Scenes from a Life

Timeline: May to August, TA 3017 (this chapter); AU
Author's notes: This takes place one month after Eadhild's night with Glorfindel. All Elvish in this chapter is Quenya, the language Tolkien devised for his High Elves. I have tried to be as correct as possible, but some liberty has been taking in stretching the meaning of words to compensate for the scarce vocabulary made available by the Professor.
Some adapted phrases from Galadriel´s lament (FOTR, book 2 Ch. VI) have been used. "Tintalle" (Starkindler) is one of the names of Varda (Elbereth), the vala who created the stars that was the first thing in Arda the elves saw.

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"O! She doth teach the torches to burn bright".

William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet)
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'Long years have passed like leaves in the wind...'
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Erestor's mind was mostly occupied with the past nowadays. As Elrond's most valuable advisor he had as much freedom as he could ever want, but usually confined himself to the closed space of the Imladris library. Here he had gathered accounts on the major events of history, all back from the first great march. Oh, those days... he smiled, remembering when he was a youthful, valiant warrior.... but most of the memories were bitter, tainted by the doom all Noldor had brought upon themselves with Fëanor's rebellion.

Erestor was a very old Elf, one of only two who still remembered the Exodus, who had not yet passed to the Halls of Mandos, the Imprisoner, to yearn for their bodies and be denied them forever. He and the Lady Galadriel were to remain on this shore until the end of Arda, since no ship would be allowed to take the traitors home.

Banned! Cursed! She at least had a mate at her side to comfort her on those lonely nights when the words of the prophecy threatened to take away her sanity as it did to him.

He wondered if she was suffering much. He wondered how it would have been if they were to suffer together. Instead he had to share household with her grandchildren! Lonely. Oh, his parents had chosen his name wisely... as if they knew what misery would come to him... doomed to linger and grow faint, perhaps for another millennium until nothing remained but a grey shadow. There is still no return, he thought. No hope of redemption.

Glorfindel, who was standing in the doorway waiting for Eadhild to arrive so he could introduce her, regarded his friend with a worried look. He knew what ailed the chief advisor and would have done anything to ease his pain and see a true smile on his full lips, instead the sardonic smirk that so often lingered there. And he wished the brown eyes would light up with inner fire again. Perhaps an interruption of his quiet life would be the spark required. Or perhaps bringing the lusty mortal had been a very bad idea.

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'Who shall now refill my cup?'
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This female Glorfindel had brought from his latest visit to the Lórien border intrigued Erestor. Why would a mortal study the ancient tongue? What would make one of this species want to waste hours of their short life on High-Elven grammar? This was one of the reasons why he had agreed to supervise her studies now. She had expressed an interest in seeing some of the old volumes, and would come for her first lesson just about any time.

Eadhild had been looking forward to the meeting with the Elf who would be her tutor during her visit to Rivendell. The night with Glorfindel had shown her how little of the ancient tongue she knew and how much there was still to learn. She planned to use the opportunity to the fullest and be an excellent disciple, and she would begin by showing that she was able to take care of her own introduction. Glorfindel seemed to understand her intentions and silently withdrew.

"Aiya, herunya". [Hail, my lord], she said as she entered the room, and continued with "Elen síla lumenn' omentiemmo". [A star is shining upon the hour of our meeting]. Erestor was surprised to hear that she knew the ancient greeting and even managed to use the correct word ending for a meeting of two persons. The concept of duality, characteristic to High-Elven, was usually beyond the grasp of mortals; at least those he had encountered so far. "Aiya" he answered distractedly and motioned for her to join him at the desk.

He was a beautiful and exotic creature, Eadhild thought, but his sad and tired expression made her want to cry. She immediately felt attracted to the Elf and she wanted to make him happy. She wanted to make him smile, if only briefly. She wanted his eyes to glitter with the pure joy of just being alive. But she was determined not to embarrass herself the way she had done with the Golden Lord; she wouldn't cast herself into the lap of this Elf until she was sure that her attentions were desired.

Erestor noticed that the young woman had a pleasant physical appearance, but he had long ago stopped seeking pleasures for his body. The things that mattered to him now were solely of an intellectual nature, and more than anything else he valued knowledge. This mortal desired knowledge, he thought, as he watched the woman study the scroll he had unfolded before her.

She asked him many questions this day, and those that followed, and the eagerness of her voice, and the joy of learning she expressed with her whole being, began to affect him. As he felt a tingling in his loins he was again thankful of the mode of dressing at Imladris. The long robes were not good for protection against winter cold only. It would not do to let the lady know what feelings were awakened by her presence.

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'swift draughts of sweet mead...'
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The library of Imladris was magnificent. From the first day of the Elven refuge, its Lord had taken it upon himself to collect as much as possible of the writings on the history and lore of Elves of any kind. Here resided the remains of the ransacked library of Doriath, alongside the Gondolin records brought by Glorfindel and also the priceless original Charter of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, not to mention the Eressëan tales by Pengolodh and the numerous volumes published in Gondor during the present Age. Though Elrond found it immensely sad that the main publishers of new books in Elvish were mortal scholars, his love for knowledge had made him eager to acquire even these and his collection of books was renowned as the finest in Middle-earth, though in later years few had had the honour of visiting it.

Inset oaken bookcases covered all the walls of the large rooms, and the heavy velvet curtains would have given it a depressing air if they hadn't been withdrawn enough to let through some sunlight and give a view of the beautiful gardens outside.

As tutor and student continued to spend the days alone in the library it was inevitable that the attraction they felt for each other should break out in full bloom. Gazes became caresses, pecks became kisses, embraces became filled with need and the day came when they would cast all inhibitions aside and finally find satisfaction in each other. It was Eadhild who took the initiative, just as Glorfindel had guessed.

Erestor was sitting at his desk as usual, and looked up with a smile as Eadhild approached. He puckered his brows in astonishment when she walked up to him and sat on his lap, facing away from him, but quickly caught on when she sighed deeply and then said quietly: "Iquista, herunya" [Please, my lord]. "Hold me, Erestor, I cannot wait any longer."

He was truly startled by her behaviour, but it was enticing to have her so close to him, to feel her soft body against his, and he did as she asked, hoping that he interpreted her correctly.

As she sat on his lap with his arms around her she could feel his awakening arousal through the thin layers of clothing between them. She sighed happily and hoped that her bold approach would make the ancient elf forget his manners and make love to her passionately, if only once.

Erestor was wearing robes as usual, but the outer one was open in the front and the thick layers of fabric spilled down on each side of the chair. The long under-tunic was made of a smooth silky material and Eadhild suspected he wasn't wearing anything under it.

She praised the foresight that had given her the impulse to hitch up her skirt behind her as she sat. It was so easy now to just move a little, placing one leg on each side of his and lean forward onto the desk, letting her secret parts rub against his. It felt heavenly and she moaned when she felt Erestor move his hand to cup a breast while the other found its way under her skirt. Sliding gently over her little nub, he pushed two fingers into her and gasped at the feeling of her warmth.

"Á larta, hinya" [Wait, my child], he said as he stood and let go of her for a moment in order to quickly push the disturbing garments aside. As she sat again, heavily leaning on the desk, he placed her so that he could push into her. While not allowing much movement, the position was delicious in its wantonness and if any visitor to the library would happen to come across them, the couple would almost look respectable as they sat, apparently fully clothed. If it hadn't been for the way she wriggled, trying to take in more of him, and for the soft moans coming from both of them.

He then lifted her a little and gently pushed her forward to stand before him, bent over the desk. With a subdued groan he stood and began pushing into her, steadily and with all the force his more advantageous position now allowed him to use. She fought desperately not to make a sound, not to draw the attention of anyone who might pass in the corridor, for this was far more than what the Lord of Imladris would put up with. She was helpless as he continued to pound into her while holding her hips, careful to not push her too hard into the desk. The pleasure and the excitement from their secrecy made her reach her peak quickly and he followed as soon as he felt her climax.

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'the stars tremble in the song of her voice...'
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The Lord of Imladris was occupied, as always, but when he saw the mortal woman he knew worked in the library with his friend and advisor, he felt it his duty as the host to inquire about her opinions.

"Good morning, Eadhild", he said. "Are you content with the service of my advisor in the library"?

"Oh yes, Lord Elrond", she replied in a happy voice. "Erestor is very attentive and tends to my every need".

"That is good to hear indeed. I will not hold you from your pursuit of knowledge any longer". He dismissed her, happy that she seemed satisfied with the arrangement.

This mortal woman seemed to have a beneficial effect on his advisor, he thought, as Erestor passed, with a smile on his face instead of the usual gloomy expression.

"Friend Erestor, perhaps you find some comfort in your discussions with this young lady?"

"Ah, yes, Elrond... she does indeed make me find contact with some of my almost forgotten knowledge. I take great pleasure in her company".

The Elf-lord arched an elegant eyebrow, wondering if there was perhaps more to the matter than what appeared at first sight. But even if so, it was of no consequence to him. As long as everyone behaved respectfully in public, Elrond was not one to poke around in the private lives of his subjects, let alone his friends and guests.

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'sweet mead in lofty halls...'
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Eadhild was sitting in a windowsill in the library, attempting to read one of the old poems, but the beautiful letters of the Tengwar script hooked onto each other making it difficult to read. 'This language is complicated enough as it is', she thought, and reached out to the nearest bookcase to take out one of the volumes with transcriptions in Westron instead. These books were published for learning purposes by the Minas Tirith university and she wondered how they had ended up in the library of Imladris, since there could hardly be a need for them there. But then, wasn't Lord Elrond the foster father of a human son? Perhaps that was the reason. She unenthusiastically turned some pages of the textbook, but found it boring and put it aside to gaze at the flowers outside instead... and dream a little about the dark librarian and their last meeting.

She was lost in reverie and didn't notice Erestor's arrival until he was standing just a few feet away. "What occupies your mind, fair Eadhild?", he asked quietly, hoping that her rosy tone of her cheeks would have something to do with his presence. She decided to be bold. "You, my lord and most esteemed teacher," she replied, looking straight into his eyes. "I was hoping that... we..." Her words trailed off as the boldness left her and she lowered her gaze from his eyes to his mouth instead. Erestor moved closer and stood right in front of her, almost between her legs. He lifted a hand to caress her hair and let it stop at her neck, holding her gently while his other hand settled at her hip as he started to kiss her, tentatively at first, but more passionately since her response made it very clear just what she had been hoping for.

"Merinyel" [I want you], he whispered when their mouths finally parted long enough to allow him to speak.

"Haryalyen" [You have me], she whispered back between moans as his hands moved to hold her breasts, supporting their soft weight with his palms while his thumbs teased her nipples to make them stand out under the silk of her borrowed gown. She arched back, pushing her hips towards him and let out a groan when she could feel his hard erection against her aching core. "Sh...", he silenced her, fearing that her delicious little sounds would be heard even through the thick walls. To be on the safe side, he put his hand over her mouth as he rubbed himself against her, while supporting her back with the other hand.

Much to his annoyance it dawned on him that he would have to let go of her if this was to continue beyond the pleasure they had shared so far, satisfying though hampered by their clothing as it was. Or? To his surprise and immense delight he felt her hands pushing his robes apart and continuing to tug at the lacings of the breeches he wore underneath. Eadhild fumbled for a short while before succeeding to free the pulsating member but was soon rewarded for her efforts when it seemed to jump right into her hands. Eager as she was, she did not linger to run her fingers over the velvety length but instead hitched up her skirt to allow its passage into her welcoming warmth.

When she felt him pressing into her, between her swollen folds, she nearly bit the hand over her mouth. The feeling was overwhelming; she had wanted so much for him to touch her again in this way. She clasped her legs around his waist in an attempt to draw him even closer into her embrace and ran her fingers over his back, hard, to urge him on. Erestor didn't say a word, but it was evident from his strained expression that he had to concentrate hard not to cry out in passion. He was distracted when the hands that had been digging their nails into his shoulders the last minutes turned to fists that started hitting him. "Someone is coming", she whispered hastily when he finally removed his hand from her mouth. "I am... soon", he replied with a low groan. "No... I... mean... that... there's... someone... at... the... door", she continued, his thrusts making it difficult for her to speak coherently.

He stopped and listened. Indeed, someone was coming, and the seriousness of the situation allowed him to muster the will necessary to immediately withdraw, tie his breeches tightly shut and move over to a bookcase, with a last glance at Eadhild to see that she had taken up her previous pose, perhaps only holding the book a little too high, in order to hide the emotion that must show on her face.

Hesitantly, the Lord of Imladris opened the door to his library, unsure of what sight might meet him there, after what he had just heard from the shocked handmaiden who had been out to pick some roses and had happened to look up towards a window. He was relieved to find his chief advisor attentively studying the dusty volumes with economic accounts from trade between Eregion and Moria that he had previously taken little interest in.

And it was good to see that Estel´s textbooks could still be of use, the Elf-lord thought with a nod to the woman. He asked Erestor to join him in his study. The situation had gotten out of hand.

"My dear friend," he said, putting his arm around the shoulders of his advisor as they left the room. "While I am indeed delighted to notice the deep interest you seem to take in your student and the enthusiasm and thoroughness with which you approach the task, there is something I feel it is my duty to say to you as your lord".

"No, have no fear", he continued as he felt the advisor tense at the expected reprimand. "May I just suggest that all... ah... studies, that are not suitable for viewing by the public, are to be conducted in the seclusion of your private chambers, rather than in my library?"

Erestor felt himself blush deeply at the words that could hardly be misunderstood. Elrond had seen them! But as the experienced diplomat he was, he managed to reply in a reasonably calm voice; "Certainly, my lord. You will have no reason to touch on the subject again."

The Elf-lord chuckled as he heard the reply of his friend and advisor. So like Erestor! Always the cool one! He smiled to himself as he left his friend to ponder whether his words had indeed been a reprimand, or rather a covert permission to continue the affair with the woman without having to hide their growing passion.

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'mist covers the jewels of Calacirya...'
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With the blessings of the Lord of Imladris, the relationship between tutor and student took on a new character. During the day he would pass her and casually whisper a little phrase in her ear. She would not look at him then, not to show the effect they had on her, but they served to keep her in a state of continuous waiting, anticipation of what would come to pass when there was no longer any need to keep up the appearance of a cool, professional relationship.

This evening Eadhild found Erestor reclining in a low armchair before the fireplace in his bedchamber, legs outstretched and with his feet resting on a pile of soft cushions. On the small table beside him stood an exquisite crystal goblet with merely drops of the rich amber liquid remaining. The smell was sweet and pungent and added to the lazy ambience of the scene.

He looked at her briefly from under half-closed eyelids and appeared to be rather dreaming than awake. She walked up to him slowly, not wanting to disturb, sank to the floor and knelt on a red velvet cushion. Gently she lifted one of his feet onto her lap and without hesitation began to remove the leather boot encasing it. The lacings opened easily and she marvelled at the beauty of the smooth foot, so different from the bony toes of the males of her own kind. It was exquisite, and apparently very sensitive as well, as Erestor hummed softly when she started to caress it. Out of curiosity, she bent down to place a kiss on the marble skin, and let her tongue briefly dart out to taste the fine limb, causing the owner of said limb to gasp.

Encouraged by this reaction, and the deep affection she felt for this Elf, Eadhild proceeded to run her tongue along the advisor's foot, and when she began to suckle on the middle toe, he couldn't stand the sweet torture any longer.

"Á túlë, melmë" [Come here, love], he whispered huskily, motioning for her to rise. She moved over to him and straddled him, with her knees resting on either side of his hips in the wide armchair. He gasped as she sat down, touching the member painfully trapped beneath the soft suede leggings. She leaned forward to kiss him and held his face between her hands as she did so, pushing her tongue between his lips. Erestor wrapped his arms around her and let his hands slide up and down over her back before they took a firm grip around her rear. He first fondled her cheeks through the fabric of her shift, but as she continued to kiss him more passionately and rub herself against him, he slid his hands up under it and enjoyed holding her naked flesh.

When Eadhild finally broke the kiss, she was burning with desire and ready to rip the robes off the handsome elf under her. He did not seem to be shy anymore, but she sometimes found him too slow. Impatiently she tried to part his robe to at least run her hands over his chest, and now he seemed to understand.

Erestor effortlessly stood from the chair, lifting the woman, and carried her to the bed, where he seated her gently. She stood, almost immediately, and began to tug at his clothes again, making him smile at her impatience. So young, he thought. So impatient and full of life. And she had made him enjoy living again, yes, she had. Strange as it was. Almost distractedly, he let her help him divest, and then watched with amusement as she quickly got rid of the linen shift that was all she was wearing this night. The lovely sight of her naked body took him back to reality, and he bent down to take a pink nipple between his lips

Eadhild sighed from the pleasure of feeling the dark Elf's mouth on her breasts, as he travelled between them, letting his tongue trace a wet path from nipple to nipple. She buried her hands in his hair and clutched his head tight to her chest, ignoring the voice of reason in her head that tried to tell her that this must be a very uncomfortable position for him.

Still with his face buried in her bosom, Erestor gently pushed her backwards, so that she sat, and then lay down on the bed. He removed her hands from his hair and turned his attentions to her heated centre.

He parted her legs and kissed her sweet cleft, causing her to gasp in her turn, before he settled between her thighs and buried his length in her warmth. The Imladris advisor started rocking his hips, lazily at first, but with more fervour as Eadhild attempted to meet each thrust, driving them both steadily closer to the edge of passion.

"Merin amapta le..." [I want to ravish you...], Erestor panted between moans and kissed her deeply before he continued "Merin sa quetuval essenya íre mapuvanyel..." [I want you to call my name as I take you...]

Eadhild was lost in passion, lost in her feelings for this Elf, who was so different from Haldir, the one that had been special to her but was gone, and she didn't need much encouragement to fulfil the advisor's wish. As the ripples of satisfaction shook her body, she cried out in Elvish: "Erestor! Ai!"

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'all paths are drowned deep in shadow...'
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Spring turned to summer and summer to early autumn as the couple continued their odd relationship of scholars in daytime and lovers at night. The fresh chill in the air and the leaves turning yellow signalled the beginning of a new working year. Eadhild knew that it was time for her to move on, to go back to the inn. She had accomplished what she had come to do and was now able both to carry out a conversation in Quenya and to understand many of the ancient texts. And the offer to return to Ninglorost with Glorfindel as her escort was too convenient not to be accepted.

They had said their goodbyes, and she had been happy to see that the stars in Erestor's eyes burned brightly. "Namárië, Tintallenya" [Farewell, my Starkindler], was the last thing he said before turning his back on the riders to go back to his scrolls.

Erestor had not been much for travelling the last centuries, but now he contemplated telling Lord Elrond that he would actually be going on a trip somewhere next year or so. The destination wasn't important, as long as it would include a stop at a certain inn... after all, he needed to check up on her grammar.

'Nai haryuval alassë cuivielyassë' [May you have joy in your life], Eadhild thought as she watched the dark Elf disappear into the Last Homely House...

'Nai elyë haryuva.' [May you have it.]

'Namárië'. [Farewell.]