Resurrection 43

Resurrection

Part 43

Posted: February 9, 2007
Title: Resurrection
Author: Larien Elengasse

Summary: Legolas and Gildor take their first steps in a life journey.

*****

Gildor watched the iron gates slowly groan open and they crossed a bridge leading into a courtyard. Overhead there was an opening in the rock, filled in by leaded glass, which allowed some light into the area. Tunnels branched off in three directions, one of which had daylight at the other end. Torches burned brightly on the walls, sputtering occasionally, as a gentle breeze moved about in the space. It reminded him of his old home long ago, shadowed, yet some how comforting. He slid off his mount's back first and then helped Legolas down. Large wooden doors opened at the top of a staircase that was carved into the rock, and Thranduil appeared. He smiled as he saw his old friend, then allowed Legolas to lead him to the king.

"Look what I found roaming the western border," Legolas said with a smile.

Thranduil laughed and extended his arms, embracing Gildor with a hardy pat on the back. "'Tis time you returned. I began to fear that Legolas would take up permanent residence at the western post waiting for you."

Gildor stepped back and clasped Thranduil's shoulders. "Forgive me for tarrying so long," he said. "I have missed my dear friends greatly."

"As we have missed you. I know Lindir will be most glad to see you."

"Where is he now?" Gildor asked.

"In his music room. Legolas will show you the way."

Gildor bowed his head as he took leave of the king, and allowed his young lover to lead him to his friend.

Lindir sat on a low backed chair with a large stringed instrument balanced between his legs. It stood upright, balanced on a spike that came out of the bottom. It was made of wood with a hollow body and four strings that ran the length of it. The body was wide and curved, somewhat like an hourglass, and it had a long neck piece to which the strings were attached. Four pegs were at its head, and the minstrel drew what looked like a bow across it; it was unlike anything Gildor had seen before. The sound it made filled the room with a warm, deep, vibrating sound. Lindir slowly rocked back and forth, seemingly dancing with the instrument as he drew the bow across the strings. It was the most beautiful music that Gildor had ever heard.

"He made it himself," Legolas whispered. "He took the idea from the strange instruments called fiddles that the Lake Men play."

"The Lake Men?" Gildor queried in a hushed voice.

"Aye. There is a small township near the lake just outside the boundary of the woods. We trade with them from time to time."

Gildor nodded and then they stood quietly and listened to Lindir play. It had been years since Gildor had watched his good friend lose himself in his music. Music transformed Lindir, taking him away to a place that no one else seemed to be able to reach. Gildor smiled as he watched his friend rock slowly back and forth, eyes closed, a smile curving his lips. When he finished, he lowered the bow and opened his eyes, smiling to himself in satisfaction.

Lindir turned when he heard applause, expecting to find his lover standing behind him. What he found instead was his good friend Gildor. "Gildor!" he exclaimed, gently leaning his instrument against the wall and quickly crossing the room.

Gildor embraced Lindir tightly. "That was extraordinary," he said softly. "I have never heard anything like it."

Lindir stepped back, resting his hands on Gildor's shoulders. "I love the sound it makes. I was not sure it would work when I made it, but after a few tries, it came out like the way I hoped. I like to think that if music had feelings, they would sound like that."

Gildor nodded. "Aye, I do believe you are right. It is beautiful."

"It is so good to have you back," Lindir said softly, giving his friend's shoulders a squeeze. He smiled then turned and kissed Legolas on the cheek. "'Tis good to have you home."

Legolas smiled. "'Tis good to be home. I am looking forward to a warm bath."

"I must plan a welcoming celebration for you, Gildor. Legolas, will you arrange guest quarters for him while I speak with the kitchen staff?"

"Of course," Legolas replied, stepping aside as Lindir made his way to the door of the music room.

Lindir paused and looked back over his shoulder. "I would like to hear of how our friends in Imladris are - at dinner perhaps?"

Gildor nodded. "Of course, I will give you a full report." He smiled as he watched his friend leave the room. It had been a long time since he had seen Lindir so content and happy.

"Come," Legolas said softly. "I think you should stay with me."

"Do you not think I should take quarters of my own? At least until I have had the opportunity to speak with your father."

"About what?"

"About my intentions."

"Intentions?"

"Yes, my intentions toward you, my love."

Legolas chuckled. "Oh, Gildor. That is so proper."

Gildor raised an eyebrow. "I will not make a display of us being lovers until your father gives his blessing. It is the right thing to do. You may be old at heart, but you are still young of age, and it is proper and expected that I enter into a formal agreement of courtship with your father's permission."

Legolas wrapped his arms around Gildor's shoulders. "This is why I love you. You always do the right thing."

Gildor held his lover in his arms, breathing in his fresh, clean scent and enjoying the way Legolas' hair felt against his cheek. "I try to, at any rate," he answered.

"Very well, there are guest quarters near mine where you can sleep. But I warn you, I plan on warming your bed every night that you stay here."

Gildor smiled. "You will get no complaint from me on that accord." He drew Legolas' lips to his own. "Now, how about that bath?" he murmured against the prince's lips.

"Yes," Legolas whispered. "Let us stow your belongings, then I will show you the way." He took his lover's hand and led him from the music room back out into the corridor.

* * * *

Gildor entered the steam-filled room where the king's private baths were located. Warm, mineral rich water flowed out of an opening in the cave wall into a pool where fissures in the rock below caused it to swirl and bubble. He removed the robe that had been provided to him in his guest quarters, and hung it on a peg beside the door, then he stepped into the warm pool of water and sighed. The elves had done a masterful job. The pool's bottom was smooth, and benches had been carved into the rock where the king and his guests could sit and enjoy the healing waters. A small basket sat at the edge that contained various soaps with which to bathe, and against one wall was a long, smooth bench carved out of cedar where one could rest outside of the water and enjoy the steam. Scented candles were held in lanterns that hung on the walls, giving off the aroma of lavender.

He washed his hair and cleansed his skin, then sat on a bench and leaned his head back against the smooth stone and waited for his princely lover. He heard the door creak open and then heard the latch click shut. Opening his eyes, he saw Legolas enter the room and then he watched as the prince slowly shed his robe, revealing his exquisite body.

Legolas smiled as he waded into the water, dipping below the surface, then coming back up, wiping the water from his face as he smiled at Gildor. He entwined his fingers and pushed the heels of his hands together, shooting a burst of water at his lover's face. He laughed as Gildor chuckled and splashed water back at him. A warm smile curved his lips as he waded toward the Noldo.

"Father is in council and Lindir is busy with the staff, so you and I will not be interrupted for quite some time," he said with a sensual grin. "You still have much to teach me."

Gildor smiled in return, placing his hands on his young lover's hips as Legolas stepped up to stand between his legs. "Aye, I do," he murmured, as the prince placed his hands on the edge of the pool and leaned down for a kiss. Just being near Legolas caused Gildor's heart to race like that of a youth near his first love. He allowed Legolas to control the kiss, opening his mouth wide as the prince's tongue slid inside. He moaned deeply, his fingers clutching the Sinda's hips and drawing him closer.

"I love you," Legolas whispered as their lips parted and he knelt down in the water so that he and Gildor were at eye level.

"I love you too," Gildor answered, warmth filling his heart. "There is so much I want to say, so much I want to thank you for."

Legolas straddled Gildor and sat in his lap. "Such as?"

"Such as being brave enough to tell me our future so long ago."

Legolas smiled. "Your reaction frightened me; I thought I had made a mistake."

"You must understand, my love, you were so young. It was a conversation that seemed so dangerous."

"Dangerous because you knew I was right."

Gildor nodded. "Aye, I did; and that is why I was afraid. To be in love with one of only forty years, one whose body had not yet caught up to his fëa."

"You never would have done anything to hurt me; you would have waited, even if you had stayed."

Gildor took Legolas' face in his hands. "It would have been a hard wait, my love. Watching you grow, watching you change, feeling the day grow ever closer. I am afraid I might have been tempted..."

"I know you, Gildor Inglorion," Legolas murmured against the warrior's lips. "You would have never..."

"But I can now," Gildor answered huskily, and he pressed a possessive kiss to his lover's lips.

*****

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