The Most Innocent Kiss 1

By Orchyd Constyne


Elrond,

I am eagerly awaiting your arrival before this snow.  Use
caution, as the roads from Imladris to Mirkwood are not
safe.  I wished to extend an invitation, though, for you to
have your sons accompany you on this trip.  I must admit
that I miss the conversations they would entertain me with
during my visits.  I would hate to wait until next year to
see them.  I also believe they would be most welcome by
my sons.  Legolas, as you know, is closest to them in age
and shares many of their interests.  I believe it would be a
welcome change for them from their usual winters in the
valley.

I will look for you and your escort soon.  Be safe and
know my love is with you.

Thranduil

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Elladan rode next to his twin, a small smile playing on his face. Their father had practically ordered them to accompany him on his every-other-year visit to Mirkwood.  The twins had been looking forward to watching Erestor's panic when the Solstice celebration loomed.  The previous visit Elrond had made left their old tutor and Glorfindel in charge of the festivities.  Elladan and Elrohir had found the antics of the elder Elves amusing and watching the dramas play out between the two had been the source of hours of recreation. This year would be different, though, and they had been looking forward to seeing how the new couple dealt with the festival as well as their relationship.

The older twin shook his head, the small smile blooming into an wide, goofy grin.  Glorfindel and Erestor.  The two of them were an odd match.  Ever since the Solstice, Glorfindel had sworn off all other potential bed partners and remained faithful to his lover.  Elrohir had dismissed the budding relationship as madness when they discovered the two together.  Elrond had reluctantly agreed with Elrohir, believing that Glorfindel would tire of the Councilor and move on, leaving Erestor heartbroken.

After two years, though, the family had happily relaxed, admitting that the relationship was firm and stable.  Elladan was happy that the two he considered family had come together, it made him feel as if they were a cohesive unit finally.  It had always worried Elrohir how the six of them would handle Erestor or Glorfindel finding a mate. Now that they had simply found each other, it just seemed perfect and natural.

"What are you thinking, gwanunig?"  Elrohir was regarding his brother with a knowing smile.

"As if you need to ask, Elrohir."

"Nay, I don't.  I still like to hear you voice those thoughts, though."

Elladan's heart sped up, watching his brother's shining face.  The other half of his heart, his soul.  It had been easy to acknowledge he loved Elrohir more than he should have.  It had been almost natural when they took to bed together.  What had been difficult was informing the family and the impact of their relationship on the inhabitants of Imladris.  Though the initial shock wore off centuries ago, they still received odd glances when they expressed affection beyond brotherly in public.  As the heirs of Imladris, though, no one dared to say a word to them.

"I was thinking about how we would miss this year's drama.  Erestor will undoubtedly find something to blow far out of proportion.  But, this year was going to be different since Glorfindel is now his partner, not just his co-worker."

Elrohir nodded, laughing softly.  "Aye, it would have been something to watch.  Though, now that we are nearing Thranduil's home, I am content that we came with Ada.  We have not come to Mirkwood in a number of years, and not on such a social occasion.  I am eager to meet his sons; he speaks so highly of them."

The older twin edged his mount closer to his brother's and extended his hand.  Elrohir grasped it tightly, smiling with adoration in his eyes.  "Do you think we should behave ourselves?"

Elladan's eyes sparkled and a smirk found it's way to his lips. "Caulen, we always behave ourselves."

Elrohir laughed, releasing his twin's hand.  "I'll assume that since Ada has not asked us to... behave, that our relationship will be tolerated here as it is in Imladris."

Elrond had been silently listening to his sons' conversation and chose this moment to bring his horse alongside Elladan's.  "I will not ask you to not be together here, especially since Thranduil does know. What I do ask is that you show some restraint.  Some of the... activities you choose to do in Imladris would not sit well with the Wood Elves."

Elladan raised one eyebrow at his sibling and then smiled sweetly at his father.  "You mean we should not participate in our hand-to-hand combat training clad only as the Valar intended?"

Elrohir barked his laughter and Elrond colored slightly at the statement.  "Yes, Elladan, that is *exactly* the kind of behavior not appropriate here."

"Very well, Ada, we will not run through Thranduil's halls naked, chasing one another."

Elrohir shook his head at his brother as their father moved up to the front of the escort.  "Sometimes I think I got all the modesty and you got all the gall, meleth."

*****

Legolas stood with his brothers and father outside the main gates into the cavernous home of the Royal Family.  His father and brothers were dressed formally in deep green robes, hair carefully braided. Legolas, on the other hand, simply wore what he wore every day: green tunic, brown-grey leggings, and soft green boots.  He felt no compulsion to dress up for the Lord of Imladris, let alone his two sons.

Legolas did not approve of his father's choice in lover.  Thranduil had explained it to him, told him and his brothers the whole story. His brothers had finally understood their father and why their mother had left and as a result, the three were now as close as father and sons should be.  The whole story, though, drove a wedge between Legolas and Thranduil.

All his life he had defended his father against the accusations of his siblings.  They had always said Thranduil had driven their mother away, that he was the reason she left them all behind.  Legolas had believed that their mother was simply unhappy and that Valinor would bring her the happiness she needed and wanted.  He never believed that his father had not loved her.

Now he knew different.  He felt betrayed by his father.  He was angry and offended.  And Elrond was the focus of the anger. He was only civil to the Peredhil, and barely so at that.  His father had raged at him the first winter that Elrond had visited.  Yes, Legolas admitted he had been rude and cruel at times to the Elf-lord, but he truly could not help it.  Just seeing him caused Legolas to see red. The Half-Elf embodied the betrayal he felt.

This was the second winter he would be visiting and Legolas had already been dressed down about his expected behavior.  He would be civil, he would hold his tongue and if he could not, he was to simply leave the room.  He agreed.  Then his father hit him with the fact that the Imladris Lord was bringing his sons!  Since Legolas was closest in age to the twins, Thranduil ordered that Legolas be their companion while in Mirkwood.

Oh, he had balked, sworn that he was under no promise to treat them with anything but the most basic respect, but his father had been steadfast in his decision.  Now he was stuck for a whole winter babysitting the Peredhil twins.  Two more in a family he had never met but hated with a passion that frightened him at times.

He cast his glance down the main path when he heard the soft hoofbeats of the escort.  Within moments, the entourage with Lord Elrond at the head flanked by both his sons and the ten guards behind them, appeared.  Legolas let out a long sigh and flinched when his father's narrowed eyes focused on him.  By the Valar, he was not going to survive this winter.

Elladan dismounted after his father and brother, looking over the four figures standing quietly before them.  Thranduil was as elegant and dignified as ever, even with the large, happy grin on his face when his eyes settled on Elrond.  Elladan watched the two embrace and share a chaste kiss before Thranduil opened his arms to the twins.

Elrohir laughed as Thranduil swept him up in his strong arms, feeling like an Elfling once again.  "Have you missed us, mighty King of Mirkwood?" he teased.

Green eyes sparkled.  "Of course, youngest Prince of Imladris!"  He then turned to Elladan who was offered a more subdued welcome.  He stepped back to stand next to Elrohir, looking at the three blonde Elves waiting silently for their father to finish welcoming the guests.

Thranduil smiled, addressing the twins.  "Elladan, Elrohir," he pointed to each of them, "I would like to introduce my sons.  My eldest, Sîdh."  The green-eyed Elf bowed his head respectfully. "Unfortunately, he will not be staying long.  He will be accompanying the next patrol bound for Lothlorien.  He will be gone for the winter."

"Such a pity, I always enjoy your company, Sîdh," Elrond said, walking up to the Prince and embracing him lightly.

"Aye, my Lord.  I do regret having to leave so quickly, but I do not wish to miss this opportunity to meet with Lord Celeborn."

The Elf-lord nodded, returning to his place next to his sons while Thranduil continued the introductions.

"My middle son is Fael.  He is in charge of our border patrols and as such, is rarely around."

"I do try to be, Ada, when Lord Elrond is visiting."  Fael smiled sweetly at the Lord, his eyes sparkling like emeralds.  Elladan watched Elrond wink and the Elf laugh.  "We must finish that game of chess we began, my Lord."

"You left a game to finish for two years, Ada?"  Elladan crossed his arms, arching a dark eyebrow.

"Some people enjoy my company, whelp," Elrond joked.  "Besides, I was winning."

Thranduil then pointed to a blue-eyed, golden-haired Elf.  "This is Legolas, my youngest."  Elrohir looked at the Prince, who was most certainly not happy to see any of them.

Legolas addressed Elrond, his tone cold and impersonal.  "Greetings, Lord of Imladris."  Thranduil made a hissing noise and Legolas sighed heavily.  "I hope you had a pleasant journey," he finished.

"As always, it is a pleasure to see you as well, Legolas," Elrond replied, his grey gaze falling on the Mirkwood son.

"Legolas, please escort Elladan and Elrohir to Sîdh's bedroom in the family section."

Legolas' eyes swung to his father.  "Sîdh's room?  Why not the guest quarters?"

Thranduil's heated gaze fell on his youngest son.  Most of Mirkwood would tremble at his father's looks, but not Legolas. "Elrond is staying in the family quarters, and Sîdh will not be present this winter.  It is polite and reasonable for his sons to sleep near their father.  Now, do as I say."

Legolas pouted for a moment, anger flushing his features.  He turned sharply to address the Peredhil twins.  "Follow me."  He rounded and head for the entrance and the family chambers.

Elrohir looked at his brother, slowly following the Prince.  He leaned over to Elladan's ear and whispered only loud enough for his brother to hear.  "Why do you think he doesn't like us?  He *just* met us!"

Elladan looked at Elrohir then lifted his arm slightly and sniffed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Legolas made his way to the banks of the Forest River.  Those damn twins had given him the slip.  His father had put *him* in charge of them and they were making his task extremely difficult.  He had turned the corner and they had disappeared.

He fumed to himself.  This wasn't some Nancy boy paradise like Imladris.  There were dangerous things roaming Mirkwood! Not the sort of place an unsuspecting Elf, or pair of Elves, should just go wandering!  Of course, if it were up to him, he'd leave them to find their own way back and deal with whatever decided to accost them on the way.

Unfortunately, his father would never forgive him if something should happen to his lover's sons on his watch.  Gods, in the three weeks that they had been there, the twins had been nothing but a thorn in Legolas' side!  The most common problem he had had with them was their incessant questions.  They questioned *everything* -- from the woods to the palace to his own family! They never stopped.  The most recent development, which had confirmed his opinion that they tormented him on purpose, was the two of them switching places.  Elladan usually wore a thin braid on the right side of his head while Elrohir wore one on his left, making them easy to tell apart.

Then they started swapping!  Legolas would address Elrohir only to be informed he was actually speaking to Elladan.  And then he would turn to the *same* twin and addressed him as Elladan and be told he was speaking with Elrohir!  It was enough to drive an Elf to drink!

He stalked up through the dense woods, coming up to the edge of the trees into the small clearing most of the Wood Elves swam in.  He slowed his steps, purposefully stalking to the clearing, listening to the splashing and laughing.  He would know the twin voices anywhere. They had ditched him in order to go for a swim!  As they came into sight, he realized not only were they swimming, they were swimming nude.

*****

Elladan lunged toward Elrohir, laughing when he pulled his brother under the water.  They had given the brat Prince the slip a few hours back and were finally letting loose.

"You know, Elladan, I just don't get him," the younger twin remarked, following his brother's train of thought.  "We have been attentive, asking questions and trying to be interested in his home and life. Why is he not more kind?"

He shrugged.  "I'm not sure.  Although, I am sure our switching the sides of our braids did not endear us to him."

Both twins laughed and hauled their naked bodies up on one of the warm, flat rocks to dry in the sun.

"He deserved it.  After all the trouble we have gone to in order to be interesting and civil and kind..."

"He's just used to being the center of attention, I am sure, and since Ada and Thranduil have eyes for one another right now, he probably feels left out of his father's grace."

Elrohir leaned up on his elbow and smiled down into a face so like his own.  "It is such a pity he is so spoiled.  He is very pretty, is he not?"

"Are you looking to replace me, Caulen?"

The smile fled from Elrohir's face, his eyes darkening like a coming storm.  "Never, meleth, never."

Elladan wrapped a hand around his brother's neck and drew him close, pressing a heated kiss to Elrohir's lips.  Elladan pulled back slightly when he heard a muffled gasp and smiled.  Speaking softly to his brother he warned him they were being watched.

Elrohir lifted his eyes and discreetly searched the surrounding area. "Our Prince has found us, it seems," he murmured so that only his twin could hear, "and he is quite shocked at our display of affection."

"Really?  Why do we not give him something to really watch?"  Elladan gazed at him with lust filled eyes, a devilish grin spreading across his full lips.

Elrohir's breath quickened, feeling his blood pound in his ears.  Only his brother had ever drawn such a reaction from him, and he could not imagine living without the other half of his being.  Placing a chaste kiss on Elladan's smirk, Elrohir asked, "What did you have in mind?"

The elder twin responded by wrapping his long fingers around Elrohir's stiffening cock, bending his head to capture the younger's nipple between his warm lips.  Elrohir drew in a shuddering breath and ran his fingers through Elladan's hair.  Elladan nipped lightly at his brother's nipple as he pumped his hand along Elrohir's firm shaft.  He felt the flesh throb under his touch with each quickened heartbeat and felt his own heart begin to race, matching the other's pace.  Elladan could hardly remember a time when he and his brother did not share this intimate bond.  He hoped to the Valar that he never took that bond for granted.

Elrohir, meanwhile, had cast his thoughts in a less contemplative direction.  He was beginning to feel the warm rush of passion flooding his body, making him heady with desire.  Though normally reserved, Elrohir rolled his twin onto his back, grinning in his wantonness. Before his modesty could intervene, Elrohir slid into the water to his waist and moved between Elladan's legs, hungrily pulling Elladan's rod into his mouth.  He held the head in his mouth, sucking gently while his hand worked along the rest of Elladan's length.

Partly from surprise at Elrohir's enthusiasm, partly from the sensuality of the surroundings and the excitement of being watched, but mostly from centuries of knowing each other's bodies intimately, Elladan found himself quickly approaching his release.  As they had agreed so many years ago, he put a hand on Elrohir's shoulder to warn his brother of the nearness of his orgasm.  He knew that Elrohir did not particularly enjoy the taste or feeling of the thick juices in his mouth, so he was further surprised when the younger twin touched his hand to let him know he understood, but did not move his mouth. Elladan squeezed his eyes shut when the tingling sensation rushed over him and his cock pulsed in Elrohir's mouth.  He covered his mouth with his hand to keep from crying out too loudly as he felt Elrohir striving to swallow the evidence of his satisfyingly long orgasm.

Elrohir did not want to sully this beautiful place with their passions, so he made sure to clean Elladan well, then dipped under the water and took several mouthfuls from the crystal-clear river to rinse the last drops from his mouth.  He grinned when he saw Elladan's wide-eyed stare looking at him as he pulled himself back onto the stone.

"I thought you said you got all the modesty," Elladan said, catching his breath.

Elrohir winked.  "What can I say?  You're a bad influence on me."

"Oh, really?  Maybe I ought to just roll you over and take you right here, then."

"Without any oil?  I'll break it off if you try.  As much as I love it, I'll do it."  Elrohir gave a toothy grin and cracked his knuckles playfully.

Elladan rolled his eyes and shook his head with a smile.  "I don't doubt it, meleth.  C'mere."  He rolled onto his back, pulling Elrohir onto him.  He propped himself up on his elbows and indicated that Elrohir should put his hands down on the stone behind his shoulders.

Elrohir cocked his head in confusion, but shrugged and leaned over on his hands and knees, straddling Elladan as his brother asked.  He was rewarded by the heat of Elladan's mouth enveloping the cool skin of his staff.  He gasped at the feeling, and again when Elladan pressed his knees against Elrohir's thighs, pushing him forward.  When his twin removed the pressure on his thighs, the message was clear to Elrohir, and he began to thrust into Elladan's mouth.

Elladan was enjoying the naughty streak that Elrohir was suddenly displaying, and eagerly accepted his brother's cock as it was pushed repeatedly into his mouth.  He laid his tongue flat along the length, tasting the sheen of arousal mingling with the crisp river water.  He felt his loins stirring when Elrohir made a stifled cry, releasing his seed in several salty bursts, and knew that they would soon be in their room reliving this day.

The younger Peredhel's body shook with the force of his orgasm.  His hands gripped the stone beneath him, knuckles turning white from exertion.  He tossed his head back to shake the hair from his face, and his eyes met those of their voyeur for a brief instant.  He tried not to give away that he'd seen Legolas, but Elrohir couldn't resist playfully licking his parched lips and grinning.  He blinked, and Legolas was gone.

*****

Legolas had no idea where his rage came from.  No, he did know. Embarrassment, arousal and repulsion all at the same time. He stormed through the wood to his home and made his way straight to his father's study.  He was sure his father knew about the twins, knew what they did together.  How dare he not even warn him?!  He could feel the bright flush over his fair features, all the way to the tips of his pointed ears.  Embarrassment he expected, Elrohir had seen him.  In fact, he was certain both of them had been aware of his presence the entire time.  What he was not prepared for was the conflicting sense of repulsion and arousal.

He could never imagine doing those things with either of his brothers. How *could* they?  His emotions pumping, the outrage at being made a fool of by both the twins and his father outweighed rational thought He had had enough of this.  He loved his father, and respected his father's wishes, but he would have *nothing* more to do with those two or their father!

Legolas didn't even bother to knock.  He was not surprised at seeing Elrond lounging on his father's couch, sipping a glass of wine and looking up pleasantly at him.  His father stood by the window and turned to face his furious son.  Legolas slammed the door and glared from Elrond to his father.

"You could have warned me!" he cried.

"Of?" Thranduil asked innocently.

"You *KNOW* what!  About those damned Peredhil twins!"

Thranduil continued to play the innocent.  "Well, I know they're a handful at times, but I didn't think that was worth mentioning."

"They're not a handful, they *had* a handful!  Of each other!  It was vile, the things they did... they're *brothers*, for Eru's sake!"

Elrond bit his tongue, literally, to keep from laughing.  So, the youngest Prince had discovered the truth of his sons' relationship. Well now, this could get interesting.

"And tell me, my son," Thranduil was saying, "why were you spying on them?"

Legolas looked aghast.  "This is not my fault!  They ran off while we were walking in the forest!  I had to go find them!  And I found them, all right.  I found *all* of them!  For all I know, they're still out there on that damned rock by that damned river doing who-knows-what to each other like a couple of ... of ... "

"Lovers?" Thranduil supplied helpfully, a tinge of rebuke coloring his tone.

"Yes!" Legolas replied, exasperatedly.

"Which is exactly what they are," Thranduil continued.  "I'm sure if you had made some sort of noise or otherwise alerted them that you were there, they would have been more than happy to clothe themselves and return with you."

"That's always been my experience," Elrond couldn't help but add.

Legolas' eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as he turned to face the Lord of Imladris.  "You *know* about this?!"

Elrond sat up.  "Of course I know.  After a few hundred years, it's hard to miss.  It's quite well known throughout Imladris, in fact. The boys make no secret of it."

"But that's... disgusting!  Adar, consider what you would think if Sîdh and Fael acted that way!"

"Sîdh and Fael are not twins," Elrond said, raising an eyebrow in annoyance.  "Elladan and Elrohir are.  There's a closeness there that goes beyond simple brotherhood, young Legolas.  I can't say I was surprised to learn that their closeness developed into intimacy."

"You may condone it, my Lord, and you, Adar, may accept it.  But *I* refuse to spend one more moment in the company of those *perverts*!"

Thranduil's voice boomed.  "You will do what you are told!"

"Did Nana know?" Legolas raged, seeming not to hear his father. "Did she know that you were pining over the father of those abominations?  Is that why she left?!  You disgust me!  Both of you!" He spun around, seething, and hurried out the door, only to run straight into Elladan and Elrohir themselves.

"Easy there," Elrohir said casually.  "Where are you off to in such a rush?"

Legolas snarled at the younger twin and let fly with a vicious punch. Elladan, standing on Legolas' right, raised a hand and caught the Wood Elf's fist before it could travel more than a few inches.  He spun Legolas around and pressed him up against the wall, twisting the arm behind his back.  "I believe my brother asked you a question," he hissed into Legolas' ear.  "Where are you off to?"

"Anywhere the hell away from you," Legolas spat between clenched teeth.

Elladan released him with a slight shove down the hall.  "Then you'd better get there quick, I think."

Legolas rubbed his right hand and half-ran down the hall, fighting back the tears of pain and frustration that itched at his eyes.

The twins looked at each other and shrugged, then Elrohir knocked politely on Thranduil's door.  They heard the Mirkwood King call for them to enter, so they pushed open the door and stepped inside.

"What was *that* all about?" Elladan wondered aloud.

"Apparently my son happened to wander up while the two of you were... together," Thranduil explained.  "He was somewhat confused and distraught at the sight."

"That must have been awful for him," Elladan said.

"Standing there having to stare at us," Elrohir continued.

"Frozen in shock, unable to move or even speak.  Aye, must have been awful," the elder twin concluded.

Elrond rubbed his temples.  He hated it when they completed each other's sentences.  Then he looked up at them reprovingly. "You knew he was there!  And you kept going!  That's irresponsible, boys, and exactly what I tried to warn you about before we arrived."

"He didn't *have* to stand there and watch, Adar," Elladan countered.

"We didn't *make* him.  Is it our fault if he let us have our fun without saying anything?" Elrohir pleaded.

"That's not the point," Elrond replied, looking between the two of them.  "This place is not your home, and the people here deserve more respect than this."

The two hung their heads slightly, properly chastised.  Elrohir looked up at Thranduil.  "My Lord, please make our apologies to your son.  I fear he will not wish to be spoken to by us at the moment."

Thranduil nodded soberly.  "I will talk with him later.  For now, you should go wash up.  Dinner will be in an hour."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

That talk did not go as well as Thranduil had hoped.  While Legolas had given the appearance of listening, he patently refused to be around the twins after that day.  For the last month, he had risen before sunrise and taken his breakfast in the kitchens with the servants, then packed a lunch of dried meat and hard cheese and disappeared into the woods.  He would return for the evening meal, but insisted on having it served in his room.  He was civil, even pleasant, to his father as long as Thranduil came to Legolas' room to see him.  A quick bath in the servant's quarters later, and the Prince crawled into his bed, all set to repeat the events the following day.

Inwardly, Legolas was disgusted with himself for having sunk so low. Here he was, hiding in his own home, taking his meals and his baths with the servants like a common drudge.  True, his anger at the twins had long since abated; he really *shouldn't* have stood there staring, after all.  The Elf's pride, though, would not allow him to admit his fault or resume his association with Elladan and Elrohir.

His daily walks -- vain attempts to assuage his guilt and come to terms with his feelings -- were taking him farther and farther afield, away from the paths and trails that his people had cut through the deep woods.  It was almost inevitable that he would encounter something wholly dangerous sooner or later.  However, he was still shocked and frightened when he stumbled into a nest of tree spiders and the swarm of five-foot-long beasts surrounded him.

Elladan and Elrohir, not brave or foolish enough to stray from the designated "safe paths", were more than a mile away when Elrohir perked his head up.  "Did you hear that?" he said, panic tingeing his voice.

Elladan strained to hear.  "I don't hear anything, Caulen."

"Never mind.  Come on!"  Elrohir grabbed his brother's hand and took off through the woods at a dead run.  Elladan struggled to keep up, almost losing Elrohir a couple of times as his twin took turns seemingly at random, heading for something that the elder couldn't even guess at.

The Peredhil could not hope to match the speed of a full Elf, but they still managed a fair pace, and were able to clear a mile in just over ten minutes.  They broke into the clearing and saw Legolas surrounded by at least eight of the biggest spiders they had ever seen.  Another four lay dead or crippled, and Legolas was struggling to keep the rest at bay with only a pair of Elven blades.  The Wood Elf's bow lay broken, his quiver discarded on the ground nearby.

All this, the twins observed in a second.  Elrohir wasted no more time than that.  He looked at his brother and said, "Give us a toss, meleth?"

Elladan nodded, bending his knees and cupping his hands together against his thigh.  Elrohir put a foot in Elladan's hands and drew his sword.  Elladan set his feet and straightened his legs just as Elrohir leapt.  His hands help push his brother into the air higher than he could have gotten himself.  The elder twin trusted Elrohir to land where he wanted, so he drew his own sword and ran toward the nearest spider, skewering it in the back.

Elrohir really hoped he knew what he was doing.  He felt his ascent begin to slow, and he curled his body into a flip, coming down into the throng of monsters swordtip first.  His blade bit deep into the head of a particularly vicious looking specimen, and Elrohir released the sword, rolling on the ground to absorb the impact.  He spun around and back-kicked the spider nearest him, stunning it long enough for him to retrieve his sword from the dying beast behind him.

"Fancy meeting you here," he quipped to Legolas before slashing at one of the smaller spiders who was trying to sneak up on him.  Legolas only grunted as he thwapped one of the attackers between the eyes with the flat of his blade before spinning and thrusting both blades under one arm to spear a second spider in the tender underbelly.

Elladan was keeping to the perimeter as much as possible, trying to outflank the remaining spiders, as well as stop those approaching from getting too close.  It seemed that more of the creatures kept popping up from between the trees, eager for the fresh meat that the Elves offered, and Elladan was having trouble keeping up.  One of the spiders swiped at him with a barbed foreleg, and the Peredhel threw himself to the side, swinging his blade in a wide arc and severing two of the beast's legs.

The spider staggered and fell to the injured side, unable to keep its balance.  When it did, a viscous, green fluid squirted from a wound, some of it splashing on Elladan's exposed neck.  Instantly, the Half- Elf felt the area go numb.  He shuddered at the thought of what that could have done to him if it got into his blood.  "'Hir!" he called out, using the diminutive form of his brother's name that they used in combat.  "These things have some kind of poison!"

Elrohir's shoulders sagged.  "I was afraid you'd say something like that."  He swung again, slicing off a raised limb that was poised to bisect him.  The poisonous liquid squirted out, and Elrohir dove to avoid it.  The motion carried him right into the path of an ancient looking spider with legs thicker than Elrohir's arms.  He held up his sword in a futile gesture when a white-handled blade flew out of nowhere and impaled the beast between the eyes.  The spider swayed on its feet long enough for Elrohir to scramble out from under it before it collapsed to the ground with an enormous crash.  Elrohir looked to Legolas and nodded his thanks.  Then, noticing movement behind the Wood Elf, he cried out, "Behind you!"

Legolas turned, but not fast enough.  The spider was already in mid-strike, and while the move was enough to keep him from being killed outright, the spider's leg drove straight through the Elf's calf and into the ground, pinning Legolas down while the poison was delivered. Elrohir grabbed Legolas' blade from the ancient and leapt across the clearing.  He twisted his body in the air, bringing the two swords to bear on the spider.  One blade sliced cleanly through the leg, and the other was thrust upwards into the creature's throat as Elrohir landed on his back beside Legolas.

"'Dan!  Elf down!" Elrohir yelled.

Elladan turned and ran, sheathing his sword.  He bent down and scooped up Legolas' body without stopping.  "Take point!" he called to his brother.  Elrohir pulled his sword free as well as Legolas' and ran after Elladan, turning to slash at any of the spiders that tried to follow their flight from the forest.

Despite his ease in finding Legolas, Elrohir realized he had no idea where he was, or how to get back.  Legolas, thankfully, managed to hold on to consciousness long enough to direct them back to a path they were familiar with, and they hurried with their last bits of strength to get the Mirkwood Prince to a Healer.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Elladan sat in the overstuffed chair near one wall, his eyes closed and his head resting on one hand.  Elrohir lay next to Legolas in the large bed that dominated the room, his eyes never leaving the pale face of the Prince.  Three days had passed and Legolas still had not woken.  Neither twin was away from the blonde's side for long, one of them always there to watch him.  Elrohir's hand rested in Legolas' limp one, while his grey eyes begged the prone figure to wake.

Elladan sighed deeply and opened his weary eyes.  His brother seemed quite taken with the brat.  He smiled warmly, realizing he was just as fond of the acid-toned Elf as his brother was.  He stood slowly and crawled into the bed on the other side of Legolas, looking at his brother over Legolas' chest.  He rested his hand on the blanket covering the Prince's heart and closed his eyes, feeling Legolas' even, deep breathing.

Legolas' eyes were closed, something terribly unnatural to the twins. Elves did not sleep with closed eyes and they longed to see the contemptuous blue eyes again.  In the silence of the early morning, Elladan sent a desperate wish that all would be well.

The blonde Elf's head swam.  His mouth felt sticky and uncomfortable. He wanted water, he could not swallow.  His leg ached and he felt stiff and worn.  Legolas could feel a presence in the room with him, and he wanted to open his eyes, banish the darkness.  Suddenly, when he could not make his body follow his command, he began to panic.  His breathing became rapid and he knew he moaned softly.

"Legolas?"  A movement to his left, a soft tenor calling his name. The tone was gentle and concerned and he could not place who it was.

"Shh, Legolas.  Just relax and your eyes will open."  Near his ear, a whisper to him.  The voice was almost the same as the one he'd heard on his left, but from his right.

Something in the gentleness of the voices calmed Legolas' heart and his eyes fluttered open.  He looked to his left and right, and saw each of the twins kneeling beside his bed.  In spite of his earlier animosity, he looked upon the Peredhil with newfound respect.  The two were certainly better fighters than they appeared and had most definitely saved his life by showing up when they did.

He tried to swallow again, his tongue feeling thick and swollen.  One of the twins -- Elrohir, he thought -- lifted a flagon of water to his lips and he gratefully sipped at the cool liquid.  When his throat was sufficiently moistened, he cleared his throat.  "How long?" he rasped.

Elladan answered softly, "Three days, maybe four."

Elrohir added, "No windows in here, so it's hard to tell."

"You've been here the whole time?"

Elrohir nodded.  "You got stuck in the leg because you were busy saving my ass.  It's only right that I should have been here for you."

"That's the way we do things in Imladris," Elladan continued.  "We don't abandon a fellow warrior when he's in pain."

Legolas turned his head from side to side as the speaker changed, then looked straight up.  "I don't mean to be rude," he said with no trace of malice in his voice, "but could you two either pick one person to speak or both go to the same side?"  His eyes rolled back into his head and he gasped for breath from the exertion of trying to say so much so soon after awakening.

The twins both chuckled and stood up.  "Just get some rest, maethorem. You're going to be all right now," Elrohir said, impulsively bending down to kiss Legolas gently on the forehead.  He took Elladan's hand and the two brothers left the room, leaving the Prince alone.

*****

Elrond and Thranduil were sitting alone in the King's parlor, half-heartedly playing chess when a servant came to inform them that Legolas had awakened, but was still very weak.  Thranduil breathed an enormous sigh of relief at the news and sent the servant on his way.

"Damned lucky that your sons strayed far enough off the path to find Legolas," he said to Elrond.

Elrond shook his head.  "The way Elrohir tells it, they were *on* the path when he heard Legolas calling for help."

Thranduil's brow knitted in confusion.  "That doesn't seem possible. I sent a detachment of Elves into the woods to clear out the rest of the nest as soon as those three returned.  They tell me that it was more than a mile into the deep woods.  Not even a full-blooded Elf could hear a scream from that far away."

Elrond took no offense at what, from anyone else, might be considered a slur.  He knew his love meant no offense by the statement; he was merely stating a fact.  "I did think it was odd that Elladan said he didn't hear anything when Elrohir said he heard the call very clearly.  Does Legolas Farspeak?"

"Not that I've ever observed, no.  My eldest is only capable of it over short distances and only by concentrating.  And he started learning it a hundred years before Legolas was even born.  It's hard to imagine that Legolas would be capable of it so young."

The two sat in silence for several minutes, the only sound being the movement of pieces on the board.  Finally, Thranduil spoke again. "Unless..." he trailed off.

"You're not suggesting what I think you are, are you?"

"It's the only way I can think of that he could have called out like that."

"You *are* suggesting it!"  The Peredhel blinked in surprise.

Thranduil shrugged.

"Are you prepared for the consequences if you're right?"

The Mirkwood King chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound low in his chest. "More prepared than they will be, no doubt."  He picked up his bishop and placed it a few squares down the board.  "Checkmate, guren," he pronounced with a smile.


Continued in Part Two

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