Chapter 4:
Ethuil, Northern Rohan, 2818 T.A.
The door to the cottage opened and a bundle of energy burst into the room Erestor was occupying. Cries of “Gran! Gran!” only stopped once the young child noticed the tall, dark elf that was standing before her, sheathing his knives. Her eyes wide, she whispered, “Gran?”
“Hush, child. I’m here and you’re late,” Idhreneth said in Rohirric as she strode over to Sídhiel and hugged the child. She turned to Erestor and spoke in Sindarin, “Lord Erestor may I present to you, my charge, Sídhiel.”
Sídhiel attempted to curtsy but had some difficulty with the maneuver. “My Lord, it is my… uhm, good to make… uhm, meet you.” She smiled brightly, proud that she had recalled the words! She continued blithely on, unaware that her Gran was walking away to return to Gildor’s side, “Gran! Guess what I found? I found an owl’s nest.” She turned to follow Idhreneth, “And there’s little owlets in the nest! Can I keep one! Can I? Can I??”
Erestor followed the child and smiled at her name. “Maiden of peace” was not befitting of this exuberant being. He heard some sounds from the other room and worried that Gildor was stirring. He decided to help by settling Sídhiel down. “My lady, it is indeed a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Mayhap you can tell me of your adventures while your Gran attends to my friend? Perhaps you are hungry?”
As Erestor turned toward the table, Sídhiel noticed his ears. “You’re an elf! Gran, he’s an elf!” She had completely forgotten about the owlets when confronted by this magical being her Gran had oft told her stories of.
“Yes, Sídhiel, I know. Now please be quiet. Lord Gildor was seriously injured and needs quiet and rest. He does not need your squealing,” Idhreneth scolded as she shut the bedroom door.
Duly chastened, Sídhiel walked over to Erestor, and just stared. While he was being gawked at, Erestor surreptitiously apprised the child he had agreed to take with him. He sighed. {{ She is so young! Probably not more than eight. What am I going to tell Elrond? Bringing home a human child? }} Suddenly she spoke up in hushed tones, “May I touch your skin? It’s so fair! You glow like a candle! You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen!”
Erestor chuckled, “That is because I am not a man. I am an elf. Yes, you may touch my skin. I am sure it does not feel that different from yours, though. Now, while we are getting acquainted, should you not eat?”
“Oh… uh-hmm… but I will get it myself,” as she wrinkled her nose. “Gran always gives me too many onions and not enough carrots!” Sídhiel was obviously quite excited and did not stop talking throughout the meal. She had found someone who seemed to be interested in her adventures and tales!
Erestor quickly warmed to the young girl. It was hard not to like someone who was so full of life. As Sídhiel hid a yawn when she got up to retrieve yet another collection to regale Erestor with, he took in her coloring and thought it was a bit odd for a child of Rohan. She had unruly dark, auburn hair that was done in two plaits at her back, most of which had come undone. Her skin was fair with a golden hue as though she spent long hours in the sun. Her most striking feature, though, was her eyes. They were midnight blue, almost black, and seemed to have bits of silver in them. Almost like stars in a moonless night sky.
After another yawn from the child, Erestor chided, “I think it is far too late for one so young to be up. You can sleep on the bed and I will sleep on the floor.”
Sídhiel giggled, “That’s Gran’s bed. You sleep there. I am happy sleeping by the fire. Goodnight, Lord Er-es-tor. Thank you for sitting with me!” with that, she jumped up and gave Erestor a quick hug, who was too surprised to react. As she grabbed a blanket from a chest, she called for Nim-mem, and made herself comfortable near the corner of the hearth.
With the whirlwind finally settled down, the only sound that could be heard in the little cottage was of slow, even breathing…
~~~*~~~
Erestor looked around the darkened Hall and sighed, when he suddenly felt strong arms encircle his waist and lips nuzzle his neck as his long, dark hair was moved aside, “Just what are you doing?”
“I cannot get enough of you. Your scent, your skin, your hair, you are tantalizing,” came a murmur in his ear, and Erestor felt himself shivering. He felt soft lips brush his ear and then the tip was lightly nibbled. He gasped, “You need to stop. I… not… here…” and leaned into the warmth behind him, his body at war with his words.
The nibbles moved down to his chin and then onto his neck as wisps of golden blonde hair fell over his shoulder. As the nibbles turned to suction on his throat, Erestor tilted his head, opening his neck up further to the blessed assault, and those strong hands slid under his tunic. Warm, calloused hands rubbed up his sides and brushed across small nubs already rock hard from desire. As the hands roamed, they left a heated trail in their wake, and Erestor couldn’t keep from panting as he was pulled against the hard body behind him, where an impressive hardness was gyrating against his cleft.
“You draw me like the moth to flame, lirimaer. You set me afire.” As these words were breathed across his ear, the hands that had been teasing his nubs slid away. One hand moved up to force his shoulders farther back and the other moved downward to slide inside his leggings. Erestor’s eyes fluttered closed and his back arched as his length was grasped and stroked, forcing soft moans to come from his lips. “Fin, please,” he begged, unsure of what he wanted.
The wanton assault continued until he thought he would spend on the spot. He was released and he moaned at the loss of sensation. His neck and then his ear were each lightly nipped again. Then the hands came up and gently turned his face into the most passionate, searing kiss he had ever felt. His mouth was ravaged as soft sighs escaped from two throats. Tongues dueled for supremacy until the need for air broke the seal. Another murmur, “Shhh…. it will be all right. I will return soon,” another soft kiss at the back of his neck, and then the lips, arms, and body were gone.
To keep from falling, Erestor had to grab the back of a chair next to him. Once he steadied himself, he looked up, and there, across the hall, was Glorfindel with two Galadhrim surrounding him. The ellon was on his lap with Glorfindel’s hands down his pants while an elleth was beside him attempting to smother him with her cleavage. Glorfindel looked up, straight into Erestor’s eyes, and smirked.
Erestor stifled a cry of anguish and turned to flee, but there was no way out behind him! The Hall of Fire suddenly seemed impossibly large as he began searching for an exit, but the only one was straight across, directly by the awful scene! As he raced toward his escape, he made the mistake of again looking at the trio. Glorfindel was shirtless by this time and the three were practically coupling right there on the floor! Glorfindel looked up at him and smirked again. Erestor began to run, no longer caring who saw him, tears streaming down his face. He ran through the arched doorway and fell…
He jerked awake, gasping and disoriented. It took a few moments for Erestor to realize that he had been dreaming and another moment to even remember where he was. He was still so angry that he had to get out of the little cottage! He raced outside and finally collapsed onto his knees, screams of anguish and fury torn from his lips, “Damn you, Fin! Damn you! Stay away from me! Stay out of my life and my dreams!” His fists were clenching and unclenching on his thighs as he tried to regain his composure and dam up the torrent of emotions the dream had unleashed. He was still sobbing and had not noticed that he was followed, until small arms came around his neck and a little voice said, “Please don’t cry, Lord Er-es-tor. It will be okay. You’ll see.”
Erestor stiffened at the touch, and then caught himself. She is but a child. She will not harm me. “Sídhiel, what are you doing out here? You should be asleep, pen dithen.” Erestor turned and began to wipe the tears from his face.
“I heard you leave. I followed. You can’t be alone when you’re sad. Gran says that being alone when you’re sad makes the hurt grow. Hugs make any hurt better,” and she smiled. “Besides, the moon has set. Can I show you something that always makes me feel better? Come on, it’s not far,” she said as she tugged on his arm.
Neither saw the door to the cottage close as Idhreneth turned back to her patient. She was sure Sídhiel was safe and even more certain that she would ease whatever ailed the dark elf.
Even though both wore no shoes or cloaks, Erestor could not resist following Sídhiel. Her hug had eased his pain. Fin, what have you reduced me to? Needing succor from a mere child?
Sídhiel led Erestor up a hill behind the little cottage. After they passed through a small grove of trees, they came out on a hillside above the plains, the Limlight glimmering below in the starlight. “Isn’t it perfect here? I love this place. Sit with me and tell me about the stars. You do know about the stars, don’t you?” Sídhiel chatted as she patted the ground beside her. She laid back and sighed, “I love the night, don’t you?”
Erestor felt like there was nothing this child didn’t love. He settled down next to her. “Yes, pen dithen, I know about the stars. In fact, my Lord is the son of that star right up there,” he said, pointing to Earendil’s ship in the sky.
Sídhiel was so excited she was practically vibrating, “Is that the Mariner? Gran told me about him once. You know his son! You must know everything! Tell me more. Please?”
They continued in this manner for awhile, until Sídhiel’s questions and interjections began to get quieter and slower. Erestor smiled when he realized that the youngling was asleep curled up next to him. He stretched, picked up the slumbering child, and headed back to the cottage. He realized that Sídhiel’s presence had chased away his demons.
TBC
Translations:
Ethuil – late spring
lirimaer – lovely one
pen dithen – little one
ellon – male elf
elleth – female elf