Resurrection 35

Resurrection

Part 35

Posted: January 26, 2007
Title: Resurrection
Author: Larien Elengasse

Summary: Lovers part ways and new friendships are formed.

*****

Lindir paused at the bottom of the staircase that led to the guest chambers. “It just became clear to me what it is that I want,” he said quietly.

Gildor stopped beside him and looked at his friend. “What would that be?”

Lindir looked at Gildor. “Thranduil. I want to get to know Thranduil as more than a friend.”

Gildor smiled and nodded. “Aye, and I have a notion that our king might feel the same way.” He began climbing the stairs with Lindir in tow.

“You do? How so?” Lindir asked.

“He was most pleased to get your letters, especially the one after his father died. I swear to you, he kept it in his breast pocket and never took it out.”

“He did?”

“Aye, he did.”

Lindir paused on the landing, a smile starting to bloom upon his face. “For the first time, in a long time, I feel excited about the future. I feel . . . free.”

Gildor smiled and patted his friend on the back. “That you are, my friend.” He began to walk away when Lindir spoke again.

“What will you do now, Gildor?”

“I do not know. I am certain that I cannot go home now; I do not want to watch Erestor and Glorfindel fall in love all over again.”

Lindir nodded. “Nor do I.”

“Where will you go, Lindir?”

Lindir smiled. “ Greenwood, if Thranduil will have me.”

“I am most confident that he will.”

“Gildor?”

“Yes?”

“Come with me. I could use a good friend on this journey, and it appears you have no other plans.”

Gildor thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “Aye, I will come with you.” He turned to climb the stair then turned back. “He leaves upon the morrow, you know.”

“Oh! Valar! I must find him!”

“He is in the east wing, on the third floor.”

“Thank you!” Lindir cried as ran back down the stairs.

Gildor noticed that it was the first time in a long time that Lindir did not move with a limp.

* * * *

Glorfindel smoothed Erestor’s hair beneath his hand as the afternoon breeze began to come in from the Sea.

“Free,” Erestor murmured, “body and soul, free.” He looked up into Glorfindel’s eyes. “We are free to be together.”

Glorfindel smiled. “Yes we are, my raven.” He slid his hand beneath Erestor’s hair and drew him into a kiss. It was long and deep, full of warmth and love, and most of all, passion.

“I must speak with him,” Erestor whispered as they parted.

“Aye, and I want to speak to Lindir.”

“Shall we seek one another out, once it is done?”

Glorfindel nuzzled Erestor’s lips with his own. “Aye, and then we shall make love until the sun rises.”

Erestor nodded, capturing his lover’s lips in a kiss, then parting from him and going to seek out Gildor.

* * * *

Glorfindel entered his old chambers to find Lindir packing. He swallowed a lump in his throat as he watched his sparrow carefully place his garments into his pack. “I am sorry, Lindir,” he said quietly. “I am sorry that I was not strong enough, nor good enough to love you the way you deserve.”

Lindir turned to face Glorfindel, then walked toward him. “It is not your fault, Glorfindel. I suppose I gave you no other choice. I was naïve; I thought that if I just loved you enough I could change how you felt about Erestor. I know, and have known for a long time, that it just was not meant to be.” He reached up and caressed Glorfindel’s cheek. “You have given me many years of happiness, and you gave me a most precious gift – you taught me how to love. I will never forget that.”

Glorfindel wrapped his arms around Lindir and squeezed him gently. “Where will you go?”

“To Greenwood. Thranduil is my dear friend, and he needs friends now.”

“Aye, that he does. He loved his father dearly. Now that his wife and mother are sailing, he will be left to rule his people alone.”

“Not alone. He has Legolas, and he will have me.”

Glorfindel smiled. “Then he needs no others.” He took Lindir’s face in his hands and kissed the crown of his head. “Thank you, Lindir.”

“For what?”

“For having the strength I lacked.”

“Do not thank me,” Lindir answered. “Thank Gildor. It was he who was brave enough to first speak the words.” He retrieved his pack and slung it upon his shoulder. “Be good to Erestor, Glorfindel, and be good to yourself. I will miss you.”

“I will miss you, sparrow,” Glorfindel said softly as the door closed behind Lindir.

* * * *

Erestor watched as Gildor placed the last item in his pack. It was so strange; he had witnessed this act so many times, yet this time it felt so permanent. It was permanent. He felt he would see Gildor again, but he knew that things between them were forever changed.

“I am sorry,” he said quietly.

Gildor secured the ties on his pack and looked up at Erestor. “It is not your fault, Erestor, it is mine. I knew how you felt about him even that first night we made love, and I did it anyway. You need not blame yourself.”

“I have loved you, that has not been a lie.”

“I know,” Gildor said as he took Erestor into his arms. “And you reminded me what it is like to love. For that, I thank you, my friend.”

Erestor held tight to Gildor. “Please tell me you are not leaving for good. Tell me I will see you again.”

“You will, someday. But I need some time away; I need to clear my mind.”

“I understand,” Erestor murmured into Gildor’s shoulder. “You have made me so happy, Gildor. I want you to know that.”

Gildor smiled and kissed the side of Erestor’s head. “I do, and I will not forget it. I will miss you, my curmudgeon.”

Erestor made a half-laughing, half-crying sound as he wadded Gildor’s tunic in his fists. “I will miss you, my rogue.”

Gildor smiled despite the tears that welled in his eyes. This was harder than he imagined it would be. He took Erestor’s face in his hands and kissed him softly on the lips. “Live well, Erestor, and love Glorfindel.” He quickly pulled away, gathered his belongings, and left before his nerve failed him.

* * * *

Thranduil held out his hand to Gildor as the warrior approached. “Welcome to our traveling party, my friend,” he said gently. He clasped Gildor’s hand, then reached for Legolas.

The prince stepped forward bravely, a smile upon his face as he extended his slender hand. “Welcome, Gildor. My father has sung your praises,” he said softly.

“It is an honor, my liege,” Gildor responded, gently clasping the prince’s hand and bowing slightly to look the prince in the eye. “I look forward to our travels together.”

Legolas smiled and tugged on the warrior’s hand, leading him away from where Thranduil and Lindir stood. “My father tells me you are a good storyteller,” he said, casting a glance and a smile over his shoulder to Thranduil.

Gildor looked at the king as well, his eyebrows raised in surprise as he allowed the young prince to lead him away. Thranduil chuckled and shook his head, then turned to Lindir.

“He has surely inherited his charm from his father,” Lindir said with a grin.

“I hope he does not frighten Gildor away with demands of tales of Beleriand.”

Lindir chuckled. “Nay, my lord. There is little on this earth that can frighten Gildor.”

“This is good, then. For Legolas can be formidable for one so young.” He extended his hand. “Come, the stars shine brightly this night and I would enjoy a walk with you along the beach.”

Lindir accepted the king’s hand with a smile and followed him toward the sea.

*****

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