Title: Finding Hope (22-24/30) Author: Aglarien Rating: NC-17 Type: FPS Pairings: Erestor/Glorfindel, Elrond/Erynoron, Caladir/Gurvelon, Melpomaen/Turidon, Lindir/Taurfaeron Disclaimer: Alas, not mine. Except for the cats. Master Tolkien owns all the rest. I promise to return his elves when I’m done playing with them. Warning: AU. Very AU. No idea where this came from. Lorien made me do it. Beta: Lady Mirfain Summary: Lorien’s gift, continued ‘____’ Indicates Erestor and Glorfindel mind speaking *~*~*~*~* Chapter 22 Erestor and Glorfindel woke when it was still dark and their elflings still slept soundly. The fire had died back, and Erestor snuggled tightly against Glorfindel, drawing the warrior’s arms closer around him. Glorfindel reached for their discarded nightshirts and pulled them over Erestor, covering him warmly before wrapping his husband snugly in his arms again and kissing him deeply. ‘Warm enough, sweetheart?’ Glorfindel asked. ‘Hmmm…I am now, my love,’ Erestor answered, as he wound his arms around the elf he loved more than Arda itself. He peppered Glorfindel’s neck with tiny kisses before finding the perfect spot and suckling gently. Glorfindel giggled, then moaned. ‘Sweet Elbereth, Erestor, you made me giggle!’ Erestor chuckled around the flesh in his mouth before finally releasing it and moving down to suckle on a rosy nipple, its pert nub just begging for attention. ‘Oh…Erestor, my love…that feels so good.’ Glorfindel pulled Erestor on top of him, caressing the perfect bottom in his large hands. ‘Oh...suck on it harder, baby. Please…harder,’ he begged. Erestor readily complied, and sucked hard. Drawing the nipple firmly into his mouth, he teased the tip with his tongue and nipped gently with his teeth. Grasping Glorfindel’s hand, he drew their hands between them, and aligning their hardened members, wrapped both of their hands around them. Finally releasing the abused nipple, Erestor covered his husband’s mouth with his own, and thrust his tongue deeply into Glorfindel’s sweetness, while their joined hands slowly stroked and squeezed their weeping shafts. Moans filled their joined minds as tongues and hands stroked. Finally breaking the kiss for breath, Erestor looked into Glorfindel’s eyes. ‘Oh, your eyes…’ ‘Our eyes are golden again,’ Glorfindel said. ‘Oh…look, my love…look!’ Erestor followed Glorfindel’s eyes and saw the golden lights filling the room. ‘Oh…oh…it is so beautiful…what is it?’ He reached out with both of his hands to touch the lights. ‘I do not….aye…I do know…look down, my love. Look at us, my Erestor.’ Erestor looked and saw golden light pouring from Glorfindel into him, and golden light from his own body pouring into Glorfindel. So much brilliance that small pieces of the sparkling golden light broke off and filled the room around them. Glittering and warm, the light fell around them and through them. ‘Oh…what is it? It feels so…warm…so…wonderful.’ Tears filled Glorfindel’s eyes. ‘Once before I have seen this. In Valinor after I was reborn…I was in Lorien’s garden…and saw him and his lady wife, gentle and sweet Este, holding each other in love…and they were filled with golden light such as this…and it passed from each of them to the other, and filled the garden.’ A small sob broke from Glorfindel’s lips, though this lips and eyes smiled. “It is our love, Erestor,” he whispered. “It is our love. Can you feel it, my love?” Erestor lifted his head. His eyes closed and he breathed deeply of the golden light. A smile crossed his face as tears of joy began to fill his eyes and escape down his cheeks. ‘I feel it, my love…I feel it…Oh…Glorfindel…I feel it.’ He opened his eyes and looked down into Glorfindel’s golden ones. ‘Come and kiss me, my love,’ Glorfindel said, as he gently pulled Erestor up to him once again and kissed him deeply. ‘Make love to me, baby. I want you inside of me so very much, my Erestor.’ Erestor normally preferred to be on the receiving end, just as Glorfindel normally preferred to do the taking, but right now he wanted Erestor so badly it was all he could think of. He pulled a pillow under his hips and wrapped his long legs high around Erestor. ‘Make love to me, sweetheart.’ ‘I need to...’ ‘Nay, my love. Remember last night? I did not prepare you and did not hurt you. You will not hurt me. Make love to me, baby.’ Trusting Glorfindel, Erestor carefully aligned his engorged member, pushed gently, and it slid smoothly in to the hilt. ‘Oh…Oh…are you all right, my love?’ ‘Oh…it feels so good. I am wonderful, my love. Now make love to me, please baby, I want you…do it hard, baby,’ Glorfindel said, thrusting his hips up. Erestor slowly withdrew and thrust deeply back inside, unerringly striking Glorfindel’s sweet spot. ‘Oh…Glorfindel…Oh…so good…so tight…Oh…I cannot…I cannot stop,’ he moaned, thrusting hard, again and again. ‘Oh...baby…more…more…harder…my love…my love…do not stop…oh, harder…more…faster…faster,’ Glorfindel clutched desperately at his love, as sobs broke from his lips and tears of ecstasy ran down his face. Erestor’s every thrust struck his sweet spot hard. The golden light erupted around him, piercing him, and he was surrounded by his Erestor, filled with him, until all that was left was Erestor and their love. ‘Oh…I love you…I love you…I love you.’ Erestor’s tears mingled with Glorfindel’s as he lowered his head and kissed his husband deeply, never stopping his deep, rapid thrusting. ‘Oh Glorfindel…Oh baby…I love you, I love you…oh…so wonderful…you are so...beautiful…this is…so beautiful…I love you…I love you.’ He felt Glorfindel wrap around him, enclosing him in his husband’s bright, warm love. Their loving went on and on, seeming like it would never end, until the room was filled with golden lights and the elves were incapable of anything but thrusting and breathing ‘I love you.’ Tinnu and Glirien’s heads rested on the top of the basket as they watched, fascinated by all the golden sparkling things that floated around the room. Glirien waved a paw and tried to catch one. Erestor finally curled his long fingers around Glorfindel’s hard member as it throbbed between them, stroking it firmly. ‘Come for me now, baby…come for me.’ Brighter and brighter golden lights exploded into the room as Glorfindel whimpered and his essence erupted hotly, again and again and again. Erestor felt the throbbing, pulsating, hot release over his hand, and Glorfindel’s passage clenched and pulled him inside. His release exploded in hot bursts inside his husband as he clasped his mouth to Glorfindel’s, wailing and whimpering softly. The elves collapsed into a panting mass, golden lights continuing to sparkle and cover them completely, warming them. Finally breathing normally, Glorfindel gently rolled his glowing lover to his side, and slowly moved away, allowing Erestor’s member to slip out of him reluctantly. Erestor whimpered softly, and Glorfindel wrapped his arms around his beloved elf, holding and caressing him. Glorfindel eventually rose and hurried to the children’s bathroom for towels to clean them up. Wiping his seed from their bodies, Glorfindel saw it was golden as well, and smiled. He dressed them in their nightshirts, then gently lifted his precious mate in his arms and carried him to their bed. Seated with his back against the headboard, Glorfindel held his sleeping husband in his arms, caressing his face and his dark hair. He watched as golden lights followed them into the bedroom to join with new light still pouring forth from their tired bodies. The sparkling lights covered the room and fell onto and into their sleeping elflings, and he smiled before finally joining Erestor in reverie. *~*~*~*~* Chapter 23 Morning came and Erestor finally stirred in Glorfindel’s arms, and looked up to find blue eyes beaming down at him. “Good morning, my darling one,” Erestor whispered, softly kissing Glorfindel’s lips. “Good morning, my precious Erestor,” Glorfindel answered softly, caressing Erestor’s face, his eyes full of love as he looked down at his beautiful husband. “How do you feel this morning, beloved?” “Wonderful, my love, wonderful. I feel your love for me…like…like it is a solid thing. Something I can touch. It makes me warm and…and…Oh, Glorfindel…I am so happy. And you, beloved? How do you feel?” “Oh, my love…it is almost magical, how I feel. I am so very happy. Your love…I still feel it pouring into me. I cannot describe it…it makes me feel strong, alive.” Erestor snuggled closer against Glorfindel and drew his head down for a deep kiss. “Oh, I love you, my darling husband. I love you so very much,” he whispered. Glorfindel smiled down at Erestor and watched his dark eyes begin to sparkle with golden lights as he caressed the beloved face. “I love you, my Erestor. My lover, my friend, my heart, my soul, my beautiful husband. I love you more than my simple words can say,” he whispered, as he lowered his head and captured Erestor’s lips lovingly with his own. Giggles came from across the room, and Erestor and Glorfindel looked up to see Amdiriel and Gailion trying to catch golden lights in their hands and giggling, while Faelion giggled and cooed and waved his arms in his cradle. Erestor rested his head against Glorfindel’s chest and smiled as he watched their children contentedly. “Ada!” Amdiriel squealed. “Look! What is it Ada?” The little elfling laughed as a gold light passed through her hand. Erestor held out his arms. “Come, my little ones. Gailion, sweetheart, will you bring Faelion, please?” Gailion picked up his little brother, and the three elflings tumbled into bed with their parents. Erestor laughed as he reached for Faelion and found his bottom soaking wet. He held the baby up as Glorfindel removed the offending diaper and flung it across the room in the direction of the bathroom, then wrapped the baby in a corner of their blanket and laid him in Erestor’s arms along side Amdiriel. Neither one of them wanted to spoil the moment by getting up. “Glorfindel, my love, did you notice? Faelion is not fussing today. I am so glad his poor teeth are not bothering him,” Erestor said. “And how lucky we are this is not a poopy diaper morning!” Glorfindel laughed and scooped Gailion into his embrace, and held his whole family in arms. “Oh, now I am the happiest elf on all of Arda,” he said. He planted kisses on everyone’s heads, his “Mmmm…I love this one, and I love this one, and this one and this one,” sending everyone into more giggles. Erestor hugged the elflings, lying against Glorfindel, all of them held in the warrior’s strong arms. “Happiest elf after me, my love.” He sighed with contentment. “Ada? Are you going to tell us what it is?” Gailion asked as he grinned at the golden lights. “They are so pretty, Ada. And they feel good.” Amdiriel giggled as another light flitted through her hand. Erestor looked up at Glorfindel. “Will you tell them, my love?” Glorfindel nodded and smiled. “The lights, my little ones, the lights are love.” “Love, Ada?” Gailion asked. “Aye, little one. The love your Ada Restor has for me, and the love I have for him. And there is so much love that it shines out of us and all over the three of you.” “Really, Ada?” Amdiriel asked Erestor. “Really, sweetheart. We love you so much, and our love lights you up and keeps you warm, too.” “Is that why your eyes and Ada Glor’s eyes are gold, too?” “Aye, little one. It is the same love, shining through our eyes.” “Oh.” She grinned. “Your eyes are all sparkly, Ada. They are pretty.” Erestor laughed happily and hugged his daughter close. “What shall we do today, my loves?” Glorfindel asked. “Hmmm…cook breakfast, eat breakfast, clean up the kitchen and dining room, have a bath, get dressed.” Erestor grinned. “Oh, I know! A trip to the market. Elrond will have a special dinner for Erynoron any day now, and we will need the circlets you ordered for the sweetlings. You can take them and see if the circlets are ready and make sure they fit. Nay, wait, that would leave me without you all. That will not do at all! I know what we will do…we will all go! Does that sound like fun, my sweetlings?” Amdiriel and Gailion clapped their hands and bounced on the bed, making Faelion squeal at their antics. “Come, my loves, let us go find something to fix for breakfast. After your Ada stops in the bathroom and then gets a diaper on your brother, that is,” Erestor said. Glorfindel sent the older elflings into the kitchen, telling them to get out bread, eggs, fruit, and milk, and their Adas would be there in a minute, then joined Erestor in their bathroom. Erestor was just getting ready to relieve himself. Glorfindel wrapped his arm around Erestor’s shoulder and lifted his own nightshirt. The two elves sighed in relief as they peed together. Glorfindel raised his eyebrows comically, and said, “Good morning, beautiful one. Have we met before? Can I help you hold that perhaps?” After they managed to stop laughing and kissing long enough to wash, Erestor shooed Glorfindel out to find them some clothes while he washed and diapered the baby. Returning to the bedroom, he quickly dressed in a loose tunic and leggings while Glorfindel dressed Faelion in a clean robe, then they hurried to the kitchen. Amdiriel and Gailion had set the items Glorfindel requested out on the table, and Gailion was pumping fresh water into the kettle for tea. “Oh, my wonderful elflings. Look, Ada Glor, they have everything out for us!” Erestor beamed at the children. “Thank you, little ones.” Checking to make sure the fire in the stove was still burning, he poured milk in a small pot to warm for Faelion. Erestor removed the apples he left slowly baking in the oven the night before, and set them aside to cool. He was anxious to see if Faelion would like his Ada’s easy version of applesauce. Glorfindel and Erestor had been delighted that they could easily keep the baby safely in his chair while they attended to things like cooking and cleaning. Glorfindel placed the baby in it, then put a small piece of soft bread in Faelion’s hand to try while his milk warmed. “Here you are, little one. Let us see what you think about this.” The baby sloppily shoved the bread into his mouth and ate it happily, then squealed for more. Glorfindel broke off another piece and put it in the tiny hand. Amdiriel took over feeding Faelion so Glorfindel could cut up fruit and bread while Erestor cooked the eggs. Glorfindel showed Gailion how to make toast, and before long they were all seated at the table, enjoying their first meal prepared as a family. Erestor made the mistake of setting the bowl of cooked apple on the tray in front of the baby, and looking away for a moment. Glorfindel and the other elflings rolled with laughter when Faelion reached inside the bowl, squealed, then flung some of the apple at Erestor. The little elfling laughed gleefully along with the others at Erestor’s apple-splattered face. Even Erestor had to laugh, as he playfully took a bit of apple from his face, and flung it at Glorfindel. Before long, fruit and pieces of egg and toast were flying around the room. ~~~*~~~ They cleaned up their mess and did the dishes, and Glorfindel made sure that the kitchen stove contained enough hard wood so the fire would remain slowly burning. He filled kettles for water to heat slowly while they were gone to the market, and left them on the stove. After baths and all the other things needed to get ready, they were finally ready to go shopping together. Glorfindel carried Faelion and his bag of diapers, milk and bunny. Erestor held the other elflings hands, and they proudly set out with their family for the market place. They greeted friends and acquaintances along the way, and everyone passing smiled at them, thinking what a handsome family they made. The first shop they visited was the jeweler, to check on the circlets for the children. The owner was excited to not only see Glorfindel, but Erestor as well, and rapidly set out other items for them to see along with the finished circlets. “Oh, Glorfindel, look at the sapphire pendant! That would be perfect for Amdiriel when she wears blue.” Erestor said. “Oh, and the sweet little bracelet with sapphires! What do you think, little one? Do you like this one?” he asked Amdiriel. The jeweler beamed and told the elven lords what a lovely family they had, and could he show them anything else? Perhaps some new hair clasps? Glorfindel decided that since he and Erestor would wear jewels braided in their hair for Erynoron’s welcoming, they of course needed sapphires and emeralds to braid in the elflings’ hair. After the jeweler, Erestor wanted to check what elegant children’s clothing was available. Since the first clothier Glorfindel, Caladir and Amarion had visited after the elflings’ arrival was still closed, they simply went to another known to specialize in more expensive clothing for children. Erestor was delighted to find the perfect dark blue velvet baby’s gown for Faelion, with matching little booties in deep blue and gold. There was a beautiful forest green and gold gown, fashioned in silk and velvet for Amdiriel, even lovelier than the one she had inherited from Arwen. Gailion was thrilled with his first ever set of formal robes in deep blue and gold. The clothing was purchased and sent on its way to their chambers in the Last Homely House, and they wandered though the rest of the market, stopping here and there at anyone’s fancy. Erestor purchased more pots and pans and baking sheets, and anything else that caught his eye, such as a couple more kettles and tools to stoke the fire in the kitchen stove. There was plenty of room in their kitchen, after all, and he wanted the children to learn how to cook and bake along with the other skills they would be taught. Glorfindel found a new doll that Amdiriel just had to add to her collection, as it had dark red hair and green eyes just like hers. And there was a cleverly carved practice sword for Gailion. Erestor purchased quills, paper and ink to use when he began to teach the children to write and read, as well as some excellent children’s books he found. A set of simple wooden chairs for around the kitchen table was sent to their rooms. It would be nice to have the option to share a simple meal like breakfast in the kitchen instead of carrying everything to the dining room. If merchants began to set out their best wares and call to the family merrily when they approached, no one could blame them. Even though they could get all their food items easily from the kitchens in the Last Homely House, delicious looking baked goods, exotic spices, fruits, vegetables, fresh meat and fish that looked too good to pass up were all sent along to their rooms. They may as well make use of the icebox for more than milk, after all. ~~~*~~~ Elrond walked to his office to meet with Melpomaen and make arrangements for Erynoron’s formal welcome to Imladris. He knew that he could not keep Erynoron much longer in his chambers, for to do so would be abusing his position as a healer. He did not relish having the advisor leave for his own rooms, not since he realized how he felt about Erynoron. Perhaps they could have a picnic today, to discuss what the advisor’s new duties were? Elrond could made some small overtures and see how they were received. Tonight would perhaps be the last night he would have the beautiful advisor’s company. Tomorrow night they would have the welcoming dinner and entertainment. All Elrond could do was hope that Erynoron would return his love. *~*~*~*~* Chapter 24 “When may I begin my duties, my…Elrond?” Erynoron asked. They were sitting in Elrond’s private garden enjoying the soft summer breezes, and just beginning to have their mid-day meal. “Perhaps a little tomorrow, my friend, or the next day,” Elrond answered. “I really do feel fine now, my…Elrond. I am anxious to begin work. I cannot keep taking up your time like this…nor your rooms. You have been most kind to me,” Erynoron said softly. “I have enjoyed your company, my friend. I believe I will miss you not being with me when you go to you own rooms.” Elrond tried, but failed, to keep the longing out of his voice. “We will have your welcoming dinner tomorrow. I met with Melpomaen this morn to arrange everything.” He smiled at the advisor. “I do hope you will be happy here with us.” Erynoron took a deep breath. What was Elrond trying to tell him? He wished he could be sure. Did the beautiful Lord of Imladris not realize how Erynoron felt? What being with Elrond was doing to him? The warmth in his voice was intoxicating, and the advisor had never wanted anyone so badly. “I am already very happy here, my…Elrond. I have…enjoyed your company as well.” “Try a strawberry, my friend. They look wonderful.” Elrond held a large, ripe berry to Erynoron’s lips, and the advisor took a bite, the sweet juices spilling down his lips. Erynoron licked the red juice from his mouth, and Elrond stifled a moan. Oh, he wished he could have lapped up that juice. The sight of the fair advisor’s tongue sent heat building in his groin. Erynoron bravely took a strawberry and held it up to Elrond’s mouth. Elrond gently took a bite, his tongue managing to wrap slightly around the advisor’s fingers. Erynoron bit his lip to hold back his moan, and looked into the captivating sea-gray eyes. Elrond looked into Erynoron’s eyes. Green eyes sparkling with tiny specks of gold, like a forest fire. Wildfire. Erynoron was wildfire, and Elrond felt his cheeks burn. He knew he had to stop – he did not want to scare the advisor away and end his chances. “After the formal dinner tomorrow, we will have music and dancing in the Hall of Fire. Do you enjoy dancing, my friend?” Good, he had managed to get that out without his voice breaking. “Aye, sometimes, my…Elrond. I…I think I will enjoy dancing here, though. May I…may I hope that you will…dance with…me?” “I would like that very…very much.” Holding the lovely Erynoron in his arms, swirling around the floor with him. Elrond nearly panted just thinking of it. Kissing him behind a pillar, out of everyone’s sight. Feeling those luscious lips… Elrond cleared his throat to keep from shaking the images out of his head. “Will you dance with me tomorrow night, Erynoron?” he asked softly. “Aye, my…Elrond.” Elrond’s seductive voice was driving Erynoron mad with desire, and he wanted to grab the Lord and kiss him senseless. Never had anyone made him feel like this! He was normally a fairly shy elf, and had never wanted to grab anyone before, let alone a Lord! Elrond took a piece of cheese and held it to Erynoron’s mouth. When the advisor opened his lips, he slid the cheese inside, and felt soft lips brush against his fingertips. Oh, this was madness – but such sweet madness. Perhaps it was lucky that Elladan and Elrohir chose that time to join their father and new temporary advisor for lunch. ~~~*~~~ Erestor prepared a delicious dinner with the fish and fresh vegetables they had purchased. He had even made a lovely custard dessert, which Faelion adored, and the others too, if he judged by the amount they had eaten. Especially his sweet husband, who had showered him with praise. He was so happy, he felt like dancing around the kitchen. Whoever would have thought that having their own kitchen and making their own meals would have this effect? Staid councilor, indeed, he thought with a smile. And look at all the hidden talents he had discovered in himself! Master chef, storyteller, and singer of lullabies extraordinaire. Expert diaper changer, comforter and rocker of elfings. Champion dish and elfling washer, and fixer of mashed fruit! Tomorrow he would add superb cookie maker to that list. He giggled at his own silliness. Glorfindel was sitting with the children in front of the sitting-room fire, reading a story to them from one of the new books he had found today. Adding one last swipe to the table, he left the kitchen to join his family. His family. What beautiful sounding words those were. When the story was finished, Erestor lounged on the floor with his head on Glorfindel’s lap alongside Amdiriel’s, the baby sitting up on his stomach, supported by his Ada’s hands. Glorfindel lounged back on pillows, holding Gailion next to him. “I think there are some sleepy elflings here, Ada Restor,” Glorfindel said. Erestor chuckled, “Sleepy elflings, comfortable Adas, life is good.” “Ada, can we sleep in our new room tonight?” Gailion asked. “Are you sure you want to, little one? You do not have to, you know,” Glorfindel answered. “Amdiriel, my love, do you really want to sleep in your new room?” Erestor asked. The little girl nodded. “Aye, Ada, we like it. It is really pretty and nice, and my doll house is there, and our new bathroom, and our toys are there, and…everything.” She grinned at Erestor. “What about Faelion?” Glorfindel asked. “Well, I suppose we could move his cradle into their room.” Erestor said. “What do you think, little ones?” “Aye, Ada. We should stay together,” the wise Amdiriel answered. “That way, none of us will be scared. But we are not really scared anymore. And if Faelion cries, we can come and knock on your door and wake you up!” Erestor grinned and looked up at Glorfindel. He was certain if Faelion cried, he and Glorfindel would hear it before the elflings, even through two closed doors. “All right, little ones. You can stay in your rooms and see if you like it.” Gailion and Amdiriel clapped, then jumped up and ran to their room, and opened the wardrobe to pull their sleeping gowns out. They were so excited. They had their very own room, with their very own bathroom, and it was all theirs. Their Adas had said so. ~~~*~~~ Glorfindel and Erestor had taken a quick bath and were drying each other off. “You know what the best part is?” Erestor asked. “Tell me.” “No more nightshirts!” Erestor giggled and ran to the bed, crawling on it on all fours. Seductively wagging his shapely behind at Glorfindel, he looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Come and get it, lover,” he said softly and enticingly. Glorfindel groaned, threw his towel aside, and hurried to the bed. ~~~*~~~ Taurfaeron and Lindir stood watching the river slowly flow under the bridge. The night was beautiful; stars shone brightly and soft breezes rippled through the trees. The Lothlorien captain held the lithe minstrel’s back against his chest, his arms wrapped around Lindir, and inhaled his sweet scent. “Lindir?” “Hmmm?” “I love you, my sweet one, I love you” Taurfaeron whispered. “Oh, my beautiful warrior. I love you. I love you so very much.” Taurfaeron gently turned Lindir in his arms and held him tightly as he captured the minstrel’s sweet lips with his own. Ending the kiss, he breathed against the soft lips. “Lindir…I can no longer imagine my life without you. I know I cannot ask you to leave your home. The others here, they are your family. I have written to my Lord and Lady, asking them to release me to be with you. I know they will do this for me. Lindir, my love…marry me, please marry me? Be mine forever, as I will be yours? I love you so much.” Lindir’s lips formed into a smile. Tears sprang unbidden to his eyes, and he nodded. “Oh, Taurfaeron,” he breathed. “Aye, I will be yours forever.” And wrapping his arms around Taurfaeron’s neck, he drew his gentle warrior down for a passionate kiss. ~~~*~~~ After Erynoron had fallen asleep, Elrond softly closed the bedroom door and sat in his favorite chair in his sitting room. He had to speak to Celeborn and Galadriel. He had been married to their daughter, and even though Celebrian had freed him from his vows before she sailed, he still considered them his parents. His conscience would not allow him to do anything further about his feelings for Erynoron until he spoke with them.