Title & Chapter Number: An Arrangement of Thorns 15/36
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: Middle Earth
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I do not own these settings or characters, and am making no profit from the writing and sharing of this story.
Warnings: BDSM, twincest, angst.
Betas: None
Cast: Erestor/Elladan/Elrohir
Timeline: TA AU
Spoilers: None
Summary: Erestor brings supper, and has a talk with Elladan.
Notes: This was an idea that struck me a while back when I was tossing around ideas on what to do when I'd finished with Glorfie and Erestor. Seems I haven't quite gotten Erestor out of my system. This is NOT the same Erestor as the one I wrote in my previous series.
They were sleeping when he returned, Elladan nestled in Elrohir's arms. They looked kittenish in their slumber, hair tousled, eyes curiously shut in their half elven way. Erestor smiled as he set the tray of food on the bedside table. He would wake them to eat; the stealthy transportation of supper from the kitchen to the bed chamber had not been easy, and he was not about to let his efforts go to waste. Still, he spent a moment in quiet contemplation of them, their sensuality and innocence.
Yes, innocence. He did not see his Elladan as debauched, did not view his treatment of Elrohir as a step toward innocence lost. Perhaps it would eventually be so; Elrohir was more inclined to think and to manipulate, to work his way through and into matters with cold precision and attention to detail. Right now he was beyond that, but Erestor knew that facet of the younger twin's personality would return, that it could twist him in ways that his pliantly accepting brother would not be twisted.
A quick perusal of his chambers told him that they had availed themselves of the bath. The scent of sweet herbs told him they had availed themselves of each other. Again he smiled. He would have liked to have seen that, but this was his gift to Elladan. Elladan wanted Elrohir, and not because his brother was telling himself that he was complying under duress or confusion, following orders, playing a game. Just Elladan-and-Elrohir, two as one in a tabooed paradise. Erestor sighed. It was what he had told himself he wanted, but now he ached as he fully realized his loss of Elladan, saw the beginning of the end in the two beautifully entwined figures in his bed.
"Wake up, lirimaer." He whispered, stroking Elladan's hair. The young elf purred, leant back into his touch. Erestor ran his hand over the nape of his neck, along the strong muscles of Elladan's back. "Time to open your eyes, sweet one."
"Erestor." Elladan murmured sleepily, and Erestor did not even try to resist the urge to take him into his arms. He buried his face in Elladan's neck, closed his eyes against the sting of tears. That was something he couldn't show Elladan, didn't dare to show him.
"I've brought you your supper." He said as he released him. Elladan sat up straighter against the cushions and began pulling Elrohir up along with him. His twin wore the lazy, satiated look of a cat awakened from sleeping off a full bowl of rich cream. Erestor wanted to feel anger, perhaps even hatred, but he could not. Elrohir's eyes widened as they focused on him, wavered between greeting and nervous withdrawal. Erestor touched his cheek.
"How are you, Elrohir?"
"Fine." He said softly. "Better."
"Mmm, let me see."
The younger twin obediently scooted forward and twisted to show Erestor his back. The welts had healed over the course of the day; there was little left save for some slight reddening of the skin. Erestor had no doubt that Elladan had a great deal to do with Elrohir's quick recovery.
"Good, little one. I've brought supper for you, too."
Elrohir glanced at him solemnly over his shoulder, repositioned himself beside Elladan. The scholar had not returned yet; Elrohir looked as if a hundred years had been shocked from him as he sat peering owlishly at Erestor through tendrils of dark hair. Erestor pushed his hair back, offered him a plate.
"Is father very angry with us?" Elladan asked.
"Not as angry as he could be." Erestor shrugged. "Expect a lecture on responsible behavior before supper tomorrow."
Elladan frowned at his plate; Elrohir looked up.
"You…" He closed his mouth with an audible click, hazarded a quick glance at Elladan.
"What, Elrohir?" Erestor asked him. "You know it's safe here, now, do you not?"
"You… you can't do this very often." He said to his vegetables. "There would be… repercussions. Not good for any of us. Father is angry…" His words trailed away, and Erestor reached to touch his cheek.
"No, this doesn't happen very often, lirimaer. I have no desire for you to be under Elrond's scrutiny. As you say, not good for any of us."
It should have pleased him that this was Elrohir's only concern, that instead of attempting childish refusal he had instead merely asked for moderation. It did not please him; for the first time since this had begun he wondered if his lover had not been right. -Damn you, Elrohir - he thought without heat. -Is it not enough that I have already lost my heart to your brother?-
Elladan picked at his meal, pushed the bits of roast meat around his plate while continuing to hold Elrohir with his free arm. It made the meal awkward for him, but since he did not seem to be eating much of it, Erestor supposed it wasn't a huge concern. Finally he took Elladan's fork, gently removed it from his fingers and smiled at the elder twin's surprised look.
"Will you eat that if I help you with it, melme?"
"I'm sorry." He smiled disarmingly, let himself be fed. Erestor set the fork aside, lifted a bite of meat to Elladan's lips with his fingers. The young elf smiled as he took it, licked delicately at the juices coating Erestor's fingers. Chocolate eyes danced playfully as Elladan peered at him through his lashes, arched his neck to make the simple act swan-like, graceful. Erestor smiled and squeezed in beside him.
"You don't have to do that, little one."
Elladan blinked, and Erestor mentally cursed himself for the uncertainty he now saw on his young lover's face. Elladan was trying to distract him, but more importantly he was trying to distract himself. Of course this offering of food from his hand would be interpreted as the beginning of love play, and of course his words would be misinterpreted.
"I only meant that I am concerned when you do not eat; `tis a rare thing indeed for you to be without appetite."
Elladan smiled, shrugged. This, apparently, was all he was going to get, at least in Elrohir's presence. The younger twin was silent, nestled against Elladan's body, eating with head bowed. He did not look up or show any interest in the discussion taking place; his plate was already nearly clean.
"Elrohir."
He glanced up, startled, hair bouncing about his shoulders.
"Could you make it to your rooms and Elladan's, unseen, to bring clothing for tomorrow?"
"Of course." He sounded slightly wounded, insulted that Erestor might think him incapable of such a simple task. Erestor hid a smile.
"Good. Finish up your meal, and then go fetch everything you'll need for tomorrow."
He took a last bite, and disentangled himself from his brother's arm. "I'll go now."
~*~*~*~
Erestor had given up trying to feed Elladan shortly after Elrohir had dressed and left. Without the silent enjoinder to be graceful and beautiful, it had become a mechanical exercise that was disturbing rather than gratifying. Finally he set the plate aside and drew Elladan into his arms.
He had been afraid that Elladan would stiffen against him, perhaps even pull away, but the younger elf did not. Instead he clung to him with feverish intensity, pressed his face against his chest and twined arms and legs about him. Erestor kissed his forehead, held him close, tried to think of something to say. At last Elladan saved him the effort.
"Are you ashamed of me, Erestor?" Elladan said. His voice was small, child-like.
"What has given you that idea?" He whispered. "After all of the many times I've told you how proud I am of you?"
"You still would rather lie to father than let anyone know that you love me. And that I love you."
He took a deep breath, wished he'd chosen some other place as their safe spot. Like maybe the attic or the wine cellar.
"Elladan, this is for your sake, not mine."
"I'm not afraid, not ashamed of you." His words tumbled out in a flood, as he looked up into Erestor's face. Tears glimmered in his eyes. "I love you, Erestor, and you say you love me… I want to be yours. Forever."
"And what of Elrohir, Elladan?" He asked softly, and Elladan's eyes darted away.
"He is my brother. Or do you mean that you…" He bit his lip.
"No, I do not mean that I love him more than you, lirimaer. Never." Erestor soothed. "I mean only that now that you have what you want, where does this leave him?"
"I don't know. I don't care." The lie was reflected in his eyes, but Erestor did not comment. "You said you would give me anything."
"And I did not lie. I promise you, Elladan, that if you still feel this way in six months time, I will go to your father and state my intentions. Does that seem fair to you?"
"It has already been more than a year."
"But things have changed, have they not, melme?"
"That was your choice!" Elladan sat up, stared at Erestor in a mixture of hurt and anger. "You wanted him, you asked me to bring him here!"
"Why do you think I did that, Elladan?" He grasped the young elf by the shoulders, gently shook him. "Do you not think that I saw your desire, that I was not expecting it when you asked me to give him to you, to let him take you, to be with you and you alone?"
Elladan looked down. His hands were shaking. "I love you." He said again, softly, through trembling lips, and Erestor pulled him close.
"I know you do, precious one, I never doubt it. But please, will you wait?"
Perhaps it was hearing Erestor use that word, often on his own lips but never on Erestor's. A choice, a bit of power placed in his hands to do with as he would, with Erestor's unspoken but clearly heard promise to abide his decision. Elladan contemplated his hands, contemplated Erestor's request. Nodded his head in reply.
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