The Wrong Path
folder
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
23
Views:
4,221
Reviews:
6
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
23
Views:
4,221
Reviews:
6
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 18 Choices
Title: The Wrong Path
Author: Erviniae
Chapter 18/?
Prompt: #45 “The Wrong Path”
For the Hall of Books challenge
Pairing: Erestor/Ecthelion, Erestor/OFC, Glorfindel/OFC
Rating: PG to NC-17
Warning: AU, Angst, M/M
Disclaimer: All belongs to the esteemed Tolkien. I make no profit
in having fun with his wonderful universe.
Summary: Sometimes the wrong path is often the right one.
Feedback: If you would be so kind.
Choices
The endurance of one the most resolute of Elven-kind had met its limits. The marriage of his only daughter saw the resolve of an icon of Arda’s leaders fall. His strength stayed throughout the ceremony and during the following celebrations until Elrond of Imladris bid his daughter goodnight. In retiring to his rooms in the great palace within Minas Tirith, Elrond faltered at the threshold; unseen by all the revelers excluding Erestor, who had the presence of mind to follow his lord to his rooms. Sensing his lord’s turmoil, he took chase and now seized Elrond’s elbow and helped him through the door to the sitting room within. Elrond fell into a nearby chair, literally crumbling from his pain. Erestor ran to the basin and poured cool water on the nearby hand towel. Ringing it out, he then held it to the nape of Elrond’s neck.
“I … can… take … no more…” the words were whispered into the air.
Fear enveloped Erestor. This was unlike his stalwart lord. This was a grieving Elf before him. Erestor then entered the hallway and stopped a jovial servant in passing. The maid looked down shyly as she was still unused to Elves in her city. “Do you know of Lord Celeborn?” He asked her quietly.
“Aye,” she answered shyly.
“Tell him he is needed in Lord Elrond’s rooms. Tell him Erestor sends for him.” He lifted the maid’s unwilling chin up to be sure she looked at the seriousness on his face. “Do you understand what I am saying?”
Blushing to the roots of her fair hair, she nodded and quickly looked down once more. “Make haste!” He commanded her. She nodded and walked quickly through the hallway.
Time seemed to stand still while Erestor waited for Lord Celeborn. He did his best to comfort his lord, but he knew not what to do. Finally a knock resounded and Erestor practically flew to the door in a whoosh of robes, letting in a startled Celeborn and Lady Galadriel within his lord’s chamber. Of course she would follow her husband, he noted to himself in relief. Galadriel immediately stooped in front of Elrond, her hands upon his gently. Erestor knew the three Elves were speaking to each other in mind only, as Elrond had no strength left this night to verbalize.
“Faithful Erestor,” Galadriel spoke quietly, “help my husband take our son to bed.”
Erestor immediately was at their side and together he and Celeborn leant strength to Elrond and lay him on the soft bed. Galadriel removed his shoes and laid the soft coverlet over her daughter’s husband. She soothed his brow and spoke gentle words over him, easing him into a light sleep.
She moved them to the sitting room once more and turned to Erestor. “Elrond needs to sail soonest. I will sail with him, for my heart… is weary as well. My lord husband shall stay and watch over our grandchildren until time…” Here she took a deep breath. “Until time has no more need of them here. Will you sail with us?” Her eyes bore into Erestor’s as if seeing into his very soul.
“I will do what is needed: I will follow my lord wherever bid.” Erestor replied truthfully.
“Then ride towards Imladris at first light and set his house to order. Meet us in half a turn of the year in the Gray Havens. Elrond shall stay here until time to leave, so he may make peace with his daughter. Take Glorfindel with you.” She watched as an almost imperceptible flinch passed across his fine features. “Take what Elrond tells you to only. The rest will come when the remaining sail.” Erestor nodded once. “Our trust you have, Erestor.” He knew their trust meant more than all the riches in Imladris.
Leaving his lord in their very capable hands, Erestor returned to the festivities which were somewhat winding down. The bride and groom had retired to their newlywed chambers and the remaining guests lingered on with drink, food and song. Among them he found Glorfindel entertaining a group that consisted of Elves and Men, Lothwen was ever at his side. Her eyes shone with delight at his storytelling and of the love she felt for the captain. He had made his peace with this affair decades past. Upon letting go of any heartache associated with the union of his wife and the reborn Glorfindel, he found they had grown even closer in friendship; especially since the parting of their son Melpomaen with his new wife to the West. Because of this bond, Lothwen sensed Erestor’s urgency. She immediately excused herself and met him halfway through the great Hall.
“What is wrong? “ She asked with worried eyes, as she laid her delicate hand upon his arm.
He spoke low for her hearing only. “Elrond must sail and I along with him.”
She let out a little gasp that shone her fear. “There is more, isn’t there?”
The corners of Erestor’s mouth turned up slightly with admiration of her ever-perceptive observations. He was so proud that she was the mother of his son. He nodded and as he was about to ask for her to fetch Glorfindel, he looked up to see said Elf walking with a quizzical expression toward them. Ever the warrior eye, Glorfindel had quickly scanned the room and noted the absence of Lords Elrond and Celeborn and of the Lady Galadriel.
“Follow me Glorfindel, for we have much to discuss.” Glorfindel followed with Lothwen between them.
Erestor briefed Glorfindel on the situation as they walked to their lord’s chambers. Knocking lightly, Celeborn bid them enter. Glorfindel and Erestor went into the sleeping chamber as Lothwen waited patiently in the sitting room. They found Elrond awake and sitting up against the headboard. Both knelt before their lord in supplication, which was an odd thing to behold, for neither had done so before. Elrond gently placed a hand upon their heads.
“My dearest friends, I can only ask this of you, for I would not command such a journey from any aside from myself.”
“I follow you willingly, my lord.” Erestor did not hesitate in his reply.
“As do I,” Glorfindel added his oath as surely.
“I ask that you return to Imladris and bring with you the wooden box within my rooms. Celeborn will see to the artifacts and scrolls that are precious to us all. Take with you what you will, I can deny you not.”
“Aye, my lord.” Both answered without hesitation.
~~~~
The following morning Lothwen bade them a safe trip after telling Erestor of that which she wanted to bring with her to Valinor. Watching them leave until she could see them no more, she then turned to enter the palace. Her heart was grave with the burden of sailing and yet overjoyed with the anticipation of seeing her son once again.
The journey to Imladris was blissfully uneventful; even so, Glorfindel thought he would go mad from the silence hanging between he and Erestor. Finally, on the twentieth night after another silent dinner of none but the essential verbiages, he could take no more.
“This silence between us ends this night, Counselor.” Glorfindel said in a low yet commanding voice that served to make his companion look at him with a scowl to his face.
“Lothwen spoke to me of your forgiveness, nay, of your blessing to our union,” here Glorfindel swore he heard a low guttural sound emanating from his traveling companion, “I know her words to be true, or are they not?”
Erestor huffed and folded his arms before him, “aye, they are true.”
“Have I committed some offense? If so, then speak of it so that I may make it right between us.
Erestor laughed strangely. “Unless you can bring Ecthelion back, then there is naught you can do.”
Glorfindel dared to touch Erestor’s arm in a gesture of comfort, ready for him to pull back. Surprisingly he did not flinch. Suddenly Erestor stood and began pacing.
“I know it is unreasonable for me to hold you responsible for your return and not…his. Though I do. I can’t STAND to see you here, Glorfindel, for your very presence reminds me of what I have lost!” Erestor stopped and stared with all the hate that shone in his eyes. “Time and time again I have asked myself why? Never could I come up with a good enough reason. And yes,” he hissed, though more so at himself, “you are honorable, and very much here. Lothwen deserves your love.” Here Erestor laughed some more, “Even you deserve her love. I know you are a virtuous Elf, of that I have no doubts, but I cannot get over my association of Ecthelion with you.”
Glorfindel looked down sadly, “I loved him too. He was my sworn brother. I miss him every day, sometimes he drove me mad with his wild ways, but ever I loved him.”
Erestor turned and stared at Glorfindel while he spoke those words. The sorrow emanated off of the warrior in waves. He felt hollow and selfish.
“Do you know what troubles me deeply?”
Glorfindel looked up into those dark eyes with genuine concern.
“When… when we sail to Valinor, that he…he will not have waited for me.” Erestor spoke in the lowest voice to which Glorfindel strained to hear.
TBC
Author: Erviniae
Chapter 18/?
Prompt: #45 “The Wrong Path”
For the Hall of Books challenge
Pairing: Erestor/Ecthelion, Erestor/OFC, Glorfindel/OFC
Rating: PG to NC-17
Warning: AU, Angst, M/M
Disclaimer: All belongs to the esteemed Tolkien. I make no profit
in having fun with his wonderful universe.
Summary: Sometimes the wrong path is often the right one.
Feedback: If you would be so kind.
Choices
The endurance of one the most resolute of Elven-kind had met its limits. The marriage of his only daughter saw the resolve of an icon of Arda’s leaders fall. His strength stayed throughout the ceremony and during the following celebrations until Elrond of Imladris bid his daughter goodnight. In retiring to his rooms in the great palace within Minas Tirith, Elrond faltered at the threshold; unseen by all the revelers excluding Erestor, who had the presence of mind to follow his lord to his rooms. Sensing his lord’s turmoil, he took chase and now seized Elrond’s elbow and helped him through the door to the sitting room within. Elrond fell into a nearby chair, literally crumbling from his pain. Erestor ran to the basin and poured cool water on the nearby hand towel. Ringing it out, he then held it to the nape of Elrond’s neck.
“I … can… take … no more…” the words were whispered into the air.
Fear enveloped Erestor. This was unlike his stalwart lord. This was a grieving Elf before him. Erestor then entered the hallway and stopped a jovial servant in passing. The maid looked down shyly as she was still unused to Elves in her city. “Do you know of Lord Celeborn?” He asked her quietly.
“Aye,” she answered shyly.
“Tell him he is needed in Lord Elrond’s rooms. Tell him Erestor sends for him.” He lifted the maid’s unwilling chin up to be sure she looked at the seriousness on his face. “Do you understand what I am saying?”
Blushing to the roots of her fair hair, she nodded and quickly looked down once more. “Make haste!” He commanded her. She nodded and walked quickly through the hallway.
Time seemed to stand still while Erestor waited for Lord Celeborn. He did his best to comfort his lord, but he knew not what to do. Finally a knock resounded and Erestor practically flew to the door in a whoosh of robes, letting in a startled Celeborn and Lady Galadriel within his lord’s chamber. Of course she would follow her husband, he noted to himself in relief. Galadriel immediately stooped in front of Elrond, her hands upon his gently. Erestor knew the three Elves were speaking to each other in mind only, as Elrond had no strength left this night to verbalize.
“Faithful Erestor,” Galadriel spoke quietly, “help my husband take our son to bed.”
Erestor immediately was at their side and together he and Celeborn leant strength to Elrond and lay him on the soft bed. Galadriel removed his shoes and laid the soft coverlet over her daughter’s husband. She soothed his brow and spoke gentle words over him, easing him into a light sleep.
She moved them to the sitting room once more and turned to Erestor. “Elrond needs to sail soonest. I will sail with him, for my heart… is weary as well. My lord husband shall stay and watch over our grandchildren until time…” Here she took a deep breath. “Until time has no more need of them here. Will you sail with us?” Her eyes bore into Erestor’s as if seeing into his very soul.
“I will do what is needed: I will follow my lord wherever bid.” Erestor replied truthfully.
“Then ride towards Imladris at first light and set his house to order. Meet us in half a turn of the year in the Gray Havens. Elrond shall stay here until time to leave, so he may make peace with his daughter. Take Glorfindel with you.” She watched as an almost imperceptible flinch passed across his fine features. “Take what Elrond tells you to only. The rest will come when the remaining sail.” Erestor nodded once. “Our trust you have, Erestor.” He knew their trust meant more than all the riches in Imladris.
Leaving his lord in their very capable hands, Erestor returned to the festivities which were somewhat winding down. The bride and groom had retired to their newlywed chambers and the remaining guests lingered on with drink, food and song. Among them he found Glorfindel entertaining a group that consisted of Elves and Men, Lothwen was ever at his side. Her eyes shone with delight at his storytelling and of the love she felt for the captain. He had made his peace with this affair decades past. Upon letting go of any heartache associated with the union of his wife and the reborn Glorfindel, he found they had grown even closer in friendship; especially since the parting of their son Melpomaen with his new wife to the West. Because of this bond, Lothwen sensed Erestor’s urgency. She immediately excused herself and met him halfway through the great Hall.
“What is wrong? “ She asked with worried eyes, as she laid her delicate hand upon his arm.
He spoke low for her hearing only. “Elrond must sail and I along with him.”
She let out a little gasp that shone her fear. “There is more, isn’t there?”
The corners of Erestor’s mouth turned up slightly with admiration of her ever-perceptive observations. He was so proud that she was the mother of his son. He nodded and as he was about to ask for her to fetch Glorfindel, he looked up to see said Elf walking with a quizzical expression toward them. Ever the warrior eye, Glorfindel had quickly scanned the room and noted the absence of Lords Elrond and Celeborn and of the Lady Galadriel.
“Follow me Glorfindel, for we have much to discuss.” Glorfindel followed with Lothwen between them.
Erestor briefed Glorfindel on the situation as they walked to their lord’s chambers. Knocking lightly, Celeborn bid them enter. Glorfindel and Erestor went into the sleeping chamber as Lothwen waited patiently in the sitting room. They found Elrond awake and sitting up against the headboard. Both knelt before their lord in supplication, which was an odd thing to behold, for neither had done so before. Elrond gently placed a hand upon their heads.
“My dearest friends, I can only ask this of you, for I would not command such a journey from any aside from myself.”
“I follow you willingly, my lord.” Erestor did not hesitate in his reply.
“As do I,” Glorfindel added his oath as surely.
“I ask that you return to Imladris and bring with you the wooden box within my rooms. Celeborn will see to the artifacts and scrolls that are precious to us all. Take with you what you will, I can deny you not.”
“Aye, my lord.” Both answered without hesitation.
~~~~
The following morning Lothwen bade them a safe trip after telling Erestor of that which she wanted to bring with her to Valinor. Watching them leave until she could see them no more, she then turned to enter the palace. Her heart was grave with the burden of sailing and yet overjoyed with the anticipation of seeing her son once again.
The journey to Imladris was blissfully uneventful; even so, Glorfindel thought he would go mad from the silence hanging between he and Erestor. Finally, on the twentieth night after another silent dinner of none but the essential verbiages, he could take no more.
“This silence between us ends this night, Counselor.” Glorfindel said in a low yet commanding voice that served to make his companion look at him with a scowl to his face.
“Lothwen spoke to me of your forgiveness, nay, of your blessing to our union,” here Glorfindel swore he heard a low guttural sound emanating from his traveling companion, “I know her words to be true, or are they not?”
Erestor huffed and folded his arms before him, “aye, they are true.”
“Have I committed some offense? If so, then speak of it so that I may make it right between us.
Erestor laughed strangely. “Unless you can bring Ecthelion back, then there is naught you can do.”
Glorfindel dared to touch Erestor’s arm in a gesture of comfort, ready for him to pull back. Surprisingly he did not flinch. Suddenly Erestor stood and began pacing.
“I know it is unreasonable for me to hold you responsible for your return and not…his. Though I do. I can’t STAND to see you here, Glorfindel, for your very presence reminds me of what I have lost!” Erestor stopped and stared with all the hate that shone in his eyes. “Time and time again I have asked myself why? Never could I come up with a good enough reason. And yes,” he hissed, though more so at himself, “you are honorable, and very much here. Lothwen deserves your love.” Here Erestor laughed some more, “Even you deserve her love. I know you are a virtuous Elf, of that I have no doubts, but I cannot get over my association of Ecthelion with you.”
Glorfindel looked down sadly, “I loved him too. He was my sworn brother. I miss him every day, sometimes he drove me mad with his wild ways, but ever I loved him.”
Erestor turned and stared at Glorfindel while he spoke those words. The sorrow emanated off of the warrior in waves. He felt hollow and selfish.
“Do you know what troubles me deeply?”
Glorfindel looked up into those dark eyes with genuine concern.
“When… when we sail to Valinor, that he…he will not have waited for me.” Erestor spoke in the lowest voice to which Glorfindel strained to hear.
TBC