Chapter 20 is rated NC-17 which is why it isn't posted here - read it at my website or in my LJ, you can find the links in my profile!! :)
Chapter 21
Legolas was not sure what he had expected their life to be like after that night, but he had not expected it to be like this. He was enjoying himself, and he actually looked forward to spending his time with Glorfindel – except for the lessons, of course, as those were almost as boring as before. Although there was one thing that had changed about them... Now that Glorfindel was no longer afraid to punish him, Legolas had quickly learned to concentrate on whatever task Glorfindel set him. On the few occasions when he let his attention slip away to dream about other things, he later had to pay when his bottom turned red under Glorfindel's hands – although this punishment would also inevitably end with pleasure for both of them when they abandoned the study for their bed. After this happened a few times, Legolas took care to always pay attention, and Glorfindel changed his lessons to make them more interesting for Legolas.
As Glorfindel's idea of interesting also encompassed certain Quenyan phrases which made Legolas blush, their hours of studying often ended in their bedroom – or on whatever flat surface was closest. It pleased Glorfindel to make Legolas wait for his release until he begged for it in grammatically correct Quenya, and so Legolas' vocabulary was enriched by phrases and words which he was sure he would never read in the Quenyan manuscripts in Elrond's library.
But they did not spend all of their time over old books and manuscripts. In the afternoons, they would often go for a ride, or play with their son in the garden. Gîlríon had by now learned to stand and walk, and it was one of his favourite games to run through the gardens or the wood with his parents chasing behind him, trying to catch him before he could hurt himself.
But Gîlríon had also made progress in other areas. Several weeks ago, he had uttered his first word, and Legolas, whose biggest fear it had been to be labelled nana by his son, was relieved to be called ada. Often Glorfindel had jokingly called the Sindarin prince a mother, knowing all too well how it infuriated Legolas to be seen as a female, and so Legolas had both wished for and at the same time dreaded their son's first words.
Nevertheless, it seemed as if Glorfindel had only teased Legolas with the threat of being called a mother, while at the same time searching for a way for their son to address them. And he seemed to have found a solution he liked, for as soon as Glorfindel entered the room, Gîlríon began to squirm in Legolas' arms and called out for his atto. Legolas was surprised, and immensely relieved. And while he watched Glorfindel kissing and praising their little star, he realized that Glorfindel must have secretly spent some time teaching their son that word.
"Atto?" Legolas asked with smile that was at once thankful and amused, for Glorfindel had tormented him with the notion of being called nana for quite some time.
Glorfindel smiled back, tickling Gîlríon until he was squirming and giggling. "Yes... he cannot call both of us ada, that would be too confusing for him. And why should he not call me by the same name I used for my father when I was as old as our star is?"
Legolas smiled but kept silent as he watched Glorfindel, who was obviously proud to see Gîlríon speak, and full of love for the golden-haired child that had been given to them.
In this way, autumn passed almost too quickly as the days were filled with lessons in lore and warfare for Legolas and the remaining time was spent with their son, whose ever-growing energy and curiosity managed to keep both of his parents busy.
One afternoon in late autumn found Legolas and Glorfindel outside in the sun, with Gîlríon sleeping between them. Although it was probably one of the last fair days of the year, there was still the scent of flowers in the air. The protection of Vilya granted the valley green grass and flowers from spring until the end of autumn, but it could – or would – not protect them from the cold and ice of winter. Soon the days would grow grey and rainy, and then the first snow would fall to lull nature into a deep, well-earned sleep, until Arien's warmth would wake the valley again in spring.
But this one afternoon, it was still so warm in the sunshine that several elves had taken off their tunics to let the rays of sunshine warm their bare skin. Glorfindel and Legolas were sitting beneath an apple tree that had been relieved of its heavy burden just days ago. On the wide, grass-covered slope in front of them many of Imladris' inhabitants were sitting, talking and eating as they enjoyed the beautiful day. Even the Lord of the Valley had joined them; he sat together with Ellonúr and several other Noldor in a half-circle around a minstrel who had brought his lyre outside to entertain Elrond.
The sweet sounds of the song filled the valley, carrying over to where Legolas and Glorfindel sat and watched their son sleeping peacefully in the sunlight. Earlier he had wandered through the high grass, following a small bird that kept hopping away until Glorfindel came to rescue it from its pursuer. Now that they finally had a moment of respite from their son's unending curiosity, they were content to silently sit next to each other, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine while watching the group surrounding the minstrel.
Legolas' gaze rested on Elrond. Earlier, he had been in an animated conversation with Ellonúr; they had even heard him laugh out loud a few times. It had been a long time since Legolas had last seen the lord of the valley so relaxed; if he thought back, he had not seen Elrond smile ever since the dreadful day of his falling out with his seneschal.
Glorfindel sighed. His eyes had followed Legolas' gaze to see Elrond staring wistfully at where the three of them were resting under the old apple tree. Before their quarrel, he would have joined them, but now Elrond stayed with the other elves. Glorfindel knew that Elrond felt lonely; he knew what it was like to be surrounded by people who would only speak with the utmost reverence and politeness and never disagree with something their lord said. That was one of the reasons they had become friends so fast – both were glad to have found someone they could be honest with even if this candor often led to disagreements.
Glorfindel raised a hand to run it through Legolas' hair, then rested it on his cheek, gently stroking over the soft skin with his thumb. "Would you mind if I went over to Elrond for a moment? Be careful that Gîlríon does not escape you again; I do not think that he has given up on that bird."
"Of course, my lord," Legolas said and watched Glorfindel with barely veiled curiosity. Glorfindel sighed and shook his head, giving Legolas a small smile.
"Do not fear; I do not plan to throttle or otherwise kill the Lord of Imladris in front of all of his subjects – I just think that it is time we should talk again. I have not yet forgiven him for breaking my trust, but I do not think that we can just go on ignoring each other."
Legolas smiled back at Glorfindel, barely able to hide how pleased he was by this openness. This was probably another sign that Glorfindel was beginning to dearly miss his friend and confidant for although he had spoken freely to Legolas about many thing over the last several weeks, Glorfindel never once broached the subject of the events of that particular day. Secretly Legolas wondered if he still blamed himself for what had occurred that night and tried to pretend that it had never happened by not talking about what had set that event in motion.
Legolas knew that he had not been entirely innocent that day and he still felt guilty for not protesting immediately. But Glorfindel had never asked him for a reason why he had not resisted Elrond, and so Legolas preferred not to think about it at all.
Legolas wondered what would happen if Elrond and Glorfindel finally resolved their problems. Perhaps then Glorfindel would once more become interested in his role in that little drama. Legolas did not look forward to the conversation they would have should Glorfindel ever bring those events up again. Nevertheless he knew that things between Elrond and Glorfindel could not continue the way they were right now. After all, Glorfindel was the one responsible for Imladris' defense – in the long run, the valley could only continue to flourish if those two managed to somehow rebuild their friendship.
While Legolas was thinking about this, Gîlríon woke up, and his interest was immediately captured by a huge, black bug that was crawling up a long blade of grass. Gîlríon giggled when the bug spread its wings to fly away to more promising places, and Legolas sighed. He tried to interest his son in a large, hairy caterpillar that at least would not tempt him to run after it. When Legolas looked up again, he saw that Glorfindel had sat down next to Elrond while the group of elves had respectfully moved a short distance away from them. From what Legolas could see of them, their conversation seemed rather awkward, with many unpleasant pauses, but at least they were talking again.
Legolas was relieved. Although he still felt somewhat angry and betrayed if he thought about what Elrond had done, he would find a way to live with it. It was more important that the two lords were once again on speaking terms. And perhaps, during the long, cold winter that was waiting for them, the two Noldor would find a way to slowly rebuild what had been so suddenly destroyed.
ada – affectionate form of father [Sindarin]
nana – affectionate form of mother [Sindarin]
A/N:
If you wonder why Gîlríon is already able to talk and run, although he is only half a year old: According to bMorgoth's Ring: Laws and Customs of the Eldar/b elvish children acquire these abilities rather quickly:
"The Eldar grew in bodily form slower than Men, but in mind more swiftly. They learned to speak before they were one year old; and in the same time they learned to walk and to dance, for their wills came soon to the mastery of their bodies." p 209
A mortal watching Elf children at play "…might indeed have wondered at the small limbs and stature of these children, judging their age by their skill in words and grace in motion. For at the end of the third year mortal children began to outstrip the Elves, hastening on to a full stature while the Elves lingered in the first spring of childhood. Children of Men might reach their full height while Eldar of the same age were still in body like to mortals of no more than seven years. Not until the fiftieth year did the Eldar attain the stature and shape in which their lives would afterwards endure, and in some a hundred years would pass before they were full grown." P 210