Title: Doren En Ind
Author: Anarane Narmalanya (.uk)
Type: FCS
Characters: Erestor/Glorfindel
Warnings: angst,
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I hereby quote that I Anarane Narmalanya receive no profit for publishing LOTR Fan fiction. I do not own the characters (Except for Glorfael, Hathel and Meren) or make a profit.
Summary: Ecthelion and Erestor are twins. Glorfindel wants Ecthelion, but the feeling isn't mutual. Erestor, however does want Glorfindel. Glorfindel talks his father into an arranged marriage between the houses...Ecthelion is aware of Erestor's feelings, talks him into trading places with him at the wedding...and Glorfindel doesn't figure it out until the wedding night. The whole situation, of course, manages to bleed over into Imladris.
~~~ Chapter 14 ~~~
A/N: Sorry for the delay everyone. Life, work and exams gets in the way at times. Please read and review and enjoy.
Doubt
The remaining months were swift and painful. The bond between father and son's had further disintegrated with many disputes and harsh words. Glorfindel had become estranged, except for when forced to accompany the twins or Erestor, whom he thought to be Ecthelion, under chaperone company.
Finally, the day of their binding arrived.
Erestor lay quietly in his bathing basin, whilst Ecthelion sat at his head, cleansing his hair.
"It has gone so quickly," he whispered, his voice laced with regret and despair, "How did our lives change so quickly 'Thel? When did all of this..." he indicated to his white ceremonial robes which hung upon the door, "Become so complicated?"
Ecthelion sighed heavily and rubbed his shoulders, "Since adar saw fit to interfere in our lives gwador,"
"I would give anything to return to before this gwanunig, when I was a bookworm and you were outgoing and sociable."
"Nothing has changed there gwador," Ecthelion whispered against his twin's brow, bestowing a tender kiss before returning to his task.
"Everything has changed Bellas... I have changed,"
"All will be well little brother, it shall not be long that we must keep up this ruse now... just a little while longer. I am so proud of you,"
Erestor settled into silence once more, his thoughts returning to three days prior, when their father's had forced them to relate; with Lord Hathel suggesting a private walk in the gardens.
~~~ Flashback ~~~
Erestor glanced everywhere but at the tall, powerful warrior at his side. He had never felt so ill at ease in his entire life, short though it may be.
He wiped his clammy palms upon his robe and took a deep breath. Tis not difficult to make conversation Erestor, he scolded himself, speak! Say anything! Just do away with this awkwardness! SPEAK!
"Your hair looks particularly lovely today Glorfindel," Erestor rolled his eyes and cringed. Aye... you should have said nothing Erestor.
Scowling at himself and cursing his inner voice, he missed Glorfindel's happy smile and the ease of his shoulders; until a large hand encircled his own.
Erestor gasped and looked sharply at the golden warrior, who's stride eased and slowed.
"Thank you 'Thel, you are looking particularly lovely today," at the mention of his brother's name, Erestor's heart fell: twas a cruel reminder that none of this was real. "Although, I have been concerned for you this past year,"
"You have?" he asked, swallowing past the lump of emotion in his throat and basking in the warrior's touch.
"Aye, you have lost weight and you have become so reserved. Erestor seems to have come out of his shell through this, he is behaving more like you," Erestor inwardly rolled his eyes; he would have to remind his wayward brother to behave more appropriately.
"It has been a little... difficult, this situation," he answered truthfully. He glanced at Glorfindel and caught a strange emotion flicker through the warrior's eyes before he looked away, his shoulders tense.
"Aye,"
To Erestor's surprise, Glorfindel released his hand and an unease settled between them once more. He watched Glorfindel carefully for a few moments, yet there was no inclination to his inner thoughts. With a sigh and a frustrated scowl, Erestor suffered a sufficient amount of discomfit until the stroll ended.
Upon reaching Hathel's domain once more, Glorfindel turned to Erestor and cleared his throat, "Well... namarie, Ecthelion,"
Receiving another cold slap in the face, from the mention of his brother's name -from the elf he loved- Erestor stiffened, his gaze becoming crisp and cold. "Namarie, Lord Glorfindel," then, with those bitter words, he entered his home without looking back at the hurt elf behind him.
~~~ End of flashback ~~~
Ecthelion adjusted his brother's braids and the circlet that rested upon his brow. "Beautiful, as always," he crooned with a soft smile. He looked into his brother's eyes and his smile faded, "Erestor?"
His younger brother trembled and looked at his twin with large, wet eyes, "I cannot do this Thel, I am so afraid. I am not like you; it is easier to play the coward than the champion,"
"Stop this Erestor!" he hissed, catching his brother's face. "You are not a coward; you are my strength... my hero. You can do this; you are a strategic genius, think of it like a game,"
"But it is not a game Thel! This is our lives! Ada and nana will know we have switched immediately,"
"Erestor get a hold of yourself!" he shook his brother and just then the door opened and their parents stepped into the chamber.
"Ai you look beautiful meleth," Meren crooned as she swept forwards and embraced her son.
Erestor fell immediately into his brother's persona, were he would have bloomed, Ecthelion would accept the affection with almost exasperation, "Le hannon nanneth,"
Ecthelion smiled proudly before taking upon a calm, timid character. He looked up as Hathel stepped towards him and managed to smile sweetly at their father.
"Watch your brother with pride today Erestor, for I am filled with joy," he then stepped towards whom he assumed to be Erestor and held out his arm which his son clasped, "I am sorry this has happened this way ion nin, but I know you will do me proud... I know you will make this work,"
Erestor swallowed thickly, remaining impassive to conceal the lie between them. "I will adar, I know my duty,"
Hathel nodded, "Then we will proceed you," he took hold of his wife's hand and nodded to his youngest son, "Come Erestor,"
Ecthelion glanced at his apprehensive brother and smiled proudly before stepping close, "This is your chance Erestor, your dream come true... do not waste it," with that he took his leave.
Erestor, now alone, glanced at his reflection, his heart racing. "You can do this Erestor, just a little longer... just a little longer," taking a deep breath and smoothing out his pristine robes; Erestor made his way from his chambers and took measured steps along the hall.
Focussing upon the noise of the gathered elves within the great gardens, he ignored his racing heart and clammy palms. As he reached the great doors leading to the garden's, he took a deep breath, silence descended and he stepped onto the green grass.
TBC
Translation:
Ion Nin: My son
Gwador: brother
Gwanunig: Twin