Nightbreeze
© by Ziyal 2004 (thoran.ziyal@freenet.de )
Fandom: LOTR
Cat: Slash,drama 
Rating: R
P: Legolas/Čomer
Summary: Even an elven Prince doesn't always get what he desires
A/N: It’s my first slash fic and the first in english. Feedback is very welcome, but please 
be gentle… ;-)
Summary: Even an elven Prince doesn’t always get what he desires





The night was clear and the sky looked like dark blue velvet sparkled 
with millions of tiny diamonds. The moon had risen and  its pale light 
shone over the great hall Meduseld and the land below that hill, the land 
of the Rohirrim. 

Legolas stood outside the hall and enjoyed the clear fresh nightbreeze and 
the soft touch of the wind, a welcome alternative to the hot and sticky air 
inside the golden hall. He gazed over Edoras and the plain below; the 
moonlight turning  his blond hair into liquid silver and his supple body, 
wrapped in an elven robe made of black and light blue fabric, threw a 
sharp shadow on the ground. 

Today had been the funeral of King Thčoden, former ruler of the 
Rohirrim and their comrade in the past war with Sauron and his dark 
forces. The King had died on the fields of Pelennor and now they had 
bedded him next to his son Thčodred in a very moving ceremony. 

Legolas had come to Edoras from Minas Tirith this morning together 
with his old friend Aragorn, freshly crowned as King Elessar of Gondor, 
and his wife Arwen. The Hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin had also 
come along with them as the dwarf Gimli did. 

They all had been fighting, laughing and crying together with Thčoden 
and his family. Gandalf, the white sorcerer arrived some days earlier 
together with Thčodens family to prepare all the festivities that would 
take place.  

Here they met again with Thčodens family. His niece Čowyn, a strong 
and brave young woman and her finance Faramir, son of the former 
steward of Gondor and now  Aragorns army commander; and her brother 
Čomer, son of Čomund and heir to the throne of Edoras, who would be 
crowned as king of the Riddermark the coming day. 

Čomer. All humans were fascinating creatures in Legolas eyes due to 
their short life span that made them live more intensive than elves used to 
do. But this was different. He was different.

The Marshall of the Riddermark had this certain wildness and hardly 
controlled pure male energy he radiated like a pheromone, and it had a 
strong effect on the elf. But he also had a well-developed sense for the 
beauty and the pulse of nature, paired with a sensitive heart, which 
Legolas had not seen very often on humans, and this touched his elvish 
soul deeply. 

Those last aspects were only  hard to discover under the controlled façade 
of the designated king for someone inexperienced. Since their first 
encounter in the middle of nowhere on the plains of the Riddermark his 
feelings towards this man had changed completely. In the beginning he 
was repelled by the rude way Čomer had treated him and his companions, 
but then he learned about the banishment and begun to understand. 

After the siege of Helms Deep and during the time before the final battle 
Legolas had the chance to get to know the man behind the mask of 
leadership and duty. He felt the bond between the two of them which had 
slowly grown over the past month, based on everything that meant a lot 
to them, the miracles of nature in all  its facets. 

A few weeks had past since their gathering on the palace balcony in 
Minas Tirith, where Legolas revealed his feelings towards the young 
warrior. He had been thinking Legolas was in love with Aragorn, but 
between them there had never been more than friendship. 

To Legolas pleasure Čomer felt something for him also, but before they 
could go deeper into exploring this discovery they had been interrupted 
and after that night they hadn't met alone before Čomer left Minas Tirith.

The thought of Čomer was painful for Legolas. The next day the Marshall 
of the Riddermark would become King of Rohan and be out of reach for 
him. The Rohirrim needed a strong king, who had to marry the right 
woman and to father the heir to his throne. There was no space for greater 
feelings, especially not if they were of that kind Legolas felt. 

Pictures of that certain evening in Minas Tirith came to his mind. A faint 
smile appeared on his face while he remembered the surprised look on 
Čomers face to his revelation. Then he remembered the soft warm lips 
touching his, the mans smooth wet tongue carefully move his own, 
followed by an exploring of  the deeps of the others sweet mouth. 

He could recall the feeling of the furry cheek on his and the memory of 
the tender scent of wine mixed with the mans own fragrance flooded 
around him for a brief moment, then disappeared with the wind. It had 
been a long time since Legolas experienced those kind of deep feelings 
for someone,  no matter if the person he'd shared his heart and bed with 
was male or female, but it had never been as bittersweet as now.  
 
Čomer had managed not to cross his path too often today, but the few 
moments they had exchanged glances Legolas had seen the desire and the 
longing that burned inside the designated king. But with a blink Čomer 
had managed to rebuild the controlled mask again and to hide what 
smoldered inside.
 
Oh yes, this was nothing new to him, Legolas thought. He also was very 
good in hiding his inner life. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, 
hoping this would help loosening the knot in his stomach. 

Legolas began to walk around the great hall Meduseld and vanished into 
the darkness. He tried to avoid meeting his friends; especially Aragorn, 
Gandalf and Gimli had enough wit to discover he wasn't as balanced as 
he used to be, despite what he tried to make them belief. 

On the backside of the hall in the shadow of the building he found a low 
wall and he slipped onto it. He gazed again over Edoras and the plain. 
But he did not see the fortress, nor the village. 

In his mind he saw the muscular and warm body of that horse warrior and 
its reaction at his figure leaning against it, and a little smile appeared on 
the delicate elven face. Suddenly he heard the fine splash of bare feet on 
stone and the smile on Legolas face became noncommittal. Then the 
person appeared. It was Pippin.


“Legolas, what are doing here outside all alone? The folks are having al 
lot of fun and look forward to tomorrows ceremony. And the food is 
almost delicious!” 

Legolas smile became a little brighter. Hobbits and eating. These little 
people were unbelievable. Pippin sat down next to Legolas and pulled out 
an apple from his coat pocket. He bit off a big piece and stretched his arm 
out to pass the apple to Legolas. 

“Want a bite?” he asked. The elf shook his head, his smile becoming 
brighter. Pippin shrugged, bit off another big piece and choked noisy. 
After a few moments he looked up with a startled glance.

 “You surely wanted to be alone and I, the fool of a Took I am, didn't get 
it. I am sorry!” he said with a worried tone, lifted himself and was about 
to leave.

 “Stay Pippin, it's all right.” Legolas said with a tender tone. “You haven't 
bothered me.”

 “Oh, well” the Hobbit replied with a grin and sat down again at his side, 
biting off a big piece of apple and choking contentedly. Between choking 
and swallowing he asked: 

“Are you all right?” Legolas looked surprised at the Hobbit. 

“What makes you think I am not?” he replied. 

“Oh, very simple.” Pippin answered. 

“You've  had this strange glance in your eyes this afternoon in the great 
hall. Reminded me how I feel if homesickness gets me  -  or I am 
completely starved. But since you don't care about food as much as I do 
and I never heard you talk about homesickness I figured out it must be 
something else that makes you feel ... different.“

Legolas was startled. With disbelief in his glance he eyed Pippin, who 
couldn't or wouldn't see the impression on the elf's face.  He'd been 
absolutely sure nothing in his behavior had been different so that no one 
could guess there was something. But obviously he was wrong. He raised 
his left eyebrow and the asked  Pippin: 

”And who else thinks this?” 

“No one.” the Hobbit said. 

“The others didn't realize it, I'd have recognized that.” 

He bit off the last piece of apple an threw the core into the darkness. Then 
he wiped his mouth with his right sleeve and took a long glance at the elf.

 “Seems like there's really something… ” 

he said with a curious tone. When he realized that Legolas had stiffen he 
shook his head and with red cheeks as a clear sign of embarrassment he 
lifted himself up to leave Legolas alone. 

“Again I am sorry. I didn't want to be that tactless. I may leave you now 
before I break even more pottery.“ With a sight he  turned around to leave 
the elf alone. As he was almost swallowed by the darkness the soft voice 
of the elven prince raised. 

“It is a matter of the heart.” 

Pippin stopped and turned around. Legolas was still sitting where he had 
been before and stared into the darkness. Slowly Pippin returned and sat 
down on his former place again. For a long time both sat quiet and 
followed their own thoughts. 

Legolas couldn't belief he said something. But much more unbelievable 
was this little hobbit on his side, usually more famous for his rashness 
and curiosity together with his love of food, alcoholic beverages and 
tobacco than for being a wise man. 
But basically it didn't surprise him at all. Pippin had proven himself over 
the past month that he was much more than an ordinary Hobbit and 
Legolas liked him, and he trusted him. 

Finally the elf turned around to face the Hobbit, who meanwhile had put 
out his pipe, stuffed and fired it and now blew white clouds of smoke in 
the air. 

“I never spoke to anyone about this.”

Pippin twisted his face into a bright smile as if to say every other answer 
would have hardly surprised him. He watched the elf as he begun to 
speak.

“Tell me Legolas: why does a matter of the heart make you so unhappy? 
Isn't it a reason  to celebrate? Or is this one of those stories our women 
tell each other at the fireside to have a reason to mourn and cry?”

Legolas sighted. What a comparison! If he'd been a human or a hobbit 
he'd have let his grief and sorrow out. But he wasn't. He was of elven 
blood, and this was not the way of his people to deal with those things. 
They took it as given. Usually Legolas could deal with those feelings 
quite well, but not this time. This was different. 

“Your women would tell this story at the fireside and have a reason to 
cry.” he finally said. 

Pippin nodded understanding and blew another smoky cloud into the 
nights air. After some time of silence the hobbit asked:

“And why?” -  

“Because it can't be.” 

“Oh” was all Pippin said, watching Legolas carefully, who had dropped 
his head to stare holes into the ground. His hair flooded over his shoulder 
and covered his face, but he remained silent.

“But the love you carry in your heart cannot be taken away, right? “ he 
said, still watching his friend. 

Legolas twisted his face into a tortured smile and replied bitterly. 

“But it is not only the heart that desires”. 


For some moments they had fallen silent, gazing into the darkness. Then  
Pippin started to talk again. 

“I'd like to ask you something, if I may ..” 
Legolas indicated him to continue. 

“Is it already too late?” 

The elf lifted his head and wrinkled his forehead. He took a sharp look at 
his small companion and then asked: 

”Too late? For what?” 

Pippin looked him straight in the eyes. 

“Is the person you desire already ... indisposed?” 

The hobbit let his head sink to his chest, showing some signs of 
discomfort. Though he usually wasn't at a loss for words it seemed as if 
he dared to speak out freely what he was thinking. A faint smile came 
onto Legolas face. 

“Not quite yet,  if I got you right.” 

Pippin fumbled on his pipe, emptied and refilled it and after he had set 
light to it again little clouds of pipe smoke filled the air. 

“Merri says you are smoking too much, Pippin. I guess he's right.” the elf 
said with a silent laughter in his voice. 

“Yea, yea, yea” Pippin murmured into his pipe, holding it as if it gave him 
a certain security to continue this talk and to dismiss the remark.  His 
gaze wandered back into the darkness.
 
“To continue our talk” he began, “I'd say, if you still have a chance, why 
don't you use it? 
Nothing is as bad as reproaching oneself later not to have even tried it. In 
the end it doesn't even matter if the situation itself cannot be changed. 
What counts is the memory - and that no one can take away from you! At 
least it's the Shire way of handling such a situation.”  

With a satisfied grin he turned to look Legolas in the eyes.

“And by the way: these are the kind of stories our women especially love 
to tell, `cause you cry the best over tragic stories!”

Legolas just had to smile. It was so reasonable and easy! Those 
ephemerals always had the simplest and most pragmatic ideas, which an 
ordinary elf would not even consider. His mood brightened and he felt 
like a heavy weight had been taken off his heart. Spontaneously he put a 
hand of the hobbits shoulder and said: 

“You have been a great help, Master Hobbit. I cannot enough thank you 
for this! And I don't know how to repay the service you've done to me.”

“My pleasure” Pippin replied with an slight sigh of pride in his voice. 
Then he put on the brightest grin he was able to twist on his face and 
said: 

“Well, I knew how you could thank me: with an invitation for dinner!”

Legolas laughed out loud. These hobbits really had always food on their 
minds. 
“Agreed!” he said and rose from the wall. The hobbit did the same. 

“Whatever comes,  I wish you all the best, Master elf” Pippin said, “with 
the lady - or the lord...” 
he added and held his head a little lopsided. 

Legolas looked perplex. 

With a faint smile the hobbit continued: 

“Love is something universal, isn't it? I thought your kinship had a certain 
understanding for those ... ways and it doesn't make a difference to you, 
right?” 

He bowed and threw a last friendly glance at the elf before he 
disappeared into the darkness. 

Legolas needed another moment to comprehend. This hobbit was 
amazing. His last statement was the last he had expected from someone, 
who used to live in the contemplativeness and conventionality of a place 
like the Shire. He sighted and with a feeling of renewed confidence he 
returned to the great hall.


Even his elvish eyes needed a second to adjust in the dim light of the 
firesides and the torches that illuminated the hall. Still a lot of people 
crowded the place, though some of the guests had retired in view to the 
next days celebrations; Aragorn, Arwen. Čowyn and Faramir were among 
them. 

Legolas discovered Čomer at the end of the hall, where he stood deep in 
conversation with Gandalf. He wore a tunic of dark blue velvet encircled 
by a braid trimming of golden brocade with Rohans insignia embroidered 
on the chest. 
With it he wore black trousers and boots of black leather. His sword hung 
from his belt to his left side and his light brown hair flood on his 
shoulders like golden brown silk. 
His green-brown eyes mirrored the hall's lights. He appeared slender 
without his armor but the elf had no problem to guess the Marshall's 
muscular body  under the tunic.   

Legolas decided to pick up a goblet of wine and wait for the right 
moment. He ambled through the hall and his gaze wandered over the 
crowd. Pippin and the other hobbits sat together with Gimli, drank ale 
and sang drinking songs. 

A large group of Rohirrim had gathered around them, cheering and 
laughing at the sight of the short bunch and their songs. Other humans 
stood or sat around in groups near the firesides, engrossed in lively 
conversations. It was almost as noisy as it was at the time Legolas had 
left the hall. 

The mood was happy. This did not mean Thčodens memory was 
diminished, but humans had the ability to mourn only for a short time and 
then return to life, especially the happier parts of it. The elf finally came 
to stop on the left side of the hall. He leant himself against a pillar, from 
where he could oversee the whole place. 

From time to time he took a sip of wine from his goblet and his gaze 
wandered through the hall. The first time in weeks he felt something like 
hope rising inside him. This feeling flooded over his entire body. Mixed 
with the heat coming from the wine he became a little intoxicated. While 
time passed by the torches burned down and the hall emptied slightly.

Some time later Legolas saw Gandalf bowing before Čomer and 
withdrawing. The designated king looked searching through the hall. As 
he discovered the elf a faint smile appeared on his face, but faded 
immediately behind the wall of discipline. Čomer picked up his goblet 
and emptied it at once. Then he took a carafe, refilled his goblet and 
emptied it again at once; then closed his eyes for a moment. 

'So much for your discipline, my lord ' Legolas thought with a little relief. 
After all these weeks he couldn't tell anymore if he was right about the 
Marshall's feelings towards him. But Čomers behavior revealed that there 
had to be more than just 'understanding'. Legolas emptied his goblet, put 
it on the table before him and began to walk up to his beloved. 

But just as he had reached Čomer, Gimli rushed between them. Drunk as 
he was he began to praise the designated kings heroic deeds in his 
dwarfish ways. Legolas raised an eyebrow and looked at Čomer. They 
exchanged glances, a mixture of irony, despair and resignation in their 
eyes. 

Sometimes one was helpless against fate's will. Legolas sighted, 
capitulating. He bowed and withdrew. He felt Čomers gaze upon his back 
as he turned towards the guest quarters and disappeared in the dark.

This time Legolas shared a quarter again with Gimli. The dwarf was that 
kind of room mate everyone preferred, even if he would surely clear the 
whole Mirkwood after such an evening. But he never asked if Legolas 
came late or disappeared early or not showed up at all. His curiosity was 
hard to catch. 

With this security in mind he passed the door to their room and walked 
down the corridor. He turned left, followed that passage to the end, turned 
right and walked down, then turned left again and marched along a 
corridor until he was stopped by a wall. 

The torches that lit this part had almost burned down and the dying 
flames threw dancing shadows of red and gold on the walls. He stood in 
front of a  large wooden door but hesitated to open it. He dared to disturb 
the privacy of  this quarter without permission. He decided to melt into 
the shadow of the opposite wall and wait. He leant back against the wall 
and was suddenly swallowed by the wall's shadow. 

A few minutes later he heard the clacking of boots on the floor coming 
nearer. A moment later a person came around the corner and walked 
straight up the the wooden door at the end of the passage. As the person 
came to a halt in front of the door the person turned out to be a man. 
Legolas came off the wall and silently stepped next to him. 

Suddenly the man turned around, all muscles strained as if to defend him. 
At the sight of the elf  he relaxed, but a hint of pain crossed his face. For 
a moment he watched the fair appearance of the elven prince, then he 
stiffened.

“Why have you come here, Legolas? Haven't you plunched that dagger 
deep enough into my heart?” 

he pressed out, not hiding the pain and despair in his voice. 
Without a word Legolas came closer, stretched out his slender hand and 
touched Čomers face. 

“Do you really think I would ever harm you?” 

he said softly, turned his head lopsided and threw a caressing glance at 
the man. Čomer closed his eyes and sank deep into the elf's touch. He 
shuddered and goose-pimples appeared all over his body. He felt the fair 
creature coming closer, then heard Legolas soft voice whispering in his 
ear. 

”This blade has cut my heart as deep as it has yours.” 

Čomer felt the elf's warm breathe on his neck, intensifying the shudder. 
The man feared his knees would give away under him every second. He 
could smell the scent of wine and Legolas silky skin and he began to feel 
dizzy. Čomer swallowed hard and then returned into reality. 

He looked at the elf who now stood directly in front of him. The tension 
between them was almost visible, and Čomer didn't know how to handle 
the situation. He forced himself to look Legolas straight in the eyes.

Blue. The elf's gaze was so intense, Čomer was immediately caught 
within these eyes. It was as if Legolas could read his inner secrets like an 
open book. He wasn't able to move and his senses were strained to the 
point of no return
. 
As he closed his eyes he felt Legolas' hand slowly move upwards, seizing 
his brown curls and gently pulling his head back. Then the silken elvish 
lips touched his and with a sigh he opened his lips to welcome the smooth 
wet flesh of this wonderful creature. 

As their tongues met, Čomer felt an explosion of emotions washing over 
him. He pulled Legolas in his arms and kissed him passionately. Tightly 
embraced and still kissing, Čomer opened the door to his quarters with 
one hand and they slid into the room. Only the pale moonlight 
illuminated the room. 

Without giving his beloved free Legolas closed the door behind them 
with a kick of his heel and let them fall against it. For some minutes they 
gave in to a first cautious passion.

After a little eternity Legolas gently brought some distance between them 
to examine Čomer's features. Again he turned his head lopsided and 
smiled at the man. What a fascination creature he was. So wild and 
passionate, brave and strong, and so vulnerable. So desirable. He reached 
out with his hand to touch Čomer's furry chin. 

That moment recognition stroke him. There was only this one night; the 
next day would seal their fates and the remaining time ran through their 
fingers like sand. Sadness tried to conquer the elf's mind and his gaze 
clouded. 

Even if there had been a future for them, it would have been a tragic one. 
He was an elf, almost immortal, but Čomer only had such a short life 
compared to his. This was the reason only a few kinsmen choose a human 
as their companion. Legolas shook his head to clear his mind. 

“What is it?” Čomer asked. 

“Not enough time” the elf  replied. 

The man looked at him, wondering. 

“With you!” Legolas added and his opposite nodded comprehending and 
sighted.  
 
“Well, then we should use the few hours that are given to us. I want to 
make the most of  it.” 

He locked his gaze with the elf's and opened his belt. With a faint crash 
his sword hit the floor. Then he stripped off his tunic and let it slide on 
the floor next to his sword. Legolas examined the Marshall's body. His 
brown curly hair flooded on his broad shoulders like silk. The muscular 
chest, the slender belly and hips, and the slim, well formed legs - 
everything was in balance and a pleasure for the eye. 

Legolas bid his lips as he watched Čomer. Then he slipped out of his 
shoes and undressed. Silently the robe sank to the ground. Čomer 
watched him with growing desire in his eyes. In the pale moonlight his 
fair skin and hair seemed to be of liquid silver. 

The supple body was of perfect beauty, like a marble statue. His muscles 
emerged under his skin and there was no part on his body that didn't seem 
to be perfect.
 
Čomer was overwhelmed. Of all the men and women he had been 
together with no one was as unbelievable as this enchanting creature, now 
standing in front of him. Čomer stared at Legolas, speechless,  his mouth 
opened as if he could not breathe.

Legolas moved towards the man, smiling. With skilled fingers he opened 
Čomer's trousers. The touch of the slender hands brought him back into 
reality and at once blood flooded in his head and down again into his 
middle. 

Clumsy he tried to undress, parallel to Legolas activities. He almost fell 
over his left boot, while he tried to remove it faster then the left leg of his 
trousers, which obviously not worked. With a silent laughter Legolas 
catched his fall and the man was surprised how powerful this lean elf 
was. Finally they stood opposite, in the full beauty of their bodies. 

Čomer took a long look at Legolas, then leant forward and gently kissed 
the velvet lips of the elf. Willingly Legolas opened his mouth to let the 
man' s sweet seduction enter. They stood in the middle of the room, their 
arms tightly around each other, experiencing the sensation of naked skin. 

With some skilled moves Legolas made them turn around into the right 
position.Then he gently pushed Čomer down, until the man let himself 
fall onto the bed, pulling Legolas down with him. On a state of ecstasy 
they explored the other, discovered the small and great wonders of their 
bodies. They experienced devotion and conquer and sank deep into the 
whirl of their emotions.

As they calmed down afterwards, Legolas took Čomer into his arms. The 
designated king bedded his head on the elf's shoulder and then they 
realized the singing of the birds. A caress band of red and golden light 
worked its way through the small opening of the window, announced the 
new day. 

Čomer swallowed hard. In an hour servants would approach to wake him 
up and to help him prepare for the upcoming coronation. Only an hour! 
he thought, closed his eyes and began to shiver. Legolas pulled him 
closer, burying his face in the man's thick brown curls. 

“Don't despair, my love” he said softly. 

”A wise man once said, nothing is as bad as not using a chance that is 
offered. No one can take away our memory, even if the situation itself 
won't  change. We should be happy and thankful for those hours that 
were given to us.” 

Čomer sighted. He wished to run away and hide with Legolas somewhere 
in a place where no one knew them. But with this thought his sense of 
duty called to him. He had to lead his people, it was not his fate to 
fashion his life as he wished to. He opened his eyes. 

“Will we meet again?” he asked the elven prince. 
Legolas smiled wearyly. 

“We will, my dear, we will. You have your place deep within my heart. 
You and your family will always be welcome at my house. But we won't 
meet again as lovers. You have to take the way destiny is showing you. 
But I will be there if you're in need of a real friend.” 

Čomer tried to avoid the tear that wanted to be cried out. He felt his heart 
bursting. Gently Legolas wiped away a single tear that made its way 
down the man's furry cheek. 

“Sooner or later you will appreciate this night as the gift that it was, 
without the bittersweet taste. You will find satisfaction with those who 
will cross your path in the future. This day is a special day, it is your day. 
You should enjoy it and smile for me.” 

He turned Čomer's face towards his and kissed him tenderly. Čomer 
relaxed a bit. Then the elf stroke over the man's eyes with one hand. 

“Sleep now, my love. You'll need the few minutes given to you. And may 
your courage be refreshed when you awake.” 

Čomer threw a last tender glance at Legolas, then closed his eyes and 
began breathing steadily. Half a minute later he had fallen asleep. 

Carefully Legolas removed his body from the man's. He left the bed and 
dressed, always glancing at  the sleeping Čomer. If his own words had the 
same comforting effect on himself! He felt the agony of loss pressing the 
air off his lungs. 

The pain was so strong and he felt despair rising. It would vanish, he 
knew, but it would take a long time. He'd have new partners, elvish or 
human, men or women, but he wasn't sure if he'd ever find happiness as 
his friend Aragorn had. 

But now the most important thing was to enable Čomer a worthy 
coronation. Then they had to find him a queen so he could father a heir. 

The thought of another person at Čomer's side hurt him, but that was the 
way it had to be. Legolas hoped, they'd at least find a woman, Čomer 
could become happy with. He opened the door and walked through it. 
Before he closed the door behind him he threw a last glance at the 
sleeping Čomer. 
His body emerged under the thin fabric of the sheets. The warm rays of 
the rising sun immersed his features in a bath of  red and golden light. 
Legolas smiled sadly as this picture burned itself into his mind. 


The END