The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 135

Elrond silently stood naked in the middle of his small tent gently pouring warm water over himself in attempt at ridding his body of the grime and blood of battle. The elf lord knew that the water without soap would do little to truly cleanse him but on the field of battle such luxuries as a bath were unheard of. For a true soaking he would have to wait until they returned to Imladris and that would only be when the injured were fit enough to be moved. With his eyes closed and his head tilted towards the small lantern hovering above him Elrond slowly poured what was left of the warm bowl of water over his head letting it trickle down his body like the waterfalls back in his beloved home.

Having taken some time to check on the injured scattered about the camp Elrond had tried to find some rest in the quiet of the trees before the inevitable meeting at dinner. As much as he had tried though Elrond hadn’t found the peace in his mind to truly relax. So many things plagued him, from the ache in his bones to the constant thoughts of Legolas and Glorfindel. There was still so much to be worked through and despite their victory over the orcs Elrond saw no peace and resolution in the uncertainty of his future. For the first time in millennia Elrond was beginning to feel every bit of his 3835 years of age.

Sighing heavily as the last of the water droplets fell from his body Elrond leant stiffly against the supporting pole in the center of his tent. He felt exhausted and fragile, his pale skin now littered with red cuts and, purple and green bruises. Closing his eyes against the sight of his own body Elrond began to see the images of Gil-Galad body instead of his own. The high king after battle had always taken his steward to his bed, as if to reaffirm his victories, and quell the aches of defeat. Elrond had done so willingly, participating in the ritual like it was an honour bestowed to only the worthy. Elrond remembered the sight of his king after battle, the reddened cuts and wounds that still bled and the bruises and dirt left behind after so many days of brutal fighting. Trying to caress away the pain Elrond had lovingly tended each marred inch of skin upon his king as they’d made love. With the camp in uproar around them they’d create a desperate passion, their cries mingling undistinguishably with the cries of the wounded. Yet millennia had passed as had the great king and now in the dim darkness of his cold damp tent Elrond could only see himself battered and bruised in Gil-Galad’s place.

So lost in his thoughts Elrond didn’t even hear the gentle flap of the tent as Erestor slowly slipped inside. From outside Erestor had watched his lover’s shadows on the tent wall, feeling every inch of his lover’s pain with the stiff movement and staggered breathing. Even if the elvan lord refused to admit it Erestor knew his lover was suffering. Such a great responsibility had been placed upon the shoulders of one elf and the guilt at having argued with his lover about just such responsibility before the battle made Erestor feel ill to the stomach. Seeing that Elrond had not noticed his entrance Erestor slowly stepped up in front of Elrond and gently cupped his lover’s wet cheek as not to startle him. A little shocked to feel the contact on his skin Elrond inhaled sharply his eyes snapping back to clarity as he focused on his intruder. His defensive gaze quickly melted as he stared into the familiar green eyes of his lover.

“You look tired my love, perhaps it is best to postpone this evening meeting.” Erestor slowly caressed his fingers across Elrond’s cheek watching in sympathy as Elrond sighed heavily and nuzzled into the touch.

“No it will not do to put off such important matters. I must know what Lord Celeborn has sacrificed to bring about such alliances between Lorien and Mirkwood.” Elrond pulled slowly away from Erestor’s palm and turned to take his clothes from where they lay neatly in a pile on top of the cushions. When the elvan lord attempted to bend down to pick them up however a hiss of pain shot from between his lips his back painfully bruised from the blow of a wooden handled axe. Seeing his lovers pain Erestor quickly went to Elrond’s aid, slowly helping Elrond to sit amongst the pillows before wrapping a blanket about his shoulders. Unable to hide his pain and distress Elrond allowed himself to be manhandled into Erestor’s lap where the advisor began a soothing massage of his lord’s back. “I feel old Erestor.” Elrond whispered softly in Quenya against Erestor’s neck, the familiar smell of his lover soothing his aching soul.

“You and I are both too old for battles like this my love.” Erestor pressed soft butterfly kisses upon Elrond’s exposed shoulders as the lorzzlezzled like an elfling into his lover’s neck. “We have served our time and fate is now in the hands of a new generation.” Erestor slowly began stroking the multitude of knots from Elrond’s long dark hair as gently as he could. Elrond closed his eyes at the caress focusing on the feel of Erestor’s body pressed against his own rathern thn the images of war that filled his mind. For a long time the pair merely sat in silence Erestor gently caressing his lovers hair while Elrond sought strength from his mates touch. After a particularly long moment of nothing Elrond finally broke the silence remembering about Glorfindel.

“How is Glorfindel?” Finding his voice now raspy and dry Elrond weakly accepted the small flask of water Erestor passed to him.

“He is better although still extremely ill. His fever seems to have broken and Filgree is currently sitting with him feeding him some broth.” Elrond sighed heavily and nodded taking comfort for the small mercy of Glorfindel’s increasing good health.

“And yourself my love how do you fare?” Erestor nuzzled appreciatively into Elrond’s neck as his lover drew his injured hand around his shoulder so that he could inspect the bandage that was protecting the wound he had sustained.

“Tired and weary but remarkably unharmed. My hand still pains me when I think about it and it is strange to look down and see a space but apart from that I am fine. Filgree has lived almost two years now with two missing fingers I am sure I can survive with one gone.” Again Elrond nodded understandingly before tilting his head backwards over his shoulder to gently capture Erestor’s lips with his own. The kiss was soft, gentle and undemanding Elrond taking delight in tasting Erestor’s lips for the first time since the battle had ended. In war there was no room for tender moments and it was only now in the meagre privacy of the canvas hut that they could afford a moment together. The kiss came to a lengthy end Elrond’s eyes fluttering open to smile lovingly up into Erestor’s own gaze. It was a tender moment words not needed in the expression of love they shared but the privacy they had enjoyed came abruptly to and end as the flaps to the hut opened and Lord Celeborn stuck his head into the tent.

“While I am loathed to interrupt you both Thranduil is getting irritated at being kept waiting and your meals are getting cold.” Celeborn looked apologetically at the couple who both sighed heavily before slowly disengaging themselves from one another, Elrond careful to keep the blanket wrapped around his naked frame as Erestor joined Celeborn at the entrance to the tent.

“Take your time dressing I will make your excuses to Thranduil, and keep your meal warm until you join us.” Elrond nodded his thanks to Erestor who gently pressed a chaste kiss to his lips before following Celeborn from the tent leaving Imaldris’ lord alone to dress in peace. It would be a long evening of talks and while Elrond struggled to find even the strength to dress himself he knew he would have to stick it out until the last words had been spoken. Whatever sacrifice Lorien had made to Mirkwood would surely be complex and require many discussions, discussions Elrond could not see the end of….

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>