Awakenings

Part 7.

Glorfindel awoke when something stirred beside him, or someone. He blinked the sleep away from his eyes and let out a sigh of content and wonder as Erestor snuggled closer into his arms. His cheeks, normally so pale were flushed pink in the morning hue. His dark hair felt as silk as it fell over part of his arm. His body, felt soft and supple against his own. A small pink tongue darter out to lick pouting red lips, just as his small dignified nose scrunched up and dark eyes cleared of slumber, thick lashes batting as he burrowed deeper into strong arms, drawing more heat form his blond bed partner. And then those dark eyes focused and smiled up at him.

Erestor smiled and hummed in comfort as he moved closer for a morning kiss. The kiss was slow but innocent, a kiss Erestor would remember for the rest of his life when waking alone.

“I’ve never seen you so beautiful.” Glorfindel whispered, for some reason afraid to speak loudly in fear of breaking the moment. Erestor smiled and rubbed his nose affectionately against Glorfindel’s.

“Hmm, morning…my love.” He finished shyly and with a beaming proud smile.
“Morning,” Glorfindel began with a content sigh, then that single word seemed to sink in, “Morning? Morning! Its morning Erestor!”

“Yes and far to early for you to be shouting so you…” And then his eyes went wide as what Glorfindel was trying to say sunk in. Sharing one brief panicked look they darted out of the bed, desperately with aid from Erestor Glorfindel tried to hall on his clothes, finding it difficult as they were still damp and full of the morning chill.

“My father will kill me!”
“Nay he will kill *me* you know how he hates me!”
“He doesn’t hate you, he just…doesn’t approve of us.”
“Oh and I wonder why.” Erestor muttered to himself.
“What?” Glorfindel asked as his head popped through the top of his tunic.
“Nothing, you must hurry. When will I next see you?”
“I…ah, meet me under the oak, normal time.” And with that he kissed Erestor’s cheek quickly before swinging his legs over the terrace.

Erestor turned back to his rooms but stood still as he spotted something red through the open bathroom door. Plucking the rose from the ground he brought it to his nose to inhale the scent, he turned his head when hearing his name whispered. Running back to the terrace he saw Glorfindel again, poking his head through the bottom of the railings. Crouching on the floor they simply looked at one another for a moment before Glorfindel pulled Erestor down by the neck for a long and deep kiss. Erestor shuddered as he tasted fear in the kiss, whether it be his own or Glorfindel’s, he suddenly knew, that all would not be well. He felt Glorfindel caress his cheek with his thumb, plant one more brief kiss to his lips with a worried expression, and turn to hop back into the branches of his tree and leave.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Glorfindel knew he was in trouble upon approaching the front gates of his home. Guards were rushing around the small court yard, he knew that there was no point now in sneaking through the gardens and back into his room unnoticed. They already knew he was gone. When one of the guards spotted him he turned to another and whispered orders into his ear. In moments the kafuffle in the court yard had died down and most of the guards had returned to their usual duties. The guard at the gate smiled sympathetically at him as he reached the gates, for he knew his lord possessed a short temper.

“Am I in much trouble?”
“I’m afraid so young sir. Apparently your father went to speak with you last night to find your rooms empty, we have been searching for you since. Your parents have been most worried my young lord.”

Glorfindel nodded and with each step feeling heavier than the last he reached the front doors of his home, pausing as they swung open. His mother gave a cry of relief and enveloped him in a hug.

“Ai Glorfindel you had us so worried!” She said with a quiver in her voice that made him feel terrible. He was surprised some as she pulled him from he embrace to look sternly at him, “don’t you EVER do that again!” and then he was again pulled back into a loving hold and felt his hair tenderly stroked.

“How angry is he?”
Again she faced her son with a sad look and answered the question with one of her own, Glorfindel felt dread fill him at the sympathetic look his mother was giving him.
“Was you with him Glorfindel? Was you with Erestor?”

Glorfindel simply nodded his head yes, growing increasingly worried. Before she could speak further a loud bellow came from the house that caused not only the birds in the trees, but the guards in the courtyard also to scatter.

“GLORFINDEL!”

Glorfindel lowered his head and walked pass his mother to face his father who stood fuming in the hallway.

“I’m sorry Ada I…”
“Was you with him?”
“Ada I…”
“Answer me! And do not think to lie, was you with that boy?!”
“Yes Ada.” He spoke with a sigh and lowered his head.
“Do you know how worried we have been? Your mother was in tears the entire night!”
“I’m sorry, we…we fell asleep…”
“In his bed?” He asked in a low voice that sent shivers through Glorfindel’s spine.
“Aye, but I simply went there to apologise, to apologise for how you treated him!”
“DON’T YOU DARE RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ME! I AM YOUR FATHER!” He bellowed with such anger that Glorfindel actually took a few steps backwards, flinching, his mother was at his side within a moment at hearing her husband raise his voice so.

“My love can you not see he is sorry for what he has done? Calm yourself! He is back and he is safe! That is what is important!”

The words of his wife seemed to reach him, his eyes softened when seeing that he had actually scared his own son and with a sigh he stepped forwards and brought Glorfindel into a fatherly embrace. Resting Glorfindel’s head against his chest he rubbed his back soothingly and rested his chin atop of his sons head, he was relieved to feel his son finally returned the gesture and shakily wrap his arms around his middle.

“I am sorry, but you must understand Glorfindel…” He pulled back, he did not release his hold on his son but looked sternly down at him, “…we have never been so afraid, anything could of happened to you. The world is not as safe as you think, you will learn this in time. You know you will be punished for this?”
“Yes Ada.”
“Everyday you will go to your training and come straight home, you will help the house attendants with chores…and you will not see that boy again.”

At this Glorfindel ripped himself from his fathers arms and looked at his father disbelievingly. Quickly he looked to his mother for support, but she simply shook her head sadly.

“Glorfindel, my son, I will not go against your father on this.”
“You can not stop me from seeing him! This is not his fault its mine!”
“Glorfindel, that boy…”His father began.
“His name is Erestor!”
“Erestor, he is, he is bad for you Glorfindel.”
“What do you mean?! Erestor is the kindest soul I know! He would never hurt anyone!”
“Maybe, but I can not allow you to see him anymore.”
“But Ada! I…I love him!”
“No you do not!”
“Do not tell me who to love! You may control the rest of me but you can not tell me who to love!”
“Glorfindel! You are a young lord! He is a ..a…”
“A what? A son of a carpenter? Is that why you do not approve of him?!”

Glorfindel’s father heaved a heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose, mustering all of his patience and self control.
“Glorfindel, it is a miss match. Now I can not make you love elleth, but I will NOT allow this. You have grown to close, you will end up hurt if this is not ended now. Indeed he is a …nice young lad, but he is below your station. You will not see him again, it is for your own good.”

Glorfindel looked between his mother and father desperately, seeing that his father would not waver Glorfindel looked pleadingly to his mother.

“Nana please, say something!”

She bit back her own tears and moved forwards to again embrace her son, but flinched as Glorfindel shook away her hands. Never had her son done that.
“Glorfindel please, in time you will forget the feelings you have for him. You will move on and so will he.”
“Nay, I will never forget these feelings, you do this and you doom me to a life alone, I will never love another.”
“You think this now but in time you will feel differently.”
“I told you..” Glorfindel began in a low defiant voice, “do not tell me how I do or will feel. I will never love any as I love him. Do this and I will hate you for it, both of you.” He said looking between his parents. This was all his mother could take, she covered her mouth with her hand, tears welling up in her eyes. Unable to see her son look at her with such hate she turned and left the hall. Glorfindel’s father stepped forward, a rebuke ready on his lips but was cut short by his son.

“It is her own doing, Ada, choose now. Allow my heart free reign or let us be as strangers in our home.”
“You will not see that boy Glorfindel.” He answered eventually.
“Very well, if you will excuse me, father.”

The lord closed his eyes tightly, that was the first time Glorfindel had ever spoken to him coldly, it was the first time he had not called him ‘Ada’.


~*~*~*~*~*~

Erestor sat waiting beneath the oak, Glorfindel was late. Very late. He was not at all surprised, it was obvious to him that Glorfindel had been found out and that he was being punished. He sighed realising that he would probably not see Glorfindel for sometime, he rose to leave but stopped and turned upon hearing his name called. It was Ecthelion.

“Erestor…have you heard? Do you know yet?”
“Nay what?”

Ecthelion took a moment to look sadly at his friend, he could not bare to be the one to shatter Erestor’s heart. “Erestor, Glorfindel has been, he has been forbidden to see you.”

“What?! But…but, no they can’t…I cant..”
“His father found Glorfindel missing in the middle of the night and sent out the entire guard of the Golden flower to find him. He knows where he was Erestor.”

Erestor simply continued to look at him in horror.

“He has been banned from ever seeing you again. Erestor I am so sorry.”
“No! No they can’t do that! It was my fault not his! I asked him to stay! Oh why did I ask him to stay?!” Erestor buried his face in his hands and began to sob uncontrollably, he had not wept like this since he had been but a small child. At once Ecthelion drew him into his arms, holding his tightly and rocking him back and forth as he would a child.

“Why does his father hate me so much? Ecthelion I..I cant, I need him! I need him so much!”
“Shh now, do not loose hope my friend, for even though he is presently being punished. I am still allowed to visit him.”
“W-why?”
“I. I’m not sure, I think perhaps because Glorfindel and I, we are both..”
“Oh I understand, his father seeks to replace me with you!” Erestor near screamed as he pushed Ecthelion away.
“I think, perhaps that may be what he…”
“You can’t have him!” Erestor cried
“Erestor that will never happen! I swear to you, though it may be his fathers want it will never happen! You are my dear friend as is Glorfindel, nothing more. But I will use this futile hope of his fathers to help you both. Use me to speak to Glorfindel, I will pass him any message, any letter. I will do anything I can to help you both!”

Erestor simply nodded, with fresh tears streaming his cheeks he moved back into Ecthelion’s arms and cried hard into his friends chest. “Promise. Promise again that you will not take him from me, you are so much more than I Ecthelion, promise me you will not take away the one person I love?”
“Erestor, you have my word, I love you both, but as brothers.”
“Then I hold you to that.” He mumbled into his friends chest, yet his heart was still not at ease.


~*~*~*~*~*~


Months passed, and they had not seen each other. Ecthelion had kept to his word and had exchanged messages and notes. But still they pined for each other. Erestor had never felt so alone, without Glorfindel the pestering taunts of other lads had increased. But he could not find it within himself to even care anymore, his world became darker each day with out his Glorfindel. Glorfindel fared no better, though he was never taunted by others his home had become so cold. The tension between himself and his parents had grown, they would sit in awkward silence at meal times, when once Glorfindel would have been near impossible to shut up as he told his nana and Ada of his day. Now they were strangers. They had tried to speak with him, to win back his affection but Glorfindel would have none.

His father had doted upon him and spent much time with him in hopes of seeing some semblance to the Glorfindel he used to know, before *he* had shattered his sons heart. But it was hopeless, he could only hope that some other young ellon would take his sons fancy soon, and he knew exactly who could bridge that gap. Ecthelion. So Ecthelion was a regular visitor at the home of the Golden flower. But it was only the love of brothers and friendship that bloomed between the two young lords. The golden lord thought that perhaps if Glorfindel was to love another, than he could at least allow Glorfindel and Erestor to be friends again, and win back his sons love. But it was a hope unfounded, for the young love now ran to deeply, no matter the distance.

“Yule is coming up Glorfindel, do you know as to whom you will attend the dance with?” His father asked in a vain hope of engaging his son in conversation.

“Ecthelion I should think, who else?” He asked absently, moving the food upon his plate with his fork.

The stubborn lord took a deep breath, there was no avoiding the argument that was surely to arise. Every Yule all elves that have not yet met their majority would attend the Yule ball. Whilst the elfling’s would sit beside the tree to open their annual gifts. He knew that there was no way that he could stop his son from at least seeing Erestor. He had hoped that romance would of bloomed by now between his son and the young lord of the Fountain, but he had no way to be certain.

“Glorfindel, you know that, I know that he will be there, at the ball. I know there is no way I can stop him from going just as I could not, would not stop you my son…”
“What?” Glorfindel met his fathers gaze with his own confused one, until now he had only been half listening to what it was his father or mother had been saying.

“I know you will see Erestor there but…”
“Erestor? that’s right I will see him there!” And for the first time in months they saw their son smile.

“Glorfindel we stand by the restrictions we have set upon the two of you. But…” His father lowered his fork to his plate and looked to his son in earnest, he had missed his boy so much, he missed hearing Glorfindel call him Ada, he had missed his sons love.

“Glorfindel, I know you do not believe me when I say we do this for your own good but, but I would not have this distance between us. If, if I could at least know that you would not…if you could but find someone else who was suited to you then, then I do not see why you and Erestor could not then be friends again.”

Glorfindel looked at his father with wide eyes, many thoughts raced through his mind, he could have Erestor back, or at lest his friendship. Or if he deceived his father then…but could he do that?

“I will think upon it Ada, may I be excused?”

His father who could not of described the joy he felt at being called Ada again by his son, he found he could only nod and watch as his son left the room. His wife stood and sat upon his lap, wiping away the tear that had fallen unbidden down his cheek.
“He called me Ada.” He whispered.

~*~*~*~*~*~

He had worked hard at convincing his father that his feelings for Erestor had lessened, but he knew that he had not been completely convinced. They were at the ball now, elves buzzed round happily in there celebratory state, yet he was nervous. Never had he been this nervous. It had been many months since he had last seen his love, and he would deceive his father in to thinking his love diminished if he could but speak to Erestor again. Though he did hated the thought of lying to his father, he could not simply forget the love he held for Erestor.

He had come with Ecthelion, he knew that Ecthelion was talking to him but couldn’t help but scan the room for Erestor.

“Glorfindel?” Ecthelion sighed and couldn’t help but smile, “Glorfindel you are being obvious, remember that your father is here and watching you.”
“Aye, aye I know.” He said turning his head back to Ecthelion. “And so far I do not think him much convinced. I must convince him, if I am ever to speak to Erestor again and continue our affair again in secret then I must convince him that there is more than friendship between us.”
“Then I suggest you stop looking for him for one moment and at least look as if you are interested in what I am saying.” Ecthelion said with an amused smile.

The evening passed much the same, Ecthelion had not left Glorfindel’s side and continued to speak to the blond as if he were listening. But Glorfindel continued to scan the room for Erestor.

“Glorfindel this isn’t going to work if you carry on like this.” Ecthelion warned him quietly.

“He will be here any minute I just know it.” He turned to his friend with a serious expression on his face, spying his father over in one of the corners, glancing at him every now and then. “Ecthelion, I need you to do something for me…”

“Of course, what is it?”
“I need you to kiss me.”
“I’m sorry?” He asked after a long pause.
“I need you to kiss me, he’s not convinced Ecthelion. If he thinks we are together and that I have moved passed Erestor then he will let me at least speak to him. Please my friend, do this for me?”
“But… but what of Erestor?”
“He does not have to know.”
“I don’t know Glorfindel, I made a promise to Erestor, if we…”
“Please Ecthelion! He is looking just kiss me!”

Unable to think under such pressure Ecthelion did as he was bid. He kissed Glorfindel. Both frowned into the kiss, neither wanting it. They held each other close, and deepened the kiss so as to prove convincing. When they pulled apart Glorfindel spied his father over Ecthelion’s shoulder and let a small smile play upon his lips at his victory. His father had been smiling at him, and had finally looked away. Glorfindel knew then that he had won, he had convinced his father.

“Glorfindel…”
“It worked! It worked Ecthelion he saw!”
“Glorfindel…” Ecthelion tried again.
“Now I can see him again, I can talk to him I…”
“Glorfindel!” Ecthelion had taken him by the shoulders and turned him to follow his own remorseful gaze, that was directed at one particular heartbroken elf standing alone, looking small and grief-stricken.

“Ai Erestor! No…oh no..”

Erestor stood there, with an impossibly sad look upon his face. A look that conjured a particular memory from Glorfindel’s mind, a memory from a different Yule, many years ago when they had been but elfling‘s. He remembered hearing sobbing, pushing through a crowd and seeing Erestor, so small and vulnerable weeping openly. And then when he had looked up, there had been such a look of betrayal on Erestor’s young face. One that almost rivalled the heartbroken one Erestor had now.

He could see Erestor’s fingers tremble mindlessly, and he watched as a now wilted rose slid from those quivering slender fingers, onto the ground. Just as tears slid down those soft cheeks, to cling to a trembling chin before letting go. He watched in horror as Erestor turned, his eyes still shimmering with tears as he fled the hall, stumbling as he did so.

“No! No Erestor!”

Both Ecthelion and Glorfindel had ran after him, only when they were away from the crowd were they able to catch up to Erestor who had stumbled and fell to his hands and knees. It was Glorfindel who had caught up to him first, falling to his knees next to Erestor to help him up, only to have his hands pushed away violently.

“No! Don’t touch me!” Erestor choked out amidst his sobs, trying his best to move away from Glorfindel, only to be caught by Ecthelion.

“Get off of me!” He took a few heaving breaths before near screaming at Ecthelion. “YOU PROMISED ME! YOU SWORE YOU WOULD NOT TAKE HIM FROM ME!”
“And he has not taken me from you I swear Erestor..”
“No! No more promises!”

Both Ecthelion and Glorfindel grew concerned as Erestor clutched at his chest sobbing hard, “It hurts.” Was all they could make out as Erestor somehow managed to stand whilst still clutching his chest with one hand. He stumbled twice more before again getting to his feet.

“What is going on here?” Asked a concerned voice of an elf who had heard shouting, at a closer look they could tell it was a guard. He took one look at Erestor who was crying and clutching his chest and then to Glorfindel and Ecthelion who looked equally distressed, both with tears sliding down their cheeks. It was obvious that the smaller dark haired elf was trying to get away from the other two, stepping between them he tried to speak to Erestor, to see if the young elf was injured. But as far as he could tell he was not. He could get no legible words from the small elf and so turned to the other two to which he recognised as the heirs to the houses of the Fountain and Golden flower with a disapproving glare.

“I know not what you have done but I suggest you tell me where this young one lives so I may take him home. Then I suggest you both do the same.”

After much probing the guard was finally able to learn the whereabouts of Erestor’s home and hastily left. Leaving Glorfindel who stood silently stunned with tears cascading down his cheeks, and Ecthelion who was wracked with an unbearable amount of guilt likewise.

“What did we do?” Ecthelion whispered.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Again it was raining heavily, much like it had the last time he had stole away late at night from his rooms all those months ago. He could not find rest, not with the memory of Erestor in such pain. He rounded the back of Erestor’s small house, but hearing voices from the front of the house he quietly edged around until he had a prime view of what was happening. He could see Erestor’s parents, they stood huddled close together as if watching something in the distance. It was Erestor’s father who spotted him first, and the glare that was directed at him was enough to make his blood run cold.

“You.” Erestor’s father stepped forwards, his mother not far behind.
“I…I know what you must be thinking of me but, I need to speak to Erestor.”
“He is gone, *my lord*” There was venom in the voice of Erestor’s father as he glared down at Glorfindel.
“G-gone? What do you mean?” Panic coursed through his veins, his head felt light and his heart was in his throat.
“Gone! He has left, and aye before you ask it is because of you, you…”
Erestor’s mother placed an arm upon her husbands arm to clam him, stepping forwards she stood before Glorfindel.

“He has gone to live at the kings court as an apprentice to the kings councillors.”
“But…he, he cant he…” Glorfindel’s voice caught in his throat, he made no attempt to hide the tears that slid down his cheeks as he hiccupped.

“Do not act as if you care!” Glorfindel recoiled as the elder elf bellowed at him, his eyes blazing. Again it was Erestor’s mother who pulled him back but he would have none. “Nay, I do not care who his father may be! The pompous old fool! How dare he think my son is not good enough for his family! As far as I am concerned my young *lord*, you are not worthy of my son and he is far better off without you!”

With that the steaming elder elf turned and went back into their small house, slamming the door behind him. Glorfindel turned to Erestor’s mother who had obviously been weeping. Desperately he tried to explain himself.

“Please my lady I, I must speak with him I must explain, it was not what he thought!”
“Glorfindel, my son has ever loved and relied on you. I think that perhaps this is the best thing for him. He left a box…” She disappeared for a moment to return with a small box.

When handed the box Glorfindel felt his own heart split in two. Inside the box everything for the exception of a silver flute that had been Ecthelion’s belonged to him. From the rumpled up shirt, to the small wooden figure of an elven guard with now chipped paint work that he had given Erestor so very long ago. Ironically on the night of Yule. He bit his lip as he held the small soldier, every kiss, every embrace would be no more. His Erestor, his sweet Erestor was gone. He would not become apart of the guard for some years yet, not until he had passed his majority. He would not see Erestor for years, not until they were both fully grown and when they would both serve their king.

“I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”