The Barbarian And The Scholar

Title: The Barbarian and the Scholar.
Author: Fishy (fishyz9@hotmail.com)
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Glorfindel/Erestor.
Disclaimer: I won nothing.
Summary: AU, un-beta’d. Another first time, hurt feelings, and making up.
Notes: For Liri, she’s a sweetheart.

Another old one..

The Barbarian and the Scholar.


So, he had made such a fuss of being here, with his companions tonight - had, in fact had quite the argument, their first actually, just so he could be here - and now he could not for the life of him enjoy himself. He was annoyed, thoroughly. Or was it just guilt?

It had gotten a little out of hand, Glorfindel miserably reflected. With mug of mead in hand, the sounds of his comrades drunken laughter was nothing but an agitating noise in the background. He stood aside, leaning with one elbow on the bar edge - left alone in his sour mood. He had been too harsh then, yes, yes he had, he thought sadly. But all he wanted was to… he sighed, pathetic excuses. As much as he tried to, he could not deny that he had hurt Erestor’s feelings. Could not deny that, there had been a telltale glistening to his young lovers dark eyes when they had quarrelled.

And all for a simple night of leisurely company with his friends, something that he not partaken of in quite some time. Glorfindel set his mug down and groaned, in both self-righteous frustration and absolute guilt. He frowned when feeling a weight shove into his left side, grimacing when mead spilled over the edge of his mug and onto his fingers. Giving his damp digit’s a shake he looked accusingly into the merry gaze of his good friend Rendar.

“Now there’s a happy face.” He teased.

Glorfindel muttered something unintelligible and wiped his hand across thigh.

“Oh come,” Rendar chuckled, brusquely looping an arm about Glorfindel’s broad shoulders, causing him to yet again, spill his mead. “now who’s a grumpy Balrog slayer..”

Now wiping his hand down the front of his tunic, he shot the inebriated elf an non to amused look.

“You are drunk.”

The teetering elf spluttered and looked all about him in exaggerated shock, then facing Glorfindel again, smiled brightly. “Indeed!”

Even Glorfindel had to grin at the elf’s merry countenance, but with then sought to hide it behind his mug.

“Questions is….” the elf drawled, giving one of the moody elf’s golden braids a gentle tug, “why aren’t you?”

Glorfindel gave up on his mead. Pushing the mug away and then wiping his chin dry, he childishly yanked his hair from Rendar’s grip, causing the merry elf to chuckle.

“Argh just… never mind.” On second thoughts, he wanted his mead, but was smart enough to playfully shove the drunk elf a safe distance away first.

Not one to easily offend, Rendar, in his drunken enlightenment, sought another tactic. Obnoxiousness.

“Ah, I see.” He said knowingly.

“You see what?” Grumbled Glorfindel.

“He ah…” he leaned back casually, imitating the warrior’s reclined stance, though appeared actually relaxed, “..he didn’t want you here tonight, did he..”

Glorfindel’s huff was enough of an answer for him.

“Mhm, thought so!” He laughed.

“Shut up Rendar.”

“wha-..” he held his hands up, “hey now, I was playing.”

Glorfindel regarded his companion, who was for a moment at least being serious, and he slouched his shoulders in a less defensive posture. “I apologise, I - we, had a bit of an argument, before I left.”

“Ah,” again he put his arm around those broad shoulders, gently this time. “Want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

With an understanding nod, he slowly withdrew his arm.

“I only wanted a night out!”

Smiling softly, Rendar paused, and put his arm back in the comradely embrace, staying silent and supportive.

“That’s not too much to ask is it?” He looked at his friend, and as Rendar opened his mouth to reply, he continued.

“One night out with my fellows, one! But he got offended, saying we had plans and that…” he trailed off, waving his hand and sighing.

Rendar nodded, shrugging slightly. “Well… if you had plans then..”

“But that’s just it, they were plans I was unaware of!” he shrugged off the arm and faced his friend, “and it was just dinner and a walk, nothing that would not keep!”

Rendar sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, deciding to be honest with his friend. “Glorfindel,” he began, “you would not be this unsettled if that was all there was to it. Why don’t you tell me the rest?”

The golden elf’s neck flushed slightly, and licking his bottom lip, he glanced around him, not wanting any other to over hear their conversation. Sighing, he leaned in close, speaking quietly, though making no eye contact.

“I was horrible to him, Rendar. I mean… horrible.”

Rendar frowned, unable to see Glorfindel in such a light, “how so?” And he was surprised, when Glorfindel did meet his gaze then, for there was such sadness in those blue depths. With a quick motion of the blond’s hand, he leaned closer, turning his head for Glorfindel to speak in a quieter tone.


**A few hours prior**

Standing before the looking glass Glorfindel straightened his tunic. It was nothing fancy, indeed it was casual at best. Something ideal for a simple drink with a few friends. Catching Erestor’s unhappy stance in the reflection, he turned to face him and sighed, trying mightily to control his frustration.

“It’s just one night,”

“We had plans,” Erestor argued, his arms crossed before him.

“Aye,” the warrior laughed, “plans you didn’t’ tell me of.”

The advisor uncrossed his arms and took a step forwards, “It was meant to be a surprise.”

“Dinner and a midnight stroll? We do that every eve, how is that a surprise?” laughed Glorfindel, gently cupping the dark haired elf’s smooth cheek, only to have the patronising touch pushed away.

“It’s a different sort of meal and… and…” the darkling elf’s lips tightened, “oh what do you care…” He turned away, but was held fast by a firm grip upon his upper arm.

“Why are you being like this?” Glorfindel demanded, his frustration showing clearly. “I spend all my time with you and…”

“well if it is such a chore then that can easily be amended!” Erestor shot back, shaking off the grip on his arm.

“That’s not what I said and you know it!”

“It’s what you mean though, isn’t it?!”

“No of course not! Do not put words in my mouth!”

Erestor stood there a moment, his jaw clenching. Straightening his shoulders he met the warrior’s gaze head on. Tilting his chin upwards, he took a rather bold step he had yet to approach in their relationship.

“Well, how’s this then? You’re not going, end of discussion!”

Glorfindel blinked, stunned. He would of laughed had Erestor not been so deadly serious. When next he spoke his voice was low and careful.

“Erestor, you go too far. We are not married, we do not live together. You do not tell me where I can and can not go!” He had meant to control his anger, and he regretted not doing so as his voice raised to a shout, making the petite elf jump slightly. After reigning in his temper, an apology had been on the tip of his tongue, but seeing Erestor lowering his gaze, almost submissively, he found he could not even voice the words he wished to say.

The advisor stepped away, gaze still averted and his hand wondering to the back of his head, where his hair had been braided in the most simple but lovely of ways. His voice, when he spoke, was small, and heartbreaking.

“You’re ruining this and… and I wanted it to be special,”

“Ruining what?” Asked Glorfindel, exasperatedly, yet tenderly.

“I-I did my hair like this and…” his voice shook in a telltale way, and his embarrassment was obvious. “… and I wore this,” he ran his hands down the front of his dark green robe, that was somehow casual yet exquisite at the same time. “You said you liked green on me,” he whispered.

“And you look beautiful, Erestor, you do,” he spoke softly, for he had noticed, “but…”

“I thought we were…I mean…” there was a flush to his cheeks, and the advisor’s discomfort would have been obvious to any. “I thought that we were getting rather serious and all,” his voice shook ever so, and not from the threat of impending tears, but, from speaking of what had been preying on his mind for quite a time it would seem. He had tried to throw his weight about, to test the waters and see what effect or sway his words would have. And he had been met with anger.“.. was I wrong?” His voice a whisper, he shrugged, clearly confused.

Glorfindel groaned, more at himself then anything. “Erestor, my sweet,” he moved forward to gently cup a flushed cheek, his thumb brushing over the heated skin. “You are making something out of nothing.”

Though apparently, this had not been what Erestor had wanted - needed to hear. He moved away from the familiar touch, crossing his arms to cup each elbow.

“I see.”

It was all Glorfindel could do not to grind his teeth.

“Erestor,” he sighed, “the men they… Ai, it is once in a blue moon that most of us have a single night free at the same time! And it was all last minute and… it has been months since last we…so…”

“So I must wait.”

Glorfindel was surprised at the bitter tone of Erestor’s usually softly spoken voice. His agitation returned full force, mostly for being made to feel guilty for something he believed he should feel no remorse over - For being made to feel as if he had wronged Erestor in some way.

“Damn it, Erestor. Why are you so put out about this?!”

And Erestor struggled then, searching for the right words, something that was usually come so naturally to him, but not now. Finally, hurt won out, and his words, though said out of this hurt, were harsher then he had meant for them to be spoken.

“Fine…fine! Go out with those barbarians you call ‘friends’ then!”

Blue eyes narrowed, and it was with clear effort that Glorfindel managed to keep his voice steady. “You sound nothing short of ignorant, when you speak so of ones you have never given the time of day.”

“I would not waste my breath!”

“You know…” the warrior began, his voice still controlled, though louder, “when you insult them, you insult me. I am one of those barbarians!”

“Believe me, that is becoming all too apparent!”

Glorfindel was aghast, he stood, eyes disbelieving and mouth slightly parted in shock. Finally, having nothing to say to such scathing words, he simply turned his back to Erestor, a bigger insult to some, and continued to ready, now ignoring the petite beauty.

A few moments passed of unbearable silence between them, where Erestor had, for a short time, floundered at how little sway he apparently had over the elf he would usually do anything for. But during those few seconds, Erestor had gathered his courage, and had squared his shoulders once more. “Right,” he nodded, “hmm, okay then. If that is how it is, you go out with your ‘friends’” the last word said with clear disdain, “and I shall go out with mine.”

It had happened without thought, the small, disbelieving and condescending snort that had left his lips. And was received as almost cruel. He wished the instant it had happened that he had continued with his silence, for as he caught Erestor’s eye in the mirror, he felt almost sick with himself.

Erestor looked at him as if he were someone else, there was not the devotion, keen intellect and sweetness he was so used to seeing, but shock, and hurt. The kind of hurt that is low and devastating.

“What -” the dark elf’s voice was unsure, confused and trembling, “what’s that supposed to mean?”

Glorfindel quickly gathered his wits and turned to face Erestor, his own voice unsteady and worried over what had just transpired. “No,” he shook his head, and spoke as if afraid of starling Erestor, causing him to flee, “no, no that’s not what I… I didn’t mean…”

“What are you…” Erestor shrugged and smiled, one of those terrible fake smiles that are as a last resort before giving way to tears and losing face, “..are you insinuating that I have no friends, or..”

His mind was screaming for him to say something, anything, but he was stuck. Stuck right there on that spot, in that agonisingly foolish moment. He watched only as Erestor nodded, his dark brows drawing together and his lips tight, turning away just as the first tear fell. Glorfindel lurched forwards, but the door closed loudly, just as his hand reached the handle.

All he could do, was rest his brow against the pine, “damn.”

**Present**

Rendar, for the first time that evening felt sober. He thought that now perhaps he understood his companions low mood. His hand squeezed that tense shoulder, and then left Glorfindel momentarily. When he returned, it was with the blond’s cloak. Wordlessly he took the mug from Glorfindel’s hand, and replaced it with the cloak.

“Go on,” he spoke softly.

Glorfindel, after a moments hesitation took the cape and swung it across his shoulders. He laid a heavy hand on Rendar’s shoulder, glancing about the room to where their fellows made merry.

“Oh please, they’re drunk, they wont mark your absence.”

Glorfindel managed a weak smile, and left. Within a good half hour he would be home.

~*~

Home now, Glorfindel stood outside Erestor’s room, doing something he had not done since his youth. He could hear nothing, with his ear pressed against the wooden door, and so dared to try the handle. He was glad for it being unlocked, and opened the door slowly, so as not to make a sound.

It had indeed meant to be a special night. The candles had burned all the way down, there was a meal that had been prepared, now eaten but the cutlery left upon the table. Such a romantic setting. Roses, everywhere. The bed, in red silk sheets. And Erestor, curled up on the divan, a thin blanket wrapped tightly around him. Covering him nearly completely.

Glorfindel smiled sadly, noting how only his head, one hand and a foot peeked out from under the blanket. Quietly he crouched beside the divan, and with a soft touch, ran a finger along the underside of Erestor’s beautifully arched foot.

He smiled and thought his heart would break at how Erestor murmured in his sleep, his toes curling away from the tickling sensation.

Deciding it was time to wake him, Glorfindel reached for where the those slim hands curled under his chin, holding the blanket around him. His hands held still in the air however, and he felt a wretch when seeing the curled up handkerchief in the advisor’s grip, and the wetness around his glazed over eyes.

Gently he pulled the blanket from under his chin, gasping softly, when realising Erestor wore naught underneath. Catching sight of Erestor’s bare shoulders he felt as though rooted to the spot looking upon the pale skin of the one so dear to him. And so was therefore caught off guard when Erestor came to with a gasp of his own.

He stumbled backwards, tripping on something and landing on his behind with an undignified thump. Erestor’s hands drew the blanket back up to his chin, his bare foot shooting up under the cover. Glorfindel stood quickly, embarrassed and rubbing the back of his neck. Looking down to where his foot had snagged, causing him to fall, he picked up the offending item, and coloured further when realising that it was in fact the robe Erestor had been wearing earlier that evening.

“Um I… ahm..” He could not compare what he felt then, to anything other then a peeping tom.

“What are you doing here?” Erestor asked, wiping quickly at his eyes and pulling the handkerchief beneath the covers also.

“I…well..” he felt breathless, and so, taking a deep breath, he kneeled, though did not sit back on his haunches, wanting to be eye to eye. “Erestor, I am sorry.”

There was no reply, save for the slight softening of watery brown eyes.

“I - I didn’t know,” he pleaded helplessly, gesturing to the where the table and food had been in place. “And mostly.. for what I insinuated…” he bit his lower lip, shaking his head, “I am more sorry for that then anything.”

When Erestor still did not speak, he made to continue, discouraged and with a tremor in his voice, but Erestor soon shushed him, reaching to brush his fingers over the warrior’s quivering lips.

“Don’t. You don’t have to..” he swallowed, his own voice a quiver. “..you don’t have to plead..”

“But I do..”

“No, I.. It’s partly, my fault. I- I suppose you were right. I read into this relationship too much.”

“No! no you have not, do not say that…” Glorfindel pleaded, grasping those soft fingers in one hand.

“I tried to command you, belittled who you were,” the advisor winced at his previous behaviour, “I just wanted it to be special, and-and…”

Glorfindel, licked his lips nervously, kneeling closer and reaching to gently cup Erestor’s cheek in his palm. “Wanted it to be special?” He spoke, so softly.

Not moving away from the caring touch, Erestor spoke, grinning slightly at his own silliness. “A year ago today, you kissed me for the first time.” He managed to smile when Glorfindel’s eyes widened slightly. “And shush, I’m neurotic and wouldn’t expect anyone but me to remember such a thing.”

“Bless you.” He whispered.

Erestor flushed, and Glorfindel did smile, hoping he could sense the beginnings of harmony between them. His smile turned into an adoring grin as Erestor gave way to an embarrassed smile of his own, nodding over to the bed.

“Our first time… together,” he whispered, he bit the corner of his lips and then continued in such a quiet tone that Glorfindel only just caught the words. “M-my, first time.”

He rubbed his thumb gently over Erestor flushed cheek, “I had wondered,” he whispered gently.

“You don‘t mind?”

Glorfindel smiled brightly, and shook his head gently. “I could find nothing more precious.”

Erestor smiled, a perfect smile, and looked down to hands, still bunched under his chin nervously. “Good,” he managed levelly though quietly. “because I love you.”

His own breath shuddered with the admission, and he only looked up, when sensing Glorfindel closer. His lips were caught instantly in a kiss. A good kiss. And when it ended, Erestor opened his eyes slowly.

“You’re so good at that,” he breathed.

The darkling swallowed nervously, simply watching as Glorfindel’s large hands gently pulled back the edges of the blanket, pushing it away from trembling shoulders. He was glad that Glorfindel did not kneel back to look at his now bare form, but instead stayed close, their noses nearly brushing, as the warrior whispered against his lips.

“I’m good at other things too.”

He kept his eyes trained on Glorfindel’s, which were now an intense dark navy blue, waiting for an answer to his subtle question of forgiveness, and more. And he made no objection as arms hooked beneath his knees and back, gently lifting him and carrying him over to the bed. His answer being his silence.

When laid upon the silk sheets, he instinctively hunched himself together in a nervous attempt to cover himself, but was stopped with a gentle touch to his knee, and a shake of Glorfindel’s head. With that, he forced himself to not close his eyes as he lay back, open to Glorfindel.

He grew aroused, watching Glorfindel slowly disrobe before him, and felt as a rabbit cornered by a fox as Glorfindel kneeled upon the bed, parting his knees and slowly lowering himself between his thighs. He loved it.

They were kissing, and really getting into it, heavy bated breath and all, when Glorfindel suddenly winced, breaking the kiss.

“W-what?” Erestor stammered, his lips the deepest red, looking thoroughly kissed and his eyes as pitch as his hair. Glorfindel was un-done, though could not help smile as he rubbed where he had felt the sudden sting.

“Erestor,” and he was shocked at how gruff his own voice had become, “you didn’t take the thorns out of the roses, did you?”

He laughed when the advisor’s eyes widened, and a hand flew to cover his mouth.

“No I… did one..?”

“Right in the behind,” he chuckled.

Erestor snorted, and touched a hand to the outside of Glorfindel’s thigh, trying not to laugh. He nearly gasped however, when Glorfindel took that hand in his own, and guided it over his buttock cheek. He swallowed as Glorfindel bit his own swollen lip, and encouraged the advisor’s hand to squeeze and caress.

“Rub it better for me.” He husked, before following his gaze to those swollen lips, to take in a deep and passionate kiss.

Erestor impressed himself by not growing embarrassed, and by returning the kiss with as much fervour as he was able. He offered a small growl as Glorfindel groaned, the hand on the taunt buttock joined by another, squeezing, caressing.

They lay kissing for a while more, breathing heavily as hands explored tanned muscle and sleek paleness. Glorfindel did things to him that, he hadn’t know could be done to another. He had spilt his seed twice by the time Glorfindel pulled away, a look in his eyes saying that ‘this is it’ that he could wait no longer.

The warrior, who was shook with carefully suppressed desire, did not have to ask for anything. Erestor pulled the small clear vile from beneath his pillow and pushed it into the warrior’s shaking hand.

“Will it do?” He asked, suddenly nervous again, now that it had finally come to that moment. “I wasn’t sure.”

Glorfindel smiled, though through his lust it was a wolfish grin, and he leaned down and brushed their lips sweetly together.

“’tis perfect, like you.”

Erestor smiled, looking up as open and trusting as anyone could ever be. He was stunning, with his hair messed and splayed behind him, and Glorfindel swallowed. Hard.

“Trust me,” he whispered.

“Yes,” Erestor breathed, and there was no more talking after that.

The preparation was careful and lengthy. Erestor was writhing, innocently confused and helpless in this new passion by the time Glorfindel deemed him ready. He positioned himself between Erestor’s thighs, his length touching the pink waiting pucker, silk sheets brought up around his waist.

He guided Erestor’s thighs around his broad waist, and receiving a fearful nod of permission, he pushed forwards. He was slow, and held himself at an arms length, watching Erestor’s face contort with discomfort as his innocence was gently taken from him.

He forced himself keep going, even as Erestor’s eyes closed tightly and his mouth fell open in a small, silent ‘O’ as the thickness of the base of his shaft pushed into and stretched the tight opening. When into the route, both let out a laboured breath. He leaned down, burying his face into the crook of Erestor’s neck, giving the darkling elf time to adjust.

It was too tight, and too hot, he lifted his head, the look in his eyes clear, screaming that he needed to thrust. Again, another nod, and he pushed himself up on his arms once more, and slowly began to move.

He loved how Erestor regarded him with awe, as that special place within him was touched and rubbed by his own swelling length. He loved that Erestor could not look away from where their bodies joined, a hot and sweaty mish mash of flesh. He loved that he gripped his biceps, that he began to instinctively move along, flex around him, love him.

Groans, whimpers and uncertain, surprised sounds of pleasure left Erestor’s lips, and made Glorfindel growl deep within his throat, making him renew his efforts. He dared to push that bit deeper, to thrust that bit harder and faster. The pleasure, the rapture, the feeling where you want to be nothing but primal and just fuck and love each other in that single moment forever was intense beyond any comparison.

Erestor ground his teeth and pushed his head back deep into the pillow, nearly screaming as Glorfindel hurriedly hooked one arm beneath a leg that had gripped his waist tightly, and pushing it up and over his shoulder, giving him that much more depth to push into.

His arms, red and shaking gave way and he collapsed upon Erestor. He gripped that leg still, holding it over his shoulder, and pushed his face into Erestor’s damp tresses as he continued to move. His form lay heavily on Erestor’s, but the motions of primal and innate mating never ceased. Just in and out, up and down and gasp and shudder.

Erestor was truly in the throws of passion. And it was heady, a fuel to the dominant elf’s fire. At some point he managed to look Erestor in the face. And amidst the passion, the utter trust could still be seen as he was rocked so quickly and desperately.
Though it was not to say he was the cool collected lover he was used to being. His own face contorted in utter pleasure, feral groans left his lips and he could only guess at what it must be like to have one such as himself moving above him, owning him.

The dark elf reached out desperately as completion overtook him. Anchoring himself to muscular shoulders he cried out the warrior’s name, literally cried it out. And that was all he needed, he could let go of his own passion, roar in completion and come inside of this elf who was sensual beyond baring. Three hard pushes, probably harder then what was kind, but at the same time out of his control. Three hard pushes, and he came. He came so hard, that he swore he could taste it in the back of his throat.

They rested that way, panting, and an utter mess. Glorfindel made to move his weight, but the soft mewl from beneath him, which was both sexy and adorable changed his mind. He loved that Erestor stroked his back, kissed his collar bone as his left foot stroked up and down the back of his calf. But he did have to move, to pull out, less Erestor hurt all the more in the morning.

He grinned both weakly and proudly as Erestor sighed in disappointment, a tiny hiss leaving his lips. He gathered the elf into his arms immediately, which quieted any protests from being disconnected. After a few quiet moments, when their breathing seemed to of almost returned to normal, he gently tilted Erestor’s chin up, and smiled softly and reassuringly, seeing Erestor’s sated, sleepy eyes His eyelids heavy and drooping. He brushed their noses together softly, earning a weak and sweet smile from his lover. Never closing his eyes for a second, he touched their lips together.

“Sleep.”

And they did.

~*~

When Glorfindel awoke, it was to the best feeling- ever. There was always a certain good feeling when waking, and having had good loving the night before, but this was something else. Erestor lay beside and on him, completely and utterly cuddled around and against him. It was adorable. He gently ran his fingers through inky, mussed hair, and kissed the slumbering advisor’s crown. It was the first morn they would awake in the same bed.

His stomach grumbled, and he laughed softly at himself, because everything that morning was either good or amusing or even more good. Carefully, so as not to wake Erestor, he leaned up on one arm, trying to glance to the table where the meal Erestor had prepared the previous night had been laid, hoping that perhaps some may have been kept or covered up.

“I ate yours too,” came the soft voice beside him, light and drowsy.

He grinned, and Erestor explained.

“I was angry.”

Glorfindel slinked back down, smiling as Erestor hummed in pleasure at being able to cuddle up close again.

“Yes, I notice how your own stomach does not make a peep.”

Erestor looked up, resting his cheek against Glorfindel’s chest, and bit his lip as he grinned almost naughtily. “Sorry.”

Glorfindel laughed aloud, “I don’t think you are.”

“Hmm, maybe not.”

Sighing contently, they lay quietly for small time, and when Erestor slipped back into a light sleep, for a taxing night he had had, Glorfindel took the opportunity to quietly exit the bed and acquire a damp cloth to clean them both.

The coolness of the cloth woke Erestor, and with a new confidence that was actually rather arousing, he pulled Glorfindel back into bed.

“Glorfindel,” he murmured.

“Hmm?” He replied, happy to lay quietly, just touching softly, inhaling the scents of the morning and enjoying the feel of warm flesh pressed against him. It was as Erestor looked up, his gaze dark and sultry in a way, that he groaned.

“Again?” He whispered, and grinned at his own boldness.

“Oh I wish,” Glorfindel growled, rolling Erestor onto his back, and kissing him slowly, lovingly, “but not yet,” he spoke again, quick to hush any protests, “it’s too soon. But…” he drawled huskily, “how about we try again tonight maybe?”

“Oh yes,” And Erestor’s voice did tremble with anticipation.

Glorfindel hummed, and nosed the advisor’s dark tresses away from a baby soft neck, to kiss, and bite gently.

“Oh..” Erestor breathed, “I-I thought…”

“We can do other things,”

“Thank goodness.”

It was as Glorfindel slinked down the advisor’s body that his shoulders were suddenly gripped, and looking up he saw passion, but a questioning look in those dark eyes also.

“First,” Erestor spoke softly, “tell me why you came back.”

“Why I came back?”

“To me, last night, instead of staying out.” Seeing the confusion in the warrior’s eyes Erestor was quick to make himself clear. “I am not looking to argue! Indeed no, I am too aroused and in loving a mood for such a thing,” he teased, arching playfully beneath the warrior. “I just… would like to know.”

Glorfindel nodded, and for the moment, pulled himself back up Erestor’s body, leaning over him. “I felt terrible,”

Erestor nodded, “me too.”

“I could not enjoy myself, and I spoke to a friend.”

Erestor bit his lip, and his next words were chastising only to himself, “a barbarian?”

Glorfindel grinned, “yes, one of my fellow barbarians.” He laughed when Erestor groaned. “He without a word sent me on my way, home to you, after hearing me out. I think he was perhaps slightly shocked at my behaviour, actually.”

“Was he now?”

“Yes,” he grinned then, “see, we aren’t all bad.”

“I’m sorry,” Erestor offered, laughing softly and looking as innocent as the virgin he had been, and Glorfindel laughed with him.

“Yes well, you must now eat your own words, because you have come into possession of your very own barbarian, haven’t you?”

Erestor nodded, smiling, “yes, yes I have. And you have your very own meek scholar, the envy of barbarians everywhere you shall be.”

Laughing, Glorfindel leaned down to speak his next words against Erestor’s still quite swollen lips. “Aye, and how I love him.”

And they kissed long and slow, in the most chaste and virginal of ways, much like their first kiss, one year ago.

The End.