The Fell Winter

Title: The Fell Winter (7/?)
Author: Aglarien
Type: FPS
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel
Rating: NC-17 eventually.
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.
Warning: AU. Complete disregard for canon, JRRT’s timelines (although the years of The Fell Winter are accurate), and the fact that only the peredhil of Elrond’s lineage got to choose between human and elf. Lots of fluff.
Timeline: The Fell Winter, T.A. 2911-2912
Beta: Patricia/Slayer9649. Thank you Gwathel.
Summary: Middle-earth is in the middle of the harshest winter ever known, and Erestor is suffering from the cold. A small child and a golden warrior warm his heart.


Chapter 7

When they had finished their breakfast, Erestor and Glorfindel tucked the still sleepy elflings back into bed with their new doll and stuffed bear, smiling as the children almost immediately fell asleep again.

“Now you, Erestor,” Glorfindel whispered. “Back into bed with you. Do you want to change back into your sleeping robe first? You might be more comfortable since you will the spending the next few days resting.”

“But I feel fine, Glorfindel. I am much warmer, thanks to the wonderful fires you have kept going. I thought I might take a look at some of my paperwork and…..”

The councilor’s words were cut off with a hand over his mouth and a firm whisper in his ear. “Do I have to do as Elrond suggested and tie you to the bed? You heard what he said, and may I remind you that you agreed to it? Get back into bed and let me tuck you in, or I shall put you there. Please.”

Erestor pushed Glorfindel’s hand away from his mouth, and with each word that Glorfindel uttered his eyebrows rose higher until he was glaring at the warrior.

“And do not bother to glare at me, my friend, for it will have no effect on me.” Glorfindel smiled sweetly. “Would you not prefer to be tucked into bed next to those two adorable little elfings, napping the morning away, all snuggly and warm? And if you are a good elf and go to bed without any fuss, I will even nap beside you and keep you warm.”

Erestor quietly huffed. Truth be told, the bed was awfully inviting. Glorfindel had seen to his rooms being warmed, served him dinner in bed, and had even held him earlier, then carried him to bed and snuggled behind him to keep him warm. Having someone to care about him, to care *for* him, had felt good – better than he could remember anything feeling in many years. Peering up through long eyelashes at the warrior, he said shyly, “You really do not mind? I feel a little guilty taking up your time. There must be things you could better spend your time on and….” The hand reappeared over his mouth again, and he mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like, “and you need to stop doing that,” behind the hand.

Glorfindel smiled sweetly. “But it is very effective at making you stop when you talk nonsense, Erestor.”

“Nonsense? I never talk nonsense!” Erestor said in a little louder whisper. “It is very rude to put your hand over my mouth, so you will simply have to find another way to tell me you do not like what I am saying and…oh!” Erestor’s heart sped as he found his words stifled by a pair of soft lips covering his in a nearly chaste kiss. His legs turned to jelly, and had it not been for the strong arms that encircled his waist, he thought he would simply have melted down onto the floor.

Glorfindel thought Erestor had never looked lovelier. The darkling elf’s righteous indignation added needed color to his cheeks and made his eyes sparkle brightly, so when the councilor said that Glorfindel would have to find another way to silence him, the warrior simply could not resist the temptation. Pulling Erestor close, Glorfindel kissed him tenderly. Discovering that the lithe elf’s lips were as sweet as he had dreamed they would be, he would have loved to have kept right on kissing Erestor – if he hadn’t been afraid of moving too fast. Reluctantly, he slowly released Erestor’s lips, drew his arms away from the slender waist, and smiled down at the shorter elf.

Almost before Erestor could fathom what was happening, the soft lips drew back, leaving him dazed. Realizing that warmth had suddenly infused his entire cold body, he raised his fingers to touch his lips and looked up at Glorfindel with wide eyes. “Why?” he whispered.

“You told me to find another way to tell you,” Glorfindel said quietly. Taking one of Erestor’s hands and softly kissing the fingers, he added, “And because you are so beautiful that I could not resist you.” Releasing Erestor’s hand, he went to the wardrobe and pulled out a sleeping robe. Handing it to Erestor, he said, “Come, change into your sleeping robe now and let me tuck you into bed.”

Erestor reached out for his sleeping robe in shocked silence, and taking it from Glorfindel, slowly walked towards the bathroom. Turning at the door, he gazed at Glorfindel in wonder before closing the door behind him.

Glorfindel stood for a moment, simply grinning. Thrilled with the outcome of his kiss, he softly hummed a merry little tune before clamping his hand over his mouth and checking to make sure the elflings were undisturbed. Rocking on his heels in excitement, he waited impatiently for Erestor to return.

After long moments the door to the bathroom finally opened. Erestor silently walked to his bed, lifted the bedcovers, and crawled in. Giving Glorfindel one last glance, he wrapped his arms around the elflings and held his breath. He didn’t have long to wait before he felt the bed dip and a warm body curled up behind him. As Glorfindel’s arm wrapped around him, he once again felt warmth spread and conquer his coldness, and he released a soft sigh. A small smile played on his lips as he drifted off into reverie.

Once he was sure that Erestor was soundly sleeping, Glorfindel crept from the bed and tiptoed out of the room, then made a mad dash for Elrond’s office. Bursting into the room, he bounced up to Elrond’s desk and whispered, “I kissed him,” then stood with the grin that would not go away on his face.

Elrond raised an eyebrow in shock, and said, “You what? You kissed him? Valar! What did he do?”

Plopping down on the edge of the desk, Glorfindel described in detail everything that had happened. By the time he had finished, Elrond’s grin matched his own. “What should I do now, Elrond?” Glorfindel asked when his tale was complete.

Elrond chuckled and shook his head. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Erestor will need to think through his own feelings and what they mean. Tonight when you retire, I suggest a good night kiss, but nothing too suggestive. Make him want for more from you before you grant it. Show him he is loved and cherished, but do not tell him until you sense that he is yearning to hear it. You have just started to awaken the need to be loved that resides in all of us. Give him time to realize what he is missing and crave it, and time to understand that someone can desire and love him.”

Glorfindel nodded happily. “I can do that.”

“Good. Now get back to him before he wakes up without you,” Elrond said, shooing Glorfindel off of his desk.

~~~~*~~~~
Glorfindel snuggled against the sleeping Erestor, gently wrapping the elf in his arms and sharing his warmth. Content to watch over the others as they slept, he lay awake, his hands softly stroking dark little heads when nightmares threatened and breath grew uneven, lulling the elflings back into a deep sleep.

It was nearing midday when Glorfindel heard a soft knock on the door. Rising carefully, he crept out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him, and hurried through the sitting room to open the outer door.

“It is time for luncheon,” Lindir said as the door opened. After instructing the servants to leave the trays with the meal on the table in the sitting room, Lindir dismissed them, then set the large covered basket he held on the floor. “I have them,” he grinned at Glorfindel. “Come and see.”

The elves knelt on the floor and Glorfindel carefully opened the basket. His eyes sparkled as he lifted the kittens out, one in each hand. Then he chuckled. “Greetings, you little fur balls! Oh, they are beautiful, Lindir.” Setting the kittens on his lap, he petted them both with one hand. “What are their names?”

“The black one is Dulinn, and the golden one is Glivalen. They are both males. There are dishes for their food and water in the basket, as well as their little toys filled with mint that they love to play with, and you can use the basket for them to sleep in.”

“Thank you, Lindir,” Glorfindel said with a smile. “The children are going to love them. Perhaps, since our meal is here, it is time to introduce the fuzz balls to the elflings.”

“Only if I can stay and watch,” Lindir grinned.

Together, the two elves quietly entered the bedroom. Glorfindel placed the kittens on the end of the bed, and he and Lindir watched as they meandered over the bed sniffing and touching. Dulinn cautiously explored Erestor, jumping back as he reached the elf’s face, then carefully inching forward again, his little nose twitching. The kitten’s whiskers brushed Erestor’s nose, and the elf batted the annoyance away without waking. Dulinn sat back and watched for a moment, then inched forward again, this time placing its nose on Erestor’s. Once again, Erestor swatted at the annoyance and the kitten jumped back.

Glivalen was exploring the side of the bed where the elflings slept, and was demonstrating his bravery. His nose and whiskers buried themselves in Melveldir’s hair, and then the kitten sneezed.

Glorfindel covered his mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Glivalen started washing the elfling’s face, and he whispered to Lindir, “Must be time for Vel to have a bath.”

Lindir’s shoulders shook with silent laughter and he pointed at Dulinn and Erestor. The kitten was trying to burrow down under the blankets covering the elf.

Melveldir’s hand brushed Glivalen away, landing the kitten on his bottom. Glivalen promptly sneezed again, then climbed over Vel to play with Riniel’s hair.

Erestor gave a start as he woke, and then he saw the kitten and whispered, “Well, hello there, little one.” Grabbing the kitten, he sat up and rubbed the soft black fur against his face before noticing Lindir and Glorfindel. His eyes sparkled and a soft smile graced his face. Following Glorfindel’s pointed finger, he looked down to see a golden kitten pouncing on Riniel’s hair, and chuckled. “Wake up, little Rin. There is someone here who wants to meet you,” he said.

Erestor’s voice, combined with a pulling on her hair, woke the elfling. Rubbing her fist in an eye and yawning, she jerked her head back as her hair was pulled again and saw the reason. “A kitten!” she squealed. “Oh, Erestor, look! It is a gold kitten!” Taking Glivalen in her little hands, she hugged it to her chest.

“That is Glivalen, little one, and Erestor is holding Dulinn,” Glorfindel said.

“Vel! Vel! Wake up, brother! Look! There are kittens!” Riniel pushed her brother with her feet to wake him. Melveldir rolled over to look at his sister better, and grinned when he saw the kitten.

Erestor reluctantly held out Dulinn for Vel. He had enjoyed stroking the soft kitten, but the elfling needed him more. “Here is Dulinn for you, little one.”

Melveldir sat up and took the black kitten, holding him close and burying his face in the black fur. “He is so soft.”

“You must make sure and care for them well, little ones. They are your responsibility now,” Lindir said.

“This is Lindir,” Glorfindel said to the elflings. “It is he who found the doll and bear for you, and got the kittens for you. He is Lord Elrond’s seneschal, and is in charge of the house.”

“Thank you, Master Lindir. You are very kind,” Melveldir said quietly, bowing his head as his ada had taught him. “Riniel and I will be good and not cause you more work, I promise you.”

“Thank you, Master Lindir,” Riniel echoed. “Thank you for my doll and my kitten. I promise I will be good too.” The elfling bowed her head at the seneschal.

“I am sure you will be very good, little ones,” Lindir chuckled. Erestor and Glorfindel were beaming at the elflings. “And you may call me just Lindir. Would you like me to stay and help you, Glorfindel?”

“I will help,” Erestor, Riniel and Melveldir all answered together.

“Riniel may help us,” Glorfindel said. “Erestor and Melveldir, you will get comfortable in bed and prepare to be served, because you are not getting up.”

“Will you hold Glivalen for me please, Erestor?” Riniel asked, handing her kitten to him. “I have to go and wash my hands and then help Glorfindel.” Scooting down to the end of the bed, she ran to the bathroom to wash.

Lindir smiled as he placed pillows behind Erestor and Melveldir so they could sit comfortably. The elflings really were adorable. It was no wonder that Erestor and Glorfindel had fallen in love with them. He went to the bathroom to help Riniel wash and brush her long hair. When that was done, he filled a basin with warm water and added a little soap. “Here, little one, you carry the towels and washcloths and I will carry the basin of water, and we will help Erestor and your brother wash before they eat, too.” He handed Riniel the linens and they returned to the bedroom. Placing the basin on the table by the bed, he put the kittens on the floor and helped the recovering elves wash and dry their hands and faces.

“That feels wonderful, Lindir. Thank you,” Erestor sighed contentedly. “I did not think I would be hungry so soon, but all of a sudden I am starving. It smells delicious. Are you hungry, Vel?”

The elfling nodded. “I am starving too. What smells so good, Master Lindir?”

“There is a nice, hot stew,” Lindir said, “with lots of vegetables. Fresh baked bread, fruit, and if you eat all of your stew, a lovely fruit pastry. Does that sound good to you?”

“Oh, yes,” Melveldir said.

“Are there any special foods that you and Riniel like?” Lindir asked, sitting by the elfling. “What do you like to eat?”

“We eat a lot of stews and soups, and Nana always made fresh bread every day. And we had fruit and vegetables from our farm and fish from the river. Sometimes Ada would go hunting and bring home meat from the animals he hunted,” Melveldir answered.

“And Nana would make biscuits and cakes too,” Riniel said sadly. “I will miss Nana’s cakes.”

“Me too, Rin,” Vel said. “They were the best.”

“Did your Nana teach you how to make them, Rin?” Lindir asked.

The little elfling nodded. “I used to help her.”

“Then you will be able to make them for your brother and Erestor and Glorfindel. Would you like to do that?” Lindir asked.

“Can I do that, Erestor? May I really?” Riniel looked up at her favorite older elf.

Erestor nodded. “Maybe tomorrow Lindir can take you to the kitchens and the have one of the cooks help you. Could you do that, Lindir?”

Lindir nodded, smiling. “Tomorrow after breakfast we will go to the kitchens so you can make them.”

Riniel threw herself at the seneschal and hugged him as much as her little arms would allow. “Oh, thank you, Master Lindir.”

“You are welcome, little one,” Lindir whispered, stroking her soft hair and returning the hug.

Melveldir wiped a tear from his eye and whispered, “Everyone here is so nice.” Before he could say anything else, Erestor had pulled him onto his lap and was hugging him, and he sighed happily. “I like it here, Erestor. And I like you and Glorfindel and Lord Elrond and Master Lindir too.”

“We like you too, sweetling,” Erestor whispered. “And I love you and Riniel very much, and so does Glorfindel.”

“Aiya, you two little beggars,” Glorfindel’s voice sounded from the outer room. “If you do not move, you are going to get stepped on. Lindir!”

“You had better run and save the kittens,” Erestor said, grinning at Riniel and Lindir.

Riniel was off of the bed in a flash. “Do not step on them, Glorfindel! I am coming!”

~~~~*~~~~
Over lunch they talked about Riniel going to the kitchens tomorrow to make cakes, Melveldir’s flute playing, and even found out that the elflings were used to sleeping in their own room, each in their own bed. Lindir began thinking of larger quarters for Erestor and the elflings, and told Melveldir he would bring him a flute. The kittens made general pests of themselves, to everyone’s delight, and even Glorfindel fed them bits of meat.

After the meal, Lindir left with the trays, and two sated kittens were curled in a ball on the end of the bed.

Glorfindel sighed happily, holding Riniel in his lap and watching Melveldir as Erestor held him and stroked his hair. He suddenly realized that it had been several days since Melveldir had had a real bath, and his hair was looking dull. Riniel’s wasn’t in much better shape, or Erestor’s for that matter. “Who would like a bath?” he asked.

“Oh, please, can I, Glorfindel?” Melveldir asked longingly. “It would make me feel so much better.”

“Of course you can, Vel,” Glorfindel said. “You can have a nice bath and I will wash your hair, then you can put on a fresh sleeping robe.”

“May I have a bath too please, Glorfindel? Vel and I always take our baths together.”

“Indeed you can, little one. And I have some new clothes for you afterwards.”

“That sounds lovely,” Erestor said. “After you have your baths, I will take one too.”

“Would you like me to wash your hair too, Erestor,” Glorfindel said, smiling.

Erestor blushed a pretty shade of pink. “No, thank you, Glorfindel. I think I can manage it by myself.”

Tbc….