A Lonely Love

Chapter 10


Glorfindel sat cross-legged, facing Erestor, who was leaning against the same tree where their weapons still lay. Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling, Erestor looked deep into Glorfindel's eyes as he began his tale.

"Ost-in-Edhil was the place of my birth," sighed Erestor as he folded his hands in front of him to keep from shaking.

"The City of Elves," whispered Glorfindel.

Erestor nodded in agreement. "Aye, it was a beautiful and prosperous city, with huge white towers rising up in the midst of the holly forests of Eregion, in the foot of the Misty Mountains."

"The rings..." Glorfindel said absently.

"We were called the Gwaith-i-Mirdain; we were once part of the Noldor that left Lindon to go to Eriador. My father, Noruion, along with my mother and older brother Bellion, followed the grandson of Feanor, Celebrimbor, to Eregion." Erestor sighed lightly as he continued on.

"Celebrimbor was the greatest Elven-smith of the mortal lands. My father was one of his smiths." "We were called the people of the jewel-smiths." Erestor fondly remembered the land where he grew up. “The area was rich in mithril and Ost-in-Edhil was very near to the West Door of Khazad-dum. The Gwaith-i-Mirdain made a pact with the Dwarves to put aside their quarrels, to the mutual prosperous benefit of both. For a thousand years they lived in peace." Here Erestor took a deep breath before he could continue.

"In the year 1200 one named Annatar came to be among them. He was a mystery to all but he freely shared of his knowledge and gave many gifts, which he himself had made. In 1500, Annatar persuaded Celebrimbor to forge the Rings of Power. For 100 years the smiths labored, including Noruion and Bellion.”

Erestor shuddered visibly, "Of course, Annatar was the Dark Lord Sauron in disguise and he had secretly forged the One Ring, the Ruling Ring. As soon as Annatar put on the ring, all of the Gwaith-i-Mirdain knew him to be the Dark Lord. In panic, they removed their Rings and hid them from Sauron."

Glorfindel leaned over and lightly caressed Erestor's knee. "You do not have to continue." Sparks flew between them with that touch, and for a few seconds their eyes held the other's gaze.

"No, I must, do not worry for me," smiled the beautiful counselor in response as he continued. "During this time, in the year of 1533, I was born. Unfortunately, though I was exposed to the smith craft since birth, my love led towards the library arts, much to the chagrin of my father and brother. Oh, I worked along side them for many years, but all my free time was spent in the vast libraries of Ost-in-Edhil." Here Erestor's chocolate eyes lit up and shone his love of lore.

"One of Celebrimbor's advisors took interest in my constant appearances in the library and he soon took me under his wing. Seronist, in next to no time, had me doing research for him and transcribing missives. He was a tough taskmaster, yet he was very kind to me. A gentle elf, though fierce in the council room." Erestor thought fondly of his old teacher, for that is what he considered Seronist.

" Ah, so, that is where you learned this from," Glorfindel stated quietly.

Erestor was surprised by that comment. "That is how I appear to you?"

"Yes, you are a sweet, gentle soul... yet," smirked the golden warrior as he shook his head, "I would never wish to cross you in council."

"Hmpf, interesting," thought Erestor out loud, as he continued.


"Well, Seronist was leery of Annatar and urged Celebrimbor to take head. Celebrimbor refused to listen to Seronist until that fateful day that the Dark Lord was revealed." Erestor sighed deeply, running a delicate hand along his tunic to brush off a wayward leaf. Glorfindel was not only mesmerized by Erestor's story but by every gradation and movement the slender elf made.

"Celebrimbor was in a panic and he realized that Annatar knew every crevice of Ost-in-Edhil. He and Seronist knew that not enough time was spent on building patrols for the city. He sent a proposition to the High King in Lindon. It was to send some warriors to wed elves of Eregion, in order to establish a bond between the two cities. That way their would be ties to families in each city, hoping that Lindon would be urged to send aid to their brethren and the same would be offered to Lindon if so needed. Though clearly, Eregion would indeed be the one to benefit from such a bond."

It started to become clear to Glorfindel what Erestor was about to tell him. He felt himself growing more anxious with each second that passed. He felt an overwhelming urge to take the shy counselor into his arms, to promise him that he would be well taken care of.

"Seronist came to me one night whilst I was researching in the library. He asked me a very personal question, which took me quite by surprise. I had heard the proposition set before Gil-Galad, for I was in that council room taking notes for Seronist. However, I was still ill prepared for the question. He asked me where my preferences lay, whether it be for ellith or ellon." Erestor sighed heavily and closed his eyes. "I knew why he was asking this of me, they had run out of eligible ellith of majority age to wed to the warriors. He told me that some of the warriors preferred males. To his credit, he did seem embarrassed and somewhat sorry for including me in this bonding between the two cities. I told him that my eyes were for ellon. Seronist nodded and told me my fate with a deep sigh. I was chosen as one of the Gwaith-i-Mirdain who would be wedded." Here, a single tear fell down Erestor's chiseled cheek. "I had never even been kissed, and now I was to be wed to an ellon, a warrior of Lindon, one of Gil-Galad's elite guards. I grew afraid. I had nothing in common with a trained warrior."

..................

Carandhol growing frustrated, searched everywhere for Erestor, but could not find him. He needed that elf to help him find a book in that blasted library. He would ask no other to do this for him, for he knew that Erestor would search until said book was found. Growling with frustration, he headed back to their chambers to bathe and await Erestor's return before the evening meal.

.....................

Continuing his story, Erestor smiled weakly at the beautiful blonde warrior in front of him, "are you sure that you wish me to continue? Am I not boring you?"

Stretching his long muscular legs, Glorfindel shook his head adamantly,"Nay, please continue, I find this all so fascinating."

"We were wed in a massive undertaking of weddings that lasted all week in the year of 1610. I was just 77 years old then, and Carandhol, a seasoned warrior, had already seen 523 winters."

"We were one of the last to be wed that week and as was the same for the other couples, we had not met each other until the ceremony. He was in his Lindon armor and the sun shone on his red hair, turning it into a dark, ruddy honey. I could see that he was questioning about me as I walked towards him. He thought he was to wed an ellon," I heard him say. "I cringed, he thought I was an ellith! Though, I could see why, I was slim and wore robes, not armor, my hair longer than most. He seemed to have a satisfied grin when he was assured that I was indeed an ellon." Here Erestor actually smiled in memory.

"Whence I came to stand beside him, his emerald green eyes shone their lust and he smiled at me. I smiled back slightly, though he could see that I was visibly shaking. We were happy for a short while I suppose, however, I soon grew to bore him. Despite the fact that he enjoyed taking my innocence from me, and he was an attentive lover at first, I was so inexperienced," here Erestor found that he could not look up and he rung his hands in embarrassment. " I soon grew to love him as my husband and I think he loved me, though one is never quite sure of such a thing."

Glorfindel’s head was reeling; this was not what he had expected. His friends forced into a marriage that was as a contract, and no more. It was unheard of!

"Carandhol soon became tired Ost-in-Edhil, he missed Lindon, he missed serving the High King. He traveled back and forth between the two cities, often escorting messengers just to get the chance to return to Lindon, even for a short trip. You know, I cannot fault him for that Fin, he lived there all his life, and his brother was there in the king's service as well. When he would come home, he spent most of his days training and most nights in one of the taverns, drinking with the other warriors. I could never compete with that."

Erestor looked up at the sky, "come, my friend, it is getting late, we should head back to the house."

Glorfindel stood and held out his hand to help the counselor up. Erestor eagerly accepted it and found himself being pulled up against the rock hard chest of the slayer. Erestor's head fit perfectly under Glorfindel's chin. He heard the warrior inhale deeply, making Erestor blush as he quickly pulled away.

"I will, I will get the horses," stuttered Glorfindel as he turned around walking to the river's edge with his eyes closed in desire.

They rode slowly back with Erestor continuing his story. "Sauron's darkness grew closer to Eregion. Gil-Galad sent his herald, Elrond Peredhil along with a thousand elven warriors to help protect Eregion form its inevitable war against the Dark Lord in the year of 1695. By 1697, Eregion was laid waste," Erestor choked on those last words.

Silence followed for some time until Erestor felt that he could continue.
"We lost so many Fin," Erestor shook his head.

"We have much in common then," whispered Glorfindel with unshed tears in his eyes.

"Aye," answered the advisor reaching out to grab Glorfindel's hand in support.

"Elrond led the survivors of Eregion afoot with a patrol of warriors to a refuge, called Imladris."

"Carandhol never forgave me for not taking up my sword against the Dark Lord. But Elrond and Celebrimbor commanded me to take the maidens and elflings deep into the hidden corridors of the library for safekeeping. I could not refuse!"

Glorfindel saw the frustration in Erestor's eyes and something else ...guilt. "You did as was commanded of you, you protected the precious ones of Eregion. Never think less of yourself for that. It was a necessary. Not everyone fights on the frontline. Though all is of great import."

Thinking hard on Glorfindel's words, Erestor felt a glimmer of hope in removing the guilt he felt all these years.

As they neared the house, both dismounted as Glorfindel gave the reins of their horses over to a stable hand.

"Thank you," smiled Erestor.

"No, thank you for confiding in me," answered Glorfindel with love in his eyes.

They went their separate ways as Glorfindel watched Erestor disappear around a corridor. Leaning against a pillar, he let out a big sigh, he was in awe of all that the beautiful dark counselor had revealed to him.


........................

Opening their chamber door, Erestor stepped inside only to see Carandhol leap up from a chair. He had obviously been sitting there waiting for him.

"Where were you?" hissed Carandhol grabbing Erestor's upper arm hard.

Erestor flinched, "unhand me Carandhol!"

Carandhol drew him closer, “you smell of horse and earth!"

"I went riding with Lord Glorfindel to the Bruinen," he stated honestly.

Carandhol's eyes squinted in anger, “why would you do that?"

“Because he asked if I would join him.”

Carandhol looked deep into Erestor’s eyes as he said the next thing. “He is placating you Erestor, he cares not for you, and he pities you!” Carandhol let go of Erestor’s arms seeing the desired affect…Erestor’s eyes dimmed and sparkled with unshed tears.
“We are friends,” offered Erestor in a quiet voice.

“Ha! He has a soft spot for lost causes!” snapped Carandhol.

“D-do not say that!” uttered a stunned Erestor.

“They all laugh at you behind your back, even Lord Elrond.” Carandhol continued his assault on Erestor.

Erestor fell into the chair hard, “no, this is not true.”

“Even our Lord Elrond fought the front lines both at Eregion and during the Last Alliance! You stayed behind like a scared elf maiden.”

“No, I was needed to stay, to help the maidens and elflings.”

“And how would you protect them Erestor, by throwing books at Orcs!”

“Stop, please, stop,” sobbed Erestor as he put his hands over his ears to try and ease his pain.

“The truth hurts, does it not my dear husband!” Carandhol sneered those last three words as one would curse.

“Leave me alone,” sobbed Erestor, “please.” Tears streamed steadily down his face as his breath hitched with sobs, his shoulders shaking.

“I will gladly leave you alone!” Carandhol grinned, then laughed, “thinking the mighty Glorfindel your friend.”

“You are just a lost little kitten to him,” giggled Carandhol as he headed out the door, his laughter still ringing down the hall.


Erestor sat there playing out the day’s events in his mind over and over. ‘Carandhol cannot be right, O’ Elbereth, help me, before I go mad.’


TBC……….

Ost-in-Edhil – the City of Elves
Gwaith-i-Mirdain- people of the jewel-smiths
*Noruion- fiery
*Bellion- strong (son of)
Seronist- lover of lore

*Erestor’s father and brother’s names are courtesy of Aglarien