Title: A Night of Remembrance

Author: Mirfain (mir@ladymirfain.com)

Pairing: Erestor/Glorfindel

Beta: chaotic_binky

Genre: LOTR FPS

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Dear Mr. Tolkien, I am greatly indebted to you for allowing me
to play with your boys. I humbly return them to you with a smile on their
faces. No money was made off of this work, nor was any money intended to be
made.

Summary: Erestor celebrates the night of Samhain

A Night of Remembrance

Erestor shivered with excitement as he prepared for the night's Samhain
ritual. This was the one day each year in all his Millennia that he looked
forward to. Tonight, he would be with his husband again, in spirit at
least, since the loss of his beautiful mate. Pulling his black robes closer
around his willowy form, he checked his reflection in the mirror then
grabbed his black cloak, putting it on and drawing up the hood. He had
finished his cleansing early to give himself more time to get ready. This
year, his excitement had risen to a higher level than ever before for some
reason. With one last look in the mirror, the hooded elf blew out the
candles, then left the room silently, heading towards the huge bonfire in
the clearing.

The ritual fire was burning brightly, making the shadows of the elves, who
gathered outside the ring of stones, to move in a ghostly dance; a dance
befitting this night to honor their brethren and loved ones who had crossed
to Mandos' halls before them. Not speaking, merely nodding to the elves
milling silently, Erestor moved to Elrond's side to await the call to
worship.

Celebrían stood at the entrance to the circle, calling to Illúvatar as the
ritual began. The sound of chanting filled the night air as the elves of
Imladris moved into the stone circle. Suddenly, silence reigned, until
Celebrían's voice filled the night air with the ancient words of worship and
Erestor began to tremble with anticipation.

When the call to Mandos to allow the spirits of the dead to come and join
them came, Erestor held his breath. Each year since the Fall of Gondolin,
he had felt the arms of his husband wrap around him and hold him, consoling
him and giving him peace. But this night was different. The ritual
continued on as it did each year previously, but to Erestor's dismay no arms
held him. He felt hot tears sliding down his face. Had Glorfindel forsaken
him? Had his time in Mandos' halls erased the memory of their love and
bonding from his spirit? Swaying slightly, Erestor numbly made it through
the rest of the evening before excusing himself and escaping to his rooms.

"Glorfindel!" Erestor cried into the darkness of his rooms. "Why have you
forsaken me? Have you forgotten our love? Why this night of all nights
have you abstained from visiting me?" the dark elf cried into the chill
night air as he knelt before his open balcony doors. Sobbing the dark elf
collapsed into a heap on the floor, finally succumbing to a fitful sleep
filled with disturbing images and dreams.

The next morning, Erestor groaned as he awoke to a horrible pounding on his
door. "Lord Erestor! Lord Elrond is demanding your attendance
immediately!" a voice called through the closed door. Stiffly, the dark
councilor rose from the floor to grumble loudly to the elf on the other side
that he would come shortly. Quickly, Erestor completed his ablutions before
dressing in a plain black robe of mourning, for his heart was as cold as the
chill morning air.

Without knocking, the chief advisor entered Elrond's study to stand before
his lord. "What is it? This is a day of holiday," he demanded of his
friend.

"We have company coming," Elrond explained, raising an eyebrow at the pale
face of his trusted companion. "I just received word that a small entourage
just entered our borders and includes Círdan along with a dozen other elves.
I need you to make ready for our guests and arrange rooms for them. I know
not why they come nor do I know how long they will remain as winter is fast
approaching."

Scowling, Erestor shook his head. "Why could they not at least send a
missive that they intended to visit? Most likely we will be stuck feeding
and housing the group for the winter, and we know how Círdan likes his mead.
Last time we were stuck with him, he almost depleted our stores long before
Yule." Without giving Elrond time to respond, the tall elf stalked from the
room, barking orders to the surprised staff who had never seen the elf in
such a foul mood.

Elrond sat contemplating the mien of his friend, wondering where the
normally placid elf had disappeared to. Normally, after Samhain, Erestor
was jovial and outgoing, causing all who were around him to smile and laugh.
This year, however, that elf was missing and it worried Elrond. He had long
feared for his friend, wondering how Erestor had survived the loss of his
soulmate, and with the recent change he feared that the elf would fade. His
skin had taken on a translucence overnight and it scared the Lord.

When the horns sounded, announcing the arrival of Círdan's party, Erestor
reluctantly headed for the front of the house, knowing he was expected to
stand with Elrond and Celebrían as they greeted their guests. This time,
however, his heart was not in it and instead of smiling in welcome he wore a
frown of displeasure.

After dismounting, Círdan mounted the steps to stand before Elrond, talking
silently to the elf lord, gesturing occasionally to the hooded figure whose
feet had just touched the ground. Elrond's mouth gaped open momentarily
before he regained his composure and raised his hands, causing a hush to
fall over the courtyard.

"Citizens of Imladris! Today we have been granted a tremendous honor. The
Valar have returned one who was lost to us. He has been sent back to guard
my house, the house of his lord, who he sacrificed his life for. Please
welcome…….."

A shriek and a thud accompanied the lowering of the hood that had covered
the golden hair of the newcomer and all attention turned to the crumpled
form of the chief advisor as he lay unconscious on the stone of the
courtyard. Elrond hurried to his friend's side, kneeling and checking the
elf for signs of life.

"Erestor!" was the cry that boomed out across the courtyard, startling the
elves as the newcomer rushed to the Erestor's still form. Dropping to his
knees, the golden elf tenderly pulled Erestor into his arms, placing a soft
kiss on his lips.

Erestor's eyes fluttered open. His body stiffened as a long forgotten scent
assailed his nostrils. "Glorfindel, my love, you need a bath. You stink,"
he said, before he raised a shaking hand to caress the long missed features
dancing before his tear filled eyes. Then he pulled the golden lord down to
seal their mouths together in a restoring kiss.

Elrond cleared his throat, causing the pair to part, and then finished his
introduction. "May I present Lord Glorfindel, formerly of Gondolin and now
of Imladris, who has come to guard the House of Elrond and rejoin his bonded
mate, Erestor."

The cheers that greeted this announcement filled the air, startling the
birds and animals in the area. The trees waved and swayed in the breezeless
air as they silently rejoiced at the love they felt emanating from the
couple still embracing.

Finally, Erestor and Glorfindel parted and rose to their feet, turning to
stand hand in hand next to the two Elven rulers. Glorfindel made a short
speech, thanking all for their welcome before giving their excuses and
dragging Erestor into the house. Faltering once inside, he looked at his
beloved. "Where are your rooms?" he asked softly, his eyes caressing the
face of one he had longed for so very long.

Without a word, Erestor took Glorfindel's hand and dragged him to the
chambers that they would share. Once inside, he turned on Glorfindel, his
hands twining in the silken tresses he had almost forgotten the texture of,
and pulled ruby lips down to meet with his own. For long minutes there was
no sound except for the slight rustling of fabric as buttons and clasps were
undone and clothes discarded, until finally Erestor sucked in his breath as
his beloved stood bare before him. "You are even more perfect than I
remember," he whispered before dragging his mate towards the bedroom. "I
need to have you buried inside me," he whispered as they stopped before the
huge bed. "I have missed you so."

Glorfindel smiled and lifted his lover into his arms, lowering Erestor onto
the bed and following him down. The silence of the room was only broken by
moans and gasps as mouths and hands explored each other, until Glorfindel
grasped the bottle of oil he knew would stand on the bedside. "I see you
haven't changed that habit," he whispered huskily, a lusty grin on his face
as he popped the cork. Soon, he was stretching and preparing his beloved to
reaffirm their love.

By the time Glorfindel entered Erestor, the councilor was mindless with
need, his hands clutching at Glorfindel's back and his nails digging into
the golden flesh. He moaned as he was breeched and then signed happily.
"I…… I thought you had forsaken me," he whispered softly, as the first thrust
came. "I thought when you did not come to me last night, that Mandos' Halls
had finally erased my memory from you. I thought I would be alone forever."

Glorfindel stopped all movement, his eyes boring into Erestor's. "I could
never forget you. I begged and pleaded to Mandos for this boon. Elbereth
and Vaire intervened, saying that your service had been ever faithful, and
that since Elrond was lord of the valley and I had taken oath to protect the
House of Turgon, then why not reward you and allow me to fulfill my sworn
duty. Tomorrow, we will have our own private celebration to thank the
Valar, my love." Seeing the tears in Erestor's eyes, he dipped his head,
kissing them away, before slowly starting to love his mate once more.

If any elf had cared to stop outside the door of their chamber, they would
have heard naught but signs and breathy moans as the two loved each other
long into the night before falling asleep in each others arms.

The End