Eternal

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own characters, everything belongs to Tolkien the genius.

Author’s Note: This is a long one but those of you who have hung on through it all deserve this one.

Chapter Eighteen: Entulesse

The searches continued for several more hours into the night but to no avail. The soldiers that had been party of the original journeying party were found alive and well but they had failed to locate Turgon’s kin; however, the ripped carcasses of the traveler’s horses were found in a heap where the orcs had feasted upon their flesh. The eight groups returned that evening to the battle site and gathered the bodies of the dead orcs they had slain or had already been killed. They set fire to them, ridding the world of their evil and squalor. No one was hurt and no other dead were found of the Eldar.

Glorfindel remained separate from the others for a while in his own thoughts. They kept an eye on him, wondering of this stupor he had fallen into when he had found the necklace on the goblin earlier that day. His eyes were distant and did not have the same gleam as they typically did. A quiet fury seemed to simmer within Glorfindel and they did not dare approach him as of yet.

Little could be seen at night so Glorfindel had them wait until daybreak to begin searching again. Breaking into groups again they set out further than they had the day before. Passing further into the forests, Glorfindel’s group found more evidence of passages and decided to follow them. Climbing higher into the peaks of the Ered Lómin they hunted and once more, the sign of orcs greeted them.

Like before, Glorfindel had his warriors take cover as the orcs neared them. They also appeared to be looking for something and were on a trail of some sort. Moving quicker than expected, the orcs flew by and the Eldar caught them by surprise behind them. There were still very few of them but they were more bloodthirsty than the foes of the day before. The warriors fought hard and Glorfindel fought his way through them. He stabbed his sword into their sides, cutting off limbs and heads as he pushed through. It was in the midst of the fighting that he saw two rushing up into rocky face of the mountain to escape.

Sprinting up the path they took, Glorfindel gained on them considerably and confronted them once they hit level ground. He gripped his sword and crouched into a ready fighting stance. The three goblins growled as he stood there awaiting their move. Two flew at him and he met one’s sword with his own while pulling out his dagger from his belt to defend a blow from the other goblin. Pushing them away he twisted his grip on the knife, slashing the throat of one as he swiveled around and dug his sword deep into the bowels of his other foe. A roar from the third waiting goblin came from behind.

Glorfindel turned to see the goblin nearly upon him, knife in hand to slash the Elda’s neck but a cry of agony suddenly cried out from his lips, causing him to falter in his attack. Glorfindel stood ready and saw as a sleek blade lopped off the head of the threatening orc. As the body and head fell, Glorfindel looked up to the once hidden assailant. Immediately he found himself embracing the lithe frame of the orc killer, nuzzling his face into the dirtied, dark hair of the Noldo elleth.

Elrilya clung to him desperately as she realized salvation had come. She trembled in his grasp as he tightened his hold around her. Her singular, unique scent wrapped around him and he felt all at once such joy and relief that he had found her. After a few minutes he pulled her away a little to see her face as he brushed away the dirty strands of hair and smudged mud from her tear-streaked face. Elrilya saw the same emotions reflected in his face as they looked at each other blissfully.

“I knew you would find us,” she said. “Come, Idril and Aredhel are inside.”

She led him around the bend and hidden in a crack of the rock face was a small hole that opened up into a cave. He followed her inside and in the dark emerged two figures, clothes dirty and tattered like Elrilya’s but unhurt. They both recognized Glorfindel and clutched at him as gladly as could be since they had been rescued. Eventually they let go and he led them all outside to where the rest of the soldiers waited.

* * * * *
Ecthelion stood upon the ramparts looking out on the horizon looking for any sign of the returning rescue party. Nothing had been heard yet from Glorfindel and people were becoming nervous. Ecthelion was doing all he could to keep moral up and have a continual a feeling of safeness. This was the first time in many years that incursions had become problematic.

He was about to head back into the palace when a welcoming horn sounded from one of the guards he had stationed on the outskirts of the marshes. Looking far out like the rest of the guards they saw the dots on the horizon of a large party riding slowly across the valley.

“Open the gates!” he shouted out to the guards nearest to him. “Get the healers!”

The giant wooden doors were pulled open from the archway as the riders approached being much more in view. The healers milled about in the courtyard as they awaited those they needed to tend to. Soon enough the warriors entered the city, the uninjured heading for the armory and stables while those bringing the wounded and dead remained. Glorfindel carefully slipped down off his steed and carried Elrilya off once he was on the ground. Aredhel and Idril dismounted from the other horses of the warriors they rode with as the healers milled around them.

“I’m not hurt,” Elrilya told one of them who began to check her for injuries.

“You should go with the healers despite that, Elrilya,” Glorfindel advised her. “It is best to be certain of one’s health.”

“I will go then,” she said tiredly, little energy left in her to argue with him.

After seeing them off, Glorfindel went in search of Ecthelion to debrief on the events of the past few days.

* * * * *
Glorfindel was relaxing in bed after a hot bath to soothe his sore muscles. He had found a book to keep his mind off the week’s events and was thoroughly engrossed when he heard a tentative knock at his door. Rising he went to the door in naught but his loose leggings and nightshirt. He headed to the front of his room whereupon he opened the door to find a no longer disheveled Elrilya standing before him. Her dark hair was brushed and clean while the smudged on her face were wiped away. She stood in night slippers and a comfortable, light robe like she was about to go to bed but thought otherwise.

“It has been a long day, Elrilya. Perhaps you should rest in bed,” Glorfindel said.

“I am not tired and cannot sleep,” she said. “Do you mind if I stay a while?”

The lonely look in her eyes stopped him and he stepped aside to let her in as he opened the door wider. It was strange to see the look he found in her eyes because it was something he thought he would least likely see in them. He placed his book on a nearby table and followed Elrilya into his room.

“Are you well?” he asked her concerned, placing his hands on her arms.

“I do not know,” she said with a deep sigh. “I was hoping for the company of a friend.”

“What of Idril?” he asked, surprised that the two best friends were not together especially after their ordeal.

“She has sought comfort elsewhere,” she said, her lips pursing together a moment giving away but not quite saying what company Idril was keeping.

Glorfindel understood her meaning since he had felt the same on more than one occasion.

“I see, but what of Aredhel?” he asked.

“She wished to be alone,” Elrilya said, lowering her eyes as she took a seat on the nearby sofa.

“You may stay as long as you wish,” Glorfindel said, taking her hands in his. “Wait here a moment.”

Leaving her side he strode over to his desk. Glorfindel took a box that was laid on the surface top and opened it. Glorfindel pulled out Elrilya’s necklace that he had found on the orc. He sat beside her and placed it in her palm, closing her fingers around it.

She looked up at him with shining eyes; “I thought I would not see this again after that goblin took it from me.”

“I managed today to have it cleaned of any filth they may have defiled it with,” Glorfindel said.

“Thank you,” she said as she hugged him in thanks.

Glorfindel embraced her as well but clenched his eyes, the memories of his finding it upon the orc shook through him again. The strong emotions that had run through him had frightened him as well as disturbed him greatly that he may have lost his friends. Elrilya pulled back and looked into his face with concern when she felt his body tense.

“What is the matter?” she asked.

He managed a small smile but it did not reach his eyes.

“It was terrible to see that gift I gave to you in the possession of that beast,” he explained, a slightness of the hatred he held for the orcs lining his tone but he paused, then softened his tone and whispered. “I thought… I thought I was too late.”

Elrilya placed the necklace on the nearby table and took his hands in hers, “But you still continued on to find us. You did not give up hope.”

“I couldn’t,” Glorfindel said quietly and lowered his gaze from her to hide from her the fear he had felt. “I did not believe that could have happened and I did not want to be unsuccessful whereupon Turgon’s return. I could not be the one to tell him that all of you were dead.”

Without a word, Elrilya leaned toward him and pressed her lips against his earnestly, her hand gently cupping the side of his face. Surprised at first Glorfindel did not react but after a moment he felt the yearning for physical easing take hold within him. He met her slowly though hesitantly as his lips moved across hers. After a few seconds she pulled away gradually raising her gaze up into his eyes to seek his response. He watched her closely questioning her with his soft stare. Elrilya’s hand remained touching his cheek and he felt her fingers lightly trace across his skin.

“Elrilya, you need not do this for me,” he whispered.

She shook her head, her gray eyes darkening with need.

“I need this as I know now you do as well,” she said softly and leaned in closer. “I never thanked you for the kindness you showed me that night together. I want to feel that safeness and closeness again, be it just tonight.”

Glorfindel felt the reservations he had poking at the back of his mind especially considering the reaction Elrilya had when they had shared themselves with each other unknowingly. Yet, he felt his needs pushing back his rational thoughts from his consciousness.

“I do not know if I can give that to you,” he finally spoke, barely holding onto his senses. “To have another rift open between us… I could not bear it.”

“There will not be one,” she said as she closed her eyes, strain marring her features. “I treated you terribly and acted like an elfling running from her troubles. I will not do that again to you, I promise.”

Glorfindel nodded and took a deep breath as he contemplated what lay before him. He reminded himself that he was thinking too much once again which he tended to do at times thus distracting him from the task at hand. As he breathed in once more, Elrilya’s familiar scent invaded his senses and he felt overwhelmed with the memories of the night long ago. The linking of his recollections elicited a reaction Glorfindel had not expected and the unanticipated excitement growing from within began to pass through the rest of his body. To him it was strange to feel such things for his friend but as he gazed upon her once more she appeared to him in a different way than as he usually saw her.

Elrilya, having perhaps sensed his body’s reactions and also noting his hesitancy, shifted closer to him, gently touching their lips together and tracing her palm again across his cheek, her fingers wrapping around the back of his head into his golden tresses. The electrical spark as their skin made contact caught Glorfindel by surprise as they kissed and he drew in a short breath as he lost all semblance of his normal control.

He drew her to him, taking her quickly by wrapping his arm around her waist. Fully pressed against each other the heat of their want overwhelmed each other. Hungrily Glorfindel pillaged the depths of Elrilya’s mouth, leaving her gasping for breath. Following her jaw line he tenderly but quickly kissed her white skin along to her neck where he induced a low moan from her throat as he suckled the sensitive areas he remembered.

Freeing her hands, Elrilya pulled Glorfindel’s shirt open and slipped her hands inside. The taut muscles of his back and chest felt smooth and flawless underneath her touch. Her hands mapped the curves and lines of his body as she became familiar again from the long ago blind memories she had of his form. She shivered as the hardness of his shaft pressed against her body. She invitingly pressed her body against his, rubbing his sensitive organ in just the right way. A low growl came from deep inside his chest as Elrilya slipped a leg out from underneath and around Glorfindel’s hip, effectively pulling him closer to her opening though restricted still with his clothing.

Pushing him upward slightly, Elrilya managed to remove Glorfindel’s shirt from him. His eyes were almost unrecognizable in the lustful, dark evergreen color they had changed to as he looked down upon her. Elrilya pulled him down to her again, their kiss chasing away any control of thought and power to react in their minds. He followed her neckline down to her chest, slowly parting her robe aside to find she was wearing nothing underneath at all. He looked at her playfully; his eyes sparkling with intensity as he realized she had planned to come for this physical pleasure all along.

A smile spread across his lips and he moved to help her sit up. In front of him she sat as he carefully removed the robe from her shoulders. The lines of her neck flowed unhindered to her shoulders; the curve of her breasts matched with her round hips, and finally followed straight along her long legs. Glorfindel took a moment to take in the sight of her for he was only familiar with her form through touch as she was with his. He noticed her eyes also canvassing his own appearance, tucking away every detail into her memory.

Offering her his hand, he helped her stand up before him. He slid the robe the rest of the way off her body, leaving her inviting presence standing with naught but her skin. Glorfindel took her hands, placing them on his own hips as he leaned down to taste her lips again. Quickly untying his leggings she gave them a tug allowing them to fall unrestricted to the ground.

Running his hands along her sides, Glorfindel sighed contentedly. She kissed along his chest and stood upon her toes a little to reach up closer. He leaned his head back as she traveled up his neck kissing him gently. He hissed and rolled his head back up as he felt her bite at his flesh, leaving small bruises on his skin. She hardly looked apologetic after he reacted and he felt himself grow harder at the aggressive turn their love play was taking.

Without a word he led her to his bed, its sheets already turned down from his earlier reading. Elrilya stopped him as they reached the edge. She moved and pushed to have him sit on the mattress as she remained in front of him. He obeyed, looking up to her with curious eyes as to what she was planning. She kneeled in front of him and quickly took his throbbing length with nay a word.

“Elrilya,” Glorfindel half-moaned. “You do not have to do this.”

She stopped for a second and looked up at him, “As we agreed, we will see to both our needs.”

A second later she returned to her salacious ministrations, drawing him out as her lips and tongue toyed with his sensations. Glorfindel trembled as he felt himself pulled into her control, losing himself in the rapturous sensations she had racking his body. Rarely had any of Glorfindel’s bedmates done such an act on him and whenever they were inclined to do so he gladly accepted the gift. Elrilya had not done this at all their one night together and it was surprising to him she somehow was so well talented at such attentions.

Glorfindel held her head as she moved, his fingers combing through her hair and massaging her head as she continually brought him closer to his peak. His breathing became ragged as she unrelentingly kept heightening the sensations until he was groaning with each stride. Finally he felt himself let go and a flurry of pleasurable shockwaves exploded in his mind and thoughts as she drank him greedily.

As he found himself waking from the overflow of delight, Glorfindel released his hold he had on her head as she stood in front of him. He found her staring down at him with a thoroughly amused yet victorious face. He smiled then pulled her quickly into his lap, his slick need becoming aroused once more and pressing against her stomach. It was only fair that he meet and maybe surpass what she had given him.

He held her body firmly with an arm behind her back as he kissed along the curve of one of her breasts. He licked his tongue beneath and around before taking her nipple into his mouth. At first he gently kissed it, circling his tongue around until it became hard and erect. He suckled it softly then gradually harder as he heard her breathing quicken and come shallower. He nibbled with his teeth, eliciting a moan from Elrilya. At the same moments he nibbled harder he took her other breast in his free hand and began to pinch her other nipple. Elrilya reared up on his lap, a sharp gasp giving him all that he needed to know that he had her where he wanted her.

Glorfindel was about to bite harder when he felt her hand slip between them and grasp his throbbing need. She began to stroke him in succession as he continued with his own ministrations. It was beginning to become difficult to concentrate on their tasks and Glorfindel realized this. In a swift move, he was on his back, Elrilya above him, and then he flipped them both so that they switched positions and he was now on top of her. The sudden movement caught her by surprise but had them both still wanting to continue.

Covetously covering her body, Glorfindel nuzzled into the crook of her neck as his hands ran down Elrilya’s hips then around to cup her backside. One hand slipped around, finding her entrance already wet with want. He slipped a finger over her clit, the tiny knob swelling more as he began to rub it. Elrilya arched into him, their bodies enmeshed together so tightly they were nearly one. As he continued to rub her faster, Glorfindel pressed the head of his length against her sensitive opening, slightly pressuring it but not enough to enter her.

“Glorfindel!” she cried out in ecstasy as her body vibrated with his touch.

He purred from within his chest at the sound of her loudly moaning his name. He then shifted, slipping his length into her warm folds without warning. Elrilya’s body bucked in response, her back arching as her muscles tightened around his girth. Glorfindel drew out slowly but pressed into her again, fully enveloping his length inside her. To him she felt incredible and he started moving faster to generate harder friction between them.

“Elrilya,” he drawled. “You shall receive the same of what you brought upon me.”

“Do with me as you wish, Laurequen,” she murmured in his ear, drawing emphasis on the endearment.

Glorfindel drove into her with great speed, barely letting her recover from each stroke. Like she did before, he began to nibble on her neck, small marks appearing on her pale skin where his tongue and teeth tasted and teased her sweet flesh. Eventually she was trembling underneath his touch and was near tears in the throws of his pleasuring her. Elrilya’s muscles twitched and tensed around his length as she climbed to her peak. Glorfindel pressed in deeply as far as he could when he felt her finally clench around him.

He released into her, feeling her folds milk ever drop of him. Glorfindel exhaled deeply as he felt himself give in to his own pleasure, nuzzling his head further into her dark tresses, taking in Elrilya’s sweet smell. He moved to her side as he withdrew from inside of her, pulling her against him to face him. She lazily cuddled into his embrace, their eyes looking upon the other with the lasting effects of passion and surprise.

Elrilya leaned her head against his, their foreheads touching as she closed her eyes while still attempting to slow her breathing. His heart still pounding hard within his chest, Glorfindel softly kissed her lips and ran his knuckles along Elrilya’s rosy cheeks. He pulled her closer to him and she rested her head against his shoulder as exhaustion from the three days before finally took hold on them both.

* * * * *
Glorfindel looked up from the notes he was writing as he noticed Elrilya shift in her sleep, her eyes unfocused staring nowhere in particular. Determining she was well, he turned back to his writing. It had not taken her long to drift into slumber after their bed play and the purpose of their joining had been achieved and surpassed, their need for comfort sating their desires.

It was now mid-morning and Glorfindel had awaken an hour earlier though had decided not to start his day just yet. He determined it would be kind to stay by Elrilya’s side when she awoke in case there were any regrets or words needing to be said about the night before. In the meantime he was writing a rough draft of the letter he would send to Fingolfin and Fingon.

He glanced back at Elrilya’s relaxed body, comfortably tucked within the sheets and covers. She appeared peaceful in her rest, no sign of the week’s troubles and grime present in her appearance. Innocent and serene she seemed and he hoped it would remain that way for her as well as the rest of the Eldar of Vinyamar. Taking his glance away from Elrilya’s still form, he sighed as he contemplated the past few days.

The incursions weighed heavily in his mind despite his attempt to distract himself. The goblins had never been so bold before to attack a well-armed procession and Glorfindel determined that they must have caught the soldiers off guard due to the casualties that were inflicted. Turgon could not be reached since his whereabouts were unknown leaving Glorfindel with the task of handling the situation until he arrived.

His formal letters would be sent to High King Fingolfin of the attack on his daughter, grandchild, and friend. The response would not bode well because it would mean that the orcs had bypassed Fingolfin’s lands without bringing attention to themselves. The Noldor’s High King would not take it lightly and any trace of orc and goblin would be wiped out in the ranges of the Ered Wethrin and Lómin. To himself, Glorfindel swore to rid the lands around Vinyamar of any dangers from the vile creatures of the lands of the far north.

A soft touch on his arm brought him out of his thoughts and he saw that Elrilya had awoken. Her body was covered slightly by the bed covers but the memories of the night before were still fresh in Glorfindel’s mind so what he could not see did not matter for his mind could fill it in. He smiled as he looked at her, taking her hand in his and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“How was your rest?” he asked her.

“Very well,” she answered as she began to stretch. “And yourself? You looked deep in thought.”

“It gladdens me to hear that,” he said, squeezing her hand comfortingly while realizing he could not hide too much from her. “I am all right though I was thinking to myself.”

“I told you not to dwell on it, Glorfindel,” she said concerned. “We are safe now.”

“I know,” he answered. “However, there is much more to do so it does not happen again to others traveling between Vinyamar and Hithlum.”

“Of course,” she responded. “Though I wish it was not so imminent that you could take time to rest after this week.”

“It would be a good break to my daily work but not today,” he said. “You are welcome to stay in bed all day if you wish.”

“Nay, it would be a waste of the day as well,” she sighed, nuzzling her head against his arm. “I must feel that I have accomplished something each day. I also must be ready to see you for our noonday meeting.”

“I understand,” he answered, brushing wayward strands of hair from her face. “It is already well past breakfast I believe and will be time for our getting together soon enough.”

Her eyebrows shot up as she glanced out the window in surprise. Elrilya realized he was right when she noticed the position of the sun outside.

“Idril must be wondering where I am!” Elrilya said as she began to sit up.

“Elrilya,” Glorfindel said, taking her arm lightly to stall her a moment. “Spend time with her today. I think she will need her friend today more so than last night.”

“Of course,” Elrilya nodded in understanding. “Please remember to make time for yourself.”

“I shall,” he responded. “Take care, Elrilya.”

She smiled and retrieved her robe from the floor, donning it quickly. After clothing herself, she remembered to get her necklace she had left on the table the night before. She then came and sat on the edge of the bed next to Glorfindel and held him for a few minutes, he returning the embrace.

“I can never thank you nearly enough for being a wonderful friend to me,” she whispered in his ear.

“And I am fortunate to have you by my side as well,” he answered gladly.

He watched her go out of his room and waited a few moments alone. Glancing at the space she had just occupied in his bed, Glorfindel ran his hand over the pillows and sheets slowly as if he could sense she left a part of her presence there. Never had he let one join him in his bed during his trysts since he always made sure to be in his partner’s room. This change of events between him and Elrilya was very different to him also in the concept of their friendship because he never lay with anyone he shared more than a small acquaintance with.

Glorfindel gathered himself together, shaking his head to make the thoughts in his head dissipate for the time being. He made his bed then continued to his bathing chamber to freshen up for the day. His bath the night before felt nonexistent after his exhausting love play the night before.

Quenya Translation
Entulesse: return
Laurequen: golden elf/one