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Erestor woke up. The wind was blowing through opened windows, bringing smells of greenleaf and wild flowers—a smell of approaching spring. He tore off a page of the calendar on the table next to his bed. This day. The Chief Counsellor thought, feeling a sharp pain stung throughout his heart.
On this day five years ago, he had seen off the patrol of Glorfindel as usual. The golden-haired warrior said goodbye by a quick kiss. I will come back soon. He promised, smiling tenderly. Erestor watched after his love until he vanised behind a dark, leafy forest.
But he never returned.
No one knew what happened to his patrol. Lord Elrond had sent out many warriors to find them, but all of them turned back with blankly eyes and shacking head. There were some vestiges of a battle, some blood spots had dried already. But there was no sign of living, as if they had all dissolved like sea foam. Even the wisest Elf of Imladris could not explain this mystery. After five years, they realized with sadness that their warriors, their friends, their loves were no longer with them. Forever.
But Erestor was still waiting.
Every year, when Celandine – his love’s favorite flower – was blooming, the Chief Counsellor would forget all his uncompleted compilation work, leaving Imladris, and ascending alone upon the hill where he had last seen off Glorfindel. When spring came, the green hill was covered in thousand of Celandine, as if it was turned into a golden hill in one night. Erestor would sit on the hilltop, looking for a familiar golden-haired, hearing a lightly song of wind, leaf and Celandine. You promised to come back. He murmured. You knew I hate latecomer. So don’t force me to wait more. Please.
Please, come back to me.
Only the wind responded to him.
I miss you. I need you.
Only the sky heard him.
I love you.
Only the Celandine knew.
He had gone, Erestor. Let the ghost of the past rest in peace. Lord Elrond’s voice echoed in his ear. Erestor shook his head, and silent tears fell upon golden petal like a morning dew. He could not believe this. Glorfindel would keep his promise. Always.
Someday, the Balrog Slayer would return, with a dirty cloak and brightest grin, holding in his hand a bouquet of wild flowers as a present for his Chief Counsellor. And Erestor would hold his hand and embrace him as tight as his could…
Someday…
As long as the flowers were blooming, Erestor would wait.
Until the flowers faded, the wind stopped blowing, and his heart broke.
He would wait here. Upon the hill of Celandine.
He promised.