Title: Bloom of a Rose Author: Andrea (Azriel) Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, they all belong to the Tolkien estate. Summary: Legolas gets caught up in a dispute between Mirkwood and Imladris. Can Elrond and Glorfindel help him to find happiness? WARNING, this story is SLASH and AU. The pairing shall be G/L with hinted Elrohir/L in later chapters. Thranduil is NOT a nice guy.





" Sweet, precious little thing really, isn't he Elrohir?" Elrohir didn't need to look around to know the voice belonged to his twin. " And to think. he could have been yours."

" Shut up Elladan." Elladan chuckled as he took his place alongside his brother on the balcony. " Now is not the time."

" But brother, now is the perfect time. I saw you looking at him. You want him." Elladan stood with his back to the outside world amused at his twins reluctance to meet his gaze. " You could have him you know.."

" I do not believe you! I am bound to another! And unless it has escaped your notice it does not seem as though the prince is going to be anybody's in the near future!" He paused for breath. " For Elbereth's sake Elladan! Are you blind to what has happened to him?"

"He's used to giving of himself, El." Elladan smiled cruelly twisting his wedding band on his finger. " Are you telling me your little mouse satisfies your needs? You know as well as I do that you can't stand women!"

Elrohir looked away in shame, knowing the truth of his brothers mocking words.

" Have you even consummated your binding brother?" Elladan laughed out right at Elrohirs continued avoidance of the matter. " You haven't! Oh, that poor maiden! Elrohir you should at least have had the decency."

" She has another lover!" Elrohir whipped around, cutting Elladan off mid flow. " Now shut up Elladan, for it is none of your concern!"

" By the Valar, you really want the boy don't you? Elrohir how could you be so stupid? Glorfindel."

" I don't give a damn about Glorfindel! He should be mine!" Elrohir shouted at his brother, startling the birds from their resting places in the nearby trees.

Elladan watched as his brother caught his breath, an angry red hue spreading over his cheeks. " Stay away from him Elrohir. No good can come of this." His voice was barely more than a whisper as he walked away, leaving Elrohir on the balcony staring out into the night.

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" They are beautiful my Lord!" Elrond smiled at the first sign of genuine pleasure Legolas had shown. " I have never seen such fine creatures." Legolas skipped excitedly along the stable doors like an excited child, greeting every animal and being welcomed in return.

" They like you young master. They say my charges always know when someone can speak to them." The stable master moved to stand beside the prince who was stroking one of the mares.

" Tethiel said it was my gift. That no one could calm them like I did."

" Tethiel? The head stable master of Mirkwood?"

" Yes. He.."

" It's alright Legolas. It's fine to tell us, if you want to." Legolas looked at Elrond, seeing the same reassurance in his eyes as he heard in his voice.

" He was kind to me. He taught me the ways of the horses after my mother. They were my only friends." A sad smile of remembrance twisted the prince's lips as he turned his attention back to the dark horse. The mare moved forward nuzzling his hand as if she could feel his pain. " May I.. may I ride her? It has been so long and I.."

" Of course! You shall have to ask her though, and do you wish Lord Elrond to accompany you?" Legolas switched his gaze between the stable master and Elrond in uncertainty.

" If the Lord wishes it, I would be glad of his company." He turned to Elrond, offering a shy smile as he continued to stroke the horse.

" Then I shall prepare your mounts, why don't you wait outside? It is a beautiful day after all.."

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Two weeks later..

" Legolas! Give that back!" Halrowen laughed breathlessly as she darted after the figure flicking between the tables in the kitchens. " Legolas, watch out for the." CRASH!*!

The kitchens ground to a stand still as Legolas sat on the floor, covered in cream amongst the broken remains of the large mixing bowl, the dusting of flour still settling from the collision. A chorus of frantic cries sounded out as people went running to help the prince, who was slowly dissolving into a fit of giggles.

" By Elbereth Legolas! Just look at yourself!" Halrowen scolded as she helped the stricken elf to his feet. " Oh, what would the Lord say?"

Legolas continued to laugh as she began to wipe at his face with a cloth, only succeeding to mix the cream and the flour dust together.

" I should think he would be amused as the rest of us." All faces turned to look at the blond elf standing in the doorway. " I also believe he would be as overjoyed as myself to see a smile on your lips again, Princeling." Glorfindel stepped forward to stand closer to the scene, where he could get a better look at the princes predicament.

" My lord. I am sorry.. I.. I did not mean.."

" Shhh, Legolas! You are in no trouble for you have done nothing wrong." He offered the younger elf a small smile of reassurance. " Now let us leave these poor fellows in peace. There are matters I must discuss with you."

" What matters My Lord?" It saddened the elder to hear the trepidation and fear re-enter the little ones voice as Glorfindel drew him away from his friends.

" Our future Legolas. Our future."

None of the elves paid any heed to the dark elf skulking in the shadows. And no one saw the flash of jealousy in his eyes.