The little mer-elf

Title: The little mer-elf
Author: Githoniel
Beta: None
Chapter: 3/?
Pairings: Erestor/Glorfindel, Glorfindel/Ereinion
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: utterly AU, Slash, character death
Disclaimer: All elves belong to Mr.Tolkien, not even the plot is mine, but inspired by Hans Christian Andersen
Summery: Erestor is living a perfect life under the sea as a mer-elf... but then he learns that true love is to be found ashore...
Author’s notes: Written for Agie’s ‘Erestor Fairytale challenge’... please note that even though I love the movie, it’s not the Disney version that’s inspiring this – so prepare yourself for a sad story!!!


Chapter 3


Glorfindel patted Asfaloth’s neck.
“This is a nice day for a little ride at the beach – what say you?”
And as if to agree with Glorfindel’s suggestion, the young stallion nugded the blond warrior and neighed.
The day was wonderful, the sun stood high in the sky and warmed the earth and a soft breeze drove a salty smell across the land. To escape the busy life at the high kings court and his duties for a while to take his stallion for a ride, was Glorfindel’s favourite activity. While galloping through the sand, he felt like flying. After that, he steered Asfaloth right into the shallow water. Water splashed at his sides and wetted the warrior garments. His laughter rang through the air, as he stopped his horse.
“Daro, daro my friend. I’m already completely wet.” He dismounted the white stallion and decided to walk a little in the sun. A few minutes he just enjoyed the warmth upon his skin, but then suddenly, he saw something lying on the white sand. When he came closer, he saw it was a body – a naked elf was lying in the sand.
He ran towards the unmoving form and dropped in the sand next to him. The elf lay face down, so he had to turn him around careful to check his breathing, that – Eru be blessed – was there, and look for injuries. When he laid his pointed ear at the strangers chest, he could hear a heartbeat, but the skin was cold to the touch. Glorfindel was worried. He couldn’t make out any wounds, but who could know, how long this one had been in the cold ocean.
Just then, the strange elf stirred and opened his eyes.
For a second, Glorfindel was dumbstruck by the beauty, the dark stranger possessed. He felt, as if he was brought back in a kind of dream and in his mind, he heard a distant voice singing a strange melody...
Glorfindel shook his head to clear his mind again.
“Are you well? Do you suffer any pain?”

Erestor opened his eyes at the feeling of someone touching him and looked in the skyblue eyes, that meant the world to him.
//It’s you! You have found me!// he thought and for a second, he saw something in the other elf’s gaze, that made his heart sing with hope.
//Do you remember me? You must remember me! I came here just for you! I bound myself to you!!!//
But then the other elf’s face changed and Erestor heard the questions, he was asked. He wanted to reply that he was well, but when he tried to say the words, his throat convulsed in pain. How could he have forgotten that he couldn’t speak anymore. The pain brought tears to his eyes as his hands clutched his throat and he looked ashamed to the ground. But the other warrior would have nothing of this and with two fingers under his chin, he made Erestor looking into this wonderful lightblue eyes again.
“Ssh, don’t cry... You are safe now, do you here me. Do you understand, what I’m saying?” Erestor nodded.
“Ah, so you can understand me, but you cannot speak. That’s most likely just the shock. Are you hurt?”
Erestor shook his head.
“Good. Where do you come from?”
Erestor pointed with his arm in the direction of the sea, which was west.
“So you are from Valinor? Maybe even returned by the grace of the Valar just like myself...”
Erestor wanted to shake his head again, but stilled. How should he explain the warrior, that his home had been under the sea – without words on top of that.
Suddenly, he realized the other elf was taking off his tunic. His eyes widened at the sight of the well musceled chest, that shone golden in the sunlight.
The other elf must have seen him blushing and explained:
“You maybe want to cover yourself? I cannot take you to the palace naked as you are?”
Erestor looked down at himself and his blush deepened. Until now, he had not thought about the changes of his body. For the first time, he looked at his legs – long and well formed, with small feet. And between his legs...
He heard the other elf clear his throat and quickly grabbed the offered tunic. He had some difficulties to put it on, but with some help, he eventually managed. The tunic was just long enough to cover his private parts.
The other elf stood.
“I’ll take you to the palace now, that’s were I live at the high-king Gil Galads court. Do you think you can walk?”
Erestor nodded, but when the warrior reached out and helped him onto his feet, it truly felt like stepping on a blade, just like Nessala had said. His face showed the pain, he was in and his knees threatened to give in. But he gathered all his willpower to ignore the pain and made a first wobbly step.
“It seems, my friend, we should take you to the healers first to have you checked. And then you’ll stay with me, at least until our king is back from his current journey and decides, what to do with you. But, how rude of me – I have not even told you my name, have I? I’m Glorfindel.”
Glorfindel – the name burned itself right in Erestors heart.


The healer, after examining the mute elf, had told Glorfindel, that there were no injuries and that the elf’s low body temperature might result from being in the cold ocean too long. Why the elf didn’t speak, the healer could not say.
Glorfindel brought his dark foundling to his quarters.
“Well, pen dínen – here is where I do live. The bathroom is behind this door. Over there is my sleeping room.”
They walked through another door.
“This is my guest room, that’s where you can stay. That is, as long as the king is gone. He will decide, what will happen to you, when he’s back.”
Glorfindel saw the green-blue eyes, oh these wondrous beautiful eyes, wide opened and questioning looking at him.
“You don’t have to be afraid, pen dínen. Gil Galad is a friendly soul and a just ruler. Duty often calls him away from Lindon – times are getting darker, you know. But when he’s here, it’s like a friendly aura surrounding the whole kingdom. You’ll see yourself.”
Glorfindel’s thought went back to the first encounter with his king, after he had been found at the shores of Lindon himself. Gil Galad had treated him like a friend of old and welcomed him heartily in his new home...
A touch at his arm brought him back from his musings.
“Forgive me, pen dínen – for a moment I was lost in thoughts. It’s getting late. You must be weary – and hungry. I’ll tell the servant to bring our dinner here.”

Erestor had noticed the dreamy look, the warriors eyes had, when he talked about king Gil Galad. And it pained him, like a stab in his heart. Could it be, that there was a rival for Glorfindel’s love?
The blond warrior disappeared for a moment, and when he came back, he brought a white robe and a silver brush with him.
“You can wear this one tonight. It’s maybe a little to big for you – we will get you some fitting clothes tomorrow. And now sit down on the bed and let me brush your hair, while we are waiting for our dinner.”
Erestor dressed himself quickly and sat on the edge of the matress, Glorfindel behind him. When he felt the warriors hands in his hair for the first time, he thought he would die. He melted in the touch and closed his eyes. Glorfindel brushed his hair tenderly, until it shone. While doing this, his other hand rested on Erestor’s shoulder, lightly stroking it. Nothing in the world had ever felt so good.
A sudden knock interrupted this moment of togetherness. Their dinner had arrived.

Hours later, Erestor lay in his bed, but sleep wouldn’t come. To many thoughts danced in his head. Had he done the right thing. Could he make Glorfindel love him. And what would happen, if he wouldn’t succeed – would he die?
He found he couldn’t stay in bed no longer – he had to see his warrior. When his bare feet touched the ground he hissed in pain and bit his lip. Silently, he left the guestroom and entered Glorfindels sleeping room. The warrior lay in his bed, his chest bare and uncovered by the sheets. He was deep in reverie, his breath sounded deep and steady. Erestor took a moment to watch his beautiful warrior.
//Yes, yes it was the right decision.// he thought. //He’s worth every risk, every second in pain...//
He bent down and caressed the blond elfs cheek. The touch was enough to wake the warrior. Erestor startled, when the sky blue eyes suddenly regained focus.
“Pen dínen – are you all right?”
Erestor suddenly felt overwhelmed by weariness, sadness and pain and his eyes filled with tears. Glorfindel smiled at him and took his hand.
“Shh, pen dínen. Come here. You have been through much today. All will be well, just believe me.”
Then he lifted the covers and drew Erestor next to him.
Lying in the strong warriors arms let all wrongs be right and all pain was gone.
“Shall I tell you something, my friend? Not so long ago, I’ve been almost in the same situation as you are now. I had been washed at these shores after our boat had been caught in a storm. And now I tell you something silly, I’ve never told anyone before. When I woke up on a rock, there was a sweet melody in the sky and there was an angel kissing me. But when I looked at him, he was gone, swallowed by the sea. I know, it was just some kind of hallucination, but sometimes, I think I could still smell the sweet air and here the song. Silly – huh.”
// No – not silly..// Erestor thought. // It was no hallucination and no angel – it was me! Why don’t you recognize me? I’m here!//
But Glorfindel had already fallen asleep again.
Tbc.


Translation:

Pen dínen – silent one