Title: A Song to Remember
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Fandom: LOTR
Characters: Glorfindel and Ecthelion
Prompt: 031.But oft the unbidden guest proves the best company.
Word Count: 716
Rating: PG (Almost G!)
Summary: Glorfindel helps a child and remembers his past.

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The gardens of Imladris were one of Glorfindel's favourite places.
Carefully tended and kept, they reminded him of Turgon's gardens at
the rear of his palace in Gondolin, a place Glorfindel had many fond
memories of. The deeper in he went, the more at home he felt and
sometimes he allowed himself to forget that the city was long gone
and dream that he was back there again.

Wandering along the path, he came to a small circular space of
grass, surrounded by trees on all sides. In between the tall trees,
wild flowers grew and Glorfindel was careful not to trample any.
This was what he had come to think of as his place, somewhere he
could go without being disturbed. Often he came here to gather his
thoughts after a long day, finding the trees more soothing than his
rooms. Here, the solitude was more of his choosing.

Today however, solitude did not seem like an option. To Glorfindel's
surprise there was another in the usually empty space. Elrond's
youngest son, Elrohir, sat cross-legged on the grass, a flute in his
lap and a battered music book at his side. As Glorfindel watched,
Elrohir brought the instrument to his lips, attempting to play a
simple melody. Unbidden, the scene brought a memory from his first
lifetime to mind.

Flashback

Slightly halting music reached Glorfindel's ears, as he roamed
around the palace gardens. Curious, he followed the sound, used to
hearing more elegant melodies coming from the royal household.

Entering the centre of the gardens, he came upon an endearing sight.
Ecthelion sat with Eäärendil in his lap, teaching the young prince
how to play. He watched with amusement and affection as his lover
showed the child how to position his hands and change notes, smiling
broadly when Eäärendil got it right and the simple yet beautiful tune
flowed from the flute.

When there was a pause he approached, and his heart warmed to see
the look of welcome Ecthelion gave him.

"You seek to recruit the young one into your house already?"
Glorfindel teased. "His father may not like that!"

Ecthelion laughed, "Nay, merely teaching him so that his poor father
might hear music rather than unskilled noise! I assure you, he will
thank me!"

"We will see; he may not be so grateful when he chooses to play in
the depths of night!" Glorfindel returned, ruffling Eäärendil's hair
affectionately. "At least he has a good teacher!"

To this, the child on Ecthelion's lap nodded enthusiastically. "Oh
yes," he said, grinning with glee, "he is the very best!"

End flashback

The memory brought a sad smile to Glorfindel's face. It was always
hard to think of his departed lover, no matter how happy the memory.
Ecthelion had adored children, a fact sadly at odds with his
preference towards males, denying him the chance to be a father.
Glorfindel knew beyond a shadow of doubt that, had Ecthelion
survived the destruction of the city, he would have taken at least
one, if not more, orphaned children into his care. Watching Elrohir
now, he suddenly missed him more than ever and took a deep breath,
willing the sharp pain his heart back and returning his attention to
the child before him.

"Elrohir?" he asked softly. "What are you doing?"

The child jumped, caught unawares, and turned to look at his
unexpected companion. Realising that he was not in trouble, Elrohir
visibly relaxed and answered Glorfindel's question.

"I wanted to play something for Nana's begetting day," he said, his
face a picture of misery. "But I cannot get it right."

Large grey eyes stared at Glorfindel from a face framed with dark
locks. In that moment, the resemblance between Elrohir and his
grandsire was startling. How Ecthelion would have adored him! He
smiled, knowing just what to do. He too played the flute - Ecthelion
had taught him early in their relationship - and though he had not
expected to find Elrohir here, as Ecthelion had once told him after
an unplanned visit, oft the unbidden guest proves the best company.

Walking forward, he sat down and picked Elrohir up, setting him down
on his knee and reaching out for the instrument.

"Here," he said gently, pushing the music book away, "let me teach
you a song."

END