Chapter Text
"It appears necessary for me to reiterate my position," began Celebrimbor, and Annatar sighed deeply, for he knew a lengthy discourse was about to start,
"I am better suited to the forge than to the crown. I have witnessed the untimely demise of numerous Elven-kings, often for reasons as fantastical as they were tragic. Consider, for instance, the fate of King Finrod of Nargothrond, renowned for his wisdom and justice. The enemy ensnared him during a musical contest and subsequently sent a ferocious werewolf to torment him further! He met his demise within the very fortress he had erected! And not even for a fault of his own, but rather the consequence of a debt owed to a man whose son he had never met before! No, my love, I hold my peace in high regard, and harbor no desire for kingship."
"Justice outweighed wisdom for your beloved Finrod, and that is why he met his end. You are way too young to understand it." Annatar responded sharply, cutting through Celebrimbor's boiling rebuttal. "Why, precious, I speak truthfully!"
He continued his discourse, leaving Celebrimbor little choice but to drown his objections in another sip of wine.
"There is no magic in creation greater than Ainulindalë, and this infamous enemy was a part of that grand event. Challenging a Maia to a 'song of power' duel is a foolery of the highest order. Futhermore, have you considered that this Sauron, as he is known, may have been peacefully coexisting with his wolves until rudely accosted by a band of elves and a man who barged into his newfound home, launching an attack without so much as a proper introduction?! Utterly impolite, one might say."
"Heavens, Annatar! It appears you have indulged in enough wine for the both of us!" Celebrimbor exclaimed, gesturing towards a sea of empty bottles on the bedside table. "Better relinquish your glass! If anyone were to overhear such follies, I shudder to think of the consequences!"
"Which is precisely why our time is most cherished in seclusion!" Annatar remarked with humor. "But certainly, one need not wear a crown to forge greatness. I am here to assist you in beautifying Eregion, as I promised." With a flourish of extravagance, he proclaimed, "Together, we shall elevate it to the center of Middle-Earth, just as you reign supreme at the center of my heart, precious."
Unable to continue arguing against Annatar's whimsical and egomaniacal baloney, Celebrimbor relented, shaking his head in silent admonition.
He sighed softly, deciding to stop Annatar with a tender kiss and it proved effective.
"I love you," Whispered Celebrimbor, resting his head upon Annatar's lap.
Annatar was momentarily taken aback.
His long fingers gently traced the lines of the Elf's perfect face.
"I wish we could linger within your princely chambers eternally, just you and I," Annatar confessed with unusual sincerity, "Tyelperinquar, you will never suffer the same fate as the kings of old."
Celebrimbor chuckled and inquired "How can you be so certain?"
"Because from the instant our gazes met, you were mine," Annatar replied, his voice soft and unwavering. "And I shall allow no one, not even death, to wrest from me what is rightfully mine."
"Even with your divine powers, Annatar, one cannot assert control over death," Celebrimbor murmured, relishing the caresses of Annatar's hand in his hair.
"Indeed, I can," Annatar insisted.
"Entertain me," Celebrimbor challenged.
"In such a scenario, should the unthinkable occur, and you were to die, I would summon you back to me. But if you were to never return, I would be tasked with three endeavors,"
"And what might those be?"
"First, crafting a most innovative instrument of torment for extracting a heart—a task demanding both time and intellect. Second, I would devise a cunning method to delicately remove and preserve your luminous blue eyes as the precious gems they are. And third, contemplating myriad possibilities..." mused Annatar "If you were to die, anything could happen, including my descent into madness."
Celebrimbor burst into laughter: "You are already utterly mad!"
"Then let us be mad together,"