At the Bend of the River

by Keelywolfe

*Sequel to 'A Pleasant Beginning'

---

 

The delicate outline of Imladris rising up from the trees was a welcome sight after months of travel, as was the sight of the Lord of the house, Elrond, who waited near the gates to greet the coming travelers.

"My sons," he said simply to the lead riders, all his joy at seeing his children well and alive shining in his eyes. Yet even the solemn Lord was given to laugh when his sons leapt from their horses and bounded upon him like children, nearly knocking him to the ground in their dual efforts to embrace him.

Legolas watched with a smile of his own as Elrond scolded his sons, dusting off his robes and several of the ladies began shooing all of them inside, each warrior obeying meekly as they were impatiently tugged from their horses and sent inside to bathe.

"And can this be my younger brother?" Elladan asked in mock astonishment, ignoring the efforts of the ladies of the house as he circled the silent young Man standing nearby. "I am home and without a single wound, and you cannot even spare me a simple greeting?"

"Welcome home."

Elrohir laughed at his twin's scowl. "You see? I told you he would still be upset with us for not bringing him along."

"And out of all of my sons, it is only this one who has any manners or sense," Elrond said smoothly, curving an arm around the boy's shoulders. "Instead of behaving the fool. If you are both quite finished, perhaps you could wash and join us for the evening meal?"

"We should have stayed away another month," Elrohir grumbled as Estel threw him a superior look from behind Elrond's back. "How do we always forget the abuse that is heaped upon us when we are here?"

Elladan ignored both his brothers as he stretched and followed the others into the house. "If you wish to return to the wild and spend another month eating nothing but lembas you are welcome to depart. I will be delighted to eat your share of this evening's meal."

Their cheerful squabbling faded as they disappeared into the house. Legolas was slow to follow them, more than a little exhausted by their long travels. Many Orcs had been slaughtered at their hands and they had lost none of their own warriors. There had been injuries aplenty though; including one Legolas had received himself, a nasty cut on the arm. The wound itself was long healed but the blade had been poisoned and scar still troubled him at times. Legolas was weary and very glad to be back in safe territory.

Elladan had already informed him bluntly that he and his warriors would have to rest in Imladris for a time, for he refused to allow them to travel through Mirkwood as exhausted as they were. Though his father was always in need of his warriors and had been reluctant to allow any of them to leave to begin with, Legolas could only agree. They would be less than useless if they were killed before returning home.

Gathering his saddlebag, Legolas slowly followed the rest of the Elves inside. The twins were still immersed in their mock argument, with the occasional comment from their father and Legolas shook his head as he walked past them with a soft laugh. The stairway the led upstairs to the baths was on the other side of the hall, and as he walked, he happened to glance up at Elrond's adopted son, Estel. The boy met his eyes silently and Legolas wondered if this solemn creature could be the one he'd teasingly given a kiss to all those months ago.

Suddenly, the boy smiled, for the first time since they had returned to Imladris, shyly, and Legolas returned the smile and nodded at the boy before making his way up the stairs. He was certain to feel better after a bath and some rest, and neither would a little real food be amiss.

Just the idea brought some energy back to his steps, and Legolas hummed softly under his breath as he made his way to the bath chambers, happily anticipating being clean.

~~*~~

The evening meal was both satisfying and tiring, the conversation and songs overwhelming after months without, and it was with some relief that Legolas finally retired to his room for some much needed rest.

Elladan caught him rubbing his arm on the way out of the hall and frowned at him, breaking away from the table. Legolas shifted impatiently as Elladan probed the tender area far too vigorously for Legolas' tastes. "Put some of that salve on it before you rest," he advised.

"I certainly will now," he said ruefully, rubbing his arm and feeling sorely abused. "And you claim to be a Healer?"

"It has to hurt to heal," Elladan replied cheerfully before he returned to the table.

Legolas wondered if he would have been better off to ask Lord Elrond to examine him. Then again, it was certainly from him that Elladan had learned his barbaric treatments and instead he retreated to the peace of his room.

Or the supposed peace of his room. Someone was inside, sitting on his sofa and he looked up eagerly as Legolas walked inside.

"Estel?" he asked disbelievingly.

The boy nodded, fidgeting where he sat on the sofa. "I was beginning to fear that you would never come."

"Indeed? Well, I am here. Is there something you needed?" The ache in his arm was worsening, pain coming in gentle rolling throbs, and Legolas searched impatiently through his things for the salve Elladan had given him.

The boy scrambled to his feet and straightened. "I have chosen you to be my First," he announced proudly. His stance wilted slightly as Legolas did nothing but raise an eyebrow. "I...I have already spoken about it with my fa...with Lord Elrond and he approved," Estel added hurriedly.

"Did he?" Legolas asked idly, pausing in his search to meet the boy's eyes. Impetuous, rude child, to come into his rooms as if invited and then announce he wanted a sexual relationship. As if he would ever engage in such a thing with a child. "And what made you think I would be interested in such a thing?"

Some of the bravado seeped from Estel's eyes and he swallowed visibly. "The way you...I mean, you kissed me before you left, and I thought..."

"I was teaching you a lesson," Legolas sighed impatiently, and where in all the mercy of Middle Earth had he put that salve?

"Then teach me another one," the boy insisted stubbornly and that coupled with the growing throb in his arm was more than Legolas cared to deal with at that moment.

He took a deep breath and turned to the boy and met his persistence with cold eyes "And am I to be given no choice in this matter?" he asked grimly. Estel blinked and his expression shifted again, into uncertainty. "Go find your own rooms, child. If I wish to bed someone, it will not be an overeager boy with less manners than sense." As he had intended, the boy's face crumpled, his cheeks flushed with shame and Legolas turned away, summarily dismissing him.

He heard movement and assumed the boy had left, concentrating on finding the jar of salve so intently that he was startled when Estel spoke quietly behind him. "Please forgive me. I misunderstood."

As though by some magic, the moment the door closed quietly and marked Estel's departure, the jar rolled into his hand from the very bottom of the satchel. The ache faded rapidly under a thick application of the ointment and Legolas sighed in relief. He returned it to his satchel, making sure to place it close to the top this time. Rolling down his sleeve he moved to sit on the sofa and instead saw a book on it that did not belong to him.

Estel's, then, and he'd probably return for it, though certainly not tonight. Picking it up, Legolas thumbed through it and imagined idly that Estel had been reading it as he waited for him.

Unbidden, the boy's shattered expression returned to his mind, and without the pain in his arm to distract him, Legolas felt a twinge of guilt at how he had spoken to the boy. He had not meant to shame him, only prod his manners and he grudgingly considered the courage it might have taken to wait for him here, not a seducer but simply youthful and eager to share and then to be greeted by nothing but scorn...

Legolas sighed; he was a warrior, not a scholar and he had never been known for his tact, and he was certain his father would have scolded him for his own lack of manners. The more he considered the matter, the more it became apparent that he owed the boy an apology and it was one best given soon, rather than allow the boy to dwell on the matter the entire night.

With a last rueful glance at the comfort of the sofa, Legolas replaced the book upon it before he went in search of the boy. If he did not find him tonight, he could at least be sure the boy would return for the book eventually.

He knew his way around Imladris, but not all of its particulars and after a few minutes of fruitless searching, Legolas finally questioned someone as to where Estel's room was. He bit back the sharp words on his tongue at the knowing look he received in return. Did everyone here know of the boy's intentions? If they did, they would certainly know soon how his affections had been rebuffed if Legolas did not find him first. He winced at the thought of Elladan and Elrohir discovering how cold he had been, or worse, Elrond. And his own father would certainly have words for him if he returned home from Imladris after insulting the Master of the House.

Truly, he needed to start minding his tongue and considering his words before he spoke. The habit had given him grief time and again in Mirkwood; he hardly needed to continue the pattern elsewhere.

With the lady's directions, Legolas found the boy's room easily enough. There was no response to his soft knock, nor had he expected one, but when he entered the room he found it was not from a child's sullenness. The room was dark and still, the coverlet on the large bed undisturbed.

There was not a sound of breathing or movement and Legolas stood in the doorway, utterly nonplussed. If Estel had not gone to his own rooms, where else might he have gone? To speak with his brothers or his father perhaps?

Legolas hoped he was mistaken about that.

The room itself caught his eyes and he stepped further in, examining it. Not full of toys as he expected but the table within was covered with heavy books and stacks of papers. In the corner was a neat pile of arrows that apparently needed their fletching mended and he imagined Estel curling up on the cushions by the window, patiently repairing each one as Legolas had often done himself. Looking around, he realized that Estel was older than he had first thought.

But then, Legolas would freely admit he knew little about the maturity levels of men and hardly anything about their childhoods, which Estel had obviously left behind some time ago. It had been foolish of him to think otherwise, he realized. The boy had said that Elrond had approved of him choosing a First.

More fool was he, this night. Even now, he might be reclining on his sofa and learning the soft cries Estel might make in his pleasure. Instead, he'd made rash assumptions and had possibly damaged the boy in unforeseen ways. Little as he knew about Men, he knew that any being who had been hurt in such a manner would be all the warier for it their next time. He had to find the boy and apologize.

Thoughtfully, he touched the leather spine of one of the books, gliding his finger over the slick, gilded title as he considered where else Estel might have gone. As humiliated as he had been, chances were he needed to tend his wounded pride and while a child might have run to a parent or sibling, a man would certainly rather attend to the matter alone.

Closing the door gently, Legolas walked down the hallway to the stairs on the other side which he knew led down to the gardens. On a mild night like this he thought it more likely the boy had ventured outside, where there was less of a possibility of running into others.

His instincts served him well and he found Estel near the lowest bank of the river, bathing his face and Legolas wondered guiltily if he had made the boy cry. Or perhaps his face was only still hot from his shame. Either way, Legolas was to blame for it. No matter, he would make matters right between them.

Crouched in the shadows, he watched as Estel rose and he considered how he might approach the boy without frightening him away again. Yet Estel did not walk back towards the main house as Legolas expected. Instead, the boy tugged his tunic over his head and tossed it aside before unbuckling his breeches and skinning out of them. Naked, he waded into the water and when it was up to his thighs he sank into it, a pale moonbeam sliding into the dark water.

Legolas only realized he'd stopped blinking when his eyes became dry and he closed them tightly for a moment, shamed to have been gawking at the boy. Yet he had been taken aback at the sight of his young body. Not quite a man, still lanky and slim at the hips but certainly no child.

Estel surged up again from the water, standing hip deep as he slicked his hair back from his face, and cast in moonglow, he was as lovely as any Elf, more so in his innocent youth and Legolas ached to think that innocence had been offered to him and he had refused it. Such utter foolishness...

Enough time had been spent standing here and staring like a lecherous fiend, and Legolas moved silently down the embankment to crouch next to the water. At least the boy would not be able to escape from him, unless he wished to do it without his clothing.

"Estel," he called, softly, and the boy startled visibly, scrubbing water from his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Legolas?" asked Estel tentatively, squinting towards the shore, obviously bewildered and his growing embarrassment was equally obvious.

"Yes," he acknowledged when it became apparent the boy could not see him. Truly, Men must be as blind at night as Orcs would be in the daylight. "I wanted to speak to you."

Estel slipped deeper into the water, covering his nakedness, although he could not hide his blushes from the Elf. "I...I..." he stammered, water splashed as he floundered physically and verbally, finally blustering out, "What might you wish to discuss at this moment? If it is another apology you are after, I shall attempt to think of a more appropriate one for the morning and if it is a demand that I leave you alone from this moment on, I assure you I had every intention of doing so."

Legolas bit his lip, trying not to smile but he quickly gave in when he remembered the boy could not see him anyway. Estel acted the part of wounded nobility as one born to it should; equal parts arrogance and curt admittance of his wrongdoing.

"I wished to apologize to you," Legolas said simply, allowing the boy a moment to consider that before he continued. "I admit, I was taken aback by your forwardness but that was no reason for me to dismiss you as I did." Legolas sighed and leaned back on his heels to sit on the smooth stones lining the shore. "As little of an excuse as it is, I can only say in my defense that we had been traveling some long time and I am exhausted."

The boy had moved closer to him as he spoke and again, Legolas saw bright shame light in Estel's eyes, "I'm sorr..."

"No, no, please, do not apologize," Legolas begged softly, and he felt he might drown in his own shame. "This fault is mine. I had thought I was behaving impatiently with a child and his foolish antics. I did not realize how much you have grown." Legolas swept his eyes over the damp skin that was exposed by Estel's nearness and watched with pleasure as the boy flushed again, shading his skin a charming reddish hue. "How lovely you have grown," he amended, allowing a shade of huskiness into his voice and he saw the soft arousal mirrored in Estel's eyes.

Suddenly, Legolas chuckled and shook his head. "Most of Imladris can probably hear us apologizing back and forth," he said wryly and Estel smiled shyly.

"There are few well-kept secrets within these borders," Estel admitted, tucking damp strands of hair behind his ears. "I think everyone knew within a day after I spoke to Lord Elrond that I..." Estel stuttered to a stop, his cheeks reddening anew.

"That you had decided to ask me to be your first," Legolas finished, knowingly and the boy nodded, his eyes lowered miserably. His apology had not been taken in the manner he had intended, Legolas realized. Best to amend that quickly then, before he hurt the boy again.

He rose smoothly to his feet and calmly began removing his own clothing, folding each piece neatly before stacking them on the ground. Estel's eyes flew open and he watched in shocked silence as Legolas made short work of it and stood nude on the shore. He knew how he must look to Estel's eyes and did not mind making a show of it, shifting so that the boy might see him fully.

Estel's eyes were wide and focused low, and Legolas could not help smiling. Certainly the boy had seen others without their clothing but bathing with several others and seeing one who was about to become a lover were two entirely different matters. He threaded his fingers lightly through his hair, nimbly plucking loose the braids and he let it slide free to fall about his shoulders. A fool he might be in some matters but he knew how he looked in the moonlight, surely as pale and enticing as Estel had been moments ago and if the boy could be half-seduced before Legolas even touched him, so much the better.

After a few moments, Legolas decided Estel could look to his fill later. His growing desire was masking his exhaustion for the moment though it could not possibly last very long. Something short then, with an apology threaded into their lovemaking, one that Estel could not possibly mistake.

The water refreshed him somewhat, crisp and cool and as he waded deeper, Legolas was forced to conceal his surprised at how tall Estel had grown, hardly shorter than Legolas himself was. His eyes were still wide and deep blue, and they never left off from drinking in the sight of the Elf before him.

"Do you still wish to have your First with me?" Legolas asked softly, solemnly and Estel nodded quickly. Legolas wondered with gentle amusement if the boy had even heard the question, or if indeed he could remember how to speak.

Catching Estel's hand in his own, Legolas pulled him deeper into the water until it reached their chests, before wrapping his arms around the boy and kissing him. His lips were petal-soft and parted in surprise and Legolas took ruthless advantage of it, parting them further with the tip of his tongue before delving deeper within to explore the cool depths of Estel's mouth. A startling reminder that this was no Elf in his arms, both skin and mouth cooler than any Elf's would be, his skin prickled with tiny chill-bumps.

"Are you cold?" Legolas murmured, only just considering that it might be so yet Estel whimpered softly and tipped his head up again in sweet invitation. "Very well," he breathed, and covered Estel's mouth with his own again, kissing him deeply and this time the boy responded readily, intoxicatingly shy and delightfully eager.

With a soft moan, Legolas pulled the boy closer and let his erection prod Estel lightly in the belly, proving his desire and he was gratified when the boy leaned into the touch without hesitation. He could feel Estel's arousal against his own and hissed at the contact, pulling away quickly as he recalled Estel was innocent of all these matters and needed more than a rushed introduction.

Indeed, Estel was standing perfectly still, his arms hanging loosely at his sides. Amused, Legolas kissed a gentle trail of kisses to Estel's ear, nibbling lightly at the odd, rounded curve of it and sweeping his hands gently over the silky skin of the boy's back.

"You can touch me," he teased huskily, fully expecting trembling hands to start moving over his back in return. Instead, he was shocked into stillness when a slim, cool hand wrapped around his shaft, stroking hesitantly. He exhaled shakily, burying his face into the damp crook of Estel's shoulder, shuddering silently at the sweet innocence in Estel's touches.

"Is this all right?" Estel asked anxiously, his voice muffled against Legolas' shoulder.

"Yes," he breathed, and then amended it gently "But a little swift." Estel took him at his word and slowed his hand, his fingers sliding gently over the head of his cock. Valar, help me, Legolas prayed silently, trying not to bruise the boy by clutching him too tightly. "Then again, first times often are," he conceded and circled Estel's erection with his own hand.

It jerked eagerly in his grasp and there was a warm puff of breath in his ear as Estel cried out softly. "Oh!"

"It does feel good, does it not?" Legolas murmured. Estel's only answer was a soft, shuddering sigh and the soft flood of warmth against his palm a moment later was it was no surprise, washed quickly away by the water surging gently between them.

Legolas could feel Estel's cheeks heating again, nearly the same temperature as an Elf's would be. "I..."

"Do not apologize!" he hissed, crushing Estel's hand in his own and forcing him to move faster. He was agonizingly close, each of Estel's soft gulps and breaths spurring him on mercilessly. It had been centuries since he had been with anyone as innocent as this and he could not understand how he could have forgotten the enticement of it. Each learning touch a new, exquisite experience that he could feel shivering beneath Estel's skin. Incredible to consider that he had once tried to refuse this.

"There!" Legolas gasped, almost soundlessly, and he pulled Estel against him frantically, spilling himself against the satin coolness of the boy's belly. It took long moments for him to recover from the shocking pleasure of it and to realize Estel was practically holding him up, struggling to breathe through Legolas's too-tight grip.

He lightened it immediately, running his fingers over the reddened marks apologetically. "Did I hurt you?" he asked softly and Estel shook his head.

"No. It was very nice."

"Nice!" Legolas cried in mock offense and he shook his head mournfully. "It would seem I am out of practice then. Would you care to assist me with that?" To his delight, Estel immediately blushed brightly and nodded.

"Shall I see you tomorrow night then?" Estel asked shyly.

Legolas considered that and pressed a soft kiss against the boy's forehead. "It has been some time since my First," Legolas conceded, "But I seem to recall that to do things properly, you are mine to do with as I wish for a week. And I wish that you would spend this night resting with me in my rooms."

To his surprise and dismay, Estel squirmed uncomfortably in his arms and he was about to stiffly withdraw the offer when the boy blurted out, "Could we go to my rooms instead? I mean...I have a bed and all you have is a sofa."

Legolas laughed and hugged the boy warmly. How had he ever considered refusing this charming sweetness? "Your bed then," he conceded. "I believe we can make good use of it."

"Yes, I think we can." Estel replied guilelessly. Or perhaps not so innocently, Legolas amended at the heavy-eyed look he received as he waded out of the water. He dried himself with his undertunic, enjoying Estel's appreciative glances as he did the same. They dressed quickly and Estel motioned for him to follow. "My room is this way."

Legolas followed him, deciding it was more prudent not to admit he'd been in it earlier. As weary as he was, he was not certain he would be able to find it again without Estel leading him. Instead, he focused his attention on the smooth grace of Estel's strides, surprisingly agile as he made his way up the slippery slope. Legolas wondered what else that agility might be extended to, and he thought it was just as well that Estel was in front of him so he could not see the wickedness in his smile.

If nothing else, this was promising to be a very interesting week.

 

-finis

 

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