With his eyes full of pain and tears, Fin gave Thel a brief, trembling hug and left the room.

Watching him go, Ecthelion reminded himself they had guests, and a reputation for hospitality to maintain. Burying his distress as something to deal with later, he was about to make his mouth welcoming and return to the company when he was prevented by the approach of the wife of the Elvenking.

'Lady Nestoril,' he said with an almost successful attempt at a smile. 'I am not sure if you are aware, but my husband keeps goats. One of the nannies is imminently awaiting the birth of a kid, and Fin has gone to make sure all is well with her…'

'Very wise of him; could I go too?' Nestoril replied with a dancing smile.

'Ah…'

'Forgive me. And forgive Oropher, too, I am sure he… in fact, I am sure you know him better than I.'

'He is of his day, Fin and I of our own. And all of those days are now long, long gone. There are bound to be differences.'

Nestoril patted his arm.

'I was a healer, you know – well, I am still, at need…'

'Yes?' Thel said politely, withdrawing into himself a little in case the lady was about to be presumptive enough to offer assistance, but she seemed to understand and shook her head.

'Yes, and I was simply going to say how much improved Oropher is from when he first emerged from the Halls… but that, perhaps, there are limits to how much he may continue to do so in a quiet environment,' Nestoril said. 'Perhaps, also, there are limits to your household's patience… I think it might be getting near the time for him to move on.'

'Ah, I see. Well, Oropher is Fin's guest, really… but if he were to wish to leave, then of course… but I am being a dreadful host! May I get you another drink? A little more cake, perhaps?'

'Or a nice, crunchy spider? That would be delightful!'

Relieved to have a purpose, Ecthelion escorted the lady to where a selection of cake slices and sugar spiders had been brought through and displayed next to the drinks table. On the far side of the room, Oropher, Erymes and Thranduil were all in quiet, brittle conclave while Legolas and Govon had gravitated towards the drinks and dainties and were keeping a wary eye on proceedings.

'You've had that old buzzard here for how long, Ecthelion?' Govon asked. 'And you haven't murdered him yet?'

'Glorfindel and I have been happy to assist our old friend during this difficult transitional time,' Ecthelion said with dignity.

'We should thank you, really,' Legolas said. 'We'd talked about coming out to him – that is, you know… not that it's anything to do with him… but knowing he was staying with married ellyn… we thought it would make it easier…'

'I noted he placed the responsibility for you being together on Thranduil,' Ecthelion said. 'One perceives a pattern; Oropher cannot conceive of – what was that phrase, and the charming word Fin liked so much…? Ah, yes – of being gay as a lifestyle choice, and so he is seeking reasons; in our case, he sees Fin and I as victims of our king's whim…'

'He's in for a shock, then,' Legolas said. 'There's a lot of us. Do you think he's thought about Merlinith and Araspen yet…?'

'I hardly think so; his mornings with the ladies are entirely focussed on crochet…'

Legolas burst out laughing and Govon joined in, leaving Ecthelion mildly puzzled but glad the mood had broken.

'Sorry,' Govon said. 'It's just the whole idea of Great King Oropher, Scourge of the Spiders, going to work with a crochet hook… But where's Glorfindel? I wanted to ask him about these spider things…'

'Ah. One of the nannies is due to give birth. Pregnant goats, you see, are far more interesting than distinguished company in my husband's opinion…'

The rest of the evening passed without further incident; Oropher continuing subdued and quiet. As far as Ecthelion could tell; there seemed to be an unspoken agreement to keep them on opposite sides of the room, so that if it looked as if there might be even the slightest chance of eye contact , one or other of Oropher's companions would detach themselves from the group and come over to engage Thel in conversation while someone else distracted Oropher. Ecthelion was both grateful and annoyed at such care; they would all be going home soon, and he would be left with Oropher in any case…

Still, by the time it was necessary to seek Queen Erymes' cloak, Ecthelion had processed much of the raw emotion that had so distressed him earlier, and Oropher seemed to realise he had spoken out of turn enough to watch what he said where Ecthelion could hear him.

Even so, it was a relief to bid everyone goodnight.

As Ecthelion stood on the veranda to see the party off in the deepening twilight, the old king drew Erymes to one side, holding her back, and Thel overheard some of what passed between them.

'Will you not stay? There is room aplenty…'

'No, Oropher, we need to get back to the camp.'

'I meant you, my wife.'

'I see. No, not tonight.'

'But why not? It has been so long since we met…'

'Yes, and whose fault…? Never mind. No, you have far too much to do tonight without me here.'

'I do?'

'Have you forgotten what passed earlier with your friends?'

'With Glorfindel? He has always been fragile, quick to take offence; he will be fine…'

'You do see there is reason for him to be offended? And what of your other friend? No, you do not want me here cluttering up the place while you should be apologising…'

'Apologise…?'

'Why, yes, apologise to your friend for making him uncomfortable. Make amends for embarrassing them and for raising their private arrangements in public, if nothing else! Oh, do not look so sad; perhaps I'll come tomorrow, and learn some crochet. Now, our son is waiting for me; I must go. Goodnight, Oropher.'

Left alone on the veranda as the visitors lifted their lanterns and headed down the path towards the encampment, Oropher and Ecthelion exchanged wary glances. It was the former king who broke the silence.

'My wife seems to believe I ought to beg Glorfindel's pardon.'

Ecthelion acknowledged the words with a tilt of his head, not trusting himself to speak.

'She has obviously misunderstood my intentions earlier,' Oropher went on. 'I meant only to explain to her the organisation of the household; I was not casting judgement, you and Glorfindel are my friends, it is not my place to approve or disapprove of your behaviour. You understand that, do you not, Ecthelion?'

'For my part, Oropher, it was more that you did not seem to recognise the affection Fin and I have for one another; we are married, we are fëa-mates, forever bound, as close to each other as any married couple.'

'Oh, well, I know you're besotted with Fin, but… well, everyone knows what he got up to while he was living his second life…'

'We were not married until after his second death,' Ecthelion snapped. 'Moreover, that remark was uncalled for, Oropher, and I will thank you to keep your opinions of our marriage to yourself. For it does not seem to me, as if you have any right to comment.'

He pushed away from the veranda railing and stalked into the house where he would have gone straight out again seeking Fin but for the gentle clearing of a throat as he passed the door to the kitchens.

'Your pardon, my lord, but Lalbes was wondering if that would be all tonight?'

'Bruiven… yes, thank you. Oh, wait; I promised Glorfindel cake and wine while we sit in attendance on Gassy Galadriel… if it is possible to arrange a hamper…'

'Very good, my lord.'

'And our thanks to the household; the meal was exceptionally successful, Cook has done wonders and the rooms looked delightful.'

'I will pass that on, my lord.'

'Thank you. And if you and Mistress Lalbes don't feel up to the walk home tonight, the Blue Room is free, if you wish…'

'Most kind, but I think we want our own place tonight. Cook and the maid will walk back with us. I'll get that hamper together for you now, my lord.'

While he waited, Ecthelion gathered one or two things he thought Fin might also appreciate; a couple of warm blankets and soft pillows. The night was not cold, but he had no idea how long Fin would want to spend with the goats, and a little comfort might be welcome.

'Here you are, my lord.' Lalbes appeared with a large basket in her arms. 'Now, I will walk over with you and then meet Bruiven on the path further up.'

'There is no need, Lalbes; it is late and you have worked above your duties today…'

'Cook and the girl are just finishing up in the kitchen; I have time. Now, have you got those cushions Lord Glorfindel likes?'

Ecthelion found himself on the edge of his first real smile in hours; Lalbes did like to fuss over Fin… over both of them, in fact, but it was more often Glorfindel who needed her maternal concern.

'I have indeed.'

'Good. When he's out of sorts a little bit of comfort is just the thing.'

'He has only gone to bear Gassy Galadriel company…'

'Of course he has; it was simply coincidence that our house guest had managed to be so rude that we heard him in the kitchens… Now, you know as well as I do that that nanny isn't going to kid until tomorrow at the earliest… anyway, I put up some soup for Lord Glorfindel, as well as the rest, it's in an earthenware jar well wrapped so if you put it into a bale of straw it will keep hot for hours.'

'I am sure Fin will be glad of it, Lalbes.'

'Well, it's for both of you. Now, don't you be going back to the house alone, Lord Ecthelion, do you hear me? You wait for Glorfindel to be ready, or you stay in the shed with him, because we won't be back before dawn…'

'Yes, Nana Lalbes,' Thel said meekly, causing her to tut at him and shake her head.

'I don't know, even after all this time, you two still need someone to watch over you!'

'Would you like us to build you and Bruiven a cottage nearby, perhaps between here and the harbour? You would be completely independent when you needed to be and yet more conveniently close when you wanted to fuss over us…'

'I will thank you not to mention that to Bruiven, if you please! He would agree instantly and then where would we be?'

'In a lovely little cottage with a view of the sea and pleasant neighbours.'

Lalbes gave him a withering glance she could not quite keep up. She sighed.

'Your Glorfindel had been doing so well, too,' she said in completely different tones, gentle and sad. 'Always waiting for a ship, over-excited when one arrived but then disappointed when it was the wrong one… but between ships, he'd been fine. And now this ship, with all his old friends on, and it's just one thing after another…'

'I know.' Ecthelion thought it wisest not to mention it had been one friend in particular who had cause some of Fin's mood swings. 'But they have barely docked, really. I am sure, a few more weeks, once Oropher has gone back to his family and the Silvans have returned to their trees, Fin will settle again.'

Lalbes nodded and came to a halt, setting down the basket. They were within hail of the goat shed now, and Thel could see the glow of a lantern from the upper floor where there was a store for fodder and where Fin would sometimes go to ground.

'Well, I'll bid you goodnight, my lord. I hope all is well with… the goat.'

'Thank you, Lalbes. And for your hard work this evening; all Fin's little jokes with the food went down wonderfully…'

Ecthelion watched as Lalbes made her way across the field where her husband was waiting. Once he had seen Bruiven greet her, Thel lifted the basket and turned towards the goat shed.

Expecting Fin to be in the hayloft whence the glow of the lantern had shown, Thel was not surprised to find the ground level of the shed unoccupied but for goats and his husband nowhere to be seen. Gassy Galadriel looked at him with curiosity but didn't get up from her bed on a heap of straw. The ladder had been pulled up but the lantern still glowed from the upper level.

Thel sighed softly.

'My light, are you well?' he called up.

'There you are, Thel! I thought you'd never get here!'

'Well, I had to make sure everyone had gone home before I could abscond…'

'Did you bring the wine? This one's empty.'

'Ah, you had the foresight to bring a bottle with you…'

'Bruiven brought a couple across for me.'

'That was thoughtful of him. I have wine, and food, and blankets and cushions… will you come down?'

The silence lasted too long before Fin replied, his voice diffident and small.

'I don't think I want to.'

'As you please, my joy. Everyone has all gone home now, I assure you.'

'Even Oropher?'

'Apart from Oropher.'

Swearing and rustling from above.

'My light, by the time our guests left, Oropher had come to see he'd spoken out of turn. He even apologised, after a fashion.'

'Not for what mattered, I'll bet. Not for the important things.'

'No. For embarrassing us, mostly… I doubt he understands how hurtful it is that he does not see our love…'

'That's not it, though, that's not it at all, Thel…'

Fin sounded utterly miserable and Ecthelion wanted nothing more than to be able to comfort him, to console him, but Glorfindel was out of reach…

'Fin, my golden love, I do not say you should come down, but it would be easier to talk to you if you would perhaps let me come up?'

'Would you? After everything?'

'What in the name of all the Valar has been going through that gorgeous head of yours tonight? We have only been apart for two hours, I am sure there has not been time for anything like "everything", but, yes, even if there were, only must I leap heroically to your platform? Because if so, I shall not be able to bring the wine…'

Even before he had finished speaking, there came a grating slither and the edge of the ladder appeared above, dropping down slowly for Thel to catch and steady it. He slung the blankets over his shoulder, stuffed the cushions into the top of the basket, and made his way up to Fin's nest amongst the hay bales.

'You are my sunshine,' he said, sliding the basket across and freeing himself of blankets to crawl across to his beloved's side. 'My only sunshine… you make me happy when skies are grey… now, my darling, whatever is the matter?'

Glorfindel made an attempt to push back, but he was cornered by hay bales and so just sat looking miserable until Thel found a bottle of wine and passed it to him. He lifted it, about to pull the cork, but shook his head and set it down again.

'I got to thinking, Thel. What if… what if Oropher wasn't being obtuse and dim and… and the reason he didn't see love was because there wasn't any to see, that it… it isn't real, Thel? Like I'm not real, sometimes, and… what if all that time in the Halls he watched you and… and he knew you were too good for me and then after…'

'No, beloved. Oropher was not that outward-looking in the Halls. And I assure you, our love is real, and true, and strong.'

'But all that time I spent being everyone else's hero and… and I just wanted to get back to you, to be your hero, Thel. I just wanted to be your anything…'

'And you are my everything. Hero, lover, husband, fëa-mate. You are why my heart beats and my blood sings, you, my Prince Charming, my sunshine…'

Ecthelion held out his hand and Fin tentatively reached towards him. Fingers entwined with his husband's, Thel pulled himself across to Glorfindel side and wiped away the tears that had been running down Fin's face.

'No need for this, beloved, golden and wonderful light of my heart, my joy, my all. No need at all.' Thel put his arms around Fin and gently held him. 'I love you, beloved.'

'Thel…' Glorfindel held on tight, burying himself in Ecthelion's embrace. 'I… oh, love, after everything…'

'I love you always, after and before and during everything, my love. Did I ever share with you the next verse of that little song?'

'Are you trying to distract me?'

'Perhaps I am trying to show you that I love you…' He began softly to sing. 'The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamt that you were by my side… when I awoke and was mistaken, then I hung my head and cried…'

'Oh, Thel… that's so sad!' Glorfindel said. 'And I wouldn't, you know. Wouldn't leave you. Not even alone in bed. Well, if I needed a comfort break, or… or maybe to make you breakfast in bed, perhaps, or… or to look out and see if there's a ship, but I always stood where you could see me, even though the view from the other window is better, but…'

'Did you really? How charmingly adorable of you, I wish I had known, it would have made me smile all the more… but it is but a song, my joy. It says you are the light of my world, that without you I am lonely, and all is colourless. That you give me worth and purpose and happiness. That I love you.'

Glorfindel burrowed close against Thel's chest, holding on tight while Ecthelion rocked him gently, softly.

'Do you remember when this was our home, my golden one? We camped on the plain for a few weeks while we decided what to do, and then built this little haven?'

'From stone gathered from round about, and what we could find… it took us months, even with help from the town,' Fin said. 'And we put in the upper floor and a real staircase so it was like a proper bedroom.'

'We did indeed. And an outside necessary.'

'And dreamed of proper facilities…'

'And you told me all about washing cascades and the like…'

Gradually as Ecthelion encouraged Fin to reminisce about their early home-making days, he clung less and cuddled more easily in, relaxing, and Thel hoped the worst was past. Eventually, Fin sighed and lifted his head to look into Thel's eyes.

'I sometimes wonder if we should have built the big house, you know,' he said. 'No room for guests here. Perfect.'

'Ah, but where would Rog and his friend have slept when they came to visit? Or Egalmoth and his bride? For that matter, where would the goats be sleeping?'

'Good point. Thel…?'

'Beloved?'

'Do you remember where the bed was?'

'Of course. By coincidence, I happen to have blankets and cushions with me; we could recreate our bed, perhaps, with straw for a mattress…'

'I like that idea. I… what Oropher said, it made me scared again, Thel. I think, if you could just, you know, hold me, maybe a hug…'

'To hold you and to hug you would be wonderful, my beloved.'

Ecthelion kissed Thel gently on the cheek and rose to his feet to orient himself with the room. He picked up the blankets and pushed through the hay, rearranging the bales where needed, until he had built a mattress built with space around, spreading the blankets and placing the cushion.

Holding out his hand, he smiled at his husband, all eyes and love and desire in his expression, and Fin responded, coming towards him to almost fall on him with anxious, hot kisses. Ecthelion closed his eyes and filled his senses, Fin's mouth sweetly heady from the wine, seasoned by his salt tears; the warm fragrance of Fin's soap and the musk of his perspiration. His warrior body, hard and firm even after millennia of peace pressed close to Thel's chest, his arms held Ecthelion close and almost casually Thel turned with Fin in his arms and fell backwards onto the bed amongst the hay, pulling his husband with him, not minding that the breath was pressed from him as Fin landed on his chest, but using the last of his exhalation to laugh and breathe in, and roll so that Fin was beneath, to swarm his hands all over him, undoing ties, unfastening clasps, folding away clothes and layers to reveal warm, velvet skin begging to be kissed and touched and nuzzled. He lost himself in Glorfindel's eyes, discarding his own clothing in a flurry of silks, desperate to be naked in Fin's embrace, knowing the impossible would be asked of him yet again and, as always, he would do his best to respond.

'Did you think to bring…?' Fin began, and Ecthelion could nod and smile, for that was the easiest question of all.

'Of course I brought the oil, my love; am I ever without it, when at any moment my love for you could spiral into passion and I would need to find somewhere to be private with you? Yes, I brought the oil.'

Glorfindel licked his lips, eyes bright and glinting like sapphires.

'Hold me then, Thel. Make… make me real, make everything real again, like you do. Like you always do for me.'

'My darling…'

Yes, of course he would, as much as was possible, he would always do all he could to answer Fin's need, whatever he felt his personal reality required, he would hold him, love him, bury himself in his body until they were both lost in passion, until love brought them back, grounded them; perhaps it would be enough.

Ecthelion kissed Glorfindel's anxious lips, lingering his tongue in with a slow, erotic slide until Fin moaned into his mouth. He drifted his hands across the broad, firm chest, kissed and swirled his tongue on Fin's throat and neck, breathed into his hair. Glorfindel's hands stroked his shoulders, caressed his braids as he found Fin's arousal and took him into his mouth to dance his tongue and Fin gasped and clutched, but then to gently release him while he was still hard and hot, to roll his beloved over and intrude oiled fingers gently into the secret entrance to his body, to explore and tease until Fin whimpered and twitched and gasped in need and he felt the same need urge him on.

'Yes, Thel, oh, yes…'

Ecthelion paused only to anoint himself, bending to kiss Glorfindel's spine and bringing his body close, easing into him with joyful gratitude.

'Homecoming,' he said softly. 'To find myself in your body, it is like being welcomed home. There, my beloved, my golden, glorious light, ah, you feel wonderful…'

'Thel, it's… yes, that's it, exactly, you hold me in place, you put me where I need to be… oh, Thel…'

Glorfindel pushed back onto Ecthelion, encouraging him deeper, and Thel wrapped his arms around Fin's waist, laying his face against his back as he moved slowly, powerfully within his body, pulled and warmed and losing himself to the rhythm and the need. His hand reached for Glorfindel's erection, holding him firmly and beginning to stroke in time. He felt the pull and clench of Fin's body around him, felt himself drawn in more deeply, so deep that he didn't know where Fin began and he ended; they were one, fëa and fëa merging and melding together in a perfect, heady rush of love and knowing and he came as Glorfindel shouted out his name, and Fin ejaculated as Thel shuddered and moaned in bliss and, yes, just for a moment he understood what Fin meant; they were real, together, real and perfect and as long as he had Fin and Fin wanted him, it would always, always be enough.

'May I hold you, beloved light of my fëa?' Ecthelion asked, delicately withdrawing from Glorfindel's body. 'I know that, on occasion, you prefer to…'

But Fin had turned in his arms and clasped close to him.

'Sometimes, yes,' he said. 'Sometimes you're just so much I daren't move in case I imagined you, I… oh, love…'

'There, let me hold you… that's better, I can reach to stroke your hair now.'

'What Oropher said, Thel… he's wrong. It was always you, there's never been anyone, never could be anyone I love more… if he doesn't see that…'

'He's been away from his wife for far longer than we were apart; and yes, it was entirely his fault he did not see her in the Halls, but that is beside the point; I mean, rather, that he has nothing to judge real, true love by for he has sundered himself from it for so long.' Ecthelion snuggled Glorfindel against his chest and kissed the treasure of his hair. 'We are fortunate. I am fortunate…'

'Thel. My Thel, is it really all right? About everything?'

'My light, of course it is. You know this; from time to time you doubt yourself, that's all. But it is always all right. Now, if you are rested, would you like something to drink? There is cordial as well as wine.'

'What, for the morning when it's far too early to drink wine?'

'Possibly. And there is soup, and cake.'

'Cake, I think. Did you bring the bits with the green icing?'

'I am not sure, Lalbes put the basket up for us. Come, shall we see?'

'Let me fetch it.'

Glorfindel rolled over Thel, kissing him in passing, and went to retrieve the basket while Ecthelion tidied the bales of the bed into a configuration more comfortable for lounging.

'Thel?' Fin's voice was curious, interested. 'Thel, I think something's happened, it has, yes, Gassy's had her kid!'

'While we were otherwise engaged? How very inconsiderate of her!'

'Don't suppose you've got my breeches there, have you…?'

'I can bring them… but…'

'Don't want to shock her now, do I?'

Thel handed over the leggings and laughed as he put his own on for good measure.

'You are most considerate. Now, what will you call the kid, have you thought? Which of your old and dear friends will you commemorate this time?'

'Well, if it's a nanny, I thought either Well-Met-Nestoril – because it's nice to see Ness again, we had some laughs… and if it's a billy, well, after tonight, how about… Be-Nice-Oropher!'

'A charming thought, and one that will afford no end of pleasure amongst ourselves… but…'

'Sweet Lady Yavanna, there's another one! Twins, Thel, twins!'

Ecthelion joined Fin at the edge of the loft, looking down into the pen. The first kid was already on its feet, wobbly and adorable, and Gassy Galadriel was licking the caul from the second with determination, ignoring the elves above.

'Let us hope for one of each, then, and you can proceed as planned.'

Glorfindel slid his arm around Ecthelion's waist and kissed his neck.

'Look, though, Thel. New life, can you beat it?'

'No; it is entirely wonderful. Do you wish to go down?'

'Well… perhaps best not. No, Gassy knows what she's doing. Come on, let's snuggle down in the hay again and drink to her health, shall we? Time enough in the morning to welcome the babies.'