34. Fool Me Once

Elrohir stared at the door of her room, fidgeting nervously. It was only a door, after all, he reminded himself. It was not the Black Gate of Mordor or a host of Nazgul. No fell doom awaited him, what reason had he to fear?

Just who was he trying to fool?

It might just as well be the pit of Morgoth. What would she say? More importantly, what would she do? He swallowed hard, raising a hesitant hand to knock at the door. Silence met him and for one horrifying moment he feared she would not even answer and then, slowly, the door creaked open.

Eirien stood before him, her eyes hollow and her shoulders slightly slumped. He had braced himself for her tears but this was far worse. She showed no outward sign that she had been weeping but her once vivacious manner had crumbled and she gazed back at him with the most dejected expression he had ever seen.

"I... wished to speak to you." he said softly, a knot forming in his throat. Without a word she opened the door wider for him, motioning him inside. He watched her every movement as she closed the door behind him before crossing the room and sinking into one of the chairs near the fire with a spiritless sigh. He had not been prepared for this. Anger, rejection, hysterics even, but not this. She seemed to be fading before his eyes and it tore his heart out, far worse than her temper ever could have.

"I came to apologize." Elrohir stated, blinking back tears.

"Who's apology am I accepting?" she asked, gazing into the fire, misery etched in her delicate features.

"Meleth," he said, his voice almost a moan as he crossed the room, perching on the edge of the chair across from her and taking her hands in his. "After all the time we have spent together, I would have thought that your heart would know me from Elladan."

"Why do you mock me?" she asked softly, her voice quavering "why do you call me that? I... I loved you."

"And I love you." he replied gently, "Eirien, Meleth, I have loved you for so long and you would not even look at me." A single tear trickled down her cheek and he moved to kneel beside her, brushing it away with his thumb.

"You captured my heart." he confessed, pressing her small hand to his chest. "I adored you... and you wanted only Elladan. I know it was wrong. I never meant for you to be hurt, I only wished to be near you. I would have done anything to be near you."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" she asked, tears streaming down her face.

"I was so afraid you would reject me." He whispered, "I traded tunics and took my brothers name on a whim and I regret it more than anything I have ever done. I know I should have told you, but I could not bear to lose you. I have been a fool. Please Eirien, I love you with all my heart. Please, forgive me."

He looked up at her with pleading eyes, his heart stopping at her quivering lip. He wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and comfort her. She leaned closer to him, her eyes searching his for some sign and his heart summersaulted in his chest as a hesitant smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she nodded ever so slightly.

He swept her up in a crushing embrace and he could not hold back a laugh of relief and joy as her arms twined around his neck. She let out a squeak, holding him tighter as he spun her around and he paused, looking into her eyes as he rested his forehead against hers.

"I love you too." she whispered.

"Even though I'm not as charming or skilled as Elladan?" he asked hesitantly. Eirien laughed squeezing him tightly and kissing his cheek.

"I don't care." she giggled, her lips brushing his ear and making him shudder "It is you that I love... Elrohir." he had never heard his name sound so sweet and he drew her into a passionate kiss that sent both their hearts racing. As their lips parted she gave him her first real, glowing smile since discovering his deception and he sighed contentedly.

"Bind yourself to me Eirien, Meleth nin." he whispered. She stared back at him with wide eyes, her breath catching in surprise.

"Are you certain?" was all she managed to squeak out. He cuddled her close, breathing in the wildflower scent of her hair.

"I have been certain from the moment of that first sweet kiss, Meleth." Elrohir replied tenderly "I will wait as long as you wish until you are ready, but I want you to have my promise."


"Meril?" Orophin's voice was like a lingering caress but it did not even break the concentration of the beauty that stood before him, her bow drawn, her form frozen as if made of marble. Without even acknowledging him she released in precision motion, her arrow imbedding in the center of the target.

"Orophin." she said, her tone clipped as she drew another arrow, never meeting his gaze. He swallowed hard, wondering if it were the best idea to speak to her when she was armed.

"You are truly magnificent." he said in wonder as the second arrow found the center as well.

"I have worked very hard to become so." She replied seriously "I studied under Elladan since my youth and I have tide him on more than one occasion."

"I believe you." he nodded, as the third arrow found its mark.

"Why are you here?" she asked, a sharp tinge to her voice.

"I wish to dissuade you from pursuing the prince of Mirkwood." Orophin said meekly. He could see the slight shifting as her eyes narrowed and her arrow released, splitting the first in two.

"Are you implying that I am unworthy to be a princess?" Meril asked, her voice as cold as ice.

"No," he shook his head "I am implying that Legolas does not deserve you." She gave a hollow laugh and he moved closer as she drew another arrow.

"Legolas is heir to the throne of Mirkwood," she snapped "He is as wise as he is beautiful. He is, perhaps, the greatest archer in middle earth. A warrior of uncommon valor, noble and loyal. If he is not deserving of my affections than who is?"

"No one." He was standing so close to her now that he almost breathed the words in her ear and he was surprised to see her hands trembling at his declaration. He laid his hand on hers,gently lowering her bow as he stepped closer, her shoulder almost brushing his chest.

"Legolas is all that you say and more." he agreed, "He is one of the finest elves I have ever had the privilege to know. But you are a warrior Meril, it is in your heart and your hands... it is who you are. And all that will be lost forever the moment you bind yourself to a prince. You will lay aside your bow and your skill to bear heirs whose valor will reflect more on their father than on you. I am not a fool, I know I cannot compete with Legolas. I have nothing to offer you that compares to what he will give you. I love you. If I must, I will adore you from afar but I would not see you sacrifice what you are to be nothing more than an ornament on the arm of a royal."

A single tear slipped down her cheek and she closed her eyes, drawing in a shaky breath.

"I have no intention of being the housekeeper of a soldier." she said in a shaky voice.

"Meril, Meleth," he said with a tender smile "Your skill rivals that of my brother. I would see you fight at my side, not mend my tunics." She turned her head to meet his gaze for the first time, tears of doubt welling up in her eyes. She did not resist when he took her bow, laying it aside and lacing his fingers with hers.

"Walk with me Meleth." he pleaded "let us search your heart together."
Elladan nearly ran, his long strides eating up the ground as his feet carried him through the gardens and out into the wood as if his heart knew where it was going and would broker no argument.

How she must hate him, his temper must have terrified her. Doubt and shame threatened him as they had so many times before but he pushed them aside. If he loved her he would think of her, out here confused and alone.

He tore through the underbrush, heedless of the bracken that snarled in his clothes and pricked his skin. Somehow he knew where he would find her. He would right his wrong and he would accept her rejection. He deserved nothing less for the way he'd behaved.

He paused on the edge of the clearing his heart stopping as he saw her, huddled in the grass with her arms wrapped around her knees, gazing up at the stars.

So Beautiful.

"Indelin?" It was only a soft whisper but she bolted to her feet as if startled, backing away from him. As she did, she stepped from the shadows of the trees into the moonlight and his heart caught in his throat as he saw the tears streaming down her cheeks. How long she had been here weeping he could not guess and guilt twisted inside of him. He took a step toward her and she looked as if she might bolt. He sighed miserably and dropped to one knee in the grass, hanging his head.

"Indelin, I only wish to speak to you," he said heavily "please, will you not listen?"

"Why?" she asked her voice shaking, he looked up to plead his case but she continued "why did you do it? You didn't even let me explain! Elladan, you could have killed him!" His shoulders slumped and he drew in an unsteady breath.

"I was a fool, I do not deny it." Elladan replied "Indelin, please try to understand. What happened to my mother... it has tormented everyone I hold dear. It is a pain that haunts the hearts our hearts and brings grief to all those I love. You were the only one untouched by that violence. When I thought Orophin had mistreated you..."

"Orophin did not so much as look at me." she said with a scowl, folding her arms over her chest and trying to look unruffled despite her obvious trepidation

"I know that now." he sighed, hanging his head again.

"Elladan," Indelin shook her head in exasperation, brushing away a few stray tears "I still don't understand why you would do something like that."

"Because," he said, drawing in a shaky breath "I am in love with you." He heard her breath catch in her throat and he looked into her eyes to see her wavering on the point of tears again.

"What about Eirien?" She managed to whisper.

"Elrohir has been pursuing Eirien under my name." he replied guiltily "She would not speak to him at all and he has adored her longer than I care to think about."

"Is that why you did not tell me?" she asked, her vice quavering.

"I wish it were." he replied ashamedly, "At first I tried to deny what I felt for you. I told myself you saw me as no more than a friend. That my feeling for you were no more than physical but I knew in my heart it was not true. I watched the love my parents shared turn to sorrow and heartache and I swore I would not do the same. I was a coward who did not want to risk his heart for fear it would be broken. But I cannot deny it any longer. Indelin, I love you."

She flew into his arms, nearly knocking the wind out of him as she buried her face in his shoulder with a sob. He drew her close, tangling his fingers in her hair and he breathed a sigh of relief at her next words.

"I love you too." she sobbed "But I thought you were in love with Eirien"

"I am sorry Indelin." he said holding her tighter "forgive me?" He kissed the back of her head lovingly as she nodded against his shoulder. She turned to look into his eyes and he smiled, gently brushing the tears from her cheeks. They both paused in breathless silence for a moment before his lips descended on hers in a tender, lingering kiss.

"Pen Neth," he whispered against her ear with a smile as she twined her arms around his neck, "would you bind yourself to this grumpy old elf who needs you more than life?" he was rewarded with that musical laugh that made his heart soar and a single word.

"Yes"
"Elrohir?" Eirien giggled against his cheek.

"Yes, Meleth?"

"You can put me down now." He was rather disappointed at the suggestion but he gently set her on her feet, allowing her to move from his embrace. She had still not answered him and he was beginning to feel nervous as she laced her fingers with his.

"Meleth I..." he paused as he realized she was leading him to her bed and he stopped in the middle of the room. "Now?" She released his hand, her cheeks coloring a bit as she took a few steps closer to the bed

"Is there something wrong with now?" she asked looking only the slightest bit unsure. He felt frozen, completely unable to move as a rather stupid grin began to tug at the corners of his mouth. Eirien covered her mouth to stifle her giggle and crossed the room to him, taking his hand once more and pulling him toward the bed with a shy smile.

Elrohir slipped his arms around her waist, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss and tumbling onto the bed, pulling Eirien with him.

"I like this." he said smugly, as he looked up at her, draped across his chest, her golden hair hanging like a curtain around them.

"See?" She giggled, her blush deepening "it's not so bad is it?" Elrohir laughed, reaching up to caress her cheek with a soft smile.

"You are certain you are ready?" he asked.

"Did you change your mind?" she wiggled nervously in a way he found very distracting and silently he hoped she would distract him again.

"No," he shook his head "I think my heart has known for years."

"I was wrong." she whispered, laying her head on his shoulder "I was wrong to treat you like I did and chase after Elladan. He was the one I went to dinner with wasn't he?" Elrohir nodded.

"I begged him to keep my secret, please do not be angry with him." he replied.

"I was miserable." she admitted, desperately holding in a giggle and failing as Elrohir began to laugh "he wasn't any fun at all." He rolled on top of her, kissing her soundly as they both laughed. As their lips parted his breath caught in his throat at the sight of her beneath him, her hair splayed out over the bedclothes, her eyes dancing.

Eirien's hands trembled ever so slightly as she reached up to unlace his tunic. Her hands slipped inside and he closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of her palms gliding over his chest and sliding the tunic off his shoulders. He shed it quickly and allowed her to remove his shirt before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.

She gasped against his mouth as she felt one hand begin to lightly caress her breast through the fabric of her gown, her breathing becoming rapid as he trailed kisses down her throat to the neckline of her dress. He smiled down at her before undoing the very top button and placing a sensuous kiss between her breasts. She clutched at the blankets as he continued to trail kisses down her body one for each each button, leaving one last lingering kiss on her stomach.

He looked into her eyes, already dark with desire and he smiled as he drew his arms around her, savoring the taste of her lips as he helped her remove the gown. Soon they had both discarded the remainder of their clothes and he leaned back on one elbow, drinking in the sight of the beauty before him.

A warm blush colored her cheeks, her chest rising and falling with each breath. Elrohir smiled tenderly, brushing his fingers over her cheek before trailing them down her body, lingering over all the places that made her shudder in delight. Her breathing became more ragged as his caresses grew more ardent, soft moans escaping her lips as he teased a taught nipple with his thumb.

She was panting now and he let out a groan as she toyed with his ear, her free hand stroking the sculpted muscles of his chest. He showered her face and neck in heated kisses, pressing close to her, drowning in the dizzying haze of sensation.

Eirien gasped as his hand gently teased the inside of her thigh and she tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him into a scorching kiss. They were both breathless as their lips parted and Elrohir drew his arms around her, looking deep into her eyes as their bodies twined together.

"I love you Eirien" he whispered.

They moaned in pleasure as their bodies joined, their first uncertain movements blossoming into a dance of timeless passion, waves of ecstasy assaulting their senses as the shared their souls, binding their hearts forever.

They cried out their completion together and Elrohir wrapped his arms around his bride, gasping as he rested his head against her shoulder. He smiled as he felt Eirien's fingers combing the tangles from his hair. His chest was still heaving as he raised his head to meet her gaze and she smiled at him adoringly, her hand tenderly caressing his cheek.

"I love you Elrohir."
Pen Neth - Young one

Meleth - Love
Author's Note - No I am not dead! I have not been abducted by aliens or kidnapped by pirates and I did not fall into ME (I am working on it though and I will let you know if I make any progress.) I have been suffering from my worst case of writers block ever. There are only two chapters to go before the Epi though and I am hoping to get them done before the wall goes up again. RL has gotten really really busy so even if I fall behind again don't worry, I won't abandon the story this close to where it ends.

Many, many thanks to everyone who reviewed. It's your violent prodding that reminded me to forget responsibility and concentrate on the important things in life... like fluff, and for that I thank you profusely!