A Gift of Love

Chapter 19
Peace at Home

It is late in the day that Elrohir stirs from his slumber. Ada has brought a soft blanket to us, his purpose to see to Elrohir, to find that he rests at ease. I smiled to him as he wrapped it around his son and bearer of his grandchild. He sat a moment with me looking to the book I read, nodding at the page to which it was turned.

"A sad story,¨ I had said with a sigh.

He agrees with me, how could he not. "It is yet with lessons for us all in its telling, one which has not seen an end to it, though it is less bleak now and there is much joy to be found.¨

I had frowned at his words and now as Elrohir blinks up to me, I recall them and wonder at their meaning. I would have pressed my curiosity further had he not been called away. I am distracted in my musings too by my brother, who lays a hand on my arm.

"It is late,¨ he observes, "I have slept overly long and given you no rest.¨

"I will sleep later, it was too inviting a sight to miss you in peaceful slumber, we have had so little of it of late. "

His fingers run over my arm. "There has been so little of many things.¨

"You wish me rest, "I laugh at my beautiful brother, all the while knowing I will succumb to whatever temptation he presents to me.

Still lying on my lap he turns his head, nuzzling at my groin under the cover of the blanket. I clench at the grass by my hand. I gasp at his boldness. Here in the garden we are secluded from the bustle of the comings and goings of the populous of Imladris but it is still a risk that some may stumble on us.

"Elrohir,¨ I hiss, :have you taken leave of all propriety.¨ I gasp as I feel his teeth rake over my hardening flesh.

"Elrohir,¨ I try again, my hips flexing against my better judgment. "If someone comes....¨

In reply his hand slips along my thigh. I try to stifle my moan at this.

"Elrohir...please, let us go to our rooms at least...¨

My playful brother peeks out from under the blanket to smile.

"If we must brother.¨ The palm of his hand pressing to my responding body as he moves to sit. He casts a flirtive look around before his arm goes around my shoulders, turning me to face him in a blinding kiss. I forget that we can be seen to curl my arm around him to return the kiss in equal intensity. Our tongues intertwine as our lips press to each other.

"Come then,¨ he urges as we part.

I shake my head at him with a rueful smile. He is always the more adventurous than I, even as young elflings it would be Elrohir who instigated many a venture, though this has surprised me a little.

"Need you,¨ he whispers hotly in my ear, his tongue dipping into the ridge, nipping at the point.

After what has gone before, I hunger for him as my body throbs to a music that only Elrohir and I hear.

Once safe in our rooms, my brother wastes little time divesting me of my clothing, hurriedly removing his own. He stands before me, his leggings have released his solid flesh. I moan at the sight of him, hard and erect, waiting for me. I advance on him, for a short while the predator, before he takes my hand leading me to the bed.

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I cannot explain why. Not to Elladan, not to myself. Though it is now open knowledge what was once what we presumed secret, I am not so accustomed to it that I would demonstrate our love to others. Even now we barely touch when others are present, the subtle touching of hands when Ada made our announcement the closest we have come to any display of more than brotherly affection. That I felt the need to show my brother more than this is a puzzle. Still it equally cannot be said that I did not thrill to it.

Now as I stand before him, as he uncurls on the bed, stretching out, running his hands over his body in a display that cannot fail to move me, my gaze rests on his eyes. They watch me, trailing over my own body. What I see has not changed from the first time we came to each other in a lover¡¦s embrace. Perhaps that is what I am yearning to see. That his love has not changed despite what I feel within myself. That he can still be seduced by what he sees in me. His eyes catch mine and I see them dark, he holds out his hand and I take it in mine as he guides me to the bed.

"Nothing has changed, Elrohir,¨ he says, again sensing my inner unvoiced thoughts, "I desire you more with each passing day, that will not change. I love you.¨ He nods to me. "Come, I would have you love me.¨

I need no more than those words. His hand loosens its grip on mine to stroke his thumb over the weeping head of my aching erection. I move closer to him as he leans to me, his tongue replacing his thumb, curled fingers caress the hard sacs, kneading them gently, sending shivers to every nerve in my body.

"Love me Elrohir,¨ he asks as he lets me slip from his warm mouth.

"Yes,¨ I whisper, moving to kneel between his parted legs. His lifts his buttocks to me in a blatant display of want. My hand runs over his thigh reaching high to part his firm buttocks, a finger piercing into him. He moans at the penetration pressing back to drive me further. His hand is over me once more as his body writhes. I withdraw, he moves to press again to me and it is I who gasps as he pushes me in whole.

There is little that can compare with the tightness that engulfs me as I move inside my brother. He holds to me as if I were elusive and planned an escape to leave him bereft. I could consider no such thing, but it is heartening that he cleaves to me so. I welcome each mark placed upon me, I want to be wholly his.

"You are, as I am yours,¨ he whispers as my lips meet his. We kiss, gentle, tender, then fiercer and stronger as our passion rules our actions. He meets thrust with thrust as we tumble together in bliss.

We lay listening to the beat of each other's heart. His head on my chest, my hand laid across his chest. I kiss him lightly as his breathes steadily now. He places his hand on my stomach, softly stroking. There is little to feel, a slight curve only that is not to be noticed. How different it will be months from now we do not know.

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The light of the day greets us when we awake. We have shifted positions little in the night, my hand rests still on Elrohir's stomach. My dreams are strangely quiet, filled only with recollections of the love I hold for my brother and the steady beating of his heart.

We rise to bathe and dress. We will not delay the morning meal a second time. Our punctuality is noted by all with smiles. It is suggested that our time be spent reviewing the lands within our borders as they sorely need a eye to them. It may be that Ada wants to keep us, especially Elrohir close to hand and yet have it seem that we are active. In this I do not care for the reasons, it is sufficient that we will stay awhile close by to rest our weary spirits. I know it will be too soon that chance will have us ride again. And that fate will have me ride alone. I would delay such an event. I do not relish the time when I would leave my brother behind and ride through the gates alone. Yet I know my duty as does Elrohir and we will serve it. I am happy that there will be a way for him also. I would not have him feel he is apart from our fight.

The meal concludes and we stand to leave, bowing to Ada as we go. He will arrange for us to leave for the day, seeing to the food and horses. We return to our rooms, needing to redress.

The day is uneventful as we expect it to be. Elrohir makes notes on what he sees. I can only smile at the way he comes to this duty. I can see his mind fill with ways and means. While we will not be joyous at our parting, there will be much to occupy him. I am grateful not only to Ada but to Glorfindel and Erestor too who have seen to this.

I am non too subtle as I steer our path towards the river. I would that we sit and watch the water in its endless journey. I have long been drawn to the crystal shimmer. The cascades, the rainbows, the power of the river as it flows. It gives a continuity to life, a link to the past and to the future. Ages past have watched as we will, the river unchanging in its course heedless to the affairs of elves, wizards and men. I would that we would return again to the place that conceived our child and will urge that we trek in that direction another day. For now I am content to sit beside my brother, eat and drink what has been prepared for us.

And that we do, the horses loose to roam along the green banks while Elrohir arranges the blanket. The river is none too fast nor deep here in the sheltered reaches and the day is warm. We had oft been here as elfings, delighting in a day absent from tutors and books. I smile as we lay the food out between us, recalling those carefree days. We laugh and eat and drink, hold each other. I delight now our carefree endeavours, so far removed from where we found ourselves not a week past. There is no hesitation when Elrohir suggests we swim.

For many a month a river meant a chance to swipe away the grime of the road, wash the stains from our skin and clothing, not for so long has the water meant a chance to play within its cool waters. Not since the day we conceived life between us have we entered the water with no thought of battle or wariness to our surroundings.

Elrohir dives under the water to resurface behind me, arms wrapping around me. I lean back into his embrace. There are no words to tell him how happy he makes me so I utter none as I slowly turn to face him.

"It is good to get away, to have this time to ourselves with no worry,¨ he smiles curtailing any response for the moment with a kiss.

Already I feel him relax in the water as the kiss ends and he swims away, laughing over his shoulder for me to follow. We play on the surface and under the water, our dark hair streaming behind us, Elrohir¡¦s long slender body gliding effortlessly through the water. We catch each other, embrace, then swim to the bank to dry in the still warm air.

I lie cradled in his arms as he ceases our reminisces, turning his thoughts to the future. He speaks of the child and practical matters as his is want. I know he has planned this as he has so many o our campaigns and I do not seek to argue with him. So what is to be done to accommodate the new life we foster begins. We alternate laughter and banter, with more pressing matters spoke softly in serious tones. There will be much to be seen to, from simply were the child will sleep, how it is to be fed and who is to sleep. We have had little contact with elflings since we were, yet we have heard tales aplenty of elves and men who have embarked on parenthood to be aware of its hazards. Elrohir laughs at the use of my word, yet some of what we have heard and what we remember witnessing first hand has caused tremors in the strongest of warriors. And beneath it all is the fear of that we cannot protect this child from all this world is no matter what we may do. We continue our planning until the hour grows late and our return will be expected.

Our ride home is peaceful as we stay close to each other, hands linked. I feel refreshed even after this one day. My heart lighter that Elrohir still rides with me to partake of this, that he is well. I glance to him as we enter the courtyard, he had not released my hand and does not until forced by dismounting. As I dismount, I look to the one who gathers our horses. He nods with a smile to me as I recognize his face, then disappears as we are hailed by Ada who greets us on the steps, calling us to the evening meal.

I walk behind Elrohir up the steps, turning to watch the figure lead the horses away. For a moment he turns back to me, our eyes regarding the other. I bow my head to him as he does likewise.

The meal conversation concerns the outposts we inspected and what will be needing to be done, and what else remains undone for us. It seems Ada is determined to keep us close for some time.

With a stifled yawn Elrohir gives notice that he is to seek his bed for the night. I ask for leave also, leaving Ada to debate with Glorfindel on matters that do not concern my brother and I.

We bathe each other, brush through long tresses as we lie in the warm fragranced water. I rest against my brother¡¦s chest, his arms draped over mine. Such peace exists between us in this silence where I hear only his heart beat. As the water cools we rise to our bed. Elrohir slips into the cool sheets, beckoning me to him. He curls into my arms and we both soon sleep.

Our days proceed in a slow pattern for there is no need for haste. We read, stroll in the gardens, ride further to exercise both the horses and ourselves and to obstensively inspect the border patrols. We take advantage of any time we have alone to enjoy the solitary company of each other. For hours we sit by the waterfall, watching, laughing, talking and planning. And loving as we had done that wonderous day. It is an ideal that shuns the world beyond our borders. But an ideal that cannot last. We have been blessed with these months, they will sustain me through the weeks that are to come.