Dependency

Posted: April 2003
Fandom: Tolkien
Genre: FCS
Author's Name: Kharessa Bloodrose
Characters: Glorfindel/Erestor
Rating: PG-13, light R
Summary: Erestor trips.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or settings, nor am I making any profit from the writing and sharing of this story.
Warnings: Romance, angst
Author's Notes: Thanks to Heather, Alex, Jeanne, Angilou, Aradiria, L, and Pira for their feedback and support. Special thanks to Morgana for shoving Erestor down the stairs.

*****

It had been a stupid accident. In spite of all of Celebrian's efforts to break them of it, Elladan and Elrohir still liked to play on the spiral stairway at the house's center, and still tended to forget their toys there when they were shooed away. They had been talked to about this by both their mother and father, they'd been sent to bed early for it, had privileges taken away, and on a few occasions had lost toys permanently. For a while they'd remember, and then someone would run across a wooden sword on the steps or a troop of lead soldiers on the landing.

Everyone knew this, including Erestor, and so he should have seen the wooden horse on the top stair. He should have been looking for something like that, as he and everyone else in the household did, and the incident should have ended with him handing the offending object to Celebrian in her sewing room. Instead he had been distracted, and his foot had come down on top of the wretched thing's red painted saddle. His ankle had twisted and down he'd gone, unable to catch himself until he'd reached the first circular landing.

He'd heard the snapping of bone in both his ankle and knee, felt a sickening wave of pain that had caused him to gray out for a moment as he landed heavily, hand clenched on the smooth stair rail. Both his shoulder and elbow had been wrenched in his effort to catch himself, but that pain was news from a distant country compared to the flaring agony in his left leg. Briefly he'd considered calling for help, but after pausing for several moments to collect and prepare himself, he'd slowly and painfully dragged himself down the remaining stairs.

Reaching Elrond's office had proven to be impossible, but a maid had found him leaning against the wall near the stairs, white faced and sweating. She had immediately dropped the linen basket she'd been carrying to run for help, and soon Elrond had arrived with Glorfindel in tow. Between the two of them they'd gotten him to the healing rooms where his leg had been set and splinted. Elrond's face had been grim when the maid had brought him the cause of the accident, and Erestor suspected that the twins were going to get a little more than a talking to that evening.

He had utterly refused to remain in the healing rooms, even for a few days, and Glorfindel had agreed that he'd be more comfortable in his own rooms. He'd been pleased with his lover's support until Elrond had finally accepted his decision and Glorfindel matter-of-factly hoisted him into his arms. He was careful not to cause any further harm to Erestor's injuries, but Erestor had been positively livid with embarrassment at the thought of being carried through the house. Glorfindel had responded to his protests by mildly asking him if he felt up to walking back, and he had fallen into stony silence.
Now, settled on top of his quilt, he watched Glorfindel fuss about him in a mixture of amusement and annoyance. Elrond had given him an elixir for the pain that had left him feeling relatively comfortable and more than a little foggy, and he couldn't help but snicker at the sight of the still armored warrior fluffing up his pillows and arranging the water pitcher and glass on his bedside table to make them easier to reach.

"You do know that I've just broken my leg? That I'm not a complete invalid?"

The expression on Glorfindel's face was somewhat hurt. "I'm just trying to help."

"I know." Erestor smiled lazily at the ceiling, amusement beginning to win out. He giggled, and Glorfindel eyed him worriedly. He had never known Erestor to giggle before, and he found himself wondering what exactly had been in the medication Elrond had given him.

"I really could have lived without being carried through the entire house, though."

"'Twas not the entire house. If I'd brought you to my rooms, then it would have been the entire house. And would you have wanted to stay where you were?"

"No." Erestor pouted, and Glorfindel struggled to restrain his smile.

"Why don't you get some sleep, lirimaer? I'll come back later in the day to see you."

"Alright." Erestor said, blinking his eyes. Under the influence of the drugs, his eyelids were slipping down with sleep already. He was out before Glorfindel could rise from the bed, eyelashes sweeping cheekbones in the fashion of humans rather than open eyed in reverie. Smiling to himself, Glorfindel bowed to kiss Erestor's forehead before leaving the room.

*****

He awoke several hours later feeling thirsty and somewhat groggy. His leg hurt, but he had no desire to ask Elrond for more of the drug he'd been given earlier. His mouth felt woolen, and he rolled carefully to one side to pour himself a glass of water. The ice had melted but it was still blessedly cool and wet, relieving the dryness of his mouth with refreshing authority.

Erestor glanced up at the hesitant knock at his door. It opened slowly, and a moment later a small, dark head poked around the corner and dark eyes tremulously sought him out. Elrohir hovered in the narrow opening, clearly unsure of his welcome. With a somewhat tight smile, Erestor gestured him in.

The elfling stepped into the room with Elladan close behind him. Erestor was amused to note that the two were holding hands as they approached his bedside, eyes downcast as if they were approaching the gallows instead of their father's chief advisor.

"We're sorry, Erestor." Elrohir said, eyes fixed on the quilt. "It was my horse you tripped on-

"We were playing with it and forgot it there." Elladan finished for him. "If we'd put it away you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

"We'll never leave anything on the stairs again." Elrohir tentatively raised his eyes to meet Erestor's. The elfling looked on the verge of tears, and Erestor reached to gently pat his shoulder.

"I'm glad that you will no longer leave anything where anyone can trip on it, but I am sorry that someone had to be hurt before you learned this."
Elladan's lower lip quivered, and Erestor smiled gently at him. "It is alright; I am not seriously injured, and I'm proud to see that you are mature enough to admit your mistake. I am not angry with you anymore. Here, why don't you two sit down?" He patted the mattress next to him, and the twins clambered solemnly up, making a pointed if wasted effort to do so carefully. Erestor clenched his teeth against a wince of pain until the elflings had settled themselves.

"Ada made us come to visit." Elladan announced gracelessly as he settled back against Erestor's pillows. "We felt bad, but we were scared."

"Am I that much of an ogre?" Erestor arched his eyebrows, and the twins giggled. "At the very least you should have known I couldn't chase you far!"

"Glorfindel would be mad if you tried." Elladan said breathlessly, and Elrohir vigorously nodded his head. Erestor nearly choked on the sip of water he'd just taken, and the brothers exchanged amused glances.

"Now why would Glorfindel be angry?" He asked, unsure if he wanted to hear the answer.

"We heard Cook talking to the maids in the kitchen, and she says Glorfindel loves you." Elrohir said.

"And Elralinde was talking to Ada, and he told her that Glorfindel carried you up here and tucked you in. Are you in love with Glorfindel, too?"

"You know it is more respectful for an elfling to call his elders by their titles. Elralinde is Lady Miralasa to you two."

Elladan shrugged the reprimand off carelessly. "She said we could call her Elralinde, and you and Glorfindel let us call you by name. So, are you in love with Glorfindel?"

Two pairs of wide, dark eyes fixed on him intently, and Erestor took a long drink from his glass. Clearly the twins were not to be diverted. He opened his mouth to answer them when the object of their curiosity appeared at the door. Glorfindel cleared his throat, and the boys glanced up at him in startlement.

"Glorfindel!" Elladan called, a beaming smile on his face. "Erestor's not mad at us anymore!"

"I didn't think he would be, little one." The blonde elf shook his head in amusement. "Now I do believe it's past your bedtimes, and I doubt that your father will overlook that because you are visiting Erestor."

"Isn't it early?" Erestor asked, and Elrohir cast him a look that was half dour, half guilty.

"We have to go to bed right after supper until you're feeling well enough to walk again."

"Well, that shall be an incentive for me to get well quickly." He heaved an interior sigh of relief as the twins climbed down from the bed and scampered for the door. They paused briefly to hug Glorfindel good night before disappearing into the hall. The door swung almost shut, and then quickly re-opened again. Elrohir's head again appeared in the gap.

"So, do you?" He asked, and Erestor blushed scarlet. Glorfindel cast him a perplexed look.

"Yes. Now go to bed!" With a last giggle the door swung shut and the sound of small, running feet receded.

"Do you what?" Glorfindel asked, and Erestor's blush deepened.

"Those elflings hear everything. They asked me if I love you."

Glorfindel laughed. "Well, you got an easier question than I did. They caught me after lunch to ask if male elves could make babies, too. I told them no, and they wanted to know why not."

"Dear Elbereth!" Erestor tilted his head back and closed his eyes. "What did you tell them?"

Glorfindel grinned broadly. "I told them to go ask their father."

*****

"Are you sure you're comfortable?"

"For the last time, yes!" Erestor's tone was beginning to develop an edge to it. "I do not need anything, nor do I wish to go anywhere except for to sleep!"

"I'm sorry, Erestor. I just don't want to cause you any more pain or discomfort."

"I would be far more uncomfortable without you than with you." Erestor said gently as he closed his eyes and tried to release his tension. "And no, that does not mean that I want you to sleep in the chair."

A long pause ensued. "You will wake me, though, if there is anything that you do need or want?"

"Yes, Glorfindel." He said from between gritted teeth, and at last the Eldar settled into blessed silence.

Paradoxically, Erestor found that he could not sleep now that quiet reigned. It was the first night they had shared a bed without also sharing intimacies, and though he knew he was in no condition to make love, that did not change his desire. For the better half of the evening he'd been on the verge of losing his temper with his lover, but in the soft darkness of the bed chamber he wanted to reach out and hold him. Or be held by him.

After the twins had gone, Glorfindel had brought him his dinner. He'd been thoroughly appalled at how little he could do for himself, and it had not improved his temper to be served a meal on a tray in bed. The warrior would have cheerfully fed him if he'd allowed it, had actually tried to do so until Erestor's furious scowl halted him. Glorfindel had taken his tray for him, and had brought back another pitcher of water. When he had commented idly that he wouldn't mind sharing some wine with him, Glorfindel had immediately gone to get it.

He'd brought Erestor his brush, and had held his small mirror for him so that he could take down his hair. It was not uncommon for him to comb and braid his hair for him, but on this night Erestor had held his hand out for the brush in silent demand, and so he'd been permitted to do that for himself. It had been necessary to accept some help in changing into his bed clothes, and that was another new experience. He never wore anything to bed with Glorfindel, but he assumed that his partner wanted to keep the flesh to flesh tease to a minimum.

Erestor stared at the ceiling, muscles tense. He could walk enough to handle necessary functions. Glorfindel's constantly offered help was not required, and he felt as if he were suffocating. Even so, the gap between them on the mattress felt like a vast gulf, a cold and empty expanse where none should be.

"Glorfindel?"

"Hmm?" He replied muzzily, and Erestor swallowed, lips tightened.

"I'm sorry. Go back to sleep."

"No, what do you need, Erestor?"

"Could you lie closer to me?" The words were curt, half strangled, and Glorfindel lifted his head to look at his lover's profile. Erestor stared up at the ceiling, face expressionless.

"Of course." He scooted closer and rolled on his side, carefully draping his arm over Erestor's body. "Better?"

"Yes."

"Good." Glorfindel kissed his temple, gave him a gentle squeeze. "Sleep well, melethron."

Silence again, and then, abruptly. "I can touch you, if you want."

"Touch me?" Glorfindel blinked eyes that had been going blank with sleep, looked questioningly at Erestor. The dark elf had turned his head to one side so that he could look back at him, and his chocolate eyes were full of slightly confused worry.

"We cannot make love in the manner that we are accustomed to, but I can still pleasure you."

"You need your rest, and I will not wither away while I wait for us to make love again."

"Dammit, Glorfindel, I've broken my leg. I'm not an elderly human cripple." His mouth narrowed, and again Glorfindel kissed him lightly, chastely.

"I know you are not, but I will not take pleasure when I can not give it in return. Give it a few days, and then we will not need to worry about muscle tension."

"I want you." Erestor whispered, took Glorfindel's hand and rested it between his thighs. The warrior sucked in a breath at the heat under his palm, the rigid hardness prominent there.

"I know, Erestor, and I want you, too." He gritted his teeth. "But you need a little time to recover. Behave or I shall sleep in the chair."

The hand that had been covering his abruptly vanished, and Glorfindel removed his own with a mixture of relief and regret. Now he, too, had a raging erection to contend with, and Erestor was once more glaring at the ceiling.

"Do you expect me to sleep with –that- stabbing me in the hip?"

"Whose fault is it that –that's- stabbing you in the hip?" Glorfindel muttered into Erestor's hair. "I thought you wanted to go to sleep."

"I did."

Silence stretched out. Glorfindel shifted against Erestor's form, his arousal finally abated. His lover's heartbeat was strong and rhythmic under his hand, and he began to drift into reverie as he nestled close.

"Glorfindel?"

"What?" He blinked fully awake once more, held back a sigh.

"I'm sorry, Glorfindel."

"It is alright, lirimaer."

"I do not want to be a burden to you. And…" Erestor hesitated, his words becoming low, tentative. "I do not want to disappoint you."

"You have never disappointed me, and you never will."

"But Glorfindel…"

"Erestor."

"What?"

"Go to sleep."

*****

Part 10

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