Chapter 16
Notes: Please review this if you read it. It only takes a couple of minutes and I would honestly like feedback. Thank you : )
Thank you to the world's best beta: Plug in Delaney. I love you!!! You rock!
Any other mistakes are fully my fault
Warning: My beta has been complaining that there's no graphic, explicit sex in any of this. So this chapter does have some. My beta reader has assured me that it is still R-rated, though, but if I get complaints about it, I will replace it with a censored chapter.


"Have a safe journey," said Elrond to Haldir, who was just about to return to Lorien. "And make sure you come back soon."

"I think I can manage that."

Erestor smiled wickedly. "If Celeborn will let you out of the bedroom, that is."

Haldir playfully swatted at Erestor's head. "I don't find you funny."

"Of course you don't. But you'd better come visit me, too."

"Then you'd better keep an eye on Celeborn." Erestor licked his lips. "Just a warning."

"Erestor!" said Elrond, only half-serious. "Can you not keep your hands to yourself?"

"I would have thought you'd known me well enough to know that I can't."

"Good-bye," said Haldir, as he rode off to meet the twenty-six other Lorien warriors that had survived the four days of battle. He knew from now on that his journeys to Imladris would be pleasant, not something to be dreaded, as they had in the past. He looked back at Elrond and Erestor as they faded out of sight. He wouldn't be surprised if soon he found out they would bond. They had never been out of sight of each other since Erestor's accident. To the best of Haldir's knowledge, they had not actually slept together, but that would probably change. Haldir had also noticed the way Elladan glared at his father whenever they passed in the halls.

But all he really wanted to think about not was not the intrigues of Imladris or the battle they had just fought and won. He would much rather think about going home to see Celeborn and tell the elf how much he really loved him. To Haldir, that seemed much more worth his time.


Legolas had decided that there was no way he could leave Elrohir alone at the hands of that insane elf Belegtur. Bonded they might be, but that didn't mean Elrohir was safe around him. As all these rebel elves were going back home, though, Legolas knew he would have to come up with an excuse to be close to Elrohir and Belegtur.

So as Belegtur appeared to be heading home with Elrohir, Legolas stopped him.

"What do you want?" asked Belegtur harshly.

Legolas could see hate and evil in the eyes of that elf, but also a dream, something that was hard to find in the eyes of elves. Legolas realized that Belegtur really did believe in what he was doing. As strange as that seemed to Legolas, he knew he had to accept that others had different values and beliefs than him. "I would like to come back with you."

Belegtur frowned. "What do you mean?"

Legolas smiled conspiratorially and said, "Surely you are not giving up your Cause. We can still beat Elrond." He hoped that his voice was believable enough. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elrohir smiling at him. Legolas also hoped that Belegtur did not notice that. He didn't want Elrohir to give him away, however accidentally.

Belegtur shook his head slowly. "Of course not."

"Then you will need all the help you can get." Legolas thought of a convenient lie that would explain away any odd behavior that he displayed. He was a good actor, but no one was perfect. "I served in King Thranduil's army, as a Captain. I know much of the way they think." It was even true.

Belegtur thought his over. "How am I to know that you are not a spy for Elrond or Thranduil or any of the others who would wish to see me dead."

"Because they kicked me out. I hate them all. I want to see them all dead, not you. I wish that I had the courage to be like you." Legolas could see that all this praise was working.

"Okay," said Belegtur finally. "You can come with us. But if I see the slightest sign that you mean me harm or are spying on me for anyone, I will kill you painfully."

Legolas smiled. "Well, you won't have to do that, because I am loyal. Thank you for allowing me to come with you." And now I can keep an eye on Elrohir so that when you're through with him, he won't die.


Erestor walked into his old rooms (for some reason, Elrond had never given them to anyone, despite the length of Erestor's absence) and slipped his formal robes over his head. He much preferred leggings and a shirt to robes, something that nearly everyone in Imladris knew and made fun of him for. But it was all good-natured, and Erestor had been surprised at how quickly everyone had welcomed him back. Though he had seen the looks some gave him and the whispers that stopped whenever he drew close. Still, he had lived long enough to know that he could not be popular with everyone.

He heard a slight noise behind him and turned around, suddenly realizing he was unarmed. But it was only Elladan, sitting on his bed completely nude. "Good day, Erestor," Elladan said calmly.

Erestor nodded a greeting as he headed for his wardrobe. But about halfway there, he felt a pair of arms wrap around his bare chest, lightly caressing. "There's no need to get dressed," a voice said softly into his ear.

"Elladan," said Erestor, completely unfazed by any of this. "Don't…"

"Don't what?" Elladan kissed Erestor's neck, his hand dropping to the top of Erestor's leggings. "Don't pretend that you aren't just like a whore, taking it from anyone who will give it." Elladan was shocked at the hatred in his own words or voice, but Erestor had ignored him for too long.

"I'm stronger than you will ever be…"

"But you don't want me to stop." Elladan could feel that Erestor was getting hard, and that only made him smile more. "In fact, if you tell me to stop right now, then I will."

That was not necessary, though, as for at that moment, the door opened and Elrond walked in. Elrond halted as soon as he saw the scene in front of him. Erestor was half naked and had Elladan wrapped around him. Elladan was naked and had a hand inside Erestor's leggings. Erestor, once he saw Elrond, stepped away from Elladan. But the damage was already done.

Elladan smiled to himself. This had been a plot on his part. He had left a note in his father's chambers telling him to come to Erestor's rooms directly. Maybe now his father would leave Erestor alone.

Elrond felt himself hating his son more than he ever had in the past. But he couldn't kill either of them. Instead, trying to make sure his voice didn't shake, he managed to say, "I apologize for interrupting." Then he made a quick retreat.

Erestor turned to face Elladan once Elrond had left. "What is this, Elladan? Unless I am much mistaken, you arranged for Elrond to come by while you were attempting to seduce me."

Elladan drew Erestor closer and kissed him deeply. Erestor did not fight Elladan and let Elladan push him back towards the bed. But when Elladan tried to remove Erestor's leggings, Erestor stopped him. "No," said Erestor, "we won't do this." He said it as calmly as though he was discussing the weather.

"Because you want my father?" asked Elladan critically. He pinned Erestor down on the bed, making both elves painfully aware that both were hard. "Despite the fact that he has never done this." Elladan lowered his head to kiss Erestor again. Erestor did not stop him. Nor did Erestor stop him as the kisses gently trailed down his throat and Elladan bit Erestor's neck so as to leave a mark for his father to see tomorrow.

Erestor wished that he had the power to say no. But he couldn't. He knew that, as Elladan had said so cruelly, he would take it from anyone offering it. He did have some power, though. He could be in control. He reversed their positions and saw the blissful look in Elladan's eyes. At that moment, he knew that Elladan was not a dominant elf in bed. He would have taken Erestor if he had to, but he would much prefer to be taken. Erestor pinned Elladan's hands above his head with one of his hands and then began a line of kisses from Elladan's throat to his navel, paying special attention to the nipples. Elladan moaned. Erestor smiled. He knew that he had complete control over this now. And that amused him. "How do you want it?" whispered Erestor in Elladan's ear, biting it lightly. Elladan shuddered at the action, bringing a broader smile to Erestor's face.

"Just take me," Elladan moaned.

Erestor had to suppress a laugh. "Hard?"

"Hard," Elladan agreed.

Now that that was agreed upon, Erestor wasted no time in getting his leggings off, freeing his own erection. His fingers gently caressed Elladan's not providing enough stimulation for anything, just drawing it out longer. Elladan moaned again. It did not seem that he was capable of coherent speech any longer. That was fine by Erestor. He kissed Elladan roughly before saying, "Touch yourself."

Elladan did as he was told, and drew his knees up to his chest, presenting himself for Erestor. Erestor could tell how badly Elladan wanted it, but he wasn't going to give in just yet. He would make Elladan realize what a mistake it was to do this first. So he pushed Elladan's knees back down, pushed Elladan's hand away from his erection, and resumed a painfully slow survey of Elladan's body.

"Gods," said Elladan. "Just do it."

"You wanted this," said Erestor, "you have to deal with the consequences of attempting to seduce me. Or do you not want me anymore…because we can stop this right now."

"Please," said Elladan faintly.

"Very well," said Erestor. He watched as Elladan drew his knees back up. Without waiting for Elladan to be completely aware of what was going to happen, and hoping sincerely that Elladan was not a virgin, Erestor took him hard. To his relief, he found that Elladan was no virgin. Elladan arched his back to encourage Erestor, but Erestor remained motionless for a good couple of minutes, savoring the look on Elladan's face. It made Erestor wonder briefly if Elrond would look the same. Not that he would ever find out, of course.

Finally taking pity on the much younger elf, he began to thrust, gently at first, and then harder. Elladan came first, with an incoherent moan that could have been just about anything. Erestor came a minute or so later. Almost immediately, he pulled out of Elladan and turned away, rising to his feet and walking to the bathroom to clean himself up. Elladan joined him a couple of minutes later, but Erestor refused to let Elladan touch him.

"Go to bed, Elladan," said Erestor.

"I'm staying tonight."

"No, you aren't."

Without another word, Elladan dropped to his knees and began to stroke Erestor. It wasn't long before Erestor was hard again. "Elladan," said Erestor in a warning tone of voice.

Elladan looked up, an almost innocent smile on his face. "Yes?"

Erestor shook his head. A part of him wished that he was stronger, but he wasn't. Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes and smiled as Elladan began. He lasted longer this time, and moaned himself this time when he came. Elladan stood up and kissed Erestor hard. "See. Can my father give you that?" He walked out of the bathroom. "Now hurry up and come to bed," he called.

Erestor groaned. This was going to take a lot of explaining to Elrond to make it go away. But there was nothing he could do tonight. He might as well just go to bed and deal with all of this in the morning. That would be the easiest thing to do. So he walked out of the bathroom, over to the bed, and lay down, ignoring Elladan. There was no need to encourage him.

But Elladan snuggled up to him, and there was very little Erestor could do to stop him. So he pressed a light kiss to Elladan's forehead and wrapped an arm around Elladan's waist, holding him close all night long.


"So I can go home?"

"Yes," said Thranduil. "Reports have come to me that indicate the battle is over. And your father sent a personal message saying that he would like for you to come home.

Arwen smiled. "I'm so glad."

Author's note: The Arwen in my fic is nothing nothing nothing like the Arwen in the movie. My Arwen isn't a mindless bitch, she's sensitive and smart and funny. And I apologize to anyone that disagrees; you don't have to read this if you don't want to

Thranduil smiled as well. He would miss Arwen. She provided light to the at-times so depressingly gloomy Mirkwood. Without either Legolas or Arwen to liven things up, it would get to be terrible here. Thranduil could sense it already. "Oh, and I received some bad news, as well."

"Oh no. Is it ada?"

"No. But…ah…Glorfindel was killed. Your father is fine, though."

Arwen felt a tear trickling down her cheek. She vaguely remembered how upset her father had been when her mother had died. Even she had known that there was no love between them. But her father and Glorfindel had loved each other dearly. "Then I would very much like to go back home to comfort him."

Thranduil bit his tongue, knowing that if Erestor was back, as the report had also indicated, then Elrond would have no cause to be lonely. But Arwen knew nothing of Erestor, and he would not be the one to tell her. "I can arrange for you to leave in the morning."

"Thank you. That would be most welcome."


Elrond felt like Erestor had betrayed him. It was close to what he had felt when he had first seen Haldir and Erestor sleeping together. Only this was a million times worse. Elrond had seen the pure lust on Erestor's features. And he had seen the cold calculation on his son's. He had known, at that instant, that he had been meant to see that. Elladan was desperately trying to win Erestor, and he saw this to be a victory. But Elrond really did not want to play with Erestor's heart like that.

But after all I've had to go through, after everyone I've lost, you would think that the Valar would allow me this one small thing.

He found his fists clenched and relaxed himself. There was nothing he could do if Erestor wanted Elladan, save hope that their relationship failed. Though he hated to do that to Elladan. His son had been hideously unlucky in love. Erestor was not a good choice, then, in Elrond's mind. Erestor was by nature unfaithful. Elrond chastised himself in this thinking; Glorfindel had not appeared to be one who favored relationships, yet Elrond had forced him into monogamy. Perhaps Elladan could do what all others had failed to.

Now he lay sleepless in bed, wishing that he, not Elladan, had Erestor beside him this night. Then a gentle knock came on his door. Elrond ignored it the first time, the second time, and the third time. But the fourth time made him angry. He got out of bed, swept a dressing robe around his shoulders and went to the door.

It was Erestor.

Elrond closed the door in his face before he could say a word.

Erestor knocked again.

Taking a deep breath, Elrond opened the door again. "What do you want?"

"Can I come in?"

"You had best go back to Elladan. He will be furious if he knew you were here." Just as I would be.

"Can I come in?"

Elrond could never refuse Erestor anything, no matter how angry he was at Erestor. He stepped aside and allowed Erestor in. "What do you want?" he repeated after he closed the door.

"He caught me off-guard…"

"You didn't look like you were complaining when I walked in…"

"Dammit, Elrond, see some sense! Why would I want the son when I can have the father?"

"Is that how you see it? I don't think it is. I don't know what it is about you, Erestor, I don't know what happened in your past to make you like this, but you don't like to sleep alone. But more than that, you don't want to sleep with someone that cares about you. You want to get hurt, you want to hurt others. I want to help you…"

"And I am sick and tired of people like you trying to help me. I have survived thus far pretty decently, so I think that it will continue."

Elrond regretted saying that. "You don't want to be happy, do you?"

Erestor bit his lip in an uncharacteristically uncertain attitude. Elrond, through his anger, found the expression instantly endearing. "All I wanted when I came back here, before any of this mess began, was to come back to you and tell you that I loved you. Now that that's done, maybe I should leave again. I've seen the chaos that I cause everywhere I go. And it always ends up with us fighting and I can't stand that. I'm sorry…my lord, I will leave tomorrow." He headed towards the door.

But Elrond beat him there. "Don't be a fool."

Erestor did not look at him. "Please, my lord, don't make this…"

"My name is Elrond, Erestor. And you can forget all that crap you told me last time about boundaries. You crossed them the second I saw you with Elladan. The boundaries have already disintegrated."

"Don't make this harder than it has to be," continued Erestor as if Elrond had not interrupted..

"If you leave, I will be without a Chief Advisor."

"I am sure that you can find another, my lord," said Erestor, emphasizing the last two words.

Elrond frowned. "But not one nearly so good as you. I should have told you every day that I loved you. I shouldn't have given you time to put your walls up. I should have brought you to my bed centuries…millennia ago." He put a hand on Erestor's shoulder, but Erestor jerked back out of his reach.

"I will leave tomorrow morning."

Elrond sighed. "I will not hesitate to lock you in your rooms if you continue to threaten to leave." I'll even throw Elladan in, too, if you'd like.

"And you don't think I can pick a lock?" Erestor looked up and grinned. "My lord, if I wanted to leave, there's nothing that you could do to stop me."

"Except to tell you that I love you, too, and that I would do anything within my power…nay, even if it wasn't in my power to do, I'd find a way to do it for you, to keep you here. I never want you to leave again. I love you."

Erestor pushed past Elrond and out of the room. "Good night, my lord," he said, disappearing around a corner.

Elrond closed his eyes. You went and did it again. You got angry with him and pushed him away. How is that you can find it in yourself to blame him when you fight when it is nearly always you that starts it? He returned to his cold, lonely bed, and wished for the millionth time that Erestor was there with him.


Elrohir was glad that Legolas was around. Belegtur had not appeared abusive at all, but nor had he paid any attention to Elrohir since they had arrived at a small apartment that apparently was Belegtur's home. Belegtur spent his days on the streets, begging, as much as he hated to do so, which left Elrohir and Legolas in the apartment together.

Legolas emerged from the bathroom, a grimace on his face. "How do they live like this?" He shuddered. "Remind me never to become poor."

Elrohir smiled involuntarily. "Well, we're the ones in charge. Why don't we do something about it?"

Legolas frowned at this attitude. "It's their fault they're poor. We have done nothing to them, they're just lazy criminals. They don't want to work. Why should we help those who have no desire to help themselves? Poverty is a choice, Elrohir."

Elrohir was confused by Legolas's stance. He would have thought that Legolas would agree with him. Now he realized, though, that his time with Belegtur had changed him. Even Elrond, who was seen as a progressive ruler, would probably no longer agree with him. "Belegtur stole a loaf of bread when he was younger, and for that he has not been able to hold a job…"

"Or could it be the alcohol? Or his laziness? Or his rebellious nature? Elrohir, I don't know what you see in Belegtur and I don't care to know. But you have to face the facts."

"No, what I see is the truth. What you see are the illusions that have been fed to you. I have been with these elves longer than you, I have heard them, I have listened to their problems. Most of them are no different than you or I. They have the same dreams, the same desires, the same wishes we do. Only we were born sons of great elves. They were born sons of nobodies. They are a product of their circumstances. If you or I had been born poor, we'd be just like them."

"You've changed, Elrohir."

"I've learned the truth."

"No, you've just woven a net of illusions around yourself." Legolas shook his head and walked out of the room. Elrohir had become just like them, and it scared Legolas.


Haldir pulled his exhausted horse to a stop. He had not allowed the elves any time to rest. He had just urged them on towards Lorien. The quicker he could get back there, he quicker he could see Celeborn. He had not allowed himself to dwell on the thought that Celeborn might not want to take him back. All of his elves knew exactly why he was in a hurry, and he heard more than one dirty joke about him. But he didn't care. All he cared about was getting back to Celeborn.

He almost went to see Celeborn as he was, but then decided that it would probably be best to bathe and change first. And then after he had bathed, he felt tired, so he went to his bed to take a nap. The next thing he knew it was dark outside. He had slept for most of the day. Sitting up in bed, he smiled, stretched, and got dressed. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he set off to go find Celeborn. And maybe some food.

The food took longer to find than Haldir would have thought possible. After he had eaten, it was almost too late to go find Celeborn. But Haldir really didn't want to spend the night alone. Still, he would feel bad about just walking into Celeborn's bedroom when he wasn't actually sure that he would be welcome there. Doubts flooded his mind, and he decided that it would probably just be best to go to bed.


Celeborn frowned. He knew that the few elves that had survived had returned to Lorien today. He had hoped that Haldir would seek him out. It didn't seem appropriate, somehow, for him to find Haldir. As the day went on, Celeborn found himself making all manner of excuses for Haldir choosing not to show up. At the evening meal, where Haldir was conspicuously absent, Celeborn seriously considered going to find him. But he decided that that wasn't the best option. It was quite plausible that Haldir just wasn't interested in him. Especially after the knowledge that Erestor was back.

Celeborn stayed up later than usual to see if Haldir wanted to come find him. Almost, he went to Haldir's rooms, to seek the elf out. But he decided he didn't want to do that. It would seem inordinately possessive of an elf that might not actually want him. So he went to his bed, wishing for Haldir, dreaming of Haldir. But when he woke up the next morning, Haldir was still not by his side.