Starry Sky

A/N: It's the last chapter! ::sniffs:: It's finished, and I hate to see it go. But they will be back, I promise. ^_~ Thanks to Siobhan for beta reading, and for all you faithful readers for sticking to it till the end. Hope you enjoyed this story. Look for a later story I will write called "The Palantir" if you enjoyed this; it will have more of this pairing and many other pairings.

~~~~~~~~~~ denotes changes in scene.

Chapter 10: Blessing of the Valar
Summary: Arriving in Valinor with his brother and the rest of the elven company, Elrohir ponders what awaits him and is given a pleasant surprise (slash).

The warm, salty air felt refreshing against his face as he leaned against the boat and watched the waters of the Sea sail by. It seemed to Elrohir that the water stretched for miles; Middle-earth was long behind them andinorinor was somewhere up ahead. The young Peredhel trusted the skills of the shipwright. He was more than confident that Círdan would get them to the Undying Lands with speed and in safety. His heart fluttered as the white ship pressed onwards. It had been ages since he was an elfling, and yet here he was feeling like a two-hundred-year-old again.

Elrohir wondered about the land he had called home for so many years. Questions flew through his mind, replaced with new questions before answers could be formulated or found. How was Arwen faring now that she alone of their family remained? Would the handful of elves that stayed behind join them in time? How would Middle-earth change over the years? Questions, questions and more questions wound their way into Elrohir’s mind, making him suddenly feel exhausted and his limbs heavy. Yet there was nothing that could make the happy feeling that had embedded itself into his person go away; Elrohir was going home, to where his real home was. He was going to his lover.

“Careful, pen-neth,” a kind voice said from his elbow. “Lean over any further and I’m afraid we’ll have to cast a net and drag you back into the ship like this morning’s breakfast.”

“Círdan,” Elrohir greeted with a warm smile upon his face. The shipwright returned his smile, his gray-blue eyes sparkling. The Peredhel eyed him for a moment, marveling at the white beard the other elf sported, the only one of their kind to have such facial hair. The Teleri elf was kind and much loved among his own people and the other groups of elves. It was he who had come for Elrohir and the others when Estel passed away.

“Excited to be going to where your true home is?” Círdan asked. Elrohir’s eyes sparkled at his words, though he wondered exactly what the other elf meant.

“Aye. I miss Ada and Nana, Glorfindel and Erestor, grandmother and everyone else.”

“Ah, but there is another you miss the most.” Círdan smiled at the light blush that began to stain Elrohir’s cheeks as the younger elf nervously twisted the band of mithril upon his left ring finger. “I see that I am correct. How long has it been? I dare say it has been a long time.”

Elrohir nodded. “One hundred and twenty years.”

“Ah, I see I am correct again.”

“I’ve thought about him everyday since he left. Some nights I lie awake thinking of the times we had together. The longest we’ve ever been apart before was five years. One hundred and twenty is so short a time for an elf, and yet it felt like forever to me.”

“That is because you are in love, and are loved in return, pen-neth. I am surprised you were not melancholy all these years.” Elrohir laughed at his words as a strong gust of wind caught their hair, raven and silver strands waving wildly about in the air.

“Oh, but I was. I missed him terribly all these years. My heart would ease now and again seeing my brother with Legolas; they reminded me a lot of what Orophin and I share. And the visits to Minas Tirith were especially helpful. My sister refused to let me wander her halls in a daze and would always find ways to entertain me when I seemed to be feeling a bit down. My nephew and nieces also kept me busy to the point that I hardly had time to think about the separation.” The Peredhel smiled faintly as he paused for a thought. “I shall miss the family I still have in Middle-earth. But, I feel that I am going where I belong. I couldn’t be more happy.”

Círdan smiled, patting the younger elf’s shoulder affectionately before pointing off into the distance. “We are almost there.”

Elrohir turned and followed the shipwright’s finger with his gaze. There, in the far distance, his elvish eyes picked up a spot of land in the Sea. The land itself seemed to be shimmering with a light brighter than that of either Anor or Ithil. Overhead, the look-out also spotted the land and gave out a shout; from the lower decks, elves came forward to catch a view of the land that was to be their new home for the rest of eternity. Elrohir smiled upon seeing his twin, Legolas and Gimli come forth and marvel at the land; the Dwarf seemed especially touched to see it, the first of his kind to see the land of the Valar.

/It is home. We are home./

~~~~~~~~~~

“There! In the distance!” Light twinkled in Lindir’s green eyes as the former minstrel of Imladris caught the first sight of the white ship nearing the coast. Hundreds of elves had gathered to welcome their brethren, the recent arrivals from Middle-earth. Among them was the House of Elrond, there to welcome the elven-lord’s sons, and with them was the household of the King of Mirkwood; Thranduil had left sometime after Celeborn made for Imladris, and was now awaiting the arrival of his last child. And, of course, the Lady Galadriel was there to welcome the last of her people to the eternal shores.

One stood apart from them, lingering on the edge of the woods that bordered the shores of Valinor. Patience had always been his virtue; there was very little to cause him to hurry or speed up his actions. He awaited one upon the ship, and would wait until he had greeted his family and friends. And, when he had, only then would Orophin step forward and greet his beloved. He felt nervous, and wondered if Elrohir had felt the same.

For years the Galadhrim had wandered the lands of Valinor, settling in the forest that separated Manwe and Lorien’s lands. Most of the people of Lothlorien and Mirkwood had made their homes there; those of Imladris stayed close by their kinsmen while Círdan’s people had settled near the shores. The Wandering Company had taken to wandering the Undying Lands as they had in Middle-earth, but they always stayed close to their kindred. And Frodo and Bilbo, the two dear little Hobbits that had taken on the harsh task of a Ringbearer, oncstorstored to their youth and health by the grace of the Valar had settled down with the members of Elrond’s house; they often visited the other companies and were found many times in the company of Mithrandir.

Orophin felt at home in Valinor, much like he had felt at home in Lorien. But, there was something always missing in his life. His brothcoulcould see it, indeed nearly everyone could observe the slight diminishing of the light in his eyes. They all knew what it meant, that part of his soul had stayed in the lands of his birth. The light had recently returned, however, and that brought about good news for the Firstborn. It brought the news that more of their kindred was returning home.

“You can step a little closer, you know,” a voice sounded from Orophin’s right. He turned to view his brothers eyeing him. Sighing softly, he turned blue eyes back to the Sea and fixed them upon the ship swiftly approaching the shore.

“I am not the first people he needs to greet when he arrives.”

“No,” Haldir said. “But you are the one he wants to see the most.”

“His family…”

“Will understand,” Rumil finished. “They know his mind and his heart. It is you he wishes to see above all others. Go to him, Orophin.”

“Nay, I will wait. There will be time for us.”

“And they called me stubborn,” Haldir snorted playfully. He patted his elder brother affectionately upon the shoulder before he and Rumil made to join the crowd on the shore to greet their friends.

Orophin watched them go before his eyes strayed to the ship again just as it weighed anchor at the coast and the party onboard began to descend. There came Legolas first, with the Dwarf Gimli close behind them; in an instant they were surrounded by Legolas’ family and the two little Ringbearers. Next came Círdan, who was welcomed home by his people. A number of other elves followed them, some Orophin recognized as Galadhrim who had stayed with Celeborn for a time; there were more elves from Imladris, and a few remnants of Gildor’s company and Mirkwood’s elves.

Then came the twins, last of them all. Orophin unconsciously held his breath as they were greeted by their father and, now healed, mother and all the rest. He kept his eyes fixed on Elrohir, his heart fluttering at seeing the happy smile upon the younger twin’s face, the light that danced in his eyes. And then those gray eyes were turned to him, and the smile brightened. Orophin watched in fixed fascination as Elrohir drew closer until they were standing, bodies untouching but a mere inch apart.

“A’maelamin,” Elrohir whispered. “I am home.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Elrohir marveled at how alive his mother looked when she greeted the twins as they left the ship. Celebrían seemed radiant, her silver hair shining in the light, the blue of her eyes had returned. He smiled as she embraced him, welcoming him to his new home.

“It’s good to see you well again, Nana,” he whispered, tears brimming within his eyes.

“It is good to be seen, ion-nîn,” she replied, embracing him again and placing a gentle kiss upon his cheek before moving to her other son. As she did so, Elrohir turned and was greeted by his father, who was more than overjoyed to be reunited with two of his children.

“Ada.”

“It is good to have you here, gwenneth,” Elrond replied before embracing his youngest son tightly.

“Good to see you again, meldir.”

“Arondil! Celeron!” Elrohir moved to embrace the eldest princes of Mirkwood just as the pair released Legolas.

“How fare you on the ship?” Arondil asked. He and Celeron were glad, not only to have their brother back with them, but also the twins, for they viewed the sons of Elrond as two more brothers in spirit.

“Uneventful,” Elrohir replied with a chuckle. “Save that our Master Dwarf came down with an awful bout of seasickness which Círdan had a horrendous tiispeispelling.” The three laughed heartily as the young princess of Mirkwood appeared. She was ecstatic to see the twins and her brother again; Celeron had to pull her away to allow Haldir and Rumil to greet Elrohir.

“Where is he?” the Peredhel asked in a hushed whisper, eagerly looking around for the one he sought; he had been so overjoyed at seeing his family and friends again that he had momentarily forgotten who he missed the most. Rumil smiled before turning and pointing in the direction of the tree line where Orophin remained, standing quietly and waiting patiently. Haldir grinned, shoving Elrohir forward a little; the twin took the hint and began heading towards his lover. He felt his heart beat faster and his blood race, though he allowed no hint of the blush to show through. Elrohir stopped a mere inch before Orophin and smiled warmly.

“A’maelamin. I am home.”

“Welcome home, lirimaer.” Reaching out, Orophin embraced his bonded, closing the distance between them. Elrohir sank into the circle of warmth, his eyes closing as he buried his face into the Galadhrim’s neck and inhaled the familiar, long missed scent of sandalwood. Gentle hands shifted through his dark hair as a chaste kiss was placed upon his brow.

“We are together again.”

“Aye, together. Forever.” Gently lifting his love’s head, Orophin placed a kiss full of love upon those sweet lips. Elrohir smiled and responded eagerly, the pair forgetting about the others, oblivious to the warm smiles they were being given. None of it matter except the feeling of being whole again, of being with the one they loved. They were truly home.

~~~~~~~~~~

“It’s beautiful.” Elrohir smiled as he leaned upon the railing of Orophin’s new talan, his new home, and gazed out at the timeless forest about him. Below, he could hear his twin and Legolas making their way towards his father’s home, where they would stay until finding some space of their own. Overhead the stars shined brightly, more so than they did in Middle-earth. Elrohir was quickly able to spot his grandfather and gave a brilliant smile, to which the star answered with an amused twinkle.

“Aye, it is. But not as beautiful as the love I now hold in my arms.” Orophin nuzzled the side of his neck while wrapped warm arms about the twin’s middle. Elrohir sighed, leaning back into the familiar embrace and relishing in the feel of being close to his lover again. “I’ve missed you so much, lirimaer.”

“As have I, a’maelamin.” Elrohir turned in the embrace, pressing his lips against his lover’s in a kiss full of love and longing, one that spoke of years lost and those yet to be filled. They were breathless when they finally parted, and the twin contented himself with leaning his head upon his love’s shoulder and playing with a lock of silvery hair. “The years were lonely without you,” he whispered, edging a little closer as he sought more contact.

“Aye. But let us remedy that, shall we?” Orophin smiled as Elrohir gave an enthusiastic nod before leading the dark-haired elf over towards the bed. Together they sat down on the silken sheets, drawing each other close for another kiss. “How I missed this,” the Galadhrim breathed against Elrohir’s neck while his hands busily removed their clothing.

Garments discarded, they lay down side-by-side and took a moment to remember one another’s bodies with their hands and eyes. Elrohir had missed the warm feel of his love’s light, sun-kissed skin beneath the soft touches of his hands, the way Orophin’s hair shimmered in the moonlight and the twinkle in his blue eyes. Likewise, Orophin had yearned for the creamy, silk-like feeling of Elrohir’s hands, the satin caress of his dark hair over the Galadhrim’s skin and the love-filled kisses they had shared. It heen een far too long.

Rolling the twin onto his back, Orophin laid atop the lithe body while laying butterfly kisses along Elrohir’s jaw and neck. The Peredhel closed his eyes, sighing deeply as he gave himself over to the much-missed caresses; his hands made busy as they tangled in his lover’s long silvery locks, undoing the braids and winding strands about his fingers. He felt a warm hand stroking his abdomen, another gently caressing his hip. Elrohir felt a warm stirring within his body as he surrendered to the touches he had almost forgotten. He arched his back off the bed, seeking more contact and felt Orophin smiled against his shoulder.

“We have all the rest of eternity, lirimaer. Why rush it now?” Orophin’s eyes were twinkling as they darkened with lust; his tongue flicked out, leaving a short, wet trail over a smooth collarbone before moving lower. He left trails of moisture in his wake as he moved over his lover’s torso, taking his time as he moved to give Elrohir as much pleasure as he could. The Galadhrim left the briefest of kisses upon the head of the twin’s erect sex, delighting in the moan of pleasure that he heard. While his hands were gently smoothing along Elrohir’s inner thighs in a vain attempt to calm him, Orophin claimed his lover’s evidence of arousal with his mouth, gently sucking on the organ as he did so.

Elrohir felt his shoulders lift off the bed as his back arched, his mind drowning in the intense pleasure he was being given. Sweet Valar, how he had missed this! He couldn’t understand how he had gone so long without feeling Orophin’s hands upon him, the kisses, the voice whispering in his ear; he was surprised he hadn’t gone insane! He reached down, burying his hands in the silvery mass of his lover’s hair; Orophin moaned faintly with the action, thereby sending delightful vibrations tingling through Elrohir’s body. The years apart came crashing down, causing the twin to come much quicker than he would have liked. With a short cry, he spilled his seed into his lover’s mouth, sinking back onto the bed bonelessly.

Soft hands caressed his shoulders and back while gentle kisses were placed upon his face. Elrohir smiled in his half-dazed state and shifted closer to his lover, feeling Orophin’s arousal pressing against his leg; his lover’s needs had not yet been satisfied. He smiled happily while moving his hands until one wrapped loosely about Orophin’s sex. The Galadhrim drew in a sharp breath, eyes darkening further at the touch. He moaned as Elrohir stroked him, one fingertip brushing over his head.

“Lirimaer…”

“Hush melme. Allow me to bring you release as you have done for me.” He smiled against as Orophin nodded, blue eyes drifting closed as Elrohir began to lazily stroke him. His hands drifted into the twin’s hair, clutching handfuls of the silken locks as he was a stroked from base to head. Elrohir watched as his lover’s face slowly flushed in arousal; leaning forward slightly, he began to suck the skin of Orophin’s neck, his tongue darting out to lick against the pulse he found there.

Orophin was floating on a cloud of pleasure as his senses were assaulted. The hand lightly gripping his sex was pumping in a steady rhythm; coupled with Elrohir’s lips gently sucking his neck, the feeling was enough to overwhelm him, but he hung on a bit longer. He groaned as the hand twisted, fingernails lightly wracking along his heated flesh. They were joined by another appendage, which gently began to massage the sac underneath. Biting down on his lower lip, his fists tightened around the hold he had on his lover’s hair.

Bowing his head forward, Orophin bit into his lover’s shoulder just hard enough to leave a mark as, with a muffled cry, he spent into the hand stroking him; he felt Elrohir mark his neck with his teeth at the same moment. He lay still for a moment, vaguely awof gof gentle hands making sweeping motions to clean him off. Orophin got the image of the twin licking his seed off sticky fingers and, smiling at the thought, he drew the twin closer.

“Ilyamenie,” Orophin whispered, laying a kiss upon the creamy skin before him. He felt, rather than saw, Elrohir smile as the twin shifted closer again and sighed blissfully. No other words were spoken that night as they drifted off into sleep together. No words were needed, for their hearts had spoken enough during their joining. They were together again, after so long apart. They had been granted the gift of the other’s love, and they would cherish one another for all time.

Translations:
Pen-neth-Young one
Ada-Father
Nana-Mother
A’maelamin-My beloved
Ion-nîn-My son
Gwenneth-Younger twin
Meldir-Friend
Lirimaer-Lovely one
Melme-Love
Ilyamenie-Always