Sent to Middle-earth - Part 3(3): To Rivendell

On your way to the throne room, you noticed Legolas back straighten. Like he was bracing himself for meeting his father.

This time when entering the elegant hall, you felt less scruffy. You had bathed, and the tunic you borrowed from Legolas was still clean. And your hair probably looked nice with the braids he had made on you.

"My Lord, the prisoner has escaped," said Legolas stiffly.

Two red spots appeared on Thranduil's pale cheeks. "Escaped?"

"Aye. I am sorry." Legolas told him about the orcs' surprise attack and his suspicion it had all been planned.

Thranduil's face looked like it was carved in ice. "How come the orcs surprised you?" His voice was controlled, like he fought hard not to yell.

"I was not paying attention to the surroundings," Legolas admitted. "I did not believe such a small creature could cause any trouble."

You wanted to tell him not to be so honest. Why not smoothing it over? That's what you would have done.

"I see." The frost in his voice made you shiver. "And what do you suggest I tell Gandalf? He trusted the prisoner in our care. How humiliating."

"I am sorry," Legolas repeated. "My guards are tracking Sméagol. With luck, they will catch him."

Thranduil sighed, and some of the tension left his rigid form. "Well then. Since you put me in this situation, if the prisoner is not caught, you tell the wizard. Elrond should know where to find him. You will bring the news to Imladris yourself."

Legolas bowed. "Aye, My Lord." He met your gaze. This was just what you had said.

"Why is the human here?" Thranduil looked at you like you were something the cat had dragged in.

"I do have a name," you said, affronted by his manners – or rather, lack thereof.

"Come." Legolas was already halfway out of the door, obviously not wanting to stay longer than necessary.

When you had left the Elvenking's hall, Legolas followed you to your room. He seemed a bit subdued after the row with his father.

"Why did you make it sound like it was your fault?" you asked.

"Because it was. I was in charge of my company, but instead of staying alert we shared a meal. Had I not been... busy, I might have heard the orcs sooner and prevented it."

You felt your cheeks heat. He had been busy making braids on you. Still, he was too harsh on himself.

"Even if you had heard them sooner, you would still have to fight the orcs, and Sméagol would have escaped. It was an accident."

He smiled weakly. "Maybe. Either way, what is done, is done. No need to dwell on it." He politely opened your door for you. "Now, get some rest, and hopefully your hip will feel better tomorrow."

♡

As predicted, the guards did not catch Gollum, and it was decided Legolas should carry the news of his escape to Imladris. By now, your hip had healed so well you could walk with only a cane for support, and Thranduil ordered his son to make a stop on the way and return you to the elf family where you lived. It was clear the Elvenking did not want a human in his halls longer than necessary.

You did not complain – quite the contrary. You wanted to go, but all the way to Elrond's realm of course. You just had to persuade Legolas it was a good idea to bring you there.

Legolas had been busy searching for the prisoner, so you had not seen much of him since Sméagol's escape. Therefore, when it was finally time to leave and he came to pick you up, you were both excited and a bit nervous.

You had not gone far when a tall elf met you in the corridor. To your surprise it was Thranduil himself, coming to see his son off. You hoped they would not part as enemies, considering it would be a long while until they met again.

The Elvenking was elegantly garbed as usual, but he was not wearing his crown, and there were no courtiers following him.

"May you have a safe journey," he said.

"Thank you." Legolas bowed politely.

You wanted to yell at them to not be so stiff and formal and hug each other already. You were sure they needed it.

"Do not linger too long. Deliver the message and return here as fast as you can."

Legolas eyes briefly flickered in your direction. "I shall try," he said noncommittally. Did he remember you said he would join the Fellowship, and realize he might be gone for a long time?

"If you meet the wizard, do not let him talk you into another stupid scheme. I shudder to think of what he and Elrond can come up with together. Next, they will probably send us an orc to guard – or worse, a dwarf." Thranduil paused, and his expression became softer than you had ever seen it before. "And... be careful. I only have one son, you know."

"I will." Legolas pressed his arm briefly. "Farewell, Father." The look on his face made your chest feel too tight.

"Farewell, Legolas." The Elvenking's elegant coat billowed as he turned away, but not fast enough to hide the mist in his eyes. And then he was gone.

♡

To your pleasant surprise, it was more than easy to persuade Legolas to bring you along with him – it was even he who suggested it.

"So far, your history books were true: Sméagol escaped, and now I am sent to Imladris. I need to know the rest of what will happen, and I am sure Elrond will want to hear it as well."

The ride took a couple of weeks, and you used the time to tell Legolas the whole story while his accompanying guards stayed out of hearing range.

When you had finished, you discussed at length who else to tell. Should you, for example, tell Boromir? It might save his life if you did. And should you tell the other members of the future Fellowship, to spare them the grief of Gandalf's apparent demise? But what if they then did things differently, and it ruined the quest?

In the end, you decided it was best to first tell Elrond, who was very wise, and let him decide.

♡

Imladris, or Rivendell, as men called it, was the most beautiful place you had ever seen. Everywhere you looked were lovely gardens, flowerbeds and sparkling fountains, and the air was full of birdsong. The houses were painted in light colors, with decorative wood carvings and many balconies on ornate pillars.

Shortly after your arrival, Lord Elrond received you in his study. Just as Legolas, his movie persona was only a weak shadow of his real self. Like all elves he was very handsome, and looked neither young nor old – but there was a depth in his eyes, speaking of fathomless years and much wisdom. In addition, he seemed exceptionally kind. You instantly liked him.

After hearing your tale, Elrond was silent for a long time before speaking. As the minutes ticked by, you nervously fingered a loose thread on Legolas tunic which you still wore. What would his decision be?

"You did the right thing to come to me with this," he said at last. "I have pondered at length over how to proceed, and come to the conclusion it must remain a secret. As much as I regret that this means some will die, it is a war after all, and losses are expected. I cannot risk changing anything and perhaps ruin our victory. It's a good thing only Legolas knows, who seems to have a lesser role in the coming events – if he keeps his mouth shut, the quest will proceed the way it is meant to."

"What happens to me?"

"You stay here, of course."

"But I–"

"You are no warrior. You will stay." His gaze was steady and his voice firm, and you knew a lost cause when you saw one. You sighed.

His ancient eyes filled with sympathy. "Do not feel disheartened. At least you already know your friend will survive, and you shall be reunited soon." The way he emphasized the word 'friend' made it clear his perceptive eyes had picked up on your feelings.

After your meeting, you went to look for Legolas, and not surprisingly found him wandering in the beautiful gardens.

You told him what Elrond had said, and added rather glumly: "I wish I could go with you."

"It's a dangerous quest," he objected.

"I already know what dangers there will be. I can stay out of trouble."

He only smiled, and changed the subject. "It's so beautiful here!" He swept out with his hand towards some maples, covered in multicolored autumn shroud.

You looked at him. "Mm. Very beautiful." You were not referring to the trees.

He glanced at you, his cheeks coloring slightly. You knew your feelings were probably written all over you, but did not care if you were obvious. He would leave soon, and you would be alone here, and he might as well know the truth before he went.

You angrily kicked away an innocent stone from your path.

"Ai! Chin up. I know what will cheer you up," he said, taking your hand. You enjoyed his touch, but your spirits were still down and you followed him with rather heavy feet.

He led you to what appeared to be a larder. "I shall sneak in and grab something tasty, and then we have a nice picnic."

When he had left, you rested your back against the wooden wall, arms crossed over your chest. You were not going to be bribed into happiness so easily. Food. Pah!

Almost smugly, you noticed some dark clouds above the yellow and red treetops; bad weather coming in. There goes his stupid picnic!

Legolas returned with a basket and a flagon of wine.

"It's going to rain," you said sourly.

"Then we have an indoor picnic." He took your hand again. "Come!"

Legolas brought you to the apartment Elrond had assigned him; a spacious suite with a living room, bedroom and even an indoor bathroom. Your own accomodation was much simpler, but then, you were not a prince.

He took a floral blanket from his bed and spread it on the floor, and placed the basket in the middle. "There. Let's pretend this is a beautiful lawn full of daisies!"

His winsome smile melted away the last of your resistance, and you sat cross legged opposite to him, accepting a cup of wine and a full plate.

"Sorry if I seem ungrateful," you said, nibbling a piece of dried fruit.

"I understand. Truly, I wish it were different." His gaze met yours. "I shall miss you."

"It's worse for the one left behind."

"I imagine it is."

You ate and drank in silence for a while. The sound of rain on the window mingled with sweet music in the distance; perhaps coming from the Hall of Fire in the adjacent building.

The room was growing dark, and Legolas lit a wax candle. In its flickering light he was almost ethereally handsome; his eyes dark and deep as the ocean, and his blonde strands glowing like molten gold.

He sidled closer to you, and you mimicked his maneuver, and soon there was no distance left.

Tentatively you took his hand, and traced the lines inside his palm with your finger. He shivered, and your eyes met. Catching your hand, he kissed it, his gaze still locked in yours. The air around you felt thick and charged with power.

You could not have said who started it, but suddenly your faces were very close and your lips met. It only lasted a moment before both retracted a bit, making sure the other was willing to continue. Clearly you were.

This time he cupped your cheek, stroking it while kissing you deeper than before, and you felt his tongue tentatively touch your lower lip. You opened your mouth and allowed him in, while burying your fingers in his soft hair.

He touched your ear again, and his lips left your mouth to kiss it lightly. Then he trailed a series of pecks down your neck.

"I thought..." you began, but broke off when he reached your collarbone. It felt so good, and you drew in a breath.

"Thought what?" His voice was husky.

"I thought you could not do this. That it means... Means..."

He stilled his motions, his lips still on your neck. "Actually... it does, and I shouldn't."

You wished you had not said anything, but to your relief you felt him kiss your collarbone again, and his hand slid around to stroke your back.

Pulling up his tunic, you explored his smooth skin underneath, and felt him do the same on you. Your heart was beating fast, and by now both of you were becoming a bit breathless.

You got a crazy idea, and your mouth decided to speak it out loudly: "If we were married Elrond might let me join the quest."

He was nibbling on your earlobe, and his voice tickled your ear as he replied: "I think not."

"Then I could sneak out and follow you. He can't lock me in, can he?" You undid the top button of his tunic, and the next one.

Cupping your cheek, he held you out so he could look you in the eye. "Are you serious?"

"Of course! I don't want to be left behind."

"I meant... about marriage."

"Oh." Were you serious? What you were doing right now was basically the equivalent of starting the walk down the aisle. If you went all the way with Legolas, then according to elvish customs he would be your husband. Forever. Did you want that?

Yes. Yes of course! You wanted Legolas, body and soul. You wanted to be married to him.

"I'm serious," you said earnestly, taking his hand and pressing it.

You could not quite interpret his expression as he met your gaze, but then his lips quirked up. "My father will kill me." He bent forward and kissed you lightly. "First I leave on a lengthy and dangerous mission – quite opposite to his instructions – and then I return with a human spouse."

"So you say yes, then?" You heard your voice tremble.

"I do." He scooped you up in his arms, and carried you into the bedroom. "I do," he repeated, placing you on the bed and sealing his words with a deep, eager kiss.

Filled with a joy so strong you thought you might burst, you hungrily kissed him back.

♡

Thus you were wed like elves sometimes are, without betrothal ceremonies or rings – just the two of you, and the union of your bodies.

When you lay in his arms some time later, hearing his heartbeat slow down to normal, and feeling his familiar scent in your nostrils, you felt certain everything would work out for the better. Maybe you must stay in Imladris, but he would come back for you, and then you could be together forever. You were immortal now, and he was your husband, and you would never let him go.

You felt blessed, and loved, and immensely grateful to that strange magician and his box.

A/N:

This one-shot was written for my new fanfiction friend Natalie Rushman – or, as her very fitting username says: Sexy Legolas. ♡♡♡