Title:   The Strong Heart (5-6/14)
Author: Aglarien
Rating:  NC-17
Type: FPS 
Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel; Caladir/Gurvelon
Disclaimer: Alas, not mine.  Except for the cats. 
Warning:  AU.  Fluffy in part.    
Summary:  Erestor and Glorfindel are determined to find out what, or who, is 
hurting their friend.


*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 5

Erestor finally found Glorfindel back in his office.

“Glorfindel?  How did you do this morning, my love?” Erestor entered the office, 
shutting the door behind him.  

“Would you believe the one elf that saw something that didn’t look right was our 
little Saercaeron?”

 “Aye, I would.  Of the servants and the others in the house, it was a young 
chambermaid and a librarian.”  Erestor sat at the desk with Glorfindel as they 
compared notes.  Taking a quill and parchment, Erestor began to draw a timeline, 
placing all of the incidents they knew of in the previous day’s afternoon.

“Erestor, I have an idea how we can find out if the Galadhrim in the house was 
Thalahir.  It’s nearly time for the noon meal.  I will take mine in the barracks with 
all the guards.  You come in a short time later to give me an update on Gurvelon, 
and just so happen to notice Thalahir.”  Glorfindel explained his idea in detail to 
Erestor.

Erestor nodded.  “Now I know another reason why I love you.  You have a 
devious mind, my love.”

Glorfindel grinned.  “I must have picked it up from you, sweetheart.”

Erestor chuckled and kissed Glorfindel passionately.

~~~*~~~

Entering the barracks dining hall, Erestor called out, “Glorfindel, are you in here, 
my love?  Oh, there you are!  Forgive me for interrupting you, love.  I just wanted 
to give you an update on Gurvelon.”

Before Glorfindel could answer, many of the Imladris guards spoke at once, 
wanting to know how the little husband of their captain was faring.

“I am very happy to say that he is doing much better, and we even expect him, as 
well as Caladir, to be back to work tomorrow.” Erestor addressed all the elves 
gathered for their meal.

“That is wonderful news!  We are very fortunate that Elrond and Nestoron were 
able to act so quickly.  Else I fear we could have lost both Gurvelon and Caladir,” 
Glorfindel responded.

 “Glorfindel, will you tell us what happened?  All we know is that Caladir ran off 
the training grounds yesterday without saying a word,” Taurfaeron, the captain of 
the Lothlorien guards asked,

“Yesterday afternoon, Caladir’s mate was poisoned.   Someone had left a 
poisoned pastry on his desk while he was in another room.  Gurvelon thought 
Caladir had left it for him.”

“And you would have lost Caladir to grief,” Taurfaeron said.  “Who would do 
something like that?”

“I wish we knew,” Glorfindel answered.  

“How are you and your guards finding Imladris?” Erestor asked the Lothlorien 
captain.

Taurfaeron smiled.  “I will admit, we do miss our woods, but your valley is most 
fair.  We are being made most welcome and well cared for, Lord Erestor.  Thank 
you.”

Erestor smiled in return. “I am pleased to hear that.  One of the servants 
mentioned seeing one of your guards in one of the halls and the library yesterday.  
I wanted to inquire if he found what he needed, or if I could offer my assistance?”  

“Oh, that was Thalahir.  Do you need Lord Erestor’s assistance, Thalahir?”  

Thalahir bowed his head to Erestor. “Thank you for your gracious offer, my Lord. 
After I spoke to Captain Taurfaeron in his quarters, I went to the library looking 
for something to read since we ended our training early.  It was most gracious of 
Lord Elrond to allow us to use your library.  I chose a book on the history of your 
valley to pass the time.”

Erestor nodded, and spoke to the Lothlorien elves.  “I hope you will all feel free to 
ask my assistance if you need anything at all. Will I see you all in the Hall of Fire 
after dinner this evening?  We are very proud of our minstrels and storytellers, 
and look forward to having you join us.”

“Of course we will be there, Lord Erestor.” Taurfaeron answered.  It would not be 
polite to turn down Erestor’s request, politely stated as an invitation.  “We look 
forward to it.”

Erestor turned back to Glorfindel. “Will I see you at dinner, my love?” 

Glorfindel nodded and gave Erestor a chaste kiss.  “I will see you later, beloved.”

Erestor left, and the conversation turned back to Gurvelon and Caladir, and who 
would do such a thing.  

~~~*~~~

After dinner the elves gathered in the Hall of Fire.  Erestor had visited Caladir and 
Gurvelon earlier to make sure Gurvelon was well enough to be in the Hall of Fire 
that night, and ask them to attend.  When Caladir asked why, Erestor had simply 
stated that it was important to his and Glorfindel’s investigation.

Caladir and Gurvelon sat at one side of the room, as they had been asked to, while 
Erestor and Glorfindel watched from the shadows on the other.  Caladir’s arms 
protectively encircled Gurvelon.  Many Imladris elves approached them and 
expressed their pleasure at seeing Gurvelon.  Minstrels played from a corner of 
the room, while stories were told in front of a huge fireplace.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
The Lothlorien guard watched Caladir and his mate.  So there’s the little mousy 
scribe, all well again, I see. And we’re expected to believe that Caladir would 
fade if he loses that little brat!  Not with me here to pick up the pieces, he won’t.  
They think they’re so smart, putting that elf on the roof.  Did they really expect a 
trained guard from the Golden Woods to miss that one?  What idiots!  It will just 
make it more challenging for me to get to the mouse next time.  And I do like a 
challenge.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Glorfindel elbowed Erestor as they watched Thalahir approach the couple.   The 
Galadhel appeared to be politely enquiring after Gurvelon.  As he turned around 
to rejoin the other Galadhrim, the watching pair had a perfect view of his face.

Glorfindel elbowed Erestor again.  “Come, beloved.  We need to talk.”  On their 
way out, Glorfindel found Suithoron, and requested that he watch over Caladir 
and Gurvelon, and escort them back to their rooms.

Reaching their own rooms, Glorfindel went ahead to the bedroom, lighting 
candles, while Erestor stopped at the basket of cats.

“Hello, my friends.  I am sorry I have not given you much attention today.  Would 
you like to come into the bedroom with us?”  Picking up all four kittens, he told 
Tinnu and Glirien to follow.  

“What do you have there, Erestor?  Oh look, it’s a gaggle of kittens.”  He took 
two of the kittens, and both elves and all six cats settled themselves comfortably 
on the bed. The two elves began to talk, all the while petting kittens and stroking 
the purring grown cats.

“Well, if it’s Thalahir, he made sure he had a good excuse to be in the house, 
Erestor.”

“Aye, he did.  Did you see the way he looked when I came in the barracks with 
the news that Gurvelon was better?  Everyone else was smiling, but be had a grim 
look.”  Erestor pulled Tinnu onto his lap.

“I saw.  And when I said that bit about losing both Gurvelon and Caladir, he 
almost seemed to smirk.”  Glorfindel reached for Glirien to give the sweet little 
cat her share of attention.  Two little kittens were crawling over his chest and 
shoulders, batting at his long hair.

“The same look as he had when he turned from speaking to them tonight.  But 
what could his motive be?  Does he hate Caladir or does he want him for 
himself?”

Glorfindel thought for a moment, removing a kitten who had decided to wash his 
face. “I don’t know, my love.  Taurfaeron was sincere when he said everyone was 
making them welcome.  You know the Imladris elves, Erestor.  Can you honestly 
think of one who is not kind?  And Caladir is known for being both kind and just.  
Why would he hate him?”

“Aye, you’re right, my love.  I cannot see Caladir doing anything that would 
make anyone hate him.  He is our dear friend, but that does not blind me.  Do you 
think Thalahir wants him, then?”

“I know not, beloved.  But what other motive could he have? Or maybe it’s not 
him, and he’s just strange.”

Erestor shook his head.  “We will just have to watch closer.  Maybe you can find 
out more if you have a ‘friendly’ conversation with one of the other Galadhrim?”

Glorfindel nodded.  “I will do that tomorrow.”  The kittens had made their normal 
‘cat-heap’, lying on top of each other to sleep.  “Let’s put these fuzz balls back in 
their basket and go to bed.”

Erestor picked up the four kittens who mewed at being disturbed.  Glorfindel 
picked up Tinnu, set him over his shoulder, then lifted Glirien.  When the six cats 
were safely placed back in their basket, Glorfindel lifted Erestor up into his arms 
to carry him back to the bedroom.

“Now, my little fuzz ball, I have you all to myself.”

Erestor giggled.  “You are a crazy elf, you know.” 

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Glorfindel chuckled, tossing Erestor on the bed 
and flopping down next to him, which caused Erestor to giggle again. “How 
would you like me to call you ‘baby’ while I pound you into the mattress?” he 
added softly. 

Erestor’s suddenly lust-filled eyes looked up into equally aroused blue one, and 
nearly ripped their robes off to get at Glorfindel.  “What are you waiting for, my 
crazy elf,” he purred, kissing his glorious lover passionately and thrusting his 
tongue into Glorfindel’s sweetness.

Glorfindel growled, and deepening the kiss, trapped his little lover beneath him so 
he could fulfill Erestor’s every little desire.



*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 6

The next morning, Gurvelon and Caladir were back to their normal tasks.  Fear 
was not going to keep them from living their normal lives.  Little Saercaeron 
latched onto Gurvelon and became his shadow, to the scribe’s amusement.  
Glorfindel had asked the elfling for his help in watching Gurvelon and making 
sure nothing happened to him.  Saercaeron wasn’t going to let his friends down.

Glorfindel found the Lothlorien captain, Taurfaeron, and invited him to his office 
to share in his noon meal.  They shared the simple meal, talking of unimportant 
things. After they had finished eating, Glorfindel decided the moment had come 
to try and get the information he wanted.  “Taurfaeron, I wanted to ask you how 
your guards are adjusting to being here.  Are they settling in alright?”

“We have learned much from your warriors, Glorfindel.  Lothlorien is very 
different from your valley.  Knowing they can still learn much from you has 
helped them settle in.”

“I noticed Thalahir seemed uncomfortable at times.  Is he adjusting as well?”

Taurfaeron sighed, and shook his head.  “Thalahir is different.  I had hoped that 
having him come here would help, but now I don’t know.”

“Tell me.  Perhaps I could help?”

“If you could, Glorfindel, I would be most grateful, but I doubt even you can help.  
For the last several years, Thalahir was promised to an elf in Lothlorien – a lovely 
little elf who worked in our library.  He was such a sweet thing, lively and always 
smiling or laughing.  We all thought he would make Thalahir very happy.  Over 
the last year or so, this librarian changed.  He became withdrawn, and rarely 
laughed any more.  Whenever I asked him what was wrong, he always replied, 
‘nothing’.  And then just a couple of months ago, while Thalahir was out on 
patrol, he suddenly announced that he was leaving.  He packed a few belongings, 
left for the Grey Havens, and sailed.  I can tell you, we were shocked.  He hadn’t 
even told Thalahir he was leaving!  And then the gossip started.  At first it was 
just speculation about why Thalahir’s intended had left.  But then there were 
rumors of other elves speaking about how harshly Thalahir had treated them.  And 
rumors that Thalahir had been physically abusive to the librarian.  I don’t know, 
Glorfindel.  I find it hard to even stomach the thought that one elf could abuse 
another.  Thalahir’s moods became dark…angry.”  

Glorfindel nodded, and looked long at Taurfaeron, assessing him.  There was no 
guile in this elf.  Glorfindel liked him and trusted him.  “Could Thalahir have 
been the one that tried to poison Gurvelon?”

“Oh, sweet Elbereth, Glorfindel, I do not know.  I have asked myself that question 
as well.  I am sorry I ever brought him here, but I do not know.”  

“We must watch him closely, my friend,” Glorfindel said.

“Aye.  That we must.”

~~~*~~~

The chief cook himself carried Gurvelon’s lunch tray to his office.  Gurvelon 
rarely joined the rest of the house for lunch, and would frequently just dash to the 
kitchen for some fruit and cheese and carry it back to his office.  Thanking the 
cook sweetly, he called to Saercaeron who was sitting quietly in a corner of his 
office to join him.

“Come, little one.  There is plenty here for both of us.”  He prepared a plate for 
Saercaeron and poured them each a glass of the chilled fruit juice on the tray.  
Saercaeron happily joined his friend, and the two ate their meal while chatting 
about the elfling’s pony.

When they had finished, Gurvelon smiled at the elfling and asked, “Will you take 
the tray back to the kitchen for me, little one?  I have to get a book from the 
library, and there are many elves there who will be with me while you are gone.”  
He removed his glass of unfinished juice from the tray, as well as the pitcher 
containing more, placing them on his desk.

Saercaeron nodded and happily dashed off with the tray to the kitchen.

~~~~~~~~~~
Thalahir had walked around the back of the house, and approached the scribe’s 
window from the trees.  That idiot guard up on the roof would not be able to see 
him.  Hiding himself in a tree, which grew right up against the window, he 
listened to the conversation inside the room and heard the elfling leave.  A 
moment later, Gurvelon left the room.  Sliding in through the window, Thalahir 
quickly removed a small bag from his tunic and poured a small amount of the 
contents into the glass.  The remainder went into the pitcher.  He replaced the bag 
in his tunic and silently exited, slithering back up into the tree.  There, he waited.
~~~~~~~~~~~

Gurvelon easily found the book he needed, and returned quickly to his office.  He 
set the book on his desk, and was just picking up his glass to drink when 
Saercaeron returned.

The little elfling screamed.  “ Nooo!  Do not drink it, Velon!  You left it there 
when you went to the library!”

Gurvelon froze.  The little scribe began to shake.  The glass slipped from his 
fingers and shattered on the floor.

Erestor rushed into the room, alerted by Saercaeron’s scream.  Gurvelon stood 
shaking and Saercaeron was sobbing.  Saercaeron threw himself into the comfort 
of Erestor’s arms.  “He almost drank it!”

Erestor picked up Saercaeron, holding him in the crook of one arm, and went to 
Gurvelon.  Wrapping an arm around his friend, he spoke gently.  “Velon, tell me 
what happened.”

“I…I left the glass here when we were gone…I was going to drink…Saercaeron 
stopped me.”  Gurvelon’s voice was tiny and shaky.

Amarion and Caladir had rushed into the office while Gurvelon was speaking.  
Amarion took his son from Erestor, comforting him.  Erestor moved away from 
Gurvelon, making way for Caladir.

Caladir held his shaking husband.  “I am here now, my sweet one.  Saercaeron 
kept you safe for me.”  He gently rubbed Gurvelon’s back and cradled the little 
elf’s head under his chin.  “Erestor, I will take him back to our rooms for the rest 
of the day.  Will you let Glorfindel know?”  He nodded his head toward the 
pitcher on the desk.

Erestor nodded.  “I will take care of it Caladir, worry not.  Just stay with Velon.”

Caladir picked up his husband in his arms.  “Saercaeron, thank you little one.  I 
will never forget this.”  The little elfling nodded, tears still on his face.  Gurvelon 
wrapped his arms around his husband’s neck, savoring his closeness, as he was 
carried from the room.

Amarion stroked his son’s head.  “It is all right now, my little one.  You did very, 
very well.  I am so very proud of you.”

“Aye, our brave little elfling.”  Erestor bestowed a soft kiss on Saercaeron’s brow.  
“Thank you, my little friend.”

Saercaeron smiled and dried his eyes.  “Ada, can I go ride Faerlan now?”

“Of course you can, my son,  “Amarion answered.  “Just make sure you stay 
close.  Go no further than the river.”  With the resiliency of elflings, Saercaeron 
dashed off, leaving the two adult elves alone.

“Was it poisoned, Erestor?”

Erestor picked up the pitcher and sniffed the contents.  “I believe so.”  He sighed 
deeply.  “I will take it to Nestoron to make sure.  Just make sure whoever cleans 
up that broken glass is very careful.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The elf in the tree silently seethed with anger.  That damn little brat elfling.  He 
would just have to take care of him, too.  Rotten little guttersnipe.  That miserable 
elfling would find out what happened to elflings who interfered with his plans.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Saercaeron rode Faerlan to their favorite place; the cliff top wasn’t really very 
high, but it was high enough for an elfling.  Saercaeron loved to sit and watch the 
rushing river below.  He leapt off his pony, and settled down in the long grass, 
enjoying the sun.
He was just drifting off to sleep, when darkness descended on him as he was 
covered with something soft.  He felt himself being picked up…and screamed as 
he was thrown over the cliff…falling…

Tbc……


Taurfaeron – Forest Spirit