Athrana (Wandering Shadow)
Chapter 25- Confrontation Part 2
TA3019, February
Hearing Athriel's tears from the other room the elder elves make their way back to her. As they open the door they find her sitting on the floor. "I never should have come back" she said refusing to look up at them. "I never should have come home." Erestor knelt down in front of her and forced her to look at him. Look at me Athriel. Look at me. Don't you ever say that again! You hear me!" She shook her head out of his grip and continued to look at the floor. "They hate me" she said. Glorfindel could see the tears building up in Erestor's eyes as he knelt beside him to help. "It's just the shock Athriel; they will calm down any they will regret how they reacted." She didn't reply just sat there shaking her head. It was as if they couldn't hear a word they were saying.
Erestor tried to remain cheerful. "Why don't you go and find them huh? You've had arguments before, and you've always gotten through them." Glorfindel tried again. "They just need to some time to get used to you being back Athriel. They thought you were dead, and all of a sudden you are back here again." The warrior was so focused on helping Athriel he didn't think about what he was saying or how Erestor would take it. "Remember when I saw you, it took me some time to get used to the situation. It took time to process everything. When I saw you out there it was different, easier to take in. They came home to find you here in your old room in your old clothes. They are just in shock"
Athrana nodded and let Erestor help her up. "Why don't you go and wash your face, then you can go look for them and sort everything out." He led her through her bedroom and watched as she walked through to the bathroom. Once the door was closed Erestor indicated with his eyes that they should retreat to their own rooms.
For a long time they sat in silence while Erestor stared at the picture of himself and Athriel that sat above the mantle. He was waiting for Athriel to leave. He had not missed what Glorfindel had said. The night that Athriel had snuck back into her own rooms was not the first time Glorfindel had seen her since her 'death'. He had obviously known that she was alive before Erestor had found out. He could see Glorfindel fidget in his chair; he knew there was something wrong. When the golden warrior opened his mouth to speak Erestor raised a hand. No they weren't going to talk about this until Athriel had left.
They listened as Athriel moved through her rooms and closed the front door behind her. Once her footsteps had faded Erestor turned to face the other elf and asked the question burning in his brain. "How long have you known?" Glorfindel looked so miserable, but he had to know. "Erestor...I..." Erestor didn't want excuses he wanted answers. "How long Glorfindel?" The slayer took a deep breath and admitted the most difficult thing he had ever had to admit to the love of his life. "October" He cringed as Erestor took this in "What?"
Finally it was all out in the open. Glorfindel only hoped that Erestor would understand his side. Not that he deserved his understanding. "October the 20th. When we reached the ford she was there. She didn't mean for me to recognise her, but how could I not. Even with that cloak on, I knew it was her. And then I saw her face and I couldn't believe it." Understanding however did not appear to be on the advisors mind. "You lied to me" Glorfindel closed his eyes trying to block out what he knew was going to happen. They had always been honest with each other, but he had only done what he thought was best for all of them. "No Erestor, no please. She begged me not to tell you. She said she wasn't ready to come home. I tried to convince her but she wouldn't. I promised her I wouldn't say anything. I knew she would come back on her own when she was ready. Erestor, I..."
Suddenly everything fell into the place. Glorfindel's odd behaviour over the last few months, his determination to avoid Erestor after his return from the ford. He had been hiding this the entire time. "Get out" Erestor had said it so quietly Glorfindel had barely heard him. Somehow it would have been better if Erestor had yelled. A hysterical Erestor Glorfindel could cope with, there was some hope then. But Erestor was completely calm. He was completely serious. "What?" Erestor didn't even look up. "Get out, just go Glorfindel. I don't think can even look at you right now." The warrior tried one last time. Desperate. "Erestor Please" But once the chief councillor had made up his mind there was no changing it. "Get out"
Glorfindel stood slowly hoping that somehow between here and the door Erestor would change his mind. He stopped when he reached the door trying not to let the tears fall. "I'll be in one of the guest rooms" As the door closed Erestor pulled a blanket around himself. Suddenly the room seemed so much colder than it should be.
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