Part Fourteen

Lord Elrond of Rivendell knew he had been presenting a foul face to the gathered company for nearly the entire time he had been in Mirkwood. He had not anticipated being here more than a few days and now he was stuck here for the entire Autumn season. He almost wondered if it was worth it, but when he caught a glimpse of Legolas in the palace halls or spoke with the charming, well-mannered elf here beside the waterfall, he knew that this was the only husband he wanted for his daughter.

If he wanted Legolas for Arwen, he would have to abide by Thranduil's requirements: do not tell Legolas, clean out the orcs and spiders, and-- the mysterious last condition. He was counting on Thranduil to make it something fair, not something which would break the deal after he put his sons and Lord Glorfindel at risk in the dangerous project Thranduil had in mind.

For a few days Elrond had suspected that Thranduil's condition would be for him to join the King in his bed. That, Elrond thought, while slightly humiliating, might not be such a terrible proposition. He had silently admitted to himself that Thranduil was one of the most beautiful elves in Middle-earth. In fact, he had spent so much time thinking about the possibility of lying with the King that it no doubt added to his irritation that Thranduil had not asked him to do so.

They would spend all day together discussing the state of affairs in Mirkwood and Rivendell -- and Lothlórien as well. Thranduil loved nothing better than to debate back and forth with him, and Elrond had to admit in the end that he was clever and well-spoken, and thought things through well. By the end of the evening they would be drunk and Thranduil would inevitably become randy and call for Silindë, who was forced to 'stand guard' in the hall all day and night.

He was a beautiful elf, Elrond mused. Yet he did not seem happy. Elrond had not broached the subject with Thranduil, however. He had also noted that his councilor Erestor was giving Silindë strange glances. Erestor was not the type to exhibit his desires or express them, so Elrond spoke not of this to him, either. Erestor knew better than to go after Thranduil's plaything.

Yes, his own bed was cold, Elrond thought.

Perhaps that was part of why the party made him even more annoyed this morning. Everyone became wild and wanton and it was barely noon. He would have chastised his sons for their behavior, but in truth they were not behaving any worse than anyone else. When he and Thranduil saw that Haldir had Legolas pinned to a rock, alarm had coursed through him. He had given Thranduil a meaningful look -- he did not want the Prince despoiled or in love with someone else before he was affianced to Arwen. Legolas would surely love Elrond's daughter, but it was best if he did not go to her pining for someone else. Luckily, Thranduil had broken that up and sent Haldir away.

Or so it seemed. Legolas disappeared moments later, and when Elrond saw Elladan was missing, he knew that the Prince was in…jeopardy. Elrond was vaguely distracted when Thranduil stripped to go into the water. When the glorious golden body was revealed he found himself staring, wishing… but this was foolishness. He needed to go and protect his investment.

Good thing he did.

Elrond came upon his sons and Haldir's brothers assaulting the lad, and Legolas seeming to enjoy it. Anger flooded him. Not only was he going to make Elrohir and Elladan sorry, he was going to see to it that Galadriel had Rúmil and Orophin locked in their talan for a month when they got home!

"What is going on here?" he demanded.

"We are attempting to improve relations between Imladris and Mirkwood," said Elladan, smirking at his father.

"I think you should leave that up to me," Elrond said.

Elladan laughed. "Why, Father, did you want a go at the Prince?"

Legolas began struggling in Elrohir's embrace. He jumped backwards away from Elrond's son and looked at Elrond in distress. He opened his mouth as if he wished to say something, but then looked around at the assembled and mostly naked company with what Elrond perceived as sheer humiliation on his fair face. The young Prince turned tail and ran into the wood.

"The four of you should be ashamed of yourselves," Elrond said with disgust. "I want you all to dress yourselves and march back to the waterfall."

"But, father--"

"I do not think--"

"Elrohir! Elladan! Do not question me." At least Orophin and Rúmil had the good sense to remain quiet. "It was rude to leave before Thranduil dismissed you. We are his guests and at his command for the duration of his stay. I want all of you at his beck and call to fulfil his every whim until we leave -- including you two of the Galadhrim."

"Yes, my lord," said Orophin softly. His ears began to glow scarlet and Elrond was satisfied to see his well-deserved embarrassment.

"All four of you will stay well away from Legolas as well," Elrond added.

"I really must protest," said Elladan impatiently. "We did the Prince no harm."

"In fact, I think he is rather needful of our company," Elrohir added.

Elrond glared at them. "Do not question my word. I am not asking this of you -- I am commanding it. Do you understand?"

"You turn him over to Haldir, then?" asked Elladan bitterly.

"Haldir has been issued the same command, by Thranduil himself," said Elrond.

But had he? Elrond was not exactly sure what Thranduil had said to the two of them. He would have to ask the King. Surely he knew Elrond's concern, when Legolas was meant to be saved for Arwen. Before he could herd them all back to the party, Saelbeth crashed into the clearing. He had his tunic on inside out, as if he had too hastily dressed. But at least, Elrond thought, he was actually dressed.

"Lord Elrond!" he panted.

"Yes?"

Saelbeth looked around at the others with wild eyes. "Where is Legolas?"

"He returned to the palace, I imagine," Elrohir said coldly, giving the Mirkwood guard a calculated look.

"Then… the situation is under control…"

"There is no situation, Saelbeth," Elrond said, sighing.

Saelbeth nodded. He glared at the others suspiciously and Elrond wondered what he knew. "Excellent. I shall return to the palace, then…"

He stomped off into the brush. Elrond sighed inwardly and ordered the other four back to the water. When they rejoined the party, it seemed a great many of the elves of Mirkwood had already departed, or were sleeping in the sun, what little of it filtered through the dense foliage of the Mirkwood -- or perhaps passed out from indulging too heartily in the wine. Both Erestor and Glorfindel appeared to be missing as well, but Elrond was not going in search of them. If they too were after the Prince there was no more he could do about it.

Elladan called his twin and his friends over to the wine cask and away from Elrond. Thranduil lay naked on the grass, and for a moment Elrond thought he too was unconscious, but he sat up and smiled at the Lord of Imladris' approach. Elrond wished he did not look so bloody attractive lying there in his golden splendor.

"I wondered where you got off to, Elrond."

"Keeping my sons out of trouble. I trust you would do the same."

"Legolas never gets into trouble," Thranduil said confidently.

Elrond sat down next to him silently and shook his head.