The Flower and The Fountain

First Times, Lasting Loves
Summary: Hidden feelings are revealed one night as Glorfindel and Ecthelion have their first lessons in their first, and last, loves. (Nevrast after the crossing of Helcaraxë)

A decade had passed since Fingolfin’s host had been forced to cross the Helcaraxë after the burning of the Teleri ships. The passage over the Grinding Ice had been the only way for the Noldor who remained stranded to cross back into Middle-earth. It had been treacherous, and a dangerous path to follow. But follow it many did, the urgings of Finand and Fingolfin the only means to keep them going. Many were lost in the crossing; many still suffered for the ones who did not make it; Elves who had been lovers, parents and children cruelly parted. Some of those that had survived but lost loved ones were fading. It took all the efforts of those who were still strong to keep their companions going. The time was dire; the memory of the crossing would not fade so easily.

As he wandered the halls of Nevrast, his home for the last ten years since the crossing, Glorfindel found his mind wandering back to that time. The blond had spent those days at the sides of his friends, Ecthelion and Turgon, as they marched with the rest and followed Turgon’s father and brother across the ice plane. Both Glorfindel and Ecthelion had taken on the duty of caring for Turgon’s daughter, Idril, after her mother perished over Helcaraxë and the host had settled in Nevrast. For their care, Fingolfin’s son, now ruler of Vinyamar, had numbered them both among his captains. Glorfindel could still remember seeing the faces of the dead; the living carried the corpses so that, once they had reached Middle-earth, they could properly bury their friends and family. The recovery time had been difficult, especially for Ecthelion who had to push the pain of his own family’s passing aside in order to live and care for Idril.

His boot heels clicked to a halt as Glorfindel paused in the corridors, shutting his azure eyes to push away the memories. Those were dark days filled with nothing but cold, hunger, loneliness and, above all else, anger for the kin that had left them behind. The anger had simmered, then died, as Fingolfin’s host reached Middle-earth and encountered Fëanor and his sons. But the rest of the feelings and memories remained even after so long. Ten years was nothing to someone who does not forget. And Glorfindel would never be able to forget the one moment of despair that had crossed Ecthelion’s face when the dark-haired Elf had learned he was all that survived of his family.

Suddenly remembering why he was roaming the corridors, Glorfindel shook the memories clear from his mind and proceeded down the hallway. He stopped upon reaching the room he occupied with his long-time friend; Turgon had deemed it appropriate for them to share quarters after witnessing the closeness of their friendship. Noticing the door shut, Glorfindel knocked twice, waiting for a sound or sign.

“Enter,” a soft voice said from the other side.

Slowly, Glorfindel opened the door, stepping into the dimly lit room. Sitting on the edge of one of the beds was Ecthelion. His braided hair was pushed back over his shoulders, a few strands framing his face as his head bent slightly downward. His heavy outer tunic had been cast aside, leaving him in a thin shirt and his leggings, the former of which had been rolled up to his knees. Ecthelion was barefoot with his feet soaking in a steaming tub of water, scented lightly with lavender. Glorfindel gave the tub a scornful look; upon seeing his friend’s expression, Ecthelion smiled slightly in reassurance, motioning for Glorfindel to sit next to him.

“Fear not, meldir,” Ecthelion said. “The cold of Helcaraxë no longer bothers me.”

“Then what, may I ask, are you doing?”

As if in answer, Ecthelion lifted one, slim foot out of the water, the sole of which was lightly scuffed. Glorfindel winced at seeing the pale red scratches etched into the delicate skin.

“I, most ungracefully might I add, lost my footing whilst checking the outer walls. I couldn’t balance well in my boots, so I removed them to walk the stone wall; it was a most unfortunate slip on my part.”

“Excursions along the narrow outer walls are best left up to Legolas. He is more adapt at maneuvering them than others, whilst keeping his balance.”

Ecthelion laughed, a musical sound Glorfindel never tired of hearing.

“Once again, you are right, Glorfindel. I shall take your advice next time.” Ecthelion allowed his foot to sink back into the water whilst Glorfindel leaned closer, resting his head upon his friend’s shoulder. Silence settled in around them for lingering moments before the blond spoke again.

“Ecthelion? What would you have done if…if I had…over Helcaraxë…” He couldn’t finish his sentence; Ecthelion finished it for him.

“If you have died whilst crossing the ice?” Ecthelion sighed when Glorfindel nodded, leaning his head upon Glorfindeleforefore speaking. “I know not what I would have done, meldir. It is not something I wish to think about. My mind remembers the look on Turgon’s face when Elenwë was lost, and I cannot forget the passing of my parents and brother. I dare not think what would have happened were you lost as well.” Slowly, Ecthelion wrapped an arm about Glorfindel’s shoulders, drawing the pair closer together. “You are my dearest friend, Glorfindel. I would suffer if you were gone, perhaps even fade.”

“I think I would have done the same had you followed your family. My heart aches thinking of those others that were lost, and those that are fading now as they remember loved ones. Had you been among the lost ones, I fear I would have long left Arda.” He fell silent, his hands fidgeting in his lap. Did he dare speak his heart? The cruelty of Helcaraxë had taught the blond that even elves could die in the most untimely of fashions. Glorfindel resolved his heart, drew a deep breath and spoke again. “Ecthelion? There’s something I must tell you.”

“What is it, meldir?”

“I think…I know not how to say this.”

“It’s best to listen to the words your heart already speaks, though your mind and lips may want to do otherwise.” He smiled faintly; Glorfindel had always found Ecthelion to be rather sagely at times.

“I think I’m in love with you, Ecthelion.” The silence that followed made Glorfindel feel uncomfortable; he began to squirm in Ecthelion’s embrace.

“You think you’re what?” The dark-haired Elf’s voice shook as he spoke.

The blond was unable to read the emotions lacing his friend’s words; there was surprise, anticipation…and hope? Glorfindel wondered if he read the signs wrong, but answered the question presented.

“I think I’m in love with you.”

There was the sloshing sound of water as Ecthelion removed his feet from the tub. He pushed the container away, ignoring the water dripping off his limbs and onto the floor. Slowly, Ecthelion turned until he was facing Glorfindel. The blond refused to look at him; instead, he fixed his sapphire gaze onto the floor between his feet.

“Glorfindel, look at me.” Ecthelion’s voice was soothing and gentle as he spoke, but forceful enough to cause the other Elf to turn and return the stare of the silvery, stormy eyes. “You love me?” A nod of the golden head before Glorfindel released a startled gasp, suddenly finding himself enveloped in Ecthelion’s warm embrace. “How long, meldir?”

“Ten years…maybe even before we crossed Helcaraxë. Maybe even the first time we kissed. I don’t know. It’s all so confusing.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Glorfindel sniffed, wanting to return Ecthelion’s embrace but not trusting his arms to move just yet. He still wasn’t quite sure of his friend’s reaction. The hug and the kind words gave Glorfindel reassurance, but he was still unsure of himself.

“I didn’t know how to tell you. I was afraid of how you would react. I love you, Ecthelion, but our friendship means a great deal to me. I did not want to risk losing any relationship with you.”

“Malthener…”

Glorfindel’s eyes went wide hearing the new endearment whispered into his ear. Chancing a glance, he tilted his head up to look into Ecthelion’s eyes…and found nothing but love and caring etched into the orbs.

“Im mela lle, mathener.”

“You…you said…”

Ecthelion smiled and nodded, amused at the wide-eyed expression on his friend’s--and soon to be lover’s--face.

“You called me…you just said…”

“Is there something you would like to call me?”

Glorfindel immediately stopped his slightly incoherent babbling, and began to study Ecthelion’s face. He wanted to come up with something charming, something befitting his dear companion. “Vanimaer.” He huffed slightly when Ecthelion began to laugh heartily at his words. “What’s so funny?”

“You are the one with Vanyar blood, Glorfindel. And, yet, you call me ‘fair one.’ ”

“It suits you.”

Ecthelion smiled, tightening his embrace around Glorfindel as he felt arms creep around his waist and return his hug. They hugged one another closely, content in the other’s arms and love. A mutual thought formed in their mind’s; it was Glorfindel who addressed the question.

“What happens now? I’ve never done this before.” His voice died as his confession ended.

“Nor have I. But, we’ll learn together, malthener.”

Glorfindel nodded, suddenly feeling very nervous; he could feel Ecthelion trembling slightly in his arms as both wondered what to do next. Tilting his head up, Glorfindel placed a gentle kiss on his new lover’s lips, a kiss which was returned and then deepened.

They had kissed before, many more times since the first one they shared in Valinor. Most were chaste kisses, given in greetings or farewells, sometimes for comfort in the recent years. There was affection in the previous embracing of lips, but the love emanating from this joining overpowered all others they had shared. Though a little shy, it was more confident, more practiced than the first tentative kisses they had shared, except for that one kiss on the beach.

Glorfindel did not hesitate in taking the lead as he touched the tip of his tongue against Ecthelion’s before brushing it along the other’s lower lip, and eliciting a moan. The blond leaned forward, deepening the kiss whilst pushing them both back against the bed. There was the sound of a dull thud, followed by a slight groan of pain.

“Vanimaer?!” Glorfindel said, pulling away quickly. He watched intently as Ecthelion winced, raising a hand to rub the back of his head; they had both forgotten about the wooden headboard, which Ecthelion’s cranium had just, a little painfully, encountered. “Forgive me, melme.”

“’Tis all right,” Ecthelion said, reassuring him while shifting their positions. He now laid comfortably on his back with Glorfindel hovering on hands and knees above him. “Continue, please.”

Chewing on his lip, the blond pondered what to do next. He settled for sharing another brief kiss before breaking away to explore. Sucking gently on a pointed ear, Glorfindel smiled at hearing a hiss of pleasure and spying a flush spread across his partner’s cheeks.

Hands fumbled in nervousness and anticipation as each stripped away the other’s clothes. Neither, despite the fact they were well into their first century and a half of age, had taken a lover before. Their heahad had belonged to the other, almost since the day they had met at Lórien’s lake. Glorfindel had held out in secret hope that he would have Ecthelion’s love, never realizing the other Elf harbored the same feelings. He felt a mix of relief and awe knowing that he now held the dark-haired Elf’s heart, had always held it. And, Glorfindel was determined to see that their first night together would be a lasting memory.

Clasps and lacings finally undone, the garments were carelessly thrown aside as the pair let out soft purrs of contentment as they felt their bare skin slide together. Glorfindel began to explore the pale planes of Ecthelion’s slender form with his lips and hands. Soothing kisses were pressed against a long, arched column of neck as fingers danced over slender thighs, slim hips and up curving sides. Ecthelion squirmed underneath Glorfindel’s hands, letting out a strangled sound.

“What is it?” Glorfindel breathed against silky skin.

Ecthelion’s eyes flashed down to the blond’s hand on his right side, just below his rib cage. “That tickles,” he whispered.

Glorfindel blinked in confusion, brushing his hand across Ecthelion’s skin again and watching as the other squirmed. A wicked grin spread across his face as he mercilessly began skimming his fingers over Ecthelion’s torso, discovering other ticklish spots. The dark-haired Elf began to laugh as he attempted to move away from the offending hands; when he found himself pinned by Glorfindel’s legs, Ecthelion reached down and cupped a hand around the back of his knee to knock the blond off. Instead, he discovered one of Glorfindel’s sensitive areas as his lover fought to keep a straight face while trying to squirm away from the offending hand.

“You wouldn’t…” Glorfindel’s azure eyes went wide seeing the mischievous glint in Ecthelion’s eyes.

“Yes, I most certainly would.”

“Don’t! Ecthelion!” His voice ended in mirthful laughter as Ecthelion began to tickle the back of Glorfindel’s knees. For a time, there was much thrashing and giggling as each teased the other, finding new ticklish spots they could exploit. There came a sudden creaking sound to Ecthelion’s ears, and he turned towards his lover.

“Glorfindel, wait…”

“Not waiting!” the blond retorted, reducing the other to more giggles and thrashing limbs.

He was finding it difficult to speak between his laughter, but he had to warn Glorfindel. “No…really…Glorfindel, I think we need to stop.”

“I’m not listening!”

“Wait! Glorfindel…” Ecthelion’s statement ended in a startled yelp as the pair toppled off the bed and landed on the floor with a dull thud, tangled in the silken sheets. In their squirming, the pair had been brought closer to the edge of the bed. The dark-haired Elf had only noticed when he observed them perched precariously on the edge, just before they were toppled over by Glorfindel’s last attempt to move from his hand.

For a moment, everything was a blur as the pair realized what had happened and tried, in vain, to untangle themselves; much giggling and glares ensured as their attempts failed one after another. In the end, they resigned themselves to their fate and lay quiet, Glorfindel’s head pillowed upon Ecthelion’s chest.

“Well, melme,” Ecthelion said as his fingers began to idly twist through his lover’s golden hair, “this is certainly becoming a very interesting night.”

“Shall we continue?” the blond asked, raising his head to reveal a wicked grin.

“Most definitely.”

“Good. I wasn’t about to stop anyway.” And, with that, he leaned over and planted a lingering kiss upon Ecthelion’s lips. The dark-haired Elf moaned as Glorfindel’s hands began to wander over his skin again, this time avoiding the sensitive areas. A hand slipped over one hip before Glorfindel stopped, a sudden thought forming in his mind. “Should we switch?”

“Switch? What do you mean?”

Glorfindel felt himself fidgeting underneath the gray-blue gaze, suddenly unable to find the right words to speak. “Well, you’re older and…” A finger to his lips silenced the blond.

“Age has nothing to do with this, malthener. Please, continue.”

Glorfindel nodded, swallowing a thick lump from his throat. Gingerly, he clasped Ecthelion’s arousal in his hand gently, almost as if he were afraid of something; Glorfindel blinked twice at hearing the deep throated mew his lover issued as Ecthelion arched his neck, throwing his head back against the pillows. Taking that as a sign of encouragement, Glorfindel slowly began to stroke the column of heated flesh in his hand, very much aware of his own hardening need.

Slender, pale arms reached up, drawing Glorfindel down for another kiss. Ecthelion’s tongue was demanding as it slithered against the blond’s lower lip before pressing in, running over smooth teeth. Glorfindel groaned in pleasure as their tongues danced together; his thumb brushed over the head of Ecthelion’s erection, eliciting a deep moan from the dark-haired Elf.

“Saes, malthener,” Ecthelion whispered, his voice barely audible. Glorfindel frowned as yet another thought occurred to him. The puzzled, and somewhat frightened, look in the azure eyes told all that was going on in the blond’s mind. Catching his eye, Ecthelion glanced over at a small, pillbox-shaped container near the basin of water he had been using earlier, hoping Glorfindel would understand. The golden-haired Elf nodded, reaching for the container and opening it. The soothing scent of lavender lifted to his nose from the balm Ecthelion had applied to the scratches on his feet.

Working together, each coated their fingers with the velvety cream. Slowly, half afraid of causing his lover pain, Glorfindel sought out Ecthelion’s entrance and slowly began to stretch and prepare him. The raven-haired Elf moaned and stilled. The momentary pain subsided as fingertips brushed his hidden spot, his hands falling motionless from coating Glorfindel’s shaft with the balm. A lovely flush passed over his cheek, and Glorfindel couldn’t help but smile at the vision writhing below him.

Glorfindel removed his fingers, taking hold of Ecthelion’s hands as he positioned himself at his lover’s entrance. He began to press inward as they shared another kiss, falling still the moment he felt Ecthelion tense. A frown of concern played over his face as he pulled back, brushing a dark strand of hair away from closed eyes.

“Vanimaer?”

“I’m all right,” came the reply in a soft whisper. Stormy orbs opened and gave him a reassuring look. Slim fingers squeezed Glorfindel’s hands gently, asking him to continue as the contorted look of pain erased itself from Ecthelion’s face.

Moving slowly, the blond proceeded to sheath himself, stopping again when intense heat surrounded him to adjust. A squirm from beneath him indicated that all was well, and Glorfindel began to move, building up a slow yet steady rhythm.

“Im mela lle, vanimaer,” he whispered before suckling gently on an ear tip.

“Im vithel,” Ecthelion replied, bending his neck slightly until his lips touched Glorfindel’s neck. He gasped as, again, his prostate was brushed. Glorfindel angled himself just so to find that same spot as he realized it brought his lover great pleasure, and quickened his pace.

Ecthelion was near his climax, he wouldn’t hold out much longer. He was drowning in a world of new sensations, sinking in the warmth and love that was his golden one. A warm tongue slipped over the very tip of his ear; the wet touch over the sensitive area sent a spasm racing through his body, and Ecthelion came in creamy waves. There came a startled yelp near his ear as his muscles clenched, after which he felt Glorfindel’s orgasm spilling his lover’s seed into his body. Their lips met in another loving kiss as their hearts began to slow and their breathing return to normal.

“How was it?” Glorfindel asked, breathless, as he rested his head against Ecthelion’s chest. Fingers were already playing with his hair, untangling strands and toying with the silky tresses.

“Perfect,” Ecthelion replied, bestowing a kiss upon the golden crown. He was about to speak again when a sharp knock on their door froze the pair in place.

“Glorfindel? Ecthelion?” Turgon’s voice drifted through the thick door, sounding concerned and worried.

Glorfindel swallowed thickly before answering. “Yes, my Lord?”

“Is everything all right? I heard some noise and thought something might be amiss.”

“Nothing is wrong, my Lord. We are fine.”

“Do you need any help?” Two pairs of eyes widened and panic registered on fair faces as the handle to their door began to turn. They were sweaty, their skins were still flushed with the intensity of their lovemaking and--most horrific of all--they were still on the floor, tangled in the sheets. It would not do at all for Turgon to see them this way!

“No!” Glorfindel nearly shouted. “We’re fine! Nothing is wrong, my Lord. I just knocked some things off a table.”

“You’re sure?” The handle stopped turning, but Turgon still sounded concerned. “If there’s anything you need…”

“We’re all right, my Lord. Please, do not trouble yourself over us.”

“All right then. I shall see the both of you in the morning then.”

“Good night, my Lord.” The lovers listened awhile until they heard the retreating steps of their lord as Turgon turned and walked down the corridor. With a collective sigh of relief, they shared a grin and a kiss before moving to untangle themselves and move to the bed, their laughter filling the air.

~~~~~~~~~~

His keen elvish hearing picked up the sounds of the laughter of his two trusted friends and captains. Turgon smiled to himself as he traveled down the corridors, perfectly aware of what Glorfindel and Ecthelion had just finished doing. He had not been blind to the affections the pair had bestowed on one another over the years; the son of Fingolfin had been well aware of the love that lay hidden in the hearts of his friends. Turgon had always wondered when and how long it would take for Glorfindel and Ecthelion to admit their feelings. Turning a corner, he laughed heartily, drawing the attentio som some of his daughter’s handmaidens, who stared at him in confusion.

“It’s about time!” Turgon exclaimed, his laughter becoming more frequent as he headed towards his own chambers, leaving the handmaidens to wonder if their king was well.

TBC...