Chapter 12

Are you completely without mercy, ‘Las? Fourteen days! It is cruel beyond reason.

You were unconscious for ten of those days, rohir nín.

I was alive, was I not?

Aye, but barely.

‘Las, I have not gone fourteen days without a tumble since my majority.

Then it is time you developed some self-control...

"Elrohir!" Legolas hissed in exasperation, abandoning his thoughts as the dark head that had been resting chastely on his shoulder turned to nuzzle his throat.

"Hmm?" the elf-knight acknowledged absently. "Valar, but you taste good..." he murmured, one hand wandering idly over Legolas' bare chest. Snuggling tighter against his lover, Elrohir added, "And you feel good, too. I am an injured warrior, anor nín. Do I not deserve some comfort?"

Pulling away gently, Legolas sat up and turned a rueful eye on his companion. "You are supposed to be resting, ‘Roh. Your wound closed but recently, and you are still somewhat weak."

"Aye, but I am not sleepy," Elrohir retorted, his grey eyes twinkling. "Perhaps some exercise would help me rest?"

"Perhaps I should send for ‘Dan, or your ada?" Legolas shot back pointedly. "I am sure either would be glad to mix a sleeping draught for you."

"Nay," Elrohir shuddered in mock horror. "I had enough of those from the healers while in their care. I refuse to drink such a foul concoction now that I am released to your chambers." Breaking into a grin, he tugged insistently at a golden braid, pulling his reluctant lover down for a lingering kiss. "I will have to exhaust myself, instead."

Propping his elbows on Elrohir's chest, Legolas shook his head. "If you have no care for your own health, 'Roh, think of mine. ‘Dan, your ada, my ada, and every healer in Mirkwood will be after my hide if they return to find you collapsed again."

Elrohir chuckled, causing one golden eyebrow to raise inquisitively. "You think highly of yourself, wood-elf, if you believe I will collapse under your attentions. And ‘Dan had best not throw stones. I may still be recovering, but I am not deaf. The water flow here is not loud enough to muffle sounds, and I shall tell him so this afternoon."

Shifting guiltily, Legolas lowered his eyes. "I am sorry, rohir nín. It was not..."

"I was only joking, ‘Las," Elrohir said gently. "I did not intend to chastise you. No apology is needed." Breaking into a broad grin, he added, "Besides, it was quite enjoyable listening. I have a remarkable imagination, as you well know."

Legolas looked his lover over intently, then rose abruptly, heading toward the door. "I am bolting the door," he said, answering the inquisitive frown that darkened Elrohir's face.

Returning to the bed, Legolas pinned his lover with a smoldering gaze. "Did you touch yourself, while you were listening?" he asked seductively, unlacing his own leggings slowly.

"Aye," Elrohir answered, swallowing hard as the soft brown leather leggings were pushed to the floor, revealing the prince’s sleekly muscled body and rapidly burgeoning arousal. "’Las, I..."

"Shhhh," Legolas shushed, laying a finger over Elrohir’s mouth. Holding his lover’s gaze, he began languidly unlacing Elrohir’s dark green sleep-pants, causing the rough-woven fabric to slide enticingly over sensitive skin. "What did you imagine, rohir nín? Who was touching you, hmm?"

Closing his eyes as the loose garment was slowly slid off his hips, Elrohir drew a deep breath, his stomach twitching as the fabric was removed. Suddenly, he felt a sharp nip on his neck, followed by a soothing tongue. "Answer me, or I will stop," a breathless voice purred in his ear. "Did you imagine it was ‘Dan touching you? Or me?" There was a pause, as cool fingers trailed lazily over his bared skin, then the voice continued, an amused lilt now evident. "Or was it someone else?"

"Nay. Aye. Both," Elrohir managed, lifting his hips toward the clever hand that now drew ever-narrowing circles around his hardening shaft.

"What sort of answer is that?" Legolas teased gently, covering the elf -knight’s face with soft kisses. "Tell me. Both, you said?"

"Aye..." Elrohir began, his words quickly fading to moans as the circling hand closed firmly around his now-throbbing erection. "Please, ‘Las..." he gasped, reaching for his tormentor.

"Be still, ‘Roh," Legolas chided. "You are to rest. Let me do the work." Pulling away his hand, Legolas snickered at the petulant expression that flitted across Elrohir’s face, then stretched himself out over his lover.

"And where were you in your fantasy, rohir nín? Top or bottom?" he murmured against Elrohir’s lips, allowing no time for reply before capturing his lover's mouth in a heated kiss.

"Neither," Elrohir panted, when he was finally given time to speak.

"Neither?" Legolas repeated, both eyebrows arching in confusion. "We did not join, in this pleasant daydream?"

"Aye, we joined," the elf-knight answered, lifting off the bed to grind his hips against Legolas. "I was in the middle."

Legolas stared wide-eyed for a moment, then tilted his head thoughtfully. "Can we do that?" he asked curiously, his emerald-dark eyes intent on his lover’s face.

Elrohir returned the gaze soberly, then broke into a grin. "Not without ‘Dan, I am afraid," he chuckled.

Shaking his head in exasperation, Legolas snorted, "I did not mean now, Elrohir. I meant in general. I was thinking of the fusing, and the glow and such."

"I do not see why we could not," Elrohir replied, running his hands over his lover's body. "But just now I would prefer that you think of other things."

"Anxious, are we, rohir nín?" Legolas queried innocently, even as his mouth began a long journey down Elorhir's chest and over his corded stomach, stopping to suckle and bite, leaving pale-red ovals in its wake.

"Oh, gods, ‘Las," Elrohir whimpered as his straining shaft was suddenly beset by mouth and hands. "Wait, please...I will not last."

"’Tis alright," Legolas gasped, giving the turgid length a final lick before moving quickly to straddle his lover. "Neither will I," he hissed, impaling himself with one smooth movement.

Elrohir muffled a howl as he was sheathed in velvety heat, gripping the prince’s hips tightly as he fought for control. "I...I cannot...wait..." he panted, his whole body tensed with the effort required to hold back the climax that threatened.

"Touch me," Legolas demanded hoarsely, reaching for Elrohir’s hand. The elf-knight quickly closed his fist around his lover’s weeping erection, drawing an appreciative groan. "Aye, like that," Legolas breathed shakily, as the gripping hand began to move rapidly. "Elbereth, ‘Roh...more..."

Throwing his head back with a whimper, Legolas gave in to the pleasure and began rocking his hips rhythmically, thrusting into the warm hand. He gave a a shuddering groan and his seed splashed over the elf-knight’s stomach, even as Elrohir released deep inside his body.

Carefully lifting himself, Legolas dropped beside his lover, wrapping him in a warm embrace. Elrohir snuggled tightly against the prince, his eyelids already heavy. "Love you, anor nín," he whispered drowsily.

"And I love you," Legolas replied, pressing a soft kiss to Elrohir's forehead. "Sweet dreams, rohir nín."

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

Thranduil paced his study distractedly, the events of the last four days running through his mind over and over, as though unable to escape. The arrival of Elrond had brought about Elrohir’s recovery, nearly beyond hope.

Elrond had also brought Glorfindel...the king sighed as he contemplated his old friend. Glorfindel had been the last to share Thranduil’s bed before the king was bound to his wife. There had been no romantic love there, no, but true and lasting friendship was there...as well as lust.

Glorfindel was also the first in the years since the death of the queen to seek more than one night in the king’s bed. He had made himself perfectly clear...astoundingly so. ‘I do not seek a quick tumble, Thranduil,’ he had said, his voice perfectly calm. ‘Erestor and I wish to have you share in our love.’ As Thranduil opened his mouth to protest, Glorfindel had silenced him by quietly saying, ‘We understand that you are bound to your lady, even in death, hiren. We wish only to bring you comfort and all of us much pleasure.'

And Glorfindel had been nothing if not proper. Though they joked and talked intimately, never did he take any physical liberty...and Thranduil could not decide whether to be grateful or disappointed. He had not forgotten the power and beauty that lay hidden beneath the warrior’s garb, and he felt sure Glorfindel, too, remembered their days together pleasantly. Otherwise, why would he be in Mirkwood, proposing this most amazing arrangement?

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

Elrond’s eldest son sat quietly in the courtyard, his attention focused - with frightening intensity - on the crown prince of Mirkwood. "I am sorry, Elladan," Anteruon said soberly. "I have spoken much that was hurtful in my foolishness, and in my pride and stubbornness I nearly killed Elrohir."

"I would say that you saved his life, Anteruon, probably twice," Elladan replied. "Once in the woods, and once in the healing hall. I do not understand why you would blame yourself for his accident. It was nothing you did, and we all have said things best forgotten."

Looking silently at Elladan, Anteruon drew a deep breath. "He would not have been outside the gates, had I been less stubborn. Had I talked rather than run into the forest to brood, none of us would have been in danger." Looking Elladan full in the eye, he asked, "Did he tell you what caused my discomfort?"

Elladan hesitated. "Aye, he did tell me," he admitted, "and I would agree with his reasoning. It was merely the heat and movements of the match. It is nothing that should distress you."

"He is also more than passing fair," Anteruon said bluntly, watching the elder twin closely.

"I would agree," Elladan admitted with a slight smile, "Though it makes me sound quite vain."

"There is no conceit in acknowledging the truth, my prince," Anteruon retorted with a smile, his pleasant expression nearly as startling as the courtesy title. After a moment’s pause, he spoke again. "I do not pretend to understand the relationship between Elrohir, Legolas, and yourself." As Elladan opened his mouth to speak, the crown prince raised his hand in a gesture reminiscent of Thranduil. "I am not at all sure I need to understand," he added hastily. "My brother is obviously besotted, and that is reason enough to welcome you."

Holding out one arm hesitantly, he said, "I would have us start over, Elladan, if you can forgive me."

"Gladly, Anteruon," Elladan replied, reaching out to grip his companion’s arm in a traditional warrior’s clasp.

Greatly relieved, Anteruon asked suddenly, "Is Elrohir up to company today? I would speak with him, also."

"He is quite able to have visitors," Elladan assured the crown prince, motioning for him to follow. Just as they reached the curving stairs, a strangled howl rang out from above. Stopping abruptly, Elladan raised one elegant eyebrow, meeting Anteruon’s startled gaze calmly. "I do not, however, think that this is the best possible time to drop in for a chat."

*~*~*~*~*

rohir nín - my knight
anor nín - my sun