Chapter 17

Elrohir, his amazement and unease growing with every passing moment, drank tea in silence as his brother dressed.

Elladan cinched his black leather leggings snugly, topping them not with a casual tunic, but with close-fitting layers of blue and grey, covered by a well-worn black leather jerkin. Pulling on his boots, he hesitated, then slid his boot-knife into its sheath. His garb complete, he moved to the mirror, brushing the heavy black curtain of his hair smooth before braiding it tightly in a single thick plait, the ovals of lapis lazuli woven into the strands glowing in the early morning light.

�Do you go to a friendly meeting or a battle, t�ren?" Elrohir asked wryly, his quizzical gaze meeting clouded grey eyes in the mirror.

Elladan frowned, turning to face his brother as he slipped the last bead onto his braid. �I have little stomach for humor this day, �Roh.�

�And no jest was intended,� Elrohir retorted, choosing a muffin from the breakfast tray. �Look at yourself. You seem more warrior than diplomat this morn. Do you hope to intimidate him into submission?�

Turning to look in the mirror once more, Elladan shrugged his shoulders. �Perhaps. It would be easier than trying to reason with him, I wager,� he said with a rueful grin, reaching for his own tea. �I do not look forward to this, rohir n�n.�

�You know I would gladly accompany you,� Elrohir offered, his face serious. �It is my concern, as well, �Dan. And Legolas', too, if it comes to that.�

Elladan shook his head firmly, pinning his brother with a steady gaze. �You speak as though Anteruon has done something intentional to offend or harm. That is not the case, and I do not wish to approach him aggressively. He is likely unaware that we have noticed anything amiss. Perhaps there is nothing amiss, and we have simply misconstrued his actions.�

Elrohir remained silent, arching one ebony eyebrow skyward in unspoken comment.

Sighing, Elladan continued, �And he saved your life, �Roh, probably twice. I would spare us both the discomfort of this, but I fear �Las is beginning to consider Anteruon�s behavior odd...and I will not risk that confrontation.�

�Aye, it would be a disaster were �Las to discern the cause of Anteruon�s erratic response to you,� Elrohir agreed soberly. �Our wood-elf would deem diplomacy inadequate, I fear.�

�He would, indeed,� Elladan replied. Setting down his empty mug, he added reluctantly, �I suppose there is no profit in waiting, though I had hoped Legolas would return. It would be a relief to know you had him under watch while I speak with Anteruon.�

�They have likely finished breakfast,� Elrohir mused, rising from his seat. �He may be sitting in the courtyard with the others.�

Looking out from the landing atop the stairs, Elladan quickly located Legolas. �Stay here, �Roh,� he directed. I will tell �Las you wish to see him.�

�On what pretext, t�ren?" Elrohir asked amusedly. �He left us just before breakfast began. What reasonable excuse can you give for my sudden need to see him?�

Elladan grinned broadly, his eyes twinkling for the first time since rising. �I will give no reason. Distracting our wood-elf is your territory today. If you can manage, of course.�

Elrohir chuckled, a smirking grin curling the corners of his mouth. �I daresay I will manage, �Dan. Off with you.�

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

Elrond looked up expectantly, raising a hand in invitation as Elladan made his way across the courtyard. If he was surprised by his firstborn�s choice of attire, he hid it well. �Good morning,� he said pleasantly. �We missed the two of you at breakfast, 'Adan. I trust you rested well?�

�We did, Ada,� Elladan replied. Nodding in greeting to the others, he lowered himself beside Legolas, who looked at the gleaming expanse of leather with some interest, his eyes sparkling.

Feeling aggressive again this morn, are we el n�n?

Elladan glanced purposefully at the base of the prince�s neck, where a blatant bite mark was ill-concealed by Legolas' mossy green tunic, and the corners of his mouth twitched in amusement.

Perhaps. Do you mind?

I do not.

�How many times must I tell you, Legolas,� Barangolas began teasingly, ��tis...�

�...rude to mindspeak in public,� Glorfindel finished with a grin. �I fear you have chosen a hopeless cause, young one,� he told Barangolas. �We have been trying to break the twins of the habit for two millennia.�

�Unsuccessfully, it would seem,� Thranduil interjected with a smile. �Where is Elrohir this morning?�

�He remained behind in our chambers-� Elladan answered, then amended quickly, �-in Legolas' chambers,� as he followed his father�s glance to the glowering crown prince. Leaning closer to Legolas, he added quietly, ��Roh wants to see you, anor n�n.�

�Why? Can he not walk down here to see me?" the prince asked quizzically. Suddenly serious, he probed, �Is he unwell, �Dan?�

�He is fine,� Elladan answered with a reassuring smile. �He simply wishes to speak with you there.�

Use your imagination, melethron.

Legolas gave a muffled snort as the teasing voice slid through his mind, the tips of his ears reddening tellingly. �I will take my leave now, Ada,� he managed, barely suppressing further snickers.

Thranduil nodded graciously and remained silent, though his raised eyebrow spoke volumes. Barangolas chuckled outright. �Are you too warm, t�ren?" he teased with a grin. �Your ears are quite pink.�

�That will be enough,� the king said, eyeing his irrepressible youngest son sternly, as Legolas headed back toward his chambers. �Allow your brother some peace, hmm?�

�Aye, by all means,� Anteruon growled under his breath, flushing slightly when Thranduil turned a questioning glare on him.

Elladan rose to his feet suddenly, interrupting the king�s show of displeasure. �I believe I will have a walk in the wood, h�ren,� he announced politely. Turning to Anteruon, he asked, �Will you join me, my friend? It would be best to go with one who knows the forest well.�

Preparing to refuse, the crown prince caught his father�s eye, and thought better of it. �Aye, if you wish,� he replied, rising to his feet reluctantly. �Let us go.�

As Elladan and Anteruon walked toward the gates, Thranduil turned a troubled glance on Elrond and Glorfindel. �Leave us, Barangolas,� he said quietly. �I wish to speak with Lord Elrond.�

�Aye, h�ren,� Barangolas returned, obediently standing to go. Suddenly squeezing his father�s shoulder, he added reassuringly, �All will be well, Ada. Elladan will handle it,� before setting off across the courtyard.

The three elves remaining looked after him in amazement, then Glorfindel and Elrond turned questioning glances on the king. Thranduil shrugged helplessly. �I do not know how he does it.� A rueful smile appearing, he added, �Legolas claims it is simply one of the annoying traits of a younger brother.�

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

�How far do you wish to venture?" Anteruon asked, returning the sentry�s wave before turning back to his companion.

�It is of no matter really,� Elladan replied, scanning the wood with interest. �Far enough to grant us some privacy. But still some security.�

Anteruon glanced at Elladan sharply, but made no inquiry. �I know of a place that will serve your needs, I believe,� he said simply, indicating a small trail to the left of the gates. �This way.�

The path twisted and turned upon itself, ending finally in a circular clearing, much like those on the main forest trail, though smaller in size. �This is an old guard tower site,� Anteruon explained briefly. "We are out of sight and hearing of the gates, yet near enough to discourage both orch and spider.�

�I will trust your judgment in that," Elladan replied with a slight smile. Fixing his silver-grey gaze on Anteruon, he continued, �I wish to speak with you, my prince, and that will be easier done without need to watch our backs.�

�We have nothing to speak of that cannot be discussed within the Halls,� Anteruon answered uneasily, his voice taking on a warning edge.

�I believe you know that to be false,� Elladan returned soberly. �I would know what has happened over the past fortnight. You treat me as gwador one moment and foe the next. It seems as though there is once again tension between us...�

�Tension between us?" Anteruon broke in suddenly, his face rigid. �Of course there is tension between us, Elladan.� His eyes glittering savagely, he went on, �You are the personification of all I have ever claimed to despise, and now must consider anew. A Noldor-descended, half-breed, lore-soaked healer, who cannot even content himself with that, but must also challenge the warriors as a battle-mongering crusader. You appear at the gates, and my entire family fawns over you. Ada accepts you without question. Barangolas is delighted. Galueth idolizes you.� Receiving no retort other than the calm gaze of his companion, he stepped closer. �And Legolas...� Anteruon shook his head slightly, his eyes narrowing. �My brother wears both your beads and the marks of your teeth as though they were badges of honor. My warrior-brother, he of the hot temper and quick knife,� he spat, �all but rolls over and begs in the courtyard...�

The crown prince's vitriolic tirade was interrupted by his own howl of pain, as Elladan slammed him against a tree, twisting one arm viciously. �You will not disparage �Las in my hearing,� Elladan hissed threateningly, forcing the captive arm higher on Anteruon�s back. �I will accept your insults to myself, if the saying grants you relief, but you will not speak against Legolas. Is my meaning clear?�

�Aye,� Anteruon gasped, breathing a sigh of relief as his arm was released. Raising a hand to his abraded jaw he turned, only to find his way barred by Elladan�s closeness. Seemingly against his will, his eyes rose to linger on his companion�s mouth, before being drawn up to meet the steady silver gaze. Dismayed at the understanding evident in Elladan�s eyes, he lashed out again, his voice harsh. �You will hear naught against your current bed-toy? It is admirable, I suppo...�

�Why do you bait me?" Elladan broke in with menacing softness, pinning Anteruon to the tree trunk with one strong forearm. �Is this how you would have it? In anger?

�You presume much, h�ren,� Anteruon snapped haughtily, struggling against the restraining arm. �I am not my brother, to bend...�

�Enough!� Elladan growled, his silvery gaze searching his companion�s face for a brief moment before their mouths met in searing kiss. There was no warmth or tenderness in the contact, as teeth bit and tugged savagely, tongues dueling for dominance in a battle born more of rage than of lust. Elladan grabbed a handful of honey-gold hair and pulled roughly, wrenching away from the punishing kiss to wipe at the blood that trickled from the corner of his own mouth. �Answer me,� he demanded hoarsely. �Is this how you would have it?�

Anteruon stared silently for a moment, mesmerized by the stormy grey eyes. Dropping all pretense of misunderstanding, he answered, �If this is the only way to have you, then, aye, I would.�

�You would have me betray him, then?" Elladan asked, releasing his hold on the crown prince.

�Aye. Nay. I do not know,� Anteruon replied tiredly, stepping away. �I would have things as they have always been.�

�Naught has changed, my friend, save your view of yourself,� Elladan said gently, his eyes kind. �Do not mistake curiosity and lust for more lasting emotions. Little more than a moon ago you could not stand the sight of me.�

�I still cannot stand the sight of you at times, peredhel,� Anteruon retorted, but there was no venom in his voice, and he smiled slightly as he spoke. Looking intently at the elder twin, his face becoming serious, he added, �I do not want your pity, Elladan.�

�It is well that you do not, my prince, for you do not have it,� Elladan replied soberly. �Find some brawny elf to indulge yourself with now if you wish, but your future is with your Lady and your elflings, Anteruon.�

One burnished gold eyebrow rose skeptically as the crown prince considered this remark. �You are foresighted, as well, then? I must add that to your list of annoying accomplishments.�

Elladan chuckled. �Foresighted? Not in the manner of Ada or Grandmother, nay. At least not yet. But I am no fool, either.� Even as he finished speaking, a picture came to his mind unbidden...rain falling steadily outside soaring arches, and inside...inside ebony hair flowed like spilled ink over a writhing form crowned with honey-gold...

�Elladan? Elladan?" Anteruon repeated insistently. �Are you well?�

Shaking his head to dispel the disturbing images, the elder twin answered, �Aye, I am well. Shall we return to the halls?� Turning to head down the narrow trail, Elladan placed a restraining hand on Anteruon�s shoulder. �If you were other than who you are, I would be sorely tempted to oblige. I am tempted.�

�Thank you,� Anteruon replied, his lips twisting in a wry smile. �Come, before there is talk of a search party.�

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

�Surely you were mistaken,� Elrohir repeated, shaking his head in disbelief. �It was likely a fleeting vision of Glorfindel and Erestor, or perhaps Thranduil...�

�I am not mistaken,� Elladan insisted soberly. �It was not Glorfindel, nor Thranduil. It was Anteruon. In Imladris, in the family chambers, with a raven-haired lover. A male lover.� Eyeing his twin intently, he continued slowly, �And there is another thing I am sure of, t�ren.�

As the silence lengthened, Elrohir prodded impatiently, �And that would be what, �Dan?�

�It was not me, �Roh,� Elladan replied quietly, touching his brother�s arm as he saw understanding dawn. �It was not me.�

*~*~*~*~*

el n�n - my star
anor n�n - my sun
rohir n�n - my knight
t�ren - my brother
h�ren - my lord
Ada, Adar - Papa, Father
melethron - lover
gwador - sworn brother