Missing Lover Author: staton_katy@hotmail.com Pairing: Elrond/Glorfindel Warnings: angst, comfort. Rating: PG Disclaimers: All characters belong to Tolkien. Summary: Glorfindel is taken captive by men. Elrond goes to rescue the missing elf, and along the way he comes to realize just how much he loves Glorfindel and needs him in his life. Part 1/? Lord Elrond walked swiftly down the halls. He recognized the cries of his twin sons, Elorhir and Elladan coming from the main hallway. “Ada!” Elladan cried. Elrond broke into a sprint at the alarmed tone of his son. Within his heart, the half-elf feared that something terrible had gone amiss. His eyes fell upon the twins. Mentally, he was relieved to see both of them safe and sound. Elorhir was the first to embrace their father. The younger twin tightly wrapped his arms around his father’s waist. “Ada, I’m so glad to see you,” he said. Elrond looked worriedly at Elladan for an explanation. “We were ambushed,” the older twin said in an exasperated voice. “Father, Glorfindel has been captured.” Elrond understood fully why the twins were so distressed. Glorfindel had always served as an honorary member of the family ever since his return from Mandos. He had been there when the twins were born and continued to faithfully serve Elrond long after his wife, Celebrian had departed Middle Earth. With one arm still holding Elorhir close to his chest, Elrond reached out and drew Elladan close to him as well. “It will be all right,” he said soothingly. “Please, tell me everything that happened. Where were you? Who attacked you?” Elrond escorted his sons to their bedroom where they could take a moment to recover themselves. Elladan was the first to speak, though his voice quavered a bit when he came to the part where Glorfindel was separated from the twins. “We were attacked by a company of men not more than a few hours from the Eastern border. I was unable to get an accurate count of how many men there were, because we had to flee for our lives. One moment we were walking and discussing books, and then we heard shouting and men swarmed out of the bushes.” Elladan paused for a moment to breath. Elorhir picked up the story for him. “Glorfindel drew his bow with amazing speed and started countering the attack, whilst ordering for us to make for home without waiting for him to catch up with us. However, Elladan and I couldn’t simply leave him alone.” Elrond’s brows furrowed as he anticipated the next words from his sons. “Instead of abandoning him, we turned and drew our own bows and shot arrows at the enemy until they were too close. Then we fought with our swords. Glorfindel yelled at us to leave. Ada, the men kept coming at us with astounding force,” Elladan explained. “Did you see what happened to Glorfindel?” Elrond asked, anxiously. Though he had not mentioned it openly to his sons or anyone else in Rivendell, a deep romance had been blossoming between the elf lord and his best friend for the last couple months. Flashback It happened one evening while Glorfindel was sitting by himself in the gardens that Elrond found the golden-haired elder irresistibly gorgeous. From the balcony to his private chambers, Elrond spied the ethereal being in his silver robes sitting beneath a tree. Glorfindel was blowing on a musical flute, his fingers flying along the notes. The music was a light melody, wavering between being full of uplifting joy and somber lamentation. Elrond had been inspired to join his friend. He did not bother tying back his long, dark hair as he normally would have in the company of others, but Elrond didn’t mind Glorfindel seeing it unkempt. Glrofindel looked up when he heard soft footsteps upon the grass. A wide smile spread across his lips when the eldar saw that it was his long-time friend. “Good evening Elrond,” Glorfindel said. He hastily stood on his feet. “You didn’t have to stop just for me,” ELrond said. Glorfindel looked at the instrument in his right hand. “I was finished playing anyways,” he replied. “Your song sounded very beautiful,” Elrond complimented. He was surprised to see Glorfindel blush, and nervously shift his feet. Before Glorfindel could say anything, Elrond touched the eldar’s cheek with his hand. It was strange to Elrond that such a simple gesture could speak unfathomable emotions. Glorfindel’s green eyes locked onto his brown eyes and they stood in silence. That night had been the start of their relationship. It was the first time Elrond expressed deeper affection for his friend. End of Flashback “Ada, are you all right?” Elladan asked, when he noticed a vacant expression across his father’s face as Elorhir recapped the last moment they saw Glorfindel. “He was standing bravely, when we last saw him. Men were lashing out at him from all sides, and we could hear the clanging of swords,” Elorhir said. “Ada?” Elladan asked again. “I’m all right my son,” Elrond said. In a reassuringly gesture, Elrond stroked his son’s hands. “We have to go back father,” Elorhir stated. “Yes, who knows what has happened to Glorfindel,” Elladan agreed. “The men may have taken him captive and hurt him, or worse…they might have killed him.” Elrond tried to calm the younger elves. “Do not worry, I will find Glorfindel myself,” Elrond said. The boys gazed up at their father. They could see the determination set in his eyes. “We’ll come with you,” Elladan said enthusiastically. However, Elrond held up his had in protest. “No, you two will stay here,” Elrond commanded. “I must go alone.” By the stern tone of his voice, the twins knew better than to argue. TBC…….. Missing Lover: Part 2/? Author: staton_katy@hotmail.com Pairing: Elrond/Glorfindel Ratings: R, NC-17 Warning: Violence, Rape. Disclaimer: Glorfindel belongs to Tolkien. Briefly, Glorfindel felt disoriented as he regained consciousness. His head hurt too much for him to do little more than open his eyes in an effort to study his surrounding. He felt the stickiness of blood that had trickled down the side of his neck from a heavy blow to the back of his head. Glorfindel tried to sit up, and was puzzled when his arms failed to move. He now became aware of the fact that his wrists and ankles had been securely bound with rope. The bonds were too tight for the elf, and soon he gave up trying to undo them and laid his head back down to the ground. Blinking his eyes and fighting off nausea in his stomach, Glorfindel tried to remember everything that had happened. He had ordered Elladan and Elorhir to return to Rivendell. While the twins made their escape, Glorfindel had protected their backs, fighting off the violent assault of men. The sound of multiple footsteps caught Glorfindel’s attention. A man knelt down and straddled him. He grabbed the golden hair and lifted the elf to a sitting position. Roughly, he shoved the elf face forwards to the ground. Fear gripped at Glorfindel’s heart has he wondered what was going to be done to him. He felt his clothes being ripped from his body. Rough hands roamed over his bare skin. He bit back a gasp when the man’s hands squeezed on the muscles in his butt. “You’re so purdy,” the man drawled. He began ravishing the elf’s body. Glorfindel tried to squirm away from his captor, but large hands gripped his shoulders and he felt the man’s penis being rammed into his shaft. Glorfindel closed his eyes against the pain. He could hear jeering from all around him. The man behind him kept thrusting between his legs and riding him as though Glorfindel were nothing more than a sexual toy. When the man’s orgasm finally peaked and he slid out from behind Glorfindel, the elf was shaking slightly. He wanted to curl up and die from the violation. There was more laughing when he opened his eyes and found himself looking at another man’s member. He turned his head to the side, squeezing his eyes shut again. The tip of the man’s penis rubbed against his cheek. Some one grasped his head and guided his face to look at the erection. He was forced to take the length into his mouth and suck deeply. The salty taste of the man’s ejaculation caused Glorfindel to spew on the ground. More laughter erupted from the men. “Oh, we could have some real fun with this one!” a man hooted. Thinking that the elf was too shaken to fight the group of men, they cut the bonds securing his wrists and ankles. Glorfindel seized the opportunity to lash out at his captors. With his back on the ground, Glorfindel lifted his right leg and viciously propelled it into the air and caught the man looming over him in the jaw. The man fell backwards. Next, the elven lord sprang to his feet, positioning himself for the retaliation from the other men. Whilst blocking blows and delivering well aimed punches, Glorfindel kept his mind focused on the door. He was determined to make it out of the room, but as he reached for the handle, a man sent a hard kick to the back of Glorfindel’s legs. The elf fell to his knees. Rough hands grabbed his shoulders and spun him around so that his back was to the door. A powerful fist knocked the elf to the ground once more. Glorfindel struggled, raising himself on to his knees with unsteady forearms. The men lashed out with brutal force. Glorfindel felt himself slipping into unconsciousness as heavy feet connected with his ribs and then his head. “Wake up elf, it’s time to own up,” said a gruff voice. Glorfindel moaned, and then gasped when icy cold water was dowsed over his naked body. “I am personally going to take pleasure in fucking you good!” chided a burly man with a dark, hairy chest peeking from the opening in his shirt. Glorfindel couldn’t believe what was happening to him. While he had been unconscious the men had placed him out on a table. His wrists were now in iron shackles and secured to a chain that was suspended from the ceiling. The strain on his joints was painful. Glorfindel silently prayed to the Valar for rescue from this cruel punishment. One at a time, Glorfindel’s captors raped him. Despite his efforts to resist them by thrashing and bucking, they managed to subdue him. At first it took two men to hold his legs and two more men to keep pressure against his shoulders. Even with his hands immobilized, Glorfindel still put up a strong resistance. However, by the fifth violation, Glorfindel’s strength began waning. The sixth man smiled down at Glorfindel before delivering a hammering blow with his fist to the elf’s unprotected sternum. The action forced the air from Glorfindel’s lungs. He shook violently and his slender body was overcome with spasms. The man snickered and gestured for the other men to back away. He straddled the elf, and before his prey could regains it’s breathe fully, he maliciously thrust himself deep into the weak body. Following this man came another, much larger than the previous. It was the burly man with dark chest hair. The man teased at Glorfindel’s ears and sucked on the eldar’s neck. Deep within his mind, Glorfindel felt renewed energy for defiance building up, and with as much courage as he could muster and he tucked his knees up and shoved the stunned man off of the table. A sly grin spread over his lips. He approached Glorfindel. “Someone needs a lesson in manners” the man sneered. The man twisted his hand into the golden hair and brought Glorfindel’s face up to his. “You’ll be screaming for mercy by the time I’m through with you.” Then he banged his head into Glorfindel’s, dazing the elf. Glorfindel’s consciousness drifted as he felt his body being violated. The burly man was true to his words. Glorfindel gritted his teeth and fought hard to keep from screaming. There was too much pain. He felt as though his body was being torn. The man kept slamming his heaving weight against Glorfindel. He wondered if his hips would be crushed. Then darkness claimed him. He came to while another man was enjoying his turn with the elf. This sickened Glorfindel even more. The men were raping him even while he was unaware. Missing Lover: Part 3/? Author: staton_katy@hotmail.com Pairing: Elrond/Glorfindel Rating: R, NC-17 Warnings: Mention of rape and torture. Explicit sex scene included. Disclaimers: Elrond and Glorfindel belong to Tolkien. Lord Elrond inspected the tracks in the ground carefully. Two days passed all the while he was watchful for clues as to where his lover was taken. His investigation led him to a small village on the eve of the third day. Silently, the elven lord wove around the buildings. The dark- haired elf wasn’t sure where to go until he heard a ruckus of laughter coming from a particular building. It appeared to Elrond to be nothing more than a shed. These men laughed and leaned on each other, sharing a few bottles of alcohol. Elrond observed these men in disgust. They were obviously drunk. Elrond could tell by the way they staggered and slurred their speech with one another. Elrond slinked up to the side of the shed. He perked his ears when he heard muffled sounds coming from within the confines. Following each of these cries were the distinctive sounds of a whip being cracked. Elrond clenched his fists. Not hesitating another moment, the lord of Rivendell kicked open the door. He was horrified to discover five men standing over the limp form of his seneschal. Elrond sprang into action, drawing his sword. The men didn’t stand a chance against the elf’s rage. Blood splattered the walls and their cries were cut short with each stroke of the deadly, elven blade. Elrond’s breathing was heavy from the amount of exertion he spent in such a quick span of time. It wasn’t until he heard a faint moan coming from the other side of the room that remembered his reason for even being there. Elrond wiped his blade and sheathed it before going to Glorfindel’s side. The golden-haired elf was chained to a post. After the men had finished their fun with raping him, they had moved him to this shed for further torturing. Elrond gaped at the mutilation of the once flawless, flesh of his naked lover. Glorfindel’s back was to Elrond at the moment. His body was hunched and his head lolling against the wooden post. He had fallen to his knees when his legs failed to support his battered body. Elrond swung his sword down forcefully and the chains gave way. The seneschal’s upper body toppled to the ground. Elrond knelt to his knees and prodded his lover. “Glorfindel, what have they done to you?” Elrond asked, softly more to himself. His heart cried out as Glorfindel moaned and coughed on his own blood. Elrond took a clean handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped away the blood that spilled from between his lover’s lips. Gently, he felt the broken ribs, stopping as this action caused more discomfort for Glorfindel. Elrond knew that he had to get his lover away from this dreadful place. He also knew that he had to move fast; before anyone discovered the dead men. Elrond covered his lover’s body with his cloak and then gently lifted him into his arms. Fortunately, no one seemed to notice as the dark-haired elf carried another out of the shed and darted into the woods. It wasn’t even until morning that somebody discovered the corpses and blood stained post where an elf had been kept captive. Elrond ran non-stop through the woods for an entire day, careful of jostling his lover too much. When at last they were well within the borders of his kingdom during the middle of the second day, Elrond slowed his pace. He stopped by a brook and set down his precious charge. Glorfindel had remained unconscious the entire time. Elrond felt the elf’s sweaty brow. It felt hot to the touch. Elrond went to the brook. He dumped the old water from his water skin and filled it with fresh, cold water. Returning to Glorfindel’s side, Elrond ripped a piece of cloth from his cloak and soaked it in the water. Then he patted Glorfindel’s brow. Once he cleaned the blood marred face, Elrond went back to assessing the injuries which his lover had sustained. His stomach turned in disgust at the damage caused between his lover’s legs. The thought of men violating such an eloquent being pained Elrond’s heart. Flashback……………………………….. It was well over 3 weeks since the encounter in the garden. Both Elrond and Glorfindel had walked away feeling even more entranced by the other’s presence. Glorfindel would wait for Elrond to make a move, before reciprocating. They exchanged kisses, hugs, intense looks of fondness. Underneath the pleasure of receiving these gestures of love, Glorfindel secretly wondered if Elrond truly wanted him as a partner, or if the love wasn’t actually misplaced grief for the absence of Elrond’s wife, Celebrian. “Elrond, as your best friend, I implore you to get some rest. We both know that you’re exhausted. Let us leave these reports for tomorrow. We can finish them after breakfast,” Glorfindel insisted one evening, already starting to tidy the mess of papers cluttering his lord’s desk. “A wise decision, as always my friend,” Elrond agreed. Wearily, he rubbed his forehead. The day’s duties had exhausted him further than he realized. Glorfindel walked Elrond to his private chambers. “Goodnight Elrond. I will see you in the morning, my lord,” the seneschal said. He turned to leave, but Elrond grasped his hand. The golden lord negotiated his choice of words despite the look of pleading in the brown eyes of his lord. “Elrond, you and your family are still grieving. I can see it in your eyes. The loss of Celebrian is still pressing on your heart. I wish not to deepen the pain.” He would have spoken more, but Elrond cut off his voice through the simple act of touching his pale cheeks. “You’re so beautiful,” Elrond praised. “All of these years, and I never noticed until now. How could I have managed to miss what was in front of me? Stay with me tonight, Glorfindel. I need your strength more than ever.” Without warning, Elrond sagged against his friend’s body. His dark head leaned heavily against Glorfindel’s chest. Glorfindel could not help, but support Elrond’s weight by wrapping his arms around the lord’s waist. Elrond was barely aware of being undressed, or when Glorfindel had moved them on to the bed, and under the covers. His senses were lost in the toxicity of being so close to Glorfindel. His heart quickened with urgency to kiss Glorfindel. The touch of their lips pressing was soft, and blissful. Elrond closed his eyes and sucked more passionately on Glorfindel’s lower lip. Glorfindel’s body trembled as Elrond shifted their bodies, so that the golden-haired elf was now beneath his lord’s. His breathing was shallow, and he could feel his erection growing. Elrond’s hands were stroking between his thighs. The rising need to have Elrond inside of him, exploring him was too much. For the first time ever, Glorfindel wanted to surrender himself completely to someone else’s charge. “Elrond,” he said, “Please be gentle with me. I have never been with another male before. In fact, you are my first, ever.” Elrond gazed at him lovingly for a moment. Then he lowered his face next Glorfindel’s. “It’ll be all right, my love. We’ll start out slow,” he assured. He adorned Glorfindel with kisses all down his neck, and on his right ear. Glorfindel’s eyelids wavered, and his head lolled from pleasure. The long locks of golden hair were strewn across his face and tickled the back of Elrond’s shoulders when he tugged the eldar’s body upright and closer to his chest. Elrond felt Glorfindel’s erection against his skin. His own flesh was stirring. It was startling for him to know that he had more experience in this than the other lord, and yet it also gave him more pleasure, knowing that Glorfindel was expecting him to take control of the situation. He laid his lover back against the sheets, fondling the golden head. While bestowing kisses against his muscular chest, Elrond slowly inserted a finger into Glorfindel’s opening. Glorfindel shuddered slightly in surprise. His mind reeled as Elrond wriggled his finger inside, and touched bumps that sent waves of emotional pleasure through his lover’s body. A second finger was inserted. Glorfindel was caught between bliss and the verge of passing out. Elrond cradled his body as though the eldar was nothing more than a helpless baby, supporting his shoulders with his free arm. Glorfindel’s head spun and time ceased to exist. He had never felt anything so wonderful before. When Glorfindel did regain his hold on reality, Elrond was smiling, and tenderly caressing his chest with one hand and stroking his golden hair with the other. “Did you enjoy that?” Elrond asked. “Yes,” Glorfindel replied. “Thank you.” He lifted his head and kissed Elrond on the lips. Within seconds Glorfindel’s eyes glazed over and sleep overtook him. Elrond kissed his forehead, and continued to hold his lover possessively in his arms. End of Flashback…………………………………………… Glorfindel weakly blinked his eyes when Elrond touched his forehead gently. The dark haired elf began caressing his lover’s cheeks. He became afraid to waste more time in the woods because he had not the proper equipment to treat Glorfindel’s wounds. His lover was burning up from a raging fever. Elrond was amazed that his lover was even alive. Upon seeing the usually vibrant elf chained limp, and bloody, the elven lord would have sworn that Glorfindel of Gondolin had journeyed to Mandos once again. His heart was torn at the sight of his long-time friend. The once happy-hearted elf lord lay with his eyes shut and his blood was staining the ground beneath his broken body. Elrond clutched one of Glorfindel’s hands in his own. “Melamin (my love),” Elrond called to the prone figure. He tenderly stroked the blood-matted hair. Glorfindel’s body started trying to awaken from the dark slumber which had claimed his senses. Weakly, he rolled his head from side to side, a slight moan escaping past his lips. Elrond was quick to respond to his lover’s distress. He gently lifted the eldar into his arms and cradled the limp head against his chest. Feeling as though they had tarried long enough, Elrond got to his feet and presumed his trek home, protectively holding Glorfindel in his arms. “Elorhir, ada has returned!” Elladan cried, happily. Six days had passed since the twins had last seen their father. The twins ran frantically to greet the lord of Rivendell. The younger elves paled when they noticed the limp figure in their father’s arms. “Glorfindel!” Elorhir cried in anguish upon seeing the elven lord’s mangled body. “Ada, what have they done to him?” Elladan asked. His eyes were wide with fright. In all of his years, he had never seen the golden eldar look so frail. Elrond wanted to calm his sons, but the urgency to treat his lover was first on his mind. “Please, I must see to his wounds,” Elrond said, pushing past the boys. “What can we do to help?” Elladan asked. The lord of Rivendell hurried to the healing warden where he settled his charge face first upon a clean bed. Then he gathered supplies from the cabinets. The twins gasped in horror when they saw the torn flesh of the eldar’s back. “Elladan, get me some fresh bandages! Elorhir boil these herbs in hot water!” Elrond ordered. He felt it necessary to keep the younger elves occupied. The twins snapped out of their shock and quickly set about fulfilling their father’s commands. Elorhir accepted the herbs his father handed to him. An elf servant was already boiling water over the fireplace. Elorhir steeped the herbs in the steaming water. Glorfindel lay motionless on the bed while the other elves set to work on healing his wounded body. Elladan cringed to himself as he was spreading a healing salve upon the gashes on Glorfindel’s back. The cruel whip had torn deeply into the flesh, and the young elf was horrified by the amount of pain it must have caused. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he found his hands were trembling. He had been very young when his mother, Celebrian, had been attacked and tortured by orcs. Elrond and Glorfindel had done such a good job at sheltering Elladan and Elorhir from the pain and grief back then. Though he was still considerably young, Elladan was much older now than had been, and his father could no longer shelter him from such sorrows. Elorhir came over to his brother’s side. “We should have stayed with him,” he murmured. “Nay, you did right to come home as he bade you,” Elrond replied rather sharply, while treating the area below the unconscious elf’s waist. “We cannot dwell on what has happened. It is more important that we offer our love and support to Glorfindel while he is recovering. We must be strong for him.” His sons went over and hugged him on both sides. Missing Lover: Part 4 Author: staton_katy@hotmail.com Pairing: Elrond/Glorfindel Rating: PG Four days passed since Glorfindel had been brought home and the golden-haired elf hardly woke long enough to do little more than painfully stare off at nothing before giving into his body’s weakness and succumbing to the dark. Elrond stayed by his seneschal’s side the entire time. Elorhir and Elladan would come in from time to time, imploring that their father take rest, but the Lord of Rivendell had refused each time. It worried him to see the fair elf in such a state of being. The once muscular-toned body that had always seemed to generate its own magnificent source of bright light was now lying beneath white sheets looking deathly pale and thin. Elrond frequently kissed the bruised lips in hopes that Glorfindel might stir from the action. At other times, he would take up one of the slender hands and caress his own cheeks with it. “Please wake up for me, lirimaer (lovely one),” Elrond would beg, quietly. In all of the years that Elrond had known Glorfindel, the eldar had always been a source of strength. Glorfindel had never failed Elrond in supporting him and being a confidant. It was no wonder he had fallen in love with his friend. There had always been an abundance of loyalty and endless love reflecting in those emerald eyes, even on days when Elrond had felt frustrated and short-tempered; thus taking his anger out on Glorfindel merely because he was present. Glorfindel had always been patient with Elrond. His friendship never waned, even when the half-elf lashed with cruel words during times of extreme emotional stress, for example while coping with Celebrian’s leaving. Elrond berated himself for having treated Glorfindel so badly that one day. Flashback………………………………………………………………… ………… “Elrond, I know that you’re sad, and if you had only yourself to look after, then I’d allow you to wallow in misery for as long as you wished, but you have three children to think of,” Glorfindel reprimanded. The half-elf was barely registering his friend’s presence. He was too busy feeling sorry for himself. How could his wife have left him? “Elrond, I have taken the liberty of agreeing to Lady Galadriel’s request that Arwen be allowed to stay in Lorien for a while. Erestor and I have been able to manage the twins, so far, but I feel that they would do better with the support of their father,” Glorfindel continued. He was trying to be gentle with his words, but at the same time he wanted to shout some sense back into his friend. For several days he had witnessed the elven lord sulk and mope around the palace, neglecting his children and his own health, on top of his other duties. Part of him was quite sure that Elrond wasn’t even paying any attention to his words, and so it surprised him when the deep voice cut him off. “What good are you to me? I trusted you with the safety of my family and yet orcs managed to kidnap my wife. Five days she was missing….” Elrond voice was cold. “I understand that you are angry,” Glorfindel tried to say, apologetically, but Elrond continued to cut him off. “I don’t recall you having done anything of significance since returning from Mandos. I believe the world was doing just fine without you. Do me a favor and let me be.” His words had been deliberately malicious. It took a lot of self-control, but Glorfindel didn’t even flinch at what came next. “Leave me alone!” Elrond hurled a paperweight from his desk at the wall. It struck the wall with a loud thud. “Get out of here! You’re useless to me!” “As you wish my lord,” Glorfindel murmured in return. End of Flashback……………………………………………………………… “I felt so terrible for having treated you with such disrespect that day, and even after I told you that the world was better without you, you accepted my apology,” Elrond said to the unconscious form. “You only smiled and assured me that true friends never let harsh words come between them. You have become more than my friend Glorfindel. I could not have made it thus far without you. Voronwer (loyal one), I need you.” Elrond fingered the silky, golden locks that were fanned out on the pillow. He silently prayed to the Valar for his lover to open his eyes. It was distressful to see the elf with his eyes shut because it was customary for elves to sleep with their eyes open. Glorfindel looked so fragile at the moment. His healing abilities had not kicked in and a fever still lingered. Bruises that should have faded still shone starkly against his skin. “Ada, surely you must need some rest. Let us sit with him for a while,” Elorhir offered. The twins came to relieve their father. “All right,” Elrond consented, “But please come and get me if anything changes.” “We will,” Elladan assured him. As Elrond was leaving, he saw the boys drawing their chairs close to the bed. Flashback…………………………………………….. Glorfindel appeared to be sound asleep, and yet he sensed the intrusion before it came. Elladan and Elorhir smiled to each other as they opened the door to the older elf’s room. The small twins exchanged nods and simultaneously they burst into the room. Glorfindel feigned sleep as he felt the light weight of the twins’ bodies jumping on top of his back. “Glorfy? Are you awake?” Elladan asked, whispering. The twins shook the older elf’s shoulders. Glorfindel’s eyes unglazed and he blinked them as he sat up in bed. “What can I do for you boys?” Glorfindel asked. Elorhir and Elladan snuggled up on either side and hugged the eldar. “We can’t sleep,” Elladan explained. “We had nightmares,” Elorhir answered, “Will you sing us a song?” Glorfindel smiled warmly. Their small, angelic faces looked up pleadingly as they clung to his waist. It always surprised the eldar when the boys came to him for comfort instead of their father. Nevertheless, he was none the more pleased to comply with their requests. Glorfindel patted Elorhir’s soft head, and began to sing. His memory pulled up a calming lullaby from when he had been a mere child. When he finished the song, both twins had fallen asleep. End of Flashback……………………………………………………………. “Father has looked very sad lately,” Elorhir said, observantly. “I think it is because he cares a great deal for Glorfindel,” Elladan answered. Elorhir touched Glorfindel’s forehead, and then one of the elf’s hands. “He feels hot and cold at the same time, and look at these scars. They should have faded by now. I wish there was more that we could do, but father said that at this point it was beyond his healing skills.” “Ay, we have treated his physical wounds as best as we can, but he is also plagued by the emotional scars. Do not worry though, Glorfindel will pull through. I’m sure that he has survived much worse. He did return from Mandos after all.” Glorfindel’s eyelids fluttered and his body squirmed under the covers. His lips parted and some faint moans drew the attention of the twins. He weakly tossed his head from side to side and shifted his legs in vain, as though he were trying to fight off an attacker. “Elorhir help me hold him down,” Elladan instructed. “Glorfindel, easy it is only a dream.” The older twin brushed his hands over the older elf’s brow, trying to sooth him. Elorhir gently mobilized the legs, keeping them from thrashing. Glorfindel’s body shuddered violently and then went limp. “Should we get Ada?” Elorhir asked, worriedly. “Nay, I think he will rest all right for now,” Elladan said. Missing Lover: Part 5 Rating: PG-13. Pairing: Elrond/Glorfindel Author: K. Staton Glorfindel regretted opening his eyes because this forced him to regain complete awareness. His body still hurt tremendously. He hadn’t been very lucid when Elrond and the twins ministered to his wounds, but now he was able to explore the areas that were bandaged. Gingerly, he felt the thick layer of cloth binding his ribs and also the bandage around his head. There was also a wrapping around his right hand. Despite the pain emanating from the stiffness of his leg joints, Glorfindel shifted onto his right side and tightly pulled his legs up to his chest. Tears trickled down his cheeks as he remembered the cruelty of the humans. He remembered feeling utterly helpless and alone. His lithe frame shook involuntarily at the fresh memories of being raped and humiliated. His dignity had been stripped from him while in the hands of men. They had abused more than his body, but also his very soul. The fair elf was wracked by sobs of self loathing. His arms wrapped around his shins, holding his legs closer to his body for security. It was in this childish, fetal position that Elrond saw him upon coming into the room. He had stepped out only for a moment to dispose him self and then quickly rushed back to the room. The elven lord’s heart broke upon seeing Glorfindel crying and trembling beneath the covers. Without hesitation the half-elf removed his boots and carefully positioned him self behind the injured elf on the bed. Elrond’s strong arms ensnared Glorfindel’s delicate frame, interlocking his hands across the eldar’s chest, carefully so as not to cause more pain. The back of Glorfindel’s golden head fit nicely beneath Elrond’s chin. In a hushed tone, Elrond spoke words of encouragement to his beloved. His own tears were now slipping down his cheeks. “It is all right dear one,” Elrond spoke softly into the eldar’s ear, “You are safe now. I am here. No one will hurt you anymore.” “Elrond, is it really you?” Glorfindel’s voice was shaky, and child-like. He was trying hard to swallow his sobs and control his breathing. He had prayed numerous times for Elrond to come to his rescue, but now that Elrond was present, Glorfindel began to wish that he wasn’t. The golden head tried to shift away from Elrond’s body. “Glorfindel, please be calm,” Elrond said. He tried to coax the other elf into staying still, but Glorfindel continued to struggle. “No stay close to me. Please dearest you’ll only hurt yourself more.” Glorfindel started whimpering. He was frustrated, scared, and embarrassed. “Leave me, please,” Glorfindel chanted softly. Tears ran from his eyes which he had squeezed tightly. Elrond tried to relax his frame from shaking by stroking the elf’s brow and nuzzling the back of the golden head. “Glorfindel, you are safe. You are home. Nobody can hurt you here. I love you so much. Please don’t shut me out,” Elrond said. He brushed his hands through the golden locks and nestled his chin against the side of Glorfindel’s neck. “I realize that I have not admitted my love for you openly as much as I should have. Glorfindel, I could not stand to lose you. I love you too much. I will do everything in my power to keep you here. Please, do not give into the sorrow.” Glorfindel’s body slackened beneath Elrond’s embracement. The half-elf smiled in hopes that this meant that Glorfindel understood what he was trying to convey, and that the eldar would allow himself to begin healing. Glorfindel woke up a second time from an uneasy sleep. He was on his right side and someone was holding him firmly. His nose picked up the sweet, musky odor of the Lord of Rivendell. He would know Elrond’s rich scent from anywhere. For the moment, Glorfindel forgot about everything. Above all else he desired to snuggle against the warmth of Elrond. Carefully, Glorfindel turned onto his left and buried his forehead deeply against Elrond’s chest. He needed this moment. His ears picked up on the deep, rhythmic beating of his lover’s heart. This brought a tiny smile to Glorfindel’s lips. Unconsciously, Glorfindel squeezed Elrond’s waist tightly. When the humans hadn’t been busy roughing him up, they had left him alone in a cold and dark shed. He was never conscious when they left him in the shed, but he would be awake when they came back for more torture. Those moments of finding himself abandoned were very terrifying. He didn’t know exactly where he was, and he had no way of knowing if Elrond knew where he was. Holding on to Elrond at the present was the most comforting thing for Glorfindel. He inhaled the half-elf’s aroma and squeezed the waist a little tighter in order to reassure himself that this wasn’t a dream. When Elrond woke up, Glorfindel’s emerald eyes were looking at his face. He was surprised at first, but then recovered himself, suppressing a frown at the sadness he saw in his lover’s eyes. “Is it morning?” Elrond asked, jokingly. He smiled to Glorfindel and kissed his lips. “I love you Glorfindel.” Glorfindel did not say anything. He simply brought a hand up and touched Elrond’s cheeks. His fingers roamed the entire surface of Elrond’s face, from his chin to his brow. Elrond held his breath when the nimble fingers brushed against his lips and traced the curves of his mouth. “Are you hungry? Perhaps we should have something to eat. I could get us something light, perhaps some soup,” Elrond suggested. Glorfindel perked up at the suggestion of food. He wasn’t sure how his stomach would handle it, but he nodded his head anyway. Elrond kissed Glorfindel’s lips before leaving the room. He came back carrying a tray with a bowl of hot, beef broth. Kindly, Elrond helped Glorfindel sit up in the bed. Then he pulled up a chair next to the bed. Glorfindel’s right hand was bandaged and thus, unable to grasp a spoon. He had no choice but to allow Elrond to spoon feed him. The soup slid down Glorfindel’s throat easily and warmed his stomach almost instantaneously. “Slowly, now,” Elrond said. He lifted the spoon up to Glorfindel’s lips again. The elf was eager to swallow it quickly, but took his time so as not to choke on it by accident. The nourishment helped him to feel a bit calmer. There had been a few times when the elf had been allowed any liquids to pass his lips while in the hands of the humans. However, the liquids had been vile and the elf had wished to spit out those fluids rather than swallow. Glorfindel frowned at the memories. One time the men had crowded over him laughing and relieving themselves all over his naked body. The hot, yellow, foul liquids streamed all over the place. The men made sure to get it all over his back, in his hair and worse, right in his face. The elf had thrown up twice in disgust. Most abundantly, Glorfindel remembered being forced to swallow cum from several men. Each time he had wanted spit it all out. Elrond set the empty bowl aside and wiped the edges of Glorfindel’s mouth. He could tell that Glorfindel had retreated into his memories. The elf’s eyes were looking past him in a haunting way. He took a hold of the slender hands. “What is it? Will you share with me what it is you are thinking about?” He asked, now fondling the hands. “I can’t,” Glorfindel answered, pulling his hands out of the other elf’s hands. He sank under the covers, pulling them closer to his body, as though it were a shield from his partner. Elrond was startled, but then a new idea came into his head. “Please, allow me to touch your mind, I wish to help you heal,” Elrond said, tenderly placing his palm above Glorfindel’s brow. He could tell that the eldar was slipping under the control of shadows. Glorfindel shut his eyes. He accepted the warm touch, but part of him remained somewhat frightened. Elrond cleared his mind and focused on generating a connection with Glorfindel’s. Through their link, the half-elf was able to comprehend the emotional distress which plagued his lover. Glorfindel’s mind was blanketed by darkness and memories of torture and ridicule as a prisoner to the humans. The healer inside of him called up on all of his efforts to wade through all of the pain until at last he came to area of Glorfindel’s mind where a faint glimmer of light still flickered. Elrond caught surges of comfort from this small reserve of light. He offered his own strength as fuel for this light. He sent waves of healing through his link with Glorfindel and the light seemed to brighten gradually, and then it disappeared altogether. Elrond gasped, and realized that Glorfindel had purposefully severed the link by pulling away from his touch. “Dearest?” Elrond called, confused. Glorfindel hugged his side and flipped over so that his back was to his lord. Elrond reached out and rubbed the eldar’s back. This time the golden-haired elf wouldn’t respond. “Ada, is everything all right?” asked Elorhir. He and Elladan had stopped by to check on Glorfindel. “I’m at a loss,” Elrond admitted, “Every time I try to get close to him he pulls away just a little further.” The elven lord placed a hand over his forehead. Elladan and Elorhir walked up to their father. They hadn’t seen him this bent out of shape since their mother’s passing. “We’ll find away to Glorfindel ada,” Elorhir said, encouragingly. He offered his father a broad smile, for which Elrond was appreciative. He reached out and stroked the younger elf’s arm. “Thank you my son,” Elrond replied. Then he stood up on his feet. Elladan and Elorhir moved to help him since it was obvious that he was very exhausted. “Shall we stay with him, while to rest?” Elladan asked. Elrond shook his head. “Nay, I think that Glorfindel might need some time alone. I will only rest for a short time, and then I will return to check in on him,” Elrond said. The twins nodded their approval, and the three elves left Glorfindel alone. An hour later………………………………………………………… Elrond looked around the room, puzzled. His patient’s bed was empty and there was no trace of the golden-hair elf lord. “Glorfindel!” Elrond called, urgently. “Glorfindel? Where did you go?” The half-elf huffed as he frantically searched for Glorfindel. He felt guilty for feeling angry towards his lover at the moment, but at the same time it was distressing to have the elf missing within his own home. Glorfindel rocked himself nervously as he was aware that someone was searching for him. He whimpered and tried to calm himself by singing. Elrond faintly heard the sweet voice he loved so dearly. The soft song was coming from a closet in one of the guest rooms. The elf lord grabbed a hold of the handle and in one fluid motion he swung the door open. Yet again, the Lord of Rivendell’s heart broke at the sight of his lover. Glorfindel was huddled in the corner of the closet, with his knees drawn close to his chest. The elf was crying and trying to sing at the same time. His face was buried against his thighs. Elrond bent down and scooped the elf into his arms. Glorfindel whimpered and tried to resist, but Elrond kept a firm hold him. “Shhh. Shhh. Uuma dela (don’t worry) it is only me, Elrond,” the half-elf said softly. He carried Glorfindel back to his bed and pulled the covers over him. Glorfindel’s eyelids shut and his body slackened beneath the covers. Elrond frowned at seeing his lover still sleeping with his eyes shut. The half-elf prayed that his beloved would start opening up to him. The though of losing another partner caused tears to well up in his eyes. He placed a tender kiss on Glorfindel’s brow, and then took up his vigil in the chair. TBC………………………………………………………. Missing Lover (6-8/8) Rating: PG Disclaimer: Characters belong to Tolkien Pairing: Elrond/Glorfindel Author: K. Staton (staton_katy@yahoo.com) A few days later… Glorfindel sat in a tub of hot water, idly rubbing his body down with a soapy washcloth. Elrond’s healing sessions had stimulated the mending of Glorfindel’s ribs and his right hand. His body still held visible bruises, but even those were starting to fade. Being in the tub was a means of escape. He could be alone. He wouldn’t have to see the dark brown, pain-filled eyes of his lover. Elrond had been truly supportive, but it was too much for Glorfindel to cope with. His mind and body were still healing, and Elrond’s presence often reminded him of the shame he had felt while being raped. The elf dipped the washcloth in the water once more. He held a corner of the cloth between his thumb and index finger and watched as water drizzled and made small splashes and trickling noises. Somehow this amused him. His green eyes twinkled at the simplicity of his actions. A slight grin tugged at the corner of his lips; being in the tub felt refreshing for the moment. Eventually the elf would have to leave the tub, but right now he was safe and alone. Elrond was waiting for the elf to finish with his bath. Since the incident with the closet, the Lord of Imladris took extra caution to be as close to his lover as possible. Glorfindel was allowing him to use his healing skills to heal the physical wounds, but the elven lord wasn’t satisfied that the mental recovery was taking place. Glorfindel came out of the bathroom. His golden hair was limp and dripping wet. He had a towel wrapped around his body and stood awkwardly in the door way of his room. Since his body was healing, Elrond had allowed him to leave the infirmary. “How was your bath?” Elrond asked. He stood up and walked over to Glorfindel. He gave his lover a light kiss on the lips. “It was fine. I feel better,” Glorfindel answered, when their lips parted. Elrond ran his hand over the damp locks. “I was thinking that you should move your things into my room,” the half-elf said. Glorfindel entered the room a bit. He wasn’t sure of what to say. “Do you think that I need constant supervision?” It came out harshly. “I didn’t mean it like that love. I mean to say that I would like for you to move your things into my room so that we may share a room together.” “I don’t think that I can right now Elrond. I know you’re trying to help me, but what I really need is to be by myself for a little while. I need my own space.” Elrond sighed. He had already predicted that this might be a battle he’d lose. “All right love, I understand,” he said, folding his hands together. “It was just a suggestion. Would you like for me to wait for you while you get dressed?” “No, go on ahead. I’ll meet up with you in a moment,” Glorfindel replied. He held the towel closer to his body. He was suddenly very conscious of being close to naked. Even though it was Elrond, Glorfindel wasn’t ready to be naked in front of anyone so soon. Elrond gave his cheek a kiss and left the room, shutting the door behind him. Glorfindel relaxed a bit. “Ada, where’s Glorfindel?” Elorhir asked. “He’ll be down in a moment,” Elrond replied. The family sat around the table for breakfast. Elladan picked at his croissant, tearing it into pieces nearly one flake at a time. Elorhir swirled the juice in his glass a few times, then took a sip of it. Elrond spooned a wedge of grapefruit, but only held it up for inspection rather than actually eating it. When Glorfindel entered the room, all three elves smiled in his direction. “Good morning, Glorfindel,” Elladan said, cheerfully. He pulled out the chair next to him and patted the seat cushion. “Come sit and join us.” Elrond sat anxiously on the corner of his chair. He was resisting the urge to go to his lover’s side, but Glorfindel managed just fine on his own. The two lords exchanged glances, but neither acted upon it. Truthfully, Glorfindel didn’t have much of an appetite. However, he thought it would be better to please the family by eating with them. The golden elf’s reasoning was that it would save him from hours of interrogation later on how he was feeling. He helped himself to a small portion of fruit and a croissant. A servant came out and poured him a cup of hot ginger tea. “How are you feeling today?” Elorhir asked. Glorfindel cringed inwardly. The questions were starting. He wanted to tell them that he didn’t believe that he could continue living. He wanted to explain that every time he looked in the mirror he didn’t see himself the way he used to. The golden-haired elf no longer saw himself as the valiant protector of Imladris and chief advisor to Lord Elrond. Instead, he saw himself as a small, frail elfling who was dirty inside and out. What could he say, but words he thought would sound as though he was improving. “I am all right Elorhir,” Glorfindel replied. It wasn’t a complete lie. He was feeling confident enough to get out of bed and leave his chambers, even though he feared having to run into anyone except for Elrond and the twins. “Would you like to go for a ride today?” Elladan asked. The younger elf had missed the seneschal’s company a great deal. Over the years Glorfindel had taught him so many things. Besides supervising their academic educations, Glorfindel had also taught the twins how to master elven weaponry for fighting and hunting purposes. Once the twins learned how to ride horses, he would often take them out on short expeditions. “I’m afraid I will have to pass, Elladan,” Glorfindel apologized, “I think that I would prefer to catch up on my work.” Elorhir looked over at his father when Glorfindel said this. “Glorfindel, you don’t need to jump right back into working,” Elrond protested, “Your body still needs a few more days of healing. I strongly insist that you do nothing more than partake in relaxing activities.” “Elorhir and I will keep you company,” Elladan offered, hopeful that his friend would accept their companionship. Elorhir offered Glorfindel a smiling nod in agreement. Glorfindel’s shoulder’s sagged and his body posture was slumped against the back of the chair. Elrond reached out his hand and placed it over Glorfindel’s. “Is there something I may do?” he asked, not even concerned that his sons were watching his gestures. Elrond still hadn’t told the twins of his affections for Glorfindel. The said elf looked at the hand upon his own, and then into Elrond’s brown eyes. His own green eyes were full of melancholy and pain. “I am all right,” the elf said, softly, “You know, I’m really not that hungry right now. I think that I would rather just take a nap.” He excused himself from the table before the others could protest. Elorhir moved first to go after the elf, but Elrond shook his head and spoke sternly. “No Elorhir, we can not force him to behave differently. Glorfindel will return to his old self in time.” “But what if he doesn’t ada?” the younger twin asked, exasperated. “What if he gets worse? We can’t let him isolate himself from us. That’s what naneth did before she left for Valinor.” Neither Elrond nor Elladan had a response to the younger elf’s statement. The three elves sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. At length, Elrond broke the tension and stillness. “It may seem as though Glorfindel needs for us to intervene and to rescue him from all of the emotional suffering he’s going through, but I think that alls we can do realistically is offer our support by not treating him as an invalid. His healing will be a process which could span over the next hundred years and ultimately he may decide to leave these shores. We will just have to be patient, continue showing our love for him the same as before.” Elrond’s words angered Elladan. He felt as though his father was giving up early at helping Glorfindel. Elorhir seemed puzzled, but he was willing to do whatever his father thought was best. Glorfindel waited until he was certain that everyone in the house had gone to bed before slipping out of his bedroom. He quietly went out to the stables. He gave a special whistle to his stallion. Asfaloth stuck his head over the door to his stall and neighed. Glorfindel stroked the stallion’s white mane in order to keep him quiet and calm. “Hello dear friend,” Glorfindel said. The stallion shoved its head gently into the elf’s shoulder. Glorfindel smiled. He opened the door and led the horse outside. In a single bound, Glorfindel swung himself up on to Asfaloth’s back. He gave the horse a low signal and took off into the woods. Little did he know, that the Lord of Imladris witnessed him depart. There wasn’t any wind, but the air was chilly. Glorfindel only wore a light jacket over his clothes. He had woken hot and sweaty from a nightmare, and thus he hardly registered the cold night air. He pushed Asfaloth for a long time. He didn’t care where they ended up, just so long as they rode fast. When Asfaloth showed signs of tiring, Glorfindel guided them to a stream. Wearily, he slid off of the horse and sat down on the ground. After taking a long drink from the stream, the white stallion laid down next to his master. Glorfindel cried against the warm, strong, body of the beast. Asfaloth remained silent. His wide eyes looked on in pity towards the elf who had taken care of him for so long. There was a deep connection between the two of them, and the horse could sense that its elven master was hurting a great deal. Elrond walked up cautiously. He didn’t want to be mistaken for an intruder and cause a lot of commotion out of Asfaloth. He bade his own mount to stay off to the side, as he approached the other elf. Glorfindel was wiping tears and trying to regain control of his emotion when he felt a gently hand upon his shoulder. He looked up in surprise to find Elrond standing over him. “What are you doing out here, beloved?” Elrond asked. The half- elf expected to receive defiance from the golden-haired warrior, but instead Glorfindel hugged him tightly around the waist. “I love you Elrond Peredhel,” Glorfindel said softly. Elrond was speechless. He ran his hands up and down the silky fabric of Glorfindel’s jacket, in an attempt to offer his lover comfort. Glorfindel pressed his head closer to Elrond’s chest. They remained embraced for several minutes. Elrond cupped his hands around Glorfindel’s cheeks. “You are very special to me. I could not afford to lose you. What is bothering you?” Glorfindel had trouble meeting Elrond’s brown eyes. They always appeared so serious. He tried to turn away, but Elrond kept his head mobile. “Look at me, Glorfindel,” he commanded. Tears escaped from Glorfindel’s green eyes. “I’m ashamed for you to look upon me as a priceless treasure,” Glorfindel admitted. “I feel dirty. I can feel the hands all over me.” The elf clutched himself about the waist and shuddered. Elrond removed his hands and placed them on Glorfindel’s hips. “Glorfindel, I care for you. I love you. Please tell me how I may help you.” “I don’t know Elrond. I’m not sure what will make things better. I can’t sleep. I remember what they did to me,” his voice started to quaver. “It scares me Elrond. They hurt me, and I feel so ashamed and dirty.” The elf was trembling now. Not so much from cold, but from the painful memories. Elrond stroked the golden-hair and held the lithe body close to his own. “Why Elrond? Why did they hurt me so badly? What did I do to deserve it?” “It wasn’t your fault Glorfindel. Those were evil men who did not have any respect for our kind. It was unfortunate, but it is over now. They cannot hurt anymore because you are safe with me.” “Do you love me Elrond?” Glorfindel locked on to Elrond’s eyes, as though trying to penetrate into the half-elf’s soul. If not for the emotional severity of the moment, Elrond would have been forced to divert his eyes because the intense eye contact with Glorfindel’s was so overwhelming. “I love you very much Glorfindel. I worship everything about you. I relish the melodious harmony of your laughter. I love how your eyes sparkle like emeralds, and how your hair shimmers like golden rays of sunshine. I adore the way you sleep with your lips partially opened when you’re in a deep sleep.” Elrond paused to kiss Glorfindel on the lips for good measure. “There isn’t anyone else I love as much as I love you right now.” “What about the twins? You have not told Elladan and Elorhir about us.” Elrond felt a pang of guilt. It was the truth. He had been keeping their relationship from the twins for quite some time. “And Arwen. Will you tell her too?” Elrond shut his eyes. His youngest child was still living with her grandparents in Lothlorien. “You and I will tell them together,” Elrond replied, “We will have Arwen come home. She has been away long enough. It is time that we started living as a whole family once more.” Glorfindel smiled, but he was stepping backwards. “I don’t know Elrond. I don’t want them to think that I am replacing their mother.” Elrond reached for his hand. “It won’t be that way Glorfindel. I can tell that Elladan and Elorhir regard you as a member of the family. I feel that they will be very supportive towards our relationship.” Elrond persuaded. Glorfindel hung his head and shifted his feet uneasily. His mind was clouded with bitter thoughts. He loved Elrond too much to let the half-elf down, but since his capture the elven lord felt evermore unsure of himself than he ever did. “Glorfindel, what are you thinking about?” Elrond’s voice was becoming desperate for information from his partner. He was weary from playing this estranged game of tug-of-war with his lover. Nearly a year had passed since Glorfindel’s physical recovery was complete, but the emotional scars still remained. “I’m tired Elrond,” Glorfindel said. He walked over to Asfaloth and stroked the horse between the eyes. Elrond wanted more of an answer than a diversion. He readied himself in a similar manner he might use when handing down a punishment to the twins for misbehaving. “Glorfindel we are not leaving until you talk to me,” Elrond ordered. Anger masked the features of Glorfindel’s face. “I choose not to speak with you right now. I’m going home,” Glorfindel retorted. He went to leap up on Asfaloth’s back, but Elrond grasped him by the shoulders and spun him around. “Let go of me, Elrond!” “Only if you will talk to me! Glorfindel it is I, Elrond. I only want to help you.” “You cannot help me. Not this time. I need to work this out on my own.” “I don’t believe that. I think that you need my support. Glorfindel, do you remember when Celebrian left me?” He didn’t really expect for the elf to reply. “I was in complete denial that I was suffering as badly as I was, but you saw through my façade and you helped me recover myself. I only want to return the favor. I care too much about you to stand idly by while the person I love slowly diminishes in front of me.” Glorfindel stared down at the ground. He wouldn’t acknowledge Elrond. In frustration he kicked at the dirt. Elrond’s temper was growing. “Do you want to leave Imladris?” Elrond asked. Glorfindel flinched at the bitterness in Elrond’s voice. “I will arrange passage for you to sail for the Havens if you so wish.” There was silence. “Argh!!!” Elrond let out a loud grunt of frustration and anger. His hands were balled into fists. The dark-haired lord was losing his composure in front of the other elf. “I give up. Is that what you want to hear? I don’t know how to help you!” Glorfindel looked up at him. “I never asked you to take care of me, Elrond. You took on that responsibility yourself.” Glorfindel kept his distance, but spoke directly to his companion. “I can’t be with somebody who won’t allow for me to make decisions on my own. You have done nothing but fuss and crowd over me. I am still capable of taking care of myself.” “Do you still love me?” Elrond asked. “Of course I still love you, but I can’t be with you if you don’t respect the fact that I am not ready to speak with you about what happened to me. I want you to love me the way you did before I was attacked.” “I don’t know if I can,” Elrond admitted, “I see hurt in your eyes every day and I think about the condition of your health when I found you. I thought that you were dead. There was so much blood, and you were unresponsive….” Elrond took a cautious step closer to Glorfindel. “My heart cried the entire time that I carried you in my arms on the way home. I was so afraid of losing you. I’m still afraid of losing you.” “I don’t want to lose you either, Elrond. I need you to understand though, that I need moments of space as well as your support.” “I will give you whatever you need. Just promise that you will stay with me, as my lover. I love you so much.” Glorfindel hugged Elrond tightly. “It’ll be all right Glorfindel.” Elladan and Elorhir were excited for the homecoming of their sister, Arwen. She was no longer a small elfling girl, but a mature looking elf-maiden. Elrond stood smiling as the twins ran to greet their younger sibling. His right arm was slung over Glorfindel’s shoulders and his left was wrapped around the elf’s waist. Glorfindel’s gold head was resting against Elrond’s chest. Since their talk over a fortnight ago, moods had started perking up between the lovers. There was more understanding and open communication, even though Glorfindel did not share everything with Elrond. Glorfindel wasn’t quite ready to share a bedroom, but he was becoming more confident in his physical beauty to the point where he could spend more time cuddled within Elrond’s embrace. The two elves had agreed to take things slowly, and to re-establish a close, romantic relationship together. Elladan, Elorhir, and Arwen were each accepting of the development between their father and his seneschal. The younger elves were very supportive, and the family was once again living under the same roof. Glorfindel was still traumatized by his capture, but in the three hundred years that followed the initial start of his healing process with the aid of Elrond and his three children, Glorfindel was able to begin to cope with the emotional wounds. The cure to his ailment was discovered by an unlikely situation. Elrond came home one afternoon in the midst of a harsh winter carrying a strange looking bundle. Glorfindel could sense Elrond’s anxiousness. “What is it Love?” Glorfindel asked, going to Elrond’s side. Elrond revealed his precious cargo to be a human baby. Glorfindel looked astonishingly at the baby, and then at Elrond. “Elrond, this is a human baby. Where did it come from? Do you know whose it is?” “I found the child alone in the woods,” Elrond explained, “Its parents were killed by wargs.” Glorfindel carefully took the small form into his arms and tenderly cradled it against his warm chest. “Come, we must get you both warm by the fire,” Glorfindel said. “You go ahead. I will first see about getting some nourishment for the child. I am certain that when he wakes he will be hungry,” Elrond replied. Glorfindel and Elrond kissed before going separate ways for the time being. In the late evening Elrond spoke with his children on the matter of the human infant. “Whose child was it Ada?” Elorhir asked. “He belonged to the king and queen of Gondor,” Elrond answered. “What happened to them?” Elldand asked. “They were killed by wargs,” Elrond said, somberly. “Then he’s an orphan,” Arwen commented. “Where is the baby now, Ada?” “Glorfindel is watching him,” Elrond said. Elrond could not stop his sons and daughter from rushing to find Glorfindel and the new visitor. However, the three of them only silently peeked in on Glorfindel as he was rocking the baby and singing softly to it in the same, fatherly manner he used to when they had been infants. They parted from the entrance to the living room when Elrond came to join the sight. Elrond quietly approached Glorfindel and sat next to him on the sofa. “I see that the two of you have already bonded,” he teased. Glorfindel blushed and looked down at the child in his arms. Elrond kissed him gently on the neck and behind the ear. “What will happen to him?” Glorfindel inquired, “Surely we cannot keep him, after all he is a human, and therefore belongs with humans.” Elrond detected longing in his lover’s voice. “On the contrary, this child is more special than meets the eyes,” Elrond stated. Glorfindel met his gaze. “His father was Arathorn, king of Gondor.” “Then that would make him….” “…the heir to Isildur.” Glorfindel was shocked at this revelation. The young infant in his arms was not only the future king to Gondor, but to the entire race of Men. “I was thinking that we could adopt him, and prepare him for his responsibilities as king in the years to come.” “What shall we name him?” Elrond thought for a moment, but only for a moment. He could easily foresee all of which this child’s destiny would symbolize for Middle Earth, but more importantly to him, Elrond could see what the child meant for his lover. “Estel (Hope).” The End