Title: Lonely In Love.

Author: Morgana morganalebeau@yahoo.com

Website; http://www.paranoid.nl/avalon/

Pairing(s): Glorfindel/Elrond, Glorfindel/Ecthelion, Erestor/Ecthelion and Elladan/Elrohir.
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. Twin slash (implied)
Author’s Note: All mistakes are all mine; yeah, I am greedy! And remember; this is AU! Yule ritual belongs to Excerpts from A WICCAN PRIMER: Rituals for Children ?1996 Wind*Dancer Goddess Moon Circles Copyright 1999 - 2004. Aye, my Elves are... pagans :P

Beta read by Jenn, thanks so much for doing this for me!

 

 

 

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

 

 

Epilogue

 

"Be careful, Estel! The tree is..." Elladan didn't get the chance to warn them. The tree slipped and buried Estel and Elrohir beneath it. "Oh, darn it!"

 

"What in Elbereth's name *is* going on here?" Celeborn appeared in the hallway and took in the pitiful sight. Estel and the twins had offered to provide the household with the traditional evergreen and apparently they had found a tree to their liking. "You make some very poor tree bearers," said the Lord of the Golden wood teasingly.

 

"Ata'da, help me!" Elladan shot his grandfather a pleading look. "Elrohir and Estel are somewhere underneath there."

 

Taking pity on his grandchildren, Celeborn raised the tree enough for the two males to free themselves. Together, the four of them hauled the tree into the Hall of Fire and put it in its assigned spot. Celeborn chuckled, softly, seeing Arwen rush over to Estel's side to brush away the pine needles, which could be painful if they got stuck in the wrong places. Ah, this was the very reason why he choose to spend Yule in Imladris. Galadriel however, preferred to stay at home and celebrate the winter solstice with their kin in silent meditation. But Celeborn was different; he loved the mayhem that took up residence in Elrond's normally peaceful Imladris when the twins and Estel got together.

 

Elrohir straightened out his clothes and glared at Estel. "I would not be surprised to learn you let it slip on purpose."

 

"Now why would I do that?"

 

"You obviously enjoy having Arwen fuss over you," said Elrohir, his eyes narrowed.

 

Estel shrugged once, decided this wasn't worth arguing over and led Arwen into the gardens to watch the snow fall.

 

Celeborn wrapped one arm around Elladan and the other around Elrohir's shoulder. "It looks like it is up to us to decorate our tree."

 

"That is Glorfindel's job." Elrohir looked about, but Glorfindel was nowhere in sight. The blond was probably keeping Elrond company. Their father preferred to spend these hours in meditation.

 

"But Glorfindel is not here." Celeborn presented the large bowls with nuts, fruits, leaves, and colored ribbons to his grandsons. "Get busy."

 

"And what will you do?" Elrohir reluctantly began decorating the tree with large wreaths, made of berries, holly, dried fruits and ribbons made of green and red fabric.

 

"I will make more wreaths," announced Celeborn, who unceremoniously sat down on the floor and began weaving the evergreen, holly and ivy until it formed a perfect circle. "Another year has passed by," muttered Celeborn beneath his breath, "And so much has happened." He was much looking forward to being reunited with his foster-son, and he hoped Ecthelion and Erestor would arrive shortly. "Finished." He handed the wreath to Elladan who hung it above the doorway so the holly and ivy could protect the inhabitants against all evil.

 

Elrohir had almost finished decorating the tree, tying the last few colored ribbons around the branches. "It is amazing... Imladris is covered in snow and yet in a few moons summer will return." This cycle would repeat itself until the very end of Arda.

 

Celeborn moved backward until his back rested against the wall. Watching his grandsons closely, he wondered how they could have fooled everyone for so long. Well, fooled, wasn't the right word. Elrond, Galadriel and he had always suspected the twins might fall in love with each other. After all, the same thing had happened to Elrond and Elros so long ago. "Hum..." Celeborn cleared his throat, and once he had his grandsons' attention, he pointed at the mistletoe hanging above their heads. "There is this tradition, you know..." A kiss under the mistletoe spoke of love and commitment.

 

Elrohir blushed, weakly. He was still growing used to the fact that their love was no longer a secret and that people knew they were together in that way. Elladan, however, didn't feel that awkward and reacted at once, pulling Elrohir close and pressing his lips onto his twin's. Elrohir gasped; then his demeanor softened and he gave in, eagerly kissing Elladan back.

 

Celeborn chuckled, amused. It had been a long time since the Last Homely House had felt so 'homely' -- since they had lost Celebrían to be exact. He still remembered Elrond's nervousness when his son-in-law had confided in him concerning Glorfindel. He also clearly recalled Elrond's relief when he had embraced Glorfindel, accepting the blond warrior who had been a part of his family for a long time already. Aye, all was well in the Last Homely House.

 

That was, except for one minor detail. "Which one of you stole the Yule log?" He had checked for it earlier, and the oak log was missing. There was only one solution; one of his charming grandchildren had hidden it and he couldn't rule out Estel or Arwen either. Maybe all four of them were involved?

 

"Yule log?" The twins stared at each other in puzzlement. "We did not hide it." Elrohir blushed. They'd had other things on their minds!

 

One look told Celeborn that his grandson was telling the truth. So if they hadn't taken the log, who had?

 

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

 

"Elrond? It is almost time for dinner." Glorfindel moved into place behind Elrond, who was seated on the floor in meditation. The fragrance of warm, spicy incense filled the room and Glorfindel didn't want to draw the half-Elf out of his trance, but it was time they joined the others. Elrond, as head of this household, had to set fire to the Yule log and then the celebrations would start. /And I will see Ecthelion again this eve./ He had missed his friend and brother in arms, but Ecthelion's absence had also allowed him to focus on the most important person in his life -- Elrond, who he loved with his whole being. "Come back to me."

 

Elrond blinked once before his eyes finally focused on his lover. Smiling warmly at the blond, Elrond stretched. "Is it time already?"

 

"Aye, everyone has laid down their work and the table has been set." Glorfindel offered Elrond his hand and helped the half-Elf to his feet. "I made something for you," he said, shyly.

 

"What is it?" His curiosity piqued, Elrond followed Glorfindel's every move when the blond uncovered something from behind his back. "A wreath?"

 

"Made of holly, ivy, berries and yew." Holding it together was evergreen, and Glorfindel proudly placed the 'circlet' on Elrond's head.

 

Elrond's eyes swam with emotion and tears. "Thank you." Celebrían had been the last person to do this for him. When his wife had left, the tradition had been abandoned. "Thank you for loving me." He leaned in closer and kissed Glorfindel on the lips.

 

Glorfindel deepened the kiss and regretted ending it. "They are waiting for us."

 

"No sign of Erestor and Ecthelion yet?" Elrond hoped they would make it in time to join them for the feast.

 

"Nothing yet," whispered Glorfindel, "But Mithrandir should arrive within the next half hour."

 

"Ah, it will be good to have him with us again." Elrond claimed Glorfindel's hand and led his lover toward the doorway, looking forward to an evening filled with laughter and singing.

 

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

"I did not steal it!" Elrohir glared at his grandfather. "Neither did Elladan!" The Yule log was still missing.

 

Elrond sighed, deeply. In his hands was the remainder of last year's Yule log, which he would use to light this year's, but so far -- no Yule log. "Who took it?" His deep, gray eyes probed theirs and narrowed upon looking at Estel. "Did you...?"

 

Estel shuffled his feet, nervously. He had been an idiot to think he could fool Elrond. "Aye, I did."

 

"Why?" Elrond shook his head.

 

"Arwen dared me."

 

Elrond's eyes widened dramatically, looking upon his daughter. "You dared him?"

 

Arwen unleashed her most charming smile, but quickly realized it was lost on her father. "I am sorry, Ada... It is always Elladan and Elrohir who pull these pranks and I wanted..."

 

"Estel, fetch it," ordered Elrond, who did his utter best not to burst out laughing. "We cannot keep the whole household waiting."

 

Whilst Arwen and Estel left to retrieve the missing log, Glorfindel squeezed Elrond's hand. "Ecthelion and Erestor are still not here."

 

"But *I* am!" Mithrandir entered the room and his heartfelt laughter rolled toward the gathering of Elves. "It is good to see you again!" Mithrandir hugged Elrond first and then moved on to Glorfindel. In the end, everyone present had received a warm, tight hug from the Istari. "Why the sad face, Glorfindel?"

 

"Ecthelion and Erestor are not here yet." Elrond squeezed his hand, making Glorfindel smile at the half-Elf. His lover knew him so well! "I had hoped they would join us."

 

"I am certain they will. I spoke to them a month ago and they were quite determined to celebrate Yule in Imladris." Mithrandir came to stand beside Celeborn, who offered the Istari a glass of Imladris' finest wine, which Mithrandir eagerly accepted. "The Hall of Fire truly lives up to its name." Mithrandir took in the dazzling sight of hundreds of candles, spread throughout the room. The fire in the fireplace burned hotly, almost mirroring Arien.

 

Elrond smiled, pleased. "You are most welcome, my old friend." Mithrandir's presence was always a blessing during the celebrations.

 

Estel and Arwen entered again and presented this year's Yule log to Elrond. "I am sorry, Ada," whispered Estel, "It seemed a good idea at the time."

 

"You are forgiven, children." Elrond graced them with a smile, which clearly reassured them. "We cannot wait much longer, Glorfindel."

 

Glorfindel realized that too and sighed, deeply. "Light the log, then." It was obvious Ecthelion and Erestor wouldn't arrive in time.

 

Lighting the remains of last year's log, Elrond stared into the flames. "Tonight is the Winter Solstice. The night that we celebrate Yule. Tonight is the longest night of the year. The night when darkness will rule." Elrond set fire to the Yule Log and then lit a candle, which he handed to his lover.

 

Glorfindel accepted and said, "But the light will turn this night." He then handed the candle to Celeborn, standing opposite him.

 

"To return and turn the dark to light once more." Celeborn smiled at his grandsons, who reached for the candle as one, then shyly backing away, until eventually Elrohir took hold of the candle.

 

"Tonight the dark time ends." Elrohir and Elladan looked at each other, their fingers tightly entwined once more. They felt happy and blessed that all present had accepted their love and didn't shun them for it.

 

Estel now took hold of the candle. Looking deeply into Arwen's eyes, he said, "Since Midsummer the Wheel has turned bringing us into the dark time. But tonight the dark ends." Arwen mouthed the words with him, smiling blissfully at having her beloved close.

 

Raising his staff, Mithrandir closed his eyes. "It is Yule, the Winter Solstice. And from here the days will get longer. The Sun will start to grow stronger." The promise echoed clearly audible through the Hall and everyone present already longed for the next summer to arrive.

 

Silence fell. Glorfindel looked at Elrond, wondering what to do now that Erestor and Ecthelion weren't here to speak those last lines.

 

"Winter's hold will be loosened and soon Spring will come back." Erestor's voice came unexpectedly and everyone turned to welcome them.

 

Glorfindel's eyes lit up, seeing Ecthelion standing next to Erestor. Both Elves were dressed in their traveling clothes, the dust still present on the fabric. And apparently they had brought a guest. A bearded Elf, who could only be Cirdan, stood behind the two dark-haired Elves, smiling fondly.

 

"The Wheel is turning. The light is returning!" Ecthelion grinned, seeing Glorfindel's relief and pleasure at having him here. They had made it just in time!

 

Everyone now looked toward Elrond, who would conclude the ritual. "Winter is a time of darkness. But it does not last forever. It is only a stop on the Wheel and soon the Wheel will turn again and bring us back to Spring. This is the lesson Nature teaches us, that no matter how dark it gets the light always returns. The night will always end and a new day begin." Looking at Mithrandir, he nodded once, wanting the Istari to speak the final blessing.

 

"May the light of the Yule candles burn in our hearts all throughout the Winter and through the coming year. Blessings of the Season on us all." Mithrandir accepted the candle and placed it in a holder next to the log, which now burned hotly. "Welcome, Yule!"

 

That was the sign everyone had been waiting for and Elrond's entire household, which had watched from a respectful distance, now ate and drank their fill, making merry, singing and drinking. Elrond and his entourage walked over to their table, where they sat down. That was, everyone save for Glorfindel and Ecthelion, who exchanged hugs.

 

Erestor let them be, realizing there was no reason for him to be jealous. He had seen the same passion he felt for Ecthelion in Glorfindel's eyes when the blond had looked at Elrond.

 

"You are here! I was afraid you would not make it!" Glorfindel studied Ecthelion, delighted to see his friend beaming with happiness.

 

"Aye, we should have left the Gray Havens earlier, but Cirdan decided to join us at the last minute." Ecthelion drank in Glorfindel's sight and then leaned in closer. "Is all well with you? And with Elrond?"

 

"All is well," said Glorfindel, reassuringly. "And how are things with you and Erestor?" He cast a quick look at the advisor, who looked radiant.

 

"They could not be better. We are happy." Ecthelion gave Glorfindel a wink. "And we are here to stay."

 

Glorfindel hugged Ecthelion once more, hearing the good news. "I had hoped you would stay."

 

Erestor inclined his head in Elrond's direction and the look that passed between them spoke of everything they needed to know. Content that Elrond and Glorfindel were happy, his gaze shifted to Elladan and Elrohir, who were holding hands. Ah, the twins had finally admitted their love, then. He had never spoken of his suspicions to Elrond, keeping them private, but he had always known there was a deep love between the twins. Finding they had become lovers now didn't surprise him in the least.

 

In the end, Glorfindel and Ecthelion joined them. Glorfindel smiled adoringly at his lover and was promptly kissed on the lips by a very smug-looking Elrond. Ecthelion pulled Erestor close, possessively wrapping an arm around his beloved.

 

Mithrandir leaned closer toward Cirdan. "I told you everything would turn out well, didn't I?" Next, he exchanged a smile with Celeborn, who had also caught the remark.

 

"Aye, you did," replied Cirdan, "Though there was a time when I doubted your words."

 

"Never doubt Mithrandir," said Celeborn, grinning as he sipped his wine. "I learned a long time ago that he knows what he is doing."

 

Mithrandir leaned back into the comfort of his chair. His gaze traveled from one Elf to another and came to rest upon Erestor eventually. The advisor met his gaze and nodded once. Aye, everything had worked out in the end.

 

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

 

"Come to bed, Elrond. It is cold out here." Glorfindel draped a warm blanket across the half-Elf's shoulders. "Your children are happy, Erestor is back at your side and Mithrandir and Celeborn are trying to drink each other under the table. All is well in your sweet Imladris."

 

Elrond chuckled. "Who do you think is winning?"

 

"Celeborn will win. He wins every year."

 

Elrond nodded once. "And my children?"

 

"Elladan and Elrohir are in their rooms and we both know what they are doing." Glorfindel easily caught his lover's blush. "Arwen and Estel went for a midnight walk in the snow-covered gardens."

 

"And... Ecthelion?" Elrond turned in the embrace and studied Glorfindel's blue eyes.

 

"He is staying in Erestor's rooms. They seem happy to me." Glorfindel guided Elrond back into their bedroom. "Only *you* are still brooding."

 

"I am not brooding!" said Elrond, indignantly, "I was merely thinking."

 

"Thinking..."

 

The look that Glorfindel gave him told the half-Elf that the blond didn't quite believe him. "I was not brooding."

 

"If you say so." Glorfindel closed the balcony doors behind them and pushed the blanket from Elrond's shoulders.

 

"What do you think you are doing?" asked Elrond when the blond began to unbutton his robes.

 

"It is time for bed."

 

"To sleep?"

 

"Not yet, later perhaps." Glorfindel grinned naughtily. "It is Yule, Elrond. We should start our own personal fire to keep us warm."

 

"Fire?" Elrond raised an eyebrow when his robes slid down his body to pool at his feet.

 

"Aye, your eyes turn to liquid fire when we make love." Glorfindel quickly removed his boots and clothes and then followed Elrond to the bed. They slipped between the sheets and he ended up holding Elrond close to his chest. "Are you happy?"

 

Elrond sighed. "Aye, I am." He was lonely in love no more. He was finally happy again.

 

 

The End

May 2004

 

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