Title: The Night Before The Dawn
Author: zilah
Email: zilah.o.imladris@gmail.com
Beta: Erfan Starled
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Glorfindel/Haldir
Warnings: Angst.
Written for: Khylea
Request: Pre-Last Alliance, a pet cat, a hot spring (the water, not
the season spring), and the phrase "You want me to wear WHAT?"
or "You want me to wear THAT?"
Summary: The last night before the great battle.
Author's Notes: Ttis story is written for SlashySanta-challenge.The
request was challenging, and I must admit that I wasn't in the right
state in mind to write the story that would have included all the
details.
Thank you Khylea for your FB. I'm so glad you liked this.
And Thank you, Erfan for your help with this story.
Feedback: Yes, please!

Enjoy,

zilah

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE DAWN

Glorfindel had watched him for a long time now. So young, so fierce……
so ready to die for his people…… that was the Marchwarden of the
Golden Wood. Oh, how well Glorfindel recognized the gaze he saw in
those steel-grey eyes…… cold and emotionless, but he could also sense
weariness and hopelessness behind the solid façade. Hadn't he worn
that same gaze in his own eyes too? So many years ago, and still it
felt like yesterday.

It had been complete madness to think that they had any chance
against Morgoth's foul creatures. And still they had fought hard,
refusing to retreat. One by one they had fallen to their deaths,
where Námo could finally grant them peace.

Glorfindel couldn't take his eyes from the young marchwarden. Haldir
O Lórien was too young to die. Tomorrow would reveal their destinies,
but Glorfindel was determined to see a day after tomorrow. A day when
they all would be free again.

"And I want you to be beside me, when the dawn of the new day comes,
Haldir O Lórien," Glorfindel thought to himself. He had made his
mind; he wouldn't let Haldir fall under the shadow.

* * * *

Haldir sensed someone's gaze following his every move, but he didn't
want to know who was watching him. He didn't care if some fool
distracted himself from the battle by staring at him, when he should
be focusing on the enemy. The evening was darkening and the battle
had ceased, but Haldir couldn't let his guard down even for one
moment. So many of his fellows had already fallen; many of them
because of their own carelessness. He knew full well that tomorrow
would very likely to be his last day on Arda, but he had accepted his
fate. He was determined to take with him as many enemies as he
possibly could.

His darkened thoughts suddenly scattered, when he felt a slight touch
on his shoulder. He didn't need to turn to know who had come to him.

"What you want from me, Lord Glorfindel? I would rather be alone,"
Haldir said quietly, feeling a growing irritation within him. What
right had the Elda to disturb his peace?

"Believe me, I know your thoughts better than you think, young
Haldir. It is not so long ago that I myself thought in the same way.
But I was wrong."

"Pray tell me -- how in Arda could you know what I feel right now?"
Haldir asked angrily. He turned around, expecting to find an arrogant
and condescending gaze in Glorfindel's eyes.

He was completely wrong. He looked into Glorfindel's sapphire orbs
and found himself drowning in them. He shuddered with a sudden
knowledge:

"He knows! By the Valar, he really knows how I feel."

"You are right, young Haldir. I know how you feel at the moment."

"But how…… how is this possible? I thought……" Haldir stuttered, looking
away. He didn't know where this odd conversation was leading.

Glorfindel didn't answer but cupped Haldir's face, silently demanding
that he meet his gaze again.

"I know, because once I was just like you; a mere soldier against an
invincible enemy. I made the same decision as you; to take as many
with me as I possibly could. And believe me, I killed a mighty enemy,
just before my death. But that didn't ease the pain I felt inside of
me. Nothing can, if your desire is to die. I would prefer you to want
to live, Haldir O Lórien.

"And what could ease my pain then, oh mighty Glorfindel? Tell me, if
you are really so wise," Haldir spat, trying to hide his confusion
behind sarcasm.

Glorfindel smiled gently, and held Haldir's chin in his grip for a
long time before he answered.

"There is no need to be angry, Haldir. Could you just try to be
silent for a change…… maybe you would find that listening is not such
a bad option," Glorfindel whispered, pulling Haldir closer. The young
Marchwarden tried to resist, but finally collapsed against
Glorfindel.

When their lips finally met, Haldir couldn't hide his trembling. The
kiss wasn't at all demanding but sensual and seductive, and it made
him ache with need. A lover's touch was something he had forgotten,
so long had he known only the war.

"Why are you doing this?" Haldir gasped, when he had regained his
breath.

"I told you, Haldir. I want you to live to see the new dawn with me.
It would be a terrible waste for such beauty as yours to be lost to
the Halls of Mandos. Would you come with me, maethoren vain (my
beautiful warrior)? Would you ease my heart at this last moment?"

Haldir could only stare at Glorfindel, for he was stunned completely
wordless. He had never been pursued in this way; it had always been
he who pursued others. But still, he found no strength to reject the
Elda. No one had ever affected him in this way.

Glorfindel watched silently, when mixed emotions crossed Haldir's
face. The Marchwarden was warming up to him, but still Glorfindel
couldn't be sure about his decision. Glorfindel waited, for he
anticipated that any pressure would only cause Haldir to withdraw.

"I admit that your offer is tempting, but I am not sure if I can ease
anybody's heart, when my own is so heavy," Haldir finally whispered.

"You don't need to do or say anything. Just come with me, saes."

"Why me? Why did you ask me, when you could have had anyone?"

"Because you are Haldir O Lorien."

* * * *

Haldir couldn't tell later, what madness made him obey Glorfindel's
wishes. He forgot the danger; he forgot even his own death that was
within sight. He didn't see the dark and barren view, nor did he feel
the hardness of the cliff. He only felt his lover's strong body above
him, skin surprisingly soft and warm against his own. Eager hands and
hot lips explored his body, until he was ready to explode.

"Saes, Glorfindel……" The desperate plea that escaped from his lips
shocked him, but Haldir couldn't help himself. He had never felt such
desperate need as now raged in his veins. He needed to feel his lover
within him.

"Shh, nín bain (my beauty). Soon you will have me," Glorfindel
assured him, his voice hoarse with need. Gently, he beckoned Haldir
to settle at his side so that he had better access to his most
private part.

Haldir shivered, as he felt Glorfindel's tentative caresses on his
buttocks. He wanted the Elda, wanted desperately, but still he
couldn't prevent the slight wave of fear inside him. He wasn't
untouched, but he had never found much pleasure from yielding. His
thoughts shattered completely, when Glorfindel wrapped his hand
around his aching member, stroking him teasingly.

"Glor…… oh……" Haldir breathed and then cried brokenly, as he finally
realized what Glorfindel had in mind. He was trapped between probing
fingers and the hand that stroked him towards his release. Slowly and
carefully Glorfindel prepared him, keeping him on the edge for a long
time. Haldir almost sobbed with relief, when his completion was
finally allowed. He still shuddered in the aftermath of his release,
when Glorfindel turned him on his back.

"What…… how……" Haldir gasped, when he saw Glorfindel hovering above
him. He was confused, because in those rare moments he had allowed a
lover to take him, he had always been on his hands and knees.

"I want to see your face, Haldir, when I make you mine."

Haldir didn't resist anymore. His breath caught in his throat when he
finally felt Glorfindel pushing in. Despite Haldir's fears,
Glorfindel slid into his quivering passage without difficulties. It
was as if they two were meant to be one from the beginning. Haldir
moaned, as he bucked back against Glorfindel and soon all control was
lost. They moved together with a wild abandon, their cries echoing
through the night air. No one had ever taken Haldir in this way, with
passion that shook him to his very core. And he yielded to his lover
like never before, until he felt he was drowning into a white-hot
haze of completion.

When Haldir finally stirred, he found himself resting tightly in
Glorfindel's arms. He opened his eyes and stared into his lover's
azure eyes.

"You are strong and beautiful, Haldir. It would be a terrible waste
for such beauty as you to be lost to the Halls Of Mandos. Would you
fight beside me, maethoren vain (my beautiful warrior)? Would you
greet the new day by my side?"

Haldir didn't hesitate before he answered: "I will fight beside you,
Glorfindel, and I will greet the new day beside you. You have given
me hope."

* * * *

The battle was over, but the price of the victory was terrible. The
High-King was dead, and they had lost many others. All were sorely
missed. Somewhere in the battle Glorfindel had lost contact with his
lover, and now he was searching for him. Finally he saw familiar eyes
and a flash of silvery locks that were now covered with dust and
orc's blood.

"So, finally you found me, Glorfindel O Gondolin," Haldir said
wearily. He didn't know what to think about this one-night-lover.
Glorfindel had really eased his last night before the battle, but was
that all the Elda wanted from him? Mere thought about separation
caused Haldir's heart to ache, and with a shock he realized that he
definitely wanted more. But the fear that Glorfindel didn't feel the
same way made Haldir careful.

"I have come to redeem your promise. Would you come with me, Haldir O
Lórien to greet the new day with me?" Glorfindel asked, extending his
hand.

Haldir hesitated for a moment, but at last took the offered hand.
Together they walked to the ruins of the Black Gate. They looked at
the evil land that was covered with shadows and fears. They waited
silently, as Anar started to rise over the horizon.

When the whole land was finally bathed in bright sunlight, Glorfindel
broke the silence.

"I am Glorfindel O Imladris, and I look at the new dawn. Are you
still with me, Haldir O Lórien? Would you ease my days, even when the
Shadow is gone?" The Elda asked, smiling..

"I am Haldir O Lorien, and I am with you, Glorfindel O Imladris. I
will ease your days till the end of Arda," Haldir answered. He smiled
at his lover and for the first time in ages it was a smile that
reached his eyes.

FIN.