The Song and the Meaning

By Orchyd Constyne


Erestor reviewed his guest list for the fourth time that evening -- or was it morning already?  Most of the guests had sent their confirmation.  This was the first time in all his years in Imladris, which was considerable, that he was in charge of the preparations for the Winter Solstice celebration.  Well, co-in charge.  Although, his partner in this endeavor had not been the most helpful.  Elrond had left the month before, in October, for Mirkwood, his first visit to the Woodland kingdom.  Thranduil would come next year, but this year was Elrond's turn to visit his lover.  Because of his visit to Mirkwood, Erestor and Glorfindel were now responsible for the day-to- day running of The Last Homely House... and the major celebration that would occur in three weeks.

"Glorfindel, I want you to make sure the kitchen has an adequate supply of food for the festival."  Erestor checked his numbers and quickly marked how much of each food he wished to be available at the dinner.

Glorfindel, who was laid across the couch and watching the dark-haired Noldo with amusement, rolled his eyes.  "Erestor, please.  No matter how much food you plan for per guest, we will run low.  We always do. Just make sure there is enough wine and ale and all will be well!"

Erestor looked up, his eyes cold and annoyed.  "I do not want this celebration to turn into an evening at a Dwarvish tavern or have so much food that the guests mistake it for a Halfling gathering instead of an Elvish holiday."

"Hey now!  I've had some very enjoyable evenings in Dwarvish taverns and Halfling gatherings!"  Glorfindel sat up, his sky-blue eyes laughing at the miffed Councilor.

Erestor leveled his gaze with the Elda.  "Unfortunately, not all our guests aspire to the high levels of tolerance that you have achieved."

Glorfindel stood and stretched, sighing heavily.  "More's the pity, dear Erestor.  If only all of those in Arda strove to be in my image..."

The Councilor returned to his papers.  "Oh, is *that* a frightening image."

Glorfindel smiled wistfully at the Elf.  "Get some rest, Erestor. Everything will still be here in the morning.  Staying up isn't doing you -- or our potential guests -- any good at all."

"Perhaps you're right.  As riveting as your company is, I do think some sleep would be helpful.  See you tomorrow."  Erestor stood up and walked purposefully toward his chambers, leaving Glorfindel alone with his thoughts.

Those thoughts caused his brow to furrow.  Erestor's demeanor had changed over the last nine or so months.  He had begun to change while Thranduil had been in residence.  Aye, the Councilor was usually withdrawn and distant, but he had become cold and aloof to everyone. Including the family who had adopted him.  Erestor rarely spent time with the twins and he almost never spoke to Elrond unless he had to. He had taken to only talking to Glorfindel lately since they were responsible for the grounds of Imladris and its inhabitants.

Glorfindel went around the room snuffing the various candles and lamps while reflecting on his cunning adversary.  He respected Erestor.  He admired him.  He had known the Noldo as long as he had known Elrond. He had met them both upon his arrival in Imladris over four thousand years ago.  Erestor had been as much an enigma then as he was now. The facets of his personality intrigued the Balrog-slayer, and he had set out immediately to befriend the quiet Councilor.  It had not taken long; the two of them fell quickly into sarcastic and sometimes vulgar banter.  The vulgar teasing had surprised Glorfindel the first time, but he had enjoyed it every time thereafter.

Glorfindel made his way to his chambers, coming to a stop outside Erestor's rooms next door.  Before, he would not have felt intimidated; he would have simply knocked on the door and teased the Noldo.  But, over the last few months, the blonde Elf had watched his friend slowly withdraw and the banter they used to share slip into little more than pleasantries and banality. Glorfindel worried about his friend, and he raised his fist to knock.  After a moment's hesitation, though, he lowered his hand. Erestor was his friend, not his lover, and the Elda had no real right to pry into his affairs. If Erestor wanted to confide in him, he would.  Until then, Glorfindel would have to wait.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Erestor paced frantically, wringing his hands with anxiety.  He was panicking.  Well, it was more like a controlled panic than a pulling-the-hair-out panic.  Elrond was going to be furious.  The first time he left them to take care of Imladris and everything was going wrong.  Everything.

When he turned to begin pacing back toward the library door, he almost ran into Elrond's Seneschal.

"Glorfindel!" he cried.

"Erestor!" smirked the Elda.

Erestor's eyes narrowed.  "I do not have time for your jokes, Glorfindel."

Erestor resumed his pacing, trying to figure out a solution to his current dilemma.  Glorfindel took his usual seat on the couch under one of the large windows and regarded him with veiled amusement.

"What is the tragic mishap today, Erestor?"

The dark-haired Elf glared at his friend.  "Tragic mishap?  I'll tell you.  Because Lord Elrond decides to employ humans for the winter season -- in some fit of madness, I assure you -- we are now down half the kitchen staff a week before the celebration! They've all gotten sick!  Can you believe it?!  Sick!"

"Well, my dear Councilor, if they've had you breathing down their necks, I can't say I am surprised."

"It's not me!  The Healers tell me it's some fevery, chilled, stomach... thing!"  He threw his hands up in frustration.  "And! Listen to this!  The head of the kitchen staff?  She decided to have her baby today!  The Healers placed her on bedrest until she has her baby!"

"Erestor.  They are Men.  They get sick.  You've been working them as if they were Elves, and they are not."  Glorfindel stood up and approached the agitated Elf.  "And Idhreneth should be resting.  I'm surprised she has worked as long as she has.  She's done so for *you*. She deserves a break!"

"What... are we supposed to do?"

Glorfindel wrapped his arms around the Noldo, pulling him into a tight embrace.  Erestor immediately stiffened, not used to being in such close proximity of his friend.  "You, my friend, need to calm down. We have weathered much worse than a sick kitchen staff and a new mother.  It will not be the end of an Age if this celebration is not the finest ever held in the Last Homely House."

Erestor stuttered.  "But... but..."

"Shh, but nothing, Erestor.  I will assist the kitchen staff. Idhreneth's second is more than capable of leading the remaining staff.  With my assistance, I am sure all will be well."

Glorfindel could feel the rigidness of the one he held in his arms. The embrace was not having the desired effect.  "Now, dear friend, go and take a long, warm bath and relax some.  Everything is in my very capable hands."  He pulled back and walked to the desk where Erestor's ists and tallies were resting.  "Elrond does this every year." Glorfindel glanced up at the pensive figure in dark robes, flashing him a devastating smile.  "How hard can it be?"

Erestor let out a long sigh and nodded, turning from the blonde Elf and heading for his rooms.  "Famous last words," he muttered as he walked out the door.

*****

Erestor sat in the hot water, his eyes unfocused and his thoughts spinning out of his control.  Glorfindel had never really touched him, never invaded his personal space.  In fact, thought Erestor, he could not recall a time that the Elda had placed a hand on him at all.

It puzzled him.  Glorfindel's touch had caused his heart to flutter, he had felt his cheeks color.  He had not felt anything like that since Elrond had been his lover.  If he were honest, he had not given anyone the opportunity to cause those reactions in him. After Elrond had wed Celebrian, Erestor chose not to pursue a relationship.  His heart had ached with the loss of his lover.  Oh, he had known Elrond would not keep him around forever, but when the end of that intimacy had occurred it had placed a permanent chill in his heart.  He worried now that Glorfindel had somehow squeezed his way past the walls he had spent centuries perfecting.

The Noldo scrubbed at his skin, mulling over his emotions.  It could just be all the stress.  It could be that he still hurt over the reappearance of Thranduil last winter.  It had awakened old memories he wished not to revisit.  He had never felt anything for the Balrog-slayer.  In fact, when Glorfindel had first come to Imladris, Erestor had avoided him at all costs.  The Elf drove him insane with his quirky sense of humor.  But, after a few decades, he had grown on Erestor.  Kind of like foot-rot, he mused. They had a good friendship, entertaining banter, and he was loath to change it.

It was comfortable.  And comfort was important to Erestor.  Nay, he did not desire Glorfindel.  It was simply stress.  Not only was he not Erestor's type of lover, but the blonde Elf had been with just about every Elf in Imladris.  He sometimes wondered if the Seneschal had bedded Elrond's sons at some point.  He knew Elrond had not been a partner to Glorfindel; Erestor often joked with his Lord that they were the only two Glorfindel couldn't have.  And now...  Now he was wondering about the prowess of his friend of many millennia.

Erestor shook his head.  He would not simply be another conquest for his friend.  After all, once the festival was over, everything would return to normal.  He would simply be Elrond's Councilor once again and he could put behind him this lapse in his sanity.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Glorfindel placed the four loaves of sweet bread on the counter to cool.  He was quite proud of himself.  He had spent a few days with the remaining kitchen staff and acquainted himself with the menu Erestor had chosen.  Since the Solstice was in three days, it was time to prepare the breads and roast the meats that would be served cold.  He had very little experience with cooking, and what he did have was from campsite food, but he didn't think this was too difficult.  Erestor would be pleased.

He turned to prepare the vegetables that would be used in the stew that would cook for the next few days.  While his back was turned, Erestor slunk into the kitchen.  It wasn't that he didn't believe in his friend's ability, he told himself, he just wanted to make sure all was going well.

Erestor eyed the sweet bread and smiled.  Pinching a little off the bottom of one loaf, he had a taste.

"For Valar's sake, Glorfindel!  What *is* this?!"

Glorfindel spun, the knife in his hand, and looked from Erestor to the breads.  "Those, meldir, are the first of the dessert breads for Solstice."

"Dessert?!  Are you insane?  What did you put in them?"  He offered Glorfindel a pinch of the bread, which he took happily.  He spit it out immediately, his expression sour.

"I used flour, yeast, sugar and citrus.  I would not know why it tastes as vile as it does."

Erestor looked around the kitchen.  "Where did you get the sugar, Glorfindel?"

Glorfindel pointed to a canister on one of the table tops.  "There."

Erestor's eyes grew wide.  "You son of an Orc!  That's salt!"

"It has an 'S' on it, Erestor!  'S' -- for sugar!"  He was becoming inflamed, he knew he was, but he was very insulted.

"No!  'S' is for salt, 'G' is for sugar!"  Erestor put his hands on his hips, his eyes flashing in irritation.

"'G'?!  How in the name of Arda did you come up with 'G' for sugar?!"

"Because I used 'S' for the salt, Glorfindel!"

"Well, couldn't you have put the whole name on it?!"

"Nay, because some of the canisters are too small to use the whole name and I wanted to be consistent.  So, they each were assigned a letter.  No one has had a problem in the last thousand years.  I cannot understand how *you*..."  Erestor looked around thoughtfully, sniffing the air.  "Do you smell something?"

"What do you mean?"  Glorfindel cocked his head at his friend.

"Like... something burning?"

"The rabbit!"  Glorfindel ran to the large brick ovens, scrambling to open the heavy doors and peer inside.  Erestor looked over the blonde's shoulder into the heat of the oven.

"Are you sure those are rabbits, meldir?  They look more like lumps of coal."  Erestor smirked.

"They were fine before you came in here and distracted me!"

"Well, why didn't one of the other staff tend to them?"

"Because," Glorfindel huffed, looking around the very empty kitchen, "you seem to have scared them all off!"

Erestor threw up his hands.  "Elbereth, I cannot deal with this right now!  I have problems of my own!  Just... fix this!  I don't care *how*, just fix it!"

And then, just as quickly as he had appeared, Erestor swept out of the room in a flurry of black robes and an exasperated sigh. Well, mostly black anyway, Glorfindel grinned, as he tossed some of the flour from the board onto the back of Erestor's retreating figure.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In spite of Erestor's fears, the day of the Winter Solstice arrived without the destruction of Imladris or the cold-blooded murder of a certain Seneschal who patently refused to understand the importance of the occasion.  None of the assembled guests seemed to notice or care that the feast was leaner on meats than past years or that the famous Imladris sweetbreads were surreptitiously replaced with a collection of flavored sponge cakes.  For the first time since Elrond had left, Erestor allowed himself a sigh of relief.  He even indulged in a couple of glasses of the ice wine (which, he had to admit, had turned out especially nice this year, regardless of his fears that the frost had come too soon or that the chief winemaker was a talentless dolt).

"Erestor!" Glorfindel's voice rang out, interrupting his moment of contentment.  A moment later, the tawny-haired Elf weaved his way through the crowd to stand by Erestor's side.  "Erestor, my excellent good friend!" he said again, a little too loudly. (Glorfindel was especially fond of the Imladrin ice wine.)

"You seem to be enjoying yourself to excess, mellon-nin," Erestor replied, a note of disdain hanging in his voice.

Glorfindel, however, completely missed the nuance.  "But of course! What other way *is* there to enjoy oneself, Councilor? Come now! Have a dance with me ere I am unable to stand!"

Erestor had to smile at Glorfindel's admission of intoxication.  At least when his friend overdid it, he was well aware of it.  He briefly considered the offer, but in the end, politely shook his head.  "I don't think so, Glorfindel.  I prefer to observe your antics rather than participate in them."

"Really?  Okay, then.  Observe this!"  With that pronouncement, Glorfindel wrapped a hand around Erestor's waist and marched him onto the dance floor.  Accomplished warrior though he was, Erestor's strength was no match for the prowess of the Balrog-slayer, and he had little choice but to follow where he was led.

Glorfindel's style of dancing seemed to be a cross between a military advance and a rampaging Oliphaunt, which meant that several of the dancing couples had to virtually leap out of the way to avoid being trampled.  The only pair that could manage to remain near the acting chiefs of Imladris were Elrond's twin sons.  Elladan and Elrohir were more than adept at spinning out of Glorfindel's way when his charge targeted their position.  Erestor presumed it was something about the way the twins' minds were somehow connected that they were able to move fluidly together when the need arose.

It was well-known among those who frequented Imladris that the two brothers were closer than kin.  While it might not be wholly accepted, it was at least tacitly tolerated.  Because of this, the stares that were cast toward the dance floor were directed mainly at the inebriated Seneschal and the bewildered Councilor than at the loving gestures of the Half-Elven heirs.  So, when the pair danced over to Erestor and Glorfindel and softly mentioned that the reserves of wine were beginning to deplete, Erestor was more than grateful to take the opportunity to exit the dance floor with promises of restocking the supply.

*****

Glorfindel had insisted on accompanying Erestor; a request that the dark-haired Noldo grudgingly granted.  Glorfindel was relieved, if only because he was afraid that if he took his hand from around Erestor's waist, he would fall down.  All the dancing had caused the wine to go to his head much faster and farther than he would admit.  Erestor was humoring him, he knew, by guiding him through the passages to the cellar.  Glorfindel didn't mind; he was too distracted by the minute observations of the truly drunk.  For instance, he'd never realized before how good his friend smelled, how soft his hands were, or how the fineness of his dark hair shimmered like ebony in the flickering candlelight.

He had gotten as far as noticing how perfectly the dark green tunic hung from Erestor's frame and how the black leggings did a wonderful job of accentuating his petite backside when he heard Erestor sliding the key into the lock on the cellar door.  Erestor hauled the Elda inside and set him down in a chair as he went about selecting some bottles to bring back to the festival.

"What about the '05?" Erestor said after a few minutes of looking through the collection.  "I think that was particularly good."

"'S orc droppin's 'pared to the '03," Glorfindel slurred.

"There's only four bottles of the '03 left, though.  Oh, well, I'll take one of them.  And three of the '97.  It's not great, but the Men seem to like it.  What did you think of the '94?"

"I loved you... I mean, it."

Erestor pulled down two of those bottles as well, setting them all onto the cart.  He was making sure they were all firmly settled before heading back to the gathering when he heard Glorfindel struggle to his feet.  He turned around just in time to see the Seneschal stumble toward him.

"Dinja hear me?" Glorfindel mumbled.  "I said, I love it... I mean, you."

Erestor caught Glorfindel's arm and put it over his shoulder to steady him.  "I heard you, old friend.  Don't try to move too fast."

Glorfindel threw his other arm over Erestor's other shoulder and pulled himself face-to-face with the Councilor.  Before Erestor realized it, Glorfindel leaned in and kissed Erestor's mouth.  Erestor was so shocked by the gesture that he did not react, did not resist as his mouth was pushed open by Glorfindel's tongue, deepening the kiss into something far less than chaste.

Trying not to offend his dear friend, Erestor put his hands on Glorfindel's chest and gently but firmly pushed the Elda away. "Nay, mellon-nin, not like this," he whispered sweetly, touching a finger to Glorfindel's lips.  He supported Glorfindel with one arm, pushing the cart with the other, and slowly made it out of the cellar.  After locking the door again, he walked through the halls until he found one of the staff heading for the kitchens.  He handed the cart off to him and walked Glorfindel back to the Seneschal's room.

Glorfindel was fading in and out of consciousness.  He was vaguely aware of Erestor undressing him and laying him into the bed, and he was almost certain he felt the Noldo sit on the bed beside him and stroke his hair.  He mumbled something unintelligible in an attempt to thank his friend for the concern, and then he fell into the dreamless sleep that Elves rarely needed except in times of great bodily strain, like getting trashed on ice wine and making a pass at one's best friend.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Glorfindel blinked, clearing the last vestige of sleep from his eyes. His head was throbbing and his tongue felt thick and dry. Slowly, he sat up in bed, hanging his pounding head in his hands.  He tried standing, which was an unsuccessful venture.  Taking a deep breath and fighting back the swell of nausea the sudden movement caused, he tried to stand a second time.  Once he was on his feet, he made his way to his bathing chamber and filled the tub with cool water.  He hoped a cold bath would help ease the headache.  The Elda stumbled into thepool and sighed softly.

After a few moments of blissful, morning-after ignorance, his eyes flew open as the memories of the previous night returned. Glorfindel closed his eyes tightly, groaning at the mess he had created.  He had told his long time friend he loved him.  He had *kissed* the Councilor.  Oh, this was going to be awkward.

It wasn't that he was ashamed of kissing him, he had wanted to do such
a thing for years.  But, drunk and in a cellar was not how he
envisioned the first kiss they would share.  The enigmatic Elf had
held his attentions for some time, he just knew Erestor had very
little interest in relationships.  He also knew the Councilor did not
approve of his casual flings.  The problem he was facing, he thought
as he scrubbed his hair, was that he wanted Erestor.  He truly did.
What bothered him was that he wanted him around for more than a night
or two.

He rinsed his hair and smiled as the tension in his temples eased with the cool water.  He had to fix this.  Perhaps if he simply ignored the incident?  Erestor hadn't fought him, had allowed the kiss for a few moments... had even hinted that he wanted it, just not with his friend drunk and barely in control of his motor skills.  Could it be that Erestor had feelings for him?

Glorfindel shook his head, carefully exiting the tub.  He quickly dried himself off and dressed, plaiting his hair in the usual warrior fashion.  No, Erestor was not interested in him.  He had simply not wanted to offend his drunken friend and endured the man-handling Glorfindel had attempted.

He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, and plastered a serene smile on his face as he exited his chambers to face the day at Erestor's side.

*****

Erestor finished fastening the ties on his stately black robes.  He hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, his thoughts keeping him up.  His mind had been filled with blue eyes and soft lips.  He had enjoyed the kiss, even if it was in a drunken moment of lust.  Erestor knew he could have been anyone to Glorfindel in that moment.  His friend was not serious.

He made his way to the main study where he would spend the day.  Now that the celebration was over, he had to take stock of the food, wines, and any damage done to the premises.  The unfortunate part of the day was that he had to spend it with Glorfindel.  He was sure the golden-haired Elda would tease him mercilessly about the situation. He was sure Glorfindel loved to watch him twist and squirm...

He stopped that thought as it brought about a completely different image of twisting and squirming.  His cheeks colored slightly and he entered the study, coming face to face with his nemesis.

He allowed his well schooled mask of indifference to slip into place and he bowed in respect to the Seneschal.  "Good morning, Glorfindel. I am sure you slept well?"

"Like the dead."  He smirked at his companion.

Erestor raised an eyebrow and made his way to the desk.  He took his seat while Glorfindel pulled one of the straight backed chairs next to him.  He stared at the blonde for a moment and then pulled out the most recent tallies from the kitchen.  "It seems we will need to send the hunters out, since the kitchen reports we are low on meats.  I wonder why they specifically mention rabbit."  He looked pointedly at his companion.

"Like I said, Erestor, had you not interrupted me, those rabbits would have been perfect."  He flashed a winning smile in Erestor's direction and the Councilor felt his heart quicken.  He was beautiful.

Erestor shook his head and went back to the notes on the papers.  "I wonder if the head chef had her baby..." he mused.

Glorfindel snorted.  "You didn't even check on her?  After you worked her until she went into labor?!"

The Noldo sputtered and blinked, feeling quite contrite.  The melodious chuckle from his friend made him flush with embarrassment.  "You are impossible, Glorfindel!"

"And you are so..."  Glorfindel cut himself off and turned away from the liquid black eyes that watched him so carefully.

"So what, meldir?"

"Nothing."

The room fell into uncomfortable silence.  Erestor shot to his legs and walked across the room from Glorfindel.  He needed to think, to breathe.  He spun on his friend and glared at him.  "What the hell happened last night, Glorfindel?!  Are you even going to speak of it?"

Glorfindel flinched slightly at Erestor's tone.  "We can speak of it if you wish.  Though, I am not sure what you want to discuss. It was a kiss, nothing more."  He was trying to downplay the importance and enjoyment of the moment, he did not want to ruin a very good, solid friendship because of an impulsive moment -- drunk or not.

Glorfindel watched Erestor's eyes deaden slightly.  The spark he had seen just a moment before was gone and he was gazed at with dull detachment.  "Very well, Glorfindel.  I do not require your aid to go through all the business that occurs after the Solstice.  You can go to the barracks and do... whatever it is you do there."

Glorfindel watched Erestor for a moment.  The dark Elf had his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed.  He had been insulted and Glorfindel couldn't think for the life of him *why* his friend would be insulted. He had let Erestor off the hook, he could now put the awkward moment in the cellar behind him.

As he stood to leave room a thought struck him.  Erestor was offended because... he had enjoyed the kiss!  He had to pass the Councilor to leave the study and in that moment he made a decision.  He made for the doorway and, as he passed Erestor, grabbed the ebony-haired beauty by his shoulders and pressed him against the wall.  When Erestor opened his mouth to protest, Glorfindel kissed him.  Since Erestor's mouth was already open, he had no problem snaking his tongue into the warmth of Erestor's mouth.  His friend struggled for a moment in his grasp, but he soon felt Erestor's hands slide up and behind his neck, deepening the kiss.

The usually stoic Erestor moaned into his mouth, pressing his body against the heat of Glorfindel.  The Elda could lose himself in the sensations Erestor's body provoked, but the need for breath caused him to break the kiss.  They stared at each other for a moment, Glorfindel's arms wrapped tight around the slim waist of Erestor and the Councilor's hands tangled in the mass of gold that was Glorfindel's hair.

Breathing heavily, lips swollen from the intensity of Glorfindel's onslaught, Erestor gasped, "What was that?!"

"If you couldn't tell, then I must have done it wrong."  He smiled at the confusion on Erestor's face before lowering his head for another, slower exploration of the Noldo's mouth.

Erestor was more than willing to indulge in the sweetness of Glorfindel's mouth.  He only noted in passing that Glorfindel had pulled him away from the wall and was laying him down upon the sofa in the study.  As he slipped his hands under the Elda's tunic, he had the fleeting thought that this was all a big mistake.

Then he felt Glorfindel's hands in his robes and, mistake or no, he was enjoying it.

*****

Night had long since settled over the valley of Imladris.  The wind rattled the casements, beat branches against each other.  The wood floors were cool to bare feet and all occupants of the Last Homely House sat cuddled by fires, not daring to venture out into the open halls with the winter storm coming.  Most were safe in their chambers, happily warmed by a fire or a loved one.

All but two, that is.

A tall, slender blonde Elf sat in a deeply cushioned chair in front of a roaring fire, the orange firelight casting an ethereal halo about him.  His eyes were locked with the dark-haired Elf across from him in a matching chair, the dark, liquid eyes regarding him over the rim of a wineglass.  His companion sat with his legs crossed, wearing only his leggings, and Glorfindel felt his groin tighten at the way the light played on the soft curves of Erestor's chest.

Erestor was watching his lover, grasping for control of a situation he had let spiral away from him.  It was not like him to allow someone to take him on a couch in a library.  But, he had allowed Glorfindel to do just that.  Since they had awakened shortly after dark, they had sat in silence, watching one another from beneath veiled eyes.  He did not know what this meant.  All he knew was Glorfindel had felt so good in his arms, wrapped about him, nestled deep inside him, that he did not want to give him up after one rash moment in the study.

He supposed he needed to finally speak to the Elda, to tell him his desires and needs and expectations.  Erestor just didn't quite know how.  So, he chose the only route he knew: diplomacy.

"Where does this leave us, Seneschal?"  He surprised himself when his voice did not tremble with barely his restrained fear.

Glorfindel cocked his head and a childish smile played on his lips. "It leaves us half dressed in the study with a raging storm outside."

Erestor scoffed and placed his wine glass on the side table.  "Nay. You know that is not what I am talking about.  I do not hop from bed to bed like you, meldir, and I do not wish to begin doing so now. Although, couch to couch doesn't seem any more appealing, either.  I have not taken a lover since Elrond so very long ago, and I have chosen that path for a reason."

"Then why have you strayed from it now, Erestor?"

The Noldo felt a shiver run down his spine at the way his name just rolled off the very talented tongue of his partner.  He calmed himself and tried to answer.  "I am not sure.  You are the last person in Imladris I could trust with my affections or my virtue."

Glorfindel couldn't stifle his laugh.  "Your virtue?  Please, Erestor. Your virtue was long gone before you fell onto that couch with me."

"All right, my integrity, then.  My sense of honor.  My dignity. Admit it, Glorfindel, you took advantage of me."

Glorfindel sat up, mildly offended.  "I took advantage of the situation, aye, Erestor.  But that is not the same thing."

"Codswallop.  You knew I was confused about my feelings and you twisted them to your advantage."  Erestor's casual tone belied the contempt that simmered just under the surface.

"You must think very little of me," Glorfindel replied icily.

"Oh, come, come!" Erestor snapped.  "You have made no secret of your extensive list of conquests.  And now I am simply another notch in your sword belt."

The blonde Elf slid forward out of his chair, coming to his knees in front of Erestor.  He took the Councilor's hands and looked up into  his eyes.  "Believe me when I say that you are more that, meldir."

Erestor's eyes shimmered with the threat of tears.  "How can I know that to be the truth?"

"You can't," Glorfindel said softly.  "That is the way of this world.  There are things that you cannot control, that you cannot plan for.  Things that you must dare to chance.  That you must take on faith.  I cannot say where the path will lead that is set before us now.  I only know that I have long desired you, that I treasure your friendship above all else, and that I believe we can explore the one without endangering the other."

"And what if we fail?  I do not think my heart could take that."

"Your heart, I think, is stronger than you give it credit.  But, I do not think we will fail.  The step from friend to lover is shorter than you might think, now that the pieces have been put into play, and the gambits have been revealed."

Erestor smiled, his eyes darting to the chessboard in the corner where the two had shared many a spirited game.  His smile became a smirk, and he looked back to Glorfindel with mischief in his gaze.  "What do you suppose the King will think upon seeing the Knight and the Bishop together?"

Glorfindel chuckled.  "I expect he'll just pawn it off."

"He may accuse you of rooking me into it, though," Erestor replied, stifling a laugh.

"Then you'll just have to mention, en passant, that you were a willing partner," responded Glorfindel with amusement.

"You don't think he'll queen it over us?"

"I don't think so.  Not as long as we check our mating and not let it interfere with our work."

By now, the two Elves were hysterical with laughter, rolling on the floor in each other's arms, sharing playful kisses and caresses as though they were Elflings barely past their majority.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the kisses became deeper, the caresses firmer.  Soon, the two bodies were pressed together in a passionate embrace.  Glorfindel's hands slid down and gripped Erestor's behind as the Noldo's fingertips roamed along the Elda's back and arms.  Their arousal was quite pronounced, despite (or perhaps because of) the haste of their coupling not that long ago.  Glorfindel shifted his hips slightly, bringing their stiff erections in line and causing Erestor to gasp.

Without breaking the kiss, Glorfindel rolled Erestor under him.  His hands clasped Erestor's and their fingers twined.  Erestor whimpered as Glorfindel moved his hips in slow circles, rubbing his hardness against the Councilor's.  The circles became thrusts, and Erestor moaned again, the sound being captured by Glorfindel's hungry mouth.

Erestor tried to unlace his fingers to run them through Glorfindel's hair, but suddenly realized the Seneschal was pinning his hands to the floor.  Panic began to creep into his eyes, but at that moment, Glorfindel broke the kiss and spoke to him softly.  "Ah, ah, meldir," he chided.  "Remember what I said?  That there are things that you cannot control?  This is one of them.  I'm not going to hurt you, but I *am* going to show you that you can enjoy losing control."  

The blond Elf untwined his fingers from Erestor's, but did not relinquish his grip.  He brought the Noldo's arms together on the floor above his head and clamped a hand over both wrists, holding them tightly.  His other hand moved between them and undid the ties at the front of Erestor's leggings.  When the waist was loosened, he slid his hand inside and played his fingertips across the tight flesh of Erestor's shaft.  When he reached the base, Glorfindel cupped his hand around his new lover's heavy globes, giving them a playful squeeze.  He heard a sharp hiss of breath from Erestor that became a shuddering sigh when Glorfindel began massaging the wrinkled skin.

Erestor's initial concern melted away under the more experienced Elf's tender ministrations.  He allowed himself to relax, close his eyes, and relish the sensations that Glorfindel's hand was causing him.  At some point, his wrists were released, but he hardly noticed.  Neither did he have any inclination to move his hands, especially when Glorfindel's head dipped down and he felt the tip of the Seneschal's tongue graze the tip of his cock and slide down its length.

Glorfindel spent several minutes teasing Erestor with his tongue, licking every inch of the smooth shaft, dancing across the swollen head.  The usually-reserved Councilor was squirming under him before he deigned to open his mouth and accept Erestor's rod.  When he finally did, he wasted no time in pulling it into his mouth so deep that his nose was touching Erestor's stomach.  Without moving, he alternated between sucking and swallowing motions, letting the undulation of his throat muscles play against the ensnared staff.

The dark-haired Elf started to grind against Glorfindel's mouth, but quickly felt hands on his hips pressing him forcefully down.   Glorfindel, however, did grant the unspoken request and began bobbing his head, repeatedly thrusting his mouth down onto Erestor's cock.  Erestor could not hold back the moans of pleasure, nor did he particularly want to.  He lay as still as possible and let Glorfindel work his throbbing arousal however the Elda wished, moving only his mouth as he called out over and over again.

Glorfindel's assault was relentless.  He could read Erestor's body, could tell by the moans and the squirms how close to orgasm Erestor was.  He kept the Councilor teetering on the edge of that release, drawing out the pleasure -- and the exquisite torture of it all -- as long as he felt his partner could stand... plus two minutes.  The intent was to force Erestor's orgasm completely into someone else's control.  Glorfindel and Glorfindel alone had the say on when the Noldo was allowed to finish.

Erestor, meanwhile, was panting in exhaustion.  He had stopped crying out because his throat was sore from it and was now reduced to heavy breathing alone to indicate his pleasure.  Somehow, though, it didn't stop Glorfindel from being able to tell when he was close.  He felt the elusive orgasm approaching for the ... tenth time?  Twelfth?  He'd lost count.  He felt his body stiffen and tingle from head to toe, like every other time before.  And Glorfindel's mouth pulled off his cock, just like every other time before.

Before Erestor could catch his breath, though, Glorfindel plunged down again, sucking the rod deep into his mouth.  Erestor cried out Glorfindel's name, but only got as far as "Glor--" when his body shook violently, sending his seed spurting down the blond's throat.  His release seemed to go on forever, but he eventually collapsed back onto the floor, totally drained in every sense of the word.

Glorfindel moved to lay beside him, kissing him softly.  "You should get some sleep."

"But what about you?"

"I'll sleep, too, don't worry."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know.  There's time enough for that."

*****

Some time later, Erestor's eyes fluttered open.  He was still laying on the floor of the study.  The fire had guttered down to embers and a chill had settled in the room.  He sat up and looked around, not seeing Glorfindel in the room at all.  He gathered his clothes and pulled his leggings on as he stood.  His robes were neatly folded in the chair, a scroll of parchment rolled up on top of them.  Erestor unfurled the parchment and smiled as he read the words inscribed there.

Erestor,

I did not wish to wake you as I left, so content did you seem
in your sleep.  Today is my rotation to make the morning patrol,
so I had to leave to relieve the night watch.  Meet me in the
kitchens after the morning meal.

Glorfindel

The Councilor rolled up the parchment and put it in the pocket of his robes as he put them on.  He walked toward the door, heading for his chambers, but paused at the finely crafted chessboard.  He stood behind the black pieces, the side he always played against Glorfindel.  A wistful smile tugged at his lips as he tipped the black King onto its side -- the gesture of surrender.


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