Chapter Fifteen

{Imladris, Hrívë 2 TA (approx. mid December)}

After the arrival of Ecthelion, Imladris and her inhabitants seemed to resume their normal lives. But for those who ran Imladris and were also close to Ecthelion, it was a time of extreme worry and confusion. Following the first ‘attack’ that he had had on the day of his arrival, Ecthelion became more withdrawn and agitated as the days went by, though he was still warm and welcoming to Erestor and, as time passed, Glorfindel. Glorfindel began to become closer to Ecthelion in an effort to help his former lover, yet there was still a large wall between them that almost seemed to grow as Ecthelion continued to act so strangely. In the beginning of the Hrívë season, he disappeared for a few days, returning to them restless and disheveled, a sign that his time away had not been as relaxing as they had been hoping.

But still he kept quiet on his troubles, never letting it be known how he was haunted at night by the voice within him, fearing that it was indeed Sauron trying to reclaim his soul. And after he had returned from his ‘exploration’ away from Imladris, he was even more troubled. For in that time, he had been ordered to do something that he raged against, fighting it with everything in him. Yet it was a battle that he was losing, which was becoming obvious as he became thinner with each passing day, his face hollow and shadowed, while his eyes were wary and shuttered to those who had been close to him.

He took refuge however in the library that had so captivated him, almost seeking solace there since Erestor and Elrond generally worked within the hallowed hall during the day. He would watch them for a bit before going through the shelves. He would pick a book and go to a window seat, snuggling into the plush cushions before he lost his worries within ancient tales of their people and all that had happened since his death. It was within those ancient tomes that he learned of what had happened to both Gondolin and to Glorfindel. It was lucky that Erestor had indeed been there, for he had comforted his dismayed kinsman as he had wept over the horror of the sorrowful tale. It had also been after that incident that he had started to become more open to Glorfindel, for he had gone to Glorfindel later that night in the Fire Hall and had spoken with the golden haired Elf long into the night on the past. They had not become intimate that night. Indeed, one could almost say that Ecthelion shunned any intimacy from anyone who offered, though none could understand why, for he was much wanted by many in the court. But he secluded himself in fear and self loathing, never showing his feelings even to his beloved cousin, whom he grew to love more every day.

A love...that was swiftly turning into a heated lust.

He did, however, spend some time with Elrond every morning in search of a possible cure for the potion that had changed him. They even searched for a remedy that might lighten the affects upon him, but they had no success and were growing frustrated. Elrond though was always caring and lent an ear to the other Elf Lord in sympathy whenever Ecthelion needed to let off some of his inner demons. But all were worried about Ecthelion as he continued to seclude himself and did not share what was wrong.

But that soon was placed to the back of everyone’s minds as the looming Winter Solstice festival became ever closer. Excitement was in the air for it was a very special night to all being that it was the longest night of the year and also a time to celebrate families and the hope of new life to come with the light. Lindir and his minstrels were often heard practicing new music for the festival, while Melpomaen and Erestor were busy fixing up guest rooms, feast arrangements, and decorating plans as the time grew nearer. Ecthelion helped where he could, but the darkness within him was rising more and more often to the fore, so he tried to work more in solitude, running errands for his cousin to escape from the others in an effort to save them from his wrath.

It was on one of his errands on the day of the feast that he found out just *why* he was so agitated. He was delivering some decorations to his cousin and had just stepped from the office when he overheard two Elf maidens talking as they walked along the hallway.

“Did you buy another lantern for tonight?” the first Elleth asked her friend, her rosy cheeks dimpling as she grinned excitedly, her blue eyes shining underneath the soft black hair that swept along her face.

“Aye I did. Thank goodness we went when we could! Tonight is going to be so dark without the moon!” her friend answered as she brushed a delicate hand through her red gold hair, her plump red lips parted with a smile as her green eyes sparkled with amusement.

“I know! This is the first time in three centuries that there has ever been a new moon on the Winter Solstice! I do hope that my dress will...”

Their voices trailed out of Ecthelion’s hearing, but he had already stopped listening by that time. He stared at the wall in shock as their words sank in and swirled within his mind. ‘The new moon...Winter Solstice...’

With a gasping sob, he pushed away from the wall and ran to his rooms, shutting himself into them before stumbling forward a bit. He leaned against the wall, shaking as he stared at the ground, not even feeling the tears that rolled down his cheeks in steady streaks. The command that had been given to him a month ago ascended from the depths of his mind to the forefront of his awareness, taunting him with its ugly demand. He began to pace within his room, growing more and more agitated and feral as the day progressed and the power of the upcoming night began to take him over.

He did not note the passage of time as he continued to pace, trying to fight the evil that was within him, yet he was also very tired from his battle. But he used the strength that his feral side had given him to bolster his battle, shaking with the torment yet standing firm as he did so. It was thus that he could not contain his reactions when the click of the door alerted him to a stranger within his room.

Turning swiftly, he snarled with ferocity as he saw the figure entering his sanctuary through a haze before he shifted forward so fast that he could not be tracked. A cry of alarm left the intruder as he was grabbed by Ecthelion and tossed towards the divan, where he tried to scramble away from the stalking Elf. Ecthelion was faster though and lunged forward, pinning the Elf beneath him on the divan as he glared down at the interloper with glowing slitted eyes.

“Ecthelion no! It is me, Erestor!”

The frightened plea broke through the animalistic smog that had clouded Ecthelion’s mind and he blinked as he growled, focusing on the Elf that he held pinned. He leaned forward and pressed close, sniffing slowly along Erestor’s neck in an effort to determine the truth. He groaned and collapsed on top of his cousin as he breathed in the intoxicating scent. “Forgive me, Erestor...I knew not that it was you...” he whispered softly against the pale skin as he released his hold on the Peredhel’s wrists. He trembled as the strong arms enfolded him in a hug and rubbed his back while he pushed his arms under Erestor’s torso to hug him closer, his face never leaving the crook of Erestor’s neck and shoulder.

“Are you all right?” Erestor whispered breathlessly, his heart beat pounding out an enthralling beat to Ecthelion’s enhanced hearing as he held tightly to his kinsman.

“It is too close...the moon is...I must...forgive me...” Ecthelion whispered gutturally before flicking his tongue out to taste the sweet pale flesh. A shudder went through the body he held under him and his breathing increased as arousal coursed through his veins. “So lovely...have wanted you for so long...” he murmured between each lap of his tongue along the warm skin, growing more incensed with every intake of the scent and taste that was Erestor.

“Ecthelion...” Erestor whispered softly, almost pleadingly, but neither of them was suddenly sure on what was being asked. He whimpered as the heated tongue swiped along his jaw line and then the length of his ear, sending a torrent of pleasure shivering over his body and causing him to arch slightly in response. He looked up as Ecthelion shifted and they locked eyes, searching the other’s gaze for a sign on just what they were leaning towards.

Seeing what he needed to see, Ecthelion bent in suddenly and brushed his lips over Erestor’s, teasing the parted lips with his own until a breathy moan left them in response followed by Erestor pressing closer for more contact. He met the plump lips hungrily; kissing and suckling on the reddening flesh before their tongues suddenly were twining between their connected orifices, dueling heatedly as their bodies pressed together in a weak mimicry of the intimacy. Breaking the kiss with a gasp, Ecthelion gazed down at his kinsman intensely before leaning in once more, but instead of going in for another kiss, he attacked the pale column of flesh he had tasted earlier.

Erestor’s moan of need wafted into the air as he arched and offered his neck to his kinsman, his arms tightening their hold on the strong shoulders before running down the powerful body to the slender buttocks that undulated under his hold. He squeezed the plump flesh, groaning as Ecthelion growled and ground their hips together in a fiery rhythm of pleasure that sent him arching even closer to Ecthelion. He gasped for air as his robes were summarily torn off and his chest attacked, each nipple suckled and nipped into a swollen intensity so much so that he cried out loudly when they were pinched by the clawed fingers of his soon-to-be lover. He parted his legs eagerly as Ecthelion shifted down farther, the hot mouth that had so far given him nothing but blistering passion moving along a path that took him straight to Erestor’s straining leggings. He panted with need as he watched his leggings be shredded and joined swiftly by Ecthelion’s own mangled clothing before his member was taken deep within that tormenting mouth.

He all but howled as his body bent in pleasure, curling towards the dark head that greedily took him in as he thrust up. He gasped as the desire within him burst over him and he rapidly emptied himself into the demanding mouth that had brought him such pleasure, his body taut as he trembled with his release before collapsing onto the divan. He looked up woozily as he felt the strong body of his kinsman blanket him with warmth and happily wrapped his arms around the sturdy shoulders, opening his mouth immediately to the imperious kiss that was pressed onto his mouth to taste the remnants of his release on that talented tongue.

But he was not given any reprieve as, with a soft growl, Ecthelion slowly urged him onto his stomach. Suddenly alarmed as he felt two sharp nails caress his hidden pucker, Erestor looked over his shoulder with wide eyes, locking them with the lust filled gaze of his kinsman. Ecthelion must have read his fear for he faltered and sat back a bit, whimpering. Smiling in understanding, Erestor slowly brought a couple of his fingers to his mouth and sucked on them, wetting them thoroughly before running them back. He groaned in appreciation as he felt gentle fingers guide him to his entrance, where he pushed his fingers inside in an effort to prepare himself. He moaned loudly as he spread his fingers and thrust them in awkwardly, bending his knees so he could push his buttocks up, making it easier for him to go deeper.

He was unprepared thusly for the hot wet tongue that joined his fingers, slicking the passage even more as it wiggled between his digits. He groaned and bucked in pleasure, hardening swiftly at the sensory overload. Moaning as his fingers were gently pulled from his body, he looked over his shoulder again and leaned up onto his hands while watching his soon-to-be lover stroke himself. His eyes widened in surprise as he took in the member that was jutting out from between Ecthelion’s legs before a purr distracted him. He looked up and smiled sheepishly as he saw the lusty grin on Ecthelion’s face as the other Elf watched him before he looked down again as the slender clawed hand slowly ran along the almost purple flesh. It was shaped much like his only much bigger in both girth and length. But what caught his eye was the pulsing flesh that surrounded the base of the massive erection. It expanded and contracted as he watched, almost as though it were breathing, though he knew that it was not.

Looking up again at Ecthelion, Erestor smirked and nodded before looking forward and spreading his legs more in invitation. He moaned as a low growl floated out from Ecthelion just before soft lips pressed onto his lower back. They trailed up his back before latching onto his neck, silently commanding him to not move as he felt the large member press at his entrance. He groaned in both pain and pleasure as he was entered with one thrust, a strong arm bracing him across the chest as his trembling body took in the throbbing flesh. He gasped as an even larger mound pushed into him just before Ecthelion stopped and knew that they were bound for now until that flesh deflated after their release. But he did not think on that long as Ecthelion began moving within him, his low growls pulsating against his neck from where the soft lips were attached to his neck.

Grunts and moans mingled with the soft growls and the slapping of skin as they moved together, thrusting and writhing against the other in a rhythm as ancient as they were. The bracing arm that had held Erestor up shifted to support them just in front of his own arms as their hands laced together. The sounds of their mating amplified with their movements as Ecthelion increased his thrusts until he was pounding into Erestor, their gasps the only sounds either could produce as they strove towards their release. With twin cries of pleasure, they arched as one and climaxed together, their bodies shaking in tandem as they rocketed into bliss. They collapsed forward after a minute of their explosive expulsions, though Ecthelion instinctively turned them to their sides as they did so to make sure they would not be hurt. They kissed deeply as they gasped for air, sharing their joy just through touch alone as words failed them.

Ecthelion held Erestor as the Peredhel collapsed into a sated reverie, signs of their mating obvious on the pale skin as he regained his senses. He could not find it in his heart to feel regret for what had happened, for he deeply loved Erestor....just as he loved Glorfindel. He only hoped that this action would aid him in his battle against the demand that was threatening to take him over as night drew near. He slept for a little, but soon awoke in restlessness.

Separating from Erestor, he grabbed a blanket and tucked it around his lover before putting on a white shift and going outside onto his balcony that looked out over the nearby forest. He tilted his head back as the wind blew up and watched as the sun slowly lowered below the horizon, bringing with it a chill in the air that had nothing to do with the sun setting. He wrapped his arms around his torso as he began to tremble, fighting the darkness that was welling up within him with every minute that passed closer towards nightfall. He gasped softly and clutched the railing, his grey blue eyes becoming golden and glowing as they slitted in the beginnings of his unwanted transformation.

“Ecthelion?”

Erestor’s voice startled him and he swung around to stare at his confused lover as Erestor came out wrapped in the blanket that he had wrapped the other Elf in. Holding his hand up shakily in a silent order to stay away as he leaned heavily against the banister, Ecthelion panted softly as his eyes filled with tears at Erestor’s look of distress and bewilderment. “Forgive me, Erestor...I...I can not fight it...” he pleaded as his voice cracked and became lower while his trembling hand shifted between Elven and animal.

Eyes widening in shock as he stared at his lover, Erestor stepped closer, but stopped as a snarl ripped through the air in warning. “Ecthelion what is wrong?” he asked softly, near tears as he saw how his lover was suffering.

“Forgive...me...” Ecthelion said again before all speech was banished from him as he lost his battle. With a wailing roar, he transformed, though it was not as easy as any other time because he fought it fiercely. The sound of bones cracking cut through the brittle cold air while muscles reshaped themselves. Ebony fur rustled along the pale body as it crouched onto all fours while the gentle face elongated and became a snout of sharp teeth under the glowing cat eyes. The ears elongated slightly and a tail appeared before Ecthelion’s transformation finished in front of Erestor’s horrified eyes. He shook himself and then roared, filling the air with his agony and despair before the darkness took over his feral mind and he turned glowing eyes onto Erestor.

But he did not attack Erestor. Instead, he jumped onto the balcony and then down, ignoring the cry from the Advisor as Erestor reached for him as he vanished from the terrace. Erestor watched in horror as Ecthelion disappeared into the lower levels of the House and it hit him: Ecthelion was going to kill someone that night. With a gasp, he quickly went back into the room and searched for a robe before he went running towards the Fire Hall. He had to stop his lover before it was too late!

*~*~*

The joyous sounds of celebration greeted Ecthelion as he prowled through the near empty halls towards the Fire Hall. He tilted his ears as he growled softly before going down a side hall and into the gardens. Once there, he stalked along the darkened pathways, searching for the other way in to the Fire Hall. When he found the veranda, he leapt up onto it and went inside, startling a few Elves. He snarled at them, causing some of the Ellith to scream while some of the surprised Ellyn shouted in warning, bringing the revelry to a screeching halt. All of the guests looked around in confusion while mayhem roared up as Ecthelion moved swiftly through the throngs, swiping at some of the slowly reacting Elves with his unsheathed claws, urging them to back away in fear as the cacophony of panic spread.

Some of the guards came running over as the revelers parted towards the side, leaving the panther near the center and clear to anyone’s view. He looked around, hissing in warning before he sighted his prey. With a snarl, he took off towards Elrond as the Half Elf stood near Melpomaen and Celebrían, who was visiting. Shouts of horror mingled with the screams as Ecthelion launched himself at the three Elves, aiming for Elrond’s throat.

But a dark blur thwarted the attack as it knocked the three out of the way at the last second. Ecthelion turned in midair and landed on the table, snarling in rage as his golden eyes flared brightly with his fury at the temporary rout of his attack. He leapt again to the attack, but the sudden sound of a dagger whistling through the air warned him too late just before it landed in his back. He was thrown off course and landed a few feet away, groaning in pain before changing into his Elven form.

Erestor looked over in shock at Glorfindel as the golden haired Elf stood frozen nearby, his hand still extended from having thrown the dagger to stop the attacking panther. But his shock wore off swiftly as he remembered just what had happened. With a choked cry, Erestor scrambled to his feet and ran over to his fallen lover, taking the dagger out before turning his shaking lover over. “Ecthelion...Ecthelion hold on!” he whispered frantically as he brushed his hand over the deathly pale cheek.

Looking up with his still golden eyes, Ecthelion coughed up blood before looking over Erestor’s shoulder at Glorfindel as the Seneschal slowly collapsed to his knees next to them. “F-Finish...it...m-melethen...” (my love) he whispered as he trembled, his voice thick with his blood as he stared hard at the golden haired Elf.

Shaking his head slowly as his eyes widened through his tears, Glorfindel leaned in and clasped Ecthelion’s face within his hands. “Fight this, meleth! You can beat this darkness!” (love) he whispered pleadingly, his whisper mirrored by Erestor’s own gaze that locked with Ecthelion’s.

A choked laugh of derision and despair left Ecthelion before he groaned and arched in pain. “I h-have f-fought...for three...c-centuries-s...” he gritted out as his eyes glowed brighter. “Finish it!” he commanded harshly as he gripped Glorfindel’s shoulder with a clawed hand. When Glorfindel could only stare at him in dismay, a pained growl left Ecthelion as he lost his battle to stay himself once more. He snarled as he transformed, shoving the two aside as he stood onto his four paws shakily. He stalked towards Elrond and Celebrían once more before crouching down and leaping at them with a snarling roar of grief.

Screaming in terror, Celebrían clung to Elrond as they watched the focused killer come at them while chaos broke out among the gathered. But Ecthelion suddenly jerked in midair as a glimmer of silver suddenly appeared through his chest. His body landed heavily next to the two and Elrond immediately went to Ecthelion’s side as screams and cries went up around them in shock and horror. He removed the dagger that had now struck true twice and turned Ecthelion onto his back. The panther slowly returned to the Elf and Ecthelion looked up at Elrond through the growing glaze of death. He smiled softly at Elrond and whispered weakly, “My vow...is fulfilled.” He then went limp in the Half Elf’s arms as black ooze left his mouth, his eyes unseeing as the pale face fell to the side. With a soft sob, Elrond hugged Ecthelion to him and was joined by Celebrían as she hugged him tightly while others around them either wept or tried to calm people down as they took in the horrid sight of one of their own having fallen.

But the two that were the most hit merely sat where they had been pushed aside to, both numb with their loss. Glorfindel suddenly curled up and sobbed before he was hugged by Erestor. They wept together in anguish within the desolate Hall. Ecthelion...was gone.

TBC