Long after Estel had gone to bed, Elrond was still pacing up and down his room. He could not find peace, his thoughts returned to how Legolas had looked sleeping and the tenderness that Estel displayed towards the young elf in private or when he thought himself unobserved. There was obviously much more between the two than met the eye, but then, he had known that for years. The two youngsters must have had developed a strong bond for it to survive the combined pressures of both families. Elrond vowed to himself to get to know Legolas better and thus also reduce the tensions with Estel.
Early next morning, Elrond went to Legolas' room. He was quite convinced that the young elf would be up and about, Elrond knew that Legolas was an early riser. However, when he knocked at the door, there was no response and after only a brief hesitation, Elrond pushed the door open.
Much to his surprise he found Legolas still asleep, curled up in his bed, covers and sleep clothes askew so that part of his bare back showed where his tunic had travelled up. His face was hidden under his tangled hair. Perhaps the sleeping draught in the tea had affected him more than it should have done due to the effects of dehydration.
Quietly Elrond turned to leave the room, but Legolas had somehow felt his presence and woken up. Surprised to find the elf lord in his room at this time of the day, he quickly sat up, swinging his legs out of the bed.
"Lord Elrond?"he said somewhat questioningly, still looking very sleepy.
"Legolas, I apologise for waking you. I know that you normally rise early, and I just came to check that you are well. I had not intended to wake you, and will leave you to rest,"answered Elrond, turning again towards the door.
"I am feeling much better. Thank you for your concern and your help," Legolas looked at Elrond, his dark blue eyes now clearly focused. All of a sudden it struck him as odd that Elrond had wanted to check on him at such an early hour. Somehow he intuitively knew that there was more.
"Lord Elrond," Legolas hesitated, "Somehow I have the feeling that concern for me was not the only reason for you to come here..." He did not finish the sentence and left it hanging.
For a long moment Elrond looked at the younger elf, surprised at his perceptiveness and wondering how to respond. He decided that the best way forward was to be honest. His grey eyes looked with Legolas' blue ones, and he said: "Yesterday evening I had a long talk with Estel, and I asked him what it is about you that he likes so much."
With a smile, Elrond continued, "He told me much about you and showed me the little books of drawings that your friend made for him. I have known for some time that he cares deeply for you."
"Legolas, I have done you a great injustice. I have only ever seen your father in you, and have never tried to get to know you for yourself." Legolas looked at him in surprise. This was not at all what he had expected; he had half anticipated a lecture about his relationship with Estel, knowing well that Elrond did not approve of their relationship.
Elrond continued, "I would be glad to get to know you, Legolas Greenleaf, if you are willing to accept this offer after such a long time." Legolas was too shocked to respond immediately. After all these years – he wondered what had brought this change of mind. It was only much later that Elrond told him it had been the moments when he had seen Legolas sleeping that had allowed him to see beyond the aloof mask that Legolas usually wore when in Imladris.
Elrond waited and when Legolas did not react bar staring at him, his eyes saddened and he turned to leave. But he had not yet reached the door when he heard Legolas say very quietly, "Please do not leave. I appreciate your offer. It just comes as a bit of a surprise."
Elrond turned and looked at the younger elf. Legolas sat on the edge of the bed, still in his sleep clothes, with his long light hair tangled. Elrond sat in the big chair at the end of the bed, looking at him, and asked gently: "Why are you attracted to Estel? You are beautiful and of royal blood, I am certain that many elves, male and female, would give much to be your partner or your friends. Why did you choose my human son?"
Legolas had blushed deeply at Elrond's words, and then sat quietly for a moment. He played with a strand of his hair and then resolutely pushed it out of his face and looked at Elrond. "You are quite right, "he answered with an exasperated sigh.
"Since I have been a young child, I have had many admirers, as you have guessed. But all of them were just interested in how I looked. None ever asked how I felt or what my wishes or desires were." Elrond was not surprised by this statement. Good looks could be a blessing and a curse, and Legolas was exceptionally beautiful even for an elf.
He stopped speaking but Elrond sensed that he was about to continue. Elrond was an experienced listener and knew that expectant silence often encouraged more than many words.
Legolas sighed again and said very quietly, with a trace of bitterness in his voice: "I would have given much for not having admirers but friends when I was younger. But there were always too many differences. There was nothing more that I wanted than to train as a warrior with the other novices. But being a prince, this was not considered appropriate. So I had my own trainers, the very best. I was not permitted to compete in training competitions, since my private tuition was perceived as an unfair advantage."
"But still, one day I managed to persuade my father to let me go on a training mission with the other novices. It was not a success. The others made sure oft that in very way possible. They paid me back for every advantage they thought I had over them by being born a prince. Not once did it occur to them that I never wanted that role. They knew that I would never complain to my father since I had to argue so hard to be allowed to go in the first place." Legolas stopped, surprised at himself. "I am sorry, Lord Elrond, I am rambling and must bore you.'Why am I talking about all of this? It is of no interest to Lord Elrond', he thought to himself.
Elrond looked at the young elf with compassion. He felt deep sorrow for the young being in front of him. To grow up without friends for centuries must have been very hard for the young prince. Elrond was surprised that the young elf had retained a capacity for love and friendship at all.
"During that summer when you and Estel came to visit, three of these novices ... tried to take to take advantage of me," the young elf's voice had gone quiet, and he looked down at his knees. 'Why am I telling him this? Only very few people know about this.' But something inside Legolas had opened up and the words had rushed out. "After this incident I vowed to myself that no one would ever touch me again without my consent, and I became skilled at defending myself with knife and bow."
Elrond nodded slightly. He had always wondered why a prince had felt it necessary to become such an expert warrior
"Does your father know of this?" Elrond asked quietly. Legolas looked at his knees and answered in an almost inaudible voice "No. Nothing of any consequence happened." Elrond winced at these words, it hurt him to see that a young elf like Legolas had already been through so much pain.
Legolas continued. "But this incident did have one good outcome. It was almost as if it had opened doors for me, perhaps it was that I did not make a big issue of it or tell my father. Some of the other young elves decided that they would want to give me a chance, and after a while I was finally able to fit in and make some friends."
Slightly louder Legolas said: "And then, you came to visit Mirkwood with your sons and I met Estel for the first time. I was curious about him because I had never been in close contact with a human before and on first glance, he did not appear very different from us. So once I had a chance to talk to him, I did, and we soon discovered we had much in common. I liked him immediately because he spoke to me as Legolas Greenleaf, not the prince of Mirkwood. It was so refreshing! We had a good time that first evening." Legolas looked up and stopped. He smiled at the memory.
"I remember this. You two disappeared for most of the evening."
"Then, later, I discovered how special Estel really was. He always allowed me to be myself, never forcing me into a role. I can simply be myself with him. When I realised that he was attracted to me, I was not surprised, after all, many people have been attracted to me, but I was also very afraid of being used." Legolas looked at Elrond. "I always thought that no one would truly care for me."
Elrond looked at the beautiful young elf in front of him. Quietly he moved from the chair to the bed, laying his arm across Legolas' slender shoulders. He could feel the tenseness underneath his arm. For a moment, Legolas sat stiffly and then, to Elrond's surprise, the younger elf leaned against him with a sigh.
Legolas finally looked up at Elrond and smiled a sad little smile that did not reach his eyes. Elrond squeezed his shoulders, returned the smile and said: "I am glad you were so honest with me. It must have been difficult for you. But I understand much better now why you and Estel appreciate one another so much. Thank you for your trust, Legolas."
They sat together for a while in thoughtful silence, Elrond still holding the younger elf. After a while, he released Legolas' shoulders and rose. In an attempt to break the rather sombre mood between them, he said: "Get ready for the day so that you can get some food into your empty stomach. I see you in the Great Hall for breakfast".
TBC.