the trouble with love

Chapter forty-eight You are healed…

Melpomean sighed longingly before he turned around. He so wanted to rip off the cloth that was still partly blocking his vision, but he knew he had to be patient. He was hoping Elrond would soon decide it could be removed.

The sound of approaching footsteps made him turn round and face the door. Who could be visiting him at this time? He’d already decided it couldn’t be Elrond, for the ruler was busy teaching Elnihir in his stead. Though he wasn’t incapable of handling the elfling he had easily allowed Elrond to order him in bed, and thus taking his job, because he knew the Peredhel relished the time spend with either child.

His eyes widened in disbelief when the door opened and revealed an extremely dirty lord. He flared up and narrowed his good eye. “Man nés ten?”
Elrond smiled warmly at him. “A simple accident left me covered in ink. I need a bath.” Melpomean was up instantly and looked at him in concern and worry, making him laugh. “Don’t give me that look, melamin. I’m not stained for life. It will come off.”
Melpomean nodded. “But the clothes are ruined. Even if the laundry would be able to get it out, the colours would be bleached.”
Elrond shrugged. “A good reason to buy something new, don’t you think?” His eyes twinkled when he saw the other smile warmly. But he was more pleased seeing his lover join him in the bathroom, although he did wonder why.

Melpomean swiftly ran the water, adding nice smelling herbs to the water. Next he retrieved the shampoo and soap. He hesitated for a moment but then carefully removed the inky robes from Elrond’s body and folded them in such a way they would not stain on any surface.

Instinctively, Elrond stepped into the tub, his heart maddening at the thought of his beloved washing him. His eyes glistened with happiness. The water easily dealt with the ink and cleaned him and the lather Melpomean rubbed on his hair could deal with it as well. Within minutes he was clean again and nearly pitied it.

Melpomean removed the plug and allowed the water to leave the tub, taking the dark substance with it. Elrond sighed regretfully. “That felt nice.” His tone carried some of his regret.
Melpomean smiled. “You’d rather stay in the tub a little longer?”
Elrond laughed. “You make me sound like a five year old. But aye, I would.” /But not alone/ He smiled when Melpomean replaced the stop and refilled the tub. He could not stop a moan from leaving his mouth, making Melpomean grin a little.

He closed his eyes in bliss, savouring this last moment of having his beloved close. He knew the other would leave him alone now.

When he felt two lips touch his own Elrond opened his eyes in surprise. Happiness and desire soon took over as he saw Melpomean hover above him, kissing him. He carefully monitored his lover as he snaked his arms around the other’s waist. He almost growled, seeing only one eye, but the look in it told him the other was making a decision. Removing one hand he let it hover above the cloth and smiled, sensing it could finally be removed. He pulled back and sat up properly.

Melpomean gasped when Elrond started removing the bandages and he swallowed nervously, but Elrond’s presence calmed him down. During the process he closed his eyes and only the subtle air caressing his skin told him Elrond had now removed the final piece.

Slowly, fearfully, he opened his eyes and smiled when he saw with both his eyes. He had to blink several times to focus, but he had his complete vision back. To him Elrond had never looked more beautiful as he did now, watching him with anticipation.
He smiled and flung himself at the naked elf, crying his happy tears. Elrond caught him and pulled him close, not caring if he wetted the other’s robes. “It’s official now: you are fully healed.”
Melpomean smiled and wiped his tears away. “I’m so happy it’s fully restored.”
Elrond nodded in understanding. He too had feared it would not come back full. Rejection raged through him as the other flared up and ran to the door, beaming with happiness. He knew Melpomean was going to Sealbeth to tell him. He shrugged and laid back down. /My own fault for taking it off now./

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sealbeth frowned as he answered the knock. He looked at the small paper in indecision. Valthroman embraced him from behind and he closed his eyes and leaned into the contact.

“Ai, Val, I shall miss you even more when you leave.”
Valthroman shushed him. “Do not think about that. We’ve always been parted in the past and dealt with it. We’ll be together again soon enough.”
Sealbeth smiled sadly. “But I don’t want to be parted again. Ever.” He turned round and his eyes were determined.
Valthroman narrowed his eyes. “Love?”
Sealbeth smiled. “I refuse to watch you ride away one more time.”
Valthroman sighed. “I cannot stay. You know that.”
Sealbeth nodded. “You are bound to Mirkwood and so you should. But I am not bound to Imladris.”

Understanding dawned on the warrior and though happiness entered him at the thought he shook his head. “Nay. You cannot do that. You’d miss this place and its people too much.”
Sealbeth crossed his arms. “Will you let me finish first? I am not planning on living in Mirkwood permanently. I’ve got a plan that would work for all of us. We alternate between living here and in Mirkwood. That way we can both continue doing our job without being parted. I am sure both Elrond and Thranduil will give permission.”

Valthroman sighed and shrugged. “You are stubborn and have made up your mind. So now tell me what was troubling you just now for it obviously wasn’t this.”
Sealbeth smiled and kissed him., fidgeting after he broke contact. “A servant just delivered a message from Mel.”
Valthroman frowned. “Why would he not come?”
Sealbeth shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m afraid.”

Valthroman tightened his embrace and took hold of the paper, knowing his lover wanted him to read it first. He grinned when he saw the words on it. “Ai, worry not, melamin. He writes he cannot come but he wanted to tell you his eye now is completely healed and Lord Elrond removed the cloth.”
Sealbeth beamed with happiness and left the embrace, grabbing his cloak. “I’ve to buy him something. Come on you.”
Valthroman rolled his eyes. “I hate markets!”
Sealbeth cocked his head and tugged at his arm. “But I need you to carry it. Come on, love, I am not spending even one minute apart while you’re here.”
Valthroman shrugged and followed his lover.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Legolas jumped up and smiled when he saw Elnihir rushing toward him, fanning paper around. “Legolas, Legolas, look, I finally did it. I can write Dwarvish.”
Legolas frowned. As far as he knew no one was proud of finally being able to do it. He opened his arms and allowed the other to jump into them. “That’s great, Elnihir.” His voice couldn’t disguise his disbelief.
Elnihir looked at him in incredibility and nodded vigorously. “It is. Now I can do the Sindarin. Finally. Ata said I needed to know the Dwarven first.”

Now Legolas laughed. “Aha, I was wondering why you seemed so pleased. But I thought you wanted me to teach you?” He was a bit disappointed and wondered why all of the sudden he felt jealous. Jealous of what?
Elnihir grinned. “Of course I do. But if the others teach me as well, I can learn it faster and there will be more time for you to teach me how to fight. Or to explore the realm. Or to relax. Or to…”

Legolas laughed. “All right, I get the picture. So, my eager student, did you run from your class to show me this or are you finished?”
Elnihir laughed and rested his head on the blond’s shoulder. “I was excused. They need to clean and remove the ink.”
He told Legolas what had happened and hearing it brought Legolas into a laughing fit. He could easily picture Elrond covered in ink and the image was too hilarious not to laugh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Melpomean smiled when he opened the door that separated bedroom from bathroom. The sight Elrond presented was warming his veins and he removed his outer robes as he approached.

“Wasn’t Sealbeth there?”
Melpomean smiled at the closed eyes while his own were taking in everything. “I don’t know. I wrote a message. I cannot leave you alone too long, can I?”
Elrorowlrowled. “I am not a child in danger of drowning, Mel.”
The words pained him at first but then he smiled. “No. But you said you didn’t want to stay in the tub alone. Or have you changed your mind?” Seeing Elrond lock his eyes with his he pouted, forcing the other into action. “I hadn’t realised I spoke out loud. Aye, I’d love to have you join me, but only if you want to and feel comfortable.”

Melpomean removed the rest of his cing ing and swallowed, realising he now was completely naked. Seeing and feeling Elrond’s eyes roam his body made him blush, which deepened when he saw the effect it had on the Peredhel. He forced himself to stay calm and ignore it.

Carefully he joined the Peredhel in the water, smiling when the other instantly embraced him. “You are true gem, my love.” Elrond kissed the other’s cheek and purred. “You are the best thing that ever happened to me.”
His eyes were dark with desire and he begged for his arousal to fade but it seemed to lead a live of its own. Melpomean surprised him by fully resting his body on his and kissing him. Overcome by passion he moaned needful and bucked.
He gasped when he felt a hand encircle his member and his eyes opened in pleased surprise. Showing his agreement he deepened the kiss and bucked again. He had not expected his lover to do this nor this soon and he was determined to fully enjoy it.

Seeing Elrond like this made him smile coyly. Part of him was proud he was the one responsible for this. He gasped when Elrond suddenly bucked again and came, screaming his name. He blinked in disbelief; he had expected to hear Thranduil’s .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Erestor.”
The dark-haired elf twirled round and sighed relieved when he saw Ecthelion standing before him. “Ecthelion. What a pleasure to see you. Is there anything you need?”
Ecthelion smiled and approached the other, sitting down on a desk. “Well, Elrond asked me if I could relieve you. And he’s right. You do look too tired. Are you working alone?”
Erestor nodded. “Both Sealbeth and Melpomean are healing. Elrond is busy and Elladan needs to concentrate on Elvil. And Elrohir has just left.”
Ecthelion grinned. “About two hours ago, if not more. It’s nearly noon, Erestor.”

Erestor looked out the window in obvious shock. He hadn’t noticed the day passing. “The sun had only just risen when he left…” There was a little disbelief in his voice. He rubbed his temples, realising he was indeed tired.

Ecthelion placed his hand on the other’s shoulder. “You go to bed and I’ll take care of things. If I can’t figure it out I’ll find Elrond, Elrohir or someone else to help me.”
Erestor didn’t protest when the other ushered him out onto the corridor, showing how tired he really was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elladan smiled warmly as he awoke, his room still bathing in the sea of flowers. It was so nice, he was tempted to stay in unt until the flowers had faded, but he forced himself to leave it.

His smile widened when he noticed a bunch of particular beautiful flowers standing on his dresser, tight together by a ribbon. He swiftly approached it and picked up the note attached to the blue silk. /What do you know? Ro was right./ The words scribbled on the paper brought tears to his eyes. /He thinks I’m the most beautiful flower…/ He sat down and released his tears. /I don’t want to loose him./

TBC
Translation:
Man nés ten means what happened to you