Sword of Aendil

by Jason Finigan

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. This story may contain scenes which involve sexual situations between young males. If this type of material is offensive to you, or it is not legal for you to be reading this type of material, please do not read any further. This story is copyright © 2007 by Jason Finigan, all rights reserved. Please do not copy this story for distribution or post on any online server without the author's permission. Please send all your comments to: jasonfinigan@yahoo.com.

From the last chapter:

"Lady Alatįriėl," Rodin said, addressing the elf who stood. "Such is your decision of course, but I would ask you to reconsider. You are the sole heir to your father's throne. I will not be the one who must face your father and tell him of his daughter's death."

"It is my choice, my Lord," she replied. "And I have made it."

"As you wish," Rodin said, bowing his head before her respectfully. "Taey Elanessė, you are charged with a most perilous mission. Are you prepared to take on this responsibility?"

"I am," I said resolutely, looking straight at Rodin.

"Very well, may the Gods favor you and those who follow you young Taey. This council stands ajourned," Rodin said, slamming the rock twice upon the table before him. Then he rose, along with the rest of the council, and one by one, they left, leaving Dinendal, Weiss, and Eadir standing alone in the council chambers.

"Well, I guess that is that," Weiss sighed. "There's no going back now."

"No. There's not," I said.

Chapter 5

Weiss and I were shown a room in the upper floors of Rodin's palace, which was up upon a small hill overlooking the rest of the city, and was only a few short blocks from the building that had housed the council chambers. Eadir was given a room beside ours, however at the moment, he was standing outside our door, making sure that no one outside disturbed us without our permission.

"Thank the Gods that is over and done with!" Weiss exclaimed throwing himself onto one of the beds in the room. There were in fact two beds, separated by a small table in the center on top of which was a lit candle.

"I know what you mean Weiss," I said, sitting on the edge of the second bed, facing him. "I never thought it was going to end."

"And what's with this having a bodyguard now? What was it that Dinendal whispered in your ear?" Weiss asked, sitting up and looking over at me.

"He told me I should just go with it, and gave me a few pointers on the proper way to address Eadir," I sighed.

"I guess that means we're never going to be alone then," Weiss said.

"We are alone now Weiss," I told him.

"I guess."

"Look, what's been bothering you? Ever since we've left Fallhaven you've been moody. Come on Weiss. We have been friends for too long to allow silence to exist between us," I told him.

"You're right, Taey. I've been acting like a jerk this entire journey. It's just that I didn't feel comfortable talking to you with that Druid in our company."

"Trust me, I understand how you feel. He is an imposing character."

"It's not just that. The things I've wanted to tell you, I didn't want to discuss in front of him."

"I have a feeling of what you are going to say, and I wonder if it is the same as I have wanted to talk to you about, but we are alone now, and I want to hear what it is that you have kept bottled up inside for all this time."

"Taey, it's not easy for me. I've always been the outspoken one, never afraid to speak my mind or strike up casual conversation."

"You've got that right," I said, grinning at him. He was right too. If there is silence in a room, and Weiss was in it, you could always count on him to liven things up a bit. Oft times with saying but a few simple words. It does not take long before a quiet relaxing night can soon become a celebration of some event, no matter how trivial it may be. It was as if he could always find the best of any situation and help others see things as he does. It was a gift I was in awe of.

"Well, when it comes to you, lately I've found myself conflicted."

"Conflicted, how so?" I asked him.

"We've been friends for a couple years now, ever since we met on the road to Icelea that one day."

"A day I will always remember, and be thankful for," I pointed out.

"Myself as well," he replied. "The problem is, things began to change, and I did not notice it until it was too late."

"Change? How?" I asked.

"It's difficult to say, for I fear the words needed to adequately describe it don't exist."

"Okay, now you are confusing me, Weiss."

"If you are confused now, you know some of what I was feeling then. Part of the problem is that if I told you what I now know to be true, I feared the outcome and how it would affect us."

"Whatever it is, I will stand by you always, Weiss. You know that."

"Do I?" he questioned me. "Can you honestly sit there and tell me that no matter what I say or do that it will not affect how we see each other?"

"No I cannot, Weiss," I said honestly.

"Exactly, and that is the reason I have not talked to you about this until now," Weiss said.

"I still don't exactly know what it is that we are talking about," I said, growing even more frustrated at the confusion I was feeling.

"I can't exactly tell you, but I can show you," Weiss said, both fear and hope sounding in his voice. "And then maybe you will understand."

"Please," I said, and waited.

For several seconds Weiss seemed to fight himself, and did nothing. He simply sat there staring at me. I tried not to look, but could not help looking into those eyes of his. What I could see is what I've seen ever since I met him. His compassion, his spirit, but now there was something more, something stronger.

Finally, he slowly got up from the bed and sat down beside me. I looked over at him as he continued to stare at me, until he began to lean towards me, and then without warning, I felt his lips on mine.

I was in shock at first. Never before had anyone ever kissed me the way Weiss was at that moment. I didn't know what do do. I felt his lips leave mine, as he leaned back, still looking at me, though now I could see fear in his eyes. They were beginning to moisten, tears already forming.

"You hate me now, don't you, Taey?" he asked, a tear already falling down his cheek. Those simple words broke all the dams within me. Feelings for him that I knew I had, but never allowed to the surface were suddenly free. I leaned over towards him and saw him flinch. Grabbing a hold of him, I pulled him towards me, and pressed my lips against his. It was now his turn to be shocked, but it only lasted a second as I then began to feel him returning the kiss, his arms wrapping around me, holding me even closer to him. We were both crying now. Crying from the relief of finally allowing what we felt for each other to come to the surface. At long last we were free.

Finally we separated, though reluctantly. It was only our mutual need for air that forced us apart, but we still held on to each other, as if letting go would mean we would never see each other again.

"I should have done this a long time ago," Weiss said over my shoulder.

I pulled us apart, and looked into his eyes. "We both should have, Weiss. I should have told you what I felt for you, but I was afraid. You were the only real friend I had, and I did not want to lose you."

"Nor I you," Weiss said. "So what happens now?"

"Now, Weiss. I tell you something I should have said a long time ago. I love you."

"I love you too, Taey," he said, and we pulled each other close again, holding one another in a tight embrace.

"What will the others think?" I asked him.

"Does it matter?" he asked.

"No. But we are about to go on a journey, and now that we have admitted our feelings for each other, it is not going to be easy to hide them."

"No, it's not. Nor could I bear the thought of doing so again."

"So what do we do?" I asked him.

"I do have a thought."

"I thought you might," I said, grinning wryly at him.

"Smart ass," he said in jest. "You do have a body guard now don't you?"

"Yeah, but what about it? Don't you think his judgment of us would cloud his ability to protect me?"

"There's only one way to find out," Weiss said.

"I guess. But there is one thing I still want to know Weiss before I call him in here."

"And what's that?" he asked.

"Will you be my boyfriend?"

"Yes, Taey. I would love to be your boyfriend. And to hell with what anyone else thinks."

"I agree."

"Call him in. We might as well get this over with," Weiss said.

I nodded my head reluctantly, and then looked over towards the door. "Eadir, would you please come in here," I called out. Seconds later the door opened, and Eadir walked into the room. He could see us sitting on the bed, now facing the door, and regarded us cautiously.

"Is everything okay in here my lord?" he asked.

"That is yet to be seen, Eadir," I told him. "As Captain of the guard, it is your sworn duty to protect me at all times, is that correct?"

"It is, my Lord."

"And what of the people who are close to me, such as the one I chose as my mate?"

"Protecting the one you love also means protecting you, my Lord. They become a part of your family and I am sworn to protect all of your family."

"Then I let it be known now to you that Weiss is the one I love, and who is now my boyfriend. Does this constitute a problem for you?"

"It does not, my Lord," Eadir said carefully. "If I might suggest something, however."

"You may," I told him.

"While it is uncommon for one of the royal family to have a mate of the same sex, it is not unheard of. The elves themselves have been known to take a mate of the same sex on occasion as well. It is however not common among the dwarves, and is actively discouraged, if not illegal. I would not draw too much attention to yourselves when in the city."

"I understand, Eadir. I will take your advise and I thank you for it. How long have you served my family?" I aked him.

"I have served your family for ten years, my Lord."

"Have any of those you served recently taken a mate of the same sex?"

"Yes, my Lord. Young Baldin, who was the King's nephew, was seeing a young man in the city of Aendil.

"Were you directly responsible for their safety as well?" I asked.

"I was. Until I was ordered recently to Pelianor, by the King."

"Very well," I said. "I want you to know Eadir, that you have served my family well. You have served us a long time.

"It is an honor to serve, my Lord."

"I have one more question for you then," I told him.

"You have but to ask," he replied.

"Now that you know that I have taken Weiss to be my boyfriend, what is his position as far as the Royal Guard is concerned?"

"He is to be known as Master Weiss, until such time as you and he become wed."

"Such a thing is legal?" I asked him.

"Legal yes, but not common. In your family's history I can recall only one such marriage occurring between two people of the same sex."

"How did that work out," I asked him.

"From what I understand, very well. They lived and died a happy couple."

"Thank you, Eadir."

"Is that all, my Lord?"

"For now. Why don't you turn in for the night. It is late, and I suspect we have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."

"Very well, my Lord," Eadir said, then turned to face Weiss. "And may I say also Master Weiss, you join a proud family. A good family. I wish you and Taey all the happiness."

"Thank you, Eadir. I'm glad you are here for Taey," Weiss said.

"And you as well Master Weiss."

"One last thing before you go," I said.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"I understand the need in public for proper protocol to be observed, but in private company I would prefer it if you could call us by our names," I said, smiling at him.

"I understand, my Lo...Taey," Eadir said, correcting himself. "To be honest with you, young Baldin also preferred to be called by his name in private," he said, flashing us the first genuine smile I had seen on him.

"I'm sure he did. This is all new to both Weiss and me. It's going to take some time for us to get used to it," I told him.

"I understand. Is that all then?" he asked.

"It is. Good night, Eadir."

"Good night, Taey. Good night Weiss. I will wake you when it is time.

"Thank you," I replied, and watched him as he left, closing the door after him.

"That went well," Weiss said.

"Yes, much better than I had expected. I had no idea that other members of the Royal family were gay like us."

"It's not a surprise though, Taey," Weiss said. "It's something we're born with, and probably passed down from generation to generation.

"Like a disease?" I asked him, frowning.

"Taey, if every disease felt like this, then I'd welcome it. How often does one get to say they have fallen in love with the most beautiful person in the world?"

"Oh please," I said blushing.

"We should get some sleep. As you said, we have a long day ahead of us."

"Yeah. But first I want to do something," I said.

"And what's that?" he asked.

"This," I said, and leaned over to kiss him again, pulling him down with me onto the bed, wrapped in a loving embrace. We slept in that bed that night, falling asleep in each other's arms, the both of us more content than we had ever felt before.

* * *

I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on the door. Still half asleep, I told whoever it was that I was coming, though my mind and body didn't want to get up from under the warmth of the blankets. Nor did I want to untangle myself from Weiss' arms, which during the night had wrapped themselves around me. He was spooned up behind me, as I faced the door. His body molded itself against mine in such a way that it seemed that he had always been doing it.

The door banged again, and this time I could hear a voice on the other side calling in to the room.

"Just a moment," I called out louder.

"Who is it?" Weiss mumbled from behind me.

"I don't know," I groaned, reluctantly sitting up and forcing Weiss to let me go. From the light that was coming in from the window, I could tell that the sun had only just risen. I never woke this early in the morning, not even on my father's farm. "Whoever it is had better have a good reason to be waking us up at this time of day though," I said, looking back at Weiss, who was still laying down, and still under the covers.

"Tell them to go away," Weiss moaned.

Pulling on my pants and shirt from the pack that I had brought with me, I walked over to the door, and opened it. There on the other side was the wide awake face of Eadir.

"Eadir, do you have any idea what time in the morning it is?" I complained, trying to rub the last remnants of sleep from my eyes.

"Forgive me, my Lord, but your's and Master Weiss' presence is requested at the banquet hall by Lord Rodin."

"Give us at least half an hour then, Eadir."

"Very well, my Lord. I shall inform Lord Rodin. And if I may say so sir, I'd recommend a hot bath before breakfast."

"A bath?" I questioned.

"Over there is the door to your private facilities. You can take care of all your personal needs there. I will wait for you here after I've delivered the message."

"Thanks, Eadir," I said.

"I live to serve, my Lord." And with that, he made his way down the hall to the stairs and proceeded down them. I closed the door to the room and looked back over at the bed. Weiss was now sitting up in bed, though he had the covers wrapped around him to keep warm.

"Who was it?" Weiss asked.

"That was Eadir. It seems that Lord Rodin is requesting that we join him for breakfast."

"At this time of morning? Is he mad?" Weiss exclaimed.

"You'd think so. Eadir suggested that we get washed up first before heading down."

"I'm all for that," Weiss said, crinkling up his nose. "I was so tired last night after everything I honestly don't even remember falling asleep."

"Neither do I."

"So where are we supposed to get washed up?" Weiss asked.

"Through here," I said, walking over to the door that Eadir had pointed out to me earlier, and opened it.

"Neat. Our own private bath."

"Don't get used to it my love," I told him. "We're heading out today to the Dunadeid mountains with Dinandel."

"Don't remind me," Weiss groaned, falling back into bed. "I wish he'd have just left us alone."

"So do I, but if he hadn't, there's a good chance we would be dead by now. I hope mom and dad are okay," I said.

"If I know your father, they're more than okay. It'd take more than just Winged Wraiths to make him leave his home."

"I guess you are right. Come on," I said, throwing the covers off of him. "Get up."

"You have no sympathy for the dead," Weiss complained.

"Oh get up. We have time for a quick bath and I'd like to have the first of many with you."

"What are you talking about? We've bathed together before," he said, looking at me with a puzzled expression on his face.

"Not as boyfriends we haven't," I said, looking at him suggestively.

"Oh I get it," Weiss said, giggling. "I think we can manage that." Weiss climbed out of bed, dressed only in his underwear. I took off the pants and shirt I had thrown on earlier and he and I went into the bathroom together.

* * *

We made it to the banquet hall not more than thirty-five minutes after Eadir had woke us up. Keeping in mind what Eadir said to us upstairs, Weiss and I made sure we did not do anything to advertise the fact that we were now a couple. We were escorted to the hall by Eadir who waited outside our room for us to finish getting cleaned up and ready for breakfast. To be honest, I was more than just a little hungry, a point that Weiss was teasing me about before we entered the hall. For some reason, he found it funny to poke my stomach with his finger every time it growled.

"My Lord Taey Elanessė, and Weiss Jadeseer. I trust you slept well last night?" Rodin asked, as he spotted us entering the hall. Seated to the left of Rodin was Dinendal, and to his right sat Lady Alatįriėl, the woman who had spoken up and volunteered to join us on this quest.

"We did indeed, my Lord," I said, walking towards Rodin's left, and taking a seat beside Dinendal. Weiss sat down beside me. Eadir opted to sit beside Lady Alatįriėl.

"That was probably the best night I've slept in a while now," Weiss said.

"We do take pride in our accommodations."

"Including that wonderful bathtub upstairs?"

"Yes, especially that," Rodin laughed. "I take it you've never seen a room with running hot and cold water."

"No. My mother and I used to have to boil many a bucket of water to prepare a bath. My family used to have to bathe quickly so the next person could use the water while it was still warm enough."

"We do have certain benefits here," Rodin admitted. "We've tried to introduce the system to the human population, but we've found them stubborn in accepting new ways. No offense of course."

"None taken, my Lord. I myself have witnessed my own father's stubbornness on many an occasion," I said, grinning at the memory of my father repeatedly trying to get the blade on his axe sharp enough to cut the wood for my mother's stove.

"I am glad. I trust that you are hungry this morning," Rodin said.

"Trust me, he is. You didn't have to listen to his stomach all the way down here," Weiss said, giving me another one of his pokes to my stomach.

"Indeed!" Rodin laughed. "Then I am glad I made sure there was enough to satisfy a growing boy's appetite." Just at that moment, several dwarves walked into the room, each carrying a large tray in their hands, and set about placing them on the table. Each tray was covered with a silver lid that was so polished, I could clearly see my reflection in each one. It took the dwarves several trips, until eventually they had brought out everything that been prepared for us."

"Wow!" Weiss exclaimed, looking over everything that was on the table.

"We don't stand on formalities at the table when it comes to eating young Weiss, dig in." Rodin said, and lifted the lid from the plate closest to him.

The breakfast that was served was big enough to feed an entire army. Weiss and I did our best to eat as much as we could, for we both knew that during our travels, our meals would not be as plentiful. I lost track of everything that was served to us. Pancakes, toast, bacon, eggs, and even bagels. Weiss and I consumed the most pancakes I think, which we topped with some of the best butter I had ever tasted, and the sweetest syrup.

Lady Alatįriėl did not eat that much, opting instead to have a couple bagels topped with some of that butter. Rodin was much like Weiss and I, taking a bit of everything, though he too did not come anywhere close to eating as much as Weiss and I did. Strangely, when I looked over at Dinendal, I noticed that he was not eating at all.

"Dinendal, are you not well?" I asked him.

"I am quite well young Taey," Dinendal said.

"But you haven't eaten a thing," I pointed out to him.

"I am pleased by your concern for my welfare, but I am in fact doing what I have to do to prepare to talk with the shades. Eating will only cause an upset stomach, and I need to be in top form for you. Once I have talked to the shades, I will eat. Have no fear."

"Oh, okay," I said, accepting his explanation, though I didn't see how him eating was going to make things difficult for him.

"I have contacted my father, and informed him of my decision to accompany you on your quest, my Lord," Alatįriėl said.

"He's letting you go, then?" I asked, mindful of her status within her family.

"He has no choice in the matter. I have made my decision, and he accepts it. He has sent several of his best hunters to join us. With your permission of course," she added hastily.

"I only wish I was going. Elves and dwarves working together towards one goal. That is an astonishing sight at any time," Rodin said, laughing lightly.

"Indeed. My father was concerned at first, until I informed him that it was not an errand I take on on behalf of the dwarves, but for all of us."

"I am thankful for the support you and your father have given, and your guard is most welcome to join us," I said, catching Dinendal stiffen slightly at my acceptance. "You think differently" I asked him directly.

"While it is not my place to question your decisions, I only question whether increasing the number in our party will increase the risk of us being discovered. As of yet, Serin does not know of our gathering, and that is to our advantage."

"Dinendal, you did not come to me and thinking me a fool. I have already guessed that if Serin wants me as bad as you say he does, then he has most likely already placed spies within the council, or someone close to a councilor. I expect he is aware of our plans, or will be shortly."

"All the more reason to keep our numbers small, my Lord," Dinendal said, noticing that I spoke to him in a formal voice, one which I haven't ever taken with him before. I could tell he did not expect it of me, but at the same time, I also caught the briefest grin appear on his face before he answered me.

"In that, we are in agreement. Our number will not be more than myself, Weiss, Eadir, the Lady Alatįriėl, you, the four hunters Rodin has promised, and the hunters that the elves are sending."

"Very well," Dinendal said, nodding his head in acceptance of my decision. "This quest is yours to take, and to lead, as was told to me by Aerandir."

"I think that settles it then," Rodin said, standing up from the table. I suggest we allow our stomachs to settle after the meal, then I shall introduce you to those who I have selected to accompany you."

"How long do we have?" I asked.

"We'll meet in the courtyard in two hours. I will send for you when it is time," Rodin promised.

"Good. There are some things I still wish to do before we leave," I said. Then I looked up at Lady Alatįriėl. "When should we expect the hunters your father has dispatched?" I asked.

"They should arrive within the hour, my Lord," she said.

"Then we will meet in the courtyard in a couple of hours," I said, and stood up from the table. Eadir and Weiss stood up after me. I bowed to Rodin. "If you will excuse us, my Lord?" I asked.

"By all means, Taey Elanessė," Rodin said. With his leave, we left the room, Eadir leading the way and Weiss walking beside me, a place I knew he would always be, no matter what the challenges we might face in the days to come.

Editor's Notes:

I am so glad that Taey and Weiss finally got the nerve to tell each other how they felt. It will be a lot better for both of them now that they each know the other loves them. This journey is not going to be an easy one, but it is, however one that needs to be undertaken. I certainly hope that all goes well. As with all of Jason's stories, we have come to love and care deeply for all the people in this story. Let me rephrase that just a bit; we love and care for all the good people in this story. In any case I can hardly wait for the next exciting chapter.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher