Lorinand Memoirs: The Bough Breaks

Chapter - 04

Slowly as the days passed Thranduil became more resolved in the differences between himself and his father. Now confined to his chambers, leisure time was an abundant commodity, he had much time to think about things. He found a kinship of sorts with Galion, learning everything he could from him about the unrecorded history of the Silvan Elves and the Woodland Realm. Unaware his own thoughts had begun to mirror those of Galion, he had no plans or even the desire to ascend to the throne yet he believed he could influence his father through a better understanding of the elves they ruled.

The evening had settled, once again finding them sitting quietly in front of the hearth after they finished their meal, each one appeared lost in his own thoughts. Galion observed him on the fringes of his vision, noting the prince's injuries had healed well. There was no outward sign of what had happened between him and his father, yet he knew the truly painful scars ran deep within the young prince. There were things he sensed but would not press him, hoping that he would tell him when he felt more comfortable with his own feelings about whatever it was.

"Is there anything I can get for you before I retire for the evening?" Galion asked as he rose from the chair and walked toward him.

"Thranduil?" He asked, frowning as he grasped his shoulder when the prince continued to stare silently at the flames.

"Do you really need to go?" Thranduil asked quietly, reaching up to cover Galions' hand with his own as he turned slowly to look up at him.

"Not if you don't want me to." He told him quietly, smiling softly as he squeezed his shoulder.

A torrent of emotions washed over him as he pulled Galion's hand to his mouth, just holding it against his lips for long moments as he studied the expression on his face. Having watched him over the past few weeks, Thranduil had come to see him very differently. In all the ways that still mattered to him, he remained the one that he had loved so dearly all those years ago, yet he had become a perplexity to him. It was easy to silently watch and study him as he chattered away, requiring no comment or contribution to the one-sided conversation.

Thranduil rose from the chair, pulling him into a firm embrace as he reached his full height. A few inches taller than him, Thranduil leaned downward slightly, pressing his forehead against his as he closed his eyes for a moment to collect himself. Aldalómë had always been the aggressor in their encounters and Thranduil was unsure of himself even as he desired him.

Sensing his unease, Galion tilted his head upward, kissing him tenderly as he teased his lips with the tip of his tongue.

Groaning softly at the invitation, Thranduil crushed him against him as he snaked his tongue into the warmth of the willing mouth offered to him. Tangling his fingers in the long dark tresses, his kiss grew more searching, almost hungry as he savored the feel of him in his arms.

"I do not ask for what you cannot give freely." Thranduil breathed as he released his mouth, yet still held him tightly.

"I just needed to know this was what you wanted." Galion replied, brushing his lips with his own as he spoke. "I was only waiting for you to ask."

"I am asking." Thranduil whispered, recapturing his mouth in a deep searching kiss. Groaning softly as Galion pressed himself against him, revealing the hard length of his own desire. Slowly releasing him, Thranduil laughed slightly, more out of nervousness as he took his hand to lead him into the bed chamber.

Slowly undressing him as if he were a present, Thranduil kept leaning forward, kissing his lips and face. Slipping easily out of his house robes as he watched Galion climb into the bed, he wanted nothing more than to spend the entire evening with him but he knew that would not be possible. Although his father had not visited his chambers since that night, the risk they were taking now was enough to concern him.