Title: Doren En Ind

Author: Anarane Narmalanya

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 36 ~~~

So Near And Yet So Far

Glorfindel smiled as he looked over his preparations; perfect, it was simply perfect. He looked over his reflection in the vanity mirror and adjusted one of the braids securing his unruly mane. He was ready; he was prepared to confront the difficult councillor.

The Elda's smile faded; what if Erestor was purposefully difficult? What if this did not go as planned? He could not bear Erestor's dismissal this night.

He would not allow it.

A sharp, distinct rapping upon the door meant only one thing: Erestor had arrived.

The Vanyarin warrior straightened and tugged at his collar, his eyes set with purpose. He would not allow Erestor to come between them any longer.

With grim determination, Glorfindel made his way over to the door and theatrically opened it, finding the stern advisor stood before him.

"Mae govannen!"

"Must you always be so melodramatic and raucous?" the councillor grumbled.

"Of course," Glorfindel grinned, "you look beautiful,"

Silver eyes traversed him with disinterest, "No, I do not. I have not changed my clothing and I have made no effort, now let us get this over with," he brushed past Glorfindel, who shook his head with amusement.

"Very well,"

With long strides, he preceded the irritable advisor to the romantically set table and pulled out his chair.

Erestor froze; "What are you doing?"

"Do they no longer do this?" Glorfindel asked with sincere concern.

Silver eyes narrowed, yet Glorfindel did not miss the slight quirk of full, red lips. With a half-hearted grumble, Erestor sat and patiently awaited Glorfindel to join him. The moment he had done so, Erestor reached for the cover concealing their evening meal.

It was Glorfindel's hand atop his own that halted him, "Wait,"

A tension developed between them and darkened eyes settled upon their touching hands. Erestor's eyes slowly rose to meet heady blue; neither could deny the sexual spark between them.

"Erestor, I know you do not wish to be here and I know after this there will be no further opportunities, but please can we not just be civil? I know it is hard for you, but just for one evening, can we not forget the animosity between us?"

Erestor pulled his hand away and glared at the Elda; of all the nerve! With a brutal retort upon his tongue, Erestor prepared to dismantle the huge warrior's audacity when he caught notice of Glorfindel's moist eyes and pouting lips. He was uncertain if the warrior feigned his sorrow or had truthful intentions; it was likely a little of both.

The rebuke died within his throat and was instead replaced with a lump of emotion; "Glorfindel," he lowered his head for a moment, before returning his attention to wounded sapphires, "I cannot just-"

Glorfindel reached out to cover his hand once more, "I know, I know Erestor," he crooned, "What I did was inexcusable and I do not presume for you to forgive me so simply, I only hope... that we may at least be courteous with one another, if not friends?"

Emotion blocked Erestor's throat, this was too much; it was too painful, "I cannot do this Glorfindel,"

The Seneschal's hand surrounded his slender wrist, "No saes, we have not yet given us a chance Erestor, saes, I will remain silent about such matters... about anything you ask of me,"

The old advisor shook his head and rose to his feet, "Nay, I care not for my honour and pride, I cannot do this Glorfindel. You ask too much of me," with a flick of his wrist, he had removed Glorfindel's hold and made his way towards the door.

"Erestor!" A large hand caught his arm and Erestor allowed himself to be turned, his eyes firmly closed against the elf that ruled his heart. "Please look at me,"

Gentle fingertips brushed along his cheek and his eyes gradually opened, revealing all that was within; his love, his fear, his despair. Glorfindel's eyelids lowered and he gathered Erestor's small hands against his colossal chest, "Please do not leave this way, please. I... I am trying, I know I infuriate you, but I am sincere, I want to be all that you desire, Erestor. Saes, I know what I did was despicable, but I am no longer that elf; I was infantile, egotistical and obtuse," he shuffled closer to the chief councillor, looking down upon him, "But I am no longer a monster, I swear it, death has transformed me; I am reliable, mature and... a lot taller than you, have you reduced in size?"

Erestor laboured to conceal his amusement and Glorfindel smiled sweetly at him.

"I know I hurt you Erestor, but it is my wish to reconcile with you. Please, please give me another chance,"

The councillor's heart raced, with his hands warmly cradled and his gaze secured, he was defenceless to Glorfindel's allure.

"Saes, saes," Glorfindel sweetly rubbed his nose tip alongside the councillor's, "I beg of you to give me at least a chance,"

Too much.

"You wanted my brother Glorfindel, not I,"

Sapphire eyes closed, "It is true, but it is you who I now want, who I have always wanted,"

"Why? Because the other is not here?"

"No!"

Erestor pulled away from the powerful captain, "I have no faith in you Glorfindel, you wanted Ecthelion and I know that it is he you now still crave for,"

"No, Erestor please! You are my soul mate!"

"I am not!" Erestor roared, glaring up at the desperate ellon. This was it; his dignity was lost, "You are nothing to me and I will not be Ecthelion for you! Find another lookalike and leave me alone!"

Glorfindel's heart tore in twain as Erestor turned from him, and without a word he walked from his chambers... and from his life.

The Seneschal's knees buckled and his fingers entwined in the soft strands of the rug beneath him. The pain was unbearable. He lowered his head to the ground and released a moan of anguish; that was it, his one and only chance and it was gone, Erestor was gone... his beloved was gone.

Yet despite his turmoil, a sudden fire burned within his stomach. Grinding his teeth, Glorfindel's furious gaze settled upon the door. Nay, Erestor would not run from him so easily, not this time; they would not suffer needlessly. Resolute, Glorfindel rose to his feet.

Enough was enough.

TBC

Translation:

Mae govannen: well met

Saes: Please