While the Lord is Away

Chapter 3. The Battle Begins


“By the Valar, what was that all about?” Glorfindel wondered as he ran his tongue over lips that still tingled and tasted of Erestor, and stared at the empty doorway in stunned disbelief. The passionate, although most welcome , ha, had taken him by surprise and he realised that never before had anyone been able to arouse him so easily. Glorfindel stood thinking about this for a few moments, finally coming to the realisation that he had never really been in love with anyone he had taken to his bed and it was the deep love he now felt for Erestor that fed his desire. And he had had enough lovers to know that there was no doubt in his that his desire, at least, was returned.

‘But why did he run away?’ He mused, knowing the only way to find out was to go after the Noldo and ask. Glorfindel left the kitchen at a run and but was too late to see in which direction Erestor had gone. Recalling that his friend had mentioned taking a walk in the gardens, Glorfindel decide to try there first.

Needing time to collect his thoughts, Erestor walked slowly through the garden allowing the crisp night air to cool the heat he felt coursing through his body. When he came to the small stone bench that he remembered was located in one of the more secluded sections, he sat down, closed his eyes and concentrated on unllinlling his confused feelings. As his breathing calmed and his mind cleared, Erestor freely admitted that he enjoyed the light hearted flirtation in which Glorfindel and he indulged, but since his return, the seneschal’s attitude had become far more openly seductive, and Erestor realised he was no longer immune to its effects. Why else woul hav have suddenly desired to devour his friend’s lips in such a brazen manner? And it would certainly explain how deliciously arousing it had felt t to be able to make Glorfindel groan with need.

The Chief Councillor had often witnessed other Elves succumbing the Balrog slayer’s undeniable charms, and had laughed at their weakness, but now that he was being subjected to the full force of Glorfindel’s wantonness he could see the reason for his reputation. The golden one was utterly irresistible, and Erestor wanted him so much he ached. However, as he examined his emotions more closely, realisation dawned that it was not only his body that he wanted to give Glorfindel, but his heart as well. At some point, friendship had turned to love.

Erestor suddenly felt rather foolish for running from the heated moment like an adolescent, likely hurting his friend’s feelings in the process. He had just decided to go back and apologise, when he sensed the silent approach of the object of his musings.

“I am sorry, Glorfindel,” he said as he moved a little to make room for the seneschal to sit beside him.

“For what? Kissing me like that or for leaving me standing there wanting more?” demanded Glorfindel, allowing Erestor to hear the frustration in his voice.

“I do not regret kissing you, and you are not the only one who wanted more,” he admitted so softly that his words were barely heard.

“I know, but why did you leave?” The frown on his brow clearly indicated his confusion. Glorfindel spoke with a tenderness that surprised Erestor.

“Because we are friends, not lovers," replied Erestor honestly, keeping his eyes averted to prevent the ache in his heart from being seen. He did not want to satisfy Glorfindel’s lust; he wanted to make love to him and to be loved in return.

“Are we just ‘friends’? You just admitted you desired me, and you know I want you, so would it not be wise to act on our feelings?” whispered Glorfindel into the councillor’s ear before gently turning his face towards his so that he could look at him as he answered.

Erestor considered his companion for a moment, and as he gazed into eyes that were filled with anticipation of an inevitable victory, his sense of pride demanded he not make his conquest too easy. The Balrog slayer was far too accustomed to having things go his own way.

“I do not fancy becoming just another notch on your bedpost.”

“That is rather unkind, Councillor. It is true that I have had many bed partners over the millennia, but I have never kept a tally and they have all been well satisfied,” said a highly affronted Glorfindel.

“So I have heard,” Erestor smirked.

“I could prove it to you,” suggested Glorfindel seductively, as he dared to place his hand on his friend’s thigh, stroking it gently. Erestor could not help but close his eyes as the touch sent a pleasant tingling sensation directly to his groin, but he opened them quickly when he heard Glorfindel chuckle. So he wants to play games, thought Erestor, so be it!

“You could, if I allowed you to, however, there is but one way you can make me a willing bed partner,” stated Erestor with a wicked gleam in his eye.

“And what would that be?” asked Glorfindel warily, even though he knew he would do whatever the councillor asked.

“That is for you to find out,” challenged Erestor. “Good night, Glorfindel, sleep well,” he added, reluctantly removing the hand even as he placed a teasing kiss on the seneschal’s cheek before heading back into the house.

Despite the fact that Erestor had left him alone and frustrated for the second time that evening, a slow smile curled Glorfindel’s lips as he realised he would enjoy this battle and the spoils of victory.

********
The dawn of the new day saw Glorfindel dressed in his usual fashion and headed for the stables where his warriors were making ready to leave on their daily patrols. The shortest route from the house to the stable was through the kitchen, and as he entered the room he was surprised to find Erestor there. Glorfindel’s eyes darkened slightly with desire as he noted that only a loose robe covered Erestor’s thigh length nightshirt, but it was the more than affectionate smile from his friend that caused his heart to beat faster.

“Erestor, it is barely daybreak, what are you doing up so early?” he asked.

“I knew that being granted a few days’ rest would not to prevent you from seeing to your responsibility for the safeguarding of Imladris. Your morning meal will be ready when you return from the stables,” replied Erestor as if this was an every day occurrence. Glorfindel was dumbfounded, this was a side of Erestor he had not seen before, but he was touched by the fact that his friend knew him so well.

“You do not have to do this, I could have eaten with my men,” was all he managed to say.

“I know, but would you not prefer to break your fast with me,” asked Erestor in a soft whisper that promised Glorfindel knew not what.

“In more ways than one, dear Erestor,” he replied suggestively as he kissed the slightly flushed cheek that seemed to lean into his touch. “I will be back shortly. Oh and Erestor… I much prefer that robe to the ones you normally wear,” he added, grinning as the councillor rolled his eyes in exasperation.

Glorfindel returned in less than an hour, and was delighted to see Erestor had chosen to serve the meal in the informal setting of the kitchen rather than use the dining room.

“What are your plans for today?” asked Glorfindel as he helped himself to the delicious looking omelette his friend had made.

“Once I have dressed… “

“Not in your robes of office, I hope,” interrupted Glorfindel with a look of distaste for the garments he wore only rarely himself.

“I told you I prefer more casual attire when alone.”

“Then why change clothes at all? Your night attire is very appealing, although I daresay what is under it is even more so,” commented Glorfindel with undisguised lust.

“Even though we are the only ones in the house, we are not alone in Imladris, so I have no intention of walking around unclothed just to please you,” replied Erestor tartly, smiling wickedly as Glorfindel shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the image his words conjured evoking the expected response from his would be seducer’s groin.

The war was on!

“As I was saying, I have some work to do in the library, bith ith Elrond, and most of the other council members in Mirkwood, I doubt I will have to deal with any correspondence or petitions until he returns.”

“It sounds like Thranduil invited the whole of Elvendom to the celebration,” said Glorfindel accepting the reprieve from hiscoiscomfort offered by the change of subject.

“I think most of them invited themselves. Not only is young Legolas well loved by many, it is also rare for Mirkwood to open its borders, and aside from Elves wishing to indulge their curiosity about the Silvan folk, everyone knows that Thranduil’s feasts are always magnificent,” commented Erestor.

“He certainly has the best wine cellar. I wonder if that is why Elrond is so fond of Mirkwood?”

“You know as well as I that it is the company of the King, not the winat Eat Elrond enjoys.” Glorfindel smirked at his private definition of ‘company’, but made no comment as Erestor continued speaking. “And what of you, mellon nin, how will you spend your free time?”

“Trying to learn what it is I must do to seduce you, of course,” replied Glorfindel with a shrug. “You have set me a challenge, and I warn you, I mean to answer it.”

“I certainly hope so.” The words were spoken with a longing that set Glorfindel’s heart racing. Erestor rose and began clearing the table and was startled when Glorfindel took the plate from his hand and shook his head.

“Nay, you do not have to do this. Since you made the meal, it is only fair that I should clean the dishes in return. Go and do whatever it is you do in the library,” he said.

“Thank you, Glorfindel,” replied Erestor, wondering if his friend even realised how deeply such a simple display of affection warmed his hear J¨