Interlude III

Legolas stretched drowsily, wincing as a dull pain shot through his lower regions. He opened his eyes and sat up slowly, surprised to find the room fully awash in sunlight and the bed empty, save for himself. A small cheesecloth bag lay on Elladan�s pillow. Curious, Legolas picked up the offering and found that it was accompanied by a note:

Have a hot soak with these herbs, 'Las. They will soothe the ache. We shall return before breakfast.

Flushing slightly, but smiling nonetheless, Legolas threw himself back down onto the pillows and stretched again, his mind wandering over the events of the previous night. The soreness was persistent, and Legolas realized that he must have been every bit as wanton as memory painted, if the twins thought him needful of a hot herbal bath before breakfast.

Rising reluctantly, he made his way to the bathing chamber with only a few mumbled curses. There he was pleasantly surprised to find the tub nearly filled, waiting only for the addition of hot water to bring it to temperature. Fervently thankful for the springs that supplied Imladris with nearly-boiling water on demand, he opened the pipe that carried the mineral-rich hot water and finished filling the huge tub. Swirling the sack of herbs through the water, he inhaled appreciatively as the fresh scent was released, and the water slowly turned a soft green.

Legolas considered the color of the water warily, then braided his hair in one thick plait and stepped into the tub. Lowering himself carefully into the steaming water, he first hissed in discomfort, as his over-used bottom contacted the water, then sighed with relief as the medicinal herbs began to soothe the raw areas. Fragrant soaps lay at hand, and Legolas scrubbed himself thoroughly, making his skin glow. Flipping his braid over the edge of the tub, he sank into the warmth with a groan of pleasure, sliding down until his chin touched the sweet-scented water, his eyes turning vacant in utter relaxation.

**********

"It is perfect, �Dan," Elrohir said with patent satisfaction. "I can not imagine a better gift."

Elladan nodded in agreement "�Las will be very pleased, I daresay. Do you suppose he will wear it at home, in Mirkwood?"

Elrohir frowned thoughtfully. "I do not see why not. It is not as if he is carrying the tokens of Dol Guldur into Thranduil�s realm, after all. Ada has long been a friend of the King."

"I am glad it will serve, my lords," the designer said gratefully. "When will you be wanting it completed?"

"Soon, very soon, I fear," Elladan admitted. "Tomorrow, by feast time?"

"It will be a stretch,� the artisan said slowly, "But not impossible. I will have it ready, h�ren."

"We are in your debt, then, Celmon, both for seeing us at this hour and for rushing your work," Elladan replied with a smile. "�Roh will come for it before dinner begins tomorrow."

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

Aware of the sounds in the bed-chamber, and recognizing them as safe, Legolas did not stir from his reverie until he felt a soft touch on the tip of his nose. Slowly focusing, he found himself staring, somewhat cross-eyed, at a silky black braid. And mithril beads. "Morning, rohir n�n," he said with a smile, stretching lazily.

"Good morning, �Las," Elrohir replied, grinning broadly. "You do realize that should you drown, Thranduil would attack Imladris and you would be responsible for an entire wave of kinslayings. It is not safe to drowse so in the water, anor n�n. Besides, it is nearly time for breakfast."

Standing and stretching lavishly, Legolas accepted the offered towel as he stepped from the deep tub. As he patted himself dry, he noted that Elrohir still stood beside the bath, watching intently. Raising one golden eyebrow in silent question, he looked expectantly at the elf-knight.

"How are you feeling this morning? Did the bath help?"

Feeling his face begin to flush, Legolas answered, "I am fine, and aye, it did help," then quickly changed the subject. "Where have the two of you been this early?"

"I fear that is not for discussion just yet, anor n�n," Elrohir returned with a grin, opening the door for the prince. "And you are sweet when you blush," he whispered as his lover walked by him into the bed chamber.

Glaring at the elf-knight, Legolas nearly ran into a grinning Elladan, who stood holding out leggings and shirt, both of deep blue. "Here you are," he said, handing the clothing to the prince."How do you feel, �Las? We have some salve that will help."

His cheeks burning in earnest, Legolas pulled on his leggings, then snapped, "I am fine, �Dan. I am fine. Aye, the bath helped. And I need no salve." Turning a glare on the elder twin he went on, "Was there anything else?"

Elladan chuckled and replied, "Just one more thing, anor n�n. I agree. You are sweet when you blush."

Speechless with indignation, Legolas rolled his eyes and turned to finish dressing, then tugged viciously at his braid, trying to unbind the slightly damp hair. Suddenly he found himself caught in a snug embrace, pulled tightly back against a warm body. "Forgive us, �Las," Elladan whispered, pressing a kiss to the back of his lover's neck. "We did not mean to anger you."

His ire fading, Legolas leaned comfortably into Elladan�s arms. "I know, el n�n," he said with a smile. "I should not be so easily irked. I just so hate to blush and I can not fathom why I still do so in private, with only the three of us to see or hear such jests."

"�Tis alright," Elladan soothed, patiently unbraiding the tangled golden strands. "It is a part of you, �Las. It would seem strange if you did not flush."

"Aye, it would," Elrohir agreed, beginning to brush his lover's unbound hair. "Perhaps when you are older, like Glorfindel, it will stop. But I wish not. I would count it a loss."

Sectioning the shining hair, Elladan quickly fashioned a single braid, blue and mithril beads woven sparingly into the golden strands. "Now we all match," he said with a grin, "and just in time. I hear the last breakfast chimes."

***********

As the three entered the informal breakfast room, those of the household who had already begun eating looked up expectantly. All of Imladris was following the progress of the triad. A few jealously hoped for its failure, but most of the valley approved of Legolas and appreciated the way his golden coloring complimented the twins' darker charms. Thus they were met with smiling faces as they made their way to the high table, where Elrond and his two closest advisors had already been served.

"Good morning," Elrond said with a smile, turning his gaze on each in turn. "I trust you rested well? We missed you rather early last eve."

"Very well, indeed," Elladan answered with a grin. "It was a perfect night. And did you rest well after your picnic, Ada?"

"I did," Elrond replied. Turning to his younger son, he went on, "That was an excellent idea, 'Rohir. Most relaxing. Everyone enjoyed it greatly."

Elrohir beamed. "Thank you, Ada. It was a pleasure for us to plan, as well."

"You are a little late this morning," Erestor said to Elladan, as a server brought tea, plates of fruit and bowls of steaming grain porridge for the latecomers. "Did your errand prove difficult?"

"Nay, the errand was most successful," Elladan said with a smile. "But we left �Las abed, and he was nearly asleep in the bath when we returned."

Grinning broadly, Elrohir added, "He was, indeed. I feared for a moment he had drowned."

Legolas frowned. "I was not asleep, I was relaxing, as you well know. And what errand drew the two of you from bed so early? It was most unusual."

"One that is not for discussion just now, anor n�n," Elladan replied, completely unperturbed. "And as you well know, we often rise before dawn in the wilds."

"Aye," Elrohir began quietly, a teasing gleam in his eyes, "We are early risers, when not awakened in the middle of the night by euphoric..."

"Elrohir!" the prince hissed, his ears pink. "Enough. Eat your cereal, before you find yourself wearing it."

Glorfindel snorted. "I would heed that warning, young one. The porridge is quite hot this morning. It could have devastating consequences if dumped in your lap."

Eyes wide in mock horror, Elrohir turned to his meal, nearly dropping his tea when a palm slid lightly over the lacings of his leggings, as a voice echoed in his thoughts.

It would be devastating, indeed, if any injury befell this, hmm?

Glancing in disbelief at Legolas, he found blue-green eyes twinkling at him warmly in an otherwise innocent face. With an impish grin, Elrohir let go a reply.

Aye, it would be vile indeed. It would leave you short half a cinnamon bun.

***********

"Can you have them ready?" Legolas asked anxiously, "I know it is short notice."

Looking carefully at the items to be adapted, Celmon smiled. "Aye, h�ren. It will not be so much long work, as tedious work. I will have them done by feast time tomorrow."

"I will come and get them before the meal, then," Legolas began, but the artisan interrupted politely.

"Begging your pardon, h�ren, but that is not a good idea. You would surely be seen. Perhaps I can have them left for you in the library, as soon as they are complete? Lord Erestor will not mind."

"Thank you very much, Celmon," Legolas said, inclining his head. "I am in your debt."

Bowing low, the bemused elf wondered what would come of having not one, but three Elven princes in his debt.

*~*~*~*~*

anor n�n - my sun
h�ren - my lord
rohir n�n - my knight
el n�n - my star
Ada, Adar - Papa, Father