Resurrection 50

Resurrection

Part 50

Posted: March 2, 2007
Title: Resurrection
Author: Larien Elengasse

Summary: Long journeys come to an end and a new one begins.

*****

As the weeks passed, the four old friends grew more at ease with one another, and Thranduil and Legolas joined the once tightly knit circle of kinship. Legolas and Erestor quickly became friendly, as Erestor appreciated Legolas’ innate sense of curiosity and he quickly began indoctrinating the young prince with the history of Middle Earth, and the ways of politics and negotiation. Erestor was glad that there was no awkwardness or jealousy in the prince’s heart, and he was sincerely glad that Legolas and Gildor were so in love. He would always love Gildor in some way, but the truth was that he had always been in love with Glorfindel.

The caves were bustling with activity, and of course, Erestor could not resist first joining in, then taking over. Thankfully, Thranduil’s own seneschal was more than understanding, and it turned out that both he and Erestor shared the same sense of taste and attention to detail, so the planning went smoothly.

It was a cool, bright, breezy autumn afternoon when four old friends reclined on a hillside, soaking in Anor’s rays. Glorfindel and Erestor lay close together, and Lindir and Gildor rested on their own blankets. Lindir held a small flower in between his fingers, twirling it around, occasionally bringing it to his nose. Gildor lay on his back, looking up at the sky and watching fluffy, white clouds pass overhead. None said a word; they merely enjoyed one another’s company, just as they used to do in the old days.

Lindir remembered one fateful, cold, yet bright winter’s day long ago when the four of them were on a picnic. Things were different then – he lay in Glorfindel’s arms, while Erestor and Gildor sat nearby – nonetheless, it was similar, just four friends enjoying time together. This day, unlike that one in the far off past, there was no awkwardness, no secrets. This day there was only the calm comfort of shared pasts and kinship, and the sense of a bright new day to come.

“Can you do something for me, the both of you?” Gildor asked quietly.

No names needed to be said, they all knew who Gildor was addressing.

“Of course,” Erestor said.

“I feel in my heart that evil still lurks this earth, and I know that one day, Legolas will have to face it. I need to know that when that day comes, he will face it and survive it. I need to know that he will come home to me when it is done.”

Erestor frowned and began to query his friend when Glorfindel interrupted him.

“You know we will,” Glorfindel answered. “I will train him myself.” He looked at Erestor.

Erestor looked back at Glorfindel then turned his gaze to Gildor, who was still looking at the sky. “And I will be sure that he knows of all of the Dark Lord’s tricks, strengths, and weaknesses. I will be sure that he knows all that has come before.”

“Thank you,” Gildor answered.

“It is what friends do,” Erestor replied.

Gildor smiled. “Aye, Erestor, it is.”

* * * *

They stood on the same hillside that they had all gathered upon just two days before. This day the glade was decked in autumn flowers and garlands made from preserved leaves and acorns. The sky was bright blue and the air smelled of cedar and snow from the mountains to the west.

Thranduil was in full Sindarin regalia, his robes and crown reflecting the color and foliage of the wood he ruled. Lindir was dressed in pale blue and shimmering silver, the colors of the winter night sky.

Gildor was clad in the traditional colors of his house, his sword strapped to his hip and a mithril circlet upon his head. Legolas was dressed similar to his father in hues of deep green and soft brown, only less ornate; he also wore a circlet – his was woven with green leaves.

Glorfindel and Erestor stood as witnesses, hand in hand as they listened to the couples exchange vows. Erestor felt his eyes well with tears. Gildor and Lindir were two of the elves he had always counted as family, and now he watched them promise their hearts and lives to one another. Only once had he been happier in his life, and that was the day of his own bonding.

Long years of pain, denial, guilt, and separation were now behind them. This day, all of them were right where they belonged.

The end of the ceremony was marked by a great cheer, and all the guests and witnesses made their way inside as Anor began her descent into the west. The caves were alive with joyous merriment as music, feasting, drinking and dancing carried on into the night.

Erestor felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned to face Gildor. He smiled, fighting back the urge to cry as he looked into Gildor’s bright, wise eyes.

“Thank you,” Gildor said.

“For what?” Erestor asked.

“For being my friend, for loving me all those years, and for teaching me how to love in return.”

Erestor could no longer hold back the tears as he leaned into Gildor’s embrace. “You are welcome,” he said softly. “And I thank you for the same.” As they separated, he caressed his friend’s cheek. He would no longer remember their love with anguish and guilt – from now on, he would remember it fondly. “Now go and put those lessons to good use,” he said quietly. “Your mate awaits you.”

Gildor smiled then left Erestor standing near Glorfindel – it was where he belonged.

* * * *

Legolas lay in Gildor’s arms, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. A smile curved his lips. It was impossible to convey how complete he felt, how at peace he was when he was with Gildor, especially now that they were bonded. It seemed to him that they really were each meant for the other all along. He looked forward to their life journey, to seeing the Misty Mountains and the Hidden Valley, and the wide world outside of Greenwood. Most of all, he looked forward to meeting those others whom Gildor loved so deeply; they were a large part of his mate’s life, and he wanted to know them all.

Gildor’s arms closed around him and he heard his mate sigh in satisfaction. He was also satisfied; as he had always known, he had given Gildor what he needed, and in return, Gildor had taught him what he needed to know about being a warrior-prince. “I love you,” he murmured.

“Mmm . . . I love you,” Gildor replied sleepily.

Legolas smiled and closed his eyes, sliding into a deep, satisfying reverie.

* * * *

Lindir looked up at his beloved. Thranduil hovered over him on his hands and knees, his skin glistening in the firelight, his hair loose, hanging wildly around his head, his eyes dark as night and sparkling like the midnight sky. His whole body thrummed with desire, attuned to his king’s every movement. He waited to be taken, possessed, filled, and loved beyond his wildest dreams.

Despite the long years, each time they made love it felt like the first – each time caused him to tremble and shiver; each time he was overwhelmed.

“I wish to give you something, my songbird,” Thranduil murmured in a deep rumbling tone, “this night that is most blessed among all others.”

“You have given me everything I could ever have wanted already,” Lindir replied breathlessly.

“But there is yet more that you have not dreamed of nor asked for. There is what I have never given anyone before. There is what I will give to no one but you.”

Lindir swallowed. His arousal strained and wept upon his stomach, slick with oil and his own seed. His king’s also stood proud, glistening in the warm light; the sight of it caused him to ache deep inside. It was a feeling he could not describe. “What?” he whispered.

“This.”

Thranduil rose to his knees and took Lindir’s length in his hand. Lindir gasped and groaned as his king lowered himself upon his lap, and he was seated deep inside Thranduil’s body. He fisted the sheets of their bed as his swollen length was taken deep and swallowed by his beloved’s tight passage. “Sweet Elbereth,” he whispered hoarsely.

Only once in his life had he ever experienced this sensation, and that was long ago when he was but a youth and his golden lover was teaching him all about the ways of pleasure. He gazed upon his mate, watching Thranduil’s chest rise and fall, seeing the sweat bead upon it as the king willed his body to relax. His king’s head hung back, and deep midnight blue eyes stared unfixed at the ceiling. Luscious, pink lips, wetted and shining, were parted as Thranduil took deep breaths.

Lindir both recalled his own first breeching and was flooded by the sensations of this experience, and he reached up and caressed his mate’s hips, whispering words of love and encouragement. It was as much emotional as it was physical, this newfound sensation that Thranduil was experiencing. Never had the king ever allowed himself to feel so vulnerable.

“I love you,” Lindir murmured as Thranduil began to move. “I love you so much.”

“I love you,” his mate replied, as Thranduil’s head fell forward and their eyes met. “Help me, Lindir,” the king murmured. “Move inside me.”

Lindir complied, slowly flexing and raising his hips, reveling in the tight warmth of his mate’s body. He reached for Thranduil’s turgid length and stroked it, feeling his own climax burning his blood. His king’s beautiful body moved like water, muscles coiling and stretching, his amber nipples erect and aching to be touched. The deep moans that issued from his beloved caused him to moan in response, and he gripped his mate’s hip tightly in one hand as he increased the pace of his other hand upon Thranduil’s arousal.

“Come for me, my love,” Lindir whispered hoarsely. “Let me see your face, let me feel your essence upon my hand, let me feel you hold me tight inside you.”

Thranduil’s jaw was clenched, and he growled as his seed spilled over Lindir’s hand, then Lindir uttered a cry of release as he flooded Thranduil’s body with his own essence.

As Thranduil came to rest atop him, Lindir wrapped both his arms and legs around his mate. Nuzzling the king’s ear he whispered, “Thank you, my love.”

Thranduil smiled. He was feeling sore, yet strangely satisfied. “Anything for you, Lindir,” he murmured.

“Sleep now,” Lindir purred. “Sleep in my arms.” He pressed a kiss to the top of his king’s head, then closed his eyes and drifted into a warm, deep sleep.

* * * *

“When you meet him, kneel and bow your head. He may not hold an official title, but he is among the best and wisest of all of us.”

Legolas smiled and squeezed his father’s shoulder. “I will, Ada. I will make you proud.”

Thranduil smiled and cupped his son’s cheek. “You always do, Greenleaf; you always do.” His expression grew more serious. “Now, keep alert and mind your back on the road. The mountain passes are narrow and provide opportunity for ambush.”

“Yes, Ada. I am in good company, Glorfindel and Gildor will let no harm come to me.”

Thranduil took Legolas’ head in his hands and pressed their foreheads together. “You are a prince, you are my son, you are Sindar – the most noble and wise of the elven kindred, be proud of that.”

“I am, Ada. I love you.”

“I love you too, Greenleaf.” He released Legolas and watched him walk toward his horse. He then felt Lindir’s arms around his waist, and he turned and took his mate’s face in his hands. “I am going to miss you, my songbird. But I will take solace in knowing how happy seeing your old home and your friends will make you.”

“Are you sure you cannot come?” Lindir asked, knowing the answer.

“Ai, my beautiful, gentle Lindir. I cannot. But you take my heart with you.”

“And you hold mine here, my love. I shall take good care of yours.”

Thranduil smiled. “It will be so quiet here without your music, but your return gives me something to look forward to.”

“We shall go swimming in the river and make love beneath the waterfall.”

“Aye, that we shall, songbird; that we shall. I love you, Lindir.”

Lindir held his king tight. “I love you, Thranduil.”

“Now go, you cannot waste daylight.”

Lindir pulled back and kissed his mate soundly, causing more than one raised eyebrow and grin amongst the palace guard. Then he descended the short stair and mounted his horse, turning and blowing a kiss to his elven king before riding out of the gates.

It was a new beginning, one that could not start until Lindir reconnected with his old life. Elrond would soon have sons. How Thranduil knew that they would one day be important to Legolas, he could not account for; nevertheless, he knew it to be true. This day he watched them ride from his gates, and come spring, Lindir would return to him. It was not the last time he would witness such and he hoped that there would be many homecomings to celebrate in the years to come.

*****

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