Starry Sky

A/N: Three more chapters and this story will be finished! Thanks again to all who have been reading, especially to those who have taken the time to write a review. And a big thank you to Siobhan for beta reading.

Do you like this pairing? Tell me please! I enjoyed writing and making poor, neglected Orophin the (partial) center of attention for once (it'll be Rumil's turn soon).

/ / denotes thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~ denotes changes in scene or POV (though I don't believe either occur in this chapter


Chapter 7: Gentle Recovery
Summary: Orophin freely gives his comfort to the shaken up twin, who draws from his nearness and strength (slash)

“Elrohir!” Upon seeing her brothers and friends return with the missing elves, Nimriel sprang from her seat beside Galadriel and launched herself at the youngest Peredhel twin. The princess hugged Elrohir tightly, tears slipping down her face and staining the cloak he wore. “I’m so sorry!” she sobbed, suddenly dismissed as she was reduced to a sorrow-filled elfling. “This wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for me. I shouldn’t have broken our arrangement. I’m sorry!”

“Hush now,” Elrohir said softly, returning her hug and giving her a gentle pat on the back. “It’s not your fault, Nimriel. You couldn’t have known this would happen.” If it was possible, Nimriel’s tears seemed to increase at the gentleness of his words; her sobbing made it difficult to discern her next statement.

“I still feel responsible for everything.”

“Come now, child,” Galadriel said as she gently pried the young princess from her grandson. “Elrohir and Rumil are safe now. Do not trouble yourself any longer.” Nimriel nodded and sniffed, retreating into the safety and comfort she felt at her brother’s side; seeing his sister still in need of a little comfort, Celeron wrapped an arm about her shoulders and hugged her tightly. “How do you fare, Rumil?” Galadriel asked, turning to Haldir’s youngest brother.

“I am all right, my lady,” Rumil replied with a slight tilt of the head, brushing some silvery hair behind his ear. “I suffered little damage, just a few beatings; I‘ll heal quickly enough. It is Elrohir who went through the worst of the ordeal.”

“I am fine,” the twin insisted, seeing all eyes turn to him. He pulled the cloak tighter about his form, suddenly feeling very exposed. “There is no need to worry about me. There was no…lasting damage done.” Elladan was about to protest, but Legolas’ hand on his arm and Galadriel’s stern look silenced him. The Lady then spoke again.

“’Tis well that you are both safe and unharmed. Take the day off and rest, all of you. Much has occurred this night; now is the time for sleep, and small comforts.” Haldir bowed as he led his brother back to Rumil’s talan for some sleep; the younger Galadhrim looked tired and worn from his ordeal. Celeron, accompanied by Arondil, went off in another direction, the pair intending to find some way of calming their fretful sister.

“Come, melme,” Legolas said in a soothing voice while taking Elladan’s hand. “Let us go find something to eat, then we can rest.” He urged the twin to follow him, tugging gently on Elladan’s hand. The Peredhel spared a glance back at his twin before following his lover; Galadriel followed them, leaving Orophin and Elrohir alone.

“Is there anything you need?” Orophin asked, the concern in his voice reflected in his eyes as he regarded Elrohir.

“A bath first,” Elrohir replied quietly. “I’ll decide what next after that.”

“Come then.” The twin nodded as Orophin wrapped an arm about his waist, letting the Galadhrim steer Elrohir back to his talan. Orophin briefly disappeared up the ladder, returning a moment later with two white robes before leading the Peredhel towards the baths. Seeing a few of them occupied, he searched until he found one slightly secluded from the others and led Elrohir towards the small pool.

“Will you stay?” Elrohir asked suddenly, his voice sounding a bit timid. He looked at Orophin with doe-like gray eyes, almost as if he were afraid to be left alone. The pleading seen in those stormy eyes tore at the Galadhrim’s heart.

“Of course, lirimaer. Of course I‘ll stay.” Orophin kissed Elrohir gently, drawing him into a warm embrace. The dark-haired elf sighed, relaxing in the circle of his arms as he laid his head upon his lover‘s shoulder. They remained in their embrace for some time, before the sound of a small splash drew their attention back to the bath; a small seed had fallen from its branch and was slowly sinking below the surface of the water as the two watched.

“Better have that bath, lirimaer,” Orophin said,ovinoving his arms from around Elrohir. The Peredhel nodded, standing still as his lover removed the cloak and his boots before helping Elrohir into the pool. He sank below the surface, allowing the warm water to wet his hair and unwind his tense muscles; when Elrohir resurfaced, Orophin had removed his clothes and was slipping into the pool next to him. At the mere hint of a signal, Elrohir moved closer to the Galadhrim, slipping into Orophin’s arms as the silver-haired elf worked to unbraid his dark, wet hair.

“Diola lle,” Elrohir whispered, burying his face into Orophin’s neck. The guardian smiled as his hand gently combed through the dark hair; Orophin’s other hand remained busy drawing small, soothing circles along the small of Elrohir’s back.

“You’ve already thanked me.”

“I know. But, I wanted to thank you again. If you hadn’t come…” A soft kiss to his lips silenced him.

“No need to say anymore, lirimaer. I came in time;’s n’s not think about what would or would not have happened. It’s over, and you’re safe. That’s all we need to know.” Elrohir nodded, closing his eyes as he sank deeper into the warmth of his lover’s arms. Orophin reached for a nearby washcloth, gently scrubbing the dirt and grime from both their skin and hair.

“Orophin?”

“Hm?”

“What would you have done if…if you hadn’t…” The gentle ministrations on Elrohir’s skin ceased at his words. The twin looked up, noticing the grim set of Orophin’s jaw; pale blue eyes seemed haunted as Orophin stared straight ahead.

“I told you not to think about such things.”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it.” Elrohir felt his chin being tilted upwards, a lingering kiss placed upon his lips.

“Try to think of other things. It won’t do any good to linger on unpleasant thoughts. Now come, the bath is finished. You need some rest.” The Peredhel nodded, allowing his lover to help him out of the bath and wrap one of the robes around him. Orophin wrapped the second robe around his own form before gathering Elrohir in one arm, their clothes in the other, and heading back to the Galadhrim’s talan.

When they arrived back at the flet, Orophin noticed a large silver platter of food awaiting them; Galadriel had had the foresight to send a servant to provide some food for their return. He gently urged Elrohir to eat some of the fruit and lembas before drinking a draught of honey wine. When the twin had had his fill, Orophin removed the plate, helping him to lie on the bed before slipping in next to him and taking his lover into his arms again. Elrohir’s form instantly molded to his own, the twin’s hands clasping handfuls of Orophin’s silvery hair; for lingering moments, they remained silent as they held one another.

“Feeling better?” Orophin asked, twisting strands of dark hair around his fingers.

“Much better,” Elrohir said, sighing gently. In truth, his nerves still felt a little high strung, the encounter with the humans not quite leaving his memory. But, he felt comforted having Orophin so close; knowing the Galadhrim was watching over him gave Elrohir the sense that he was safe. He had never felt as helpless as he had when in the clutches of the men. He closed his gray eyes, his resolution hardening and he whispered. “Orophin?”

“Lirimaer?”

“Help me.” The hands combing through his hair stopped as Orophin registered what Elrohir had just said.

“Help you?” A nod. “Help you with what?”

“To forget. Saes, a‘maelamin.” Doe-like eyes stared up at the Galadhrim, wordlessly begging him to take away the memories that brought so much pain and humiliation. Even if nothing had happened, Elrohir still felt abused and violated; the laughter and voices of the men would not leave his ears. He needed--begged for--his lover’s touch to take it all away.

Orophin wordlessly complied, shifting so that Elrohir’s body rested underneath his own; his robe fell open with their movements, exposing the Galadhrim’s toned chest and abdomen. Elrohir placed his palms against the chest before him, feeling the steady heartbeat and rippling of muscle as Orophin leaned forward to draw the twin into a lingering kiss. Orophin’s fingers lightly brushed the skin of Elrohir’s side through his robe, eliciting a sigh of contentment into their kiss.

The kiss broke as Orophin trailed away to explore the planes of Elrohir’s neck, lightly nipping on an earlobe and teasing the tip with his tongue. A flush of arousal stained the twin’s cheeks and neck as he turned his head aside to allow more access to his skin. Blindly, he felt for the sash around Orophin’s waist and, with a twist of his hand, unbelted the strip of fabric, allowing the Galadhrim’s robe to fall open. Elrohir felt his own robe being peeled from his shoulders and body before being cast carelessly aside; Orophin’s robe joined his as the Peredhel skimmed the fabric from pale shoulders.

“A’maelamin?”

“Si, lirimaer.” Elrohir pulled him forward, lips pressing together again as warm skin touched, creating delightful friction. Again Orophin broke away, trailing soft kisses along the Peredhel’s neck and chest; his fingers followed his mouth, dancing along the skin in playful patterns. The twin lay still, working to steady his breathing as he drowned himself in the warmth of his lover’s ministrations. Fingers brushed against the healing cut on his thigh; they were followed shortly by lips tenderly kissing the pale pink injury.

“I would wound them a thousand times just for marring your skin,” Orophin whispered, pressing his cheek to the soft flesh of Elrohir’s inner thigh as fingers softly traced the cut. The dark-haired elf smiled, cupping Orophin’s chin into his hand as their eyes locked together for a brief moment. The Galadhrim tilted his head, tenderly kissing the slim wrist as he slid forward a bit, hands bracing themselves against the twin’s hips. Elrohir allowed his head to fall back onto the pillows as he felt his lover take his arousal into a warm mouth. He groaned deeply as he felt his love’s tongue flick over the head as Orophin pulled away before taking him in again; a slight hiss of pleasure escaped Elrohir as he felt teeth lightly rack the heated erection. He whimpered softly as Orophin pulled away, cool air sweeping over his moistened skin.

“Gently, melme, gently,” Orophin cooed, placing a kiss upon a slender hip. “We have all the time we need.” Elrohir nodded as he opened his arms, folding the Galadhrim against his body when Orophin slipped into his embrace. Their hips ground together, eliciting gasps and moans from the pair as they rocked back and forth against one another. As they moved, their erections rubbed together, causing lights to sparkle and dance behind closed eyelids. It was almost too much for either of the lovers to bear.

“Saes…” Elrohir breathed as he claimed Orophin’s lips in a frenzied kiss. The silver-haired lover complied with the plea, hurriedly slicking his fingers with some nearby oil whilsrninrning the twin onto his stomach. Elrohir lay still, one hand fisting the sheets in anticipation as he waited. A slick finger probed his opening before pressing in, soon joined by another. He moaned and closed his eyes as the digits gently spread and prepared him; they were soon joined by a third, and Elrohir groaned as they brushed his prostate ever so slightly. He began rocking back against the fingers, growing more impatient as the seconds ticked by.

“Slowly, lirimaer.” Elrohir whimpered at the words and at the retreating fingers. A moment later he issued a deep sigh as he felt the evidence of Orophin’s arousal pressing against his opening. Slowly, his entrance was breached as the Galadhrim pressed inward; impatience claimed the twin as he pushed against his lover. Orophin gasped at the sudden sensation of being sheathed, scowling faintly when he caught the smug expression on Elrohir’s face.

Gathering the twin into his arms, Orophin slowly thrust in and out. Elrohir rocked with him, pressing back as Orophin thrust forward. He gripped the hands encircling his waist, shuttering as warm lips fastened to an ear and sucked lightly. All the fears that had been building in his mind faded away at their joining, the music of their moans and whispered endearments drowning out the mockery of the men. The Peredhel’s world became centered around a lithe form, silvery hair, blue eyes and a gentle voice whispering his name.

“Orophin…” Elrohir’s voice ended in a gasp as the last thrust hit his prostate, sending stars into his eyes.

“Come with me, lirimaer,” the Galadhrim whispered. Reaching around the twin’s waist, he clasped Elrohir’s erection in a loose hold whilst placing a tender kiss on the twin’s neck. His thumb flicked over his lover’s head, his fingers lightly brushing against the sac beneath. With one final thrust, Orophin felt orgasm claim the twin, and he followed a second after. From the heights of pleasure, they sank back together to the solid earth. For a while they laid still, the cool air breezing across their pleasure flushed skin and chilling the sweat that had condensed on their forms.

“Diola lle, a’maelamin,” Elrohir whispered as he turned in Orophin’s arms, nuzzling his lover’s neck. Orophin smiled, pulling the covers over them before wrapping his arms tightly about his love.

“You are thanking me an awful lot this day.”

“There is much I have to be thankful for.”

“Indeed.” They lay in silence again, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking and feeling content. “I would bind myself to you, Elrohir.”

“Aye, as would I.” He played with the ring about the Galadhrim’s neck, the ring he had given him years ago and the mate of the one Elrohir also wore. He stared up into bright blue eyes and smiled. “One day soon.”

“Aye, one day soon.” They shared another tender, loving kieforefore sleep claimed their exhausted forms. Dreams did not haunt Elrohir this day, for the memories of the encounter had subsided at the gentle ministrations of his lover. Indeed, there was much for him to be thankful for. One of which was to be blessed to have Orophin at his side.

Translations:
Melme-Love
Lirimaer-Lovely one
Diola lle-Thank you
Saes, a’maelamin-Please, my beloved
Si-Here