Title: Reunion Author: Chaotic-Binky Rating: PG-13 although probably less. Pairing: Erestor/? Summary: Erestor, Lindir and Celebrian are tormented by a cruel Elrond but Erestors reunion with his long lost love and Namo’s intervention changes that Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, I just dream about them! Warnings: AU. Lots of angst, slash, I have used the Sindarin name finder on the Council of Elrond website – I apologise if I have used a name that appears in other author’s works – it was not intentional. In the dungeons below Imladris Erestor sat in his cell. He was locked in but it didn’t really matter, he felt there was nothing left to live for. In his thousands of years of life there were fleeting happy moments but now he felt worn and tired. He wanted it all to end. He reflected on his life, much of it had been beyond his control and the outcomes normally not advantageous to himself; he envied man for his mortality. He knew there was no point in feeling sorry for himself and consoled himself often by escaping into reverie and dreaming of what was and what could have been. Erestor stared at the opposite wall making patterns out of the brickwork. ‘Valar, why have you abandoned me? You forget me. You don’t love me anymore. I am your child and yet I am nothing to you; I have nothing left’ he bit his lip hard as he prayed; willing himself not to let the tears that were forming, slip from his eyes. He curled in the foetal position, facing the wall and waited for his eyes to glaze over. ‘My son’ a gentle hand smoothed his hair ‘it is coming to an end; everything starts and everything ends; this is not forever’ Erestor’s body shook as he sobbed uncontrollably; he recognised his fathers’ voice and drew comfort from the arms that now held him ‘I am so lonely, why can’t I come home?’ ‘This is your life now’ the voice comforted ‘it will get better. We are always with you’ ‘You are not!’ Erestor shouted angrily ‘you are never with me; you have ignored me for thousands of years; my prayers have never been answered!’ he tried to jerk his angry body away from the comforting embrace, but was held fast. ‘Schh…’ the voice soothed ‘we understand why you feel this but certain events needed to occur before we could act, this has happened and now we can help you.’ ‘Why didn’t you let me know at least that you were there? My life would have been less bleak’ Erestors breath caught several times as he spoke but he had calmed somewhat. ‘My son, do you remember the trading trip you went on and part of the journey was by sea?’ ‘Yes, the ship sunk’ accused Erestor. ‘The hole was there shortly after the ship left port but Ulmo held it aloft so it wouldn’t sink and you reached port safely, it was then the ship sunk – he intervened only because you were on board. Ulmo also washed jewels and pearls up against your feet whenever you walked in the sea or river so that you would remember him’ Erestor’s breathing was still catching slightly ‘What of the others?’ he asked. ‘Manwe ordered that you be born as an elf so you could find the other half of your soul’ and continued somewhat dryly ‘we knew that as an only child of the whole Valar you couldn’t find your mate among us.’ Erestor’s brows furrowed and the pain and tears started afresh ‘I only knew my soul mate for three hundred years before you took him from me’ his body racked with sobs and several times he found it hard to catch his breath ‘he was so beautiful; I loved him so much – it was the only time I was truly happy.’ ‘I had to take him to the Halls of Waiting – you saw him die – he could not have lived; you know that, don’t you?’ his father soothed gently. ‘Why couldn’t you have taken me too?’ ‘You did not die’ ‘What about all those times when I should have died in other battles – I willed myself to die; I threw myself in dangers path and yet you never heard me. Look at me – I am ugly – my face is covered with scars’ ‘I always heard you, but it was necessary you live so that all could come to pass. We know how much you have suffered but it really is coming to an end.’ Namo held his son and smiled into his face ‘your mother is already weaving your happy ending.’ ‘I would love to be happy again, but I don’t see how this is possible’ Erestor looked at Namo with his large brown eyes and relaxed against his chest ‘don’t go yet’ he pleaded. ‘I intend to stay for quite a while; we have a lot to discuss’ Namo laughed reassuringly. ‘What of Tulkas and Aule?’ asked Erestor making the most of talking to another being who would answer him kindly. ‘Well….do you remember when Gil-Galad gave you a new sword?’ Erestor smiled, he did and it had been an excellent sword. ‘The night you were given the sword Aule took it whilst you were asleep and forged the blade anew and then wove enchantments around it so that it would stay true and deadly in your hand. No one cut with the sword ever lived did they?’ Erestor agreed that even a small cut meant certain death from his sword, he was always very careful when carrying it. ‘Tulkas guided you in battle and warfare, your planning and strategy were always correct; you are a fearsome warrior and as a spy you are unsurpassed. Orome ensured that you always snared your quarry so you were able to trace those who were lost or would do harm, you always pre-empted danger and on an equally important note – you never went hungry’ ‘I remember’ Erestor recalled with a smile ‘the forest could be barren of life but if I went into it there was always food in the Hall of Fire that night’ ‘Lorien took charge of your dreams – he stilled the nightmares that would attack you and took you away from the hostility and dramas of waking life to give you dreams of peace and happiness so that you could heal from your hurts. When you were dreaming it was Este, Vana and Nessa who played games with you as a child in the gardens – just as they did before you were reborn as an elf and it was Nienna who consoled you when you were an adult and you were laden with grief. Nienna still looks after you and Vana still opens the flowers as you pass so that you know she is with you.’ ‘These things are true’ admitted Erestor ‘I have been so self consumed that I did not notice’ ‘It doesn’t matter’ ‘I feel so guilty; I should have trusted you all more’ ‘No, no…’ Namo said softly ‘we do not blame you at all; the overwhelmed cannot think in straight lines, my son’ ‘I miss you all, so much’ said Erestor breaking down into pained tears once again. ‘We miss you too, but as I said before nothing is forever and all things come to pass.’ Namo wiped his sons’ eyes and kissed his forehead. ‘It is Yavanna who makes the fruit trees bear fruit all year long then?’ asked Erestor in a small catching voice. ‘Now you are catching on’ said a grinning Namo ‘can you tell me what Varda does to show that she remembers you? ‘She put the stars in the sky?’ ‘There were already stars but so you would always be able to see at night she scattered more stars to always remain above you to light your way wherever you are’ ‘I was so blessed but I never knew’ said Erestor with a sad face ‘will you thank them for me and tell them I am sorry but I didn’t realise…’ ‘They know, Erestor; you are precious to all the Valar and they will always be with you. Your mother and I miss you more than you could know, you are still our son, and we love you’ ‘Elrond has accused Celebrian and me of having an affair because I saved her when her horse bolted over the edge of a ravine, it was an amazing leap with our horses to the other side, we should have been killed!’ ‘Yes I know – Orome guided the horse to the other side’ ‘Elrond has accused me many times before because Celebrian is always pleasant to me whereas he is normally rude and sarcastic and encourages others to be. He isn’t just awful to me – Lindir had a harp string break and slash across his face and so Elrond makes him wear a mask so the sight of his scar doesn’t offend his sight’ ‘Elrond’s treatment of you and everyone else he has hurt will be avenged; the Valar will not tolerate his cruelty any longer’ Namo said with a dark look on his fair face. They talked throughout the night, both valuing the time spent with each other. By morning Namo announced that he had to leave. ‘From now on we will see a lot more of each other’ he promised and left Erestor with a considerably lighter heart. Elrond was buzzing with excitement ‘We are getting a new Captain of the Guard’ he announced excitedly to the whole room at breakfast. ‘What about Erestor?’ someone asked loudly, the soldiers murmured in agreement – they liked and trusted Erestor. Elrond could not see who had called out and to avoid a confrontation he stormed over to Lindir ‘Move behind the other minstrels – even your mask offends me – and do not call out stupid questions’ he hissed. ‘I did not’ said a shocked Lindir. Elrond told a couple of the guards to take Lindir to the dungeons and told the rest of the room he would not stand for any disobedience. The soldiers were not happy but stayed in their places. Badhoron, the Master of the Dungeons, who in the past was only used to imprisoning orcs and other fell creatures, felt his face fall as he saw Lindir being brought before him by two guards. Lindir was distraught. ‘Under arrest for calling out an embarrassing question to Elrond, except he didn’t say anything – someone else did and he got the blame’ said one of the soldiers. Lindir was terrified, ‘Lindir do not be so frightened’ said Badhoron. ‘I can’t help it’ he cried. ‘I am going to do everything I can to make sure you stay safe Lindir’ soothed Badhoron ‘I know you are blameless and I know how you have been treated by our so called Lord and Master’ ‘I didn’t do anything’ Lindir cried out ‘nothing at all!’ ‘I know, I know’ Badhoron soothed ‘I will put you in with Erestor so you have company – he is imprisoned on false charges too’ ‘You are going to lock me in a cell?’ Lindir screamed hysterically ‘noooo…..nooooo’ he repeated as he fell on the floor and curled into a ball. Badhoron unlocked Erestors cell and motioned to Lindirs’ shaking form. Erestor shook his head and his eyes met Badhorons’ in a gesture of empathy. ‘Surely this cannot go on forever?’ Badhoron asked, disturbed that two elves were now in the dungeons that were never built to hold them. Erestor walked past Badhoron and picked up Lindirs light form and carried him into the cell – he motioned for Badhoron to follow. ‘Elrond finds facial scars offensive – he removes those who have them from his sight’ said Erestor indicating the fine scar where Lindir had been struck by the harp string. ‘Hence my promotion to Master of the Dungeon’ said Badhoron grimly who sported an uneven jagged scar across the cheek caused by a slash from an orcs poisoned blade. ‘Well….it wasn’t so easy to get rid of me’ smiled Erestor ‘but trumped up charges of adultery with poor Celebrian just about did it’ ‘I don’t understand how Elrond doesn’t have any scars’ said Badhoron ‘especially as he is supposed to have fought alongside you’ ‘He did?’ asked Erestor in mock surprise ‘my friend the chronicles recorded it as thus but the reality is different. I ask you – who approves the official histories that are written on the scrolls?’ Badhoron gave an enlightened smile and looked once again to Lindir ‘He is so small and delicate – we can take this shit but I doubt he can’ ‘My friend I will look after him’ Erestor reassured. It was with heavy heart that Badhoron locked the cell door again but it was necessary because he didn’t know who he could trust anymore. ‘Are they going to torture me?’ asked the horror struck minstrel. ‘I haven’t been tortured’ said Erestor ‘and I have been here for quite a while’ ‘No one would dare hurt you’ exclaimed Lindir. ‘I didn’t think they dare imprison me but they did’ Erestor reminded him gently. ‘I am so scared’ Lindir admitted casting his eyes in a downward direction as though he were ashamed. Erestor took the young minstrel in his arms and covered him with a blanket ‘Go to sleep my friend – you are exhausted – I will hold you.’ Lindir raised his face and looked at Erestor. Erestor closed Lindirs’ eyes with his fingers and pulled his head against his chest. He could not tell Lindir that everything would be alright because he had no idea whether it would be or not for him and once again Erestor found he was holding back his tears. Elrond was so happy that he was getting a new Captain of the Guard that he totally forgot his previous bad mood and called a meeting to tell the cook and servants to put on a special reception because even though he did not know the name of the captain he was assured by a letter from Cirdan that he was a war hero of long standing and capable of protecting Imladris. Then he could think about how to dispose of Erestor – a thorn in his side ever since Gil-Galad had given him charge of his armies because he was older, more experienced and less prone to sulking than Elrond. Gil-Galad had ended up dying on the battlefield and Elrond had blamed Erestor for that; he felt that in no way did Celebrian make up for his lost lover. The new Captain of the Guard dismounted from his horse, Elrond’s eyes nearly dropped out – his new Captain was magnificent; His smile dazzled those who beheld it and he moved with an elegance and grace rarely seen among the younger elves. Elrond wanted him badly and in his most affable tones the sleek, elegant and beautiful Lord of Imladris greeted his guest. Glorfindel returned the greetings and Elrond’s expression became puzzled – he had heard that accent before. He took the Captains arm and walked with him into the reception hall. Erestor and Badhoron watched him through the slits at ground level that allowed air to enter the dungeons. ‘Do you recognise him?’ asked Badhoron. ‘Absolutely’ Erestor laughed with joy looking at his friend and triumphantly announced ‘Elrond’s going to get his arse kicked’ Erestor and Lindir walked out of the cells. ‘I promise you, everything will be alright Lindir’ Erestor reassured him. Namo appeared in front of them and told Erestor that it was time to go and stake his claim; he then disappeared. ‘That was Namo’ Erestor said as a matter-of-factly to his two companions who were staring open mouthed ‘well lets go’ he encouraged. Meanwhile in the Hall of Fire the new Captain was being fed and watered by an obsequious Elrond who had banished his wife to her room and locked the door – he did not want her ruining this for him. The new Captain of the Guard had had enough, ‘Where is Erestor?’ he asked Elrond politely. ‘He has left. When he heard that a new Captain was coming he just left; didn’t even say goodbye’ waffled Elrond who now realised just where he had heard that accent before. The new Captain swiftly turned on Elrond, and with lightening speed held a dagger to his throat and said in a quietly menacing voice ‘By Eru, there will be a kinslaying if I do not see him!’ He motioned for the guards to keep their distance and loudly asked where Erestor was. Erestor pushed past the guards ‘Here I am’ he answered loudly walking up to the new Captain and his prisoner. The new Captain pushed Elrond away in disgust. ‘Take them away’ Elrond screamed to the guards, but they didn’t move; they just glared at him ‘you are not the new Captain anymore’ he shouted angrily. Erestor was seized in a fierce embrace and kissed deeply and thoroughly ‘I have come back to you my love – I have missed you so much’ he was told. Erestor looked at his lover in wonder ‘Glorfindel, my love, my only one, I cannot believe it is you.’ ‘I watched you in the Halls of Waiting – Vaire was kind enough to let me see the weavings of your life. I know every hardship you endured but my love I am with you now and we will be happy together forever.’ They embraced again and everyone looked on in awe as Erestor was revealed as the child of the Valar he truly was. He was stunning and beautiful and glowed with a dazzling light to match Glorfindels own. His hair separated into tendrils and wrapped around his love and he looked at him with black sparkling eyes. Glorfindel and Erestor were so engrossed in one another that they did not see Elrond charging at them with a knife – Erestor was struck in the back and through the heart; he fell to the floor. Glorfindel was horrified and let out a mighty roar of denial and threw his boot knife at Elrond’s fast retreating form. Namo appeared and caught the knife and ordered Elrond to join him, Elrond felt as though an invisible rope was around his neck and so had no option but to comply. He pulled the knife from Erestors back and pulled him back up; the wound healed instantly. ‘You will not thwart the plans of the Valar, Elrond’ he informed him ‘now for your punishment.’ Celebrian was brought into the room at the order of Namo who asked her if she wanted to intercede for Elrond. Celebrian considered for a moment ‘I would ask that all evil be removed from his soul’ and she continued ‘He is in the main an effective ruler but lets petty jealousies and deceits rule his head and his heart. He is unforgiving and relishes in revenge and imposing his rule through fear. He is also not tolerant of physical imperfection. I feel that if he could only be good then life would be so much better here’ Namo looked at Elrond ‘I would have had your arse kicked all the way to the Halls if I was your wife’ he informed him. Namo looked again at Celebrian and smiled ‘Elrond does not deserve your compassion, however; I will do this for you as there is wisdom in your request’ Erestor brought Lindir to Namo and asked ‘What can be done for Lindir?’ Namo smiled, he touched the scar on Lindirs’ face and removed it as a fine silvery thread. He held it aloft and then placed it upon Elronds’ face. Elrond looked mortified but did not dare say anything. Namo then kissed Elrond on the mouth to remove his evil and told Celebrian his punishment was complete. ‘You still rule Imladris Elrond, but things will be different now’ said Namo. He looked at Erestor and after wishing him and Glorfindel much happiness he disappeared. Celebrian had her arms around Elrond who was looking down at the ground; he could not meet the eyes of his wife he felt so ashamed. The crowd milled around until Celebrian asked everyone to stay still and listen to Elrond. Elrond apologised to the crowd for all the injustices he had heaped upon them and said that he didn’t expect forgiveness because he had been so bad. He was especially upset when he apologised to Lindir ‘You are so small, sweet tempered and delicate – how could I have been so cruel to lock you in a dungeon? You did nothing to deserve my wickedness’ he was filled with anguish. Erestor and Glorfindel both knew that as Elrond was incapable of being bad anymore it would be pointless to withhold forgiveness and so they both embraced him and told him that everything was alright. ‘But you are the one I was cruel to the most’ he admitted to Erestor. ‘I forgive you’ smiled Erestor ‘you know Elrond….I am always the better person’ and then he laughed. ‘You have a new start Elrond’ added Glorfindel and whispered ‘go love your wife’ and winked at him. Elrond went red as everyone laughed and walked over to his wife who hugged him and kissed his forehead. Epilogue Elrond quickly proved to those who might have had any last doubts that he had indeed changed. He became a wise and compassionate ruler and his wife fell in love with him and they bonded. It was after the bonding party, and a slow lazy love making that Erestor and Glorfindel found that the whole of the Valar were in their bedroom. ‘How long you lot been here?’ demanded a shocked Erestor. Vaire cuddled her son and kissed his cheek ‘We are always with you’ she joked to the blushing couple in the bed as the others laughed merrily; she then continued ‘this is after all what you asked for isn’t it?’ Glorfindel poked his husband in the ribs and smiled at him enquiringly but Erestor didn’t care, he greeted them all and was happy to be once again in the comfort and security of his own childhood family.