Title:
Undercover
Pairings: Rumil/Thranduil, Rumil/Legolas implied
Rating: PG- NC-17 in later chapters
Warnings: A little angst
Summary: Rúmil gets inventive in his trying
to get to Legolas and never suspects that another is stalking
him....
Notes: For Tux, who has been EXTREMELY patient
with this! I promise, I will get a chapter up here every week
at the least.
"He'd
never fit in it Ru, it has to be you." chided Orophin as
he pulled the lacing at his brother's back a bit tighter than
was absolutely necessary. Rumil made a yelping gasp as what
was left of his breath seemed to be stolen away.
"Then
what about you, Orophin? You're far more thin than I. I'm sure
you could fit.. You could find Legolas and set up a meeting!"
"Too
tall! Can you imagine me trying to appear graceful when everyone
else is several inches shorter? No, I would stick out far too
much. The key to this IS to blend in, after all. Besides, it
goes against the plan." Orophin retorted quickly. Rúmil
moaned and looked at himself in the silver plate that served
as their mirror. His hair was braided more intricately than
it ever had been before and he had gold powdered dust along
his cheekbones that brought out the gold of it. Here and there,
Haldir had woven amethyst stones which matched perfectly with
the color of the dress.
Yes.
Dress. Rúmil sighed and turn back around at his eldest
brother's insistence. He was by the door, leaning on the frame
with that ever cocky grin on his face, arms crossed and eyes
dark.
"You're
beautiful Rúmil. You have absolutely nothing to worry
about. You're far more feminine than Orophin or I." purred
Haldir as he stepped closer and brushed his fingers along one
perfect ear. Rúmil sighed and calmed, though he wasn't
exactly sure that he liked the last statement, even if it was
probably true. Of the three, he was youngest and smallest both
is height and stature. He was the only one of the three kissed
with the sun Anor's blessing of golden hair; his brother's both
were silverhaired children of Ithil , the moon.
"Do
you really think everyone will be taken by this illusion? I
am not so concerned with the Prince, but his adar and our Lady.
She is no fool, Haldir.." whispered Rúmil. For as
long has he could remember, Rúmil had desired the prince
of Mirkwood. Haldir had been once assigned as guard to the prince
and his father Thranduil while they were in Lothlorien on annual
business. Haldir at the time, was already in charge of his younger
siblings as their parents had long since sailed to Valinor and
left them in his capable hands. The Lord and Lady watched over
all three, but from a distance, leaving Haldir to tend the day
to day care. There were times when Rúmil, being the youngest,
had accompanied his brother as he went about his duty and there
were none others to watch him. During that long past visitation,
Rúmil had instantly bonded with the young prince, as
they were close in age and all in the court had smiled as the
two dashed about, climbing trees and generally enjoying themselves.
It had been a hard week when Legolas was to return home and
Rúmil lost his new found friend.
Through
the years, they had kept a correspondence. None suspected that
it might go deeper than a continuation of a childhood friendship
and for a long time, that is all it was. But once the two entered
their majority, Rúmil had begun to feel something more.
He would sometimes catch glimpses of his friend when they passed
through on errands, but it was no longer proper for the prince
to be seen with a lowly warden. Legolas would smile to him apologetically
as his attendants swept him away to whatever business needed
tending to and Rúmil would yearn all the more.
This
had gone on for a century now. Orophin and Haldir were the only
witnesses to their dear brother's pain and though they offered
him love and comfort, both knew that Rumil would never truly
be happy until he was once more able to be with Legolas. They
had no idea how the young prince felt in turn. It was possible
that Legolas had no idea of Rumil's longings. Haldir had often
made comment about the prince seeming to be a horse with blinders
on when speaking of his skill in observation, to which he would
always receive a sound punch to the arm from both his kin. Haldir
made up for all of his teasing however when he had arrived home
a week ago with news that Thranduil was holding an autumn festival
gala. One which their Lady and Lord were invited to and in which
at least two of the brother's were bade to go as escorts to
them.
It
had quickly been decided that Rumil needed to be one of them
to go, but being sent as a guard would give him no chance to
slip away and be with the prince and still did nothing to heal
the fact that he was a warden and not worthy of being seen with
Legolas. They had been discussing the issue, their voices getting
loud with frustration, when Celeborn had dropped by their talan
to finalize plans. It was he who had come up with this daring
plan after listening at the doorway for several moments, undetected
by his three favorite wardens. His bellowing laugh had broken
through the almost fevered bickering.
"You
sound like a pack of wolf pups, all snarling and nipping at
one another, my lads!" Celeborn laughed, stepping into
the large elegant talan as the three brothers nearly fell on
top of one another in surprise. Celeborn turned his kind eyes
to Rúmil and held out his hand.. As Rúmil stepped
forward, gingerly taking it, the Lorien lord spoke. "I
know the pain you feel, mellon. To be born of no title and lose
your heart to a shining star that is far from your reach is
a curse of the heart." Rúmil bowed his head. He
had forgotten that once, Celeborn had not been a lord at all,
but a simple lovesick elf who loved a Lady. Celeborn continued.
"Not all hope is lost, young one. You must go to Legolas
and tell him your feelings. Waters only bear life when they
are in motion. A stagnant pool holds nothing but death."
At
the time, Rumil wished that their surrogate father was a bit
less dramatic because his words had quite literally made the
young elf forget to breath. Haldir had smacked him good between
the shoulders when he noticed the youth turning a unique shade
of blue. Celeborn's reaction had been only to smile more and
then to make a suggestion that would have all three brothers
needing such a smack.
"Dress
undercover Rúmil.. In something that none would suspect
a warden to don. I will keep my Lady distracted enough that
she will not notice you and if your brothers here are willing
to take on the guard duties, it will allow you to move about
freely during the party. Find Legolas and pull him aside somewhere
that his father cannot see and make your proposal." In
theory, the suggestion seemed sound. Apparently sound enough
that the three were now trying to stuff Rumil into a rather
elegant purple and gold gown that been donated by Flordiniel
once she had stopped her incessant giggling. Rúmil knew
he would never live this down if things went astray of plan.
"I
still do not understand why we had to choose an elleth as my
disguise. Could I have not gone as a MALE distant cousin?"
pleaded Rumil as he completed his illusion with the settling
of a circlet upon his head. He really did not want to know where
Orophin had gotten it though was quite sure at some point, someone
was sure to let him know.
"No.
You look too much like 'Rúmil' dressed in anything else.
This way, your hair is completely different.. and your body
is.. well.. hidden. Anyone could be under those billowing sails!"
Haldir sidestepped the growling smack that lashed out at him.
"Besides.. you hit like an elleth already. Its the perfect
disguise!"
TBC.....
