Four Is a Crowd

Summary: none given.

Author's Note: This is completely AU, of course. Celebrian has sailed years ago which means there is no Arwen in this fic. The twins are the equivalent of 10-year-old humans and quite spoiled.

****Imladris***�

�Did you see that?��

�Yes, I did.��

�Why would Ada hold �Fin�s hand?� Elrohir asked.�

�I don�t know�ahhh-!��

Elrohir clapped his hand over his brother�s mouth so they would not be discovered. �

The twins had been suspicious of their father�s developing relationship with his seneschal and had taken to spying on him. They knew the blonde warrior was a good friend of their ada�s but lately they were spending too much time with each other�at least in the youngling�s mind they were. There were always meetings they went to together, lunches, and drinks after dinner; what did it all mean?�

Suddenly, the answer was revealed right before their eyes. Glorfindel gently kissed Elrond, his lips lingered only for a moment, but the twins noticed how their father leaned into the contact.�

�I will see you later?� asked Elrond.�

�Absolutely, meleth.��

The twins stared in shock while the adults went their separate ways.�

�Ada kissed him like he used to kiss Nana,� gasped Elladan.�

�Why? Does Ada not love us enough anymore?��

�Maybe he thinks we�re getting big enough that we don�t need him like we used to.��

�But we do, too, still need him! We can�t let �Fin steal him away!� Elrohir practically panicked at the thought.�

�We won�t let him. We need Ada�not him!��

~*~

�Ada, will you read to us tonight?� Elrohir asked sweetly.�

�Yes! Please read!��

Elrond paused as he tucked in his sons. They had been unusually quiet after dinner and during their bath. Now, all of a sudden, they wanted a story?�

�You have not asked me that in years,� he said as he pulled the blanket over the younglings. �I thought you had out grown that.��

�Never! We love hearing you read to us!� exclaimed Elrohir, trying to hide his desperation.�

�We will never be too old, Ada,� Elladan replied, sounding a little more calmer than his brother.�

Two sets of blue-grey eyes gazed pleadingly at Elrond and for a brief moment he doubted their sincerity. They were up to something, that he was sure of, but what exactly he could not fathom.�

�Please, Ada!!� they begged at the same time.�

With a sigh of defeat, Elrond sat down. �Okay, ionnath, which story shall you like to hear tonight?��

~*~�

�I apologize for being late!� Elrond said the moment he saw Glorfindel. �I do not know what my sons are planning�but tonight they wanted a story! Of course, they picked the longest one they could think of!��

Glorfindel smiled as the frazzled half-elf poured a glass of wine and downed it in one gulp. He walked up behind Elrond and slowly eased the robe from his body. He tossed the garment to a chair and began kneading the tense shoulders before him. Glorfindel�s smile grew larger when Elrond gasped then began to purr in contentment.�

�Oh, meleth, the sounds you make,� the golden warrior said as he moved his massaging hands to the knotted muscles at the base of Elrond�s neck.�

�I blame it on you,� Elrond managed to answer, his eyes closed as he gave himself over to his lover�s ministrations. �I never made such sounds until I fell under your spell. Perhaps you can cast one on my sons to make them more amenable.��

�If they are anything like their ada was it will take more than spells to settle them down.��

�How would know what I was like as a child?� Elrond raised a brow at Glorfindel�s answering snicker.�

�I have my sources,� the seneschal said as he moved aside the dark hair and placed a kiss to the nape of Elrond�s neck.�

�Erestor�I should have known,� mumbled Elrond. �

He closed his eyes once more and sighed heavily as Glorfindel�s lips trailed down his spine, making him shiver and burn at the same time. The wicked torture stopped long enough to rid him of his shoes and leggings before continuing. Elrond gasped as he felt those lips tracing the cleft of his buttocks. He grabbed the table to balance himself as his legs grew weak. He felt Glorfindel�s large, calloused hands gently spread him as that wicked, wicked tongue teased the entrance to his body.�

�Please, meleth,� Elrond�s voice shook with passion as Glorfindel worked his body, readying it for the claiming to come. When he was alone with his lover, the half-elf could set aside his own mantle of responsibility and entrust himself to Glorfindel. Here�he could truly be himself!�

A choked cry escaped his parted lips as Glorfindel�s hand reached up to grasp his own leaking erection as his lover�s tongue invaded his body. Elrond did not know whether to pump into the tight fist enclosing his length or push back against the hot, moist muscle inside him.�

Subconsciously, his body made the decision for him. His hips made little rocking motions, just enough to stimulate him further but not enough to bring release�which was what Glorfindel planned. He wanted to prolong Elrond�s pleasure, which in turn prolonged his own. Never did he rush their lovemaking, Elrond deserved to be tended to as a king, and he would see to it.�

Slowly, Glorfindel stood and turned Elrond to face him. An oil slick hand, stroked both of their pulsing erections as Elrond pulled Glorfindel closer for a kiss. Glorfindel fought back his own shiver of lust when Elrond�s tongue slipped into his mouth, stroking his own tongue as they dueled. �

Glorfindel continued fisting their lengths as he backed Elrond toward the bed. The half-elf lay down, opening his arms and legs to his lover. �

�Hurry, �Fin. I will not last much longer,� Elrond pleaded in a husky whisper.�

Glorfindel watched the delicious sight before him for a few moments, amazed that the lord of this valley was his meleth. He knew Elrond would not last long, he wouldn�t either! Those dark eyes were now almost black with unbridled lust and his heavy erection had already leaked a clear puddle onto the leanly muscled stomach.�

Beginning at the foot of the bed, Glorfindel slithered his way up Elrond�s body. His tongue trailed from the arch of the peredhil�s foot, across the heavy sacs at his groin, along the silken shaft and through the sticky puddle below. Small nips and bites led to the throat, the pulse throbbing in time with both of their erections, before Glorfindel claimed Elrond�s mouth.�

Elrond arched up into Glorfindel, as he tasted himself then groaned with delight as the tip of his lover�s cock nudged at his opening. Elrond wrapped his legs around the warrior�s waist and thrust his hips up as Glorfindel sheathed himself completely.�

Glorfindel felt Elrond�s teeth at his neck and withdrew slightly before whipping his hips forward. He shuddered as he tried to hold back his release, the body beneath him gripping his cock tightly, the hips moving in counterpoint. They knew how to play each other�s bodies so well and he knew Elrond was not in the mood for gently lovemaking right now. As if confirming that, the legs around his waist pulled him forward roughly, demandingly.�

With a cheeky grin, Glorfindel unhooked the legs from his waist and resettled them over his shoulders. Elrond groaned as his lover sank even deeper into him, his passage clasping tightly to the length buried inside his body. He looked into Glorfindel�s eyes and nodded once as he grasped the headboard to brace himself�then the pounding commenced.�

~*~�

The twins were not happy to see Glorfindel chatting and laughing with their ada at breakfast. They glared over their plates and silently gave each other disapproving glances.�

�Ada, don�t forget you promised to go swimming with us!� Elladan piped up as Elrond leaned over to whisper something to Glorfindel.�

Elrohir clenched his jaw when it appeared Elrond had forgotten. But he smiled at Glorfindel then turned to his sons.�

�Of course, I have not forgotten! Just make sure you behave in your classes this morning and I will pick you two up after our meeting.��

The younglings giggled and grinned in anticipation of a wonderful afternoon with their father.�

~*~�

�What�s HE doing here?� Elladan practically stomped his foot.�

�I invited him, of course, silly,� Elrond ruffled his son�s hair and nudged the two to continue.�

Glorfindel was already there, laying out a large blanket and setting aside a large basket, which undoubtedly held them all a snack.�

�Good afternoon, Elladan, Elrohir!� Glorfindel smiled but it quickly faded when he saw the brief look of hostility in the twins� eyes.�

�Ada! Let�s go swimming now!��

�Yes!! Let�s swim now!!��

With a helpless shrug, Elrond began peeling off his clothes as his sons did the same. Glorfindel laughed at their exuberance and almost thought he had imagined the hostility. But as Elrond raced his sons to the water�s edge, the twins paused for a moment to glare once more at Glorfindel before joining their father.�

~*~�

Several days had passed and Glorfindel could no longer ignore the problem.�

�They are jealous,� he said sadly.�

�Who?��

�Your sons, Elrond! They do not want me anywhere near you.��

�What makes you say that?� the half-elf asked, not looking up from the scroll he was studying.�

�The frog in my sandwich at the picnic the other day, my bathtub filled with mud, and oh, yes�the spoiled milk in my boots was a lovely touch.��

�They are just at that age where they exist only to pull pranks. I am sure they will move on to someone else to torment soon enough.��

Glorfindel sighed in exasperation. Leave it to Elrond to not see the trees because of the forest!�

�Then what about them coming up with some excuse to interrupt us or inventing some emergency to drag you away from me?��

At this Elrond stopped reading and frowned. Now that he thought about it, the twins were acting more needy with his attention than usual. Then there were the interruptions Glorfindel spoke of�including Elrohir screaming bloody murder that Elladan had cut off his hand the previous night.�

Elrond had left a warm, snuggling balrog slayer in a panic. He raced across the hall, imaging all kinds of horrors, to find his oldest with a blood soaked cloth wrapped around his hand. As other servants rushed to summon Elrond�s assistant healer, the lord himself, unwrapped the cloth as he tried to calm his son. He stared in disbelief when he saw the wound was only minor, most likely caused by his widdling knife. He began to smile, but Elladan only cried and screamed harder. �

Thankfully, the assistant arrived and Elrond let him examine the cut while he held his son, hoping to calm him. The injury did not even need stitches as it was already stopping its bleeding but Elladan would not hear of his father leaving. So, Elrond stayed the night until both his sons were asleep.�

�I did not mean to cause you grief with this, meleth. However, we cannot let this go on if there is indeed a problem, it will only get worse,� Glorfindel said gently.�

�Yes, you are right. However, what I do not understand is why are they acting this way now? They have always loved their lessons with you and they shadow you wherever you go,� Elrond replied as he began to pace. �You are their hero.��

Glorfindel swallowed hard, praying he could say this diplomatically. �Maybe they see me as a rival for your affections.��

�What?!� Elrond spun to face his friend and lover.�

�After Celebrian sailed, it was only you and your sons for a time. Yes, I still tutored them and they shadowed me, as you say�now, though you and I, our relationship has changed.��

Elrond looked into those sapphire eyes and knew Glorfindel was correct. The twins were jealous!�

�What do we do?��

�We start including them often. Let them see me as still their friend�that has not changed! For I cannot let you go, meleth and I will do anything to keep us together!��

�Good! I will not let you go either, my golden one!� Elrond grinned before soundly kissing Glorfindel.�

~*~�

The twins were playing in the garden, enjoying the fact that Glorfindel was on patrol and they had their father all to themselves. They were puzzled as to his behavior lately; he took them horseback riding twice already this week and gave them a couple lessons with the sword. It was like the old times and they had great fun and they almost could forget he was trying to steal their ada from them�almost.�

�There you two are!��

Looking up at the familiar voice, they see Erestor approach.�

�What�s wrong? Do we have a lesson this afternoon?� Elrohir asked.�

�Nothing is wrong. I am only here to deliver a gift to you two,� the advisor smiled.�

�A gift?!� they both squealed in delight.�

Opening the basket he held, Erestor gently removed a grey and white kitten. It mewed loudly at its interrupted nap, blinking big blue eyes at the twins.�

�For us?!� gasped Elrohir.�

�Yes. He is for the two of you to love and care for,� answered Erestor, pleased to see the joy on their young faces.�

Gently, Elrohir took the kitten and held it lovingly to his chest. Elladan carefully petted the soft fur and they both smiled as the tiny creature began to purr with pleasure.�

�Glorfindel will be happy to hear you enjoyed his gift,� Erestor smiled widely.�

�Glorfindel?� Elladan gaped.�

�Yes, he saw the kittens in the stables and thought you would enjoy having your very own pet.��

Suddenly, Elrohir let go of the kitten and he and Elladan stepped back. The tiny bundle of fur landed in the grass with an outraged squeak and ran up Erestor�s robe.�

�What is wrong with you two?!� Erestor hissed angrily. He made sure the kitten was not injured and put him back in the basket. After setting it in a quiet place he turned on the twins. �I asked what is wrong with you two?!��

The twins froze! They had seen Erestor angry before�but NEVER like this!�

�Answer me now before I take you to the top of this tree and drop you like you did that poor innocent baby!��

Elladan swallowed hard. He knew Erestor did not bluff.�

�W-we do not�want anything from h-him,� he managed to answer.�

�By him, are you referring to Glorfindel?� Erestor�s eyes flashed with barely restrained anger.�

�Y-yes!��

�Why?! Glorfindel has ALWAYS been your friend! He was there when you two were born! He changed your soiled cloths when you were elflings! He rocked you while you were sick! He tended to skinned knees and elbows after your mother sailed and your father was still grieving!! Tell me why NOW are you shunning him?!��

Elrohir looked like he might be sick as he faced Erestor�s wrath. He reached over and grabbed his brother�s hand for comfort only to find Elladan trembling, too.�

�H-he wants to steal Ada away fr-from us,� Elrohir whispered.�

For a moment, all was silent as Erestor glared at them. �

�You spoiled, selfish younglings�sit!!��

The twins plopped onto the ground without hesitation and watched Erestor pace before them.�

�You accuse the most giving elf on Arda of stealing your ada! Glorfindel is the one who saved your father from his grief! He loves you two and Elrond very much! This hostility you have been treating him with is breaking his heart!��

The twins opened their mouths to deny the accusations but Erestor held up a hand, silencing any arguments.�

�I have seen the way you ignore him when you can. I see the looks you give him when your father is not paying attention!!� Erestor stopped, his eyes softening for a moment with pain. �And I have seen the unhappiness and confusion in Glorfindel�s eyes after encounters with you two. He wonders what has happened to make the two elflings he loves as if his own�to hate him so much.��

Elrohir dropped his head and looked guiltily at the ground. Elladan continued to watch Erestor, his heart feeling like it was going to break. �

�B-but, Erestor�what about us and Ada?��

Erestor knew he was getting through to them but he could not stop now.�

�Selfish!!! What about you?! When you and your brother become adults, not doubt you will go traipsing all about Arda on some adventure or another! Your father will remain here to rule and protect his realm�alone, if this keeps up! Do you NOT understand there is love enough in our hearts for more than one or two?! Love enriches our lives, makes it worth living! But who will your father�OR Glorfindel share their lives with if you selfish brats get your way?��

Erestor stared harshly at them for several more minutes before turning to retrieve the basket.�

�Until you become worthy of your gift�he stays with me.��

With that, Erestor left them alone and with their thoughts.�

~*~�

The twins secretly followed their father through his day. There was nothing different to detect�until Elrond had some quiet time. Either during a break or before bed, they noted the faraway look he had in his eyes and the wistful smile on his lips. Somehow, they knew he was thinking of Glorfindel. They wanted to deny it, but when the patrol was late arriving, they saw how worried their father became. He paced his study and kept looking toward the courtyard. He kept this up for hours until word reached him the patrol had been sighted.�

Elrohir had to bite back his own tears when he saw a single tear of relief trickle down his father�s face.�

�We have been so horrible, �Dan,� he whispered.�

�I-I know,� replied Elladan remorsefully.�

~*~�

�Come, we will tuck them in together!� Elrond grinned as he tugged Glorfindel closer to the twins� room.�

�Are you sure? I do not think our plan is working,� the blonde answered sadly.�

Before Elrond could reply, they heard laughing coming from the room. Curious, Elrond slowly opened the door and they watched as the twins played with a grey and white kitten. They squealed with laughter as the little furball pounced on their braids they used as lures.�

Glorfindel smiled widely, seeing how much they were enjoying the gift he asked Erestor to deliver. Maybe there was hope after all!�

Elrond, seeing the sparkle in his lover�s eyes, kissed him briefly. �See, it all will be fine.��

�Ada! �Fin!!� the twins greeted when they spotted their visitors.�

�Well, we will not keep you three from your play but do not stay up too long!� smiled Elrond.�

�Wait!� Elrohir called. �We wanted to, uh�we���

The younger twin looked to his brother for help. How did one apologize for being such a selfish brat?�

Elladan squeezed his brother�s hand then looked up at the adults.�

�We wanted to know if you would read us a story,� he queried.�

Glorfindel felt his hope slip away until Elladan reached out and grabbed his hand hesitantly.�

�You, �Fin�we would love a story from you.��

Elrohir nodded vigorously in agreement. He cuddled the kitten to his chest as he scooted over to make room.�

Elrond felt his heart swell with pride at his sons. But he saw humility in their eyes, too, and knew he would have to thank Erestor for his little talk with them.

Glorfindel was at a loss! He blinked back tears and slowly sat on the edge of the bed as Elrond took the other side.�

�Wh-what kind of story?� he stuttered.�

�Just start with one,� Elrohir giggled as the kitten pounced onto Elrond�s head. �We want to hear them all anyway!��

With a deep breath, Glorfindel began the story of how a returned warrior was taken captive by twin elflings�and lived happily ever after.�
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