Title & Chapter Number: Dragon Fever 9/21
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 9 - Morning After
Legolas awoke in the grey dawn and groaned, his whole body sore. He reached out and noticed Elwen's absence. The dark-haired elf was up, crouched over the bathtub, testing the water.
"I feel every bit of my seven hundred and thirty-six years," Legolas said. "What a night!"
"The water is stone cold, as expected," Elwen said. "And seven hundred years is young yet. Wait 'til you've been around eight hundred and twenty." He stood, looking thoughtful. "I suppose I could get the fire going and see about heating some of this up."
"Why bother? Just ring Goran and ask him for it."
"You're sure?"
"I don't think he'll try anything again, if that's what you mean," Legolas grinned.
"It would probably be better though, if we were dressed, don't you think?" Elwen laughed. He went to the bags and withdrew two robes. He threw one at Legolas. The material was navy silk, elaborately embroidered with leaves. Legolas stood up and slid it over his head. Elwen put on a similar robe, then pulled the bell, and they waited.
In about ten minutes, there was a knock on the door. Legolas opened it and Goran was standing there, looking sleepy. "Yer up early, what do ya want, Prince?" he asked in a surly tone.
"Breakfast, and hot water for the tub," Legolas said. "As soon as possible."
Goran peered in the room, glancing at Elwen. "Worked up a sweat last night, did ya?" he said.
Elwen looked at him coldly. Goran went over to the tub. "Here, help me dump this," he said.
The man went to the window, opened it, then walked back over to the tub and picked up one end. Elwen picked up the other and they carried it, sloshing water, over to the window and dumped it out. They brought it back, and Goran stood up, wiping his brow.
"Yer a lot of trouble, Prince Legolas," he said. "Without proper recompense for it."
"We are paying you and our money is as good as anyone else's," Legolas said, scowling at him. "Hurry up."
~*~*~*~
Goran went to the head of the stairs and then leaned against the banister. The sight of the two elves who had figured so pleasantly in his dream last night was both exciting and irritating. Finally, he took a deep breath and headed downstairs to the kitchen where he began heating up a large kettle of water over the fire. Meril came in as he was putting biscuits in the oven and setting tea cups out on a tray. The cups clattered as he tossed them angrily.
"Ya seem in a bad mood this mornin'," Meril said.
"It's that Prince. He's asked for yet another bath. I never heard of anyone bathing so often," Goran scowled.
"Perhaps elves just like to be clean," Meril said, dreamily.
"Humph," Goran said. He threw a tea pot on the tray and poured hot water into it. "Here, take this up to your precious elves."
Meril's cheeks colored. "Ah, nay, I'd really rather not," she said.
"Why, what's the matter with ya?"
"I'd rather not say." Meril twisted her apron in her fingers. "I just don't think I could face him this mornin'."
Goran looked at her curiously. "You're smitten with him," he said, curling his lip.
"As ya are," Meril challenged.
"Well, ya can forget it," Goran smiled unpleasantly. "He's buckin' the pretty, foreign elf."
"No, I can't believe that! How do ya know?" Meril said in dismay.
"I could hear 'em from my room las' night."
"You're just lusting after him yourself," Meril cried, "Yer so perverse! I'll not believe your lies, Goran."
"Ya think I'm perverse, do ya, Meril?" Goran was turning red. "I'll have ya know, I've gotten beyond that aberration. So, why don't ya believe me?"
"I, ah, just feel it," Meril said. "He's so masculine."
"Do you think I'm not!" Goran growled. "I believe I pass for a man, in all the ways that count."
"Nay, I didn't say ya didn't," Meril said soothingly.
He smiled slowly at her. "Well, keep yer illusions then, sis." Nissa came into the room. She was humming.
"At least ya seem happy this morning," Meril said. "Unlike Goran here."
Nissa came close to her and laid her hand on Meril's arm. "Oh, I had such a lovely dream last night. About Elwen." Then she looked down, embarrassed. "It was rather, uh, passionate."
Merill looked at her hard and Goran looked at both of them. "I had a dream like that as well," Meril said. "Though I blush to tell it."
"And I," said Goran.
"Don't ye think this a bit strange?" Meril said. "Oh, look, Goran, the bath water is steaming. Do ya need help to take it up?"
~*~*~*~
Legolas lowered himself into the hot water with a sigh. "Ah, by the grinning gods, I should never have made that challenge to you last night," he said. "Being ridden twice in one night when I wasn't used to it . . ."
"Yes, well I think you gave as good as you got," Elwen groaned. "I can barely walk."
"I guess we both lost our bet then," Legolas laughed.
"Say rather we both won," Elwen said, "and a good thing it is, too, that elves heal quickly, as I intend to take you again this evening, as many times as possible."
Legolas held out his arms. "Come on in, love, while it's still hot and soothing."
Elwen pulled the robe off over his head, and slid into the tub behind Legolas, his back rasping hard against the metal. He folded his arms about the prince's chest and tried to figure out where to put his feet. He finally wound his legs around Legolas's waist and dropped his feet in between the prince's drawn up legs.
"Hey, watch where you're kicking!" Legolas said.
"There's barely enough room in here for one, let alone two, six foot tall elves," Elwen complained, blowing a lock of the prince's golden hair away from his face.
"Next time we need to find accommodations with larger tubs," Legolas said. "Ow! You *do* know that's a rather tender spot."
"Yes, I'm well aware of how tender it is." Elwen smiled against the back of Legolas's head. He lipped the prince's neck, then stuck his tongue behind his ear. Legolas jumped violently and a dollop of water sloshed onto the floor.
"Ai," shouted Elwen. "You put your elbow in my ribs!"
"You tongued another ticklish spot!" complained Legolas.
"Good, I'm making a catalog of your weaknesses, elf of Mirkwood. Soon, I'll have you totally under my power," Elwen said.
"You forget that I have a similar list for you," Legolas said. "So, it's a stand-off. Where's the soap?"
Elwen began chuckling. "It's behind me, beyond my power to retrieve. By the Valar, this is ridiculous. I'm getting out." He made an effort to unfold his legs from around the prince. He began laughing even harder. "Alas, I am stuck," he said.
"You can't be," Legolas made an attempt to get up. The tub began to tip.
"Stop, stop," cried Elwen, "we'll end up dumping the whole lot and that'll surely please Goran."
Just then there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" Legolas tried to say seriously, but both he and Elwen were vibrating with mirth.
"Talagan, Prince. Let me in."
"I would if I could," Legolas called, "but we appear to be stuck." Elwen burst into musical laughter.
There was a moment of silence outside the door. Elwen wiped tears from his eyes with one knuckle and attempted to collect himself.
"When you two are done fooling around, I want a word with you, Prince," came the deadly serious reply.
"Right you are, Talagan," Legolas replied loudly. Then he turned his head sideways. "I guess I'm in trouble," he chuckled. "We better figure out this puzzle. Now, if you put your leg over my head . . ."
~*~*~*~
The two elves managed to extricate themselves from the tub, dressed, and were in the midst of breakfast when Talagan entered the room with a scowl.
"Good morning, Talagan," Legolas said innocently, "I am sorry we were indisposed earlier. You see, we had an unfortunate accident with the tub . . ."
"I'm in no mood for your levity, Prince," Talagan interrupted. "I need to talk with you . . . alone."
"Um, I think I'll take a walk and see more of the town. If you'll excuse me, Prince, Seneschal," Elwen said. He made a courtly bow to each of them and left the room.
"Well, what do you have to say that can't be said in front of Elwen," Legolas said coldly.
"My prince, we are on a serious endeavor here and you are treating it far too lightly," Talagan said. He came and sat in a chair at the table.
"I will be serious enough when the time comes. But when not on duty, I have a mind to enjoy myself," Legolas said angrily. "You have known me all my life, Talagan. Don't you know I'll do what's necessary for the good of my people? Have I ever failed to come through in a pinch?"
Talagan's face relaxed a bit. "No," he said. "But I was charged with responsibility for your conduct, and to see that this agreement is finalized smoothly, and now I fear there are unforeseen complications. I came to tell you that Audun has moved the meeting to tomorrow morning. A delegation of dwarves has come from King Dain. Audun told me, in confidence, that they are angered that the Lakemen are dealing with the elves and have come to demand we be excluded from any trade agreements." He got up and paced. "I feared something like this would happen. The dwarves have always been greedy. I'm afraid the old enmity is stirring again."
"This seems rather sudden." Legolas frowned. "Did they just appear and make demands this morning? And did Audun not have any forewarning of this?"
"I know not, Prince. We have, however, been invited to dinner tonight with the dwarves so Audun can attempt to mediate."
Legolas shook his head. "I don't feel right about this, Talagan. You know, I had a dream last night."
"A dream, what about?" Talagan suddenly was tense.
"About, well, no matter. It was very strange. But in it I learned that the Lakemen may be plotting against us. I believe now that it was prescience. We must be careful tonight." He dunked his honeyed biscuit in his tea and took a large bite.
"Very good, my lord. Now, I do have one other concern," Talagan said, hesitantly.
"Yes."
"Uh, I am unsure how to broach this, so I will just be blunt. I suspect that you and Elwen have developed an inappropriate relationship. Am I right?"
"I hardly see that it is your affair, Talagan," Legolas said. "Am I not free to pursue my own 'relationships'?"
"To an extent. But you are a prince and therefore have royal duties and obligations. Your father made a point of reminding me of that before I left and of charging me with your conduct. He did not wish you to make a liaison with the Imladris elf." Talagan leaned forward in his chair and looked searchingly into Legolas's eyes.
The prince sat up straight, his face working to control his anger. "My father has no right to order my life," he said. "I am the youngest and not the heir to the throne. My so-called relationships matter to no one but me!"
"They matter to him, Prince, and I am merely your father's faithful servant, bound to carry out his wishes."
"Are you afraid of him, Talagan?" Legolas asked.
Talagan hesitated, then he said, "yes."
Legolas got up and threw open the curtains of the window. Bright sunlight streamed in. "Well, there we have something in common, Seneschal," he said softly. "All my life, I have sought to please him and I have never succeeded. He has never approved of any lover I've had. It's time I found my courage and made my own choice." He turned back to look at Talagan. "And I have chosen to love Elwen."
Talagan shook his head. "I feared this would happen. Your father's wrath will fall upon my head, I'm afraid, as well as on yours."
"Talagan, dear friend," Legolas came close to him and put an arm around his shoulder. "We, neither of us, need tell him."
"I am incapable of lying to him if he asks," Talagan said, with a rueful smile.
"Have you actually witnessed any inappropriate behavior on my part?" Legolas said, smiling winningly. He moved around to Talagan's other side and whispered in his ear. "And I have not admitted any physical relationship, have I? I've only admitted to affection. As far as you know, it is unrequited."
"We'll see, Prince Legolas." Talagan's face relaxed into a soft smile. "You do seem happy and I have always wanted that for you."
"Now, it appears that I have the day off," Legolas said. "Do I have your leave to go out and enjoy myself? Or would you prefer that I sit inside with a scowl on my face all day?"
"Try and stay out of trouble," Talagan sighed. "I just ask that you be ready for dinner tonight with your wits sharp." He cuffed Legolas lightly on the head.
"Fear not, dear Talagan," Legolas said. "You and I together are formidable adversaries." Legolas stood up, fastened his cloak about his shoulders, and left.
Talagan sat shaking his head. Ever the charmer, he thought. Like his father, and yet not so. With some more training, he would make a good king. Our people would follow him, not out of fear, but out of love. A pity he'll never have the chance. The seneschal decided to go out himself to find out what the Lakemen knew about the present mood of the dwarves.
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