0000000000
Chapter 4.0
0000000000
The next morning, the Rivendell elves awakened at dawn and, after a quick breakfast of lembas bread and water, hastened towards Mirkwood to aid their kin in battle.
As they were riding along, Glorfindel was not surprised to see that Erestor was riding at the back company, with the same withdrawn, impersonal expression on his face that he had amongst strangers.
"We do not have to be strangers, Erestor," Glorfindel thought, returning his attention to the forest path before him. "I do not have to be a stranger." He led the elves towards the East end of Mirkwood. From the information he learned from Elrond, he had the impression that the battle between elves and the orcs and men would take place along the Western border, since that was where the human woman had disappeared.
All too soon, they were riding on the pathway that led into Mirkwood forest. Many of the elves felt the usual adrenaline rush of the oncoming battle. Usually, Glorfindel would be among them, but this time, he had a new feeling – worry. He glanced once more at Erestor, noticing that the advisor was riding with his head up and staring straight into the distance, but he did not really seem to "see" what he was looking at. Was he, too, worried about the oncoming battle?
'Elbereth, protect him,' Glorfindel whispered.
0000000000
Chapter 4.1
0000000000
As they neared the heart of Mirkwood, Erestor noticed that their pace had slowed considerably. The reason was, of course, to show the Mirkwood elves that they did not intend any hostility towards them. This was especially important since their Mirkwood kin were likely watching their every move, waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves, which the advisor expected to be soon; he had felt the watchful gazes of the guards since they had entered the wood and was bracing himself for their sudden appearance.
In front of him, the other Rivendell elves were gazing around intently, for the dual purpose of looking out for the Mirkwood elves as well as any enemies that may be lurking nearby. This atmosphere was certainly not the same as Rivendell's. It was more hostile and less protected, so it would be easier for enemies to sneak up on them from behind.
It was very quiet . . . too quiet, as if all the birds and the beasts had left the forest, aware of the battle within.
Suddenly, Erestor heard a whistling sound in the distance; it was not the welcoming sound of birds or even the whistled signals from Mirkwood elves. No, this was the distinct sound of . . . a flying arrow!
Hardening his resolve, the advisor whipped out his sword with lightning speed and turned its blade towards the sound.
The arrow, which would have soared harmlessly in front of him, was cut cleanly in half – lengthwise – a very impressive move for one who had not wielded a sword for so long.
Erestor breathed a sigh of relief. He was somewhat anxious that his skills had slackened over time; fortunately, he was wrong.
A moment later, a blond elf jumped down from the tree atop of Erestor, where he had been watching the party from the obscurity of the leaves.
'What is the meaning of this?' Erestor demanded, indicating the now-useless arrow on the ground.
The other elf bowed.
'I apologize. I was given orders to . . . test the skills of any elves who . . . who seemed unfit to join the battle,' he said rather uncomfortably.
'Is that so?'
'I had not intended to show you any disrespect, my lord. I merely noticed that you do not have the same build as the other elves and are not wearing the warrior insignia of Rivendell.'
Erestor heard a couple of the Rivendell elves snickering.
'I apologize once more for singling you out,' the blond finished with another bow.
'Apology accepted,' Erestor said with a slight bow in return. 'I understand your concern, as I am an advisor and not a warrior.'
'Nevertheless, your skills are impressive and will be of much help.' Now he turned to the other elves. 'Who is the leader among you?'
Glorfindel guided his mare forward.
'I am,' he said.
'The battle is at the Western border,' the Mirkwood elf explained. 'Bring your party to the beech tree about one league north of here, then turn westward and you will hear the cries of battle.'
Glorfindel nodded in response and the elf disappeared into the trees once more.
0000000000
Chapter 4.3
0000000000
'Master Erestor,' Glorfindel called. 'Ride with me. The rest of you follow – it is time.'
Erestor guided his horse alongside Glorfindel's. Then, as a group, the elves galloped north to the beech tree and, eventually, to the battle.
'That was impressive,' Glorfindel said loudly to the advisor, trying to speak over the pounding of the horses' hooves and the wind whistling in their ears.
'I was trained well,' the other elf explained.
'I see.'
'Why do you seem so surprised? Did you think that advising is all that I am able to do?'
'Nay, I just did not consider which fields your other skills lay in.'
Erestor shifted uncomfortably.
'What do you mean by that?' he asked, somewhat annoyed.
'I meant no disrespect. I just—'
'Want to be my friend,' Erestor finished for him.
'Yes,' Glorfindel agreed. 'And nothing more. I want to be more than your leader, but not your brother . . .' He trailed off, unable to finish with "or your lover", as he had originally intended. It was already bad enough that he was lying to Erestor about only wanting to be his friend, but to lie to him further by saying he does not want to be the elf's lover would just be . . . cold.
Since his voice had suddenly wavered, Erestor was looking at him, as if expecting him to say something more.
Instead, Glorfindel cleared his throat to end the awkward silence.
'Be careful out there today, Erestor,' he said, staring straight ahead. 'I have seen your skill with a blade, but I cannot help but be . . . anxious . . . for you.'
Erestor nodded slightly.
'Thank you.'
Having nothing further to say to the brunet, Glorfindel resumed his position of "leader" and said, 'That is all. You may return to your position at the end of the line, if you so wish.'
There was a pause, then, 'I would like to stay here.'
The blond turned to his companion, shocked.
'I am sorry, what did you say?'
'I would like to stay here,' Erestor repeated firmly, 'at the head of the company. After all, I am as much a representative of Lord Elrond – and of Rivendell – as you are.'
Glorfindel heard some murmurings from the other warriors and he knew that they were talking about Erestor, perhaps shocked at how he had spoken to their captain or else shocked at his behaviour in general.
'As you wish,' Glorfindel said, feeling something warm develop inside his chest.
And so they continued to ride in silence.
Then Erestor suddenly asked, 'What were you going to say?'
'Pardon?'
'Before,' the advisor explained. 'You were saying that you want to be more than my leader, but not my brother . . . or what?'
Glorfindel did not know what to say. He had not really expected Erestor to notice that, much less ask him about it so soon.
"That was an oversight on my part," he realized. "After all, he is an advisor. It is his job to hear things that most people may not notice."
'I . . . I do not think that it would be appropriate to discuss that right now, Erestor,' he said uncomfortably. 'Mayhap later?'
Erestor nodded.
'I understand. A battle is approaching and we do not have time to dally on such personal affairs . . . I have nothing more to say. I believe . . . that I shall return to the end of the line and remain out of the way of you warriors.' With that said, he slowed down and resumed his position at the tail of the party, as far away from Glorfindel as he could be (considering the circumstances).
The warmth in blond's chest suddenly disappeared.
"What am I going to do?" he wondered. "If I tell him the truth . . . No, I cannot tell him the truth. I do not want him to vanish from my life for good."
0000000000
Chapter 4.5
0000000000
The battle was in full force when they arrived. Some of the Mirkwood elves had fallen; their clothes were bloody and their eyes stared straight into the raging battle, but were unable to see it. Even more orcs and men had fallen; their state of being similar to that of the elves, although their eyes were mostly closed.
'The Rivendell elves are here!' Legolas cried out in relief, as he stabbed his knife through a squirming orc.
'Drive them back!' another Mirkwood elf shouted to the party. 'Help us drive them back!'
With a grim nod, Glorfindel turned to his warriors and said, 'You heard him.'
And they charged.
Only one elf hesitated before joining the fight – Erestor had hung back, taking in the battle scene and mentally preparing himself for the task at hand, perhaps even forming a plan or two. His gazed locked with the blond's for a moment and he appeared as if he wanted to say something . . . but instead, he nodded curtly and charged into battle.
'Nay!' Glorfindel wanted to scream, but he did not. He knew that Erestor had to join the battle, as did he; he had no right to stop him. He pulled his sword from its sheath and galloped forwards to help protect his kin . . . and the one he loved.
0000000000
Chapter 4.6
0000000000
Good and evil…
Sun and moon…
Water and fire…
Everything was composed of a duality, opposites, each concept of dark countered by a stream of light.
Erestor – the dark-hair advisor from Rivendell, an elf who was held in high-respect by all who met him . . . Glorfindel – the golden-haired warrior from Gondolin, a born leader and friend of many . . .
They were so different . . . If Erestor was the darkness, the shadows within, then Glorfindel was the light, the centre of all.
Glorfindel was the light . . . the only light for Erestor . . .
Glorfindel was the one . . . the only one he could love . . .
Glorfindel . . .
0000000000
Chapter 4.7
0000000000
'Erestor!' Glorfindel called out in despair. He had been keeping an eye on Erestor from a distance (for he did not want to appear as if he was intruding) and what he saw made his heart stop beating in his chest. 'Look out! Behind you!'
At the cry, Erestor whipped around and swung his sword in a long arc, slicing off the orc's arm.
The orc howled in pain and his useless arm fell to the ground, dropping the knife that it had intended to use to kill Erestor. It growled with fury and flung its body against the elf, catching him by surprise. The pair fell to the ground with a loud thump, which was nevertheless barely audible over the din.
'Get off!' Erestor yelled, shoving the orc to the side. He pulled out a small hunting knife from his boot and drove it into the creature's skull, stilling its movements. Suddenly, a hot pain formed in his shoulder – it felt as if it was on fire! The advisor cried out and weakly collapsed forward, overcome with pain.
'Nay!' Glorfindel screamed. He fought his way over to the fallen elf and – despite the fact that he was weary with fatigue and pain – many enemies fell, defeated by the golden elf who suddenly had the strength of ten men. 'Erestor!' He encountered the man who had thrown the spear and savagely swung his sword to and fro, trying to get past his defenses. It did not take the elf long; with all his strength, he thrust his sword into the stranger's chest – right into his heart.
The man's eyes glazed over and he fell backwards in a heap; there was no question that he was dead.
Glorfindel surveyed the dark blood on his sword, feeling slightly satisfied with his revenge.
'It is no less that you deserve,' he snarled with a coldness that was uncharacteristic of him. As if he just remembered why he had come all this way, the blond ran towards Erestor, who was still lying face-forward on the ground. 'Erestor! Erestor!'
The advisor did not stir.
Shouting in frustration, Glorfindel pulled the spear from his companion's shoulder and surveyed the tip – it was black.
'Poison,' he muttered.
After tossing the weapon to the side, he hastily put pressure on the other elf's shoulder, where blood was streaming heavily from the wound.
"This will not do," he realized immediately. "He needs to be brought to the Healers." The warrior swung Erestor unceremoniously over his shoulder and started to run.
'Cover me!' he yelled to a pair of his subordinates.
They nodded in response and ran alongside him as he made his way to the safety of the palace, to the Hospital Wing.
Glorfindel could faintly hear the brunet breathing. His breaths were very shallow and irregular, but still, he was alive.
"Hold on, Erestor," he thought anxiously. "Hold on . . ."
Around him, the battle continued on as if nothing had happened, but in Glorfindel's heart, something had happened – something drastic that could change his life forever. Although he had now known Erestor for long, he felt a connection with the elf that he had not felt in a long time. If he were to lose him now . . . well, he just did not want to think about that. It would hurt too much.
"Erestor . . . Hold on . . ."
0000000000
Chapter 4.8
0000000000
Good and evil…
Sun and moon…
Water and fire…
Everything was composed of a duality, opposites, each concept of dark countered by a stream of light.
Erestor – the dark-hair advisor from Rivendell, an elf who was held in high-respect by all who met him . . . Glorfindel – the golden-haired warrior from Gondolin, a born leader and friend of many . . .
They were so different . . . If Glorfindel was the light, the centre of all, then Erestor was the darkness, the shadows within.
Erestor was the darkness . . . the only one who could keep Glorfindel grounded to Middle Earth . . .
Erestor was the one . . . the only one he could love . . .
Erestor . . .
0000000000
Chapter 4.9
0000000000
Although he was almost unconscious, the gears in Erestor's mind continued to whirr, such that he was vaguely aware of his surroundings . . . but he was still unable to move.
"It hurts," he thought, "It hurts so much . . . Is this what it feels like – dying? Is this what it feels like, to die without having told the one I love the truth? Glorfindel . . . I love you . . . I am sorry that I never had the courage to tell you that in life . . . Goodbye . . ."
0000000000