Title: Adar [father]
Author: Milly 
Author's Email: ElrohiradoresElladan@gmx.net	
Pairing: Thranduil/Elrond; Glorfindel/Erestor, elf/elf
Rating: R
Summary: This is the main story, it's based on the challenge 
"Thranduil and Elrond are lovers. Elrond gets Thranduil pregnant, 
but Thranduil doesn't know how to tell him. Elrond doesn't know 
that male Mirkwood elves can get pregnant as it is one of 
Mirkwood's most sacred secrets." By my friend Chey, but I have my 
own mind, so it might change a bit sooner or later. *smirks* You 
might want to read the prequel "Aroon" before you read "Adar".
Disclaimer: They belong to me in my dreams and in my stories, but I 
understand and accept that this is life and I don't hold any rights on 
them. I'm sorry if my playing with them offends anyone. Please 
show mercy though. It's hard enough not to have them.
Warning: mpreg, angst, h/c, au, pov [for the prologue] 
Authors Note: AU still means the same as in Aroon. ;) So please 
don't complain if the chars don't act as you thought they should. 
Thanks to Chey for the nice challenge and to the sweet ones who 
commented on Aroon. *hugs* It's great to hear that you want to read 
more, you know. :) Oh and special thanks to Ava, you know what 
I'm talking about, I hope. *winks*
You're still most welcome to give me feedback, there's no need to be 
shy. It's not like I'm able to write normal feedback on a story, so 
don't think I'ld mind if I only find one line. It's still great to hear that 
someone cares. ;) 

Adar [father]

Prologue [or rather; summary of Aroon]
[This is mainly written for the people who did not read the prequel and don't intend to do 
so.]

~Mirkwood~

In the past weeks my life changed gravely. The war, the death... and 
the new life. When Elrond came to Mirkwood to tell me that my 
father had died in War it felt like it would be the end of the world. 
But it wasn't. It felt strange to lead a realm after being kept out of 
trouble for so many years. Still it was possible, first with Elrond's 
help and then with that of Erestor and Glorfindel. It was hard to get 
used to leading a realm, make no mistake about that. 

But I would have coped with it. I would have led my realm and 
coped with my father's death. It just wasn't enough, it seems. My bad 
luck had but started when my lover came to Mirkwood. How could I 
know that I would become pregnant, that I am one of the few Sindar 
who actually still carry the trait of fertility? Had I known, would I 
have denied my love the right to make me his again? I do not know, 
but it is too late to change anything now. 

And no matter what will happen, I will not take my child's life, I will 
love it if nobody else can. If my people will chase me from my realm 
and my lover will leave me for getting pregnant... it can still count 
on me. No one will do it any harm while I am around as I will be 
there to protect it. That knowledge is the only thing that comforts me 
since the day I sent Erestor back to Imladris and remain here alone, 
among people who still do not wish to accept the fact that my father 
died and I am their king now.

Chapter 1

~Imladris~

"And you *never* considered that I had told him that you would stay 
there for longer than he told you?" Elrond glared at his chief advisor 
and did not fail to notice the supporting hand upon Erestor's hip. 
Glorfindel had clearly taken his lover's side and showed it openly. 
But what was worse was that they were right. He hadn't told them 
that he had asked Thranduil to allow one of his advisors to stay 
around, trusting that his lover would never send them away after he 
had promised to allow them to help.

"Mylord, we are all tired, I suggest that we discuss this tomorrow, 
before one of us says things that he might regret." For a moment 
Elrond was speechless and just starred at Glorfindel. Before he 
decided not to comment upon those words. His friend was right, they 
were all tired and Erestor was exhausted from his trip. Surely that 
wasn't the only reason why Glorfindel wanted him too leave, but it 
was one of the reasons and he could not force his advisors to stay up 
all night because his lover had been acting foolish.

It was just such a worrying new fact and he cursed himself for not 
telling Erestor more closely about his fears that Thranduil might hurt 
himself. He had just mentioned the possibility, not that he thought 
that he would really do it. But now this fear seemed more real then 
anytime before.. Thranduil had send away his best friend against 
their agreement and he could not help but wonder what the younger 
elf intended to do if it made him think it necessary to send Erestor 
away before doing it. 

After wishing his friends a pleasant night -which they surely 
intended to have- he left the room, but not without warning them to 
go back to their own room instead of ruining his study. And his 
always obidient advisors followed him to then all of a sudden start to 
run like mad children to see who would reach their room first. But as 
noone was around to witness his reaction Elrond just smirked instead 
of pretending to be shocked. They were sweet and even though he 
couldn't believe that after all the trouble they had seen in their lives 
they were still behaving, he did not seriously mind about it.

Chapter 2

~~Happy Birthday to my sweet Ava, hopefully you enjoy your 
chap.~~
~Imladris~

Erestor smirked when his lover arrived a short moment after him and 
pulled him inside their room to close the door behind them. "That 
means that you will submit to me tonight, you are aware of that, 
right?" His lover nodded, chewing his lip as if he was uncomfortable 
with the idea. Of course he was merely pretending but still Erestor 
decided to tease him about it. "We do not have to do anything, 
melme. In fact I am very tired from the trip and would prefer to 
sleep." Glorfindel mumbled something but didn't lift his gaze and 
missed his lover's amused smirk. 

With feline grace he started to open his riding tunic and caressed the 
naked skin he revealed like he would touch his lover. Seemingly 
unware of his lover's gaze he proceeded in his little show, slowly 
revealing more skin to the blue eyes that were watching him. 
Glorfindel knew that this was a way to tease him of course. But it 
didn't help him as he could not tear his eyes away, seeing his lover 
caress and even lick his own skin. This was a very fine kind of 
torture as the rules did not permit him to do anything after he had 
lost the race.

He had to wait until his lover took pity with him and knowing his 
stubborn Erestor it would take long until he forgave him for his 
pretened denial. For the moment it was obvious that the darkhaired 
was focused on one aim. To make his body burn with desire as they 
both knew that it wasn't Glorfindel's decision when to find his 
release today, no matter how much he longed to push his beloved 
tease against the wall or onto the bed and to make him lose this 
playfully lackadaisical behaviour while he moaned and begged for 
his release.

But it wasn't possible as he knew how much he enjoyed having his 
lover at his complete mercy and he couldn't overstep the rules 
without leading Erestor to do the same the next time he was in 
charge of their lovemaking. Still his errection became painful when 
he watched his lover cast the tunic to the floor and start to play with 
a soft nipple and he remembered what it was like, to feel the soft 
flesh of his lover's chest inside his mouth, when he wetted it with his 
tongue before he started his games. They were both merciless when 
it came to torturing each other, making the other moan and suffer 
before they granted him release. 

And even though both of them knew perfectly well that they loved 
each other dearly and could barely survive a few nights without the 
other's warmth around he knew that currently his only chance was... 
his eyes wandered down between his lover's legs, for a short moment 
to see with relief that his lover was seriously erected as well already, 
but when he heard a moan from the darkhaired's lips he looked up to 
see that the nipple beneath his lover's hand had become hard as well. 

"Ai, Estor, you are killing me," Glorfindel wailed, praying that his 
lover would show mercy, considering his own state and this time he 
did not fail to see the smirk on Erestor's face. /You will suffer for 
that, my tease, I will remember this face very well the next time you 
will submit to me./ The blond did his best not to let his dark thoughts 
show and concentrated on looking desperate. Usually it helped to 
show Erestor that he was totally in charge and that he was the only 
one who could give his lover release in that state.

Though that wasn't true, of course. Glorfindel remembered well 
enough how he had touched himself, just a night ago without 
knowing how close his lover was already. It was his thoughts that 
would never be with any other and it was also his body craving for 
the gentle touch of it's master, now that Erestor had returned to him. 
Both seriously teamed up against him in the need to be touched by 
Erestor instead of him being able to give himself release.

At least it seemed that his lover had decided to take pity as he slowly 
walked over. But then, with a gentle smile he came to stand just in 
front of him and started to slowly unbraid his hair. "I think I will 
need a very long, hot bath now," he purred and didn't fail to notice 
the frustration in Glorfindel's eyes. "Would you mind to go and fetch 
the water for me, melme? I do not wish to scare the servants." 
Erestor smirked as he watched his lover comply to his wishes and 
tidely sorted his clothes while he waited for Glorfindel to return.

Chapter 3

~Imladris~

It had taken several minutes for Glorfindel to retrieve the water and 
several more moments until he had realized that he was supposed to 
wash his lover's body. At least it granted him access to Erestor's 
body, even though it did not help him with his arousal yet. It made 
things worse if anything. As touching the firm, smooth skin was 
something he had been attracted to even before he had seriously 
fallen in love with everything about the darkhaired tease. 

And now that they were in love even touching his lover felt like it 
could make him come. But if he gave in to that feelings he knew 
well enough that Erestor would claim that they wouldn't need to 
make love at all and he didn't want to risk that chance. So he 
concentrated on the warm, wet hair between his fingers and started 
to wash it with a commitment as if he would fear to be punished if it 
wouldn't look perfect on the next day. Though neither of them feared 
to be deciplined.

A smirk spread on Glorfindel's face upon the thought, but 
remembering that his lover was already exhausted he decided against 
making him waste his energy in a little foreplay. Instead he left to 
fetch a cloth to dry the darkhaired when he noticed the well sorted 
clothes placed upon a chair. And he frowned. There was dry blood 
on the tunic and when he examined it closer he noticed that it was 
also torn. His frown deepned when he realized that he hadn't asked 
Erestor about his trip at all and he stormed back into the bathroom, 
angry that his lover hadn't told him about the wound.

It was when he entered the room that he forgot about his anger and 
became worried. Erestor never closed his eyes while taking a bath 
and even though there hadn't been much blood on the clothes he 
noticed that one of his lover's arms had dripped aside and now 
showed a wound in the fair skin. /What did he do?/ Glorfindel sighed 
and carefully pulled the lighter elf out of the water before he 
carefully wrapped the cloth he had collected around him. /And what 
kind of mate am I to him that I didn't notice that he got hurt?/

When Erestor moaned in pain despite of the careful way Glorfindel 
touched him the goldenhaired cursed. "Silly elf, you are supposed to 
tell me that you get hurt, do you remember? I should tie you to the 
bed and not let you leave again for the next few years and I promise 
I will if you don't tell me the next time something like this happens." 
But Erestor didn't react on Glorfindel's try to be funny and the Elda 
sighed deeply. /Everytime you are out you get yourself into trouble. 
Lucky me that I convinced Elrond not to permit you to join the war 
or I might have lost you./ A strange feeling settled in his stomach 
when he considered his thoughts more closly. 

But then again, he would have followed his lover to Mandos if 
necessary as though he had hated his stay there he would prefer 
being there with lover to being in Arda without him. And he smiled 
lovingly while he carefully placed Erestor upon the bed. "I will be 
back in a short moment, melme," he whispered and kissed a cool 
forehead. At least Erestor didn't seem to have a fever, so it was 
almost sure that whatever had cut him hadn't been poisoned and as 
he didn't seem to move much in that strange state he had fallen to 
that seemed neither conscious nor unconscious, Glorfindel decided 
to leave and fetch Elrond immediatly.

Chapter 4

~Mirkwood~

It was in the middle of the night when a loud noise woke Thranduil from an unresting 
dream. Oropher had been in it, he had told him how sad he was to hear that his only child 
was faring so badly. But though it should have been comforting it still felt as if the dream 
held a warning. And when he tried to concentrate on the sound he had heard it was gone. 
Worried he got up from the bed and looked out of the window. Nothing... he was 
becoming insane, it was obvious. Ever since he had send away Erestor he was frightened 
that someone might attack him, even though the other Elves seemed pleased that he had 
send off the Noldor.

/Who am I not to trust my own people?/ Thranduil sighed and rested his head against the 
cold wall in front of him. It was becoming worse with every day and the friendlier the 
other Sindar were, the more they started to scare him. Somehow it was easier to live with 
the unkind, yet usually polite behaviour they had had for several weeks now than when 
they tried to be nice towards him. The thought what they would do to him when they 
found out about his pregnancy scared him the most. Would they find a way to kill his 
child without killing him? They could not just replace him without having to fear 
Elrond's wrath and maybe also that of Galadriel and Celeborn of Lórien. 

But if they murdered his child, who of the Imladris Elves would believe him that it was 
possible for a Sindar to become pregnant? And would Elrond even wish to defend their 
child or revenge their child's death? It was something unnatural. Perhaps Elrond had 
chosen a male because he did not want children. Elves did not seriously need heirs and 
becoming half-human he might just not want to be reminded of the fact that there was 
mortality in his bloodline that would have caused the need for an heir if he hadn't decided 
against that. What if Elrond not only didn't want a child but also didn't want a fertile 
lover?

He sighed deeply. If he had to he would raise the child alone and if he had to chose he 
would rather be without his lover than without an innocent child that needed his help. But 
could he do this without Elrond help? A skillful healer on his side could ensure the child's 
well-being. And he was unsure if he could give birth to a child all alone. It was almost 
unheard of for females and males usually didn't even give birth, trying to do it alone was 
almost the same as commiting suicide. 

And there was still the fear that if everything else went well Elrond could take his child 
and turn him away. There was no reason to think so, but still he did not know whether he 
could truly trust that his lover hadn't started their relationship in order to get his realm. 
/With my child he could claim the right to take over Mirkwood if I am dead..../ He 
frowned unwillingly when he realized that he was about to cry. /Elrond would never slay 
me./

If only he could really believe that. Why couldn't he trust his lover like he had loved and 
trusted him before his father's death? Elrond hadn't changed since then. He had always 
been kind and affectionate, a little protective and loving and he hadn't changed his 
behaviour since Oropher's death. /Father approved to our relationship, he would have 
known if Elrond's motives had been wrong./ If only his thoughts had the might to calm 
him, now that he wished to go back to sleep. But they didn't....

Chapter  5

~Imladris~

Glorfindel sighed and looked at the grim face of his lover. "Elrond demands to know how 
this happened and you know well enough that neither you nor I can lie to his face. Please, 
you cannot seriously mean that you refuse to tell me what really happened. Estor, I know 
you, you wouldn't scratch yourself like that while riding past some thorny trees." 

The Chief advisor just shrugged and shook his head. "Do not speak for both of us, dearest 
Glorfindel, I can very well lie to everyone's face but yours. And I will do that whenever it 
is needed as well, you just notice it easier than others if I'm lying to you because I hate 
doing it." But he didn't even try to confirm the lie he had told his lover upon the way he 
had wounded himself. It was useless, but neither did he intend to tell him the truth. Some 
things were not for any of his friends to know, and neither for his lover. "You can stop 
looking at me like that, love, you know well enough that that stare does not effect me in 
the way it scares your troops, I don't fear your wrath."

This argument went on far too long for Glorfindel's taste, but he didn't know what else he 
could do. He had asked, he had demanded, he had pleaded and he was running out of 
ideas. Threatening Erestor was impossible as the subborn elf became even more 
uncooperative if he tried that. But still it annoyed him, not only because Elrond expected 
him to tell him what his lover had lied about but also because it just angered him that 
Erestor didn't intend to answer his questions.

But it didn't help. He couldn't tie Erestor to their bed for weeks or use fine methods of 
torture on him like arousing him and then denying him his climax until he answered. As 
he knew that he would be in serious trouble if he tried that even if he had the heart to do 
it. And he knew he hadn't, seeing his lover suffer seriously would make him cry and even 
before Erestor he did not wish to lose his face if it wasn't a really serious matter he cried 
about.

Still he couldn't understand this silence as it wasn't at all like his lover not to trust him 
and it worried him deeply that the darkhaired had tried to keep the fact that he had been 
wounded a secret. "What is important enough for you to lie to me?" His voice was a mere 
whisper now and he couldn't help but sound almost as pained as he feeled. There was 
something between them since Erestor had returned to Imladris and he couldn't help but 
wonder what it was. 

They hadn't made love or even kissed though Erestor's wound was almost healed again. 
But he had tried touching him and his lover had actually flinched from him, worrying him 
enough to check for more injuries on other parts of the chief advisor's body. At least there 
weren't any, so he calmed himself with the thought that if his lover had been abused he 
would have put up a fight and surely gained himself wounds and it obviously hadn't 
happened in the way he had been anxious about. However it didn't feel much better as it 
didn't explain what was wrong with Erestor. 

Chapter 6

~Imladris-Mirkwood~

Since the day Elrond had been convinced that his Chief advisor wasn't in any serious 
danger anymore he had been considering to ride to Mirkwood and have a word with 
Thranduil. Not only to explain to him that he disliked broken promises a lot, but also 
because he hoped that his lover could explain him Erestor's behaviour. He decided to ride 
without his advisors and hoped that they would be like he knew them when he returned to 
Imladris, but when he informed them of his trip and told them of their tasks Erestor shook 
his head.

"Do not go to Mirkwood, please Mylord," he pleaded with a strange expression in his 
eyes and Elrond frowned unwillingly. He understand that Erestor did not want him to 
fight with Thranduil but he still felt mad about the behaviour of both Thranduil and 
Erestor and decided that he didn't care. And before his Chief advisor could explain 
himself he just left them alone, trusting that they knew how to rule his realm like they had 
always done when he was away.

The trip was uneventful as usually, even though Elrond was riding without an escort of 
his people. It wasn't necessary, as most monsters prefered to stay away from Elves since 
the last war. This peace would be short-living but at least it was enjoyable for the time it 
lasted. There were even singing birds again and despite his worry upon both Erestor and 
Thranduil the Lord of Imladris felt joy fill his heart when he saw the heart of Mirkwood 
and met the proud looking Sindarguards. 

And he patiently waited for them to overtake his horse and permit him to pass. It was 
interesting that apart from their knowledge who he was and that his rank was highly 
above them they always treated him like a more or less tolerated guest when they greeted 
him. But the Sinda had always been somewhat strange and he couldn't help but think that 
that was one of the many reasons why he had been fallen in love with their prince from 
the first time he had met him. Thranduil, however did not seem to wish to come and greet 
him this time and when he was greeted politly it was by one of Oropher's advisors who 
seemed impatient and angered in an improper way.

"So did he finally think of us again? You should have come here far earlier to inform us 
of his wellbeing. We were worried about him." The brownhaired elf before him went on 
speaking for several minutes and Elrond studied him calmly, trying to remember the 
name of the other elf. Helkafin... the halfelf almost sighed with relief, but instead 
patiently waited for the advisor to finish. "Could you please explain me, why you are 
angry at my Chief advisor for leaving though your King send him back to Imladris, 
Helkafin?"

The elf starred at him. "But I am not speaking about your advisor, I am speaking about 
the young princeling I am trying to support. Your lover ran away like a child about two 
days after Erestor had left. His posistion is difficult enough already and do not tell me 
that he didn't go to Imladris. He wouldn't have anywhere else to turn to." 

Elrond felt a warm, treacly liquid trickle into his mouth and realized he had bitten his lip. 
Thranduil wasn't in Mirkwood and of course he wasn't in Imladris. Or was that what 
made Erestor feel so insecure? Had his lover decided to run away from home and asked 
his best friend to help him? It would explain a lot as his Chief advisor usually wouldn't 
see a reason to lie to his lover and he knew that Glorfindel wouldn't have looked that hurt 
if he had known what was wrong with his lover.

Helkafin seemed seriously worried and after a moment of doubt Elrond decided to inform 
him about the possibility. "Do you think that it is possible that Thranduil followed Erestor 
to Imladris and that my Chief advisor would help him? It is known that they are good 
friends and if they saw a reason for it I could imagine them doing such a thing."

The advisor seemed deep in thoughts upon the new possibility but finally he shook his 
head. "No, Mylord, I do not think that Erestor would allow him to join you in Imladris 
without informing you. It is not that I wouldn't think it possible that your Chief advisor 
would turn against you when his best friend is concerned, but he knows the politics in 
Mirkwood and he knows that Thranduil needs to stay here if he wishes to earn our 
people's acceptance as their king."

For a moment Elrond was unsure what to make of that reply and whether he was to feel 
insulted that the Sindar was almost sure that Erestor would turn against him if his friend 
was concerned, but he didn't, prefering to ask the advisor's thoughts upon sending a 
message to Imladris to inform Glorfindel and Erestor that Thranduil had vanished. 

Chapter 7

~Imladris~

Glorfindel's heart seemed to break when he found his lover, caring less than ever about 
the state of his clothes and his hair and crying more desperatly than when he had heard 
about the deaths in the last war. "What happened, melme?" He asked, approaching the 
shaking body to gently caress the long, black hair, but Erestor merely shook his head, 
unable to answer or just calm down a bit.

It took several minutes until Glorfindel had managed to gather his lover into his arms and 
the sobs finally became less frequent. "They... they promised they wouldn't hurt him. 
They promised that if we would leave him to make his own decisions he would stay 
unharmed, my poor... he... he is gone, Glorfindel. They took him though they 
promised..."

Again it took some time until Glorfindel had managed to calm his lover some more and 
found the letter in his hand, a wet and rumpled piece of paper and after he had gently 
taken it from Erestor's hand and read it he begann to understand what had happened. 
Thranduil had vanished and Erestor was scared that something had happened to his best 
friend. But what was all the talking supposed to mean? "Estor, who did promise he 
wouldn't hurt Thranduil?"

Erestor shook his head and rested his forehead in his hands, covering his eyes. "I do not 
know. Honestly, I didn't know them until I met them when I left Mirkwood. They were 
Sindar, I'm sure they were, but they were young Elves, I hadn't met them before. If I had, 
I would have known whether to trust them or not. And now he is gone... I will slay them 
if they murdered him..."

"You will slay noone, my love," Glorfindel whispered while he pulled Erestor closer. "I 
am sure they did not harm our friend, Estor. Let us go to Mirkwood and inform Elrond 
about what has happened." He decided not to mention that it hadn't been his lover's best 
idea that he hadn't told them as the darkhaired elf was troubled enough already.

But it seemed that Erestor was desperate even without hearing any reproofs. "Elrond will 
never speak to me again,if something happens to him. But I only tried to do what I 
thought best. I know Thranduil since the day he was born, I helped raising him, I love 
him as my child as well as my best friend." Erestor's pleading eyes searched Glorfindel's. 
And Glorfindel just hugged his lover and kisses his hair tenderly, trying to calm him. "I 
believe your words, my love, I am sure you tried to do what you though right."

Erestor nodded, obviously forcing himself to become calm again. "You are right, 
Glorfindel, let us leave for Mirkwood, I tried to deny the truth for a far too long time 
already. Please go and prepare the trip, I will inform Cyrenion that we are leaving." 
Glorfindel nodded and kissed his lover before he left him behind to pack their clothes and 
ask the stableboys to prepare their horses.

Chapter 8

~Mirkwood~

Helkafin and Elrond came to greet the advisors from Imladris as soon as they arrived and 
both seemed very worried when they heard about Erestor's report. When they chief 
advisor had ended Helkafin sighed deeply and to Glorfindel's and Elrond's confusion he 
turned to Erestor. "I apologize for that, my Lord, I know that the youths became very 
impolite since they heard of our King's death and that they dared to speak to you like this 
shows that they have no respect."

Erestor smiled at the advisor. "I accept your apology, Helkafin, though it isn't needed, I 
remember that you were one of King Oropher's most trusted advisors for the last 
centuries. You surely did not take any part in raising the children to react like that on the 
Noldo." The Sindar bowed his head and smiled warmly. "And I do remember you very 
fondly, Erestor ň Doriath ar' Gondolin." And though both Glorfindel and Elrond starred at 
him Erestor just shrugged and shook his head when Glorfindel was about to ask what the 
Sindar was talking about. "We have to find Thranduil before they do him any harm," he 
muttered and the other Elves agreed. 

While they were walking towards the library Elrond frowned, deeply lost in thoughts and 
once he was sure that noone listened to them he uttered his fears. "If my love would be 
murdered, who would be the next to inherit the throne of this realm?" He asked, unsure if 
he really wanted to consider the possibility that Elves had decided to slay their own kin 
again. Helkafin bit his lips but seemed to receive the confirmation he needed. "King 
Oropher has named his brother in law to become King in case his son died."

"And who is the brother of the Queen of Mirkwood?" Glorfindel asked with obvious 
impatience. "Do not delay your answer so, if anyone has a reason to slay Thranduil he 
has." Helkafin just lowered his gaze and as if unsure if he was allowed to reply.

ň Doriath ar' Gondolin = of Doriath and Gondolin

Chapter 9

~Mirkwood~

Erestor shook his head. "No he hasn't, dearest Glorfindel. I see neither a reason to murder 
my best friend nor would I want to become King of Mirkwood. It would drive the Sindar 
insane to have a half-Noldorian King, I know them since centuries."

Elrond starred at his chief advisor. "You are Thranduil's uncle?" He asked, obviously 
thinking it hard to believe that his silent advisor was the brother of the former Queen of 
Mirkwood. But Erestor just smiled and shrugged. "I am the brother of Oropher's wife, I 
assure you, Mylord. And I swore to protect Thranduil on the day I first heard about his 
existence, with my life if needed."

Glorfindel begann to understand just why Erestor had been *so* upset about the young 
King's disappearance. Thranduil wasn't only his best friend, but also his protege, his 
nephew. "Well than it is sure that it is not about inheriting the throne as we all know that 
Erestor would never do the King any harm."

Helkafin and Elrond nodded, affirming the words that had been in all their minds. But 
still that didn't help them much. "If they didn't capture them to inherit his posistion, what 
could they want from him?" The goldenhaired sighed and noticed that his lover was 
busily thinking. And when he finally lifted his head he looked at Helkafin. "I need to 
speak to you, alone," he told the Sindar and both Glorfindel and Elrond starred at their 
friend in shock. 

"We are still speaking about my lover, Erestor," Elrond tried, but his chief advisor just 
waved his hand impatiently as if to say that he didn't care. And he patiently looked at 
Glorfindel, waiting that his lover understood that he was serious and left. It -of course- 
would be more difficult to convince Elrond to leave, but if Glorfindel was gone it would 
be easier to reach that aim.

The chief advisor's thoughts proved right after several minutes of pleading first with 
Glorfindel's and then with Elrond's eyes. And after he had explained that he would tell 
them what he had been thinking to them as soon as he had spoken to the other advisor 
they finally left the room to leave him to speak to Helkafin.

Chapter 10

~The woods~

When Thranduil awoke he couldn't see anything and felt cold stone beneath him. And it 
scared him that he didn't remember how he had gotten to the river he lay next to. But 
even though he didn't see any logic in it he decided to drink from the water. There could 
be no harm in drinking some wet liquid, offered to him by Arda on it's own. Or maybe by 
the Valar, but he didn't care as he was too thirsty to think properly. 

After he had drunken enough to calm himself a bit he frowned upon his reflection in the 
water. He was paler than usually, his hair didn't sparkle and his clothes were torn. 
Something that hadn't happened to him since about 500 years. But it had happened now 
and it scared him when he remembered the sound he had heard back in his room. /They 
captured me. And if they return they might slay me./ 

He tried to get up, but now that his senses had awoken he felt his whole body hurt upon 
the mere try to get up. There was someone near, not near enough yet to be seen, but 
Thranduil's instincts told him that there were eyes upon him, unfriendly eyes and there 
were several Elves for they were whispering to each other. They seemed to consider what 
to do with him and he flinched when he saw one of them coming towards him.

It had to be obvious that he was unwell, maybe even that he was pregnant. And it would 
prove easy for them to catch him even if he tried to run from them. But he at least had to 
try, to attempt to save his child's and his own life. After all the years he had lived 
overprotected in his father's realm he couldn't just die the first time he was away from 
home since he could remember.

On the other hand it was very difficult to get up already.. and maybe if he pretended to be 
dead they would leave him alone. Then he silently shook his head. Elves were intelligent 
creatures, if they wanted him dead they would check if he was. And despite of the hurt it 
caused him he slowly got up and tried to get away.

When he didn't hear them any longer he relaxed against a tree, resting his tired and 
pained body while he felt his heart beating quicker than he had ever felt it before. But at 
least they couldn't do his child any harm anymore now. Though he feared that it hadn't 
been his best idea to run for his life with a baby inside of him. And all of a sudden a hand 
covered his eyes and another covered his eyes and he winced but couldn't fight the 
stronger elf off. 

Chapter 11

~Mirkwood~

When Helkafin and Erestor returned with even more serious faces and informed the other 
Elves that they had decided to send out search parties. Elrond crossed his arms. "And you 
decide things like that without asking me?" He asked, slightly offended though he knew it 
was the right decision.
Helkafin smiled patiently. "You are not in charge of Mirkwood, Mylord. And if Erestor 
isn't, I am, while King Thranduil is not around. So there is no need to ask you, though 
that was actually what Erestor said he intended to do next." 

The halfelf smiled, less annoyed now that the elf had told him that they had been about to 
ask him. "And you want to send several parties?" He asked, more out of a need to 
continue the conversation than as a real question. Of course they wanted to send several 
parties. Everything else would have been terribly unlogical.

"Yes, if you do not mind... would you and Glorfindel go and see if he turned to 
Imladris?" Elrond smiled and nodded. Of course they would try that. "My Elves will 
search Mirkwood as they know it better than anyone else. Erestor and I will go to Lórien 
to ask the Lady Galadriel for council." Elrond nodded again, confirming that he agreed 
with the advisor's words.

It confused him a bit that Erestor intended to leave without Glorfindel when t hey could 
easily have ridden together, but he decided not to comment on it. Lately it was senseless 
to try to make those two talk to each other. But he couldn't make them get back to their 
former love if Erestor was still overly worried about his young protege. And he 
understood him as he, himself, was very concerned about Thranduil's wellbeing as well. 
Maybe even more scared than Erestor was as he didn't know how to go on if something 
had happened to his lover.

Instead of thinking more upon the topic he left the advisor to pack his things and went to 
search Glorfindel. The trip back to Imladris would surely be amusing, knowing that his 
friend would be grumbling upon Erestor's decision to go seperated ways for a while and 
his own worry increasing by the thought that Helkafin's people might have joined those 
who had captured his lover. But being a Lord of his people bore responsibilities and he 
couldn't just go and accuse the Sindar Elves of the capture of their King without a proof.

Chapter 12

~The Woods~

/I passed out./ The knowledge hit him shortly he woke up. He had been carried to a small, 
dark room and he desperatly wanted to get up. But his whole body hurt and he wondered 
whether a spell had been cast upon him as he couldn't move at all. Not even in pain, like 
he had done earlier. Was someone interested in keeping him in place? And if, who? 

Could Elrond claim his realm without even proving that they were bound? They weren't, 
no sane elf could possibly believe that they were, knowing Oropher and his wish to 
announce every relationship's change between them. And his people did not like Noldor 
enough to want a Noldorian King. Perhaps his own people had captured him? They 
possibly were scared upon a binding between Elrond and him..

Suddenly there were voices nearby and he heard immediatly that they didn't know them. 
Their accent was different, something he hadn't hear before. And he was sure that they 
did not mean to do him any good. The voices were harsh and it seemed that there were at 
least three or four Elves standing just outside the door.

Even though he wanted to Thranduil couldn't move to hide. If they wanted to kill him 
they would be able to do it just now, without any effort spend upon searching him. There 
was no use in running and hiding in a place he didn't know anyway. So he could as well 
just show himself and end it now. Even if he had been able to move he wouldn't have 
been able to fight several skilled Elves and with the pain that seemed to paralyze his body 
he didn't see any chance to defend himself.

The door opened and three Elves stepped inside. And though they looked youthful like 
every other Elf, Thranduil noticed that one was far older than the others. When he felt the 
interested gaze upon him he flinched back as far as his body and the room allowed and 
pressed himself to the corner. "Please, do not kill me," he whispered, hoping that the 
elvish blood in the other's veins didn't permit them to slay their own kin. 

"I will not slay you, penneth!" The leader of the small group seemed highly amused by 
his plea. "Tell me what is your name?" Thranduil shook his head, unwilling to confirm 
that he was the King of Mirkwood and the older elf shrugged. "You are right, your name 
doesn't really matter, I know who and what you are." Then he looked back at the Elves 
that were waiting patiently behind him. "Take off his clothes."

Chapter 13

~On the way to Lórien~

Helkafin and Erestor had been riding swiftly since several days and it there were still 
almost two days ahead of them until they would reach the inner heart of Lórien. There 
were already Elves around them, not be noticed by strangers, but to those who knew the 
habits of this living in the ancient realm it was easy to hear and to see them. And though 
they hadn't been adressed yet, Helkafin had told Erestor that they wouldn't allow them to 
pass much longer.

His words were proved true only a moment later when a fairheaded elf jumped down in 
front of their horses and the Mirkwoodelf cursed, annoyed by the way the younger one 
frightened his horse. "That is one of the reasons that makes me want to shoot you 
everytime I meet you, Haldir ň Lórien." 

The adressed elf only laughed, before he shrugged with an arrogant expression. "I will 
take care of your animals. Is there a reason that made you chose to come to Lórien once 
more, Helkafin ň Mirkwood? And who did you bring with you?" Erestor couldn't what it 
was, but he felt a little uncomfortable when he handed the reins of his horse to Haldir. 
But as Helkafin didn't seem to mind he decided against commenting on it.

"How often did I tell you that it isn't polite to speak to me in this way, Haldir? This is 
Erestor ň Imladris, we are here to ask for your Lady's help upon searching King 
Thranduil and to visit your Lord as you know he is an old friend of mine," Helkafin 
seemed impatient about the questions he had been asked, but it didn't help him, as Haldir 
didn't seem happy about the idea to lead the guests to either his Lord or his Lady. 

It took several hours until the Galadhrim finally decided to allow them to pass and 
Helkafin had become deeply worried during that time, knowing that even though Haldir 
was a tease he usually allowed the guests to pass after a few minutes. "I would like to see 
Lord Celeborn first," Helkafin explained and Haldir nodded reluctantly, obviously not too 
pleased about the request. Still he led them until they had reached the inner heart of 
Lórien, when Erestor suddenly flinched. 

"Thranduil is about, I heard him," he whispered to Helkafin and the other elf nodded. 
Haldir ignored their conversation and led them further into the realm before knocking a 
door. "You will stay outside until I call you," he warned the guests before he entered the 
room. The two Elves waited, hearing a short conversation before they were allowed to 
come inside. 

Chapter 14

~Lothlórien~

Thranduil had been trying his best to defend himself when another elf entered the room 
and spoke quietly to the leader of the small group. After what seemed forever two other 
Elves entered the room and Thranduil sighed with relief, seeing the loving expression in 
his best friend's eyes. "Erestor," he whispered and immediatly felt the warm, comforting 
arms of the chief advisor around him. 

But even while he caressed the long blond hair of the younger elf he glared at the 
Lórienelves. "I know you meant no harm, but how can you possibly think that he 
wouldn't be scared to death if you undress him without explaining him that you only wish 
to help him? He didn't know that you are a healer." 

"Then why did he come here then?" The Silverhaired seemed to be confused. "I thought 
you sent him to Lórien because he needed help, he carried every symton of it. Had we 
been aware that he is not only in too much pain to speak normal we would have known 
that he is scared." With a short smile he dismissed the other Lórienelves, then he squatted 
down next to Thranduil. "I apologize, penneth, I did not know that your fear was serious, 
I thought that you knew that we would do our kin no harm."

"But you made me come here.. I never really wanted to leave Mirkwood." Thranduil was 
confused, yet relieved that Erestor didn't seem to think the other Elves a serious danger. 
Helkafin looked at his King with a thoughtful expression. "You are with child, my young 
King, are you not?" He asked, more out of the need find his suspicion confirmed, than as 
an actual question. 

Shocked Thranduil shook his head, but found both Helkafin's and the silverhaired's eyes 
full of doubt. With a deep sigh he nodded, asking himself why he hadn't tried to forbid 
Helkafin to speak openly about a secret among the Sindar, before he understood that he 
was speaking to one of their kin, Celeborn of Lórien was Sinda after all. And he smiled 
soothingly. 

"You do not have to trouble yourself, child, you are not the first pregnant male and I don't 
think that you will be the last. We will help you with this, you hopefully know the 
father?" Thranduil nodded and exchanged a short glance with Erestor before he 
answered, "Yes, Mylord, my child's father is Elrond ň Imladris." The concerned 
expression in Celeborn's eyes left and he smirked. "What a fortunate child; to become 
heir of two Elven realms."

Thranduil gulped. "I do not think that Elrond would wish to accept such a... child," he 
whispered, trying hard not to show the whole extend of despair. Surprisingly Erestor 
started to snigger. "But Thranduil, did you not know that Elrond wishes to have a child 
more than anything else? He just didn't know how to fulfil that wish without hurting your 
feelings. We should immediatly inform him about your whereabouts and invite him to 
come here as your birthplace will surely be a good place to give birth to your child."

~Trying HARD to get this story as fluffy as I wanted it to be!~

Chapter 15

~Lothlórien~

The Elves had been sweet and caring towards him and Elrond had hugged and kissed 
him, pulled him close and promised him the world in happiness. Obviously he was 
looking forward to the child and all the fears of the past months had been in vain. But still 
that didn't make his child's love for torturing it's father any better. Only that through a 
few healing herbs he could still move while he was in pain now. 

He sighed when he felt his lover's arms around him and leaned back into the comforting 
hug. Elrond had insited that they stayed in Lórien until the child had been born safely and 
could survive a transport to another realm and Thranduil knew what his lover wished to 
talk about. 

Imladris... Elrond wanted them to bind and that his mate and their child would live in his 
realm by his side and even though Thranduil didn't want to give up his realm he knew 
that he wanted to live without his lover neither. And after Erestor and Helkafin had 
informed him that Erestor could rule Mirkwood in his place until his child was old 
enough to overtake those duties he hadn't really been against it anymore. 

But there were still the Mirkwoodelves as well as the Imladriselves to consider. It was 
known that Elrond's people tried to show themselves open, but still they hadn't ever seen 
two males raise their child together and the Mirkwoodelves would surely not welcome 
the fact that a Noldo, even if a halfnoldo would rule them. The fact had confused 
Thranduil to no end, especially when Helkafin had told him that Erestor was his mother's 
brother. It seemed to make sense, the way Erestor had always cared for him, that he had 
helped to raise and teach him. Still he was confused that Oropher had never mentioned it.

"Are you daydreaming once more, my heart?" Elrond's gentle voice called him back to 
reality. Thranduil smiled and turned slightly to kiss his lover's cheek, feeling sorry for his 
earlier worries that Elrond might do him harm. But when he had told Erestor his friend 
had only smiled and assured him that it was absolutly normal for pregnant Elves to be 
worried and scared about not existing things and that his thoughts didn't mean that he 
didn't really love Elrond.

However he once again clenched his teeth when he felt a new painful kick a gainst the 
inner side of his abdomen and he pinched his lover's arm, feeling delight in the fact that 
his lover didn't know that he mainly wanted him to suffer as well and didn't really have to 
hurt him to compensate his own pain. "I'm mainly trying to convince your child that we 
are in a peaceful, beautiful realm and that there's no reason to train warrior's skills just 
yet." 

Elrond regarded him with a confused expression for a moment until he realized that his 
lover was actually joking apart from his pain. This new sense of aplomb and humour 
delighted him greatly, but it would take a while until he got used to the difference 
between the humorous and the cynical statements that came and left with the different 
moods that overtook the younger elf lately.

Chapter 16

~This was written late at night and I have positivly *no* idea what it's like to give birth to 
a child for a female and surely not for a male. I heard that it's pain, but I didn't experience 
it myself yet. So please forgive me. :)~
~Lothlórien~

A few more weeks passed and Thranduil started to grow heavier. Teasing comments of 
his friends made him laugh at some days and growl on others and noone really knew how 
to act around him. But Celeborn just smiled patiently and exchanged knowing glances 
with the other Sindar. And when suddenly blood seemed to soak his clothes he was led to 
a private room.

"Do not worry, this will take a long time, but you will survive this, just like survived 
everything else in your life, do you understand me?" Helkafin's voice was gentle and 
Thranduil could not help but ask how the advisor could know that he would survive. "I 
already assisted another male who gave birth," the older elf replied to his question and 
Thranduil frowned, even more confused then before. Though he knew that it wasn't 
impossible for males to give birth he had always thought it a very seldom trait. 

The advisor smiled knowingly. "We can send for help from Celeborn and Elrond later on, 
but for the moment one person will be enough to listen to your babbling. If you want me 
to I can ask Erestor to look after you, but I would rather ask the others for help later as I 
do think it would waste energy they need to help you through this." 

Thranduil nodded, considering the words and agreeing to stay alone with Helkafin for the 
first hours. Ai, it already pained only to think upon the time it would take. Hours, maybe 
even days that would hurt him worse than the pregnancy had done. But when he tried to 
convince the other Mirkwoodelf to leave as well until he was needed more seriously the 
elda refused. 

And he endured hour and hour of whinning, of yelling and of cynical remarks without 
complaining even once. He just said there with a patient smile that annoyed Thranduil 
even more and it seemed that it was exactly what he had intended as his smile sweetened 
when Thranduil found himself diving into the realm of dreams. Obviously he had thought 
it the best way to make his King sleep once more before the exhausting events that would 
follow. 

When he woke up again the pain was more serious than before. And he noticed that there 
were more Elves around now. Seemingly Helkafin had thought it time to send for them 
and he had been right as another kick of the child seemed to announce that it wanted it's 
freedom. "Did you ever witness another birth?" Celeborn asked softly.

"Well obviously the one when my mother gave birth to me," Thranduil smirked, trying to 
be funny. Helkafin leaned over and whispered something to Erestor, but the darkhaired 
only shrugged. "You might wish to break Elrond's bones and decide to murder everyone 
around you, be assured that that's absolutly normal." Elrond starred at Erestor accusingly 
but his advisor only shrugged. "But it *is* normal, Mylord."
The Lord of Imladris cocked his eyebrows. "And I suspect you are speaking from 
experience, hm?" 
Erestor nodded with a patient smile. "Yes, I am."

Suddenly Elrond remembered that Erestor had mentioned that he had witnessed 
Thranduil's birth and bit his tongue. He was far too anxious lately. Though he was 
looking forward to their child he feared that something might happen to Thranduil during 
the birth and he was unsure whether his lover would grow to hate him if something went 
wrong. But despite his tries to remain calm he just couldn't keep himself from flinching 
when Thranduil squeezed his hand and a painful grimace set upon the usually fair and 
gentle features.

"It is time to undress him, Mylord. Do you wish to do that, or shall I?" Elrond looked at 
Erestor with a confused expression and his advisor shook his head and carefully started to 
take off Thranduil's leggings. And Elrond closely considered murdering Helkafin and 
Celeborn when he saw their expressions when the lower part of his lover's body was 
revealed to them. But as he needed their knowledge and they calmed down again 
immediatly he decided to let it pass. Thranduil hissed in pain but Helkafin just nodded 
calmly and exchanged a glance with Celeborn. "It is time to prepare the water now."

A few moments later they returned, filling the already prepared tub with water. Then, 
leaving Elrond a moment to take off his clothes and take his place in the water they 
turned around to help Thranduil to step into the tub when he halfelf was seated. "It will 
work out fine, do not worry." Erestor knelt down next to the chair and overtook the hand 
which had been squeezing Elrond's earlier while Helkafin and Celeborn quietly discussed 
the possible dangers of the birth with each other. 

Finally one of them announced that it was time, regarding Thranduil with a worried 
expression. "If we cut the skin now while he is still in pain it will at least be over a bit 
sooner," Celeborn explained and Elrond sighed, asking himself if they couldn't have 
discussed such matters earlier. But it seemed that they were really start to argue about the 
topic as Helkafin wordlessly retrieved a small, polished dagger and started his work, 
causing Thranduil to hiss and moan in pain. 

Celeborn watched closly and then begann to demand the detested pressing they had made 
Thranduil practice for the past weeks and the relaxing from him. 
And despite the worry and the pain Thranduil still didn't feel the need to slay his lover. 
Though he wouldn't have minded to break his bones or rather... get him pregnant in 
return. 

But he didn't utter those thoughts, instead he crashed his head back against Elrond's 
shoulder and screamed. It would never work. *Never.* He was male, he wasn't made to 
give birth to a child. Erestor lovingly caressed his hair. "You will do this, my child, do 
not worry," he whispered softly. "You have Oropher's strengh in you, you can do what he 
could do."

"W-what do you mean?" Thranduil whimpered and despite his pain noticed the anxious 
expression in the darkhaired's face. Instead of answering though, the advisor just 
continued to caress his hair and whispered encouragements and promises until Elrond 
was unsure whether he should kiss or hit him for his help. When Thranduil pressed 
against him he got disatracted from his thoughts and blushed from the sudden desire to 
take his lover. 

This was surely not the right time, not while Thranduil was screaming in pain and 
Celeborn happily announced that he could see the child's head. While Helkafin quietly 
left to fetch new water Erestor now found his hand in a clutching grasp. And while 
Celeborn cheeringly announced that he could see the whole head now Erestor hissed in 
pain upon the splintered bones in his hand. Cursing under his breath he extended his other 
hand to Thranduil and Elrond found himself wondering just how serious his chief 
advisor's words upon dying for Thranduil had been.

"It is almost over," the Peredhil announced happily when Helkafin entered the room with 
new water and three confused pairs of eyes starred at him. "Did Thranduil not tell you 
that he is expecting twins?" Erestor asked, completly surprised and Elrond closed his 
eyes. "He has to go through the same again?" 

Celeborn shook his head with an reassuring smile. "Do not worry, the next one will not 
be as bad as his passage will now be wide enough. It's like your brother presumably 
prepared the way for you." But despite the peaceful announcement Thranduil shook his 
head in pain and yelled that he would never again give birth to a child and that he for sure 
would not do it again right now.

"Then we will have to cut it from your body," explained Helkafin with a serious 
expression and in return got a kick into the stomach that made him crank and flinch from 
the angry King. It was surely not the right time to discuss logical decisions with him and 
even while Celeborn held up the first child and anounced that it was a boy Thranduil just 
muttered that it would better be a smart child to be worth all that trouble.

Helkafin smiled and took the child from Celeborn's arms, leaving to clean the little one 
and while Thranduil yelled and screamed he still obdiently waited and pressed in the way 
Celeborn and Elrond asked him to. And with a few more pained sobs, hisses and cramped 
presses he gave birth to a second son. Quietly and leaving the two lovers and their friend 
in peace Celeborn left to take care of the second child while Erestor carefully helped the 
shaking elf to climb out of the tub and with Elrond's aid they carried him to the bed. 

While Thranduil fell asleep immediatly and totally exhausted Elrond dressed himself and 
Erestor carefully placed a blanket over the still slightly wet body. "We should have dried 
him before we allowed him to go to bed," Erestor muttered but Elrond just shook his 
head. 

"We will now look after that broken hand of yours, my friend and before we greet my 
children you will tell me exactly why you call my lover your child." Erestor flinched 
upon the determinded tone in Elrond's voice, knowing very well that he obviously had 
spoken too much during his tries to encourage Thranduil. But luckily the two other Elves 
returned with the children before they could discuss the matter more closely and Elrond's 
pride upon seeing his sons overtook his wish to find his thoughts confirmed.

~~~~~End of Adar~~~~~
*~To be continued in a sequel "Anicroche"~*