A Gift of Love

CHAPTER TWO Part one

How it came to be ¡V the Journey there

"No, Elladan, I will brook no discussion on this.¨ Ada was quietly spoken but firm. Both of us recognised the tone and to argue further would yield no change. However my beloved brother persisted.

"Ada, we are not ambassadors, we are soldiers. How often have you said the two do not compatibly exist?¨

Ada handed to me the parchment we were to present. "No discussion, Elladan.¨

I turned to watch Elladan¡'s retreating back, I could describe without seeing the expression on his face. Then I looked to Ada.

"He.....¨ I began, glancing over my shoulder.

"I understand Elrohir, perhaps a little better than he does himself.¨

I held the rolled parchment uncertain if Ada meant to go on. He returned briefly to his other papers before his attention was once again with me.

"The kitchen has some honey cakes,¨ he smiled.

I nodded with a similar smile. Honey cakes had always been Elladan¡¦s favourite from the time we were able to put food into our own mouths. It was the one aspect of us then that could be used to tell us apart. Elladan would be the first to take one and the first to finish. I enjoyed them, and still do, but they are forever associated most strongly with my twin. They have often been used to sweeten some task for him.

"I will fetch them.¨

True to his word Ada had requested the cakes, doubtless he had known in advance the reaction of his first born.

I tapped on the door of my own room. He would be there, waiting for me. Another habit we had acquired early in our lives. When out of sorts with the world it was to the other¡'s room we went. Though in later years there was less of a distinction as to whose rooms were whose for us. Nominally this was the one appointed to me.

"I am here Elrohir,¨ was the curt response as I pushed open the door.

He was staring into the garden arms folded across his chest.

"I am no ambassador, Elrohir, nor will Ada make one of me.¨

"Honey cake?¨ I offered and watched him turn and struggle to maintain his stern expression.

He shook his head ruefully, we know each other too well.

"But he will not cease the attempt will he?¨

I shook my head in reply as I placed the tray on the table.

Elladan pulled the curtains across the wide window. The garden was a private one, high walled, none would dare enter unannounced. Still it was better to exercise caution.

My brother then walked toward me, a picture of grace and elegance, even beyond his elven heritage.

"We ride on the morrow then?¨

"Yes.¨ My mouth was drying, my heart racing as he smiled.

"We had best save some of the cakes then, I doubt they serve such things in Meduseld.¨

I quite forgot the cakes altogether as he curled his arms around me, pressed a heated kiss to my lips and guided me to our bed.

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It had become tradition to attend the birth of the first born. Just when it had begun none could now recall.

We rode early the next day. Ada farewelling us, nodding quietly to Elladan who acknowledged him in return. Accompanying us was a small escort, though Elladan had argued, again unsuccessfully, that it would be better to ride alone. Perhaps Ada guessed his intent and wished us to arrive within a good time, that if we were left to ourselves it may not happen, or perhaps he wished a show of respect to our hosts. His manner gave nothing away.

We kept to the well traveled paths and with others around us, I found my thoughts drifting, no need for the constant surveillance that is necessary when it is just Elladan and I. Occasionally I would glance to my brother, his long hair tied back, so unlike the style he wore last night. Then it was wild about him, as wild as his hands about me as I knelt over him, wild as his moans as I entered the heat of his body. I look at him now, he smiles back at me. He knows what I think on during this long ride. He shuffles atop his horse, an exaggerated pained expression on his face. Tis hardly my fault he bade me drive deep and often, that I find all restraint flies when his eyes darken and he calls my name. He rides close to me, his thigh rubbing against mine, his hand brushing over mine. There will be no intimacy for us this night or into the near future.

"We will find a place to finish the cakes,¨ he whispers and rides ahead of me.

Ah the honey cakes. He had fed them to me after we had made love. After he had caressed my flesh with his nimble fingers, placed his mouth on me, whispered his love as he held me, his lips over me, tongue laving across my skin.

Breaking off small piece by small piece of sweet cake, he had run them over my lips for me to snatch from his fingers, lingering for me to suck them into my mouth and nip gently.

We camped that night under the shadow of the mountains. While the others took their rest we sat as close as we dare watching the stars in the velvet sky. Within a few minutes, confident as we could be that all slept, Elladan rested his head on my shoulder, breathing softly his warm breath on my bare neck. I shivered at the consequence of that, taking hold of his hand and pressing to my groin.

"You test my resolve,¨ he murmured as his finger tips ran along the inside of my thigh.

"You tempt my will.¨

"I love you.¨

"I love you¨

He moved only when we heard the rustle of the change of shift behind us. He rose offering me his hand, holding it longer than was wise, his thumb rubbing over my wrist. We nodded to our replacements and took to our separate beds, laying as we always, facing each other. I slept on the hard ground dreaming of a feather bed and a loving brother.

And so we traveled each day until the settlement of the horse lords of Rohan came within our sight.

We had only once set foot in the Golden Hall, but it had lost none of its power to awe, set as it was atop the high hill, gleaming as it did then and now in the afternoon sun. I remembered the stern king who set before the Lord of Imladris and his heirs, the heir of his own. How many generations of men had passed since that day ?

We stopped and Elladan drew a deep breath before the gates. We had managed to set aside our task as we rode, but there was no escaping our fate now.

"I am no ambassador to court, Elrohir, I have only the ways and words of a warrior.¨

I touched his hand, letting it rest there a moment. "We will do this as we have always done brother, together.¨

CHAPTER 2 ¡V Part 2

How it came to be - Arrival

Dismounting before the steps of the Golden Hall, I looked up to take in the wonder of men. It had stood a great many years, yet those who first feasted on its completion were long gone, mere legends told to children. While we who now stood before it had aged so little. I allowed myself a small smile, aged little but changed so much. I chanced a glance to my beloved brother who had set about gathering his packs. Yes so much had changed since we first looked upon the buildings of men. I had not known the joy of loving my brother and having him love me. Now the mere look of him was enough to heat the blood in my veins and stir my body. I hoped our hosts would consider the extent of our travel and allow us to refresh in our rooms without too long a delay. I had been too long without Elladan to wait much longer.


He turned to face me, a wicked smile on his lips and a gleam in his eyes that had only one interpretation. He had felt my thoughts and wanted the same. His eyes went pointedly to the small bag he carried. The honey cakes.

We could have become lost in our own private world, I had already taken a step toward him, had it not been for the arrival of our host.

The king stood atop the steps, already unnoticed men had come to take the horses from us. I had to blink to return to the present, so alike to what I remembered his forefather to be. But there was a smile on the face of this one, softening his features. Times were hard now, the birth of an heir more cause to rejoice at the good fortune. More excuse to forget the ever present danger.

Elladan had more presence of mind than I, caught as I was in my thoughts, walking up the rough hewn steps to bow, hand on chest. I hurried behind him.

"I bring greetings from the Lord of Imladris, our father, majesty.¡¨ Elladan handed him the rolled parchment, the honeycakes disappearing into his pocket.

¡§Greetings to you, my lords.¨ The king, Theoden, took the scroll, unbinding it to cast his eye over the contents. "You are most welcome at this joyous time.¨

He nodded to both my brother and I, sweeping his hand to the side to make passage for our entry. We climbed the remaining steps to stand at his side, waiting as was just protocol for him to head our small delegation.

The vast interior of the hall had been readied for the celebration of the birth of the son and heir. Lanterns hung ready to be lit, flowers littered the walkways and tables. Large barrels, I could only assume contained wine and other brewed liquids, lined the wall.

The scent of foods of many sorts filled the air. However, none touched me as much as my hunger for my brother. How I longed to take him naked in my arms, kiss his lips until swollen red, caress the muscles on his chest and stomach, tease open the entrance to his body, enter him with a cry of his name.

Still as was proper I displayed none of this, though the glance from Elladan showed his amusement.

We followed until Theoden sat on the carved throne. Behind were the ornate tapestries and gold leaved ornaments depicting the animal for which the people of the Rohan were famous. They were brilliant on their design, their colours rich. A tribute to what our mortal heritage could achieve. My attention was taken from the work of the artisans with a shuffle of clothing. A dark man in appearance and manner had moved to sit. I frowned, he seemed so out of place beside a king dressed in reds and golds, and wondered at his place to sit at the right hand. Elladan nodded his own notice of the creature, then returned his apparently uninterrupted attention to the king¡¦s words. I watched instead the dark unkempt man, noting how close he was to the king, hand on the throne were it should not be, fingers almost touching the arm of one who should not be touched. Theoden seemed not to notice. I shuddered and forced my attention elsewhere.

It appeared King Theoden was in agreement with my unspoken request. After the formal greetings had been exchanged and due honour given to both elfkind and mortal, he addressed those near by to escort us to our rooms. We followed, Elladan and I casting flirtive glances to each other, something we were becoming skilled at. The look in his eye, the curve of my mouth meaning much to us, little to others. I read clearly what he thought. Our rooms had best be close.

In respect to our hosts we entered our separate rooms. I imagined Elladan tossing his bags on the floor, stripping of his clothes and going to find the bath. I tossed my bags to the floor, going to find Elladan.

Looking cautiously around, I tapped on his door. In elf fashion it was not locked. Again I checked the corridor then chided myself. It would not be commented on that the elven ambassadors would need to speak with each other. It would perhaps pass unnoticed that they spent much time together. We would have to be guarded, but perhaps we would be allowed a little more freedom here than in our home.

True to my thoughts, my brother stood unclothed in the middle of the room, his back to me. I turned the key in the lock behind me. As I walked toward him he turned to face me. My breath caught. No matter how many times I saw him thus, it would never fail to stun me. Words are not adequate to describe the vision he is. One other picture moves me thus. My beautiful brother flushed in passion¡'s glow beneath me. I was keen to look upon that.

"You should take more care brother, with your door, any could enter.¨ The corners of my mouth curling, my arms enveloping him.

"But only one would be welcomed thus, only one would be able to stand if they tried.¨

He pressed his lips to mine, pressed his hard hungry body to me. Lips parted we held to each other, heads tilted, the only thing we did that was to the opposite. Just the feel of his lips on mine would have been enough, so many days had we denied ourselves this. My hands were across his back pulling him closer. Elladan¡'s hands slid under my tunic and I moaned into the kiss. Unexpectedly he pulled away from me, though our mouths seemed unsure that was what we wanted as our lips slowly parted.

He regarded me so carefully I feared something was amiss.

"You have me at a disadvantage dear brother.¨

"Elladan?¨ I looked at him, then laughed when I saw the smile in his eyes. And started to undress. He stepped back and watched. I removed each garment without my gaze leaving his. Only when I stood as naked as he did his gaze slip. His hand reached out as he moved to me. Finger tips ran from my cheek down my shoulder to my arm. Those slender fingers then laced with mine as he led me to the adjoining room.

"We have some time before we will be required. I had in mind, perhaps.....¨ he held the small packet that he had retrieved from the table. The honey cakes.

"Perhaps one.....¨ I let him pull me down to the bed as he took two, lay the bag down to offer me one.

Elladan lay on his back with my body in part covering his as he fed me his and I held mine to his mouth as he bit slowly. It fascinates me still to look on him so closely, to delight in each simple thing that he does. Our love making for a time was frantic, frightened we would be seen, frightened it was a dream that would end all too quickly for us to be once again alone, anxious for all we had missed when we had denied what we truly felt. We had discovered with due consideration it was possible to enjoy a more languid love, though the passion we held for each other glowed ever brighter.

Gradually the small cakes were no more.

"You were ever the messy one Elladan,¨ I grinned looking at him, my finger picking up one of the many crumbs on his chest. I dipped my head to lap another few, my tongue across his nipple. It stiffened immediately in response.

"It would be best then, if we cleaned, we do not want our hosts thinking us sloven.¨

"How much you think as I do my love.¨ I continued lapping at the crumbs, looking to him. "You do not mind that I take more than my share, you like them better than I.¨

Elladan shook his head slowly, a soft groan from his lips accompanying his answer.

"Nay brother, I do not begrudge you this.¨

I laughed as softly as his groan of delight, returning to my task. Elladan's smooth skin was warm, his muscles taunt as he responded to the touch of my tongue and lips. He tasted as the honeycakes, but much more. And more of him I longed to taste. And it seemed by the way he arched himself to press to me, my much loved brother wished the same.

There is not much I can deny Elladan, nor he me, but my eyes bade him wait a little longer, though in truth I did not think I could have such patience. We had been days of being close but not close enough and our bodies screamed for each other, yet my mind wanted to feel again the contours and ridges of this elven warrior who gave so completely to me.

He called to me as only he can as I licked and kissed at each curve of his chest and stomach. I held my hand steadfastly at his hip, delightfully annoying, my hair fell over his aroused flesh and I heard more ardent pleas interspersing my name.

When I nuzzled the soft line of hair and moved my hand to caress the hardened sacs at his groin, I ceased my pleasured torture of him, and took him in my mouth.

His hands flew to my head to hold me guiding me as he thrust carefully. He throbbed in my mouth, his climax not far, brought on by the slow way I had wandered down his body, the way this mouth that now held him had touched him. I knew if I lifted my eyes I would see the trail of reddening marks where I had suckled on him and a bite to his neck that we would have to conceal for our appearance at the feast.

In a manner I never tired of, I moved with his pulsing thrusts, the hard velvet skin becoming slick not only with the wetness of my mouth, but his own readiness to release. His cries of pleasure were more insistent, his hands clenching tight in my hair, my own hands hard on his hips.

Not even the sweetest of honey cakes can compare with the sapor of the pearled essence my brother-lover releases to me. More hungrily than the eating of any food, I take of him. Take everything, swallowing slowly. I know when I kiss him he will taste this also.

I hold to him as long as I can, licking any seed that remains on his softened shaft, pursing my lips on the tip with one last flick over the red slit. My own need is hard on me now and I bite fiercely on his hip. Another mark, but this one more easily concealed.

"Yes,¨ his voice strangled in the need to keep to silence as much as we can.

I move to his cradle his head in my hands, kiss him deeply as he parts his legs and lifts his back.

For a moment, kneeling between his spread thighs, I whispered my love to him, in awe of his lithe body. We are not as slender as our elven kin, nor have we the sturdy built as our mortal forefathers. Elladan has the exotic beauty of both races.

"You are beautiful.¨

"As are you, beautiful ....and mine.¨ He answered draping his long elegant legs over my stooping shoulders.

We are long used to each other, though he more to me than I to him, as is his preference so have no need to oil. I slide slowly into him, eyes closed to feel, matching his closed eyes, also to feel.

It begins slowly, the gliding deep in and almost out to the tip. We both moan, our cries almost in unison, our bodies certainly as one. There is no track of time for us when we are like this. Elladan¡¦s body sways, his fingers buried in the covering of the bed as he pushes upward to me. Deeper harder now, brushing over the sensitive area within him. Our fevered groans must be stifled now, these walls are not of solid stone. My hips arch and flex driving us both to my climax. Elladan answers my need pushing against me, his muscles grip at me, holding as I spill into him.

He gathers me still shaking into his arms, kissing my cheeks, lips, nose, flickering eyelids. We lie as the twin beating of our hearts settles and the blood in our veins cools a little.

Elladan grinned as we calmed.

"We still have several more cakes.¨

There is nothing about this beautiful creature that I do not love. Nothing I would not give to him.