In disguise

Chapter nine Hereby I thee wed

Elrohir smiled when he entered the stables to join the morn’s patrol. His eyes narrowed in suspicion when he saw Glorfindel saddle his horse.

He swiftly approached. “Glorfindel, where are you going?”
Glorfindel turned and smiled and the young Peredhel. “As far as possible. Do not worry about me, pen-neth.”
He med hed his horse and kicked Asfaloth to speed.
Elrohir cursed and swiftly saddled his horse, bellowing orders as he did so. “Someone find my brother and Tihtalfin. Tell them to support father. Tell Erestor he has to keep Imladris going alone for the time being.”

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Thrilmaldur smiled, seeing Elladan’s smug expression as the twin stopped the kiss that had woken him up. “What?”
Elladan shrugged. “I just knew you would like this. Where do you want to break fast? Here or with the family?”
Thrilmaldur sighed. “With your family I suppose.”
Elladan’s arms encircled him and the twin kissed him tender. “-Our- family. Let’s get out of this bed and into our boots and we’ll be on our way.”

Thrilmaldur nodded his his frown remained. Seeing Elladan cock his head in question he sighed. “How do we act?”
Elladan smiled, understanding the question. “I have no intentions of hiding you, melamin, but if you wish to remain silent at first I understand.”
Thrilmaldur shrugged. “I just don’t want you to get into trouble because of me.”
Elladan’s expression angered. “If you say that, you must have a low opinion of us.”

He instantly regretted his words and hit his head. “Aiya, forgive me. Erestor’s right: my brain really isn’t connected to my mouth. I’m so sorry, I should not have said that. There would be no trouble. The others will accept any I want to share my life with into the family because of me. And now that it is you, they will do so willingly and happily. Even gratefully.”

Thrilmaldur blushed and the colour deepened when Elladan leaned in and kissed his cheeks. “Come, melamin, to the manor and maybe we can tease Sermo.”
Thrilmaldur grinned. “Aye, maybe.”

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Erestor smiled when he saw Elladan and Thrilmaldur approaching and ran towards them. “Bless the Valar, there you are.”
Elladan gasped. He had heard that tone only once before and its result had not been pleasurable. “Erestor, what is it?”
Erestor nodded. “Glorfindel ran away. Elrohir went after him and your father is beside himself with worry. Trusting Elrohir to bring his seneschal back isn’t doing much good to his nerves.”
Elladan nodded. “So everything came down on you. What do want me to do?”
Erestor sighed, glad Elladan was so easy with this. “I need you to lead today’s patrol, now that both seneschal and youngest twin are missing, you need to do that. And Thrilmaldur, I really need your help looking after affairs.”
Thrilmaldur nodded. “Of course. I will see you later Elladan. Eat before you leave. And Erestor, do you perhaps know why Glorfindel ran off? What’s the origin of this sudden departure?”
Erestor shrugged. “I really don’t know. I was beside myself and nothing pleased me more than seeing the two of you walk in. Bless the Valar for your presence.”
Thrilmaldur shook his head and allowed Erestor to take the lead as the counsellor rambled on.

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Glorfindel growled, knowing Elrohir wasn’t far behind him. He could see the borders and was torn in two. His desire to get as far away as possible was at war with his desire to keep Elrohir out of danger. Beyond the borders danger lurked and though Glorfindel didn’t fear it he was worried for Elrohir’s safety.

He halted his horse and glared at the approaching twin. “Go home, Elrohir.”
Elrohir shook his head. “Nay, I’d follow to Mordor if I have to, but I am not letting you go. Why are leaving like that? What if you start sleepwalking with none of us around?”
Glorfindel’s expression didn’t change. “Leave me be, Elrohir. There’s nothing you can do.”
Elrohir’s gentlyressression denied those words. “I can listen, Glorfindel. You are not alone. Father, I, Elladan, Erestor, the guards, everybody; we’re all behind and beside you. Why deny our help?”

Glorfindel shook his head at the stubborn Peredhel. He knew Elrohir well enough to know the twin would follow him no matter what and even fight him to get him to return. He dismounted his horse and sat in the moist grass. “All right, pen-neth, ask your questions. I shall answer them.”

Elrohir jumped of his horse and sat before the seneschal, thinking before he opened his mouth. /He sleepwalks and eats to substitute love. Is that connected to this flight?/ “Is this flight of yours connected to your sleepwalking?”
Glorfindel nodded. “Aye.”
Elrohir smiled. “We already know you do that to substitute love.” He smirked. “I need to find that love if I am to help you. And why substitute it, Glorfindel?”
The blond smiled at this show of brains. “It is unrequited. It cannot be, Elrohir. Let it go.”
But Elrohir shook his head. “Unrequited, you say. Is she bound?”
Glorfindel shook his head. “Nay.”
“Has she sworn of men?”
Again Glorfindel shook his head. “Nay.”
Elrohir sighed. This wasn’t easy. “Is she from Imladris?”
Glorfindel nodded. “Aye.”

For a while it was silent as Elrohri went over every girl he knew. He could not remember ever seeing Glorfindel with any of them, not even through gossip. Suddenly the logic entered his mind and he smiled. “Is she a she?”
Glorfindel sighed and shook his head. Elrohir’s eyes widened. /A male!/ He mentally went over every male he knew. He could exclude Thrilmaldur, but every other came by and was rejected as possibility. /I need to know more. But what? And how?/

“Is he of another race? But no, there are no other races in Imladris. A male elf, but who? He does not turn from men; he is not bound, so why not court him?”
Glorfindel smiled. “Because I can’t.”
Elrohigheighed. “Why not?”
Glorfindel closed his eyes in defeat. “Because he has a family of his own.”
Elrohir opened his mouth to speak but stopped the words from leaving his mouth. /He has a family of his own. But why would that prevent Glorfindel from courting his beloved? Do they hate him? But nay, that cannot be. There are none that hate him./ He rubbed his forehead in thought. “Why would him having a family stop you from courting him?”
Glorfindel cocked his head but did not speak.
Elrohir sighed. “Do you think they would be against it?”
Glorfindel shook his head. “Nay.”
Elrohir was feeling rather lost. How was he to solve this riddle? “Do you fear his own rejection?”
“I do not fear something that will never be.”
Elrohir smiled. “So court him.”
Glorfindel shook his head. “And have him reject me? No!”
Elrohir raised his hands to the air. “How can you know? Does he hate you? Is he your enemy?”
Glorfindel shook his head. “Nay, I count him among my best friends.”
Elrohir sighed. “And you fear ruining that friendship if you admit your love?”
Glorfindel shook his head. “Nay. He’s too honourable to let that happen.”
Elrohir growled, seeing another reason go down the proverbial drain. “Is he in love with another?”
Glorfindel shook his head. “Nay.” He saw Elrohir’s twinkle and smiled saddened. “But he does not love me.”
Elrohir growled. “How can you know? Did he tell you?”
Glorfindel shook his head, sadness entering his eyes. “No, he didn’t.”

Elrohir growled and would have screamed in frustration when Glorfindel’s words and intonation registered. /He didn’t. But someone did./ “-Who- told you then?” He could see Glorfindel had not anticipated that question and the blond’s eyes filled with tears. “Doesn’t matter.”
Elrohir shook his head. “I think it does. Answer me, Glorfindel. Who did tell you?”
Glorfindel sighed defeated. “Celeborn and Galadriel.”
Elrohir gasped. /But…but… but… why?/ He groaned as his mind refused to cooperate. / An Imladrian male and my own grandparents told Glorfindel he has no chance. But it has been centuries since he’s been there last. And I am pretty sure he did not see them then…../
His eyes widened. “When did they tell you that?”
Glorfindel angrily wiped away his tears. “At Loëndë of the year 2782 of the third era.”
Elrohir gasped. “But that’s millennia ago. You’ve been in love that long? No wonder you start showing side-effects.”

/All right, Elrohir, think! Male elves of Imladris with a family of their own that nona and ata’da know as well. But most sailed to Valinor after the Ring has been destroyed. The only family they know that remained is us./
He gasped at the thought. /Can it be?/
Elrohir probed Glorfindel’s eyes. “Ever considered the possibility time has changed his heart? That their words no longer are true?”
Glorfindel nodded. “But they are, Elrohir. I stand no chance and I know it. Please let me be.”
Elrohir shook his head. “Nay. Father would never forgive me if I’d let you go. You are part of this family, Glorfindel, whether you like it or not. And I know only one family that my grandparents know. All others they knew sailed for Valinor. You love my father, do you not?”
Glorfindel blushed and nodded. “Aye.” It was a mere whisper but it was enough.

Elrohir smiled, stood and pulled Glorfindel to his feet. He did not address the blond but Asfaloth. “Your master is mentally ailing and the only one who can help him is my father, Asfaloth. Please ignore his commands and bring him back instead.”
Glorfindel laughed. “Do you really expect my horse to listen to you?” He jumped on and kicked his steed in motion.

Asfaloth took one jumped forward and then reared, completely surprising Glorfindel, and galloped at full speed back to the manor. Glorfindel muttered in his breath. He knew jumping off was futile, not because it was dangerous but Elrohir was not far behind him. He had no choice but to stay on and, once they’d returned ask another horse or try later.
But Asfaloth knew his master well and easily guessed Glorfindel’s plan. Therefore, once they had reached the courtyard, the animal did not take the road leading to stables but turned the opposite direction instead, running toward the house. The noise was enough to alert the entire household, which was exactly what Asfaloth wanted.

Elladan laughed when he saw Glorfindel cursing, desperately trying to get his horse to obey him, with Elrohir not far behind. “No matter what’s the occasion, Glorfindel can always make me laugh.”
“Aye, but the occasion hunts the smile away.”
Elladan turned and smiled sadly at his father. “Do you know why he fled like that?”
Elrond shook his head. “Nay, but I cannot allow him to run. Right now he’s safest with us.”
Elladan nodded. “Maybe Erestor and Tihtalfin can talk some sense into him?”
Elrond shook his head. “Nay, not even Galadriel or Celeborn would be able to do that. He’s too stubborn.”

He marched down the stairs and glared at the blond elf. “And just what did you think to achieve by that action? Do you have a desire to die?”
Glorfindel shook his head. “I can take care of myself!”
Elrohir stood by his side, after ordering the grooms to saddle Elladan’s horse, just in case. He wasn’t going to take any chances. “Glorfindel, you and ata need to talk.”
Glorfindel shook his head. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
Elrohir nodded fervently. “There is! And you know it. Either you tell him or I will!”
Glorfindel glared at him, but Elrohir could see the underlying fear. “Are you threatening me?”
Elrohir shook his head. “Nay, I am helping you.”

Erestor and Thrilmaldur came running towards them and both elves smiled, seeing Glorfindel safe and sound. Elladan threw himself at his lover, unable to hold back his feelings.
Elrond smiled at Thrilmaldur’s shocked expression. “At least now I understand Elladan’s request to assign you to the library. Welcome to the family, my son.”
Thrilmaldur blushed and nodded. “Thank you, my lord.”
Elrond waved the title away. “Please, you know I hate that title and I already have one elf insisting on always using it and that’s one elf too many.”
Thrilmaldur laughed. “Is there a way to send a message to Celeborn and Galadriel. I would like to inform them I am staying here.” He looked at Elladan. “And why.” Those words were rewarded with a demanding, loving kiss.

Glorfindel grinned. “At least some good came from my sleepwalking. I shall bring your message to them.”
Elrond shook his head. “You are not. I forbade you to leave the house. Must I tie you down to make sure you stay?”
Glorfindel crossed his arms and glared at Elrond, the intensity of which unnerved Elrond. “I can take care oselfself. I am your seneschal and I need to do my job. All of it.”
Elrond closed his eyes. “Meldir, I know you must be feeling irritated and agitated, but I cannot let you go until this matter is resolved.”
Glorfindel sniffed and turned. “The only resolve there is for me is to leave.”

He marched to the stables but Elrohir blocked his path. “It is not. You are staying here.” He saw Glorfindel’s hand fly to the hilt of his sword and Elrohir narrow his eyes. “I’d think before you attack me, Glorfindel. You might be a great warrior, you cannot outdo us all.”
Glorfindel snorted. “I thought you and Elladan. You are no match for me. Stand aside.”
Elrohir shook his head.

With sec second Glorfindel had raised his sword and launched at Elrohir, but before the stroke hit his sword was knocked from him and his arm was twisted behind his back. “That’s enough, Seneschal. Elrohir, make sure your horse and that of Glorfindel are tended too and then join us in your father’s study. Elladan, disarm this heated elf.”
Elladan hastily did as Thrilmaldur asked him, taking away all of Glorfindel’s weapons, even the hidden ones.
Without releasing his hold Thrilmaldur turned around and forced Glorfindel to walk inside.

By the time they had arrived at his study Elrond was over his initial shock and had composed himself. “Glorfindel, why did you do that? Why is it so important for you to leave? Don’t you trust us at all?”

Glorfindel merely sat in the chair and did not answer. He was determined to leave at the first opportunity.

Thrilmaldur smiled. “I feel it fair to warn you, Seneschal, I was a warrior once and have never stopped training and perfecting my skills. Before I became a scribe I was part of the Ohtari.”
Glorfindel’s eyes widened. He had heard of them. He lowered his head in total defeat. “So I am stuck here.” His tone was accepting.
Thrilmaldur kneeled before him. “I was under the impression you enjoyed it here. That these elves are your friends and family.”
Glorfindel nodded. “They are, but I cannot stay.” Elrond opened his mouth to speak but Elladan and Erestor both signalled him to remain silent.
Thrilmaldur smiled. “You are not alone in this. There are different old volumes in Lord Celeborn’s books and Minas Tirith is but a day’s ride from them. I can ask if they can look for a cure in those books if you wish.”
Glorfindel glared at him. “No, I don’t. I do not need or want their help.”

Elrohir looked afraid when he walking in, almost fearing a battle to take place. He sighed as he heard the words and walked closer, but before he could speak Thrilmaldur’s voice rode the air. “And what about our help? We offer it freely, willingly and gladly. But how can we help you when we don’t know what ails you? How can we be there for you when you run away? How can anyone take but one step when he turns away from light and crutch?”
Glorfindel glared. “I am doing no such thing!”
Elrohir shook his head. “Yes you are!”

He made mental contact with his twin. `Adan, it is ata.`
Elladan gasped and looked at his twin in confusion and puzzlement.
Elrohir nodded. `I forced him to tell me. He believes he doesn’t stand a chance.`
`But nana left so long ago. Ata deserves to be happy again and he does feel lonely.`
Elrohir smiled sadly. `It’s not nana, I think. Our own grandparents told him ata does not return his feelings.`
`What? When?`
`Several millennia ago.`
Elladan nodded. `When he was still in love with nana. But that has chanced. He has changed. We all have.`
Elrohir nodded. `Including our Glorfindel. He’s running from his only salvation.` He broke contact but Elladan frowned. He did not agree with his brother’s words.

“Ata. If an elf is secretly in love for a long time but for some reason thinks his love unrequited, would it not affect his soul?”
Elrond nodded. “Aye, if it lasts long enough all things eventually seep into someone’s soul. Why do you ask?”
But the others understood the hidden meaning and Thrilmaldur looked at Glorfindel with understanding and compassion. “You ran because that’s the only way to avoid speaking of your love. You do not wish to die.”
Elrohir cocked his head. “Why would he die? He’s in love and…” He stopped speaking when Elladan hit him over the head. “He’s in love, Ro, and has been for a long time. If your heart was lost and said elf rejects you, wouldn’t you die?”
Elrohir shook his head. “No!”
Elrond rolled his eyes. “You are asking the wrong elf, Elladan. Everybody out. Erestor, make sure Glorfindel is not given a horse. You and Tihtalfin will have to look after all pressing matters. Glorfindel and I shall handle the domestic affairs.” Glorfindel looked stunned at those words.

When everyone was gone Elrond claimed the chair next to Glorfindel. “Don’t look so surprised.”
Glorfindel shrugged. “I did not expect this kindness.”
Elrond grinned. “Oh, believe me, you will receive a tantrum later. Right now I am too worried and concerned about you. Glorfindel, I understand you, I really do and I might even act the same way in your situation, but I’m afraid death is inevitable for you.”
He smiled at Glorfindel’s shocked face. “If you tell her and she rejects you, you will fade of a broken heart. But you will also slowly die if you continue like this. It is your choice, Glorfindel, and I will not force you to make it, but if you continue like this you will die with the uncertainty, my friend. If you ask you have a chance she’ll accept you and loves you back. I would be not much of a friend if I’d let you pass that up.”
Glorfindel sighed. “But my love is unrequited.”
Elrond shook his head. “You can never know unless you ask.”

Glorfindel shook his head, allowed his tears to flow. “But I do know. His parents told me, all right. I know.”
Elrond gasped. /He, Glorfindel said he. And parents. That’s the thread I’ve been looking for./ “His parents might have told you that, but not all parents know their children through and through. Do I have to remind you of the times we had to guess our children’s lovers?”
Glorfindel shook his head. “This is different.”
Elrond cocked his head. “How so? How can this be different?”
Glorfindel sighed. “Because it is.”
Elrond shook his head. “Nay, Glorfindel, you are wrong. You will never know for sure unless you ask your beloved. His parents might think or believe one think, their son might surprise you all. And even if they were correct in their assumption, what’s to say his heart has not changed since they’ve told you. And I know it has been a while or you would not be sleepwalking. That process is slow, Glorfindel.”

Glorfindel jumped up. “It -is- different. All right; they told me in the past, but it does not alter the present.”
Elrond fought to control his temper. “Why not?”
Glorfindel threw over the chair. “Because she has the Valar condemned mirror! That’s why!”
Elrond’s eyes widened at the words and his thoughts reeled. “The mirror? Galadriel?” He saw Glorfindel’s shock at his own burst out and the nod to Elrond’s words and shook his head. “But Galadriel has no son. Her only child is Celebrían.”

Glorfindel smiled and walked away, his eyes empty and already the blue was fading away to white.

Elrond gasped as the truth sank in. He blinked his eyes and realised Glorfindel was no longer standing before him and turned to run after his seneschal. He found him talking to Elrohir and Elladan. He saw the sad eyes as the twins left Glorfindel. The blond was saying his goodbyes.

Before Elrond could take one step he saw Sermo and Apsontë approach the blond, whose hair had lost most of its former glory. The woman shook her head and Sermo merely gaped at the seneschal, for the first time in his life speechless.

Apsontë sighed. “And we thought Tihtalfin to be pulling our legs. What happened, Glorfindel? How can we safe you?”
Glorfindel shook his head. “I am beyond salvation. Fare thee well.”
Sermo shook his head. “And you too. I know the fastest route to the Grey Havens. You are going to Valinor where you will heal.”
Glorfindel shook his . “I. “I refuse to go there.”
Sermo grabbed his shoulders. “But you must. We cannot stand by and watch you fade.”
Glorfindel smiled. “I fear you must. I shall fade in Valinor too. I prefer to die here. Please let me be.”
Sermo was about to speak but he held his tongue when he noticed the dark lord and quickly followed Apsontë back to the kitchen, praying to the Valar Elrond was strong enough to make Glorfindel see sense.

Elrond silently approached Glorfindel and smiled sadly. “I should have gotten suspicious when I was finally able to sneak up on you.”
Glorfindel did not raise his head, not eager to show Elrond how horrible he looked. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Elrond grabbed his wrists and prevented him from leaving. “Glorfindel, you cannot die on me.”
Glorfindel sighed. “It’s too late, my lord.”
Elrond narrowed his eyes. “Never call me that again. That’s an order. And I shall follow you to Mandos if need bet yot you are not leaving me.”
Glorfindel sighed. “Then perhaps it is best if I sail.”
Elrond shook his head. “Fuck you, Glorfindel, I refuse to life without you. Leave me now and I shall cut my wrists for I refuse to fade. If I can’t have you in life I will in death.”

Finally Glorfindel’s head snapped and the orbs locked with him. Elrond pulled him a little closer and sighed. “I don’t know when Galadriel told you that you have no chance with me, but she is wrong.”
findfindel shook his head and Elrond growled. “She is! I do love you.” He could see the disbelief in the blond’s eyes and sighed, knowing there was only one way to make Glorfindel believe. He slowly closed the distance and kissed him.

When the kiss ended Glorfindel’s eyes showed hope, disbelief and fear. Elrond sighed, knowing Glorfindel thought him to act out of pity. “I love you, for real. I just never realised how much until it was almost too late.” He completely opened his eyes and showed his soul to Glorfindel, but the blond still refused to believe and every second Mandos’ hold on Glorfindel grew.

`Wed him! Wed him now!`
Elrond recognized Mandos’ voice and nodded. “I, Elrond Peredhel of Imladris, hereby take you as my mate. From now on I shall share mind, body and soul with you.”
Glorfindel’s knees gave way at those words and he looked at Elrond in total disbelieve. “No!!! You can’t!”
Elrond’s expression was determined and slowly Glorfindel felt the Peredhel’s mind enter his own. He could feel his every emotion and he realised Elrond was very sincere. /But how can that be? He’s not for me./
Everything was too much and he blacked out.

Elrond sighed relieved when he felt Glorfindel warming up in his arms. “I will never leave you, melethron.” Tears left his eyes as he cradled Glorfindel in his arms, carrying the blond to the seneschal’s own room, knowing he would feel more relaxed waking in his own environment.

End chapter 09
TBC