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. No rape.

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

Beta read by Lady Mirfain, thanks!

Picture by Daga, thanks!

Coming Home

Part 6

Glorfindel slowly walked up to Erestor, who was still seated on a rock and visibly lost in thought. He had met Elrond on his way here and the half-Elf and he had spoken, briefly. Elrond had informed him of their conversation, and Glorfindel had shared Erestor’s confessions regarding the Orcs and the villagers. The one piece of information, which Glorfindel didn’t share, concerned the ring, braided tightly into Erestor’s hair. Sharing that didn’t feel right; Erestor should decide if he wanted Elrond to know or not. They had then said their goodbyes. Elrond had continued his way to the Last Homely House, whilst Glorfindel had steered his mare toward the Bruinen.

Glorfindel didn’t want to sneak up onto the raven-haired Elf, but Erestor just didn’t seem to notice him, so in the end, he cleared his throat by coughing, softly. That got Erestor’s attention and the raven-haired Elf looked up from his musings. A dazzling smile appeared on Erestor’s features and the mere sight of it made Glorfindel’s heart beat faster. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

“I have been thinking,” said Erestor, leaving his rock and walking toward Glorfindel. He loved it here; the Bruinen was a calming presence and Ithil’s silver light surrounded them, making him feel safe and protected.

“What about?” Glorfindel extended his right hand and was delighted when Erestor accepted the touch and went one step further by entwining their fingers.

“About Imladris, and Elrond’s invitation to make myself a home here.” Erestor walked toward the water and stared at its surface. “I like it here. I even like the Elves here.”

“Are you telling me that Elrond convinced you to give us a fair chance?” Glorfindel asked, smiling, teasingly.

“He did, but your presence comforts me more than his words ever could.” Erestor sat down on the grass, pulling Glorfindel with him. The blond warrior sat down beside him and Erestor gave him a shy smile. “I am not usually this bold.” It wasn’t like him to take the initiative; he was used to following orders, but with Glorfindel it was different. He felt free to act the way he wanted around the fair Elf.

“*This* is bold?” Glorfindel laughed, amused. “I welcome it, then.” There was something in Erestor’s eyes he hadn’t seen before and it called to him. Maybe it was the night’s magic, the gentle rocking of the Bruinen or Ithil’s silver light, but there was certainly some sort of magic at work here. Erestor was close – so very close – and he had to touch him… kiss and caress him! Glorfindel was still privately discussing if he could risk kissing Erestor when the raven-haired Elf took control of their situation and leaned in closer. Glorfindel’s heart thundered, feeling Erestor’s lips pressed softly against his for the very first time.

Erestor had never been this bold before – so much was true. He didn’t feel like he had a choice and that made him act. His desires commanded his actions and he simply had to kiss Glorfindel and taste the fair Elf.

Glorfindel reacted by resting a hand against the back of Erestor’s head, cradling it delicately, and pulling Erestor a bit closer. He wanted to deepen their kiss and explore Erestor’s mouth, but the lips remained closed. The moans, which glided from Erestor’s lips told him that the other Elf was thoroughly enjoying the kiss and reacting in every way a new lover should, but the lips remained sealed, denying him entry. And then he understood.

Gasping for breath, Erestor was forced to break the kiss. Uncertainly, he stared into Glorfindel’s eyes, noticing the dilated pupils and flushed cheeks. A gigantic burden fell from his shoulders, realizing the kiss had been welcome and that Glorfindel had enjoyed the shared intimacy.

“That was your very first kiss,” whispered Glorfindel with much pain and regret in his voice. He hadn’t understood right away, but Erestor’s inexperience in this matter had shown when the dark-haired Elf hadn’t known how to deepen the kiss.

Erestor blushed, weakly, and let his hair fall in front of his face to hide behind. “Did the kiss please you?”

“Oh, it must certainly did.” Glorfindel drew in a deep breath and stared intensely into the eyes, whose expression had changed; they radiated passion and desire now. “I would be lying if I said that I hadn’t thought about kissing you before, but I was afraid you would reject me. We only met a few days ago.”

Glorfindel’s fingers stroked the back of his head and Erestor’s eyes closed in pure bliss. “I have never had a lover before, Glorfindel. I don’t know what to do… I am nervous.”

“I understand that,” replied Glorfindel, cocking his head and smiling at Erestor. “I am nervous as well.”

“You are?” Glorfindel’s admission surprised Erestor. “But I thought…”

“Aye, I have had lovers before, but it is different every time and with you… with you *everything* is different.” Glorfindel moved closer and bestowed a gentle kiss on Erestor’s lips. “I hoped you would feel attracted to me, for I greatly desire you.”

Erestor’s blush intensified and he tried to look away, but Glorfindel’s hand easily turned his head back in his direction. Forced to look at the fair Elf, Erestor shyly admitted, “I never thought this would happen. I have never felt such an attraction before. I want you close all the time and I want to touch you, hold you, and kiss you.”

“I feel the same way, my love,” whispered Glorfindel. Slowly, he reclined until he was flat on his back. At the same time he pulled Erestor atop of him until the raven-haired Elf straddled his hips. Confusion and excitement shone from Erestor’s eyes and Glorfindel ran his fingers through the dark mane, soothing his nervous lover. “We will take this slowly,” he said eventually, staring into pools of chocolate.

Erestor nodded, relieved. “I would like that.” But he had enjoyed kissing Glorfindel as well. Experimentally, uncertain how the blond warrior would react, he bent forward to kiss him again. The kiss was more forceful now, hoping it pleased Glorfindel.

“Part your lips… and teeth,” whispered Glorfindel, breathing the words into Erestor’s mouth. He would teach Erestor the fine art of lovemaking.

Erestor eagerly complied, wondering why Glorfindel wanted him to do this. But then a soft and moist tongue pressed against the inside of his lips and slowly inched in deeper. Erestor let Glorfindel keep control of their kiss, following the other Elf’s lead and soon he was moaning and rubbing himself against Glorfindel -- ancient needs and instincts taking over.

Glorfindel ended the kiss, which had been ardent and slow, just the way he liked it. And by the looks of it, Erestor had more than just enjoyed the kiss too. “Am I not moving too fast?” He didn’t want to chase Erestor off!

“You aren’t,” said Erestor, reassuring the blond Elf. “I like being kissed by you.” The kiss had relaxed him and he rested his upper body and head atop of Glorfindel’s chest and shoulders, softly rubbing his cheek against the silk of the uniform. “Are you sure about this?” he asked after a silence had fallen. “You and I? You don’t really know me.”

“I doubt that. You have a good heart, are kind towards animals, and trusting, although you won’t easily admit that. Those are good qualities, qualities which my lover should have.”

“Your lover?” He was someone’s lover now! Erestor’s head spun with thoughts and emotions. “I will have to stay, then,” he whispered, absent-mindedly, trying to deal with this new situation.

“Aye, you should,” whispered Glorfindel, adoringly wrapping a strand of Erestor’s hair around a fingertip. “Stay with me.”

Erestor was briefly speechless, but then the dam broke and tears of happiness left his eyes.

Alarmed, Glorfindel stared at the tears. “Why are you crying? Did I displease you?”

“Oh, these are tears of happiness,” said Erestor, practically glowing with love for Glorfindel. “I don’t understand why this is happening to me, but I am glad it did. I am so happy I found you!”

Slightly reassured, Glorfindel nodded once. He hadn’t expected an emotional outburst and hadn’t been prepared for it. “Good things happen to good people. You just had to wait a long time for it to happen.”

Erestor dried his tears using his sleeve and gave his new lover a doting look. “I will try to please you.”

“Don’t. Just be yourself, Erestor.” Glorfindel loved the feel of Erestor’s hair, as he finger-combed the mane. Then, his fingertips encountered the ring once more and his curiosity awoke with the touch. “Maybe you should take this out and see if you can find your father.” Erestor’s eyes darkened and Glorfindel knew he had made a mistake when changing their topic.

“I don’t want to know who he is. He abandoned my mother.” Erestor sat up straighter, still straddling Glorfindel’s hips though and placed his hands on the powerful chest to balance him.

“Will you tell me what happened?” Glorfindel was displeased, seeing fresh droplets of blood appear on the bandaged appendage.

“I don’t know what happened, exactly,” said Erestor, reluctantly. “I only know that my father sent us away. My mother told me so.”

“You mentioned earlier that royal guards escorted you… Did your mother ever explain their presence?”

“Nay, she didn’t. They always were there. I grew up around them.”

Glorfindel moistened his lips. “Erestor, please try to remember… When did this happen? Was there any event that stuck with you?”

Erestor cocked his head, dismayed that Glorfindel insisted on discussing this. He would rather go back to kissing! But, because it was Glorfindel who was asking him to remember, he tried his best. “The guards often talked about a battle they had fought in. They had been victorious, but had lost their leader… their High-King? I don’t remember the name… But I do know it consisted of two parts.”

Glorfindel sucked in his breath. Could Erestor really be talking about the battle at Mount Orodruin? That would make him three thousand years old, and he had thought he had been dealing with someone who had just passed his majority! “The name, was it Gil-Galad?”

A smile of recognition appeared on Erestor’s face and he firmly nodded his head. “That was it!”

“Then you are over three thousand years old!” Glorfindel carefully thought this over. “Do you know where those guards were taking you? Did they ever mention a name? I know it has been a long time, but try to remember!”

“They mentioned different names… One of them was the Gray Havens…Another one was Lindon, but we weren’t headed that way.” Erestor closed his eyes, trying to remember. “I think they also mentioned… Imladris?” His eyes opened, abruptly, and stared at Glorfindel in astonishment. “There was a siege?”

“You were on your way to Imladris?” Glorfindel wondered what to make of this new information. If he pieced everything correctly together it would mean that Erestor had been born around the Battle of the Last Alliance and that his mother and he had been on their way to Imladris after it had been liberated!

“I don’t know, Glorfindel. I am sorry, but I tried to forget the life I led with my mother.” Erestor’s sad eyes pleaded with Glorfindel to stop prodding.

“One more question and then I will stop.” Glorfindel placed his hands on either side of Erestor’s head and pulled him close. His breath practically caressed Erestor’s face, asking this last, but very important question. “What was your mother’s name?”

A heartrending smile appeared on Erestor’s face. “My mother?” She had been the sole person to love him and to take care of him! But no, that wasn’t true. He had Glorfindel now!

“Do you remember her name, love?” Glorfindel rubbed the scalp beneath the thick, raven hair, hoping to keep Erestor in this relaxed state. “Do you?” Glorfindel’s thumb moved over Erestor’s bottom lip, lovingly caressing it.

Erestor nodded, slowly. “She was beautiful – so very beautiful. Kind and loving… She was called Yestarë. Her hair shone like black gold and her eyes were of the deepest green I have ever seen. Her voice… She sang so lovely.”

The name seemed strangely familiar to Glorfindel, but he failed to remember why. Not wanting to distress his lover further, Glorfindel gently stroked Erestor’s face. “Erestor, you are over three thousand years old and were born during or shortly after the Battle of the Last Alliance. You know your mother’s name and royal guards safeguarded you. Please explain to me why you don’t want to know your father’s identity?” By now, Glorfindel was convinced Erestor’s father had been a high-ranking Elf in Gil-Galad’s army for only someone entrusted with command could give such orders.

“Please let it rest. I don’t want to know the name of the one who abandoned us. What good would it do me?”

“You would know your heritage. Not knowing my father’s identity would have driven me insane.” Glorfindel intuitively knew he should stop pressuring Erestor, but this was important to him.

“You asked your questions, now let it rest, please.” Erestor broke free of Glorfindel’s hold and moved off of the warrior. Kneeling beside Glorfindel, he looked at the other Elf from behind a raven curtain of hair. “I want to live in the present, not the past. You respected me saying no a few days ago, please do so again.”

Glorfindel sighed, and elbowed himself into an upright position. “I respect you and your decisions, and I won’t speak of it anymore. I just want you to know that if you ever decide to search for your father that I will help.”

“Thank you,” said Erestor, smiling. “And now, no more of this.”

Glorfindel nodded, reluctantly, and pulled Erestor back onto his lap. The raven-haired Elf wavered briefly, but then complied, wrapping long legs and arms around him. “Glorfindel, do you also feel… scared?”

“Nay, I don’t. I feel ecstatic that you return my feelings.” Glorfindel brought his arms up behind Erestor’s back and held him close. Erestor felt skinny in his arms and nothing about the raven-haired Elf was soft. He would have to render that. “Why are you scared?”

“I never had a lover before. This is new.” Erestor raised his good hand and caressed Glorfindel’s face. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“You never will.”

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

“A thunderstorm is brewing,” remarked Glorfindel, studying the darkening sky. In the distance the first of thunder could be heard. “Would you mind returning to the Last Homely House with me? I should be there in case lightning strikes.” They had spent several hours here, kissing and holding each other and with every passing hour, Erestor had relaxed more. Glorfindel didn’t want to return yet, but felt he didn’t have a choice; he was Captain of Imladris and responsible for his people’s safety.

Erestor pushed himself to his feet and joined Glorfindel in staring at the heavens. “That would be best, aye.”

Asfaloth, and the mare Glorfindel had ridden to reach the Bruinen, appeared to their right.

Glorfindel considered their situation. The storm was quickly moving closer and he preferred to stay ahead of it. “Ride with me, Erestor. We will be traveling at a high speed and I don’t want you to fall accidentally.” He jumped onto Asfaloth’s back and extended his hand, which Erestor eagerly accepted. After pulling Erestor in front of him, he wrapped his arms around him.

“What about the mare?” asked Erestor, concerned now that the first bolts of lightning tore at the heavens.

“She knows to follow us.” Glorfindel pressed his heels into Asfaloth’s flanks and the stallion promptly reared, sensing the urgency of their situation. Glorfindel held on tight, feeling Erestor tremble in his arms. Asfaloth began to run then – as fast as the wind – closely followed by the mare.

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

“Look!” Alarmed, Erestor pointed at the black clouds that had formed above the Last Homely House. “This is bad.” There was one strong thunderstorm behind them and another in front. If they met above the Last Homely House there would certainly be much damage.

Glorfindel cursed, as they entered the courtyard. Elladan had taken charge over this section and directed the Elves, as they struggled to close all hatches, windows and doors. The wind grew stronger with every passing minute and tore wildly at their clothes and hair.

“Glorfindel! We are in the middle of these storms! I need help securing everything!” Elladan raced to help two Elves who were desperately trying to close the main door to the Hall of Fire.

Glorfindel slid off of Asfaloth’s back and turned to address Erestor. “Find a safe place and stay there.”

“I can help!”

“I know you can, but you don’t know your way around the Last Homely House. The wind can blow you off a staircase, which you didn’t know was there. Please, Erestor, it would help if I knew you safe!”

Erestor nodded once, showing he understood. “I will seek shelter.”

“Erestor, over here!” Celebrían had spotted their elusive guest and gestured him to join her and Elrohir. They were on their way to her and her husband’s private chambers, which were situated in the heart of the structure. They would be safe there.

“Go, join them!” Glorfindel pushed Erestor into Celebrían’s direction and then took off to help Elladan.

Erestor bit his bottom lip, but did as he was told. He really wanted to help instead, but would comply, so Glorfindel didn’t have to worry about him.

The wind pulled at Celebrían’s elegant dress and the small she-Elf steadied herself against the increasing wind. She resolutely grabbed Erestor’s arm and felt grounded now that she had an Elf at either side. “This will be the worst storm we ever witnessed in Imladris,” said Celebrían, who was eager to know everyone in safety.

Erestor felt watched and when he looked up, he found Elrohir staring thoughtfully at him. Had he done anything to displease the twin?

“We haven’t been able to find Arwen yet,” said Elrohir, as he shooed his mother into the corridor.

Erestor understood Elrohir’s dark expression now; he was worried for his sister’s well-being. “I will find her!” He escorted Celebrían to her private rooms and once she was safe inside, he turned and left, quickly, before Elrohir could stop him. “Stay with your mother!”

Elrohir frowned, frustrated. He had planned on asking Erestor to stay with his mother, but now the other Elf had beaten him to it!

“Celebrían!” Elrond, who had been shouting instructions to the panicking Elves, made eye contact with his wife, relieved to know her safe. “Where is Arwen?”

“I don’t know!” She wrung her hands, feeling helpless. “Erestor is looking for her!”

Elrond grimly nodded his head. “Elrohir, stay with your mother. Don’t leave her alone. I will tell Elladan to join you once we secured everything.”

“Will you join us as well?” asked Celebrían, concerned for her family’s well-being.

“Later! First, I need to see to the safety of others!” Elrond would have preferred to go looking for his daughter personally, but he was needed here. They needed his instructions – his reassuring presence. He could only hope Erestor would find Arwen.

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

Glorfindel had been right when he had warned him to seek shelter, as he didn’t know the Last Homely House’s lay-out. Erestor had almost been blown through a window by the raging winds and had only managed to rescue himself at the last moment. Now, he searched the seemingly empty rooms one by one.

“Lady Arwen! If you can hear me, answer me!” Erestor encountered no one; room after room was empty. The residents had already left for the safety of the shelters.

“Lady Arwen! Answer me!” He brushed his hair behind his ear, irritated that the strands blocked his view. “Lady Arwen!” He came to a halt in the Hall of Fire, which was utterly deserted, dark and silent. “Answer me!” He wouldn’t give up until he had located her!

A soft moan was almost deadened by the blazing storm, but Erestor had heard it and spun around to check on it. “Are you here? Lady Arwen?” Another sound – a groan this time – led him toward one of the windows. In their panic, the servants had knocked over chairs and even the heavy, velvet curtains had been pulled down. He pushed the chairs out of his way, relieved to hear that the groans became louder. He hoped it was Arwen, but he would rescue this Elf, no matter who was buried beneath the curtains.

A violent bolt of lighting shattered one of the main windows and Erestor raised his arm to shelter his face from the shards that exploded around him. “Lady Arwen!”

“Here…”

The word was soft, almost inaudible, but Erestor detected it. Resolutely, he pulled the curtains aside and sighed, relieved, seeing Arwen’s form beneath it. “I will take you into safety!” He carefully helped her to her feet and supported her. Her long hair was a mess and her dress torn. “Are you injured, my Lady?”

Arwen experimentally shook her head. “I am fine, I think. I just couldn’t free myself of the curtains – they were too heavy.” Arwen leaned heavily against Erestor and looked him in the eye. “We need to move, now.”

Erestor nodded once and moved toward the corridor. He supported her and held her close when the wind tried to carry her with him. “You must help me. I don’t know what corridor to take!” Arwen directed him through the corridors and Erestor felt incredibly relieved, finally seeing the courtyard below him. He was on familiar terrain once more. He even spotted Glorfindel, who was helping the last Elf to make it safely into the building.

Glorfindel felt eyes upon him and instinctively looked up at the passageways. His heart stilled momentarily, seeing Erestor and Arwen hurry toward him. What were they doing here now that the heart of the storm was situated above them?

Elrond appeared at Glorfindel’s side. “Was this the last one?” As far as he could tell everyone was inside the building, save for Arwen that was. He hadn’t seen his daughter join them yet.

“Nay!” Glorfindel had to shout for Elrond to hear him above the roar of the thunderstorm. He pointed at Erestor and Arwen’s struggling forms.

“My daughter!” Elrond’s eyes widened with concern. He was about to head toward her when another bolt of lightning struck, this time hitting the staircase Erestor and Arwen were descending. The power of the blow knocked large sections of stone out of the staircase and it crumbled.

“Arwen!” Elrond threw caution to the wind and ran across the courtyard.

“Erestor!” Glorfindel followed suit; his heart beating with fear.

“It won’t hold!” Erestor quickly considered his options. Elrond was close – close enough to catch one of them in time. “Jump,” he told a startled looking Arwen. “Jump toward your father. He will catch you.”

 

Arwen didn’t get any time to protest that decision as the stone beneath her feet gave way. She jumped, extended her arms and called out for her father.

Elrond’s heart stopped for one terrible moment, seeing Arwen falling toward him. His instincts projected him forward and he succeeded in breaking her fall. He thanked the Valar for the fact that she didn’t weigh much and cradled her protectively in his arms before putting her back on her feet.

“Erestor!” Glorfindel scanned his surroundings, trying to find a way for Erestor to get into safety. But he waited too long – or maybe there just weren’t any options – and Erestor tumbled forward, falling. Glorfindel forgot to breathe and screamed his lover’s name.

Erestor knew he was in immediate danger and acted mechanically, rolling with the wind and making himself as small as possible by curling himself into a tight ball. When he hit the stone floor, the impact shook his frame and his right arm and shoulder produced an appalling snapping sound. His breath was knocked out of him and he released a pain-filled yelp.

Glorfindel quickly covered the distance between them and pulled Erestor close to him. Tears of joy flooded his eyes, finding Erestor alive. Ignoring Erestor’s yelps, he lifted the injured Elf and placed him across his shoulder. One look at Elrond told him that the half-Elf was eager to move as well. Arwen, who was able to run unaided, stayed at her father’s side, who kept a close eye on her, whilst Glorfindel carried an injured Erestor into safety.

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

“How could you do that to me?” Glorfindel was furious with Erestor; the scene of the staircase crumbling was fixated on his retina and he relived Erestor’s fall time and time again. “I told you to stay with Celebrían!”

Erestor, safely tucked away in the couple’s four-poster bed, simply stared at Glorfindel. “I am alive!”

“Barely! You could have died!” Glorfindel paced, furiously, ignoring the looks he was attracting.

Arwen and Celebrían sat near the fire-place, holding each other. The twins were pacing as well, but on the other side of the room, as they didn’t dare cross their former tutor. Elrond had settled down in a comfortable chair, watching the scene unfold. The thunderstorm was slowly moving away from Imladris and he would soon face the damage it had done, but he didn’t want to leave yet, seeing the state Glorfindel had worked himself in.

“My arm is broken and my shoulder dislocated; that is it!” Erestor was growing frustrated as well. He had done what he had to do in order to save Arwen’s life.

“Glorfindel, what Erestor needs most is your support. Not you yelling at him!” Elrond rose from his chair and walked over to the bed to check on his patient.

Glorfindel wanted to voice his opinion again, but seeing Erestor’s pain-ridden expression, he shut up. “I am sorry, but you scared me! I can still see you falling!”

“I had to put her first. Surely you understand that?” The pain in his shoulder and arm was bearable, but still stung horribly.

Elrond reached for the tea, which had now finished brewing and helped Erestor sip. “This will help you relax and go to sleep.”

“I don’t want to sleep!” Erestor’s hand freed itself from beneath the sheet and searched for Glorfindel’s.

The blond warrior reacted at once and clasped it tightly whilst sitting down on the edge of the bed. “Don’t ever do something like that again!”

Elrond smiled; he knew Glorfindel had only reacted so violently because he had been worried and scared. “I will thank you properly later, Erestor, for saving my daughter’s life, as you should rest now. I assure you that Glorfindel will no longer yell at you. Try to sleep. That way you will heal faster.”

“Glorfindel?” Erestor tightly squeezed Glorfindel’s hand. “Would you…” Suddenly recalling that they weren’t alone, he reconsidered and didn’t voice his request.

But Glorfindel heard the question Erestor didn’t ask and stretched beside his lover, carefully staying away from any injuries. “Sleep, I will be here when you wake up again.”

Elrond and Celebrían exchanged a meaningful smile, which wasn’t lost on any of their children. “Someone is in love,” whispered Elladan into Elrohir’s ear, but soft enough so only his brother, and maybe his sister, could hear.

Elrohir nodded, his eyes sparkling with joy. “It was about time someone tamed Glorfindel and captured his heart.”

Arwen smiled, thoughtfully, realizing only too well Erestor had saved her life. She and her family were forever indebted to him.

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