Awakenings

Part 10.

There is a dining area within one of the lower halls that many occupants of the palace go to for their first morn and noon meals. All guards, advisors and even servants alike. Usually Erestor would miss the morning meal and take his afternoon meal in his office. But this day he had decided to take his noon meal in the hall. He stood with his meagre bowl of soup and apple in hand as he looked around the hall, looking for one person in particular.

Last night and most of this morn he had thought about Glorfindel’s latest attempt of reconciliation. What the warrior had done had been hopelessly romantic, but Erestor cared not. To him what happened the previous night had been the final blow to his defences. He couldn’t stay off Glorfindel anymore. He needed him, he always had. His only problem was learning to forgive Glorfindel for what had happened, and to erase the visual memory of the kiss that had destroyed his whole world at the time. Not only could he no longer refuse Glorfindel and his attempts, but he finally admitted to himself that he didn’t want to. But he would not simply give Glorfindel everything he wanted, the warrior would have to work for what he had lost. But it would not simply be Glorfindel who would have to work on rebuilding the relationship, or friendship as it was. Erestor was mature enough to know that, hence his presence in the hall.

He spied the elf he was looking for, one golden vision amongst a sea of other non descriptive elves. Taking a steadying breath he headed towards that one long table, he was aware that the table also occupied many other warriors. And knew that there would be many a strange look aimed in his directed for joining them, but then he would simply remember the spectacle Glorfindel had made of himself last night, and suddenly he didn’t feel so foolish.

The blond had glanced up and had caught Erestor’s eye, a nervous smile spreading upon his lips. Erestor paused only for a moment, before cautiously returning the small smile and continuing in Glorfindel’s direction, his intent obvious. The blonds reaction was enough to make Erestor snort in laughter. Glorfindel’s back had straightened and the smile on his face had grown instantly, showing how hopeful and surprised he was when realising that Erestor was coming to sit next to him.

The smile had slid from his face however when Ecthelion, who had not seen Erestor’s approach had casually sat down next to Glorfindel unknowingly in Erestor‘s intended seat, as he always would at midday meal. Erestor had stopped, looked awkwardly at Glorfindel and turned to sit at another unoccupied table. Glorfindel had on the other hand roughly slapped Ecthelion’s shoulder, making the warrior choke and sputter on his soup.

“Valar Glorfindel what is your problem?!”
“He was going to sit next to me!”
“What?”
“Erestor! He was going to sit next to me!”

Ecthelion looked over to where Glorfindel nodded and spotted Erestor who was sitting by himself, mindlessly stirring his soup with a spoon, looking extremely deflated and annoyed.

“Oh…OH!” He repeated with eyes wide, realising that he had sat in the councillors seat. “Glorfindel I’m sorry I didn’t see him, I wouldn’t of sat here if I had known. Well, I will just leave then…”

“Its not your fault, and stay put, I’ll go to him.” He said with a sigh.

Standing he straightened his tunic and hair before crossing the floor to sit beside Erestor. The councillor did not look up and simply continued to stare into his soup.

“May I dine with you?”

Erestor glanced over to the warrior, he knew that it had not been Glorfindel’s fault that Ecthelion had sat beside him, the look on his face had been enough for him to see that. But he couldn’t help the jealousy and resentment that flared within him.

“Where is your meal?” He asked flatly, his smile gone.

Glorfindel looked down at his hands, and then back to the table he had previously been seated at, his plate sitting there unattended. Clearing his throat and trying to save some of his dignity he smiled charmingly at a very now disinterested Erestor.

“Here, have mine. I’ve lost my appetite.” Erestor stood abruptly from the table, pushing his bowl over to Glorfindel in one quick agitated movement, soup sloshing over the sides. He missed the sad and disappointed expression on the warriors face as he quickly left the hall and left for his office.

From the other side of the hall Ecthelion watched in frustration as Glorfindel was again left sitting alone dejectedly. He had had enough, yes what had happened was terrible but…he was positive Erestor still loved Glorfindel, it was simply his presence that was stopping his friends from being happy. The solution was simple then, he knew what he had to do. But first he would speak to Erestor. Plucking the flute he carried from inside his tunic he to left the dining hall to follow Erestor.

Erestor had decided not to go to his office quite yet, he was annoyed at Glorfindel. And he was annoyed at himself for being annoyed at Glorfindel, for it wasn’t the warriors fault. He had instead walked outside and into the gardens where he would not be disturbed, he needed to be alone for a while to think. He stopped dead in his tracks however when hearing a familiar melody being played on a flute near by, very near by. Looking to his side he saw Ecthelion leaning on a near by tree playing his flute. The music seemed to stop when Erestor’s eyes fell upon him, Ecthelion stood straight from his leaning position and casually walked towards Erestor. When Erestor simply glared and turned his back to walk away the warrior growled in frustration.

“Don’t walk away from me Erestor.”
“Do not tell me what to do.” He answered in a low voice.
“Why did you do that? At lunch, why did you up and leave? Again.”
“It is none of your concern.”
“I believe it is when I am the cause of pain to two of my oldest friends.”
“I am NOT your friend!”

Ecthelion sighed and rushed to stand before Erestor, cutting off his retreat with his larger apposing warriors frame. “See, this is what I do not understand Erestor. You are willing to forgive him, but not me. Why?”
“You kissed him Ecthelion, Glorfindel was mine and you kissed him.”
“There were two people kissing Erestor! Glorfindel was there also! Why do you forgive him and not me?”
“Because I love him!” Erestor shouted, he took a moment to try and compose himself before continuing, “I need him, you, you just remind me of his betrayal.”


Ecthelion sighed, Erestor watched as the warrior leaned against a near by tree, running his fingers along his flute.
“Do you still play?”
“Excuse me?”
“Do you still play the flute? Here…” He threw the flute to the disgruntled councillor who reluctantly caught it.
“No, I do not care for music.” He said with a sharp edge to his voice as he roughly pressed the flute back against the warriors chest. He turned to walk away but again Ecthelion called out to him.

“It was his father Erestor.”
“What?” He asked impatiently as he turned once again to face his old friend.
“His father was watching…”
“Oh and I bet he just loved that…”
“He gave Glorfindel an ultimatum, if Glorfindel could prove that he had finally moved pass you, he would let him speak to you again.”
“Go on…” Erestor said after a long pause, now facing Ecthelion, giving him his full attention.
“Neither of us wanted the kiss Erestor, *or* enjoyed it. The promise I made to you…” Here his features softened as he stood closer to his once friend, “…my promise was eve burning in the back of my mind. But Glorfindel asked me to kiss him, his father was watching and he needed to have you back Erestor, he was miserable without you.”
“That…that does not excuse….he shouldn’t of kissed you Ecthelion.” He finished in a whisper.

“And believe me he has regretted it every day since, but you must understand that there was *nothing* in it. No feelings, he was just desperate to have you back, but all he did was loose you completely. He wouldn’t even speak to his father until…”
“His father, I never told Glorfindel but, I hated him, I hated him so much.” Erestor spat out, his hate for the elf obvious to the warrior.
“Erestor…do not let Glorfindel hear you say that.” He said with a sad sigh as he shook his head.

“You defend him? After all that damned elf has done!”
“Erestor…” He began impatiently, “…has the fact that Glorfindel’s title is *Lord* of the house of the Golden flower whilst I am still *heir* to the house of the Fountain escaped your attention?”
“What are you saying Ecthelion?” He whispered, afraid of the answer.
“His father…he is dead Erestor, he resides in halls of Mandose.
“No..”
“Aye. Ai Erestor he needed you, he cried for you. I would try to comfort him but he would push away my hands and cry for you.”
“What…his mother?” He asked, his voice heavy and broken in emotion. His eyes glassy with tears.
“She lives, for a while we thought she would join her husband. But she stayed for Glorfindel, and now, now she looks after other unfortunates. She finds peace and the strength to continue in helping those young ones who were sons and daughters of warriors, who had lost their parents to battle or grief. She simply amazes me Erestor.”
“She has always had a kind soul, I always liked her.” Erestor whispered. “So, he…died fighting then?”
“Indeed.”

There was a long pause between them, for there was little either could say.

“Erestor, I want you to know that…I will stay away, if that is what will make this better. Glorfindel still needs you, and I wont be the reason he is alone and broken hearted. That guilt still lays heavily upon me with you. I will not be able to avoid him when training but, I will stay away from him if that is what it takes. Though you have nothing to fear from me, you never have.”
“I…I appreciate what it is you offer. If you could just give us time together, I would not tell you stay away. You are his friend and I do not command him, but if you will give us time alone, I would appreciate it.”

Ecthelion nodded, though it saddened him that he would not really be a part of Glorfindel’s life for a while where he had been by the blonds side nearly every day for the past couple of years, but he would do it.

“Glorfindel, I need to see him, now. Where would he be?”
“He has the next few hours free, usually he would be on the training fields preparing, or hovering outside your office. Though I think after what happened in the dining halls he will most probably be moping in his room.”
“I will go to him then.” Erestor began to walk away but turned back around when Ecthelion bid him do so, he turned to see the warrior looking sadly at him, even with slight insecurely.

“Erestor, do you think that…is there any chance that we could be friends again? I know you forgive him because you love him but…I miss you to. I know you trusted me and I betrayed that trust but…you and Glorfindel were not the only ones to be hurt.”

“I think, perhaps in time, we may become friends again. You never know, I may wish to take the flute up again.” He said with a shrug, a hint of a small smile on his lips.
“Thank you.” Ecthelion whispered, and brought his flute back up to his lips after Erestor had walked away to find Glorfindel.

Erestor continued to stand outside Glorfindel’s door as he had the past few minutes. His father had died, as much as he hated the elf he would never of wished for him to die. His heart ached as he though of Glorfindel coping with the death of his father alone. How had things gone so array? He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before knocking upon the door.

“Who is it?” Came a flat voice that sounded not nearly merry enough as it should.
“It…it is Erestor.”

A mere second after Erestor had replied the door swung open.
“Erestor …please, come in!” He said eagerly as he stepped aside.

He watched as Erestor stepped inside until he stood in the middle of the room, taking in his surroundings. Closing the door behind him he walked up to Erestor and waited for the advisor to speak. But no words came.

“You’ve never come to my rooms before.”

Still he did not speak.

“Actually you’ve never sought me out either.”

He walked straight up to the warrior. He reached out and ran a hand down the warriors chest before pulling Glorfindel to him in a simple hug. After the initial shock Glorfindel eagerly closed his arms around Erestor, rested his cheek atop of his head and closing his eyes against tears that threatened to spill. Erestor pulled back only a little and without hesitation drew Glorfindel down by the nape of the neck for a deep and loving kiss.


He controlled the kiss, he slowly invaded the welcoming mouth with his tongue. Rubbing it soothingly against Glorfindel’s. When eventually the kiss ended, after a few more chaste kisses to the lips only then he looked into Glorfindel’s astonished blue eyes, glistened with tears of joyous surprise.

“I should have been there.”
“What do you mean?” Glorfindel asked almost dreamily as he pulled Erestor closer and revelled in finally having him close.

“When he died.” Erestor whispered, when the blond stiffened slightly with a brief flash of pain in his eyes he simply pulled Glorfindel down for another sweet kiss.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”
“It was my doing that you was not. Erestor, what happened, with Ecthelion and I, what you saw..”
“I know he told me.”
“Who, Ecthelion?” He asked in surprise.
“Aye, we spoke earlier. About earlier, in the dining room…”
“It’s alright I can understand why you might react like that.”
“It’s just, when I see you both together, even just in friendship…”
“I told you, you don’t need to explain, really I understand.”
“You know, Ecthelion offered, he said that, if I wanted he would stay away from you, from us.”
“Well, what…what did you say?” Glorfindel asked hesitantly, unsure of how he felt about that.

“I said that I would not choose your friends for you, but that I would appreciate it if he could perhaps, let me have you to myself for a little while. Just a little while, I understand you will be together during training and all, but, h-how would you feel about that?”
“Well, Ecthelion is a dear friend to me. But, if he is ok with it, and this is what you want then…Erestor I will do whatever it is I need to do to make things right between us again. We are on your terms.”

Erestor nodded, feeling something that was akin to comfort for the first time in years he rested his head in the crook of Glorfindel’s neck, wrapping his arms around Glorfindel and smiling as strong arms held him close.

“It can’t be exactly how it was Glorfindel, not straight away.” He whispered.
“I understand.”
“Glorfindel?”
“Hmm?”
“I missed you.” Was the barely audible whisper.

Feeling the shiver run through the slender body he held, and hearing the ominous quivery in the hitching voice he held Erestor closer. Kissing his temple he wiped away Erestor’s tears with his thumb, placing a delicate kiss upon the soft red lips he let their brows lean against each other as he whispered back.

“I missed you to my love.”