Part Thirty-One

"This is the worst vacation I have ever had," Elladan groused to Rúmil. "I ruined my favorite cape with spider blood and webs, the food is awful, Legolas rejected us all, and now my twin has stolen Orophin's attention from me completely."

The twins and the brothers of Haldir all sat at the fallen elf of Lórien's bedside. Thranduil and Elrond had left the four of them in charge of preventing further harm to Haldir while they joined in the search for Legolas. Orophin looked exhausted and worried. He leaned against Elrohir, who put an arm around him and stroked his long, blond hair. It was a shame Elladan did not know what he had until it fled.

A bond had formed between Elrohir and Orophin during the spider hunting expedition. This entire week since they had returned the two of them had closeted themselves up, leaving Elladan with only Rúmil for entertainment. He had grown bored with Rúmil as quickly as he had grown bored with Orophin. Elladan had tried to use his charms on some of the other elves of Mirkwood, but they were standoffish, especially with Rúmil following him around like a puppy wherever he went.

At least this incident provided some diversion.

"I guess you and I were not looking for the same thing, Elladan," Orophin said in a hollow voice. His emptiness, his frailty, made him all the more desirable. He was right, though. Elladan only really wanted what was denied him. It had always been a shortcoming of his.

"That is a particularly horrible thing to say, Elladan, all things considered," Elrohir said cheerfully. "Besides, I am not certain that Father ever meant this to be a vacation. It is more a mission of duty."

"Why is it our duty to help Thranduil clean up Mirkwood?" Nothing was going to lift Elladan's selfish mood.

Nobody answered him. They did not know any more than he did why Elrond had agreed that they would all help do this. Rúmil fidgeted, and Orophin stared at Haldir. Elrohir simply shook his head.

"Are you not worried about the Prince at all, Elladan?" Elrohir asked after a moment. "I know he is no real friend of ours, but the thought of what he might be suffering just now…"

"We are all suffering," Orophin whispered. Elrohir hugged him closer. "Are you sure Haldir will recover?"

"My father says he will be fine," said Elrohir.

"I have faith in Lord Elrond, Oro," Rúmil said. "You should as well."

"I do not know how we could go on without him," Orophin whispered. "And I worry for Legolas as well."

"Perhaps Legolas poisoned him," Elladan suggested maliciously, though he did not believe it himself.

"That is preposterous," said Orophin bitterly.

"I cannot abide any more of this company," said Elladan in irritation. "I am going for a walk."

"We are meant to stay here and guard Haldir," said Elrohir.

"Surely the two of you can handle the task, then. Come Rúmil."

Rúmil lifted his chin defiantly, taking a great resemblance to Haldir in that moment. "I think I would rather stay here," he said.

Elladan sighed inwardly and tried to control his temper. Without another word, he turned and left the chamber. He stormed down the hallway, not entirely sure where he was going. He found himself at the head of a large stone stairway that led into the darkness. The entrance to Thranduil's famous dungeons, he thought. He wondered if they were just for show or if Thranduil really used them.

Suddenly Elladan heard the voice of his father coming down the hallway.

"…made so little progress," Elrond said. "I am sorry, Thranduil."

"The palace has been searched from top to bottom," Thranduil replied in a heavy tone. "There is no sign of Legolas. Elrond-- he's my child."

Thranduil sounded as if his heart was breaking. Elladan almost felt bad for him, except for the fact that no doubt the two of them would take out their anger on him if they caught him wandering around instead of guarding Haldir as he was supposed to be. He ducked into the stairwell to hide until they passed by.

Unfortunately, the two Kings stopped in front of the entrance to the dungeon and proceeded to have a very lengthy conversation. Elladan was nearly bored to tears. He decided he might as well indulge his curiosity and slipped down the dark passage into the dungeons. At the foot of the stairs there was a torch burning, so Elladan picked it up so he might have a better view of the place.

He walked through the dungeon, passing cell after empty stone cell. There were no occupants. Thranduil was all bark and no bite, Elladan thought. He almost did not go all the way down the entire passage, but a very small sound caught his attention. Elladan walked slowly down to the last cell. It was closed and locked, but the key hung on a peg nearby. He could see a figure in the darkness, so he took the key and unlocked the door.

"Legolas!" Elladan murmured.

Elladan pushed the door open and inserted the torch into a holder on the wall. It illuminated the small cell adequately for Elladan to see that not only had Legolas been locked up, his hands were chained over his head, he was blind-folded, and he was stripped naked to the waist. He wore only a pair of ripped brown leggings, which were untied in the front and pooled low on his hips, barely protecting his modesty.

Heat rippled through Elladan. He could not think of a more appetizing sight. Fear shivered through Legolas and Elladan saw his nostrils flare, his full lips part. He tried to get up on his knees but could not.

"Who is there? Who are you?" Legolas cried.

Elladan did not reply. He was so shocked by what he was seeing, and more importantly, so aroused by it, that setting Legolas free and getting him back to those who were worrying about him was the last thing on Elladan's mind. He realized he had the opportunity to win his bet with Elrohir and get that cape of his brother's which he had always coveted. All sensible thoughts seemed to be fleeing Elladan's mind as selfish ones replaced them.

He would not hurt Legolas. In fact, he had every intention of untying him and helping him…just as soon as he took advantage, just a little bit. How could he resist? The Prince was gift-wrapped and waiting for him. And after Elladan was through with him, Legolas would care no more about Haldir. It would save him the worry…

Perhaps he was thinking with his lower extremities, but who could resist this blond beauty, so tormented, so fearful, and undoubtedly so responsive? Elladan slid down onto his knees next to Legolas. With one hand he stroked the Prince's chest, teasing at a ripe nipple with his thumb. It tightened in a most satisfying way even as Legolas began to struggle. Elladan straddled his legs to keep him still, and now Legolas was unable to move at all.

"Please do not…please…" Legolas begged. "Let me go. Do not touch me. Please…"

The begging aroused Elladan even further, and he bent his head over the Prince's chest so he could lick and bite Legolas' nipples. He slipped a hand into the Prince's leggings and stroked him tenderly as his mouth played over the beautifully sculpted chest. Elladan was already aching. He knew what he was doing was wrong but it was as if he could not stop himself. Legolas moaned, and Elladan felt pleasure shudder through his body.

"Let me go… do not do this…" Legolas begged again.

"Are you going to rape the Prince, Elladan?" came a voice from behind him.

Guiltily Elladan withdrew. He stood up and turned around to face the speaker, his grey eyes widening as he saw who was there. "I was not--"

"Help me! Please!" Legolas cried. "Elladan? Who else is there?"

"You are safe now, my Prince," Elladan said, sounding more irritated than he meant to.

"What makes you think I am going to let you out of here, Elladan?" the other elf said coldly. "You are interfering with my plans."

He turned and walked away and the door to the cell slammed closed with Elladan trapped inside.