Elrond's face paled at the sight of his son.

Elladan ran to the bed and grabbing his father by the shoulder, turned him around until the lord flew to the ground. Elladan took in his almost naked torso and the obscene bulge in his breeches, he unsheathed his sword and snarled. 'I didn't want to see, but something happened to you. You are not the father I once knew. But by the Valar, I don't care who you are. If you touch him again I will kill you.'

Elrond raised his hands and slowly got up. Father and son stared at each other, only separated by the sword. Elrond then grabbed his tunic and left. The door was slammed with a bang and Elladan turned to the bed. His sword came crashing down on the bedpost, releasing one wrist then another. He sat on the bed grabbing Legolas' face in between his hands. 'By Elbereth. Are you ok?'

'I didn't do it Elladan.' Legolas sobbed. He seemed so young, like a child now and the Noldor regretted his rashness.

'Shhhh...' Elladan kissed his brow. 'I heard you never done this before. But I want you to know that even as I left, I knew my heart was here with you. It doesn't belong to me anymore. And know that I would have loved you even if you did sleep with them. You are young and unbound, you have the right to do whatever you want.'

'But I'm not like that!' Legolas cried. 'I was afraid to trust you because how could I, you're his son. Glorfindel, Erestor, my father... everyone is in this. My heart told me I could trust you, but my mind couldn't come to terms that you could be different. Especially when you seemed to loathe me.'

Elladan was caressing the flushed wet cheeks wanting to take all that agony and pain to himself when he stopped. 'Me, loathing you?'

Legolas blinked, then he suddenly realized and laughed. 'Oh Valar, it was your brother. I saw you two on the first day, but then I forgot with so much to be aware of. I think your brother hates me.'

'No Legolas. It has nothing to do with you but with nanneth. He is still loyal to her. And father changed after her torture and attack. Many haven't been the same and I was an enabler, I didn't ask any questions and my house is broken now.'

'What you mean they all changed?'

'Wait for me.' Elladan kissed the prince's cheek, then covered the enticing creature with his thick blankets. 'Don't open this door anymore unless it's me. I'll rip the answer of all this from my father tonight, even if it takes until dawn.'

'No, be careful, you don't know what your father is capable of doing.'

'What do you mean?' Elladan asked fearfully.

'He... I don't have any proof but he gave my father something... I was never loved as Thranduil always blamed me for my mother's death...'

'Oh Legolas...' Elladan came back to the bed and leaned to kiss his brow again.

Legolas gave a sweet smile. 'But when your father came, long ago, he gave Thranduil something. He became even more withdrawn and...secretive. He seemed to care less and less for our people, and he wasn't always like that. And then... When Elrond came again... looking at me like he was going to devour me... I think he took something from my father. Something he brought back with him here.'

Elladan frowned. His mind started to go back in time trying to figure when all changed. It all came back to when Celebrian was tortured. 'What was the thing, whatever you think you saw?' Elladan asked.

'It looked like a huge golden ring. But I think I saw it twice or more, and it had shrunk. Maybe it's just my imagination...' Legolas was going to dismiss himself when Elladan grasped his hand.

'Ada found the One Ring.'

Legolas head snapped. Both stared wide-eyed at each other, knowing what exactly the object was and that it was just lost but never destroyed. No one ever thought it could be found.

'Valar, be careful Elladan. If it is so he is not himself anymore.'

'That's the answer to everything. My father changed, as did Thranduil. Glorfindel, Erestor and even Elrohir changed as well to a less extent. But it won't be for long, soon Imladris will fall if we don't take this thing out of here.'

'I'm going to your father with you. The Ring can make one insane and very strong.'

'No, please. You were traumatized. No matter how taken my father is, he would never harm a son.'

'What if he is beyond that? What if he will?'

'I can see by...' Elladan suggestively raised an eyebrow. '...By your strong body you are a warrior. I'll shout and then you will run to the third room to your right, there you'll find a collection of swords on the wall. They are Glorfindel's old Gondolin weapons. He never uses them but has always sharpened them to keep the memory alive. You can use swords right?'

'I'm better with bow and arrow, but I can fight using anything.'

'...More dangerous.' Elladan smiled in admiration and his lips found Legolas. The blonde didn't resist him. It was a quick kiss.

They exchanged a meaningful look and Elladan was out the door. Legolas did lock the door from the inside but kept his ear out for any noise. After putting his breeches back on he was ready to run to his love's aid.

When Elladan entered his Ada's room he didn't knock. His sword was sheathed by his hip again but his fingers touched the hilt. 'You will tell me when you found it.'

Elrond had his back turned to his son. He was staring out the window. His body tensed. 'You know then.'

'Did you plot for Nessimarmo and Merkaorne make it look like Legolas slept with them? You thought that would make me stop loving him?' Elladan snarled.

'So you not only want but love him as well?'

'Answer me!' Elladan barked.

'Yes and yes.' Elrond said in defeat. 'It seems I've been living a bad dream for a very long time. I thought I could hide it here son. I thought I was stronger than all the others. When Isildur didn't cast into the fire I thought all was lost. Centuries went by and hope grew that it would never be found. When it came to me I thought I had a second chance. It was you and your brother who found it.' Elrond turned, smiling sadly. 'You didn't know why your mother was attacked, but it seems she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The ring was somewhere near the caves she was crossing by. During her torture, she was taken in these caves and escaped by putting it on. When you came carrying your mother to the healing wing, she had it in her hands.'

'She would never open one of her hands.' Elladan remembered with a start.

'But then the screams started. She had to purge all the pain, it's the only way to heal trauma. And of course, that's when I found it. I couldn't believe it was the One Ring and I hesitated, I waited for too long. I was arrogant and for that, I realize we all paid the price. When I realized what it was I already couldn't cast it away. I still can't...' Elrond sighed and opened his hand.

Elladan saw the One Ring and it already tried to whisper to him.

'You're touching it! Leave it on the table!'

'It doesn't matter if I touch it one more time. I'm passing it to you now.'

'What?'

'Don't hesitate. Take it or plan a way to cast it into the fire of Mordor. You know what it needs to be done. I can't. I...failed. I thought myself a Healer. That I could always think of the good of all. Now I know it can corrupt anything. It's your burden now son. You are the only one not affected by it. I would ask you to not touch it. But I pray you will do what Isildur, and now I could not. And I'm leaving for Valinor. There will be no healing here for me.'

Elladan only nodded, knowing that it was the only way.

'You must tell no one, not even your brother. Already I see darkness in him. He is more man than elf. But you...' Elrond looked at his son with a look he didn't show for a long time now. 'Your goodness, your compassion and humility kept you clean. I pray you can all come to us one day. If you don't, I know it's my fault. I'm so sorry I brought this upon you my son, but I cannot be near it one more day. Soon it will take me.'

0oo0

Elladan knocked at the door and was met by the sharp point of a sword. 'Didn't I ask you to wait for my scream or something?' He asked surprised.

'I told you I was ready to help.' Legolas pulled him inside.

They stared at each other, then hugged. Elladan let his tears fall. He then showed Legolas an envelope, sealed with wax.

'Is that it?' Legolas asked.

Elladan only nodded. 'Was indeed the One Ring?'

Elladan nodded again.

Legolas carefully took the tip of the envelope and put it on the table. Then grabbed Elladan by the hand and led him to the bed. 'I love you Legolas...' Elladan said sadly.

'I love you too, my savior.' Legolas kissed him. 'I've been waiting for you my whole life. For true love.'

'I've been waiting too.' Elladan smiled while tears fell.

They lay down back into bed slowly, facing each other. Only the faint light of two candles and the hearth illuminated their pure eyes, full of wonder for each other. They just admired each other until they passed out in exhaustion. Still holding each other's hands to their hearts.

Whatever trouble tomorrow would bring, their strong hearts were not alone anymore.

The End

00oo00

Please review authors! Let's keep Lotr slash going! ^_^ Thank you so much.

*Nessimarmo - Young Wolf

*Merkaorne - Wild Tree