Author's note: Thanks everyone for your reviews!

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Chapter 14 – To Make A Choice

The weeks came and went. The twins and Estel returned to their normal routines and duties, and Legolas found that, after an initial adjusting period, he settled well into life in Rivendell. His time was almost evenly split between his patrol duty and time spent with Elrond. At first, he did not appreciate these sessions, but soon he realised how skilled Elrond was in appeasing angered individuals and achieving suitable outcomes for all. He begun to watch very closely, and after a while Elrond entrusted him with dealing with some of the easier trade negotiations by himself.

He had at home participated in similar affairs, but his father's style was very different from Elrond's. His father used his authority and power as leverage; Elrond negotiated between different parties and outcomes. This took longer, but very often the achievements for Rivendell were much better than what Legolas knew his father's tactics would have achieved in a similar situation.

As far as his patrol duties were concerned, Legolas was amazed how easy it had been to take on the leadership of his patrol unit. He had had none of the problems he had faced at home, there were no feelings of resentment or jealousy because he was a prince. The warriors respected him because they saw his skills and appreciated them. They also realised that Legolas would take a decision quickly when needed, but also knew that he would, if at all possible, base any decision on consent, rather than on authority alone. So, much to his surprise, Legolas became soon popular amongst the Imladris warriors, with warriors vying to be in his unit. But none of the groups were larger than five, and Legolas' unit was no exception.

Altogether, Glorfindel made no exceptions for Legolas and expected nothing other from him than from anyone else with similar duties. At home, Legolas always had had the feeling of having to perform better than everyone else, of having to somehow prove himself because he was a prince. Here, in Imladris, this element was absent, and Legolas was astonished how much of a difference this made. He promised himself that in the future he would not let any new acquaintances know that he was a prince, unless they found out otherwise.

Usually patrol duty involved two nights and three days on duty, with the same amount of time off. Many of the warriors also had other responsibilities, which had to be fitted into the days in between. For Legolas this meant that his sessions with Elrond were restricted to his non-duty days.

Estel also spent much of his time with Elrond, stocking up on herbs and medicines for the winter. He also went hunting with his brothers on a number of occasions. He wanted to go out on patrol duty with Legolas, but both Elrond and Glorfindel did not permit this, they felt that they would distract each other and also that since none of the other warriors could take their partners along, it might create resentment.

The best times were the evenings when Legolas was free. Some of the time, Estel and Legolas would simply spend enjoying each other's company. If the weather was suitable, they went for long walks, even though it was now late autumn and light was fading fast. But neither was bothered by walking at night, Estel knew the area surrounding Imladris like the back of his hand, and Legolas' elven eye sight helped them if the stars did not provide sufficient light. Sometimes they walked for long periods of time in companionable silence, sometimes they chatted about the events of the past day, or at other times they talked about more serious matters.

If it was raining or otherwise uncomfortable outside, they sometimes just went to Estel's room to spend time together alone, or they enjoyed Elrond's and the twins' company.

It soon became a favourite pastime for all of them to play games. The long winter evenings lent themselves to embarking on long games sessions. They played card games, board games, and strategy games. They played in different teams, sometimes even with Elrond if he could be convinced to leave his books for the evening. Not everyone was there all evenings, all of them had differing duties and schedules. It was soon obvious that, when playing strategy games, Elrond and Legolas teamed up, the other three had no chance. Elrond had the advantage of thousands of years of experience, but Legolas had had extensive training in strategy. As a prince, it had always been expected that he would lead warriors and take decisions. After a while, Elladan, Elrohir and Estel refused to let Elrond and Legolas play together.

Sometimes they all simply kept each other company, each doing something different. The twins had each a favourite armchair on either side of the fire. Elladan often occupied 'his' chair reading a book. Elrohir quite often spent the evenings drawing; he had a talent for catching gestures, emotions and expressions typical for individual people. Surprising in the often impatient younger twin, he could spent hours trying to get an expression or gesture just right.

Estel and Legolas had 'commandeered' a small couch opposite the fire. Legolas would regularly sit at one end, resting a book on the left armrest. Estel would lay with his head in Legolas' lap and his legs dangling over the other armrest of the couch. Quite often. Estel would doze at these times and Legolas would absentmindedly run his fingers through Estel's long hair. Both enjoyed the closeness of these times, and no one objected seeing them together like this.

(In a quiet moment, Estel had summoned up his courage and asked Elrond whether he found seeing them that close offensive. Elrond had just smiled and told him to enjoy the remaining time with Legolas as much as he could. Elrond trusted his foster son's sense of tact to draw reasonable boundaries. On that occasion, Elrond also told Estel that he had no objections if Legolas shared Estel's room at night, but on the condition that they were discrete about it. Elrond did not want all of Imladris talking about the sleeping arrangements in his house.)

Elrond had one particular set of shelves where all the games were kept. Normally one of the twins or Estel would get the games out, but one evening Elrohir just said to Legolas:

"Just get something out. You know where everything is." Legolas nodded and started rummaging through the games. This was how he spotted a chess set which he had not seen before. Turning, he said: "I did not know you had a chess set. Who is playing?

Elrohir answered: "Father likes to play and has taught all of us, but the only one of us who was any good at it was Arwen, and she is not here now. Father sometimes plays with Glorfindel, but this is quite rare."

At this moment, Elrond entered the room. He heard Elrohir's last words and looked at Legolas, who held the chess set in his hands.

"Do you play?"

Legolas' eyes lit up. "Yes, I do. I quite like playing chess."

Elrond smiled. He had long wanted a partner to play chess with. All three of sons were comparatively poor players with no real interest in the game. And if Legolas' performance with strategy games was anything to go by, he was probably a fairly good player.

"Would you like to have a try?"

Legolas hesitated and looked at Elrohir. He did not want to be rude, after all chess could only be played by two people.

Elrohir groaned, but then smiled. He knew how much his father enjoyed playing, and even if Legolas was only a mediocre player, he would be better than Elladan, Estel or himself.

"Go on, Ada, Legolas. Enjoy it."

And so Legolas and Elrond set up the set on a low table and started their game, and the twins and Estel played cards. Soon it was obvious that Legolas was a worthy opponent for Elrond's skill. The elf-lord did not hide his surprise. "Legolas, you are good at this – you must have played this often?"

"Yes, I have. Our winters are long and cold, games are a welcome relief from the boredom. Several of my friends are good players, and we had regular contests. I sometimes won and sometimes didn't," said the younger elf with a smile.

Late in the evening, the three card players stopped their own game and began to watch the battle on the chessboard. They were surprised to find that the outcome of the game was still wide open, although several hours had passed. And only very few figures were laying next to the board.

"This will take the whole night to finish." Estel did not sound very pleased.

"Estel, just let them play. Can you not see how much they are enjoying this?" Elladan looked at his father and Legolas. The prince had moved off the chair he had occupied and now sat on the floor, leaning against the chair with his back. He had pulled up his knees to his chest, and was resting his folded arms and chin on top of his knees. He was still able to reach the low table easily. His face was slightly flushed and his eyes sparkled with concentration. Elrond was cupping his face in his hands, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. His dark hair had fallen forward, and he was completely focused on the game. It had been very long time that he had played against someone of equal strength, and he admitted to himself that he was thoroughly enjoying himself, even though he felt slightly guilty about occupying Legolas all evening, and if they continued, probably most of the night. Suddenly he wondered whether Legolas was on duty tomorrow – it would not be fair to play through the night if he had to go out in the morning.

"Legolas? Are you on duty tomorrow?"

"No, I am only on again the day after tomorrow."

"Good, then we can carry on. It will not matter if it gets late."

Legolas just nodded, not wanting to break his concentration. After a few more moves, the twins excuses themselves. Estel laid down on the couch with a book. He tried to hide a yawn. Elrond looked at him and said: "Why don't you go to bed?"

Estel shook his head. "I enjoy being here and watch you play."

Legolas got up and brought a blanket that he spread over Estel. "If you fall asleep you will not be cold." He tucked the blanket around Estel. Estel smiled and pushed him away gently. "Don't fuss and make my father wait. Go on." As Legolas turned, the young man quickly slipped his arm around the elf's hips and pulled him backwards. Legolas lost his balance and fell backwards onto Estel. Holding Legolas with one arm around the waist and with the other around the chest, Estel kissed him none too briefly. Knowing that Elrond was watching them, Legolas went bright red with embarrassment. "Estel! Not in front of your father!" Legolas could not see that Estel was winking at his father, clearly enjoying Legolas' embarrassment.

Elrond watched the scene with amusement and a slight pang of envy. Even though circumstances were difficult for his foster son and the Mirkwood prince, they were happy together at the moment. And that, Elrond thought, is worth a lot.

Estel released Legolas, and the chess game continued. After a while, Estel feel asleep, the book dropping out of his hands. Elrond got up and removed the volume.

"Legolas, would you mind if we moved the board to the floor? I find sitting hunched up like this very uncomfortable. I would much prefer to lay on the floor."

Legolas looked at the elf-lord in surprise. Elrond did not cease to amaze him. He could not have possibly imagined Elrond, Lord of Imladris, to lay on the carpet with his chin cupped in his hands, completely focused on a game of chess with himself, a still very young prince from Mirkwood. And yet, exactly this was happening, and Elrond did not look in the least uncomfortable. So they lay facing each other, trying to anticipate moves and countermoves. The gaps between moves grew ever longer, as the game progressed and more careful planning became necessary.

The night wore on. Slowly more and more figures were removed. Legolas was playing white, and somewhat to Elrond's annoyance, it began to look as if Legolas would win this game. He was an exceptional player; Elrond had not played against anyone with such skill in a very long time. It was a challenge that he enjoyed but one which he did not want to loose. He could not possibly loose a game of chess to a young prince only forty years into his majority. This would not do!

Night turned into dawn. The game was nearing its conclusion. Both kings were left on the board, but Legolas still had his queen and a castle, where as Elrond only had one castle left. Both knew that in two further moves, the game would end. Elrond gently tipped over his king. "I yield. You have won."

Legolas' dark eyes sparkled. He could not believe that he had just managed to win against Elrond.

"Legolas, I have rarely encountered someone as skilled as you on the chess board. If you do not mind, I would like to ask you for a return match on another occasion."

"I would be honoured." Suddenly Legolas realised how tired he was. This game of chess had taken a lot of concentration. Estel was still sleeping peacefully. Legolas decided to let him sleep where he was.

"I think I will try to get a few hours sleep. I hope you will not mind if I miss breakfast."

Elrond smiled. "I will do exactly the same."

"Thank you for this game, Legolas. I really enjoyed this."

"So did I. But I am ready for some sleep now. Good night."

Legolas reached his room as the first rays of the sun broke over the ridge of Imladris. The prince did not bother to undress, he just kicked off his boots and collapsed face down on his bed. He was asleep in seconds.

TBC. Please review!