Part Eighteen

Erestor turned onto his side to look at the elf who lay beside him. He had no idea what time it was, but he suspected it was very late at night. Finally they had been forced to cease making love, as they were worn out and fully sated. Silindė lay flat on his back on top of the fur coverlet, his lips, bruised and swollen with kisses, slightly parted. His blond hair spread in a delectable mess all over the pillows. His round blue eyes were open wide, and he was still breathing heavily.

Erestor had forced himself to regain his composure. He had to admit he had let himself lose control more than he had in over a thousand years. Oh, he had taken a few lovers in that time to relieve his physical frustrations, but never had it been like this. A tender feeling he had never known before blossomed in his heart when he looked at Silindė and he hated it, hated feeling this way.

"I do not wish to fall in love with you, Silindė," he said in a low voice.

Silindė smiled wistfully at him. "I do not expect you to, Councilor."

"Erestor, call me Erestor. You must not use titles with me, not any more."

"I should think you would encourage the use of titles," Silindė said thoughtfully. "It will help to keep you at arm's length, which is important if you do not wish to fall in love with me."

"I think you are teasing me."

"I imagine I am. Forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive. Few ever dare to do such, and I find I like it."

Silindė's eyes twinkled. "Would I were your property and not that of King Thranduil."

Erestor scowled at him. "Do not speak that way. No elf keeps another as property. Surely not even someone like Thranduil."

"That is how I feel," Silindė said simply. "He has never encouraged me to feel any other way. I do not love him."

Bitter jealous spawned inside Erestor and it tasted ugly on his tongue. "No, you love another."

"I think I could," Silindė said softly, touching the Chief Advisor's cheek, "But he has just informed me that he does not wish to fall in love with me."

Erestor was surprised. He raised an eyebrow. "I meant Legolas."

A look of dismay crossed Silindė's face. "Legolas… why… I had forgotten all about Legolas."

"I find that difficult to believe."

"It is true." Silindė pushed himself up against the pillows, propping himself up against the pillows. "I do not quite believe it myself, but not once since we entered my rooms has he even crossed my mind."

"I am glad to hear it," Erestor said with a bit of sarcasm. "I should be distressed to know my lover was thinking of another while he lay with me."

"When first we met, you told me to give up the dream of loving Legolas, "Silindė said thoughtfully. "At the time, I thought my feelings for the Prince were real -- but tonight you have showed me that they really were no more than a fanciful dream."

"Legolas is deserving of your love," Erestor said softly. He laid his hand flat on the chest of his lover, reveling in the warmth of his skin beneath his palm. Silindė shivered.

"I wanted him. He wanted me. He has ever been my friend, and my lord. Yet it would not have been fair to give myself knowing that the King…"

Silindė choked up. He took in a deep shuddering breath. Erestor put his arms fully around the other elf and kissed his brow tenderly, filled with conflicting feelings.

"Some things are not meant to be. Others are," he whispered.

"This is meant to be, between us," Silindė said fervently, looking into Erestor's eyes. "I want to be yours… I want to be yours alone."

"How much do you want that?" Erestor asked, suddenly, selfishly wanting it himself.

"Very much…"

"Enough to tell Thranduil how you feel?"

"Yes," said Silindė without hesitating. "And that I never did for Legolas -- so please believe me that it is the truth."

"I believe you, Silindė," Erestor said with joy dawning inside of him.

"If I do…you must do something for me," said Silindė.

"Anything," Erestor promised, "Anything that is within my power, I will do for you."

"Fall in love with me."

There was a pleading look in the Mirkwood elf's eyes that nearly broke Erestor's heart. Rather than answer, he bent and took Silindė's lips with his own. The kiss was forceful, as if he could mark the young elf this way. Yes, he thought. I do want to fall in love with you. I want to keep you for myself. I do not want Thranduil to ever touch you again. What would it cost him to ask for this?

"Now," Erestor said when the kiss broke. "We are going to Thranduil right now."

He got out of the bed and began pulling on his robes. He grabbed Silindė's clothing from the floor and threw it at him. Silindė stared at him in bewilderment, then grinned.

"You mean it, then. You mean to disturb the King in the middle of the night--"

"For you. Come with me. I will not share you with him, Silindė, so let us make a quick end of this."

Silindė's face fell. "He will say no."

"I will find something to barter with him," Erestor insisted. "I will go to Elrond for help if need be. But understand this-- you will be mine alone, or not mine at all."

Silindė got up and dressed slowly. He looked so sad, so frightened, yet so hopeful that it nearly broke the Councilor. Erestor went to him and kissed him again reassuringly. He was completely determined to do this, and to do it now, so that they could both relax and enjoy what was growing between them without the fear of having it taken away. He took Silindė's hand and led him out into the hallway. They walked silently, traversing the stone corridors until they approached the part of the palace which housed the King's chamber.

To Erestor's surprise, Lord Elrond was in the hall. He looked tired, but his expression reflected that he was in a far better mood than Erestor had seen him in, in weeks. He actually smiled at them as they approached.

"This is an interesting development," he commented, seeing the locked hands of the pair.

"I want Silindė to return with us to Imladris," Erestor said firmly, lifting his chin.

"I do not mind," Elrond said generously.

"I mean to ask Thranduil to release him from his duties."

Elrond chuckled. "This may be a good time to do it. I think you will find him most amenable tonight."

"Is he is in his chamber, Lord Elrond?"

"Oh, assuredly." Whistling an old ballad, Elrond strolled off down the corridor and disappeared into the night, leaving his Chief Advisor bewildered by his behavior.

They continued down the hall to the door that lay between them and the King. Erestor kissed Silindė once more to reassure him, then knocked on the door. It was Silindė who called out to him.

"Your Majesty?"

"Silindė? Is that you? I have need of you, come in!"

Silindė trembled, and Erestor squeezed his shoulder. Taking a deep breath, the blond elf opened the door. The sight that greeted their eyes was something that neither of them could ever have anticipated. The King of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood was chained naked to his own bed.

"Well," said Erestor smoothly, stepping forward. "It seems Lord Elrond was right. You may be amenable to listening to a proposition."

"That bastard," Thranduil sighed. "Well, obviously I would like you to unchain me. What would you like? I assume you are going to ask for something in return, Councilor."

Erestor stared at the beautiful naked elf for a long moment. How could he compete with the likes of that? Silindė was trembling beside him. Erestor looked at him, but the Mirkwood guard said nothing. Erestor took a deep breath.

"I want Silindė."

"Then you must ask Silindė for that, as he is not mine to give," Thranduil said gently. "Silindė, you are a free elf… nothing binds you to me. I would, however, be mightily obliged if one of you would undo these buckles. Silindė, you know how they release…"

Silindė bent forward to free the King. "Thank you," he whispered to the monarch.

Thranduil sat up and stretched, rubbing his wrists. He smiled at Silindė and nodded solemnly, then turned to Erestor.

"Be good to him. He has always been good to me and mine," said the King.

Erestor nodded. "I will."