Part Thirty

"Thank you for sitting with me," Elrond said quietly. He rubbed his thumb over the back of Thranduil's hand and the Elvenking shivered. "Arwen should awaken soon. She will be fine."

"She has a hard head, like her father," Thranduil said, smiling at his lover. Elrond smiled back at him slightly.

"Sometimes I do not know whether I should apologize to you, or be angry with you," Elrond commented. "You have, over these past few weeks, proved yourself to have a great deal more sense than I ever gave you credit for before."

"Now there is a backhanded compliment," Thranduil said, but he was not upset or even irritated by it. He knew he could have drawn Elrond into a long argument, but for the first time, he did not want to. What he wanted was tenderness. He bent and kissed the Lord of Imladris gently.

Elrond sighed against his mouth for a moment, then took control, his tongue forcing his way into Thranduil's willing mouth.. They pressed together in heat, wetness, and Thranduil felt a tear spark behind his eye as if he knew what Elrond would say next.

"I should never have dragged you and Legolas into this mess, but for my own sake, I am glad that I did. Perhaps that is selfish, but so be it. And still, I think you know that it is time for both of us to go home."

Thranduil nodded. "I ask you only to promise me one thing."

"What is that?"

"Do not leave Middle-earth. Not soon."

"Would you miss me?"

Thranduil glared at him. "If I would not, I certainly would not ask this of you."

Elrond smiled slightly. "You know that you do not have to ask. You know that now, after all this… I would stay for you."

"I will come visit you in Imladris, as soon as I may."

"You will be ever welcome, my Thranduil. And I will be waiting for you to darken my door."

Thranduil smirked. "I will endeavor not to keep you waiting for long. I will permit Legolas to stay in Lothlórien for a time, but when he returns home, I will come to you."

"He will stay with Haldir, then."

"They could not be kept apart… even though… I saw…" Thranduil paused. He did not wish to speak of his vision in the Mirror of Galadriel.

Elrond laid a hand on his arm. "You saw the time when our peace will be shattered."

"It is far off."

"Yes. But it will come."

"Until then, let them love. Until then, let us love." There was a pleading note in the Elvenking's voice.

"Do not look upon what we share as doomed, Thranduil."

"I do not."

"I fear that you do."

"Father?" came a tremulous voice from the doorway. Thranduil looked up and saw one of the twins. From the robes he was wearing, Thranduil guessed that it was Elladan, but Elrond frowned at him.

"Elrohir? Why are you wearing your brother's clothes."

Elrohir grinned broadly. "We never could fool you, Father." He looked over at his siter and the grin left his face. "Is Arwen all right?"

"She will be fine. What is it that you wanted?"

"I had better speak to you privately," Elrohir said, biting his lip.

Elrond frowned sharply and stood up. "What have you done?"

"Not me."

"Elladan then."

"Elladan is in love with Saelbeth. I do hope, King Thranduil, you will not mind if we steal him from you as well."

Thranduil grinned. "Elladan is welcome to him."

"I am glad to hear it."

Elrond took his son by the arm and steered him out of the talan. He looked back over his shoulder at Thranduil. "Will you stay with her?"

"Of course."

And of course, her father was only a few paces away when Arwen Undómiel opened her grey eyes. She looked at him foggily.

"Legolas?"

"No, little one. Thranduil. Here, take some water."

Thranduil lifted the goblet for her, and Arwen sat up enough to drink it. Thranduil cradled her against his broad chest so she would not spill it.

"Thank you," she sighed softly. "Do you know, King Thranduil, I would rather have you than Legolas?"

Thranduil chuckled. "You flatter me, Arwen."

"It is true. Yet I know you prefer my father."

"A maid should not speak of such things."

"Perhaps not. I have always been too plainspoken. It is a fault of mine."

"None of us are without faults."

"Legolas is. You should be proud of him, sir."

"I am, my dear," he replied gently.

"He is noble. Too noble for one such as I."

"Do not say that."

"I fear that it is true. Are you sure you do not wish for a wife? For I would not marry your son…" Arwen sat up and pushed away from Thranduil, looking at him pleadingly.

Thranduil shook his head. "Elrond would not permit it."

"And you do not desire it."

"No."

Arwen sighed. "I will tell Galadriel to call off the engagement."

Thranduil nodded. "You will find love, too, child. Do not doubt it."

There was nothing else he could do but wipe the tears from the face of the Evenstar.