Title: Lonely In Love.

Author: Morgana morganalebeau@yahoo.com

Website; http://www.avalon.cobweb.nl
Pairing(s): Glorfindel/Elrond, Glorfindel/Ecthelion and Erestor/Ecthelion.
Rating: NC-17
Summary: The Valar deem the time ready for Ecthelion to return to Arda. Erestor is given the task of preparing the young warrior for a life in Imladris.

Disclaimer: These characters are all Tolkien’s.
Warning: AU, fluff, romance, minor angst.
Author’s Note: Not beta read. All mistakes are all mine; yeah, I am greedy! And remember; this is AU!

 

 

 

Lonely in love

The night will fade, the sun will shine
A new day - Lonely in love
And light the way for you to find

New love

 

Lyrics by Crimson Glory

 

Part 1

 

“Elrond? I regret disturbing you, but Mithrandir has arrived unexpectedly and requests an audience.” Glorfindel entered his friend’s private chambers and remained standing in the doorway. He disliked disturbing the Lord of Imladris now that Elrond had finally been granted a moment of peace and quiet, but Mithrandir had sounded urgent.

 

Elrond looked up from the book he was reading. He had retired for the night only a few minutes ago and had looked forward to spending the evening alone. Estel, Arwen and the twins had demanded his attention most of the day and he felt drained. But not drained enough to deny his old friend a listening ear. “Aye, very unexpected indeed. Show him inside, Glorfindel, and then leave us.”

 

Elrond rose from his chair the moment Glorfindel closed the door behind him and the half-Elf reached for a robe, which he pulled over his night tunic. He had known Mithrandir for a very long time and knew the Maia wouldn’t seek out him if there wasn’t a very urgent matter to attend to. What had happened? He had felt no shift in the power balance. Sauron was still weak, and although his time would come in the future for now the Evil One rested, gathering his strength.

 

He fastened the robe with a belt and then poured two glasses of wine. Mentally he prepared himself for whatever ill tidings Mithrandir carried.

 

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

 

“You can tell me, you know,” said Glorfindel, trying to make Mithrandir open up to him. “If there is a threat that endangers Imladris, I *should* know, my old friend. I am in charge of her defenses.”

 

Mithrandir smiled, warmly. He came to a stop beside Glorfindel, who halted in his tracks as well. Mithrandir raised his right hand and rested it on Glorfindel’s left shoulder. “Imladris is in no danger, my friend. Do not fret. It is not bad news I carry this time.”

 

Still not reassured, Glorfindel nodded, reluctantly. “I only have her best interest at heart.”

 

“I know you do. And like you defended Gondolin with your very life, you will defend Imladris until your dying breath.” Mithrandir squeezed Glorfindel’s shoulder reassuringly. “You are the best Captain Elrond can wish for.” Although he was tempted to let the real reason for his coming here slip, he kept his tongue, knowing it was still too early for Glorfindel to know the truth.

 

Glorfindel relented, opened the door to Elrond’s rooms and took a step back, allowing Mithrandir to enter. “I will remain close in case you need me.”

 

Mithrandir wanted to reassure Glorfindel again, but realized the Captain wouldn’t be denied; Glorfindel was determined to help. “If we need you we will call for you.”

 

Satisfied, Glorfindel closed the door behind Mithrandir after the Maia had entered Elrond’s rooms, and then waited for instructions in the corridor. Vexed, he stared at the door and wondered why Mithrandir and Elrond didn’t want him to attend this meeting and counsel them.

 

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

 

Elrond advanced on Mithrandir with a genuinely warm smile on his face. Opening his arms, he bestowed a quick, but heartfelt hug on his friend. “Please, sit down and drink a glass of wine with me.” Mithrandir didn’t appear to be in a hurry, and Elrond grew hopeful that it would take the Evil One much longer to gather his strength. They seated themselves, and after he had handed Mithrandir his glass, Elrond said, “What brings you here at such a late hour?”

 

“Something unexpected has occurred,” said Mithrandir, sipping his wine and enjoying its sweet taste. Leaning back into the comfort of the chair, he studied his old friend. “Ecthelion has been allowed to return to the living. The former Captain of the Fountain dwells on Arda once more.”

 

Elrond raised an eyebrow, questioningly. “Are you certain?”

 

“I escorted him to the Gray Havens, where he is staying now.” Mithrandir sighed, deeply. “I could not tell Glorfindel that just yet, although I wanted to.”

 

Elrond nodded, thoughtfully. “Their love was beautiful and rare.”

 

“But times have changed,” replied Mithrandir, sipping more of the wine. “And I have been sent to fetch one of your subjects to teach Ecthelion the things he has forgotten and needs to relearn.”

 

“Who?” Elrond’s thoughts raced. He had surprisingly quickly accepted that Ecthelion had returned to them, knowing Mithrandir would never lie to him, and he was already trying to establish the identity of this ‘teacher’ Mithrandir had come for.

 

Mithrandir placed his now empty glass on the side table and probed Elrond’s eyes. “It is not you, my friend, neither is it Glorfindel. His history with Ecthelion would keep my charge from growing emotionally. Even unwillingly, Glorfindel’s presence would hamper his emotional development. Letting Glorfindel teach Ecthelion would be unwise.”

 

“Who else, then?” Elrond scooted closer, intrigued. His children had long reached majority, but lacked the experience to properly teach a young one yet.

 

“Your chief advisor, my friend. I am here for Erestor.”

 

Elrond’s surprise showed when his already raised eyebrow inched higher still. “Erestor?” He contemplated what he had learned so far. “So, you think that Erestor can teach Ecthelion what he needs to know? Aye, it is true; he is an accomplished scholar, advisor and teacher. He taught my children well, but I am loath to see him go. I depend on him for many things.” Erestor *was* his chief councilor!

 

“Only Erestor will do,” said Mithrandir, steadfast.

 

“How old is Ecthelion exactly?” Before he would permit Mithrandir to take Erestor to the Gray Havens, he required more detailed information!

 

“He is three years from reaching his majority.” Mithrandir carefully considered what to tell Elrond and what to keep from his friend. In the end, he decided to put his trust in Elrond and shared what he knew. “Celeborn and Galadriel raised him. Ecthelion has been among the Galadhrim for forty-seven years. He is their best kept secret. Celeborn and Galadriel raised Ecthelion as if he were their own flesh and blood.”

 

“I never suspected something like that was happening,” admitted Elrond. His curiosity had been piqued. “Then why do you require Erestor’s services? Celeborn and Galadriel can teach Ecthelion everything he needs to know.”

 

“There are reasons… More than one, my friend. I am not privy to them, though. The Valar did not entrust me with this particular knowledge. I have been sent here to fetch Erestor and to take him to the Gray Havens with me.”

 

“Will you stay with them, then?” Elrond refilled their glasses, uncertain what to make of this development.

 

“Nay, I will merely escort Erestor to the Gray Havens. He will be responsible for Ecthelion until my charge reaches his majority.” Mithrandir accepted the refilled glass and stared thoughtfully into the swirling, red liquid. “I wish I could tell you more, Elrond. But this is all I know.”

 

“It is not much,” said Elrond in a grumpy tone. “The thought of Erestor leaving Imladris does not please me. I wish to keep him here.” He had his reasons for wanting to keep Erestor with him!

 

Mithrandir inclined his head. “You would go against the wishes of the Valar? Is that wise?” He was missing something, but what? Why was Elrond so unwilling to temporarily part from Erestor?

 

“You are right, my friend. I cannot go against their wishes, but letting Erestor go pains me.” Elrond made his decision and rose from the chair. He walked over to the door, opened it, and called for Glorfindel who still lingered there. “Fetch Erestor for me.”

 

Glorfindel nodded, indicating he had understood and hurried away to do his Lord’s bidding. He couldn’t help but wonder why Erestor was being summoned when he was being excluded.

 

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

 

“Erestor!” Glorfindel stormed into the library and immediately headed for the dark-haired advisor, who was seated beneath one of the windows. “Erestor!”

 

“Stop shouting, Glorfindel.” Erestor wasn’t inclined to avert his gaze from the incredible sunset that was coloring all of Imladris red and golden. “This is a moment of peace and beauty.”

 

“Not any more!” Panting slightly, Glorfindel came to an abrupt stop in front of Erestor. “Mithrandir is here.”

 

After sighing deeply, Erestor had to abandon the incredible golden sight, and looked at Glorfindel instead. “Why don’t you sit down and tell me what exactly upset you?” He raised a hand, gesturing for the blond to take a seat on the windowsill.

 

“No time! No time!” Glorfindel frantically shook his head. “Elrond told me to fetch you and you are coming with me – now. You are stalling!”

 

“Calm yourself!” Erestor probed Glorfindel’s azure eyes. “Don’t you think Mithrandir would have taken action by now if we were in danger?”

 

Frustrated, Glorfindel grabbed Erestor’s hand and pulled the raven-haired Elf to his feet. Once they were face to face, he said, “Erestor, the very fact that Mithrandir is here means there is trouble afoot. He comes here unexpectedly and demands an audience with Elrond. That sounds like urgent matters to me!”

 

Erestor gave Glorfindel a reassuring smile. “You worry too much, my dear friend.” Raising his hand, he bestowed a gentle caress onto the blond’s face. “This is not Gondolin. Imladris is in no immediate danger. Trust me, I know we are safe.” Glorfindel’s gaze wavered and briefly became unfocused. “There are no Balrogs to fight here; no fire drakes. We are safe.”

 

A shudder coursed through Glorfindel’s body and the warrior seemed to awaken from a trance. The frantic movement he had displayed moments ago disappeared and a calm expression appeared in his sapphire eyes. “I cannot help myself,” he explained in a shaky voice, “Imladris is so dear to me. I could not bear it if this magnificent valley befell the same fate as Gondolin.”

 

“Elrond and I watch over Imladris,” said Erestor, stroking a strand of Glorfindel’s fair hair. “If there is danger, we will tell you. You will be the first to know. You can trust us.”

 

Glorfindel forced a smile onto his face. “You are a good friend, Erestor.” He still had a hold on Erestor’s hand, but the grip had loosened during their conversation. “Elrond has required your presence. Apparently, you are needed.”

 

“And you are not?” Erestor realized Elrond and Mithrandir hadn’t allowed Glorfindel to remain present during their meeting; that explained the warrior’s stressful state. “They would ask for your advice if Imladris were in danger, Glorfindel. Calm yourself, all is well.”

 

Glorfindel clung to Erestor’s soothing words. His greatest fear – his worst nightmare – was that Imladris was destroyed the way Gondolin had been, and that he would lose this new family, which he had found here. “You should not keep them waiting.”

 

“Lead on, my friend,” said Erestor, still using the same soothing tone he had during their whole conversation. He liked Glorfindel and considered him a good friend. Soothing his friend’s worries was the least he could do. Following Glorfindel into the corridor, his mind began to work on the problem at hand. Maybe Glorfindel wasn’t as paranoid as he had made the blond believe. Mithrandir only visited with Elrond when something important demanded their attention. /I wonder what brought Mithrandir here this time./

 

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

 

Glorfindel’s frustration mounted when Elrond sent him to the Hall of Fire to sit with the minstrels, whose songs the half-Elf knew usually soothed him, but Glorfindel wasn’t inclined to leave. He wanted to be present during this meeting!

 

“My good friend,” said Elrond, smiling warmly. “This is a matter of diplomacy and does not concern you. Trust me when I say no military action is required. Now go, and sit with your friends.”

 

Glorfindel left, reluctantly; his thoughts still trained on the very reason why Mithrandir had come here, but it seemed he wasn’t going to find out any time soon.

 

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

 

“Mithrandir,” said Erestor, bowing respectfully when he came to a standstill opposite the Maia. “We were not expecting you.”

 

Mithrandir returned the gesture, showing his respect for the chief advisor by deeply inclining his head. “I had to act swiftly and didn’t have the time to announce my upcoming visit.”

 

Erestor seated himself in one of the comfortable chairs near the fireplace, which Elrond always kept going. Although none of them was susceptible to cold, Elrond loved the feel of the fire. He didn’t speak and waited for the half-Elf to sit down opposite him. Now that the three of them were comfortable, he waited for one of them to start this conversation.

 

Elrond moistened his lips. “Mithrandir is here on behalf of someone else.”

 

Erestor entwined his fingers and placed his elbows on the armrests of the chair. By studying Elrond’s body language he could tell that his friend was truly displeased. Whatever request Mithrandir had made had unnerved the half-Elf.

 

“The Valar allowed one of the dead to be reborn,” said Mithrandir, seeing Elrond’s reluctance to continue. “Ecthelion, Captain of the Fountain, has returned to Arda.”

 

Erestor managed to hide his surprise. Although, why was he surprised to begin with? Glorfindel had been allowed to return as well. “That is good news. We are in need of excellent warriors. Ecthelion is a force to reckon with.”

 

“Not yet,” whispered Mithrandir, chuckling softly. “At the moment he is a forty-seven years old Elfling – if I may still call him so! And he is in dire need of training. He needs to be trained in the art of diplomacy, and battle strategies. He knows how to wield his sword, how to fight, but he needs to take the next step so he may become a capable advisor.”

 

“Advisor?” Erestor didn’t completely succeed in eliminating the surprise from his voice. “Ecthelion is no advisor. He is a warrior!”

 

Mithrandir chuckled. “He can be both.”

 

Erestor pushed deeper into the comfort of his chair – brooding. “Tell me more, then.”

 

“These upcoming three years – before he will reach his majority – will hugely influence his future life’s decisions. That is why I want *you* to teach and counsel him.” Mithrandir easily caught the shock in Erestor’s eyes.

 

“You cannot be serious,” replied Erestor, who believed himself supported by Elrond, who was also shaking his head. “It has been decades since I last helped raised a child.”

 

“But you loved raising them! Teaching them! The twins look up at you, Estel is still amazed by your sheer knowledge and you regaled Arwen with your tales for hours! You might not want to admit this, but you are good with children.”

 

“So is Elrond! And Glorfindel!” Erestor’s eyes burned with dark flame. “And with forty-seven years of age you can hardly call Ecthelion a child!” Even more so than Elrond, Erestor was aware of Mithrandir’s tendency to scheme and manipulate to attain his goal. “What do you really want?”

 

“I want you to travel with me to the Gray Havens and take care of Ecthelion’s education these last three years.” Mithrandir realized Erestor needed more convincing than Elrond and he pulled his chair closer to the dark-haired advisor until only a few inches separated them. Ignoring Elrond for now, he concentrated on Erestor. “I trust in your judgment, Erestor. Your instincts always served you well. They kept us from making grave mistakes in the past.”

 

Erestor’s eyes narrowed, realizing only too well that Mithrandir was trying to manipulate him into cooperation. “You should ask Glorfindel.”

 

Mithrandir shook his head and sighed. “You know as well as I do that Glorfindel is liable at times, especially after nightmares tormented him at night. Do you really think it wise to assign him this task?”

 

Erestor hated feeling cornered. “You do it, then!”

 

“I cannot. My duties lie elsewhere as you know only too well.” Mithrandir could see Erestor was running out of options and knew the time had come to play his trump. “As you said yourself, Ecthelion is a force to reckon with. Do you really want to do nothing now and have an untrained warrior on your hands later? He needs to be focused and in control. We will need him when the Evil One awakens from his sleep. We need Ecthelion, Erestor, and I honestly think *you* have the necessary experience and patience to teach him.”

 

Erestor bit down a growl that threatened to leave his throat. “Elrond would do better than me.”

 

“Trust me, he would not.” Mithrandir deeply looked into Erestor’s brown eyes. Knowing he had to address whatever deeper reason was keeping the advisor from saying yes. “Why are you so reluctant to do this? Elrond is not exactly cooperative either.”

 

Elrond snorted, amused, but then grew serious again and exchanged a look with his chief advisor and confidant. “I told him nothing.”

 

“What should Elrond have told me?” Mithrandir frowned; this was one obstacle he hadn’t thought to encounter.

 

Erestor realized he had to make Mithrandir understand; he had to try, at least. “I do not wish to leave Imladris.”

 

“I can understand that,” said Mithrandir, honestly. “Imladris is an enchanting place.”

 

“There is more,” said Erestor, nervously moistening his lips. “I do not want to leave its inhabitants.”

 

/You cannot have a lover here!/ Mithrandir grew nervous.

 

“Elrond and his family have become my kin and I do not wish to part from them.” Erestor slowly rose from his chair and walked over to the window, staring into the dark and starless night.

 

“There is a reason why I am so protective of him,” said Elrond, unexpectedly.

 

“And what might that be?” His curiosity piqued, Mithrandir rose from his chair as well and joined Erestor in front of the window. “Why does Elrond feel you need protection?”

 

Erestor had hoped he wouldn’t have to disclose this to Mithrandir, but was left with no choice. “I had a mate once,” he started, his voice taking on a dream-like tone, “And when he died I almost joined him in death. It was Elrond who looked after me and gave me the strength to carry on without my beloved.” Erestor turned to look Mithrandir in the eye. “I was lonely for a long time and became depressed, but when Elrond married, and the children were born, I felt alive again. It is hard to feel listless when tiny feet are running through the house, Elflings jump onto your bed, tiny fingers pull at your braids…”

 

“But you have recovered since,” said Mithrandir, thoughtfully.

 

“It is Elrond and his children that keep me feeling alive. And then there is Glorfindel, of course,” Erestor added with a smile. “They are my family and they keep me from brooding, from slipping into melancholy and depression. I have no idea what will happen if I leave them. I don’t want to be alone again, Mithrandir. Don’t you understand?”

 

“You would not be alone,” said Mithrandir, quickly. “You will have Ecthelion.”

 

A sad smile graced Erestor’s features at hearing that. “He is forty-seven, Mithrandir. How can someone that young understand what I am fighting? And besides, it would not be fair to burden him with my pain.”

 

Mithrandir shook his head. “Erestor, you cannot hide in Imladris forever.”

 

“Who says I am hiding?” Anger showed in Erestor’s now black eyes. “I am *not* hiding! I merely wish to stay here!”

 

Mithrandir’s eyes colored with compassion and understanding. “Erestor, you need to do this.”

 

“Nay, I do not!” Erestor gathered his robes around him and tried to get past Mithrandir, but the Maia stepped in front of him, effectively blocking his path.

 

Realizing he needed to approach this from a different angle, Mithrandir said, “Think back to when Elrond’s children were little and needed you. Didn’t you enjoy having them close? Teaching them? Playing with them?”

 

“Of course I did! But Ecthelion is forty-seven! Hardly an Elfling anymore!” Erestor looked to Elrond for support, but the half-Elf had grown remarkably quiet and didn’t seem willing to support him in this matter any more.

 

“You did not let me finish,” said Mithrandir, chuckling softly. “Didn’t they come to you for advice when they grew older? Didn’t you spar with them? Something you had not done in centuries? Walk with them in the gardens? Took them into the forest to teach the art of survival there? Aye, Glorfindel joined you, but didn’t you enjoy those moments?”

 

Erestor bit his bottom lip. Everything Mithrandir had said was true, but he wasn’t inclined to confirm that fact.

 

“You can have that again with Ecthelion. Right now you are only focusing on the things that intimidate you. But what about the things that will bring you happiness and pleasure?”

 

Elrond nodded and Erestor realized his best friend was now agreeing with Mithrandir. “I am not going.”

 

“And then there are the Gray Havens. You lived there for a time, didn’t you?” Mithrandir didn’t wait for Erestor to nod and continued. “You know how beautiful it is there. Imladris is beautiful in her own right, but the Havens… the Sea. You loved the Sea once.”

 

Erestor’s resolve was crumbling. “Do not make me do this, Elrond,” he said, pleading with his Lord, who had the power to command him to go there. “I want to stay here.”

 

Elrond slowly rose from his chair and pulled his robe closer to his body. “Mithrandir made a valid point, Erestor. You cannot hide here forever.”

 

Erestor glared at his best friend. “I am *not* hiding!”

 

“But you are,” said Elrond, slowly. “I would rather not order you to go to the Gray Havens, but I will if you remain uncooperative. Think about it, Erestor. See this as a chance.”

 

Erestor continued to glare at the half-Elf. “A chance at what?”

 

Mithrandir cocked his head and managed to catch Erestor’s gaze. “You will only find out if you take this chance.”

 

Erestor began to understand that there was no way out for him. “I will go, but under protest!”

 

“Noted,” said Elrond, calmly. Coming to a halt beside Erestor, Elrond gently caressed the other Elf’s face. “I honestly think you should take this risk. You gain nothing by staying here. Your life will remain as it is. But by going to the Gray Havens you will allow change into your life. Maybe I have been too protective of you these last few millennia.” And he was grateful that Mithrandir had opened his eyes. “I cannot and will not shelter you from life any longer. Take this chance, my friend, and please do not see it as punishment, but as a way to enrich your life.”

 

“It will only be for the duration of three years,” added Mithrandir.

 

Erestor sighed deeply and averted his gaze. In the end, he looked into the dark of the night again, finding that a solitary star had appeared at the horizon, sparkling brightly. He knew he was being silly, but couldn’t help thinking, /Do you want me to do this, meleth?/ Each day, he still thought of his beloved, remembered his husband, and he wondered what his mate would want him to do. /I know what he would want me to do. He would want me to embrace this opportunity./ As he ended that particular thought the single star seemed to erupt with bright light. /What am I to do when everyone is against me?/ So he did the only thing he could do; he gave in. “I will go.”

 

Mithrandir opened his arms and embraced Erestor, who yelped in surprise. “You made the right decision!”

 

“I hope I did,” whispered Erestor, feeling a bit uncomfortable in Mithrandir’s arms. The Maia had never hugged him before! Looking over Mithrandir’s shoulder, he caught sight of Elrond’s amused smile. The half-Elf clearly approved of his decision. /My fate has been decided, then./ Erestor wasn’t certain what to make of this development.

 

Mithrandir released Erestor, beaming with pride and happiness. /You won’t regret this, Erestor. I know you won’t./

 

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