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After being told to leave, Legolas and Estel stood outside the room where they could hear the raised voice of Thranduil and the poisonous one of Elrond. Legolas bowed his head, before burying it in one of his hands. When he met Estel's eyes, tears were falling down his pale cheeks. Estel also looked as though the world would end, and the two embraced gently. When they pulled away reluctantly, Legolas took Estel's hand and slightly pulled.

Legolas then quietly led Estel to a room where he had never been before; after all, Estel had just arrived and he didn't have time to explore the halls. When he entered this hall, the silence between Legolas' grew fro awkward to comforting when the Elf squeezed his hand.

The small corridor was lit with many candles, and there were only two doors on either side of them. Legolas opened the one to their right and turned to the young man, beckoning him to follow.

The heavy oak door was opened, and Estel's eyes were met with an enchanting sight. The four walls that made up the room were painted with spectacular murals of the forest, with sunlight pouring through the tall, majestic trees. Plants and small, live bushes decorated the floor, making it seem like the two were outside. The peace that seemed to emanate from the woods surrounded them, making them forget their sudden fears due to Elrond's arrival.

A small, beautifully engraved spinet was in the center of the room, with a book of music on the stand just above the keys. Legolas walked away slowly from Estel, sat down on the bench, and laid his long, slender fingers on the instrument.

Slowly and delicately, Legolas began to play a lilting tune, yet somehow it was darker and deeper then most Elven songs. It was lovely, and tugged at Estel's heart. The tears were still falling down the prince's face, and they graced the cream colored keys as his fingers flew across them.

The song ended, and Estel came up behind Legolas, wrapping his arms around the sloping shoulders. Legolas brought up a hand to cradle Estel's, and leaned his head back against Estel's warm body. Closing his eyes, he softly spoke.

"I cannot lose you again."


Thranduil again turned away, this time walking over to his desk and pushing three heavy books from it. He placed his hands on the wood and leaned his weight on them, trying to relax.

"After a romance that seemed blissful enough, you told me that you had to leave me to find a wife to impregnate for Imladris. You tell me this, break my heart, and find an Elf that you 'loved'-"

Elrond stood up ferociously, knocking down the chair he was sitting in. "Don't...ever...deny my love for Celebrian, you snake. Did you think that I would give up hope of loving for a few moments of pleasure and a child?"

"AND YET YOU DID!" Thranduil bellowed, his cheeks crimson. "What about me, Elrond! You loved me! I know you did! I saw it in your eyes...you could never lie, Elrond, and I know you loved me. Please, please say that at least you did love me...put my mind at peace, Valar, please...Nenuial, Legolas' mother, didn't love me...I thought I had found another one to love, yet she left me, like you did.

"You don't know about the nights that I cried, Elrond! Those dark, bitter nights when nothing seemed worth it. Elves are supposed to cherish life, and here my life had been taken away from me. First you, and then my father...Nenuial was supposed to help me, to heal me, and I let her in, and then she broke me. Only Legolas kept me alive...my love for him was so bright...my love for you was so bright, Elrond..."

Elrond walked over to the king, who was obviously holding back tears. He looked up at his face, and the green eyes met his. Elrond took a pale, shivering hand.

"Of course I loved you," Elrond whispered. "I loved you."

Thranduil let the tears fall silently as he gazed upon the only creature that he had truly loved. He looked older; his mortal blood had touched the skin with age and the eyes weren't as bright. Yet his stature was still strong, despite the fact that he was so thin; all of the long years seemed to have left its effect.

Thranduil again met his eyes. "All I ask is that you hold me...please don't caress me, pray don't kiss me...but hold me and comfort me like you said you would if I ever needed it," he pleaded, remembering Elrond's last words before he left him.

"If you ever need me, come to me and I promise I will hold you throughout your darkest hours. I won't touch your lips or body except chastely...but I will be here for you."

Elrond nodded, worried for Thranduil. Feelings and events that he had crushed were awakening...hate for Lenwe...knowing that it was wrong just taking him to his bed...remembering Celebrian's long silken hair, her eyes...Thranduil's gentle embrace and the way he had cried when they had first become one...

Elrond's voice was soft. "I will...your chambers?"

Thranduil nodded. "Through this door," he said, and he beckoned the half Elf to follow him behind his desk to a large door. He opened it, and walked in.

The chambers had murals painted on it of the forest and sunsets, and the bed was large and luxuriously dressed. Thranduil pulled off his shoes and collapsed onto the bed, and Elrond followed suit. He spooned behind Thranduil, and wrapped strong arms around him. Memories flooded back to him as the perfect fit of their bodies melded together, and their breathing also combined for the first time in centuries.

"Thank you," Thranduil said so quietly that Elrond had to strain his ears.

Elrond gently stroked the dark golden hair, relishing that it still kept it's softness over these years.

"You're...you're welcome," Elrond murmured, confused and taken aback by the sudden fluttering of his heart.

"You won't ever lose me again," Estel replied, feeling strangely peaceful. "I can never let you go."

Legolas opened his dark blue eyes, swirling with emotion.

"May I...would you like me to hold you?" Estel asked, hoping Legolas would accept. His most treasured moments with the Elf had been when they had been in bed together, simply sleeping and cradling each other.

Legolas nodded. "Please..."

Estel motioned for him to rise, and he took his hand. He kissed each finger once, before tenderly kissing the palm. He stepped closer to Legolas' face and kissed him.

He turned and opened the door, stepping out into the hall. They walked hand in hand until they reached their rooms. Estel first sat on the bed, and his eyes held the wish for Legolas to join him. He did, and Estel held him while he cried.

After a few long moments of despair, Estel laid down, pulling Legolas down with him. He kissed the smooth forehead with his lips, and then moved down to Legolas' own mouth. Their lips met once more, and Legolas sighed in content.

Estel lay in front of Legolas, facing him. He wrapped his legs and arms around the Elf, so he was cocooned in his body.

Two pairs fell asleep that night in the sacred positions, each brought together by love; one new and one renewed. Both slept soundly, dreaming of the other, and when they woke, the stars rose with the sun.

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