A Lonely Love

Author Notes: It's 142 3.A. and twins are around the human equivalent of age 4 or 5

Chapter 8


The fifteen-minute grace period for the dinner hour was almost upon them. Elrond and Celebrian looked at each other in silent wondering to the question of whether or not Erestor would make his appearance for the evening meal.

Glorfindel and Carandhol were already chatting away about various happenings while Glorfindel was away for the last two weeks. Sirlith was at his designated table with the other warriors and their families. He and Carandhol exchanged glances every so often, those of which did not go unnoticed by Glorfindel.

Just as the doors of the dining hall were about to close, a tired looking Erestor slipped silently into the room. No one paid much attention to the quiet counselor’s entrance except a smiling Elrond and Celebrian.

“Look, Dan,” said Elrohir excitedly, “Restor’s here!” Elladan looked to where his brother was pointing and smiled wide and clapped his hands in his excitement.

Glorfindel heard the twin’s commotion and looked over at Erestor as he sat down at his usual spot. Glorfindel’s face could not suppress a frown. To the mighty warrior, Erestor looked so very tired and somewhat thinner than usual, and his eyes! His eyes were so sad. Elrond watched Glorfindel’s reaction and was glad to see that his seneschal noticed Erestor’s changed demeanor. Celebrian squeezed Elrond’s hand in acknowledgment that she was also aware of Glorfindel’s reaction. Carandhol, on the other hand, did not turn towards Erestor an inch.

Erestor looked at Glorfindel smiling slightly. “Welcome back, Lord Glorfindel,” he inclined his head towards the warrior.

“Thank you meldir, it is good to be back home.” He smiled back, though his eyes shown his worry.

Did he just call me meldir? Thought Erestor to himself in surprise.

“Was the peregrination of our border uneventful?” asked Erestor.

“Yes, thank you, and it was so unremarkable that I have the report written already,” Glorfindel smiled.

“That, in itself is remarkable,” teased Erestor back to which Glorfindel heartily laughed.

Carandhol then turned towards Erestor and gave him a disgusted look. “Are you quite finished interrupting me?”

Erestor looked embarrassedly at Glorfindel for a second, his eyes getting that look again, as he lowered his gaze to his meal. A meal he just picked at sparingly.

Glorfindel stared after Carandhol in amazement. “Cara?” he said befuddled, “t’was quite alright.”

Erestor listened but said nothing and did not lift his eyes from his plate.

Carandhol quickly changed the subject. “Coming to the Hall of Fire tonight? We wish to celebrate your safe return.”

“Aye, I will be there, only I was also hoping to have a repeat game of chess with Erestor.”

Erestor looked up and into Glorfindel’s unfaltering gaze.

“Would you grace me with a game counselor?” asked Glorfindel.

“Tonight?” asked Erestor quietly.

“Aye, tonight,” smiled the warrior gently.

Carandhol became quickly annoyed. “Fin, there are more pleasant activities that wouldst await you this night, than playing chess, with him.” He sneered that last word.

“I digress, I feel like a relaxing game of chess.” Glorfindel replied directly into Carandhol’s green eyes.

Unbeknownst to all, Carandhol took hold of Erestor’s thigh under the table and squeezed hard. Erestor immediately looked up and into Carandhol’s piercing gaze. “I, I am sorry, Lord Glorfindel, perhaps another night,” he stammered, “I have much work to still do.”

“Truly, Erestor?” sighed Glorfindel disappointedly, “How about tomorrow?”

“Yes… perhaps,” replied the counselor sadly.

Carandhol let go and patted Erestor’s thigh…

The next day Glorfindel had left his office in search of Elrond.
He had just finished advanced sword practice with his well-worn warriors. Forgetting his report, he headed back to his office to retrieve the document. Upon opening the door, he found Carandhol and Sirlith, both of whom were naked from the waist up, engaged in a very provocative embrace. Sirlith’s one hand was down the front of Carandhol’s leggings as the other was on the back of his neck. Carandhol had his hands on Sirlith’s ass, gripping it and kneading it roughly. Carandhol’s head was thrown back in passion, as his neck was being thoroughly licked. Carandhol’s moans filled the office, ‘Mmnnn, Sirlith, uhn, that feels so good.”

Glorfindel grabbed the report that was on the chair closest to the door as both elves looked over at him in surprise, but did not stop their play. Glorfindel glared at them both and left banging the door.

Sirlith looked at Carandhol. “I think he is rather mad.”

Carandhol smiled and proceeded to bite Sirlith’s neck, “perhaps we should have asked him to join us.” They both laughed and continued what they were doing.

Fuming, Glorfindel walked at a rapid pace towards Elrond’s office.

How could Cara do this to Erestor? Erestor was simply divine, a treasure to behold, and a beautiful and gentle soul. Yes, he knew this was not the first time of Cara doing as such, but this time, he was so blatant and in their office! Actually, it was the first time it had ever bothered Glorfindel so much.

Continuing his heavy tread down the hallway, he rounded the corner near the library and slowed his pace. Erestor had Elladan and Elrohir sitting on the steps of the dais as he stood before them, telling them the story of the Fall of Gondolin. This was one of the days they met with Erestor for studies in elven history.

Glorfindel stopped and leaned against a pillar as he listened to Erestor’s telling of the story. Unfortunately, he was just in time to hear the telling of the end of said tale, a tale he would rather not relive. He stayed transfixed, for Erestor was a master at lore and his love of it could be felt from his voice. His smooth, velvet voice.

“...Tuor, Idril and their son, Earendil, along with a small number of
remaining Gondolians, after using Idril’s secret passage, found themselves
climbing the treacherous mountain pass called Cirith Thoronath, the Eagles’ Cleft.” The twins stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed at their teacher.

Erestor continued his retelling of the story as appropriate for elflings their age. “ They continued up the high peak of the mountain on a narrow path. A wall of rock was on their right hand and a very long drop on their left that fell deep down the mountain. They still were not safe for they were ambushed by Orcs and with them was a Balrog.” The twins held onto each other tightly, feeling afraid of what was to happen next.

“Did, did they get away?” whispered Elrohir with worried eyes.

“Oh, yes, Master Elrohir, escape they did, due to the heroic, valiant and unselfish deeds of a mighty warrior who was much loved by his people.”

“Who was he?” asked Elladan who was still holding Elrohir’s hand tightly.

“He was the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower. He fought the Balrog on that high mountain and slew it, but Glorfindel fell to his death along with that demon beast.”

They twins gasped, “he has a name like our Glorfdall!”

“Aye, he is the very same elf indeed,” replied Erestor quietly.

Two dark haired elflings started to cry at the same time. The cries progressively grew louder.

“Wh-why do you cry?” asked Erestor worriedly.

Glorfindel had his eyes closed during the retelling of this tale. He relived it all, the sounds, sights, smells, all became real once more. He hadn’t realized that tears were streaming down his fair face. The sounds of the twins crying brought him out of his reverie as he ran to their aid, just as he would have all those years ago.

Wiping his eyes he came to stand next to a very nervous advisor. “Tis all right little ones, I am here and very much alive,” he smiled brightly at them as he looked quickly at Erestor.

They immediately ran up to Glorfindel and hugged his neck tightly. Elrohir smoothed Glorfindel’s hair off his face. “But, you died?” whispered Elladan as he kissed the warrior’s cheek.

“Aye, but I was allowed to return to serve your father and you two.” He ruffled each little head fondly.

“Why?” they asked together.

Glorfindel looked to Erestor for help in this matter for he was getting all choked up again.

“Lord Glorfindel did such a good and brave thing in saving your grandfather and great-grandparents, that Namo let him return as a reward and to guard over your family once more.” This time Erestor was teary eyed.

“We are happy you are ‘turned to us,” they smiled.

“As am I,” sniffed Elrond who had come to his sons’ aid as well.

Elladan and Elrohir ran to their father and each hugged a leg as he started to walk with them hanging on and giggling as he did so.

“Glorfindel, I did not know you were here or else I would not have continued the tale.” Erestor said regrettably into those brilliant blue eyes.

“Nay, Erestor, you told it beautifully, and I thank you for it,” replied Glorfindel truthfully as Erestor blushed profusely.

“I was going to go for a ride to the Bruinen, w-would you care to accompany me?” stuttered Glorfindel nervously!

“Yes, I would like that,” answered Erestor for once feeling like this was a good thing to do.

“Fine, I will meet you in the front courtyard with a readied mount. You do ride, don’t you?” teased Glorfindel.

“Aye, Glorfindel, I read how to in a book, I believe," Erestor teased back easily to which Glorfindel laughed heartily.

TBC….

Erestor’s tale was taken loosely from The Silmarillion, pp. 291-292.