Epilogue
Legolas looked toward the door with some surprise, not quite trusting his ears. Then he heard it again, soft but unmistakable...someone was knocking quietly, the sound barely audible over the splash of running water from the bath chamber. Quickly slipping into his clean leggings, he moved toward the door, still toweling his wet hair. �Aye? Who is there?� Legolas asked, one hand on the latch. Normally he would have thrown open the door without thought, but...
Thranduil heard the hesitation in his son�s voice. ��Tis Ada,� he said, feeling strangely diffident. �Are you...busy, son?�
�Nay, not at all,� Legolas replied, slinging the towel around his neck and smoothing his hair before sliding back the bolt. �Come in, Ada.� As the door swung open, Legolas� eyes lit on the dark blue bottle his father cradled carefully. �Miruvor!� he exclaimed, breaking into a broad grin. �For me?�
�For us,� Thranduil corrected, his eyes twinkling. �If you are inclined to share your good fortune. Elrond brought a case as a majority day offering.�
�I suppose I can share one bottle, if I have been gifted with twelve,� Legolas conceded cheerfully, tossing away his towel before reaching for the heavy decanter. �Come, sit down and I will pour.�
Thranduil stood motionless, his hands still grasping the smooth blue glass, his attention riveted on fading bruises and the golden glint of two piercing rings.
�Ada? Are you...� Legolas began questioningly, then followed the king�s stare to his own newly-adorned chest.
�Where is Haldir?� Thranduil blurted out without ceremony, raising his eyes to his son�s face with surprising effort. The blue-green gaze met his steadily, only the slightest blush coloring the prince�s cheeks. �Innocence lost, indeed,� Thranduil thought, surprised at the ache that settled in his chest.
�He is bathing,� Legolas replied with a nod toward the inner chamber door, which stood slightly ajar.
Taking the miruvor bottle from his father�s unresisting hands, Legolas carried it to the table and pried out the stopper before realizing that Thranduil had remained near the door. �Ada,� he prodded, one golden eyebrow arching in surprise. �Come, sit down.�
The king settled himself at the table a bit warily, his gaze going repeatedly to the bathing chamber door. �Are you sure I am not interrupting?� he queried, sipping at the fiery cordial.
�I am sure,� Legolas insisted, laying a hand on his father�s arm. �I wanted to see you, also, Ada, before the formal festivities begin.�
�Are you well, young one?� Thranduil asked, looking the prince over searchingly. �I do not want to pry, yet...�
�Aye, I am fine,� Legolas assured him soberly, before breaking into a devilish grin. �But I have seldom been more grateful for a well-padded chair.�
Thranduil stared dumbstruck at his formerly reticent son for a long moment, then burst into laughter. �The experience has done you no harm, it would seem, � he chuckled, squeezing the prince�s shoulder tightly.
The faint creak of the bathing chamber door signaled Haldir�s presence, and both father and son turned toward the sound. The marchwarden stood in the open door, a low-slung towel his only covering. �Legolas? Will you toss me my leggings?� Catching the garment, he flashed a smile at Thranduil and added, �It is poor etiquette to appear before a king in naught but a towel.�
�Especially when you have just bedded his son,� Thranduil thought acidly, suppressing with difficulty an overwhelming � and admittedly unreasonable � urge to break Haldir�s jaw.
�I should be going,� Thranduil said, rising to his feet as the marchwarden entered the room. �I assume Haldir will accompany you to the pavilion?�
Legolas slipped an arm around Haldir, frowning at the somewhat haughty tone of the question. He opened his mouth to speak, but his retort was silenced by a comforting squeeze from his companion.
�Only if it pleases you, my lord,� Haldir answered in Legolas� stead, dipping his head respectfully before meeting the king�s eyes.
Thranduil held the understanding gaze for a moment, then smiled apologetically, ashamed of his own ire and soothed by the obvious affection between his son and Haldir. �There is no need for formality, my friend,� he answered sincerely, clasping Haldir�s arm. �If you can forgive a father�s folly, it would please me greatly.�
As Thranduil left the chamber, Legolas turned to Haldir uncertainly. �I hope this will not cause a rift between you. I feared for your friendship, for a moment.�
Haldir pushed back a strand of golden hair, pressing a reassuring kiss to Legolas' forehead. �And for a moment, I feared for my neck,� he replied, eyes dancing. �It will be well. He worries for you, that is all. We will do him proud at the feast.�
�And afterward?�
�Afterward?� Haldir teased, grinning at the rising color in Legolas' cheeks. �Is that an offer, princeling?�
�That, marchwarden, is a demand,� Legolas said, a brilliant smile spreading across his face. �I believe we have unfinished business.�
Ada � Papa