Cuil Eden

Title: Cuil Eden
Part: 36/?
Rating: PG-13
Series: Sequel to Anestel and Ethuil'waew
Pairing: Glorfindel/Legolas
Warnings: mpreg, d/s
Disclaimer: All the pretty elves belong to Tolkien, I'm just playing with them and will give them back afterwards.

As usual, this was betaed by Calenharn Elflover - thank you so much for your hard work! :)

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Carefully, Glorfindel wrapped the discarded robe around Legolas and carried him back to their talan. The youth remained unconscious until Glorfindel laid him down onto the bed, but then he whimpered softly and opened his eyes.

“Hush, Legolas,” Glorfindel said gently and stroked his hair. Then he poured some wine into a cup and held it to Legolas’ lips. “Drink, pen vell. It will grant you untroubled sleep. You deserve some rest now...”

Legolas sighed softly and obediently swallowed the wine. Then he lay back and allowed Glorfindel to gently pull the robe away from him, deeply asleep even before the Lord had finished applying a healing salve to the worst of the welts. Glorfindel sat by his side for a while, keeping watch to make sure that indeed no dark dreams were plaguing him, but eventually he undressed as well and joined Legolas in bed.

The first one to wake the next morning was neither Legolas nor Glorfindel, but Gîlríon. Surprised that neither of his parents was there to help him wash and dress, he climbed out of his bed and padded into his parents’ room. He frowned when he found both of them still asleep, although it was already light outside and a servant had just left breakfast on a table, as well as warm water for washing.

“Wake up, atto! Breakfast is here!” he commanded and climbed up onto the bed, sitting down on Glorfindel’s chest. “I am hungry! And I want to go outside!”

Glorfindel groaned when his eyes cleared and focused on his son. “Gîl... let me breathe! Valar, even an orc would wake me more gently...”

“Get up, atto! And ada, too!” Gîlríon repeated impatiently, pouting when his father did not react immediately. Instead, Glorfindel stretched, giving Legolas, who was still deeply asleep, an almost envious look before he finally pulled his son off his chest and sat up.

“Let your ada sleep, he is very tired,” Glorfindel said, and Gîlríon sighed deeply but abandoned his father to curl up against Legolas’ chest.

“Will you make breakfast for me, atto?” he asked, although his voice was quiet now so he would not wake Legolas. “And will we go see the horses? I want to ride on ada’s horse!”

“Yes, I will prepare your breakfast, and yes, you may ride later on,” Glorfindel sighed patiently and then got up, searching through the clothes they had brought for a simple tunic and leggings that would survive a day of playing with their son.

Once he had dressed, he piled cut fruits on a plate, together with some slices of bread and a pale, mild cheese Legolas favored. Then he spooned some honey over a small bowl of oatmeal, but gave Gîlríon a warning look before he handed it to him. “If you want to eat here, you will be careful. If you spill the honey onto our bed, there will be no riding today!”

“Yes, atto,” Gîlríon sighed and took hold of the bowl with exaggerated carefulness.

Glorfindel returned to the table to get cups. One he filled with warmed milk to which he added some honey before giving it to their son, the other two cups he put down next to the plate on the nightstand, together with a pot of steaming mint tea.

“Wake up, sweet one,” he then breathed into Legolas’ ear, stroking his cheek to call him back from Lórien’s realm of dreams.

Legolas sighed and stretched, but then he froze, his eyes suddenly clearing when an unexpected pain reminded him of what had passed during the night. Only the presence of his son kept him from groaning as his movement stretched muscles beneath bruised and welt-covered skin.

“Still tired?” Glorfindel said knowingly. “I am still feeling tired as well. Perhaps we should rest today...”

“But you promised, atto!” Gîlrion exclaimed, and Glorfindel was quick to reassure him before the tell-tale gleam in his eyes became tears.

“I know, Gîl – Fairion and Laindir will go with you. You like them, do you not? I am certain that they would love to play with you today.”

Gîlríon nodded, already smiling again. “Yes, I really like them!” he agreed and then proceeded to hastily shovel the porridge into his mouth.

“Stay in bed, Legolas,” Glorfindel murmured and pressed a kiss to the prince’s temple before he left their talan for a moment, telling a servant to summon the two guards to their rooms.

When he returned, he found Legolas sitting up carefully with his back against the headboard, the sheet pulled up high to hide his nude body so that Gîlríon would not see the bruises by accident. But their child was still distracted by the honeyed milk he was drinking down as quickly as possible, and before he had time to snuggle up to his ada again, Glorfindel lifted him from the bed and proceeded to help him wash and dress. Every now and then, Gîlríon would stop and give Legolas a questioning look, but although he realized that something was not quite right, he also understood that they did not want to involve him. Soon, he stopped worrying alltogether – his atto would take care of his ada and make everything right again. His parents always made everything right for him, and his atto would know how to make his ada smile again.

A short while later, after a happily chattering Gîlríon had been taken away by the hastily summoned guards, Glorfindel joined Legolas on the bed once more, handing him a cup which he had just filled with tea and placing the plate between them.

“Thank you – I do not think I would make a good playmate for him today,” Legolas said with a slight grimace.

“Yes, I think you should rest today. Although a hot bath will help with the soreness.” Glorfindel kissed Legolas tenderly, then smiled. “Eat, and drink your tea, and then we will go to the baths... and then we will talk.”

Legolas paled and lowered his eyes, but still he sipped obediently at his tea.

An hour later, after Legolas had dressed gingerly in a tunic of thin, sleek silk which he hoped would not aggravate his welts, they headed towards the bathing area of Lothlórien.

There were very few in the city of Caras Galadhon who could enjoy a hot bath in their own rooms, as each bucket of water had to be carried up into the trees before it could be heated and emptied into a tub. Consequently, a hot bath was work for several servants, and this luxury was something usually only accorded to the Lord and Lady, or royal guests. Glorfindel as well was afforded this luxury, yet he did not make use of it overly much as he knew the amount of work it meant.

Most of Lothlórien’s inhabitants used one of the public bathhouses or one of the pools and ponds fed by a small arm of the Celebrant. Yet there was one other pool, situated close to Galadriel’s private gardens, which was fed by a source deep inside the earth. Its water was hot and steaming, imbued with healing powers by the essences of the ancient stones and crystals it had rushed past on its way to the surface.

This pool was usually only used by the Lady of Light and her husband, yet it stood open for those who had need of the healing its waters could bring. And the healing powers of this hallowed spring were just what Legolas needed now; healing – and the privacy of the place so that he could finally unburden his heart.

They undressed and left their clothes on a large stone that stood close to the edge of the pool. Legolas was still not entirely comfortable with being naked in a place where they might be observed by accident, and so he was the first to step into the hot spring.

When he slid deeper into the water, he flinched. The heat made his welts sting and he hissed in pain. Yet only a moment later an almost blissful expression appeared on his face as he relaxed, the soreness of his bruised back vanishing when the magic of the sulphurous water worked its magic.

"I knew that would feel good," Glorfindel said with a smile. He followed Legolas into the water with a contented sigh, then sat down on what appeared to be a stone seat, immersed in the water. “Come here, sit on my lap – I want to hold you when you tell me what you saw yesterday.”

Legolas obeyed shakily, lowering his eyes as soon as he had sat down on Glorfindel’s lap.

“Do not be afraid, Legolas. I am not here to judge you. Remember how you suffered yesterday in payment? You are already forgiven, but now you have to keep the promise that you gave me.”

Again he sought Legolas’ lips, brushing them with his own mouth until they opened of their own accord. Glorfindel smiled into the kiss when Legolas made a soft sound of pleasure somewhere deep in his throat. The youth melted against his body, Glorfindel’s tongue slipping into his mouth to slide teasingly against his own until all Legolas could taste, all he could breathe was Glorfindel. When they finally parted again, Legolas licked dreamily over his moist lips, flushed from the hot water and excitement, and also because he could not hide how much he loved his lord’s taste.

Glorfindel gave him another tender smile. “Trust me,” he encouraged him gently. “Tell me what you saw.”

Legolas sighed again and rested his head on Glorfindel’s shoulder, so that he would not be forced to look into his eyes.

“I first saw my father, and my lady mother. I could not remember what she looked like, but now I know that she was beautiful. It is true what they say, I have inherited her hair – it is the same color.” Legolas sighed against Glorfindel’s damp skin, then continued. “I saw their wedding, saw them exchange their vows beneath the stars... They were very happy. I have never seen my adar look so happy before. It was a good vision, sad because I never got the chance to know my naneth, but I am glad to know what she looked like, and that they were so happy...”

“But then the vision changed, my lord. And – I saw your home, Gondolin. Beautiful... it was so beautiful! I had not known that such splendour existed! It was so much more beautiful than our dark forest, and even Imladris and Lórien pale after you have seen the white walls and minarets of the hidden city. But then it was attacked, and I saw - you. I saw you, my lord, fighting the balrog!” Legolas fell silent and took a shuddering breath. Glorfindel was silent as well, but embraced him tightly as if to protect him from the demon whose horror no elf should have to witness.

“And then – then it was Gondolin no longer, but a cave. You were gone, my lord, but I still saw a balrog... and I saw myself in the cave with the demon. There were others – I fear they were children! And something horrible had happened, something that made my heart ache with grief!” Legolas sobbed softly when he finally allowed himself to voice his fears. “Children, my lord – what if it was another son? What if I one day put one of our children in such danger, by bringing them near a balrog?”

“Calm yourself, Legolas.” Glorfindel gave Legolas a look that, while troubled, was not as anxious as Legolas would have expected. “I do not think that it is a future child that you have seen. Even if it is yet unborn, I am certain that you would have recognized a fëa created by our joining. No, it is a dreadful vision indeed, but you do not need to fear for Gîl or a sibling.” Instead, Glorfindel feared for Legolas, but now was not the time to voice that thought, not when he wanted Legolas calm enough to continue his recounting.

Legolas swallowed and nodded. “That vision...” He shook his head. “As terrible as it was, now that I have seen it, my lord...” He shivered, then reached for Glorfindel’s hand, raising it to his lips so he could kiss it worshipfully. “Glorfindel the Beloved,” he whispered, overcome by the vision of the warrior who had faced the demon and given his life, so that his lord’s family might escape to safety. “I now understand why they call you this. I saw you face the balrog, lord, I saw you step into his path with only your gilded armor to save you from his fire. I saw you raise your sword, saw you give your own life without any fear, so that your lord’s heir might live! I never understood before – but now I know what valor truly means, and that the songs which extoll your knightly virtues do not do justice to your heroic deed! You are indeed beloved of your people, and of the Valar as well.”

Glorfindel was silent. For once he did not know what to say. “Thank you, Legolas,” he finally whispered and leaned down to press a tender kiss to Legolas’ brow, while the youth was still holding his hand cradled against his cheek. “It means a lot to me to hear you say this, truly... For as much as the minstrels like to play the Lay of the Fall of Gondolin, they have never yet seen a balrog, nor do they know the terror of being face to face with a demon of Morgoth...”

“Nor do they know what it feels like to see the most beautiful city of Middle-earth being ravaged by the Dark Lord’s creatures,” Legolas whispered sadly, his eyes filling with tears.

“Yes,” Glorfindel agreed and brushed his lips against Legolas’ cheeks. “Weep if you want – your tears honor you, sweet one. Compassion is a virtue that many have lost in this dark time. But do not grieve too deeply for the lost wonders of the Hidden City. Gondolin was built in the image of fair Tirion on Túna, the city we left behind when we crossed the Helcaraxë. I promise, pen vell, one day I shall return to Aman with you and our son, and together we shall walk the gem-covered shore of Taniquetil. Yes... and I shall show you all the wonders of the Blessed Realm.”

Legolas smiled, and with a soft sigh, surrendered to Glorfindel’s embrace once more. He wished he could simply stay like this, feeling warm and safe, but he had not yet finished recounting what the Mirror had shown. “The next vision...” Ai, it was so hard to talk of it! But talk of it he must – he had promised he would! “It was you again, my lord, together with me in Mirkwood, at the lake. You kissed me...”

“You saw the past then?” Glorfindel asked, and Legolas slowly shook his head.

“Nay, my lord, I... I saw you seduce me. I did not resist you, and you did not... hurt me. You made love to me beneath the apple tree, so sweetly and gently...” Tears began to run down his face as he remembered the tenderness of the act. “And then I was pregnant, sitting at Lord Elrond's table next to you, with Celeborn and Haldir there as well, and – and my brother, Galuron. You... you were so proud, my lord, so happy, so affectionate. Elrond and Galuron were signing some parchment, and there were silver rings on our fingers!” He sobbed the last words, unable to continue for a moment when the pain and bitterness of the memory took away his breath.

Glorfindel closed his eyes, his expression pained. “Go on, pen vell... were there more visions?” he asked hoarsely, although the last thing he wanted to hear right now was another vision like the one Legolas had just recalled.

“I saw a group of elves from Mirkwood. They were attacked by orcs, and there were just too many... They lost, and one of the warriors, I saw how they – raped him!” Legolas moaned in terror, but still he forced himself to continue. “Then – I think I saw myself, back in Mirkwood, sleeping in a room in the royal wing. I was older, but – this should please you, my lord – I was pregnant again.” He tried to smile. “Gîl shall have a little brother or sister one day, and my father will allow me back. That at least is good news, is it not?”

Glorfindel nodded but did not speak, and Legolas continued, eager to be finished.

“The last vision the Mirror gave me was once again a pregnant elf, with fair hair – just like that of my naneth. But he was bound to his bed, and his face – he had clawed his own face with gouges so deep that his features were no longer recognizable! And his belly – ai! That was no child he was bearing, no edhel! There were sores on his belly, dark lines as if there was poison flowing through his very veins, and something inside him was moving – moving!”

He trembled. There were no words to convey the horror he had felt, that sense of evil. “My adar was there, and a healer... I could not understand them, but I know what they said. Monster they said, cursed, tainted, and then – the healer begged ada for mercy for the elf, for death, and...” He sobbed. “They killed him! My ada cried, and then I saw my naneth again, stepping forward until she fell and fell, and her hair fluttered in the wind – her hair was the same color as mine!”

Legolas moaned in horror and sagged against Glorfindel, clutching at his shoulders. When the lord’s arms wrapped themselves around him, to embrace him tightly, they rubbed over the welts on his back and made him cry out. But it was only that pain that kept him from sinking into the comforting darkness that had suddenly loomed in front of his eyes.

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pen vell - dear one
atto - affectionate form of "father" [Quenya]
ada - affectionate form of "father" [Sindarin]
edhil - elf
adar – father
naneth – mother
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