Special, Just Like Everyone Else

Chapter Six

Author: Icy

Today was the day! It would finally begin; he wouldn't have any more waiting around or delays with practices. The day of Legolas' coming out had at last arrived. Legolas gathered up his clothing as he bounced about the room, heading for a soothing bath. The guard sect sluggishly followed after their prince, wondering at his jubilant energy. After several minutes of the guards glaring at those ogling the prince, they stepped out of the pool area where he dried himself off. Tying up his hair in nine extensive braids and allowing the rest to air dry, Legolas wiggled into his clothes.

All the years of practicing would pay off. Their performance would be before the evening meal, allowing the weary dancers all a well-deserved rest. Legolas felt his stomach plunge, this would be it. There was no more studies, no more chances to improve a misled foot. The ultimate test, his ultimate test. Feeling his knees start to wobble the prince latched onto a wall. His dancing tonight was his true trail. Taking a deep breath he forced himself to continue working his hair.

Legolas slowed again in twisting another braid; he would star in the last dance his mother had ever created. He eased himself up on one of the ledges looking out into the palace's lawns, sighing. He had never known his mother, and often wondered what she had been like. Of course their had been many tales of her bravery and beauty. Elves lived long lives, and so gathered quite a reputation. Legolas just wished that he could have been more of hers rather than the cause of death. Moving slowly, seemingly endless energy suddenly depleted, the seventh prince returned to his guard and headed towards the dance halls.

The director wished to go over a few reminders before speaking with his pupils and then was holding a hydration period. During that time the performers were all required to drink a certain amount of liquids, pending their stage time. Legolas thought queasily of the half quart he had drained the night before.

Waving to a few acquaintances on the way, Legolas peered hesitantly up at the sun, hoping he would not be late. Quirking an eyebrow at some of the lesser dressed elves that were about he smirked widely when his posse passed a pretty performer prancing pass. When he made eye contract though he blushed a deep red and turned his head quickly, becoming beetroot when some of his guards snickered. Sending them a half glare he picked up his pace.

Niecal drowsily came back to the world of the living, feeling very sated and pleased. He blinked as a beam of sunlight his him in the face, moving over to the balcony for a view of the rising sun. His fingers wrapped around the railing, arms tingling with a morning breeze. Letting the wind muffle his bed hair a soothing feeling passed through him, leaving a peaceful state. Drawling back into the main room, Niecal snuggled back onto the bed.

His mate was still peacefully resting, eyes staring off in dreamland. Lazily drawling pictures on his torso, the lieutenant propped himself up on one elbow. His lips twitched when he saw the mutated features of Tathar. Tracing the elongated fingernails and ear tips he couldn't help it when the grin took over his face. A furry tail wrapped around his forearm, drawling his eyes to those of his General's. Like all members of the Royal family, Tathar's eyes were a brilliant blue. This morning, however, the pupil was spliced vertically and the cornea seemed to fill the rest of his eye socket with a sapphire hue.

"Morning loverrrr" Tathar purred, curling his body around the other elf.

Niecal, used to waking up with an oddly featured mate after a… restless night, ran a hand up Tathar's arm, until he reached behind his ear. Scratching lightly until his lover arched up, a low vibration echoing his pleasure.

Tathar looked at his love with lustful have lidded eyes, licking his lips dramatically he leaned into Niecal, tightly wrapping himself over the other elf.

"Shouldn't you check in to make sure that everything is running smoothly for tonight?"

The prince gave his mate an irritated glare, seeming to fluff up his nonexistent fur, muscles stiffing. Niecal ran a hand over his board-like body, trying to loosen him up. Deeply kissing Tathar and distracting the prince from a foul mood, Niecal went to get clothes.

Tathar reluctantly peered up at Niecal, upset that he couldn't lie in bed. Rolling out in smooth movements and grabbing a change for the day he went to the bathhouse.

Niecal chuckled deeply before heading out with his lover. He had long since learned of some quirks the royal family held, as the bonded of the sixth prince of Mirkwood, the King having taken him aside to explain things to him the morning after their consummation. It was a day he would never forget, a nervous King of Mirkwood was not an everyday sight.

::::::Flash Back::::::

Niecal felt slightly queasy, Tathar had just disappeared into the Thrown Room, to announce to his father that he was engaged to Niecal and that they wished to be bonded. A loud roar had echoed from the room and the guards had rushed forward to see what had caused the commotion. Niecal, fearing for his love's life had also run into the Thrown Room…to see the General wrapped up in the King's arms. Relief had passed through him like chili through a diner.

It wasn't until later, after he passed through all the challenges and trials that he had been allotted a viewing with the King. He'd walked into the King's personal viewing room in his own quarters and had the most uncomfortable three hours of his life trudge by. A painfully embarrassing situation for both elves, covering the oddities a Royal Elf possessed, including but not only the sexual tendencies and affects. While he had been rather interested in the after effects, the descriptions of the acts had caused him to turn eight new colors of red. After covering all of the influences that would come by becoming General Tathar, sixth Prince of the Mirkwood realm's mate. The King had been on edge the whole time, a flush covering his cheekbones the entire time.

Niecal thought he would just about die when his king asked him about his sexual experience and past, including any past partners and those involved. Then at the end Thranduil had asked if he had any questions for him. The lieutenant had vigorously shaken his head and asked to be dismissed; Thranduil had been all to ready to call the meeting to an end and had dismissed him at once. Both had fled from the room and couldn't make eye contact until the day that Niecal and Tathar had been bond together.

::::::End Flash Back:::::::

Niecal didn't answer his mate when he asked why he was suddenly so flushed, merely shaking his head rapidly and dumping a bucket of water over his head. When he had began to feel comfortable with discussing with his mate what had gone on that day Tathar had busted up in laughter and continued to tease him mercilessly for weeks. There was no chance he'd give him more ammunition.

As he paced back in forth in his personal library his robes trailed behind him, waving on his councilor to speed it up.

"…serendipity gains a lesser perspective due to the volatile nature genially associated with any and all participants or those who agreed previously to involve themselves and other parties, in the distinctive trials laid before said parties and participants in a secondary law decreed by the imperative and high sovereigns."

The ruler glared and motioned for Yaniul to skip to the vital part.

"Due to such overwhelming odds it has been deemed that forever more any number, secluding other entrants, but not withholding the hosting lands, must remain in a similar grouping but may not exceed the lowest entrants from any certain realm, lest shall a repeat of the melodrama housed in the realm…"

"Enough!" roared the king, who continued pacing at a faster rate. Yaniul looked on, unimpressed with the king's display. "Have you found it?"

Yaniul bowed to his ruler somewhat ironically, "As of yet, your highness, we have been unable to locate any such ambiguity that would all such a loophole as you require to release you from such a state."

The king glared at his most trusted councilor member and closest friend. "A simple no would have sufficed."

Yaniul shot him a winning smile, ducking down and reading the scrolls once he turned back to him. Piles of books and pamphlets littered the tables; all had previously been searched through. Yaniul grabbed for more reading material, resting his eyes for a few moments as they had started reading hours before the sun had even set.

As soon as protocol had allowed the king to sneak off from the Rivendell party, he had come to his quarters to find a way out of what Lord Elrond declared. Later Yaniul had come with reports about the troops that had been sent out, and upon finding his ruler throwing random books at the floor, yelling. The servants had fled his wing, unsure how to deal with their violate leader.

Now, the day of they had long waited, the beginning of Mirkwood's youngest adult life, would start.

As a father, Thranduil was like a man desperate for the last cream filled pastry, unable to find even jam bread. Since the beginning of their combined efforts, they had been rabidly going throw all and any materials they could concern the laws and rules concerning the coming out of a royal. As of yet, no way to allow more entries for the host realm had been uncovered. Rubbing gently at his eyes, the elder elf gazed at the land's leader. Warmth filled his bosom; a more diligent father would be hard to come by. Tearing his gaze from the distressed elf before him, Yaniul's gazed dipped to the papers held in his unsteady hands. He didn't wish to disappoint his friend, the councilor didn't want think what the King would go through if his son were to bond with one of Elrond's elves. The young elf was one of the last living reminders that the King had of his departed wife. Failing his beloved ruler wasn't an option.

Picking up another scroll his eyes landed on some interesting.

"Milord, I believe I have found something that would catch your interest."

Thranduil looked up, face breaking out into a delighted smile. Yaniul felt a warm feeling fill his body at his friend's reaction, a warm flush coloring his face.

"Yaniul are you feeling alright old friend? You look red."

Yaniul turned a shade deeper, shaking his head forcefully. "No, no, I'm fine. Never felt better milord."

"How many times must I tell you? You're part of the family, call me by my name." Resting a hand on his shoulder he gave him another warm smile.

Trying to distract the dictator from his complexion he pointed to the paragraph of his finding; ignoring the elated feeling that rose within him at the king's movements.

Lord Elrond gave the servant a peculiar look when she winked rather boldly at him. She scurried off, giggling with another maiden and blushing furiously. Mirkwood truly was a strange land.

Making sure that his door was firmly closed, the lord began to strip of his clothes. Drifting into the next room, he sank into the bathing pool. As he soaked in the hot water, muscles relaxing from the heat, the Lord gloated. It wasn't every day that someone was able to pull one over the King of Mirkwood; he was notorious for his quick mind and ruthless revenge. Even for petty inconveniences, such as interrupting a party, were punished severely. Not two decades ago the zealous monarch had imprisoned a troop of wandering Men.

Long ago the heated competition had reached the boiling point between the two rulers, uncomfortable for all those around Elrond and Thranduil. Forcing the King to lessen his numbers would gall Thranduil for decades. Elrond allowed a smug grin stretch across his sharp features. Sinking lower into the steaming water, he swirled his fingers through it.

This eve's activities would be most enjoyable. Mirkwood was notorious for their celebrations, one such said to have gone on for twelve weeks straight. Elrond's mind still boggled at how a realm could withstand such acts.

Vibrant blossoms unfurled with the sun's rays, taking the breath away from the elves visiting the gardens. Mirkwood's woods often appeared to visitors as a dark and dank dwelling… until they came to the palace grounds and learned of the majestic gardens. Songs echoed from the halls and music floated from the woods as preparations were being completed for the celebration. Four immaculately dressed maids had scampered past, muttering about being late for practice while furiously adjusting shoes that hardly fit their costumes as warriors. One baker was even jovially dispending a novice by waving a loaf of bread.

Ignoring the strange customs of this strange realm, the three brothers continued their conversation.

"…perhaps we are simply asking the wrong questions, there must be a way to loosen their tongues." Orophin offered, idly swinging a leg over the bench. His gaze shifted from the sky to his more levelheaded brother.

Haldir looked doubtfully, Rumil gave him a dirty grin while hooking his legs over the branch and swinging down so he could rock back and forth on the tree branch. "Perhaps you are correct, for once brother, there should be a simple answer for this, and yet it alludes us like a prudent maiden."

Haldir, nestled in the grass, rolled his eyes at his brothers. That's when it hit him. "Of course!" His shout knocked Rumil from his perch in the tree. Several broken branches and thumps along with a loud 'OUCH' were the herald of Rumil's fall. He looked dizzily up at his older brothers.

Smirking down at him Haldir couldn't help but prod him a little, "You know, we always did say that would happen one day. Orophin, dearest brother, I do believe you own me a new bow."

A scowl passed over both of their faces and they sourly waited for Haldir to finish. When he did not answer for several moments they finally lost all patients with their smug sibling and pounced on him.

"Perhaps, sweet ticklish brother, you would care to tell us what left Rumil falling from the trees?"

"His severe lack of grace and balance?" Rumil prodded him in the ribs, looking at him meaningfully.

"The answer was so simple, it would be as if we had mistaken the Lady for an orc."

"If you do not tell us soon, I fear we will be forced to tickle you."

Haldir didn't look convinced until Orophin started attacking his arms and Rumil his stomach. It only took an undignified squeal from the Captain of the Guard to dissuade him from teasing his brothers any longer.

" Who have we so recently met upon our arrival in this murky kingdom?" Without giving Rumil or Orophin a chance to start up again, he continued. "The General! Tathar would be high up enough that he could be very well acquainted with the Royal family."

Rumil gapped at him that answer was obvious, why hadn't they thought of it? Tathar had sat with them for a few meals during their week long over, and had become swift friends. Rumil recalled on their second meeting at the archery pitch him wishing to introduce them to his youngest brother. They never had met him, though Tathar often spoke fondly of the elf. Rumil recalled with a grin, the story he'd told them the other day of his brother leading a herd of butterflies carrying dye bombs into the thrown room during a meeting of the councils. Apparently the King had been green for a week.

Releasing Haldir, Rumil stood, dusting off his clothing in an attempt to not appear as if he had just tumbled out of a tree…and then rolled about like a pig in the dirt. He tried to at least.

"What are we to be doing today?"

Haldir had to stop to think for a moment, trying to remember any important events that would require their presence. "Lord Celeborn merely requests us to join him during the dancing tonight, and the feast afterwards."

Orophin bounced on the balls of his feet, "That's not for hours yet, let's discover what the General is up to, perhaps he will be willing to clue us in on the Coming Outtee."

The trio dashed off to find Tathar, barely missing a large party of elves that seemed to be trailing one elf. Haldir tried to locate who was so important, only catching a brief glance of the elusive Greenleaf before a guard was right up in his face.

"All males must retain a certain distance from the prin—" the female started, glaring hard at the Lórien elf.

A hand landed on her shoulder, halting her from yelling at the visiting trio.

The long update was due to…I'm not sure really. I've had this done a while, it's just been sitting on my computer. Really, I wanted to give it a good look over before posting it, so I may change this one later on. Right now I don't know why, but I just can't read the whole thing through. The next chapter already has a great deal done. I'm working on the dance scene. looks frantic I've never danced in my life and have no clue how, why did I say he'd dance? clueless look Ugh, hopefully it all turns out well, wish me luck. This may a take a while, school has started up again, and I'm taking six classes this semester. dodges raised eyebrows Yea, I know I'm craaaazy. I'm inspired though! grins

For all that were wondering the dance WILL be in the next installment, along with another run in between our two favorites! Plus I'm planning on including the feast. So it shall all be quite entertaining. More so than these ones have been.

grins glomps reviewers waves

Later yo,

Icy