Cuil Eden

Title: Cuil Eden
Part: 61/?
Rating: R
Series: Sequel to Anestel and Ethuil'waew
Pairing: Glorfindel/Legolas
Warnings: mpreg, bdsm
Disclaimer: All the pretty elves belong to Tolkien, I'm just playing with them and will give them back afterwards.
Lots of thanks to my beta for her hard work! :)

61

Fairion's braids were indeed not easy to unravel, yet Legolas once again found that the skills garnered during his time with the horses came to his advantage here. He had spent countless hours braiding and unbraiding manes and tails, and had also during the last two years fought almost daily with the unruly locks of his Lord. Fairion's warrior braids took some patience, yet despite the few knots he encountered, he soon had them undone.

In the meantime, Haldir had finished his story and seemed more than happy to return Gîlríon to Legolas – and though no one had outright laughed at him, there were expressions of smug amusement on the faces of the Noldorin soldiers. Legolas envied Haldir's calm while facing such resentment. He knew how he had behaved in similar situations, and how his inability to hide his helplessness and hurt at being treated in such a way had always only made matters worse for him. Yet Haldir seemed completely at ease, as if he did not care what others thought – as if he were not even aware of having ever committed any fault.

Legolas wondered at Haldir's decision to join them, for Fairion and Laindir had made it more than obvious what kind of reception awaited him. And yet Haldir had come, had voluntarily joined this group of people who all resented him – was it truly his sense of duty that made him unwilling to shirk this obligation, even though Legolas was more than protected in the midst of his Lord's own soldiers?

Or was it that maybe, fulfilling his duty even in circumstances that left him open to ridicule was Haldir's way of showing that he rued what he had done?

When Legolas dared a careful look at the guard, he found him completely relaxed, stretched out in the water with his head resting on the edge of the pool – a small, smug smile playing on his lips as if he had known that Legolas would be unable to resist looking at him for long.

Maybe Haldir would simply always stay an enigma to him, Legolas decided with a silent sigh.

Gîlríon was once more playing with his little boat, and Laindir began to tell of what he and Fairion had observed earlier, the amazing agility of the Mirkwood-bred mare, and Legolas' astonishing ride.

Legolas was glad that most of them were flushed due to the water's heat, for he felt embarrassed by all this praise, although Laindir seemed truly impressed by his horsemanship. It almost felt like rescue to him when his Lord showed up at last, striding through the door gloriously nude and completely unabashed by all the eyes that rested on him.

Glorfindel smiled at him, then proceeded to quickly wash himself, not even bothering to undo his braids himself before he came to join them in the water. Haldir scooted reluctantly aside after Glorfindel gave him a pointed look, and Legolas smiled, meeting the guard's eyes in the smug awareness that it had been impossible for Haldir to not see that Glorfindel was indeed his better in that most intimate regard.

Gîlríon immediately climbed onto his atto's lap once Glorfindel was immersed in the water, and showed off his new boat. When Glorfindel had sufficiently praised it, he wrapped one arm around Legolas' shoulders to pull him close and pressed a tender kiss to his brow.

"You should have told us, Captain! We would have demanded a demonstration before, had we know what the Prince and his horse can do!"

"Aye, and begged him to train us, too!"

Glorfindel was startled by the chorus of voices, but then gave his men a broad smile. "You should have believed me when I told you that he raced me and won!"

Legolas looked at him in surprise. Had his Lord bragged about him? Bragged, not about his sweet mouth or pliant body, as had been his wont only a year ago, but about his abilities on horseback?

"Only on short distances," he said, feeling a little shaken by the thought of his Lord lauding him so in front of others. "On longer distances, Asfaloth is faster."

"I would not care about long distances if I could do the kind of turns you can," Laindir said with a envious sigh. "No more loitering next to your Lord on the way back – I shall steal you from his side and have you teach me!"

"If Gîl and my Lord can spare me, certainly I will." Legolas smiled at Laindir, remembering his offer to spar with him as well, and wondered if his Lord would agree. Laindir was kind... Sparring with him would certainly not be as nerve-wracking as having lessons with the other youths.

"If you behave during our stay here, I might let Legolas show you." Glorfindel grinned at Laindir's sigh, then turned a little when Legolas took hold of his braids. Braiding or unbraiding his Lord's golden tresses truly came naturally to him now – Legolas could have done it blindfolded, and so it was the work of seconds to unravel the braids. He combed through the heavy mane with his fingers, sighing softly to himself at the gloriousness of it.

Glorfindel turned back then and caught his chin in his hand, taking a kiss from him. It was short and chaste, due to their company, and yet there was such gentle love in the gesture that once again Legolas felt overwhelmed by the thought that this great Lord had chosen him to love.

They continued to play with Gîl and his boat while the conversation around them went on, and even though there were topics Legolas did not feel confident enough to join in, he never felt excluded, for there were many other things he found he could talk about.

Glorfindel's arm around his shoulders felt comforting, making him feel safe, and loved, and when the warmth of the water finally made conversation come to a drowsy lull, Glorfindel moved to press a kiss to his cheek again, smiling at the open adoration in the youth's eyes.

"Now that we have all survived Gîl's begetting day, it is time to prepare for the next celebration, is it not, pen vell?" he murmured. "You are all invited, of course," he added for his men.

Legolas looked at him with what seemed almost fearful disbelief, and it made Glorfindel's heart ache to think that the youth must have long since trained himself to no longer even hope for such acknowledgments.

"The 42nd day of your begetting – I am very sorry that I never even thought to ask last year, pen villen. But this year, you shall have a feast as is proper. The Lord and Lady plan a banquet for you, and so that it will not be too boring with only their wise advisors in attendance, all of you will have to come as well."

Legolas had flushed at his words, and even though he did not dare to smile, indeed was still afraid that it would turn out to be a jest, his eyes were wide with shocked pleasure, so that Glorfindel tightened his arm around him in loving reassurance.

"Ada's begetting day? Will he get toys like mine?" Gîl asked innocently while around him, the guards bit back laughter. Although Legolas' blush deepened at the question, he did not lower his eyes in humiliation as he once would have done – the laughter of the guards was good-natured, not hateful, and even he himself could not hide his smile at the double entendre of the so innocently asked question.

"Not quite like yours, I wager," he said daringly, rewarded by Glorfindel's low chuckle.

"I would hope not... I can think of gifts far more fitting." Legolas wanted to groan when the amused voice made him remember Haldir's presence. "I will have to think of a present myself then", Haldir continued, "but as we went to the market together, I am certain that I know your... tastes now."

"And we all know your tastes, Haldir, so leave him alone," one of the guards retorted. Legolas could not help but smile at this new, warm experience of knowing himself supported, yet now he almost began to feel sorry for Haldir, as he knew his situation only too well.

"I am certain that the Lord and Lady will have gifts for you as well – after all, you are kin to Lord Celeborn himself," Glorfindel pointed out.

"Ai, so distantly that it hardly counts!" Legolas demurred, and Glorfindel laughed.

"Like your grandfather, Celeborn was a kinsman of Thingol in Doriath; and if that is good enough for him, it should be good enough for you. You will not hear the Lady of Light call me cousin, yet we are kin as well, and she would honor me so were I not already accorded all honor as Captain of Imladris' forces and representative of Elrond."

"You are kin to the Lady Galadriel?"

Glorfindel laughed again at the surprise on Legolas' face.

"Ah, pen vell, you did not know? There are little with Vanyarin blood now on these shores; indeed, we might be the only ones. My grandmother was the youngest sister of Indis of the Vanyar, she who married Finwë after Miriel's death and bore him Finarfin, the Lady's father. Indeed, we crossed the Helcaraxë together..." He fell silent for a spell, but then visibly shook off the gloom that had come over him. "In any case, be not so quick to deny claims of kinship; Celeborn is indeed your cousin, though a distant one, and has come to bear you much affection."

"And if he wants to give a banquet in your honor, we will be glad to come!" Fairion said, another adding to much laughter, "We are always glad to be of help when it comes to celebrations!"

Legolas was flushed with pleasure, so pleased at what Glorfindel had planned for him that even Haldir's presence could no longer rile him. He did not truly listen anymore to the conversations that were going on around him, too overcome by happiness to pay attention, and when it was finally time to leave the water, he did so still smiling, helping Gîl out of the water first before he made to follow him.

The child had grown drowsy in the water's heat, and Legolas had been certain that he would fall asleep within minutes and force them to carry him back home, yet as soon as he had left the water, Gîl grabbed his little toy boat and began to run, holding the boat up in the air as if it were flying.

"Look, ada, atto! Like the story you told me, about the adar of Lord Elrond! The boat sails in the sky!"

"Gîl! Do not run, you will slip!" With a sigh, Legolas got out of the water to follow him, certain now that Gîl must have indeed inherited his atar's stamina.

Gîl giggled, running faster so that his adar would not catch him, but after a few steps Legolas finally caught up with him and pulled him up into his arms. Gîl laughed as if they had been playing tag, so that Legolas had to force himself to give him a stern look, chiding him for his carelessness and disobedience, and took his boat from him until he showed better behavior.

His chase had brought him to the far end of the large room where a little earlier, a group of Galadhrim had claimed a large pool; now from the corner of his eyes he saw a whispered exchange take place, and one of them made to leave the water.

Legolas quickly turned around and hurried back to his Lord, pretending that he had not seen him even though he felt hot with miserable shame at what he knew to be his own cowardice. Glorfindel came towards him, his eyes suspiciously narrowed, and Legolas moved past him back to where the guards were leaving their pool, glad to be able to hide behind his Lord even though it filled him with shame to have everyone witness his cowardice. And yet he was so sick of confrontations – no matter what this was about, he just could not bear any more allusions to how he was a victim of his Lord rather than his beloved, for in truth this hurt far worse than hearing himself called a whore, as he had so often been before.

He risked a shy look back, finding his Lord still rigid with displeasure even though his conversation with the Galadhel seemed polite, and when the other turned to look at him, Legolas almost flinched, quickly turning away again to face Laindir.

"What is it? Is he trying to give you trouble?" the guard asked, and Legolas shook his head.

"I do not know, but... I can guess what this is about."

Miserably, Legolas thought back to the news that Rúmil had brought them, and how Glorfindel had later gone to talk to Lord Celeborn who had been confronted by his guards about the signs of abuse Legolas sported. Glorfindel had not said much about it when he returned, and Legolas knew that was probably because his Lord was aware that he wanted to neither think nor talk about that matter. And in truth, from what he had said, there had not been much to tell. Lord Celeborn was of course aware of the nature of their relationship and knew that – at least by now – Legolas surrendered himself to his Lord willingly, and that what marks Glorfindel left on his skin, he bore proudly.

Lord Celeborn had informed his guards that it was a private matter between them, and that he could vouch that there was neither force nor threat involved in their relationship – yet still Legolas could not help but feel shame at the way everyone was aware of the most intimate details of his life.

And now, everyone was aware that he was a coward as well, that he could not even face one of the Galadhrim who had sought to protect him, however misguided.

Legolas swallowed, knowing that he had flushed a bright red, and felt shame for that as well. His Lord already knew him a coward, and now his Lord's guards whom he had come to look up to would know it as well, and Gîl...

He looked at his son, still wet and looking downtrodden after his toy had been taken from him, and tried to think of him grown, his own age. Was there any way he could not feel shame for who and what his father was, or had been?

Yet to have his own son look at him with disgust for his weakness...

"Can you take him for a moment?" At Laindir's nod, he handed Gîlríon over to him. "Do not let him run away again. I will be back in a moment."

He took a deep breath and turned to walk towards where Glorfindel still faced the Galadhel, his heart beating fast in his chest at the thought of how humiliating it would be to be called his Lord's victim again in front of his Lord's own men – men he had secretly hoped might become something like friends to him one day.

He stopped next to Glorfindel, shy and too insecure to say something, yet when his Lord's arm came around his waist in an open display of possession, the touch gave him strength as well.

"Your Highness," the Galadhel said and bowed, obviously uncomfortable with the situation, and Legolas found some of his own embarrassment vanish at the sight.

"Forgive me for disturbing you here; I have come only to apologize. It was never our intention to cause you embarrassment, and we are very sorry to have hurt you by our actions. I hope that you will forgive us; it was truly only our intention to help."

Legolas swallowed, still ill at ease even though he was glad that there were no accusations against his Lord; certainly the guards' own Lord had taken care of that.

"Thank you," he said softly, his voice faltering – what else could he say to the Galadhel? He could not, he would not talk about his Lord or what was between them!

"Yes, we thank you for the apology," Glorfindel came to his rescue then. "And please, if in the future you feel the need for clarification, come to see me, or Legolas. I would not keep him from you; and indeed, though he is young still, he is not a child, and you would do well not to treat him as one."

Legolas smiled at his Lord's defense of him, and the Galadhel bowed again before he returned to the pool where his friends were waiting.

"It was good of him to apologize," Glorfindel said, brushing Legolas' cheek with his lips. "Still, they should have come to talk to you before going to Celeborn; they indeed treated you like a child, and that will not do. You are a Prince, and kin to their Lord, and I will see you honored as such. Now come, you are still wet, and too beautiful to stand around unclad in a room with the likes of Haldir."

Legolas laughed at that and let his Lord lead him back to where Laindir had already wrapped a large towel around Gîlríon to dry him. Glorfindel took a towel from a stash as well and pulled Legolas a little to the side under the pretense of drying him.

"Mmh... I remember how you felt this morning," Glorfindel murmured thoughtfully, his breath hot against Legolas' ear so that the youth shivered with helpless delight, forgetting all about his earlier embarrassment. "So sweet and tight... So good. Always so good with you." He pressed a tender kiss to Legolas' nape, his arms coming around his towel-clad prince to hold him close for a moment.

"Will you ravish me right here and show those Galadhrim just how willing I truly am?" Legolas whispered teasingly, laughing softly when Glorfindel growled at his words.

"Careful, roch neth - do not tempt me!"

Legolas smiled and turned in his Lord's arms, forgetting all about their audience as he allowed himself to fully enjoy the hard, strong body he found himself pressed against. "This evening, when Gîl is asleep... You could chastise me for teasing you, my Lord," he said, his eyes lowered coyly. "Certainly such behavior is inappropriate for a Prince?"

Glorfindel's eyes were dark with arousal, and there was such promise in them that Legolas felt breathless – had his Lord commanded him to turn around and lean against the wall in offering, he knew that he would have done it.

"I think it is obvious to all present just how willing you indeed are," Glorfindel said and chuckled darkly. "Take care, princeling, you truly are in need of disciplining!" He took Legolas' mouth in a bruising kiss then, only to at last push him away almost violently.

"Dry yourself," he said, his voice unsteady, "otherwise I will truly end up giving an entertainment I did not intend to all those watching."

Legolas swallowed, a hot blush returning to his cheeks as he became aware of their audience once again, and yet he could not keep a smile from his lips as he watched his Lord walk away, once more overwhelmed and awed by how it was he who had the power to affect this great Lord so.

------------------
atto – affectionate form of "father" [Quenya]
ada – affectionate form of "father" [Sindarin]
atar – father [Quenya]
adar – father [Sindarin]
pen villen - beloved one
pen vell – dear one
roch neth – colt
------------------