Battle of the Heart

Chapter 6

Celebrian whispered into Erestor's ear as they danced around the hall. She felt light as a feather in Erestor's arms. "My lady, as always you are a delightful dancer." Erestor told her as he spun her once more to her sheer enchantment.

"My dear friend, it is you who makes it so," she sweetly smiled, " you have a way with you that surpasses most I have danced with." Erestor nodded to her with a small grin that graced his handsome features. "Do not tell my husband, for you are a far better dancer than he is." To this Erestor threw his head back and laughed, bending her gracefully backwards in a delicious dip. Bringing her back up quickly to land seductively against his body so that their torsos were completely touching. Celebrian blushed at the licentiousness of that move. "My dear counselor, if I did not know better, I would say that you would have had quite the manner with the maidens."

Erestor laughed again and whispered into the tip of her ear in playful seduction. "My dear Celebrian, you have no idea."

"What, you wish to tell me that you once favored females? I do not believe it, I have seen your eyes when they look upon your husband." She felt Erestor stiffen slightly at the mention of his mate. "Oh, forgive me, how insensitive of me."

"Nay, my lady, it is just that my heart aches for him whenever he crosses my mind," here he smiled, "which is most of the day and all of the night… and yet... you are correct, I was quite the female aficionado in my early days." Her eyes widened in surprise as he twirled her once more, only to have her end up seated upon her husband's lap. She giggled as Elrond's arms came around her waist and he kissed her cheek.

"I believe she belongs to you my lord," Erestor teased Elrond, knowing it would get Celebrian annoyed.

"I belong to none...elf!" She scowled teasingly into Erestor's face. "Though my heart belongs to Elrond Peredhil, but do not tell my husband."

"Your secret is safe with me, dear lady," he winked as he half-bowed, "And now, I bid you both a good night." Turning to leave he felt a small delicate hand grab his. He turned back to face Celebrian with a questioning look.

" Thank you for the dance my friend and... be well." Came the sweetest smile from his lord's wife.

"Anytime my lady, and as always, it is an honor." Erestor smiled and brought Celebrian's hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss upon it. He then leaned forward and placed a sloppy kiss upon Elrond's forehead. Complete with exaggerated kissing sounds and residual drool.

"Lovely," Elrond replied as he rolled his eyes with mirth.

"Good night my friends," Erestor turned his back to them, finally escaping the busy hall to the solitude of his rooms.

Once inside, he immediately undressed, hanging his clothes in the armoire, only to exchange them for Glorfindel's bathing robe. He gathered the soft, thick fabric around his slender form, nearly going around his slim waist twice. Moving to the balcony off of their bedroom, he nuzzled the fabric, taking in a deep breath--it smelled of him: of sun and honey, with a hint of spiciness underneath. Wrapping his arms around his waist he looked upon the stars and said a silent prayer for Glorfindel's safe return. Closing his eyes, he stretched his mind out, clearing all but one thought. "Glorfindel," he sent out through their bond, into that tiny white light that showed his mate was still with him. He put all the feelings of love and well being that he could into that single call.

***

The ruins of Amon Sûl could be seen in the ever-closing distance. Turning Asfaloth around, Glorfindel sought out Angion. He looked over the faces of his elven warriors with pride. They were a good troop…loyal, steadfast, and… tired. He could see it in their eyes, in the hunch of their shoulders, the slight bowing of their heads.

Coming to ride next to Angion, he told his first lieutenant that they would be stopping for the night at the base of the ruins of the once great watchtower at Weathertop. The Númenóreans had built the watchtower during the time of Elendil. The Witch King had seen to its demise during one of his many raids there. It stood as a silent testament to once greatness and the crumbling stones now spoke of changing times, of coming darkness with each speck that fell, be it stone or dust. It spoke of the change to befall all of Middle Earth, the utter inevitability of it, and it stood as a witness for all who would happen by it.

"Angion, we will make camp at the base of Amon Sûl. Have archers placed on every side of the summit on guard. Make sure they are changed every two hours for proper rest." Glorfindel patted Angion on the shoulder blade as the lieutenant shouted the orders down the line.

As he did every night when they made camp, Glorfindel walked throughout his elves, making sure that all was well; to make himself available for any who might have need of him. He would often find himself stopped, though mostly to share a quick anecdote or listen to a word of encouragement, or even to give one. His warriors loved him and it shown in how well they all worked together.

Finally reaching the spot he had given himself to rest, he sat and with a sigh, ate his rations while closing his eyes for one moment to inwardly reflect. Voices drifted into his mind, and he heard his name being faintly called. Letting out a small gasp, he grinned as "Erestor"
was whispered from his lips. He was filled with a warmth and love and knew it was his husband contacting him. Sending out the same feelings back, he smiled, the sensation was as if caressed upon his skin. Yes, that was just what he had needed…lying down he quickly fell into a light reverie, dreaming of Gondolin…

***
Garden of the House of the Fountain…


The night was clear. The sounds of the musicians resounded from the great hall. Having yet another party for Valar knew the reason, Ecthelion and his lover, the Lord of the Golden Flower, stumbled arm- in- arm into the lush gardens that the House of the Fountain had to offer. They were not alone, for many elves were paired off and exchanging glances, kisses, and even touches, in the various nooks the garden offered. With only the moonlight as illumination- it leant a romantic air to all it touched.

As they walked towards a secluded section that only those of the House of the Fountain knew about, they passed a couple in a passionate embrace. The auburn-haired maiden, dressed in the finest green silk, had her head bowed back in delight and in her soft mounds of exposed breast, was the face of a raven-haired certain elf of their acquaintance. Being quite drunk and feeling no shame, Ecthelion called out to their otherwise engaged friend.

"Erestor! What have you got there?" Smirked the lord of the Fountain.

The maiden's head whipped up and she immediately tried to cover herself, though Erestor had quickly covered her breast by putting the fabric of her dress back in its proper place. Erestor turned to face his friends and glared at Ecthelion, raising an eyebrow precariously high.

Ecthelion thought this was the most uproarious thing he had ever witnessed and proceeded to become conquered by a case of the giggles. He was laughing so hard, that he was leaning over, wiping tears from his eyes. The maiden began to tear in embarrassment.

"Please, forgive us for the intrusion Erestor, I am afraid that we have had much to drink this night," and he gestured towards Ecthelion with his head. "Especially Thel. Forgive us my lady," he half bowed, to the blushing one behind Erestor, as he pulled the still laughing Ecthelion further down the path.

Finally reaching the secluded glade, Ecthelion grabbed Glorfindel and plundered his mouth with sloppy kisses. Pushing the lord of the Golden Flower down onto the soft grass, Ecthelion lain on top of him as he
rubbed their awakening arousals together. Moans and heavy breathing
rent the air, while Ecthelion began to slink down Glorfindel's strong body.

Before he knew it, Glorfindel found his breeches opened and a warm, moist heat enveloped his hard length. Moaning loudly, Glorfindel closed his eyes only to have his mind filled with the visage of Erestor's pink tongue laving at that maiden's hardened nipple. A tongue that he now envisioned doing as much to him, and as his hands roamed his chest, pulling at his nipples hard, he whimpered. The pressure within his loins grew as Ecthelion suckled and licked his weeping erection. Glorfindel leaned up with one arm supporting his torso, whilst the other hand wound it's way into dark silken hair, his hips moving in fast circles, pumping into the mouth of the darkling before him. The hold on Ecthelion's hair was tight as his completion neared its peak. His head snapping back, his hair wild, sweat glistening off his chest, Glorfindel yelled into the night air as his seed forced its way down the lord of the Fountain's throat, "Ress, Valar…Ress."

Lying back hard onto the grass, panting heavily and practically incoherent, Glorfindel smiled up at the face of his lover, sated and happy. The look upon Ecthelion's face was that of disbelief, he had immediately sobered. Looking quizzically, Glorfindel questioned Ecthelion. "What is wrong?"

He tried to touch his lover's face, but Ecthelion pulled back, and through clenched teeth, he spoke. "What did you cry out in your release?"

Thinking back to seconds before, the scene played out with high speed inside his mind and he inwardly groaned, "I said Yes…Valar…Yes…why?"

"No matter, never mind, I thought I heard something else." Ecthelion answered without truth…

***

Glorfindel awoke with a start, his breathing heavy, memories playing in his mind. That was the last night he had ever laid eyes upon Erestor until his return. For the very following month, Gondolin fell, and Erestor had been sent to Beleriand the day after that party and he was therefore met by Idril, Tuor and the remaining survivors of Gondolin where upon hearing the news of Gondolin's fall, he dropped to his knees weeping and crying out for his once home and for all that he had held dear within it.

TBC




Angion: son of iron
Lagion: Sharp