Songs of the Spirit

A/N: I apologize for the lateness…life caught up with me. I hope the next chapter will be postable sooner, although I’m starting school next week after a five year hiatus, and working full time… I deeply apologize ahead of time for any lateness in posting!!!
Oh, and I really hated this chapter, but am posting it anyways. Forgive me if it sucks!

Chapter Fourteen

Lindir woke the next morning, his arms and legs entwined with the slender advisor’s, and a contented smile upon his face. The events of the day before almost seemed a distant memory although he knew it wasn’t likely to stay that way. The past still held its grip upon the present, and there was still much to be resolved.

The room seemed dark for dawn until he realized the rain had returned; the sky dark and heavy with clouds. The soft pattering sound of the rain gently falling was soothing to the senses, and seemed to beckon him back to sleep and the soft dreams that waited there. Yet instead he shifted, lifting his head slightly that he might look upon Erestor’s sleeping face. The dark eyes were half closed in reverie, his face lax with just a hint of a smile upon those gentle lips. His black hair was quite disheveled, spread across the pillow and down the sheets, at times mingling with his own silvery white locks. Humming a simple melody just under his breath, Lindir lifted a hand to trace a finger along one of the pale cheekbones and down the angular chin. As he watched Erestor’s eyes slowly regained focus, the face contorting slightly and a yawn parting those tempting lips further.

Lindir couldn’t help himself, and when the exhalation had finished he leaned in to devour those lips in an early morning kiss, drawing Erestor even closer to his body. The darker elf made a tiny sound of surprise before melting into the unexpected embrace.

“Good morning,” Lindir smiled when he finally broke away, and was rewarded by a breathless smile in return.

“It certainly is,” Erestor replied. He couldn’t imagine anything better than waking like this, curled up within the arms of his love, being kissed into full alertness.

“What are your plans for this day,” Lindir asked, shifting to rest his head against Erestor’s chest. He felt a hand move up to stroke his hair, and he closed his eyes.

“While I would like nothing better than to stay here with you, I still have work that needs to be done. Unfortunately with my hand…” He lifted the injured appendage which throbbed painfully, although not nearly as it had the day before. The bones were already knitting. “Some tasks will take longer than others.”

“I hope we didn’t jostle it too badly last night,” Lindir said. They had tried to be careful, keeping the hand away from harm, but accidents were prone to happen when the senses were dampened by emotion and sex.

“It is fine. And I am certain I can persuade Melpomean or one of the others to assist me. Why? Did you have any plans?”

“Not really,” Lindir replied with a smile, turning his face to press soft kisses along Erestor’s shoulder and upper chest.

Erestor chuckled softly. “You are certainly affectionate in the morning.” Truth be told, this was the first morning Lindir had woken before the advisor. Usually by the time the bard rose from bed, Erestor was long to work. The darker elf was known for being an early riser, while Lindir preferred to sleep in late since his evenings were usually occupied with playing and performing for others.

“I can be,” Lindir grinned, and then moved lower to lap at one of the tightening nipples, causing Erestor to release a shuddering sigh in response.

“I may have to adjust my plans…” the dark elf murmured, arching his chest slightly to encourage Lindir’s talented lips. His words turned into a soft cry of pleasure as the bard gently bit down upon the erect nub, rolling it between his teeth and sending ripples of pleasure shooting through Erestor’s body towards his groin. Then the silvery head lifted, and the smile turned teasing.

“But what shall Imladris and Elrond do without you?” Lindir made to rise from the bed. “No, I believe you need to see to your duties…”

Erestor gasped in surprise at the sudden loss of sensation, and then growled under his breath. “I do not think so!”

Using one hand and the force of his body he grasped the retreating bard and flipped him down onto the bed. Straddling the shocked elf, he continued, “I believe Lord Elrond can wait a little while longer.” He leaned in closer. “Did anyone tell you that it is not nice to tease?”

Lindir was shocked by the unexpected move, the surprise clear in his eyes. Then the expression turned appreciative. “Did anyone tell you that you are quite strong, even with an injured hand?” he countered, leaning up to quickly lick the tip of the Erestor’s nose.

The darker elf pulled his head back momentarily, surprised at the action. Then with a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth, he lowered himself down to playfully nibble on Lindir’s lower lip before capturing them once more. As their hunger grew their mouths became more demanding, and slowly their lips traveled to other sensitive places of worship. Erestor moved to where Lindir’s jaw met his neck, nibbling lightly in such a way that caused the bard’s hands to clench tightly to his upper arms. It was only when Erestor, injured hand momentarily forgotten, began to rest his weight upon it that they found reason to pause.

“Are you alright?” Lindir asked urgently in response to Erestor’s hiss of pain. He looked over his lover, quickly discovering the source of his discomfort.

“Yes. I was merely forgetful,” Erestor responded. He sat up, still straddling Lindir’s hips, bandaged hand once again drawn to his chest.

“Perhaps we should-” Lindir started with a worried frown, but was immediately silenced by a single finger of Erestor’s free hand placed gently across his lips.

“I am fine.” He shifted slightly, the bard’s arousal evident along his thighs, just as his own was plain to see. He wasn’t about to cease now, and was not about to relinquish control either. Even if he might need a bit of help…

He leaned down to once again bury his face into the pale column of Lindir’s neck, nipping and suckling at the sensitive flesh, leaving behind small dark marks upon the pale skin to match the ones evident upon Erestor’s own throat from the night before. Lindir moaned and placed his hands upon his lover’s shoulders, long fingers ghosting over the lean muscles he found there.

The darker elf moved upwards to nip at Lindir’s ear, eliciting a soft gasp of delight from the bard. He continued to manipulate the sensitive flesh with his teeth and tongue before finally whispering, “Reach over and pick up the oil.”

Lindir did as he was told, blindly groping for the bedside table and the small bottle that had been discarded there the night before. After a few fumbling attempts with Erestor still nipping at the soft cartilage of his ear, he finally grasped the bottle and pulled it close.

“Open it,” came a second whisper, and Lindir hurried to follow the directions without spilling the bottle’s contents, gasping and moaning all the while at his dark lover’s ministrations. Rational thought was slowly retreating, and Lindir had no wish to chase after it.

“Now, I wish for you to prepare yourself for me,” Erestor whispered one last time, shifting his hips to bring both their straining erections into contact. Then he slid down Lindir’s body until he was straddling the bard’s thighs.

Lindir hesitated for a moment before his expression turned appreciative. Usually Erestor let him assume control, yet he liked this more aggressive side to the elf. So as his lover watched he lifted himself up onto a single elbow, the open bottle still clenched in one hand. Then he shifted forward, the bottle poised over the head of his heavy arousal, and began to drip its contents along the weeping length. That sensation alone was enough to cause his head to fall back, exposing the sweet length his throat to view. Erestor licked his lips, breath coming faster as he gazed down upon his pale beauty, and the marks of affection evident upon his fair flesh.

Lindir returned the bottle to the table, setting it down carefully before lying back fully and grasping his oil-covered length in a single hand, stroking from head to root and back again. His free hand slipped through the excess oil glistening upon the pale, silky hair at the base of his arousal before lifting to gently pull at one of his taunt nipples. His body twisted beneath his dark lover at the combination of the self stimulation and the knowledge that he was being so hungrily watched. It was a heady sensation, and Lindir found that he enjoyed be watched as he pleasured himself, just as Erestor so obviously enjoyed playing the voyeur as his lover writhed so wantonly beneath him.

Yet Erestor couldn’t remain apart for long, and although he wouldn’t have minded watching the bard achieve completion by his own hand, he had other plans for that oil-slicked shaft. He leaned forwards, licking a path up the center of Lindir’s chest with his tongue, pausing occasionally to kiss and nibble the pale flesh along the way. His free hand grasped the one Lindir had wrapped around his arousal, removing it before sliding his hips up the heated body. Both groaned as their groins met, shafts rubbing together enticingly, but briefly for Erestor kept going until he sat just above the throbbing erection. He bent down to grant Lindir one last kiss before leaning back slightly, reaching around and grasping Lindir’s shaft with his uninjured hand. Then with one smooth move he lifted and proceeded to impale himself. Both elves cried out as Lindir was engulfed to the hilt, ruminants of the previous night’s pleasures easing the way although he was still tight enough to cause a minor discomfort.

Lindir flung his head back, hands dropping to clutch at Erestor’s hips as the dark elf proceeded to ride his body as expertly as any horseman. His eyes opened wide, starting with adulation at his lover’s abandon. Erestor’s own head was tossed back, long black tresses flowing down to pool amongst Lindir’s thighs. His eyes were half slitted, mouth partially open to release soft gasps in complimenting rhythm to the movement of his hips.

Lindir reached out and grabbed Erestor’s erection, spurring him on towards release with nimble fingers. It didn’t take long before he felt his body tighten, and the tingling feeling that was at once both hot and cold began to implode around the center of his being; a center that was currently located where their bodies were fused together. A few more strokes of his lover’s arousal and Erestor came, back arching and insides clenching around Lindir, causing the bard to find his release as well, filling his lover with his seed.

Erestor collapsed forwards, still mindful of his hand, and they held each other like that until their breathing slowed once more. Then Erestor turned to look at his lover, his dark eyes staring deeply into Lindir’s pale blue, searching and then finding the melodious spirit which lay exposed within those expressive orbs. He smiled fully at what he discovered there and could feel Lindir do the same, his smile broadening to encompass all that words never could. He could read laughter there in the bright music that was his lover’s soul, and affection, and even the growing trust which was truly heartening given the circumstances. Yet there was also a deeper melody that reached beyond the bounds of friendship, and Erestor felt his heart swell in response. It was a canorous feeling which words could scarce describe, and he feared to even try.

“What are words but mere vocalizations of what is already so plain to see,” Lindir murmured as though he could read Erestor’s thoughts, his own eyes delving deep into his lover’s soul. A single hand reached out to brush lightly at a stray lock that has started to drift over the fair face.

“Does that mean words are useless?” Erestor countered, leaning into the touch.

“Never! Words are the affirmation when thought is hidden.”

Erestor breathed deeply, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them again. “Then affirm for me, my dear bard, what is it you see?”

“A mystery.”

“A mystery? You speak in riddles.”

“Nay, I speak the truth. I had thought my care for you would surely be greater than yours for me, but now I see that is not true. It is equal in strength.”

“Ah. And is care all you see?”

“No.” Lindir shook his head slightly, and then took a deep breath of his own. “I see something more, but I am afraid to put it into words else my words put my feelings to shame. My blood sings of your graces. The beating of my heart is a melody that extols your virtues. Every breath that leaves my body whispers to join with your very essence. I see a song in your eyes; a beautiful melody that speaks of your soul’s strength. You are a symphony that turns my head towards your light as a flower to the sun. I close my eyes, but can still hear you; feel you pulsing with enchanting rhythms that calls upon my soul to answer, ‘I am here! Oh bless me with your life’s song! I am here!’ He paused a moment before finishing. “I fear that I love you.”

“But this is nothing to fear,” Erestor said, his own heart swelling with the magic of Lindir’s expressions.

“Ah, but I have always feared that love will blind me to betrayal,” he finally murmured after a long pause.

Erestor frowned, and then reached out to caress his love’s cheek. “Do you truly believe that I would betray you?”

There pause was shorter than the last before he answered, but the tone was suddenly fierce. “No. Never! You have changed that.”

Erestor twisted his head slightly, bringing their lips once more into contact. This time the kiss exchanged was one filled with a slow melting heat, as gentle as a midnight lullaby yet as potent as the most heart-wrenching aria.

After a time he rolled away, pressing a last tender kiss upon Lindir’s lips as he did so. Then the bard watched as he disappeared into the bathing chamber to take care of his morning absolutions.

*I love him,* he thought, testing the phrase in his mind. He rolled over onto his back, staring up at the grey wood beams crossing the ceiling above the bed. That thought made him smile, and increased the warm, fluttery feeling within his chest. His mind was now filled with poetry and song. These were feelings he had sung of for years, never knowing their full measure until this moment.

He wasn’t certain how long he lay there before a brief knock on the door caused his brow to furrow, and he rose from the rumpled bed, tossing on a light robe as he did so. He didn’t know who would pay him a visit so early. All knew he tended to be a late riser, so unless someone was looking for Erestor…

He found his cheeks warming slightly. Perhaps he should have hurried Erestor on his way after all.

Opening his door he discovered Lord Elrond on the other side, his face unreadable. “Lord Elrond,” Lindir said, bowing his head slightly.

Elrond glanced around the room, noting the bards hurried appearance and the musky smell that flowed through the room. “I apologize for my interruption, and I hope I didn’t disturb you. I was looking for Erestor.” A brief smile appeared on his face, pleased to sense an apparent reconciliation between the two lovers.

Lindir gestured the half-elf inside. “You were not interrupting. He’s here.” He walked over towards the bathing room when the elf in question emerged, dressed only in his soft breeches from the day before, toweling off his dark hair from his quick bath.

“Good morning, Lord Elrond,” he started, but then paused when he noted the look on Elrond’s face. “Is something amiss?”

“I am afraid so. I just came from the healing quarters. Caerdil was hurt worse than we thought, and I thought to tell you that it is doubtful he will remain with us much longer.”

Erestor swallowed hard. It was both unexpected, and yet what he had hoped for. Caerdil would be removed from his life forever. Yet he couldn’t understand the twinge of sadness and regret over the thought.

“How much longer?” he finally asked, glancing over to Lindir who continued to stand patiently nearby.

“A few days at most, and that is being very hopeful. He could pass at any time, depending upon his will.”

Erestor nodded. “I should… probably go see him then. And Duralmir as well.”

It wasn’t a thought that had come along by chance. After their activities the night before, and after Lindir had fallen into reverie, Erestor had lain awake considering his options. He had found himself reflecting on Duralmir’s words, as well as those spoken by Elrond and Lindir. There was truth in what they said, and in the dark of the night when thoughts sounded their loudest he conceded to the fact that Caerdil may indeed be a different elf now than then one he knew as an elfling. And while he was also aware that such a change made little difference in the feelings he had for the elf – such emotions had been held within for too long to change easily – he knew that the only way to reconcile his past was to speak to Caerdil directly. He needed closure. He needed to finish healing from the taloned grip the past still held upon him. He had acknowledged its existence; now it was time to confront it. This was not a task he looked forwards to; now it seemed there would be no more excuses for putting it off.

Both elves looked at him in shock. Given the matters of the day before, and Erestor’s obvious abhorrence of the elf, it had seemed unlikely that such a meeting would ever take place. Yet Erestor merely bowed his head once before calmly retreating back into the bathing room to put on the rest of his clothing, acting as though his comment was nothing out of the ordinary.

Elrond looked back towards Lindir, who only shrugged in response.

“This is promising.”

“Yes,” Lindir replied, walking the half-elf back towards the door. “We spoke some last evening, and I do believe he spent much of the night in thought.”

Elrond considered the bard’s words before nodding. “It is well. I shall return to the healing quarters to see what I can do.”

“And we shall meet you there,” Lindir replied.

The Lord raised a single brow at that, but said nothing. He believed Lindir’s presence would be helpful, but didn’t wish to push the bard into an uncomfortable situation, not when he had just remerged from one.

Truth be told, the more Lindir had thought on it, the more curious he had became over Duralmir’s presence and the reasoning he provided for Caerdil’s behavior. He couldn’t help but wonder of the motivations behind his own father’s cruelty. Was there some underlying cause for his actions that could be explained, or had he merely been a hostile elf? He knew that there was no way to tell; both parents were dead, no relatives remained on these shores, and there was none he could speak with concerning his father’s own childhood. He had only that single moment of pain and regret the elf had shown his mother upon her death to give evidence to some sort of desperate inner struggle.

He sighed deeply, closing the door behind Elrond. Such musings were futile. He could ponder the life of his father from now ‘til the Valar saw fit to resurrect him from the dead, and no answers would he find. But that didn’t stop his curiosity, and his urge to meet this elf who seemed to care for one so similar to his own father.

“I would return to my rooms first,” Erestor said, returning from the other room more properly dressed, albeit in the same clothes he had worn the day before. He had heard the comment Lindir had made to Elrond, but said nothing. If Lindir wished to come, he would not stop him. “I need to change into fresh clothing.”

“Certainly.” Lindir swept past, planting a swift kiss upon Erestor’s lips as he did so. It was a comfortable gesture, and one he had never done before since he had never before felt so at ease with another. Yet here and now it seemed right, and his love’s immediate response was encouraging. “Let me get ready, and I shall accompany you.”


Review Responses:

Kalima: Wow! Constructive criticism! Cool!
You were right about the syntax error. I never really thought about it that way. Thank you for explaining it so well too… I’ll make an effort to fix it in the future, which probably means fixing it in my speech as well! *grin* I use grammar by how it feels, which was a problem when I worked as an English teacher for a year. I found myself unable to explain a lot of it.
And yes, you are correct, the Adonis comment was out of place. I knew it when I wrote it, but neglected to change it before posting. I feel terrible about that. I find it funny that no one else caught it… ah well. Thank you for doing so. I’ve already changed it on my copy, and will try to change it here as well.
Thank you for your words, and I’m really glad you’re enjoying this story!!

Thalionwen: Thank you so much for the wonderful comments, and I’m so sorry for taking so long! I almost wish I would have quit several chapters back, but such is life, and I must push on!