Chapter 5

Erestor took Glorfindel's hand under the table as Elrond led Lindir from the room. Squeezing his hand, he leaned in to whisper in Glorfindel's ear, "I hope everything works out for them. Maybe then, we will get some peace around here. I am tired of Elrond's testy temper of late. He needs to tame Lindir the lion and make him purr."

Glorfindel's shoulders shook as he tried to contain his laughter at Erestor's words. Yes, he also hoped everything worked out between Elrond and Lindir. Lindir could soothe the pain Elrond had been dealing with since Celebrian left. "Shall we retire, my love?" he said to Erestor, glancing around the room to see who all was still in attendance. Pushing back his chair, he rose to his feet and pulled his dark love up after him. Wrapping his arm around the silver, satin clad waist, Glorfindel placed a gentle kiss on the raven tresses and guided him out of the room.

Erestor sighed. He loved his husband of millennia. They had bonded two years before the fateful Last Alliance. They had stood hand in hand in support of Elrond when he had wed his beloved Celebrian. They had acted as tutors and mentors to Elrond's three children. And after the fateful attack, they had been able to comfort each other when she sailed. Elrond had only his children left, and Arwen had fled to Lorien to be with her grandparents. Shaki ng his head to rid himself of his thoughts, Erestor leaned heavily into the teal velvet embrace of his love. Looking up, he met the sapphire gaze with his own emerald one, and smiled in happiness. It seemed that their love grew daily, and Erestor was thankful that Mandos had allowed the Balrog slayer to return to walk these shores once again.

Erestor had known Glorfindel before. He had been raised in Gondolin and had loved him even then.

~flashback~

Erestor flew down the steps of the house of the golden flower and into the arms of Lord Glorfindel, who had just returned from battle. "Come, let us get you into a bath and you can tell me all about it," he had said, tugging on Glorfindel's arm. "Let me soothe you this evening."

Leading the golden-haired warrior up to his chambers, Erestor signaled for the maids to draw a bath, having previously informed them of what scented oil to use in the water. Once inside and alone, Erestor began unbuckling the straps on the bloodstained armor, swiftly removing the items and setting them aside. Once finished, he took Glorfindel's hand and led him into the jasmine scented bathing chamber. Helping him out of his tunic and leggings Erestor ushered him into the pool, watching him sink into its depths.

"Will you not join me? I do not want to bathe alone this eve." Glorfindel pleaded from where he rested in the sapphire tiled bathing pool. Turning his head, he looked up at his friend, "Please, join me " Erestor was lost. He sucked in his breath and nodded. Slowly, he divested himself of his robes and stepped down into the water. Sinking into the pool, he moaned in bliss as the heated water embraced him, making him suddenly aware of just how tired he had become, fretting about the safe return of his lord and friend. Settling back, he turned to look at his dearest friend, his secret love, and smiled. "Do you want me to wash you, milord?" he asked, never expecting the reaction he ended up with.

Glorfindel moved swiftly, wrapping his sword-strengthened arms around Erestor and passionately kissing him. Erestor mewled at the sensuous attack that had only previously occurred in his dreams. Wrapping his own arms around his lord, he tried to get closer to the warm, much beloved body. When Glorfindel ended the kiss and pulled back, Erestor mewled in protest, not wanting this dream to end. Glorfindel chuckled and placed a kiss on Erestor's nose, saying, "Not now, my love. Let us save it until we are bound."

Erestor was dumbfounded. Not sure he had heard correctly, he looked into Glorfindel's eyes, his own showing his shock and confusion. "You. you love me? You. want to bond to me?" he stuttered in fear of misunderstanding. At Glorfindel's nod, sobs began to rake his body, causing Glorfindel to draw him closer. "What is the matter? Why are you crying?" Glorfindel asked him and all Erestor could whimper through his sobs was, "Love you always."

Glorfindel had given him a gift that evening, a set of matching mithril bands, engraved with the golden flowers of their house. Erestor's eyes shone as he looked at them. Taking the larger from the box, he had gently slipped it onto his golden love's finger, kissing it as it was seated. His face glowed as Glorfindel repeated the gesture with his own ring. Erestor spent the night wrapped in Glorfindel's loving embrace, dreaming of the day they would be one.

Erestor had prepared for their bonding with joy. Many were the citizens of Gondolin that loved the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower and his gentle squire. All had watched the love blossom between them and gladly rejoiced with them as the day swiftly approached for the upcoming ceremony. Many were the offers to help in the planning. Erestor could do nothing but stand and watch, so overwhelmed was he by the simple fact that his lord loved him and was bonding to him for all eternity. Many were the knowing grins as he wandered the halls, lost in daydreams of their coming life together.

Their bonding day arrived bright and beautiful and everything was going as planned. The festivities of the Gates of Summer were accentuated by the wedding of the beloved lord and his chosen mate. Everyone was gathered as the ceremony was about to start, when suddenly, the alarm of attack was raised. Glorfindel kissed Erestor swiftly before dragging him to his rooms. Grabbing Glorfindel's armor, Erestor helped him remove his outer wedding robes and prepare for battle. With a passionate kiss and tears in his eyes, Erestor clung to his beloved and wished away the terror. When Glorfindel handed Erestor the ring he had removed from his finger, the dark haired elf began to sob. "Why? Why are you giving me this?" Glorfindel had pulled him close and whispered, "I want you to keep it safe for me until I return to your side. Please have faith that I will return to you. I love you."

Erestor had then watched as Glorfindel had grabbed his weapons, and with a passionate kiss had bid him leave for the secret passage to await the battles outcome with the other members of the household unable to fight. Erestor had done as Glorfindel had asked as if in a trance, a sense of foreboding gripping him. When Glorfindel and Laiqalasse had led him, Idril, Earendil, and others of Gondolin to safety, leaving their beloved city burning behind them, Erestor had known that his life was changing forever. But the worst of that evening had been watching his golden love battle the fiery demon and fall to his death. Erestor had screamed when the Balrog had wrapped his whip of flames around Glorfindel and had passed out as Glorfindel fell to his death; the others having to carry him with them.

Regaining consciousness a month later, he found himself in the company of Gil-galad. As the years past, he came to be known for his intellect and cool headed reason in heated debates. Many whispered behind his back that he had no heart. Erestor knew differently. He had a heart, but it was buried under a cairn in what had once been the fair city of Gondolin. When his strength and resolve failed him, he would grasp the twin rings around his neck to give him the determination and will to continue.

Erestor had traveled to Imladris with Elrond; the son of the child Glorfindel had given his life to protect, to aid him with the creation of a safe haven for all. Over the years, he grew to be Elrond's most trusted advisor, yet never a confidant or friend. He spent his days behind his desk, ate his meals in silence and spent his nights and evenings alone. He had commissioned a replica of Glorfindel's armor and sword and they held a place of honor in his room and heart. Many had asked him about the twin rings he wore around his neck, but he would only shake his head and turn away. Eventually, the others learned to leave him to his solitude and Erestor sighed in relief, until the day his lord asked him to welcome a new arrival to the realm, an elf that was to be the head of security.

Erestor had grumbled constantly, hating to be put on display. He much preferred to wait in the background, not drawing attention to himself. But, his lord's orders could not be ignored and dressing in his customary robes of ebony, the only color he had worn since that fateful day, he waited for the new Seneschal. As the party approached, Erestor felt as if punched in the gut. Sure that someone was playing an awful joke on him, he had searched the crowd for Elrond, but only saw faces paying homage to a fallen hero. As if in a trance, he walked toward the approaching vision, stopping at the side of his horse and looking up. The soft gasp leaving his lips had alerted the other to his presence, and before he knew what was happening, he was swept into familiar arms and his mouth thoroughly devoured. They had only waited six months before they were bound, and had only left each other's side for Glorfindel to fight in the Last Alliance.

~end flashback~

Jerked from his memories by Glorfindel's ferocious kiss, Erestor realized they were in their rooms. Returning the kiss with as much passion as he was given, Erestor backed Glorfindel to the bed. "I need you" was all he could say.

Glorfindel, realizing that Erestor had been lost in memory, gave into his passion. Allowing Erestor to disrobe him, he lay on the bed in anticipation of what was to come. Watching his mate undress, he realized just how fortunate they had been to find each other again in this life. Erestor could very well have followed him when he had died.

Sighing as Erestor kissed a trail down his chest, Glorfindel wrapped his hands in the raven tresses. Whispering endearments, he urged the other on. When Erestor took a nipple into his mouth, Glorfindel hissed, his body already over sensitized. He moaned and thrashed on the bed as Erestor played his body like a finely tuned instrument, knowing this evening, fulfillment would not come swiftly.

When Erestor took him into his mouth, he moaned at the warm heat surrounding him. Tugging at the hair in his hands, he pulled Erestor up so their mouths met. The bruising kiss bestowed by his husband fanned the flames of his passion even higher. When he felt an oiled finger enter him, he almost came undone, only kept from release by the tight grip his husband had on his member. No longer conscious of anything but the sensations flooding his body, he sighed in bliss when his love filled him.

Erestor slowly entered Glorfindel, pausing when he was sheathed to the hilt, to allow his body time to calm. He was afraid to release Glorfindel's member, wanting this to last as long as possible. He began moving in long, languorous strokes, making sure he hit his husband's pleasure spot with each thrust. When Glorfindel began to moan, he lost control, slamming into the willing body beneath him. Moving his hand in time with his thrusts, he quickly brought his husband to the edge and they both tumbled over at the same ti me, each crying out their beloved's name. Collapsing onto Glorfindel's chest, Erestor sighed in contentment. Carefully, he slid out of his husband's body, snuggled up to him and laid his head on Glorfindel's chest.

"I love you," he whispered to Glorfindel, gently kissing his chest. "I give thanks every day that you were returned to me. Never leave me again, promise me please," Erestor begged, looking into the sapphire eyes of his beloved. "I would not survive it again."