Chapter Seventeen

{Imladris, Hrívë 3 TA (approx. beg. January)}

The light sound of a quill scratching on parchment was all that floated within the room as Ecthelion sat at his desk, working on some correspondences for Elrond. Since his miraculous recovery a week ago, he had been helping as much as he could. Most of the time it was in a genuine interest to aid the bustling realm, but sometimes it was out of secret guilt for having caused so much trouble and heartache.

The attitude of most if not all of the Elves in Imladris had been of joy for his recovery and delight as he began mingling with them. There were some, mainly those whose hearts were not so easily trusting, that whispered nastily of his betrayal, yet they were ignored by many and a few of them were even converted by his warm genuineness. But his new acceptance into Elven society did not heal the uncertainty and pain within his heart whenever he dealt with Erestor or Glorfindel.

Since the day he had woken up, he only briefly visited with Erestor on most of the days, mainly to take what he could to help lighten their load. But he had not spoken at all to Glorfindel since that day, though he did see the golden haired Elf at the public dinners at night. It felt now more than ever that there was a large chasm between them and once again it was because of Ecthelion. Only this time, instead of being the one who had been slighted, he had instead slighted Glorfindel. And he had no idea just how he could reconcile what he had done to the Seneschal.

Sighing quietly as he finished his letter, he sat back and placed his fingers on the bridge of his nose to stave off the sudden tears that came to his eyes. He was free after three centuries of servitude to Sauron...free to love whom he wished with a liberated heart. He had fulfilled his vow on the night he had ‘died’, for in that instant he had taken away the one thing that Glorfindel had loved most: Ecthelion. But he could not justify his feelings anymore. He loved Erestor and he loved Glorfindel. He found even that he loved Turgon and had always loved him, but had not even recognized the love for one of passion, instead had seen it as deep friendship only. He understood now why Glorfindel and Turgon had fallen into a relationship and also knew that, if things had been different all those years ago, he would have said ‘yes’ to becoming more with his High King.

But he did not know how to bridge this gap now. He knew he needed to speak to them both, to know where their hearts might lie not only for him, but also for each other. But how could he ask such a delicate question?

His thoughts were interrupted as the sound of a knock broke the silence of his room. “Enter!” he called out quietly as he sat up and looked over in curiosity at whoever was entering. His heart began to pound as Erestor entered in quietly, his gaze lowered respectfully as he stood near the door. Knowing that this was his chance, Ecthelion smiled. “Please come in, melethen,” (my love) he whispered tenderly as he stood.

Looking up in surprise at the tone and words, Erestor’s eyes shone with hope. Neither had spoken so lovingly to each other in a while now and Ecthelion knew then that Erestor had despaired. After closing the door behind him, Erestor came over quietly and met Ecthelion in the center of the room, looking up at him hopefully before he was embraced in the strong arms of his lover. He clung to them as he pillowed his head on the warm shoulder. “I was coming to speak with you on something else, but I would much rather have this,” he whispered softly as he trembled when a soothing hand ran along his spine before returning up. He leaned back and looked up at Ecthelion, his eyes warm with love. “I was so afraid...” he whispered, but was stopped with a gentle finger to his lips.

“I know and I am to blame for that. My mind has been in a muddle since that day, but now I seek to rectify our situation,” Ecthelion responded gently as he smiled before leading Erestor towards the divan. He grinned as a faint blush covered Erestor’s cheeks as the soft blue eyes took in the place where they had made love not long ago. “I know,” he said, grinning as Erestor looked over at him quickly. He sat down and gathered Erestor onto his lap, holding him close. “My thoughts go back to that day as well with great fondness,” he explained with a wink, chuckling as Erestor blushed even redder as he ducked his head.

“I think back on it often...longing...” Erestor whispered before settling himself on Ecthelion’s lap, where he rested his head on his lover’s shoulder. “But I long for something else as well,” he added hesitantly, his eyes flicking up to Ecthelion’s profile before returning down skittishly.

“I believe we have the same objective then on our mind...at least I pray we do,” Ecthelion murmured as he caressed Erestor’s thigh slowly, his eyes watching his hand as he spoke. “What do you feel for Glorfindel, my love?” he finally asked after a few moments of silence, broaching the subject immediately in an effort to work a way towards healing for them all. Silence greeted his words and he felt his heart stutter in fear. What if he had read Erestor wrong...

Finally, after a bit, Erestor snuggled closer before whispering, “I love him as I love you.” He looked up as Ecthelion tilted his head to look down at him and he smiled. “He holds the same love in my heart as you do.”

Closing his eyes as he felt joyful tears fill them, Ecthelion drew in a deep breath to calm his excited heart before opening his eyes. “Your words give me the greatest of all hopes, my love. For I knew that I could never choose between you,” he whispered huskily as he cupped Erestor’s pale face, his thumb gently caressing the soft pink lips that smiled up at him. His breath hitched as Erestor impishly flicked his tongue out to lick his thumb and he felt desire bubble up within him. He did not resist it and leaned his head in to replace his thumb, kissing the supple lips until they were reddened with their hungry kissing. He tilted his head back and gazed down at his eager lover, a soft smirk curling his lips before he said, “Will you help me bring Glorfindel to our understanding?”

“Aye, whole heartedly and soonest, for this nonsense has gone on long enough!” Erestor replied eagerly, earning a laugh from Ecthelion as he sat up, grinning. His blue eyes suddenly became devious and he glinted at his lover as he smirked almost evilly. “I have an idea,” he purred as he leaned against the broad chest of his lover before plying those tempting lips for more drugging kisses.

Moaning as he tugged Erestor closer, Ecthelion returned the kisses before whispering heatedly, “Then tell me and let us begin our seduction.” A soft chuckle greeted him just as he flipped Erestor onto his back and laid out over him. Their plotting could wait for now...

*~*~*

A soft knock on his door surprised Glorfindel as he was changing into more formal robes for dinner. Calling for the messenger to enter, he turned and smiled as a servant came inside. “What is it?” he asked warmly as he folded his hands before him.

Bowing, the messenger placed a fist over his heart before saying, “My Lord, Lord Ecthelion has requested that you come to his rooms this night before dinner. He wishes to speak with you.”

Confused, Glorfindel blinked as he ran a hand through his hair. “Did he give any inclination as to what this topic is to be?” he asked as he paced slightly, glancing towards his bed where his robe was waiting to be donned.

“Nay, my Lord. He only asked me to deliver this message,” the other Elf replied as he straightened dutifully.

“Very well, you may go then,” Glorfindel said in dismissal before walking towards his bed. The servant bowed and left, leaving Glorfindel to his thoughts. ‘What could Ecthelion wish to speak with me on? We have come to an agreement now, have we not?’ he wondered as he tapped his lip, though his eyes were sad as he thought back to that day when his beloved had woken from his near death. Sighing, he shrugged and pulled on the robe. “It will not hurt to see him. We still have our friendship after all,” he murmured to himself before heading from his room. He ran a taming hand over his hair as he walked along, making himself more presentable before coming to his former lover’s rooms. He knocked quickly, and then entered as soon as he heard the soft summons, closing the door behind him before going into the room. “Ecthelion? You summoned me to talk?” he called quietly as he went in, and then stopped as he saw his former lover seated on the rather large king-sized bed that was before him. He felt his mouth go dry with want as his eyes trailed over his lover.

Dressed in only a black robe that was resting partially on one shoulder, Ecthelion watched Glorfindel with a soft smile. His dark hair gleamed in the soft firelight of the nearby fireplace and his pale skin took on a burnished glow. Glorfindel’s breath hitched as he noticed on the shoulder a soft bruise and, upon further scrutiny, saw that Ecthelion’s hair was slightly mussed and the scent of sex was heavy in the air. He swallowed hard at his conclusion, but was still startled as Erestor came out of the bathing room, dressed also in a black robe as he combed his hair. He was bewildered even further as Erestor smiled warmly at him in greeting before crawling onto the bed behind Ecthelion. The Peredhel peeked over Ecthelion’s shoulder as he pressed a kiss to the pale shoulder, smiling naughtily. Ecthelion tilted his head to look at his lover and smiled before focusing once more on Glorfindel.

Uncertain and now rapidly becoming aroused, Glorfindel swallowed hard as he shifted on his feet, trying to find a way to hold his hands and settling for having them before his lower stomach before he asked in a raspy whisper, “You...you called for me?”

“Aye we did, Glorfindel,” Ecthelion murmured as his darkening gaze took in the discomfiture that was taking over the golden haired Elf before them. He smiled slowly, his lips curving in a seductive curl that had always managed to reduce Glorfindel into a mass of need in the past and served to do the same even in the present. “You see, there have been some misunderstandings between we three and it is time for it be stopped,” he continued as if they were discussing what plants to seed in the coming spring.

Clearing his throat as he blinked in surprise, Glorfindel fiddled with the collar of his robe as he whispered, “Stopped how?”

“What Ecthelion is trying to say is that we both agree that we wish to be together...with you,” Erestor purred out as he wrapped his arms around Ecthelion in a slow caress, which succeeded in shifting the ebony robe that his lover wore so that the other shoulder was revealed in a slow slide of pale skin. He grinned as Glorfindel’s eyes widened and trained on the soft flesh before quickly shifting up to their eyes. Smiling coyly as he licked along Ecthelion’s shoulder and eliciting a purr from Ecthelion, Erestor ran his fingers along his lover’s thigh as he focused on the Seneschal. “What are your feelings for us, Glorfindel?” he finally asked softly as he stilled his hand and waited tensely for the answer.

Licking his lips as he obviously fought an urge, Glorfindel watched them with a sudden hunger and need that delighted them both. “I thought you would never ask...” he whispered finally in a husky voice, grinning as they grinned at him in joy. He strode forward and was at the bedside within two strides then sat down next to them. Without wasting any time, he leaned in and kissed Ecthelion heatedly, nearly crowing and sobbing with joy as the kiss was returned with equal ardor. Their kiss broke and he leaned back to look at Erestor, who was watching them in a mixture of hope and desire, and then shifted in to grab Erestor’s lips in a demanding kiss. Moaning loudly, Erestor laced his hand within the golden locks as he yielded to the kiss wholeheartedly.

When they broke for air, Glorfindel sat back and watched them with love and desire. He turned his face into the soft palm that cupped his cheek as his eyes trailed to Ecthelion. “I longed for the day that you would welcome me back into your arms. I am sorry I hurt you so badly long ago. It was never my intent, but even good intentions fail when courage is lacking,” he whispered softly before gathering them both to him. “I never dreamed that this would happen...that my hopes would come to fruition. When I figured out how much I loved you both...I prayed for guidance,” he added as he nuzzled their necks, feeling comforted and loved as they wrapped their arms assuredly around his shoulders.

“Then thank the Valar for guiding all of our hearts down the right path. You were my light in dark places and Erestor was my guiding hand in my shadowed path. Without either of your love, I would have never been able to return,” Ecthelion murmured as he caressed both of his lovers tenderly.

“I love you both. That is all I need to say,” Erestor mumbled out as he buried his face in Glorfindel’s neck, grinning against the pale flesh as the other two laughed at his words. He leaned back and smirked seductively before crawling backwards a bit. He sat up on his knees and untied the knot on his sash. “We are too over dressed,” he purred out as the dark robe fell off of his ashen body and was summarily tossed off to the side. He stretched out on the bed and eyed them as hungrily as he was being eyed and licked his kiss bruised lips. “I want to watch you two together,” he murmured softly as his long legs bent idly above his firm buttocks as he made himself comfortable.

Staring at the normally shy Chief Advisor, Glorfindel had to swallow again before he looked at his lover. “Is he always so brash?” he asked incredulously before his eyes widened. He had not seen Ecthelion strip and now was reminded of just what a lovely body his beloved held.

“Oh aye though he earns a spanking if he crosses a line. I remember how much *you* loved your spankings,” Ecthelion answered with a wicked grin as he began to remove Glorfindel’s clothes. He was aided eventually by a dumbfounded Glorfindel and soon the golden haired Elf was bared for all his glory to them. Groaning, Ecthelion straddled his lover’s lap and greedily rocked against the already leaking member there. “I forgot how delectable you are, melethen,” he growled out as he drank of Glorfindel’s mouth repeatedly, plying those soft lips until they were swollen from their kisses.

“You have changed some, my love...but I love what I see,” Glorfindel replied with an answering growl as his hands cupped Ecthelion’s hips and kneaded the firm flesh there. He moaned as Ecthelion bucked and undulated on his lap, driving his desire higher as pleasure spiraled through him with each move. He gasped and bucked as his neck was suckled and bit, sending him over the edge of his far too hasty climax with a shout as he clung to his lover in his spasms. He groaned as he looked up at Ecthelion in a daze before he was kissed deeply, his tongue dueling lazily with his lover’s as they lay back onto the bed. He blinked as his mouth was released before he was kissed once more, this time by Erestor.

Chuckling as he watched his two lovers, Ecthelion stood and fetched the small jar of lubricant he had thought to purchase in the hopes that he would be having more ‘escapades’. He returned and found Glorfindel’s golden head between Erestor’s spread thighs, bobbing slowly as Erestor writhed under the talented ministrations. He purred as he came over and slicked up his fingers before pressing one inside of Glorfindel, startling the other two as Glorfindel groaned loudly, which in turn sent vibrations all along Erestor’s straining flesh. Erestor looked up and watched avidly as Ecthelion took his time in preparing Glorfindel, then eagerly spread his legs farther as Glorfindel leaned up and licked his lips. He mewled in pleasure as a finger pressed into him, squirming happily as he was stretched by Glorfindel in turn. His eyes focused once more on his first lover as Ecthelion growled lowly with arousal while watching them before shifting onto the bed behind Glorfindel. He then moved Glorfindel back, pulling the slender fingers from their younger lover.

Pouting at the loss, Erestor however quickly forgot his discontentment as he watched Ecthelion sit back on his heels and pull Glorfindel onto his lap. He shuddered with longing as the long legs were parted while they kissed before Ecthelion used his considerable strength to lift Glorfindel and impale him on his turgid shaft. Glorfindel arched and cried out as he was filled, clutching at the powerful thighs that supported his buttocks as he was spread for Erestor’s view. His hole was tightly stretched over the invading flesh while his own member was so hard that it was curved over his stomach and leaking copiously. He panted as he waited for Ecthelion to move, unable to even squirm as he was held firmly in place by his dark haired lover.

Growling lowly as he nipped along Glorfindel’s shoulder, Ecthelion grinned almost ferally as he whispered huskily, “You always did love having me fill you...” At Glorfindel’s whimper, he began rocking slightly, moving in and out in shallow thrusts while he locked eyes with the avidly watching Erestor. He tilted his head forward to kiss the golden haired Elf’s lips demandingly as he moved them, but then released Glorfindel’s legs. He shifted them forward and stopped his thrusts before gesturing for Erestor to move under Glorfindel. Understanding what was happening, Erestor slid into place underneath Glorfindel, spreading his legs before lifting his hips up to welcome the guided flesh that was pressed into him. They all groaned in tandem as he was filled and Erestor placed a hand on Glorfindel’s shoulder as he arched.

Ecthelion continued to hold them still before Glorfindel growled out a “Move, curse you!” He chuckled and began to thrust in earnest at once, pushing Glorfindel deep within the Peredhel that was beneath them and eliciting groans and moans of pleasure from them all. Their rhythm was uncoordinated at first before they became used to the others and soon were writhing together in rising want. It did not last long, for their passion for each other was fiery and soul-binding and so with almost simultaneous cries, they climaxed and fell into the bliss of release, holding each other tightly as they shuddered and released their seed in signs of their completion. They collapsed together onto the bed and curled up together, laughing and kissing in their joy and bliss as they worked to catch their breaths. Eventually, they settled into a tangle of limbs as they dozed in sated happiness, caressing and touching each other in loving strokes as they just lay together. And they knew that they would not have to suffer anymore as long as they had each other.

TBC

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