Námo Takes a Holiday

Title: Námo Takes a Holiday
Author: Elvensong
Pairing: Erestor/ Námo
Rating: NC-17
Summary: After an endless time caring for the fëa of the dead, the Vala of Death decides Imladris would be a nice place to relax, but even the most powerful are not above fate and soon Námo finds love changing everything he once knew.
A/N: This is loosely based upon the screenplay “Death Takes a Holiday”. It will be a short piece and probably not much more than three chapters. Because I wanted something shorter, there will be practically no setting up of the plot and this will dive right into it. Please review and let me know what you think.


Námo Takes a Holiday

Chapter One


For an elf like Glorfindel, Imladris was a final well-deserved reward after a lifetime of torment. So much war and strife had followed him through his past life that the small skirmishes seen on these fair borders were hardly enough even to get the blood pumping. All he had to do was think of that Balrog on the mountainside to know how very blessed he was.

With a kind Lord in Elrond and a dear friend in Erestor, Glorfindel felt peace around him like a soft blanket. If only he knew that peace was about to be shattered he would have probably retreated to what would become a less hectic place such as Mirkwood or Mount Doom.

It was on a sunny fair afternoon that he was relaxing alone in the east gardens when a figure began moving towards him from afar. At first, he did not look up from the book he was reading as there were many elves in these gardens at all times of the day. This was more then likely another person in search of a respite.

This figure did not pause, though, did not veer from its direction straight for the yellow-haired elf. Glorfindel was just getting to the good part of his book when a voice broke the silence, a voice that chilled him to the bone.

“Glorfindel.”

He looked up at the sound of his name and suddenly felt as if he had been punched in the chest. Jumping back quickly, he fell over the stone bench and landed squarely on his back.

“Not the kind of reception I was expecting, Captain of the House of the Golden Flower.”

His eyes must be deceiving him; he must have fallen asleep while reading!

‘Wake up, Glorfindel!’ he thought to himself, yet the elf remained right where he was.

“No, you are not dreaming, it is I” The elf was taller than most elves and lean with long black hair that almost shined blue. His eyes, which were locked right on his, were so very dark they seemed fathomless. The elf wore long robes of silver, which seemed to shine as if made of liquid metal giving him an even more unusual look. There could be no mistaking who this was to one such as Glorfindel, who’d been his guest in the Halls before, but to any other elf who hadn’t been dead before, this was just a unique stranger.

“My Lord Námo!” He gulped. The Vala gave him a small smile and nodded. “Why are you here, My Lord? Why are you in the form of an elf and not your true self!”

“Ah, Glorfindel, my goal would not have been achieved had I not taken this form.” Came the lyrical reply. The Vala of Death’s voice was almost as a song even though he was simply talking. In his true form, he voice was all-powerful and could bring even the steadiest warrior to his knees.

“Your goal, My Lord?” Glorfindel questioned.

Námo stepped around the bench and went down on his knees to be close to Glorfindel, who was still lying on his back from his earlier fall. “Yes. I have come here seeking a break from my toils and am on vacation.”

Shock came over Glorfindel’s face, “Vacation?”

“Vacation, holiday, whatever you’d like to call it, aye.”

“Why here?”

Námo smirked, “Because if I had just appeared somewhere with no one knowing who I am, it would have seemed odd. You can vouch for me, Glorfindel. Tell Elrond and his people you know me and so I will not arouse any suspicion.”

The words hung heavy in the air. “I am supposed to tell people what?”

The dark elf sat down on the bench and motioned for Glorfindel to join him. “Tell people whatever you wish. I like you and trust you will think of something.”

Before Glorfindel could even comprehend all that had happened in the last few moment, they were making their way up to Elrond’s offices. The warrior found himself knocking on the great wooden door and hearing his Lord and friend call out, “Come in!”

The pair walked in and the stranger accompanying his seneschal startled Elrond.

“Glorfindel, you did not tell me you were having a guest.”

“I…yes…he arrived this morning, Elrond.”

The twins were there with their father and they eyed this newcomer with suspicion.

Elrohir came forward, “Are you not going to introduce him, Glorfindel?”

“Of course!” Glorfindel replied, “This is…this is…” he stared at the secret Vala for some prompting but only got a raised eyebrow. “Ániero.”

“Finally!” Elladan said, “We were afraid that you had forgotten your own friend’s name.” The twins laughed and Glorfindel half-heartingly joined in.

Coming from around his desk, Elrond smiled, “And how long will you be staying with us, Ániero?”

“Well,” Glorfindel started.

“For a few days, if you do not mind, Lord Elrond.” Námo replied for the tongue-tied Balrog slayer.

Elrond nodded, “Very well. See to some chambers for our guest, my sons.” He extended his hand, “You are welcome in my lands.”

With uncertain moments, Námo took Elrond by the arm and grasped it firmly.

The four departed and after the twins had shown the dark elf to his rooms, they departed leaving Glorfindel once more alone with his ‘friend’.

“I am not comfortable with this.” Glorfindel began, “Lying to my friends is not right. How is it they cannot know who you are?”

“It does not work that way, young one, besides then everyone would become afraid and ruin my vacation.” Námo said, looking through the closet.

Glorfindel eyed him close, “I meant to ask, my Lord, why silver robes?”

“I’m always portrayed in black. I thought a nice silver would be a good change for once.” The Vala replied. “Now we shall go to dinner?”

“Aye.”

“Then I should like to do some riding, followed by star gazing, so rarely do I see them from this angle. Perhaps some music then in the main hall.”

The warrior couldn’t help but snicker, “Do you have everything planned, my Lord?”

“Of course.” Came the direct reply, “I may be on vacation, but I am still who I am. Nothing could surprise me, young Glorfindel.”

Dinner was an interesting affair. Not knowing what he liked, the Vala took a bit of everything and quickly found his favorites. Apples especially were enjoyed along with the warm breads. Everything was how he had expected and his plans for the rest of his stay were all completely calculated in his mind. At the moment, his attention was focused on a dessert when Elrond called out.

“Erestor! Good to see you have emerged from your work.”

Námo glanced up almost without interest until his eyes met with the new arrival. His breath caught and for the first time that he could ever recall, he was surprised and swept off his feet. Never before had feelings such as these washed over him and he fell victim to love at first sight.

Little did he know that his wife, Vairë, had weaved this into her tapestry so her husband could know true surprise and have a bit more fun on his retreat. For the Valar, marriage was important, but not as strict as for mortals. After all, the marriages of the Valar were for all eternity and some distraction and new life was welcome into their long lives.

The powerful being at Elrond’s table studied Erestor and with eye contact alone, read Erestor’s story as clearly as if it were an open book.

He was the son of a jeweler and his mother was a housecleaner. They had bonded young, too young in the viewpoint of the elves. She became pregnant early and though they were happy, secretly the child was only used to get attention and for the experience of having something to call their own. When Erestor came, however, quickly their mood shifted and they found themselves with the responsibility of a new life, day and night, whether they liked it or not.

The child was quiet, mostly because he was rarely spoken to. He took to working in his lessons and found comfort and companionship in the world of books and reading. His father, however, had a different goal in mind for his child.

Erestor’s sire was a jeweler after a war injury had made it impossible for him to be able to fight again. His noble son, of course, should follow in his footsteps and so he took to training the boy in the evenings and sometimes even late into the night. The following day when Erestor would show up tired to lessons they thought him disinterested and lazy.

Fighting eventually became second nature and he began to take to it more and more. Just in time for him to be able to show his skills to the other warriors, the Battle of the Last Alliance was beginning and before he could come to majority his parents had signed him up, saying to a captain that did not know them that he was old enough to fight even though he was still many years too young.

The war took its toll on Erestor and, as he had back home, he found himself mainly alone in the battlefield. The others could sense that he was a quiet elf, a shy elf, and left him be. After a couple years of battle, his battalion was captured and made to be slaves and torture victims often amusing the orc guards by enduring great physical pain for days on end. By the time they were found by a cavalry unit from Mirkwood most were dead. Erestor was brought back but was forever changed. He was bitter and his gentle nature was broken and beaten out of him completely.

Hard work had earned him his respected position in the house of Elrond, but his past would never escape his thoughts. Feeling unworthy, he always worked harder than anyone else to prove his deserving of his post.

Námo could feel Erestor’s uncertainty and pain and it haunted him. He could remember that camp, he remembered coming and taking away members of Erestor’s battalion that could not survive the torture. Indeed, he was close to taking Erestor himself, but it was not yet his time.

At this moment, he could not tear his gaze from the dark elf. Like himself, Erestor had hair dark as night and deep eyes. Unlike Námo, Erestor wore black robes enhancing his feel of darkness. For the first time since the beginning of creation, a Vala had no control over the situation, over his very heart.

“Erestor, allow me to introduce a friend from another land,” Glorfindel said, “Ániero.”

The advisor made contact with this new arrival and his first thoughts were of his beauty. Erestor had lived many years without a lover, or even someone to find comfort with. His bitterness and loathing from his earlier tragedy kept all at arms length.

“My pleasure.” Erestor said to Ániero in a clear, authoritative tone.

The meal went on as usual. Námo was asked series of questions about his originals and travels and used his extreme experience and knowledge to answer every one with grace and poise.

After the meal was done and the Vala was back in his chambers, he found himself unable to find rest. From his balcony he watched the moon’s progression in the sky and was disturbed by a motion below. It was Erestor!

His feet seemed to move of their own accord as Námo found himself in those gardens coming before his new infatuation.

“Good evening, Lord Councilor, I hope I am not interrupting anything.” Námo said with hopes of being accepted.

Erestor turned towards the new arrival, “Ániero, not at all. I welcome your company.” It had been a long time since he had welcomed any company, but the presence of this dark elf in silver was comforting. Almost as if it was something he had missed all this time.

Together, they walked throughout the gardens and found that speech was not necessary. Each other’s closeness was enough without words filling up space.

Erestor stared at the Vala in the eye, looking deeply, something few could do without looking away.

Reading something in those fathomless eyes, Erestor suddenly felt the need to give some excuse for his solitary life, “Most do not approach me and I am deserving of such treatment.”

Námo came up to Erestor and took him by the shoulders, “You are deserving of nothing but praise,” he said, “nothing but love.” To the Valar, there is no need for small talk, no need to hide one’s true feelings. Being an elf, Erestor was taken aback by his companion’s honesty.

There were few more words exchanged. The silence of their companionship was all either of them needed.

After they said goodnight he returned to his chambers and found himself excited for their next meeting. Time was short and he knew if he wanted to be with Erestor, if only once, he would have to move quickly and win the dark elf’s heart.


TBC