Chapter Text
Mating Rites
"What do you have to lose, Erestor?" Elrond circled around Erestor, watching his raven-haired advisor struggle privately. "Tonight is *the* night to make your move. For how long now have you wanted him?"
Erestor moistened his lips and challengingly met Elrond's gaze. "You know for how long." Keeping his head proudly held high, he searched the half-Elf's eyes. "Why are you bringing Glorfindel up now?"
"Glorfindel will attend the festivities as well tonight. And he is still unbound." Elrond came to a halt in front of Erestor, cocked his head and gave his friend a stern look. "You have avoided dealing with this matter for far too long. Do you not think it is time you told him?"
Erestor remained unconvinced. "If the attraction is mutual, I would have noticed by now."
"But what about tonight? There will be magic in the air tonight, when newly formed couples will jump over the fire. This is your chance!" Several fires would light the midnight sky tonight. It was tradition for all unbound Elves to attend and to choose a mate. The couple would then commit to making their new relationship work for one year. If things didn't work out they were free to go their own ways. It was the perfect opportunity for Erestor to make his feelings known and to claim Glorfindel for said year. "Again I ask you, what do you have to lose?"
Erestor turned away from Elrond and headed for the open window. It was noon still, but many Elves were already busy with the preparations for tonight's event. "What if he rejects me?" Fear of rejection was the one main reason that had kept him from revealing his feelings thus far.
Elrond frowned, surprised that Erestor felt this uncertain. "If he rejects you, he is a fool." Coming to stand beside Erestor, he ran his fingers through the raven mane. "Your love is unconditional, pure and deep. Completely unselfish, and I should know." Erestor had shared his bed with him for a short while after Celebrían had sailed West. Erestor had given him new strength and the will to carry on. He was hugely indebted to his friend and he desperately wanted to see Erestor happy. "You love Glorfindel; tell him."
Erestor shook his head. "I cannot take that risk."
"What risk?"
"What if I attend tonight's festivities and he chooses another Elf whilst I am standing there as well?" Erestor briefly closed his eyes. "And who says he is participating in the first place? He did not partake last year either."
"And you should know -- you went looking for him that night, didn't you?" Elrond smiled, warmly, as a fingertip trailed lovingly along a delicately curved ear. "What do you have to lose, Erestor?"
"Nothing," admitted Erestor eventually, sighing deeply. "I have nothing to lose."
"Then act!" Elrond placed his hands on either side of Erestor's head and made eye contact with his dearest friend. "You are cunning and sly. So use those qualities! Jump over the fire with Glorfindel. Even if he is reluctant to be with you, he will have to try to make this work for one year. And you will win his heart in that year. Trust me."
Erestor closed his eyes once more. "It sounds so simple, the way you say it." But it wasn't simple. "Everyone is in love with Glorfindel. He will be claimed before I even have the chance to make my move."
"Then get to him first!" Elrond grinned, wickedly. "Are you really telling me that my Lord Councilor lacks the necessary skills to obtain what he wants? I thought more highly of you, Erestor." Contentedly, he watched Erestor's eyes open. Jet-black orbs of midnight glared at him.
"I possess all necessary qualities to achieve my goal, my Lord."
Elrond chuckled; Erestor only addressed him in that manner when his pride had been injured. "Then go to him tonight, Erestor. Claim him. Seduce him."
Horrified, Erestor realized that Elrond had maneuvered him into a corner. "You are doing this on purpose."
"Of course, Erestor. You are my best friend and dearest companion, but we no longer share a bed and I want to see you happy. You are a sensual being and being alone is venom to your soul -- it makes you bitter. You need someone to love and to love you back. And you know I cannot give you what you need." He had tried loving Erestor, but his heart still belonged to his wife. "I will always be grateful that you pulled me back from the brink when I was just a mere shadow of my former self. And that is why I cannot stand back and watch you suffer. Listen to my words and heed my advice for once, Erestor. You have nothing to lose, you said it yourself. Give Glorfindel and you that chance to find out if you are right for each other."
"You won't stop pestering me until I give in, will you?" Erestor's eyes caught sight of Glorfindel, who was crossing the courtyard. Dressed in brown leggings, an emerald shirt and riding boots, he could pass for a hunter from Mirkwood; but the golden hair shone like the sun, making it very clear to all who passed that he was no ordinary Elf. This was Glorfindel, the reborn Captain of the Golden Flower, a force to be reckoned with. And he, Erestor the fool, had utterly lost his heart to the fair-haired Elf. /Why did it have to be Glorfindel? The one Elf whose heart I cannot possibly hope to unlock?/
Elrond followed the direction of Erestor's gaze and smiled. "Do you not want to know how his lips taste? How his naked body feels against yours? Do you not want to hold him? Make love to him?"
Erestor blushed, crimson, and quickly averted his eyes. Elrond's words stirred his flesh and he ruthlessly crushed the desire that rose in his groin. "Do not speak to me in that way!"
"Tonight you will have your chance to experience all that -- and more. You will have your chance to find out how he tastes, how he moves when he makes love to you."
Unable to listen to Elrond any longer, Erestor stepped away from the half-Elf, glaring at him. "Stop it!"
Elrond cocked his head in victory. "Not until you promise you will attend the festivities. Not until you promise to find a way to make him jump over the fire with you."
"I cannot, do you not understand?" Erestor shook his head. "I cannot unleash that power inside me."
"You are passionate," whispered Elrond, seductively leaning in closer and bestowing a lick to the tip of Erestor's ear. "You are fire. Burn him. Make him come back for more. Do not be afraid to unleash that passion."
Erestor swallowed hard. Could he really do this? He would have to trick Glorfindel into making that jump with him, for the blond would never agree to this voluntarily. Glorfindel would be bound to him for one year. /And I would be bound to him for one year. But that could never be misery. It would be utter bliss./
"What do you have to lose? Nothing," said Elrond, determined to convince Erestor to do this. "Let me attend to you tonight. Let me help you bathe, rub musky oil onto your skin, braid your hair and dress you. I will even give you some advice on seduction, though I know you do not need any." Erestor felt insecure, but Elrond was confident that what his friend and former lover needed was to be nudged in the right direction. The look that Erestor gave him spoke of fearful hope.
"Do you really think I should do this? Do you think I can succeed? That I can win his love?"
"Make him take that jump with you, Erestor, and you can worry about the rest later. Claim him and then make him see how much you love him." Elrond rested one hand at the nape of Erestor's neck and massaged the tense muscles. "You are beautiful, Erestor, and you possess an unbridled amount of passion. Give yourself this chance. Give yourself permission to try."
Realizing only too well that Elrond wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, he nodded--eventually. /I should look upon this as another matter I need to resolve. I am Lord Councilor of Imladris and I handled much more delicate matters. I can do this. I must. For Elrond is correct: I need to try to win Glorfindel's heart. Even if he rejects me, I will have tried at least./ And that would give him peace of mind. He would be able to move on then. "I will do it," Erestor said, softly. "But I will need your assistance -- your guidance."
"You have it," replied Elrond, enthusiastically. "And you will win his love, trust me." Glorfindel would be stunned to find that Erestor was taking the initiative. He had briefly entertained going to Glorfindel's rooms and convince the blond to seduce Erestor, but his advisor was much better suited for that assignment. "Find a way to make that jump and Glorfindel will be yours."
Erestor still wasn't fully convinced that would be the case, but his mind had moved on from that matter to the next: how to seduce Glorfindel successfully. He would only get this one chance.
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Having Elrond attend to him in this matter was definitely odd. Erestor had bathed and the half-Elf was humming softly, whilst rubbing rose-scented oil onto his skin. He had stood naked in front of Elrond before, but it felt different now.
"Stop brooding and concentrate on Glorfindel." Elrond finished rubbing the oil onto Erestor's shoulders and then turned to face him. "You need some kind of plan." He knew Erestor only too well; without some sort of game plan, the advisor would feel lost.
"I am thinking," whispered Erestor, still wondering what had possessed him to agree to this undertaking.
Elrond guided Erestor to the dresser and sat him down in front of the mirror. Combing the long, raven hair, Elrond smiled, contentedly. "I want you to be happy, Erestor," he repeated, recalling all those nights in which Erestor had kept him from falling into darkness after his wife had left him.
"Do you really think I stand a chance with Glorfindel?" Erestor remained brooding -- doubting himself.
Elrond finished one braid and moved on to the next, weaving ribbons of red silk into the dark mass of hair, which curled slightly now that it was still damp. "You doubt yourself too much, my friend. You need to stop thinking in that way."
Erestor sighed, softly. "This is different from any diplomatic matter that I have ever resolved."
"Nay, treat it in the same way. What do you want to achieve? And how can you achieve it?"
"I want to win Glorfindel's love," said Erestor, thoughtfully, cringing when he saw the way Elrond had encouraged his hair to curl. "Did you really have to do that?" Once the braids were loosened a wave of curls would tumble down his head.
"It suits you." Elrond brushed the remaining hair, which danced against the advisor's back. "Erestor, stop doubting yourself. You are desirable in every way. You know that."
"Do I"? Erestor frowned. "I did not have many lovers in my long life. Just Ereinion and you, Elrond."
Elrond grinned, cheekily. "Ereinion was High-King, and I am the Lord of this valley. Your choice of lovers is exquisite and Glorfindel will fit right in there. A Lord of old and a fabled warrior. Now what does that say about you? To have had such lovers?"
Erestor managed a weak smile. "Touché." He could hardly maintain he wasn't desirable in the eyes of others. Did he really have a chance to win Glorfindel's love? What if he tried his best?
Elrond sensed the change in Erestor and when he looked into the feline, jet-black eyes again, they were filled with smoldering desire and determination. Apparently, he had been successful in convincing Erestor to win Glorfindel's heart tonight. Now that he had finished the braids, Elrond draped a warm robe, made of crimson silk across Erestor's shoulders. It was tradition to be naked when jumping. Clothes would catch fire too easily. "Use that fabled intellect tonight," he whispered into Erestor's ear. Seeing Erestor nod firmly, Elrond smiled, pleased. One Elf down, one to go.
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"Elrond? What are you doing here?" Surprised, Glorfindel stepped aside to let his Lord and friend enter. He hadn't expected the half-Elf to visit with him tonight.
Elrond's eyes quickly scanned the room, which was cloaked in darkness, save for the few silver beams that entered the bedroom. Ithil stood high in the sky and even seemed to be taking on a red hue due to the many fires lit. "Why are you not ready yet?"
"Ready? What for?" Glorfindel's brow furrowed, wondering what Elrond was talking about.
Elrond's gaze came upon a glass of wine and an open book, set upon a small table on the balcony. So Glorfindel didn't plan on attending either? He would have to change that. "How many years has it been since you lost your lover, Glorfindel?"
The blond tensed visibly. Why was Elrond addressing Ecthelion now? "Many."
"More than enough, in my opinion," stated Elrond, majestically marching into the room. Turning on his heels, he probed Glorfindel's eyes. "I requested you join the festivities tonight and yet here you are, apparently settling down for a night of reading -- alone. Do I have to make my request into an order, then?"
Glorfindel's eyes shone with curious frustration. "Would you do that? Order me to join them? Even against my will? I do not feel the need to take another mate -- not even for one year."
"You do not have to accept any proposal that comes your way," said Elrond, reminding Glorfindel that he had the option of saying no. "But what if there is someone who desires you?"
"Desires *me*, or Glorfindel of Gondolin?" Melancholy vibrated in his words. "Do you know how many of them see me as this mystical warrior? They desire him -- not me."
"Glorfindel," said Elrond, chuckling softly, "You are making this most difficult." Why did his two best friends have to be so stubborn?
"You have no idea what it is like," continued Glorfindel, who now stepped onto the balcony to claim his glass. Sipping the wine, he added, "I attended a few years ago. No one -- not a single Elf, male or female -- dared to approach me. I stood there all alone, all evening long."
Elrond's smile died on his face, hearing the pain in Glorfindel's voice. "I did not know..."
"I never attended again," whispered Glorfindel, still shaken by that experience years ago. He had never felt so alone -- so isolated -- before. "I do not want to go through that again. Once is enough." He emptied his glass and put it down hard onto the table.
Acting diplomatically, Elrond followed Glorfindel onto the balcony and took up position behind him. He leaned in closer and whispered, "What if I promise that an Elf will approach you? One that desires you for who you are and will ask you to make that jump with him? What if I promise that you won't be alone in that crowd? That you will find someone at your side?" He sensed Glorfindel's sudden interest and when the blue eyes fixed on him, he gave the blond a conspiring look.
"What are you implying?" Elrond's behavior puzzled him. "Why are you here?"
"I entrust my life to only two Elves, Erestor, and you. You are one of the few I trust unconditionally and it pains me to see you alone. I want you to be happy, Glorfindel, and I happen to know of an Elf who loves you and wishes you would look his way and consider him in that way." Elrond gave Glorfindel the same probing look he had given Erestor earlier. He could *tell* that Glorfindel yearned for a companion. "You do not have to be alone, Glorfindel. Attend the festivities tonight and I promise you will find a mate."
"A year..." If his suitor and he didn't work out, they could end their relationship in one year. And what if they *did* work out? Then he wouldn't be alone any more. "I reckon you know this Elf's identity?"
"The one who loves you? Aye, I do." Elrond knew then he had won. Glorfindel would give in.
Glorfindel nervously shuffled his feet. "Do you think I will like him? Do you think he and I are... compatible in that way?" Glorfindel knew better than to ask Elrond for his suitor's name -- Elrond wouldn't betray the other Elf's trust.
Elrond nodded firmly. "I know you are well-suited for each other. Trust me in this."
Glorfindel stared at the fires, which reached higher by the minute. They almost seemed to touch Ithil, which had now taken on a golden color. "I do not want to be alone any longer."
"Then attend... Join the festivities at midnight and I will make certain that your suitor will join you." Elrond raised a hand and tenderly stroked the long, fair hair. "You do not have to be alone anymore, Glorfindel. Trust me when I say that your suitor will make you happy. He does not see the Balrog Slayer you once were, but the compassionate, tender and intelligent Elf you are now."
Elrond's words fed Glorfindel's curiosity. Just who was his suitor to know him that well? After drawing in a deep breath, he said, "I will trust you, then."
"Good," said Elrond, smugly. "Then take a bathe and prepare yourself. Before Arien rises again, you will find yourself claimed."
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Glorfindel was nervous. He had vowed to never take part in this ceremony again and yet here he was, dressed in midnight blue robes adorned with golden embroidery, depicting flowers. How had Elrond managed to talk him into this? The assembled Elves were giving him approving, lust-filled looks, but all kept their distance. It was obvious they would never approach him. This myth that had formed around him had damned him to solitude. They didn't see the Elf, the male -- they saw the Balrog Slayer, the Captain of the House of the Golden Flower. Would his curse ever be lifted? Was he damned to spend the rest of his live in solitude?
Elrond had promised him that an Elf would approach him tonight, would ask him to make that jump and be his mate for one year. But it didn't look like that was going to happen. Would he return to his rooms alone -- again? Standing in front of the fire, he stared at it, mesmerized. Another couple made the jump and kissed after landing safely.
The night passed by uneventful and Glorfindel lost the hope Elrond had fed him. All these Elves loved to stare and fantasize about him, but not one of them had the courage to ask him to jump and be his mate for one year. Glorfindel was about to turn around and return to his room when he sensed a warm body behind him. A moment later, long, slender arms caught him around the waist. Sucking in his breath involuntarily he waited for things to happen. Was this the Elf Elrond had mentioned?
"You do not love me," came the whispered words, which were followed by a red ribbon that was tied around his head, acting like a blind fold so he couldn't see who was standing behind him. "You do not love me," came the mysterious voice again, "but I love you. Will you accept me as your mate for one year? Will you make that jump with me?"
The voice was warm and seductive and hands began to slip his robes from his shoulders. Long strands of silken hair caressed his back and Glorfindel shivered, nervously. "Who are you?"
"If I tell you, you won't consider me as your mate."
The stranger pressed his body against him and Glorfindel clearly felt the other Elf's arousal against his buttocks. The blindfold was tied tightly, making it impossible for him to catch a glimpse of his suitor, but he thought he had seen a dash of raven hair. Could it be Elrond? Why else would Elrond insist he attend the festivities? Could it be that Elrond himself was interested in him in that way? And if that was the case, how did he feel about that?
"I am someone who loves you. I have loved you for centuries, but I never dared to make my move. Until this very night. It is your right to reject me, but please, don't."
A warm, moist tongue slid up the nape of his neck, caressing the skin there. Glorfindel gasped at the sensuality of that caress and involuntarily pressed back against his suitor. "Will I regret accepting you?"
"Not if it is up to me. I want to make you happy, Glorfindel."
Lips were pressed against the soft, sensitive skin of his throat. His suitor passionately suckled his flesh, doubtlessly leaving behind a passion mark. The other Elf had disposed of his robes as well and warm flesh rubbed against body. Glorfindel swayed unsteadily when his suitor rubbed himself against him, whilst a demanding tongue slid down the curve of his back. Unable to identify his suitor, Glorfindel felt at a loss. /His voice is not Elrond's./ But who was the mysterious Elf then? A hand slithered around his waist, gently rubbing his abdomen. Then, it continued its way down, exploring his groin area. He was already hard and he demandingly arched back, hoping his suitor would continue this exploration.
"One year, Glorfindel. Can you bear being bound to me for one year? I would do everything within my powers to make you happy -- to keep you satisfied."
Fingers curled around his shaft, experimentally stroking his hard flesh. Glorfindel moaned, needily, and the other Elf reacted at once, manipulating his testes until he was panting hard, almost begging for release. One year... One year of being touched in this way -- One year without loneliness. Oh, how he wanted that!
"Then take that jump with me..."
The offer was tempting, but Glorfindel really preferred to know his suitor's identity before making such an important decision!
"Let me show you how much I love you," came more whispered words.
Glorfindel closed his eyes in bliss, reaching orgasm. Exactly at that moment, the mysterious Elf grabbed his wrist and dragged him along. Warmth came toward him, telling him he was approaching the fire.
"Trust me... Jump! Jump now!"
Glorfindel had to act that moment -- he didn't have a chance to think this over. Trusting the other Elf, he followed, and jumped. The moment his feet touched the grass again, he realized what he had done -- what the consequences were. He was now bound to this Elf -- a stranger he didn't know. Ripping off the blindfold, his gaze traveled up the hand, which still had a firm hold on his wrist. He encountered raven locks, midnight eyes and ruby lips.
Shocked, he stared at Erestor. Cool, distant, aloof and arrogant Erestor who always kept him at a distance. "You?" Wide-eyed, his gaze traveled down the lean body, fully realizing he had never seen Erestor naked before -- or aroused. The raven-haired Elf was hard with desire, his jet-black eyes hooded with lust and filled with sensual energy. "Erestor? Is this really you?"
"Aye, it is," replied Erestor, refusing to ponder the consequences of his deed just yet. "Please take me... Please make love to me." Pressing his body against Glorfindel's, he rubbed his lower body suggestively. Licking his lips, he brought his arms up behind the blond's back, enjoying the feel of a warrior's hard body against him. "I want you, Glorfindel. I have wanted you for so long."
Glorfindel was stunned to see Erestor move in such a sexual way. "Erestor, I..."
"Do not talk -- not now." Erestor buried his hands in Glorfindel's golden mane and guided the blond's lips closer to his. Claiming them in a passionate kiss, he explored the other Elf's mouth; he finally knew how Glorfindel tasted -- of wind and sun. Lifting one leg, he tried to wrap it around Glorfindel, pulling him as close as possible. "I already prepared myself for you."
Glorfindel's eyes shone midnight-blue at those words. "You... what?" Erestor didn't give him much time to ask his questions, as the raven-haired Elf pulled him toward a secluded corner of the garden, farther away from the fire. This corner was clouded in shadows and before he knew it, he found himself on the grass, stretched beneath Erestor, who now suckled the skin beneath his collar bone. His body reacted to the advisor's caresses and he grew hard again. Arching his back, he thrust wantonly against Erestor. The night was truly filled with magic, possessing and guiding him. Recalling Erestor words, he probed the dark eyes, finding them full of love.
Erestor licked upwards, letting the tip of his tongue trail along Glorfindel's throat, savoring feeling the warrior's pulse. He had dreamt of this moment for so long! Losing himself in his feelings, he straddled Glorfindel's hips, feeling the hard flesh already nudging against the opening to his body. "I have wanted this for so long..."
Black strands of hair teased his already erect nipples and Glorfindel gasped softly, feeling Erestor's lips pressed against his abdomen, showering his groin area with light kisses. The advisor was driving him insane with those kisses and expert touches. He had never even suspected that Erestor was capable of such passion. Living in a dream-like moment, he watched Erestor raise and then impale himself. "Oh!" A moan escaped from deep within his throat and he grabbed Erestor's waist firmly, making certain the raven-haired Elf had all the support he needed.
Erestor bit his bottom lip, moaned, and pressed down until he had taken in Glorfindel's length. The ribbons in his hair had come loose and released a sea of raven curls, which tumbled down his face, their ends caressing Glorfindel's skin. "Ai...ya..." Glorfindel was well-endowed and it had been a while since he had been on the receiving end. Cocking his head, he suckled a droplet of blood from his bottom lip into his mouth and moaned deeply, rotating his hips to feel Glorfindel deeper inside him. Placing his hands on Glorfindel's hips, he gave the blond a long, pleading look. "Will you take me?"
Suddenly realizing what Erestor truly wanted from him, Glorfindel growled softly, brought up his arms behind Erestor's back and rolled the advisor onto his back. Rising above the dark-haired Elf, Glorfindel gave Erestor a predatory look. "Like this?"
Erestor's mouth went dry when Glorfindel delivered that first thrust, expertly hitting that sensitive spot inside him. His head lolled from one side to the other and he surrendered completely, letting Glorfindel set their pace, which was fast and deep, just the way he wanted it. Oh, he would be sore in the morning, but seeing Glorfindel move above him was worth every ounce of future discomfort.
Glorfindel precariously balanced on the edge for one moment, trying hard not to tumble over, but then Erestor rose beneath him -- rose enough to press his lips against the skin of his throat and suckle it. Growling possessively, he finally found release.
Erestor followed Glorfindel into ecstasy as warm cream splashed against the blond's abdomen. Enraptured, he suckled the skin of his lover's throat, determined to leave a clear passion mark, so everyone would know Glorfindel had been properly claimed.
Exhausted, Glorfindel collapsed atop of Erestor, panting hard. Probing the black eyes, he wondered why he had never sensed Erestor's passion and desire before. But the advisor was well-trained in hiding his feelings. Carefully, he pulled out and then wrapped Erestor in a warm embrace. They needed to talk in depth, but this wasn't the right moment for it.
Left dazed by the intimate experience, Erestor blinked, trying hard to get his labored breathing back under control again. For the moment he was content to let Glorfindel hold him. He didn't know what the morning would bring and he wasn't even certain he wanted to find out. For now, he felt safe and cherished within Glorfindel's protective embrace and he began to drift off into reverie, as the sexual act had drained him. "I love you, Glorfindel," he whispered, whilst sleep gave wings to his mind, taking him into his dreamscape.
Glorfindel held Erestor close, marveling at the advisor's admission. "I never knew -- I never suspected a thing." Stroking the raven locks, he watched over Erestor, realizing the advisor was his mate now for the next year.
ks!