A/N: Thank you for review I love you all very very much! Remember, reviewing makes more chapters come!!! Helps me keep encouraged and strong! RAWR! But anyway.... Thanks for the offer to Beta read, but what is beta-reading? I remember knowing what it was a couple years ago... thank you!
I hope you all enjoy this!!
Legolas rode as fast as his stead was capable of, but after two straight days of riding the horse slowed to a halt. His hands reluctantly pulled at the poor animal's reins but the horse remained still.
"Sorry, old friend," he slurred, he too was suffering exhaustion. With an almost inaudible thud he fell to the ground to lay on the soft sweet smelling grass beneath him. His hands drifted over the thick lush blades and examined their vaguely familiar texture. It has been years since Mirkwood has witnessed such vitality in its botany. He flexed his fingers and remembered the scars on his fists. Indeed, they were healing quickly but still remained ugly on his otherwise unblemished skin. Such imperfections are undesirable. If Haldir finds the marks of a warrior on what is supposed to be the skin of a lover, he will be turned off and never come to Mirkwood. Suddenly he found the tip of an arrow pointed at his nose. Remaining unstartled, he slowly followed the shaft until his eyes met with a tall and dark elf. His hair shrouded his face in the moonlight and the moon was unable to shine on it.
"Why are you here, fair elf?" the figure spoke slowly and distinctly.
The arrow made him have a flashback of Aew still on the ground with the same type of instrument of death sticking out of his back. He tightly shut his eyes and released the air in his lungs. Hope suddenly left his mind and was replaced with sorrow. He missed his only friend.
"Please, let your arrow fly so that I may die in battle rather than by my heart which is slowly falling to pieces before my very own eyes," Legolas opened his eyes again and focused on the archer's arm.
The archer put his arrow back in his quiver, "Why are you here?"
Legolas searched the darkness for his interrogator's eyes but could not find them, "Who are you?"
"I believe that I have the right to ask such questions because this is my land you lie on," the interrogator swiftly bent down and lifted the lithe prince easily by his collar.
Legolas tried again to search the eyes but still couldn't, "I am on a voyage to Rivendell."
"Why?"
"I need to meet Lord Haldir."
"Why?"
Legolas quickly found what remained of his dignity and took a step closer to the figure, "Matters which don't concern you."
"Fair enough."
"I ask again, who are you?"
The dark figure grew indignant again, "No, brother, who are you?"
"Prince Legolas Greenleaf Thranduillon," he walked past the figure and straight to his horse and mounted it. "And I will ask that you never point an arrow in my face again."
"Do not leave yet, Prince. I watched your stead exhaust. I also watched you do the same. Please, continue to rest if not for yourself than for your animal," the figure's tone grew softer and more welcoming.
Legolas' tired mind wanted to agree with the stranger, "Why should I trust you?"
"I am Elladan, son of Elrond. I have never and could never lead a fellow elf to danger. You can trust me," he pushed back his dark locks and revealed his own elf ears and his grey eyes.
Legolas' expression softened by ill memories, "I have known elves who wish to endanger and have."
Elladan walked up to the horse and began checking Legolas' bags.
"Excuse me, what are you doing?" Legolas cried and pushed Elladan away but he still held one of his silver tunics.
"I have also known elves that wish to endanger and have. I am making sure you are not one of them," Elladan whistled softly.
Legolas tried to mount his horse again but the dark elf yanked his leg and pulled him to the ground, "Rest."
"Please, leave me. I have much to mind and I'm sure you do as well and I know that you do not have to mind my business," Legolas was tempted to seduce the elf so he would leave him alone.
After carefully looking through his things, Elladan turned to examine the prince himself. His eyes were unusually bright for this light. His body had many stories to tell. His hair was cleaner than any other elf's he had seen. His brow was heavy with troubles and the skin surrounding his eyes was slightly red as if he had been crying. There were lilac shadows under his eyes which showed a lack of sleep. But it was the prince's neck that was most revealing. Small bruises of passion and other red marks were scattered on it. Many different patterns probably left from many different lips. His form was lithe and even as he lay sprawled on the ground, he was graceful. His clothing was intricate and rich enough to be that of a prince, he was telling the truth.
"Be careful in these woods. They are no place for such a prince," Elladan simply replied and turned to leave.
"I think not brother, look at his neck. I am sure this 'prince' is quite used to dark and secluded places," another elf appeared suddenly that was identical to Elladan. Legolas hopped back in surprise and absent mindedly placed a hand over his neck.
"Brother, leave him be. You have no business with him," Elladan took his brother's arm and led him away.
"Welcome to Rivendell, prince!" Elrohir called playfully as the two disappeared into the darkness. Legolas remained still for the rest of the night. He did not trust the twins just yet. I know twins: trouble, they cause nothing but trouble.
When the sun rose, he took great care in washing his body under a waterfall. After drying himself in the sun, he wore his best tunic with a high collar to cover his questionable neck until it healed completely. Thankful that he brought his white silk gloves, he was able to cover the scars from the 'misunderstanding' he was in the day before.
He was on his way again. This day's trip was shorter and he found himself at the gates of Rivendell within a few hours. The guards took his horse to a stable.
A tall golden haired elf that wore many years approached Legolas, "I am Glorfindel, advisor to Elrond. Prince Legolas, what are your reasons for journeying to Rivendell while your own country is in such great peril?"
"Well, I heard that the great watchgaurd, Haldir, was residing at Rivendell. I wish to speak with him and perhaps even train with him so that I may be able to better protect my own country in this time of attack," Legolas could be diplomatic when he wanted to. Even if he had a questionable past, he was still of the house of Thranduil which meant that he was educated by the best.
Glorfindel nodded as he looked the prince up and down, "Despite the mirk and gloom that rules over Mirkwood now, you come as if a beam of light from that darkness."
"Thank you, lord," Legolas bowed genially and closed his eyes, which he knew made him appear very attractive. His wish was to enchant all that he could. Perhaps he could even convince Rivendell's forces to help save Mirkwood.
Glorfindel held the prince's gaze for a moment too long, "I will present you to Haldir now. If you have brought any provisions for yourself, they will be put in a chamber which you may stay in for your time here."
"I offer you all the thanks I have," with that, Legolas followed Glorfindel into the beautiful building. All the maids stopped their daily chores to stare as the young blond made his way through.
Glorfindel noticed this and smirked, "I do not only think that Haldir will welcome you, but so will many others here in Rivendell." Legolas nodded and lightly laughed.
They walked down a long and seemingly abandoned corridor until they reached a tall solemn door.
Glorfindel knocked gently, "Haldir, you have a visitor, Prince Legolas of Mirkwood wishes to see you."
The door flew open before either could blink. Haldir stood tall and straight like one of his death-inducing arrows.
He eyed Legolas carefully, "Mirkwood? Shouldn't you be in Mirkwood now, prince? I have heard your watch is less than to be desired."
"That is why I come to you, Haldir," Legolas made his eyes wide and his voice pleading.
Glorfindel patted the young prince on the back, "I shall take my leave now. Report back to the vestibule when you are ready to be escorted to your room."
"Thank you, my lord," Legolas offered and as soon as Glorfindel turned leave Haldir grabbed the young elf by surprise and threw him into his room. He slammed the door behind him just as Legolas was sent flying over a chair. I know I'm not very heavy, but, by Valar, this elf is of amazing strength, but not of amazing patience.
"State your reasons, child," Haldir sat in the chair he sent the young prince over and waited for his answer.
Legolas regained himself and stood up, "I was hoping I could observe you and how you train your guard so that I might be able to train Mirkwood's."
Haldir was confused, "From what I have heard of Mirkwood's fate, that is not much of a guard you have there, in terms of numbers."
Legolas remained composed, "I know, but we recruit everyday."
"How optimistic," Haldir approached the prince until he stood closely infront of him. He grasped his shoulders and slightly squeezed them. "You have skill with a bow, I assume."
"You are correct, but you are probably a better archer than I," Legolas remarked humbly.
"I am predisposed to agree," he suddenly gripped the elf's waist and lifted him high. Legolas grew nervous but only smirked. "I thought you were extremely light. Do your steps leave marks in the snow?"
Legolas struggled slightly to breathe, "Never."
"Well then," he lowered he elf back to the ground. "I am not sure that you show physical promise."
Legolas' mind raced for a comeback, "Oh, no! I can promise you I have physical promise. I can show you." He quickly unbuttoned his tunic and the lifted the undershirt to reveal his strong abdominal muscles. Haldir examined them closely.
Legolas grabbed his hand and let it smooth over his bare stomach, "See, feel, I am strong."
Haldir was not impressed and wrenched his hand away, "Just because you have muscles does not mean that you know how to use them." He smacked Legolas' cheek, "What kind of warrior are you?"
The blond prince felt tears threatening to escape his eyes, "I..."
"We will see what type of a warrior you are tomorrow. But for now, dress yourself and find your room. Rest well for tomorrow, it will not be easy. If you are to follow my men and I, I will need to know if you can keep up," Haldir brushed away the young elf's hands from fumbling to button his shirt and pushed him hastily into the corridor again. Before he could turn to bid Haldir farewell, the door slammed.
The loud sound of the door instigated the tears to fall. His heart was suddenly filled with the horror and fear that he would not be able to protect Mirkwood. This is going to be so difficult. He is a true warrior, probably hardly has time for games of love. But games of love are the best games I know. He let out a heavy sigh and made his way down the corridor.
A lone dark figure watched from the end of the corridor as he remained unseen by the forlorn prince. He watched his steps and heard his sighs as well as the sound his tears made as they passed over his face and found their home on the floor.
"Why?" Legolas gently asked to no one imparticular. Elladan slowly walked towards the prince with loud steps and his gaze to the floor to allow Legolas to gain composure so as not to feel embarrassed.
The broken elf heard the steps and took the opportunity to wipe his tears dry with the cuff of his tunic and proceeded to finish buttoning his shirt.
Once Elladan heard this he lifted his gaze and met the prince's uneasy one, "Are you trying to find your room?"
"I was just on my way to meet Glorfindel about that very thing," Legolas tried to lift his head with dignity.
"You are fortunate that your room is in the same corridor as mine," Elladan offered.
"Why does that make me fortunate?" Legolas asked slightly pessimistically.
"It's the nicest corridor in Rivendell," Elladan smiled as he realized that the prince thought he was making an advance towards him. "Very beautiful."
"Oh," Legolas felt silly for the assumption. "Then why doesn't Haldir stay there as well."
Elladan looked incredulously at the prince, "Are you in jest? Haldir is a terror to live near to! He slams doors, throws things, always has his guards meet him at odd hours for sparring practice. An endless array of noise and carnage."
"Does he often throw other elves?" Legolas asked timidly.
"He threw you, did he not?" Elladan was well aware of the watch garden's treatment of strangers. He turned to the prince for a response but found him simply staring downward, "Don't worry about it. Rumor has it he has even thrown my father on occasion."
Legolas laughed softly which in turn made Elladan smile. They soon reached the golden corridor and Legolas' room. The dark elf opened the door with a corresponding gold key and handed it to the prince.
"Don't you need this?" Legolas inquired.
"Well," Elladan looked slightly uneasy. "I must confess that Glorfindel sent me to retrieve you and this is your key he gave me to give to you. My father, my brother, and I all have a set of keys to every lock in Rivendell: so I don't need it."
"Thank you, then," Legolas glanced inside the room and saw his things already unpacked and on hangers in the wardrobe.
Elladan glanced in as well and eyes the stunning attire, "By Valar, I have rarely seen such beautiful clothes."
"I have managed to acquire a nice collection over the last few hundred years," Legolas smiled sadly and looked to the ground as he waited for Elladan to take his leave.
Elladan took one more glance at the clothes and returned his gaze to the prince. His face was still shiny from the tears. The dark elf put a hand on the prince's shoulder and forced him to meet his gaze. He tried to comfort with a smile but the prince looked more surprised than anything resembling solace.
Elladan removed his hand and turned to take his leave, "Well, dinner is in a few hours. Someone will come to escort you."
Legolas fumbled with his key as the elf walked away, "Thank you."
As he turned to walk in the room, he was startled by another dark elf, "Hello, Prince." Before Legolas could respond, Elrohir let his fingers explore Legolas' high collar.
"What hides here?" he leaned in and kissed the cheek that Haldir had just smacked. "You smell sweetly, prince."
I can't be with him. Elves talk and if Haldir, the one I'm supposed to be with gets word of anything like that, Mirkwood will be hopeless, "I must rest now before dinner."
Before Legolas could take a second step, Elrohir grabbed his waist and made in face him, "Should you need to rest after dinner, perhaps I could help you with that." Elrohir released his thin waist and then, finally, took his leave.