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Rite of Age
by Caethieu
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Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Elrond/Gil-galad
Summary: An age old Noldorin coming of age rite leads to a relationship that will come to dominate the Second Age (well, if you’re an E/GG fan).


Chapter 1

The coming-of-age rituals were complex, and, it was said, perfected, by the long years of experience of the Noldor. And most of the rites made sense, Gil-galad thought, except for one. One male rite seemed absurd, and more appropriate for wildmen than Elves. Moreover, it seemed dangerously close to a serious transgression against the Laws and Customs.

A close relative (usually female) of the man-child was to choose another male to show the younger the ways of love. The relative's choice was irrefutable.

"Lady Artanis, have you decided?"

"I have."

"Name your choice, and it will be honored, as the law goes."

"I have chosen Finellach Gil-galad to guide him." I barely suppressed a gasp. I motioned her off to the side for a moment.

"A word, Lady. I am his foster-father, his king, and he is my squire. Can this be wise?"

"My lord, you will command his obedience, and yet you care for him very much. And you are less than half a yen his senior. He is shy enough about this. He has no need for someone who should make him withdraw further into himself, as Círdan or Celeborn no doubt would." This was true, he was shy. But I wasn't so confident in my self.

"I shall not?"

"Nay. He trusts you with his deepest concerns. And you know him best. This is a delicate matter, Artanaro. You are the only one who can do it."

I sighed and looked at the other elf lords present. There was no surprise in their eyes: they had discussed this. So be it. " I accept," the words came out clear and strong, as if I meant them. I turned my gaze on Elrond and spoke firmly, as if to amend for my hesitation: "Elrond, you shall return to your rooms to ready yourself and await me there."

While I readied my own rooms, I took the time to consider this unexpected turn of events. I had only ever thought of Elrond as a son, a subject, and then a squire. But now when I recalled his face I saw that he had indeed become handsome. Beautiful, even--and that by Elven standards. I recalled his shirtless body, as I watched him doing spear drills just yesterday on the practice fields. At the time I was only concerned with his skill--and he had surpassed my expectations in that area.

But now as I replayed the morning in my head I watched the graceful movements of his lithe body. A body showing no signs of bulkiness, as with some of the warriors', but well formed with the long muscles of endurance work, and much swimming and running. A body with skin that was smooth and white without the sun-taint of mortals, but proportioned in that almost delicate way that Tuor had been.

Oh, yes, he was fair. Immeasurably fair. Merely recalling his face, I found that my heat drained downwards. The anticipation only made it worse. Now, I only had to coax Elrond into enjoying it as much as I would.

I arranged the fresh flowers that the maid had brought in while she changed my sheets. I washed with sage-scented water and dressed in deep black robes with silver embroidery. I did not put on my circlet, but instead braided a chaplet of white cinquefoil into my hair. I looked into the mirror, and, satisfied, walked to Elrond's rooms.

I knocked, and he called for me to enter. My jaw nearly dropped when I saw him. He looked stunning, and I told him so. He wore lilac robes and a chaplet of jasmine. I picked up the scents of rosemary and violet mingling with the jasmine. He smiled shyly and looked into my eyes for a moment and then looked away blushing. I can't help but wonder what he saw.

I greet him formally: "Elrond Eärendilion, I am come this day to lead thee into adulthood. Wilt thou follow me?"

"Aye, my Lord." He voice is sure, but his eyes betray his anxiety and uncertainty. I suppress I sigh. He seems still so young.

"Then, come, child." I take his arm and lead him the short distance to my own rooms. After I close the door, I drop all formality. "You are beautiful, Elrond," I tell him again. "How do you feel about this, child?"

He looked at the ground. "Only tell me what I need do, Lord, I and I will obey."

"That is not what I asked." I gently lift his chin.

"I do not know, my Lord. My feelings are mixed."

"Then they are not entirely negative."

"No." He paused. "I am glad that it is you rather than Círdan or Celeborn or Londwë, Naryan, or Culiwe."

"Why?" It was a fair question.

"You know me best. I trust you." I wondered briefly if there was anything else behind that trust.

"I only hope that I do not disappoint you, child." He had nothing say to that. "We will take our time," I decided. "Let us go walk in the gardens." I was very thankful for having private gardens with a private entrance. I did not want Elrond to suffer the cruel sting of gossip because of this. We walked in silence for a while and he seemed to have lost some anxiety. He even started to hum softly, his eyes star-ward. Picking up on his tune, an ancient Quenya one, I began to sing the lyrics. He gave a small smile of delight and sang the harmony. Soon neither of us was singing very quietly anymore, but sent out our clear voices into the twilight.

After two more songs, we settled on a bench and looked up at stars, which were bright now. We spent nearly an hour stargazing and meditating before I realized that Elrond would relax no further until the anticipation was over. I touched his cheek softly, and, after a consecrating kiss on his brow, I cupped his cheeks gently claimed his lips.

After a moment of surprise and resistance, he made a visible effort to relax. I rewarded it by releasing him for a moment, so he could retake his breath. I caught his lips again, and this time he was prepared. After a moment of absorbing the feeling of my kiss, he tentatively kissed back. I would have smiled triumphantly, had my mouth been free to do so.

His kiss grew more exploratory, and after a moment of letting him have his way, I retook control and kissed harder. His breathing quickened and I could feel his energy starting to circulate powerfully down his neck, past his naval, to his groin, and then surge up his back and over his head. Satisfied with his progress so far, I released him again. I sat back and looked at him. His eyes were full of an erotic mixture of wonder, anxiety, and perfect trust. I twined my finger through his hair and pulled him into an embrace. "That's it, pen neth," I encouraged. When I kissed him again it was immediately hard, and with a tongue that demanded sanctuary in his mouth. He obediently parted his lips and was rewarded with a comparatively gentle exploration of his mouth.

After awhile our tongues were locked in a ferocious battle, and determined to remind him of his place this night, I nipped at his neck, and then easily slipped my tongue back into his mouth while he was gaping in surprise. I pulled back out and laughed. "Let us go into my rooms, Elrond. You will be more comfortable there, I think." It had rained this morning, and the grass was still wet. It would be terribly itchy against his bare back. He nodded and stood and allowed me to guide him inside. I asked him to light the sconces and candles while I removed my robes and tunic. "Come closer, child." I said when he was finished. He obeyed hesitantly.

"Do not fear me, Elrond. You will not be harmed." I kissed him gently and then began to carefully undressed him until we were both clad merely in silk braes. I circled him, eyeing him from head to toe, very pleased with what I saw. He followed me with his eyes and openly watched the rippling of my muscles. I turned him so that his back faced the bed and took another kiss from him. This one was deep and hard and I pushed him backward to the bed until he fell against it. I centered him on the bed and knelt over him. I explored his body with tongue and teeth and hands, tracing the meridians and pausing at the pressure points. When I came to his nipples, I saw that they shrunk to little pebbles of garnet, and imagined how hard his veiled member must be. The braes were, unfortunately, loose enough to disguise it.

After giving them both a lick and a nip, I turned to my back and let him explore me for a few minutes, marveling at his intuition and my growing arousal. He soon became bold and creative, weaving a cocoon of heat and pleasant tingling over my body. With a mischievous glint in his eyes he slipped a hand into my braes and grazed my erection. Finding it hard he quickly removed the cloth to completely expose me. He touched my erection, first tentatively, but then with stroking motions. He rolled it between his hands and cupped my soft sacs. I let out a moan. He gave a smile of delight and then bowed his head to swipe his tongue across the tip experimentally. I gasped, and he grew bolder still, applying suction to the tip of my throbbing member.

Without warning (or maybe I was too distracted to notice), he took my entire member into his mouth. I bucked instinctively and he moaned. He released me and teased me with his tongue. I stopped him before I could come, and scooped him up, laying him on his back again. I removed his braes and focused on his own member, already erect. I grasped it and cupped it with my hands, and he moaned and squirmed and clutched to pillows. Fascinated, I continued to watch and touch him. I teased the edge of his dripping member, tasting him. His clear essence reminded me of good mead, and I took his length in my mouth. He bucked a few times and came.

He lay wan and trembling. I stroked his brow, gazing down at him reverently. I retrieved a phial on the bedside table. It was filled with pale golden oil. I admired it for a moment. Seeing what I held, two wide and slightly glazed grey eyes watched me in anticipation. "Estellio nin, pen neth. I will be gentle." I pressed a kiss on each inner thigh, silently asking him to spread his legs, and I knelt between them. I lifted them up and rested them on my shoulders. Uncorking the phial, I poured some oil on my hands, first massaging his stomach and buttocks. His eyes closed and his head rolled back as he moaned again, the sound lower now.

I next worked the oil into my own member, before gently working a greased finger into his opening. He emitted a whimper now, and I watched his eyes carefully. There was both pleasure and pain in them. I removed the finger and replaced it with two. The pain in his eyes increased at first, but then he relaxed a little. I opened my fingers, massaging him from the inside until he relaxed little bit more so that I could add a third. As the gentle internal massage continued, the pain in his eyes melted into bliss. I leaned forward and, brushing away a stray black tress kissed his forehead chastely. "All shall be well, Elenneth," I whispered.

At that I pierced him, as gently as I could. He cried out in a mixture of pain and delight and surprise.


Later we both lay sated on my bed. He was trembling from his exertion, harder this time, and I covered him with a light blanket. He snuggled closer to me as I ran my fingers through his hair. "Do you wish to stay with me for a while, pen neth?"

"Yes, my lord. I would like that." I allowed him to stay the whole night and much of the next day, simply watching him sleep in my arms.

Thus, our first night together came to pass.


Chapter 2

The next day I spared him the awkwardness of eating the noon meal in the Great Hall and instead ordered two plates to be brought to my room. "Wake and eat, young one," I said, shaking him. "How do you feel this morning?"

He groaned. "Sore, but renewed." He said.

I chuckled and said, "I shall aid you with this predicament. Onto your belly!" When he obeyed I pulled the blanket down well below his hips. I then massaged him with my warm hands: his firm buttucks, his hips, his lower back, and his thighs. When I was done he was deliciously warm and supple, and I wanted to take him all over again.

Instead I tossed him a fire-warmed robe to put on, and when, sitting up, he found most of the soreness relieved, he gave a huge smile of thanks. I guided him over to my table were the platters from the kitchen were waiting and let him eat in silence as I ate. I poured him tea and made him drink that too. When he had finished I took a deep breath and addressed him. "Elrond, we need to talk about last night."

He swallowed, but met my eyes. I continued, "Elrond. This rite awoke certain latent feelings in me that I have not felt for a long time. They caused me to forget myself. I owe you, at the very least, an apology. This rite, it is not meant to be as, err, sensual, as it was."

Elrond sliced right through the babble and asked the question I had hoped he would not. "These feelings, sire, what are you saying?" But there was emotion in his eyes that I couldn't place.

I sighed. "My dear child. I think I love you."

"I think, I think your feelings might be returned, sire," the barely audible reply came.

Jubilant, I went to him and kissed him softly. "What are we to do, sweet one?" I entangled my hand through my squire's hair and pulled him into his arms.

I released him before I spoke again. "What ever you think is best, sire. If you give to me your attentions, I will bask in them, but if you think that is too improper or too dangerous, then I will keep my distance."

I marveled at the simplicity with which Elrond saw our situation. "Nothing is ever that simple, Elrond. Least of all, matters of the heart." I paused. "It is both improper and dangerous, but I shall not be able to keep my distance from you, now that I know my feelings are returned." I emphasized that statement with a kiss on the top of his head.

"Then you shall have to grace me with your attentions, my lord."

I chuckled. "I suppose I shall." But come, "I will bathe and dress you, and then I will give you some work to do well I ready myself for court." I rose as I spoke and went into my closet, returning with formal attire for Elrond that I kept in my room for convenience.

"We should both put in an appearance," I said with a wink. I lit the fire in the stove adjacent to the bathroom, which would start the chain reaction that would heat my private bathing pool. Turning back to Elrond, my countenance was serious. "Galadriel would doubtlessly not approve of this relationship, so if would like to pursue it, and you speak to her, be careful."

I paused for a moment, trying to decide how to say what I wanted to say next with out sounding overly possessive. "In addition, you will need to be aware of what this means," I finally continued, "purely from a practical perspective. I am more that willing to make whatever concessions are necessary to make this relationship work, but these will be vastly limited by the fact that I am your king, your squire-master, and your warder.

"This means, that at least at first, you will have to put your faith in me, and know that whatever decisions I make concerning you are for your best interest in the long run. You may ask question and even politely question my authority in private, but in public I expect the obedience prescribed for a squire. We must learn to keep our private and public lives separate. Do you understand, pen bain?"

"I believe so," Elrond said, his intelligent grey eyes pointing towards the floor thoughtfully. "Because of our relative positions, I shall have to submit to your authority in all worldly things, just as I have always done, and yet," here he paused, and his looked up to focus on me, light dancing in them.

"Yet, you have always guided and guarded me with a great selfless love, so I do not see how things will change at all, except for whatever physical element you introduce, which can only serve to deepen our bond."

I smiled softly at him, at his idealism. Even after so much loss, nothing dampered his view of the world. Then let it not be me who dampers it, I thought, resolute. I was very aware of how vulnerable he was, how vulnerable he had just made himself with his words, and my desire was to protect him, from the world and from that dark part of myself. Silently, I sent a plea to Elbereth that I would be able to succeed in the task set before me, for having tasted bliss once it would not be easy.

Padding towards him again, I pulled him into a gentle embrace, combing through his hair with my fingers. "We will make it work, my dear one," I said softly. I held him for a long moment before I released him and looked at him. "Undress, and then come. The water will be warm now."


Lady Galadriel called him to her side later that day. I did not hear what was said, but as she asked to speak with me afterwards, I could guess. "What happened?" she asked.

"We completed the rite, and he has come of age," I said evenly.

"He is giddy, estatic, sailing with his father. It is as if he has fallen in love overnight. What happened?" she repeated.

I briefly cursed myself for not foreseeing that Galadriel might present a problem. "So? 'Twas not my intention. Nor was it his." I grimaced internally at my defensive tone and tried to amend it belatedly.

"I did what was necessary, my lady. Can you blame me if I did it gently and with compassion? I had no desire to break him, he is as my son. The giddiness is likely a side effect of his body's shock." I felt that I had never spoken more dishonestly to my aunt than at that moment, and I hated it. But she had known only the ways of the Noldor. She could not see how damaging this rite could be to those who had not grown up with it; nor did she consider that it might be a strain on a Peredhel.

"His body's shock?" she repeated, her eyebrows flicking with something that could have been interest, could have been warning.

I brushed my hair from my brow. I had to be very careful, my great aunt was a master at the art of discernment. "He has never known intimacy before, surely you know that, Aunt. He has never known a kiss before last night, never been touched by another, excepting in the bath when he was younger. It seems reasonable to me that he would be in a bit of trauma after suffering the intensity of that most sacred act with so little preparation. Most youth experiment, he did not."

"And whose fault is that?" Galadriel asked.

I welcomed the question, for it removed the focus of the conversation from the reason for the young one's apparent ecstasy. "Both mine and his," I responded promptly. "When Elros wished to explore Círdan and I kept him on a tight rein. We heard the whispers: most were simply curious about the Peredhel and wanted a chance to find out what they wanted to know and boast about it to others.

"Others merely wanted a new experience. We required a chaperone present that we appointed, and he resented it. Elrond, ever the quiet observer, saw this, and heard the whispers that his brother did not, and never requested to be allowed to court another or be courted. I doubt I would have permitted him had he asked, for he is the more sensitive of the two, the one that would be more easily hurt."

Galadriel watched me for a moment, probing me with her ancient gaze, before nodding to herself. "I hope you are able to return his feet to the ground soon," she said, closing the conversation. "He will not be able to get anything accomplished in that state."

To be continued...

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