Title: Coming Home

Author: Morgana  ---  morganalebeau@yahoo.com

Website; http://www.paranoid.nl/avalon
Pairing: Glorfindel/Erestor and Elrond/Celebrían

Rating; nc-17

Summary; Imladris’ newest addition proves to be a handful and quite a mystery.

Disclaimer: These characters are all Tolkien’s.
Warning: AU, angst, mention of physical abuse.

Author’s Note: All mistakes are all mine; yeah, I am greedy! And remember; this is AU!

Beta read by Lady Mirfain, thanks!

Lovely pic by Daga! Thanks!

Coming Home

Part 5

“Would you like me to escort you back to the stables? That way you don’t have to sneak your way out of here.” Glorfindel smiled, encouragingly. The look in Erestor’s eyes was less frightened now, and the dark-haired Elf even occasionally dared to cast a glance in Elrond’s direction.

“I would,” said Erestor, without any hesitation. He rose from the chair and wavered before addressing Elrond. He didn’t make direct eye-contact however. “Thank you for bandaging my hand and the kind words.”

Elrond smiled, luminously. “Nay, thank you for allowing me to do so. I know trusting me wasn’t easy for you.”

Erestor nodded once. His gaze remained fastened on the floor and he quickly fled the room, leaving Elrond and Glorfindel behind.

“You had better catch up with him.” Elrond sat down, and selected a new quill so he could continue with his work. “You don’t want to lose sight of him.”

“Thank you,” said Glorfindel. “For not scaring him off.”

Elrond’s rueful eyes met Glorfindel’s. “I am not so sure I didn’t. He is running, isn’t he?”

“Not because he fears you,” explained Glorfindel. “He just feels insecure.” He bowed, respectfully, and then followed Erestor, easily catching up with him. “Is it back to the stables right away, or would you like to see more of the Last Homely House?” Glorfindel could tell Erestor felt inwardly conflicted. The dark-haired Elf wanted to make contact, Glorfindel realized that much now. Maybe all Erestor needed was him at his side when doing it? /If he wanted to remain hidden he would never have sought out Elrond’s study. Maybe he wanted to be discovered – subconsciously./

“I don’t know…” Erestor’s voice faded, uncertainly. He wanted to see his hope confirmed that these were good people, but was afraid to be disappointed. When he had been little and living with his mother, there had been more kind Elves, but when those humans had captured him, he had lost hope to ever find benign people again.

“Why don’t we start with visiting the kitchen?” suggested Glorfindel. “Did you already eat today?” He gave Erestor a serious look, hoping it would make Erestor answer him truthfully. Instead, Erestor smiled – no, he actually giggled!

Glorfindel couldn’t look stern, even if he tried, decided Erestor. “I haven’t,” he said, honestly. “But I only ate yesterday so it’s not something to worry about.”

“But it is! I want you to eat three meals a day!”

“Three?”

Erestor’s eyes would have been comical, hadn’t Glorfindel known how little eating the dark-haired Elf was used to. “Kitchen, now,” he ordered.

Erestor decided that protesting wasn’t worth it, but something else *did* bother him. “Won’t the cook be cross with me? I stole that pie.”

“He baked a second one,” said Glorfindel, shrugging his shoulders once. “In case you hadn’t noticed, Erestor, let me enlighten you. We have food in surplus here.”

“I did notice,” said Erestor in a tiny voice. “I just didn’t feel comfortable stealing it.”

“You don’t have to steal any longer.” Glorfindel rested a hand against the small of Erestor’s back, curious if the other Elf would allow it. Erestor did, and his heart filled with hope.

Erestor *did* wonder about Glorfindel’s tendency to touch him, but reached the conclusion that the warrior was just a very tactile person.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The cook shook his head, seeing this bony Elf standing in front of him. “You need to eat!”

Erestor stared, defiantly, at the cook. Inwardly, he felt small and confused, but the fact that Glorfindel stood beside him gave him the courage he needed to face new Elves.

“Sit down. I have just the thing for you to eat.” The cook pointed at the kitchen table and disappeared in the large pantry.

Glorfindel nodded once. “He means well. He is the chief cook, Erestor. He loves feeding us.”

Erestor followed and sat down beside Glorfindel at the kitchen table. “I am not used to someone fussing over me.”

“I know that.” Glorfindel placed his large hand atop of Erestor’s wrist. “But you seem more comfortable when dealing with new people. The first time we talked, you bolted.”

Erestor managed a weak smile. “I didn’t believe you meant well.”

“And now? Has that changed?”

Erestor nodded, slowly. “It has…” He wanted to add more, but the cook reappeared and placed a large plate in front of him. He had seen these fruits before, but had never been allowed to eat them. “Strawberries?”

“Accompanied with whipped cream,” added the cook. “Enjoy.”

The joyous – almost ecstatic – smile on Erestor’s face made Glorfindel smile as well. “Go ahead, eat.”

Erestor selected a strawberry, added whipped cream to it, and then slowly pushed it into this mouth. The next moment, his toes curled.

Glorfindel laughed, amused, seeing the rapturous expression on Erestor’s face. “Looks like you like them!” Erestor smiled, nodded, and attacked the rest of the strawberries. Glorfindel almost expected Erestor to wolf down the fruit, but this time, Erestor ate more slowly.

Belatedly, Erestor realized that Glorfindel might like some strawberries as well, and although he wanted to eat them all, he pushed his plate closer to the warrior. “Would you like some too?”

“I would love some.” Glorfindel dipped a strawberry in the whipped cream and slowly devoured it. Feeling playful and bold, he prepared another strawberry with cream and brought it close to Erestor’s lips. “Open.” Erestor’s eyes widened in surprise, but the lips parted and Glorfindel pushed it inside.

The twinkling in Glorfindel’s eyes puzzled Erestor. The fair Elf was kind, brave, and easy to befriend, but he still wondered why Glorfindel was this interested in him.

Glorfindel knew he had gone too far too fast the moment he saw the surprise in Erestor’s eyes and was content to eat a strawberry occasionally, allowing Erestor to eat the majority of the sweet fruit.

The cook continued to observe Erestor, and the speed with which the dark-haired Elf ate. It didn’t take him long to add everything up and realize the apple pie thief had been starving. He still had some ripe apples left – just enough for a big pie.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Are you certain that this is the way to the stables?” Erestor frowned; his instincts told him they were going in the opposite direction. Another Elf passed them by, shooting him a curious look and Erestor averted his eyes, knowing only too well how many questions his presence evoked. If it were up to him, he would run to the stables and hide there.

“I thought I should show you the guest quarters, just in case you would reconsider and accept Elrond’s offer.” Glorfindel opened a door, and gently pushed Erestor inside. “What do you think?”

Guest quarters? These rooms looked like a Lord’s private chambers to him! There were two rooms – a bedroom and a study – a separate bathroom and a balcony, which afforded him a lovely view over Imladris. These rooms were gorgeous! And surely not meant for him! “I want to go to the stables.” He felt safe there and they weren’t luxurious at all. He would feel awkward, staying here.

Glorfindel shrugged his shoulders once. “Who knows, maybe you will reconsider in time.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“They are looking at me!” Erestor felt highly uncomfortable the more Elves they encountered. One or two Elves had even stopped and asked Glorfindel to introduce them. Erestor had hung on to his composure and had pushed the need to hide behind Glorfindel’s broad back away. He had stood his ground, even though he had been trembling and unsteady on his feet.

“They don’t know you and are curious.” Glorfindel always remained close, sensing Erestor’s unease. Unexpectedly, two females’ voices drifted around the corner and Glorfindel cringed, knowing exactly who was heading their way.

Celebrían and Arwen were talking softly, trying to determine how to help Erestor best when they suddenly stood in front of said Elf. Arwen coughed, covering up her surprise. Celebrían reacted at once in her very own way. “Glorfindel! I didn’t expect to see you here! Who is your friend?”

“May I introduce Erestor to you?” Glorfindel smiled, hoping Erestor wouldn’t panic.

Celebrían inclined her head and offered Erestor her hand in greeting. “I am Celebrían and this is my daughter, Arwen.”

Erestor knew those names; he had heard them before when Elladan had visited Glorfindel in the stables. Acting instinctively, he lowered his eyes and said, “My ladies…”

Arwen exchanged a look with her mother. Erestor seemed intimidated, which puzzled her.

“There is no need to call me that, Erestor.” As Erestor didn’t seem courageous enough to take her hand, Celebrían took control – and a big risk. She carefully wrapped her arms around Erestor and said, “Welcome to this sweet valley. I hope you will make it your home.”

Glorfindel held his breath, seeing the tension and panic mount in Erestor’s delicate form. /Please don’t run. She means well./

Erestor forced himself to accept the embrace. The only she-Elf he clearly remembered was his mother and he had always much loved and respected her. He could do no less for Celebrían, although he didn’t feel worthy of receiving such a warm embrace.

She released him, but continued to smile. “Maybe you will join us for dinner when you feel comfortable around us?” Celebrían cast a quick look at Glorfindel.

Glorfindel knew that look only too well. It meant he had better take good care of Erestor! “I also introduced Erestor to your husband, Celebrían, and Elrond seemed to like him as well.”

Suddenly Erestor understood. This was the Lady of Imladris; Elrond’s wife! Only a moment ago he had dared to look at her lovely face, but now he quickly averted his eyes again.

Arwen had noticed Erestor’s odd behavior and intuitively knew what was going on in the other Elf’s mind. “You are most welcome here, Erestor.”

“Thank you, my Lady,” replied Erestor in a shaky voice. It took every ounce of his self-discipline to face them.

Realizing their presence made Erestor uncomfortable, Celebrían gestured for her daughter to continue their walk. “I hope to see you at dinner in the future, Erestor.”

Erestor released a deep sigh, relieved now that Glorfindel and he were alone again. He liked it best that way.

“You did well,” said Glorfindel, complimenting his companion. His hand returned to rest against the small of Erestor’s back, and the touch seemed to comfort Erestor further. /Aye, you are doing remarkably well./ The shy, frightened Elf he had found in the stables was growing much stronger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Glorfindel didn’t head for the ladder at once, but made a detour to say hello to Asfaloth. He had seen the stallion’s impatient glare the moment they had entered. He watched with interest as Asfaloth ignored him and nudged Erestor instead. /He knows precisely what Erestor needs./ An idea formed in his mind. “Erestor? I need to leave shortly as the patrol is about to return and I must debrief them, but Asfaloth made it very clear yesterday that he would like more exercise. If you feel up to it, would you take him out for a ride? You could visit the Bruinen and wait for me there, that is, if you want me to join you later this eve.”

Erestor’s heart fluttered, unexpectedly, at hearing Glorfindel’s words. He had hoped that Glorfindel would continue to spend time with him, because he enjoyed the warrior’s company as well. “I will wait for you there.”

Erestor’s words, uttered in a soft and caring tone, encouraged Glorfindel. Maybe the feeling was mutual? Until now, he hadn’t considered that.

“But what do I do if the twins are there? Or other Elves?” Erestor let the raven hair fall in front of his face like a curtain.

“Then you try to socialize,” advised Glorfindel. “Erestor, I hope that you will decide to stay in Imladris and that you will call it home one day. That also means you need to interact with her inhabitants. And the twins are easy-going. Try not to panic?”

Erestor rubbed behind Asfaloth’s ears and the stallion snorted, contented. “I was kept apart when I lived in the village. They kept me locked up whenever they had no use for me. It is hard for me to interact with people.”

“What else did they do to you?” Erestor’s bandaged hand hung loosely down his body and the other now stroked Asfaloth’s nose. Glorfindel caught that hand in his and held it loosely. “You can tell me.”

Erestor shrugged once. “They made me work – hard. They made me do the work no one else wanted to do because it was too exhausting. And after I was done, they locked me up in a small room. I was only allowed outside when they wanted work done.”

“How long were you forced to live like that?” Glorfindel slowly entwined their fingers. He didn’t know why Erestor allowed it; maybe the dark-haired Elf was too much in thought to notice, or maybe he actually craved the contact. Glorfindel just didn’t know.

“I lost count of the years. I stopped counting my misery. Why should I? I didn’t think I would ever escape.” Erestor’s voice trembled with emotion.

“How *did* you escape?” Glorfindel affectionately stroked the long digits, once more surprised at their cool feel.

“I was working the fields that day.” Erestor’s voice took on a distant tone. “A terrible thunderstorm was moving closer and lightning hit one of the nearby trees, splitting it in two. The two villagers, who were keeping an eye on me, were startled and I realized my time had come. I ran. I ran as hard and as far as I could.”

Glorfindel moved closer, tentatively wrapping an arm around him, hoping Erestor would accept the embrace. He carefully enfolded the trembling dark-haired Elf in a hug, whilst Erestor continued his tale.

“I don’t know how long I ran, but in the end, I collapsed. I must have been unconscious for some time, because when I woke I heard their hunting dogs closing in on me. I pushed myself to my feet and forced myself to run again. I don’t remember when they lost track of me, it must have been somewhere in a forest. The trees were whispering to me, telling me where to hide and I was too desperate to question their advice. So, I hid. I survived by eating nuts and berries, but I grew weaker. Then, one of the trees told me to head north, which I did. I ended up here.”

Erestor suddenly noticed that he was locked in a tight embrace; Glorfindel’s arms were wrapped around his waist and some time ago the blond warrior had guided his head to rest against his shoulder. Amazingly enough, his first reaction wasn’t to flee, but to press close. He had longed for intimacy for so long – for someone to hold and comfort him. And now, that he finally had it, he didn’t know what to do.

“Erestor, do you have any idea how old you are?” Glorfindel rested his hand against the back of Erestor’s neck, cradling it. “Any idea?”

“I don’t know,” whispered Erestor against Glorfindel’s chest. “Maybe a few millennia?”

Glorfindel raised an eyebrow in utter surprise. “But…?”

“Humans died and children were born, whole generations passed by.” Erestor threw caution to the wind and pressed closer against Glorfindel. “I was captured by Orcs when I was rather young… My mother was still teaching me how to write.”

“Orcs?” Erestor hadn’t mentioned Orcs before! Only humans!

“Oh, they attacked my mother’s escort and murdered everyone. My mother, the royal guards, everyone except for me. They took me with them.”

The royal guards? Why were they escorting Erestor’s mother? Come to think of it, *who* was Erestor’s mother? And who was Erestor? Glorfindel felt stunned. “So you were these Orcs’ prisoner before the humans got hold of you?”

“The humans bundled their forces and attacked one night. They killed the Orcs and took me prisoner. They thought I was a traitor and had helped them raid villages. I never managed to convince them otherwise.” Erestor felt tired, now that he had revealed his past. He hadn’t thought he would tell Glorfindel his tale that soon. It only illustrated just how much he trusted the warrior already.

“So that is why they kept you prisoner. I wondered about that.”

“That, and the fact that I wasn’t like them. They didn’t like the fact that I was different. That my ears were slightly pointed and that I didn’t grow old as they did. I gave this matter much thought and I believe they were jealous. They wanted what I had.”

“That doesn’t make it right.”

“I never said it did,” explained Erestor, smiling ruefully at hearing Glorfindel’s firm tone. “I just tried to explain why they did it.”

“That is behind you now,” whispered Glorfindel, slightly pulling away so he could look into Erestor’s eyes. “You have a new life – here – with Elves who care about you.”

“At least with one Elf who cares about me.” Erestor held his breath, wondering if he had overstepped any boundaries.

“Aye, I care about you.” Reminding himself that he had to go slow, Glorfindel pressed a firm kiss on Erestor’s brow. “And I wish I didn’t have to leave now, but I must.”

Erestor rested his head one more time against Glorfindel’s shoulder and enjoyed the contact. “Thank you for welcoming me to Imladris and for helping me the way you did – are still doing.”

Glorfindel actually blushed. “It is nothing.” And it was true; he was just being himself. “Will you meet me at the Bruinen when Ithil stands high in the sky?”

Erestor nodded against Glorfindel’s chest, regretting they had to part. “I will.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Asfaloth started with a careful trot, but as Erestor seemed more confident, the stallion sped up and moved on to a gallop. Briefly, Erestor worried that he would be catapulted off of the horse’s back, but once he got accustomed to the rhythm, he began to enjoy horse back riding more and more. Bending forward, he rested his upper body against Asfaloth’s neck and held on, fingers buried in the mane.

Feeling Erestor shift only confirmed Asfaloth’s suspicions and he let go, racing over the lands and toward the Bruinen. Hopefully Erestor would take him out riding more often now that Glorfindel was tied down with his duties.

The wind made his hair dance and his blood sung with freedom. Erestor had never thought he would enjoy riding on horseback this much and they reached the Bruinen much too soon.

Asfaloth came to a halt, snorted, and threw back his head in delight. Erestor slid off of the stallion’s back and folded his arms around the horse’s neck, hugging tight. Asfaloth seemed amused and after a while nudged Erestor toward the Bruinen.

Erestor took the hint and walked over to the riverside. It was a lovely evening. Last night’s clouds had disappeared and the stars sparkled brightly. Ithil was full and illuminated the evening sky. Erestor carefully looked about, wondering if he should expect another surprise visit from the twins.

But it wasn’t one of the twins who suddenly appeared on the river’s surface. It was Elrond, enjoying a swim.

Erestor failed to stop the distressed sigh that left his lips. Why now? Why here? Why did the Lord of Imladris have to choose this moment for his swim?

Elrond immediately sensed that he wasn’t alone. Vilya sparkled at his ring finger and the power of the ring had momentarily connected him with the river and the lands, empowering him. Elrond swam toward the shore and left the water. He reached for his robe, fastened it around his frame and smiled at Erestor. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Glorfindel took me here yesterday and I liked it here… So he suggested we visited the river again. He will join me later – hopefully.” Erestor nervously shuffled his feet, still too intimidated to make eye-contact with the Lord of Imladris.

Asfaloth came to stand close to Erestor, giving Elrond a curious look. The stallion’s behavior made Elrond smile. Apparently Glorfindel *and* his horse had taken a liking to Erestor. “You have a formidable protector at your side.” He finger-combed his long hair and walked toward Erestor.

“Asfaloth likes the exercise. He likes to run – to feel free.”

“Like you do?” ventured Elrond, leaning casually against the trunk of a tree.

“I haven’t felt free for a long time.” Erestor’s hands became fists, determined to hide his nervousness whilst talking to the Lord of the valley.

“You are free now… You *do* know that?”

“I am beginning to realize that, but it is hard to accept my life has so drastically changed. I have been a prisoner for so long.”

“How long?” Elrond wanted to find out as much as possible about this mysterious Elf.

“Millennia.”

Elrond stepped away from the tree and walked until he stood in front of Erestor. The other Elf tried to look away again, but Elrond placed his hands on either side of Erestor’s head so he could study the eyes. “They are old. I should have seen that before.” Old eyes stared back at him; eyes, which had seen too much pain and suffering. “Do you know who you are, Erestor?”

The question frightened Erestor for some reason. “I know what I am.”

Erestor allowed it. “And what is that?”

“A wandering soul… Searching for a home and friends. I really want Imladris to be that to me – my home, but I am afraid to believe that.”

“I am offering you a home here, Erestor. You are one of the Firstborn and you belong here. Imladris can be your home if you want it to be.” Elrond’s fingertips encountered Erestor’s pointed ears and caressed them, sending sparks of delight into Erestor’s frame. They were a bit round though for an Elf. “Stay here and give us a chance. Get to know us, Erestor.”

Erestor smiled, weakly. “You are Master here, how could I deny you?”

Elrond frowned. “I am not forcing you…” But then he understood. Erestor had made his first attempt at humor and he grinned. “Aye, I don’t react well to being denied. And please move into the guest quarters. I would feel better, knowing you have a warm, dry and safe place to sleep. I don’t want you to take a fall climbing up into the rafters.” Elrond released Erestor from his hold and sent out a mental call to his stallion. “Erestor, you are most welcome here and if you want to talk about your future, or your past, you can always come to me. I am a good listener.” Before stepping away from Erestor he caressed a strand of raven hair, only one shade darker than his own.

Surprised, Erestor watched as the black stallion advanced on them, ready to collect his rider. Elrond mounted and raised his hand in goodbye whilst galloping away.

Erestor remained behind and sat down on a rock to stare into the water, which glittered like silver now that Ithil’s beams reached it. He had much to think about.

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