Fan Fiction ❯ All is Fair in Love and War ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Hi! Sorry I haven't been writing anything lately, but my laptop broke! My dad's computer didn't have the right word processor, and I've only just been able to type anything at all! Don't worry though, updates will be coming soon!

Hey! This is Yo-Ma's new beta-reader/editor, Lyn! I might have missed a couple of things in grammar or something but none that are very important! I hope you all enjoy the story because I'm actually caught up in it too! Hehe...

Some notes on this story:

1. Technically, this is the second story in a series.

2. Elrond and Legolas are together, but Thranduil doesn't approve.

4. Ithilas is Legolas's nickname for Elrond

Pairings: Elrond/Legolas, Glorfindel/Erestor

Warnings: Rape, Angst, and NC-17 scenes

References to the Silmarillion, reader beware of spoilers!

Folly Beyond Starlight

All is Fair in Love and War

Spring had just begun to arrive in the elf-haven of Imaldris. The first leaves on the trees were beginning to sprout, and the flowers had just begun to bloom.

As the first leaves began to come, so would another. Legolas of Mirkwood was going to make his yearly visit to the valley. His coming would be the true coming of spring to many, especially the esteemed Lord of Imaldris.

Erestor, chief councilor of Elrond's house, sighed in exasperation. At the beginning of every spring, without fail, Elrond always avoided some of his work in order to wait for the coming of his lover.

Signing his name to yet another badly written document, Erestor let himself take a short break by pausing for awhile.

At least he doesn't completely slack off, unlike the current steward of Gondor. After all, it's only for a few days of the year, I should be able to handle the work until he comes. Lego.....

Erestor was interrupted from his thoughts by a knock at the door.

"Come in," he called out to whoever was on the other side of the door.

A servant opened the door and bowed before him. "Lord Elrond requests your presence at the entrance to the valley."

Erestor raised one eyebrow and said, "To meet the party from Mirkwood, I presume."

The servant nodded. "I believe so."

"You may go then." Erestor dismissed him as he stood.

Making his way through the many corridors of Imaldris, he soon came upon the welcoming party.

Elrond turned and faced him. "It is good of you to join us."

Erestor nodded, easily seeing through the half-elf's mask that hid his barely concealed excitement.

Soon, they could see a small band of riders approaching from the distance. One rider rode ahead of the others, quickly dismounting from his horse to climb up the steps and into Elrond's waiting arms.

Legolas smiled up at his lover, still travel stained, but not showing a sign of weariness.

"It is good to see you again, Ithilas," Legolas greeted his lover.

Elrond smiled, "As it is to see you, Legolas."

He reluctantly let go of the younger elf when he noticed the warriors accompanying Legolas grow uncomfortable.

Turning to Erestor, he met his eyes before asking, "Which quarters are most suitable for these wary travelers?"

Erestor thought for a moment before replying, "The west rooms in the soldiers quarters should be adequate. Section Three is empty."

Elrond nodded before turning to a servant who was standing nearby. "Would you please take them to their quarters and see that their needs are met?"

The servant nodded and motioned for the soldiers to follow him. Dismounting from their horses, they began to follow.

"Ithilas." Legolas tried to get Elrond's attention.

Elrond turned to Legolas, "Yes, melamin (my love)?"

"My father wished that Ralphien would stay and help if there was ever anything wrong."

Elrond raised one eyebrow. "Does he really believe that you are in danger here?"

Legolas shrugged. "He said it was just an extra precaution."

"Then I will not send him away. To do so would be an insult to your father."

"Would you like me to take care of it, Elrond?" Erestor asked. "It would give you two some time to catch up."

"My thanks," Elrond murmured in answer as he led Legolas away.

As soon as the two were gone, Erestor turned, only to see a cloaked figure patiently waiting.

"Come with me," he ordered. "I will lead you to suitable quarters while the stable hands care for your horse."

The elf began to walk forward, flinging back his hood in the process. Long blonde hair framed a gorgeous face, dark green eyes sparkling in amusement.

Erestor's cold mask slipped for a second. Well, well, well, isn't he the pretty one?

Ralphien smiled charmingly at the advisor. "Please, call me Ralph."

Erestor bowed stiffly and motioned towards the right. "I am Erestor, please follow me to your quarters."

Glorfindel sighed and collapsed onto a chair in the Hall of Fire. Lindir, Elrond's chief minstrel, walked up to him, wondering what was wrong with his friend.

"What's bugging you?" he asked the clearly exasperated Glorfindel.

Glorfindel sighed, "Erestor."

Lindir looked shocked at the unexpected answer. "How could he be bothering you? Is he just angry because of the latest practical joke that you've played on him?"

A frown appeared on Glorfindel's face. "No."

Lindir became even more confused. "Then has he done something to you?"

"Yes," Glorfindel solemnly replied.

"What?"

"Making me fall in love with him."

"What?!" Lindir jumped up and stared at his friend in surprise, not even noticing the curious glances he was receiving.

"You can't be serious, Glorfindel! You'v....."

He was cut off when Glorfindel suddenly jumped up and clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Look, I don't want the entire population of Rivendell to find out about this. They'll never let me hear the end of it!" he hissed into the minstrel's ear.

Lindir nodded and sat down before he continued what he was saying. "You've known him for a millennia and all you've done is tease him."

Glorfindel buried his face in his hands. "I know, I know. But have you ever seen children playing together in the gardens?"

"Of course I have. But what does that have to do with you and Erestor?"

Glorfindel wryly smiled and replied, "Usually a young elfling teases the one he likes, does he not?"

Lindir nodded. "Of course. He does it to get the other's attention..." he drifted off as realization dawned on him.

Looking at Glorfindel, he asked, "How long has this been going on?"

Glorfindel sat back in his chair, "I don't know...a millennia, maybe more."

"And you haven't done anything about it?" Lindir seemed shocked at the very idea.

"It's hard, you know how Erestor is."

Lindir nodded in understanding. "Cold, aloof, etc., etc., but you should be able to get him to notice you in other ways at least. You could probably seduce any elf in Imaldris!"

"I've tried to seduce him before-- it just doesn't work. I always chicken out right before I could do anything."

"Wait a second. You not having enough courage? You've faced a Balrog! Don't tell me that you don't have enough courage to even try and court him!"

"Sometimes I think he can be worse than a Balrog."

Lindir sighed. "I know what you mean. But I still think you should try and court him. You never know what's going to happen."

The minstrel suddenly stood, dragging Glorfindel up with him. "Go and find him," he ordered Glorfindel.

Glorfindel's eyes widened, "But..."

Lindir began pushing him out of the room. "You're at least going to talk to him. Report back to me when you're done, so there's no getting out of it." He smirked, and said, "If you don't, I'll tell him that you like him."

Before Glorfindel could protest, Lindir threw him out of the room.

Ralphien, even with all of his apparent beauty, was utterly captivated by the elf before him. Surely no one has ever looked at him closely. Ralphien thought as he gazed upon Erestor's back. The way his robes fall like that, he must have slender hips...a mischievous smirk spread across his face...and a nice ass too.

His thoughts were interrupted when Erestor stopped and opened the door to his right.

"This will be your room fro the remainder of your visit here," he told him.

Ralphien entered the room, careful to brush up against Erestor as he did so.

As Ralph began to unpack, Erestor began to speak. "Servants are usually nearby, so if you need anything, all you have to do is call and they will come. Dinner is at 6 o'clock sharp, as is breakfast. Lunch is served at noon. You are allowed anywhere in Imaldris except the private quarters in the north wing. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

Erestor turned to go, and would have left, had it not been for Ralphien's suddenly screaming "No!"

Erestor stopped and turned to face him.

Ralphien fidgeted under Erestor's cold stare. "Well....you're the only one I know around here other than Prince Legolas. I was wondering if you'd show me around."

Erestor's eyes narrowed and he replied sharply, "I have work to do."

Ralphien tried to contain his shock, No one has ever resisted me when I act like this! Maybe I'll have to try a different approach.

He walked forward and rested his hand on the shorter elf's shoulder. "Please."

Erestor jerked from the touch, but turned and began to walk out of the room. "Follow me."

Ralphien smirked in victory as he was led away.

Glorfindel sighed as he wandered through the halls of Imaldris. Erestor wasn't in the library, the study, or his room, which was where he was usually found. The only hints to his whereabouts was that he had heard that Erestor was showing Legolas's 'protector' around.

But where would he have taken him? Glorfindel thought for a moment before realization hit him. The Gardens!

Ralph gazed around at the garden surrounding him. "It's beautiful, well cared for too."

"Thank you," Erestor said.

Ralph turned to him in feigned amazement. "You cared for these flowers?"

Erestor nodded and continued to walk. "Next, I'll show you the kit..."

He stopped talking when he felt a hand upon his arm. He looked up, to see Ralphien gazing down on him.

"Please refrain from touch..." he began to say.

One of Ralphien's fingers had placed themselves over Erestor's lips, effectively silencing him. His other hand slid down to rest on Erestor's other arm, bringing him closer.

"Let me go," Erestor ordered as he stepped away from him.

"Why?" Ralph whispered, taking a step closer to him.

He slowly extended his hand and caressed Erestor's cheek.

Erestor brushed the hand away and snapped, "I don't like to be touched."

He turned to walk away, but the next few words stopped him in his tracks.

"Do I have permission to court you?"

Erestor turned, only to find himself face to face with the other elf. "What?" he managed to whisper.

With the barest of touches he tilted Erestor's chin up. "May I court you?"

Ralph leaned forward, his body thrumming in anticipation. How he wanted to press his lips against the other elf's perfectly bow shaped lips. They looked so soft!

Suddenly a hand shot out of nowhere and grabbed his shoulder, hard.

Erestor seemed to snap out of it, for he stepped backwards, confusion on his face.

"Glorfindel," he whispered.

The elf behind him walked forwards and faced him.

Ralph was taken aback for a moment. The elf's ice blue eyes were narrowed in anger, which was directed at him. Blonde hair framed his face, braided in warrior fashion. He could feel a sense of power from this elf, power and...anger.

"Glorfindel," Ralphien repeated, raising an eyebrow. "What does the legendary Balrog slayer want with me?"

Glorfindel's eyes narrowed further. He was stopped from speaking by Erestor, who was now glaring at them from the sidelines.

"Glorfindel, what do you think you're doing?" he asked in a deadly calm voice.

Glorfindel turned to him, trying to ignore Ralph's triumphant gaze. "So you wanted him to kiss you?"

Erestor's eyes widened slightly. "Of course not."

"Then why were you letting him?"

"He shocked me."

Erestor turned and was about to walk away from them when Ralphien finally spoke up.

"You still haven't answered my question."

Glorfindel glared suspiciously at him before asking, "And what would that question be?"

Ralph couldn't help but smirk. "I asked permission to court him."

Glorfindel's mouth dropped in astonishment. "You what?!"

Ralphien smirked again. "What is the matter, Glorfindel? You're not even interested in him."

Glorfindel's mouth opened and closed wordlessly.

Erestor watched this with a straight face, but he was smiling on the inside. Glorfindel needn't have defended me. I was going to say no anyway. Erestor mentally sighed. I have no interest in taking a lover. Not now, not ever. I have suffered too much to be able to handle it.

Glorfindel then did something that greatly surprised both Erestor and Ralphien. He grabbed Ralph by the front of his tunic and pulled him forwards, so they were face to face.

"Erestor is mine," he hissed.