NEW MEMORIES

Lemberas gazed at the golden warrior’s back as Glorfindel moved away through the water. He was curious at his lover’s sudden pulling away from him. But he shook off the feeling and smiled at the golden elf. He was so full of affection for Glorfindel at this moment that his fondness overcame any other emotion.

The two Elves went to hunt something for their dinner after drying off and getting dressed, finding rabbit, pheasant, and plenty of nuts, berries and herbs to make a tasty stew. Afterward, they relaxed by their fire and then got up to practice archery until they grew tired. Glorfindel was impressed to discover that Lemberas’ skills with the bow and arrow might be somewhat superior to his own.

When it came time to go to sleep, the Elves assumed their usual spoon-like positioning, lying on their sides, Lemberas behind Glorfindel, his arms wrapped around the warrior’s body. They both drifted off into a sleep so deep and long that neither heard the sound of footfalls made by a patrol of Mirkwood Elves who had spotted their campfire smoke in the early light of dawn.

Glorfindel was first to awaken when he felt the prod of a spear-tip being held firmly to his chest. “Don’t move,” said a voice, and pinned Glorfindel to the ground with the spear.

“We mean you no harm,” said Glorfindel calmly. “We are not your enemy.” His gaze took in the group of Silvan Elves, slight of build but strong. They were dressed in the green and brown forest colors that kept them well-camouflaged in their woodland realm. They were armed with spears and bows, and Glorfindel knew that each of them was likely a deadly accurate shot. He lay back and forced himself to relax. He did not think that these Elves would hurt either him or Lemberas, but he was astounded by and not prepared for the next words that they spoke.

They were all staring down at Lemberas in great surprise. One of them cried, “This is the King’s son! It is Legolas, who has not returned from the Dagor Dagorlad.”

Another knelt and shook Lemberas gently by the shoulder. “Master Legolas!” he entreated. “Wake up! We have found you!”

Lemberas came awake with a jolt. As a startled Glorfindel looked on, Lemberas stared at his captors and tried to make sense of what they were telling him.

“You must come with us now, my lord,” said one of the Silvans. “The King, your father, will be most pleased to see you. He worried that you had fallen in battle, since we had no word of you, and especially because you went off without his permission and therefore had no proper escort.”

“What are you saying?” asked Lemberas. “Do you know who I am?”

“You are Prince Legolas of Mirkwood, my lord,” said one of the Silvan Elves, looking puzzled. “The only son of King Thranduil.”

Lemberas turned toward Glorfindel, his eyes wide with terror. “Are they serious?” he asked the warrior.

“He has lost his memory,” Glorfindel offered, but the leader of the Silvan patrol cut short his explanation.

“Come, my lord,” he said. “Come home with us. You appear to have forgotten who you are.”

“Yes, he has lost his memory,” Glorfindel tried again. “My captain found him on the field of battle—at Dagorlad, suffering from head wounds. I am no kidnapper. I was taking him to Lindon—to seek the advice of Lord Círdan, who may have known him. He carries a Telerin sword, which led me to believe he may have come from there.”

“Who are you?” asked the Silvan leader, still regarding Glorfindel with suspicion.

“I am Lord Glorfindel of Imladris,” said Glorfindel. “I am second-in-command to Lord Elrond. He who was my commander and chief, the High King Gil-galad, has sadly been slain in the same battle where Lember—er—Prince Legolas sustained his wounds.”

“Ah. That is terrible news of your High King. King Thranduil has not yet had word of this tragic event. Yes, the Prince’s sword was a gift from his grandfather, Oropher, to Thranduil. Legolas must have ‘borrowed’ it before he ran away.” The Elf looked askance at Legolas, who was still too puzzled to be ashamed of having taken a prize sword in such a rash manner.

Glorfindel smiled, but he was still feeling stunned from the shock of finding out Legolas’ true identity in such a manner as this, in the middle of their journey, which now had come to an abrupt end, he supposed.

He was right, for in the next moment, the Silvan patrol leader ordered, “Get into line now, lads. Come, my lord Legolas, we must make haste to your father’s castle. It is not fitting that he should be kept waiting any longer to discover that we have found his missing son.” He bent to help Legolas to his feet. “Thank you, Lord Glorfindel, for keeping our prince safe.”

“No, wait!” cried Legolas. “We cannot leave Glor—I mean—Lord Glorfindel behind!”

“I am sure that Lord Glorfindel would like to be getting back to his own home now that we have found you, my lord. There is no need for him to be kept away from his duties any more than you should be kept from your father.” The leader nodded to Glorfindel. “Should I presume that you shall wish to return to your home, my lord?”

Glorfindel, standing tall and at attention, nodded back to him, trying to maintain the proper demeanor though he was confused and upset. He would rather accompany Legolas to his home to be sure of his young charge’s safety, but the patrol leader’s words made him feel guilty about shirking his own responsibilities.

“No! Glorfindel!” cried Legolas. Glorfindel threw him a look of pity mixed with distress. He did not want the Prince of Mirkwood to embarrass himself in front of his own soldiers by openly declaring his love to Elrond’s second-in-command of Imladris, and thus he did not speak a word as the patrol of Elves led Legolas to his horse and helped him to mount.

Legolas sent Glorfindel a stricken look from atop his steed. The golden warrior stood stock-still, watching the troop depart.

“Glorfindel!” Legolas cried back to him, his voice a plaintive sound like the beat of dove’s wings upon Glorfindel’s ears. “I love you!” Legolas cried, and these honest words resonated for a long time in Glorfindel’s ears, bereft of Legolas’ voice long after the Prince of Mirkwood was gone.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After many relatively peaceful years, Glorfindel got used to his life and daily routine in Imladris. After the turbulence at the end of the Second Age, Elrond met and married Celebrían of Lórien and twin sons were born to them, and then a daughter. As the children grew, Glorfindel became busy instructing the twins in skills such as sword-fighting, archery and horse-riding. Elladan and Elrohir grew up to be strong, capable warriors. They occupied themselves mostly with riding on patrol, accompanying the Rangers of the North, the Dúnedain who were instrumental in protecting the peaceful northern lands from Orc raids and other dangers.

Glorfindel thought about Legolas often, although he always tried to push those thoughts away. He made no attempt to visit prince for a number of reasons. First, because the discovery that Lemberas was King Thranduil’s son made it difficult to approach him without giving away the reason why Glorfindel would have reason to go to his home. Such a visit might bring embarrassment or shame to the King and his family. While romantic relationships between males were common enough among the Elves of Imladris, Glorfindel did not know how that would be regarded in Mirkwood.

Second, he was hesitant to visit because of Legolas’ memory loss. If the return to his home was going to be an aid to the return of Legolas’ memory, then Glorfindel felt it was best to let him alone while his mind and body went through the stress of dealing with the flood of memories inevitably rushing back to him.

Third, the Silvan warriors who had found them had mentioned that Legolas ran away to the battle and took Oropher’s sword without permission. By this it sounded as if there were unresolved issues between father and son that Legolas would have to deal with on top of his returning memories. Glorfindel felt that Legolas would not have time for him because of his resolving family issues, or more that he would be a distraction for Legolas, keeping him from healing. And after a great deal of time had gone by, Glorfindel thought that it was too late for a reunion.

Last, Glorfindel felt ashamed, because Legolas had told him that he loved him, and Glorfindel in turn had responded by saying nothing. He regretted his inaction and felt sure that Legolas would be so disgusted with him for being dishonest about his own feelings and not reciprocating Legolas’ honesty that he would never want to see Glorfindel again.

Therefore, Glorfindel tried to forget about Legolas, and over the years he became close with both of Elrond’s twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir, and he and Elrohir became occasional lovers, but they were never involved in a serious relationship.

After several hundred years had passed, Imladris was buzzing with the news that a party of visitors from Mirkwood would soon be arriving. Elladan and Elrohir had been on their first visit to Mirkwood recently and had arranged for a return trip to be made by the Elves of the green wood. The Mirkwood Elves were to learn new fighting routines from the Elves of Imladris, in return for the archers to give them some weapons instruction of their own.

Glorfindel retired to his room after he had learned about the arrival of the party of Silvan Elves from Thranduil’s realm. His senses were reeling. Memories of the last time he had been with Legolas came back to him so vividly that it rendered him incoherent and he could no longer speak rationally to others. He could not bear having to carry on with any of his usual duties. He had asked Elrohir, who expressed concern for Glorfindel’s well-being, to make excuses for him to everyone, but he was adamant that he would not be joining them for dinner. He excused himself and retired for the evening, his surprised comrades wondering what was wrong with him.