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Elrohir�s hands tightened on the stone balustrade, his knuckles whitening as he watched his brother below. With every curl of Elladan�s lips, every arch of an ebony eyebrow, every careless stoke of his twin�s fingers through mithril-pale hair, the elf-knight felt his anger swell until it seemed a living beast, twisting and snarling in his chest.
That he knew his jealously to be a source of gentle amusement to Elladan did nothing to ease its sting. The elder twin was seemingly untouched by the vague insecurities and fears that plagued lesser beings, never doubting, never questioning Elrohir�s devotion.
Never knowing the gut-wrenching fear that so possessed the elf-knight at such moments. The fear of losing all � lover, confidante, brother, soul�s mate.
His eyes narrowing, Elrohir watched his brother�s hand slide down to cup the willowy Galadhel�s legging-clad buttocks. �Until now,� he promised himself. �He has never feared �til now.�
************
The fortnight that followed was easily the worst fourteen days of Elladan�s life.
Orophin was charming, lovely, utterly submissive...he was, in fact, everything the elder twin sought in his private flings. But there was one thing the young warden was not.
He was not Elrohir.
And the elf-knight himself was conspicuously absent from their shared bed, no matter how early � or late � Elladan slipped back to his own chambers, his skin and hair reeking of lemongrass and the faint, spicy scent of L�rien.
During the day Elrohir seemed himself, affectionate and cheerful, though he spent more and more time in the company of the visiting Galadhil, training with them each afternoon and joining them in the bathing pools afterward. He had also begun sitting near the end of the high table at meals, often flanked by Haldir and one of the Silvan diplomats.
Haldir.
Blonde, beautiful, and possessed of a subtle arrogance that set Elladan�s teeth on edge, though he had never been bothered by the marchwarden before. Indeed, he remembered many invigorating days spent on the archery range under that exacting hazel gaze, days when the fact that he and Elrohir were the grandsons of the Lord and Lady gained them little more than higher expectations.
But now...
Now the proud profile, the flexing muscles visible even beneath Haldir�s dress tunic, the low melodic voice, all seemed designed for naught but to draw Elladan�s attention to what was � to the elder twin, at least - the Galadhel�s most ominous trait.
Haldir was unquestionably, undeniably in charge...a leader. Dominant.
The chimes pealed, calling the diners to further revelry in the Hall of Fire. Elladan met Orophin�s inquisitive look with a half-hearted smile, his attention focused on the far end of the table where Elrohir and the marchwarden were just rising from their seats. The elder twin watched openly, his mouth going dry as his brother leaned into Haldir, whispering, and the Galadhel�s arm curled possessively around the elf-knight�s waist, one bow-callused hand coming to rest on the sharp ridge of Elrohir�s hipbone.
A heartbeat later Elladan�s chair clattered to the floor, sending the dining hall into a stunned silence. Ignoring the stares and uneasy murmuring, the elder twin stalked the length of the table to stand before his brother. �Pardon me, Haldir,� he ground out, his gaze never leaving the elf-knight. �A word, if you please, Elrohir.�
Without waiting for a reply, Elladan turned and strode from the room, thus missing the flash of triumph that lit Elrohir�s eyes, as well as the glance of amused resignation that passed between Haldir and Orophin.
************
Elrohir stood in astonishment, struck dumb by the viciousness of his brother�s tirade. Even in the darkest moments of uncertainty, when smote by the fiercest pangs of jealousy, the elf-knight had never thought to speak to his beloved twin as Elladan was speaking to him now.
That Elladan � after little more than a taste of his own medicine � saw fit to attack his soul�s mate in such a way shattered the last vestiges of Elrohir�s restraint.
�How dare you?� he hissed, giving Elladan a shove that caused the elder twin to stumble before regaining his footing. �When you have spent these many years dallying with whatever star-struck, empty-headed, unprincipled tart you could lure into your bed?�
�Careful, t�ren� Elladan spat, his eyes glittering with rage and some other, yet unnamed emotion. �You insult some we have both come to call friend...�
�And you do not insult me with your ranting?�
The elder twin did not answer, stepping nearer to grip Elrohir�s arm painfully. �And whether they are friend or naught but a tumble, they come to me, t�r dithen. I do not give chase, nor tolerate their pawing at table, nor spread myself like a...�
Elrohir jerked away, his eyes narrowing. �Exactly what are you accusing me of, Elladan?� he asked, his voice dangerously soft.
�You gave him what is mine!�
The sharp crack of fist on jaw took both elves by surprise. Not since their earliest years, when they had brawled over the biggest piece of pie or the strongest willow bow, had one struck the other. Raising a hand to his smarting cheek, Elladan stared at his brother in disbelief for an instant before launching himself at the elf-knight.
Enraged curses rose like clouds of smoke over the writhing elves as each struggled for dominance in a match of equals.
The dull thud of wood on stone heralded the fall of a side table, the brittle tinkle of breaking glass the demise of a filled decanter. Rivulets of the best Dorwinion to be had in the realm ran unnoticed over floor and rugs, soaking at last into leather leggings and torn tunics.
�You do not own me!� Elrohir growled, gaining a moment�s supremacy as he came to rest astride his brother�s hips. �I am no toy to be taken out and fondled when you have a fancy, melethron.�
Elladan twisted fluidly, reversing their positions with a satisfied grunt. Grabbing Elrohir�s wrists, he slammed them to the ground, his bark of triumph aborted by a sharp yelp of pain from the elf-knight.
All anger forgotten, the elder twin stared in horror as a stream of scarlet cut through the deep red of the spilled wine. ��Roh?� he said, pulling the ashen-faced elf-knight up to sit against the bedstead. �What...�
�My hand,� Elrohir replied tersely, turning his arm to reveal a large shard of broken crystal driven deeply into the edge of his palm.
�Oh, Valar, t�ren,� Elladan breathed, staring as though he had never before seen blood nor wound, �I did not mean...�
�Just get the glass out,� the elf-knight managed through gritted teeth. ��Twill be fine.�
�Let me fetch Ada...� �Elladan!�
The exasperated call stopped the elder twin cold. �Aye?�
�For the love of Elbereth, just pull out the shard,� Elrohir snapped, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. �Before I bleed to death. Or humiliate myself by fainting.�
His training as a healer coming back to the fore, Elladan urged his brother up off the floor and into a chair. Ripping a dangling piece from his own torn tunic, he laid the cloth over the sliver of crystal sticking from Elrohir�s hand and tugged sharply, the shard pulling free in a fresh spurt of blood. The elder twin quickly tossed away the glass, pressing the cloth over the wound. �Hold this,� he ordered, placing his brother�s hand over the makeshift dressing. �I must get a towel and some binding.� Pushing the elf-knight�s head down toward his legs, Elladan added, �Put your head between your knees if you feel weak.�
With a murmured reply Elrohir leaned over, his dark hair sweeping the floor as he forced himself to breathe deeply, warding off the grey fog that danced at the periphery of his vision. In what seemed only seconds Elladan was back with water, towel and binding, and the elf-knight�s injured hand was securely wrapped, the bleeding stopped and the world quickly coming back into focus.
�What?� Elrohir queried, his brow furrowing as he watched Elladan clean up the glass, blood and wine from the stone floor. �I did not hear you clearly, t�ren.�
�I asked what you said,� the elder twin repeated, kneeling before his brother and offering a small glass of miruvor. �When I suggested that you lower your head, you mumbled something I did not quite understand.�
Though Elrohir�s face was still far too pale, his grin was as cheeky as ever. �I said �twould be much preferable to have your head between my knees.�
�That can likely be arranged,� Elladan replied with a chuckle, moving closer to rest his head against the elf-knight�s stomach. �I am sorry, �Roh.�
�I am sorry, also,� Elrohir answered, his uninjured hand moving to stroke his brother�s tangled hair. �But, Blessed Eru, �Dan...how can you fault me for seeking amusement elsewhere when you have done so for centuries? And Haldir is certainly not the first I have sported with.�
�I know,� the elder twin said quietly, and for the first time Elrohir put a name to the other emotion that flickered in his lover�s eyes. Hurt, colored by deep remorse. �I have given you abundant reason, but...the thought that you...that he...� here Elladan�s voice faltered and stilled for a moment. �I have never allowed another to take me...in that I am yours alone.�
�In Haldir you see a replacement, then? One who could usurp your place in my life?� the elf-knight prodded, though his eyes were kind.
�Aye,� Elladan breathed, a single tear finally escaping to wind its way down his bruised cheek.
�Then you at last understand what I have felt every time you left our bed for another,� Elrohir said gently, tears standing in his own eyes. �Always I have feared that this would be the one to take you from me. The one more amusing, more beautiful, more submissive...the one who would steal your heart as well as your body.�
�My heart has already been stolen,� Elladan replied, tears flowing in earnest, �by the one who completes me. It is no longer mine to offer.� He wrapped his arms around his brother�s waist, burrowing closer, rocking against the strong form like a child seeking comfort. For many long moments there was no sound save the squeak of leather and the soothing murmur of the elf-knight�s voice. Then Elladan lifted his head uncertainly. �Forgive me, t�ren.�
�Always,� Elrohir promised, bending to press a lingering kiss to his lover�s mouth before sliding his hand into Elladan�s hair to rub the tender curve of an ear. �Now,� he ordered, grey eyes gleaming darkly as he pulled away to strip off his shredded tunic, �remind me why I am yours.�
�And why I am yours,� the elder twin agreed, reaching for his brother�s laces. �That I am yours, always.�
Elrohir closed his eyes as his knees were forced apart and silken hair brushed his chest and stomach, making way for a wet tongue that traced ridged muscles and lapped at his nipples teasingly before plunging into his navel, the suggestive movement drawing a delighted groan. No one�s mouth was like Elladan�s...
Indeed?
The amused whisper sounded in the elf-knight�s head, and he opened his eyes to meet his brother�s sparkling gaze. �Indeed,� he gasped, bucking up as the promising warmth traveled lower and Elladan�s chin nudged his hardening shaft. �Now stop playing!�
A shouted oath shattered the quiet of the chamber, followed by the sonorous drone of labored breathing and the occasional slurping click of Elladan�s tongue. Suddenly his arousal slipped from between Elladan�s lips with a wet �pop�, and the elf-knight glared at his brother in disbelief. Then Elrohir felt hands on his hips, urging him up, and he pressed his elbows into the chair arms, lifting his weight so that his leggings could be shoved unceremoniously to his ankles.
Looking down, the younger twin shuddered at the erotic sight before him. Ebony strands draped his legs, sliding smoothly over pale skin as he was taken again and again into his lover�s mouth, the skilled tongue and teeth pushing him ever closer to the edge. The flickers of pleasure began to coil tightly, low in his belly, and he lost the battle to remain still, rocking his hips upward to push further into the caressing warmth. �Coming,� he moaned, his back arching reflexively, �I am coming...�
Elladan relaxed his throat, swallowing his brother�s release with an ease born of long practice. Gently pulling Elrohir�s hands from his hair, he licked and nuzzled the softening shaft, one hand tugging impatiently at his own lacings. With a growl of frustration he pulled away, ripping off the remains of his tunic and jerking open his leggings. �I cannot wait,� he rasped, shuddering as he spread the leaking fluids over his aching arousal.
Elrohir met the coal-black gaze and smiled slightly, turning to slide to his knees before the chair. Bracing his arms on the seat cushion, he looked over his shoulder, taking in his brother�s heaving chest and passion-flushed cheeks. �Then do not,� he purred, spreading his legs as far as the twisted leggings would allow. �Take me.�
The sight of his twin offering himself so blatantly eroded the last of Elladan�s control. Molding himself to the elf-knight�s back, he entered the snug passage in one sure push, not stopping until he was seated deeply in his lover�s body.
Elrohir hissed at the sudden invasion, then sighed as his body relaxed and his brother began to move in the deep, forceful thrusts that they both preferred. He felt the jagged edges of his soul meld with Elladan�s, and the elder twin�s desperate hunger rushed over him, re-igniting his own need. His lover�s movements became more erratic with impending climax and the elf-knight pushed back aggressively, the litany of curses and promises that spilled from his mouth changing to wordless whimpers when a slick hand closed around his reawakened shaft.
Elladan sat back on his own heels as he felt the first ripples of completion rush over his body, dragging his brother into his lap with a hoarse groan. His hand moved furiously on Elrohir�s straining arousal even as his own groin tightened painfully and he spilled with a muffled howl, sinking his teeth into the elf-knight�s shoulder as his seed filled the convulsing channel.
Startled by the sudden shift of position, Elrohir let go a shouted oath as he settled against his lover�s thighs, the deep penetration and rush of Elladan�s release bringing on his own fierce climax. The fist that encircled him continued to move lazily, stripping every last drop from his still twitching shaft.
�By the Valar,� Elrohir breathed shakily, when at last he was able to raise himself off his brother and curl into the offered embrace, �that was incredible.�
Elladan mumbled sleepily, exhausted by both the emotional outburst and vigorous loving. �Aye,� he agreed, his face buried in the elf-knight�s tousled hair. �But may we rest now?�
Elrohir looked up, a hint of mischief sparkling in his eyes.
�We may,� he allowed. �But had I known making amends to be so sweet, t�ren, I would have given you a taste of your own medicine centuries ago.�
Translations:
t�r dithen � little brother
t�ren � my brother
melethron � lover (male)