Competitive Behaviour 3
By Naresha
Thranduil…
The name still made Erestor cringe. Even after all these years, someone
that was only a distant memory still had this effect on him. He felt
more tears fighting to burst past his clamped eyelids and he cursed them
and his mind. He had hardly past his majority when he had entered Mirkwood
with his remaining family. Erestor had blocked much of the painful events
from his mind; but he remembered that they had been attacked whilst travelling,
returning from visiting distant family members who had recently had a new
daughter. He had lost both parents to the vile creatures and the few
who survived had looked to him for leadership. He had been confused
and uncertain; knowing only that their attackers would not be satisfied with
their prize of two Elves for long. He had led them the only place he
knew was close.
Mirkwood.
He knew that their presence there would not be welcomed and that they would
have to face many more dangers to get to the heart of the Kingdom, but it
was the only option he knew. So, he had led them there and by the grace
of the Valar, they had arrived unscathed. However, the fearsome creatures
that dwelled in the woods seemed to pale when compared to the King of the
realm. Erestor had been stunned into silence momentarily and had paid
dearly for it. The statuesque King Oropher had demanded to know what
a troupe of Noldor was doing in his kingdom uninvited. Erestor had
failed to answer immediately and had been berated mercilessly for his pause.
He had been questioned on his intelligence and called every name the ill-tempered
ruler could think up. Erestor had merely cringed in his place, trying
to suppress the embarrassed blush that was fighting to take over his face.
"I am sorry, Sir. I merely sought to keep my party alive." Erestor
had mumbled the words to his feet but the Elf's keen ears had heard every
word and the Noldo had been berated once again. It had seemed like
an age, but eventually, they had been dismissed. Erestor had never
found out what made the Sindar Elf allow them to stay. They had been
escorted to several small rooms and given food and fresh clothing and allowed
to bathe. Erestor had felt the need to watch over all his companions
before finally seeking any sort of rest himself. However, his heart
had been heavy and he had found himself pacing the great halls of the palace.
Due to his inattention, he had run firmly into a young Elf, older than himself
but still young by all standards. Erestor had snapped out of his daze as
he felt flesh connect solidly with flesh. He blinked, embarrassed,
at the blonde who now lay in a pile on the floor. He had stammered
an apology and offered a hand to help up the other. It had been brushed away
and as he had stood up, Erestor had recognised him as having been in the
King's court. The more he had studied he features, the more embarrassed
he became. There was no mistaking this young Elf – he was the King's
son, the Prince of Mirkwood. However, it seemed that he had not inherited
his father's fiery temper. He had smiled and introduced himself – Thranduil.
His eyes had captivated Erestor; they were a unique shade of green and glittered
like two gems, inviting entry inside his mind, but hiding a deep seeded pain.
Erestor had fallen under their spell, agreeing to almost everything the Prince
had asked of him. Things Erestor had never envisioned himself doing…
Things he had never wanted to do…
Erestor shook the disturbing memories from his mind. Now was not the
time to think about the past. He had escaped from that part of his
life a long time ago. He wished to dwell on it no longer. He
closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. It would not bode well to
be surprised by Glorfindel and have tears fresh in his eyes.
Erestor headed from the gardens. It was time to face the tricky Vanya
and whatever surprises he may have planned.
* * *
Glorfindel sighed. It was getting late; the sun was sinking slowly,
casting a crimson-gold glow over the land. However, there was no sign
of Erestor returning. He had been pacing the room relentlessly, and
all those he asked replied only that they had not seen the Advisor for several
hours. Much of his hard work had been for nothing; several of the foods
had spoiled, and Ellegail had already removed them. Glorfindel sighed
and flopped onto the Noldo's bed. At least Erestor had good taste in
comfortable bedding, thought Glorfindel to himself as he closed his eyes.
At least in his dreams he could have Erestor on his own terms and have everything
go to plan.
* * *
Erestor was not sure why he hurried to his room. He was not eager to
see what Glorfindel's wicked mind had come up with, but he did not wish to
stay away any longer. He sighed, so many confusing thoughts, all scrambling
for attention in his mind. He carefully pushed the door to his room
open, dreading the inevitable smirk on the elegant face that would greet
him. However, what he saw left him gaping in shock. There was
no smirking Vanya there to greet him with a new and embarrassing game. Instead,
the slender warrior was lying on Erestor's bed, his pillow clutched to his
chest like a lover. Erestor was amazed; Glorfindel had been planning
no mean trick, he had transformed his room into a haven, a private, romantic
haven. It was everything Erestor could ever have wished for, and more!
As uietly as possible, he closed the door behind him and slid onto his bed,
wanting to wrap himself around Glorfindel, and wanting to have him see his
eyes when he awoke, but not being able to remove the pillow; Erestor was
forced to only gaze at his sometime-lover and gradually, he too drifted off
into a world of dreams.
* * *
Glorfindel awoke slowly. He had not really intended to fall asleep
for as long as he had done. Even though the surprise would no longer
be what he had originally wanted, it could still be pleasant. He glanced
down and blushed fiercely; he was clutching Erestor's pillow. He had
begun to run his hand over it, imagining that it had been Erestor's cheek
or his hair. He remembered moving closer, resting his head on its edge,
inhaling the scent that was so distinctly Erestor's. Carefully he sat
up, twisting to replace the pillow. Glorfindel almost fell off the
bed when his eyes lit on the sleeping form of Erestor, lying on the bed next
to him. Glorfindel attempted to remove himself from the bed as quickly and
unobtrusively as possible, but failed. Erestor's hand shot out, grabbing
his wrist and pulling him back onto the bed.
"Erestor…" he stuttered, "I'm sorry, it was… I had…"
Erestor didn't let Glorfindel finish; instead pulled him down, crushing himself
underneath the blonde's chest as he kissed him firmly.
"Glorfindel… Be quiet!" And for the first time in many years,
Glorfindel had nothing to say. This time, he made the right decision
and let his actions speak for him, grasping Erestor, and kissing him back.
It had taken him a long time to learn, but maturity had its advantages…
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