FicWad

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own characters, everything belongs to Tolkien the genius.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Caia

The soft breeze off the ocean gently blew over the sandy dunes with little but a whisper. The day was starting to come to an end and the air was beginning to cool along the coast. Two figures curled up in each other's arms felt the slight chill and change as Anar lowered in the sky to the west. Alone on the sandy strand, Glorfindel and Elrilya had finally found relief after many years of burdens, secrets, confusion, and unconscious desires.

After their love had been revealed to each other they were content to simply be held in the embrace of one another. The closeness they shared on the beach sent warming comfort throughout their bodies and limbs but also an excitement of what the future held for them now that this step had been taken. The simple touch of Elrilya's fingers along his back, her soft breathing, and, most of all, her singular scent was all Glorfindel desired in this moment they shared. It was when the day began to cool that he realized it was time to leave.

"We must be going," he said reluctantly, not enjoying that he had to be the one to break their time alone. "I know we both would wish to stay together much longer here and Turgon will certainly send someone out to find us if we do not return."

"Of course," Elrilya said as she snuggled against his chest one more time.

They both stood and collected the items they had brought for the picnic before climbing onto Elrilya's mare to ride back to Vinyamar. As they continued along their path, Glorfindel held Elrilya in the same fashion as he had on the way to their picnic spot. However, this time he could not help but notice how right it felt to have her pressed snuggly against his form with his arm holding her in place. He thought that she seemed to realize the same once she placed her hand upon his. By the time they had come inside the city walls, dusk was quickly taking the blue sky and long shadows were darkening the streets. They soon arrived at the stables whereupon they both dismounted and found themselves feeling a little giddy still from their affirmations on the beach. Glorfindel smiled and took her hand, leading her to put her arms around him once more.

"I enjoyed our time together today," he said, tracing her face with his fingers. "Perhaps we will find a moment again for it soon."

"It was a pleasure for me as well," she answered as she leaned into his palm. "It would be wonderful to go on another such trip with you."

Leaning down a little, Glorfindel claimed her lips and she met his touch. For a few moments they were in their own world again before returning to real life. As they broke away, Elrilya smiled with a red flush on her cheeks and slowly backed away while watching him as she left. As soon as she was out of sight, Glorfindel felt himself missing her presence immediately but with a sigh he led Elrilya's horse to its stall before heading to his room.

*
The captain of the guard stared out the window of his study as he thought to himself. A table of cold food and mead lay untouched on the long meeting table at the other side of the room. Ecthelion glanced at Anar lowering herself into the horizon of the sea before turning back his gaze to the room. He had just risen to start lighting the torches and lamps in his study when the person he had been waiting for finally arrived.

"I apologize for my tardiness," Glorfindel said, holding up a hand to fend off any comments that might be thrown his way. "I... lost track of time."

"It is all right with me," Ecthelion said as he motioned for Glorfindel to sit at the table while he continued lighting. "The food may not be as hot as it once was but it still tastes pleasantly warm."

Glorfindel flinched as he realized how long he had kept Ecthelion waiting for him. The dark-haired lord must have been poking fun at him for the food was beyond warm; it was very much cooled. Usually being the one prepared, Glorfindel would have had an extensive list of names of warriors and soldiers to compare to Ecthelion's list but he hardly had the time and ended up scribbling several names that came to mind immediately while on his way to Ecthelion's study. His rushed handwriting was fairly noticeable but Glorfindel hoped it would do this time. Ecthelion soon joined him at the table and laid out a rather thorough list of ideal ellon under his command while also placing down a feather pen and paper on the table to make the final draft they would present to Turgon the next day at breakfast.

They went back and forth with the names for a time while munching on the cold food but as Ecthelion finished adding several names to the final list, he noticed Glorfindel somewhat disengaged and distracted. The golden lord was staring off in the distance at nothing in particular but seemed to be in deep thought. There was also a strange twinkle to his eyes and peculiar curve at the ends of his lips.

"What is on your mind, Glorfindel?" Ecthelion finally asked as he placed his pen down in the inkwell. "You have been out of sorts since you arrived."

Glorfindel pondered for a moment whether he should tell his friend what had happened that day. Though, it was not a secret since both Elrilya and he had come forth with their interest so why hide it? Glorfindel had already decided to speak with Turgon to officially ask for his permission since he was Elrilya's guardian. It was the proper thing to do in Glorfindel's mind but already his nerves were getting to him despite Turgon being his best friend, save Elrilya. The whole city would know after he sought out the king so this chance to finally speak it might help him prepare to say the same to Turgon.

"Well..." Glorfindel started out as he took a deep breath and sat back in his chair. "I am uncertain on how to explain or express this but..."

Words failed him and Glorfindel grumbled in frustration at his inability to articulate to his friend the events of the day.

"You're in love," Ecthelion offered, a knowing smile spread across his face then joked light-heartedly with him. "I had a feeling that was what has afflicted you."

"How?" Glorfindel said, his brow furrowed in surprise.

Ecthelion sighed, "When one has been as deeply enchanted with another and has been rewarded in like from she whom he holds regard for, then it is not difficult to see it in others." A piqued eyebrow was part of the reaction from Glorfindel, which prompted the other captain to continue with a deep sigh. "I thank you for that warning you gave this morn."

"I had wished I did not seem that obvious to you," Glorfindel said with a short chuckle.

"Nevertheless," Ecthelion said. "We should have been more mindful."

"Why do you and Aredhel not tell Turgon?" Glorfindel asked.

"You can see how hard it is to tell me about your feelings but imagine your love being the king's sister," Ecthelion said. "He is more protective than most."

"He is the same with Idril and even Elrilya; though, she is not his true daughter or of his line," Glorfindel said. "Yet, I will seek his approval tomorrow morn."

"Then you are stronger than I," Ecthelion said, dropping his gaze. "We are different, Glorfindel. You are kin and close to Turgon, but not I. He and I may be friends but I do not believe he would accept me as part of his family."

"He sees you more than that, Ecthelion," Glorfindel implored. "Perhaps when you become more comfortable with him and come to him openly, he will approve."

"We shall see," he said. "I will speak to Aredhel ere I seek out Turgon's say in this since she asks me not to do so until she is ready."

"I do not know how you can keep it silent," Glorfindel said with a shake of his head. "I have been wanting to declare my love for so long."

"As has Elrilya," Ecthelion added in with an impish smile. "Though, little good came of my advice to her when you did not accept her before."

"What do you mean?" Glorfindel asked with a confused expression.

Ecthelion leaned closer across the table, "Turgon's kin, myself, and you have been great counsel for her over the years but to you she cleaved much differently and closely despite your not noticing it. In the matters of love, Elrilya could not speak to you since it concerned you. Idril knows little of true love but more of playing; thus, Elrilya came to me seeking guidance on whether her feelings were true or merely a youthful obsession. I did not tell her outright what she must choose but when there was a choice between you and another, I urged her to seek all options instead of wondering and regretting if it could have ever been."

Glorfindel did not know what to say. He never expected that Elrilya had been confiding in his friend and colleague. There were so many more questions in his mind but they were not for Ecthelion to answer.

"She bared her inner self to me and I turned her away," Glorfindel muttered angrily to himself.

"It is no use to dwell on that now," the dark-haired elf said. "What matters is that you have each other now. Though, I must say that many were wondering when the two of you would finally come together."

"Our personal friendship has been the focus of scandalous talk?" Glorfindel said a little appalled.

"Not in a terrible way," Ecthelion laughed. "Though, it did annoy many a maidens the closeness you share. Imagine their jealousy upon this news."

Glorfindel simply rolled his eyes as his friend laughed to himself at the turn of events.

"It seems we are no longer attending to the purpose of this meeting," the golden lord pointed out.

"We seem to agree on nearly all we have thought of or written," Ecthelion said. "I believe we have a proper list to give Turgon tomorrow. Go to her, I do not wish to any longer be the reason to keep you from her this eve."

"That is considerate of you," Glorfindel said with a touch of sarcasm as he rose to go to the door. "I will be certain to tell her that you tortured me with several hours of pointless talk and troubles."

"She shall thank me later," Ecthelion called out after him as Glorfindel closed the door behind him.

*
The halls were quiet and empty as Glorfindel made his way to his room. He hoped he would freshen up a little before heading out to find Elrilya since the night was not too late yet. Upon returning from the beach Glorfindel only had a little time to drop by his chambers before having dinner with Ecthelion thus leaving him with a windblown dryness one feels after being at the beaches all day. A nice, cleansing bath would take care of his needs easily.

To his surprise, Glorfindel found his door unlocked and upon entering his room, he noticed light was already glowing brightly from several candles and lamps. Glorfindel then espied the lone figure spread out on his long couch. He smiled as he realized it was Elrilya reading quietly while waiting for him to return from dinner. She raised her gaze from her book to him, her face brightening visibly when her eyes alighted upon him.

"How was the rest of your evening?" she asked him as he sat on the edge of the sofa where she was.

"It went well but I could not help thinking about you the rest of the day," he said, his hand tracing her arm.

"Nor I of you," she said, leaning forward as they met in a short kiss.

Without a word, Glorfindel moved beside her and Elrilya moved out of the way so that he could sit behind her, leaving her to lean against him. As she leaned back into him, Glorfindel could not help but feel as content as could be. Wrapping his arms around her and resting his face on the top of her head, Glorfindel let himself fall entirely into the senses she was enticing by simply being there.

"I was thinking to myself a little today while we were together and also while I was with Ecthelion," Glorfindel said suddenly. "It is strange what we have because we know each other so well. Though, I would still like to take our time so that we do not rush overmuch."

"I agree," Elrilya said, wrapping her own arms over his to tighten his embrace. "Though I feel like I want to throw my self into it without a second thought because we had so many years with nay a word."

"It is of no importance how long it took us to finally come together," Glorfindel whispered in her ear. "What is important is that we have each other now and will make this work."

"Do you mind if we lay like this all night?" she asked as she turned her head to see his reaction. "You are quite comfortable and I may fall asleep."

"I would like you to stay," Glorfindel chuckled as he smoothed her hair out gently. "I must remember to wake early enough to see Turgon at the morning meal."

"We cannot sleep the day away?" she asked, turning to face him again with a mock pout on her lips.

"I am afraid not," he said, letting his fingers run through her hair as she looked at him. "It is important I see him in the morn. Ecthelion and I must speak with him concerning some matters." Glorfindel paused a moment before continuing. "And I must speak to him about us."

"Are you nervous about asking him?" Elrilya questioned him as she brushed a golden lock of hair behind one of his pointed ears. "I do not think he will disapprove."

"I believe he will be glad but it is a strange position nonetheless," he confided as he leaned into her touch.

"We have come this far, nothing can come between us now," she said before wrapping her arms around his neck and gifting him with another kiss.

"I will see to that," Glorfindel said before nuzzling against her.

Glossary
Caia: awe
Anar: sun