Part Forty-Nine

"You should not have called off the hunt," Elrond said, watching his lover pace the large chamber. He lay in Thranduil's bed, wearing nothing but a sheet. Thranduil had insisted on a thorough examination, to make sure he had no other wound, even though Elrond had told him quite plainly he had only suffered a minor gash to the head, which bled plentifully but was not deep.

"I have had enough of hunting orcs for the moment," said Thranduil. "Legolas and Haldir were nearly overwhelmed, and you-" The Elvenking stopped and sighed. "I was putting us all at risk."

"For good cause."

"No. Not for a good cause. To make you jump through hoops. I suppose it would be good if we could get rid of them all, and we did clear out a sizeable number… but it was not about the orcs."

Elrond was not terribly surprised, but he still found himself feeling somewhat saddened and offended by Thranduil's confession. "Why? Why was this necessary?"

"Because you came to me and asked to take away the thing I hold most dear."

"Legolas."

"Yes. I have no one else but him, Elrond. My people fear me."

"They love you, too."

"Yes, but I cannot speak to them, confide in them, be myself with them. There is only my son."

"It is not as if he would be a prisoner of Imladris. I see you often enough, I see not why you would not see him just as often."

"He would be busy with his wife and with ruling Imladris."

"I suppose that is so. Never mind, Thranduil. I can see that it was a bad idea to have asked for this union."

"Actually," said Thranduil, stopping his pacing and seating himself on the bed nest to Elrond, "It was a very good idea. And I am honored that you would ask for Legolas to marry Arwen. I know she is as much your pride and joy as Legolas is mine. I simply wish it could be their decision."

"It will be," Elrond said fervently, taking Thranduil's hand in his own. With his thumb he began to caress the King's knuckles and when he saw Thranduil shift slightly he knew that he was becoming aroused by the gentle gesture. He reached up and put an arm around the muscular blond elf and pulled his mouth down to meet his own.

Elrond sighed against Thranduil's mouth. Thranduil ground his lips against Elrond's but the Lord of Imladris had no intention of letting Thranduil take over this moment of intimacy. He battle back at him with lips and tongue, making the sweet joining heated. In a moment Elrond managed to pull Thranduil down on top of him, then rolled over so he lay atop the magnificent golden body of the other elf.

"I am sorry I was angry with you, Thranduil," he said softly.

"I do not blame you. I do go out of my way to make you angry sometimes."

"I know."

"I will try to stop."

"No, you will not," Elrond said, smiling at him slowly.

Thranduil lay back on the bed, his golden hair floating copiously around his shoulders and over the many mountainous pillows. Elrond plucked the golden circlet from his head and flung it across the room, letting the King's hair flow even more wildly. He buried his hands in that beautiful hair, inhaled the wild scent of it. Thranduil apparently used some sort of shampoo or soap that smelled of berries plucked deep in the heart of the wood. It was delicious and enticing.

"You are right," said Thranduil. "I probably will not."

Elrond pulled the sheet that separated them away and began unlacing the Elvenking's clothing. He wanted Thranduil naked, wanted them pressed together flesh to flesh. The nights that they had passed apart had been more difficult on him than he cared to admit. Soon they lay entwined. Elrond kissed Thranduil mercilessly, silently demanding his submission, knowing that Thranduil wanted this as much as he did.

"Shall I shackle you to the bed?" Elrond breathed against Thranduil's mouth.

"Not this time," Thranduil replied. "Just love me, Elrond, and let me love you. Let us show each other that we need never be alone, no matter the paths our loved ones or our people may follow."

Elrond was glad to comply. He lifted his head for a moment and examined Thranduil's face. The resemblance between him and his son was startling. Thranduil had a look of wisdom and maturity that Legolas did not possess yet, but their facial features were much alike. The Elvenking's eyes were large and blue, though often they reflected the green of the trees of his beloved wood. His lashes were long, his dark eyebrows an arched contrast to the miles of wavy golden hair. His cheeks were angular, his jaw and chin strong, his smooth lips supple, pink and begging for kisses. His skin was a shade lighter than Elrond's, holding a hint of gold in the ethereal paleness.

Thranduil's body was long and lean and well-muscled. He was perfectly formed, taller than Elrond, taller than most elves of Imladris or Mirkwood, though not quite as tall as those of Lórien. He had a deliciously rounded rear end that called for Elrond to squeeze it and stroke it. It was amazing to see such a forceful, belligerent elf lie there so passively and completely give himself up to Elrond.

"Tomorrow we will go out in search of Elladan," Thranduil said softly. An apology lingered unspoken in his tone.

Elrond nodded. "I am not worried for him," he said, thinking of Elrohir's assurances that he had left weapons for his brother and that the area had been well-cleared out of spiders.

"No?" Thranduil sounded surprised.

"Elladan is a skilled warrior."

"I never meant for anything to happen to him."

"I know, Thranduil. I know you would not have left him out there if you truly thought he might be killed."

"I am glad you understand. All the same, as that was two days ago and they have not yet returned…"

Elrond frowned. "Yes, I am surprised that Saelbeth at the outside did not come back here. I suppose Glorfindel and Elladan could have started back to Imladris."

"It is too far of a journey to Imladris without supplies and with only one weapon between them."

Elrond took a deep breath and told Thranduil about Elrohir's deception. He expected Thranduil to explode with anger, but the Elvenking only chuckled.

"Your boys are wily, I shall give you that."

"Thank you."

"Very well. We shall set out at dawn to track down the wayward lot of them, and then we will take Legolas to Imladris together to have him speak with Arwen so the two of them may decide if they suit."

Elrond lifted an eyebrow. "Arwen is at Lórien visiting Galadriel and Celeborn."

"Then we shall go to Lórien. I have not been there in a century. It might be good to see old Celeborn again. He and I used to have a rousing good time together."

For some reason, Thranduil's words made Elrond feel undeniably jealous.