Title: Proposition
Author: Khylaren
Contact: Khylaren@yahoo.com
Fandom: LOTR
Rating: PG13
Beta: Larienelengasse
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters; they are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien and his estate. No money is being made from this story; it is written purely for entertainment and pleasure.
Warnings: a wee bit of homoerotic (slash) content
Cast: Erestor/Thranduil
Spoilers: None

< > < > < >

“Is there something I can help you with, Lord Erestor?” An amused rumble came from behind him. The councilor of Imladris turned, nearly dropping the book he had been holding in his surprise.

“Your majesty,” he said, flustered at having been caught off guard. “I did not hear you come in.”

Thranduil smiled and moved across the room, his black velvet robes trailing gracefully behind him. “You seem to be rather absorbed in whatever it is that you are reading. May I?” he asked, reaching for the large volume that Erestor held in his hands.

“Certainly.”  The dark haired elf handed the book to the king and took a step back, bumping into the large oak desk behind him. 

The king examined the book for a moment, his golden eyebrows rising in surprise as he read the title. “Such heavy reading for this late hour, Lord Erestor,” he said finally, raising his eyes to meet Erestor’s gaze. “Are you having trouble sleeping?”

Erestor pulled nervously at the end of his sleeve, folding the voluminous fabric between his fingers. “I never sleep well in a strange bed,” he admitted, flushing slightly at the unintended implication. 

Thranduil’s full lips curled into a smile. “Really?” he said softly, taking a step and eliminating the distance that Erestor had attempted to put between them. “I have heard the guest beds are quite comfortable, but perhaps they are not to your liking?”

Erestor swallowed, feeling the press of the desk behind him. “They are, my Lord,” he answered. “I have no complaint.”

The king’s smile widened slightly. “Perhaps,” he said, moving closer, the edge of his robes brushing against Erestor’s. “You should try a different bed, if yours does not suit you.”

“My Lord?” Erestor said, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. “Are you propositioning me?”

A low chuckle escaped Thranduil as he leaned forward, his lips inches from Erestor’s mouth. “And what,” he said huskily, “Would possibly make you think that?”

Erestor closed his eyes, feeling the heat of the King’s body through the thin fabric of his robes, the soft touch of his breath against his face. “I…” His words were effectively silenced when Thranduil’s lips lightly brushed his. The kiss was soft, teasing, and made his knees weak. He opened his mouth under its coaxing touch, and shivered at the first velvet brush of Thranduil’s tongue against his. 

Thranduil lifted his head, his eyes glittering in the flickering light of the candles that lit the library. A slow, predatory smile curved his lips. “That, my dear Lord Erestor, was a proposition,” he purred softly.

~Fin