melme Colle (or: hidden love)

Chapter twenty three Admissions

Haldir growled when Celeborn finally returned, making the ruler smile affectionately. “I’m sorry it took so long. Elrond was healing Thranduil and you know what that results in.” He had his arm around Elrohir, feeling his grandson’s need. “Elrohir needs to check you up now. And you better behave.”

Elrohir went to do as he should and he was glad his grandfather had suggested it; it did make him feel better. He smiled at Arwen’s look.

The female hugged her grandfather, demanding a tight one in return. “How I’ve missed you. How are you doing? I’ve promised nona to look after you.”
Celeborn raised his eyebrows. “Really? Don’t you have a husband, two brothers and a father to look after already?”
Arwen laughed. “There’s always time for my grandfather.”

She rested her head against his chest, loving the fact he was so tall. “Ata says things are a little better now?”
Celeborn sighed. “Aye, a new hierarchy has been made.” He smiled and sat down, hiding a grin when she instantly settled on his lap. “The three of us will rule together, though both Thranduil and I shall take our lead from Elrond. But we all have different areas in which we excel.”
Arwen nodded and yawned. “And I take it Erestor has to make sure nobody works against each other again?”
Celeborn grinned. “Aye. As much as everybody adores you, that’s how much they all fear him.” He shook his head. “I can’t phantom why.”

Arwen laughed and her sparkling eyes met Elrohir’s.
The twin nodded. “You should ask Glorfindel.”

Arwen laughed and stood. “It’s time I retired. The journey has tired me out and I need to see if we have everything.”
Elrohir rolled his eyes. “I’ve prepared them myself!”
Arwen nodded. “That’s why.” She leaned in and kissed her grandfather. “I will see you later, ata’da.”

Celeborn stood and walked her out. “Oh, would you please send Aragorn my way sometime? I really would like to talk to him.”
Arwen nodded and yawned again.

Elrohir finished the last bandages on Haldir and stood to go as well. “I am sure you want me gone as well.”

As he watched him go, Celeborn stood there blinking. “What was that about?” When he turned he noticed Haldir’s eyes were aflame with anger and he swallowed. Now what had he done?

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Glorfindel blinked when he felt his face being caressed. A large, relieved smile came to life when he noticed Thranduil’s alert eyes staring at him. “Thranduil! I’m sorry. I…”
Thranduil’s soft laugh filled the room and the king placed a finger on Glorfindel’s lips to silence him. “It’s all right. No harm done.” He cocked his head when he saw the other’s guilt and shame.
Glorfindel shrugged. “I -did- do harm. Elrond had to heal you again.”
Thranduil narrowed his eyes but then remembered the unfortunate fall and smiled. “Then I am surprised you don’t sport new wounds.”
Glorfindel sighed. “Arwen and Orophin stopped him.”

He looked at him again. “I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have… I… Forgive me?”
Thranduil grinned and resumed his caress. “Of course, you hot tempered seneschal. You wouldn’t have been able to do this had I been healthy.”

He narrowed his eyes minutely. “Now, do you intend to lay there or are you going to hold me again?” Glorfindel blushed but scooted closer and placed his arms around the other, feeling better now that Thranduil didn’t push him away.

“How’s Elrond?”
Glorfindel grinned. “Recovering, watched over by Orophin.” He smiled. “And I have the feeling Arwen will yell at her brother shortly.”
Thranduil frowned, but then he caught on. “Aye, she’s perceptive enough and I daresay she’ll meddle if they don’t get together soon.”
Glorfindel grinned. “Good thing these walls are thin. We can hear the developments now.”

He settled down into the blankets and pillow, fully intend on sleeping another healing sleep, when Thranduil forced him to open his eyes. “What?”
Thranduil smiled. “I’m sorry. I had wanted to wait until we were healed, but…”

He sighed. “Why do you act so different? You haven’t bedded anyone since your trip to Mirkwood.”
Glorfindel’s eyes filled with anger. “Did you hid your head that hard?” Sarcasm dripped form his voice.
Thranduil had the grace to blush and he swiftly shook his head. “I meant beside me. That’s not like you.” He smiled. “There must be a reason. What is it?” His eyes were determined and Glorfindel sighed, knowing he had only two choices: an immediate answer or continued harassment on this subject.

He shrugged. “What do you want me to say?”
“How about the truth?” Thranduil thought he’d already knew it, but he needed to be sure.
Glorfindel sighed again and lowered his eyes. “You’re asking me why I had no other after you. You’re sure you want to know?”
Thranduil nodded. “I’ve seen all the wiggling in Legolas, Glorfindel, tell me and don’t try to worm your way out of it. It won’t work” Beside himself Glorfindel smiled at the words.

“Fine. There were no other because they wouldn’t compare.” He suddenly realised this was it and locked his eyes with Thranduil, opening them. “All the others never really took away the memory, but you did. There was no room for Ecthelion then, not in the water or when you took me.” He blushed. “I think I fell in love with you and I know I want to feel it again.”
Thranduil smirked. “Feel what?”
Glorfindel gladly took the bait. “Feeling you in me again.”
Thranduil smiled and placed his hand on Glorfindel’s cheek. “Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Though the words were mocking his face and voice were gentle and kind, knowing it must have taken some courage to say the words.

“I think I shall have to work to make ‘I think I love’ turn to ‘I know I love’.”
It took some moments before Glorfindel realised what the other was saying but then his eyes sparkled with happiness. His arms tightened around the other in response.

Thranduil smiled and rested his head on Glorfindel’s shoulder. “According to my wife I could be extremely jealous at times.”
Glorfindel laughed. “No need. I only have eyes for you.” He inhaled deed and smiled, looking forward to the time they would be making love again.

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Orophin locked the door carefully, not trusting a note to keep others out.

He looked over at the bed and sighed. “Oh, Elrond, what should I do with you?” He stood in thought for a moment, the conversation he overheard replaying in his mind, before he smiled mischievously and advanced on the bed.
/Act like myself, ha, Celeborn? Well, if I acted like myself we’d both have been naked a long time ago. But knowing he didn’t love me and that his trust would be gone held me back. But there’s no problem, is there. He loves me, I love him./ It was as simple as that to him. All he had to do was let Elrond know he knew.

He slowly and carefully removed the heavy outer robe from Elrond and then proceeded to undress him, though he left the trousers on. He did the same with his own clothes and then joined the sleeping elf in bed.

He smiled when the Peredhel moved closer and snuggled up to him. “Aye, rest, I will guard you for as long as need be.” Elrond purred and responded by moving closer still and his sleep deepened, making Orophin smile. It showed him just how deep the trust really ran.

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Erestor sighed as he closed the door. “Are you going to stay silent the entire day?”
Legolas looked at him and smiled ruefully. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m still angry.” He pulled his legs up and shook his head. “You know, Gimli would have hit me by now.”
Erestor grinned and nodded, approaching him. “I think he’s with Aragorn now.”
Legolas looked at his beloved fondly. “If that’s so then Aragorn joined him, for Gimli will be dead before he abandons your books. He’s extremely protective of you.”

He sighed contented when Erestor sat down and laid them both down on the bed. He looked at the other. “It’s too bad so much had to happen for us to be together.” He cursed himself when the dark orbs filled with pain. He knew only one way to get rid of that. “Kiss me?”
Erestor smiled and complied.

He was startled when Legolas pulled him on top of him, before deepening the kiss. He pulled back. “I’m not ready to do this.”
Legolas refused to let him leave and forced Erestor to remain in this position. “I know. I think it’s too early to make love too, my love. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want it.” He smiled and kissed his lover again. “Besides, I haven’t thanked you for your roses and candles and everything.”
Erestor blushed and rested his head on Legolas’ shoulder. “Don’t. I know you love me and I…. I… but…”
Legolas smiled and pulled him closer. “No more buts, Erestor. We’ll figure it all out as we go.”

He smiled. Even though Erestor did still his words of love, Legolas knew. /And I don’t care if you never voice it for I can see it in your eyes. You love me and in time we’ll be intimate and I dare say I shall be on the receiving end the most./ His eyes darkened in lust and anticipation and he was glad Erestor couldn’t see, for he would surely panic.

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Celeborn swallowed as he approached the bed. “Haldir?”
The warrior looked at him and sighed. “You read it?”
For a second Celeborn had no idea what he was referring to but then he nodded. “Aye. I can’t believe she asked that of you. To find someone to fill my bed.” He shuddered. “As if I would accept such an offer.” He looked at Haldir. “I prefer love, not lust, not a reason to get a better station and not the need to heal my heart.” He smiled. “I would turn down any you’ve picked for me anyway.”
Haldir couldn’t help it; he laughed, uncontrollably.
Celeborn was stunned. That he hadn’t expected. And it totally thwarted his plans. It seemed every time he wanted to voice his love something intervened.

Haldir shook his head and his eyes shone with mirth. “I wouldn’t have sought any.”
The answer made Celeborn smile. /Perhaps this is working better than planned./ “And why is that?” Seeing Haldir’s eyes he realised he needed to speak the words first, for Haldir would never say them without certainty. “Never mind. There’s something I’ve been meaning to say to you for quite some time now. I should have spoken it a long time ago, but I didn’t.”
Haldir frowned when he sensed the unease coming from Celeborn. He placed his hand on Celeborn’s knee and softly squished. “Don’t. I’m sorry I’ve acted so silly. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Celeborn smiled and opened his mouth to speak. Instead of words flowing from his lips they closed the distance and claimed Haldir’s. It was a fleeting kiss and both elves were startled by it.
Haldir’s eyes widened, not by the kiss, but by the blush that settled on Celeborn. “Why did you do that?” Could it be? Haldir was afraid to let his hope up.

Celeborn smiled and closed the distance again, kissing him again, properly this time. When he pulled back his love was visible. “Because I needed to; because I wanted to; because I should have done so many years ago; because I love you, Haldir. I love you.” He didn’t give the other time to react but instantly clamed those lips again.

Haldir blinked, not believing his ears, but the kiss told him it was true all right and slowly he responded to the kiss. Feeling Celeborn’s tongue duelling with his own made him achingly hard within seconds and he moaned his displeasure when the kiss ended.

Celeborn smiled. “Are you very mad I read the letter?”
Haldir shook his head. “Nay, why should I? And I love you too.”
Celeborn grinned. “I know, now.”

He sighed. “But then why did you look so angry just now, I mean, before this.” Seeing Haldir’s puzzled look he sighed, realising he might be risking it by bringing this back. “When Elrohir had just left.”
Haldir gasped and suddenly understood. He shook his head and applied force to pull Celeborn closer, who reacted by lying down next to him and holding him. Haldir smiled. “I wasn’t angry with you, but Elrohir.” He sighed. “The way he spoke…”

Celeborn shrugged. “Never mind him, or anyone else. All you have to focus on is healing.”
Haldir nodded. “And you should focus on ruling. You can’t sit by my bed the whole day, you know.” He lowered his eyes. “But do visit often.”
Celeborn smiled and kissed him. “Are you sure?”
Haldir nodded. “Aye. Thranduil is injured, Elrond is drained, Erestor isn’t back to full capability and you can’t expect the twins to do everything.”
Celeborn sighed and nodded. “Very well, but I would like a kiss before I go.”
Haldir smiled and eagerly obliged him. He knew they had a lot to talk about but it could wait. The most important thing was that he now knew the other loved him.

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Orophin smiled, sensing the impending awakening of his bed partner. He wondered how Elrond would react to his arousal. He was tempted to pull back, make sure the other wouldn’t feel it, but he ignored it and wiggled closer instead. If he’d let Elrond dictate the pace they would still be dancing around each other two millennia from now.

He smiled at the sudden alert orbs that stared at him when the eyelids had opened. “That was a swift reviving sleep.”
Elrond looked puzzled but then nodded. “Must be your presence. It enables me to sleep deeper.”
Orophin nodded, not moving, wondering when Elrond would notice.

Elrond smiled. “I see you’ve undressed us.”
Orophin nodded. “Aye, I figured you would rest better than way and I had no idea how long you’d be asleep and it is more comfortable without those restraining clothes. I didn’t remove your trousers though. I didn’t feel comfortable.” He couldn’t stop a blush from spreading; for the image of doing just that had appeared in mind’s eyes.

Elrond smiled, recalling the other to act a bit prudish. He decided to bring the conversation elsewhere. “I hope Legolas won’t attack Glorfindel.”
Orophin snickered. “He already has.”
Elrond widened his eyes. “And they didn’t send for me?” He sat up and looked at him in disbelief. “Or did you stop them?”
Orophin shook his head. “Nay. I’ve downed a bucket over Legolas and Arwen threatened to tell Erestor if he didn’t behave.” He shrugged. “So he behaved. The only new wound Glorfindel has is his pride.” He smiled rueful. “He feels extremely bad about it.”

Elrond nodded and laid back down, only now realising the other sported an erection. He decided it was best to ignore it and pretend he hadn’t noticed. He didn’t want to embarrass the other.

He smiled and sat back up. “I think I’d better check on them, just to be sure.”
Orophin sat up and cocked his head. Was Elrond fleeing his presence?
The Peredhel seemed to pick up his unease for he turned and smiled, while he dressed himself, not even noticing he was putting on Orophin’s tunic beneath his robes. “I shall be back soon. With food for us both. Any special wishes?”
Orophin smiled and shook his head. “Nay. I’m not a fussy eater. Is it all right if read a book?”
Elrond nodded. “Of course, help yourself.”

He swiftly left and actually ran down the corridor. He wanted to be back as swift as possible. When he passed a mirror he looked at his reflection in shock and instantly turned. /How could I not have noticed? Aiya, the remarks they could have made./ He was glad he noticed before seeing anyone that he was wearing Orophin’s tunic. /No wonder it feels weird./ He scratched where it itched a little and frowned when his hand came back holding a piece of paper. He instantly recognized the handwriting and his eyes devoured the words, which catapulted him to the wall.

TBC24/30