Frozen in Time (A Collection of Drabbles)

Last Chance

“’Tis unsafe, mellonen. You must flee...”

Storm-grey eyes blazed with sudden fire. “Have you taken leave of what little sense the Valar granted you on rebirth? Celebrían has sailed for Valinor, her spirit broken beyond repair. My daughter has sworn herself to a yet-uncrowned king, and thus mortality. My sons ride with the Dúnedain, into a battle from which none shall likely return. “

Glorfindel opened his mouth to speak, only to be summarily silenced by his Lord’s final volley.

“I will be...be...damned to eternity in Námo’s care before I take to the havens, leaving my lover to die in my stead, for the sake of this realm. I will not lose you, too. Now will you aid me with my armor, or shall I call for a steward?”

A moment of fraught silence passed before the Seneschal spoke, his voice soft, quivering with some unnamed emotion. “Your lover? You name me such? Not gwador...not shield-brother...but lover?”

Elrond met the wary sapphire gaze, struggling to speak around the sudden lump in his throat. “Aye, melethron nín. And I thank Elbereth that you have granted me time to realize it.”

Glorfindel smiled, dipping his head to press a tenderly possessive kiss to the dark elf’s lips. “I would give you eternity, melethen.”

Pulling away, he began expertly buckling and adjusting Elrond’s scuffed leather armor. “But first we must earn it.”

The End