A/N  This is most likely the last time I will update this story and unfortunately there's no real end here, I've just lost interest in the middle, so to speak.  Thanks for R &R!

Warning:  Rated a strong R, with some kind of OOC bondage at the end.  (Meh, I must have been in a strange mood when I wrote it ;))

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Return to Valinor
by DLR 2003

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Chapter Sixteen

"I quit!"

Culurien blinked.  "What was that you said?"

"You heard me correctly, Hiril nín."  Caladir folded his arms across his chest and looked stubborn.  "I resign the position of kitchen master."

Culurien swallowed hard. "Perhaps you would be good enough to tell me why?"

"Nay, I cannot, it is not my place to say."

She stared at him in disbelief.  "We have twenty houseguests.  There are another thirty people arriving tomorrow."

"I am aware of this, yes."

Culurien managed to remain calm.  "Would you prefer to discuss this with my husband?"

Caladir looked shocked.  "Indeed no, that would be worse, I could not." 

She gave in finally to exasperation.  "Then you will tell me or you will not leave this room alive."

Caladir pursed his lips.  "Fine then."  He paused.  "Galathil."

"Who?"

The kitchen master elaborated.  "Galathil, the brother of Celeborn, the father of Nimloth, Master Elrond's great-grandfather."

The light dawned somewhat.  "Ah yes, thank you.  What of him?"

Caladir's eyes narrowed.  "If you do not find some means to keep him out of my kitchen, Hiril nín, he will be the one not to leave that or any other room alive."

Culurien paled.  "You wish me to tell him what he can or cannot do?  To bar him from certain areas?  That is an impossible request; I am unable to do that."

"You see my dilemma then."

"What has he done that is so objectionable?"

"It would be easier to list what he has not done, truly."

Culurien rolled her eyes.  "Elaborate on that thought, if you please."

An obstinate look appeared on the kitchen master's face.  "After nearly six millennia in this occupation, I hardly think I require constant instruction and close supervision."

"Perhaps he is simply endeavoring to educate you in the ways of Aman?" Culurien asked hopefully.

Caladir stared at her in sarcastic silence.

Culurien sighed.  "I will need to consult Elrond on this matter, I fear.  Please continue as you always do and make no rash moves for his sake."

Caladir inclined his head.  "Very good, Hiril nín, I will abide with your wishes."  He sniffed.  "For the present."

Culurien dismissed him and returned her attention to the household accounts and numerous last minute party details.  She rubbed her temples with a grimace.  A headache remedy perhaps . . . yes, a good idea.  The warm embrace of her husband . . . an even better idea.  She sighed once again and wondered what was occupying Elrond.

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Celeborn was incredulous.  "Surely you jest."

Elladan met his eyes.  "I am completely serious."

Celeborn began to sputter.  "Tis simply unseemly, I cannot believe you have done this."  He looked at Elrond.  "How can you condone such behavior in your son?"

Elrond coughed.  "I have actually done it myself."

Celeborn bristled.  "With my daughter?"

"Well yes, once or twice before our troubles began.  Many times more recently with Culurien."

Celeborn made a snorting noise.  "It does not surprise me you should perform such an act with Culurien, she seems to be a bit uninhibited."

Elrond looked at him.  "I will ignore that remark and assume it was simply jealousy that caused you to utter it."

Glorfindel caught Elrond's eye and snickered.  "You must move with the times, my Lord Celeborn.  Imagine the pleasure your Lady would take in this."

Celeborn glowered at him.  "You will refrain from discussing my Lady's pleasure, thank you."

"As you wish, but the females do seem to like it very much."

Elladan poked him in the ribs.  "They do indeed, you should know."

Glorfindel smiled.  "I have had ample opportunity to practice it, yes, especially in Middle-earth, not so much here."

"Well that is not surprising really."  Celeborn looked at him with something resembling disdain.  "I should hope you would curtail your base practices here in the Blessed Realm."

Glorfindel raised his eyebrows and managed to look extremely innocent.  "And I have, truly.  Ask anyone."

Elrond had unfortunately chosen that moment to take a long drink from a flagon of water he had poured out.

"Why thank you," Ereinion said with some revulsion.  "I was unaware I was in need of additional bathing."

"I beg your pardon," said Elrond, recovering himself.  "Something must have caught in my throat."  He turned to Celeborn.  "So the question remains.  Do you wish to become familiar with these positions or not?"

"Well, I . . ."

The corner of Ereinion's mouth lifted just a little.  "I for one would like to have some practice at this before I try it with my wife.  It is all new to me; I have been out of touch for several millennia after all."  He raised his eyebrows at Elladan and Glorfindel.  "Would either of you be willing to give me the benefit of your experience?"

Celeborn was beside himself at this point.  "You will not do this with my grandson, I forbid it."

Elladan turned to him.  "With all due respect, this will be my choice, thank you."  His grey eyes twinkled.  "You do not have to stay and watch."

"Hrumph."  Celeborn snorted.  "I should say not.  I have no wish to see you make a public exhibition of lewd behavior."  He inclined his head.  "If you will excuse me, I will see if I can be of assistance elsewhere."

Elrond looked after him and sighed.  "An apology will be necessary."

"Yes Adar."  Elladan rolled his eyes.  "Later."  He turned back to Ereinion.  "Now then, you will be the female."  He snaked his arm around the other Elf's waist and pulled him into a close embrace.  Ereinion began to look nervous.

"Ada?  Whatever are you doing?"  The soft voice came from behind them and all four of the male Elves jumped guiltily.

Ereinion flushed a little.  "Ah . . .erm. . . nothing at all."  There was a bit of an awkward pause.  He coughed and indicated Elladan.  "I do not believe you two have met.  My eldest daughter Nínim- Elladan, son of Elrond and Celebrían."

Nínim smiled prettily.  "Suilad, Elladan Elrondiôn."

Elladan found himself unable to move.  He simply stood and stared.  Elrond looked from one of them to the other and raised an expressive eyebrow.  He gave his son a discreet prod.

"Yes . . .um . . . yes . . . I . . . well . . ."

Glorfindel's lips twitched.  "Perhaps you should converse in Quenya since you seem to have forgotten Sindarin."

Elladan became redder than Glorfindel's tunic.  "I humbly beg your pardon indeed."

Nínim exchanged an amused look with her father.  "No apologies are necessary, Hîr nín.  Please, do not distress yourself on my account."

This remark did naught to help Elladan.  "Tis nothing to worry for, Lady, my discomfiture is no fault of yours." 

Nínim felt a twinge of pity for Elladan's embarrassment and attempted to divert interest from him.  "I still wish to know what you all are doing that you should look so guilty."

She found it quite comical really, to see them all completely fail to look innocent.

Elladan coughed.  "I suppose I could show you, everyone seems to want a demonstration."

"Please do, it looked quite . . . uhm . . . intriguing."

Elladan took her cool hand into his suddenly clammy one and placed an arm around her waist.  "There should actually be music."

Her warm breath stirred his hair slightly.  "I assume this is a new dance step?"

His face was only inches away from hers.  "Yes, you are correct.  It has gained popularity lately, but still considered very scandalous by some because there is so much close contact."

She tilted her head up to look in his eyes.  "I can see why, it encourages intimacy, does it not?"

He could feel the warmth of her body through the thin summer frock she wore and his vision seemed to grow misty.  They simply gazed into each other's eyes, unaware that they had stopped dancing.  The other three Elves stared at them in turn until Ereinion finally cleared his throat and scowled, taking his daughter's hand and pulling her from Elladan's embrace. 

"Nínim, let us see if the ladies require assistance."

Elladan did not move a muscle as he watched them walk away.  Glorfindel opened his mouth to make a remark and Elrond silenced him with a look, laying his hand on his son's shoulder.  "Come, Iôn nín, you look quite thirsty after your exertions, I believe a tankard of ale is in order."

Elladan did not seem to have heard him.  "What just happened here, Adar?"

Elrond's lips twitched.  "I believe you met a pretty young lady."  He gripped the shoulder beneath his hand.  "The ale barrel awaits, come."

Elladan allowed himself to be led back to the house though he spoke not another word and was thoughtful.

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Elanna looked up from the basket of cut flowers she was arranging.  "What is it Lorfi, why do you rush so?"

Glorfindel paused only for a moment. "Where has your Adar disappeared to? I must apprize him of the arrival of important guests."

A smile dimpled her cheeks.  "Then you must be doing a great deal of hurrying, we have many important guests arriving."

Glorfindel's bright blue eyes twinkled and he plucked a spray of blossoms from the basket, weaving it through her hair.  "Very important guests, Tithen-pen, to him at any rate."

"He is most likely in his study."

"I should have guessed."

Elanna watched her father's friend bustle off and then began to burn with curiosity.  Who could it be, that was so important to Ada?  She pulled off her gardening gloves and made her way to the main entrance, pushing open the heavy wooden door and shielding her eyes from the sun as she scanned the approach to the house. 

A whinny to her left made her jump and turn.  Two Elves on horseback were in the process of dismounting, the gentleman helping the lady down.  Elanna gazed with interest at them, ascertaining that the new arrivals were unknown to her.  She tried to remember her manners and offer welcome for she was the only member of the household present at the moment.  "Suilad o Ondomar, Hîr nín, Hiril nín."

The Elf-lady with the lustrous silver hair turned to the words and as she looked at Elanna, her jaw dropped and all the color drained from her face.  She reached for the Elf beside her and clutched his arm.  Her low voice reached his ears alone.  "Arwen."

Her blond companion followed her gaze and his eyes rested on the black-haired Elf-child before him.  "Indeed, the resemblance is striking."

Elanna stared back at them, confused by their murmurings and turned with relief at the sound of footsteps crossing the threshold behind her.  "Ada, there are new guests."

Elrond emerged from the house followed by Culurien and Glorfindel.  He laid a hand on her head.  "So I see, Tithen-sell so I see."  He looked up at Celebrían to see her still staring at his daughter.

"Elrond," she whispered.  "She looks so very much like-"

He cut her words short.  "She does, yes I know."  He took a deep breath.  "Introductions are in order, I think."  He touched the arm of his wife.  "Culurien, Lady of Ondomar, may I present Celebrían and her husband Halmír."

The two Elf-ladies regarded each other with caution, reminiscent of snakes poised to strike yet biding their time.  Culurien pasted a beaming smile across her face.  "How lovely it is to meet you at last.  Your daughter Arwen was a close friend of mine in Middle-earth."

Celebrían touched the hand she was offered.  "It pleases me to make the acquaintance of my daughter's friend and the lady who gives Elrond the happiness he has long deserved."

Elrond and Halmír were eying each other with similar wariness and Glorfindel eased the tension somewhat, holding his arms out to Celebrían.  "You have not forgotten who I am, have you?"

She smiled and embraced him closely.  "Nay I have not, Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower."  She pulled back and made an observation, smiling.  "The years have treated you well."

His eyes twinkled.  "Indeed, they would not dare do otherwise.  It is good to see you so happy and well once more."  He paused for a moment.  "And it was not true, you know."

She met his eyes.  "Yes, I know the truth now, Elrond and I have talked.  I was foolish."  They were silent for a moment, understanding each other.  She looked back at Elrond with a glint in her eye.  "Enough of these pleasantries.  Where are they?" 

He put his hand on her shoulder and his lips twitched a little.  "First I will present my daughter Elanna who greeted you a moment ago."  He beckoned to her with his free hand.  "This is the lady Celebrían, mother to your pergwanur.  Would you do me a service and tell them of her arrival please?"

Elanna curtsied and smiled.  "Yes Ada."  

Celebrían watched her leave with a wistful look that Elrond did not miss.  "With every year that passes, the resemblance increases.  It is somewhat disconcerting, I know."  He smiled a bit sadly and then looked around.  "It is quite rude of me to keep you standing on the doorstep, come into our house and be welcome."

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"Naneth?"

"Elrohir!"

"Do you love him more then, that you would ignore me?"

"Elladan!"  His mother slapped him playfully before pulling him into a tight embrace as well.  Words were unnecessary between the three of them as they held each other closely, the despair caused by the many lost years fading quickly into the past.  The appearance of Elrond with his arms full of Arwen's sketches prompted their reluctant parting, finally.  He spread them on the table as his sons and former wife gathered around him, talking with excitement amongst themselves.

Culurien watched them for a short while until she noticed Halmír standing awkwardly to the side as well.  "Perhaps this would be a good time to show you where your chamber is located while they occupy themselves reminiscing."

"Indeed," said Halmír with a smile.  "Let us leave them to it, lead on, Lady." 

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Elrond looked up at the stars.  "It is late."

Celebrían placed her hand tenderly over his.  "It is so wonderful to be able to just sit and talk to you again with no bad feeling between us."  Elladan and Elrohir had long since left the drawing room in favor of their own bedchambers while their parents conversed far into the night, of times long ago, mostly of Arwen.  

Elrond closed his hand around hers and pulled her gently to her feet.  "Yes, I feel the same; the pain of those years is at last healing."  He bent down to kiss her on the forehead as she suddenly tilted her head back and his lips came unexpectantly into contact with hers.  Elrond shuddered as a wave of excitement washed over him and he instinctively deepened the kiss, feeling her hands creep up his chest to encircle his neck as their tongues entwined and his palm slid over a stiffening nipple.

He opened his eyes and they widened in shock as he stepped back quickly out of her embrace, nearly stumbling in his haste.  He stared at her in disbelief.  "Celebrían . . . I do not know . . . why did I do . . . I love Culurien, with all my heart and soul." 

She was as stunned as he.  "I have a long history of being torn between you and Halmír, but I thought I had reconciled it at last.  I am certain of my love for my husband."

Elrond rubbed his face vigorously in anguish.  "That did not just happen, it cannot have happened."

"Perhaps it did not, not in the manner which frightens us so."

He lowered his hands slowly.  "What is your meaning?"

"Do not mistake desire for love."

Elrond almost smiled.  "We did indeed share an oft-used bed."   

Celebrían met his eyes.  "It seems as though lust might die a harder death than love."  

He nodded his head slowly, still somewhat bewildered.  "Remnants of passion left from a love long ago lost.  It will not- it must not happen again."

"We recognize it for what it is."  She lifted a shaky hand to touch his cheek.  "I have already dismissed it from my mind, it matters not, it is insignificant."

Elrond closed his eyes as she turned and left the room.  It is far from insignificant.  How can I ever face Culurien again?

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She rolled over and reached out a hand to find his side of the bed still empty and sat up, frowning.  A vague feeling of dread settled in her stomach as she reached for her robe, tightening the belt around her slender waist.  Rising, she crossed the room by the light of Ithil, somehow knowing she would find him sitting outside on their private balcony.

He did not look up at her entrance, although his ears were able to discern her elvish footfall, more noiseless than his could ever be.  She placed her hand on his shoulder as he buried his head in his hands with despair and suddenly she knew what had happened.  How it was that she knew, she could not say, but the certainty of the knowledge chilled her to the core.  She closed her eyes and stood silent, stroking his hair gently.

"I have betrayed you."

"Please, just give me a moment."

"I would give you my life if you asked for it."

Her voice was without expression.  "I knew that this trouble would come someday, this is one reason I was reluctant to leave Middle-earth.  I knew that I would one day have to see her, to see her together with you, your reactions to each other, reminders of the love you once shared."

Elrond grasped her hand and pulled it to his cheek, holding it tightly, whispering against it.  "Please believe that you are my heart, my all, the center of my being."

"Yet you would betray your own heart . . ."  

"I would cut it out of my chest if doing so would redeem my sordid act of infidelity . . ."

"Speak no more of betrayal, for I do not see it in that light."

Elrond lifted his head, scarcely daring to meet her eyes.  "I cannot hope for anything less than complete disgust from you . . ."

Culurien placed her fingers across his lips.  "Stay, meleth nín, please.  We have both spoken of duplicity, but with all honesty, it does not ring true.  Call it rather a test of our love, not a betrayal of it."

"A test?"

"Indeed, you came to a conclusion, did you not?"

"I did, yes.  The conclusion that my heart is in your keeping entirely, in spite of any lingering attraction between Celebrían and myself."  He clutched her hand tightly once more.  "I will die before such a thing ever happens again."

"You may not believe this, but I am relieved to have it over with. I have worried along these lines too many years."

"I beg for forgiveness, not that I would ever presume to hope you could even contemplate it."

She came around in front of him and seated herself in her favorite chair, his lap.  She placed her hands on the sides of his face and gazed long into his eyes.  Hûn nín.  She traced a finger lightly across his forehead, trailing down his cheek to find his ear.  Her eyes never left his as she silently continued her soft caress over his chin and throat.

The anguish had not left his eyes.  "Stop Linariel, stop.  How is it you can be so understanding?  I do not deserve such consideration."

She arched an eyebrow.  "You crave punishment to assuage your guilt?"  The corner of her mouth rose a little.  "Perhaps a spanking is in order."

"How can you jest about this?"

Culurien sighed.  "It was only a kiss, meleth nín, not the end of Arda as we know it.  And also not entirely unexpected."

He hung his head.  "My weakness was predictable then.  You foresaw it."

"I foresaw the temptation.  I did not know what the outcome would be."

"My failure . . ."

She resumed her penetration of his soul through his eyes.  "If you had failed, you would not be here with me now.  You would be with her."  She closed her eyes and slowly brought her lips against his with feathery brushes, her breath warm.

He sighed, shaking slightly with emotion and tentatively ran his finger down her throat into the hollow between her breasts.  "Inyë mel le."

"Im ista."

His finger moved along the swell of her breast, finally encountering the hard little tip and rubbing it lightly in a hypnotically tantalizing circle.  He loosened the belt of her robe with his free hand and caressed a silken shoulder, pushing the fabric to the side in the process.  His lips left hers and lowered to replace his finger as he licked and bit at the tiny pink protrusion, the tugging of his mouth causing her to moan with pleasure.

His hands traveled leisurely down over her stomach and onto her thighs, his palms pressing into her flesh firmly, circling in towards the center of her mounting desire until she was squirming around on his lap with abandon, the robe discarded completely, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders as she shifted her position, opening herself widely in anticipation.  The more she moved to accommodate his touch, the more he persisted in his slow teasing until she was in agony, arching her hips forward in search of the stimulation of his practiced fingertips, which he withheld with maddening determination, serving to increase her arousal beyond all measure, until she was nearly sobbing  with the strength of her need.  "Ai, you torment me Melethron.  I thought it was you who required punishing."

He made a low growling noise in his throat.  "You may chastise me, whenever you wish, I will not object.  Do you desire this immediately?"

"Nay, I desire this immediately."  She pushed his no longer protesting hand between her legs and manipulated it until he commenced action on his own, stroking her deeply.  Violent shudders wracked her body as her pleasure peaked and waned, only to escalate again with a convulsive intensity as she moaned and writhed beneath his tenders, gasping for breath.  She collapsed against him panting, her chest heaving as her heart finally resumed its normal pace.

He kissed her gently, nestling his face in her hair, lightly stroking her spine as she rested.  She pushed away from him eventually with a strange glint in her eyes.  "It is time for retribution."  She slid off his lap and rose.  "Stand please, so I may remove your clothing."

He smirked a little.  "Certainly, Lady."

She made quick work of his shirt, disposing of it with alacrity, pausing to graze her fingernails over his chest and abdomen with unusual pressure, leaving reddening scratch marks across his flesh.  His eyes narrowed and he inhaled deeply, the power in the stroke as pleasurable somehow as a gentle caress.  His breeches were next as she continued her unyielding assault, her nails digging into his calves and thighs.  A moan escaped his lips as his eyelids fluttered closed.

"Hîr nín enjoys being roughly handled?" she murmured softly.

"Mmmm, indeed, so it would seem.  This is my punishment?"

"Part, but not all.  Hold out your hands."  She reached into a chest of drawers and produced a handful of silken scarves.

Elrond raised an eyebrow as she bound his extended wrists.  He was even more surprised when she tied a scarf across his eyes.  "You have me very curious now . . ."

He was perhaps lucky he could not see her wicked grin.  "Hold your arms above your head."  She must have been standing on a chair as her fingers busied themselves around his wrists.  To his astonishment he found himself nearly dangling as she stretched his arms even higher, binding him to some unknown object above.  "Linariel . . ."

"You still wish for castigation?  Or would you like me to cease?"

"I am beginning to wonder if you are perhaps very angry with me?"

She kissed him in response while giving him a brief fondle.  "I think you may enjoy this 'punishment.'"  He continued to be puzzled when it sounded as though she had opened a window.  He waited, his ears straining as he attempted to guess . . .

He jumped in surprise at the sudden sharp tingling across his buttocks.  "What in Mandos' name . . .?"

"And you thought I was jesting about the spanking . . ." 

"What did you strike me with?"

She removed the scarf from his eyes.  "A birch switch, which I just cut from the tree next to the window.  Shall I stop?"

He felt a strange mixture of a need for penitence and coupled with a surge of excitement as his eyes smoldered.  "Punish me please."

She kissed him once more.  "As you wish."  She stood behind him as he again felt the prickly sting of the switch.  "Am I hurting you?"

He closed his eyes as his inhalation deepened.  "Just a little.  But do not stop, please do not stop. Somehow, it helps . . ." He felt as though his skin was on fire as the flails of the little switch continued and his breath grew even more ragged.  So closely was pleasure related to pain . . . .

She stepped in front of him and administered light lashes to his chest, pausing a moment to suckle and bite the sensitive rigid peaks.  She then whipped his thighs and finally laid a stroke across his considerably stiff arousal.

He jumped a little. "Ai!"

"Oh dear, sorry.  That hurt?  Let me just kiss it and make it better . . . ."

He continued to gasp, although no longer from pain, moving his hips and quivering as she 'healed' his injury.

"I think perhaps you are ready to be freed?"  She looked up at him while stroking his thighs.  He nodded, panting.   A tantalizing breast was within reach of his tongue as she stood on the chair to untie him and he nuzzled it eagerly, sampling its sweetness yet again  Once his arms were loose he scooped her up and carried her to the bed, and wasting no more time positioned himself and commenced his intimate intrusion.

It was her turn to gasp as his movement picked up speed and urgency, deeper and more forceful with every plunge, both of their faces contorted by the ultimate combination of gratification and torture as his passion was quickly spent in a fiery, aching eruption.

They lay locked together for some time, overwhelmed by the intensity of their coupling.  He sighed with contentment.  "Thank you for being wise enough to know exactly what was needed."

She stroked his hair lightly and smiled.  "I enjoyed it as well.  Do you think there will be any call for further chastisement?"

He smiled back at her, running his finger gently around the curve of her ear.  "Even good husbands can benefit from a reprimand from time to time."

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Suilad- greetings S
Hîr nín- my Lord S
Hiril nín- my Lady S  
Pergwanur- half (twin) brothers S
Hûn nín- my heart S
Inyë mel le- I love thee Q
Im ista- I know S