Chapter 17

Author's Note: It might be a while beforei submit any additions to any of my fics. Gotlots going onin my life right now.Sorry!! :(

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Elrohir woke in a strange bed and was momentarily confused. Moreover, the bed was empty. Taking a deep breath, Elladan closed his eyes and tried to remember where he was.

And then it came to him.

He had finally managed to seduce Erestor. "Erestor?" he called.

There was no answer. Elladan rolled over, intending to go back to sleep. He felt the crinkle of parchment underneath his skin and pulled it out from under him. Rubbing his sleepy eyes he unfolded it. The note was brief and blunt, just the way that Elladan would have expected it.

I am leaving Imladris for a time. I shall return.

Elladan smiled and shook his head. He did not know enough of Erestor to know where he would go. But Elladan didn't want to go to his father with this just yet. His father might blame him, and the gods knew that it was not Elladan's fault. So he would keep quiet about this until his father specifically asked him.

Elladan got out of bed and stretched. It was getting light outside, so Elladan knew it was time to get up. The day looked good, so Elladan decided that he would spend it outside. Dressing in the clothes he had worn here last night and slipping the note into a pocket, he went back to his chambers. Once there, he bundled up in several layers. Though he could not feel cold, sometimes when it was cold outside his bones seemed to feel the cold and ached from it. So it was best just to dress warmly.

A knock on his door. "Come in." Secretly, he hoped it was Erestor.

But he had no such luck. His father walked in. "Where's Erestor?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he's not at the kitchens, he's not in his rooms, he's not, as far as I can tell, in your rooms, not in mine, not in his study, not in mine, not in the stables. I have exhausted a list of places where he might be."

"And why would I know where he was, father?" Elladan smiled insolently.

Elrond wanted to hit Elladan so badly at that point, to wipe that smile away. But he couldn't do that, so he just smiled and said, "Because he spent the night with you. You would probably be the last person to see him. So, where is he?"

"Gone." Elladan hadn't meant to tell his father quite so soon, but his father would have gotten it out of him sooner or later.

"Gone? Gone where?"

"I don't know." He produced the parchment and handed it to his father.

Elrond closed his eyes. "Erestor, I told you not to go." He sighed heavily. Then he gave the parchment back. "Thank you, Elladan. Now I must go find him." Elrond turned to leave.

"I could find him, father."

Elrond turned. "You know nothing of Erestor, you don't know where he'd run."

"I've bedded him, which, based on some rumors I've heard, is more than you ever managed to do." Elladan was shocked at how horrible he could be to his own father.

Elrond had never heard his son say anything so deliberately hurtful before. Fighting again the urge to lash out at his oldest, he instead said calmly, "I am still your father, Elladan. You need to remember that. And for that…comment, you're stuck here. I'm not going to allow you to leave."

Elladan's eyes widened, "Father…"

"It would be wise, Elladan, to learn on occasion how to hold your tongue. Perhaps this lesson will teach you." Without another word and not giving enough time for Elladan to retort, he swept out of Elladan's room. Erestor, where are you? I told you not to run, but when have you ever listened to me?

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Haldir woke up with a frown on his face. His bed was cold and empty. That was not the way he liked it. The knowledge that Celeborn was close and was still flagrantly not in his bed only hurt more. Sitting up, he wondered if he had managed to miss breakfast. If he had, there would be little plausible reason to see Celeborn all day. He was a Captain in the guards, but there were many of those, and that gave Haldir no real privileges when it came down to seeing Celeborn.

Throwing on the first clothes that came to hand, he raced down to the dining hall…to find the servants cleaning up. They really were very kind, and offered to find him food if he would like. It's not food I want, it's bloody Celeborn.

Haldir knew he had no choice. He would have to seek Celeborn out in his study. With memories of what had happened the last time he had tried that floating around in his head, it was almost enough to make him want to go back to his room and get himself assigned on a patrol. But no. Stand up for yourself, Haldir, and what you care about. You just spent four days in hell. You deserve a reward.

So he walked down the hall to Celeborn's study. He took a deep breath, then raised a hand to knock on the closed door. Feeling doubtful, he lowered his hand again. Then, shaking his head and strengthening his resolve, he raised his hand and knocked firmly. An absurd voice inside of him prayed that Celeborn wasn't in there.

Then Celeborn's musical voice called, "Enter."

Haldir took a deep breath. He could enter, or he could run away. But he had never run away from anything his entire life. This seemed like a lousy time to start running from things. So, marshalling all his courage, he opened the door and stepped inside. "My lord."

"Where were you yesterday?"

"Recovering, my lord." Could it be that he wanted me to seek him out yesterday? Does he still love me?

"So what can I do for you, Haldir?" Celeborn was having some difficulty controlling himself, but he had been a diplomat for millennia, so he just pretended that Haldir was a foreign ambassador. That meant that he could, that he had to push any and all emotion beneath the surface.

This didn't sound much like a good start for Haldir to apologize or beg for forgiveness. Haldir knew at that instant that Celeborn didn't want him back. There was no point humiliating himself. But he couldn't just walk out. He had to think of some reason for him to be here. Then the perfect reason came to mind. "I wanted to know if I would receive a new command. The elves I took to Imladris were most of the men under my command, and only twenty-some are left."

All he wants is a new command? Could he really be that heartless? "Well, you managed to get your first command killed. Do you really think you deserve another chance?" Celeborn was trying to think desperately of an excuse to turn the conversation from professional matters to more personal ones. He could think of none.

"Yes, I do deserve another chance."

"Why?"

"You were not at Imladris, my lord. You have no idea the bloodshed. I have seen nothing so bad since the Last Alliance. I count myself fortunate that I was not killed along with most of my command. As it is, I spent several days in bed recovering from a blow that could have killed me."

And I don't know what I would have done if you'd been killed. "Give me some time to think about it. Come to see me after the evening meal, I will had made up my mind by then. And hopefully, I will have thought of a way to break through this barrier that you have created. I will win you back, Haldir of Lorien. You will be mine.

"Very well, my lord." Haldir was almost in tears when he left. He didn't know how he was going to stand being in Lorien all day every day knowing that Celeborn was so close, yet so hopelessly far away.

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Erestor rode hard. It was a good day for riding, and he knew he would make good time. He was returning home, to his farm. Once again, he had caused chaos in Imladris and had brought Elrond and his son almost to blows. That he couldn't stand. So it was best for him to just disappear. More than anything, he had wanted last night to stay with Elrond. He couldn't do that, though, he couldn't hurt Elladan the way he had hurt Elrond so many times. So he had to leave.

It was just after midday that he reached his small house. With a warm smile, he stabled his horse in the small stable, walked into the house and fetched food for his small number of animals. He had left them plenty when he had left before, but they had nearly run out. After feeding them, he bathed and changed into a fresh set of clothes. There would be work to do later, but right now he just wanted to relax. This life was so much simpler than his old one. He would much rather be Erestor, the farmer, than Erestor, Chief Advisor to Lord Elrond.

It was growing dark when the knock came on the door. Taking his dagger to hand (he very rarely had visitors), he went to the door. "Who is it?" he called.

"A traveler looking for help," said an unfamiliar voice. "I just need some directions."

Erestor smiled and opened the door, but his jaw dropped when he saw who it was. "Elrond?"

Elrond seemed considerably surprised to. "Erestor? What are you doing here?"

"I live here. This is where I have lived since you exiled me."

"Can I come in?"

Erestor shook his head. "I don't think that that would be a good idea. You should go back to Imladris. They need you there."

"Not so much as I need you there. Come back with me, Erestor."

"My life is here, my lord."

"What life is this? As a farmer? I can give you so much more, Erestor, and you know it. I would give you anything and everything you asked for…"

"Has it not occurred to you, my lord, that I just wish to live a simple life? I spent millennia dealing with the intrigues of living in Imladris. And then I spent about a millennia here. This life is much more preferable."

"Fine," said Elrond. "If you wish to be a coward, I will leave you here." He turned from the door and began to walk away.

"A coward?" asked Erestor. "When have I ever been a coward? Did I ever leave your side during the Last Alliance? When we were in Imladris, did I ever shirk the worst duties you tried to give me? Did I leave your son's side during the last battle?"

"I will not deny any of your claims," said Elrond, continuing to walk away. "But you remain a coward nonetheless."

"State your charges." Erestor really didn't want to chase after him, but soon Elrond would be out of hearing range. So he stepped out of the door and began to walk towards Elrond, who had stopped. Erestor stopped at just the point that he could be heard, and no closer.

Elrond sighed at Erestor's stubbornness. "You won't come back to Imladris to face my son after you slept with him. You won't come back to Imladris to face me and tell me you love me. In battle, you are no coward, Erestor, but when it comes down to love, you are the biggest coward there ever was."

"Who said I loved you?"

"You did, last night."

Erestor nodded, remembering his admission. "That's not why I left."

"Really?"

"Really."

"So tell me why you left, then."

"This is my life now. Just as I would not have willingly left Imladris before you exiled me, now I will not leave here unless I must. This is my home."

Elrond shook his head. "Fine. I can't convince you to come back with me and I won't try. Either you do or you don't. It's pretty clear to me that you don't want to." Elrond paused for a long moment. "But you are always welcome in Imladris."

Erestor really didn't want to break down and agree to go with Elrond, but he sensed that Elrond would make no more attempts. "Come here."

"You come here."

"My land, my rules. Come here."

Elrond realized that they were about half a mile from the border of Imladris. This was indeed Erestor's land. He relented and walked over to Erestor. "What?" He could see the look of terrible indecision on Erestor's face and wanted to know what decision Erestor was struggling with so that he could help him.

Erestor reached out and touched Elrond's cheek lightly, almost timidly. "I think I want to kiss you."

Elrond smiled, leaned forward to kiss Erestor, but Erestor backed away. Trying not to sound too frustrated, Elrond asked, "Well, why don't you?"

Erestor smiled. "Let's go back to Imladris."

"It's dark, Erestor. It's late. We've both been riding all day. Let's stay here tonight and go home tomorrow."

"I only have one bed. I live alone, you see. Now, come on."

"I don't see a problem with that." Elrond caressed Erestor's cheek, then his hand dropped to rest on Erestor's shoulder. "But we can go, if you would like."

"Yes. Let's go."

Cursing Erestor under his breath for being so unnecessarily stubborn, Elrond waited patiently for Erestor to retrieve his horse. Absent-mindedly, he petted his own horse, thinking about how tired she was and how he could make it up to her. After a good twenty minutes, Erestor emerged. "Where have you been?"

"Seeing to some matters."

Elrond shook his head. He wasn't in the mood to have a long, convoluted conversation with Erestor. He was just too tired.

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Haldir had caught Celeborn staring at him during the evening meal. That seemed to tell him that Celeborn still wanted him. So, instead of eating, he formulated a plan. Celeborn was much older than him, and could be much more cunning. Haldir grinned; he was going to enjoy this.

Taking his time after dinner, arranging things, he waited nearly an hour after dinner had finished before returning to Celeborn's study. He knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Haldir walked in, a cocky smile on his face. "So, have you made your decision?"

Celeborn nodded. "Yes."

Haldir nodded as well. He walked closer to Celeborn. He knew that if he lost his nerve at this point, he would never forgive himself. "I've made a decision of my own."

"Have you now?"

Haldir walked closer. He had almost reached Celeborn. "I've decided that our fight was stupid."

Celeborn felt his heart begin to race. Was Haldir still interested? "Is that it?"

Haldir sat on the side of Celeborn's desk. "No."

"Then by all means, go on."

"I have also decided that it would be in your best interests to take me back."

Celeborn raised an eyebrow but could not suppress the smile on his face. "Oh, really? And why would that be?"

Haldir licked his lips. "Because I can give you what you need."

"There are many others who could do the same."

"True, but most of those others would want something as well. A higher position in court, more land, etcetera."

"And you don't want anything extra, is that right?"

Haldir grinned. "Right."

"But I find a flaw here."

"Where?"

"You asked me for another command. I think that you believe that if you sleep with me you stand a better chance of getting it."

Haldir hadn't realized that until right now. "Do I?"

"But now you've proved yourself to be just like all the others."

Haldir knew that this was the last time he could back away from what he had created. But he decided not to. He slipped off the desk into Celeborn's lap and kissed him…right as Galadriel walked in.

Barely managing to contain her amusement and certainly failing to suppress the laugh, she managed to say, "I'm sorry, Celeborn, Haldir, I should have knocked first."

Haldir backed away quickly. He had known that Galadriel didn't mind if Celeborn found an occasional male lover, but that knowledge and actually being caught in the act were two different things. Stumbling to find his voice, he finally managed to say, "Celeborn, I'll…see you later…tomorrow."

Celeborn grinned. "I'd best see you tonight, if you know what's good for you." The statement was well worth the deep blush he immediately saw stain Haldir's face.

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Elrohir heard Belegtur enter and forced a smile onto his face. Belegtur had a temper, and when he had been begging all day, he was much more likely to grown angry. But Elrohir had to go to greet him or he would be angrier. "Hello, Belegtur."

Belegtur actually smiled. "Elrohir. I saw your brother today."

"Elladan? How is he?"

"How would I know? Do you think someone like him would deign to talk to someone like me?"

Elrohir could sense a rage coming on. "Come on, Belegtur, you know I don't agree with them anymore. I'm trying to fight them as much as you are."

Belegtur nodded. Then a huge, knowing smile appeared on his face. "You are loyal to me?"

"I have no choice."

"Then you shall return to your father."

"Why?"

"I will always be glad for information from the inside. You will be my spy. You'll come back here once a week to tell me everything you find out. I want to know weaknesses, strengths, everything." A long pause. "And before you think about getting there and betraying me…if I find out that you do…I don't care if I die…I'll kill myself, kill you, too. Understand."

Elrohir nodded. "Fine. I'll go and spy for you."

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Elrond and Erestor had just reached the courtyard and were getting ready to go to bed, as both were exhausted, when an elf came out and said, "Lord Elrond, your daughter has returned and would much like to speak with you."

Elrond involuntarily groaned. As much as he loved his daughter, he just wanted to sleep. "Very well." He looked at Erestor and grinned. "And you're coming with me."

Erestor frowned. "I don't even know Arwen."

"I don't care. If I don't get to sleep, neither do you."

Erestor grinned at Elrond's sleep-distorted logic. "Very well, my lord."

The two followed the other elf to Elrond's study, where Arwen was lounging in her father's chair. Elrond smiled when he saw her; she had been gone for nearly two years. "Arwen, I have missed you."

She jumped out of the chair and hugged Elrond tightly. "I missed you too, ada." Then she saw the elf standing in the doorway. At first, she thought he was no one, but then she saw the way the elf looked at her father. She broke away from her father and asked, "I don't think we have met."

Not trusting Erestor to make a suitable introduction, Elrond said, "Arwen, this is my new Chief Advisor, Erestor."

Arwen could definitely tell that Erestor was more than just a Chief Advisor. And she was upset; Glorfindel had just died, and her father had already found himself a new lover? That just wasn't right. "Well met, Erestor."

"Lady Arwen."

"You can just call me Arwen."

"Yes, my lady."

Arwen looked to her father for an explanation. Elrond smiled and said, "That's just the way he is." A long pause. "Now, if it's not too much to ask, I have been riding all night…and all of yesterday. I would very much like to sleep and I will talk to you…later."

"That would be fine, ada." She waited to see if Erestor and her father went off together.

Then her father and Erestor had a conversation that surprised her.

"Erestor, tell Elladan that I'm sorry for what I said to him yesterday."

Erestor smiled. "He probably deserved it."

"Yes, he did."

"Well, I'll be sure to make him pay for it tonight."

"Don't hurt him."

"If you say so, my lord." Erestor grinned. "Good night...or whatever."

"Don't run off again."

"Yes, my lord. I'll see you later."

"Wake me for the evening meal."

"As you wish."

Arwen frowned as they walked off in opposite directions. Was Erestor Elladan's lover? But Erestor had to be her father's age. What was Elladan thinking? She shook her head. Sometimes her big brother had less sense than a rock.

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PLEASE REVIEW!! ALSO, DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS TOO LONG AND THAT I SHOULD JUST END IT? BECAUSE I HAVE AN ENDING (KIND OF) THAT I COULD USE AFTER ONLY TWO OR THREE MORE CHAPTERS, OR I COULD GO ON FOR ANOTHER UNTOLD NUMBER OF PAGES AND CHAPTERS. I WOULD PREFER TO GO ON FOR LONGER, BUT I WILL LEAVE IT UP TO YOU, THE REVIEWERS. IF YOU ARE TIRED OF THIS FIC, THEN I WILL BY ALL MEANS STOP IT!!