Come to me in dreams

Chapter 5.

Thranduil stirred with a very odd feeling. When the haze of his reverie started to fade, he realized that there was someone else in the bed with him. The nights’ events started to return to his mind, and he smiled happily. Thranduil adoringly smoothed the sleeping elf’s beautiful hair and enjoyed the warm body against his own.

Lindir, his meleth (love) and now also his hervenn (husband). The young elf felt so good in his arms and Thranduil hoped that he would be there forever. But, that wasn’t possible as they had to wake up now and go tell Elrond about their binding. The Lord would surely come looking for him if he didn’t appear for the meeting they had agreed to have.

“Lindir? Meleth nín (my love), you need to wake up.” He whispered gently and kissed Lindir’s cheek. Thranduil thought that his meleth was now even more beautiful than before. In his sleep, he seemed very young and vulnerable and as he stared at Lindir, his feelings threatened to overwhelm him. The king loved Lindir more than he ever thought possible.

Lindir began to stir, though very reluctantly. He had always liked to sleep late, and in his present state, he was even more unwilling to return to awareness. He felt warm and happy, and he could feel loving arms around him. Lindir smiled when he heard soft voice whispering to him, and he felt someone kissing him. How was it possible that this felt so real? Finally, he opened his eyes only to find vivid green eyes looking back, full of mirth.

“You really are a sleepy head, Lindir nín (my Lindir). I would love to stay here with you but we can’t.” Thranduil whispered, smiling at his meleth.

Lindir blushed beautifully as he started to remember the previous night. He still found it hard to believe that he had really made love with the King and they were now bound. However, the sweet soreness in his body told Lindir that everything really had happened. He felt possessed but also loved and it made him happier than he had ever believed possible. Lindir frowned when he remembered that they needed to inform Elrond about their bonding.

Thranduil sensed Lindir’s mixed emotions. “What is it, ind nín (my heart)? I can see that something is bothering you.”

“I just thought about Elrond. How will he take this? I must tell you that he is quite protective with me because he raised me after my parent’s death.” Lindir said, hesitantly. He hoped that they would have Elrond’s blessings because he loved the Elf-lord like his father. Now he had Thranduil, and his mate would be the one who held his heart.

“We just have to tell him and see what happens. We can’t keep this a secret, Lindir nín. Elrond is powerful, and he will know about our bond as soon as he sees us.” Thranduil said, more calmly then he felt. He knew they had many obstacles to overcome before they could enjoy their union openly.

They got up and started to dress. After a short dicussion, they decided that it was best if Lindir approached his foster-father first. Elrond would surely want to hear about his foster-son’s binding from Lindir himself, not some stranger.

“I can’t understand how I could just make love with you without even knowing you. I’m not usually this fast.” Lindir whispered, embarrassed.

“Don’t say that! You have no reason to consider of yourself so lowly. I know that our bonding was sudden but surely, this was meant to be. Besides, how could you be fast? You were untouched.” Thranduil said, frowning at Lindir’s words.

“Do you… do you really think so? I truly hope that Elrond will give us his blessing. This will be quite a shock to him. There is one thing I’m sure of though, I love you and no matter what happens, I want to be yours.”

“Lindir nín, you are mine as I am yours, till the end of Arda. Nothing can come between us, ever. I have dreamed about you for so long and now you are finally mine.” Thranduil assured, holding Lindir close.

“What do you mean, dreamed about me? I have also dreamed about you. I was so happy when I found out that you were real, not just a dream.” Lindir said, surprised.

“I have dreamed about you for a long time now, meleth. As I told you, I came here to seek a cure for it. I was fading because my longing was so great.”

“Oh, meleth! You cannot fade now that you have finally found me.” Lindir said, startled. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing Thranduil, not when all his dreams had finally come true.

“Shh… everything is fine, Lindir nín. I found a cure, more wonderful than I could ever imagine. *You* are everything I need to be whole and happy again.” Thranduil whispered lovingly.

“I love you, so much. I wish that I could stay right here, forever.” Lindir breathed, enjoying Thranduil’s closeness and kisses. How good it felt to be held like this. He felt so safe and warm now. But all too soon Thranduil released him, starting to get up.

When they were finally in presentable attire, Lindir headed towards Elrond’s study, followed by Thranduil. They had recinsidered and decided that it was best if they both went to Elrond. Thranduil wanted to be there supporting his mate. He knew how nervous Lindir was and as they reached Elrond’s chamber, Thranduil could feel Lindir trembling. He pulled Lindir in his arms, kissing him one more time.

“I want you to remember that whatever he says, he only wants what is best for you. And in time, he will learn that I love you very much.” Thranduil said softly, then gathered his courage and knocked. He heard a voice beckoning them to enter and opened the door, gently escorting Lindir inside.

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Elrond was surprised at seeing the King and his foster-son together.

“Lindir, what does this mean?” Elrond asked, confused. He had had no idea that Thranduil and Lindir knew each other. His confusion grew when he noticed their obvious closeness. Thranduil held Lindir’s hand in very gentle manner. Elrond also sensed something else, an unusually powerful aura around them and he wondered what it meant.

“We have something to tell you, Elrond. Can we sit?” Lindir managed to say, despite his nervousness. This was moment of the truth. After seeing Elrond’s silent nod, they both sat down and Lindir started his tale.

“Do you remember when I told you about my dreams, Elrond?” He asked, and continued when Elrond nodded.

“I didn’t tell you all about them, mostly because I was so embarrassed. Now I must. I always dreamed of one elf and in my dreams, we loved each other very much. For a long time I was sure that it was only dream, but yesterday I learned that my dream lover is real.”

“What, but how? I assume that the King is the elf you dreamed about because you are here with him.” Elrond was stunned.

“You are right and there is more. We met last night and Thranduil had dreamed about me. We were so happy when we finally found each other that we…well, we are bound now.” Lindir said, blushing furiously. It was extremely difficult to talk with Elrond about something this intimate.

For a moment, Elrond could only stare at them. His first thought was that this was only dream, or some kind of trick. But when Elrond studied at them further, he saw the truth. Now he understood what that aura was around them. The bond between Lindir and Thranduil was the strongest one he had ever seen. Elrond couldn’t deny that he was worried. He wanted to know more about this.

“Thranduil, you haven’t said anything yet. How do you feel about this?” He asked seriously, studying at the King intently.

“I am happier than ever before. I love Lindir with all my heart; and I want to make him happy. I know that this is sudden, but I hope that you can give us your blessing. It is true that I dreamed about Lindir, and that was the reason I came here. You saw it yourself, I was fading.” Thranduil said carefully. Elrond’s face was unreadable, and Thranduil wasn’t sure what the Elf-lord was thinking.

“I sensed it, aye. But I can’t see any of those indications in you any longer. I’m beginning to think that you are really speaking the truth.”

“We have no reason to tell you lies, Elrond.” Lindir whispered, beginning to worry. What if Elrond wouldn’t accept this?

Elrond noticed Lindir’s distress and his face softened into a gentle smile.

“Don’t worry, pen- neth (young one). I’m not mad at you, but I want to be sure that you are happy.”

A dazzling smile appeared upon Lindir’s face. “I am happy; I love him so much,” he said softly, leaning into Thranduil’s arms.

“I’m glad to hear that and I give my blessings, on one condition.” Elrond said slowly.

“What it is?” Lindir asked, hesitantly. Elrond’s face was now serious and suddenly the young one feared to hear more.

“You are very young, and you were also completely innocent before your binding. I want to be sure that he didn’t hurt you when you made love. I want to examine you.”