Child of Frost

by Nuredhel

Sometimes the end is just that, the end, but sometimes destiny has a few tricks up her sleeve. When a prophecy seemingly is naught but a cruel lie a young elleth has to discover her true strength and determination. Can she adapt to a world so very different from the one she is used to, can her dreams ever come true? or where it all just a childs dream?

5. Resistance is futile

Chapter 5: Resistance is futile….

Glorfindel felt like crap, he had a terrible feeling of having forgotten something and his body felt sluggish and odd. He was snapping at the recruits he was to train and he kept making blunders, he wasn't himself, that was for sure. In fact he was so grumpy and tense everybody did notice and stayed as far away from him as they could, an angry Glorfindel wasn't someone you wanted to deal with. He just wished that his lover had been there, a quick tumble would most certainly have helped with the problem.

Aytha on the other hand was slowly loosing her feeling of optimism, she had been so sure that things would change, that her golden one would come to her but he never did and now Elrond too acted odd around her. Had she done something wrong? She kept sitting in the garden and she felt more and more depressed and yet the urge kept burning in her. She had lost all appetite and her body felt just terrible. Why didn't he come? It was no way around this whence the urge was felt, everybody knew that. He didn't have to stay with her at all, just do what was needed and then he could leave for all she cared. But they had to mate, it had to be done. She was wailing and crying and Dilloth and Meril tried desperately to comfort her but they couldn't, they didn't understand what the problem was and so they could just hug her and try to show that they were there for her.

The valley was of course in mourning and many were in deep shock, the death of that young one was just horrible and so unexpected. Even in war such things rarely happened, the young were protected and kept out of harm's way at all costs. The dunedain rangers were in shock and were afraid that the elves now would start to regard them too with suspicion but luckily they didn't. They knew that the two humans had been the odd rotten apples in the barrel and didn't blame the rangers at all. The funeral was a very sombre one and most were crying, the elleth's family were to leave within the week and guards were chosen to escort them to the havens. Elrond tried to keep himself busy with work, he didn't want to think about what he had done and what could happen. He had to confess his sins, there was no way around it for sure, Galadriel would know everything almost immediately when they met and he had to just prepare himself for the scolding of this millennia.

He was very worried though, Aytha seemed to deteriorate a lot, she refused to eat and she seemed to be in discomfort the whole time and he had no idea of what it was that was ailing her. Could it be the shock? He did think so at first but then he sort of rejected that idea, she was tough, and he was sure this was something even more serious. He tried to spend some time with her but unfortunately the infirmary was flooded by the local humans who suffered from a bought of stomach flu and he had so much to do he was left in a state of fatigue. For some days he was working like mad and then one evening he was suddenly faced with a new patient, Glorfindel. The captain had gotten a nasty cut in his shoulder and Elrond had to gasp when he saw the balrog slayer. Fin was pale, his eyes bloodshot and he had lost weight, his hands were shaking and he did look desperate. "What has happened?"

The soldier who came with the captain made a sheepish grin. "One of the recruits managed to nick him, it is the first time that has happened"

Elrond just stared, a recruit? Wounding Glorfindel? That was bloody impossible, something serious must have taken his attention. Elrond helped the tall blond down onto a chair and Glorfindel made a nasty grimace, it was very obvious that he was ill somehow and Elrond was puzzled and even more so, worried. "What in Eru's name has happened to you?"

Fin just grunted and held his arm up. "That is pretty obvious now isn't it, I was too slow to parry and he managed to get in under my guard"

Elrond frowned. " I am not blind thank you, no, I meant, you are obviously not well!"

Glorfindel hung his head and moaned. "I feel like crap Elrond, seriously, I cannot even explain it, I cannot eat, cannot think, my mind is a mess and at night I cannot even close my eyes once. I feel like I have ants crawling everywhere!"

Elrond frowned, that did sound rather odd and uncomfortable too. He cleaned and stitched the wound on the captain's shoulder and then he checked Glorfindel over thoroughly. He had no fever, his heartrate was normal, Elrond couldn't find anything wrong but obviously something was very wrong indeed. He was seriously confused. "Fin, I cannot find any ailments of the physical kind, is something else bothering you?"

Glorfindel almost growled, "No, why are you asking? I am fine! This is not in my head if you think so!"

Elrond immediately knew that Fin was hiding something but he also knew that the balrog slayer was so stubborn it was impossible to make him talk unless he wanted to. Elrond would just have to be patient and wait until the tall golden one decided it was time to talk. For the rest of the day Elrond kept wondering what the problem could be and he was so frustrated he spent a few hours in the library, trying to find out if the medical books there could provide him with an answer.

The next days were busy too with the preparations for a festival and so Elrond didn't see Glorfindel for a week and when he did he was stunned. Glorfindel was just a wreck and he had not showed up for work for two days, and that was unheard off. He was in bed and seemed to be in pain but wouldn't tell Elrond anything about his symptoms and Elrond was forced to drug the captain so he could get some much needed sleep. Aytha too was very ill, she was loosing weight and there was no spark in her eyes, no hope. She just sat in the garden looking as if she was about to fade at any moment and Elrond felt so terribly guilty. Had he somehow mislead her when he gave in to his desires and bedded her? Was this his fault? The mere thought was horrible and he felt like the world's worst coward but he didn't dare to stay with her for more than a short period of time each day. He instructed Dilloth and Meril to give her some herbs and to try and feed her regularly and then he was off again.

The next morning he was awakened by Lindir who was rapping on the door rather vigorously. "My lord, the scouts have spotted the lady Galadriel's entourage, they will be here in two hours"

Elrond just groaned and got up, he felt rather sure that this day would be the worst he had had since his brother made his choice. He took a quick bath, ate and made sure that he at least did look representable. He did miss Arwen but the idea of facing his mother in law now was not exactly the most jolly of thoughts. The group entered the valley and he spotted Arwens grey gelding and she was riding pretty hard. Before long he was hugged vigorously by his daughter and she appeared to beside herself with joy and he managed to smile and look happy.

Galadriel sat on her huge white mare and was helped down by one of the guards, she looked as radiant as ever and she wore a rather elegant riding suit made from soft green velvet. It made her hair look even more striking than before. Elrond did bow deeply before her. "Welcome my lady"

Galadriel smiled and cocked her head, she took a look at the elves who had showed up to welcome her and Arwen. Elrohir and Elladan were already discussing something with their sister and she appeared to be very eager to show her friends some new dresses. Galadriel frowned. "Isn't Glorfindel here?"

Elrond took a deep breath. "Ah, no. He is…ill"

Galadriel looked worried. "Ill? I think you need to explain this to me Elrond"

He felt his face turn stiff. "Uh yes, but not here, I will talk to you later, there is something we need to…discuss"

Galadriel smiled and nodded but he could see from her eyes that she did realize that something was off. The group was escorted to their rooms and given some time to bathe and prepare and then there would be a grand dinner in their honour. Elrond felt as if he was walking on needles the whole time, he was afraid that Arwen would notice his odd behaviour so he did allow her to sit by her friends sharing all the gossip which had accumulated there since she left and she was laughing and giggling and having a good time. Elrond on the other hand felt Galadriel's eyes on him the whole time and he barely managed to eat anything, what was he to do?

The dinner and the entertainment lasted way into the evening and the valley was quiet when he finally had the time to sit down with the lady of the golden woods. Galadriel had changed into a gown made from very thin blue fabric and it made her look ethereal, and cold. She sat down in his study and her eyes were calm but he could sense that she was curious, and worried. "I don't really know how I am to tell you this…It is…complicated"

Galadriel leaned back, her eyes got narrow. "Then start at the beginning dear"

Elrond took a deep breath, he felt like a kid who has done something wrong and is about to be punished by a strict teacher. Galadriel had folded her hands in her lap and he felt a need to stutter as he started to tell of the day when the humans came with this odd elleth they had hauled out of a lake. Galadriel's eyes got huge as he continued tale and told her of what he had seen in Aytha's mind and she did look genuinely shocked. But Elrond had to confess what he had done, he didn't try to hide it and he felt his face burn with shame as he admitted to having slept with the redhead.

Galadriel took a deep breath, she did look stunned and a bit disappointed but most of all she looked confused. "Elrond, what in the name of Eru have you gotten yourself into this time? This does sound like…oh I am not sure! But Glorfindel is ill too? Can't you see that there is a connection?"

Elrond cringed. "Uh, I didn't think that far"

Galadriel sighed. "Elrond, I do love you and I hope you know that. You have been like a son to me since we first met and I know that you never do things out of recklessness nor stupidity. But this was stupid dear, it was very stupid. You have hurt yourself and I bet you have hurt her too, she is probably very confused right now."

Elrond swallowed frantically. "I know damn it, I know! But…I…just couldn't help it!"

Galadriel took a deep breath. "Elrond, you have some human blood, I bet that is what caused this misery. A full blooded elf probably wouldn't have given in to temptation but enough of that. This is not the time nor the place to place blame on anyone. What is done is done, and we just have to deal with the consequences. I do hope that we may be able to help her and Glorfindel too, like I said, there has to be a connection there"

Elrond stared down, something within him cringed at the thought of Aytha being with Fin, it just didn't feel right. Galadriel got up and walked over, embraced him gently. "Oh my dear, you have been so lonely, don't think that I don't understand for I do. But she is not for you, not the way you would like it to be. Of this I am certain"

Elrond tried to stay calm, he felt his heart ache. "So what are we to do?"

Galadriel took his hands. "I am to meet this young lady, and maybe I can get to the bottom of this mystery. Something is clearly wrong and if we can't see through the cultural differences souls may be in jeopardy"

Elrond tried to gather his senses. "She is in the garden, she barely leaves it these days"

Galadriel had a firm expression on her face. "Good, show me the way. We need to deal with this now! Before it is too late"

Elrond took her by her hand and they walked to the garden. Dilloth sat in the room Aytha had been given embroidering and she got up and did curtsey when she saw the lady. "My lord, my lady. Aytha is outside, do you wish for me to go and get her?"

Elrond waved his hand. "No, we'll go to her. How is she today?"

Dilloth shook her head. "Weak, absent minded. She seems to have lost all interest in life. She did drink half a cup of tea, but that is all she has gotten into her this day"

Galadriel did look shocked and Elrond petted Dilloth on her arm. "You are doing well, others would have given up on her a long time ago."

They went out into the garden and Elrond saw that Aytha sat in a hammock under a tree, she was not moving and could have been a doll. Elrond was frightened by the sight, she did look terrible. Galadriel stopped and stared, her eyes rather large and Elrond had never seen his mother in law looking thus before. "Oh Eru…."

Galadriel walked forth and sat down and Aytha became aware of them, she saw Galadriel and tried to move but she was too weak. It was obvious that Aytha saw that Galadriel was an important person and that she tried to show submission. Galadriel reached forth and took Aytha's hand. "Don't worry little one, no need to get up"

Galadriel stared at Elrond, she had a very shocked expression on her face. "Elrond, she is fading?!But why?"

Elrond shook his head. "I don't know, but she has been acting so oddly around Glorfindel, and I think she has some sort of crush on him"

Galadriel frowned. "A crush you say? I think this is something very different from a mere crush, come here, sit with me"

He sat down hesitantly and Galadriel nodded towards the redhead who looked confused and scared. "You went into her mind, but you are not as strong as me. Together we can figure this out, are you with me?"

Elrond nodded. "Of course, but how?"

Galadriel raised her hand, he saw her ring and grunted, of course, the power of the rings could be used also for such purposes. "I will make her sleep, then we can see if it is possible to figure out what the problem is. We can enter her memories and it will be as if we are there, with her, in real time."

Galadriel went over and sat down next to Aytha, the elleth did look nervous but she didn't protest and Elrond held her hand as Galadriel embraced her and slowly made her go to sleep. Galadriel kept cradling the young elleth's upper body in her arms and the two rulers linked hands and closed their eyes. Elrond felt a jolt, then he saw again, and this time it was very different indeed.

The vision was so much clearer and he did understand what they were saying. He was staring at a huge group of Aytha's tribe, perhaps a few hundred and they were marching along a river, heading south. He stared at this people who by now didn't exist anymore and felt a strong surge of sorrow. He took a deep breath, tried to concentrate upon his task. Galadriel was standing beside him, she looked very fascinated too and she was pointing toward the horizon. "There, it is another group, heading this way"

Elrond could see Aytha in this first group, she was carrying a huge pack of furs over her shoulders and she looked happy but tired. There were elflings running around the adults and some males were armed, obviously protecting the tribe. The other group met this first one and greetings were exchanged. It was a very friendly meeting and they saw no signs of hostility but it was obvious that these two groups had some differences in culture. It was obvious in their clothing and jewellery and also in the markings on their faces. Elrond and Galadriel watched as the two groups made camp together, and prepared a feast. Galadriel was listening to what they were saying, the language was beautiful but odd and it was also very simple. Some words seemed to have several meanings depending on the context. They were obviously having a good time and Galadriel stepped forth, walked like a ghost among them, staring at each and every one as if she wanted to etch their faces into her mind. One of the females got up to get a bowl of something and a male from the other tribe beat her to it, he lifted the bowl first and gave it to her with a smile and suddenly the two just stood there, staring at each other for several seconds without blinking.

The others obviously noticed for they stared and then some started to cheer and clap and whistle and the two elves sort of fell into each-other's arms kissing like mad. The male lifted the female up and carried her off into one of the tents and the sounds which followed from the tent told anybody who had their hearing intact that the couple was very busy indeed.

Galadriel stared at Elrond, her eyebrows almost touched her hairline. She seemed to focus her energy towards the tent and her face went slightly red but there was an expression of understanding on her face, as if she suddenly had seen the light somehow. "Oh Eru, I see, come, we have work to do!"

Elrond didn't understand anything but he sort of closed his eyes and felt that odd jolt and then they were back in the room and Aytha was still sleeping. Galadriel was a bit pale and her ring was glowing slightly. She shook her head and groaned. "There is indeed a connection Elrond, and it is one unique for her race."

Elrond rubbed his forehead, he was getting a headache. "Do explain"

Galadriel bit her lower lip. "It is actually an ingenious trick of nature to prevent inbreeding and to make sure that the individuals who are strong and fit do reproduce. I have never even heard of anything like this, but it is real"

Elrond tilted his head. "And?"

Galadriel sighed. "From what I could see in their minds it is a sort of urge, to mate. It appears when someone who are capable of producing the best possible offspring do meet, it is in their blood so to speak, an instant pull which cannot be fought off."

Elrond frowned. "So, Aytha is feeling that…ah…pull? Towards Glorfindel?"

Galadriel nodded and closed her eyes, she did look tired. "Yes, to her people this is something sacred, a most joyous event. It means new life, it is how they do reproduce Elrond, they cannot conceive unless they feel that urge. She must feel so horribly disappointed and most of all rejected. Nobody would ever reject their mate like she has been rejected"

Elrond felt his heart drop a few inches. "So she does need to…ah…mate! With Glorfindel?!"

Galadriel nodded. "Yes, or else she will get very sick and possibly die. It is such a strong feeling Elrond, I felt it through her mind, it is agonizing and terrible, it cannot be fought."

Elrond rubbed his nose. "But Fin isn't of her people, how come he feels it then? For he does feel it right? That is what has been ailing him?"

Galadriel nodded. "Yes, it is. He too feels that strange urge, and strongly too. The moment they met she knew he was meant for her, that they are compatible and the connection was made. I cannot explain it in any other manner. It is blood calling out to blood. Her fêa made the connection with his and pulled him in, it is the females who instinctively activate this odd mind link"

Elrond hesitated for a moment. "Galadriel, Glorfindel does favour males, and he has no interest in her at all. Are you sure it cannot be removed somehow?"

She nodded firmly. "Yes, from her mind I could see that nobody in their right mind would try to fight it, it was their way of ensuring the survival of their people, as ancient as they were. There is no way around it Elrond, they must come together, if only once. That will be enough"

Elrond felt his mind spin and he blinked twice. "Ah, excuse me if I am wrong but if they do…come together, won't that mean that there will be a…baby?"

Galadriel nodded firmly. "Yes, that is the point of this urge, creating a new life. If they do this there will be a conception and she will carry his child. No way around it."

Elrond groaned. "Oh wonderful, I cannot wait to tell Glorfindel of this, he will be so thrilled! He doesn't have any room in his life for a family"

Galadriel looked down. "No, he isn't ready to settle down, I don't think he'll ever be."

Elrond looked devastated. "But she cannot live here as a single mom?! What when the day comes and we all leave these shores? If she comes with us to Valinor she will be viewed as a fallen woman, as someone of dubious moral"

Galadriel touched his arm gently. "I know, and yet the deed must be done, they won't have any peace before they do."

Elrond swallowed hard, staring at the unconscious elleth. "Galadriel, I do care about her, a lot. I cannot just stand here and let her become the laughing stock of our society? She will become an outcast. Glorfindel will never marry her, never love her. He won't even desire her damn it. He will have nothing to offer her, or their….offspring"

The idea of Aytha carrying Glorfindel's child hurt, oh Eru it hurt. Galadriel nodded slowly. "It is a dilemma for sure. Our society does have rules which are so different from the ones she is used to, and to us an unwed mother is unheard of. But I fear for them both if they don't give in soon. There is a link between their fear now, and it cannot be broken until they have done what that old instinct tells them to do. If one is to perish so will the other too"

Elrond cringed. "It is like bonding then?"

She nodded. "Yes, a bonding born of biology. I pity her, everything here is so different, so alien to her. When you slept with her she was sure that it would solve problem, that your high status would mean that all the other males here would be eager to bed her, Glorfindel included. Their culture was indeed very strange, but who are we to judge. To her we are just as weird."

Elrond took a deep breath. "So what are we to do now?"

Galadriel got up and her face was a bit melancholic. "You go to Glorfindel and tell him of this, make sure that he does understand the severity of the situation. He cannot refuse, if he does he will only get worse and eventually fade"

Elrond felt a lump in his throat, this was actually rather awful. He could understand that it probably was a very clever trick from the hands of nature to ensure the health and strength of the race but here in their world such a system created naught but problems. Aytha's people had owned no feeling of shame when it came to sex, to them it was as natural as breathing or drinking and the chance to conceive an elfling something they all longed for, perhaps they had been luckier than his own people after all, with their hidden but still strong rules regarding almost every aspect of life. Galadriel stroked Aytha's red hair lovingly. "Poor little one, so scared and so confused. But we will make it right, we will make sure that you get the happiness you deserve."

She turned to Elrond again. "I will ask Dilloth to help me carry her into the bed. You go and get Fin, they cannot wait much longer"

Elrond nodded and turned toward the door, sluggishly. He hated the idea of Fin sleeping with her, it was…no, it was just… It made him feel sick somehow and the idea of her having to face the prejudice of others heartbreaking. He made it to the door before Galadriel called out to him, softly. "Elrond, you are doing the right thing, it doesn't feel that way now, but believe me, there is no other option"

He sighed and got out, managed to look normal as he strolled to the rooms which belonged to Glorfindel. This was not a conversation he was looking forward to, not at all! Glorfindel was asleep when he walked in, the golden haired warrior laid in a heap of sheets and he was sweaty and kept making small moans the entire time. Elrond had to stop and stare, he knew that he had to push his own feelings aside and view this from a healer's standpoint. There were really no way around it, Galadriel had showed him that. He sat down and shook Glorfindel gently, praying in his mind that his friend would accept the truth without any protests. Fin opened his eyes and groaned, he winced and tried to turn away. "Eru, get rid of that light, it hurts!"

Elrond sighed and put a hand on Glorfindel's shoulder, tried to look as calm as possible, "Fin, I think we may have discovered why you…aren't yourself"

Fin sat up, he looked dizzy and his eyes were almost shut, he did look as if he had a terrible hang over. "You have, great, what can be done about it?"

Elrond made a grimace. "Ah, now, here is the problem, you see…."

Fin squinted. "There is a cure yes? Don't bloody tell me there aren't…"

Elrond tried to smile. "Oh, there is a cure, but you won't like it"

Glorfindel rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me it is like that terrible goo you made me swallow that time I got hit by that orc arrow? It was beyond horrible, I can still taste it"

Elrond took a deep breath. "It is nothing like that, I promise. You see, Galadriel is here and well, she saw something…"

Glorfindel was starting to look tense. "Right, spill it, I can take it, no matter how bad it is"

Elrond thought to himself (I wonder) but he put up a brave face and told Glorfindel everything and the balrog slayer got more and more pale. He listened though, until Elrond stopped talking and then he just stared at the healer, his eyes almost black with some sort of emotion Elrond simply couldn't identify. "Sleep with her?! You are telling me that I have to bed that redhead in order to get well again?!"

Elrond nodded slowly. "Basically yes, but Galadriel think that once is enough"

Glorfindel stared at him, eyes very cold and expression one of utter disgust. "No way, I don't care how bad I will feel, I am not doing it and that is period. I will not cheat on my lover like that and I have no interest in her whatsoever!"

Elrond whimpered. "But…it will harm you both if you…"

Glorfindel sneered. "You cannot know that for sure, I am certain it will pass! I am not going nowhere near that female, do you hear me? I have heard about her and the customs of her tribe, for all I know she could have slept with several dozen males and I have heard rumours about you and her too"

Elrond felt himself blush and he cringed and Glorfindel pointed at him. "Aha, guilty as charged right? You have fucked her haven't you? And now you want me to do her too? Are you nuts? Or do you perhaps need some moron to become the scapegoat and take the blame for a mistake of yours?"

Elrond almost gaped, it wasn't like Fin to be that aggressive, nor as nasty. But it was probably just a side effect of his condition. "You know I wouldn't do that to you Fin, you have to listen to me, your very being is in danger!"

Glorfindel huffed. "I do not believe you, to Namo with that redhead. I can fight this, I am not afraid"

Elrond just sighed and rolled his eyes and tried one last time. "Come on, it cannot be that bad? One quick roll in the hay and you will be back to normal, she isn't ugly"

Glorfindel looked genuinely pissed. "Says the one who already has tasted the lady's charms! I am not sharing your whore Elrond, forget it. Now be gone from my room before I throw you out!"

Elrond had to get up and he felt a surge of strong despair. What were they to do now? He took a deep breath. "I am leaving, but for Eru's sake, please! Do reconsider, this is no game!"

Glorfindel just turned around and Elrond had to leave the room, feeling as if his heart was about to burst. He walked slowly back to Aytha's rooms, and he entered with a sigh. Galadriel just looked at him and her eyes became huge. "He refused!"

Elrond nodded. "Not only did he refuse, he called her a whore, and he acted in a most peculiar manner."

Galadriel closed her eyes. "Laurefindë was always stubborn, even as a child. He isn't easily persuaded and he doesn't always knows what is best for him. I need to think!"

Elrond sat down and sighed, staring at his mother in law. "Then do think fast please, before they both fade!"

Galadriel took a deep breath and snapped her fingers. "He has a lover right? If he won't listen to us then maybe he will listen to that ellon"

Elrond grimaced. "He is out on patrol, won't be back for a week, I have no idea of where he can be right now"

Galadriel smiled, a sly grin. "But I know someone who can solve that little problem. Worry not Elrond, we will get him back here. I am sure Glorfindel will listen to someone that close to him"

Elrond closed his eyes, he did hope so to, or else he had no other option than to drug the balrog slayer and he knew beyond any doubt that Glorfindel never would forgive him if he did, not until the end of the world. This situation had gone from bad to worse, and Elrond could just hope that Galadriel did know what she was doing.