Gilded Rose of the House of Gondolin

By Canon Killer Ellie

For disclaimer and other information (Genre, Rating, Summary, Advisories) see first chapter.

This chapter is a wee bit more romantic than I originally planned.

Chapter six: The Long Journey Home, and Happy Birthday, Erestor.

Glorfindel didn't feel very well in the morning. Erestor was not surprised at this, of course. He was actually willing to wager on whether or not Glorfindel's wound was infected or not. Orcs seldom ever cleaned their weapons, so most likely there were enough contaminants on that blade to kill a mortal. After their morning meal Erestor helped Glorfindel up onto Asfaloth's back and the two set out in the direction of Rivendell. Erestor was soon quite bored, and started singing to amuse himself. This amused Glorfindel too, because Erestor was obviously making these up on the spot. Seeing Glorfindel try not to laugh, Erestor made up a few choice verses about the gilded Elf.

"Long it has been

Yet the deed is remembered

How the fair rose of Gondolin

Slew the black beast of Morgoth

Glorfindel the Gilded Rose

His helm perched precarious

His sword not so finely balanced

His tresses long enough to shame a maid

He leapt in haste at Orcs and Drakes

And singed his locks besides

He drove a knief into the foul Balrog

And for that he is remembered."

Glorfindel was mortified. His mouth hung open in surprise.

"Erestor, I would that you leave the verse-making to Lindir." Glorfindel said softly. "I am not a rose! What silly nonsense led you to call me such a feminine thing?!"

"Golden Flower isn't much better, if you think about it, Golden Tress." Erestor said with a smirk.

Glorfindel shot him such a look, causing Erestor to laugh heartilly.

"Look at the bright side, Glorfindel, a rose at least has thorns, it's a sight more manly than a daisy." Erestor teased.

"I don't have to listen to you. You're only a child." Glorfindel said, looking away from the raven haired Elf whose inner Elfling had come out of hiding.

Erestor just smiled.

Somehow, Erestor's teasing had helped. Gondolin seemed so far in the past now, as it really was. Now Glorfindel was seeing past those leaping, greedy flames. He had pleasant memories of Gondolin too, and it was as if he were realizing that for the first time. He turned to Erestor to tell him something, but the advisor was already asleep. Glorfindel paused and watched Erestor for a moment. The advisor was usually so distant and cold, like he was trying to hide the fact that he was afraid that people would betray him. Glorfindel had some of Erestor's trust at least, Erestor was not very trusting. But he was a steady, loyal friend, and that was all that mattered.

Glorfindel mused for a moment, thinking about how many people probably passed up the chance to have a lifelong true friend just because they weren't patient enough to look under the surface. He thought about how slow Erestor was to make friends, and wondered if it hurt Erestor. The memory of Faelon's song wafted back to him, and he started to sing it softly to himself. It was as if the world melted away, and a new one floated before his eyes. Fantastic creatures and beings were all around, Dragons and winged horses, all sorts of things.

"Glorfindel, are you still in Arda?"

Glorfindel started in surprise. The imagery faded, and he turned to face Erestor. The counselor was giving him a strange look.

"What are you singing?" Erestor asked.

"That song of Faelon's, the one I can't understand. Well, I've figured out why he sings it."

"Why?"

"You know how the minstrels can make images appear with their songs? The song does that, but all by itself."

"Really?"

"Yes. There's a beautiful world locked up in that song, now I really wonder where he learned it."

"Maybe it was Divine inspiration. You should go to sleep now."

"But Erestor..."

"Glorfindel, don't make me come over there. Go to sleep. We have a long way to go tomorrow."

"But Erestor!"

"But nothing. Hush up and go to sleep."

"Yes mother."

Glorfindel lay down and rolled onto his back. The stars were doing their great dance in the heavens above, and he felt, well, safe. That was an odd sensation, considering he was smack dab in the middle of nowhere and Orcs could kill him at any moment. Erestor moaned in his sleep. Glorfindel looked at the dark haired Elf and wondered what he was dreaming about. Erestor had a luminescent quality to him, sometimes his skin seemed pearl-like. If Erestor spent less time over his books and more time outside, his skin would be darker, but he was more of a 'house Elf'. Glorfindel thought the pale radiance was a lot like a winter dawn, which was an apt description for Erestor, since many considered him a little 'frosty'. It always amazed Glorfindel, so many Elves, and yet, like snowflakes, no two the same. He watched Erestor with a brotherly eye, though he would trust Erestor with his life, he did want to protect Erestor. Glorfindel realized his mind was wandering again, and sat up. Asfaloth was munching grass stalks happily, with Earen not far away.

Glorfindel laid down again with a sigh and tried to fall asleep. Eventually he did.

Erestor stretched his arms and lazilly opened one eye. Glorfindel was all wrapped up in his cloak, sound asleep, curled up like a cat in a pile of pillows. From this perspective, he looked like a child. He certainly seemed that innocent, but Erestor knew otherwise. He nudged the Elf gently.

"Glor, Glor, it's time to get up. Listen to me when I talk to you! It's time to get up." Erestor said quietly.

Today, provided they got on the move and made good time, they would cross the mountain and be only a half-day's journey from Rivendell, back on their own side of the Misty Mountains. Right now they were encamped about halfway up the side of the mountain, headed for the pass.

Glorfindel awoke with all the politeness and grace of a hibernating grizzly bear. He didn't feel so great and it had taken him a while to fall asleep last night. Erestor seemed so eager to be getting home, while Glorfindel wanted to take his good old time. Quite a change from the beginning of the journey home. Erestor fixed breakfast and ate in silence, seated beside Glorfindel, who had third degree bedhead.

The two Elves made their way up the side of the mountain, there was not much distance to traverse now to reach the pass. They had dismounted and were leading their horses, who were carefully picking their way though the rocks. The Elves made it up to the pass, and looked down on the Brunien River Valley. It was lush and green, even now in late summer. Rivendell, or Imladris, was still easy to pick out, the greenery was even lusher there, greener still than the other foliages watered by the mighty Brunien. Elrond's paradise stuck out like a sore thumb when the valley was viewed from here, but few ever saw it from here other than the Elves, no one else was really interested in this high pass. Erestor started to lead Earen down the steep trail that wound its way to the valley floor.

A piece of shale broke loose, sliding away from under Erestor's feet, sending the advisor tumbling down the trail. Glorfindel held his breath, willing the falling advisor to remain on the trail in his unplanned rapid descent. Erestor landed in a thicket and didn't move from where his body came to rest. Glorfindel carefully and quickly picked his way over to his friend. For all he knew, Erestor was dead. Erestor was at least breathing when Glorfindel arrived. Glorfindel worriedly looked down at Erestor. He knew he couldn't leave Erestor there, but what if it wasn't safe to move him? Erestor coughed and groaned, beginning to stir. His fingers twitched, and Glorfindel reached for his friend's hand. Erestor opened his eyes and looked up at Glorfindel.

"I suppose I should watch my step, huh?" Erestor said softly, a smile turning up the corners of his mouth.

"Erestor! Don't scare me like that!" Glorfindel scolded, trying to look stern but failing, he was so relieved.

Glorfindel scooped up Erestor in his arms.

"Put me down, show off!" Erestor exclaimed.

"Not this time. If anybody falls we both fall. That way I don't have to explain to Elrond why I'm coming home without you. You know how he is about missing advisors, and I certainly do not want your job."

Erestor made the best of it and fell to trying to get some tangles out of Glorfindel's hair. Of course, being toted around by the Gondolin Elf brought home the fact that Erestor was not one of the tallest Elves in Arda. He wasn't much bigger than Faelon, actually, while Glorfindel was somewhere near six and a half feet tall, maybe taller. He was one of the first Elves you noticed when you walked into Rivendell, because he was so tall. Erestor was not so tall, he was not much more than six feet, just like Faelon. And, like Faelon, he was a little on the 'lean' side. Glorfindel was bigger and more muscular.

"Look, I don't want to arrive in Imladris being carried like a baby. I can walk, and I would really like to. But if you won't let me walk, can you at least let me ride piggy back so that I don't look like an infant?" Erestor begged, giving Glorfindel puppy eyes.

Glorfindel rolled his eyes, but let Erestor walk along beside him. The horses were following, picking their paths carefully. Erestor had twisted his ankle and possibly his knee when he fell, but he was far from admitting it to Glorfindel. Glorfindel needed no admission, he just told Erestor to ride piggy back and accepted no arguements. So Erestor ended up on the Golden Elf's back. He felt very burdensome, although Glorfindel didn't seem to mind carrying him. They couldn't ride the horses down this incline, it was too steep to be safe. Glorfindel felt like he was back in Gondolin for a moment, carrying Erestor on his back was like when he'd carried Ecthelion around on his back when they'd been playing knight and charger. It was like having a little brother that he had to look out for, Glorfindel hadn't had any blood siblings, but he'd made up for it with the 'siblings' he'd taken under his wing. It was for them that he'd taken on the Balrog one on one. It was for Ecthelion that he'd vanquished the creature of flame. Come to think of it, Glorfindel had spent most of his life doing things for others.

Erestor's head bobbed on Glorfindel's shoulder, occaisionally meeting the head of the gilded Elf and provoking a cry of indignation from him. Erestor felt kind of sleepy, he couldn't stop his head from hitting Glorfindel's. He yawned. Glorfindel could just see the tip of Erestor's nose out of the corner of his eye, and could see the raven strands of hair mingling with his long golden locks. Glorfindel thought it was kind of cute, the ridiculously organized advisor with his head just bobbing, slowly falling asleep while being piggy backed. Erestor was still far from cuddly.

The two Elves made it to the base of the mountain by nightfall, Erestor was quite dusty from his tumble, and Glorfindel consequently had a dusty patch on his back where Erestor's clothes had been in contact with his. The night was cool and still, Glorfindel knew it was probably going to rain. He hoped not, but it was likely. He sighed as water droplets began to fall from the sky and dampen the ground. Erestor had set up camp, so of course he had a tent up.

"I hope this doesn't swell the Brunien." Erestor said flatly. "I don't want to try to cross it if it floods."

"Where's your sense of adventure?" Glorfindel teased.

"I don't know and I don't care. If adventure requires me to foolishly risk my life then I'm not fond of it." Erestor yawned.

Glorfindel grinned.

"We could find a way to swing across it on a rope!" he said eagerly.

Erestor looked up from where he was laying out his bedding to go to sleep.

"You must be jesting." he said flatly.

Glorfindel just grinned wickedly.

Erestor curled up in his cloak, hoping, praying, that the river did not flood and that Glorfindel was not serious. He fell asleep quickly, just a rather bony bundle concealed by the darkness of the night. Glorfindel looked at Erestor without seeing. He hoped the advisor was not seriously hurt from his fall, there was still the possibility that he had some broken bones, which Glorfindel really did not want to think about right now.

Melannen woke early, wondering if this at last would be the day that Erestor returned to his home in Imladris. She had grown close with the other inhabitants of Imladris in the past week, they were very different from the Mirkwood Elves that she'd spent most of her life with. They were more relaxed, as it were. They had fewer codes of dress and there seemed to be virtually no distinction between the servants and the lords. Elrond put in a good honest day's work each and every day, everyone did their part to keep Imladris running. Actually, Imladris seemed to be a little compromised right now. Glorfindel was an advisor and captain of the guard, and he wasn't there. Erestor was the book keeper, accountant, and manager of the household, and he wasn't there either. Elrond had his hands quite full.

Elrond had asked Melannen to join them in Imladris, to preside over Erestor's birthday party. Of course, Rinnalaiss had a rather large mouth and a tendency to be looselipped, so Melannen had also found that Elrond had noticed the mutual attraction between she and Erestor and arranged to have her there so they would be able to see each other more often. Elrond really did care about his servants and underlings, and he desparately wanted them to be happy. She felt a little miffed at that, but she couldn't help admiring Elrond's efforts. Imladris was gorgeous, and many times in the past week, Melannen had roamed through the gardens, exploring the beautiful handiwork of the expert gardeners. She loved to wear greens to blend into the foliage, so that she didn't stick out too much and detract from the view.

Indeed, the view from her balcony was very fine, she could look down on the falls of the Brunien and appreciate Elrond's eye for detail. From Rinnalaiss' balcony she could see the ford of the river in the distance. But Melannen was down in the garden putting up the last of the party decorations. Ribbons and garlands of late summer flowers decorated half of Imladris. Arwen had proven quite adept at making garlands, while Rinnalaiss was the squirrel who hung them from the trees. Melannen and some of the house servants had set out tables, laid with fruits and flowers, on snowy white linen. Erestor's favorite color was red, it was everywhere in his quarters, so there were a lot of red flowers and fruits. Melannen herself was wearing a scarlet dress. A large cake had been baked, the icing was in fantastic shapes of horses, trees, flowers, mountains, so many things.

Yes, the Elves of Imladris had a pretty good idea of how to entertain themselves.

Erestor was greatful to be back on Earen's back rather than on the ground and walking. It probably had something to do with how much his ankle ached, but he wasn't about to say so. He'd have to dismount and walk Earen across the ford, but he just was not going to think about it just yet. They had a half day's journey ahead of them, and Erestor was really looking forward to getting to sleep in his own bed again. He knew he'd never really make a good woodsman. Glorfindel seemed refreshed, as though the rain had the same effect on him as it did on flowers. His golden locks were brushed out, and feathery soft. He'd changed his clothes so he wouldn't look like a gigantic dustbunny. Erestor had changed his clothes too, more out of necessity than vanity. The dust had dampened and then dried, making them quite stiff.

These last few miles would probably be boring and uneventful, so Erestor zoned out. By the time he realized that he'd zoned out, it was almost noon! Glorfindel was telling him to dismount so that they could lead the horses across the ford. Erestor looked warilly at the river. It was only a little swollen, at least the water was clear. But the banks were muddy, covered with a thick, sucking mud. Oh well, it couldn't be helped. His hunting boots would get a little muddy, that was all.

He should be so lucky. His foot caught in the mud, and suddenly he was falling, much to Glorfindel's amusement....

Melannen and the other Elves were waiting quietly in the garden to surprise Erestor. 'He should arrive any minute!' she thought gleefully. She tried to picture him in her head the way he'd looked when she last saw him, straight and dignified, friendly and noble, with that long raven hair and those mithril eyes...

Covered in mud....

What? That wasn't part of her visualization! Who was this muddy Elf accompanying Glorfindel into the courtyard?

Glorfindel couldn't stop laughing. Nothing ever went Erestor's way, the poor little Elf's injured ankle had buckled when his foot caught in the mud, sending him face first into it. Erestor was determined to walk the rest of the way with no aid whatsoever from that dratted Golden Elf, and so, limping all the way, he did. Glorfindel was walking tall and straight alongside him, clothed in blue from head to toe, and not muddy in the least. Truly, the gilded rose had never looked better. And Erestor had seldom looked worse....

Melannen realized, much to her horror, that the mud covered Elf was 'her' Erestor. So much for looking dignified and noble, he just looked like he wanted to take a bath and take a long nap! And he was limping. Melannen felt sorry for him, and before she could catch herself, she was running across the courtyard to him. So what that he was muddy? He was still Erestor. A little mud never hurt anyone, right?

"Come on Erestor, you're limping, you could hurt yourself worse. Let me carry you the rest of the way or put you up on Earen." Glorfindel coaxed.

"No! I can do this on my own and I don't need your help!" Erestor hissed.

Glorfindel sighed and looked ahead. A figure clothed in red was coming quickly toward them. Glorfindel's heart skipped a beat and he hoped against hope that it was not Rinn. Then he made out the bouncing golden curls. No, it couldn't be! Was it really Melannen?

Melannen was not to be denied. Erestor was back and she didn't care at all how muddy he was or how hurt he was. He was back. She hadn't realized before that she missed him so much. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Nothing happens without a reason, so Iluvatar must have had a reason somewhere for this.

She was close enough to call out to him, and she did.

"Erestor! Erestor! Welcome home!"

Erestor looked up. Melannen? He barely had time to process that thought before she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him, mud and all. And at that moment, for Erestor, it was all good. He looked up from Melannen for a moment to give both Elrond and Glorfindel thankful glances. Even though Glorfindel had blabbed about how organized Erestor's sock drawer was and even though Elrond had gone behind Erestor's back yet again, Erestor was thankful. He dropped Earen's reins and hugged Melannen back.

Melannen decided that her moment of spontaneous affection was up, and told Erestor, with a laugh, that she'd go draw the bathwater for him, because he certainly needed a bath or he'd never get all the mud off.

Glorfindel followed her.

"Hey. I wanted you to know, that he may not show it, but that big welcome home hug meant a lot to Erestor." Glorfindel said. "He did miss you. So where's the party? I'll drag him down there after he's made himself presentable."

"Down in the garden." Melannen said. "I hope he doesn't decide to take a bath all day, because we really want to see his reaction to the cake!"

Glorfindel grinned.

"Fantastic, is it?" he laughed.

"Yes, truly. Now let me go draw that bathwater or we'll never get him down there." Melannen laughed softly.

Glorfindel saw to it that Erestor didn't spend all day in the bath, he even washed Erestor's hair three times trying to get all the mud out of it. At last, success. Erestor came down to the party in his red and gold, much cleaner and slightly damp. His hair was limp and handing down his back because it was still wet, but he looked pleasantly surprised by the party. It was rare for Erestor to be the center of attention. All the Imladris Elves drank to his health and made promises that they'd try to get to know him better, considering that he had lived so long among them and was still a bit of a stranger to them. Then they toasted Melannen, much to Erestor's surprise. Apparantly, everyone else was planning out who he was marrying and when, even why.

Melannen seemed a bit amused by that as well. She was wearing a different dress now, because the scarlet one was covered in mud. This one was a dark rose color, usually Arwen's color. It was quite enchanting to see the Evenstar and Melannen seated side by side. Arwen had such rich dark hair, like her father, with the silver eyes that seemed to be her family's heritage. Melannen was fair, her hair wasn't quite so bright a shade of gold as Glorfindel's, but it was a pleasant shade of blond. The contrast was interesting, beautiful even.

Erestor watched Melannen as she graciously danced with Glorfindel and cast him begging glances rather frequently. Finally she came over and grabbed Erestor's arm.

"Come now, you wet blanket. You're going to dance with me because you simply must dance at your own party." Melannen laughed.

"But my ankle..."

"Your ankle nothing. You won't even notice it."

"Yes, do dance, Erestor!" Glorfindel coaxed, spinning Rinn around.

Erestor grumbled a little, but was silent when Melannen cast him a disappointed look. The two spun over the green like they had that night at the feast Faelon had hosted. It seemed so far away and yet so near. Glorfindel glanced in their direction to see red and gold mingled with rose and pink, golden locks with heavy black strands.

Oh yes, life was good.

Months passed. Summer turned to fall, and the leaves began to coat the ground like a soft, crackling carpet. Melannen's skirt hem stirred the leaves as she walked over them, clad in silver and white from her bouncing locks to her slippered foot. Glorfindel held her arm, with a large grin on his impish face. Elves lined the pathway, Elrond and Erestor waited at the other end.

Melannen began to smile under her veil. Yes, it would be 'her' Erestor in a short while. Erestor's mother's cameo hung in the hollow between her collarbones. Arwen smiled approvingly from the side of the path, as Rinn strewed flower petals in front of Melannen.

Erestor was so nervous. This was the biggest day of his 5000 years, and it was a little on the frightening side. But he knew, deep in his heart, there was nothing to be afraid of. He knew his mother would probably smile at his nerves, and that she would be pleased as well. He caught Glorfindel's smile, and returned the gesture of goodwill with a smile of his own. Ahh, what it must be like, to have so much wisdom, like Glorfindel. And yet, there was so much Glorfindel had not done.

For Erestor, the next half hour passed in a blur, he and Melannen exchanged vows, Elrond grinned like the very son of Morgoth, and Glorfindel was for once quiet. The biggest surprise for Erestor was when he finally lifted Melannen's veil and she kissed him again, although it was quite a bit different from the kiss she'd given him in Mirkwood.

"Well, now you're stuck with me forever. Will you be able to survive?" Erestor asked softly.

"As long as you don't make me keep your account books, I'll be fine. What about you? Will you survive, wedded to one just as funloving as you are dull?" Melannen teased him gently.

Ahh yes, teasing. He'd be stuck with that for the rest of his life. Yes, he could live with that.

Caladriel and Faelon were off in a corner. Faelon had his arms around his wife's midrift, his head beside hers.

"What do you think, little wife? Erestor wedded, quite an event, isn't it?"

"Truly! And here's to hoping that it's one of the happier marriages in Arda." Caladriel said softly, kissing her husband on the cheek.

Melannen whirled over the leaves like they were a sheet of glass as she danced with Erestor. This dance was extra special to her, because now she belonged to Erestor and Erestor belonged to her. His deep silver eyes were laughing as his lips brushed hers.

"And we

Will dance

When the sun is shining

In the pouring rain

We'll spin and we'll sway

And we

Will dance

When the gentle breeze

Becomes a hurricane

The music will play

And I'll take your hand

And hold you close to me

And we

Will dance."

(Steven Curtis Chapman)