Glorfindel POV

I have ever loved him.

The moment I first lay my eyes upon his dark beauty, my heart belonged to him.

Tonight is the celebration of Midsummer, and the revelries are going well. I ever keep my eyes on my secret love. I watch as he shares in the joys of the celebration, watching as he dances with both Nis and Nin. I laughingly join him when he comes to me, his dark eyes sparkling, and pulls me into the whirl of dancers.

Soon I find myself back at my Lords side, wishing I could just dance with Erestor forever. To revel in the touch of his hands upon my shoulders, mine on his hips. The two of us in our own little world as we twirl. But alas, it is not to be.

Elrond looks at me knowingly, for he has ever known where my heart lay. He has ever encouraged me to seek out my hearts desire. I, a slayer of a Balrog am afraid. Afraid of how Erestor might look upon me if I ever confessed my heart.

I notice once again, as I have in preceding years, that at a certain time, Erestor leaves. He seeks the solace of the trees. I glance at my Lord and he is watching Erestor leave also. He turns to me with knowing eyes and tells me to follow him. I blush and tell him I cannot, but he insists. I quickly make my decision. I quickly swallow the meade that is within my goblet and pass it to Elrond, who looks at me with amusement. I quickly bow, he nodding his head in return, and make to follow the one who holds my heart.

The forest around me senses my anxiety and I can hear the trees whisper their love and support to me. Encouraging me to find my heart. The flowers along the path lend their scent to soothe me. The earth herself sending me energies and warmth. I can hear the small scurrying of animals who move from my path as I quickly follow the one Erestor has left in his wake.

The path that lay before me is a familiar one and I realize Erestor is heading towards the glade with the pool. As I get closer, I frown. I can hear singing, but I know that all are at the celebration. All but Erestor and I. Yet, I hear several voices raised in song. I slow my pace and hide myself behind a bush. I blink to clear my vision, for what I see cannot be true. It cannot be real.

In the middle of the glade, dancing around a bonfire are a dozen beings. Male and female alike, clad only in loincloths. Flowers are adorning their hair. I have ever heard of gatherings such as this, but only in the tales told to the elflings. Fairies!

I watch in awe, feeling blessed to be one of the rare few to have ever witnessed such as this. Their voices sound like the tinkling of crystal bells. Sharp, clear and beautiful. Soon another voice coming from my right joins theirs and I turn to look. My eyes once again going wide. This cannot be!

I watch as Erestor steps into the glade, his voice twining with those of the fairies. He is dressed the same as them, his unbound raven black hair crowned in silver leaves, silver girds his hips. He is barefoot and bare chested. I am in awe that he is allowed to join their circle. That these fairies would allow him to join in their revelries. I tense in worry for him.

And then realization hits.

I watch in shock as a shimmer forms around Erestor. He starts to glow softly and I watch as from his back, wings start to unfold. They shimmer silver, soft colors seeming to flow like liquid through them. The process is slow and I just stand and stare, mouth agape. They are translucent and seemingly very delicate. Once fully unfurled, the ends gently brush the ground so is the size of them. I cannot seem to tear my eyes away from this ethereal beauty before me. Erestor's wings flutter gently as he greets the other fairies.

They show reverence to him as he passes among them, blessing them with his voice and his chaste kisses upon their brows. He soon joins them fully in their revelries, and I watch fascinated as Erestor dances among them, his laughter ringing throughout the glade. The fire light adds a golden fiery sheen to his tresses and he looks like the wild being that I realize he truly is.

The serious, stern councilor of Elrond, the Lord of Imladris, the elf that is ever dressed in unrelieved black robes, my secret love and desire, is a fey being. He is a fairie.

Soon the other fairies start to take their leave, melting into the woods, giggles following in their wake. When Erestor is standing alone within the glade, he turns his face towards me, his eyes meeting mine. He looks at me with expectancy and I realize that he knew I was here all along. And why wouldn't he? Is he not a being of magick? Is he not a being from another world? A world that I never fully believed existed?

I come from my hiding spot and walk slowly towards him. Questions whirling in my mind. I see hesitation in his blue eyes. Blue eyes? I feel myself frowning. Filled with curiosity. As I stand before him he lowers his eyes. I cannot help myself and I reach up to stroke his face, curving a finger under his chin, lifting it. My wonder at seeing his eyes now green must show upon my face as he smiles at me tentatively.

"Why have you never said anything to me mellon?" I ask him softly.

I cannot stop myself from reaching behind him to stroke one of the gossamer wings. My eyes meet his amber colored ones as I feel a tremble wrack his body. He pulls away and turns, walking a few paces and stands with his back to me. His head is bowed and I watch as his wings gently wrap around himself, like a soft cocoon. His whole body trembling.

"I was afraid."

I tilt myself to the side and ask. "We have ever been friends Erestor, why would you be afraid to share this part of you with me."

My breath catches in my chest as he turns and his now green eyes filled with tears look up at me.

"I was afraid to lose you. To lose your love."

"My love?" I ask him softly, my heart starting to pound in my chest.

"Yes, the love I can see in your heart for me."

"You can see my heart?"

"I can see the heart of those whose love is pure Glorfindel, and your love for me is the purest I have ever seen." His sparkling black eyes continue to bore into me. To bore into my soul, to the very depths of me. "I was afraid that if you knew, that love would fade. And I with it."

"Fade? You are saying you would fade without my love Erestor?"

He nodded and my heart took flight.

He looked at me with fearful hope as I slowly started walking towards him. His wings unfolded themselves and started to tremble in a soft flutter.

"You love me Erestor."

He nodded.

"And what would the rest of the fairies have to say about you loving me Erestor? What of those that lead the fairies? Would they be accepting of this?"

His smile was radiant when he answered.

"I am their king."

I stopped stunned. His eyes filled with trepidation once more. "Glorfindel?"

"You...are...their...king."

He nods once again and lowers his head. I can see the glistening of a tear trembling on the tip of his lashes, before it breaks loose. I follow the path of the tear as it drops, to land upon the ground, my eyes growing wide as a small daisy springs forth. My eyes seek his again, but his head remains lowered, his wings seeming to droop with his anguish.

Once again amber eyes lift to meet mine as I lift his chin gently. I am still confused, but I know one thing that is still within my heart. I love him, and ever will I do so.

"Do I have the permission of My Lord to kiss him?"

His eyes brighten and I watch in wonder as they turn green. He throws himself into my arms, and my arms go about his waist. I lower my head and our lips meet for the first time. Tongues twining around one another as I feel his wings wrap around us in a gesture that seems to protect us from the world.

end