Warnings: This story will be SLASH (Yaoi, boyxboy, Gay love ect.) If this isn't your cup of tea, please click that lovely little button known as the 'Back Arrow'. This is also my first time posting, I don't have a Beta, so forgive me if I screw up horribly. This is a crossover between The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and the Lord of the Rings. I will not be going into graphic detail, but there will be some intercourse happening at some point. This story is going to have hints of AU, and possibly some OOCness at some point, but I'll try to keep it at a minimum.

FLAMERS: If I get flamed, I will burst into tears, whereupon my less polite personality will surface and make scathing comments with enough acid to peel the paint from the walls, especially if you don't have a point. If you're going to flame, have a point, or Ki-kao will happily point out your stupidity, probably in a way that will humiliate you in front of numerous witnesses.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Legend of Zelda, The Lord of the Rings, or their associated characters. I don't even own the vast majority of the plot. I just own the muse that likes to torment me.

The Bittersweet Glow of Twilight

By

Gwen Star

They reached Rivendell late at night, but even so their Father was waiting for them when they entered the courtyard. Estel was sleeping, free hand fisted in Links fur, almost like a small child would clutch at a security blanket. Elrond gazed at the wolf a moment, then to his youngest, " What has happened to little Estel?"

Elrohir shrugged, " We were attacked by a band of orcs. They caught us by surprise. Estel suffered the worst injuries; we fled and were being pursued when Link saved us from death." Elrond raised a brow, " Am I to assume you owe your lives to a wolf?" Elladan frowned, " We're not sure WHAT he is, Ada, but he helped us, and most likely saved Estel's arm."

Elrond nodded, " Very well." He motioned to the wolf, " Follow me please." He was almost surprised when the wolf did as asked. They had a moment of trouble when Estel wouldn't release the fur he clung to, but then he returned to conciseness enough for them to get their request across.

Once Estel was safely tucked in bed the wolf swayed, yawning enough to show a set of deadly teeth. Then it shifted and stretched into a boy, possibly twenty years of age. The eyes remained the same, a fierce, piercing blue that offered comfort and a threat all at once, eyes that were wise beyond their years. Elrond inclined his head in respect, " Lord Link."

The man sighed then took a small whistle from his bag and set it on the table beside the bed. He said something about Estel, then touched his ear lightly. Elrond paused, apparently the whistle was to call for Link should Estel need him. He nodded and wrote a short note, leaving it beside the whistle. Then he showed Link to the room across the hall.

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Estel woke and gasped at the pain searing through his arm, he looked around and spotted the note and whistle. The note was simple,

Master Link has indicated that you may call him with the use of the whistle should you require his assistance, my son.

He fumbled for the whistle as pain shot up his arm and blew into it, no sound came from it and he blinked, thinking it broken. Footsteps sounded in the hall and he looked up as Link slipped through his door. Seeing the pained expression on his face Link hurried over and sat on the edge of the bed.

Gentle fingers brushed his arm lightly and Link made a questioning sound. Estel nodded and Link cautiously unwrapped the limb. The wound was smaller, but had turned an angry red color, indicating an infection of some sort. Link frowned, the Fairies Tears wouldn't heal infection. He reached into his pack and pulled out a jar of green salve.

He gently smeared it over the wound then pulled out a red potion and measured out a small dose in the small cup he carried for just that purpose. Estel winced at the taste and Link chuckled, he knew just how bitter the potion was, having taken it numerous times before.

He bound the arm once again, then tapped the whistle, then Estel's arm and ankle, his meaning clear. If it hurts, call me. Estel nodded gratefully, " Thank You." Link smiled softly before slipping out of the door, leaving a stunned Estel behind. Estel blinked, for just a moment, when Link had smiled, he'd seen so many emotions combine until the hardened features softened until Estel had been left breathless at the sheer beauty.

There had been sadness, loneliness, grief, and pain in that smile, balanced by confidence, determination, kindness, and protectiveness. Estel knew he would never forget that smile, or see it on any other face but Links.

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Estel's wounds healed slowly, Elrond only checking them once before deeming Links healing skills to be on par with his own. They healed, with no repercussions. Link slowly learned how to speak Common, although he rarely exercised the skill, being a rather silent man to begin with.

Estel and he had become close friends, Estel feeling protected in Links presence, and Link being protective of the young human. When Estel's twentieth birthday came, and he learned of his lineage, it was no surprise that he fled to Links room.

Link looked up from his sword when Estel stormed in and threw himself across the bed, sobbing quietly. Link set his sword aside, locked the door, and settled next to the younger man. " Estel? Will you tell me what has upset you?" he asked softly, gently running his fingers through the mans dark hair.

" I-I don't want to be a-a king." Estel sobbed. Link frowned then cradled the man against his chest, rocking him comfortingly, " Shh. Tell me everything." And Estel did. Once he'd explained everything Link sighed, " Oh Estel… I am so sorry. I remember what it is like, being told you are something entirely different than what you grew up as. I know you are confused, angry, and overwhelmed. But I will help you if I can."

Estel took a deep breath, pine and mint, " What were you, before you were told?" Link chuckled, " I was a farmhand, I looked after the goats of the village." Estel blinked, " You were a farmhand? Then how did you-"

" Become a fighter? I was told that I had to save a kingdom, and that I was the only one who could. I became a fighter because I had no other choice if I wanted to survive the war. Just like you shall be a king, because you have to, you won't turn your back on your people."

Estel's grey eyes seemed pained, " But, if I am King, I'll need heirs, and I won't be able to choose who I love." Link raised a brow, " Ah, so this is the problem, you have no attraction to the fairer sex." Estel flushed, " W-well, it's not that I'm not attracted… I just…" Link smiled softly, " You already love someone." He stated softly.

Estel nodded, " Y-yes… how did you…?" Link tilted Estel's face up, " I may seem mute at times, but I am not blind Estel. I have known for some time, I was waiting for you." Estel swallowed nervously, " Link, I-I'm afraid…" Link smiled softly, that same smile he always saved just for Estel, " We are all afraid of something, Estel, it is what shows us that we care."

Estel paused thoughtfully, " What are you afraid of Link?" Link smiled sadly, " I? I fear loosing those I care about."

Estel hesitantly leaned up and gently pressed his lips to Links. Lips parted and shy tongues touched. Estel's hands rose to tangle in dark blonde hair while Links hands gently ran up his back, sliding under his loose shirt. When they both broke apart they were flushed, and panting, lips pleasantly bruised.

Link smiled and placed a chaste kiss on the corner of Estel's mouth before pulling him down on the bed where they curled up together and dozed.

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Light knocking on the door woke them and Link opened it enough to see who it was. Elladan smiled, " Good morning Link, have you seen Estel? He wasn't in his room last night." Link shrugged, " No, I haven't seen him since midday meal yesterday. If I see him I'll tell him you were looking for him." Elladan nodded, " thanks Link." He wandered further down the hall and Link shut the door before turning back to Estel, who was looking at him incredulously, " Elladan's looking for you Estel."

Estel shook his head, " You lied to Elladan, you, who couldn't lie to save your life, and he believed you." Link shrugged, " The secret to lying well, when you're lying about little, unimportant things, lie badly." Estel chuckled, " I'll be damned."

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Gwen: That last little part about lying is a direct quote from Evil Be Thou My Good by Ruskbyte, go read it, we've put it in our Favorites...

Ki-kao: And, as a suggestion, while you read it, listen to some kind of soft music box-esque song.

Gwen: Except if you happen to be faint of heart! You do not want to be afraid of the dark the rest of your life!

Ki-kao: What, like you?

Gwen: Moving right along, I know it's short, but I wanted to get it put up, and this was the best place to end the chapter.

Ki-kao: By the way, props to Kaylee716 for being the first reviewer. Congrats Kaylee, you've managed to get Gwen off her ass.

Gwen: eh, don't mind him, he's just glad I was the one who did it... Thanks Kaylee!!

Ki-kao: Now click that review button, and wipe your nose, you've got a little snot there.