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Author's Chapter Notes:
Arriving at the border of Imladris...

A/N: This chapter contains the original songfic that started me down this garden path. It was based on “The Reason” by Hoobastank. I did have to change an ‘I go’ to ‘you go’ so that the POV made sense; my apologies to Hoobastank if this offends.

internal thoughts be in italics
bold is used for emphasis

Chapter 12:

Ethuil, Imladris, 2818 T.A.
.
As the trio neared the borders of Imladris, Gildor felt his tension wane. The two Elves were not normally so tense when traveling together, but they had ridden hard to make up for lost time, and the child’s welfare weighed heavily on them. They knew that all would be worried at their delayed return with nary a word. Even though they had traveled until far later in the day than they normally would, both Elves wanted to be safely inside their borders before stopping for the night. They continued to push their mounts until both felt something wrong. Erestor continued to push the tired horses until he heard something approaching in the distance. He was certain that it was the sound of boots, of orcs. But what would orcs be doing so close to the border of Imladris? When he looked to the South, he could see a band of the beasts rapidly advancing straight for them.

Sdhiel, who was half-dozing on Eyra, felt the horses stop and turn. This roused her; as she saw her Ada's eyes widen, she turned to see what he was looking at. At first she couldn’t make out what it was in the dusky light, but as they got closer, she saw horrific monsters coming toward them. Sdhiel screamed. Everything fell into chaos, as the orcs saw the youngling and the horseflesh, as well as only two of the hated Elves. The Elves were badly outnumbered, and the orcs roared out in triumph.

Erestor yelled at Sdhiel, “Continue riding straight ahead as fast as you can. Do not look back. Go!” He slapped Eyra on the flanks and then turned toward their foes, drawing his bow. He took out as many as he could with arrows, but there were far too many, and they were already too close.

A black arrow whizzed by and lodged in Hron’s neck. The stallion went down, taking Gildor with him. By the time Gildor regained his footing, the orcs were already swarming over them. Gildor drew his sword and charged the orcs, hoping to buy time for the child’s escape.

Belatedly, Erestor realized that they were being driven into the woods where they would lose the advantage given them by their horses. By that time, Gildor was already engaged in a bitter struggle. Erestor dismounted, and he and Naurion joined the battle. As he struggled against the sheer numbers, he just hoped that they had bought Sdhiel enough time to get to safety.

Sdhiel held on and tried to do as her Ada bid, but Eyra would not leave Naurion. The mare followed wherever the stallion led, so she doubled back toward the Elves. She was not a battle trained mount; she was very skittish at the commotion, and needed to be led. As they approached the trees, an orc jumped in front of her and she reared up and threw Sdhiel. Even though she was not battle hardened, Eyra was a good horse. When she realized that her young charge was in danger, she flailed with her hooves and kicked out at many of the monsters, but there were too many of them and she was rapidly brought down.

Suddenly, the chaos increased, and more orcs began to fall. Someone had come to their aid! With the knowledge that they had reinforcements, both Elves turned back to the fray with renewed vigor, but there were still too many of the foul beasts, and they both felt as though they had been fighting for days. After struggling with a particularly large axe-wielding orc, Erestor's arms felt like dead weights, so he wasn't able to move fast enough to completely deflect the blows when two orcs came at him at the same time. He felt a sharp blow across his thigh, and as he spun to slam his knives in that attacker’s eyes, the other stabbed him through his side with a spear. Gildor heard his cry and turned to behead the monster, but Erestor was already down.

~~~*~~~


What few orcs remained were hunted down by the newly arrived patrol. Gildor shouted for help for Erestor. At hearing that Erestor was down, Glorfindel raced over. After quickly taking in the dire situation, he whistled for Asfaloth, “If I do not get him to Elrond, he will not survive. Quickly, bind his wounds and then hand him up to me,” he ordered, as he mounted his large, white steed. Once he held Erestor cradled tightly in his arms, he leaned into Asfaloth's flanks and bade him to get them to Imladris as swiftly as possible.

Gildor looked around the mayhem and noticed Eyra down. His heart leapt in his chest as he wondered what had happened to Sdhiel. Sweet Elbereth! Let the child be okay. He raced to the downed horse, and realized that the mare had taken out two orcs on her own before the others got to her. But he still could not find the child! Frantically he began walking in widening circles around the horse, trying to find any sign of her. After the third circuit, he stumbled and noticed that he had stepped into a small gully partially hidden from view by debris And there, at the bottom, lay an unconscious Sdhiel.

Gildor leaned down and carefully picked up the child, after assessing that she was not seriously injured. As she was moved, Sdhiel regained consciousness and moaned. Her eyes opened, and she was greeted by Gildor’s grey eyes, stormy with worry. “Oww, my head hurts.” She tried to brush her hair from her face, but it was stuck in the blood from a gash over her right eye that had bled profusely. “What happened? What were those things?” She tried to look around, but Gildor clasped her more firmly to him, and forced her face to his chest as he walked away from the scene of chaos, not wanting to expose the child to the carnage.

“Those foul things are the Dark Lord’s minions; we call them yrch. You are injured. Do not concern yourself with the goings on of the battlefield right now. We will rest in camp with the patrol, and then leave for Imladris at first light.” Gildor was fearful for Erestor, but he knew he had to be strong for the little one.

“Gildor, where is Ada?” Sdhiel had just realized that there were a lot of yrch dead on the ground, but she didn’t think she saw any elves there. For that she was glad, but where was her Ada?

Gildor steeled himself, took a deep breath, and began, “Your Ada was gravely injured. Glorfindel, whose steed is as fast as lightening, has taken him to Imladris where Lord Elrond can take care of him. Lord Elrond is the best healer in all of Arda. He will see to it that your Ada is well cared for.” Gildor watched her reaction, expecting something more than wide eyes wet with tears. “We will follow as soon as we can, but it is far too treacherous for us to travel by night. We will be safe and take the time to rest, eat, and have your wounds seen to here…” Gildor felt like he was rambling, but he was having a hard time keeping his composure under the onslaught of pain radiating from her dark blue eyes. “Ahh, here we are. You must be thirsty and hungry, pen neth.”

Sdhiel looked around toward a small campfire with a kettle on it, from which the most delicious smells were coming. She was hungry! Once they were settled in camp, she ate a bit and drank a lot, and let a healer clean and bandage her head. While the healer was tending to her, Gildor held her in his lap and hummed a lullaby he recalled from his own childhood. The toils of the day, coupled with the warm food and fire, quickly conspired to have Sdhiel asleep in no time. Gildor tucked her into his bed roll, and sat down next to her to guard her throughout the night. As the elves began the lament for their fallen, Gildor’s voice joined in.

~~~*~~~


Glorfindel took a moment to look down at Erestor. His heart shattered at the sight. The elf that had haunted him for centuries had never looked so fragile. His beautiful alabaster skin had a grayish cast to it, the normally ruby red lips had dimmed to palest pink, and those chocolate eyes which could cause his heart to race from a mere glance were closed.

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before you go
That I just want you to know


At that moment, Glorfindel realized that Erestor was the one, his reason for being, his soul mate. He would do anything to save the elf in his arms, and once Erestor was restored to health, Glorfindel was going to pursue him with all his being. He was determined to have more than forgiveness from the dark elf in his arms.

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you


Erestor moaned in pain and Glorfindel tried to gently move him so that he would be more comfortable. This proved to be practically impossible on the back of a wildly galloping steed, and the only outcome was that the Elda’s hands came back covered in bright red blood.

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That’s why I need you to hear


Glorfindel urged Asfaloth on, encouraging the brave steed to push himself past his limits. He knew that Erestor did not have much more time. What if I lose him now? Without ever telling him how I truly feel? Why did I ever push him away?

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You


He bowed his head in desperate prayer, “Please, Manw, Nmo, Varda, Irmo, hear me. I cannot live without Erestor. Please help me save him. If you do, I will fix things. I swear it.”

I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before you go
That I just want you to know


His prayer must have been heard, for somehow he arrived at Imladris in two short hours of flight instead of four hours of hard riding. As he arrived in the courtyard, the bells were already tolling that wounded were arriving. Elrond and Elladan arrived in the Courtyard at the same time. Elrond reached up to take the darkling elf from Glorfindel, who would have collapsed were it not for Elladan supporting him as he dismounted. The group then rushed to the House of Healing.

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You


As Elrond placed the wounded elf upon a table draped in white cloths, Glorfindel took Erestor’s hand, and begged, “Please. He must live!” Elladan pushed past the Elda as he said, “Glorfindel, please let us work.” The blond relented and moved to the head of the table where he could be close without being in the way. As Nestoron cut the dark elf’s clothes away, the gravely wounded elf moaned. Glorfindel stroked Erestor’s cheek and whispered soothing noises into his ear.

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you


While the healers worked to clean the wounds, Glorfindel realized that he could still lose Erestor. He had lost far too much blood, and it was still too early to tell if any vital organs had been punctured by the spear. The warrior trembled at the realization, but he also hardened his resolve. He would do whatever was needed to have Erestor as his own, including releasing Ecthelion from his heart and soul.

TBC

Translations:
Ethuil – late spring
yrch – orcs
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