Darthol i Aur: Enduring the Sunlight

Beta: Khylaren, Ilye

chapter one

Third Age, 2100

Erestor leafed through the papers on his desk, quickly reading the content of each before he filed them neatly in the drawers beside his desk. He heaved a sigh when he came across a thick ledger and the Noldo sat back in his chair. The day was half-gone and he looked longingly out the large window of his office. Afternoon sunlight poured in and illuminated the dark-haired Elf. He turned his eyes to the ledger again before pushing it off to the side. It was simply too lovely of a day to remain indoors.

He stood, shedding his heavy robes of office and placing his diadem in the desk drawer. Erestor pulled his hair into a simple tail and turned to leave his stuffy office, dressed in only his undershirt and trousers, when the door he was leaving through was filled with sapphire silk.

"Lord Glorfindel!" he said, smiling brightly at the tall, blond Elf.

The reborn Elda returned the smile. "You are leaving early, Master Erestor."

Erestor chuckled, a deep and rumbling sound in his chest. "This day is too nice to waste pouring over the requests from Thranduil for grain. I believe the King's stores of venison will keep him comfortably fed until tomorrow." The Noldo winked and slipped passed Glorfindel, walking down the hall toward Celebrían's gardens.

"Do you mind is I join you, meldir?" Glorfindel called, skipping off after Erestor's quickly retreating form.

"I am to join Lord Elrond and his lady this afternoon. You may tag along; I am sure the twins will be there, eager to spar with you," Erestor said. "I am sure Lord Elladan is quite ready for a rematch."

Glorfindel shook his head. "Elladan is too much like his father. Elrond leaves his left side open as Elladan does." Erestor stopped suddenly, standing in the bright sunlight on the vibrant lawn, a hand snaking to his left side. The grey eyes were clouded and the Noldo seemed lost in thought. "Erestor?" Glorfindel called, looking down at the shorter Elf with worry.

Erestor blinked and dropped his hand. His eyes were haunted, but he offered a weak smile. "We all have our weak spots, my Lord." Erestor walked off toward the rose arbor where the Lady of Imladris rested in the shade of a great Oak.

The Elda sighed. He always seemed to say the wrong thing to Erestor. It surprised him still that they remained friends. "My Lady," he said, bowing deeply, overdramatically to Celebrían. Erestor snorted and Celebrían laughed, motioning for Glorfindel to join her.

"My Lord and his sons have gone to retrieve us all a lovely meal. Elrond promises sweets and wine, though I am sure Elrohir will speak some sense to him and bring more substantial victuals." Celebrían looked up at Erestor. "Should I assume you have eaten?"

"Aye, my Lady," Erestor said. "Before Lord Glorfindel literally ran into me on my way out of the office."

Glorfindel held out his hand. "Nay, my Lady! Do not believe the knave. I do believe he was in such a hurry to join you and your family that he was blind to my person and ran directly into me. If any should feel slighted, it is I!"

Celebrían laughed again. "Stop! Lord Glorfindel! You make my side ache with laughter!"

"'Tis better to ache with laughter than with hunger, I say," Glorfindel said.

Erestor rolled his eyes and sat beside Glorfindel. "Do you have only one thought this time of day? To fill your belly?"

"And what better thing to think of at mid-day?" Glorfindel asked, placing his hand on his chest. "Master Erestor, do not tell me you never think of your hunger!"

"My hunger is not in dispute. I question whether you can think of nothing more entertaining but your hunger," Erestor retorted.

Glorfindel pouted. "My hunger is foremost in mind, my Lord. I have not eaten since..." Glorfindel seemed to think for a moment, but Erestor answered for him.

"Since the sun rose, Glorfindel, you twit!" Erestor tossed a handful of leaves at Glorfindel.

"Your sharp wit has always amused me so," Glorfindel said as he dusted the leaves from his tunic. "And with props, no less."

Celebrían was bent in two, laughing in a most unladylike way. "Stop!" she managed between giggles.

Erestor glared at Glorfindel. "You will cause her to have vapors, and that will displease Elrond."

"Come now, Erestor," Glorfindel said. "The Lady is merely enjoying our company. It is not so hot nor is her dress so binding as to cause vapors!"

"Glorfindel!" Erestor cried. "Do not speak of our Lady in such a way."

Glorfindel cocked his head to the side. "In what way? That she is dressed?"

Erestor threw another handful of leaves and looked back toward the house, his relief at seeing Elrond and his sons approach apparent on his features. "Now, behave yourself, Glorfindel; and my Lady, please cease your chortling!"

The blond leaned close to his Lady. "Continue your display of appreciation for my wit, my Lady, and pay the crow no mind."

Celebrían stood, brushing the dirt and leaves from her skirts, her face flushed from all her mirth. "There is never a dull moment in Imladris with a crow and a peacock to amuse their Lady." She cast a fond smile at the two Elves before she ran off to greet her husband and sons, her silver hair shining in the afternoon light.

Glorfindel turned to Erestor and saw the wistful gaze with which Erestor regarded Celebrían. "Erestor?" he asked, shifting uncomfortably. "Do you love our Lady?"

Shocked eyes met Glorfindel's blue eyes. "Of course I love Celebrían, as I love Elrond and the twins, and Arwen when she is in the valley."

"No, I mean..." Glorfindel began, looking back to the smiling family approaching.

"I know what you mean, my Lord," Erestor said harshly, "and I would appreciate it if you would not sully the Lady's or my honor with voicing the accusation."

The gaze was icy and Glorfindel nodded mutely. Aye, he needed to be more tactful, but he loved his Lord and did not want to see anyone's honor injured. "Forgive me, meldir; it was unworthy of me."

Erestor simply nodded, turning his attention back to the approaching family.

Night had long since fallen on the valley and all its inhabitants were safely tucked into their beds.

Except one.

Erestor prowled the grounds slowly, looking up into the darkened sky. His pale skin shown in the moonlight and his black hair was like a raven's wing. He wore nothing but a night robe, which he shed at the edge of the dense wood that surrounded the Last Homely House.

Clad in naught but his skin, he silently stalked through the wood. Animals scurried when they caught his scent, and he ignored them as he crept through the trees.

He lifted his head suddenly, sniffing at the slight breeze. If anyone has been present, they would have heard a low warning growl issue from the Noldo's throat. His eyes glittered in the darkness; the night did not hinder his sight and he sought the source of the sour scent on the wind.

Erestor continued to stalk the creator of the foul odor, and when the beast was in his line of sight, Erestor stood motionless in the foliage. His eyes followed the figure, his anger growing at its presence so near to his loved ones. The beast walked without thought, leaving a trail behind it as it came closer and closer to the edge of the wood.

The Noldo moved, though his movements were imperceptible to the mortal eye. As the moon traversed the sky, Erestor tracked the creature, his black eyes never moving from its form. The beast finally stopped for a moment, and Erestor easily climbed into a nearby tree, his sharp nails digging into the bark of the Elm.

On a branch, high above the beast, Erestor crouched. His eyes were unblinking, his body unmoving. When the beast stood again, to continue its path, Erestor moved.

Faster than anyone could blink, be he Man, Elf, or god, Erestor pounced on the creature from his perch in the tree. He brought the squealing beast to the ground with him, his vise-like grip immobilizing the writhing animal within moments.

The Man panted in fear, his eyes wide as he looked at the pale, naked beast that held him to the ground. "W-w-what do you w-w-w-want?" the human managed.

"You have trespassed into the realm of Elrond Half-Elven. You will not do so again," Erestor hissed before he reared back, his elongated incisors glistening in the moonlight. He struck as quick as a snake, striking the throbbing vein of the Man's throat as the Elf's hand crushed the human's windpipe.

After long moments, Erestor stood, leaving the Man's dead body on the forest floor. There were other hungry animals in Imladris' woods that would make short work of the dead Man. Erestor licked the bright vermilion liquid from his lips as he walked back to where he left his robe, his hunger quenched.

For now.


	Navigation multi-story arcs previous next Translations meldir - friend (m)		Darthol i Aur: Enduring the Sunlight Beta: Khylaren, Ilye chapter one Third Age, 2100 Erestor leafed through the papers on his desk, quickly reading the content of each before he filed them neatly in the drawers beside his desk. He heaved a sigh when he came across a thick ledger and the Noldo sat back in his chair. The day was half-gone and he looked longingly out the large window of his office. Afternoon sunlight poured in and illuminated the dark-haired Elf. He turned his eyes to the ledger again before pushing it off to the side. It was simply too lovely of a day to remain indoors. He stood, shedding his heavy robes of office and placing his diadem in the desk drawer. Erestor pulled his hair into a simple tail and turned to leave his stuffy office, dressed in only his undershirt and trousers, when the door he was leaving through was filled with sapphire silk. "Lord Glorfindel!" he said, smiling brightly at the tall, blond Elf. The reborn Elda returned the smile. "You are leaving early, Master Erestor." Erestor chuckled, a deep and rumbling sound in his chest. "This day is too nice to waste pouring over the requests from Thranduil for grain. I believe the King's stores of venison will keep him comfortably fed until tomorrow." The Noldo winked and slipped passed Glorfindel, walking down the hall toward Celebrían's gardens. "Do you mind is I join you, meldir?" Glorfindel called, skipping off after Erestor's quickly retreating form. "I am to join Lord Elrond and his lady this afternoon. You may tag along; I am sure the twins will be there, eager to spar with you," Erestor said. "I am sure Lord Elladan is quite ready for a rematch." Glorfindel shook his head. "Elladan is too much like his father. Elrond leaves his left side open as Elladan does." Erestor stopped suddenly, standing in the bright sunlight on the vibrant lawn, a hand snaking to his left side. The grey eyes were clouded and the Noldo seemed lost in thought. "Erestor?" Glorfindel called, looking down at the shorter Elf with worry. Erestor blinked and dropped his hand. His eyes were haunted, but he offered a weak smile. "We all have our weak spots, my Lord." Erestor walked off toward the rose arbor where the Lady of Imladris rested in the shade of a great Oak. The Elda sighed. He always seemed to say the wrong thing to Erestor. It surprised him still that they remained friends. "My Lady," he said, bowing deeply, overdramatically to Celebrían. Erestor snorted and Celebrían laughed, motioning for Glorfindel to join her. "My Lord and his sons have gone to retrieve us all a lovely meal. Elrond promises sweets and wine, though I am sure Elrohir will speak some sense to him and bring more substantial victuals." Celebrían looked up at Erestor. "Should I assume you have eaten?" "Aye, my Lady," Erestor said. "Before Lord Glorfindel literally ran into me on my way out of the office." Glorfindel held out his hand. "Nay, my Lady! Do not believe the knave. I do believe he was in such a hurry to join you and your family that he was blind to my person and ran directly into me. If any should feel slighted, it is I!" Celebrían laughed again. "Stop! Lord Glorfindel! You make my side ache with laughter!" "'Tis better to ache with laughter than with hunger, I say," Glorfindel said. Erestor rolled his eyes and sat beside Glorfindel. "Do you have only one thought this time of day? To fill your belly?" "And what better thing to think of at mid-day?" Glorfindel asked, placing his hand on his chest. "Master Erestor, do not tell me you never think of your hunger!" "My hunger is not in dispute. I question whether you can think of nothing more entertaining but your hunger," Erestor retorted. Glorfindel pouted. "My hunger is foremost in mind, my Lord. I have not eaten since..." Glorfindel seemed to think for a moment, but Erestor answered for him. "Since the sun rose, Glorfindel, you twit!" Erestor tossed a handful of leaves at Glorfindel. "Your sharp wit has always amused me so," Glorfindel said as he dusted the leaves from his tunic. "And with props, no less." Celebrían was bent in two, laughing in a most unladylike way. "Stop!" she managed between giggles. Erestor glared at Glorfindel. "You will cause her to have vapors, and that will displease Elrond." "Come now, Erestor," Glorfindel said. "The Lady is merely enjoying our company. It is not so hot nor is her dress so binding as to cause vapors!" "Glorfindel!" Erestor cried. "Do not speak of our Lady in such a way." Glorfindel cocked his head to the side. "In what way? That she is dressed?" Erestor threw another handful of leaves and looked back toward the house, his relief at seeing Elrond and his sons approach apparent on his features. "Now, behave yourself, Glorfindel; and my Lady, please cease your chortling!" The blond leaned close to his Lady. "Continue your display of appreciation for my wit, my Lady, and pay the crow no mind." Celebrían stood, brushing the dirt and leaves from her skirts, her face flushed from all her mirth. "There is never a dull moment in Imladris with a crow and a peacock to amuse their Lady." She cast a fond smile at the two Elves before she ran off to greet her husband and sons, her silver hair shining in the afternoon light. Glorfindel turned to Erestor and saw the wistful gaze with which Erestor regarded Celebrían. "Erestor?" he asked, shifting uncomfortably. "Do you love our Lady?" Shocked eyes met Glorfindel's blue eyes. "Of course I love Celebrían, as I love Elrond and the twins, and Arwen when she is in the valley." "No, I mean..." Glorfindel began, looking back to the smiling family approaching. "I know what you mean, my Lord," Erestor said harshly, "and I would appreciate it if you would not sully the Lady's or my honor with voicing the accusation." The gaze was icy and Glorfindel nodded mutely. Aye, he needed to be more tactful, but he loved his Lord and did not want to see anyone's honor injured. "Forgive me, meldir; it was unworthy of me." Erestor simply nodded, turning his attention back to the approaching family. Night had long since fallen on the valley and all its inhabitants were safely tucked into their beds. Except one. Erestor prowled the grounds slowly, looking up into the darkened sky. His pale skin shown in the moonlight and his black hair was like a raven's wing. He wore nothing but a night robe, which he shed at the edge of the dense wood that surrounded the Last Homely House. Clad in naught but his skin, he silently stalked through the wood. Animals scurried when they caught his scent, and he ignored them as he crept through the trees. He lifted his head suddenly, sniffing at the slight breeze. If anyone has been present, they would have heard a low warning growl issue from the Noldo's throat. His eyes glittered in the darkness; the night did not hinder his sight and he sought the source of the sour scent on the wind. Erestor continued to stalk the creator of the foul odor, and when the beast was in his line of sight, Erestor stood motionless in the foliage. His eyes followed the figure, his anger growing at its presence so near to his loved ones. The beast walked without thought, leaving a trail behind it as it came closer and closer to the edge of the wood. The Noldo moved, though his movements were imperceptible to the mortal eye. As the moon traversed the sky, Erestor tracked the creature, his black eyes never moving from its form. The beast finally stopped for a moment, and Erestor easily climbed into a nearby tree, his sharp nails digging into the bark of the Elm. On a branch, high above the beast, Erestor crouched. His eyes were unblinking, his body unmoving. When the beast stood again, to continue its path, Erestor moved. Faster than anyone could blink, be he Man, Elf, or god, Erestor pounced on the creature from his perch in the tree. He brought the squealing beast to the ground with him, his vise-like grip immobilizing the writhing animal within moments. The Man panted in fear, his eyes wide as he looked at the pale, naked beast that held him to the ground. "W-w-what do you w-w-w-want?" the human managed. "You have trespassed into the realm of Elrond Half-Elven. You will not do so again," Erestor hissed before he reared back, his elongated incisors glistening in the moonlight. He struck as quick as a snake, striking the throbbing vein of the Man's throat as the Elf's hand crushed the human's windpipe. After long moments, Erestor stood, leaving the Man's dead body on the forest floor. There were other hungry animals in Imladris' woods that would make short work of the dead Man. Erestor licked the bright vermilion liquid from his lips as he walked back to where he left his robe, his hunger quenched. For now.