The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 95

Glorfindel winced as Erestor dabbed the open cut above his eye again, washing the blood from it with a careful hand.

“Sometimes I have to wonder Erestor if Legolas will be the death of me.” Erestor sighed as he heard his friend’s melancholy mood. The planned quiet Dinner of Lord Elrond had turned into a duel between Candolin and Glorfindel. Outside in the gardens they had sparred for over an hour, Glorfindel protecting his husband’s honour fiercely. The fight had taken its toll on Glorfindel; toungoung man had proved a worthy adversary matching the elder elf’s strength with his own. Blows had been exchanged, bruises created on both sides but first blood had been eventually drawn by Glorfindel, much to the relief of all those who watched on. It hadn’t been just a small nick either Glorfindel had spilt Candolin’s arm from wrist to shoulder tearing through the leather gauntlets and the thick tunic underneath to create a gash that spilled blood freely onto the grass. Glorfindel’s most painful injury had come as an accident outside the duel but it was no less a sore reminder of the night. The cut above his eye had come from the blunt end of Felinor’s elbow after both of them had leant down together to pick Candolin up from the floor and consequently run in to one another.

“Yes we all wonder about that Glorfindel but more to the point are you willing to give up your life for him should you have to?” Again Glorfindel winced as Erestor packed the wound with some herbs before sealing it with a wet bandage. Stepping away from his patient Erestor proceeded to wash his hands in the small basin of water beside the chair before he settled himself down in the rocking chair opposite his friend. Glorfindel looked exhausted and Erestor knew that something was bothering his friend for him to become in such a state.

“Aye he means the world to me Erestor. I would gladly return to Mandos halls for him if I knew it would save his life.” Glorfindel sighed and lowered his head to his hands and closed his eyes. Of late he had felt extremely drained and tired. He was sure it was something to do with Legolas but he could as yet put his finger on what was making him feel so strange.

“As you have proved tonight Glorfindel you would save his life a thousand times over if you had to, as I would Lord Elrond.” Glorfindel nodded in understanding at his friend before flopping ungraciousaly back against his chair to stare wistfully at the bed shared with Legolas.

“We have not made love since we returned from the borders Erestor. I feel strange inside like he is betraying me but it does not hurt, as I would expect it too. It is more like a secret being kept hidden from me.” Erestor sat back a little in shock as he watched a few stray tears fall from the corners of his friend’s eyes, his sad gaze firmly planted on the bed he and Legolas shared. For a moment the dark haired advisor could only wonder silently what Legolas could possibly be hiding but his thoughts didn’t get far before Glorfindel let out a pained yelp and doubled over in the chair clutching his stomach as if it had been ripped from his body. To his feet in an instant Erestor fell to his knees before his friend concerned by the way Glorfindel’s eyes were closed and his teeth clenched tight as he fought the waf unf unseen pain. Unable to do anything Erestor soothed his hands down Glorfindel’s face whispering a soft prayer in Quenya until finally Glorfindel’s body relaxed and the elder elf flopped exhausted back into the chair, his breathing laboured and heavy.

“Are you alright Glorfindel, what was that?” Erestor fetched his friend a small glass of water from the pitcher beside the bed and helped Glorfindel sip from it as the seneschal’s hands shook uncontrollably in his lap. It scared Erestor seeing Glorfindel in such pain, he had been terrified the night he thought he’d lost Glorfindel again to Echthelion daggers and since then Erestor had been continually worried for his oldest friends health and safety. After gaining his breath a little Glorfindel finally replied his voice weak and raspy.

”I don’t know but it plagues my sleep and prevents any rest I might find. It has only just started happening since our return from the borders and while I am sure it is something to do with Legolas, I know he does not suffer from it as I do. I have snuck into his chambers in Elrond’s wing these last few nights and he sleeps soundly undisturbed by my pain.” Erestor shook his head in confusion knowing well that any pain experienced by either partner of a binding would be felt by the other.

“You must go and see Elrond then. This is unheard of Glorfindel and if it is serious a solution must be found. You can not go on like this, you are exhausted.” Sympathetically Erestor ran his hand over his friends face brushing the stray hairs back behind the seneschal’s delicate ear.

“Aye you are right I have put it off thinking that it was perhaps just my worry for Legolas with Candolin and the other men in the house but I don’t think that is it anymore.” Helping his friend to stand Erestor walked Glorfindel over to the bed and helped him into his sleeping robe before lying him down beneath the warm coverlet. “I will go and see him in the morning.” Erestor nodded and pressed a sweet kiss to his friend’s temple before drawing back and blowing out the few remaining candles in the room.

”Goodnight Glorfindel.”

”Sleep well Erestor.” With that Erestor left his friends room quickly and quietly making sure that the tapestry swung back into place behind him. For a moment Erestor considered going to the prince’s room to see for himself what Glorfindel spoke of but sensibility won out. By now the prince was probably fast asleep and any movement might wake the extremely light sleeping elf. Glorfindel had informed Erestor the first night they’d spent together in a single bed that any movement Legolas felt he was up and out of bed like lightening. So instead Erestor hurried off back to the rooms he now shared with his lover Lord Elrond.

The dim light of the candles still flickering beneath the tapestry from within the room beyond was a sure sign the Elrond was still awake when Erestor arrived. Straightening his own robes, out of habit more than vanity, Erestor strode carefully into the large inner chamber of Elrond’s private rooms. There sitting at his desk was Elrond his brow furrowed deeply and his chin resting in his palm. From a far it seemed as though his lover was reading an important document but as he drew closer he realised that it was a letter rather than a document that Elrond held in his other hand. The dark haired lord didn’t sto nto notice his advisors entry until Erestor placed a gently hand upon his shoulder.

“Oh Erestor I did not hear you come in.” Elrond jumped a little beneath Erestor’s hand but relaxed back into his soft chair as he realised it was only his lover. He had been on edge of late with the men in Imladris he had received little sleep as well. “How does Glorfindel fare?” Erestor noted with curiosity as Elrond pushed the letter he was reading under another pile of scrolls in his desk before standing up to follow his lover over to the decanter of wine warming by the fire. The frustration and seriousness of his previous expression seemingly gone as he addressed his lover.

“He is not well Elrond and I worry for him.” Erestor felt his lovers hand snake around his waist as he poured them both a glass of the warm red wine before turning to offer the second of the goblets to Elrond.

“Is he ill? I will go and see him immediately if he is, I was not aware that he was too badly injured in the duel…” Erestor silenced his lover’s concerned ramblings with a chaste kiss before drawing back and taking a sip from his wine.

“Nay it is not the duel that has caused his illness Elrond it is something far more serious I believe but he is sleeping now and has promised to come and see you tomorrow morning and explain everything then.” Elrond nodded understandingly as he followed his lover over to the stretched lounge the pair often shared together.

“Very well I will see him first thing tomorrow morning. I can not afford to have my seneschal ill with so many humans in the house.” Elrond chuckled bitterly as he sat down on the lounge and put his feet up so that he could comfortably lie with his back propped up with pill Kno Knowing his place Erestor crawled onto the lounge beside his lover and rested his head against Elrond’s chest so that he could hear the Lord’s steady heart beat. “I do not like these men Erestor they make me uneasy unlike any foe I have faced. I can not sleep and am sick to the stomach with worry.” Elrond’s words did not come as a surprise to Erestor. He had lay next to Elrond for the past week that the men had been here and had witnessed first hand the Lord’s continual struggle to find peace, even in his sleep.

“Aye I feel it to Elrond like there is something here that is in great danger with these men present.” Elrond nodded silently as he nuzzled the top of his lover’s head breathing in the intoxicating aroma of fresh spring flowers and of the rare perfume of mountain elderberry that Erestor favoured after bathing.

“You a right Meleth nín something that we were not aware of before but now that it is threatened we feel its presence and the danger it faces. I fear it might have something to do with Legolas and worry for him.” Erestor drained his glass of wine and put the empty goblet aside before snuggling closer into his lovers chest as a cool wind swept up from the waterfall that cascaded down outside Elrond’s very window.

“Candolin looks at him with the fires of Mordor in his eyes Elrond and it makes me extremely unease. Glorfindel has become reluctant to allow Legolas from his sight and after tonight’s duel Candolin is sure to be looking for revenge both for the loss of the fight and of both Legolas and the captive elves.” Elrond finished his own glass of wine and leant back to put on a table behind the lounge before he wrapped both his arms lovingly around Erestor.

“I do not care for Candolin one bit, he is far more cunning and much sharper than his father Erestor and we must be on our guard, especially concerning Legolas.” Again Ere nod nodded in agreement his hand already straying beneath Elrond’s robes to begin a soft caress of the Lord’s flat stomach and chest. Elrond’s eyes closed automatically under his lover’s tentative caress allowing the warmth of his mates touch to calm his shattered nerves.

“I agree my love but there is little we can do until we here back from Thranduil and Celeborn.” Almost instantly Elrond’s eyes sprung open at Erestor’s words and the advisor was not surprised to see the sheepish glance that Elrond threw towards where he had hidden the letter under the pile of scrolls. “Tell me who is the letter from Elrond?” Erestor had not seen a messenger arrive all evening but had assumed it had come while he was tending Glorfindel’s wounds. Elrond sighed heavily and closed his eyes again as Erestor sat up from him a little to stare at him determinedly. It was unlike Elrond to keep anything from Erestor, both in their relationship as advisor and Lord and as lovers. At a long pause Elrond finally opened his eyes and stared sadly at Erestor who had stopped his caresses.

“I guess I can not keep if from you just as I will not be able to keep it from Legolas.” Erestor frowned as he watched an unusual sadness wash over Elrond’s face. “The letter I have just received comes from King Thranduil. He and his eldest son and daughter in law are as we speak riding swiftly towards Imladris.” Erestor now sat up sharply shocked by the news of Thranduil’s unexpectedly swift visit.

“Does Thranduil give a reason for his coming, your letter could not have possible evoked such a response from him, especially after the incident in Lorien with Legolas.” Elrond sighed heavily but nodded none the less at his lovers intrigue.

“Aye he gives several reasons for his visit and none of them are cause for joyous welcome upon his arrival.” Elrond paused again and Erestor moved to straddle his lovers lap, as it was obvious that Elrond was becoming uncomfortable with having to lie on his side to accommodate a place for Erestor on the lounge. “Hale’s wife Gwendolyn is heavy with twins….” Erestor cut Elrond sharply off appalled by what he had just heard.

“She is heavy with two babes yet they force her to ride with them to Imladris in such dangerous times as these! Has Thranduil completely lost his mind?” Elrond rolled his eyes and determinedly pressed a finger to Erestor’s lips silencing the adv ins instantly.

”Be quiet Meleth nín and let me finish.” Erestor nodded and Elrond reluctantly removed his finger from the advisors lips before continuing. “As I was saying she is heavily pregnant but Mirkwood healers have predicted a complicated birth for her, as her age is very young. Thus one of the reasons Elrond is making the trip here is so that I can oversee her labour.” Erestor rolled his eyes dramatically. Mirkwood and Imladris had been enemies for years, yet with one marriage between the realms Thranduil was taking it upon himself to demand Elrond’s time for any personal matter he chose. If it was not in Thranduil’s interests he would not even speak to Elrond let alone come all the way to see him. Thranduil had not stepped foot into Imladris since the last of the alliances broke down almost 300 years ago. Angry with Elrond’s easy acceptance of this presumptuous action from the king of their long enemy, Erestor scowled and glared down at his lover.

“And you are allowing this!” Elrond nodded calmly at his lover’s angry question, which only served to irritate Erestor further. “You are a fool Elrond. You know he will only use you for his own gain, give you nothing in return before returning home without so much as a thank-you. Damn Hale’s wife, let her suffer without aid through her labour and perhaps then they will realise how much Thranduil’s stupidity causes them all pain.” Elrond could not help but his his eyes as Erestor rambled on angrily until he was almost blue in the face. “We will not be taken advantage of Elrond, just because Legolas is Glorfindel’s mate does not automatically assume we have forgotten this feud between our realms. He is still our enemy Elrond and 300 years of lost souls is not easily forgotten.” Erestor came to the end of his rant with a loud gasp for air. Unmoved by his lovers hastily put together annoyance Elrond merely reached up and brushed a stray piece of hair from Erestor face before smiling cheekily.

“If you’re quite finished relaying our history to me will you let me continue?” Erestor snorted very un elflike as Elrond caressed the back of his hand down Erestor’s cheek in soft apology for his sharpness. “I know we are still enemies Erestor and I do not forget that but there is something else that has caused me to be so lenient in accepting Thranduil proposal.” Erestor cocked his head to the side in curiosity as Elrond placed a hand over his heart. “Talion, Thranduil’s middle son is dead.” Erestor gasped in shock his anger falling by the way at the news. Admittedly Erestor hadn’t liked any of Thranduil other son’s having seen the way they treated Legolas back when they’d first met the prince in Mirkwood but that was no excuse to wish death upon anyone.

“How?” Erestor’s words barely got passes his tight throat suddenly feeling guilty for having spoke so ill of Thranduil earlier.

“Men.” Elrond almost hissed his reply his anger clearly only just beneath the surfa“Tal“Talion had taken to wandering far from home. It seems he sought solitude from the pressures of court and living in his elder brothers shadow.” Elrond shook his head at the irony of the situation. Legolas had spent forever under his brother’s shadows yet it was inevitably the middle child that would ultimately pay the price of Thranduil blatant favouritism in his sons. “He was taki mes message to Lake town when they struck. Ten of them took him from his horse and beat him to death beside the road, then left his body to fester in the sun, with no reasoning just hatred.” Erestor was shocked and could only stare sadly down at his lover grieving for a soul so brutally taken from them. “Apparently he had refused an offer of courtship in the tavern in Mirkwood by some travelling merchants from Minas Tirith. It seems they did not take kindly to the brush off and so sort revenge.” Again Elrond paused this time as Erestor lay himself carefully down against Elrond’s chest weakened by the mere thought of Talion’s horrific death. “Thranduil is devastated but also fearful for remaremaining sons. Hale is Thranduil’s only chance at procuring an heir and as such is taking no chances with Gwendolyn hence his part reasoning in coming here.” Erestor nodded softly against Elrond’s chest as his lover began unbraiding his hair so that the dark silken locks fell over his shoulders like a waterfall.

“What about Legolas? Surely Thranduil understands that if a child is born of Legolas that he can become an heir to Mirkwood also?” A little confused Erestor nuzzled closer to his lover burying his nose into Elrond’s robe.

“Nay any child born of Legolas with be Glorfindel’s heir and will have no rights to claim the throne in Mirkwood.” Erestor sighed heavily as he pushed his hands inside Elrond’s robe to begin undoing the laces that held the inner clothing together. “Still that is not the only reason Thranduil comes to Imladris and the succession of Mirkwood’s throne is the least of our worries at present.”

“What is the other reason then?” Erestor inquired softly as he pushed Elrond’s robe off his shoulders and began nipping at the soft flesh exposed by the neckline of the lightweight shirt underneath.

“Thranduil seeks penance for his son’s death and having read my letter on the arrival of our visitors and their ask, has thus decided to face them here in Imladris.” Erestor paused in his kisses and glanced up sympathetically at his lover.

“Surely Thranduil’s anger is not what we need when negotiations at present balance so precariously on the edge of a knife.” Elrond nodded in understanding as Erestor rose from the lounge and pulled Elrond with him and over towards the large bed they shared.

“Aye in desperation I have been forced to contact Celeborn and urge his coming here. I can not handle two enemies in my house let alone oversee the delicate negotiations needed for a decision to be made regarding our involvement in their affairs.” Erestor soothed a hand sympathetically across Elrond’s cheek before hastily helping his lover undress and slide into bed. Divesting himself of his own clothing Erestor also slipped into bed and instantly spooned himself up behind his lover who was obviously extremely drained by the days events.

“You havee a e a wise decision Elrond and if it pleases you I will tell Legolas of his fathers coming and of the death of his brother, it is not fair that you must bear all of the tasks needed to be done.” Thankfully Elrond pressed a chaste kiss against his lover’s hand before rolling slightly towards Erestor so that he could clearly see his lover’s eyes.

“Make love to me Meleth nín, make me forget our worries for a while.” Erestor smiled warmly at his lover before nodding in acceptance.

“Amin mela le” Erestor whispered softly against his lover’s lips before closing his eyes and initiating the first kiss of the long evening to come.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>