Chapter 8

The second-born prince’s bed-chamber was rife with a volatile mixture of grudgingly suspended lust and restless apprehension. Despite his calm demeanor in the caverns, Legolas himself was obviously distressed and pacing the room like a caged beast.

Elrohir threw himself across the bed heavily, his still damp hair brushing the floor the floor. "What will he do, ‘Las?" he asked musingly. "It would seem we are not to be banished, or surely he would not have sent us up here."

"How should I know what he will do?" Legolas retorted sharply, casting an annoyed glance at the younger twin. "It is a new experience for Ada, thankfully. And for me, also."

"Whereas we often couple in the caverns of Mirkwood?" Elladan interjected, one elegant eyebrow lifted wryly. "Pull in your claws, 'Las. It will solve nothing to shred ‘Roh alive."

"There is no profit in idle questions, either," Legolas flung back bitingly, aware he was being unreasonable, but unable to restrain himself. "Perhaps Ada is granting you a last tumble, and will banish you come the morning."

Elladan’s eyes narrowed ominously. "It would seem you do not think that such a bad thing, from your tone."

"That is all you ever agreed to, is it not, Elladan?" Legolas snapped. "Your quick tumble has gone awry, I fear."

"Your temper has robbed you of your reason, ‘Las," Elrohir interrupted mildly. "We did not..."

"No, we did not, ‘Roh," Legolas retorted, the facade he had carefully constructed since dinner - supported by copious amounts of wine and mead - beginning to crumble under the strain of the evening. "It was you. ‘Dan was merely dragged along..." Legolas’ voice trailed off as he turned an indecipherable gaze on Elladan, who stood gaping at him, then strode quickly onto the balcony, pushing the door closed with a thud.

"What in the name of Elbereth was that in aid of?" Elrohir asked in astonishment, his brow furrowed as he turned to his equally confused brother.

Meeting his twin’s eyes, Elladan shook his head helplessly. "I have no notion, rohir nín," he replied soberly, "but I intend to find out."

Elladan moved to the balcony door, only to find it held closed from the other side. "Open the door, ‘Las," he ordered quietly, then waited, receiving no response from outside. Still speaking softly, he said, "I know you can hear me, anor nín. You are an elf, after all." No answer was forthcoming, so he added more insistently, "If you do not loose the door Legolas, I swear I will cut it through. Will you not at least tell me what I have done?"

There was a long pause, during which Elladan reached reluctantly for his sword, then suddenly the door swung open under his hand. Breathing a sigh of relief, he stepped onto the balcony, closing the door once more. Elladan looked around warily to find Legolas standing at the edge of the platform, staring up at the stars through the waving branches. "That is a fearsome drop, ‘Las," he said lightly. "Do not stand too close."

"Wood-elves do not fall from trees, my friend," Legolas answered without turning around.

Forcing back a stab of pain at the casual ‘my friend,' Elladan replied softly, "But the less agile races may, and I would not choose to end our acquaintance in a heap at the foot of this tree. Sit down with me, please, anor nín. I do not know what I have done, but if you will tell me, I will do my best to make amends."

Legolas turned clouded eyes on his lover, a sober smile touching his face. "It is nothing you have done, el nín."

Somewhat encouraged by the endearment, Elladan sank to the floor, patting the space beside himself. "Here, ‘Las. I am tired, and still reeling from the caverns. Just sit down and tell me what this is all in aid of, so we can go to bed. Please."

Dropping reluctantly to the platform, Legolas leaned against the wall, resting his arms on his pulled up knees. Never turning to look at Elladan, he said, "You told me once, in Imladris, that ‘Roh had talked you into bedding me."

"Aye," Elladan admitted cautiously, "He did. But I believe there was more to that conversation than you are quoting. I also said it was the best idea he has had in two millennia."

"You did," Legolas agreed. After a moment’s silence, he went on quietly. "Glorfindel told me that you and ‘Roh did occasionally take another lover." In answer to an interrogating eyebrow, he replied, "I asked him. Did you ever choose a maid, ‘Dan? As the third?"

"A few times, aye," Elladan answered slowly. "’Las, I don't..."

In an apparent change of subject, Legolas broke in swiftly, "Galueth was quite taken with you this evening at dinner. She can be overly determined."

"She was rather sweet," Elladan chuckled. "I did not mind."

"I could see that," the prince agreed soberly, his eyes probing Elladan's face. "You appeared to enjoy yourself a great deal. And you were quite good with her."

Turning the full force of his silvery gaze on Legolas, Elladan said, "I begin to see where this is going, unless you intend to accuse me of having inappropriate thoughts about an elfling."

"Nay, of course not!" Legolas replied, obviously appalled. "But I have only this night realized that you may have preferred a maid as your third. It would explain your reluctance to approach me and I can understand, after seeing you with Galueth. It would allow you to have elflings of your own, ‘Dan, and you looked so right sitting there cuddling her..."

"Listen to me, Legolas," Elladan interrupted firmly. "It is true that Elrohir first thought to approach you, and that I was unsure..." As the prince opened his mouth to speak, it was gently covered by a strong hand. "Be quiet, anor nín, and listen," Elladan repeated, lowering his hand when Legolas nodded. "But my unease was not because I did not desire you, it was because I feared you would not understand our twin-bond, and I did not wish to risk our friendship. Valar’s wisdom, Legolas, think! Have you forgotten what passed between us this afternoon?"

As Legolas shook his head, Elladan went on earnestly, "It is true that ‘Roh and I have bedded the occasional maid, together and apart, but our choice - my choice - was made long centuries past. You did not force me to settle for a male, ‘Las. You are the reward for a choice made long ago."

"But perhaps you did not think it through..." Legolas began slowly, his face still pensive, though there was a flicker of relief in his eyes.

Sighing deeply, Elladan said, "I am Peredhel, anor nín." He smiled ruefully. "I have some small understanding of choices and consequences, yes?"

The sparkle returning to his eyes, Legolas nodded slowly, "Aye, I suppose you do, at that." Suddenly sober once more, he continued, "I am sorry, 'Dan. You must think me foolish, to entertain such thoughts. But I was so afraid you had not chosen freely..."

Leaning over, Elladan pressed a soft kiss to his lover's down-turned mouth. "Nay, you are far from foolish, ‘Las. But you do still think too much. And I think my sister and your brother will provide us all with elflings aplenty to cosset and spoil." Breaking into a grateful grin, he asked, "Now can we please go to bed?"

Rising gracefully from the platform, Legolas reached down a helping hand to Elladan, pulling him easily to his feet. "Are you so very tired, ‘Dan?" he asked with a teasing smile, pulling his lover snugly against his body. Feeling intoxicated by sheer relief, he whispered, "It would be a shame to drift off too early."

"I think I may be convinced to remain awake," Elladan replied, burying his nose in silky golden tresses, "with sufficient incentive."

"Then I shall see that you have it," Legolas promised, leading Elladan back into the bed-chamber.

Elrohir sat up expectantly as his lovers entered the room, relief washing over him at the sight of their smiling faces. Legolas walked directly to the elf-knight. "I am sorry, rohir nín," he said. "I should not have snapped at you so. Forgive me, please."

"’Tis alright," Elrohir answered, clasping the prince’s hand. "You had much on your mind."

"Aye, I did," Legolas agreed, "But we will speak of it later. ‘Dan is very tired, it seems, and requires some enticement to stay alert."

"Does he, indeed?" Elrohir smirked, glancing at his grinning brother. "And I suppose you are to provide this attention?"

"I thought you might aid me in that," Legolas returned, smiling at the look of surprise that flickered across Elrohir’s features. "It is hardly fair that I should be the only one to enjoy twin benefits, do you think?"

"That would depend," Elrohir replied, his expression serious.

Legolas looked at him in confusion. "Depend on what, ‘Roh?"

Breaking into a dazzling grin, the elf-knight snickered, "On whether or not he will promise to stay awake long enough to return the favor."

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

Elladan tossed his head restlessly, his pupils dilated hugely, his fingers grasping convulsively at the silken hair trailing teasingly over his chest and stomach. He had never known such sensation before, the pleasure so intense, so many-layered, that it was nearly pain.

Though reason - long since fled - would have surely told him there could only be two mouths and four hands, his over-sensitized body twitched and arched as though beset by an army of tormentors. Far past comprehensible speech, he instead pleaded silently, his thoughts broken by moans and whimpers.

Please, anor nín...I cannot...I need...

Legolas raised his head slowly, running his tongue lightly up Elladan's weeping erection, tracing the throbbing vein. "But of course you can, melethron," he purred, one hand slipping down to tease his lover's entrance as the other drew slow circles on Elladan’s twitching stomach. "’Tis naught but what you have done to me, many times over."

Elrohir let the mithril nipple ring slip from his mouth, his tongue and teeth tracing a wandering path to his brother’s throat, where he bit down sharply, causing Elladan to gasp in welcome pain as the pale flesh turned first red, then blue as it was nipped and licked repeatedly. Raining a trail of soft kisses, the elf knight moved up to study his twin’s face, taking in the darkened eyes and the flushed skin, gleaming with a fine sheen of moisture. Brushing back a few strands of raven-dark hair soothingly, Elrohir rubbed his cheek over Elladan’s, a caress as old as their bond. "You are beautiful, tôren," he breathed, his lips ghosting over his brother's before claiming them in a searing kiss.

Elladan's soft groan drew Legolas’ attention and he lifted his eyes, his mouth never faltering in its rhythmic movements on the engorged shaft. Entranced, as always, by the raw sensuality of his twins together, Legolas shuddered slightly as he slicked two fingers and pushed them into Elladan’s body, firmly stroking his lover from within.

Pulling away from Elrohir’s mouth, Elladan panted helplessly, trembling on the edge of release. The elf-knight quickly moved his mouth to a flushed ear-tip, suckling and nipping at it gently as his hand moved to toy with the mithril ring. Overwhelmed by the multiple sensations, Elladan’s body tightened forcibly and he spilled with a wordless howl.

Legolas allowed the softening shaft to slide from his mouth and moved up to press a smoky-sweet kiss to Elladan's lips. Dropping his head to nuzzle his lover's sweat-damp neck, he bit down gently, sucking until a deep purple oval appeared under the marks of his teeth. "I love you," he whispered.

Legolas raised his head to find himself caught in Elrohir’s midnight-dark gaze. Reaching over Elladan’s boneless body, he curled his hand around the elf-knight’s straining length, his thoughts reaching out sensually.

Might you need some help with that, rohir nín?

That would be most appreciated, 'Las.

Elrohir hissed as the warm hand closed around him, then wrapped his own fist snugly about the prince’s slick shaft, stroking in an ever-increasing rhythm. Pushed almost to the edge by their long play, both quickly reached climax, their release mingling as it spilled over Elladan’s stomach.

Curling snugly together, the trio lay quietly for some moments, the silence broken only by harsh breathing. Eventually Legolas stretched indolently, then rose and went into the bathing chamber, returning with a warm, wet towel. The prince gently wiped the traces from Elladan’s stomach before cleaning Elrohir and then himself.

Shaken from his bemused state by the warm cloth, Elladan gazed at Legolas in near-awe. "That was...I cannot...it was indescribable," he said haltingly, his usually quick tongue failing him completely.

Legolas pressed a soft kiss to the end of Elladan’s nose, then asked curiously, "Has no one ever thought to do this before?"

Shaking his head slowly, Elrohir answered for his twin. "Nay, no one. We have always been the instigators, never the object of such play." Glancing appraisingly over his brother’s bite and bruise-marked form, he added, "Perhaps we should have asked, though."

Legolas turned a predatory smirk on Elrohir. "There is no need to ask tonight, rohir nín. ‘Tis your turn."

What followed was ever-after blurred in the elf-knight’s mind...jumbled into an overwhelming array of erotic scenes, held together by the thread of agonizing pleasure that twined through them all. There were warm mouths everywhere - pillaging his own mouth, marking his skin, tugging and lapping at his peaked nipples and the mithril ring, engulfing his throbbing arousal. And hands. There seemed an endless number of hands, some gentle, others enticingly demanding as they replaced and joined and preceded the voracious mouths. Nothing in his long history of carnal exploits had prepared him for the sensations that wracked his body, nor for the ease with which his pride was surrendered, leaving him whimpering and begging for completion. When release came, it fell on him like a storm, his body shuddering uncontrollably as he let go a shout that was surely heard all over the Halls.

In a blissful haze, he was only partly aware of his lovers movements as they, too, reached completion, then snuggled against his still-quaking body. Long moments later, Elrohir turned a questioning gaze on Legolas. "We do that to you, ‘Las?" he asked, his voice tinged with wonder.

One golden eyebrow arched in amusement, the prince replied, "Aye, you do."

Elrohir shook his head slowly, remaining silent for a moment. With a slight curl of his lips, he admitted, "I do not know whether to apologize, or to demand that you drop to your knees and worship me."

Legolas chuckled softly, then touched a gentle kiss to Elrohir’s forehead. ‘Do not apologize," he said simply. "I love you, rohir nín."

Slipping easily between the twins, Legolas carefully spread the rumpled bedcovers over them all, then closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep nearly as soon as his exhausted lovers.

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

The sky showing above the walls was the smoky grey of pre-dawn when Elladan next awoke. He stretched carefully, so as not to wake the others, then glanced around the dimly lit room. The coals in the fire-bowl were still glowing, so likely there would be hot water immediately available, he mused. Only the occasional call of a night-bird and the irregular squeak of moving branches broke the stillness. As he settled back onto his pillow, Legolas stirred restlessly, pressing closer. Elladan smiled, burying his nose in the tangled golden strands nestled under his chin. Breathing in the woodsy, sunlit scent he carefully ran his fingers through the silken mass, loosing the snarls gently.

When the length of the prince’s hair was smoothed, Elladan continued to toy with it absently, twisting the shimmering tresses into a thick rope, the ends lightly grazing Legolas' bare back. The prince mumbled in his sleep, sliding one long leg over his lover, as though seeking to hold him still.

Elladan shifted under the weight of the rogue leg, succeeding only in bringing his own thigh in contact with a familiar hardness. Drawing a deep breath, he tried to ignore the sensation, but his body heartily approved and he found himself suddenly and quite seriously aroused.

Unable to resist the temptation of the perfectly pointed ear nestled against his face, Elladan flicked his tongue lightly over the edge, then took the tip in his mouth suckling it gently. His eyes still shut tight, Legolas purred softly, turning his head to allow Elladan better access, his hips pushing instinctively forward.

Groaning as his aching length was brushed by another, Elladan gave in, capturing his lover’s mouth in a long, molten kiss. Pulling away, he found himself regarded by twinkling emerald eyes.

"Good morning, el nín," Legolas murmured. "Are you rested so early?"

"Indeed I am," Elladan twin replied, moving his hands down Legolas' back, pressing their bodies together, "and it has occurred to me that should I be banished this day, I will have been deprived of my final tumble."

Shaking his head gravely, Legolas said, "It would be a shame to leave here so deprived." His lips twitching threateningly, the prince added, "Shall I wake ‘Roh? ‘Tis unfair that he should miss his, also."

"I suppose we must," Elladan answered, his eyes glowing with merriment.

Turning to Elrohir, Legolas dropped light kisses on the elf- knight's closed eyelids, tracing the hard lines of his chest with teasing fingers. As the silver-grey eyes fluttered open, Legolas smiled down at his lover, his hand wandering from chest to stomach, outlining the corded muscles. "Good morning, rohir nín," the prince whispered, pressing a warm kiss to Elrohir's mouth. "Would you care for a final tumble before banishment?"

"It would definitely be a comfort," Elrohir answered jokingly, hissing suddenly as the exploring fingers closed around his semi- erect shaft, stroking him quickly to full hardness. "In a hurry this morning, are we, anor nín?" he gasped, thrusting reflexively toward the firm grip.

"Aye," Legolas breathed, rubbing his own groin against Elrohir’s side. "It is but a short time until breakfast, and we shall have to bathe." Breaking into a grin, he added, "Besides, ‘Dan and I have been awake for some minutes."

Rolling over, Elrohir pushed Legolas onto his back, kissing him thoroughly. "I suspected as much," he teased, his darkened eyes sparkling. "I am but half a cinnamon-bun in your eyes."

Legolas laughed delightedly. "Waiting to be spread with honey-butter?" he asked, sliding his hands through tousled ebony locks before turning a twinkling glance on Elladan. "I believe ‘Dan is quite tired of waiting."

"He is, indeed," Elladan agreed, reaching blindly for the oil that had been left on the night table. Pouring a generous puddle in Legolas’ hand, he then drizzled oil over his own hand, slicking himself with a growl of pleasure.

Rising to his knees, Elrohir leaned forward, gripping the headboard for support, pushing back toward Legolas in obvious invitation. Moving close behind the elf-knight, Legolas grasped his hips in slippery hands, pushing into the tight channel with a breathless moan. Pressing his chest to Elrohir's back, he reached urgently for Elladan.

Elladan quickly molded his body to Legolas', groaning as his shaft rubbed tantalizingly along the oil-slick crease. Grasping his lover's hips to steady them, he sheathed himself completely in one forceful thrust, drawing a strangled oath from Legolas. Remaining motionless, Elladan ran a soothing hand over Legolas' back. "Are you alright?" he asked worriedly. "Have I hurt you?"

"I am fine," Legolas hissed through gritted teeth. "Just move."

Elladan managed a few languid thrusts before he could no longer ignore his own urgent need and set a rapidly increasing rhythm, each of his movements pounding the prince deeply into Elrohir. Legolas gave in to the controlling rhythm, draping himself over the elf-knight’s back, allowing the powerful thrusts to move his own body. Whimpering in pleasure, he wrapped his hand around Elrohir’s weeping arousal, fisting it in time with the increasingly erratic thrusts.

"Oh, gods..." Elladan panted, digging his fingers into Legolas' hips, "I am...going to..." Throwing back his head with a howl, he thrust forward savagely, spilling deep inside his lover.

Even as Legolas felt the liquid warmth spread inside, Elrohir released over his pumping hand, nearly sobbing as shivers wracked his body. Pushing into the caressing warmth, Legolas reached his peak with a hoarse cry, the heat of his release drawing a groan from Elrohir.

Collapsing in a tangled heap, they lay quietly for a long moment, before Elrohir - trapped on the bottom of the pile - spoke up. "I need to breathe, and the both of you are quite heavy. Might we spread a bit?"

Elladan snickered and moved to the side. Pulling Legolas down to lie between them, he threw a possessive leg over the prince. Sounds of outside life soon began to trickle into the chamber, and Legolas sat up with a grimace. "It is getting near breakfast time and we need to bathe. It would not be in our best interest to appear in Ada’s study like this."

"Like what?" Elrohir asked with feigned innocence. "Naked?"

*~*~*~*~*

anor nín - my sun
rohir nín - my knight
el nín - my star
melethron - lover
tôren - my brother