The Flower and The Fountain

Childish Kisses
Summary: Just a few months shy of his majority, Glorfindel ponders the pleasures of a kiss and asks his friend, Ecthelion, to help him. (90 years before the crossing of Helcaraxë)

The rain that had fallen earlier didn’t seem to have placed a damper on Ecthelion’s spirits as he walked towards Lórien’s lake with his bundle. In fact, the Elf loved the rain; he relished in the feel of the cool droplets seeping into his clothing and hair, trickling down his skin and falling from his lashes onto his cheeks. The misty haze was often filled with his laughter and delight as he danced in the curtain of rain, sometimes making a game out of avoiding the largest droplets. Ecthelion loved to walk in a downpour, when it did rain for the event was infrequent in Valinor. But today he had opted not to. He was to meet Glorfindel that day; he didn’t want to show up looking half-drowned and startling his friend.

Ecthelion had known Glorfindel a good thirty years since the day they had met at Lórien’s lake unexpectedly. The blond had told Ecthelion much of his family, and of the land Manwë presided over. He had even gone to visit Glorfindel a few times, much to the younger Elf’s surprise and pleasure. They had become fast, and very close, friends over the years. Few others could rival the friendship they shared, a bond which most agreed would only grow closer in the years to come. At Ecthelion’s insistence, Glorfindel had been present at his coming-of-age ceremony, when Ecthelion had reached his majority ten years ago. Glorfindel had not hesitated in asking the same of Ecthelion; the blond was to reach his majority within the next few months to come, but he had long laid the request before his friend.

He was the first to reach the lake that day, as usual. Unrolling part of his bundle, Ecthelion spread a brilliant blue blanket upon the damp ground. He removed his boots before crawling onto the soft material, seating himself within the sun symbol situated in the exact center of the square. A mere minute passed before Glorfindel raced up to him, partially out of breath. The blond Elf was about step onto the blanket, but stopped at the reproachful look Ecthelion shot at him. With a sheepish grin, Glorfindel shucked off his boots before practically falling onto the blanket. His head and messy crown of hair spilled over his friend’s lap like liquid sunlight.

“Mae govannen, Glorfindel,” Ecthelion greeted with a smile as he reached for his bundle, one hand already combing through the golden, slightly tangled mess.

“Mae govannen, Ecthelion,” Glorfindel murmured. “I’m sorry I’m late. Nana would not have me running in the rain no matter how much I insisted.”

“’Tis all right. No harm done, mellon-nîn. I only just arrived myself.” Ecthelion unrolled the rest of his bundle to reveal a silver handled brush, a few strips of tanned leather and his flute. He had obtained the habit of bringing a brush with him whenever he was going to meet with Glorfindel. The younger Elf always arrived with disheveled hair after his run between the lands of the Valar. Ecthelion knew making Glorfindel presentable would be in vain, for his work would be undone during Glorfindel’s return trip, but he relished the work of untangling the golden mane; he didn’t seem to mind it getting messy later. As he began his work, azure eyes gazed up at him playfully.

“You like playing with my hair,” Glorfindel stated plainly.

Ecthelion nodded, lifting a handful of gold and running the brush through it. “You possess hair many are envious of, meldir. I am certain that others have wished ofto hao have hair as brilliant as yours. I find it invigorating, and fulfilling, just to lay it in a simple plait.” Glorfindel merely grinned up at him, laying his head upon Ecthelion’s slender thighs as the other continued the work of untangling gold tresses.

“What is majority like, Ecthelion?” Glorfindel asked, breaking the silence a few minutes later. “Is it any different once it has happened? Or is everything the same as it was before you came of age?”

“It is different, and the same all at once,” Ecthelion replied, putting away the brush before dividing the golden mane into three sections to be braided.

“How so?”

“Well…most elflings treat you differently after you reach your majority. They see you as someone slightly above their stature in life. You become an adult in their eyes, and they treat you as if you were one of their parents. They listen to what you have to say, and obey whatever request you lay before them without hesitation or question. There is no longer the question of ‘why must this be done,’ because the answer is simply ‘because that is the way I wish it to be.’
“At the same time, the adults see you as an equal. They no longer scold you for your mistakes, but merely try uideuide you so that such mistakes are not repeated. Whatever opinions, agreements or objections you place to their actions, questions or requests are taken into consideration. Your own actions and words are considered heavily and much debated, rather than being brushed off as a ‘child’s folly.’ ” He had finished braiding Glorfindel’s hair as he spoke; Ecthelion reached for a leather strip to tie off the plait as Glorfindel considered his words. “Other than that, nothing else has changed. You are still the same person you were before. Your parents are the same, your siblings, your friends. You are changed, and yet you are not.”

“Have you taken a lover yet, Ecthelion?”

The question threw him off-guard by its suddenness, and how unrelated it was to the previous line of discussion. Ecthelion wondered why Glorfindel would have asked him such a thing as he ran his slim fingers lightly over his finished work, now stretched across his friend’s back. “Why do you ask me such, Glorfindel?”

The younger Elf shrugged. He lifted himself onto his elbows, tilting his head to gaze into his friend’s gray-blue eyes. Ecthelion found the azure eyes noarinaring into his own a little piercing. He forced himself not to flinch as he returned the gaze with his own gray-blue stormy orbs.

“It seems to me that,” Glorfindel began, “once all Elves reach their majority, they take on a lover. Nana told me once that she met Ada shortly after her majority. I had thought all Elves find a lover once they came of age.”

“Not all Elves, Glorfindel. I have not.”

“Why not?”

Ecthelion shrugged. The idea of love had not occurred to him before, during or even right after his majority. In fact, he had not thought of meeting a future lover at all before the present conversation. Ecthelion had always assumed the Valar would show him when and with whom he was to spend the rest of his days with. He waited patiently for the day to come, never wishing to rush things, or question the actions of the Valar.

“It has never occurred to me before,” Ecthelion finally answered. He wondered if his words would settle Glorfindel’s curiosity; apparently, they did not.

“Do you not wish to?” the blond pressed.

“I do. But it is not yet my time. And I have not yet met such a person with whom I should share such an intimate emotional bonding.” The elder Elf studied his friend from a moment. Glorfindel was now staring at his hands; there was something within the azure eyes, some unasked question.

“Then,” Glorfindel finally spoke, “you do not know what it is like to be kissed?”
helihelion blinked; he had not been prepared for that question either. “Now, why do you ask me this, meldir? What has prompted you to present such questions to me this day?” The blond looked uncomfortable as he fidgeted. Slowly he pushed himself up until he was sitting on his heels. Glorfindel refused to look up at his friend, instead keeping his gaze fixed upon Ecthelion’s knees. The dark-haired Elf waited patiently for his question to be answered.

“I saw Egalmoth kissing Rog yesterday,” Glorfindel said, his voice barely above a whisper. Ecthelion thought for a moment, recalling that Egalmoth lived near him, and Rog near Glorfindel. “I didn’t mean to watch them, but I couldn’t help it. They were touching and smiling, and it made me wonder. I asked Ada about it, but he told me I was too young and to wait until after my majority. But I’m curious, Ecthelion. Do you know what it’s like?”

“To be kissed, you mean?” Glorfindel nodded as Ecthelion sighed. “I’m afraid I don’t, meldir. For me, a kiss is something you give only to your family, and to your lover. Thus far, my parents and Astaldion have been the only recipients of such affection from me.
“A kiss is not something that is to be given freely, or to be taken lightly. There is a great deal of trust and affection involved in such a simple gesture. I am afraid that, outside of my family, I have found no one else to bestow such feelings upon.”

“Not even towards me?” Glorfindel looked rather hurt at the admission, but Ecthelion’s next words seemed to reassure him.

“Of course you, mellon-nîn! You are my dearest friend. Of course I feel such affection towards you.” Ecthelion chewed on his lip; he realized his last words sounded hypocritical. Glorfindel seemed to have realized it as well, but remained silent. “Would you like to try?”

“W-what?” Glorfindel’s head snapped up at the question. His eyes searched Ecthelion’s to assess if the other Elf was jesting or being serious. There was no hint of mischievousness in the gray-blue gaze; instead, there was sincerity and kindness. Ecthelion really was willing to give it a try. The blond faltered, not quite knowing how to answer. “But, you just said…”

“Yes, I know what I said. But you are my dearest friend, Glorfindel. Very few others do I trust as I do you. If you wish to try, then I will help you.”

There was no immediate response, but, after a few minutes of silence and consideration, Glorfindel nodded his consent. Ecthelion shifted closer, locking their gazes. Glorfindel swallowed in an attempt to dispel his sudden nervousness. Ecthelion was so close his breath was tickling the blond’s cheek, stirring strands of his hair.

Tentatively, Ecthelion leaned closer. He moved slowly so as not to startle Glorfindel, as well as to keep himself calm. He did not know what possessed him to ask such a question, but there was no turning back now. And, if he admitted it to himself, Ecthelion was also quite curious. He had seen his parents embrace and share kisses many times; he had also seen Astaldion share shy kisses with his own lover. He too wanted to know what it was like. He watched as Glorfindel’s eyes slipped close, a rosy stain upon his cheeks. Taking a short breath, Ecthelion’s own eyes closed as he leaned closer, pressing their lips together in a light caress.

It was a brief kiss, one that ended rather quickly and abruptly. Both parties involved seemed rather startled by their actions, pulling away instantly. Furious blushes stained their cheeks as each raised a hand to lightly touch their lips. They stared at each other for the longest time as the initial shock of the kiss died away.

“Would you like to try again?” Ecthelion asked quietly once he had regained his voice. A mere nod was his answer as Glorfindel leaned forward, once again closing his eyes. Ecthelion mimicked his movements as, again, their lips joined.

The second kiss felt different from the first; it was pleasant, warm and…right. It felt right to be doing this, though neither knew why. The first kiss had been rather childish in nature; the second felt as if it could go on forever. But, then, Glorfindel sneezed.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized before sneezing again. “Your hair was tickling my nose.”

Ecthelion laughed as Glorfindel sniffed, rubbing his nose. The blond grinned sheepishly whilst Ecthelion brushed his dark hair behind his ears. “Let’s try again,” he said encouragingly, to which Glorfindel gave an enthusiastic nod. Again, their lips joined; again the delightfully pleasant warmth spread through their bodies.

Deciding to experiment a little, Ecthelion leaned forward and inadvertently flicking the tip of his tongue across Glorfindel’s bottom lip. The blond gasped, his lips parting and causing Ecthelion’s tongue to slip inside his mouth. The both of them froze, but remained in the kiss. Taking it slow, the dark-haired Elf touched the tip of his tongue to Glorfindel’s; a low moan issued from the other, sounding his delight at the contact. Encouraged by the response, Ecthelion reached for Glorfindel, gently pulling him closer as their tongues danced and sparred with one another. They melted into each other’s arms, drowning in the sensations swirling within them as they forgot everything but the feel of the other.

The need for air soon became great; the pair pulled apart, chests heaving for the much needed breathe. Glorfindel gave a small whimper in protest to the broken contact. Their arms still encircled one another, Glorfindel’s about Ecthelion’s waist whilst the other had his arms circling the blond’s shoulders. Golden hair had become undone once again when Ecthelion’s hands had buried themselves in the thick, silky mass. They remained that way, staring into one another’s eyes as their breathing became steady. A moment later, Glorfindel smiled.

“So, that’s what it’s like,” he said.

Ecthelion nodded as they disentangled themselves. He reached for the brush again, quickly fixing the mess he had made of his own work.

Glorfindel looked at him over his shoulder with curious eyes. “Did you like it?”

“Aye. And you?”

Glorfindel nodded as his hair was finished again. He g up up at the sky, and quickly realized the time. “Nana is waiting for me!” The young Elf quickly scrambled off the blanket, and yanked his boots on. He was about to run off, but stopped and turned to Ecthelion.

His friend already knew his question, and smiled in return. “Tomorrow, meldir. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Glorfindel smiled brightly and nodded before running off.

Ecthelion sat a moment, watching the golden head as it disappeared into the surrounding forest. Slowly, he raised his hand and fingered his lips. had had been surprised by his own reaction to the contact. In fact, Ecthelion found himself craving more of Glorfindel’s kiss.

/Does this mean I’m falling in love with my best friend? My lords and ladies of the Valar, is he whom you have intended for me?/ Ecthelion pondered the thought as he gathered his things and made for home. He had learned one thing: reaching your majority meant things got a little more confusing instead of enlightened.

TBC...