Title: Dance with Me
Series: 50 Passages
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Fandom: LOTR
Characters: Glorfindel/Ecthelion
Prompt: 10 - You seem to know a lot. More than is good for you, I
guess.
Word Count: 673
Rating: PG13
Summary: It's festival time in Gondolin.

****************

"Dance with me."

Glorfindel looked up to see Ecthelion holding his hand out and
smiling warmly at him. His face was flushed from many hours of merry
making, though he seemed untroubled by it. Glorfindel froze, staring
at the proffered hand as if it would somehow harm him.

"I... I can't," he stuttered. "I'm sorry."

He saw the disappointment and confusion cross Ecthelion's face,
though he knew the fair Lord would not push him.

"As you wish," he said quietly, moving on all too quickly.

Glorfindel sighed. He wanted, truly wanted, to dance with Ecthelion.
Yet the simple truth was - Glorfindel could not dance. On the dance
floor his grace deserted him, taking his confidence along with it.
Especially these days, when he held such a high social standing, he
preferred not to embarrass himself. Those warriors he led would never
look at him with respect again if they saw his bumbling, clumsy
steps. He silently cursed his lack of skill in the arts, his
despondency growing as he saw a young maiden accept Ecthelion's
invitation and the two made for the centre of the dancer's circle.

From that moment on, the evening turned from one of pleasure into one
of pure torture for Glorfindel. Ecthelion danced with Ellon and
Elleth alike, taking each one on a dizzying whirl around the dance
floor, while he sat with his drink at the edge.

Many approached him, for he was known and loved amongst the people of
Gondolin, yet he had eyes only for the Lord of the Fountain. Even
when in conversation with another, his eyes drifted to the graceful
dancers.

**************

It was long past midnight when the revels finally came to an end. The
festival would have continued for longer, but the moon was now hidden
behind dark clouds and the feel of a storm was in the air. Slowly the
crowd thinned as most Elves drifted back to their homes.

Glorfindel did not hurry, walking at an easy pace through the gardens
to his house. He was unprepared for the sudden arrival of the storm,
thinking he had time enough before it broke. Yet he was some minutes
from the gates when the clouds tore apart, sending their load down to
the ground.

Within moments he was soaked - his clothes sticking to his body, his
long hair heavy and clinging to his face uncomfortably. He sighed,
the rain on top of the poor evening was almost enough to convince him
that the Valar were punishing him for something. Shaking his head, he
sighed and trudged on, too wet now to worry about hurrying back.

Suddenly, his wrist was caught in a tight grip and he was pulled
towards a firm body. He cried out and tried to pull away, but found
he could not. Blinded by the torrential rain, he could not tell who
his captor was, until a soft voice whispered in his ear.

"Dance with me."

"Ecthelion," he gasped as he was pressed firmly against the solid, if
wet, body of the Elf he so desired. There was no reply, but the hand
left his wrist and two arms slid around his waist, holding him close.
Almost without thinking, he did the same.

They swayed gently, bodies pressed together as the rain continued to
fall. The warmth coming from Ecthelion chased away the chill of the
rain that Glorfindel had been feeling just moments ago.

He felt a soft breath near his mouth and then Ecthelion's lips
pressed against his. The kiss was gentle, tender and Glorfindel
surrendered completely to it, his eyes half-closing in bliss as his
lips parted to allow his companion entry, their tongues entwining
almost instantly.

By the time the kiss ended, he was near breathless and had forgotten
the rain.

"I knew you could dance," Ecthelion smiled, pushing a strand of
Glorfindel's soaked hair out of his face.

"You seem to know a lot. More than is good for you, I guess,"
Glorfindel replied, and chucked as he leaned in for another kiss.

END