ficlet

[zhie]

I don't know when I started this, but I found it in my drafts... was sitting there at least three months, more likely more because I'm sure it was prior to Screw Yule. This is a little conversion bit, think of it as a prequel of sorts to Blind. It's actually about Elrond and Legolas, not the other characters, and has no title at the moment.

rating: pg
characters: Elrond/Legolas
summary: after the last alliance

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"Well," said Elrond after a lengthy pause in their meager conversation, "we won."



Legolas, who was nestled against Elrond, his back against the peredhel's chest, answered with, "It does not seem as if we did."



The fire burned low and many of the others returned to their tents, most with heads bowed in reverence to the fallen kings and kin. "Tomorrow, father and I are riding back to Greenwood ahead of the company. We are only taking a small guard with us. So many were lost, and he wants to see to their families personally."



"Then this is the last night, I suppose." Elrond closed his eyes. When he had first met the youngest member of the royal family of Greenwood, he had hardly been impressed and had suggested rather rudely that children should be left at home in the nursery. He later learned that Legolas' playful manner was just a part of who he was, and that despite his sudden bursts of silliness, his skill as a warrior was remarkable and his advice in council immeasurable.



For these reasons, he won Elrond's admiration. The peredhel would seek out the Greenwood youth for conversation the few times they had the chance, and while in battle the thought of having another discussion with his new friend helped to keep Elrond sane. Admiration soon turned to desire, and while it was not uncommon for the warriors to give and take comfort of a sexual nature, it seemed wrong to Elrond to react to his impulses at such a time.



He was grateful in some ways that it was Legolas who initiated their intimate relationship, though Elrond would always wish it had been under better circumstances. Legolas fought for the most part with his own people, of course, running messages between the camps, for his speed on foot was matched by none.

"May I visit you in Lindon?" asked the prince, his fingers gently touching Elrond's thumb, seaking permission to take hold of his hand.

Elrond grasped hold of the hand of his lover, despite the painful burns on his own hands. "I am not going to Lindon."

"What?" Legolas sat up, regarding him with confusion. "Someone needs to Gil-galad's place. You were his herald; he trusted you with his outpost."

"And that is where I intend to go, back to Imladris. I am not the heir to his throne."

"Elrond, you are rightfully moreso than any other. You are from Turgon's line, and was he not a king of old?"

With a smile, Elrond placed his hand upon Legolas' cheek. "Perhaps it seems it should be that way to you, but I do not feel it my own right to decide that. Lord of Imladris I shall be, but not King of Lindon. You will still visit, will you not?"

Legolas nodded and kissed Elrond chastely. "May I offer to you some advice which you will not like but should seriously consider?"

Elrond narrowed his eyes slightly, and nodded.

"Find yourself a wife."

Heaving a great sigh, Elrond turned his head away to regard the setting sun. "Tired of me already?"

"No.. concerned for you, my dearest friend, my only love. You do not see yourself as king, you will not call yourself a king, but others do and will. They will look to you to lead them, and they will ask, who will lead us when he has sailed? You need an heir."

They sat long, long after the sun set, long after the embers faded away. "I do not want to lose you."

"You shall not."

"What of you, Legolas? Will you not some day have the same duty to fulfill? What then?"

Legolas smirked. "I have brothers; they have children, sons and daughters. I am but the spare, should my brothers and all their lines fall. That is unlikely, and so I am an excellent and expendable emissary."

"Do not say that!" Elrond hissed, drawing Legolas closer to him. They sat once more with prince leaned back against the Elf-lord. "I will not have you entertaining such thoughts!"

"Spoken like a true king," teased the younger.

"Then find me a queen yourself, for I will not seek one out who will be jealous of you or make you jealous."

"That is a difficult proposal," admitted Legolas. "A king needs a true princess, or one worthy to be as such."

"Do you have a sister?" wondered Elrond, grinning as he heard Legolas make a noise of disgust.

"Yes, and she is ugly."

"Perhaps I should see her and judge myself."

"She is conceited."

"Aren't we all?"

Legolas leaned his head back upon Elrond's shoulder and looked up at the stars. "I wonder..."

"What?"

"Gil-galad... he was to be married when we returned..."

Elrond wrapped his arms tigher around Legolas. "Yes... yes he was... Celeborn's daughter."

"Aye, Celeborn's daughter, but Galadriel's daughter as well." Legolas turned his head just slightly to regard Elrond. "I think I may have found your princess."