Lord Elrond of Rivendell lay in the arms of his lover, his long, dark hair spread over the pillow. He bent and kissed the fair-haired Elf who lay deceptively passive beneath him. This one was not the sort to be submissive and at times, Elrond could see him fighting the urge to take over their bedsport, to pin the king down and take him in the way he preferred.

Sometimes Elrond wished his lover would give in to these urges. Sometimes he wished he could simply abandon himself and give in to the pleasures that he denied them both in keeping to himself the dominant role. And yet he knew he could not, for this one would all too eagerly use his mastery in the bedroom to his own advantage. It was dangerous to take him to bed at all, and yet Elrond had not been able to resist.

"Do you know, my lord Elrond, what I saw last night as I passed by the river?"

"You should not have been out alone. Not after what you suffered…" Elrond said, trying not to give in to curiosity.

"I am fully recovered. We both know that. Yet I am touched by your concern." He kissed Elrond, and Elrond felt himself stirring from the hot brand of the smooth, supple lips.

"Very well."

"We will have visitors tomorrow."

"Friend or foe?"

"Some of each. I saw two Elves, a Dwarf…and a cartload of Hobbits."

Elrond frowned, wondering what his lover meant by a cartload. "There is only one Elf I know who travels in the company of Dwarves and Hobbits, and that is Legolas Greenleaf."

"Indeed."

"He must be passing from the Shire to Mirkwood, for Rivendell lies in the path. I confess I will be glad to see him again, and even his companion, Gimli, son of Gloin, is welcome here. As for the Hobbits, I can guess the identity of those." Elrond frowned. Meriadoc Brandybuck and Perregrin Took were two names he didn't want ever to hear again. He had a great deal to say to that pair. "But who is the second Elf?"

"I know only that it is a female," said Elrond's lover. He frowned, and when he frowned, he looked dangerous indeed, and this stirred the king. He could see the jealousy in the other Elf's eyes. Jealousy and desire. "I do not know her."

"Why did you not make yourself known to Legolas?" Elrond asked gently.

"He appeared to be preoccupied."

"He will be overjoyed to see you. You know that."

"I wonder."

"You could have escorted him here last night and saved him a night on the ground," Elrond continued, relishing the frustration building in his lover.

"As I told you, my lord, they have a cartload of Hobbits. Undoubtedly they could not have passed the river with it in the dark. Besides, Legolas believes me to be dead. He would only have thought himself seeing a ghost."

"I for one am glad you are no ghost." Elrond slipped his hand between his lover's legs, quickly finding the hard flesh that he knew was there. "Legolas will be just as glad."

"I wonder."

"Do you? And why should that be?" Elrond asked as he stroked the beautiful Elf who sprawled beneath him. An Elf who was a keeper of secrets. An Elf who had been thought to have fallen at Helm's Deep. An Elf who had tasted death and returned from it.

"Legolas wished me dead, once."

"That does not sound like him."

"No, it doesn't."

"What did you do to him, Haldir?"

Haldir merely smiled.

***

They waited at the edge of the river as a small contingent of Elves came towards them with a large raft and several small canoes to assist in ferrying them across the river to Rivendell. Sam was alight with excitement and was chattering on to Gimli and Angelica about the beauty of the Elven city. Merry and Pippin were having a lengthy but low-voiced conversation between them. Legolas and Ciendriel waited side by side, and Frodo saw Legolas reach up and put a hand on her shoulder as the other Elves approached. Was this a possessive gesture, or was he reading too much into it?

Frodo stood apart from them, looking relaxed and happy, and for once, not feeling tired. Occasionally Angelica would glance up at him and smile. This would send a jolt through him which he didn’t care to identify. Not now. Not yet. Being with her last night had been too wonderful, too achingly sweet, and Frodo just wanted to pretend he had dreamed it, so he wouldn’t have to wonder if it had been the proper thing to do or not.

Everything seemed so different after dark, he thought. The world was a different place and everyone cast aside the roles they played during the daytime. He had seen Legolas and Ciendriel playing in the water last night, and heard Merry and Pippin together in their blankets... well, he supposed Merry and Pippin didn’t act too differently during the day, he saw some of the stuff they got up to in the back of the cart, especially with Angelica encouraging them.

Angelica again. Frodo sighed...but it was a happy sigh. She had really cheered him up. Even looking at Gimli, who scarcely paid him any attention, didn’t hurt so much today. He turned his thoughts back to the approaching Elves, who were docking the raft. One of them called out to Legolas.

“Well met, Legolas Greenleaf. Lord Elrond sends his regards, as well as this ferry to sail your cart full of Hobbits across to Rivendell!”

All the others laughed, and Legolas smiled, but to Frodo, the smile looked tense.

“Lord Elrond is well informed, that he should know so quickly I am coming,” Legolas said as the Elves started loading the cart onto the raft.

“He is indeed,” came the reply, “And he is eager to see you and your companions. You are all most welcome here. Even the Dwarf.”

Gimli harrumphed, but luckily said nothing.

“Some of you will have to ride in the boats,” the Elf told Legolas. Although he spoke in the common language, he didn’t bother to address any of the others. “I will take the Hobbits with me on the raft.”

“Gimli, Ciendriel, and I may take one of the boats--” Legolas began but the Dwarf interrupted him.

“Oh, no. Absolutely not. I remember what happened the last time I got in a boat with you. I’m going on the raft with the Hobbits.”

“Very well. Then I shall take Ciendriel alone with me.”

“What happened last time you were in a boat with him?” Ciendriel asked Gimli, looking worried.

For the first time ever, the Dwarf smiled at her. “It sank.”

Ciendriel looked helplessly at Frodo, but he was busy hurrying Sam, Angelica, Merry, and Pippin onto the raft.

***

A small conversation was going on in two small voices from two very small Hobbits in one corner of the raft.

“Pippin?”

“Yes, Merry?”

“Lord Elrond... you don’t suppose he knows about...?”

“’Bout what, Merry?”

“You know.”

“You mean...the ladies?”

“Yes, the ladies. Of course the ladies!”

“There were so many of them. One of them was bound to have told him.”

“Do you think he’ll be angry, Pippin?”

“It’s not really his business to be angry, is it?”

“Well...”

“Well, what, Merry?”

“There was Arwen...”

“Arwen! I thought she spent the whole time with Aragorn!”

“Most of the time she spent with Aragorn. But not quite all.”

“Heh. I always said she was a right Elven Slut.”

“But do you think Elrond will be angry?”

“He might be.”

“What should I do, then?”

“Perhaps we can hide from him. Rivendell’s pretty big.”

“Perhaps. Perhaps.”

“Merry -- look...I think Legolas is having a problem with his boat.”

“Is he, now? I’m glad I’m not in it!”

“Poor Ciendriel...”

“I hope she can swim.”

***

“Welcome to Rivendell, Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood. But tell me, how is it that you are dripping upon my floors?”

“Forgive me, Lord Elrond.” Legolas bowed before the king, and Elrond inclined his head to show he had, even though inside he was truly irritated. Nothing worse than a wet floor. How many times had he gone skidding across one because Arwen went splashing around with wet hair? He could count the bruises.

“Legolas seems to have trouble keeping boats afloat,” said the beautiful female Elf standing beside Legolas, who was also dripping. Elrond noted with surprise that she was dressed in the clothing of a male, and frowned at her. He knew his frowns could be ominous, but she did not cower before him. She looked familiar, but he couldn’t quite place her.

“And you are, my lady?”

“I am Ciendriel, of Ingra.”

“Ciendriel. Ah, yes. I can see it now. You have the look of your mother. I bounced you on my knee when you were but a child, centuries ago. It has been many years since I traveled to Ingra. How is Queen Morgone? I trust she is well,” said Elrond, trying not to betray his excitement. He had often wondered if the Elves of Ingra remained in Middle Earth, or if they had departed, as he had sent most of his own people to do. That explained her clothing, at least. The female Elves of Ingra were often known to dress as such.

“My mother is well,” Ciendriel replied demurely. “Forgive me, sir, but I do not recall sitting upon your knee.”

“Perhaps later I may remind you,” Elrond said, smiling wolfishly at her. A pink tinge appeared in her cheeks. He glanced at Legolas, and saw him clench one hand into a fist, though his expression betrayed little of his feelings. It was enough for Elrond. He knew then, that something had passed between the two of them. Very well. He would not interfere.

He would leave that to Haldir, who no doubt would.

Elrond inclined his head to the Dwarf. “Welcome, Gimli, son of Gloin. I am glad to see that you are drier than your companions. And Frodo, the Ringbearer. You have my gratitude and my friendship. The brave Samwise Gamgee -- my halls are always open to you.”

Elrond paused and looked at Meriadoc and Perregrin, who were looking up at him with gratifyingly nervous expressions. “And you two I should like to have a word with in PRIVATE. You are all welcome here. Tonight we shall hold a banquet to celebrate both your stay in Rivendell, and something else which I believe will surprise you, Legolas. I shall provide dry clothing for the two of you, Legolas and Ciendriel. If you will excuse me...”

Elrond motioned for Meriadoc and Perregrin to follow him, which they did, nervously. As he led them out, he could hear Legolas speaking in a low voice to Ciendriel.

“You’re a Princess?”

“So are you, apparently!”

“Why did you not tell me?”

“Why did you not tell me?”

Elrond laughed to himself, but he kept his features stern for what he had to say to the two Hobbits was serious. He waited for them to enter his small audience chamber, then closed the door behind them. He ground his teeth together.

“Six,” he said. “And two.”

Meriadoc and Pippin exchanged looks of confusion.

“Begging your pardon, sir. Lord Elrond. Your Majesty. But...six what?” asked Pippin.

“And two what else?” Merry followed.

“Six female Elves who claim that Meriadoc Brandybuck fathered their children. And two of my guards who constantly sigh the name of Perregrin Took!”