Elrohir watched as Glorfindel strode away down the corridor, supremely confident. Did he really not care that he had just discovered him with Legolas? It didn't seem like him at all, even if he assumed Elrohir wouldn't mind there was Elladan to think of and he most definitely would.

He stood uncertainly just inside the doorway, his mind in turmoil. His first instinct was to flee, run to Elladan and blurt out his unhappiness. Well he couldn't do that! He did not want to talk to Legolas, not now, but he supposed he must. He clenched his fists digging his nails into his palms as his shock receded and anger took over. How dare Legolas do this to him? It was well outside their agreement and he must know it. As the rage began to swirl within him he strode into the bedroom.

Legolas must have heard him, he rolled onto his side and turned towards him.

"Elrohir, where have you been? Why did you abandon me to Gimli's merciless hands last night?"

Briefly Elrohir wondered what Gimli had to do with all this. Surely he had not been involved?...unless there where three of them? Don't be ridiculous, he told himself firmly, Now you are getting out of control.

"Why was Glorfindel here?" He asked coldly. He would not let random ideas about Gimli distract him.

"He came to laugh about my unfortunate situation." Legolas said without pause.

Elrohir ignored that, yet again it made no sense.

"Since when do you entertain him half naked in your bed?"

Legolas frowned and pulled himself upright.

"Since I cannot find my shirt and he would not stop banging on the door." He gave Elrohir an intense stare as realisation dawned upon him just why he was being interrogated.

"Just what are you suggesting?"

"I am suggesting nothing," Elrohir snapped. "I do not have to suggest. I know, I saw you, I heard you."

"What did you hear?" Legolas asked hurridly and he looked anxious at that, and well he should Elrohir thought.

"Enough!" He cried, and then his anger and fear flooded through him, "I heard enough to know the truth. Why have you done this? I thought we had stopped this? I thought I was finally enough for you. And Glorfindel? Of all people? You know this will destroy Elladan, is that why you did it?"

Legolas glared back at him silently and when he finally spoke his voice was controlled and cutting.

"You ARE enough for me."

"Well you do not show it!" Elrohir was furious now. "I am enough for you yet you take my brothers lover to your bed?"

Legolas laughed and it was harsh and bitter.

"I have not taken Glorfindel to my bed. You believe that? And I would not even if I wished to. Do you think I have no honour? You insult me."

"Do not deny it Legolas. I heard him say Elladan must never know and you agreed you would not tell me, that you have been keeping it secret for years. How many years? I saw him touching you. What was that if it was not..." He spluttered to a stop, he was afraid if he continued he would not hold back his tears and he did not want that, he would not show weakness.

"That was him comforting me as I am ill. Do you not even notice? Are you blind? I could not have done anything with anyone last night. I could barely find my room, and where were you? I was unhappy, did you even notice?"

Elrohir had not noticed, Legolas had been unhappy? About what? Was that why this had happened? Now that he looked closely he did look pale.

"Then what where you speaking about? What must Elladan not know? Explain so I can understand."

"I cannot tell you that." Legolas did not elaborate on why.

"So it is true. It is true and you have no explanation." He said bluntly.

Legolas pulled himself to his feet swaying slightly as he did so. He was angry Elrohir finally noticed, very, very angry.

"You question my word? I have done nothing with Glorfindel and I will not divulge to you the contents of a private conversation. When have I ever lied to you? If I have slept with someone I will tell you, I am not ashamed. I cannot believe you think so little of me. You are as bad as your brother, is that why you do not defend me against him? You believe every word he says."

"No!" Elrohir objected, "No, but I cannot ignore what I have heard and seen and you do not defend yourself. You cannot explain things. What else should I believe?"

Legolas's voice became low and threatening,

"You should believe ME."

Elrohir stood and stared at him. He could not just forget what he had overheard. Did Legolas truly expect him to simply believe his word when all evidence pointed against it and he offered no explanation?

It seemed that he did.

"Get out Elrohir." He growled when Elrohir did not answer, "If you have so little trust in me and think so little of me I do not wish you here."

Suddenly Elrohir was unsure, this was not what he wanted and he hesitated.

"We need to talk..."

"We do not need to talk. There is nothing to say. You accuse me and I say it is untrue. You do not believe me, what else is there?"

"Then tell me! Tell me something that makes sense." He cried, he was beginning to feel desperate as if something precious was sliding through his fingers and he could not grasp it.

Legolas's face was etched with rage.

"I will not defend myself to you. I am not some lowly silvan to be looked down upon by you princely Noldor. I will not have you come in here and besmirch my honour, disbelieve my word. You have no reason to doubt me. Get out Elrohir. Get out." and he pushed him hard in the chest.

Elrohir grabbed at his hands and he noticed they were shaking, Legolas was not as in control as he appeared. He remembered he had said he was unhappy and ill and a surge of worry overtook him.

"What is this?" He asked quietly looking down upon the shaking hands clasped within his own. "Is it the sea longing?"

It was entirely the wrong thing to say and Legolas snapped.

"I am sick of this! Is that all you can think of? I am not an invalid to be talked about behind my back. There is more to life than the sea longing. There is more to ME than the sea longing! Get out of here and leave me alone. Get out before I lose my temper and cannot be responsible for what I do!"

And looking at the enraged wood elf before him Elrohir finally realised getting out was exactly what he should be doing if he wished to remain intact.

And it was exactly what he did. Quickly.

Perhaps he should speak with Aragorn? He had always been able to control Legolas very effectively.

...

Legolas was finding it a terrible struggle to stay awake. Why, today of all days did Elrond decide he had to talk to him about "political matters". He knew he was his Father's representative but seriously...the day after the Coronation?

He found it impossible to think of anything but the conversation with Elrohir anyway. What was he going to do about that? Maybe he had over reacted a bit but his head had hurt, he had felt so ill and Elrohir just kept on saying all the wrong things.

How could he ever have thought Legolas would go anywhere near Glorfindel? It was completely crazy.

He was stuck now, he had promised Glorfindel he would say nothing and he would not break his word. He still felt Elrohir had been wrong not to believe him anyway. Why should he need proof? Why was Legolas's word not enough? He could see no way out.

"Legolas!" Elrond's stern voice jolted him from his contemplation. "Why do I get the feeling you are not even listening to me? This is important!"

"Yes my Lord," he mumbled contritely.

"So what do you think your Father's response will be to that idea then?"

Sadly Legolas had no clue what the idea was in the first place. Did he say yes Thranduil would love it or no, it was a terrible idea? He glanced desperately towards Erestor who was sitting quietly in the corner taking notes hoping he might give him a hint...no such luck. Erestor just smiled calmly at him, one might even think he was enjoying Legolas's discomfort.

He took a deep breath, It was all or nothing then, he had a 50/50 chance of being right. Better go with being positive he decided.

"Yes, yes, he will love that I think." He said confidently.

"Really?" Elrond's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I had thought he would not have a bar of it. I was worried it might make him quite angry in fact which is why I decided to ask you first."

Oh help... What had he just agreed to? He shot a glance at Erestor who was gazing at him with a horrified look on his face. Legolas began to panic, he had to find out exactly what Elrond's idea really was.

They were interrupted before he could figure how to do that by a page timidly knocking at the door.

"My Lord," he said quietly bowing to Elrond, "The King asks to see Prince Legolas."

Legolas froze. His Father was here? That was unexpected. What would he do about Elrond's mysterious idea now? It was only when he was trailing sadly behind the page through the corridors that he realised it was probably Aragorn he was talking about. That was going to take some getting used to. Sure enough when they finally stopped it was outside Aragorn's study. Legolas hesitated before entering...what if he had got it wrong and his Father WAS really secreted in there somewhere?

"Come in." Aragorn commanded and he thought he better get a move on.

"Ah, Legolas." Aragorn looked rather weary...resigned might be a better word. He definitely didn't look pleased to see him anyway. Still Legolas thought as he surveyed him with a curious eye, he did look much more regal today.

"Sit down Legolas!" Legolas jumped, Aragorn's voice was suddenly sounding very kingly.

" What have you done to your voice?"

Aragorn looked at him as if he might be mad,

"Nothing, it is exactly the same."

Well it didn't sound the same to Legolas and he said so.

"It is very...royal sounding, have you been taking lessons from my Father?"

Aragorn sighed loudly, even his sigh was important sounding now.

"Stop talking nonsense and just sit down Legolas." Legolas decided he should not disobey that voice and he sat down immediately.

"Yes, your Majesty!"

"Legolas, that's enough. I want to speak seriously."

"I am..." Legolas started to protest but Aragorn cut him off.

"My brother has been to see me."

Ah, so that was it! Well Legolas found he was definitely not in the mood to get into any of this with Aragorn. He would not make this easy for him.

"Which Brother exactly? You have two."

"The one who for some strange reason has become involved with YOU."

"Elrohir then, for as far as I know I am not involved with Elladan...although Elrohir probably thinks I am."

Aragorn rolled his eyes at that.

"Do you blame him? Glorfindel of all people, Legolas what were you thinking!"

That was enough to get Legolas to his feet and shouting.

"For the last time I have not slept with Glorfindel! What is it with you people? Must you all think me so dishonourable?"

"Calm yourself Legolas."Aragorn was instantly on his feet also and it sounded very much like an order. "Calm down and explain yourself then."

Legolas did manage to regain some form of composure but it was a struggle.

"I have NOT slept with Glorfindel." He repeated and folded his arms defensively across his chest. But it seemed Aragorn was not convinced by that.

"Elrohir has told me what he overheard and what he saw. It looks suspicious Legolas, it really does. Explain it to me."

"It is none of your business Aragorn. You are my friend, not my keeper." Legolas said stubbornly.

"Elrohir and Elladan are my business. Elrohir is upset and Elladan soon will be."

"I am upset." Legolas fumed, "and I do not see you calling Elrohir in here to lecture him about it." He sat down with a thump and scowled at Aragorn across the table.

Aragorn took a more conciliatory tone.

"Explain this mess to me then Legolas so I can understand why you are so upset by it."

"I have done nothing but I cannot explain it. I gave my word and I will not break it."

Aragorn ran his hands threw his hair in frustration.

"Can you not understand Legolas, things are a nightmare here at the moment. I am supposed to be getting married any day soon and I do not need you and my brothers running around complicating matters with your love lives. Stop being so difficult and give me something to go on!"

"Why is what I have said not enough for you?" Legolas cried in return, "I haven't done what you and Elrohir accuse me of. I would tell you if I had. Have I ever lied to you? Have I ever been less than honourable while I have been traipsing round this dreary world of Men with you? Why will nobody just believe me?"

Aragorn fixed him with a long hard look, but eventually he broke it. He reached out and placed a steadying hand on Legolas's shoulder.

"Peace Legolas, I do believe you. If you say you have done nothing then it must be so. You are right, you have never given me cause to doubt you."

"It is a shame then," Legolas was partly mollified, "That Elrohir does not feel the same."

"Elrohir is ...he has never been good at seeing his own value, you are a jewel he thinks he does not deserve. He is terrified he will lose you."

"If I am a jewel then if he is not careful he will break me." Legolas muttered angrily.

"I know you don't mean that Legolas, I know he is at least as important to you even if you choose not to admit it. Sort this out. I honestly do not have time for this!"

"Very well," Legolas said reluctantly although he had no idea how he was to do that. "I will leave you to your Kingly duties and go in search of Elrohir if it will please you. And I will be humble and fall upon his feet asking his forgiveness but I will not admit guilt to something I have not done and I will not break a confidence."

"It will please me." Aragorn was adamant about that fact. "But you do not have to go overboard."

"Me?" Legolas threw him a cheeky grin as he turned to leave, "Go overboard? You mistake me for another!" and Aragorn smiled back but his smile did not look like he was particularly confident Legolas could do as he said.

"Wait," he had just remembered something Elrohir had said jumbled up amongst all the Glorfindel nonsense.

"Elrohir said you were ill...and unhappy, What is that all about?"

"Oh," Legolas waved his concern aside airily "I was ill. Gimli poisoned me but I have quite recovered."

"Gimli poisoned you? I don't think that can be right."

"It is right." Legolas was adamant and Aragorn did not want to get into another argument about his honesty, "Anyway don't worry, I will deal with him."

"No!" Aragorn was horrified at the thought. "You will NOT 'deal'with him."

Legolas opened his mouth to say more but Aragorn was too quick for him,

"And the unhappiness? Elrohir said you told him of it yourself."

Legolas looked decidedly shifty then and avoided his gaze,

"He was mistaken."

"Legolas. You have just sworn you never lie to me."

"Alright, alright," Legolas managed to look contrite. "It is this upset with Elrohir possibly I may be slightly unhappy about that...that is all." and Aragorn frowned in disbelief as Legolas made to go on his way.

"Remember." He said firmly, "No dealing to Gimli. None at all!"

"Aragorn, "Legolas said over his shoulder as He opened the door, "I mean what I said about your new voice. It is very majestic, you should keep it."

"Go away, Legolas," Aragorn had obviously reached his limit, "Be gone, I can't deal with any more of you today!"

Erestor was arriving as Legolas left and he gave him a look of surprised admiration.

"You were bold before," he said quietly as they passed each other. "Your Father will be furious with that plan of Elrond's, whatever were you thinking? Do you have a death wish?"

"Wait Erestor! What is the plan?" Legolas replied urgently but he was too late and the door swung shut behind Erestor before he heard him.

No luck there then.