Title:
The Flow of Silver Water
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Pairing: Glorfindel/Ecthelion
Beta: Eni
Rating: R
Summary: Returned to life without warning or
reason, Ecthelion seeks to make the most of life while awaiting
his destiny.
Chapter
6
It
was not long before Elrond called the heads of his household
to conference. The exhausted messenger had been sent away to
rest and the Lord of Imladris now had chance to confer about
the situation with those who aided him in the running of the
realm.
Looking
around the room, Elrond met the gaze of each of those sitting
with him. He was aware that they already knew of the presence
of the messenger and were wondering what had occurred in the
Greenwood.
His
paused for a moment as his gaze came to rest upon Ecthelion.
In the decades since his return, Ecthelion had worked hard to
prove himself. It was not enough for him to gain a seat on Elrond’s
council by title and reputation alone - he had felt the need
to earn it. To that end he had volunteered to take on numerous
responsibilities, in order to assist his new hosts. In truth,
it was nothing that could not have been done by another, but
it was the willingness that endeared him to the people, much
as it had in his previous life. Elrond was confident he had
learned enough about the changed world to feel a part of the
discussions that would now take place.
“As
you have no doubt heard, the Greenwood has come under heavy
attack of late. The report is grim: the forest turns darker
by the day and much of it is already infested with Orcs, wargs
and spiders that are suspected to be descended from Ungoliant,
so great is their size. Thranduil’s forces have been greatly
diminished by the constant attacks and so he has asked for our
aid.”
Erestor
looked highly sceptical. “Thranduil has asked for help?
I find that hard to believe, especially from us.”
“He
is a proud King, but no fool,” Elrond admonished gently.
“He would never set his pride above the safety of his
realm. His army has been decimated - they were ill prepared
for the force of the attacks. All of his commanders are dead
and his son is as yet too inexperienced to lead.” Elrond
paused, though he desired to help Thranduil, he was uncertain
of the reaction his request would bring. “He needs someone
able to lead his army as well as help with the training of the
new warriors he has had to recruit.”
“Surely
he does not honestly expect us to hand over one of our commanders?”
Elladan was indignant. “We have our own troubles and if
we deplete our own resources we will have accomplished nothing.”
“Would
you leave them, then, to suffer and perhaps be destroyed?”
Elrohir questioned his brother. “Could you live with that
on your conscience? I know I could not.”
“I
do not wish them ill,” Elladan replied, “yet I do
not see how we can aid them without causing ourselves to be
weakened. What good would that serve?”
“Enough,”
Elrond interrupted. “Be that as it may, Elladan, I do
not feel it wise to decline. The time may come when we need
their aid and if it does, we need to be in the position to ask
for it. We must find someone to send.”
“My
Lord, I am more than willing, if you wish it.”
Silence
fell in the room as Ecthelion made his proposition.
“You
think that a good idea?” Glorfindel replied at last, his
voice oddly tense. “You are barely reacquainted with life
and you do not know the realm. It is too soon.”
“You
were not given nearly as much time as I to adapt, yet you coped
admirably,” Ecthelion returned. “Do you not think
I am able to do the same?”
“Of
course!” Glorfindel had the grace to look embarrassed
that he had implied such a thing. “It is just…”
He paused, shaking his head as he fought with the sudden onslaught
of emotions. “Never mind,” he ground out a moment
later, clenching his fists in sudden anger. “Do as you
see fit.” He fell silent, knowing he was in danger of
causing a scene and trying to maintain his dignity, despite
his deep and swiftly growing hatred of the suggestion his lover
had put forward.
There
was silence in the room for a time, all trying to give the two
Lords time to work things out between them. Glorfindel’s
rigid posture and the tenseness of his jaw made his anger painfully
clear. Likewise, Ecthelion’s guilt was also obvious by
he look of hurt distress that could be seen in his eyes. However,
neither said a word, and Elrond knew he would have to be the
one to make the decision.
“Very
well,” he said quietly. “Ecthelion, make whatever
preparations you need to and be ready to depart in one week.
Ensure you have an escort of at least a dozen guards; the paths
into Mirkwood should not be travelled alone.”
“Very
good, my Lord.” Ecthelion bowed his head in acknowledgement
of the orders, finding himself unable to look at his lover.
He knew that the news would not go down well, despite feeling
that it was the right choice.
On
hearing this, Glorfindel stood, pushed back his chair so hard
that it almost toppled over, turned on his heel and left the
room before anyone could even think to try to stop him.
Putting
his head in his hands, Ecthelion sighed.
**************
Ecthelion
could not find Glorfindel anywhere within the house or the gardens,
despite his best efforts. As night fell and his lover failed
to turn up for the evening meal, he grew concerned. Surely he
had not left the borders without an escort? Even in rage, Ecthelion
preferred to think that Glorfindel had more sense than that.
Not
wishing to worry anyone, Ecthelion wondered what to do. He had
already asked so many people as to Glorfindel’s whereabouts
that he was sure half of Imladris already knew that something
was wrong between the couple. He growled in frustration - he
understood why his lover was upset, but avoiding the issue was
not helping.
Throwing
his hands up, he all but stormed back to their rooms, ignoring
the looks the passing Elves gave him. Pushing the door open
roughly, he slumped on the couch and did the only thing he could
- he waited.
It
was nearly midnight when Glorfindel at last returned to their
rooms. Looking up from the book he had been pretending to read,
Ecthelion let his gaze fall on the quiet figure. “There
you are,” he said gently. “Wherever have you been?”
He kept his tone soft, not wanting to sound accusing.
“Walking
around,” came the half-hearted reply. Ecthelion did not
ask where, though he dearly whished to know how Glorfindel had
managed to evade him for so long.
“I
was looking for you… you left so suddenly.”
“As
you plan to do?”
The
venom in Glorfindel’s voice caught Ecthelion off-guard
and he dropped the book that was still in his hands. “For
the love of Varda, Glorfindel, please stop this. You are not
helping matters by acting in this manner.”
“And
you are helping by throwing yourself into danger?”
“It
would not be the first time and they need aid, Glorfindel. Would
you deny them that? They are in need of assistance and there
is no one else who can be spared. Or do you think me incapable
of performing this task?”
“I
did not say any such thing,” Glorfindel responded. “Yet
you do not know what that place is like. Mirkwood is unlike
any realm you have ever been to, of that I am sure. It is unwise
to send one who is unfamiliar with the wood.”
“Glorfindel,”
Ecthelion replied, “you and I have had plenty of experience
with being thrown into unfamiliar settings. This will be but
one more. Please, have a little faith in me.”
“I
have faith!” There was an almost petulant tone to his
voice, much to his shame, and he felt the last of his composure
cracking. “Yet I still do not think you should go!”
“Why?”
Ecthelion asked simply.
“You
know why,” Glorfindel retorted.
“Tell
me anyway,” Ecthelion coaxed. It needed to be said, that
he knew.
“Mandos
take it, Ecthelion!” Glorfindel’s already frayed
nerves finally unravelled. “Do not be so obtuse! Very
well then, I do not wish you to go because we will be parted
again! I wonder how you can even consider such a thing when
we have had not more than a handful of years together again.
Do I mean that little to you?”
“It
surprises me you can even suggest such a thing.” Ecthelion’s
voice showed his hurt. “You know that duty often conflicts
with the matters of the heart and it is up to us to resolve
such situations as best we can. You are all I desire in life,
yet I was returned for a reason; perhaps that reason lies in
Mirkwood. As much as I wish I was returned solely for you, I
do not think it is so.”
“Then
I tire of duty,” Glorfindel snapped. “I am surprised
you do not.”
“You
do not mean that.” Ecthelion replied. “If that were
true then you would not have been returned.”
“That
was before you were reborn! It did not matter so much then!”
“Perhaps
then, that is why I was not returned sooner!” The moment
the words left his mouth, Ecthelion regretted them. To put his
extended stay in the halls on Glorfindel’s shoulders was
cruel and unfair.
Saying
nothing, Glorfindel eyed Ecthelion coldly. “I am sorry
you feel that way.” Then, for the second time in less
than a day, Glorfindel turned his back on Ecthelion and walked
out of the room.
“Glorfindel!”
Ecthelion hurried after him, but as he stepped out of the door,
a hand came to rest on his shoulder. Surprised, he turned to
see Erestor.
“Allow
me, please,” the councillor said. “You both need
to calm down; let me speak to him; he is not - as yet - annoyed
with me and I may have more success.”
While
Ecthelion would have preferred to go after Glorfindel himself,
he saw the wisdom of Erestor’s words and nodded. Currently
he knew that nothing he could say or do would soothe his lover
– better, then, to let someone else try. “Very well,
perhaps he will say to you what he will not to me.” He
smiled slightly as Erestor laid a comforting hand on his shoulder,
before departing to track Glorfindel down.
**************
As
it so happened, Glorfindel had not gone very far. He had stopped
just outside the house and was now leaning against the stone
wall, his gaze fixed on the sky.
“What
do you think you are doing?” Erestor’s voice cut
through the silence of the night.
Turning
his head slowly, Glorfindel looked at his companion. “Stay
out of my private affairs, Erestor. They do not concern you.”
Erestor
snorted. “Forgive me, but they do. You are my friend,
as is Ecthelion, and therefore I care when either of you are
troubled. This aside, your actions are affecting a decision
that will have repercussions on two realms. That is most certainly
my business.”
“You
do not understand.” Glorfindel returned his gaze to the
sky.
“I
understand that you are acting like a child and shaming yourself
and Ecthelion in doing so.”
Glorfindel
spun, furious and intending to berate Erestor, but the councillor
did not give him the chance. “Just take a look at yourself!
Are these the actions of a respected Lord? Of a warrior? Love
changes you, this I know, yet it is no excuse for losing all
dignity. Proper conduct does not mean lack of feeling. You used
to know this.”
Glorfindel
sagged and Erestor took pity on him, softening his tone. “Perhaps
I would be the same in your position. I would not want Seroniel
to leave either, even for a good cause. However, she is not
a warrior - Ecthelion is. Remember that and trust in him, Glorfindel.
He will return to you.”
End
Chapter 6
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Chapter 7
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