Title: By the
Grace of the Valar
Author: Morgana
Author's Email:
Web page: http://www.paranoid.nl/avalon
Pairing for this
part; Erestor/Glorfindel
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Erestor sacrifices a part of himself in order to be with Glorfindel.
Disclaimer: Not
mine, Tolkien’s.
Warning: AU of course!
Author’s Note:
Completely AU. Plus, I am taking huge liberties with Erestor, Námo and his
wife, Vairë.
Beta reading, translations
and research by Patricia Pleasant, thanks! I couldn’t have written this story
without your help!
All remaining
mistakes are mine!
By
the Grace of the Valar
Part
1
“Glorfindel of Gondolin
is very fair of face; don’t you think so, my son?” Vairë watched her child
closely, as Erestor blushed beneath her curious expression. “He is also a true
hero among his kin.”
“Mother!”
Erestor averted his eyes. Had he been so obvious in his admiration of the
golden-haired warrior?
“Do you really
think I do not know what lies in my child’s heart, Erestor? I have watched you
walking corridor after corridor in search of his face.” Vairë approached her
son and lifted the bowed head. His dark eyes met hers and she smiled at him.
“You lost your heart to him. That is most peculiar, my son.”
“I never wanted
you to find out,” admitted Erestor, his eyes were magically drawn to the
tapestry at the opposite wall. It depicted Glorfindel and Ecthelion of the Fountain,
studying the flute in the company of their teacher, Lindir. Although all three
Elves were fair, Ecthelion and Lindir didn’t compare to Glorfindel. His mother
had perfectly captured the azure sea that sparkled in Glorfindel’s eyes and the
golden hair almost seemed alive, and he wanted to reach out to touch it.
“You should
speak with your father.” Vairë was worried; she should have seen that Erestor
had fallen in love with one of the Firstborn earlier. It might be too late now
to stop this infatuation from becoming more – from becoming love.
“My father...”
Erestor finally sought out his mother’s eyes. “How will he react?”
Vairë smiled at
her son. “Your father knows all that is going to happen, except for what lies
in the will of Ilúvatar. He already knows your heart.”
“I am afraid to
face him.”
“Why? Your
father loves you and wants to see you happy, like I do.” She moved closer and
rested the palm of her hand against her son’s cheek. “I do not know what will come
of this love, Erestor. You belong to the Valar and Glorfindel is one of the
Firstborn. I do not know if such a love stands a chance, but your father will
hear you and answer your questions. Come with me, we should seek him out.”
“Will you stand
by my side when I face him?” He loved his father dearly, but knew he had
crossed a line when he had fallen in love with one of the Firstborn.
“I will,”
confirmed Vairë. She took in her son’s expression and found that determination
lay hidden beneath the insecurity. Erestor had truly fallen in love with the
fair
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Vairë, my most
beloved wife. And Erestor, my son.” Námo felt proud, seeing his only child.
Erestor had formed his body image after theirs; long, raven hair cascaded down
the shoulders and warm, brown eyes shone from the depths. Their images were
mere representations of their true beings and unnecessary when it came to them
communicating privately, but the fëar1 of the dead that resided
within his Halls were more comfortable seeing him and his family in this form.
So, they complied. “I have been expecting you.”
Erestor
straightened his shoulders and his inner light shone brighter, realizing his
father would address this matter now. “You know why I am here.”
“Aye, I know why
you have sought me out.” Námo studied his son, sensing the conflicting emotions
running rampant beneath the apparently calm surface. Erestor was torn between
giving in to his love for Glorfindel, disappointing his mother, and defying his
father. Erestor was a good son and would never willingly cause them any grief,
but his attraction toward Glorfindel had grown year after year. His son had
watched the Lord of the Golden Flower and had somehow, at some time, fallen for Glorfindel. And during all those years,
Námo had watched Erestor in turn. “Erestor, he belongs to the Firstborn. You
are one of the Valar, so much more than Glorfindel can ever aspire to be.”
“Glorfindel is
brave! Valiant and fair!” Erestor immediately came to the Elf’s defense. “He
has proven his worth countless times and is considered a hero among the
Firstborn!”
Námo grew proud,
seeing Erestor accept his challenge and the eternal game started anew – the game
of love and hardships. “I know what your future will bring,” he said, circling
Erestor. “And his love will cause you pain.”
“His love?”
Erestor took a step closer to his father and grabbed his wrist. “He loves me?”
“He does not
even know you exist.” Námo shook his head. “Erestor, what you desire is
impossible.”
“It is not!”
Erestor stared into his father’s eyes. “You just told me that he will come to
love me!”
“In time, aye,
but there will be sacrifices, Erestor. Sacrifices *you* will have to make.” Námo
allowed for Erestor’s hold on his wrist to continue. “Your mother spoke
truthfully, Erestor. We love you and we want you to be happy. But Glorfindel
will not only bring you happiness; there will be pain and grief as well.”
“Is that not the
way of the Firstborn? Does that not give them their strength of character? Ever
since I came into existence their fëar have surrounded me and they told me of
the heroic deeds of their kind. They earned my admiration, father. We cannot
know what their lives are like! We never tasted their passion, their love or
their fear.”
“You defend them
well, my son. The Firstborn have a true champion in you. Aye, it is true; many
heroes reside here in death, but Erestor… Do you realize that death will come for
Glorfindel as well? The Firstborn live long and some forever, but not all Elves
are that fortunate. What will you do when Glorfindel dies and has to walk these Halls? When he is nothing more than a
mere shadow of his former self? Could you bear his fate?”
Erestor flinched
beneath his father’s harsh words. “I know that you are saying this because you
love me and do not want to see me hurt, but father… Am I not allowed to make my
own decisions? And if you will allow it, my own mistakes?” He let go of his
father’s wrist and met Námo’s gaze. “You love your wife – my mother… Will you
truly deny me my love, then?”
“Love…” Námo
whispered the word and shook his head. “Erestor, you have never loved before –
how do you know this is love? You have never met Glorfindel! You never spoke to
him! How can you presume to know him?”
“Because I do,”
replied Erestor, breathlessly. “I have watched him since his birth and I have
seen him suffer hardship and revel in the friendships he has formed. I fell in
love with Glorfindel throughout the years, never intending for it to happen –
but it did.”
“What do you
really want from me, my son?” The moment of truth had arrived and Námo probed
his son’s emotions, needing to see for himself that this love was true.
“I want Glorfindel.
I want a chance to win his love. You have mother; do not deny me Glorfindel,
father.” Erestor gave his father a pleading look.
Vairë had
listened closely and now addressed her husband. “We should give Erestor this
chance, husband-mine. Having known love will make him a better Vala – a more
compassionate one. Do not forget how young our son is, compared to us. Námo, he
deserves this chance at love.”
Námo smiled at
his wife. “I knew you would plead his case.” And he had also known that he
would give in. He couldn’t stop the future from forming and leading Erestor to
Gondolin. “Erestor, hear my decision.”
Erestor’s hand
found its way into his mother’s and he squeezed tight. Vairë rubbed the back of
her son’s hand, hoping the caress would comfort him.
“I will grant
you this chance at love,” said Námo, distinctly noting his son’s relief at
hearing those words. “But, there will be two conditions.”
“What are they?”
Erestor felt nervous, wondering what rules his father would set.
“You will enter
Gondolin as one of the Firstborn. Your body will be that of an Elf. You will
still possess your knowledge, memories and powers, but you are forbidden to use
them. Should you use your powers, for whatever reason, your being will find its
way back here and you will dwell in these Halls once more.”
Erestor stared
at his father in shock. “An Elf? Enter Gondolin as an Elf?”
Námo pointed at
himself and said, “These are mere representations of the life as the fëar knew
it and we use these so we do not frighten them. We learned to manipulate these
mirror images, but these fanar2 are not real. They are illusions.
However, *you*, my son, will inhabit an adult Elven body. You will experience
its flaws.”
“And its
pleasures,” added Vairë, reassuringly squeezing her son’s hand. Erestor
practically radiated unease and discomfort and his emotions were easily picked
up by his parents. “Accept what your father is offering you, my son. Trust me
in this matter.” Her mind touched her husband’s, radiating contentment. She
approved of his decision in this matter. /Share our son’s future with me, my
husband./
Námo complied,
showing her the long and often difficult path that lay ahead of their son. /Do
you really want him to suffer such hardships?/
She considered everything
he had shown her. Erestor was dear to her – he was her only child – and seeing
him hurt would make her ache in turn. /Is this necessary?/
/If we allow him
to meet with Glorfindel and to win the Firstborn’s love, this will be his
fate./ Námo then offered words of comfort, feeling her grow distressed. /But
this experience will make our son grow – it will strengthen him. I have faith
in Erestor. Do you?/
Vairë’s mind
curled around her husband’s, realizing he knew the eventual outcome of
Erestor’s quest for love. /If you have
faith in him, so will I./
Erestor’s mind
joined them, trying to pick up pieces of their conversation, but his father
locked him out. Apparently Námo didn’t want him to take part in this
conversation. That fact made him nervous. Why was his father locking him out?
/Erestor, do you
accept my terms? Will you enter Gondolin as one of the Firstborn and return to
my Halls the moment you use your powers?/
His father’s
presence was overwhelming and made Erestor hesitate. Námo knew his future, knew
what would happen to him if he chose to try winning Glorfindel’s love. Reaching
out, the tendrils of his mind curled around his father’s, searching for any
indication that Námo didn’t want him to do this or was trying to keep him back.
But all he sensed was his father’s acceptance. Námo *would* aid him in his
quest. /I accept your conditions, father./
/Good./ Námo
caressed his son’s mind a last time and then used his powers to transport
Erestor to Gondolin. The next moment, his son’s presence was gone from the
Halls and an adult Elf lay naked and shivering, but safe, in Gondolin’s arms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Glorfindel ran
down the road, heading for Gondolin’s beautiful gardens. Ithil was about to
rise and the evening was cool, yet filled with sweet promises and Glorfindel
wanted to draw in the lovely fragrances of the roses and feel grass beneath his
feet – not stone and brick. Behind him, Ecthelion laughed, loudly, accepting
the challenge and taking up pursuit as the Lord of the House of the Fountain
always did.
They were best
friends, comrades in arms and soul mates. Practically inseparable, the
inhabitants of Gondolin knew that when one Elf was near, the other warrior
couldn’t be far. They were seldom seen apart – even in battle they covered each
other’s back.
“Mercy,
Glorfindel! I am tired!” Ecthelion slowed down and eventually came to a stop.
Running had caused him to pant softly, and his eyes sparkled feverishly, taking
in Glorfindel’s energetic form.
Glorfindel
chuckled, raised an arm, and gestured for Ecthelion to follow him into the
gardens.
Ecthelion drew
in a deep breath and followed suit, wishing Glorfindel would finally come to a
stop. At times, his friend’s stamina amazed him and he had once joked that
Glorfindel could even outrun a Balrog. The moment those words had left his
lips, chills had run down his spine, like he had touched upon a forbidden
vision of the future – one, he hoped, which would never come true.
Ecthelion came to
an abrupt halt when he collided with Glorfindel, who for some reason stood
frozen beneath a weeping willow. The large tree offered shade to several rose
bushes, and for one moment Ecthelion thought Glorfindel was lost in reverie,
admiring the delicate flowers, but then he realized that his friend’s stare was
directed lower – at the ground.
Glorfindel stood
in awe at such beauty. His right hand reached behind him, searching for
Ecthelion and pulling him close. “Look at what the Valar have graced Gondolin with.” Had he ever seen
such beauty before? Glorfindel even momentarily closed his eyes, afraid such
exquisiteness would blind him.
Ecthelion’s eyes
filled with wonder, finally discovering the hidden treasure that had been
revealed to his friend. An Elf lay asleep beneath the weeping willow –
magnificent in his naked glory. A long, elegant arm rested atop an alabaster
thigh and soft-pink lips showed beneath elusive strands of ebony hair. The open
eyes, blank with sleep, were black stars, glistering and beckoning them closer.
“I thank the
Valar for being allowed to lay eyes upon such perfection,” whispered
Glorfindel, finally finding his voice again. He lowered himself onto his heels
and stared at the stranger from a respectful distance. “I wonder who he is.” He
was certain he had never met the other Elf before – surely he would have
remembered meeting an Elf of such beauty! He extended his right hand, letting
it hover about the other Elf’s midnight-black mane. Curled up on his side, the
stranger looked vulnerable and in need of their assistance.
“You are right, meldir3. He is perfection
personified, but I cannot help but wonder who he is and why he is here.”
Ecthelion moved closer and now stood behind Glorfindel. “And why, in the name
of the Valar, is he naked?”
Glorfindel
blushed, hearing Ecthelion’s words. The stranger’s alabaster skin felt like
silk beneath his exploring fingertips and he quickly pulled them back, not
wanting to tarnish flawlessness with his touch. He wanted for those eyes to
fill with awareness and to look upon him, but the stranger remained lost in
reverie. “What do we do?”
“We take him
before Turgon. Our King will decide his fate.” Ecthelion felt the same wonder
Glorfindel was experiencing – there was something ethereal about this Elf,
which he had never encountered in their kin before. “He is asleep, Glorfindel,
and thus in need of our protection.”
Glorfindel
nodded, absentmindedly. He unclasped his crimson cloak and gently placed it
atop of the sleeping Elf. “We cannot take him before our King naked.”
“Glorfindel, we
need to take this Elf to Turgon now. We cannot allow for a stranger to dwell
within these walls. We need to know who he is and what his business is.” Like
Glorfindel, Ecthelion was overcome with a strong sense of protectiveness,
looking upon the sleeping Elf. Innocence, warmth and goodness rested in the
strong features, and he almost bowed to pay the stranger his respect, but then
he caught himself and got to his feet instead. “Come, I will accompany you.”
Glorfindel
involuntarily held his breath, slowly pushing his arms beneath the stranger’s
form. Had someone else trespassed into Gondolin and was found in this way, he
would wake the Elf, but he didn’t want this Elf to wake just yet. As long as
the raven-haired Elf remained asleep, he could look upon him and feel this
inner peace. Carefully, Glorfindel lifted the sleeping Elf from the grass and
cradled him against his chest. “He remains asleep.”
“We do not know
what brought him here,” said Ecthelion, musing aloud. Even he had fallen under
the stranger’s spell and he brushed a strand of silken hair away from the
sleeping Elf’s face. Such beauty demanded that it be protected, cherished and
loved. Turgon would doubtlessly feel the same way when laying eyes upon this Elf.
Ecthelion tucked Glorfindel’s cloak around the stranger’s form, making certain
their charge was sufficiently covered.
Glorfindel
carried the strange Elf with the utmost care, ready to defend him from whoever
dared to attack him. Ecthelion saw the raw dedication in his friend’s eyes and
wondered about its presence. He felt protective of the sleeping Elf as well,
but not in the same way Glorfindel did and he wondered… What had *really*
happened when Glorfindel had laid eyes upon this
raven-haired beauty for that very first time?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Turgon dismissed
his advisors and gestured for his two Captains to follow him into his private
chambers. “Place him upon the bed.” The King examined the sleeping Elf’s
features in search of evil. He would never allow a threat inside Gondolin and
had to determine who the stranger was and why he was here. “You found him like
that?” Turgon pointed at the crimson cloak. Looking at it now, it did seem
familiar to him.
“Nay, sire. I wrapped
him up in my cloak after coming upon him naked,” explained Glorfindel in a soft
tone. He remained standing next to the bed, within close vicinity of his
charge.
“Naked?” Turgon
raised an eyebrow. “In Elbereth’s name, how did he pass the Seven Gates?
Surely, the guards must have noticed him?” Especially a naked Elf! Seeing the
admiration in Glorfindel’s eyes, Turgon felt his heart soften with sympathy.
“He is fair, I will agree to that.”
“Fair beyond
comparison,” whispered Glorfindel. He raised his gaze and met Turgon’s. “Sire,
what is your ruling in this matter?” He hoped that Turgon would entrust the
sleeping Elf to him!
“We will wait
for him to wake and then I will question him. Glorfindel, Ecthelion, you will
guard him. Call me the moment he wakes.” Turgon drew in a deep breath. “I find
it hard to believe that someone as fair as this Elf can have an evil heart, but
my duty to Gondolin comes before my admiration for beauty. I must be certain
that he presents no threat,” he paused, thoughtfully, and then continued, “And
I must know how he entered my city unnoticed.” Worried, Turgon sought out
Ecthelion’s gaze. “The two of you are responsible for our guest.”
“We understand,
sire.” Ecthelion inclined his head in respect. “We will guard him and alert you
the moment he awakens.”
“And find him
some clothes,” mumbled Turgon. “We cannot have him walk these halls naked.” The Elf *was* extraordinarily
fair and he didn’t need any of his subjects falling in love with a stranger –
not yet. Not whilst he didn’t know if this Elf was a potential threat.
“It almost seems
a sin to cover such perfection with fabric, even if the clothes are made from
the finest silk.” Glorfindel quickly covered his mouth; he had only meant to
think those words and not say them!
Turgon actually
felt amused by his Captain’s honest statement and laughed. “I must concur. It
is a shame… but clothes are a necessity, especially when one looks as beautiful
as he does.” A soft expression spread in his eyes, seeing the warmth in
Glorfindel’s azure ones, looking upon their sleeping guest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ecthelion’s gaze
shifted from Glorfindel to their sleeping charge and then back again. Something
in his friend’s eyes worried him and he decided to address it. “His presence
enthralls you.” Was it envy he felt? Jealousy even? But no, that was
ridiculous! Glorfindel and he were the best of friends and unconditionally
trusted each other, but this Elf had changed their relationship. But in what
way was their friendship changing?
“It is more than
just his beauty,” whispered Glorfindel, studying the sleeping Elf. “Don’t you
feel it?”
“Feel what?”
Ecthelion moved closer, came to a halt behind Glorfindel, and placed his hand
on his friend’s shoulder. “What do you feel, Glorfindel?”
Glorfindel shook
his head, wondering how to explain. “ I feel like I am looking at one of the
Valar. Such beauty is unrivaled.”
“Do you sense
evil upon him? Turgon seemed worried when he visited earlier.” Ecthelion
searched the stranger’s features and admitted he sensed no evil – no danger.
“I do not, meldir. I sense innocence instead.”
Glorfindel smiled and freed himself of the magnetic pull their sleeping guest
had on him.
A servant had brought
clothes for their charge; a crimson shirt and black leggings. “We should dress
him, then,” said Ecthelion, bending down to pick up the clothes. But Glorfindel
surprised him by shaking his fair head. “Something tells me we should wait
until he is awake.”
Ecthelion
trusted Glorfindel’s instincts and let the matter rest, but… “Like our
High-King, I wonder how he got past the Seven Gates and our guards, naked at
that. Why didn’t the guards stop him and report his presence? The thought that
our defenses show a weakness worries me.”
“We will find
out,” whispered Glorfindel, sucking in his breath, as he detected movement
beneath his fingertips, which rested on the sleeping Elf’s arm. He removed
them, rose from the bed, and took a step away from it, so their guest wouldn’t
feel crowded or cornered upon awakening. “We will find out *now*.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Awareness came
suddenly and Erestor gasped for breath. He sat up with a start and vertigo
almost overwhelmed him, but then he steadied himself, drawing in deep breaths
of air. His fingertips clawed at the silken sheet beneath him, brutally
crushing the soft texture. /I belong to the Firstborn now. I possess a body – a
living, breathing body./ And breathing involved inhaling and exhaling air, as
he soon discovered. The air, which entered his nostrils was sweet and heavy
with the fragrance of flowers. Exhaling, Erestor wondered about this most
wondrous mechanism that kept him alive.
His eyes
encountered a soft, silver shimmer and blinked. It was early in the evening, as
Ithil had already begun his daily journey. The beauty of the star-lit sky
enchanted him and he forgot his surroundings.
“Meldir?” Addressing their guest, who
didn’t seem to register their presence, Glorfindel exchanged a curious look
with Ecthelion. It was like watching a new-born child focus his eyes for the
very first time. “Meldir?” Glorfindel
tried to capture their charge’s attention again, but the raven-haired Elf
seemed mesmerized.
Hearing a
melodic voice drew Erestor from his trance-like state. He took in his immediate
surroundings, quickly realizing that the splendor of this room meant he was
inside the King’s private chambers, but why? That question, however, lost its
importance when he looked at his hands for the first time. The long fingers,
delicately formed hands, and arms demanded his attention and he moved them,
experimentally.
Ecthelion opted
for action and moved closer so that their guest was forced to look at him. “You
are in the King’s Tower – in Gondolin.”
This time, the
voice truly registered with Erestor and he looked up at the dark-haired Elf,
whom he easily identified as Ecthelion, Lord of the House of the Fountain. He
had seen the strong features many times before in his mother’s tapestries.
/Breathe!/ he thought, reminding himself as he began to grow dizzy due to lack
of air. A strand of raven hair tumbled in front of his face and startled
Erestor, who stared at the lock in surprise. Raising his right hand, he touched
the lock, and grew mesmerized by its silken softness. He ran a hand down his
mane, finding that the dark hair reached below his buttocks.
Curiously,
Erestor pushed the sheet away that covered him and let his fingertips walk down
his body, touching experimentally. When he had still resided in the Halls with
his parents, he had taken on the form of the Firstborn to reassure the dead
fëar, but now he realized how different it was to actually possess a real one!
Looking closely, he could even see the veins beneath the skin.
Ecthelion
coughed to cover up his amusement and quickly pulled the sheet back in place
again. He had seen the effect their charge had on Glorfindel, and he had
thought himself rather immune to the raven beauty’s charms, until now.
Glorfindel was right – there was something enchanting about this Elf. A rare
innocence clung to him.
Erestor frowned,
surprised at the feeling it caused on his
brow, and he raised a hand to touch his forehead. Growing used to being in the
body of one of the Firstborn would take time.
Glorfindel
seated himself on the side of the bed, acting slowly to give the stranger time
to grow used to his presence. “Who are you?” His fingers itched to touch the
fair face, but he restrained himself, seeing the puzzlement in the dark eyes.
Something wasn’t right. Something worried his charge.
Erestor looked
to his right, and the sight that greeted him took his breath away. “Glorfindel,
it really is you!” His voice trembled, and sounded strange to his ears. In the
Halls of Waiting, he conversed by sharing his mind with his parents and
projecting thoughts into their minds. Even the dead fëar communicated that way,
but never realized so, as Námo provided them with the illusion of speech.
Actually speaking aloud was new to him.
“He knows you, meldir.” Amused, Ecthelion wiggled an
eyebrow.
Erestor looked
at the dark-haired Captain and a smile formed on his face, seeing the amused
expression in the alert eyes. “And you are Ecthelion of the Fountain.”
“He knows you
too,” said Glorfindel, chuckling. “But it is *your* name we wish to hear, meldir.”
The large, deer-like eyes fastened on him and made his heart miss a
beat. The expression in them called out to him, but Glorfindel controlled his
need for contact, reminding himself that Turgon was right – first, they needed
to know their guest’s identity.
“My parents
called me Erestor.” Erestor found he couldn’t avert his eyes and lovingly took
in Glorfindel’s features. The flaxen-haired Elf captivated him!
Ecthelion raised
an eyebrow. “I never heard that name before.” He moved toward the doorway and
said, “I will inform the High-King that you can answer his questions now.” He
closed the door behind him and left Glorfindel alone with their mysterious
guest.
“Erestor…”
Glorfindel repeated the name, enjoying the way it rolled from his tongue. “You
are very fair, Erestor,” he said, granting his charge a blinding smile.
“My appearance
pleases you, then?” Erestor smiled, looking hopefully at the blond Elf for whom
he had left home and family. The look Glorfindel gave him, told him that
Glorfindel was intrigued by him – maybe even was attracted to him – and his
heart felt much lighter now. When he had made his decision to pursue
Glorfindel, he’d had no way of knowing if the blond
The door opened
and Erestor tore his gaze away from Glorfindel to look at Ecthelion and the
High-King, Turgon. The King’s eyes had narrowed and were filled with curiosity.
The way Turgon carried himself suggested he was a proud Elf, someone who had the
utmost confidence in his abilities to lead his people. /That pride will be his
downfall./ Erestor didn’t possess his parents’ all-encompassing knowledge, but
visions of the future occasionally revealed bits and pieces to him.
Turgon
approached the bed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Sternly, he
studied his guest’s dark eyes. “You were found inside my city. How did you
enter unnoticed?”
Erestor frowned.
He had never expected to be questioned and hadn’t prepared an explanation to
give to the King. “I do not know, sire.”
Glorfindel read
Turgon’s body language and realized the High-King felt ill at ease, suspicious
even. “His name is Erestor, sire, he just told me.”
Turgon seated
himself in a chair close to the bed and continued to observe his guest.
“Erestor? You are no subject of Gondolin, then?”
“I do not know
that either, sire. My mind is a blank.” He hoped Turgon would accept his
explanation for he didn’t know how to explain his presence in the
The gesture wasn’t
lost on Ecthelion and Turgon. The two dark-haired Elves exchanged glances, and
in the end, the Captain nodded once. “I sense no evil in him either, sire.”
Turgon nodded
once, confirming that he had reached the same conclusion. There was no evil in Erestor’s
heart. “Erestor, do you know why you are naked?” Maybe his questions would coax
Erestor into remembering.
“I do not know
why, sire.” Erestor bit his bottom lip and his eyes widened, tasting the
coppery tang of his blood for the first time. The bitter taste distracted him,
but then he shook himself, forcing himself to concentrate on finding a way to
convince Turgon to let him stay! “I remember waking up in this room, sire, and
seeing Ithil in the sky. Glorfindel sat at my side and Ecthelion was watching
me. That is all I remember.”
“You profess you
lost your memory,” said Ecthelion, thoughtfully. “And yet, you knew our names.”
Erestor paled.
“I did, didn’t I?” How to explain this one? Looking Turgon in the eye, he tried
again, “Sire, please allow me to stay in the
Turgon drew in a
deep breath. “Like Ecthelion, I sense no evil on you, Erestor. But, I am a
watchful King, who feels protective of his people. I cannot allow you to run
loose in my city, not until I know who you are and why you came here.
Therefore, I appoint Glorfindel and Ecthelion as your guardians. You will stay
with them and you *will* obey them.”
Ecthelion had
expected Turgon to reach that decision and nodded once, showing he agreed. “We
will keep a close eye on him, sire.” Having them guard and guide Erestor was
the best solution.
“I can stay?”
Erestor’s eyes filled with hope and he released tears of happiness. “I can
really, really stay? I can wander Gondolin’s street at your side, Glorfindel?”
His hold on Glorfindel’s hand tightened and his gaze shifted from the High-King
to the golden-haired Elf at his side. “I can stay with you, Glorfindel?”
The rapture that
shone in Erestor’s large eyes captivated him and Glorfindel rubbed the back of
the other Elf’s hand. Turgon’s ruling had pleased him. “Aye, you can stay in
Gondolin – with Ecthelion and I. We will show you the beauty of the
Turgon’s brow
knitted, hearing a dedication in Glorfindel’s voice, which he hadn’t expected
to hear – not directed at a mere stranger!
“Glorfindel
feels drawn to him, sire,” whispered Ecthelion into his King’s ear after
leaning in closer. “It happened the moment he first laid eyes on Erestor.”
“Should this
worry me?” Glorfindel was an excellent judge of character and Turgon counted on
the fact that the blond Captain had good reasons for trusting a mere stranger.
But he, the King, wasn’t willing to trust so quickly and easily.
“I do not think
so,” replied Ecthelion, gaze fastened upon Glorfindel, who was held spellbound
by Erestor. “I will keep a close eye on Glorfindel though, just in case.”
Turgon nodded
once. “Keep me informed, Ecthelion. I need to learn more of Erestor so I can
dismiss my worries.” He rose from his chair and advanced on the raven-haired
Elf until he stood in front of Erestor. The High-King raised his right hand and
fingered a strand of the raven hair. Erestor raised his head to return his
searching gaze, and Turgon found the eyes open and inviting. Maybe Erestor had
told them the truth and he didn’t know who he was, but Turgon remained
suspicious. /There is more to you than meets the eye, Erestor. You are hiding
something from me and I will find out what it is./
Erestor caught
an echo of that thought and forced himself to return the King’s gaze, carefully
hiding his true identity from Turgon’s probing thoughts.
In the end,
Turgon released the ebony lock and walked toward the doorway. “I expected a
daily report, Glorfindel.”
“You will have
it, sire,” said Glorfindel. Turgon then closed the door and Glorfindel was free
to lose himself in the brown eyes once more.
/He is falling
in love,/ realized Ecthelion. /I just wish I knew whether to be worried or
amused./
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“The first thing
we need to do is to get you dressed.” Glorfindel felt in his element, aiding
Erestor. He picked up the shirt and handed it to Erestor, but the other Elf’s
movement was erratic and uncertain. Erestor fumbled with the shirt, letting it
slip from his fingers and then reaching for it again. The strange behavior
worried Glorfindel.
Ecthelion,
handing Glorfindel the leggings, leaned in closer and whispered into his
friend’s ear. “He resembles a new-born, meldir.
He acts like everything is new to him.”
Glorfindel
nodded in agreement. “You are right.”
Erestor gave
them a pensive look, having heard every word they said. But it was true; he had
never dressed himself before and the fabric continued to elude his fingertips.
“Let me help
you,” said Glorfindel, eventually. “Raise your arms.”
Erestor did as
he was told and quivered, feeling Glorfindel’s fingertips slide down his arms,
chest and back as the golden-haired Elf pulled the shirt in place. “Thank you,”
he mouthed the words softly, fascinated by the way the fabric moved against his
skin.
“The leggings are
next.” Glorfindel cleared his throat, trying hard not to look at Erestor’s
lower body. The raven-haired Elf was well-endowed, sported long legs and the
firmest buttocks he had ever seen. Lust stirred deep inside him, but he
ruthlessly crushed it. Such thoughts were highly inappropriate whilst assisting
Erestor with getting dressed.
Ecthelion noted
the delight in Erestor’s eyes upon having Glorfindel so close and touching him.
Apparently, Erestor in turn felt attracted to Glorfindel, for which Ecthelion
was grateful. If Glorfindel’s heart was broken, the fair Elf would turn to him
for comfort and he wasn’t certain he could bear seeing Glorfindel broken and in
tears. “We will take Erestor to your house, Glorfindel.” It was obvious that
his friend wouldn’t let Erestor out of his sight and this seemed the best
arrangement for now. Ecthelion quickly steadied Erestor, when the other Elf
pushed himself onto his feet and promptly swayed.
Erestor yelped,
startled, and reached for Ecthelion, who happened to be closest to him. The
world had changed once more, now that he had pushed himself to his full height.
He felt unsteady, but Ecthelion supported him and he slowly grew used to
standing upright. He carefully placed his right foot in front of his left and
took his first step.
Watching them,
Glorfindel realized how right Ecthelion had been. Erestor was like a new-born,
a baby, learning to walk for the first time. What had happened to affect Erestor
in such a way that he had lost his memories and his motor skills?
“We need
transportation, Glorfindel. Erestor cannot walk the distance to your home in
his current condition.”
“I will arrange
for our horses. Erestor, once we have reached my home you can rest.” Glorfindel
wanted to know Erestor safe in bed, resting and regaining his strength.
“Rest?”
Erestor’s eyes widened. “I do not want to rest! I want to explore the
Erestor’s
enthusiasm fueled Glorfindel’s and he opened the door so Ecthelion could guide
Erestor down the corridor and toward the courtyard.
Erestor’s eyes
widened, taking in the King’s Palace and slender Tower. The white tower
glittered beneath Ithil’s moonbeams and gave the impression it was made of
liquid silver.
“It is a good
thing it is night,” whispered Ecthelion, clearly amused by Erestor’s awestruck
expression. “During the day, the city is busy and crowded.” This way, Erestor
could gradually take in Gondolin’s wonders.
Glorfindel’s
stallion and Ecthelion’s mare stood already waiting in the courtyard. Two heads
went up and greeted their masters. Glorfindel rubbed behind the ears and the
stallion snorted in approval. “Up with you, then,” said Glorfindel, pointing
first at Erestor and then at his horse.
“Up?” Erestor
coughed, trying to cover up his embarrassment. “I never mounted a horse
before!”
“You have not?”
Ecthelion frowned. “You do not remember your past life, but you do remember you
never rode on horseback before?”
“I just know…
Please do not ask me to explain.” Erestor felt lost, staring at Ithil and the star-lit sky. Although Elven sight
seemed limited to the Vala in many ways, it also allowed him to see things in a
different light.
Glorfindel
slipped onto the stallion’s back and extended his right hand. “Ecthelion, assist Erestor, will you?”
Erestor grabbed
hold of Glorfindel’s hand and allowed the blond Captain to pull him behind him,
whilst Ecthelion assisted him into climbing onto the horse’s back. It took
Erestor two attempts, but then he was safely seated behind Glorfindel. The
steed felt strong and solid beneath him and feeling the stallion take his first
steps away from the courtyard caused a strange sensation in the pit of his
stomach. For one moment it felt like he was losing his hold and he clung to
Glorfindel for support.
“Wrap your arms
around me,” instructed Glorfindel, sensing Erestor’s insecurity. Reaching his
house would only take minutes, but he wanted to know that Erestor was secure behind him. The stallion was
growing nervous, feeling a second, inexperienced rider on his back and
anxiously moved forward.
Erestor folded
his arms around Glorfindel’s waist and pressed close. Having his secret love
this close was pure bliss! He had a tight hold on the blond Captain and rested
his chin on Glorfindel’s shoulder. Golden locks teased against his face and
mixed with his raven ones, bringing a bright smile to his face.
Ecthelion
watched them closely, whilst mounting his mare. He then steered her closer and
the two Lords rode side by side, leaving the courtyard. /They are opposites –
day and night, Anor and Ithil – and opposites attract./
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erestor’s
interest in the
Glorfindel
smiled and indulged his charge. “It was the Vala Ulmö, who guided Turgon, son
of Fingolfin, here.”
“Ulmö...”
Erestor had met his “uncle” on several occasions and shared Ulmö’s love for the
sea. At times, his parents had let him accompany Ulmö and they had traveled
beneath the sea’s surface, savoring the beauty surrounding them.
Glorfindel
continued his tale, relishing the feel of Erestor pressed against him. “The
“Have you ever
seen the Eagles?” Erestor closed his eyes, remembering the tapestries his
mother had woven regarding the founding of Gondolin.
“I have. They
are magnificent creatures.” Glorfindel looked at Erestor from over his shoulder
and almost forgot to breathe, finding Erestor’s pink lips close to his. Lost in
admiration, he felt unable to continue.
Ecthelion, who
had listened in on their conversation, continued instead. “The only entrance to
the green valley is a deep way under the mountains and then to get into the
city you must pass through the Seven Gates. You, Erestor, must have entered
Gondolin that way.” His frown deepened. “There simply *is* no other entrance.”
“I do not
remember how I came to be here.” Erestor closed his eyes and deeply inhaled
Glorfindel’s scent. His fingers buried themselves in the fabric of Glorfindel’s
emerald-colored tunic and he sighed, wishing they could always stay this way –
this close.
The stallion led
the way, the sound of his hoofs resounding on the wide street, which was paved
with stone and kerbed marble. Erestor’s eyes opened and took in the fair houses
and courts amid gardens of bright flowers. Towers of white marble, slender and
elegant, reached for the heavens. The squares they passed by were lit with
fountains and nightingales sang amid the branches of their aged trees.
Looking over his
shoulder, Erestor’s breathing paused, looking at the King’s Palace and Tower
from a distance. He was now fully able to take in the magnificent structures
and admired the sleek and slender Tower, which majestically reached for the
evening sky. “I have never seen a place more beautiful.” The Halls of Waiting
were dark, and although lit by thousands candles, carried no warmth.
“Aye, it is
glorious.” Glorfindel forced himself to avert his eyes from Erestor’s face and
was finally able to think clearly again. They came to a halt and Glorfindel
drew in a deep breath. “Welcome to my home, Erestor.”
Ecthelion
dismounted first and caught Erestor when the Elf clumsily lowered himself onto
the ground. That clumsiness puzzled Ecthelion; why was Erestor’s coordination
so off?
Glorfindel came to
a halt beside Erestor and reached for the dark-haired Elf’s hand, which his
guest eagerly placed in his. “Would you like me to take you to your rooms or to
the kitchens? Are you hungry by any chance?”
“Hungry?” /What
exactly was ‘hungry’?/ His stomach growled promptly, answering for him.
“The kitchen it
is,” decided Glorfindel, leading Erestor into his home.
Ecthelion
followed suit, unwilling to let the two Elves out of his sight. It was best if
he stayed close.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“What is this?”
Erestor looked at Glorfindel for an explanation.
“That is
cheese.” Glorfindel chuckled, and cut himself a slice. Watching Erestor eat was
quite the experience. The dark-haired Elf had already devoured fresh bread,
meats, ripe fruit, and now tackled the cheese. “Do not eat too much. There is
also dessert.”
“Dessert? What
is that?” Erestor bit into the cheese, munching happily. When his father had
demanded he join the Firstborn in order to be with Glorfindel, he had expected
many hardships, but so far he had experienced one pleasant surprise after
another. Although he was several millennia old, he had never felt more alive
before! Alive, breathing, eating, drinking fresh water and something Glorfindel
called wine – a drink, which was definitely making him dizzy.
“Easy with the
wine, Glorfindel. Something tells me he is not used to drinking it.” It was the
dilated pupils, decided Ecthelion, which gave Erestor away.
“This wine is
most delicious,” exclaimed Erestor, already tipsy. “I feel strange, though, but
then again, I have felt strange for a while now.” His head lolled from the
right to the left, trying to focus on Glorfindel. “Why are there two of you?”
“Oh, you are
right,” said Glorfindel, quite upset that he had made such a grave mistake in
judgment and he quickly filled Erestor’s glass with water instead of wine.
“Drink this, Erestor.”
Erestor indulged
his secret love and emptied the glass. “Is it always like this?”
“Is what?” asked
Ecthelion, shaking his head when Glorfindel reached for the apple pie. “Don’t, meldir. I doubt his stomach will hold
more food.”
“Being alive!”
Erestor drew in a deep breath and sighed in contentment. “I want to be like
this forever.”
The two Captains
exchanged a puzzled look. “It is probably the wine talking,” said Ecthelion,
eventually. “We should put him to bed so he can sleep off the effects. And
Glorfindel, remember this in the future! No wine for Erestor.”
Erestor gave
Ecthelion a rueful look. “Why not? I like wine.”
“I know you do,
but you are not used to it.” Ecthelion rose from his chair and gave Glorfindel
a stern look. “We are putting him to bed *now*.”
Erestor pouted.
“I do not want to go back to bed! I want to walk in the gardens, look at Ithil
and the stars.” He gave Glorfindel a pleading look. “Can we go outside instead?
Please?”
Seeing his
friend was about to give in, Ecthelion replied in Glorfindel’s place. “Nay, at
night we rest and you will do the same.”
Glorfindel
nodded, reluctantly. “Ecthelion, you are right, of course. He should rest.” He
rose from his chair and came to a standstill beside Erestor, who struggled to
his feet. Glorfindel quickly reached for him and folded an arm around him. “Let
me walk you to your rooms.”
“Stay with me
tonight, Glorfindel?”
Erestor’s
directness surprised even Glorfindel, who determinedly shook his head. “I
cannot do that. Turgon entrusted you to me – to us – and we are your guardians
for now.”
Ecthelion
watched the scene unfold in amusement and decided it was time for him to take
charge. If it were up to Erestor, Glorfindel and he would spend the night in
the same bed and that just wasn’t acceptable – especially since Erestor was
clearly intoxicated. “Where do you want to put him? The guest rooms in the
right wing?”
Glorfindel
nodded, clinging to Ecthelion’s voice, as it helped ground him. What was it
about Erestor that made him lose control? Together, they steered a swaying and
inebriated Erestor to his guest rooms. On their way there, Erestor grew silent
and one look told the two Captains that he had dozed off. That was probably the
best thing that could have happened to them. The two Elves lowered their charge
onto the bed and then stepped back. Ecthelion opened one of the windows to let
in the midnight breeze and then joined Glorfindel, who was staring admiringly
at Erestor.
“He is a
mystery, Ecthelion,” said Glorfindel eventually. “A mystery I desperately want
to unravel. The way he acts you would think that this is the first time he walked
on Arda.”
“Maybe it feels
that way to him, too. Because of the memory loss.” suggested Ecthelion, who
wrapped an arm around Glorfindel’s waist. Pulling his friend toward the
doorway, he said, “Glorfindel, we need to talk.”
Glorfindel
nodded. “I feel the same way. I have no idea what has come over me.”
Ecthelion pulled
his friend along. “Come with me, meldir.
You can always confide and trust in me.”
“You are a true
friend, Ecthelion,” replied Glorfindel, sighing heavily. “And the Valar know I need
one to make sense of my raging feelings.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Glorfindel
seated himself in a comfortable chair and accepted the goblet filled with sweet
wine, which Ecthelion handed him. Oil lamps and candles illuminated his study,
giving the room a warm feel. Ithil’s silver beams entered through the open
window and mingled with the golden light from the candles. Glorfindel sipped
his wine, drew in a deep breath, closed his eyes, and rested the back of his
head against the comfort of the chair. “Ecthelion, what am I doing?”
Ecthelion ran a
fingertip along the rim of his goblet and studied his friend. “Why don’t you
tell me, meldir?”
Glorfindel
nodded once. “I only know that I lost my heart to him when I discovered him in
the gardens.” His azure eyes opened and met Ecthelion’s. “Have you ever been in
love, meldir? Utterly and madly in
love?” He already knew the answer to that question, but waited for Ecthelion to
shake his head. “And neither have I, until today. My every thought is filled with
him. Every waking moment is spend thinking of him and I know that when I go to
sleep, I will dream of him. Erestor is…” Lacking the words to express his
feelings, Glorfindel hoped Ecthelion understood. “We always dreamt of a love
like this, and for a while I thought I would never find it. But that has
changed now. I hardly know him and yet, it feels like he is already a part of
me.”
“Glorfindel, you
only met Erestor hours ago. How can you be this convinced that it is love? He
is fair, meldir, maybe his beauty has
aroused your lust? Is it really love, Glorfindel?” Ecthelion sipped his wine,
and gave Glorfindel a probing look. “A declaration of love should not be spoken
lightly. It is the most intense emotion we will ever experience and one to be
cherished for the rest of our lives.” He disliked doing this to Glorfindel, but
considered it his duty as a friend to caution him. “You know *nothing* of
Erestor, Glorfindel. For all you know, Erestor might not be what he seems.
Morgoth is cunning and his power is growing. Erestor might be an agent, sent to
spy for him.”
Glorfindel’s
eyes erupted with blue fire. “How dare you imply such a thing?”
“Glorfindel,
listen carefully. I am not saying that Erestor is in league with Morgoth. I am
merely trying to point out how little you know about him.”
“There is no
evil in Erestor, and you know it!” Glorfindel placed his goblet on the table
with a loud thud. Glorfindel was more intent on defending Erestor, than
actually hearing what Ecthelion was trying to tell him.
Ecthelion
smiled, ruefully. “But you *do* realize how little you know of Erestor?”
“I see the point
you are trying to make, and aye, it is a valid one.” Glorfindel hated the way
Ecthelion had made him admit that.
“Glorfindel, I
sense an innocence in Erestor, and I am sure you felt too. What I am trying to
say is that you should take your time to get to know him. Do not rush this. You
have all the time you need. Pace yourself until you know Erestor – know him for
who he really is.”
“Why must you
always be right, Ecthelion?” But in spite of his mixed feelings, Glorfindel
managed a warm smile. “You do not really approve of Erestor, do you?”
Ecthelion
chuckled. “I do not know Erestor, so how can I disapprove or approve of him? We
have all the time we need, Glorfindel, and something tells me Erestor is in no
hurry to leave, as he is attracted to you in turn. Why not use the next few
months to build a friendship? And if it is love on your mind as well as his, it
will show and manifest.”
“Your advice is wise
and sound.” Glorfindel felt better now. “So, you do not think me mad for
falling in love with him?”
“Glorfindel,
Erestor is fair and from what I have witnessed, kind. If you wish to pursue
him, you have my blessing, if that is what you are asking.”
“Thank you.”
Glorfindel smiled, warmly, at his friend. “Will you spend the day with us
tomorrow?”
“Us being
Erestor and you, I assume?” Ecthelion filled their goblets again and found that
a light blush had settled on his friend’s features. The wine loosened his
tongue and he found himself talking rapidly. “Aye, it is true that we did not
find love yet. Neither you nor I have had a lover and that is because we will
only settle for true love. If you feel you have found that with Erestor, fight
for it.”
“But what about
you, meldir?”
“I believe that
I will find true love as well – one day in the future.” Ecthelion raised his
goblet. “Let us drink on Erestor’s health, then.”
Glorfindel
nodded and toasted. “And let us drink on love – true love.” He was convinced he
would find true love in Erestor’s arms and hoped Ecthelion would one day find
the other half of his soul as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/He is asleep,
Námo. Our son is dreaming./ Vairë’s ghost-like touch caressed Erestor’s raven
hair.
Námo joined his
wife in looking at their son. /He cannot hear or see us. I saw to that./
/He looks
happy./ Even in his sleep a smile remained on Erestor’s smile. Vairë’s mind
reached out and curled around her husband’s. /I believe we made the right
decision in allowing him to become one of the Firstborn./
/He will be
happy for a while, but once Gondolin falls he will lose his love./
/And
Glorfindel’s fëa will come to dwell in the Halls./ Saddened, she reached out
and touched her son’s thoughts. Erestor was dreaming of Glorfindel, of holding
him close and kissing him. /I never realized love could be this strong./
/It is the most
powerful emotion in Eru’s creation./
/And now it is
guiding Erestor’s life./
/Trust me, my
love. It will guide him well./
Her husband’s
words brought her comfort now that she had to part from her son again. Her
being lovingly enfolded Erestor for long moments, but then she let go and
followed her husband. The souls of the dead demanded their constant attention
and their first duty was to them. /I will visit with you shortly, my son. In
the meantime, I hope Glorfindel will make you happy./
The next moment,
their presence was gone from Erestor’s rooms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erestor
stretched, purred, and extended his
right hand to catch Arien’s first rays. The soft warmth wrapped itself around
his digits, making him smile in wonder. Life as a Firstborn was nothing like he
had thought it would be! It was a journey filled with discoveries and new
experiences.
A tightness in
his groin made him frown and he elbowed himself into an upright position to
find out what was amiss this time. His leggings were impossibly tight and
Erestor removed the offending clothes, finally enjoying the sensation of air
meeting naked flesh.
But, a little –
well, not so little – problem remained. His member had grown engorged and was
becoming painful. Following his instincts, he wrapped his fingers around the
inflamed flesh and stroked. His eyes widened with pleasure and soon, he was
crooning softly. He lay down once more and arched his back, thrusting into his
hand. His eyes closed, his breathing paused, and his groin tightened further as
ancient needs took over and eventually pushed him toward orgasm. Fire exploded
behind his closed eyelids and a warm, creamy substance erupted from the head,
dripping onto his fingers and abdomen. Feeling lazy, Erestor smiled. Oh, this
had been his most intense experience so far! During his life as a Vala, he had
never experienced anything like it! /And I want to experience it again, but
this time *with* Glorfindel!/
“Erestor? Are
you awake yet?”
/Glorfindel./
Feeling sticky, Erestor used a corner of the sheet to clean himself up, before
calling out for Glorfindel to enter.
Glorfindel
opened the door and remained standing in the doorway. A blush crept onto his
features, finding Erestor naked on the bed. The slightly bitter scent that
floated in the bedroom told Glorfindel that the raven-haired Elf had pleasured
himself and had found release just seconds prior to his arrival. The now
flaccid member lay nestled against the alabaster skin and Glorfindel felt
grateful that he had brought himself to orgasm before seeking out Erestor, for
this current vision would have caused him to grow aroused. His erection would
have been clearly visible, too, as he was wearing tight-fitting leggings. Now,
he was spared this particular embarrassment. “How do you fare this morn?” He
*did* wonder why Erestor didn’t cover himself up, flaunting his naked body
instead. Did this Elf know no shame?
“Better, I
think.” Erestor sat upright once more and swung his feet over the side of the
bed, placing them firmly on the floor. “You did not stay with me last night,”
he said in a disappointed and even slightly resentful tone.
“It would not
have been appropriate.” Glorfindel took a step into the room and draped a gray
shirt and black leggings over a chair. He placed knee-high black boots on the
floor and then sought out Erestor’s gaze, trying hard not to stare at the naked
Elf. Oh, he craved running his hands down Erestor’s flanks, cupping the firm
buttocks and making love to him. But Ecthelion’s words returned to him and he
restrained himself, knowing he had to get to know Erestor first. “Breakfast
will be served in fifteen minutes. Do you think you can wash up and get dressed
or do you require more time?”
“Wash up?”
Erestor pushed himself to his feet, feeling proud now that he didn’t sway. He
was growing more accustomed to this body and found it easier to move about.
“Aye, you can wash
up in the bathroom.” Glorfindel crossed the room and opened the door to the
bathroom. “You can fill up the pool and take a bath, but that will require more
time than you have. Maybe a shower will do instead?”
“Wash up…”
Erestor was still contemplating that particular concept.
“Aye, clean up.”
Glorfindel frowned, wondering why he was explaining this to Erestor.
“I have never
washed up before.” Erestor walked into the bathroom and considered his options.
“I think I will manage.”
Although
Erestor’s words puzzled the blond warrior, he decided not to question his
guest. Glorfindel pulled several large towels from the closet and placed them
beside the shower. Erestor’s uninhibited manner stirred lustful feelings deep
inside him and he found he was growing hard after all. “I will return in
fifteen minutes.” He practically fled Erestor’s rooms and closed the door
behind him with a bang. He leaned against the wall and rested his back against
it. “By the Valar…” No Elf had ever caused such a strong desire in him!
Ecthelion
strolled down the corridor and grinned, coming upon his aroused friend. One
look, directed at Glorfindel’s groin area, told him why the azure eyes had
filled with desire. “I reckon you visited with Erestor?”
“He was naked
again,” Glorfindel gasped.
Ecthelion’s
chuckle echoed through the corridor. “And he left you hard. Oh, meldir,
you really want him, don’t you?” He had never seen Glorfindel in this
way before.
“Aye, I do, but
I will honor your advice and go slow, though it might be the death of me!” All
he could think of was making love to Erestor!
Ecthelion smiled
in understanding and searched Glorfindel’s eyes. “Go to the main hall and break
your fast.”
“But what about
Erestor?”
“I will escort
him. Now go.” He winked at Glorfindel, saying, “Maybe you should take a cold
shower first?”
“You are
enjoying my misery too much!” But Glorfindel couldn’t grow angry with
Ecthelion, knowing his friend was only teasing him. Leaning in closer, he
touched his forehead to his friend’s and whispered, “I promise you that you
*will* find the other half of your soul, meldir.”
Deeply touched,
Ecthelion stroked the long, flaxen hair. “I am happy for you, Glorfindel. Now
go and take care of *that*.”
Glorfindel
snorted, but felt thankful nonetheless. Hurrying down the corridor, he headed
for his rooms – for a cold shower.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erestor appeared
in the corridor fifteen minutes later, and Ecthelion noted the surprise in the dark
eyes upon finding him and not Glorfindel waiting for him. He had already had
his heart to heart with Glorfindel, now he wanted a moment with Erestor. “Walk
with me,” he instructed. “I will take you to the hall where we will have
breakfast.” Erestor’s gaze swept through the corridor, taking in the carvings,
paintings – many by Glorfindel’s hand himself – and noted the way Erestor’s
hands continued to try and grasp Arien’s beams. “This seems new to you,”
commented Ecthelion, hoping Erestor might let down his guard and speak the
truth, for the Captain was convinced that Erestor had been carefully dosing the
little truth he had shared so far.
“This *is* new
to me!” Erestor gave Ecthelion a brilliant smile. “Ecthelion, I wanted to thank
you for speaking on my behalf before the King. I really bear you no ill will. I
just want to live here with Glorfindel.”
“Glorfindel is
very important to you, is he not?” Ecthelion slowed their pace, needing time to
steer their conversation in the direction he desired. He realized that Erestor
wouldn’t share anything with them on how he had arrived in the
Erestor blushed
and nodded his head once. He carefully made eye contact with Ecthelion and
said, “I love him.”
“How can you be
so sure of that? You only met yesterday!” Ecthelion was beginning to understand
that Erestor’s feelings for Glorfindel were just as deep as they were on the
blond Elf’s part.
“I know it in my
heart,” whispered Erestor, looking Ecthelion in the eye. “I am prepared to make
whatever sacrifice necessary in order to be with him.” He had already
sacrificed a large part of himself so he could dwell in Gondolin.
“Your love for
him is sincere?” Ecthelion stopped Erestor by placing a hand on his shoulder
and turning him around so they were face to face. “You really love him?”
“I do.” Erestor
placed his hand on Ecthelion’s, which already rested on his shoulder, and
guided it down so he could cradle it between his two hands. “My love is sincere
and my motives genuine. I love Glorfindel and I want to be with him for the
rest of his life.”
Ecthelion
frowned at hearing ‘the rest of *his* life’, which somehow struck him as odd.
But the warmth in the brown eyes convinced him that Erestor was speaking the
truth and, in the end, he relented. “Glorfindel returns those feelings.”
Erestor’s heart
thundered madly at hearing his suspicions confirmed. “I understand that you
have no reason to trust me, Ecthelion, but I will promise you this; I vow to
never willingly hurt Glorfindel or to betray his love. I will be faithful and
devoted to him until the end.”
Ecthelion’s eyes
continued to study the dark ones and found them truthful. “You had better treat
him respectful and love him well, or else you will answer to me.”
“I know that
Glorfindel is your best friend, Ecthelion, and that the two of you are
practically inseparable. Trust me, I have no intention of taking him away from
you. You are an Elf of great honor and I respect you. I hope, that in time, we
will become friends.”
Had that been
his greatest fear, wondered Ecthelion. That Erestor would take his best friend
away from him?
Unbidden, a
vision of the distant future came to Erestor, maybe aided by their close, physical
contact. “I see a dark-haired Elf at your side, Ecthelion, with large, gray
eyes in which the stars shine brightly. Still young, certainly compared to your
age, but he is wise and courageous. You will have to wait long and endure much,
but he will find you eventually. And he will love you.”
Ecthelion broke
away from Erestor’s hypnotic gaze and freed his hand from the other Elf’s hold.
“How can you say such a thing? Why would you play with my feelings?” The fact
that he hadn’t found a love worthy of him yet caused him deep sorrow, one that
constantly accompanied him, though he managed to hide it well.
“I apologize if
my words have hurt you.” Erestor took a step closer to Ecthelion and made a
point of establishing physical contact again by resting a hand on the Lord’s
shoulder. “I did not say that to hurt your feelings.” He didn’t want to reveal
this yet, but he had to if he wanted Ecthelion to stop looking at him in such a
hurt way. “I might not remember my past, but I do know parts of the future, and
when we touched, this vision came to me. Don’t despair, Ecthelion. You *will*
find love eventually.”
Erestor felt
afraid to believe Erestor, just in case the raven-haired Elf was playing him,
but deep down in his heart he wanted to believe every word his charge had said.
“Do you also know his name, then?”
“Do you really
want to know?” Erestor smiled at Ecthelion, and squeezed the Captain’s
shoulder.
“If you know his
name, please share it with me.” It would be his lifeline in the years to come –
years, which would be filled with watching Erestor and Glorfindel deepening
their love – as these two Elves would doubtlessly bind themselves no matter
what obstacles were placed in their path.
“His name is
Elrohir,” revealed Erestor in a tender tone. “And he will love you, Ecthelion.”
“Elrohir...”
Ecthelion repeated the name, letting it roll from his tongue. “Elf-Knight?”
“Aye, a knight
worthy of your love.” Erestor indulged himself and gave in to his curiosity,
letting a strand of Ecthelion’s hair twirl around a fingertip. “We should join
Glorfindel now. I do not want to keep him waiting.”
/Elrohir, my
love’s name is Elrohir./ For one brief moment Ecthelion was afraid that Erestor
had cunningly played him, but when he looked into the large eyes, he saw no lies.
Erestor had been honest with him. He smiled, and guided Erestor toward the main
hall where breakfast was being served. /Elrohir, his name is Elrohir…/ He
repeated it time and time again. /Elrohir, his name is Elrohir./
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Glorfindel felt
refreshed – and considerably less aroused – after he had taken that cold
shower. He had joined the members of his household in the main hall and had
just begun eating breakfast, when he noticed the soft murmur, which started
near the doorway and progressed deeper into the hall. Looking up from his
plate, he quickly located its source. Ecthelion and Erestor walked toward him,
and Glorfindel’s heart missed a beat, seeing the carefree and open expression
in Erestor’s brown eyes.
Erestor ignored
the looks of open admiration being cast in his way and focused on Glorfindel
instead. The blush that spread across the fair Elf’s face was becoming and
added to his beauty. “My Lord Glorfindel,” said Erestor, addressing Glorfindel
in a teasing tone.
“Please, there
is no need to address me in such a formal way.” Glorfindel rose from his chair
and gestured for Ecthelion to take his regular seat to his right, whilst he
directed Erestor to his left.
Ecthelion watched
his best friend’s struggle to remain composed with amusement. Glorfindel’s
interest in Erestor was rather obvious, and judging by the soft murmur around
him, the members of the Glorfindel’s household had reached the same conclusion.
The two dark-haired
Elves seated themselves and Ecthelion busied himself with his tea, giving
Glorfindel a moment to focus solely on Erestor.
“You look
rested. I trust you slept well?” Glorfindel watched, rather entranced, how
Erestor nibbled on a peace of bread. The soft-pink lips demanded to be kissed,
not used for the simple intake of food.
“Aye, I did.”
Erestor tried the chamomile tea and smiled, approving of its taste.
“Ecthelion will
have to leave us shortly, as his duties call him back to our King’s side, but I
am at your disposal for the rest of the day, if you wish for it.” Glorfindel
couldn’t tear his gaze away from Erestor’s mouth, which now opened to allow a
sugar covered strawberry inside.
A taste
explosion followed and Erestor smiled, happily. Next, he selected a cherry and
ate it, displeased when he bit down on something hard. He disposed of the stone
and sought out Glorfindel’s eyes. Hope lingered there – hope and the beginning
of love. “I would prefer for you to stay at my side, Glorfindel.”
Ecthelion leaned
back, sipping his tea. Turgon would demand a report on Erestor and he should
carefully consider what to tell their King. If Erestor could really foretell
the future, Erestor would become more valuable in Turgon’s eyes and the King’s
meddling might grow. He wasn’t sure he wanted to further the King’s interest in
Erestor, though. Not yet, anyways. He wanted Glorfindel and Erestor to have a
chance to get to know each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Will you join
us for dinner later?” asked Glorfindel, as he walked Ecthelion to his horse.
“That depends,”
replied Ecthelion. “I do not know how busy Turgon will keep me.” He mounted his
mare and steered her toward the road. “And I doubt you will miss my presence
today.”
Glorfindel
blushed a delicate red. “It is rather obvious, isn’t it?”
“If you are not
careful the whole of Gondolin will know you are in love before nightfall.”
Ecthelion grinned, naughtily. “I will help the rumor along by telling Idril.”
Glorfindel
groaned. The King’s daughter would waste no time spreading it. “Do not tell her
yet.”
“I might tell
her at any rate – just to annoy you,” said Ecthelion, teasingly, but then his
demeanor changed. “But I should concentrate on Turgon instead.”
“You are worried
about the influence Maeglin has gained on him, and so am I.”
“There is more.
Tuor carried Ulmö’s warning to our High-King and yet Turgon refuses to act upon
it.” Ecthelion was worried. “It was foretold that Ulmö would warn us and yet
Turgon chooses to ignore it.”
“It is Maeglin’s
influence on him that is making him act in this way.” Glorfindel raised a hand
and rested it on Ecthelion’s knee. “Talk to Tuor. Try to gain more information.
Maybe that way we can convince Turgon to evacuate the
“Turgon will
never abandon Gondolin,” said Ecthelion, lost in though. “I am afraid we are
fighting a losing battle.”
“In that case we
should consider designing a plan to take the ones willing to leave the city
into safety.”
“Idril might be
willing to leave, especially since she is expecting her first child.” Ecthelion
sighed, feeling troubled. “I pray we still have a few years left in this city
before we must leave or die defending it.”
Glorfindel
agreed and nodded once. “I want to stay here for a few more years… And maybe
not all is lost yet, if only we can stop Maeglin from influencing our King.” He
squeezed Ecthelion’s knee and then removed his hand. “If you cannot join us for
dinner, send word of today’s meetings. And keep a close eye on Maeglin!”
“I will!”
Ecthelion raised his hand in goodbye and pressed his heels into his mare’s
flanks, heading for the King’s Palace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Your home is a
lovely place to dwell,” said Erestor after Glorfindel had shown him most of the
halls, rooms and gardens. Fountains, golden and delicately decorated, produced
a calming melody and Erestor pulled Glorfindel toward a more secluded part of
the garden.
Glorfindel felt
extremely pleased; during the tour of his home Erestor’s hand had constantly
rested in his and he had rubbed the long fingers, enjoying their contact. Now
that Erestor pulled him with him, Glorfindel followed, his eyes sparking when
he realized what direction they were headed in.
Erestor came to
an abrupt halt and inclined his head. “Do I hear music?” Someone was playing
the lyre and one moment later a hauntingly beautiful voice floated toward him.
Entranced by the hypnotic quality of that voice, Erestor moved closer, honing
in on the singer.
In the end, he
entered a rose garden, and in its center, sheltered by a large oak tree, sat
the singer. Long, nimble fingers caressed the strings and soon the melody had
him mesmerized. White hair, glowing soft silver, framed a handsome face and
light-blue eyes added to the minstrel’s eternal beauty. Erestor remained at a
respectful distance, listening closely. His eyes closed and he swayed gently,
letting the music move him.
Glorfindel
released Erestor’s hand to wrap his arm around the other Elf’s waist. Erestor
reacted by moving closer and the raven head came to rest upon a strong
shoulder.
The hands
eventually stilled and stopped plucking the strings. The enchantment ended
abruptly and Erestor blinked, his eyes revealing awe. “The song of Ilúvatar is strong
in you.” Curiously, he advanced on the musician.
“Thank you.” He
placed the lyre aside and slowly rose from the ground to greet Glorfindel and
their guest.
Glorfindel
cleared his throat and introduced the musician. “Erestor, this is Lindir. He is
a friend, my former teacher and above all a minstrel. He taught Ecthelion to
play the flute and I often join them by playing the harp or raising my voice in
song.”
Erestor smiled
at Lindir; the minstrel’s skills had left him captivated. “Your voice surely
reached the Valar, making them smile in contentment.” Many minstrels roamed his
father’s Halls, but they seldom sang and when they did, it was with great
sadness. But Lindir’s voice was different and sparkled with joy and a zest for
life. “I am honored to meet you, Lindir.” Introducing himself, he added, “My
name is Erestor.”
“I heard of your
arrival,” replied Lindir, inclining his head in respect. “And the servants
spoke true when they told me of your beauty. It must please the Valar to look
upon you.”
“Thank you for
your kind words.” Erestor looked Lindir in the eye and asked, “Will you sing
another song? I would like to sit at your feet and listen to you.”
“If that is your
wish.” Amused and flattered by Erestor’s open adoration, Lindir seated himself
once more and gestured for Glorfindel and Erestor to do the same. “Is there a
particular song you would like to hear?”
“Nay, you pick
the song – the melody.” Erestor pulled Glorfindel down with him and leaned
against the blond Elf once they were comfortably seated close to each other. A
lock of gold twirled around a strand of his raven hair and Erestor smiled,
hoping this was symbolic for the rest of their relationship. They hadn’t spoken
of love yet, but both realized they were already courting each other.
Lindir noted the
way their fingers intertwined and saw his feelings confirmed, finding
Glorfindel guiding Erestor closer to him and stroking the raven hair. The
servants had told him of Erestor’s beauty, but he had been hesitant to believe
such perfection really existed. But Erestor had proven him wrong. Such beauty should be
immortalized in song and Lindir picked up his lyre, playing and singing once
more.
Erestor was lost
in admiration of Lindir’s voice. “You are blessed in many ways, Lindir,” he whispered,
forgetting that Glorfindel heard him.
“Aye, he is
indeed,” whispered Glorfindel. Whilst his right arm remained poised around
Erestor’s waist, he brought up the other and rested his hand against the nape
of Erestor’s neck. /How can it be that I feel so at peace? Why does it feel
like I have known you my entire life? I never believed in love at first sight –
but this love is so rich and complete that it warms me from the inside./
Erestor caught
an echo of Glorfindel’s thoughts despite his determination not to use his
powers in that way – it just happened and he knew his father would understand
that he hadn’t violated the ground rules. Glorfindel’s thoughts had simply
entered his mind. /Oh, I feel the same way about you, melethen4./ Enjoying the tranquility of the moment, he
closed his eyes. He deeply breathed in Glorfindel’s scent and listened –
utterly captivated -- to Lindir’s song, which wove a web of sounds, images and
emotions around them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lindir gave
Erestor an amused smile. “Did he really fall asleep during my song?”
“I am afraid so,
meldir. He has had a very exciting
day so far and yesterday must have exhausted him as well.” Glorfindel held Erestor
close, caressing long strands of ebony hair. “He feels right in my arms.”
Lindir nodded
once. “I noticed how comfortable you are around him. You have come to trust
somebody so quickly only once before and that was when you met Ecthelion.” He
had been a part of Glorfindel’s household for many centuries now and had taught
the golden-haired Elf the finer arts – however, he felt only music was a true
form of art. During the years they had spent together, a friendship had formed,
though it didn’t compare to the friendship Glorfindel had built with Ecthelion.
But Lindir didn’t mind. He lived for his music – for song, words, notes and
melody. They were his world – his lovers.
“I am quite at a
loss to explain this. He feels like the other half of my soul.” Glorfindel
pressed a chaste kiss onto the black hair. “At first, I thought it was his
beauty, which captivated me, but I now believe it is more. My soul reached out
to his, and Erestor answered. It almost feels like I can sense his thoughts at
times – maybe even his emotions. It delights me, but it is also very confusing.
I never thought I would lose my heart in that way.”
“We do not get
to choose the way love enters our lives,” said Lindir, musing. “You should
rejoice instead and embrace his love for you.”
“Do you think he
loves me in turn?” Glorfindel’s eyes glittered with emotion.
“I can see it in
his eyes, aye.” It would only be a matter of time before they became lovers.
“But his eyes also hide many things.”
“I know that,
but I cannot force him to open up to me. Turgon and Ecthelion want to know how
Erestor entered our city, but Erestor says he does not remember.”
“Do you believe
him?” Lindir saw a hint of indecision in his friend’s azure eyes.
“I am not
certain,” admitted Glorfindel in a heavy voice. “But even if his memory is
still intact I will respect his decision not to confide in me.”
“Because you
love him.”
“Aye, because I
love him.” Glorfindel felt lost, looking at the fair face, resting against his
shoulder. “Am I wrong to love him, Lindir? I know nothing about him.”
“Not nothing,”
said Lindir, correcting him. “You know he loves you.”
Glorfindel
smiled, contently. “Aye, I do.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Did I fall asleep
again?” Erestor yawned and stretched, giving Glorfindel and Lindir an
apologetic smile. “That was never my intention.” Being alive was more tiring
than he had thought and he hoped he would grow more accustomed to the demands
this body placed upon him.
“Do not worry
about it,” said Glorfindel, good-heartedly. “But it is a good thing you have
awoken for I need to leave you for a while.”
Erestor grabbed
hold of Glorfindel and folded his arms around the blond Elf’s shoulders in a
possessive way. “Nay, you do not.”
“Oh, but I must!
I do not want to leave you, but I am the Lord of my House and I have to attend
to certain matters. I cannot neglect my duties to my people.” Glorfindel
caressed Erestor’s face and his fingertips trailed lower, tracing the outline
of Erestor’s pink bottom lip. “My guards train during the afternoon and I have
to be there to supervise them. I also need to debrief them, find out if someone
was injured, and hand out the new duty rosters. I am sorry, but I cannot
neglect those duties in order to be with you.”
“I understand,”
whispered Erestor. “I understand about honor and duty.”
Glorfindel felt
relieved, now that Erestor was pushing himself to his feet and pulling him
along. “Would you like to join us, Lindir? You can keep Erestor company during
the training.”
Lindir gathered
his lyre and rose from the grass. “I would like that. I find I enjoy your
company, Erestor.”
Lindir’s words made Erestor smile. “And I enjoy yours. Maybe you can teach me
how to play the lyre?” He could practice whilst Glorfindel trained with the
guards.
“You won’t be
able to learn to play the lyre in a few hours, Erestor, but we can make a
start.” Lindir smoothed his green robes, made from silk and velvet, and brushed
elusive strands of white hair back behind his ears.
Glorfindel took
possession of Erestor’s hand once more, eager to be in contact with the Elf he
was so madly in love in. Together, the three of them headed for the training
grounds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“One is more
beautiful than the other.”
“Ilúvatar’s song
must have been particularly bright when creating these two.”
Lindir frowned,
overhearing the guards closest to him. Erestor was plucking at the strings of
his lyre, and Lindir was still amazed that the raven-haired Elf had so quickly
picked up the skill to play the instrument. He had been so focused on Erestor’s
play that he hadn’t heard the guards at first, but then their conversation had
grown louder and bolder.
“I would love
running my fingers down the white tresses. Oh, just look at those eyes! They
resemble the blue-gray sky just before the clouds release rain!”
Lindir averted
his eyes, realizing the guard had noticed his glance. Being the object of such
interest made him uncomfortable.
“He likes you, Lindir,”
whispered Erestor, finishing a short melody Lindir had taught him. “Do you
fancy him?” The guard was fair and sweat glittered on the broad, well-toned
chest. “Or are you already bound?”
“I am bound to
my music, Erestor. She is my true love.” Lindir felt the guard’s eyes upon him
and this time he ignored him.
“How do you
think would he move beneath me? Would his blue eyes burn brighter? Or grow
white, like his hair?” The guard sighed, dreaming of Lindir and barely managed
ducking a blow when his partner attacked. He had been so focused on Lindir that
he had let his guard down!
“Don’t you
desire a living, breathing lover, then?” Erestor placed the lyre aside and
searched Lindir’s eyes. They revealed desire and obsession. But those emotions
weren’t directed at a living being, but at his music instead. “A melody cannot
wrap its arms around you when you are alone at night. Music is a very
inattentive lover.”
“It has always
been enough for me.”
Erestor’s gaze
darkened and then grew sad. “There might come a time when music is not enough
any more, Lindir.”
At that point,
Lindir decided to change their subject, as he had no desire to discuss this
further. “His training partner finds you very fair as well, Erestor.”
“I love
Glorfindel. Only Glorfindel, and no one else.” Erestor’s gaze shifted from the
minstrel to Glorfindel, who was supervising the last part of the training. Like
his men, Glorfindel had removed his shirt and tiny droplets of sweat hugged the
well-toned chest. “He has a gorgeous body.”
Lindir laughed.
“You, meldir, are experiencing a rush
of lust!”
“Lust? Maybe,”
said Erestor, giving Lindir a wink. “You are probably right, though. All I can
think about is kissing him and running my hands down that chest.” The scene
triggered certain responses in his body, making him grow hard. “Have you ever
lain with a male, Lindir?”
Lindir couldn’t
help but wonder about Erestor’s directness. “Nay, I have not.” Hadn’t he just
told Erestor that no Elf compared to the beauty he saw and heard when composing
his music?
“Never?” Erestor
gave Lindir a look full of disbelief. “You never engaged in the act of making
love? How old are you?” He had only possessed the body of an Elf for two days
and desired nothing more than to become one with Glorfindel – to feel the
warrior’s hands move over his body and claim him!
“Old enough.”
Lindir shook his head at Erestor. “You must be very young to feel your body’s
desire in such a strong way.”
/Oh, I would not
call myself young, Lindir./ But Erestor couldn’t say that aloud.
The training had
finally come to an end and Glorfindel dismissed his men, joining Erestor and
Lindir. Sitting down, he lifted his hair away from his neck and back, hoping
the breeze would cool his overheated body. “Were you successful in mastering
the lyre, Erestor?”
“He is a quick
study,” replied Lindir, rising from the grass. “Please excuse me now.” He
picked up his lyre, smiled at them, and left. He desired to be alone and to
compose.
Erestor crept
closer and Glorfindel’s groin tightened, seeing the predatory look in the large
eyes. “Erestor, we need to discuss what is happening.”
“Pray tell,
Glorfindel. What *is* happening?” He ran his fingertips down the muscular
chest, shivering with delight as they brushed one of the hard nipples. “I want
you.”
“Erestor, *that*
is exactly what we need to discuss.” Glorfindel caught Erestor’s hand in his
and drew in a deep breath. The dark, dilated pupils spoke of lust and desire
and he felt the same way, but they couldn’t do this – not now, not like this.
“What is happening between us?” Erestor’s face was only inches away from his
and Glorfindel restrained himself from reaching out and claiming those pink
lips in a bruising kiss.
“I thought you
knew,” whispered Erestor, his breath caressing Glorfindel’s lips. “I love you.”
Hearing those
three little words aloud for the first time caused Glorfindel’s heart to miss a
beat. “And I love you. But how can this be? We met only yesterday!”
“What if there
is no answer to your question? What if there is no explanation? What if it just
happened? We are in love, aren’t we?” Erestor knelt in front of Glorfindel and
raised his other arm, gently caressing the
Glorfindel
realized he should have expected such a declaration of love, but for some
reason he had fooled himself into thinking that they could go slow. “Is that
the way it will be then? We will be lovers?”
Erestor nodded
his head once and bridged the distance between their lips, finally tasting
Glorfindel for the very first time. The ruby lips tasted of strawberries and
cherries, of wind and sun and he wanted to taste more of him, so much more.
“Erestor, slow
down. You must slow down.” Glorfindel placed his hands on either side of
Erestor’s head and looked deeply into the brown eyes. “I want you too, Erestor,
but I do not want to rush things.”
“Rush things?”
Erestor arched a delicately formed eyebrow. “How can making love be rushing
things? I desire to be with you in that way and you feel the same. Why not act
upon it?”
“Because the
moment we consummate our love we will be considered bound. Is that what you
want? You could never take another lover again. You would be mine until the day
we die.”
“Aye, I want
that. I want to be yours forever.” Erestor slipped his hands behind
Glorfindel’s neck and kept him in place. “Do you really want to fight this? Me?
Do you think you can? And why would you?”
“I do not think
I can. You are in my blood.” Glorfindel ceased all resistance and gave in,
wondering if he had gone mad by agreeing to bind himself to Erestor. The dark-haired
Elf was a mystery and he knew nothing of Erestor, except that the other Elf
loved him. Was that enough? Erestor’s tongue gently pushed past his lips and
teeth, and the way it moved against his made him realize that it had to be
enough. He no longer had the will to resist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Erestor?
Erestor! Listen to me!” Glorfindel forcefully pulled Erestor’s head away from
his and stared into dilated pupils. “We should find a secluded spot, if we are
going to follow through.”
“I have no
desire to move,” replied Erestor, straddling Glorfindel’s waist. The
“But…?” But what
if someone saw them? Glorfindel had always thought his first time would be in a
soft bed, not on the training grounds!
“Does it matter?
Melethron, I doubt we would make it
to your bedroom.” Erestor managed to undo the lacing of Glorfindel’s leggings
and slowly revealed his lover to himself. Glorfindel’s erection bobbed free and
already glistered with tiny beads of pre-ejaculate. Wrapping his fingers around the weeping shaft,
Erestor stroked firmly.
Glorfindel moaned
from deep within his throat and arched his back. “Erestor, you need to know…
Oh…” Pink lips had closer over a nipple and were now licking and suckling the
hard nub. “Oh, Erestor…”
Erestor loved
the way Glorfindel squirmed beneath him. It was exactly as he had hoped it
would be. He had imagined their first time would be like this, all those
millennia when he had walked the Halls of Waiting, wanting to be close enough
to Glorfindel to touch him. Letting his instincts guide him, his tongue trailed
from one nipple to the other, bestowing kisses and licks onto it whilst
Glorfindel’s erection hardened further in his grip.
Glorfindel’s
eyes turned a blazing blue, meeting Erestor’s dark ones. He raised an arm and
rested his hand against the nape of Erestor’s neck. His dark-haired lover was
still fully dressed and Glorfindel wanted that changed. “Remove your shirt.” He
had already seen Erestor naked, had touched and carried him, but it was
different now. They were about to make love and bind their souls!
Erestor quickly
did away with the restricting garment and bowed forward, placing his naked
upper body atop of Glorfindel’s chest, rubbing their skin together softly.
The sensation
was exquisite and Glorfindel’s strong hands moved down his lover’s spine. They slipped
inside Erestor’s leggings and possessively squeezed the firm buttocks. “I want
to see you naked.”
Eager to please,
Erestor briefly struggled with the leggings, then flung them aside. He moved
back into his straddling position and looked dotingly at Glorfindel.
Glorfindel’s
fingers explored his lover’s body, first caressing the chest and then trailing
down to Erestor’s groin. Everything about his lover was perfectly proportioned
and the velvet-like testes fitted nicely in the palm of his hand. “Before we go
any further, there is something you should know.” Erestor leaned in closer and
the long, ebony hair dragged delicately over his skin, making Glorfindel moan
pitifully. He had never stood a chance fighting this to begin with!
“And what is
that, melethron?” Erestor’s hands
were busy kneading the firm flesh beneath his fingertips and he bowed to
worship the sculpted body again. He planted firm kisses down the breastbone,
ignoring the hard nipples for now.
“I have never
lain with a male before – or with a female.” Glorfindel buried his fingertips
in Erestor’s hair and pulled his lover’s face closer to his so Erestor was
forced to look at him. “I have never done this before.”
“Why?” Erestor’s
hands cradled his lover’s face, caressing the skin there before sliding up the
back to brush the tips of Glorfindel’s pointed ears. When he had instigated
their love making he had been worried that he wouldn’t know what to do – how to
please Glorfindel – but this body knew exactly what to do!
“I always knew
there was someone special waiting for me and I did not want to give myself to
someone who was not my true love. You are my true love, are you not, Erestor?”
The emotion that
shone from Glorfindel’s eyes told Erestor that the warrior trusted and loved
him unconditionally and he nodded his head. “Aye, I am the one for you, just as
you are the only one for me.”
Glorfindel used
his hold on Erestor’s head to pull him close enough to kiss. Lips and teeth
parted and he hungrily accepted the invitation to taste his lover’s sweet
mouth. Erestor rhythmically moved his lower body, bringing their erections into
direct contact. The friction was maddening and Glorfindel stopped the kiss,
afraid he would reach completion before they had performed the ultimate act.
“What I am trying to say, Erestor, is that I have no experience in this
matter.”
“Neither have I,
but I do not think that will be an obstacle.” He had seen much during his long
life and Erestor knew the mechanics of love making – probably knew as much as
Glorfindel did. He was confident that together they would find a way to make
their first time special. “Tell me, Glorfindel, what do you want?” Large, azure
eyes looked at him questioningly. “Do you want to feel me inside or…?”
“Nay, I want to
be inside of you,” whispered Glorfindel, trustingly looking into Erestor’s
sparkling eyes. “I want to move inside of you.”
“You will have
it.” Erestor would give anything to please Glorfindel.
Glorfindel tried
to muffle the yelp that left his lips, as Erestor’s pink lips closed over the
head of his arousal, but he failed.
Erestor needed a
moment to get used to the slightly bitter taste that now slipped into his
mouth, but he followed through, licking and suckling the head. He tried taking
in more of his lover’s length, but gagged and pulled away.
“Do not worry
about it,” said Glorfindel, realizing Erestor was pushing himself in order to
please him. “It takes practice to bring someone to orgasm in that way and I
have no experience doing this either.”
“I will grow
more adapt at it,” said Erestor in a determined voice.
Glorfindel
chuckled. “I am certain you will.” But the fact remained that they were hard
and in need of release. “Can you reach that plant over there?”
Erestor reached
for it, and by doing so rubbed his lower body against Glorfindel’s erection,
which promptly bobbed up and nestled inside his lover’s cleft.
Erestor handed
the plant to Glorfindel, curious as to his lover’s plans for it.
Glorfindel tore off
the leaves and squeezed tight until the plant released its juices. “This will
aid my way in.” Glorfindel’s eyes remained fixated on Erestor’s, as he took
himself into hand and coated his shaft. “Do you really want to do this?” Oh, he
hoped Erestor hadn’t changed his mind, for he was desperate to find release!
“I want to feel
you inside of me.” Erestor moved until the opening to his body was situated
above his lover’s erect member.
Seeing Erestor
deftly bite his bottom lip, made Glorfindel’s erection twitch. “Go slow, melethen. I have heard that the first
time can cause discomfort.” Glorfindel’s hands trembled, as he placed them on
his lover’s hips.
Erestor nodded
once and then began to lower himself onto his lover’s hard flesh. He yelped, in
beginning distress, as the head forced a way past the guardian muscle. But he
continued, moving into a kneeling position whilst taken in more of Glorfindel’s
impressive length. Aye, it hurt. It burned, but he was determined to do this
and he continued to impale himself on his lover’s hard flesh. Tears leaked from
his eyes – the pain suddenly doubling, as Glorfindel sheathed himself to the
hilt.
“Erestor!”
Glorfindel cried out in ecstasy. A hot, velvet-like glove settled around his
member, already squeezing and gripping him. He closed his eyes and concentrated
on not reaching orgasm yet, as he didn’t want to leave Erestor behind.
Erestor tried
hard not to move. What had seemed pure bliss before starting this undertaking
had changed into discomfort and pain. Glorfindel felt incredibly big inside
him, filling him to the limit and he had no desire to add to the discomfort by
moving.
Wondering why
Erestor remained motionless, Glorfindel opened his eyes. “Oh, melethen!” The tears that dripped down
Erestor’s face spoke of pain, not of pleasure! “It will become better, I
promise!” At least, he hoped so! He had listened to many tales of his soldiers
when they had sat near the campfire at night. His men had shared their sexual
experiences freely, occasionally bringing a blush to his face. Once or twice,
he had even come upon two guards, making love in the shadows of a tree,
thinking it would hide them from view. He had never seen any of them cry due to
pain.
Erestor wiped
the tears from his face and cautiously lowered his upper body atop of
Glorfindel’s, wrapping his arms around the warrior. “I do not care about the
pain. We are one now – bound to each other for eternity.”
“Aye, you are
mine as I am yours.” Glorfindel brought up his arms behind Erestor’s back and
hugged him close. His first time was nothing like he had imagined it would be.
Maybe that was due to their position? Glorfindel frowned, trying to recall what
his soldiers had told him. What position had those Elves made love in when he
had come upon them? A position very different from theirs, he realized.
Seeking to
lessen Erestor’s discomfort, Glorfindel claimed the pink lips in an arduous
kiss. One hand drew soothing circles on
Erestor’s back, whilst the other started a quest of its own. He quickly located
his lover’s member, finding it had softened due to the penetration, and stroked
the organ back to hardness. All the time, he kept perfectly still, which was an
almost impossible task with this tightness gripping him.
Erestor moaned;
the dual sensation of having a sweet tongue duel with his, and Glorfindel’s
fingers doing incredible things to his erection, soon had him eager for more
and he began to rotate his hips.
That little
movement had Glorfindel groaning instantly. “Oh…” He broke their kiss to look at
Erestor’s face and found a weak smile had surfaced there. The tears had dried
and Erestor now moved more confidently, experimentally raising himself.
Glorfindel quickly slipped his hands beneath his lover’s buttocks, aiding him.
Erestor threw
back his head and his eyes widened, when the tip of Glorfindel’s member touched
something inside his passage.
“You brought us
this far, now let me do the rest.” Glorfindel waited for Erestor to nod his
permission and then tightened his hold on his lover. He rolled Erestor onto his
back and settled atop of his lover. “Wrap your legs around me.”
In this
position, Glorfindel’s length massaged *that* spot more forcefully and Erestor
obeyed at once, wrapping his long legs around his lover’s waist. The wicked
grin that appeared on the warrior’s face made him swallow, hard, and then,
Glorfindel delivered his first – well-aimed -- thrust. Erestor arched his back,
eager for the sensation to linger and he yelped, sharply, when the second
thrust penetrated him even deeper. “Oh, yes!”
Erestor’s enthusiasm
fueled Glorfindel’s, who set a slow and shallow rhythm. He fought the urge to
speed up. He wanted to make love to Erestor sweetly and slow, knowing his lover
would be sore for at least a few days, and he didn’t want to add to that
discomfort by taking him hard and fast.
Erestor rose to
meet each of his lover’s thrusts and soon they were moving together with
confidence. Lips and tongues found their counterparts and locked in a
passionate kiss. Erestor surrendered to his lover in every possible way,
allowing Glorfindel to dictate their lovemaking. He reached orgasm much too
quickly and screamed his lover’s name, finding release.
Glorfindel
panted hard, feeling Erestor’s warm cream drip from his abdomen and then… then
the contractions started. Erestor’s inner muscle gripped him – hard – and
Glorfindel stilled all movement, surrendering to the divine sensation, which
pushed him over the edge.
Erestor’s eyes
widened in surprise, feeling Glorfindel’s warm essence fill him from the
inside. “Melethron…” For the first
time in his long life he felt complete, and he hugged Glorfindel close to him,
pressing his lips against a shoulder and suckling the skin there.
Glorfindel
delivered a few more shallow thrusts and then collapsed atop of his lover.
Their first time had left him exhausted, but at the same time also utterly
satiated. “I do not want to pull out yet,” he said, in between heavy panting.
“Then stay
inside.” Erestor pressed close to Glorfindel and continued to hold him tight.
The blond warrior trembled in his arms, and tried to thrust once more, but his
member was already softening and the motion caused him to slip outside
unwanted.
Glorfindel
moaned at the loss and crushed Erestor close to him.
Erestor allowed
the devastating hold, and rubbed his cheek against Glorfindel’s broad chest.
“We are mated now.”
Glorfindel drew
in a deep breath, realized his crushing hold on Erestor, and loosened it
slightly. When had he closed his eyes? It must have happened the moment he had
found release! He opened his eyes to look upon his love, but his breath caught
in surprise. “Erestor?”
Erestor lifted
his head and looked into Glorfindel’s eyes. “What is amiss?”
“Nothing, I
think, but…” Glorfindel lifted an arm and reached out. “Where did these come
from?” Roses had formed a circle around them, creating their own little island.
Red roses, pink, white, yellow and even a black rose stood in full bloom,
releasing their unique fragrance.
Erestor blinked
once, and then realized he must have lost his control over his powers during
their love making. Or… Or was this his parents’ work? Entranced, he looked at
the black rose and then picked the delicate flower. “I do not know how this
happened.” But now that he thought about it, it was just like his father to let
one black rose come to bloom amidst the others. Did this mean his parents
approved and wished him happiness?
“I have never
seen anything like this before.” Awed, Glorfindel looked at the Elf in his
arms, sensing this was somehow related to Erestor. And then, realization of a
different kind struck. “I feel you.”
“I hope you do,”
whispered Erestor, relishing the feel of Glorfindel’s muscular body atop of
his.
“Nay, I feel you
in my mind!” Glorfindel’s big eyes revealed his surprise.
Erestor concentrated
and realized it was true. “I feel you too.”
“It must be the
bond, creating a connection.” It wasn’t unheard of, though not all lovers
shared such a connection. Realizing Erestor might be growing uncomfortable,
carrying his bulk, Glorfindel rolled off of his lover and settled on his side
beside Erestor. Erestor reacted by moving onto his side as well and
possessively draping an arm atop his hip. Glorfindel mimicked that gesture, and
pulled Erestor close. Staring into the depthless, dark eyes, he wondered about
his lover. They were bound now, and would be together for the rest of their
lives. Smelling the roses’ sweet fragrance, Glorfindel couldn’t help but wonder
what Erestor was keeping from him. Because, as he looked into those fathomless
eyes, he found the secrets were still there.
1 fëa (sing.), fëar (pl.) -- spirit
(Quenyan, noun)
2 fana (sing.), fanar (pl.) -- veil (
Quenyan, noun) literally: the raiment in which the Valar represent themselves to physical eyes.
3 meldir (sing.) -- “male” friend
(Sindarin, noun) mell + dir
4 melethen (sing.) -- my love
(Sindarin, noun)
5 melethron (sing.) -- (masc.)
lover (Sindarin, noun)
From the Council
of Elrond Quenyan and Sindarin dictionary