~Grey Mountains 2151 III~
His far-seeing eyes searching the tumbled rocks frantically, Elrohir sighed with relief when he caught sight of his lover, wandering among the fallen to retrieve spent arrows. Hurrying toward the tattered form, he frowned uneasily at the scene before him.
Legolas stared emotionlessly into the face of a dying human. Planting his foot firmly on the man�s chest, he grabbed the shaft of the arrow that protruded from the swollen belly.
�No, �Las,� Elrohir said quietly, quickly placing a restraining hand on the prince�s shoulder. �He lives yet.�
Legolas spared only a passing glance for his companion before he drew one knife and slit the brigand�s throat from ear to ear. �He lives no longer,� Legolas announced impassively. �May I retrieve my arrow now, my lord?� Without waiting for an answer, he took a firm grip on the embedded arrow and tugged savagely, freeing the shaft with a sickening pop that sent a spray of blood over both elves. Looking the implement over dully, Legolas raised his eyes to meet Elrohir�s concerned gaze. �It is broken,� he said unsteadily, sinking to his knees. �The tip is gone�
Disregarding the blood-soaked ground, Elrohir kneeled beside Legolas, gathering him in a snug embrace. �It is alright, anor nín,� he murmured softly. �Come, let �Dan look you over.�
�I am fine,� Legolas choked out harshly. �But Tiri...�
�Tiri is well,� Elrohir reassured him. ��Dan has stitched and bound his wound. It is naught to worry over.�
�Praise the Valar,� the prince breathed, burying his face against Elrohir�s neck. �I thought...when I saw the blood, I thought...� Shuddering, he asked hopelessly, �And Berioron?�
Shaking his head, Elrohir tightened his hold. �I am sorry, 'Las,� he said, stroking his lover's bloodied golden braid. �So sorry.�
�It is my fault,� Legolas began tonelessly, his body gone rigid. �It was my idea, this sortie. We should never have come to Ered Mithrin. I should not have turned my back when Tiri fell...�
Elrohir drew a deep breath, and pulled away slightly. Sympathy was not the answer to battle-shock. �Enough, Thranduilion,� he said sternly, causing the prince�s gaze to meet his in surprise. �Your warriors fought well, and Berioron died doing his duty. Mourn him, aye, but you do his memory no honor by indulging in self-pity.�
With relief, Elrohir saw tears well in the clouded blue-green eyes. �It is not your fault, �Las,� he went on more kindly. �This is the price of battle.� Rising to his feet, Elrohir extended a hand. �Come on,� he said firmly. �We need help piling the ruffians to burn. And your captain needs you.�
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�He will be fine,� Elladan said reassuringly. �The gash was not deep, but a scalp wound bleeds freely.�
�Bleeds freely?� Legolas retorted ruefully. �There was so much blood I feared him near beheaded.�
�Only be-braided,� Tiriadon chuckled, rising to his elbows on the blankets. �Your peredhel lopped one off in his hurry to clean the wound.�
�I did,� Elladan retorted without rancor. �I could not stitch your scalp closed, captain, without easing the weight.�
Does he know of Berioron, �Dan?
He does.
�You are not to blame, my lord,� Tiriadon said quietly, as if aware of the silent exchange. �There is no profit in chastising yourself. Berioron fought honorably, and died quickly. A warrior�s death, as he would have chosen. He will not be forgotten.�
�He died defending me,� Legolas said with a sobbing sigh, finally giving in to his tears as he sat down beside his friend.
�And me,� Tiriadon added earnestly, his pale face tear-streaked, yet calm. �Just as you or I would have died defending him. Let it go, Legolas. Let him go in peace.�
�Stay here with Tiri, �Las,� Elladan broke in gently, bending to squeeze the prince�s shoulder. �I will see to the cairn.�
�Thank you,� Legolas said gratefully. �It is more than I could bear just now, el nín.�
Elrohir stuck his head into the healing tent, his cheerful smile easing the somber mood that had fallen over the three elves. �The scouts have found a spring just up the trail that they think could be secured for bathing,� he said, smiling at the hopeful expression that spread across his twin�s face. �I am going to take a look." His grin broadening, he shook his head at Elladan. "Water creature.�
***********************
�Wait until you see it, �Las," Elrohir said, as they headed up the rock-strewn path. �It is as though the Valar themselves designed this place just for bathing. Flowing water, and unapproachable from the back rise. Safe as the pools in the valley, as long as the trail is guarded.�
�I would be glad to see any water just now, rohir nín,� Legolas retorted with a grimace, looking down at his blood-drenched clothing. �I shall have to soak my leggings off, I fear. They are plastered to my skin.�
�Aye, it will take a good soaking or we will part with skin as well as leather,� Elladan agreed, tugging experimentally at one leg. �And I fear that tunic is beyond redemption, �Las. Best burn it when...�
�Would you look at that?� Legolas broke in, his voice tinged with amazement.
Elladan stood frozen, as though beholding the shores of Valinor.
A wide, thin sheet of water poured briskly over a high ledge of rock, spreading smoothly into an ankle-deep pool before spilling again to form a fast-flowing yet shallow stream that meandered off among the trees and boulders.
Legolas drew a deep breath as he hurried toward the falling water, his exhaustion and sorrow soothed by the gentle din of the falls, and the familiar fragrance of evergreens. �Come on, �Dan...�Roh,� he urged, ripping off his tunic and kicking off his boots before stepping into the shallow basin.
Elladan eased off his soiled upper garments, pulling the matted fabrics gingerly over his unbound hair. Toeing off his boots at the edge of the lower pool, he was stopped by a light touch on his bare arm. Turning in surprise, he faced one of the elder Mirkwood warriors who was returning from the upper pool. Three more of the Mirkwood contingent stood a short distance away, obviously waiting for their comrade.
�Your pardon,� the elf said quietly. �Might I have a word?�
�Of course,� Elladan answered immediately, fearing an unknown injury had surfaced. �Are you harmed?�
�Nay, I am unscathed. I wanted only to say that we are the last. All are finished bathing save the captain, and we will carry water to him from the stream.� Looking intently at Elladan, he smiled slightly. �We are the last,� he repeated, �and I will see that the path is well-guarded while you bathe. None shall disturb you.�
The corners of Elladan�s mouth curled upward as he realized exactly what the other was offering. �Thank you, my friend,� he replied. �It is most appreciated.�
�Any shelter, eh?� the elder warrior chuckled as he turned down the trail. �Any shelter is precious out here. Take your time, my lord.�
**********************
Legolas sighed in appreciation as he waded into the nearly waist deep upper pool. �It is beautiful, is it not?� he asked, and his companions could only nod in agreement.
A thin band of trees grew lushly at the edge of the soft grasses surrounding the pool, shading the clear, bubbling water from the worst of the sun, and providing a welcome sense of privacy. The back wall of the spring rose sharply, a lichen-covered cliff that plunged steeply beyond sight on the other side. The muted gurgling of water entering the pool could just be heard over the splash of the falls into the lower basin.
Joining Legolas in the water, the twins stood quietly for a long moment as the gently swirling water carried away the last traces of blood from their leggings. Elrohir flexed his legs cautiously, relieved to find that the leather was once again moving over his skin freely. �I believe I am unstuck,� he said gratefully.
�Aye, the soaking has done it,� Legolas agreed, sinking to his chin in the pleasantly cool water. �I may not have to live in these things for all eternity, after all.� Standing, he reached to loose his leggings, only to have his movement stayed by a touch from behind.
�Let me help you with that, anor nín,� Elrohir offered silkily, moving closer to wrap his arms around his lover's waist. �Let us take care of you, hmm?�
�Do not tempt me so,� Legolas protested, gripping Elrohir�s wrists, even as he leaned back into the embrace. It had been far too long. Nearly six moons had passed since the raiders set out from Mirkwood. Early spring had turned to summer with little chance for more than fleeting kisses and frantic couplings just beyond the fire�s glow. �It would not be wise, I fear, �Roh,� he sighed. �The others must bathe as well. We are likely to find ourselves with company at any moment.�
�There will be no interruption, �Las,� Elladan said smugly, a smirking grin on his face. �We are the last, and the path is well watched.�
One golden eyebrow arched questioningly, ��Dan? Surely you did not...�
�I did nothing except express our deepest gratitude,� Elladan replied, chuckling as he stepped closer to nuzzle his lover�s neck. �It would seem that we have the blessing of Mirkwood�s troops.�
�Indeed?� Legolas rasped hoarsely, tipping his head back against Elrohir�s shoulder. �Then why are we still dressed?�
*~*~*~*~*
Berioron - protector
anor nín - my sun
el nín - my star
rohir nín - my knight