Disclaimer. Not mine. Never will be. Dammit.
A/N: thank you for the reviews. Sorry about the delay in updates. Long story. Anyway, to the reviewer who gave me Ecthelion's background, thank you. I admit I did not know any of that. I just borrowed the pairing from a friend who is doing a Glory Ecthe story and from what she told me, Ecthe is an elf. Sorry, I guess I should have checked, but I did not have the resources. But still, I should have tried from the Internet. Sorry again. For the sake of my story, I am going to specify that Ecthe is an elf, a warrior in the last alliance, and a few hundred years older than Glory. Kay? Sorry. I'll try not to make another blooper like that again. Thank you for the info.
I would also like to remind everyone that this is AU, so some events are my ideas, though I borrow quite a lot from the movie, and some details in the books. Yes, they did not know that Bilbo had the ring. Well, they do now. Hehe.
Now, the story…
His mind came back to the present, but with it was a pain in his heart. Haldir sighed and closed his eyes. He would never forget that day.
/Ecthelion, I do not know you. I have never met you. But how I hate you./
The dull ache throbbed in his heart.
/You hold my love's heart. And I want it. But I cannot have it. You took it with you when you died./
A soft breeze blew by, and Haldir shivered a little.
/Please, give it back./
The breeze grew stronger.
/So he can give it to someone…/
The leaves of the trees rustled.
/…like me./
"Haldir, are you alright?" Orophin asked, a little worried at Haldir's expression.
"I am fine." Haldir was amazed at how well his brothers could tell what he was feeling.
Rumil and Orophin looked at each other disbelievingly, but let the matter rest.
Again, Haldir's mind lingered on the memory of Glorfindel's declaration of love…to Ecthelion.
Glorfindel also refocused on the present. He could not afford to let his mind wander off too far.
/Ecthelion. He is the only one I love./ He reminded himself.
/Haldir./ Glorfindel looked at the faraway trees of the Golden Woods.
/He is a friend. A lover. That is all./
Glorfindel urged his mount faster.
/Then why am I so anxious to see him again?/
He closed his eyes and listened to the passing wind.
/Valar, why did you bring me back to this earth? You let Ecthelion die with me, yet you gave me back my life. Are you punishing me?/
He opened his eyes and raised them to the skies.
/And Haldir. Why is he in my life?/
There were no answers.
/Why did I meet him? Why did he become my lover? Why did he accept me?/
Glorfindel knew no answers were coming.
/Ecthelion. Haldir./
He returned his gaze to the sky.
/I cannot love again. I still love Ecthelion./
A bird flew by.
/So what do I feel for the March Warden? Why does he haunt my dreams? Why does he stay in my mind?/
There were so many questions he wanted to ask. But no answers came to mind.
He did not need this. The One Ring has been found. That should be his primary concern.
But his heart won't let him be.
/It is Ecthelion I love./ he told himself firmly.
/…Forever./
"I see them!" Rumil cried out as the elves from Rivendell came into view. Haldir's mind snapped back to the present, his musings lost as he saw the approaching riders.
/Glorfindel./
A ghost of a smile lingered on his lips but vanished instantly as he resumed being the March Warden, and not an elf greeting his lover.
/You are here again./
The Galadhrim moved forward to meet the arriving party.
/Why is it that no matter how much you hurt me, I still feel happier than ever when you are here? With me?/
"Welcome to the Golden Woods. This way please. The Lady is expecting you."
/I love you so much./
Haldir and his team led the elves towards the Lady's meeting grounds. The other Galadhrim stayed behind and continued to patrol the borders.
/Perhaps too much./
Haldir stole a glance at his lover. He let his gaze linger for the fleetest of moments, then looked away as if he never rested his eyes upon the other elf.
/Foolish heart./
Lady Galadriel sighed.
"I do not wish for him to suffer so." she told her husband.
"It is beyond your control, my love. He has made his choice. And he lives with it."
"Perhaps I should have warned him. I should not have asked him to escort Lord Glorfindel that night." she still felt that somehow it was her fault that this was happening..
"Love, you cannot change what has happened. I am sure there is a reason for this. The fates work in mysterious ways. Even if you had not been there, they would have found a way for this to happen. Now come, Lord Elrond and the others have arrived. There is a much graver business at hand."
Lady Galadriel sighed again.
"I know." /Oh Haldir. I am sorry that you suffer so, my child. Glorfindel, you stupid oaf!!/
Lord Celeborn raised a brow at his wife. He never knew her to curse. Or use the word oaf. But then again, Glorfindel was a stupid oaf. With that reaffirmation, he escorted his wife to meet the elves from Imladris.
The meeting was held in the Lady's home. There, seated around the table, were Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, Lord Elrond, Glorfindel, Erestor, Elrohir, Elladan, and Gandalf the Grey. Standing guard were Haldir's team.
"So it is true. The One Ring has been found." Lady Galadriel spoke in a clear, gentle voice.
"Yes. It is in the possession of Bilbo Baggins." said Gandalf the Grey.
"Perhaps it is time you paid him a visit, Gandalf." Lord Elrond suggested.
"Aye. It is time." agreed the Istari.
The next few hours were spent discussing their next move. The ring was moving, and they knew that Sauron would sense it soon. They needed to move fast. They could not allow the evil lord to repossess the ring of power. Otherwise, middle earth would be doomed.
Tension was in the air when it was finally confirmed throughout Lothlorien that the rumors were true about the One Ring. The war has begun.
Haldir tried not to let his gaze rest on his lover. He knew that if he did, all thoughts on the impending doom would flee his mind and he would not be able to concentrate on anything but his love. He could not afford to do that. He had to keep his head on. But it was not an easy task.
Amidst the news of doom and other bad things, Rumil and Orophin amused themselves by watching their brother make an effort not to look at Glorfindel. They hid smiles everytime Haldir slipped and stole a glance. They mentally counted how many times their brother lost his battle within himself, so they could tease him later. Unknown to the three, Glorfindel watched them through veiled eyes, especially Haldir.
/Haldir./
Glorfindel continued to look at his lover. He noticed how the younger elf tried not to look at him. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw everytime Haldir glanced his way. Glorfindel frowned slightly.
/Haldir, what…?/
He wasn't sure if what he saw in Haldir's eyes were real. Then Haldir glanced again.
They were real.
/How could I have been so blind as to miss this?/
Glorfindel shifted his attention back to the meeting, still wearing a frown. But he was distracted to see Erestor watching him. His friend gave him a knowing smile.
/I am not the only one who sees it. Erestor saw it before me when it was I who should have realized it from the very beginning. He tried to tell me but I did not believe him./
Glorfindel smiled back and gave a slight nod of salute.
/Haldir, your emotions are so clear in your eyes. How could I have missed it?/
Erestor accepted the salute with an answering nod as if to say 'I told you so', which nearly made Glorfindel laugh out loud at his friend's show of arrogant victory. But his mind remained on his lover.
/If I had known this from the beginning, I would most likely have left you. I would have been angry. But not now. Not when the events twelve years ago is still fresh in my mind./
Glorfindel looked at Haldir again, this time catching the other elf's eyes as once again the other elf slipped his guard.
/You love me, March Warden./
Haldir gave him a faltering smile, blushing at having been caught staring. Glorfindel smiled back.
/Now that I know, I will hear you say it./
Haldir wearily dragged himself into his talan. The meeting had stretched on for hours. And the fact that he had been on continuous duty for three and a half weeks helped explain his condition. He closed his eyes as he entered the door.
/I am going to sleep for a month./
He closed the door behind him and leaned heavily against it. As was his seemingly unending habit, his mind drifted to his lover.
/Ah, Glorfindel./ He did not see where the eldar went after the meeting ended. He had seen him leave, but did not have the luxury of following.
/Probably in his quarters./
A smile appeared on his lips.
/Hmmm, I wonder what he'd do if I snuck into his rooms?/
But he knew he was too tired to accomplish such a feat. He had wanted to be with the older elf tonight. He missed him. But that was not to be.
He moved towards the bed and fell upon it. He closed his eyes and continued his fantasy.
/How would he react to finding the March Warden of Lothlorien naked in his bed?/ Haldir laughed at the idea.
/He'll probably scream bloody murder. Or be insulted. Or…something./
"What's so amusing?"
Haldir would have jumped off the bed if he had the strength. His eyes snapped open and he bolted to a sitting position.
Glorfindel sat on a chair across the bed, watching him with interest, and something else that Haldir could not name. The eldar smiled at his dumbfounded expression.
"How…when…?" Haldir did not finish the sentence as Glorfindel stood up and went to sit on the bed beside him.
"My, March Warden. You've grown careless. I could have killed you and you would not have known there was even an intruder in your talan."
Haldir had not sensed anyone was with him. He was too tired so his senses were dulled. Besides, he had no reason to be on guard in his own room. Never had he been attacked there.
"I…What are you doing here?" Haldir maintained his half-sitting position, supporting himself on his elbows.
"I came here to make love to you, Haldir of Lorien." With that, Glorfindel began to unlace Haldir's tunic. "Do you have any objections?"
Haldir swallowed and shook his head. Was he still having his fantasy? He reached a hand to touch Glorfindel's face and pull him into a kiss, but the older elf waved his hand away.
"You are too tired. This is for you. So let me do this my way." He gently pushed Haldir to a lying position. He ignored Haldir's puzzled expression.
Haldir was a little confused. Glorfindel has never done this before. What was the eldar up to?
Glorfindel let his gaze linger on Haldir's lips.
Yet still, he did not kiss the March Warden, but continued to discard their clothes. When both elves were naked, Glorfindel climbed atop Haldir and straddled the other elf's hips. Then he ran his hands across Haldir's chest. The younger elf moaned.
"Please…kiss me."
Glorfindel smiled.
"Not yet."
He continued to run his hands all over the elf beneath him, as if trying to memorize every detail. He was careful not to miss anything. It was as if it were the first time he had seen Haldir. Truly seen him. Glorfindel smiled to himself. /Or maybe, I just deliberately closed my eyes to the truth before. I was a fool./
"You are so beautiful." He whispered to his younger lover. Only then did he lean forward to kiss Haldir.
The kiss was fierce. Desperate and full of lust. Tongues dueled in a battle for dominance. Both elves moaned. Glorfindel's hands continued to roam the other's body, even as Haldir caressed his lover's back.
"Wait." Glorfindel broke the kiss and Haldir moaned his protest.
The eldar smiled at him.
"I said this was for you. I mean it." He kissed his way down to Haldir's belly. He lingered there for a moment before moving lower.
"Glorfindel…" Haldir began to writhe. Hands moved to restrain his hips even as light kisses were bestowed upon his aching arousal. Then a warm mouth closed around him and Haldir threw his head back as pleasure overtook him. He bit back a scream, knowing that if he didn't, the entire Lothlorien would know what they were doing.
Glorfindel took Haldir deep into his mouth until his lover's entire length was enclosed. Then he slowly pulled back as if to release the younger elf, only to take him in again. He repeated the motion until the younger elf began to pant amidst his moans. Haldir felt himself near his climax.
He came hard, while deep in his lover's mouth. Glorfindel drank Haldir dry until there was nothing left. Only then did he make his way back to Haldir's mouth.
"Hmmm, like it?" he whispered into Haldir's ear.
"Yes." He breathed out harshly.
"Good. I have more plans for you." He smiled at Haldir's questioning expression. He parted Haldir's thighs and settled between them.
"We have only just began."
Haldir grew hard again at the promise. Glorfindel smiled smugly to himself. Haldir wondered if he'll last the night.
Glorfindel held Haldir close to him. It was dawn and they had both just woken up after a scant few hours of sleep. Tired though they were, their minds were troubled too much to sleep for too long. It was time to face the world.
"Dark times have come, Haldir."
"I know." he answered. He also knew what it meant.
"I am leaving at dawn tomorrow. I do not know when we will be back. War is upon us, it seems." Glorfindel continued.
"Yes." Haldir whispered. /A war where anything can happen, and anyone can be lost./
The lovers held each other, lost in their thoughts, of impending war, and doom. Dark times were upon them. It may be the last time they will hold each other thusly. It may be the last time the other will feel his lover's heart beating in harmony with his own. Because during dark times, anyone can be lost.
"There is something I must tell you." Glorfindel began.
"What?"
Glorfindel closed his eyes. It was time. A few hours ago, while he and the other Rivendell elves were riding towards Lothlorien, he was still denying it. But during the meeting, as he watched Haldir standing there, he finally faced the truth. Erestor was right. It had been that day twelve years ago that made him realize the truth, though he would not admit it then. But now, he could no longer deny it. Ah, twelve years, it seemed like only yesterday. Glorfindel could still taste the fear and pain of that day. It was a day that started out good, yet nearly ended in tragedy. It made him realize something he ought to have known from the beginning. Memories came back to the eldar of the day that changed his life, and his heart…
TBC
A/N: Interested still? I think you already know where this goes. But then again, is it really going there?
Thank you very much for the reviews. I decided to give them a little reprieve. You know, happy moments, considering the fact that middle earth is in a big hunk of trouble, and because I plan to make them go through very very very painful moments soon. Hehehe For now, they will have a break. PLS. REVIEW!!!!