Part Six

"You cannot do this," Saelbeth said urgently.

"I can, and I will," Legolas replied. His heart pounded against his ribs at a pace it had never reached before. He admitted to himself that he was terrified, but he did not let this emotion show on his face or in his eyes. He would not give Celeborn the satisfaction of humbling him any more than Saelbeth had. "You have been my friend and my guardian all of my life, Saelbeth. It is my honor as well as my privilege and even my duty to do whatever Lord Celeborn requires to obtain your freedom. My father would do the same, for any of his people."

"I sincerely doubt that," Celeborn drawled, looking at Legolas with icy, hooded eyes. His mouth was twisted into a smile. "Thranduil is not the submissive type."

Legolas thought about his father's relationship with Elrond and said nothing. He knew that Thranduil would not permit this situation to remain for long, nor would Haldir. They were far more likely to rescue him than Saelbeth.

Would Haldir be angry? Surely Legolas would have to lie with Celeborn before the details of his release were agreed upon. Until then, he must do whatever Celeborn bade him, and he fully intended to cooperate. He would not give Celeborn the pleasure of raping him.

But no matter what, it would be a rape, Legolas admitted to himself. He did not want Celeborn. The Lord of Lórien was fair, but his cruelty and selfishness made him ugly in Legolas' eyes. He steeled himself for what was to come.

He reminded himself that Celeborn had told him that Haldir was his lover, too. Haldir had never mentioned this, and it did bother him. Legolas realized that he was jealous. But he was not doing this to make Haldir jealous in return, was he? He was doing this for Saelbeth, to save him from wasting away…

"Thranduil will not stand for this," Saelbeth said. "Just leave me, Legolas."

"You would have your prince break his word?" Celeborn asked, lifting a brow. "Even Thranduil would not wish his son to do that. He will have Legolas honor this commitment."

"Then, we have an accord," Legolas said, lifting his chin. "Please release Saelbeth."

Celeborn took Saelbeth's wrist in his hand and twisted the fur cuff. It popped free. Legolas lifted his arm, but Celeborn shook his head.

"First, your clothing. Saelbeth is naked, and to properly take his place, so must you be."

"What about Arwen?" Legolas asked suddenly. "What will she think of marrying an elf who has been chained naked to her grand-father's bed?"

"She need not know."

"Oh, she will know," said Saelbeth dangerously.

Celeborn lifted Saelbeth's chin with a finger. "You will tell her, I suppose? Would you dare?"

"Do not threaten him, Lord Celeborn," Legolas growled.

"I never make threats, Legolas."

"You would do that to her?" Legolas asked softly. "For me, I expect you bear no love, but she is your own flesh and blood. Would you see her unhappy?"

"I know her well enough to safely say that if she finds out, this will bother her very little. After all, she knows I have taken Haldir to my bed and still she desires him."

Legolas was stung. Did Haldir know that the little princess wanted him? What did he think of Arwen? How would he feel if Legolas married Arwen? Legolas had thought that he might continue with Haldir once he married her when he had volunteered to do so, but he and Haldir had never talked about it.

"Will you send Haldir to me?" Legolas asked, even knowing the request was not likely to be granted.

"Certainly not. In any event, he will be far too busy to see you as he begins his duties as Marchwarden of the Golden Wood. Legolas, take off your clothing this instant or I will merely put this cuff back on Saelbeth and be done with you."

Legolas obeyed. Very slowly he went, dreading revealing himself. He kicked off his boots, untied his belt, pulled his tunic over his head. It was when he realized that both Celeborn were staring at him with glittering, lustful eyes that he hurried the whole business along and undressed more quickly. He thrust his clothing at Saelbeth.

"Put this on, my friend. And please… bring word to my father and to Haldir that I am well."

Tears came to Saelbeth's eyes as Celeborn snapped the manacle onto Legolas' wrist. It was not uncomfortable, but Legolas still shivered in dread. He stood up straight and looked Celeborn in the eye. The Lord of Lórien was taller than him and he suddenly seemed large and dangerous.

"Helpless," Celeborn whispered, reflecting Legolas' thought.

Legolas tore his gaze away and looked at Saelbeth, who had put on the prince's clothing. It was loose on him and ill-fitting but at least he would not have to walk about Lórien naked.

"Go, Saelbeth. Do not worry about me," Legolas said. Saelbeth nodded and disappeared out of the talan. Legolas returned his gaze to Celeborn.

"A new prize," Celeborn whispered. "You are well-favored, Legolas. Lovely and fair. You sold yourself to me too cheaply. You are worth two dozen elves of Mirkwood."

"I am not 'worth' more than anyone else," Legolas sneered.

Celeborn walked around him and examined him slowly. Legolas lifted his chin and stared forward, pretending this was not happening to him. Celeborn's hands were soft and smooth, as if he did not take weapons or tools into his own hands. They were cool and his touch made Legolas tremble. He was very gentle in his examination, his hands sliding over Legolas' hair, squeezing his shoulders, his arms, his thighs. He expected Celeborn's hand to wander between his legs but for some reason, the Lord of Lórien refrained.

Celeborn's hand slid over Legolas' rounded rear end and pinched it, making him jump and gasp. Celeborn chuckled. "Such beautiful flesh. Have you ever been properly spanked, Legolas?"

"Spanked?"

"Yes. Not whipped, but spanked, with a silver hairbrush, or a flat wooden paddle. You have the perfect arse for it, you know."

Legolas felt his face and ears turn crimson, which made Celeborn laugh again. The Lord of Lórien stood behind him, his hand still on Legolas' rear end. Celeborn licked the back of Legolas' ear, the stroked it from lobe to pointed tip, biting lightly on the tip. Legolas gasped.

"You will be easy to tame," Celeborn said. "You are made for love, and you are far too noble to resist me. You gave yourself, and you will give everything. You will belong to me fully. Completely."

"I do not want this."

"Nevertheless, it shall be. I can barely wait for tonight. However, I must attend dinner tonight."

"Send Arwen my regards."

Celeborn's hand came down sharply on Legolas' behind, and he bit the prince's ear again, almost viciously.

"Keep the bed warm," he said, then disappeared out of the bedroom in a swirl of white and gold.

Left alone, Legolas did indeed lie down in the bed. He was emotionally exhausted. He closed his eyes and fell asleep. He was not sure how many hours passed before he heard someone coming up the stairs, but darkness had fallen, though the room was still bright with the millions of tiny lights that kept it from ever being fully dark in Lothlórien. It was the opposite of his dark Mirkwood. He rubbed his eyes as the curtain was pushed aside and a figure emerged from the doorway. He was surprised to see that it was not Lord Celeborn.

"Elladan," Legolas gasped.