Chapter 1

Slamming down the parchment, Elrond growled. The frustration was getting worse everyday. Listening to the music, which should have soothed him, Elrond was anything but soothed. "Damn him!" Elrond stood, throwing his chair back, not caring as it crashed to the floor. "Erestor! Get that damn minstrel in here now!" Elrond bellowed. Watching his advisor scurry to do his bidding, Elrond almost apologized, but stopped, thinking of the blonde bombshell that was tormenting him. /I will repay you for this torment, you fiend/ Elrond thought to himself. Pacing the length of his study, Elrond cursed the day he brought the orphan minstrel into his house.

~flashback~

"Milord, I have found an elfling in the woods beside the Bruinen. He says that his parents were killed by an orc attack. What should we do with the foundling?" Glorfindel asked of Elrond. Glorfindel had been on patrol, stumbling across the youngster by chance.

"I will foster him in my household, my friend. Will you show him in?" Elrond asked Glorfindel. Surprised at his friend's reluctance to escort the elfling into the study, Elrond should have had a clue as to the trouble that was being introduced to his household.

~end flashback~

Erestor entered the study, dragging the cursed minstrel behind him. "Here, milord. I have delivered him as you commanded." Dropping the minstrel's arm, Erestor scurried from the room, holding his arm where he had been bitten on the way to the study.

"Come here!" Elrond commanded of the minstrel. "Why do you insist on tormenting me? Why can you not leave me in peace?" Elrond sank onto the nearest settee, dropping his head into his hands. The frustration was killing him.

Starting, he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. Reaching up, he grasped it, twining his fingers with that of the other elf. "Why must you torment me so? Why must you compose such music? Why can you not turn you compositions towards someone else? Why me? Why not Erestor or Glorfindel? What about my sons? Why ME??!" Elrond almost screamed at the minstrel.

"Milord, I only have eyes for you. You have been my inspiration since the day Lord Glorfindel first brought me before you. You captured my heart with the first glance I had of you. I want nothing more than to spend eternity in your arms. I care not for anyone else. I want only you. You are my inspiration. You alone put the songs into my heart. You give wings to my voice. I love you, milord." he told Elrond. Violet eyes searched Elrond's midnight blue orbs as if searching his soul.

"Damn you. Damn you. Damn you." Elrond could not form a coherent thought. "I can not think anymore. I can not concentrate on anything but you and what you do to me. Leave me in peace! Leave me!" Elrond screamed, pounding on the table beside him, ignoring the shocked and stricken look on the face of the minstrel beside him.

"I am sorry, milord. I will leave Imladris. I will journey to Mirkwood. You will not see me again. I am sorry."

Elrond heard the tears in the minstrel's voice. He heard Lindir open the door to leave. Elrond had no recollection of moving but he must have, for suddenly he was standing inside his door with the minstrel in his arms. Devouring Lindir's mouth in a passionate kiss, Elrond knew he was lost.

Elrond backed the minstrel towards the settee, never breaking the contact of their mouths. /I am drowning. I can not do this./ Elrond thought. Coming to his senses, he threw Lindir from him. "Lindir, be gone from here. Get thee from my sight." Turning abruptly, Elrond missed the smirk that appeared on Lindir's face.

Dropping back down onto the settee, Elrond buried his face in his hands. /What was I thinking? Why did I attack him? I do not want him. Why would I?/ Slumping back to rest his head on the cushion, Elrond closed his eyes and attempted to relax.

Chapter 2

Glorfindel knocked tentatively on Elrond's study door. Erestor had informed him of Elrond's state of duress earlier, and he was treading carefully. He still blamed himself for bringing Lindir into the household. "Come in" was the quiet reply, and Glorfindel opened the door to comply.

"You! You miserable rat. You destroyed my life and sanity that day 200 years ago. You.you..you!" Elrond sputtered in fury. His meandering thoughts had placed the blame squarely on Glorfindel's shoulders. "You will escort him to Mirkwood, two days hence. And I do not want to see you back for a year. You have made my life a living hell, introducing that spawn of Sauron into this household."

Glorfindel's jaw dropped and he paled in shock. One year, he would not be parted from Erestor that long. "I will not do it. If I go, Erestor goes with me. I think you need to grow up. You return his feelings. So do something about it. Quit taking your frustrations out on everyone else. Bed the minstrel and make our lives bearable."

Looking at the startled face of his friend, Glorfindel walked forward, and placed his hand on Elrond's shoulder. "Give in, my friend. He is stronger than you can imagine. He will be your salvation if you let him. He loves you, do not send him away. I fear that may kill him." Glorfindel waited for a response from Elrond. He had known him since his rebirth and now to see him in this state of distress pained him. Glorfindel knelt before Elrond and took his hands in his own. "Come, let us get you changed for supper. We will eat and make merry. Tonight, you will talk to the minstrel, and then, if you still want me to escort him to Mirkwood, I will do so. But, be forewarned that I will be returning immediately. I will not leave Erestor. You should not ask this of either of us. Come." Tugging on Elrond's hands, Glorfindel helped him to rise, and wrapping his arm around Elrond's shoulders, guide d him to his rooms.

Opening the door, he turned to his lord and asked, "Do you need some help? May I suggest an outfit for you to wear?" Seeing Elrond nod, Glorfindel took it as an answer to both his questions. Walking to the wardrobe, he opened the door and rummaged through, looking for a specific outfit. Finding it, he swiftly pulled it out, and handed it to Elrond. "You must wear this. This will tell you much."

Elrond looked at what Glorfindel had handed him. "You want me to wear this? " Closing his eyes, he sighed. "Give me half and hour and I will join you in the Hall of Fire for the evening meal." Elrond walked Glorfindel to the door and closed it behind him, leaning against the wood and closing his eyes. /(~)I hope he is right. I will do as he suggests. Tonight will tell all./(~)

Elrond swiftly changed clothes, donning the outfit Glorfindel had chosen for him. Sliding into the sapphire blue silk leggings and tunic, he then pulled the lemon yellow satin robe over top. The side slits allowed the blue to show through, and he knew the colors accented his eyes. Sitting at his dressing table, he picked up his brush and began to run it through his hair. Skillfully, he arranged it into a flattering arrangement of braids and knots, finishing with the butterfly hair clip that Lindir had given to him for his begetting day, his third year in Imladris. Shaking his head violently, he refused to allow the memories to take hold. Instead, he rose to his feet and swiftly left the room, flagging down a maid. Giving her his instructions, he continued on to the Hall of Fire. Opening the door, he paused and surveyed the occupants, sucking in his breath at the vision Lindir presented.

As if in a trance, Elrond walked to his seat at the head table, his eyes never leaving the silver haired elf in the seat next to his. Lindir was a vision dressed in emerald green velvet robes over lavender silk leggings and tunic. His mithril hair hung straight and smooth with only two small braids to keep it from his beautiful face. His violet eyes seemed ablaze, the flames of the fire showing as clearly as though reflected from twin mirrors. He was absolutely stunning. Elrond sank into his seat as ungracefully as a st one. "You are stunning." he whispered into Lindir's ear. "Please, forgive me for my earlier outburst. Will you spend the evening with me so that we may talk?" Holding his breath, he waited for Lindir's answer.

"Yes." Lindir said, looking Elrond in the eyes. "I would be honored." He could hardly catch his breath at the vision Elrond made in his robes. His heart was lodged in his throat. Lindir ate his supper, seated at the right hand of Elrond, the seat that Erestor and Glorfindel had insisted he occupy, and he was dressed in clothing chosen by Erestor. When he had asked why Erestor was helping him, all he had gotten was a smirk. Now, he was eating food with no idea what he was putting into his mouth. He felt as if he was in a fog. His lord was no longer upset with him and wanted to talk to him. It was better than he could ever have expected.

Chapter 3

Finishing their meal, Elrond slid back his chair, and looking at Lindir, asked him, "Are you ready?" Standing at his nod, Elrond waited for Lindir to rise as well, then placing his hand on the small of his back, escorted the silver haired beauty from the room. Once outside the Hall of Fire, Elrond took Lindir's hand in his, and led the minstrel to his rooms.

Once inside Elrond's sitting room, he offered Lindir a seat on the settee and sank down next to him. "Lindir, tell me about your parents. I have never asked you this before. What happened to them?" Turning to face Lindir, Elrond laid his arm across the back of the settee, encircling Lindir's shoulders.

Lindir sucked in his breath. He had not expected Elrond to ever ask him about his parents. He had not been prepared for this. "Why.why do you want to know?" he asked, trying hard to contain his emotions at the question no one had asked for centuries. In fact, no one had asked him since the day that Erestor had tried and he had broken a case of dwarven spirits by throwing them through a window, nearly hitting Elrond, who had been walking outside.

Since that fateful day, any mention of his parents had been taboo.

Reaching out, Elrond took Lindir's hand in his. "Please, tell me. I would like to understand what you have held inside to fester all these years. It is obviously still a bitter subject. Let telling me cleanse your soul." Elrond rubbed his thumb across the back of Lindir's hand, trying to sooth him, hoping that the other would confide in him.

Lindir closed his eyes. Sucking in a deep breath, he gripped Elrond's hand in his own. "My parents were not killed by Orcs. My parents left me. We were travelling to Mirkwood. We had stopped for the night. Every thing was fine and we sat talking and laughing until late. They told me to sleep. They would wake me in the morning to continue on our journey." Lindir paused and took a deep breath to calm his trembling form. "They never did. I awoke in the morning to an empty camp. They had left nothing except for the blankets I was using, (and) a knife and full canteen of water. They left me. Why? Why would they do that? We had been happy. What is wrong with me?" Looking at Elrond, tears streaming down his face, he gripped his hand and cried, "What did I do? Why could they not love me? Why does no one love me? I am alone, and when I leave for Mirkwood, it will be forever. Save me, milord. Save me." Letting go of Elrond's hand, Lindir dropped his head into both of his hands. He let the sobs that he had kept bottled inside for millennia erupt. He let the tears that had been barricaded flow like a river down his cheeks, not caring if they stained his or his lord's clothing.

Elrond sat with his mouth open. He had not expected this. What parent would abandon their child in the wild with only a knife and water? Elrond decided to investigate this issue further. He would locate Lindir's parents for him, and find out why they had left him. "Shhhh, it is okay. I will save you. I love you. Let me love you. I need you. I would hold you tonight. Shhhh." Elrond murmured comfortingly, wrapping Lindir in his arms and stroking the mithril hair. Dropping a kiss on the crown of Lindir's head, he continued to murmur, making comforting sounds to calm the distressed elf.

Feeling Elrond kiss the top of his head, Lindir lifted his head and looked at Elrond. Suddenly, as if a dam had burst, Lindir attacked.

Elrond gasped as Lindir's mouth claimed his in a punishing, bruising kiss. Wrapped in Lindir's arms, Elrond felt like he had come home. Wrapping his own arms around the minstrel, Elrond tangled his fingers in Lindir's hair and let the minstrel control the kiss.

Lindir's hands began exploring Elrond's body, dipping into the neckline of the tunic to stroke his flesh, caressing the satin of his robe with the softest of touches, driving Elrond mad. "I would have you tonight, milord." Lindir murmured against Elrond's lips, before claiming them again is a soft gentle kiss offering all of his love and devotion to Elrond.

Chapter 4

Elrond was on fire. He had never felt this way before. Never in his life had feelings such as these been stirred. Moaning into Lindir's mouth, he almost missed what the mistral said. "Yes," he sighed as Lindir claimed his mouth again. Elrond knew at this moment, Lindir would never be leaving for Mirkwood, unless he was at his side.

Standing and pulling Lindir up with him, Elrond then swept Lindir into his arms. Carrying him into the bedroom, Elrond tossed the minstrel onto the bed. Swiftly removing his own robe and tunic, Elrond tossed them aside, before crawling up the bed to where Lindir was reclining. "I think you have on too many clothes," growled Elrond. Grabbing Lindir's robe hem, Elrond tugged at it, lifting it and sliding it off. Grasping the tunic, he all but ripped it off. Reaching for the ties of Lindir's leggings, Elrond was shocked, when a hand stopped him.

Lindir shook his head at Elrond. "Tsk, tsk. A bit impatient are we?" Grinning wickedly, Lindir arose from the bed. He turned his back to Elrond, and slowly allowed his leggings to drop. Looking over his shoulder at Elrond, Lindir licked his lips in anticipation. Turning, he leapt onto Elrond, pinning him to the bed. He let his lips explore Elrond's chest, teasing the rosy buds that hardened at his touch. Kissing a trail down Elrond's abdomen, he was forced to halt at the waistband of the leggings.

Looking up, he grinned at Elrond, then dropped his head, kissing the hardness encased in Elrond's leggings. Using his teeth, he untied the lacings and tugged them free. Singing softly to himself, he grasped the waistband and with a jerk, had them off Elrond and on the floor. Moving back over his lord, he bent his head and kissed the treasure his actions had revealed. Moving between Elrond's legs, he focused himself on his lord's pleasure. Trailing kisses up and down the hard length, Lindir continued to sing softly.

His hands did not cease their journey over Elrond's body, tweaking a nipple here, dipping into the navel there. Pausing to tickle Elrond's sides, Lindir then let one of his hands slip under his love, the other going up to Elrond's lips and slipping into his mouth to be suckled while swirling his tongue around Elrond's head. Withdrawing his finger, he swiftly brought his hand to join his other, and seeking, swiftly found his target. Pushing gently against the puckered opening, Lindir relaxed his throat and took Elrond deeper into his mouth. The exclamation leaving Elrond's lips caused the pucker to relax and Lindir's finger to slip inside. He crooked it, seeking the spot..

"Ohhhhh!" Elrond moaned, almost lifting from the bed when Lindir hit his sweet spot. "Please," he moaned, tugging on Lindir's shoulders. He needed. Oh, how he needed.

Lindir could not torture Elrond any more. His own need was too great. Grasping Elrond's hips, he lined himself up and slid into the velvet glove that was his lord's passage. Pausing, he leaned down and lightly kissed Elrond's lips, "Are you okay?" Seeing Elrond nod, Lindir planted a hand on either side of his head and began to thrust slowly and gently, not wanting the experience to end too soon.

"Move, oh please, Move." Thrusting his hips, Elrond tried to impale himself further onto the hard shaft inside him. Wrapping his legs around Lindir's waist, he brought them as close as possible.

Lindir looked into Elrond's eyes and his control snapped. Growling, he began to thrust wildly, reaching between their bodies to take Elrond in hand. The pace Lindir set had one purpose only, to bring them both to completion.

"LINDIR!" Elrond screamed as his release hit their stomachs. "I love you." He moaned out, exhausted from the ferocity of their coupling.

Feeling Elrond's muscles begin to clench on him, Lindir dropped his head to his love's shoulder, biting down when he exploded in to Elrond. "ELROND!" he roared as he collapsed onto his love, panting for breath. Bracing himself on his arms, Lindir started to withdraw, but was stopped by Elrond, who locked his legs around his waist.

"Please, do not leave. Stay with me." Elrond looked up into Lindir's eyes. "I am sorry for my outburst earlier. I love you and want you by my side."

Lindir looked at Elrond and smiled. "Thank you, my love. If you will let me, I will stay by your side forever." Wrapping his arms around Elrond, Lindir rolled them so they lay on their sides, Lindir still buried in Elrond. Planting a gentle kiss on Elrond's lips, he snuggled up and let reverie claim him.

Elrond stroked the silver hair spread on his shoulder. /Why did I ever deny him? Why did I deny myself his love? I will make it up to him somehow./ Elrond then followed Lindir into reverie, hoping to keep his love with him forever.