Part Thirty-Two

Legolas stood for a long quiet, moment in the embrace of his father. He had not expected the lump in his throat that came at this parting, but there is was. Over the past weeks he had truly come to value the bond between them, and to learn how much Thranduil truly loved him. The Elvenking had always stood behind his son, Legolas realized, even when circumstances made it seem otherwise.

"I will come home at the end of the season, Father, that you may go to Imladris," Legolas said softly. Today Thranduil departed for Mirkwood alone. Elrond and his children would go home, along with Saelbeth. Legolas and Glorfindel were staying in Lothlórien, with the blessing of Galadriel if not Lord Celeborn, who stood silent at this parting.

Glorfindel stood at the side of Celeborn, clearly quite fond of him. Thranduil and Elrond seemed to think Legolas would be safe enough with Haldir to look after him and Glorfindel to keep the Lord of Lórien in line. What Lady Galadriel thought, she did not say, except to proclaim that the people of Mirkwood and Imladris would always be welcomed in her land.

Even though he would miss his father, Legolas was glad to stay with Haldir. They would have a chance to allow their bond to strengthen, to enjoy the rewards of love in the safety of the Golden Wood. Not all of the lovers were as lucky as they were, for the time had come for both Thranduil to part from Elrond, and Elrohir from Orophin.

Thranduil let go of his son and turned towards Elrond. It made Legolas ache to watch them, knowing that the two monarchs had no choice but to let each other go and return to their respective kingdoms, their fondness for each other being forced into second place behind their duty to their lands and their peoples.

Thranduil laid a hand on Elrond's arm and squeezed it, his expression calm, as if he cared not. Yet Legolas could see in his eyes how much this pained him. No one else might know, but he did. But then… there was another who was just as sensitive to how Thranduil felt. Elrond drew the Elvenking into his arms and embraced him fully.

"I cannot let you go with just a clasp of the arm," Elrond said. "Never could I have dreamed that you should become so dear to me, and yet you have."

"We have all of eternity, and we shall meet again," Thranduil said gruffly.

"I know. Until then, I will not allow you to forget," Elrond replied. He put his hand on the back of Thranduil's head. Legolas' eyes widened as Elrond kissed Thranduil roughly, staking his claim for the people of three Elven nations to see. "You will ever be mine."

"Yes," Thranduil said breathlessly when at last they let each other go. "I will ever be yours."

With one last parting look at his son, the Elvenking disappeared into the shadows of the Golden Wood.

Elrond turned back towards Galadriel, his expression calm, but Legolas could see the shadows in his eyes. The Lady of Light kissed each of her grand-children in turn.

"Elrohir, I will look after Orophin and at the turn of the season, he may come to see you in Imladris."

"Thank you, Grand-mother."

"Elladan…. How you have grown up. I am glad to see it at last, and to have you prove that you have both the heart of your father as well as the boldness of your mother. Saelbeth, you will look after him…but he will look after you as well."

"Yes, my lady," Saelbeth said gratefully as Elladan beamed at her. He did not look at Lord Celeborn. None of them did.

"And Arwen, my fair Evenstar. You still have some growing up to do, but I would have you enjoy it. Be young, and do not search so desperately for love. Your father has learned that when you give your heart, it will be your own choice, not his. No one will ever force you to marriage."

"Thank you," Arwen said, and she flung her arms around Galadriel and wept on her shoulder. Legolas had never seen anyone dare touch the Lady of Light this way, and it soothed him to know that someone could. When Arwen let go of Galadriel, she turned to Legolas, and took his hand. "I know I owe both you and Haldir an apology."

"None is necessary, my lady," Legolas assured her.

"Do I have your friendship, Legolas Greenleaf?"

"That you have always had, and will ever have."

Arwen stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek, then turned to hug her grand-father good-bye as well. Elladan and Elrohir, however, did not. Celeborn seemed to be genuinely fond of Arwen, and as much as Legolas abhorred him for his behavior towards the young males elves, his treatment of Arwen indicated that there might be some good in him after all.

At the least, Legolas had hope. He did not think Celeborn would try to touch him again, and Saelbeth would be very far away. But still, the way he looked at his grand-sons… Orophin and Elrohir seemed to have the most trouble parting of all the lovers. They clung to each other, tears on both cheeks. Calculation gleamed in Celeborn's eye.

Haldir lowered his mouth to Legolas' ear. "Do not fear, my prince. I will look after Orophin, and he has also the protection of the lady. Put your mind at ease. Our lord may be crafty in his machinations, but with Glorfindel in his bed, he will be far too busy to bother any of us."

Legolas chuckled. He turned and kissed Haldir on the mouth, caring not who saw. Haldir stroked his hair fondly, but held himself slightly reserved, and Legolas knew that he did not wish to flaunt their love in front of Orophin, who had to let Elrohir go, at least for now.

"We will part too, one day not so far away," he whispered.

"Do not remind me, not just yet," Legolas said.

"Look after yourself, my love," Orophin said to Elrohir. "Make sure you eat. Elladan…"

"I know that you and I have…had our differences," Elladan said to Orophin. "But rest assured that I love my brother well and he will be fine."

"I know you share the same bond that I do with Rúmil and Haldir," Orophin said. "And, I forgive you."

Orophin embraced Elladan briefly, then turned to kiss Elrohir for the final time before the small party departed for Imladris.

"Go, Orophin, and escort them out of Caras Galadhon to the edge of the wood," Galadriel said. "And you as well, Rúmil." Oro smiled at her gratefully and led Elrond and his children out of the glen. Rúmil followed.

The Lady of Light took her husband's arm and led Celeborn off, motioning for Glorfindel to follow them. At last Haldir and Legolas stood alone beneath the golden mallorn trees. Legolas opened his mouth to speak, but Haldir laid a finger across his lips. Legolas wanted to tell him how he felt, and how much he had learned in these past few weeks of love, and lust, and the difference between them.

Haldir kissed him, his lips moving with heat across Legolas' own, and in that moment, the young Prince of Mirkwood knew that his lover was correct, and that, at least for now, there truly was no more to be said.