Chapter Two:

Ereinion woke lazily, well rested for the first time in a long time.  It must be late in the morning, he mused; the sun was high in the sky.  Maybe he'd finally fired Meneldil and had just forgotten about it…  He let his eyes focus and found himself pleasantly curled up at Elrond's side.  Oh yes.  He'd run away.  All those nights sleeping on the ground weren't just dreams of centuries past.  He smiled and ran a hand across the peredhel's chest.

Elrond sighed lightly, the grey eyes slowly opening as he stretched.  The elf-lord blinked, a perplexed look gracing his features, and he turned to see who it was in his bed, not really expecting anyone to be there.  But no, someone was there.  His Ereinion.  "I thought perhaps it had been another dream," he whispered with a smile.

Ereinion chuckled, smiling also.  "And I thought perhaps I'd finally rid myself of my meddlesome chief counselor."

"I was never meddlesome," Elrond informed his bedmate with serious voice but sparkling eyes.  "Forward, persistent, resolute, yes: but never meddlesome."  He sat up, stretching like a cat before kissing his lover gently, his dark hair falling across both their shoulders.  "I should get us a meal."

"It can wait," Ereinion purred, pulling his lover back down to him.  "I don't get to wake up with you nearly enough."

Elrond lowered his eyes as he allowed himself to be wrapped in the king's arms.  "And that is more my fault than I would like to admit.  There are days when I wish I was with you for nothing more than your whims … but there is a yearning in my heart to do great things."

"I know," the king replied.  "And I love you for it."  He loved Elrond for having the strength to follow his own heart, when it would be so easy for him to become the High King's concubine.

Elrond straightened his shoulders, tilting his head upwards to gaze at his lord.  "You did not come here to dwell on regrets, nor do I wish to have them consume our time."  The smile returned to his features.  Ereinion tilted his head down and kissed the younger elf, who sighed as he kissed back.  "We are too aged for such simple pleasures, I would think; yet I do not tire of them."

"Mmm, I disagree with you.  One is never too old for such simple pleasures.  Perhaps it is as they say: absence make the heart grow fonder."

Elrond pulled away abruptly, wrapping a nearby sheet around his body.  "Distance is no friend of mine.  It—"  He could not find the words to express how thoroughly the human saying bothered him.

"I don't like being apart either," Ereinion said, sliding close once more and holding his lover.  "But the Powers have decreed it so."

Elrond hesitated.  "You say things sometimes, my love, and I am not as certain of your humor as I used to be."  The elven lord relaxed.  "Amin hiraetha."

"You don't need to be sorry.  I know how this affects you."

"Then you are far wiser than I."  He turned and wrapped his arms around Ereinion's neck, hugging him tightly, letting his lips trace the king's neck.  "I feel as if I lose myself in your arms, but my heart tells me the opposite."

Ereinion's arms remained encircled around his lover.  "It is not that we lose ourselves, meleth-nin, but gain another part of us."

"Yes, that's it," Elrond agreed as he rested his head on the king's shoulder.  "If you do not wish to partake of a meal just yet, tell me: what do you wish to do?"

"Just be here.  Perhaps if we yell loud enough later, someone will come by with a meal, hmm?"  The sparkle in his eyes indicated he was joking, even if the idea had merit.

Elrond blushed, but did not part from his lover's arms.  "I imagine if I do not emerge soon, someone will come looking anyway.  It is not like me to tarry from my daily tasks long.  Only you can cause such an effect."

"Even lords and kings need a day off," Ereinion chided him gently.  This was a snare he'd gotten caught in early on in his reign, and he hoped to see Elrond avert a similar entrapment.

"I am afraid that if I stay my hand for but a moment, this" – he waved his hand to indicate the room and the city outside – "will all fade.  And you…"  His fingers traced Ereinion's lips carefully.  "You will vanish under the darkness that continues to grow in Endor."

Ereinion gently kissed Elrond's fingers as they caressed his lips.  "The darkness grows, yes, but ever-slowly.  It cannot enter in where love reigns supreme, and one day, we will destroy it once and for all."

"I pray that is so."  The grey eyes watched the moist tongue move over his digits before lowering them to the strong chest before him, yet not moving his fingers.  "Have you considered..."  He took a breath and tried again.  "Have your advisors spoken to you about an heir, my king?"

"As I recall, my love, you are my closest living male relative who isn't currently sailing the sky with a Silmaril bound to his brow," Ereinion said, intentionally dodging the question.  "That makes you the High Prince, and my heir-apparent."

Elrond sighed, taking Ereinion's hands in his and bring them to his lips.  "Yes, but..."  He hesitated; this was not an argument he wanted to make.  "If you're..."  He cleared his throat, not wanting to think of that possibility.  "If you were gone from here, I would not be able to keep the Noldorin Empire united.  The people would not listen to me as they do you.  But with an heir, a child of your blood, all you've built will be secure."  He raised a hand and pressed it against the elven king's lips firmly to prevent a quick retort.  "All I ask is that you consider your options."  The Prince of Rivendell smiled weakly.  "It is at least one profound thing I cannot do for you, my love."

Ereinion chuckled softly.  "I have to agree with you. And yes, my advisors have coaxed, cajoled, threatened, bribed, ordered, and begged.  I've yet to cave to their wishes, but that will probably have to change soon.  Even Cirdan, who's been our strongest supporter, is starting to suggest that I turn my mind to settling down."

Elrond nodded, his heart sinking a little though he did not let on.  "Yes, of course."  He sighed.  "There is so much that I cannot give you.  It is almost as if…"  The grey eyes closed.  "As if it were not meant to be."

"Elrond," Ereinion said very seriously.  "I want you. I don't care about what those idiot counselors say.  They can go to the bottom of the Sea for all I care."

He smiled sadly.  "Our positions demand more of us than what we want."  His fingers brushed against Ereinion's cheek.  "I would gladly spend eternity in your arms if it wasn't for this conflicting world we live in."

Ereinion nodded.  He knew it was the truth.  "The people of Lindon love you.  If I did die, and you were my heir, you'd have Rivendell and Lindon, at least.  And if you were to marry Galadriel's daughter, you'd have Lothlorien through her.  As it stands, that is the situation we find ourselves in.  As for Greenwood, I don't think we'll ever be truly friendly with them, although I hope one day Thranduil will quit blaming me for his father's mistakes."

Elrond smiled sadly. "Thranduil cannot hate forever.  It is against our nature.  There is still hope."  His fingers moved over his lover's smooth skin.  "Let us speak of this no longer.  My heart grows weary from what may be.  We can grant each other no child, and it does no good to dwell on it.  It is my folly for bringing these matters up."

Ereinion's skin fluttered beneath Elrond's touch and he pulled the lord closer, hugging him to his chest.  "We'll think of something, you and I.  We always do."  He kissed Elrond gently and fully on the mouth.

Elrond purred as he felt himself pulled against his lover's firm frame.  He tilted his head back, feeling the pressing of the kiss and tasting the cool sweetness of his lover's mouth.  His grey globes disappeared behind his lids slowly as he moaned.  They remained that way for several long moments before Elrond shifted, moving his free hand down his lord's body, over his hips and between the elf's sturdy thighs to cup the firming groin below.  "I do not know if I have said this since your return, but I love you."

Ereinion moaned at the wave of pleasure that crashed into him at Elrond's touch.  "I can't recall either ... but if I promise to keep track, will you say it more often?"

Elrond chuckled, moving his lips against Ereinion's as he pressed bodily against him, his fingers squeezing the royal erection rhythmically.  "Yes, for in these moments, my heart beats only for you, my lord."  Elrond had always called him 'my lord' when he really meant 'my love', and it made Ereinion's heart melt to think about all the times he'd said that title with a reverence nobody could ever match.  "You've never asked me about my other relations, Ereinion, though I have heard a bit of yours," Rivendell's lord murmured lowly, purposely.

"I suppose I always assumed you'd tell me if it was something I needed to know."  It was growing difficult to think through the growing haze of lust Elrond had evoked in him, and he absently wondered how Elrond could think of subjects that had next to nothing to do with the topic at hand.  He chuckled inwardly at his own pun.

Elrond soft fingers glided over the hard member.  "Maybe I do not wish to tell you, only leave you wondering," he whispered lovingly.  "I am rather shy you know."

Ereinion chuckled softly, half-joking.  "You?  Shy?  Never."

"I wear many robes.  It is a wonder anyone can recognize my form at all."  He smiled slightly.  "There have not been many, yet you never ask, and I had wondered why.  Now I know." He leaned forward, hand still gripping the pulsing rod.  The peredhel's tongue moved to each tiny nub, playing the pink nubs to hardness as his fingers trailed down the hard length to the sacs nestled behind a light forest and causing Ereinion to moan and shiver.  The king wrapped one arm more tightly around his lover, holding him close as he relaxed into the sensations.

"One can only wonder how I, of so many worthy and beautiful patrons, gained the attention of such a shining star as my lord," Elrond murmured.


"I love you…" Ereinion replied.  "I have always loved you..."

Elrond left a warm moist trail down his lover's chest and abdomen, pausing just above the hot groin, kissing the lower regions of Ereinion's upper body and admiring the hard muscles of the warrior-king.  "You've more than love from me, my lord; you own me.  Every portion that can be possessed has been, by a touch or a glance or a single word from you."

Ereinion groaned, his head falling back as his lover proceeded to show him exactly how devoted he was.  In return, the king flipped them over and showed the master healer a style of the magical arts that many instructors would've blushed to know existed.  When it was over, and Elrond had the breath to ask what witchcraft the older elf had worked upon him, Ereinion smiled and stroked his love's hair gently.  "You always encouraged me to learn new things," he explained.  "I found some books in the palace library on energy-work, not unlike what you use in healing, and applied the theory to varied other situations."

Elrond sat up, leaning forward and kissing his lover gently on the lips.  "You would find no such practice as this in any book."  His fine cheeks colored lightly.  What historian could write about such a use for the Power with a steady hand?

He smiled wanly.  "I've already detailed my experiments in my journal, in an obscure mode of Quenya that perhaps a handful of people can read.  In a few thousand years, when, with your help, I have perfected this rather entertaining and useful method of building and releasing magical energy, we shall surely publish it and confirm to the general populace the long-circulating rumor that we're both lusty and entirely too oversexed for our own good."

Elrond smiled fondly.  "You truly are quite silly sometimes, Ereinion."  He shivered, the cool morning air drifting in through the loose curtains, and moved closer against his lover.  "I have created a rather large mess..."  A rose hue arose to the peredhel's cheeks once again.


"Oh, drat," Ereinion said airily.  "I suppose that means you should bathe.  Of course, in your current state, I certainly couldn't let you do that alone.  You might lose your footing and hit your head, or fall asleep and drown.  As for the rest of this," he waved to the general state of the bed, "there are people called housekeepers whose job it is to clean up after lords like you and keep mum."  He leaned in and kissed Elrond sweetly on the mouth, clearly in a more relaxed and easy-going mood now.

Elrond located a robe after returning the kiss warmly.  "I have a few patrons who come here to clean after me, but it is not their duty to do so.  And ... well, I certainly cannot allow them to see ... this."


"Then I suppose we'll have to do it ourselves," Ereinion said easily, sitting up and moving toward Elrond again.  He found himself feeling quite vulnerable when his lover wasn't within arm's reach of him.  "But first, we bathe."  With that, he picked Elrond up and carried the surprised half-elf into the large bathing room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When they were bathed and dried and dressed, Ereinion brushed and styled his lover's hair.  He himself preferred his own to hang loose whenever possible, or pulled back in simple braids, as it was usually styled in some complex thing that took three people to do for him; but Elrond had always favored a more formal appearance.  They turned their attention to the bed once more, chatting lightly as they removed the sheets and soiled blankets, and were in the process of putting on fresh ones when a light rap sounded on the door.

"Yes?" Elrond called.

"I'm sorry, my lord, but you've a guest just arrived who seeks an audience," a voice replied.


Elrond frowned; he was expecting no one.  "Entertain them until I present myself, please."

Ereinion moved closer to Elrond.  "More unexpected visitors?"

"So it would seem."  He turned and kissed his lover gently.  "You may join us if you like, or remain here."

"I may as well join you, love.  Can't have you having all the fun."

The Prince of Imladris smiled slowly.  "Very well then.  Let us try and look presentable, and promise me you will do nothing ... improper."  A light shown in the grey eyes, though he did not elaborate further, and he moved to the door and down the hallway.


Ereinion smirked and followed, saying nothing.

As the two elves entered the sitting room, a larger, middle-aged human with deeply tanned skin, a dark beard, and deep black eyes stood.  He was dressed in fine garments, complete with a sheathed sword at his hip.  "Elrond, I was surprised to hear I disturbed you.  Normally you are out and about rather early.  A friend of yours?"


Elrond smiled politely.  "Yes, you could say so.  This is Ereinion Gil-Galad, our—"

The man interrupted.  "Yes, yes.  I have heard the name, though never a description.  An elven king.  Most extraordinary.  Well met, I am Havan."

Ereinion bit his tongue against a chuckle and smiled. "Well met."  That was certainly the most interesting introduction he'd had in a while.

Elrond took a seat and poured all three of them some fine wine.  "Havan is a merchant," he explained to his king.  "He comes to Rivendell sporadically."


Havan laughed lowly.  "Well, I consider myself a man of trades, and I deal with races and civilizations of all the lands.  Buying and selling is a remarkable business.  It's a pity; Rivendell has little to sell, but a great deal to offer."  A glint rose to the man's eyes.


Ereinion found himself at once charmed by and wary of Havan.  Something didn't seem quite right about him, but then he was human, and humans had more of a preoccupation with money than elves did.  He appeared to be quite shrewd.  "Perhaps you would find Lindon more to your liking, as far as trade is concerned. We trade a great deal with the dwarves of the Blue Mountains, who rarely trade outside their own people."


"Indeed, elf king, they are a loathsome group to trade with, but I find if you venture to enough Human settlements, you will find items of made by the hand of any race."  He took a long drink.  "Aah, elven wine.  Some of the finest brew outside the Mountain, but hardly produced in the quantities it ought to be."  He laughed again.  "I assure you, Gil-galad, people interest me far more then goods.  Is it not so, Elrond?"

Elrond nodded lightly. "So it would seem, Havan.  Were you not just here?"


Havan chuckled.  "Just here?  Over two seasons ago, that's hardly just here!  No matter, it is earlier than usual, yes."


Ereinion remained quiet, letting Elrond deal with his guest.  Elrond generally had more patience for humans than he did, although Ereinion's deep friendship with Elendil was a great exception.


Elrond sipped his wine.  "If you've wares to sell to me, then I will certainly have a look at them."


Havan nodded.  "I have a few trinkets you might find interesting.  Unfortunately, I sent my caravan ahead of me so the bulk of goods are with them."

"Did you not wish to sell in Rivendell?" Elrond asked, puzzled.


"Of course, of course.  But these goods are ... a little too difficult to take through a place like Rivendell.  No matter, I've things to show you."  His dark gaze turned to Ereinion.  "We've not heard much of the elven king.  Tell me, is he anything like his lords?"


Ereinion's political sense was telling him to be very wary indeed, though he did not know why.  He had plenty of sense to trust his gut, though.  "I am a lord in my own right.  I take care of my land and my people.  The title of king is mostly ceremonial, though in times of need it has become quite practical."


Havan's fingers pulled at his beard a bit.  "Yes, I imagine it would.  I find that kings are much more practical than most lords.  After all, when it comes to business, there is a need to see the bigger picture."  He smiled.  "Not that the Lord of Rivendell has caused me much trouble."


The aged grey eyes regarded them both, though they stayed on the man longer.  "You will find, Havan, as I have told you in the past, that elven politics are far less consuming and complex as the many human kingdoms."


Ereinion nodded.  "Indeed.  The Eldar are much more forthcoming about their ulterior motives.  Personal gain isn't something we look down upon, save when it injures the common gain.  It saves everyone a great deal of time and stress."  He started out conversationally, but ended with a tone change that suggested Havan consider being more Eldarin in his politics.


Havan nodded.  "Yes, I imagine so.  Having all those years under your belt ought to offer more than just wisdom.  Still, I find there are certain services and goods that the elven people have yet to appreciate.  Here in Rivendell there are not even any servants."


Elrond smiled a bit as he poured his guests more wine.  "We are capable of tending after each other without the use of rank.  Those who have the time and inclination come to the manor to help keep things in order.  Very few of the house staff are paid for their work, for they have other trades, and they would be insulted if I offered to compensate them."


Ereinion nodded.  "Even in Lindon Hall, which is much larger than Rivendell, there are few servants who are designated as such.  Most are volunteers.  And those who do live in the household and keep the palace running are compensated quite well.  Indeed, the servants are on almost equal footing with the court."


Havan nodded.  "Lindon sounds like an interesting place.  I will have to visit sometime, especially since other elven settlements rarely welcome visitors."  He placed his glass on the table firmly.  "Still, I find it difficult to believe that the entire elven race desires equal footing.  After all, what man doesn't want someone beneath him from time to time?"  The merchant emphasized his words but did not seem to change his friendly expression.


Ereinion answered flatly.  "I assure you, even the king sometimes finds himself least among his people."  Ereinion already had an idea of how many ways the merchant's statement could be taken, and had chosen to answer in the most politic way possible.  He also found himself wondering what exactly Havan traded in.

Elrond did not seem to notice the merchants play with words but he did recognize Ereinion's rather unfriendly tone.  His brow furrowed but he was far too polite to say anything before either guest.  Instead, he stood smoothly.  "Perhaps, you would like to rest in a guest room before we look at your wares?"


Havan stood as well.  "Nonsense, I may not have your years, but I am hardly aged.  You could say I am in my prime.  I would be pleased to show you what I have available here.  Come, it is awaiting outside."


Ereinion nodded to Elrond, but indicated that he remain a few steps behind as they fallowed Havan outside.  "I do not like him," he said softly in Quenya, in the dialect of Sirion that had faded from the memories of all but a precious few.


Elrond remained at Ereinion's side and spoke softly himself.  "Havan has been here many times my lord, since he was a young man.  We have encountered no troubles so far. What worries you?"


Havan began to talk of silver candlesticks, weed pipes, herbs and spices, as well as a several different daggers he had available, seemingly oblivious of the two talking behind him since Elves did seem to be rather quiet anyway.


"I don't know," Ereinion answered.  "Perhaps it's nothing.  It's just a feeling I have.  He makes me uneasy."


Elrond smiled lightly as they entered the courtyard where the goods were already placed out for display.  "If you are worried about his interest in me, I have already politely refused.  Havan is here for business, nothing more," he assured.


Havan turned and waved his hand to the items.  "Please, have a look.  And for you, king, take one thing you desire, on me.  Let no one say that Man has not a generous heart."


Ereinion smiled softly. "The one thing I desire I already have," he said amicably enough, though he gave the man a possessive, warning look before politely perusing the items.  Elrond parted from them, looking over a long rolled tapestry to the side.

Havan advanced on the elven king, motioning him to the table.  "Come now, I think you will find these most worthy of you."  He pointed to two long thin flasks of liquid.  "They are perfumes from distant lands.  Very potent and useful."


"Where did they come from?" Ereinion asked.

Havan pulled at his beard again.  "What we call Gypsies, a small group of traveling people.  If you ever come across a caravan, I recommend a night with them.  Truly amazing."


"The dark-skinned Haradrim move about the desert thus, far to the south and east, further than any elf dare travel."  He didn't mention that the men of Harad were historical allies of Mordor.


Havan glanced at Elrond who now had succeeded unrolling the tapestry soundlessly, and then regarded Ereinion again.  "Is it not fitting for an elven king to possess the unique, even if he does not desire to use it?  As I said, it is a most unusual perfume, and since I am not likely to ever fetch the price they are worth, my heart would gladly gift them to you."  He leaned closer.  "If I may be so bold, they will make your chosen lovers go wild."


Ereinion smiled.  "There are many things you've yet to learn about my people," he said, immediately thinking of his new magical skill.  "But I will accept your gift in the spirit it is given."


Havan nodded readily.  "Indeed, but your people are not readily open to mine.  Only a few would venture so far and so, I suppose, we have those like Elrond Half-Elven."  He laughed lightly.  "But I suppose this knowledge is hardly worthwhile to an elven king.  I will have them sent to your room then, which is...?"


"The master suite." He gave Havan another Significant Look.


Havan laughed lowly.  "I'll be damned.  And here I thought he was made of ice.  Well, this will certainly please you then."  He gave Ereinion a hearty slap on the back.  "Rode all the way up to the top, did he?  Most interesting."  The merchant looked over as Elrond approached them.  The elven lord smiled briefly.  "I will, of course, take the tapestry."

"Oh?" Havan asked.  "I thought it might be a bit dark for your tastes."


"It is rather gruesome, but unusual and from lands that are not easily accessed by my people.  It is the reason for your trip, is it not?"  He did not seem put out by this fact, merely stating it.

"Indeed, but I've a special price in mind for you, elven lord."


Ereinion gave Havan another warning look, though it wasn't nearly as cold as his previous ones.  Just a friendly 'stay off my turf' reminder.


Elrond raised his eyebrows. "Oh?"

Havan glanced at the elven king as he withdrew a sharp pair of silver scissors.  "Yes, a lock of your hair."  He then held out a small velvet pouch.  "You see, lord, there are some commodities found in only one place."


Ereinion grinned.  Not smirked, not smiled.  Grinned.  "It seems a fair price."


Havan laughed.  "Do not be so modest, Elrond. It is a serious offer."

Hesitantly, Elrond took the scissors and peered at the velvet pouch a moment.  His strong fingers then brought forth a fine mass of his hair, which he cut smoothly and placed in the bag, which Havan snatched in his palm.  "Excellent.  Consider it yours."


He then looked to Ereinion, though he spoke to both.  "I've a long journey to prepare for and must be off, but will not part till morning.  My caravan is not far from here."  The merchant then parted to his horses.  "I'll send the boys to pick up the rest."


Ereinion watched as the shrewd businessman (who he was still wary of but had great respect for) departed.  "You do realize," he told Elrond, "that we'll have to cut your hair again, just in case Havan dabbles in the mystic arts.  Can't have him invoking the law of contagion."


Elrond shook his head slowly, taking Ereinion's hand in his.  "No, I trust him and I should for I allow him to come and go often.  What did you choose as a gift?"


"Fine perfumes from distant lands.  Tell me if he makes another pass at you; I'll growl at him again.  I doubt he will, though.  He seemed quite pleased to be proven wrong about you."


The elven lord blinked. "He is what?"

Ereinion smiled.  "He said he was certain you were made of ice."

Elrond stiffened.  "And what has occurred that makes him believe otherwise?"

Ereinion said nothing, just smiled and headed back inside the house.

Elrond followed after him quickly, stepping in front of the elven king, his grey eyes reflecting concern.  "Please tell me, what did you say to Havan?"

"He asked me which room he should have the perfumes delivered to, and I told him. What he assumes is up to him."

He sighed heavily. "Havan was searching for information, and you gave it to him.  I trust that Havan is here for business, but I do not trust the man himself with such private information."  He frowned, crossing his arms.

"Elrond.  Who's he going to tell?  There's not a soldier in the Alliance who didn't suspect, and we both know it.  And I didn't tell him.  I told him something that caused him to jump to the most obvious conclusion.  My guess, and tell me if I'm wrong, is that he is a dealer in information as well as goods.  But this information is of little consequence."

Elrond colored lightly. "I did not desire my private life to… to..."  He shook his head slowly.  "It does not matter now. I apologize, for you are at fault for nothing. As for Havan, he is usually very open about himself.  He trades in profits; what that may involve seems to matter to him very little."

"From a purely political standpoint, who we both choose to sleep with is quite trivial, and for all Havan knows, changes on a monthly basis.  Do you know where the next major stop is on his trade route?"

The Lord of Rivendell took a deep breath, calming his unusually jumpy nerves.  "Amon Sul, I think.  No, wait, I think he sets up a camp in the clearing and the locals come to him.  Near a pond not far from here.  I do not go there, for his more questionable customers arrive there at night."

"I think I shall go see him tonight, invite him to Lindon. He could be a useful resource."

Elrond let his fingers glide over Ereinion's chest playfully.  "He is no solider or magician, but I fear his heart teeters on darkness.  Be wary of him.  Havan seeks elven information, wants to know us better, but I've yet to discover why."  He hesitated.  "I should check the mornings reports..."

"I'll try to find out more.  He seemed quite interested in how things ran at the Hall."  He kissed Elrond again.  "You read your reports, love. I'll tidy our room."

"All right."  Elrond smiled and lingered a moment before venturing forth to make certain all was well in Rivendell.