Awakenings

Part 8.

Ecthelion placed a hand over that of his nervous companions to cease its endless drumming. “All will be well Fin, You’ll see.”

Glorfindel gave his friend a quick nod before turning his head to gaze out of one of the windows and over the kings court. The day had finally come, Ecthelion and himself had been emitted to the kings guard having finally passed their majority. The past few years that had rolled by agonizingly slowly had been the hardest of his life so far. He had been submitted to many a trial, had faced great loss, and all without him. All without Erestor. He had cried for him, he had begged to see him again, to rectify the wrong he had done unto Erestor. To win him back. Now finally, after years of waiting and remorse, he would see his love again. And now sitting patiently beside his loyal friend Glorfindel waited once more, they waited to meet the head guard of their unit to which they were to be assigned. For they would not simply be thrust forward into battle, they would be given a few weeks at least to grow accustomed to their new command. And in those few weeks he hoped to reclaim his love. Though if he were able to admit it to himself he knew he faced his greatest trial yet, and he had never been filled with more dread.


“Names.” At the commanding voice Glorfindel snapped his head away from the courtyard to face who he knew to be one of the captains.

“Ecthelion, heir to the house of the Fountain.”
“Glorfindel, Lord to the house of the Golden flower.”
“Indeed?” Asked the other elf with a raised brow, “let me be the first to tell you that no matter what your station may of been at your home here you are of the lowest rank. There is no special treatment here, if you wish to become captains of which I do not doubt, then you must earn it. As has any other elf that abides in the kings court. Now again, names?”

“Ecthelion.”
“Glorfindel.”

The captain smiled and stepped forwards grasping their forearms in the greetings of a warrior. “Welcome Glorfindel, Ecthelion. I will be your training captain for the next few weeks until your skill has been assessed and you are given your decided rank. If you have any questions, I am the elf you will seek out.”

“Actually…” Glorfindel began as the captain turned to lead them away, “…I do have a question.”
“Already? Very well what is it?”
“I ah, I know someone, or…knew someone who has residence here in the courts, as an apprentice to the kings councillors?”
“There are no apprentices here, not anymore.” Again he turned to lead them both to their barrack but was again interrupted.
“But…he, he must be here, I have waited so long he must be.” Glorfindel stammered.

Ecthelion stepped forwards seeing that his friend was fast loosing his composure in front of their new captain only minutes after meeting him.
“He had not yet met his majority upon arriving here, surely…”
“What is his name?” The captain asked shortly with a sigh, realising he had two stubborn recruits on his hands.
“Erestor.”
“Erestor?” The captain asked with obvious surprise.
“Aye you know him? He is here?” Glorfindel asked with blinding hope.
“Aye, though you had best refer to him as councillor Erestor. He is one of the kings most trusted advisors.”

There was silence between the two friends as smiles slowly spread upon their faces in surprise and pride, Erestor had always wished to have a rank of high importance in the kings court.
“He did it, gods Thel he did it!” Glorfindel exclaimed in such joy for his love and best friend.
“Indeed he did.” The captain looked at them both as if they had lost their minds but also with mild amusement. “May I now take you to your barracks?” He asked with a raised brow.
“Oh of course, please, our apologies lead the way!” Ecthelion had said with such joy that the captain fixed them both with a bemused look before leading them to where they would be staying for the next few weeks.

They stood now in their barrack, in their very small barrack that housed around twenty cots. Indeed it was not what they were used to but they were excited non the less. The captain could not help but smile at their enthusiasm, deciding that perhaps he had been to quick to judge them upon first meeting. Having two soldiers under his command introduce themselves as lords he had immediately expected trouble from them. But watching as they eagerly scanned the room he could tell that they were simply eager to serve their king. They would serve well.

“Your training will start tomorrow at dawn, you have the rest of the day to wander about your new home.” With that he turned to leave but was again stopped and gritted his teeth as turned back around, although smiling in amusement.

“Wait uh…Erestor, I mean councillor Erestor where is…where would I find him?”
“You would find in the palace, all advisors stay close to their king. You have leave to wander about parts of the palace, but not the private quarters of the advisors as you can understand.”
“Of course.” Glorfindel had replied, slightly crestfallen.

The captain sighed and rolled his eyes. “Am I to understand that you were close?”
“Aye, more than you could imagine in fact.”
“Leave it with me then, let me see if I can arrange for you to meet with the councillor in his office.”
“Oh thank you! Really I am so very grateful! I…”
“Yes yes, you must realise it may be a while before I can get you a meeting though. Councillor Erestor is often in high demand from his king, it will take a while for me to get a hold of him.”
“Of course, thank you again, I have waited years, what are a few more days?”
“Indeed, now if you will excuse me.”


~*~*~*~*~*~

They sat beside each other now, shirts off and grinning as they sat and watched the other new recruits spar with each other for the first time. The whole day had been a day of introductory to the other men they were presently stationed with. The others had been impressed with both Ecthelion’s and Glorfindel’s skill and there was already a comradely sense of atmosphere between the twenty newest recruits. Dust rose from the floor as another of the newest recruits ungracefully sat beside Glorfindel and Ecthelion, he to wearing a happy grin, despite the fact that he had just been beat and his own sword now lay limply in his hand.

“I think I’m going to like it here,” when both Ecthelion and Glorfindel faced him he introduced himself, “I am Garon,” he said whilst holding his hand out for both Glorfindel and Ecthelion to take in greeting.
“Ecthelion.”
“Glorfindel.”
“But one day I have been here and I have not only spared with some of the greatest warriors I know but I have fallen in love.”
“Indeed?” Ecthelion laughed with a raised brow.
“Aye, I became lost in the palace, something that would usually mortify me but I have never been so glad of my poor sense of direction! For I stumbled upon a vision and he guided me to the main hall.”
“Prey tell what is the visions name?” Asked Glorfindel.
“In all truth I do not remember his name, to captivated by his beauty was I to hear any of the words that melodious voice may of spoken.”
“You do have it bad!” Ecthelion laughed.
“So if you know not his name what do you know of him?”
“I know that he is one of the kings councillors, I remember him telling me that…”

Both Ecthelion and Glorfindel looked to each other, their amused expressions faltering as the same thoughts crossed their minds.

“…that and those dark eyes….”
“It could be a coincidence.” Whispered Ecthelion.
“…those red lips…”
“It still may be nothing.” He reassured again.
“…his long black hair that shone in the candle light…”
“Many are of that colouring Glorfindel.”
“…with the finest behind I have EVER seen!” He finished with a laugh, unaware of the whispered conversation that had transpired during his musings.
“It’s him.” Glorfindel stated with utmost confidence.
“I think you will find that that ‘visions’ name is Erestor, or to you, councillor Erestor.” Said another voice. It was one of the more seasoned warriors who stood watching the new recruits that had spoken. They stood to face the warrior that’s had addressed, all three elves eager to hear more of Erestor, all for different reasons.


“You had best turn your fancies elsewhere with that one.”
“And why is that? Is he taken then?” Asked Garon. All three stood perplexed when the warrior seemed to find this assumption highly amusing.
“Nay I assure you no. Quite the opposite in fact.” He chuckled.
“What do you mean?” Asked Glorfindel seriously, for him this was no laughing matter. He had twice asked his captain if his meeting with Erestor had yet been arranged, gaining him two very annoyed and clipped negative replies.
“You must understand that many have tried for the favours of that beauty since the day he arrived. But there is a dark cloud that follows him, he would turn away any would be suitor, myself included.” He finished with a sigh.
“So you are saying my chances are slim?” Asked Garon with a mock pout.
“Nay I am saying that you would be wasting you breath in any attempts to woo him. As far as I know he is all about his work, a very serious elf. In fact I doubt if I have ever seen him smile. Only the Valar knows what happened to him before he came to us, but whatever it was it must have been traumatic. For you see, for the exception of the councillor room or to his peers, which would be the king he barely utters a word. And so as you can see it would be a pointless torture to covet that silent beauty, he simply cares not for the company of others.” The warrior finished with a sigh, before rolling his eyes at the sound of arguing elves coming from the sparing grounds, with a nod he left to intervene.

“Damn.” Garon muttered as he sat back down.

Ecthelion turned to Glorfindel who stood still on the spot, white in the face and with tears in his eyes. “Glorfindel?”
“I did that to him Thel, What did I do to my Erestor?”
“Glorfindel come, that may just be an exaggeration on behalf one who has been turned away by our friend.”


~*~*~*~*~*~


Two weeks had passed, and still Glorfindel had not seen Erestor, he had asked his captain again and again when he would yet had been so far told to simply wait. And then finally a chance arose for him to have what it was he sought. They had been assessed and divided into their own groups, and Ecthelion and Glorfindel had indeed been assigned as captains. But more importantly, the kings guards, meaning they were to move to the palace, along with the small group of elves that were for the moment under their command.

Glorfindel had been near ecstatic when told that they would be meeting with councillor Erestor who would not only be running through some of their duties with them, but also showing them to their new staying quarters. His palms were sweaty and heart was racing as he stood outside Erestor’s office with Ecthelion. The large doors seemed to loom and reek of authority. They could not help but feel slightly intimidated as they waited outside, Garon who had also been selected as a captain during this trial period was presently inside with one other. Apparently Erestor proffered to speak to the new captains separately. Both stood bolt upright as the tall doors opened and the two other captains walked through. Both smiled politely as Garon made a show ‘swooning’ as he pressed the back of his hand to his brow.

“Ai my poor heart, you will see what I mean when you see him.” He joked before departing.

“Well, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for…” The blond said with a shaky voice.
“Fin, I think it best perhaps if you were to go in first, if you remember the way he last saw us…”
“Aye you are right, well…ah…” He hovered before the doors with his hand poised to knock before turning and looking desperately to his friend, “Ai gods Thel I don’t know if I can do this!”

Ecthelion took Glorfindel by the shoulders firmly, and spoke to him likewise. “Glorfindel, just remember how it was between you two. No matter how he has changed, just remember your sweet Erestor.”

With a firm nod Glorfindel again approached the door, took a deep breath, swallowed hard and knocked.

“Come in.” Came the smooth voice that sent shivers down Glorfindel’s spine. Erestor sounded almost exactly as he remembered, save for the ever so slightly deeper tone to that silky voice.

After straightening his tunic he turned to door handle with a shaking hand and entered. It was Erestor, his Erestor. The now councillor stood with his back to the door, apparently looking out of his office terrace and into the courtyard. A terrace Glorfindel noted, that was far larger than the one he had once climbed to Erestor’s room.

And then he turned, their eyes met and a silence seemed to hang in the air for hours before one of them finally spoke.

“Glorfindel?” He whispered.
“Aye Erestor, it is I.” He licked his lips and with a brilliant smile he stepped closer, “Erestor I have missed you so mu…I have ever kept you in my thoughts I…”
“What are you doing here?” Was the less enthusiastic reply.
“I am apart of the kings guard now! I am one of the new captains here, or for the moment at least, during the trial period…Erestor I have missed you so much…” He finished in a desperate whisper.
“I…um…”

Glorfindel watched as Erestor tried valiantly to form a sentence, he smiled gently as he noticed Erestor fiddle with one of his sleeves, a habit of old his beloved had yet to shed.

Just then there was a brief knock at the door before the captain who had shown them to the barracks on their first day appeared.

“Councillor Erestor? I am sorry to interrupt but you have a straggler out here.” He said with a hint of amusement.
“I…ah, yes of course, send him in.” There was a catch in the councillors voice as he struggled to compose himself, which soon proved to be in a vain as a hesitant lord of the fountain was near pushed into the room.

Erestor seemed to of froze, he looked from Glorfindel to Ecthelion for a few moments, trying desperately to pull himself together.

“Hello my friend, ‘tis good to see you again.” Ecthelion dared to utter as he came to stand next to Glorfindel.

Seeing the two warriors stand side by side seemed to be pulled Erestor from his trance, swallowing hard he reached for something on his desk, anything! He settled for shuffling some papers that suddenly needed his urgent attention.

“Please sit, and I will run you through some of your basic duties now that you are apart of the kings guard.”

Hesitantly the two captains sat, eyeing Erestor worriedly as the councillor seemed to try desperately to avoid eye contact with them as he proceeded to reel off their new duties.

“And finally you will be expected to attend some of the meetings held in the kings meeting office to discuss matters to do with strategies and any possible threats that may face Gondolin. Are there any question?”

The two captains looked to each other hesitantly before Glorfindel smiled sweetly and leaned forwards in his chair.

“Aye, how have you been? I tried writing to you but I don’t think they got through…”
“perhaps I should of made myself more clear, are there any relevant questions?” Erestor asked with a clipped tone, still unwilling to look either in the eye for more than a moment.

“I…I ah, Erestor please…” Glorfindel reached his hand out across the large desk but was denied as Erestor drew his hands from atop of the desk to his lap.
“Then if that is all will you please guide the other soldiers waiting outside into my office.”
“We are the last ones Erestor, we were told that you would show us to our new living quarters.” Ecthelion spoke up, for the first time since greeting Erestor.


Erestor stood and turned his back briefly, to his old friends it seemed as if the councillor was simply tidying away some of his documents into a filling cabinet behind the desk. But in fact Erestor stood with his eyes close tightly, willing the tears in his eyes and the pain in his heart to disappear. Taking as deep breath and blinking away the tears Erestor turned again to face his old friend and the keeper of his heart.

“Very well, follow me.” He was aware that his voice had hitched but ignored it and soldiered on.

He guided the two warriors through the passage way in stony silence. Finally they came to halt before a door that was far less extravagant than that of Erestor’s office.
“This is where yourselves and the rest of your men will be staying. This room here is empty and there is another down the hall, though…” Here Erestor paused and even stuttered. They watched as Erestor swallowed hard and again would not look either of them in the eye. The councillors jaw clenched tightly before he was able to speak again in a strained voice. “…though we have accommodation for those who seek to, to…” He again stopped to clear his throat as it again hitched.

“Erestor?” Glorfindel asked concernedly.
“Will you be wanting two sets of rooms or one?” He asked in a near whisper as he crossed his arms in front of him and looked away uncomfortably.
“What do you mean?” Ecthelion asked, why would they want only one room? Unless Erestor thought…

“For those who wish to live with their loved ones…’tis a simple question will you be sharing sleeping quarters or do wish to be separate rooms?” He managed to finish quickly, biting the insides of his cheeks to keep his chin from trembling.

“Separate!” They both said desperately at once.
“Aye two different sleeping rooms.”
“Two very separate rooms.”
“As far away as from each other as possible.” Ecthelion finished lamely in an attempt to demonstrate how very much they did not wish to share rooms as lovers would. “In fact I will take these rooms here, I…I bid you a good day and I will see you on the grounds tomorrow Glorfindel.” With one more pointed and worried look at Glorfindel he closed the door to his new rooms, leaving Glorfindel and Erestor alone.

Erestor cleared his throat and beckoned Glorfindel to follow him with a nod.
“Erestor, Ecthelion and I, we are not…”
“Your personal affairs are none of my concern my lord.”
“Yes they are!” Glorfindel anchored Erestor to the spot by gripping the councillors upper arm. “Erestor Ecthelion and I have never been anything more than friends, you never even heard my side before you left, you, you broke my heart when you left…”
“I broke *your* heart?!” Erestor shouted before closing his eyes and breathing deeply, shaking off the grip on his arm he attempted to move past the warrior and continue on their way. But Glorfindel would have none, now holding the advisor by both arms he brought them close, close so he was looking down into dark uncertain eyes.

“I’m still in love with you, I have always loved you, I will always love you. And I will not rest until you…” here he took a shuddering breath as he tried to rein his raging emotions, “I know you must still love me, what we had ran to deep for a few years to erase.”
“Glorfindel, let go of me, please.” He pleaded quietly, not because the blond was hurting him, not because he was he was angry, but because he couldn’t stand to be so close to the person he hated and loved so much that it hurt. Slowly Glorfindel loosened his grip until finally he let Erestor go.

“You remember our promise? The one we made when were but elfling’s?” He whispered as he backed Erestor against the wall.
“Words, just words.” Erestor spoke as he covered his face with his hands, only to have Glorfindel move those hands away and tilt his trembling chin up.
“I still hold to that promise, even if you may not, I always will. I will never give up Erestor, nothing will ever make me give you up, not even you.”
“Why did you have to come here?” Erestor cursed to himself beneath his breath.
“Because I love you, and you love me. I know you do, tell me you do not, stand before me, look me in the eye, and tell me you do not still love me.”

There was a long pause where swimming dark eyes that were wracked with confusion and pain simply stared up at him. Finally Erestor spoke.
“Your rooms are that way my lord.” He whispered, and pushed pass Glorfindel.

Glorfindel watched the retreating figure of his love, there was still hope. But he had hurt Erestor to his very core, it would take everything to win him back, to gain his trust. But a promise is a promise, and he would burn the world to ash and defy the Valar themselves for Erestor. He would replace Erestor’s pain with an immeasurable love that knew no bounds.