Title: Coming Home
Author: Morgana  ---  morganalebeau@yahoo.com
Website; http://www.paranoid.nl/avalon 
Pairing: Glorfindel/Erestor and Elrond/Celebrían
Rating; nc-17
Summary; Imladris’ newest addition proves to be a handful and quite a mystery.
Disclaimer: These characters are all Tolkien’s. 
Warning: AU, angst, mention of physical abuse. No rape. 
Author’s Note: All mistakes are all mine; yeah, I am greedy! And remember; this is 
AU! 
Beta read by Lady Mirfain, thanks! The stunning artwork is courtesy of Punisher, 
thanks sweetie. You did a great job! Second drawing by Enye, thanks!
 
 
 
 Delicious smells coming from the kitchens made his mouth water and fill with saliva. 
He was drooling, breathing in the sweet scents, and promptly his stomach growled. 
Bowing his head, he rubbed his empty belly. He couldn’t recall the last time he had 
eaten something. It must have been on his way here; he had been living on nuts and 
berries mostly, staying away from any settlements. But then the lights of this 
beautiful place had called him closer and he had obeyed their call, as he had been 
overcome by a strange longing. 
 
He had sneaked inside without anyone noticing him. His past had shaped him into a 
quiet observer, who managed to stay away from curious eyes. He still vividly recalled 
his wonder when he had entered this unearthly place for the first time. A sense of 
peace and serenity had invited him closer and he had stealthily slipped inside. 
 
The first things to take his breath away had been the valley and the house. He 
vaguely remembered a time in which his mother had told him tales of the Valar, and 
for one moment he had been afraid that he had somehow trespassed into their lands, 
but then the first Elf had appeared, carrying a basket full of luscious fruits. His 
stomach had growled and he had pushed deeper into the shadows. They couldn’t find 
him – ever.
 
Using the cover of the night, he had started to explore. The valley appeared to be full 
of apparently happy and content Elves. That should have reassured him, but it scared 
him instead. This couldn’t be right. No one was this happy and certainly not a whole 
community!
 
But, as time passed by, he realized these Elves did feel at ease and jested among each 
other. They teased, sung, danced, ate and drank together. He even came upon a few 
couples engaged in more romantic activities and he had quickly left, not wanting to 
spy on them. 
 
But even seeing these Elves so carefree and happy didn’t encourage him to make 
contact with them. In his past, he had learned not to trust anyone and he had learned 
that lesson well. So he lurked instead and remained hidden in the shadows.
 
Imladris had gained a new addition, but none of the resident Elves knew of his 
presence and he wanted to keep it that way. His safety lay in invisibility. 
 
But his belly still remained empty and he was beginning to feel weak due to the lack 
of nourishment. He didn’t dare take away much food, and merely dreamt of stealing 
an apple or some bread. If he got the chance, he would take his precious treasure to 
the stables, where he had created a small nest up in the rafters. From his hiding place, 
he could easily spot new arrivals and flee if necessary. 
 
The horses had given him an experimental sniff when he had first appeared and he 
had stroked their noses, which had reassured them. After that, they had accepted 
him. There was one, powerful stallion that seemed to like him best and the horse 
even allowed him inside the box to sleep close at night. Sometimes, the need to feel 
something warm nearby overwhelmed him and then he would snuggle up to the 
proud steed. 
 
His stomach growled again, reminding him that he desperately needed to eat 
something. And this time, he was afraid that nuts and berries wouldn’t do the trick. 
He needed something more substantial. 
 
Tremors ran through his thin form and he wrapped his arms around his waist, trying 
to dampen the growls coming from his stomach. He had avoided venturing into the 
kitchens for a long time, as there were too many Elves about. The danger of getting 
caught was high, but now that he was starving he had little choice left. He had to take 
the risk. 
 
He slowly rose from his nest of hay and looked down at the ruined clothes he wore. 
The black shirt had definitely known better days and showed several cuts and large 
holes. His brown leggings were so thin that they hardly offered any protection against 
the cold. Barefooted, he sneaked over to the ladder and climbed down. 
 
On the ground floor, the stallion raised his head and intelligent eyes took in the 
raven-haired Elf’s form. The first time this strange Elf had appeared he had been a bit 
reluctant to allow him inside the stables, but after the stranger had stroked his nose 
he had changed his opinion. The mighty steed didn’t smell any danger or evil on the 
stranger and decided he liked him. 
 
“Be quiet, please,” said the raven-haired Elf. “I cannot be found. I told you that 
before.” He quickly stroked the mighty neck and rubbed behind the ears. Leaning in 
closer, he rested his frail body against the stallion’s flank. From where he was 
standing now, his gaze caught a name, written on the inside of the door. “Asfaloth? Is 
that your name?”
 
Asfaloth nodded his head and maintained eye contact with the stranger. It would 
only be polite if the Elf shared his name as well. 
 
Blushing weakly, he said, “I forgot my manners, didn’t I? My mother called me 
Erestor, though it has been a long time since she called me that.” Saddened by his 
memories, he buried his face in the long, white mane. “You are the only friend I have 
here.”
 
That was definitely a shame, decided Asfaloth. The raven-haired Elf had become his 
friend as well, but it would be best if Erestor had Elven friends instead. The hungry 
growls made him study Erestor. The noble stallion had long realized that this Elf was 
different from Glorfindel, or the other Elves that visited the stables. Erestor was 
smaller, frail and much dirtier than any self-respecting Elf would ever be. 
 
“I will be back later, my friend. I need to find some food first.” Erestor pressed a kiss 
on Asfaloth’s nose and giggled softly, surprised by his bold deed. “You are soft.”
 
Asfaloth snorted; this was a silly Elf. Just as silly as Glorfindel could be at times. 
Erestor moved away from him and he nudged the Elf toward the exit of the stables. 
He hoped the dark-haired Elf would go straight to the kitchens. Compared to the 
other Elves, Erestor was much too small.
 
Erestor looked over his shoulder at the stallion and smiled. Maybe he would also be 
able to steal an apple for his friend.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The cook placed the freshly baked apple pie on the window sill to cool and turned 
away, eager to start preparations for tonight’s dinner. The hunters had returned with 
game and he knew that Lord Elrond enjoyed a nice meal. He would do his best not to 
disappoint his Lord. 
 
Drawing by Enye, thanks!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Erestor stood in the shadows and waited for the cook to leave. When the Elf did, he 
knew his time had come. He had never been so bold before to steal something that 
would be so easily missed, but he needed the food! The tremors had worsened and he 
felt constantly light-headed now. Taking advantage of the afternoon’s shadows, he 
sneaked over to the window sill and took hold of the apple pie. He almost dropped it, 
because the plate was much too hot to hold. Erestor grabbed a napkin, scooped most 
of the apple pie out of the dish and put a knot into the fabric, carrying it that way. 
 
Commotion near the doorway told him that the cook was about to return and he fled 
the kitchen, diving into the shadowed corridor. He hoped no one had seen him! He 
had forgotten to snatch an apple for Asfaloth, but he knew the stallion would forgive 
him, as the horse was well-fed on a daily bases.
 
Erestor carefully made his way back to the stables. Asfaloth snorted, softly, upon his 
entrance and Erestor’s eyes widened, finding the golden-haired Elf, who often visited 
and rode the steed, in the horse’s box. He remained hidden from the azure eyes, 
which now lovingly took in Asfaloth’s form. The fair Elf rubbed behind the stallion’s 
ears and whispered compliments. Erestor grew impatient, wishing the blond Elf 
would finally leave. The sweet smell of the apple pie might float into the stranger’s 
nostrils and pique his curiosity.
 
“I will take you out riding later,” said Glorfindel, stroking Asfaloth’s flank. “It 
promises to be a wonderful evening. We will head for the Bruinen at sunset.”
 
Erestor could tell that those words pleased the stallion, as he scraped his hoofs across 
the floor. Asfaloth was impatient and would prefer to leave right now. 
 
“Don’t be so impatient, my friend,” said Glorfindel, amused. “I will return here 
shortly.” He rubbed the stallion’s nose one more time and then left the stables.
 
Erestor released an audible sigh of relief now that the other Elf was gone. He waited a 
few moments longer, just to make sure that the blond Elf wouldn’t return 
unexpectedly. Once he was certain that he was relatively safe, he soundlessly walked 
over to the stallion. “I am sorry, my friend, but I forgot your apple.” His belly made a 
loud and angry sound; the food was near and he should be eating instead of 
apologizing to Asfaloth!
 
The stallion shared that opinion and gently nudged him toward the ladder. 
 
Erestor smiled, gratefully, and carried his treasure to his hide-away. After settling 
down, he untied the fabric and began eating – fast – as he was starving. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The cook scratched himself behind his right ear. He was certain that this was where 
he had left the apple pie, but now it was gone. This was most odd.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Satiated, Erestor had fallen asleep and he only woke because there was noise below 
him. Curiously, he peeked below and found that the golden-haired Elf had returned. 
The fair Elf was readying Asfaloth for their ride and now that he felt safe and 
comfortable, Erestor studied the other Elf more closely. The most intense cerulean 
eyes he had ever seen stared back at him from a friendly and kind face. A handsome 
face as well – he noticed, distractedly. The red lips were full and pouted as Asfaloth 
kept dancing impatiently, making it harder for Glorfindel to move closer. Long, fair 
hair tumbled down the Elf’s back and reached his narrow hips. The blue shirt 
snuggled tightly against the broad chest and the leggings hugged the powerful thighs 
close. This Elf was obviously a warrior and Erestor grew more careful, knowing from 
past experiences that he didn’t stand a chance against someone, such as this fair Elf. 
 
“Calm down!” said Glorfindel, amused. Asfaloth was particularly impatient today! A 
few moments later, he swung onto the stallion’s back and guided him outside. 
 
Erestor sighed, softly, and even managed a smile as he returned to his sleeping place. 
He made himself comfortable and closed his eyes, trying to recall the way the apple 
pie had looked and smelled. He wished he had more food, but knew he couldn’t grow 
greedy. The cook was probably already wondering about the missing pie and he 
couldn’t venture into the kitchens for days now. He shouldn’t have eaten it all and 
saved some for later, but he had been too hungry to think of that!
 
Curled up beneath the hay, he felt safe and allowed himself to drift off into sleep. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
“I am so sorry, my lady, but the pie… disappeared.” The cook cringed; the lady 
Celebrían had requested he baked a pie today because she wanted to take it with her 
on the picnic she had arranged for. “I do not know what happened to it. I left it to 
cool and when I returned it was gone.” 
 
“It is no disaster,” said Celebrían, soothing the nervous cook. “There is enough food 
available to take on this picnic.” She felt a bit disappointed though; apple pie was her 
favorite and she had been looking forward to sinking her teeth into the sweet pastry.
 
“I will bake a new one!” announced the cook, but he also knew it wouldn’t be ready 
in time. “I wonder who took it.”
 
Celebrían shrugged once. “It does not really matter who took it, but I would like for 
you to bake a new one.”
 
“I will,” said the cook, determined to guard the next apple pie he baked. No one was 
going to take that one!
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Erestor woke from a restless sleep the moment Asfaloth and his rider returned. 
Shifting slightly, he realized he was able to watch them from his sleeping place. The 
fair Elf was handsome, he mused, handsome and obviously in a good mood. He 
laughed almost constantly and rubbed Asfaloth’s slightly sweaty skin. The Elf 
dismounted and grabbed a handful of straw to rub Asfaloth dry. During the entire 
time, he kept talking about Elves Erestor knew nothing about. He heard names, 
which meant nothing to him, but he tried to remember them nonetheless; Elrond, 
Arwen, Celebrían… Those were the names the fair Elf used most. 
 
“Glorfindel! I was looking for you! I should have known I would find you here!” 
 
Erestor involuntarily held his breath, seeing a second Elf enter. This Elf was dark-
haired and wore long, formal robes.
 
“Elladan, I wanted to ask you to join me, but I couldn’t find you!”
 
“My father requested my presence in his study as a delegation from the Golden Wood 
arrived today.”
 
“Ah, that’s why…?” Glorfindel pointed at the outfit.
 
“Aye… I cannot wait to change back into a shirt and leggings again. Robes are 
uncomfortable!” Elladan leaned against the wall and smiled. “I should have known I 
would find you here. I looked for you in the barracks first.”
 
“I decided to go for a ride.” Glorfindel finished tending to Asfaloth and uncovered a 
carrot from a pocket, which the stallion slowly devoured. 
 
Erestor smiled, seeing Asfaloth munch happily. The stallion hadn’t gotten his apple, 
but the carrot would do as well. His attention shifted from the horse to the two Elves; 
he knew their names now, and he repeated them softly to himself. The blond Elf was 
called Glorfindel and the dark-haired one was Elladan. He didn’t know why it was so 
important to remember these names… /I do know,/ he admitted a heartbeat later. /I 
feel lonely./ He longed for companionship, for someone to talk to occasionally, but he 
was much too scared to make the first step. It was better this way. 
 
“Come, my friend, dinner is about to be served!” Glorfindel folded an arm around 
Elladan’s shoulder and together they walked toward the doorway.
 
Elladan smiled; knowing there would be little left of the dessert the moment they got 
there. Apple pie was his mother’s favorite.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Erestor felt safer now that the two Elves had left, but not safe enough to go 
downstairs and seek Asfaloth’s company. A lazy, pleasant warmth radiated from his 
stomach and he was content to simply rest. Maybe he could stay here for a while. As 
long as he remained unnoticed, he was safe. He just had to find other ways of 
acquiring food. Stealing into the kitchens again wasn’t an option. 
 
But there were gardens as well, and he had seen trees carrying fruit. He could go 
there and pick the ripe fruits, even bring back an apple for Asfaloth. 
 
But not this evening. This evening his belly was already full and he purred, softly, 
dozing off once more.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
“The apple pie simply disappeared?” Elrond enjoyed teasing his wife, who had just 
claimed the largest part of the newly baked pie. “That is a most hideous crime! We 
should find the perpetrator and punish him!” 
 
Celebrían giggled, hearing her husband’s silly banter. “I cannot blame the thief. This 
apple pie is delicious.” She guarded her plate closely and swept Elrond’s hand away 
when the half-Elf tried to steal a little piece of her pie. “Behave, or you will be 
sleeping on the couch tonight.”
 
Arwen chuckled, softly. She was still rather young as she had just reached her 
majority, but saw that her brothers were laughing as well, and they were much older 
than she was. 
 
“Glorfindel, I hereby command you to find the thief and to bring him before me,” 
declared Elrond, good-humoredly. He wouldn’t ‘punish’ the Elf of course, but had 
grown curious as to whom enjoyed apple pie as much as his dear wife. 
 
Glorfindel groaned, playing along. “Must I, my Lord? It is already late and my bed is 
calling me.”
 
“You don’t have to do this now,” said Elrond, enjoying their little game. “But it will 
be your first priority in the morning.”
 
“Are you certain it wasn’t your lovely wife who took the apple pie and thus made the 
cook bake a second one?” Glorfindel gave Celebrían a humorous wink.  
 
Celebrían’s giggles grew louder. “I should have thought of that, my Captain, but I 
didn’t! However, I will keep it in mind the next time the cook bakes a pie!”
 
Lovingly, Elrond gathered his wife’s right hand in his. “I will order the cook to bake 
one every day if that pleases you.” Even after so many centuries he was still utterly in 
love with her and he would do everything to make her happy, even if it meant 
replacing rose bushes with apple trees. 
 
“I cannot eat that many apple pies.” Celebrían playfully nudged her husband with her 
elbow. “It is only so special because I cannot have it every day. Let us keep it that 
way.”
 
Elrond nodded once. “As you wish, my love.” He raised her hand and brought it to his 
lips, pressing a kiss on the back. 
 
“Oh, please!” Elladan bowed his head and covered his face in his hands. His parents 
always flirted and the rest loved teasing them about it. “Don’t tell me you are 
planning on siring more children, father.”
 
Elrond grinned. “We might, Elladan. Just a little brother to annoy you.”
 
“I already have one,” said Elladan, dryly, and was prompted kicked in the shins by his 
dear twin brother. “I will get you for that later!”
 
“Children, behave!” But Celebrían’s eyes sent out a different message; namely that she 
didn’t want them to stop bantering. Her family made her happy and she hoped they 
would never stop their playful arguments.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
“Surely you were merely jesting yesterday?” Glorfindel frowned, seeing Elrond shake 
his head. 
 
”I was not. I want to know who took my wife’s apple pie.”
 
”But, the patrol is about to leave and new guards need to be trained! There are reports 
to write and…” Glorfindel shook his head. “You cannot be serious.”
 
“Of course, I am… not,” said Elrond, finally bursting out laughing. “I was just playing 
you. I know how busy you are. But, if you by any chance ever find the thief, let me 
know.” Elrond clasped Glorfindel’s shoulder briefly and then left the training 
grounds. Glorfindel’s expression had been highly amusing. 
 
“Half-Elves have a strange kind of humor,” mumbled Glorfindel, flipping back his 
hair, which he had forgotten to braid that morning.
 
“I heard that!” called out Elrond from the distance, raising a hand in goodbye. “There 
is nothing wrong with my ears.”
 
Glorfindel cursed, softly, releasing a litany of Dwarven curses Gloin had once taught 
him. “Your ears are much too sharp for a half-Elf,” he whispered, certain that Elrond 
could no longer hear him.
 
“I heard that too.”
 
“Damn it!”
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Erestor waited until the dark of night had settled over Imladris before venturing out 
of the stables. Deep down, he was afraid he was making a grave mistake, leaving his 
hide-away so shortly after his visit to the kitchens, but now that he had tasted food 
again, he wanted more. He wanted to form a supply so he could eat whenever he was 
hungry. If he succeeded in doing this, it would be an unknown luxury, having food at 
his disposal at all times. 
 
He passed Asfaloth by and the stallion opened an eye to look at him. “I will get you 
that apple. A promise is a promise.”
 
Asfaloth wanted to reassure the frail Elf that it wasn’t necessary and that he should 
rest instead, but unfortunately he was only a horse, without a way to communicate 
this to Erestor. 
 
Erestor silently closed the door behind him and sneaked away from the stables. He 
hoped he correctly remembered where the orchard was located, as he planned on 
collecting all the fruits he could find. That way, no one would miss any food.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Erestor used the already dirty napkin to collect the fruits in. Ripe, juicy apples had 
fallen from the trees and he gathered them quickly. There were cherries as well, and 
pears, but there was only so much he could carry. Unable to resist temptation he 
pushed a cherry into his mouth, and sighed, blissfully, at the sweet taste. Spitting out 
the stone, he reached for another one, but then realized he wasn’t alone.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Glorfindel stared in wonder at the strange Elf, who was hurriedly collecting the fallen 
fruits. He prided himself on knowing each Elf who lived in Imladris and he made a 
point of greeting their guests, so he knew who was supposed to be in Imladris and 
who wasn’t. He was absolutely certain that he had never seen this Elf before.
 
The stranger’s brown eyes locked with his and they reflected fright, shock and utter 
panic. Glorfindel studied the other Elf’s gaunt face and was shocked to see just how 
sunken in the features were. He had never seen an Elf looking so starved before. The 
threadbare clothes looked much too big for the other Elf and were covered with dirt 
and grime. Did he also see old blood on the fabric? Long, dark and dirty hair framed 
the pale face and the haunted eyes were deep-set in their sockets. 
 
Fear ran through Erestor and in his panic, he dropped the napkin and the fruits. 
 
“Please, don’t run! There is no reason to fear me!” But the words came too late; the 
frightened Elf had already taken off and was now running toward the stables. 
Glorfindel briefly considered taking up pursuit, but discarded the thought eventually, 
not wanting to frighten this Elf further. 
 
Elf? Had it been an adult Elf? Or an Elfling? He had looked so small – so frail and 
breakable! And he had dropped the gathered fruits! /The apple pie! He looked starved; 
did he take it?/ Glorfindel felt guilty for scaring the poor Elf off; it was obvious that 
he had been in search of food!
 
Glorfindel sat on his heels and gathered the bruised fruit in the napkin, which he 
neatly tied together. He left it beneath the apple tree, hoping against all odds that the 
starved Elf would return to collect his food. But his instincts told him he wouldn’t. 
The stranger no longer felt safe. 
 
/He left in the direction of the stables. I will start my search there at dawn./ He also 
realized that he would have to do his best not to scare the strange Elf again. He knew 
instinctively that this was an Elf who didn’t trust easily. /I am sorry I chased you off. 
That wasn’t my intention./ 
 
But, in the end, he was glad that he had come by here tonight. For now he knew that 
someone needed his help. He just had to find a way to make it clear to the stranger 
that he wanted to help.
 
/Those large, drawn eyes…/ They already haunted him. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Erestor panted hard by the time he reached the safety of his hide-away. He quickly 
hid himself beneath the hay and listened closely to find out if Glorfindel had followed 
him. He hoped not – by the Valar, he prayed not! He couldn’t be discovered and 
captured again! He wouldn’t survive being enslaved a second time!
 
Part 2
 
“Forgive me for disturbing you whilst you are having breakfast, but…” Glorfindel 
impatiently waited for the couple to gesture for him to approach. He hated barging in 
on Elrond and Celebrían like this, but felt it was necessary they talked.
 
“What is so important that you seek us out at such an early hour?” Elrond gestured for 
his friend to seat himself at the breakfast table and a servant quickly added a third 
plate so Glorfindel could have breakfast with them.
 
“I had an unsettling encounter in the orchard last night,” started Glorfindel, moving 
the eggs around on his plate. He didn’t feel hungry at all, remembering the famished 
expression in those anxious eyes. 
 
“An unsettling encounter?” Celebrían frowned; normally Glorfindel would offer more 
information without prodding.
 
“I was on my way to the barracks when I passed by the orchard. I thought it would be 
deserted, but it wasn’t. A lone Elf was gathering fruit there.”
 
Elrond raised an eyebrow. “And why is this reason to call the encounter unsettling?”
 
“This Elf is no Imladris’ resident. I have never seen him before,” supplied Glorfindel.
 
“Maybe he is part of the delegation from the Golden Wood? They arrived yesterday,” 
offered Celebrían, feeling intrigued.
 
“Nay, this wasn’t one of the Galadhel. This was… Maybe even an Elfling. It was hard 
to tell.” Glorfindel locked eyes with Elrond. “His clothes were old, dirty and frayed, 
his hair a complete mess, and I have never seen such sunken in features before. He 
was so frail that I was afraid he would break and he looked absolutely starved.”
 
“What did you do?” asked Celebrían, captivated by Glorfindel’s words.
 
“He was gathering fruits and I scared him, so he dropped everything and ran away. 
He headed toward the stables so I want to start my search there.”
 
Elrond considered everything very carefully. “Find him, Glorfindel. I will not have an 
Elf hungry and hiding from us in fear. We must help him.”
 
“My thoughts exactly.” Glorfindel pushed the untouched food away from him and 
rose from the chair. “Though, I think we should move slowly. We don’t want to chase 
him away again.”
 
“Keep me informed,” said Elrond after exchanging a look with his wife. He could 
easily tell that she was upset by the news that someone was too afraid of them to ask 
for help and food. They *had* to help this Elf. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Glorfindel first visited the kitchens. He had briefly thought about taking the bruised 
fruit, wrapped up in the napkin with him, but the frail Elf had looked like he needed 
more than just a few pieces of fruit. So, he packed bottled milk, a flask of miruvor, 
bread, meat, cheese, honey and cake into a basket and then headed for the stables, 
hoping to find the elusive Elf there.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Finding his mysterious Elf proved easier than he had thought. Glorfindel smiled, 
pleased, coming upon his puzzling Elf, huddled close to Asfaloth. The stallion had lain 
down, allowing the raven-haired Elf to rest against him. “You like him, then?” The 
look Asfaloth gave him was remarkably intelligent and seemed so say; /Don’t you?/
 
Glorfindel smiled and nodded once. Asfaloth trusted this stranger and even allowed 
him into his box to sleep close to him. That meant the horse sensed nothing evil, not 
that he had thought anything evil clung to this delicate Elf. “I have brought food,” 
said Glorfindel, trying to figure out his next step. “Should I leave it here? Or should I 
wait for him to wake?” He didn’t want to scare the raven-haired Elf again. 
 
Glorfindel shook his head, wondering what he was doing asking advice from his 
stallion. He would simply follow his instincts. Glorfindel entered the box, sat down 
close to the strange Elf and removed his cloak, which he used as a rug to place the 
food upon. Then he leaned back against the wall, waiting for those large, 
apprehensive eyes to open.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Erestor blinked before fully regaining awareness. Surprised, he felt a warm body 
against his, and he briefly panicked, but when he realized it was Asfaloth, he calmed. 
He recalled leaving his safe nest high above and making his way down. His encounter 
with Glorfindel had left him shaken and he had needed to feel something warm and 
real close to him. So he had sought out Asfaloth and the stallion had allowed him 
close.
 
“Good morning. I brought breakfast, so eat!” Glorfindel kept his tone warm and light, 
but the stranger still startled. 
 
Erestor panicked; he simply didn’t know what to do. He wanted to get to his feet and 
run away, but Glorfindel’s long legs blocked the exit, so he wouldn’t get past him that 
way. In the end, he remained motionless, waiting for the inevitable to happen. It 
wouldn’t be long before he would be taken in front of their Lord and judged for his 
behavior. He would probably be heavily punished for trespassing and stealing. He 
stared at Glorfindel from behind a curtain of dirty and tangled hair. 
 
The fear in the troubled eyes hit Glorfindel like a physical blow. “I am not going to 
hurt you in any way.”
 
But Erestor didn’t believe him. Others had said the exact same words to him and it 
hadn’t been long before the blows had started to descend onto him.  
 
Glorfindel carefully considered his next words. Whilst making certain he remained 
absolutely motionless, he said, “I want to apologize for scaring you last night. That 
was never my intention.” He knew that if he made only the tiniest movement the 
other Elf would bolt. “I gathered your fruits, but you had already left so I brought 
breakfast to make up for my behavior last night.” The distressed eyes spoke of utter 
distrust and the panic continued to increase. But he had to make contact!
 
/Please, Asfaloth,/ thought Glorfindel. /Whatever you do, don’t get up./ The stallion 
presented a barrier between them and he suspected it was the only reason why 
Erestor appeared that calm. /But he isn’t calm; he is nervous and panicking. He just 
doesn’t want me to see./
 
Erestor checked for a way out of the box, but Glorfindel blocked the only exit. He 
was trapped.
 
“Please, eat something.” Glorfindel took a chance and moved, selecting a slice of 
cheese. He began to nibble on it, hoping the dark-haired Elf understood he only 
wanted to help. “There is nothing wrong with the food.”
 
Erestor still didn’t trust Glorfindel, or the food. “I won’t submit,” he said eventually, 
his voice raw with fearful anticipation. “You can beat me as much as you want, but I 
will never obey you. I escaped before… I will escape again.”
 
Glorfindel’s eyes widened. “What?” He must have misheard! “What did you say?”
 
Erestor wondered about the stunned expression in Glorfindel’s eyes, but didn’t let it 
distract him. On the contrary, he used the other Elf’s surprise against him and jumped 
to his feet. He managed to make it past Glorfindel’s long legs, but then stumbled and 
was sent crashing hard into the wall. 
 
Glorfindel reacted at once, cursing himself privately for his slow reflexes, but 
Erestor’s words had unbalanced him. Did the dark-haired Elf really expect to be 
beaten into submission? Maybe. After all, he knew nothing of the other Elf’s history. 
 
He reached the stumbling Elf and caught him before he could take a fall. Glorfindel 
was shocked to find just how little resistance he met. His mysterious stranger hardly 
weighed a thing! “I have you.”
 
Erestor’s worst nightmare was quickly becoming true, feeling strong arms wrapped 
around him. “Let me go! Don’t touch me!” He struggled fiercely to free himself, but 
Glorfindel wouldn’t release him. “Please, let me go. I am not doing any harm! I am 
sorry I took that apple pie and tried to steal that fruit, but I was hungry and I 
promised Asfaloth an apple.”
 
“I am not going to hurt you,” repeated Glorfindel, as the frail Elf stopped struggling in 
his arms. He then made a very risky decision. “But I would like for you to eat 
something. You look like you are about to collapse.” The raven-haired Elf now leaned 
heavily against him. 
 
Erestor lacked the strength to fight Glorfindel any longer. His mind was rebellious 
and he didn’t want to undergo any punishment, but his weakened body left him with 
no choice. 
 
“Please, sit.” Glorfindel slowly assisted him in sitting down. “Drink.” 
 
Erestor accepted the flask filled with miruvor and sipped slowly. Had Glorfindel put a 
sedative in it? Would he lose consciousness and wake up in a cell? It had happened 
before so it could happen again. 
 
“Will you tell me your name?” Glorfindel sat down opposite Erestor. Asfaloth 
watched them with interest and Glorfindel saw traces of concern for the mysterious 
Elf in the stallion’s expressive eyes. 
 
The miruvor temporarily strengthened Erestor, and when he looked at the fair Elf, his 
gaze was filled with rebellion. He wouldn’t go down without a fight! “Why?”
 
“Because it would be nice to properly address you.” Glorfindel gave him a most 
charming smile. 
 
Erestor’s lips became a narrow line. “I don’t know why I should tell you.”
 
Glorfindel couldn’t believe a simple conversation could be this taxing! This Elf fought 
him on everything! “Let me introduce myself then.”
 
“I already know your name. You are Glorfindel,” said Erestor, smugly, enjoying the 
surprise on the fair Elf’s face. 
 
“Aye, I am Glorfindel.” This Elf had been watching him and he hadn’t noticed! “Now 
kindly share yours?”
 
“Erestor,” he said, eventually, biting his bottom lip the moment he had said it. He 
hadn’t wanted to give the blond Elf his name, but it was hard to deny him and his 
charming smile. He emptied the miruvor and refused more. He knew what effects 
this sort of drink had on him and wanted to remain clear-headed. 
 
“Do you live here? In the stables?” inquired Glorfindel, adding honey to a slice of 
bread and nibbling on it. He tried to appear casual and calm, hoping that it would set 
Erestor’s mind at ease. 
 
“Not anymore.” Erestor bit his bottom lip. Even if he managed to escape he would 
have to find a new shelter and now, they would be looking for him. The only option 
he had left was leaving Imladris all together. That was *if* they would let him!
 
Glorfindel read all that and more in the easy-to-read eyes. “Aye, I agree. You 
shouldn’t have to live here. The guestrooms are much more comfortable.”
 
/Guestrooms? That is the first time I heard the holding cells being called that!/ “What 
are you going to do with me?” 
 
Glorfindel raised an eyebrow. “Nothing you do not want. You can stay here if you 
want to. You obviously befriended Asfaloth and he is a good judge of character. If he 
trusts you then that is good enough for me.” He had missed breakfast and was hungry, 
so he buttered another slice and added cheese to it. “Do you want this?” Slowly 
leaning in closer, he offered it to Erestor, clearly seeing the hungry, tempted 
expression in the gloomy eyes. “I hope you don’t think I am trying to poison you.” To 
prove his point he took a bite out of the slice of bread and then offered it to Erestor 
once more. 
 
Erestor stared at the offered slice; he *was* hungry. Fighting an inner battle, he 
wondered if he could trust Glorfindel in this matter. /He can easily overpower me. He 
doesn’t need to sedate me./ Now that he fully realized this, he grabbed the bread and 
devoured it.
 
Glorfindel was stunned, seeing how fast Erestor wolfed down the food. But why was 
he surprised? Bones were sticking out of the skin! Pouring Erestor milk, he placed the 
glass close to the raven-haired Elf. “There is more where this came from.” He had 
wanted to add; /but you already know that as you took the apple pie from the 
kitchen./ But he couldn’t say the words, knowing eating it was probably the very 
reason why Erestor was still on his feet today. 
 
Erestor pulled his knees closer to his chest, rested his back against the wall and stared 
at Glorfindel. There was still more food, but was he allowed to eat it? 
 
Glorfindel correctly interpret that expression and offered Erestor some of the meat. 
“You can eat it all, if you want, though I would advice against it if you haven’t eaten 
for a long time.”
 
Erestor knew that as well, but his starved body desperately begged for more nutrition. 
So he nibbled on the meat, feeling full for the second time in the last twenty-four 
hours. “Will you now drag me in front of your Lord and punish me?” That was what 
the villagers had done when they had been displeased with him. 
 
“Drag you? Punish you? Where do you get such ideas?” Glorfindel shook his head. 
“We would never do that to one of our kind.”
 
“The humans did.” 
 
Glorfindel swallowed, hard. “That explains much.”
 
“Does it?” Erestor couldn’t help growing sleepy. In the last twelve hours he had eaten 
more than ever before and it was taking a toll on him. His body needed the little 
energy he had left to digest the large amount of food and he was falling asleep again. 
/I cannot fall asleep! If I do, Glorfindel can do whatever he wants! I will wake up in a 
holding cell!/ 
 
Glorfindel literally smelled Erestor’s fear and knew he had to act carefully now. He 
couldn’t do anything that would compromise the little trust he had managed to build 
between them. “Where do you usually sleep?”
 
“Up…” whispered Erestor; his guard was down now that he was drifting off into 
sleep. 
 
“Up in the rafters. A perfect hiding place and an excellent choice.” Glorfindel waited 
for Erestor to fully fall asleep and then rose from the floor. He pushed his arms 
beneath Erestor’s body and lifted him. He frowned, realizing Erestor didn’t weigh 
much more than an Elfling did. This was so wrong!  
 
Moving carefully, he managed to climb the ladder one-handed. Once he had reached 
the rafters, he immediately spied the little nest Erestor had built for himself. He 
gently deposited him amidst the hay and then went down again to collect the remains 
from their ‘picnic’, which he placed close to Erestor, so the Elf could eat and drink the 
moment he awoke. 
 
He would have preferred to take Erestor with him to the guestrooms or the healing 
wing, but he knew that the dark-haired Elf would never trust him again if he woke in 
strange surroundings. /I have to take this slow. I will visit with him tomorrow and 
bring more food. Clean clothes as well./ Glorfindel knew that gaining Erestor’s trust 
would be hard, but he was confident that he would win it in the end. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
“Did you learn anything new today about our mysterious stranger?” Celebrían 
entered her husband’s study, pleased to find Glorfindel was also present. “I have been 
wondering about him.”
 
Glorfindel rose to his feet and waited until she had seated herself. “I did, but what I 
learned wasn’t pleasant.” He informed Celebrían and Elrond and heard their shocked 
gasps. 
 
“Did he really say all that?” Elrond shook his head in disbelief. “Did he really say he 
expects to be beaten into submission?”
 
“And to be dragged in front of us and punished for taking that pie?” Celebrían’s eyes 
mirrored her husband’s shock. 
 
“Aye, all that and more. He also said that humans had done so to him in the past. 
From the way he looks, I think it is very possible that they kept him as a servant, 
maybe even as a slave.”
 
“And when he didn’t do as he was told, he was punished with beatings.” Elrond 
leaned back into his chair. “At times like these I feel ashamed to be part human.”
 
“I suggest we proceed cautiously. After Erestor fell asleep I took him up the rafters so 
he would wake in familiar surroundings.” Seeing Elrond’s admonishing look, he 
added, “Aye, I want him in the healing wing as well, but forcing him to go there will 
do more harm than good. We have to gain his trust first.”
 
“And how do you suggest we do that?” asked Celebrían, eager to help. 
 
“We let him set the pace and don’t force our presence upon him. I am not saying we 
should ignore him, but let him decide when he is ready for more contact. For the 
moment I will visit him on a daily bases to bring him food and water. He could also 
do with a clean set of clothes.”
 
“Consider it done,” said Celebrían, certain some of her sons’ clothes would fit Erestor, 
and if they didn’t, she would instruct the seamstress to make new ones, but making 
them would take time. She would search her sons’ wardrobes first.
 
“I would feel more comfortable if he saw a healer,” said Elrond, thoughtfully. 
 
“He is definitely malnourished,” replied Glorfindel in a similar tone. “But I didn’t see 
any injuries on him.”
 
“I will trust your judgment in this matter then.” Elrond rubbed the bridge of his nose. 
“Keep me informed. The moment he collapses I want you to take him to the healing 
wing and to call for me.”
 
Glorfindel hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Erestor’s eyelids fluttered as he began to wake up again. Normally, his dreams were 
haunted by memories, but last night his sleep had been peaceful and undisturbed. He 
had actually slept several hours instead of startling awake every hour. Suddenly 
realizing he was smiling, he rubbed his full belly. 
 
Then, the encounter with Glorfindel returned to him and he sat upright with a start 
to check on his surroundings. To his utter surprise he found himself in the safety of 
the hay. Glorfindel hadn’t taken him to the holding cells… Why not? 
 
Another quick look told him that the remains from breakfast had been set beside him. 
Glorfindel must have carried everything upstairs. Tempted, he reached for a slice of 
the sweet cake and nibbled experimentally. His eyes closed in bliss when the sugar hit 
his system. This was absolutely delicious!
 
But then the truth settled in; Glorfindel knew his whereabouts – his hide-away. And 
now that the blond warrior knew, the Lord of this valley would find out as well. 
Then, they would come dragging him down and punish him. Maybe it was best if he 
packed up the remaining food and left before they could come for him?
 
“I brought you clean clothes.” Glorfindel left the ladder and took one step toward 
Erestor, but froze at seeing the bewildered look in the dark eyes. “Is something 
amiss?”
 
“Why am I still here?” Erestor’s eyes darted wildly in their sockets, finding his way 
out blocked once more. 
 
“Where else should you be?” Glorfindel placed the blue leggings and gray shirt on the 
hay next to Erestor. “They were Elladan’s once, but he no longer wears them. They 
might be a little bit too big for you, but once you start to eat regularly you will grow 
into them.” 
 
Erestor stared at the clothes as if they were deadly weapons, ready to strike at him. “I 
don’t understand you.”
 
Glorfindel sat cross-legged and smiled, dipping a finger into the honey and licking the 
sweet substance from his digit. “What is there to understand? You are a guest here 
and I am treating you like one.”
 
“A guest? I stole from you!” Erestor hadn’t wanted to say that, but the words had 
slipped out in his confusion. 
 
“You were hungry and you took the food you needed. No one holds that against you, 
certainly not the Lord of this valley.” Glorfindel studied Erestor, seeing the hope that 
tried to blossom in the dark eyes, but the raven-haired Elf was too afraid to allow it 
in. “Lord Elrond and the lady Celebrían are actually concerned about you.”
 
“You told them about me.” It was as he had feared!
 
“Aye, I did. They rule this valley and they take their roles as hosts very seriously. 
Furthermore, Lord Elrond is an excellent healer and would offer you his services, but 
I told him you wouldn’t want him to examine you.”
 
Erestor’s confusion mounted. “You did what?”
 
“You can remain here, up in the rafters if you want, but we prepared guest quarters, 
just in case you would reconsider. Lord Elrond would also like for you to visit the 
healers, but that is your choice. If you don’t want to go to the healing wing, we will 
accept that.”
 
Too fast – he was going too fast. He saw it in Erestor’s baffled eyes. “But enough of 
that for now. Why don’t you eat, drink, and change into your new clothes? If you 
want to bathe, you could go to the communal baths or the Bruinen. No one will 
hinder you.”
 
/This is too good to be true. I don’t believe you, Glorfindel. You have a hidden 
agenda./ Erestor was still convinced that leaving Imladris as quickly as possible was 
his best option to stay alive and, more importantly, free.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Arwen and the twins immediately noticed Glorfindel’s worried expression and 
scooted closer to their former tutor. “What is amiss?” It was close to dinner, but their 
parents hadn’t joined them yet.
 
Recalling that the children didn’t know about Erestor yet, Glorfindel updated them. 
The twins sat heavily on their chairs, hearing the upsetting news and Arwen released 
a shocked gasp. “I thought something was different,” explained Elrohir. “When I 
visited the stables a few days ago I felt like I was being watched.”
 
“You probably were,” confirmed Glorfindel. “He doesn’t present a danger, Elrohir. On 
the contrary, he is extremely afraid of us.”
 
Arwen nodded. “The poor soul. If he was mistreated that badly in the past, he will 
expect for it to happen again. It is very understandable that he doesn’t trust us.”
 
“Don’t go near him yet,” said Glorfindel. “It would be best if he made contact of his 
own accord, instead of being forced in to it.”
 
Elladan agreed. “But if he ever needs a healer, please come to us.” 
 
Glorfindel smiled, kindly. Father and sons were known for their gentle healing touch. 
“I will.”
 
Celebrían and Elrond chose that moment to enter and the elder half-Elf proudly 
guided his wife to the head table where they sat down. “So, the mystery of the 
missing pie has been solved?” asked Elrond, starting up their conversation.
 
“He was so very hungry,” replied Glorfindel, thoughtfully. “When I brought him 
breakfast, he wolfed it down so fast I was afraid he would choke on it.” Glorfindel’s 
thoughts still circled around Imladris’ newest addition. “I wanted to fold my arms 
around him and to take him to the healing wing so the healers could check on him, 
but he is so easily scared. I couldn’t get as close to him as I wanted.”
 
Celebrían’s features had darkened and Elrond wondered what specifically had upset 
his wife. “What is it, love?”
 
Celebrían lifted burdened eyes to meet her husband’s. “We have such a good life here, 
husband-mine. There is food and water in abundance, we wear exquisite garments 
and all our needs are taken care of. Do we appreciate enough that what we have? 
Erestor has so little.”
 
“But he has his freedom,” replied Glorfindel. “Which is more than he had when living 
with those villagers.”
 
“Did he treat you with suspicion?” inquired Elrond, concerned. 
 
“He did, until I took a bite first to show him that the food didn’t hold a sedative.” 
Glorfindel’s eyes misted over with sadness. “The eyes, Elrond. You should have seen 
the fear in them and yet he remained defiant. The first thing he said was that he 
would never submit, no matter how harsh the beatings.” Suddenly a proud gleam 
appeared in Glorfindel’s eyes. “He is weak, malnourished and exhausted, but they 
didn’t break him. For that, I am thankful.”
 
“It sounds like you are making progress,” said Elrond, who had lost most of his 
appetite. “Are you certain he has enough food? I don’t want him to be hungry.”
 
“I brought ample for breakfast. He has more than enough left to eat.” Glorfindel 
sighed; he didn’t like the thought of Erestor all alone up in the rafters, being afraid 
and hungry. “I will bring him more in the morning. I don’t want to scare him away 
by visiting too often.”
 
“Did you also bring him Elladan’s clothes?” asked Celebrían, who was pushing her 
food around on her plate.
 
“Ah, that is where my clothes went!” But Elladan didn’t mind. On the contrary, he 
was glad he was helping in a small way. “I will go through our wardrobe to see what 
else he can use.” And he had complained about his formal roves being uncomfortable! 
Erestor didn’t have much to wear to begin with! He had never really realized just well 
taken care of they were!
 
“I did and he stared at them like they would strike him down.” Glorfindel’s sad eyes 
locked with Celebrían’s. “I don’t think that he is used to any kindness.”
 
“He will grow used to it, if we can convince him to stay long enough.” Elrond 
exchanged a look with his Captain. “What will he do next? What do you think?”
 
Glorfindel carefully considered the question. “I hope he will stay where he is, though 
I saw the urge to flee in his eyes. Maybe the food and clothes will start to convince 
him that we mean well. By the Grace of the Valar, I hope he stays!”
 
All family members nodded firmly; so did they!
Part 3
 
 
Erestor had finished the food Glorfindel had brought and had rested for an hour to 
give his body time to digest it. He had spent that hour snoozing and wondering if he 
could really be that lucky. Glorfindel had had the chance to take him to the holding 
cells, but he had woken up amidst the hay instead. Did that mean he could trust the 
blond warrior? 
 
Elladan’s clothes caught his gaze and he slowly got to his feet. Bending down, he 
picked them up and let his fingertips explore the soft fabric. Soft and clean. Looking 
himself down, he cringed, realizing how dirty he really was.
 
Going to the communal bathes as Glorfindel had suggested was out of the question, 
but maybe he could risk a quick swim in the river? What had Glorfindel called it? 
The Bruinen. But what if they saw him? 
 
/They already know I am here. If they really wanted to lock me up, they could have, 
but they didn’t./ It was hard for him to trust in general and he fought his private 
battle for several minutes. In the end, the desire to be clean and wearing warm 
clothes won out over his angst and he climbed down the ladder. 
 
Asfaloth snorted, curiously. Looking at Erestor, he realized a soft glow had appeared 
on the cheeks and the eyes didn’t look that lifeless any more. Apparently Glorfindel’s 
visits were helping. Where was Erestor going now, though? 
 
“I am going to the Bruinen… I should clean up. I probably smell, don’t I?” He said the 
words in a joking tone, trying to hide the underlying pain.
 
To the Bruinen? Now that sounded interesting. Asfaloth wouldn’t mind the exercise. 
He had never understood why the other horses were content to stay in their boxes. 
He wanted out! Demonstrating his skill and intelligence, he managed to move the 
handle that kept the door to his box locked and proudly trotted toward Erestor. Using 
his teeth, he managed to grab hold of the ragged clothes and began pulling the Elf 
with him. Thankfully, Erestor got the hint. 
 
“You want to go too?” Big-eyed, he wondered what to do. “But that will attract even 
more attention!" It was night and the gray horse would practically light up in the 
darkness!
 
Asfaloth didn’t mind drawing any attention; a war horse always did! Erestor was 
trying to move away from him, but he didn’t allow it, and pulled the Elf close again. 
It was so frustrating that he couldn’t communicate with anyone! 
 
Erestor gave Asfaloth a wondering look. “You are not offering what I think you are 
offering?”
 
Just what did the silly Elf think he was offering? Asfaloth snorted, exasperated. All he 
wanted was for the frail-looking Elf to get on his back so they could leave!
 
“I have never ridden a horse before…” said Erestor, thoughtfully. “I would fall off.”
 
Asfaloth shook his head; he would be extremely careful! He simply didn’t want 
Erestor to walk the distance to the Bruinen. The stranger probably didn’t know it was 
a two hour walk there!
 
Erestor sighed and eventually gave in. Slowly, carefully, he slid onto the stallion's 
back and wrapped his fingers in the white mane. His long, dirty fingers seemed to 
stain the stallion’s purity and he wanted to dismount, not wanting to blemish 
Asfaloth in any way. But the stallion had different ideas and trotted toward the stable 
door. Pushing it open with his head, he stepped outside, pleased. 
 
Erestor held on for dear life, terrified that he would fall. “Slowly, please.”
 
Asfaloth complied, and set a comfortable trot. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Glorfindel’s eyes took in an unexpected sight; although Erestor should be in control 
high on Asfaloth’s back, he wasn’t. The stallion moved with ease and confidence and 
chose their path. As they were moving slowly, Glorfindel could easy keep up and he 
followed them – unseen – to the Bruinen. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Erestor cautiously slid from Asfaloth’s back. In retrospect, he felt grateful that the 
stallion had insisted on taking him here as he wasn’t certain he would have been 
strong enough to walk the distance. “Thank you, my friend.”
 
Asfaloth nudged Erestor toward the water and took up grazing, but always kept an 
eye on his charge. 
 
The first thing Erestor did was scan his surroundings to make certain he was 
absolutely alone. After several minutes of listening, he began to feel more comfortable 
and peeled off the dilapidated clothes. Now that the dirty fabric was off of his skin, he 
already felt better. Looking down, he could easily count his ribs and his features 
contorted, realizing the overall bad condition he was in. The villagers had fed him 
regularly, but after he had escaped it had been almost impossible to find food. Letting 
his hair fall in front of his face, he slowly waded into the cold water. 
 
Shivering, he continued to wade in, determined to clean up. Once the water reached 
his shoulders, he dipped his head under the surface to wash his hair. A circle of dirt 
formed around him and briefly he felt guilty for spoiling the clear water. 
Experimentally, he began to swim. 
 
Soothed by the silence, peace and dark, Erestor began to relax. Floating in the water, 
face up, he smiled, staring at the star-lit sky. This was pure bliss! 
 
But the little exercise was already wearing him down and he swam back toward the 
shore. Asfaloth was still there, grazing. Erestor lingered in the water, trying to 
remove the last traces of dirt from his body. 
 
Sudden splashing almost made his heart stop and he froze in terror. An Elf had 
jumped into the water and was now making lots of noise, splashing a second Elf, who 
more carefully waded into the water. Oh, he knew one of them! One of them? But 
there were two and they looked identical! /Elladan has a twin,/ realized Erestor. 
 
Oh, he needed to get out now and return to the safety of the stables, but the twins 
were swimming and splashing their way over to him. It was only a matter of seconds 
before they would notice him!
 
Elladan noticed Erestor first. Seeing the gaunt, ghost-like apparition in the water 
stopped him right in his tracks and his movement died down. 
 
“Elladan?” Elrohir frowned, wondering what had alerted his twin. Letting his gaze 
travel over the river, he also noticed the strange Elf.
 
“That must be Erestor,” whispered Elladan. “Who else can it be? Oh, by the Grace of 
the Valar, Glorfindel was right; just look at him!” The way Erestor looked shocked 
him. Now that the dirt and grime had been washed away Erestor appeared ever more 
frail and starved, with his bones sticking out. 
 
Elrohir stilled his movements as well and stood beside Elladan. Erestor finally looked 
at them, and he cringed, seeing the horror at being discovered in those eyes. “What 
do we do?”
 
“I don’t know!” Elladan felt frustrated. What was the best course of action? He didn’t 
want Erestor to run away, but he didn’t want to pretend he wasn’t there either. 
 
Erestor measured the distance to Asfaloth. How quickly could he cover the distance 
and climb onto the stallion’s back? But there were two of them! They could easily 
catch him! What would they do to him? 
 
“Greetings, friend,” said Elrohir, taking the initiative. “I am Elrohir and this is my 
brother, Elladan. You are free to join us in our play if you want to.” But secretly he 
wondered if Erestor wasn’t too frail for frolicking around in the river. He looked like 
he could easily break. 
 
Erestor’s eyes widened and he quickly hid behind a curtain of wet hair. What? They 
were inviting him to join them? There had to be a hidden motive! The moment his 
guard went down they would attack him!
 
“So Asfaloth decided to tag along?” Elladan grinned. Until now Glorfindel had always 
been proud on being the sole rider the stallion accepted. Apparently, that had 
changed. 
 
Erestor nodded, shyly, still inching closer to the shore. The twins weren’t moving and 
he grew more confident that he would escape them. Oddly enough, he realized he 
wished Glorfindel were here. For some reason he had begun to trust the blond 
warrior and he would feel a bit more confident with him close.
 
“We could comb and braid your hair for you,” offered Elrohir, who maintained his 
distance. Everything about Erestor screamed angst. 
 
Erestor quickly shook his head and the tangled mass danced along. Wrapping his arms 
around his waist, he fought the urge to rock himself. Why had they come here to 
swim? Why now? Why find him?
 
“Ah, there you are, you little escape artist!” Glorfindel had correctly read Erestor’s 
body language and chose that moment to show himself. Walking toward Asfaloth, he 
pretended frustration. “I need to put a better lock on that box.”
 
Asfaloth looked him up and down and for one moment Glorfindel just knew what 
was on the horse’s mind. A better, stronger lock wouldn’t keep him inside either. “Is 
this your way of telling me you want to go out riding more often?”
 
Asfaloth didn’t pay Glorfindel any more attention and returned to grazing.
 
Erestor felt torn. He wanted to run toward Asfaloth and Glorfindel because he would 
feel safer then, but his nakedness kept him confined to the water. 
 
Glorfindel gave Erestor a look filled with understanding. “They are friends, Erestor.”
 
The twins drew in a deep breath, simultaneously, now that Erestor seemed to 
marginally relax. “Glorfindel is right,” said Elrohir. “We are friends.”
 
Erestor wanted to believe them, but they were moving closer and he felt forced to 
back away from them. 
 
Glorfindel’s features darkened, taking in Erestor’s fragile condition. It would take a 
long time before the first fat would cover the dark-haired Elf’s bones. He picked up 
Elladan’s old clothes, realizing Erestor’s dilemma.
 
So did Elladan. “We brought towels, which he can use. They are over there.”
 
Glorfindel nodded, thankfully, and picked up one of the towels. Walking toward the 
water, he extended his arm and handed it to Erestor. “Use this.”
 
Everything was happening too fast and Erestor felt dazed. Neither twin was trying to 
lunge for him and they always maintained distance, although they had managed to 
steal a bit closer. They couldn’t be trusted, though.
 
“Elladan, Elrohir, why don’t you go back to swimming? I will stay with Erestor.” 
Glorfindel knew he had to break the tension or else Erestor would flee.
 
“Hum, of course…” Elrohir gave Erestor one last, stunning smile and a wink. 
 
Now Erestor felt truly confused, but before he could react to that wink, Elladan had 
pulled Elrohir beneath the surface and their games started anew. Now that they were 
no longer focused on him, Erestor sighed in relief. 
 
“They mean well. Don’t hold their youthfulness and energy against them.” Glorfindel 
moved the towel up and down, trying to catch Erestor’s attention. 
 
Absented-mindedly, because his attention was still focused on the twins, Erestor took 
hold of the towel and began to dry his skin. 
 
Glorfindel took a few steps away from Erestor and eased himself down on the grass. 
Asfaloth walked toward him and nudged his head. Glorfindel grinned and rubbed the 
warm nose. “You did well, my old friend.” Pleased, the horse returned to grazing.
 
Erestor had finally exited the water and grabbed hold of Elladan’s old clothes, which 
he quickly slipped into. The shirt was a bit too big, as were the leggings, but he didn’t 
mind, as they were thick and whole. They would do their job and keep him warm. 
Now that he was dressed, he felt lost. What was he supposed to do now? The twins 
were still fooling around in the water and Glorfindel had lain down. If he wanted to, 
he could run away. But how far would he get in his current state? And Asfaloth didn’t 
seem inclined to move much either as he was rolling in a patch of sand which he had 
located. He was stuck here, then.
 
Glorfindel told himself to be patient and to allow Erestor to make up his own mind 
instead of telling him what to do. His instincts told him that Erestor had been forced 
to follow orders for much too long.
 
Even though they were frolicking in the waves, the twins kept a worried eye on 
Erestor as well, making certain everything was fine with Imladris’ latest addition. 
They kept their distance and ignored him, realizing it was the best course of action.
 
Erestor nervously shuffled his feet, finally admitting that he would feel more 
comfortable if he were closer to Glorfindel. Taking it slowly, he made his way over to 
the fair Elf and sat down. 
 
Glorfindel’s right eye opened and a blinding smile appeared on his face. “You look 
much improved.” It was true; now that the dirt no longer covered Erestor’s face, he 
could finally make out the other Elf’s features. Even though he was too thin and pale, 
Erestor was handsome. “But your hair is a mess.” He smiled to ensure that his remark 
was made in good jest and not meant to hurt. “The twins probably brought a comb 
with them. I could check and untangle your hair?”
 
“Nay, thank you,” whispered Erestor, taken aback by the offer. He wasn’t ready yet to 
allow Glorfindel *that* close to him. He ran his fingers through the dark mane, trying 
to get out the worst tangles.
 
Glorfindel loved looking at Erestor, as he finger-combed the hair. The ends rested on 
the grass now that the delicate Elf was sitting down. He wanted to compliment 
Erestor, but knew his remark would be met with much suspicion. 
 
Ithil chose that moment to leave the clouds that had partly hidden him and his rays 
descended onto Erestor in their full glory and Glorfindel completely, utterly, and 
unconditionally lost his heart to him. He had never believed such a sudden love could 
take possession of him, but it did. Elbowing himself into an upright position, he drank 
in Erestor’s sight. The large, chocolate eyes called to him and he involuntarily raised 
his right hand to touch the ebony strands. 
 
Erestor quickly moved away from the touch and his alert eyes searched Glorfindel’s. 
What had possessed the fair Elf to touch him?
 
Oh, he was such a fool! Glorfindel shook his head; he had fallen into the trap of his 
heart. He should have recognized his feelings when he had first met Erestor in the 
orchard, but he had been too struck to make much sense of them. He was falling in 
love with Erestor!
 
“Why did you do that?” Erestor sat at a distance now, making certain Glorfindel 
couldn’t reach out again. 
 
“Because I desired to touch you…” Oh, he was a romantic fool! Glorfindel forcefully 
pushed those feelings away and concentrated on putting Erestor at ease once more. 
“Indulge an old fool occasionally, would you, Erestor?”
 
“Old fool?” The teasing was lost on Erestor, who wondered what was wrong with 
Glorfindel. He momentarily forgot about his fear and moved closer again. “You 
probably had a long and hard day and now you are here, instead of resting.”
 
“I can rest here,” replied Glorfindel, quickly. “But I am worried that you will leave 
the moment I go to sleep.”
 
“Why does that worry you?” Erestor frowned, still inching closer.
 
“Because I like your company.” Glorfindel’s heart filled with love and admiration for 
Erestor. By the looks of it the dark-haired Elf was beginning to trust him, as he had 
now inched over to sit at his side. “Aren’t you tired, then?”
 
“Tired?” Erestor pulled his knees close to his chest, wrapped his arms around his legs 
and rested his head on his knees. “I sleep much lately. I always fall asleep after 
eating.”
 
“Your body needs the energy to digest the food,” explained Glorfindel, carefully 
taking the next step. “Why don’t you lie down as well? I wouldn’t mind taking a nap.”
 
“Here? And now?” The thought of going to sleep in the open scared him. Anyone 
could sneak up on him here!
 
“What if I tell you that we are safe here?” Glorfindel rolled onto his right side, so he 
could watch Erestor more easily. 
 
“I am never safe,” whispered Erestor.
 
“Why is that?”
 
“They are probably looking for me – even now. I tried to shake them off, but it is only 
a matter of time before they arrive and make me go back with them.” Fear colored 
Erestor’s eyes.
 
“The villagers?” Glorfindel bit back the growl that almost escaped him. Hearing it 
would only aggravate Erestor further. “You *are* safe here. Lord Elrond will never 
allow them in.”
 
“They will sneak in, just like I did. You didn’t know I was here either.” Erestor tiredly 
rubbed his eyes with his right hand and then rested his head on his knees once more. 
Rocking slightly, he tried to banish the fear. “I vowed to never let them get their 
hands on me again. I would rather die than let them take me.”
 
Glorfindel abruptly sat up and could tell Erestor was barely containing his flight 
instinct. “You *are* safe here,” he repeated. “I personally vouch for that.” 
 
The fiercely protective expression on Glorfindel’s face took Erestor aback. “Why 
would you do that?”
 
“Because… because that is what I do. I protect my kind. It is my first duty as Captain 
here.” Oh, that wasn’t what he had wanted to say, but he couldn’t tell Erestor that the 
dark-haired Elf had captured his heart! First, he had to win Erestor’s trust!
 
“Oh,” escaped Erestor. For some reason he felt disappointed, but he couldn’t label the 
feeling. Maybe he had hoped Glorfindel would have a more personal reason to be 
worried about him. How foolish of him to think that!
 
“Seriously, Erestor. You are safe here. No one will hurt you or force you to leave. You 
are under the protection of the Lord of this valley. You don’t know Elrond and I 
understand you feel apprehensive, but he is a kind ruler. He will do his best to ensure 
your safety.”
 
“I want to believe you,” said Erestor in an unguarded moment. “But I am scared. I am 
scared to put my fate into someone else’s hands. Someone I've never met before.”
 
“Then put your trust in me instead!” Reacting impulsively, Glorfindel succeeded in 
taking one of Erestor’s hands into his. The fingers looked too thin, too brittle, but he 
had already learned that a strong and unbreakable mind occupied this frail body. “I 
know we only just met and that you are very suspicious of my motives, but I tell you 
that you can trust me! I am an Elf of honor! I would never lie to you!”
 
Something in the passionate outcry and strong eyes told Erestor that Glorfindel was 
completely honest and serious. “It is hard for me to trust… you… I don’t know if I 
can.”
 
“You can try, can you not?” Glorfindel gave Erestor a hope-filled look. 
 
How could he deny such hope? Such devotion and passion? “I can, aye.”
 
“Will you?” Glorfindel was amazed that Erestor allowed him to stroke his fingers, and 
decided to take advantage of the moment by continuing rubbing the digits. It was his 
first real contact with the other Elf. 
 
Erestor felt a bit pressured, but at the same time he did want to trust Glorfindel. It 
was a huge step – actually trusting someone – but he felt that Glorfindel was worthy 
of his trust. So far, the fair Elf hadn’t hurt him or lied to him. “I will try.”
 
Glorfindel had seldom been happier. “Thank you!” If it had been up to him, he would 
have buried Erestor in a hug, but he knew it was too soon for that.
 
“Are we interrupting?” 
 
Erestor almost jumped to his feet, but as Glorfindel was still holding his hand, he 
couldn’t move much and only squirmed, finding the twins so close, so unexpectedly
 
“At least you dressed!” For one moment Glorfindel had been afraid that they had 
joined them naked. 
 
“We aren’t Elflings anymore!” Elladan stuck his tongue out at Glorfindel and seated 
himself on the grass, close to Glorfindel and Elrohir, but still at a respectable distance 
from Erestor, whose fear was palpable.
 
“Says he and sticks out his tongue,” whispered Elrohir, shaking his head in 
exasperation. “Sometimes I just cannot believe you are the oldest and heir to 
Imladris.”
 
Erestor’s eyes widened and Glorfindel could actually feel Erestor’s hand turn clammy. 
“What is amiss?”
 
“You are a Lord here?” Erestor swallowed, convulsively.
 
“Lord? Lord of the sand box and almond cookies!” Elrohir laughed and squeezed 
Elladan’s shoulder. “Imladris will never survive you coming to power. Good thing 
there is also little old me.”
 
“Little, how very adequately phrased, my dear brother,” retaliated Elladan. 
 
Glorfindel could tell that all this bantering was upsetting Erestor further and took 
control. “Elladan and Elrohir are Elrond’s sons. They might one day inherit Imladris, 
*if* they behave.”
 
“*If* we behave?” Elladan wanted to continue their bantering, but also noticed 
Erestor’s withdrawn expression and calmed. “We are misbehaving in front of our 
guest. We apologize, Erestor.”
 
“No need to apologize… Certainly not to someone such as me.” Erestor seemed to 
shrink into himself, becoming even smaller. 
 
Elladan’s eyes shone with determination. “Erestor, every Elf is precious and every 
soul unique. You are just as worthy of living here and receiving our respect as… 
Glorfindel for example.”
 
“Thank you!” Glorfindel gave Elladan a wink. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
 
“That’s not true,” said Erestor in a small voice. He had learned to fear the Lord of the 
village, who had often ordered the beatings.
 
“It is, and you will realize that in time.” Deciding they should leave Erestor and 
Glorfindel alone for now, Elrohir pulled Elladan to his feet. “We will leave now, but 
you look like you need this more than we do.” He placed a beautifully crafted wooden 
comb at Erestor’s feet. “You should attend to your hair. It would be a shame if it had 
to be cut short due to the tangles.”
 
Glorfindel’s heart missed a beat. “A true shame.”
 
Erestor no longer knew how to react to them, so he simply remained silent. 
 
The twins left and Glorfindel tried to catch Erestor’s gaze, which was hard as the 
dark-haired Elf’s eyes were directed at the grass. “Erestor?”
 
“What?” He had been lost in thought and Glorfindel’s voice had surprised him. 
Looking up, timidly, he finally made eye contact.
 
“May I attend to you hair? I will be careful and not pull.” Glorfindel gave him the 
most pleading look ever, hoping Erestor wouldn’t deny him. 
 
Erestor shifted, slightly, uncertain what to do. He had just promised to try trusting 
Glorfindel, but it was harder than he had thought. “If you want to… but I don’t want 
to take up too much of your time.”
 
“It is not a bother,” assured Glorfindel, picking up the comb. “Would you turn away 
from me? It will be easier that way.”
 
Erestor turned his back toward Glorfindel and swallowed, nervously, as the warrior’s 
fingers moved through his hair for the first time, closely followed by the comb. What 
was he doing? Why had he thrown precaution overboard? But oh, he wanted to trust 
Glorfindel! He just prayed the fair Elf would never betray his trust.
Part 4
 
It was a pleasant, almost sensual sensation to feel Glorfindel’s hands slide gently 
through his hair. His mother had combed and braided his hair when he had been 
little, but that seemed a lifetime ago. In spite of his fears, Erestor relaxed, and even 
leaned back against Glorfindel for comfort.
 
It was a pity that Erestor couldn’t see Glorfindel’s blinding smile. The blond warrior 
realized that Erestor was beginning to trust him; letting him straighten out his hair 
was the first sign that the dark-haired Elf felt at ease around him. “I have to cut this 
tangle out. I cannot remove it by using the comb.”
 
“Do it.” Erestor shivered, feeling the sharp dagger cut his hair ever so carefully. 
 
Glorfindel placed the tangled strands on the grass next to him. It was a beautiful, 
almost magical night and he felt blessed to have Erestor this close. He continued to 
work on the ebony hair and suddenly encountered something hard, close to Erestor’s 
scalp. “What is this?” It felt like a piece of metal had tangled in Erestor’s hair.
 
Erestor briefly closed his eyes to gather his courage. “A last gift from my mother 
before she died.”
 
“What?” Surprised, Glorfindel’s fingers explored the object. “What is it?”
 
“A ring.” Erestor looked at Glorfindel from over his shoulder. “She said it was the one 
thing that would guide me to my father if I ever needed to find him. Please leave it in 
and don’t tamper with it.” Breaking eye-contact he stared straight at the grass. 
 
“Your father? Erestor?” So many questions swirled in his mind! “Maybe you should 
tell me more about you? And your mother?”
 
“I don’t want to do that.” Erestor began to move away from Glorfindel, but the 
warrior still had a strand of raven hair in his hand and Erestor was forced to return to 
his original position. Sitting motionless, he waited for Glorfindel’s next words. 
 
“I hope you will tell me one day,” said Glorfindel, eager to break the newly risen 
tension between them. “I will leave it alone for now, just as you requested.” But 
curiosity had arisen and he wondered if there was a way to study the ring. Maybe 
once Erestor was asleep again?
 
“Thank you.” It was the first time in a very long time that someone showed him 
respect and Erestor in turn, appreciated that. 
 
“Finished!” Glorfindel felt rather pleased with the result. “You should comb it 
regularly, Erestor. It will become even more silky and shiny if you do.”
 
/Silky and shiny?/ No one had ever called his hair that before! Erestor was tempted to 
look at Glorfindel, but didn’t, afraid his emotions were too easily readable. The blond 
warrior was becoming the first friend he had ever had and he didn’t know how to 
accept that maybe his life had really changed. Glorfindel had even offered him his 
protection! 
 
“Erestor? Would you turn around and look at me?” Glorfindel found he was still 
caressing a strand of Erestor’s hair and reluctantly let go. 
 
Erestor drew in a deep breath and shifted until he sat facing Glorfindel. There was an 
odd look on the fair Elf’s face, which made Erestor wonder why the warrior was this 
interested in him. Why had the Captain taken him under his wing?
 
“I know that you don’t believe me when I say that you are safe here, but you are. I 
vow to never let anyone harm you.” Glorfindel smiled, seeing the expression in the 
dark eyes change. For the very first time they were free of fear. “I mean it. You have a 
friend in me and if needed, a protector as well.”
 
“That would be a first,” replied Erestor, opening up a tad. “I never had a friend 
before…”
 
Asfaloth snorted and looked at Erestor, hearing that. He knew what Erestor was 
trying to say, but he couldn’t resist playing the Elf a bit.
 
“You are a friend as well,” said Erestor, quickly. “But… you aren’t Elven.” He gave the 
stallion an apologetic look. “I need someone I can talk to.” His eyes widened, realizing 
what he had just given away. His gaze shifted to Glorfindel and he trembled, slightly, 
seeing the incredibly warm smile on the other Elf’s features. 
 
“You have two friends then,” said Glorfindel, rescuing the situation. 
 
Asfaloth neighed, amused, and moved his head up and down, signaling he 
understood. 
 
Glorfindel briefly felt peeved for having to share Erestor’s attention with Asfaloth, 
but then he laughed, softly. He wasn’t growing jealous of his horse, was he? 
Glorfindel placed his hand atop of Erestor’s and was hugely pleased when the raven-
haired Elf allowed the touch. 
 
Being touched by Glorfindel was becoming easier for Erestor. The first time the fair 
Elf had touched him, he had cringed and pulled back, but he felt no longer intimated, 
which delighted and frightened him at the same time. He felt delighted to have a 
friend, and frightened because he was letting his guard down for the very first time 
since his capture. 
 
Glorfindel was content to simply sit close to Erestor and to hold his hand. 
Conversation wasn’t really necessary between them and when he gestured for Erestor 
to move closer against him now that the ebony-haired Elf was growing tired once 
more, Erestor hesitantly did. Glorfindel’s heart thumped softly, for he was happy that 
the trust between them was growing. 
 
Erestor didn’t know exactly why he accepted the invitation and was snuggling up to 
Glorfindel. Maybe it was because it felt nice to feel a warm body against his, to inhale 
Glorfindel’s scent, to merely know that he wasn’t alone any more. He had finally 
made two friends. 
 
Involuntarily, Glorfindel listened to Erestor’s breathing, and judging by the soft, 
steady rhythm, the other Elf had fallen asleep once more. It was a bit unnatural for 
one of their kind to sleep as much as Erestor currently did, but he contributed the 
need for sleep to Erestor’s weakened condition. Maybe it was best to go home.
 
Lifting Erestor carefully in his arms, he carried the Elf over to Asfaloth. He placed 
Erestor on the stallion’s back and then slipped into place behind him, steadying him./ 
He must really be catching up on a lot of sleep if this doesn’t even wake him./ It also 
illustrated how easy of a prey Erestor would be if those villagers *did* decide to come 
after him. 
 
Asfaloth walked slowly, keeping in mind that one of his riders was asleep. He was 
happy that things were working out this well. Glorfindel would be a good friend, and 
Erestor needed as many friends as he could get.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Glorfindel dismounted, caught Erestor, and carried the still sleeping Elf toward the 
stables, but then paused. Maybe he should take advantage of the moment and take 
Erestor to the guest quarters instead? A warm, soft bed would be so much better to 
sleep in than a bundle of hay. But he didn’t want to betray Erestor’s trust and decided 
to take him up the rafters instead.
 
“Glorfindel?” Elrond had been unable to fall asleep and had opted for a walk instead. 
He had subconsciously headed for the stables, perhaps hoping he would run into 
Glorfindel or their mysterious guest. And now that he encountered them both, his 
curiosity got the better of him. 
 
“He is asleep, Elrond.” Glorfindel felt tremendously protective of Erestor, and eyed 
Elrond closely. “We should keep it that way.”
 
“I agree.” Elrond soundlessly approached. “You were right; he is much too thin.” The 
scrawny face revealed pain and suffering and yet, a soft glow warmed the cheeks. “I 
wish I could examine him properly.” Cocking his head, he studied Imladris’ newest 
resident.
 
“I followed him to the Bruinen where he went for a swim. Except for his emaciated 
state he seems fine.” Glorfindel was growing impatient. “I should take him back 
inside. I don’t want him to wake up and find us discussing him.”
 
Elrond nodded once. “One more moment, though.” He raised his right hand and let it 
hover just above Erestor’s brow, never touching the skin. “He doesn’t feel feverish.” 
His healing instincts told him that Erestor was weak; but with the right tender, loving 
care, he would make a full recovery. “Take him inside and tuck him in.”
 
Elrond watched them go with a heavy and burdened heart. He wanted to reach out 
and help Erestor, but if Glorfindel’s words were true, the dark-haired Elf was not yet 
ready to make his acquaintance. He had to be patient and bide his time. At least he’d 
had the chance to quickly assess Erestor’s overall condition. Assured that the Elf was 
in no immediate danger, Elrond continued his walk, but his thoughts continued to 
circle around their mysterious guest.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Glorfindel climbed the ladder again and was about to place Erestor in his comfortable 
nest when he noticed several new items had found their place up here. Two warm 
blankets had been placed next to the hay and with it another set of clothes. A comb, 
brush, a bar of soap rested atop the clothes. A basket filled with delicious food items 
stood close to the ladder and several carafes filled with water. A tiny note 
accompanied the gifts and Glorfindel immediately recognized Celebrían’s 
handwriting. He smiled; the lady of Imladris had always had a kind heart and he 
should have expected this.
 
After placing Erestor amidst the hay, he unfolded one of the blankets and covered 
Erestor’s form with it. Erestor felt cool, which Glorfindel found most odd, but 
attributed it again to the other Elf’s weakened state. 
 
In his sleep, Erestor rolled onto his side and curled up in a fetal state. Glorfindel 
moistened his lips, nervously, realizing he could now sneak a look at the ring, if he 
wanted to. But it had meant so much to Erestor that he had respected his ‘no’ earlier! 
 
Glorfindel shook his head once. No, he wouldn’t betray Erestor’s trust! He wouldn’t 
peek! Tucking Erestor in, he said his goodbyes for the night and used this opportunity 
to press a chaste kiss on the raven-haired Elf’s brow. /My, I think I love you./
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Arwen and Celebrían wanted to do as Glorfindel had asked and not impose on 
Erestor, but they were worried. Elladan and Elrohir had told them about their 
midnight encounter and Erestor’s skinny form. The two she-Elves felt they needed to 
take action, so they had carried food, toiletries, more clothes and blankets up the 
ladder to make certain Erestor had the things he needed. But they still weren’t 
content and wanted to do more. But what else could they do?
 
Seated in a gazebo in the rose garden they consulted with each other and it wasn’t 
long before Elrond came upon them. Joining them, he smiled at his wife and 
daughter. “I know you want to help, but Erestor isn’t ready for that yet. Give him 
time.”
 
“But, the thought of him all alone and in need worries me,” said Celebrían.
 
“He is not alone any more,” said Elrond, slyly. “He has Glorfindel now.”
 
“Glorfindel?” Arwen cocked her head, interested in this development.
 
“I met them upon their return to the stables. Erestor was fast asleep and Glorfindel 
carried him. It was the look on our friend’s face that made me wonder. I have been 
thinking about this and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Glorfindel is developing 
more than friendly feelings for our mystery guest.”
 
“You think so?” Celebrían smiled, extremely pleased. 
 
“Don’t give me that smile,” said Elrond, teasingly. “I am not playing match maker. We 
know nothing of this strange Elf.”
 
“You didn’t know that much about me either when we first met,” said Celebrían, 
reminding her husband. “And we fell in love and we are still happy, aren’t we?”
 
“Aye, we are.” Elrond captured her hand in his and kissed the back. “Very happy.”
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Erestor stretched, waking up in a warm cocoon. He blinked once and found that a 
blanket covered him. So *that* was why he had felt so deliciously warm! Sitting 
upright, he smoothed the material and only then noticed the changes that had taken 
place during his sleep. Taking in the different gifts, he felt immensely thankful, and 
for the first time, suspicious feelings left him alone. Apparently, these people really 
cared about him.
 
During his time with the villagers, he had always hoped they would treat him 
friendly as well, but they never did. They loathed the very sight of him. It was 
different here – in Imladris. He repeated the name several times now that he knew it. 
So far, he had met Glorfindel – whom he liked – and the twins. He didn’t know what 
to make of them though. Their playfulness and banter confused him.
 
/I should thank them for these gifts./ But how? Erestor got to his feet and looked 
down himself. He was wearing his new, clean clothes and his hair danced against his 
back, untangled and shiny. 
 
He walked over to the basket with fruit and selected an apple. After making certain 
no Elves were in the stables, he descended the ladder and sneaked over to Asfaloth. 
“Here, my friend. I promised you an apple.”
 
Asfaloth sniffed and then bit into the apple, munching happily. Erestor looked much 
improved, now that Asfaloth compared the Elf’s looks to the first time they had met. 
He even looked like an Elf, instead of a dirt-covered human!
 
“I should thank them for this, but I don’t know how… And even if I did, I am not 
comfortable yet with contacting them.” The only one he felt at ease with was 
Glorfindel, but he was already taking up too much of the warrior’s time. If he’d had 
quill and paper he might have written a thank you note, but he didn’t, and he wasn’t 
even sure he could still write. His mother had still been teaching him at the time of 
the attack. But how else to thank them as he didn’t dare thank them in person?
 
This meant sneaking into the main building again and locating a study or the library 
where he could write his thank you note. Then, he would place it for all to see and 
leave again. The most important part was not to get caught.
 
He didn’t want to take these risks, but he had to let them know he appreciated their 
efforts to make him feel welcome and he didn’t know when and if Glorfindel would 
visit with him today, so he had to do this now.
 
Straightening his clothes, he gathered his courage. He had sneaked inside before; he 
could do it again.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Elrond placed his quill down and stared at the letter he had just written. This was a 
first, cautious attempt to tighten the alliance between Mirkwood and Imladris and he 
wasn’t certain how Thranduil would react. He hadn’t seen the blond Elf for millennia 
and although they had been friends once, the Battle of the Last Alliance had caused 
them to grow apart. Only time would tell if Thranduil would accept the terms.
 
It was a warm summer day, but Elrond already smelled the first rain. It wouldn’t be 
long before the leaves would start to fall and the days grew shorter. Autumn would 
come quickly and bring cold to Imladris. Not even Vilya could change the seasons, 
neither did he want to change them. But he had enjoyed summer’s heat whilst it 
lasted.
 
Eager to catch a few more of the golden rays, Elrond rose from his chair and walked 
toward the balcony doors. Opening them, he stepped onto the balcony and basked in 
the sunlight. The rays made his skin tingle and a soft breeze played with his hair. 
“Stop that,” he chided the wind, kindly. He was wearing his circlet today and the 
breeze was messing with the intricate braids Celebrían had put in this morn. 
 
He walked over to the large, fluffy pillows placed in the corner closest to the waterfall 
and he sat down, enjoying the view. Imladris was at peace, and so was he.
 
Unexpected noise coming from his study made him frown, though. He wasn’t 
expecting any visitors and his friends and family knew to seek him out on the balcony 
should they find the study empty. Curious, Elrond got to his feet again and made his 
way back to the balcony doors. There, he froze, unwilling to disturb, and probably 
scare, his unexpected visitor.
 
Erestor stood behind the desk, moving nervously and uncertainly. He picked up the 
quill and pulled a sheet of paper close. Elrond could tell by the way that Erestor was 
holding the quill that the other Elf wasn’t used to writing and the words he was 
trying to write were unreadable. Becoming frustrated with his inability to write 
properly Erestor glared at the quill.
 
/Why is he here and what is he trying to put on paper?/ Elrond used the moment to 
study Erestor further and wondered about the same thing Glorfindel had – his age. 
Just how old – or young – was Erestor? 
 
Elrond shifted, trying to get a better look at Erestor and his foot accidentally bumped 
into a plant, sending it falling. Elrond involuntarily held his breath, knowing he had 
revealed himself.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The quill snapped in two and one sharp end drove itself into the palm of his hand. 
Erestor had thought he was alone, finding the study empty upon entering it, but had 
been wrong. Why hadn’t he checked the balcony? Angry with himself, Erestor cast a 
longing look at the doorway. The other Elf wasn’t blocking it, and if he wanted to 
escape, he had to act now!
 
“Please stay! I mean you no harm!” Elrond lifted his hands, palms up in an effort to 
show Erestor that his intentions were honest. “I would like to speak with you.”
 
Erestor remained in place, but only the knowledge that his way out wasn’t blocked 
allowed him to face the other Elf. /He must be someone important,/ thought Erestor, 
eying the other dark-haired Elf, who wore luxurious, velvet robes and even a circlet. 
His heart missed a beat, as a terrible fear sneaked up on him. He hadn’t trespassed into 
the Lord’s study, had he? Shivering violently, he fearfully pressed himself against the 
wall. “I didn’t steal anything! Please, you must believe me, I…” Then he remembered 
the broken quill and placed one end on the table. “It was an accident. Please forgive 
me and show mercy.” The other end was still stuck in the palm of his hand and he hid 
it behind his back. “Please, be merciful.”
 
Elrond’s eyes had grown big, revealing his surprise, but Erestor didn’t seem to register 
that. “Calm yourself, my friend. I am not cross with you.” Seeing that only part of the 
quill had been placed on his desk, he correctly interpreted the meaning of the droplet 
of blood clinging to the white feather. “Did you hurt yourself?” 
 
“That is of no importance. May I leave now, or…?” Frightened, he held his breath 
now that Elrond was approaching. The distance between them decreased and he 
should make his way for the doorway *now*, but found he couldn’t move. There was 
something about the other Elf that made him want to stay and talk, even though he 
feared the consequences of his actions.
 
“It *is* important,” insisted Elrond. “Please, show me your hand.” Elrond hoped 
Erestor didn’t know who he was, because if he did, Erestor might feel even more 
intimidated. “I am a healer; I can help.”
 
“A healer?” There had been a healer in the village, but his owners had never taken 
him there when he had been hurting. 
 
“Aye, I am a healer.” Elrond graced Erestor with a beatific smile. “I want to help.” He 
extended his hand toward Erestor in a pleading gesture. “Let me see.”
 
Erestor was caught between hope and the instinct to flee. Once the healer had a hold 
on his hand it would be nearly impossible to flee. Waveringly, he shuffled his feet. 
 
Elrond forced himself to continue to smile and to keep his hand extended. “I want to 
help. You don’t have to fear me.” He hoped Erestor would take the risk and trust him. 
It would be a first step in the right direction for them. “I am a friend of Glorfindel’s,” 
he said eventually. “A very good friend.” Seeing the expression change in the troubled 
eyes was amazing and caused Elrond’s smile to brighten considerably. “You can trust 
me.”
 
Erestor waged his inner battle, but in the end, the stinging sensation in his hand made 
the decision for him and he abruptly extended the injured appendage toward the 
other Elf. 
 
“Please, sit down.” Elrond pushed the chair away from the desk and made a point of 
not watching Erestor whilst his guest sat down. He collected the emergency supplies, 
which he always kept in his study, and returned with bandages and healing herbs. He 
also placed a washing basin, filled with water on the desk. “May I?” Correctly 
interpreting Erestor’s look, he moved slowly and carefully, knowing he could easily 
scare his guest off.
 
The quill was sharp and had deeply buried itself in Erestor’s flesh. “I have to remove 
it.”
 
Erestor nodded; he had born pain before and this injury didn’t compare to what he 
had endured in the past. Yet, he noticed that the healer’s touch was gentle whilst 
probing the wound and he was grateful for that.
 
Elrond pulled the quill out of the bloodied flesh and flung it onto the floor. Blood 
gushed from the wound and he quickly immersed the injured hand in water, after 
adding healing herbs to it. “What were you trying to write?”
 
“A thank you note…” said Erestor, trying hard not to groan due to the pain that stung 
his hand. “The people here have been kind to me and I wanted to let them know that 
I am thankful for that.”
 
Elrond nodded, thoughtfully, carefully considering his next words. “I don’t think I 
have seen you here around before.”
 
Erestor swallowed hard and watched the water turn red with his blood. “I arrived a 
few weeks ago.”
 
/Weeks?/ Elrond managed to hide his surprise. He guided Erestor’s hand away from 
the water and spread a towel across his knee. Sitting down, he placed Erestor’s hand 
on his thigh and cleaned the wound, which still carried traces of ink. 
 
Erestor’s heart missed a beat, suddenly realizing something which had escaped him 
before. “You know who I am!” Why else had the healer mentioned Glorfindel?
 
“Aye, Glorfindel mentioned you to me. You are called Erestor, aren’t you?” Elrond 
opted for the truth, knowing that lying wouldn’t get him anywhere.
 
“I am…” Erestor thoughtfully watched the healer’s face, whilst the other Elf 
bandaged his hand. “I am sorry for trespassing, but I didn’t have a quill, ink or paper, 
but I did want to say thank you.”
 
“Don’t worry about it. I am not cross with you.” Elrond finished bandaging Erestor’s 
hand, but didn’t rise from the desk yet. “You don’t have to live in the stables. We 
readied one of the guest quarters for you.”
 
“I like it there…” Erestor shrugged once. “I never had a room for myself before and I 
enjoy living in the stables.”
 
“Erestor?” Elrond slowly placed a finger beneath Erestor’s chin and lifted the face so 
they *had* to make eye contact. “Imladris is well-known for her hospitality. You 
would honor us by accepting what we are offering you.”
 
“I am not worthy,” said Erestor, nervous now that the healer didn’t allow him to look 
away. 
 
“Oh, but you are.” Elrond bestowed a gentle caress onto the gaunt face and then rose 
from the desk, unwilling to overwhelm Erestor. “Always remember that.”
 
“Thank you, my Lord,” said Erestor, taken aback. He had finally figured out that this 
wasn’t just a healer. Only a high-ranking person could officially offer him hospitality. 
 
“And I will let my wife know that you appreciated her gifts. I assume you already 
thanked Glorfindel personally?”
 
Cold sweat erupted from Erestor’s pores. /His wife?/
 
“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Elrond Half-Elven and I call Imladris 
my own.”
 
Erestor shivered over his entire body and he wanted to flee now that he apparently 
faced the Lord of this valley, but his body wouldn’t react and all he was capable of 
was sitting there – defeated and fearful. 
 
Elrond realized he had come across a bit too strong and sighed. “I didn’t mean to scare 
you… It is just… I am not used to Elves who are so easily intimidated. Please accept 
my apologies.” He walked over to the side table, picked up a glass, and poured some of 
Imladris’ sweet wine. “Drink this. It will do you good.” He walked over to Erestor and 
when the other Elf didn’t react, he gathered Erestor’s good hand in his and pressed 
the fingers around the glass. “Drink, Erestor.”
 
Erestor obeyed, automatically, now that he had been given a direct order and sipped. 
The potent wine burned his throat and his body awoke from its momentary stupor. 
“I… I… My Lord, I…!” Erestor didn’t know how to apologize properly; Elrond’s 
words hadn’t fully registered with him yet – no Lord would ever apologize to *him*!
 
“I regret startling you, Erestor.” Elrond thought their situation over and then opened 
the door to the antechamber. “Fetch Glorfindel,” he said, hoping his assistant would 
quickly locate the warrior. Addressing Erestor again, he added, “Glorfindel will join 
us in a moment.”
 
The glass in Erestor’s hand shook so hard that the wine almost sloshed over the rim. 
Elrond noticed it and wished he had reacted differently. “Erestor, don’t fear me. You 
have no reason to.”
 
But Elrond’s words were lost on Erestor; Elrond’s mere presence intimidated him, 
knowing from personal experience just how much power a Lord wielded. 
 
“You called for me, Elrond?” Glorfindel entered, smiling, but the smile froze seeing 
Erestor’s stricken face. “What are you doing here?” He had been under the 
assumption that Erestor wanted contact with no one – except for him, then. 
 
“I found him writing a thank you note,” explained Elrond in a guilty tone. “I startled 
him and now he is too afraid to talk to me.”
 
“Oh, Erestor! You don’t have to be afraid! Elrond is a healer first, and ruler second. He 
cares about everything alive and that includes you!” Glorfindel had made his way 
over to Erestor and cringed, seeing the bandage hand. “What happened?”
 
“I broke the quill and it got stuck,” said Erestor in an uncertain voice. He didn’t dare 
look at Elrond and kept his gaze on Glorfindel instead. “Can I go now? Or will I be 
punished?”
 
Elrond’s heart cringed. “No one will punish you.” Elrond drew in a deep breath and 
returned to Erestor’s side. Glorfindel stepped aside to let him pass and Elrond went 
down on his heels, finally successfully catching Erestor’s gaze. “I am not like that, 
Erestor. I don’t enjoy inflicting pain on others. I am a healer. I want them whole and 
happy. I am not like the Lord you met before.”
 
The shivers grew stronger, but at the same time Erestor’s expression became steadier. 
“Does that mean I am free to return to the stables?”
 
Elrond sighed, disappointed. “Aye, you are, but I wish you would accept my offer and 
stay in the guest quarters instead.” He got to his feet again and exchanged a glance 
with Glorfindel. “Take good care of him.”
 
Those words weren’t lost on Erestor and when he looked at Elrond again, it was with 
hope in his eyes. 
Part 5
 
 
“Would you like me to escort you back to the stables? That way you don’t have to 
sneak your way out of here.” Glorfindel smiled, encouragingly. The look in Erestor’s 
eyes was less frightened now, and the dark-haired Elf even occasionally dared to cast 
a glance in Elrond’s direction. 
 
“I would,” said Erestor, without any hesitation. He rose from the chair and wavered 
before addressing Elrond. He didn’t make direct eye-contact however. “Thank you for 
bandaging my hand and the kind words.” 
 
Elrond smiled, luminously. “Nay, thank you for allowing me to do so. I know trusting 
me wasn’t easy for you.”
 
Erestor nodded once. His gaze remained fastened on the floor and he quickly fled the 
room, leaving Elrond and Glorfindel behind. 
 
“You had better catch up with him.” Elrond sat down, and selected a new quill so he 
could continue with his work. “You don’t want to lose sight of him.”
 
“Thank you,” said Glorfindel. “For not scaring him off.”
 
Elrond’s rueful eyes met Glorfindel’s. “I am not so sure I didn’t. He is running, isn’t 
he?”
 
“Not because he fears you,” explained Glorfindel. “He just feels insecure.” He bowed, 
respectfully, and then followed Erestor, easily catching up with him. “Is it back to the 
stables right away, or would you like to see more of the Last Homely House?” 
Glorfindel could tell Erestor felt inwardly conflicted. The dark-haired Elf wanted to 
make contact, Glorfindel realized that much now. Maybe all Erestor needed was him 
at his side when doing it? /If he wanted to remain hidden he would never have sought 
out Elrond’s study. Maybe he wanted to be discovered – subconsciously./
 
“I don’t know…” Erestor’s voice faded, uncertainly. He wanted to see his hope 
confirmed that these were good people, but was afraid to be disappointed. When he 
had been little and living with his mother, there had been more kind Elves, but when 
those humans had captured him, he had lost hope to ever find benign people again. 
 
“Why don’t we start with visiting the kitchen?” suggested Glorfindel. “Did you 
already eat today?” He gave Erestor a serious look, hoping it would make Erestor 
answer him truthfully. Instead, Erestor smiled – no, he actually giggled!
 
Glorfindel couldn’t look stern, even if he tried, decided Erestor. “I haven’t,” he said, 
honestly. “But I only ate yesterday so it’s not something to worry about.”
 
“But it is! I want you to eat three meals a day!”
 
“Three?” 
 
Erestor’s eyes would have been comical, hadn’t Glorfindel known how little eating 
the dark-haired Elf was used to. “Kitchen, now,” he ordered.
 
Erestor decided that protesting wasn’t worth it, but something else *did* bother him. 
“Won’t the cook be cross with me? I stole that pie.”
 
“He baked a second one,” said Glorfindel, shrugging his shoulders once. “In case you 
hadn’t noticed, Erestor, let me enlighten you. We have food in surplus here.”
 
“I did notice,” said Erestor in a tiny voice. “I just didn’t feel comfortable stealing it.”
 
“You don’t have to steal any longer.” Glorfindel rested a hand against the small of 
Erestor’s back, curious if the other Elf would allow it. Erestor did, and his heart filled 
with hope. 
 
Erestor *did* wonder about Glorfindel’s tendency to touch him, but reached the 
conclusion that the warrior was just a very tactile person. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
The cook shook his head, seeing this bony Elf standing in front of him. “You need to 
eat!”
 
Erestor stared, defiantly, at the cook. Inwardly, he felt small and confused, but the 
fact that Glorfindel stood beside him gave him the courage he needed to face new 
Elves.
 
“Sit down. I have just the thing for you to eat.” The cook pointed at the kitchen table 
and disappeared in the large pantry.
 
Glorfindel nodded once. “He means well. He is the chief cook, Erestor. He loves 
feeding us.”
 
Erestor followed and sat down beside Glorfindel at the kitchen table. “I am not used 
to someone fussing over me.”
 
“I know that.” Glorfindel placed his large hand atop of Erestor’s wrist. “But you seem 
more comfortable when dealing with new people. The first time we talked, you 
bolted.”
 
Erestor managed a weak smile. “I didn’t believe you meant well.”
 
“And now? Has that changed?” 
 
Erestor nodded, slowly. “It has…” He wanted to add more, but the cook reappeared 
and placed a large plate in front of him. He had seen these fruits before, but had never 
been allowed to eat them. “Strawberries?” 
 
“Accompanied with whipped cream,” added the cook. “Enjoy.”
 
The joyous – almost ecstatic – smile on Erestor’s face made Glorfindel smile as well. 
“Go ahead, eat.”
 
Erestor selected a strawberry, added whipped cream to it, and then slowly pushed it 
into this mouth. The next moment, his toes curled.
 
Glorfindel laughed, amused, seeing the rapturous expression on Erestor’s face. “Looks 
like you like them!” Erestor smiled, nodded, and attacked the rest of the strawberries. 
Glorfindel almost expected Erestor to wolf down the fruit, but this time, Erestor ate 
more slowly. 
 
Belatedly, Erestor realized that Glorfindel might like some strawberries as well, and 
although he wanted to eat them all, he pushed his plate closer to the warrior. “Would 
you like some too?” 
 
“I would love some.” Glorfindel dipped a strawberry in the whipped cream and 
slowly devoured it. Feeling playful and bold, he prepared another strawberry with 
cream and brought it close to Erestor’s lips. “Open.” Erestor’s eyes widened in 
surprise, but the lips parted and Glorfindel pushed it inside. 
 
The twinkling in Glorfindel’s eyes puzzled Erestor. The fair Elf was kind, brave, and 
easy to befriend, but he still wondered why Glorfindel was this interested in him. 
 
Glorfindel knew he had gone too far too fast the moment he saw the surprise in 
Erestor’s eyes and was content to eat a strawberry occasionally, allowing Erestor to 
eat the majority of the sweet fruit.
 
The cook continued to observe Erestor, and the speed with which the dark-haired Elf 
ate. It didn’t take him long to add everything up and realize the apple pie thief had 
been starving. He still had some ripe apples left – just enough for a big pie.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
“Are you certain that this is the way to the stables?” Erestor frowned; his instincts 
told him they were going in the opposite direction. Another Elf passed them by, 
shooting him a curious look and Erestor averted his eyes, knowing only too well how 
many questions his presence evoked. If it were up to him, he would run to the stables 
and hide there.
 
“I thought I should show you the guest quarters, just in case you would reconsider 
and accept Elrond’s offer.” Glorfindel opened a door, and gently pushed Erestor 
inside. “What do you think?”
 
Guest quarters? These rooms looked like a Lord’s private chambers to him! There 
were two rooms – a bedroom and a study – a separate bathroom and a balcony, which 
afforded him a lovely view over Imladris. These rooms were gorgeous! And surely not 
meant for him! “I want to go to the stables.” He felt safe there and they weren’t 
luxurious at all. He would feel awkward, staying here.
 
Glorfindel shrugged his shoulders once. “Who knows, maybe you will reconsider in 
time.”
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
“They are looking at me!” Erestor felt highly uncomfortable the more Elves they 
encountered. One or two Elves had even stopped and asked Glorfindel to introduce 
them. Erestor had hung on to his composure and had pushed the need to hide behind 
Glorfindel’s broad back away. He had stood his ground, even though he had been 
trembling and unsteady on his feet. 
 
“They don’t know you and are curious.” Glorfindel always remained close, sensing 
Erestor’s unease. Unexpectedly, two females’ voices drifted around the corner and 
Glorfindel cringed, knowing exactly who was heading their way.
 
Celebrían and Arwen were talking softly, trying to determine how to help Erestor 
best when they suddenly stood in front of said Elf. Arwen coughed, covering up her 
surprise. Celebrían reacted at once in her very own way. “Glorfindel! I didn’t expect 
to see you here! Who is your friend?”
 
“May I introduce Erestor to you?” Glorfindel smiled, hoping Erestor wouldn’t panic. 
 
Celebrían inclined her head and offered Erestor her hand in greeting. “I am Celebrían 
and this is my daughter, Arwen.”
 
Erestor knew those names; he had heard them before when Elladan had visited 
Glorfindel in the stables. Acting instinctively, he lowered his eyes and said, “My 
ladies…”
 
Arwen exchanged a look with her mother. Erestor seemed intimidated, which 
puzzled her.
 
“There is no need to call me that, Erestor.” As Erestor didn’t seem courageous enough 
to take her hand, Celebrían took control – and a big risk. She carefully wrapped her 
arms around Erestor and said, “Welcome to this sweet valley. I hope you will make it 
your home.”
 
Glorfindel held his breath, seeing the tension and panic mount in Erestor’s delicate 
form. /Please don’t run. She means well./
 
Erestor forced himself to accept the embrace. The only she-Elf he clearly remembered 
was his mother and he had always much loved and respected her. He could do no less 
for Celebrían, although he didn’t feel worthy of receiving such a warm embrace. 
 
She released him, but continued to smile. “Maybe you will join us for dinner when 
you feel comfortable around us?” Celebrían cast a quick look at Glorfindel. 
 
Glorfindel knew that look only too well. It meant he had better take good care of 
Erestor! “I also introduced Erestor to your husband, Celebrían, and Elrond seemed to 
like him as well.”
 
Suddenly Erestor understood. This was the Lady of Imladris; Elrond’s wife! Only a 
moment ago he had dared to look at her lovely face, but now he quickly averted his 
eyes again. 
 
Arwen had noticed Erestor’s odd behavior and intuitively knew what was going on in 
the other Elf’s mind. “You are most welcome here, Erestor.”
 
“Thank you, my Lady,” replied Erestor in a shaky voice. It took every ounce of his 
self-discipline to face them. 
 
Realizing their presence made Erestor uncomfortable, Celebrían gestured for her 
daughter to continue their walk. “I hope to see you at dinner in the future, Erestor.” 
 
Erestor released a deep sigh, relieved now that Glorfindel and he were alone again. 
He liked it best that way.
 
“You did well,” said Glorfindel, complimenting his companion. His hand returned to 
rest against the small of Erestor’s back, and the touch seemed to comfort Erestor 
further. /Aye, you are doing remarkably well./ The shy, frightened Elf he had found 
in the stables was growing much stronger. 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Glorfindel didn’t head for the ladder at once, but made a detour to say hello to 
Asfaloth. He had seen the stallion’s impatient glare the moment they had entered. He 
watched with interest as Asfaloth ignored him and nudged Erestor instead. /He 
knows precisely what Erestor needs./ An idea formed in his mind. “Erestor? I need to 
leave shortly as the patrol is about to return and I must debrief them, but Asfaloth 
made it very clear yesterday that he would like more exercise. If you feel up to it, 
would you take him out for a ride? You could visit the Bruinen and wait for me there, 
that is, if you want me to join you later this eve.”
 
Erestor’s heart fluttered, unexpectedly, at hearing Glorfindel’s words. He had hoped 
that Glorfindel would continue to spend time with him, because he enjoyed the 
warrior’s company as well. “I will wait for you there.”
 
Erestor’s words, uttered in a soft and caring tone, encouraged Glorfindel. Maybe the 
feeling was mutual? Until now, he hadn’t considered that.
 
“But what do I do if the twins are there? Or other Elves?” Erestor let the raven hair 
fall in front of his face like a curtain. 
 
“Then you try to socialize,” advised Glorfindel. “Erestor, I hope that you will decide 
to stay in Imladris and that you will call it home one day. That also means you need 
to interact with her inhabitants. And the twins are easy-going. Try not to panic?”
 
Erestor rubbed behind Asfaloth’s ears and the stallion snorted, contented. “I was kept 
apart when I lived in the village. They kept me locked up whenever they had no use 
for me. It is hard for me to interact with people.”
 
“What else did they do to you?” Erestor’s bandaged hand hung loosely down his body 
and the other now stroked Asfaloth’s nose. Glorfindel caught that hand in his and 
held it loosely. “You can tell me.”
 
Erestor shrugged once. “They made me work – hard. They made me do the work no 
one else wanted to do because it was too exhausting. And after I was done, they 
locked me up in a small room. I was only allowed outside when they wanted work 
done.”
 
“How long were you forced to live like that?” Glorfindel slowly entwined their 
fingers. He didn’t know why Erestor allowed it; maybe the dark-haired Elf was too 
much in thought to notice, or maybe he actually craved the contact. Glorfindel just 
didn’t know.
 
“I lost count of the years. I stopped counting my misery. Why should I? I didn’t think 
I would ever escape.” Erestor’s voice trembled with emotion. 
 
“How *did* you escape?” Glorfindel affectionately stroked the long digits, once more 
surprised at their cool feel. 
 
“I was working the fields that day.” Erestor’s voice took on a distant tone. “A terrible 
thunderstorm was moving closer and lightning hit one of the nearby trees, splitting it 
in two. The two villagers, who were keeping an eye on me, were startled and I 
realized my time had come. I ran. I ran as hard and as far as I could.”
 
Glorfindel moved closer, tentatively wrapping an arm around him, hoping Erestor 
would accept the embrace. He carefully enfolded the trembling dark-haired Elf in a 
hug, whilst Erestor continued his tale.
 
“I don’t know how long I ran, but in the end, I collapsed. I must have been 
unconscious for some time, because when I woke I heard their hunting dogs closing 
in on me. I pushed myself to my feet and forced myself to run again. I don’t 
remember when they lost track of me, it must have been somewhere in a forest. The 
trees were whispering to me, telling me where to hide and I was too desperate to 
question their advice. So, I hid. I survived by eating nuts and berries, but I grew 
weaker. Then, one of the trees told me to head north, which I did. I ended up here.” 
 
Erestor suddenly noticed that he was locked in a tight embrace; Glorfindel’s arms 
were wrapped around his waist and some time ago the blond warrior had guided his 
head to rest against his shoulder. Amazingly enough, his first reaction wasn’t to flee, 
but to press close. He had longed for intimacy for so long – for someone to hold and 
comfort him. And now, that he finally had it, he didn’t know what to do. 
 
“Erestor, do you have any idea how old you are?” Glorfindel rested his hand against 
the back of Erestor’s neck, cradling it. “Any idea?”
 
“I don’t know,” whispered Erestor against Glorfindel’s chest. “Maybe a few 
millennia?”
 
Glorfindel raised an eyebrow in utter surprise. “But…?”
 
“Humans died and children were born, whole generations passed by.” Erestor threw 
caution to the wind and pressed closer against Glorfindel. “I was captured by Orcs 
when I was rather young… My mother was still teaching me how to write.”
 
“Orcs?” Erestor hadn’t mentioned Orcs before! Only humans!
 
“Oh, they attacked my mother’s escort and murdered everyone. My mother, the royal 
guards, everyone except for me. They took me with them.”
 
The royal guards? Why were they escorting Erestor’s mother? Come to think of it, 
*who* was Erestor’s mother? And who was Erestor? Glorfindel felt stunned. “So you 
were these Orcs’ prisoner before the humans got hold of you?”
 
“The humans bundled their forces and attacked one night. They killed the Orcs and 
took me prisoner. They thought I was a traitor and had helped them raid villages. I 
never managed to convince them otherwise.” Erestor felt tired, now that he had 
revealed his past. He hadn’t thought he would tell Glorfindel his tale that soon. It 
only illustrated just how much he trusted the warrior already.
 
“So that is why they kept you prisoner. I wondered about that.”
 
“That, and the fact that I wasn’t like them. They didn’t like the fact that I was 
different. That my ears were slightly pointed and that I didn’t grow old as they did. I 
gave this matter much thought and I believe they were jealous. They wanted what I 
had.”
 
“That doesn’t make it right.”
 
“I never said it did,” explained Erestor, smiling ruefully at hearing Glorfindel’s firm 
tone. “I just tried to explain why they did it.”
 
“That is behind you now,” whispered Glorfindel, slightly pulling away so he could 
look into Erestor’s eyes. “You have a new life – here – with Elves who care about 
you.”
 
“At least with one Elf who cares about me.” Erestor held his breath, wondering if he 
had overstepped any boundaries. 
 
“Aye, I care about you.” Reminding himself that he had to go slow, Glorfindel pressed 
a firm kiss on Erestor’s brow. “And I wish I didn’t have to leave now, but I must.”
 
Erestor rested his head one more time against Glorfindel’s shoulder and enjoyed the 
contact. “Thank you for welcoming me to Imladris and for helping me the way you 
did – are still doing.”
 
Glorfindel actually blushed. “It is nothing.” And it was true; he was just being himself. 
“Will you meet me at the Bruinen when Ithil stands high in the sky?”
 
Erestor nodded against Glorfindel’s chest, regretting they had to part. “I will.”
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Asfaloth started with a careful trot, but as Erestor seemed more confident, the stallion 
sped up and moved on to a gallop. Briefly, Erestor worried that he would be 
catapulted off of the horse’s back, but once he got accustomed to the rhythm, he 
began to enjoy horse back riding more and more. Bending forward, he rested his 
upper body against Asfaloth’s neck and held on, fingers buried in the mane. 
 
Feeling Erestor shift only confirmed Asfaloth’s suspicions and he let go, racing over 
the lands and toward the Bruinen. Hopefully Erestor would take him out riding more 
often now that Glorfindel was tied down with his duties. 
 
The wind made his hair dance and his blood sung with freedom. Erestor had never 
thought he would enjoy riding on horseback this much and they reached the Bruinen 
much too soon. 
 
Asfaloth came to a halt, snorted, and threw back his head in delight. Erestor slid off of 
the stallion’s back and folded his arms around the horse’s neck, hugging tight. 
Asfaloth seemed amused and after a while nudged Erestor toward the Bruinen. 
 
Erestor took the hint and walked over to the riverside. It was a lovely evening. Last 
night’s clouds had disappeared and the stars sparkled brightly. Ithil was full and 
illuminated the evening sky. Erestor carefully looked about, wondering if he should 
expect another surprise visit from the twins.
 
But it wasn’t one of the twins who suddenly appeared on the river’s surface. It was 
Elrond, enjoying a swim. 
 
Erestor failed to stop the distressed sigh that left his lips. Why now? Why here? Why 
did the Lord of Imladris have to choose this moment for his swim?
 
Elrond immediately sensed that he wasn’t alone. Vilya sparkled at his ring finger and 
the power of the ring had momentarily connected him with the river and the lands, 
empowering him. Elrond swam toward the shore and left the water. He reached for 
his robe, fastened it around his frame and smiled at Erestor. “I didn’t expect to see you 
here.”
 
“Glorfindel took me here yesterday and I liked it here… So he suggested we visited 
the river again. He will join me later – hopefully.” Erestor nervously shuffled his feet, 
still too intimidated to make eye-contact with the Lord of Imladris. 
 
Asfaloth came to stand close to Erestor, giving Elrond a curious look. The stallion’s 
behavior made Elrond smile. Apparently Glorfindel *and* his horse had taken a liking 
to Erestor. “You have a formidable protector at your side.” He finger-combed his long 
hair and walked toward Erestor. 
 
“Asfaloth likes the exercise. He likes to run – to feel free.”
 
“Like you do?” ventured Elrond, leaning casually against the trunk of a tree. 
 
“I haven’t felt free for a long time.” Erestor’s hands became fists, determined to hide 
his nervousness whilst talking to the Lord of the valley.
 
“You are free now… You *do* know that?”
 
“I am beginning to realize that, but it is hard to accept my life has so drastically 
changed. I have been a prisoner for so long.”
 
“How long?” Elrond wanted to find out as much as possible about this mysterious Elf.
 
“Millennia.”
 
Elrond stepped away from the tree and walked until he stood in front of Erestor. The 
other Elf tried to look away again, but Elrond placed his hands on either side of 
Erestor’s head so he could study the eyes. “They are old. I should have seen that 
before.” Old eyes stared back at him; eyes, which had seen too much pain and 
suffering. “Do you know who you are, Erestor?”
 
The question frightened Erestor for some reason. “I know what I am.”
 
Erestor allowed it. “And what is that?”
 
“A wandering soul… Searching for a home and friends. I really want Imladris to be 
that to me – my home, but I am afraid to believe that.”
 
“I am offering you a home here, Erestor. You are one of the Firstborn and you belong 
here. Imladris can be your home if you want it to be.” Elrond’s fingertips encountered 
Erestor’s pointed ears and caressed them, sending sparks of delight into Erestor’s 
frame. They were a bit round though for an Elf. “Stay here and give us a chance. Get 
to know us, Erestor.”
 
Erestor smiled, weakly. “You are Master here, how could I deny you?”
 
Elrond frowned. “I am not forcing you…” But then he understood. Erestor had made 
his first attempt at humor and he grinned. “Aye, I don’t react well to being denied. 
And please move into the guest quarters. I would feel better, knowing you have a 
warm, dry and safe place to sleep. I don’t want you to take a fall climbing up into the 
rafters.” Elrond released Erestor from his hold and sent out a mental call to his 
stallion. “Erestor, you are most welcome here and if you want to talk about your 
future, or your past, you can always come to me. I am a good listener.” Before 
stepping away from Erestor he caressed a strand of raven hair, only one shade darker 
than his own. 
 
Surprised, Erestor watched as the black stallion advanced on them, ready to collect 
his rider. Elrond mounted and raised his hand in goodbye whilst galloping away.
 
Erestor remained behind and sat down on a rock to stare into the water, which 
glittered like silver now that Ithil’s beams reached it. He had much to think about.
Part 6
 
 
Glorfindel slowly walked up to Erestor, who was still seated on a rock and visibly lost 
in thought. He had met Elrond on his way here and the half-Elf and he had spoken, 
briefly. Elrond had informed him of their conversation, and Glorfindel had shared 
Erestor’s confessions regarding the Orcs and the villagers. The one piece of 
information, which Glorfindel didn’t share, concerned the ring, braided tightly into 
Erestor’s hair. Sharing that didn’t feel right; Erestor should decide if he wanted 
Elrond to know or not. They had then said their goodbyes. Elrond had continued his 
way to the Last Homely House, whilst Glorfindel had steered his mare toward the 
Bruinen. 
 
Glorfindel didn’t want to sneak up onto the raven-haired Elf, but Erestor just didn’t 
seem to notice him, so in the end, he cleared his throat by coughing, softly. That got 
Erestor’s attention and the raven-haired Elf looked up from his musings. A dazzling 
smile appeared on Erestor’s features and the mere sight of it made Glorfindel’s heart 
beat faster. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”
 
“I have been thinking,” said Erestor, leaving his rock and walking toward Glorfindel. 
He loved it here; the Bruinen was a calming presence and Ithil’s silver light 
surrounded them, making him feel safe and protected. 
 
“What about?” Glorfindel extended his right hand and was delighted when Erestor 
accepted the touch and went one step further by entwining their fingers. 
 
“About Imladris, and Elrond’s invitation to make myself a home here.” Erestor walked 
toward the water and stared at its surface. “I like it here. I even like the Elves here.”
 
“Are you telling me that Elrond convinced you to give us a fair chance?” Glorfindel 
asked, smiling, teasingly.
 
“He did, but your presence comforts me more than his words ever could.” Erestor sat 
down on the grass, pulling Glorfindel with him. The blond warrior sat down beside 
him and Erestor gave him a shy smile. “I am not usually this bold.” It wasn’t like him 
to take the initiative; he was used to following orders, but with Glorfindel it was 
different. He felt free to act the way he wanted around the fair Elf. 
 
“*This* is bold?” Glorfindel laughed, amused. “I welcome it, then.” There was 
something in Erestor’s eyes he hadn’t seen before and it called to him. Maybe it was 
the night’s magic, the gentle rocking of the Bruinen or Ithil’s silver light, but there 
was certainly some sort of magic at work here. Erestor was close – so very close – and 
he had to touch him… kiss and caress him! Glorfindel was still privately discussing if 
he could risk kissing Erestor when the raven-haired Elf took control of their situation 
and leaned in closer. Glorfindel’s heart thundered, feeling Erestor’s lips pressed softly 
against his for the very first time. 
 
Erestor had never been this bold before – so much was true. He didn’t feel like he had 
a choice and that made him act. His desires commanded his actions and he simply had 
to kiss Glorfindel and taste the fair Elf. 
 
Glorfindel reacted by resting a hand against the back of Erestor’s head, cradling it 
delicately, and pulling Erestor a bit closer. He wanted to deepen their kiss and explore 
Erestor’s mouth, but the lips remained closed. The moans, which glided from 
Erestor’s lips told him that the other Elf was thoroughly enjoying the kiss and 
reacting in every way a new lover should, but the lips remained sealed, denying him 
entry. And then he understood. 
 
Gasping for breath, Erestor was forced to break the kiss. Uncertainly, he stared into 
Glorfindel’s eyes, noticing the dilated pupils and flushed cheeks. A gigantic burden 
fell from his shoulders, realizing the kiss had been welcome and that Glorfindel had 
enjoyed the shared intimacy. 
 
“That was your very first kiss,” whispered Glorfindel with much pain and regret in his 
voice. He hadn’t understood right away, but Erestor’s inexperience in this matter had 
shown when the dark-haired Elf hadn’t known how to deepen the kiss.
 
Erestor blushed, weakly, and let his hair fall in front of his face to hide behind. “Did 
the kiss please you?”
 
“Oh, it must certainly did.” Glorfindel drew in a deep breath and stared intensely into 
the eyes, whose expression had changed; they radiated passion and desire now. “I 
would be lying if I said that I hadn’t thought about kissing you before, but I was afraid 
you would reject me. We only met a few days ago.”
 
Glorfindel’s fingers stroked the back of his head and Erestor’s eyes closed in pure 
bliss. “I have never had a lover before, Glorfindel. I don’t know what to do… I am 
nervous.”
 
“I understand that,” replied Glorfindel, cocking his head and smiling at Erestor. “I am 
nervous as well.”
 
“You are?” Glorfindel’s admission surprised Erestor. “But I thought…”
 
“Aye, I have had lovers before, but it is different every time and with you… with you 
*everything* is different.” Glorfindel moved closer and bestowed a gentle kiss on 
Erestor’s lips. “I hoped you would feel attracted to me, for I greatly desire you.”
 
Erestor’s blush intensified and he tried to look away, but Glorfindel’s hand easily 
turned his head back in his direction. Forced to look at the fair Elf, Erestor shyly 
admitted, “I never thought this would happen. I have never felt such an attraction 
before. I want you close all the time and I want to touch you, hold you, and kiss you.”
 
“I feel the same way, my love,” whispered Glorfindel. Slowly, he reclined until he was 
flat on his back. At the same time he pulled Erestor atop of him until the raven-haired 
Elf straddled his hips. Confusion and excitement shone from Erestor’s eyes and 
Glorfindel ran his fingers through the dark mane, soothing his nervous lover. “We 
will take this slowly,” he said eventually, staring into pools of chocolate. 
 
Erestor nodded, relieved. “I would like that.” But he had enjoyed kissing Glorfindel as 
well. Experimentally, uncertain how the blond warrior would react, he bent forward 
to kiss him again. The kiss was more forceful now, hoping it pleased Glorfindel. 
 
“Part your lips… and teeth,” whispered Glorfindel, breathing the words into Erestor’s 
mouth. He would teach Erestor the fine art of lovemaking.
 
Erestor eagerly complied, wondering why Glorfindel wanted him to do this. But then 
a soft and moist tongue pressed against the inside of his lips and slowly inched in 
deeper. Erestor let Glorfindel keep control of their kiss, following the other Elf’s lead 
and soon he was moaning and rubbing himself against Glorfindel -- ancient needs and 
instincts taking over.
 
Glorfindel ended the kiss, which had been ardent and slow, just the way he liked it. 
And by the looks of it, Erestor had more than just enjoyed the kiss too. “Am I not 
moving too fast?” He didn’t want to chase Erestor off!
 
“You aren’t,” said Erestor, reassuring the blond Elf. “I like being kissed by you.” The 
kiss had relaxed him and he rested his upper body and head atop of Glorfindel’s chest 
and shoulders, softly rubbing his cheek against the silk of the uniform. “Are you sure 
about this?” he asked after a silence had fallen. “You and I? You don’t really know 
me.” 
 
“I doubt that. You have a good heart, are kind towards animals, and trusting, although 
you won’t easily admit that. Those are good qualities, qualities which my lover should 
have.”
 
“Your lover?” He was someone’s lover now! Erestor’s head spun with thoughts and 
emotions. “I will have to stay, then,” he whispered, absent-mindedly, trying to deal 
with this new situation. 
 
“Aye, you should,” whispered Glorfindel, adoringly wrapping a strand of Erestor’s 
hair around a fingertip. “Stay with me.”
 
Erestor was briefly speechless, but then the dam broke and tears of happiness left his 
eyes.
 
Alarmed, Glorfindel stared at the tears. “Why are you crying? Did I displease you?”
 
“Oh, these are tears of happiness,” said Erestor, practically glowing with love for 
Glorfindel. “I don’t understand why this is happening to me, but I am glad it did. I am 
so happy I found you!”
 
Slightly reassured, Glorfindel nodded once. He hadn’t expected an emotional outburst 
and hadn’t been prepared for it. “Good things happen to good people. You just had to 
wait a long time for it to happen.”
 
Erestor dried his tears using his sleeve and gave his new lover a doting look. “I will try 
to please you.”
 
“Don’t. Just be yourself, Erestor.” Glorfindel loved the feel of Erestor’s hair, as he 
finger-combed the mane. Then, his fingertips encountered the ring once more and his 
curiosity awoke with the touch. “Maybe you should take this out and see if you can 
find your father.” Erestor’s eyes darkened and Glorfindel knew he had made a mistake 
when changing their topic. 
 
“I don’t want to know who he is. He abandoned my mother.” Erestor sat up 
straighter, still straddling Glorfindel’s hips though and placed his hands on the 
powerful chest to balance him. 
 
“Will you tell me what happened?” Glorfindel was displeased, seeing fresh droplets of 
blood appear on the bandaged appendage.
 
“I don’t know what happened, exactly,” said Erestor, reluctantly. “I only know that 
my father sent us away. My mother told me so.”
 
“You mentioned earlier that royal guards escorted you… Did your mother ever 
explain their presence?” 
 
“Nay, she didn’t. They always were there. I grew up around them.” 
 
Glorfindel moistened his lips. “Erestor, please try to remember… When did this 
happen? Was th