Title: Coming Home

Author: Morgana  ---  morganalebeau@yahoo.com

Website; http://www.paranoid.nl/avalon
Pairing: Glorfindel/Erestor and Elrond/Celebrían and Elladan/Elrohir. I swear it! The twins sneaked in there!

Rating; nc-17

Summary; Imladris’ newest addition proves to be a handful and quite a mystery.

Disclaimer: These characters are all Tolkien’s.
Warning: AU, angst, mention of physical abuse. No rape.

Author’s Note: All mistakes are all mine; yeah, I am greedy! And remember; this is AU!

Beta read by Lady Mirfain, thanks!

Coming Home

Part 10

After his conversation with Elrond, Glorfindel returned to his rooms. He felt rather shaken by his friend’s admission and wondered how Erestor would take the news when his dark-haired lover was finally ready to hear it.

Shedding his robes, he only kept his leggings on. He walked toward the comfortable, reclining chair near the window and sat down, staring outside. In the distance, six figures approached and his keen Elven sight quickly identified the Peredhil family. /Family indeed, for Erestor is part of it. He just doesn’t know it yet. Ai, sweet Elbereth, how should I tell him? How do I tell him Elrond is his father? How will he react to that?/ His greatest fear was that Erestor’s flight reflex might resurface and that the dark-haired Elf would leave Imladris. /I can’t live without him any more. I need him in my life./

The family entered the Last Homely House and vanished from his view. Looking at the mithril ring on the palm of his hand, several scenarios passed him by. There were many ways of telling Erestor, but what he couldn’t predict was Erestor’s reaction to the news. Would he accept it? Maybe even be happy that he had found his father? Or would he utterly reject Elrond and run?

“You are worried.” Erestor closed the door behind him and advanced on his lover. Glorfindel’s expression was dark – haunted even. “Is this because of my ring?”

Glorfindel raised a hand and opened his fingers, revealing the ring. “Aye, it is. Let me return it to you first.”

Erestor carefully picked it up and closely studied it, almost expecting it had changed, but it hadn’t. For the first time in his life, he slid it down his ring finger. Erestor licked his lips, growing nervous. Slowly, he slid onto Glorfindel’s lap, straddling the muscular thighs. “Did Elrond or you recognize it? Was my mother right? Do you know my father’s name now?” He had examined the ring once, but had no idea what to make of the bird and the stars.

“Aye, we recognized it,” said Glorfindel, answering one question after another. “Your mother was right; it did lead us to your father’s identity.” A war waged in Erestor’s dark eyes and Glorfindel wished he could fight it for his lover, but this was Erestor’s decision. “Do you want to know?”

Erestor shook his head. “Don’t tell me his name. I couldn’t bear meeting him in person, knowing he is my father and abandoned us.”

Glorfindel wanted to ask why Erestor was so convinced Elrond had abandoned them. Had Yestarë said so to explain the sire’s absence?

Erestor lowered his eyes, feeling shy and nervous. “Do you know my father?”

“I do,” whispered Glorfindel in a raw voice.

“Is he a… good… person?” Erestor peeked at Glorfindel, giving him a pleading look.

“He is a very wise and kind soul, Erestor.” Glorfindel wished Erestor would command him to tell him for then the cat and mouse game was over. Now they were dancing around the really important question.

“Why did he not want me, if he is such a wise and kind soul, Glorfindel?”

Erestor’s expression broke his heart. For one moment he saw the child who had longed for his father. “Do you want to hear the truth?”

Erestor nodded. “Please tell me what you think.” He carefully rested his upper body against Glorfindel’s chest and his head on a strong shoulder.

“I think he never knew you existed. He is an Elf of honor, Erestor. He would have come for you.”

“I want to believe that,” whispered Erestor, closing his eyes and snuggling up to Glorfindel, as much as his shoulder and arm allowed him to. “Because then he wouldn’t be to blame for what happened to us.”

Glorfindel rubbed Erestor’s back, trying to comfort his lover. “Do you want to know his name?”

“Nay, not yet. Maybe some day in the future. I did this because it seemed important to Elrond – and you.”

Glorfindel couldn’t help feel relieved; this meant Elrond had more time than he had thought to prepare his family. Changing the subject, he asked, “What did you do all day?”

“First, I visited with Asfaloth. He was rather disappointed that I couldn’t take him out riding. I met Elladan there… He was braiding pink ribbons into Elrohir’s mare's mane… He said it was a practical joke because it is their begetting day tomorrow.”

Glorfindel smiled. “It sounds like you are feeling more at ease around him.”

“I do… and later we had a picnic.”

“We?” Glorfindel gently guided Erestor’s head away from his chest to look in the brown eyes.

“Aye, Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen. Celebrían and Elrond joined us later.”

Glorfindel tensed, at hearing Elrond’s name. This had happened *after* the half-Elf had found he was Erestor’s father! “Did you enjoy their company?”

“Strangely enough, I did.” Erestor ignored the silent throbbing in his arm and leaned in closer to steal a kiss from Glorfindel’s lips. “But I enjoy yours more.” Erestor felt dazed after finding out that Glorfindel actually knew his father! Furthermore, his lover seemed to be very fond of his mysterious father, which confused him further. In order to do away with these feelings of restlessness, Erestor decided for action instead of more words.

Glorfindel’s right eyebrow inched higher. “Are you trying to seduce me, my love?”

“Maybe…” Erestor wavered, still feeling shy now that they were to embark on another sensual journey. “Do you want this too?” he asked in a small, uncertain voice.

“Always, love.” Glorfindel’s eyes misted over with desire and he parted his lips, invitingly. “Kiss me…”

Butterflies tickled his insides, but Erestor overcame his shyness and claimed Glorfindel’s lips again. The heavy, lust-filled expression in the azure eyes took his breath away and his body reacted to these ancient mating rites.

Glorfindel brought one arm up behind Erestor’s back to cradle the back of his lover’s head in his large hand. He moaned into the kiss and thrust involuntarily, needing to feel as close as possible to his ebony-haired lover. “You are in my blood, Erestor… I never felt anything like this before.”

Those words made the blood burn in Erestor’s veins and he rubbed his lower body against Glorfindel’s. Through the fabric of their leggings, he clearly felt his lover’s arousal. And it wasn’t only his lover who was aroused!

“Allow me…” Glorfindel undid the lacing of Erestor’s leggings first. The hard flesh sprang free from its confines and the slick shaft hardened further under his touch. “Let me,” whispered Glorfindel, panting hard. “Your arm still hinders you.”

Erestor nodded his head once. He arched his back the moment Glorfindel delivered the first stroke to his flesh. Erestor moaned, keenly, feeling Glorfindel’s fingers release him. “What…?” Dazed, he stared into Glorfindel’s eyes.

Glorfindel took Erestor’s lips violently, staking his claim. At the same time, he tore at the lacing of his own leggings, eventually allowing his erection to bob free. Groaning, he brought their erections together and then stroked.

Erestor quivered, as the sensation overwhelmed him. “Oh, yes…” His passion surfaced and he was no longer content with being a passive participant. Attacking Glorfindel’s lips, he forced himself a way inside to explore the moist cavern.

Erestor’s outburst of passion took Glorfindel by surprise, but he gladly yielded and handed Erestor control of their kiss. Concentrating on bringing them to completion, he stared deeply into the chocolate brown eyes, which shone with need. Erestor even moved his hips rhythmically, mimicking the play of real love making. Feeling Erestor move seductively pushed Glorfindel toward orgasm and made him climax.

Erestor wasn’t far behind and he kissed Glorfindel hard, almost biting down on his lover’s tongue the moment orgasm took him.

Glorfindel released their now softening members and studied Erestor’s face, which glowed in the aftermath. “I have never seen such a lovely sight.” The blush, which now spread over Erestor’s face only made him desire his lover more, but he reminded himself that he had to go slow; he owed Erestor that much. He wanted to build their love making into something unforgettable and their first time together should be perfect – for both of them.

“Thank you, that was… wonderful.” Erestor wished his blush would finally go away. He could practically feel his face glow!

Glorfindel smiled, feeling sated, and pressed a loving kiss on the tip of Erestor’s nose. “Aye, it was. You are making me very happy, love.”

The blush deepened further, making Erestor feel embarrassed.

“Don’t,” said Glorfindel when Erestor tried to look away. “I love you just the way you are.” Glorfindel ran his fingers through his lover’s silken mane, enjoying the soft sensation against his fingertips. /And I love *who* you are, Erestor Peredhel./

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arwen and the twins were worried. They had seldom seen their father this upset and nervous. Elrond was lost in thought and pacing his study, whilst Celebrían had seated herself close to her children. She had even taken Elladan’s hand into hers and rhythmically rubbed the soft skin.

“Father? You are making us nervous!” Elrohir couldn’t take much more of this. “What has happened? What has unbalanced you?”

Elrond came to an abrupt halt and stared at his children. “There have been some… developments.”

“Regarding?” asked Elladan, deeply frowning. The last time he had seen his father this anxious had been shortly before Arwen had been born!

“Regarding Erestor,” replied Celebrían, having pity on her husband. She could tell that telling his children was harder on him than it had been to confide in her. Maybe he expected more frustration, more anger from them.

Arwen gave her mother a thoughtful look. “The picnic was a success. He is finally beginning to relax around us.”

Elrond drew in a deep breath, realizing postponing telling them would only make this worse. “What I am going to tell you might shock you, but I would ask of you to hear me out.”

“Shock us?” Elladan’s frown deepened further. That didn’t sound good. His father had him worried now.

“When you were little I regaled you with stories about times long gone by – a time when I fought at Ereinion’s side. We were friends – close friends and his death crushed me. I lost my best friend that day. I admired him – maybe even worshipped him. He was my hero.”

The twins exchanged a look, wondering where Elrond was going to take this. Elrohir cradled Arwen’s hand in his and gently rubbed her fingers. His inner alarms were going off, but he didn’t know why.

“This happened long before I met your mother,” explained Elrond, avoiding his children’s eyes. Instead, he stared at the floor. “I was hurting that night and found comfort in the arms of Yestarë. She was Ereinion’s niece and confident.”

Arwen’s eyes widened with surprise. “Why are you telling us this?”

“Because that night wasn't without consequences. A child came forth of our union.” Elrond cringed; seeing the first signs of understanding on Elrohir’s face.

“Erestor?” Elrohir had a hard time believing he had reached the right conclusion, but then his father nodded and he realized he had been correct. “You sired Erestor?”

Elladan leaned back against his twin, dazed by his father’s confession. “You are Erestor’s father?”

“He is our half-brother?” Arwen’s eyes widened.

“And half-Elven,” supplied Celebrían.

“And he is even related to the High-King!” realized Elrohir, stunned.

Elrond wrung his hands, reluctant to look any of his children in the eye. “I hope you can accept this.”

“I did,” said Celebrían, supporting her husband. “We know how hard Erestor’s life has been and to find out that he could have had a family years ago saddens me. We should do what we can to make him feel part of our family. What we have is very special, children. He never knew what it is like to have a family.”

Elladan’s thoughts raced. “Erestor is your firstborn?”

Ai, Elladan had reached that conclusion rather quickly and Elrond nodded. “He is.”

Elladan shook his head in utter disbelief. “I am not your firstborn? Not your heir?” He didn’t know how he felt about that. He had been raised as the future Lord, but at the same time his destiny had also been his burden.

“Does Erestor know this yet?” inquired Elrohir, who was also struggling to accept this upsetting news.

“I don’t know. It depends on his desire to know the name of his sire. The last time I saw him, Erestor didn’t want to know his father’s identity.” Elrond finally peeked at their eyes, meeting Arwen’s first. “You have a half-brother, Arwen.”

“Another brother,” whispered Arwen. She made her decision to accept Erestor into her life and her family that very moment. “I like that thought.”

Elrond allowed himself to sigh. “And what about you, my sons?”

Celebrían rose from her chair and went to stand beside her husband. She curled her fingers around Elrond’s hand and looked challengingly at her sons. “Elladan, Elrohir, if I can accept this, I hope you will do no less.”

“This is too much – too quickly,” mumbled Elladan. “I need time… Time to think this over and to determine what this means to me.”

“To us,” clarified Elrohir. “Don’t ask for our support this very moment. Give us time to consider everything you told us.”

“That is reasonable,” replied Elrond. At least they weren’t fuming mad with him! “Take all the time you need, but please keep in mind that Erestor might know the truth by now. Be tactful around him. Erestor didn’t do anything to deserve your wrath. If you must be angry with someone, be angry with me, for I sired a son over three thousand years ago.”

“And you never knew Erestor existed?” inquired Arwen, feeling intrigued.

“I didn’t. I left the encampment long before Yestarë did. I was young and naïve and didn’t believe that one night could have such grave consequences.”

“I can’t believe you did that,” whispered Elladan.

“Elladan, I had just seen my best friend and King die before my very eyes and we were both hurting! She offered me comfort.” Elrond wrung his hands, wishing his sons would understand, but maybe they needed more time to truly comprehend what he had gone through.

“I am not referring to the fact that you bedded her,” clarified Elladan. “But you should have made inquiries and have realized she had born you a son!”

Briefly, Elrond’s heart beat with joy. That had been Celebrían’s first reaction as well! Maybe there was hope that his sons would eventually accept this! “Please, carefully consider what you learned here today. I don’t want you to release any anger or frustration onto Erestor. He has no blame in this matter.”

“We don’t blame Erestor!” Elladan rose from the couch and was closely followed by Elrohir when he made his way over to his parents. “We just need time to accept we have an older brother.”

Celebrían squeezed his hand to show her support and Elrond managed a weak smile. “I pray you will accept Erestor into the family. He deserves a loving family so much.”

The twins looked at each other, knowing that their father was right, but were they ready to admit that as well?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The fact that it was their begetting day tomorrow – an event they had always celebrated – was of little importance now as the twins tried to come to terms with reality. Reality was that they had an older half-brother, who was their father’s rightful heir.

“Elladan? Are you cross with our father?” Elrohir studied his brother. He had followed Elladan when his brother had entered the gardens first, and had then headed for the Bruinen. Elladan hadn’t stopped walking until they had finally reached the riverbank.

Elladan sat down and stared at the water. Arien was still riding the sky, but Ithil was already announcing his presence. He loved this time of day – twilight.

“Elladan? Did you even hear me?” Following his instincts, Elrohir sat down behind his twin and firmly wrapped his arms around him. “You can tell me. Are you upset because you are no longer our father’s heir?”

“Partly,” admitted Elladan in a thoughtful voice. “We were both trained to rule Imladris one day, brother, so this concerns you too.”

“Not in the same way as it does you, Elladan.” Elrohir rested his chin on his twin’s shoulder. “You were always so proud that you were the firstborn, the heir.”

Elladan frowned at hearing his twin’s words. “Are you trying to tell me you felt jealous?”

“Not jealous… I envied you because our father gave you more attention than he did me. Your training was more elaborate than mine. I often felt lonely because of that. You are my twin, Elladan. I always felt closest to you, but this became a barrier between us.”

Elladan finally leaned back against his twin and peeked at him. “You felt lonely? But I never noticed a thing.”

“I didn’t want you to see.” Elrohir savored the feeling of having his twin to himself. “You might not like hearing this, but I wouldn’t mind if Erestor became father’s heir, for that meant I could have more of you.”

“More of me?”

“This… this distance would grow less between us. We would be twins again, not the firstborn and his brother.” Elrohir had never spoken of this before and wasn’t certain how Elladan would take this news.

“I never knew you thought about it in that way.” Elladan felt the beating of his heart stronger now than ever before. Maybe it was because Elrohir was so close. Perhaps because his twin had finally told him what worried him most. Or maybe the barrier that had kept them apart had fallen away. “I don’t want you to feel lonely. You are my brother! My twin! You are the person I am closest to!”

Elrohir smiled. “I haven’t heard you say that for a long time.”

“True,” admitted Elladan. “I am sorry I failed you.”

“You didn’t fail me. You just carried out your duties.”

“But I forgot that my first duty is always to you, Elrohir.” Elladan pressed back against his twin and the embrace he was in tightened. “Maybe this is a good thing after all.”

“In what way?” Elrohir closed his eyes and breathed in his brother’s scent. Elladan *was* the other half of his soul.

“Erestor… I don’t know what to think of him, but I like him. Maybe having an older brother isn’t that bad. And Erestor… he has suffered much… I want him to have a family.”

“I am so very proud of you, Elladan.” Elrohir had pressed a kiss onto his twin’s hair before he knew it. “You have a heart of gold.”

“I am not so sure about that,” said Elladan, teasingly. “It is you, who has such a good influence on me, Elrohir.”

/I love you, Elladan. You will never know just how much I love you and it is best that way. It is best that you don’t know the truth./ For the truth was that he loved his twin more than a sibling should.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I need to know what Erestor decided!” Elrond looked at his wife. “Does he already know that I am his father?”

“Then go, husband-mine, and find out,” said Celebrían in understanding. “But do you already know what you will do if Glorfindel told him?”

“I don’t.” Elrond shook his head. “I will find out when I face him.”

“Have you considered telling him, personally?” inquired Celebrían, knowing they could only *really* move on once Erestor knew the truth. Until then, the tension would continue to mount.

“I am too much of a coward to do that,” whispered Elrond.

“Are you afraid that he will reject you and run?”

“Aye.” Elrond bestowed a gentle caress onto his wife’s silver hair. “You accepted this, Arwen did, and I am hopeful the twins will also come to terms with it. But how will Erestor react?”

“You will only find out by confronting him.”

Elrond sighed. “And confronting him is what I am so afraid of.” Elrond pressed a loving kiss onto his wife’s lips and then headed for the doorway. “Erestor and I need to talk – now.”

“Then do so. Talk to him and tell him, if he doesn’t know yet. Glorfindel will be there to support the both of you.” It pained her to see him so distraught.

Elrond nodded and stepped into the corridor. Postponing this would only worsen the situation. He had to face Erestor and tell his son the truth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elrond knocked softly, as not to startle Erestor. But it wasn’t his son who answered the door, but Glorfindel. Feeling quite the coward, Elrond sighed, relieved. “Glorfindel…”

“You shouldn’t have come tonight. Erestor was nervous and it took him quite a while to fall asleep.”

“He is asleep now?” That meant they couldn’t talk!

“Aye.” Glorfindel cleared his throat, looked at Erestor, deeply asleep in the bed, and then stepped into the corridor, pulling the door closed behind him as he didn’t want his lover to overhear this conversation. “He is trying hard to act calm and controlled, but inwardly a war rages.”

“Did you tell him yet?” Nervously, Elrond licked his bottom lip.

“Nay, he told me he doesn’t want to know his father’s name – yet. But he *did* ask several questions related to you and I believe it is only a matter of time before he will want to know his sire.”

“How long do you think…?” Elrond’s voice faded away.

“A few days. The need to know will grow stronger until it eventually overwhelms him.” Glorfindel raised his right hand and rested it on Elrond’s shoulder. “I know why you are here and I advise against telling him whilst he isn’t ready to hear the truth. Give him these few days.”

“I will try, but it is difficult. He is my son, Glorfindel. My firstborn. He had to do without a father for so long!”

“Elrond, Erestor will welcome you with open arms, but please, give him the time he needs.”

“I hope you are right about that,” whispered Elrond. “That he will welcome me with open arms for I am afraid he will reject and shun me.”

“Maybe at first,” admitted Glorfindel. “It will take him time to accept that *you* are his father. This will be utterly unexpected.”

“It was quite a shock to me as well.”

“Imagine yourself in his place, my friend. The truth will hit him even harder.”

“What do I do, Glorfindel?” Elrond felt nervous, wanting nothing more than to be accepted by his son and to hold Erestor in his arms. He wanted Erestor to know they were father and son!

“Come by in the morning as planned. Tend to his wounds, remove his bandages and examine him. Try to engage him in conversation and be friendly. Show real interest in him.”

“Do you really think everything will be well in the end?”

Glorfindel leaned in closer and gave his longtime friend a warm hug. “Aye, I do.”

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