Part Thirty-Two

"Elladan?" Legolas whispered.

At least he knew who had been touching him now. His body still felt warm, even aching slightly. He was ashamed that the touch of mysterious hands on his body had aroused him. He knew he was in love with Haldir, so how could Elladan make him feel this way? Legolas struggled against the chains once more, but he already knew that he could not escape them without assistance.

He did not recognize the low, soft voice of the other elf, the one who slammed the door and locked Elladan in the cell with him. Legolas knew he was in his father's dungeon -- he could recognize the damp smell of it. He also knew that it was rare that anyone ever came down here, so it was unlikely that he would be found, even if they were searching for him.

Was Haldir searching for him?

Legolas tried to think back on what had happened, but his mind was still hazy. He and Haldir had been in his bed chamber, and they had shared some wine. It had tasted funny and Legolas had only taken a few sips before he realized this, but Haldir had drained his goblet right away.

"This wine is from Imladris," Haldir had remarked, examining the bottle.

"Most of our wine is from there, or from Laketown," Legolas had answered. "But this is not up to Lord Elrond's usual quality. It has a certain bitter aftertaste."

Haldir had grown fuzzy, then, and Legolas remembered no more. He had awoken bound and blindfolded and no one had come to him that he knew of before Elladan.

"Elladan!" Legolas said, anger slowly beginning to replace his fear. Why was the son of Elrond not untying him? Of course, the answer was clear enough. Elladan desired him and now he was at the other elf's mercy. Legolas heard departing footsteps and Elladan rattling the bars of the cell.

"Come back here, you bastard! My father will have your head!" Elladan shouted.

"And mine will have yours," Legolas said in a calm, cold tone.

"Prince Legolas," Elladan sighed. "Forgive me. I was carried away."

"Undoubtedly. Now, will you please release me?"

"I am not entirely certain I want to. You do look absolutely delectable, you know."

"Elladan!"

Elladan chuckled. "What will you give me if I set you free?"

"A blade in your throat, if you hesitate much longer!" Legolas growled.

"That is not much incentive, when I have you at my mercy."

Legolas was growing more and more angry, but as he already knew first hand how ruthless Elladan could be, he knew he would have to keep himself under control and play the game the son of Elrond so clearly wanted. He would make Elladan pay for this later, he vowed silently. Perhaps even more than whoever had locked him up here in the first place.

"What would you have of me?" he asked as calmly as he could manage. Already his heart was pounding in his chest. His body tightened as he anticipated Elladan's answer.

Legolas felt the heat of the other elf's body as Elladan slid down onto the floor beside him. Elladan's hand came to rest on the Prince's cheek. His thumb ran over Legolas' lips and he parted them slightly. He licked at Elladan's thumb. He wished it was Haldir touching him.

"Everything," Elladan whispered. He pressed his mouth against Legolas', crushing their lips together, his tongue invading Legolas' mouth. Legolas kissed him back, but he was thinking of his lover. He hoped Haldir would understand and forgive him later.

When Elladan let up him to breath, Legolas dragged in a great breath of the dank dungeon air. He felt dizzy. Elladan's hands slid over his ribs, stroking his chest and sides gently, almost tenderly. Legolas shifted, uncomfortable with his growing arousal.

"Please," he said, trying not to beg. He already knew that begging would only encourage Elladan's abuse. "Take off the blindfold. I cannot bear it. Answer some questions for me."

Elladan reached around and untied the blindfold. It took Legolas' eyes a few moments to adjust. He saw that there was a torch in the wall which provided some dim light. Elladan was looking at him with hungry fascination, which immediately caused Legolas' fear to rise again.

"Ask your questions."

"Where is Haldir?"

A look of irritation crossed Elladan's face. He shook his head. "I should have known that would be your first question."

"Answer it," Legolas hissed.

Elladan lifted an eyebrow. "Haldir's been poisoned."

Shock coursed through the Prince. Legolas saw spots before his eyes and he gasped. He feared he would lose consciousness. His lips moved but no words would come out. There was no name for the emotion that slammed through him, tearing him open. His eyes were immediately wet. He shook his head.

"The wine…"

"Yes," said Elladan. "Now then, do not weep, little elfling. Your lover is not dead. He is merely unconscious and is being watched over by his brothers and mine. The rest of the palace is being torn apart as your father has his people searching high and low for you."

"Yet only you could sink low enough to find me, it seems," Legolas said angrily.

Elladan chuckled. "I am glad that I did…or I was, until a moment ago."

He glanced at the locked door. Legolas meant to ask who their captor was, but at the moment he had too many other concerns.

"You are cruel. You deliberately wanted me to think that Haldir--"

"If he were, would it change your attitude towards me?" Elladan asked lazily. He bent his head and licked Legolas' nipple. His hand slid between the Prince's legs. Legolas squirmed, trying to get away from him, but it was impossible, chained as he was.

"No! I love Haldir," Legolas said. It felt so easy, so natural to say… and he had not even told Haldir himself, yet.

"Even if he is only using you to better himself? On Thranduil's word, my grand-mother will make Haldir Marchwarden of Lórien, and Thranduil will give his word on yours. How easy it must have been for Haldir to seduce you, so young, so ripe, so desperately needing his attentions. I only regret that he got to you first."

"He is not using me!" said Legolas vehemently… but he wondered. "Elladan, why are you doing this? I had always thought the sons of Elrond to be honorable, like their father. Now you make me question."

Slowly Elladan removed his hands. He stood up and took a step away from Legolas, breathing in deeply, as if to calm himself. He ran a hand through his dark hair and the expression on his face melted into guilt, dismay.

"I am sorry, Legolas," he said simply.

"If that is so, then let me out of these chains."

"Well," Elladan said, grinning slightly, "I would, except for the fact that I no longer have the keys."

"Who does have them?" Legolas asked. "Who was it that was here before?"

"It was--" but Elladan cut himself off and went to look out the window of the cell as they suddenly heard the sound of approaching footsteps.