Completion
 

“I love him, Elrond. I fear I love him too much.”

Erestor’s head was in his hands, palms rubbing his eyes. His elbows perched upon his knees from where he slouched in the solid oak chair on the balcony, facing the sunset with his long-time friend beside him.

“I know he loves me, I do. But I feel something missing. What is it supposed to feel like, having your soul mate?”

Elrond folded his hands in his lap, fingers steepling together and thumbs pointing up towards his own face. He watched the colors lighting the graying winter sky. “Completion. Never needing to be alone, and never having to hide anything.”

Erestor frowned and looked up to watch the golden light. “I feel in my heart he is the one,” he began. Elrond looked over during the pause. “But why do I feel like we’re both alone when we’re together?”

There was nothing to do but reach over and grab one of Erestor’s hands.

* * *

The next morning Erestor awoke from a very cozy sleep to squawking in the hall.

“Unca Eressor Unca Eressor!”

Erestor yawned and pulled his robe close about him as he pattered to the door. He couldn’t help the smile as he opened it and looked down to see a tiny creature so plumped with clothes its arms stuck straight out to the sides.

“Eressor! It snowed! Come play wif’us!”

Behind Arwen stood two identical elves sporting identical grins muffling identical chuckles. “Yes, Erestor, come! You must play with us!” Elrohir reiterated, earning an elbow from his brother.

Erestor rubbed at his eye as he shook his head. “Arwen, wouldn’t you rather have a nice breakfast first?”

“Noh. Nobody at the hill yet. It’s still clean.”

Erestor sighed and rolled his shoulders forward. His glanced up from Arwen to take in the twins, and he shook his head. “I’m not pulling either of you in a sled,” he warned.

“Of course not. Glorfindel already got that honor.” Elladan snickered. “Come, Erestor, wear your wool robes and whine. I’m sure Glorfindel will happily keep you toasty.”

“Ew, not while I’m watching.”

Erestor ducked his head as his cheeks flushed. Cocking his head to look up, he smirked. “Brats. Go on ahead and get your toys from the barn. I’ll meet you outside.”

Arwen pouted, but Elrohir nudged her along and took her hand. “Come along, then.” He looked over her head to grin innocently at his favorite uncle. “Erestor just wants some alone time with Glorfindel before he comes outside with us.”

“How come? Glorfinnel have something to make him warm?”

“Yes, exactly. Glorfindel will make Erestor nice and warm.”

The sound of a door banging shut set the twins to laughing. Arwen laughed along, too, not wanting to miss out on the joke.


“Why again are we out here in this?” Erestor’s smiled belied his words as he watched the children frolic in the fresh snow. Though the peredhil were dressed in layers and gloves and hats and scarves to keep warm, Erestor was comfortable in a simple wool robe. Glorfindel stood behind him, arms encircling his chest, head tilted to watch his councilor.

“Because you can’t refuse the children anything.”

Erestor smiled as he looked over his shoulder. “Neither can you.”

Glorfindel quirked his lips and kissed the Noldo’s temple as he looked out to watch as Elrohir ‘accidentally’ tripped Elladan while pulling Arwen in her sled. “Actually, I have an idea. Can you manage to keep them alive for a little while without me?”

Erestor’s brow furrowed, but he nodded. “Aye. I believe I can manage for a short time.”

With another kiss to cold lips, Glorfindel scurried away. His thick white furs and coats flopped behind him like a living snow beast, and Erestor smiled at the sight before turning back to see Arwen and Elrohir charging for him.

“It’s an emergency, Uncle Erestor!” Elrohir cried, mock terror to his voice and over-wide eyes calming Erestor’s momentary panic.

“Unca Eressor! My nose is drippy!” Arwen had both mittened little hands crossed over her nose as though afraid it would hop off. “And nana said not to wipe my nose on my clothes!”

Erestor smiled slightly as the tiny peredhel leaped from her sled to run up to the taller Noldo. She stood before him with wide sad eyes. “What should I do?”

Kneeling down with a twinkle to his eye, he uncovered her nose. “Well, I’m afraid I have no handkerchief on me. But how about I let you use my sleeve?” He gently pulled her wrists down and then lifted his arm to gently wipe her red, runny nose with the fabric hanging loose. She sniffled and pulled back with a frown.

“Scratchy,” she complained. Elrohir laughed and made to ruffle her hair, but because of the hat he settled for tugging it around on her head.

“Don’t be rude, Ari. It takes a lot of love to get baby snot on your clothes willingly.”

As a fight started up about who was the baby, Erestor straightened up only to notice Elladan had disappeared. Shoot. He hadn’t expected the casualty to be the eldest. “Elrohir, where has your brother gone?”

Elrohir stopped mid-sentence in the explanation about how he couldn’t possibly be the baby to look around. He scratched his chin, where a tiny bit of stubbly hair was attempting to peek out. “I think he left with Glorfindel, actually. I’d fear a snowball war except that I know Glorfindel wouldn’t dare attack you when you’re not ready.”

Erestor smiled, remembering fondly the last time that had happened. Glorfindel had thought to surprise Erestor with a snowball the moment he had stepped out the door. It had been upsetting for the councilor to try to explain to Thranduil why he had shown up with a red face and shaking snow out of his collar. After that, Glorfindel had made it a habit to always ask ahead of time if his lover would perhaps like to partake in a battle, and then he would still be far too willing to brush the snow off for him at the end. It was common knowledge that the best way to win a war was to have the councilor on your team.

“Well, as long as he’s with Fin, he isn’t my responsibility.”

“See, ‘rohir! If you aren’t a baby, then Unca Eressor wouldn’t have to have you as his respability,” Arwen pointed out, hands on her hips and lips pursed in a smaller and chubbier imitation of her nana.

Elrohir leaned down, his hair falling over his shoulder as he cupped a hand over his mouth. “No, Arwen, but see – it’s Elladan who is his responsibility. Not I.”

Arwen seemed confused by this logic, but before Erestor could see what she came up with as a response, a snow-covered sleeve enveloped him and cold lips tickled his pink cheek.

“Sorry, dear. I didn’t think I’d take so long. I have a surprise for you.”

Erestor looked warily over his shoulder at Glorfindel. “Oh?”

Elrohir hid behind Arwen. “I call Erestor’s team!”

For a moment Glorfindel looked confused, before shaking his golden head and laughing. “What? No, not a war. This is something a bit,” he paused to look slyly at Erestor. “slower.”

Elladan walked past and casually swung Arwen up to perch on his shoulders, holding her booted ankles tight. “Don’t worry, ‘Ro. I made sure to build the wall facing us taller so we wouldn’t accidentally see anything frightening.”

Arwen was holding on to Elladan’s neck and beaming as she looked to her other brother that fell into step beside her. “What’s the scary thing?”

Elrohir gave her a sidelong glance for several seconds before responding. “Uncle Erestor is cold, Ari, and Glorfindel volunteered to warm him up.”

“Oooh! Can Glorfinnel warm me up too please?”

Elladan snorted and quickly hunched his shoulders up to toss his sister. “I don’t think ada would like that, Ari. Nor would Erestor, I imagine.” Elrohir dissolved into helpless chuckles.

“You know what does warm little sisters, though?”

Arwen looked down at him hopefully. “Extra hot choc’ate and fresh cookies?”

“Well, that too, but I was thinking something more along the lines of a tickle fight followed by a rousing game of ‘use Elladan as target practice’.”

Elladan glared half-heartedly as they passed down the slope and out of sight of their mentors.

Erestor glanced back slyly to Glorfindel, leaning close and wrapping his arms around the waist that felt thicker and lumpier due to multiple layers and a scarf. “What’s this about warming me up?”

Glorfindel slid an arm down around the councilor’s back and guided him to walk along with him. “Well, I couldn’t help but notice you had your hands tucked in your sleeves and your face was flushed and chilled. And I had this lovely idea to both keep you warm and stay close in case we’re needed.”

Erestor opened his mouth to ask just what this brilliant plan might be when before him he saw a rough and lopsided, but still standing snow fort. A slow smile built on his face. It had been built big enough and long enough that, though a close huddle, it would be possible for two full-grown elves to squeeze inside.

“It will protect your delicate skin from any wind gusts. Sadly, it seems you may also have to snuggle rather close to anyone who sat inside with you,” Glorfindel explained as he gently guided Erestor to crawl inside. The Noldo peeked his head out and smirked playfully.

“Oh, well, in that case, it’s a good thing I have no problems with being close to the elf I’ll have to share with, then.”

Glorfindel grinned back and ducked down to enter, only to be stopped by Erestor’s next words.

“So which of the twins do I get to cuddle with, then?”

Fin blinked and shook his head as though to dislodge snow that was surely clogging his ears. “I… what?”

Erestor winked and beamed up at the stunned face before him. “Well, surely being the chivalric and wonderful elf you are you wouldn’t make a peredhel stay out in the cold by himself all this time.”

Glorfindel’s look was odd as he looked at Erestor, rather forlornly. Erestor’s smile faded as the pause dragged out for longer than he had expected, and his posture dropped as he sat himself inelegantly on the ground. Just when he was about to ask if Fin was feeling alright, the Vanya seemed to snap out of whatever funk he had been in.

“Yes, well, neither of those pampered lordlings had to experience winter in Gondolin, so move over.”

Erestor chuckled and did as he was told, crawling back inside as Glorfindel ducked in as well. Carefully, they shifted and scooted around in attempt to find a comfortable spot. Glorfindel crawled over Erestor as the councilor whispered between laughs to be careful where he wriggled his rear. Just at the warning, Glorfindel lifted his head, and the two found themselves suddenly very cold and very wet.

Erestor beamed as Glorfindel leaned down to kiss them beneath the sky, inside their four walls of snow. The snow between their bodies melted and soaked them, but neither paid any attention as their hands and mouths worked diligently to warm each other, sharing sweet kisses and caresses to the sound of hysterical giggling and deep resounding matching chuckles.

* * *

Glorfindel was late. Again. Not that this was something that should be surprising about his lover, as he was always slow in doing paperwork. Erestor had hoped the promise of spending the remainder of the evening together in his rooms, curled up in front of the fire and drinking something warm, would entice the Vanya to not procrastinate. Alas, it was not to be. An hour had passed from the scheduled meeting time. Still not seeing the captain with the paperwork he had been promised, he finally got up from his chair and gathered his velvet cloak from the hook beside his door as he left.

Glorfindel’s office was located beside and attached to the stables. It was a raggedy looking shack whose outside had been used for target practice by archers and an accidental sheath for beginning swordsman. Vines had taken to growing along one side, and the captain demanded the bushes not be trimmed but left wild beneath his window. In the current weather, though, all that was seen was thick white lumps beside a light brown stone and wood structure, covered with a plump layer of white on the roof.

Erestor carefully picked his path on a barely cleared strip of shoveled stones leading towards the stables. In order to get to the office, one had to pass the horses and then take a right after Asfaloth’s stall.

He stroked the horse’s muzzle on the way, unable to stop the smile as his hand was lipped and whuffled. The door to the office was open, and he walked inside dripping melting snow to smile with an exasperated sigh.

Glorfindel was sitting at his desk, face contorted in concentration, papers in front of him. But he wasn’t looking at the papers at all. In his large, powerful hands were a whittling knife and a small block of wood, half-carved already. Wood shavings peppered the desk, his lap, and the floor as the smell of oak wafted through the air. Scattered across the desk were small boats, soldiers, horses, flowers, and a little tiara – all made from wood and waiting to be sanded.

“So glad to know that the captain of the guard is hard at work,” Erestor said dryly.

Glorfindel looked up, biting the tip of his tongue which had been peeking from his mouth. “Oh! Erestor! Don’t worry, I’m just working on some things for the children. Figured it would be quicker to make little presents than to try and buy them before their parents all snatch the good toys.” He sat down his tools and smiled a big grin to his lover, flushed and still holding some snowflakes captive in his hair. “I’ll have your papers to you on time, promise.”

Erestor’s face was carefully blank as he looked to the window. After a short pause, Glorfindel followed his gaze to see what he was looking at. The sun was down but for a few remaining beams of light giving an orange glow to the snow on the ground.

“Oh.” The captain gave his best embarrassed and sheepish face. “Oops?”

Erestor turned to look back at Glorfindel. “Oops,” he agreed as he shrugged off his cloak to hang it from the stand where Glorfindel’s own navy cloak sat.

He calmly and quietly walked over, lifting the papers and blowing the wood carvings and shavings from them as he snatched up the quill from the desk as well. He pulled a chair to the other side of the desk and cleared a small section, setting the papers down and glancing over the current supply lists and rosters.

Glorfindel furrowed his brow, uncertain what he was supposed to do. “I, ah, think they should be right so far.”

Erestor looked up, the concentrated expression melting into simple understanding. “No, they are. You always do a fine job,” he assured, looking back down and furrowing his brows again in thought.

“Ah. Um, thanks.” He pushed his whittling aside and folded his hands before him. Erestor’s eyes slowly crept to look at his twiddling thumbs, and without lifting his head his gaze was locked with Glorfindel’s again.

“What are you doing?”

“I… was… what are you doing?”

“Your paperwork so you can finish your gifts for the little ones. No inventory is worth a child pouting over no presents from ‘Glorfinnel’.”

Glorfindel blinked three times, then smiled. “Ah, Ress – thank you. I’m sorry, I know you wanted us to cuddle together tonight. We still-”

“Nay, Fin, you misunderstand. I could care less about cuddling or drinking spiced cider in my rooms. I just wanted us to be together.” He finally returned the smile and then ducked his head with a blush back to his new paperwork.

Glorfindel bit his lip and then grabbed his knife up again, carving a small bit off one of the untouched corners of the block. He stopped to look up and watch Erestor mumble to himself as he sorted out the lists. Standing to lean over his desk, he tilted Erestor’s chin with the flat side of his knife, pressing a soft kiss to the pursed lips. The knife dropped to land on top of the also forgotten quill as their heads tilted and mouths opened.

* * *

Glorfindel smiled to himself as he waltzed down the hallway. Behind his back he had cleverly hidden a sprig of mistletoe, and on his face was a large grin. Everyone he passed smiled and giggled knowingly, recognizing his path towards the wing of the house that held the offices of all the council members and ranking persons.

One door usually closed was opened halfway, and Glorfindel’s smile turned curious as he approached. Stealthily, using all the warrior’s skill he was known for, he ducked around the doorway and peeked inside his lover’s office.

Inside, Erestor sat bent over his desk working diligently as always. However, his usual concentrated expression of scrunched brows and crinkled nose and slightly moving mouth was missing; in its place was a silly grin and an occasional chuckle as he glanced up to view the other people in his office.

The other people in his office. Elladan and Elrohir were sprawled inelegantly on the chairs looking out the window, talking loudly to each other and occasionally pulling Erestor into the match. Elladan was sitting with his back against one arm rest and his legs over the other, as Elrohir was lounging with one leg over an arm rest and the other dangling onto the floor. In his hand was a book he had open and was waving as he read from it.

He would read a few sentences, his words hardly discernable through the laughter, and then pause to either cackle or make commentary. From what Glorfindel could comprehend, it was an old journal. Apparently the owner was either no longer around, or else didn’t mind that his or her thoughts were being shared. For certainly Erestor would protest the nonsense otherwise.

As it was, he sat smiling as he worked and listened to the boys’ cackling and crude jokes. He looked up just as Glorfindel watched, and rested his chin in his palm, propped on the desk. He pitched his quill to bop Elrohir on the back of the head, and when the peredhel yelped and turned, still laughing, Erestor’s wide smile dissolved into chuckles. He ducked down when his pen was flung back, though he hadn’t needed to as the aim was purposefully wide. Elladan tugged at his twin’s hair and playfully scolded him for throwing things at their uncle.

And as touching and carefree and loving and pleasant as the whole thing was, Glorfindel found himself unable to smile much more than a sad quirk of his lips as he surveyed the scene. The mistletoe behind his back bounced once in his hand as he stood upright and turned away from the view. He pocketed the small bundle of leaves and berries and looked once more over his shoulder. Erestor had walked over to stand between the two chairs and look down at both boys, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

Glorfindel turned and walked away quietly, unnoticed, back out to his office. He sat alone, surrounded by toys, and stared out his window. With emotionless eyes, he picked up his knife and started whittling a block of wood. The room was full of loving work, though it lacked working love.

* * *

Erestor sighed as he picked up another old, dead leaf from a shelf. He took another glance around the room with a furrowed brow. Often, when he and Glorfindel were to spend time quietly in one of their rooms, it had been Erestor’s. He hadn’t ever given much thought to why that would be, but now that he had free reign in his lover’s rooms he was rather certain he knew.

Shelves, tables, and any flat surfaces were strewn with what could only be described as trash. A shoelace here, a leaf there, a rock nearby, a branch in the other corner. At first, Erestor had gathered it all up to throw away, but the fact there was so much of it and it all had its own spot gave him pause. So instead, he dumped all of the various garbage into a drawer near Glorfindel’s bed and then went back to the box he had brought with him and left near the door. Inside were garlands, bows, mistletoe, and decorative candle holders.

Glorfindel had come up with the idea of decorating each other’s rooms for the holiday season, and Erestor couldn’t help but agree it was a wonderful idea. It was, Glorfindel had said, a way to keep a little bit of each other in the room all season long. And when put like that, there was truly no way to say no. So he had taken the day off of work, Elrond assuring him there was little of any import, in order to steal away into the foreign quarters and beautify the room with the winter spirit.

Glorfindel’s rooms were best described as a war of décor: Gondolin battled Imladris for ownership, and it was hard to say who won. Imladris surely had victory over the furniture, naturally. But color was given to Gondolin – reds and golds of Glorfindel’s house, plus tapestries depicting the city and a banner made to resemble the ones that had lined the walls of Glorfindel’s house were covering the walls. The war of the knickknacks was currently at a tie; different curios that had been collected from wandering merchants or personal travel were all around. Some of them were simple little ornaments. A small model of the Last Homely House sat beside a rougher model of Gondolin.

Now that the room had been cleaned, Erestor began pulling out the various things and supplies he had brought along. A quilt from his room came out, one he had had since before Imladris, and was thrown over Glorfindel’s covers on the bed. Garlands were next, and trailed from bedposts to shelves to doorways so that everywhere you walked you had the leafy trail above your head. Little golden candle holders holding candles with red wax were placed around the room on recently cleared surfaces. A mistletoe was hung in the bathroom, above the bathtub, where Erestor knew Glorfindel would see and appreciate it. The final touches were big red velvet bows attached to the headboard of the bed, and in the center of the windows.

He stood back and clapped his hands together with a smile. His job here was done.


Inside Erestor’s rooms, Glorfindel had yet to start decorating. He had often been in these rooms with Erestor in the evenings. It was where they shared a nightly glass of cider, cuddled before the large fireplace, and shared sweet kisses on the divan before he left for the night.

This was the first time, though, he had been in there alone. He took advantage of this to wander around and look at everything. He opened drawers and shuffled through contents. He peeked inside wardrobes and smiled at outfits he loved and ones he loved to hate. He looked at jewelry and smelled all the different bath oils. He took every chance to learn every detail of every secret of the rooms.

Then he decorated. He, too, had brought things that he hoped would remind Erestor of him. At the hook near the door he hung the bright blue cloak of his own that Erestor always wore when they went out together on the balcony. He changed Erestor’s pillowcase and put his own on, fluffing the pillow as well. A bowl full of pinecones went on the vanity. A mistletoe above the divan. Gold ribbons were hung from the top of the window and spread out to tie to the bed post and the vanity and the dresser in a childlike version of the sun’s rays spreading inside. The final touch was a small wooden carving Glorfindel had been working on for a while. He had been telling Erestor about traditions and life in Gondolin, and one of the things Erestor had found absolutely adorable had been the story about flying reindeer pulling Adar Rhiw around in a sled. So sitting in the center of the bed were eight tiny reindeer, legs folded up in flight, pulling a small sleigh behind them.

He looked around and smiled. Perfect.


Glorfindel knocked on the door to his own room, smiling as he heard a startled ‘just a minute!’ and the sound of shuffling feet. The door cracked open and Erestor peeked out, then smiled. “Ah, Fin! I just finished.”

“As did I. Come, your room first,” he insisted, tugging on Erestor’s arm.

“Fin! No, that’s silly, you’re already here. Come, you first,” Erestor reasoned, tugging Glorfindel back towards him.

The captain relented and allowed himself to be led inside where he looked around with a curious smile. He took in the old, worn quilt on the bed that had been made to capture the image of the two trees. He laughed as he had to duck down to not get tangled in the garlands overhead, earning an embarrassed chuckle from Erestor. The bows received a smile – the same red velvet material he commented he liked on Erestor’s cloak.

But then he looked around again, and a frown came on his face. Erestor quickly glanced about to see what he had forgotten or done wrong. Glorfindel straightened and jerkily moved about the room, looking at shelves and tables. He spun then to face Erestor, chest heaving in silent panic.

“Erestor – my – my things. Where are my things?”

Erestor shook his head, looking around. Everything was where it was. “I – what things, darling? I didn’t move anything around.”

“No, they were here earlier. My things. There were dried leaves right here, and Elladan’s old shoelace sat here, and -”

Erestor, realizing what had happened, rushed to the drawer beside the bed where he had stashed everything. “Right here, Fin. It’s all here.” He was interrupted as Glorfindel rushed over to look through the drawer, sighing and slouching as he took inventory. “Fin, I – I’m sorry. I thought it was just trash. Even you have to admit you aren’t the tidiest.”

Glorfindel shook his head, gathering Erestor to his arms. “No, no, no apologies, sweet one. My fault. I should have explained.” He kissed Erestor atop his head, and then kept an arm around Erestor’s shoulder as he looked around the room again. He laughed, as Erestor had predicted, at the mistletoe placement.

Erestor allowed himself to be tucked against his lover’s side, and smiled with him, but his eyes returned always to the bedside drawers. “Elladan’s shoelace?” he echoed, rather belatedly.

Glorfindel took a moment to comprehend, then nodded. “Yes, an old one from a shoe long outgrown.”

Erestor’s brow furrowed. “And the leaves?”

“From the tree near the Bruinen. The one that was struck by lightning the past spring.”

Erestor nodded slightly, and asked no more. For that Glorfindel was thankful. Some fears are still too haunting to speak aloud, even when time has supposedly healed all.

* * *

Erestor smoothed his shirt and looked himself over. He turned to one side, then the other, and then turned to try and view his back. He blushed. These pants were awfully tight. Wasn’t he too old to be wearing something this revealing?

He turned around again and tried un-tucking the shirt. It looked predictably sloppy, and so he tucked it back in. He took a deep breath and let it out. Then took another one. Maybe he should hold his breath most of the evening – it made him look like he had some muscles on his figure.

He pulled his hair from his braids and tried finger combing it to lay loose. After studying the look for a minute, he pulled it back to braid it again. It made him look too sensual, too personal, with it loose. Braided looked better, he nodded.

Glorfindel had been slowly easing him into being more social and less reserved. It had started with just getting him to sit in the Hall of Fire next to him. Then it was sitting with other people Glorfindel knew so that he would join in conversations. That evolution had lasted the longest, as he kept becoming silent in concern he was invading their personal circle and was unwelcome. After that, things had progressed smoothly into him making new friends, and from there to being ready to go out alone.

Tonight was the first night that Erestor was going to the Hall of Fire without his usual robes. Glorfindel had not requested it, but his lover had always enjoyed seeing him in a tunic and leggings when they were alone in the evenings. Erestor was certain that he would be proud to see his councilor out in public without his robes of office hiding him from view.

With a final glance over his shoulder at his back, he left his room. Earlier he had sent a note to Glorfindel’s office to tell him that he would meet him there, and he had a surprise for him. He had been slow to dress and ready himself and was certain that Glorfindel would be there by now.

The walk through the hall felt torturous. Each step he’d pause and consider going back to fetch his robe, only to take another step in confidence before it happened again. By the time he reached the doors to the hall he had worked himself into such a state that he could do nothing more than stand outside the door chewing on his lip and folding his hands behind his back in effort to hide what his mind had settled on calling an inappropriate view.

“Erestor?”

The councilor startled, jolting upright and glancing warily behind him. Elladan stood with a curious grin on his face. “Erestor! By the Valar, you look amazing!”

Erestor blushed and turned back to look at the door. Elladan chuckled as long fingered hands fluttered anxiously around Erestor’s backside in an odd attempt to cover himself.

“Come now, uncle. You can’t think you look bad, can you?”

“Nay, not bad, Elladan. Positively indecent and absolutely ridiculous were the phrases I was using.” He smoothed his shirt for the fourth time since the peredhel had arrived.

Elladan chuckled and grabbed Erestor by the arm. “You’re being ridiculous now. You look beyond handsome, and you’ll have Glorfindel along with over half of the other elves in the room drooling. Come, someone as lovely as yourself can’t possibly enter a room without an escort.”

Erestor blushed again, ducking behind his hair which failed to properly shield him due to the thin braids. He glanced a sidelong wry smile at his old student. “And I am to be assured you won’t let any big, scary elves accost me?”

Elladan grinned as he hooked Erestor’s arm through his own. He pushed open the doors and pulled Erestor inside, a hand at the councilor’s back when the elder elf had second thoughts at the last moment.

Slowly, as was the normal way of people, a few glanced up to see who had entered. They nudged their companions, who whispered and got the attention of someone nearby. A wave passed through the crowds until everyone was looking up at their lord’s son and their chief councilor. Who was not in robes.

Glorfindel’s eyes widened and he stiffened, frozen where he stood getting cider for himself. He met Erestor’s eyes for several long, painful seconds, and then looked down to take in the outfit. Erestor looked, as he would always attest, ravishing. His deep green leggings looked almost black, and the soft deep brown boots hugged his calves. The silk rust-colored shirt was tucked in to highlight his slim figure, and the low neckline teased with pale flesh that was always covered by robes. His hair was braided, but not in the harsh and sharp angles of the workday; rather they were thin braids webbed throughout to keep his hair from his face but allow it to flow down his neck and shoulders.

In general, he was gorgeous.

And he was gorgeously standing in the center of the crowded hall with Elladan’s arm around his waist, smiling shyly at the attention.

Dropping his cup to splash cider over the rim and clatter back onto the table he had grabbed it from, Glorfindel took long strides over to Erestor, unsnapping his own forest green cloak as he moved. Elladan took a wise step back at Glorfindel’s approaching, letting the captain whip the cloak around the small Noldo’s shoulders as his arm followed suit to lead the blushing councilor away.

Instead of taking their usual seat of late near the other scribes, he ushered them into a back corner of the room where he sat Erestor gently down before sitting across from him and looking at him with still-wide eyes. Erestor looked uncomfortable as he waited for him to say something.

“Fin?” He finally prodded, unconsciously pulling the cloak tighter about him.

“Ress, you…” he trailed off and looked Erestor over again. “You aren’t in your robes.”

Erestor smiled slightly, a playful quirk to his lips. “You like?”

“I – well, of course, you know I think you beautiful,” he assured, lifting one of the long hands to his lips to place a gentle kiss on thin fingers. “But – that is…” he scratched his throat and sat back, eyes darting to look around.

Erestor’s smile faded slightly. “It’s because we’re in public, isn’t it?”

Glorfindel’s wide gaze flashed back to him. “Eh? Well, I mean,” he stopped his stuttering at the hardened look he was given. He sighed. “There are a lot of people here. Looking at you. With – with – with your tight leggings and your fitted shirt and your neck showing.”

“My neck showing,” Erestor repeated dryly. He sat back in his seat and tugged his hands away to rest them on the armrests. Gone was the shy lover to be replaced with the determined councilor. “You put this cloak around me because my tight leggings and fitted shirt and exposed neck.” Glorfindel shrugged, even though it hadn’t been a question. “Fin, this is ridiculous and you know it. I think everyone here is aware I have a neck.”

“But you always cover it,” Glorfindel reminded pleadingly.

“Why is this bothering you?” He slapped away the tentative fingers reaching to pull the cloak around him more. “What’s got you so fidgety? You wear leggings all the time.”

“I just -” He slumped in his chair. “Why don’t we just go back to our rooms tonight?”

Erestor stood, face the arrogant glare for which he was known in council. “A good idea. You go to yours, and I will go to mine. Good night, Fin.” He stood, tugging the cloak off, but two strong hands halted his progress.

“No, no, Ress please. That isn’t what I meant.” He wrestled slightly with the fabric. “Erestor, please, just keep that around you. Please.”

Erestor paused and looked into Glorfindel’s face, contorted with anxiety and desperation. His hands dropped to his side and he didn’t move as Glorfindel delicately pulled the cloak around his slight figure, pinning it so it would stay in place. He continued to stare past the Vanya as his hair was stroked and laid nicely as it had been.

“Thank you,” Glorfindel whispered. Erestor’s dark eyes finally flitted up to meet worried blue.

“We need to talk,” he said simply. Glorfindel paused, shifted his weight from one foot to the other, and nodded.

Erestor turned sharply and walked away, headed for the balcony. Glorfindel smartly trailed after him, not trying to wrap an arm around him. Erestor stood looking out over the scenery and waited until he felt his lover beside him to speak, not turning to address him.

“What has gotten into you lately? You were the one who wanted to help me be less shy and insecure. I thought you would be happy to see me tonight wearing my colorful outfits and my hair loose – you have told me so many times how open it makes me look and how you love it.” He turned then to study the Vanya with furrowed brow. “So why do you look more terrified than me?”

Glorfindel bravely moved closer, cautiously wrapping his arms around Erestor’s chest. When he wasn’t shrugged away, he leaned his chin down to perch on Erestor’s shoulder. “I couldn’t survive losing you,” he said simply, as though remarking that the gardens looked nice tonight.

“Losing me? I don’t think my health is at risk for exposing my neck in public,” Erestor replied, though his sarcasm was tinged with confusion.

“No, no, not like that. I just,” he sighed and leaned his head over to nuzzle along the Noldo’s strong jaw. “I was the only one who got to see you so relaxed and carefree and sensual. And that was something that nobody else knew. But, here, with everyone able to see that you have a soft, gentle, delightfully sinful,” he paused to nip where ear met jaw. “side, I fear some dashing young Noldo may sweep in and whisk you off your feet and out of my arms.” He squeezed once. “Or some charming peredhel, maybe.”

Erestor’s posture relaxed so he leaned back into the strong chest and loving embrace. “Oh, Fin. You have nothing to fear, I promise. My heart is yours, you insufferable orc. Those dashing young Noldor can tempt me however they like, but my eyes will always fall only on you.” He turned his head towards the nips and kisses to steal a quick kiss for his lips. “And those charming peredhil would be your family, if you let them.”

“His arm was around your waist,” Fin reminded, though his voice held no venom.

“And I saw Elladan with an arm around your shoulders the other day. But I didn’t fear he was courting you. I knew he was using you for balance,” he assured as Glorfindel opened his mouth to protest. “and perhaps you should think that tonight he was balancing me lest I trip over my own feet in my terrible nerves.”

He turned in Glorfindel’s arms and leaned back so he could gaze steadily into Glorfindel’s face. One hand reached up to smooth the wrinkles from the brow there. “Hush, now. I love you, and only you, and ever you. No matter what I wear and who sees it.” He leaned up then, tugging the captain by the neck to meet him halfway, and sealed the promise with his lips, assuring his truth with the taste of loyalty on his tongue. Glorfindel’s arms slid down to his waist and they melted together in the moonlight.

Pulling back, Glorfindel took Erestor’s arm to guide him back inside. He paused though and took some of Erestor’s hair, tossing it to wrap around his neck as though it were some sort of scarf. At the bewildered look he was given, he smiled hesitantly. “Your neck is showing.”

Erestor couldn’t help but chuckle, and one pale hand reached up to tuck the hair into place. The couple spent the rest of the evening not noticing the odd glances to Erestor’s hair-wrapped neck.

* * *

Erestor smiled as he entered the room, Glorfindel ever faithfully right behind him. Elrond and Celebrian were seated together on a couch, and Arwen had wiggled her way between her parents. The twins were busy playing a game of strategy in a corner, though they hadn’t gotten very far.

“Unca Eressor! Glorfinnel!” Arwen hopped from her perch to waddle over to the two new elves in the room. Erestor crouched to accept a hug from the little one, squeezing her tight until she squealed that he was crushing her. When she turned to Glorfindel, she was received with a gentle ruffling pat on her dark head. She took Erestor’s hand and led him into the room.

“Nana said you were coming over for lunch t’day. I was scared you forgot,” she informed him as she pulled him to sit on another couch. She crawled into his lap and snuggled against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. Glorfindel sat close beside Erestor, laying an arm casually and comfortably across his shoulders.

“Of course I wouldn’t forget, Arwen. I just had to finish some paperwork first.” He grinned over to Glorfindel who smiled slightly and shrugged a shoulder innocently.

The twins looked up from their ‘game’ to smile at the guests. “Uncle Erestor!” Elrohir abandoned the game (since both twins knew it was unlikely to end any different than the last six anyway) and moved over to plop beside Erestor on the other side. “You look wonderfully festive!” Elladan nodded in agreement from where he sat sprawled lazily in the seat near the chessboard.

Erestor blushed as he smoothed his robe again. It was high-collared and formal looking, but on the councilor ‘formal clothes’ were synonymous with ‘comfortable lounge wear’.

“It’s always such a pleasure to have you join us, Glorfindel,” Celebrian spoke up, smiling at the warrior who shifted in his seat and squeezed Erestor’s shoulder.

“It is always an honor to be invited,” he replied smoothly. Elrond shared a glance with his wife.

“Well, shall we eat before the food gets cold?” Elrond stood and helped Celebrian up with him, the twins weaving in front of them to set the table. Their parents were beside each other on one side of the table. Beside her mother, Arwen sat in the center of her side of the table. Elladan and Elrohir sat across from Arwen. And then Glorfindel and Erestor sat across from Elrond and Celebrian, with Glorfindel next to Arwen and Erestor beside Elrohir.

As they plated their food – a spread of potato soup, vegetables, and finely seasoned and roasted duck – the twins stole from each other’s plates and Erestor warned them to behave amidst chuckles and hidden grins. Arwen got help from her mother in putting food on her dish as she tried to decide what she would like and how much she would actually eat.

Dishes filled, the atmosphere settled as everyone began eating. It was quiet for a few moments before Arwen spoke up.

“Glorfinnel?”

Glorfindel paused in cutting his meat to look kindly over to the little peredhel beside him.

“Glorfinnel, would you help me cut this please?” She nudged her plate towards him slightly, eyes big and innocent and pleading. Glorfindel leaned back a bit and looked helplessly to Celebrian.

“I’m sure your nana would be happy to help you,” he offered. Arwen pouted.

“But you cut your meat yourself,” she pointed out. Erestor had paused to look curiously at Glorfindel who was looking worriedly at the plate.

“He’s just not good at cutting delicate little lady bites,” Erestor cut in when Glorfindel didn’t respond. “He’s a big, strong warrior, after all.” He leaned forward, slightly in front of Glorfindel, to whisper loudly, “you know, when we’re in private, he doesn’t even cut his food. He just swallows it whole!”

His attempt worked, and the big watery eyes and pouty lower lip pulled up and scrunched up in awe. “Really?” she whispered back.

Erestor nodded conspiringly as he sat back. Celebrian smiled thankfully to him as she leaned forward to cut Arwen’s food up for her. While the little one was distracted, Erestor shot a questioning frown to his lover while Elrond calmly took in the haunted look of the warrior’s eyes.

The rest of the meal passed in relative peace except for the occasional glances between Erestor and Glorfindel, or the delicate hand that slipped down to rest on the strong thigh while Glorfindel ate.

“Unca Eressor! Story time please?” Arwen called out as soon as her father had put down his goblet and pushed his chair slightly away from the table. Erestor smiled and looked up to Elrond, who nodded.

“That sounds like a splendid idea, Arwen. If you wouldn’t mind?”

Erestor nodded as he stood and pulled Arwen’s chair out for her. “Not at all. And what would my little princess like to hear tonight?” he asked as she took his hand, causing him to have to stoop over as he walked. She dragged him back into the seating room and pulled him to the floor near the hearth so she could snuggle into his lap again.

“I’unno. Something with a princess who’s really pretty and everyone loves her.”

Elladan suddenly dropped to Erestor’s left. “And a brave prince who slays ten balrogs!”

Before Erestor could comment on the suggestions, Elrohir was leaning against his right shoulder. “And a wise young elf who tells the brave prince he’s an idiot and saves him from becoming balrog biscuits.”

Celebrian was giggling as she sat down in a chair near the small group, and she tilted her head to smile at the scene. It was nice to see the councilor finally relaxed and as open as he had ever been, but always too shy to let himself shine. She looked up when she noticed both Glorfindel and her husband were absent from the scene, and as Erestor tried to mediate the odd form of story-telling the twins had taken up, she spotted the two elf lords out on the balcony gazing at the falls. Arwen’s laughter brought her back, and she listened as Erestor began a story about the princess who had ten pet balrogs that the brave prince didn’t fight due to the wise younger elf’s council and instead everyone (even the balrogs) played with the princess’ doll collection.

“Arwen asked me last week why Erestor is her uncle, but Glorfindel is not.”

Glorfindel’s usual humor or childlike grin was absent. “And what did you tell her?” he finally prompted.

“Nothing. That I had no answer for her.”

The captain shifted his weight and took a deep breath, though his lord did not hear him release it.

“What should I tell her, Glorfindel? That Erestor loves her more? That Glorfindel does not want her as family?”

Glorfindel finally turned an agitated look to Elrond. “I am sure, as her father, you would know better than I what to say.”

“I should say the truth, if I knew it.”

Glorfindel was silent as he looked up at the gray sky threatening a winter storm.

“We would accept you as family if you would let us in. We could have no higher honor than to call Glorfindel our own.”

“I am yours, milord, as I have returned to protect you.”

“I have countless warriors willing to lay down their lives. I would have a brother rather than a captain.”

Glorfindel said nothing for some time, and Elrond gazed steadily at him, willing to wait.

“A captain can find a new lord to pledge his allegiance. A protector can find a new charge, should some ill beyond his control interfere.” He turned and the fierce silence from before was softened in the glow of glistening snow to uncertain doubt. “But a brother cannot find a new brother should war steal him away. And an uncle cannot separate the grief of lost family due to war. I have lost my life once, Elrond. I don’t believe I can handle losing it twice.” His eyes had turned to watch Erestor, face aglow with the fire, a twin hanging off each shoulder and a small girl in his lap staring at him with unbelievably large eyes.

Elrond’s hand clapped onto his shoulder, and Glorfindel turned to him. “But does the captain feel mightier for having no home? Does the protector feel braver for having no family? Does the soul feel lighter for having no threat of love?” He turned as well to glance over his shoulder at the tinkling sound of laughter. “My sons would love to call you their own, and my daughter can’t understand what she has done wrong. My wife has long wanted to make you a new cloak, but has feared the gift would be politely denied just as her attempt to gift you a blanket was.” He turned to look back at Glorfindel’s troubled face. “I could think of no greater honor than accepting you into my family.” He clasped the warrior on the shoulder and leaned in to whisper softly, in case anyone was listening. “And Erestor will forever keep your heart, if you only trust it in his hands.”

He turned with a quick squeeze to the stiff shoulder and walked inside. Glorfindel watched as he sat beside his wife, pulling her to lean against him. Together, the group smiled and laughed as Erestor gave up any attempts at salvaging the story and allowed Arwen to help him with remembering how the tale went. He swallowed hard and turned to look back up through the holes in the clouds.

* * *

Erestor sat on one of the plush chairs in his office, watching the snow falling outside against the gloomy sky. The grey emptiness beyond made the glass reflective, and he also watched the image of Glorfindel standing behind him playing with his hair.

“I was thinking we could decorate our offices later. Especially yours. You spend so much time here, it’s only right we make it festive.”

“I would like that,” Erestor agreed with a smile. He watched Fin work. “Did you hear the story the children made?”

Glorfindel continued to stroke through silky black strands, though the smile faded slightly. “Yes, I did. It was very unique.”

“Unique – that’s a kind way to put it,” Erestor agreed with a chuckle. “I think you may have some competition with those three for who tells the most outrageous stories.”

Glorfindel arched a brow and grinned crookedly, just as Erestor had expected and hoped. “Oh? Outrageous, am I? I’ve been told the balrog story is very exciting and wonderful, you know.”

“That’s only because people are terrified of upsetting the infamous balrog slayer.”

There was a pause as Glorfindel pinned some braids at the back of Erestor’s head. Erestor’s ears were revealed, bare of any jewelry due to it being midday.

“They would have loved to tell a story with you,” Erestor finally said, watching Glorfindel carefully.

The Vanya made a face somewhere between a grimace and a frown, shaking his head slightly, as though to himself. “You did a wonderful job.”

“And Arwen would have loved to have you help her at dinner,” he continued, eyes narrowed slightly.

“I didn’t want to step on any toes. That’s the joy and the right of the mother, not the guest.” His fingers tugged slightly at a knot, and Erestor’s head jerked along with it.

“And I would have loved to have you beside me.”

Glorfindel paused a moment, and then leaned down to plant a kiss on the crown of the Noldo’s head. “I’m always beside you.”

“Physically. Yes, Fin, physically I can’t seem to be rid of you. But you avoid the children who wish to call you uncle while you flock to the children who just see you as a playmate. You grapple with your warriors and laugh but you won’t let anyone brush against me. You hold onto me in public and we kiss and grope in private, but ever is it me who discusses our future while you would talk about frivolous things – like decorating our rooms and offices. I want you beside me.”

Glorfindel took a step back, a crease between his brows. “What is that supposed to mean? You ‘can’t seem to be rid of me?’”

Erestor sighed, turning in his seat to look directly at his lover. “You ignore everything else I say? Glorfindel! Why won’t you ever talk to me?”

“I thought that was what we were doing.”

“No, we were pretending to talk while avoiding any actual discussion.”

“Actual discussion? I didn’t realize we were having a council meeting,” Glorfindel grumbled, face slipping into a bored expression. The only signs of frustration were flared nostrils and a twitch to his lip as he stood statuesque.

“Is that what is needed to get you to be serious?”

“Serious? So I’m just a big joke otherwise?”

“With me you are.” Erestor stood and glared at the captain, refusing to lift his head to look up. Somehow, he was able to still look angry when facing a person’s pectorals. “You hold on to me and yet I seem more a possession than a lover. You dress me as you like and groom me as you like – am I just your doll, Fin?”

“Well maybe I have to keep you as a possession to keep you at all!”

His words seemed to soak into the walls and surround them. Glorfindel’s expression broke and crumpled, and he reached out helplessly. Erestor stood silent for a moment before brushing past the Vanya to leave the room.

The small door in the back of the office looked deceptively like a closet, but Erestor walked over and opened it to reveal a narrow passageway lit only by small windows. His dark robes swept the floor behind him as he merged with the shadows. Glorfindel watched his departure wide-eyed. As the door creaked slowly shut again, he lunged forward and stopped it, following in a light jog.

“Ress, that came out-”

Erestor scoffed loudly, sounding to Glorfindel a lot like the dog in the stables when annoyed. Ahead there was a large window from a time when this hallway had been a main hall. It needed cleaning, but light filtered in as a murky haze to illuminate small dust motes in the air. It also allowed for Glorfindel to see Erestor’s stiff frame clearly. Only a few more feet until the door to Erestor’s room.

Glorfindel opened his mouth with a deep breath to speak again.

“No, Fin, I’m not yours!” Erestor spun on his heel, eyes ablaze and face scrunched, lip curled to expose strong white teeth. “I am not yours to command!”

Glorfindel stopped, taking a half step back and leaning away from the anger, face contorted in hurt and confusion. His brows lifted though his eyes narrowed. “Not mine? So you’ve just been stringing me along for the past year, then?”

Erestor took a step closer, breath hissing out in previously unseen anger. “I have been your lover, and I have partaken in the courting game, but I do not belong to you.” He held up his left hand, palm facing himself and fingers spread. “There is no ring on my finger. We are neither bound nor married. I belong to me. I will sit beside who I want while wearing whatever I like and I will do what I please! Don’t even try to say you’re afraid to lose me! If you wanted to keep me, you would stop pushing me away.”

Glorfindel took a step nearer, growling under his breath when Erestor matched it with a firm step back. “Ress, I haven’t -”

“Yes you have. You don’t trust me with others, and you clearly don’t even trust me with you. I love you, you orc. But I won’t sit here and let you try to keep me at your side while pushing me from your soul.” He turned sharply and opened the door to his rooms. It slammed shut behind him, and the audible slide and snap of a lock echoed down the hallway.

Glorfindel stood hushed. He moved to the door and leaned against it, listening on the other side. Silence but for ragged breathing. He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against the smooth, clean wood.


At dinner that evening, Erestor did not show. Glorfindel waited ten minutes before scanning the room, thinking perhaps his lover was still upset and sitting with other friends instead. But the twins were with some of the younger soldiers, Arwen was with her mother who was beside Elrond, and the table with the scribes was filled with brown and silver-haired elves.

Finally Glorfindel realized that his Noldo was absent, and his appetite disappeared. He left, excusing himself shortly, and went to Erestor’s office. No lights came from under the heavy door and it was silent inside. So he left and went down the hall to the double doors of the library, which were open to invite visitors. He asked one of the scribes if Master Erestor had been in, but was met with a negative response.

There was one place left. The door to the councilor’s rooms had a dim flicker of light dancing into the hall. He knocked four times. Always four.

“Erestor?”

Silence.

“Erestor, please, talk to me. I… I can’t go to bed knowing you’re angry with me.”

He heard footsteps and his heart rose, but he slumped against the door as he heard them patter away and another door inside open and close. Apparently, Erestor would have no such problems. Four more knocks. Heavy, pleading pounds. All was still inside.

“Erestor. Ress, darling, please. I’m sorry. Please.”

“You don’t even know what you’re sorry for, except that it means you don’t get what you want,” Erestor’s voice snapped from somewhere far away. The two walls and far-too-many feet between them muffled the sound so much that had he not been pressed to the door he likely would have missed it.

“I’m sorry that I hurt you!” he tried. He listened, but to no response. “I’m sorry that you think I don’t trust you. I do, Ress, I trust you. I just -”

He stopped as the sound of a door opening came from inside again. Footsteps came nearer until he saw a shadow amidst the flickers. He began to stand up till he heard the soft thud of Erestor leaning against the door on the other side.

“No, Fin, you don’t,” Erestor whispered through the door. “If you trusted me, you would know that no matter what anyone did or said, I would never leave you. If you trusted me, you would tell me why you are so afraid, instead of pushing the matter aside. Nobody has the security of knowledge that nothing bad will ever happen, Fin, but everyone else pushes on. I would help you if you would tell me how.”

Glorfindel waited to hear more. “Please, open the door?”

“And will you tell me, then, why you won’t be part of my family? Will you open your door?”

Glorfindel bit his lip as he lifted a hand to delicately trace the wood where Erestor’s voice was. His fingers drew the Noldo’s face and caressed the invisible hair. “Ress, please. Please open your door.”

“My door has always been open, Fin. Good night.” The door rattled as Erestor pushed off it and walked away. Fin heard the door within close again, and slumped down alone in the hall.

When Elrond returned to his rooms after dinner, he looked towards his dear friend’s door and frowned at the lack of laughter from under the dark crack.

* * *

Glorfindel could not sleep that night. He tried. He returned to his rooms and tried to take a bath, but the mistletoe over the tub made his stomach flip uneasily and he changed his mind. He tried to climb into bed, but the quilt made him miserable. He looked out the window, but the bow on the glass made him think of Erestor and he couldn’t stand it.

He pulled his cloak around him, not bothering to dress into appropriate clothes, and walked briskly down the hall. His steps did not slow as he exited the house, bare feet turning red in the cold as he picked a mostly shoveled path through the still night towards the stables. Entering, he took a moment to take a deep breath of straw and horses, before continuing into his office. He lit a candle, just enough for a little illumination, and sat at his desk. He tidied things up for a few moments, then shifted and sat back with a sigh.

Did he truly not trust Erestor? No, surely he did. His Erestor loved him and wouldn’t hurt him. But he was just looking out for the possibility that perhaps another elf may be more compatible with Erestor and take him away.

He drummed his fingers on the desk. Perhaps… he had been doubting Erestor, then. He dropped his head to rest his cheek on the cold, rough wood, and his eyes slid shut.

But with himself? How could Erestor say that he wasn’t letting him into his soul? He was the only one in his heart, in his soul. He loved Erestor, would give everything for the Noldo. Would do anything to see him smile.

And then it hit him, as the sun was rising. After replaying the argument in his mind several dozen times, he suddenly realized why Erestor had said he wasn’t being let into his soul. With a smile slowly stretching over his face, he shoved his chair back and stood. In the drawers in the back of his office he had a clean change of clothes kept for returns from messy patrols, and he changed into his ‘emergency’ outfit and pulled on an old pair of boots before leaving the office. He needed to get to the jeweler as soon as he woke if he were to have everything in time.

* * *

Erestor could not sleep that night. He tried. He sat on his bed and burrowed under the covers. But the pillowcase smelled like Glorfindel. He tried sleeping with no pillow, but it was an even stronger reminder that Glorfindel was gone. So he sat up in bed only to see gold ribbons trailing across the room, and he felt frustrated. Then he went to his vanity, only to see the lovely sculpture of eight flying reindeer, and he smiled sadly.

He sat at the window seat and looked outside. Everything was still and quiet, the snow having stopped falling and even the wind having taken a rest. Not a single creature stirred in the cold darkness, and the only movement was the twinkling glow of the stars.

His mind replayed everything that had happened. The argument. The sound of Glorfindel pleading to see him before bed.

Before bed. He gasped and felt his eyes sting as he suddenly realized with terrible clarity just how cruel he had been. Gondolin. You idiot, he told you his last words to his father had been in anger, and then you refuse to let him make things up before sending him away for the night. His eyes slid closed as he leaned against the window and realized, in that sort of epiphany that only comes two hours too late and in the dead of night when you have nobody to share it with, that the demon that was haunting Glorfindel was more of a demon than the usual.

Glorfindel had been allowing him in, he understood as he jumped from his seat and left the room with the blue cloak from the hook around him – Glorfindel’s cloak. It had been the balrog, it had been Mandos, it had been history that was pushing him out – not Glorfindel; never Glorfindel.

He stopped at Glorfindel’s door and knocked. Four times, he smiled shakily. There was no answer and he leaned against the door. “Fin?” he whispered, not wanting to disturb anyone else. “Fin, darling, please. Please, I’m so sorry.”

It was quiet and he slapped his palm against the door. “Fin, I was wrong. I’m so terribly sorry. I understand. I understand, Fin, I do. Please, open the door?”

There was utter silence inside, and Erestor slumped against the door as the tears fell from his eyes. Waiting a few minutes in desperate hope to get an answer, he finally stood and glided back to his own rooms where he collapsed on the divan and stared at the mistletoe, silently crying until he fell unknowingly into sleep.

* * *

Glorfindel walked down the path towards the Last Homely House with a small bundle of velvet in his hand. The gently falling snow melted as soon as it touched his skin and clung in his unbound hair and pale lashes. At this time of the afternoon, most people were busy doing work in their daily job or decorating and fussing for the holidays. Glorfindel, though, had left his soldiers with his second for the afternoon to take care of his own business.

The jeweler had been more than happy to fill his request, asking if the captain was certain on his order several times while he was working. Glorfindel had assured him that it was very important for the order to be done and that the extras would be dealt with later. Apparently, gossip spread quicker than he realized, as the elf had heard about the recent fight. He assured Glorfindel all the payment he needed was just the fact his wife would be the first to know, and that if Glorfindel had any sisters he would understand fully.

The Vanya whistled pleasantly to himself as he entered the Last Homely House, his feet treading the familiar path towards the office wing. He walked up to the closed door and paused, taking a deep breath and straightening his tunic. His hand hovered before the door uncertainly for a few moments before finally making contact. Four times.

The resulting pause was terrifying, but it lasted only a mere moment before a hesitant ‘enter’ drifted beneath the wood. He pushed the door open and stood uncertainly. Erestor sat at his desk looking absolutely miserable. His hair had been pulled all back in one thick braided rope down his back, and he wore his robes of office which looked strange with the bright blue cloak wrapped about him like a blanket. His eyes didn’t seem able to stay open completely as he gazed at the captain in his doorway.

Glorfindel stepped in and closed the door, taking a deep breath and looking away.

“I’m -”

“- sorry.”

They both froze and furrowed their brows before smiling slightly, all tension draining out. “Fin, please, sit,” Erestor offered as he stood and shuffled around the desk to sit at one of the window seats. Glorfindel took the other.

“Erestor, I am so sorry. You were right -”

“No,” Erestor interrupted again, voice stern. “No, Fin, I wasn’t. I – I was far too cruel to you. When I said everyone else deals with their fears, I was completely insensitive. I,” he broke off and turned away, embarrassed. “I don’t blame you for turning me away last night. I’m so glad you sought me out. I was afraid – I thought I’d pushed you away.”

Glorfindel had listened with a gentle loving look, the barest hint of an adoring smile on his lips, until the end. “When did you think I turned you away?” he asked, his previous speech forgotten in his confusion.

Erestor looked over, eyes narrowed and brow arched. “When I came to your rooms in the night,” he said slowly, as though explaining something obvious.

“You came to my rooms last night? Why?”

Erestor turned sharply in his seat to face Glorfindel, head dropped to one side. “To apologize. I told you through the door. That I understood you hadn’t been pushing me away. I knocked four times, you can’t tell me you slept through that,” he explained, voice picking up speed as he went on.

Glorfindel dropped from the chair to kneel before Erestor, grinning at the flustered expression and rouge to the pale cheeks. “I wasn’t in my rooms, dear Erestor. I couldn’t sleep in there with all the things around me reminding me of you. I went to my office, where I had my own thinking and realizations.” He gathered Erestor’s hands into his, and it was only at that moment the councilor realized Glorfindel had been hiding something behind his back and then in his lap. A small bundle was at his feet. “You were right, too, darling. I was afraid, and perhaps it was a bit of paranoid mistrust at the thought of leaving you alone.”

Erestor opened his mouth to interrupt, but Glorfindel squeezed his hands. “Ah, no. Don’t try to help me rationalize my demons, darling. I realized that you were right. I need to let you in if I want to heal.”

Erestor cut in this time. “You do let me in, Fin. I’m here for you.”

Glorfindel shook his head, smiling slightly. He lifted Erestor’s left hand and played with the fingers, bending them and tracing them and stroking them. “You always have been,” he assured after a few moments. “Will you be here for me until the end of Arda, Erestor?” he asked, looking up to Erestor’s eyes.

“Of course, Fin. Yes. I’ll always be here for you. Always.”

Glorfindel’s right hand dropped from cradling Erestor’s left hand and lifted the velvet bag to drop on Erestor’s lap. He tugged it open and inside was five golden rings and two silver rings.

Erestor gasped, mouth hanging open as he stared wonderingly at the Vanya kneeling before him. “I don’t seek to command you, Erestor, but to call you my own. I don’t seek to push or pull you, but to hold you forevermore. Will you give me the pleasure of sharing our lives, body and soul, until the end of time?”

For one of the few times he could remember, Erestor was speechless. He swallowed thickly and nodded, smiling as the smooth, warm band of silver slid onto his finger. Oddly, it did not feel heavy, but comforting. As though until that moment his finger, his hand, had been missing a piece.

“I am honored to fight your demons with you. I can imagine no greater future than collecting memories to hoard in a drawer beside our bed, and always going to bed happy, and having you tuck me against your side whenever we’re in public. I love you, Fin, and I love everything that entails.” He lifted the larger silver band and as he slid it onto Glorfindel’s finger, their mouths met in a tender, gentle brushing and molding of lips.

Erestor pulled up and couldn’t help but smile down at the other rings – five rings of gold. Two were there, he knew, just for the symbolism and promise of a marriage to come. The other three were smaller and there was a hinge attached to them. Rings, but not for fingers.

“And what is this?” he asked with a tender smile. Glorfindel, still kneeling on the floor, picked up two of them to hold out to Erestor.

“I fear I’m a bit impatient to see you wearing a golden ring from me. And, well, it’s only right you have a matching set,” he explained as he lifted his hands, a ring in each, to hold beside Erestor’s earlobes. “May I?”

At Erestor’s simple nod, he stood and crouched so he would have a better angle, and delicately tugged at the flesh of the ear. Careful to make sure he was going straight into the hole, he pressed the sharp point in and slowly spun the ring, snapping the other end up as soon as it was all the way through. He repeated on the other side, and then stood to smile down at Erestor’ up-turned face. Two glints of gold hoops sparkled brilliantly against the black backdrop of hair.

“And I may have been a bit excited to wear a ring from you, too,” he admitted as Erestor lifted the other earring with a raised brow.

Erestor gathered the other two rings and sat them on his desk before turning to smile at Glorfindel. He had to stand on tiptoes, and Glorfindel leaned down a bit and steadied him with an arm around the waist. The hoop fit, with a bit of pressure, into the rarely used and partially closed hole in Glorfindel’s right ear. He turned his head to catch Erestor’s lips in a kiss, smiling against the laughing mouth.

“Stay with me tonight.”

Erestor leaned back, though he continued to stay close enough so Glorfindel had a hold on his waist. “Bold, aren’t you?”

The Vanya chuckled as he nuzzled at Erestor’s cheek. “I don’t want to spend another night without you,” he whispered.

Erestor sighed and wrapped his arms around Glorfindel’s neck, nuzzling back. Really, how could he say no to that? And would it honestly be that upsetting to wake nestled in Glorfindel’s arms? He allowed Glorfindel to pull him close and kiss him on the top of the head, rubbing his cheek against the warm cotton of Glorfindel’s chest.

“You know, I didn’t get much sleep last night,” he hinted, eyes closed pleasantly.

“No? How ironic. Neither did I.”

“Mmm, how strangely convenient.”

“You know, when you’re tired, your mind doesn’t work quite as quickly or efficiently.”

“Is that so? I believe I’ve heard it isn’t good for a soldier to fight when exhausted, either.”

“Really? Well, it sounds like neither of us are fit to do anything today, then,” Glorfindel mused as he tucked Erestor against his side and started for the door.

“I think you’re right. It would probably behoove us to rest,” Erestor yawned, snuggling close to the warm, sturdy body beside him.

“Well, if the Chief Councilor says it should be, then it should be.” He chuckled as Erestor made an approving murmur. “Your rooms or mine?”

“Mine,” the Noldo replied quickly. “They’re closer.”

Having no argument to that logic, Glorfindel led them to Erestor’s quarters where he delighted in letting them both in. Other than slipping out of boots, and Erestor removing his formal robe and Glorfindel’s cloak, they didn’t bother changing as they slipped into bed.

Glorfindel took the pillow, and Erestor was content to use his chest. With the sunlight filtering into the room, making golden ribbons sparkle, the newly betrothed couple fell asleep curled around one another. Glorfindel’s left arm curled around Erestor’s shoulder so their left hands held each other, tucked beside Erestor’s head on Glorfindel’s chest. The two silver rings clinked beside one another, catching a beam of sun and sparkling brightly.

* * *

Outside, the scene was a flurry of white that formed a curtain of privacy around the valley. Winds whistled and twirled around windows and doors, ducking down and groping to find any tiny crack to sneak through into the warmth of the indoors. Servants woke early, bundling in warm house shoes and layers as they traveled through the house to light fires and begin warm meals for breakfast.

Soldiers slept in, knowing without needing told that in weather like this there would be no strenuous exercise today. The unlucky few scheduled for guard and patrol rotation took their time preparing, in no hurry to venture forth. Councilors, advisors and scribes burrowed deeper into their blankets knowing that no half-elf with any sanity would be up before all the rooms were warmed, and thus they were spared of any work for at least another two hours.

The only people who ever woke early (other than servants) on frigid winter mornings like this were the Chief Councilor, who would make sure things were prepared properly and get a jumpstart on work before his lord arrived, and the Captain, who would knock on doors to get lazy patrolmen moving.

It was strange, then, when the servants realized there was no slight shadow trailing their footsteps and correcting or reminding them, and no half-asleep Vanya pounding on doorframes and helpfully alerting elves that they needed to leave bed in order to guard the house. The cooks shrugged to each other and smiled thoughtfully, and as maids lit fires they pondered on the absence of both elves.

Erestor, however, had no concerns on the matter or questions about it. As far as he was concerned, if an age and a half of pestering servants hadn’t instilled anything into their minds, Arda was doomed anyway. And really, warm food and rooms seemed so trivial when curled into the warm spot in the bed under several quilts and comforters, using a very warm and very snuggly Glorfindel as a pillow. His eyes slid closed as he took a deep breath and shifted to press closer. The arm around him tightened as the chest beneath his head rose up and deflated quickly.

His eyes slid open when slightly calloused fingers toyed with his own fingers, and he smiled into his lover’s chest when the silver rings were clinked together and held up for inspection.

“I was afraid to wake and find myself alone in my office again,” Glorfindel murmured, voice thick and slow with lingering sleep.

“Never again,” Erestor promised. He rolled and leaned up to bestow a quick good morning kiss onto waiting lips. “We have breakfast with Elrond today.”

“Oh?” Glorfindel leaned up to capture another taste of Erestor’s mouth, but the councilor rolled to the side to lie beside him at the last moment, effectively dodging. “And how did this come about?”

“Late last night. I got up with the intention of gathering some paperwork I may have been able to do in bed, and there was a note under the door. Did you tell him about the proposal?”

“No. I take it he knew anyway?”

“He offered his congratulations and extended the invitation.” Erestor smoothly pulled himself up to lounge against the headboard, chuckling as that also moved him away from another attempted kiss. Glorfindel scowled, though the frustration was ruined by the smile on his face and the ring on his finger.

“How kind.” He lunged upwards and pinned the councilor down with an arm on either side of his head. Again he pressed forwards, head tilted for easier access, and again Erestor cleverly slid down resulting in nothing more than a kiss to the nose.

“Erestor!” he laughed, dropping down and finally achieving his goal. The Noldo made up for his previous denials as he wound his arms around Glorfindel’s shoulders, chuckling and laughing into Glorfindel’s mouth.

“Love you,” he stated simply when Glorfindel pulled up.

Glorfindel continued to smile as he leaned down to murmur “I love you” against the swollen lips before nipping at the lower lip and coaxing Erestor’s tongue to play more.

A servant paused outside the Chief Councilor’s door where she had been about to knock. Inside, she heard the sound of muffled laughter and soft moans. With an amused grin and short giggle, she turned and walked back down the hall, smiling the whole time. The other ladies would be happy to know she had located the captain.

* * *

Glorfindel and Erestor entered the brightly lit room together. Elrond and Celebrian sat on a lounge within, near the white window, with Arwen yawning widely and openly between them.

“Unca Eressor!” Arwen cheered with the sort of excitement at seeing someone that only a child could muster. She bounded off the chair and ran forward for a hug, happily being swept up by Erestor to be snuggled.

She giggled and laughed with delight as he kissed her forehead. “Good morning, little princess,” he cooed. Arwen wriggled to be let down, so the Noldo set her onto her feet and stood up again, head cocked to the side to watch her.

She toddled over to Glorfindel then, who smiled down at her the same way he always did. “Good morning, Unca Glorfinnel!” She lifted her arms for a hug.

And Glorfindel stood unmoving. He blinked twice, and then looked up to Erestor who was staring at him and waiting. He looked back to Arwen, who was unfazed by the pause. He bent, and she wrapped her small arms around his neck, her little hands tangling in his curls, and he was snuggled. “Good morning, Arwen,” he murmured against her small dark head.

She took Glorfindel by one of his much larger hands and, quite comically, dragged him behind her as she walked back to her parents. She led him to the same couch he had sat on last time he was in the rooms, and when she stopped them before the chair he sat without need of direction.

Elrond and Celebrian watched on with a smile as their daughter corralled the captain. Erestor followed the pair to sit beside Glorfindel, shaking his head when Glorfindel frowned at the small space he left between them.

Before he could comment, though, the little peredhel had clambered up onto the small space, chirping a thank-you to Erestor as she then crawled onto Glorfindel’s lap and sat sideways on his legs, her little arms curled up to her chest as she leaned against the muscular body beside her.

Glorfindel looked to Erestor in silent question, and the Noldo hugged himself as he nodded his heads towards the little bundle. The Vanya hesitantly did as he was told, wrapping his arms carefully around Arwen. She looked up and smiled, and when Glorfindel looked down at the gummy grin he felt the shields around his heart denting. He smiled back.

“Unca Glorfinnel, can I have a story?”

“I’m sure everyone would prefer to eat first,” he reasoned.

“Actually, I find I am not quite hungry yet.” Elrond smiled innocently at the look Glorfindel gave him.

Glorfindel leaned back in his seat and looked over to his lover. “Ah, well, I’m sure Erestor would be happy to-”

“Yes, Uncle Glorfindel, let’s have a story! A real one this time, with balrogs that don’t wear large floppy bows.”

“Aye! I had nightmares for a week,” Elrohir added, earning laughter from the others. Except Arwen, who was pouting and glaring mightily.

“I – I suppose I could, if your parents have no objections.”

“We would love to hear a story, Glorfindel.” Celebrian was smiling at him gently. Elrond had that sort of knowing grin he got whenever something he said or predicted ended up coming to pass.

Glorfindel sighed, defeated. He stood and walked over to the hearth, led by a dancing Arwen and playfully arguing twins. Arwen tugged him to sit next to her, and the warrior settled himself cross-legged on the ground. The twins each chose a side while Arwen claimed what was now her spot on his lap.

“Is there a princess?” Arwen asked just as Glorfindel opened his mouth to speak. He closed it and attempted to be annoyed, but a smirk broke through.

“Yes, Arwen. There will be a princess.”

“I get to slay a balrog this time. And by slay I don’t mean have a tea party, Ari,” Elladan said, ruffling his sister’s hair as she whined.

Glorfindel licked his lips as he waited for the talking to finish. He glanced sidelong at Elrohir. “No requests?”

“As long as I’m not the pretty one or wearing a fluffy bow, I’m content.”

Glorfindel chuckled and nodded. “Well, then, let’s see. I happen to know a very good balrog story…”

As Glorfindel began his tale, Erestor stood back with Elrond and Celebrian. He watched as Arwen cuddled against him at the scary parts and how Glorfindel would squeeze her tight; how the twins leaned closer and Glorfindel attempted (and succeeded) to frighten them as well. He witnessed the dented shields tottering and collapsing, and he smiled as his family was completed.

* * *

“Elrond,” Glorfindel began, looking into his glass of spiced cider. “I was hoping you could help me.”

“Certainly,” Elrond readily agreed, his own glass of brandy sitting beside his chair.

“I want something for Erestor that will really mean something to him. Something for the wedding. I thought, well, you knew him growing up. What is there from his youth that I could give to him? A favorite toy, or cherished book, anything.”

Elrond frowned slightly, thinking. “Actually, I think I have just the thing. It isn’t any book or toy, and he never had it as a child, but I can guarantee it will mean just as much to him.”

Glorfindel perked up, not having expected so easy an answer. “What is it?”

Elrond look over and smirked. “Don’t worry about supplying a ring for the ceremony. I’ll have one for you in the morning.”


Erestor hurried down the path from the carpenter’s workshop, spotting an elf saddling up outside the House with two saddlebags of letters. Trying to retain some dignity while also trying to hurry, he jogged down the path as he fished a neatly sealed scroll from his robes.

“Imrathon,” he called when close enough to not require shouting.

The younger elf looked up from his work and stepped aside to bow to the councilor. “My Lord Councilor, how can I be of assistance?”

“I need this delivered to Lord Cirdan promptly.”

Imrathon took the scroll, tucking it into one of his bags near the front. “Most certainly. It shall be a priority.”

“Thank you.” Erestor offered a nod of his head as he turned to leave.

“If you don’t mind my asking, Lord Councilor, might this be about the wedding?”

Erestor glanced over his shoulder and arched a brow.

“My wife always loves a good piece of gossip, and Lord Cirdan will certainly be willing to indulge,” he explained with a timid shrug.

“It is indeed about the wedding. A gift for the captain.” Erestor smiled as he turned again to head into the house. Imrathon chuckled as he slid into the saddle.

The sky threatened more snow, and he whispered into his mount’s ear as they galloped away. The councilor paused to turn and watch his message leave. His fingers played over the ring on his hand and he found himself laughing.

* * *

Erestor pressed up against Glorfindel, sighing contentedly as a strong arm slid down his back and curled around his hip. Sunlight streamed through the window and filtered onto the bed where the two were curled around one another under several blankets.

They were content to lay with their breaths puffing against one another’s faces and their legs tangled, feet stroking and poking. Mornings had become a slow and lazy routine since they had begun sharing a bed. Where usually there was rushing to work or to visit at breakfast, now there was no need to move to see one another. In fact, it only took a small amount of effort to twist about to kiss one another. They awoke already snuggling. Elrond had been kind enough not to notice their continued tardiness.

Tap Thud Thump!

Erestor squinted with one eye towards the door. “Expecting someone?” he asked, voice muffled from him only speaking through the corner of his mouth.

“At this hour? No.” Glorfindel turned his head and nuzzled Erestor’s neck, burying his face from the sun and turning away from the sound.

Tha-thump!

“Unca Glorfinnel! Unca Eressor!”

“Rise and shine, lovebirds!”

“There’s fresh snow again today, uncles! Snow elves to be built, sled paths to be explored,” Elrohir trailed off.

Erestor and Glorfindel looked at one another before pulling the covers over their heads simultaneously. They cuddled together and Erestor silenced his chuckles against Glorfindel’s warm, soft chest.

The illusion only lasted but a minute.

“You do know we heard you earlier, right?” Elladan tried the door handle, grinning to his brother when it was locked.

“Just your imagination!” Glorfindel called out, beaming when Erestor’s attempts to muffle his chuckles ended with him snorting against his chest before giving up. Erestor laid his cheek against Glorfindel as he shook with laughter.

“Oh dear, what a vivid imagination we have. Perhaps we should tell Ada,” Elrohir murmured, though plenty loud enough for it to be heard.

“C’mon, unca Glorfinnel! You and unca Eressor promised to come play wif us!”

Erestor groaned as he sat up, the covers tenting over his head. He nudged at Glorfindel as he tossed the covers back. “Alright, alright. Give us a few minutes to dress,” he requested.

Glorfindel rolled over with a grumble, hugging the pillow to his face.

“Come on, Fin.” He swatted with his recently discarded sleep pants at Glorfindel’s rear, earning a jump and a laugh. “Deny it all you will, but you know you love having children knocking at your door and calling you uncle.” He leaned down to place a soft kiss on the golden head before standing and opening Glorfindel’s wardrobe to choose clothes.

“Oh, it seems all I have are…”

“I see no problem.” Erestor startled to realize Glorfindel was directly behind him, then leaned back to get hugged from behind.

“But, you said-”

“That there is no problem.” He leaned down to nibble at the naked neck and shoulder before him, linking their hands. “I was wrong before. Forgive me for my doubts.”

Erestor turned to catch Glorfindel’s lips. “I already have. I forgave you a minute after it happened. I love you.”

“I love you, Erestor. With all of my soul.”

Erestor pulled out a high-collared tunic as Glorfindel reached around him to hand him a pair of leggings.


Arwen bounded through the snow, still too young and uncoordinated to move as gracefully and lightly as an elf. Her booted feet kicked up sprays of white as she ran with a lump of snow cradled in her mittened hands.

Erestor and Glorfindel stood on opposite sides of a large ball of icy snow, Glorfindel circling to pack more while Erestor followed behind and smoothed it of tumors. Two flattened lumps were poking out from one side at the bottom which they carefully stepped over as they moved – it wouldn’t be nice to step on toes, even icy ones. Erestor’s gloved hands worked a bit quicker than Glorfindel’s bare and flushed ones.

“Unca Glorfinnel!” Arwen called.

Glorfindel looked up, still stooped where from packing snow at the bottom to make it sturdier.

“Unca Glorfinnel, here’s the middle piece,” she announced proudly as she plopped the tiny little misshapen snowball on top of the large white lower body.

Glorfindel studied it for a moment, and then smiled a large beaming grin and turned to Arwen. “Beautiful, Arwen! That will make a wonderful torso. Think you can make a head for us now?”

“Sure thing, Unca Glorfinnel!” Arwen tottered off with a large smile, calling out to her brothers to update them on the progress of their snow ada.

Glorfindel looked back to the tiny snow lump with a distraught face. Erestor was laughing as he helped pack the snow at the bottom, no longer pretending that he was just sniffling from cold now that Arwen was gone.

“Ress, stop that. Just imagine how tiny the head will be if his torso is that small.” He wriggled his numb fingers, tired from building up Elrond’s lower body from the original ball.

“We could leave it as is. Maybe nobody will notice.”

“Well, gee, Elrond might have gained a little weight, but I don’t think he was that big in the-”

“Fin!” Erestor pelted his lover with Elrond’s torso.

Glorfindel yelped and then wailed as the remains of the Snow Elven Lord fell off the side of his head to splat to the ground. “You killed him.”

“He would have thanked me for it. Who would want to live with that big of an-” He was interrupted by Snow Elrond’s foot. He spat what was likely once a big toe out. “Well, I may have killed him, but you just crippled him.”

“Not really crippling when he’s already dead,” Glorfindel pointed out.

Erestor flicked the remainders of the foot from his neck and carefully turned down his collar to remove the stealthy snow chunks that were moving in on his chest.

“Sorry, dear. Did I get snow down your shirt?”

“No, you were lucky this time. I removed it all.”

“Oh.” Glorfindel twisted one side of his face into a thoughtful frown. “Not even a tiny bit?”

Erestor warily glanced at Glorfindel from the corners of his eyes. “No.”

“And here I am caked in snow, numb and miserable and frozen.”

Erestor’s eyes widened and he took a step back from the calculating smirk blooming on his betrothed’s face. “Well, Fin, that would be your fault for not wearing the gloves I bought for you.” Glorfindel took a step closer and Erestor’s voice quickened to match the pace of the Vanya’s steps. “I was intelligent enough to wear clothes that would protect from the snow and I – FIN! Put me down!”

Glorfindel laughed as Erestor pounded his back from over his shoulder, legs kicking uselessly in front of him. “Put you down?”

Erestor’s hands turned to talons, clutching frantically at Glorfindel’s shirt. “No, don’t put me down!”

“Put you down?” Glorfindel repeated, as though he had misunderstood the request. He spun and dropped the councilor onto Snow Elrond’s bottom, tripping to fall atop him as Erestor cried out from the cold. His feigned outrage was cut short by laughter as they stuffed “Elrond chunks” down each other’s shirts and attempted to shove them down leggings.

Elladan and Elrohir glanced up from their current sledding activities at Erestor’s shout. They turned to smile at one another.

“It’s good to see them happy.”

“Like they were,” Elrohir agreed.

“Nay, like they should have been. They acted happy, ‘Ro. It is nice to see they finally are.”

Elrohir pondered that as he pulled his sleds to the top of the hill. He and Elladan had started a sledding competition to see who could get downhill first. After one round, though, Elladan had decided to pull his usual stunts and stood on the sled as he took it downhill.

Remarkably, he made it all the way to the bottom before hitting a tree and crashing.

Elrohir, never able to let his twin beat him so easily, had commandeered Elladan’s sled as well as his own. Now he stood at the top of the hill and looked down as his twin stood at his side watching curiously.

“What exactly do you plan to do?”

Instead of answering, Elrohir carefully stepped up so one foot was on one sled, and the other foot on his brother’s. “Give me a shove, will you?”

Elladan paused, glancing uncertainly at Elrohir’s legs. It didn’t look too steady. Then again, that was one of the perks of having a father who was a healer.

“Just pray you don’t run head first into any trees. Or at least that it’s only one head.”

And as Elrohir started to change his mind, he was given a hearty push downhill.

Erestor and Glorfindel looked up with concerned half-smiles at the terrified howl.

* * *

That night in the hall of fire, Glorfindel was alone. Whispers circled the room that the wedding was off, and several stories began circulating of another fight. But all tales were struck dead by the easy smile and relaxed vision of the Gondolin Lord. He lounged near where the minstrels were set up to play, a glass of his usual cider in one of his hands and an empty spot beside him.

As the minstrels entered, then, rumors grew louder that Erestor was not coming, for he always arrived in time for the music he loved.

But then there was the sound of a door creaking shut, and heads turned to see who had arrived. There stood Erestor – not in his robes of office or even in a high-collared low-hanging tunic, but in a fitted gold shirt with red stitching and a pair of maroon leggings and deep gold boots. Conversations dropped to a whisper as Erestor easily moved through the crowds, and people pointed to the yet oblivious Glorfindel with nervous gestures.

Erestor, however, seemed completely at ease as he gracefully sat beside Glorfindel. The Vanya lifted an arm to allow the Noldo to snuggle against him and leaned his cheek against the dark head.

Erestor was rather certain he could hear people’s eyelids tapping together as they blinked over the minstrels’ songs.

* * *

“Oh, wait! Don’t enter your rooms yet!”

Glorfindel blinked and came to a stop, brows furrowed and one side of his mouth quirked into a grin. He watched as Erestor left his side to creep into his rooms, peeking around. With a satisfied grunt and a smile, his Noldo returned to him and took up the exact place he had been a moment before – arm linked, head upon a shoulder, mid-step.

“Alright, continue.” Erestor grinned widely at the confused quick laugh he received as they continued in matched stride into Glorfindel’s rooms.

The captain looked around, certain there was something different for him to notice. The decorations were where they had been, the décor was the same mishmash as always, nothing seemed out of place. Erestor disengaged from their hold and stepped back to fold his arms behind him and watch his soon-to-be-mate search the rooms.

A few steps deeper inside and another slow, curious glance around the room finally revealed what he had been seeking. A change. A chest.

Beautiful white oak, polished and stained to look aged, sat below the window. A huge chest, intricately carved in detailed pictures. Glorfindel slowly walked closer, crouching and then falling to his knees as his hand wonderingly ghosted over the design.

Gondolin in all its glory. A view from the mountainside of the hidden city surrounded by snow, rising up as a distant and foggy peak. A view from the streets of his house, the emblem miniature and yet painstakingly accurate. One scene blurred into another as his house became the seven gates which transformed into Ecthelion’s fountain.

“Open it,” Erestor’s smooth voice encouraged from right over his shoulder. A lock of black hair fell into his peripheral vision.

He carefully lifted the heavy lid and propped it against the wall in order to view it better. His hand pressed to his mouth and he leaned forward. Imladris. The barracks, the stables and his office, the Hall of Fire, Asfaloth, the waterfalls and river and bridges and trees. Inside were compartments and shelves that lifted out. And sitting in the center of the top shelf was a chunk of marble. At first glance, and to another, it would have been nice but nothing extraordinary. Veins of blue ran through it, and it was chipped and cracked and smoothed. Turning it in his large hands revealed a flatter bottom with a hardly visible mosaic mostly gone. Only a few pieces of glass remained.

Glorfindel’s head bowed and his shoulders tensed. Erestor knelt behind him to wrap his arms around him and nuzzle hair out of his way to find an ear.

“You are a creature of two worlds, my Glorfindel, and it means more than I have words to say that you choose me to be in your future. But always do I hope for you to keep your past. All of it. I know that is hardly enough, but it is all I could find.”

“How…?”

“Washed ashore. Cirdan found it several years ago, and had meant to show it to you but had never gotten around to it. I requested it to be brought.”

Glorfindel turned the rock again, leaning back to press against Erestor. Looking at the mosaic again, he could almost hear the gushing water and the sound of Ecthelion’s voice.

“I felt your life deserved a better storage place than a bedside drawer.”

Glorfindel dropped the stone back into the chest, almost mindlessly (though with just enough reverence), and twisted to pull his love to him for a kiss.

“What did I ever do to deserve you?” he rasped as Erestor pressed against him, hands fisted in his shirt.

“I think it involved a balrog,” the younger elf mused, earning a snort and a light slap on the arm.

“Thank you, Erestor, for giving me my past.”

Erestor cupped a hand at the back of Glorfindel’s warm, velvety neck and slowly curled his fingers to pull Glorfindel to him. “A fair trade, my love, for my future.”

Their lips met slowly, eyes drifting closed and bodies bonelessly leaning into one another as hands fisted and fingers burrowed. A vein of blue sparkled and trickled like water until the light danced across the glass mosaic, leaping at the sight it witnessed.

* * *

The snow danced and twirled in light airy wisps over the frozen landscape. The sun bounced off half-melted snow and blinded innocent witnesses. The glow of sunset bathed the world in brilliant riches, the hills and valleys like solid chunks of gold and the rivers like snakes of silver. A small gathering circled around a clearing between evergreens and yews, a lone cedar still growing in the soft soil nourished by the elder trees.

Elrond stood in formal robes with an intricate mithril circlet draped on his head at the front of the group, smiling broadly at the two facing him.

Erestor was brilliant in colors that were reminiscent of Imladris, burgundy and brown and deep green. The outer deep green tunic was smartly tailored, ending on his hips. The collar crossed at his throat, a V opening below his chin. Though the bodice was tight-fitting, the sleeves hung loose, slit at the elbows to expose the sleeve beneath and drape in flowing waves down towards his knees. In the center of his chest, the upper tunic was cut to leave an open diamond pattern. The tunic underneath was a bright green and velvet, an effect reminiscent of moss. It was tightly fitted on the chest and hidden beneath the dark green, only peeking out from a diamond on his chest and covering his forearms to his wrists. Below the over-tunic, it fell in descending layers to sweep the damp ground and pool in delicate folds. His long hair hung down to the center of his back, restrained only by a simple mithril circlet that danced over his forehead and peppered sparkling leaves around the crown of his head. To pull the outfit together was a large, brilliant blue cloak fastened across his shoulders with a mithril braid.

Glorfindel was an image straight from a history book in red, gold, and black. Opposite of the flowing and delicate appearance of his lover he was simple and militaristic, yet still retaining the dignity and beauty of an age gone past. The outer tunic was a brilliant gold brocade vest that hugged his strongly built figure. It ended at his waist except for the front, where it draped down in a V to just below his knees. The tunic underneath was red silk, clinging to his arms and wrists and peeking above the vest at his neck. It also draped down to knee length in a loose, straight cut. Beneath the tunics were tight black leggings that disappeared into black leather boots reaching halfway up his calves. Woven gold silk embroidery formed vine patterns with golden roses in various stages of bloom. On his waist was a black belt wrapped around several times, more embroidered golden flowers seeming to grow out of the fabric. His hair fell in golden spirals down his back and over his shoulders, held in place with a gold circlet that seemed to grow from his mane. In the center of his forehead, amidst the golden vines and leaves, lay a sparkling teardrop garnet. To finish his look, a red velvet cloak that seemed a bit small was fastened around his shoulders with gold chains that draped over his chest.

Snowflakes nested into Erestor’s hair and danced on Glorfindel’s eyelashes as they peeked nervously and excitedly at one another.

Arwen, standing beside her mother and rocking back and forth, kept one little fist tightly closed and the other swung a basket of rose petals. Every now and then her mother would pat her on the head or rest a hand on her shoulder to settle the excited elfling.

Elladan and Elrohir stood on the other side of the couple, each holding a velvet ribbon in their grasp. Celebrian, too, had a ribbon, as did Elrond.

Elrond stepped forward, a smile on his face that was outshone by those of the soon-to-be-weds’. “You have come today to begin your marriage. What have thee to proclaim before each other and the Valar?”

Erestor turned, looking up to Glorfindel as the Vanya beamed down at him. “My darling Glorfindel,” he started, his voice soft as his loving smile. “From the first day you returned to this world, and I lay my eyes upon you, I knew I was lost. Your smile, when true, was more beautiful than any flower. Your voice was sweeter music than any song I could imagine. And your pain was the most torturously gorgeous gem, as a silmaril in your soul. So beautiful, your age and wisdom and history, and so tragically burning. No greater honor did I know than your trust, and now I find myself blessed by your love.”

He turned his head to glance over his shoulder at Arwen. Celebrian gently nudged her forward with a pat on the back, and the little peredhel carefully stepped high so she wouldn’t mess up her gown. Erestor and Glorfindel grinned widely at the bowed little head approaching them. She looked up when Erestor’s tunic was in her view and smiled a toothy (and toothless) hello. One chubby, closed fist thrust up to her uncle Erestor and he crouched down as she opened her palm so he could carefully pick up one of the revealed rings.

“Thank you, Arwen,” he whispered when she closed her fist and shuffled backwards. Her hair bounced as she nodded enthusiastically.

Turning back to Glorfindel, Erestor’s smile was glorious. “I, Erestor o Lindon, bind to thee my heart, my body, and my soul. For eternity shall I stand beside you, and at the end of days our souls shall carry on without our flesh. I promise to love and honor you forevermore.” Taking the warrior’s strong and faintly scarred left hand into both of his, he slid the betrothing ring off. With a quick nervous flicker to gauge Glorfindel’s reaction, he slid in its place a gold ring. On the top of his finger the band was thicker, widening to allow small pieces of colored glass to be imbedded in a mosaic. Blues, greens, and violets winked in the light, sending colors dancing onto Erestor’s face.

Glorfindel stared at the colors, recognizing the stain and pattern from a fountain of ages past. His eyes turned then to Erestor and he leaned in to slide their lips together. Elrond cleared his throat politely, and they broke apart grinning.

“Dearest Erestor. I do not believe I can voice the words of how much you have changed and saved me.” He pulled Erestor’s hands against his chest, their gazes burning as they tilted their heads to each other. “There was a time I had convinced myself to stay forever separate to spare myself more damage, and you convinced me to live. I feared love, having lost love, and yet you gave me yours so freely. I lived in constant fear that you would lose me and I would force you to taste the same venom as lay in my heart. Yet you were happy for every second we had. And now you teach me to love freely, and I know no greater honor.”

When Glorfindel’s head tilted, Arwen knew the cue this time and hopped forward to hold up another ring to her uncle Glorfindel. Without turning his eyes from Erestor’s, he lifted the ring and gently brought Erestor’s left hand to his lips for a kiss. “I, Glorfindel o Gondolin, bind to thee my heart, my body, and my soul. For eternity shall I stand beside you, and at the end of days our souls shall carry on without our flesh. I promise to love and honor you forevermore.” He wriggled the band off and replaced it with a slim band of gold. It’s design was simple and flowing, but it stood out for its unique design. Crushed pearls shimmered from within the band, making it sparkle and glow as though snowflakes had been trapped within. Delicate shards of diamonds were arranged to form the small bloom of a rose growing out of the band.

Erestor gasped softly, twisting his hand to examine it before standing on his toes to kiss Glorfindel quickly – breaking off and stepping back with an innocent smile to Elrond before he could clear his throat. They turned back to face Elrond, though their eyes darted constantly to each other.

Elladan stepped forward then, strolling in front of the jittery couple with a smile and a wink. “Marriage is a bond of everlasting love. It is a promise of an eternity with eyes for no other, and an oath of never-ending courtship. But love is more than holding hands and rose-scented notes; love is also passion and fervor. May you never find ennui with one another. With this ribbon, I bind thee in eternal passionate love.”

Erestor’s right hand and Glorfindel’s left lifted and joined together, their pinky fingers curling around their mates as the two smiled giddily to each other. They twisted their hands then, palms pressing together as fingers twined and thumbs caressed. Elladan took his red ribbon and wrapped their hands, slipping the end of the fabric under itself to create a seamless loop. He clasped their hands with both of his, cradling them together. After exactly fourteen seconds, he squeezed before letting them go. With a wink and grin, he bowed and moved back beside Elrohir.

Elrohir, then, stepped forward to stand before them with a smile. He looked between both of his uncles and nodded. “Marriage is a union that will last throughout all ages. Come war, come calm, come grief and come hope, together you shall prevail. Today you will bind yourselves, and in one body and one mind nothing can break you. May you never have strife between you. With this ribbon, I bind thee in eternal peace and understanding.”

Again, the ritual was repeated. This time, though, instead of a thick band of red there was a ribbon of white which crisscrossed over the red. Elrohir leaned closer as he cupped their bound hands and whispered “I somehow doubt that lesson needed said.” He smiled as he bowed, releasing their hands and slipping back to his twin.

Celebrian stepped forward after petting Arwen’s nicely braided hair and giving her a signature motherly look of warning. “My dear friends,” she smiled at them, and the tilt of her head and peace in her eyes foresaw beauty. “Marriage is a commitment that has no ending. Together you shall never know death, for even if thy earthly body should meet harm, your spirits will forever blend as one. In this bond you will share everything, your hurts and your joys, and never again will you comprehend the meaning of alone. May you never be parted. With this ribbon, I bind thee in longevity and companionship.”

A gold ribbon wrapped thinly through the middle of the other fastenings, glowing in the center of the bond. Her long, soft hands delicately wrapped like gossamer thread around their hands as she looked both of them in their eyes, delighting in the love she found. She bowed as she daintily stepped back to her daughter.

Elrond stepped forward, then, a bright blue strip of velvet held before him between his hands. “Before your family and the Valar you have given yourselves to each other. In passionate love, with peace and understanding, for everlasting partnership, you bind heart, mind, and soul.” He wrapped the thick blue velvet around their hands and it covered the colors beneath, blanketing and securing them. His eyes turned to Erestor, and the Noldo looked away from his new husband to meet his gaze. “Completion.”

Erestor beamed, eyes glimmering as he spun to Glorfindel. They bent their arms to hold their bound hands before them, bent up near their chests, as they faced one another. Glorfindel’s free hand slid against Erestor’s neck, fingers tangling into the smooth, thick hair. Though they tried to move slow, the passion overwhelmed them and they pressed close as their lips met and parted.

The grass beneath their feet, though bent and rigid in the winter’s air, sprung free from the ice around it. Icicles from branches nearby dripped single drops to pierce the snow. Though still winter, it was breathtaking and the promise of spring tickled their senses. And always, no matter the season, was the promise of the golden glow of the sun and the silvery beams of the moon to pierce the cold.

* * *

Glorfindel and Erestor sat side by side, though from the way they leaned into one another and forgot anyone else was in the room, they probably would have preferred to be on top of one another. The ribbons binding their hands had been removed and cut in half, and now Erestor’s right hand was wrapped to match Glorfindel’s left hand. Arwen’s innocent questions and excited flower throwing kept them aware enough to keep their dignity.

“Congralations!” she cheered again, for a time that was beyond count. Erestor looked away from Glorfindel long enough to smile at her.

“Thank you again, Arwen.”

Elladan leaned down from his seat beside his twin to lift Arwen onto his lap. “I think you may almost be more excited than they are, Ari.”

“They’re more excited ‘cause of the elflings,” Arwen explained.

“Elflings?” Celebrian asked when Glorfindel and Erestor both shook their heads.

“Yeah, when you get married, you get elflings!”

Elrohir snorted as Elladan shook with a low whine of a laugh. “I don’t think they’re going to get elflings, Ari.”

“Why not?” Arwen hopped from her brother’s arms to climb up beside Glorfindel. “Don’t you like elflings, unca Glorfinnel?”

Erestor chuckled from his spot against Glorfindel’s side. Glorfindel blinked rapidly a few times, looking to his husband for help only to get more chuckles. “Uh, no, Arwen,” he replied when realizing he was on his own. He looked down to the serious round face on his other side. “But to get elflings, you need a mommy, and neither of us are mommies.” He smiled then, relieved.

“Oh.” Arwen’s little eyebrows drew together, making pudgy wrinkles on her forehead as she thought. She twisted to look at her parents; Nana was smiling that grin she always got whenever Arwen started asking people questions, and ada was looking at her with a silly expression. “So you need a mommy to have kids?” She looked back to Glorfindel, who nodded a few times. “That’s okay. You can borrow my mommy.”

Elladan collapsed onto his twin as they both started guffawing at the mental image. Celebrian held in her laughter, lips pressed together in a smile at her daughter who was beaming proudly at the flustered look on Glorfindel’s face and Erestor’s muffled, low laughs from his husband’s shoulder.

“Ah, well, that was very kind of you, Arwen. Thank you. But I think your ada might have something to say about that.” Glorfindel looked up to Elrond who was smiling while attempting to look apologetic.

“Ada always says I should share. He won’t mind.”

Erestor leaned over to ruffle Arwen’s hair gently. “Thank you, little princess, but right now we don’t need any elflings. We have you, after all, and that is plenty enough.”

Elrohir nodded from over his brother’s shoulder. “Besides, bed gets crowded.” He oomphed at the elbow to his ribs and whacked his assailant on the back of the head.

“I’m just glad there was no fire at our wedding,” Glorfindel stated loudly, his face a bit pinker than it had been. Arwen wasn’t quite certain what the adults were tittering about, but she was intrigued by the new discussion.

“How come? Are you ascared of it?”

Erestor sat up then, grinning. “Oh, like at Elrond’s wedding? That was practically disastrous.” The twins settled and leaned forward, expecting a story time.

“Ada’s wedding was disastrous? What happened?” Elladan prompted.

“Story time,” Elrohir agreed.

“Well, your ada had this grand celebration because both he and your nana are so important. There were people from all over there, and we all were at the wedding. And they decided to have this very old ceremony from the first age. At their reception, there was this tradition to build up a big bonfire. The newly bonded along would leap over the flames to symbolize melding of the souls into one, and then their close friends and family could leap as well, and the fire was said to cleanse bad luck from the body and bestow blessings for the future.”

“Wait, peoples jumped over fire? That’s dangerous!” Arwen interrupted, eyes wide. “You shouldn’t play with fire.”

Erestor smiled and nodded. “Very good. You’re quite right. Lord Cirdan would have benefitted from your wisdom, little princess.”

“Cirdan?” Elrohir repeated, chin resting in his hands, elbows propped on his knees. “What did he do?”

“Well,” Erestor continued. Glorfindel watched him with a smile, delighting in the way Erestor told stories to the children. He leaned forwards and made faces and moved his hands, so unlike how he spoke in front of other people when he was all dignity and decorum. “He decided to leap over the flames just as at least eight or nine of the other lords in attendance had done. But he had been drinking miruvor, which contains alcohol, and well,” Erestor paused and leaned forwards, motioning for his audience to lean in as well. “Lord Cirdan never was a very neat eater, and his beard often catches his spills for him,” he whispered before sitting up with a finger to his lips in secrecy. “So he had a bit of the alcohol on his beard when he went to take the leap.”

Glorfindel laughed then, remembering the moment. Erestor cocked his head to look up to him with a grin, and he leaned back to sit against the Vanya as he gestured for him to continue.

“Well, I don’t ever want to hear about any of you trying this, but if you put fire near alcohol, the liquor catches on fire and burns rather quickly. And poor Cirdan jumped over those flames just as a log crackled and sent up sparks. Usually, that wouldn’t cause any problem. Might feel a bit hot, but no damage.” He paused to snicker at the image in his mind. “One of the sparks just landed in the exact spot to catch some of the spill on his beard. The poor fool complained that his chin felt warm, and Erestor looked over to tell him it was likely the extra fur.” He dissolved into helpless chuckles with Erestor.

“There was smoke coming from his chin,” Erestor laughed, his words jumbled from his cackling. “I just threw my glass of cider on him in a panic, not knowing what else to do.”

“He was sticky and smelled like burnt apples all evening,” Elrond remembered fondly.

Elrohir scratched at his stubble with a slight frown. “You mean food gets stuck in this?”

“Depending how long you let it grow, we might even lose Arwen in there,” Elladan supplied, mock fright on his face.

“I don’ wanna be lost in ‘rohir’s face!” Arwen cried, hugging Glorfindel’s arm.

Erestor tilted his head up to rest his cheek on top of Glorfindel’s shoulder, his mouth right by the delicately pointed ear with a single gold hoop. “You still sure you don’t want any children?” he whispered.

Glorfindel turned his head to rub his cheek against Erestor’s. “Mmm, only if this is your way of trying to tell me you’ve been keeping a secret, darling.”

Erestor laughed and nipped the firm neck in front of him. “Afraid not. But I was talking about you.”

“Ah, no, you can’t believe how hard it is to fit into your armor when pregnant. What do you say we try for an elfling anyway?”

“Well, Ari, I think you and I should go look out the window!” Elrohir declared, lifting his sister onto his shoulders and carrying her off.

Erestor blushed and groaned with embarrassment while Glorfindel snickered.

“If you’ll excuse us -”

“I have mental images I’ll never lose,” Elladan whined in response.

“My husband and I would like to go -”

“Change clothes,” Erestor interrupted quickly, not trusting what sort of innuendo Glorfindel may have been about to insert. “And go to bed. It’s been a long day.”

“Going to be a longer night,” Elrohir offered as he stood at the window helping Arwen find constellations.

Glorfindel stood with a laugh and pulled Erestor up with him. “We’ll be in my rooms.”

“That’s what we were hoping,” Elladan grumbled with a grin for his uncles. Erestor pressed his face down and against Glorfindel in embarrassment.

As they left the room, Elrohir turned to shout “See you in a week!”

The door fell shut with a clack, and the twins cackled while their parents shook their heads.

* * *

Erestor finally allowed himself to laugh as they walked down the hall. “Fin, was all that really necessary?”

“I’m sorry, darling. If that’s how you prefer, we can make it a quick night. I wasn’t aware that you liked -”

“Fin!”

They leaned against one another as they walked through the halls, steps perhaps a bit quicker than usual though only Glorfindel would admit to rushing. Around the corner, he pushed Erestor against the wall to attack him for a quick kiss, as the only skin he could find was on his face.

“Two more doors down, on your left, uncle Glorfindel!” Elladan’s voice rang out from down the other hall. Erestor’s head fell back to the wall with a pitiful moan while Glorfindel peeked around the corner.

“Why thank you, Elladan! I’d be lost without your guidance.”

“If you need, I have a book I’ll loan you to help with what to do once you’re inside.”

“That’s quite alright,” Erestor replied, head poking below Glorfindel’s. “I do believe we know that territory.”

Elladan popped back inside as Arwen’s innocent voice echoed from somewhere within, followed by Elrond’s sharp calling of his name.

Erestor leaned back against the wall to smile up at Glorfindel. “If you need help, I promise not to laugh while assisting.”

Glorfindel nibbled along what he could find of Erestor’s neck, biting below his ear tenderly. “You’re too kind.”

“Mmm, and as delightful as this is, I think you’re supposed to be horizontal. This is vertical.”

“Well damn, I wondered why those fools always swung their swords in the wrong direction.” Before Erestor could say anything in response, Glorfindel scooped him into his arms and smiled down at the laughing face. “Better, dear?”

Erestor’s arms wound around his neck as he nodded. “You’re getting there.”

The captain carried his treasure down the hall, pausing before it as he noticed it was cracked open. “You know, I always wanted to do this on my wedding day.” With that, he kicked the door open, sending it banging into the wall, and stepped in with Erestor cradled to his chest. His foot reached back to swing the door shut, and Erestor twisted to stretch out and lock it before he was floating away.

He fell upon the firm bed, disoriented as his eyes watched Glorfindel above him. Strong fingers worked sightlessly over clasps to remove the red cloak, and it was tossed upon a chair on the other side of the room, draping over the arm and fluttering on the floor. He watched his cloak for a moment, frowning at its mistreatment, but then Glorfindel was on top of him and he could no longer see anything else.

After a week of sleeping in the same bed with few clothes between them, sharing naught but chaste kisses and cuddles, the idea of foreplay was absurd. There was no time, no patience for gentle hands or soft pecks. As Glorfindel descended to capture Erestor’s mouth, the councilor pushed himself up and latched onto a shoulder to take the kiss as his own. The clinking of their teeth echoed in their heads as they exchanged breath and tried to outmaneuver the other tongue.

Erestor growled and pushed the tight shoulder in his grasp, trying to reverse their positions, but Glorfindel held fast. So he reached his other hand to grab a hank of smooth golden curls and yank them, thus pulling the warrior along. He pushed his advantage and knocked Glorfindel to his back, clambering atop him sloppily in his elegant robes. He kissed over to the right ear and grabbed the hoop between his teeth, tugging it as his hand slid down cool silk to palm over a warm bulge.

Glorfindel groaned and twisted in attempt to get at Erestor’s chest, but every tug only revealed more fabric. He grabbed a fistful of stiff brocade and pulled the Noldo to fall flat atop him. “I want these off,” he rasped into the dark hairs floating down over his face.

Erestor pulled up, dark eyes flitting over Glorfindel beneath him. With his hair loose and pillowed beneath him, and his mouth open and eyes lusting, he looked like the Glorfindel of Imladris. But the fitted clothes in their bold and vibrant hues and the golden flowers dancing across him declared him a Lord of old, and Erestor was awed at the threatening promise of power beneath those tunics. His slim fingers made short work of the blue cloak, tossing it in the direction of his red one. He carefully lifted the mithril from his head, a few dark strands stuck in it like a web, and leaned over Glorfindel to place it on the end table.

Below, Glorfindel, took the opportunity of Erestor above him and distracted to start pulling the outer tunic off. The stiff fabric crinkled as it bunched over his waist, pulling some of the velvet with it.

Erestor slithered back down, letting Glorfindel pull the shirt over his head and lifting his arms to free them a moment later. He reached up to smooth his hair from his face but was halted as he found himself again on his back, Glorfindel once more over him, eyes now admiring him. He shivered under the piercing gaze and tilted his head back invitingly, pale neck arching against dark hair.

Glorfindel’s clothes being infinitely simpler to remove, he bent over to kiss along the offered flesh, suckling at the hollow above his collarbone. Erestor moaned and hunched his shoulders against the pinching tug, his skin prickling to goosebumps. The hot mouth backed away, trailing down in teasing caresses over covered flesh. His tongue delighted in the texture of warmed velvet and his teeth tugged the fabric as he slid down the quivering body.

Erestor gasped and pressed up when one of his nipples was tortured with the thought of a hot tongue and greeted by warm and dampened velvet sliding against it. He kicked off his boots in hope to speed things up, and his hands trembled as they skipped down the strong back bent above him to squeeze at clenching cheeks.

Glorfindel hummed, a light chuckle sneaking its way in, as he moved his mouth down lower. The process forced him to creep backwards and thus removing the rather lovely massage from his posterior. As he bent to tease along Erestor’s stomach, his hands moved to remove his own clothes. His circlet came off first, bouncing to the foot of the bed where it stood guard. He lifted just long enough to pull his outer tunic off and toss it somewhere off the bed before crawling backwards again so his mouth was over where he estimated there was a bulge. Somewhere beneath all those folds and pools of velvet.

“Unh, Fin, please. Don’t tease,” Erestor wailed, head tossed to the side and eyes squeezed shut. Glorfindel took a moment to watch through hooded eyes the way the flush lit Erestor’s cheeks. Before he could move to do anything else, the Noldo arched his hips off the bed and yanked his own clothes up to his chest with a grunt.

Glorfindel grinned lasciviously, a rather crooked and lazy smile, as he leaned up to help his struggling lover get it over his head. The fabric pooled in a green puddle over Erestor’s head as he fell back to the bed with a moan.

Glorfindel took the opportunity to shed his own tunic, which came off simply with a few buttons and a twist of his muscled shoulders to slide off the bed behind him. His boots were toed off next as he crawled forward, Erestor scooting beneath him until his head hit a pillow. Their mouths met again, Erestor moaning in approval as a slick and bare chest pressed him into the mattress. The warmth above felt delightful against the cool covers on his back and he pulled Glorfindel tighter, shifting his leg to hook over one of the slender hips.

The movement brought their encased erections together and Erestor bucked up with a growling moan. When Glorfindel’s mouth left his to nibble and lick his ear, he took the opportunity to gasp for air between pants and short cries. “Enough, please Fin, enough. You’re teasing again.”

Glorfindel teethed the delicate point before pulling back and licking his swollen lips. “Enough,” he agreed as he licked at Erestor’s parted lips, teasing his tongue to try to catch him. His hands slid over the slender body beneath him, lithe muscles covering the delicate bones. The pale skin glistened in the candlelight of the room as he trembled. Down over a slender waist and catching the cool edge of fabric, Erestor’s hips lifted to allow his leggings to be slid down. The long legs kicked and squirmed to help eliminate the clothing.

Erestor’s hands slid up as well, less delicate in their removal of the black leggings as he tugged them down jerkily before sliding his hands back up to explore the muscular angles of buttocks and thighs.

Glorfindel lifted the lean thighs that parted for him, coaxing Erestor to bend his knees. He sat in the space parted for him, legs folded beneath him and cock proudly pointing the way. Erestor, without needing prompt, reached an arm to fall against the side table and grope about. His hand rested on a bowl and he turned his head in dazed confusion, only to laugh at the dish of chocolates and the note propped beside it in the scrawling handwriting of one of the twins. Next to the note was a generous bottle of clear oil.

Wrapping his fingers around the cool glass, he thrust it down towards Glorfindel who accepted it with a lingering caress for his hand. He dropped his arm down to fall above his head, gripping and smoothing the pillowcase alternately.

Glorfindel poured a generous amount of the slick liquid to his hands before dropping it onto the covers at his knees. For a moment he watched Erestor’s chest rise and fall unevenly, stomach quivering and muscles alternately tensing and relaxing as he panted and let out soft grunts or whimpers. He rubbed his flushed cheek against the pillow, eyes opened in slits to anxiously watch Glorfindel’s every move.

Feeling an odd twist of nerves in his stomach, he proceeded cautiously, his hands journeying lightly over tight thighs and dipping down to smooth over the pelvis, sliding up to palm over the soft balls and lightly circle the stiff cock curving over the flat stomach.

As heavily lidded deep brown eyes bored into him he ran one finger down the winking ring of muscle in the center of his target. The knots in his stomach felt like butterflies trying to rip out and escape through his throat and he swallowed the unexpectedly extreme nerves back down. He pressed his single finger against the center of the opening, nudging in small circles, before pushing and slipping within.

Erestor let out a sharp whine, twisting his shoulders and pressing his head into the pillows with a grimace on his face. His eyes opened and the expression melted as he lifted his head to look down at Glorfindel, pressing a chaste kiss to his knee. He smiled shakily when the blue eyes met his.

Glorfindel twisted the finger, watching Erestor’s reaction cautiously as he crept a bit deeper, bent upwards, and –

Erestor inhaled sharply, eyes widening. Again Glorfindel’s finger tipped up, softly but firmly applying pressure, and Erestor writhed at the shocks shooting through him from the spot being touched. He arched his hips up while simultaneously rocking back, a confused wail ripping from his throat.

Glorfindel grinned and nipped at the thigh before him as he pulled the finger out, adding two more beside it as he pressed in again. The snug, hot, smooth grip around him convulsed and squeezed his fingers together almost painfully before relaxing and allowing them to inch inside.

The fluttering in his stomach faded away as Erestor began pushing down, toes curled, and Glorfindel pulled his hand slowly away. The air felt cold after the hot rhythmic gripping and he comforted himself by reaching to caress Erestor’s cheek until the dark eyes slid open to look at him.

“Eternity with you, dear Erestor, will never be long enough. It is you, not the Valar, who have returned me to life.” He pressed a kiss to the soft and opened lips, feeling the shaky puff of warm air in his mouth as Erestor sighed. Positioning himself against Erestor’s entrance, he waited until the next exhale before pushing slowly in.

The muscle fluttered and trembled against the head of his cock before giving as he slid within, and he moaned at the dizzyingly tight slickness that slowly enveloped him. The bump of hips meeting pelvis stopped him and he lifted his head to catch his shortened breath.

Beneath him Erestor was pulling his own hair, eyes squeezed shut and jaw dropped in attempt to get more air though he had stopped breathing. He gasped to find the air to groan, shifting his hips as he tried to get comfortable. The sheet under him was damp, and he arched his back to cool.

Tentatively, Glorfindel pulled out and pushed back in, crying out as a jolt ran through him that set every nerve on fire. Erestor, too, yelped and dropped back to the bed as his eyes snapped open to search Glorfindel’s expression.

Glorfindel thrust again, arms giving out as he dropped to press his face into Erestor’s neck, nuzzling at the pulse he felt rapidly drumming. Every time he pressed in it was as though lightning struck and raced over his skin, and his only thought was to feel more.

Erestor flexed his lower body to wrap his legs high on Glorfindel’s waist, heels digging into his back and toes tightly curled. His hand detangled from his now knotted hair to claw at Glorfindel’s back and his face turned to nuzzle against the damp waves that smelled of lavender and sweat. The discomfort had faded almost immediately into mind-numbing and soul-tingling bliss. Every brush of hair over his face, every slide of stomach over his straining cock, every touch of chest to one of his peaked nipples sent him keening and wriggling. His heart felt like it skipped a beat, thudding awkwardly once before picking up a steadier and deafening tempo within his mind.

Glorfindel reached his right hand, knuckles white and straining against the blue velvet tied about it to weave his fingers with Erestor’s left hand. The velvets were pressed against each other as Erestor’s fingernails made indentations into the bony skin.

Glorfindel trembled to the extent of shivering violently at the sensation of suddenly being full. His heart felt like it was too small and beat like a hummingbird’s, and his mind scrambled with pictures and thoughts and words he felt like he had to say yet the notion he had already said them, and his body felt terribly weak as the drive to get closer and faster and harder took control. Beneath him Erestor’s cries had devolved into nonsensical wails and shrieks split apart by the breathless rasping of his name. He could feel the thin nails digging through the flesh on his hand while the nails across his back carved a signature between his shoulders. The heels above his hips were attempting to snap his spine as Erestor arched himself clear off the bed but for his shoulders and neck.

Before he knew it was upon him, Glorfindel screamed what he intended to be Erestor’s name as he came, the sensations more powerful than he had ever imagined. White fire burned his eyes and he squeezed them shut as he distantly, above the roar of his own blood, heard Erestor shriek. The pain and exhaustion seemed to disappear as though they were naught but a heavy cloak thrown over his shoulders that someone finally lifted. His heart seemed to be have an echo within his chest, and his thoughts were met with feelings of comfort that he could only relate to the sensation he had felt when one of the Valar had lowered themselves to speak to him.

Erestor slowly opened his eyes to find himself half beneath Glorfindel. He closed his eyes again, a contented smile on his face. Something beside him caught his attention and he turned his head as he squinted open one eye. The velvet wrapping their hands seemed to him to be glowing but he dismissed the strange heat he felt as the simple result of two sweaty hands gripped together. His heartbeat seemed odd, as though it were beating twice for every one beat, and after a moment’s contemplation he lifted his hand from Glorfindel’s back to curl around the sweat-dampened neck. The pulse matched his perfectly.

A smile spread across his face as glazed blue eyes peered at him beneath a mass of gold. “Completion,” he realized, as a tear slid down his face. He pulled Fin’s hand to his chest and waited for the awed confusion to cross the tired face. “Never being alone.” Their hearts echoed within each other’s chest. “And never hiding.” The warmth in the back of their minds sent a laughing vibe through them as Glorfindel rolled to his back and pulled Erestor on top of him.

As they slid into easy slumber, the ribbons flashed brilliantly one last time. The glow surrounded the sleeping couple before melting into them, and their skin appeared to sparkle like fresh snow in the morning sun.
 

END