A Lonely Love

Epilogue:

Elrond peeked his head into Erestor’s office and smiled. He caught his esteemed counselor in an embrace with the captain of Imladris himself. Both had their eyes closed; hands gently circling the other’s back.

“Ahem,” Elrond said clearing his throat to get their attention to his presence.

Glorfindel opened his eyes looking at Elrond with mischief in his eyes, “Go away, my lord, we are having a moment.”

Elrond smiled wider failing miserably at feigning ire. Erestor rolled his eyes at his beloved then playfully pinched a firm cheek. “Ow,” laughed Glorfindel as he pulled away rubbing his bottom.

“ Forgive my intrusion, my friends.” Elrond lost his smile. “I have some news regarding Carandhol and the Golden Wood. Please, sit.” He motioned to the chairs near the book-lined wall.

Erestor visibly flinched at the mention of that name. It still made him feel strange inside to hear mention of the one who had consumed millennia of his time. Glorfindel immediately took hold of Erestor’s hand and sat on the arm of the chair that Erestor was sitting on.

“Go ahead,” whispered Erestor, telling Elrond that he was ready to hear any news that concerned his former husband.

Elrond sighed and took a seat across from his chief advisor. “Celeborn has written asking me… no, telling me that Carandhol is to return to Imladris. It seems that he got himself into some mess over Sirlith, who will be staying in Lothlorien, by-the-way.”

“When is he expected to return?” Asked Erestor surprisingly calm. Glorfindel rubbed his thumb over the back of Erestor’s hand in support.

“In a fortnight,” was the reply from Elrond. “How does this make you feel, my friend?”

“I would lie if I said that it did not bother me, and that I wish that he would not return, however, I do not wish him ill. He has a right to live here.” Erestor stated matter-of-factly.

“Would you like me to handle all of the arrangements for his return?” Asked a concerned Elrond.

“Yes, I would, my lord, thank you.” Erestor nodded, standing up.

Glorfindel stood as well and ran a hand in circles down Erestor’s back in a show of support. “My love, are you sure that you are fine about this.” He asked into those dark eyes he so adored.

“Yes, I will be fine,” Here Erestor paused. “For I am not the same elf that I was three years ago. I know my worth now, and I have… love.” Here he turned to Glorfindel and kissed him ever so gently on the lips.

…Two weeks passed. The time had come for Carandhol’s return. As was protocol, all returning residents were to meet with Lord Elrond, Lord Glorfindel and Chief Counselor Erestor as to what they wanted of Imladris and to see if their positions were still available, if they so wished to rejoin the Imladrin population.

They met in the lesser council room. The three were seated at the large oak table, when they heard a knock upon the door. Melpomean, Erestor’s secretary, walked into the room followed by the redheaded former captain of Imladris. Perfunctory greetings were given all around. Erestor found himself unable to look up at first. Slowly, he gained the courage and was somewhat surprised at the countenance of the elf before him. He did not seem as tall, as broad or as foreboding as he had once remembered. Perhaps this was a result of Carandhol’s time in Lothlorien, or perhaps this was due to the changes within Erestor. Or perhaps it was a little of both. Their eyes held and for the first time, Erestor did not falter in his gaze. Each was accessing the other. This time it was Carandhol who looked away first.

“My Lord Elrond, I request permission for a transfer to Mirkwood. I fear I would not do justice to Imladris or her borders at this time in my life.” He then looked directly into Erestor’s eyes. “Nor to her residents.”


Year 266 of the Third Age:

The years flew by, as was their want. Time moving forward to wait for no one; the seasons came and went with each wax and wane of the moon, and every passing of Earendil’s ship in the night sky. A new age was about to dawn for elves and men. The stirrings being felt in every living creature on Arda. As much as things changed, they also stayed the same. Lives were lived; work was done, lessons learned, and passions spent.

Erestor sat at his desk showing the same propensity for perfection whether he muddled over an important treaty or a seemingly insignificant task. Whether sending thank you greetings to a poor human farmer who had sent Elrond a basket of his best picks of the season, or to King Thranduil in request of a trade; the Chief Counselor of Imladris treated all with respect.

Erestor heard giggling as the door swung open wider than the crack he usually had it open, this as a sign of invitation to any that sought his counsel. Though all knew never to open a closed Chief Advisor’s door!

“Good Afternoon, Master Erestor,” came the young voice as the elfling bowed courteously before him. Celebrian trailing close behind as always stood in the doorway and smiled at the all too familiar scene.

“Good afternoon Lady Arwen,” he stood and inclined his head in respect.

His received reply was a shaky curtsey and a giggle. He raised his eyebrow at her giggle only to have her run into his robe glad legs and hug him soundly. He smoothed her ebony tresses and nodded his greeting to his Lady. “Lady Celebrian.”

Erestor had been smitten with little Arwen from the moment she was born, as had all of Imladris itself. Her life force shone brightly to all who gazed upon her.

Elrond, upon hearing the giggling, entered Erestor’s office from the door that connected both their offices. “Ada!” she squealed and ran into her father’s arms as Elrond bent down to pick up his daughter…his heart, and was hugged tightly about his neck by small arms to which he was promptly besotted with fluttering kisses upon his cheek.

Celebrian moved aside as three noisy and sweaty soldiers entered Erestor’s office as well. Two identical heads kissing her in passing and one golden head nodded to her, only to kiss the cheek of the chief advisor who still managed to blush at the public display of affection.

Arwen leapt down from her father’s embrace and tackled her sweaty brothers who adored their little sister fiercely. She giggled heartily and pinched her nose. “You smell bad,” she told them as she vigorously fanned her face.

“Arwen,” chastised Celebrian, “it is impolite to tell someone that.”

Arwen cocked her head to the side, “Even when it is the truth Nana?”

All eyes turned to Erestor for explanation. He gave them a glowering look. “It is not my job to explain everything to everyone in this valley.”

“Little Arwen, we will take you for a ride after we bathe.” Offered Elrohir as Elladan agreed following his twin out the door.

“Oh, can I Nana?” She looked with those big eyes up to her mother.

“Of course you may, now let us get you changed into proper riding clothes.” Smiled Celebrian as both mother and daughter kissed Elrond goodbye.

Smiling wide, Elrond retreated back to his office.

“What a wonderful family,” smiled Erestor to Glorfindel as he found himself imprisoned in a fierce hug.

“Indeed.” Smiled Glorfindel as he placed his brow upon Erestor’s. Closing his eyes, the mighty warrior sighed happily.

“Arwen was correct you know,” teased Erestor as he kissed those full lips so close to his.

“Oh? And in what way was our shining star correct?” whispered Glorfindel as he kissed him back, nipping at his lover’s bottom lip.

“You, as well as the twins, smell quite bad.” Here Erestor wrinkled his nose in disdain.

“How rude counselor!” teased Glorfindel feigning shock as he hugged his love tighter, making sure to rub his sweaty, smelly, grimy chest against those clean robes of Erestor’s.

Erestor laughed snuggling closer, running his hands along the small of his lover’s back,
only to reach down and grab hold of an impossibly hard-muscled arse bringing their newly awakening erections together to rub unhurriedly.

“Mnnn, this is nice.” Sighed Erestor, who was no longer afraid to be himself. He knew this elf in his arms adored him, he knew he had worth, he was his equal and he knew he was loved.

Erestor, looking deep into those impossibly blue eyes of his heart’s desire whispered three genuine words, “ marry me Fin.”

“Yes,” was the breathless answer as lips met in passion.


The End.