The Demon Without Author: DeMarcos Pairing: Glorfindel/Haldir Warning: Angst, violence, Rating: R Notes: To Katy for the plot bunny, and thanks to Katy and Sordes for the beta! Summery: A demon has been lying dormant within Glorfindel's subconscious since his return from Mandos. After a night of pleasure, the demon awakens. Disclaimer: Come on, do you really think I would risk certain death and/or lawsuit for claiming this stuff?? I think not. Haldir smiled as he saw the beautiful sight of the Last Homely House appear on the horizon. He and his companions had been traveling for over two fortnights and were quite ready for a hot meal and a nice warm bed. Haldir’s smile grew as he thought of sharing a bed with his blonde lover. It seemed that he had just been asked to join Glorfindel in a relationship, when the Eldar was summoned back to Imladris. He was overjoyed at the thought of seeing his blue eyes once more. The Lorien captain shook his head as if to scold himself. His first priority was business, pleasure would have to wait until later. Heads from all the Woodland Realms had been called for a meeting of the High Council. He was escorting the Lord and Lady Celeborn and Galadriel to Imladris out of duty and of personal desire. It has been over a three hundred years since he had laid eyes on the beautiful Glorfindel, which was only rivaled by the beauty of Lorien. “My Lord, I see Imladris. 'Tis only a league away.” Galadrial nodded to Haldir. He spurred on his horse with a word and he and the company had quickened their pace. As they approached the city walls, riders came out to greet them. “Mae govannen! I am Haldir of the Golden Wood escorting Lord and Lady Celeborn and Galadriel to the House of Elrond.” The scouts greeted them and led the team of horses to the grand stable house. Galadriel and Celeborn were dismounting when Elrond entered. He took Galadriel’s hand in his own. “Well met. How good it is to have you again in my home.” Both Celeborn and Elrond nodded to another. “Well met Elrond. We are eager to start the Council, but we are weary from our travels and we are ready for a rest before we start.” Elrond nodded. “Yes, King Thranduil and his party arrived only this morn and have been in quarters resting. Please, I will show to your rooms.” Elrond led them out of the stables. Many elves bustled about the place as they were led up many sweeping staircases to their rooms. After the Lord and Lady had been settled, Elrond led the others to their quarters. Haldir entered his room and immediately lay down upon the bed. He sank down and was asleep in moments, thoughts of Glorfindel dancing in his mind. A noise caught Haldir’s attention. He looked up and saw Glorfindel trying to quietly shut the door behind him. Haldir jumped up and ran into the Eldar’s arms. “Glorfindel! ‘Tis been too long.” The blonde laughed lightly and held the Lorien elf tighter. “Yes, but to see you again brings great joy to my heart.” Haldir smiled and brought his head up to place to gentle kiss upon Glorfindel’s lips. “Do you know when the Council will start?” he asked. “It is to start tomorrow after we have had our morning meal.” Glorfindel replied. A playful grin spread upon Haldir’s face. “Do you have any duties to attend to until then?” Glorfindel arched an eyebrow. “What are you planning on doing to me?” Haldir smiled. “Nothing! Ye have little faith. I want to spend the evening in your company. ‘I have never seen the beauty of Imladris. I want to see it in all its glory.” Glorfindel chuckled and extended and arm. “Then come, I will guide you.” Haldir hooked his arm around Glorfindel’s and they were off. Glorfindel showed Haldir the many gardens that Elrond had attended to over many millennia. They snuck kisses as they walked about the winding paths. Glorfindel showed him the area where the oldest trees stood, limbs almost piercing the sky. Haldir ran his hands over their hardened bark, and whispered lovingly to the trees. Then they sat underneath the aged willow and talked of life in their separate realms. Haldir lay sprawled atop Glorfindel’s chest, his blonde tresses grazing the Eldar’s sides. He took a strand of Haldir’s hair, and spun it around his finger. Rip it out! Glorfindel blinked in surprise. Where did that come from? After moment he shrugged it off, owing it to the serene silence around them, that a voice could have carried from far away. He continued to run the fine strands between his fingers until he noticed that Haldir had drifted off into sleep. He sighed and smiled. They still had four days to be together before Haldir had to escort the Lord and Lady back to Lothlorien. ‘Four glorious days!’ He thought. His thoughts began to drift to his duties tomorrow to help Elrond prepare for the Council. His duties on patrol had been suspended for this reason. That would give him more time to spend with Haldir after helping Elrond had been done. As Anor began to set, Glorfindel roused Haldir. His eyes cleared as he looked up. “Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Glorfindel quickly shushed him. “It’s alright, I know you are weary from journeying. Come, let’s go back to your room.” He pushed himself up and held his hands out to help Haldir up. They brushed the leaves and dirt off them as they walked. Glorfindel pointed out to more garden paths on the way. They saw servants rushing back and forth from different quarters. As they reached Haldir’s room, Glorfindel slowed his pace. Haldir turned his head. “Is something wrong?” Glorfindel shook his head. “No, nothing is wrong… I just wish to remain with you as long as I can.” Flushing, Haldir smiled. “You are welcome to come in and sit with me.” Glorfindel smiled and lightly ran his fingers across the Lorien elf’s cheek. “I would gladly do so for all of my days on Middle Earth.” Haldir took his hand and led him inside and closed the door behind him. **~~~** Wrap your hands around his throat! Choke the life out of him! “Glorfindel!” Glorfindel rushed back into his body. He was buried within Haldir, his hands crushing his throat with brutal strength. Haldir’s face was deathly white, his lips turning deadly blue. “Glorfindel!” Do it! Crush his throat! Take your pleasure and leave him a corpse! Someone was pounding on the door as Haldir’s eyes began to cloud over. Glorfindel released his hold on his throat. Haldir gasped as he relented. Glorfindel put his hand over Haldir’s and placed his finger to his lips. He violently pulled out of Haldir’s lax body and jumped off the bed and wrapped one of the sheets around his body. He crossed the floor swiftly and opened the door a crack. Erestor was standing there in his night robes. “Is everything okay? I could hear someone yelling from all the way down the hall.” He saw the sheet Glorfindel was holding around his waist. “Oh. Oh!” He blushed profusely and mumbled something and left hurriedly. Glorfindel shut the door with a crisp bang, and turned his head sharply towards Haldir. The other elf saw this and tried to get up, but the sheets were wrapped haphazardly around his feet, preventing him from standing. Glorfindel approached him slowly. Abandon this! Go back to the pit from which you sprung, demon! Without warning the Eldar collapsed to the floor, the sheet billowing around him. Haldir crawled over to the edge of mattress and looked cautiously from the bed. When Glorfindel did not move, he managed to unwrap the sheets from around his feet and slowly stood up. He cautiously walked up to the body and rolled him over. Glorfindel’s eyes were glazed over, as if in sleep. He sighed heavily. He quickly got dressed and drug Glorfindel’s body onto the bed, covered him up, and dashed out. His breathing calmed down completely by the time he made it to the gardens. He sat on one of the concrete benches and closed his eyes. He replayed the scene in his mind, trying to figure out what he had done to set his lover off. He was sure that he was doing nothing wrong, the way Glorfindel was caressing and kissing him. But then suddenly his lover’s eyes went dark and Haldir felt the large hands wrap around his throat. Haldir sighed again. He could not figure out what had happened. He looked up to the sky for answers. Ithil sat heavy and bright surrounded by many shining stars. He tried to spot the constellations like he always did when exhausted and stressed. After a while, he lay down on the bench, so his vision was full of the velvety sky. “Haldir?” Haldir woke to the sound of his name being called. Celeborn was standing beside him, along with Elrond and King Thranduil from Mirkwood. All three of them wore similar looks of wonder and confusion. He quickly stood up and bowed to all of them. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep out here. I was just stargazing when I must have drifted off.” Elrond waved his hand dismissively. “Do not worry Haldir. We were just walking by when we saw you. I wondered why you were not in your quarters, where the beds are much softer and inviting then a concrete bench, I’m sure.” Haldir smiled. “Yes they were, but I had thoughts keeping me awake, and it helps for me to look at the stars.” Elrond smiled. “Well, we are about to start the Council. I’m sure you want to be present.” Haldir nodded. He fell in step behind the Elven lords, up one of the hallways to a large loggia off to the side. Many comfortable seats were placed around a stone circle dais jutting out about three feet high. Elrond took his seat in the front of the circle where all the chairs faced. King Thranduil sat to his immediate right, with two advisors standing behind him. Haldir stood behind Celeborn and Galadriel on Elrond’s left. Elrond turned to Erestor and began to speak softly to him, when Glorfindel walked in, and took his place behind Elrond. Haldir’s hand immediately went to his throat. “Well” Elrond started, “I now call to order the meeting of the High Council of the Three Elven Realms.” **~~~** Haldir walked out behind Thranduil, engrossed in a conversation with one of the King’s advisors about setting up a mutual patrol rendezvous between Mirkwood and Lothlorien, to increase the likelihood of staving off attacks, when Glorfindel placed a hand on Haldir’s shoulder. The advisor nodded and walked off, leaving Haldir and Glorfindel on the stairs. “I woke up and you were gone. Where you summoned early?” Glorfindel asked. Haldir looked at him, completely dumbfounded. “After you attacked me, I didn’t want to be around you!” He hissed. It was Glorfindel’s turn to look confused. “What on Middle Earth are you talking about?” Haldir stared into the blonde’s eyes. He saw that Glorfindel did not know. “You don’t remember attacking me?!” He shook his head. Haldir sighed. He guided the tall blonde out of the main hallway, and into a small clearing. He proceeded to tell him what had happened. As Haldir finished, Glorfindel stood speechless. While Haldir was speaking, he kept getting small flashes of what had happened. His hands wrapped around his lover’s throat. You enjoyed it. Admit it. Glorfindel shook his head violently. He turned to face to Haldir. “You must believe me. I would never ever try to harm you. I don’t know what came over me, but that was not me.” Haldir raised his eyebrows. “Do you think there are dark forces at work here?” Glorfindel shook his head absently. “I know not.” He took Haldir’s face in his hands. “But know that I would never mean to intentionally harm you.” He kissed Haldir gently. His tongue glided over the Lorien elf’s teeth. Haldir’s tongue met his in a spark of fire. Glorfindel snaked his arms down to lace their fingers together. Then, suddenly, he twisted Haldir’s fingers, brutally, in the wrong direction. He heard the bones snap. Haldir cried out against Glorfindel’s mouth. “But I will.” Haldir brought his boot up and kicked the other blonde in the shins. Glorfindel shifted back, giving Haldir the opportunity to pry his fingers away. He turned and ran back down the path, into the main hallway. He heard the footfalls behind him. He turned down a narrow corridor and into a room, and shut the door softly. He heard Glorfindel ran past the door and down the passage. He breathed a sigh of relief and turned to lean back against the wooden door. He looked around and quickly adverted his eyes. Galadriel was in a large bath sitting adjacent to Haldir. “I am sorry milady!” He turned and quickly walked out. He looked both ways, for Glorfindel and seeing no sign of him, he went to the healer. He walked in and sat quietly on one of the tables and waited for the healer to come in. He again went over the attack. ‘Something odd has taken over Glorfindel. It only seems to be around me. At the Council, he was perfectly normal.’ He sat musing, when the healer walked over to him and startled him. He jumped sharply, but calmed down, seeing her standing over him. “So what seems to be the problem, young man?” She asked in a soft voice. He slowly pulled his hands out of his cloak and presented them to her. Her eyes widened a little. “Well, well. How did we do this to our self?” Haldir looked at her funny. “Fussy door.” He drawled out. She looked sideways at him. She pulled out some bandages, and proceeded to pop the bones back into place. Haldir grimaced in pain. She then bound his hands up in the soft wrappings. As he stood up to leave, she said, “Make sure no more doors try to bite you!” He turned and nodded, and quickly walked out, her laughter following him out. He walked out, looking for any signs of Glorfindel. He walked down the deserted corridors, thanking Elbereth for leaving the halls mercifully empty. He didn’t want anyone of the Lorien guards to walk by and ask questions about his hands. And he really didn’t want to run into Galadriel. He cheeks flushed red at the thought of him bursting in like that. He reached his room without seeing anyone, and walked in and closed the door behind him. A small sound caught his attention. He turned around, and the sight that greeted him, both scared him and worried him. Glorfindel was slumped on the bed face down, obviously crying, his chest heaving from the effort. Haldir quickly walked over and ran his hand over Glorfindel’s back. He jumped a little at the contact, and rolled over. His eyes were puffed and red, tears ran down his cheek, and made a small plop as they hit the pillow and sheets. Haldir sat down beside him and took his thumb and brushed off a fresh tear that sprung from his eye. He hissed a little as he fingers burned at the contact. Glorfindel saw this and burst into fresh floods. “Shh. Calm down, love. Its okay.” Glorfindel looked up. “No! It’s not okay! I don’t know what’s happening. I would never dream of hurting you, but I have broken the one promise I hold deep in my heart!” Haldir lay down beside and tried to console him. “Melethril, please. Calm down. I don’t know what has happened, but I’m sure if we went to Elrond, or even Galadriel, we could find out what is going on.” He spoke soothingly, continuing to run gently circles over Glorfindel’s back. It seemed to sooth him. He had stopped crying, and was lying still next to Haldir. They laid like that, until Glorfindel, who had managed to get his breathing under control, took Haldir’s bandaged hands, and placed soft butterfly kisses on each fingertip. He then brought his lips up to Haldir’s mouth and used the same gentle technique to take his breath away. Glorfindel ran his hands up Haldir’s arms and down his sides. He guided his fingers to the ties on his cloak and undid them, never neglecting his work on the smaller elf’s lips. With a few short movements, he had managed to divest, Haldir of clothing. He pressed the full length of his body on top of the nude elf, slowly kissing him and running his hands up and down his quivering sides. Haldir arched against Glorfindel’s weight. They were breathing hard through their noses as Glorfindel slowly moved his hand down Haldir’s side to rest on his hips. They explored each other with their hands till Glorfindel was able to dispose of his clothing. He broke the kiss and began a slow trail down Haldir’s body. He stopped to tease each nipple, but stayed only for a moment. He worked his way down to Haldir’s pelvis. He spread the long alabaster legs and began to prepare Haldir. He placed his hand near Haldir’s opening. “Just relax, melethron.” He said softly. He pushed one finger in slowly. Haldir hissed. “Just relax.” Glorfindel repeated. Haldir began to breathe deeply as he felt another finger slide into him. He was about to tell Glorfindel to stop when he brushed up against his prostate. He almost screamed aloud. White flashes danced inside his eyes when he felt something much bigger then a few fingers enter. He gasped at the sensation as the older elf met his eyes. He panted as Glorfindel kissed his forehead. Glorfindel pushed back in, and hit his prostate again. And then again as he picked up the pace. Haldir wrapped his legs around Glorfindel’s waist, who pushed back, causing him to moan. He did it again, loving the look on his face when he did it. A thin sheen of sweat developed on them as they thrust against each other. They writhed together in complete bliss. Haldir moaned loudly. Glorfindel leaned down and kissed the moaning elf, and pushed into him harder. Glorfindel shifted up on to his heels and took Haldir’s leg and perched it on his shoulder, thrusting in harder. Glorfindel was pounding hard into him, as Haldir bit his lip in sheer ecstasy. Only a bit further. Haldir was nearing release, when he felt Glorfindel reach his peak. Warmth spread within him as Glorfindel froze above him. His body went limp and fell dully to the side. Haldir, concerned, bent forward and shook Glorfindel lightly. He began to stir and moan. His eyes suddenly shot open, and leapt up from the bed. He landed on the floor, and shook a little as he landed. He brought his hands up to his face and inspected them thoroughly. He then ran his hands over his arms and chest. He then looked over at Haldir, who had been silently watching from the bed. Glorfindel then opened his mouth, and deathly guttural voice came forth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. And to be within the physical realm once more.” Haldir yelled, and shot up from the bed, and across the room to the door, grabbing his cloak from the floor. He hurriedly threw it on, and dashed out the door. He heard Glorfindel laugh loudly and follow. ‘That is NOT Glorfindel!’ He chided to himself as he ran haphazardly down the halls, no specific direction, just away, from the evil the followed. He ran down the corridor, glancing back, and ran into a solid wall. He fell back, and looked up. The solid wall had been Celeborn, followed by Galadriel, Erestor, and Elrond. Celeborn, extended his hand to pick up Haldir, who immediately took it. Pulling him up, Celeborn looked at Haldir. “What troubles you Haldir?” He asked. Haldir opened his mouth to speak, but Glorfindel had the rounded the corner, the sheet from the bed wrapped around his waist with neglect. He opened his mouth, and the same guttural voice spoke with a low growl. “Hand over that one, elf scum.” He spoke, extending his finger towards Haldir. Elrond came around Celeborn and approached Glorfindel. “Are you well, Glorfindel?” He asked. The Eldar looked at Elrond, and raised his hand and Elrond was flung by an invisible force and thrown into a pillar. He hit with a sickening thud and slumped to the ground. Erestor and Celeborn surged forward, trying to subdue Glorfindel, but he easily threw them off. Erestor was thrown against a wooden door, which cracked under his wait. Celeborn landed next to Elrond. Haldir looked at Galadriel, who had not moved once. Glorfindel growled and stalked towards Galadriel. “Stop.” She commanded in an even tone. Haldir was shocked to see the thing in Glorfindel had listened. He growled again and took another step. “I said stop!” Galadriel held up her hand and Glorfindel was thrown back. It tried to regain its footing, but Celeborn and Erestor had leapt up and pinioned him to the ground. An unnatural howl ensued from Glorfindel’s throat. “Foul elf scum! Release me!” It managed to free an arm, and he quickly grabbed Erestor and flung him, full bodied into Celeborn. But Glorfindel had no moment to run, because Elrond and Haldir had joined the fray and completely immobilized him. By this time, the commotion had garnered the attention of many elves, which had alerted the guards. Four of them came running down the hall. Elrond had managed to pull Glorfindel up. “Quickly, bind his hands!” He said to one of them. The young elf pulled out some rope and tightly bound his hands. “Take him to a holding chamber, and place two guards outside.” He told them. They all nodded, and all but one left to take him away. The guard said something Elrond, who nodded. The young elf came over to Haldir. “Elrond wishes me to escort you to his study. You also, Lady Galadriel.” She nodded to him and followed, Haldir closely behind. The young elf led them up a winding staircase and down an elaborately designed corridor. Haldir and Galadriel finally stopped behind the guard, who opened two ornately carved wooden doors. They walked in, where they were instructed to sit and make themselves comfortable. Haldir pulled out one of the chairs beside the large desk, and motioned for Galadriel to sit. She sat and nodded to Haldir. He then took a seat next to hers. The young elf stood next to a small writing table. They sat there for only a few moments when Elrond bustled in. He nodded to the guard, who left them as Elrond sat down. “Celeborn and Erestor will be fine. They are currently with the healer.” Galadriel sighed quietly. Haldir leaned forward in his seat, waiting for news on Glorfindel. “Glorfindel…. I have had him contained, but yet, I do not know what has happened to him, that he would attack us outright.” He sat there musing, for a moment. He then said, “I am at a loss. And until I can find a way to help Glorfindel, he will have to be held indefinitely.” Haldir looked sharply at Elrond and then too Galadriel. “You have no way to drive this demon out of him? You can think of nothing?” Elrond shook his head and then looked at Haldir. “Demon? Why do you say there is a demon in him?” Haldir closed his eyes and bowed his head. ‘Way to go Haldir, reveal all the sordid little details while you’re at it.’ He lifted his head and looked at Elrond. “Since our arrival in Imladris, he has been acting…. odd. At first he just spoke with and strange voice and would become violent. But it would pass and he would remember nothing. Then we were…. discussing his behaviour and he just went off.” Galadriel looked at Haldir with her piercing blue- green eyes. “He became violent with you? When?” She asked in a crisp voice. Haldir nodded his head. He pulled back the neck of the robes to show the faint marks Glorfindel had left when he tried to choke him. He then showed them his bandaged fingers. “It started the day we arrived. I ended up hiding in the gardens until Council had started.” He said quietly. “That’s why we found you sleeping out there.” Haldir nodded. **~~~** They sat there for many hours discussing how they could banish the demon from within Glorfindel. Galadriel suggested riding back to Lothlorien to consult her mirror. She was to ride out at dawn. They adjourned to their quarters and Haldir upon reaching his, threw down the cloak he had been wearing and slipped into comfortable sleeping robes. He laid down and fell asleep within moments of hitting the pillow. “Haldir! Wake up!” Haldir awoke to Elrond shaking him. “Come quickly! Glorfindel has escaped his bonds, and fled into the night.” Haldir shot up like an arrow. “How did he manage?” He asked as he pulled on a pair of leggings and a tunic. “He pried open the door and killed the guard posted there.” Haldir gasped. For an elf to kill an elf was grounds for expulsion from all elven realms. He grabbed a cloak and exited the room behind Elrond. Anor had just begun to peek over the horizon as they walked down the hall and out to the stables. Haldir entered to see Galadriel saddling up her horse. Celeborn was helping her up. Elrond and Haldir saddled up their own horses and climbed up. “We will escort Galadriel to the borders and then we will spread out to search for Glorfindel.” With a word to his steed, Elrond was off, with Galadriel, Celeborn, and Haldir. At the gates, they met a cadre of patrollers ready for their coming. Galadriel rode beside Elrond, talking urgently under their breaths. As they passed the Bruinen, Galadriel bid them farewell and headed down a path that would lead her into the heart of the Misty Mountains. As she and her horse disappeared over the horizon, Elrond directed Haldir to ride north with three of the guards. “I shall patrol west, and Celeborn shall go east. Let us meet back at the Bruinen after dusk.” Elrond nodded to each of them and rode off to the west. Haldir tugged on the reins, and his horse took off, the few guards assigned to him in pursuit. Haldir bent down to cup some water from the small stream into his hands. He and the guards had stopped for a drink. Kierkan, Tamesis, and Elladan, the guards with him were checking the old dirt paths for tracks or signs that Glorfindel had indeed been down this way. Haldir wiped his hands dry on the insides of his cloak and jogged up behind Tamesis and Elladan. “Any signs of tracks?” Elladan shook his head. “Maybe we should pass through Trollshaws before we head back.” Said Tamesis. Elladan and Kierkan shook their heads. “We have had scouts return with sightings of Orcs in Trollshaws. Its best we keep to our task without looking for trouble.” Elladan remounted his horse, the others following his example. They journeyed south, reaching Imladris hours after dusk. Elrond and King Thranduil came rushing out to the stables. “No sign of him?” He asked. Haldir shook his head. Tamesis and Kierkan nodded their heads to Thranduil and Elrond before exiting the stables. “I have filled Thranduil in on what has happened. He has sent a messenger to Mirkwood for assistance in sweeping far south and into the Misty Mountains for Glorfindel. They should be here within a fortnight or so.” Elrond led then to his study where he pulled out a map of Middle Earth. “We traveled to the Last Bridge, near the East West Road. We ran into a few Men, who had not seen a tall blonde elf. We then went up Hoarwell and found no sign of him. Celeborn has not returned yet. We figured he would be late in arrival as you were.” Haldir nodded, knowing Celeborn would come in only when utterly defeated in tracking him or come in having found a sign of Glorfindel. “Come”, Elrond said, “Let’s go down and have some dinner, as I’m sure you all must be starved.” They sat around the stone table in the kitchens, discussing the next days sweeping of the lands, when Tamesis came in, breathing hard. “ Lord Elrond! Lord Celeborn has come, and he has injured with him!” Elrond stood up and swept out the doors, Thranduil and Haldir behind him. They reached the healers door, where Celeborn was speaking to Elladan. “Celeborn, are you alright?” Elrond asked crisply. Celeborn nodded. “We were coming back from searching, near Eregion, when a pack Orcs came up from behind us. Couldn’t have been more than six of them. We managed to dispose of them, although Elrohir and Lavien took a good walloping. But they are okay, just a few cuts and bruises.” Elrond nodded, a sigh of relief passing his lips. “So you found no hide nor hair of Glorfindel anywhere?” Celeborn shook his head. “No. Either he is very cleverly hiding his tracks or is receiving help in doing so.” Elrond looked at Celeborn with dark brown eyes. “Who would do such a thing?” They all shrugged their shoulders at the question. A week had come and gone, and no one had been able to find anything to alert them to Glorfindel’s whereabouts. Elrond sighed as he sat behind his desk, Thranduil, Celeborn, and Haldir standing about his study. “This search is becoming fruitless. He probably slipped out of the surrounding areas and is miles away from here now.” Thranduil looked at him. “Are you suggesting that we give up the search?” Elrond looked at him. “Yes, that’s the short and long of it. Well what else are we supposed to do?” He asked, seeing Haldir’s distressed face. “We are all physically exhausted and mentally I might add, and we haven’t found anything. Its quite hopeless.” Haldir looked Elrond dead in the eyes, and then adverted his gaze to his hands. ‘He’s right. After this long, it’s not likely that we will find him. And if we did, what would we do with him?’ He sat there, musing, when Elrond said, “ Well, it’s been a long night. I think it would be prudent for all of use to go to our beds and sleep. Maybe we will be refreshed in the morning, and can think of a better way at finding him.” He nodded to them all and exited through the study doors that led straight to his private chambers. The others left, and bid each other a restful night, and adjourned to their rooms. Haldir sat in the gardens, a cup of tea cradled in his hands, admiring the stars twinkling in the darkening sky. Two weeks had come and gone, and Elrond, Thranduil, and Celeborn had finished up the final meeting of the Council. Galadriel was still in Lorien, or on her way back. Either way, they were to leave at dawn, and hopefully pass her on the way. Thranduil’s men had come, and now the House of Elrond was full of guests. Haldir had snuck out to enjoy the peace and quiet of Imladris before leaving it again. He placed the cup to his lips, when a spine-chilling scream emerged from outside the gates. He looked up to see elves running up to see what the scream was about. A lone elf came limping up and collapsed under the stress of his mangled leg. “ORCS!” At once, errantry and patrol were racing to the stables to grab their horses and weapons. Thranduil and Celeborn ran into the stables and quickly saddled up their horses. Thranduil was barking directions to his squad that had arrived from Mirkwood. Elrond ran in moments later, and jumped on his gray mare bareback. The ones already armed had galloped outside. Haldir and Celeborn came out to see Orcs stretching as far as the eye could see across the horizon. They yelled and growled as more elves came up from behind them. Elrond came to the front of the line. “As Lord of this Elven Realm, I am ordering you back to wherever you came from or suffer severly for threatening these lands!” “Stuff it Elrond! No one wants to hear you babbling!” A row of Orcs split to let a horse through. Covered in dirt, blood, and Elbereth knows what else, Glorfindel came out of the sea of creatures, wearing Orc designed armour, and carrying a roughly hewn blade. They all gasped and cried out at the sight of him. He laughed raucously at their shock. “I have come to lay waste to all the Elven realms. I figured I would start with yours, since you were kind enough to nurture me while I wormed my way through” He pointed down to himself, “this creatures body.” Haldir glanced at Elrond, who looked broken between betrayal by a close friend and anger that something had managed to possess such a strong person. “You will give that body up now, and return to the pit from whence you came!” He yelled over the din of the Orcs growling, and the elves behind him whispering. Haldir looked over at Glorfindel, to see him once again laughing loudly. “No, I don’t think so. This body has served me well, though it took centuries to pierce through his mind completely.” One of the Orcs nearest Glorfindel growled something indistinctly. Glorfindel nodded. “Yes, lets stop with the banter and get to the killing.” He yelled a fierce battle cry, and wave after wave of Orcs crashed down upon the elves of Imladris. Haldir, Elladan, Tamesis, Kierkan, Elrohir, Lavien, and Celeborn fired arrows into the sea of Orcs in rapid-fire succession. The Orcs in the first wave fell like flies, but the second wave came thundering down, and they all unsheathed their swords, and began to waylay into the disgusting creatures. As Haldir sliced the head off one particularly nasty one, he saw Glorfindel taking down every elf who got in his path. More elves poured out of the gates of Imladris, joining the fray in a midst of fury. Haldir sliced his way through the sea of Orcs, to Celeborn and Tamesis. Tamesis didn’t even have enough time to set his arrows, he was simply using them as daggers to any Orc that attacked him. Celeborn was faring a little better, he was slicing through them as if his sword was heated. As they massacred the Orcs, blood began to fill Haldir’s eyes, making it difficult to see. Twice, Celeborn managed to kill the sick creature sneaking up on him. They cut there way to Elrond, Elladan, and Lavien. The Orcs began to drop one by one. Haldir just finished pulling his sword of one of them, when he heard Glorfindel’s wild, and high-pitched laugh, so unlike the one Haldir had grown to love. The Eldar was approaching him slowly, and evil glint shining in his eyes. The Orcs split as he passed, and then split again as more elves leapt up and executed them. “Ah, Haldir of Lothlorien. The love of my life.” Glorfindel sneered. Haldir glared at him evenly. “I had so much trouble trying to incorporate my self completely into this body. But when he met you, I knew I found a window into his body. Now, I kill the only Glorfindel’s mind is still clinging desperately to.” He raised his sword to cut into Haldir, but a bright light pierced their eyes, and Haldir was swept up into warm arms. He looked up to see Galadriel holding onto him tightly. She smiled tightly at him. “If you wish to defeat him, at the moment when he seems most victorious, you must make a declaration of you undying love and devotion to him. That is the only way to drive the demon out of him. “ He looked at her imploringly, as she rounded her horse and headed back into the battle, but strong light shone from her eyes, and he knew she had found the answer in her Mirror. She set him down, and he looked into the fray for Glorfindel, and saw him speeding towards them. An Orc came upon her, but she held out her hand, and the beast went flying away, knocking into a group of its fellows. Glorfindel reached them and drew out his sword again, he raced past him, kicking him down to the ground, and rounded upon him, and drew his sword. “Glorfindel.” He said as pale light from the moon glistened on his blade. “From the moment I saw in Lorien, escorting young Arwen, I knew that I loved you, and when you asked me to be with you, I danced upon the Valor’s grace. But as you bring your blade down upon me, know that I love you, and only you, forevermore.” Glorfindel froze, and was seized by an invisible force. A dark orange light swirled about him, and he screamed, as if in pain, but the light continued to grow, and finally, the light rose up, and the essence of a mighty Balrog took shape, and roared deafly, and disappeared. Glorfindel slumped off his horse and hit the ground with a dull thud. Haldir raced over to him, and gently cradled him in his arms. The few Orcs that were left, were retreating loudly. The elves were cheering boisterously. Celeborn galloped over to Galadriel and stopped over Haldir. “Is he dead?” He asked. Haldir shook his head. “No, the demon has been exorcised from him.” Celeborn smiled. “Quickly, find Elrond and take him to the healer.” Haldir nodded, and picked Glorfindel up and began to search for the Peredhil. They hauled Glorfindel into the healers and set him down on tables. She bustled them out, all except for Elrond, who was going to attend him. Haldir silently went to his quarters to bathe and change. An hour or so later, hair still dripping, and unbraided, he made his way to find Lady Galadriel. After much searching, he found her in Elrond’s study, Celeborn, and Erestor sitting around her. He came in, and bowed to her. “A millennia of gratitude could not begin to make up for your help today.” Galadriel smiled and nodded. She motioned for him to sit down, which he did. “I was beginning to tell Celeborn and Erestor what had happened. I must start again.” **~~~** “When I reached Lorien, I went immediately to the Mirror, and what I saw was most grievous. I saw the battle between Glorfindel of Gondolin and the mighty Balrog. His fight was most trying, but in the end, he succeeded in slaying the creature. But in it’s last moments of its life, the Balrog transferred it soul, or in the least, its essence, into Glorfindel, laying dormant for years, as Glorfindel’s mind was strong and hard for the spirit to break. It was reborn in his mind as Glorfindel returned to Middle Earth. But when Haldir first met Glorfindel, the Balrog found a weakness in his mind where Haldir was concerned. But there meeting was short, and Glorfindel, though still thinking of ‘charming guard’, quickly put him out of his mind, thinking there was no chance, being from different realms, and the sheer distance between them would make it most difficult. But then, Haldir and Glorfindel met again, and Glorfindel proposed a relationship. Haldir accepted, but again, this meeting was short, and soon, after, coming together, they had to part again. The Balrog secretly worked on Glorfindel’s mind, while Glorfindel himself was unaware. And when they met again recently, the Balrog’s plans had been set into motion. He had to kill Haldir before could make a avowal to his love for Glorfindel. So, upon consummating their relationship, the Balrog played upon Glorfindel’s greatest weakness, and succeeded. But, he was caught and the Balrog knew that if Haldir came to see the body of Glorfindel, and made a declaration of love, he would be banished from the body, because Glorfindel’s mind would once again be strong, and he would not be able to maintain his hold. So when he got the chance, he fled from Imladris, knowing that siding with the Orcs, he could find a way to kill Haldir before he could make such a declaration and reside within the body forever. Obviously, “ She smiled at Haldir as she spoke, “ love conquered evil and all is well.” Haldir looked down, blushing. He had not known that Glorfindel had thought so high him, and that his love is all that Glorfindel need to be whole again. He smiled and looked up to Erestor, Galadriel, and Celeborn all smiling at him. “Go and be with him. I’m sure you would be a great deal of help in his healing.” Haldir smiled and stood up and exited the room slowly, but as the door closed, he broke into a run, all the way to the healer’s quarters. He entered to see Elrond sitting beside Glorfindel. He came in and Elrond looked up. He placed a finger to his lips, and motioned for Haldir to sit next to him. He sat, and leaned forward. “His body was fine, aside from a few scratches. He has entered the deep healing sleep. His mind is what will need the most healing. The spirit within him fractured it. He will be asleep for awhile, but he will recover.” Haldir nodded and glanced at Glorfindel. “I would like to wait here until he wakes up.” Elrond smiled. “Tomorrow, he will be moved to his room, and I’m sure you can set yourself up comfortably until he revives.” Haldir sat beside the bed, reading his book, when he sighed and glanced at Glorfindel. He had been moved three days ago, and he showed no signs of waking up. He had many visitors, some who just sat with Haldir, so he would be totally isolated. Elrond was in everyday to check on Glorfindel’s progress. Haldir sighed again and returned to his book. The other day, Galadriel and Celeborn announced that they would be departing for Lorien. Haldir was shocked to hear that he would be leaving before Glorfindel even awoke. But Celeborn took him aside and told him that he and Elrond agreed that he could stay in Imladris as long as he wanted, as long as he promised to visit, for sure that Haldir’s brothers would not like him being gone for undetermined periods of time. Haldir smiled and embraced Celeborn. “Thank you.” He whispered and then was off to be at Glorfindel’s side. He turned the page quietly, and began a new page when Glorfindel coughed and then moaned. Haldir had dropped the book, and was by his side in an instant. He was coughing again, and cracked open eye. Haldir grasped Glorfindel’s hand. He groaned and turned his head. Both eyes opened and took in the room. “Haldir?” He said almost inaudibly. Haldir nodded and placed a kiss on Glorfindel’s hand. “What’s going on?” he mumbled. Glorfindel placed his free hand on top of his head and groaned. Haldir leaned down and kissed Glorfindel on his forehead. “All will be explained when you are better. For now, I suggest resting, while I go and get some hot tea and some food. I’m sure you must be hungry.” Glorfindel nodded his head. He propped himself up a little and Haldir pulled the blanket up around his chest. “I shall only be gone a moment.” He kissed Glorfindel again, and exited. First, he went to Elrond to tell him that Glorfindel had awakened. He explained that he was going to bring him so food, and try to relay the story to him when he was completely coherent. He then went to the kitchens and made some tea, and placed a few fruits and some bread on a tray and returned to the room. Haldir set the tray on the bed, and handing the cup to Glorfindel, who wrapped both hands around it, and took a long, deep drink. He swallowed noisily, and set the glass down. He looked at Haldir, he immediately handed him an apple. He took a bite and swallowed. “So what’s going on?” He asked, taking another bite. Haldir looked at him, love shining in his eyes. “Its quite a long story.” Glorfindel motioned for him to continue. Glorfindel sat in a shocked silence. “I… did all that?” He asked timidly. Haldir, now lying beside him, nodded, and ran his fingers lovingly down his cheek. “I know it’s hard to believe.” Glorfindel shook his head, as if to ward off his guilt. “How can you ever forgive me for my actions?” Haldir laughed and kissed Glorfindel deeply. Their tongues danced an age-old rhythm. Haldir pulled away gently. “Trust me, you will be working it off.” He said in a mischievous tone. Glorfindel laughed and pulled Haldir into his embrace, and resumed kissing him. Glorfindel stopped, halfway into divesting Haldir of his tunic. “When to you leave for Lorien.” He asked, a twinge of grief in his voice. “Haldir laughed, making Glorfindel frowned. He immediately saw this look and stopped. “I’m sorry! With all this bad news, I forget to tell you the best part. Lord Celeborn said I could stay in Imladris for as long as I wish.” Glorfindel’s face went from pained to joyous in an instant. “And what do you intend to do here, away from your home and brothers?” Haldir went thoughtful for a moment. He then smiled and captured Glorfindel’s lips and pulled the covers up over them. ~~Das Ende~~