Notes: Part of the "Unexpected Love story arc". Will eventually be used in "Saving Grace". Sequel of Admittance.

Translation of Elvish: Peredhel - half-elven. Meldir - friend. Goheno nin - forgive me. Melin chen - I love you. Melethen - my love.

Once again Glorfindel was tossing and turning in his sleep, his mind firmly in the claws of his nightmares. But this time he had not been taken back to Gondolin and his doom, no. He was still in Imladris, in the Rose Gardens. A new statue had been erected and Glorfindel walked towards it, curious to see what Celebrían had come up with this time. Honestly, she had no taste when it came to garden architecture, especially the sculptures she had picked out so far had all been of wood-elves. Sometimes the Balrog Slayer had the impression of walking in the Royal gardens at Calen Glad, not in Imladris.

Though he had to admit that this time her choice had been a good one. The statue was the perfect copy of a young elf. Long hair fell on his stony shoulders and cascaded down his back. In his elegant hands was a single rose. The gentle face with its high cheekbones, small pouty lips, noble nose and gentle eyes was oddly familiar. But for the time being, he could not place it.

A sob broke the peace of the moment, and Glorfindel gazed down to find a hunched figure at the statue's base. Placing a calming hand on the crouching form's shoulder, startled grey eyes suddenly met his. Elladan? Why would the peredhel cry before the stony replica of this young elf if... And then the full implication hit him hard.

He was standing at a grave. Elrohir's grave. Yes, now he could see the similarities between the statue and its model. "Oh no," he whispered, tears beginning to fall from azure pools, "sweet Elbereth, no!" Collapsing to his knees next to Elladan, he embraced stony ankles. "I cannot lose you, my ... my mate, my love." With a heartbroken sob, he added in a whisper, "My life and only joy. My..."

"...Elrohir!" Glorfindel was sitting upright in his bed, his arms tightly wrapped around a cushion. For the first time in weeks, he knew exactly what to do. Damn Elrond and his good advice, he would not stand back and watch his beloved fade because of his cowardice. He had always known that Elrond's second-born had been a special gift of the Valar, and only now did he begin to understand just how special he was. Driving away his nightmares already as a small elfling, bringing a smile to his face whenever possible, and later he had been an interested student in the ways of both a warrior and mischief-maker. Had he loved him then already? Probably. But ever since Elrohir had admitted his feelings to him, he had known that he loved, too. Even though he had pushed the peredhel away, Elrohir had given his life to bring Glorfindel back from Námo's Halls, and all the Elda had done to reward him, to thank him was to push him away again. But no longer...

Quickly he dressed in the robes he knew the young half-elf liked best and was just about to leave in search of Elrohir when an insistent knock fell upon his door, a rather familiar knock. Curse Erestor and his timing... Sighing, he opened the door. But before the raven-haired elf that was now glaring up at him could bring anything over his lips, Glorfindel said matter-of-factly, "Erestor, I love you dearly. But no matter what you want, this is neither the time nor the place. I am busy..."

"Nevertheless, you will listen to me." Emphasising the word 'will', the advisor made it quite clear that there would be no discussion of that particular point.

Bracing himself for what was to come, Glorfindel stepped aside to allow his friend inside. He had accepted a long time ago that it was futile to argue with Erestor if he was in this mood. The fact that they had once been lovers only made it easier for the Noldo to get exactly what he wanted from the blond. And right now, he apparently wanted to talk.

Trying once again to tell his friend that his timing could have been better and that he was in a hurry, he muttered, "But please make it short..."

Erestor's eyes glittered dangerously. "I will take as long as I need and I thank you for not interrupting me anymore." Drawing a deep breath, something that worried the Elda to no end as it promised a prolonged conversation, the dark-haired elf began, "Glorfindel, you are my eldest friend in the whole of Arda, and that is why I have no inhibitions about telling you what you are in my eyes. Namely a fool. Probably even a greater fool than my beloved brother, and that says a lot."

Had he just compared Glorfindel to Ecthelion and questioned the fact that the Lord of the Fountain was even more foolish than he was? 'No wait, we are digressing here. You have to go and find Elrohir before...' The memory of his dream closed about his heart like an iron fist, squeezing it.

Erestor seemed a little surprised because of the lack of a response, but finally went on. "Why Glorfindel? Why throw away this chance at happiness? When we returned, our Lord and I, after that terrible orc attack, I found a beaming Elrohir who was so happy at having saved you... But ever since Elrond spoke with you, not a day has passed that those expressive eyes have not been bloodshot from lack of sleep or crying. He hardly eats and is wasting away in front of our eyes. I do not know why you believe that you are not worthy of his love, but he certainly does not deserve the pain you cause him. He loves you, meldir. And I believe you love him as well, or else you would not fight him this much. Please, tell me why." Suddenly an idea struck him, and he questioned, "You are not doing this because of what happened in Gondolin, are you?"

Glorfindel remained silent. All these years, Erestor had not mentioned their home, sensing the blond's discomfort whenever the topic had been broached. Why now? Obsidian eyes scrutinised him, and the advisor placed a gentle hand upon the Elda's shoulder. "Please, Glorfindel. I only wish to help you..."

It was those last words that finally broke through the walls he had erected around his heart, and Glorfindel could no longer remain silent. "Help me? Why would anyone wish to help me? It is because of me that many perished, people I loved. I failed them all, as I failed you. I was not fast enough... He drowned because..."

Erestor's eyes were wide, the agony in Glorfindel's voice calling out to him for comfort and help. "Ecthelion died defending his city. Not because you were not fast enough. And yes, many perished that day, but how many others survived because of you?" Sighing deeply, he added, "And you did not fail me. Yes, I asked you to watch over him. But our home was under attack. You both faced enemies no one had before. You both were slain in your moment of victory. There is no shame in that..." A single tear fell from Erestor's eyes as he went on. "I loved him, Glorfindel. And when I heard of his death I was trying to find someone to blame. But the truth is he knew what he was risking and still did what he had to. You were not responsible for his death..."

How could Erestor say these things? How could he try to ease his conscience? He tried to move away, but his friend's grip tightened. "No, you will listen to me. Has it ever occurred to you that the Valar sent you back so that you could heal? Not only because you were set on driving Námo insane..." He raised his eyebrow challengingly as he added those last words. "Let your friends help you. Let Elrohir help you. Let him love you." Slowly, he leaned closer and brushed his lips over Glorfindel's. "You have so much love to give, and I know no one more deserving of being loved than you."

The mentioning of Elrohir's name reached through the grief and guilt, and quietly he admitted, "When you arrived here, I was on my way to search for him. I ... I dreamt of what will happen if I... He does not deserve that. He has given me the greatest gift possible, just by being around. If he indeed wished to spent his life with me, I will do my best to make him happy. No matter if he should leave me in a month, a year, or never, I will love him the way he merits - with all my heart."

"He will never leave you, Glorfindel. It was not by chance that you were sent here. The Valar meant for you to meet him." Smiling, Erestor turned to leave. But then, as if remembering something, he turned again and said, "Oh, by the way. I have seen our dearest peredhel in the Rose Gardens before I came here..."

---

Elrohir once again had not been able to sleep. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw his father's Seneschal standing right in front of him. But when he reached out to touch him, he would disappear. So, very early in the morning he had fled the rooms he shared with his brother, venturing to the only place that could still ease his troubled mind.

His hands were just caressing the blossom of a yellow rose when he heard a noise behind him and swirled around. His dreams seemed to have caught up with him for there stood Glorfindel, so close and yet so far. "My Lord," he bowed his head in greeting, "I did not know that you also come here to ... to think. I shall leave so..." He could not go on, could not bring himself to saying the words his mind provided. 'So that my heart does not break as yet...'

Why was the blond shaking his head? Did he wish for him to stay? No, he had made it very clear that he did not want to spend time with the young peredhel. Elrohir's breath caught in his throat when Glorfindel began to speak, "I ... I would like to tell you something... If you will hear me out."

Elrohir was startled. What did the Elda wish to tell him? Had he done anything to make a fool of himself again? However, this was maybe the last time he would be with the blond... Nodding his consent, he motioned for Glorfindel to continue.

"I am sorry, Elrohir. I hurt and belittled you, just because I was terrified ... terrified of being close to someone again. My foolishness caused you great suffering; I might still lose you... I..." Collecting his thoughts, he tried once more. "I was a coward, I will not be a coward again. Goheno nin, Elrohir. For hurting you and pushing you away. But most importantly, for lying to you..."

The young half-elf was staring at Glorfindel in disbelief. Surely he did not mean... "Melin chen, Elrohir." The reaction to this was anything but what the blond had expected. Elrohir began to laugh hysterically.

'Alright, you are obviously dreaming. I suggest you do not wake anymore.' It could not be real, he was delusional, or was he? Slowly his laughter abated and he studied the Balrog Slayer. It was real, there was no mistake. The soft touch of Glorfindel's palm upon his cheek, the searching gaze of azure eyes... Why was he doing this now? Wait. Had he not said something about losing him? Was it possible Glorfindel was only doing this out of pity? Stepping away from the gentle caress, he saw the blond's brow furrow. Maybe he was sincere after all. Elrohir had to make sure.

"Tell me, tell me you are not saying these things because you feel sorry for me and obliged to do something about it." Tears began to stain his cheeks, and, turning his back to Glorfindel, he continued in a little more than a whisper, "If that is the case, please go."

But Glorfindel did not leave. He closed the space between them in two strides and embraced Elrohir from behind. "Melin chen, Elrohir. Not as a friend, but as my mate. When you came to me and told me of your true feelings, I longed to take you into my arms and hold you for all eternity."

"Then why did you throw me out? Oh right, because I am but a child and too young to know my heart." His voice was small and his words often interrupted by a defeated sob.

Glorfindel's arms tightened around Elrohir's waist as he whispered, "I believed that I would fail you like I did so many before. Only now am I beginning to doubt ... thanks to our dearest Erestor. I have lived in a nightmare since I have returned from Mandos, the first time that is. You had been my only joy and ray of hope ever since you were born. I did not want to drag you down with me... But maybe you can bring me out of this darkness instead."

Elrohir turned in his arms, hope shining in his eyes. Glorfindel was sincere; there was no doubting that. "I will do anything to help you, if only you let me."

"You brought me back, were willing to challenge Námo. You have given me your love..." Leaning closer until their lips almost touched, he muttered, "I shall explain everything in detail later. But first I have to do this." With that, he closed the remaining space between them and claimed Elrohir's lips in a slow, gentle kiss.

The moment Glorfindel's mouth descended upon his, Elrohir's arms went around the Elda, drawing him even closer. When he felt a questing tongue lick his lower lip, he automatically opened his mouth to the sweet invasion. A feeling of coming home took hold of his heart as he gave himself up to Glorfindel's explorations. When their tongues met for the first time, an electric jolt passed through his body. No, he was not dreaming. This was very real. And Glorfindel was not doing this because he thought he had to either. Only because he wanted it as much as the peredhel. Elrohir whimpered into the kiss as the full meaning of it all sank in. His mate had accepted him, and he would spend his life proving to Glorfindel that it had not been a mistake. Doing his best to follow the blond's lead, he responded to the kiss with a fervour he had not known he possessed.

Eventually, lack of air forced them apart, and Elrohir's chest filled with pride at the vision before him. Passion-glazed eyes studied him, and a smile played around bruised lips. Leaning in to steal another kiss from those inviting lips, he was stopped by Glorfindel, who placed a hand upon Elrohir's chest.

"Nay, not here. Not the first time, melethen. I want it to be special, this first time we come together as lovers, as special as you are to me. Besides," a wicked smile crossed his face, "Erestor told me you have hardly eaten in days. We have to remedy that first. I do not want you to faint in the midst of things..."

Elrohir blushed a deep shade of red, burying his face in Glorfindel's robes. "Alright," he moaned, "I have to admit that I am hungry anyway."

Wrapping his arms around his young mate, Glorfindel rested his chin on Elrohir's head. "Then we shall first have breakfast together, and later we will talk. And tonight..." Gently, he raised Elrohir's head until their eyes met. Azure pools shone with love as he added, "Tonight, I will show you what it means to be bound to Glorfindel of Gondolin..."