Title: Dance With Me (2/13)
Author: Hare (harefic@yahoo.com)
Type: FPS
Characters: Erestor/Glorfindel
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me in any way imaginable nor am I profiting from this story.
Timeline: This is a flashback story from Lindon-Second Age to Gondolin-First Age, and back again – many, many times.
Warning: Very explicit sexual scenes, angst, rape (part 11)
Beta: Ophelialaughs & Ezimachia – The perfect 1-2 beta-punch. All mistakes are mine.
Summary: Three lives. Two elves. One love.
Lindon - Second Age
Erestor reluctantly roused from his self-induced reverie tinged with a pang of arousal merely from his thoughts. If only his mind would stay on this path. Recalling only the happier times of his past he could be content, but he knew this would not last. He perceived the order of his memories and knew the darker side would rear its ugly head before long, and he hoped his sanity would hold.
The work day was long over, and he had accomplished very little save reminiscing. He quickly stood, shook the cobwebs from his head and gathered his dark robes around him. With years of practice he plastered a bland sneer on his face and strode through the door of his office. His intention to stalk past all elves in his path, but his ever-failing luck placed his employer directly in front of his doorway.
“Ah Erestor, I was coming to check on you. Where have you been hiding this day?”
“Greetings, Lord Elrond, and a good eve.” he proclaimed with a small formal bow, “I have been in my office attending to my duties as necessary. Do you have need of my services, my lord?”
“Nay, dear friend. It is nothing of import, nor am I concerned that you were neglecting your duties. I feel as if I have not seen you for awhile. Is all well?”
“Aye, all is well, and I headed to my quarters, so if there is nothing further, I respectfully ask your leave to attend to my rest.”
“Absolutely. Please, though I do require your presence in my office first thing on the morrow.”
“As you wish.” Erestor executed another small bow. “A good evening to you, my lord.”
“And to you, Erestor.”
He made his escape, trying not to notice the concerned look on Elrond’s face.
Erestor quickly traversed the hallways, outwardly calm, until he reached his quarters, entered and sagged against the closed door. Frantically, he pulled off his robes and slipped into the comfort of his bed. The sheets were warm, soft and inviting and he felt himself easily drifting to slumber for the first time in many nights, for once eager to re-join his thoughts of Glorfindel….
Gondolin - First Age
Officer’s night at the “Hide Away” was one event Erestor never missed. It was a chance for those in charge to relax and mingle with those of similar rank. Strict codes of admittance were adhered to and the ensuing happenings were rarely spoken of in public.
Tonight Erestor arrived late, and the evening’s activities were well underway when he entered the pub. The sweet scent of wine mingled with the hearty aroma of ale welcomed him as he opened the heavy wooden door. Laughter lifted above gay strains of music. From the corner where the small ensemble gathered, Ecthelion greeted Erestor with a quick nod without missing a note that flowed from his silver flute. Legolas frowned slightly, his attention diverted by a complicated flourish up and down the strings of his harp; the other two musicians candidly ignored his entrance.
Glorfindel faced away from him, though he was immediately recognizable amongst the contingency of elves surrounding him. His golden hair shone radiant as sunlight in the lantern glow. Erestor watched for a moment, feeling all the familiar emotions rushing through him. Glorfindel’s group seemed intent on the slips of parchment they were quickly exchanging amongst themselves.
*Ahh, the Game is on*. He thought and sighed heavily. His days of avoiding Glorfindel had done nothing to squelch his need.
Sly glances slid his way as he moved further into the warm inviting atmosphere of the pub. An electric charge filled the place, and Erestor felt the minute hairs on his arms lifting as if lightning was about to strike. A slow silence spread over the tavern and Glorfindel, turned and faced Erestor, his lips rising to a smirk while some unknown emotion played out quickly behind his eyes.
Erestor knew immediately that tonight the game afoot was him. His body tingled in anticipation, and he answered the smirk with a mock glare.
“Erestor! You are late!” Glorfindel bellowed his greeting to the room.
“Aye, and that is because I actually work. You do remember what that is?”
“Some of us are more efficient and complete our tasks quickly.”
“I have heard that you are quickly finished, though this does not seem a quirk you should proudly declare in public! “ Erestor allowed a satisfied grin on his face in response to the laughter throughout the room.
“Rumors? You would repeat tasteless rumors? You know rumors are highly exaggerated and perpetuated by those not privileged enough to partake of the desired fruit. They are all based on envy and wishful longing. Personal knowledge is the way to the truth of the matter.”
“Personal knowledge? Do not make me laugh, Glorfindel! Only a lonely masochistic would partake of this fickle fruit.”
“Fickle, perhaps, but oh so sweet, and though the fruit produces only short bursts of pleasure, it takes many bites to complete the fruit, and so it is that the sum of the parts equal a whole blissful experience.”
Erestor turned away feeling the heat creep across his face and hoped his carefully relaxed expression concealed the emotions raging inside of him. This was not the discussion he had expected. Instead, Glorfindel played some unknown game. It was time for him to turn this exchange back to familiar territory.
Drawing a deep calming breath, he turned back to Glorfindel. “A prudent elf would not seek this experience but flee to less dangerous fare. Unfortunately, we lack a means of escape from our fair city.”
Glorfindel smiled wickedly, appearing to be highly affronted by the statement, but Erestor could see he recognized the diversionary tactic for what it was; an old argument of which they never tired. He stood his ground as Glorfindel strode closer, stopping with his face mere inches from Erestor’s. An aggressive maneuver that warned of the battle to come.
“You dare to question the wisdom of the planning of this city? Plans drawn up by the finest minds on Middle Earth including our lord King Turgon?”
“No one is perfect, Glorfindel, but to build a city with only one public route of escape borders on neglect. This one choice for survival gives the same population we are sworn to protect little hope should we fail in this duty! Not to mention that our king has plans to permanently block this one passage!”
“Are you sure no one is perfect? You seem to have a high opinion of your ideas.”
“I am prudent. Nothing more, yet my warnings fall upon deaf ears. We must have more routes for escape!”
“Your ideas would give rise to pure panic. Is it not enough that all Gondolindrim continually keep a watchful eye for the dark minions? Would you terrify them anew with construction of more passages? Nay! If we are faced with a decision, we either defeat the legions of Morgoth or we perish. There is no other way.”
“You are arrogant and stubborn, and you play loosely with others’ lives!”
“A personal attack now? Can you not think of any further arguments for your precious strategy that you must lower yourself to assaulting my character?”
“I am presenting a proposal for the safety of our kin! This is no folly.”
“You think and speak too much, Erestor, and I, for one, am tired of hearing your complaints!”
Without warning, Glorfindel grabbed Erestor, clenched him in his arms, and kissed him with such savage fervor that Erestor could barely breathe.
When released, it occurred so abruptly he stumbled back, gasping for air, brain muddled but screaming for an escape route of its own, mouth opening and closing but no sounds forthcoming. Dumbfounded, Erestor stood silent as emotion after emotion sliced through him and he was master of none. He was helpless to do anything but watch as Glorfindel appraised him, cocked his head to the side, and waited for the expected outburst.
After what must have been an eternity, a devious smile slowly spread over Glorfindel’s face as he turned and flashed a triumphant smile at his fellow gamblers. “A winner has been decided! It is time to pay up my friends.”
The sarcastic and triumphant crowing finally pushed Erestor into action. He fled. Crashing through the pub’s door, he caught it as it flew back and slammed it shut. Stomping down the stairs, he self-consciously wrapped his arms around his waist, hugging himself as if against a sudden burst of cold.
Finally protected from prying eyes, Erestor let his guard down. His face felt hot with embarrassment and flushed with desire. He glared at his traitorous shaft hard and throbbing in his constrictive leggings, felt it strain and grow with each step, the material caressing him as he wished Glorfindel would.
*No doubt about it, I have been bested this night - the master strategist beaten at his own game by a dirty trick.* A wry, mirthless laugh escaped his lips.
To Glorfindel the kiss had been nothing more than a ploy to win a game and collect his gold, but to Erestor it was serious. Intellectually he knew that Glorfindel had no idea what his tactic had cost, but it still hurt. His feelings for his friend had grown out of proportion. His thoughts and emotions about Glorfindel were well beyond mere friendship and tonight’s game, he feared, had exposed him for all to see.
*Had Glorfindel felt the evidence of his desire?* The thought panicked Erestor and he increased his pace toward home, increasing it further when he heard Glorfindel’s voice calling out to him.
“Erestor! Wait!”
He turned back to see Glorfindel hurrying up the pathway after him. His trepidation increased tenfold and a hand of fear clenched his heart, but he knew running from Glorfindel would only temporarily stave off their confrontation, so he stopped and waited.
“Please Erestor, let us speak.” Glorfindel stood before him breathing heavy, his eyes dark and unfathomable.
Erestor gazed back at him, not giving an inch.
“Have you followed to embarrass me further? Was once this evening not enough for you? My friend,” he spat. “That I ever considered you such shows how truly ignorant I have always been!”
Glorfindel paled at the harshness in Erestor’s voice. “I am your friend. We have been best friends for centuries, and I am truly sorry for this evening. I let the spirit of our ongoing competition take over and it clouded my rationality.” He turned from Erestor and whispered, “And I am a coward.”
“What did you say?” Erestor demanded. “Would you turn from me now and whisper words you cannot say to my face? You speak about friendship yet you abuse it at every turn!”
Glorfindel spun around. “I AM A COWARD!! The great and powerful Glorfindel is a coward! Are you satisfied now that you have heard my confession?”
Confused, Erestor gaped at Glorfindel as he stood in front of him proudly apologizing, yet his voice hinted at deep abiding sadness. He had caught glimpses of this same emotion in the recent past, but only now saw the full force of it.
Erestor’s anger relented abruptly and he allowed a weak smile to grace his face. He had vowed to be a constant source of happiness for Glorfindel and not add to his mysterious grief. Gently he took Glorfindel’s hand and was satisfied to see some of the anguish retreat; however Erestor needed answers.
“Please help me to understand what is happening here. This evening, nay, the last two months have been.” He hesitated to find the correct word. “…different.”
Glorfindel stared, maintaining his silence about what had changed over two months ago. He remained mute for so many moments that Erestor was sure he would turn and leave without uttering a word. Disappointed, he twisted away, but Glorfindel laid a reassuring hand on his arm.
“I am not sure you are ready to hear this, and I am fearful of losing our friendship which has kindled my happiness for so long.”
Retracting his hand he turned away from Erestor. Not daunted, Erestor followed Glorfindel’s movement and tenderly grabbed on his shoulder.
“There is nothing you could say that would ever take me from your side.”
“Not even what occurred this evening?”
Glorfindel’s shoulder tensed beneath his hand as he began a light massage. “’Tis an aberration? A way for you to defeat me at our game?”
Swinging around, eyes flashing, Glorfindel hissed, “Nay! It is something I have been tempted to do since I first laid eyes upon you.”
As he paced back and forth, Glorfindel gestured at the crossroads where they currently stood. “Our lives all follow paths and at points they connect, becoming one with the other. Somehow I always knew that the path we followed would lead us to that kiss, but I was daunted by the prospect of facing you in private, so I forced my desire for intimacy into the public arena, cloaking it in our game of verbal dominance.”
Stunned, Erestor took in the confession and witnessed the sincerity on his friend’s face. He had desired this confession for years, yet he was strangely hesitant. The long awaited offer loomed before him, more a dark, dangerous cave than a blissful temptation. The stakes were high. He felt as if he was falling down a vortex of uncertainty. Unashamedly unsure of how to proceed, he opted for more time.
“I must think upon this, Glorfindel. It has been a long strange night, and I am well past time for sleep. It is my promise that we will speak of this further. Good evening.”
And with those words he abruptly strode down the pathway to the House of the Fountain leaving a dazed Glorfindel in his wake. Glorfindel’s final whispered plea for forgiveness reached Erestor through the stillness of the night yet he dared not look back…
Parmasambe
Library of Imladris
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.