Midsummer Heat

Title: Midsummer Heat (14/?)
Rating: NC-17
Type: FPS Erestor/Glorfindel, and Elrond/Thranduil
Author: jenolas

Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.

Summary: It’s Midsummer and Glorfindel and Erestor are in a particularly ‘frisky’ mood and learn something of great interest about Elrond.

Chapter14/?

Twilight descended all too soon on the lovers in the glade, and displaying a little more discretion than earlier as well as some much needed haste, Elrond and Thranduil returned separately to their chambers to bathe and dress for the banquet that was to be held in honour of the guests from Lothlorien.

Satisfied with his appearance, Elrond walked the short distance to his lover’s chamber and entered without knocking, finding Thranduil seated before a mirror combing the tangles from his still damp hair.

“Let me do that,” Elrond offered as he took the comb Thranduil willingly handed him and expertly ran it through the golden hair until it shone like spun gold. Looking into the mirror, he smiled at the pleasure he could see his touch brought his lover as he moved the soft tresses away from his neck and kissed the tender skin.

“Please…do not stop," Thranduil moaned as he tilted his head to one side to allow better access.

“The bell announcing the evening meal will toll in a few minutes, but there will be time for more when we return here later tonight,” a whisper in his ear promised as the soft lips caressed the sensitive tip. Elrond turned his attention back to braiding his lover’s hair in the same style he had done after the first time they had made love.

“Did I ever tell you that Adar thought this manner of braiding suited me well," Thranduil enquired, sharing a smile with Elrond at the irony of Oropher unknowingly approving of a symbol of his son’s forbidden love.

“Nay you did not, and all the time we were together at Dagorlad I thought you wore your hair thus because it pleased me, not your Adar,” Elrond teased, earning himself a long lingering kiss of apology for his feigned hurt feelings that was interrupted before it could go further by a knock on the door. Quickly breaking apart, the two lovers exchanged a worried glance, wondering who the unexpected visitor might be.

“Enter,” Thranduil called warily, smiling with relief when Glorfindel and Erestor stepped into the chamber.

“Ai, Elrond, we were hoping to find you here as well. I am afraid a slight problem has arisen," Erestor said coming straight to the point as was his wont in matters of importance.

“What kind of problem?” Elrond asked, likewise adopting his persona as the Lord of Imladris.

“A matter of indiscretion on the part of two who claim they wish to keep their relationship secret,” Glorfindel said, looking pointedly from Elrond to Thranduil. “Apparently several of the kitchen staff saw you two walking hand in hand into the woods and the current gossip is, as you can imagine, that you and Thranduil are much more than just friends,” he added with a meaningful wink at his lord.

“I trust you did your best to defend your lord’s honour and dispel these rumours, true though they are?” Elrond enquired knowing that was exactly what his loyal seneschal would have done.

“Aye, I merely suggested that perhaps it was the way of the elves of the woodland realms to display friendship in such a manner. This was accepted by those I spoke to who have also seen Haldir and Perion walking hand in hand on several occasions,” Glorfindel replied.

“I do not think it wise to compare us to the march warden and my Steward, who have become bed partners, if not lovers,” Thranduil protested.

“Apparently it is not a notion that is readily believed, although the reason why it could not be so escapes me,” Glorfindel replied with a shrug. The seneschal thought the two were well matched, and had told Galadriel so when she asked his opinion. The lady was very protective of those dear to her, and although Haldir was not a kinsman, she and Celeborn thought of him and his brothers almost as sons.

“Be that as it may, unless you wish to make an official announcement at the banquet, I suggest you take extra care in your behaviour towards one another this evening. All eyes will undoubtedly be regarding you both with suspicion so I have changed the seating arrangements. Thranduil will be seated between Glorfindel and me, with Elrond, Galadriel and Celeborn at the head of the table.” Erestor said in all seriousness and sounding like an adar disciplining his sons to Glorfindel, whose snicker of amusement was silenced by the quelling glare from his lover.

“Please be serious, Glorfindel,” Erestor asked, shaking his head in disdain at his lover’s carefree attitude.

“I am sorry, my beloved advisor. I know this is a serious matter, but you have to admit that you never thought the day would come when you were forced to reprimand both our lord and the king from another realm,” the seneschal replied.

“Nay, I suppose not,” Erestor had to agree, the smile in his eyes showing he also saw the humour in the situation.

“I thank you for your concern, Erestor, but Elrond and I are well accustomed to behaving in an appropriate manner in public,” Thranduil said with a distinct lack of enthusiasm for having to do so at present.

“Aye, we know where our duty lies. The arrangement is satisfactory,” Elrond agreed with a sigh of resignation.

“Excellent, then you will also have no objection to allowing Glorfindel and me to accompany Thranduil to the hall while you escort Galadriel and Celeborn as courtesy demands,” Erestor said to Elrond.

“Of course not,” Elrond replied after seeking a nod of approval from his lover who well understood the protocol of dealing with distinguished guests.

“Come, my love, there are still a few minutes left before we are required in the dining hall, and I am certain Elrond and Thranduil can find a use for them. I know I can,” Glorfindel said with a suggestive wink at his lover who did not fail to take the less than subtle hint.

“Aye, if you two will excuse us, we will see you shortly,” Erestor said as he took his lover’s hand and followed him from the chamber.

“Surely they have not time for anything other than a kiss or two?” Thranduil asked on seeing the glance that passed between two pairs of eyes glittering with desire.

“I would not be willing to wager on that,” Elrond replied as he moved to take his lover in his arms. “As I recall, there were several instances when we found the few minutes before battle sufficient for sexual gratification.”

“Aye, but as pleasurable as those times were, I find that the union of all that we are as we make love to be far more satisfying,” Thranduil admitted as he bent to press his lips against those eagerly awaiting his touch.

“As do I,” Elrond replied when the sound of the dinner bell intruded on their kiss. “Shall we interrupt your escorts? The sooner we attend to our duties the sooner we will be released to take our pleasure.”

To their astonishment, Glorfindel and Erestor were not in the throes of passion, and in fact were not even involved in a kiss when Elrond and Thranduil stepped into the passageway. Instead they were standing before an open window, the seneschal’s arms wrapped around the waist of the advisor who stood in front of him, Glorfindel’s chin resting on Erestor’s head as the advisor leaned his cheek against his lover’s shoulder. Neither spoke, but there was no doubt to the onlookers that there was a silent exchange of love between the two when Glorfindel captured his lover’s lips in a brief but passionate kiss.


****************

Their arrival at the dining hall was greeted with nothing more than a few eyebrows raised in surprise as Thranduil and Elrond took their separate places at the table with barely a glance at each other. The king was well at ease with his companions, and was soon enjoying his wine and laughing merrily at Glorfindel’s outrageous and often ‘colourful’ tales of elves from ages past.

“This is an excellent vintage,” he commented as Erestor refilled the empty goblets.

“Aye, ‘tis Glorfindel’s favourite, the one you heard him partaking of in the cellar this afternoon,” the advisor stated. There was no accusation in his manner, merely a nonchalant statement of fact that caused Thranduil to almost choke on his wine.

“Partaking of the wine, or you?” Thranduil teased when he stopped spluttering.

“Both. Erestor’s unique taste adds a very nice flavour to this particular wine,” Glorfindel answered, giving a little more information than the advisor intended to impart.

“Perhaps you and Elrond should attempt another tour of the cellar tomorrow. Glorfindel will be away on patrol so I will take charge of the preparations for the evening, leaving Elrond free to indulge in whatever takes his fancy,” Erestor said, smiling at the gleam of delight in Thranduil’s eyes that anticipation of a day alone with Elrond elicited. Glorfindel noted the sadness tinging Erestor’s voice at the knowledge that he would be bereft of his own lover’s company for most of the day.

“I will be gone only as long as it takes to deliver the customary wine and festive food to my warriors so they may enjoy the Midsummer celebrations with us tomorrow night. That is at least as far as feasting is concerned. The other kind of celebration I have planned is for you and me alone, my beloved Erestor,” Glorfindel promised as he stood and offered his arms to his lover who willingly accepted the embrace, and the sweet kiss that followed.

“The light of love shines strong and bright in those two,” Galadriel commented as, like everyone else in the dining hall, she watched the lovers kiss.

“Aye ‘tis indeed a beautiful sight to behold whenever they are together,” Elrond agreed, trying not to let his envy show. He was far more accustomed to seeing such a display, but he knew deep in his heart that his love for Thranduil would shine just as strong and bright, if only he could set it free.

“As it is with all lovers, whether they love openly or in secret,” Celeborn commented, startling Elrond by voicing words that were almost the same as his unspoken thought. “Do you not agree, my love?” the Lord of Lothlorien asked his wife as he lifted Galadriel’s hand and tenderly kissed her fingers.

“Indeed, and Midsummer is the perfect time to reaffirm, or proclaim one’s love for another,” Galadriel said, her eyes never leaving Elrond’s face as she spoke. She nodded to herself when she saw the shadow of discomfort veil the bright grey eyes. Neither he nor Thranduil had dared to believe that the lord and lady were aware of the love he and Celeborn’s kinsman shared, but apparently they had been mistaken.

Elrond decided needed to speak with Thranduil as soon as possible and warn him of his suspicions. However, it was not until they retired to the Hall of Fire for the evening’s entertainment that the chance for a private conversation arose. Elrond noted that Erestor and Glorfindel exchanged a few words then moved to one of the alcoves near the musicians and wondered what mischief they were planning. Seeing two pairs of eyes already darkened with desire, he decided he would rather not know, and went in search of Thranduil.

**************

Oblivious to all others around them, Erestor and Glorfindel were sharing an armchair with the advisor sitting in his lover’s lap, his head resting on Glorfindel’s shoulder as they listened to Lindir sing.

To the eyes of all they were merely enjoying a close embrace, but none would have guessed just how close, for none could see the subtle movements of Erestor’s hand as he reached between the space that separated his and Glorfindel’s bodies.

“Now I know why you insisted I wear nothing under my robes,” Glorfindel said, drawing in a sharp breath as Erestor’s hand snaked inside his robes and sharply tweaked a nipple.

“Are you enjoying the risk we are taking?” Erestor asked, having recently read that the possibility of being discovered enhanced the pleasure of lovemaking. Glorfindel had eagerly agreed to participate, and so they had chosen the Hall of Fire for their experiment.

“Aye, …ah…yes…do that again…” Glorfindel begged as he felt Erestor shift his weight slightly, rubbing his hip against the hardening bulge that was rising between them. Erestor complied, adding a sweet kiss to his ministrations, ever mindful to make it appear to any stray eyes that they were involved in nothing more than an embrace.

“Spread your legs a little further apart, Glorfindel,” Erestor whispered into his lover’s ear, as he undid a few of the buttons on the front of his lover’s robe and reached inside to touch the silky hardness of heated flesh.

“Ai, Erestor your touch is pure torture,” Glorfindel moaned, muffling his needful sounds by sucking on the tender flesh of his lover’s exposed neck.

“Shall I continue or shall we find somewhere more private?” Erestor asked as he kissed the already swollen lips to prevent another groan of desire from escaping as he trailed a fingernail lightly around the weeping slit.

“Here… now… harder,” Glorfindel panted as he tried desperately to avoid thrusting into the warm hand in an action that would give them away. Erestor turned in his lover’s arms so that his back hid them from view and began to rapidly stroke the steel rod in his hand. Covering Glorfindel’s lips with his own, he teased his mouth with his tongue as his relentless attack continued until he felt his lover’s body tense momentarily before he was wracked with a shuddering release.

Glorfindel’s eyes widened with surprise as he realised it was not only his cry of ecstasy that was silenced by their lips, but Erestor’s also.

“But I did not even touch you,” he said as his eyes silently sought an explanation.

“You did not need to, just the feel of you in my hand, of your body responding so passionately to my touch was enough to undo me,” Erestor replied as he rested his head on his lover’s shoulder once more. “I love you, my Glorfindel.”

“And I love you, my sweet Erestor. I have to leave in a few hours, so let us spend the rest of the night in the comfort of our bed,” Glorfindel said as he stood and offered his arm to his lover.

***************

Thranduil had been left to seek his own entertainment and had just happily settled beside Elrond to watch the merrymakers dancing when they were beckoned by the wave of a hand and a smile from Galadriel. With a shrug of disappointment for having to share his lover’s company with others, he and Elrond accepted the invitation to join the lord and lady at the table on the dais.

The warriors of old soon became involved in a discussion of the changing weaponry and fighting techniques that were unique to each realm that lasted until Galadriel finally begged a dance from her husband, leaving Elrond and Thranduil alone.

With the skill acquired after many years of dealing with receiving unpleasant information, the king schooled his features to reflect only mild interest as he listened to Elrond’s concerns

“I agree they know, and likely have done since we first lay together beneath their trees, but for reasons neither of can possibly imagine, they are keeping their own counsel,” Thranduil said as he sipped his wine and smiled as if hearing some pleasantry or other.

“I fear that the day fast approaches when all will be revealed,” Elrond said.

“You are worried what our children will say or think, that they will somehow be hurt to discover we are lovers, but I am beginning to believe that we risk doing more harm by keeping the truth locked away. They are adults now, and will surely understand, if not accept, our relationship.”

“Indeed ‘tis always best to speak the truth,” said a soft feminine voice, startling them both as Galadriel and Celeborn joined them.