An Uir 24

An Uir

Part 24

Posted: April 4, 2008
Title: An uir
Author: Zilah

*****

Erestor was nervous. The spring had finally come to Imladris and soon the escort from Lórien would arrive. Arwen was coming home after spending many years in her mother’s land. The twins had left for Lórien as soon as the weather had allowed them to pass Caradhas and they would be back at home within a few days. No one had been surprised that Prince Legolas had left with the twins. Those three had been inseparable after Glorfindel’s and Thranduil’s wedding. The King was still in Imladris but as soon as the twins were back at home, he would leave for Mirkwood and Glorfindel would leave with him.

For many nights, Erestor had lain wide awake wondering what Arwen would think about their bonding. Erestor knew how much Elrond loved his daughter and he dreaded the possibility that he might cause a rift between them by bonding with Elrond. Not even Elrond’s efforts to assure him otherwise eased his worries.

Erestor rubbed his temples, knowing that it was useless to concentrate on work in this state. He stood and left to see his hervenn, feeling almost a desperate need for Elrond’s closeness.

* * * *

Elrond couldn’t focus on his work. He had felt Erestor’s distress through their bond and he didn’t like the feeling at all. Elrond considered of seeking Erestor out and asking what was matter, but before he had time to do anything the door opened and Erestor stepped in. Elrond looked at his hervenn with mixed emotions.

“Are you all right, meleth?” He asked, even if he knew full well that everything was not all right.

“Am I disturbing you?” Erestor asked with a small voice that made Elrond’s worries increase.

“You could never disturb me, meleth nín. Come here, saes,” Elrond said softly, extending his hand as an invitation. He pulled Erestor close as he came and sat on his lap. They sat a long time in silence, just enjoying their closeness, but finally Elrond broke the silence.

“Would you tell me what is on your mind, meleth?” He whispered, smoothing Erestor’s raven hair.

Erestor hesitated for a moment but finally answered:

“I… what if…what if she doesn’t accept us? I don’t want to be a reason this family falls apart.”

Elrond sighed deeply, but he kept his tongue. He had known that this day would come, and now he needed to support his hervenn as much as he could. Erestor’s insecurities had slowly but surely disappeared during the winter when Elrond and the twins too had shown him how much he was loved and wanted. Erestor had blossomed under their care and Elrond had been happy after seeing that his beloved was finally happy. But still he felt a pang of guilt whenever he thought about his earlier behavior and how much Erestor had suffered because of him.

From now on, Elrond would protect his precious hervenn at all cost. Erestor had given him everything and deserved no less from him. Elrond had been very grateful to his sons that they had accepted Erestor so heartily. Now, he had to convince Erestor that Arwen would do the same, he was sure of that.

“Do you remember how the twins reacted when they found out about us?” Elrond asked gently.

“How could I ever forget? We were caught like teenagers who were snogging each other senseless,” Erestor whispered, blushing furiously.

“Do you remember what they said?”

“I… actually don’t’ remember their exact words, because I was so relieved that they weren’t mad at us,” Erestor admitted, unsure of what Elrond meant by his questions.

“Oh Erestor! They love you, don’t you see that? Why else would they have been so glad that you had finally found happiness? You have been there for them when I couldn’t. They will never forget how you helped them through their grief and loss. And I cannot believe that Arwen would think differently,” Elrond said softly.

“I so hope that you are right. I know that she is dear to you,” Erestor whispered with a hesitant smile.

“She is, but it is you who is the keeper of my heart. Without you, I wouldn’t live a day. I won’t give up on you no matter what happens,” Elrond assured with a firm tone. He was relieved when he felt Erestor finally relaxing. Gently, he cupped Erestor’s cheek and pulled him into a soft kiss.

“I love you, Erestor nín. You will be mine till the end of Arda,” Elrond whispered against Erestor’s lips.

“I love you too. More than mere words can tell,” Erestor breathed and moaned with a low voice. Elrond had succeeded to slip his hand into his robes and now soothed his bare skin. How he loved Elrond’s touch; it always inflamed him but also made him feel loved and wanted.

Erestor didn’t resist at all when Elrond lifted him on the table and started to open his robes. He looked into Elrond’s grey eyes he loved so much and saw sheer desire and love in them. When Erestor continued studying his hervenn, he was surprised at seeing a vial of oil in Elrond’s hand.

“Where in Arda did you get that?” He asked breathlessly.

“I provided this because I wanted to be properly prepared for your visits,” Elrond purred, smiling.

* * * *

Elrond and Erestor were unaware that someone was listening to their encounter. Thranduil and Glorfindel stood in the corridor, waiting for a suitable moment to step in. Obviously, they would need to wait for a little bit longer.

“They are insatiable,” Thranduil chuckled, shaking his head.

“That they are, but they are not the only ones. Besides, this situation brings some very dear memories for me”, Glorfindel smirked, pulling his hervenn closer. Thranduil allowed that happen, but after passionate kiss he withdrew.

“This is not a good idea, meleth. I love you, but we have no time for this, you know that full well,” the King reminded, ignoring Glorfindel’s protests.

“All right meleth. I give up, for now. Otherwise we might end up to the welcoming in a highly inappropriate state,” Glorfindel laughed, adjusting their leggings that had started to feel far too tight.

“I will make this up for you later,” the King promised with an impish smile.

* * * *

Finally the noises ceased and after waiting one more moment, Glorfindel knocked. He smirked when he heard a hoarse command to wait for a moment. When Elrond finally invited them in, they saw the elf-lord behind his desk and Erestor sat on the couch. Both seemed still flushed.

“I’m sorry that I disturbed your… meeting but this couldn’t wait,” Glorfindel smiled teasingly. His smile grew when Erestor blushed even more but then smiled, his eyes blazing with obvious happiness. Glorfindel didn’t have heart to tease him further, for Erestor’s joy was a heart-warming sight.

“What is the matter? Has something happened?” Elrond asked immediately.

“Something has happened, but there is no need to worry. One of my men brought the message from the border saying that the escort is nearing. They should be in Imladris within few hours.”

Elrond rose from his chair, an excited smile on his face.

“Finally they are here! Come, meleth. We need to go to the courtyard,” he said, extending his hand to Erestor.

Erestor tried to smile but failed miserably. This was it; the moment of the truth!

Elrond, noticing Erestor’s distress, stopped him before he had chance to go behind Glorfindel and Thranduil. He pulled Erestor in his arms, holding him tight.

“I love you, Erestor nín. Don’t ever forget that,” Elrond whispered and to his delight, he saw Erestor’s worries easing. But only a little.

“You will see that she will love you like she always has. Who couldn’t love you?” Elrond assured.

* * * *

They stood at the courtyard and saw the escort slowly nearing. Mixed feelings raged within Erestor’s mind; he was relieved that Elrond’s children were safely in Imladris again, but he couldn’t deny his nervousness. How he hoped that Arwen would accept their love, for he knew that he couldn’t give up on Elrond, whatever happened.

The four young elves rode to the courtyard and dismounted. The twins came first to greet Elrond and Erestor, beaming after successful trip. Right after her brothers came Arwen, throwing herself in her ada’s arms.

“It’s so good to be back! I missed you so much, ada!” Arwen laughed happily, when Elrond forgot his manners as a Lord and spun her around. When Arwen finally freed herself from Elrond’s embrace, she turned her gaze towards Erestor and grew serious. For a moment, she just stared at him before breaking the silence.

“So, Erestor. You are now bonded with my ada, right?” She finally asked. Erestor felt a cold wave of fear running through him, for she didn’t show any indication of joy about the situation. Could it be possible that his worst fears had become truth?

“I’m so disappointed with you, Erestor.”

Erestor stared at Arwen, tears threatening to break out at any moment.

“Wh… what do you mean, Arwen? I am very sorry if I have caused you pain in any way,” he stuttered. In his distress, he didn’t see how the twins tried to hide their smiles. Not even Elrond helped him, for he too was stunned wordless by Arwen’s reaction.

Arwen finally decided to give mercy on her beloved tutor and unexpectedly pulled him a hug.

“Oh Erestor! You really are precious!” She began to laugh, not letting Erestor go.

“How could you think that I wouldn’t accept you? Ada deserves only the best and that’s what you are. You have always been,” Arwen whispered and smiled at him. Erestor stared at her stunned, before the truth hit in him: that little tease had tricked him!

“You… you really gave me a fright, Arwen. But I’m so happy that you that you are safely back at home,” Erestor breathed, trying to gather what was just happened.

“I am happy too. But still I am disappointed with you, Erestor. I would have married you myself, but ada managed to catch you first,” she said, and smirked mischievously when she saw Erestor shuffling his feet and blushing crimson.

“Oh, ada! I’m so happy for you both! He is adorable!” Arwen beamed at her ada.

*****

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