Other: Yes, GhostlyImage… If Legolas had been raped, that would definitely have hurt the child… One reason why I changed my mind at the last minute… That was just too cruel, and I thought that it made be better for Legolas and Aragorn to believe that Meron had actually raped Legolas, because there would still be that emotional trauma, but nothing physically was done. Elrond will be able to prove that, but that prolly won't happen for a while. He's still recovering, after all…
As for why every LOTR story I write has slash, Munch-kins - two reasons. One, I am actually decent at writing it, and I enjoy it. Second, why not? Only Arwen and Eowyn were the two females shown in LOTR, actually, and I happen to like slash pairings.
Disclaimers: See the Author's Notes! This is an AU! A/L slash! Shounen ai between Haldir/Glorfindel. The R Rating is coming in effect now for good reason! Aragorn and Legolas' mental speech is in *. Elvish is in ''. Takes place right after the last chapter.
Reasons To Fight, Reasons To Wed
Part 21. Battle Lines
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On The Road To Rivendell
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'We must tell Father, before it's too late,' Elladan said grimly.
Elrohir nodded. 'I just can't believe that Meron is actually the son of Saruman… and…'
'I know,' Elladan answered curtly. 'I doubt that even Aragorn and Father know…'
The two Elves rode hard for Rivendell, pursued closely by a few of the Nazgul, Orcs, and Uruk-Hai.
Elrohir threw a desperate look over his shoulder. 'We aren't going to make it, brother. Their steeds have not been running as long as ours have.'
'We must,' Elladan firmly told his younger twin.
The twins shared a grim look, as they galloped through the trees, trying to shake off some of their pursuers.
When they burst out of the trees, they had to pull their horses to a stop, for two figures were in the way.
Faramir and Boromir were both startled by the sudden arrival of two identical Elves.
'Men,' Elladan hissed. He did not trust many Men at all, though Aragorn was an exception; besides, his youngest brother was a half Elf.
Faramir heard the shrieks coming from behind the Elves, who had desperation written across their faces.
Elrohir murmured, 'Don't do anything foolish, brother.'
The group of four exchanged looks, as the shrieks and screeches of the foul minions of Saruman and Sauron drew even closer, drawn towards the Elven brothers.
"Questions later," Boromir stated. "Ride!" He galloped off, with Faramir right behind him.
Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a look and a nod, before they followed the two Men. It was better than being caught by the ones that chased them.
The group rode, and finally found a small clearing in the midst of a small forest. There, they hid and crouched down low, watching the creatures ride by in search of the two Elves, who watched the two Men silently, in case it was a trap.
Elrohir and Elladan would not normally have been so suspicious, but someone had tipped either Sauron or Saruman off to the fact that they had been on a secret mission from their father. They knew this because they had been dodging constant attacks from the Nazgul, who had left them alone for a while, breaking off pursuit temporarily. Then they had returned once more. The brothers were exhausted and weary, for they had not gotten to sleep for days.
Boromir curiously stared at the obvious twin Elves. He wondered briefly why the minions of the two evil lords of Isengard and Mordor were after them, and then decided it must be because they were Elves.
"Who are you?" Faramir questioned.
"I am Elrohir, son of Lord Elrond, lord of Rivendell," Elrohir answered. "This is my brother-"
"I can introduce myself, brother," Elladan cut in. "I am Elladan. Who are you?"
"I am Boromir, Steward of Gondor," Boromir said slowly.
Faramir replied, "I am Faramir, advisor and brother to the Steward of Gondor. Why were the Nazgul pursuing you so?"
Elrohir and Elladan exchanged a troubled glance. Elrohir shrugged slightly, leaving the decision up to his older brother.
Elladan finally said, "We are returning from a mission that our father gave us, to inquire after a Man named Meron."
Faramir and Boromir both stiffened.
"Pray tell, are you returning to Rivendell now?" Boromir questioned, anger inside of him. He was going to teach the deceiver that it was not a smart idea to lie to him.
The twins nodded.
Faramir murmured, "Then we should travel together, for we have business with your father against this…Meron."
Elladan and Elrohir exchanged yet another silent look and nod.
"Very well, but our steeds are weary; we cannot travel as fast as usual," Elladan replied.
Elrohir nodded in agreement.
The two from Gondor assured the Elves that they did not mind traveling at a slightly slower pace, and the group set off together.
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Rivendell
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'He WHAT?!' Thranduil shouted angrily.
Aragorn cringed slightly. 'It's true. Meron raped him yesterday. His disguise as me allowed him to enter with no suspicions and…'
Thranduil looked dangerously furious. 'That…animal is going to pay,' he growled in a low voice. 'No one does that to my son and gets away with it…'
The Elven King stormed out of the room, and Aragorn raced after him.
'Where are you going?' he cried.
'To hunt Meron. There is nowhere he can hide from me that I cannot find him,' Thranduil hissed.
Aragorn took a desperate gamble, to prevent Thranduil from doing anything rash right now. He spoke honestly, and his voice was quiet. 'What of Legolas? He needs his father's support and comfort right now, especially since he carries a child. And my father is hurt badly. The Lord and Lady are busy tending to him…'
Thranduil froze at the impassioned words. 'You are right, Aragorn… You will be a fine second son to me, young one. I cannot give into my anger… No matter how I would like to. He does need me, doesn't he?' The question was almost a plead.
Aragorn walked over to the Elven King and placed a hand on his shoulder. 'Yes, he does.'
Thranduil smiled at Aragorn. 'Thank you,' he said softly, before he left to find his son.
Aragorn knew that Thranduil and Legolas needed time to be alone, so he took advantage of the time alone to go visit his father. Galadriel was changing a dressing when the son of Arathorn entered, and she smiled gently at him. Celeborn was resting finally, sitting in a chair, with a thoughtful expression on his face.
'Come to visit?' she inquired. 'He'll be all right, Estel; Elrond is strong. Still, he is very lucky that Legolas awoke in time to deflect most of the spell.'
Aragorn nodded. He silently took a seat beside his father, and flinched when he saw Elrond's pale face, as the Elven lord say still, numerous bandages wrapped across his bare chest.
Please be all right, Father, Aragorn silently prayed to Elbereth. I can't do this without you.
Legolas had finished eating, and he looked up when the room grew silent. The Elven Prince gracefully stood, albeit a little warily, when he saw his father standing there. But when Thranduil walked forward and took him in a warm embrace, Legolas' wariness melted away, as he hugged his father back, silent tears pricking at his eyes.
The two left silently, to go speak privately.
Gimli finished as well, and went off to find somewhere to rest. He would never admit it, but he was tired, especially after that long journey from Moria. The Dwarf also was reluctant to admit the truth to himself; he did not want to leave Rivendell anytime soon. The Elves were actually nice to him, though Haldir had been a little suspicious at first.
Haldir grinned at Glorfindel, as he lifted a grape to his lips, looking very, very fey at this moment, especially with his hair looking slightly unkempt, strands of it falling across his face. He popped the grape into his mouth, without using any fingers.
Glorfindel couldn't tear his eyes away from Haldir, who took another grape in his hand and did it again. A soft popping sound was heard, as Haldir sucked it into his mouth, a sly, knowing look on his face.
'Want one?' Haldir teased, holding a grape between his forefinger and thumb teasingly.
Glorfindel feigned calmness. 'What's the catch?' Though he was sorely tempted to…
Haldir smirked, a pleased look on his face. 'You have to catch me first.' With that, the 'Lorien Elf grabbed the bowl full of grapes and dashed off.
The golden-haired Elven lord stood calmly, and promptly sprinted after Haldir, enjoying the game of chase. Of hunter and hunted.
'Open,' Haldir called from above.
Glorfindel immediately opened his mouth, and a single grape fell into it, from the balcony above him. Haldir peered down slyly.
'How did you get up there so fast?' Glorfindel questioned, a puzzled expression on his face. Not even Haldir was fast enough to have made it to the stairs before he had caught up with him.
Haldir gestured to the ivy hanging on the wall, right before the balcony. He rested the bowl on the handrail of the balcony, as he picked up another grape, using his fingers to place it in his mouth this time. However, Haldir also seductively sucked on his fingers, before winking at Glorfindel.
Glorfindel caught his breath at the sight of the Guardian sucking on his fingers. He easily began climbing up the ivy as well, which caused Haldir to dash off again, but neither paid attention as they ran through the hallways, Haldir leading the way.
However, the nature of the game changed when Haldir began running across another bare, smooth floor, unaware that it had just been washed, until he slipped and started to fall, in what would be a serious fall.
Glorfindel quickly sped up and caught Haldir in his arms, before the 'Lorien Elf could strike his head against the ground. Haldir's head rested in one of Glorfindel's hands, and his back was held by the other. The two blond Elves gazed silently at each other, steel-grey eyes meeting cobalt-blue ones.
Haldir sheepishly grinned and offered the grapes again, holding out the bowl. He felt an indescribable warmth inside him, as Glorfindel held him for a few moments.
Glorfindel smirked at the arrogant one and shook his head. Such brashness from a 'Lorien Elf, the Elven lord mused, though it appeared that he had won the game. And he was strangely pleased, as he wondered what his reward would be, peering down into the admittedly handsome face below his.
In Aragorn and Legolas' room, Legolas sat on the bed, next to his father.
Thranduil listened quietly, as Legolas explained everything that had happened since he had vanished. His teeth clenched together in anger at the mention of Meron- and of how he had knocked Legolas out, before apparently raping him. When he was finished, Legolas looked down in shame. To his surprise, his father reached out a hand and lifted his chin.
'Aragorn is right, Legolas; do not blame yourself. I would that I had never met the deceiver,' Thranduil murmured, self-loathing in his voice. 'I should have listened to you; I should never have trusted him over you.'
Legolas drifted a hand down to where the child was growing, and was surprised when he saw the pleading look on his father's face. 'What is it?'
Thranduil solemnly asked, 'May I?'
'Of course, Father,' Legolas replied softly. He leaned back against the pillows, as his father gently touched the bulge, exploring it carefully.
Thranduil was awe-struck, for this was his first grandchild. He exchanged a wondering look with his son, who smiled. 'You'd better take care of yourself,' Thranduil muttered. 'Aragorn had better make certain of that. No more running off alone, my son.'
'Father…' Legolas protested. 'Aragorn would tie me to the bed if Glorfindel would allow it. I am not a child.'
'Indeed not, Legolas. But you are two now, and I do not want you in any more danger than necessary,' Thranduil sternly told his son.
Legolas sniffed. Why was everyone treating him like a child, he wondered, feeling tears creeping into his eyes. Legolas hated these mood swings, but he couldn't do much about them. Right now he felt like bawling… And then he yawned slightly, feeling tired suddenly.
Thranduil frowned at his son. 'Get some sleep,' he said firmly. He was shocked when his son stuck his tongue out at him, but was also amused.
Legolas tried not to fall asleep, he really did, but he was so tired… and the bed was so soft and comfortable. His eyes flickered slightly, as he pouted.
Thranduil began humming a few bars of a lullaby that he had sang to Legolas when he was just a child. He was pleased to see that it still worked, as his son sighed, before drifting into sleep.
The Elven King smiled paternally, before tucking a few blankets around Legolas, who didn't wake. He gently brushed some golden strands off of his son's face, before he stood and silently left the room, closing the door behind him.
On the way out, he met Gimli, who took a seat next to Legolas' bed, for he wanted to ensure the safety of his friend, by not letting Legolas ever be alone, at least not without someone near.
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The Shire
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Hobbits screamed and fled before Orcs, Uruk-Hai, and the few Nazgul that were not ordered to kill the twin sons of Elrond. They chased after the smaller Hobbits, destroying their homes with flaming sticks, lighting the houses ablaze.
Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry did their best to hold off the foes, letting the majority of their friends and Kin escape, as they fought with their weapons against countless odds. The Hobbits who fled were told to head towards the Elven lands.
The efforts of the four friends were not in vain, for few Hobbits died… but they did not escape, as they were surrounded by the minions of Sauron and Saruman.
Neither Pippin, Sam, Frodo, or Merry showed any fear as they were eventually disarmed and their hands tied behind their backs.
They could not have known that they were the ones that the foul creatures had been ordered to capture, to use as hostages against the Elves, especially the Prince of Mirkwood.
The Uruk-Hai, Nazgul, and Orcs marched the four friends away, not seeing the small Hobbit child, who saw Sam, Merry, Frodo, and Pippin being taken prisoner. When they were out of sight, she ran as fast as she could, heading directly towards Rivendell.
To be continued
