Chapter 4

~Imladris 2151 III~

Silence, broken only by the muted clatter of cutlery and the ringing clink of glass against the wooden table, fell over the chamber once again. A distinct air of tension began to build in the room, causing it to feel confining despite the dappled light of late afternoon and the scented breeze that wafted through the open arches.

Erestor repressed a sigh and searched for a topic of conversation that would not increase his guest�s obvious unease. Having exhausted both the current state of affairs in the woodland realm and the details of the king�s journey, the advisor detoured into what he hoped was a nonthreatening subject. �You expect Legolas and the twins to return soon, then my friend?�

�Aye,� Thranduil replied, struggling to overcome his lingering nervousness. The unusual feeling of uncertainty both surprised and annoyed him. By the Valar, he was no blushing innocent, trembling under the gaze of his mentor! And he had been acquainted with Erestor for millennia. Drawing a calming breath, he continued, �They were headed for Ered Mithrin at last word, and planned to return to Mirkwood as soon as their task there was completed.�

Erestor nodded. There was no need to elaborate on the nature of the task, and words of reassurance were pointless. Legolas was a warrior, as were the twins. They would engage the brigands and the elven party would triumph, or they would fail. They would return, or they would die. Dwelling on the risks of battle was worse than useless - that way lay madness.

Taking a sip of his wine, Erestor eyed his companion curiously. �Forgive my boldness, Thranduil,� he began, �but you approve? You accept Elladan and Elrohir, and their relationship with the prince?�

The woodland king was silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. �I accept it because Legolas is happy,� he said slowly. �I cannot, in honesty, say that I understand.� Meeting Erestor�s eyes, Thranduil added, �I have some basic knowledge of the twin-bond, but the details were only rumor to me.�

�And you are not disturbed?� Erestor asked bluntly, holding the king�s emerald gaze.

Thranduil bit his lip. �I do not know,� he answered frankly. �The twins have spared me the necessity of deciding while in Mirkwood.� Pausing to refill his wineglass, he continued, �I have long been fond of both Elladan and Elrohir. And I do not judge their actions, for their situation is not mine. But I would not choose to see them act as lovers do.�

One ebony eyebrow arched as Erestor spoke again. �Did Elladan disturb you, then, after his brother�s injury? Surely he was less than reserved in his attentions to Elrohir at that time.�

�I thought little of it,� Thranduil admitted. �There was much at stake, and my attention was given more to succoring them until Elrond arrived than to finding fault.�

�Glorfindel said it was your support that held Elladan together, and thus sustained Elrohir,� Erestor offered, frowning as a faint flush stole over the king�s face. Surely Elrond had expressed his gratitude before, so why was...then suddenly Erestor understood. The flush was not one of modesty due to praise, but one of discomfort at the mention of Glorfindel�s name.

Hesitating a moment, Erestor placed a hand on his companion�s arm. �Do you not think it would be best to talk about it, my friend?� he asked gently. �I would not have us spend your visit verbally dancing around the issue.�

His color deepening, Thranduil covered Erestor�s hand briefly with his own before rising from the table. �I do not know what to say,� he sighed. �I feel as though I have wronged you.�

�Because you bedded my lover,� Erestor replied, his words a statement rather than a question.

�Your bonded mate,� Thranduil corrected. �I begin to fear it a mistake.�

�Would it help to know it was my idea that Glorfindel approach you?� Erestor returned, forcing back a smile as Thranduil�s eyes widened.

�Your idea?� the king managed, nearly speechless with shock.

�Aye,� Erestor replied composedly. �We have long wondered if you would be averse to joining with us. Glorfindel was loath to approach you without me for this very reason, but I urged him to seek you out if the opportunity presented itself.�

�But why? Thranduil asked, running one hand over his face.

The smile that curled Erestor�s lips was now obvious. �Surely you know that you are very fair, my lord.�

�So is Glorfindel,� Thranduil pointed out wryly. �So are you.�

�You are bereft of your mate, and we know what it is to lose a lover,� Erestor explained earnestly. � We thought to offer you comfort, beyond that which a casual tumble can provide.� Raising a hand to forestall the king�s next protest, he added, �Our motives are not all noble, however. I would guess that you have no experience with two males?�

�I have not,� Thranduil agreed, feeling curiously apologetic as he met the glowing indigo gaze.

�It is no matter,� the advisor said reassuringly, �and I would wager you will well understand our desire to share our bond with you.� A decidedly wicked grin spread over Erestor�s face. �In the morning.�

************

~Grey Mountains 2151 III~

Legolas dropped a broken arrow, the traditional sign of a valorous death in battle, on the cairn that covered the fallen warrior�s body. Raising his head, he stared unseeing over the plains that extended from the base of the mountains toward the forest. Toward home - a home to which Berioron would not return.

The Mirkwood troops had said their farewells, and now turned their attention to packing for the next morning�s journey. The bonfire which had consumed the brigand�s remains was smothered, and only the watch fires broke the rapidly deepening shadows. Elrohir moved among the horses - checking wounds, applying salves, wrapping legs - soothing the tired and skittish mounts with his quiet presence.

Elladan sorted herbs and bandage rolls, stowing them in expectation of having the tent struck before the party retired. Hearing a quiet exchange outside, he stepped to the open flap in time to see three of the Mirkwood patrol leaving. Tiriadon stood at the tent entrance, showing little sign of the injury that could easily have threatened his life but two days past.

�I am nearly finished, Tiri,� Elladan offered quickly. �They may strike the tent now. I would not hold up our departure.�

The Mirkwood captain shook his head slightly, his one remaining braid swinging. �I instructed them to leave it until morning.� In answer to the arch of an ebony eyebrow, Tiriadon nodded at the lone figure still standing over the rocky grave. �Legolas has had time enough alone with Berioron,� he said quietly. �He will need you tonight, Elladan, if only for comfort. I would give him what little shelter there is from prying eyes.�

�And what of you, captain?� Elladan asked curiously. �Have you no need of comfort?�

Tiriadon grinned broadly, his moss-green eyes twinkling. �Is that an invitation, peredhel?� he asked with a snicker. �Legolas would think little of it, I daresay.�

Elladan returned the grin. �Little, indeed. Though I understand my virtue is safe with you, at any cost.�

�It is,� the captain admitted cheerfully, �but I would not care to test my resolve in that particular way, if it is all the same to you.� Becoming serious, he sighed. �S�lolwen awaits my return. I will shed my tears on her shoulder, as always.�

�She is lucky, my friend,� Elladan said, gripping his companion�s arm firmly.

�I would disagree,� Tiriadon contradicted with a smile, clapping Elladan on the shoulder. �I am the one blessed.� Looking toward the cairn, he drew a deep breath. �Go to him, my lord. I will find Elrohir.�

************

Elladan frowned in concern as he approached the grave site. Legolas seemed unaware of his lover�s presence, his clouded gaze still focused on the distant edge of Mirkwood. As the elder twin reached the cairn, however, the prince began to speak, his back still to Elladan.

�It is funny, really. I know Berioron is gone to the Halls of Waiting, that there is naught left here but a broken shell. Yet I am reluctant to leave him alone and return to the forest.� After a moment he continued, �It seems that there should be more, �Dan. More to mark the end of an immortal life than a broken arrow and a pile of stone.�

Elladan moved close behind Legolas and began rubbing his tense shoulders soothingly. �I know, anor n�n,� he sighed. �It seems there should be some marker, some ritual to fill the void. But there is only time.�

Turning in Elladan�s arms, the prince snuggled tight, burying his face in the hollow of his lover�s throat. Elladan pressed a chaste kiss to Legolas� forehead, his fingers twining idly in the golden braids that brushed his cheek. �Come back to the fires, �Las,� he urged after a space of time. �Tiri has left us the tent for the night, and �Roh will be waiting. I will fix you a sleeping draught if you like.�

�I do not wish to go back yet,� Legolas retorted, his voice muffled against his companion�s skin. �And I want no sleeping draught.�

�It is time, anor n�n,� Elladan began. �We should...�

The thought was never completed. Elladan found himself caught up in a plundering kiss, an almost violent assault born of the sorrow and anger that burdened his lover. Struggling to remain calm, he offered no resistance to the tongue that thrust aggressively into his mouth, nor to the hands that twisted his hair roughly, pulling his head back to expose his throat to sharp teeth and bruising lips.

When the hands moved to pull impatiently at his tunic, however, he grasped them firmly, meeting his lover�s wild emerald gaze. �No, �Las,� Elladan said, softening his words with a kiss to each trembling hand. �Not here. Not like this.�

�Why not?� Legolas purred darkly, pressing tightly against his lover. ��Tis said that the wild men couple on the graves of their kin, to appease the spirits.� Elladan bit back a groan as his ear was engulfed by a hot mouth, his stomach tightening as the silky voice dropped lower. �Do not fret, el n�n,� the prince breathed, his tongue flicking teasingly across Elladan�s ear. �I would not ask you to yield. I wish to ride you, melethron, until I no longer have strength to move.�

Lost in a haze of real and promised pleasure, the elder twin was jerked from his stupor by a savage tug at the lacing that secured his leggings. Suddenly aware once more of the cairn at his feet - and the curious onlookers - Elladan caught his predatory companion by the shoulders, shaking him sharply. �Legolas!� he hissed quietly. �We are not wild men, my prince. And we are providing an evening�s entertainment for your troops.�

Meeting Elladan�s concerned grey gaze, Legolas seemed to become fully aware of his surroundings for the first time. A look of abject guilt crossed his face as he took in his lover�s bruised mouth and ravaged throat. �Valar, �Dan, I am sorry,� he groaned, reaching up to touch the abused skin. �I do not know what possessed me...but I want you so...�

�Never mind,� Elladan whispered soothingly, casting a warning glance at the observers. �You are exhausted, anor n�n. You need to rest.�

Slipping an arm around his lover�s waist, Elladan urged him toward the healing tent.

*~*~*~*~*

Berioron - protector
S�lolwen - shining maiden

anor n�n - my sun
el n�n - my star
melethron - lover