TITLE: No Remedy AUTHOR: LittleMouse elf_night@hotmail.com PAIRINGS: Glorfinel/Erestor, also Haldir/Legolas, Elladan/Orophir, Elrohir/Rumil, Glorfinel/OFC RATING: NC-17 SUMMARY: Erestor loves Glorfindel. Glorfindel loves a certain Lady... doesn't he? A diplomatic mission to Lothlorien goes horribly wrong; Glorfindel learns what it means to be truly loved. WARNINGS: Violence, torture, angst, N/C but probably not to the point of rape, explicit sexual situations, etc. Enjoy! Also, story may be slightly AU as I'm playing freely with Erestor's background. DISCLAIMER: They are not mine. They are Tolkien's. Life is cruel, that way... NO REMEDY - CHAPTER NINE “Still nothing?” Glorfindel asked, moving Asfaloth closer to the big grey steed Elrohir was riding. The younger twin still had Erestor cradled in his arms, wrapped in the cloak they’d given him. One of the Men they’d fought had been wearing it; Elladan had ripped it off him after knocking him unconscious. “No - he’s awake but he’s not speaking.” Elrohir looked down and stroked his teacher’s cheek gently, trying to get the unfocused eyes to turn in his direction. Nothing. No response at all. Glorfindel sighed. He’d still like to be holding Erestor himself, but he also knew he needed to keep a sharp watch on this return journey. There was no telling if there were more Men lurking about - and Orcs had a way of sensing when a group had weaker members. Half the captured Elves were still a bit dizzy from the sleeping potion, though none were in the state Erestor was in. They were taking them *all* back to Imladris. It was closer, and they wanted to take no chances with lingering side-effects. The negotiations in Lothlorien could wait; Galadriel and Celeborn would understand. Glorfindel reluctantly moved his horse away, returning to the front of the group to ride alongside Haldir and Legolas. Those two seemed to have developed an immediate rapport; they worked together to guard the others like they had been partners all their lives. Glorfindel had plans to tease them mercilessly about this, especially after he noticed Legolas blush when Haldir glanced at him. Later, of course. He’d save his teasing until *after* Erestor snapped out of his daze. He couldn’t spare enough concentration for it now. * Elrohir looked up when another horse moved to take Asfaloth’s place. He’d expected Elladan, but Rumil’s beautiful eyes met his instead. “Will he be all right?” The youngest of the three Lothlorien brothers asked, clearly worried over an Elf he’d never met. It was no wonder he loved him, Elrohir decided. “I hope so. I don’t know enough about potions and their effects; Ada hasn’t got that far in my studies. He’s very busy...” He’d been training to be a Healer for decades now, going very slowly as he only wished to learn under his father - his very, very busy father. They snatched brief moments for lessons here and there, but Elrohir had very nearly decided he’d soon start learning from the other Healers, too. If he hadn’t been so stubborn, he might be able to help Erestor now. “Don’t worry,” Rumil said, reaching out to touch his shoulder. “We’re not stopping; we’ll reach Imladris by morning.” “Are they certain we can continue this pace?” Elrohir asked, referring to Glorfindel and Haldir, the unspoken leaders of the group. “I think Glorfindel is determined. Are they lovers?” Rumil asked, lowering his voice so he couldn’t be overheard. “...no,” Elrohir replied slowly, “but I think ‘Fin would like to be.” “Ah.” Rumil nodded. “That explains much, then. Your teacher could do worse, you know.” Elrohir managed a grin. “I know. ‘Fin will drive him crazy - he’ll be so protective after this. He’ll pull Erestor out of his shell, and Erestor will put some firm controls on that crazy Elf. They’re perfect for each other.” It was Rumil’s turn to grin. “Like us?” “Yes...” Elrohir winked at him. “And like those two.” He nodded toward Elladan and Orophin, who were riding side by side, hands linked. Both of them turned to eye their brothers, sensing their looks. Both raised a questioning eyebrow, and Elrohir and Rumil snickered. “Yes, exactly like those two.” Erestor shifted in Elrohir’s arms, distracting him from more banter. “Erestor?” he asked softly, and watched as the dark eyes blinked slowly, then *finally* turned up to meet his. “...Elrohir? What...?” The elder Elf’s eyes darted around to the trees and horses, obviously confused. “Ada sent us after you, Erestor,” Elrohir said softly, shifting him closer. “We found where they ambushed your group, and then Haldir and the ‘Lorien Elves showed up... since we had enough numbers, we got you all out.” He wasn’t sure if Erestor really understood what he was saying, but he hoped a familiar voice would anchor him here - that it would keep him aware. “Out...” Erestor repeated, then his eyes widened slightly. “Elrohir, did... find Glor... fin...?” “We found him,” Elrohir reassured him quickly. “We found him before we even arrived at the fort. He’s up there with Haldir, see?” he nodded toward the front of the column. Erestor’s eyes tried to follow, but he was obviously having difficulty. “...blurry.” “Well, he’s there. Don’t worry.” Glorfindel seemed to sense that something was going on - his blue eyes turned to look back. Elrohir lifted a hand, beckoning to him. Glorfindel was by his side so quickly that Elrohir was tempted to check Asfaloth for newly- sprouted wings. “Yes?” the blond Elf asked, looked at Erestor instead of Elrohir. If Elrohir had been satisfied with Erestor’s response to *his* voice, he was thrilled at what happened when Glorfindel spoke. That one word brought the Counselor fully upright, blinking owlishly at the blond. “Glorfindel?” “Yes,” the Elda repeated, reaching out to touch a small, cold hand. “He really did ...let you go,” Erestor whispered, so low the two Elves barely heard him. Glorfindel frowned. He’d wondered why the Man had taken him outside the fort to kill him - had he told Erestor he was setting him free? Why would he try to trick the Counselor like that? It wasn’t as if Erestor could have stopped him... so what reason could the Man have had? The only idea that occurred to him made his blood run cold. The Man had wanted Erestor to believe he was letting Glorfindel go - to get something from his little Counselor in return for the ‘favor’. Erestor would have had no valuables on him... So... Glorfindel shuddered. No, surely that couldn’t have happened. If it *had*, Riel wouldn’t have kept it to herself; the blond She-Elf was abnormally quiet, giving him a big-eyed, sad look when he glanced at her. It didn’t sit well on her face... she was up to something. Well, he didn’t have time to worry about her. If that Man had tried... something... wouldn’t Erestor’s cousin have mentioned it? He was riding nearby, silent as Riel, with his eyes fixed worriedly on the dark Elf. Yes, surely he would have told them if something so terrible had occurred. Erestor was gazing at him, still disoriented, surprise on his pretty face as he looked at their linked hands. Glorfindel gave him a beaming smile that only seemed to confuse him further. Elrohir laughed softly, and pushed Erestor’s head down on his shoulder. “Rest, wise one. Ada will fix everything when we get home. All the ‘blurry’ will go away.” * Elrond lifted his head at the sound of startled cries in the courtyard. What now?! He’d just got a bit of the mess untangled - though it had taken him several hours and Figwit’s help - and he wanted to try and get more of this done before Erestor got back and laughed his head off at them all. He sighed, and went to the window, gazing out onto a scene of controlled chaos. Why were the diplomats back?! He’d sent his sons after Erestor, not all of - Glorfindel was back, too. And half the Elves dismounting looked like staggering drunks. The Healers were rushing out to help - someone had summoned them. Elrond’s heart sank down into his stomach. He scanned the crowd quickly, relived to see Elladan, looking quite whole. Where was Elrohir? Ah, there, still on his horse - and he looked well... ...what was the bundle he was handing to Glorfindel? It looked like he had been holding a rather young Elf. ‘Or’, he thought, ‘one rather small Counselor.’ Something was wrong with Erestor. Elrond turned and ran from his study, his formal robes a swirl of blue as he went. His heart, which had calmed once he saw his sons safe and whole, was pounding again. Erestor was his best friend - his strongest support - forget that he ran Imladris like a well-oiled machine, forget that he was the most able Counselor Elrond had ever had. His mind and memories were full of Erestor helping to raise his children, giving him comfort when Celebrian had been forced to sail for Valinor, laughing with him over a game of chess, making him take a rest when no one else realized he was overworked... He couldn’t bear it if something happened to Erestor. It would be like losing a brother. He hurried around a corner and nearly slammed into Glorfindel, who was apparently bringing Erestor straight to him. “What happened?” Elrond demanded, reaching out to take the Elf. Glorfindel was reluctant to let go. Erestor had slipped back into the odd waking-sleep once Glorfindel had been forced to move away from him; his blank, dazed eyes made him want to cry. He wasn’t certain he would be able to control his emotions if he had to release his hold on his Counselor. “We were captured by Men,” he said softly, sitting down in the chair Elrond waved him towards. The Half-Elf knelt in front of him, smoothing back the hair that obscured Erestor’s eyes. Elrohir had taken advantage of one of their very short rests to put it in a loose braid, but soft, curly tendrils had gleefully escaped. “And?” Elrond prompted him, pushing back a drooping eyelid for a better look at Erestor’s pupils. “And they drugged us all, with some sort of sleeping potion. Everyone woke, but the leader of the Men gave Erestor another potion that put him back to sleep, and later yet another. We don’t know what it was supposed to do, but he doesn’t respond. He woke once, and was barely coherent. That was several hours ago.” “Was there no way to make them tell what sort of potion it was?” “Apparently, only the leader knew, and he escaped. We could not find him anywhere.” Elrond swore, something he rarely did. “That is not good. I can give him no antidotes without knowing the potion. Letting it clear from his system naturally may be our only choice...” Glorfindel looked at him sharply, sensing his reluctance. “But?” “But, some potions do not clear. I have heard of several that would keep Erestor in this state for years, without ever truly wakening. It takes the antidote to clear his mind.” “What do we do, then?” Glorfindel asked, horrified. He clutched Erestor closer without realizing what he was doing. Elrond noticed, but didn’t say anything. Yet. He was pleased to see how much Glorfindel cared about his friend, but now was not the time to discuss it. “We wait. If he doesn’t wake, I will try the antidotes I know, in very small doses so they will do as little damage as possible. Valar, I hope it’s just a temporary condition.” “As do I,” was Glorfindel’s heartfelt reply. * Araden was pacing. Back and forth, in the lovely guest chamber he’d been shown to after the Healers finished examining him. He was trying to decide what to do. He had promised Erestor he would keep his mouth shut - but it had been well over three days and his cousin was still in the open-eyed daze he’d been in since they had brought him back to Imladris. He hadn’t responded after that one moment of clarity on the ride back to the Last Homely House. Lord Elrond was speaking of trying the antidotes; a dangerous procedure, since some would act as mild poisons if the drug they were used to counteract was not present in the patient’s body. Araden had a strong suspicion that it was less the drugs and more of whatever had happened in that Man’s inner chamber that was keeping Erestor in his twilight state. He wanted desperately to ask Elrond if such a thing were a sign of the one and only Elven Sickness - if Erestor might be showing the first signs of fading. But if he did that, the Lord would demand to know *why* Erestor might be fading - and if his cousin *wasn’t* fading, but really was only drugged, Erestor would never forgive him for giving his secret away. Valar - he just didn’t know what to do. * Kalian frowned at Lady Riel, his green eyes carefully hiding his emotions. The Lady was weeping softly, her big blue eyes full of tears, as she demanded to know the symptoms of fading. Kalian had named a few before he’d thought to ask why - now the Lady was claiming to have them, asking in a soft, sweet tone if she could confide in him. He had nodded, and she had proceeded to tell him a very... interesting story. “I think, my Lady... I think you should tell this to Lord Elrond. And Lord Glorfindel, as well.” “Oh... must I?” she asked, trying to look sad but he was certain there was glee in her quickly lowered eyes. “What if they think ill of me?” “If you made such a sacrifice for Lord Glorfindel’s sake,” Kalian replied slowly, “then the last thing he will do is despise you for it.” “Oh, I hope your words are true!” she cried softly, wringing her hands. “But how shall I approach them? They spend all their time with Lord Erestor!” She didn’t manage to keep all the venom out of her tone at that name, and Kalian raised an eyebrow. “Lord Erestor is very ill, of course, and they are worried - but I am certain they will spare you a moment if I ask.” “Oh, would you? I will be so grateful!” She gave him a sweet, shy look and he had to force himself not to gag. She was *flirting* with him - wait ‘til he told his wife! His little spitfire would claw her eyes out! “Excuse me, then,” he said, getting to his feet, “I’ll go and summon the Lords. Wait here, yes?” “Oh, of course!” she replied, giving him a rather dazzling smile. He left the room, and allowed his irritation to finally show on his face. “Fading, indeed. Does she take me for a fool?” He stalked down the hall to the silent, grim chamber where Elrond and Glorfindel were watching over Erestor. He stopped in the doorway, watching silently for a moment. Glorfindel sat on the bed, his arms around Erestor. The dark Elf was lying against his chest, his head tilted back on the blond’s shoulder, while Lord Elrond gently fed him some broth, stroking his throat to encourage him to swallow. The small Elf was swaddled in blankets and dressed in thick, dark brown robes that used to belong to Elladan - they were worn by the Half-Elves in winter, when they felt traces of the cold that full Elves did not experience. These were robes he had grown too tall for, but they fit Erestor perfectly. And the Counselor needed them - the chill that had taken over his body worried all the Healers. So did the greyish cast to his skin. Kalian frowned suddenly. Chilled flesh, sickly color, the dark hair that had surprised all of Imladris with its pretty curls going limp and lifeless... Riel’s questions about fading brought all of those symptoms into sudden, sharp focus and he gasped. Elrond looked up at the sound. “Kalian? What is wrong?” “Is he fading?!” the Healer blurted, not taking the time to consider his words. “No!” Glorfindel said sharply, his arms tightening around the frail figure as if he would protect him from the very thought. Elrond, however, was echoing Kalian’s frown, his eyes going over his limp friend thoughtfully. “Why do you ask?” “He has the first symptoms... is it only the potions they gave him?” His Lord didn’t answer, not at first - and then his question was oddly off-topic. “What puts the thought of fading in your head, Kalian?” “Oh,” Kalian was abruptly recalled to his mission. “Lady Riel does, actually.” “How so?” “She claims *she* is fading.” “Riel?!” Glorfindel snorted, easing Erestor back down onto the bed and tucking the blankets around him, “she’s healthy as a horse! Why does she think she’s fading?” “Well, it’s apparently your fault.” “What?!” Both the Lords shouted together. “I think - I think you should come and listen to her story. I’m sure you don’t want her in here.” “Yes... I have to hear this one,” Glorfindel muttered, but he hesitated as he looked back at his Counselor. He didn’t want to leave Erestor alone... Neither did Elrond. “You sit with him, Kalian. See if you can, perhaps, feed him more broth. We shall see to Riel - which room is she in?” “The Green Chamber,” Kalian replied, moving toward the bed and sitting on the low stool next to it. “Fine. We shall be back shortly, I hope.” The two Elves left the room. Kalian did not watch them go. He smoothed the brow of an Elf he had always admired, but who had never been his friend - something he hoped to correct in the future. “They’ll come back,” he whispered soothingly, sure Erestor could sense that his protectors were gone. “Let’s see if you can eat more, hmm?” He picked up the bowl of broth. * Riel’s golden head came up sharply when the door opened. When she saw the two Elves who were entering, her face flashed with triumph before settling back into its sad, frightened mask. “Lady Riel,” Elrond began, his tone strictly formal, “Healer Kalian tells me you have some worries over the possibility of having the Elven Sickness?” “I’m fading,” she whispered softly, forcing her wide eyes to fill with tears. “Are you, then?” Elrond said calmly, taking the Healer’s stool next to the cot she was sitting on. “And why do you believe this?” “I - I have the symptoms,” she wavered, glancing at Glorfindel from under her eyelashes. The blond Elf hadn’t moved from the door, his face perfectly blank. “Do you, then?” Elrond’s Healer eyes flickered over her, but he made no further remark. “And what is causing this fading, pray tell?” “Oh... it... must I say?” She batted her lashes shyly. “If we are to help you, yes.” “Oh, I see. Well, it was when I was being held by those terrible Men. Their leader, he was going to kill you, Glorfindel! Do you remember?” “I’m not very likely to forget,” Glorfindel grumbled, speaking for the first time since entering the chamber. “Oh, no, I suppose not!” She tittered slightly, then remembered she was supposed to be broken-hearted. “Well - after he took you from the Hall we were in, he offered to spare your life if I would - if I would...” She paused, trembling delicately. “If you would what?” Elrond prompted quietly. His heart was sinking, but not for the reason Lady Riel might have hoped. “If I would - give myself to him. Willingly, so I would not fade so quickly.” She placed a pretty hand over her heart. “Glorfindel - I do love you so, I could not bear it if you were to be slain. I had no choice!” “So you gave yourself to this Man?” Elrond asked, wanting her to speak the claim completely. “Yes,” she replied, lifting her chin. Her voice didn’t waver in the slightest. “I did so; he did not *quite* complete his wishes, for he was called when the Warriors attacked, rescuing us - but I’m afraid that he went far enough to... to make me fade! Oh, Lord Elrond, will I have to sail for Valinor?” “Perhaps,” he replied grimly, “perhaps not. Tell me, Lady Riel - who else was in the room when this offer was made?” Her eyes flickered for the first time. “Oh... I... I was alone. He took me into the inner chamber before he asked the dreadful question.” “Leaving Lord Erestor and the Mirkwood Advisor in the outer chamber?” Glorfindel asked. “Yes.” “I see,” Lord Elrond said. “Well, we shall have to ask the Mirkwood Elf why he did not try to defend you when the Man led you off, to be alone with him. He should have realized there would be danger. Lord Erestor, I am afraid, cannot be questioned at this time. Glorfindel?” “Yes, my Lord?” “You know which Advisor this was?” “Yes, my Lord.” “Bring him here, then.” Glorfindel turned on his heel and left the room. “My Lord...” Riel ventured hesitantly, “must he be summoned? I would prefer it if as few Elves as possible knew of this... this disgrace.” “Oh, I’m certain he can guard his tongue. He would not be an Advisor that Tharanduil would keep, if he could not,” Elrond replied absently. “Oh.” Riel lapsed into silence, and Elrond felt no desire to speak further. They waited. It was scarcely five minutes before Glorfindel returned, his face still empty of emotion, with a furious blond Elf. Araden was scarcely in the door before he was shouting. “You lying wench! How *dare* you try and take credit for what he did?!” “Be at ease... it is Araden, isn’t it? Tell us what you mean,” Lord Elrond said, his tone a mixture of commanding and soothing. “She... she...” Araden was nearly trembling in his rage. “That Man asked us *all* if we would trade our bodies for his safety, but a blind Elf could have guessed it was Erestor he wanted! He had it planned from the beginning! He knew Erestor wouldn’t see him dead! *She* refused - tossed her head and said Glorfindel would never want her to do that! Erestor was the one who agreed!” Elrond had to pause a moment, turning his back to hide his expression from Riel when the fear that had sprouted earlier was proven to be fact. He hadn’t thought Riel was clever enough to come up with such a story on her own - the blond She-Elf had never had an original thought in her life. He had been sure there was something behind her story, and Erestor’s condition had made him fear this very thing. “What did the Man do to him?” he finally managed to ask, hoping his voice was calm. He turned back to see Glorfindel staring at Araden too, waiting for the answer, his clenched fists the only sign of the raging tension he was feeling. “I don’t know!” the blond said, his voice frustrated. “He took him into the inner chamber and locked the door!” “Were there no sounds?” “I heard one moan... very soft.” “How long?” “Scarcely a half-hour.” “And when he came out? When the Men under him informed him there was an attack?” “The Man was half-undressed. Erestor’s tunic was gone but his leggings were fastened - he said the Man didn’t do enough to make him fade, but...” “Every Elf is different,” was Elrond’s quiet reply to that. “Erestor is a sensitive soul, though he hides it well; an Elf like that always fades more quickly than most. Why did you not tell me what had occurred?” “I swore I would not... I was waiting, though - at the first whisper he might be fading I would have come straight to you. Please, believe me.” “He’s lying!” Riel cried suddenly, her pretty face twisting with anger. “Lord Erestor did nothing, it was I who...” “Be quiet,” Elrond said softly, with such menace in his tone that she immediately shut up. “You are not fading - your skin glows with health and you are dressed lightly, so you feel no cold. A sad look and downcast eyes are easily feigned. As for sailing for Valinor - Lady Riel, I would *highly* recommend this. You will be less than popular here once others learn of what you have tried to do.” “I’ve done nothing!” “Oh, really?” Elrond’s tone was now icy. “You call it nothing, to tell a lie that, if believed, would sentence our Erestor to death? We might have continued to believe him only drugged until it was too late for him to sail - or to bond,” he added, slanting his eyes at Glorfindel. “Bond?!” Riel shrieked, “he can’t bond with Glory - Glory loves *me*!” “I do not, and you know it,” Glorfindel grumbled. “You do, too!” “I do not!” “You have to!” “No, I don’t!” “Enough!” Elrond shouted. “Stop quarreling like children! Lady Riel - make your choice. Valinor, or I can ask Galadriel if she will accept you in Lothlorien. You will not, however, stay in Imladris, and I’m quite certain you will not be welcome in Mirkwood.” He glanced at Araden. “Damn straight,” the blond Elf muttered, making Glorfindel snicker. Perhaps he’d misjudged Erestor’s cousin. “But I don’t *want* to leave Imladris!” Riel wailed, her eyes filling with true tears this time. “I’m afraid you have no choice. I will leave you to decide on your destination - Glorfindel, Araden, you come with me.” “Yes, Lord Elrond,” they both replied, rather reluctantly. They would have liked to wait and pitch Riel out the front door themselves. * Glorfindel stood in the door to Erestor’s chamber, this time, watching as Kalian continued to try to get broth into his Counselor. Elrond had told him to come here - that he would have to do this. As though Glorfindel would have argued! He’d try *anything* to keep his Counselor here - and it was not as though bonding with him would be a hardship! It didn’t trouble him at all to think of having no Elf but Erestor for the rest of his immortal life. ...he knew he would have wanted this soon enough, anyway, without Erestor having to make such a horrible sacrifice. He was going to hunt that Man down and skin him. Alive. Slowly. He just hoped this worked - binding *could* save Erestor - but it might not. Every Elf was different, as Elrond had said - Celebrian hadn’t been able to recover from her own trauma, she’d had to sail for Valinor and she’d been bound to Elrond for centuries. But he had to try. He sighed and pushed away from the door. “Kalian - I’ll tend to him now.” “All right,” the Healer didn’t question him. “I got about half a cup of broth into him.” “Good. Thank you,” he waited, watching until the Healer left the room. Then he closed the chamber door, locked it, and turned back to the bed. ‘He did it for you,’ Elrond’s soft words echoed in his head. ‘And doesn’t want you to know, for fear of forcing you to do this very thing,’ Araden had warned. ‘It’s not a hardship, and I will tell him so,’ he had replied, and both Elves had grinned at him. “Erestor,” he whispered, sitting down and taking the nearest small hand into his. “Erestor, please be able to hear me. I love you - even if you hadn’t done what you did, I would still love you. I had planned to court you, and woo you with words and gifts, like you deserve. I’m sorry that I won’t be able to do that now - but I’ll make it up to you. I’ll give you anything you want, do whatever you want... only allow me this. Accept this...” He rubbed the cold fingers, watching his Counselor. Erestor didn’t even twitch. “Love - please hear me. I would bind with you - I would spend the rest of my life doing nothing but making you happy. I will give up my place as Guardian of Imladris, and clean privies, if that is what you asked me to do. I’d cut out my heart and put it in your hands if you so desired.” “...rather bloody,” a feeble voice whispered. “Erestor?!” Glorfindel cried, staring at the bed. Erestor’s eyes were still blank, empty - but tears were beginning to gather at their edges. “Ah, love, are you waking to me? You can hear me? I want you so much - please, bind with me?” For a moment, there was no response, then the white lips moved, and that frail whisper was heard again, “i would ...never ask it...” “I know you wouldn’t. You are too noble for your own good, Chief Counselor. That is why *I* am asking - and you have my word of honor as a Warrior, that I would have asked you soon enough, anyway.” Now the tears truly were slipping down Erestor’s white face, and the huge black eyes were finally - *finally* - beginning to focus. “...truth?” “Yes, love. I would never lie to you,” Glorfindel whispered, then he gently cupped Erestor’s chin, leaning closer. “Bind with me - I would give you your binding kiss right now, Lord Erestor.” He paused, then spoke the formal words - the words that made him belong to Erestor for eternity. “I give you my heart, my life, and my love. Never will there be another, save that you release me from this vow. My heart will beat with your heart, my breath shall draw with yours. Death take you, and I shall follow; the Sea call you, and I shall go. I swear it on my blood and my blade, that I shall love you forever.” Erestor was sobbing. “...don’t ...can’t let you ...not me...” “You, love. You are the only one I ever wanted to say these words to.” “...because of... that M-ma...” Glorfindel clapped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t speak of him!” he growled. “*Not* because of him! Because I want you, and I want to belong to you! Didn’t I show you this, in our tent, long before that creature ever laid eyes upon you?” Erestor flushed softly, the first trace of color that had been on his face in days. “...you do this ...I will ...*never* let you ...go...” “And I would never want to leave, so we’re even. And I’ve already done it - now let me kiss you?” “No.” Glorfindel’s heart shattered. “...not until I say ...my vow to you...” Glorfindel’s heart abruptly healed. “...i give you ...my heart, my life ...and my love. Never will ...there be another, save ...that you ...release me from this ...vow. My heart ...will beat with your heart, my breath ...shall draw with yours. Death ...take you, and I shall ...follow ...the Sea ...call ...you ...and I ...shall ...go...” he paused, gasping for breath. Glorfindel picked up the cooling broth and held the cup to his lips. “Drink a bit, love, it will help.” He was shaking slightly, and spilled some liquid down Erestor’s chin as he drank, but neither noticed. Erestor finally nodded, and Glorfindel set the cup aside. “Go on, then, *please*, love. I can’t bear waiting.” “I-impatient...” Erestor teased softly. “I ...I swear it on my ...blood and my f-fea ...that I shall ...love you ...forever.” He was not a Warrior, so he could not swear on his blade. Not that it made any difference to Glorfindel. As soon as the last syllable was out of his mouth, warm lips were pressed against his in a kiss that seemed to touch his very soul. And for the first time, he kissed Glorfindel back.