Sun-Kissed Blood 5

Sun-Kissed Blood

Part 5

Posted: April 4, 2008
Title: Sun-Kissed Blood
Author: Elohir Mornedhel

*****

Legolas took a deep breath as he followed his father out to the courtyard to meet the first of their guests. He barely managed to control his habitual flinch when Anor’s light touched his skin. He was grateful the Imladrian party had arrived in the morning. The sun was still hard on his eyes but at least he could see what they looked like.

The ellon standing before his father now, his face bore the signs of great trial and wisdom. The intricacy of his braids indicated his status, and Legolas knew this to be Lord Elrond. A renowned healer, he was rumored to possess the gift of Foresight. Elrond was a good and kind person. One who concealed great strength of purpose and spirit.

A breath caught in his throat as Legolas spotted the dark haired ellon behind Elrond. Erestor. Legolas remembered the few other times the advisor had visited. He had only seen the beautiful elf at meals, having begged his father not to be included in the meetings with Erestor.

Though Thranduil might have understood, Legolas did not wish to explain his body’s reaction to the councilor. He barely understood it himself. Even now, he could feel his incisors lengthening; feel the intense humming of energy beneath his skin and the tightening of his loins. Legolas thanked the Valar for the formal robes he wore.

A surreptitious nudge from his father brought his attention back to the matter at hand. He jerked his eyes away from the source of dark fantasies and to the probing grey orbs of Elrond Eárendilion.

“Mae govannen, Elrond hiren o Imladris,” Legolas said his voice a soft husky purr as he gave a small bow to the lord.

“Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion.” Elrond returned.

“We are honored by your presence and welcome you to our home,” Legolas gave a small smile, hoping he had made up for his momentary lapse.

Further introductions were made without mishap, mainly because Legolas studiously avoided looking at Erestor. He was pleasantly surprised when Lord Glorfindel, truly a magnificent ellon, took his arm in a warrior’s grasp. The prince felt his pulse leap. By Elbereth, what was wrong with him? His belly clenched as the hunger came upon him just as Erestor stepped up beside Lord Glorfindel.

Shrewd black eyes narrowed as they looked upon him. A shiver ran up his spine. Fear blossomed inside the prince as he watched two sets of eyes widen in surprise; one blue, one black. His fangs prodded the inside of his lips. Yet he couldn’t leave without causing a most embarrassing scene. Glorfindel still had a hold of his arm.

“If you will excuse me,” Lindir’s musical voice came form behind the prince. “Ernil, you are expected in Lorelin’s study in five minutes. You do not wish to be late.”

“Thank you, Lindir,” Legolas said with deep sincerity. “If you will excuse me.”

“Of course, Ernil,” Erestor smiled. “One’s appointments must be kept.”

The prince fell as if he’d been punched in the gut. He tried to hurry away without appearing to run. Once inside, he leaned against the wall and took huge gulping breaths.

“Come, pen dithen,” Vaidre said calmly.

“I hate this, Vaidre,” Legolas whispered. “I hate this need to feed.”

“I know, Legolas, but it is a part of who you are,” she said as she led him down the hall.

“I am a monster.” He whispered.

“Do not think that!” Vaidre snapped. “Never think that.”

“I must drink blood,” Legolas pointed out. “How can I not? Even now, I know that the animal blood I will consume shortly will not be enough. Each time, it satisfies the hunger less and less. Soon… it will not satisfy at all and then what, Vaidre? Will I begin to feed upon my people? My family? What will I do when the animals no longer sate my needs?”

“We will cross that bridge if and/or when we come to it, Ernilen,” Vaidre said firmly as she opened the door to his special chamber. “For now, you must ease your hunger. Your eyes have changed. You have gone too long without.”

“What am I, Vaidre?” Legolas asked in a plaintive scared voice.

“You are my prince,” She answered as she gently cupped his cheek. “And you are my beautiful elfling. You are the stars in your ada’s eyes and the joy of your people. You are Legolas. Nothing else matters.”

“That was the most unusual thing I have ever seen,” Glorfindel said as he lounged on the chaise in Erestor’s chambers.

“Indeed?” Elrond said as he entered the room “And what did you see?”

“The prince’s eyes were glowing a pale blue/white.” Erestor said. “I have a feeling there is more to Legolas Thranduilion than meets the eye.”

“I have encountered many ellyn and ellith in my lives,” Glorfindel aid absently. “Never one who embodied sensuality, innocence and danger.”

“Are you sure that is not your libido talking?” Erestor snorted.

“Have you ever watched a cat as it hunts?” The seneschal asked pointedly ignoring the advisor’s comment. “Have you ever noticed how beautiful it is and yet how dangerous at the same time?”

“I understand what you mean,” Elrond nodded. “It seems he finds our dear advisor mesmerizing as well.”

“Do not be ridiculous, Elrond.” Erestor snorted.

“He certainly had to fight to pull his eyes off you,” Glorfindel chuckled.

“I am surrounded by libido driven idiots.” The councilor muttered.

“He is the one in my vision.” Elrond whispered suddenly as images clicked into place.

“What?” Erestor looked at his lord in shock. “Could you be mistaken?”

“Hardly, Erestor.” Elrond sighed.

“Then we should warn Thranduil that his son is in danger,” Glorfindel said as he rose to his feet.

“It comes not to him but from him,” Elrond whispered as the power crept over him. He did not wish to give in to it.

“This becomes stranger by the minute.” Erestor murmured.

“Then wait until Galadriel arrives,” Glorfindel smiled cheekily. “Now SHE is strange.”

Thranduil gently picked up his son from the hay where he lay next to the body of a goat. Several others were nearby. The king sighed as he noted the number needed had increased from the last time Legolas had fed.

Carrying the prince back to his regular chambers, he gently removed Legolas’ footwear and robes, leaving him in his loose tunic and leggings. There was no need to clean his face. The prince had learned how to feed without leaving a trace. It had taken some time but he had learned.

Brushing strands of blonde hair as pale as his own from his son’s face, Thranduil gave a small sigh. The prince’s needs were changing again and he had no idea how to help him. Gently, the king placed a kiss on Legolas’ forehead and then left the room. Lindir awaited him in his study. Thranduil sat down and looked at his advisor.

“Thank you,” he said softly. “For watching out for him today.”

“None are needed, Hiren,” Lindir answered.

“I fear Legolas’ hunger is no longer satisfied with goats.” The king said quietly.

“What shall we do?” the councilor asked.

“I do not know, Lindir, and it is killing me.”

Erestor did not like mysteries, especially ones he couldn’t solve. Prince Legolas was definitely a mystery. The councilor only caught glimpses of him in the days following their arrival. He was never in one place for very long. The dark-haired elf was getting frustrated.

Heaving a sigh, he headed to the library. It was one place where he always felt comfortable. King Thranduil kept a wonderful library and Erestor was thoroughly enjoying it.

Quietly he opened the door. Taking a moment to select a book, he moved to the comfortable sitting area. Erestor had just settled into a chair when movement caught his eye. Lifting his head, he came face to face with the object of his frustration.

“Good evening, Prince Legolas.” he said quietly.

“Good evening, Lord Erestor.” Came the soft reply.

“I hope I am not disturbing you,” the council smiled.

“Yes… um I mean… no, you are not disturbing me. I was… I normally… um… read… at night,” Legolas stammered.

“I find reading quite relaxing in the evening,” Erestor nodded. “It helps me sleep. Do you have trouble sleeping, Ernil?”

“I find myself more… awake at night than any… um any other part of the day.” The young elf answered.

“It is definitely more quite,” the councilor agreed. “Elrond… Lord Elrond calls me his moon hawk and Lord Glorfindel his sun hawk.”

Erestor’s smile widened as Legolas gave a small giggle. He found himself truly looking at the ellon standing in front of him. The firelight and candles gave the prince’s pale blonde hair a warm glow. His blue eyes had a… glow to them. The councilor felt his heart speed up.

“Those… are appropriate… I think,” Legolas said as he shifted his weight from foot to foot.

“Yes… he is very much a creature of the sun. Many are the times he has been caught bare as the day he was born, lounging like some great cat in a patch of sunlight.” Erestor laughed.

“And have you been caught moon bathing?” Legolas asked seconds before he clamped his hand over his mouth as heat rushed to his cheeks and other body parts.

“Of course not,” Erestor laughed a merry twinkle of mischief in his eyes. “I am too good to get caught.”

“Perhaps Lord Glorfindel simply does not care if he is caught?” Legolas smiled.

“After a few short days, you know him so well.” Erestor smiled.

“I… I should like to… learn more about you.” The prince said so softly the advisor almost didn’t hear him.

“I would like that very much, Ernil.” He answered honestly.

The smile that lit up Legolas’ face made his heart skip a beat. Somehow Erestor could not say whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

As the days progressed, Erestor made it a part of his routine to spend part of his evenings with the prince. He found Legolas to be intelligent, well read and engaging. Now if he could just control the other thoughts that popped into his head at the oddest times. They were not entirely appropriate considering Legolas’ age even if the prince’s majority was only a week away.

“What has you blushing, Erestor?” Glorfindel asked as he sat down next to the advisor. “Could it be our near prudish advisor has found someone to stir his loins?”

“Shut up, Glorfindel.” Erestor growled.

The seneschal looked at his long time friend and then put strong arms around him. It was clear that something troubled the dark-haired elf and Glorfindel regretted his teasing immediately.

“What is it, mellon?” he asked softly. “What troubles you so?”

“You will only make fun of me,” the other elf muttered.

“Nay, Erestor,” the golden elf answered seriously. “It is clearly not something to joke about. You are too dear to me for me to tease you about something that affects you so.”

“We have been friends a long time.” Erestor agreed.

“In both my lifetimes,” Glorfindel smiled. “Now tell me what troubles you.”

“Prince Legolas.” The councilor sighed.

“I thought so.”

“When I am with him, it is easy to forget that he is so young. He is… it is hard to explain.” Erestor sighed.

“That he is intelligent and can carry on decent conversations with you is not something to be worried about,” Glorfindel said. “Could it be you have developed an attraction for him?”

“It is so…inappropriate. He is not even fifty!” the dark ellon cried.

“That will change in a week’s time,” the seneschal pointed out. “And Thranduil’s people follow the ancient traditions. Perhaps you should put your name forth as a possible teacher for the prince.”

“Are you insane? Or did that balrog bake your brain?” Erestor snapped. “I could not possibly be Legolas’ first lover. It is out of the question.”

“Is it?” Glorfindel smiled. “Who better to teach him than one who cares deeply for him?”

“I do not!” the dark-haired ellon gasped.

“Liar,” the golden elf responded softly. “Erestor, I have only seen you this worked up over one other. You are not the type for casual affairs, my friend, nor are you one for a night of rampant hot sweaty sex.”

“No, I leave those to you,” Erestor snorted.

“And I love you for it,” the captain chuckled. “There is no harm in loving one younger than you. It only becomes painful when you do not act upon it. Besides Legolas is just as smitten with you as you are with him.”

“What could he possibly see in an old elf like me?” Erestor sighed.

“And therein lies the crux of the matter,” the warrior said. “Mellon, you have much to offer. You are beautiful, wise, compassionate, loyal and faithful.”

“You make me sound like a dog.” The ellon muttered.

“You are gentle and caring. Erestor, what is not to love about you? Had things been different between us, I would have courted you long ago and made you mine.” Glorfindel admitted.

“In truth?” the councilor whispered.

“Definitely, however, while we are close friends, there is no passion between us. Remember our one kiss?” the seneschal said with a smile.

“It was a nice kiss.” Erestor nodded.

“Kisses should not be nice. They should be passionate and consuming when shared by lovers.” Glorfindel grumbled.

“Ecthelion’s kisses were like that.” The advisor chuckled.

“Why is it so hard for you to believe that Legolas is attracted to you?” the warrior asked.

“Because I am so much older than he is.” Erestor pointed out.

“And your point is? You bring experience to the relationship. He brings youthful enthusiasm. The two of you spend hours in conversation at night so you know what things you have in common yet you are different enough to keep things interesting. He is young yes but Legolas is not like other ellyn his age. There is a maturity about him that is lacking in others.”

“He has secrets,” Erestor whispered. “I can see it in his eyes. There is an air of sadness about him that worries me. Sometimes I catch him watching me and there is such a predatory intensity in his gaze that it unnerves me.”

“That is desire, my friend,” Glorfindel smiled. “It is passion and it is primal. Whether consciously or not Legolas seems to be hunting you.”

“You are being ridiculous.” Erestor snorted.

“Am I?” the captain smirked. “When he catches you, I will wait until you come up for air before I say ‘I told you so’.”

*****

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