Note: Did anyone figure out who the person was that sang to Legolas? Nope, it was not Aragorn. In fact, Aragorn isn't even alive yet… but he may show up in the potential sequel after this fic, which takes place right before and during LOTR. Elvish speech is in ''. Rated R for assault, violence, and implied rape! E/L slash! Only the unknown characters are mine! The rest are not! The whole thing about Elven maturity is mine, because I figured there should be some kind of rule… look at the vast difference in age between the two.

Secret Glances, Unknown Feelings

Part 3

Legolas was surprised that he was going to get new clothes. All of the clothes he'd ever had were faded, had belonged to someone else, and were too big for him, making him look even thinner than he already was. The blond Elf relished the thought of actually owning his own clothes.

'C-Clothes? For m-me?' Legolas stammered.

Elrond nodded. 'Of course. You can't walk around in that dressing robe forever.' He stood, and gestured for Legolas to follow him.

The younger Elf did so silently, as he was taken to a different part of Rivendell, to an inner room where numerous Elves were sewing. All kinds of fabric hung around the room, in many, many different colors. There were so many that Legolas had never seen before, and he gaped at them all.

Three of the Elves that were measuring a bright, blue fabric put it down and came over to their Elven lord.

'What can we do for you, my lord?' one questioned eagerly.

Elrond smiled tolerantly. 'I have no need for clothing for myself. I want you to make Legolas, here, some decent clothes.' He gently pushed the smaller blond Elf forward.

Legolas' blue-grey eyes were wide with fear, as the three Elves began appraising him slowly, letting their eyes roam over him. Elrond placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder for support.

'I think green favors him,' the first Elf said.

One of the other two dark-haired Elves shook her head. 'Blue would be perfect, to match his eyes. Though he needs to eat more…'

'No, green is better, to show off his hair,' the third Elf argued. He reached out to touch the golden hair, to demonstrate his point, but Legolas backed away, right into Elrond.

'It's ok, Legolas,' Elrond reassured the young one. He was so skittish, the half Elf mused.

Legolas slowly nodded, and let the Elf touch his hair slowly, keeping an uncertain look on his face, and his eyes locked with Elrond's.

'We'll just see by bringing the material over to him,' the female Elf decided.

The three Elves scattered and grabbed different colors of different materials, before bringing them back over to Legolas, who looked very…afraid. But he relaxed slightly as the three took turns holding the fabric near him, seeing what looked best and what suited him, and discarding those they felt were not suitable.

Elrond was pleased when he saw Legolas finally relaxing. He thought that pale colors did suit Legolas, especially the pale blue that they said made the blond Elf look ethereal. Quite a few colors were chosen, and Elrond told them to make enough clothes so that Legolas need never wear the same outfit twice in a month.

Legolas gasped at the Elven lord's generosity, and the thoughts running through his head kept him from noticing that the three Elves were now taking his measurements.

Why was Elrond being so nice to him, Legolas thought in wonder. It had been so long… So long since someone had been so nice to him… And Elrond had cared enough to buy him from Gyre, only to set him free and tell him that he was no longer a slave. Legolas didn't understand why someone so kind and caring as Elrond would ever bother himself with someone like him.

The measurements were finally taken, and the three Elves looked at Elrond when he cleared his throat.

'Is there anything that might possibly fit Legolas right now, so he does not have to wear my robe to Lothlorien?' Elrond inquired, his tone warm and friendly. He got along with everyone usually, and it was rare when he did not.

The female Elf nodded and went over to some shelves. She dug through them, coming up with a white, loose shirt and dark green leggings. Legolas would need a belt for the leggings, but they were the best that would do.

Elrond handed the clothes to Legolas, who took them silently. 'Please have the other clothes ready as soon as possible,' he requested, before he left the room, taking Legolas with him.

'T-Thank you,' Legolas whispered.

'Legolas, please do not lower your voice so. It is pleasant to hear, and I wish for you to speak louder, if you would,' Elrond told the young one.

Legolas nodded. "All right, mas-Elrond,' he said, speaking slightly louder than a whisper.

Elrond took Legolas back to his room, and urged the younger Elf to change in the bathing room.

Legolas obediently went to the bathing room and removed the white robe around him. Slowly, the beautiful Elf pulled on the dark-green leggings, which barely stayed up on his thin waist. He fastened them carefully, though his fingers fumbled slightly. Legolas then put the shirt on, and slowly moved his finger up the tiny, silvery buttons. He finished, and then went back into Elrond's room. His mouth dropped open at the sight he saw.

Elrond had removed his own robe, and had on only a pair of black leggings. His dark hair was completely free of braids and clips, as the Elven lord brushed it carefully. The long, ebony locks hanging below Elrond's bare shoulders gave Legolas the impression again that the Elven lord was some kind of a god, for the dim light in the room struck the half Elf in a way that made his skin glisten and his hair look smooth and silky.

Legolas openly stared. Elrond was so handsome… A flush crept onto Legolas' face. No wonder Elrond didn't want him; the Elven lord probably already had someone he loved. Besides, Elrond deserved someone better than him. The thought of Elrond being with someone else hurt, paining Legolas inside of his heart.

Elrond had closed his eyes, as was his custom when he brushed his hair, for he was thinking on what to do. Legolas' new clothes would be ready in a few days, at least according to the Elves who had taken down the young one's measurements. After returning from Lothlorien, Elrond decided to put Legolas on a proper eating diet, for he was so thin that the Elven lord feared that if he happened to squeeze too hard while holding the blond Elf's hand, it would break.

Once Legolas gained the weight he needed, then Elrond would begin training him in fighting, along with Glorfindel's assistance. Being lord of Rivendell did leave little time for the half Elf to do much else, but it was wearing him down now. He'd thrown everything into being a good ruler after Celebrian had left, wanting to ease his pain over that, and now Elrond was beginning to feel the price. Surely no-one would begrudge him a few days off now and then, so he could spend time with the newest arrival.

The tempting, innocent youngest Prince of Mirkwood. Elrond believed that Legolas was far beyond beautiful and that only the softest hands, lips, and fabrics should touch such rare beauty. His naïveté made Legolas vulnerable, for the young Elf apparently did not know how he appealed to everyone who gazed upon him.

Elrond opened his eyes to see Legolas looking straight at him, with a strange look in his blue-grey eyes. He gently smiled and extended the brush towards Legolas. 'Would you like to brush your hair?' he questioned.

Legolas nodded wordlessly, and took the brush, running it through his blond hair a few times. His gaze stayed on Elrond, however.

Elrond put on his own shirt, fastening a dark blue robe over his outfit, for the robes were traditional for an Elven lord. He then braided his hair and fastened it the way it always looked, with the clip. He felt Legolas watching him silently, and briefly wondered why. The half Elf turned to the young one.

Legolas was finished brushing his hair, and kept alternating the brush between his hands. He held it out towards Elrond silently, admiring the woven braids in the Elven lord's hair.

Elrond smiled slightly. He offered, 'Would you like me to braid part of your hair, Legolas?'

Legolas instantly nodded. 'Please,' he requested. A thrill went through him when Elrond walked around behind him and began braiding his hair, two thin braids at the sides and one down the middle. The rest of the golden hair hung loose, brushing over the Elven lord's hands like satin.

Elrond could think of a lot of other things he'd like to do to the golden hair, but forced himself not to. Instead, he reluctantly removed his hands and looked at Legolas. 'Are you ready, then?' he asked.

'I believe so,' Legolas answered, shifting his bare feet on the floor. His hands were holding up the green leggings, which caused an amused smile to appear on Elrond's face. He went over to his dresser, and opened a drawer long enough to remove a brown belt, which he brought over to Legolas.

The half Elf feigned nonchalance as he looped the belt around Legolas' waist and fastened it, making it tight enough to keep the leggings from slipping again. His dark eyes then caught sight of the dainty, bare feet, which were shifting on the floor. 'And you were going to go Lothlorien barefoot?' Elrond mused. 'That would say much for my hospitality.' He walked over to his closet to fetch his smallest pair of shoes, trying to forget how it had felt to put his arms around the younger Elf.

Legolas had caught his breath when those strong, firm arms had fastened the belt around him. He licked his lips, and was disappointed when Elrond released him. He looked at the light brown shoes that Elrond held out to him, a puzzled look in his blue-grey eyes. He never wore any shoes; it was forbidden. Then he remembered what Elrond had said; forget the rules that Thranduil had put on him. So Legolas took the shoes and slipped them on backwards, having not worn shoes for a long time.

A quickly stifled laugh came from Elrond, as he shook his head and knelt down on the floor. He lifted Legolas' right foot and removed the left shoe, before he set the soft foot back on the floor. The same was done to Legolas' left foot, and the Elven lord slipped the left shoe onto the now bare foot. Legolas' feet were sensitive and he tried not to laugh as Elrond firmly grasped his twitching, bare foot and put it into the shoe. Once the right shoe was put on, Elrond stood and dusted his robe off.

Legolas did not like that Elrond had knelt on the floor in front of him, however. Though he had enjoyed the feel of those firm hands on his feet. 'Why did you…' he started asking.

Elrond looked at Legolas calmly. 'You had them on backwards, Legolas. An easy mistake that was quickly remedied.'

Legolas flushed, feeling stupid. He would put the shoes on backwards, he thought reproachfully. Elrond must think he was a nuisance. The blond Elf lowered his gaze in shame, only to have a strong hand tilt his chin back up.

'Do not think so low of yourself, young one. It was an easy mistake,' Elrond gently told Legolas.

'Sorry,' Legolas whispered.

Elrond sighed. 'Do not keep apologizing to me, Legolas. If you say or do anything that you should apologize for, I will tell you. But things are not always your fault, so you do not need to apologize as if you are always to blame.'

Legolas felt strange, as he looked at Elrond. Yes, the obviously older Elf was handsome, but he was so kind…caring…noble… It was so much more than what Legolas was used to. A strange feeling was in him while he gazed at Elrond.

Elrond stood there silently, gazing back at Legolas, wanting to take him in his arms…kiss him… The Elven lord then realized the way his thoughts had turned and mentally scolded himself. Legolas did not need him to start acting like Gyre had. So he broke the silent spell by clearing his throat.

'Let's get moving, Legolas,' he said. 'We have a long journey ahead of us, after all, for it will take several hours to reach Lothlorien.'

Legolas hid his disappointment when the silence was broken, and followed Elrond as he led the way out of the castle, to the stables.

Elrond glanced at Legolas. 'Do you wish to ride with me or alone?' he inquired, as his usual horse came over to greet him. Elrond stroked its mane as he waited for an answer.

Legolas didn't know to tell Elrond that he had rarely been on a horse, and then he had never been at the reins. It had been another rule. 'I…I don't…'

Elrond nodded and said,  'Then ride with me, Legolas.' He easily mounted the gray horse, and gave Legolas a hand up. The younger Elf held onto Elrond tightly, part of him enjoying the feeling. The half Elf was hard-pressed not to *do* anything to the young one who clung to him.

Elrond took a deep breath, and dug his heels into his horse, which galloped off, heading for Lothlorien.

To be continued