood 
prince and Elladan falling backward, his arms 
around the visitor's slender body.

Elrond stared a moment, shock informing his 
features and then with the two men at his side, 
he waded in, pulling the struggling blond boy 
out of the tangle of his sons. As he did, 
Elrohir rose up maddened and swung on Legolas 
who then ducked, the blow falling straight 
into Elrond's face.

For a moment it was as if time stood still and 
then Elrond staggered, falling backward with a 
thud. He sat stunned, blinking his eyes and 
then lay back, dazed. It was as silent as a 
tomb as Legolas scrambled to his feet, turning 
with clenched fists toward the group standing 
silently before him. For a moment he didn't 
understand and then he looked backward, staring 
with growing fear and loathing at the sight of 
his benefactor laid out on the floor. Turning,
he looked at the others and swallowed. 

Hard.

***Several minutes later ...

Glorfindel chuckled as he handed the cool 
wet cloth to his lord. Watching as Elrond 
gingerly applied it to his eye, he 
considered his words and how much teasing 
the dignity of the Lord of Imladris could 
handle at the moment. Erring on the side 
of caution, he sighed.

"Boys will be boys," he said.

Elrond removed the cloth and stared up at 
one of his oldest friends. "Speak for 
yourself. We were never that foolish."

"No," Glorfindel replied, sitting. "We were 
probably worse."

"I never struck my father," Elrond said, 
sighing deeply. "What has Galadriel and 
Celeborn gotten us into?"

"They have their reasons," Glorfindel replied. 
"Even if they are the only ones who know them."

Elrond rose and peered around the corner of 
the door discreetly. Three youngsters were 
sitting in three different chairs in his 
study, waiting for the ax to fall. He turned 
and walked back, sitting on the edge of his 
bed once more.

"I want to take a spoon to their bottoms but I 
doubt that would be the appropriate response to 
this sort of foolishness for boys that age."

"Probably," Glorfindel agreed with a smile. "I 
think King Thranduil would disapprove if you 
spanked his son."

"Thranduil ..." Elrond scowled and then winced. "I 
fear that we shall rue the day this little one came 
to our doorstep."

"You *would* have an open door policy," Glorfindel 
said, taking the cloth back. He peered at the dark 
bruise that was forming around Elrond's eye. "Your 
son packs a wallop."

"He does. My fault for teaching him how to 
fight."

"True," Glorfindel replied, sighing. "Physician, 
heal thyself."

Elrond chuckled and winced, rising and 
gathering his dignity around him. Walking 
to the door, he entered, three youngsters 
jumping up quickly as he appeared. They 
stood nervously, Elrohir's face a 
desolation. 

"Well, well ..." Elrond sighed, staring at 
them with a stern expression of disapproval. 
"This is a fine way to begin a new alliance."

"I am sorry, Papa," Elrohir said, falling 
back on a more intimate form of salutation 
in his distress. "I didn't mean to hurt 
you."

"Then you meant to hurt someone else? 
Legolas perhaps?"

Elrohir glared at the youngster, who 
glared back as firmly.

"I would like to state that young Legolas 
is here in my household for a purpose and 
deserves by that status and that of his 
rank, respect."

A smile formed on Legolas' lips and Elrond 
was more than aware of it. He turned his 
formidable gaze toward the young prince, 
the smile falling from his lips like 
raindrops. "I also expect that a squire 
in my household will do their part in all 
things. It appears that there is baggage 
of yours in my hall. Since my sons 
carried some of it to your room, I suggest 
that you carry the rest. Unless of course 
you have some valid reason why it is 
undignified for a prince of the North Wood 
to carry baggage and it is not undignified 
for princes of Imladris to do the same."

Smiles flashed on Elladan and Elrohir's face 
until their father's gaze passed by and then 
returned to Legolas. His face was red but he 
lowered his eyes, moving to comply with 
Elrond's demand. When he left and was clomping 
up the stairs, Elladan moved forward, peering 
at his father's eye. Elrohir, ashamed and 
disgusted, held back.

"Are you not going to check the outcome of 
your labors?" Elrond asked, staring at his 
other son.

Elrohir looked at him miserably, blurting 
out emotionally his sorrows. "Are you never 
to forgive me?"

Elrond felt a smile form on his lips. "Are 
you never going to rise above petty bickering 
with a stranger to our household?"

"This is the first time!" Elrohir protested.

Elrond smiled. "Make it the last."

Elrohir sighed and nodded. "I am truly sorry, 
Papa."

"I know. That is why I don't find a big spoon."

Elladan smiled. "You'd have to catch us first."

Elrond arched an eyebrow, turning to the older 
of his sons. "And you don't think I can catch 
you?"

For a moment there was silence and then they 
laughed. "We know you can!" Elladan said, 
snickering. 

On the staircase above them, a sad look on his 
face, Legolas watched. Silently, with a ragged 
sigh, he turned and walked back to his room 
alone.

**********Later that night ...

Dinner was a quiet affair, Legolas sandwiched 
between two visiting Elves from the Gray Havens. 
Ordinarily he would be dazzled at the idea of 
strangers at table bringing news from other 
places, so sheltered and isolated was his 
father's court but he was too homesick to care 
very much. 

This was the longest time he had ever been away 
from home and it bothered him more than he had 
dreaded that it would. He had never been away 
before from the confines of their kingdom and the 
company of one or both of his parents. He even 
missed his brothers, the older boys usually 
having little to do with the bright, handsome 
youngster that was such an afterthought to all 
their lives.

He had grown up close to his mother and idealizing 
his father, a man who was emotionally volatile but 
emotionally distant as well. He wanted to please 
his father more than he wanted to breathe sometimes 
and so he worked hard at the skills that his father 
would notice, most noteworthy his uncanny ability 
with a bow. He was among the finest natural archers 
in his entire kingdom, someone to pit the best 
against in tournaments. 

This was something that his father admired in him 
and when he would compliment the boy, he would 
float in joy over it for days. Now his father was 
far away and he was here, living in the midst of 
the enemies of his family. His grandfather had 
suffered, the Noldor unworthy of his trust and 
he was now stuck among them for a very long time.

Looking at the head of the table, sitting on 
his chair slightly raised above all others, 
he studied as best he could the comptroller 
of his fate. Lord Elrond of Rivendell, the 
Master of Imladris, the names didn't come 
easily to his mind. He was raised on another 
ethos regarding this place and these people
and he felt surrounded and alone.

Elrond was tall, like all Elves were and 
his hair was long and dark. Dark hair was 
not commonly seen in his woods and so the 
idea of it was strange to him. Elrond had 
gray eyes and they seemed to pierce him 
when they looked at each other, dark eyes 
capable of drilling holes through his 
brain. It was almost as if the older man 
could read his mind and even though it was
a possible thing among his kind, Legolas 
felt he could read every syllable, not the 
odd stray thought or the emotional landscape 
of the moment.

It made him feel naked and vulnerable and 
along with that, nervous. He usually wasn't 
nervous unless his brothers had provoked 
him and now he was, sweaty nervous, the kind 
you get before something terrible happens. 
Like at that moment. He reached for his 
glass and missed, knocking it over with his 
hand. 

The glass tipped and red wine spilled, spreading 
like blood across the snow white cloth of the 
table. He watched it with dismay, his cheeks 
flushing with embarrassment as the eyes of all 
fixed upon it. He rose, his napkin falling and 
he stood helplessly. 

Elrond noted his dismay and made a snap decision. 
Reaching out for his own glass, he bumped it and 
it tipped, falling over. He stared at it for a 
moment, drawing attention away from the suffering 
boy and sighed.

"Papa," Elrohir exclaimed with surprise. "You 
spilled your glass."

It was comical, the note of extreme surprise
in his voice as Elrohir witnessed an event 
he had never seen before and before he could 
speak again, Elladan kicked him under the 
table. Elrond rose and took his napkin, 
placing it on the stain. He looked at Legolas, 
the darkly emotional eyes of the youngster upon 
him and he nodded.

Legolas looked around flustered and retrieved 
his napkin, imitating the great lord himself. 
Then all rose and they turned and walked out, 
moving to the balcony beyond. Elrond lingered, 
waiting for all to pass before turning to the 
laggardly boy moving as well. He took him by 
the arm and stopped him, looking into his 
face with kindly eyes.

"Thank you for not letting me be the only 
one to be clumsy tonight," he said louder 
than need be, squeezing Legolas' arm gently. 
He stepped aside and the astonished boy 
passed, moving onto the balcony to listen 
to the singing that was wafting up from 
the valley below. 

Elrond watched him go and stop at the railing, 
staring into the soft night glittering with 
twinkling stars. Waterfalls filled the evening 
with beauty, both visually and melodically and 
they sat or stood, listening and watching for 
hours.

Legolas sat on the railing, unaware of the many 
admiring glances he drew, puzzling over the 
enigma of the lord of this realm. With a sigh, 
he gave himself over to the music of the night,
one more reason to be homesick.

************************************************
c2001 Jan. 15 ]:> TBC
************************************************

************************************************ 
Title: Fortunate Son <2/?> 
Author: Arctapus, Helmboy, ]:> 
Codes: LOTR, Many, R and Up, Non-Au 
Post: Appropriate places 
Disclaimer: This story is mine. The world isn't.  
I imply no copyright infringement by using it. 
 
Summary: See part one for header, summary,  
feedback information, etc. Thank you. ]:> 
************************************************ 
 
Elrond sat at his desk, breakfast behind him and  
the day stretching out like an endless winding  
road. The youngster had joined them, garbed in  
green, a suitable color for him he considered and  
now it was up to Elrond to give him purpose. 
 
He had not been involved in the daily activities  
of a child for a long time, his three more than  
capable now of taking care of their own business.  
His sons often rode out with companions, hunting  
orcs. All his impassioned arguments about the  
futility of this went unheeded between his sons.  
They were avenging their mother, they said.  
Nothing would prevent them from getting even  
with the ones who had taken her from them, they  
said. 
 
He sighed, the power of a mother over sons an  
enormous mystery to him. His own mother was a  
bright star, an ethereal glow set far away, so  
long had it been since he had seen and touched  
her. He could understand his boys emotions even  
if he disapproved of their actions. He feared  
for them, so determined were they to rid Middle  
Earth of orcs that their caution was probably  
not up to his own exacting standards. 
 
Rising, he walked to the door and peered down  
the hallway, waiting for the youngster to  
appear. As he looked out, he noted the child  
sitting on a chair, his hands folded in his  
lap. Startled, he looked at the boy and noted  
once again his great beauty. 
 
"Legolas ... why are you sitting out here?" 
 
He rose and stared at the floor. "I am awaiting  
your call, my Lord." 
 
"You were asked to come. You do not need my  
leave to enter this room," Elrond said gently. 
 
Legolas shrugged. "It is the order of my father  
that I follow. I do not know what your household  
demands." 
 
Elrond felt a warmth flow through him as he  
stared at the unhappy youngster. "Then it is my  
duty to instruct you. Come inside." 
 
The boy turned and walked in, staring around  
the book-lined room with its tables and chairs,  
beckoning their comfort. It was a man's room,  
filled with things that interested its master  
and he was filled with curiosity in spite of  
himself. He turned and waited for Elrond to  
give him leave to sit. 
 
Elrond sighed internally, gesturing for the boy  
to sit and he did, waiting tensely for  
instructions. Elrond sat across from him, studying  
the fine features of the youngster. He was a very  
young person, at an age among Elves that was  
torturous to determine without asking. At some  
point in time wisdom accumulates and one can sense  
age. But at the age of this one, it was as if one  
were staring at a bud on a limb, rather than a  
fully formed leaf. 
 
"Tell me about yourself, son of Thranduil," he  
asked, his sonorous voice soft and gentle.  
 
The boy looked up, deeply blue eyes meeting  
Elrond's and his face was featured in surprise. 
 
"Myself, my Lord?" 
 
"Yes," Elrond said smiling as he settled back in  
the couch. "I would be interested in knowing  
about you, what you like, what you aren't fond  
of, that sort of thing. I know nothing at all  
about you but that you are the apple of your  
mother's eye." 
 
For a moment he looked close to tears and then  
he looked down at his hands, gathering himself.  
"My mother is wonderful," he whispered. 
 
"Mothers are, Legolas," Elrond replied gently.  
 
"My mother is a good rider," Legolas said, raising  
his eyes once more. "She can ride anything. And  
she's good with a bow." 
 
"She's a remarkable woman, so I am told. Her  
beauty surpasses what I have heard." 
 
Legolas smiled slightly. "They say that I take  
after her." 
 
"I can see it," Elrond said, nodding. The boy was  
most like her, the hard edge of his father nowhere  
to be found on his fair face. Elrond sighed, drawn  
to the perfection of his features, the habit of  
turning toward beautiful things honed over a  
lifetime. 
 
"My father is a good man," Legolas said, a defensive  
tone in his voice. 
 
"It has always grieved me that there has been a  
divide between us. It is not what I wished," Elrond  
said, watching as the boy struggled to contain all  
he wanted to say. Finally, he sighed, staring at his  
hands again.  
 
"I like to ride. I am very good with a bow and I  
like to swim." 
 
"Those are all favored here in Imladris. If you wish  
companions for such things, it can be arranged. I  
admire proficiency with arms. I have taught my sons  
and daughter to be able with such things. I would be  
glad to see your prowess with bow and arrow. I have  
belief that it is great." 
 
A flicker of a smile formed on the perfect lips and  
was gone as quickly. The golden head merely nodded.  
"It would be my pleasure, my Lord." 
 
Elrond smiled. "What do you like to read?" 
 
Legolas looked up, staring around the room. "I like  
all manner of books. I especially like histories,  
the events of the past of our people." 
 
"You are given leave to read any book in my house.  
They are mostly here and the great library beyond,  
rows and rows, many ancient and written by those  
who participated in the events noted therein." 
 
"That would be wonderful," Legolas replied, catching  
his enthusiasm. He blinked and nodded. "Thank you." 
 
"I am pleased that books matter to you, young Legolas.  
Many young men are occupied by things other than  
learning. Ladies become important all too quickly  
to many." 
 
Legolas leaned back, wrinkling his nose. "Fair ladies  
are fine enough but I am not interested in them." 
 
"That time will come in due course," Elrond said,  
amused by the youngster's firmness. 
 
"Perhaps, but I think not," Legolas said, staring at  
the desk nearby, its contents interesting to him.  
 
"Tell me of your life at home," Elrond asked, enjoying  
the company of the boy before him. He was surpassingly  
fair and as such an object worthy of study, for all  
Elves quested for beauty, the contemplation of which  
was restful and fulfilling. 
 
He shrugged, a pang of homesickness rising through  
him. "I would study with my tutor and work with my  
fencing instructor. I would ride through the forest  
with my friends and family. I love the green wood.  
I love hunting through it, finding new things ...  
I love the forests around my home." 
 
"What did you think of Lothlorien?" Elrond asked,  
studying the moods that flashed over the boy's face  
like storm clouds over a summer sky. 
 
"They were wonderful!" he said, admiration for the  
great trees there overcoming his reserve. "I loved  
them. You could almost hear their voices." 
 
"Have you ever heard their voices, Legolas?" Elrond  
asked. 
 
Legolas sat a moment and then sighed sadly. "No, my  
Lord. I would give anything to hear them." 
 
"Perhaps that won't be such an impossible desire,"  
Elrond said, smiling. "Anything is possible in the  
world." 
 
Legolas looked at him, the natural inclination for  
him to hate the man before him faltering under the  
assault of his charm and interest. The idea of a  
man of such stature being interested in him was a  
stunning revelation and he wondered what would  
prompt such an thing. 
 
"You are a man of great authority and power. Surely  
you have things that must beckon you." 
 
Elrond smiled, shrugging. "Things can wait. You have  
my full attention." 
 
The youngster stared at Elrond, suddenly feeling  
vulnerable. He sat back, withdrawing himself as  
best he could. 
 
"Do you walk?" 
 
Legolas blinked. "Walk, my Lord?" 
 
"Do you hike trails? Mountains?" Elrond asked. 
 
"I love to hike," he answered, watching as the tall 
figure rose, turning and walking to his desk. 
 
Elrond unclasped his outer robe and shrugged it  
off, draping it over his desk. He turned, noting  
the expectation on the youngster's face. "Let's 
go for a walk." 
 
Legolas rose, moving toward the door with his  
benefactor. Together, they walked outside and down  
the staircase to the front door. Elrond nodded to  
people, smiling and then stepped outside into the  
bright sunshine of morning. Legolas followed,  
moving side-by-side with the lord of all that he  
surveyed. They walked together and out of the gate,  
heading for the countryside of the great valley of  
the Bruinen. 
 
Standing on a balcony, staring at them as they went,  
Elladan and Elrohir watched with curiosity. 
 
***Inside the house ... 
 
Glorfindel walked toward the back door, heading for  
the stable and the horses that he was supervising  
in their training. As he passed the corridor leading 
to the library, he heard voices bantering. Pausing,  
he crept closer and listened, amusement filling him.  
Elladan and Elrohir was talking together and the  
subject was the chief topic among all lately, Prince  
Legolas of Mirkwood. 
 
"I think they look well together," Elrohir was saying,  
his voice taunting and teasing as he so obviously  
needled his brother.  
 
Elladan turned toward Elrohir, a disgusted frown on  
his face. "That boy is younger than you and I. I  
would be careful how much you spread this new theory  
of yours around. People will be much scandalized over  
such things as you just expressed." 
 
"Why? Because our father is smitten? Or because the  
object of his lust is a fair young thing?" 
 
Elladan stopped and turned, fixing his twin with a  
jaundiced eye. "You have no class. For a man with  
the sire that you have, you are a classless thing." 
 
They heard a snort and turned to see Glorfindel laugh,  
his arms folded in front of him. They smirked to each  
other.  
 
"The walls have ears," Elladan said, making his point.  
Elrohir moved past him, pausing by the older man.  
 
"Tell me, my Lord, what say you to my thoughts? Is  
my father infatuated or no?" 
 
Glorfindel stared at them, at the intensity of their  
gaze and turned. "Uh, no. Do not ask me such things  
about one so dear to me." 
 
He turned and walked toward the backdoor, clearing  
the house as the two caught up to him, one on each  
side. Elladan sighed as he watched his brother's  
mirth. 
 
"You think so too!" Elrohir said, laughing.  
 
They entered the stables, the three moving to a  
doorway that led to a paddock. Three wondrous horses  
stood there, sunning themselves in the warm morning  
air. They all paused, caught by their beauty and  
then Elrohir began again. 
 
"Tell me I am not right," he said, snickering at  
Elladan's discomfort. "Tell me." 
 
Glorfindel paused, turning a wry expression on the  
persistent youngster. "You try the patience of a  
saintly person ... such as myself." 
 
Elrohir snorted and glanced at Elladan, himself  
enraptured by the horses still. "You tell me by  
not telling me, the truth of my question. I  
thank you." 
 
Glorfindel glanced at him, slipping inside the  
paddock proper. "You flatter yourself, my friend, 
with the depth of your insight. I am as still  
water, unknown and unknowable." 
 
Even Elladan snorted at that, smiling at Glorfindel  
as he chuckled to himself. He walked to the horses,  
touching them with his hands. Gentling them with  
softly whispered words, the elf-horses listened,  
their ears flicked forward. Soft nickers met him as  
he spent time with them in their enclosure. Elladan  
and Elrohir watched, admiring once again the skill  
of their elder. 
 
"What do you think, Elladan? Do you think Father  
is enamored? I don't get premonitions often but  
this feels so." 
 
Elladan turned his dark gaze on his brother, the  
mirror of their faces reflecting against each  
other. "I don't know. I hope not. Father doesn't  
need any more suffering. Besides, it would bring  
dishonor to involve himself with an esquired boy." 
 
"So," Elrohir countered, sighing. "When was the  
last time you saw him do something for himself?" 
 
They both thought a moment and then Elladan  
sighed. "You do realize, brother, that he has a  
duty to train this boy and make him fit for  
kingship. That might be the only reason he  
stares at him so, the burden of his many and  
varied responsibilities." 
 
Elrohir turned his face toward his brother,  
smiling in spite of himself. "Yes, and I will  
become the next Lady of the Wood." 
 
Elladan didn't miss a beat. "I have always known  
of that. It came to me years ago in a dream--" 
 
He never got farther in his statement. 
 
***On the trail... 
 
They walked along, following a path many had taken  
to the higher lands that surrounded the valley.  
Snowcapped mountains stared down at them, their  
dazzling white summits sparkling in the bright  
light of midmorning.  
 
Elrond pointed out the flowers that grew in shadow  
and light, the names of small rivulets of fast  
flowing water and the points of interest that spread  
out in all directions around them. It was wondrously 
beautiful and Legolas became lost in the sites and  
smells around him, the scent of pines running sap  
adding a fragrance that was indescribable to their  
passage. 
 
They walked on, snatches of the valley below coming  
into view when trees allowed and they could see the  
spires of Rivendell below. They moved to a rocky  
outcrop and Elrond sat on a large granite boulder,  
watching the youngster as he looked all around. 
 
"It's beautiful." 
 
Elrond smiled. "It was so when we first came here.  
I love this valley." 
 
"Your city is beautiful in a way I have never seen  
a place be." Legolas turned and stared at him. "You  
have created a wonderful place." 
 
Elrond smiled. "It is what I remember in some ways  
from my childhood in older times and in some ways  
it is not. I like to think that the best of the past 
and present intermingle here." 
 
"My father's house is different. We have a mountain  
fastness." 
 
"I have seen it. It is a much airier place than one  
would think carved from stone the way it is." 
 
Legolas nodded, moving to sit on the boulder. He  
drew up his legs, crossing them gracefully. He stared  
into the valley below. "The river twists and turns  
like a snake. It seems so small. I have never lived  
in a place with so many waterfalls." 
 
"The water is restful. My house is restful." 
 
"I noted that. I slept well," Legolas said, turning  
his blue eyes on the figure next to him." 
 
"That's good," Elrond said, smiling. 
 
Legolas paused and rose, walking to the edge of the  
cliff side. He turned and looked at Elrond. "Last  
night ... when your glass tipped, did it do so of  
its own accord or was it helped thus?" 
 
Elrond smiled slightly, watching as the boy stared  
at his ground, nervous to broach a subject that  
brought such embarrassment. "I cannot say." 
 
Legolas smiled slightly, looking at him directly.  
"It was fortuitous." 
 
Elrond smiled. "Sometimes things happen that way." 
 
He stared at the ground and then stepped forward,  
his expression filled with questions. Finally,  
after a deep breath, he sat down again. "You are  
not what I expected." 
 
Elrond nodded, waiting. "No?" 
 
"No," Legolas replied, shaking his head. "I was  
afraid to come here. I was afraid to be in your  
house, to be under your control. I ..." 
 
"You have been told things," Elrond prompted. 
 
"Yes," Legolas whispered, blushing brightly. He  
rubbed his cheek with an elegant hand. "I'm sorry." 
 
Elrond shrugged. "You are a young man away from home.  
You have to live in the house of someone your father  
has grudges against. What are you supposed to feel?" 
 
Legolas looked at him. "I don't feel as terrible  
today as I did yesterday." 
 
Elrond laughed and nodded. "You might feel terrible  
tomorrow. Homesickness is nothing to underestimate.  
But I'm glad that you came. I hope you will enjoy  
the time you are here." 
 
Legolas framed a slight smile on his face, sighing  
as he glanced toward the hills beyond. "It is  
beautiful and the Lady and Lord of the Lorien Wood  
wish this to be. I have to find a way to be happy  
here." 
 
Elrond nodded. "You will." 
 
Legolas stared at the river below, winding along its  
ageless track. The sun was warm and the company  
surprisingly comfortable. Elrond sat a moment, studying  
his profile, then he rose. Legolas rose with him,  
waiting expectantly.  
 
"I know a place with good berries. They stain the  
fingers but they're worth the effort." 
 
Legolas smiled. Elrond felt the sunshine permeate him  
as the two turned and walked off the track into the  
grassy meadow beyond. He had not been here in a long 
time, the idea of just going someplace without  
purpose something he had not considered in ages.  
 
Things waited for him, things that needed doing but  
he decided as they crossed a running streamlet that  
they would wait. Right now there were berries to  
pick and a boy to make welcome. Nothing else had  
higher priority in his mind. 
 
************************************************ 
c2001 Jan. 18 ]:> TBC 
************************************************

************************************************ 
Title: Fortunate Son <3/?> 
Author: Arctapus, Helmboy, ]:> 
Codes: LOTR, Many, R and Up, Non-Au 
Post: Appropriate places 
Disclaimer: This story is mine. The world isn't.  
I imply no copyright infringement by using it. 
 
See part one for all other information. Thank you. 
************************************************ 
 
***Later that afternoon ... 
 
"You have purple fingers." 
 
Elrond looked up from his book, meeting the  
smiling eyes of Glorfindel. He stood before him,  
a bottle of wine and two glasses in his hand.  
Elrond smirked and nodded. 
 
"A hazard to be borne of berry pickers everywhere." 
 
Glorfindel set the glasses on the table and uncorked  
the bottle, filling the tall goblets with a clear  
liquid. He handed one to Elrond and raised his in  
salute, sitting comfortably in the arm chair across  
from him. Elrond returned the salute and savored a  
sip, sighing with pleasure. 
 
"A good vintage," he mentioned, casting a bemused  
eye to his friend. 
 
"Only use a good vintage to celebrate." 
 
"Celebrate what, may I ask?" Elrond asked, peering  
over the rim of his glass. 
 
"The lessening of tension caused by the son of  
Thranduil." Glorfindel dragged out the last  
syllable of the Mirkwood Lord's name, grinning at  
the sound of it. "That young man has always  
annoyed me. He's rather like his father was." 
 
"I'm not sure anyone was like Oropher. He is  
rather one in a million I would estimate." 
 
"Was," Glorfindel reminded him. "As in past  
tense." 
 
Elrond sighed. "That's true. It didn't have to  
be that way." 
 
"It had to," Glorfindel countered. "After all,  
he was a grown man and in full control of his  
faculties. Or so we believed." 
 
"We were all mad in those days." Elrond sighed,  
visions of lost friends filling his mind. "I miss  
a lot of people lost in battles I can barely  
remember." 
 
"As do I," Glorfindel agreed. "This boy ... what do  
you make of him?" 
 
"He's lonely," Elrond said. "He's lonely for  
attention from someone he can admire. His father  
doesn't appear to know what a jewel he has in  
this child." 
 
"How old do you suppose this boy is?" Glorfindel  
mused, the conversation with Elrohir flashing  
into memory. 
 
"It is hard to say. I believe that he is near or  
at legal age for separation from family but he has  
been raised rather as a hot house flower. He has  
many attributes of a grown man and many of a  
vulnerable boy." 
 
"Nice combination, especially the vulnerable part,"  
Glorfindel tested, staring over the rim of his  
glass, his feet propped up on a foot stool.  
 
Elrond shot him a jaundiced eye. "What do you  
suppose that means? In your mind's eye?" 
 
Glorfindel smirked, sighing dramatically. "What does  
it mean? Oh ... a number of things." 
 
"Such as?" Elrond asked, staring at the fading dye  
of fruit juice on his fingers.  
 
"It might mean that he's amenable to the attentions  
of another, perhaps a man of the world, a man who  
might find in his company good pleasure." 
 
Elrond glanced at his friend with a frown of disgust.  
"You have an active imagination. My role is clearly  
defined. I am to foster this child and help him  
achieve that which his father desires, to become a  
figure of responsibility and dependability, well 
educated and skilled in the kingly arts." 
 
"That is so," Glorfindel responded. "He's also a  
lonely boy, someone who might find the attentions  
of an older man compatible to raising his sense of  
happiness." 
 
"He is unhappy in your estimation?" Elrond asked,  
arching an eyebrow. 
 
"Not so much this morning as last night and yesterday.  
He is actually cooperating with his chores as we speak.  
That is a great improvement over times before. By the  
way, how is your black eye?" 
 
Elrond snorted, grinning in spite of himself. "You are  
very glib today. What brings this rather unwelcome  
side of your otherwise unremarkable personality to the  
fore?" 
 
Glorfindel chuckled. "You have a piercing tongue, my  
lord." He smirked. "Perhaps the truth of what I say  
makes me bold." 
 
Elrond sighed and put his feet on the footstool, 
the warmth of the fire agreeable. "He is very beautiful.  
I cannot imagine having a son such as this one and not  
being more a father to his heart. Thranduil is a cold  
one." 
 
Glorfindel nodded and was about to speak when Erestor  
entered the room. He was wet from the neck down and  
tracking puddles behind him. The expression of outrage  
on his face was priceless. 
 
"My, Erestor, you appear to be soaking wet. How did  
this happen?" Glorfindel asked, grinning broadly.  
 
Erestor ignored him, moving closer, his fists clenched  
in rage. "Mind your tongue," he said, with a growl.  
"My lord, you *must* talk to that boy!" 
 
Elrond set his glass down and rose, suppressing a  
chuckle as he stared at his seneschal. "What  
happened to you, Erestor?" 
 
He took a deep breath, brushing his dark hair back.  
"We were washing horses, a simple task, and that boy  
was laggardly. I asked him to bring a pail of water  
to wash soap off a stallion. He did and when he  
pitched it the water fell upon me." 
 
For a moment there was no sound and then Elrond  
sighed deeply, quashing the urge to laugh with 
great effort. Swallowing hard, he nodded. "Where  
is he now?" 
 
"He is up a tree." 
 
Glorfindel choked off a strangled laugh, drawing  
the poisoned glance of Erestor. Elrond drew himself  
up and nodded. 
 
"I will deal with this myself." 
 
He turned and left, Glorfindel rising. "Come. Let's 
watch. This could be interesting." 
 
Erestor turned and followed Glorfindel, rounding  
the corner as Elrond's back disappeared down the  
stairs. They followed him, moving up a side  
staircase to a balcony over the kitchen. Moving  
through the household crew, they stepped out and  
watched, discretely shaded by a tree.  
 
Elrond walked into the courtyard, looking in the  
tall trees for his missing boy. Horses were tied  
to hitching posts, their baths interrupted.  
Nearby, brushing a horse and pretending not to  
notice him, Elrohir and Elladan worked.  
 
Elrond noted them, their intense but distracted  
eyes and made a mental note to interrogate them  
later. Walking past a stallion, patting its  
flank and searching, he spotted a sad figure  
sitting in the broad branches of a tall tree.  
 
Pausing underneath, he called up softly. "Legolas,  
come down please." 
 
The boy didn't move, turning his face away as he  
sat miserably in the tall cool branches. Elrond  
stared at him, considering his options and then  
he did the only thing that he felt he could under  
the circumstances. He shucked his robe and  
gripped a branch, climbing up the tree until he  
was sitting on a branch opposite of Legolas. 
 
The youngster stared at him astonished, intensely  
surprised to see him. Elrond smiled, more than a  
little surprised at himself. 
 
"Did you think I've never climbed a tree before?"  
he asked gently. 
 
Legolas looked at him, tears brimming in his  
eyes. "I ... " 
 
Elrond leaned back against the trunk, shaking  
his head. "It appears, son of Thranduil, that  
things are not working well for you today. Come  
down from here and let us settle our problem.  
Even though this is a good place from all  
indications," he said, looking around, "your  
problem is still down there waiting for you." 
 
"I didn't mean to." 
 
"Mean to douse him or ..." 
 
Legolas looked at him for a minute and shook  
his head, suddenly unable to talk to his  
benefactor.  
 
"You should feel free to talk to me," Elrond  
said with a sigh. "I am not going to bite." 
 
Legolas sat a moment and then he straightened.  
"I am the son of a king. Washing horses is not  
what a king's son does." 
 
"Ah," Elrond said. "It appears that your father's  
ideals of kingship and mine are at odds." It was  
silent a moment. "A king is someone who must bear  
a great burden, they must give up much to be all  
for their people. A king is not much good without  
humility, Legolas. A king must never show their  
people that what they do themselves is beneath  
them. All work is honorable." 
 
"But washing horses," Legolas said. "Servitude  
is not what my father says a king must do." 
 
"What is a king but a servant?" Elrond countered  
gently. "What is the greatest goal of a king's  
life than to serve his people well? A king must  
never be afraid to roll up their sleeves, to  
show by example that what his people does is  
important. Not all history is forged by the  
greatest in stature. Even the smallest people  
can make change. All that you learn, even in  
menial tasks prepares you to be the servant  
of your people." 
 
"You would wash horses?" Legolas asked, surprised.  
 
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Elrond asked.  
 
Their gazes met and held, the youngster thinking  
over Elrond's words. He sighed. "This is a strange  
place and you are strange to me, my Lord. I don't  
know what to think sometimes." 
 
"I know," Elrond said, looking down at the ground.  
"Going to a high vantage point can help the thought  
processes a great deal." He smiled. "I think you  
need to come down, apologize and finish your job.  
A king without humility is a worthless thing." 
 
Legolas sighed, closing his eyes in misery. Then  
he nodded and following Elrond, climbed down from 
the tree. Glorfindel and Erestor watched,  
exchanging glances and turned, hurrying downstairs  
and out into the back courtyard. Legolas and Elrond  
walked toward them, Elrond pulling on his robe  
once more. They paused, Legolas standing before  
Erestor, pale and miserable. 
 
"I am sorry, my Lord, for my carelessness. I am  
sorry for the shame I have brought upon myself." 
 
Erestor looked at Elrond and then the boy, his  
features relaxing into a slight smile. "Your  
apology is accepted." 
 
Legolas sighed and looked at Elrond, greatly  
relieved.  
 
"You must continue your tasks," Elrond said  
gently. "Your kingdom is depending upon you to  
be the man you must be some day." 
 
Legolas nodded and turned, walking back to the  
horses. Elrond watched and turned to the two  
men. "I assume you watched?" 
 
"I wasn't aware you could still climb a tree,"  
Glorfindel said, chuckling. 
 
Elrond straightened, donning his dignity along  
with his robe. "You have forgotten much, my dear  
Glorfindel. I do recall that you could never  
best me at the sport." 
 
Elrond moved on, walking into the house.  
Glorfindel smiled, shaking his head. "He was  
very fast as I recall, especially when someone  
was after him for being naughty." 
 
"I would have loved to see that," Erestor said  
with a sigh, watching the young prince as he  
washed the stallion. He looked down at his own  
clothes, a frown forming on his lips. "Will you  
stay here until I change?" 
 
Glorfindel nodded, smiling. "Wild horses couldn't  
drive me away." 
 
Erestor shot him a poisoned look and walked into  
the house. Glorfindel walked to where Elladan and  
Elrohir pretended to work and leaned against the  
fence. The boys moved closer, stealing glances  
at the industrious youngster beyond them. 
 
"I have never seen Father climb a tree before,"  
Elrohir said, awe in his voice. 
 
Glorfindel chuckled. "That is probably not the  
only first you shall see before this one leaves  
us to go home." 
 
Elladan nodded. "I will not dispute that with you.  
Nothing will surprise me with this one." 
 
***Later on in the afternoon ... 
 
He stood at the counter, kneading dough. Erestor,  
changed and standing beside him, watched with a  
critical eye. They had finished the horses and  
cleaned the barn, soaping and caring for harness  
and saddles. Once in the kitchen washroom, they  
had cleaned their hands and walking through the  
kitchen proper, Erestor noticed a big bowl of  
bread dough about ready to be kneaded. 
 
"That looks ready. Have you ever made bread?" 
 
Legolas shook his head, completely unaware of how  
things were made since that part of his education  
was sorely neglected in his own household. Erestor  
smiled slightly and turned, tossing a handful of  
flour out onto the stone table the bowl sat on.  
Legolas watched him as he punched the big round  
mound of white dough in the middle. It hissed and  
he grinned. 
 
"You do it. It's good for the soul." 
 
Legolas moved closer and punched the dough, grinning  
as it flattened strangely under his touch. Erestor  
dumped the bowl out and tore the dough into two large  
pieces. Taking more flour, he shoved a big piece  
toward Legolas.  
 
"Watch me and do what I do." 
 
With skilled hands, he began to knead the dough,  
adding small amounts of flour as he worked. Legolas  
copied him, over and over turning the dough as he  
worked out the gas that had made it bulge in the  
bowl. 
 
"It's harder than it looks," he said, grinning at  
Erestor. 
 
"All the good things are, my friend," Erestor said,  
smiling. 
 
They worked together side by side and as they  
prepared the bread, Erestor taught the youngster  
how to braid it. They worked on the loaves and  
then put it to one side, Erestor checking the  
oven. 
 
"I will let the cook know about this bread and  
when its done we shall have it for dinner." 
 
Legolas nodded, grinning at his accomplishment.  
Sitting on the top of the braided loaf was a  
leaf that he had fashioned, placing it just  
so. He looked at his hands, the grime of flour  
thick on his fingers. Erestor smiled. 
 
"There is nothing wrong with labor. It's what  
makes a man strong. If things come too easily,  
what is there to look forward to?" 
 
Legolas considered his words and followed him  
to the sink. They washed themselves and then  
Erestor looked at the tall youngster beside  
him. 
 
"I think it's time to explore the pool in the  
glade nearby." 
 
"The pool?" Legolas asked, walking out the door  
with the older man. 
 
"Yes," Erestor said with a smile. "It's the  
finest swimming hole on the river." 
 
Legolas smiled broadly and accompanied his master  
down the walkway while on a balcony nearby, Elrond 
watched. He paused in his work, stepping out to  
watch a song bird on a nearby branch. The step of  
the duo was lighter and he could see that they were  
heading down to the pool nearby that was a swimming  
hole for the locals. He sighed, wishing the freedom 
to join them but his dignity had taken enough blows  
lately. 
 
Legolas hurried along behind Erestor, their voices  
a faint echo in the warm spring air. He was happy  
it appeared, a welcomed relief over the sorrows of  
morning and he wondered about the boy, at his  
changeable heart. 
 
With a lighter step of his own, he turned and walked  
back to his study to work. 
 
************************************************ 
c2001 Jan. 15 ]:> TBC 
************************************************

************************************************ 
Title: Fortunate Son <4/?> 
Author: Arctapus, Helmboy, ]:> 
Codes: LOTR, Many, R and Up, Non-Au 
Post: Appropriate places 
Disclaimer: This story is mine. The world isn't. I  
imply no copyright infringement by using it. 
 
See part one for all other information. Thank you. 
************************************************ 
 
***At dinner that night ... 
 
They ate together, the mood lighter and  
when the bread was served it was much  
remarked upon. Legolas sat quietly, secretly  
desperately pleased and when dinner was over,  
the Lord of the Manor asked him to walk with  
him. Elladan and Elrohir watched them go,  
wine glasses in hand. They rose and walked  
to the balcony, noting the full moon rising  
over the mountain peaks beyond. 
 
Their father and the boy walked down the  
winding steps in the direction of the tidal  
pool. Sighing slightly, Elrohir shook his  
head. "I don't know. I think Father likes  
that young one beyond his duties as a  
fostering lord." 
 
"He feels responsible for him," Elladan  
explained patiently. "He feels the burden 
of his responsibility. There is a lot of  
difference in the two." 
 
"There is a way to test your notion, Elladan,"  
Elrohir said, a twinkle entering his eye.  
 
"Why am I afraid to listen to you further?  
What form of devilry have you in mind?" he  
asked, his eyes narrowing warily as he gazed  
at his younger brother. 
 
Elrohir shrugged, looking away, noting that  
the two had disappeared into the shadows. "If  
you feel that way, I shan't tell you." 
 
Elladan sighed, shaking his head. "Now I  
suppose that I'm supposed to beg you to  
tell me thus." 
 
Elrohir looked at him with a hurt expression.  
"You wound me, brother." 
 
"I will wound you if you trifle with me. I  
am short of patience with this topic." 
 
Elrohir snorted. "Consider ... *if* Father  
cares for this boy more than just a man  
would love his squire, then it can be  
tested. If one of us pursued this youngster  
... if one of us *wooed* him, then it would  
tell on Father's face. It would be proof  
certain that he did or didn't have feelings  
of love for this boy." 
 
Elladan sighed deeply. "You really are a demon  
spawn. I do know for certain that all the  
devilry possible between two matched souls was  
given to you." 
 
"Tell me you would find it hard duty," Elrohir  
needled. "He is very pretty. You said so  
yourself." 
 
"You would trifle with a person's heart  
to prove a point?" Elladan said, frowning  
at his twin. 
 
"It wouldn't be trifling. It would be ..." 
 
"Trifling." 
 
They were silent a moment and then Elladan  
sighed again. "I suppose you wish me to woo  
him just to prove or disprove your point." 
 
"He won't accept my court. I tried to punch  
his nose. From you, perhaps." 
 
"If he can tell us apart," Elladan groused. 
He turned and set his glass on the balcony,  
considering Elrohir's words. "What if Father  
cares for him in his own fashion? He is no  
longer ..." Elladan paused. "Mother has  
been gone a long time. What if he's lonely?" 
 
Elrohir considered his brother's pained  
expression. "We already know he's lonely. I  
want to know if he's preparing to harm  
himself, entering an emotional state of  
longing for the son of his worst enemy.  
You know and I do that this can only end  
for naught." 
 
Elladan nodded, turning and staring into the  
darkness. "Wooing would be hard, this one is  
so tough. But wooing indeed if it proves to  
us what is true. And if it is? If Father is  
infatuated with him? What then for you,  
Elrohir?" 
 
"I don't know," he answered quietly, turning  
and staring into the darkness as well. "I  
haven't figured that part out yet." 
 
***At riverside... 
 
They stood together, staring at the moon  
overhead. It was a large spring moon, not  
quite full and its light made all things  
around them soft with a silver glow. Elrond  
stared at the stars, looking for the one  
that had special meaning for his family and  
when he did, he chanced a gaze at Legolas. 
 
The youngster was about his height, slim in  
a deceptive sort of way youths sometimes have,  
the figure of health and athleticism. He was 
intoxicatingly beautiful, his profile  
perfection and Elrond turned away, finding  
lesser things to focus his mind upon. 
 
It bothered him, this fixation on his outward  
charms because the boy was troubled, unschooled  
in the ways of the world and someone he had to  
take care with beyond the fact that he was the  
son of his worst enemy. He was lonely and  
looking for someone to look up to and if he  
wasn’t careful things could become difficult. 
 
The water rushed by, swirling in the dark  
pool before them.  
 
“I am told that you swam here today.” 
 
Legolas smiled. “I did. The water is very  
cold. It was refreshing after working in  
the stables.” 
 
“The bread was very good. I liked your  
decoration.” 
 
He grinned, flushing slightly in spite of  
himself. “I had never done that before.” 
 
“Work can be rewarding,” Elrond replied,  
grinning slightly.  
 
“So Erestor tells me.” He considered the  
stone next to his boot and turned, gazing 
at the silent figure before him. “You are  
a different lord to me, something I have  
never seen before.” 
 
Elrond considered the boy’s forthright  
gaze. “In what way?” 
 
“You are informal, but terrible in your  
majesty. I think that Lord Celeborn and  
you are much alike but I do not see him  
climbing a tree.” 
 
Elrond snorted and chuckled. “Nor do I,  
though I will not hand it past him that  
he can, and do it well.” 
 
Legolas smiled. “You are easy to talk to.  
I didn’t expect that.” 
 
Elrond nodded, watching the expressions  
pass over the boy’s handsome face. “I am  
the father of sons.” 
 
Legolas’ expression fell a bit. “Your sons  
do not like me.” 
 
“They don’t know you well yet. Give them  
time and they will love you.” 
 
Legolas looked at him, his expression  
becoming shy. “I don’t know.” 
 
“You have never been away from home before,  
have you.” Elrond stated it rather than  
asked, noting the confirmation on the  
youngster’s face. 
 
“No. Not far. Going to Lothlorien was an  
adventure for me. I want them,” he said,  
turning and facing the older man. “I want  
adventures, lots of them, and I want to  
see things, big trees and other shores.” 
 
Elrond smiled. “Those are worthy goals.” 
 
He shrugged, sighing. “My father wants me  
near to home.” 
 
“Do you tell him your dreams?” Elrond asked. 
 
Legolas tucked his braid behind an ear, a  
thing that struck Elrond as enchanting and 
he watched the youngster as he bent down and  
picked up a rock. He skipped it out,  
considering Elrond’s question. 
 
“No.” He sighed, glancing at Elrond slightly.  
“My father is a busy man. I don’t always have  
his ear.” 
 
Elrond nodded, secretly hating Thranduil.  
“Men with responsibilities sometimes forget  
that they extend to their children.” 
 
“Did you ever forget yours?” Legolas asked,  
his eyes staring at Elrond with intensity. 
 
“No,” Elrond said, shaking his head. “I am  
their parent, their sole parent. I have a  
responsibility to them that transcends most  
things. I hold them dear.” 
 
Legolas stared at him and then looked away,  
staring at the moon. “The moon here is very  
big. I know it is the same moon that shines  
over my home in the great wood but it seems  
different in the sky now. I never considered  
that my father is looking at this moon in  
another place while I am here.” 
 
Elrond listened to the wistfulness of  
Legolas’ words and felt emotion rising.  
“The world is big. The moon looks down  
on all of us equally.” 
 
“That is so,” Legolas said, turning and  
looking at him. “I could never say so to  
my father. I find that strange. Things  
that I say to you, no matter how  
disjointed they may seem, I can say them.” 
 
“That’s good,” Elrond said. “I hope you feel  
that this is so tomorrow and the next day.”  
 
“Tomorrow I have to help Erestor count things.” 
 
Elrond snorted and chuckled. “Ah, the life of  
a seneschal is not an exciting one but without  
him my household would grind to a halt.” 
 
Legolas smiled in spite of himself. “It would  
seem so.” He looked at Elrond, the light of  
the moon haloing around him. “When do I do  
things that are more exciting? A squire is  
supposed to support their lord in fields of  
combat and other exciting things. I’ve washed  
horses and made bread.” 
 
“That is what a squire does between wars,”  
Elrond said laughing. “I’m sorry to tell  
you that but a squire’s life is filled  
with quiet futility.” 
 
Legolas smiled, a beautiful thing. “I was  
afraid you would say that.” 
 
Elrond laughed and then turned, moving along  
the path. For the next two hours they would  
walk along the river and talk. By the time  
they got back, it would be time to turn in  
before the start of another new day. 
 
***Far away ... 
 
She stood at the window, staring at the moon  
in the sky. She had said her prayers, praying  
to Elbereth to keep her son well until he  
came back to her. It was empty, her home,  
and she missed him with an intensity that  
tore at her heart. He was her last child,  
the one unexpected and it was terrible to  
her not to have him home. 
 
He had never been away from her more than the  
length of a day or two and then always in the  
company of their own people. She missed talking  
to him, the long conversations they would have  
together and she missed his beautiful smile. 
 
Thranduil had retired, falling into bed after  
a hard day. She would follow soon but not  
before she stared at the moon and considered  
that its lovely light shown down on her boy.  
She prayed silently that he was happy and well  
and that he would soon return to her once  
again. 
 
/... sleep well, my green leaf ... sleep well  
.../ 
 
***The next day ... 
 
He worked in the storage rooms, counting  
things as he was assigned and for a long  
time he didn’t know that anyone was watching.  
When he turned, glancing up for a second, he  
saw one of *them* standing in the doorway.  
He paused, feeling a fleeting sense of  
foolishness with his task at hand and then  
he composed himself. 
 
“Hello.” 
 
Legolas blinked. “Hello.” 
 
“Need help?” Elladan asked, moving closer.  
 
“No, I am fine,” Legolas replied, turning  
and going back to his task. He counted a  
number of related items and wrote the  
figure onto the ledger sheet he bore.  
 
“I hate taking inventory. I think it was the  
worst part of growing up, doing things like  
this.” 
 
Legolas paused and looked at him, momentarily  
confused. “You did this too?” 
 
Elladan nodded, sighing. “More than you  
will know.” 
 
Legolas paused, staring at the sheet  
and then the amiable Elf sitting before  
him. He sighed and then returned to his  
job, writing and counting once more. 
 
“Why don’t you put that down and we can  
go riding? I’ll show you some nice long 
trails in the high up country.” 
 
Legolas turned, wavering. “I have to do  
this.” 
 
“Elrohir will do it for you.” 
 
Legolas stared at him, his eyes narrowing.  
“Why would he do that?” 
 
“Because he owes me a favor or two.” 
 
Legolas considered it, the idea of riding  
and the idea of inventory and then he  
sighed. “I cannot let Lord Elrond down. I  
have responsibilities.” 
 
For a moment Elladan wavered and then he  
tried again. “It will get done. Just not  
by you.” 
 
Legolas stood a moment and then he sighed,  
nodding. “All right,” he said reluctantly.  
 
“Wait here,” Elladan said, leaving for a  
moment. He returned with Elrohir in tow.  
“Do this and we’re even.” 
 
Elrohir sighed and took the ledger from  
Legolas, moving past him to the shelves  
beyond. He turned and watched as Legolas  
and Elladan moved to the door and slipped  
out, racing to the horses waiting in the  
woods nearby. They mounted up and rode  
off, leaving the house behind. 
 
***Several hours later ... 
 
Elrohir sat on the chair, twitching through  
his second hour of waiting. It had not taken  
long to finish the inventory and when he had,  
he had turned to face the grim and formidable  
frown of Erestor.  
 
A short interrogation had followed along  
with a trip to his father’s study where  
the gist of the story, if not all the  
motivations and details had been wrenched  
from him. Elrond was angry and he told his  
son that since he had conspired to corrupt  
the training of his squire, he would wait  
until he returned to learn of his fate.  
Elrohir had nodded, sighing internally and  
walked to the study ante room to wait,  
praying that Legolas and Elladan didn’t  
decide to camp out. 
 
Elrond sat in the next room, considering the  
situation and decided that there was more  
than met the eye. For his sons to do this  
big of a turnaround, it could mean little  
good. He would keep Elrohir in his waiting  
room for as long as it took for the other two  
boys to return. He sighed and considered the  
peace of his house before Celeborn and  
Galadriel had stepped in. Would it ever  
return, he considered grimly as the minutes  
slowly ticked by. 
 
***High on a promontory point in the hills ... 
 
They sat on a rock, looking out over the world  
and the view was spectacular of mountains,  
rivers and fields filled with flowers. They had  
ridden miles, covering a lot of terrain and when  
they sat to rest the horses, it was comfortable  
between them. 
 
Elladan noted Legolas’ youth, his exuberance and  
his quiet personality. He liked him, he thought,  
even if he was Thranduil’s son and considered his  
motives for having him along. He felt terrible,  
his clearly defined conscience finding him with  
a barb and he considered riding back and boxing  
his brother’s ears. 
 
“What is it like being a twin?” Legolas  
asked. 
 
Elladan shrugged. “Crowded sometimes.” 
 
Legolas laughed, a sound Elladan liked  
and then he bent down to pick a flower.  
Elladan watched him, his grace and his  
dignity and it hit him that of course  
his father would be drawn toward him.  
He could feel it himself. 
 
“Who do you love, Legolas?” he asked,  
almost without thought.  
 
Legolas looked at him, considering the  
surprising question. “I don’t have a love.  
Is that what you mean?” 
 
Elladan nodded. “Doesn’t someone in your  
kingdom miss you, some lover who pines  
for your return?” 
 
Legolas shrugged. “There were some, a boy  
here and there but no one special.” 
 
Elladan turned and looked at the field of  
yellow flowers that stretched out behind  
them. Yellow, the color of Legolas’ hair.  
Elladan quashed the thought and rose,  
turning toward his horse. “I think we  
better head back. It will be dark soon  
and we’ll be missed.” 
 
Legolas rose and walked to his horse,  
mounting up with confused thoughts. What  
did he mean, he considered? “Why did you  
ask me whether I had a lover?” 
 
Elladan mounted his horse and turned him back  
toward Rivendell. “I just wanted to know.” 
 
He moved past Legolas, the younger boy staring  
at him with confusion. Elladan was handsome and  
not like the other one, his twin. What he meant  
by his question Legolas didn’t know. He just  
knew it had unsettled him. He followed Elladan  
down the trail toward home. 
 
************************************************ 
c2001 Jan. 18 ]:> TBC 
************************************************

************************************************ 
Title: Fortunate Son <5/?> 
Author: Arctapus, Helmboy, ]:> 
Codes: LOTR, Many, R and Up, Non-Au 
Post: Appropriate places 
Disclaimer: This story is mine. The world isn't.  
I imply no copyright infringement by using it. 
 
See part one for all other information. Thank you. 
************************************************ 
 
He stared out of the window, his hands resting on  
the ledge. The ride home had been quiet and when  
they reached the stable, Glorfindel was waiting,  
a stern expression on his face. They dismounted 
and let the horses into the paddock, following  
the elder Elf into the house and up the staircase  
to the study where Lord Elrond was waiting for  
them. 
 
Legolas felt a sinking feeling akin to dying  
as he followed the two, Elladan’s face grim  
as they entered the room. Elrohir was sitting  
in a chair, slumped and resigned and on one  
side of Elrond, Erestor sat, his disapproval  
clear. The two boys stood before Elrond,  
Glorfindel taking his seat on the other side  
of the Lord and Master of Imladris. 
 
He stared at them both and at the shame on  
his son’s face, something Elladan never could  
hide when he knew he was in trouble of his own  
choosing. The young man had a very well  
developed conscience and the good grace to  
admit when he was wrong. His brother was a  
little tougher on both accounts but both of  
them were good and decent people. Of Elladan’s  
state, he was very clear. 
 
The Prince of Mirkwood was an open book. His  
shame and painful remorse were there on his  
face for all to see and for a moment Elrond  
could feel his will weaken. Legolas was  
suffering from letting him down, of this  
he was sure. However, he had responsibilities  
and the duties of a lord to a misbehaving  
squire were well known to him. 
 
“I am well aware of the proclivity of young men  
to ‘cut corners’ on their duties. I was once a  
young man myself. However, it does not excuse  
the error of your judgment. Or shall I say,  
misjudgment?” 
 
The room was a tomb and Elrohir rose, moving  
to stand on the other side of Legolas. He  
cleared his throat painfully. 
 
“Legolas had no part in the planning of this  
uh, this action, Father. It falls directly  
upon Elladan and myself. In fact, I bear the  
biggest burden of fault.” 
 
Elrond stared at his son, appreciating the  
uncharacteristic acceptance of guilt for a  
misdemeanor. It wasn’t his usual pattern of  
behavior. Perhaps having Legolas around the  
house would have unforeseen beneficial  
consequences, he considered. His eyes shifted  
toward Elladan. He arched an eyebrow, his  
expression never wavering. 
 
Elladan sighed. “Elrohir is completely correct.  
It is our fault, not Legolas. He didn’t want to  
come but I persuaded him. I wished to show him  
the riding trails through the fields of flowers  
in the high up country. If anyone deserves to  
pay a penalty for our presumption, it is not him.” 
 
Elrond considered this and sighed. “I am  
unaccustomed to you both falling on your swords  
for another. Am I experiencing the birth of  
maturity at long last?” 
 
They flushed. Elrohir shifted his feet. “Father,  
it is the truth as it stands. If there is a  
penalty I wish to take it full on. No one else  
must stand punished for my bad judgment.” 
 
“I will accept the punishment,” Elladan  
interjected. “I am the oldest. I should have  
used better judgment.” 
 
“It was *my* idea,” Elrohir countered,  
glaring past Legolas at his brother. Elladan  
turned toward him, frowning. 
 
Legolas watched the conversation go back  
and forth, his head turning from one to the  
other even as the men sitting before him  
did the same. It was almost a surreal  
experience before Lord Elrond raised a  
hand and the room fell silent. 
 
For a moment they just stood holding their  
breath. Then Elrond spoke, his voice soft  
and even. 
 
“I am impressed by your new found sense of  
civic responsibility and incipient martyrdom.  
I will accept both of your requests. You both  
will be in charge of the stables for two weeks,  
taking in the horses that arrive and cleaning  
them each day. You are not to leave the house  
grounds without my permission. As for Prince  
Legolas ...” 
 
Legolas swallowed hard and met his lord’s  
gaze with effort. 
 
“You are to exercise better judgment in  
relation to the requests of these two. They  
do not mean harm but they have hindered your  
training and it won’t happen again. I am  
confining you to your room tonight without  
supper. In the morning, you will resume your  
duties and discharge them to the high degree  
of accomplishment that Lord Erestor and Lord  
Glorfindel have told me of. I am dismissing  
all three of you now.” 
 
For a moment they just stood and then they  
turned, fleeing the room. When they were gone,  
Elrond rose and walked to the desk, pouring a  
glass of wine for himself and the others. As  
he did, the tension broke and they laughed  
together for a very long time indeed. 
 
***In a room alone ... 
 
It was dark and Legolas was alone. He repented  
in private, the hurt of letting down his lord  
yet again playing over and over on his heart.  
He wanted to impress the older man, to show him  
that he was a worthy individual. He was aware  
that the great lord was taking time and effort  
with him, talking to him and getting to know  
him. That was important to Legolas. 
 
His own father didn’t do that for him, not often  
and when they talked it was often one-sided. At  
this moment Legolas wasn’t sure if his father  
knew even one thing he liked to do. It stung to  
consider it but it was true. There were few times  
that he had made hours available to just talk to  
him. 
 
Yet here he was, conversing with the greatest  
enemy of their family like they were friends. He  
felt it, the friendliness and it disturbed him  
how much he wanted it. Now he had let Lord Elrond  
down again. He wanted to cry, the stinging pains  
of shame and self-loathing prickling him as he  
stared out.  
 
Then he heard it, a soft hissing sound. He turned  
his head and noted Elladan’s face ... or at least  
the one he felt was Elladan ... leaning out of the  
window next to his.  
 
“Legolas!” he whispered. 
 
“What? What hellish merriment do you have  
planned now so that I can disappoint my Lord  
yet once again?” he asked, a hard edge to his  
whisper. 
 
Elladan sighed and nodded. “I was wrong. I  
admit it. I want to talk to you.” 
 
“Go away. We’ve talked enough,” Legolas  
whispered back, closing the window. He turned  
and walked toward his bed and when he looked  
back, he heard the window open and a figure  
dropping inside. “What are you doing in here?  
Lord Elrond will put me on a donkey back to my  
father if he catches you in here.” 
 
Elladan put his finger to his lips and moved  
closer, pausing before Legolas as he did. They  
stared at each other and then Elladan took  
Legolas’ face into his hands and kissed him on  
the lips, lingering as he did, the thunderstruck  
boy standing as a statue all the while.  
 
He sighed, staring at Legolas, at the beauty  
he held in his hands and he felt fire pooling  
in his gut. Stepping back, sucking in a deep  
cleansing breath, he turned and climbed back  
out the window he came from. Legolas watched  
him go without a sound and then ran to the  
window, peering out. No one was there. He  
touched his lips, licking them and then he  
moved back inside, sitting on the bed in  
confusion. 
 
He was in a strange house, the house of his  
father’s enemy, working for him, disappointing  
and pleasing him with equal facility and now  
the son, Elladan he supposed, of his father’s  
enemy had kissed him. He was churning with  
confusion and mixed emotions. He longed to  
speak with his mother. Lying back on his bed,  
a pillow clutched in his arms, he considered  
his situation.  
 
He was confused, upset and hungry. In that  
order. 
 
***Two days later ... 
 
Elrohir watched as Legolas walked to the  
greenhouse, following Erestor on some errand 
or two. It had been two days since Elladan  
had made a visit but it had hit some well  
defined truth in the youngster. They had not  
had time to be together but from the awkward  
glances and tension at table, they had scored.  
 
Something. 
 
What it meant, he wasn’t clear about. Legolas  
was still as comfortable around their father  
as ever. He just wasn’t comfortable around  
them. It was all too confusing. Stable detail  
left little time for reflection and as he  
stood near the paddock, he watched Legolas  
disappear into the building beyond. 
 
Elladan led out a horse, curry comb in  
hand. He glanced at the greenhouse,  
looking at his brother with a questioning  
gaze. “What?” 
 
“He went in there with Erestor.” 
 
Elladan sighed. “I think we need to pull  
away from this mischief. All we can do  
is make things more muddled.” 
 
“He is feeling something, this I know.” 
 
“From your *vast experience*?” Elladan  
replied sarcastically, combing the muscular  
rump of a gray horse.  
 
Elrohir turned, eyeing him with a bemused  
gaze. “You still haven’t told me what it  
was like kissing the son of Thranduil on  
the mouth.” 
 
“And I don’t intend to.” Elladan walked to  
the other side of the horse. “I may be a  
lot of things but I don’t kiss anyone and  
tell the tale.” 
 
“That is a lie,” Elrohir retorted, moving to 
stand on the side of the horse opposite his  
brother. “You had me stand in for you with  
that girl from the Havens. You had me actually  
take your place.” 
 
“That’s different,” Elladan replied defensively.  
“I had to be elsewhere.” 
 
“With the boy from the coast. You are a fraud,”  
Elrohir said smugly. “You give the facade of  
decency but underneath you are as big a pig as  
I am.” 
 
“No one is that big, brother,” Elladan countered,  
a smile growing on his face. “Tell me, what  
happened between you and her.” 
 
“Who?” Elrohir asked, grinning devilishly. 
 
Elladan sighed and stared at him pointedly.  
Elrohir chuckled and leaned in closer. “You  
really should have stayed. She was a rousing  
woman if I say so myself.” 
 
Elladan sighed. “Well, at least *someone* had  
some fun that day,” he said, the images of a  
strangely chaste youngster filling his mind. 
 
Elrohir snorted and turned, watching as Legolas  
and Erestor walked from the greenhouse, baskets  
of vegetables and flowers in their arms. Legolas  
looked at them and diverted his gaze almost  
immediately. They walked back to the house and  
disappeared into it. Elrohir sighed. 
 
“He is very pretty,” he said, glancing over  
at his brother. “It must have been very nice  
kissing those fancy lips.” 
 
Elladan sighed, pausing his hand. “It was.” 
 
***Later that night ... 
 
The knock on his door caught his attention and  
he turned, opening it. Surprised by his visitor,  
he stepped aside and allowed Lord Elrond to  
enter. Moving to the window, he turned and  
looked at the painfully neat room of the  
youngster. He smiled. 
 
“You are no longer confined to your room.” 
 
“I know, my lord. I am just ...” 
 
“Yes?” Elrond asked, sitting in a chair as  
the young man sat on the bed. 
 
“I am unsettled.” 
 
“In what way? My vexation at your behavior  
has long since passed. Your work is given  
great accolades by those who share it with  
you.” 
 
Legolas smiled, chancing a glance at the great  
man before him. Elrond’s face was gentle and  
kind, a good face Legolas thought for a  
fleeting moment. He sighed, folding his hands  
together. 
 
“I am unsettled by someone else, my Lord.  
I don’t know their intentions.” 
 
“Perhaps telling me can help you sort out  
what they desire?” Elrond coaxed. 
 
Legolas thought a moment and then nodded. 
“I am not sure what they want. I thought  
they hated me.” He looked at Elrond. “At  
least I thought he did until he kissed me.” 
 
Elrond blinked, considering Legolas’ words.  
“Kissed you? Someone in my household?” 
 
Legolas looked up, caught by the tone of  
his Lord’s voice. “I ... I shouldn’t have  
spoken.” 
 
“No,” Elrond gestured, catching himself.  
“It is well you did. You are my responsibility.  
All of you is, your emotions as well as your  
health and well-being. You can tell me thus.  
I will help you sort through it for some kind  
of sense.” 
 
Legolas took a deep cleansing breath and  
then nodded. Blushing slightly, the unease  
coming back, he began. “Elladan kissed me.” 
 
Elrond blinked, burying with an iron will  
his surprise. “My son? Elladan?” 
 
“Yes, my Lord. I was as surprised as you.” 
 
Elrond nodded, licking suddenly dry lips.  
“Well ... what are your feelings about this?” 
 
Legolas shrugged. “I am not sure. I am  
confused. From one moment of being my enemy  
to wishing to make love to me ... I don’t  
know what to make of it.” 
 
Elrond considered his words and nodded. “Nor  
do I. What do you wish of this encounter?  
More?” 
 
Legolas looked at him, confusion in his eyes.  
“I know not.” 
 
Nor do I, Elrond considered in his thoughts.  
“It would appear that perhaps you have chance  
infatuated my son. It is not unlikely because  
I will say that you are nearly perfect in your  
beauty, Legolas. I would be lying if I didn’t  
say so. My son could be moonstruck by this  
fact.”  
 
Legolas looked at Elrond, the words he  
had just spoken spinning around in his  
head. He considered his own words and  
found none. He stared at the older man  
silently.  
 
Elrond sighed. “I would sleep on it. And I  
would hope that this will not prevent you  
from the full pleasure of my household and  
from me the pleasure of your company.” 
 
Legolas nodded, watching as the tall older  
man rose. Elrond paused a moment as if  
wanting to say something more and then  
reached out and squeezed Legolas’ shoulder.  
“Good night, Green Leaf,” he said quietly.  
 
With that, he turned and walked to the door,  
leaving as silently as he had come. Legolas  
stared at the door for a long time before  
finally lying down to sleep. 
 
***Nearby ... 
 
Elrond stared at his book, the page unread  
for many minutes. Elladan was interested in  
the youngster. For a moment he had been  
struck numb and now that the shock had warn  
off, he felt the prickling pain of anxiety  
permeate him. He didn’t know why, not at  
least consciously, but he felt pangs of  
unease and regret flowing through him. 
 
Elladan wanted the youngster. That should have  
not been a surprise. What was the shock of the  
moment for him was how much it bothered him  
that he did. For it was at that moment that  
the great Lord of Imladris, Master Elrond of  
Rivendell felt the first shards of love enter  
his heart in a very, very long time. 
 
************************************************ 
c2002 Jan. 19 ]:> TBC 
************************************************

************************************************ 
Title: Fortunate Son <6/?> 
Author: Arctapus, Helmboy, ]:> 
Codes: LOTR, Many, R and Up, Non-Au 
Post: Appropriate places 
Disclaimer: This story is mine. The world isn't.  
I imply no copyright infringement by using it. 
 
See part one for all other information. Thank you. 
************************************************ 
 
Word came and he issued orders. He would be gone  
for a week. Moving about his study, Elrond  
considered what he would need and what order the  
house would manage without his presence. Celeborn  
had issued an invitation to come to the wood and  
meet with him. Ethereal presence that he was,  
Elrond loved him like a father.  
 
He walked from his study and down the corridor,  
heading out to the barn where he knew his sons  
were working. Many people had come through the  
area and he had given most of them shelter in  
his house. Their horses had to be tended and he  
suppressed a grin at the usual exclamation of  
surprise visitors would give when a prince took  
their horses away. 
 
/... a king is a worthless thing without humility  
.../  
 
The words came to him unbidden and the face and  
shy smile of his squire as well. They had begun  
to work together, Elrond instructing him on such  
esoterica as records management, keeping a  
personal journal, problem solving, caring for  
all manner of catastrophes and learning the fine  
game of chess. It had thunderstruck him that  
Legolas had no knowledge of the game. A king  
could only benefit from such a past time he  
considered, stepping out into the sunlight of the  
back courtyard. 
 
Elladan was unsaddling a new horse and Elrohir  
was working on a bridle. They looked up and  
grinned, their angst already disappearing with  
their sense of shame. 
 
"How go the wars?" he asked, leaning on the  
fence. 
 
"Ask me in a week," Elladan said ruefully. "You  
wouldn’t need a horse handler on the ride to  
Lothlorien would you?" 
 
Elrond grinned. "Not likely." 
 
Elladan sighed and paused, rubbing a towel on the  
horse’s back.  
 
"How long will you be gone?" Elrohir asked. 
 
"Several days. Lord Glorfindel has discretionary  
powers over your penance. He’s much more firm in  
the business of penalties in the matter of you  
two than I am." 
 
"We know," Elladan said. 
 
"I wish to discuss with you the matter of our  
young squire." 
 
They both stopped and turned to him, bland looks  
of interest on both their faces. Elrond sighed. 
 
"I am going to say to you that if any mischief  
befalls him while I am gone, I will take it as  
a personal reproach to me." 
 
"Father, I’m wounded," Elrohir replied, a slight  
frown on his face. "He is become like a brother  
to us." 
 
Elrond shot his son a baleful look. Elrohir blinked  
and looked at Elrohir. "He *has*," he said emotionally. 
 
"A brother? I am told by a little bird that one of  
you has interest in him that goes beyond brotherhood." 
 
Elladan glanced at Elrohir, blinking. "One of us?" 
 
Elrond nodded, looking from one to the other. "I would  
think that you would take care with his heart. He is  
young and an easy target for mischief. I would be sorely 
disappointed if one of you trifled with his heart." 
 
Elladan cleared his throat. "If what your little bird  
says is true, what so? Would it disturb you to know  
such things ... if they are so?" 
 
Elrond considered his words. "It would disturb me if  
they were of frivolous intent. He is the son of a  
king and a man who is in deep dislike of me and mine.  
For you to take advantage of his son while he is in  
the care of my service, then it would disturb me  
greatly." 
 
Elladan nodded. "We hear your words." 
 
"Good," Elrond said, patting the horse on the rump.  
"I will be gone for a time but return as soon as  
possible. You are all to keep the same schedule of  
service until I return. I want to know that I have  
your word on these matters." 
 
Both boys looked at each other and then their  
father, nodding. "You have it," they said together. 
 
Elrond smiled and turned, walking to the house.  
Elladan sighed and looked sourly at his brother.  
 
"You and your ideas. We are now out of Father’s  
favor. He trusts us not." 
 
"You overreact as usual," Elrohir said, turning back  
to his work. "He’s just being careful with the prince.  
By the by, tell me ... what more do you plan for  
Green Leaf?" 
 
"What do you mean, bore?" Elladan said with a  
slightly haughty air. 
 
"You *know* what I mean. You want him. Say so and be  
done with it." 
 
Elladan looked at his brother with a mixture of  
disgust and pity. "Do you always think with your  
gonads or is there a possibility that you can  
understand melme at some point in time often  
doesn’t require nakedness and rutting like a pig?" 
 
"You quote Quenya like you know what you’re talking  
about and what a facade that is. Don’t quote dense  
languages to me to gild your true desires. You want  
Legolas and you act as if that matters not. I know  
better. You *know* I know *you*." 
 
Elladan sighed dramatically and turned to his task.  
"Whatever you wish to believe, I care not." 
 
Elrohir snickered and carried the bridle to a hook  
inside the barn. He knew there was something going  
on with Elladan, no matter how little and he was  
determined to be there when it grew. 
 
***In the corridor outside of the study ... 
 
Elrond walked to the door of his rooms, prepared to  
leave when he saw Legolas standing nearby, a forlorn  
figure all told. Elrond smiled and gestured him to  
come, the boy crossing the distance between them  
slowly.  
 
"I have to go now. I will be gone only a few days.  
Erestor and Glorfindel have your care in hand." 
 
Legolas nodded, his eyes sad. "Good travels." 
 
Elrond squeezed Legolas’ shoulder and nodded.  
"Thank you, Legolas." 
 
For a moment they didn’t say more and then Legolas  
hugged him, hugging Elrond’s neck tightly. Elrond  
dropped his satchel and hugged him back, holding  
the tall slim boy as he was held. It felt good, he  
considered, the form of the youngster very compelling  
and then it was over as Legolas let go and stepped  
back awkwardly. He reached down and took Elrond’s  
bag into his hands, looking at him with a pale  
expression. 
 
"I’ll carry this to your horse, my Lord." 
 
Elrond looked at him, at his beautiful sad face and  
nodded, a slight smile on his own. They walked  
together, down the stairs and into the front corridor  
toward the courtyard beyond where horses and riders  
waited.  
 
Elrond paused by his, taking the bag from Legolas’  
hands and placed it over the rump of his horse. He  
fastened it, turning and squeezing Legolas’ arm,  
gifting him with a smile. Legolas smiled back,  
momentarily lifted from his sadness and watched as  
the lord of the manor effortlessly mounted his horse.  
He turned and smiled, waving to Legolas, Erestor,  
Glorfindel and his sons and then, with his guard  
about him, rode through the gate to the bigger  
world beyond.  
 
Legolas watched him go with a rising sense of loss,  
the comfort of the house around him lessened by  
several magnitudes. He turned and paused, catching  
the gaze of Elladan and then he continued onward,  
entering the house and his chores once more. 
 
***Late that night ... 
 
Elladan stood in the light of the window, one removed  
from Legolas’ room. He considered why he was here,  
unbeknownst to his younger brother and decided that  
he was moonstruck for the beautiful boy next door.  
He had been smacked in the face by love before,  
usually by a well turned ankle or a beautiful smile  
but this felt different. Of course it probably  
wasn’t his logical mind argued. It just felt so.  
 
Sighing, he leaned out and saw that the window next  
door was opened. He climbed out and moved closer,  
entering the room silently. He looked around, noting  
that it was empty and he turned walking back to the  
window to leave. It was then that he saw two very  
blue eyes staring at him, eyes framed by golden hair.  
He paused and smiled, leaning his elbows on the  
window sill. 
 
"There you are." 
 
Legolas sat in the tree, leaning against the trunk  
and nodded. "I am here." 
 
"You wood elves, I hear you’re a strange lot." 
 
Legolas smiled and leaned forward, meeting Elladan’s  
gaze directly. "I hear Noldor are a queer lot." 
 
Elladan smiled in spite of himself. "It seems lonely  
sitting out there. Why not come in and share some  
company with me." 
 
Legolas sighed and looked at the moon, its sliver  
of light weak in the darkness. "It is rather dark  
out here." 
 
"It is. Come down here." 
 
Legolas sat a moment and then he moved, slipping  
back inside easily. He turned and met Elladan’s gaze,  
the older boy mesmerized by his beauty. He reached  
out and ran the back of his fingers down Legolas’  
cheek, his jaw line and down his neck, the softness  
of his skin alluring.  
 
"Would it be treason for me to say that you are  
beautiful?" he whispered. 
 
Legolas smiled slightly. "Treacherous to think good  
of a wood elf, who I am told are a strange lot." 
 
Elladan smiled, chuckling. "You are. And I mean that  
in the best way." 
 
He leaned in and kissed Legolas, the younger boy not  
moving. Elladan nipped at his lower lip, the sensation  
of softness rushing straight to his groin. He slipped  
his arms around Legolas’ waist, the younger boy  
slipping his around Elladan’s neck. He pulled him  
close, kissing him with more passion as Legolas slowly  
began to respond.  
 
He sighed, rubbing his cheek against Legolas’. It was  
soft and refined, just like the youngster and he kissed  
him again, the sensations of desire rising through him  
like a brush fire. He moved backward in the general  
direction of the bed and by the time he reached it,  
his hand was down the back of Legolas’ pants. He  
squeezed firm flesh, cool to his touch and then  
turned, pressing the youngster down onto his own bed. 
 
He was throbbing in every corner of his body and  
psyche as he shifted, staring into Legolas’ face.  
The youngster’s face was flushed, his eyes dreamy  
and Elladan felt a twitch in his gut that felt  
painful. He kissed Legolas again, feeling strong  
hands thread through his hair and then the sound  
of knocking pierced the dense fog of his lust- 
filled brain. 
 
He paused, his body plastered along the length of  
Legolas, the two of them entwined on the bed together.  
The knocking continued and he rose, nearly growling  
with frustration. Legolas rose, pulling his shirt  
together once more and watched as Elladan limped to  
the window and climbed out.  
 
He turned and walked to the door, smoothing his hair  
as he did. He opened it and met the smiling face of  
Glorfindel.  
 
"My lord," he said surprised.  
 
Glorfindel smiled. "Lord Elrond asked me to continue  
with your studies of chess. I was wondering if you  
were up for a game?" 
 
Legolas hesitated, staring around his room and then  
conceded defeat. "I would be glad to learn what you  
can teach me, Lord Glorfindel." 
 
"Good," he said, stepping aside and letting the boy  
past him. He hesitated and then walked across the  
room, peering out the window at the youngster  
standing on the ledge, plastered against the wall.  
Grinning broadly, he chuckled. "Nice night, don’t  
you think, Elladan?" 
 
The youngster looked down at his father’s best friend  
and groaned, closing his eyes in dismay. 
 
"You should really come inside. Standing out here in  
such a disheveled manner, you could catch a cold." 
 
With a snicker, he turned and walked across the room,  
gathering his charge and walking to the study where  
the chess game was set up. Outside on the ledge,  
Elladan of Rivendell cursed all the gods he knew.  
With effort and will, he crept back inside and closed  
his window behind him. 
 
***In the study ... 
 
They played games, Glorfindel explaining strategy and  
the psychology of Lord Elrond’s game style to the apt  
youngster in front of him. He was aware of much,  
knowing that the interest that Elrond had in the boy  
was growing. Elrohir had articulated hat he sensed  
early on, even before Elrond himself had noticed. He  
was aware of the interest that Elladan had in the  
youngster too, the handsome boy drawing more than his  
share of interested glances. 
 
He found himself in the middle of a conundrum, which  
side to choose in this game a perplexing thing and so  
he took it upon himself for the duration of Elrond’s  
absence to not only shelter the youngster from the  
attention of others but to find out what he could  
about Legolas and his own feelings. 
 
"You are very fast in learning this game. You play a  
bold hand." 
 
Legolas smiled, pleased with the compliment. "I had  
no knowledge of it until Lord Elrond graciously began  
to instruct me." 
 
"Lord Elrond has patience even the rocks don’t have,"  
Glorfindel replied. "His sons are evidence of that." 
 
Legolas smiled, glancing up at the handsome man  
before him. "They are different." 
 
"You have brothers yourself?" 
 
"I have two. They are very busy. They help my father  
rule our domain." 
 
Glorfindel nodded. "It must be nice having brothers.  
The family tie must never be underestimated." 
 
"I don’t see them much and they don’t have much time  
for me. I guess what you say must be true." 
 
Glorfindel looked up, catching a shadow of sadness on  
the lovely landscape of Legolas’ face. It disturbed  
him. "Lord Elrond likes your company very much." 
 
"He takes time to ask after me. I like that. It  
surprises me that he does, a man with his burden  
of cares." 
 
"Lord Elrond is a man of firm mind. He likes what  
he likes and he likes you." 
 
A flush crept up Legolas’ neck as he made his move,  
putting Glorfindel into check. Glorfindel studied  
the board, his options fading as he did. 
 
"What say you? Do you love anyone, Legolas?"  
 
Blue eyes met his, eyes filled with emotions. "I  
don’t know, my Lord. There are those that want me  
and maybe one that I want. I have no clear idea of  
what is the best path to take." 
 
Glorfindel nodded. "That is often the way of love.  
It’s a serpent sometimes. You hold onto the tail  
and hope it won’t bite you to death." 
 
Legolas nodded, counter moving against Glorfindel.  
"Check and checkmate," he said, sitting back in  
triumph. 
 
Glorfindel chuckled and tipped his queen, dead in  
the water. He looked at the boy and sighed. 
 
"Don’t make in haste a decision you will regret.  
Penance is a lonely business." 
 
Legolas considered his words and nodded. "Sometimes  
just living is a lonely business, my Lord, but  
since I have come here I feel better." 
 
Glorfindel smiled. "That makes my heart glad.  
Another game?" 
 
Legolas nodded, picking up his pieces. As he put  
them on the board, Glorfindel chose his side.  
 
************************************************ 
c2002 Jan. 19 ]:> TBC 
************************************************

************************************************ 
Title: Fortunate Son <7/?> 
Author: Arctapus, Helmboy, ]:> 
Codes: LOTR, Many, R and Up, Non-Au 
Post: Appropriate places 
Disclaimer: This story is mine. The world isn't.  
I imply no copyright infringement by using it. 
 
See part one for all other information. Thank you. 
************************************************ 
 
Two days later ... 
 
He watched them play, kicking the ball back and  
forth and he studied their movements, trying to  
sort out how the game worked. It appeared that one  
used their feet to kick the ball past an apposing  
team and over a line in the stones that marked a  
boundary for goals. It was so at each end of the  
square and during a lull in the game while a boy  
chased the ball, Elrohir jogged over and bade him  
hello. 
 
"Join us," he said, tugging on Legolas' arm. 
 
Legolas demurred, shaking his head. "I don't know  
how to play." 
 
"We'll show you. We are one short. You can be that  
one." 
 
Legolas followed Elrohir over to where Elladan  
stood, nodding to him. Elladan nodded back,  
smiling and turned to his brother. "We now have  
matched teams." 
 
At that point, the other boys came over, all of  
them dark haired and tall. One of them had cool  
gray eyes and looked at Legolas with barely  
contained contempt. 
 
"So the Prince of Mirkwood deigns to play ball  
with the peasants?" 
 
Elladan turned and glared at the boy, drawing his  
eye away from the hateful stare of Legolas. "Are  
you going to play or just talk?" 
 
The boy glanced at Legolas and then Elladan,  
tossing him the ball. "We're going to defeat  
you like you've never been defeated before." 
 
They moved back and Elladan turned to his brother  
and Legolas, pulling them close around him. "We  
have to annihilate them. Our honor is at stake." 
 
"Whose honor?" Legolas asked, anger in his voice  
as he glanced at the three boys waiting.  
 
"Both Rivendell and Mirkwood. We have to defend  
our countries," Elladan said, his eyes holding  
Legolas'.  
 
Legolas nodded and moved to where he was shown by  
Elrohir. Then Elladan kicked the ball to the other  
side. The game began and shouts and rushing feet  
filled the air with sound. People passing by  
stopped to watch and on a balcony overlooking the  
square, Glorfindel sat humming to himself as he  
followed the lightening quick movements below. 
 
He heard footsteps, taking a glass of refreshment  
from Erestor as the other man joined him. "What  
goes here?" 
 
"Behold," Glorfindel replied, sweeping his hand  
grandly as he propped his feet up on the low  
border before him. "A re-enactment of the Last  
Alliance of Elves and Men." 
 
"Where are the men?" Erestor asked blandly,  
eyeing his partner with amusement.  
 
"You have to suspend reality for a moment, my  
friend," Glorfindel said with a chuckle. "On  
one side you have the good forces, us." He  
pointed at Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas, who  
were working together to make the first point.  
They scored and howled, jumping back as the  
other team, maddened and embarrassed, chased  
them with the ball.  
 
"And the other side?" Erestor asked. 
 
"That is the side of all that is evil and cruel.  
Of course, it looks like us but here is where  
you suspend disbelief. Consider them all  
minions of the Dark Lord." 
 
"You utter that name here?" Erestor asked,  
surprised. 
 
"Metaphorically speaking, yes," Glorfindel said,  
watching as Legolas crashed into a wall, nudged  
by a boy from the forces of evil. He watched,  
waiting, noting that Elladan pulled him up while  
Elrohir engaged the miscreant in heated argument  
nose-to-nose. "Note that they tripped our golden  
prince, a tactic not allowed in this game if I  
am familiar with the rules." 
 
"Ah, a tactic of the forces of evil," Erestor  
agreed, grinning broadly. 
 
"Exactly," Glorfindel replied, smiling. "In the  
end our side will win. Probably. The opposing  
team will suffer the crushing humiliation of  
defeat. Maybe. It's all in the hands of fate." 
 
Erestor snorted and sighed. "I love the way you  
think. Right now, it looks like our side is  
getting the breeches beaten off them." 
 
Elladan missed his shot and they fell back,  
blocking a shot from the other side. As they  
moved to set up again, the tall sullen  
opposition boy elbowed Legolas in the back. He  
cried out and fell to his knees, holding his  
side in pain. Elrohir moved to him and then  
turned on the tall boy, Elladan holding him  
back with effort. 
 
The others moved back, staring at the three  
without remorse and both boys turned and helped  
Legolas to his feet. 
 
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea," Elladan  
said, touching Legolas' back gingerly. 
 
Legolas winced and straightened with effort.  
"No. We play and we play to win." 
 
Elrohir smiled and glanced at the others. "If  
they want to play rough, we give them what  
they want. Agreed?" 
 
The others looked at Elrohir and then the three  
at the other end. Legolas nodded and then  
Elladan agreed, all three turning back to the  
game. They kicked off and when the other team  
got near, elbows flew and kicks were had. The  
other team missed on their scoring attempt. 
 
"Right now, they are winning the day. Just  
like in the past," Glorfindel said, watching  
intently, wincing as the forces of evil scored  
a point on the backside of Elrohir. 
 
"Yes, Glorfindel, but I distinctly remember that  
a lot of people died doing this such thing. I  
think we shall require lots of bag balm tonight,"  
Erestor said, flinching as Elladan punched a boy  
in the side, stealing the ball away. 
 
Glorfindel snorted, laughing out loud, watching  
as Legolas shoved past a blocker and scored.  
The boy shoved aside came at him and it looked  
like a free-for-all would erupt but the two  
sides split up, moving to regroup once more. 
 
"I should compose something to honor this moment,"  
Glorfindel said, smiling broadly as Elrohir laid  
an opponent out on the ground on his drive to  
score. "Perhaps something along the lines of a  
dirge." 
 
"Funerary? Nice touch from what I'm watching," he  
said, sipping his drink. He propped his feet up,  
sighing. "This beats working anytime." 
 
Glorfindel snickered. "The Master of the House  
should go more often?" 
 
"You didn't hear it from me." 
 
Below them, squaring off, punches were traded and  
the ball game resumed, all sides tied. 
 
***Lothlorien ... 
 
They had discussed business and then Celeborn asked  
Elrond to accompany him on his evening stroll. They  
walked together, the dark sky twinkling overhead and  
the big trees protecting them against any dangers in  
the night.  
 
Elrond enjoyed moments like this, when he could talk  
to Celeborn about anything and everything on his  
mind. His father-in-law was a very interesting man,  
a man who could fight, create, and woo and win the  
heart of a very strong-willed and sought-after woman  
like Galadriel.  
 
Celeborn was ethereal, a man caught in the cusp  
between reality and the next dimension and so his  
manner was strange to those unused to him. He was  
farseeing and intuitive, aware of things beyond  
reason and aware of the hearts of others. 
 
Walking with him always included an inventory of  
Elrond's psyche. It was a challenge to be with  
Celeborn, one he savored, intellectual to  
intellectual. 
 
"You are happy?" Celeborn asked, peering at Elrond  
for a second. 
 
"I am," Elrond said, meaning it. "My children are  
interesting, my country secure and I am fostering  
a challenging but intelligent and many talented  
boy." 
 
"Ah, Legolas," Celeborn replied, nodding. "It is  
good for that one to have a breadth of experience.  
His household has other priorities for their  
children, not at all in keeping with the demands  
of a modern day prince. Thranduil is a traditional  
man and that is to be admired but his interest in  
luxury and riches blinds him to the finer things  
of the world. Travel, education, all of it well  
makes a good mind and Legolas from what I can  
discern has a very good mind indeed." 
 
"He does. I am teaching him chess." 
 
"Very good, Elrond," Celeborn replied. He turned  
and stopped, affixing Elrond with his beautiful  
eyes. They were never-ending in their depth, eyes  
that had seen much and they fixed on him now,  
waiting for a revealing moment in the silent  
figure they viewed. "You have not spoken of your  
own self, your heart. I have been at pains to  
find out where stand you. Your happiness does  
not include another for whom you may share your  
thoughts and your love?" 
 
Elrond shook his head, holding the direct gaze  
with effort. "You ask each time and I tell you  
the same. I have much to occupy my time and  
energy. Another would make it difficult." 
 
"And being alone ... it is not difficult?" Celeborn  
asked, resuming walking again, his hands clasped  
behind his back. 
 
"It is known," Elrond replied. "I know the ways of  
it and it is enough for now." 
 
"My daughter ... few loved a child the way my wife  
and I did her. We were glad that you married her,  
giving her love and security. She was our only  
one and we wanted everything for her. You did  
that for her and we will love you forever because 
she loved you and for your goodness to her. The  
children you shared, boys and a girl, they are  
our treasure." 
 
Elrond nodded, slipping his hand through Celeborn's  
arm. "They are an interesting mix but in all very  
wonderful." 
 
"They are," Celeborn agreed. "My daughter is long gone  
and who knows how many ages until the day we can all  
be reunited. How many ages will you wait until you  
find your way again?" 
 
"My Lord," Elrond began as Celeborn halted. He raised  
a hand, silencing Elrond. 
 
"You have no idea how much we miss our daughter. We  
know that your heart has known much sorrow. Your  
sons hunt orcs like dogs hunt fleas, searching them  
out of their holes and lairs because of her suffering.  
We have discussed this a long time, my Lady and I and  
we wish you to know that we give you our leave to seek  
love again." 
 
Elrond stared at him, silenced by his words. Celeborn  
stared into the sky, the weak light of the moon  
casting a halo around the silver of his hair. A  
thousand ghosts surrounded them, men and women long  
gone and when Celeborn turned to walk on, Elrond felt  
every one of them. He slipped his hand through  
Celeborn's arm as they walked into the night and  
their conversation. 
 
***Elsewhere ... 
 
"Sit still." 
 
Glorfindel staunched the blood flow and put a plaster  
on the cut. The swelling over Elrohir's eye would take  
a while to come down, even with the ministrations of  
both himself, Erestor and a local healer.  
 
Legolas rubbed his knee, the dent of another's boot  
still visible below it and the black of his eye ever  
increasing. Elladan groaned as he rose from the table,  
tugging his tunic back down. They were battered and  
bruised, blood-stained and woebegone but they were  
also victorious. 
 
They thanked their benefactors and limped away,  
heading for their rooms to lie down. It had been a 
melee at the end, any pretense of sportsmanship  
going by the wayside. The walkways and balconies  
were lined with people cheering their favorite  
side as they beat each other up from one end of  
the courtyard to the other. 
 
In the end, the forces of light triumphed over  
the forces of darkness and the Second Alliance  
of Elves and half-men prevailed once again. The  
other side lost with ill grace and the catcalls  
they gave each other echoed off the walls.  
Legolas, supported by Elladan made it to the exit  
before Glorfindel liberated him. 
 
Dinner would be soon and they would be expected  
to attend, battered or no. Climbing the stairs  
was difficult and as he entered his room, Legolas  
headed for this bed, lying down stiffly on the  
covers. The door opened and Elladan entered,  
sitting on the bedside, his hand resting on  
Legolas' leg. 
 
"How do you feel?" he asked, rubbing his jaw  
where it was tender. 
 
"Victorious," Legolas said, rubbing his face with  
his hands.  
 
"That was the best part." 
 
"They don't play this game this way normally do  
they," Legolas stated, rather than asked. 
 
Elladan shook his head. "Not normally." 
 
"It was because of me," Legolas said, his voice  
bitter. "It was because of my name and because  
I'm from Mirkwood." 
 
"No," Elladan said, his hand sliding up to rest  
on Legolas' thigh. "It was because they are  
simple wits." 
 
Legolas sighed. "Simple wits you say." 
 
"I say so," Elladan said, moving to sit closer.  
He leaned down and kissed Legolas, sliding his  
hand even higher. He rested it on Legolas'  
crotch, the shape beneath his hand more than  
pleasing. Legolas sighed against Elladan's  
lips, his eyes dreamy once again. Elladan  
fell into joy just staring and then he sat  
up, reality intruding with the pain and  
stiffness of his body. "I want you but I  
think I've broken everything I need to make  
it happen." 
 
Legolas snorted, smiling even against the pain  
in his jaw. "Everything?"  
 
"Well ... maybe not *everything*," Elladan said,  
leaning down again. 
 
"Dinner time," a cheery voice said from near  
the door.  
 
They both turned and looked, noting Glorfindel's  
form leaning against the doorjamb. Elladan sighed  
and rose slowly, moving even slower to the door  
and the hallway beyond. Glorfindel moved closer,  
smiling at Legolas.  
 
"Need a hand up?" he asked. 
 
Legolas sighed and nodded, offering a hand. He  
rose slowly, groaning as he stood. Then with the  
steadying hand of Glorfindel behind him, he limped  
out the doorway to dinner. 
 
***In Lothlorien ... 
 
He stood looking at the sky, at the brief snatches  
he could see. He located his star and then gave  
his mind over to other things, to the generosity  
of his in-laws and to the loneliness that had  
shaped him these many years. 
 
In his house was someone who made him feel young  
again. The thought of it made him wince, the idea  
of him leaching the youth from a youngster almost  
more pathetic than he cared to articulate. Yet  
so it was. Legolas was young, still forming and  
very beautiful. Did he love the boy or was he  
bewitched by his beauty and his need for someone  
to notice him?  
 
Elrond couldn't say. He just knew he wanted to be  
home, to walk with Legolas again and to find out  
what his days entailed. He enjoyed that immensely,  
his amusing company and the beauty as well. That  
part held him captive.  
 
/... just like Elladan .../ 
 
He sighed and considered the totality of the boy.  
It was in the doing of it that he felt the flickers  
of his emerging emotions fan themselves a little.  
The son of his worst enemy was someone he devoted  
much thinking to and as he did, he realized that  
it couldn't end but ill. 
 
************************************************ 
c2002 Jan. 19 ]:> TBC 
************************************************

************************************************ 
Title: Fortunate Son <8/?> 
Author: Arctapus, Helmboy, ]:> 
Codes: LOTR, Many, R and Up, Non-Au 
Post: Appropriate places 
Disclaimer: This story is mine. The world isn't.  
I imply no copyright infringement by using it. 
 
See part one for all other information. Thank you. 
************************************************ 
 
He rode in three days later, accompanied by the  
contingent of Rivendell Elves that were his guard.  
He dismounted, handing off his horse and walked to  
the door of his house, saddle bags in hand. He  
entered, staring around the lovely interior and  
it occurred to him that it was as unchanged as  
ever. In all the thousands of years he had lived  
here, little had changed in any substantial way. 
 
He sighed and climbed the stairs, his eyes open  
for the one he wanted to see most and when he  
reached his study, he was slightly depressed at  
not catching a glimpse of Legolas. Tossing his  
bags on a chair, he unfastened his cloak after  
shucking his bow and quiver. 
 
It joined the bag and as he turned, he paused, a  
smile crossing his face unbidden. Standing in the  
doorway, silent as a ghost, Legolas watched him.  
He sighed deeply. "Good morrow." 
 
"Good morrow, my Lord," Legolas said in a hushed  
voice. "Welcome home." 
 
A warmth like honey filled him and he smiled. "It  
is good to be home. You are well?" 
 
"I am," he replied. Moving closer, he hesitated  
and then turned, gathering Elrond's weapons, his  
bow and quiver and his sword and belt. He turned  
and smiled, his eyes shining. "I'll take care of  
your baggage." 
 
Elrond nodded, noting a fading black eye, and  
watched as Legolas turned, walking toward the  
bedroom with his things. In the doorway,  
grinning broadly, Glorfindel stood watching as  
well.  
 
"Welcome home, my Lord." 
 
Elrond smiled and nodded. "What news of home? I  
am curious about his black eye."  
 
Glorfindel smiled, visions of the ball game  
coming unbidden. "They were all busy at separate  
endeavors during the time of your absence. They  
have all been good boys. Mostly." 
 
"The eye?" 
 
Glorfindel smiled. "A ball game with others gone  
awry. Nothing too worrisome." 
 
Elrond chuckled, relief filling him and he turned,  
moving to the balcony beyond. He filled his lungs  
with fresh air, leaning his hands on the railing.  
"It is good to be home. I must tell you, all the  
news isn't good. There is orc activity near the  
great wood. Orcs are creating mischief and there  
is news that they swarm in great numbers." 
 
"That isn't good," Glorfindel agreed, his  
expression serious at the news. "Is that why Lord  
Celeborn asked your presence?" 
 
"Partly." Elrond sighed. "Partly that and other  
things. It appears that King Thranduil is nearby  
and would like his son with him a few days. He  
would then return him to my care once he passed  
by." 
 
Glorfindel looked at him, measuring Elrond's mood.  
"What say you of this?" 
 
"He is the son of Thranduil. Even though it is not  
a proper thing to come to Legolas at this point  
in his fostering, I cannot deny a man access to  
his child." 
 
Glorfindel nodded. "Celeborn had to tell you? Isn't  
it customary for a lord to seek leave of another  
for various purposes by direct contact in some  
fashion ... a messenger or such?" 
 
"Thranduil doesn't feel so, evidently," Elrond  
conceded, turning and noting for the first moment  
that Legolas was standing in the doorway. He  
straightened and smiled, gesturing the youngster  
into the room. "Legolas, good news. Your father  
is nearby and seeks your company for a few days." 
 
Legolas stared at him and nodded, his expression  
unchanged. "When, my Lord?" he asked. 
 
Elrond looked at him, at the lack of response to  
supposedly good news and replied, "Tomorrow to be  
exact. He will send riders to fetch you." 
 
"How long will I stay with him?" he asked, a  
slight note of distress in his voice. 
 
"For three days," Elrond replied, noting the  
change.  
 
Legolas nodded and sighed. "Can I do more for you,  
my Lord?" 
 
Elrond smiled and shook his head. "You have done  
much already." 
 
Legolas nodded and turned, walking out of the room  
and onward to other things. They watched him go and  
then Glorfindel turned to him, a slight grin on  
his face. 
 
"That went over well." 
 
Elrond snorted and turned, watching as the youngster  
crossed the courtyard below. He stared at him, at  
his golden hair and his graceful form. He walked to  
the stable and disappeared, reappearing with Elrond's  
own horse. Legolas began to groom him, working the  
fatigue and trail dust out of the stallion and  
Elrond smiled. This was the job of someone else and  
Legolas was taking it up himself. He wondered what  
it might mean between them. 
 
Glorfindel watched, the implications of Elrond's  
thoughts clear on his face. In an unguarded moment  
his suspicions were confirmed and he made a silent  
vow to ensure that the possibilities that Elrond  
so clearly longed for had every chance to come to  
fruition.  
 
"He's a remarkable boy," Glorfindel said quietly. 
 
"Yes ... he is," Elrond said dreamily. For a moment  
there was nothing more and then he gathered himself,  
suddenly aware of his surroundings. He cleared his  
throat and turned, walking back to his rooms to  
bathe and change. 
 
Glorfindel watched him go, thoughts filling his  
mind. Elrond was indeed infatuated and if his past  
was any indication for the present and future, he  
wouldn't act on his feelings. Perhaps, Glorfindel  
considered, a little intervention was needed. As  
he walked to the door, heading for his own duties,  
he made up his mind. A little intervention would  
be a good thing in this case, a good thing indeed. 
 
*** 
 
Dinner was filled with laughter and conversation  
as the 'Last Alliance of Elves and Half-Men' was  
recounted to the Lord of the Manor. Elrohir and  
Elladan gave ample praise to the Prince of  
Mirkwood, declaring that the honor of their two  
countries was still intact. 
 
Elrond smiled and nodded, noting that Legolas was  
silently picking at his food. He sighed and sat  
back, only half enjoying the conversation around  
him. When dinner was over, they rose and walked  
to the balcony to relax and talk over the day. 
 
Legolas stood in the doorway, waiting for Elrond  
and when he got near, he turned and stepped before  
him. "My Lord, may we walk together?" 
 
Elrond smiled and nodded, turning and walking to  
the doorway and the paths that led to the  
riverside beyond. Elladan watched them go,  
slightly perturbed by the sight. Glorfindel  
smiled at him, shaking his head. Elladan rose and  
walked to the edge of the balcony, staring down as  
his father and Legolas stepped out, taking the  
long winding path downward toward the river. 
 
"They look well together," Glorfindel ventured. 
 
Elladan didn't bite but he looked at the older  
man. "Say you?" 
 
"I say, Master Elladan, they look well together."  
He grinned as he watched the expression on  
Elladan's face. He was aware of the war the boy  
was having internally and he stoked the fire  
with his words. "They look very well together  
indeed. Your father is such a lonely figure. It  
is good to see him with someone who can make  
him smile." 
 
Elladan turned and watched them, confirmation of  
Elrohir's words clear in the meaning. He sighed,  
his better angels fluttering in his heart and he  
made the emotional decision to step back. If his  
father was indeed infatuated with Legolas, he  
wouldn't stand in the way. He stood and watched