I apologise for my absence with this- two chapters- I know there's a
problem with the flashback thing but I can't prevent it, so sorry. I don't
think its mucked up anything else however.
Anna.
~ Chapter Eighteen: Tears and Kisses
Warning: Major Legolas/ Eldarion cuteness!
"Legolas? Legolas!" Eldarion cried running out of the room, there was a wide smile on his face.
The midwife had managed to retrieve the boy from the shadowy lands near death. She had opened his small mouth and ever so gently blown into it. The pressure was miniscule; it might have just lifted a feather from the ground.
Any more though and the babe's fragile lungs would have exploded.
He looked around for his lover. Eldarion was going to thank Legolas dearly for getting the midwife there in time, and he was also going to ask him whether he had any ideas for the prince's name.
Both parents were ecstatic but they couldn't think of a name so when Eldarion suggested asking Legolas, they had agree. They were sure that their fine elven friend would know something suitable.
Eldarion looked through a window that led down to a courtyard. He saw a solitary figure standing in it. He smiled slightly and bounded down stairs.
~
"Legolas, he's alive!" Eldarion announced and expected the elf to spin around and laugh wildly with relief. But all he received was a slight twist of the head and a rather bitter: "Good."
"Is that all you can say?" the man asked. This was not like Legolas at all. "I have never known an elf to be that inarticulate," Eldarion said, there was humour in his voice. Legolas did not hear it though.
"Obviously you haven't known many elves then!" Legolas spat and stalked away from his lover. His face was impassive and that mask had been lowered again.
"Legolas?" Eldarion asked softly and placed one hand on the elf's shoulders, he found them tensed and knotted. "Relax," he said soothingly and rose up another hand to massage taut muscles.
His hands were batted away and Legolas turned quickly, his blue eyes were cold. "Childbirth, its a bloody miracle isn't it?" he asked. Sarcasm was obvious in his voice. Eldarion did not hear it though as he answered, his face alight: "Its brilliant!"
The archer's mask dropped for a brief instant and Eldarion saw anger flit across Legolas' face. "Get away from me!" the prince snarled and shoving Eldarion away roughly, ran out of the courtyard.
The push had not been that savage, Eldarion if he was better prepared, would have been able to withstand it, but as he was now, he fell to the ground and there he lay wondering what had just happened.
~
Legolas ran to his chambers, his face red with shame at what he had done. Yes, there were conflicting emotions inside his head, but that was no reason to take it out on Eldarion.
He put his hands on either side of his head and fell onto the bed; there he lay sobbing brokenly.
Poor little Tinnu he thought. Childbirth was indeed miraculous for many. However, how could the Valar be so cruel as to give life to a babe before ripping it away before it even had time to first see light, to breath in the fresh air....
In such a beautiful world, how could nature be so merciless?
~
Eldarion walked back shakily to his parent's chambers. The babe was suckling on Arwen's breast and as he walked in, Elessar pulled the child away. "That's enough for you, young prince," the King said with a fond smile. "Sleep."
He laid the already sleepy boy down in his crib and watched until his heavy lids drooped down and the grey eyes were covered into peaceful sleep.
"Did you find Legolas?" Arwen asked.
"Oh yes, I found him," Eldarion tried to chuckle but failed miserably. He put his head against the cool wall and groaned slightly.
"Have you two been arguing?" Elessar queried.
"Yes and no. Legolas snapped at me for no reason," Eldarion explained. "It was something about childbirth... he was saying how it was such a miracle."
Arwen frowned and looked at Estel who nodded understandably. "I should have known the mite's brush with death would have upset Legolas," the King said. "When Legolas was young, his mother gave birth to a little girl... Tinnu I believe they called her..... she was a stillborn. She was already dead when she was delivered."
"I never knew about that," Eldarion said in a quiet voice. "Oh Valar- I've been so heartless!"
With that he fled the room and ran to Legolas' chambers that were next to his own. They were conveniently placed so that there was a door inside the rooms connecting them. It seemed that Elessar had notified the servants of the men's fondness for 'spending the night together'.
As he was about to knock on the door, Eldarion heard a loud sob and instead of waiting politely, just rushed into the room. Legolas was curled up on the bed crying inordinately for the elf.
"My love," Eldarion cooed and gathered the prince up in his arms and started kissing his head and smoothing back the golden hair. "I am sorry."
"What do you mean?" Legolas asked with a hiccup and quickly brushed his hand over his eyes and dashed the tears away.
"I didn't realise."
When Legolas finally grasped why the man was so apologetic, he burst out into fresh tears and started wailing in incoherent elvish that was so fast that Eldarion could not follow it. "Tinnu!" Legolas howled and buried his head in the covers of the bed.
It seemed that no matter how long ago Tinnu's death was, it was still a very personal thing to Legolas. It had obviously hurt him very much as a child.
Eldarion pulled the prince back into his arms; gratefully Legolas rested his head against the strong chest and listened to the regular and calming sound of his beating heart. A thoughtful expression filled his eyes as he lay there and gradually the crying stopped.
"Is that better?"
Legolas sat up, the look still on his face. He nodded his head like one in a dream then finally he blinked and fixed his eyes back on Eldarion.
"Maethor," Legolas said.
"Pardon me?"
"Maethor," the elf said again.
Eldarion frowned. Nothing in his vocabulary of elvish words connected with that one. "What does it mean?"
"Warrior," Legolas said with a proud smile. "Call your brother Maethor."
Slowly Eldarion's lips curved up and he beamed at his lover. "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" he cried and pounced on Legolas, pushing the elf's back onto the bed. From his position over the reclined prince, Eldarion lowered his head and kissed Legolas' nose.
A small giggle that was unlike the royal elf came from his mouth and Legolas' found himself giggling at that noise.
"Not only do you blush like a maiden," Eldarion laughed and devoured the pink lips open partially in advance. "But you laugh like one as well."
Legolas pushed back the hair that was tickling his face and cupped Eldarion's head. "Ah, my love," he murmured to the face above him. "You are the one that fights like one!"
Then deftly, Legolas in one combined movement, pushed Eldarion away slightly and rolled backwards off the end of the bed. He stood slightly breathless at the sight of the man, half scowling and half grinning. Eldarion was so beautiful.
Legolas was still lost in his thoughts as the first pillow struck him around the head. He fell back slightly and glared at Eldarion then turning like a lawyer to his jury, he exclaimed: "Do I need further evidence?" Then leaping on a similar pillow started hitting Eldarion around the head.
Feathers started coming out of the pillows and flying around the room. Legolas had some stuck in his hair and looked like some kind of strange wild man. Eldarion gave as good as he got and once his pillow had turned into just a piece of empty material, tackled the archer's midriff and once again had the advantage as he pinned Legolas to the bed.
"I won't go down with a fight!" Legolas cried with bravado but the act was spoilt slightly when he had to spit a feather out of his mouth.
"Oh really?" a wicked look appeared on Eldarion's face and before the elf could protest, his fingers had crept up Legolas' tunic and were tickling the exposed flesh ruthlessly.
Legolas' legs flailed around helplessly beneath Eldarion and he started shrieking as the man found his most ticklish spot. "Please.... Valar... Eldarion!" he screamed and tried to bat away the prince feebly. "By the Valar you've got cold hands!" Legolas cried.
Eldarion smirked mischievously and carried on attacking the ticklish skin. "I think I've found the chink in your formidable armour," the man said and stopped tickling for an instant to kiss Legolas' lips again. "My dear elf."
The elf prince mock glowered up at his lover. "I hate you," he said.
"So do I!" Eldarion replied cheerfully and continued tickling the elf. Gradually Legolas' shirt was unbuttoned by the sly fingers and was abandoned on the bed. The tickling grew less and less and instead turned into heated kissing.
There was a polite cough and the pair spun around to stare at the door and the rather embarrassed visitor. "I'm sorry," Merlin said blushing profusely at his rumpled friend and the rather guilty looking man that had been previously atop of him. "I should have knocked- but last time you told me off saying that you would hear me ten metres away so there was no"-
Merlin's babbling was cut off by Eldarion's hand. "Do not fret young..." he quickly noticed the uniform of the young boy. "Healer. I will leave if you wish to talk to Legolas."
Legolas made a slight noise of protest as Eldarion got off the bed, but it was muffled by a farewell kiss. "Maethor?"
"Aye," Legolas nodded his head and watched as Eldarion disappeared into the adjoining room. Then he retrieved his shirt and slid it over his head. "I'm sorry Merlin," he said contritely. "I should have heard you coming."
"Its fine," Merlin said earnestly. "I'm happy that you're back with Eldarion."
"Thank you." Legolas patted the bed and Merlin shyly sat next to him, slightly jealous of the healthy glowing look that Eldarion had caused the elf to have on his cheeks.
"So tell me what you've been doing."
"Well to start off, the Head Healer, he's nice, he's called...."
~
"Maethor." Elessar nodded at his wife and bent down and gently brushed his lips over Maethor's forehead.
"Warrior," Arwen said. "Perfect."
~ One day later~
Legolas sat up in his bed with a gasp. Beside him, Eldarion groaned, burying his head under the covers and grumbled a muffle curse at being woken up.
The elf's eyes gleamed as he realised something. Eldarion wouldn't have to be King... Maethor could take the role and his love could slip out unnoticed.
They could be married and- calm down Legolas, he told himself. That was if Eldarion consented to relinquishing the throne of his younger brother. But if it happened, then the man would not have to worry about having to disobey his father's wishes and it wouldn't mean he would have to produce an heir to the throne.
Legolas kneaded his hands into the soft covers and smiled wide.
~ Seven Months Later~
Eldarion whistled a tune that he had heard from the bards one night and swung his legs in a carefree manner over the city walls. From here he had a perfect view of the surrounding countryside. He could see rising out of the horizon the White Mountains, and if he twisted his head, he could see the Mountains of Shadow, dark and ominous.
This was his quiet retreat. The only thing that disturbed him was the occasional call marking the changing of the guard, and then the soft click of metal shod feet on stone. Eldarion had run up here several times when he was a young boy, just to escape it all. His greatest thrill was to stand up on the battlements and feel as the wind toyed with him.
It was exhilarating and slightly scary at the same time. One slip and he would most assuredly plummet to his death on the ground far below. It would be a nasty way to go, Eldarion mused.
The guards normally pulled him down. They had already one person fling themselves from the walls in a desperate attempt to end their lives. Elessar had been shocked to think that people living in his kingdom were so depressed about living that he had tightened security on the walls. Only the highest nobles with authorisation and the guards themselves were allowed up.
Eldarion being the eldest son of the King was let through without a murmur of complaint. The watchmen were used to the lad wandering around and gazing at the stars. He had done it since he was little.
"Eldarion," a soft voice purred in his ears and the man clutched the wall tightly to stop himself falling forward in shock.
Legolas laughed and kissed Eldarion's cheek.
"Legolas!" the man exclaimed and clambering down from the wall embraced the elf tightly. The prince moulded into the responding arms of Legolas with ease. They were such a comfortable place. He had spent many happy nights just laying in peaceful silence in those arms. Strong yet gentle.
The prince had left Minas Tirith one month ago to seek Gimil. Eldarion knew that his lover would take a while. As much as Legolas hated saying it, he missed the quarrelsome dwarf immensely. Now that he knew he was staying in Middle-earth, Legolas thought it was only right to make an appearance.
His stay had been cut short when Gimli had been called away to a nearest mine that had collapsed. All the dwarves in the area were being called in to help. Legolas would have liked to offer his support but not all of the shorter race was as friendly towards elves as Gimli.
"Aye, I'm back. And not a minute too soon, I hope you weren't pining for me so much that you were going to fling yourself off the walls and stop your misery." Legolas' words were amused though there was a slight sadness in his eyes.
"Of course not, why should I be upset? I was going to hurl myself down because I knew that you were returning to me, oh fair one," Eldarion replied.
The easy bantering between them was comfortable and the pair quickly slipped back into a routine of friendly jests and playful digs. The guards chuckled at the antics of the two lovers. Most of the people working in the royal palace had their suspicions about Legolas and Eldarion. They were inseparable and a couple of maids had entered the room and caught the princes kissing passionately.
Legolas took Eldarion's hand and wordlessly led him down the stairs and into the empty gardens. "Eldarion, there is something I wish to tell you, it is of the greatest emergency and please, do not laugh at me when I say it." Legolas' gaze was imploring and the man felt instantly that he would do anything for him.
The prince took a deep breath and Eldarion noticed (though did not say anything about it) that Legolas' hands were shaking with nervousness. "Eldarion, will you bind yourself to me?"
~
Anna.
~ Chapter Eighteen: Tears and Kisses
Warning: Major Legolas/ Eldarion cuteness!
"Legolas? Legolas!" Eldarion cried running out of the room, there was a wide smile on his face.
The midwife had managed to retrieve the boy from the shadowy lands near death. She had opened his small mouth and ever so gently blown into it. The pressure was miniscule; it might have just lifted a feather from the ground.
Any more though and the babe's fragile lungs would have exploded.
He looked around for his lover. Eldarion was going to thank Legolas dearly for getting the midwife there in time, and he was also going to ask him whether he had any ideas for the prince's name.
Both parents were ecstatic but they couldn't think of a name so when Eldarion suggested asking Legolas, they had agree. They were sure that their fine elven friend would know something suitable.
Eldarion looked through a window that led down to a courtyard. He saw a solitary figure standing in it. He smiled slightly and bounded down stairs.
~
"Legolas, he's alive!" Eldarion announced and expected the elf to spin around and laugh wildly with relief. But all he received was a slight twist of the head and a rather bitter: "Good."
"Is that all you can say?" the man asked. This was not like Legolas at all. "I have never known an elf to be that inarticulate," Eldarion said, there was humour in his voice. Legolas did not hear it though.
"Obviously you haven't known many elves then!" Legolas spat and stalked away from his lover. His face was impassive and that mask had been lowered again.
"Legolas?" Eldarion asked softly and placed one hand on the elf's shoulders, he found them tensed and knotted. "Relax," he said soothingly and rose up another hand to massage taut muscles.
His hands were batted away and Legolas turned quickly, his blue eyes were cold. "Childbirth, its a bloody miracle isn't it?" he asked. Sarcasm was obvious in his voice. Eldarion did not hear it though as he answered, his face alight: "Its brilliant!"
The archer's mask dropped for a brief instant and Eldarion saw anger flit across Legolas' face. "Get away from me!" the prince snarled and shoving Eldarion away roughly, ran out of the courtyard.
The push had not been that savage, Eldarion if he was better prepared, would have been able to withstand it, but as he was now, he fell to the ground and there he lay wondering what had just happened.
~
Legolas ran to his chambers, his face red with shame at what he had done. Yes, there were conflicting emotions inside his head, but that was no reason to take it out on Eldarion.
He put his hands on either side of his head and fell onto the bed; there he lay sobbing brokenly.
Poor little Tinnu he thought. Childbirth was indeed miraculous for many. However, how could the Valar be so cruel as to give life to a babe before ripping it away before it even had time to first see light, to breath in the fresh air....
In such a beautiful world, how could nature be so merciless?
~
Eldarion walked back shakily to his parent's chambers. The babe was suckling on Arwen's breast and as he walked in, Elessar pulled the child away. "That's enough for you, young prince," the King said with a fond smile. "Sleep."
He laid the already sleepy boy down in his crib and watched until his heavy lids drooped down and the grey eyes were covered into peaceful sleep.
"Did you find Legolas?" Arwen asked.
"Oh yes, I found him," Eldarion tried to chuckle but failed miserably. He put his head against the cool wall and groaned slightly.
"Have you two been arguing?" Elessar queried.
"Yes and no. Legolas snapped at me for no reason," Eldarion explained. "It was something about childbirth... he was saying how it was such a miracle."
Arwen frowned and looked at Estel who nodded understandably. "I should have known the mite's brush with death would have upset Legolas," the King said. "When Legolas was young, his mother gave birth to a little girl... Tinnu I believe they called her..... she was a stillborn. She was already dead when she was delivered."
"I never knew about that," Eldarion said in a quiet voice. "Oh Valar- I've been so heartless!"
With that he fled the room and ran to Legolas' chambers that were next to his own. They were conveniently placed so that there was a door inside the rooms connecting them. It seemed that Elessar had notified the servants of the men's fondness for 'spending the night together'.
As he was about to knock on the door, Eldarion heard a loud sob and instead of waiting politely, just rushed into the room. Legolas was curled up on the bed crying inordinately for the elf.
"My love," Eldarion cooed and gathered the prince up in his arms and started kissing his head and smoothing back the golden hair. "I am sorry."
"What do you mean?" Legolas asked with a hiccup and quickly brushed his hand over his eyes and dashed the tears away.
"I didn't realise."
When Legolas finally grasped why the man was so apologetic, he burst out into fresh tears and started wailing in incoherent elvish that was so fast that Eldarion could not follow it. "Tinnu!" Legolas howled and buried his head in the covers of the bed.
It seemed that no matter how long ago Tinnu's death was, it was still a very personal thing to Legolas. It had obviously hurt him very much as a child.
Eldarion pulled the prince back into his arms; gratefully Legolas rested his head against the strong chest and listened to the regular and calming sound of his beating heart. A thoughtful expression filled his eyes as he lay there and gradually the crying stopped.
"Is that better?"
Legolas sat up, the look still on his face. He nodded his head like one in a dream then finally he blinked and fixed his eyes back on Eldarion.
"Maethor," Legolas said.
"Pardon me?"
"Maethor," the elf said again.
Eldarion frowned. Nothing in his vocabulary of elvish words connected with that one. "What does it mean?"
"Warrior," Legolas said with a proud smile. "Call your brother Maethor."
Slowly Eldarion's lips curved up and he beamed at his lover. "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" he cried and pounced on Legolas, pushing the elf's back onto the bed. From his position over the reclined prince, Eldarion lowered his head and kissed Legolas' nose.
A small giggle that was unlike the royal elf came from his mouth and Legolas' found himself giggling at that noise.
"Not only do you blush like a maiden," Eldarion laughed and devoured the pink lips open partially in advance. "But you laugh like one as well."
Legolas pushed back the hair that was tickling his face and cupped Eldarion's head. "Ah, my love," he murmured to the face above him. "You are the one that fights like one!"
Then deftly, Legolas in one combined movement, pushed Eldarion away slightly and rolled backwards off the end of the bed. He stood slightly breathless at the sight of the man, half scowling and half grinning. Eldarion was so beautiful.
Legolas was still lost in his thoughts as the first pillow struck him around the head. He fell back slightly and glared at Eldarion then turning like a lawyer to his jury, he exclaimed: "Do I need further evidence?" Then leaping on a similar pillow started hitting Eldarion around the head.
Feathers started coming out of the pillows and flying around the room. Legolas had some stuck in his hair and looked like some kind of strange wild man. Eldarion gave as good as he got and once his pillow had turned into just a piece of empty material, tackled the archer's midriff and once again had the advantage as he pinned Legolas to the bed.
"I won't go down with a fight!" Legolas cried with bravado but the act was spoilt slightly when he had to spit a feather out of his mouth.
"Oh really?" a wicked look appeared on Eldarion's face and before the elf could protest, his fingers had crept up Legolas' tunic and were tickling the exposed flesh ruthlessly.
Legolas' legs flailed around helplessly beneath Eldarion and he started shrieking as the man found his most ticklish spot. "Please.... Valar... Eldarion!" he screamed and tried to bat away the prince feebly. "By the Valar you've got cold hands!" Legolas cried.
Eldarion smirked mischievously and carried on attacking the ticklish skin. "I think I've found the chink in your formidable armour," the man said and stopped tickling for an instant to kiss Legolas' lips again. "My dear elf."
The elf prince mock glowered up at his lover. "I hate you," he said.
"So do I!" Eldarion replied cheerfully and continued tickling the elf. Gradually Legolas' shirt was unbuttoned by the sly fingers and was abandoned on the bed. The tickling grew less and less and instead turned into heated kissing.
There was a polite cough and the pair spun around to stare at the door and the rather embarrassed visitor. "I'm sorry," Merlin said blushing profusely at his rumpled friend and the rather guilty looking man that had been previously atop of him. "I should have knocked- but last time you told me off saying that you would hear me ten metres away so there was no"-
Merlin's babbling was cut off by Eldarion's hand. "Do not fret young..." he quickly noticed the uniform of the young boy. "Healer. I will leave if you wish to talk to Legolas."
Legolas made a slight noise of protest as Eldarion got off the bed, but it was muffled by a farewell kiss. "Maethor?"
"Aye," Legolas nodded his head and watched as Eldarion disappeared into the adjoining room. Then he retrieved his shirt and slid it over his head. "I'm sorry Merlin," he said contritely. "I should have heard you coming."
"Its fine," Merlin said earnestly. "I'm happy that you're back with Eldarion."
"Thank you." Legolas patted the bed and Merlin shyly sat next to him, slightly jealous of the healthy glowing look that Eldarion had caused the elf to have on his cheeks.
"So tell me what you've been doing."
"Well to start off, the Head Healer, he's nice, he's called...."
~
"Maethor." Elessar nodded at his wife and bent down and gently brushed his lips over Maethor's forehead.
"Warrior," Arwen said. "Perfect."
~ One day later~
Legolas sat up in his bed with a gasp. Beside him, Eldarion groaned, burying his head under the covers and grumbled a muffle curse at being woken up.
The elf's eyes gleamed as he realised something. Eldarion wouldn't have to be King... Maethor could take the role and his love could slip out unnoticed.
They could be married and- calm down Legolas, he told himself. That was if Eldarion consented to relinquishing the throne of his younger brother. But if it happened, then the man would not have to worry about having to disobey his father's wishes and it wouldn't mean he would have to produce an heir to the throne.
Legolas kneaded his hands into the soft covers and smiled wide.
~ Seven Months Later~
Eldarion whistled a tune that he had heard from the bards one night and swung his legs in a carefree manner over the city walls. From here he had a perfect view of the surrounding countryside. He could see rising out of the horizon the White Mountains, and if he twisted his head, he could see the Mountains of Shadow, dark and ominous.
This was his quiet retreat. The only thing that disturbed him was the occasional call marking the changing of the guard, and then the soft click of metal shod feet on stone. Eldarion had run up here several times when he was a young boy, just to escape it all. His greatest thrill was to stand up on the battlements and feel as the wind toyed with him.
It was exhilarating and slightly scary at the same time. One slip and he would most assuredly plummet to his death on the ground far below. It would be a nasty way to go, Eldarion mused.
The guards normally pulled him down. They had already one person fling themselves from the walls in a desperate attempt to end their lives. Elessar had been shocked to think that people living in his kingdom were so depressed about living that he had tightened security on the walls. Only the highest nobles with authorisation and the guards themselves were allowed up.
Eldarion being the eldest son of the King was let through without a murmur of complaint. The watchmen were used to the lad wandering around and gazing at the stars. He had done it since he was little.
"Eldarion," a soft voice purred in his ears and the man clutched the wall tightly to stop himself falling forward in shock.
Legolas laughed and kissed Eldarion's cheek.
"Legolas!" the man exclaimed and clambering down from the wall embraced the elf tightly. The prince moulded into the responding arms of Legolas with ease. They were such a comfortable place. He had spent many happy nights just laying in peaceful silence in those arms. Strong yet gentle.
The prince had left Minas Tirith one month ago to seek Gimil. Eldarion knew that his lover would take a while. As much as Legolas hated saying it, he missed the quarrelsome dwarf immensely. Now that he knew he was staying in Middle-earth, Legolas thought it was only right to make an appearance.
His stay had been cut short when Gimli had been called away to a nearest mine that had collapsed. All the dwarves in the area were being called in to help. Legolas would have liked to offer his support but not all of the shorter race was as friendly towards elves as Gimli.
"Aye, I'm back. And not a minute too soon, I hope you weren't pining for me so much that you were going to fling yourself off the walls and stop your misery." Legolas' words were amused though there was a slight sadness in his eyes.
"Of course not, why should I be upset? I was going to hurl myself down because I knew that you were returning to me, oh fair one," Eldarion replied.
The easy bantering between them was comfortable and the pair quickly slipped back into a routine of friendly jests and playful digs. The guards chuckled at the antics of the two lovers. Most of the people working in the royal palace had their suspicions about Legolas and Eldarion. They were inseparable and a couple of maids had entered the room and caught the princes kissing passionately.
Legolas took Eldarion's hand and wordlessly led him down the stairs and into the empty gardens. "Eldarion, there is something I wish to tell you, it is of the greatest emergency and please, do not laugh at me when I say it." Legolas' gaze was imploring and the man felt instantly that he would do anything for him.
The prince took a deep breath and Eldarion noticed (though did not say anything about it) that Legolas' hands were shaking with nervousness. "Eldarion, will you bind yourself to me?"
~
