Chapter Text
Chapter One
“In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago.”
Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)
Elrond stood at his window and watched the snow fall on the already frozen Imladris, albeit a lighter snow than they had seen in many a week. The winter season had just passed into the time of the stirring, and yet snow continued to fall. “I think winter may finally be ending. The air feels a little warmer, if cold can be called warmer. Perhaps an odd feeling while I watch the snow still fall.”
Erestor smiled at the comment and rose from his desk to join his friend at the window. “I think are right. I feel it too…winter passing.”
“How are our stores?” Elrond asked. “Have we still enough to think about a celebration of sorts? Our people surely deserve one, and we should celebrate surviving this most brutal of winters. We’ve had none of our usual winter festivals.” The Winter Solstice had passed quietly, without notice or celebration. So great was the cold, and so early had the winter come upon them, that many would have perished without the stores and provisions kept in Imladris.
The Elves had quickly constructed barns and herded cattle and sheep, chickens and ducks, into the safety of the house surrounds, away from prowling packs of wolves. As many fish as they could catch were taken from the river and streams before the waters froze, for the fish would easily be kept frozen as long as needed. Outbuildings held hastily harvested wood, grains, and all manner of food for Elf, Man, or beast. The healing halls had remained full of travelers caught unawares, or refugees seeking warmer climate, and all manner of hurts caused by ice and snow. There had been no time or inclination to celebrate.
Imladris had not been ungenerous. They cared for all who came to them, and because of their help, with provisions carried by the Rangers of the North to the Shire, the Hobbits had been saved from starvation.
“Lindir just performed an inventory, but I have not looked at it yet. Shall we look at it together?” Erestor moved back to his desk, stopping to pet the black cat dozing there before finding the inventory. The cat snuggled deeper under its blanket, and Erestor chuckled softly. “Tinnu does not like the cold. I keep reminding him that is what he has a fur coat for.” No fires burnt in the rooms in Imladris unless needed, for Elves did not feel the cold as other races and animals did. Wood was kept for cooking, heating the healing rooms, and keeping the barn animals from freezing.
The two Elves stood together reviewing the list. “We have plenty of honey, wine and fish at least,” Elrond said. “Oh, and look, there is an outbuilding that is still full of grain. If it was protected as well as the other sheds were, the cooks will be able to bake bread and cakes.”
Erestor took a second sheet from the stack. “And look at all the barrels of apples and pears we still have, and there are bitter oranges and walnuts for baking, and onions and cabbages for cooking with the fish.” He quickly reviewed the remaining sheets, looking for any problems. “The animals have all fared well. The losses have not been many, thanks to the talents of our people. We should have good herds to turn out when the valley is green again and a good birthing season.”
“Is there enough hay for the herd animals remaining if the snow continues longer?” Elrond asked. “And food for the birds?”
More pages turned over. “More than enough, the Valar be praised,” Erestor replied. “The chickens and ducks have been providing us with eggs all season long, as you know, and we continue to have a good supply that can be used.” He paused and looked up at Elrond, both smiling. “I believe we are going to have a party, my Lord.”
Chapter Two
I wish you knew how much of you there is in everything I do. It can be the smallest thing…trivial…mundane…. But you’re there, under the surface of it somewhere.
I wish you knew how I carry you with me always…. Everywhere I go.
Ranata Suzuki
Lindir finished the plan for the party and was on his way to drop it off in Erestor’s office for his approval. It was a perfunctory task since Lindir oversaw the running of the house, but Erestor was, after all, Elrond’s Chief Advisor. He paused outside the office door and looked out a nearby casement at the still-falling snow. “Come back to me,” he whispered. "Come to me even as a shadow. Even as a dream. Do you not know how much of you is still within me?”
“Who are you speaking to?” Erestor stood outside his office door, his head cocked toward Lindir.
Lindir shook his head, not answering for a moment before asking his own question. “Why do you think only Glorfindel has been returned? Of all the Elves who perished in Gondolin, why is my brother the only one who has been returned to Arda?”
Erestor motioned him into the office where they sat, continuing to speak softly.
“I like to think it was for me,” Erestor replied, “but I am not that naïve. Perhaps I am just his reward for the Valar sending him back to complete yet more tasks. There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains. Glorfindel’s light remained here.”
Lindir thought for a moment. “And what if he is not the only one with a light so bright that it, too, remains?”
Erestor regarded his law-brother before asking with a hint of caution, “Is there someone you wait for? Someone you lost in Gondolin?”
Lindir nodded.
“Your mate?”
Another nod.
“Glorfindel told me nothing of this,” Erestor said, “although I admit I guessed you had been mated in Gondolin since you have never been attracted to anyone here.”
“No, Glorfindel would not have said anything,” Lindir replied. “I could not bear to talk about what happened in Gondolin, and even after Glorfindel returned, only he and I knew.”
A voice spoke from the doorway, and the two Elves looked up to see Glorfindel. “Always believe, Lindir, that something wonderful is about to happen. Soul mates will always end up together, no matter how much distance in time or space there is. Do not lose faith. I believe with all my heart that he will be returned to you one day.”
“I will never lose faith, Glorfindel. With all my heart I know I will see him again. How much did you hear?” Lindir asked.
“Likely all of it,” Glorfindel replied. “You did not say his name?”
Lindir shook his head. “No. I will not speak it until the day he comes back to me or the day I join him in Valinor. I will not be the source of gossip and questions. Erestor, I love you as a brother, but I will not say, even to you.”
“Never think you have to, Lindir,” Erestor said. “I thank you for letting me know what you have, and know that I am always here to support you. I, too, look on you as my brother. Now, is that the plan for the party I see in your hands?”
Lindir smiled at his law-brother and friend, and laid the plan on Erestor’s desk.