Erestor's Secret

Title: Erestor’s Secret (5/?)
Author: Aglarien
Type: FPS
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Not mine, except for the cats. The great Master Tolkien’s estate owns everything else. I promise to return his elves when I’m done playing with them.
Timeline: Gondolin, 501 of the First Age
Warning: AU
Beta: Erviniae
Summary: A day in the country turns into disaster.
A special thank you to Lady Mirfain for her help with the horse "stuff", and what it would cause.


Chapter 5


Erestor tried to finish his report as fast as he could; it was the one thing he had to complete for the day, and when it was done he would have the rest of the day off. Glorfindel and Ecthelion were waiting for him in Turgon’s library so they could go riding in the hills. They had packed food and wine, and Ecthelion had even agreed to help Glorfindel train him in the use of weapons.

Heaving a sigh of relief when the report was done, he handed it to an assistant to deliver to Turgon’s Chief Advisor and left his office to get Glorfindel and his brother.

Glorfindel smiled as he saw Erestor enter the library. The lithe councilor looked stunning in simple black leggings with a white shirt and deep red jerkin. Black knee length boots hugged his slim legs, and the leggings showed off surprisingly muscled thighs. “Are you ready to leave, Erestor?” he asked.

Erestor nodded. “All done. I cannot wait to leave! It has been so long since I have been riding outside of the city.” Moving into Glorfindel’s arms, he smiled happily and wrapped his arms around the warrior, lifting his face up for a kiss. “And I am looking forward to spending more time with you.”

Glorfindel kissed Erestor gently and whispered, “As I am looking forward to spending time with you, my sweet one.”

Ecthelion watched indulgently for a moment, then said, “Come along, you two. This beautiful day is going to waste and we could be out in the sun.”

The three elves walked arm-in-arm out of the palace. A groom was holding their horses for them. He released the reins as they approached, then turned and headed back to the stables.

“Odd that he did not wait for us to get all the way here,” Ecthelion said, looking at the groom’s back as he hurried away.

“Perhaps they are just busy today,” Glorfindel answered.

“And there is nothing around to disturb the horses.” Erestor added, jumping lightly onto his horse and taking the reins into his hands.

Ecthelion still felt something was strange about the groom, but said nothing more. He and Glorfindel mounted their horses, and the three rode slowly through the city. They passed through the gates and out into the surrounding mountains and valleys.

They rode through the hills, simply enjoying the day and each other’s company, until they came to a small meadow. Lush grasses grew with white, purple and yellow wildflowers; the surrounding pines teemed with birds and small wildlife; and a small brook, fed by the melted snows of the winter past, babbled and rambled its way through the flora.

The three elves dismounted and took their blankets and packs from the horses, then let the animals roam free and graze. Glorfindel spread a blanket beneath a towering tree and pulled Erestor over to sit with him.

Erestor chuckled and lay on the blanket, his head in Glorfindel’s lap. “Play for us, Thel?”

Ecthelion joined them on the blanket, pulling out his flute. “What would you like to hear, Erestor?”

“Hmmm….something sunny like the day…..and soft like Glorfindel’s lap.”

“What? My lap is not soft!” Glorfindel said, affronted and chuckling at the same time. He stroked Erestor’s head. “Is it really?”

Erestor smiled and nodded. “It feels wonderful to lay upon.”

Ecthelion laughed. “See, I always told you that you were too soft, Glorfindel.” Putting his flute to his lips he began to play. The sweet sound caught on the breeze and wound around them.

Closing his eyes, Erestor began to sing, his rich silver voice filling the meadow.

Glorfindel was enthralled, filled with wonder once again at Erestor’s voice. It rose to the tops of the trees and sailed on the wings of the birds, then swooped down to flow with the brook before rising again. Glorfindel’s heart overflowed with awe as he looked upon the elf he loved. The song faded to silence, and he released the breath he did not realize he had been holding. Bending his head down, he placed his lips on Erestor’s.

Erestor gripped Glorfindel’s shoulders and pulled himself up. Moving until he sat upon Glorfindel’s lap, he eagerly returned the kiss.

Glorfindel, deepening the kiss, curled his tongue around Erestor’s. Forgetting all about Ecthelion’s presence, he moaned softly. Kissing Erestor was so good, he could happily do it for hours on end and never tire of it. As Erestor’s arms wound around his neck, he held the slighter elf closer.

Ecthelion opened their packs and set out their meal, then cleared his throat. “Uh….excuse me, but do you two think you could wait until later to do that? I am hungry and if you do not stop I will have no recourse but to eat all this good food on my own.”

The two lovers broke apart gently, blushing. “Sorry, Thel,” Erestor murmured, burying his head in Glorfindel’s neck. “No, I am not. I lied. I am not sorry at all. I want more.” Lifting his head, he attacked Glorfindel’s mouth with his own.

Ecthelion pulled Erestor away from the golden warrior, pushed his brother down to the ground and lay on top of him. “Run, Glorfindel! I’ve got him! Get away while you can!” he said, laughing.

“Help! Glorfindel, help!” Erestor cried, trying to keep from laughing.

“Unhand my love, you knave,” Glorfindel said, gallantly. “I am coming, my love! I will save you!” He pushed Ecthelion off of Erestor and took his place. “Here I am! And I will have my reward,” he said, claiming Erestor’s lips.

Eventually, after many more kisses and laughs, they stopped playing and settled down to eat their midday meal. Glorfindel and Erestor fed each other choice tidbits, their tongues lingering on fingers placing the food in their mouths.

Ecthelion just shook his head and smiled, happy for Erestor and his best friend, and perhaps just a bit jealous. When the meal was finished, he said, “Come, Fin – spar with me. Then we will begin teaching Erestor.”

Erestor watched as his brother and Glorfindel sparred, fascinated by their dance-like moves. The hard steel of their long swords clanged, and he found himself holding his breath with every lunge, terrified one or the other would be hurt. Finally they stopped, declaring a draw.

Ecthelion drew two shorter wooden swords out of his pack. “Are you ready, little brother?”

“We are going to use the wooden ones?” Erestor asked, rising.

“For now,” Glorfindel answered. “It would be too dangerous otherwise. Thel and I would make sure you were not hurt by us, but you are as yet untrained and so could injure yourself, or one of us.”

Erestor nodded. Taking one of the wooden swords from his brother, he said, “I am ready to begin, Glorfindel. What do I do?”

After an hour of practice swings, then lunging and parrying with Glorfindel, Ecthelion called a halt to the training. “That is enough for today, I think. We will practice again tomorrow, Erestor. Everyday your skill will increase. I am proud of what you have learned today, little brother.” He patted Erestor on the back.

Erestor gave his brother a blinding smile. “Thank you, Thel. And thank you for letting Glorfindel teach me.”

Ecthelion nodded at his brother. “Come, it is getting late and we must return. It is not safe in these hills after the sun goes down.”

They packed up their things and were soon mounted and ready to leave the idyllic meadow. “I will race you to the gates,” Erestor called, already urging his horse into a gallop. His horse was fast, and he was lighter than Ecthelion or Glorfindel, so Erestor was quite sure he could win. “Catch me if you can!”

“Come on, Fin, we can’t let him win!” Ecthelion yelled, digging his heals into his horse.

“Ha! You won’t win, Erestor! I’m catching up!” Glorfindel was grinning and urging his horse ahead.

The councilor turned his head around to check how close Ecthelion and Glorfindel were. Seeing they were still several horse lengths behind, he grinned, knowing they would not be able to catch him. Suddenly he felt himself slipping and losing his seat. The reins were jerked from his hands as he flew off the horse. The last thing he remembered was a sharp pain to his head.

“Erestor!” Glorfindel and Ecthelion both screamed his name as they watched his saddle fly loose, and with it the elf they loved.

Erestor lay limp on the ground, his body twisted unnaturally. Red blood pooled around his head and seeped into the soil. Glorfindel and Ecthelion threw themselves from their horses and dropped down at his side.

Tears streamed down Glorfindel’s face as he lifted Erestor’s head and laid it gently on his lap. “Erestor….no…..no…..no….Erestor….”

Ecthelion took a deep breath and roughly wiped the tears from his face. Feeling along his brother’s body for injuries, he said, “One of his arms is broken and one of his legs. I cannot tell what else. Thank the Valar he is still breathing.”

Glorfindel forced himself under control. Erestor needed him. Removing his tunic, he tore strips from the bottom and used them to wrap Erestor’s head, trying to stop the bleeding. Erestor’s horse walked up and nosed his master.

Ecthelion looked up at Glorfindel. “Do we try to set his broken limbs here, or get him home first? Help me Glorfindel…..I do not….he is my little brother….I…”

“We are not that far from home, Thel. We make a litter, and carry him back, as fast as we can. It will cause the least damage. We do not know what other injuries he has, or how bad his head wound is. Let’s find some branches to use.” He bunched up what was left of his tunic and gently laid Erestor’s head down on it.

Ecthelion nodded and quickly got up to find two long tree branches to use for the litter. Coming across Erestor’s saddle, he picked it up, then whistled for his brother’s horse. When the horse came, he threw it over its back and examined it. The girth was cut nearly clean through. Galloping put enough stress on it to break. He would wait until they got Erestor back and under the care of the healers, then would find out who had caused this – who had wanted to hurt his brother. They would pay for this. Taking a knife, he cut off the telltale sections of the girth and put them in his pocket.

The two elves fashioned a litter from branches and a blanket. They carefully lifted Erestor and placed him on it, then one at each end, they picked up the litter and began walking, trusting the horses to follow behind.

An hour later, they passed through the first gate. A guard ran ahead to alert the healers of Ecthelion’s house. By the time they reached the seventh gate, other guards were helping to carry the litter and healers waited for their arrival. Erestor was quickly carried to his rooms and the healers began their work. The unconscious elf was ghostly white and the blood, which had flowed from his head to his face, stood out starkly. His eyes were closed.

“My Lord, it would be better if you and Lord Glorfindel waited outside while we assess your brother’s condition. I will call you when you can return,” Ecthelion’s chief healer said quietly.

Ecthelion nodded and drew Glorfindel out into the hallway. Both elves were shaken, and stood for a moment simply hanging onto each other for support.

“How did that happen, Thel? What loosened his saddle?” Glorfindel asked in a harsh whisper.

Drawing the pieces of the girth out of his pocket, Ecthelion showed them to his friend. “It was deliberately cut nearly through so it would snap with heavy riding.”

“The groom? Who was he? Wait - I know his form.” Glorfindel took a deep breath, thinking where he had seen the elf before. “Dringion!” He spat out the name.

Ecthelion nodded. “He is mine this time, Glorfindel. When the healers are done and we find out how bad Erestor is….” Thel’s voice faltered. “I want you to stay with him while I see to it. If Erestor dies….I will kill him with my own hands.”

“Be careful how you approach him. Confront him, bait him, get him to admit to it – and then take him before the king. Let Turgon decide his fate. Beat him senseless, but do not kill him. That decision is Turgon’s alone.”

Ecthelion nodded, grimfaced. The two sat on a bench in the hallway and waited for the healers to finish.

After what seems like hours, the chief healer walked out of Erestor’s room. “Nestoron, how is he?” Ecthelion asked, searching the healer’s face.

Nestoron sighed and sat down next to his Lord and Glorfindel, his close relationship with Ecthelion allowing the informality. “His arm and leg were broken, as you know. They were clean breaks and should heal well. We have set them and immobilized the limbs. There does not appear to be any internal injuries. But his head wound – it worries me. He did not awaken as he should have, and it is most dangerous for him to be unconscious for so long. I wish I could tell you differently, my Lord, but I fear his condition is grave indeed. I will not give up hope, however, and you must not either. We will do whatever we can.”

Glorfindel was stunned silent. Shaking his head to restore his senses, he said, “What can we do, Nestoron? I will do anything….please….tell me what to do?”

At his side, Ecthelion nodded to the healer. “Nestoron, my brother and Glorfindel are courting. He is very dear to Erestor. I want him to help. Tell us what we can do.”

“Very well, my Lords,” Nestoron said. “Here is what you can do. One of you should be with him constantly. Talk to him, read to him, hold his hand, and touch his face. We do not know if Erestor is aware of those around him, but I believe that an elf in such a state has some awareness. You must call him back. The two of you have a better chance of doing this than anyone else. Do whatever you can to bring his mind back to us. I will stay with him also, as much as I am able. If I cannot be here, another healer will take my place, so we will be ready to care for him if…..when he wakes.”

“May we see him now?” Ecthelion asked.

“Of course, my Lord,” Nestoron said, and led them into Erestor’s room. He dismissed the other healers, telling one of them to come back and relieve him in the morning.

Erestor had been washed and clothed in a nightshirt. The broken leg was also on the left, so Erestor must have fallen heavily on that side. With his eyes closed and his head bound in bandages, he barely seemed alive except for the slight rising and falling of his chest from his breathing. Blankets covered most of his slender body, save for his good arm, which lay on top of the bedclothes.

“We have kept his left arm out of the shirt. It is stabilized and wrapped with a length of wood, then bound to his body to immobilize it,” Nestoron said. “You must be careful not to disturb it.”

Ecthelion sat gently on Erestor’s left and let Glorfindel take the right side. “Erestor….little one….come back to us.” Ecthelion gently ran his fingers down Erestor’s face. “You cannot leave Fin and I alone without you.” He bent and placed a chaste kiss on Erestor’s brow. “I love you, my brother. Come back to me.”

Glorfindel took Erestor’s hand and raised it to his lips. “Erestor, sweet one….you must wake, my love. I cannot….” In the blink of the moment, Glorfindel realized all that Erestor meant to him. It did not matter how it happened, or when it happened, it simply was. Erestor was his soul mate. His eternal love. His forever mate. In the certainty of his heart, he knew if Erestor died, he would fade. He lay down next to Erestor to speak softly into his ear. “Erestor, sweet one, I promise you this, beloved, if you leave me I will follow you soon. I cannot abide here without you. No wedding ceremony, no ring, could bind me to you stronger than I already am. I would die for you, sweet one, but I would rather live for you. Come back to me, Erestor.” Leaning up, he placed a gentle kiss on Erestor’s lips.

Tears welled in Ecthelion’s eyes as he listened to Glorfindel’s words. Taking a deep breath, he said quietly, “Stay with him, Fin. I am going to take care of the one who did this to him. Do not worry for me – I will not kill him. I will do as you said and bring him before our King.” He placed another kiss on Erestor’s brow, then rose and left the room.

Glorfindel lay beside Erestor, holding his hand, stroking his face, kissing his lips, and whispering of his love. Nestoron turned his back to the bed to dry his eyes, then went and sat near the door, leaving Glorfindel to speak privately to the elf he loved.

Tbc….