Chapter 9

Legolas sat with his back pressed against the trunk of the great tree, legs swinging freely on either side of the branch that held him. He had climbed the ancient limbs seeking solitude, and the solace that all his kind found in the whispers and songs of living things. Today the magic of the trees seemed to fail him utterly.

He had first barricaded himself in his own chambers, mind reeling with the words spoken, and the unvoiced implications. Legolas had found his heart thudding painfully as he played the phrases over and over in his mind.

'We are forming...have formed...a bond of some sort.� �We love you...are in love with you, 'Las. Have you not guessed?"�

Unable to escape the turmoil of his thoughts in the heavy silence of his room, he had sought out the sights and sounds of the gardens, hoping to calm his soul and clear his mind. Now he sat astride a branch, high in the tallest tree of the hillside garden, surrounded by the green boughs. As he closed his eyes, Legolas found himself relaxing, lulled by the rush of water and a comforting fragrance. Sniffing carefully, he frowned in concentration. It smelled crisp, fresh, familiar...suddenly realizing why, he sighed. It was the scent of Imladris...of the twins. This must be one of the trees Elladan spoke of, the source of the oil.

Giving in to his need for comfort, Legolas breathed deeply, letting the fragrance wash over him, easing his tension. �What am I to do?� he begged silently of some unknown advisor. �I do not know if I can bear always being the third...always being the one apart, but can I bear losing them, either?�

Legolaa wished desperately for his younger brother, his father...anyone to confide in, someone to help him through this confusion. Then, with wry smile, he realized that the only confidantes he would have felt free sharing this with were here already...Elladan and Elrohir...but they could not support him through this trial, as they had so many others.

Sighing deeply, Legolas began descending the great tree. Perhaps he could think more clearly after spending some nervous energy on the archery range. Dropping to the ground with cat-like ease, he was startled to find himself face to face with the Lord of Imladris. Elrond sat comfortably on the stump of a long-dead tree, his usual robes replaced by simple tunic and leggings. Smiling warmly, he looked the prince over and said, "The colors of Imladris become you, Legolas. You should wear them more often while you are with us."

Flushing slightly, Legolas bowed. "Thank you, Lord Elrond. I have been enjoying this marvelous tree. The texture and scent are soothing to the spirit."

Elrond looked intently at his guest, then asked quietly, "How comes it that your spirit needs calming? I can see that you are in some distress."

Unsure how to respond, Legolas began awkwardly, "I cannot...I do not think I should..."

Elrond nodded in understanding. "I believe I am right in assuming that your difficulty involves my sons?"

"Aye, h�ren," Legolas admitted.

Elrond sighed heavily. "I have known you since soon after your birth, young one. I would not gladly see you lost to us. I cannot offer counsel in this difficulty, whatever it is, but know that I care for you, Legolas. And I would add that Erestor and Glorfindel are just and caring advisors."

"I appreciate your kind words," Legolas replied, bowing low, "and I will think on your advice regarding Glorfindel and Erestor."

Elrond smiled and inclined his head as Legolas turned to leave the garden.

***********

Thwap.    Thwap.    Thwap.    Thwap.

Arrows smacked rhythmically into the field target, each striking a hair�s breadth from the other, as Legolas loosed round after round, not halting until his quiver was emptied. Pausing only long enough to retrieve his arrows, he began again, the repeated whine of the bowstring followed by the �thwap� of an arrow embedding in its mark calming his anxiety. Over and over he repeated the ritual, the familiar pattern - nock, aim, release - soothing in its predictability, its sameness.

"I assure you, it is dead," a lyrical voice said, amusement underlying the words.

Lowering his bow, Legolas turned to find Glorfindel standing behind him, eyes twinkling. "I am sorry, h�ren," the prince answered in confusion. "What is dead?"

"The target," Glorfindel said with a smile, motioning toward the ripped and leaking bag. "It has gone where all grass-filled effigies go when their usefulness is over. I believe you may safely cease you efforts now."

Smiling sheepishly, Legolas replied, "I did not seek to destroy your training goods. Please accept my apologies."

"�Tis alright, I have many others," Glorfindel began, only to stop in consternation as he saw tears well in his companion�s eyes. "Legolas? What is amiss?" he asked gently. "Surely you need not weep over the end of a grass-bag orch?"

"Nay, not the target," the prince said quietly. "Your words...�tis alright...reminded me..." he stuttered out, then stopped. "Do not trouble yourself, h�ren. I am well."

Drawing himself to his full impressive height, Glorfindel shook his head. "Nay, you are not well. Go retrieve your arrows, then we will address whatever causes you such grief on this beautiful day," he said sympathetically.

Legolas opened his mouth to protest, and was kindly but firmly silenced. "Now, Legolas. I have not commanded the forces of Imladris for centuries to have my orders disobeyed by a youngling such as you."

Looking into Glorfindel�s caring but determined face, the prince sighed - partly in resignation, and partly in relief � and did as he was bid. Gathering his arrows, Legolas returned and Glorfindel reached out and gently touched the golden braids that today gleamed with blue and mithril beads. "The talk did not go so well, then?" he asked quietly.

"I am not sure," Legolas replied hesitantly, lowering his head. Glorfindel looked at the bowed head for a moment, then took hold of a blue-clad arm. "Come with me," he said, in a voice that brooked no disagreement. "This sounds needful of a diplomat�s touch. We will go see Erestor."

Following Glorfindel reluctantly, Legolas found himself in Elrond�s library, being greeted by a completely unflustered Chief Advisor. Erestor wore the severe black robes his office demanded, but his obsidian-dark hair was braided simply in five -strand side plaits, pulled back to keep them out of his work.

Asking no questions in response to Glorfindel�s appearance with the prince in tow, Erestor settled his visitors in comfortable chairs near the arches and poured generous goblets of deep red wine, before turning an inquiring eyebrow on his lover.

"We have a problem that requires a diplomat�s skills," Glorfindel began. "Legolas is distressed, and unable to tell me whether the precipitating discussion was good or bad," he paused to grin broadly at his lover, "so I naturally thought of you."

Looking Legolas over, taking in his clothing and beaded hair, Erestor quickly concluded who was involved, if not what was causing such confusion. In unpressing conversational tones, he asked, "Will you tell us what is amiss? I assure you that it will not be repeated."

When the prince seemed willing, but unable to explain, Erestor continued gently, "Have you had a disagreement with the twins, young one?"

To Erestor�s surprise, Legolas smiled ruefully and replied, "Of a sort, I suppose," then his eyes filled suddenly with tears, and he continued in a whisper, "they think...they say... that they are in love with me."

With no trace of surprise, Glorfindel said, "And this distresses you?" When the prince nodded, he went on gently, "Do you not believe them? Or do you not return their love?"

"I do not know, h�ren," Legolas sighed, impatiently brushing away the single tear that escaped. "I am confused and...and torn, I suppose." Legolas shook his head. "You must think me foolish," he began, but was quickly interrupted by Glorfindel.

"We do not think you foolish, Prince Legolas," the captain said firmly. "We love the twins, and we care for you. Let us aid you, if we are able."

Erestor agreed briskly, "Glorfindel is right. Tell us what causes you confusion, and perhaps we can help you find your way. Do not worry about being coherent, just open your heart. Often the most useful words are the least planned."

Faced with their warm acceptance, and his own yearning for advice - or at least comfort - Legolas did as they asked, simply opening his mouth and letting his thoughts flow out in the same jumble that swirled in his head. He spoke haltingly of his fear of losing his best friends, of his contentment in the days that followed the change in their relationship. He told them of his fear of harming the twin-bond, and how that fear had changed to terror of forever being apart, an intruder - the dispensable one. He spoke until no further words would come, until he felt empty, exhausted, and his confessors let him ramble, until finally his words faded away, and he looked at them, his eyes still haunted, but calmer.

Glorfindel returned the gaze thoughtfully. "Do you love 'Adan and 'Rohir? Aside from your fears, do you return their love?"

Legolas was silent for a long moment, then whispered, "Aye, I do. But I am..."

Erestor broke in, his voice kind. "Legolas, you have journeyed much with the twins, have you not?"

"I have, for many years."

"When you traveled together, you engaged in orch-raids, in battles?"

"Aye," Legolas replied, confused.

"Were you ever afraid one would fail to cover your back, let you fall, to protect the other?" Erestor asked.

Legolas looked at the advisor with a frown. "Of course not," he answered. "They fight as one elf. I feel more secure with �Dan and �Roh watching my back than with any other."

Glorfindel raised one golden eyebrow, then said, "So you trust them with your life, but not with your heart?"

Taken by surprise, Legolas opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again.

Erestor leaned over laid a hand on the prince�s arm. His voice kind, he entreated, "If they can protect you as one, Legolas, why can they not love you as one?"

Legolas sat silently, his face pensive. "I have not taken that view," he admitted slowly. "I never considered..."

"You are not the third, Legolas. You are the second. The twins are one half and you are the other," Glorfindel interrupted. "You are not dispensable, and neither is Elladan, nor Elrohir. All three are needed to make the whole."

Legolas looked intently at the captain for a long moment, his face nearly expressionless. Suddenly he drained his wineglass and rose gracefully from the chair. Bowing low to the elder elves, he said, "Lord Erestor, Lord Glorfindel, I cannot express how grateful I am for your wise counsel. But, if you will excuse me, I have an errand that will not wait."

As the prince started down the hall, Glorfindel came to the library door, and called after him. "They have gone to the falls, young one."

Waving a hand in thanks, Legolas headed for the back gardens, and the path to the waterfall-laden cliffs.

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

The twins lay stretched on their backs in the soft grass beside a waterfall-fed pool in the rocky grotto.

Elladan still held a glass of sparkling cherry-red wine in his hand, fingers moving repeatedly over the stem. The younger twin had finished his latest drink and lay staring up at the swaying tree branches, arms above his head.

It has been several hours, now, el n�n.

Aye, �Roh, it has. It does not bode well, I think.

Nay, it does not. The more he thinks...

He thinks too much, as I have said before, rohir n�n.

"Are the two of you drunk, or simply involved in a conversation I cannot hear?" Legolas asked teasingly, slipping between the trees to stand at Elrohir�s feet. "One or the other must be true, or surely you would have heard my approach."

"�Las!" the elf-knight exclaimed, sitting up quickly. "We were just wondering where you had gotten to this afternoon. Will you join us in a glass of wine?"

"Please do," Elladan added with a smile, sitting up more slowly. "It is a fine day for lying in the sun and becoming inebriated. Which we are not, I might add. Yet."

Reassured by the warm greeting, but aware of the wariness with which the twins watched him, Legolas bit back a sigh of remorse. He had hurt them, though he had not meant to, and some of the trust built up over centuries had been eroded. He only hoped he could repair the damage now.

"I would very much like to share your wine," Legolas answered, "but first there is something I would ask of you."

Two pair of silver-grey eyes looked at him curiously, and two elegant ebony eyebrows arched in question as he paused for breath and courage. "May I sit with you, �Dan? �Roh?" he asked, his voice ever-so-slightly unsure.

"Of course," Elrohir replied, patting a spot between he and his brother. "Join us."

Dropping to the ground, Legolas reached for a hand on either side, his heart hammering so he could hardly speak. "Please," he said, so softly that the others had to draw close to hear him, "Will you hold me?"

"Hold you?" Elladan repeated, looking at the prince quizically.

"Aye," Legolas replied, reaching for Elladan's hand, then Elrohir's. "Both of you. Lie down and hold me."

Lying on his back, a twin snuggled to each side, Legolas closed his eyes and let the scent of Imladris and the roar of the waterfall flow over him, just as they had earlier in the great tree. But this time both the scent and the sound were stronger, and he was surrounded by warmth, and black silk. He was at home. With no thought at all, the only words that would do came effortlessly from his mouth. "I love you."

For endless seconds no one moved, or spoke, or breathed. Then as one the brothers raised themselves and looked at Legolas with wary astonishment. "You love us?" Elladan asked uncertainly, looking intently into the blue-green eyes, as if searching for reassurance.

"Aye, I do. If you will have me?" Legolas replied, biting his lip nervously.

"We will have you, anor n�n," Elrohir whispered, his breath brushing a sensitive ear. "We would have you all day, every day, over and over." Trailing sweet kisses across Legolas' cheekbones, the elf-knight caught his lover's mouth in a searching kiss.

Legolas returned the kiss with a desperation that both surprised and aroused the younger twin. As Elrohir drew away to nibble enticingly down his neck, Legolas quickly reached for Elladan, pulling the elder twin�s head down to capture his mouth in a fierce kiss - breathless minutes of gently battling tongues and nipping teeth, that left both gasping for air.

Tugging impatiently at Legolas' tunic, Elrohir sent a shower of fasteners flying, as the stitching gave before the clasps. "You are destroying your own clothing, rohir n�n," Legolas panted hoarsely, groaning as two warm mouths traveled down his chest, tongues lapping teasingly.

"We have more," Elrohir countered with a grin, taking a pierced nipple in his mouth, tugging at the ring with his teeth then soothing the sting with his tongue.

Legolas moaned in pleasure at the sensation, then hissed sharply as a second mouth slid over his stomach, then moved teasingly over the cloth of his leggings. Elladan pressed his mouth against the straining lacings and blew puffs of hot, moist breath through the fabric, causing it to rub wickedly against the prince�s aching arousal.

"Elladan," Legolas groaned, bucking up into the touch, "Please..."

Quickly removing the offending leggings, Elrohir joined his twin at the prince�s groin and they began to lick his throbbing length in evil tandem, tongues sliding smoothly from base to tip, then meeting in a lavish kiss before descending again.

Legolas whimpered, pushed beyond words by the incredible sensation of dueling tongues. Just as he felt his body gathering for release, the warm wetness was gone, and he glared in disbelief at his tormentors.

"You are heartless, both of you," he rasped, watching with an ill-disguised mixture of impatience and lust as the twins stripped off their own clothing.

"Aye, we are," Elladan agreed, midnight-dark eyes gleaming, as he lowered himself atop the prince's body, skin sliding maddeningly over skin, mouths mating hungrily, until Elrohir gave one of Elladan's ebony braids a sharp tug.

"Share, t�ren, or I shall take my toys and go home," the elf -knight teased, slapping his brother's arse gently.

"That would indeed be a loss," Elladan teased, grasping Elrohir�s erection and giving it a few swift strokes.

"If you do not stop now, I shall go home, to Mirkwood," Legolas threatened, reaching for Elrohir, pulling him into the pile of tangled limbs.

Rolling onto his back, the elf-knight lifted his hips invitingly, his eyes on Legolas. "Like this, anor n�n? Have me, like the first time."

With a shaky breath, the prince moved between Elrohir's spread thighs, slicking his own arousal with their blended fluids before pushing inside.

"Oh yes," Elrohir gasped, arching up to meet the smooth thrust. "That is so good..."

Elladan moved up behind Legolas and pressed a string of wet kisses across the prince's shoulders. Positioning himself, Elladan grasped the Legolas' sweat-slick hips, then buried himself in a single lunge of his hips.

Fighting to regain control, as they had pushed themselves to the brink with their play, Elladan started to move slowly, pulling back then pushing forward forcefully, forcing Legolas deep into Elrohir with each movement, blending their motion into one thrust, their moans into one sound.

As the speed and intensity of their movements increased, Elrohir began stroking himself in synchrony with the pounding thrusts. Suddenly Legolas threw back his head and howled wordlessly, his body stiffening as he reached his climax, the sights and sounds of his pleasure drawing the others over the edge with him.

Lying in a comfortable tangle on the soft ground, snuggled tightly against his lovers, Legolas heard a soft echo in his mind.

We love you, anor n�n.

Closing his eyes, he concentrated with all his might on his own message.

As I love you, el n�n, rohir n�n.

*~*~*~*~*

anor n�n - my sun
h�ren - my lord
el n�n - my star
rohir n�n - my knight
t�ren - my brother