Title: Taking Comfort
Author: Artino2
Type: FCS
Characters: Thranduil/Elrond
Rated: NC-17
Disclaimer: I do not own them, no money is being made.
Warning: graphic m/m sex, angst
Beta: Ariel (thanks for letting me write this little scene from your story!)

Summary: This little piece was written as I thought about Ariel's story The Price of Pride (Amazing story). In her chapter 23, she has Elrond staying in a little cottage in the woods right after Celebrian leaves for the Undying Lands. He only allowed Thranduil to visit him. Of course a perv like me wonders what those two did together and this was the result. Written with permission from her- of course.

*****

Thranduil finished signing the papers and handed them to Erestor. He had spent the afternoon taking care of all of Imladris' affairs, knowing that Elrond was in no condition or state of mind to do so.

Celebrian had left, and she had taken the Lord of Imladris' heart with her. He had come to help out in whatever way he could, knowing that his friend would need him in the end.

Elrond had taken refuge in the small cottage in the woods. He had refused everyone entrance and had requested his wishes be taken seriously. Erestor and Glorfindel were worried about him, but still did not dare to go against his wishes.

Thranduil did not care so much about what Elrond wanted, but only about what he needed. He excused himself from the office where he had been working and stopped briefly to gather some food and wine into a basket. He was going to visit with his old friend and offer his condolences. Then he was going to help Elrond gather himself together so that he would be able to make it through this separation and continue with his life, for the sake of Imladris; for the sake of his children.

He took the back way to the cottage in the woods. He wished to avoid anyone that might stop him to talk as small talk was not on his mind at the moment. His heart was heavy as he knew the state of mind his friend was in at the moment. He readied himself for the other elf's grief that was sure to take hold of him when he saw him.

The day was crisp and clear, the warm sun shone down upon the woods and if not for the sorrow that dwelled inside the little structure, it would have been a wonderful scene. Thranduil noticed the windows were shut, blocking out all of the sunlight as well as the freshness of the air. He stood for a moment before the wooden door, thinking about what his first words would be to the Elf Lord.

Should he tell him how sorry he was? Maybe tell him that time will heal him? none of those thoughts seemed to convey what he felt. He stood there for several moments, not sure he was ready for this confrontation. Would Elrond argue with him? Would he slam the door in his face and tell him to leave? He did not expect the Elf Lord to open the door before he knocked but that is what he did.

Thranduil found himself speechless as he looked at the sad face of his old friend. Words were not needed as he soon found himself pulled into his arms. He stepped inside the cottage and shut the door as he held onto Elrond, letting his friend's grief take him as his tears fell onto the Elf King's robes, wetting the dark green velvet.

"I do not know if I can survive this," Elrond cried. "I am not that strong."

Thranduil held onto him, rubbing his back with his hand while he whispered words of comfort in his ear. "You will survive this Meldir."

Elrond shook his head. "You do not understand." Then he stopped and looked up, wiping the tears from his eyes. He was wrong. Thranduil did understand. He had lost his wife to the Undying Lands as well. He had been parted from his mate just as he had. "I am sorry, I did not think before I spoke."

Thranduil nodded, "It is alright, you are grief stricken and you are forgiven."

Elrond looked at the basket sitting on the table where Thranduil had set it when he had walked into the cottage. "I am not hungry," he said as he turned away and walked to the bed. He sat down upon it softly and hung his head down low.

The Elf King walked over to him and placed his hand under his chin, lifting it so he could look into his tear streaked face. "You may not be hungry but you must eat. I will not allow you to fade. I lost you once Mir nín, I will not lose you again."

Elrond felt his heart beat faster as he heard the words fall from Thranduil's lips. "That was so long ago Meldir."

Thranduil nodded and sat down on the bed next to him.

"Yes, it was long ago, yet it still remains in my mind as if it was yesterday. All these long years have passed yet there is not a day that passes by that I do not think about you."

For the first time since Celebrian had been attacked he found himself thinking not of her but of himself. It felt strange for him, as he was supposed to only grieve for her passing. During his happier times, before she had been attacked, he had often thought of the time he had participated in a young Elf's Cuivië ; Thranduil's.

"Did anyone see you come here?" he questioned. He did not know why but he had never told his children about the relationship that he once had with the Mirkwood King. Others around Imladris knew of it, of course but over the years it had been nothing but a memory for everyone. One that without being spoken of, had passed into history. Both of them had taken mates, had children, and now both had suffered the same loss.

"No one has seen me, although we have gained enough respect to not be questioned or judged over the thousands of years since our Cuivië. You will need to take time and grieve. I will be here for you through this, and I shall be here for you when it is over. Although it will always linger within your heart you will find your strength to go on."

"Hannon lle," Elrond whispered. He was thankful he still had someone who cared for him, even if it was not Celebrian. Of course he had his children. They loved him, this he knew without a doubt, but he could not console them now while trying to overcome his own loss.

Thranduil began unpacking the basket and straightening up the place. He poured them both a glass of wine and set out small pieces of bread and cheese. "Please, " he said as he looked at his friend. "Come and have something. It will help to keep your strength up."

Elrond reluctantly did as he was asked. He sipped at his wine and nibbled on some of the food. It was all tasteless to him, and he wondered if he would ever again enjoy life as he had before. "How did you get through it when Legolas' mother passed?"

Thranduil finished swallowing the drink of wine he had taken and set his glass down. "You will never get over it, but you will get through it. Every time you look into Arwen's eyes or your sons' you will see that Celebrian lives on. When you someday hear your grandchildren laugh, it will lighten your heart. Always keep her in your thoughts and someday you will be reunited with her when you too sail to the Undying Lands. Until then, you are needed here."

They sat together, sometimes talking softly about the past, sometimes remaining quiet with words not needed to convey their thoughts and feelings. Thranduil was pained to see him so distraught, but what little he was able to do would make the difference in whether or not the Elf Lord would survive.

Elrond thought back to when he had found out he was the chosen one for Thranduil's Cuivië. He had been pleasantly surprised and had eagerly looked forward to it. He had only just had his own Cuivië a few hundred years earlier and was by far no expert, but to the innocent Thranduil he had been an experienced teacher. The night had seemed to last forever, and he had lost his heart to the blonde haired Elf. They had never spoken of it, knowing that both of them were to wed and produce heirs for their realm. It was this reason that he could sympathize so much with Legolas' plight.

Elrond looked tired and he did not want to over extend his welcome. "I think you should rest now," he said as he cleaned up their glasses and plates. Elrond only nodded and he walked over to the bed. "I shall be by in the morning to see you," Thranduil said as he pulled the blanket up over him.

He turned to leave but stopped when he heard Elrond sit up once again. He looked back and saw the brief smile on his face. "Hannon lle Meldir."

"Lle creoso," he answered and left the little cottage. He would have liked to have stayed longer, knowing that as night fell, the loneliness would consume the grief stricken elf, but until Elrond asked him to stay, he would not.

The days passed by, turning into weeks. He would spend the morning taking care of the affairs of Imladris and consulting with Erestor on what was needed to be done. He was thankful that the Elf Lord did not press him for more information and only inquired as to Elrond's health.

His simple answer was always enough and he would leave in the afternoon to bring food and wine along with his company. Some days were better then others. Sometimes he would find Elrond up and about the cottage, washed and freshly dressed. Other times he would find him still in bed, sullen and reluctant to rise. It was on days like this that he had to find the extra motivation as it would bring back memories of when he had been in the same state.

As he was ready to leave one night, after a nice dinner and a pleasant conversation that they had managed to get through without tears, he was stopped by the sudden offer Elrond put before him.

"Would you please stay?" Elrond had asked him, his voice soft and a little uncertain. "I do not wish to be alone."

Thranduil set down the basket and nodded his head. "I will stay."

They had sat by the fire most of the night, talking about the olden days of when they were growing up, with nothing more to care about than whether or not they would be throttled for coming home after dark.

When it was time to rest, Thranduil did the noble thing and settled Elrond in his bed. Lying beside him he held him until he had fallen asleep. As much as he wanted to, he would not press his feelings on him, even though their time spent together had awoken all that he had held deeply inside of him.

He was startled awake by Elrond's sobs and he comforted him by singing to him softly in Elvish, a song that his mother had long ago sung to him after he had been frightened by a nightmare. It always soothed him to sleep and had the same effect on the Elf Lord.

The weeks turned into just over a month and still he made his daily visits. Sometimes he was asked to stay the night, and others he was not. Still he never pushed it and let Elrond decide how it would be.

To his surprise, for several days straight the Elf Lord seemed to return to his old self, although there was a hint of sadness. He still made it clear that he was not ready to return to the Last Homely House nor his position of Lord of Imladris just yet. Thranduil assured him that he had all the time he needed before he would have to return.

He found himself once again asked to stay over and he was more than happy to as he took off his robes and settled himself in front of the fire at Elrond's side. Elrond began talking about their first time together. "It is something I have thought about many times these past nights, especially on the ones when the loneliness seemed just too much to bear. We are both now alone, having lost those we have loved. How do you tolerate the lonely nights Meldir?"

Thranduil set his glass down and reached out to tuck Elrond's braid behind his ear. "I take lovers when the need arises. Although none have meant anything to me other than a warm body and a willing release. There have been only two people that held my heart, Legolas' mother... and you."

"I can say the same, although not Legolas' mother, but Celebrian of course."

Thranduil laughed softly and broke a grin on his face which he was pleasantly surprised to find reflected on Elrond's. "It is good to see you smile once more."

"I would never had made it through these long lonely days without you Mir nín," he replied. He looked deeply into Thranduil's blue eyes and then without a word he cupped his head carefully in his hands and pressed his lips against his, lips that he had tasted so many thousands of years before.

Thranduil wanted to lose himself in the kiss but yet was hesitant to do so because he did want Elrond to hold regrets later. He pulled back slightly and looked at his friend. "Are you certain about this?"

"I am uncertain about many things at this time in my life, but it makes me feel again, and that is all I can hold onto right now."

Thranduil felt his heart breaking to see him in such a state of confusion. He longed to be with the elf Lord once more, but did not wish to take advantage of the situation. Still, he could not refuse him, even if he wanted to.

Elrond reached up with his hands and began undoing the dark green tunic that Thranduil wore. His hand shook slightly until Thranduil covered them with his own to steady them. "Let me help you," he whispered as he began unfastening the buttons.

Elrond pulled the shirt open and exposed the smooth creamy flesh underneath. He gasped when he saw the golden rings that looped through each nipple and he looked up at his friend with a surprised look on his face. "That is something different from the last time I gazed upon your body."

Thranduil let out a small chuckle as he finished taking off his tunic. "It was done a few thousand years ago. They are overly sensitive and make for a very erotic experience."

Elrond lightly touched one and felt the hard shiny metal, taking liberties to gently tug on it. He was rewarded by a low moan that formed deep inside Thranduil's throat at the sensations that coursed through his body. The noise excited him, and made him feel so many emotions all at once that he was able to push aside his grief.

He leaned into him and brought his lips around one of the metal rings, pulling it softly into his mouth. This time it was not a moan but a deep growl that he received from the Elven King. He could not say why, but it was all of a sudden very important that he be with him again. He needed to feel loved, to feel wanted, to feel alive.

Thranduil could see that Elrond had made up his mind. It was what he wanted and he was there to take care of him. If it was what was needed, then he would give into him. He gently pulled Elrond away, and smiled at the frightened look he saw in his eyes. "Do not fret, I only wish to take you to the bed."

Elrond did not object when Thranduil picked him up easily and carried him to the soft bed. He placed him gently down among the pillows before taking his place at his side. Elrond felt a brief pang of sorrow as he thought about all of the times he and Celebrian had made love in that very bed. He knew it was no disrespect towards her if he let Thranduil take him here. They would not be reunited for many years and she would not wish for him to be alone.

He felt Thranduil's lips on his neck and he let his head fall back to give him more room as he worked his way down to his chest. He waited patiently as the Elf King unfastened the robe and tunic, gently urging him to sit up so that he could strip them away and toss them onto the floor.

The second their skin touched, Elrond felt the desire within build to the point of utter bliss. He caught Thranduil's lips with his own and wrapped his fingers in the long blonde locks. He could feel the rings of metal brush against his own nipples and it excited him. The long dreary days and weeks seemed to pass out of his mind as he was consumed with thoughts of being with this Elf once again.

His hands roamed over the taut skin of Thranduil's back, pulling him closer, feeling his heart beating within his chest as it pressed against his. His long locks feel caressingly against his chest and added to the arousal that he felt. Their kisses became deeper and more aggressive as each one lost what apprehension they had held.

"I need you," Elrond whispered as he broke the kiss and looked up into Thranduil's face. The Elven King smiled and nodded as he leaned back to unlace his breeches. Elrond watched him, anxious to see his erection as it sprang forth from his pants. He could remember well, how he had been impressed with the thick member when he had seen it for the very first time. Thranduil had been innocent then, and he had been the teacher. Tonight, it was his turn to take the passive approach. Tonight he would let Thranduil comfort him and show him love. He would let Thranduil be the teacher.

His eyes watched every move as Thranduil removed his clothes and he waited for the elf to sit back on the bed. Words were not spoken, but they were not needed as their looks conveyed so much more to each other then words could ever express. Thranduil began undoing the lacings of his lover's pants and Elrond lifted his hips upwards so that they could be pulled off and discarded with Thranduil's on the floor.

He felt the slight chill to the air, but it was lost when Thranduil's body covered his own, their erections touching and grinding together as they moved to create a friction between them. "Long is the time that I wanted to feel this way again Melethron," he whispered in Thranduil's ear as he ran his tongue along the delicate point. He was rewarded by the throbbing of the younger elf's member as it pulsated against his own.

Thranduil kissed down his body, lingering on the soft skin of his thighs, ignoring where he really wanted his lips to touch. Elrond bucked against him and he laughed quietly. "Eager are we Melme?" he teased. Elrond answered him with a moan of his own and Thranduil finally relented by taking him fully into his mouth. He teased and tormented the erection with his lips and his tongue until he could taste the liquid that spilled from it. It tasted just as he had remembered from all those thousands of years ago.

"Please," Elrond gasped. "I need to feel you inside of me Mir nín."

Thranduil sat back on his knees and looked down at the Elf Lord on the bed. He was beautiful, he looked very much the way he did when they had first been together, although the roles were now reversed. It had been him who had laid on the bed, begging for his release, longing for his touches and his kisses. How time had changed much since then.

"I will give you what you wish," he said, his voice laced with his own desire. "Do you have something we can use?"

Elrond knew what the Elf King meant and he reached over into the side table drawer, pulling out a small bottle of oil. Thranduil smiled as he took the bottle and opened it, the smell of the sweetly scented oil reaching his nose. He quickly coated his length and then set it aside. He took one last look at Elrond's eyes before placing himself at the elf's opening, slowly letting himself slide into his warmth.

He moaned as he felt the heat encase him, burying himself fully into his lover until he could go no further. He lifted Elrond's legs and began to move slowly within him. With each thrust he felt himself grow closer to him. He knew there could never be anything real between them. They had appearances to maintain and their realms to run. Still, a discreet relationship would be possible.

Elrond gasped as he felt himself being taken. He moved himself in conjunction with Thranduil's thrusts and he lost himself to his passions as he felt himself reach his peak. With a slew of soft words he professed what he had held back for so many years. His love for the Elven King of Mirkwood.

Thranduil had heard him and had lost his own control, the words sweet music to his ears as he spilled himself into his lover's body. Words that he had waited so long to hear, yet had felt them each and every time they had been together.

Breathless and tired he removed himself and walked to the small basin to retrieve a cloth and some water. Carefully he wiped himself clean and then did the same to his lover. Setting the items aside he crawled back onto the bed and brought the covers up over them both.

They wrapped themselves in each other's arms as they listened to the rapid beating of their own hearts. It was several minutes before either of them broke the silence and when they did, it was Elrond who spoke first. "Thank you Melethron, for showing me how much you still care. Without you these past weeks I do not think I would have made it. I surely would have faded. You have shown me that my heart can go on."

"You are welcome my love," Thranduil said softly as he caressed the Elf's cheek. "I knew you had the strength within you to overcome this obstacle. I was happy to spend this time with you."

Thranduil's visits continued for two more weeks, although he seemed to spend more and more time there. It was when he was preparing to leave for the Last Homely House one morning to see what needed to be taken care of, that he was surprised to find Elrond dressed and waiting for him by the door. "Meleth?" he asked him, puzzled but delightfully surprised.

"I am ready to return," Elrond said. "Life must go on."

Thranduil smiled and held out his arm for him. Together they walked to the edge of the woods before pulling apart. They had discussed their lives together and both had agreed that a discreet relationship would work. Elrond would be forever grateful for his friend and lover who had taken the time and the challenge of pulling him out of his destructive sorrow.

*****

THE END

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