The Lost City Of Cirus
Author's Note:
Thank you so much for your reviews. I'm particularly happy to hear you like the story and that you find my Rocs to be believable. Another longish chapter but hopefully you'll like it. I promise to keep writing so long as you keep reviewing. Enjoy!
Twenty-one
Trust
After awkwardly informing Aragorn of his new found relationship with the Prince of the Rocs Elrond and Pandion were able to share one of the guest rooms Aragorn had readied for them.
Though he appeared disappointed that he'd gone to the trouble of having two rooms prepared when he could have just ordered one. Elrond supposed the attempted humor was his way of dealing with the situation. He would allow the King to sleep on the matter before discussing it further with him, and he had told him so too before retiring to his room.
"How did the King of Men take the good news?" Pandion asked, lounging enticingly along the large four-post bed.
"I'm not sure. He seemed unable to communicate his feelings on the matter. So I left him to think it over for the night."
Elrond sat beside his lover on the bed and ran a hand down the Roc's side as he turned on his side to face Elrond. Propping his head up with a bent arm the Roc looked up at the Elf.
"You have a love for this Elessar that I cannot place." The Roc tipped his head and Elrond smiled down at him.
"I raised him, after his mother brought him to me before she died. He's a son to me."
Pandion rose up on his knees and draped his arms about the Elf's neck from behind, leaning his head on his shoulder.
"Well, nothing for me to be jealous of then?"
Elrond laughed and planted a kiss on the Roc's nose.
"Only if you require my worldly wisdom to solve the things in life you need a second opinion on."
Pandion pretended to think for a moment before swinging round Elrond's body to lie across his lap looking up at the Elf.
"No I don't think I'll be requiring anything of that nature from you my Lord."
"I hope you're not just using me to quench your seemingly insatiable sexual appetite?"
Pandion sat up to straddle Elrond's lap and locked his hands behind his neck.
"Of course not love. I want so much more from you than that."
Pandion crushed his lips to Elrond's but when the Elf's tongue demanded entrance to his mouth the Roc was content to let Elrond dominate the kiss.
Pandion made short work of Elrond's clothing and in the blink of an eye the Roc was in his Final form and strake naked. Elrond gazed at the beautiful creature before him, unable to fathom why the Roc wanted him when he could have any male or female he desired.
Pandion laid himself out on the bed like some sort delectable treat and Elrond covered him with kisses as he lay down beside him.
"Why?" Elrond whispered between kisses.
"Why what?" Pandion gasped as his arched up towards the Elf over him.
"Why me? You're so stunning, Prince of your people, you could have anyone you desire…"
Pandion cut him off with a sharp look.
"I desire only you Lord Elrond and if you wish to toss me away to find companionship with someone whom I don't harbor these feelings for then do so now, don't tease me further."
Elrond crushed his lips to his in a bruising kiss before leaning down to whisper in Pandion's ear.
"I would never toss aside something as precious as you. I desire only you Pandion and I will have you by my side for as long as I can keep you."
"I can think of nothing more wonderful."
Pandion arched his body as Elrond entered him with deliberately slow strokes. He bucked his hips, urging to the Elf to increase his pace. Elrond merely chuckled down at him, breath hot against the Roc's ear.
"You are mine tonight, remember?"
Sunlight poured into the room and Elrond groaned loudly as he threw an arm across his face to block out the offensive light.
"Come now Elrond, you can't lie about all day. We have armies to prepare and I believe there's been word of an Elven army marching in this direction."
Pandion's voice sounded from over by the window. So he was who opened the curtains.
"Elrond, some of us have been awake for over two hours now."
"No one's holding you in this room against your will. You can leave if you want to you."
"You know I can't."
Elrond sat up as Pandion perched himself on the end of the bed. Elrond looked around in confusion.
"What happened to the sheet?"
"It was obstructing my view." He smiled seductively and crawled up the bed and into Elrond's waiting arms.
"Sometimes I think you lust too much for me Pandion."
Aragorn was speaking with Faramir and Eomer when Elrond and Pandion finally emerged from the large double doors that lead out into the Citadel. Aragorn watched a stray hand belonging to Pandion brush leisurely over Elrond's backside before returning to his side.
Aragorn was surprised that he felt no emotion brought on by this action. Last night when Elrond had told him he had been mortified but hid it well. Now that he saw them together though, it made sense for some reason and they seemed happy. In fact it was the happiest Aragorn had seen his foster father in many years. Perhaps Pandion was a good thing for Elrond.
"Glad you were able to take time out from your busy schedule to join us Lord Elrond." Eomer called out with good humor.
"Yes well I slept in, busy night."
"I thought you rose at dawn." Aragorn directed at Pandion.
"I do. He doesn't." He gestured at Elrond.
Faramir and Eomer looked confused, as neither had been filled in on the situation. Aragorn made a mental note to do so as soon as was comfortably possible as the last thing he needed was for one of them to walk in on the pair kissing, or worse.
"Pandion mentioned we've been alerted about an approaching Elven army. Do we know if they're from Mirkwood or Lothlórien?"
"We think they might be from Mirkwood but they're still too far off to tell." Faramir answered.
"I can find out for you." Pandion suggested.
"Oh the Rocs have better eyesight than Elves now do they?" Eomer replied smugly.
Pandion shot him a look over his shoulder as he sauntered over to the Citadel wall.
He climbed up onto it and just as Elrond was about to stop him from transforming, as he was sure he was going to do, Pandion let out a loud birdcall. It was a crow call and in no time a large black crow was perched upon his arm.
Pandion had a brief exchange with the crow before it flew off again. The Roc then stepped down from the wall and crossed back over to the group.
"He'll go and ask the Elves where they're from, then return and report back to me."
"So the Rocs have a purpose after all, talking to the birds." Eomer commented snidely. Both he and Faramir laughed as fire blazed in Pandion's eyes.
The Roc threw himself at the two Men but Elrond caught him about the waist, effectively stopping him.
"You haven't done enough to belittle my people you have to insult them in front of me!?" He spat. "Men truly have no honor. I understand now why my father refuses to re-forge our allegiances with them!"
He then threw Elrond's arms off him and stormed off in the direction of the houses of healing, hoping the twins might be able to cool his temper.
"Why would we want an alliance with the Rocs, they were the enemy last time I checked." Eomer shot Aragorn a dirty look.
Elrond rushed off after Pandion having nothing to say to the Men.
"You know nothing of them Eomer!" Aragorn was right up in the other man's face. "He is the first Roc you have ever met and yet you judge him based on what you've been told by others and even they have never met a Roc before!"
Eomer stepped back from Aragorn in shock.
"You don't trust him do you? You would trust him with our lives in this war would you Elessar?"
"You know what Eomer, I do." Aragorn then strode off after Elrond and Pandion leaving the two Men frozen to the spot.
Before he disappeared down the stairs Aragorn turned to face Eomer and Faramir.
"I would trust his sister too."
When Elrond caught up with Pandion he found the Roc sitting on the end of Elladan's bed chatting with him and Elrohir.
"Pandion." Elrond placed a hand on the Roc's shoulder and he felt him stiffen.
Elladan saw the mixed emotions playing through the Roc's eyes. Elrohir shifted uncomfortably and slide across to make room for his father to sit on the bed.
"They are ignorant Pandion, don't let them get to you." Elrond soothed.
"We all know better and if they can't learn to put the past back where it belongs then that's their loss." Elladan added.
"Did they treat Aquila like this when she came?" Pandion asked quietly.
"No. I treated her far worse." Aragorn appeared in the doorway and angry ice-blue eyes snapped up to lock with his soft eyes. "But I had some very wise counsel on the matter." He smiled at Elrond who smiled back.
"I've come to apologize for the behavior of Faramir and especially Eomer."
"Why don't you hate me too King of Men? You should, your people made it very clear we were not wanted in Middle Earth anymore."
"My descendents made a mistake sending your people away, that I am willing to admit to. I have had more than one Elf point out my people's failure to set facts straight before acting on the matter. We thought you had betrayed us when in fact you had not. I am willing to put the past behind us to focus on the present danger we face and perhaps a better future for Men and Rocs."
"I suppose I have Elrond and Legolas to thank for talking some sense into you then?"
Aragorn simply nodded his head in response.
"You are right King Elessar, this hatred has gone on too long and if you are willing to admit past mistakes and ask for our forgiveness then I am willing to give it."
The Prince stood and held a hand out to Aragorn. Gondor's King gripped the Roc's hand and shook it firmly, a silent truce made between the King and Prince. One that Elrond and his sons were grateful to have witnessed.
Glorfindel stuck his head through the door as Aragorn released Pandion's hand.
"There you are Prince Pandion. I've been looking all over for you, there's a crow hoping about on the Citadel wall who seems to think you wanted him to report back to you on some matter."
"Of course! I almost forgot. Thank you Glorfindel." Pandion called as he hurried past the flaxen-haired Elf.
He dashed back up to the Citadel to find Faramir and Eomer long gone and the crow hopping irritably from one foot to the other on the Citadel wall. The Roc sat on the wall beside the crow and proceeded to have a clipped conversation in the bird's native calls before it flew off.
By now Glorfindel, Elrond and Aragorn had followed him up and were waiting for him nearby. Spotting them Pandion walked over to deliver the news.
"He says they are Mirkwood's Elves being lead by an Elf who goes by the name of Aniond"
"Captain of Mirkwood's army." Elrond informed them before motioning for Pandion to continue.
"Legolas and Aquila are not with them. The Elf says they flew onto Aglarond just over two days ago and that Legolas instructed the army to continue onto Minas Tirith without them."
"Smart move, they'll have wasted less time." Aragorn thought out loud.
"What is she doing flying? I told her not to fly, stubborn girl." Elrond mumbled.
"She was right to do it Elrond. If I'm not mistaken, for I know how fast she can fly, if they in fact left when Aniond said they did and provided they only spent the night in Aglarond then they could be here by this afternoon, if they fly from Aglarond."
"Well that would be most convenient but, you're leaving an awful lot of things to assumptions there." Aragorn sounded frustrated as he lent against the wall and stared off into the distance.
"Excuse me, I need to go inform my guards of the Elves arrival and have them ready to open the gates." Aragorn quickly disappeared off down the steps and left the two Elves and the Roc alone with the ever statue-like Citadel Guards.
"Do you think the Lothlórien Elves are far behind Mirkwood's?" Glorfindel questioned Elrond.
"Not more than a day or two I imagine. Once they arrive we'll certainly be able to begin preparations properly."
Glorfindel nodded before he noticed Pandion had sat himself down on the wall and was staring off towards the mountains in the distance.
"And what are you, Prince of Roc's, looking for exactly?"
"Aquila." He stated simply, not taking his eyes off the sky before him.
"She could be another day yet, if not more Pandion. You plan to sit out here until she arrives?" Elrond scolded.
The Roc shook his head but said no more, content to let the Elf chide him for being childish and the like. He didn't care; he wanted to see his sister. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed her until now; they hadn't spent this much time apart since they left Middle Earth. Forever trapped in their father's hidden city they had always had each other.
Pandion heard Elrond sigh and prepared himself to ignore the lecture the Elf was bound to give him, but when it did not come and Elrond instead sat down beside him Pandion turned to him in surprise.
"If you are insistent upon waiting for her, at least allow me to keep you company?"
Pandion smiled at him before turning back out to gaze at the sky. He was glad for Elrond's presence, even though they didn't speak. In fact Glorfindel decided to stay and after he had found himself a comfortable spot on the stone floor him and Elrond struck up a conversation, the topic of which Pandion had no idea for he was no paying attention.
The afternoon crept on and Aragorn returned to discuss the Elven army's arrival with Elrond and Glorfindel before the golden-haired Elf disappeared off with him to greet the Mirkwood Elves as they arrived. Elrond, as he'd promised stayed with Pandion who still waited anxiously for any sign of his sister.
The shadows lengthened and the air took a slight chill, which Elrond did not notice but Pandion did. The sun was still visible but the wind was blowing in off the snow-topped mountains and it wasn't long before the Prince was fighting not to shiver visibly.
It didn't take Elrond long to notice Pandion's shivering and, without so much as a word, wrapped the Roc up in his arms to keep him warm. Pandion was grateful for the warmth but remained quite as he kept his eyes locked on the sky and snuggled back against Elrond's chest.
Elrond rested his head on Pandion's shoulder for only a moment when the Prince suddenly leapt to his feet on the wall. Elrond had to release his hold on him quickly or be taken with him. Pandion peered out towards the mountains before reaching a hand down and pulling Elrond to his feet beside him.
"Do you see it? There on the horizon, just to the side of the mountains."
Elrond looked hard and was thankful the light was still good for after a few seconds he spotted it too.
"Yes I do. Are you sure it's them?"
"That far away? It has to be, unless one of the Great Eagles has come to pay a visit."
The two remained frozen to the spot, watching intently as the bird flew closer and closer, each waiting for the moment they could confirm it was Aquila with Legolas upon her back.
"There's Minas Tirith!" Legolas called out in excitement. "I don't suppose you can fly any faster?" He teased.
Aquila let out and indignant shriek and flapped her wings swiftly to propel them through the chilled air flowing off the mountains beside them. The city loomed large before them in no time and Aquila flew up towards the Citadel. Both her and Legolas spotted two figures standing on the wall and as Aquila recognized Pandion she let out a joyful cry.
Pandion called back up to her as she swooped over them to land on the stone ground, being careful not to harm the white tree in the center. Legolas leapt down off her back and shielded his eyes as she transformed into her Half form.
Pandion rushed past the blond Elf and threw his arms about his sister, crushing her to him.
"Pandion!"
He pulled back and kissed her briefly before smiling brightly.
"I was wondering when I'd finally find you, but Elrond promised you'd come and here you are." He was overjoyed to find her in one piece and looking so…radiant.
"Pandion, what are you doing here? Not that I'm not glad to see you, believe me I am, but you seemed too upset when I left I thought…"
"I realized there was nothing I could do to bring them back, but there was something I could do to prevent what happened to them from happening to others."
She hugged him again and as her hands passed over his back she felt his ribs beneath them and gasped as she pulled back.
"What's happened to you, you're so thin?" Her eyes were full of concern.
"I was so upset I didn't eat days, all I did was sit on my own and cry. But I'm fine now and I'll soon be back to my old self." He glanced back at Elrond and flashed him a grin.
"We are doing our best to take care of him. He'll be just as you remember him in no time."
"Only happier." Pandion finished.
Aquila smiled oddly at her brother but he shook his head and promised he would explain later. All the while this was going on Elrond was watching Legolas, something seemed different about the Prince, not off but different. He held himself more proudly than before, like he'd suddenly been filled with more confidence than he'd ever had before.
Pandion then walked up to Legolas who, as Aquila had suspected, now stood taller than him and looked him up and down.
"Well look at you little Legolas, all grown up."
Pandion hugged the Elf swiftly and Legolas smiled down at him.
"Aquila thought I might be taller than you now."
"Yes but isn't that the Elven condition? You look well."
"I wish I could say the same for you Pandion, you're not quite as I remember you. I hope you are well on the road to recovery."
Pandion waved the comments off.
"I will, now that I have something to take my mind off things."
Legolas nodded, satisfied with his reply. Elrond took the moment of silence as an opportunity to get Legolas' attention.
"Your army should be arriving within the hour, did you get many of the Dwarves to agree to come?"
"Gimli will be arriving with 500 or so other Dwarves in a few days, depending on how long it take them to walk here."
"Yes well I expected nothing less from them. They would refuse to ride and I imagine they palled at the thought of flying."
Legolas laughed and looked across to Aquila.
"Gimli didn't seem to keen on the idea did he?"
She shook her head, grinning all the while.
"How have the Men been treating you?" Aquila asked her brother.
Being taller than her all their lives and with the fierier and more mischievous personality her brother usually attracted more attention than she did and she wondered if he had caused a stir when he arrived.
"To be honest when I first showed my face down in the courtyard there" he indicated the one at the bottom tier of the city "I think the large majority of the men and women gathered there wanted to take me to bed, until they realized I was a Roc."
Aquila tried to hold back a laugh, while Elrond shifted nervously. Legolas noticed the other Elf's movements out of the corner of his eye and was curious as to what had made him so uncomfortable all of a sudden.
"Now I seem to have upset two men in particular, Eomer and Faramir, though I haven't really had any contact with any other Men in the city."
"You haven't met Aragorn?"
"Oh I've met Aragorn. Aragorn…has been surprisingly accepting of me."
Aquila looked thoroughly confused.
"What did you do to get him to like you so much? When I arrived he had me chained to a column in his throne room!"
Pandion raised an eyebrow suggestively and smirked. Aquila rolled her eyes upwards and shoved him gently in the shoulder, Pandion laughed before smiling at Legolas and then Elrond.
"I think we have two Elves to thank for the obvious change in Aragorn's behavior."
All four turned their heads towards the city's main gates as trumpets announced the arrival of Mirkwood's army.
"I best go meet them then." Legolas made to leave but was halted by Elrond.
"Wait Legolas, we'll join you." He glanced over at Pandion who nodded.
Legolas looked to Aquila almost shyly, which she thought odd considering how they'd spent the morning. But then she realized the formality of the occasion and Legolas' duties to act as a Prince also required something of her that he hadn't asked for yet.
She didn't say anything but walked to his side and waited for Elrond and Pandion to join them. The Roc Prince exchanged a look with his lover but both decided the matter was probably best discussed at a later time, for now they had to hurry down to greet Legolas' army.
Aniond Was already speaking with Aragorn when Legolas and the others arrived. Mirkwood's Prince and it's army's captain broke off to discuss a few things, leaving Aragorn with Pandion, Elrond and Aquila. He noticed the presence of the other Roc almost immediately.
"Aquila, glad to have you back with us. I must apologize sincerely for my mistreatment of you during your last stay here and also for the way I hear the captain of my guard behaved towards you. He has been punished accordingly I can assure you." He bowed slightly and she nodded her head, smiling.
"Thank you King Elessar, I hope we never need speak of it again."
And that was all that was ever said on either matter.
Legolas quickly returned to the group with Aniond in tow.
"Your Elves must need rest, your horses too." Aragorn gestured towards them. "I'll have the stable hands take your horses and if your men would kindly follow me I will show them to their sleeping quarters. In the mean time I have had a meal prepared for you and my other guests up in my dinning hall."
"I would prefer to eat and sleep with the other Elves, if that's alright by you." Aniond asked kindly, not wanting to offend his host.
"Of course." He then turned to the group of four behind him. "You and especially Aquila must be tired Legolas, if the four of you wish to go ahead and have dinner I will have Arwen, Mithrandir, Eomer, Faramir and the lovely Eowyn to keep me company while I dine."
Pandion looked less than pleased at the mention of the other two Men but kept his mouth shut knowing that this trust thing they were trying to develop with Aragorn was a two-way deal.
"I think we will do that, thank you Aragorn." Legolas said with a smile and a small bow before the four departed to have their meal.
Dinner was not quite the feast they had with the Dwarves but it was filling and well prepared. The wine was good and went down well with the meal. Soon Aquila found her eyelids growing heavy and struggled to keep them open.
As they each finished they lent back in their chairs and chatted quietly about the Dwarves and the two males mad dash from Lothlórien. Aquila was horrified to hear of Elladan's injury but most relieved when she was informed that he was doing well and would be up and about soon. Legolas paused in the conversation to take in a mouthful of wine as Pandion placed his elbows upon the table and lent his chin on his folded hands, a mischievous grin tugged up the corners of his mouth.
"So…" he drawled "When exactly did you two have sex?"
Legolas immediately spat out the wine he'd been drinking in a spray that made it halfway across the table. Coughing as he sucked some of it back down his windpipe. Pandion waited calmly for him to recover. Aquila, who had been half asleep by this point, was now wide awake.
"How did you know we'd…?" Legolas managed to choke out between coughs.
"I didn't." Pandion tilted his head to the side and his sly grin widened. "You just told me."
Aquila groaned as she realized Legolas had played right into her brother's trap. Legolas finally managed to get his breath back and had the decency to blush furiously at having his privacy invaded in such a way.
"It's none of your business Pandion." Aquila finally managed as she glared at her older sibling.
"Oh but it is my business little sister. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy for you. You have, after all, been in love with him for how many years?" Pandion said sweetly.
Elrond was surprised at how malicious the Prince was being but his method was certainly proving effective at getting him the information he wanted. Aquila was blushing red and Legolas was no better off. Elrond felt sorry for them and decided to save them while giving Pandion a taste of his own medicine.
"I think it's wonderful, you make a beautiful couple and I'm sure your father would be proud of your decision Legolas, yours to Aquila."
The two shared a look and a smile before Elrond continued.
"I trust you'll be wanting to share a room then? After all, Pandion and I are sharing one."
Pandion looked like he'd been caught with his pants down, which was not far from the truth, and, after she got over the initial shock of the announcement Aquila smirked at her brother.
"Well it would appear I'm not the only one who's been keeping secrets Pandion."
The other Roc was still frozen but in the blink of an eye he regained his composure.
"Well you're not the only one who's been harboring feelings for a lost Elven love over the years."
Aquila wasn't quite sure how to respond to her brother bold admission so she let the comment go. The four sat in a sort of awkward silence before Elrond spoke up, forever the voice of wisdom and reason.
"I don't know about the rest of you but I'm exhausted. I believe Aragorn has had sleeping quarters prepared for both of you but I'm sure he'll understand if you chose to share one."
The four got up from the table and followed Elrond up to the guestrooms where himself and Pandion disappeared into one room after pointing out the two rooms that had been made up for Aquila and Legolas.
The Elf took her hand in his and led her into his room with him, why shouldn't they share a room? Besides there was something he wanted to ask her and he needed them to be alone before he did.
He felt better now that their relationship was known to Elrond and Pandion, though Legolas still worried about telling Aragorn, something he would have to do in the morning.
He finished undressing, leaving only his dark tights on and turned to talk to Aquila. Only to find her sprawled naked beneath the white sheets, having thrown off the heavy dark red blankets that had been stretched across the bed when they'd walked in, fast asleep. He sighed and climbed in beside her, smiling as she instinctively nuzzled up against his chest, her hands resting lightly on his pale, flawless skin. What he had to ask her could wait till morning, she must have been exhausted from the rushed fight here and so he left her to sleep, joining her as soon as he closed his eyes.
To be continued…