A/N: if everything goes well will this story be finished today and then I go over to the one-shot collection.

Warning: certain people having not exactly youth free dreams…

P.S.: Happy Year of the Dragon! – it makes me happy seeing that is my Chinese Zodiac sign and as a plus was also born in the year of the Dragon.

IV. Don't love the messenger

It was now a whole week ago since Erestor had arrived with the worrisome message regarding the prince's decision, no one spoke it out laud, but the older members of the court had a sense of strong déjà vu because of this about they passed away king Oropher. Hopefully will they prince after arriving in Mordor not pull the same stunt which cost his grandfather's life. It was enough that his temper and as it looked rash reactions to certain things lived on in his descendants. Even thought they didn't say it out loud they knew that the king shared his court's thoughts, at least that was what Feanor had told Erestor. The two chiefs counsellors had managed to become good friends and Erestor was glad to have someone to talk to who understood how frustrating they job could get on a daily basis, but he didn't know while the other also enjoyed his company was he also making notes on the other black haired elf to make sure if they should let things progress further or not.

But no matter how Erestor liked spending time with the other was he also feeling troubled, but he just couldn't tell the cause to the other. This was something he just couldn't say and his other talking partner in his stay here wasn't also an option because he was the cause for Erestor's distress. The awe about the kings looks on the first day settled itself much to his relief, but after it come also admiration for the blonde's strength. Yes he admired him how he ruled his people and tried to keep them safe with nothing more then his own strength and knowledge, because it was rare that they got help from others. The raven haired elf was determined to talk to Elrond about helping, really after all that they could get out of Legolas should he have realized that they couldn't hold out forever. He had watched Thranduil hold strategy councils, how he directed his soldiers, how he inspected they training, even giving demonstrations or taking part in the pursuit of spiders or orcs, like in the current moment. The rumours about him ruling with an iron fist were true, but they left out that he was also gentle and understanding, he always listened to the problems of his people and tried to give advice, he also found out that the elflings of Mirkwood all learned in the mountain palace. At his confusion at that had the king only laughed, a laugh which made his skin be cowered in goosebumps, and explained that it is not the king who makes a country strong, but the people living in it. What good is a king if his people don't trust or know him, thus so that the children are studying in the palace can they feel closer to they ruler and his family and so will trust and aid them if the time of need should arise. Erestor had nodded back then at this feeling his admiration growing, but also something other. It was a strange warm feeling which filled his whole being and make him think foolish things like wishing for those strong arms to wrap around him and not let go, to touch that golden hair to feel its texture, to have those blue eyes only look at him.

Really, he was thinking foolish things and if he would be back home he would have suspicions that the gwanűn had put something into his tea like once, but back then luckily wasn't it his drink. Thought they action ended with nearly half of the court hunting like love sick puppies after poor Glorfindel who spent the coming four days ducking from sight and running for his life or bodily safety, he could say virginity, but that would be a lye.

"Hmm… it is midday already so the scouring party should be soon back." Feanor stated suddenly as he looked up at the sky from the balcony they were standing on.

"That is true." replied Erestor feeling a strange happiness and longing inside of him at the thought of Thranduil returning with the scouring party, they were checking the rumour of an orc camp, nothing to dangerous, they went only for confirmation, but deep down there was this strange uneasy feeling which he couldn't identify.

Soon the horns went of signalling the arrival of the party, but something was not right, he knew it somehow and the fact that Feanor paled and hastily turned around confirmed it. While staying here he found out that there were different horn signals for different situations.

"Something went wrong on the mission." was the only explanation he got as they rushed in the direction of the healing rooms.

Inside they found the ten elf party sitting or laying on the white beds getting tended to by the healers who rushed back and forth with bandages, water, medicine, painkillers, needles and threads and so forth. Everyone was covered with different types of wounds from which most of them looked like bite marks. Looking around they eyes finally fell on the king as he got scolded by his sister-in-law while she was bandaging his arm. Stepping closer they could now clearly hear they argument.

"Really, Thranduil, can't you be a bit more careful? And dare tell me that this is only a flesh wound and I will drug you up so much that you will be spending the next month in reverie, mark my words." she snapped in frustration as she tried to restrain the annoyed blonde.

"We didn't count on the spiders appearing." replied Thranduil scowling as he tried to pull his arm away.

"No one expected them, but you managed to get everyone back safely." come the reply from the stern woman as a little smile appeared on her lips for a few short seconds before disappearing again. "Now hold still." she snapped.

"It is not that bad Miriel, so lay of and go help your staff." come the king's new attempt to escape.

"Like father, like son. I can't remember how often I had already threatened your son to tie him to a bed to get his wounds taken care of." Miriel sighed in despair, the two of them were impossible.

"Im maer Miriel." and the glaring match was on again.

"I think you should let that wound be taken care of." Erestor said suddenly earning the gaze of the arguing pair.

"See, even our guest agrees, so keep still." and with that had she pushed the bottle of sedative and bandages into a confused looking counsellor's arms as she passed him. "I have much work to do and not enough patience to continue arguing, so be a dear. I know from experience that we healers can be the worst patients so you probably had to deal at least once with an injured or sick Lord Elrond and tutoring the twin nightmares as they were called is a good training for patience, so would my brother-in-law not be to much of a challenge." was her explanation as she passed them, grabbing a grinning Feanor on her way. "And you will wipe that grin from your face and help me re-set a shoulder." she said as she pulled the counsellor gracelessly to the other end of the chamber.

Being left alone as even the curtains around the bed were pulled shut was Erestor really stunned that Thranduil was not able to hear his loudly breathing heart as he neared the half naked elf. It was hard to force his eyes away from the strong chest, broad shoulders, the muscles showing finely of the king's skill with the sword and bow. Suddenly the annoying longing returned, he wished to be able to let his hand roam freely over the strong chest, the lean belly, to push those tick golden tresses to the side and kiss the king's neck. Mentally kicking himself for thinking such things while the other was injured took Erestor the last steps to the bed and kneeled down in front of his charge, taking a clean cloth and tipping some of the bottles substance on it.

"It will burn somewhat." he knew that it was an useless thin to say to someone who probably knew that already, but he felt the need to speak the warning.

"Thank you, I will manage." come the soft reply which made his heart skip a beat and with that went Erestor to work not even noticing in his own struggle how much he affected his patient.

Thranduil needed to force his body to still or he couldn't guarantee that Miriel wouldn't storm in here in less then a second screaming at him to get a room because this was a place of healing and not a pleasure house. But truly, having the lovely ellon, to whom he found most of his fantasies leading to, kneeling in front of him like this cleaning the bite wound on his arm and the cut on his chest were really too much. He only wanted those long fingers to touch him, to grab the kneeling elf and pull him close. After being denied for all those long decades longed his body for closeness, but not for that of a fleeting fancy, he knew that he wanted something deeper, a soul mate to be again by his side. He was sure that he had found what he was looking for in the other, to be honest he had no real clue what drove him to pick from all elves the one bringing the second most dreaded message he could hear, but there was something. It didn't even matter if he would need to have again a fight with Elrond if in the end the other would stay by him in Mirkwood. A little shudder was running down his spine when while bandaging the wound on his chest Erestor's hand slipped slightly and his fingers brushed against his skin, leaving the feeling as if he would have been burned. Saddly was the dressing of his injuries over faster then he would have wished, he liked spending time alone with the dark haired elf, he was a really enjoyable and intelligent company. It kept his mind off of worrying about his wayward son or the urge to jump on his horse, ride to Riverdale and throttle Elrond the second he spots the Lore Master. Really, his beloved child, his only son, on a suicide mission, the nerve of that elf. No need to even think about those dark thoughts when his calming distraction was nearby.

"I think everything is ready, aren't the bandages to tight?" Thranduil forced back a beaming smile, it made him happy that the other was so concerned about him.

"They are fine, you did a great job, I thank you." he replied with a kind smile feeling satisfied when he spotted the fine dust of pink on his companion's cheeks.

"Your welcome." replied Erestor.

It was later in the night that Erestor was sitting in his bed sipping from a goblet one of Mirkwood's milder wines, he had tried some of the one the others drank, but needed to find out the hard way that it was really strong for everyone not from Mirkwood. This would explain how the twins got that monstrous hangover because of which they found themselves bedbound for nearly three whole days and Legolas constantly apologizing to a baffled Elrond. It was probably around one in the morning when he could finally go into reverie and a few hours before he would swear to never drink any sort of wine again before going to bed. Ground for this was a dream which fell on him distressing him only even more.

The soft click of the door handle being pushed down had woken Erestor from his reverie. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes sat the dark haired elf up, his hand instinctively moving to his dagger, but relaxes when spotting the entering figure.

"King Thranduil?" he asked in confusion as his eyes fell on the bottle wine and the plate of grapes the other had with him.

"Ai, did I wake you?" the king asked softly as he set the tray and bottle on the little nightstand beside the two glasses.

"Nay, I was always a light sleeper." he admitted, this protected him from a good number of pranks in the past.

"Then is it good, thought this costed me the lovely sight of seeing you sleeping." Thranduil said as he sat beside Erestor on the bed, one hand gently pulling a raven coloured hair strain behind his pointed ear.

Erestor could not understand what was happening. Why was the king here in the middle of the night? Both of them were in they sleeping wear fine seeing how late it was, this was at least normal, but… was he sitting closer then before? Dark eyes widened when he felt his face being caressed, then the fingers slowly slid down his chin, neck and rested on his collarbone. He wanted to ask what was wrong, but all plans for such actins flew from his mind as lips cowered his own in a hungry, heated kiss. It was when they tongues engaged in a fierce battle for dominance that Erestor lost the ability to notice his surroundings then the next thing he knew was he again on his back on the bed, both of them unclad and the sweet scent of ancient oaks and wind caressed meadows filling his nostrils as the scents owner was giving gentle bites to his throat. It got harder and harder to force in the moans which wished to desperately escape through his lips, but he wouldn't let them go to betray the scorching lust burning his body.

"Don't hold in what you feel my lovely raven." he heard Thranduil softly whisper into his ear before biting on the sensitive lobe.

"A….ai... aran nîn…" he moaned as he was rewarded by one of those strong sword callused hands wrapping tightly around his aching member.

The game of touching, stroking, kissing, licking and biting seemed to go on for hours, but in truth was probably only a few minutes, Erestor was not sure about it, he was to caught up in the immense pleasure he received from the one he longed for. Soon he also found out the purpose of the wine and grapes as the sweet fruits were picked from they steam and placed all over his heated body, the rich red liquid gathering his navel from where Thranduil sipped it with his tongue. When the fruits come to be devoured and they places cleaned by the king did Erestor not hold back anymore as he moaned the king's name like a prayer to the Valar, his hands gripping the white sheets around him. Then Thranduil leaned over him, his long golden hair falling softly around them like a curtain and then…

Dark eyes suddenly flew open, they owner groaning in despair as hand covered them. As if the feelings wouldn't be bad enough now he also had dreams to accompany them. Ugh…he was not some young little elfling who experienced they first discovery to the horror and wonder they call hormones. By the Valar will his torments never end?

After his disastrous night come a relatively peaceful day, Thranduil needed to attend a few trades and thus was not to be bothered, with Feanor also doing his job and Miriel going out with some soldiers to gather herbs from the forest was Erestor left to spend his time freely in the vast library. He really found it beautiful, the large cave carved into stone with some of the book selves also being designed like that, large windows to give light, many old books mostly rare Sindar lore, these were not to be found back at home in Elrond's library. Erestor wondered how they were faring without him, he knew he should have informed them that he would stay longer, but he didn't want them to think that he was held as a hostage till prince Legolas returned. The thoughts of the prince saddened him a bit, he knew that after he returns would his father not glance at anyone else and it hurt, but what could he do. He was not the type of person most people would choose to have romantic interest in. Sighing he looked back down on the book he was currently reading, it was a book filled with many sindar songs and poems, they all held so much emotion in them which flooded your whole being when reading the lines. He would later need to seek out one of Thranduil's minstrels and ask them to sing one of them, the sindar had all beautiful singing voices after his knowledge and by the amount of books containing they songs and ballads there was no place left for doubt. He was so consumed in his reading that he had missed the approach of another being, that is till a hand on his shoulder made him jump in fright.

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice that you were not aware of my presence." come Thranduil's voice from beside him, he was to close.

"No need to worry about that king Thranduil. How did the trading contracts turn out?" he asked trying to keep up the conversation.

"Ai, they went better then we would have first thought which is always a good thing. Were you all day long here in the library reading?" he asked suddenly while looking at the two large piles of books on either of Erestor's sided.

"Uhm… yes, back home I don't have all to much time to just sit down and read." 'If you would stay here by me you would have always time to do as you please' Thranduil thought, but continued to listen. "You have truly a magnificent collection of ancient lore here."

"Thank you, we are also proud about our library, it contains our past and culture to be passed over to the coming generations." Erestor nodded at this in understanding, books and old texts were precious and it seemed as if the king not only collected treasures in gold, jewellery and silver, but also in these precious holders of the past. "I see you have found one of the lyric books, had you already the chance to hear one of them performed?"

"No, I was contemplating to seek out one of the minstrels later on and ask them to sing one of them." Erestor admitted at which Thranduil only shook his head.

"There is no need for that seeing that I have now free for today, and while already here." he said clearing his throat, Erestor wanted to protest that he needn't do it, but is was already to late and his whole being was enfolded by the warm velvet of the king's deep voice as he sang the lyric he had been reading a few seconds ago.

"Golden field are blooming under Anor's ligt,

Elebereth's stars are sparkling with Ithil's guide.

Oh, come with me to the sunkissed fields,

where we will dance till the deepest night.

Under the ancient trees,

under all those sparkling lights,

have you stolen my heart.

Come, my love, let's rejoice in the spring.

Feel the soft breeze, it holds a promise of tomorrow.

Wherever your way may lead you,

no matter how much time passes,

our love is eternal, I will wait for you."

"I hope I managed to satisfy your curiosity about our melodies?" Thranduil asked as Erestor finally found his voice again.

"It was truly beautiful" and not only the song, but the fact of you singing it ", but you needn't have done that your majesty."

"Nay, it was something I wished to do for you." he said smiling as Erestor blushed again, he seemed to be doing that a lot lately. "Also if I have already found you, would you mind joining me tonight for a little picnic in one of the scheduled parts of the forest?" he asked it in a way that he really couldn't say no, but he had a strange feeling about it. "Excellent, then meet me at seven in front of the main doors." and with that was he already leaving to tell Miriel and Feanor that they can start preparing the plan with which they had come up with.

After a short meeting up made both elves they way to the picnic spot. Erestor was still slightly stunned how this part of the forest, not tainted by Sauron's darkness seemed to respond to they king, it was as if the ancient trees would guide them into the right direction. Finally getting there was the dark haired elf really stunned, there on the soft grass not far away from the sparkling lake sat a light blue blanket with a large basked on it, all around the area were torches lit giving the whole place a dare he say romantic setting. Still stunned needed Thranduil to lead him to the blanket and make him sit. As one by one the prepared food come to light felt poor Erestor his cheeks flush as he spotted the grapes, remembering his dream just on which spots of his body those were placed for the king to eat.

"Are you feeling alright?" he heard Thranduil ask in concern, he forced a smile to his lips.

"Yes, I'm fine, only feeling a bit warm, that is all." Erestor said while trying to force his blush away which only worsened by the blonde's next words.

"Before eating we could go swimming in the lake if you wish." and that was absolutely no option in Erestor's mind, it was already hard enough controlling his body as it was, no need for the both of them to get naked.

"N…nay, it is fine, I have already bathed." he said.

"Then it is fine, thought I feel slightly disappointed to not be able to see more from your beautiful body." at this turned Erestor sharply to the king, dark eyes wide.

"W… what…?" he asked in shock, surely he had misheard.

"My lovely raven, haven't you not noticed that I pine after you nearly since setting sight on you? Edro gûr lín melethen." he whispered while placing both arms on either of Erestor's sides, they noses nearly touching. "Melin chen." Erestor couldn't hold it in no more, he leaned closer, thy lips nearly touching, then all of a sudden he pulled away and jumped to his feet.

"Nay!" he yelled, he knew that he was probably going to destroy his own heart and risk fading with this, but there was no other way. "I…I'm terribly sorry I… I'm only a messenger, not someone worthy for you…" and with that he turned away, not stopping till he reached his room and lacked the door, then he lat himself fall exhausted and crying on the bed.

It was a hour later that the king returned looking completely lost and depressed. Miriel could only shake her head at his lethargic form when Feanor appeared looking confused.

"Erestor had run past me a while ago completely depressed and locked himself inside his quarters. I take our plan backfired then?" he asked the healer.

"What does this pile of depressed elf say to you?" she asked whole gesturing to they king who was half slumped over his throne.

"Ai, by the Valar! This means plan B is now in action." he said while the brunette raised an eyebrow at him before he turned over to the two explaining they next course of action, which could even be done by an orc.

To be continued…