The air was still. Even the birds and other woodland creatures seemed to sense something was amiss and had quieted. Leaning back against the stone construction, he listened for the sound of approaching footsteps but heard nothing. He had always found comfort in the trees and stone buildings of Rivendell, but now the cold from the solid surface seeped through his clothes and numbed his soul.

He shouldn't have come. Standing there now, he realized he must have misunderstood the note given to him by the cook on her way to the kitchen. After reading it, he hadn't even bothered changing out of his Ranger gear and into proper attire, so fearful was he of missing his lover. Unfolding the paper, he read it again: 'The place. Before evening meal.' They only had one 'place'. One place that no others ventured to simply because it was overgrown and in disrepair. It was about as far from normal Rivendell splendor as could be achieved without crossing into Mordor, but it was perfect for them, and afforded a chance to let down their guard and love openly.

He believed, somewhat fearfully, that Elrond knew of it - and of their meetings - only because his foster father was nearly as wise as Mithrandir himself, and on occasion even more intimidating. But he'd never confronted them about it, and Estel hoped the day he chose to was far off. Fate, destiny, chance, and luck were thrown into a kettle and drawn out by the Valar at whim, and though he spoke of his son's destiny from time to time, Elrond had learned long ago that Estel did not need reminded of his path. He was young, and those days were far in his future.

That was another reason they had chosen this place. The remnant of the structure held no memories for either, other than the ones they had made within it. Two solid walls created a corner and opposite them two columns were the weight-bearing pillars for the flat roof. Time had degraded the thatch on the roof until it was almost more holes than cover, but it afforded them privacy from prying eyes.

Softly he traced his fingers over the elegant lettering before folding the parchment and returning it to his pocket. A glint on the far point of the mountain signaled the coming darkness with the lighting of the lanterns and the Ranger sighed heavily.

His love was not coming.

His heart knew sorrow once more, though he tried to shield it. Something had kept the Elf away. There was no other justifiable reason for his absence. Picking a few of the wildflowers around his feet, Estel retrieved the note and put the flowers within. It was enough to let the Elf know he'd been there… that he'd waited as long as he could before Elrond summoned someone to fetch him for the evening meal.

After shoving the paper into a small fissure within the rock and turning to leave, he stopped suddenly. Had he heard footsteps, or was it only his hopeful imagination playing tricks on him? Breath held silent within his lungs, he listened. Peering into the shadows of dusk, he was certain he'd spotted movement in the trees across the way, which was confirmed as a doe and her fawn came out of the forest for an early snack.

His eyes fell shut in disappointment.

"For one so young, you look as if your world is at an end."

The soft tones of his lover's voice carried to Estel's ears and he pivoted on his heel, his eyes bright. "Legolas! You're here!"

"And would have been so much sooner had it not been for Erestor." The blond Elf welcomed his love with open arms as if absorbing him, a smile lighting his face. Nothing else needed to be said about Erestor. The dark-haired Elf could be long winded when he chose to be, and council meetings were his favorite time to hear the sound of his own voice.

Kissing the stubbled chin lightly before briefly brushing their lips together, Legolas asked, "Why were you so pensive when I came upon you?"

Grateful for the shadow of the coming darkness to hide his blush, Estel confessed, "I feared you had changed your mind, or I had misinterpreted your note. I was just about to head back when you arrived. Elrond might have sent someone to find me, and I couldn't let our spot be discovered…."

Legolas' mouth quirked in an odd grin but he said nothing, instead leaning forward to catch the Ranger's lips beneath his own once more. Time stopped as smooth skin met abrasive beard, their tongues dancing slowly with the beat of their hearts. When neither could find air to breathe they parted, Legolas' kisses continuing over Estel's brow, down his nose, and onto his chin once more.

"Are you hungry, or would you care to bathe first?"

The hint of teasing in Legolas' voice brought a mock-scowl to Estel's face. "Again with the bathing! What is it with you Elves? You'd think tree-huggers would be a little more friendly to those that smell of the earth."

Legolas arched a brow. "Earth, yes. But you, my dear, smelly Ranger, stink of Orc… and I find it unsuitable to dining, whether that be on food or your tempting flesh." Legolas' questing fingers traced below the waist of Estel's leggings and pinched gently, causing the human to jump.

Eyes gleaming with mischief, Estel said, "As you wish. Let us bathe so that I might less offend you." Reaching beneath the council robes, he managed a quick pinch to Legolas' perfectly sculpted butt cheek before taking off hurriedly in the direction of the baths.

Legolas made a decidedly unelfly squeak of surprise at the assault, but gave the young man dashing through the brush a good head start before sprinting as quickly as the annoying robes would allow towards the baths. This late in the evening there would be no one there but the two them, and the lithe blond had every intention of making true his words to savor every inch of delectable flesh on the future king of Gondor.

He could wait until after dinner to tell Estel that Lord Elrond already knew about their trysts and their meeting place, and for 'disciplinary refinement measures' he was sending Estel to Mirkwood for a few months to train with their patrols.

The thought of having his lover all to himself for several months put more spring into the Elf's already light steps, and he reached the bathing pool just as Estel stepped into the heated waters.

"Getting slower in your old age," the human taunted, knowing full well his lover was eternally blessed with youth.

Legolas slipped the robes, tunic, and leggings from his body in a tormentingly slow fashion, aware that Estel's pulse would triple at the sight of him unclothed. There was no lack of hunger in the man's eyes as the Elf walked around the edge to where his lover sat patiently, and Legolas leaned down to whisper in his ear. "You'll find there are many things that are much more enjoyable when they are done without haste."

Sliding noiselessly into the water, Legolas reached for his lover and pulled him in deeper, all the while grinning wickedly. "Now let's get you clean so I can show you each of them in thorough detail."

~END~