Title: A Love Returned
Author: Morgana morganalebeau@yahoo.com
Website; http://www.paranoid.nl/avalon/
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel and Éomer/Legolas
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Erestor decides to visit Helm’s Deep to say his
final goodbyes to Glorfindel and makes a startling discovery.
Disclaimer: These
characters are all Tolkien’s.
Warning: AU.
Author’s Note: All mistakes are all mine; yeah, I am greedy! And remember; this
is AU! Many thanks to Ford of Bruinen for brainstorming with me. Unfortunately
not beta read.
A Love Returned
Part 4/4
Éomer couldn’t help being
worried. Although Legolas moved gracefully beside him, the Man wondered if he
hadn’t inflicted some internal damage during their rough play. He knew
better than to inquire though, realizing
Legolas would probably just ignore the question or smile at him in that
deceivingly sweet way. What had happened in the water confused him; Éomer had
never thought Legolas would react so passionately to his advances.
“Where does this leave
us?” Éomer hadn’t meant to speak the words aloud, but he had.
Legolas smiled, although
Éomer couldn’t see it, as the Man had fallen back and was now walking behind
him. “It leaves us hunting for food as both Glorfindel and you must be hungry.”
Legolas knew exactly what Éomer had meant to ask him, but preferred not to
address the matter right now. He hoped Éomer would let it rest.
Seeing movement to his
right, Legolas placed an arrow on his bow and aimed it at the rabbit hopping
away from them. Taking the animal’s life pained him, but Glorfindel was still
very weak and the meat would strengthen him. “One rabbit won’t be enough.”
Éomer beat him to their
prey and he picked the rabbit up from the earth. Raising an eyebrow
inquisitively, Legolas wondered about the troubled expression in the hazel
eyes. Slowly, Éomer’s behavior began to make sense and he realized that
postponing this conversation was no longer possible. “I am fine, Éomer. You did
not hurt me.”
“You aren’t sore? You
aren’t hurting? I would never forgive myself if you were.” Éomer allowed
Legolas to draw him closer and searched the puzzled eyes. “I can’t help
worrying about you. I know that you are not as fragile as you look, but…”
Legolas’ eyebrow inched
even higher. “I look *fragile*?” In his long life he had been called many
things, but never fragile!
“That wasn’t what I wanted
to say,” said Éomer in an apologetic voice. “It is just… You have awoken
fiercely protective feelings in me, and although you don’t need protection, I
can’t help feeling that way!” His emotions overwhelmed him and he buried
Legolas in a tight hug. “It is who I am.”
Legolas allowed the hug,
rested his head against Éomer’s shoulder, and smiled. He had chosen well when
he had allowed himself to fall for the Man. Should he tell Éomer that by Elven
standards they were now considered wed? No, he shouldn’t. He couldn’t ruin
Éomer’s future. As a King, he was required to wed and sire heirs. Their liaison
would be short, but passionate. “Hear me, Éomer, King of Rohan. I do not need
your protection, but I willingly accept it because you love me.”
Éomer chuckled, pulled
away, and made eye contact with Legolas. “My Prince… You captured my heart. It
is yours to command.”
“Such sweet poetry makes
me want to ravish you, my
“Will you come to Edoras
with me and sit at my side in the Golden Hall of Meduseld?” Éomer held his
breath; he hadn’t wanted to ask Legolas just yet, but he needed to know the
Woodland Elf’s answer.
“You are most stubborn,”
said Legolas, whilst releasing another arrow, which took down a second rabbit.
“You are determined to discuss this now, then?” Legolas bent forward and
collected the second rabbit. He turned to face Éomer and read insecurity and
hope in the hazel eyes. “You do realize that I am over two thousand years old
and that I will remain like this whilst you will grow old and eventually die?”
Éomer cringed at the way
that sounded, but it *was* the truth. “Will that be hard on you? Watching me
grow old and succumb to death?” Was that enough reason for Legolas to
reconsider their budding liaison?
Legolas cocked his head
and raised a hand to finger one of Éomer’s wild curls. “A Man’s life is a mere
moment to me…” Pausing, he carefully chose his word. “I would stay with you
until the end, if you will have me.”
Éomer’s expression
immediately brightened. “You would? You would side at my side and rule Rohan
with me?” He didn’t plan on hiding his love for another male from his court. He
wouldn’t live a lie.
“I would.” Legolas leaned
in closer and gently claimed Éomer’s lips. The Man moaned into his mouth and
Legolas smiled, knowingly. “Not here… Not now.”
Éomer reluctantly agreed.
“Another time.” Resting one hand at the nape of Legolas’ neck, he massaged the
muscles there. “I only want you. I don’t want there to be any others.”
Legolas smiled, dotingly.
Maybe this was the right moment to tell Éomer about Elven custom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“We are what?” Éomer
stared at Legolas. “We are wed?”
Legolas chuckled, softly.
Éomer had stood there for several minutes after he had confided in the
“No, I am feeling…
better.” Éomer slowly shook his head. “You knew we were married and you
neglected to tell me? Do you like seeing me suffer?”
“I was not certain you
wanted us to form a bond,” explained Legolas. “You rule Rohan. You are expected
to marry a female who can give you heirs.”
Éomer fumed. “My sister
and Faramir will produce heirs! Why would you worry about such a thing?”
Legolas smiled, happily.
“So, you love me and wish to ravish me for the rest of your life?”
“Oh, yes!” Éomer promptly
kissed Legolas, pulled the Woodland Elf close and cupped his lover’s member in
his hand, fondling it through the fabric of the leggings. “I want to ravish you
for the rest of my life.”
“Behave, Éomer King,” said
Legolas, teasingly. “All we caught on this hunt were two rabbits, which are not
nearly enough to fill our bellies.”
“Oh, I caught more than
that,” said Éomer, panting hard. “I caught myself a husband.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erestor didn’t bother to
look up when Éomer and Legolas joined them. Night had fallen and Ithil stood
high, illuminating the sky. “The fire is already dying. What took you so long?”
Éomer and Legolas
exchanged a guilty look. “We were distracted,” replied Legolas, eventually. He
sat on his heels and rekindled the fire, adding more wood. Éomer was already
cleaning the rabbits so they could roast them later. “How does Glorfindel
fare?” inquired Legolas.
“He has been asleep for
most of the time.” Erestor held Glorfindel close, sharing his body heat with
the injured Elf. “He allows me close now. I think I am winning his trust.”
“That is good,” said
Legolas, who now accepted the rabbits and placed them above the fire. “We also
found some healing herbs.”
“I found some as well. I already
made tea, but if you brew it anew it will be more potent.” Erestor stroked
Glorfindel’s long hair, inhaling his lover’s scent. “I wish we were home
already. He belongs in a warm bed and healers should be attending to him.”
“You are Glorfindel’s best
medicine,” said Legolas, amused. “Have some faith in yourself.”
Éomer busied himself
brewing the healing tea, but continued to throw glances at Legolas. He wondered
if the Woodland Elf planned on sharing the news of their bond with Erestor. He
hoped so, as he didn’t want to hide his love.
Erestor finally looked at
Legolas, but then his gaze quickly shifted to Éomer, sensing a solid balance
had been achieved between the two warriors. He smiled, knowingly, when Legolas’
collar shifted, revealing a passion mark. Ah, that was the way it was between
those two? He should have realized the attraction sooner, but his mind had been
too focused on Glorfindel, and understandably so.
Legolas had caught
Erestor’s knowing smirk, and exchanged a look with Éomer, who looked hopeful at
him. Briefly, he wondered what to do.
“You are an Elf, Erestor.
Would you tell your future husband that making love means officially getting
married?” Éomer gave Legolas a smug grin.
Erestor chuckled. “I would
have the good manners to enlighten my future mate, aye.” Glorfindel stirred
against him, and Erestor pressed a chaste kiss onto the back of the blond’s
head. Once his charge was fully awake he would make certain Glorfindel was fed
and drank two cups of the healing tea at least.
“Legolas didn’t, you see,”
said Éomer, smiling innocently at Legolas. “And now I am married to him.”
Glorfindel tensed in his
arms and Erestor realized the injured Elf was fighting a flight reflex. Eager
to distract Glorfindel, he continued to talk to Éomer and Legolas. That way,
Glorfindel had time to adjust to this situation. “I wonder what King Thranduil
will say when he finds out he is now related to the King of Rohan.”
Legolas blushed, weakly.
“My father has no idea and I do not mind keeping it that way.”
“And why is that?” Éomer
hoped Legolas didn’t feel ashamed of having a mortal for a mate.
“He might want to rule
Rohan as well,” said Legolas, teasingly. But, privately, he cringed. He hadn’t
considered informing his father yet, as he had no idea how his father would
react. Thranduil loved his youngest son, and would probably accept Éomer,
realizing it was a temporary bond as the Man would grow old and eventually die.
But, at any rate, he wasn’t eager to find out his father’s reaction.
“Rohan is mine to rule,”
replied Éomer, playing along. “But, I might be inclined to let you rule aside
me.”
Legolas briefly deserted
the fire and bend forward, embracing Éomer from behind. The Man sat on the
grass and Legolas leaned in closer, burying his face in the bronze curls. “You
have a Prince-Consort then.”
“I wonder…” said Éomer,
playing along. “Am I a Prince of Mirkwood now as well?”
Erestor heard Glorfindel’s
stomach growl hungrily and decided it was time to end the couple’s banter.
“Please discuss this another time!”
Legolas gave Éomer one
last seductive smile and then removed the rabbits from the fire. He put the
meat into a bowl and handed it to Glorfindel. “Eat.”
Glorfindel smiled,
gratefully, deciding he liked the company he was in. Erestor was soft, warm and
kind. Legolas struck him as a capable and honorable warrior and Éomer… He liked
the Man as well. Hungrily, he began to eat.
Éomer had finished brewing
the tea and placed it beside Glorfindel so the injured Elf could drink it after
he had finished eating. Hungrily, he eyed the meat himself. He wouldn’t take
any food away from Glorfindel, but his stomach was growling too!
“There is enough for the
both of you.” Legolas handed Éomer a royal portion of the meat and then leaned
back against the Man. Éomer wrapped one arm around Legolas and once he had a
tight hold on the Elf, he proceeded to eat himself. “I know of a small
settlement close. We won’t pass it by, but I could detour and acquire proper
food and maybe an extra set of clothes.”
“That sounds like an
excellent idea.” Erestor placed Glorfindel’s empty bowl aside and handed him
the tea. “Sip slowly as it is still hot.” Hopefully, the healing quality of the
tea would help strengthen Glorfindel and speed up his recovery.
Glorfindel complied, using
the time to study his companions. By now, he was convinced that they meant him
no harm, and that they were actually rather protective, Erestor especially. He
cleared his throat, and then addressed them. “I wanted to thank you… All of you…”
Erestor buried Glorfindel
in a loose hug. “I just wish I had undertaken this journey sooner. I waited too
long.”
“But you came for me,
didn’t you?” Glorfindel looked at Erestor from over his shoulder. “You loved me
that much.”
“I love you still,” replied
Erestor, gently caressing Glorfindel’s face. “And I hope you will fall in love
with me again, should your memories never return.” The smile on Glorfindel’s
face filled him with hope. “Do you remember me at all?”
“I do not,” said
Glorfindel, honestly. “But even though I do not remember you I still feel some…
attraction.”
Erestor smiled,
brilliantly. “You do?”
“Aye, there is something
about you that…” Glorfindel paused, searching for the right words. “That makes
me want to have you close.”
Erestor realized they were
taking the first steps to form a new relationship and was determined to make
the best of it. “I do love you, Glorfindel. With or without your memories.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Do you think Glorfindel will
remember his past again?” Éomer settled down at a respectful distance from
Erestor and Glorfindel, wanting them to have some privacy. Legolas lay down
behind him and pulled him close. Éomer shifted willingly until he was pressed
against Legolas’ chest and the Elf promptly wrapped his long, strong legs
around him, along with his arms.
“I hope so,” admitted
Legolas. “Though, I feel they will fall in love all over again.” Legolas
nuzzled Éomer’s neck, burying his nose in the wild locks. “You smell of horses,
the forest and… clove.”
“Do you like it?” Éomer
threw his head back, making it easier for Legolas to explore his throat and
neck.
“Very much,” said Legolas,
panting softly. “Oh, I want you!”
Éomer’s eyes widened
slightly. “But they are still awake and we are in their line of sight!” His
groin had tightened as well, but Legolas couldn’t be serious!
“I know of a way…” Legolas
licked just below Éomer’s ear and managed to slide a hand past Éomer’s
waistband. “Use your riding cloak to cover us.” Oh, this was most wicked and he
was salivating at the thought of claiming Éomer in this way.
His hormones had long
taken over, as his body demanded caresses and release, so Éomer complied. The
cloak covered them properly and when Legolas pushed down his breeches, Éomer
hissed with anticipation. He shifted slightly, allowed Legolas easier access to
his backside. “Legolas… Erestor will realize what we are doing!”
“It is hardly of any
interest to him,” whispered Legolas, who now squeezed one of Éomer’s buttocks.
“He is focused on Glorfindel.”
“Do you have oil?” Éomer
panted hard, feeling Legolas free himself from the restraining leggings. The
Elf was hard, and the aroused flesh already slippery with pre-ejaculate.
“Aye, I do.” Legolas
grinned, wickedly, reaching for the oil and removing the stopper. Normally, he
used this oil to keep his skin smooth and subtle and to remove tangles from his
hair, but now it would serve another, much more pleasurable purpose. After
luxuriously coating his erection with the oil, he shifted, and then pulled
Éomer toward him. His lover had pulled his knees close to his chest and the
opening to Éomer’s body was perfectly positioned in front of his eager flesh.
“Slowly,” Legolas whispered. “I do not want to hurt you.”
Biting his bottom lip,
Éomer nodded. Deep lines of concentration formed on his brow when he slowly
pushed back, impaling himself on Legolas’ shaft.
Legolas carefully wrapped
his arms around Éomer’s waist, pulling the Man close until he was completely
buried inside the warm channel. “If Erestor looks at us now it will look like I
am merely holding you in my arms, embracing you, but we know the truth, do we
not? The truth is that I have finally claimed you.”
Sweat formed on Éomer’s
body; Legolas hadn’t properly prepared him for penetration and the hard flesh
felt huge inside him. He rested the back of his head against Legolas’ shoulder
and stared at the star-lit sky, always aware of the hot flesh inside him.
“Move, Éomer King, and
take yourself.” Legolas’ right hand found the Man’s erection and fondled it,
but not quite stroking yet, as he didn’t want Éomer to come too quickly. “Do
it.”
Éomer drew in a deep
breath and then moved, eventually pushing back again. Moans escaped his lips,
and he bit on his bottom lip to keep himself from making more noise.
“You are tight, my
Éomer had thought that he
couldn’t grow any harder, but he did. With Legolas in control of their lovemaking,
he surrendered to the increasingly wild thrusts and tried to be as quiet as
possible. But that wasn’t easy, as his lover masterfully hit his prostrate with
each deep stroke.
“Oh, I love the way you
fit around me – perfectly.” Legolas licked the tip of Éomer’s ear and then
moved down to nibble on the ear lobe. “You feel feverish in my arms – why is
that? Is it because I am so deep inside you that you feel at my mercy? For you
*are* at my mercy.” Legolas stressed his words by squeezing hard at the base of
Éomer’s leaking shaft. “*I* will decide when you come, my King.” He stopped
thrusting and bit hard below Éomer’s ear. “You marked me, and now I have marked
you.”
Éomer lost control. All he
wanted was to climax, and feel Legolas climax inside him, but the Elf had
stilled all movement. “Why are you so cruel?”
“Cruel? I am merely making
us last.” But Legolas took pity on his lover and set a comfortable pace,
keeping in mind that he didn’t want to leave the Man sore as they would spend
tomorrow on horseback, so he kept back. “Oh, Éomer, I will not quickly tire of
making love to you. You feel so good… so tight… so warm.”
Legolas’ seductively
whispered words pushed Éomer over the edge and he climaxed, unable to keep back
a yelp, which softly rolled from his lips.
Legolas savored the
sensation of Éomer’s contracting inner muscle and allowed himself to find
release as well. “You are *mine* as long as you will live, my
“Yours…” whispered Éomer,
exhausted and sated at the same time. “Do not pull out yet… Please.” He liked
feeling Legolas inside him.
“I wish I could, my love.”
But his member was already softening and now slipped from Éomer’s body.
Soothing his exhausted mate by running gentle fingertips along the skin,
Legolas whispered, “Our marriage will be filled with passion and lust.”
“And love,” added Éomer,
looking at Legolas from over his shoulder. “You no longer seem that fragile to
me.”
“Good!” Legolas chuckled,
softly, and pulled Éomer’s breeches back into place. He redid the lacing to his
leggings and then curled protectively around his lover. “We will clean
ourselves up first thing in the morning. And now I want you to go to sleep.”
“Already giving orders, my
Prince?”
“Only when they are in
your best interest, my King.”
Éomer laughed, softly, and
pressed back at Legolas. “If you keep this up, I will have no energy left to
rule my kingdom!”
Legolas playfully licked
the back of Éomer’s neck. “I have some experience when it comes down to ruling.
I replaced my father occasionally.”
“Does that mean I can stay
in bed after you had your wicked way with me, leaving me sore, and that you
will lead the council meetings?”
“If need be. And now stop
talking, my love. You need your sleep.”
Éomer complied, closed his
eyes, and drifted off into a deep and peaceful sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas immediately caught
the amused look Erestor gave him. The dark-haired Elf knew exactly what had
just happened! “Well, that means Elrond made you Lord Councilor for a reason!”
Erestor laughed, softly,
careful not to wake Glorfindel.
“Can you blame me for
wanting him?” Legolas gave Erestor a most innocent look.
Which, the advisor didn’t
buy, of course. “Oh, I do not blame you at all. For a mortal he is truly
exquisite.” He just wished he had the same level of intimacy with Glorfindel
again. He felt lonely now that the injured warrior didn’t remember him. With a
sad heart, and much longing, he pressed close to Glorfindel. Allowing himself
to remember that one night of shared passion brought him comfort and soothed
him. All would be well in the end. Glorfindel’s memories would return and they
would go back to being lovers. He had to hang on to that hope.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I only need to close my eyes and see you – truly
see, like you were last night, passionate and so alive. Will you wait for me?” Glorfindel
stirred lightly in his sleep. In his dreams, he was caressing Erestor’s face
and was taken aback, seeing the love shining in the dark, brown eyes.
“I will. There never was another one, Glorfindel.
You hold my heart for all eternity.”
Glorfindel stirred once
more and began to leave the deep state of sleep. Only moments now and he would
wake up again. But he fought to remain in this dream world, knowing there was
more to come; information so valuable that he needed to hear it now!
“Will you allow me one more token? A lock of your hair?” In his dream, Glorfindel
uncovered his dagger and carefully cut a lock from Erestor’s dark mane. He kissed the silken hair and then
carefully slipped his treasure into a pocket. Aye, he remembered doing this;
remembered the feel of the texture of hair sliding through his fingers. This
had really happened! He began to remember now!
“Go now, and then come back to me again.”
“Aye, to you.” Glorfindel
lost the fight to stay asleep and woke, but all protest died on his lips,
finding himself locked tightly in Erestor’s arms. Oh, how could he have
forgotten those eyes? The luscious lips? The dark, almost purple glow to Erestor’s raven mane? “I
remember you.”
Erestor’s breath caught
audibly at hearing hose words. Was it possible? Had Glorfindel’s memories
returned? Afraid to believe they could be this lucky, Erestor carefully slid a
fingertip along Glorfindel’s jaw. “And what do you remember?”
“I remember cutting a lock
from your hair, you telling me to go and then to come back to you again.”
Glorfindel smiled, reassuringly. “I know you, Erestor.”
Erestor’s chocolate brown
eyes filled with tears, which dripped freely from his cheeks. “Do you?” He had
prayed to the Valar, begging them to let Glorfindel remember, but he had almost
given up hope! “What else do you remember?”
“I remember the night
before I marched for Helm’s Deep,” said Glorfindel, smiling radiantly. “I
remember making love to you.”
Erestor trembled, but
managed to wrap his arms even tighter around Glorfindel. “Do you also remember…?”
“You telling me that you
love me?” Glorfindel marveled at their situation. “Ah, I do. And I also
remember admitting my love for you.” Experimentally, his fingertips caressed
Erestor’s face. “You came to Helm’s Deep. Why?”
“I wanted to pay you my
last respects. Legolas returned your sword to me and I hoped I would get some
measure of closure visiting Helm’s Deep. Not in my wildest dreams did I dare
hope you were still alive!” Tears poured freely from Erestor’s eyes and he
sobbed softly against Glorfindel’s chest. The balance between them shifted and
Glorfindel moved to reverse the embrace. Now it was the blond warrior holding
the trembling raven-haired Elf. “I thought I had lost you!” cried out Erestor.
“You did,” said
Glorfindel, slowly. “But I returned to you.” This time, Glorfindel only managed
a weak smile. “If you had not come to Helm’s Deep I would still be wandering
the forest unknowingly that I have a love in this world.” Glorfindel placed a
chaste kiss on the crown of Erestor’s head. “I love you, Erestor.”
Glorfindel’s words set off
Erestor’s sobbing in earnest. He hated himself for letting himself fall apart
in front of the blond warrior, but he had kept this pain inside for too long
and it needed a way out. “I was so scared that I could not live without you! I
tried so hard to go on, but my life was so pointless!”
“You have me now.”
Glorfindel placed a finger beneath Erestor’s chin and lifted the tear-stained
face so the dark eyes focused on him. “And I won’t leave you ever again.”
Glorfindel gently pressed his lips onto Erestor’s and kissed him sweetly. When
he broke the kiss off eventually, Erestor’s tears had begun to dry. “I reckon
the war is over, then?” The roads seemed safe.
“Aye, it is. And Éomer is
King of Rohan now.” Realizing Glorfindel needed information, Erestor added, “Estel
and Arwen have wed and are now King and Queen of Gondor.”
“Elrond?” A sound that held the middle between a sigh and a
purr left Glorfindel’s lips, indicating his contentment.
“Elrond and most of his
household traveled to Minas Tirith to witness the wedding and to prepare for
the journey to the Undying Lands.” Erestor snuggled up to Glorfindel, thanking
the Valar for allowing Glorfindel’s memories to come back.
“The
twins?”
“They returned to Imladris
after witnessing their sister’s wedding. They wanted some peace and quiet to
make their choices.”
Glorfindel tenderly
stroked Erestor’s silken hair. “What do you think their choices will be?”
“I think they will choose
to belong to the Firstborn, but I doubt they will sail for a while. They will
want to stay until after Arwen and Estel’s passing.”
Glorfindel cast a curious
look at Legolas, who was curled protectively around Éomer. “Did I miss
anything?”
Erestor chuckled softly.
“It appears that there has been an attraction between Éomer and Legolas for
quite some time. They decided to finally act on it and are officially wed. A small fact, which Legolas forget to mention to his new husband.”
Glorfindel grinned. “So
everything has turned out surprisingly well.”
“Aye, it has. Especially now that you have returned to me.” Erestor rubbed
his cheek against Glorfindel’s chest, purring pleasurably. “I missed you so
much.”
“And I missed you.”
Glorfindel tightened his hold on Erestor and rested his chin on top of the
raven head. “I will grow strong again and then I will stake my claim all over
again.”
Erestor giggled, amused.
“I hope you will!”
Glorfindel’s features were
soft, beaming with love and contentment. He had his memories back, Erestor was
in his arms, and the raven-haired Elf still loved him.
Life was good.
The End.
July 2004