Glorfindel Unleashed

Title : 'Glorfindel Unleashed', 2/?
Author: Eawen Penallion
Type: FPS
Beta: Beloved Nienna, so encouraging!
Disclaimer: all rights to the characters belong to JRR Tolkien - I'm only playing with them.
Rating: (PG for cha chapter, NC-17 overall)
Pairing: Glorfindel/Erestor in later chapters
Warnings: M/M, implied child abuse, angst, character death

Author's notes: Author's notes: AU as in it is my idea, but canon where possible with regard to LOTR history. Please note - I subscribe to a very moral position and Tolkien's ethics regarding underage elves. There will be NO illicit carnal connotations in this story.

Summary : When Glorfindel becomes a child's protector, he does not realise what Erestor will be to him when he reaches majority. Can love survive the trials of death and destiny?

Chapter 2


F.A. 469


The summer waned and Aerwithen lingered. The children played less in the garden and instead moved to their designated teaching halls, away from any vagaries in the weather. The older children were ensconced with their tutors in the libraries; the younger were in rooms decorated in bright colours, containing toys and books suitable for their ages. It was a change for Erestor, but not an unwelcome one.

Having broken the barrier of speech, Erestor did not automatically become a garrulous child. He would now communicate with Mirieth in simple tr thr three word sentences, asking when he required something. He also learned to trust w elw elleth, a niece of Mirieth called Díwen. Mirieth had discovered that Erestor's previous nursemaid had been dismissed by Aerwroth and had suggested to Glorfindel that her sister's daughter might fill the post.

"It may be of help to have a sympathetic eye within those chambers, for I do not trust that witch to care for our little one as we would like," she advised her lord.

Glorfindel agreed, and to forestall any dissension by the aunt he declared that he would pay all monies pertaining to the appointment. Díwen was a sensible girl and gentle enough to draw out the little boy and introduce him to the fun of play. She also found another shy child who would not be rough or boisterous and often the two played side by side with building bricks, or sharing their colours.

At last, with his growing confidence, Mirieth could see Erestor's face and remarked often on his beauty. Erestor was a slim child with skin the colour of pale cream. His startling hair was like black velvet, falling unrestrained over his shoulders; the heart-shaped face framed the rose-red lips, which curled sweetly but shyly when he was happy which happened more and more now. It was his eyes, though, which drew the attention. Large, exotically almond-shaped, the depth of the chocolate-brown orbs exuded warm and purity of soul. And those eyes searched constantly for Glorfindel.

No one could replace the golden lord in Erestor's affection. He listened for the heavy footsteps along the corridor leading to the teaching room and would wait at the appointed hour near the entrance. Only Glorfindel could cause the blinding smile that lit up the elfling's face as he was swept up into the safe arms of his best friend.

"My Glo'fin'l."

And Glorfindel would laugh, and gently sway him in his arms. Not throw or swing, for somehow he knew that Erestor needed something gentler.

"And what today, pen-neth? More story?" At the enthusiastic nod, Glorfindel settled himself on the floor pillows and smiled his thanks when Díwen handed him the primer they had been using that week. Erestor snuggled further into his lap and the two heads, sable and gold, bent over the book spending the next hour entranced in the joy ordsords.

Erestor was ravenous when it came learning. Mirieth regularly claimed that his voracious intellectual appetite would exhaust her little library; so avid a reader was he. In the end she had implored Glorfindel to find other pursuits for the elfling. And so it was that one fine day the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower introduced Erestor, son of Galwion to one of Glorfindel's closest friends - Asfaloth.

The huge creature was the finest stallion in Gondolin. A good seventeen hands high, he was strong across the back to take the weight of a fully armoured Glorfindel, who was an elf of no mean stature. Of the purest white, his mane flowed like Glorfindel's, a shade almost like gold. He was truly magnificent, holding his noble head in proud position; highly spirited, he was a formidable challenge to the tiny elf.

"Look, Erestor," said Glorfindel, "He wants to be your friend." It was a hard task to coax the little elfling's head from where it sheltered in the base of his neck, whilst simultaneously trying to loosen the stranglehold the said elfling had placed around the said throat. "He won't hurt you, pen-neth"

"I don't think he believes you, Fin," came a laughing voice from behind the lord. Glorfindel turned with chilchild in his arms, offering a wry smile to the newcomer. "So," continued the elf, "this is your little protégé?"

"Aye, this is Erestor," The elfling was still silent, hidden beneath his veil of hair. " Pen-neth, this is Ecthelion, my very good friend. Look, sweet one, he has hair like yours. He has black hair too. Won't you give him greetings?" He bent his head, trying to peer through the thick strands, finally spotting those brown eyes. "Saes, Erestor?" he added a twist of pleading.

The child finally raised his head, and a small voice spoke out. "Mae govannen, Ecthelion."

"Mae govannen, Master Erestor," responded the Lord of the Fountain. "Aye, but you are a pretty one. Are you here to see Asfaloth?"

The elfling nodded, deciding once he had seen this new elf that he liked him. There was nothing not to like. Ecthelion was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of elves, dark of hair and fair of face. He always bore a look of innocence and joy upon his face, though Glorfindel knew that a wicked sense of humour lurked behind that façade. 'Thel's voice was also his fame for as well as being a renowned and fearless warrior, he had the sweetest voice in all Gondolin, and it was often said he could charm the birds from the trees. Glorfindel could see it had already charmed Erestor.

"Shall I tell you a secret, Erestor?" Another shy nod. "Glorfindel calls all his horses Asfaloth - do you know why?" A shake this t "Be "Because hetoo too silly and lazy to try and remember any other name! This way he doesn't have to." Ecthelion chuckled, fully expecting Erestor to join in but his laughter stopped when he received a stern glare from those dark eyes.

" Glo'fin'l *not* silly. He *my* Glo'fin'l!" The child's voice had deepened in his anger at the slur on his friend, and Glorfindel laughed aloud in pleasure.

"Ai, 'Fin, you truly have a stout defender here! May the Valar help any who cross *this* elf when he is grown! I thought you said he was shy?" Glorfindel nodded, puzzled at his friend's comment. Ecthelion continued. "No truly shy child would challenge a warrior like me," the dark lord smiled. "He's Galwion's boy, you said? Now *there* was a reserved elf, I never gore ore than ten words out of him on patrol. And if the mother was as shy as you say then I think this little one has simply followed his parents' example. No, young Erestor has plenty of spirit."

Glorfindel pondered on this. Perhaps his friend was right, and the child had no more than mimicked his parents' formidable reserve. Perhaps this would bode well for the little one's future, for Glorfindel had felt that worry press upon him at times.

"Now, how about a ride?" Ecthelion was saying, and Glorfindel gasped to feel the boy lifted from his arms and placed upon Asfaloth's broad back. Erestor squealed and Glorfindel made to protest when he registered that the cry had been one of delight. "Up you go behind him, 'Fin. I'll lead you out."

Glorfindel sprang upon the steed's back, an arm quickly circling Erestor's waist, and Ecthelion began to lead the horse from the stable.

"That's it, pen-neth. Grip him firmly with your knees, and hold his mane with your hands. Asfaloth won't let you fall, will you boy?" Ecthelion's instructions were swiftly followed though the thin legs were unlikely to make any impression upon the stallion. Erestor leaned into the sway, perfectly happy in his beloved Glorfindel's grip. "Ai, 'Fin, Asfaloth's in fine condition. He'll bear you well on the journey tomorrow."

Glorfindel could feel the boy tense and accusing eyes turned swiftly up to him. He sighed. "I hadn't told him yet, 'Thel," he said, and then looked contritely down at his little friend. "I am sorry, sweet one, I *will* be travelling from the city, and it is no short patrol. I must bear a message beyond the Encircling Mountains to Nargothrond and I will be gone for at least a month. Here," he pulled off his mithril ring, " I meant to give our token to you later but you had better take it now."

Erestor nodded disconsolately. "A promise," he whispered.

"Aye, pen-neth. A promise." Glorfindel dropped a kiss onto the soft black hair.

* * * *

Glorfindel knew that something was amiss as soon as he rode into the stable yard, and his heart clenched with foreboding. Mirieth was awaiting him, her face wet with tears and her hands wringing nxienxiety. He leapt from Asfaloth's back before the horse drew to a halt.

"Mirieth, what is wrong? What ails you?"

The elleth shook her head in misery, the words tumbling from her mouth.

"He's gone, my lord. He's gone! His mother died but three days after you left, and her pyre burned, then she took him and now he's gone!"

Glorfindel gripped the distraught elleth's shoulders, shaking her lightly in an effort to calm her.

"Where, Mirieth? Where has she taken him?"

The elleth took deep breaths. She had been waiting for her lord's return for so long, repeating her tale over and over in her head, so fearing his reaction that she was almost overcome with hysteria. She took one last inhalation and tried to steady her voice.

"Aerwroth has taken him back with her to her own house, The House of the Harp. She said it was her right as Erestor's only living relative. Oh my lord, she dressed him in that awful black immediately, almost with glee. And she has dismissed Díwen. She said she would hire a nursemaid herself, one who was not a spy." Mirieth looked directly into Glorfindel's eyes. "I have attended upon her three timey loy lord. She will not let me see him."

Glorfindel ground his teeth in anger. "She will let *me*," he growled and snatching at Mirieth's wrist he strode from the yard.

They must have been quite a sight, the golden lord striding through the streets of the White City and the elleth being dragged behind, almost running in an effort to keep up with the long strides of the large elf. The twists and turns were many but soon they were before the House of the Harp, and its gates were open to them.

No one in Gondolin did not recognise the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower. His strength, bravery and formidable skill in the service of the King was renowned and the warriors of the Harp were among his many admirers; the more so perhaps because the same admiration could not be extended to their own Lord. For Salgant, it was rumoured, was no true warrior. It was to his chambers that Glorfindel and Mirieth were directed.

The Lord of the Harp was not impressed with the greeting he received.

"Salgant, you have a boy living in this house - a boy called Erestor - and I want to see him *now*!"

The lord of the house quavered inwardly, for Glorfindel unleashed was not a sight for the faint hearted, yet he maintained his outward façade of authority, an act he had perfected through the centuries. He slowlyked ked up and down the figure of his counterpart, noticing in disdain the travel-stained leathers. Salgant was nothing if not fastidious about his own appearance.

"Glorfindel, is your errand so urgent that you could not change before arranging a visit to a fellow lord? I must say your choice of garb is most ... aromatic." There were a few titters from Salgant's advisors. Glorfindel took no notice.

"The boy, Salgant."

Salgant placed one finger to his cheek, pretending to ponder upon the question. "Ah, yes, Aerwithen's get. I know of this child, for the sister, Aerwroth has come before me asking for advice on this matter." He turned to one of the pages. "Please ask Mistress Aerwroth to come before me - and bring the boy." The page hurried to do his master's bidding. Salgant turned back to Glorfindel who still held firm to Mirieth's wrist, an obviously uncomfortable situation the the elleth as her face bore signs of the pain. A slight tug drew his attention to her discomfort and he released her.

"And what advice did *Mistress Aerwroth* seek?" asked Glorfindel, his opinion of the elleth clear in his tone.

"Why, a legal matter," Salgant declared, "That of custody of the child. In fact, I took counsel with Turgon, but it seems the law is clear."

At that moment the door to the chamber opened and Aerwroth strode in, followed by a nursemaid leading the small child clad in black. Glorfindel made to reach for the child but Salgant's upraised hand stalled him.

"Hold, Glorfindel! For the counsel given to me was thus - in the absence of both parents, custody of an orphan child passes to their nearest relative, if that person is willing to give an abode to the child. Aerwroth is willing. Therefore," the lord smirked, "Ere son son of Aerwithen is now in her charge and is henceforth a member of the House of the Harp. The King has spoken."

Glorfindel did not move for a moment, did not blink as the news sank in. He felt hollow as if he had lost part of himself, and knew not what to say. Mirieth stood behind him, seeing her lord's pain, silently weeping. Her lord raised his head, a bleak look upon his face.

"Please, let me hold him one more time. Let me say goodbye?"

Salgant was satisfied. For so long he had heard the sneering rumours about his own valour, had heard the unfavourable comparisons with this knight of high fame and virtue. It was good to hear the plea in the golden lord's voice, to bring him to beg before him. He gestured to Erestor, nodding to the black-shrouded elleth.

"Aye, I am sure Mistress Aerwroth can have no objection to such a simple request, eh my lady?"

Glorfindel knelt and, at a gesture from Aerwroth, the nursemaid released Erestor's hand. The child flew into Glorfindel's arms.

Glorfindel clutched his little one close to his breast, and closed his eyes tight in a vain effort to prevent the tears from falling. How had such a tiny creature gained such a hold over his heart in only a few months? Whawer wer did Erestor possess that he felt so lost at this removal? How could he let him go? Yet he must. Pulling the child away from him he looked into Erestor's eyes. His throat was choked, yet he must speak.

"Pen-vuil, it is not my wish but you- you must stay here with your aunt." The child wailed, a cry that formed a small fissure in Glorfindel's heart. "No, pen-neth, listen! I will always love you, sweet one. I will come to see you as often as I may. I won't forget you, Erestor." The tears were freely flowing now from both adult and child, Erestor wailing in the understanding that he would not be returning home with his Glo'fin'l. The nursemaid tried to take Erestor's hand but he only clung tighter to his lord and finally she gripped him firmly and tore him away, bearing him from the room. Erestor's screams could be heard resounding down the corridor.

Aerwroth approached the kneeling Glorfindel. "My Lord, I found this among the child's possessions. I would not have one of my house said to be a thief, so I return it to you now." She held out her hand and upon it lay a mithril ring. Glorfindel groaned.

"It was a pledge, a promise," he whispered.

"Well, he will not need it now." The elleth dropped the ring, which bounced upon the marble floor, rolling to a final stop at his feet. "Goodbye, my lord".

The final shreds holding his heart rent into two as her footsteps echoed down the corridor, falling away to nothing.

Elvish:

elleth - female elf (sing.)
pen-neth - little one
saes - please
mae govannen - well met
pen-vuil - dear one