Title:   Enough for Tonight  (1-2/22)
Author: Aglarien
Rating: NC-17
Type: FPS 
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel, plus a few other pairings that will show up later.
Disclaimer: Alas, not mine.  Master Tolkien owns them all.  Except for the cat. 
Warning:  AU.  Fluff – including the cat kind.  Blood and battles in later parts.
Summary:  Erestor cares for a wounded friend.


First, a few notes on the timeline and such.

In my universe, Glorfindel returned around 1700 S.A., shortly after the fall of Eregion.  
Erestor and Elrond are about the same age, both born at the end of the F.A.  

Present time in the story is around 1300 T.A., when “evil begins to multiply again” in 
Middle-earth, so Erestor and Elrond are somewhere around 4,700 years old, and the twins 
are just under 1,200. 

Glorfindel, counting both of his lives, is older than dirt.  

Caladir is about 2,000.  

Tinnu is – well, Tinnu is highly affronted that you would even ask, and refuses to say.  

Arwen is visiting her grandparents in Lothlorien, which is why you won’t find her in this 
story. Since I’m messing with Tolkien’s universe anyway, Celebrian was attacked and 
sailed to Valinor about 1200 years before she really did, so she has been gone around one 
hundred years.


*~*~*~*~*
Part One


Erestor sat in front of the window in the darkened room, staring out to the courtyard.  
Rain poured down in heavy cascades, lightening flashed and thunder roared.  His eyes 
never leaving the window, he spoke softly when the small animal curled on his lap was 
startled awake, and gently stroked its fur. “Be at peace, Tinnu, it’s only thunder.  You are 
safe with me.”  The jet-black cat settled down again, moving its head against the comfort 
of Erestor’s hand.   The cat was sleek as a panther, with velvet fur that sparkled when 
lightening flashed.  Erestor knew the steady stroking of the soft fur and the sound of the 
deep purring rumble coming from the cat was helping control his own anxiety as he 
waited.

Erestor was waiting for his best friend to return, praying to the Valar for his safety, and 
nervously watching every movement outside.  Glorfindel’s patrol had run into a band of 
Orcs near the Western border.  Although the elves had destroyed the Orcs, several 
wounded members of the patrol had been escorted back to Imladris earlier in the day.  
When Erestor had helped care for the wounded, he had learned that Glorfindel and the 
remaining members of the patrol had stayed to ensure there were no more Orcs close to 
Imladris’ borders before returning.  

Glorfindel had been reborn with the innocence of the Firstborn, and the grace of the Eldar 
was strong in him.  In battle, he shone with the light of Aman, having lived in that 
blessed realm with their kin who had never left for Middle-earth.  Erestor knew no foul 
creature of Melkor could stand before him, but that did not mean that Glorfindel could 
not be wounded or killed again.

Erestor had long loved the mighty warrior, but knew that Glorfindel would never think of 
him as other than a dear friend.  What had he, a simple councilor, to offer to such an elf 
blessed by the Valar?  He simply could not risk letting Glorfindel know his feelings; he 
would not be able to bear the rejection.  Erestor could not imagine his life without 
Glorfindel, never seeing his angelic face, never sharing peaceful evenings talking or just 
sitting in comfortable silence. 

 A sharp “meow” and a set of claws in his thigh made Erestor realize his fingers had 
gathered up a section of the cat’s fur and he was gripping it tightly.  Releasing the poor 
animal’s back, he said “Forgive me, Tinnu, I did not mean to hurt you,” as his hand 
smoothed the perturbed cat.

It was just past midnight when the returning patrol was sighted.  Erestor picked up Tinnu 
from his lap, got up, and then placed the cat back on the chair.  “I will return.  Glorfindel 
is almost home,” he told the cat, and hurried out of his room.

Elladan and Elrohir joined Erestor in the corridor, and the three ran outside to join 
Elrond.    “The sentries report all in our patrol survive, but there are many more 
wounded.” Elrond said.  “I fear we will need all three of you to assist in the healing house 
again.”

“Of course, Ada.” Elrohir replied, while the others nodded to Elrond.

All four turned to the gate when the patrol arrived.  There were several guards being 
carried on litters, and several more wounded riding with their brothers-in-arms, held 
closely in front of an uninjured warrior to ensure their safety.  All of the returning patrol 
was drenched from the rain.  Erestor felt his heart stop for a beat when he saw Glorfindel 
enter the courtyard.  He was riding on Asfaloth, in front of Caladir, his second in 
command, and Caladir’s arms circled his chest, holding him steady.  Glorfindel’s eyes 
were nearly closed, and his shoulder and chest were saturated in blood – his blood.

“Elrond!” Erestor called.  “Come, quickly, it is Glorfindel,” and hurried to his friend.  
Elrond gestured to his sons to take over checking the guard he was with, and turned to go 
with Erestor.  

Elladan and Elrohir knew their father and Erestor would take care of Glorfindel.  Their 
hearts told them to go to their injured former teacher and friend as well, but they knew 
they were needed to assist the other healers with the other wounded.  “Go, Ada” Elladan 
said.  “We will take care of them.”

Elrond and Erestor reached Glorfindel at the same time, and two pair of arms reached to 
take him from Caladir.  Glorfindel’s eyes opened, and he smiled weakly when he saw 
Elrond and Erestor, reaching one hand out to them.  “My Lord Elrond,” Caladir said, “it 
is his shoulder - an Orc blade.  We bound it with healing herbs as tight as we could, but 
still it bleeds.  We found the Orc camp, and the foul creatures numbered three times as 
many as we.  Lord Glorfindel killed many, until three large Orcs encircled him.  One 
managed to strike him before he was able to take them out.” 

“Elrond,” Glorfindel said wearily, “we destroyed them all.  I do not think they will 
venture so close to Imladris again any time soon.”  Glorfindel’s eyes closed again, and he 
sighed deeply.

Erestor took Glorfindel in his arms, allowing Elrond to lift the bandages and assess the 
damage.
“Quickly, Erestor, we must get him to the healing house.” Elrond said.  Turning to 
Caladir, Elrond noticed a cut on his arm.  “Caladir, you have done well this night.  Go 
with the others now and get that arm tended to.” Caladir bowed to his Lord, and moved to 
follow the other guards.   

Elrond and Erestor took Glorfindel to a separate room in the healing house, and laid him 
on the bed.    Before they could remove his soaked clothing and get him into a dry, warm 
robe, they needed to tend to his shoulder.  Elrond carefully cut off Glorfindel’s tunic on 
his wounded side, and removed the bandages.  Erestor sat on the bed and helped 
Glorfindel lean his uninjured side against him so Elrond could examine the wound. The 
slash was long and deep, a horribly jagged cut straight through the top of his shoulder.  
“Thank the Valar it was not near one of your vital organs, Glorfindel,” Elrond said.  “You 
are cut to the bone.  I see no sign of poison, but the foul blade has caused an infection.  I 
must stitch your shoulder to stop this bleeding, my friend.  Do you wish me to give you a 
potion so you will sleep through it?  The pain must be great.” Elrond asked.  

Glorfindel barely opened his eyes.  “Nay, Elrond, the pain is bearable.  I am merely 
exhausted.  I may even fall asleep while you work.”  Elrond raised his eyebrows and gave 
Erestor a smirk.  Erestor simply tightened his hold on his weary secret love, his heart 
rejoicing that Glorfindel was not dangerously wounded.  Elrond cleaned the wound, and 
then began joining muscle and flesh together with careful stitches.  Glorfindel took one of 
Erestor’s hands, occasionally gripping it tightly when the pain was more severe, while 
Erestor’s free hand rubbed slow, comforting circles on Glorfindel’s back.  

When the stitching was finished, Elrond placed packets of healing herbs along the 
wound, covered it with pads of soft, clean cloth, and wrapped bandages around him to 
hold it all in place, immobilizing his left arm.  He prepared more herbs, mixing them in a 
cup of hot water.  Noticing that Glorfindel’s free hand was still holding Erestor’s, he held 
the cup to his mouth and said “Drink, Glorfindel.”  His patient dutifully complied, 
scrunching up his face at the bitter taste.  Elrond continued, “I am afraid you will need to 
drink this often, my friend, if we are to heal you of the infection.”

Elrond placed the cup safely on a table, and sat down on the bed next to his friends.  
“Glorfindel,” he said, “ you are very lucky you were wounded on your left side.  Your 
right is your sword arm, is it not?”  Glorfindel nodded once.   Elrond continued, “My 
friend, I am afraid this will take several weeks to heal.   It is the damaged muscles that 
will take the longest.  I cannot allow you to go out on patrol again until you are healed.”

Glorfindel looked at Elrond, eyebrows raised, and then said, “Weeks?  Elrond, it is my 
duty to keep our borders safe.  I cannot allow a little wound to keep me….” 

“Glorfindel,” Erestor’s soft voice stopped him, “we cannot allow our Seneschal to 
endanger Imladris or our guards by patrolling when he is not at his full strength,” gently 
reminding Glorfindel of his duty.  “You have made our borders safe for a time.  No Orc 
or other foul creature will venture close for months.  Even if they do, you have trained 
Caladir well.  Your guards respect him and will follow him until your return.  You do not 
want your men worrying about you instead of concentrating on their duty.

“Aye, Erestor, you are right,” Glorfindel conceded, “but it is hard for me to admit I 
cannot continue my duties, even for a short time.  What will I do with myself for all that 
time?”

Elrond smiled at his friends.  “I believe we can find something to keep you suitably 
occupied, my friend.  But let us discuss that in a few days when your wound starts to heal 
and the infection is gone.  First, we need to get you out of those wet clothes and into 
something warm.”  

Glorfindel sighed and looked at Erestor and then Elrond.  He was in pain, but refused to 
admit it in front of his Lord.   “Elrond, I would like to go to my own chambers instead of 
remaining here.  As long as I am to be coddled for a while, I want to be in my own room.  
You know how I hate staying in the healing house.”

Elrond sighed, then spoke gently, “Glorfindel, you need someone to care for you, fix the 
potions you must take, and in general to help you, aside from the fact that we need to 
watch your inflection.  You cannot even dress yourself with one arm bound.”  Glorfindel 
bowed his head dejectedly.

Erestor watched Elrond and Glorfindel, and thought for a moment.  Could he?  Should 
he?  The chance to be this close to his heart’s desire might never come again.  Even if 
Glorfindel noticed something different about him, Erestor felt sure he could pass it off as 
concern for his wounded friend.  Being so close to Glorfindel would be torture, but he 
wanted to help the one who held his heart.  “Elrond,” Erestor began, “we do not have 
much work to handle this time of year.  There are no special festivities planned, and I 
have my assistants who can continue with the copying and cataloging I am working on.  
Perhaps we could let Glorfindel return to his rooms if I stayed with him and cared for 
him?” It would be enough to only stay close to him for one night.

Glorfindel gave Erestor a grateful look and looked up to Elrond hopefully.  “Please, 
Elrond?” he begged.  “I promise I will not drive Erestor as crazy as I would the healers 
here.”

Elrond looked at Erestor.  He was fairly certain that his Chief Councilor had been in love 
with Glorfindel for centuries.  Knowing the councilor as well as he did, he knew Erestor 
would never disclose his feeling to Glorfindel without some kind of catalyst.  “Erestor?  
Are you certain you want to be responsible for Imladris’ worst patient?  Do you recall 
what happened the last time our dear Seneschal was wounded?  And that was only after 
one day!”  

Erestor smiled, remembering healers fleeing from Glorfindel’s room in a hail of plates, 
cutlery, and anything else the warrior could find to throw.  “Ah, but Elrond, this time he 
will be in his own room, and I think he will be less likely to break his own things!  
Besides, I can always tie him down to his bed if I need to.”

“Very well, Glorfindel,” Elrond chuckled.  “As long as you promise to do what Erestor 
says, rest, and take your potions, I will allow you to return to your rooms.  Erestor, I will 
make up the herbs against the infection, as well as herbs for pain.   You know how to use 
them.  I will rely on you to let me know if you have need of me, and I want to check the 
wound daily.”  Erestor acknowledged Elrond’s words with a nod.  

“Elrond, will you check on my men and send me word how they fare?” Glorfindel asked.  
“Some of their wounds looked to be serious.”

“Of course, my friend,” Elrond replied.  “I will leave you two and check on them now.”  
Elrond placed a hand on Erestor’s shoulder.  “Take good care of our friend, Erestor.”  
Turning to Glorfindel, he said, “I am glad you are safely back, Glorfindel.  And 
remember, you promised to behave.”  His two friends nodded, and bade their Lord good 
night as he left the room.

“Aiya, Erestor, I am weary and chilled to the bone, to say nothing of these wet clothes,” 
Glorfindel sighed.  “And I am hungry and I hurt,” he added, letting himself give into his 
pain in the presence of his closest friend.  Although elves did not usually feel cold, 
Erestor knew the trauma of Glorfindel’s wound would make him feel chilled.

Erestor stood and helped Glorfindel up.  “Come,” he said, “Let us get you to your room.”  
He placed a warm cloak around Glorfindel’s shoulders, and then wrapped an arm around 
his waist to support the warrior, and they slowly began to walk.  When they saw a servant 
in the corridor, Erestor stopped.  “Amarion, would you go ahead of us to Lord 
Glorfindel’s rooms please, and make sure the fire is started?  Then I would appreciate it if 
you would go to the kitchens and ask them to bring some hot soup and hot water in a 
kettle I can place over the fire in his rooms.”  

“Of course, My Lord,” the servant replied, “I would be honored,” and hurried away to do 
as Erestor requested.  The servants in Imladris were all treated kindly and generously, and 
genuinely loved their Lords.

In the healing house, Elladan and Elrohir worked among the healers, helping to clean 
wounds, stitch cuts and administer potions.  When they saw Elrond enter, Elladan called 
to him, “Ada, how fares Glorfindel?”  The room went silent, as all waited for Elrond’s 
response.  Elrond, aware that everyone wanted - nay, needed - to know his answer, spoke 
loud enough for all to hear.  “He will be well.  The wound is deep and infected, but not 
mortal.  It will take him several weeks to heal, though, and Lord Erestor has volunteered 
to stay with him and care for him during his recovery.”  There was a collective sigh of 
relief at the news.  Elrond moved to assist the other healers and check on the condition of 
each and every elf in Glorfindel’s patrol.



*~*~*~*~*
Part Two


When Erestor and Glorfindel reached the warrior’s quarters, the fires in both his sitting 
room and his bedroom were blazing, slowly heating the rooms, and Amarion was already 
gone.  Erestor lead Glorfindel into his bedroom, and standing next to the bed, nervously 
began to remove Glorfindel’s wet clothes, wondering just how he was going to 
accomplish the task and not let Glorfindel see his desire.  After carefully removing 
Glorfindel’s now torn and cut tunic, he untied his leggings, knowing he would have to 
look below Glorfindel’s chest to avoid accidentally hitting something with his hands that 
he shouldn’t.   After pushing the leggings half way down, keeping his head bowed, he 
gestured to Glorfindel to sit on the bed, and bent to remove his boots, followed by the 
leggings.  Erestor turned to Glorfindel’s wardrobe and pulled out a warm night robe, 
steeling himself to keep his eyes on Glorfindel’s face.  Erestor turned and smiled at 
Glorfindel, but stopped when he saw Glorfindel’s head bowed, his shoulders slumped, 
and his eyes simply staring at the floor.  “Glorfindel?  Are you all right?” he asked.  

Glorfindel looked up and managed a weak smile.  “Aye, Erestor.   Just tired and cold.”  
Erestor chastised himself for thinking about his own desire instead of the warrior’s 
condition, and quickly helped him into the warm robe, one side simply hanging over his 
shoulder and bound arm.  “Now, under the bed covers with you,” Erestor said, propping 
up pillows behind him so he could sit comfortably until his soup arrived. 

“Thank you, Erestor,” Glorfindel said.   “You are a good and dear friend.  Someday I 
hope I can repay you for this.” 

“I need no repayment, Glorfindel, save your return to health,” Erestor replied, just as a 
knock sounded at the door.  “Ah, that must be your dinner.”  Erestor opened the door to a 
kitchen servant carrying a large and heavy tray.  On her heels was Elrohir, with the herbs 
from Elrond.  

Elrohir passed the herbs to Erestor, and took the tray from the slender young elleth. They 
thanked the young servant, who bowed gracefully and left.  

“Glorfindel,” Erestor said, as they moved to the bedroom, “You have a visitor.”  
Glorfindel looked up and smiled weakly at Elrohir, who placed the heavy tray on the 
table.  As Erestor poured a cup of the hot water for Glorfindel’s potion, Elrohir moved to 
the bed.  

“I will not ask how you fare, Glorfindel, for I can see for myself,” Elrohir’s concern was 
evident on his face. “Ada asked me to tell you all of the wounded in your patrol are now 
cared for and resting.  There are some serious injuries, but he does not think that any are 
in danger.”

“Thank you, Elrohir.  You have lifted a great concern from me.”

“I will say goodnight now, Glorfindel, Erestor, and leave you to your meal and your rest.  
Oh, and Glorfindel, Ada also said to tell you to ‘stop being such a proud balrog slayer for 
once and take the pain potion’ he sent.”  

Erestor and Elrohir smirked, and Glorfindel scowled.  “Aye, my friend, Elrond knows 
you well,” Erestor said, placing the cup in Glorfindel’s one free hand.  “Be careful, it is 
very hot.  I have mixed the herbs for the infection with herbs to dull your pain, and added 
honey.  Now be a good elf and drink it all down.”  Glorfindel obediently drank.  

Bidding them goodnight, Elrohir left, closing the door behind him, unaware that someone 
else had entered the room while the door was open.

Erestor took the emptied cup from Glorfindel.  “Cook has sent some wonderful looking 
hot soup, bread and fruit.” Erestor carried the bowl of soup and some bread to the bed 
and sat down next to Glorfindel.  “You are weary, my friend.  Let me help you with this, 
then you can sleep.”  Placing the bread in Glorfindel’s free hand, he carefully proceeded 
to feed Glorfindel the soup, grateful he could be so close to the one he loved.  He knew 
Glorfindel was too worn to notice much tonight, so he was not too concerned about 
shielding his feelings.

When Glorfindel finished his meal, Erestor removed the pillows from behind him, and 
helped him to lie comfortably.  He took the tray into the sitting room, and was just 
hanging the kettle over the fire in the bedroom when he noticed a streak of black moving 
across the room.  “Tinnu, how did you get in here?”  The cat jumped up on the bed next 
to Glorfindel, put his nose to Glorfindel’s cheek and meowed.

Glorfindel moved his free hand and stroked the cat’s soft face.  “Tinnu, thank you for 
coming to see me, my little friend,” Glorfindel spoke softly to the cat.  “Erestor, he acts 
like he knows I’m wounded,” Glorfindel said, as the cat licked his hand.

“Aye, he’s an elvish cat. He knows when one of us is hurt or in need of comfort,” Erestor 
smiled at Glorfindel and the cat.  “Tinnu, lie down next to Glorfindel and keep him 
warm.”  Tinnu stretched out against Glorfindel’s side, and purring, snuggled his head 
against the wounded shoulder.  Erestor inwardly sighed and wished he could take Tinnu’s 
place.

Glorfindel sighed contentedly.  “Where will you rest, Erestor?”  Now that the pain 
Glorfindel had been silently dealing with was finally dulled, he realized his good fortune.  
Erestor, his sweet Erestor, was staying with him to care for him!  Over the many long 
years, Glorfindel knew his feelings for Erestor had changed from simple friendship to 
love, but the smaller, lithe, and elegant councilor had never given any sign that he wanted 
anything other than their close friendship.  Glorfindel had never seen an elf more 
beautiful than his Erestor.  The long, silken black hair that sparkled with light when he 
moved, the full, perfectly shaped red lips, that pert little nose, the perfectly rounded, 
beautiful behind, the deep chocolate eyes…..oh, his eyes.  Glorfindel could lose himself 
in Erestor’s eyes.  

“I will be fine on your sofa.  I want to stay awake in case you need me,” Erestor replied, 
wishing he could lie beside Glorfindel and hold him in his arms.  

“Nay, Erestor.  You can’t possibly rest there.  You will be here for several days, and you 
must rest as well.  Come, the bed is large enough for all of us, and I insist you make 
yourself comfortable.  Besides, if you lie at my other side, both you and Tinnu can keep 
me warm. Just get another sleeping robe from the wardrobe for yourself and come lie 
down.”  Glorfindel needed Erestor close to him this night.

Erestor felt panicked for a moment, but did not want to upset Glorfindel by insisting he 
rest on the sofa.  Steeling himself to keep his feelings from Glorfindel, he moved to the 
wardrobe to find a sleeping robe for himself.  He was about to go into the bathroom to 
change, but then realized Glorfindel might think that odd, especially after he had 
removed Glorfindel’s clothes and dressed him in his night robe, so he stayed where he 
was.  He turned his back to Glorfindel, undressed quickly and pulled the night robe over 
his head.  When he turned around, Glorfindel was watching Tinnu, stroking his soft fur.  
After watching and gazing lovingly at Erestor’s beautiful body, Glorfindel made sure 
Erestor wouldn’t know.  The last thing he wanted was to upset his friend.

The robe dragged the floor and the sleeves covered his hands, but it would have to do for 
tonight.  Erestor folded the sleeves up, and then hung his robes neatly in the wardrobe.  “I 
will have to bring some of my own things here, my friend.  Your night robe is trying to 
trip me.  But the morning will be soon enough for that.”  Holding up the robe so he 
wouldn’t trip, Erestor moved to the bed.  He lay down next to Glorfindel, but on top of 
the bed covers and not too close.  Turning toward Glorfindel, he said, “Sleep now, my 
friend.  Tinnu and I will watch over you.”  

Glorfindel reached his free hand for one of Erestor’s, and grasped it, fingers entwined.  
For tonight, it was enough to have Erestor next to him.  His eyes slowly closed and he fell 
into a healing sleep.

Erestor watched Glorfindel fall asleep, then reached over and stroked his golden hair.  
Placing a chaste kiss on Glorfindel’s brow, he whispered, “I will always love you 
Glorfindel.”  Still holding Glorfindel’s hand, he made himself comfortable and joined 
him in reverie.  Tinnu purred.

tbc….