Disclaimer: We don't own any of the recognizable characters. Anything/anyone you don't recognize is ours. Once again we're making no money off this. We're just borrowing the characters for a while.
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T.A. 2981 August 12
Legolas sat down beside the man asleep in the center of the bed and leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to the slightly parted lips, "Awaken, meleth, a new day dawns."
The man awoke slowly with a sleepy smile, "Aye, lirimaer, and a beautiful day it is when I can awaken to you."
Legolas dropped another kiss on the man's mouth, "A beautiful day indeed. Sadly, we must part for a time, Estel. Maikafea has arrived. I do not think she will take kindly to finding an adan in her betrothed's bed."
Sighing, Estel sat up, "Meleth nin, you will marry next week. We cannot keep doing this. I cannot keep doing this."
"What are you saying, Estel? You are the one I love. My marriage to Maikafea is for political…"
Estel put a finger across the elf's lips to silence his words, "I will not be your secret lover. As much as I love you. I am sorry, meleth nin. I…"
Legolas stood up, suddenly angry, "Then we've nothing more to say to each other, Estel. Farewell…Eldameldo."
Estel winced as Legolas sneered on the last word before stalking out of the room, slamming the door behind himself. The man sighed raggedly, his words a heartbroken whisper when he spoke.
"I will always love you, my Legolas."
Fighting the tears threatening to fall Estel got to his feet and got dressed. With a final glance around the room he walked out, leaving the shattered pieces of his mortal heart behind.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Legolas spent most of the hours before his meeting with his father, Maikafea and her parents fuming.
How could Estel have done this to him? Its not as if Legolas loved Maikafea. The marriage was for political reasons.
However, when Legolas had a chance to calm down (he, unfortunately, had a quick temper), he began to understand why Estel had said what he had.
Estel hadn't been willing to have a relationship where he was constantly sneaking around, never being able to stand by his lover's side, having people whisper about him behind his back and maybe even having to endure being called 'the prince of Mirkwood's whore'.
In his shock and anger, Legolas had only heard Estel saying he didn't want to be his lover anymore when his real message had been quite clear.
Estel simply couldn't be the whore in the background while Legolas had someone he didn't love by his side.
Estel, as the one Legolas loved, had wanted to be put first.
Legolas groaned as he remembered the harsh way he had said goodbye to Estel. The hurt he had seen in the young mortal's eyes would be burned into his mind for the rest of his days.
However, he knew one thing right then and there. He couldn't marry Maikafea. Not when Estel was the one he loved.
His mind made up, Legolas strode toward his father's study. Intent on ending the betrothal before anything else.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If Legolas had had any idea where Estel was at that moment, he would have gone after the human first and talked to his father afterward.
The human having left in a hurry, not wanting to risk another confrontation with his disgruntled ex-lover, was well over halfway to the west border of Mirkwood. He was traveling with a group of elves on their way to either Lothlorien or Rivendell, though Estel himself had no plans to go to either realm.
Instead he planned to skirt around Rivendell's Southern border, not wanting to face his foster family at the moment. They'd notice right away that something wasn't right and Estel had no desire to explain. Nobody knew of his relationship with Legolas. They'd kept it a secret for the very same reason Estel had just broken it off.
The wood-elves were not stupid, however, so Estel knew there were a few among them who suspected him and Legolas were more than just friends. And Estel suspected Thranduil knew as well considering Legolas could never hide anything indefinitely from his father.
Thranduil, luckily, could not deny his only son anything so he accepted the relationship if he knew about it. Estel could never be quite sure. Especially considering Thranduil had arranged a political marriage for Legolas.
That thought sent a surge of anger through Estel. Legolas claimed Estel was the one he loved, yet he still planned to wed Maikafea in 6 days time.
Estel straightened his posture with an indignant breath. If Legolas chose his betrothed over him so be it. The prince of Mirkwood was replaceable. Estel could find another one to love.
Shoulders slumping again, Estel released a sob. Who was he kidding? Legolas would always be the one he loved. The blond elf had stolen the man's heart almost the moment they'd met and he'd never returned it. At least not in one piece. And even now Estel feared his broken heart was still not his own.
Estel unconsciously reached with his left hand to twirl the silver and emerald ring around his index finger of this right hand, as he always did when his thoughts were chaotic. When he didn't feel the ring he gasped and looked at his right hand.
The ring wasn't there. Sighing, Estel remembered taking it off the night before and placing it on the table beside the bed. He'd forgotten to grab it this morning.
Estel sighed again. Never since his foster father had presented it to him when he was 20, had he not replaced the ring on his finger in the morning. Until now.
Unfortunately, there was no way Estel was going back to Mirkwood's palace to get the ring. He'd just come up with a believable story to tell his foster father as to why he didn't have the ring.
Estel winced at that thought. That wouldn't be a pretty scene. The ring of Barahir was a family heirloom dating back to the second age at least.
No, the scene would definitely not be pretty.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Legolas walked into his father's study just as he was greeting Maikafea and her parents.
"Ada, I must speak with you…alone."
Thranduil didn't look surprised, just concerned. Maikafea, on the other hand, turned up her nose when Legolas said he wished to speak to his father alone. As if the idea of her being turned away was offensive.
Legolas wrinkled his nose in distaste. He was sure going to be glad to get out of this marriage.
Thranduil, in the meantime, had politely turned back to his guests. "I'm sorry. Would you excuse me for a moment while I talk to my son."
Maikafea and her parents didn't answer as they left the room. But they all managed to look offended.
When they were gone, Thranduil turned back to face his son. "Why do I get the feeling that what you are about to tell me is just going to make my life more difficult."
Legolas grimaced and decided to come right to the point. "Ada, I can't go through with this marriage."
Thranduil's eyes widened slightly, but other than that he showed no reaction. "I see. And what would be the cause of this turn around?"
Legolas sighed. "No one, even someone as rude as Maikafea, deserves to be tied to someone who doesn't love them." Legolas paused and gathered up his courage for what he knew he must say. "My heart belongs to another."
To Legolas' surprise, Thranduil started chuckling. "That would be young Estel I imagine."
Legolas' mouth dropped open in shock. "How did you … I mean I … How?"
Thranduil continued to chuckle. "You're not as sly or as sneaky as you'd like to think you are. At least not around me."
Legolas gave a half smile. "So, … this is … okay with you?"
Thranduil sighed. "Legolas, your happiness is what's most important to me. If this young Estel makes you happy … then I'll accept him as your consort."
Legolas was amazed. He didn't think Thranduil would have been that understanding.
Without waiting for Thranduil to change his mind Legolas hugged his father and ran out of the study, ignoring Maikafea and her parents standing just outside the door.
Thranduil sighed and stifled a grin as he called after his quickly disappearing son, " So I'll just take care of everything myself then?"
Legolas' only reply was a muffled, "If you will."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Legolas burst into his room, not caring that the door slammed against the wall, "Estel!"
Not seeing the man anywhere Legolas ran to the adjoined bathing chamber and gently knocked. "Estel? Are you in there, meleth?"
Still getting no answer, Legolas glanced around the room. All Estel's clothing and weapons were gone.
Sighing, Legolas sat down on the bed. A glint of light caught his eye and drew his attention to the bedside table.
Estel's ring!
Trembling slightly, Legolas reached out and grasped the ring. Estel always remembered to put the ring back on when he took it off. The fact that he had left it could only mean one thing.
Estel had been upset … and most likely had taken off.
Legolas gripped the ring in his hand and in a panic, jumped off the bed and ran out the door. He turned to the first elves he saw.
"Have you seen Estel?"
The elves looked confused, but refrained from asking questions. "Yes," one of them said, "he was heading out with a group to the western border of Mirkwood."
Estel could be far away by now. And since he was a ranger he could easily hide from Legolas.
The realization suddenly came upon Legolas in a rush.
He may have just lost the love of his life.
Not caring that about the reactions of the elves around him, Legolas sank to his knees and started to cry. His fist tightened around the ring as his sobs became more and more heart wrenching.
The ring.
The one thing he had left of his beloved Estel.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meleth/meleth nin: Love/my love
Lirimaer: Beautiful one or lovely one
Eldameldo: Elf-lover
Adan: Man or 'a human' (literal meaning)
Ada: Dad or Daddy
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T.A. 2981 August 12
Legolas sat down beside the man asleep in the center of the bed and leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to the slightly parted lips, "Awaken, meleth, a new day dawns."
The man awoke slowly with a sleepy smile, "Aye, lirimaer, and a beautiful day it is when I can awaken to you."
Legolas dropped another kiss on the man's mouth, "A beautiful day indeed. Sadly, we must part for a time, Estel. Maikafea has arrived. I do not think she will take kindly to finding an adan in her betrothed's bed."
Sighing, Estel sat up, "Meleth nin, you will marry next week. We cannot keep doing this. I cannot keep doing this."
"What are you saying, Estel? You are the one I love. My marriage to Maikafea is for political…"
Estel put a finger across the elf's lips to silence his words, "I will not be your secret lover. As much as I love you. I am sorry, meleth nin. I…"
Legolas stood up, suddenly angry, "Then we've nothing more to say to each other, Estel. Farewell…Eldameldo."
Estel winced as Legolas sneered on the last word before stalking out of the room, slamming the door behind himself. The man sighed raggedly, his words a heartbroken whisper when he spoke.
"I will always love you, my Legolas."
Fighting the tears threatening to fall Estel got to his feet and got dressed. With a final glance around the room he walked out, leaving the shattered pieces of his mortal heart behind.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Legolas spent most of the hours before his meeting with his father, Maikafea and her parents fuming.
How could Estel have done this to him? Its not as if Legolas loved Maikafea. The marriage was for political reasons.
However, when Legolas had a chance to calm down (he, unfortunately, had a quick temper), he began to understand why Estel had said what he had.
Estel hadn't been willing to have a relationship where he was constantly sneaking around, never being able to stand by his lover's side, having people whisper about him behind his back and maybe even having to endure being called 'the prince of Mirkwood's whore'.
In his shock and anger, Legolas had only heard Estel saying he didn't want to be his lover anymore when his real message had been quite clear.
Estel simply couldn't be the whore in the background while Legolas had someone he didn't love by his side.
Estel, as the one Legolas loved, had wanted to be put first.
Legolas groaned as he remembered the harsh way he had said goodbye to Estel. The hurt he had seen in the young mortal's eyes would be burned into his mind for the rest of his days.
However, he knew one thing right then and there. He couldn't marry Maikafea. Not when Estel was the one he loved.
His mind made up, Legolas strode toward his father's study. Intent on ending the betrothal before anything else.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If Legolas had had any idea where Estel was at that moment, he would have gone after the human first and talked to his father afterward.
The human having left in a hurry, not wanting to risk another confrontation with his disgruntled ex-lover, was well over halfway to the west border of Mirkwood. He was traveling with a group of elves on their way to either Lothlorien or Rivendell, though Estel himself had no plans to go to either realm.
Instead he planned to skirt around Rivendell's Southern border, not wanting to face his foster family at the moment. They'd notice right away that something wasn't right and Estel had no desire to explain. Nobody knew of his relationship with Legolas. They'd kept it a secret for the very same reason Estel had just broken it off.
The wood-elves were not stupid, however, so Estel knew there were a few among them who suspected him and Legolas were more than just friends. And Estel suspected Thranduil knew as well considering Legolas could never hide anything indefinitely from his father.
Thranduil, luckily, could not deny his only son anything so he accepted the relationship if he knew about it. Estel could never be quite sure. Especially considering Thranduil had arranged a political marriage for Legolas.
That thought sent a surge of anger through Estel. Legolas claimed Estel was the one he loved, yet he still planned to wed Maikafea in 6 days time.
Estel straightened his posture with an indignant breath. If Legolas chose his betrothed over him so be it. The prince of Mirkwood was replaceable. Estel could find another one to love.
Shoulders slumping again, Estel released a sob. Who was he kidding? Legolas would always be the one he loved. The blond elf had stolen the man's heart almost the moment they'd met and he'd never returned it. At least not in one piece. And even now Estel feared his broken heart was still not his own.
Estel unconsciously reached with his left hand to twirl the silver and emerald ring around his index finger of this right hand, as he always did when his thoughts were chaotic. When he didn't feel the ring he gasped and looked at his right hand.
The ring wasn't there. Sighing, Estel remembered taking it off the night before and placing it on the table beside the bed. He'd forgotten to grab it this morning.
Estel sighed again. Never since his foster father had presented it to him when he was 20, had he not replaced the ring on his finger in the morning. Until now.
Unfortunately, there was no way Estel was going back to Mirkwood's palace to get the ring. He'd just come up with a believable story to tell his foster father as to why he didn't have the ring.
Estel winced at that thought. That wouldn't be a pretty scene. The ring of Barahir was a family heirloom dating back to the second age at least.
No, the scene would definitely not be pretty.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Legolas walked into his father's study just as he was greeting Maikafea and her parents.
"Ada, I must speak with you…alone."
Thranduil didn't look surprised, just concerned. Maikafea, on the other hand, turned up her nose when Legolas said he wished to speak to his father alone. As if the idea of her being turned away was offensive.
Legolas wrinkled his nose in distaste. He was sure going to be glad to get out of this marriage.
Thranduil, in the meantime, had politely turned back to his guests. "I'm sorry. Would you excuse me for a moment while I talk to my son."
Maikafea and her parents didn't answer as they left the room. But they all managed to look offended.
When they were gone, Thranduil turned back to face his son. "Why do I get the feeling that what you are about to tell me is just going to make my life more difficult."
Legolas grimaced and decided to come right to the point. "Ada, I can't go through with this marriage."
Thranduil's eyes widened slightly, but other than that he showed no reaction. "I see. And what would be the cause of this turn around?"
Legolas sighed. "No one, even someone as rude as Maikafea, deserves to be tied to someone who doesn't love them." Legolas paused and gathered up his courage for what he knew he must say. "My heart belongs to another."
To Legolas' surprise, Thranduil started chuckling. "That would be young Estel I imagine."
Legolas' mouth dropped open in shock. "How did you … I mean I … How?"
Thranduil continued to chuckle. "You're not as sly or as sneaky as you'd like to think you are. At least not around me."
Legolas gave a half smile. "So, … this is … okay with you?"
Thranduil sighed. "Legolas, your happiness is what's most important to me. If this young Estel makes you happy … then I'll accept him as your consort."
Legolas was amazed. He didn't think Thranduil would have been that understanding.
Without waiting for Thranduil to change his mind Legolas hugged his father and ran out of the study, ignoring Maikafea and her parents standing just outside the door.
Thranduil sighed and stifled a grin as he called after his quickly disappearing son, " So I'll just take care of everything myself then?"
Legolas' only reply was a muffled, "If you will."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Legolas burst into his room, not caring that the door slammed against the wall, "Estel!"
Not seeing the man anywhere Legolas ran to the adjoined bathing chamber and gently knocked. "Estel? Are you in there, meleth?"
Still getting no answer, Legolas glanced around the room. All Estel's clothing and weapons were gone.
Sighing, Legolas sat down on the bed. A glint of light caught his eye and drew his attention to the bedside table.
Estel's ring!
Trembling slightly, Legolas reached out and grasped the ring. Estel always remembered to put the ring back on when he took it off. The fact that he had left it could only mean one thing.
Estel had been upset … and most likely had taken off.
Legolas gripped the ring in his hand and in a panic, jumped off the bed and ran out the door. He turned to the first elves he saw.
"Have you seen Estel?"
The elves looked confused, but refrained from asking questions. "Yes," one of them said, "he was heading out with a group to the western border of Mirkwood."
Estel could be far away by now. And since he was a ranger he could easily hide from Legolas.
The realization suddenly came upon Legolas in a rush.
He may have just lost the love of his life.
Not caring that about the reactions of the elves around him, Legolas sank to his knees and started to cry. His fist tightened around the ring as his sobs became more and more heart wrenching.
The ring.
The one thing he had left of his beloved Estel.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meleth/meleth nin: Love/my love
Lirimaer: Beautiful one or lovely one
Eldameldo: Elf-lover
Adan: Man or 'a human' (literal meaning)
Ada: Dad or Daddy