Resurrection - Epilogue

Resurrection

Epilogue

Posted: March 2, 2007
Title: Resurrection
Author: Larien Elengasse

Summary: A confession, a homecoming, and a new way of life begins.

*****

“It will be today, I think,” Erestor said as he brought a cup of steaming tea to his lips.

It was a crisp morning with a bright blue sky and a cool breeze that carried the smell of the sea. Erestor stood on the veranda of the home that he and Glorfindel had built a few miles from the shores of Aman.

“Why say you?” his mate purred as Erestor found himself engulfed in Glorfindel’s strong, comforting embrace.

“I do not know,” he answered, setting down his cup of tea and leaning back into Glorfindel’s arms. “It is just a feeling I have.”

Glorfindel nuzzled his mate’s neck, smiling as Erestor also smiled and sighed and canted his head. “Will you go with him?”

“I would like to.” Erestor turned in Glorfindel’s arms. “How do you feel about that?”

Glorfindel smiled as Erestor caressed his face. “I say that whatever my raven wants, my raven should have. I also say that it is both fitting and proper that you do so.”

Erestor leaned against Glorfindel and brought their lips closer together. “My lion,” he murmured, canting his head slightly before kissing his mate on the lips.

“That I am,” Glorfindel replied huskily, his eyes half-closed as Erestor drew back.

“I am so lucky,” Erestor said, stroking Glorfindel’s cheek with the back of his ringed hand. “To think that things might have been very different…”

“Nay, my love,” Glorfindel returned. “They never could have been different from this. This is what was always meant to be.”

“You are right, of course,” Erestor responded with a smile. “You have a habit of being so, from time to time.”

Glorfindel chuckled. “Thankfully, I have you to remind me that I am not always so.”

Erestor laughed softly in return. “Well, we all have our burdens to bear.”

Glorfindel lifted Erestor off his feet. “Mmm, I do love you, Erestor.”

Erestor wrapped his arms around Glorfindel’s shoulders. “And I love you.”

* * * *

Gildor pulled his cloak around his shoulders, securing it with a clasp near the neck, then opened the door. He found Erestor standing in the doorway of his home, a basket on one arm, and his opposite hand poised to knock.

“Erestor,” he said with some surprise, “what brings you here this day?”

“I thought I would go with you, to the harbor. I thought you might like some company.”

“How did you know I was going to the harbor?”

“You go every day, Gildor. Did you think I would not notice?”

Gildor smiled. “Company would be nice. Thank you.”

Erestor smiled in return. “I packed a lunch for us. It is a beautiful day.”

Gildor nodded and stepped through the doorway, closing the oak door behind him. “Shall we go then?”

They walked some time in silence, nodding at the elves they passed on the way. Some rode horses, some drove carts, and some, like them, walked along the road. After an hour or so passed, Erestor broke the silence.

“I think today is the day.”

“I hope you are right, my friend,” Gildor replied. “I have waited a very long time.”

“It must have been hard, to wait so long.”

“Aye. It has been very hard.”

Erestor reached out and clasped Gildor’s hand. “You did what you needed to do.”

“As did he.”

“You know it is what he wanted.”

“I know. He always put me before himself, even when it meant watching me leave Middle-earth.”

“He knew you needed to leave. We all knew that, though none of us really knew why.”

“It was my fault.”

“What? What was your fault?”

“I never should have given in. I never should have allowed her to order me to…”

Erestor stopped walking, tugging Gildor to a stop with him as he set down his basket. “Stop that right now, Gildor Inglorion. You know that it is not true.”

“I do not know that. Had I insisted we take the south road it never would have happened. She . . . they would have been safe. Instead, I gave in when I knew it was unwise, and Elrond nearly lost both his wife and his sons!”

“What were you to do, tie her to her horse and forcibly take her south? Both you and the twins counseled her against it. She was . . . is . . . your lady. You were honor bound to do as she commanded.”

“She just wanted to go home, to be with him . . . I failed her. I failed them all.”

Erestor took Gildor’s face in his hands. “You failed no one, Gildor. You saved them. Had you not been there…” Erestor closed his eyes for a moment. That thought was too painful to even consider. “You saved them, all of them.”

“I did not save her, not fast enough.”

“There are things that happen in life that make no sense. We both know that bad things happen to those who least deserve it. Eru knows why. She lives, Gildor. After long last, she is healed, and she has her husband and sons with her. They love you, Gildor, we all do. Please stop punishing yourself for what was no fault of your own.”

Gildor sighed. “Thank you, Erestor.”

Erestor smiled slightly. “For what?”

“For being my friend for all these years.”

“Ah, that.” He waived his hand. “That was nothing.” He grinned.

Gildor smiled sadly. “I beg to differ.”

Erestor took Gildor’s face in his hands and brought their foreheads together. “It is the least I can do to repay you for how good you have been, and how happy you have made me.” He lifted his chin and kissed Gildor on the crown of his head, smiling as Gildor wrapped his arms around him. “Come. We have a ship to wait for.”

Gildor nodded and they resumed their journey on the road.

* * * *

They leaned back on their elbows, their bellies full and the sun warming their skin. Erestor watched the clouds pass overhead and breathed in the sea air.

“Did I ever tell you how we fell in love?”

Erestor smiled. He knew the story well, for Legolas had told him; but he decided to let Gildor tell it again, thinking that it would ease his friend’s heart. “No. How did the two of you fall in love?”

Gildor sat up and plucked a piece of clover from the grass-covered hill. “Some might think it was scandalous…”

Erestor listened, a smile curving his lips. He loved the story, being the romantic that he was; he also loved the look on Gildor’s face as he told it. He knew true love when he saw it, after all. As the tale ended and Erestor smiled, he saw the far away look in Gildor’s eye change. Turning his gaze to the quay, he saw a small boat approaching.

“A boat,” he said softly.

“And not one of the Teleri,” Gildor added. “’Tis too rough.”

Erestor squinted. “And it carries an elf.”

Gildor’s eyes widened and a smile bloomed on his lips. “And a dwarf.”

“Go, Gildor. I am sure the wait has been as long for him as it has been for you.”

Gildor quickly gained his feet. “What of you?”

“I will find a ride back with someone, or walk. ‘Tis a nice day for a walk.”

“Thank you, Erestor,” Gildor said.

Erestor smiled. “It was my pleasure.”

He watched Gildor run down the hill toward the docks as the dwarf stepped out of the boat, seeking to regain his land legs. He then saw Gildor sweep Legolas into his arms and swing him in broad arc before setting him down and kissing him soundly.

“At long last,” he murmured to the breeze, “things really are as they should be.”

He gathered up the blanket and basket, and then started the walk toward his home and his own soul’s mate.

*****

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