Title: Erestor’s Gift (17-20/20) Author: Aglarien (agie@aglarien.com) Type: FPS Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel, Elrond/Melpomaen Rating: NC-17 Disclaimer: Alas, not mine. The great Master Tolkien’s estate owns everything. I promise to return his elves when I’m done playing with them. Warning: None, except for fluff. Summary: Erestor is sure Glorfindel forgot his begetting day, Elrond meddles, and both the chief Councilor and Lord of Imladris find their heart’s desire. Author’s Note: Not a part of my usual Erestor/Glorfindel universe. *~*~*~*~* Chapter 17 Erestor giggled as Glorfindel blew a raspberry on his stomach. It was mid-day and they still hadn’t made it out of bed yet. “If you get up and have a nice hot bath with me, I’ll wash your hair for you, Erestor,” Glorfindel coaxed. “And then I will fix you some lovely lunch because your empty stomach is rumbling.” As if on command, Erestor’s stomach growled, and Glorfindel attacked it with another raspberry. “Or would you rather have lunch first?” Giggling again, Erestor ran his fingers through Glorfindel’s tousled hair. “Lunch first,” he said. “I am starving.” “Then up with you, my beautiful elf, and to the kitchen!” Glorfindel jumped up and tossed a light robe at his smiling mate. Erestor sat up and caught the robe, but when he started to move out of bed he stopped abruptly, drawing a sharp breath. “Ai, ai, ai, ai,” he said softly. “Erestor? Are you all right, my love?” Glorfindel was instantly at his side. “Ummm…I’m sore, Glorfindel. It hurt to move,” he whispered. “Will it go away soon?” “Oh, love, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have been so…forceful…with you,” Glorfindel said, wrapping his arms around his mate and kissing his brow. “Does it hurt badly?” Erestor shook his head. “Nay…not really. I just did not expect it. It’s more like an ache. It’s just…sore.” “Lie back down while I get our food, my love, and I’ll bring it in here. After we eat, a nice warm bath and some salve I have will make you feel much better.” Glorfindel kissed Erestor sweetly. “I’m so sorry, Erestor. I shouldn’t have gotten so carried away this morning.” “But I wanted you to get carried away,” Erestor said with a smile, caressing Glorfindel’s face. After another sweet kiss, Glorfindel headed for the kitchen and Erestor lay back in the bed, just savoring the memory of their night and morning. It was everything he could have hoped for. He was sore, but it was a nice kind of sore. He almost didn’t want to give up the feeling because it meant Glorfindel had claimed him. Shaking his head at his silliness, he laughed, happier than he had ever been. “Erestor?” Glorfindel carried in a tray with their meal and placed it on the bed. “I am happy, Glorfindel,” Erestor said, grabbing his husband and kissing his soundly. “I was savoring my soreness until I realized I wanted it to go away so you could make love to me again,” he whispered, blushing. Glorfindel chuckled. “When you’re better I will be more than happy to oblige you, love. Now, here we have fresh tea, leftover fish from last night, leftover vegetables from last night, and some of the wonderful apples you made – also leftover. How does that sound?” He grinned and handed Erestor his plate. “Wonderful. I’m so hungry I can eat…. leftovers!” Erestor said, digging into his meal. “Hmmm…why does everything taste so much better out here, love?” he asked between bites. “It just does. The same reason everything grows better here. It’s a magical place, my love. Perhaps one of the Vala blessed it with their presence long ago. Perhaps even Yavanna herself,” Glorfindel mused. “I like that idea. It’s so beautiful here Yavanna would have loved it,” Erestor said. “Will we fish again later today, Glorfindel?” Glorfindel nodded. “We could always skip it if you wanted to, though. We have plenty of bread, cheese, eggs, vegetables and fruit.” Erestor grinned, licking his fingers. “But the fish is so good, and I like watching you catch it.” “You do?” “When you throw the line out the muscles in your…backside…ripple,” Erestor blushed. “I told you before I liked looking at your…backside.” Glorfindel nearly choked on the food in his mouth before managing to swallow it, and then burst out laughing, remembering their first night together when Erestor had told him that. “By all means then, we shall fish today.” After their meal and a bath, a naked Erestor lay on his stomach on the bed as an equally naked Glorfindel knelt beside him and gently applied the healing salve. Erestor moaned softly and moved his bottom. Glorfindel abruptly stopped. “Did I hurt you, love. I am so sorry, Erestor. I am trying to be gentle.” “You did not hurt me, Glorfindel. It…umm…feels very….good and you’re making me….aroused.” Glorfindel chuckled and resumed applying the salve. He gently pushed his finger inside of Erestor, spreading the salve. Leaning over his mate, he whispered in a pointed ear, “Doing this is making me aroused as well, my love. But you need to heal.” Removing his finger, he rolled Erestor over onto his back, lay down beside him, and captured his lips in a passionate kiss. When he was forced to pull his lips from Glorfindel’s to breathe, Erestor’s fingers threaded through the golden mane, and he whispered huskily, “I cannot get enough of you. I need you as much as the very air I breathe. Every touch makes me burn for you; every time you look into my eyes, you fill me with desire. I love you so much that I can no longer remember my life without your light.” His fingers traced Glorfindel’s strongly chiseled features, lingering on soft rosy lips, swollen from kisses. “So beautiful.” Glorfindel’s blue eyes pierced Erestor’s dark ones, and the councilor’s eloquent words nearly made him forget to breathe. “I do not know what I have done to deserve you, Erestor. I can feel your love for me, surrounding me, and it is so good and pure that it takes my breath away and my heart pounds within me. I love you with everything that I am, Erestor. My lover, my friend, my beautiful husband, can you feel my love for you? Can you feel how my heart beats within yours, only for you?” “Aye, beloved, I feel it. It is in my heart, in my soul, surrounding me, embracing me. Oh!” Thinking of Glorfindel’s love surrounding him, Erestor remembered the brooch, and smiled almost shyly. “I forgot. I have a gift for you.” Glorfindel groaned, dropped his head on Erestor’s chest, then looked up smiling. “I forgot I have one for you too. We must have had other things on our minds.” “I’m not sure I want you to move, but I do want to give you your gift.” Erestor drew Glorfindel’s head down for another kiss. “Tell me where it is and I’ll get it, my love,” Glorfindel said, grinning. “I love gifts.” Erestor laughed. “It’s in the back of the top shelf in the wardrobe. A small box,” he said as he sat up. “And no peeking.” “Who me? I don’t peek – much.” Glorfindel gave Erestor a quick kiss, then bounded up and over to the wardrobe. He hadn’t even noticed a small box on the shelf when he’d placed his own boxes on the shelf. Taking the three boxes, he returned to the bed, sat across from Erestor, and set the boxes between them. “Erestor, you are the only gift I need. The gift of your love is all I will ever need.” Erestor cupped Glorfindel’s face in his hands, stroking his cheeks with his thumbs. “As your love is the only gift I need. I love you, Glorfindel. I knew the first night we were together that I would always want to be held and covered by you.” He touched Glorfindel’s lips with his own, then took the smallest of the three boxes and set it in his lover’s hand. “Open it, my love. May it always remind you of how your love covers me.” Glorfindel lifted the lid of the box and his face lit up with a brilliant smile when he saw the brooch, its golden petals folded over the resting onyx raven. “Oh, Erestor….how did you….did Sarnon have this made already as well? Oh, it’s perfect, love.” Erestor nodded, smiling. “Aye, he did. Do you like it?” “I love it, Erestor. It matches my ring.” Glorfindel kissed Erestor sweetly, then laughed, shaking his head. “How did Sarnon know? Now, see what I have for you, my love.” He set the brooch down and opened the two remaining boxes. Inside rested two gold circlets, crafted exactly like their rings and brooches, with the same golden flower and onyx raven. “Oh, Glorfindel, they’re beautiful.” Erestor looked up and smiled. “He made circlets, too?” “Aye, he did.” Glorfindel picked up Erestor’s circlet with the raven pecking the ruby from the golden flower and carefully placed it on his head. “There. You are so beautiful, Erestor. My beautiful raven.” Erestor smiled softly, then reached for Glorfindel and wrapped his arms around his husband. “If I am, it is only because of you, my beautiful golden flower.” He placed a soft kiss on Glorfindel’s lips. “I do believe I am feeling better – the pain is gone.” Boxes and brooch and circlet were forgotten as Erestor pulled Glorfindel down on top of him. “Was there something you were going to do when I was healed, beloved?” he whispered seductively. *~*~*~*~* ~~ Mind speaking ~~ Chapter 18 Erestor and Glorfindel lay in a large hammock tied between two trees. Their fish had been caught and cleaned, and was waiting in the kitchen along side fresh vegetables for their dinner. After cleaning the fish, they had bathed again, dressed comfortably in loose shirts and leggings, and headed out to the garden. Erestor’s was reading aloud from a book he held, his sweet, deep voice weaving an enchanting spell around Glorfindel. Holding Erestor in his arms, the warrior barely heard the words, so caught up was he in the voice of his beloved. It seemed that hourly he had fallen in love with his beautiful, dark elf all over again, each time more in love than the last, until he felt like he was filled with nothing but his precious husband. His hands moved gently over Erestor’s chest and arms, the thin shirt allowing him to feel the warmth of his mate’s skin. Erestor read the words of the poem without comprehension, his whole being focused on Glorfindel’s arms around him, the chin resting on his head, and the warm hands moving over his chest. A hundred times during the day his love for the golden warrior had grown. With each smile, each endearment, each soft kiss or gentle touch, he loved Glorfindel more. ~~I love you so much, Erestor.~~ “Hmmm? Did you say something, Glorfindel?” Erestor looked up into the shining blue eyes and smiled. “Nay, love. Keep reading. I love listening to your voice.” Erestor nodded and resumed reading. ~~I love you, Glorfindel. Why am I reading this poem? All I can think about is how much I love you and how I could be kissing you instead of reading.~~ Over the words Erestor read, Glorfindel heard the words he thought. He smiled and held his husband tighter. ~~Then put the book down, my love, and kiss me.~~ Erestor stopped reading abruptly and turned his head to look at Glorfindel in astonishment. “Glorfindel?” ~~Aye, love, I heard you.~~ Erestor closed the book and dropped it over the side of the hammock. Rolling over in Glorfindel’s arms, he claimed his husband’s mouth and wove his fingers through the golden mane. Through the soft leggings they wore he could feel Glorfindel’s hardness pressing against his own, and he moaned into the kiss. ~~I love you, Glorfindel. I love you.~~ ~~I love you, my Erestor.~~ Forced apart for breath, Glorfindel whispered huskily, “Sweet Elbereth, how I love you, Erestor. All I can think of is making love to you again, being inside of you. I want you so badly. Dear Valar, I cannot get enough of you. I love you so much.” Erestor nearly attacked his husband’s mouth, thrusting his tongue deeply into the warrior’s sweetness. ~~I love you. I love you. I will never have enough of you. I love feeling you inside of me. I want you, Glorfindel.~~ Glorfindel groaned and reluctantly tore his lips from Erestor’s. “We have no oil here, love,” he panted. “We have to go back inside.” The councilor rolled off the hammock onto his feet and pulled Glorfindel up by the hand. “From now on we bring a bottle of oil with us wherever we are,” Erestor panted. The two elves ran across the garden and into the cottage. By the time they reached the bedroom one shirt lay forgotten on a rosebush, and the other on the steps. One pair of leggings was draped over a chair, and the other simply dropped on the floor. ~At the Last Homely House~ “But Lindir, I don’t know what to do with these,” the eldest twin whined. “Then I suggest you learn, young Elladan, if you wish to help your father and Melpomaen.” Lindir smiled at the two brothers seated at their father’s desk. They had come to him asking what they could do to help their father. “We will start by sorting all this out,” he said, indicating the stacks of paper. “Dispatches from our patrols are important, and must be reviewed for any problems that require action to be taken. We need to find those first, as they are the most important.” Elrohir and Elladan began leafing through the stacks of paper and soon had all the dispatches together. The three elves began reading. All were reports of no unusual activity. “Now we sort through the rest,” Lindir said. Stack any requests for trade agreements together; they can wait for Erestor’s return. We will read any communications from other realms and any letters from our own people to see if there is anything important that must be handled immediately.” The twins carefully read every missive, stopping to ask Lindir when they were unsure of what to do with it. ~~~~ Arwen knocked softly on her father’s door, and hearing no answer silently opened it and motioned for the house servant to leave the tray on a table. When the other elf had left, she crept into Elrond’s bedroom and found her father still resting on the bed with Melpomaen in his arms. Both were asleep. She gently shook her father’s shoulder. “Ada…I am sorry to wake you, but you both must eat something,” she whispered. “There is a tray on the table and I have brewed more tea for Ada Mel.” Elrond’s eyes regained focus and he smiled up at his daughter. “Thank you, little one.” “Is there anything else you need, Ada?” “Nothing. Thank you.” “All right, Ada. Do you want me to come back later?” “I don’t think you need to, love. You go and enjoy yourself tonight.” Arwen smiled and kissed her father’s brow. “Good night, Ada.” “Good night, little one.” When Arwen was gone, Elrond smiled down at Mel in his arms. “Mel, my love,” he said softly, stroking his mate’s hair. “It is time to wake up, beloved. You must eat.” Melpomaen mumbled and slowly woke. “Elrond?” “Aye, love. How do you feel?” “I am thirsty and I need to relieve myself, but my head feels better. I think. And I’m hungry.” Elrond reached for the glass of water sitting on the bed stand. “Water first?” Melpomaen nodded, then took the glass and emptied it. “Thank you.” “Let’s get you up and see if you can walk, love,” Elrond said. With Elrond’s help, Melpomaen was able to get up, but once he stood beside the bed a wave of dizziness hit him. “Easy, my love. You have not been up for some time. Just tell me when you are ready to move, and I will help you.” Elrond supported his husband with an arm around his waist, but he did not want to carry Melpomaen. The effect of the herb was wearing off, and coddling his mate would only delay his recovery. After a few moments Melpomaen said, “I am all right now. I think I can walk.” They slowly made their way into the bathroom. When he had finished relieving himself and washed, Mel said, “I am so sorry you have to do this, Elrond. I am a nuisance.” “You will never be a nuisance, love, and you have nothing to be sorry for. Mel, look at me?” Elrond asked quietly. When Melpomaen looked up, Elrond said gently, “You are my husband. I love you with all my heart. None of this was your fault, beloved. All I want is for you to be well again. Never doubt how very much I love you.” Melpomaen wrapped his arms around his husband and rested his head on Elrond’s chest. “I love you so much, Elrond. I have loved you for so long, and my….heart….is sad when I think of how much I hurt you.” He lifted his head and looked into Elrond’s eyes. “Are you still in pain, my love?” “Nay, love. It is better. Although I do not believe I will let my sons know that quite yet.” Mel nodded and his eyes landed on the large bathtub. “Oh, I would love a bath. Can we have a bath after we eat, please Elrond?” “Of course, my love.” Elrond smiled down at his mate. Melpomaen was still being too submissive; far from his normal self yet. “Come to the table, my love, and we will eat and then have our bath.” Keeping his arm around his husband, Elrond led him to the table. When Mel sat in his chair the smells from their dinner tray nearly had him drooling. “Oh, that smells so good, and I am so hungry!” “As am I, love.” Elrond uncovered the dishes on the tray and revealed a rich meat dish, vegetables, fruit, cheese and pastries. “Oh, this looks wonderful.” He prepared their plates then sat down next to Mel instead of across the table from him. Both elves ate ravenously, and Elrond served his husband more of the tea that would help him recover. When their meal was finished Elrond set the tray outside of the door. “Come, love, let us have our bath.” Melpomaen was feeling better after the meal and was able to easily stand and walk to the bathroom on his own, but was grateful for Elrond’s arm around his waist regardless. When they reached the bath he waited as Elrond opened the taps to fill the huge tub and added calming lavender oil. “Shall I help you with your robe, love?” Elrond asked seeing his mate standing and waiting for him. Mel looked almost lost. He opened his arms. “Come to me, my husband.” The smaller elf nearly threw himself into Elrond’s arms, aching for the comfort those arms offered. “I love you so much, Elrond. So very much.” “As I love you, my Mel.” Elrond bowed his head and kissed his mate hungrily, moaning as Melpomaen threw his arms around his husband’s neck drawing him closer. It was time to show his little Mel just how much he was loved. Melpomaen was suddenly filled with desire as Elrond kissed him. This was his friend, his lover, and his husband. Elrond loved him. Elrond had said it wasn’t his fault. Elrond still loved him and wanted him. Long, nimble fingers were unbuttoning his night robe, and moments later were moving over his skin, caressing it. “Please, Elrond. Please,” he whispered huskily. “Tell me what you desire, my heart,” Elrond whispered as his tongue ghosted over a shapely ear. “Please…I need you. Will you….make love to me?” “Aye, love. Oh, Mel, I want you…I need you,” Elrond said. He quickly stripped, then grabbed a bottle of heavy oil that would still be effective in the water off of a shelf. “Come and let me love you, my beautiful Mel.” Melpomaen’s breathing was heavy as Elrond led him to the bath and they stepped in. Elrond turned off the taps, then sat on a ledge and drew Mel onto his lap, chest to chest, and the smaller elf’s legs wrapped around his waist, bringing their straining members together. His large hand wrapped around both of their erections and stroked, and he grew even harder. “Oh, love, see what you do to me,” Elrond moaned as he captured his mate’s mouth with his own, thrusting his tongue into the sweetness. Melpomaen moaned into Elrond’s mouth as his hips moved to thrust his hardened length into his husband’s hand. He tore his mouth from Elrond’s. “Please….I want you inside of me.” Elrond reached for the bottle of heavy oil he had placed along side the tub and popped the cork out with his thumb. Tipping the bottle, he coated his fingers then moved his hand under the water. If his hurried preparation of his lover was less than gentle, neither elf cared. It was what they both needed. Melpomaen took the bottle of oil and coated his hands, then Elrond’s large shaft. Lifting his hips, he aligned his mate’s engorged member and slowly sank down on it. Elrond cried out his husband’s name as Melpomaen moaned and took his length in to the hilt. The little elf was panting heavily, and Elrond remained immobile, allowing Mel to adjust to his size. “Oh, my sweet, are you all right?” Elrond asked softly, stroking his lover’s thighs. The only response was a nod and a soft smile before Melpomean sought Elrond’s mouth, his tongue luring his husband’s into his mouth and sucking on it. Elrond groaned into his lover’s mouth as Mel’s hips began to rotate, driving his shaft in even deeper. Releasing Elrond’s mouth, Melpomaen buried his head in his husband’s neck. Using his arms around Elrond’s neck for leverage, he slowly lifted himself and sank back down on the hard shaft, releasing a soft wail as it pushed against his hidden bundle of nerves. Elrond felt so good inside of him, and he set a slow pace, wanting it to last. Elrond supported Mel’s hips with his hands. “Oh, Mel….so good. Oh….I love you, my sweet Mel,” he whispered, thrusting up into his mate. *~*~*~*~*~ Chapter 19 ~Back in the bath~ Melpomaen wailed and sank again onto his mate’s large shaft as Elrond thrust up and ran his tongue along the younger elf’s ear. His breath came in sobs, and as Elrond softly whispered of his love, Melpomaen felt emotions wash over him in waves. He loved Elrond so much his heart was nearly bursting, and he was loved in returned. His bonded was the wisest, most beautiful, most gentle elf in all of Arda. Tears streamed down his face as his body and mind were overwhelmed and infused with love. Elrond’s eyes closed as he released tiny bursts of healing energy into his mate. He could feel the dampness of Melpomaen’s tears against his shoulder. Reaching out with his mind, he forged a link, and felt as the burden of grief and guilt left his little husband. Mel’s emotions thundered in Elrond’s mind through their link. Then from deep inside, he sent some of his light through their connection, strengthening his beloved. Focusing on their link, he allowed nothing in his mind but his feelings of love for Mel. His husband’s muscles clamped down around his hard shaft, and he filled Melpomaen with his seed. Melpomaen screamed as his mind filled with Elrond’s love and his mate’s hot seed spilled out filling him deep within. His whole body seemed to convulse with bliss, and he felt as though he was falling. His fingers clutched at Elrond as his own climax was ripped out from deep inside, and creamy, hot fluid pulsed onto his stomach. And in his mind, loving words said, ~~I have you, beloved. I will not let you fall. You are safe in my arms, always.~~ ~Meanwhile at the cottage~ Erestor was on his hands and knees, the pillow under his face stifling his wails of delight as Glorfindel thrust into him, striking his sweet spot over and over. ~~More! Harder!~~ he cried out in his mind, as his hands tore at the sheets below him and his teeth bit into the pillow. Glorfindel was so forceful, and yet so loving, and it was driving him insane with passion. Glorfindel heard Erestor in his mind as he gripped the slighter elf’s hips and slammed his cock into his husband’s hot channel. His mate’s rounded, firm buttocks pushed back to meet his every thrust, and Glorfindel was nearly dizzy with delight, watching as his long shaft disappeared into his beautiful Erestor. He knew his fingers were leaving red marks on his gorgeous lover, but he gripped the hips more firmly and thrust harder. ~~Is this what you want, love? Do you like me slamming my long cock into you harder?~~ Erestor released a keening wail as he pushed back against Glorfindel. “Aye!” he cried out. “More!” Glorfindel moved his hands along Erestor’s sides as he continued to thrust. He missed watching Erestor’s face in the throws of passion, but it was so enticing to be able to run his hands over the beautiful, firm body. His fingers roamed over hardened nipples, pulling on them and eliciting another wail from his enchanting husband. He moved his hands lower, briefly touching the heavy penis that slapped against the bed with every thrust. He cupped Erestor’s soft sac, rolling it between his fingers. Erestor screamed as Glorfindel’s fingers encircled his sac, and he slammed his hips back as hard as he could onto his husband’s shaft. One hand kept caressing his sac as the other wrapped around his length and stroked, and Erestor was reduced to whimpering and sobbing into his pillow. A moment later he screamed again as his seed spurted out onto the sheets. Glorfindel roared as Erestor’s muscles convulsed around his length, and his climax erupted deep within his mate. Panting he managed to roll onto his side and pull Erestor close against him, his still hard shaft buried deep in the pulsing channel. ~~Sweet Elbereth, love…never, ever, have I…Oh, Valar, I love you, Erestor. That was amazing. Oh, by all of Arda, you are so beautiful.~~ Erestor panted, trying desperately to regain his breath, thankful that Glorfindel’s arms grounded him. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t think. The only words he was capable of were, ~~Love you, love you, love you,~~ over and over. ~~Back at the Last Homely House~~ Elrond gently washed his little mate, then himself. He was exhausted. Using his healing powers on his beloved had drained him. “Mel, my love, I do not think I can move. I am so tired,” he said as they lay in the now cooling bath. “Elrond? Love? Are you all right?” Melpomaen heard the exhaustion in his husband’s voice and looked up concerned. Realization suddenly struck him. His husband had used his healing powers on him. That was why he was feeling so good, and his husband was so drained. “Oh, my love, you should not have done that.” “Of course I should have, beloved. You are my husband, and I love you. Kiss me?” Melpomaen caressed Elrond’s face and kissed him lovingly. “I love you, my Elrond. Come, my dear one. It is my turn to care for you now.” He stood and stepped out of the bath, the held his hands out to help Elrond. Elrond slowly stood and took Mel’s hands to steady himself as he stepped out of the bath, then slumped against his mate. Melpomaen wrapped Elrond in a large towel and dried him quickly, then helped him into the bedroom. “Into the bed with you, my love. I will dry your hair once you are resting in bed.” After settling Elrond against the pillows, Mel ran into the bathroom for more towels, dried himself, and wrapped his hair up in another towel to keep it from dripping. He hurried back to the bed and smiled softly when he saw that Elrond had gone from sitting against the pillows to lying down, and was already deeply asleep. He scooted up on the bed and carefully toweled Elrond’s hair to remove the excess water. Once that was done, he toweled his own hair dry then tossed the towels in the general direction of the bathroom. After kissing Elrond’s lips softly, he curled up next to his mate, pulled him into his arms, and joined him in reverie. *~*~*~*~* Chapter 20 After eating fish for two days, on the third morning Glorfindel and Erestor decided to venture out into the surrounding forest and hunt for game. Although neither held with killing healthy, young animals for food under normal circumstances, hunting for wounded or aged animals was perfectly acceptable. Hearing what sounded like one animal attacking another, they rushed toward the sound. Seeing a wild boar attacking what looked like a small, furry animal, both elves fired their arrows into the boar, quickly killing it. “That boar will make some nice meals for us, Erestor!” Glorfindel said. Erestor rushed to check on the animal the boar was attacking. “Glorfindel, it is a cat!” he called, horrified. “Oh, no. She is dead, Glorfindel. And she has had kittens. Look at her stomach – her nipples. She’s been nursing kittens. We have to find them!” “Aye, we do. They won’t live without their mother,” Glorfindel replied. The two elves searched all around the area for hours, hoping the mother cat had not strayed far, but found nothing. Dejectedly, they headed back to the cottage, Glorfindel carrying the boar. “I cannot stand the thought of those kittens all alone out there, Glorfindel,” Erestor said. Glorfindel nodded. “I know, love. Neither can I. But we looked for hours. If the kittens woke up, they would have been crying for their mother, and we heard nothing. They could not have been in that area, and I do not know where to start looking next. They could be anywhere,” he said sadly. He had always had cats in Gondolin and enjoyed their playful spirits. “It just makes me so sad.” Erestor sighed heavily. “Poor little ones.” He had always loved cats, and over the long years of his life, many had shared his rooms and life. Their gentle companionship had brightened many long hours and kept him from being lonely. As they approached the clearing where the cottage was, Durion and Asfaloth whinnied and danced around them. “Hello, Durion, my old friend,” Erestor said, trying to scratch the stallion on his nose. “Have you two missed us?” But Durion would have none of it. Dancing around his master, Durion effectively herded Erestor towards the stable. Looking to Glorfindel, he saw his mate was not having any better luck as Asfaloth pushed him in the same direction. “Hold on, Asfaloth. Let me put this boar down.” Glorfindel shrugged the boar off his shoulder and dropped it on the ground. “All right, you two obviously want us to go to the stable. What’s so important in there?” As they neared the stable, both elves began to hear small little sounds. “Glorfindel, listen! Is it?” Both elves broke into a run. Following the sounds, they ran into the building. The sounds were coming from behind stacks of baled hay, so they quickly moved aside enough bales to get through. Erestor sighed, relieved, as he saw what the horses had been so anxious about. “Oh, there you are little ones! Oh, look at you all. Oh, you are all so cute! Look at them, Glorfindel! Aren’t they adorable?” Erestor sat on the ground and one by one picked up each of the four kittens and placed them in his lap. “Oh, I am so glad you are here. I was so worried about you all!” There was a solid black kitten; a black one with white paws, chest and chin; another black one with very long fur like their mother had; and one cream colored with dark brown ears, tail, and paws and blue eyes. “Oh, they’re beautiful kittens, Glorfindel.” Glorfindel grinned as he sat next to his husband. “Aye, they are adorable, love.” Asfaloth and Durion leaned over the piles of hay and snorted. “And you two,” Glorfindel said to the horses, “you two deserve a special treat. Thank you, my friends.” The horses huffed in agreement. Erestor picked up one of the kittens and pressed a finger into its mouth. “Ouch. Oh, good. You have teeth! Glorfindel, they have teeth – they can eat. This one is chewing on my finger. They must be about six or seven weeks old. Are you hungry, little one?” The tiny kitten gnawed, and Erestor could feel its excitement. “They are hungry, my love. We need to feed them.” “Let’s take them into the cottage, Erestor, and see if they can eat some of the fish,” Glorfindel said. He helped Erestor gather up the kittens, then took a large basket hanging from the rafters and placed the kittens in it. “We can put a warm blanket in the basket for them and they can use it to sleep in.” Erestor carried the basket of kittens into the cottage and set it on the floor while Glorfindel went to the kitchen to find them some fish. He rejoined Erestor and placed two small plates of leftover cooked fish that he had broken into small pieces on the floor. The kittens mewed as the elves picked them up and placed them at the plates, then all four began eating ravenously. “They were hungry,” Erestor smiled up at Glorfindel. “I’m so happy we found them. And I’m so glad they are old enough to eat.” “So am I, my love,” Glorfindel leaned over and kissed Erestor. “Sweetheart, I need to go and get that boar and take care of it. When I’m done, let’s figure out if they are males or females and pick names for them.” He chuckled. “I’m glad we combined our rooms. The four of them will have lots of room to run in.” “Hurry back, my love,” Erestor said, giving Glorfindel another kiss. “The kittens will probably fall asleep after they eat, and I will fix something for our meal.” Glorfindel left to butcher the boar, and Erestor found a soft blanket, which he used to line the basket. He brought a plate of water and set it on the floor by the kittens, then sat down on the floor again to watch them. As each kitten finished eating and drinking, he picked it up, spoke to it softly, and set it in the basket to sleep. When all four were piled on top of each other in the basket asleep, he went to the kitchen and prepared a mid-day meal of bread, cheese, and fruit, and set it aside until they were ready to eat. There was enough fish left for the kittens until the following day when they could catch more. He went outside to help Glorfindel with the boar. ~~~*~~~ After they finishing butchering the boar, Glorfindel and Erestor had gone down to the river to wash themselves, clothes and all. It was the easiest way to clean up after the mess they made of themselves. Returning to the clearing naked and carrying their dripping clothes, Glorfindel chased Erestor around the garden before the councilor allowed himself to be caught, and they rolled in the lush grass. “Got you!” Glorfindel declared triumphantly as he held Erestor down by laying on him. Erestor wrapped his arms around Glorfindel and smiled. “Aye, you do. And just what are you going to do with me now, my fair husband?” he asked softly. “Well, let me see. I think I will hold you and kiss you and love you forever. And then I will do…..this!” Glorfindel tickled Erestor mercilessly. Erestor giggled, laughed, begged and howled, and finally got Glorfindel to stop tormenting him by pulling his head down for a passionate kiss. “We need to check on the kittens and have our meal, my love.” he said when the kiss finally ended. “Then after we put the meat to cook, I would love to have a nice hot bath and finish getting clean.” Glorfindel groaned. “Erestor, my sweet, send the practical councilor away now. I want my sexy little imp.” “I can promise you your imp in the bath after we get everything else done, my lover.” ~~~*~~~ A large pot with the beginnings of a rich stew made with boar meat simmered on the stove, and the two newly bathed elves relaxed on the floor with the kittens. Erestor giggled as tiny paws scurried over him and tiny tongues licked his face and hands. Three of the kittens were male, but the black one with the long fur like their mother was a female, and Erestor and Glorfindel were trying to think of names for them. The little female had latched onto the golden warrior and was playing in his hair. “Look at her amber eyes, love. They look the sun peeking out of all that black fur. Let’s call her Auriel,” Glorfindel said. “Perfect. It suits her. Her brother with the short black fur and amber eyes that look like fire can be Noron, and this cream and brown one with the blue eyes – he needs to be called Eluon. But this little cutie,” Erestor said, picking up the black one with white paws, “what shall we call you, little one? You are the tiniest one – and you are a little scamp. What would you like your name to be?” “How about Anthion, my love?” Glorfindel said. “Aye, love. Anthion is perfect.” Glorfindel smiled. “He is a gift, my love. They all are. Erestor’s gifts.” Erestor chuckled, caressed the soft black and white fur, and put his nose against Anthion’s. “Erestor’s gift. Are you my gift, little one?” The elves let the kittens crawl all over them until the little balls of fur wore themselves out and fell asleep in a heap of fur, ears, paws and tails. “Erestor? You know we have an hour or so before we need to add the vegetables to our dinner, and the kittens rather gave me an idea. Would you like to crawl all over me for the next hour?” Erestor giggled. “Now who is the little imp?” He kissed his lover and pushed him down to lie on the floor. “I would love to crawl all over you for the next hour, my insatiable Glorfindel,” he purred, unfastening his lover’s tunic. Erestor’s fingers and tongue gently crept over his lover’s chest like little paws until Glorfindel growled. The golden warrior sprang up, grabbed Erestor and threw him over his shoulder. Patting the shapely rump, he walked towards the bedroom and said, “I have changed my mind, beloved. I believe I am going to do the crawling now.” Erestor giggled as he was thrown on the bed and quickly divested of his clothing. The giggles turned to moans as Glorfindel crawled on top of him, moving their hard lengths together. As his mouth was captured in a deep kiss, he wound his arms and legs around his mate. When they finally parted for air, Erestor breathed, “Take me. Take me.” Glorfindel dipped his fingers into the bowl of oil he kept on the bedside table, thankful he had eliminated the use of a corked bottle. Erestor’s voice, asking to be taken, sent chills down his spine. Moving quickly he prepared himself, then carefully prepared Erestor. As much as he wanted to just thrust into the tight channel, he would not hurt his mate. “Please…take me, my love. I am ready. Please…,” Erestor whispered, moaning as Glorfindel’s fingers withdrew. Glorfindel cried out Erestor’s name as he thrust inside the quivering channel. Nothing was as good as making love to his precious husband. The warmth of their bond surrounded them, and the two lovers’ souls danced and joined in the place that was theirs alone. ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ Two days later~~ Erestor was seated in front of Glorfindel on Asfaloth as they entered the courtyard; Durion strode beside them, carrying their packs and several large bags of ripe apples. A small covered basket sat in front of Erestor, held firmly in the councilor’s hands. “Welcome back, my friends!” Elrond called out, and he and a smiling Melpomaen strode down the steps, hand in hand. “What have you there, Erestor?” Elrond asked, seeing the basket move. “That is Erestor’s gift, Elrond,” Glorfindel said, “and his brothers and sister.” Erestor smiled and carefully opened the basket and one-by-one, four tiny furry heads peeked up to look around at their new home. ~~The end.