Title & Chapter Number: Dragon Fever 13/21
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 13 - Festival
Meril hurried through her chores, clearing the table and stacking the dishes in the kitchen. She'd wash them later. She hurried back to her room, pulling off her apron as she ran. Nissa was already in the room primping in the small mirror that hung on the wall.
"Should I wear these earrings or these?" she asked Meril as she came in.
"I don't care. The silver ones," Meril said.
"Isn't this exciting?" Nissa said. "I wonder if Legolas and Elwen know how to dance?"
"I'm sure they do," Meril said as she pulled both layers of dress over her head and stood in her shift. "I just wish I had a really fine dress to wear, ya know, with gold or silver threads."
"Wear the royal blue one. That's nice. It sets off your coppery hair," Nissa said. "And put on the gold necklace father gave ya for your birthday last month. Ya know I wonder how he could afford something like that?"
"I don't know," Meril said. "Business has been good, maybe he saved up." A frown crossed Meril's face. "Father has really seemed odd lately. I can't put my finger on it, but he's been preoccupied, moody. Something was definitely wrong at dinner tonight. The company left early. I hope it doesn't involve our elves. Father seemed really angry when I asked where they went. He said they're leaving tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Nissa said in dismay. "So, we have one night?"
"So it seems. Ya know, sis, we have to be realistic," Meril sighed. "These are elves. They're so high above us, distant and unattainable, like a dream of a nobler life. And they're royalty to boot. I'm amazed they're even mixin' with the likes of us. There's no hope for anything further than tonight."
"I know," Nissa also sighed, then looked at Meril, her hazel eyes sparkling. "So, if Prince Legolas asked ya to bed, would ya? Even knowing it would only be one night?"
Meril held her white underdress to her chest and looked distant. "My head says that would be foolish," she said finally. "I wouldn't want to ruin my chances at a good marriage. But my heart, well, my heart says something else again."
Nissa bounced down on the bed, supporting her head on her hands. "I don't know what I'd do. Maybe I'd chance it if Elwen asked me. What was your dream like, the one ya had last night about the prince?"
"Passionate," Meril smiled. "I daren't say more."
"Ah gods, mine was beyond passionate," Nissa moaned. "If Elwen can really kiss anything like that . . . well, the very thought would make me warm at night."
"We better not keep them waiting." Meril pulled her white underdress over her head, followed swiftly by the blue overtunic. She turned to pull the laces tight along the sides, then she draped the gold necklace over her head and began brushing her long reddish gold hair. "Nissa, help me braid some ribbon into my hair," she said.
Nissa stood and took the long blue ribbons Meril handed her. She began deftly weaving them into Meril's hair.
Meril looked thoughtful. "What if Goran was telling the truth this morning, that Legolas and Elwen are lovers?"
"He said that, did he?" Nissa said. "Because that's his bent, he sees it everywhere. I haven't noticed any evidence of it, so I don't believe him. He was just foolin' ya."
"Hmm." Meril said. "Let's not worry about any of it tonight and just have the time of our lives. What d'ya say?"
"I'd say I'd be completely happy if I just could get a kiss," said Nissa.
"Do ya want to bet that I can bring that about?" Meril asked, her eyes dancing.
"Oh, I'll take that wager, sis!" Nissa giggled.
As she finished getting dressed, Meril wondered what had caused her to fall so hard for the elven Prince. He was handsome, yes, but something else had touched her. The way he moved, his self-assurance, perhaps or his smile? His kindness to her? Perhaps it was the thought of escaping from her present life to something higher and nobler; an opportunity to dream about other possibilities. She sighed. Better to remember who she was and what her life was doomed to be, rather than hope for something unattainable.
~*~*~*~
The sisters found Legolas, Elwen, Thrin and Talagan waiting for them in the common room.
"Here come the lovely daughters of Audun," Legolas said as they approached. He bowed and offered Meril his arm. She slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow and guided them through the crowded streets toward the great hall.
It was already getting dark, the last rays of the sun made the rippling lake water look like hammered gold. A few clouds touched with fire about their edges, glowed in the sky, now turning violet in the fading light.
"Another summer wears to a close," Legolas said.
"Ya sound sad about that," Meril said.
"It reminds me that this is the autumn of the elves on Middle Earth," said Legolas. "So many of our kindred have already departed. I wonder when I shall do the same."
"Oh, don't leave, Legolas. The world will be a sadder place without the elves!"
"Thank you, Meril, but the time of men approaches," Legolas said. "Your time."
"My time, indeed, my time seems destined for a boring life working at the Inn." Meril paused and then looked at the prince. "Legolas, what would ya do, if ya could do anything in the world?"
He looked at her in surprise, then said, "I believe I have a destiny. Something dark and terrible. I don't know what form it will take, but I feel it. But, for now, if I had a choice, I'd like to wander forever in the wild lands, far from towns and palaces and politics. I want to embrace the beauty of Middle Earth, all of it."
"You know Meril, the feeling you get when you enter a meadow and suddenly hundreds of colored butterflies spring into the air, rushing past your face on iridescent wings? Or the first moment that you smell the glad green of spring, and feel the sap running in your veins until you are drunk? Or the sorrow and ecstasy from inhaling the last breath of a dying stag? Every tree, every stone, every flower has a different shape, color, scent. All of them with their own personalities, and their own need to be discovered. I have a thousand such memories of beauty and delight. It is my sorrow that, even though immortal, I can never experience them all." He paused, lost in fair memories.
"Such poetry, Prince," said Elwen from behind him.
"Ya speak about nature as a lover would about his beloved," Meril said slyly.
Legolas looked back at Elwen and they smiled at each other. "Perhaps," Legolas said turning back to Meril. "And what about you? What do you wish?"
"I am tired of this town and my work here. I want to experience new places, new people. My dearest wish is to sail over the sea to learn what lies beyond our shores."
Legolas looked into her blue eyes. "The sea longing," he said, "lies deep in the heart of every elf as well. It is not wise to stir it, unless you are ready to leave the joys of Middle Earth forever. Perhaps you inherited more of the elves than just your name."
"I never knew about the sea longing," said Meril. "That puts a name to the aching I feel."
They approached a large two-story wooden building, situated near the pier. The doors were flung open and they stepped inside. The hall had high ceilings, with a double row of support beams marching through the center of the long room. A bright fire burned in a central pit. Trestle tables were scattered about the sides and back of the room, already many of them filled with a colorful throng of Lakemen and women. Along one side was a bar where men were dispensing drinks. At the far end, on an elevated platform, a group of musicians was playing several violins, a bass viol, a harp, pipes, recorders, and drums. Many people were dancing in sets of four.
"Come on, let's get a table." Meril grabbed Legolas by the hand and swiftly walked to a vacant table at the front of the room, close to the musicians. Elwen, Nissa, and the other elves followed.
"I'll get us something to drink," Meril said.
"No, let us. You do enough of that at the Inn," said Legolas. He and Elwen went over to the bar.
Meril and Nissa watched them go. "What gentlemen," Nissa sighed.
"Yes, we raised Legolas well at court," Talagan said. "But, I remember when he was an elfling with no manners at all. Used to run through the hall and grab food off people's plates." Meril and Nissa burst into laughter.
Elwen and Legolas returned shortly, each carrying three mugs by their handles. They slid onto the benches and distributed the drinks.
"The choice was beer or mead," Legolas said. "I hope you ladies don't mind, I never cared for beer. So mead it is." He took a sip and nodded at Elwen. "Not too bad."
Elwen drank and made a face. "Too sweet for me," he said.
They drank, laughed, and told stories for quite some time. Under the table, Elwen's foot sought the prince's leg and twined around it, briefly. Legolas winked at him. Around them, dancers dipped and wheeled as they rotated around the room.
"Do ya dance?" Meril asked Legolas suddenly.
"Ah, yes, but not well," Legolas said. "I don't often get the opportunity."
"Come on, Prince," said Elwen, grabbing Nissa's hand. "Let's see how you perform."
They spread out and each made a formal bow to the other. Legolas put his arm around Meril's waist and led her forward, stopped, put his palm to hers and they slowly turned around each other. He and Elwen switched partners and did the same. Legolas stood very straight, with one arm behind his back.
"This is rather slow," Elwen said. "Don't they know some good jigs or reels?"
"You'll have to show them, friend," Legolas said. "Meril, you should hear him play. He could charm the growl out of a bear."
"We will hear ya, then," Nissa said firmly. Elwen shook his head, his eyes glowing.
The song ended. Legolas went over to the musicians and spoke to them. He pointed back at Elwen. They nodded and the Legolas returned.
"Don't tell me," said Elwen.
"Yes, they want you." He leaned close and whispered in Elwen's ear. "Not as much as I do."
"I gather there is no point in protesting," Elwen said.
"None at all, elf. Get up there and entertain us." Legolas grinned, turning to Meril and Nissa. "It is unusual for an elf to play the fiddle, much less the style Elwen plays, but he's the best. And you'll definitely be able to dance to it."
Elwen went to the platform and stepped up onto it. He spoke to the musicians and then they were shaking hands. One handed him a violin and Elwen held it up to his ear while plucking the strings. He adjusted the tuning, then drew the bow across it, sounding a rich chord.
"Good people of Esgaroth," one of the musicians announced. "We have a guest tonight, Elwen, an elf from a far away realm called Rivendell." The crowd clapped.
"This one is called, 'Fair Lady of Ithilien,'" Elwen said. "Join in as you can," he told the other musicians. Elwen tapped out the 6/8 meter with his foot, then he tucked the violin under his chin and began a sprightly jig. After the first round, the other musicians joined him. The crowd listened for a bit, but the beat was infectious. They began to dance, lifting their feet high. Legolas grabbed Meril about the waist and took her other hand in his, stepping vigorously around the room.
Elwen jumped the pitch up an octave and continued playing, this time even faster. He played chords, bouncing the bow hard against the strings, his fingers moving rapidly along the fret. Then even faster, the dancers were whirling about, cheeks flushed. Talagan, Thrin, and Nissa hammered the table to the beat.
Finally, it was too fast to dance and the crowd stood, clapping and stamping in time. The drummer pounded along, but the other musicians couldn't keep up. Some hairs on Elwen's bow broke, and hung over his hand, and still he played, until the tune seemed to race almost out of control. The crowd stood in awe, unable even to keep the beat. The pitch rose higher and higher until he played one impossibly high, silvery note, that took everyone's breath away. There was a beat of silence, then he brought the song to a satisfying finish with a sweet, singing chord. He drew the bow off the strings in a wide flourish.
The crowd cheered and stamped. There were cries of "Again, again, Master Elf." Elwen bowed and attempted to hand the violin back to its owner. The musician shook his head and indicated the cheering crowd. Elwen grinned and began a different tune.
Legolas clapped in time with the music as he watched his lover play, feeling pride and a great upwelling of affection. How glad he was that Elwen had come into his life. Then Meril grabbed his arm and pulled him out to dance again.
Elwen played four more songs before he finally held up his hands, and passed the violin back. He stepped down off the platform to tremendous applause. Meril and Legolas sat down, clapping vigorously. Meril's face was flushed. Elwen joined them, wiping the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve.
Nissa leaned on Elwen's arm. "That was wonderful," she breathed. Elwen patted her hand.
~*~*~*~
Across the room, Audun, Thorvald, and Goran sat at a table watching the elves. They could see Legolas sitting next to Meril, his arm around her waist. He was speaking close to her ear and she was laughing.
Audun grumbled. "I don't see why I should let that elf be so free with my daughter. It's the final insult."
"She's quite taken with him," said Goran. "It's easy to see why, too."
"I don't want to hear that kind of talk from ya, boy. We've settled those notions, haven't we?" Audun growled.
"Just noticing another male's looks doesn't mean anything," Goran said sullenly.
"I have another idea," Thorvald said. "Perhaps we could arrange to have the prince caught in a compromising situation with your daughter."
"Your ideas have only gotten us in deeper trouble," Audun said. "I don't know if Meril would cooperate and I certainly don't want that meddlesome elf putting his hands on her."
"It wouldn't work in any case," snorted Goran.
They both turned to look at him. "Why not?" asked Audun.
"Father, he's besotted with the Rivendell elf. They're lovers," Goran said.
Thorvald and Audun looked at each other, hope kindling in their eyes.
"Yer sure of this, Goran?" Audun said.
"Quite sure. I could hear them in the room above mine."
Audun slapped his hand on the table and chuckled. "Thorvald, we've got him. I believe the penalty for committing unnatural love acts is rather severe."
Goran looked alarmed. "Father, yer not going to execute him? It would mean all our deaths! King Thranduil would be upon us with a thousand deadly elven warriors."
Audun smiled, "Nay, young one. Watch and learn how to play the game. We will accuse the prince and then threaten to carry out our law unless Thranduil agrees to drop the trade agreement and the investigation."
"I don't know. This is quite risky. It is unwise to anger the elves," Goran said.
"What other choice do we have?" Audun said. "Now, how do we prove the charge?"
"Ya have a key to the room," said Thorvald. "Goran could walk in on them in the morning and then raise the alarm. We'll be ready to come in and detain all of them."
Goran shook his head. "My, ah, preferences are known to some in town, and therefore I might be suspect if I discover them. We need someone whose good word is beyond reproach. Leave it to me, Father."
Audun clapped his hand on Goran's shoulder. "I think I may have underestimated ya, son," he said.
~*~*~*~
Much to Nissa and Meril's disappointment, the elves decided to leave the party around midnight while it was still going strong. "We must leave early tomorrow," Legolas had said, and the other elves agreed.
They headed back to the Inn. "Look at that," Nissa pointed toward the lake.
A wispy mist was curling off the surface. It looked like a long, sinuous caterpillar, writhing across the water toward them. Legolas stopped and stared for a long minute.
"What is it?" Meril asked.
"I know not," he finally said. "It just reminds me of a dream I had last night." They entered the Inn and Talagan and Thrin said goodnight and went upstairs.
"Thank you ladies for your company," Legolas said. He took Meril's hand and kissed it. Elwen did the same for Nissa. They turned and started to go up the stairs.
Meril cleared her throat and her face reddened. "Umm. Prince, I mean, Legolas. Ya should know that 'tis a custom here for a man to kiss a lady good night after he's escorted her out. Goran bet us a day off work that ya and Elwen would not do it."
Legolas turned with a smile. He and Elwen glanced at each other. "We can't let Goran win his bet," said Elwen. "It would be unchivalrous of us."
The elves came toward the girls. Elwen leaned down and kissed Nissa gently. Meril felt her heart thumping as Legolas took her in his arms and did the same. His lips moved softly against hers and a thrill ran through her.
"There now," said Legolas as Meril stood looking at him dazedly, "you can tell Goran he lost his bet . . . again."
Elwen and Legolas went up the stairs together and disappeared down the hall.
Meril and Nissa turned to each other. "I told ya," Meril said, grabbing Nissa by the arms and jumping up and down. "Now ya owe me."
"Aye,in a big way," said Nissa. "Was it as good as ya thought?"
"Better," said Meril. "Still, I can't help wishing for more. Guess I'll just have to accept that. Come on, let's go to bed so we can get up early and see them off."
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