Chapter 2

The Hall of Fire was ablaze early this night, as it was Elrond’s practice to have his guests gather there for wine and conversation before dinner on feast days. The Lord of Imladris himself stood by the great fire, wineglass in hand, speaking with Glorfindel and the visiting Prince of Mirkwood, son of his friend Thranduil.

"How fares Mirkwood, Legolas?" Elrond asked curiously. "It has been many years since I visited."

"We fare well enough, Lord Elrond," the prince answered, sipping his wine slowly. "Since Mithrandir entered Dol Guldur, and the dark one fled, the wood is more peaceful and wholesome than it has been in my time, but Adar still feels the darkness. The forest has not returned to its old brightness, as it was before the Necromancer came."

"I fear that we shall not be wholly free of the shadow for many years to come," Elrond agreed. "We have peace now, but it is a brooding, cautious peace."

The Peredhel lord sighed heavily, a look of weariness on his agelessly fair face. Like his sons, he was ebony-haired and grey-eyed. Though he now more often wielded a quill than a sword, his luminous pale skin still covered the hardened body of a warrior. Rolling his shoulders underneath his burgundy and gold formal robes, Elrond shook off his momentary soberness and said, "But that is enough council chamber talk for tonight. This evening is for merriment and pleasure."

"Aye, that is correct, my friend," Glorfindel interjected, "and you need distraction as much as any here." The captain threw back a large drink of his wine, then looked at Elrond sternly. "And I will see that you take your ease, híren, if I have to bind you in this Hall after the feasting!"

Legolas grinned at the expression of mock affront on the Imladrian lord’s face, then twinkled at Glorfindel, who was having a difficult time hiding his mirth. The Balrog-slayer’s sapphire blue eyes were glowing with amusement. His waist-length wavy golden hair – by which he had been pulled to his first death, if the tales be true – hung unbraided down his back, kept from his face by small gold clasps on each side. He wore a midnight-blue dress tunic and leggings, both of velvet, with an under-blouse of shimmering gold, and black leather boots.

Glorfindel was breathtaking and, like many young warriors before and many to follow, Legolas was completely captivated. So captivated, in fact, that he missed the entrance of his friends into the Hall, giving them a moment to study him appreciatively.

Look at him, ‘Dan. He is absolutely magnificent.

Aye, tôren. That he is.

The second prince of Mirkwood stood by the fire, the red-gold light flickering across his chiseled features. His ivory skin glowed in the firelight. His pale gold hair hung like sunlit silk to the small of his back, held back from high cheekbones by the tiny woven braids of Mirkwood royalty. He wore the lighter formal wear of his realm - soft brown leather leggings, a sage-green silk dress tunic embroidered with a pattern of leaves at the hem, and low brown suede boots.

Striding rapidly across the room, Elrohir stopped behind Legolas, and spoke softly in his ear. "We would like a word, gwadoren, if you can drag your eyes from Ada’s lieutenant for a moment."

Legolas quickly sat down his glass, then spun on his heel, clasping the elf-knight in a firm embrace, kissing him on each cheek in the manner traditional between close friends. "Elrohir! Where were you hiding? I have been in the Hall for some time now."

Elrohir smirked slightly. "We had difficulties in dressing, ‘Las, and were delayed somewhat."

Glorfindel’s golden eyebrows shot up in suspicion, as he knew the twins and their "difficulties" quite well. Those suspicions were confirmed a moment later when Elladan joined them, the shimmering length of his hair not quite obscuring the fresh love bite just behind one ear.

Glancing at Elrond, the Balrog-slayer was forced to stifle a chuckle, as the always-correct Lord of Imladris rolled his eyes in resignation, then allowed his glance to flicker repeatedly from the older twin to the younger.

Curious, Glorfindel followed the gaze, then snorted quietly when he saw what had drawn Elrond’s attention. In embracing Legolas, Elrohir had allowed his clothing to shift somewhat, and a perfectly oval bruise was visible at the base of his neck.

Raising one eyebrow, Elrond reached over and tugged his youngest son’s tunic back into place. "Let us remain dressed, 'Rohir," he said, struggling to hold back the smile that threatened to ruin his image as a stern father. "The reputation of Imladris has suffered enough at your hands, without taking leave of your clothing in a filled hall."

Elrohir, still holding the prince by the forearms, chuckled and grinned at his friend. Legolas' blue-green eyes were shot with gold, and glowing with pleasure. To the elf-knight, those eyes were like a forest stream, bubbling with life and mirth, and he wanted to drown in them, watch them dilate with need...

"’Roh? ‘Roh!" Elladan said with some amusement. "I would like to greet ‘Las, also, tôren."

Unfazed, Elrohir released the prince’s arms. "Very well, ‘Dan. He is all yours."

For the moment, that is el nín.

We will share later? There appears to be plenty here for the both of us.

"You are doing it again," Legolas accused with mock severity. "’Tis not polite to mindspeak in company."

Laughing, Elladan pulled the Mirkwood prince into a warm embrace. "Mae govannen, 'Las. We have missed you," he said, kissing his friend once on each cheek.

"I have missed you also, gwadoren. I have looked forward to this celebration for many moons. Mayhap we will have time to indulge ourselves in each other’s company these weeks," Legolas replied, squeezing Elladan’s forearms affectionately. "But tell me, where are the ladies of Imladris? I was glad to see Arwen earlier this season in the Golden Wood, but I have not met your Nana in many years."

Smiling, Elrohir replied, "Our sister is still lingering in Lórien with her current Galadhrim and Nana thought some extra supervision might be in order during the weeks of merriment before winter. Arwen needs watching at times."

Elladan shook his head in agreement. "She oft runs quite wild. It is not fitting for a maid to behave so."

A sudden burst of laughter caused the three to turn, and they found Erestor grinning broadly, his sharp features surprisingly soft as he surveyed the twins. "Is that not the river saying the rain is damp? The pair of you naming another wild?"

Chuckling good-naturedly, Elrohir said "Aye, Erestor, you are right. ‘Dan and I had best not throw stones." Looking the chief-advisor over carefully, he grinned. "You are looking especially well tonight. Glorfindel had best keep his eyes open, lest he lose you."

Erestor smiled complacently, perfectly aware that he did, in fact, look well tonight. His usual black robes had been replaced by dark plum velvet drapings, which bought out the purple in his deep indigo eyes. His blue-black hair fell in elaborate braids to the swell of his buttocks, and mithril clips finished the ends.

Glorfindel smirked cheerfully at the elf-knight, placing an arm possessively around his lover’s waist. "You are neither big enough nor experienced enough to oust me, youngling. And I can still stripe your hide if you make the attempt."

Elrohir threw his hands up in feigned protest. "You wound me, Glorfindel! I was merely trying to help you look out for what is yours."

"Guard your own bed, 'Rohir, and I will keep watch over mine," Glorfindel retorted with a wicked smile, "and I would add that you should be more careful with your teeth." Turning to Legolas, he smiled and said, "Forgive us. Such jesting is perhaps best done without witnesses."

Elladan, who had been watching Legolas closely during the exchange, noted with some amusement that his friend was more flustered by Glorfindel’s attention than he had been by the conversation. Regaining his composure quickly, the prince smiled and replied, "Think nothing of it, híren. I have brothers and uncles, also. I have given and taken worse."

Just as Legolas finished speaking, the chimes calling the household to dinner rang out in the Hall. Elrond placed his empty glass on a table, and started to the formal dining hall, followed by his family and guests.

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

The dining hall was aglow. Light from candles bunched on the tables was aided by the flickering light from the massive fireplace at the end of the chamber. Elrond’s table sat at the head of the room, and it was here that the lords and ladies of the household, as well as ranking guests were served. Legolas found himself on Elrond’s right, beside Elrohir. Across the table was Elladan, then Glorfindel and Erestor. The rest of the noble household found their usual seats, and the feasting began.

Though Elrond always sat a fine table, this night began the feasting of Lasse-lanta, and therefore the offerings were unusually fine. Meat, breads, fruits and greens of every type competed for the diners’ attention. The finest wines and juices were poured and consumed, and much mirth and song rang out around the room.

Quite at home beside Elrohir, Legolas laughed and talked with both the twins and the elder elves around him. After the meal was finished, more wine was passed, and the guests began slipping away in small groups toward the Hall of Fire, to continue the merrymaking.

During a lull in the conversation, the prince took a sip of wine, only to find Elladan looking at him intently. "’Dan...what is amiss?" he asked concernedly. "Are you well?"

Elladan shook his head sharply, as if to clear it, and answered, "Aye, I am fine, ‘Las." After a short pause, he continued, "But I fear I have had enough food for several meals. I think I will take a stroll, to hasten it down." Making his excuses, he felt Elrohir brush his mind anxiously.

What is amiss, el nín? Shall I come with you?

Nay, ‘Roh, I am fine. I am going to freshen our rooms, and make some preparations. Invite him up for a visit? I will take a fresh bottle of miruvor back with me.

Elrohir grinned broadly, his eyes dancing.

Very well planned, melethen. I will give you a quarter-hour.

Legolas eyed the elf-knight curiously. "What was that all in aid of, ‘Roh?" he asked quietly. "Elladan seemed quite discomfited by something. Have I broken a social code of Imladris unaware?"

"Nay, it is nothing you have done, ‘Las," Elrohir replied, regarding his friend affectionately. "We selfishly hope to snare you for a private visit after feasting, but we left our chambers in a disarray earlier. "’Dan will take his walk by the cellars, then straighten up a bit. If you are willing to forgo the Hall to join us, that is?"

Beaming, Legolas answered, "I can think of nothing that would please me more."

Elrohir smiled and said, "Let us go, then." Turning to Elrond, he continued, "If you will excuse us, Ada? We will go find ‘Dan and catch up on all our lives."

The Lord of Imladris chuckled and replied "Aye, go ahead. Just do not overdo. I have no wish to see three wine-sick younglings in the Healing Halls tomorrow."

As the two princes left the hall together, Glorfindel leaned over and addressed Elrond quietly. "The twins are up to something. I can smell it in the air."

The Peredhel lord agreed with a sigh. "Aye, they are, and I fear to ask. I am more content not knowing." Rising gracefully, he continued, "Come, let us adjourn to the Hall."

*~*~*~*~*

tôren - my brother
gwadoren - my sworn brother
Mae govannen - Well met
híren - my lord
el nín - my star
Lasse-lanta - literally "leaf fall", the season of autumn
melethen - my love