Chapter 7

~Rhovanion 2151 III~

Legolas drew a deep breath, then strode rapidly toward the fire, determined to approach Elladan now, before his courage failed utterly. Stopping a scant pace from the spot where the elder twin sat, he addressed his wronged lover directly, sparing no notice or greeting for the surrounding elves. �I would speak with you, �Dan,� he said, silencing Elladan�s protest with a gesture reminiscent of Thranduil. �By the stream crossing, at moonrise.�

Fully expecting to be tackled and pummeled by an enraged elf-knight, Legolas was startled to see a flicker of something approaching approval in Elrohir�s piercing gaze. Raising his hand to stem further objections, he repeated, �At moonrise, el n�n,� the endearment nearly sticking in his dry throat.

As he walked toward the copse of trees that surrounded the meandering streams, Legolas said a silent prayer that his quaking legs would carry him out of sight of the astounded warriors. Despite Tiriadon�s insistence, he knew well the risk he had taken.

If Elladan did not appear, if his lover had been only further wounded by his peremptory manner, then there was little else Legolas could do. But the elder twin had already shown himself reluctant to face the issue, and had he allowed Elladan time to refuse him again, naught would have been achieved. �At least I have made the effort,� Legolas thought morosely. �The decision is his, now.�

Settling with his back against one of the enormous beech trees that surrounded the intersecting streams, the prince finally allowed the facade of control to fall away. He glanced up at the velvety black sky, but found that the stars, which usually seemed warm and reassuring, twinkled this evening with a cold and mocking light. E�rendil was nowhere to be seen.

Dropping his head to his knees, Legolas closed his eyes, seeking solace in the musical voice of the stream and the rush of a light wind through the trees. Each moment seemed an eternity, and hope ebbed low before he felt, rather than heard, the approach of a lone elf.

Elladan dropped to the ground beside the prince, carefully maintaining the polite distance that now always separated them. His voice, when he finally spoke, was quiet and resigned. �What if I had not come, Legolas?�

�Then I would be truly lost,� the prince replied, reaching determinedly for his lover�s hand. Elladan started and moved to withdraw from the touch, but Legolas held on, interlacing their fingers in a once familiar gesture. �Do not pull away from me, Elladan,� he pleaded. �Let me speak.�

Acknowledged by the faintest nod, the prince swallowed with difficulty. �I am sorry, 'Dan. There is no recompense I can offer, no words that will change what happened...�

�I have said that I know...� Elladan interrupted, only to be silenced by a finger to his lips.

�...that you know I meant no harm,� Legolas finished. �Aye, you have said so. But it is not enough that I meant no harm, and well I realize it. I misused you, caused you pain in body and spirit, and naught will change that fact. It is done.� Blinking back the tears that were stinging his eyes, he continued, �But please, gwadoren...please...�

Elladan raised his head sharply at the long unused endearment, and glimmering grey eyes met the prince�s imploring gaze.

�Bar me from your bed if you must, �Dan. �Tis little more than I have earned. But do not bar me from your heart. I cannot bear the thought of living without you, without �Roh.�

Legolas' voice trailed off into silence as he waited anxiously for some response. Any response.

�I do not wish to bar you from our bed, �Las,� Elladan said after a long moment, his voice hoarse with unshed tears. His thumb tracing patterns absently on his lover�s palm, he added, �And it was I who failed you, in some ways.�

Legolas shook his head in denial, his eyes wide, as he squeezed his lover�s hand tightly.

�I tried not to mind, anor n�n,� Elladan said, his eyes trained on the silvery sparkle of the flowing streams. �I truly did. But I wanted so badly to hold you, to comfort you. You wanted oblivion, not gentle words. And it hurt. I felt used, as though any aroused body would have sufficed.�

�You did comfort me, �Dan,� Legolas replied, a single tear escaping to wind down one cheek. �It was I who asked far too much.�

�But it should not have been too much,� Elladan argued, guilt limning his voice. �You should not have been forced to deal with my fragile ego as well as your own grief and anger.� He drew a shaky breath and continued, �My pride was injured, and I thought...nay, I hoped that if we did not speak of it, my ire would fade, and with it the guilt.�

Searching his companion�s face for understanding, Elladan sighed. �But it did not fade, �Las. And instead of facing it - and you - I hid behind my affronted facade. I should not have...�

"No," Legolas interrupted, his eyes mithril-rimmed above wet cheeks. �I should not have. It was my offense, 'Dan, not yours.� Grasping his lover�s other hand, he looked beseechingly into the drowned grey eyes. �I asked for your forgiveness once before, el n�n, and you would not answer. Can you grant it now? Will you give me time and chance to prove myself once more?�

�There is no need to prove...� Elladan began, but his protest was cut off summarily.

�There is need,� Legolas insisted fiercely. �Perhaps the need is mine, rather than yours, but it is there.� His voice softening, he asked again, �Will you forgive me?�

Elladan withdrew one hand from his lover�s grasp, reaching up to push back a golden braid. �Aye,� he said, finally allowing his tears free reign. �I will.�

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

Elrohir sat silently by the fire, his gaze wandering repeatedly to the thicket of trees which screened his twin and Legolas from the gathered warriors. Aggravation warred with hope as he waited impatiently for the outcome of the long overdue confrontation. The tension of the last few days had left the three elves exhausted and heartsick, the elf-knight no less so than Elladan or Legolas.

Lingering anger at Legolas� unconscionable treatment of the elder twin, combined with exasperation at Elladan�s stubborn reluctance to face the incident and his own turbulent feelings, had left Elrohir in such a foul temper that none dared approach him with any but the most critical request. Save one.

Tiriadon lowered himself to the ground beside Elrohir, seemingly oblivious to the ominous scowl that graced the younger twins's face. �I brought you some tea,� the Mirkwood captain said, pushing a mug into Elrohir�s reluctant grasp. �It will not hurry them to ignore your own comfort.�

The elf-knight gave a curt nod in his companion�s direction, then returned his regard to the flickering fire.

�You are welcome, my friend,� Tiriadon retorted with a wry grin, before launching into a one-sided conversation with the glowering peredhel. Speaking randomly of the trip before them, the horses, the weather, the relative merits of Dorwinion red and miruvor...the Mirkwood elf had nearly exhausted himself as well as all possible topics when at last Elrohir reacted.

�Valar�s wisdom, captain!� the elf-knight roared, scattering the few remaining onlookers like chafe in the wind. �Will you just be silent?�

�Ah, so you are yet capable of speech,� Tiriadon chuckled, completely unfazed. �I had begun to lose hope.�

�I am capable of far more than speech, I assure you,� Elrohir snapped, his eyes narrowed in irritation. �I am in no mood for levity, Tiri. There is a discussion of some gravity underway, or have you forgotten? I wish to be left in peace.�

�Why? To brood? To plan revenge? It is of no benefit that you sit and stew over the mistakes of others, my lord, while the principals struggle to reach accord. Has there not...�

�Enough!� Elrohir hissed, grasping his companion�s arm in warning. �I have had enough wood-elf insolence to last me for all eternity in the days just past. Leave me, before you find yourself thrashed.�

�If it will ease your anger to thrash a wood-elf, peredhel, then do so,� Tiriadon retorted, his own eyes blazing, �if you think that you can. But I would have you try your luck with me, rather than Legolas. He has endured far more suffering in his isolation and self-recrimination than you could offer with your hands, however deadly.�

Rising fluidly, he stood glaring at the elf-knight. �Well? Shall I have them clear a grappling field?�

Elrohir stared at Tiriadon in amazement, a reluctant smile curling the corners of his mouth. �There are few in Imladris who would issue that challenge, my friend. And fewer still who will brave my moods.� Patting the ground, he shook his head. �Sit down, captain, and tell me the secret of your courage. I have no desire to throttle you...or �Las.�

Settling comfortably beside the younger twin, Tiriadon shrugged. �My Adar is an elf of uncertain temperament, also,� he explained with a smile, handing a surreptitiously produced wineskin to Elrohir.

Eyeing the offered drink ruefully, the elf-knight asked, �Why give me tea when such a superior libation was within reach?�

Tiriadon grinned broadly. �I did not wish to face you both enraged and intoxicated. I have been called courageous, Elrohir, but I am not a fool.�

�Indeed, captain,� the younger twin chuckled, drinking deeply from the wineskin before passing it back to Tiriadon. �I never thought...�

Elrohir shuddered suddenly, rendered speechless by the flood of unrestrained thoughts and feelings rushing over him. Elladan had dropped all barriers, whether willingly or in distress. For one agonizing moment, he could not decipher the chaos, and he rose instinctively to his feet. Then a single emotion rose clear and strong. Relief.

It was over.

Releasing a thankful breath, Elrohir felt the gentle brush of his brother�s thoughts.

Join us, t�ren. There is yet much to say.

�My lord?� Tiriadon probed cautiously. �Are you...is Elladan...is everything well?�

�Aye, my friend,� Elrohir replied with a grateful sigh, turning toward the grove of trees, �I do believe it is.�

*~*~*~*~*

el n�n - my star
gwadoren - my sworn brother
anor n�n - my sun