Title: Silence

Author: Carhuine Malthenel

Type: FPS

Rating: R

Cast: Elrond, Glorfindel

Warning: implied death and implied male/male

Summary: Glorfindel learns that silence can say alot.

In all my life, long or short depending how you look on it, I have seen too much war and death. I stood against the fell beasts of Morgoth and died. I was re born into Middle Earth at a time of great peril. Sauron, Morgoth's ancient right hand man, was bent on destroying it all. I stood on the slopes of Mt Doom next to all I had swore to serve and wondered if I would be gracing Mandos's halls again.

I stand in silence.

I watch as Isildur comes back from the cracks of doom and I see the ring on his finger. I wait in growing terror. Where was Elrond? Had Isildur killed him? Had he killed himself to join his beloved High King? Finally he returns and kneels at the spot where Gil-Galad once stood, where he died.

I watch in silence.

Long have I loved Elrond, at first I thought it wrong. I had been good friends with Turor and Idril, Elrond's grandparents. I stood and died so they could get their son, Elrond's father, to safety. Is it wrong to love your best friend's grandson? I see him get up and walk to his tent and I desire to go to him. To comfort him. But I cannot. It would not be fair to either of us.

I stand in silence.

After the war I accompany Elrond to Lorien to heal from his grief. I watch as he and Celebrian grow closer and closer. Their match was political but I could see they respected each other. Oh how I knew one day they would love each other. If only I could tell him. If only's and what if's are my companions now.

I watch in silence.

The years go by but to us elves they are but minutes. Celebrian and Elrond have married and she has given him twin boys. She is once again radiantly pregnant with another child. I am now a valued friend, counselor, and tutor to the boys. I have many friends among them are Lindir and Erestor. But I am alone at least they have each other. I go to the window of my study and stare outside. I see Elrond and Celebrian playing with the twins.

I stand and watch in silence.

My love should have killed me long ago but my duty has kept me here. The promise I made to Mandos to protect Elrond's line has kept me alive. I have failed. The Orcs came upon us without warning and I could not protect Lady Celebrian. Days and days of pain in the hands of Orcs had me wondering if we were forsaken. Celebrian and I held each other when we were not being brutalized. They want to hear our screams of pain but we are silent. I am used to silence. I will not give them what they want.

I remain silent.

Elrond has endured much pain in his life. But even all that pails to this, the leaving of his wife. She could not cope with what happened to us in the cave. In the west she will heal and become whole again. Elrond holds his sons as Galadriel and Celeborn comfort Arwen.

I watch in silence.

I am stunned when Elrond corners me in my study. Gulping I look into his deep ebony eyes and wonder why he is doing this. I flinch when he raises his hand but he does not hit me. He gently caresses my face and shakes his head.

"All this time mellon you have remained silent. Why?"

I am stunned but I manage to lie.

"I do not know what you mean."

"I think you do. You let it slip not long after Celebrian left. She told me you know."

I had forgotten that I had told her of my love for her mate. She had told me of one she loved now over the sea. Our confessions were when we had been with the Orc. Stress and thoughts of death brought us closer but it was all for naught. Or so I thought.

"I did not want you to know...you had Gil-Galad, Celebrian, your children..."

"And you...you have always been there for me and I didn't see you until she told me."

He smiles and leans in and I find myself melting in his touch, his kiss, and now his love.

I am silent no more...

THE END