Posted: August 2003
Title: All That You Can't Leave Behind
Series: Lust and Devotion
Sequel to: Rocks Stars, Elves and Smut
Author: Larien Elengasse
Type: FCS, M/M Slash
Characters: Legolas/Erestor, Legolas/Thranduil (implied), Erestor/Glorfindel (implied)
Rating: R
Beta: Alex
WARNING: This story is rated NC-17 and contains male slash pairings, incest, and explicit sexual content. If you find this offensive, or you are under-age, I strongly suggest you stop now.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they are the property of Tolkien with the exception of an original or two, and I am sure he would be horrified if he read this…
Summary/Notes: This story refers to Chp 17 of "Rock Stars, Elves, and Smut" and is partially inspired by "Walk On", lyrics by Bono (a genus), performed by U2. Legolas uses his gift to say goodbye.

The sound of gulls punctuated the crashing of the waves upon the rocks below where the Prince of Mirkwood stood. His gaze fell ever eastward, searching, longing for what he left behind, so long ago.

"How long are you going to stand there and mope, laddy?"

The Dwarf's gravelly voice caused the Elf to blink back to the present.

"He calls me…" his elegant, deep voice floated upon the wind, carried out to sea. He could only hope it reached the ears of his beloved.

"Are you sure it is not you who calls him?" A deep, smooth voice greeted his ears, wrapping him in warm wisdom and comfort.

The Dwarf looked up at his best friend's lover, "I am glad you are here, Counselor, my friend has been standing here for the better part of the morning, unwilling to leave. Perhaps you can convince him that this is folly, for I have tried and surely failed."

Erestor smiled gently at the Dwarf as he turned and left. He stepped forward and grasped his lover's shoulders, shoving him forward, dangling him over the cliff. "Go on, this is what you want, is it not? To bring and end to the never ending suffering and pain you have felt everyday since you set foot upon the white ship? Why, Legolas? Why do you linger between this world and the other, why do you carry on this love affair with pain and heartache? Death will not bring you closer to him, for we both know he is not dead."

"I do not want to die." His voice was small and broken as he whispered.

Erestor pulled him back upon his strong chest, "Then what do you want, a'maelamin? For I have tried to give it to you, but I have failed."

Legolas sighed, "Why can I not let him go, Erestor? You have given me everything, never asking for anything in return, yet still, I cannot let him go. I have never been able to let him go."
Erestor wrapped his arms around him and sighed, "Where is he now? Who is he with?"

Legolas closed his eyes and whispered, "Do you want to know? Truly?"

Erestor nodded, "Aye, tell me."

Legolas leaned his head back against his lover's shoulder, "He is with your love, holding him in his arms. He is still inside him, caressing him, whispering to him, telling him how he loves him. By the Valar, he is beautiful, Erestor. All golden hair and alabaster skin, so powerful yet so soft, I see what you loved about him, what my father loves about him."

Erestor nodded, "Let him go, Legolas, let him go so he can love Glorfindel. Let him go so you can love me."

Legolas turned and faced his lover, "I do love you, Erestor."

The Noldo caressed his lover's face, "Your heart cannot be divided in two, Greenleaf. Is that not what he once told you?" Legolas nodded as a tear traced down his cheek. "Then you can not give it to me, not as long as it resides with him. I cannot do this for you, meleth nín, you must do it, but there is one who can help you."

Legolas wrapped his arms around his lover, "Will he? Will he hear me?"

Erestor smiled, "Yes, he has your gift as well, a'maelamin. Galadriel's blood is strong, she has passed her gift to you both."

Legolas smiled, "To my Nephew."

Erestor smiled, "Yes, to your Nephew."

Legolas pressed a soft kiss to his lover's lips, "I will need you with me, meleth nín, I will need your strength to see me through this."

Erestor closed his eyes and sighed, feeling his lover's soft lips caress his face, hearing his soft deep voice float about his head. He whispered, "Aye, I will be with you, my beloved Prince." He pressed his lips to his lover's, gently pressing his tongue inside and tasting him. He pulled back from their kiss and held his love tight.

* * * *

A cool breeze blew in from the sea and the candlelight danced across the room. Erestor had made sure that Elrond would be close by in case something went wrong, what they were going to do could be devastating to both Legolas and Elrohir if it went wrong. He prayed that Elladan would know what to do on that end, in the event that it did go wrong. Legolas lay in his arms, caressing his bare chest and pressing his naked weight to him. His eyes were open but glazed over as he slowly reached out and called to Elrohir and his father. He took a deep breath and Erestor knew he made contact, he laid very still, allowing Legolas to concentrate on the connection.

Several minutes passed before he felt it, the tears wetting his skin as they fell from his lover's eyes. "Amin mela le, Ada." He heard him whisper. It had begun. Erestor listened and followed his lover's lead. He was there to play the part of his father, and Thranduil's touch was still fresh in his own memory. He held his lover, and made the sweetest, most tender love he could to him. He prayed that Legolas had the strength to let go, for if he did not, he would not return, forever lingering in the space between them, forever inhabiting Elrohir's psyche. He felt him shudder and begin to weep inconsolably; it was over, he had done it. He wrapped his arms around him and held him tight, whispering to him over and over, "Amin mela le, Legolas, always."

Dawn broke before the Prince awoke. Legolas lay upon his stomach, his flaxen hair spread out about him, his hands resting under his pillow, the sheets down around his waist. Erestor held his breath, praying to see the change in his lover's eyes, praying it was over, once and for all. Legolas blinked slowly and gazed up at his lover and smiled. His sparkling blue gaze warmed the Noldo's heart, and Erestor smiled. "Elrohir says Glorfindel is happy, but he still misses you. Father will take care of him, Erestor, Glorfindel finally has one who will love him and him alone."

Erestor smiled gently and caressed his lover's face, "And what of you, meleth nín? Where does your heart lie?"

Legolas smiled, "With you, a'maelamin, with you alone."

Erestor pulled the Mirkwood Prince to his back and lay on top of him, "Aye, that is what I hoped you would say. By Elbereth, I love you, Legolas, so much so I do not know how to say it."

Legolas wrapped his arms and legs around his lover, "And I love you, Erestor, truly, finally, as I should have all along." He caressed his lover's ear with his soft lips and sighed, "Make love to me…"

Erestor made love to the Prince and felt that love wholly returned for the first time. For the first time in his long, long life, he held in his arms one who loved him as much as he loved them and he was thankful that it was Legolas. It was the dawn of a new day for the lovers, and a new life.

*****

THE END

Go to the next story in the series: Farewells and New Beginnings

If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Larien Elengasse