AN: I got half way through this chapter and thought 'I wrote a line of script for this that I found quite funny at the time... now where did I put that...' so I have gone through all of my note pads for the last three months (no small task as any writer will confirm). Finally (hurrah!) I came across it, written during my travels across India of all the times. And it wasn't quite so inspirational as I remember it being (but then any thought processes at 12000ft can be remembered as inspirational). Bet you can't spot it.
Sorry... I'll shut up now.
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The light of the evening came in low through the windows, a soft peach tone colouring the walls. Dusk was settling across the lands, and a soft wind stirred the tree that stood tall and proud outside the window. The stone of the short balcony - tinted with the sunset as it was - looked warm and inviting, just perfect for three slim elven bodies if they weren't too worried about getting close. The drapes that were tied at the corners of the windows softened the light further, leaving the room set in a dim half-light. As he looked the last ray of sunlight reached his window and shot his world through with red and orange.
It was a stunning sight for one who opens his eyes not quite sure what he will see. He met Elrond's gaze as the dusk set in and smiled.
"You are a sight for sore eyes." Elrond could not help but chuckle as he moved to light the torches in brackets around the room, and used one of those to light the fire ready prepared in the grate.
"How do you feel?"
"Wonderfully reassured. Though it all feels a little bright." Elrond nodded, happy with that diagnosis. He moved to take a look himself, turning Legolas' face towards the torches so that he could see properly. Happy that the distortion that the healer had seen when he had first arrived was gone, he stepped back and raised one eyebrow in inquiry.
"Would you like to rest a little, or are you ready for company? It is taking Glorfindel and Erestor to keep them away, but once they know you are well I think they will be more patient."
"No. I must do this before I loose the nerve. I could not rest not knowing." Elrond exited the room on silent feet and, still consigned to his bed until his legs healed, Legolas waited.
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When the twins entered the room moments later his hands were shaking and he watched the half-formed things with a grim interest. He jumped and flinched when Elladan cleared his throat from the doorway, but could not bring himself to lift his gaze to meet them. Together the twins moved closer, one taking up a place on either side of his bed. His eyes were clenched shut, tears streaming down his face.
"Melethron, what ails you? Do your eyes cause you pain? Should I call father?" Elrohir questioned. There was a shuddering sigh, but no response.
"It is us, is it not. You fear you will not see us; but some other, more foul thing." Elladan said, sadly. Legolas choked back a sob.
"We should go then. It would not do to cause you further doubt." Elrohir sighed, sadness in his voice as he stood ready to leave the room again.
"No!" And then his breath caught because he had opened his eyes and before him sat two of the most beautiful beings on all middle earth. "By the Valar, do not go." He whispered.
"Then we shall not." And Elrohir could not help but smile.
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The next hours, as the final light dimmed from the sky, were spent talking of inconsequential things. Elrohir was still being brought up to speed with events that had happened as he had lain in his grief-induced sleep, and Legolas simply absorbed the soft voices of those whom he loved as they talked of arrivals and departures, strangers on the borders and the movements of the Rangers. Slowly the night settled its soporific cloak over them and Elrohir moved so that he lay with his feet on one wooden high-backed chair, behind on another, and head in Legolas' lap - as soon as he had been assured that he would cause him no pain. Elladan, in a more comfortable chair, had draped himself sideways across seat - head on one armrest, legs over the other end. Elrohir had been busy examining the stumps of Legolas' fingers as the blond elf was distracted talking to Elladan, when his activities were noticed and Legolas pulled away sharply, as though stung.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you." Elrohir apologised quickly, biting at his lip in remorse.
"You didn't. Just... don't." Came the cold reply, the comfortable atmosphere shattered as the twins both sat back up in their chairs, glancing at each other with concern.
"Something worries you still." Elladan observed. "There is a tension in you I do not understand. Tell us, Legolas, else there is nothing we can do."
"I... it is just that..." He sighed. "My words betray me."
"It does not matter, just sit a while and they will come to you." Elrohir advised.
"I... fear." The words were choked, for he had not meant to utter them at all, and in truth his thoughts stood unspoken on his tongue, yet terribly near to hand.
"What do you fear, our love? We would vanquish your fear, what ever it takes."
"I do not think that this is a fear so easily vanquished." He half-laughed, voice still tight and unforgiving as he forced his words past the lump in his throat.
"We can do nothing if you do not tell us of it."
"I fear... your love. No... that is not right... I fear that... that you will have no love... that I am no longer worthy of the love... or you will think me..." Abandoning the words, he hid his face in his hands, and then remembered himself and crossed his arms hurriedly, hiding his hands from sight. "How can you take me back? You are so full of beauty, and... I am... not. I have nothing to offer you any more. Everything that I once was is gone." Neither twin could do anything but stare for a moment.
"You cannot truly believe that." Elladan broke the silence first, his voice roughened with emotion, for it was very clear that Legolas really did believe his words. Elrohir had tears in his eyes at the pained admission, and did the only thing he could think of. Standing so that he could bend over the bed, he captured Legolas' mouth with his own. The kiss was brief, for as soon as Legolas started to relax into the gesture he pulled back as though hit.
"I cannot!" The pain in his voice was evident. "You will not wish..." He said nothing more, for this time Elladan had kissed him, and with Elrohir's head on his shoulder and a gentle hand on his cheek he could not find the willpower to pull away. Releasing him softly, Elladan held his gaze, hand still resting on his cheek.
"You need offer nothing to us. We love YOU. Not what you represent, or what you are able to do. You are more beautiful than ever for what you have survived, for returning to us, for still being here." Elladan looked to Elrohir for confirmation.
"I would not care if for the rest of our days on Middle Earth we must care for you. I would do it without hesitation, and love you still. And Elladan too. Our love is unconditional."
"I would hate to need care for the rest of my days." He replied absently, mind on too many other things.
"Few would desire it. But what we are saying is... your fears are needless. We will love you no matter what." Looking up, Legolas met first Elrohir's eyes, and then Elladan's.
"I do not think I could... at least not straight away... it would..." Elladan halted the clumsy words with a soft kiss.
"If you think that is all we have you here for, you think less of us than I could believe." He replied with laughter in his voice.
"We are patient." Elrohir whispered, a little more serious, but still with a voice full of laughter.
"Do not tease." A soft blush crept up on Legolas, and a smile replaced the deep frown that had followed the whole conversation. Satisfied that at least some of his fears had been laid to rest, and knowing that not all wounds could be healed in one day; the twins continued to tease relentlessly, late into the night.
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When Elrond came by later he found all three asleep, Elladan with his head on Legolas' chest and Elrohir with his nose buried in blond hair and one hand thrown across both to rest over Elladan's back. Smiling to himself, he left the three - finally truly reunited - to their rest.
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Lady Janelly : My goodness you're fast! I intended to post both these at the same time, got distracted and before I knew it... there's a review from you! I'm glad you liked :D Hope this is just as good.