Resurrection 28

Resurrection

Part 28

Posted: December 29, 2006
Title: Resurrection
Author: Larien Elengasse

Summary: Thranduil tells Lindir of the plans for his future; Erestor and Glorfindel have a confrontation; the prince returns to Greenwood.

*****

Lindir stood next to Thranduil, slowly moving the thin baton back and forth, keeping rhythm as the prince fingered the harp strings. His eyes were closed and he let the music take him away to a place where things like deception did not exist. A smile curved his lips until the prince struck a sour note, then he chuckled as Thranduil cursed and immediately began to apologize.

“’Tis a part of learning. One cannot always do everything correctly,” he said softly.

Thranduil shook his head. “I am not altogether sure I am suited for this,” he said, a sheepish grin curving his lips.

Lindir patted the prince on the shoulder. “It is not the outcome but the effort that matters, my prince. I think that is enough for this day.”

“More than enough, if that last note is any indication,” Thranduil murmured, a grin on his face as he reached for a soft cloth to wipe down the harp. “How are you feeling?” he asked softly.

“Much better, thank you for asking. I did quite enjoy our walk, though I am most embarrassed and regretful that you had to bear me home on your back.”

Thranduil stood and smiled. “It was no hardship…”

Lindir cocked an eyebrow. “I beg to differ, that was a very long climb.”

“But the journey concluded with a downhill stroll; I was fully recovered by the time we reached the house.”

Lindir grinned. “Indeed…”

Thranduil snorted. “All right, not completely recovered, but close enough. It was good exercise for me.”

Lindir noted the far away look in the Sinda’s eye. “Is all well? You seem distracted.”

“I received word from home yesterday.”

“Is everything all right?” Lindir asked, placing his hand upon the prince’s arm.

“Yes, yes, everything is fine.” Thranduil placed the cloth next to the stool and looked at Lindir. “My parents have chosen a mate for me.” Lindir tried to hide the look of shock on his face, but was not successful. “It is a strange custom I know, but one my kin holds to. My intended is a distant cousin to my mother on her mother’s side. She is a fair elleth who is kind and wise despite her lack of years.”

“You know her?”

“Aye, in passing. My parents believe that she will make a fine queen and mother one day.”

“Do you wish to have elflings?”

“It is not something I have given a great deal of thought to, largely because it is something expected of me, so what I want is secondary to that.”

“How do you feel about this?”

“My wishes will always be secondary to my duty, Lindir; it is the price I pay for who I am. I had hoped that our friendship would become more in time, but that is an unfair expectation when I am to be betrothed upon my return to Greenwood.”

Lindir nodded. “We will always be dear friends, Thranduil. Know that I will always be here should you need anything.”

Thranduil smiled and drew Lindir into an embrace. “Your friendship will be a comfort to me in the days to come,” he said softly.

Lindir smiled and leaned his head upon the prince’s shoulder. “I wish you all the happiness in the world.”

“And I you,” Thranduil replied, giving his friend a gentle squeeze.

* * * *

Erestor paused to speak with Gildor on the training field. His lover was supervising archery training as a way to ease back into his duties as a warrior. Erestor was armed with a basket containing lunch for Gildor and Glorfindel as he entered the barracks, and he quickly found Glorfindel’s office. The Elda sat behind a desk, going over training and equipment rosters; by the expression on his face, it was one of his least favorite duties.

“I can see you are enjoying yourself,” Erestor said as he stood in the doorway.

Glorfindel looked up from his work and smiled in relief. “I have never liked this, which is why it has been Gildor’s duty for so long.”

“Why do you not have Gildor perform it now?”

“I think he has been indoors long enough.” He stood and set the paperwork aside. “What do you have there?”

“The midday meal, for both you and Gildor,” Erestor answered, setting the basket on the corner of Glorfindel’s desk. “Do you mind if I sit?”

“Not at all,” Glorfindel returned, motioning to a large chair across his desk.

“How are things with you and Lindir?” Erestor asked, avoiding the Elda’s gaze by focusing on smoothing his robes.

“Better. Has Lindir spoken with you?”

“No, it is a difficult subject for us to discuss.”

“Of course. And how are you and Gildor?”

Erestor looked up at Glorfindel. “He does not know what happened between us, and that is how I would have it remain.”

“Agreed. No sense in him knowing if…”

“I am not leaving him, Glorfindel, not now, not ever. I love him, he has been too good to me for…”

Glorfindel held up his hand. “You need not tell me, Erestor. I have accepted that you and I will never be together, and I hope you know me well enough to know that I would never do anything to hurt Gildor.”

Erestor lowered his gaze and sighed. “Of course I do. Forgive me, I did not mean to imply that you would do otherwise.”

“This is how things are going to be between us? The two of us always dancing around one another, carefully choosing our words, carefully avoiding any physical contact, carefully being friends?”

“How can it be any other way?” Erestor asked quietly. “Regardless of my choice, there is still a large part of me that loves you so much I can barely breathe…”

“How is this right, Erestor? How is it right that you and I each deny ourselves the other and pretend that all is well? How is this fair to Lindir and Gildor?”

“It is easy for you to say that; Lindir knows the truth, Gildor does not. How is it right for me to return all his love, devotion, and kindness with betrayal and hurt?”

“It is not fair…

“Life is not fair, Glorfindel, that is something I learned long ago. I will honor the love, faith, and trust Gildor has placed in me by being his faithful lover from this day forward. How can I do any less?”

“So you deny yourself, and me, true happiness out of honor?”

“I love him, that is no lie.”

“And I love Lindir, but not like I love you.”

“No more!” Erestor barked as he rose from his chair. “If you continue with this, we will not even be able to be friends.”

Glorfindel lowered his head. “Forgive me for being selfish; I guess I am not as strong as you are.”

Erestor sighed. “Perhaps you are stronger seeing as you are so willing to face the truth, but that is of no matter now. Things are as they are.” He turned and walked away, returning to the house as quickly as possible.

* * * *

Winter came and went, and Thranduil’s training progressed quickly. When the time came to leave Imladris, he was skilled with not only the bow and lance, but also with the sword; Glorfindel had made the prince into a deadly warrior. Elrond’s tutelage also prepared Thranduil for what might one day be his role as king; the Sinda was on the road to becoming a skilled negotiator and wise ruler. Lindir had seen to it that the prince was as cultured as he was schooled in politics and trained in war craft. Gildor jokingly said that perhaps they should bill Imladris as a school for future leaders.

As for Gildor, he had returned to duty as Glorfindel’s second and had begun leading patrols of Imladris’ borders. Now that Sauron was banished to the east, an uneasy peace had fallen on Elvendom and the western lands were free of evil men and orcs.

Lindir and Glorfindel reconciled, and the minstrel moved back into Glorfindel’s chambers. On the surface, things were as they had been before the war.

Lindir stood beside the prince’s horse, softly speaking with him as they awaited his escort. Glorfindel emerged from the stable leading his stallion, approaching Lindir and giving his lover a kiss before mounting his horse.

“Have a safe journey,” Lindir said softly, giving Glorfindel’s knee a squeeze before backing away.

“I shall be home within the month,” Glorfindel answered.

Thranduil raised his hand in farewell to Elrond, cast one more smile at Lindir, then they turned and galloped out of the courtyard.

*****

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