Title: Christmas with the Relatives
Author: Aprilmoon
Email: Aprilmoon08@yahoo.com
Pairing: Glorfindel/Erestor
Rating: PG13
Warnings: Sweetness with some angst
Disclaimer: They all belong to Tolkien.
A/N: Merry Christmas tale
Beta: Vesta




Christmas with the relatives


Glorfindel has just come home from a long two month patrol, and all he
could think about was taking a long hot bath, eating, and ravishing
his mate Erestor, and not necessarily in that order. Unfortunately
Erestor would not take too kindly about being ravished the way
Glorfindel smelled. Come to think about it, neither could he, so bath
first then the other two later. Well, not too much later. He had
promised to help Erestor with their household festivities, but not before
sleeping for at least two days straight.

Glorfindel could not quite put his finger on it, but something had
changed. The air seemed different; the birds didn't seem to sing as
much, and the trees were a bit too distant. He stopped for a moment to
think about what was going on. Nothing unusual happened of late, just
today everyone seemed a bit odd or out of sorts. They just seemed to
be giving him "the" smile. The one that told someone they were heading
for their impending death or something of the sort.

He decided to let it go and just think about how nice it was going to
be to finally be with his Erestor. As he walked towards his little
home, he decided to stop and pick up a few things for the up and
coming feast the two of them would have together. Elrond, at first,
had not been overjoyed at not having the two at the main feast, but
had come to terms with it. The two always spent the day of Yule eve
with the main household and Yule day as a time of remembrance. They
had both wanted to spend time with each other and the family they had
created, for they felt the season was for family and the love they had
for each other.

Both elves had been refugees from Gondolin, and spent the day
remembering fallen family and comrades whom they had dearly loved. It
was also spent soothing Erestor's heart at losing his only brother
Ecthelion to the forces of evil, and then when the tears were dried he
would show his happiness at Glorfindel having been returned to him.

Glorfindel had not been so lucky in his memories, for he had pretty
much lost everything except two of his sisters, which he was most
thankful for. He was also thankful for the fact that he had been able
to find Erestor after the fall of Gondolin, for it had taken a better
part of the beginning of his second lifetime to search for his
beloved. And since both elves could afford anything they could ever
desire, they spent their money on the less fortunate and only gave
each other handmade presents which had meant more to them than
anything else in the world.

Glorfindel just felt lucky in general to have the people he did in his
life. Well, almost thankful. There were a few that he could have done
without, but the Valar's love had not blessed him completely. He could
think of a couple of people, and unfortunately they happen to be
family. The mere thought sent shivers up his spine. This fear was not
the type of fear one feels when fighting a Balrog for your life and
family, it was the fear of the in-laws. That was the scariest thing in
all of Elvendom. Okay, maybe not the scariest, but damn close.

Glorfindel had finished picking up the items he needed, and made a
small detour to pick up some flowers, and then was off to home. As he
rounded the corner to their cottage he was ambushed by seven little
elleths playing war. Since they were all still rather small, it was
his legs rather than any other part of his body that was attacked. He
loved it and would not change anything in the world for it. They were
all beautiful in their own way, and he had felt blessed to have them
in his life. He could not have asked for a better life than the one he
had now. All of the little ones had been orphaned when their parents
were killed, and instead of separating the children he and Erestor had
taken them in as their own.

Seven pairs of eyes looked up at him with love and admiration. He
often wondered what life would have been like for them if he and
Erestor had not taken them in, but he didn't want to think about it.
All he wanted to do was go home, wash, eat, and ravish Erestor, and
spend time with his family. He was a very lucky elf, but that was soon
to change.

"Here little ones, why don't you help Ada with his purchases?"

Each little elleth was handed an item in which she could carry, easily
relieving Glorfindel of his burdens. As soon as he had given the last
item to the smallest of the family, all seven girls told their father
to go and bathe.

"You smell bad Ada; go make yourself smell pretty again," said the
littlest one. She put down the glass jar of raspberry jam, and started
pushing Glorfindel in the direction of the baths. He stopped her and
picked up her up, while bending over to pick up the jar of jam. He
placed the flowers for Erestor in her arms, so that he could carry the
heavier item without dropping anything. All he kept thinking about was
how he was truly blessed.

"I will as soon as I get to the house. Now let us hurry for I am
starving, and your Adar should have something warm and delicious cooking."

"Okay Ada," they all said in unison.

The small army of elleths, lead by the great Balrog Slayer, came to an
abrupt halt when they came upon the cottage. There in front of his
house were several horses, and a couple of wagons loaded down with
supplies, clothes, and presents. Two of the four brother-in-laws were
outside helping with the transportation of goods to and from the
house, while his husband stood outside with a very uneasy look upon
his face.

Erestor, the keeper of Glorfindel's heart and soul, stood there with
his mother. He was playing with the edge of his tunic, and he only did
this when he was nervous. This wasn't going to be pleasant.
Glorfindel's mother-in- law was barking orders at her son-in-laws
about not dropping anything. She had turned to say something to
Erestor when her eyes caught sight of the Balrog Slayer. Her eyes
narrowed, looking him up and down, and with a sniff of disdain walked
back into the house. Erestor saw where her eyes had gone, and gave his
mate a pleading look. The look that said ~please be nice and I will do
anything you ask".

Erestor ran over to Glorfindel, happy to see his husband home.
Glorfindel put the little one down, and handed over the jam to one of
the older children. As soon as Erestor covered the distance between
them, he was in his arms clutching him tightly. After a few minutes
Erestor pulled away scrunching up his nose in disdain to the way
Glorfindel smelled.

"Eewww, you smell like Elrond's shoes when he is airing his feet out."

"Now that wasn't very nice, and I do not. I smell like a warrior back
from patrol, and a handsome one at that."

"Oh you think so?" Erestor giggled. "Well, my brave warrior if you
would be so kind as to go and bathe, so the rest of the Last Homely
House doesn't have to smell you, all would be grateful."

"I see how it is. You only love me when I smell good, not when I am
working hard to protect the ones I love." Glorfindel said.

"Not at all, for I love you no matter what you smell like. I would
just prefer you go and bathe before entering the house please."

Glorfindel took a deep breath before saying anything else. "Can I not
bathe in my own home now? Or has your mother sanitized it?"

"You know how she is when she visits. I am sorry I did not tell you
sooner, but they arrived unannounced. I did not know they were coming,
my love."

"I see they brought presents too. Oh joy. And she is cleaning my house
as well! She probably thinks I do not help you with anything."

"She does, but assumes to believe her way is best. She and my sisters
have been at it all day. That is why you encountered the little ones so
early."

"Ahhh, I understand now." Glorfindel looked down at his daughters.
"You all were running from the Witch Queen."

They all nodded.

"Glorfindel, I do not appreciate you calling my mother the Witch
Queen. That was cold even for you." Erestor's lip started to tremble,
and Glorfindel knew that Erestor was under enough stress without him
adding to it. His family was not easy to get along with, but for one
visit Glorfindel could at least try to be civil to them.

"I am sorry love. I shouldn't have said what I did." He pulled Erestor
into his arms and started to love on him a little. He knew that the
in-laws would not appreciate such displays of affection to be shown in
such a way, but he didn't care. He loved Erestor and if he had to
endure them for a while, then they were going to have to endure his
love for their son. He knew why they disliked him so much. Erestor was
the youngest, and after losing Ecthelion, they had put all their hopes
and dreams on him. They wanted grandchildren and an obedient
daughter-in-law, not a son-in-law that took unnatural pleasures from
their child.

They had always made Glorfindel feel inadequate in many ways. To them,
he was disappointment personified.

"Could you get me my shower bag, some clothes, and towels? I will go
and wash in the communal baths."

"Why of course love, anything else?"

"Please have dinner ready when I get back, I am quite hungry."
Erestor and the girls ran off to the house. Glorfindel's joy had left
him and he was left with a feeling of contempt within. He really
disliked those people. How dare they make it so that he could not
bathe in his own home? He waited for Erestor to return with the asked
for items before setting off to the communal baths, grumbling all the
way.

A little while later:

"So tell me little one, what has been going on in your life? You write
so rarely, and when you do you never truly tell me what is going on."

"Nana, please stop calling me that. I am not little anymore, and there
is not much to tell. Glorfindel and I are raising our family, we work,
we tend our gardens, and we spend what little time we have together."

"Speaking of jobs, does Glorfindel want to lead another Elf Lords army
for the rest of his days? Is he content to do that forever? I mean
does he not have hopes and dreams, maybe some ambition?"

"Mother we are content with our work. Please stop it. This is why I do
not write so much. I hate it when you judge him. He is a good Elf."

"I am just curious if he has ever wanted to rule his own realm. He is
a twice born Balrog Slayer. He *is* a hero to our people. Does he not
want something else in his life?"

"We do not want to rule our own realm mother. Glorfindel was sent back
to protect Elrond's family, and to be by my side. If we had our own
realm we would not have anytime for each other, or our family. And yes
he does have something else, he has me."

"Speaking of the children, where are they? I want to measure them for
some new clothes."

"Mother they have new clothes. They are constantly growing, so they
are always getting something new to wear."

"You should have them wear dresses more, and fix their hair. They are
little girls and need to look like the little ladies they are."

"Nana!" Erestor was starting to lose his patience. Thank the Valar one
of his sisters came in at that time.

"You should teach them better manners Erestor. They were throwing bugs
at me." They were starting to gang up on him and there wasn't a thing
he could do about it. He thought he was defeated until he heard the
door open again, and in stepped Glorfindel.

Glorfindel had returned just in time. When the two females started
complaining about Iluvitar only knows to Erestor. He watched as his
mate got up and came over to him. His mother-in-law made a
disapproving sound, but he didn't care. The look on her face was
priceless and worth the small pains of having to deal with her.

"Hello all. I am back, and guess who I found on the way here?"

Erestor looked up at him, and wondered what he was talking about. He
was hoping that it wouldn't be more of his relatives wanting to come
and visit. The look of surprise on his face said it all. Behind
Glorfindel stood not one, but both of Glorfindel's sisters. One
continued standing behind him, while the other pressed forward to give
Erestor a big hug.

"Hello everybody we have arrived. The roads were awful, but we made
it. We are sorry for not writing and telling you we were coming, but
it was a last minute decision. Haldir get in here! I swear that elf
has the hearing of a rock, and Rúmil is no better. Here we give them
the best years of our lives, and they act like we are asking the world
of them." Glorfindel's younger sister Iavas said.

"You are when you drag all of us out here at this time of the season."
Haldir said while making his way past Glorfindel. Glorfindel just
looked at him and laughed. At least he would have some more
testosterone around the house for a while. Rúmil came dragging in,
and looking like he had seen better days himself.

"They ambushed us as we were coming off our patrol. I am tired, dirty,
and want something desperately to eat." He attempted to sit down when
a noise from Erestor's mother got his attention.

"You need to go to the bath house first young one, and do not even
think of sitting down until you have washed and dressed properly."

He looked over at Glorfindel who could only shrug and mouth
'mother-in-law.' That explained it all. He managed to drag his half
dead self out of the cottage, back to his horse for clothes, and to
the bath house without so much as a word. Unfortunately, that had not
settled well with Laereth, who was the wife of Rúmil.

Glorfindel just looked at Erestor, and the two stepped aside to see
what was about to happen. Actually, all the men stepped aside, for
during this time Erestor's father had come in with the other in-laws
just as the fight was about to break out.

Glorfindel whispered over to Haldir, "This is going to be good."

"Oh yes it is." Haldir agreed. He knew that when Laereth was cross
with someone everyone else had better run for cover, because it was
about to get a little on the ugly side in a minute.

"Listen here.you.you.she-elf. That is my husband and no one speaks to
him that way except me. I am his wife, and no one talks to MY husband
in such a manner."

"I am Erestors mother, and my daughters and I just cleaned this place
up. I will not have anyone messing it up while I am here, let alone
four ragged dusty travelers, who smell as good as they look."

Everyone went silent. Glorfindel looked from his sister, to his
mother-in-law, and back to his sister again, wondering when it was that
Laereth was going to pounce. It didn't take long. Laereth was a
skilled fighter and no one was going to insult her, or the people she
loved.

Unfortunately for Erestors mother, she was not a fighter, having lived
the courtly life in Lindon.

Laereth lunged at the she-elf, and from there all hell broke loose.
Glorfindel jumped in to pull his sister off of his mother-in-law,
while his father-in-law Galvarth was trying his best to defend his
wife and pull her to safety. Laereth pushed both Glorfindel and
Galvarth away and both received blows to the face from the angry she
elf. The brother-in-laws Calevir, Aervenel, Sadron, and Henorchal all
tried to intervene but received the same treatment. Erestor was
crying, family members were nursing wounds, and his sister-in-law was
fighting his mother.

His sister and mother-in-law looked were locked in battle. Dresses
were torn, slaps to faces were administered, and females were flying
from one side of the room to the other. At one point they had made it
outside of the house and back again, without disturbing the horses or
the children. It would have made some males drool, but this was their
family and that just seemed a little nasty. Except for Glorfindel and
Erestor the other males seemed to have a new respect for the females.
At one point the other five were going to jump in, but thought better
of it when they saw Glorfindel bring out his sword.

Glorfindel seeing that everything was getting out of hand took
measures into his own hands. He grabbed his sword, unsheathed it, and
used the pommel to slam down hard enough on the table to make a loud
banging noise. Both women stopped abruptly, looking at where the noise
was coming from, and when they turned just a bit more they noticed a
rather very irate Balrog Slayer glowing with a white brilliance.

"Stop this now! This is my home, not a battlefield, and I will not
have it treated thusly. Laereth, you should know better than to fight
someone of much lesser ability, and in someone's home no less. Nassi,
I do not care if you are Erestors mother, I will not have you treat
anyone in my home like that again, and that includes us and the
children. Iavas do not even think about it. I will have to say that I
am disappointed in all of you. Yule is a time for family and sharing
joy, not fighting like enemies, or seeing who has brought or given the
best presents." He looked at his sisters knowing they had done the
exact same thing that Erestor's family had.

"I would love to have you in my home, but if you can't all act civil
to each other and respect our wishes, then you may leave."

With that he pulled his crying husband into his arms, and started to
rock him gently while singing a soothing song within his delicate ear.
He just wanted Erestor to be happy, and right now he didn't know if he
had the strength to make that happen.

"And another thing, if no one likes it that Erestor and I are together
then you may leave as well. We love each other, and I am sorry if this
does not make you happy. I am going to take him to bed now, and if you
do not mind, please watch the children. If you need something, come
and get me." He gathered his mate in his arms, and took Erestor to
their bedroom for some rest. Valar only knew he needed some sleep
himself.

The rest of the occupants in the room just stood there for a moment,
not knowing what to do. Rúmil came back washed and dressed and looked
about, and decided to ask the ten thousand gold piece question to the
whole of the room. "So, what did I miss?"

He looked at his wife, who seemed to have a very guilty look upon her
face and it spoke volumes. He just sighed and looked at Haldir for a
moment. He knew what happened, and of all the people there decided to
make the next move.

"Listen, I do not know what happened but I can only guess, and I do
not think I will be wrong. Does anyone realize how hard it is for
Erestor and Glorfindel to be together? They might be Lords, but they
are still looked down upon for their relationship and the family they
are raising. This is a time for us to realize what we have, and to be
thankful for it. if we do not have our families love and support, then
what is the use of having anyone's support?"

Nassi decided to make the first move since she did feel she had
started it. Glorfindel was right, and so was Rúmil about the season.
It was about family, and not the tree and presents, and big expensive
dinners.

She even remembered a time when it had meant so much more than it had
in recent years. She held out her hand, and spoke the words her family
never thought they would ever hear her say.

"I am sorry. I was wrong. I should not have said what I did, and I am
sorry to you to Rúmil. You protect our people and I should not have
been so callous."

Rúmil bowed with his hand over his heart. "Your apology is accepted."

Laereth looked at the she elf and said, "I am sorry too, and your
apology accepted. I should have not started a war within my brother's
home."

"We have upset my son and his husband. Maybe we should prepare dinner
for them, and be civil to each other." Nassi said.

"Excellent idea," Rúmil said. "Haldir makes a wonderful apple tart. I
am most excellent in the meat department, and if Orophin were around
he could do the vegetables. It is amazing that someone who could
butcher meat the way he does can make the tastiest vegetables.

Galvarth decided to break in at the moment. "Nassi is an excellent
cook, and so am I. Since she and the girls have been cleaning since we
got here, I will do the vegetables."

Laereth looked around to Iavas, and since the two did not want to be
left out, decided to volunteer to watch the children. The others said
they would help with the care and dressing of the children.

While all this was going on, Glorfindel and Erestor were being more
than a little loving to each other. When they had entered their
bedroom, Erestor tears had started to die down, but he had still been
upset at what had happened. Glorfindel had sung more songs into his
ear and kissed him gently. The kisses turned from innocent, to loving,
to passion filled. Soon the two elves were making love with all the
passion that they had within themselves for the other. At one point
they had stopped being so quiet, and let themselves be taken over by
the love they felt for each other. Once they had hit their pinnacle,
both had fallen into a sated state of reverie.

When all was finished with the making of the dinner, Rúmil went to two
Lords bedchamber. He knocked until Glorfindel came to the door in a
most rumpled state. All Rúmil could do was give Glorfindel him his ~I
know what you two did' smile. It was almost lost on Glorfindel for he
as still too tired to think, but he let it go and just smiled at him.
He told Rúmil they would be out in a few minutes, and if they wanted
to start without them it was okay.

Rúmil told him they would wait, but he would give them only five
minutes to dress, after that he was coming in after them, and he would
too, even if it meant his life. Glorfindel laughed at his words and
said they would be out in a few moments, and then closed the door in
Rúmil's laughing face so he and Erestor could have some privacy.

The two emerged a few moments later dressed and ready for dinner.
Their littlest daughter got out of her seat and ran over to them. "Are
you feeling better now Adar?"

Erestor picked her up, "Yes I am, little one. What have you all been
up to?"

"Well, we played and the adults were being good. They cooked, and
cleaned, and watched over us."

Erestor and Glorfindel smiled at everyone. They were glad everyone was
at peace with each other. They all had a wonderful dinner, and each
person told stories of growing up with their siblings. There was
laughter and joy around the table, especially when Haldir's apple tart
came out. Afterwards, they all went into the living room, and
exchanged gifts. Nassi knew which gifts went to whom, and had made
sure everyone received something. It had meant that not everyone would
receive four gifts, but that was okay.

Afterwards, they watched the children play a while, and then they
decided to start the second part of their evening. Some of the candles
were blown out, and stories of old and new were told. Loved one's that
had fallen were remembered and new one's told of how much they meant
to the family. Everyone reflected on the season and told what it meant
to them. Erestor's father started to sing an old tune of Yule, that no
one knew except Glorfindel.

The song was about love found and lost, of war and peace, and
happiness and sadness. It spoke of the future and the happiness it
would bring.

When he finished the song he told an old Yule story, which he had
remembered as a child and had told to his own children when they were
little. He looked at his daughters with their husbands and his son
with his husband and realizes how rich his life had been without the
aid of money. Nassi understood too the importance of family, and what
the season truly meant. It wasn't about presents, but the people you
love.

Laereth and Iavas and their husbands listened to the songs, and
understood as well. Life was not about control and doing what you
want, but having compromises. It was about accepting others destinies
and accepting them for who they were. Glorfindel's sisters listened
and realized the same thing. They wanted to be free of the chains that
society put upon them, that their status brought. They understood that
life wasn't about having the newest clothes or shoes, but living it to
the fullest. For life was the most precious gift of all.

Glorfindel and Erestor thought about their lives as well. Their
children brought the two of them bounds of joy, and both knew what
pitfalls it also brought. They also knew that they could never shelter
them in the ways they wanted to, for life was all around them and was
never ending.

Galvarth looked over at Erestor, "So tell me, what is it you do with
the many things you receive as presents?" He wasn't going to deny that
he didn't know the answer already.

Erestor cleared his throat and braced himself for the consequences.
"We give them to the refugees that come in daily. They do not have
much, and what they do have is usually torn and dirty. By the time
they get here they need new clothes, and toiletries, and various other
items, but not so many are willing to give up the things they have to
those who need them."

Galvarth thought about what he said. He looked at his family, and
thought to himself that he wanted to do something. "Well, maybe you
could help me go through my things with me tonight. I have brought too
many clothes and shoes, and have much more at home that I do not wear.
And maybe my other children would not mind going through their own
things?" They all told him they would.

Erestor just smiled at his father, "Yes I will help you. Glorfindel
and I always repair our things before giving them away so they are
just like new."

"Very well then, we will do that. Maybe we should get the little ones
to bed. I will help you with them." Galvarth said while scooping up an
elfling.

As everyone proceeded to take the children to bed, Nassi stopped
Glorfindel for a moment. "Thank you for making him happy. I could have
chosen no better for him even if I had tried." She took Glorfindel in
her arms, hugged him, then released him and went on to her room.
Glorfindel just stood there for a moment in shock. Maybe they weren't
so bad after all. He knew they would change for he had faith in the
power of his family, and that is what the season is all about. Not the
presents and money, but the family you love and care for, even the
ones you don't like. He knew he would never have to think that again,
for he had his family and the elf he loved.

The End