The Color Of Love
Beta: Silvara
3: the most innocent kiss
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 Peredhel, 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 blond 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. "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!"
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 pleded.
"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 blond'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 blond 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 arse. 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 half a league 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."
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, gûren," he pronounced with a smile.
Elrohir walked down the corridor with his brother in tow. The Winter Solstice celebration was in full swing in the main hall of Thranduil's home. Elrond had suggested that the twins take a small offering of food and wine to Legolas' room since the Prince could not join them. He was still too weak to spend an entire evening in such company. A quiet night with a few friends would be perfect.
They stood outside the door to Legolas' room, and Elrohir felt nervous. The twins had kept their distance where Legolas was concerned, fearing to strain the very tenuous friendship between them. But, he had to agree with his father, Legolas needed some company this night of all nights. Elladan raised his hand and knocked softly in case the Mirkwood Prince was already asleep.
They were rewarded with a sharp call to enter, which they did with an exaggerated flourish.
"Good evening, fair Prince!" called Elladan. "We have come to keep thee occupied while the whole realm celebrates the coming of winter."
Sitting by his fireplace, Legolas looked up from the book he had been reading and graced them with a warm and welcoming smile. Elrohir's heart sped up at seeing the once sullen face light up with such happiness at the sight of them. All it had taken was a few giant spiders and three days' unconsciousness.
"I have not seen either of you for the last few days. I thought you had had enough of my company."
Elladan came to sit next to Legolas' chair, folding himself elegantly on the floor. "We could never tire of your company, meldir," he said, with what Legolas could swear was a seductive undertone.
Elrohir situated himself on the floor near Legolas and Elladan, spreading out the fare he had taken from the kitchens. Legolas stood from his chair and walked to a cupboard on one of the walls. He could feel their eyes on him. When he returned he sat on the floor between the two brothers, offering forth three wine glasses.
Elladan had not been able to stop staring, and neither had his brother. Legolas was wearing deep forest sleep pants, loosely tied so that they hung low on his narrow hips. His pale chest was laid bare under an open crimson robe he wore to ward off the chill that Elladan was sure the Elf did not feel. The young Prince was a vision in front of them, pouring the ruby liquid and handing off glasses.
Elrohir, following his brother's thoughts closely, began to feel this might not have been such a good idea. He wanted to win Legolas' trust, not seduce him. He sent a mental warning to his brother to behave himself, winning a look of mock indignation from his twin. He knew better. Elladan wanted the Prince. Elrohir did as well, he thought as he prepared plates for each of them, but he was willing to let Legolas come to them.
There was a strained silence in the room as each of them simply ate and sipped the spicy wine. Finally, unable to stand the uneasy quiet of the room any longer, Elrohir cleared his throat.
"Is it a good book?"
Legolas, pulling himself back from his own thoughts, swallowed the bit of cheese had been eating. "Oh, yes. One of my favorites," he said, a little distracted. "It's just a silly history, but if you are interested, you are most welcome to borrow it."
Elladan raised his hand, shaking his head. "No! Between Erestor and Glorfindel, we have more than enough history. But, should we ever desire to know the truth behind their words,"
"We will be sure to ask to borrow your book," Elrohir finished, smiling at the Elf.
Legolas laughed. "I have to know; how is it you can finish each other's thoughts?"
Elladan leaned in close to Legolas, the Prince becoming lost in the stormy eyes of the Peredhel. Even as he saw Elladan's lips moving and heard the sound close to him, he knew Elrohir was speaking the same words to his other side in unison with his brother. "We don't know. We just do."
Legolas turned to a chuckling Elrohir. "Ada doesn't like to admit it, but he could do it with Elros as we can," the Half-Elf added conspiratorially.
The ice now broken, their conversation began to flow as easily as the wine, and both were in ample supply. By the time ten bells sounded, it was obvious that one Elf and two Half-Elves were three sheets to the wind. As Glorfindel would less than delicately phrase it, they were pissed. Elladan was the first to stagger to his feet, but efforts to assist the other two were exercises in futility, and he eventually had to leave them to manage standing on their own.
Legolas swayed on his feet as he tried to determine to which of the three sets of twins he should say good night. He finally decided it was the middle Elladan and the left Elrohir. He took a step, but stumbled. When Elrohir barely caught him, Legolas realized he'd guessed wrong. The Peredhel hauled him back to his feet and held him by the shoulders.
"Sleep well, Legolas," Elrohir was trying to say, only it came out, "If that big bed ever gets lonely, you know where we are."
The words took a moment to penetrate the haze over Legolas' mind. By the time they did, the twins had gone. Legolas crossed the room to his bed, convinced that someone had gone and tilted the floor. When he reached the edge, he tipped face first onto the bed and fell immediately asleep.
Legolas vaguely remembered Thranduil checking on him, but it was muddled and lost in a dream. When he did fully wake, he knew he had been sleeping for quite some time. He called for one of the maids and requested the tub in his room be filled with hot water. While he had her attention, he asked what day it was.
She looked at him oddly, but informed him it was the afternoon of the day after the Solstice. He had been passed out for a day and a half. He wondered if the twins had fared any better than he. He slipped into the hot water and thought back to the night of the festival. He had felt so good with them, relaxed and happy. Once he just let go of the anger he felt toward his father, he found he wanted to seek out the Peredhil for more conversation.
Although, remembering what Elrohir had said, got him thinking he wanted more than simply conversation with them. He shook his head. It was so confusing. He had never sought a physical relationship with another male Elf before. True, he rarely sought out She-Elves, usually only bedding those who threw themselves at him because he was a Prince. But, Elladan and Elrohir made him want things he had only ever dreamed of.
As he washed himself, he wondered why he was drawn to them both. His father had mentioned once that he had thought the twins were one soul split by the Valar into two separate bodies. Which, Legolas supposed, would explain their physical need for one another. He admitted they probably felt complete together.
So why had Elrohir made a pass at him? He had Elladan, they were whole unto themselves...
Legolas knew he could find no answers without speaking to the Princes of Imladris. Which he would do... as soon as he had some food. He was starving!
After two cups (each) of something the servant called "Mirkwood's Morning-After Mixture", Elladan and Elrohir were feeling more like themselves. They wisely did not ask what was in the hangover cure; they just drank it down and let the mystery brew do its work. The twins were just finishing up some bread and mild sliced meats when Elrohir put his hands to his head.
"Tell the servant to bring some more of that stuff, the pounding's back."
Elladan looked around. "Actually, I think that's the door."
"Why is the door pounding?"
"Probably because someone is knocking on it. Go answer it."
Elrohir dragged himself to the door and opened it. Legolas stood in the hallway, wearing an expression almost mirroring Elrohir's. The Wood Elf smiled as best he could considering his condition, and said simply, "I got lonely."
Elrohir stared in confusion for a moment until his words at their last parting came back to him. He closed his eyes slowly, almost wincing at the memory. Then, he pulled the door open wider and motioned for Legolas to enter. Elladan stood as he took notice of the visitor, smiling with an exuberance that made the other two in the room narrow their eyes with an exaggerated grimace.
Legolas thought about asking to speak to Elrohir in private, but decided that Elladan should hear as well, so he got straight to the point. "Look, I like you," he began, addressing the younger twin.
Elladan interrupted with mock offense, "What about me?"
The words came in a rush, then. "I like you, too, but you're not the one who made a play for me the other night. I just wanted to say that I didn't want to come between the two of you, so while I'm flattered, I don't think it's a good idea."
Elrohir smiled with understanding. "I see the problem here. You thought I meant that I was interested in being with you instead of my brother."
"What else would you mean?"
Elladan approached the Mirkwood Prince, touching him gently on the shoulder. "Let me see if I can explain," he said seriously.
Legolas turned to listen to the Peredhel and was immediately swept up into a very heated kiss. A very pleasant heated kiss.
"Two bodies, one mind," Elrohir said softly, echoing his brother's unspoken thoughts. "There's no 'between' us for anyone to come because we are each other in so many ways."
Elladan broke the kiss, and Legolas had just enough time to catch his breath before he felt Elrohir's hands caressing his face. He was pulled quickly into a second kiss by the younger twin as Elladan picked up the task of speaking.
"We don't do anything alone, because we are never alone in our minds. So, when one of us expresses an interest, you can be sure the other one feels it, too."
Elrohir stepped back, smirking. "Except for Glorfindel's singing. He loves it; I can't stand it."
"Other than that, though," Elladan joked, rolling his eyes playfully.
"The point is," Elrohir continued somberly, "that we're both attracted to you."
Legolas held up his hands. "I... umm... really need to think about this."
"Of course you do," Elrohir said. "Take your time."
Legolas followed Elrond after the evening meal was finished. Elrond silently led Legolas to Thranduil's bedroom where he was staying. For some odd reason, Thranduil was no where to be found. Still without a sound, Elrond poured two glasses of wine and offered one to Legolas. Motioning to one of the two chairs near the hearth, Elrond made it clear what he wanted. Legolas sat, sipping the cool wine and watching the unreadable grey eyes of the Imladris Lord. He had yet to apologize to him for his cruel words, and now he needed the Lord's help.
"My Lord," he began quietly, but stopped when Elrond raised his hand. Legolas chewed his lip, worrying over what could be waiting behind that gaze.
Elrond lowered his hand and let a smile grace his lips. "I was wondering how long it would take you to come to me."
"I wanted to apologize..."
"Really? I would have thought you had come to me to ask about my sons."
Legolas watched the calm Elf-lord sip the wine and cross his legs. He was at a loss for words. His father's lover seemed to know more than Legolas had thought. He felt himself returning the smile.
"I did. But, I also wanted to extend my apologies. I was out of line. It was not you or your sons I was angry with, I simply used you as a target. Please, forgive me, my Lord." He was humbled, he felt terrible for his behavior.
Elrond nodded. "Think nothing of it, Prince. We can start anew. Now, what is it about my sons that you need guidance with, pen neth?"
Legolas squirmed uncomfortably. He wondered for a moment about how to discuss this topic with the Peredhel, then chose the direct route. "Elladan and Elrohir have made overtures toward me. The three of us have discussed their desires briefly, but I find myself very conflicted. I do not understand their relationship completely and I fear being used for their amusement."
The Half-Elf put his glass down and sat up straighter. "Let us deal with one topic at a time, shall we? Their relationship. Their love is quite special, very unique. I shared a similar relationship with Elros. There was a close connection between us, and I loved him like no other. The difference between the relationship my sons share and the one my brother and I had is that we never took it to that physical level. We could sense each other, shared thoughts between us and we did love one another deeply, but we never felt the firm bond to be lovers. Elladan and Elrohir did. They found each other early on in their life, long before their mother left us."
"If they are so close, then why me?"
"I'm a bit curious about that myself. They have been whole unto themselves for almost two thousand years. They have never, in all that time, sought an additional lover. You, Legolas, are quite a development in their life. You must be something very special. Then again, if you're anything like your father...."
Legolas made a sour face. "Okay, more than I wanted to know."
Elrond chuckled. "The point is, I know my sons. They would never use you for anything. If they are offering you an opportunity to enter their lives in such an intimate manner, they are doing it with honest intentions."
Without realizing it, Legolas had been holding his breath. He finally let it all out in a sigh of relief. "I am unsure of what I should do..."
"Only you can answer that. I would advise you not to go into such a relationship with them if you are not sure of your decision. I know my sons, they will wait until the end of Arda for your choice."
"I fear my Ada's reaction if I accept their offer." Legolas loved his father so much and his approval meant everything to the Elf.
Elrond just smiled at him. "I don't think your father would mind at all. Trust that whatever makes you happy will be all right with him. Decide what is needed in your life, pen neth. Not what is right in Thranduil's eyes."
Legolas looked out the main gate of Thranduil's palace. The powder- white snow glistened in the late morning sunlight. Elrond and his sons would be leaving in a month. February has come in warmer than previous years, so the roads would be passable in mid-March. Legolas felt a deep sadness at the thought of the twins leaving. He had spoken to them little since the night he had talked with Elrond. He just needed time to think and work through his complex emotions and thoughts.
The Prince was no closer to an answer now than he was then. He had faced down spiders and Orcs without flinching... but he was terrified of what the twins offered him. They were willing to give him more than just a physical relationship, he could sense that about them. How he knew that, he could not explain. He simply knew they wanted him in a more permanent way.
And he wanted to give himself to them. He was sure of that, he was just frightened of how much it could hurt should they change their minds. Minds, Legolas laughed to himself. Mind is more like it. One would not think what the other doesn't. He sighed and went back to his room to brood over his decision. He had decided that he would make a choice tonight, whether it was to accept them or reject them, he had wasted enough of their time.
Elladan threw his soaked cloak into a pile in the corner of the room and began to strip off the rest of his sodden clothing. He and Elrohir had gone to one of the clearings near the palace and sparred for several hours. They had been indoors for much too long and had grown anxious. After a few good rounds, they felt much more at ease. The elder twin, having removed all his clothing, slipped into the hot tub that was sitting ready for them in their room.
Elrohir had removed his cloak, tunic and boots when there was a knock at the door. The Peredhel went to the door and was greeted by the young She-Elf who tended their room.
"My Lord, I am sorry to disturb you, but I was to deliver a message once you and your brother returned to your room."
Elrohir smiled at the blushing maid. "All right."
"Prince Legolas requests your presence in his private rooms for the evening meal, which will be served in two hours time."
Elrohir hid his surprise and nodded to the young Elf and closed the door. He looked to his twin who sat a still as a rock in the tub. "It seems the Prince wishes to have our company, gwanunig..."
Elladan slowly smiled. "About time," was all he said and motioned for his brother to finish stripping and join him in the warm water.
The twins entered the room, taken aback immediately by the soft glow of dozens of candles. If a surface could have a candle on it, Legolas had stuck one. The air smelled of sandalwood and Elrohir could see a small table set up with three places and several covered dishes. Legolas' hair was free from braids and he simply wore a pair of loose breeches and a laced tunic.
"Good evening, Prince," Elladan said, smiling with all his charm. "We were surprised to receive an invitation for supper."
Legolas looked flushed to Elrohir, a shy smile curving his lips. "I know I have been terrible, avoiding you as I have. Forgive me?"
"You don't fool me, Greenleaf," Elladan said sardonically. "You've been planning this for a while, haven't you?"
Legolas looked pained. "I don't know what you're talking about!" The look of shocked indignation lasted for almost two seconds before the facade cracked and Legolas began to laugh. "Come on and eat. I wanted to talk to you two."
The three took seats at the table and served themselves sparingly from the dishes, too nervous to eat more than a little. Silence reigned while everyone got settled. Finally, Legolas said, "As you can probably guess, my answer is yes. But..." He trailed off.
The twins waited politely for him to continue, neither one prompting him or looking impatient. They trusted Legolas to find the words in his own time.
Eventually, he did. "I spoke to your father," he began. "He said that the two of you have never expressed an interest in anyone else the way you have in me. So, the obvious question is, why me?"
"Because you're a challenge," Elladan said.
"Because you're fascinating," Elrohir said, at the same time.
They looked at each other and smiled, then said in unison, "Because you're a fascinating challenge."
The laughter broke the tension. Elrohir caught his breath first. "Of course, it's more than that," he said on a more serious note. "You're complex, Legolas, and that's very alluring to us. You're attractive without being vain, brave without being headstrong, and..."
"And as much as we'd love to sit here and stroke your ego all night," Elladan supplied with a wolfish grin, "I daresay there are more interesting parts of you to stroke."
Legolas shifted in his seat, suddenly uncomfortable. "I've, uh, never been with a male before. Let alone two males."
The Peredhil looked surprised. "Now, that is something of a shock," Elrohir said. "I suppose that's what we get for listening to the kitchen gossip. They seem to be convinced that's why you haven't struck up with any of the She-Elves around here."
"Actually, it's just that something about a person with breasts bigger than their brains just really leaves me cold," the Prince said offhandedly.
Elladan laughed loudly. "I can safely say that such has never been said about my brother or myself."
Elrohir echoed the sentiment. "Ah, wit! That's something else wonderful about you, dear Prince. You know, after spending these months with you, it's easy to see what Ada --"
"If you say anything regarding our fathers," Legolas warned, eyes glittering, "I am afraid that I will do something distinctly un-prince-like with the mashed potatoes and your leggings."
Elrohir raised an eyebrow in a near-perfect imitation of his father's famous expression. "Oh, really? Did you hear that, caulen? I do believe I've been threatened," he teased.
Elladan raised his hands, palms out. "I've already defended you from him once. You're on your own this time."
"Very well. Prepare yourself, Legolas of Mirkwood!" Elrohir stood quickly and straddled Legolas' chair, sitting on the Wood Elf's lap. He wrapped his arms around the chair and pinned the blond's arms to his side, then leaned in to capture Legolas' mouth in a passionate kiss.
Legolas allowed himself to become lost in the sensation of the kiss, returning it with more ardor than he had ever felt for any of those vacuous Ellith. The young Sinda was somewhat surprised at how easily desire could transcend gender, but the truth was undeniable. He wanted these two; wanted them desperately. As he did not have the use of his upper arms, he could do little more than caress Elrohir's forearms as he hungrily tasted the Peredhel's mouth, but it was enough to stir his arousal. Legolas shivered with desire as he felt his stiffening member suddenly rub against Elrohir's, and he gripped Elrohir's arms in response.
Elladan watched his brother and soon-to-be-lover with lust-filled eyes. His leggings had become uncomfortably tight, and his hands itched to touch the Prince. He stood and walked silently behind Legolas and brushed his fingers along the Elf's neck. He felt Legolas shudder at the gentle touch and looked up, meeting his brother's glazed eyes as he continued to devour the Mirkwood Prince's mouth. Elladan ran his fingers through the fine golden hair. He leaned down and pressed his lips to the back of Legolas' neck. Elrohir's mouth feasted on the moans the Sinda offered him as Elladan's tongue snaked out to taste the tender skin he was invited to savor.
Elrohir pulled back from Legolas' swollen lips, smirking slightly as he began to unlace the blond Elf's tunic. The youngest twin felt his own breath catch at the sight of the panting Sinda -- his azure eyes half-closed, soft moans emanating from the bruised lips -- and his brother's lips working to leave a distinct passion mark on their lover. Elrohir had never seen a more erotic sight than his twin moving up the Prince's neck, allowing the Peredhel to view his brother's handiwork.
Elrohir's soft, desire-thickened voice filled Legolas' ear as the twin spoke to his brother. "Until this moment, gwanunig, I never thought you could be any more alluring than you normally are." Elladan smiled at his brother, pulling away from Legolas while Elrohir stood up, bringing Legolas with him.
The twins then positioned themselves with Elladan in front of Legolas and Elrohir behind. While Elladan's hands finished what Elrohir began with the tunic, the elder twin's lips captured Legolas' in a demanding kiss. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Legolas compared the way the two Peredhil kissed. Elrohir was gentle and encouraged Legolas to control the kiss, while Elladan plundered his mouth, his tongue moving in and out of his mouth making the golden-haired Elf groan with need.
Legolas felt his tunic fall from his shoulders, not caring where it ended up. He arched his back when Elrohir's cool hands stroked his heated skin, moving down his spine. He let go of Elladan's mouth, gasping with pleasure as the younger Peredhel slowly licked his ear, nibbling on the tip and causing him to shudder. Elladan took the opportunity to travel down Legolas' neck, trailing kisses and allowing his hands to stroke the flat plane of the Wood Elf's stomach. He reveled in the tremors and gasps he and his brother could create in this Elf, and he was eager to hear more of his impassioned cries.
Though he knew they were primarily focusing their attentions on Legolas, Elrohir could not resist lifting his brother's chin and leaning in for a deep, loving kiss. Pressed between them, Legolas slid his hands sensually over both their chests as they kissed, which only heightened their passion. The twins quickly divested themselves of their tunics, and the three bare chests rubbed erotically against each other as kisses were traded freely between their owners.
His chest pressed against Legolas' back, Elrohir reached around to caress the Wood Elf's skin. He shared a brief look with Elladan, who smiled and winked. The elder twin then hooked his fingers in the waist of Legolas' leggings and kneeled down, dragging the clothing down to the floor. Legolas closed his eyes with a sigh as his straining erection was released. When Elladan began to slide his tongue along his firm shaft, though, only Elrohir's grip kept Legolas from jumping several feet into the air. While he was familiar with the idea of what the Peredhel was doing, none of his previous partners had ever bothered to acquaint him with the practice of it.
Elrohir chuckled at the Prince's anxiety, then began to kiss his neck and shoulder, sliding his hands down to cup Legolas' firm backside once the Sinda began to relax. He looked over Legolas' shoulder just in time to see the blond's stiff rod disappearing into Elladan's mouth. The sight made his head swim and his cock throb within his leggings. Coupled with the loud gasp and shuddering moan that Legolas gave at the sensation, the dark-haired Half-Elf felt like he would explode.
Elladan was using his mouth to full advantage as he sucked on the swollen head, licked down the length of the tight shaft, and pulled the full length of Legolas' arousal beyond his lips again and again. Legolas was squirming above him, and once, Elladan was sure that the warrior's knees buckled under the pleasurable assault. His mouth slid down and kissed and nipped playfully at the smooth skin surrounding the Wood Elf's orbs, occasionally brushing his tongue against the taut flesh behind that led to the virginal rear passage.
He cast his eyes upward and saw that Elrohir was stroking Legolas' cock, so he reached between Legolas' legs and began to rub his hand against the bulge in his twin's leggings, hearing Elrohir groan in response. Elrohir used his free hand to push his remaining clothing to the floor, giving Elladan's fingers access to fondle his erect rod.
It was Legolas' idea to move to the bed, and the twins agreed immediately, removing their stretched leggings in the process. The two laid Legolas down, and Elrohir joined Elladan at the Mirkwood Elf's waist. They took turns pleasuring Legolas' cock with their mouths while their hands were busy touching each other's body and stroking each other's erections. The dual assault was too much for the inexperienced Prince, and his orgasm crashed all too soon, sending spurts of thick, milky fluid onto the twins' mouths and cheeks, which they lovingly licked off each other with abandon.
Legolas was beyond power of speech. It was all he could do to concentrate on his breathing. Elladan licked the last traces of the Sinda's fluids from his lips and chuckled. "I do believe we've sucked the voice right out of him," he said casually to his brother.
Elrohir smiled back. "It does appear so. Pity. Although, it does mean that he can't say no when I ask him if I can fill that pretty behind of his with my seed."
Legolas yelped and sat up like a shot, scooting back against the headboard and bringing his knees to his chest.
Elrohir laughed out loud. "Well, that got a reaction! Don't worry, pen velui, we'd never do anything to hurt you."
Legolas nodded meekly. "Sorry," he added sheepishly.
Elladan grinned and patted the Sinda on the knee. "Would it make you uncomfortable, Legolas, if I were to make love to Elrohir while you... recover yourself?"
"Why would he, brother?" Elrohir inquired. "He certainly didn't seem to mind last time."
"What?!" Legolas squeaked, turning bright red.
Elrohir slid up the bed next to Legolas and kissed him on the earlobe, feeling his naughty streak returning as it had those months ago by the river. "Please tell him yes," he whispered. "I liked it when you watched us."
Legolas shuddered and nodded, his arousal returning despite the embarrassment he felt at having been caught. He fought the urge to look away as Elrohir rolled over on his hands and knees and Elladan took up a position behind him. The sensuality of the moment flooded Legolas' senses, taking him back to that day he'd come upon the twins in the woods. He was entranced by the feelings stirring in him; so much so that he did not realize that the elder Peredhel was speaking to him.
"Would you happen to keep any sort of oil in your room? Some linseed for your knives, perhaps?"
Legolas shook his attention back to the present. "Oil? Oh! For your... aye, I have some over here." The Wood Elf could feel a new blush coming over him as he walked across the room and retrieved the small bottle of oil he used to keep his weapons clean. Impulsively, he poured some into his hands and reached between Elladan's legs, coating the Half-Elf's erection with the viscous liquid.
Elladan groaned and, pulling Legolas close, kissed him hungrily. He sucked Legolas' lower lip into his mouth and began to gently chew on the tender skin which only spurred Legolas into stroking Elladan's cock at a more feverish pace. The dark-haired Elf finally broke the kiss and covered Legolas' hand with his own, helping the blond guide his shaft forward into the puckered flesh of Elrohir's waiting entrance.
Elrohir gasped as he pushed back against his brother, feeling the familiar length filling him. Without preamble, Elladan pulled almost completely out and thrust forcefully back in. Elrohir buried his face in Legolas' pillow, squeezing his eyes shut against the onslaught.
"Of course," Elladan explained to Legolas between powerful thrusts, "we would be much more gentle with you, Legolas. Elrohir is used to this, though."
"But does it not hurt?" Legolas asked, a slight quaver in his voice.
Elrohir looked over his shoulder at the Prince. "When you are first getting used to it, it can be a little painful. But if you are with someone who is careful, the good feelings far outweigh the bad. And once you're used to it, ohhhh, by the Valar, it feels incredible!"
Legolas sat back against the headboard of his large bed, thinking on those words while watching Elladan pound roughly into Elrohir over and over. Not until Elladan moaned, "Ai! Pen velui, that is beautiful!" did the Sinda realize that he had been stroking himself.
Elrohir strained to glimpse what had so captivated his brother, and his breath left him when he saw Legolas' hand frantically pumping his firm shaft. The Peredhil stared, transfixed by the sight, until Elladan's breathing became groaning and Elrohir's gasps became cries of pleasure. The moment of Elladan's release was clear to Legolas from the way both twins called out with trembling voices before collapsing with a satisfied sigh.
Elladan was pleased to note that Legolas' cleaning habits were as slovenly as his own, evidenced by the fact that there were several discarded towels on the floor beside the bed. He swiped one up and used it to clean himself and his brother before they soiled Legolas' bedclothes. The two glanced over to see the Wood Elf staring at them with lust-filled eyes.
"Do you think you're ready for your turn, melethron?" Elrohir asked, his voice thick with desire.
"I'm definitely curious," Legolas replied, "but I'm not sure."
"Nothing will happen unless you want it to," Elrohir began.
"And everything stops as soon as you say," finished Elladan.
"I promise to be extra careful," the younger twin added unnecessarily.
Legolas sat forward and kissed Elrohir gently. "I know you will," he whispered before positioning himself on all fours. He wasn't sure if he was prepared for what was coming, but he knew that these two would never hurt him as long as it was in their power.
Elladan curled up at the head of the bed, close to Legolas, but positioned to see both the Prince and Elrohir. He watched as his brother dipped a finger into the oil and rubbed it around the opening to Legolas' rear passage. The elder twin said softly, "The hardest part, Legolas, is relaxing. Elrohir is going to push a finger inside you, and you must concentrate on not tensing your muscles."
The blond Elf nodded and closed his eyes. The moment Elrohir's finger began to spread his tight skin, though, he could not help but whimper and grip the bedclothes, tensing up instinctively.
"Shhh, maethorem," Elladan cooed. "Take a deep breath and hold it. When you feel Elrohir's finger, breathe out slowly through your mouth. It will help you to relax."
Elrohir added more oil to his finger and pressed again. This time, taking Elladan's advice, Legolas was able to accept the entire length of his finger. The Peredhel shivered. "Ai! He is so tight, gwanunig!"
"So were you, once," came the sardonic response from Elladan. Then, to Legolas: "Now, Elrohir is going to work his finger in and out to start loosening you up. This may not be the most comfortable part, but it is very necessary. Just keep taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly."
After a couple of false starts, Elrohir managed to get into a rhythm with his finger, sliding it easily in and out of Legolas' tight passage. When he got ready to try a second finger, Elladan once again warned Legolas so that the Sinda was prepared and not startled by the new sensation.
Taking great time and patience, the younger twin eased Legolas open with his fingers; all the while, Elladan whispered calming endearments and offered the blond a hand to squeeze. Elrohir worked his fingers against Legolas' skin -- with the help of copious amounts of the lubricating oil -- until he could get three fingers moving in and out with relative ease. Only then did he pronounce Legolas ready for something more than fingers.
The Mirkwood Prince, for his part, alternated between pained grunts and pleasurable sighs. His new lovers were correct that the good feelings were worth the little bit of pain. Also, they were exceedingly gentle with him, pausing if he tensed and taking great care to relax him before continuing. So it was that when Elrohir placed a hand on his back and pressed the slick tip of his cock against Legolas' opening, the Wood Elf felt no apprehension. He winced as Elrohir pushed forward, but the only sounds he made were impassioned moans.
Elrohir slid only the head of his arousal into Legolas' rear. He gasped at the tightness of the channel, but resisted the sudden impulse to ravage the Elf. He looked to Elladan and nodded, not trusting himself to speak and unable to keep a lusty grin from his face.
"The next part is up to you, meldir," the elder Peredhel explained. "When you feel comfortable, you push back against Elrohir, a little at a time. Stop when it feels too tight, and wait until your body adjusts."
The slow pace was agonizingly pleasurable for Elrohir. He felt himself being consumed, inch by inch, by Legolas' warm tightness. It took every bit of control he had to hold off his release when Legolas pressed himself fully against Elrohir's hips with a shuddering groan. He still delayed his movement until he could feel the subtle adjustment of the skin surrounding his shaft that signaled that the body had accepted this intrusion.
The soft, shallow thrusts Elrohir was making had Legolas panting in desire. His entire body became hypersensitive to the smallest touch; even Elrohir's hands on his hips and Elladan's lips on his shoulders were enough to make the Prince's rock-hard arousal throb. Elladan gently suggested that Legolas raise his body up and grab the headboard. He felt Elrohir nestle deeper inside him as he moved; then, it seemed as though something "shifted" inside his body. A new sensation shot through him, a white-hot fire of lust that had him crying out to the Valar.
Elladan slid under Legolas and covered the blond's raging erection with his mouth. Barely had he done so before Legolas let loose with a second explosive orgasm, sending his hot fluids coarsing into Elladan's mouth. The Peredhel eagerly swallowed the offerings while the Wood Elf's body trembled around him.
The motions of Legolas' body had another effect: Elrohir felt the Prince's body convulse around him, contracting against his shaft. The younger twin gripped Legolas' hips and held on tightly. He shut his eyes, seeing points of light flare against the darkness, and his ragged scream of release was ripped from his throat. His cock pulsed as he spilled himself into his lover's vessel.
For a long time, no one moved. It was only when Legolas whimpered in the back of his throat did Elrohir endeavor to extricate himself without causing undue distress to the Greenleaf. As he retrieved the towel and set to wiping away the results of their passions, the thought came unbidden that the name didn't seem to fit anymore, as the Prince was no longer quite so "green" as he had been.
Elladan laughed suddenly, catching the comment out of his brother's mind. "That, dear brother, is a comment more worthy of me than you, don't you think?"
"Like I said, you're rubbing off on me."
"Looks to me," Legolas added with a wry smile, "that he was rubbing off in you."
The twins stared, open-mouthed, at the Mirkwood royal. Legolas met each of their eyes for a moment, then all three burst into a fit of hysterical laughter.
After they'd recovered themselves, the three had bathed and dressed, unable to keep their hands to themselves, but sharing no conversation deeper than a jesting banter. When they got back to Legolas' room and curled up together on the large bed, though, Legolas seemed to sober from the intoxication of their tryst and asked the twins very seriously, "What exactly does this mean?"
The Peredhil had been thinking about that same question, virtually discussing it within their minds as their thoughts on the matter flowed freely between them. It certainly was not fair for them to expect Legolas to remain chaste while they were separated, especially when the twins always had each other. By the same token, they did not want to give Legolas the impression that they'd seduced him for a one- time fling when it was certain to them that they wanted far more than that.
After a pause, Elladan finally spoke, giving voice to their thoughts. "It means that we want you to be a part of our lives, Legolas."
"In whatever capacity you feel comfortable," Elrohir interjected. "We would not begrudge you outside liasions, but you already hold a very special place in our hearts."
"As special as the place we hold for each other," Elladan continued. "We do not wish to lose you, Legolas, but we understand that the distance between us may be difficult to deal with."
Legolas had long stopped trying to twist his head to view the changing speakers; now he just stared at the ceiling and let the voices wash over him. He considered their words and formed a response in his mind before speaking. "The two of you have become more important to me than I can say. You saved my life, but more than that, you brought me out of myself and showed me the world I'd shut my eyes on. I'll not desert you after that."
After a pause, he added, "Besides, if my father can maintain such a relationship, then so can I."
The twins shared a mischievieous look. They moved with a catlike grace and speed, Elrohir calling out as he leapt from the bed, "Hold him down, 'Dan, I'll get the mashed potatoes!"
Mirkwood was a fading dark blotch on the horizon behind them. The Imladris party moved at a steady pace, hoping to reach The Last Homely House within the week. Elladan and Elrohir rode at the front of the escort with their father, both smiling faintly, caught up in the memories of the past winter.
Their looks of satisfaction, though, did not escape their father's notice. And Elrond being the type of person he is, decided it was time to make his sons squirm.
"Did you both enjoy your time in Mirkwood?" he asked innocently.
Elladan smiled, "Aye, Ada, it was a... learning experience."
The youngest twin nodded his agreement. "Legolas is very much like his father."
"In many ways, I am sure," Elrond quipped.
"Ada!" they cried in unison.
"All I am saying is that I am sure the leaf did not fall far from the tree. At all." He could barely keep the mirth from his voice.
Elrohir groaned. "Are we going to hear about this,"
"All the way home, Ada?" Elladan completed.
"I thought I told you to stop that!"
"You did. Then you decided it would be great fun," Elrohir began.
Elladan grimaced. "To comment on the similarities between our lovers."
"Will young Legolas be joining us next winter when Thranduil journeys to our lovely valley?" Elrond watched a small blush creep across Elrohir's features.
Elladan nodded. "He has decided a small respite from the dark woods,"
"Would be most welcome every other year or so." Elrohir looked sideways at his twin.
"Or so," Elrond chuckled.
Elladan reached across the space between his horse and Elrohir's; his brother's hand instinctively extended to meet his own. They had lost something in Mirkwood, Elladan thought. Elrohir, hearing the soft echoes of his brother's thoughts, agreed. They had lost their heart in the dark forests, to a bright jewel in Thranduil's court.
But, the twins reflected, it didn't seem like such a terrible loss after all.
