Ok, I have something very important to say about this story. Some people may not approve of it or find it offensive, as it is a slash. I understand that not many people like them, but I am just…broadening my horizons, to put it into words. I know that sounded crap as an excuse, but I don't really know what else to say.

Also, this is very 'off-the-mark' to put it simply. I know Elves are nothing like this, and people won't like that either. Man, you people are fussy! ^_^

So, I guess that not many of you will like this.

Oh well. Never mind.

My friend who also has an account on ff.net read the beginning and said I should put it on. And she has been nagging me to ever since. So Lothliana, this is for you! ^_^

~Lainfaer~

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Living a Lie.

Chapter 1: Reasons.

Legolas tenderly rubbed his cast on his wrist. It had been a day since his lover had twisted it so hard it had splintered, but it still hurt. He had not gone to the healers. He knew they would ask questions, and he did not want that. No one must know about what was happening to him. He had instead, gone straight to Elrond, as he knew he would respect his privacy a bit more.

He wished he could tell someone, anyone, but there was no one. If anyone found out about what Astalder was doing to him, both their lives would be ruined.

It had been a century now that he had been living in Rivendell for. For that entire time, he and Astalder had been lovers. For many years, they had lived peacefully together, never arguing or fighting. But then Astalder had started drinking, and everything had gone downhill from there.

It had just been petty arguments at first, nothing major. Then he had started drinking during the daytime, and that's when he started hitting Legolas. If he disagreed with anything Astalder said, or wouldn't sleep with him that night, he would hit him round the face, or punch his chest. Legolas knew it was the drink, and not the Astalder he used to know. But the new Astalder scared him.

He would be instructed to stay in during the day whilst Astalder did his duties for Lord Elrond, secretly drinking the whole time obviously. He would come back to their shared quarters late at night, stinking of alcohol. He would usually force Legolas to sleep with him, and hit him if he refused. He was in complete control of Legolas and he knew it.

Everyone thought they were the perfect couple, living happily together. Legolas had always been known to be quite shy and quiet, and so no one thought any different when he wasn't around. The twins however, Elladan and Elrohir, thought different. They often asked Legolas to join them for a ride, or practise archery with them, and where once, he would always have obliged, nowadays, he always refused, saying he had other things to attend to.

They had been concerned about Legolas even more so when they went to him, and found he had fractured his wrist. Lord Elrond had already seen to it, and it was in the cast. Legolas had made up the excuse he had fallen from his horse. They did not believe him, and pressed him for the truth.

"I told you, I fell from my horse," he tried to assure them.

"But you are such a skilled rider Legolas. You have never once fallen from your horse," Elladan argued. 

"There's a first time for everything."

"But you are stronger than that. Just falling from your horse wouldn't make you break your wrist!" Elrohir countered.

"We were galloping."
"There is nowhere to really gallop in Imladris Legolas, you know that," Elladan told him.

"Alright, not quite galloping, but we were going reasonably fast."
The twins both raised an eyebrow. They had known the Mirkwood Prince for many years now, and knew when he was lying. "You're lying Legolas," Elrohir said softly. "I can see it in your eyes."

"I am not lying!" Legolas argued, standing up off the bed. "You are my best friends, why would I have any reason to lie to you?"
"To protect someone?" Elladan suggested. 

"What are you saying?" Legolas asked accusingly.

"We know Astalder has been drinking a lot lately…" Elladan started.

"…and we thought it might have something to do with you never coming out with us," Elrohir finished.

"You think he's controlling me?"

"To put it simply, yes, we do," Elladan answered.

"Well you're wrong. No one controls me. I live my own life."

"Then come out riding!" Elrohir begged. "You spend all day, every day, locked up in here. We never see you, except at mealtimes, and then you're always with him." He had a bad feeling about his former tutor, and even saying his name made him feel slightly nauseous.

"I can't whilst I've got this cast on."
"Fine. As soon as you are fully healed, you are coming out with us. No arguments!" Elladan said sternly, interrupting when Legolas started to protest.

"Yes, and we will do some archery too," Elrohir agreed. "We never see you anymore Legolas. Astalder may be your lover, but we are your friends. Aren't we?"
"Of course you are. You two are the best friends I have ever had…"
"Well, I'm glad that's sorted," Elladan butted in. "We'll organise it once you are recovered. Now, we have to go. Get some fresh air, you're looking rather pale."

"Alright," Legolas agreed, planning to just go onto the balcony.

The twins nodded, then left.

"It's not right," Elladan whispered to his brother as they walked away. "Astalder is most certainly controlling his life, what he does and where he goes, and even with whom! It shouldn't be allowed."
"All we can do is try and persuade Legolas out with us Dan. He's clearly devoted to Astalder, and you can't get in the way of love."
"But it's not, its control. That's all Astalder wants, control, and power over Legolas. And he's getting exactly that. We're not doing enough to help him. Astalder must be stopped. Legolas didn't break his wrist falling off a horse. He hasn't been riding for days, weeks even."

"I know. What do you think caused it then?"
"Astalder did it."

"Oh Dan, that's going a bit too far. Surely he wouldn't hurt Legolas that much?"
"No one knows what anyone's capable of. He could quite easily have done it I reckon."

"Do you think we should tell Adar?"

"Yes, I do. Something with those two isn't right, and I am not going to stand by and watch whilst my friend is hurt in this way." They turned, and headed for their fathers' study.

****

Legolas paced restlessly around the bedroom. It was late, and there was still no sign of his lover. He knew where Astalder was. Down in the hall, drinking with his friends of course. It was the same every night.

Every time he heard footsteps approaching, his eyes darted nervously towards the door. But they always faded away, and he would breathe a sigh of relief. He did not know why he was nervous of his lover returning. He supposed he was just frightened in case he hurt him again.

But after every injury he caused him, Astalder would apologise profusely, saying he never meant it, and that it was just the drink. He would tell Legolas how much he loved him, and Legolas' heart would settle for the time being.

Footsteps could again be heard, and for some reason, Legolas just knew it was Astalder. He sat down on the edge of the bed, and waited.

The doorknob turned, and it opened. The stench of alcohol drifted into the room, and Astalder came swaggering in, clutching a half-empty wine bottle.

"Ah…my love," he slurred, grinning at Legolas. The younger Elf felt a tremor pass through him. "How is your arm my love?"

"Much better thank you Astalder," Legolas replied timidly.

Astalder swayed over to him and sat beside him on the bed. Legolas recoiled slightly at the smell of the alcohol on the older Elfs' breath. He was locked in Astalders' vice-like grip as he drank some more.

"You are…ready for me?" Astalder asked, putting the bottle down.

"Aye, I am."

"Good."

Next thing Legolas knew, Astalder was all over him, touching and teasing his bruised body. But he did not cry out. He did not want the rest of Rivendell to hear just how much pain he was really in.

Astalder unlaced Legolas' tunic, and when the Prince stiffened slightly, he hit his face. "Do not refuse me," he warned.

"I am not love, you just…have rather cold hands."

"Mm, good." He pressed a bruising kiss on Legolas' lips, and Legolas had no choice but to return it. It went from there.

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So, how was that for a starting chapter? I warned you it was really different, so please don't say nasty things. You could have just ignored this, but if you got this far, then I guess you read it. You could have turned away and not done so. So please don't blame me!

Reviews would be nice please. Say whatever you want, I'm not bothered. This is my first slash, and will be my only slash. I'm just 'experimenting'. Is that a better word? Not really. Thanks anyway. ^_^

~Lainfaer~