Title & Chapter Number: Dragon Fever 3/21
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: LOTR
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. The characters, settings, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for Elwen and other original characters who belong to this author. I make no money from this, more's the pity, considering the number of hours burning the midnight oil.
Warnings: Mild BDSM and non-consensual situations in a few chapters. Some het.
Betas: Many thanks to Caz and Dhvana for beta reading, and to friend Dhvana especially for advice, consultation, and moral support and to Dalogas for being my most thorough reviewer.
Cast: Legolas/Aragorn; Legolas/OCs; also Thranduil, Smaug, Gimli, Balin, and Gloin.
Timeline: In the Third Age of Middle Earth, shortly after The Hobbit.
Spoilers: None
Summary: Legolas tells Aragorn a story about a trip he once made to Esgaroth (Lake-town) with his lover, Elwen, a Rivendell elf. But something is rotten in Esgaroth and Legolas is forced to strike an unusual bargain. A mix of adventure, romance, humor, angst, and hot sex.
Notes: This is actually both a prequel and a sequel to "Ohtarnil: A Warrior Love." The first and last chapters (1 and 21) are sequels and take place shortly after the Fellowship leaves Lothlórien. However, most of the story takes place 73 years earlier when Legolas first becomes involved with my fictional character, Elwen. Feedback, as always, greatly appreciated.
Chapter 3 - The Dragon's Bane Inn
Meril sat on the pier next to her older sister Nissa. Business at their inn had been slow of late, so their brother, Goran, had sent them to drum up some customers. But Meril didn't mind at all. It was so much better to be outside, feeling the wind in her hair, with the possibility of meeting interesting strangers, than being cooped up in the inn, serving drinks, cleaning, or making beds. Here she could dream of leaving Esgaroth, of paddling her canoe to distant lands. Suddenly she grabbed her sister's arm. "Oh Nissa," she said, "'tis our lucky day. Look what's coming!" They both stood up and watched Legolas and his party mooring their canoes to the dock.
Nissa caught her breath. "Elves! Four of them. Three blond and look, a dark-haired one! Oh gods, Meril, they're lovely."
"Elves are always attractive, but by the Valar, look at that one!" Meril said, pointing at Legolas. "He's gorgeous. Like a god." Her heart soared just to look at him. He and the raven-haired elf were so tall, taller, she figured, than any of the men at Esgaroth.
Nissa shook her head, "Nay, I prefer the dark-haired one. I've never seen one with hair so black before. He must be a different type. So handsome! I'm in love." She laughed and fluttered her hand against her chest.
"As if they'd even be interested in the likes of us," sighed Meril. "when they probably have lovely elf-maidens waiting at home."
"Maybe not, and maybe they like variety. I've heard that elves and humans mix sometimes," Nissa said. "Gods, they're coming this way."
"Come on, Nissa, they may not know it yet, but these elves are definitely staying at the Dragon's Bane," Meril said.
~*~*~*~
The elves had climbed up a ladder onto the dock and were looking around. "Talagan, you and Thrin should stay with the boats, while Elwen and I find a place to stay," Legolas said.
"I'd recommend The Stork's Nest. It's located near the market place." said Talagan, "It's quite comfortable and the fare is reasonable."
"Good afternoon, sirs. I couldn't help overhearing," called a young woman, "would ye be looking for a place to stay the night?"
They turned at the sound of her voice. Legolas saw two girls standing next to each other. They looked about seventeen or eighteen. The one who had spoken was taller and slim, with reddish blond hair, and blue eyes. The other was a bit heavier, and had dark brown hair, and hazel eyes. Both of them had their hair plaited in long braids. They were pretty, in the ephemeral manner of young human females, with pink cheeks, bright eyes, and moist lips. Legolas had observed that, all too soon, such attractiveness faded to a brown sameness as they became overwhelmed with the toil and sorrows of the mortal life.
Legolas walked over to the young women. He bowed slightly. "Ladies," he said. "Do you have a recommendation for a lodging, then? We are new to this town since it was rebuilt."
The taller girl blushed deeply. "My family owns The Dragon's Bane, which I can truthfully say is the finest inn at New Esgaroth. It is also located near the market place, closer than The Stork's Nest, and we are well known for our spiced wine and fruit pies. And our father is the head of the Merchant's Guild, so ya will be in the most advantageous place to trade your goods, if that is yer purpose."
"You hear that, Talagan? Willing to try something new?" Legolas called.
"As my lord wishes," Talagan said grumpily. Legolas looked at Elwen, who was grinning.
"He said 'my lord?'" whispered the shorter girl, grabbing the other girl's arm.
"We'll go and see if the Inn is everything the lady promises," Legolas said. "If so, we'll come back to help carry our supplies." He and Elwen shouldered packs and then turned to the girls. "Ladies, lead on." he said. He couldn't understand why the shorter one suppressed a giggle and the taller one hit her in the shoulder.
"What are your names?" Elwen asked, as they followed the girls through a series of narrow, busy streets.
"I am Meril," the taller girl said, "and this my sister, Nissa."
"Meril," said Legolas. "Elvish for rose."
"Aye," Meril blushed again. "My mother loved the elvish language. But she died birthing me. My name was almost the last thing she said."
"It was well bestowed," Legolas said gravely. "I have always liked roses. The ones in my father's garden are truly magnificent in the springtime."
Meril looked at him sidelong. "And what might ye be called?" she asked.
"I am Legolas, which is green leaf, and my companion here is Elwen, the drunken star."
"My friend takes liberties." Elwen said, "The meaning is whirling star, but can also mean giddy, not drunk." He gave Legolas a slight shove.
"I can see that ye are old friends." Meril laughed. "And here we are."
They had reached a large open square filled with stalls and vendors selling a variety of goods. The streets were crowded with Lakemen, people from other regions, and a large party of dwarves. Around the perimeter of the square, two-story houses, built of wood with straw-thatched roofs, were packed close together. Legolas and Elwen were standing outside one of the largest houses. It had a sign swinging from the upper story on which was painted a golden fire-breathing dragon; its toothy mouth appeared to be eating the words, The Dragon's Bane.
Meril pushed open the heavy oak door and they went inside. To Legolas, the place smelled of sap from freshly cut wood, mixed with the smell of bread baking, and spiced wine. He inhaled deeply. Then he noticed Meril smiling at him. To the left was a large desk with a ledger sitting on it. They could hear men's laughter in the next room and the clink of glasses. Meril stepped up behind the desk and opened the ledger. "Would ya like to register?" she asked.
"I would like to see the rooms first," Legolas said. "If you don't mind."
A young man entered the room. He was slender, well-built, and attractive, with coppery brown hair shorn off at the shoulders, and a closely cropped goatee. But he had a hard, calculating expression that marred his good looks. He stopped, his mouth popping open for a moment. Then he seemed to recover his composure and glided toward them. "Ah, good, Meril and Nissa. We have guests?"
"Aye, Goran. This is Legolas and Elwen of Mirkwood," Meril said.
Both elves inclined their heads. "My pardon, good lady," said Elwen, "but I am not of Mirkwood, but rather from Imladris, which is also called Rivendell."
"I have not heard of that place," said Goran. "But ye are welcome here." He smiled broadly and his eyes flicked up and down Legolas.
"I was just going to show them a room, so they could decide if they want to stay here," said Meril.
"I will do that," Goran said hastily. "Ya can watch the desk. This way, my good elves."
~*~*~*~
Meril and Nissa watched them go up the stairs. "Uh oh," Meril said. "I think our brother is smitten too."
"Shh," said Nissa, "that kind of talk is dangerous."
"Ya know as well as I that Goran's tastes don't run to women," said Meril. "I hope he behaves himself."
"Aye, let's hope so. We both know the penalty for engaging in . . . in *that* sort of behavior," said Nissa. "I don't think even father could protect him if he's caught again. Ya remember how he almost got caught last time with that boy from Dale. If ya hadn't covered for him . . . well, I fear what might have happened. Do ya think he'd try anything with our elves?"
"I wouldn't worry. Legolas and Elwen look quite capable of taking care of themselves. They move like swordsmen." Meril sighed.
"Meril, did ya see Elwen's eyes?" Nissa cooed. "He has violet eyes. Violet! And such long, black eyelashes. I've never seen anyone like him."
"Aye, they're both quite beautiful. And that other elf, the one with the sour expression on his face, he called Legolas, my lord," said Meril. "I wonder if Legolas is royalty? I must find out. I want to know everything about him."
"Meril, ya know the festival is tomorrow night. Maybe we can get them to go with us," said Nissa.
They grabbed each other's arms and burst into laughter.
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