I wonder how Orophin is going to react to that kiss lol...

CHAPTER 7

Celeborn pulled back from Orophin, realizing what he had just done.

"Orophin, I..."

Orophin placed a finger on Celeborn's lips.

"All is well."

Celeborn gently pulled Orophin's finger away.

"Orophin, I need to apologize to you. I can see that you care for me and I would not have that care ruined. You know what happened between myself and...Thranduil..."Celeborn trailed off, forcing back his tears, "You were at my side when I returned from Mirkwood and have been my most loyal supporter, but I do not want to you to..."

Orophin looked at Celeborn, seeing fresh tears falling from his eyes.

"You do not want me to what, my Lord?"

Celeborn lowered his head.

"I do not want you to aid me any longer."

Orophin looked at Celeborn once more, this time his anguish showed in his eyes.

"Why?"

Celeborn looked up at his marchwarden and saw the hurt in his eyes. The hurt he had put there with his words.

"I know it was you who brought me to Imladris and I know you were angered when Thranduil courted me."

Orophin simply nodded.

"Do you know why?"

Celeborn nodded sadly.

"You love me."

Orophin flinched when he heard the sorrow in Celeborn's voice.

"I do. You do not sound happy about it."

Celeborn shook his head in misery.

"I am not Orophin. You should not love me, no one should. I am a burden that was placed on everyone's shoulders the day I was born."

Orophin's mouth dropped open. Is that how Celeborn viewed himself?

"It is not true. You are no one's burden melethron."

Orophin clapped a hand over his mouth. He had not meant to say it, it had slipped out of it's own accord. He saw Celeborn looking at him in disbelief.

"What did you call me?"

Orophin let his hand drop from his mouth.

"I am sorry, Lord Celeborn. I..."

Celeborn raised his hand to cut of Orophin.

"What did you call me?"

Orophin swallowed hard. This one word might anger his Lord, but he had to tell him.

"Melethron."

Celeborn shook his head.

"No."

Orophin felt his heart crack in two.

"No what?"

Celeborn turned away from Orophin.

"I am no one's love."

Orophin turned Celeborn to face him and looked into his eyes.

"You are mine."Orophin whispered.

Celeborn saw nothing but love in Orophin's eyes. It could not be. This was also how Thranduil had looked at him, but there was something different in Orophin's eyes. He could not tell what it was. He felt Orophin's hand caressing his cheek as their lips barely touched. Celeborn ran his fingers through Orophin's hair.

"I cannot promise you anything Orophin."

Orophin touched his forehead to Celeborn's.

"I know."

Without another word, they shared another kiss, but this time it was Orophin kissing Celeborn.

Tbc...