Part Thirteen

Elrohir had no doubts that his twin had every intention of catching the Prince of Mirkwood in the wood between the waterfall and the palace. If he did, Elladan and Orophin would win their little wager and he would have to give up his favorite cloak. A piece of clothing was the price of Legolas' innocence… But this meant nothing to Elrohir. He did not care much about Legolas, except as a means to entertain himself. He hardly knew the elfling, beautiful as he was, and they had not ever been close friends.

The past week in Mirkwood had been utterly boring, and he was well ready to go home. He had asked his father if they might be leaving soon and been snapped at rather viciously. He was not sure why Elrond was so touchy lately, and had mentioned to Elladan that he thought their sire desperately needed a bed partner. If he had not been so involved in scheming to win the bet about Legolas, he might have spent some time trying to arrange something for Elrond.

Rúmil of Lórien had been the only saving grace of this week, Elrohir thought as he dragged the younger elf out of the water and off into the wood, stopping only briefly to grab their clothing and weapons. Haldir's brother was vigorous and talented in the romantic arts -- almost too distracting. Rúmil had agreed to help him attempt to bed Legolas, but Legolas had absented himself from the palace for most of the week. Elrohir had asked Rúmil if the Prince was sleeping with Haldir, but until today he had not thought it truly to be so. Legolas definitely had a tryst in mind, following Haldir off like that. Elrohir knew that without a doubt.

"Where are we going?" Rúmil asked him, a purr in his voice.

Elrohir stopped walking for one moment and turned to look at his lover. Despite his agreement to the wager and his talent for lovemaking, he really was an innocent, maybe even more so than the untouched Legolas. Rúmil had bright blue eyes, silvery hair like his brothers, and an eager expression. He was taller than Haldir and Legolas but not quite as tall as Elrohir and Elladan. Haldir was broader in the shoulders than Rúmil, but the delicacy of Rúmil's slender figure was part of what made him so appealing to the son of Elrond.

"We seek the Prince of Mirkwood," Elrohir said. "I believe it is time we offered him our services."

Rúmil bit his lower lip and cast his eyes downward. "Would you not simply rather be alone with me?"

Elrohir sighed inwardly. He stepped towards Rúmil and lifted his chin gently with a finger so he could meet the other elf's eye. "Would you have me lose my favorite cloak? Come now, Rúmil, it is just for fun."

He stroked Rúmil's hair and kissed him softly. Rúmil melted against his mouth. Good. This one would do whatever Elrohir asked. As it should be. He took Rúmil's hand and headed down a path which he thought was a shortcut back to the palace. With luck they could circle around and cut off Legolas before he got home, and hopefully before Elladan found him. Elrohir heard the voices filtering through the trees well before they reached the other trio. By the Valar, were they too late?

"You are hardly being friendly, Legolas," Elladan cajoled.

"Forgive me, I do not mean to be rude, it is simply that I need to get back home rather quickly, and-- and you have no clothing on."

"Your father has declared this day a holiday," Orophin said, supporting Elladan. "You need not hurry. You are free of obligation today."

"Do you dislike our company, so, Legolas? Or the sight of us…undressed?"

"It is not that."

"Are you hoping to meet my brother, then?"

Legolas did not reply.

"Well then, surely Haldir will wait. Besides, you have been trysting with him all week. Would you not like a change?"

"I have not been trysting with him!"

"I should hope not," Elrohir murmured to Rúmil as they hurried around the path to where the other three elves were.

"One kiss, then we shall leave you be," said Elladan. "Unless you desire otherwise."

"Elladan--"

"What have you to lose, Legolas?"

They emerged into the clearing in time to see Elladan take Legolas into his arms. To Elrohir's eye Legolas looked nervous, but the moment his twin kissed the Prince, he melted. Yes, Legolas was an elf in need of being touched. He had been neglected far too long. Elrohir felt heat course through his body as he watched Elladan master the younger elf. Beside him, Rúmil made a small noise of appreciation.

Orophin winked at them and slid up behind Legolas. He brushed the Prince's golden hair away from his throat and put his mouth to it from behind, one hand sliding over Elladan's arm which was locked around Legolas. Elrohir heard Legolas moan against Elladan's mouth. Orophin's hips pressed firmly against Legolas' rear. The two naked elves held the Prince between them.

"Bravo, Elladan," said Elrohir lightly. He and Rúmil were holding their own clothing but not actually wearing it. Elladan broke the kiss, looking up to smirk at his brother.

"Shall we send you on your way, Legolas?" he murmured, licking at the Prince's swollen lips.

"No… I mean… yes…" Legolas said breathlessly. His eyes were wide and Elrohir could see he was hardly standing on his own. Orophin was supporting him. The Lórien elf's hands wrapped around Legolas chest from behind. "Orophin--"

Orophin pulled Legolas around and kissed him. There was a mark on his throat from his previous assault. Elladan bent his head over Orophin's work to darken it. Elrohir felt himself becoming enthralled as he watched. It might be worth losing the wager to enjoy the sight of these three beautiful elves entwined together. Rúmil shifted uneasily beside him, and Elrohir knew it was affecting him as well.

"You desire him, do you not, Rúmil?"

"Yes, oh yes… forgive me, Elrohir."

"Why would you ask forgiveness, when it has never been any secret that we both wanted what our brothers are busily claiming just now?"

"I would have you know that this does not lessen my desire for you," Rúmil said, staring at Elrohir with adoration that made him cringe inwardly. He liked Rúmil but certainly did not want the elf of the Galadhrim falling in love with him.

Elrohir smiled at Rúmil and stroked his hair. "Time we should turn the tables on them, do you not think?" He pulled his long knife from among his possessions and twirled it in his fingers, then slipped up behind Elladan and pressed it against his ribs. "Let go of the Prince, brother."

Elladan lifted his head and Orophin broke the kiss between himself and Legolas abruptly. Legolas looked mortified. Clearly he had not even seen Elrohir and Rúmil arrive.

"Elrohir, I do not believe for one moment that you have the nerve to stick me with your little knife. Take Rúmil and be gone, as Oro and I are busy demonstrating our loyalty to the Prince," Elladan said loftily.

"He looks in need of rescue," said Elrohir. "You are bruising him."

Orophin let go of Legolas and stepped back. He looked like he was on the verge of laughter. Legolas himself simply looked dazed.

"Are you rescuing me?" he asked. "Or stealing me for yourself?"

Elrohir threw his knife on the ground, pushed Elladan out of the way, and kissed the Prince. He pulled Legolas roughly against his body and gripped his hips with both hands as he took possession of the Prince's mouth. Legolas melted for him just as he had for Elladan. Elrohir reached for the ties of Legolas tunic. If he could get the Prince undressed before he got skittish and bolted, they could all share him. They could all have a pleasurable afternoon indeed. Before he could make much progress, the one voice that could stop him cold echoed from the wood behind them.

"What is going on here?" said Lord Elrond, sounding irritated as he emerged from the trees.