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.
Author’s Note: Not beta read. All mistakes are all mine; yeah, I am greedy! And remember; this is AU! Oh, and I know as good as nothing of Gondolin, Ecthelion’s death, etc, but I tried my best!

 

 

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 7

 

/So, *that* is the reason why he is afraid to allow me close./ Erestor had woken early and had found his arms full. Sometime during the night, Ecthelion had snuggled up to him, possessively wrapping arms and legs around him and effectively keeping him in place. Ecthelion’s tight embrace didn’t allow for much space between them and Erestor had immediately noticed the erection pressed against his thigh. Every now and then Ecthelion rubbed his lower body against him and released soft purrs. /Aye, this answers my question./ Ecthelion had probably woken aroused yesterday morning and that had caused him to put more distance between them. /Now that I have solved this puzzle, I need to find out how to handle this situation./ This *was* a delicate matter.

 

“Oh… Erestorrrrr,” Ecthelion purred, pressing himself as close as possible to his bed partner.

 

/I should feel flattered,/ thought Erestor, /It has been quite a while since someone wanted me in that way./ But waking up like that would embarrass Ecthelion. /We have to deal with this./ Yesterday morning he had left the bed before Ecthelion had woken up, but he wouldn’t do that now. He would help Ecthelion deal with this and he remained in place, patiently waiting for the younger Elf to wake up.

 

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

 

Oh, the horror! Ecthelion had woken only a moment ago, but pretended he was still asleep. His worst dream had come true, finding himself wrapped around Erestor whilst painfully hard. And he was wrapped so tightly around the elder Elf that Erestor *had* to feel the erection pressed against him. /What do I do? Oh, please help me!/ But the Valar didn’t intervene and left him to deal with his predicament.

 

Ecthelion was afraid to move, as he didn’t want Erestor to wake up. Maybe if he tried hard enough his erection would fade and then he could leave the bed without hugely embarrassing himself – and Erestor.

 

Was Erestor still asleep? Or just feigning sleep, like he was?

 

“Ecthelion? There is no reason for you to be embarrassed. This happens to all of us.” Erestor had given the younger Elf a moment to compose himself and hoped to talk about this calmly.

 

Ecthelion’s eyes widened at hearing Erestor’s voice. /He is awake! And he knows!/ Blushing to the roots of his hair, he didn’t trust his voice to answer. Why couldn’t the floor open and swallow him and spare him this embarrassment?

 

“It just means your body is that of an adult’s now. Ecthelion, having a morning erection is nothing to be ashamed of. And I certainly do not hold it against you.”

 

Erestor sounded calm and understanding and Ecthelion finally found the courage to lift his eyes to meet Erestor’s gaze. Seeing the smile on the elder Elf’s face, he relaxed slightly. “I do not want you to feel uncomfortable.”

 

“I do not,” said Erestor, reassuringly. “Do not be surprised when it happens to me one morning as well. We cannot always control the urges of our body, Ecthelion.”

 

Ecthelion felt somewhat relieved, but he was still worried that Erestor might also discover that he had feelings for the elder Elf. Only *beginning* feelings of love, but still, feelings. He savored this closeness a moment longer and eventually managed a warm smile. /You are very handsome, Erestor. I wonder why you have no beloved in Imladris. Surely Elves flock around you, trying to gain your favor./ But he didn’t dare speak those words aloud.

 

“Is this the reason why you acted so distant yesterday?” asked Erestor, fairly certain of the answer he would receive.

 

“Aye. I did not want to embarrass you. I did not know how you would react to finding me… aroused… beside you.” He nearly choked on that one word.

 

“Do not worry too much, Ecthelion.” Erestor smiled, and began to free himself of Ecthelion’s embrace.

 

Once more feeling embarrassed – this time for his tendency to cling to the advisor – he quickly opened his arms to release Erestor. “Thank you for your understanding.”

 

“Even I was young at one time,” said Erestor, chuckling, “and I remember what it was like. You should enjoy this time and not brood over it. Your body has woken and a time of exploration is upon you. Do not feel hesitant to explore, Ecthelion. You should know your body.”

 

“You sound a lot like Orophin.”

 

“Orophin?” Erestor arched an eyebrow and allowed Ecthelion to sit upright. The younger Elf first turned his back toward him, sitting on the edge of the bed, but then changed his position and sat cross-legged on the bed, looking at him with a hint of apprehension in the gray eyes.

 

“Aye, Orophin gave me almost exactly the same speech a few years ago. We had been hunting in the woods when we woke in a similar fashion as today.” Ecthelion blushed. “He was very understanding as well.” Ecthelion stared at Erestor when the elder Elf swept back waist-long, raven hair so he could sit upright as well. Erestor’s scent was all around him and Ecthelion even smelt the spicy fragrance on his own skin – his own hair – and found he wasn’t looking forward to taking a bath. That precious scent would then be washed away.

 

“Orophin is a very wise Elf, then,” said Erestor in a light voice. He stretched, trying to steer away from this conversation now that the matter had been dealt with. “We will have breakfast and then give the horses their daily exercise.”

 

Ecthelion’s eyes shone with interest, remembering a promise Erestor had made. “You promised to teach me how to communicate with them.”

 

“I will,” said Erestor, rising from the bed. “Meet me in the kitchen in fifteen minutes.” They both needed to freshen up, change their clothes and eat before setting out for the day.

 

Leaving Ecthelion’s room, Erestor realized that his carefully planned study roster for his charge needed revision. Instead of studying the books he had brought with him from Imladris, he had to plan much more outside activities, like horseback riding, archery lessons, swords play, running and swimming. And strangely enough, he didn’t really mind. He had been a warrior before he became a scholar and his body was beginning to remember it liked the exercise and fresh air. /Glorfindel would love to see me like this! He always told me to exchange my study for the outdoors!/ Amused, he headed for his room to change his clothes. He was already looking forward to spending the day with Ecthelion.

 

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

 

Ecthelion was racking his brain. How was he supposed to communicate with this horse? Erestor’s instructions had been clear, but he found it hard to reach out in the way the elder Elf had described. The gray horse, which was to be his, watched him with curious, large eyes, and stood in front of him, as if waiting for instructions.

 

Erestor was already seated on the black stallion’s back. He had taken pity on Ecthelion and the younger Elf now only needed to discover the gray horse’s name. But even that seemed an impossible task to his charge. /Patience, Vorndir. The young one needs to learn./

 

“I do not know how to do this!” Ecthelion was growing frustrated and glared at Erestor. “I cannot do this!”

 

“You can,” said Erestor, telling Vorndir to move closer to Ecthelion. “You need to clear and open your mind to him. Do not force it.”

 

“That is easier said than done!” scolded Ecthelion. Gathering his courage once more, he cleared his mind like Galadriel had taught him a long time ago and tried to open up to the gray. In the end, his courage and patience was rewarded when he finally sensed the horse in his mind, and with that realization a name came to him. “Rohaer?”

 

Erestor smiled, extremely pleased that his charge had succeeded. “Aye, his name is sea horse.”

 

“I did it!” Enthusiastically, Ecthelion rubbed his horse’s nose. “Thank you for cooperating.” And yes, he sensed Rohaer’s mind now; the stallion’s amusement and approval. Next, he turned to Erestor. “Thank you for teaching me!”

 

Erestor nodded and smiled at his charge. “You are ready to mount now.”

 

Ecthelion wasted no time and swung himself onto Rohaer’s back. These last few days had been full of pleasant surprises and Erestor was the most pleasant surprise of all. He had never planned to lose his heart to the elder Elf and he had even made an attempt to fight it, but he was falling in love with Erestor, and his heart now beat a faster rhythm; one, which was filled with desire and longing.

 

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

 

Their dinner consisted of freshly picked berries, a handful of nuts, and fish, which Erestor had caught bare-handed. Ecthelion had watched him enviously, as catching fish in that way was one skill he hadn’t mastered yet and he was always eager to learn.

 

“Turn the fish over,” said Erestor, who now slipped out off his boots so his socks and leggings could dry.

 

Ecthelion complied. With one eye he watched the fish so it wouldn’t burn and the other remained fixed on Erestor. If the elder Elf noticed the attention he was getting, he didn’t show it, for which Ecthelion was grateful. Erestor was turning into an obsession to him. He just knew what Haldir would say, seeing him like this.

 

The guardian had always teased him with his youthful enthusiasm. Haldir would be most amused about this. /And he would encourage me./ But then again, Haldir had never hidden the fact that he loved to flirt. The Galadhel had even once taken him apart and given him ‘advise’ in the matter of the heart. Ecthelion had blushed, realizing Haldir was trying to explain to him how to woo – or seduce, according to Haldir – an Elf.

 

But he wasn’t seriously considering wooing Erestor, was he? It was a tempting thought, but he couldn’t give in. Erestor was his tutor; an adult. /And he does not have feelings for me in turn. He is not falling in love with me. I am chanceless./

 

But maybe he wasn’t as chanceless as he thought he was, for Erestor found himself watching Ecthelion in turn. The youth’s unbridled enthusiasm and pure heart were charming assets, which drew him close like a moth to a flame. But contrary to Ecthelion, he smothered any attraction he felt, repressing it. So it remained buried in his subconscious, never making it to the surface of his mind.

 

Ecthelion continued to turn the fish, until it was nicely grilled and ready to be eaten. Sharing the fish, berries and nuts, they ate their fill, enjoying their little ‘picnic’.

 

Erestor distinctly noticed the calm Ecthelion radiated. The tension had left the younger Elf after their talk that morning and he seemed more at ease around him. “Maybe we could find a suitable spot and spent the night out here?” Ecthelion’s smile almost blinded him.

 

“We could listen to the sounds of the Sea at night! The sound of waves does not quite reach inside the cottage.” He liked the idea of camping out here!

 

“We are agreed then.” Erestor finished his meal and stretched, grinding his back into the earth until he was comfortable. “What do you think of this spot?”

 

“It would do,” replied Ecthelion, forcing himself to seriously evaluate their current location. It was shielded from wind and rain, as they were camping under an overhanging cliff and the Sea couldn’t reach them here. “We might even build a small fire.”

 

“I daresay there are no enemies close, so we might risk a fire,” said Erestor, giving Ecthelion a wink.

 

That wink was Ecthelion’s undoing. Swooning, he stared at Erestor; his hormones raging wild and free. How was he ever going to control his desires? But he didn’t have much choice. His feelings for Erestor had to remain a secret.

 

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

 

During the night, Erestor woke briefly because Ecthelion was moving about in his sleep. A smile formed on his face, seeing Ecthelion move closer and closer. If his memory didn’t deceive him the younger Elf had lain down opposite him, not beside him. He chuckled softly, careful not to wake his charge. It almost seemed Ecthelion was drawn to him, and to be honest, Erestor didn’t really mind. Having a warm body pressed close against him was comfortable, and the trust that Ecthelion apparently had in him, honored him. /I won’t let you down./

 

Ecthelion seemed to receive that thought, moving closer and he smiled in his sleep. Even in his sleep, he registered Erestor’s soothing presence.

 

But at the same time, Erestor registered something else as well. A sense of dread washed over him. An immediate threat – very close already – was advancing on them. A wall of evil rolled toward him, almost choking him with its dark magic. By the Valar, what was this? He drew in a deep breath and focused within, reaching out with his Elven abilities. His eyes widened when a memory hit him. /Nazgûl!/

 

What in Elbereth’s name were the Nazgûl doing here? /I have to wake Ecthelion! We present an easy target this way!/ But how to wake the younger Elf without scaring him or making him panic? /Ecthelion, wake up. Wake up now!/

 

Ecthelion’s eyes instantly filled with awareness and stared at Erestor in wonder. He hadn’t done *it* again, had he? But no, he wasn’t hard! Then what…? And then he felt it too. Evil. Evil that reeked of old death and decay and it almost made him nauseous. Wide-eyed, he stared at Erestor, and only now did he register the fact that he had heard the elder Elf’s thoughts. Did it work both ways? /What do we do?/

 

Erestor was grateful they had left the cottage armed, as he had wanted to practice archery and sword fighting. Reaching for his sword now, he asked himself that question. Aye, what should they do? He couldn’t possible hope to outrun the creatures of darkness. The Nazgûl would hunt them down. /We will have to face them./ Just how many of them were here?

 

Ecthelion paled visibly. /Fight them?/

 

/We do not have a choice, I am afraid./ Erestor steeled his nerves, and recalled his dealings with the undead creatures at Mount Orodruin. /They cannot die, Ecthelion, but they can be momentarily defeated./ Later, he could wonder how the Nazgûl had found them in the first place and why they thought Ecthelion so important that they would come for the younger warrior.

 

Ecthelion firmly clasped his fingers around the hilt of his sword. Suddenly all his training seemed so useless. How could he possibly hope to defeat one of the Nazgûl?

 

/Stay behind me, Ecthelion. Let me do the fighting. They are here for you and I will be damned if I will let them have you./ Erestor felt fiercely protective of his charge and he would die in order to make sure Ecthelion survived. He gestured for the younger Elf to follow him, when he soundlessly sneaked toward the horses. If only they could mount them before the Nazgûl were upon them!

 

A sudden gale of wind almost swept Erestor off his feet, and when he looked toward the dark, midnight heaven, he immediately made out the shape of the drake and its rider. /Run for the horses, Ecthelion, and try to get away./ Erestor reached for bow and arrow and aimed at the drake’s head, right between the eyes.

 

Ecthelion was torn inwardly. He didn’t want Erestor to face their enemy alone! Hadn’t the elder Elf told him he had the makings of a great warrior? And that he had been a great warrior once? Warriors didn’t run away when faced with the enemy. /Nay!/

 

Erestor cursed privately. Why did Ecthelion have to choose this moment to grow up and protest? He didn’t have the time to discuss this, or make Ecthelion obey as the drake was close enough for the hit. Releasing the arrow, he reached for another one, letting it fly after the first. They might have a chance of escape if they could dispose of the drake.

 

The huge reptile shrieked when the arrows hit their target. The iron tips of the arrows easily penetrated soft brain tissue. No longer able to fly, it crashed onto the ground; one last contraction moving through its body.

 

/Ecthelion, mount your horse and leave! That’s an order!/ Erestor didn’t dare take his eyes off of the Nazgûl, who now rose in dreadful majesty after deserting his dead mount. The undead creature raised his sword, aiming it forebodingly at Erestor.

 

Ecthelion stood still, watching the creature as well. His long, torn black cloak was the one thing that gave the undead King his shape and when he looked into the hood, he saw only darkness. Dread tried to paralyze him, but he fought the horrible sensation, determined not to give into it. /I am not leaving you to fight him alone!/

 

Erestor gnashed his teeth. He would deal with Ecthelion’s disobedience later. First, he had to buy them time by defeating the wraith.

 

It was exactly at that moment that the Nazgûl attacked. His sword landed with a tremendous force on Erestor’s, almost causing the Elf’s sword to break in two. But Erestor moved with the force, turned, and used the impact to his advantage. Launching his own attack, he called upon his knowledge of earlier confrontations with the Nazgûl to guide him.

 

Ecthelion was unable to stand back any longer. He had seen the force behind that blow and just knew Erestor couldn’t defeat the Nazgûl on his own. But the two of them might stand a chance. Charging the Nazgûl from the side, he concentrated on aiding Erestor and staying out of the undead creature’s reach.

 

Erestor’s heart missed a beat, seeing Ecthelion join in the fight. /I told you to leave!/

 

/You cannot defeat him alone! Working together, we might have a chance!/

 

The Nazgûl released a shriek and then intensified the attack, aiming most of his blows at Ecthelion now, driving the younger Elf back.

 

Erestor cursed beneath his breath. This was exactly what he had hoped to avoid! The Nazgûl was now targeting Ecthelion! Releasing a battle cry that had served him well when he had fought these creatures at Mount Orodruin, he charged with all of his might.

 

The wraith swayed briefly under the onslaught of Erestor’s attack and was forced to target the elder Elf now.

 

Erestor drew the undead King away from Ecthelion, but the younger Elf didn’t understand and charged again. /Leave, Ecthelion. It is *you* that he wants and you are making it way too easy by fighting him!/

 

/I know that! But I am not leaving you, Erestor!/ Fighting the Nazgûl was wearing him down, but he refused to give up. They would either leave alive, or be slain by the creature, but they would survive or die together!

 

Erestor’s eyes widened in alarm when the Nazgûl turned and attacked Ecthelion. He couldn’t allow that and flung himself between them.

 

Ecthelion released a started yelp, finding Erestor shielding him with his body. He wanted to yell a warning at the elder Elf, but his vocal chords refused to produce any sound.

 

The Nazgûl’s sword descended onto Erestor, cutting deeply into the Elf’s back. The wraith shrieked excitedly and twisted the blade cruelly in the Elf’s flesh.

 

Something snapped inside Ecthelion seeing Erestor collapse onto the ground. The elder Elf’s eyes revealed pain and shock, but no scream left his lips. Ecthelion screamed his fury and drove his sword into the cloaked form.

 

The Nazgûl realized his predicament too late. As his sword was still buried in Erestor’s flesh, he was wide open for an attack and Ecthelion took advantage of that. Enraged, he tried to fight back, but a second hit forced him to retreat and he let the two Elves be for the moment. At least he had managed to take out Ecthelion’s protector. Disappearing, the cloak floated onto the ground, where it remained laying, motionless.

 

Dazed, Ecthelion poked the cloak with the tip of his sword, making sure their attacker had disappeared. Once he was convinced that they were safe for now, he knelt beside Erestor’s crumbled form to check on him. “Erestor? Please be alive…” He offered a prayer to the Valar before turning Erestor toward him. “Ai!” Erestor had lost consciousness, but even in oblivion his face was contorted in pain. The chocolate brown eyes clearly showed pain and terror, and tears had gathered in them.

 

“I will take care of you,” promised Ecthelion, but he didn’t feel as confident as he sounded. Galadriel had taught him first aid techniques, but he didn’t have any bandages, healing salves or herbs close. Blood formed a crimson stain on Erestor’s shirt and Ecthelion used his dagger to cut the fabric in two, revealing the wound. Nausea almost took him, seeing the amount of damage the Nazgûl blade had done. “I want to take care of you, but I do not know how,” he realized, his insides knotting with apprehension. “I need your help, Erestor.”

 

But Erestor remained unconscious and Ecthelion had no other choice than to deal with this situation on his own.

 

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

 

“I do not want to leave you alone, but I have no choice. I need to *try* to find some healing plants.” Ecthelion had long realized that Erestor wasn’t strong enough to be transported and needed to be taken care of here and now. One look had also told him that Vorndir had taken off. Rohaer was still close, watching them with knowing eyes.

 

Ecthelion built another small fire and moved Erestor closer to it, carrying the elder Elf with the utmost care. Kneeling beside him, Ecthelion brushed the damp, raven hair away from Erestor’s face. A layer of cold sweat had formed on Erestor’s body and the elder Elf mumbled feverishly. But the words were whispers and made no sense.

 

“Ada? Naneth? Where are you when I need you?” Celeborn and Galadriel had taught him how to care for a wounded person, but he felt inadequate now. “I won’t let you down,” he said, repeating his earlier promise. “I won’t. I will be back shortly. Please hold on, Erestor.” Using his own riding cloak, he tucked the fabric around Erestor’s trembling form.

 

He didn’t want to leave Erestor alone, but he needed water and healing herbs. His features contorted with inner torment when he left Erestor in order to search for the plants he needed. Fortunately, he happened about spring water rather quickly and he filled the water skins. Carefully draping them over his shoulders, he continued his search. He felt relieved when finding some of the herbs, which he needed most and quickly returned to Erestor.

 

He placed the water skins on the ground next to him and uncovered the roots of the healing plants, which he had harvested. Rubbing the roots between his fingertips until they released their bitter scent, he opened the water skins. He ripped shreds from his riding cloak, drenched them in the water and determinedly cleaned Erestor’s wound. “Oh, may the Valar protect you!”

 

If only Erestor would regain consciousness and tell him what to do! But Erestor shook violently, the pupils dilated and the mumbling continued. Occasionally, Erestor suffered convulsions and Ecthelion had to stop cleaning the wound in order to restrain him so he couldn’t hurt himself further.

 

“Please, Erestor…” His gray eyes released fat tears, afraid as he was that Erestor might die. “I am not ready to lose you!”

 

Once the convulsions had stopped he continued to clean the wound. After removing most of the blood and dirt, he pressed the now moist roots onto the inflamed flesh. Gently, he pulled Erestor into a sitting position and dressed the wound with fabric from his riding cloak. “That is all I can do for now, Erestor.”

 

And no one knew they were in trouble. Mithrandir wasn’t due back for weeks and his friends in the Golden Wood knew nothing of their predicament. They were stuck out here – alone.

 

“Once you are strong enough I will take you back to the cottage where you can heal.” Ecthelion wanted nothing more than to lie down beside Erestor and hold him, but he didn’t dare do so. What if the Nazgûl returned to finish the job?

 

In the end, Ecthelion succumbed to his desire and hours later, he curled himself protectively around Erestor, holding the shaky body against him in a possessive embrace. He trusted in Rohaer to warn him, should the wraith return.

 

With his sword within reach, he kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. Regularly, he checked on Erestor, but the tremors worsened with every passing hour. “Please stay with me, Erestor. I need you.” Stroking the fever-damp hair away from Erestor’s face, his fingertips caressed the high cheekbones. Lovingly, he traced the outline of the elder Elf’s lips with his thumb. “I cannot lose you now, Erestor, not when I just realized I love you. You have to stay with me.”

 

But Erestor remained unresponsive and continued to tremble against him. Ecthelion prayed to the Valar to allow Erestor to remain on Arda. “Do not take him away from me.”

 

In the end, he lost count of the hours that he spent comforting Erestor – sharing his body warmth with the elder Elf. His lips continuously mumbled praise and prayer to the Valar, who as far as he was concerned were the only ones who could return Erestor to him.

 

Pulling Erestor close, he wrapped arms and legs around the hurting Elf, burying the wounded advisor in a tight hug. “I won’t allow you to leave me. You will stay with me. I need you! I love you!” Just after uttering those last admissions something strange happened. A soft blue light surrounded Erestor’s form and then disappeared into the body.

 

Ecthelion sucked in his breath. What was that? What had he just witnessed? And did it matter? No, nothing mattered except for the fact that Erestor’s next breath sounded steadier -- deeper. “Stay with me, Erestor.”

 

He wanted the dark eyes to open, but they remained close. The convulsions now happened less frequently and Ecthelion grew hopeful that Erestor would survive and return to him.

 

Sounds coming from the shore drew his attention and he reluctantly released Erestor. After tucking the riding cloak back into place, he took hold of his sword, ready to defend the elder Elf until his last breath.

 

Standing on the shore, his eyes narrowed, trying to identify the rider that now approached. /Vorndir must have gone for help,/ he realized, recognizing Erestor’s stallion. That explained part of the puzzle. But who was the Elf on Vorndir’s back? /I have never seen a bearded Elf before,/ mused Ecthelion, slowly lowering his sword. Vorndir seemed to trust his rider, and he in turn trusted the horse’s judgment. This Elf was coming to their aid. /With his help I might be able to take Erestor back to our cottage./

 

Cirdan quickly dismounted, seeing Ecthelion standing protectively in front of Erestor. The advisor had succumbed to the Nazgûl’s onslaught and needed medical attention urgently. It was just as Vorndir had told him. “Peace, Ecthelion, I am a friend.”

 

“You know my name?” Had Erestor not been injured, he would have demanded an explanation, but he didn’t have time for this now. “Erestor is in need of help.”

 

“I gathered that much.” Cirdan walked over to Erestor, sat on his heels and examined the advisor. “He will survive,” he said, relieved. But at the same time he was also puzzled. Such a wound should have ended Erestor’s life, but the advisor was still alive. How was that possible? Looking at Ecthelion, Cirdan realized the young warrior possessed the answer to that question. “Help me. We need to get him onto Vorndir’s back.”

 

Ecthelion felt immensely relieved now that an elder Elf was here to take charge. Although he didn’t know this stranger, his instincts told him to trust him.

 

Together, they managed to place Erestor onto Vorndir’s back. The advisor threatened to fall down and Ecthelion quickly slid into place behind him. Steadying Erestor, he told Vorndir to tread carefully. Now that they were on their way home, and Erestor relatively safely nestled in his arms, Ecthelion addressed the stranger. “Who are you?” Why had Vorndir sought out this particular Elf?

 

“My name is Cirdan. Mithrandir asked me to keep an eye on the two of you. When I heard the Nazgûl’s shrieks I knew you were in danger and Vorndir confirmed my suspicions.”

 

“Cirdan? Cirdan, the shipwright?” Of course! There was only one bearded Elf on Arda! Awed, Ecthelion stared at his savior, thanking the Valar for sending him.

 

Next