Imladris Revisited

By: DLR 2002

Disclaimer: Owned by Tolkien, you know.

Elrond/OFC

Rated: I'm not sure maybe PG13 for voyeurism?

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Chapter 24

Dinner that evening in the small dining hall was a subdued affair, the many empty places continuing to be a depressing sight.

"Lady of Imladris," Gandalf greeted Culurien, kissing her hand.

"Mithrandir," she replied, smiling shyly.

"Lovely as ever." Gandalf beamed at her, his lips lingering over her fingers.

"Enough of that," said Elrond, taking Culurien's hand from Gandalf, his eyes dancing.  "I grow jealous."

Only Elrohir seemed to have any appetite, eating as if it were his last meal.

"I am better, Adar," he said between mouthfuls.  "I will leave now."

"Entirely unnecessary," commented Elrond.  "Those you seek will all be here shortly."

"You see it?"

"I do," said Elrond quietly.

"When?"

"Tomorrow," Elrond answered.  "Tomorrow night."

Gandalf and Culurien exchanged glances.

Elrohir pressed him.  "Elladan comes tomorrow?"

"Nay, he will come several days hence."

"I go to meet him then."

"You do not know the road by which he travels.  You will most likely miss him," argued Elrond. 

"You have had the vision," said Elrohir.  "You can tell me the road can you not?"

"Perchance I look like a map?"  snapped Elrond, annoyed.

Culurien put her hand on Elrohir's.  "Have patience.  It will not be much longer."

Elrohir went back to eating, now sulky.  The meal finished silently.

Gandalf rose.  "I go now to seek Bilbo.  Why did he not come to dinner?"

"I know not," answered Elrond.  "He is usually very punctual, seldom missing a meal, although occasionally he prefers the company of his own thoughts."

Elrohir scraped his chair back and departed, saying nothing. 

Elrond's eyes followed him sadly.  "Would that he was past this reckless stage."

"Mellhîr." Culurien's finger lightly caressed the back of Elrond's hand.

"Mmm," he responded absently, still looking after his wayward son.

"You seem much too tense."  She smiled at him coyly.  "Perhaps I can remedy that."

"Mmm," he said again, his eyes vacant, his mind far away. 

Dratted visions, she thought and waited, watching him.  The dining hall emptied, and still he sat, unblinking.

Culurien leaned close and whispered.  "I love you." 

Elrond jumped a little.  "What was that?"

"I-love-you," she repeated, her breath hot against his ear. 

He felt his flesh starting to tingle.  He looked around.  There was no one there but the two of them.

Culurien lifted his hand to her mouth, her tongue lightly caressing each finger.  He watched, fascinated, the heat building rapidly through his loins.

"It seems a good night to retire early," she whispered in his ear.

Elrond nodded in wholehearted agreement.  "It would seem so."

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Gandalf left Bilbo's room after a brief visit.  The old hobbit seemed too sleepy to chat much tonight, although his delight in seeing his old friend was evident.  Gandalf recollected something he needed to speak to Elrond about, and headed towards his chamber.

He was admitted by Lindir, who bid him to wait, as his master was not yet returned from dinner.

Gandalf sat on the terrace, watching the stars come out.  He was deep in thought and he missed the comfort of his pipe, which he dared not light, fearing the wrath of his host.

He dozed a while before he heard a noise from the inner room and came out of his reverie with a start.  Ah, he thought, returned at last.

He stood and walked in from the terrace.  He heard the noise again.  It was definitely a giggle.  He froze, still concealed in the shadows.

There were two people on the armless sofa near the fire.  The light was too dim to see their faces.  One was lying prone, with the other on top of him, straddling his waist.

They were sighing with pleasure as they moved against each other, exchanging soft caresses, hungry kisses, in their own world, oblivious to all else but their consuming desire.

How wonderful to be in love and so happy, Gandalf thought, I am so pleased that Elrond has found true contentment at last.  He watched them absently for a while.

His thoughts came back to the present with a jerk.  He turned hastily away and stepped backwards.  "Ahem," he said rather loudly.

He heard an oath and a crash and the sound of something heavy falling.

"Who is there?"  asked Elrond evenly from the darkness.

"Only I," replied Gandalf reluctantly.  He heard another oath and fumbling sounds.

Elrond held a candle into the fire, lighting it.  He spoke to someone Gandalf could not see, on the floor between the couch and the fire.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes," Culurien whispered, arranging her clothing.

"Stay right here."     

"May I get up off the floor?"

He nodded seriously.  "By all means."

Elrond stood with his back to Gandalf and rapidly fastened buttons.  He approached the wizard, leading him out to the terrace.  "This had better be good," he said threateningly.

Gandalf gave him a genial smile.  "I was merely waiting for you."

Elrond gave him a dark look.  "You could not have made your presence known sooner?" 

"I must have been dozing," said Gandalf, cheerfully.

"Mithrandir."  Elrond clenched his teeth.  "My patience with you grows thin."

"Ah, yes," sighed Gandalf.  "To the point.  Actually it was not that important, I only thought to catch you before you retired, it can wait, after all."

Elrond stared at him, at a loss for words.  Suddenly, he laughed.  "It has obviously been driven clean out of your mind."  He laid his hand on Gandalf's shoulder.  "Pleasant dreams," he said with a smirk, escorting the wizard out of the room.

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