For the Love of the Golden Prince: II
Elrond's tables were always well lain for the evening meal, but on this night he seemed to have surpassed himself. Deep dishes of fresh, juicy grapes, ripe, soft peaches and crisp red apples were placed between almost every seat. Flagons of fine wine and large goblets were also plentiful as were the platters of freshly-baked bread that were dotted around the large wooden table. Elrond had many a friend in Imladris who would frequently join him and his family for meals, many of them cooks and those who helped around the expanses of the Elf Lord's dwelling. But many of them also looked in surprise at the mountains of food before them.
Estel took his usual seat near the head of the table, on his father's left. As he sat down he could not help but notice the large plate of fish in front of him. The large, glassy eyes of the creatures stared openly at the Man and he pushed the plate away slightly, finding the look unnerving.
Elladan and Elrohir, both clad in deep blue robes and also wearing stern expressions, seated themselves opposite Estel. Other guests and friends joined the table, whispering and marvelling at the food. Elrond took his seat at the head of the table, batting away those who felt it necessary to rise when their Lord entered. Elrond could not stand formalities such as those between those he considered to be his friends. Estel smiled at his father's expression as he did so.
The tall Elf leaned forward in his seat, beckoning his sons forward. "We have a guest with us tonight," he whispered, "and I believe that each of you have met him. I wish tonight to be an easy meal, I will not stand for rudeness of any sort or any insulting remark concerning Legolas, his father, his horse," he pierced Elladan with a sharp gaze, "or any other factor you feel worthy of ridicule. He is a guest, and I expect you to treat him with courtesy, as you would any other. Do not forget...I am keeping a sharp eye on each of you tonight." He sat back in his chair and fixed a smile on his face.
Estel felt a slim hand brush across his shoulder and turned to find Arwen standing behind him. "Suilaid," she whispered.
The Man shot up from his seat, remembering Arwen's old place at mealtimes. His sister smiled at him, and took the seat beside her father. She patted the chair on her left. "Come, sit with me," she said. Estel obliged. "You may talk with Legolas," she continued, smiling at him.
Estel turned. The Golden Elf sat beside him, looking out at the table. His hair had been braided in the style of royalty, small plaits taking hair away from his face and he was wearing robes of dark, lush green. Legolas turned suddenly and caught Estel watching him. He smiled warmly, his sapphire eyes lit with friendship.
"Suilaid, mellon nin Estel," he said quietly. Estel wondered how a simple greeting could become so personal, so special, so meaningful.
"Suilaid. I trust you rested well," he replied, shaking himself out of his thoughts.
"I did," the Elf nodded. "My journey was difficult and tiring and a soft bed was exactly what I needed. Your rooms are more than satisfactory, Lord Elrond," he said, looking to the head of the table, "I thank you."
"It is a pleasure, Legolas. Although I hope that I shall not keep you here for too long."
"Is Mirkwood very far away?" Estel inquired.
Legolas cringed at the nickname that his beloved home had taken and Estel immediately looked down at the table, feeling guilty. He felt the long, slender hand of the Prince tilt his chin up. The hand was slightly cold and it made a contrast to the burning of Elladan's gaze that he could also feel on him.
"My friend," the golden Elf whispered, "do not look so dejected. I know of the names my home has been given, and I do not hold your use of them against you. Now, I believe you wished to know how far my realm was from Imladris?"
Estel nodded.
"It is a difficult journey. On horseback, it takes one week to traverse the forest and hard work to stick to the safe path made by the Elves. After that, two days of riding takes you to the old ford, where I prefer to cross the Great River Anduin. Then, a long and wearying trek takes you over the Hithaeglir, the Misty Mountains, and into Imladris."
"Did you travel alone? And without weapons?"
Legolas nodded. "I did."
Estel gasped.
Arwen turned to the Prince. "Surely, not without weapons, aran nin?" she said, a sharpness in her voice that Estel had seldom heard before. "Do not the great spiders require some form of protection?"
"Aye, they do. But the path that I use while travelling is safe, created by old Elvish magic. The spiders fear to cross the enchanted path, and it is therefore safe for my crossing. I also do not like to ride while carrying a quiver or knives. I find it much too restricting."
Arwen nodded and returned to her meal. Estel, who had been feeling rather left out by the conversation, made a mental note to visit Elrond's library the next day. He reached out for a piece of bread. After bringing it back to his plate, he began to tear away small chunks with his fingers and place them in his mouth. Out of the corner of his eye, he began watching Legolas as he ate. The Elf carefully chose fruit and ate it delicately. Estel suddenly felt very clumsy and ill-mannered when compared to the Golden creature. He turned away and looked to his sister. She smiled at him, her kind, Arwen, sisterly smile. The young man smiled back. Then he looked to his brothers. Both were glaring at Legolas when they thought that their father was not looking. Estel could not understand their hatred of the Elf. Surely all they had to do was look into his crystal eyes and their hearts would be awash with love, as was his.
After the meal, the party retired outside to take in the sweet smell of pine trees and to watch Anor go to rest behind the Hithaeglir, painting the mountains rich, beautiful colours.
"Aran nin Elrond," Legolas gasped, "the mountains are beautiful tonight!"
"Indeed they are," the Elf Lord agreed. "But such is my lot that I rarely see the beauty of Anor in her sleep."
"How so?"
"I have given my life to study and not to beauty, young Prince. I must work in the evenings. But you are right, tonight the Hithaeglir is especially beautiful."
The evening's conversation was of work, a subject that bored the young Estel. He slipped out of the room when the talk was loud and busy and retrieved the book he was reading from the main hall. When he returned to the patio, it seemed that nobody had noticed that he had left. He settled into a chair by the wall and began reading. For a good while he was lost in the book, tales of tragedy and victory from ages before. He was particularly taken with the tale of Beren and Luthien, a simple Man and a beautiful Elf maiden bound by love but thwarted at every turn. He was shocked to find he was being watched.
"What are you reading?"
Estel looked up sharply and found himself met with the clear blue eyes of the golden Prince. He gasped.
"I am sorry to startle you. But I have felt your absence from the room and am curious. What is it that takes your attention away from the beauty and talk around you?"
Legolas had noticed that he had left! Estel felt a warm rush in his heart. He smiled and began speaking. "I often spend my evenings watching Anor and the mountains, my bedroom faces West, mellon nin. Also, work is not a subject that interests me, I prefer not to talk of it."
"A wise choice," the Elf smiled. "So, you prefer to read?"
"Aye, I do. Do you enjoy reading?"
"Why, yes, I do. But my father's libraries are not stocked nearly so well as these. Would you show me around them tomorrow?"
"I would be pleased to," Estel replied, his smile spreading across his face.
"Good. Perhaps I shall see you at breakfast?"
"Yes, I shall see you there. What are you to do now?"
"Well, my journey and your father's fine food have tired me, I shall retire to my room. Goodnight, Estel."
"Goodnight, Legolas." Estel watched Legolas bid goodnight to his father and leave the room. Then he mentally scolded himself for not asking where the Elf was staying. He could not ask his brothers as they would not approve, nor would Elrond and Arwen as they seemed to be wary of the Prince as well. At least tomorrow seemed to be promising. A day with Legolas. Estel's heart jumped at the very thought.
Estel rose early the next morning. He bathed and washed his hair. He picked out the clothes he was to wear very carefully. Then he crept out of the room and tip-toed all the way to the stables. When he got there, the young man opened the door to the room where the Prince's horse was housed for his stay. He brushed the horse down and stroked it gently.
"Your master is very beautiful," he whispered to the animal. "I wonder if he would come to consider me so. He asks to spend time with me, do you think it may be possible?"
The horse snorted and turned away. Estel sighed and closed the door as he left the stable. "You are probably right, Celebros," he said as he walked away, "Legolas could never come to feel for me as I feel for him."
He walked around the gardens for a while, fantasies of the prince whirling around in his mind. In one, the Prince talked of love stories, of beauty and love everlasting. Then he would take Estel's hands in his and look deep into his eyes. Estel felt himself sinking into the clear, blue pools of the Prince's eyes. Then Legolas placed his lips on Estel's mouth and kissed him deeply, lovingly. Estel melted into the kiss and closed his eyes.
He came to sharply as he tripped over a walled flowerbed. His eyes snapped open and he looked down to find himself covered in soil. He heard melodic laughter near him. The young man looked around. Legolas was standing nearby, a warm smile curving his full lips. Estel closed his eyes. Then he felt the soft breath of the Elf at his ear.
"Come, mellon," Legolas whispered. Estel opened his eyes to find the Elf so close to him that he could feel the warmth of his body. Estel took the hand that was offered and used the Prince's strength to right himself. The Elf helped Estel to brush the dirt from his clothing. Then he began walking, gesturing for the Man to follow him.
"I also enjoy a walk in the morning," he said, smiling. "Perhaps we should walk together?"
Estel found himself incapable of speech due to his embarrassment and only nodded in reply. He walked by the Golden Elf's side, basking in the radiance of the creature's beauty. A soft smile began to creep across his face. To Estel the pair seemed very comfortable together, walking and not needing to speak. He felt that they had a connection, running deep as a river between them. He felt as though his connection was a waterfall, fast and rushing, full of anticipation and tension. The Prince seemed as though a deep pool, calm and serene after the rush and the spin. The Man felt that they complimented each other perfectly. He plucked up his courage and asked a question.
"Do you have a mate, mellon nin?"
Legolas looked down at him, surprise showing in his clear eyes. Estel did not waver in the gaze.
"I do not have a mate," Legolas answered quietly, "nor an intended. I do not believe I shall marry any one of the ladies in my Father's realm, to me they seem too simple and too comfortable. I wish for excitement in my life and in a mate I wish for something different that the ladies of Mirkwood do not have."
"And what is this quality you look for?"
"Uniqueness," the Elf replied instantly. "I wish for someone who is themself and not tainted by a lable or a mark. I know the ladies of Mirkwood too well, and have grown up with many of them as friends. I would not wish to marry someone who knew me so well and who is so similar to another. There is a special quality that only a few have, and it makes them perfectly unique. I believe that you have this quality, my friend. You are the most unique and exciting creature that I have ever had the pleasure of making acquaintance with."
Legolas ended his confession by stopping and turning Estel to face him. The Man looked at the Elf and felt himself become swallowed in the deepness of the blue eyes. He felt as though he was drowning in sweet, rich contentness, his heart bursting with the weight of this feeling. He blinked and felt as if he had done so in slow motion. As the Elf leant down towards him, Estel saw each movement of muscle and each change in stance as though from a distance, in a dream. His dream was coming true.
"Do you have an intended, mellon vell?" Legolas asked in a quiet voice, lit with a quality Estel could not describe or match.
The young man shook his head. "I do not," he said. "Although, I do believe that if I were to have one, you would be very close to my idea of perfection in a mate."
"Then we understand each other, Estel," the Elf replied.
"Yes, I think we do."
Estel had barely braced himself when the Elf took his face in his long hands and placed a warm kiss on his lips. The Man responded, with curiosity more than passion. Legolas seemed to understand and kissed Estel gently, even lovingly the Man fancied. When they broke away, Estel almost moaned at the loss of the Prince's warmth. He leaned forward to place his lips back onto those of the Elf, but instead found his willing lips met by Legolas' fingers.
"No," the Elf whispered, "that will suffice for now. Your father will not approve, mellon vell, of our kissing in broad daylight. Perhaps we should meet elsewhere. Is there a place we can go to?"
Estel nodded. "Yes, I know of a place in the heart of the pine forests, it is very private, I am sure that even my brothers have not been there. Should we meet there?"
"It sounds to be a difficult place to find," the Prince stated. "Perhaps we should meet at the edge of the forest, near to the road into Imladris. From there, you can lead me to this retreat and we shall continue this...conversation."
Estel merely nodded.
"I shall see you there before sunset. We shall have to excuse ourselves from supper this evening." The Elf straightened up. "Until then, meleth nin," he said quietly. Then he walked away, seemingly floating with the speed of a spirit along the grass.
Estel's heart almost burst. Meleth nin! He was considered so close to the Prince's heart already! So much for the horse. Estel almost skipped away from the garden and into his room. He closed and locked the door then leaned against it, eyes closed. His fingers stroked the lips so recently kissed by the Golden Prince. As he lost himself to another reverie, his hands began to drift along his body. He imagined them to be the hands of the Prince, long and slender. Strong strokes, then fleeting touches, the Elf would tease Estel until the point of breaking. The young Man sank down to the floor, eyes closed, lids fluttering, his hands stroking his body through his clothing.
A sharp rap on the door shocked him to his feet. "Yes?" he called nervously.
"'Tis me," Elladan's voice came through the door. "Let me in."
Estel sighed and twisted the key in the lock. His brother pulled open the door and stepped inside.
"What do you want?" Estel asked.
"Is that any way to greet your brother?" Elladan asked in jest. His face became serious when he saw the look in his young brother's eyes. "What is it, Estel?" he asked. "You have not been meeting with the Prince, have you?"
"No," Estel replied hurriedly, trying to keep emotion from his voice.
Elladan's eyes narrowed. "You have mud on your clothes," he said.
Estel looked down. "Yes," he said. "I...took a walk. I fell, if you must know. I was changing when you knocked."
Elladan was silent but a suspicious look was in his eyes.
"Why do you ask of the Prince?" Estel asked.
"Because I have seen the way he is around you, gwanor dithen, and I have seen it before."
"What do you mean?"
"He treats you as something special, something he has never encountered before. He has. Legolas is known for leading on both Elves and Men, male and female, until they are quite besotted with him. Then he takes what he wants from them and, once he has got it, he leaves, without a care for the feelings of the one he has left behind. He will hurt you, Estel, if you give him a chance. Please do not."
"How do you know such things?" Estel asked, brow furrowed.
Elladan sighed. "Because I was once in love with the Prince, as I can see that you are now. He took what he wanted from me and left me broken-hearted. This was many years ago, before you were even born, pen neth. Your heart is younger and more fragile than mine was then, I would not wish for it to be hurt and broken. Please take heed of my words."
"Does father know?"
"No," Elladan shook his head. "I never told Ada and I do not mean to. The only people who know of this are Elrohir, Arwen and now you. Estel, please believe what I say. Legolas will see you as a conquest, a way of hurting me and our brother and sister. If he has promised something to you, it is not what you think. He sees you only as a prize, or a lever. Do not let him use you in such a way. Promise me, Estel."
"I will take care of myself, Elladan."
"Promise," the Elf demanded.
"I will take care of myself," Estel repeated.
Elladan sighed. "I can see that you will not. Just do not forget this warning." He left the room, not looking back on the Man. He now knew that his words were in vain. They were useless. Estel had been infected by the Elf, he could see. And he had lied. Elladan had observed their 'meeting' in the gardens and had immediately rushed to the Man's room to speak with him. He knew of the kiss, that much he saw, but he could not hear the words spoken. It had taken a lot to speak of his love affair with Legolas, but now he knew there was no point.
Elladan walked away from his brother, his raven hair fluttering in the breeze.