Though nothing, will keep us together
we could steal time, just for one day
we can be Heroes, forever and ever
what d'you say?
I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, for ever and ever
Oh we can be Heroes, just for one day
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be Heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
-- David Bowie – Heroes
AN: This chapter takes place 2 months after chapter 5.
Rivendell
Elladan had made both Legolas and himself comfortable in the cave behind the waterfall. He had made Legolas a fantastic bed with a ceiling of purple velvet, and was now carving out little wooden stars to hang from the sides. He looked over at the elfling who sat on the floor, looking at the toys spread before him. The smile was the only thing that showed his gratitude. "Do you like it?" Elladan asked, and Legolas nodded eagerly and held up a worn rabbit teddy. "This used to be my faithful companion," Elladan laughed. "Elrohir had a squirrel." He smiled sadly at the memory and then returned to his carving.
After a few minutes he looked over at Legolas again. The little elf was playing some game with the stuffed animals, and wooden horses were squealing strangely as he got more into the game. Elladan smiled at the happy sound, but his heart ached. He had taken some medical books from his father's study, and had looked them over for the disease he was convinced had stricken the wee elf. But none of the books had offered a solution; this was simply not a known condition to the elves. Elladan shook his head. Something must have happened, for Legolas had not said a word since the day at the rocks. He had stopped trying to run away, and that was always a good thing. But on the other hand, he had not done anything else.
Elladan stood up and fastened the wooden star to the bedpost. "There, my little rabbit, what do you think?" he asked. Legolas looked up and clapped eagerly, apparently loving what he had crafted. "I will take that as a yes," he said with a chuckle and sat down next to Legolas. "I need to go and fetch us some food, and new clothes for you." He knew where the clothes he and Elrohir had worn as children were packed away, and he was going to bring some for Legolas. "Will you be alright here?" Elladan said and ran a hand over Legolas' hair. "We need a brush and some clasps too," he mumbled as a mental note to himself.
Legolas nodded and leaned against Elladan, yawning. "You tired, little rabbit?" Elladan said and wrapped an arm around the elfling, starting to sing a hymn to the blue sea, painting pictures inside the little half-awake elf and making him smile. And Elladan vowed to himself he would bring back books depicting the sea and its animals for Legolas when he was putting back the books in his father's study.
Mirkwood
Elrohir snuggled down in the cold sheets and waited for Dinalu. He had not seen his beloved all day, and was worried that he was angry. They had had a fight in the morning, for Dinalu had wanted to postpone their official binding ceremony, due to the entire realm grieving for the lost prince. A part of Elrohir understood this clearly, but another part of him wanted to have the ceremony now. He felt as if Dinalu were slipping from him and into a dark place where his love would not reach him, no matter how he tried. A bonding would ensure Dinalu's mental state, for he would be sustained on Elrohir's light and love. Elrohir sighed and grabbed Dinalu's pillow, hugging it as if it were its owner himself. The pillow smelled of Dinalu, that pine-like scent that was his love's personal and unique scent. And so Elladan drifted off to sleep, the pillow wrapped tightly in his arms.
Dinalu stood in the gardens and looked at the large memorial stone he and Thranduil had raised for Legolas. It was clear to see that it was the people of Mirkwood as well and not just the royal family who were grieving. Elves had planted little trees and flowers at the stone's foot, making one round chaotic garden around it. This somewhat warmed Dinalu's heart, knowing that he was not the only one who felt empty; his people felt it with him. And his father was a different story... he had fallen sick, and had been under constant surveillance by the healers ever since Legolas had been officially claimed dead.
At first every elf able to walk and wield a weapon had been looking for him in the woods, but as days passed, fewer and fewer elves had participated in the daily search, and 2 days ago Thranduil himself had called off the search. Dinalu had protested hotly, but his father had just silenced him with a tired wave of his hand. And then he had said the words that Dinalu had not forgotten since, and probably never would he is dead my son, dead Dinalu had felt his heart burst into a thousand pieces and had heard a strangled noise and only faintly recognized it as his own.
He remembered only bits and pieces of the ceremony that had taken place as they had raised this monument. He had never in his life attended anything like this. Elves didn't die, they got tired and worn at times, and they travelled west, just like his mother. She had travelled west when the call of the sea had been stronger than her bonds to middle earth. They all understood this, and she had died in some way, yes. She had withered away after giving birth to Legolas. The healers had not been able to stop her bleeding, and she had told them not to try. And so when she had seen her baby she had requested to be transported to the grey havens. If she had survived the trip none of them knew, but Dinalu had always had this unspoken fear that she had not.
And now Elrohir, in his foul mood he had managed to push away his beloved Elrohir too. Dinalu angrily wiped away a tear in his sleeve. But why would Elrohir not understand that it was impossible for him to have a bonding ceremony right now? Legolas was gone, and his father was weak and grieving. Elrohir had stated that this was just what they all needed, a happy event of some kind. But Dinalu could not see the logic. No one felt like rejoicing, and he wanted his day of bonding to be a joyful and happy one.
He turned away from the stone and walked slowly back to his talan, slowly opening the door, knowing what vision would meet him. Elrohir was sleeping with a slight frown, pale and naked, looking awfully fragile against the red linen on the bed.
Dinalu silently discarded his own clothing and lay down behind Elrohir, wrapping his arms around him. "I love you," he whispered as he snuggled closer to feel the body heat radiating off Elrohir in soft waves.
"I love you too," Elrohir mumbled and moved closer to Dinalu. "I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier."
"Don't worry my love, we will speak of this in the morning," Dinalu whispered and kissed Elrohir's neck gently.
"Dinalu?" Elrohir whispered.
"Yes, my love?" Dinalu answered with a sleep slurred voice.
"Are you sure? Do you still love me?" Elrohir asked, feeling somewhat stupid asking something like that, but he really needed to know.
"Of course I do, you silly elf," Dinalu chuckled weakly. "I am just in a strange mood these days, you must understand why."
"I do," Elrohir whispered back.
"Now sleep, my treasure," Dinalu said and purred.
Elrohir obediently closed his eyes, wishing he could warm Dinalu's cold skin, but he knew no way to chase away grieving. He had sent a letter to his father, asking for his advice or company. He could come here and help him save these elves from fading from grief; Erestor and Glorfindel could look after Elladan and Arwen in Rivendell.
Elladan! Elrohir's heart missed a beat. How he missed him, missed his whispering in the dark until the first light, missed his intimate butterfly light touches, touches and words that were only used between them as a secret language. A caress to one's own ear had meant that they were sad and needed comfort. Slowly he reached a hand up to his ear and began to nuzzle it. "I'm sad, Elladan, I need you here," he whispered to the night, wishing his words would be carried off with the soft night breeze.
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