b2mem | What if Arakáno didn't die? by Silver Trails

B2MeM Challenge: What if Arakáno did not die? Would that have changed anything? Arakáno and Ecthelion were lovers since Tirion, so take this into account. (My own prompt)

Format: short story (c.479 words)
Rating: PG
Characters: Arakáno, Ecthelion, Fingon
Pairing: Arakánor/Ecthelion
Warnings: none
Summary: A young Glaurung comes to attack the Noldor

Dear mods, there isn't a tag for Arakáno or Argon. Can you tag him, please?

Edit: thank you for adding the tag!

Arakáno dismounted and gave his horse to a groom. It was night, and he had just arrived from the Firth of Drengist with a patrol. Since Morgoth tried to catch them unawares a hundred years ago, the Elves from Hithlum always kept watch in the area. He was tired and in need of some rest.

He was called Argon now, a Sindarized form of his name. Life had changed so much since the days when he camped outside Tirion with his cousins and Ecthelion… Arakáno missed those days, and he missed his cousins. He had not seen the twins since they came to Fingolfin’s encampment to speak with him, Glorfindel, and Ecthelion, and ask forgiveness for their part in the burning of the ships; Amras had almost died that night. Glorfindel was gone too, having followed Turgon into Gondlin. Only Ecthelion, his Ehtelë, remained in Hithlum.

Arakáno was about to go find his father and report when a great alarm came from the northern area of the settlement. Something was coming, and Arakáno could see the flames in the lands beyond.

“That is a fire-drake!” Ecthelion was suddenly at his side. Arakáno nodded. He saw Fingon, in full armor, ready to confront the beast.

“We are coming with you, brother,” he said.

Fingon looked at him. “Have something to eat first. Join us as soon as possible. It is burning Ard-Galen, and will take time to reach the encampment. We will not allow that to happen.”

Arakáno started to protest, but Ecthelion’s hand on his shoulder stopped him. “Armor yourself, and I will find something to eat while we follow Fingon. You will be of no use unless you regain your strength.”

“All right…” Arakáno quickly found his armor and soon he and Ecthelion had joined Fingon’s archers. They were already driving the fire-drake away. Arakáno could see the black blood soaking the wasted lands.

Ecthelion was already shooting arrows in quick succession, and Arakáno followed suit. He was more skilled with the sword; it had been Ecthelion’s arrow that had saved him from dying on the field after killing the Orc captain.

“The drake is leaving!” Ecthelion exclaimed, and all around they heard the calls of victory. Fingon came toward them.

“Thanks for coming, brother,” he said. “And thank you Ecthelion for taking care of him,” he added with a small smile.

Arakáno scowled at them. He was rash, that was true, but he always survived. “I am old enough to take care of myself,” he said.

Ecthelion smiled a little. “We know.”

“Of course we do, brother,” Fingon said, his expression suddenly serious. “Let us return to the encampment now. This fire-drake was something we did not expect, and I am certain it won’t be the last we see of this. There are new plans to be made. Surely Father is already waiting for our report.”