Athrana (Wandering Shadow)
Chapter 11- Glorfindel
TA3018, October
Glorfindel looked up at the stars as he made his way back to his rooms. It was late, very late; hopefully Erestor would be asleep already so he wouldn't have to explain himself. He stopped with his hand on the door. This was ridiculous; he had never lied to Erestor in all the centuries they had known each other, could he really start now? Was it lying if he didn't ask? Glorfindel shook his head. No that was a stupid thought; a lie of omission was still a lie. But he had promised and what good would it be to tell Erestor now, when she wasn't ready to come home?
He opened the door and stepped into the dark sitting room, their sitting room. The bedroom door was open and even in the gloom Glorfindel could make out the outline of his mate under the blankets. Was it fair to let him continue believing she was dead, when he knew she was out there? Or was he protecting him from the truth? How would Erestor react if he found out what she had been through? No, not if, when. She would come home one day. She had to, he couldn't keep her secret forever and he had no intention to. Estel had been right; they would find a way to get her to come back. It was where she belonged. But where did that leave him now? Glorfindel opened the cupboard by the fireplace and pulled out the crystal decanter he knew was there. The action sent him back into his memories to a similar night 85 yrs ago.
TA2933
Glorfindel had been on the training grounds with some of the new recruits when Elrond came to find him. He had looked up and been surprised to see the lord of the valley striding towards him looking worried. He dismissed his students and joined Elrond half way across the field. "What has happened?" he asked concern obvious on his face. It took a lot to unsettle Elrond and Glorfindel knew he wasn't going to like whatever it was that had upset him. "I need you to come with me, there's... something happened..." There was a pause as he took a deep breath. "It's Athriel. They were attacked near the borders. She didn't make it." Glorfindel's brain stuttered. This couldn't be happening. "Does Erestor know?" he asked finally. Erestor had intended to meet his sister in the courtyard like always.
Glorfindel watched as Elrond stood beside Erestor. He kept back as long as he could as Elrond had suggested intending to get Erestor back inside before explaining what the Gwanûn had told him. When his mate crumpled onto the floor Glorfindel couldn't hold back any longer. He ran down the steps and picked up the smaller elf, holding him to his chest. "I'm going to take him back to our rooms." Elrond nodded. "I'll get you both some tea, to help you sleep" Glorfindel nodded silently and started walking slowly back indoors.
Glorfindel didn't drink the tea Elrond handed him although he made sure Erestor did. He didn't want to sleep, not yet. Instead he sat staring into the unlit fireplace with a drink in one hand.
"Glorfindel, is something wrong?" His head snapped around nearly causing him to drop the glass he held. This was it, if he was going to say something it would have to be now. Could he do it? Erestor had been grieving for 85yrs, and little by little the loss had become easier for both of them. There was still a huge hole inside both of them, but it had become easier to bare. Erestor had found some kind of peace in the knowledge that his sister was safe. "Glorfindel, tell me about the halls again." He had asked that so often, it was his safety blanket, the reassurance that she was in a place of healing, that he would see her again in the undying lands happy and content. Could he shatter that illusion so easily? It would only take a couple of words and the shield Erestor kept up would break into tiny pieces. "No nothing's wrong Erestor." He stood up and made his way through to the bedroom leaving behind a very confused advisor.