Something Special, Something Sacred

Imladris, Third Age 2032

Anor was just rising as he walked from the bathing chamber. It had been a long, restless night for them both, but Erestor had risen hours before Glorfindel. Erestor stopped, leaned against the doorframe, and gazed down at his lover.

Glorfindel lay sprawled on his back on his side of the bed, an arm thrown over a stray pillow, and the bedsheets twisted about his form. His lithe warrior body was glowing golden in the early morning dawn, his hair yellow silk on the white pillow his other arm was resting under. What was hidden from view, though, were the myriad of welts, cuts and bruises on the Elf-lord's back that Erestor had given him the previous night.

Erestor sighed and shivered in the coolness of the room. His robe had slipped from one shoulder, and the sash was untied, revealing his smooth, slender form. Gazing at Glorfindel, Erestor's mind slowly ticked through the various changes in his lover over the last year.

They did not make love. Ever. This was what upset Erestor the most. He longed to hold the golden Elf, to caress his damp brow in the wake of release as they talked softly of their day.

But this was denied him. Glorfindel was yielding enough, that was true, and there was no shortage of sexual desire between them. But at the first sign of true intimacy, Glorfindel would lose interest, concentration, or arousal. The tenderness of afterplay was still there as well, although lately it had become more about cleaning Glorfindel's cuts than discussing the day.

Still, Erestor supposed he had no room to complain. There was no question that he was still deeply in love with Glorfindel, and that the Elda was completely and utterly devoted to him as well. Despite the shift in Glorfindel's sexual appetites, Erestor was certain of that. His trust in Erestor was absolute and had been proven night after night. He was as attentive and responsive a partner as Erestor could have ever wished in his playroom: always eager and willing to try new things. Sometimes, Erestor wondered at his lover's resilience and desire to push the pain threshold farther and farther, but then again, after defeating Balrogs in single combat, little would remain that could rival that sensation.

Glorfindel shifted in his sleep, and a wince crossed the beautiful features as the movement put too much pressure on one of the larger bruises. Erestor mirrored the wince; he'd seen the large purple mass and could imagine the hurt it must have caused. He quickly hid the expression, though, when Glorfindel's eyes fluttered open, lest the blond Elf mistake the expression.

The Elda blinked a few times, and then spotted Erestor leaning against the corner of the wall, watching him. "Good morning, Sir," he said sleepily.

Erestor smiled. "You know you do not have to call me Sir when we are out here."

"I know, but I know you enjoy hearing it." Glorfindel threw the covers back and stood up before Erestor, the indirect glow from the windows lighting up his skin like a beacon. Erestor leaned in for a morning kiss, and Glorfindel, as usual lately, reacted with indifference, neither pushing away nor returning the gesture. Only when Erestor slid his hands into Glorfindel's hair, clutched a handful and pulled did Glorfindel gasp into the kiss and respond with any ardent passion.

Erestor broke the kiss, despite a groan from his lover. When Glorfindel made no further moves, Erestor pushed him playfully on the shoulder. "Go bathe and get dressed already. We are late to break our fast," he teased.

Glorfindel smirked briefly, but otherwise showed no amusement. "Aye, S--" he began, but stopped himself. "Aye," he finally said, favoring Erestor with a smile that was all too rare these days.

*****

The two Elves walked side-by-side into the small dining chamber, and Erestor gave a small smile to his Lord and Lady. He took his seat across from Elladan, Glorfindel sliding gracefully into the chair beside his lover. Elrohir grinned at the Elda from his position opposite Glorfindel, and the Elf-lord winked at the Peredhel.

"Late night?" Celebrían asked the late arrivals, sipping her tea while Elrond placed various fruits, cheeses and breads upon her plate.

Erestor cleared his throat and reached for the sterling teapot, but Glorfindel's long fingers wrapped around the handle first. "Aye, my Lady," he said, distracted as he watched Glorfindel pour a cup of steaming tea into Erestor's teacup, and then his. "I had a flood of correspondence to respond to." His dark eyes followed Glorfindel's movements as the Elda added sweetened milk to his tea and prepared a plate of foods for his lover. Only then did Glorfindel sweeten his own tea and fill his plate.

No one else at the table seemed to notice Glorfindel's behavior, which was a small blessing, Erestor thought. He lifted his fork, glancing at Glorfindel, and noticed the Elf just sitting, staring blankly at his plate, as if waiting for something. It took Erestor a moment to realize what Glorfindel was waiting for, and he suddenly lost his appetite. In a low voice he said, "Eat, Glorfindel."

Glorfindel immediately picked up his fork and knife, eating efficiently and quietly. Erestor sipped his tea, and soon found his gaze captured by the Master of the house. Elrond's pewter eyes were narrowed and his lips set in a grim line.

He had seen their exchange.

Erestor swallowed the rising bile in his throat and cast his eyes to his plate. As the Peredhel family chatted, and Elrond's glittering gaze remained trained on Erestor, the Councilor slowly ate the fruits and cheeses Glorfindel had placed before him. It did not take long before the twins wanted to go to the training field with Glorfindel; a morning spar was all the brethren could chatter about. Glorfindel did not speak, though, and Erestor sighed. "Elladan, Elrohir, go to the field, Glorfindel will be there shortly. Let him finish his morning tea before you run him about that field."

Elladan nodded, excused himself and Elrohir, and dragged his twin out into the sunshine. Celebrían sipped once more at her tea before she, too, stood and exited the room. Elrond pressed the tips of his fingers together while his elbows rested on the table, silently watching his two friends.

"Glorfindel," Erestor said softly. "Finish your tea and then spar with the twins. When you are done with that, return to your office and finish the daily work. I need the estimated fiscal needs for defense for this year from you."

"Aye, Sir," Glorfindel said, those lyrical, dreaded words like pins in his ears. The Elda finished his tea in one swallow, and then collected his dishes as well as Erestor's, setting them on the sideboard. He bowed to Elrond, and then Erestor, walking gracefully from the room.

Erestor still did not meet Elrond's burning gaze, but he did relax into his chair. He continued to glare dejectedly at his teacup.

"I do not recall placing you in a position of authority over Glorfindel," Elrond said carefully. "Or is it, perhaps, another sort of authority he is responding to?"

"He thinks he is being amusing," Erestor replied.

"He is failing."

"I will speak to him. I will let him know that sort of jesting is inappropriate."

Elrond leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Erestor. You and I have been through a lot together. So, tell me honestly, is there something troubling you?"

Erestor bristled. He knew the question was referring to more than his general well being. "You have never questioned my methods before. After all, it was you who trained me in them."

"And I am not questioning them now. You know me better than that. But, Glorfindel is the first of your lovers that you have shared your whole self with. That kind of knowledge changes things, changes people." Elrond raised an eyebrow, a gesture that annoyed Erestor. "There may be things that you do not feel you can discuss with him, so I am offering you the chance to discuss them with me."

"I appreciate the offer, Lord Elrond," Erestor responded stiffly, "but I assure you, there is nothing to discuss. How is it with your Lady?"

Elrond nodded curtly as he noticed the abrupt change of subject. "It is well with her."

"I am glad to hear that. Please make my apologies to her for any awkwardness this morning. Now, if you will excuse me, I have much to attend to this day." Erestor stood and, at Elrond's nod, walked quickly from the dining chambers.

*****

Glorfindel lay on the bed on his stomach, his eyes closed, head resting on his folded arms, and his body nude. Erestor stripped himself of his robes, tossing the dark fabric carelessly to the floor. His lover did not move, though Erestor did not make any attempt to muffle his actions. His house boots and leggings were next, and then he unbraided his ink-black hair.

He walked slowly to the bed, his sex already stiffening as he replayed old memories of the soft, pliant lover Glorfindel had once been. Erestor crept onto the mattress, laying his body over Glorfindel's, his arousal nestled comfortably in the crevice of Glorfindel's backside. "Good evening, melethen," he whispered hotly against the blond Elf's ear. ( my love)

" Mmm. Good evening, my Lord."

Erestor tensed at use of such formality. "Glorfindel, please. Make love with me tonight."

Glorfindel's lashes lifted, and Erestor could see the strain as Glorfindel clenched his jaw. "My head aches tonight, Erestor. Perhaps tomorrow."

Anger surged through Erestor and he bore down with one of his knees, forcing Glorfindel's thighs apart. "No, Glorfindel. Tonight." He reached to the side, grabbing the vial of oil there, keeping the other hand firmly on Glorfindel's back. "I have given to you, now you will give to me."

"I do not desire to be with you tonight," Glorfindel ground out, the muscles in his back bunching as he prepared to push Erestor off of him.

The Noldo was quick, though, and within moments he had a hand entwined in the golden locks, his full weight pressing Glorfindel into the mattress. "I am tired of catering to your desires, Glorfindel," he hissed, tipping the oil awkwardly and coating his hand. "You will submit, or you will leave." Erestor reached between their bodies and slicked his arousal, pushing between the hard globes of Glorfindel's buttocks. He remained still, the head of his erection resting against the quivering opening, a hand still gripping the yellow tresses, as he waited for Glorfindel to either consent or demand to be let up.

Moments crawled by, both Elves panting and straining against each other, and then it happened.

Glorfindel relented.

The tension left the Elda 's body and he pressed back slightly against Erestor's erection. "Good boy," Erestor breathed, and then thrust forward brutally, sheathing himself inside Glorfindel in one smooth movement. Glorfindel gave a strangled cry as he was possessed, but Erestor ignored it. He pulled his hand from Glorfindel's hair and clasped the Elda 's hips tightly in his hands. He rocked within the tight, velvet confines of his lover's body; his touch softened as Glorfindel spread his legs further, inviting Erestor to take him more fully.

Erestor sat back, pulling Glorfindel with him so that the Elda was on his hands and knees. He drew the thrusts out, becoming tender and gentle with the golden Elf. His slid his hand around Glorfindel's hip, seeking the Elda's shaft, and was relieved to find his lover hard, mewing quietly when Erestor gripped the sticky length. "You are so beautiful, pen- vara," Erestor panted, bending over Glorfindel's long, smooth back, dropping kisses to any flesh he could reach.

He heard a sigh escape the now immobile form beneath him. Erestor stopped moving, his member deeply embedded in the Elda' passage, as he contemplated the Elf before him. The erection in his hand began to soften, and Erestor bit back bitter tears.

Glorfindel only desired to be abused.

Anger boiled in him and his hand clenched reflexively, his nails digging into the skin of Glorfindel's hip. He wanted to reach out and throttle the placid Elf, wanted to shake him and make him explain *why* Erestor had to hurt him. Frustration and hurt made it difficult for Erestor to breathe, and it was only when Glorfindel mewed in pain that the Noldo came back to himself. He looked down at his hand and saw little rivulets of crimson running from the deep crescent wounds on the Elda 's hip.

The cock in his hand pulsed with need, and Erestor's sight went red.

He pulled his length almost completely out, the bulbous head gripped tightly by the vise-like ring of muscle, and then he viciously thrust forward, slamming his hips against Glorfindel's rounded backside. A tremor rippled through his lover and a low, wanton moan filled the room.

Glorfindel met him thrust for thrust, and Erestor continued to ruthlessly cleave the blond. Erestor felt they were like rutting animals, their sounds guttural and desperate, their movements harsh and angry. In a sudden fit of suffocating fury, Erestor dragged the nails of his free hand down the center of Glorfindel's abused back, leaving deep red marks in his wake.

It was then that Glorfindel's seed erupted explosively, the Elda bucking against his lover and pulling Erestor with him into release. They panted in unison, their hearts racing, and Erestor draped himself over Glorfindel's back. Anger still simmered close to the surface and he again took hold of Glorfindel's hair.

"Tell me you love me, Glorfindel," he demanded in a low, dangerous voice.

"I love you," Glorfindel parroted back immediately, his eyes closed and his chest heaving.

Erestor's dark eyes swam with tears of defeat. He extricated himself from Glorfindel's drooping body, and watched dispassionately as Glorfindel collapsed against his pillow, quickly falling into deep reverie.

The room felt stifling and he sniffed, fighting back a sob. He gazed at the sleeping form, his chin trembling. "Do you really even love me anymore, Glorfindel?" he whispered, his voice breaking as he began to silently weep.

TBC...