Disclaimer: Tolkien owns the characters. I am taking liberties with them.
Rating: PG-13.
Author's Note: Regarding Erestor and Glorfindel's relationship in this story, please read my bio page, and Someone Reading's review for chapter 9. If still in doubt, please read the story again bit more carefully, and note that my characters call each other "brother". If you think I am straddling your standards of friendship and romance, I don't know what to say. I have given more explanations for my story than I deemed necessary. I did consider altering the story to cater to my readers' tastes, but that would mean being unfaithful to myself, and the writing will no longer be my own. I may be weary and disheartened, but I am keeping up what I have intended from the very beginning. Either relax in the tree's shade and watch its foreign dance, or feel free to leave the shade. But please don't tell me that it looks too much like poison ivy for your comfort and expect me to dig up the roots to prove myself or change the appearance of my tree to resemble what you are used to seeing.
I sincerely apologize if I offend anyone with this rant.
I wanted everyone to feel everything as they go, but I see that I expected too much, seeing how some stop and ask me to clearly put a label on my character relationships. I knew that my visualization of such an intimate friendship would be unusual in the modern English-speaking society, but I did not expect such responses. I thought I gave enough hints. Anyway, I thank the readers who understand that the world I portray is different from their own, and I encourage those of you who feel uncomfortable with my work to remember that I cannot adhere to anyone else's standards of friendship and romance when writing out my own visualizations. Just remember – the author can only do so much. The rest depends on how you, the reader, perceive it and fit it into your own inner world. If the story seems too slashy, it is probably you who is making it so.
Thank you for reading.
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By Kasmi Kassim
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Tears of Yesterday
Chapter 11: Darkness and Awakening
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"Elrond."
The whisper was comforting. He stirred in his sleep. He had not felt so soothed in a long time. In fact, he could not remember the last time he heard an elven voice of any sort. The gentle voice awoke him from the restless dreams, warming him in a pleasant sensation of safety and comfort.
"Wake up."
A soft call. And someone was shaking him. Drowsily, Elrond's eyes slowly came back into focus.
A gleaming light was looking into him. Dark eyes pierced the darkness of dusk, the blue-gray of the evening. When certain that Elrond was blinking at him, Erestor drew away and straightened his back, shaking his head to push back the wayward strands of wet hair that had fallen over his shoulders. A black crystal twinkled in the fading of the light.
Elrond blinked, and slowly sat up. Rain was beating heavily against the glass window.
"What day is it?" he muttered hoarsely, clearing his dry throat.
The slender elf before him tilted his head, hands neatly behind his back. "Eleven days since you fell ill."
Eleven. Had it been so long?
Blinking, Elrond slowly let out a breath. He shook his head to clear his vision. Too long. Too long he had neglected. "Where are my children?"
He blinked when he saw a smile. A genuine, joyful smile. He stared at Erestor. The raven-haired elf burst into soft laughter. "So you did not forget them."
Elrond raised an eyebrow.
Stifling his laugh, Erestor bowed. "Aye, my lord. Your children are well and safe. At least one of them is physically well enough."
Bare feet swung onto the side of the bed. Grabbing a robe from a nearby chair, Elrond stood. The world swayed unsteadily. He felt a strong arm catch him around the waist, steadying his faltering feet. Panting, he clung onto Erestor as cold sweat broke out on his forehead, sheathing him in a deathly chill.
As the dizziness began to drain away, he slowly released his hold, having regained his footing to stand. A cool hand rested against his burning forehead.
"Your fever is still high." Erestor's brows creased worriedly.
Elrond shook his head, and stared at Erestor's hand. The advisor noticed this, and quickly hid it behind his back. But Elrond saw. The pale skin was glistening with rain and black blood.
"What happened?" murmured the elven lord, frowning slightly as he adjusted his vision to the wobbling world.
Unfastened sashes swirled around unkempt robes as Erestor swiftly turned, opening the door for Elrond. "A few stray orcs."
Elrond raised his eyebrow, but Erestor bowed and tipped his head, staring back innocently, as he held the door open. Sighing, the lord of the valley hastily exited his room.
Watching the elven lord hurry away into the darkness of the corridor, the slender shadow in the darkened room rested his forehead against the wall. And remained motionless, silent.
And in the hush of the shadows, the rain pelted violently against the glass.
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Elladan stared blankly as Glorfindel lowered Elrohir's limp body onto the bed. The healer scurried about, gathering herbs and equipments, before settling down by the bed.
Straightening his back, Glorfindel stood still, watching the healer's ministrations over the small motionless body. He seemed oblivious to the wetness that streamed down his disheveled tunic, the droplets of water falling from edges of his hair, the black blood that dripped from his knuckles and hit the carpeted floor.
Disregarding the splash of water that his hair sprayed in the room, he turned his head, and regarded Elladan.
Elladan's hollow eyes slowly regained focus as deep blue ones bore into him. He bowed his head, not daring to look into the silent gaze before him. At Glorfindel's waist hung the sword that Elladan had carried earlier. The scabbard was stained with fresh black blood. He shut his eyes.
"Elladan..."
The feeble voice of his brother broke him out of his daze. He hurried to his twin's bedside, opposite from the healer. Elrohir's eyes were unfocused as he weakly raised an arm. Elladan quickly grabbed the hand with both of his.
"When the rain ceases," whispered the dark-haired boy, wincing as the healer gently cleaned his wound, "we will go hunting together."
Elladan could not speak. Painfully swallowing the lump in his throat, he slowly bowed his head.
"Elladan." A feeble squeeze brought his eyes back upward. Elrohir's gaze searched into his brother's. Elladan's shaky silence was bringing a worried crease into his brows, along with a hint of fear. "Promise?"
Swallowing hard again, Elladan nodded vigorously. He brought the back of his brother's hand to his cheek, and let out a shaky breath. "Yes, I promise."
Smiling with satisfaction, Elrohir relaxed into his pillow. His eyes began to lose focus. Elladan had given his words; no more worries now. Elladan always kept his promises. He let out a peaceful sigh and slipped into unconsciousness.
Elladan did not move from his position. He continued to hold Elrohir's hand against his cheek, head bowed. He looked up when he felt a gentle touch at his shoulder.
"He will be well, Elladan." Glorfindel held out his hand. Wearily, the boy put his brother's hand down and tucked it neatly underneath the blankets. And he tentatively reached out, and Glorfindel pulled him to his feet. "Go wash yourself."
Head still lowered, Elladan sluggishly made his way to the door. Then, he turned. Glorfindel was still standing by the bed, the sword glistening with blood and rain by his side, deep eyes watching him intently.
"Thank you," he whispered. "We would have died if you two had not come to save us."
Glorfindel smiled. "I will pass that on to Erestor. He was the first to find and shoot down the orcs."
Elladan bowed. He turned away once again, and was about to open the door, when Glorfindel's voice stopped him. "Elladan."
He turned, watching the golden-haired elf blankly, as Glorfindel approached him. He gently rested his hands upon the boy's wet shoulders. "Do not blame yourself," he said quietly. "He loves you too much to bear that."
Biting his lip, Elladan turned away and hastily ran out the door.
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To Be Continued
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Coolio02: Ah yes, I believe I got Glorfindel and Erestor to behave now. I really hope that I finish this before I go as well. Thanks a lot for your continuous support.
Unsung Heroine: Oh, thank you! That chapter did give me much trouble!
Anastasia Who: Thank you for telling me how you feel. I can tell that you put effort not to offend me while being honest. Thank you for your review!
ThePastIsPrologue: Your name always intrigues me. Ah anyway, thank you putting in the effort to be specific in your review. I was touched. ;) I agree that sometimes the link between the brothers becomes overly done and quite cheesy. Oops, was I too honest there? Heh heh. Well, you have the same opinions that I do – sometimes a person's voice is powerful enough to bring someone back from the void when nothing else reaches. I hope I see my dear readers soon after I come back. I am slowly progressing on the Hobbit ;) I am going to Korea to visit – my parents have not gone back for 12 years since moving into this place. Anyway, thank you!
seeing-spots: Thank you! I do hope that they see it soon!
Brazgirl: Thanks for wishing me a nice trip! And you're writing a fic about Thranduil? Ooh, I am excited to see it! With your visualizations of him, I am sure he will fetch a lot of fans! ;) And wow, you over-praise me here, comparing my twins' interaction with your mighty Thranduil. Thank you again!
Tara: Arwen? I suppose an infant is being taken care of by someone who takes care of infants. Heh heh. Thank you for your review!
Beling: Yet another beautiful review. It was touching. Thank you so much for your soulful expression!
Achika: So they delay their choice, huh? I hope they chose immortality... ;) And you're right, I did mention the crystal quite often. Ah well. Thank you!
Someone Reading: As you thank me for sharing my story, I thank you for making it worth the time and effort. I was once again touched and giddied by your beautiful review. It is really rewarding and more, to have someone respond to one's hard work in such a way that I am delighted that I put in the work. Yes, chapter 10 really was a pain to write, and it seems that it had satisfactory results. ;) I must thank you again though, for coming to read my story with a world laid out and prepared for reception. You are so ready to take in and digest every little speck of my world, it's simply amazing. Noting little things and the symbolisms in them, and shedding your own light and colors into my canvas. Thank you!
Sesha: Strange indeed. I wonder why the rain is there? ;) Yes, I torture my elves, but everyone needs a confidant at least. I don't like to leave people utterly alone and suffering. I suppose a writer should be more objective though, but ah well. That is how I envision it, so thus it will stay. The whole of the main crew will be featured in the next chapter, which is the last one! Thank you!
Erestor: I'm glad you liked that chapter. I love getting inside the heads of people and making them insane. ;) And I am awed and amazed myself that you caught my themes so well. Hahaha. Most of my themes sneak in somehow, and I only realize what I had been subconsciously thinking about when readers point them out to me. I suppose the stuff comes up in my mind, all integrated into the scene, so I do not think twice before putting them in. Of course, there are things that I plan out as well. Anyway, thanks for encouraging me on that story...but now I am nervous. I think it may be disappointing. Hahaha. Ah well. I suppose it will be posted some time or another. Thank you!
That Undomiel Chick: Oh really? Hahaha. I guess I'll have to write soon then huh? Thanks for the review!
Aerlalaith: Daily serving of angst is good. Hehehehe. I'm excited that you thought my characters have many layers! Such a compliment! Thank you!
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