Title & Chapter Number: Farewells and New Beginnings 12/17
Author(s): - Author's Index
Website:
Fandom: Tolkien
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they are the property of Tolkien with the exception of an original or two, and I am sure he would be horrified if he read this…
Warnings: This story is rated NC-17 and contains male slash pairings, incest, and explicit sexual content - not to mention a boatload of angst. If you find this offensive, or you are under-age, I strongly suggest you stop now.
Betas: Alex
Cast: Legolas/Thranduil, Glorfindel/Erestor, Legolas/Erestor, Thranduil/Glorfindel
Timeline: TA
Spoilers: None
Summary: Legolas meets his mother and has a revelation. Erestor and Legolas reconcile, Thranduil cares for Gildor.
Notes: This story came out of a little one I wrote as a companion to the Rock Stars series. The plot bunny, however, refuses to leave, so here I am, exercising my demons. This is inspired by the beautiful Elves that Professor Tolkien created much to our joy and amazement; and by the beautiful, sometimes sad, and heartrending music of U2 that I was listening to when I wrote it. Thanks so much to everyone who gave me encouragement, Alex (my wonderful beta reader on this and the Rock Stars series), Dawn, Larian (my wonderful beta reader on the Tale of Two Brothers series), Hawk, Zee, Ninie, and L.K. (and yes, I cried like a baby when I wrote it…)
Galadriel stood upon the balcony of the home she shared with her mate, Celeborn, and waited for her son. She had foreseen the events that had unfolded between Legolas and Erestor, and had gone to her husband to confess the transgression that had been committed so very long ago. Celeborn had listened with patience. While he was hurt by his wife's admission, he supposed he had suspected something all along. He had long thought Legolas to be special, and now he knew why. The Lady of Light now waited for her only son, and tried to steel herself against what she was sure would be an outburst that was born of pain. What words could she say that would ease the sense of betrayal and rejection Legolas must surely feel? What excuses or reasonable explanations could she provide that would lessen his pain? She did not know the answer to these questions, she only knew that she hoped that in time he would forgive her, and forgive his father for keeping such a painful secret for so long.
A soft rap upon their door made her heart skip briefly. She slowly turned and walked toward it, opening it and gazing upon her long denied son. His face was pallid, his eyes red and slightly swollen from fresh shed tears.
He cast his gaze to the floor and softly spoke to her, his voice laden with sorrow. "My Lady, would you permit me an audience with you this morning?"
His voice was so soft it was barely audible; the humbleness in it nearly broke her heart. "Come in, Legolas." She stepped aside and bade him enter, and he did so with downcast eyes. She motioned for him to follow her into the main room and invited him to sit upon an overstuffed sofa. She sat next to him and spoke softly, "I know what it is you have come to speak to me about, Legolas." She reached across and picked up his hand. "I have no reason to offer for keeping my identity as your mother a secret, other than to say I did the only thing I could at that moment. I left you to be raised by your father, knowing that Thranduil would be an excellent father and would raise you well. He did not disappoint me in that regard." She turned the Prince's hand over in hers, softly stroking his palm. "You are unique in all the world, Legolas. The only son to an only son, the last in your line. You come from a great line of Sindarin rulers; you bear a proud birthright. I have followed you throughout your life, and I have always been proud of you. I am only sorry that I did not offer you comfort when you needed it most, that is something I will always regret."
Legolas looked at her hands, as they held his own; they were pale and delicate, with long fingers. **'My mother…** was all he could think as he watched her caress his hand. His voice was barely a whisper as he answered her, "I have needed you…" he swallowed, "I need you still."
A tear traced down her cheek and she reached out and embraced him. She had feared he would be angry, but he was not. He was in pain, he was her son, and he needed her. He, in turn, wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her long, flaxen hair, quiet sobs wracking his body. She stroked his hair and comforted him, her own tears wetting the robe he wore. She noted that he was barefoot and he was cold. "Legolas, you are cold, come warm yourself by the fire…" she swallowed and added hesitantly, "…Iôn."
He turned his bright sapphire eyes to hers, sparkling with tears, eyes that were so like his father's, and smiled gently. "Thank you, naneth."
She led him to the fire with her arm around his waist, and sat beside him for hours. They rarely talked; she just held him in her arms and tried soothe his aching heart. Celeborn came down the stair and saw his wife holding her son in her arms and nodded. He had time to adjust to the knowledge that she was his mother. He had respected Legolas from the time he was a young Elf. In a way, he was glad they were together, no son should be denied his mother. He quietly exited the house, leaving the two of them alone.
After sometime, Legolas looked up into her eyes and asked, "Can you tell me what will become of Adar?"
Galadriel slowly shook her head and answered, "No, I am afraid I cannot. His fate, along with my grandsons', is beyond my knowing."
The fact that he had an entire family dawned upon him. His eyes widened, "I have a family…"
Galadriel smiled, "Yes, you have an Sister, and Brother by marriage, and Nephews."
Legolas thought of his new family, his sister Celebrían and her husband Lord Elrond, his nephews Elrohir and… He rose suddenly from his seat by the fire. "Please pardon me, naneth, I must go. Erestor will be worried about me."
Galadriel furrowed her brow and also rose from her seat, sensing something was wrong but unable to determine what it was. "Of course, Iôn, I understand. Erestor will indeed be worried about you."
He quickly left her home and hurried down the path toward his own.
~*~*~*~
Dawn slowly broke, illuminating the house with its pale light. Erestor sat upon the chaise, knees drawn up around him, and a blanket pulled around his shoulders. He had not slept a wink since Legolas left in the middle of the night. He was worried for his lover; he had looked for him for the better part of the morning, but with no success. The betrayal and hurt he saw in the Prince's eyes almost broke his heart; he could only imagine how he must feel. He stiffly rose from the sofa and trod into the kitchen to put on water for tea. He loaded the stove with wood, opened the damper, and started the fire, all in a numb state of despair. "Where are you, meleth nín?" he whispered to the empty room. He lifted the heavy kettle that was filled with water and placed it upon the stove. He stood with his hands upon the large table that filled their kitchen, his head bowed and eyes closed.
His eyes snapped open with a start as he felt strong, kind hands upon his shoulders, and he turned to meet the gaze of his lover. Legolas caressed his face and spoke very softly, "I am sorry, a'maelamin. I was harsh and unfair; please forgive me."
Erestor wrapped his arms around the Prince and whispered in his ear, "You were hurt, meleth nín, you need not apologize to me. Thank the Valar you are home, I have been so worried about you."
Legolas snuggled his face into the Noldo's ear and sighed. "I went to see my mother."
Erestor pulled back and cupped his cheek with one hand. "Are you all right? Did she see you?"
Legolas nodded. "Yes, she was very kind to me, as I thought she would be. I have a family now, Erestor."
Erestor smiled and placed a soft kiss upon his lips. "Yes, a'maelamin, you do, one that already loves you."
Legolas smiled in return, "Yes, you are part of that family, Erestor. So is another that I had once counted as friend… and lover…"
Erestor's eyes widened. In all those years it had never occurred to him, and it was he that had put them together. "Legolas, it was not your fault, you did not know… I did not know. If I had, I never would have…"
Legolas laughed softly, "Well, given how I have lived my life, I am not too concerned about that. I only hope when Elladan learns the truth he will not be upset by it."
Erestor laughed in spite of himself, "Ai, I suppose that is true. `Tis a strange web that we have woven for ourselves, yes?"
Legolas nodded. "Who would have thought it? After all these years and all the times and ways our paths have crossed, you and I end up together."
Erestor smiled. "All those years ago, when I sent you to Elladan, I had no idea you would turnout to be who you are, nor did I know we would end up as we are."
Legolas smiled gently and ran his hands into his lover's hair. "I do love you, Erestor. I know it has been difficult, only having what I have been able to give. I wish I could say it were different, but I do still love my father, I do still miss him." He looked at the floor for a moment and swallowed. "I suppose I always will."
Erestor nodded slowly, "Of course you will, meleth nín. You will open your heart fully when you are ready, in the meantime, having your love and companionship is enough for me." He wrapped his arms around his lover and held him quietly, just glad to have him home.
~*~*~*~
June 16th, 122, Fourth Age, Eryn Lasgalen
Thranduil sat on the side of his bed. It was the one thing he could not bring himself to trade for money; so many happy memories were wrapped up in that bed. He could not bear seeing another occupy it. He had just finished applied a fresh coat of salve to Gildor's bruised and welted back. Looking at his friend and lover in that condition still angered him beyond reason, of all Elves, Gildor deserved that treatment least. It was already healing and he would be himself again, physically at least, in a day or two. He had barely spoken a word upon their return to his caves, and the King worried about him.
His own injuries had been confined to bruises, a split lip, and a knot on his head, all of which had rapidly healed. He started to rise from the bed when he felt Gildor's hand upon his arm. He looked down at his lover and brushed a strand of hair from his face. "How are you feeling, a'maelamin?"
Gildor smiled weakly, "Better, thank you, my Lord."
Thranduil smiled, "Do not thank me, Gildor. If it were not for me, you would not be lying here in this condition, you would be walking through the woods upon Valinor."
Gildor furrowed his brow in mock anger, "I thought we had come to an agreement about this, my Lord, no more feeling guilty."
Thranduil smiled, "I am sorry, meldir, I promise I will not mention it again." He caressed the Noldo's hair. "Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?"
Gildor shook his head. "No, a'maelamin, I would like you to lie down with me, however."
Thranduil sat his tray aside and lay on his back beside Gildor, who snuggled up to him. The Noldo pressed his lips to his lover's chest and whispered, "I am sorry I could not help you, Thranduil. When I think of how that monster touched you it makes me sick with anger."
Thranduil closed his eyes and swallowed. He had felt violated for sure, having that beast's hands touch him and his foul tongue upon his flesh. He had scrubbed and bathed for over an hour when he had finally taken care of Gildor. Never, in all his life had another touched him that way, he supposed that was why he was so angry when he thought of how that dog had touched his lover, he knew what it felt like. "Ssshh, meleth nín, think on it no more. I am fine, I was not hurt, I want you to concentrate on getting well, let us put this experience behind us."
The King held his lover in his arms and tried to forget all that had happened. They were to embark upon a new life and a new adventure in a few days; he would be leaving his lifelong home of Eryn Lasgalen behind, forever.
~*~*~*~
Elvish = English Translation:
Iôn = Son
Naneth = Mother
Adar = Father
Meleth nín = My love
A'maelamin = Beloved
Meldir = Friend~*~*~*~
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