A/N: Sorry for not putting my email out here, it's just that I have had problems in the past from that and have become traumatized over it. Sorry!!!
Sorry also for the slow updates, I feel really bad but it's because I want this story to make sense. I've rewritten this chapter twice so here you go! It's all leading up to a very pivotal scene that will be in the next chapter or the one after that. So stay tuned!!
Don't forget to review, tell me what you love or hate, because it really helps me write the next one. Thanks, enjoy, I love u!
Elrohir was absent from lunch. Legolas took not that none at the table wondered where he was, not even his own father had raised the question. Elladan looked as if he was in pain and had not spoken since he sat down. He wasn't able to look at anyone either. Legolas was worried because this was a new manner that he had never seen come from his friend.
"Elladan, why don't you eat something?" Legolas offered and patted the elf on the back, letting his hand linger there after. He closed his eyes and nodded to Legolas to acknowledge that he heard him but it seemed that he may not necessarily follow his advice. The eldest twin buried his head in his hands and sighed deeply, leaving his food untouched.
Legolas knew now was not the correct time to address the problem and tried to continue to eat. As he raised his glass, the table suddenly jolted, startling everyone. The prince quickly looked to his side and saw that Elladan had struck the table with his fist. His eyes were squint shut, and his brow furrowed. His teeth were clenched and he hissed in pain. The table returned to their meal without a second glance or concern. Legolas was not only surprised at how Elladan was acting but was shocked at how everyone else was acting in response to it.
"Are you alright?" the blond prince asked with much concern apparent in his voice. Elladan only acknowledged him with a coughing sob. Elrond gracefully stood from his seat wearing a countenance that could've been mistaken for concern if it wasn't so passive. The great lord put his arms around his son, gently lifting him out of his chair. The twin's slender arms tried to wrap around his father's form but failed because he shook. Horrible coughs shook his delicate frame further and his father lovingly encircled him with his strong arms. Legolas could recognize their resemblances to each other at that moment: tall, fair, intelligent, and graceful (even through the violent coughing).
"It's a shame," Glorfindel uttered. "Master Elladan should not have to bear his brother's madness as well."
Erestor nodded in agreement and continued the whispered dialogue, "It is amazing how well he has been able to deal with it thus far. He hasn't broken down like this since it all began."
"I fear why he is not capable of now silencing that horrendous connection they have," Glorfindel shook his head in worry and continued eating.
Legolas was able to pay attention to their hushed conversation and take note of every detail of it. But he turned his attention back to the elf in question. Elladan had heard the conversation and was now looking into Legolas' eyes, knowing that he would probably be the one who had to explain the details. Legolas found himself almost trapped by the gaze and could not break from it. It was a willed contact that no one willed to break.
"Legolas, could you please escort Elladan to his room," Elrond asked, still wrapped around his eldest son.
"I… I don't… well, I don't know where it… is," Legolas was still trapped.
Elladan shut his eyes tightly, small beads of tears escaped his long eye lashes, "It's alright, Ada. I will show him."
"Fine. Legolas?" Elrond held out an arm to the prince. He almost tripped as he got up from his chair like an immature schoolboy but was able to finally stand tall and eager for instructions. Elrond still held onto his son's one arm to stabilize him but soon allowed Legolas to take his place.
The two walked out of the dining hall and into the vast corridors of the palace. However, they had to delay numerous times as Elladan would almost collapse as a victim of the coughing. Legolas tried to hold him close to his own chest during those instances, all the meanwhile praying for some sort of relief for him. It felt strange for Elladan to be weak in Legolas' arms. It was usually the opposite. How many times has this poor soul offered me incomparable comfort and compassion at my weak moments?
His arms felt awkward as he tried to comfort Elladan. He wasn't used to doing such things. Mirkwood was a place where apathy took the place of comfort. His fingers moved stiffly as they circled the small of his friend's back. He felt nervous; worried that he wasn't comforting the poor elf at all. He had only been comforted a few times before and he couldn't remember being comforted in Mirkwood. He tried his best and after every fit, Elladan would begin to walk again while holding on to Legolas for support.
A short walk that should've taken only a few minutes took over an hour instead. But it was alright because today Haldir wasn't holding any training sessions, except the one he would have to share with him that night. All troubles aside, they finally reached the garden. When Elladan took one step on the springy grass, a heavy sigh of relief passed his lips. Legolas, too, shared in that relief and led Elladan to a seat.
"Thank you," the dark elf leaned into the soft back of the seat. The shaking subsided and much of the tension in his face was released.
"It was the least I could do, Elladan, and I mean that."
Legolas' last words brought thoughts of Elrohir even closer towards the forefront of his mind. He could still hear his brother whispering, "You meant that." The phrase reverberated in his head causing guilt all over his body.
Legolas kneeled before him and laid his hands on Elladan's knees. He leant forward to look deeper into his friend's thoughts. Elladan was able to see the troubled concern in his eyes and laid his own hands atop the prince's. He idly played with his slender fingers, examining every cuticle and fingerprint.
The dark elf leaned forward as well and left a trace of a kiss on his forehead. His hands rose to softly run through the blond hair, starting at the scalp and slowly lowering down his neck, and along his shoulders. A warm shudder wandered through Legolas' body.
"Do you know why I've been crying?"
Legolas nodded unsurely, "I overheard some of the advisors' conversation, and your brother has done something horrible to you. I will make him pay for that."
Elladan didn't answer; his heart suddenly faltered and was not able to refute the prince's naïve answer. If only it was as simple as that... he thought with melancholy. His eyes became scared for the near future that only he and his brother knew of. He gripped on to Legolas with much force as if he was able to keep Legolas safe from the horrors that he feared for him. Elladan shortly allowed his mind to foolishly be confidant that his friend would be safe as long as he held him life this. However, Elladan was not so foolish, but it was nice to pretend.
"Please, leave", Despite his own order, Elladan still hadn't released the blond from his embrace yet. He felt Legolas' form reluctantly fall from the hug but the other could not bring himself to fall out of it as well. Instead, he kissed Legolas again, this time letting his lips linger on his cheek. The soft taught skin was completely healed under his lips.
The other's form slowly returned to the hug, unsurely, "Why did you ask me to leave?"
"Don't leave," Elladan kissed him again, their lips met this time. Legolas fully engaged in the embrace and ran his hands down Elladan's back. The other broke from the kiss and nuzzled his nose in the crook of the blonde's neck. He searched the fair skin and no longer saw any offending marks of lust. They had all been healed by time among other things.
Legolas' motions became less afraid, the fear of possibly offending Elladan was anti-catalyst. He was in awe of the dark elf. His long dark hair was not as soft as a full elf's but its slight "imperfections" made it all the more alluring to him. His skin was soft but not as soft as his own, which he liked. His brow was symmetrical and arched in such a way that one could not mistake he was of an Elven background. Like most elves, Elladan's features were delicate but not to the point that they resembled a woman's. Small worry lines began to etch themselves around his eyes, but not to the extent of his brother's.
After a few moments in silence, Legolas spoke up gently, "Are you still in pain?"
Elladan still rested his head on the prince's shoulder and answered with hesitance, "Legolas, I'm not the one who's been in pain."
"I know, but it must affect you as well. How could it not?"
Elladan shut his eyes and smirked bitterly, "Of course it does."
The blonde let his hands spread across Elladan's back and he gently pulled him closer to him, "If I'm here, holding you, does it make some of it go away?" The dark elf's body became still at those words. He lifted his head and looked into Legolas' eyes: they were filled with concern, worry, and sadness. But this concern, worry, and sadness were different from the concern, worry, and sadness that usually occupied his eyes. These emotions were completely absent of that, it was as if they had all suddenly become spurred by Elladan himself. For this one moment, the prince's mind was not centered or driven by the concern for his nation or even his own terrible past.
Legolas' brow furrowed, "I'm sorry. If I'm not helping you or making things worse, I'll stop."
"You love me," the words weren't even audible to Elladan himself.
"Excuse me?" the prince asked, adorably confused.
"Legolas, you love me," Elladan smiled, he too was absent of all other thoughts or worries.
"I do," his eyes turned sad and welled up with tears. "But Elladan, you must think that I love everyone I meet, since you know my past. You must think me a whore. But you must trust me: I am not feigning what I feel for you. You must trust me." His eyes were pleading and his breathing was shallow, "I love you." Elladan's hands were soon wrapped in his and tenderly squeezed. "Please, trust me, Elladan."
Elladan searched the prince's eyes once more and was satisfied with what he found there: there were no lies in his eyes, "I trust you." Legolas' troubled eyes shut in happiness and he breathed deeply. "I love you."
"Thank you."
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