Frodo found Ílian the next afternoon on the same terrace, and kissed her with a lover's unashamed familiarity. He could hardly keep from running down the red corridor, and Ílian stopped him just in time; their room of the day before was now occupied, so they had to take another.
Frodo put the white robe on his clothes, then took it off: it was too large and would only get wet.
Then he very tenderly opened Ílian's belt, which had looked very tight but actually was a bit too loose for her slim waist. Ílian helped him take off her jewellery, and then he unbuttoned the blue robe. Beneath it was a simple white one with no sleeves, and Ílian looked suddenly very young for some reason. Frodo realized it was because her bosom was very small. Slowly he lifted the last layer of clothes over her head -
- over his head. Ílian was, without doubt, male.
Frodo could only strare. He had fancied a woman, been bathed and caressed by a woman, and now he saw there had been no woman. A young, beautiful male elf, dressed in loose robes, behaving like a woman.
'I am sorry. I really thought you noticed what I was. Or that Lindir told you. But I guess he too believed those rumours about you and old Bilbo, although I forgot them as soon as I saw you watching me. I meant every word I spoke to you. How many do you wish to take back of your own now?'
Frodo looked at his eyes and saw truth.
'None. Step into that bath, and stop prattling. We have to get this washing done, so that we have time for other things before dinner.' He paused.
'I'm actually rather curious about how some of those tricks
of yours worked...'
****
Note: each of my stories is separate. This one has naught to do with 'Wayfarer's ease'.
Note II: This was actually movie-inspired: I could not figure out which of the elves who said nothing and only showed their faces were male and which female.
Note III: Review! Thanks!