VIII

"Roh, it is time!" Legolas said, shaking Elrohir awake.

"Dan?" Elrohir said.

"He left with the group."

"Where are we going?"

"There is a cave two miles south," Legolas said while Elrohir drank from the flask.

Legolas started to fold up the cloaks, while Elrohir watched with a raised eyebrow.

"What is it?"

If Elrohir had been startled to have been caught staring, he did not show it.

"Just finding the reversal of roles amusing," he said.

Legolas winced. "I hope you turn out to be a better patient than me!"

"It depends on how good a carer you are!" Elrohir said, the edge to his voice not escaping Legolas.

"I believe you better off without my help!" Legolas said when he had recovered from how strangely Elrohir was acting.

Elrohir did not answer, but instead sat watching Legolas with a maddening grin on his face. He knew that Legolas, while resourceful and independent, had grown up being waited upon and had never tended to another before.

Elrohir laughed as Legolas started to break up a piece of bread. "By the way, ernil tithen, I do believe I am capable of feeding myself, although the gesture is much appreciated."

Legolas blushed and muttered something in Nandorin under his breath, causing the grin on Elrohir's face to widen.

"Roh, what is the matter with you?"

"Me?" Elrohir said, refusing to remove his piercing gaze.

Legolas decided it was no use asking any further and turned to finish his preparations. Elrohir was winding him up, and was probably trying to repay him for the times he had been forced to care for Legolas when he had broken one part of his body or another.

Yet, when Elrohir refused to stop his game, Legolas almost screamed in frustration. Still, he struggled to maintain a calm expression, for to react would be to play into Elrohir's hands.

"You missed a spot!" Elrohir said, and Legolas almost reacted, but instead scooped him up in a quick movement.

"That hurt!"

"Sorry, Roh," Legolas said, sounded anything but as he started to walk.

"Are you intending to bear me like this for the two miles?"

"I do not see how else it can be done, save me dragging you along by your hair!"

"Legolas?" Elrohir said, fifteen minutes later.

"Yes, Roh?" Legolas replied gently, looking down and seeing that a fine layer of perspiration had formed on his brow and that his teeth were clenched in pain. "Does it hurt? Would you like me to stop?"

Elrohir tried to shake his head, but instead let out a soft whimper as another spasm shot up his side.

"I am sorry, Roh, I did not mean to cause you so much pain!" Legolas said and eased Elrohir to the ground and brought a flask to his mouth.

"Just bear with it a little more. We are almost there," he said, rubbing the back of Elrohir's knuckles with his free thumb.

Elrohir nodded but did not speak.

"Are you ready?"

"I am sorry, Lass."

"Nay, 'tis I who should be to blame. I shall take a look at your injuries once we get to the cave," Legolas said, wiping away the perspiration from his brow. He smiled, noticing with grim satisfaction that Elrohir's eyes were struggling to remain focused as the herbs started to take effect.

Scooping up Elrohir again, he chuckled as Elrohir snuggled closer to his chest, pressing his head against his breastbone before falling into the world of dreams.

"My turn to drug you," he whispered as Elrohir nodded off.

***

It was night when Elrohir awoke, emerging from his drug-induced sleep.

"Good evening, Elrohir." Legolas walked over and handed him a goblet, which Elrohir eyed suspiciously.

"Do not fear; 'tis something you will enjoy!"

Elrohir noted they were in a small cave with a large entrance set in the side of a hill. He took a swig from the goblet and felt the tingling warmness of miruvor spread through his body.

The pair sat in companionable silence for a while, before Legolas handed over a bowl of steaming soup and some lembas.

"I would not gulp down the soup if I were you," he said.

Elrohir now noted that Legolas was moving stiffly.

"Lass? Have you been hurt?"

Legolas laughed and allowed himself to wince.

"You are no lightweight, Roh!"

Elrohir tried to pull on an understanding smile, but knew the look on his face was more like a delighted grimace.

Drinking a mouthful of soup, he struggled to maintain a straight face before swallowing it with much effort.

Legolas let out a sharp laugh.

"'Twas rather admirable, Roh! I spat it out!"

"And yet you fed it to me! I shall launch a formal complain to Glorfindel! Elbereth forbid you be made to prepare meals!"

"You should have known in which direction my culinary skills lie! Have the lembas and some fruit instead!"

Elrohir had to laugh.

"It seems to me you will do less damage inflicting injuries on yourself than trying to reduce it for others!!"

"I am trying!" Legolas said, before putting on a piteous look. "Believe me when I say I really am!"

"Stop it, Legolas!" Elrohir said, suddenly uneasy.

"Stop what?" Legolas widened his eyes and put on a crafted frown, pulling his delicate eyebrows together.

"How we used to be taken in by that look of yours!"

"What look?" Legolas pulled his brilliant blue orbs wider and flashed a charming smile at Elrohir, causing shivers to run down his spine.

"Ada never believed us when Dan and I went to him, reporting your dastardly deeds until chose him as one of his victims! Even then, he still suspected that Dan and I were the original perpetrators!"

Legolas tried hard not to laugh at the memories and pretended to look even more confused than ever.

"Is it true that you take after your mother, Lass?" Elrohir said while Legolas continued to play his game.

"Why?"

"She must be the most beautiful creature to walk these lands," Elrohir said. His look of mortification was missed by Legolas, who looked away, and Elrohir saw that the tips of his ears had turned pink.

"What are you playing at, Roh?" snapped Legolas after the silence got too much for him to bear.

"I am sorry, I did not know what has come over me," Elrohir said.

"'Tis your injuries. Rest while I take a look at our surroundings," Legolas said, slipping out of the cave, leaving Elrohir behind to finished his food.

***

Elrohir spent the few two days drifting in and out of consciousness, aided by the strong herbs Legolas gave him. He often awoke to the sight of Legolas framed by the moonlight through the entrance, looking out across the plains that stretched before them, a soft song on his lips so beautiful that it almost took his breath away. Other times, Legolas would be missing, out to scout for food and supplies.

Most of the time he was awake, Legolas would sit and talk with Elrohir, the pair of old friends enjoying the peaceful time with each other, enjoying each other's company.

It was on one of these occasions on the second week of their stay in the cave, and Elrohir was well enough to sit up for more than an hour without any discomfit. They had been discussing Imladris's border disputes before Elrohir decided to deviate from the matter.

"How did your betrothal to Caeriel come about?"

Legolas thought for a while before replying, "It was a surprise to me."

"I have never heard you speak of her."

"I grew up with Caeriel. Yet, I did not know of it, and even now I am confused."

"I do not understand your father's intentions."

"Neither do I."

"You are not comfortable with the situation."

"No I am not; it is not the way of our folk to arrange betrothals from such a young age. Both Caeriel and my father evaded my questions by pointing out that both parties were amenable to it."

"Are you?"

"You read me well, Roh. I wish I could give you an answer."

Elrohir continued to stare at him, his grey eyes brilliant in the darkness of the cave.

"Is Esendri to continue to stay by your side after your marriage to Caeriel?"

Legolas let out a short laugh. "I cannot imagine he would not! And neither would I want to lose such a loyal friend."

"Has he not anyone he loves?" Elrohir said, his interest further piqued.

"Nay. Of course, his hero-worship of my brother when we were thirty lasted a good few years and gave me cause to worry!"

"Is it not true that the Silvan marry younger than the Elda?"

"It is different with me. Had I a choice, I would not wish to commit myself so soon. But enough about me, what about you and Dan? Any special maidens who can claim to have the heart of the notorious peredhil?"

It was Elrohir's turn to blush, and Legolas started laughing, delighted that he managed to hit a raw note with the usually unflappable Elrohir.

"You know Dan is more in love with his scrolls than with any elleth," Elrohir said.

"Most importantly, I am interested in you, my dear Elf-Knight!"

"There is one --" Elrohir said, stopping when Legolas let out a whoop of delight, and only carried on after much pleading on his part.

"There is one who does not return the feeling," he said, before trying to make up an excuse to escape.

"No, Roh, I will not rest until you tell me everything! Who is the lucky maiden? How long have you --"

"There are more important things!" Elrohir said.

"You always had the greatest difficulty speaking of such things! Pity that we do not have any feywine, for it always worked such wonders in helping to loosen your tongue!"

"Not everyone is as keen as you to tell the whole world about which maiden has fallen for you, and which one of them you could see yourself potentially falling head-over-heels in love with!"

As an answer, Legolas raised an innocent eyebrow.

"It was a startling change to see you departing Imladris as a tiny youngling, and transformed into a beautiful, desirable youth who captured the attention of every maiden, Elven or not, who came across you, the next time Dan and I saw you again! We have always been very impressed at how you managed to fight off the deluge!"

A broad smile leant itself to Legolas' face, which was followed by a grimace as he recalled the more straightforward of them. Elrohir and Elladan always found it amusing how Legolas was so oblivious to his flawless beauty and always turned to them, surprise in his eyes as he related yet another story of his admirers.

"It is a good thing then, that I am no mortal, for I cannot consider the thought of what the implications might have been had I responded to each one of them! More than a few angry fathers would be after my neck!"

Elrohir's face changed, but he bit his lip to prevent himself from saying anything more.

"I have heard that men think nothing of taking multiple bed-partners. Perhaps you could enlighten me on the lust they feel?"

His innocent question had a huge effect on Elrohir.

"And you think I would know because of the blood that flows in my veins? That I would feel the need to follow the path of man, and be incapable of loving one truly and steadfastly? That my love would be tainted by lust?"

"Nay, Roh!" cried Legolas. "I did not mean it in that way! It was simply a curious question to one who had a part in educating me about bed-play!"

Elrohir eyed Legolas for a while before he said, "It was disgraceful! Dan and I could not believe that an Elf past his majority lacked your knowledge!"

"If I recall correctly, I was rather horrified by some of the things you told me! And then you volunteered to give me a demonstration!"

Elrohir grinned, for Elves, like other races, were not born with the knowledge of what passed between spouses, and instead it fell to their parents to educate their young. Thranduil had no wish to speak of such things to Legolas, and so he had passed his majority with his body's needs largely dormant. It was not unusual among the first-born to not feel any desire for hundreds of years, and so Legolas had been shocked when the twins had filled him in, especially at their straightforward narrations, having grown up with the knowledge of the ways of their mortal ancestors, while still observing the customs of the firstborn. Elves mated for life, and it seemed Elladan and Elrohir were to follow down that path.

"You should have seen your face! I believe you thought Dan and I about to pounce upon you!" "You would have believed that too had you seen the grins upon your faces!

Legolas was about to speak when he stiffened and extinguished the fire. He then crept to the mouth of the cave, making sure he remained low, and peered out.

"Roh, we have company."

"Where?"

"Near the foot of this hill, a good distance away."

Elrohir made to move to have a closer look, and Legolas helped him.

Elrohir stared out from behind a boulder Legolas had settled him against. In the darkness of the night, a column of firelight appeared in the flatland below, an entire company on the move.

"Orcs. Marnor's company."

The pair watched on, staring at the hypnotic flames, listening as the occasional snarl or grunt or hiss of the Orcs was carried up by a gust of wind.

"They are just four days behind Glorfindel!" Elrohir said.

"They move quickly for mortals."

Elrohir was about the reply when Legolas surged forward and flung his long knife into the distance at something he could not see, and a heavy body crumpled to the ground.

Legolas scooped Elrohir up and brought him back into the cave, jamming the long sword into his hand before picking up the bow and quiver, dashing off into the night air without a single word. Elrohir was left to wait with baited breath, realising how vulnerable he was, still unable to stand, for his ribs had not healed fully.

Fifteen minutes later, Legolas returned, his face grim.

"A scout," he said, before sinking down beside Elrohir.

"They shall be looking for him!"

"I know, Roh, our position is vulnerable," Legolas said through clenched teeth.

Legolas waited for another ten minutes before risking a venture outside, and came back dragging the dead body of the Orc with him. "We shall have to take our chances. Hopefully they will pass us by. However, the column has paused, and there is faint shouting from below."

As if to make their situation worse, the unmistakable sounds of climbing started to drift into the cave.

"It is no use, I cannot keep taking them down!" Legolas muttered, even though he slipped an arrow to his bow and held it, ready to draw.

"I can fight." Elrohir's grip around his sword tightened. "We shall go down together if need be."

"I could not have asked for anything else," Legolas leaned forward and squeezed Elrohir's free hand, before he positioned himself in front of him while the sounds of climbing increased in volume so that they could hear the sharp breaths and soft grunts of the climbers.

"We have a chance."

Legolas frowned doubtfully, but helped Elrohir to the entrance of the cave, where they waited in silence, hoping that the ambush would not have to take place.

Minutes passed, quickly turning into hours, and finally Elrohir saw fit to lean back onto the wall, his face lined with a sheen of perspiration from the effort.

"That was a close call. I was a fool to believe we were not in danger from one within our group," Elrohir said. "It still confounds that there is one who might give our location away! Do you see now why you should not trust any and everyone you come into contact with?"

Legolas flushed at his words.

"And it would do you good to start trusting those around you!"

"I trust you, is that not enough?" Elrohir refused to meet his eyes and stared into the remnants of the fire.

Legolas calmed down, and took a few deep breaths while he struggled to collect his thoughts.

"What is wrong, Roh?"

Elrohir let out a hard, ironic laugh. "What is wrong? Nothing!"

"Elbereth, Roh, you have changed!" Legolas sank to the ground in defeat when Elrohir did not reply.

"Is it me?" Legolas said, and Elrohir looked up in horror at the tone of his voice, realising how it seemed to Legolas.

"No, Legolas!"

"You know you can trust me with anything, Roh, and I would loathe for that to change."

Elrohir extended his palm, revealing a small whistle no bigger than his hand, crudely carved. Legolas's eyes lit up in recognition.

"You have kept it all these years!"

"How could I have thrown it away?"

"I told you to blow it should you ever miss me and my thoughts would be with you in an instant." Legolas's eyes misted over at the memory. "You were so good to me then. You, Dan, Ada -- all of you returned the warmth to my cold heart. I still know not how to thank you for that!"

Elrohir stared at him, and when his grey eyes left Legolas's face, Legolas found himself unable to speak under their lingering intensity.

"There is something I have been meaning to tell you," Elrohir said. "I found this in that cave."

Elrohir produced a pair of lustrous blue stones. They glistened in the wavering light of the torch, seeming to dance with their own will.

"Where?" Legolas said, taking one, examining the way the rock sparkled.

"They were set on the mound. I took them before the rock hit me. I do not yet know what they are, and I shall not pretend that the journey is to be easy. Should you ever start to forget yourself, this stone will remind you of who you are, and my unwavering friendship." He pressed a stone into Legolas's palm, before closing the slender fingers around it.

Legolas struggled to decipher the meaning behind his words, overwhelmed by Elrohir's loyalty and love. He knew deep down, in a part of him he had been trying very hard to ignore, that he was at the centre of a play of forces far stronger and darker than anything he could imagine, and that he was to be tested. The thought of it left him cold.

After a long while, Elrohir spoke.

"The party has moved on. We are safe for the time being."

*****
Sindarin Translations:
Telerrim -- Elves

A/N: I apologise for the frustrating dancing around Legolas and Elrohir are doing about each other, but life does tend to be like that most of the time, no? Also, I have edited this story from the original to fit with the non-slash requirements of certain archives. If you want the full, ambiguous storyline where there may be a possibility of an m/m relationship, please refer to my FF.net version.