Notes: I know there's a pretty big age difference between the legendary Glorfindel and Ellena, but hey, they're both immortal, right? Anyway, I hope you enjoy this story. It's a sequel to my first story, "Snow in the Sun," so if you haven't read that yet, I'd recommend checking it out first to get the full picture. Thanks for sticking with me!
Also, English is my second language so you might find some mistakes, forgive me in advance.
Ps : This is also something I wrote when I was younger, so I'll do my best to fix any inconsistencies or plot holes. Thanks for your patience!
Chapter 1 She who Resembles the Stars
He wasn't entirely sure. Fifty years had passed since the beginning of the war. It had been half a century since he last set foot in Imladris, duty calling him in the south. It might be her.
There was something in the captivating eyes of the young elf that hinted at familiarity. He had noticed her the moment she stepped the Great Hall.
Her finely featured face bore a stern gravity that made him shiver the first time he witnessed her entrance. It appeared as if her face had been meticulously sculpted from pristine white marble, and as if all the starlight had been captured in her luxuriant silver hair. That night, they were beautifully breaded with golden threads and white pearls, looking like a veil on her delicate head.
Glorfindel had remained there, lingering in a corner of the room, observing her. He had not moved since his entered the room; being here after so many years felt oddly strange.
'Glorfindel?' Elrond's voice nearly made him jump. 'Did I startle you?' A nearly imperceptible smile played on Lord Elrond's lips.
'You surprised me," confessed Glorfindel. 'It's been so long; I'd forgotten what it felt like."
'Perhaps you could sing us one of your songs?' exclaimed Erestor, emerging from behind Elrond with a tray of freshly cut fruits. He offered some to both Elrond and Glorfindel.
'Not tonight, my dear friend,' laughed Glorfindel.
'Ah, Ellena, there you are. Come, I have someone to introduce you to,' Elrond addressed someone over Glorfindel's shoulder.
He turned and was struck to see the person he had been spying on all evening approaching.
'I was looking for you too, ada; come, let's get started!' The young woman took Elrond's hand and gently guided him to follow her.
'Wait,' he said without moving. 'I think you two have never met before. Glorfindel, allow me to introduce you Ellena, my daughter. You may remember her name, maybe' he gently turned toward Ellena, 'and this is Glorfindel, you've heard of him before. He led the war in the south, kept Rohan from invasion.'
Ellena's face immediately changed upon the introduction. Her expression once again became serious, 'Good evening, Captain,' she said as she made a short curtsey. 'Indeed, I've heard of your deeds in the South and also in Gondolin. Finally, I put a face to the exploits that have been recounted to me.' She smiled, 'I saw you harnessing your horse this morning. Oh, I imagine the journey must have been exhausting, but you're finally home.'
'Glorfindel is tireless, Lady Ellena,' chuckled Erestor.
The soft laughter of the young woman caressed Glorfindel's ears. It was evident now. The stranger he had shamelessly stared at since his arrival was the daughter of the Lord of Imladris. He should have known. The icy beauty she inherited from her mother taunted him insolently and arrogantly. And those silver eyes staring at him were the legacy of her father. Glorfindel felt a tightening knot within him. He no longer stood as the legendary captain and lord he was, but like a child facing a giant. The irony of the situation made him uncomfortable.
'Enough teasing,' Elrond intervened.
How could he forget? He had left even before she arrived, but her name was widely known to all. Anyone would have recognized her at first glance. Yes, she looked like the brightest star in the darkest night. Yet, for reasons he still refused to admit, everything in him seemed to have denied the obvious reality. How could he fall so easily into such an obvious trap?
Glorfindel skillfully concealed the torrent of thoughts raging within him from Elrond and Erestor's sharp gazes. He bowed deeply, 'It is an honor to meet you, Lady Ellena.' He cleared his throat, 'if anyone deserves applause, it's Asfaloth.' Ellena's inquisitive look prompted him to continue, 'He's my horse, a faithful friend, much more pleasant and relevant than Erestor, if you ask me.'
Once again, she burst into laughter under Erestor's astonished gaze.
'Come now,' Elrond said, bringing back seriousness, 'Ellena, go by the fire; I'll join you in a short moment.'
'Very well, ada,' Ellena let go of her father's hand. 'Goodbye, Erestor,' then turning to face Glorfindel, she made a short curtsey, 'it was an honor, Captain,' she said.
Glorfindel couldn't help but notice the obsequious tone in her voice and gestures while a teasing smile remained on her red lips. He watched her walk away until she disappeared behind the flames of the fire.
'Maybe,' Elrond continued, suddenly pulling Glorfindel from his thoughts, 'you have some stories to share with us about the war in the South, Glorfindel.'
Glorfindel cleared his throat and quickly composed himself. 'Indeed,' he said, 'but not tonight, I would need to put them into writing first.'
The three elves then joined the other members of the ceremony around the fire. Ellena, accompanied by other elves, began the first chants. First, softly, then, carried by the crystalline voices of the elves, the melodies rose in the air, filling the room with an enchanting and peaceful ambiance. The words evoked ancient stories, legends, and tales of battles and triumphs. Each note resonated with pure clarity, enveloping the spectators in a whirlwind of intense emotions. Glorfindel remained silent, his gaze fixed on the flames. Ellena was positioned directly across from him, so that if he looked up, it was her gray eyes that he met.
But in order to avoid this, he closed his eyes and simply listened to the songs.
The harmonies mingled and overlapped, creating a tapestry of sound of ineffable beauty. The elves bathed in the light of the dancing flames of the fire, listened with captivating attention, allowing themselves to be carried away by the magic of the chants that resonated in their hearts and souls.
And after a moment, Glorfindel felt a change in the delicate harmony of the melody. He opened his eyes to find that Ellena had disappeared. Scanning the room, he eventually met her gaze in a corner of the hall. A faint smile touched her lips, a smile that seemed to be a silent invitation to join her. Hesitating at first, Glorfindel finally stood up, aware that the assembly was captivated, and made his way towards her.
'You seemed to be elsewhere,' she murmured when he reached her. 'One of the chants was about you... Well, I believe so.' The serenity on Ellena's face was briefly disturbed by a barely perceptible furrowing of her brows. 'It was so long ago,' she turned toward him, 'I always thought it was just legends, but when I see you, I doubt my doubts, if I may say so.' Her voice faded into a whisper. Her gaze was lost in that of the blond-haired elf, and for a brief moment, they stared at each other as if their very souls were discovering one another.
A faint smile appeared on Glorfindel's lips. 'I'm not sure how to take that,' he joked lightly, attempting to lighten the mood.
She apologized immediately.
'Lady Nienor is not here,' Glorfindel brought up to change the subject. Only afterward did he regret it, thinking he should have kept quiet as Ellena's smiling face turned into a sad moue. 'Mother hasn't left her chambers since she returned,' she sighed. 'I can only imagine her pain and confusion...'
Glorfindel nodded. Nienor could not rejoice. She had won a war but lost a son. Her loss was worth more than a hundred victories and a thousand conquests. She had retreated into solitary mourning.
The sadness weighed heavy on Ellena's white eyelids. Her gaze wandered to the distant flames. He suddenly felt overwhelmed by a sense of guilt. It was partly his fault that Aradan had been injured. If Darken hadn't intervened, he would have killed him.
'Forgive me,' Ellena whispered, making a short bow. 'I should go see her... Good evening, Captain.'
'Good evening...' Ellena was already gone before he could respond. He watched her walk away, the folds of her light dress swirling with each step.
He placed his hand over his heart. A strange feeling nagged at him deep inside.
