Finding Hope

HHS - Oh, Elrond will indeed go for it!
Minerva - Haldir, huh? Will think on it for you!


Chapter 24

“When may I begin my duties, my…Elrond?” Erynoron asked. They were sitting in Elrond’s private garden enjoying the soft summer breezes, and just beginning to have their mid-day meal.

“Perhaps a little tomorrow, my friend, or the next day,” Elrond answered.

“I really do feel fine now, my…Elrond. I am anxious to begin work. I cannot keep taking up your time like this…nor your rooms. You have been most kind to me,” Erynoron said softly.

“I have enjoyed your company, my friend. I believe I will miss you not being with me when you go to you own rooms.” Elrond tried, but failed, to keep the longing out of his voice. “We will have your welcoming dinner tomorrow. I met with Melpomaen this morn to arrange everything.” He smiled at the advisor. “I do hope you will be happy here with us.”

Erynoron took a deep breath. What was Elrond trying to tell him? He wished he could be sure. Did the beautiful Lord of Imladris not realize how Erynoron felt? What being with Elrond was doing to him? The warmth in his voice was intoxicating, and the advisor had never wanted anyone so badly. “I am already very happy here, my…Elrond. I have…enjoyed your company as well.”

“Try a strawberry, my friend. They look wonderful.” Elrond held a large, ripe berry to Erynoron’s lips, and the advisor took a bite, the sweet juices spilling down his lips. Erynoron licked the red juice from his mouth, and Elrond stifled a moan. Oh, he wished he could have lapped up that juice. The sight of the fair advisor’s tongue sent heat building in his groin.

Erynoron bravely took a strawberry and held it up to Elrond’s mouth. Elrond gently took a bite, his tongue managing to wrap slightly around the advisor’s fingers. Erynoron bit his lip to hold back his moan, and looked into the captivating sea-gray eyes.

Elrond looked into Erynoron’s eyes. Green eyes sparkling with tiny specks of gold, like a forest fire. Wildfire. Erynoron was wildfire, and Elrond felt his cheeks burn. He knew he had to stop – he did not want to scare the advisor away and end his chances. “After the formal dinner tomorrow, we will have music and dancing in the Hall of Fire. Do you enjoy dancing, my friend?” Good, he had managed to get that out without his voice breaking.

“Aye, sometimes, my…Elrond. I…I think I will enjoy dancing here, though. May I…may I hope that you will…dance with…me?”

“I would like that very…very much.” Holding the lovely Erynoron in his arms, swirling around the floor with him. Elrond nearly panted just thinking of it. Kissing him behind a pillar, out of everyone’s sight. Feeling those luscious lips… Elrond cleared his throat to keep from shaking the images out of his head. “Will you dance with me tomorrow night, Erynoron?” he asked softly.

“Aye, my…Elrond.” Elrond’s seductive voice was driving Erynoron mad with desire, and he wanted to grab the Lord and kiss him senseless. Never had anyone made him feel like this! He was normally a fairly shy elf, and had never wanted to grab anyone before, let alone a Lord!

Elrond took a piece of cheese and held it to Erynoron’s mouth. When the advisor opened his lips, he slid the cheese inside, and felt soft lips brush against his fingertips. Oh, this was madness – but such sweet madness.

Perhaps it was lucky that Elladan and Elrohir chose that time to join their father and new temporary advisor for lunch.

~~~*~~~
Erestor prepared a delicious dinner with the fish and fresh vegetables they had purchased. He had even made a lovely custard dessert, which Faelion adored, and the others too, if he judged by the amount they had eaten. Especially his sweet husband, who had showered him with praise. He was so happy, he felt like dancing around the kitchen. Whoever would have thought that having their own kitchen and making their own meals would have this effect? Staid councilor, indeed, he thought with a smile. And look at all the hidden talents he had discovered in himself! Master chef, storyteller, and singer of lullabies extraordinaire. Expert diaper changer, comforter and rocker of elfings. Champion dish and elfling washer, and fixer of mashed fruit! Tomorrow he would add superb cookie maker to that list. He giggled at his own silliness. Glorfindel was sitting with the children in front of the sitting-room fire, reading a story to them from one of the new books he had found today. Adding one last swipe to the table, he left the kitchen to join his family. His family. What beautiful sounding words those were.

When the story was finished, Erestor lounged on the floor with his head on Glorfindel’s lap alongside Amdiriel’s, the baby sitting up on his stomach, supported by his Ada’s hands. Glorfindel lounged back on pillows, holding Gailion next to him.

“I think there are some sleepy elflings here, Ada Restor,” Glorfindel said.

Erestor chuckled, “Sleepy elflings, comfortable Adas, life is good.”

“Ada, can we sleep in our new room tonight?” Gailion asked.

“Are you sure you want to, little one? You do not have to, you know,” Glorfindel answered.

“Amdiriel, my love, do you really want to sleep in your new room?” Erestor asked.

The little girl nodded. “Aye, Ada, we like it. It is really pretty and nice, and my doll house is there, and our new bathroom, and our toys are there, and…everything.” She grinned at Erestor.

“What about Faelion?” Glorfindel asked.

“Well, I suppose we could move his cradle into their room.” Erestor said. “What do you think, little ones?”

“Aye, Ada. We should stay together,” the wise Amdiriel answered. “That way, none of us will be scared. But we are not really scared anymore. And if Faelion cries, we can come and knock on your door and wake you up!”

Erestor grinned and looked up at Glorfindel. He was certain if Faelion cried, he and Glorfindel would hear it before the elflings, even through two closed doors. “All right, little ones. You can stay in your rooms and see if you like it.”

Gailion and Amdiriel clapped, then jumped up and ran to their room, and opened the wardrobe to pull their sleeping gowns out. They were so excited. They had their very own room, with their very own bathroom, and it was all theirs. Their Adas had said so.
~~~*~~~

Glorfindel and Erestor had taken a quick bath and were drying each other off. “You know what the best part is?” Erestor asked.

“Tell me.”

“No more nightshirts!” Erestor giggled and ran to the bed, crawling on it on all fours. Seductively wagging his shapely behind at Glorfindel, he looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Come and get it, lover,” he said softly and enticingly.

Glorfindel groaned, threw his towel aside, and hurried to the bed.
~~~*~~~

Taurfaeron and Lindir stood watching the river slowly flow under the bridge. The night was beautiful; stars shone brightly and soft breezes rippled through the trees. The Lothlorien captain held the lithe minstrel’s back against his chest, his arms wrapped around Lindir, and inhaled his sweet scent.

“Lindir?”

“Hmmm?”

“I love you, my sweet one, I love you” Taurfaeron whispered.

“Oh, my beautiful warrior. I love you. I love you so very much.”

Taurfaeron gently turned Lindir in his arms and held him tightly as he captured the minstrel’s sweet lips with his own. Ending the kiss, he breathed against the soft lips. “Lindir…I can no longer imagine my life without you. I know I cannot ask you to leave your home. The others here, they are your family. I have written to my Lord and Lady, asking them to release me to be with you. I know they will do this for me. Lindir, my love…marry me, please marry me? Be mine forever, as I will be yours? I love you so much.”

Lindir’s lips formed into a smile. Tears sprang unbidden to his eyes, and he nodded. “Oh, Taurfaeron,” he breathed. “Aye, I will be yours forever.” And wrapping his arms around Taurfaeron’s neck, he drew his gentle warrior down for a passionate kiss.
~~~*~~~

After Erynoron had fallen asleep, Elrond softly closed the bedroom door and sat in his favorite chair in his sitting room. He had to speak to Celeborn and Galadriel. He had been married to their daughter, and even though Celebrian had freed him from his vows before she sailed, he still considered them his parents. His conscience would not allow him to do anything further about his feelings for Erynoron until he spoke with them.

Tbc…