Notes: This is basically the continuation of Jay's Christmas triple drabble of the same name *grin* And never say never! Yup, I wrote this all by me onesies ;)

Translation of Elvish: Peredhel – half-elven. Meleth – love. Melin chen – I love you. Cuilen – my life. Melethen – my love. Aye – yes. Gûren – my heart. Echado veleth enni – make love to me. Seron vell – beloved.

Interlude - A Special Gift

The rooms were empty and dark when Elrond arrived, candles in his hands, whistling a lovely tune to himself. If anyone had seen him in the corridors, his reputation would have suffered greatly, he knew. But he could not have cared less. Tonight was a time for celebrations, not for sticking to his role as serene and earnest Lord of Imladris.

Dropping the candles on the soft bedding, he gazed around. Erestor was immersed in a thick volume in the library, he had checked on him before he had set out on his little revenge trip. So, the Noldo would be gone for a few hours yet. Good. Elrond would make the best of that time. Setting the candles all around the bed, he remembered something he had observed earlier. Someone had been dipping into the candle supply, probably with the same intention as Elrond himself. It probably had been Glorfindel... No, that was no thought he wanted to dwell on now.

Shaking his head to disperse the ideas his traitorous mind was presenting him with, he placed some scented oil next to the fire so it would be warm when it would be needed. And again he recalled something. The rose-scented oil in the cellars had been all but gone, and Elrond had been forced to take some of the sandalwood oil. Once more his brain was turning against him and provided him with pictures of how Glorfindel and his son...

He had to shut off his mind if he wanted to get anything done tonight. Alright... maybe he just had to remember something ... the very thing he had set out to celebrate tonight.

A year ago, on the night of the Winter Solstice, the Twins had had a little chat with their father, doing what Mithrandir had once done with Bilbo ... namely give him a little nudge. Ever since Erestor's fall, Elrond had been hovering around the Noldo. Time and time again had he been about to tell his Advisor that the thought of losing him had made Elrond realise how much he cared... And time and again had the fabled Lord of Imladris pulled his tail between his hind legs and run off.

On that night, however, the Twins had been very insistent indeed. They had practically dragged their father to Erestor's chambers, had opened the door for the older peredhel and had pushed him inside. He could still remember the soft words that Elrohir had whispered to him, "You have allowed me to finally live my love out in the open. It is time that you did so yourself." Erestor had been startled to find his Lord in his rooms at such a late hour, but the Noldo's surprise had soon given way to wonder. After that first tentative kiss, both elves had been lost. Lost in a whirlpool of emotions, and bodies moving against each other.

Elrond chuckled to himself. What a fool he had been, even then. He should have noticed how familiar Erestor's body was to him, how well he fit into the half-elf's arms... Three millennia had he held on to that memory, but had been unable to add two and two. Now he knew, knew that it had been Erestor all along. That the elf who had claimed his heart there on the banks of the Bruinen under the light of the full moon had not been his High King, but his faithful Advisor. And with this knowledge he would gift his love with that one thing that no one else had known until this night, and no one else would ever know.

---

The wind had abated some when Elrond finally heard the door open. It was probably too late for Glorfindel's papers, but Elrond was not going to feel sorry at all for his seneschal. Not when there were other things to feel. Quickly lighting the candles, Elrond's breath caught in his throat when Erestor entered the bedroom, eyes shining with unshed tears as he gazed around, "Meleth? I ... I did not think you would remember..."

Erestor was silenced by soft lips covering his in a sweet and gentle kiss. When Elrond drew back, the tears had won, and were now running down the Noldo's cheeks. Had he really believed that the half-elf... Well, it was no wonder really. Elrond had never been the model of empathy and sensibility. Cursing himself once again, he leaned in to kiss the tears away. "I am sorry, Erestor. So very sorry that I was such a fool, blind to your quiet suffering, deaf to the longing within my soul." Drawing the precious creature closer and into an embrace, the peredhel whispered into one pointed ear, "I could never forget what happened last year. My heart awoke from lying dormant for thousands of years. And it was you who rekindled that flame within me, who revived need and passion inside that empty shell that was my body... I could never forget that, never."

Erestor's slender form was shaking in his Lord's strong arms, his tears staining his beloved's robes. How he had dreaded this night. Despite Elrond's words, his declarations of love throughout the past year, the Noldo had feared... But Elrond was sincere, that much was clear. Erestor's wish had been granted at long last. And so the tears that fell were not of sorrow, but of joy. And when they finally subsided, he raised his glistening eyes to meet Elrond's stormy grey gaze. "Melin chen, cuilen." Sniffing quietly, he added, "Happy Anniversary."

Drawing the advisor over to the bed, Elrond sat down beside him. "I remember last year as clearly as if it had been only yesterday, melethen." Laughing softly, the peredhel added, "And I remember the morning after as well. I shall be checking my shoes tomorrow, and my robes as well, just to be safe. Who knows was Glorfindel will come up with this year." He hoped that this lighter topic would help calm Erestor, and if the twinkle in those dark eyes was anything to go by, his plan was working.

"Oh, but he only wanted to bring some laughter to Imladris. After all, we did not know, back then, if there would be another Solstice for us." Taking one of the half-elf's hands in his, he slowly raised it to his lips, kissing first each finger, then turning it over to worship the soft skin of the palm. Moving upwards, his tongue darted forth to tease his lover's sensitive wrist. "So, what are your plans for tonight, meleth?"

"Well, that is up to you really. We could talk in front of the fireplace until we are falling asleep, or... We could annoy our feathered friends once more." Erestor's eyes sparkled again, though this time not with tears. Good. "Sleeping in is overrated anyway, do you not agree?"

The Noldo nodded, "Aye, I think we should celebrate our first year in a more pleasurable manner. Not that our nightly conversations are boring..." Lifting his hands to Elrond's shoulders, he pushed the half-elf's outer robes down so that the peredhel only had to draw his arms out of the sleeves. "Will you make love to me, melethen? Just like you did last year?"

He was startled to see Elrond shake his head. But before he could voice his confusion, the half-elf whispered, "I wish for something different tonight, Erestor. Would you, would you take me instead?" His cheeks were suddenly hot, and he knew that he was blushing like a mere elfling. Just wonderful.

Blinking away new tears, Erestor drew his beloved into his arms, softly kissing Elrond's burning cheeks. "Are you sure? I do not mind if you..."

Drawing back, Elrond busied his hands with removing Erestor's robes, all the while whispering to his lover. "I would give you so much more, gûren, but that will have to wait until we reach the distant shore. For now, let me show you how much you mean to me, how much I love you. Let me put your doubts to rest, for good." By now he had reached bare skin, and could not help leaning in and placing a kiss over Erestor's heart. "Make love to me tonight. Make me yours. Claim my body like you have claimed my heart so long ago."

Shaky hands drew Elrond to his feet once more. Gently they removed the half-elf's garments until he stood naked, his skin glowing golden in the candlelight. Erestor felt the stormy gaze burning him as he divested himself of his remaining clothes as well. Only then did the Noldo draw his love close again, sighing at the feeling of skin against skin. "I will not deny that this is something I have longed for, Elrond. But I would have been contend, no, happy, even if you never... But if you truly desire it, it will be my greatest pleasure to take you." Winking at the peredhel, he added, "And pleasurable it will be, meleth, I am sure of it."

A smile gracing his features, Elrond swept in to steal a kiss from Erestor's lips. As his arms slid around the other's slender waist, his tongue sneaked out to tease and caress the Noldo's lips, coaxing them the open up for him. Erestor did not have to be asked twice, and moaned as the tender kiss became needy and passionate.

Not breaking the contact, Elrond let himself fall back on the bedding, drawing Erestor with him. He could not keep a groan from escaping as the slender, yet strong body of his mate settled on his. How long he had denied himself this kind of pleasure ... he had been a fool, and he just knew that his former king would have lots of fun teasing him for his stupidity after someone would accidentally mention something. And if that someone was not Glorfindel, it would be one of the Twins.

He was brought out of his musings by a whispered, "Meleth? Are you still with me?" Erestor had cocked his head, gazing at the peredhel with a mix of amusement and annoyance in his eyes. "I must be doing something wrong if you can still daydream..." Moving his body against Elrond's in a sensual way that made both of them gasp, he slowly leaned down to plant butterfly kisses on his Lord's face. Finally, taking pity, he lowered his lips to Elrond's, who opened to Erestor's questing tongue almost immediately. Exploring the moist cavern so readily surrendered to him, the Noldo moaned softly.

Their tongues were still locked in an age-old dance when Elrond spread his legs, silently inviting his lover to settle himself more comfortably. What he had not counted on was the shock of desire that went through his entire body when their shafts brushed together. Pulling back from the kiss, the half-elf drew air into his lungs in short pants. Gazing up, he had to swallow around the lump that had suddenly appeared in his throat. Erestor's eyes had darkened even more, there was no more telling apart the iris from the pupil, and the love and need that shone in them made the half-elf gasp again.

Wrapping his legs firmly around the other's hips, Elrond drove his groin upwards, wantonly expressing his needs and desires to his now chuckling mate. Usually, it took him longer to get to this point. But now it had merely been a few kisses and caresses and the half-elf felt as if he would explode soon. Had he held back until now? And if so, why? As he watched his lover, the answer suddenly was so simple. They both had still been afraid. What was so different now? Yes, peace had come to Arda, had crept into their hearts and souls. And Elrond had finally laid the old ghosts to rest... The last few weeks had brought more change to their lives than the past millennia...

"Elrond... you are doing it again." Erestor had raised one of his perfect eyebrows in a perfect imitation of his Lord. But suddenly the amusement in those bottomless eyes faded, giving way to worry. "Are you... Did you change your mind? You no longer wish..."

'Elrond, you old fool, you are thinking far too much. Pay attention!' Shaking his head, the Lord of Imladris smiled at his beloved, "I was only thinking of how much I want you, and of the changes that have occurred in the short span of just one year." Drawing in a deep breath, he continued in a whisper, "I was afraid, like you, Erestor. But the more I learned of your past, in these last few weeks, the more I know that I belong with you, and no one else. I was afraid to take this final step, to become yours like you are mine. I am not afraid anymore. Take me. Echado veleth enni, Erestor."

Had the half-elf not been in love with his raven-haired advisor before, the tender look Erestor now bestowed upon him would have been able to shatter his heart. And even now he knew that he was falling deeper still for the quiet ... no, make that seemingly quiet elf in his arms. Surveying their surroundings, the Noldo's eyes fell upon the small flask of oil, still warming next to the fire. "Elrond, if you would let me up for just a moment, I could fulfil your wish..." Immediately, Elrond's legs fell away from the tight grip they had had on the other's waist, and before Elrond knew that Erestor was gone, he was back, the small bottle now upon the nightstand. But why was the Noldo smirking suddenly?

"Tell me, meleth, how quickly do you need fulfilment?" The smirk grew even more wicked as Erestor wrapped his fingers around Elrond's already weeping flesh.

Groaning, the half-elf threw back his head, his answer hardly more than a moan, "If you keep doing that, it will be only moments..."

Erestor did not keep doing that. Replacing his hand with his mouth, he began to stroke his tongue up and down his lover's member, until he finally closed his lips around the sensitive tip. Slowly taking in more, he began to suck, far too gently for Elrond's liking.

Elrond felt as if he was floating on the edge of his climax, getting ever closer to the peak. But every time, he started to fall towards fulfilment, Erestor's hands closed around the base of his shaft. "Erestor! Please!"

Suddenly that talented mouth was gone altogether, and he heard Erestor, the laughter in his voice mocking him, "Please what, meleth? Do you wish me to stop?"

Valar, how could he even ask?! "I need to... Please Erestor!" Elrond was rewarded almost instantly, and this time Erestor did not stop his ministrations until the half-elf fell, spilling his seed into his lover's welcoming mouth. Only after his pulsing member had nothing more to give did the Noldo draw back, gently licking him clean of every drop he might have missed before.

When the peredhel opened his eyes again, gazing up at his beloved, he whispered, "I want you, Erestor. Please..."

Leaning in to steal a tender kiss from the half-elf's lips, Erestor questioned, "How do you want to... This being the first time you..." In his mind, he added, 'And my first time in ages as well.' There had only been one other before – Glorfindel had been his friend and for a time also his lover, but never his beloved.

"I want to see your face, I want to look into your eyes as you take me." It was not the most comfortable position, he knew, but... "I need to see you, need to know that it is you. Let me dispel those ghosts once and for all. Help me, Erestor. Help me erase my past folly. Show me..."

The advisor nodded and reached for the flask, hands shaking. This was it, the moment he had been waiting for ever since that night on the riverbank. "Spread your legs for me, seron vell. And try to relax as much as possible. I do not wish to hurt you..." No, that would kill him. Breathing in and out, the Noldo tried to calm himself. And failed at the vision before him. Elrond of Imladris, lying beneath him as vulnerable as he possibly could, offering himself to Erestor. "Oh Elbereth, you are so beautiful..."

Swallowing, Elrond managed to smile at his lover. How he wanted this, but still there was that tiny voice that spoke to him of pain, of not being able to satisfy Erestor's desires... He was opening the bottle now, the scent of the oil filling the room. He was coating this fingers... 'Relax, Elrond. Just relax. He will not hurt you.' He could feel a finger slip into the most private place of his body ... but there was no pain, only a wonderful feeling of being filled. Groaning, Elrond drove down, trying to take in more...

So responsive. Erestor felt tears at the back of his eyes, but fought them ruthlessly. Not now. Withdrawing the finger, he could not help but chuckle at the moan that escaped his lover's lips. "More?" Elrond nodded. Gently, Erestor eased two fingers in this time, carefully scissoring them to stretch the virginal passage. Searching for that one spot that would make his lover delirious with pleasure. And when Elrond bucked beneath him, he knew he had found it.

"Valar! I never knew... More, Erestor, please!" He was hard again, straining for release and at the same time wishing to stay like this forever. Again the fingers left him bereft. But before he could bemoan his loss, they were back again, three this time. But it still was not enough. He needed more. "Erestor, now. Please, take me. Make me yours." Maybe he should not have said that. For the fingers were suddenly gone, and he felt utterly alone. But then... He felt something press inside, stretching him even more than the three fingers had. And yet, there was no pain, only a dull ache that gave way to a feeling of being cherished and loved.

Opening his eyes, he almost wept at the sight of Erestor. The Noldo was biting his lip in an attempt to go as slowly as possible, gently easing inside that tight channel until he was fully sheathed. Elrond’s legs had fallen to either side of Erestor's, and now he wrapped them around his lover again, embracing him like Erestor embraced Elrond with his love.

"More..." It was just a whisper, but evidentially Erestor had still heard him and began to move, rocking softly within Elrond's heated body. But his need could not be denied for long. Soon, his strokes became more forceful, and soon Elrond's cries told him that he had found the perfect angle.

Searching and finding his lover's obsidian eyes, Elrond felt his climax nearing again. How could he have been such a fool, denying himself for so long... Erestor brushed against that spot inside of him on every stroke, and soon the peredhel felt that tell-tale heat spreading through his lower body. He was spiralling towards the end, faster and faster. "Erestor," with a hoarse cry, he erupted once more.

The force of his lover's climax made Erestor lose what was left of his control, and he spent himself with a last thrust deep inside Elrond's body.

For long moments, the only sound that could be heard was the lovers panting as they tried to regain at least some control over their bodies. Eventually, Erestor moved off and out of Elrond, causing his Lord to sigh again at the loss. Glancing around, the advisor finally shrugged, and took his own shirt to clean both his lover and himself, earning himself a raised eyebrow. "It needed to be washed anyway."

Drawing Erestor into his arms, Elrond kissed the ear closest to his lips, and whispered, "Happy Anniversary. And Happy Solstice. I hope you liked your gift..."

Chuckling, the raven-haired elf replied, "Oh, I did. But I think I would like another gift of this kind some time later..."

Before succumbing to the sweet call of sleep, Elrond managed to murmur, "What a greedy advisor you are. Who would have thought it possible..."