NEW MEMORIES

GETTING TO KNOW YOU


A couple of weeks later, well underway on their journey to Lindon, Glorfindel and Lemberas stopped to make camp. They rested on the banks of the Anduin as it coursed through the lands of the people who were called the horse masters, almost primitive in its desolation. They had left the remainder of the men behind and continued ahead alone on their own horses, enjoying the scenery and the warm summer weather as they passed through the wide-open lands of this region. When the sun began to set they looked for a suitable place in which to build a fire and settle down for the night.

They found such a spot just outside a small wood. A ring of fir trees provided a natural screen from the prevailing winds that came up suddenly and harshly in this part of the country, and they made camp within its circle.

Lemberas surprised Glorfindel by breaking into an impromptu song as they sat in front of their campfire. Glorfindel leaned back, propped on an elbow, twisting stems of grass between his fingers, and listened to his friend’s sweet voice singing a simple but haunting melody. The song concerned a young maiden lost in the wilderness far from home. When he had finished, Lemberas looked at Glorfindel, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“That song just popped into my mind,” he said. “I must have heard it long ago.”

“Perhaps this is a sign that your memory is returning,” said Glorfindel, in an encouraging voice. “You should feel happy about that.”

Lemberas smiled. “If so, I wish it would open up a bigger crack so that I may reach in to find my real name.” He sighed.

“Don’t worry, Lemberas. For now you are my little Telerin minstrel. Be the one who you are at this moment. You sang a song, therefore you are a singer.”

Lemberas looked at Glorfindel with interest. “Are you saying that each of us should be defined by what we are doing at any moment in time? That we are where we are, how we feel, and named for our feats or work on any given day?”

“Why not?” asked Glorfindel. “It seems to me as good a method of naming or defining a person as any.”

“But Glorfindel,” said Lemberas. “That would mean each of us would possess a thousand names or more, for what each of us does might keep changing almost every day.”

Glorfindel laughed. “And is that not the way it should be? What is more important than what we do each day?”

“But no one would remember us,” said Lemberas in protest. “With so many names!”

“One might remember you more for who you are,” said Glorfindel, “than for a name that matters little.”

“I see what you are doing,” said Lemberas, squinting at Glorfindel in the fading firelight. “You are trying to make me feel better about not having a name and a memory.”

“I will do whatever I can,” said Glorfindel, “to make you feel good about yourself.” He gave a shrug and smiled at Lemberas, his teeth gleaming white in the enveloping darkness.

“Thank you,” said Lemberas, and crawled on hands and knees to Glorfindel’s side, to press a kiss upon his sturdy cheek. Glorfindel, warmed by the sudden contact and touched by the softness of Lemberas’ lips and the sweetness of his impulsive act, began to feel warmth spread in his belly and throughout his loins. He gazed down at Lemberas’ face, small and glowing golden in the firelight, and he bent his head so that he might return the kiss, brushing his lips very lightly upon Lemberas’ own. He tasted sweetness as of honey melting on his tongue, and felt lips as soft as rose petals beneath his mouth, and a sudden passion overwhelmed him. His kiss became more searching and insistent, and he used his mouth to envelop Lemberas’ own and suck upon his lips and tongue.

Lemberas, gasping, broke away from the kisses by pushing Glorfindel back with two hands held against his chest. He was clearly startled by Glorfindel’s sudden show of passion. “Glorfindel! I – I – “, he began to stammer.

Glorfindel’s breathing was hard and fast. “I am sorry, Lemberas,” he said. “I know not why I did that.”

Lemberas regarded him with a serious stare. “You do not know?” he asked. “You must have done so for a reason.”

Glorfindel wiped a shaking hand across his mouth. “I wanted to do it,” he said. “Very much,” he added.

Lemberas continued to stare. “I wanted it too,” he whispered at length. “Is it wrong, Glorfindel?”

“I don’t know,” Glorfindel replied. “Does it feel wrong?”

“No,” said Lemberas. He was still kneeling and sat back on his heels while running a hand through the long, silken strands of his hair.

“Sometimes at night, when we were sleeping together on my pallet,” said Glorfindel, “a thing would happen to my body.”

“Oh?” said Lemberas. His heart was beating faster than normal. “What would happen?”

“I would begin to feel a churning in my belly, and warmth would grow there, and more,” said Glorfindel in a halting voice.

“And more?” asked Lemberas, his hands in his lap, pressing down between his thighs.

“Yes. Part of me would get hard,” admitted Glorfindel. “And I would feel this need.”

“Yes?” enquired Lemberas with much interest.

“A need to touch that part of myself,” whispered Glorfindel.

“Ah,” said Lemberas, letting out a deep sigh.

“And to touch you, too, Lemberas,” said Glorfindel. His hand moved down to clutch at his trousers between his legs.

“Ai, Glorfindel,” Lemberas whispered. “But I would love to have you touch me. Especially there.”

Glorfindel moved toward Lemberas, his heart beginning to beat more quickly. Lemberas fell back upon his elbows, and dropped one knee and then the other, so that Glorfindel could plainly see through the thin fabric of his leggings that he, too, was aroused. Glorfindel bent over Lemberas as the smaller Elf lay upon the grass, put a hand to the side of his face, and stroked his hair.

“I have only faint memory of doing this before,” said Glorfindel.

“I have no memory,” replied Lemberas, looking up at Glorfindel with eyes wide and lips parted. “But it feels right somehow.” He half-closed his eyes in preparation for the onslaught of Glorfindel’s lips upon his again. And Glorfindel obliged him, raining many kisses upon him until his lips felt swollen and bruised.

Glorfindel’s hands roamed over the younger Elf’s entire body, and Lemberas felt the thrill of his intimate touches. When Glorfindel’s large hand cupped his arousal and his fingers explored its length and the softness of the sac beneath, he trembled with the anticipation of lying naked in Glorfindel’s arms, and silently willed Glorfindel to undress him. His own hands grappled with Glorfindel’s fastenings, trying to unclasp his jerkin and the shirt beneath and then moving frantically to the ties of his trousers below. Glorfindel broke the kiss, reluctant to stop, but aching for the closer contact that skin upon skin would afford.

“We must each take off our clothes,” he said while gasping for breath.

He unclasped his jerkin and threw it on the ground. Then he pulled his shirt off over his head and let it fall on top of the jerkin. Lemberas watched him in nervous anticipation of seeing the warrior’s body fully naked for the first time. Glorfindel undid his belt and tossed it aside. He began to untie the laces of his trousers and when they were undone, he pulled them down over his hips. His arousal stood forth proudly as he revealed himself to Lemberas.

The young Elf panted with lust when he gazed upon the warrior’s splendid body. He became aroused with almost unbearable passion as he stared at Glorfindel’s impressive erection. “Gods, Glorfindel,” he gasped. “But you are a glorious sight.” He kicked off his boots and rubbed an eager hand over his own solid bulge.

“I am glad you think so,” whispered Glorfindel. “Now let me see you.” And he crawled over the grass to straddle Lemberas’ knees as the young Elf sat up, and helped Lemberas to pull his tunic over his head. Once that had been discarded, he bent his attention to Lemberas’ leggings, undoing the laces and gently pulling them down over his arousal and peeling them off his legs. They, too, were cast aside and Glorfindel paused to stare at the young Elf before him. “Beautiful,” he said. “You are truly a beautiful sight.”

Both Elves began to kiss each other with renewed passion and vigor. Glorfindel could not remember having made love before, but his body seemed to know exactly what to do. Lemberas responded as if he, too, was familiar with making love. His body pressed against the warrior’s, his need smoldering in his belly like a fire. One hand slid down Glorfindel’s chest and then his belly until it found the warrior’s member that stood upward and rigid between them, nestled against the smoothness of their stomachs. Glorfindel gasped with pleasure as Lemberas’ fingers closed around his shaft and began to stroke, exploring its length, girth, and the feel of its skin that slid like silk over the hard column beneath. Glorfindel's body squirmed under Lemberas’ probing touches.

Lemberas broke the kiss and hissed, “Touch me, Glorfindel. Touch my hardness as I have touched yours.” He used his tongue to outline the curves of Glorfindel’s ear, nibbling on the point when he came to it, and poking his delicate tongue into the orifice, to moans emanating from the warrior’s lips. When Glorfindel complied and took Lemberas’ arousal in his strong fingers, the smaller Elf groaned at the touch of his companion’s hand. “If we keep doing this to each other,” whispered Lemberas, “we shall both reach release. Keep stroking – oh!” he cried as Glorfindel’s hand began to speed up its rhythm and Lemberas put all his attention into delivering the same kinds of touches to his partner.

Soon afterward, Glorfindel climaxed with a loud moan, spending his essence onto the grass beside him. Lemberas followed, spilling his seed onto his own stomach while emitting a low groan. After they had cleaned themselves and unrolled their bedding, they lay on it quiet and satisfied, each reflecting upon his shared memories of what they had just done. Lemberas snuggled against Glorfindel’s back as was his wont, sighing happily. Soon, both Elves fell asleep.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Many days and weeks passed. During their journey, Glorfindel began to instruct Lemberas in knife-play and archery, in order to help pass the time when they rested their horses. Lemberas was already a skilled swordsman and archer, but the long knives were new to him. Glorfindel was well-skilled in all manner of combat. When he first showed Lemberas his battle stance using the knives and his moves, the younger Elf became fascinated with the idea of learning all he could from his mentor. He thought that there was something elegant in the movements of the arms as well as the body while wielding the long-handled knives.

“Lemberas,” Glorfindel called to him from atop his horse when they had arrived at a brook and the animals looked to be thirsty. They were in a place where the Anduin passed between an enormous forest to the east and a long range of mountains to the west. The valley in which they found themselves was peaceful and beautiful in its tranquility. Thick grass grew along the riverbanks and unfurled in carpets of emerald until it reached the foothills of the mountains. On the other side it rolled away in lime-green pastures until it came to the edge of the great forest. There it disappeared into the blackness of the thick-grown trees, their ominous heads raised high into the sky and blocking the sun from ever reaching the forest floor.

A shadow passed over Lemberas’ face. ‘I have been in this place before, or if not this one, then a place just like it,’ he thought. “What is it, Glorfindel?” he said aloud. Glorfindel stopped his horse and turned around to look at their surroundings.

“Do you want to stop here a while?” he asked.

Lemberas looked pleased. “Yes, I would like that,” he said as he dismounted. He gave his horse’s rump a pat, and the animal trotted off happily to drink from the creek. Glorfindel jumped down from his mount, who gladly joined its companion.

“I have a sense of knowing this place,” said Lemberas. “I am sure that I have been in this region before. Both the forest and the mountains look and feel familiar to me.”

“Are you sure?” asked Glorfindel. “That vast forest is called Greenwood. It is as big as a whole country, and in fact, it is a kingdom of Elves. Its king, Thranduil, reigns from his halls in the north-east corner of the forest realm. He dwells in caves, by a riverside. The Elves there make wine and trade with the men of that region.” Lemberas regarded Glorfindel with acute interest as he spoke, but did not say anything more.

After Glorfindel had finished talking about Greenwood, Lemberas asked, “Do you think we could practice some more with the knives today? I feel I could improve on my swiftness if I work hard on the movements every day.”

“Of course, Lemberas,” said Glorfindel, amused by his young companion’s enthusiasm.

Glorfindel busied himself with setting up camp and building a fire while Lemberas practiced with the knives, and then Glorfindel sat down to watch him. “Your footwork has improved,” he noted as the younger Elf twisted and turned, twirling the blades and slashing the air with the knives.

“Thank you,” said Lemberas, his expression bright with pleasure, a wide smile gracing his face.

After Lemberas had practiced for a few hours, Glorfindel yawned and asked, “Are you not tiring from all this practice?”

Lemberas shook his head and continued to twirl the knives, their blades flashing red as fire in the setting sun. “I would like to bathe in that stream before it gets dark,” said Glorfindel. “And I thought you might like to join me.”

Lemberas stopped in mid-spin and dropped his arms to his sides. “Now that you mention it, I am feeling a little weary,” he said with a grin. He walked over to where Glorfindel had placed their weapons and slid the knives back into their holsters. He removed his tunic and pulled off his boots. “I have worked up quite a thirst,” he remarked. Glorfindel sauntered up to him and handed him a water skin. He smiled at Lemberas, with a look of need on his face, his blue eyes sparkling and his brows risen as if in a question. Placing a hand on Lemberas’ shoulder, he began massaging the muscle with deft fingers.

“You look comely with your skin sweaty,” said the warrior, appraising the slender Elf’s glistening torso.

Lemberas smiled and drank deeply of the water. Then he poured what was left in the skin over his head, drenching his hair and letting the water run in rivulets down his body. Glorfindel leaned forward and kissed Lemberas on the mouth. He let his hand slide down Lemberas’ arm, wiping away the drops of water that beaded upon his perspiring flesh. Then Glorfindel broke the kiss and began to untie the laces of Lemberas’ leggings. He knelt when he had loosened them and pulled them down to the young Elf’s ankles.

Running his hands over the smooth muscles of Lemberas’ abdomen, Glorfindel caused his companion’s member to swell and begin to rise. Glorfindel caught it in one hand and gazed at it with fondness. He felt suddenly that he would like it to be in his mouth, that he might taste it. They had never before tasted one another, both being ignorant of the ways of love-making. He slicked his fingers down the shaft of Lemberas’ penis, causing the young member to spring forward eagerly. When it was standing straight on its own, Glorfindel put his lips to the tip and kissed it. Lemberas shuddered and gasped, his hands clutching fistfuls of Glorfindel’s hair. His body lurched forward of its own accord, in the shock of this new sensation. Glorfindel began to suck, slowly at first, and only the shining knob, and then more fully, until the entire member was pulled into his mouth and partway down his throat. Lemberas groaned at the feel of the soft, wet warmth around his aching member. “Glorfindel,” he sighed, and his body swayed toward that welcome heat. Glorfindel grasped him by the buttocks and pulled the sweet hips even closer that he might devour more of the delicious length.

Glorfindel stopped sucking when Lemberas’ moans became too insistent. He did not want the younger Elf to come too soon. He wanted to ravish him in the water. “Ai, Gods, Lemberas, but you are sweet,” he said, wiping his fingers across his lips, to taste the viscous liquid after he had released the young Elf’s tender shaft.

“Ai, Glorfindel, but you fill me with excitement,” cried Lemberas, grasping and squeezing his erect member, trying to hold back the flood of ecstasy that Glorfindel had caused to well in him. He gasped and swiped back long tendrils of hair that had become caught in his mouth and others that were plastered to his neck. “Let me do the same to you, that you might feel the pleasure of lips upon your most vulnerable of places.”

Glorfindel stood and rubbed himself between his legs. Lemberas could see the warrior’s sizeable erection poking his trousers forward. Glorfindel hastily undressed, ripping his clothes off and flinging them everywhere. When he was naked, he tried to press down his arousal as he walked awkwardly toward the stream, grabbing hold of Lemberas’ hand and pulling him along behind.

The two Elves could not quite get to their destination without stopping, however, as they longed for contact between their bodies. Glorfindel stopped suddenly and tumbled to the ground. His young companion collapsed on top of him. The golden warrior lay on the ground, holding Lemberas atop himself, pressing the young Elf’s crotch to his own, their hard lengths rubbing against each other, their lips locked in a ferocious kiss. They kissed and fondled each other. At one point the Balrog-slayer grasped their two erections in one large hand and rubbed them together, creating a delicious friction. Lemberas screamed, “Glorfindel! Glorfindel! Ai!” in an expression of agonized lust.

“Come,” gasped the golden Elf after they had caressed each other in lascivious haste. “Let us get into the water. I want you to taste me there, where it is wet and fluid.” He slid his hands under Lemberas’ body and lifted him into his strong arms, carrying him into the stream.

It was summer and the water was warm and comfortable. Glorfindel put Lemberas down and the two Elves resumed kissing, but they were gentler this time, their tongues pressing together in affectionate touches. Whispering endearments to each other: “my beautiful warrior,” “my tender little soldier,” and similar things, they embraced as the water encased their legs. Glorfindel grasped Lemberas by the hand and pulled him to where it was shallower. Lemberas got down on his knees in the rippling brown and silver water of the stream. Placing his hands on Glorfindel’s thighs, and laying his head against the warrior’s hip, the young Elf gently turned his face so that he could see Glorfindel’s rigid length jutting out from his body. Lemberas moved closer so that his lips just brushed the side of the slick shaft. When he felt the soft touches of Lemberas’ lips, Glorfindel sighed. His knees began to buckle as Lemberas grasped the length in his tender hand and guided the tip into his eager, waiting mouth. Glorfindel thought he would not last more than seconds from the mesmerizing feel of Lemberas’ sensual strokes upon his arousal.

“Ah, Gods,” he moaned in lustful anguish as Lemberas applied the most exquisite, soft caresses he had ever felt. “Please—I am not—going to last-- ” he cried, and could not hold back any longer. Glorfindel exploded his seed into Lemberas’ mouth, feeling immediate guilt because he thought the young Elf might find it alarming, or distasteful.

Lemberas did, in fact, cough and splutter a little as he swallowed the unfamiliar substance, more from surprise than distaste. But he lifted his head to smile at Glorfindel. “I think I could learn to do this better,” he said. “Possibly with more practice, like with my knife-work. Practice once a day should not be too difficult to manage.” He gave Glorfindel an impish smile.

Glorfindel burst into laughter and pulled the young Elf to his feet. “You are a delight, Lemberas,” he cried, and hugged the smaller Elf to his chest.

Lemberas pulled away from the warrior so that he could stare into Glorfindel’s eyes. “I love you, Glorfindel,” he said.

Glorfindel blushed pink. “Ah, Lemberas,” he said, stroking the earnest Elf’s fine jaw line. “You are so young and innocent, and you mean the world to me.” He suddenly looked embarrassed and extricated himself from the young Elf’s grasp. Wading into the deeper water, he said, “Come, let us wash ourselves and then go to find and prepare something for our meal. I am hungry, are you not?”