A Thunderous Morph

Part 10

Posted: August 2003

*****

Late in the afternoon Orlando slowly came to himself. The fading had been reversed in time. He sat up in the bed and wondered where he was. The room was bright. The setting autumn sun shone through the window. He got out of bed, and immediately noticed he was naked. He froze. Had Celeborn already had his way with him? He took a look at himself again. Pinched a hard nipple. He smiled. He was alive, wasn't he? Images passed through his mind and he sat down on the plush bed again. Had he had a concussion? He did feel a bit tired.

He looked up and noticed a large tall mirror. He went to stand in front of it. He spread his legs slightly and watched.

"Hello Laer…" He tilted his head and looked at his body. It looked like it was supposed to. The skin alabaster white and almost slightly radiating with a strange light he had noticed about the siblings in Rhôhan and every member of the royal family in Mirkwood as well. He turned around to see the birthmark and there it was. Quite large actually and it looked like a four winged butterfly like Viggo had said. /Wicked you, Tolkien. I bet you were gay thinking up secret things like this,/ he thought.

He stepped closer to the mirror and studied his blue eyes. They were beautiful he had to admit. Very sparkling and a rich sapphire greyish blue like Legolas' had been. He gathered his hair and lifted it to see the hair roots. Then he twirled the rope of hair to a ball. Quickly he let it go and undid the braids. He kneaded his filthy hair and scratched his scalp. God he needed a bath. Orlando doubted he had had a bath since the morning of the day he entered the Rhôhan realm. He looked around and noticed a door. He went to it and the bathroom was in there. Great. He needed to take a leak anyway. He filled the tub only half with cold water from a couple of buckets already there and clenched his teeth when he entered it. It didn't matter that it was cold. He just needed to get clean. He washed his hair too. He got up and scrubbed himself dry. He wrapped his hair in a towel and pulled the sheet off the bed. He wrapped himself in it and noticed a beautiful sofa positioned along the windowpane. He sat on it and looked out.

"Oh my God," he whispered. This was Rivendell! Somehow he felt privileged. He'd witnessed four realms by now. Rhôhan, Mirkwood, Lothlórien and now Rivendell. Rivendell was by far the most impressive. He didn't really remember Lothlórien. Only that he'd been in Haldir's room... or at least he thought it had been.

He went closer and gasped at the sight. This had to be Rivendell. It had to. His eyes beamed at the incredible beauty of the area. His eyes then scanned the room and he noticed a wardrobe. He went to it and opened it. It revealed drawers, and he pulled a few of them. Tunics, leggings, shirts. Beautifully tailored. He closed the drawers again. He looked around the room and explored some more. Then he opened the door to the corridor and looked out. There was no one. He closed the door again and sat by the window and spent some more time just enjoying the view. He felt remarkably better than he had been for long. Actually ever since he was dumped in the nightmare that had been Lothlórien he hadn't felt better.

A subtle knock on the door startled him, and he flew up and stood facing the door. He had no weapons and couldn't defend himself anymore. All he could do was clutch the sheet that covered his nakedness. The door opened and Hugo came in all dressed up in his beautiful Elrond regalia. Orlando felt a calming submissiveness just watching him.

"Laer…" Elrond said to begin with and then continued with a wry smile, "Or is it Legolas?"

Orlando's eyes dilated in shock. How could he know? He still had no idea what age this was, but apparently he'd been careless somehow.

/No it's actually Orlando,/ Orlando thought with a grin impossible to hide.

"You are in a good mood this morning. It is a relief to witness, young one," Elrond motioned him to sit down, and gathered another chair for himself and thus joined him by the window.

Orlando looked at him. He was anxious to find out what he doing here. Why he was here. Had he been jolted away to Rivendell? He frankly had no idea, because he didn't remember the shift. The last thing he remembered was a horrible confusing dream and a long ride on horseback. When did Rúmil and Haldir disappear? He had a lot of questions on his mind.

Elrond smiled pleasantly at the sight in front of him. Legolas was still by far the most beautiful Elfling he had ever seen. So innocent to the eye. So pure in face and so passionate he never would have believed it, if he had not overheard his astonishing nightmares as he watched over his sleep the passing three nights.

Elrond had also gathered some quite useful information from his mother-in-law Lady Galadriel. Elrond's telepathically skills had him receive images as well as sound. And ones brains can deceive oneself if they wish it hard enough, and his had. He had believed the Princeling to be one so innocent and untouched as the day he saw him born.
Thranduil and his queen had pleaded for his help the night Legolas was born. Their own healers were indisposed at the borders and Thranduil had reached out to Elrond begging for help. Elrond was not one to deny someone in need of a helping hand and had guided them through the difficult birth using his special skill. The sight of the newborn baby boy from the image in Thranduil's brain was forever printed in his mind, and in this fashion Thranduil had kindly let him watch Legolas as he grew up though out the years.
So when Haldir and his brothers came to his house with the dying youth in their charge Elrond's heart nearly stopped. He was not even sure he could reverse his fading away. Mandos had a tight grip on his heart. Legolas was grieving for more than one. The task seemed almost impossible. But listening to Legolas' nightmares and desires quickly gave Elrond the means to seek into his mind and manipulate his dreams away from what made him an easy soul for Mandos to claim.
Unfortunately had his conversation with Galadriel made him aware of other things. Disturbing things. And along with Legolas' open mind he came to know that he would gain a foster son of the Dunedain kind. A child that was Isildur's heir and whom destiny had chosen to become King of Gondor. But he would vanish in thin air on his recent adventure with Legolas. This Elrond witnessed in his own mind. It was a burden knowing this when it had not yet happened.

Elrond saw other disturbing things that had him question what kind of Prince, he actually had in front of him. Was he 23 years old as he was supposed to be? Or was he actually 1,881 years old? He had witnessed many of Legolas' incredible deeds that had not yet come to pass and still he had seen it happen. Incredible deeds that showed a strong endurance before he for some reason returned back in time and met Haldir and his brothers. So many things were entangled in this delicate young Elf sitting in front of him that the many questions made his head hurt. The questions offered no answers so he let them to rest. He had a feeling Galadriel had not told him everything.

"Is there something you wish to ask of me?"

"What age is this? I need to how old I am," Orlando pleaded immediately.

Elrond softly voiced, "This is the Third Age of the year 1,165. Does this help you calculate your age?"

Orlando rolled his eyes, "No! I do not know what year I was born… this is futile."

"Well, you are impossibly young, Legolas…" The Lord began.

Orlando interrupted him sharply, "I am not Legolas. I am Laer. Do I make myself clear?"

Elrond held his breath. /You are definitely Legolas, my young friend. And you are definitely the son of Thranduil. No matter what I saw with my own eyes, you cannot hide the facts nevertheless. As I am your witness, you have the substance kings are made of./

But he played along, "Aye, I shall not make that mistake twice." He paused and then continued, "Will it please you to dine with my family tonight? You seem so much better… so…" He raised his famous eyebrows suggestively.

Orlando considered the invitation but suddenly he remembered, "Where is Rúmil?"

Elrond smiled, "Ah, you are fond of Rúmil?"

Orlando nodded reluctantly. He was scared to reveal too much.

"He and his brothers will be there too. They are not going anywhere at the moment. They have outcast themselves by saving you from your destiny in Lothlórien." It was important that Legolas understood that factor.

Orlando looked away. He had had no idea. They had saved him from Celeborn. Strange. He desperately needed to speak to Rúmil more than ever. "I accept then of course."

Once more a soft knocking was heard on his door a few hours later. He'd found an astonishing outfit. He stood in front a large mirror when Rúmil entered his room. He spun around and they looked at each other for a few seconds.

"Well…" Rumil tried to utter, but the sight of Laer overwhelmed his power of speech. He was dressed in a silver and white robe and midnight blue silk tunic and leggings that took his breath away. Laer's hair… there was no words to describe his hair. It was slightly moist and curled everywhere in soft cascades down his back.

Orlando excused himself, "I… I do not know what to do with it. It has been doing this ever since I had a bath. What do you put in the water around here?" he smiled embarrassed.

Rúmil smiled back. Laer had a funny way of speaking. One would not think he was that young after all. In fact Elrond had warned them that he could actually be very much older than what he seemed. He had also told them his real name. That he in fact was Prince Legolas Greenleaf. The sixth son of King Thranduil. But as he looked like a child, Rúmil forced himself to think of him in such a way.

"I have come to take you to dinner. I understand you specifically asked me to take you?" He couldn't take his eyes of his hair.

Orlando came to him and nodded, "Yes, I did. I trust you more than anyone else in this world, Rúmil." He smiled just a tiny bit at Rúmil's admiration. He liked it very much.

Rúmil frowned, "But I do not even know you!"

Orlando reached out and put his palm to Rúmil's cheek, "Sweet, Rúmil. If only I could tell you the truth of how we really met."

"Why do you not do so then?"

Orlando retrieved his hand and laughed all of a sudden, "Are you crazy? You would pass out and I would have to give you first aid!" He went and opened the door laughing all the way down the corridor.

Rúmil stood puzzled. Crazy? First aid? What was Laer talking about? He hurried after him, "What do you mean?"

Orlando stepped into the hall. All speech stopped and Orlando felt an urge to walk back to his room. He walked backwards but stumbled into Rúmil who gently put his hand on his back.

"Afraid?"

Orlando turned around and Rúmil changed that word in his mind. Laer looked terrified. He whispered reassuringly, "You have got three sure friends besides me, Lord Elrond, Haldir and Orophin. Do not fear."

"Orophin?" Orlando whispered surprised, "He is here?"

Rúmil smiled nodding, "Yes he is. We are here to protect you."

"So I heard," Orlando said. He still felt embarrassed that the siblings had outcast themselves from their own people for his sake. This had to be the force interfering so cruelly. /Like to mess up everybody's life, do you?/ he spat inwardly.

Lord Elrond left the crowd he was entertaining and signalled to his left. A handful of other Elves joined him and they came closer. They were too close and Orlando's heart threatened to jump out of his chest. He panted slightly and felt like a trapped animal.
Rúmil held his shoulder and squeezed it tightly. He felt sorry for him. Everybody in the room sensed his fear. It was practically radiating from his body.

Orlando tried to recognize those who had generously come to greet him. Besides Elrond he saw Liv. Right there. Of course he knew it wasn't LIV but Arwen. He didn't know what to say to her or to any of them. They were all strangers with cruel familiar faces.
He began to feel uneasy and had to look away from the people trying to get his attention. He understood perfectly well he was spectacular. He was the son of their enemy but nevertheless the entertainment of the evening. His stomach muscles were clenching. It was beginning to feel surreal. As if he was some prize once again. In a moment everybody would surely begin to make his or her bets. He forced himself to breathe even. Trying to stop his thoughts since they were making him nervous. He was grateful for Rúmil's constant comfort.

Elrond reached out on pure impulse and touched Orlando's curled hair. "How did you manage to curl your hair? It is very lovely, Laer."

Orlando instinctively ducked and snaked out of his grasp. He walked around the flock of Elves in a circle. Looking at them as they followed him with their eyes fixed on his face. It was too much.

"Stop looking at me… it is rude." He suddenly stopped in front of two identical Elves. They had different length of hair. One of them had a scar across his eyebrow. The other one had his ears pierced. Orlando looked away reluctantly. He'd always been fascinated by twins… He wondered where his own twin was. Probably still in Mirkwood. Oh, he hoped so. And pain washed over him. He missed Legolas and his father. He closed his eyes, and Elrond rushed to him.

"Is there something the matter?"

Orlando shook his head and the curls danced about his face.

Elrond gently brushed them away, "Forgive me. But I have never seen hair like this before."

/Well, me neither, so I forgive you. Just stop fucking fondling me, Hugo,/ Orlando thought and pushed him away. He had had enough and turned around and ran out of the hall. He stopped for a second to check if Rúmil was after him. He was. As soon as he reached him, Orlando grabbed his hand and they ran out of the house together.

They went about in the garden. Rúmil was a bit delirious. He sensed a strong erotic impulse from Laer, but he couldn't do anything about it. He had to believe that Laer was a child, no matter what Elrond had told him. That he could be much older and thus have been past his majority centuries ago. In his eyes Thranduil's youngest son looked like he was only a large child.

When Laer suddenly turned around and their eyes met Rúmil's confusion was unbearable. The look in Laer's eyes was not that of a child. A child would have no idea to transcend that kind of sexual desire. It was definitely the look of an adult very sure of what he wanted. And his real age shone in the dept of his passionate eyes. But still he had to get away from him. But he didn't know how.

/By Elbereth, Laer. Do not do this. You are enchanting me,/ Rúmil pleaded silently, as he felt he was drowning in Laer's hypnotic sapphire eyes. His arms had a mind of their own and put themselves around Laer. His mouth also had a will of its own and sought the young prince's lips.

Orlando knew he wanted this, but at the same time his sudden infatuation with Rúmil had surprised him a bit. He hadn't known he'd fancied him until now. The kiss was actually lovely, though he sensed Rúmil desperately tried to hold back.

"Rúmil!"

He sprang away from Laer. It was Haldir and Orophin who fortunately had followed them. Haldir grabbed Rúmil's arm and pulled him further away. Then he looked at Orlando who cringed under his scrutinizing stare. Looked back and met Rúmil's embarrassed eyes.

Rúmil pleaded desperately, "Please, dear brothers… I…" But he stopped at the look in Haldir's eyes and looked down. It was hopeless to explain what had happened.

Orophin came forward and put a hand on Orlando's shoulder. Orlando was beginning to grasp the problem. They thought he was a child. Their entire behaviour towards him had constantly been that towards of a child. He laughed all of a sudden, "Tell me… how old do you think I am?"

Haldir stepped in front of him, "'Tis is no game, young one."

"Young one? Haldir… how old do you regard me? It is a simple question. You must have an idea. Otherwise Rúmil is self-conscious over there for no reason?"

"Fine…" Haldir sighed, "Elrond told us you are merely an Elfling of twenty-three years."

Orlando's mouth opened in a surprised gasp, "At what age is an Elf considered a grown up in these parts then?"

"Eighty years," the siblings mumbled in unison.

"I see," Orlando said. Now he understood their dilemma. "How come you know my age, when I do not?"

"Because Lord Elrond witnessed your birth," Haldir replied.

Orlando stepped backwards a few times, "Really?" How could he argue about that? The information was a shock. Also twenty-three years old in this world… he was practically a toddler, though the mirror in his room had told him otherwise.

He excused himself and went back to his room and sat on the bed. He was glad nobody had disturbed him. He closed his eyes and forced information out of his brain. He hoped his Elven senses could help him. Just a little bit.

"Come on memory!"

He remembered looking at the indexes in the back of the third book, when he flew over to New Zealand for the very first time with Billy Boyd. He had noticed the different ages. At least he'd been born in the Third Age – or rather Legolas had been. What year was this? 1,165 Elrond had said. When was the great year of all the stuff from the film? The year the fellowship was active… He pressed his knuckles to his eyes. He got up and sat on the sofa by the window and looked out. He couldn't remember. But he hoped his brain was working on it for him and would pop out the answer somehow.

He stared out into nothingness for a while. His body jerked. And he realized he must have dosed off. Then the first thought that popped into his sleepy brain was one number: 3,018. He did a quick subtraction and came up with his age right there. Simple and shocking. Legolas was 1,876 years old in the book. He gasped and stood up. He'd discussed this with Peter and Fran and they decided to think of him as around 3,000 years. But 1,876 was still quite an impressive age. If he was that old, why were they treating him like a child? Haldir was this age. And he was March Warden for fuck's sake.

He got up. Determined to speak with Elrond. The party had spread to various places of the house and he couldn't find him anywhere. He went to the garden and sought other places he hadn't been to earlier. He suddenly came to a square. Leaves covered most of the ground. He stood for a few seconds and wondered. This had to be where the Council meeting had taken place. A cold wind swept across the place and Orlando suddenly felt odd. Scared he neared the centre. There was a good chance the force was about to interfere in a moment. But he also knew that he had absolutely no influence on the matter and so he continued to step towards the centre.

*****

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