Orophin's Odyssey

Title: Orophin’s Odyssey
Author: Lady Mirfain (ladymirfain@gmail.com)
Beta: Chaotic Binky
Rating: R
Pairings: Orophin/OMC, Orophin/Erestor, Rúmil/Glorfindel, Haldir/Legolas
Disclaimer: Not mine. Wish they were.
Warnings: Non-con
Author’s Notes: Written for Samtyr for LOTR SeSa 2010. The following is her request:
Requesting:
Fic, fanart or either?: Either
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Elves or Men (from Silm to LotR)
Scenario/Prompt: Go for it. :) (Seriously, I am all about following one's muse.)
Squicks/Dislikes: Some darkness but nothing too extreme; no crossovers
with other fandoms
This was a lot of fun to write. It hit me and I sat and wrote it in one sitting. I hope you enjoy it.

Summary: Orophin’s journey to understanding his heart.


Orophin’s Odyssey

Orophin moaned and clutched his chest, where the dull throbbing pain felt as if it would rip him asunder. How had he allowed this to happen to himself? All he had wanted was to be happy with a mate as his brothers were. Now, he knew it would never happen. He was used, useless and wanting. There was something lacking in him that he would never find. With a sob, he fell upon his bedroll, in the cave behind the waterfall, the knowledge that no one would find him unless he wanted to be found a small comfort to his wild and pained heart.

~~~

Orophin looked around him wide-eyed as his party entered the courtyard of the Last Homely House. Never before had he left the Golden Woods. This land was so different from his home, yet no less beautiful. The glorious waterfalls, glinting like sheets of diamond as they roared over the mountain cliffs above, filled him with awe. Lord Elrond had certainly built a stunning abode for elven-kind in the valley. Already, his eyes were taking in the defenses that were in place. He had smiled to himself as they entered the pass that would allow passage to none but those welcome to enter the realm. His sharp eyes had picked out the Imladrian guards long before Legolas had spotted them. Of course, the fact that Legolas was most likely more interested in Haldir than in looking for the guards of the realm was a given. His brother and Legolas had only been bonded for a year and their love was almost sickening to look at sometimes He and Rúmil had both begged their Lord and Lady for a new talan so they could get away from the pair of lovebirds.

Hearing a sharp intake of breath, Orophin glanced at Rúmil, then followed his gaze, chuckling at the slack-jawed stare his brother was directing towards the golden vision who approached them. “Close your jaw, ‘Mil, before a bird nests there. It is not polite to stare,” he teased his younger brother before extending the warrior’s greeting to the elf that approached them. “I am Orophin, and this is my younger brother, Rúmil, my lord. Might you be the famed Glorfindel, General of the Imladrian forces?” Orophin placed his hand over his heart in Elven greeting then elbowed his brother, who was still staring, to do the same.

“I have heard of you, Orophin. Haldir speaks highly of your skills as a tracker and spy. I hope to pit my own skills against yours at going unseen through the woods of my homeland. And Rúmil, your skills with the staff are unequalled, if your oldest brother is to be believed. It is these skills that have brought you both here; the young masters of Imladris must have the best instructors available. But come, I will have young Melpomaen show you to your quarters and then, after you have refreshed yourselves from your travels, we will meet and speak more.” Glorfindel clasped each brother in turn on the shoulder, and if his hand lingered a bit longer on the shoulder of Rúmil and if his gaze lingered a bit longer on his brilliant green gaze, Orophin was none the wiser. For if the youngest son of Celeborn and Galadriel was smitten with Glorfindel, the opposite was also true, and Glorfindel knew that he had finally met his soul mate after all the many millennia of his long life.

“Melpomaen!” boomed a loud voice from inside the house, causing the three elves to start. Glorfindel sighed then smiled, leading the newly arrived party inside and halting before his best friend, the glorious Master Erestor, whose face was marked by a deep scowl, fury rolling off him in waves.

“What, pray tell, is the matter, dear friend?” Glorfindel inquired then, as an afterthought, remembered his manners. , “This is the party who will tutor our young rascals. You know Haldir and Legolas already. These two are Orophin and Rúmil, Haldir’s brothers whom he has spoken of often. Is your protégée still able to show these fine elves to their rooms?”

Erestor’s piercing amber gaze turned to survey the newcomers, taking in every minute detail of each elf before him in the blink of an eye. If one had asked him later to describe what each elf looked like, he could have described the party as a whole, down to the mud stains and signs of wear on their boots, long had he learned to memorize details in an instant glance. “Well met, my friends. It appears that my young scoundrel has departed to help the twins in their mischief, leaving me to handle his duties once again.” Erestor’s voice sounded like notes of music floating on the breeze, yet had an underlying edge of pure steel like the strongest and finest elven blade. So saying, he turned on his heels and led the way towards the residential wing, his bearing regal, black hair glinting with blue highlights in the shimmering glow of the many candles and braziers that lined the halls.

Each member of their party was shown their rooms. First, Haldir and Legolas were shown their suite. The lovebirds swiftly entered, the snick of the key turning causing all to chuckle. Next, it was Rúmil’s chambers, a short way down the corridor. Here, Glorfindel paused then sighed. “I will catch up with you at the evening meal. I must see to my men in the meantime.” With a smart bow and a click of his heels, he turned and was soon gone from sight, leaving Orophin and Erestor alone in the passage.

“Is he always so perfect?” Orophin could not keep from asking as he turned an inquisitive a gaze upon Elrond’s right hand man.

Erestor groaned. “Please tell me that you are not smitten with him. That rascal steals all the hearts that come to our land.” He studied the younger elf, liking the pale golden locks and the sparkling green eyes that were taking in all their surroundings. He would place money on Orophin being able to draw a detailed picture of the corridor from just one glance, much as he himself would be able to do. With a sigh, Erestor started for Orophin’s rooms. “Glorfindel is an enigma to most who meet him. He has lived two lifetimes yet none has touched his heart.” At this Erestor paused, the small memory of a few moments ago making him smirk. “Well, none until young Rúmil arrived that is. Pray tell, is your brother unattached?”

Orophin looked at Erestor in shock. “Rúmil?” he asked stupidly, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “What does he have to do with Glorfindel?”

Erestor chuckled, “I see your powers of observation do not extend to your own family. However, I will say nothing more on the matter. Come, your rooms are this way.”

Erestor led Orophin to a set of rooms that were down a different corridor from his brothers’ rooms. He turned to Erestor, eyebrow raised, questioning him silently. Erestor grinned and answered the unspoken question. “I was originally going to put you next to Rúmil, but seeing his new interest, I figured that you would prefer to be away from your brothers instead of where you would have to hear them.” With these words, he opened the door to a large suite and led the way inside. “If you should find anything lacking or anything you may require, the bell pull is there and the maids will be glad to fulfill your needs. If you would need anything of me, my rooms are directly across the hall. I will see you at the evening meal. Ask anyone for directions.” Saying this, and before Orophin could make a sound, Erestor left the chambers, closing the door behind him. Three steps took him across the hall and into his own rooms, where he rested his back on the door he had closed behind him, silently cursing himself.

“Could you be any more obvious, you old goat?” Erestor said testily into the empty room. “As if a young, virile elf would want anything to do with a dried up crone as yourself.” Erestor walked over to the long, decorative mirror that hung so as to catch the rays of sun shining through the windows and looked himself over critically. What he saw was boring black hair that made his face look washed out. He saw a pasty complexion that came from too much time indoors. He saw the slight build of a scholar who would never appeal to a warrior such as Orophin. Calling himself all kinds of a fool for even entertaining the thought, Erestor straightened his already perfect hair and left his chambers to once again resume his duties.

~~~

Several years went by. Orophin fell into his duties with relish. He did not see much of his brothers outside of their work with the twins, which was fine with him. Glorfindel and Rúmil had become betrothed soon after they had arrived and a year later had bonded. This made him feel an outsider in his own family, in a way, but he tried not to let it affect him.

At the evening meal one night, sitting with the warriors, a gregarious young elf introduced himself. “I am Dinnedal, one of the new recruits. Who are you?”

Orophin turned to face the brunette and smiled. “Orophin of the Golden
Woods is my name. I am one of the tutors of the young masters.”

With this introduction, a friendship was born which quickly turned into something more, or at least it did on Orophin’s side. Erestor could do nothing but watch and hide his pain at seeing yet another of interest being drawn away from him. Not that he ever had the courage to pursue Orophin. Far from it. He may be chief councilor to Elrond and feared by all in Imladris but that did not mean he was truly fearless. Quite the opposite in fact. Many tears he had shed in private because of derogatory remarks whispered about him after he had been forced to deal with an infraction calling for a degree of heavy handedness. It stung his soul and he desperately yearned for one elf with whom he could share his pain.

Erestor had overheard young Dinnedal and his friends talking one evening, when they thought they were alone, and their words froze his heart. They had laughingly talked about Dinnedal’s plot to bed the Galadhel, for he was sure he was a virgin. The wine had been flowing heavily that evening and there were many ribald comments and bets as to how much longer Orophin would make him wait.

Erestor’s hands curled into fists and it was all he could do to keep his fiery temper in check. How he wanted to confront the soldiers, yet he felt it would make the situation worse. He could not go to Orophin, for the elf would never believe that Dinnedal would do that to him. So, Erestor vowed to be there to pick up the pieces.

~~~

Orophin felt as if he were walking on air. He was devoted to the young twin sons of Elrond, enjoying and thrilling in their eager attention to his lessons in becoming one with the forests and lands of Arda. He taught them how to read the signs that the earth gave them, what had passed before them and how long ago it had been. He taught them to blend in with the woods, to pass silently and to leave no sign. And, when they were tested by Glorfindel and were not found before the evening meal, even though Glorfindel had passed within feet of them on several occasions, Orophin could not have been more proud.

That night his world came crashing down. After the meal, he and Dinnedal had gone for a stroll near the river and each had professed their love. Orophin’s heart thrilled when Dinnedal drew him closer and kissed him deeply. Looking into each other’s eyes, they had drawn apart, then headed for Dinnedal’s room. It was there that Dinnedal convinced Orophin that they need not wait for their bonding to lie together, and though he wanted to protest, Orophin was afraid of causing a fissure in their relationship, so he gave in. Putting Orophin on his hands and knees, Dinnedal was able to hide the smirk of victory from his partner as he cursorily prepared him. Without allowing the elf beneath him to adjust, Dinnedal sank inside, to the hilt, and began to thrust wildly. The tightness of Orophin drove him out of his mind with lust and his only thought was to reach his peak. He paid no heed to the cries of pain that echoed through the chamber, nor did he notice the tears streaming down Orophin’s face or that the elf’s arousal had disappeared. After many agonizing minutes, with a loud grunt, he released into Orophin’s body and collapsed heavily on the elf’s rigid back.

When Dinnedal finally came back to himself, he withdrew, causing Orophin to whimper in pain. “Get out of my room,” Dinnedal said nastily, already moving to the bathing chamber to clean himself and dress, not caring about Orophin at all.

With a sob, Orophin painfully rose from the bed, silently cursing the seed that ran down his thighs and gently redressed himself. Realizing there was no way he could sit to draw on his boots, he gathered them in his hand, and without a glance behind him, left the room, tears still pouring from his eyes. As luck would have it, none spotted him on the way back to his rooms; he closed the door behind him, gingerly moving into the bathing chamber to draw himself a hot bath. After stripping, he sank into the steaming water with a painful sob and then he began scrubbing himself until his skin was raw and bright red. Finally, with a curse, he threw the sponge away from him, rose tenderly from the tub, and grabbed a towel. Vigorously, he dried his skin, actually rubbing himself raw in several places before dressing in his galadhrim grays. He grabbed his rucksack, throwing in the basic necessities, before grabbing his bedroll and leaving the room. With all the stealth he possessed, he walked through the halls unseen before slipping outside. Once outside, he breathed deeply, wiping at his eyes to clear them, then melted into the surrounding flora and making his way from the house.

He heard voices, so he slithered up a tree, watching from the covering branches as Glorfindel and Rúmil walked beneath him, hand in hand. They paused at the foot of his hiding place to share a sweet yet passionate kiss and it was all Orophin could do to keep the keening wail from erupting from his throat. Once the lovers had passed, instead of returning to the forest floor he made his way from tree to tree for quite some way before he had to drop down again due to the tree canopy thinning. He heard the rumble of the falls before he saw them and without thought made his way to them. A rapid investigation revealed a cave behind a smaller falls, which could be accessed by jumping from rock to rock before scaling what appeared to be a sheer rock face, slippery with water and lichen, before dropping, barely damp to the floor behind the silvery curtain. The sound of the falls were surprisingly muted in the medium sized chamber he found there.

Orophin spent a few minutes exploring, finding no traces of any inhabitation, before he set his pack on the rock floor at the back of the cave. His next order of business was to emerge from the cave once again, returning to the woods and foraging for fuel for a fire. He would only light it to cook over and if the temperature dropped at night. Otherwise, the muted light that shone through the cascading water was enough for him.

Once he had gathered enough wood to last him a few days, Orophin returned to the cave, spread out his bedroll and lay down. Shortly he was drawn into a deep sleep, due to his emotional upheaval, and did not awake for more than a day, totally unaware of the turmoil he had left behind in the Halls of Elrond.

~~

Erestor was sitting at his desk, poring over the latest correspondence to Thranduil, when the door opened and the twins entered. He looked up with a frown. “Why are you not at your studies?” he asked them, raising his eyebrow in question.

“We cannot find Orophin for our lesson,” Elladan said, dropping down to sit cross-legged on the floor. Elrohir walked around the desk and sat on Erestor’s lap, much to the councilor’s chagrin.

“These are my best robes and now you have mussed them, dear one,” Erestor told Elrohir fondly, stroking the dark locks. “Come now. The pair of you, go find Glorfindel and see if he knows where Orophin is and I will go to his chambers and see if he just forgot the time.” Saying this, he set Elrohir on his feet, stood and shooed them from the room so he could search for Orophin.

Two hours later found several frantic elves gathered in Elrond’s office. It was determined that it was the prior evening’s meal when any had seen Orophin last. Suddenly, Erestor entered, dragging Dinnedal into the gathering along with him. “Tell them what you did to him,” he snarled at the cowering elf in his grip, thrusting him before Elrond.

Knowing he had no other option, Dinnedal told his story, albeit not the entire truth of the matter, his eyes lowered to the floor in fear. When he had finished speaking, Elrond told him to return to his room and not to leave and that his punishment would be determined later.

Once Dinnedal had left, Haldir spoke. “My Lord, if my brother has gone into hiding to nurse his hurt pride we will not find him. You asked for the best at tracking and hiding from the enemy and there is none better. Even our parents cannot find him if he does not want to be found at home.”

Elrond snorted at Haldir’s words. “I have the best in my own service but could not allow him away from his duties to tend to the twins for their training, my friend. There is one who can find him. This elf was a spy for the High King during the last alliance and is the only elf to enter the towers of the Dark Lord and return to tell the tale, all without being spotted.”

Haldir sputtered at this. Even Glorfindel snorted in disbelief, not knowing whom Elrond spoke of. “Come, Elrond. This is not the time for jests,” Glorfindel rebuked his lord and friend. “If such an elf lives in Imladris, why do I not know him?”

Erestor looked hard at Elrond then spoke quietly to the room. “I will find him. I will leave as soon as I have changed and gathered supplies.” Turning to Haldir, he asked, “Do you think he would have headed for home? Or do you think he would remain here?”

Haldir thought for a moment but it was Rúmil who answered. “Orophin hides when he is hurting. I remember when his puppy was killed; he hid for a week before our parents located him. Our brother knows how to fend for himself. I do not think, with your bookish ways….”

Elrond held up his hand. “If anyone can find him, it will be Erestor. He is the elf who I spoke of. Even Glorfindel knows nothing of Erestor’s past as a spy. Trust in him to bring your brother back.” He turned to Erestor, placing his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Find him, Erestor. Bring him back to his friends and family.” With a nod, Erestor left the room to prepare for his journey leaving Glorfindel standing with his mouth gaping open in shock. Elrond laughed at his friend. “Come, you do not expect me tell you all my secrets do you? If he had ever been needed, I would have told you, but you have done an admirable job at keeping us safe.”

Glorfindel growled and sighed, then shrugged. “If you have faith in him, who am I to question it.”

~~~

It took Erestor an hour to prepare what he would need. Not knowing where he would end up, or what he would find, he packed food and a first aid kit before strapping on his weapons over his tunic and leggings and fastening on his cloak. “Come in, Glorfindel!” he called when a forceful knock sounded on his door. He turned to greet his friend with a serious face.

“Why did you never tell me?” Glorfindel asked, hurt that his friend had not trusted him enough to confide in him. “Does our friendship mean nothing to you?”

Erestor sighed. “This is really not the time, my friend. I wanted to tell you many times, but the time never seemed right. When I return with Orophin, we will sit and talk, you can ask me all your questions, and I will answer them. Right now, Orophin must be my first concern.” He turned to pick up his bow, pausing when Glorfindel laid a hand on his arm.

“When did you fall in love with him, my friend?” Glorfindel asked quietly, having read it in Erestor’s worried eyes.

“Am I that transparent?” Erestor asked with a self deprecating chuckle. “Do not worry. I have no designs on your law brother. I will find him and bring him home to his family. Now, it is time for me to depart. Trust in me, Glorfindel. I will not fail to bring him home.” Giving Glorfindel a swift hug, Erestor turned and slipped from the room, leaving his friend staring after him in amazement.

~~

Moving slowly through the woods of Imladris, Erestor searched for signs of Orophin’s passing and found nothing. With a growl, he turned to the tree beside him, pressing his forehead against the rough bark, his eyes opening in shock when the tree showed him a distraught Orophin crouched in its boughs, watching Glorfindel and Rúmil on the ground. Thanking the tree for its assistance, Erestor swiftly climbed the tree, pleased that his friend showed him Orophin’s path. When the woods ended, however, Erestor paused, perplexed at the complete lack of signs of the other’s passage.

He walked to the water’s edge, hoping to find a sign and was not disappointed. It was miniscule and anyone else would miss it, but to his well-trained eyes, he read the signs of passage in a small piece of floating bark. What it did not tell him, however, was where his quarry had gone, so he began the laborious task of searching up and down the banks of the river for another clue.

As dark approached, he realized that he would have to make camp for the night and cursed his inability to find Orophin. He took a deep breath to calm himself and smelt the faint tang of wood smoke. Instantly alert, his eyes scanned the area for the location of a fire, but to no avail. With no other recourse, he used the rocks to cross the river, stopping suddenly before the falls to realize that the smell of smoke was stronger there. Looking around he spied what appeared to be a hollow behind the falls and he began looking for a way up to it.

Laboriously climbing his way up the rock face, Erestor cursed his years behind a desk as his breathing became harsh with the effort. Finally, he reached his goal, landing upon the floor of the cave and then looking around. Much to his surprise, he found Orophin near the back, cooking something over a small fire. “Orophin,” he breathed, rising to his feet and smiling at the elf.

“How did you find me?” Orophin asked softly, his voice still raw from his sobbing.

Erestor approached slowly. “Are you all right?” he asked, dropping down to sit at Orophin’s side when he reached him. “Dinnedal told us what he did to you.” Suddenly, Orophin was upon him, a blade at his throat.

“What did that fiend tell you? Are you here to pity me and laugh at me? Do not do me any favors. Leave now!” Orophin’s shoulders were shaking with his fury, his face an unrecognizable mask.

Reaching his hand up to brush the hair behind Orophin’s ear, Erestor sighed. “I only want to lo… find you. Your brothers are very worried about you and I was sent on your trail. You almost gave me the slip.” When the knife was withdrawn, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Why you?” Orophin asked, turning back to the simple meal cooking over the flames. “Why were you sent to find me? Even my brothers would not have been able to find me. How were you lucky enough to locate me?”

“I was a spy for Gil-Galad during the Last Alliance. I was able to go into the halls of the Dark Lord to gather information and return without any noticing my passage. I can read signs that others overlook. You are the same. You left only one sign to lead me to you.” When he finished speaking, Erestor sighed and dropped his head into his hands. “What did he do to you?” he asked softly, not looking at Orophin, not wanting the elf to see his tears and love.

“He made me his whore,” Orophin spat out, glaring at Erestor. “Are you happy? Is that what you wanted to hear?” he said angrily, rising and beginning to pace, a small limp the only outward sign of the way he was abused.

“Are you injured?” Erestor asked, trying to calm Orophin down. “Please, sit down. Let me check you for tearing at least.” He held out an imploring hand to Orophin, praying the elf would listen.

Orophin finally calmed enough to sit again and to actually listen to Erestor, realizing the elf truly did want to help and did not pity him. “I am sorry. I thought I loved him and that he loved me. All he wanted was to use my body. Once he had done so, he ordered me to leave.” The memory was all brought back before him and he started to sob once again.

Erestor moved, guiding Orophin to sit and wrapped him in his arms. He rocked gently, crooning to the elf as he sobbed. “Shhh, it will all be fine in the end. It is not the end of hope. Dinnedal is not worth your tears. You will find an elf to love you. You will find happiness.”

Hours passed before Orophin cried himself out, the meager meal ruined. Erestor’s legs had gone to sleep while he sat holding Orophin, yet he cared for nothing but the elf in his arms. Finally, the sobs stopped and Orophin drew in a deep and calming breath.

“Thank you,” Orophin whispered, looking up at Erestor. “I fear I have soaked you through, however. You will need to dry your clothing by the fire.”

Erestor smiled and gently eased Orophin to the floor next to him, wondering when he had pulled the elf into his lap and immediately missing the weight of him. “Our supper is ruined but I have brought food with me from the kitchens if you would look in my rucksack while I remove my sodden tunic,” he told Orophin quietly, a smile lighting up his face as he looked at the beauty before him. Rising to his feet, he picked up his pack and handed it to Orophin before beginning to remove his weapons and tunic.

Orophin rummaged through Erestor’s pack, withdrawing fresh bread and thick slices of meat for their evening meal. He also found the healing supplies, knowing he needed to have Erestor check to make sure he had not been torn. At the thought of the councilor seeing his body and touching him in such an intimate place, Orophin blushed fiercely, just as Erestor turned to face him.

Erestor rushed to Orophin’s side in concern. “What is wrong?” he asked, reaching out to stroke the tousled hair framing Orophin’s face.

“No..othing,” Orophin stammered shyly. “I need you to check to see if I am torn and the thought made me blush,” he said, his voice becoming almost inaudible at the last.

Not saying a word in response, Erestor seated himself beside Orophin and reached for the bread to make them sandwiches. Soon the pair was eating quietly, sitting side by side in a silence that was comfortable and easy.

“I feel like I have known you forever,” Orophin finally whispered. “Why would this be so? In the time I have been in Imladris, we have spoken to each other no more than a few dozen times.”

“It sometimes happens this way,” Erestor replied. “When Glorfindel and I first met, we would sit for hours and not say a word to each other, yet, it cemented our friendship. Sometimes it is not the words but the silence that speaks to our hearts and Glorfindel and I knew in our hearts that we were meant to be friends. What does your heart tell you, Orophin? What does your heart speak to you about me?”

Orophin sat in silence, lost in deep thought while he did as Erestor asked and looked into his heart. He closed his eyes, thoughts swirling through his mind. He heard Erestor rise and walk away, and he lifted his hand to stop the elf. Opening his eyes, he whispered, “Wait for me.” He looked deep into the amber eyes of the elf his heart was telling him would mean the world to him. “I am not ready for you yet, but wait for me.” He prayed to the Valar that Erestor understood what he meant, too afraid to put voice to the words after what he had been through.

With a nod, Erestor’s demeanor changed and he turned businesslike. “Come, let us check you out and make sure there are no injuries and then we will talk.” He strove to reassure the elf before him, praying that he would be able to keep his emotions in check.

Orophin rose on shaky legs and began undoing his leggings, allowing them to drop to the floor before dropping to his hands and knees. He cringed at the memories but biting his lip, did not utter a sound.

With as clinical a manner as Erestor could muster, Erestor checked Orophin, spreading a healing balm within and without, all the while, rubbing soothing circles on Orophin’s back. “There is no injury, my friend. Come, redress and sit by the fire with me. Tomorrow, we will return home together. I will help you face your demons.”

Doing as Erestor asked, Orophin redressed and seated himself once again at Erestor’s side. The pair talked long into the night about family, friends, and their work. The rising sun glinting through the cascading falls shone on the mingled ebony and golden hair where the pair had finally succumbed to slumber, their heads side by side on Orophin’s bedroll.

~~~

Glorfindel and the twins were on the training grounds when a subdued Erestor and Orophin returned the next afternoon. Glorfindel shouted to them, dropping his sword and running to meet them. He gripped Orophin’s shoulders, giving him a once over, before pulling him in for a tight hug. “We were so very worried about you. Please, do not ever do this to us again. Your brother has been beside himself, nigh inconsolable. You are very dear to him. But come; let us go find him so he can see you are safe.” Glorfindel turned his attention to Erestor, studying him carefully, then he nodded. “Come along, Erestor. You are a part of this family too, you know,” he added when he saw his friend start to turn away to leave them.

Unsure what to do, Erestor hesitated, until Orophin touched his arm. “Please?” he begged softly, his eyes pleading. Erestor nodded and allowed Glorfindel to lead them inside.

It was a happy reunion that evening. All the family, including Elrond’s own had gathered in Glorfindel’s chambers for a lively meal and conversation. Once Elrond and Celebrían had left the others, to put the tired twins to bed, the talk turned more serious, to the reason Orophin had run. It was Erestor who handled the situation, stating that he would personally see that Orophin was well and that the brothers were not to spend much thought on the occurrence. He received a squeeze of thanks to his hand from Orophin for this and when his hand was not dropped afterwards, he turned to look at the Galadhel, returning the shy smile that graced Orophin’s lips.

Several months later, Orophin shyly asked Erestor to walk with him after the evening meal. They wandered through the paths of Celebrían’s garden, until they stopped on a bridge over one of the many streams that meandered through it. Leaning on the rails, Orophin stood staring into the water, watching Erestor’s reflection and wondering how to put his feelings into words. Finally, taking a deep breath, he turned towards Erestor, his mouth opening to speak when the other elf dragged him into his arms, crushing their mouths together in a bruising yet tender kiss.

Long moments later, the pair pulled apart, chests heaving. Seeing a look of shock on Orophin’s face and misreading it for revulsion, Erestor blanched and stepped back. “I… I am sorry. I thought…. I will leave you in peace.” Turning on his heel, he ran, not caring where he went or who saw him.

Orophin stood as if in a haze for but a moment before he set off after Erestor, tackling him to the ground when he finally caught up with him. “I love you, Erestor. It took me by surprise. We are soul mates and I no longer want to live without you.” After baring his heart to the winded elf on the ground, Orophin bent his head and claimed Erestor’s lips in a reverent kiss full of love and longing.

“I… I thought, oh poo, who cares what I thought. I love you too,” Erestor cried, throwing his arms around Orophin’s neck and bringing their bodies into closer contact. He sighed happily once they were chest to chest. “I would die a happy elf, if this were my last moment on Arda. Simply having you in my arms is a dream come true.”

Orophin’s gaze turned shy and timid as he blushed. “I would much rather have you in my bed,” he whispered haltingly before burying his face in Erestor’s hair.

“I will hold you in my arms as we sleep, my love, but nothing more. I would have our first time be the night of our bonding.” Tenderly, Erestor kissed Orophin’s cheek, then pushed at the other elf’s shoulders. “Let us go find Elrond and find out how soon we can wed. I do not want to wait.”

Orophin beamed at Erestor, his joy shining off him in waves; he jumped to his feet, reaching down to pull his love up before dragging him towards the house. Erestor smiled and allowed himself to be dragged, knowing that he would follow this elf anywhere.

~~~

After telling the couple that they would have to wait the traditional year before they could bond, it took only two weeks for Elrond to change his mind and inform Erestor that he would perform the ceremony as soon as Celeborn and Galadriel arrived in Imladris.

Orophin wondered at Elrond’s change of heart, as did the rest of his family, until Glorfindel mockingly impersonated Erestor one evening as they all sat around the fire in Erestor’s chambers, which Orophin now inhabited with him. “Poor Elrond may as well have had an orc for a chief councilor for the past two weeks,” he told the laughing group. “Important letters purposely waylaid. Atrocious spelling and hand writing. It was obvious to both Elrond and I that Erestor would bring the realm to its knees if he did not change his mind. You are quite wicked when you do not get your way, are you not?” He turned to Erestor with a grin and laughed heartily when the councilor blushed sheepishly and then shrugged.

“What can I say? I did not want to wait. You try having a delectable Galadhel in your bed each night without being able to do what you would like to him. I simply did what I needed, to cause Elrond to see things my way. Besides, we all know who truly runs this realm and it is…”

Before Erestor could finish his sentence, Rúmil cried out, “Celebrían!” and the room erupted into peals of hearty laughter, which rang through the halls.

~~

It was five years to the day that Erestor and Orophin had first met each other, and they stood before Elrond and their family and friends to speak their vows of bonding to each other. Galadriel hugged Erestor, welcomed him to the family and informed him that if he ever harmed her son, he would have to face her wrath. Celeborn simply laughed and informed Erestor that there would not be enough of him left for orc bait when the pair of them finished if he ever harmed their son in any way, for when Galadriel was done, he would have his turn.

Shaking his head, Erestor wrapped his arm around Orophin’s waist and smiled. He knew the day would come that they would have to live in separate realms again, a day he was not looking forward to, yet they would face it together. Little did he know that the hardest part of their separation was to come, however, shortly after the One Ring was destroyed.

~~~

Erestor stood, glaring at Elrond, trembling with fury, his amber eyes flashing with fire. “What do you mean, I cannot stay? You cannot ask me to sail without him. You know as well as I do that he is still needed in Lothlórien.” Erestor’s voice had risen until he was screaming at Elrond, standing before his Lord’s desk, leaning on his hands as he leaned into his lord’s face. It was thusly that Glorfindel found the pair when he rushed to see why Erestor was so irate.

“I need your aid in setting up the new Imladris in Valinor. He will follow with Celeborn after Arwen passes. But you must sail with me, Erestor.” It was all Elrond could do to keep from giving in to his friend, but he had to remain firm for the good of all their people. “Glorfindel will take care of him and make sure no harm befalls him.”

A mask of stone fell into place over Erestor’s face when he realized that Elrond’s mind would not be swayed. “Fine. I will go and help you,” he said coldly, then spun and left the room, the resounding crash of the door slamming, causing the walls to tremble.

“That went well,” Elrond said to Glorfindel, after Erestor had left. “I now wish I could stay here instead of sailing. Please, do not take too long to follow us over the sea.”

“He will forgive you in time, my friend. He has been without Orophin at his side for so long. He yearns to be reunited with his mate.” Glorfindel then left Elrond’s office and went to find his friend, locating him sitting on his bed, hugging a pillow, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Oh Erestor, please do not cry. All will be well. It is not forever. You will be reunited with Orophin again.” Glorfindel sat beside Erestor and drew him into his arms.

Erestor buried his face in Glorfindel’s shoulder. “How would you feel to be told that you had to sail without Rúmil?” he asked Glorfindel. “What if he dies here? There are still orcs and other evils remaining. WHAT IF HE DIES?” Erestor screamed, beating his fists against Glorfindel’s chest. “What will become of me, if he dies?” Erestor asked in a subdued voice once he regained control of his emotions again.

Glorfindel hugged Erestor tighter, rubbing circles on his back. “I will keep him safe or die trying. Trust in me. Trust in Orophin. Do not let despair overwhelm you. You must help Elrond care for our realm. Let me care for your Orophin.” Glorfindel did not notice the tears that flowed down his own cheeks at the anguish of his friend. Instead, he simply sat and held Erestor through the night after he had cried himself to sleep.

~~~

It was a wan and listless Erestor that hid in the back of the crowd when the next ship approached the shores of Valinor. Too many times had he stood impatiently at the front of the crowd and too many times had he been disappointed when Orophin was not on the ship. He had reached the decision that if Orophin was not on this ship, then he was not coming at all. Too many years had passed for him to hold out hope any longer.

His head snapped up at a shout from Elrond and Celebrían and he spied twin dark heads diving over the rails to get to their mother. He saw Haldir and Legolas at the rails with arms around each other. Rúmil stood, wrapped in Glorfindel’s arms. A dwarf stood beside Celeborn. His eyes searched the deck for the one he longed for, but there was no other. With an anguished sob, Erestor turned to flee, and ran straight into a sodden chest, and was caught up into strong arms.

“Where are you going, my love? Were you not planning on welcoming me home?” a most welcome and loved voice asked. In response, Erestor threw his arms around Orophin’s neck and kissed him.

“How?” Erestor started to ask until he noticed how wet he was getting. “I did not see you jump ship to swim in. When?” Erestor asked against Orophin’s lips, not wanting to let go of his beloved. “Never mind. It does not matter. You are here. YOU ARE HERE!” With this, Erestor threw his head back and laughed with joy while his husband twirled them around on the beach.

The other elves that had awaited the ship turned to watch the pair, fond smiles on their faces as they watched the antics of the reunited couple.

And they all lived Happily Ever After.

THE END