Part Twelve

Silindė was drunk. It had been a very long week for him, a week during which he had hardly seen Legolas at all. The Prince had absented himself from the palace most of the time, keeping company only with Saelbeth and Haldir. Thranduil had kept Silindė close to him, and every night he had slept in the King's bed. He would have vastly preferred his own, or so he kept telling himself, despite the pleasure Thranduil always gave him.

He had little to do during the days besides stand outside the throne room while Thranduil conducted long meetings with Lord Elrond. Occasionally he encountered Erestor, who frequently participated in these meetings, but the advisor had said little to him. Silindė was extremely embarrassed about the invitation he had issued to Erestor, but the councilor had not mentioned it again. Silindė had not forgotten the kiss they had shared. Sometimes he felt his mouth still burning with it.

He missed the company of Legolas. He missed the Prince's bright chatter and ready wit. He missed Legolas' youthful vigor. He missed watching him roam lithely through the dark of Mirkwood. He missed watching over him. And when he lay with Thranduil at night, the father who looked so much like him, he tried to pretend it was the Prince taking him.

He always failed.

Today, as they gathered all together to make merry before the hunting of the spiders was to begin, he watched Legolas from afar. Silindė had gone into the water early on, assuming that Legolas would splash his way in fairly quickly. While most of the elves present had certainly done so after indulging in the wine, Legolas had remained on the shore with Thranduil.

He saw what happened. He saw Legolas go to Haldir, the irritating, arrogant elf of Lórien who sat aloof from them all, even his own brothers who played liked pups with the sons of Elrond. He saw Haldir press the Prince against the rock. He saw Thranduil interrupt them, Haldir sent away in disgrace. Never had he been so fond of the King as in that moment. And then Legolas went after him…

Silindė hurried out of the water, dripping his way over to Thranduil, who had returned to where he was sitting with Elrond and Erestor. The King was in the midst of pulling off his tunic, revealing his broad chest and knocking the golden circlet on his head slightly askew. Lord Elrond was watching him with an interested eye. Silindė felt Erestor's eyes travel over him in a slow and leisurely manner. If he had not been so concerned about Legolas, he might have thought more about this.

"Leaving the water already, Silindė?"

"I… saw that Legolas left, your majesty."

Thranduil chuckled. "Why, so he did."

"Perhaps someone should go after him."

"Are you volunteering?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Were you planning to go after him unclothed?"

"Ah… my leggings are… nearby…"

"Truly, Silindė, while I admire your enthusiasm, I am certain Legolas will be fine and that pursuing him is hardly necessary, else I would have gone myself."

Silindė reached up and twisted his earring, vexed. Should he tell Thranduil that he thought Legolas meant to meet with Haldir? He opened his mouth, but closed it again as Thranduil stripped off his leggings. No matter how often he saw the King naked, it still made him lose track of his thoughts.

"Are you coming in Elrond?" Thranduil asked jovially.

"Thank you, no," said Elrond. He always looked irritated, Silindė thought.

"Erestor?"

"I would rather not."

"Do you never have any fun in Imladris?" Thranduil asked, shaking his golden head. "Never mind, I know that you do not. You should be more like your sons, Elrond."

Elrond looked out at the waterfall. "One of them appears to be missing," he muttered.

Silindė turned and saw that indeed, one of the twins had disappeared, as had Haldir's brother Orophin. He wondered vaguely where they had gone. As they watched, the other twin took Rśmil's hand, helped him out of the water. They, too disappeared into the trees. Silindė felt a blush steal over his face as Lord Glorfindel and Saelbeth also left the water. He had no doubts as to what was going on all over the wood in more private spots.

Thranduil clapped Elrond on the shoulder. "Let them enjoy themselves. Tomorrow we work. Silindė, have some wine and then join me in the water!"

Silindė nodded, swaying slightly on his feet. He was already far too drunk and he was unsure what he should do. The thought of Legolas running off to be with Haldir was too much. He sat down on the blanket beside Erestor, blinking back tears.

"I think I am going to take a walk," Elrond said, and he too quietly slipped away, leaving Silindė alone with the chief advisor.

Erestor moved closer and put a goblet into Silindė's hand. "Have some wine," he said stoically. "Your King will be wanting you."

Frowning, Silindė turned to face Erestor. There was something unfathomable in the councilor's face. Was there a flash of jealousy in the black eyes?

"King Thranduil--" Silindė began, but Erestor lay a cool finger against his lips.

"He is waiting for you."

Silindė sighed when Erestor took his hand away, lamenting the loss. He looked over at the bathing pool, still filled with many elves, with whom the King was laughing and talking as if he were no more than one of them. Although his subjects surely showed him deference, they seemed not to fear him in the way that Silindė did himself, the way that Saelbeth did. He looked back at Erestor.

"He has forgotten me already. He has plenty of others to fawn over him."

"Ah, yes, I have forgotten-- you would prefer to be fawning over Legolas." Erestor sounded bitter.

"Are you angry with me, Councilor?"

Erestor looked away. "Forgive me. I am…being rude."

"There is nothing to forgive."

Erestor looked back up, directly into his. "What would you think of me if I told you that I went to your room-- not that first night you invited me, but every night since?"

Surprise flashed through Silindė, and then it dawned on him. He had been with Thranduil, not in his room. "I would think that it is I who must beg your forgiveness."

"You were with your King."

"Yes."

"You were but fulfilling your duties."

Silindė nodded. "Yes."

Erestor smiled wistfully. "I should have acted that first night, when you were free."

"It is not too late," Silindė said with a sudden urgency. "The invitation still stands. I will just have to find a way to get free of Thranduil for the evening."

"I would not have you shirk your duties."

"I would!"

Erestor gently reached up and touched Silindė's cheek. "No one has ever offered to be so bold on my behalf before. Still, I would not anger Thranduil or offend him. He is my host, after all."

Silindė sighed. He wondered if he dared ask permission. He was afraid that he would find out what he had long suspected -- that he was Thranduil's possession, and truly not free to give himself to whomever he desired. No, he could not ask. He was just going to do it. He was going to lie with Erestor.

"Come with me back to the palace, now. Come to my rooms now," Silindė whispered, leaning closer. He heard Erestor draw in his breath. It made him feel powerful. Yes, Erestor desired him.

"Very well," Erestor consented. "But dress yourself, first. I would not like to make such a spectacle as Legolas and Haldir did."

Those words were an arrow in Silindė's heart, for he had almost forgotten what the Prince had done. Slowly he nodded and reached for his leggings.