Part Fourteen

Elladan ate breakfast with Elrohir, Orophin and Rúmil in the great dining hall of Caras Galadhon where most of the elves gathered in common to take their meals. Usually he ate in private with Galadriel and Celeborn when he was in Lórien, but neither of them were around and Elladan certainly did not feel like eating on his own. Elladan was feeling slightly edgy after what had happened last night both with Celeborn and his conversation with Arwen.

It had been several weeks since he had taken a lover, he thought. The last time had been his "punishment" from Haldir and Legolas, which had left him little satisfaction. He was itchy and feeling slightly desperate. Elladan wished that he had not felt the attack of conscience where Legolas was concerned... then again, if Haldir had entered Celeborn's chambers to find him raping the prince, he probably would have slit Elladan's throat.

"Lie with me tonight, Rúmil," he said casually. Orophin looked up from the sliced apple he was feeding Elrohir and made a noise of disgust.

"No, thank you," Rúmil said in a cheerful tone. "I really had better not."

Elrohir laughed and nearly choked on his breakfast. "Poor Elladan. You are bored, are you not, my beloved twin?"

"Boorish, more like," said Orophin.

"Go easy on him, my love," Elrohir said. He winked at Elladan, and Elladan was grateful that no matter what, he at least had Elrohir on his side. It was good to have someone stick up for him.

"It is hard for me to believe the two of you are twins," Orophin said coldly. "Here, try this pastry. Galadriel makes them herself."

"You would think he had never eaten his grand-mother's cooking," Elladan drawled. "Yes it is hard to believe, is it not? I am much more talented in the bedroom than Elrohir, do you not think, Oro? After all, you have lain with both of us now."

"We all make mistakes," Orophin said, refusing to be goaded. "And I beg to differ."

"So do I!" said Elrohir, but he laughed.

Elladan was glad to see the sparkle in his twin's eye. He had been shocked to see how thin and ill Elrohir had appeared when he had arrived in Lothlórien. For the first time in their lives they had been less than identical, but a few days of Orophin pampering him would have Elrohir well-fed and healthy again in no time. At least the annoying, sour Galadhrim was good for something.

"Did I not please you last time, Rúmil?" Elladan wheedled. The younger elf blushed.

"Oh, certainly you did, my lord," he said carefully.

"So why do you not care for another go around?" Elladan said in a husky voice. He slid closer to Rúmil, lowering his lips towards the Galadhrim's.

"Leave my brother alone," Orophin growled.

"Let him make his own decisions," Elladan said.

"I did tell you no," Rúmil said cheerfully. He seemed the opposite of his brother.

"I thought your interest lay elsewhere, Elladan," Elrohir said, arching an eyebrow. "Have you forsaken your desire for Legolas?"

"I hope he has," said Haldir in a warning tone as he and Saelbeth entered the hall. Elladan met Haldir's eyes with frustration. No one was going to give him a break this morning, it seemed. The two of them sat down at the table beside them and took some breakfast.

"Well, I did let him go last night," Elladan snapped.

"By your own choice, or at his request?" Saelbeth asked.

Elladan met Saelbeth's gaze. Saelbeth locked eyes with him. There was a challenge in that gaze, but Elladan could see something else there as well. It occurred to him that Saelbeth was suffering from the same malady that he was himself. After all, it was said that Lord Celeborn left his lovers aching for more...

Elladan licked his lips, then saw Saelbeth swallow hard. Elladan looked away, smiling slightly. Now this was an interesting challenge. He wondered if he could get Galadriel to seat him next to Saelbeth at the banquet tonight. For now he would play it humble.

"Legolas made me realize that if I truly cared for him, I should have to forgo my own feelings," Elladan said softly. "And so I did."

Saelbeth looked slightly startled. Elladan knew he was remembering that he himself had done that. He nodded slowly. "Then I am glad, Elladan."

"As am I," said Haldir, but he did not appear to be nearly as convinced.

"But what of Arwen?" Elladan asked softly. "Will you do the same, to spare her feelings, Haldir?"

A look of frustration crossed Haldir's face. "I have always liked Arwen," he said. "I wish her no ill."

"Then you, too, will join Saelbeth and I in giving up the one we all have wanted."

Haldir lifted his chin. "Are you sure she will marry him?"

"She told me last night that she would, out of duty to our father."

"Arwen said that?" said Elrohir, sounding astounded.

Elladan looked at him sharply. "Yes."

"She is Father's favorite, but 'duty' is not a word oft spoken from our sister's mouth. She must have some other reason why she wishes to marry Legolas, then," Elrohir reasoned. He was right, of course, but Elladan was not about to betray Arwen's confidences, when they worked so well in his own favor.

"There are many reasons why any maid would desire Legolas," Haldir said softly.

"Yourself among them," Rúmil teased him. Haldir arched a brow in his direction.

"Legolas chooses Haldir. It is not fair that he should be forced to Arwen," said Saelbeth, sounding irritated. He truly did need what Elladan had to offer him, Elladan decided. Tonight, after the banquet... Saelbeth would be his. They could relieve each other's lust, even if both might close their eyes and think of the Prince of Mirkwood.

"Nor is it fair that Arwen be forced to him," Elrohir pointed out.

"Our sister will not be forced to anything."

"How well I know that. I am curious as to what made her change her mind."

"Perhaps she finally has gotten to know the prince," said Saelbeth.

"Indeed, they are speaking now," Haldir said with a sigh. "But Legolas hopes to change her mind and convince her that they must not wed."

"What, all that for you?" said Rúmil.

"You must have skill between the sheets," Orophin added, his eyes twinkling. For the first time that morning he did not look sour. All three brothers were clearly as close as the twins and Arwen were themselves.

"He does," said Elladan. Haldir gave him a sour look that rivaled anything Orophin had presented this morning. Elladan winked at him. "If you like, I can console you if he does not, Haldir."

"No, thank you," Haldir said crisply.

"Are you sure?" Elladan teased. "After all, I can arrange for you to be sent to Imladris with the happy couple."

For a brief moment, it appeared that Haldir was considering his offer, but then he shook his head, motioned to Saelbeth to follow, and left the room.