The Song Of Sunset
Part 20 - The Journey to Mordor
Posted: November 28, 2008
*****
Elrond entered their tent nervously. Glorfindel had said that they would camp to wait for the dwarves and the armies of Lothlorien and Greenwood. The army of Gondor was a few miles ahead of them. Elendil would probably arrive tomorrow to discuss strategies. Faced with the prospect of spending two days with Erestor in the same tent made Elrond decide to forego his tunic and leggings for formal robes.
The tent was empty, Erestor was probably still with Gil-Galad preparing for the next day’s war councils. Elrond sighed as he took out a long grey robe from his chest before undoing his tunic and slipping the robe on. As a better precaution, he did not remove his leggings. He snuffed out the torches in a sand vessel enveloping the tent in darkness. It reminded him of the safety of Maedhros’s encampments. There was never light in the night, yet he had felt secure. He relaxed on the bed, lying down languidly on his stomach.
Erestor came in an hour later, his tread soft meaning not to wake Elrond.
But Elrond raised himself into a half-seated position as he murmured, “Is your day over? I trust the time you spent with Gil today was not uncomfortable.”
“No”, Erestor sighed as he removed his tunic and leggings in the darkness, before fumbling for his nightrobe in his chest, “Though he reminded me every possible opportunity that I had angered the High King himself. Still this will be nothing when Elendil and his sons arrive”, he fastened the ties on his nightrobe and joined Elrond on the bed, “I hope you do not mind sharing a bed.”
Elrond shook his head saying, “I will appreciate the company as we near the destination, I daresay.”
When he woke in the morning, he was surprised to find himself facing Erestor’s relaxed face. Then he remembered. Watching the steady rise and fall of his companion’s chest, he felt a sudden longing to run his hand along the smooth expanse of skin. Erestor’s hair had fanned out and was spread on Elrond’s form, tickling him gently. Carefully, he tried to extricate himself from the bed covers without waking the sleeping form beside him as his arousal grew. He gasped in horror as his erection brushed against Erestor’s leg, causing the sleeping elf to awake suddenly.
“Elrond”, Erestor murmured as he snuggled underneath the bed covers, “You are an early riser.”
Elrond sighed in relief as he tried to move away.
Erestor pulled him deftly so that they were lying alongside saying sleepily, “It is cold, you are warm.”
Elrond cursed silently as his arousal began dampening his robes. But Erestor had drifted into his dreams again. Elrond moved away carefully and crept out of the tent. Glorfindel was watching him closely as he pulled his robe closer about him to hide the too obvious bulge.
“My tent is empty, you can go there”, the Balrog Slayer offered sympathetically, “Elrond, if you want, we can swap places, Gildor will not mind. Two beds.”
“No, mellon-nin”, Elrond said smiling pensively, “I am glad actually, apart from moments of embarrassment like these, it is as close to the blessed realm as I can be, to wake holding him. To watch him sleep, his features so innocent and noble”, he shuddered, “it reminds me why I love him, and I am glad of the pain it gifts me for it is a sweet pain.”
By the time Elrond returned, Erestor was already dressed in deep brown formal robes and brushing his hair and said harried, “The Gondorians have come. Gil is discussing strategies today. Oropher and Amdir have already arrived. Our prince looked in to greet me before leaving to dress for the council. And he was surprised when I told him we were sharing a tent. Now I have to go and receive the delegates because Gil is in his bath, Glorfindel refuses to go, you were missing leaving only me as usual. Where were you?”
Elrond just smiled and dressed hurriedly. It would not do to tell Erestor that he was the reason why Elrond had gone missing.
When Elrond entered Gil-Galad’s tent, the Gondorians and the dwarves led by Durin had arrived. Amdir, Amroth and Celeborn entered behind him bidding him a good morning as they did. Gil-Galad was deep in conversation with Erestor, maps spread out before them. Glorfindel was shooting filthy looks at Isildur who responded with equal willingness. Elendil was talking with his younger son.
“Elrond”, Gil-Galad called him, “Where is the Lord of Greenwood for we wait for him alone?”
Elrond wondered why he was supposed to know of Oropher’s whereabouts.
Celeborn answered, “He will be here in a few moments, Lord Gil-Galad. He was delayed by urgent business.”
Gil-Galad nodded irritably before turning to Erestor once again. Elrond wondered how they could spend time in each other’s company despite the harsh tension of their situation. Oropher arrived a few moments later, followed by his second seneschal. Elrond wondered where Thranduil was. Erestor’s curious glance directed towards the Sindar King made Elrond know that he was thinking the same.
“Lord Oropher”, Gil-Galad began impatiently, “Now that we have been graced by your presence, can we start or are we to wait for your son?”
Thranduil entered the tent, his fine features set in a light scowl as he went to stand by his father and King. He had obviously heard the High-King’s words.
Oropher said coolly, “We had set the meeting at ten. I find that you are early, that gives you no reason to call us late.”
Gil-Galad began to retort, but Erestor said clearly, “Now that we have all assembled, let us not waste time, My King will briefly tell us of his strategy to combat the forces of the enemy.”
Gil-Galad said in a calmer tone, “I would first hear my fellow ruler’s commitment and conditions to lead into battle their forces. Are they willing to accept my command?”
Durin said determinedly, “We will fight alongside you, Lord Elf, but never under you. Conditions, we have none. Except that you treat us as you would your own warriors, with the same courtesy and respect.”
Isildur cleared his throat at what he felt to be a dry speech. Gil-Galad merely bowed to the great Dwarf King and then turned to Elendil.
The handsome ruler of Gondor said, “I have no conditions on my part, merely gratitude that Gondor is not alone in this battle. I will accept the leadership of the Noldor King as he has more experience and wisdom.”
Gil-Galad said, “Well spoken, Lord Elendil”, he looked towards Oropher, who was still conversing with Amdir, “What say you, King Of Greenwood?”
“I will lead my elves to battle, Lord Gil-Galad”, Oropher paused, “My son, the Crown Prince will command our troops.”
“And Lord Celeborn shall command mine”, Amdir said clearly.
“So you will not cooperate even for a noble cause?” Isildur cut in, “That you have to stand divided? Or is the house of noble Gil-Galad not illustrious enough to command your troops?”
“Prince Of Gondor”, Erestor said quietly, “We are here to pledge alliances not allegiances.”
“True, Lord Consort”, Isildur remarked, noting with pleasure Erestor’s discomposure “Thank you for reminding me.”
“I believe you owe me an apology, Prince Isildur”, Erestor said calmly.
“We were discussing alliances”, Gil-Galad cut in before Isildur could respond, “Lord Isildur, I will not have you insulting my chief counsellor again before me. Now, shall we move on to the strategy? Or is there any demand yet to be voiced for the alliance?”
“I wish for an elven consort”, Isildur said firmly, “An elf worthy of me. Not the cowardly elves you send to me.”
“Dare you call our warriors cowardly? Then it seems that you have too easily forgotten the defeat at the hands of an elven warrior not so long ago” Elrond asked sharply. He could not believe that someone with his twin’s blood in their veins could be so base.
Isildur turned to face him, before saying innocently, “Mayhap the one that defeated me was a true warrior.”
“What do you mean to imply?” Gil-Galad asked him, his eyes narrowed.
“I want a true elven warrior as my consort during this battle”, Isildur said determinedly, “And since you have said that Lord Thranduil is a mighty warrior, I choose him as my consort.”
There was a sudden silence at the end of his words before Amroth said angrily, “If you were not of Lord Elrond’s blood, I would have killed you where you stand!”
Anarion came to Isildur’s defence saying, “My brother said nothing disrespectful, the wood elf should be happy.”
“Lord Gil-Galad, I will not have the prince of Greenwood insulted, by fools who cannot even comprehend the depth of his lineage”, Amdir said sharply, “If the young lord cannot conduct himself in a manner more worthy, then it would be more advisable for him to stay away from these councils.”
Gil-Galad looked at Erestor, but the latter was still speaking to Glorfindel, so he said quietly, “The offer was made by Prince Isildur as the condition on which he would deign to join his army with ours. And we wait to hear Prince Thranduil’s answer.”
Oropher stepped before his son protectively before saying coldly, “For someone who witnessed the betrothal of my son to the Princess of Lothlorien, Lord Gil-Galad, you have a short memory.”
Durin was looking scandalized at the scene before him.
“I am not asking your son to wed me, Wood King. I merely seek him for pleasure till the battle is over, I am married and have sons who will be fighting alongside me”, Isildur reminded him.
Elrond saw the white pain and fury flash through in Oropher’s green eyes before Thranduil stepped forth saying mildly, “Since we are merely discussing consorts, I beg your permission for Lords Oropher and Amdir to retire now. Our troops have not yet settled, and would need supervision.”
Amdir did not wait any further before beckoning to Celeborn. Together, they led a harshly breathing Oropher out of the tent. Amroth closed the distance between him and Thranduil in a gesture of support.
“Now that the dotard has left, will you give my brother an answer, wood elf?” Anarion asked.
Thranduil raised an eyebrow before saying nonchalantly, “I would be proud of being a wood-elf were I one. A Silvan is no lesser than the Noldor.”
Isildur moved forth to stand before Thranduil, “Then if you are no wood-elf, pretty one, what are you, a cave-elf?”
“He is the heir to the throne of the Teleri, and of the throne of the Vanyarin”, Erestor said quietly, “And you would do well to accord him that respect.”
“You have not yet answered”, Gil-Galad said impatiently, “I am ill-inclined to spend my day hearing of your ancestry, Prince Thranduil.”
“I agree, Lord Gil-Galad”, Thranduil smiled coldly, “Prince Isildur, I have no idea why you would even presume to think that I would be overwhelmed by the prospect of being your consort. I want Mordor to be vanquished, and for that I will give my body and soul if need be. I would have given myself as a consort to you for life had you spared my father the ill-courtesy that he does not deserve. But you have hurt him”, Thranduil looked at Isildur coldly, “Do that again and you shall die under my blade.”
“Are you threatening my son?” Elendil asked furiously.
“Not threatening, My Lord”, Thranduil said calmly, “I was merely informing him of my actions should he presume to insult my father again”, he bowed politely before striding out of the tent, an equally angry Amroth followed him.
Isildur sneered, “He talks, he threatens, I will not let that affect me.”
“Then you will have to learn of him the hard way”, Glorfindel retorted before leaving.
Elendil pushed his sons towards the exit of the tent muttering, “That Sauron would hear of what we think of on the very eve of battle!”
Gil-Galad shuffled back to the maps, his eyes avoiding Elrond’s and Erestor’s.
“You knew he was going to ask that”, Elrond accused him angrily, “And you did not even warn Oropher!”
“Elrond”, Gil-Galad sighed, “Sacrifices have to be made by those who are burdened with leadership if we are to win this war. Oropher is right to be angry, but we need Isildur’s men. Do you think I do this willingly, that I bear a personal grudge towards the Sindar? I may dislike Oropher, but I would never wish his son such disgrace. I bear Isildur no more love than you do, indeed I hate him more for what he has wrecked on my marriage.”
Elrond looked to Erestor, but the Chief-Counsellor was marking something on the elaborate maps, his features concentrated in a light frown.
“You could have warned Oropher!” Elrond muttered furiously, “It broke my heart to see his face when he heard Isildur’s base words!”
Gil-Galad nodded pensively, “I should have, but I thought he would not even bear my presence had he known that I had been aware of the human’s designs on his much beloved son.”
“Oropher is no fool, My King”, Erestor spoke for the first time, his eyes still on the map, “He knows that you would be aware of this. As does Thranduil.”
Gil-Galad turned to Erestor saying furiously, “I care not, better his son than my bonded-mate! I will not let Isildur come within a yard of you if I can help it!”
Erestor raised an eyebrow before saying sardonically, “I feel safe, My Lord, by your kind words.”
Elrond watched with increasing apprehension, as Gil-Galad stormed to Erestor and spat, “What more can you ask of me? That I give up this battle because you cannot stand Isildur.”
Erestor looked truly bewildered as he said, “As a chief counsellor, I would never advise that, My King.”
Elrond said tentatively, “Gil, will you accompany me to the barracks? It would do our warriors good to meet you.”
His words fell on deaf ears as Gil-Galad pulled Erestor into his arms and caught his lips in an angry kiss. Erestor’s eyes widened at the brutality.
The High-King broke away ordering, “In our bed, now. I care not for your duties. Elrond, leave us.”
Elrond began to speak, “Gil, I must protest!” But Erestor had already walked with his head lowered unsteadily to the other side of the tent, screened by silken curtains.
“LEAVE!” Gil-Galad turned to Elrond, who reluctantly left, his heart thudding in pain.
He had to find Glorfindel now. Only the Balrog Slayer could handle the King while he was in such a mood. He ran to the barracks, unconcerned by his warriors’ looks, and hailed Glorfindel, who was training with his bow on the archery range.
“GLORFINDEL!”, he shouted, “Join me now.”
The Balrog Slayer came hastily, his expression worried as he approached Elrond, “What is it, Elrond? Did Isildur insult us again?”
“No, mellon-nin”, Elrond wrung his hands in fear, “Gil is in a fell mood and ordered Erestor into his bed. I, I am scared that this will not end well.”
Glorfindel did not even wait to put his bow away as he ran towards the King’s tent, Elrond following him.
Elrond waited nervously as Glorfindel barged in demanding, “Gil, Where is Erestor? He has not yet come to the barracks!”
“By Eru!” Gil-Galad cursed, “Can I not even have my own bonded-mate for myself? Who asked you to come into our bedchamber?”
Glorfindel said in a voice of menace, “You will hurt him, Gil, and I shall not let that happen as long as I draw breath, bonded-mate or no. He returns with me.”
“Glor, please leave us”, Erestor’s voice was cold, “I am touched by your concern, but as the King says, it is a matter between him and I alone. Leave.”
Moments later, Glorfindel came to Elrond’s side whispering, “I can do naught, he is in one of his darker moods and will not let me help him.”
That day, Elrond held a lonely vigil outside Gil-Galad’s tent for Glorfindel had gone to Cirdan to tell him of the news. Barely after dusk, the tent flap opened as Erestor let himself out, his face composed despite the obvious rents in his fine robes and the tousled hair, which had left its braid.
He glanced about and saw Elrond, who hurried towards him, muttering hesitantly, “Is everything all right, mellon-nin?
“As well as they can be. The King is resting and I do not think you can see him now if you need to speak with him”, Erestor pulled his robes tighter, his eyes roving the darkening skies.
“I meant”, Elrond faltered, wondering how to approach the matter without making obvious his too deep fears, “Is everything all right with you? You look not so well.”
Erestor smiled tightly before saying, “I am well, Elrond. I think I will take a quick bath in the river near the Lothlorien tents before I retire. It has been an unsettling day”, his face darkened a moment before he said in a less certain voice, “Can I stay with you for the night? I would not wish to wake the King again, his rest is important now that we are nearing our destination.”
“You should not have to ask such a question”, Elrond said truthfully, “Whatever is mine is yours.”
Erestor nodded before walking stiffly away in the direction of the Lorien encampment. Elrond sighed as he made his way to Thranduil’s tent. He was in need of advice, though he knew that the Sindar Prince would be in a foul mood himself.
“Elrond”, Thranduil was standing outside his tent, watching a group of gulls fly north, “Are things all right there? I tried to seek Erestor out, but could not find him anywhere.”
Elrond took a deep breath before telling the whole story, Thranduil’s face increasingly darkened before the prince finally said, “Erestor is no fool. He must have a reason to believe that Gil-Galad loves him, else he would not give in. And then your cousin is as besotted with Erestor as he was all those centuries ago, it appears to me as a case of pent-up desire and frustration than an unwilling episode. Erestor has, I felt, been tensed by the long abstinence, it does not agree with him. He is like me, I fear. However, I will talk to him tonight. I heard he stays with you. Do you not find it difficult?”
Elrond grinned self-consciously at Thranduil’s knowing smirk before innocently asking the prince, “Who are you staying with?”
Thranduil shrugged pensively, “Alone”, seeing the worry flash across Elrond’s features he said hastily, “I genuinely chose to be alone, for I do not wish to seek pleasure with another now that I have bonded with her. She said she did not mind, but”, he shrugged again, “I thought I should not.”
“I know you have not slept well since you left your land”, Elrond sighed, “I can come at nights just to give you, you know, a sense of safety. No pleasure.”
“Erestor needs you more, I think”, Thranduil smiled softly, “I will manage, I had thought to speak with Lord Celeborn, he might stay with me. Now that we near the enemy’s realm, I need my rest.”
Elrond entered his tent quietly, he had spent a few hours walking in the encampment, thinking of their situations. Erestor was already in bed, his eyes closed as he turned onto the other side, in a deliberate way to prevent conversation. He had still not changed his torn robes, and Elrond could see the red mark of teeth on his neck as his hair slipped down.
“Thranduil came?” Elrond asked quietly as he smelt the distinctive scent of pine and cedar lingering within the tent.
“He did”, Erestor pulled the covers up higher, “I am sorry, Elrond, but I am not in a particularly conversant mood right now.”
“Is there anything I can do to help you?” Elrond asked trying to suppress the guilt, anger and pain in his voice, he could not forgive Gil-Galad, whatever Thranduil had said.
“No”, Erestor said quellingly. Elrond sighed and crept beside him, turning to the other side, willing himself to ignore the slight wince that his companion made when he pulled to the far end of the small bed.
After a long moment, Erestor said quietly, “He was right, when you actually think of it. I cannot let my personal dislike of Isildur affect my counsel to the King. It is not as if he wantonly lets the human insult me or Thranduil. He cannot do much.”
Elrond gave a noncommittal grunt. Erestor said dryly, “Come, Elrond, atleast he made it up to me today despite what you and Glorfindel think”, he paused before adding, “I cannot say that I did not enjoy it. It has been a long time.”
Elrond asked incredulously, “Even when he hurt you?”
“Well”, Erestor said with a hint of suppressed mischief in his voice, “I suppose he would put it the other way around. Whatever Glorfindel thinks, I can manage this. After all, a rather well-experienced Ernil taught me.”
Thranduil paced his tent angrily, he was tired and desired a good night’s sleep, but he could not afford to scare his warriors by screaming like a scared elfling after his nightmares. Maybe, he should have accepted Elrond’s offer. No, he thought half-smiling, that would be a disaster with our mutual desire.
“Ion-nin”, Oropher greeted him as he entered the tent, taking in his son’s distressed pacing, “What is it? No company for the night? It is a remarkably long abstinence, if I may say so. And it obviously disagrees with you.”
Thranduil scowled at his father before walking to pull him into a chair by the low burning charcoal fire, he said pouting, “I will not break my promise to her.”
“Now you understand why I abstain”, Oropher smiled at his son’s faithful proclamation, “I am proud, but this promise is likely to send you to the healer’s, ion-nin, what with your lack of rest.”
“ Ada”, Thranduil rested his head on his father’s lap as he sprawled on the floor, “Stay with me, I am scared.”
Oropher pulled his son’s hair gently eliciting a muffled ‘OW’ before saying teasingly, “You make a strange bed partner, ion-nin, one which I am not sure I should invite into my bed. Maybe you should ask Amroth, or Celeborn. Incest is not a boundary I am willing to cross, ion-nin.”
“I beg your pardon, Ada-nin”, Thranduil looked up indignantly, “You estimate yourself overhigh! Thranduil Oropherion looks for a certain ‘something’ in his bed partners, which I can confidently say that a rusty old blade like you lack absolutely!”
“Well then”, Oropher said laughing, “Maybe Isildur will match your criteria. Certainly, he will possess that ‘something’ you seek for.”
“I would rather sleep with Durin than a human”, Thranduil said laughing relieved to find that his father had left brooding over Isildur, “And with an orc rather than Isildur!”
“Then come, ion-nin, lead this old blade to your bed”, Oropher mussed his son’s hair gently.
Gil-Galad would never understand Oropher unless he had a son like this, the proud father thought as he watched Thranduil’s eyes dilate in reverie. He pressed a loving kiss on his son’s forehead before lying down beside him.
*****
“Elrond”, Thranduil said irritably, shoving his unkempt hair away from his face, as he barged into Elrond’s tent at dawn, “I need your consent to kill your kin, Isildur.”
Elrond sighed in exasperation as he sat up in his bed. Erestor was not in the tent as he had remained behind with the slowly progressing dwarven armies. The tricky alliances faltered as they neared Mordor. Now on the plains before the desolate land of the enemy, where they had camped until they could reorganise and finalise their tactics, Elrond was finding it increasingly difficult to manage the diplomatic façade that his position required him to.
“Ernil-nin”, Elrond automatically mumbled the response that he had given the fair prince so many times, “I would assist you to slay him.”
Thranduil scowled as he joined Elrond in the bed, lying by him, his head supported by his hands.
“What has he done now?” Elrond asked sympathetically, “Maybe you should have remained with Erestor and ridden with the dwarves. I hear that he is in good spirits.”
“Well”, Thranduil sighed, “Durin’s company has its merits, but I cannot let your Isildur fall prey to my father’s fury. As it is, I am resorting to desperate tactics to keep them apart. For Gil-Galad is right, we need Isildur’s armies.”
“If I were Oropher, I would act no different”, Elrond said frankly, “It is a miracle that the human prince still draws breath, for Glorfindel has been baying for his blood since their spat at the banquet all those years ago.”
“Yes”, Thranduil said morosely, “So has been Cirdan and Celeborn. I am hard put to restrain the Balrog Slayer, the Mariner, the Silver Tree and my Ada from making Isildur history. None of them particularly care about diplomacy and all of them hate Isildur more than they hate Sauron. Now, I am struggling with the over protectiveness of the good King Amdir and his son.”
Elrond laughed, “Amdir still refuses to attend councils if Isildur is in attendance. Who would have thought that he loved his daughter’s betrothed thus?”
Thranduil said dreamily, “She will laugh when she hears of this, will she not, Elrond? That I would be so propositioned by a human with four grown sons? Ah, mellon-nin, the decline of my grace!”
“I heard the good Isildur telling Gil that he admired your feminine beauty”, Elrond said wickedly.
He heard the expected sardonic snort followed by the wistful, “I wish, Elrond, that he had asked me before my betrothal, I could have proved him wrong. He would not have stirred for days, the insolent fool.”
“Will you not duel him?” Elrond asked quizzically, as he shifted position to place his head on the prince’s chest.
“I would, but we are on the enemy’s threshold. We cannot afford infighting. That is what Erestor said. And I trust his advice”, Thranduil murmured as he idly ran his fingers through Elrond’s hair.
“For someone who gives great advice”, Elrond said mournfully, “He still does not see my love.”
Thranduil snorted, the rumble in his chest tickling Elrond’s neck before saying, “That is one thing I have wondered about, Elrond. That you should have such kin as Isildur who proposition elves he does not even know when you, the mighty herald of the High-King himself, hide your love with friendship.”
“Still”, Elrond whined, “I have given him enough reasons to suspect.”
“He is no fool, Elrond”, Thranduil said drawing his fingers lightly along Elrond’s neck, making him shudder, “He is a diplomat and a strategist more intelligent than me. What I have seen, he will have seen earlier. Yet”, he paused as he felt Elrond’s pulse increase in anxiety, “Maybe he does not look for lust where he has never expected it to arise. It is as well. It is risky, for he is married to the High-King and you are betrothed to Galadriel’s daughter.”
“What would you have done in my place, Thranduil?” Elrond asked quietly, his heart beat an unsteady drum in his ribs.
“I”, Thranduil contemplated, “I may have answered that I would proclaim my love from the rooftops, had you asked me this before Anoriel”, his face softened, “Now, Elrond, I understand you, I would act no differently. I would only wish to see him happy and safe.”
“Elrond”, Gil-Galad’s sharp voice paused their idle conversation, “Come out a moment.”
Thranduil said lazily, “Go, see to it, and return, I feel too comfortable to leave and anyway it is better he does not see me.”
Elrond nodded as he got out of bed and pulled up the covers to Thranduil’s chest before throwing on a light tunic over his leggings and walking out. Gil-Galad stood with Glorfindel, both of them talking rather coolly, their relations had never improved after Erestor had first departed for Imladris and now, it was with increasing hostility they viewed each other.
Glorfindel said, “Elrond, I want you to see this deployment plan.”
Elrond bent over to study the parchment, they discussed it for a while before Gil-Galad muttered, “I will help myself to water, Elrond. I am rather thirsty as the Lord Glorfindel had woken me from my rest.”
He entered the tent without hearing Elrond’s soft groan. Glorfindel asked him concerned, “Who is in there?”
A moment later Gil-Galad’s surprised exclamation could be heard followed by a rather sleepy prince saying, “Good day, Lord Gil-Galad. I thought I had lain to sleep in your cousin’s tent this dawn.”
Gil-Galad suppressed an impatient retort as he said calmly, “I am sorry to have disturbed your rest, Ernil Oropherion. I was merely surprised.”
Thranduil looked around before settling down into the bed muttering, “It is Elrond’s tent. Thank the Valar, my father would have skewered me had I awoken in your tent.”
“I do not cheat on my bonded-mate, Ernil”, Gil-Galad said defensively, tearing his gaze from the slender form on the bed, “Whatever he might presume to the contrary.”
“Well”, Thranduil snuggled into the bed, pulling the covers higher, “I did not imply that you would cheat on Erestor, my Lord. I merely meant that my father would have been displeased had I been found in your tent, in your company.”
“Oropher hates me”, Gil-Galad said harshly.
“So would you hate my father had he proposed to send your son as a consort to a human prince whose value of life and love is despicable”, Thranduil said evenly, his eyes holding the King’s boldly.
Gil-Galad shrugged, “I need to hold an alliance together, Thranduil, and I cannot afford Isildur’s withdrawal now.”
“Bed him if you will to keep your alliance intact, Lord High-King, but do not support him in my matter lest my father finally vents his anger on both of you”, Thranduil said quietly, “I cannot promise to hold him back if it happens.”
Gil-Galad nodded curtly and made towards the entrance when Thranduil called after him, “I too have scruples of honour, Lord High-King, I will not cheat on my fiancée, no more than you will cheat your bonded mate.”
Celeborn watched with increasing apprehension as Oropher strode towards him, there was a fire in his cousin’s eyes that had been damped out centuries ago.
He asked the King soothingly, “Are you well?”
“Celeborn, I would kill the human if I lay my hands on him, he was following my son around today morning!” Oropher said furiously.
“I will ask my wife to speak with Gil-Galad”, Celeborn said reassuringly. Oropher sighed as he relaxed into his cousin’s embrace and followed him into the tent.
Celeborn made sure that Amdir and Oropher were engaged in the archery range, before he touched his wife’s mind. It opened to him immediately, concern and relief spreading through their bond.
Elrond lazily watched Gil-Galad duelling with Cirdan, their perfect moves made the fight look like a synchronized dance. Something he had never achieved, his technique had always been brutal than elegant. But then, he had studied under Maedhros, whose style was a more dance of death than one of refinement.
“Herald”, Galadriel’s voice invaded his mind, “You must go and inform Elendil of his son’s perversion of Thranduil. Oropher may do something rash, if we do not act quickly. You will start the battle soon, end this folly before that.”
“Tell your nephew”, Elrond said reasonably, “He is on better terms with Elendil.”
“By the time I persuade him to seek Elendil out, it will be too late. Oropher’s wrath is terrible, Elrond”, Galadriel intoned harshly.
He found himself at Elendil’s tent half an hour later. He wished he had thought to strap his sword on before leaving his own encampment. It is foolish, he thought severely, that I should need a sword in an ally’s tent.
“Lord Elrond”, the human king was all politeness as he ushered Elrond into a comfortable chair and remained standing, “How may I help you?”
Elrond wished that Erestor had taken on this matter, the chief counsellor was an expert in these diplomatic nonsense. He took a deep breath and said, “It is a delicate matter, King Elendil, one in which I seek your counsel as a kin.”
Elendil frowned, but pushing a chair facing Elrond, he seated himself expectantly.
“Isildur’s pursuit of the Greenwood Prince must stop”, Elrond said firmly.
Elendil laughed, “My son is determined to get a taste of that handsome wood-elf. I have tried talking to him, but to no avail.”
“Thranduil is not a wood-elf merely, Lord Elendil, something you must be aware of. Unless you want the wrath of Oropher upon your house, stay away from him”, Elrond said severely.
“I thought that the Prince was past his majority”, Elendil said curiously, “Is it not an elven custom to let the children choose for themselves after they reach their awakening?”
“Oropher is not a usual parent, Elendil”, Elrond warned, “He will go to any lengths if Isildur persists. The last thing we need right now is a battle amongst our allies when we are at his doorstep!”
“What will you have me do, Lord Elrond?” Elendil shrugged, “I cannot send my son away, for he is needed on the field to command my men. If I speak harshly, Isildur and Anarion as well as my grandsons will rebel. I will try, with whatever authority I still have over them.”
Elrond got to his feet saying, “I am grateful to you then, I hope that you have more success than any of us had in this matter.”
Elendil bowed reverentially before his ancestor’s brother and then said hesitantly, “Lord Elrond, in our family, we have passed down the ages, a book, a journal of our first King.”
“Of Elros?” Elrond asked wide-eyed, his twin’s mortality was something that he had never recovered from. The barely healed wound in his flesh sprung open fresh. In his presence, his friends usually avoided the topic of his twin as they did that of his fostering by the sons of Feanor.
Elendil reached out to steady him, but Elrond shook his head determinedly.
Elendil continued, “While it is a treasured heirloom of our royal house and much revered by his descendants, I think that it is yours now”, he went over to a chest and then carefully extricated a silken covered book, “I and my heirs are far too removed from the first King to be enamoured by this.”
Elrond reached with shaking hands for the book and then whispered a soft statement of gratitude before turning swiftly onto his heel and leaving the tent. His breath was rushed and he panted as he reached his own tent. The braziers were already lit as Erestor moved about in the tent, carrying scrolls from the chests to the bed. He turned to greet Elrond brightly.
“You look horrible”, he remarked concernedly to Elrond taking in his disturbed features.
Elrond shook his head silently as he clutched the book to his chest and slowly entered. Erestor dropped his scrolls to the ground haphazardly and moved to steady Elrond, whose cheeks were trailed by silent tears. Elrond remained silent and rigid even when Erestor gently sat him upon the bed before removing his boots and setting them aside. The counsellor then pushed him back upon the bed and stroked his head reassuringly. Elrond broke into bitter sobs as Erestor sang an old lay that had been Maglor’s choice whenever he had to contend with a twin pair of depressed foster elflings.
When Elrond had finally stopped his tears, Erestor asked quietly, “You would desire privacy?”
Elrond said wearily, “I would desire company this night. I am not myself.”
“Then come, let us go to the pond and take a quick dip, Elrond”, Erestor said determinedly, “I stink of dwarven spirits and would not taint your bed.”
“And why should I accompany you?” Elrond asked half-amusedly.
“Because I desire company, mellon-nin”, Erestor pulled him out of the tent, “It is a moonlit night, and this is likely to be our last bath before battle.”
“It is decided then?” Elrond sighed.
“Yes”, Erestor said quietly, “Would that peace would be ours without shedding blood. But we cannot. But you and I are not required to ride this week as Glorfindel and Cirdan will lead our troops.”
They walked to the small pond companionably, their hands linked as they descended to the edge of the water. A solitary guard elf stood sentry as they undressed and entered the water. Elrond was careful to keep his eyes away from Erestor’s naked body and sighed mentally with relief when the advisor was waist deep in the water. He joined Erestor and they lazily relaxed.
“Mellyn-nin!” Thranduil hailed them merrily as he took off his robes and discarded them on the rocks before diving in gracefully, “I had not expected company.”
Erestor said smiling, “Even we Noldor are in need of a bath occasionally, though we stay away from the dirty work.”
“’Restor”, Thranduil complained as he tried to dunk the chief counsellor who proved too wily for him, “Why cannot even a simple statement of mine escape your barbs?”
Elrond smiled as Thranduil moved towards him and demanded, “Do wash my hair, peredhil, I feel incredibly lazy.”
“You do know that your father has spoilt you rotten?” Erestor asked irritably.
“A fact that I am aware of every moment, mellon-nin”, Thranduil pulled Erestor by a long leg and began washing Erestor’s hair, “Maybe I can spoil you rotten?”
They laughed and jested until Thranduil bid them good night and climbed out, his still wet form wrapped in a light robe that Erestor had loaned him. Elrond thought critically that the prince had never regained his true splendour after the trip to Mandos and back. Maybe after this war, he could persuade Oropher to send the prince and his betrothed to Imladris for a couple of seasons. His musings were interrupted as he heard the sudden sound of Thranduil’s startled shout followed by silence. Erestor and Elrond ran up the pond’s shore, wrapping their robes hurriedly about themselves, and reached the top.
Thranduil was standing pressed against a rock, his robe parted open, revealing his wet torso. Isildur straddled him, one hand running lustfully down Thranduil’s chest, the other holding a sword to Thranduil’s upturned neck.
Elrond said angrily, “Isildur, what madness is this? Release the prince now!”
He realized belatedly that neither Erestor nor he was armed even with a simple dagger.
Isildur sneered, “Lord Half-Elven, you have enjoyed this desire encased in flesh”, he ran his fingers down Thranduil’s stomach, “So I have heard, perhaps you are jealous?”
“Leave him, Prince Isildur”, Erestor said his eyes flashing with suppressed anger, “And we will speak of this no more.”
“What is happening here?” Oropher’s stern voice asked them as he stepped into the moonlight, Amdir and Celeborn with him, “Isildur, release my son immediately.”
“I am sorry, my Lord”, Isildur said quietly, “I will demand a kiss of passion from him as his betrothed demanded scarce weeks ago. Then I will release him.”
Oropher strode forward angrily, “Let my son go now, you filth!”
“Better manners, My woodland king!” Isildur said haughtily, “I merely wish to taste him”, he pressed the dagger against Thranduil’s slender throat, a fine line of blood erupted.
Oropher gasped and pleaded, the pride replaced by fear in his voice, “Let him go, Isildur, and claim what you would from me. Do not hurt my son.”
“Well”, Isildur tilted his head, “Maybe you can fill in for him, I do not much mind the age. After all it does not matter in an elf.”
“What do you want?” Oropher’s eyes were fixed on the dagger, abrading his son’s golden skin.
“Break your long celebrated celibacy with me, my Lord”, Isildur replied quietly, “and I will never harm your son again.”
“As you wish”, Oropher said immediately, “Let him go.”
Erestor cut in before the rest of the dazed elves could even blink, “Lord Oropher, I must insist that-”
“It is my son”, Oropher said softly as he walked towards Isildur, “And I would damn myself a hundred times than see blood on him.”
Elrond watched in helpless horror as Thranduil slowly inched his face towards his father and spoke, “Ada-nin, he asks for a kiss from me. It is not much.”
“Yes”, Isildur paused, his expression guilty, “I would not attempt to demean you, Lord Oropher, a kiss from your son, and I shall leave.”
“My son will not kiss a swine like you”, Oropher said bitterly, “not even when the cost I have to pay is what you set it to be.”
“Isildur”, Elrond cut in, “Let the prince go now and we can still forget this.”
“No”, Isildur said sulking, “I ask for a kiss from the son or a night with the father.”
Thranduil said determinedly, “A kiss it is then, Elrond, Celeborn, hold my Ada back. Ada, I will finish this and return to the tent. You should leave now.”
Oropher opened his mouth stubbornly, but Celeborn and Elrond pulled him back as Isildur pressed his lips against Thranduil’s soft ones possessively. Oropher screamed softly before turning back and running towards his encampment, his eyes wild with rage and grief. Elrond, Celeborn and Amdir followed him in fear.
Erestor said calmly, “That is enough, Isildur, or I shall risk slaying you with my bare hands.”
Isildur broke apart and then slunk away through the bushes, leaving Thranduil to press his hands against his bruised lips, tears trailing down his eyes. Erestor did not speak as he moved to embrace the young prince of Greenwood, they stood silently, their breaths the only sound in the night.
“I am tainted”, the prince said sadly.
“You are a fool”, Erestor said gently, “that you would think yourself thus”, he pressed a chaste kiss on the Prince’s nose, a gesture they had shared many thousands of time in their long friendship, “Come now, let us go see your father. He must be worried.”
“He must be half-dead with fear”, Thranduil sighed as he rested his head against his companion’s chest.
Elrond tried to reason with an angry Amdir who was rousing his commanders from slumber, a feral expression on his visage.
“Stay away, peredhel!” Amdir spat, “He has insulted my daughter and my son by law!”
Celeborn entered the tent and pulled Elrond aside muttering, “I have tried to reason with Oropher. He is determined. I think you should run to Gil-Galad and seek his aid. I spoke with Galadriel, she agrees.”
Elrond sighed and ran to the high-king’s tent. Gil-Galad was about to retire.
Elrond said panting, “Gil, Isildur assaulted and insulted Thranduil before his father. Both Oropher and Amdir are determined not to ride with the humans. They ride at dawn together to the black gates! Please, Gil, we must stop this folly.”
“I cannot, Elrond”, Gil-Galad sighed, “Oropher will not forgive the insult. Would that Galadriel was here. We can only ride alongside them when they charge.”
Thranduil and Erestor entered the tent, despite the situation they carried themselves with their usual pride. The Sindar prince’s lips were slightly bruised, the only visible indicator of his traumatic experience. Erestor’s eyes were cold as the chief counsellor reassuringly brushed past the prince to position himself behind his king.
The prince bowed to Gil-Galad before saying quietly, “The Kings of Greenwood and Lothlorien will ride for battle come dawn. As you well know, the numbers are not sufficient. I will not see elves slaughtered on the plains. If you can, I beg you to ride with us.”
“Does Oropher know you are asking this of me?” Gil-Galad asked.
“No”, Thranduil said firmly, “And he will not accept it if he knows. But I think not of your pride or his will, but of my people.”
Elendil made his way in saying sadly, “My sons will not ride with the Greenwood army, Gil-Galad. I know of no way to persuade them.”
Thranduil said softly, “I would beg Isildur himself if it would help. I cannot willingly lead my elves to death.”
“Ernil-nin”, an aide entered, “your father awaits you at the barracks.”
Thranduil sighed before embracing Elrond tightly murmuring, “To think that we were laughing mere hours ago.”
He turned to Erestor, who said quietly, “I ride with you, my prince. Do not oppose me, for I have sworn an oath to your father to protect you. Even if I had not I would let you ride alone.”
Elrond said firmly, “I agree with him, Thranduil. We will lead our host soon enough, I will get our commanders.”
Thranduil smiled sadly at Gil-Galad, who was still trying to reason with Elendil, saying, “Lord Gil-Galad, I see that you have already forsaken elven wisdom for human lust. This is how your ancestors fell, my lord. I warn you.”
Gil-Galad said nothing as Erestor came to him and despite Elendil’s presence, the chief counsellor reached up onto his toes and kissed the King passionately, saying, “If I do not return to you, then I can atleast the comfort of the lingering taste of your lips on mine.”
Elrond averted his eyes and strode out; Thranduil was already walking towards his father’s tent.
“Ernil-nin”, Elrond caught up with him, “Will you talk with Oropher again? Grief and vengeance are not good in a battle.”
“I know, Elrond”, Thranduil wearily pushed his braids away from his face, “And I fear. But I will speak with him. You make haste and array your troops.”
Elrond pulled him into a rough embrace whispering harshly, “Take care of yourself, mellon-nin.”
Thranduil returned his embrace whispering as he looked at the red sky to the east, “It will be a bloodbath.”
Erestor asked Gil-Galad quietly, “You will send out Glorfindel and Elrond?”
“I woe this”, Gil-Galad murmured as he watched the long plumes and the shining shields of the armies of Lothlorien, Greenwood and their dwarven and human allies shimmer in the harsh dawn, “They will all die, and it will be my fault.”
“Send out our armies”, Erestor said softly, his eyes holding a silent plea as they looked into the King’s deep grey eyes, “There are too many souls who are riding to war not even knowing that a stupid man’s folly and a father’s love are the only reasons for this madness.”
“Glorfindel and Elrond will take a flank out”, Gil-Galad sighed, “So much for all those days spent strategizing, we are once again winded short by our own follies. I would slay Isildur with my bare hands if I could.”
Celeborn approached them, there was an unusual harshness in his blue eyes. He bowed to Gil-Galad before saying, “Will you join us? Or do you still justify the human?”
Gil-Galad sighed, “You are my kin, the humans are not. Yet for the sake of the greater good, I cannot choose”, seeing the coldness on Celeborn’s features, he continued sadly, “I will do what I can. Your blood, if spilt, is on my hands, I know.”
Celeborn gave a rolled up scroll to Erestor saying quietly, “I would trust nobody else with this”, he looked at the High-King angrily, “From Oropher, he wants it sent to the Havens and to Valinor by the first ship thither.”
“I will see to it”, Erestor said determinedly, “Celeborn, stay safe.”
Oropher stood still as his son carefully arrayed him in fine elven armour. He wished desperately that he had sent his son across the sea, to the land of eternal peace. Despite his rigid composure, a single tear stained his hollowed cheek.
“ Ada”, Thranduil knelt down to fasten metal claps on the boots, “You are my father, are you not also the king of our people? Is not their safety more important than my honour?”
Oropher said in a hollow tone, “Yes, ion-nin, it is so. But what is done cannot be repaired. I have asked Celeborn to call for Gil-Galad’s troops. Durin will join us, he has sent word.”
Thranduil wrapped his arms around his father’s slender waist and rested his head against the armour clad chest whispering, “You are my father. I would love you no less if you signal for a halt to this now.”
Oropher raised him saying quietly, “I wish I could. Ion-nin,” he paused uncertainly, the fears in his mind looming like a huge spectre, “Will you promise me something?”
“As long as it does not involve something extremely sentimental”, Thranduil said smiling softly as he placed Oropher’s helm on his head.
“You must sail for Aman with Anoriel should anything happen to me”, Thranduil’s eyes narrowed at Oropher’s last words.
“You will be all right, Ada”, Thranduil chided glowering, “Even if I may knock you with the flat end of my blade after this for your stupid stubbornness.”
“Promise me”, Oropher begged, as he ran his fingers along Thranduil’s cheek, “Promise me that you will.”
“My Lord Oropher”, an aide entered, “The Lords are ready to ride and the troops are arrayed.”
Thranduil said quietly, “Come, Ada-nin, let us make haste. I can promise you nothing. You are a king. And I am a crown prince. We have our own ties to bind us to Greenwood and to Middle Earth. Should I fall, you will have to remain to rule our fair woods. And should you not return, Ada, I will do whatever I can, though I”, he faltered, “I will no longer be what I am now. But we cannot selfishly rule our fates, Ada, there are those who need us, our realm needs us. We must return to Greenwood.”
*****
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