Title: The Strong Heart (3-4/14) Author: Aglarien Rating: NC-17 Type: FPS Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel; Caladir/Gurvelon Disclaimer: Alas, not mine. Except for the cats. Warning: AU. Fluffy in part. Summary: Erestor and Glorfindel are determined to find out what, or who, is hurting their friend. *~*~*~*~* Chapter 3 Out in the courtyard, a lone Galadhel paced angrily, ‘Damn healers’, he thought. ‘That was supposed to have ended his pitiful little mousy life.’ ~~~*~~~ Erestor woke in the morning at dawn, snuggled warmly in Glorfindel’s arms. Shifting, and gently kissing the wonderful, soft lips in front of him, he snuggled closer, waiting for Glorfindel to awake. Brilliant blue eyes began to focus and peer into deep brown ones. “Good morning, sweetheart. Are you feeling better this morning, my love?” Glorfindel greeted his mate with a loving kiss. “Aye, my love, I am. I am ready to go out and move sky and earth if I have to. We ‘will’ find out what is happening and save our friends.” Erestor knew that if either Gurvelon or Caladir left them for the Halls of Mandos, the other would surely soon follow. Glorfindel nodded. “Aye, that we will. I have been thinking about all the humans and dwarves that are taking refuge here of late. The Orc attacks in the Misty Mountains have added to those we need to consider.” Erestor thought for a moment. “Not yet. Our interaction with them has been slight, and they have only been in the valley for a few short weeks. I cannot think of a motive on their part. I doubt Gurvelon has had any interaction with them at all, but we will ask him. We should ask the rest of our people about them. Unless someone has noticed something suspicious, I do not believe we should apply our efforts to either group yet. Remember, whoever did it was in the Last Homely House. Surely someone would have noticed if a human or dwarf was in the house.” Nodding again, Glorfindel said, “You are right, my love. Race you to the bath?” Erestor grinned and shot out of the bed, heading for the bathroom. Their bath took slightly longer than usual, allowing for some delectable lovemaking. Neither ever had much discipline when it came to keeping hands off his deliciously naked husband. Finally dressed, they headed off in separate directions, determined to make some progress with their investigation. Erestor’s first stop was Caladir and Gurvelon’s rooms. Knocking on the door, he patiently waited for an answer. Finally he heard footsteps and locks being turned, and Caladir opened the door. “Good morning, Caladir. How is my dear little friend this morning?” Erestor asked. “He is doing much better, but his stomach is still somewhat upset. The chief cook himself delivered our breakfast tray, and assured me he fixed it himself and never let it out of his sight. But come, Gurvelon will be happy so see you.” Gurvelon was sitting up in bed, staring rather pale faced at the breakfast tray. His stomach was telling him it didn’t even want to think of food. Gurvelon looked up when Erestor entered, a smile lighting his face. “Good morning, my friend,” Erestor said. He carefully sat on the bed next to Gurvelon, enfolding the scribe in his arms. “I am so relieved you are better. I was so frightened for you.” Gurvelon silently hugged his friend for a long moment, then asked, “Erestor, you and Glorfindel will find who did this, won’t you?” Lowering his voice so only Erestor could hear, he added, “I am afraid. Not for myself, but for Caladir.” “As we are. We will solve this, I promise. I will leave you to your breakfast, dear friend. Glorfindel and I begin to question the servants and warriors this morning.” Placing a chaste kiss on Gurvelon’s brow, he added, ”Try to take some food. It will help your poor stomach recover.” Gurvelon groaned. “I do not want to eat.” Erestor stood and patted Caladir on the shoulder. “You have your work cut out for you, my friend. I will see you later today.” Taking leave of his friends, Erestor headed for his office. Caladir smiled at his beloved. “You see beloved, even Erestor says you should eat something.” The tray contained soft eggs, toasted bread, a bowl of warm porridge with milk, and soft fruits. Conspicuously missing was honey or anything made with honey. Caladir sat on the bed in front of Gurvelon and picked up the bowl of porridge. “Will you let me help you, sweetheart?” Gurvelon gave him a dark look. Caladir lifted a spoon of porridge to his mouth. “I will give you a kiss if you eat this one spoonful.” Gurvelon quickly grabbed the spoon, shoved it in his mouth, and swallowed the porridge, grimacing. He raised his face up for his kiss, which was sweetly bestowed. Caladir drew back, dipped the spoon in the porridge again, and held it up. “Caladir, I want another kiss. You taste better than that porridge, beloved.” Caladir lowered his head to whisper into his little husband’s ear. “When you eat this spoonful, I will give you a kiss that I promise will make you pant for more.” Caladir opened his mouth for the spoon and swallowed the porridge. Caladir set the bowl aside, and drew Gurvelon closer. Capturing his mouth, he thrust his tongue deeply and gently into Gurvelon’s sweetness. Tongues curled around each other lovingly. Smiling, he drew back from his now moaning lover. Gurvelon sat, eyes closed, head still raised, still savoring the kiss. Caladir grabbed the bowl and dipped the spoon again. “Another kiss, sweetheart? Open up for more porridge.” Gurvelon opened his mouth and swallowed the porridge. And one kiss for each spoonful, they continued until the bowl was emptied. “What do I get for finishing the bowl, my sweet warrior?” Caladir stood, moved the tray to the table, and returned to sit behind Gurvelon. He leaned against the headboard, spread his legs and pulled his little mate between them, resting Gurvelon’s back on this chest. Whispering into the ear in front of him, he said, “I think I can come up with something special for my sweet little scribe with the upset tummy.” After slowly unbuttoning Gurvelon’s robe, Caladir gently rubbed circles on his stomach while licking his ear. It only took about ten seconds for Gurvelon to begin to softly moan. “More, please love. Touch me.” Gurvelon drew Caladir’s hand down to his heavily aroused member. Caladir thought his husband’s penis was the most beautiful he had ever seen. And living with warriors he had seen many. Perfectly shaped, it was just the right size for his hand, his mouth, his…well, it was just perfect. He teasingly ran a finger up the underside, over the tip and down the front, then stopped to fondle the silky sac below. Gurvelon was whimpering. The simplest touches from his husband had always had the power to undo him. And that tongue on his ear was driving him insane! Reaching a hand back, he placed it behind Caladir’s head and drew it down, whimpering, “Kiss me.” Caladir sweetly kissed the rosy lips. Gurvelon’s tongue sought his, deepening the kiss, as Caladir began to firmly stroke the rock hard member in his hand. Gurvelon sucked Caladir’s tongue into his mouth, clenching his hands around the warrior’s strong arms, and moaning his pleasure. Finally pulling his mouth away, Gurvelon shakily said, “Oh, please my love, I want you.” Caladir quickly stopped his stroking and slid from behind Gurvelon. Quickly stripping, he reached for the oil. After centuries of lovemaking, it only took a moment to prepare his mate. Sliding three oiled fingers inside the channel that was made just for him, he quickly stretched his lover. He removed his fingers and coated his own throbbing cock. Gurvelon was writhing and wailing and telling him to hurry. “Aye, my love. Shh…you shall have me now, my sweet one.” He positioned himself and slammed into Gurvelon’s channel, striking his hidden gland, just the way his lover liked it. Gurvelon wailed in pleasure, crying, “I love you” over and over. Caladir always knew exactly what he needed. His fingers dug into the strong back above him as Caladir thrust again and again, hard and fast, always striking his gland. He wrapped his legs harder around Caladir’s waist. “Oh, my little one, I love you, I love you forever.” Caladir’s cries and moans joined his mate’s as he felt Gurvelon’s pleasure. The familiar lightening flashed through their bodies and their hearts sang in love for each other, a love so strong that the very air around them surged with it as they reached completion together. *~*~*~*~* Chapter 4 Erestor made his way to his office, where he found Amarion and the house servants waiting for him. All of the thirty or so servants were well known to him, and had worked in the Last Homely House for many centuries. These were elves he trusted implicitly. Erestor stood in front of his desk. “Thank you all for coming. I hope I have not kept you waiting long.” “No, my Lord,” said Amarion. We only just arrived.” “Have you told them anything yet, Amarion?” “No Lord Erestor. I thought you would want to do that.” Erestor nodded and looked at the group. From chambermaids to laundresses, from serving elves to those who fixed whatever was needed in the house, all were there. “Yesterday, a very horrible thing occurred. While Gurvelon was away from his office, someone placed a plate with a pastry on his desk. When he returned to his office, thinking Caladir had left it he ate it. The pastry was poisoned. If it had not been for the quick actions of Lord Elrond and Nestoron, I fear Gurvelon would no longer be with us.” Murmurs and sharply indrawn breaths were heard. “None of you are suspected of doing this,” Erestor continued. I trust you all, not only with my life, but Glorfindel’s as well. We ask your help to get to the bottom of this.” All the elves nodded. “We will do anything we can to help. Tell us what we can do, Lord Erestor.” Amarion spoke for all of them. “First, think back to yesterday. Who did you see in the house, other than those of us who live here and your fellow servants or kitchen staff?” The elves thought for a moment, and then began to speak. “Lord Elrond brought one of the human leaders to his office to speak to him, but that was in the morning, and I saw Lord Elrond escort him out again.” “Conuion and Lathron were here to lunch with the Lords Elladan and Elrohir, but they are Captains of our Guards, and they all left on their patrol after lunch.” “One of the weavers came in the afternoon to deliver some goods that had been ordered – Glossion, I think. And the seamstress Linnolwen was here as well.” “Caevudor and his sons came to deliver vegetables to the kitchens around midday.” One by one the servants named whom they had seen. No one was unknown. All were trusted, well-known elves, or were escorted by one. No one had seen anything that was out of the ordinary. “Thank you,” Erestor said. “You have all done well.” “My Lord Erestor?” A small voice came from the back. “There was one other I just remembered I saw. I passed one of the Galadhrim guards from Lorien in one of the halls in the afternoon. I was seeing to one of the guest rooms, so I thought he was probably there to see his captain in his guest room. I do not know his name, and they look so much alike, to describe one is to describe them all.” Erestor thanked the little chambermaid, but thought it was strange. Wouldn’t their captain have been out in the training grounds? “Do you remember when in the afternoon it was?” “It was late afternoon, I think. I am sorry, my Lord, I do not know exactly.” Erestor nodded. So it could have been after Gurvelon had been poisoned and the guards had been dismissed. Or had they? Glorfindel would know how he could find out. Taking a quill and paper, he made himself a note to find out. “The second thing I have to ask you to do is to continue to watch – everything. Pay attention to anyone you see, especially if it is someone who is not known to us or not normally here. If you see anyone or anything that is out of place, or if you remember anything more about yesterday, please some to Glorfindel or me. Do not worry about disturbing us; you may come to us any time of the day or night. Understood?” The elves agreed. Erestor thanked them again and told them they could return to their duties. Erestor next gathered all the scribes and librarians in his office, and the same process was repeated. The only thing unusual was a Galadhel that had been seen in the afternoon by one of the scribes, and was also seen passing through the library by a librarian. It was time to go and find Glorfindel and compare notes. ~~~*~~~ Glorfindel had headed out to the training grounds. Suithoron and Lathron had taken over the training for the day. Off to the side, Turidon, finally healed of his wound from the first Orc attack, was sparring with Glaurion. Torladen and Conuion were working with the Lothlorien guards. He called to all of his trusted captains as well as Turidon and Glaurion to join him. “Glaurion, would you mind taking over the training of the Galadhrim for a while? I need to speak with the others.” “It would be my honor, my Lord.” Glaurion answered, and bowing, left to do as Glorfindel ordered. Unless they were on patrol or in private, proprieties were always carefully maintained. “Suithoron, pick one of your men to take over the training, then come join us in my office,” Glorfindel said. On their way to his office, Glorfindel spotted Saercaeron, the brave little elfling who had killed the Orc attacking his father, Amarion. Saercaeron now held a special place in all of their hearts. Glorfindel and Erestor had even given the elfling his very own pony, Faerlan. He called to Saercaeron to join them. By the time they reached Glorfindel’s office, Suithoron had caught up with them. Motioning them into his office, Glorfindel closed the door, then made sure the window was closed and latched. Seating himself at his desk, he picked up Saercaeron and placed the elfling on this lap. “My friends, we will all speak very quietly. I do not want this conversation overheard by anyone.” Glorfindel then told them what had happened to Gurvelon the day before. “Saercaeron, were you out by the yard yesterday afternoon?” “Aye, Glorfindel. I was watching Caladir spar with the Lothlorien guards. I like to watch him.” Smiling, Glorfindel said, “I thought you might have been there. Now, I want you to think really hard.” Saercaeron nodded. “Good, now close your eyes, and think back to yesterday right after Caladir left. What do you see?” “All of the guards were staring at Caladir when he left. They all looked very surprised – except one. He just watched Caladir leave.” “What happened then?” “The captain told them it was getting late, and they may as well stop for the day. They all left toward the barracks.” “Think real hard, little one. What do you see? How did they look?” “Like they were still surprised. Except for the one that wasn’t – he smiled.” “He smiled?” Glorfindel had understood what the elfling was trying to say. Saercaeron nodded. “Do you know who that elf is? Did you hear anyone call him by name?” Saercaeron shook his head. “Perhaps he was just glad that the training had ended early,” Suithoron said. “Perhaps,” Glorfindel responded. “Saercaeron, will you do something for me, little one?” “Of course, Glorfindel!” “I want you to watch everything. You are small, and whoever the bad elf or person is that hurt Gurvelon will not pay any attention to you. Go everywhere and just watch for me. When Gurvelon goes back to work, I want you to help us watch him and make sure nothing bad happens to him. Can you do that for me?” “Aye, Glorfindel, I can do that.” “Good. If you see anything that looks funny to you, I want you to go find your father, Erestor, me, Lord Elrond, or any of these elves with us here. And go find someone right away; do not wait. All right?” Saercaeron nodded. “I will do that, Glorfindel.” “Thank you, little one. When we are done here, I want you to go back out with me and show me who the elf is that smiled. Now, the rest of you, what can you tell me?” None of the other elves could add any information. They had not been out on the training grounds yesterday, and did not see anything or anyone that was out of place. “Here is what I want you to do,” Glorfindel said, “Suithoron, Conuion, Lathron and Torladen, you four gather groups of our most trusted guards and talk to them privately. Find out if they saw anyone. Tell them not to speak of this to anyone other than Elrond, Erestor, or us. If anyone else asks them why you were talking to them, have them say you were reviewing the new patrol rotation with them. And tell them we want them to keep their eyes open – if someone tried to kill Gurvelon once and failed, we can expect them to try again. Let me know at once if you find out anything.” “Turidon, you I want stationed somewhere. Only the Valar know what we can expect next. Pick a balcony, or even better, a tree or roof where you see the widest area below, while remaining unseen. If anyone sees you and asks, you are just building up your guarding strength again after being wounded.” Turidon nodded. “There is that flat part on the stable roof where the tree comes over the roof. Do you know where I mean?” Glorfindel nodded. “It is a good spot. You can sit or stand on the roof, hidden by the tree, and watch everything but the stables. You would have a clear view of the house and the barracks there. Good.” The four captains left to start talking with the guards, and Turidon left to gather his bow and arrows, as well as some small throwing knives and take up his position. He decided to take some food and flasks of water with him so he would not have to interrupt his watch, along with a bedroll. No sense coming down at night, either. It would be comfortable up there, and who knew what time of day or night something could happen. Glorfindel and Saercaeron went to the training grounds. “Now, little one, we are just going to go along here like we are only taking a walk and talking about your pony. Do not stare or point; just tell me where the elf that did not look surprised is.” Saercaeron smiled at Glorfindel. Raising his voice excitedly, he said, “And then Faerlan jumped really high over the log, and I wasn’t even afraid.” Glorfindel did a good imitation of enjoying Saercaeron’s story, and laughed. Then the elfling turned to Glorfindel and said very quietly, “He is the one in the back – standing by the tree. Do you see?” “Aye little one, you did well, thank you.” Laughing again, he picked up Saercaeron and said loudly, “Well you had quite a day! Let’s go check on that pony of yours!” The Galadhel’s name was Thalahir. Tbc…. Names: Lathron – Listener Conuion - Commanding Suithoron – Like an eagle Torladen – Wood clearing Glaurion - Son of the golden light Thalahir – Steady River Glossion – Snow white Linnolwen – Singing maiden Caevudor – Farmer Saercaeron – Bitter Sea Turidon – Umm… Was supposed to be man of victory, or victor, but I screwed up the ending. As this is the old wounded warrior that spotted the Orc from up on the balcony in Enough for Tonight, I wasn’t about to change his name to fix it. But considering the fact that Turidon is the oldest elf in Imladris, and the changes the Noldor made to their language, who’s to say Turidon wasn’t a good name at some point?