Title: Shadows
Author: Torturedwriter ([email protected])
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Shadows 3
By Torturedwriter
Boromir was in a bad mood the morning they were summoned to Rivendell, and it showed. He rode in silence, just up ahead of Legolas, pushing the horse much faster than it wanted to go. Whenever Legolas tried to catch up with him, Boromir merely dug his heels in and forced the steed to go faster.
“Boromir, wait.” Legolas shouted after him a few times, but the human was either too far up ahead to hear him, or was deliberately choosing not to. Legolas sighed deeply as he tried to reason why Boromir was acting like this. He knew that humans were notorious for their ever-changing emotions, but Boromir really was the worst one he had ever met for it. One moment he would be kissing Legolas softly and proclaiming his love for him, a few hours later he would be ignoring him completely.
“What is wrong?” Legolas asked him when Boromir finally decided to slow down a bit. Boromir gazed over at him vacantly, as if not even seeing him, and stayed silent. “Have I done something to offend you?”
At this, the man chucked lightly, his tired eyes shining for the first time that day. “Maybe, elf. Maybe.”
“Will you tell me what it is?”
“For the life of me, I couldn’t say.”
“Do you realise how infuriating you are?” Legolas frowned. “You didn’t seem to bear any grudge towards me last night.”
“Last night I had use for you.”
“And now you don’t?”
“Precisely.”
“I refuse to be treated like this.” Legolas’ eyes burned daggers at Boromir. How could he love this human, and yet hate him at the same time so equally? “When an elf gives their body to someone, they commit themselves indefinitely. I have made a promise to you, but if you continue to use me purely for your own needs, it will be a promise that I will be forced to break.”
“Then break it.” Boromir informed him simply. “We are not bound to each other, elf. I am ruled by no-one.”
“Nor am I.” Legolas told him, before galloping on ahead. His fists wrapped tightly around the reigns of the horse, his eyes flashing indignantly. How dare Boromir speak to him in such a way? Had the past few months meant nothing to the human? They had spent almost every night together since Boromir had rescued him from the orcs, despite the disapproval of Legolas’ father. Boromir had told him countless times that he loved him, and Legolas had truthfully returned the sentiment. Now, Boromir seemed to completely have forgotten about that. Not that this was the first time. The human’s feelings for the elf seemed to change constantly. For the most part he was caring and considerate, but there were also many times, like today, when he seemed to regard the elf as nothing more than an annoyance.
He glanced back quickly to see Boromir struggling to keep up. Legolas could at least gain satisfaction from the fact that he was the better rider. But it was a small, soulless victory, and he grew more and more disillusioned with it, the miles they covered. Finally, he drew back, and let Boromir pass him. The man did so without even a sideways glance. Legolas couldn’t even bring himself to feel anger anymore. The only emotion that clouded his mind was extreme melancholy. If Boromir chose to shun him, than so be it. Legolas would simply have to accept the matter. He had always promised to never involve himself with a human again. But what was it about this particular man that made him so desperate to break that vow?
***
Legolas had forgotten how beautiful Rivendell really was. It glowed with an almost luminous light that even he, who had been brought up surrounded by beauty, could still appreciate. He dismounted his steed and looked around, drinking in the rich surroundings. It was good to know that some things never changed, even with the threats of dark shadows moving closer.
Leaving the horse in the clearing, he strode gracefully into the heart of Rivendell. Elves smiled in recognition as he passed them, but he could only muster a short nod back at them. He thought it would be soothing to be amongst elves again, but being close to so many of them, all looking so untroubled, seemed to make the pain worse. He had wanted to walk in with Boromir at his side, but the human had already arrived a short time before. He wondered briefly if he should find him, and apologise, but he immediately turned down the idea. Boromir should be apologising to him. Legolas had done nothing wrong.
“Legolas!” A voice called out to him a short distance away, and he recognised it immediately as Elrond’s. Sighing, he turned round to greet him. He didn’t want to have to answer Elrond’s questions right now. He didn’t feel at all up to it.
“Hello, Elrond.” He smiled falsely. The brown-haired elf walked up to him, clasping him into a tight embrace.
“It is good to see you again.” Elrond told him. He ran a hand down Legolas’ blonde hair. “Still beautiful, I see.”
“How are you?” Legolas asked.
“Troubled, and ill at ease.”
“Why?” Legolas was taken aback by Elrond’s frankness, and stared at him questioningly.
“I cannot say here. You are aware you’ve been summoned here for a council?” Legolas nodded. “You will learn everything then. It will take place tomorrow morning.”
“I wait with baited breath.” Legolas smiled wryly. Elrond did not return the look. Whatever it was that troubled him seemed to have almost consumed him.
“I’ll send someone to show you to your room. You will want to rest after your ride, I am sure.”
“Do you know where the human, Boromir is staying?” Legolas asked against his better judgement. Elrond stared at him, his eyes flickering with questioning.
“In the palace, of course. Why is it of concern to you?”
“Come now, Elrond, surely my father has already told you all about me and Boromir?” Legolas exclaimed. Elrond smiled sheepishly.
“He might have mentioned it.” Elrond confessed. “I hope he is treating you well, Legolas. He is a free spirit, that one.”
“I have already gathered that.” Legolas sighed. “Please do me a favour though, Elrond.”
“Anything.”
“Do not tell any of the other elves about my relationship with him.”
“Of course.” Elrond nodded. “They wouldn’t think anything less of you for it, though.”
“We both know that is not true.” Legolas gestured to the elves walking past. “Elves have never approved of humans. Not as friends, allies or lovers. I do not want them to cast judgement on me.”
“Your relationship stays a secret between us.” Elrond assured him. “Now, I want you to rest. Tomorrow will be an important day.” He nodded for an elf standing by to show Legolas to his room, and bade farewell before walking away.
Legolas followed the elf up to the room in which he always stayed when visiting Rivendell, and gave his thanks before walking in. The furniture hadn’t changed in the slightest since the last time he had been here, and the same smell still lingered in the air, of wild flowers and dew. Sinking onto his bed, he fell into a light, dreamless sleep, for which he was most thankful